Zimbabwe’s justice minister says there is no state-sponsored torture in the country, rejecting allegations by human rights groups. Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa spoke to reporters Monday after a meeting in Harare with visiting U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay. Zimbabwe invited Pillay in response to rights groups accusing state authorities of torture and violence against […]
Zimbabwe’s Mugabe Arrives Home From Singapore
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 3:50 am (UTC-5)
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe arrived home from Asia on Thursday morning, apparently dispelling rumors he is seriously ill. The 88-year-old leader was met at Harare’s airport by cabinet officials, but he did not speak to a throng of reporters gathered there. He was expected back two days ago from his trip to Singapore, fueling speculation […]
Zimbabwe Party: Reports That Mugabe is Ill Are “Nonsense”
Posted April 10th, 2012 at 11:20 am (UTC-5)
A spokesman for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s party says media reports that the 88-year-old leader is in poor health are “nonsense.” ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo told VOA on Tuesday that President Mugabe is “okay” and will return from his trip to Singapore by Thursday. The spokesman said Mr. Mugabe will chair a Cabinet meeting on […]
Zimbabwe Party Dismisses Report President is Ill
Posted April 10th, 2012 at 9:30 am (UTC-5)
Members of President Robert Mugabe’s political party have rejected a media report saying the Zimbabwean leader has undergone “intensive” medical treatment in Singapore. Officials with ZANU-PF on Tuesday dismissed an online report by The Zimbabwe Mail newspaper claiming the 88-year-old president is seriously ill. According to party officials, Mr. Mugabe is on a 10-day “private […]
Inquest Finds No Foul Play in Zimbabwe General’s Death
Posted March 29th, 2012 at 11:40 am (UTC-5)
An inquest into the death of Zimbabwe’s most decorated army general, Solomon Mujuru, has found there was no foul play, despite speculation to the contrary. State media Thursday published comments from Attorney General Johannes Tomana, who said he agrees with the investigation’s findings, and declared Mujuru’s case a “closed and completed matter.” Mujuru, who was […]
Zimbabwe Convicts Six of Plotting to Incite Violence
Posted March 19th, 2012 at 12:50 pm (UTC-5)
A Zimbabwean court has convicted six activists of plotting to incite violence with the goal of ousting President Robert Mugabe in an Egypt-style uprising. The defendants were arrested in February of last year during a gathering to watch video of protests in Egypt and discuss events unfolding there. The meeting was led by Munyaradzi Gwisai, […]
Zimbabwe PM says Military Will Disregard Election Results
Posted March 9th, 2012 at 5:55 am (UTC-5)
Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says the country’s military leaders have told him they will not allow anyone but President Robert Mugabe to rule the country, regardless of who wins an election. At a press conference Thursday in the capital, Harare, Mr. Tsvangirai said he and his MDC party do not want a war, and […]
Zimbabwe Leaders Give 2-Week Ultimatum for New Constitution
Posted March 2nd, 2012 at 5:50 am (UTC-5)
Zimbabwe’s state media say President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai are calling for a new constitution to be drafted within two weeks. The government-owned Herald newspaper said Friday the two leaders are “deeply perturbed” by the slow pace of the constitutional drafting process. They have given a committee until March 15 to submit […]
Zimbabwe’s Mugabe Turns 88, Vows to Stay in Power
Posted February 21st, 2012 at 5:15 pm (UTC-5)
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe marked his 88th birthday Tuesday with a series of interviews in which he declared he is healthy, has no intention of stepping down any time soon, and will call elections this year. The Zimbabwean leader said he is “fit as a fiddle” and “not yet” ready to retire, adding that at […]
Mugabe Turns 88, Vows to Stay in Power
Posted February 21st, 2012 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe turned 88 years old Tuesday with a declaration that he is healthy and has no intention of stepping down any time soon. In an interview aired on state media Monday night, the Zimbabwean leader said he is “fit as a fiddle” and “not yet” ready to retire, adding that at his […]
