Zimbabwe's government this week said it had signed a "social contract" with business and labour unions, a deal it says will effectively bring an end to years of political and economic crisis within the next six months. But one of the key partners denies ever agreeing to any such deal, while a 50% increase in electricity charges by the state power utility just days after the announcement means industry will find it impossible to keep its pledge to freeze prices.

The United Democratic Party (UDM) will not be participating in this year's State of the Nation debate unless it is allocated reasonable time to raise its supporters' issues, the party's leader, Bantu Holomisa, said on Monday. According to the UDM leader, Parliament on Monday informed him that his party has been given only one minute to participate in the debate scheduled to take place on Friday.