A former UN official claims his warnings of a coming calamity were stifled by a UN bureaucracy intent on keeping good relations with Zimbabwe’s dictator, Robert Mugabe. In the 11 months between August 2008 and July of last year, nearly 100,000 Zimbabweans came down with cholera in the first countrywide epidemic of the disease in modern history. Previous outbreaks in Zimbabwe, which have occurred annually since 2003, had affected only pockets of the country. This time, cholera was everywhere. Corpses filled the streets and hospital beds. In some districts early in the crisis, half of those infected died. It was a tragedy in every way – not least because the worst might have been prevented. Months before the initial outbreak exploded into a full-blown epidemic, Georges Tadonki, who headed the United Nations’ humanitarian office in Zimbabwe at the time, says he warned his superiors of the severe risk, suggesting to the UN country director, Agostinho Zacarias, that 30,000 cases or more were possible. But Zacarias stifled that warning, Tadonki claims.

Marion, Illinois – Until recently, people here had little reason to know the name John A. Bredenkamp or anything about his past, a tale worthy of a James Bond villain, filled with allegations of international arms deals, blood diamond trades and ties to despotic regimes in his native Africa. Bredenkamp had visited Marion just once, nine years ago, to look over the Bermuda grass fairways and 96 sand bunkers at the Kokopelli Golf Club he was about to buy. He flew out the same day. A low-profile owner, he sold the course to a Florida group in 2006. He kept only a right to split future profits if the course sold again, his one tenuous tie to this Southern Illinois city. His name might have been forgotten, except for what took place two years later. “It’s just so absurd,” said Fritz Archerd of Gainesville, Fla., head of the group that bought the course from Bredenkamp. “And it’s all because of him.”Marion, Illinois – Until recently, people here had little reason to know the name John A. Bredenkamp or anything about his past, a tale worthy of a James Bond villain, filled with allegations of international arms deals, blood diamond trades and ties to despotic regimes in his native Africa. Bredenkamp had visited Marion just once, nine years ago, to look over the Bermuda grass fairways and 96 sand bunkers at the Kokopelli Golf Club he was about to buy. He flew out the same day. A low-profile owner, he sold the course to a Florida group in 2006. He kept only a right to split future profits if the course sold again, his one tenuous tie to this Southern Illinois city. His name might have been forgotten, except for what took place two years later. “It’s just so absurd,” said Fritz Archerd of Gainesville, Fla., head of the group that bought the course from Bredenkamp. “And it’s all because of him.”

HARARE- A 29-kilogram consignment of diamonds from Zimbabwe’s controversial Chiadzwa diamond field has disappeared after being removed on Thursday night by police from the central bank, in violation of orders by the country’s supreme court, lawyers said at the weekend.

HARARE: Zimbabwe’s civil servants today resolved to engage in indefinite industrial action after the government failed to remove a ‘pathetic offer’ of wage hikes following a 14-day ultimatum that expired last week.

WINDHOEK – President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia is expected to take over the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in seven months’ time and faces the challenge of compelling Zimbabwe to implement the tribunal’s order on land acquisition. The Zimbabwe High Court ruled last week that it would not bow to an order of the SADC Tribunal barring the acquisition of land owned by 79 white farmers.

A Zimbabwean magistrate, Samuel Zuze, has been exposed in what counts as one of Zimbabwe’s most blatant cases of judicial malpractice and fraud after he presided over a farm dispute in which he is a direct beneficiary, with an offer letter entitling him to one third of the disputed farm.

A High Court judge in Harare will next week rule on whether
emails at the center of treason charges against opposition MDC Treasurer and minister designate, Roy Bennett, are admissible during the high profile trial. The Emails will serve as a test case on the use of intercepted communications under Zimbabwean law.

Zimbabwe is not known for spending its meagre resources in the right places, at least not until the formation of the unity government. The military is replete with hardware and supplies, while other sectors of government go by on a pittance. The health sector is heavily underfunded, and civil servants poorly paid, while warehouses suffocate with teargas and polished military hardware. IA

HARARE- The trial of Zimbabwe’s deputy Agriculture Minister-designate Roy Bennett, accused of illegally possessing weapons for purposes of terrorism, banditry and insurgency, has taken a new twist with the prosecution indicating that it wants impeach its key witness, whom it accuses of being ‘unfavourable.’

HARARE- While it seems political parties in the transitional government have finally agreed on writing a new constitution in Zimbabwe after months of procrastination amongst themselves, it is still a long and bumpy road towards its realisation.