Three dozen baby elephants at the centre of a controversy over the sale of wildlife to Chinese zoos have left Zimbabwe after they were loaded secretly on to a cargo flight.
Thirty-two of 37 young elephants were removed from a holding facility in Hwange National Park on Thursday morning and loaded onto a Saudia Cargo jet at Victoria Falls airport in the afternoon, sources close to the transfer said.
The five other elephants were rejected, apparently for health reasons.
The Zimbabwe National Society for the Protection of Animals confirmed the reports.
A source close to the society said the destination, buyers and condition of the animals were all unknown.
The young elephants have been at the centre of a legal battle since footage of them being held in the Hwange National Park emerged in February.
At the time, wildlife activists said the group had been sold to a Chinese safari park, and warned that the sale might breach Zimbabwean law because details of the deal, including the price, the customer, and the animals’ final destination, had not been made public.
Last week, the People and Earth Solidarity Law Network, a Zimbabwean NGO, warned the national parks authority that any attempt to export the elephants before the case was resolved would amount to contempt of court.
Tinashe Farawo, a spokesperson for Zimbabwe National Parks, said he was not aware of the transfer. — The Telegraph
By A Correspondent- The former Matabeleland Governor, Obert Mpofu has said sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe are also affecting strategic road construction and other infrastructure development projects, Sunday news reports.
In a telephone interview with the publication, the Zanu PF Secretary for Administration said:
It needs no genius to understand that sanctions are real and are not affecting those in Zanu-PF only as has been argued in some circles. Sanctions cut across the entire economic spectrum, isolating the country and making doing business with the international community not only difficult but impossible.
I remember the Nkayi Road was being constructed by a company from Italy but it pulled out. Then there was another from Turkey that also pulled out after the US imposed sanctions on us. A lot of other projects that were underway were affected and some of them are still in that state as the Government has no money to complete the work.
We only did a 40km stretch of the Nkayi Road before the contractors pulled out. A number of other roads were affected too. The Byo-Kezi Road, Plumtree-Lupane via Tsholotsho and many others were affected. We are happy that the Government is working on them now.
Sanctions have made noise in Zimbabwe over the past few days leading to the SADC sanctions day on Friday. Those accused of imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe have maintained that sanctions don’t harm the ordinary Zimbabwean as they target certain individuals and their businesses.
With Zimbabwe’s economy expected to shrink by 7,2% this year, buffeted by severe headwinds, including rising inflation, currency and exchange rate volatility, massive power outages and widespread company closures, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube (pictured)’s projection that the economy will rebound next year and register 4,6% growth rate is not realistic, analysts say.
A fortnight ago, Ncube, battling to contain economic implosion that has plunged Zimbabwe into hyperinflation, a decade after the country experienced another bout of hyperinflation, projected that the economy would register positive growth next year on the back of currency and price stability.
The gross domestic product projection, contained in the 2020 Pre-Budget Strategy Paper, is anchored on impressive growth that Ncube anticipates will be registered across various productive sectors of the economy, with agriculture expected to grow 10,3% next year from -16,3% this year.
However, former finance minister Tendai Biti contends that with weather forecasts pointing that Zimbabwe will experience yet another lean rainfall season next year, agricultural growth would remain depressed, worsening Zimbabwe’s economic crisis.
“A projected growth of 4% is just hope and prophesy. But economics is not prophecy. We already know that we are going to have an indifferent rainy season. So there is not going to be any meaningful production in agriculture. We already know the political situation will remain sharp and divided so there is not going to be foreign direct investment (FDI),” Biti said.
“We already know the how the monetary situation is; you do not need to be a rocket scientist to know that inflation will be at 1 000% by the end of this year. We all know the United States dollar will reach 1:150 very soon.
“But we also know they (government) are not capable of reform. Command Agriculture, which has been the basis of looting, is not going anywhere; fuel cartels are not going anywhere. The Reserve Bank quasi-fiscal activities are not going anywhere. So a realistic growth projection for 2020 is -14%. The problem with Mthuli Ncube is that he has become captured and now he is an oligarchy serving the interests of the cartels.”
Biti said growth can only happen if there are credible underlying assumptions.
The former finance minister said the underlying assumptions in the budget strategy paper were however “hogwash”.
Ncube also forecasts that next year’s growth will be driven by “improved foreign currency availability and macro-fiscal stability and business confidence” among other factors. Agriculture is expected to be a major contributor.
Economist John Robertson told the Zimbabwe Independent this week that next season’s summer cropping season would be derailed by inadequate inputs, among a myriad of challenges.
“There is nothing to show for the growth. Farmers should be getting ready to plant but there are no inputs and there is no money. On the other side, though, there is command agriculture, which is however not properly organised. So agriculture is going to be disappointing,” Robertson said.
“The tobacco season was bad. Farmers have had to cut back on the seed and the crop was affected by frost. If they repeat the same pricing as this year it means there will be nothing from it. Wheat production has also been affected by electricity cuts.
“Manufacturing has also been affected by the electricity. And the Kariba Dam is going to start filling up mid-year so the situation is not encouraging. Indications are for a negative growth of -8% and maybe positive growth will be at the start of 2021. Government plans are not working and are shallow. There are a lot of claims that should be challenged in that budget strategy paper. The IMF is not even going to be impressed by the budget strategy paper,” Robertson said.
Treasury also projects the anticipated growth next year to be propelled by the mining sector, which is forecast to grow by 10,35% next year, carrying over a 7,7% growth margin in 2021,riding on government’s ambitious plans to achieve US$12 billion in mineral shipment receipts annually by 2023.
Inspite of the massive rolling power cuts, water shortages and the crippling foreign currency crisis, among other factors, which have disrupted industrial operations, Ncube further projects that the manufacturing sector will register marginal growth of 0,8% in 2020,and 9,4%(2021) though it will contract -4,3% by year-end.
The energy sector, reeling under severe power outages which have ground industrial operations to a halt, is also expected to rebound in 2020, posting a 8,7% growth rate and 11,7% next year. It will end the year at -19,8% .
The Treasury chief also forecasts next year’s GDP growth rate to be driven by the hotel industry, registering a 5,3% growth margin, after contracting 9% this year.
Month-on-month inflation, which is hovering around 10%, is projected by Treasury to retreat next year, stabilising at 2,3% contained by a range of “fiscal and monetary policy reforms and other structural policies.”
Mthuli Though the southern African country suspended publication of annualised inflation figures, the International Monetary Fund estimates that inflation, hovering above 300%, has choked Zimbabwe’s fragile economy.
[10/25, 21:02] William: Maswera sei comrades,hope I find u well,I’m seeing a problem in our party,today’s march flopped ,what is happening who should we blame ,mdara Victor and other leaders pliz can u explain how can a president address less than 15 ,000 people,let’s discuss pliz musangano haufe takatarisa ,zvandikuona hazvisati zvamboitika izvi
[10/25, 21:02] Mozi : pakuda urgent meeting coz I see danger kutopfura ye G40 and lacoste
[10/25, 21:05] Steward: zvema demo hazvichashande comrades even KU MDC people have matured politically
[10/25, 21:05] Lincon: ma provincial leaders were supposed to plan well each province yaifanira kuunza at least 10 buses but I see sabotage
[10/25, 21:08] Matipa: saka moreva kuti wen he addressed empty chairs abroad ,ma provincial leaders akaenda ikoko akanoudza ma Presidents there to sabotage here grow up hey
[10/25, 21:09] Matemadanda : Hazvisati zvamboitika sure kuti bato redu riite march isingapfure vanhu 30,000 ,I think ma G40 ariko kuchiuto uko
[10/25, 21:10] Mr Mavhunga: Akaita coup asina order he was supposed to consult us
[10/25, 21:11] Hon Nduna: Chimamiso ichocho
[10/25, 21:12] Mayor: ED hasvike 2023 uyu ndikuona vakuru vachinhongana kumusoro
(CNN)|ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is believed to have been killed in a raid conducted by the US military in northwest Syria on Saturday, according to a senior US defense official and a source with knowledge. The final confirmation is pending while DNA and biometric testing is conducted, both sources tell CNN.
The defense official said it appears that Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest during the raid.
The raid was carried out by special operations commandos, a source familiar with the operation told CNN.
The CIA assisted in locating the ISIS leader, the defense official said.
Newsweek first reported that Baghdadi was believed to have been killed.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to make a major announcement Sunday at 9 a.m., White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley announced. An administration official tells CNN that the announcement is foreign policy related.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Baghdadi, the leader of the terror group, has been in hiding for the last five years. In April, a video was published by the ISIS media wing al-Furqan that showed a man purporting to be Baghdadi. It was the first time Baghdadi has been seen since July 2014, when he spoke at the Great Mosque in Mosul.
In February 2018, several US officials said Baghdadi had been wounded in an airstrike in May 2017 and had to relinquish control of the terror group for up to five months because of his injuries.
Baghdadi became the leader of Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) in 2010. In 2013, ISI declared its absorption of an al Qaeda-backed militant group in Syria and Baghdadi said that his group will now be known as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS).
White House officials were at the White House late Saturday evening in preparation.
One official told CNN the announcement will be in the Diplomatic Reception Room.
Trump stoked speculation when he tweeted Saturday evening “something very big has just happened!”
The estranged wife of the founder of Christ Embassy Church, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – Anita, seems to have moved on with her life following her break up with her husband as there are strong indications that she has remarried.
Anita sparked up marriage rumors recently after she introduced ‘Schafer’ to her maiden name.
She authored her latest article ‘A Simple Prayer’ with the name Anita Ebhodaghe Schafer, on her online Christian portal at www.pastoranita.org.
Below is an article where it was confirmed she had remarried, as one of the approved comments said, “Congratulations Pastor Anita for your new name.”
Two other comments – “Congratulations Pastor Anita for your new name,” “It was such a beautiful ceremony,” also confirmed that the mother of two had tied the nuptial nuts.
It would be recalled that Anita was last year, involved in a messy break up with her husband, Chris after she claimed he was involved in illicit affairs with female members of the church.
She said she tolerated abuse for so long and subsequently, the ministry pulled down her profile from the church website, a development that showed all was not well with the family.
She had confirmed she was no longer a part of, or involved in, Christ Embassy, also known as, Believers LoveWorld INC.
Anita, however, officially filed for divorce at Central Family Court, High Holborn, London, UK, citing her husband’s “unreasonable behaviour” and inappropriate relationships with members of staff, an intonation of “adultery” as her reason.
TANZANIA has called for an international community constructive dialogue towards removal of the Cuban economic embargo and sanctions against Zimbabwe.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa told the 18th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Baku, Azerbaijan, that the economic embargo and sanctions imposed on the two countries cripple the determination towards economic development, access to trade, investment and the well-being of their people.
In 2001 Western powers imposed economic sanctions on Zimbabwe after the southern African country restored its land which was under foreigners.
On Friday China joined member states of the Southern African Devevelopment Community (SADC) to press Western nations to lift the sanctions.
Mr Majaliwa said “Tanzania is partnering with the international community to call for a fundamental dialogue that will remove barriers to the Cuban government and sanctionson the Zimbabwean government to bring about economic change for the benefit of the people of those countries.”
The premier, who is representing President John Magufuli at the Summit, called for deeper South-South cooperation and strengthened North- South relations. He reaffirmed Tanzania’s faith in the NAM, a true embodiment of humanity.
“Tanzania dedicates itself to continue respecting the values and principles of NAM as well as constructively engaging in the work of our movement as we have always done in the past 58 years,” he said.
He commended the relations between NAM, G77 and China.
“We urge for its consolidation in defending the interests of the Movement whose majority are developing countries,” he said.
The current global political, social and economic challenges call for collective and urgent responses by the international community in its entirety, he explained.
He said this is especially necessary for the NAM whose members nearly make up 55 per cent of world population, commonly facing similar challenges in all arenas.
“It is, however, essential that the collective solutions chosen to address these shared challenges are in conformity with the principles of justice and international law. These principles are crucial guides towards building sustainable, secure, fair and prosperous societies; and for creating and enabling environment for upholding the United Nations Charter,” he noted.
It is in this regard that he said the Tanzanian delegation welcomes the theme for this Summit: ‘Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of contemporary world.”
“Today, we are deeply concerned to see the resurgence of isolationism and extreme nationalism that have so far served to curb the efficiency and even the very existence of a rules-based international order, cooperation and dialogue.”
“With the existing global challenges, the international community should be united, not fragmented and should be willing to take collective global approaches to global issues for the betterment of humanity.”
Concerning climate change, Mr Majaliwa noted that it is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity.
“We therefore urge the international community to adopt appropriate measures to address the threat that we are constantly facing. We also call upon developed countries to fulfill their financial obligation, build capacity and enhance technological support to developing countries,” he said.
Regarding the reforms of the Security Council, Tanzania commends the work of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Security Council Reforms, he said.
However, “We sternly feel concerned that recent consultations within the 73rd session have shown divergent views and interests that are falling short of Africa’s expectation of the legitimate claim of at least two seats in the permanent category of membership in the Security Council.”
State Media|THE ravaging drought that has seen pastures depleted and water sources drying up has so far wiped out nearly 5 000 cattle in Matabeleland South Province only while thousands more are at risk if no immediate action is taken, Sunday News has learnt.
The situation is almost similar in most southern parts of the country with farmers enduring the agony of watching their investments and source of wealth being wiped out.
Statistics obtained from the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services in Matabeleland South showed that 4 539 cattle have died with the most affected district being Beitbridge where 1 057 cattle have since succumbed to drought.
The second most affected is Insiza where 918 cattle have died while 600 have been lost in Gwanda.
In Matobo, 524 have died and 498 succumbed in Mangwe while the least affected is Umzingwane where 330 cattle have been lost.
Matabeleland South provincial livestock specialist Mr Hatitye Muchemwa said more cattle could have died as the figures represents only the reported incidents.
“Compared to last year, the figure represents nearly 500 percent increase as by this time we had only recorded 1 000 cattle deaths,” he said.
The province has a herd of 658 518 cattle.
Statistics from Matabeleland North could not be readily obtained, but the Department of Veterinary Services provincial officer Dr Polex Moyo told Sunday News recently that cattle in the province were also being affected by the drought.
But it is farmers in Matabeleland South who have suffered more with some saying the situation was unbearable as a majority cannot afford the prices of stock feed while water sources have dried up.
They said everyday they are watching helplessly as their prized wealth is being wasted away.
The chairman of Livestock Farmers Trade Union, Mr Sifiso Sibanda, said while the loss of livestock might be viewed as a loss to individual farmers, it was the national herd that is taking a knock.
The country’s herd stands at slightly more than five million and Matabeleland region used to be the country’s prime cattle producing area but recurrent droughts since 1992 reportedly killed about 60 percent of the provinces’ herd.
“It has been the national herd that has been affected. We have a situation whereby livestock is dropping like flies. In Matabeleland large numbers of animals are dying while this is the beef basket of the country. No one is doing anything to help the farmers and after this season farmers will be left impoverished and they won’t be able to recover,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said the drought was also inflicting further pain on farmers who have already lost some of their cattle to tick-borne disease which started last year.
Most of the farmers are not only grappling with sourcing stock feed but dipping chemicals have gone up beyond the reach of many with most veterinary shops selling chemicals for as high as $400 per dose.
The prices also change regularly.
“Most animals are not only succumbing to drought but to diseases worsened by the poor health and the poor diet. Vaccines, a dosage is going for $400. Some of these farmers have no any other source of income. Imagine a litre of dipping chemicals costs $800 and how many can afford this. A single bag of stock feed is $400 and that cannot even last for a week,” said Mr Sibanda.
“We have advised farmers to say sell a few beasts and then buy vaccines and stock feed but when we made that call the stock feed producers also increased and when farmers went to buy, they could not afford,” lamented Mr Sibanda.
However, most farmers are now also reluctant to sell their animals as they are thin and would fetch very low prices on the market.
A farmer in Figtree, Mr Amon Moyeti said most communal farmers were looking to the skies but nothing has come out so far.
“The Meteorological Department had said the rainy season will start early in October but still there is nothing, if we continue under these conditions until mid -November then the losses will be too much,” he said.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union director Mr Paul Zakariya said it was well known that during this period, most areas will be dry with the most affected being the southern parts of the country.
However, despite such conditions, he said, nothing concrete has been put in place to mitigate the challenge.
“Farmers are losing animals and this is knocking harder on producers who lost quite a lot during the last season. Plans need to be put in place to mitigate such disasters going forward. Livestock farmer associations must be formed for the sole purpose of producing feed to bridge these known dry periods,” he said.
Mr Zakariya said the Government could provide the necessary policy environment to assist farmers save their animals.
“Farmers, together with private sector players must develop business initiatives around livestock feed to avoid any further losses,” he said.
Last month, the Government, however, announced that it has partnered with various organisations to avail 200 000 tonnes of stock feed to save hundreds of cattle mainly in Matabeleland.
Experts said the problem will likely result in the increase in beef prices especially towards the festive season since most farmers are reluctant to sell their cattle in the condition they are.
“Farmers are also reluctant to sell because they will not get value for their cattle since they will not fetch high prices,” said a livestock expert.
The price of beef is already averaging $80 per kilogramme in most butcheries which is beyond the reach of many people.
State Media|Parties to the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) — Government, business and labour — will convene on November 8 to discuss “critical issues facing the economy”.
It will be the second meeting under the body, which was officially launched on June 5 when President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the TNF Bill into an Act.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza told The Sunday Mail that there have been inordinate delays in convening the second meeting because there was need to properly constitute TNF structures in compliance with the Act.
While the management committee, whose mandate is to set the agenda, had not been fully constituted, the technical committee — charged with preparing documents for the main TNF — was also still discussing, she said.
“The TNF technical committee is expected to formally assign clusters work to be executed leading into the main TNF meeting scheduled for November 8 2019,” said Minister Nzenza.
“It is hoped that the main TNF will consider recommendations of the TNF technical committee on critical issues facing the economy.
“It is also hoped that the main TNF outcomes will inform ongoing budget consultations, with a view of ensuring that the views of business and labour are taken on board,” she said. The process of constituting TNF structures involved processing invitations to social partners and respective Government ministries for nominations into the various bodies of the TNF, including the appointment of the chairperson.
Minister Nzenza said: “This process took some time given the fact that organisations of social partners are constituency-based, hence, there are various consultative and approval processes involved.
“The appointment process has, however, been finalised, with the exception of technical committee cluster nominations from labour, which have not been submitted.”
The three technical clusters are economic, social and labour.
The economic cluster has been tasked with preparing proposals on how the twin challenges of foreign currency shortages and soaring inflation can be solved.
