The mainstream MDC in South Africa this week blasted National Constitutional Assembly chairman, Lovemore Madhuku for his continued criticism of the party, which it said was playing into the hands of Zanu (PF). Madhuku, who broke ranks with the MDCs ahead of the constitutional referendum and has reportedly indicated his desire to form his own political party, has gone on a tirade against the MDC of late. However, Kumbirai Muchemwa, spokesman for the MDC SA, said Madhuku’s “attempts to join the circus clown car act with a blind driver and full of near sighted passengers that is ZANU (PF) would not work..
Activists assaulted
Three members of Swaziland’s pro-democracy group, Swaziland Youth Congress, charged with sedition for carrying a banner at an election rally in the country said recently that they were beaten up while in prison awaiting trial. They said warders beat them at the Sidvwashini Correctional Facility and told magistrates they now feared for their safety. The accused, who belong to one of a number of pro-democracy groups banned in Swaziland, appeared before Magistrate Ndumiso Shongwe last week and claimed that they were subjected to harsh treatment and denied medical treatment.
Malawi on malnutrition
Malawi’s President Joyce Banda recently pledged her government’s commitment towards addressing malnutrition, telling the G8 Summit that her country was one of the countries in Southern Africa with the highest levels of child stunting at 47 percent, due to malnutrition. She said the statistics were “very alarming and unacceptable.” Banda hoped that stunting would be reduced from 47 to less than 20 percent by 2020..
Suspicious case
The request to retire by suspended Zambian judge, Phillip Musonda, has been met with mixed reactions by various stakeholders. Musonda, who is one of the three judges that have been suspended by President Michael Sata, recently wrote a resignation letter saying his decision was inevitable, but Transparency International Zambia said the resignation was prejudicial to the yet to commence Judge Lovemore Chikopa tribunal.
Drug dealers targeted
Angola’s general commander of National Police, Ambrósio Freire de Lemos, recently reiterated his corporation’s support to identify, investigate and prosecute all those involved in drug-related crimes, for a world’s safer and free of products susceptible to cause deaths. The National Police chief said the manufacturing, distribution and marketing of drugs was intrinsically linked to money laundering, which required the existence of properly-organised and structured networks, operating in various parts of the globe.
Post published in: Africa News