ANC Hovers Around Two-Thirds Majority Mark

Johannesburg - The African National Congress looked set for a two-thirds majority as vote counting passed the halfway mark on Thursday and future president Jacob Zuma celebrated victory with fireworks in Johannesburg.

By 21:50, the ruling party had 7 484 389 (66.52%) of the 11 250 943 votes counted. Earlier, with just over 10 million votes counted, the ANC had 66.85% of the vote.

The Democratic Alliance was in second place with 16%, its strongest performance yet.

DA leader Helen Zille said she was delighted with her party's showing but worried at the prospect of the ANC retaining its two-thirds majority and with it the power to amend the Constitution.

If this happened, South Africans who failed to vote on Wednesday should be ashamed of themselves for handing unchecked power to a man tainted by "corruption", she said in reference to the charges against Zuma that were dropped a fortnight before the poll.

* News 24

Another Long Night at IEC Centre

Pretoria - There was a quiet hum at the Independent Electoral Commissions results centre in Pretoria on Thursday night as the ANC celebrated an early victory.

Deputy President Baleka Mbete, wearing black leather pants and a black and yellow head wrap, mirrored soon-to-be-president Jacob Zuma's victory outfit of a black and yellow leather jacket.

While Mbete spent time on the floor of the IEC, the closest people got to Zuma was watching him on various television screens around the centre as he pulled his dance moves in central Johannesburg.

Gwede Mantashe, in a jovial mood, jokingly spoke Afrikaans, while Bantu Holomisa of the UDM was heading off to drinks with friends. Earlier he joked that he was going to leave to play golf.
Holomisa, saying it was too early to say exactly what results he expected, compared himself to DA leader Helen Zille, whom he described as "raving" earlier in the day about preliminary results which later fluctuated.

"She doesn't know how this thing works. I've got experience," he said, shortly before demonstrating on a reporter how a plastic massage device, which was one of many given to the political parties, works.

Zille, in shocking pink, earlier spent time at her party work station analysing results and talking to media.

By 20:30 Mbete and fellow ANC stalwart Lindiwe Sisulu in a polka dot jacket had left, as had Zille, leaving behind her CEO Ryan Coetzee.

Kenneth Meshoe of the ACDP, Cope's Mvume Dandala and Mbhazima Shilowa and Freedom Front Plus's Pieter Mulder, also made a stop at the IEC centre.

Dinner on Thursday night was a more leisurely affair than Wednesday's hurried meal. Party officials, policemen, journalists and even some children in pyjamas sat around the tulip centrepieces, watching the ANC celebrations on plasma screens.

However, one screen was switched off after a woman complained about having to watch Zuma. Later when she was not looking, it was switched on again.

* News 24

Africainvestor to Host Investment Summit in Harare

HARARE – A leading African economic think-tank, Africainvestor, will in June host an investment summit in Harare to showcase business opportunities in Zimbabwe and on the continent, in a sign of growing confidence in the country fowling formation of a unity government two months ago.

The Pan-African Investment Climate summit conference that will run from June 23 to 25 and will include a “Zimbabwe day” devoted to assessing and exploring investment opportunities in the country and possible ways to raise funding for such projects.

“With the recent inclusive government between MDC and ZANU PF, several international development finance institutions and investment funds are now actively assessing projects in Zimbabwe, making this the perfect opportunity for astute investors operating in SADC to assess the situation on the ground and secure early mover advantage,” Africainvsetor said in statement last this week.

“A Zimbabwe donor round table will take place as part of the Zimbabwe day, offering investors insights on new funding available for projects in Zimbabwe,” the think-tank added.

Africainvestor is a specialist investment communications firm advising governments, international organisations and businesses on communication strategies for capital market and foreign direct investments in Africa.

The think-tank also publishes a magazine on investing and investments in Africa, The Africainvestor, which is widely regarded as the leading international newsstand magazine for Africa’s investment decision makers.

* Zimonline

Zimbabwe Constitutional Debate Heats Up With Naming of Parliamentary Co-Chairs

The appointment of lawmakers from Zimbabwe's co-governing Movement For Democratic Change and ZANU-PF parties to lead a constitutional revision process could further polarize public opinion on how best to forge a new basic document, observers said Wednesday.

Political analysts said public opinion is swinging against the constitution-making process led by a 25-member parliamentary committee co-chaired by Douglas Mwonzora of the majority Movement For Democratic Change and Paul Mangwana of the former ruling ZANU-PF.

Mwonzora and Mangwana were named Tuesday by Parliament to head the revision process as it is spelled out in the global political agreement that is the basis of the unity government led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, head of the dominant MDC formation.

Analysts said the appointments could sharpen discord between the political class and civic activists who want a constitutional commission to draft a "people-driven" document.

Political analyst Brilliant Mhlanga told reporter Gibbs Dube of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that voters could reject a constitution drafted under the parliamentary procedure.

Meanwhile, a senior official of the National Constitutional Assembly, one of the leading voices in the debate over revision of the constitution, said that following discussions with Tsvangirai the organization will submit recommendations to the prime minister on how the new constitution should be drafted, potentially marking out common ground.

* VoA

Motlanthe Condemns Lesotho PM's Assassination Attempt

Johannesburg - President Kgalema Motlanthe condemned the assassination attempt on Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili on Wednesday.

Mosisili survived an attempt on his life after gunmen opened fire at his home in the capital Maseru.

"SADC (Southern African Development Community) condemns without equivocation the attempted assassination of the democratically elected Prime Minister of Lesotho Pakalitha Mosisili," Motlanthe, who is also the SADC's chair, said in a statement.


"It is the firm view of the region that no cause can ever justify such heinous acts.
"I commend the South African security forces who successfully apprehended two of the perpetrators of this act, and express the hope that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that all those implicated face the full might of the law," he added.

Privately owned Harvest FM reported that three men were killed in a gunfight with police after a group of heavily-armed men stormed the presidential residence, in what was described as a botched assassination attempt.

According to the broadcaster, one of the men killed was a member of the Lesotho defence force.
Some of the men managed to escape, but a South African and a Mozambican national were arrested and a number of weapons were seized, the report noted.

Mosisili, 64, was elected in 1998 as Lesotho leader. He was defence minister before becoming prime minister.

* SAPA

Tsvangirai Wants Unity Govt’s Outstanding Issues Resolved

HARARE – Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday called on Zimbabwe’s political leaders to conclude discussions on implementation of the country’s power-sharing agreement, in a sign he may be losing patience with talks that have dragged on for days with little progress.

Tsvangirai, President Robert Mugabe and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara – the three principals to Zimbabwe’s power-sharing agreement – are expected to meet today to try to resolve several outstanding issues and alleged unilateralism by Mugabe that is threatening the smooth running of the nascent unity government.

Today’s meeting will be the third time inside two weeks that the three leaders will be meeting to try to find a lasting solution to the outstanding issues and other differences that emerged after the formation of the inclusive government on February 13 and that have hindered full implementation of the power-sharing agreement.

