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 340
30 June - 6 July 2007


CONTENTS:

ZIMBABWE: Social distinctions fade in the face of survival
ZIMBABWE: Concerns over voter registration
MALAWI: Political bickering takes priority over poverty
MOZAMBIQUE: Rushed provincial elections threaten accountability
ZIMBABWE: Price controls backfire again
SWAZILAND: Empowering women to beat abuse
ZIMBABWE: Old and hapless
SWAZILAND: Moves to upgrade informal settlements


ZIMBABWE: Social distinctions fade in the face of survival

A senior Zimbabwean police official has employed five young men to sell 
foreign currency on the streets of the capital, Harare, but while the 
police play cat and mouse with the illegal dealers, his "employees" 
conduct their business undisturbed because they cannot be arrested.

"We sell the foreign currency openly because we are untouchable. Some 
constables arrested me at one time, even though I had informed them that 
I was working for their boss. They have been transferred from Harare and 
after that no-one dares touch us," said one of the dealers, who 
identified himself as Peter.

Full report:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=73106


ZIMBABWE: Concerns over voter registration

Concerns are being raised about the voter registration process ahead of 
Zimbabwe's presidential and parliamentary elections, just nine months 
away. The main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), 
claims that the process is being abused, while an independent 
poll-monitoring organisation says the timeframe needs to be extended.

Rural voters have to produce proof of residence to register, usually 
supplied by the local traditional leader, but most areas were controlled 
by chiefs who supported the ruling ZANU-PF party.

Full report:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=73080


MALAWI: Political bickering takes priority over poverty

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), which regulates the operations 
of the Catholic Church in the country, has expressed its concern over 
the ongoing political crisis, calling on members of parliament (MPs) to 
set aside their differences and consider the plight of the poor.

In a statement signed by Archbishop Tarsizio Ziyaye, chairman of the 
ECM, the bishops warned that the crisis pitting the ruling party against 
the opposition over MP dismissals could seriously destabilise the 
country.

Full report:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=73100


MOZAMBIQUE: Rushed provincial elections threaten accountability

Mozambican President Armando Guebuza recently announced that the 
country's first-ever provincial elections would take place on 20 
December, but officials warn that the short preparation time will make 
it difficult to organise a "quality" vote, raising fears of lack of 
transparency.

Voters will choose the members of 10 new provincial assemblies, 
representing a partial devolution of political power, which has so far 
been largely centralised in Maputo, the capital city.

Full report:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=73074


ZIMBABWE: Price controls backfire again

Parallel markets are booming, businesses and industries are buckling and 
consumers are paying the price as the Zimbabwean government's attempts 
to forcibly control runaway inflation backfire.

In the face of soaring hyperinflation, President Robert Mugabe's 
government ordered a 50 percent cut in the prices of basic commodities 
last week. Defiance of the order was seen as a move to topple Mugabe and 
businesses were raided and threatened with closure on Monday 2 July.

Full report:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=73064


SWAZILAND: Empowering women to beat abuse

Most Swazi women who face domestic violence do not take their children 
and walk out of the house. "They say, 'who is going to feed me?'" 
Nonhlanhla Dlamini, Director of the Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse 
(SWAGAA), told IRIN. But this is changing.

An innovative SWAGAA programme to empower women economically in 
Swaziland's patriarchal society is helping many out of a cycle of abuse 
and dependency. Until last year, women were regarded as minors in terms 
of the law, unable to own property or open a bank account without the 
permission of a male relative or husband.

Full report:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=73057


ZIMBABWE: Old and hapless

Zimbabwe's seven-year economic crisis has made the elderly, who make up 
10 percent of the country's 12 million people, even more vulnerable.

"The situation for older persons, who, by definition, are people over 
the age of 60, and because of their mental, physical and poor financial 
status are considered vulnerable, is sad, owing to the hyperinflationary 
environment that is affecting the country," Priscilla Gavi, director of 
Help Age, a national voluntary organisation promoting the welfare of the 
aged, told IRIN.

Full report:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=73040


SWAZILAND: Moves to upgrade informal settlements

More Swazis live in informal settlements in the mountainous kingdom's 
urban centres than in established formal neighbourhoods, according to 
recent government statistics. The revelation has spurred efforts to 
improve living conditions for the urban majority, but the government's 
emphasis is on upgrading informal settlements rather than building new 
housing.

"We don't have a housing shortage, really, we have a neighbourhood 
shortage: places for people to put dwellings," said Madoda Dlamini, city 
engineer in Manzini, in central Swaziland, the country's commercial hub. 
A population of 65,000 makes it the biggest urban centre, but only 
30,000 residents live in formally declared neighbourhoods.

Full report:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=73122


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