It has also been charged with coming up with proposals on how to promote economic development.
On the other hand, the social cluster has been tasked with looking into allegations of both perceived persecution of trade union representatives and rent-seeking behaviour by businesses.
The labour cluster has been specifically mandated with unpacking the TNF Act and proposals for operationalising the TNF and making it efficient.
Employers’ Confederation of Zimbabwe (Emcoz) president Israel Murefu said there was need for Government to consult extensively before crafting statutory instruments to avoid blind siding stakeholders.
“So many statutory instruments are being crafted by the authorities without the input of the other parties; that is, business and labour. Government needs to consult before all these instruments are put into place,” said Mr Murefu.
Apex Council president Cecilia Alexander said labour was ready for negotiations.
“The establishment of TNF is a very positive development, but, yes, since we met in June, we have not yet had another meeting.
“It would have been good for us as a country to utilise such a forum to discuss the challenges that we are facing.”
State Media|The furore over the name to be adopted by personnel who teach sexual reproductive issues in schools, as envisaged by Clause 14 of the Education Amendment Bill, has split Parliament, with Senate expressing strong reservations on naming them “sexual and reproductive health personnel”.
Senators argue that the use of the word “sexual” has negative connotations to local culture and could erode the country’s morale fabric.
It has recommended the amendment of the clause by scrapping the words “sexual and”.
However, the National Assembly has rejected the amendment, which has bogged down passage of the Bill.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, said a 90-day waiting period will be observed after which the Bill will be presented to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“The Bill was debated in Senate and amendments were made, and it was referred back to the National Assembly, which rejected the amendments.
“In such instances, we wait for 90 days then take it for Presidential assent in its original form,” he said.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary, Ms Virginia Mabhiza, said the Bill may eventually be presented to the President in its original form.
“The Constitution has provisions to deal with that. In terms of the Constitution’s Fifth Schedule, Section 6(1), the Bill will be presented to the President in the form in which it was passed by the National Assembly.
“It is now up to Parliament to make the paperwork ready so that the process can move forward,” she said.
Clause 14 of the Education Bill provides for the appointment of sexual reproductive health personnel in schools to sensitise pupils on the consequences of adolescent sexual relationships such as teen pregnancy, illegal abortions-related deaths, sexually transmitted infections and HIV, including psycho-social trauma.
The contested clause mandates the inclusion of comprehensive sexuality education in primary and secondary schools’ curricula.
This refers to curriculum-based education that approaches sexuality and relationships with information that is age-appropriate, scientifically accurate, culturally relevant as well as non-judgemental.
During Senate debates on the Education Amendment Bill, there were concerns that using the term “sexual” gives the impression that the focus of health education in schools will be on sex.
Chairperson of Parliament Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said MPs feel that sexual health education has to be included in the Bill.
“The Bill provides that there should be appointed teachers or personnel responsible for teaching sexual and reproductive health rights, and we feel very strongly about this because not only have there been issues of sexual abuse in schools, but we are also having situations where these young kids are having sex and getting pregnant,” she said.
“We believe there should be somebody who speaks to them. After all, its part of things we have agreed to in numerous treaties — that we will deal with the issue of sexual health rights in schools. When it went to Senate, some of the people, especially traditional leaders, felt that the word sex should not find its way in the Bill, it should be removed.
“National Assembly believes sexual health rights are crucial and they rejected the amendment.”
Constitutional law expert Professor Lovemore Madhuku said disagreements may be resolved during the 90-day waiting period.
“The 90 days are to see if the two houses can come to an understanding. A committee can be set up to try and resolve those disagreements.
“When all processes to reach an agreement between the two houses have failed, the National Assembly is allowed to send the Bill for Presidential assent, but is obliged to note that there have been disagreements. After that, the President can either sign it into law or refuse to sign it and send it back to the National Assembly citing reasons,” he said.
A Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council study conducted in 2015 raised the flag on sexual-related issues among school-going children.
The study indicated that 40 and 30 percent of girls and boys, respectively, have had sexual intercourse before the age of 18.
However, HIV prevalence between the ages of 15 to 19 was gauged at 3,7 percent and 4,6 percent for boys and girls.
The Education Amendment Bill, which seeks to replace the Education Act (Chapter 25:04) of 2006, also includes a provision that will see the mandatory teaching of all Zimbabwe’s official languages in all schools countrywide.
It also proposes abolition of corporal punishment as well as provision of free basic education by Government.
Parliament’s two houses have disagreed before on proposed Bills.
In 2017, when the Land Commission Bill was before Parliament, Senate demanded the amendment of a clause that declared Government the sole body responsible for land acquisition.
Traditional chiefs, many of whom sit in the Senate, wanted authority over agricultural land.
The legislation was passed into law the same year without the amendments that were proposed by the Senate.
Paul Nyathi|Government claims that it has mysteriously managed to establish what really happened to a loot of 10 000 carats of diamonds which disappeared in 2016 in the hands of the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamonds Company, ZCDC.
According to the company the gems were actually sold in a transaction “that was above board” raising eye brows how it would take over three years to realise the transaction.
About 10 000 carats of gem diamonds with an estimated value of US$10m disappeared at ZCDC in 2016 after the precious stones were reportedly shipped out of the country to China under the pretext that they were for educational use by students in the Asian country.
According to an initial report compiled by a former ZCDC senior executive titled, “Corruption at ZCDC”, the diamonds were shipped to China for training of students. The diamond cutting and polishing students were supposed to use those gems for practical purposes but according to the report which was submitted to Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the Special Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the President, the diamonds never reached the intended destination.
The training was being done by Zheng Jingyi Vocational Technology School while the students were drawn from all the 10 provinces in the country.
The issue stated together with other irregularities was referred to the then ZCDC board but no action was taken to investigate or rectify the anomalies.
A ZCDC internal audit memo dated October 16 2019 has suddenly surfaced claiming that the diamonds were sold to Harvest Way Enterprises Limited — a Hong Kong company — to facilitate training of students in the beneficiation of diamonds.
“Inquiries made with the finance and marketing personnel indicate that two batches of approximately 10 000 carats were sold to Harvest Way Enterprises Limited in 2016 and these were all paid for,” reads the internal memo.
“Diamonds were then sold to Harvest Way at reduced prices; that is, royalties of 15 percent and the MMCZ commission of 0,875 percent were exempted,” it adds.
The exemptions, which covered a three-year period, were apparently approved by former Mines and Mining Development Permanent Secretary, Professor Francis Gudyanga, on January 8 2016 in a letter that was addressed to then ZCDC acting chief executive officer, Mr Mark Mabhudhu.
The case has attracted the interest of the Special Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Sacu) and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), which separately confirmed that they were looking into the transaction.
Sacu chair, Mr Tabani Mpofu said his office compiled a report that has been forwarded to Zacc.
Zacc chair Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo confirmed receiving the report, which is presently being perused by investigators.
Stakeholders in the diamond industry, however, are worried that there seem to be contrived news stories calculated to besmirch the image of the local diamond industry ahead of the plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process in New Dehli, India, from November 18 to November 22.
On May 16 this year, the ZCDC board fired chief executive officer Dr Morris Mpofu and six top executives — chief finance officer Mr Charles Gambe, supply chain executive Dr Newton Demba, chief human resources executive Mrs Masciline Chikoore, engineering executive Engineer Andrew Murwisi, audit executive Dr Cleopatra Mutisi and chief security officer Clemence Munoriarwa.
It is now under the management of acting CEO Mr Roberto de Pretto.
ZCDC said in a statement released to The Sunday Mail, the company remains compliant with the Kimberly Process and continues to invest in its security system.
“For the first time in the company’s history ZCDC has published all its audited accounts since formation in 2016,” read part of the statement.
“Production has also continued to grow from one million carats in 2016 to a projected three million in 2019. Contrary to some media reports, the company does not use forced labour within its operations. Not only is this in conflict with stated corporate governance rules and values, but it is also against the laws of the country. The recruitment practices are stringent and abide with best professional standards that compare to any diamond operation around the world.”
ZCDC is reportedly investing into latest surveillance technologies such as drones that are backed up by rapid response teams.
“At present, huge investments are being made to strengthen both electronic surveillance as well as access control of ZCDC premises.
“The annual Diamond Stakeholder Indaba has also been useful in strengthening relations with various civic society bodies and other stakeholders,” it said.
PROPERTY worth thousands of dollars was destroyed when one of the boys’ hostels at Tongogara High School in Shurugwi was gutted by fire which is suspected to have been caused by pupils who were allegedly smoking in the dormitories.
It is alleged that some boys were smoking cigarettes in the hostel resulting in the blankets and curtains catching fire and subsequently gutting down the whole floor.
Pupils, a majority of them sitting for Ordinary Level Zimsec examinations were left stranded as their clothes, books and other valuables were destroyed.
Acting Midlands Provincial Education Director Reverend Tedious Mativenga confirmed the incident which occurred on Wednesday last week in the afternoon.
Rev Mativenga said no one was injured in the incident.
He said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education together with the police were carrying out investigations to establish the cause of the fire.
“I can confirm that one of the hostels at Tongogara High School in Shurugwi was gutted down by fire which broke out in the afternoon. The Fire Brigade was called immediately and managed to put out the fire.
However, the top floor of the double storey hostel had already been destroyed.
We have sent a team on the ground and also the police are investigating the matter to establish the cause of the fire,” he said.State media
Sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States of America and other Western countries contributed heavily to the fall of manufacturing industries in Bulawayo which was once the industrial hub of the nation.
Bulawayo which is home to giants like the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), Cold Storage Company (CSC), Datlabs, Dunlop have all lost their glory owing to the restrictions and limitations that were brought about by sanctions.
CSC used to be a major beef exporter while NRZ can no longer procure some of the equipment from European countries due to the sanctions.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Matabeleland Chapter president Mr Golden Muoni said the country has not been able to benefit from developmental grants because of sanctions.
“Our industry was inclined to the European Union and the Americans who are signatories to multi-national banks such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
So you find out that development grants that are supposed to benefit us in terms of development are no longer accessible,” he said.
He said investor confidence was shaken after the imposition of sanctions.
“There are investors that would have loved to trade with Zimbabwe but they have not managed to do so looking at the risk element, when a country is under sanctions, multinational companies who may be willing to invest are discouraged to do so and we lose out in the process.
“Where ever there is high risk in investments, investors do not dice with their money but go elsewhere instead where they can invest and recoup profits unlike staying in a sanctioned country,” he added.State media
THE ravaging drought that has seen pastures depleted and water sources drying up has so far wiped out nearly 5 000 cattle in Matabeleland South Province only while thousands more are at risk if no immediate action is taken, Sunday
News has learnt.
The situation is almost similar in most southern parts of the country with farmers enduring the agony of watching their investments and source of wealth being wiped out.
Statistics obtained from the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services in Matabeleland South showed that 4 539 cattle have died with the most affected district being Beitbridge where 1 057 cattle have since succumbed to drought.
The second most affected is Insiza where 918 cattle have died while 600 have been lost in Gwanda.
In Matobo, 524 have died and 498 succumbed in Mangwe while the least affected is Umzingwane where 330 cattle have been lost.
Matabeleland South provincial livestock specialist Mr Hatitye Muchemwa said more cattle could have died as the figures represents only the reported incidents.
“Compared to last year, the figure represents nearly 500 percent increase as by this time we had only recorded 1 000 cattle deaths,” he said.
The province has a herd of 658 518 cattle.
Statistics from Matabeleland North could not be readily obtained, but the Department of Veterinary Services provincial officer Dr Polex Moyo told Sunday News recently that cattle in the province were also being affected by the drought.
But it is farmers in Matabeleland South who have suffered more with some saying the situation was unbearable as a majority cannot afford the prices of stock feed while water sources have dried up.
They said everyday they are watching helplessly as their prized wealth is being wasted away.
The chairman of Livestock Farmers Trade Union, Mr Sifiso Sibanda, said while the loss of livestock might be viewed as a loss to individual farmers, it was the national herd that is taking a knock.
The country’s herd stands at slightly more than five million and Matabeleland region used to be the country’s prime cattle producing area but recurrent droughts since 1992 reportedly killed about 60 percent of the provinces’ herd.
“It has been the national herd that has been affected. We have a situation whereby livestock is dropping like flies. In Matabeleland large numbers of animals are dying while this is the beef basket of the country.
No one is doing anything to help the farmers and after this season farmers will be left impoverished and they won’t be able to recover,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said the drought was also inflicting further pain on farmers who have already lost some of their cattle to tick-borne disease which started last year.
Most of the farmers are not only grappling with sourcing stock feed but dipping chemicals have gone up beyond the reach of many with most veterinary shops selling chemicals for as high as $400 per dose.State media
The new NetOne CEO Lazarus Muchenje assisted by Darlington Gutu and KudakwasheNyashanu must be exposed for corruption and scandals. They are victimising employees especially those not aligned to their faction or those that served under the erstwhile CEO Reward Kangai.
The new CEO is changing corporate structures to accomodate his cronies as he drops those that he does not want for personal but unprofessional reasons.
To date, four executives had their titles changed for junior ranks and have been posted to Masvingo, Mutare and Bulawayo. Those that remain at HQ have been given dubious titles on a take it or leave NetOne basis.
Most recently the CEO demoted three Zone commanders and he posted them to the regions where the company has no available housing for management like Gwanda and Hwange.
The three have surrounded themselves with yes men, relatives and girlfriends.
If you ask those that resigned this year and those yet to resign, their reasons are premised on the CEO’s reign of terror, nepotism, corruption and victimisation.
Every meeting is turned into a binge party that runs into the next day. Company funds are recklessly squandered on food, drinks and entertainment.
Employees have no free week ends and no family time. At any time you are called for unnecessary meetings at odd hours just to prove power by the senior management. Workers are forced to be on social media to write good stuff about NetOne.
We suspect looting of corporate assets is also happening. Employees are working in fear and not motivated.
Can the shareholder deal with these crooks disguised as leaders. The board and Minister of ICT are captured and just watching when NetOne is being looted and destroyed by the day.
We can’t even approach ZACC. The system is woven to be immune from accountability. Where do we go from here? – Anonymous
IT’S almost two decades now Zimbabwe has been alienated from the global financial systems due to sanctions imposed by western countries protesting the land reform programme implemented by the Government to redress historical colonial imbalances.
While the US government and its global north allies have for long provided the narrative that the sanctions were targeted at individuals and selected entities, it is quite evident that ordinary Zimbabweans and businesses who are not on the purported sanctions list have suffered the brunt of these illegal restrictive measures.
On Friday, an anti-sanctions rally was held at the National Sports Stadium in Harare to express disgruntlement over the western sanctions.
This was after SADC leaders in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in August declared October 25 as a solidarity day against sanctions. Like Zimbabweans, the region is also feeling the effects of the sanctions.
According to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the sanctions on Zimbabwe have resulted in the drying up of project finances and balance of payments support, with far reaching consequences on the majority of the people through collapsed service delivery.
Despite growing voices condemning the sanctions, the US and its allies continue justifying the sanctions.
A report by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (MoFAIT) prepared last month has shown that Zimbabwe could have lost US$ 98 billion as a result of illegal western imposed sanctions.
It said the sanctions have branded Zimbabwe and its entire financial linkages with the rest of the world as high risk, thereby making the country a compelling target for de-risking interventions by leading correspondent banks in the US and Europe.
“It is believed that Zimbabwe lost bilateral donor support estimated at US$4,5 billion annually since 2001, US$12 billion in loans from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and African Development Bank, commercial loans of US$18 billion and a gross domestic reduction of US$21 billion among other losses,” said MoFAIT.State media
MARVELOUS NAKAMBA got a big test of his pedigree in the English Premier League against champions Manchester City and the Zimbabwean star midfielder did not look out of place at the Etihad despite Aston Villa’s 0-3 loss yesterday.
Nakamba was not overawed by the occasion as he battled against World stars – Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva — in the middle of the park.
His father Antony Nakamba watched the match from Lusaka, Zambia where he is visiting and told The Sunday Mail that he was a bit nervous for his son, but felt relieved after Marvelous put on another decent performance on his sixth straight Premiership start.
“It was a nice feeling watching my son up against the world stars, but I was a bit nervous. I am however relieved now, they were playing against a great team and he (Marvelous) tried his best,” he said.
Nakamba made three crucial tackles and got a rating of 6.7 after another cool performance in front of the back four.
Manchester City’s win left them three points behind log leaders Liverpool who play Tottenham at Anfield today. While this ended up being a routine win for Pep Guardiola’s side, they had to work hard and wait to break down a well-organised Villa side.
The visitors had largely frustrated City in the first half but their resistance lasted for only 20 seconds after the restart.
After Villa squandered possession from their own kick-off, Ederson’s long punt forward was flicked on by Gabriel Jesus and into the path of Raheem Sterling, who made no mistake.State media
A man from Mvuma has appeared in court charged with indecent assault after he fondled a woman while she breastfed her baby, before threatening to rape her if she tried stopping him.
The matter came to light when Shepard Tafirenyika (25) of Kwesi Village in Mvuma appeared before Mvuma resident magistrate Tafadzwa Mhlanga.
He pleaded not guilty but he was found guilty following a full trial. In his mitigation, Tafirenyika told the court that on the day in question, he was drunk and as such he could not remember anything that transpired. “Your Worship, on that particular day l was drunk so l don’t remember what transpired,” he said.
Magistrate Mhlanga slapped him with a 12-month jail sentence. Three months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The case against Tafirenyika was that on October 8, the complainant Natasha Mahufa (21) was seated on her doorstep with her two housemates Pamela Chimvemve and Evelynn Manyumbu.
Tafirenyika arrived and proceeded to Mahufa who was breast-feeding her baby while talking to Chimvemve and Manyumbu.
He then started caressing Mahufa’s thighs, threatening to rape her if she dared to stop him. Mahufa’s housemates ran off and hid inside the house leaving Mahufa at Tafirenyika’s mercy.
Out of fear, the complainant complied. She then managed to escape, ran to her bedroom and locked herself inside. Tafirenyika followed her to the house saying ndikakubata ndoda kukuk**ra meaning “If l manage to catch you, I will rape you”.
While inside her bedroom, Mahufa then called her friend Tinovonga Tongogara, who together with other men apprehended Tafirenyika and handed him to the police. Mr Michael Kazomba prosecuted.State media
In a rare show of bravado, an 11-year-old girl from Hwange Town plunged into a stream and jumped on top of a crocodile before gouging its eyes to rescue a nine-year-old friend who had been gripped by the reptile.
The incident happened last week when Latoya Muwani was attacked by a crocodile while swimming with friends in a stream in Sinderela Village.