"They will be addressed and we are in the process of addressing them. We cannot go on for ever and ever, we have to address those issues," Tsvangirai told journalists after officiating at an International Labour Organisation function in Harare.

"We have no specific date but we cannot go on with outstanding issues always hanging over our heads," he said.

Among the outstanding issues of the power sharing agreement the leaders will discuss are the appointment of provincial governors, permanent secretaries and diplomats, the rehiring of Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono and the appointment of Johannes Tomana as Attorney General by Mugabe in January.

* Zimonline

Tsvangirai and NCA Fail to Agree on Constitutional Reform

HARARE – Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and the leaders of the country’s largest civic constitutional lobby failed on Wednesday to reach agreement over who should lead the writing of a new constitution for Zimbabwe.

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairman Lovemore Madhuku said differences remained over whether Parliament should lead the writing of a new constitution for Zimbabwe as proposed by the government or whether an all-stakeholders and independent commission should be appointed to lead the task.

“It was made clear to the Prime Minister that we are not shifting our position for a people-driven constitution,” said Madhuku. “The stand-off still remains but we agreed to engage them. We also emphasised the need for an independent commission and that the country constitutional making process was total unacceptable.”

Gordon Moyo, the Minister of State in Tsvangirai’s office, who also attended the meeting with the NCA leaders described it as a “fruitful meeting”. He did not give further details.

The government wants Parliament to lead the writing of a new governance charter for the country over 18 months with the draft constitution to be put before Zimbabweans in a referendum.

A parliamentary committee appointed last week and drawing members from President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF party, Tsvangirai’s MDC formation and the MDC formation led by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara will oversee the drafting of the country's new constitution.

Apart from lawmakers, more people drawn from business, students, rights groups, churches, media, women’s groups, labour and farmers among others shall be tasked to head sub-committee created by the parliamentary select committee that will retain final say in the drafting of the new constitution.

But Tsvangirai face possible revolt from the country’s civil society that has always worked with his MDC party but are opposed to Parliament leading the writing of a new constitution for Zimbabwe.

In addition to the NCA, the Zimbabwe National Students Union, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition have also expressed reservations over the government’s constitutional reforms. – ZimOnline

Tough Talk Among Partners in Zimbabwe's Troubled 'All-Inclusive Government'

Following heated discussion Monday in a meeting involving Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara over longstanding and more recent issues troubling their national unity government, another faceoff looms on Thursday, government sources told VOA on Tuesday.

The government sources said President Mugabe told Mr. Tsvangirai and Mutambara that he is in charge and can make decisions without consulting the other two. All three signed a Global Political Agreement last Sept. 15 laying the groundwork for the power-sharing government which came into being in February after arduous haggling over the details.

Questions now on the table include ongoing invasions of white-owned commercial farms, Mr. Mugabe’s recent unilateral reassignment of some ministerial portfolio responsibilities, and a wide range of senior appointments including that of the Reserve Bank governor.

Sources said discussions Monday became so heated that power-sharing negotiators from Mr. Mugabe's ZANU-PF and both Movement for Democratic Change formations were called in to explain the political agreement clause by clause to define the powers of the principals.

* VoA

Tears, Ululations as Nelson Madiba Mandela Votes

Johannesburg - There were tears and ululations as former president Nelson Mandela stepped out of his car to vote in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Dressed in a warm winter overcoat he walked into a scene resembling a Hollywood paparazzi scramble as hundreds of photographers and journalists competed with voters waving cellphone cameras for a photograph.

The gates of the Killarney Country Club in Houghton Estate were temporarily closed to control the crowd.
Mothers lifted their children towards him and women shrieked "Tata, tata".

Following his daughter Zinzi he walked with a silver medical cane, leaning at times on Gauteng Premier Paul Mashatile, his eyes twinkling as he smiled and greeted people.

Bodyguards pushed to control the crowd and television and sound men shouted at each other to move out of the way as he made his way into the voting station.

With a helicopter circling overhead the man who became the country's first democratically-elected president in 1994 went through his paces inside the voting room.

* News 24

ANC President Zuma Votes at Nkandla

Nkandla - Addressing journalists after casting his vote on Wednesday morning in Nkandla, Kwa-Zulu Natal, ANC president Jacob Zuma said it felt great to vote freely.

"When I grew up, I did not know that this day would come. This makes me feel great and it's a feeling far different from the one that we had under the apartheid government."

Zuma said he was confident the ANC would win, adding that campaigning had gone well.

Journalists struggled to hear Zuma, amid pushing and shoving, above the screaming of his supporters who were trying to touch him.

Zuma was accompanied by one of his wives, Nompumelelo Nthuli, and ANC provincial deputy chairperson Willies Mchunu.

* SAPA

Zimbabwe Leaders to Meet Again Over Outstanding Issues

HARARE – Leaders of Zimbabwe’s power-sharing government meet tomorrow after failing on Monday to resolve several outstanding issues and alleged unilateralism by President Robert Mugabe that is threatening the smooth running of the nascent unity government.

“They are meeting on Thursday after an inconclusive meeting on Monday,” James Maridadi, spokesman of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said.


Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara’s meeting will be the third inside two weeks to try to find a lasting solution to the outstanding issues and other differences that emerged after the formation of the inclusive government on February 13.

Among the outstanding issues of the power-sharing agreement are the appointment of provincial governors, permanent secretaries and diplomats, the rehiring of Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono and the appointment of Johannes Tomana as Attorney General by Mugabe in January.

Tsvangirai and Mutambara want the appointments of Gono, Tomana and provincial governors rescinded and the recruitment of new ambassadors and permanent secretaries – moves Mugabe and hardliners from his ZANU PF party have adamantly opposed.

Mugabe last week also raised the ire of his coalition partners with a unilateral decision to transfer a major portfolio from MDC-T minister Nelson Chamisa to one of his ZANU PF hardliners, Nicholas Goche.

Another bone of contention between Mugabe on the one hand and Tsvangirai and Mutambara on the other is the refusal by the 85-year-old President to swear in MDC-T Senator Roy Bennett as deputy agriculture minister.

* Zimonline

Nkandla Gets Ready For Zuma Victory Party

The talk in Nkandla in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Monday was how the village would celebrate when Jacob Zuma took over as president after Wednesday's election.

Nkandla is the rural home of the ANC president, but it is also regarded as a stronghold of Mangosuthu Buthelezi's Inkatha Freedom Party, an arch rival of Zuma's African National Congress.

Like many other rural villages in the province, Nkandla, is a sleepy area where you hardly see people moving around.

Here people know each other by names and even their ages. Unlike in urban areas where news is disseminated through the mass media, in rural areas like Nkandla, a villager finds himself or herself obliged to spread the news by personally going to other neighbours and telling them about the story.

As in the mass media, villagers always have stories of the day, of the week and even of the year.

On Monday, the village talk in Nkandla was how the village would celebrate Zuma's forthcoming election victory.

A snap survey in the area shows that although villagers belong to different political organisations, they are united in one goal. That is to see their local boy, Zuma becoming president.

