U N I T E D   N A T I O N S
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Integrated Regional Information Network for Southern Africa

Tel: +27 11 880 4633
Fax: +27 11 880 1421
e-mail: irin-sa@irin.org.za


SOUTHERN AFRICA
IRIN-SA Weekly Round-Up 278
8 - 14 April 2006


CONTENTS:

ZIMBABWE: Govt denies militarising state, goal is economic rescue
ANGOLA: Cholera outbreak worsens, MSF treats 500 new cases in 48 hours
SOUTH AFRICA-SWAZILAND: Pro-democracy activists arrested
LESOTHO: NGO calls for audit of dam construction tenders


ZIMBABWE: Govt denies militarising state, goal is economic rescue

As inflation hit a new high of 913 percent, bringing a 12-fold rise in 
the cost of essentials, the Zimbabwean government defended using 
security and intelligence personnel to oversee the revival of the 
economy, described as the fastest shrinking in the world outside of a 
war zone. Last month, local media reported that the government had 
formed a economic and food security revival body, known as the Zimbabwe 
National Security Council, with officials from the Central Intelligence 
Organisation, the army, police, prison services and the 
Registrar-General's office, to oversee and enhance the capacity of 
ministries. Government ministers denied that there was a militarisation 
of basic government functions, and maintained that the move was to 
improve food security, foreign exchange reserves and service delivery, 
among other issues.

The country has been grappling with food shortages for the past four 
years, partly because of inadequate rain and the country's fast-track 
land reform programme. Lack of foreign currency has affected the 
country's capacity to import basic requirements such as fuel, medicines 
and agricultural inputs. Most essential commodities and services, 
including education, are now beyond the reach of ordinary Zimbabweans, 
who earn less than US $100 a month. This week schools, including those 
run by the government, said they would increase tuition fees by almost 
1,000 percent from next month.

See related reports:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=52769

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=52742


ANGOLA: Cholera outbreak worsens, MSF treats 500 new cases in 48 hours

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Angola warned this week that heavy 
rain had worsened the cholera outbreak in the country and more deaths 
could be expected. The waterborne disease, which is associated with poor 
sanitation and access to potable water, has claimed 142 lives and 3,321 
cases have been reported in the northwestern provinces of Luanda, Bengo 
and Kwanza Norte, and the central coastal province of Benguela; 2,179 of 
the cases were reported in the capital city, which has seen over 50 
deaths.

Full report:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=52722


SOUTH AFRICA-SWAZILAND: Pro-democracy activists arrested

Eight people were injured and at least 25 pro-democracy activists were 
arrested by the South African police during a protest blockade of the 
country's borders with Swaziland. Several hundred members of the 
Congress of South African Trade Unions, the Swaziland Solidarity Network 
(a pro-democracy NGO), the South African Communist Party and its youth 
wing held demonstrations at the five border crossing points in support 
of what was described as Swazi's struggle for freedom, democracy and 
human rights.

Political parties are banned in the mountain kingdom ruled by King 
Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarch. The country has 
the 'Tinkhundla' system of government, in which Swazis living under 
palace-appointed chiefs elect MPs who vote on laws prepared by the 
king's hand-picked cabinet.

Full report:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=52770


LESOTHO: NGO calls for audit of dam construction tenders

Following allegations of corruption, Transformation Resource Centre, a 
local NGO, has appealed for an audit of the tenders allocated in the 
Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), the world's largest water 
transfer operation. The appeal came after reports of a second bribery 
case in connection with the project.

Several companies involved in the project have been investigated after 
allegations of corruption and bribery. Two of them, Lahmeyer 
International, Germany's largest engineering consultancy and Acres 
International, a Canadian construction firm, have been convicted and 
fined.

Full report:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=52707


IRIN-SA
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Fax: +27 11 784-6759
Email: IRIN-SA@irin.org.za


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