Malawi has won praise for its recent decision to shelve laws against homosexuality, pending a vote on whether to repeal them. Amnesty International described this as a bold move in a continent that mostly criminalizes such relationships. Malawi justice minister, Ralph Kasambara, said since the laws were suspended, police could not arrest or prosecute homosexuals until parliament votes.
Women blast Sata
A Zambian women’s movement has blasted President Michael Sata’s defence of the draconian Public
Order Act. The Non-Governmental Organization Coordinating Council said through its board chairperson, Beatrice Grillo, that it was shocked to learn that Sata was now praising the same law he condemned during his time in opposition and challenged him to share the “good things” he had come to appreciate about the Act “so that the people of Zambia can appreciate it with him.”
ANC’s freedom vow
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress vowed at its recent third International Solidarity Conference to support the unbanning of political parties in neighbouring Swaziland. ANC chairperson, Baleka Mbete said the party needed to assist all progressive forces to ensure that the small country is liberated. She also vowed to do the same in all other countries in the same predicament, including Zimbabwe.
Tsvangirai tours Jozi
Prime Minister and MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai is expected to address a rally in Johannesburg at the weekend. Party spokesman for South Africa, Kumbirai Muchemwa, said the PM would be accompanied by party chairman and Speaker of Parliament, Lovemore Moyo, secretary-general and Finance Minister Tendai Biti, Communication Technology and party organizing secretary Nelson Chamisa and others.
Zuma’s road
South Africa’s Transport Minister, Ben Martins, recently slammed people who criticised the construction of a road network near President Jacob Zuma’s KwaZulu-Natal homestead at Nkandla at a cost of R582-million. He said the 250km road network was constructed to benefit local entrepreneurs and the general public as roads in the area were in a poor condition.
Bots mining down
Botswana’s economic growth is expected to slow to 3.5 percent this year from 8 percent last year due to lower-than-expected mining output. President Ian Khama said in his state of the nation address on Monday that reduced output from the mining sector was likely to drag growth below the 4.4 percent projected in the February budget. The diamond market has been significantly affected by the prevailing global slowdown.
Post published in: Africa News