August 2012

[Zimbabwe Independent]IN its bid to retain its political advantage over other parties ahead of elections next year, Zanu PF has restored President Robert Mugabe's sweeping powers curtailed in the latest Copac draft constitution by coming with amendments that restore the imperial presidency.

[Zimbabwe Independent]ZANU PF's proposed amendments to the latest Copac draft constitution, which largely curtail President Robert Mugabe's imperial powers widely blamed for his authoritarian rule and ruining the country, are likely to be rejected ahead of elections by the people clamouring for reforms that promote democracy, human rights and good governance, among other things.

[Zimbabwe Independent]OF Zimbabwe's many economic ills, the greatest must be the magnitude of poverty of its population. According to estimates, 80% of the employable population lacks formal sector employment. Most people are struggling to survive on incomes below the poverty datum line (PDL), and survive as a result of support from those few gainfully employed and from relatives abroad.

[Zimbabwe Independent]THE most controversial topic that has dominated the banking sector, apart from whether foreign banks should be indigenised and the US$100m capital requirements, is the level of reported impairments.