However, Rebecca Munkombwe, a Grade Six pupil at a local school, displayed some heroic exploitations when just after coming out of the stream, she was alerted by screams of help coming from the water.
After seeing that her friend Latoya was struggling to stay on the water surface and was being pulled away, her instinct told her that she had to help her.
She quickly plunged into the water where she found out that Latoya was being pulled away by the big reptible which had gripped her on the hand and leg.
She mounted on top of the reptile and started gouging its eyes until it loosened its grip on Latoya. Rebecca then helped her out of the stream.
Sunday News traced the young heroine and she narrated how despite fighting the crocodile and rescuing her nine-year-old friend, she did not sustain any injuries.
“We had just left the water when we heard Latoya who was left alone swimming near the neck deep zone screaming that something was biting her hand. Since I was the eldest among the other seven children, I felt the urge to save her. So, I jumped into the water and swam to where she was struggling to float. She was screaming in pain that something was biting and pulling her under,” said Rebecca.
She said once she got close to Latoya she noticed that a crocodile had its jaws locked on her thigh.
“I jumped on top of the crocodile and started beating it with my bare hands before using my fingers to poke its eyes until it released her. Once she was free, I swam with her to the banks where the other children pulled her out of the water. The crocodile fortunately did not attack us after it let off Latoya,” said Rebecca.
Sunday News also visited St Patrick’s Hospital where Latoya was admitted to but the administrator stopped the publication from seeing her.
A nurse at the hospital who spoke on condition of anonymity said Latoya was lucky to have escaped with “mild injuries” as the crocodile did not fracture her bones.
Latoya’s father, Mr Fortune Muwani could not hide his gratitude describing his daughter’s survival as miraculous.
“I was at work when I learnt that my daughter had been attacked by a crocodile while swimming. For a moment there I thought of the worst before I learnt that she had survived after being saved by Rebecca. How she managed to do that I don’t know but am grateful to God. Latoya is recovering well here at St Patrick’s and we expect her to be discharged soon as her injuries are not serious,” said Mr Muwani.
Ward 10 councillor Steve Chisose confirmed the attack arguing that the incidents were becoming worrisome.
“Yes, there was another crocodile attack involving a girl who luckily survived after a friend came to her rescue just on time. I spoke to the father who told me that she was receiving treatment at St Patrick’s. What’s also contributing to these incidents is that we have challenges with accessing water which forces women and children to use unprotected sources such as these crocodile-infested streams. The women are usually accompanied by their children who get naughty and end up swimming in these water bodies. I appeal to ZimParks to remove these reptiles before they cause serious harm or death,” he said.
Police in Hwange and Zimparks spokesman Mr Tinashe Farawo said they were yet to receive the report of the attack.
The incident brings to three the number of people, mostly children who have been attacked in the stream which is a tributary of Deka River.
The stream, which has a continuous flow, gets most of its water from the Zimbabwe Power Company effluent and goes through various treatment stages before passing through the area enroute to Deka River.
Sometime this year, a 21-year-old man was attacked and killed by a crocodile while fishing at a disused pit that had filled with water in Madumabisa. Sunday News
By Farai D Hove| ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday unwittingly announced that nations he seeks coexistence with do not exist anywhere on earth.
Mnangagwa said he seeks coexistence with nations which are not on earth. He said these nations are those “off this world.” He was at the time making his speech update on the 25th October March. BELOW WAS THE FULL TEXT:
Mnangagwa unwittingly says he seeks coexistence with phantom nations, countries that don't exist, nations that are beyond planet earth, nations that are "off this world" | IS THIS AN ERROR @edmnangagwa ? STATEMENT BELOW pic.twitter.com/YOxWLIIGh3
There is common wisdom that “change” is the only constant in life and nothing else.
This view is borrowed from an ancient Greek philosopher and means that there is nothing in life which is stationary or will remain the same throughout one’s life.
Even the Bible has it that Saul who was sworn to persecute Christians changed to Paul in Damascus, arguably one of the greatest preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Baron Dube (44), a popular gold miner who has been involved in numerous deadly turf wars was recently baptised at the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church in Habane, Esigodini.
For years, Baron’s dark side has graced the media, as one alleged scandal after another painted a picture of him as the type of “sinner” who should be struck with lightning, brimstone and fire.
However, the soft spoken gold miner has opened a new chapter in his life and turned his heart to God. Dube, who has hogged the limelight for wrong reasons revealed that he got his Damascus moment while he was sleeping about three months ago. He said he heard a small voice whispering in his ear saying he must turn to God.
At first he ignored the voice but he heard it for the second time and it would not leave his mind even when he was awake. After careful thought, he said, he decided to turn to God. He said turning to God was not an easy decision.
“At first I thought I was making a wrong decision but I summoned courage and went to church. After attending church services for two weeks I accepted Jesus as the Lord and saviour of my life,” he says. He says he feels he made a proper decision. “I have no regrets about the decision that I made. Many people were shocked when they saw me going to church. In the first days they thought it was just a gimmick to win people’s sympathy since they know me for wrong reasons. But they had to believe me after they saw me changing from my usual habits of drinking beer to quitting it,” he says.B-Metro
Jose Mourinho is being lined up by Borussia Dortmund to take over as their new manager, and the club are in “regular contact” with him, according to reports in Germany.
Mourinho is keen to get back into management and Dortmund could be an attractive choice, given they regularly appear in the Champions League and boast stars such as Jadon Sancho, Marco Reus and Paco Alcacer.
Mourinho hasn’t managed since he was sacked by Manchester United last year, but is already learning to speak German, according to Bild.
The 56-year-old has appeared on Sky Sports as a pundit but wants to return to the touchline.
The chance to challenge Bayern Munich’s utter dominance of German football might also appeal to the famously combative manager.
Bild report that Mourinho is Dortmund’s No 1 choice to take over from Lucien Favre, whose side have made an inconsistent start to the season having been proclaimed by some to be favourites to win the Bundesliga ahead of the mighty Bayern.
B-Metro
DYNAMOS coach Tonderai Ndiraya milked the occasion as the Glamour Boys rode on Evans Katema’s solitary goal to beat traditional rivals Highlanders in the Anti-Sanctions Challenge Cup match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Bosso had beaten Dynamos three times this year in different competitions.
But the Bulawayo giants, with a diabolical fixture congestion which saw them travel to Kariba for a midweek league match, before they face FC Platinum in a Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final tomorrow, turned to their youth brigade.
DeMbare fielded some of their regulars, including skipper Godfrey Mukambi and striker Katema, and found a way to win a tight encounter. Ndiraya said what mattered was that they won the game.
“What is important is that we have won. How we have done that it doesn’t matter,’’ he said. ‘’But I think what’s way important than just the game is why we are here. I think we all know what we are here for.
“The significance of the event carries the day more than anything else. But, in terms of performance, I think it has taken a long time before we broke the jinx.
“Of course, it had to be broken on this occasion and that makes it sweeter. From a technical point, we had to give some of our fringe players a run and to mix, of course, with the next match in mind.
“I am quite happy with the performance, although, I would have wanted more. What was important was the win so that we bring back the confidence not just to the players but the team as a whole.’’ Ndiraya then saluted his opponents.State media
Concerns have been raised over hoarding of mealie-meal in Victoria Falls where it is sold in United States dollars to Zambian cross-border vendors on the black market, thereby creating artificial shortages of the commodity.
Sunday News understands that some millers divert mealie-meal to the black market in the resort town where they sell to Zambians who allegedly smuggle it to their country.
The Zambian vendors, popularly known as Mzangas, resell the mealie-meal among other goods in their country where they make more money.
Some local individuals and shops have also reportedly joined the bandwagon as they hoard mealie-meal from shops and resell it to omzanga outside.
In the shops, a 10kg bag of mealie-meal costs about RTGS$64 and it is sold for US$3 outside, with 20kg and 50kg bags going for US$6 and US$15 respectively. The concern is compounded by lack of monitoring of the situation as the hoarding and bush selling of the mealie-meal is happening without anything being done to curb the practice.
“People grab all the mealie-meal as soon as it is delivered and stock it to resell at Emaplankeni where there is a ready market in US dollars. Some wholesale shops (names given) would even tell customers that mealie-meal is finished yet it will still be there in the shop as they keep it for the black market,” said a concerned local dealer.
“Zimbabwean mealie-meal reportedly fetches better money in neighbouring Zambia as their products are expensive.”
Some months ago it used to be the other way round where Mzangas would bring mealie-meal for sale in Zimbabwe as locals preferred refined products from the neighbouring country. Besides mealie-meal, a variety of other products such as sugar, rice and juices are smuggled out of the country through the bush.
The same people cross with vegetables, bread and other products which also have a market in Victoria Falls.
Combined Victoria Falls Residents’ Association chairman Mr Morgen Gazza Dube said stakeholders in the resort town carried out an investigation into the matter following public complaints. “The issue of hoarding mealie-meal is now a cause for concern to our residents and we are doing our own investigations before taking the matter to the police with a view of angling on the culprits and bringing them to book.
“We are aware that the municipal security has been raiding unlicensed shops and individuals but this is not enough as suppliers are not playing their part,” he said.
The general feeling is that it is not easy to control the commodity as there are no statutes prohibiting people from buying or shops from selling any quantity to people.
Shops are allowed to sell any quantity to anyone while there are no statutes stopping mealie-meal from being exported.
Grain Millers Association spokesman Mr Garikai Chaunza said the distribution and selling of mealie-meal is not controlled.
“We used to monitor how our products are distributed and sold but the Competitions and Tariffs Commission wrote to us saying we should forthwith stop that and we did so in July. It used to be our role to monitor but we are no longer allowed to do so,” he said. Sunday News
FARMERS have been warned of impending heat stress on livestock as the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has forecast extreme weather conditions in the country with places such as Lupane, Gwanda and Victoria Falls expected to record maximum temperatures of between 40 and 44 degrees Celcius.
The extremely hot weather conditions are expected to prevail until the end of this month.
In a telephone interview, Matabeleland North Provincial Agritex Officer Mr Dumisani Nyoni said the heat wave was drying up the few drinking points, meaning that cattle and goats will have to move longer distances in search for water. He said plants under irrigation were also prone to suffer from moisture stress and urged farmers to adjust watering cycles throughout the duration of the extreme weather.
“This extremely hot weather had detrimental effects for farmers and livestock such as chickens risk dying or not laying eggs. Pregnant livestock are at a risk of suffering abortions due to heat stress.
“Dehydration will be high and it is particularly problematic because many areas were affected by veld fires meaning there is no shade and leaves from trees,” said Mr Nyoni. “At this time leafy vegetables will lose their green colour and turn pale due to moisture stress, even plants under irrigation are not spared, so farmers are urged to reduce cycle days to ensure that plants always have enough moisture to avoid evapotranspiration,” he said.
He urged farmers to closely monitor the condition of livestock at this period and consult livestock officers for assistance if they faced challenges.State media
Radio and TV personality Tinopona “Tin Tin” Katsande recently learnt that celebrity or fame count for little when hardship comes knocking after she was turned away at a clinic while in labour due to the on-going strike by the country’s doctors.
The former model and Studio 263 actress, who only a few years ago was told by medical professionals that she would probably never have children because of her battle with endometriosis, recently gave birth to her second child.
With the on-going job action by the country’s healthcare professionals even the best laid plans can come unstuck at the last minute and Tin Tin found this out the hard way when was turned away from Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital.
Despite the sympathy of members of stuff at the institution, she eventually had to seek alternative avenues for the birth of her second miracle child after being told that doctors would not attend to her. Zimbabwe’s doctors have been on strike for over a month and have so far turned down Government overtures and even defied a court order that ruled their industrial action illegal.
“It’s a calamity that I faced. I was booked at Mbuya Nehanda and paid up but come delivery day, in full labour by the time I got to the hospital, the nurses literally closed the door in my face. Shame, I could see their empathy but there was nothing they could do. There were no doctors to attend to me. It was quite the ordeal driving round in labour looking for a hospital that could accommodate me. I thank God Baines Clinic took me in and rendered a par excellent service even though I wasn’t previously booked there,” she told Sunday Life in an interview.
While her struggles on the day she delivered her second born might have brought her face to face with struggles faced by the majority of women in Zimbabwe, it was not the only encounter or incident that left her shell shocked. With most people struggling in a harsh economic environment, she was not spared as she counted the costs of pregnancy before her second child was delivered.
“No pregnant woman should have to go through the financial hardships we Zimbabwean women are going through. Everything is unbearably expensive. As a pregnant woman you must have a special and consistent diet. Doctors’ visits must be regular, even to the local clinic but fuel costs and transport costs are so exorbitant and ever rising that it makes the human right to antenatal care so cumbersome. Scans are very important too so we know how the baby is doing inside but again the cost has become so prohibitive. And worse now when birthing when the doctors are on strike,” she said.
On her corner Tin Tin had family members willing to cushion her against financial hardship.
“Everyone needs people like this in their lives. I also believe God sent living guardian angels to assist me financially too as at every turn which required monies I didn’t have they stepped in without a blink of eye. A friend in need is a friend indeed,” she said.
While prevailing in the current conditions might have been a worthy test of her resilience, for Tin Tin the birth of her second child also represented yet another triumph. After having her first child against the odds at 36, she never thought she would have another special delivery only four years later. After being told that chances of her having any child at all were slim, her two children now represent her own resilience and the strength of hope in the face of adversity.
“I am in awe of God’s grace in my life for I declare it is not by my hand or any human hand that I have conceived not once only but twice now and have managed to carry the babies to full term. This time I didn’t even try IVF as I was convinced there was absolutely no way I could get pregnant again. I’ve got Stage Four endometriosis so as doctors had rightfully said having a baby for me was highly unlikely. But here we are. I’ve received a double blessing. I’m a Christian and I try to be the better Christian each day and in my life I always declare that surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and well, here is the proof. I’m so very grateful,” she said.
Despite her joy, Tin Tin described her nine months of pregnancy as “hellish”.
“In truth although I now knew the different stages and mostly what to expect physically and how to take good care of myself , second time round was even more arduous than the first time. Oh, the nine months were hellish, I won’t lie. I have endometriosis so again baby grew with fibroids just like with the first baby except this time the one fibroid was a lot closer to the birth canal and grew a lot bigger than before,” she said.
Despite the hardships she faced, Tin Tin said she was grateful for the support she received from those close to her despite the fact that the circle of those that supported her had grown smaller with her second pregnancy. This had led her to rely on the virtual support of fans and friends that shared her pregnancy journey with her on social media.
“This second pregnancy journey was definitely filled with more anxiety than the first. My close support system was nothing like the first time round so that played a big role in everything but I’m grateful to my fans and friends on social media whom I often turned to for sharing experiences and advice. They really calmed me a lot a made me see that I was not alone and neither was I abnormal in what I was feeling. I love my fans and social media friends, I really do,” she said. Sunday News
The results of Mozambique’s general elections will be announced on October 30, the electoral commission said on Wednesday, amid allegations of widespread ballot fraud.
Partial tallies from the October 15 vote show President Filipe Nyusi and his Frelimo party dominating parliament, the legislative assemblies and all 10 provinces.
The National Electoral Commission (CNE) spokesperson told AFP on Wednesday that full and final results were being tallied.
“We have already received all the results from the provinces, now we’re busy processing them and it (the final result) will be published on the 30th of this month, as the law requires,” CNE spokesperson Paulo Cuinica said.
Mozambican civil society and international observers have flagged numerous alleged attempts to stuff ballots and expel election monitors on voting day, as well as hundreds of thousands of so-called “ghost voters” on the electoral roll.
The election has been seen as a key test of a peace deal sealed in August between Frelimo and the main opposition party Renamo, which fought a brutal 1975-1992 civil war.
The opposition had been tipped to win control of at least three provinces after Frelimob agreed to allow voters to elect provincial governors for the first time as part of the peace deal.
But Renamo has called the vote to be annulled, saying the government breached a peace deal by using violence and intimidation on voting day.
The election campaign was one of the most violent in the country’s history, with at least 10 people killed in the run-up to the polls, according to a local observer mission.
Among the killings was the murder of a prominent election observer — suspected to have been carried out by a special police unit — and the shooting of Renamo Women’s League leader, whose bullet-ridden body was found with her husband’s in the western province of Tete.
Frelimo has ruled Mozambique since independence from Portugal in 1975.State media
AT least 55 elephants have died in the country’s largest national park — Hwange National Park due to starvation caused by severe drought.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the deaths and said more jumbos could succumb to the drought.
“The situation is dire as elephants are dying from starvation and this is a big problem. We are desperately in need of water.
“However, these animals perished near waterholes dotted around the Hwange National Park, which is a sign they travelled long distances to access water,” said Mr Farawo.
He said preliminary investigations had pointed out that at least 55 elephants had died due to lack of food.
“We are still carrying out investigations, but we are certain that at least 55 elephants have died from lack of food and water in the park, which holds the biggest elephant herd,” said Mr Farawo.
He said the national park’s elephant population was about 50 000 and the large number was causing havoc in Hwange, as the animals are now forced to forage for food at nearby villages, causing human-wildlife conflict.
More than 200 people have died from elephant attacks in the past five years, according to Zimparks.
Mr Farawo said the agency has been planning to provide the elephants with more water by drilling boreholes in Hwange because the existing ones have run dry.
“There are plans of drilling more boreholes in the park to provide sustenance to the elephants but we are faced with a huge problem, which is lack of funds,” said Mr Farawo. Sunday News
POLICE have launched a manhunt for two South-based Mwenezi men who allegedly fled after fatally assaulting their father with a sjambok, accusing him of witchcraft.
Clayton Moyo (22) and Layton Moyo(20), both of Hlunganiso Village under Chief Mazetese in Mwenezi accused their biological father Nelson Tomu of using black, white and red pieces of cloth to bewitch them. They then allegedly took turns to assault him using a sjambok until he died on the spot.
Masvingo police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed the incident and said investigations to bring the culprits to book were still in progress.State media
State Media – An internal probe conducted by the new management of Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) into allegations that 10 000 carats were stolen from the State-owned firm in 2016 has revealed that the gems were actually sold in a transaction “that was above board”.
An internal audit memo dated October 16 2019 seen by The Sunday Mail indicates that the diamonds were sold to Harvest Way Enterprises Limited — a Hong Kong company — to facilitate training of students in the beneficiation of diamonds.
“Inquiries made with the finance and marketing personnel indicate that two batches of approximately 10 000 carats were sold to Harvest Way Enterprises Limited in 2016 and these were all paid for,” reads the internal memo.
