Mugabe's iron fist: War veterans and green bombers

President Robert Mugabe is urging Zimbabweans to "vote for the fist". His campaign posters -- portraits of Mugabe wearing an olive green military-type shirt and holding a clenched fist aloft -- reflect his hard-line politics, and remind voters of the crack troops who have helped keep him in power for 28 years.

Zim govt accused of intimidation

President Robert Mugabe's supporters have used violence to intimidate opponents in the run-up to next week's Zimbabwe election, undermining chances of a fair poll, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday. Mugabe faces the strongest challenge to his 28-year rule in presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections on March 29.

Zimbabwe exodus helps prop up Mugabe

Millions who fled Zimbabwe amid its economic collapse blame President Robert Mugabe, but their inability to vote in elections this month may boost his chances to stay in power. Opposition figures, who pose Mugabe's biggest electoral challenge yet, have urged them to return to be entitled to vote in the March 29 polls, but few are likely to.

Zim poll body says it can't rein in security forces

Zimbabwe's election body has no legal powers to stop security chiefs from threatening to reject an opposition victory in this month's poll, a senior official said on Tuesday. Analysts say President Robert Mugabe faces the strongest challenge to his 28-year rule in presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections on March 29.

In Zim, voters ask: Who will feed us?

With her hand on her cheek, the 68-year-old woman gazes patiently at the cars racing past her, hoping someone will stop and buy the firewood at her feet so that she can feed her three grandchildren. MaNcube, as she is called in her village in Shangani, a dry arid land 360km west of Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, has one plea.

Zanu-PF's stormtroopers -- the police

When police collect obviously bruised and bloodied individuals from ruling-party headquarters and lay criminal charges not against the perpetrators of the bloodshed but their victims, there can no longer be even the pretence that the police are anything other than the ruling party's agents.

Mugabe rival denies 'puppet' tag

A former finance minister challenging Robert Mugabe for the presidency denied on Sunday he was a Western puppet and said such accusations were to divert attention from Zimbabwe's economic meltdown. Simba Makoni is running as an independent candidate after being expelled from the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Zim union urges expats to cross the Limpopo

Zimbabwe's main labour union on Sunday called on millions of Zimbabweans living and working in South Africa to go home to vote in the country's March 29 elections, South Africa's Talk Radio 702 reported. Zimbabweans will vote in presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections in two weeks.

Britain to expel up to 1 000 Zimbabweans

Britain is preparing to expel hundreds of failed asylum-seekers back to Zimbabwe because the government believes they are at no "general risk" in their home country. The mass programme of deportations could affect more than 1 000 Zimbabweans who have enjoyed protection under a moratorium on deportations.

Unmasking the man behind the stunts

Percy Zvomuya reviews Heidi Holland's Dinner with Mugabe, a book that the Zimbabwean leader's acolytes won't like.

IN THIS WEEK'S PAPER

Sponsored links

	Business travel experts		Flowers & gifts
	Domestic & Regional Airline		Bulk SMS gateway