WHEN United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Navanethem Pillay lands in Hararae on Sunday for her visit to assess the situation she must recall the words of her boss Ban Ki-moon to stay focused on a trip which could prove to a rigorous test of her diplomatic savvy and engagement skills.

Dumisani Muleya

THE indignation, incredulity and indifference with which the Select Committee of Parliament on the new constitution (Copac) and its resultant shoddy draft document, now a source of acrimonious dispute and contest, has been greeted in some circles is not surprising at all.

Itai Masuku

GREEN Fuel has dominated newspaper headlines over the past few weeks, but not for reasons that are unlikely to turn anyone green with envy. In fact, it is a classical case of why Africa continues to be backward.

BRAZEN remarks this week by Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Chief of Staff Major-General Martin Chedondo that the military must interfere in politics and support Zanu PF, while branding other political parties as agents of imperialism will have dismayed many and sent alarm bells ringing across the region and elsewhere.

Dumisani Muleya

UNITED Nations Human Rights Commissioner Navanethem Pillay’s expected visit to Zimbabwe should be used to bring the country’s checkered human rights record under close scrutiny at a time when political tensions are resurfacing ahead of decisive elections for President Robert Mugabe.

Itai Masuku

IT was interesting to read that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) wants to place dogs at the country’s entry points as part of its efforts in the fight against drugs and also to curb graft. That is commendable, especially in so far as trying to curtail drug dealing is concerned. But in so far as curbing smuggling is concerned, the authority will have to look within.

Kevin Mapasure

CHAMPIONS Dynamos are plotting a clear-out of the old guard and under-performing players in a bid to refresh the side for the second half of the season and next year’s campaign.

THE unfolding saga over Green Fuel’s Chisumbanje ethanol fuel project makes for some sad reading indeed, giving the impression that the country is jinxed when it comes to investment,sorting out its fuel security.

Dumisani Muleya

YESTERDAY media houses and journalists, as well as stakeholders around the globe, commemorated World Press Freedom Day. For 21 years this has become an important event for journalists to reflect on what has been happening around them, taking stock of progress recorded and the lack thereof.

Itai Masuku

A GREEK philosopher once said “Opportunity is like a man with hair on his forehead, but is bald at the back of his head.” You’ve got to grab him by the hair.

THE 53rd edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which began on Monday and ends tomorrow, has shown that Zimbabwe’s economy is at the cross-roads, with its direction henceforth becoming more unpredictable.

Dumisani Muleya

THE conviction of former Liberian president Charles Taylor of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a special tribunal in The Hague yesterday must serve as a lesson to African leaders, that abuse of power and human rights are increasingly becoming unacceptable.

Itai Masuku

THE International Monetary Fund is expected in the country beginning of the next month for routine Article IV consultations. These are routine meetings, usually annual ones, which the institution holds with its 186-strong member governments.

WHILE at the Roadport bus terminus along Fifth Street to purchase a ticket to South Africa, I had an unexpected opportunity to witness Zanu PF’s coercive machinery at work as the party gears for the next  high-stakes elections.

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe returned home yesterday after a week of speculation about his health and resultant controversy sparked by apparently unfounded reports that he was critically ill in Singapore.

Dumisani Muleya

UNTIL yesterday when President Robert Mugabe returned home from Singapore where he had officially gone to make further studies arrangements for his daughter and apparently also spend the Easter holidays, a storm of speculation over his ill-health and whereabouts was raging.

Dingilizwe Ntuli

WHY should consumers waste money on a more expensive product by buying Zimbabwean-made goods and services when there are cheaper ones of more or less the same quality from outside?

INDIGENISATION minister Saviour Kasukuwere last week delivered  disclosures on government’s strategy regarding the transfer of shares in companies that have been forced to cede equity under  the emotive empowerment programme.

WHEN the GPA was signed in 2008, it was envisaged parties involved would use the breathing space created to restore peace and stability after a decade of a state of flux due to a political stalemate over disputed elections outcomes and the devastating economic meltdown, while introducing comprehensive reforms to create conditions for free and fair elections.

Dingilizwe Ntuli

STATISTICS indicate that the government only had 14 efficiently run and profitable parastatals at Independence in 1980. However, that figure has dramatically gone down and almost all the existing 76 state entities are operating at a serious deficit with a ballooning debt running into millions of dollars.