“Diamonds were then sold to Harvest Way at reduced prices; that is, royalties of 15 percent and the MMCZ commission of 0,875 percent were exempted,” it adds.
The exemptions, which covered a three-year period, were apparently approved by former Mines and Mining Development Permanent Secretary, Professor Francis Gudyanga, on January 8 2016 in a letter that was addressed to then ZCDC acting chief executive officer, Mr Mark Mabhudhu.
The case has attracted the interest of the Special Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Sacu) and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), which separately confirmed that they were looking into the transaction.
Sacu chair, Mr Tabani Mpofu said his office compiled a report that has been forwarded to Zacc.
Zacc chair Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo confirmed receiving the report, which is presently being perused by investigators.
Stakeholders in the diamond industry, however, are worried that there seem to be contrived news stories calculated to besmirch the image of the local diamond industry ahead of the plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process in New Dehli, India, from November 18 to November 22.
Government has been cleaning up State-owned enterprises in order to make them efficient.
On May 16 this year, the ZCDC board fired chief executive officer Dr Morris Mpofu and six top executives — chief finance officer Mr Charles Gambe, supply chain executive Dr Newton Demba, chief human resources executive Mrs Masciline Chikoore, engineering executive Engineer Andrew Murwisi, audit executive Dr Cleopatra Mutisi and chief security officer Clemence Munoriarwa.
It is now under the management of acting CEO Mr Roberto de Pretto.
ZCDC said in a statement released to The Sunday Mail, the company remains compliant with the Kimberly Process and continues to invest in its security system.
“For the first time in the company’s history ZCDC has published all its audited accounts since formation in 2016,” read part of the statement.
“Production has also continued to grow from one million carats in 2016 to a projected three million in 2019. Contrary to some media reports, the company does not use forced labour within its operations. Not only is this in conflict with stated corporate governance rules and values, but it is also against the laws of the country. The recruitment practices are stringent and abide with best professional standards that compare to any diamond operation around the world.”
ZCDC is reportedly investing into latest surveillance technologies such as drones that are backed up by rapid response teams.
“At present, huge investments are being made to strengthen both electronic surveillance as well as access control of ZCDC premises.
“The annual Diamond Stakeholder Indaba has also been useful in strengthening relations with various civic society bodies and other stakeholders,” it said. -state media
Zvishavane magistrate Achy Wochiunga refused to grant bail pending appeal for a Mandava High School upper six pupil who was on Tuesday slapped with a three-year jail term together with three accomplices for robbery.
Tamuka Chekai Hove (19) was convicted together with Stanly Zhou (26), Luckman Nyathi (21) and Steward Kabango (18) for striking Christopher Nsingo (48) with a stone on the head before robbing him of cash and cellphones on Monday night.
Hove, through his lawyer Grace Nyabawa of Nyabawa Legal Practitioners, applied for bail while awaiting High Court response for an appeal seeking the court to allow their client to finish his exams from home.
However, Wochiunga turned down the application, saying their High Court application’s chances of success were next to zero and the sentence was fair.
“Robbery is a serious offence and prospects for success of an appeal are next to zero. Robbery invariably attracts a prison sentence,” Wochiunga said.
Prosecutor Tinashe Maponde told the court that Nsingo was walking on his way home from a public joint when he encountered the quartet in Mandava high-density suburb.
They took a cellphone, $570 and US$2 from his trousers. Nsingo tried to escape, but the convicts stripped him before dumping him.
During the same night, Zhou bumped into police officers on patrol and confessed, implicating his accomplices, leading to their arrest. – Newsday
Marvelous Nakamba’s Aston Villa’s recent winning formula is under massive threat when they travel to the Etihad to face title-chasing Manchester City in Sunday’s early kick off.
The Zimbabwe international is now an integral part of the Villa midfield which has commanded the team to back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since May 2015, after Matty Target’s last minute winner saw off Brighton and Hove Albion last week.
They face a City side who are oozing with confidence after thumping Italian side Atlanta 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
To Villa’s optimism however, the last time Pep Guardiola’s charges were at the Etihad in the Premier League, they were humbled 2-0 by Wolves.
Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi retained his job after his ruling party easily won enough parliament seats in this week’s election, authorities announced Friday.
The ruling Botswana Democratic Party won 38 of the 57 seats in the National Assembly, while the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change won 15.
Unlike the over dozen elections that has been undertaken this year, the Botswana polls have been described as largely incident-free from the campaigning through to voting and the aftermath.
No major issues of violence or clashes were recorded in the lead up to the October 24 vote. The voting process was largely peaceful and organized and the results declaration has not elicited any challenge – as yet.
Same cannot be said of Nigeria and South Africa’s polls where campaigning was marred by violence as well as significant incidents on day of voting and court challenges.
South Africa’s results was threatened with a challenge arising from reports of irregularities during the voting process. Malawi grappled with a stiff court challenge and chaotic exchanges between opposition and security forces.
Mozambique’s vote also in October has been the subject of repeated calls for annulment especially by the opposition again citing cases of irregularities and massive fraud.
The long peaceful, diamond-rich southern African nation had expected its tightest election in history after former President Ian Khama broke away and announced his support for the opposition coalition instead.
Khama hand-picked Masisi as his successor when he stepped down last year after two terms but was annoyed when Masisi moved away from some of his policies and began to crack down on corruption.
Many had wondered whether the ruling party would be toppled for the first time since independence in 1966.
But one political analyst said the ruling party benefited from sympathy votes especially in urban areas like the capital, Gaborone, where many people believed Khama wanted to perpetuate his hold on power.
“There was a feeling Masisi was not being given room to be his own man,” Alvin Yalala said. “There were also many people who would ordinarily vote opposition who supported Masisi to snub Khama, who is not popular among the middle class.”
Another reason for the ruling party’s win was that some voters saw the opposition coalition’s alignment with Khama as a betrayal of principle, Yalala said. “They wanted opposition as an alternative and not as an appendage of the former president.”
Observers said Wednesday’s election went smoothly in one of Africa’s most stable countries. Turnout was not immediately clear. Botswana has 925,000 registered voters in a population of 2.2 million.
Hundreds of people who braved the blazing heat to march to the National Sports Stadium on Friday morning seemed to have had their hearts set on food rather than the anti-sanctions programme.
A crowd stayed outside the giant stadium to get food handouts even after the presidential motorcade had arrived. An elderly woman, who received fried chips, chicken and Pepsi as the rest of the marchers, said:
This is a great day, I last ate Chicken Slice many years ago because of the cost, but today, because the President has called us to march against sanctions, we are eating the meat. Everything is good now.
A Harare South resident who identified himself as Munyaradzi Chitima said sanctions mean high fuel prices since Zimbabwe has to buy fuel at higher prices than other countries.
American Ambassador Brian Nichols might soon find himself being disciplined by the Zimbabwean government after his vocal stance that Zimbabwe was suffering because of corruption that being allegedly implemented by the officials in Harare.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information said, “I have a warm and friendly relationship with all diplomats accredited to Zimbabwean I have had interactions with and I don’t go personal on anyone. But I think some of the diplomats we host in this country have lost diplomatic etiquette and have become political activists.”
Mangwana’s statements attracted backlash from former G40 members Beauty Zhuwao and Walter Mzembi who told him that the ZANU PF strategy towards sanctions was wrong.
“A whole bira outside the American embassy, is that diplomatic? How do you expect them to respond?” Zhuwao said.
Mzembi told Mangwana to styudy sanctions in Cuba first: “Quiet state diplomacy and vuvuzela public diplomacy Nick Mangwana attract different responses. You contracted lobbyists for sanctions review and decided to march at the same time, there was serious backfiring. Understudy Cuba sanctions and responses first.”
A member of Presidential Advisory Council Trevor Ncube said the caliber of western diplomats was worrying.
“I have recently been concerned about the caliber of western diplomats posted to Zimbabwe. Today’s tweeting from some diplomatic missions reminded me the current crop is no different from cub reporters. No nuance, diplomacy or etiquette all.”
United States of America Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo
Public Designation of Owen Ncube, Due to Involvement in Gross Violations of Human Rights, under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act PRESS STATEMENT
MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE
Today, the Department designates Owen Ncube under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (Div. F, P.L. 116-6), as carried forward by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020 (Div. A, P.L. 116-59) due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights.
Section 7031(c) provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign officials have been involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, those individuals are ineligible for entry into the United States and may be publically or privately designated as such by the Secretary of State.
The Department has credible information that Owen Ncube was involved in gross violations of human rights in his capacity as Zimbabwe’s Minister of State for National Security.
We are deeply troubled by the Zimbabwean government’s use of state-sanctioned violence against peaceful protestors, and civil society, as well as against labour leaders and members of the opposition leaders in Zimbabwe.
We urge the government to stop the violence, investigate, and hold accountable officials responsible for human rights violations and abuses in Zimbabwe.
U.S. sanctions target those who engage in corruption, violate human rights, and undermine democratic institutions or processes.
State-sanctioned violence creates a culture of impunity for human rights abusers. The United States continues to support the Zimbabwean people in need, especially through humanitarian and health assistance.
We will continue to press the Government of Zimbabwe to implement necessary political and economic reforms to provide Zimbabwean citizens with the prosperity, security, and well-being they deserve.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa risk facing a spontaneous mass uprising from the people of Zimbabwe if he does not deal with the escalating price of electricity a political analyst has said.
In the recent past Zimbabweans have taken to social media to express their displeasure at the way that the electricity tariffs have increased.
Social activist Thandeka Moyo posted on Twitter saying, “I’m traumatised beyond measure, the 48 units of power I bought on Tuesday at a whopping $200 just ran out. What’s your ZESA situation like guys? How are you managing? You all seem unbothered. Could this be a unique problem or targeted sanctions against me maybe?”
One Wonder Bhaku said, “Some of us have since stopped using our stoves. We are only using ZESA for pressing, lights and fridges. Power is now beyond the reach of many! We are bothered and we could be demonstrating if they don’t shoot protestors to kill!”
Political analyst Shephard Dube said these kind of situations were a breeding ground for mass uprisings.
Said Dube, “What you are seeing now happening is what happens when a spontaneous genuine mass uprising is about to take place. People in urban areas are now complaining about the electricity tariffs which are affecting their homes and their business since most of them are self-employed.
“Remember the recent uprising in Sudan was because of the price of bread. So Mnangagwa must be aware lest an un coordinated no- partisan uprising takes place and he won’t be able to shoot them all as he did in January. The MDC has been failing to organise people because there is to attain a political gain but when the masses rise up to demand electricity and their livelihoods you will see soon an unstoppable incessant wave that will topple the regime in Harare.”
An average family now uses an electricity of about $200 yet civil servants earn a salary of $500.
ZimEye today interviews Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s ex-wife who is heard in a leaked audio threatening an unnamed businessman she has bought lithium batteries from.
This LIVE expose’ comes as the list of victims Jocelyn Chiwenga has threatened rose in number. ZimEye is making the follow up interview tonight, and meanwhile was the first call up:
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…. (please note footage might take 20secs to load)
Thousands of Zimbabweans rallied on Friday in support of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call on the US and the EU to lift sanctions on Zimbabwean leaders [Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters]
The United States has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe’s state security minister over what it says is credible information of his involvement in “gross violations of human rights”.
The State Department said on Friday it would deny entry into the US to Owen Ncube.
“We are deeply troubled by the Zimbabwean government’s use of state-sanctioned violence against peaceful protestors, and civil society, as well as against labour leaders and members of the opposition leaders in Zimbabwe,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
“We urge the government to stop the violence, investigate and hold accountable officials responsible for human rights violations and abuses in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Zimbabwe has seen numerous anti-government protests this year, mostly brought about by the failing economy which has rendered about 5 million citizens dependent on aid.
There have been a number of reports of torture and abductions as authorities try to crack down on such insurgence.
The United Nations special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association expressed concern about “excessive military force” in Zimbabwe, in a report released late in September.
Last month, doctors took to the streets after Peter Magombeyi, their union leader and one of the organizers of an effort to demand higher wages for state doctors, went missing.
Ncube said at the time that Magombeyi’s case was being treated as a disappearance, not an abduction, as his colleagues have alleged.
Human rights groups say they have recorded more than 20 cases of abductions of activists by state security agents since January. The government denies any involvement.
The US’s move against Ncube came as thousands of Zimbabweans rallied in the country’s capital, Harare, in support of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call on the US and the European Union to lift sanctions imposed against him and other officials over alleged electoral fraud human rights abuses.
Mnangagwa blames the sanctions imposed by the US and European Union since 2001 for Zimbabwe’s economic ills and says they are intended to remove his party from power.
Two years after Zimbabwe’s longtime ruler Robert Mugabe was forced out, people are still grappling with triple-digit inflation and shortages of basic goods like fuel.
Zimbabweans are faced with genuine problems like electricity outages, high prices and water shortages hence they chose to stay away from this non event.
It is clear that the anti sanctions rhetoric is just a pie in the sky which was meant to chlorinate Emmerson Mnangagwa’s failed leadership and unfortunately it did not yield desired results.
The end is nigh!
The illegitimate, failed and ConCourt proclaimed President’s days are numbered and rightly so Mnangagwa is sensing danger hence the anti sanctions smokescreen.
Clearly Emmerson Mnangagwa is behaving like a timid dog that barks at its own dark shadow of human rights abuses and bold leadership failure.
Mnangagwa knows very well the terrific and gigantic proportions of corruption, thievery and violence that underlines his short reign and is afraid of consequences of such if citizens are to draw a line.
Like a timid dog barking at its own ugly shadow, Mnangagwa knows very well the ugly nature of his unredeemable and unforgivable sins.
As expected of any failed dictatorship, the failed septuagenarian is running around circles selling a blame shifting anti-sanctions narrative.
Fortunately for Zimbabwe and unfortunately for Mnangagwa there are no takers of his blue lies both locally, regionally and internationally!
The anti sanctions flop non event was symbolic and clearly laid bare fingerprints of failed leadership by this military dictatorship.
Typical of Mnangagwa’s trailblazing path of mediocrity and failure, once again the man in scarf did not only fail to convince hungry Zimbabweans that sanctions are responsible for their misery but even abundantly convinced some doubting Thomases in SADC that he lacks endorsement from masses.
Simply put people chose to ignore all the ZANU PF madness and ZBC anti sanctions jingles and stayed in their empty homes!
This was a classic act of defiance by citizens exhibited by simply staying away from Mnangagwa’s tomfoolery and pathetic drama!
In a week the major news highlight was police brutality on innocent vendors that ultimately resulted in the gruesome murder of Hilton Tafadzwa Tamangani, Zimbabweans instead chose to pay their last respects to the slain vendor in Murehwa than wasting time congregating at Mnangagwa’s anti sanctions charade.
The message from citizens is very clear!
Only that in ZANU PF circles common sense is not common and unfortunately such ignorance oftentimes ends in deleterious circumstances.
As the MDC Youth Assembly our honest and genuine advice to Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is that he should resign and save himself from further humiliation.
It will not work, simple!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma_ MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson_
Former ZANU PF Youth leader William Mutumanje said, “If Mnangagwa does not fire his political commissar NOW he will not last 6 months. He has turned into political embarrassment home and away. Imagine world leaders listening to that comical speech and taking him seriously.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been urged to fire his National Political Commissar Victor Matemadanda due to his failure to organise the much-hyped anti-sanctions march. The nationwide demonstrations were organised by government and ZANU PF structures were organised all over the country to attend the Provincial events.
The events were marked with low attendance with the main one held at the National Sports attracting less than half of its capacity. Social media users compared Matemadanda with the exiled Saviour Kasukuwere who used to fill up all the stadiums during his time as Commissar.
Norton Member of Parliament blamed some ZANU PF Officials for the confusion that led to the low turnout.
“This sanctions march is turning out to be a ZANU PF march; there’s confusion. People from ZANU PF have been given fuel coupons and not the sitting MPs to organise the logistics.” Said Mliswa. “They’re already fighting for those coupons. People like Nduna were given 9k litres. There’s no accountability. There’s just a cartel of people in ZANU PF in there for their own selfish gains.”
Marvelous Nakamba retained his place in Aston Villa starting XI on Saturday against Manchester City.
The Zimbabwean midfielder played the entire ninety minutes as his side lost 3-0 at Etihad Stadium.
Villa were tactically disciplined in the first period but slumped after the break as they went on to conceded three times.
Things took the nasty turn just seconds into the second half when Raheem Sterling broke the deadlock in City’s first attack after the interval. Kevin De Bruyne added another one on minute 65 before Ilkay Gundogan sealed the victory five minutes later.
Fernandinho received his second booking three minutes to full-time as Manchester finished the game with a man short.
BBC and Al Jazeera have both differed with local media over the turnout at yesterday’s demonstration against US and EU imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe.
While local media labelled the rally a big flop, western media were singing from a different hymn book as they all gave a thumps up to the march that since been condemned as a waste of resources.
ZimEye carried out it’s own investigation using LIVE drone footage and below were our findings.
Below are screenshots from the the BBC and Al Jazeera reports on the anti-sanctions march.
On the 25th of October 2019, a group of Zimbabweans began marching across the capital city Harare. It was a rally march in protest against the said sanctions against the nation of Zimbabwe by Western Nations of the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The scene for SADC’s Day Against Sanctions was perfect: Africa’s best city with the highest literacy the whole continent, Harare.
Over 60,000 people are expected to crowd up in Harare to complain about restrictive measures slapped against Emmerson Mnangagwa and members of his close clique. The people are not at all the 60,000 but they truly marched in support of Mnangagwa.
And of those who were present, how many did it out of conviction? ZimEye followed the crowd all the way to the national sports stadium, by air and road.
ZimEye found a tiny fraction of the envisaged crowd marching into the stadium function which however turned out to be the lowest attended government function since 1980. But why?
Those who attended were given a box each of chicken Slice and a drink free of charge in what appeared like an incentive to attend.
Many of those who attended soon began running away from Mnangagwa while he was speaking and police officers began threatening them so they remain at the premises. But why?
Could the reason be simply this one, which is that the politicians demanding to be removed from the sanctions list are the same criminals who were filmed on ZBC television announcing the use of the army to kill civilians just so to alter the 2018 national election results?
Could it be that these are the same criminals who soon after removing Robert Mugabe in 2017 looted over USD5,9 billion from the central bank, RBZ, in less than 5 months of the November coup?
Could it be that the people knew very well that the natiom of Zimbabwe lost a further USD16billion due to the military operation run to change election results in Aug 2018?
