The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) has issued a statement condemning the action taken by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) to discipline two of their players who protested against the ongoing human rights violations in the country. According to media reports, the ZCU suspended Henry Olonga and referred Andy Flower to the disciplinary committee for wearing black armbands during a world cup cricket match between Zimbabwe and Namibia in Harare on Monday February 10 2002. The black armbands were a sign of protest against the 'death of democracy' in Zimbabwe.

Three media workers were arrested on 14 February at the United Nations Offices in Harare. The three are Lloyd Mudiwa, a reporter with The Daily News, Aaron Ufumeli, a photographer with the same paper, and Tsvangirai Mukwazhi, a photographer for Associated Press. The police confiscated Ufumeli's camera and those of several other freelance journalists.

A Zimbabwean human rights lawyer is seeking political asylum in South Africa after fleeing his country. Gabriel Shumba bears scars of brutal torture he allegedly suffered at the hands of the security forces in Zimbabwe.

Police raided a meeting of opposition and reform groups at a church in Zimbabwe's capital last Thursday, arresting a bishop and four human rights activists, witnesses said. Bishop Trevor Manhanga was among those arrested. Also arrested at the Northside Community Church were human rights lawyer Brian Kagoro, university political scientist John Makumbe, activist John Stewart and a church worker.

The Zimbabwe National Student’s Union fight for peace and human rights in Zimbabwe has received international recognition. The organisation has been awarded the Student Peace Prize 2003 by the International Student Festival in Trondheim. The ISFiT awards the Peace Price once every two years to a student or a student organisation that has made a particular effort for democracy and human rights.

The Voice of America has launched a new radio program for Zimbabwe called Studio 7. The program is broadcast Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 8:00pm. Zimbabweans can listen to Studio 7 on medium wave at 909am or short-wave at 13600 or 17895. Studio 7 features balanced reporting on Zimbabwe and the region, as well as world and U.S. news. Sports, music, culture and health features are also part of Studio 7’s coverage of news, information and entertainment for Zimbabwe.

Police in Bindura have arrested Itai Masotcha Zimunya, the Zimbabwe National Student’s Union vice president. He was arrested in Bindura where he had gone to organise for mass action.

Political violence has characterised the run up to the parliamentary by-election to be held in Kuwadzana over the weekend of 29 - 30 March 2003. The imposition of an unofficial curfew by ZANU PF supporters in Kuwadzana, following the death of ZANU PF member, Tonderai Mangwiro, in a petrol bombing, has stepped up organised violence and torture in the area.

Three media workers, two of them who work for the South African Broadcasting Corporation, were arrested on 7 February in Zimbabwe while covering a demonstration at the Nigerian High Commission.

This article examines urban governance in the framework of sustainable urban development, and agrees with most analyses that sustainable settlements embrace social, ecological and economic dimensions. The discussion stresses that a form of governance that neglects any of these components cannot attain sustainability. It argues that, in Harare, sustainability hinges very much on the role of the governance system, especially as it relates to urban poverty and the day-to-day survival of the urban poor. It is this role of urban governance that eventually manifests itself in the state of society, economy and the environment.

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) will walk against violence on Valentines Day, 14th February 2003, from 12 Noon to 12:45. The meeting place is Bulawayo City Hall Car Park. Further details are to be provided on Harare, Gweru, Mutare, London and Johannesburg.

More than one million people in Zimbabwe's urban areas are facing starvation as the food situation in the country continues to deteriorate. This brings to seven million the number of people in need of humanitarian aid according to the latest United Nations food situation report.

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said last Friday he preferred a policy of ‘constructive engagement’ and effective diplomacy, rather than ‘antagonism’ towards Zimbabwe. Obasanjo was speaking in the South African capital, Pretoria, after talks with President Thabo Mbeki on the first day of a two-day state visit.

South Africa and Nigeria will allow Zimbabwe to be readmitted to the Commonwealth group of nations when its suspension expires next month, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on Monday. Howard said a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki and Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo to cancel a meeting with him next month would effectively see Zimbabwe readmitted to the 54-nation grouping of former British colonies.

MISA-Zimbabwe says they are appalled at the actions of police in barring journalists from the court room where the trial of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangarai is taking place.

Defence lawyers in the treason trial of MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and two senior party officials have described the State's star witness, Ari Ben-Menashe, as "an internationally-renowned crook".

The International Federation of Journalists has called on the authorities in Zimbabwe to end the persecution of The Daily News and its staff. The newspaper is facing closure because of new registration rules, which the IFJ says "are designed to force media to toe the government line or face extinction."

Pedzisayi Ruhanya, the deputy news editor of The Daily News and Ishmael Mafundikwa a freelance journalist have been arrested for allegedly obstructing police duties. Ruhanya was manhandled by 3 policemen and dragged into a police vehicle. The two are locked up at the Harare Central police station.

Edison Mukwasi, 29, the former MDC youth provincial chairman for Harare province, died on Sunday at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare after his alleged torture by the police over the years. Mukwasi had been in and out of hospital after sustaining internal injuries after being allegedly tortured by the police.

South Africa's ban on livestock products from Botswana and Zimbabwe will remain in force until authorities are satisfied there is no longer a risk of contamination from foot and mouth disease, a Department of Agriculture spokesman says.