* SAPA

Zuma Faces Tough Challenges After Polls: Maharaj

African National Congress President Jacob Zuma and his party will be forced to demonstrate how they are different from their predecessors after the election, former transport minister Mac Maharaj said on Tuesday.

"On election night, he and the ANC will be confronted with needing to show South Africa has changed," Maharaj said at the University of Johannesburg. Maharaj said the country needed more than only discussion and opinion pieces.

"If we only have more indabas and policy papers, I would say '(they) lost' (their chance to show change).""It is actions that are going to inspire confidence."

Maharaj called for government, civil society and the media to examine themselves in how former president Thabo Mbeki was able to gain so much influence in what he called a "coup attempt".

* Sapa

ICG Report: Donors Must Help Zimbabwe

Harare - Zimbabwe's unity government is likely to fail unless donors quickly help rebuild the country after a decade of economic collapse and political violence, a top international think-tank said on Tuesday.

The International Crisis Group said in a report that Zimbabwe is turning a corner after long-time President Robert Mugabe and his erstwhile rival, the new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, formed a unity government in February.

"If the international community stands back with a wait-and-see attitude, the unity government is likely to fail. Mugabe and the military establishment will entrench themselves again," said Donald Steinberg, the group's deputy president.

South African negotiators should also try to persuade hardliners in the military to retire before new elections are held, in exchange for limited immunity from prosecution for political crimes, the report said.

Such efforts would counter the risk of an attack against Tsvangirai or his Movement for Democratic Change party, it said.

Western countries have so far refused to extend major new aid and investments, or lift sanctions against Mugabe and his inner circle, until the unity government shows more tangible signs of progress.

The report said it was still premature for the United States, the European Union and others to remove their visa bans and asset freezes against Mugabe and his allies, or to give the government direct budget support.

But it called for more dynamic humanitarian aid to the country, where more than half the population depends on foreign food aid for survival.

* News 24

Zimbabwe Slashes Down High Passport Prices

ZIMBABWE has slashed passport fees by almost 74 percent, but Ministers admit the new fees are still relatively high compared to other countries in the region and beyond.

A standard passport which used to cost US$670 will now attract an application fee of US$170, Home Affairs Ministers Kembo Mohadi and Giles Mutsekwa announced on Monday.

Zimbabweans applying for a 24-hour passport will fork out US$310 while a faster “express passport” will cost US$385.

The new measures come into effect immediately, the ministers said at a joint-press conference.
And for the first time in four months, Zimbabweans can apply for emergency travel documents by paying US$40.

The service had been discontinued as the Registrar General’s Office battled rising costs for material used for making passports in the midst of crippling nationwide foreign currency shortages.

Birth certificates and national identity documents will continue to be free, the ministers announced. But duplicates for lost documents will be US$5 for a birth certificate and US$10 for an ID.

* News Zimbabwe

Are Gono's Days at RBZ Now Numbered?

The acknowledgement by Zimbabwe’s central bank governor that it raided the private bank accounts of companies and donors to fund President Robert Mugabe’s government during the economic crisis has increased speculation over his fate under the new national unity government.

Central Bank Governor Gideon Gono said the central bank took foreign currency from private accounts to help pay for some $2 billion in loans to state-owned companies and utilities and for power and grain imports.

He said the government still had to repay about $1.2 billion, so the bank could repay the money it owes.

Heading the central bank at a time Zimbabwe was suffering economic collapse and hyperinflation that touched at least 231 million percent a year (according to official figures) was never going to be a badge of honour for the governor, but as he made clear in his statement, Zimbabwe’s problems went beyond economics.

“It was a political problem and not an economic one that drove us into the difficulties this nation experienced, and quasi-fiscal operations were a response to those political challenges we have now resolved through the inclusive government,” the statement said. “Our call is to let bygones be bygones and for everyone and every entity to start anew and open a new page.”

Gono has come under pressure from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to resign since the former opposition party joined Mugabe in a unity government in February.

Western diplomats have also said Gono’s departure could help bring a resumption of badly needed aid.

Are his days numbered now Tsvangirai and Mugabe seem to be working together more closely than many might have expected?

* Reuters

Ex-SA President Mbeki to Vote in Parktown

Former president Thabo Mbeki will cast his ballot in Parktown, Johannesburg on Wednesday, his spokesperson said.

Mukoni Ratshitanga said Mbeki and his wife, Zanele, would vote at the Holy Family College on Oxford Road at 9am.

The former president had largely been absent from the ANC's election campaign while his predecessor, Nelson Mandela, had endorsed the party campaign through his attendance at two key rallies, one in the Eastern Cape, the other in Gauteng.

Mandela would cast his ballot for the fourth time at the Killarney Country Club, Houghton Estate.

ANC president Jacob Zuma would vote at the Ntolweni Primary School, Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal. His deputy, President Kgalema Motlanthe would vote at Bryntirion Estate in Waterkloof, Pretoria.

DA leader Helen Zille would vote at St Paul's Church, Rondebosch, Cape Town; Congress of the People presidential candidate Mvume Dandala in Midrand, African Christian Democratic Party leader Kenneth Meshoe at Parkdene Primary School in Boksburg, Johannesburg and Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille at Pinelands Town Hall, Cape Town.

Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota would vote at Oranje Meisieskool in Bloemfontein, Free State while his first and second deputies, Mbhazima Shilowa and Lynda Odendaal would vote in Constantiakloof and Morningside respectively.

Pan Africanist Congress president Letlapa Mphahlele would vote in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape and African People's Convention leader Themba Godi at Dwarsloop Civic Centre in Mpumalanga.
Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder would vote in Potchefstroom in the North West and UDM leader Bantu Holomisa in Arcadia, Pretoria.

* Sapa

Tsvangirai, Ministers to Lure Western Investment

Pretoria — Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is to lead a team of ministers on an international tour to lure Western countries to urgently invest in Zimbabwe.

Foreign Affairs Director General Ayanda Ntsaluba said on Tuesday the decision was taken that Mr Tsvangirai, together with a team of ministers, will go to the major Western nations to see if they can partner in assisting Zimbabwe.

"The tour basically will be aimed at enticing investment," he said.

Zimbabwe's government, which is made up of President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, is seeking $8.5 billion from international donors for its short-term emergency recovery program.

However, international donors have said they will only dispense aid once there is clear evidence of real change within the shattered country.

The United States and European Union maintain visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and companies linked to human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, as well as embargoes on the sale of arms and equipment that could be used for internal repression.

Mr Ntsaluba said the region has begun to see progress in the union government, though it was still early stages.

He added that South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) remained committed to assisting in resolving the economic crisis in that country.

* All Africa

Zimbabwe PM Crash Trial to Open Soon

HARARE (Xinhua) -- The trial date for Chinoona Mwanda, the truck driver involved in the accident that killed Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's wife Susan in March, has been set for May 20, The Herald reported on Tuesday.

Mwanda, who is being charged with culpable homicide, appeared before Chivhu regional magistrate Reuben Mukavhi, who remanded him out of custody to his trial date.

Both the defendant and the state counsel have agreed to have the case remanded to May 20 for trial.