Could it be that the people knew that even the motive to deploy the army to kill people so to change election results was broadcast on ZBC LIVE by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s own office, right in his presence while smiling? Let us not forget that as late as October 2019, a criminal prosecution file was opened in Serbia under international law over the same matter.
Could it be that the citizens of Zimbabwe do not find any sense in recognising a “president” who as late as October 2019 told a business trade meeting in Bulawayo he will kill people who do not agree with him?
The lack of motivation could it be in that the people who are currently running the country are not at all politicians they are a bunch of criminals who according to local and international standards do not belong anywhere but maximum prison? Could it be? Could it be? Could it be? And if it is not, what else is it? All replies to ZimEye –
Marvelous Nakamba’s Aston Villa’s recent winning formula is under massive threat when they travel to the Etihad to face title-chasing Manchester City in tomorrow’s early kick off.
The Zimbabwe international is now an integral part of the Villa midfield which has commanded the team to back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since May 2015, after Matty Target’s last minute winner saw off Brighton and Hove Albion last week.
They face a City side who are oozing with confidence after thumping Italian side Atlanta 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
To Villa’s optimism however, the last time Pep Guardiola’s charges were at the Etihad in the Premier League, they were humbled 2-0 by Wolves.
BBC and Al Jazeera have both differed with local media over the turnout at yesterday’s demonstration against US and EU imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe.
While local media labelled the rally a big flop, western media were singing from a different hymn book as they all gave a thumps up to the march that since been condemned as a waste of resources.
ZimEye carried out it’s own investigation using LIVE drone footage and below were our findings.
Below are screenshots from the the BBC and Al Jazeera reports on the anti-sanctions march.
On the 25th of October 2019, a group of Zimbabweans began marching across the capital city Harare. It was a rally march in protest against the said sanctions against the nation of Zimbabwe by Western Nations of the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The scene for SADC’s Day Against Sanctions was perfect: Africa’s best city with the highest literacy the whole continent, Harare.
Over 60,000 people are expected to crowd up in Harare to complain about restrictive measures slapped against Emmerson Mnangagwa and members of his close clique. The people are not at all the 60,000 but they truly marched in support of Mnangagwa.
And of those who were present, how many did it out of conviction? ZimEye followed the crowd all the way to the national sports stadium, by air and road.
ZimEye found a tiny fraction of the envisaged crowd marching into the stadium function which however turned out to be the lowest attended government function since 1980. But why?
Those who attended were given a box each of chicken Slice and a drink free of charge in what appeared like an incentive to attend.
Many of those who attended soon began running away from Mnangagwa while he was speaking and police officers began threatening them so they remain at the premises. But why?
Could the reason be simply this one, which is that the politicians demanding to be removed from the sanctions list are the same criminals who were filmed on ZBC television announcing the use of the army to kill civilians just so to alter the 2018 national election results?
Could it be that these are the same criminals who soon after removing Robert Mugabe in 2017 looted over USD5,9 billion from the central bank, RBZ, in less than 5 months of the November coup?
Could it be that the people knew very well that the natiom of Zimbabwe lost a further USD16billion due to the military operation run to change election results in Aug 2018?
Could it be that the people knew that even the motive to deploy the army to kill people so to change election results was broadcast on ZBC LIVE by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s own office, right in his presence while smiling? Let us not forget that as late as October 2019, a criminal prosecution file was opened in Serbia under international law over the same matter.
Could it be that the citizens of Zimbabwe do not find any sense in recognising a “president” who as late as October 2019 told a business trade meeting in Bulawayo he will kill people who do not agree with him?
The lack of motivation could it be in that the people who are currently running the country are not at all politicians they are a bunch of criminals who according to local and international standards do not belong anywhere but maximum prison? Could it be? Could it be? Could it be? And if it is not, what else is it? All replies to ZimEye –
Zambian shot-stopper Kennedy Mweene, who will be in goal for Mamelodi Sundowns when they face title rivals Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday, has revealed why just knowing the duo of Khama Billat and Leonardo Castro won’t be enough to stop them.
Mweene will be between the sticks for Masandawana because regular goalkeeper, Ugandan Dennis Onyango, lost his father and will miss the potentially mouth-watering clash.
Speaking ahead of it, the Zambian explained why just knowing Billiat and Castro won’t be enough.
“It does help [knowing Castro and Billiat] but they are different players because now they are playing for Chiefs, and you cannot sit and say, ‘I know them.’ You have to watch the games they’ve played before and you have to know how Khama is doing at this time,” he told Kick Off.
“So, I think we have to do our job as well. Even if the coach does most of the work for us [through analysis and training preparation], as players you also have to watch the opponents as well.” he said.Soccer 24
By A Correspondent- There is common wisdom that “change” is the only constant in life and nothing else.
This view is borrowed from an ancient Greek philosopher and means that there is nothing in life which is stationary or will remain the same throughout one’s life.
Even the Bible has it that Saul who was sworn to persecute Christians changed to Paul in Damascus, arguably one of the greatest preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Baron Dube (44), a popular gold miner who has been involved in numerous deadly turf wars was recently baptised at the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church in Habane, Esigodini.
For years, Baron’s dark side has graced the media, as one alleged scandal after another painted a picture of him as the type of “sinner” who should be struck with lightning, brimstone and fire.
However, the soft spoken gold miner has opened a new chapter in his life and turned his heart to God. Dube, who has hogged the limelight for wrong reasons revealed that he got his Damascus moment while he was sleeping about three months ago. He said he heard a small voice whispering in his ear saying he must turn to God.
At first he ignored the voice but he heard it for the second time and it would not leave his mind even when he was awake. After careful thought, he said, he decided to turn to God. He said turning to God was not an easy decision.
“At first I thought I was making a wrong decision but I summoned courage and went to church. After attending church services for two weeks I accepted Jesus as the Lord and saviour of my life,” he says.
He says he feels he made a proper decision. “I have no regrets about the decision that I made. Many people were shocked when they saw me going to church. In the first days they thought it was just a gimmick to win people’s sympathy since they know me for wrong reasons. But they had to believe me after they saw me changing from my usual habits of drinking beer to quitting it,” he says.
He said besides hearing the voice pointing him to God, he had often seen the grace of God in his life.
“There are countless incidents I reflect on and see that this was only God. One incident which comes into my mind is when a nine-member gang which was armed with spears, machetes and iron bars besieged my shop with an intention to finish me off. They tried to spear me but I managed to dodge those weapons and phoned police. Police came but were overpowered. I had to act in self-defence and hit two who got injured. I was arrested but after a full trial I was acquitted. In that incident I suffered a scar in the head and fractured a rib on my left side,” he said.
His late father, who was a Christian, seems to have left clear footprints, as a result 11 of Baron’s siblings have followed in his path. Now Baron has joined the trek to make it 12 of his father’s children who worship God.
He is hopeful that the mighty hand of the Lord will touch the two who are still “in the wilderness”.
“For them it is a matter of time. God’s time is the best and they will turn to God ,”he says.
The married father of 11 children wants to be a perfect example and symbol of inspiration to his children.
“I want to try to live according to God’s ways so that my children will follow my footsteps and draw inspiration from my life,” he said.
Baron lifted the lid about how he was christened. “There was a sangoma popularly known as Sikanga. So, apparently it happened that when my mother was pregnant, she experienced intense pains. She consulted Sikanga and he told her that she will give birth to me and that sangoma named me Baron when I was born on 11 July 1975 in Sanali, Filabusi.
When all that was happening my father had gone to war to liberate our country from colonial white rule. Sikanga told my mother that I would be big and true to his prediction I weighed 7,9 kg when I was born,” he said. What is in a name?
It seems being born big and overweight has had a bearing in his life. In the mining industry he is known as a gold baron because wherever there is a gold rush his name leads the rest and in most cases where there is a battle for gold claims his name makes headlines.
“In most cases I target gold rushes where there would be illegal miners (omakorokoza) from different parts of the country. Before I register the claims, the illegal miners would be mining unlawfully. I win because I take the legal route to own the claim,” he said.
He said after registering the mine he works with anyone who wants to mine.
“I do not discriminate on tribal or regional background. I work with artisanal miners from Nkayi known as amaNkayi, also artisanal miners from Shurugwi, Filabusi, Kezi, Kwekwe, Esigodini, Mbembesi, Marondera and other places,” he said.
He has lived true to his name as he is widely known as a gold baron because he owns mine claims in many places, in Inyathi, Filabusi, Esigodini just to mention a few.
Baron is a very busy man if the number of business-related calls he received during our interview is anything to go by.
In fact, the interview took two days after he had to dash off to one of his businesses on the first day. Baron has made a living out of mining and is now a businessman.
“I have invested in farming and property and grocery shops. This will be my fall back after I retire from this trade,” he said.
He advised artisanal miners to invest.
“It is wise for one to invest his earnings. I‘m happy to say there are some who have invested in shops and houses. But there are some who squander their monies when they get it. To such miners I would like to advise them to invest either in farming or buy properties,” he said.
“However, the greatest advice I can give anyone is that they should turn to God,” he said.
By A Correspondent-More than 60 cops bussed all the way from Marondera to Mucheke Suburb in Masvingo were chased away from a colleague’s funeral after the deceased’s parents accused some senior officers of complicity in the alleged murder of their daughter.
The cops who were led by Superitendent Ndifana were ordered to leave the late Detective Constable Antonate Silopa (32)’s funeral soon after their arrival in a bus and a truck on Thursday evening last week.
The Police officers had to park their bus and sleep at Chikato Police Station after being ejected from the funeral. There was an attempt by senior officers from both Masvingo and Marondera to negotiate with the family the next day so that officers could perform the usual gun salutes at the burial but this was adamantly rejected by Antonate’s relatives.
Antonate died at Marondera Hospital on Monday last week allegedly after she drank poison.
Superintendent Ndifana declined to comment and referred all questions to Chief Superintended Chikuma from Masvingo Central who in turn pleaded with The Mirror not to publish the story.
The late Antonate’s father Nephat Silopa who is an interpreter at Zaka Magistrate Courts accused senior Police officers of behaving in a queer manner that shows that they were either involved in the death of the late or that they were hiding something.
He told the bus full of cops that they can only attend the funeral after explaining the death of his daughter.
Two post-mortems carried out at Chitungwiza and Parirenyatwa Hospital both failed to establish the cause of Antonate’s death. The family ordered a third post mortem whose results will be out in a month’s time.
There are several theories that have emerged and Police are saying that Anonate died at her boyfriend’s house while another version says that she drank poison.
However, what baffles the deceased’s parents most is that Police has allegedly not opened any docket on the mysterious death of their colleague.
“There is queer behaviour by the Police. We as the deceased’s family suspect that Antonate was probably murdered for a sensitive case that she was investigating but whatever the issue is, we believe that there are senior officers involved and there is a lot of determination to sweep the matter under the carpet,” said the deceased’s mother Florence.
Speaking in an interview with The Mirror, Florence totally rejected that her daughter died at her boyfriend’s place.
“If she did why did the Police not bring forward the boyfriend? Why did they not open a docket? Why are they not investigating the matter?” asked an emotional Florence.
She said even the way that the death was announced to her was unprofessional. “Somebody just called while I was asleep at 3am and told me bluntly that Antonate had drunk poison and was dead. She then instructed me not to talk to anyone else at the station about the issue except her named superior,” said the mother.
She told The Mirror that her daughter was brought to hospital by one Artwell Mafukidze and two others who claimed that they didn’t know her and they picked her on the streets. The family has not had a chance to meet Mafukidze. She also said that her daughter had no bra or blouse when she was brought to hospital but these were later found thrown into the deceased’s house well after her death.
“We found Antoneta’s house turned upside down. There was missing money. Her phone was being used by an officer who claimed to be her friend but she never came forward to give her story. The same cop was driving our daughter’s vehicle long after she had died and we don’t know how she got the car keys or her phone. It puzzles us that senior officers are not doing anything about all these unusual and illegal happenings,” said Florence.
She said she was not amused that senior officers were trying to stop the family from getting an independent post-mortems.
“When we said we wanted to get an independent post-mortem, a senior officer called and told us that it was unnecessary. When we eventually got the post-mortem at Chitungwiza Hospital, there were hordes of detectives all around the place.
“The same also happened when we went to Parirenyatwa for another post-mortem,” said Florence.
Antoneta was buried at Mangwandi Cemetery without Police honours as the family totally rejected that procedure.
By A Correspondent- Zvishavane residents were shocked after the body of a Grade 1 pupil, Elohim Ziwanza (6) who went missing for two days was recovered bundled in a sack dumped in a bush.
The sack was discovered by a curious passerby on Tuesday evening after the boy left home for school at around 6am this week on Monday.
The body was found in a bushy area near Highlands residential area.
Elohim went to Makwasha Primary school.
Chief Supretendant Albert Ncube confirmed the incident and advised parents to jealously guard the safety of their children.
Sources told The Mirror that the boy’s mother returned from work to find her son had not returned from school.
She enquired his whereabouts from neighbours, her child’s schoolmates and the teacher and discovered her son did not make it to school that day.
She went to report the matter to the Police and a missing person’s report was filed.
On Tuesday evening an unidentified man who was on his way to Zvishavane CBD from Chief Masunda area noticed a suspicious looking sack and upon approaching it saw the body of the deceased and reported the matter to Police.
By A Correspondent- A visit by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa to Mugodhi Apostolic Faith Church in Wedza on a cancer screening awareness programme has divided the church, with one faction accusing the late founder Tandewu Mugodhi’s sympathisers of disrespecting their religious beliefs.
This was revealed on Saturday at the burial of Tandewu by the faction which is fighting to wrest control of the church from Mugodhi’s family. The faction accused its rivals of inviting the First Lady for cancer screening, a medical process which they claim was against their beliefs.
The First Lady visited the shrine in April last year alongside government officials from the Health ministry as part of her nationwide awareness campaign on free cancer screening.
Zimbabwe Amalgamated Churches Council patron Jimayi Muduvuri, who also attended the burial at the weekend, confirmed the matter yesterday, saying the cancer screening exercise had brought divisions within the sect.
“I am aware of the issue and it is being propped up by one Mangoma. The First Lady is a national figure, not a political one. She is doing a national duty, hence the invite by the apostolic members. We heard that some of them are questioning why the First Lady visited the church. This is dividing the sect, of which it is not good,” he said.
Some of the country’s white garment-donning apostolic churches have been abandoning their archaic religious beliefs and embracing modern medical treatment.
However, others are still deeply rooted in their religious beliefs that shun medical assistance.
The Mugodhi apostolic sect is currently embroiled in a nasty leadership wrangle that has resulted in factionalism breaking out.
Tandewu died last week and was buried at the church headquarters at Chitope in Wedza.
He was succeeded by his son Washington, a move that has, however, angered his rivals.
It is not surprising that the ZANU PF so-called Anti sanctions march flopped. Zimbabweans are faced with genuine problems like electricity outages, high prices and water shortages hence they chose to stay away from this non event.
It is clear that the anti sanctions rhetoric is just a pie in the sky which was meant to chlorinate Emmerson Mnangagwa’s failed leadership and unfortunately it did not yield desired results.
The end is nigh!
The illegitimate, failed and ConCourt proclaimed President’s days are numbered and rightly so Mnangagwa is sensing danger hence the anti sanctions smokescreen.
Clearly Emmerson Mnangagwa is behaving like a timid dog that barks at its own dark shadow of human rights abuses and bold leadership failure.
Mnangagwa knows very well the terrific and gigantic proportions of corruption, thievery and violence that underlines his short reign and is afraid of consequences of such if citizens are to draw a line.
Like a timid dog barking at its own ugly shadow, Mnangagwa knows very well the ugly nature of his unredeemable and unforgivable sins.
As expected of any failed dictatorship, the failed septuagenarian is running around circles selling a blame shifting anti-sanctions narrative.
Fortunately for Zimbabwe and unfortunately for Mnangagwa there are no takers of his blue lies both locally, regionally and internationally!
The anti sanctions flop non event was symbolic and clearly laid bare fingerprints of failed leadership by this military dictatorship.
Typical of Mnangagwa’s trailblazing path of mediocrity and failure, once again the man in scarf did not only fail to convince hungry Zimbabweans that sanctions are responsible for their misery but even abundantly convinced some doubting Thomases in SADC that he lacks endorsement from masses.
Simply put people chose to ignore all the ZANU PF madness and ZBC anti sanctions jingles and stayed in their empty homes!
This was a classic act of defiance by citizens exhibited by simply staying away from Mnangagwa’s tomfoolery and pathetic drama!
In a week the major news highlight was police brutality on innocent vendors that ultimately resulted in the gruesome murder of Hilton Tafadzwa Tamangani, Zimbabweans instead chose to pay their last respects to the slain vendor in Murehwa than wasting time congregating at Mnangagwa’s anti sanctions charade.
The message from citizens is very clear!
Only that in ZANU PF circles common sense is not common and unfortunately such ignorance oftentimes ends in deleterious circumstances.
As the MDC Youth Assembly our honest and genuine advice to Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is that he should resign and save himself from further humiliation.
It will not work, simple!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma_ MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson_
Smith speaking on sanctions, says,”funny enough they’ve had beneficial effects as well as detrimental effects,it is no doubt that the base of our economy has been broadened tremendously…there’s been an industrial revolution in Rhodesia.” We’re now 10ys ahead of time in manufacturing- BBC interview https://t.co/Yk3aIxmBWu
Smith on sanctions,says,"funny enough they've had beneficial effects as well as detrimental effects,it is no doubt that the base of our economy has been broadened tremendously…there's been an industrial revolution in Rhodesia." We're now 10ys ahead of time in manufacturing-BBC pic.twitter.com/Yk3aIxmBWu
ZIMBABWE international Marvelous Nakamba will face his sternest test since his breakthrough move to the Premier League when Aston Villa travel to the Etihad Stadium to play against English champions Manchester City this afternoon in arguably their toughest match of the season so far.
Nakamba, who joined the Premier League side from Belgian outfit Club Brugge for a reported £11 million fee, has been receiving rave reviews after starting and impressing in each of the club’s last five Premier League matches since making his English Premiership debut against West Ham United last month.
The former Bantu Rovers prodigy has turned himself into a darling of the Villa fans, who have been impressed with his great awareness and combative style of play, which has provided the team’s attackers the freedom to venture forward knowing they are covered.
Since Nakamba broke into the first 11, his more attacking teammates such as John McGinn, Conor Hourihane and Jack Grealish have been flourishing leaving the Zimbabwean to do most of the dirty work in front of the defence.
According to whoscored.com, Nakamba has recorded an average of 6,2 tackles per 90 minutes, earning himself an average rating of 7,09 out of 10 in his five Premier League appearances.
