political parties

The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) has resolved to revive its discussions with the police leadership to ensure that the media is allowed the freedom to report on the fight against crime.

In a press statement, SANEF points out that some police officers continue to treat journalists in a negative manner and enforcing unofficial restrictions in media reporting.

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) is expected to make a presentation at the National AIDS Council (NAC) on findings of an assessment of access to health services by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gendered community as well as a study on men who have sex with men (MSM) in May this year.

BONELA says this decision was made by former president Festus Mogae, at the NAC last week, following a query by BONELA as the presentation initially scheduled for May last year, was cancelled at the last minute, without consultation.

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Minister Sicelo Shiceka, has announced that he will take further consultations on the possibility of holding a single election in the future before raising the matter with the Cabinet.

Shiceka says holding one election will ensure that voters do not have election fatigue.
Shiceka argues that, "When we have elections two and a half years later, there is another election it means there is no time for stability for us to focus on service delivery.”

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has warned that Zimbabwe could slide back into turmoil if the military leadership and others loyal to President Robert Mugabe are allowed to continue blocking reforms necessary for economic and political stability.

In its latest assessment of the country's year old coalition government, the ICG say although there have been some achievements made, the democratic transition remains at risk, especially from hard-line security officials fiercely loyal to Mugabe.

HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria continue to be the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa. The region remains home to 62 percent of global HIV infections and 72 percent of global AIDS mortality - mainly amongst women and children. It is estimated that there are 33.4 million people living with HIV. Most of them continue to face illness and death if they are unable to access treatment.

The Mashonaland West Governor and Resident Minister, Faber Chidarikire, has urged the Zimbabwean NGOs to stop meddling in the country’s political affairs, but assist the government in its developmental projects.

Chidarikire, who argues that NGOs should concentrate on developing communities, says that, "Government appreciates efforts by NGOs but it's unacceptable for them to interfere in our internal affairs."

"If anyone wants to help people, they should do so without aligning themselves to political parties," states Chidarikire.

The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has urged President Jacob Zuma to take leadership and responsibility for himself, those around him and South Africa in fighting HIV/AIDS.

In its latest newsletter, the TAC says that Zuma's leadership on AIDS need some constructive scrutiny.
The organisation says that it does not want to impose moral judgements on people, especially on their private matters, adding that, "In a country without a serious HIV epidemic, it might be arguable that his extra-marital affairs are for him and his family alone to resolve."