Prosecutor John Hama used Monday's remand proceedings to furnish lawyer Chris Mhike with the case papers to enable him to prepare his client's defense.


Hama said the docket is now complete, adding 16 witnesses have been lined up to give evidence in the trial. He also hinted that he is likely to streamline them because of the nature of their evidence.

When asked whether the prime minister would be called to testify, Hama said he thought it unnecessary. "We have 16 witnesses and I feel it's not necessary to call him in this case. We are also considering whittling down the number of witnesses because evidence of some of them is similar," he said.

Charges against Mwanda were filed on March 6, when he was involved in an accident with Prime Minister Tsvangirai's vehicle along the Harare-Masvingo Highway. He was driving a Nissan UD truck, registered to the US Embassy.

It is believed that Mwanda lost control of the vehicle, sideswiping the prime minister's car near Furtherstone. Mrs. Tsvangirai died on the spot and the prime minister sustained head and neck injuries.

MPs Defy Order to Surrender RBZ Vehicles

Harare — MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday defied a Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe directive to hand over the cars they got from the central bank to the Ministry of Finance for redistribution.

The central bank lent 50 second-hand cars to the MPs following a request by the lawmakers.
RBZ Governor Dr Gideon Gono yesterday issued a statement urging MPs to hand over the vehicles to the Ministry of Finance following a directive from Minister Tendai Biti.

But chairperson of the MPs' welfare committee and Mberengwa East Member of the House of Assembly Cde Makhosini Hlongwane described the directive to hand over the vehicles to the Finance Ministry as unfortunate saying it did not take into account the plight of the lawmakers.

"We are going to meet as a committee tomorrow (today) to discuss the implications of that directive before we make a comprehensive response on the way forward.

"It is critical to note that Cabinet ministers were given brand new top-of-the-range vehicles like Mercedes-Benzes, Prados and Land Cruisers just two days after being sworn in yet it took us more than a year to get second-hand vehicles," Cde Hlongwane said.

"We don't see the prudence of returning them (vehicles)."

In his statement yesterday, Dr Gono said the rationale for giving MPs cars was to afford them mobility when promoting the Short-Term Emergency Recovery Programme and national healing in their constituencies.

Dr Gono said Minister Biti had directed that the vehicles be surrendered by yesterday but had appealed to him to extend the deadline to Friday this week.

* Herald

Released Zimbabwe Political Prisoner Vows Legal Pursuit of Alleged Torturers

One of three Zimbabwean political detainees released late last week on bail, freelance photo-journalist Anderson Manyere, said Monday that he is demanding an investigation into his abduction and torture and is contemplating suing the government for his detention.

Released with Manyere were Ghandi Mudzingwa, a former aide to Movement for Democratic Change founder Morgan Tsvangirai, now Zimbabwe's prime minister, and Kisimusi Dhlamini, former director of security for the opposition party.

Both have been hospitalized for injuries from torture said to have been sustained while in police custody.

The three men, released on US$1,000 bail each, still face charges of terrorism, banditry and sabotage. They were due back in court April 30, when a date for their trial could be set.

* VoA

Motlanthe: I Was Right to Fire NPA's Pikoli

PRESIDENT Kgalema Motlanthe has defended his decision to fire former national director of public prosecutions Vusi Pikoli, saying it was “strictly in accordance with constitutional principles” and not made on instruction from the African National Congress (ANC).

He also said that it was his “constitutional right and duty” to appoint Pikoli’s successor and added that “the process of the identification of an appropriate person has commenced”.



Motlanthe said this in court papers in answer to an application by Pikoli to set aside his dismissal and to interdict the appointment of his successor until the court case was finalised.

Pikoli was suspended by former president Thabo Mbeki in September 2007. He has maintained that Mbeki suspended him to stop the arrest and prosecution of national police commissioner Jackie Selebi.

Pikoli was dismissed by Motlanthe in December last year after an inquiry was conducted by ANC stalwart Frene Ginwala into whether he was fit to hold office.

* rabkinf@bdfm.co.za

ANC's Zuma Convinces a Young Sceptic

Sarah Godsell finds herself inspired by South Africans’ hope for the country.

I AM a young South African , 23, and while I am very excited about voting tomorrow, I’m confused and a little disillusioned about who to vote for.


In this state of mind I, almost by accident, attended the African National Congress (ANC) rally at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Sunday.

I’m not an ANC supporter (well, specifically not a Jacob Zuma supporter) and I was expecting to have a day of grinding my teeth through speeches. Instead, I had an overwhelmingly positive experience, which, while not converting my vote, left me feeling much calmer and more positive about the country and its leadership after these elections.

The experience started with my Canadian friend, a photographer who invited me to the rally , and I walking to the stadium together with throngs of singing people . The atmosphere was celebratory, and anticipatory. I got caught up in it very quickly, although we stuck out in two ways. We were the only ones not wearing ANC T-shirts, which made us more conspicuous than being the only two white people in the crowd.

On our way into the stadium, having now acquired ANC T-shirts, I was reminded about the diversity of ANC supporters — the pace of the civilised crush was slowed by older people walking with sticks and young children, their ANC shirts reaching to their knees and toes.

The reception I received from the people around me was overwhelmingly positive. The area of the stadium in which I was sitting was so full that people had crammed onto the stairs; a jigsaw puzzle of people with a common purpose. The middle-aged women I was sitting next to were friendly and concerned , and offered me half their seats. And there were many idiosyncrasies that surprised me, and which made me smile.

While, as far as I could see, we were the only two white people in the stadium (apart from members of the media on the field), the only languages on the posters were English and Afrikaans.

But the crowd’s response to the Afrikaans prayer was positive (even the prayers were diverse, with a prayer by an imam, a rabbi and Christian ministers) . At the end of the Afrikaans prayer the woman sitting next to me said: “In die naam van God,” (In God’s name) and leaned over to me and said: “Ek probeer.” (I’m trying).

I went to the rally strongly opposed to Zuma, with my arguments against him neatly lined up in my head. It was only when he started speaking that I realised that I had never actually heard him speak (I’m not counting the choice 30-second extracts shown on the news), and I was pleasantly surprised.

He spoke of a country where every colour and every gender feels comfortable and is not discriminated against, and reassured people that even if the ANC gets a two-thirds majority, it would not change the constitution.

His speech was not life-changing for me, but it did challenge my preconceived negative notions of the person who is probably going to be our president. I am grateful for that. And while some of my friends pointed out that words are just words , what else can you have in a speech?

I was also impressed by the spectacular organisation. There were at least 100000 people gathered in the two stadiums and the areas outside , but everything was completely relaxed and peaceful. I had watched as the organisers stopped letting people into Coca-Cola Park and started sending them to the Johannesburg Stadium next door.

I expected people to get angry. I expected lines of policemen. But there was just one line of security personnel, firmly standing holding hands and directing people to other areas, and people obeyed them. It made me so happy to live here .

Leaving the stadium was also very relaxed, my friend and I both in our ANC T-shirts. We were a bit of an oddity in the crowd, and people kept testing us, saying amandla. At first I was shy about responding; I never know whether it’s my right or not. But seeing people’s responses when I did respond, I carried on. And why not? Power to the people, to these people, the everyday people.

