Economic Freedom Fighters of South Africa release “manifesto”

The ex ANC youth leader Julius Malema’s new political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, have released what they refer to as a “manifesto” to outline the party’s goals, and this has not gone down well with the South African government – understandably so, when most of the goals feature along the lines of “economically emancipating the people of South Africa, Africa and the world”.

The EFF’s inclusion of state seizure of assets in its manifesto has also riled farmers and the government, with Agriculture Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, moving to reassure farmers by saying that government would not allow “people to sow discord in our farming communities for party-political gains.” The government has said it would take action of any instances of land grabbing are witnessed, especially after the problems in the mining sector this year. Whether Malema’s party will get public support to give him enough political clout to implement the EFF’s national agenda is yet to be seen. While political analysts doubt the ability of new parties to garner significant support, growing disenchantment with the economy and corruption scandals have diminished the ANC’s historical glow, other parties are becoming a temptation to ANC constituents.

Original article: http://www.publicnewshub.com/eff-manifesto-makes-waves/

Zimbabwean government blocks SMS news services

According to activists and a phone company, Zimbabwe's government has blocked mass SMS bursts ahead of next week's election, stifling a powerful source of non-official information in the tightly controlled southern African state. With the July 31 poll date looming near, in which President Robert Mugabe is looking to add to his 33 years in power, web portal Kubatana.net said it had noticed this week that its mass text messages were mysteriously getting lost.

Its provider, Econet Wireless - Zimbabwe's largest mobile phone firm with 8 million subscribers out of a population of 13 million - declined to comment. However, a senior company source confirmed the firm had bowed to government pressure to block mass SMS services around the election "in the interest of peace, national security and stability". The source also revealed that, "We have just been told we cannot be facilitating bulk SMSs during the elections, roughly for the next two or so weeks. Our understanding is that they will take our network down or cancel our licence if there is any violation."

Original article: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/07/26/zimbabwe-elections-internet-idUKL6N0FV4JJ20130726

Mugabe threatens rival with arrest if he claims victory before official results are announced

President Robert Mugabe has warned his main rival Morgan Tsvangirai that he will be arrested if he claims victory before the official results are announced in an election this coming week. Tsvangirai told his supporters from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) at the weekend that, despite the ZANU-PF trying to rig the elections, he still expected to win a victory and that he did not have to wait for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). This predictably did not go down well with Mugabe who announced to the cheers of many supporters in Harare that “if you breach the law and become a law breaker, the police will arrest you”.

Tsvangirai will address his last major rally today and is hoping to overthrow Mugabe from a 33-year hold on power in the country.

Original article: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/07/28/uk-zimbabwe-election-idUKBRE96R08120130728

Trade relations growing between Angola and Nambia

The governor of southern Cunene province in Abgika, Antonio Didalelwa, has hailed the “intense” trade relations between Angola and its neighbour Namibia, saying they are creating lucrative new business opportunities and partnerships.

According to Didalelwa, the establishment of partnerships will contribute to the growth of the region and consolidation of the existing relations between Angolan, Namibian and other countries' business people. "The establishment of partnerships will enable the entry into Angola of Namibian products and vice-versa, given the intense trade that is done through the border posts of Santa-Clara and Oshikango", he stated.

Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201307220858.html

Zimbabwean state media continues to drown out opposition

Despite the upcoming elections being staged in a "vastly improved" media environment compared to previous years, the majority of Zimbabweans lack access to plural, independent sources of news, and legal and physical threats to journalists impede their ability to report freely. Independent and international media have questioned the country's readiness to hold an organized election, but the majority of citizens are dependent on strictly controlled state media to provide information.

When Star-FM launched in June 2012, it was the first time in 30 years that Zimbabweans, who have known no other radio besides the state-controlled Radio Zimbabwe, had the chance to call in to a radio station to express their views, indicating a “cautious and carefully controlled liberalization of the airwaves”. The most critical stations are still located beyond Zimbabwe's borders. SW Radio Africa bills itself as the "independent voice of Zimbabwe," but is located in the United Kingdom, while Studio 7 is a division of the Voice of America.

Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201307210334.html?viewall=1

SADC encouraged by Zimbabwe polls

The SADC officially launched its election observer mission last week with around 442 observers deployed to monitor a potentially landmark process, following which the SADcC commended the government, political parties and leaders in Zimbabwe for their commitment to ensuring that the forthcoming harmonised elections on 31 July are held peacefully.

The SADC’s Troika also commended South Africa's President Jacob Zuma, the organisation’s facilitator in Zimbabwe, for his tireless efforts in ensuring that political stakeholders hold successful elections. The organisation also praised the former President of Mozambique and SADC mediator on the Madagascar crisis, Joaquim Chissano and the International Contact Group, for their efforts in ensuring the country is brought back to a normal constitutional.

Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201307220528.html

Zambian media censorship revealed

The efforts to which the Zambian government have gone in recent months to stifle the media have been criticised harshly by onlookers. The offences range from new techniques like the online censorship of seemingly offending websites, to the plain old brute tactics of intimidation and unfounded detainment.

Recently, the government reportedly hired the help of Chinese and Russian IT-experts to block websites that air corruption claims or even cover current events. This has extended to two main culprits, the Zambia Watchdog, a citizen newspaper covering all the latest political news in the country and a similar website and media outlet, Zambia Report.  Three journalists in recent weeks have also been detained on tenuous grounds and at the weekend, a sizeable group calling themselves the “Zambian bloggers” took to the streets to demand their release. Clayson Hamasaka, Thomas Zymabo and Wilson Mpondamali, all linked to the Zambian Watchdog are in custody, charged with sedition.

Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201307210330.html