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Number of cholera deaths in Zimbabwe surpasses 4,000

According to a report released by the United Nations' World Health Organisation (WHO), over four thousand people have died from cholera in Zimbabwe, while 89,000 total cases of the disease have been reported. A spokeswoman for the WHO, however, said that the real death toll is higher due to under-reporting because of difficulty reaching certain areas of the country. The cholera outbreak has been blamed on the collapse of the country's health infrastructure and water systems. However, the WHO...

ZIMBABWE: Bring us your dead

Mass burials are being conducted in Zimbabwe's second city, Bulawayo, to empty hospital mortuaries of hundreds of unclaimed and decomposing bodies. The morgues at the city's two main referral hospitals, Mpilo and the United Bulawayo, have fallen into disrepair, with broken refrigerators unable to maintain the required temperatures in the summer heat to prevent decomposition. Mpilo's mortuary has a capacity of 30 corpses, but was storing 250, piled three high on gurneys, while other bodies...

ZIMBABWE: 94 percent of schools fail to open

About 94 percent of Zimbabwe's rural schools - where most children are educated - failed to open this year, the UN Children's Fund said on 10 February 2009. The education system, once viewed as the finest in sub-Saharan Africa, has become a casualty of the country's economic collapse and political infighting. Tsitsi Singizi, UNICEF's spokesman in Zimbabwe, told IRIN the priority of the new unity government should be to salvage the education system. "The infrastructure for education is still...

New Zimbabwe government urged to prioritise human rights

Zimbabwe's new unified government has been urged to place human rights at the top of its agenda when it takes office this week. Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is due to sign into law a constitutional amendment allowing opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to become prime minister on Wednesday, paving the way for the men to share power. Amnesty International has called on the new administration to follow its five-point human rights plan: Release prisoners of conscience The new government...

Zimbabwean parliament passes unity government bill

The parliament of Zimbabwe has unanimously voted for a constitutional amendment allowing a coalition government to be formed between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Under the bill, Mugabe would remain president of the country, but Tsvangirai would take the office the prime minister. The latter is to be sworn into office on the 11th of February. The bill, after being endorsed by the House of Assembly, was...

Mugabe prepares new govt despite protests

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has started preparations to form a government despite opposition objections, firing a dozen ministers from his Zanu-PF party to clear the way for a new Cabinet, state media said on Saturday. The firing of nine ministers and three deputy ministers who lost their seats in March parliamentary polls is the clearest sign yet Mugabe may act on his threat to form a government without the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Mugabe criticises 'stupid' West

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has rejected calls from the US and UK for him to stand down, branding them "stupid and foolish".Mr Mugabe was speaking after the US said a power-sharing deal in Zimbabwe was not possible with him in power.He said criticism from President George Bush was irrelevant and the "last kicks of a dying horse".

Zimbabwe cholera deaths nearly 1,000

The number of cholera deaths in Zimbabwe is approaching 1,000, according to U.N. figures published Monday. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said 978 people have died and 18,413 suspected cases have been recorded.U.N. figures have been compiled since August.

Zimbabwe: Opposition training for war

A key ally of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe on Monday accused the opposition of training for armed rebellion. Patrick Chinamasa, Zimbabwe's justice minister, was quoted by the state-owned Herald daily newspaper as saying the Movement for Democratic Change is "bent on foisting war on the country and the region."

Zimbabwe's air force chief 'shot'

The commander of Zimbabwe's air force has been wounded in what officials are calling an assassination attempt.Perence Shiri, 53, a close ally of President Mugabe seen as one of the most feared military leaders, was shot in the arm and is said to be stable.