And my hope, my prayer, is that the people in power remember every single day whom they are here to represent. I had definitely forgotten what the ANC stood for.

All in all, it was an intensely positive experience. And an intensely democratic one. I felt comfortable and proud to be South African. Everybody says that we have lots of work to do, and it’s true. And we don’t know what kind of president Zuma will be.

I still don’t know who to vote for. But I do know we’re going to be okay. And my friend and I can have some fun shocking all our friends by going out in our ANC T-shirts!

* Business Day

Mbeki Will Not Travel to Zimbabwe on Tuesday

A Southern African Development Community delegation is expected in Harare Tuesday for talks in a bid to avoid a collapse on the fragile Inclusive Government.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki, the broker of the Zanu PF-MDC unity deal, was meant to be present but has since asked to be excused.

Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office Gordon Moyo confirmed the meetings. Moyo said " Former president Mbeki was supposed to be jetted in but since his country is having elections Wednesday he has asked to be excused. But the meetings are on"

He said they would tackle outstanding issues on the Global Political Agreement (GPA).

President Mugabe is today evening scheduled to meet Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara, who is the leader of a smaller faction of the MDC for yet another crisis meeting meant to trash out outstanding issues on the GPA.

Pressure is mounting on the 85-year old leader to moderate his hard-line stance and allow the consummation of the unity government, key to desperately needed economic recovery.

The recent stripping by President Mugabe of certain functions of the portfolio of Information Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa (MDC) is among the contentious issues to be broached by the SADC meeting.

The meeting prompted by power struggles in the unity government and a range of unresolved issues now deteriorating into open conflict is a litmus test for the coalition regime’s ability to weather the gathering storm.

Failure to resolve issues in dispute, analysts said, could leave the unity government further weakened and divided, signalling the beginning of an unravelling process which could eventually lead to collapse.

* Afrik.com

ANC Set to Retain Manuel as Finance Minister

Trevor Manuel, South Africa’s long-serving and internationally respected finance minister, is poised to retain a cabinet seat if – as seems certain – the African National Congress wins Wednesday’s elections, according to government officials and businessmen close to the ruling party.

Mr Manuel has in the past been criticised by leftwing trades unionists and economists close to Jacob Zuma, the party’s presidential candidate, and many market analysts had expected him to leave the government.

However, with South Africa teetering on the edge of recession and facing potential difficulties in financing its current account deficit of more than 5 per cent of gross domestic product, Mr Manuel’s presence would reassure potentially nervous foreign investors.

“It would be really surprising if he were not in the cabinet,” said a government official. “If one person could steer us through the storms that are beginning to hit us he would be that person.”

One Johannesburg-based chief executive with close links to the Zuma camp said Mr Manuel would serve a partial term as finance minister to groom a successor before departing to another big ministry.

“Trevor will stay,” added an ANC economist.

“He will definitely have a cabinet position. He is too valuable to lose,” said an experienced international banker.

* FT.com

Who Will be Zuma's First Lady?

While it is customary before an election to wonder who will emerge as first lady, it's unusual to ask the question when only one man can possibly be president.

Jacob Zuma is about to take power in South Africa but the identity of his official consort is an open field. The gregarious president-in-waiting has married five times, although one wife has divorced him and another committed suicide.

The favourite is Nompumelelo Ntuli, a 34-year-old from the same rural area of KwaZulu-Natal, whom he married a little over a year ago.

But she is not the newest wife as Thobeka Mabhija, a Durban socialite with whom Mr Zuma is said to have two children, was wedded to him this January.

MaNtuli, as last year's wife is known, also faces a challenge from Mr Zuma's first wife, Sizakele Khumalo. They have been together for 50 years and married in 1973, but MaKhumalo is rarely at official engagements and never speaks in public.

The 67-year-old has not hidden his polygamy which is allowed under a 1998 law recognising customary marriage practices. It is traditional for a Zulu elder to have several wives.

Mr Zuma often sounds bemused at the attention his marriages attract, pointing out that his approach is preferable to the hypocrisy of leaders in other countries who have kept mistresses.

"I love my wives and I'm proud of my children," is his stock response. Those children are reported to number at least 13, although many more women have claimed to have had children by the politician.

Mr Zuma's camp has refused to comment on who is ahead in the race to be first lady, and told people to wait until after his inauguration. There can be only one name admitted to the spousal office of the presidency at Pretoria.

MaNtuli is the pundits' favourite after a speaking appearance last month and could well be in the photograph with Carla Bruni or Michelle Obama when the new president goes on tour.

* Independent

SA Voters in London All Cast Ballots

Johannesburg - All South Africans who were registered to vote in London - 7 427 in total - cast their ballots at the embassy in Trafalgar Square last week, the government said on Monday.

The number of those who voted is the same as the number of voters who had registered to vote in London (7 427).

"It was significant that 16 240 South Africans living abroad applied for and were granted permission for a special vote and that almost half of these (7 427) voted in London where the South African High Commissioner mobilised the entire mission to ensure that voting went smoothly," the government communications service said.

Spokesperson Themba Maseko said the government wanted to acknowledge the "important role" South Africans abroad had thereby played in the elections.

* News 24

Will Chavez and Obama Continue to Make Friendly?

By Tyler Bridges
McClatchy Newspapers

CARACAS, Venezuela — Presidents Barack Obama and Hugo Chavez unexpectedly rescued U.S.-Venezuelan relations from the deep freezer over the weekend at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad.

The two high-profile leaders replaced barbed words with cordial greetings, and Chavez said he wanted to name a new ambassador to the U.S. to replace the one who was expelled last year.

Now each side is waiting for the other to take the next step to put relations on a normal footing, a level not achieved since 2001, during the early days of the Bush administration, analysts said Monday.

U.S. officials want the Chavez government to cooperate with U.S. anti-drug efforts, begin issuing visas for U.S. diplomats to enter Venezuela and halt its buying spree of Russia weapons, analysts said.

Venezuelan officials want continued respect from the Obama administration and a muted response to Chavez's moves against his political opposition.

Unless the cordial contacts reflect a genuine change in the countries' attitudes, however, few analysts expect the warming to last, given U.S. actions that Chavez has deemed hostile and Chavez's history of using the U.S. as a political punching bag.

Zimbabwe Admits to Raiding Private Bank Accounts

HARARE, Zimbabwe -- Zimbabwe's central bank governor admitted Monday that he took hard currency from the bank accounts of private businesses and foreign-aid groups without permission, saying he was trying to keep his country's cash-strapped ministries running.

In a statement that would be unthinkable coming from most central banks, Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono appeared to be issuing a plea to keep his job in the face of growing criticism.


Mr. Gono said it was time "to let bygones be bygones" now that Zimbabwe has a new coalition government dedicated to reversing its economic decline.

The central banker said he gave the money he took from the hard-currency accounts as loans to various ministries, and that those private accounts would be reimbursed when the ministries repaid the loans. He said the bank's efforts "sustained the country" in its hour of need.

