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The challenge ahead is huge - Dr Tapiwa Mashakada

OPINION - FEBRUARY 11 2009 enters the annals of Zimbabwean history as a historic day in many respects. Apart from marking the final consummation of the Global Political Agreement and the swearing in of the prime minister and deputy prime ministers, the day marked the break from a violent past to a future of hope for all Zimbabweans.

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Gono should account for the forex in his custody - By Levy Mhaka

OPINION - As a citizen, it is public knowledge that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), Gideon Gono unilaterally appropriated foreign currency belonging to corporate account holders under the pretext of using for national needs and requirements.

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Last conversation with Nathaniel Manheru/George Charamba

OPINION - History will record this day, 21 February 2009, which is also the birthday of Zimbabwe’s only post-colonial political leader as the beginning of the decoupling of the state and the ruling party

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If Biti is not qualified for the Job, then who is, by whose standards? - By Mutumwa Mawere

OPINION - “Biti is not the best choice” an article published by a Zimbabwean online publication allegedly based on comments made by Professor Jonathan Moyo (MP) to journalists in Harare raises some fundamental and foundational issues that are critical in informing the nation building process.

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Mugabe's new Strategy - Now Claims Fresh Violence Against His Supporters - By Denford Magora

OPINION - First, let's get one thing straight: my articles are normally fairly long if there is something important and complicated to explain. Those who are too lazy to read through them should refrain from commenting on them on the basis of the two or so paragraphs they have read, otherwise they make fools of themselves in their eagerness to "prove me wrong."

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As a Zimbabwean, I remain hopeful, maybe out of desperation - By Rashweat Mukundu

OPINION - A workmate came to my office this other day, to tell a ‘hilarious’ story about how his classmates in a part time Accounting class at the Polytechnic of Namibia are, all of sudden, getting high marks in assignments yet struggling in the final exams.

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Zimbabwe’s continuing land contestation & the symbolisms of ex-farmer Roy Bennett’s legal troubles - By Chido Makunike

OPINION - So Roy Bennet, MDC ‘treasurer general’ and deputy agriculture minister-designate in the new unity government has been arrested. First a standing treason charge that kept him in exile in South Africa for three years was revived. Many Zimbabwe opposition politicians over the years have dubiously been charged with treason, with the charges almost always then failing to stand up in court.

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Robert Mugabe and the history of treason

ANALYSIS - President Robert Mugabe's 29-year rule in Zimbabwe has been punctuated by treason cases involving his political opponents. It is a charge that can carry the death sentence. IRIN looks back at some of the key cases.

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"I decided testing HIV positive would not be the end of my life"

HARARE - When Lutanga Shaba was 16, she was forced into transactional sex to support herself and her mother. Although she eventually managed to finish her law degree, with a postgraduate degree in policy studies, the survival strategy came at a price - she tested HIV positive in 2002, the same year her mother died of an AIDS-related illness.

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The theft of private assets - By Eddie Cross

OPINION - When I left school at the age of sixteen and went to work on a farm, my father sent an insurance salesman to see me and said that I should take out a life insurance policy that would give me a pension when I retired in 49 years time. I forget what the monthly payments were but I signed up and sacrificed some of my meager salary to the Old Mutual.

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"Roy was promised safe return" - Friends of Roy Bennet Campaign

FRIENDS OF ROY - I flew up to Zimbabwe from SA with seven friends to enjoy Morgan's inauguration as the Prime Minister in the new Government of National Unity.

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Gono, Chihuri, Chiwenga, Zimondi and Bonyongwe are planning a coup - Eddie Cross

OPINION - I am sorry for the long delay in sending out another of my weeklies, but we have been rather busy to say the least!! Events here have been dramatic and are moving so fast that it is difficult to keep track if you are not at the centre of things. A struggle is under way - not with guns, at least not yet! But in every other way this is street fighting - building by building, street by street, close combat between two forces.

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Tsvangirai took a huge risk, now we (UK) must shoulder our share - The Telegraph (UK)

ANALYSIS - The Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in by the old despot, Robert Mugabe, in a joyless ceremony in a tent. Mugabe's wife, the ghastly couture-clad Grace, refused to shake hands with Tsvangirai.

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Zimbabwe 2009: Is a new social contract feasible? - By Mutumwa Mawere

OPINION - What is a social contract? What kind of social order do Zimbabweans want? What should be the role of the state? What should be the role of the non-state actors?

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This Week's Nathaniel Manheru

NATHANIEL MANHERU - WHILE I agree with JOMIC’s call for some forbearance in respect of the newly inaugurated inclusive government, I hotly oppose any attempt to privilege this new arrangement.

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Lance Guma speaks to Dr Simba Makoni

FULL TRANSCRIPT SIMBA MAKONI INTERVIEW - This week on Behind the Headlines Lance Guma speaks to former Finance Minister Dr Simba Makoni in a wide-ranging interview. Lance asks Dr Makoni for his views on the unity government currently being put in place and whether he thinks they can deliver.

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Today's tragedy - By Basildon Peta

OPINION - It was a joyous moment for some, but I saw no reason of joining in any of the celebratory parties. After so many years in exile, I see nothing to suggest that I can now immediately walk back into a free democratic Zimbabwe in which my rights as a citizen will be respected.

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