Newsbreak

10 May, 2012

(Volume 30, Issue 8)

Subscribers: Click here to download the PDF of the current edition

The Banda identity

Depending on who you speak to, South African-based Henry Banda is either a refugee escaping political persecution in Zambia, or a corrupt man using his ill-gotten wealth to stay as far from justice as he can.

Swaziland
Mswati’s plunder plans
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supplied by SAR Administrator
The government of Africa’s last absolute monarch King Mswati III continues to maintain its brutish upper hand over the pro-democracy movement, attempting to quash May Day demonstrations in much the same way that it had dealt with earlier protests in April. ...
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Swaziland
Pudemo’s activist purges
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supplied by SAR Administrator
At least some of King Mswati’s self-aggrandising confidence of late is rooted in the mushrooming toxic infighting in the pro-democracy movement. ...
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Lesotho
Mosisili on shifting ground
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supplied by SAR Administrator
Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili’s ruling Democratic Congress (DC) looks set for a rocky time at the polls. Factionalism is already blighting the new party, which may well find itself in opposition in the next Parliament, facing a ruling coalition centred on the Mosisili’s former power base, the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD)...
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South Africa
A divided, limping league
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supplied by SAR Administrator
Any efforts by the deeply divided ANC Youth League to forge a “political solution” aimed at reversing the expulsion of its former president Julius Malema from the ruling party are likely to backfire...
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South Africa
NUM lights, camera, election
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supplied by SAR Administrator
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the most powerful and largest affiliate of labour federation Cosatu, holds its elective congress this month, kicking off the first of a number of internal elections that will determine the future of Cosatu and its allies the African National Congress (ANC) and South African Communist Party (SACP)...
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South Africa
Public works gets a lifeline
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supplied by SAR Administrator
Delivering his maiden budget vote speech in Parliament this week, Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi put flesh to the bones of his turnaround strategy to end the “bleeding” in the beleaguered department...
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South Africa
Intelligence head shifted
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supplied by SAR Administrator
In a dramatic about turn, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa this week removed the controversial head of crime intelligence, Lieutenant General Richard Mdluli, from his post, pending a probe into his alleged wrong doing. ...
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South Africa
'Torturers' face court
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supplied by SAR Administrator
A South African high court has ruled that, under international law, the country is obliged to investigate Zimbabwean officials for crimes against humanity...
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South Africa
Shipless in South Africa
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supplied by SAR Administrator
South Africa does not have a single own-flagged commercial vessel on its shipping register, and instead pays foreign ship owners and operators an estimated R45-billion annually to move about 180-million tons of freight in and out of the country...
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Zimbabwe
No further sanctions relief
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supplied by SAR Administrator
European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton was to meet with three ministers from Zimbabwe this week to discuss political reforms. Unlikely, though, is any further easing of sanctions, an EU official said on Tuesday (8 May)...
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South Africa
Secrecy Bill halted
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supplied by SAR Administrator
Work on the Protection of State Information Bill resumed on Tuesday (8 May), but was soon halted when ANC MP’s said they were not ready yet for clause-by-clause deliberations on the draft act. The controversial Bill has been at the centre of nationwide protests by media and civil society organisations that fear the provisions in the Bill will silence whistle blowers who speak out against corruption in the state. ...
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Editor's Note

Luke Niddrie

The management and staff of Southern Africa Report are saddened to report the sudden and tragic death this week of Luke Niddrie, beloved son of SAR publisher David Niddrie. Luke passed away in a motor vehicle accident on the morning of Tuesday, 1 May. He leaves behind his father, his mother Collette, and younger brother Cai.

Luke was possessed of a friendly and warm personality, a sharp sense of humour, and a determination to enjoy and live life to the fullest. Those traits above all will be sorely missed by his family, his colleagues at Native and etv, and his legions of friends. May his soul rest in peace.

The staff, subscribers, and readers of Southern Africa Report extend their condolences to the Niddrie family and wish them strength at this difficult time.

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Interview

Zimbabwe’s trajectory

Analysts assess the key drivers towards breaking Zimbabwe’s political deadlock:
• Lindiwe Zulu, South African presidential adviser on international relations.
• Brian Raftopoulos, Solidarity Peace Trust.
• Irene Petras, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

In Focus

MINING IN FOCUS
Understanding SIMS

The State Intervention in the Minerals Sector (SIMS) report brushes aside South Africa’s sterile nationalisation debate to focus on the ruling ANC’s real priority: leveraging the country’s vast mineral resources to fuel sustainable economic growth and job creation.

Read the full SIMS report

Profile

Profiling Zimbabwe's
Security Forces

Zimbabwe's generals remain the major obstacle to creating the conditions necessary for free and fair elections. This Southern African Report Profile offers a
comprehensive review of the strengths, weaknesses and role of Zimbabwe's
Security Forces

For Subscribers Only:
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