* AP

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Zimbabwe Announces Committee for New Constitution

HARARE (AFP) — Zimbabwe's speaker of Parliament Sunday announced a 25-member committee drawn from both members of the house to oversee the drafting of a new Constitution.

Drawn from both President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and Prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, the committee will have its first meeting on Monday.


The select committee sprang from the power sharing agreement signed on September 15, between Mugabe and Prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai, said Lovemore Moyo, speaker of the house.

"A Constitution is a living and sacred document that we should all be proud of," Moyo told reporters.

The aim is to have a draft tabled by February 2010, with a referendum on July and a new constitution adopted by the end of the year. The draft would have to be introduced to parliament by October next year, said Moyo.

Moyo said the new committee's approach would be informed by a "rejection of the draft referendum of 2000 draft constitution."

Zimbabwe held a constitutional referendum in 2000 but the proposal was rejected as critics said the published draft gave Mugabe to much powers.

That led to a wave of farm invasions in which commercial farmers were pushed of the land, accused by Mugabe supporters of having lobbied against the proposal.

Representatives from rights groups, churches, the media, women's groups, labour and the farming community will help the committee's members draft the new constitution.

Zimbabwe Suspends Use of Own Currency

Zimbabwe is suspending the use of its own currency, as the government tries to rebuild the country's shattered economy.

Zimbabwe's 100 billion dollar note, 22 Jul 2008 State media Sunday quoted Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma as saying the Zimbabwean dollar "will be out for at least a year" because, in his words, "there is nothing to support and hold its value."

Hyperinflation in 2007 and 2008 made Zimbabwe's currency virtually worthless despite the introduction of bigger and bigger notes, including a 10 trillion dollar bill. Prices have stabilized or fallen since the government legalized the use of other currencies including the U.S. dollar in January.

Zimbabwean leaders have asked for billions of dollars in foreign aid to restore broken government services and revive the economy.The country is suffering from food shortages and more than 90 percent unemployment.

Critics blame the situation on the policies of President Robert Mugabe, especially the seizure of white-owned commercial farms. Mr. Mugabe blames interference and sanctions by Western governments led by former colonial power Britain.

* VoA

Zuma: I Will Keep my Song and my Cellphone

African National Congress President Jacob Zuma says once he becomes president he will refuse to hand over his cellphone to his bodyguards, continue laughing out loud and keep travelling on SAA to connect with the masses.

Answering his cellphone several times during an interview with Weekend Argus in Durban, Zuma says he can't do without his phone.

A simple phone, cheaper than that of his aides', Zuma answers it directly despite several personal assistants who travel with him all over the world and around the country.

'I don't agree with these protocol things'But he is not alone: President Kgalema Motlanthe also kept his phone after assuming office last spring.

Like US President Barack Obama, who refused to hand over his BlackBerry to the secret service, Zuma says: "I will still want to keep my phone and talk to ordinary people. I don't agree with these protocol things."

* IOL

Cracks Appearing in Zimbabwe's Eight-Week-Old Unity Government

Just one week after Zimbabwe's cabinet gathered in retreat in the resort town of Victoria Falls seeking to achieve cohesion on a program of national recovery, indications are emerging of serious rifts within the unity government cobbled together just eight weeks ago.

A showdown was looming between President Robert Mugabe and his partners in the unity government, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara of the two Movement for Democratic Change formations over Mr.

Mugabe’s transfer of major portfolio powers from Communications Minister Nelson Chamisa of Tsvangirai's MDC grouping to Transport Minister Nicholas Goche of Mr. Mugabe's own ZANU-PF party.

The portfolio assignments include oversight of state communications including state-owned fixed-line phone company TelOne and Mobile provider NetOne, and ZimPost. Chamisa had clashed earlier with Information Minister Webster Shamu over those entities.

An outraged Nelson Chamisa told reporter Gibbs Dube of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the president’s move was illegal and violated the September 2008 power-sharing pact.

* VoA

DA's Laying of Charges Ill-informed: Hulley

African National Congress President Jacob Zuma's attorney, Michael Hulley, has dismissed as ill-informed and ludicrous the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) move to lay a charge against him.

The DA yesterday laid a criminal charge against Hulley over the controversial taped conversations that showed alleged political interference in the National Prosecuting Authority.

Hulley says the DA's accusations are badly informed as they are based on a newspaper report. He adds that he's under no obligation to answer to the DA or any political party about his professional relationship with Zuma.

The DA accuses Hulley and NIA Deputy Director of Operations, Arthur Frazer, of stealing the infamous taped conversations that showed alleged political interference in the National Prosecuting Authority.

Fraser has been named by a weekly newspaper as the person who leaked the tapes to Zuma's legal team.

* SABC

Zimbabwe Seeks Western Support Over Salaries

Harare — GOVERNMENT is engaging Western countries and international donors to expand humanitarian assistance to include paying salaries to teachers, health workers and other civil servants.

The assistance would come under the banner of "humanitarian aid plus" and will also encompass the revival of university education.

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara told Zimbabwe Independent that "humanitarian aid plus" was a concept that government was developing with Western countries in order to redress the collapse of the education, health and civil service sectors.

Mutambara said: "It is a concept we are developing to expand humanitarian assistance to include teachers' salaries, health workers and civil servants' salaries and the issue of fees in universities. It's a concept that we are developing and we need support for that."

Under the scheme government would not only invite aid to deal with issues like cholera and HIV/Aids from donors, but also seek funds to pay civil servants who have since February been earning a US$100 allowance.

Last month, Danish Development Co-operation minister Ulla Tornaes was in Zimbabwe on a fact-finding mission and reportedly told the inclusive government that her country was prepared to pay civil servants for half a year.

Diplomatic sources said the government then asked Denmark to fund the salaries for a year -- a request Tornaes said she would forward to her government and parliament for consideration.

Hyperinflation Just a Memory As Zimbabwe Consumer Prices Slide

Consumer prices in Zimbabwe declined for a third straight month in March due to the officially sanctioned and widespread use of the U.S. dollar, South African rand and other convertible currencies for most transactions, the Central Statistical Office said Thursday.

The CSO said its consumer price index declined by 3% last month following a 3.1% drop in February and a downtick of 2.3% in January. Not so long ago Zimbabwean inflation fueled by massive central bank money-printing was measured in billions of percentage points.

The CSO updated its so-called Poverty Datum Line indicating what a family of five needs to meet essential costs such as rent, food and transport. In January that figure – just released this week – stood at US$552, but by March it had fallen to US$461, the CSO said.

But the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe disagreed, saying that in March its own basket of the most basic goods and services shot up by several percent, driven by sharp increases in rent, water and electricity rates, transport and education.

It says that in March an urban family of six had to bring in US$386 a month to stay afloat, compared with US$374 in February.

* VoA

Hardline ZANU-PF Ministers In Zimbabwe Said To Form Oppositional Group

Zimbabwean cabinet ministers belonging to President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and former members of the Joint Operations Command of security agency chiefs are said to have joined forces in a shadowy group calling itself the Social Revolutionary Council designed to frustrate the aims of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, political sources say.

