Top news items in major Zimbabwean media outlets

HARARE, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The following are news highlights in Zimbabwe's major media outlets on Friday.

-- The Zimbabwe cabinet has resolved to cancel the 1 billion U.S. dollars tender awarded to Austrian firm, Gieger International, for the dualization of the Harare-Beitbridge-Chirundu highway, President Mnangagwa has said.

Mnangagwa said government had become impatient with lack of construction activity along the country's busiest highway that links Zimbabwe, South Africa and several other countries in the north. (The Herald)

-- The Zimbabwe government is working on a new diamond and platinum mining policy to replace the 51-49 percent shareholding requirement currently regulating the two minerals, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

He told investors in China Thursday that the policy was impacting negatively on diamond and platinum production, hence the need to review it urgently.

Mnangagwa last December scrapped the controversial policy on all other minerals and sectors of the economy except on platinum and diamond as his new administration seeks to lure foreign investment to boost the economy. (The Herald)

-- Insiders say the new opposition National Patriotic Front party- which has the blessings of ousted former president Robert Mugabe - could suffer a stillbirth, amid damaging internal accusations that the fledgling's party's leader retired brigadier Ambrose Mutinhiri is "incompetent". (Daily News)

-- President Emmerson Mnangagwa would have to satisfy demands from the opposition MDC Alliance before proclaiming a date for elections, the opposition coalition candidate and MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa said Thursday.

Chamisa told journalists at a press briefing in Harare that his party would not allow Mnangagwa to run an election if it was not satisfied with reforms. (NewsDay)

-- As the positive energy around President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government and the rest of the world continues, the European Union is sending its International Cooperation and Development Commissioner Neven Mimica to Harare next Monday.

Mimica announced this on his Twitter page and his journey will also take him to South Africa. (NewsDay)

-- A top Indian health firm, Ajanta Pharma, has signed a letter of intent with the Zimbabwe government to take over CAPS Pharmaceuticals and revive its operations.

Further, the company intends to set up a top-notch hospital and medical college to train health practitioners. The investment is expected to top 1 billion U.S. dollars in a year's time. (Business Weekly) Enditem