Nakamba is expected to play a similar defensive role when Aston Villa play against a strong Manchester City which will be looking to reduce the six-point gap between them and Liverpool, who play tomorrow.
The Guardian newspaper’s football writer Daniel Harris identified Nakamba as a key player for Aston Villa in his preview for today’s encounter.
“There’s a lot to like about Dean Smith’s Aston Villa, in particular their midfield axis of Marvelous Nakamba, Jack Grealish and John McGinn. Nakamba’s calm intelligence provides the perfect balance to his more energetic partners, who play with the perfect combination of entitlement and desire, McGinn a tenacious tempo-setter and Grealish an intuitive improviser.
Against City, they will be extended like never before, but will know that if they can compete, there are goals to be taken from a vulnerable home defence. Of course, the likelihood is that City will be too good for them, but do not be surprised if Villa give them a run for their money,” Harris wrote.
MDC Youth Assembly Gives A Chilling Warning to Mnangagwa
It is not surprising that the ZANU PF so-called Anti sanctions march flopped. Zimbabweans are faced with genuine problems like electricity outages, high prices and water shortages hence they chose to stay away from this non event.
It is clear that the anti sanctions rhetoric is just a pie in the sky which was meant to chlorinate Emmerson Mnangagwa’s failed leadership and unfortunately it did not yield desired results.
The end is nigh!
The illegitimate, failed and ConCourt proclaimed President’s days are numbered and rightly so Mnangagwa is sensing danger hence the anti sanctions smokescreen.
Clearly Emmerson Mnangagwa is behaving like a timid dog that barks at its own dark shadow of human rights abuses and bold leadership failure.
Mnangagwa knows very well the terrific and gigantic proportions of corruption, thievery and violence that underlines his short reign and is afraid of consequences of such if citizens are to draw a line.
Like a timid dog barking at its own ugly shadow, Mnangagwa knows very well the ugly nature of his unredeemable and unforgivable sins.
As expected of any failed dictatorship, the failed septuagenarian is running around circles selling a blame shifting anti-sanctions narrative.
Fortunately for Zimbabwe and unfortunately for Mnangagwa there are no takers of his blue lies both locally, regionally and internationally!
The anti sanctions flop non event was symbolic and clearly laid bare fingerprints of failed leadership by this military dictatorship.
Typical of Mnangagwa’s trailblazing path of mediocrity and failure, once again the man in scarf did not only fail to convince hungry Zimbabweans that sanctions are responsible for their misery but even abundantly convinced some doubting Thomases in SADC that he lacks endorsement from masses.
Simply put people chose to ignore all the ZANU PF madness and ZBC anti sanctions jingles and stayed in their empty homes!
This was a classic act of defiance by citizens exhibited by simply staying away from Mnangagwa’s tomfoolery and pathetic drama!
In a week the major news highlight was police brutality on innocent vendors that ultimately resulted in the gruesome murder of Hilton Tafadzwa Tamangani, Zimbabweans instead chose to pay their last respects to the slain vendor in Murehwa than wasting time congregating at Mnangagwa’s anti sanctions charade.
The message from citizens is very clear!
Only that in ZANU PF circles common sense is not common and unfortunately such ignorance oftentimes ends in deleterious circumstances.
As the MDC Youth Assembly our honest and genuine advice to Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is that he should resign and save himself from further humiliation.
It will not work, simple!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma_ MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson_
By Job Wiwa Sikhala- Taking everyone for a fool is a risky political gamesmanship that sobers up despots sitting on the false comfort of illusions.
Emmerson Mnangagwa, a masquerade of a president thinks that his cruelty and non respect for Zimbabwean human life has argued him with the people.
He survives on lies and deception. When he couped his way to power he thought that both Zimbabweans and the international community will be deceived by his false mantra of a dawn of a new democratic order.
The fine and intelligent ones dismissed this pretender whose hobby is only spilling human blood from the onset. Through his henchmen such as Chris Mutsvangwa, they told anyone who cared listen to their nonsense, that blaming the so called sanctions was signs of failure.
After being exposed as the worst clueless person ever to emerge in modern civilization, Mnangagwa went back to the default mode. It’s now sanctions, sanctions and sanctions. Reality brings you down from the ivory Tower.
The man has no idea of what to do. He is entangled in the web of a greedy cartel composed of his friends and relatives, concubines, assassins, murderers, terrorists and those fearing for their lives who are around him who have become a valuable source of critical information to the progressive forces in our country.
The difference between Mnangagwa and the late Robert Mugabe is that Mugabe had some brains to think. He would capture and captivate many’s attention on his beliefs wrong they might be. He would defend them with sophistication and tenacity. This one is just bare and sonorous. Idealess and directionless. Ladies and gentlemen our country is on the rapid plung into a disastrous and tragic end. He foolishly believed that Zimbabweans can be fooled into believing that his failures are associated with sanctions. Zimbabweans see it for themselves that our country is being looted without remorse on a second basis. A small cling of Mnangagwa’s cabal irikumora nyika meaning which is stealing from the national coffers.
If we are not careful the crescendo of looting and plunder will leave Zimbabwe with nothing to talk about in the shortest possible time. The scramble for looting by the inner cabal of the man is beyond comprehension.
Sooner, I will reveal the number of immovable properties that have been acquired in the recent past by one of the members of his cabal.
He is now owning a quarter of the Northern suburbs in different names and companies. The little forex available is withdrawn daily to acquire as much as possible properties all over the country.
Corruption has been the gang’s modus operandi. They are getting all national contracts. All State projects are given to the cabal. They over invoice four to five times every contract without any accountability. Proceeds are spread across the corrupt cartel. No one at the present moment knows how diamonds are being mined in Chiadzwa.
No one knows were the revenue generated is going. No one knows which companies returned into diamond mining. No one knows what Russians are doing at Roy Bennet’s former farm in Chimanimani.
No one fell for the bait. The monumental and gigantic failure of the so called March against sanctions should send a clear message to Emmerson Mnangagwa and SADC. Zimbabweans are no fools. They know what are the causes of their misery. It is misgovernance coupled with human rights abuses.
Anyone who raises the red flag on the plundering of our country is taken into forces disappearance or imprisonment. A country without the modicum of civilization should know that you can’t fool anyone everyone anymore.
Addressing a paltry crowd at the National Sports Stadium Mnangagwa should have been an ashamed man. He spoke like someone who has taken excessive Marijuana. Hakuna President akadero. He has not learn to speak like someone normal. Not hatichadiiii, hatichadiiii.
Zimbabweans need their freedom. They want to be governed by people whom they feel are for everyone. They want a leadership that is conscious of their needs. A government that respects human life. Someone who guarantees their future.
A person who will being a modern state. A message has been conveyed. Please SADC allow the people of Zimbabwe to chose leaders of their choice. This sanctions mantra is outdated and has no takers except by hangers on.
The way how Zimbabweans in unison ignored the sanctions nonsense should send a clear message that Zimbabweans know what their really problems are.
Long live democracy.
Long live Zimbabwe.
Long live the will of the people.
[E.P.M Mwazha —-child—-grandchild—-great grandchild—-greatgreatgrandchild—greatgreatgreat grandchild. In short we are saying the first great grandchild of EPM Mwazha has also a great grandchild.]
Paul Mwazha with Nelson Chamisa
Paul Mwazha (middle) with Nelson Chamisa
`
Have you ever imagined yourself seeing 5 generations from you?Yes its possible if you walk in God’s path. This man also known Mudzidzisi Paul Mwazha has lived to see his 5th generation. The secret to longetivity is the love he has for Almighty God and other people.
He surrendered his earthly riches for him to be poor and bring the souls of men to Christ.
Many might wonder who this man is? Archbishop EPM Mwazha was born on 25 Oct 1918 at Holy Cross Mission in Chirumanzu. His father Joseph Mugovera Mwazha was Lobengula’s war warrior and he married Saramina who gave birth to Paul Mwazha who was named Mamvura because she thought the baby would not survive due to the Influenza epidemic which had left a lot of newborn babies dead. Indeed it is said the baby died soon after birth and her mother Saramina rushed him to Father Schmidt(a Roman Catholic Priest from Germany based at Holy Cross Mission)to perfom final rites before the baby’s burial in riverbanks of Nyautonge River.
(This was a culture and Shona norm that all babies who died before they developed milk teeth were to be buried in river banks to prevent drought ). Fr Schmidt took hold of the baby whom he had christian -named Paul, conducted the benediction prayer and said, ‘Paul I benedict you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Sprit.’
As soon as he concluded the benediction prayer, the dead baby suddenly burst into crying. All the people in the holy temple were bewildered as the baby was brought back to life and suddenly engulfed by holy spirit as they proclaimed ,’The child has been resurrected, the child has been resurrected!’
Indeed to fufill the prophecy made in the holy temple in 1918 when the baby resurrected, in 1940 when he was doing his final year of training as a teacher at Howard Training Institute in Chiweshe , Paul Mwazha saw a vision in which the sky was made wiped clean by a hand of ‘God’ which then printed in block letters the clear sky ‘RECREATION OF AFRICA.’
A a voice instantly ensued with an instruction,”Write to the university students so that they come and help you in recreation of Africa!” The work he was risen for, is to recreate Africa,taking people out of darkness (old sinful ways)to fountain of everlasting life(righteous ways).
As an educated man he also fulfilled this vision by appointing some learned men to play leading roles in the church as well as encouraging congregants to quench education thirst and this was fulfilled as we have intellectuals such as proffessors, Doctors, Engineers and all professionals you might think of ,which is uncommon to most indigenous Apostolic churches.
In 1942 whilsr teaching at Gweshe Primary School in Chiweshe, he saw in a vision an angel in form of a young boy saying to him,” Son ,do you want earthly riches?(Mwana unoda pfuma here),” he replied ,”No i want a church instead (Kwete ndinoda chechi)”.He fulfilled this later in life when he resigned from a highly paying job by then as a respected headmaster in Charter as well as selling his supermarkets and shops in Chikwanha Chitungwiza and Chirasauta. He allocated some to his sons later .
In 1951 whilst at Chideme Njanja as a headmaster and Methodist Evangelist , a voice proclaimed in a vision ,”Who shall we commission ,who will go for us?”.Paul Mwazha quickly offered himself to do the work of God.This was the foundation of his commission(kutumwa) and devine calling .
To fetch the downtrodden and bring them to glory.
In 1957 when EPM was coming from Easter Conference in Mudanda Buhera,as they crossed Mwerehari bridge in Murambinda a voice from God proclaimed “The African Apostolic Church ,VaApostora VeAfrica!”.This is where the name of his church originated from. The naming was not coined by a human being but engineered by the devine powers of the celestial heavens.People did not sit to agree on setting up a church,infact initially he had opposed the idea of starting his own church preferring to remain in Methodist and other group members in their respective churches.(By then the group was being called Mwazha Group by other people).
Indeed in the great autumn of 1959 the church was established through the authority of Charter District Commissioner. This was after he had seen in a vision being given a notebook with 3 ticks (√√√) signifying a go ahead to set up a church granted by Enkeldon court magistrate.
All these few visions and events of the many,were there genesis of his crusade in doing the work of God which is based on a mission statement which emanated from a vision in Manicaland after they had passed Makunhlanga area.A voice of God instructed ,” The mission to be accomplished is to preach the importance of the word of Jesus Christ and proclaiming the amazing powers of his salvation!”.More to reinforce this mission statement he heard a voice in a vision in Mt Darwin which said, “Endai mudyare mbeu youshe hwaMwari(go plant the seed of God’s kingdom)
As soon as he surrendered all his businesses to embark on a mission to do the work of God; he remained steadfast and never looked back, mainly being zealous to obey God’s commandments and yearning for people to repent as well as doing what the bible instructs. His joy emanates from seeing people not tiring in doing good.He himself interceding daily for the congregants to be protected by God and do his will.
At 101, the man of God is still strong and still counting.He has shunned all earthly things prefering to do God’s work ,wiping the tears of those who cry: the barren having children, miscarriages being stopped, the jobless getting jobs, the poor being raised, the demons being cast away and many more wonders being perfomed in Jesus Christ’s name who is our Chief cornerstone and emancipator.He established The African Apostolic Church with millions of followers in Africa and other continents. However he has refused to hog the limelight preferring to live a low key life characterised by humility, benevolence and prayer.
I say Makorokoto!Congratulations !Amhlope the man of God for reaching 101 years,wishing you many more years of life Archbishop Ernest Paul Mamvura Mwazha!
~~~~~
_The author writes in his personal capacity._
By A Correspondent- Olinda Chapel has been honoured by a British Organisation Women Of Wisdom for her charity work through her Olinda Chapel Foundation.
Olinda revealed this on her Instagram page when she wrote:
This weekend in Reading, UK, I was given an award for Women in Leadership. The Woman of Wisdom team recognised me for the work I do in supporting women and children. I have been humbled by this. The work we carry does not merit an award.
The award is for being able to succeed in delivering as much as I can to women and children in need. I am a woman and I am a mother. These are the core elements that drive me to do the best I can for the community in general. Thank you, Women of Wisdom, for placing me on such a pedestal. I am humbled and more challenged. I thank you
By A Correspondent- Parents of pupils at Kwekwe High School are mulling transferring their children from the school following reports of gang violence and indiscipline that have reached alarming levels at the school.
Located in the mining town’s central business district, the school has witnessed rival gangs clashing at the school leaving several pupils injured.
Lately the gangs have also taken the violence outside the school with rival gangs having reportedly clashed at the bus terminus leaving several pupils nursing injuries.
Other reports suggest that there is a six-member gang of Form 4 pupils who are sitting for their final examinations that goes around terrorising fellow pupils.
More than three cases have been reported so far with one being that of a woman who turned down a love proposal.
Kwekwe Central Police station was also overwhelmed with reports of violent cases coming from the school.
Parents who spoke to this reporter said they were contemplating transferring their children who had fallen victim to the said gang adding their lives were in danger.
“My child who is in Form 3 was beaten up for no apparent reason by a gang that is going around bullying other pupils. My child is reserved but he was beaten at the toilets by this gang for no reason.
I made a police report but police begged that we solve the matter out of court as one of the gang leaders (name supplied), was still at school,” said Kudakwashe Zvarai whose son fell victim to the gang.
Another parent who declined identification said her daughter was hit with a chair after she turned down a love proposal from the said gang leader.
“My daughter received stitches at Kwekwe General Hospital after she was hit with a chair near the toilets. I don’t think the headmaster is doing enough to stamp his authority at the school. Discipline has been lacking at the school lately.
Teachers are also seen in bars during working hours and some students are seen loitering in the cbd during the day. The school head should do something, “ said the parent on condition of anonymity.
School head Nelson Shumba confirmed that indeed cases of indiscipline had risen at the boarding school.
“We have had problems lately with cases of indiscipline. We are still carrying out investigations but I am reliably informed that there is a cold war that has been declared between Form 3s and Form 4s,” said Shumba.
He said the school always had problems with groups of Form 4s who would be sitting for examinations as they cause all sorts of problems.
“This is the reason why we reject some pupils to come for Advanced Level because they would have caused problems in their last days. We are currently engaging some parents over the cases of indiscipline. We have called them and we will not hesitate to deal decisively with unruly elements,” he said.
He also said they had roped in law enforcement agencies to help in the cases. “Of course we have brought in the police to assist in such cases.
There would be some cases of a criminal nature that would need the police to intervene, but those that we can solve on our own we do so,” said Shumba.
By A Correspondent- The Hospital Service Board (HSB) has said disciplinary hearings for doctors will still go ahead despite the fact that the doctors were in no show.
This was revealed by the HSB Chairmain Dr Sikhosana who said:
What you have to understand is the Health Services Board is following the right procedure and the procedure stipulates that the disciplinary hearings have to go ahead whether the doctors are present or not. So, even if they decide not to come, like they have said, we are still going ahead with the hearings and the outcome will determine their fate.
Doctors were called for disciplinary hearings this week and they refused, saying they were not doing anything wrong by demanding a fair wage and didn’t show up for the disciplinary.
By A Correspondent- was free-for-all drama in Bulawayo’s Mpopoma suburb recently after a wife busted her husband in the act with a prostitute in their matrimonial bedroom before the two cheaters got a sound beating from neighbours.
After being subjected to severe beatings, the prostitute is alleged to have relieved herself on the couple’s bed before the enraged residents forced her to do a “walk of shame” by marching naked through the streets.
B-Metro gathered that the disgraced man, Tendai Kaocha, who is self-employed as a carpenter, decided to hire the thigh vendor because his wife was heavily pregnant.
It is reported that the action-packed drama unfolded after Kaocha’s wife who had visited her aunt the previous day came home earlier than expected.
The enraged wife reportedly locked the door from outside before she called neighbours who quickly came and “disciplined” the two lovebirds.
A witness said: “We woke up to a free show. Tendai got what he deserved and it was not his first time to bring prostitutes home. He was always bringing them whenever his wife attended all-night prayers.”
Residents who were awakened by the noise from the beating and spoke to B-Metro said they had a good time watching the melodramatic incident.
“On the day in question Tendai (Kaocha) brought a prostitute home and he ran out of luck after his wife who had visited her aunt the previous day came home earlier than expected.
She, however, couldn’t believe her eyes when she caught her husband red-handed in bed with the prostitute.
“In a fit of anger, she then locked the door from outside and called neighbours who quickly responded and surrounded the house.
The angry wife also called Tendai’s uncle who later came with his friends and joined the residents to beat up Tendai and the prostitute.
“The bruised prostitute later relieved herself on Tendai’s bed before residents forced her out of the house naked.
“She later sought refuge at a nearby church,” said a neighbour who requested anonymity.
When B-Metro tracked down Kaocha to his workplace he initially appeared to be relatively unfazed by the allegations before he later rubbished them saying it was the work of his enemies who wanted to tarnish his image.
“It is not true that my wife caught me red-handed in bed with a prostitute.
“What happened is that on the day in question I was just accompanied home by a female imbiber since I was drunk and that lady didn’t get
into our bedroom, as alleged.
“She remained outside the house where she was seen by neighbours who later phoned my wife who had visited her aunt to come back home to see what was happening,” said Kaocha.
By A Correspondent- Calls for those who allegedly called for sanctions to be arrested have resurfaced again this time in parliament where Zanu PF MPs are calling for the arrest of the MDC bigwigs they accuse of calling for sanctions.
The fresh calls for the arrest of MDC bigwigs were made by Zanu PF MP Kindness Paradza who said:
Whether you are opposition or not, we are all affected by sanctions, for the past 18 years, we have been affected by sanctions.