Members of the group are said to include Defense Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono and the commanders of the army and air force, government and party sources said.

Mnangagwa, considered a potential successor to Mr. Mugabe as ZANU-PF chief and as that party's next presidential contender, declined to comment, as did Mutasa.

The Joint Operations Command, commonly referred to as the JOC, was said to have exerted significant influence over President Mugabe following his defeat by Mr. Tsvangirai in the first round of presidential voting on March 29, 2008, and to have coordinated the deadly wave of political violence that preceded the presidential runoff ballot on June 27. Mr. Tsvangirai withdrew from that runoff in protest of the violence against his supporters.

The Social Revolutionary Council is said to be behind the recent wave of invasions of white-owned commercial farms and the continued detention and harassment of officials and activists of Mr. Tsvangirai's formation of the Movement for Democratic Change.

Confirming there remain divisions within the unity government, President Mugabe this week said farm takeovers should continue, adding that elections could be held in two years.

Government and political sources said the members of the group lobbied Mr. Mugabe not to swear deputy agriculture minister-designate Roy Bennett into office.

* VoA

US Won't Lift Sanctions Against Zimbabwe Yet

HARARE – The United States will not lift sanctions against President Robert Mugabe and senior members of his ZANU PF party just yet, US ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee said on Wednesday.

McGee rejected pleas in recent days both by Zimbabwe’s power-sharing government and by southern African leaders to normalise relations with Mugabe and pour aid to the Harare government, saying Washington first needed to see more reforms especially on the political front before it could review policy on Zimbabwe.

The US could in fact widen the visa and financial sanctions on Mugabe and his lieutenants if they do not show willingness to change, the US envoy said.

“The individual sanctions are against people and people need to show us absolute ability to change, without which those individuals sanctions will remain. In fact you might see more individual sanctions,” McGee said told journalists in Harare.

The US and the European Union (EU) imposed sanctions against Mugabe and his top officials seven years ago as punishment for failure to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Mugabe says the targeted sanctions were imposed on his government as punishment for its controversial policy of seizing land from white framers for redistribution to landless blacks and the Zimbabwean leader maintains that the measures have crippled the economy.

But the new power sharing government formed by Mugabe and longtime opposition rival Morgan Tsvangirai, who is now Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister, is pressing for re-engagement with the West and has called for lifting of sanctions and resumption of direct development assistance by Western governments.

* zimonline

Zimbabwe Finance Minister Renews Call for International Aid

Zimbabwe Finance Minister Tendai Biti has renewed a call for international aid to help revive the country's ailing economy.

Biti, who is a member of the country's new unity government, says Zimbabwe needs more than $8.5 billion to halt inflation and rebuild the country's infrastructure.

He said Wednesday that some African and European banks have agreed to extend lines of credit to Zimbabwe's banking sector and that South Africa has also promised to provide aid. But he said more is needed.

The U.S. envoy to Zimbabwe, James McGee, told VOA Wednesday that Zimbabwe has made progress, but not enough for Washington to finance the country's economic recovery.

He said trust has been re-established between Washington and Zimbabwe, but that the United States must be able to verify that any funding it provides will be spent where it is needed.

Zimbabwe's economy is in ruins following years of declining farm output and soaring inflation. The country is also grappling with food shortages, unemployment of over 90 percent, and a breakdown of its health care system.

Zimbabwe's new power-sharing government recently launched an effort to revive the shattered economy.

* VoA

Zimbabwe Must Allow International Media to Return

HARARE – Zimbabwe should re-engage key international media such as the CNN, BBC and newspapers if it is to successfully market itself as a tourist destination, Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi has said.

Mzembi said prohibiting foreign media from operating in Zimbabwe as was the case now meant Harare could not hold these media accountable for any false, inaccurate or negative reports filed from outside the country.

“We need to re-engage the international media,” said Mzembi while addressing business leaders and ambassadors in Harare on Tuesday night.

“Let us accredit CNN, BBC and many other foreign, newspapers, radio and television stations because if we do not accredit them they will continue beaming and broadcasting from outside the country and we can never hold them accountable for negative publicity,” he said.

Mzembi’s call came a day after the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office, Gorden Moyo, said consultations to ease media restrictions would “start in a fortnight.”

A three-day ministerial retreat in Victoria Falls unanimously agreed to review the media policy to create a political climate where divergent voices will be heard.

Mzembi admitted that the state broadcaster ZBC had lost credibility and had no capacity to lure tourists into the country, as its audience was mostly poor Zimbabweans who do not have disposable incomes to visit local tourist resorts.

“Who watches ZBC? No one because our target market subscribes to DSTV and other satellite stations hence the need to accredit foreign media that have the capacity to market the country,” said Mzembi.

Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara told the same gathering that the power-sharing government had remained silent on several outstanding issues such as the issue of appointment of senior public officials such as the Attorney General and the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe that he said could affect attempts by Zimbabwe to re-engage the international community.

“As long as outstanding issues such as the appointment of the Reserve Bank governor, Attorney General, provincial governors, permanent secretaries and ambassadors remain unsolved, we are jeopardising our relationship with the international community who are showing support to our inclusive government,” said Mutambara.

Mutambara, President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai formed a power-sharing government last February, raising hopes that Zimbabwe could finally end a severe economic and humanitarian crisis gripping the country for the past decade.

* Zimonline

SA Remains Committed to Helping Restart Zimbabwe

JOHANNESBURG (Xinhua) -- South Africa remains committed to assisting in resolving the economic crisis in Zimbabwe, the South African Foreign Affairs Department said on Wednesday.

Director-general Ayanda Ntsaluba said the department was considering a proposal received from the Zimbabwean government.

"South Africa will help in alleviating the plight of the most vulnerable in terms of targeted sectors like health and education and in terms of credit line," Ntsaluba said.

The government was in discussions to determine how much it was prepared to give Zimbabwe, but declined to speculate.

"We'd prefer not to say how much is involved as discussions are still underway," Ntsaluba said.
It was vital for other the Southern African Development Community countries to join in helping out in Zimbabwe as the inclusive government there continued to work together as a unit.

"We continue to be encouraged by progress the inclusive government is making. We get a sense of greater coherence and commitment by all parties involved," Ntsaluba said.

Zimbabwe Fresh Wave of Violence Worries Investors

Harare - Zimbabwe's finance minister says continuing violence and outstanding hurdles in Zimbabwe's power-sharing deal are keeping potential investors away.

Tendai Biti says there has been a new wave of seizures of white-owned farms since a coalition between President Robert Mugabe and longtime opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was formed in February.

Biti faces a tough task of kick-starting Zimbabwe's collapsed economy and is trying to find funds to pay for the government's daily expenses.

He told reporters on Wednesday that the new government received revenues of about $20m a month, an 80% shortfall on the $100m it needs.

Foreign donors are demanding the restoration of law and order as the main conditions for resuming funding.

* AP

Mugabe Pleased With Progress of New Govt

HARARE (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said on Wednesday he is happy with the progress made so far by the new all-inclusive government to improve the economy.

