January 2013

HARARE – Humanitarian agencies are appealing for $131 million to address the country’s persistent needs for 2013. Officially launching the appeal yesterday, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Zimbabwe, Alain Noudehou, acknowledged the improvements in Zimbabwe’s humanitarian situation, resulting in a 2013 appeal that is approximately half of the resources requested in the 2012…

HARARE – Police in Harare have impounded over three tonnes of marijuana and arrested a Malawian national ferrying the prohibited drug. The man, whose name is being withheld by the police as investigations are still underway, was driving a Malawian registered truck. Harare police spokesperson Tadious Chibanda said although the exact weight of the drug…

HARARE – President Robert Mugabe has accused Western countries of plotting to assassinate him to gain access to Zimbabwe’s wealth. Mugabe told a meeting of Zimbabwean students in Beijing during his annual vacation that Western countries planned to kill him. Zimbabwean leaders usually use the term “West” to refer to Britain and the United States…

HARARE – Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) has appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts for allegedly manufacturing fake copies of voter registration certificates. ZimRights, which is represented by its national director Okay Machisa, appeared before magistrate Tendai Mahwe on forgery and conspiracy to commit fraud charges or publishing false statements prejudicial to the State. Dorcas…

HARARE – Marange businessperson Newman Chiadzwa has won an appeal authorising him to demand compensation for his diamonds confiscated following his arrest in 2006. Chiadzwa, who was represented by Thabani Mpofu, appealed to the Supreme Court following a High Court order dismissing his bid to recover the diamonds following his acquittal. Judges Vernanda Ziyambi, Paddington…

MASVINGO – Masvingo’s biggest gold producer, Rio Tinto’s Renco Mine, has been forced to halt operations after workers’ wives staged a strike and blocked their husbands from going to work. The irate wives said they were angered by Rio Zimbabwe’s failure to increase salaries as well as pay last year’s annual bonuses. They camped at…

HARARE – Chitungwiza Municipality has come under fire from home seekers following failure to service more than 10 000 stands it allocated in 2007. This comes after revelations that the land belongs to Goromonzi Rural District Council and will have to be acquired by the Lands ministry first and then transferred to the Local Government…