TV1 6pm News Headlines (First Segment)

Zimbabwe Farm Occupations - Robert Mugabe - NZ Reaction - Cervical Cancer Inquiry - League Row

ZIMBABWE FARM OCCUPATIONS: Another white Zimbabwe farmer has been killed in independence Veterans occupation of farmland. Meanwhile the country’s president lashed out at the white farmers calling them “enemies of the state” for supporting the opposition party and refusing to give up their land. President Robert Mugabe had met with the farmers for talks yesterday.

ROBERT MUGABE: Since Robert Mugabe came to power 12 years ago there have been numerous human rights violations. Around 70,000 whites live in a land with 12 million blacks. The white farmers currently own all the best arable land. A BBC correspondent says the move to focus on whites is an attempt to hold on power. Most of the farmers support the opposition movement The Movement for Democratic Change.

NZ REACTION: The New Zealand Government is also concerned with the Minister Of Foreign Affairs Phil Goff hinting that NZ may open the doors to Zimbabwe farmers. Mr Goff and Zimbabwe people here believe many of the black veterans are paid government supporters.

CERVICAL CANCER INQUIRY: Health Officials are once again under the microscope with lawyers for the women affected in the Cervical Cancer Inquiry asking why officials did nothing to change the high rates of cervical cancer in the Gisborne region. Both letters to the Health Minister and a newspaper article outlined concerns with the high rate were not acted on. They also asked why there was not concern about Dr Bottrill not reporting a single abnormal smear result in three years. Maori women were also affected more by the misreadings as they had a higher rate of cervical Cancer.

LEAGUE ROW: New Zealand rugby league is in contention with the Australian bosses over disciplinary hearing for a Warriors Cowboy’s brawl this week. The NZ bosses are considering appealing fines and bans imposed on the Warriors team and members, alleging the hearing over the ruckus was not properly carried out.

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