JOHANNESBURG, 6 July 2007 (IRIN) - 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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