SW Radio Africa News stories for Monday 08 February
Talks resume Monday as SA facilitation team arrive
The inter-party negotiations between the political partners in government over the implementation of outstanding issues re-started on Monday evening, after being adjourned on January 21st.
Diamonds missing after police ‘rob’ Central Bank
Almost 30kgs of diamonds from the controversial Chiadzwa diamond claim have reportedly disappeared after being removed from the Reserve Bank by police last week. The contested diamonds, which form part of the ongoing ownership wrangle of the Chiadzwa claim, had been moved to the central bank under Supreme Court orders.
Civil service strike paralyses government operations
Government operations came to a halt on Monday as the country’s civil servants went on strike demanding better wages. According to reports there were only limited services being offered at government hospitals in Harare while the trial of senior MDC official Roy Bennett had to be postponed with court staff also on strike.
Civil servants strike forces postponement of Bennett trial
High Court workers on Monday joined the civil servants strike forcing the postponement of Roy Bennett’s trial in Harare. Attorney-General Johannes Tomana, the state’s lead prosecutor told journalists the trial had been deferred indefinitely on account of the industrial action by government workers. The MDC Treasurer-General is on trial charged with illegal possession of arms for ‘terrorism, banditry and sabotage.’
Deadly storm hits Chiweshe school killing one pupil
Villagers at Maodzwa in Nzwimbo, Chiweshe district in Mashonaland central province are slowly picking up the pieces after their lives and homes were turned upside down on Friday by a ferocious storm that swept through the area leaving death and destruction in its wake.