Addressing his own party Zanu-PF's 76th Ordinary Session of the Central Committee, Mugabe urged people of Zimbabwe to continue supporting the new government and put aside political differences so that the country regains its leading status in the region.


"We have since held a few cabinet and cabinet committee meetings of the self same government and I am pleased to say that we are making progress with each passing day," he said.

The president said the new government last went on a ministerial retreat in the resort town of Victoria Falls to strengthen the spirit of common vision within the government. He reiterated that Zanu-PF had agreed to participate in the new formation on condition that certain national aspirations and fundamentals were safeguarded and not tampered with.

"Chief among these is our sovereignty that we would never exchange for any price in the world," he said, adding that the land reform program undertaken in 2000 was not reversible.

The President also called for the immediate removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West, saying the sanctions had caused untold suffering to innocent people.

NPA-Zuma Case: Zille Admits to Lack of Cash

Graaff-Reinet - DA leader Helen Zille promised on Wednesday to push the corruption case against Jacob Zuma with "everything we've got" but admitted a shortage of funds might stall her at some point.

"I am satisfied that we can raise enough for the judicial review process," Zille said, shortly after she had finished speaking to some 400 supporters in the Alex Laing town hall in Graaff-Reinet.

"It's not fair that Mr Zuma uses taxpayers' money for his defence. He has enough resources to go on forever."

Zille said she had received many offers of support to help her fight the Zuma case.
Earlier she told a crowd of supporters in the town of Kirkwood outside Port Elizabeth: "We will drive the case with everything we have."

"The NPA's withdrawing of the charges against Zuma is not the end of the matter. The DA is going to fight this with everything we have.

"Our first step is to prove in court that the NPA's dropping of the charges was irrational and unlawful."

* News 24

ANC President Zuma Supporters Flock to Court

Durban - ANC supporters were streaming to the High Court in Durban on Tuesday ahead of the appearance of the party's president Jacob Zuma.

"We are here to support Mr Zuma," SA National Civic Organisation member Zano Shembe said.

"We believe in him and nothing will change our minds."

The group stood outside the courthouse singing Umshini wami, a popular song associated with Zuma.

The court was expected to endorse the decision taken by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to have the charges against Zuma officially dropped.

Shembe said bus loads of supporters were expected from other provinces.

The ANC's presidential candidate was expected to appear in court at 10:00 and then hold a media briefing at the Hilton hotel.

A heavy police contingent had closed off Margaret Mncadi Avenue (Victoria Embankment) in front of the court house as well as roads adjacent to it.

A vagrant sleeping under the court's staircase was also chased away.

There was no parking available with people forced to park several blocks away.

Officials said only 10 journalists would be allowed into the court room. The rest of the public gallery would be filled with Zuma family members and government officials.

The National Prosecuting Authority announced on Monday that 16 charges against Zuma, linked to an arms deal, would be dropped after it had to admit that interference made it impossible to continue with the prosecution.

* News 24

After Setting 100-Day Agenda, Zimbabwe Government Now Must Deliver

Zimbabwe's national unity government emerged Monday from a weekend retreat and launched into day one of an ambitious 100-day program to jump-start the economy, re-engage the international community, and restore media freedom among other goals.

Minister of State Gorden Moyo, attached to the office of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, said the clock started on Monday for the turnaround effort organized under five "clusters" including the economy, security, infrastructure, social services, and interests and rights.

He said the Friday-Sunday retreat by cabinet ministers and their deputies in the resort town of Victoria Falls, sponsored by the World Bank and international donors, achieved its prime objective of team-building between the government's disparate political elements.

The unity government was formed in February by President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the Movement for Democratic Change formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, with a smaller MDC formation led by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara. The government resolved an impasse following March 2008 elections which were followed by violence.

Few details were provided as to how the government would thaw a media environment which has seen newspapers shuttered and journalists harassed for most of the past decade. But the notion of media liberalization received a public endorsement by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, who said a climate was sought "where divergent voices will be heard."

It remains to be seen whether ZANU-PF, which controls the Information Ministry, is ready to give up the state's monopoly on domestic radio and television broadcasts, or to accept the launch of a daily newspaper which will aggressively cover and challenge authorities. Such a newspaper, the Daily News, closed its doors in 2003 under state pressure.

The cabinet also pledged to improve prison conditions. A recent investigative report by South African television documented horrific conditions inside Zimbabwe's prisons and alleged that at least 20 prisoners were dying each day from malnutrition and disease.

Moyo told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the government did not mean to say it would accomplish all of its objectives within 100 days, merely take steps to launch a broad array of initiatives essential to rebuilding and reactivating Zimbabwe.

* VoA

Zimbabwe Supreme Court Upholds High Court Denial of Bail to Activists

The Zimbabwean Supreme Court on Monday upheld a High Court decision denying bail to three detainees, widely regarded as political, held since their arrests late last year.

Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku said High Court Judge Yunus Omerjee properly denied bail to activists Kisimusi Dhlamini and Ghandi Mudzingwa of the Movement for Democratic Change and freelance journalist Andreson Manyere on grounds they were found with weapons suspected to have been used in the commission of crimes.

Lawyer Charles Kwaramba told VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that defenders would return to the Harare High Court on Tuesday for another attempt to secure their clients’ release.

* VoA

COSATU's Vavi Asked to Leave Zuma Crowd Podium

Johannesburg - Senior ANC leaders cautiously asked Congress of SA Trade Unions general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi to leave the podium as he broached intimate details of former prosecutions boss Bulelani Ngcuka and his wife former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

"They cant tell us that between those sheets they didn't discuss this matter [political conspiracy against Jacob Zuma]," Vavi said.

Addressing a crowd of ANC supporters gathered outside Luthuli house in Johannesburg on Monday, Vavi said the Ngcukas, along with others said to have been involved in the conspiracy against Zuma, should be brought to book.

Mlambo-Ngcuka was installed as deputy president of the country after Zuma was "released" ahead of the first round of corruption charges that were brought against him.

She resigned after former president Thabo Mbeki stepped down last year.

Ngcuka controversially said that they had a prima facie case against Zuma but it was not winnable, when he was National Director of Public Prosecutions.

* news 24

ANC Declares Victory After Dropping of Zuma Charges

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress declared victory Monday after South African prosecutors dropped charges against party leader Jacob Zuma, saying the case was a political ploy.

“This is a victory for the rule of law, decency and common sense,” ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe told reporters.

“In the past eight years, Zuma has endured an ordeal never endured by anyone in this country, including being tried by the media,” he said.
“The prosecution was a decision to frustrate Zuma from becoming president,” Mantashe added.

Zuma is almost certain to become president after general elections on April 22, when the ANC is expected to again sweep to victory.

He has long denounced the case against him as a political conspiracy meant to thwart his presidential ambitions.

Prosecutors on Monday dropped the case after Zuma’s lawyers presented wiretap recordings of top officials in the investigation who discussed how to coordinate the case around South Africa’s political calendar.

But the prosecutors insisted their own work remained sound, noting that the decision not to go to trial was not a reflection of the merits of the case against Zuma.

* AFP