It is unfortunate that some of those who called for these sanctions are brilliant lawyers who are here; one of them is here, a very brilliant lawyer, a Zimbabwean, an honourable Member of this Parliament.
I am also proposing that Parliament must come up with a law to say any Zimbabwean who calls for sanctions on his motherland must be prosecuted, let us have a law to that effect, he must be pros- ecuted.
This is very dangerous as I said earlier, let us all have a national vision as Zimbabweans
Zanu PF has maintained that the MDC called for sanctions in 2017, an allegation the MDC has always denied. Sanctions or trade and travel embargos as some would like to call them were imposed on some individuals and entities by the EU and the US for various reasons.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Africa Summit in Namibia
After decades of absence, Russia reappears as a power factor in Africa. The giant empire may be late, but it is reviving old contacts and exploiting gaps left by the US and Europeans. Putin’s great Africa summit in Sochi has now begun.
203 mainly Russian soldiers, three combat helicopters, military technology of the latest generation, two types of military trucks in Mozambique are listed by South African terrorism expert Jasmine Opperman. The armed arrived in September in Mozambique’s gas-rich troubled province of Cabo Delgado. Even if official confirmations of this military presence are often lacking: Russia is flying the flag again in Africa.
The best proof of this is the first Russia-Africa summit in the Black Sea city of Sochi. Until Thursday, host Vladimir Putin expects 44 heads of state and government from the African continent at the two-day meetings. 10,000 summit participants from 54 African states and Russia have been invited. “Africa is increasingly becoming a continent of opportunities,” Putin told the State Agency Tass before the start of the summit. He announced that billions would be invested in Africa.
Around three decades after the collapse of communism, Russia wants to build on old contacts from Soviet times. Russian Africa expert Leonid Fituni recalled in an article by Nezavisimaya Gazeta that the former Western colonies had gained their freedom under Moscow’s influence. At the time, the Soviet Union had helped the countries to build their own economies. Hundreds of thousands of Africans had been trained in Russia.
The vice-president of the Africa Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences is convinced that Russia today could benefit from the “gold-rush atmosphere” in Africa. Fituni refers to the Chinese, who have been expanding their influence on the continent for years. Under pressure from anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the US and the EU, the country could take advantage of the African growth market. “They are very interested in our weapons, especially since they have been successfully deployed in zones of regional conflicts,” said Fituni.
The volume of trade will grow enormously But when Putin leads the summit with Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi as chairman of the African Union, it is about more than arms. Russia wants to export grain and agricultural machinery, aeroplanes and space technology, trucks, chemical and pharmaceutical products. The trade volume could triple from 20 billion US dollars (2018) in the coming years, they say. By comparison, the Chinese-African trade volume is already ten times higher – at 204 billion US dollars (2018).
It is also clear, however, that in addition to economic interests for Russia, geopolitical considerations are also at stake. The great power, self-confident again under Putin, wants to leave neither China nor the West – especially the USA – to Africa. Russian commentators have already declared Africa the battlefield of a new Cold War with the West. According to the media, the Russians have recently reached military and political agreements with some 30 African states.
“Russia is also heavily involved militarily in the Central African Republic,” says Günter Nooke (CDU), the Federal Government Commissioner for Africa. From Congo to Egypt, from Sudan to the Central African Republic, there is growing evidence of increased Russian involvement in Africa. Often – as in Mozambique – Russia sends out paramilitary guards or military advisors who are declared private.
“Private military enterprises are not necessarily bad,” explained the new Russian ambassador to South Africa, Ilya Rogashov, at a seminar at the University of Pretoria. When asked, he confirmed to the Daily Maverick news portal that Moscow also had political control over them.
Reports about these paramilitary groups are not easy, investigations sometimes life-threatening. Three Russian journalists who researched the alleged use of mercenaries from their homeland in the Central African Republic last year were killed at work. The background to the crime and the machinations of the so-called private Wagner group remained unclear.
Russia has strategic and commercial interests
But it is not always just about raw materials, as in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, where foreign corporations are hindered in the exploitation of the rich gas deposits by the Islamist terrorist. Strategic and commercial interests are often closely interwoven in Russia’s African comeback. As in Mozambique, a former civil war country, Russia can often refer to old contacts. In Africa there were proxy wars in which Soviet military played a role during the Cold War. In addition, many African politicians were once trained in Russia.
Contacts are also being established in South Africa. The two countries work together in a group of emerging countries Brazil, India and China-“BRICS” for short. After Russia tried for a long time in vain to sell nuclear power plants to the post-apartheid state like some other states on the continent, it is now seeking military solidarity there. At the end of November, the South African naval base of Simons Town could be in a tight spot if warships from China and Russia were expected there in the run-up to a planned three-nation manoeuvre.
By A Correspondent- The Zambian leader tweeted a photo and wished Zimbabwe well as the country geared to march against imposed sanctions.
The Zambian leader tweeted:
“#Zambia in solidarity with other countries in the SADC region and beyond calls for the immediate lifting of sanctions imposed on the Republic of Zimbabwe to allow the country to succeed on their path to social and economic development. @edmnangagwa”
Maputo — The Nampula City court, in northern Mozambique, on Wednesday sentenced two people to nine months imprisonment for attempting to slip extra votes into ballot boxes at a Nampula polling station during the general and provincial elections held on 15 October.
According to a report carried by the independent television station STV, judge Mohamed Khalide found it proven that the two men, Luis Florindo and Ivandro Manuel, had practiced an electoral crime and attempted to manipulate the results.
In addition to the nine month prison sentence, Khalide fined the two accused four months of the minimum wage (totalling 14,568 meticais – about 235 US dollars, at current exchange). They must also pay legal costs of 1,100 meticais.
Neither Florindo nor Manuel were in court to hear the sentence. The previous week they had been granted, and paid, bail of 100,000 meticais each. The fact that they could raise such a sum – very large by Mozambican standards – almost instantly, suggests that they were not working alone.
The main opposition party, Renamo, had brought the case to court, and was satisfied at the outcome. Local Renamo election agent, Issufo Alane, told STV the case was clear proof of the accusations that the ruling Frelimo Party had committed fraud.
“This sentence is unequivocal proof that Renamo is right and that there was indeed ballot box stuffing”, said Alane. “That’s what interested us, and I, as an election agent, am happy to know that justice has been done”.
The two men’s defence lawyer, however, announced that they are appealing against the sentence, which has the effect of suspending it.
By A Correspondent- The government of Zimbabwe has announced its intentions to convert the commercial farmers’ 5-year leases into 99-year leases.
This was revealed by the minister of Land and Agriculture, Retired Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri on Thursday at the 76th Annual Commercial Farmers Union Congress in Harare where he said that the government was eager to formalise white commercial farmers’ operations to boost productivity in the agricultural sector.
He said:
“The government’s position is very clear we have noticed that there are a number of commercial farmers without any documentation of which we are now ready to regularise their activities.”
Mr Andrew Pasco who is the President of the Commercial Farmers Union commended the government for the decision saying that white farmers are ready to work with the government for the turn-around of the country’s economy.
The development has for years been topping discussions to do with the land question with the farmers arguing that the 99-year leases would assist them in securing lines of credit from banks who were rejecting the 5-year leases.
The African Union has issued a statement calling for the immediate removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe by Western powers.
The statement was issued on Friday when many African countries held activities to show their support on the removal of the sanctions.
Read the full statement below:
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki calls for the immediate removal of sanctions imposed on the Republic of Zimbabwe in continuity of his call during his visit to Zimbabwe from 18-20 February 2018, and in support of today’s communiqué of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on this issue.
The Chairperson rieterates his concerns that the persistance of economic sanctions imposed by the international community, continue to have negative impact on the economy and the people of Zimbabwe. In this regard, he expressed his determination and that of the various relevant Organs of the Union to continue to mobilize support for the country’s recovery efforts.
The Chairperson commends the government of Zimbabwe for its efforts to create a conducive environment for economic growth and assures the government and people of Zimbabwe of the continued support of the African Union towards the country’s road to peace and prosperity for all its citizens.
Ebba Kalondo Spokesperson to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Others saw the empty stadium, inini hangu I saw the scarf ?. I honestly can’t get over the fact that in this heat, mavapfekedza scarf, munhu akadayi ahabvisirwe ma sanctions. CIO ine hutsinye amana. At least mapa vauya ma t-shirts ????
By A Correspondent- National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda is considering reversing his decision to bar MDC Alliance MPs from debating in Parliament as punishment for refusing to recognise President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the legitimate Head of State.
Mudenda revealed this after Norton MP, Temba Mliswa (Independent) questioned the wisdom of punishing MPs for an offence that was committed on a different day.
Said Mudenda:
“I shall review my decision and I need time to think about it very deeply so that I can come back and see what needs to be done in terms of the implications of our processes here in Parliament and outside Parliament when we are embarking on our committee processes.
Last week Mudenda ruled that MDC Alliance MPs have no right to direct questions to cabinet ministers appointed by Mnangagwa when they refused to recognise the appointing authority.
He made the ruling in concurrence with the leader of government business, Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who had raised a point of order during a question and answer session.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings has warned its defaulting customers that they will be disconnected.
In a statement, ZESA Public Relations Manager Fullard Gwasira said the power utility will cut off power supplies to defaulters who have not made an effort to clear their debts or make payment plans with ZESA. He said:
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) would like to advise all defaulting customers who are on the post-paid system to settle their electricity bills without any further delay to avoid the inconvenience associated with power being disconnected.
In the interest of quality service provision, ZETDC is implementing its full complement of credit control measures to defaulters who did not make an effort to clear their debts or engage the power utility for payment plans.
Gwasira called upon consumers to settle their bills to enable ZESA to efficiently provide service as the funds will be used to import power, pay for coal for local generation, and buy spares for network maintenance, among other uses.
“Today (yesterday), we arise and collectively say enough is enough. The illegal sanctions are an albatross to the development, well-being and prosperity of the people of Zimbabwe.”
Do you think Mnangagwa's march did have an impact on the call to remove sanctions
By A Correspondent- The much-hyped anti-sanctions march was a huge failure if the number of people who took part is to be used as the yardstick.
People in Mashonaland Central province were reportedly threatened with sanctions if they did not board free buses to travel to Harare for the march. A Mvurwi resident who spoke to a local publication had this to say:
We were 32 passengers on the bus from Mvurwi, but the second bus only had seven people on board.
We were being threatened with being denied inputs for this year’s agricultural season if we failed to come to Harare for the anti-sanctions march.
The 25th of October was set aside by regional organisation, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to collectively call for the removal of economic restrictions imposed on several Zimbabwean government officials and entities by Western powers.
In Beitbridge, about 1 000 members of South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) gathered in Beitbridge for a solidarity rally.
UNITED Kingdom-based youth sensations, Tivonge Rushesha and Jordan Zemura, are excited at being drafted into the Warriors for the 2021 AFCON qualifiers. Swansea City development side’s Rushesha (17), who represented Wales Under-17 twice last year, and Zemura (19) of AFC Bournemouth Under-21, are part of a generation of players raised in the Europe with Zimbabwean roots.
They were included in coach Joey Antipas’ 32-member squad.
The others are Stockport City’s Douglas Nyaupembe, Adam Chicksen of Bolton Wanderers, Cliff Moyo, Charlton Athletic’s Macauley Bonne and Jonah Fabisch, who plays for Hamburger SV in Germany.
They become the latest United Kingdom-based players to retrace their roots following the footsteps of Tendayi Darikwa, Aleck Mudimu, Admiral Muskwe and Moyo.
Team manager Wellington Mpandare, the Mistry Chipere led Zimbabwe Foreign Legion and Team Zimbabwe UK have been fronting the crusade.
The Warriors, who are in Group H of the 2021 AFCON qualifiers that includes Botswana, Algeria and Zambia, get their campaign rolling against Botswana at Barbourfields on November 15 before travelling to Zambia four days later.
Rushesha, who counts Benjani Mwaruwari and Aston Villa’s Marvelous Nakamba among his role models, described the call-up to the Warriors as an honour.
“I feel privileged to be in such a position. I have followed the Africa Cup of Nations on television and have heard a lot about CAPS United from my father who always talks about (the late) Joel Shambo.
‘‘I visit Zimbabwe very often, on average every two years, because that’s where I was born and it’s home.
“I always enjoy spending time with my extended family – loads of brothers and sisters,” said Rushesha who moved to the United Kingdom in 2003.
Rushesha, who can play either in midfield or as a full back, added: “I watched the recent tournament in Egypt and I follow Nakamba, who is an amazing player.
‘‘I am still developing as a player, still learning and still has a long way to go. I am enjoying my football development that I have been afforded by Swansea AFC.”
He, however, expressed doubt if he will be able to renew his Zimbabwean passports on time before Zimbabwe’s next match.
“My Zimbabwean passport expired and the national team manager has been in touch and he is aware that I will not be able to make the squad this time,” he said.
London-born Zemura, whose Zimbabwean passport has also expired and is being renewed, encouraged others to retrace their roots.
“I am humbled and honoured to represent my country. I feel a sense of joy and determination to help my country succeed in everything I do. What excites me is playing with the new generation of Zimbabwean footballers and the youth who are all across Europe but wouldn’t have thought about playing for Zimbabwe.
“The opportunity to spark a nation, put belief and hope in the young Zimbabweans who want to see their country at the World Cup, it excites me,” said Zemura, who last visited Zimbabwe in 2015.
Asked about his knowledge of Zimbabwean football, Zemura said: “I know quite a bit and I know some of the players.
‘‘As a young player you always check on your country and look to see who’s playing and looking for the development of players as well.
“My family is heavily involved in football and have been for sometime and they have been informed before and told me about the football back home,” Zemura said.
Just like Rushesha, he also counts Nakamba and Benjani among his Zimbabwean football heroes.
‘‘For me, personally, it means the world and I’m very excited to be given the opportunity, also it’s a very good moment for me and my family, who follow me every step of the way!
‘‘Bournemouth are a brilliant club and have helped me a lot. They are excited for me and expecting good things from this.”
ZIMBABWE international Marvelous Nakamba will face his sternest test since his breakthrough move to the Premier League when Aston Villa travel to the Etihad Stadium to play against English champions Manchester City this afternoon in arguably their toughest match of the season so far.
Nakamba, who joined the Premier League side from Belgian outfit Club Brugge for a reported £11 million fee, has been receiving rave reviews after starting and impressing in each of the club’s last five Premier League matches since making his English Premiership debut against West Ham United last month.
The former Bantu Rovers prodigy has turned himself into a darling of the Villa fans, who have been impressed with his great awareness and combative style of play, which has provided the team’s attackers the freedom to venture forward knowing they are covered.
Since Nakamba broke into the first 11, his more attacking teammates such as John McGinn, Conor Hourihane and Jack Grealish have been flourishing leaving the Zimbabwean to do most of the dirty work in front of the defence.
According to whoscored.com, Nakamba has recorded an average of 6,2 tackles per 90 minutes, earning himself an average rating of 7,09 out of 10 in his five Premier League appearances.
Nakamba is expected to play a similar defensive role when Aston Villa play against a strong Manchester City which will be looking to reduce the six-point gap between them and Liverpool, who play tomorrow.
The Guardian newspaper’s football writer Daniel Harris identified Nakamba as a key player for Aston Villa in his preview for today’s encounter.
“There’s a lot to like about Dean Smith’s Aston Villa, in particular their midfield axis of Marvelous Nakamba, Jack Grealish and John McGinn. Nakamba’s calm intelligence provides the perfect balance to his more energetic partners, who play with the perfect combination of entitlement and desire, McGinn a tenacious tempo-setter and Grealish an intuitive improviser.
Against City, they will be extended like never before, but will know that if they can compete, there are goals to be taken from a vulnerable home defence. Of course, the likelihood is that City will be too good for them, but do not be surprised if Villa give them a run for their money,” Harris wrote.
The Birmingham Mail’s Aston Villa correspondent, Ashley Preece also speculated that Nakamba could be given the role of man-marking City’s midfield magician Kevin de Bruyne, who is set to feature for the Citizens against Villa.
Nakamba will also have his hands full as he attempts to keep the likes of Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero in check.
In the lead up to the City match, Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has been waxing lyrical about Nakamba following his impressive start to life in the English Premier League. Smith, who is set to name Nakamba in his starting line-up, said he has been impressed by how the Zimbabwean star conducted himself on and off the pitch since his move.
“He is a wonderful player. He is got such an enthusiasm that, when you meet him, straight away you are endeared to him,” Smith beamed.
“He wanted to come and play in the Premier League and believes he is good enough and we believed that. He is the sort of player that we felt could improve us as a team. The dressing room has helped him settle in, he has got Bjorn Engels and Wesley who he has played with at Brugge.”
The Villa boss admitted his side faces a daunting task against Pep Guardiola’s side, but said his players have the belief they can do well.
“It’s a tough place to go, we know that, but we have great belief in ourselves. My final message when we go over the white line will be ‘listen they are not superhuman, they are human just like yourselves, if you run harder than them and you are mentally stronger than them, you have got a good chance’.”
Smith added: “It’s 11 versus 11. The mental side of going into games like this is so important – ‘don’t fear them, respect them by all means because they are top players.”
Paul Nyathi|According to reports on social media, Leftover Food from the recent anti-sanctions march has been allegedly dumped at the University of Zimbabwe for students..
However, the student’s joy has been shortlived as the Chicken and chips are already rotting owing to the high temperatures being experienced.
The Zimbabwe government held an anti-sanctions demo which was poorly attendedleading to food being left over..
Below are pictures shared by students at the University of Zimbabwe.
THE Southern African region has called for the support of Nigeria in the struggle to lift the sanctions on Zimbabwe.
The subregion, under the umbrella body of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), urged Nigeria to add her voice to the call to lift the sanctions.
The US, EU and its allies placed sanctions on Zimbabwe since 2001 under the regime of the late Robert Mugabe.
SADC comprises of Tanzania, Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The EU further reviewed its sanction early this year and extended them to 2020.They target both specific individuals and companies.
United States’ financial and travel restrictions currently apply to 85 individuals, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Paul Nyathi|So called illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West have brought untold suffering to ordinary people and their impact has also affected neighbouring countries, President Mnangagwa has said. He said this while addressing people who thronged the National Sports Stadium in Harare to mark the SADC-initiated day against sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
The day was adopted by SADC Heads of State and Government at their summit in Tanzania in August.
“On 18 August 2019, the SADC Heads of State and Government, meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, took a bold and historic decision to declare October 25, as the day on which the entire SADC region would collectively voice its disapproval and condemnation of the illegal sanctions imposed on our country, Zimbabwe,” he said.
