Zimbabwe

Family and friends of MDC MP for KweKwe Blessing Chebundo, have claimed that Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa is putting ernomous pressure on state prosecutors, to find the legislator guilty for allegedly raping a minor.

There was much activity in the magistrates' courts in Harare on Thursday when human rights lawyers, two senior journalists and WOZA activists appeared in court for separate, routine, remand hearings.

The MDC, which entered into a coalition government with ZANU PF 3 months ago, will be holding its 9th annual conference in Harare over the weekend. Under the theme 'Celebrating a decade of Courage, Conviction and Leadership' the party says it will 'review and update its policies, as well as taking stock of the hopes and impediments of the inclusive government.'

The country's security chiefs have taken the current political fight over the reappointment of Gideon Gono a step further, threatening to take up arms to prevent the removal of the Reserve Bank Governor from his post.

Last week, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the South African Broadcasting Corporation that she was "not yet confident" that aid money to Zimbabwe would get directly to the people who needed it most. Most of Europe has joined the United States on the fence, waiting to see whether Zimbabwe's unity government delivers on promises of change before giving it any assistance.