Drastic coal shortages despite massive natural deposits have had a ripple effect throughout Zimbabwe’s economy and ruined a deal to renovate the country’s biggest steelworks, the government has acknowledged. The energy crisis adds to the economic woes of Zimbabwe, which is already suffering from acute shortages of fuel and many basic commodities. Industry Minister Obert Mpofu told a panel of lawmakers in Harare that Indian steelmaker Global Steel Holdings pulled out of an investment deal at the Zicosteel steelworks in central Zimbabwe because of concerns about lack of coal supplies. The steel maker needed 60,000 tons of coal a month but earlier this year received just 14,000 tons monthly - "enough to keep the furnaces on, but without production," Mpofu told a parliamentary inquiry. Zicosteel was once prosperous but has declined because of mismanagement and corruption and is now on the verge of collapse.

In its latest company report, main coal producer Hwange Colliery said coal mining declined from 1.4 million tons last year to 883,000 tons so far this year. It blamed shortages of equipment and spare parts, breakdowns of existing machinery and what it called "cash-flow challenges" in buying new materials. Zimbabwe has estimated reserves of 30,000 million tons of coal.

Zimbabwe is suffering record inflation of 1,204 percent, the highest in the world, in its worst economic crisis since independence in 1980 blamed on land seizures, mismanagement and corruption. Bread disappeared from most shelves this week after the government ordered bakers to slash their prices. At least six senior executives of food and food-related companies were arrested for allegedly overcharging on their products.

In the same week that the Kalahari Bushmen of Botswana have made a desperate appeal for help to Leonardo DiCaprio, who stars in the forthcoming film ‘The Blood Diamond’, by placing a full-page advert in Variety magazine, Survival International, on behalf of the Bushmen, has urged supermodel Linda Evangelista to step down as the new face of De Beers, and Mohamed Al Fayed not to allow De Beers to open a concession in Harrods in London. The dispute centres on Botswana, where the government has brutally evicted the Gana and Gwi Bushmen from their land in the Central Kalahari, and where De Beers is exploring for diamonds. Since being moved to relocation camps many of the Bushmen have died, and many are suffering from alcoholism, TB, and HIV / AIDS. The Bushmen have called for a boycott of De Beers and Botswana diamonds until they are allowed back on their land. Survival has had much success in the past with both supermodels Iman and Lily Cole stepping down as the faces of De Beers over the plight of the Bushmen, and with Erin O’Connor stating that she would make a stand and not want to become the face of De Beers.
Actors Colin Firth and Julie Christie have already spoken out in support of the Bushmen. Julie Christie said, ‘Diamonds as the cause of misery and suffering are not a thing of the past. The Bushman evictions in Botswana are a clear demonstration that local people are still suffering because of these stones.’

Survival’s Director Stephen Corry said today, ‘The Gana and Gwi now face total extinction as peoples, not from war, but from being robbed of their land for diamonds. It is horrific that this can happen in the 21st century. For this reason people increasingly view De Beer’s Botswana gems as conflict diamonds.’

The Chairman of the National Council, Hon. Asser Kuveri Kapere will undertake a parliamentary outreach trip to the Erongo Region, in collaboration with the Namibia Democracy Support Centre (NDSC) as since Wednesday to 8 October. The programme is aimed at taking Parliament to the people. The Chairman will hold several community meetings to inform the public about the law making process, and the importance of their participation in the law making process.

Each community meeting will be followed by a presentation on the following Acts of Parliament: Married Persons Equality Act, Combating of Domestic Violence Act, and Combating of Rape Act. An Expert on these Acts from the Legal Assistant Center (LAC) will deliver the presentation. The Chairman will also have the opportunity to hold a meeting in Swakopmund with all Regional and Local Authorities Councillors, Chief Regional Officer, Chief Executive Officers of various towns and villages and recognised Traditional Leaders in Erongo Region, to discuss corporate governance. This meeting will be held on 5 October, 10h00 at the Erongo Regional Council Chamber, Swakopmund.

Throughout this outreach programme, Hon. Apius Auxab, Councillor for Daures Constituency, Hon. D.U. Xoagub, Councillor will accompany the Chairman for Karibib Constituency and a team from the Secretariat of the National Council, Legal Assistant Center, and the Namibia Democracy Support Centre.