On 27 January 2003, Penelope Paliani-Kamanga, deputy chief reporter for the "Daily Times", Malawi's oldest daily, was shot in the knee by a rubber bullet. The shot was fired by Blantyre anti-riot police, who fired shots to disperse demonstrators. Members of civil society were demonstrating against the tabling of a bill in Parliament aimed at allowing President Bakili Muluzi to serve a third term in office.

The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) has gave the government an ultimatum to address its concerns to avert a possible strike early next month. Leonard Nkala, the Zimta president, said the Public Service Commission should address the teachers' demands or risk industrial action.

The South African-based Africa Foundation and US-based Kids for Africa have struck a partnership to encourage students to raise funds for rural schools. Their "Lights for Learning" initiative is targeting US$10,000 to electrify a rural school near Durban. Other partnership initiatives in the pipeline will fundraise for environmental projects.

The Sierra Leone TRC is currently looking for up to six investigators to work on a one year contract pursuing the objectives of the TRC, that is, the investigation of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law during the conflict in Sierra Leone from 1991 to 1999. The positions are rated at approximately the P4-P5 level, and salary can run up to about $7,000 per month. Please send c.v.s and other relevant information to [email][email protected]