All eyes are on Zimbabwe this week, as the country continues to prepare for its presidential elections in less than two weeks. Tensions are pretty high in the region, where everyone remembers the elections of 2008, which resulted in deadly clashes.

Leaders from the Southern African Development Community expressed concern over the organisation of the July 31 elections with little time left for preparations, headlines the South African daily Business Day.

The meeting was called by South African President Jacob Zuma after Zimbabwean President Mugabe directed angry statements at Lindiwe Zulu, South Africa's international relations adviser in Zimbabwe.

The comments were made after Zulu criticised last Monday's special voting, during which thousands of Zimbabwean security forces could not cast their votes.

She had expressed concern that such a disorganisation would be repeated, and magnified, during the July 31 vote.

President Mugabe, who is seeking to extend his 33-year rule - has developed a deep resentment for Zulu in recent weeks and is now calling for her dismissal.

In an attempt to ease the tensions with Zimbabwe, President Zuma stepped in yesterday, reports the Johannesburg-based Mail and Guardian, calling his advisor's comments as "unfortunate".

In a public announcement, says the newspaper, the South African president added that he remained fully committed to the relations with the Republic of Zimbabwe and wished the people of Zimbabwe well as they prepare for the elections.

In Kenya, universities are producing thousands of untrained and incompetent graduates annually - report the Daily Nation - because a large number of students have been paying third parties to write their theses, academic reports and tests.

The scandal has become so widespread that employers have issued complaints against the universities, saying graduates and prospective candidates consistently fail job interviews and hiring tests.

The Nation's investigations revealed the existence of well organised black markets for ready made papers and exams answers in Nairobi and other major university towns, where any student can buy, and even order, their thesis or reports.

Unfortunately, adds the paper, cases of cheating and plagiarism are rampant in Kenyan public and private universitie and are ill-equipped to counter the new trend.

The Ugandan Daily Monitor reports on the sudden rise of the price of milk in the country, and particularly in the capital Kampala.

According to paper, options are rather limited for consumers who are unable to put up with the exorbitant prices of the most basic food supplies.

In recent weeks, supermarkets have been secretly increasing prices of milk without warning the public, says the Monitor.

Suppliers, questioned on the new price trend, explained that supply had tumbled after a prolonged dry spell, which affects pasture and water for the animals.