“The unjustified and oppressive illegal sanctions continue to cause untold suffering to the ordinary people of our great country.
“Their direct and indirect debilitating impacts have equally been felt by our neighbours. Today, we arise and collectively say enough is enough. The illegal sanctions are an albatross to the development, well-being and prosperity of the people of Zimbabwe.”
President Mnangagwa thanked SADC for standing by Zimbabwe and its condemnation of the sanctions at the 74th Ordinary Session of the UN General Assembly.
He also commended Zimbabweans for speaking out against the embargo, as evidenced by the turnout at yesterday’s protest march.
While Mnangagwa was busy mourning the sanctions, the United States of America added one of his top righthand men to the list of people on the targeted sanctions.
The United States has said that it would refuse entry to Zimbabwe’s security minister as it voiced alarm over the government’s crackdown on protests and the opposition.
The US said it would deny a visa to Owen Ncube, the minister of public security, under a sanctions law that targets “gross violations of human rights.”
“We are deeply troubled by the Zimbabwean government’s use of state-sanctioned violence against peaceful protesters and civil society, as well as against labour leaders and members of the opposition leaders in Zimbabwe,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
“We urge the government to stop the violence, investigate and hold accountable officials responsible for human rights violations and abuses in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Western powers had tense relations for years with Zimbabwe’s veteran ruler Robert Mugabe, but hopes for a thaw after the military ousted him in November 2017 were short-lived.
Post-election violence last year after allegations of fraud claimed six lives, while at least 17 people died in anti-government protests in January after a fuel price hike.
The US announcement came the same day that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration organized a mass protest in Harare to demand the lifting of sanctions.
Mnangagwa has struggled to revive Zimbabwe’s troubled economy, with inflation still skyrocketing and shortages of basic goods.
JOHANNESBURG – The African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng yesterday said sanctions against Zimbabwe by the United Stated (US) and European Union (EU) are illegal.
Party members and Zimbabweans living in South Africa took a brief moment to protest outside the US embassy calling for an end to the sanctions against the neighbouring state.
Financial and travel restrictions by the EU and US currently apply to more than 80 individuals including President Emmerson Mnangangwa and 50 companies.
The united states has also imposed a ban on arms exports.
The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) has declared the 25 October a day of action against sanctions in Zimbabwe.
Some ANC members said that the sanctions have led to Zimbabweans fleeing their own country to flood South Africa absolving the Zimbabwean government for failing to run the country.
A group of demonstrators protested outside the embassy in Pretoria calling on the US to rethink their position.
The ANC’s Gauteng provincial secretary Jacob Khawe said, “We are coming here, joining the Zimbabweans and asking America that it must consider immediately lifting the sanctions against the people of Zimbabwe who can’t import or export or grow food of their own.”
A Zimbabwean man at the demonstration said he wants to go home but added he’s been restricted due to the sanctions as they have collapsed the economy.
“It is important for us as Africans to unite so that we can unit our region.”
Similar protests were held in some parts of Zimbabwe on Friday.
The US and EU said the sanctions have been imposed on individuals and companies and have no impact on the economy.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa was yesterday left red-faced after only 7 000 people turned up for his much-hyped anti-sanctions march.
Zimbabweans, battling skyrocketing prices, rising inflation and low pay, snubbed the march against the West to remove sanctions imposed in 2001.
The giant National Sports Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 60 000, was sparsely occupied as even some of the people bussed from outside Harare opted to fight over freebies, which included T-shirts and food, which were being dished outside the venue.
In the run up to the march, Zanu PF party and government officials demanded that schoolchildren be released to take part in the march, while Mnangagwa declared a national holiday to facilitate attendance.
Mnangagwa is struggling to deal with Zimbabwe’s worst economic crisis in a decade, with the country enduring rolling power cuts of up to 18 hours daily and shortages of foreign exchange, fuel and medicines.
The European Union (EU) and United States imposed financial and travel bans on top Zanu PF and top figures for alleged human rights abuses and electoral fraud in 2001. The EU has since removed the embargo.
In the days leading to the march, most government workers were being threatened to attend and that registers would be marked at the protest.
Some buses deployed to pick up participants from various areas across the country came back empty after people snubbed them, with one 75-seater bus coming with seven passengers from Mvurwi in Mashonaland Central.
“We were 32 passengers on the bus from Mvurwi, but the second bus only had seven people on board,” said one participant who requested anonymity.
“We were being threatened with being denied inputs for this year’s agricultural season if we failed to come to Harare for the anti-sanctions march.”
Addressing the participants, who marched from Robert Mugabe Square to the stadium, Mnangagwa thanked people “from all walks of life who came in such large numbers to mark this important day.”
He said the sanctions had caused untold suffering to the ordinary people and were perpetuating the cycle of poverty in the country.
“Thank you Sadc by standing by us and for speaking with one voice at the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly. We also say thank you to the African Union and progressive world, for supporting us during these difficult years in the history of our economy,” Mnangagwa said.
He claimed that the sanctions were a reaction to the land reform programme.
“Ours was a fight to reunite the people with their land and the land with its people, which promise we fulfilled during the land reform exercise. However, this had dire consequences, and led to the imposition of the illegal and unjustified sanctions by the European Union and the United States of America.”
He said the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, passed in 2001, prohibits Zimbabwean entities from doing business with the US and denies the country access to international lines of credit from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank as well development finance.
“Zidera has blocked Zimbabwe’s access to international credit markets, leading to the drying up of traditional sources of external finance,” he said, adding that the negative perception created by the embargoes denied the country foreign inflows.
Mnangagwa claimed that his government had taken deliberate steps to make political and economic reforms.
“The far-reaching implications on Sadc’s ability to achieve its collective targets in the social, economic and financial spheres cannot be ignored. This is the reality of these sanctions. No amount of propaganda can spin or sugar-coat this gruesome truth.”
He said government programmes such as Command Agriculture, which is at the centre of a US$3 billion scandal, would be used to mitigate the impact of sanctions.
But the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has accused Mnangagwa’s regime of trying to hide its failures by hiding behind sanctions.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Jim Risch said Mnangagwa’s government should instead focus on improving its governance record.
“Responsibility for the current political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe falls solely on the ruling regime that has governed the country for decades. If Zimbabwe’s leaders put as much time, financial resources, and effort into delivering on their long-promised reforms as they have in distorting facts and organising ‘anti-sanctions’ campaigns, Zimbabweans would not continue to suffer under the dire economic and humanitarian conditions they face today. The US does not sanction people without just cause — sanctions are a response to malign activity,” said Risch in a Press release on Thursday night.
In Gweru, businesses and informal traders yesterday operated as usual while at Kudzanai long-distance bus terminus, traders completely ignored the march which was led by Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Larry Mavhima.
A crowd of people bussed from mainly Chiwundura, Lower Gweru, Mkoba and peri-urban areas surrounding the city constituted the majority of the marchers.
Riot police maintained heavy presence during the march.
Traffic police had a torrid time trying to stop motorists from moving into the central business district ahead of the march as the drivers insisted they wanted to carry out their daily business operations.
At the venue of the anti-sanctions march, affiliates of Zanu PF like war veterans gave solidarity messages and Mavhima later read Mnangagwa’s speech.
In Manicaland, very few people took to the streets for the march despite reports of some shops being forced to close by suspected Zanu PF activists to mobilise demonstrators.
The march started late after a vain wait for participants.
However, addressing journalists after the gathering, Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Ellen Gwaradzimba defended the low turnout, saying people were still learning the importance of the day.
“It is not a bad start, it (demonstrations) started late. People are still in the process of learning the importance of the day. It was quite a sizeable crowd, but it started late. At the same time, I can’t really complain,” she said.
The march in Bulawayo was a non-event, with very few people bothering to turn up at White City Stadium despite the provision of cheap transport to the venue.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Affairs minister Judith Ncube read Mnangagwa’s speech, which was attended by Industry deputy minister Raj Modi, Zanu PF central committee member Angeline Masuku, Zanu PF politburo member Absalom Sikhosana and former Makokoba legislator Tshinga Dube, among others.
The regional Southern African Development Community rallied behind Zimbabwe’s call for an end to sanctions.
Attendance was much better at the South African side of the Beitbridge border post, where African National Congress secretary-general Ace Magashule.
He addressed about 1 000 members of the party from the Limpopo province who braved the heat for the march.
Magashule said sanctions against Zimbabwe were hurting the entire region and liberation movements ruling Sadc countries would rally behind the country to have them removed.
He said his country had started educating its nationals against xenophobia, which was a direct result of the sanctions.
The ANC stalwart also said Africans were one people and must unite against imperialism and US-led sanctions against Zimbabwe which despite being targeted hurt everyone.
THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has identified Gukurahundi, corruption, poverty and negative attitudes from officials as some of the reasons contributing to people in Matabeleland region failing to access national documents.
This emerged yesterday at the end of a five-day ZHRC hearing into why members of the public were failing to access national documents such as birth certificates, national identity cards, passports, and death certificates.
Addressing a media briefing after the completion of the public hearings at a city hotel, ZHRC chairperson Dr Elasto Mugwadi said negative attitudes from civil servants were also contributing to members of the public failing to obtain the requisite national documents.
He said children born outside the country and those taken outside the country using cross border transporters (omalayitsha) are among the worst affected by lack of documentation.
Dr Mugwadi said not having a birth certificate was the most prevalent challenge.
“The main challenges people are facing in accessing national documents are as follows: challenges related to the Gukurahundi disturbances evident in the deliberate withholding of vital information, poverty which results in lack of money to travel to obtain identity documents and pay registration fees and prohibitive citizenship fees pegged at $5 000, negative attitudes and lack of customer care or human rights based service delivery by staff at Government departments such as the Registrar General’s Office and Department of Social Welfare which discourages people from accessing services/documents when they need them,” said Dr Mugwadi.
“We’ve children born outside the country, mostly in South Africa and sent with ‘omalayitsha’ without birth confirmation records. For some children, the problem is exacerbated by the fact that parents would have assumed different local names for easy residence in South Africa and parents’ whereabouts are unknown, which is closely related to the migration of many Zimbabweans into the diaspora.”
He said inconsistencies at the Registrar General’s Office on requirements to be brought forward by applicants was another factor resulting in some people giving up on getting documentation.
Dr Mugwadi said some laws were too rigid and some cases need to be attended in their peculiarity as brought forward by applicants.
He said the commission during its five-day hearings received 624 submissions from people and organisations resident in Matabeleland region.
Dr Mugwadi said women are the worst affected by the national documents issue.
“The total number of witnesses who appeared before the inquiry panel from 21 October 2019 to the end of the public hearings in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province is 107 constituted as follows female 79,4 percent, males 20,6 percent and persons with disabilities 1,2 percent. The documents in regard to which the submissions were made were as follows birth certificates 62 percent, national identity, 23,2 percent, passports 6,5 percent, death certificates 6,3 percent and citizenship 1,9 percent,” said Dr Mugwadi.
He said the commission which conducted hearings in the presence of officials from the Registrar General’s Office managed to score some immediate successes as 28 people obtained birth certificates and IDS during the public hearings.
The ZHRC chairperson said the national documentation issue was also becoming cross generational for some families as it affects grandparents, parents and their children.
Dr Mugwadi said this leads to victims failing to access national social services which is an infringement of their rights.
“The impact of the lack of documentation on the enjoyment of the human rights by people in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province includes but not limited to the following; failure to continue education, lack of access to social services such as food aid, employment, Government aid and failure to open bank accounts, failure to access health services, rising of statelessness and people at risk of being stateless which has a negative effect on self-esteem and dignity,” said Dr Mugwadi.
He said the commission will continue working to address the national documentation problem so that it achieves its targets that by 2020 the country would not be having any “stateless citizen.”
Jane Mlambo| A United States of America (USA) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has drafted State Security minister Owen Ncube for inclusion on the sanction list over his involvement in state sanctioned violence against citizens.
This comes just on the day President Emmerson Mnangagwa led the country to march and denounce the sanctions imposed on the country by USA and the European Union.
Posting on Twitter, Pompeo urged Zimbabwe to end state sactioned violence and bring to book all those involved in rights violations.
“Today, I publicly designated Owen Ncube for his involvement in a gross violation of #HumanRights in #Zimbabwe. State-sanctioned violence in Zimbabwe must end now and those responsible for human rights violations must be held accountable,” said Pompeo.
Mnangagwa delivering his speech at the National Sports Stadium on Friday.
Paul Nyathi|Zimbabwean social media critics have lampooned President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the way he spoke against sanctions during his address at the National Sports Stadium on Friday.
The critics claimed Mnangagwa did not speak like a President wishing for the removal of the sanctions from a superpower like the United States of America and the European Union.
In a widely circulated clip on social media platforms, Mnangagwa is captured in a humorless moment declaring for the sanctions to go from which one critic compared him to old time Zimbabwean television comedian, Paraffin.
Watch video of Mnangagwa humiliating himself downloading below:
First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa marching to the National Stadium On Friday
Paul Nyathi|FIRST Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa was on Friday back to her eccentrics after she broke down on national television claiming that the United States and European Union targeted sanctions on ZANU PF elites were the reason why some rural young girls are failing to access healthy sanitary pads.
Mrs Mnangagwa made the claim on ZBC TV’s News Hour after she dramatically led from the front during yesterday’s march to mark the SADC-initiated anti-sanctions day in Harare.
The First Lady and her huge entourage of security guards were part of the bussed group of ZANU PF supporters who walked from the open space behind the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) — to the National Sports Stadium singing and denouncing Sanctions imposed on top Zanu PF officials by the US and EU countries.
She said the illegal economic embargo was hitting hard, women and children, both living and unborn.
The dramatic First Lady shed tears while narrating how some rural girls were making do with cow dung as a substitute for sanitary pads owing to sanctions which have pushed prices beyond their reach.
“Zvirwere zvichabva mundove iyi no one knows, the girl child is suffering. I have been to various communities around the country, the challenges these communities are experiencing makes my heart bleed.
“What kind of life is this, where are we heading to as a country with this kind of life? We have suffered enough, sanctions must go now,” she said, while holding back her tears.
“The people of Zimbabwe have suffered, what wrong did we do to deserve this, if we committed a crime, then they should say it out. Pachivanhu chedu inga tinoti ngozi inopera nekuripwa. We are not fighting with America, but we are saying enough is enough, remove these illegal sanctions.”
“This has affected our working experiences, making the majority of us full-time housewives, performing mostly household chores.
“Our children have nothing to do, putting to waste our investment in their education and literally killing their potential contribution to economic development.”
She described sanctions as a direct assault on the country, saying those who put the embargo wanted to invade the country and take away its resources to enrich themselves.
Amai Mnangagwa said as a result of sanctions, women were now giving birth in shacks, with untrained midwives, no equipment in hospitals and no medicines.
On Thursday, Mrs Mnangagwa left the nation stunned when yet again she broke down on tears while praying during a prayer session against sanctions she held at the State House with women from ZANU PF loyal churches.
Watch Mrs Mnangagwa breakdown on lack of sanitary pads in the video downloading below:
The United States of America has slapped CIO minister Owen Mudha Ncube with sanctions. Below was their full statement:
Today, the Department designates Owen Ncube under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (Div. F, P.L. 116-6), as carded forward by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020 (Div. A, P.L. 116-59) due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights. Section 7031(c) provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign officials have been involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, those individuals are ineligible for entry into the United States and may be publically or privately designated as such by the Secretary of State. The Department has credible information that Owen Ncube was involved in gross violations of human rights in his capacity as Zimbabwe’s Minister of State for National Security.
We are deeply troubled by the Zimbabwean government’s use of state-sanctioned violence against peaceful
protestors, and civil society, as well as against labor leaders and members of the opposition leaders in
Zimbabwe. We urge the government to stop the violence, investigate, and hold accountable officials
responsible for human rights violations and abuses in Zimbabwe.
U.S. sanctions target those who engage in corruption, violate human rights, and undermine democratic institutions or processes. State-sanctioned violence creates a culture of impunity for human rights abusers. The United States continues to support the Zimbabwean people in need, especially through humanitarian and health assistance. We will continue to press the Govemment of Zimbabwe to implement necessary political and economic reforms to provide Zimbabwean citizens the prosperity, security, and well-being they deserve.
A team of negotiators dispatched to South Africa by Air Zimbabwe, has brokered a deal that saw the release of the Boeing 767-200 yesterday which had been impounded by the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) over debt.
The Air Zimbabwe aircraft was impounded at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday.
The national flag carrier was blocked from using the airport due to debt over parking, landing and passenger services for flights into Johannesburg.
The size of the debt could not be immediately established as it remains a closely guarded secret by both ACSA and Air Zimbabwe.
AirZim’s corporate services manager Mr Tafadzwa Mazonde confirmed yesterday that the aircraft had been released after thrashing a payment plan.
“We are resuming our flights this (yesterday) evening. We have been cleared and we are taking off in the evening,” said Mr Mazonde.
“We got all the clearances and we have been allowed to resume operations. Of course, there were payment plans and everything.”
He declined to reveal the details of the payment plan and the extent of AirZim’s obligations to ACSA, saying it was strategic that the figures be concealed.
“We can’t divulge at the moment,” said Mr Mazonde in terse response.
A source close to the development said that many airlines landing at OR Tambo International were also in arrears, some owing more than AirZim, and were due to suffer the same fate.
“There are some airlines which they want to ground too, which have higher figures than Air Zimbabwe,” said the source.
It is understood that other airlines such as South African Express were also grounded last week by ACSA.
But it was the impounding of Air Zimbabwe, which has one operational aircraft, which threw the travel arrangements for many passengers into turmoil.
Both domestic and regional routes were affected since Wednesday, with some passengers having been accommodated on other airlines.
Those that had emergency meetings in South Africa, reportedly ended up cancelling the trip.
Air Zimbabwe continues to struggle with its sole aircraft and inconveniences passengers from time to time when it develops challenges.
Recently, it was grounded after developing a technical fault in Bulawayo.
State Media|A Harare woman is seeking the cancellation of her six-year-old son’s birth certificate at the High Court as it does not reflect his “correct” biological father.
In her chamber application for cancellation of a birth certificate, Yvonne Garaneunga said her boyfriend, Lawson Mbofana, agreed to sign the birth certification knowing he was not her son’s biological father and was not opposed to its cancellation.
Garaneunga said the respondent, the Registrar of Births and Deaths, does not have powers to cancel birth certificates, but only the High Court is vested with such authority.
She is seeking an order compelling cancellation of registration of birth certificate No: 3295447 within five days of receipt of the order.
The application reads: “I am the mother and custodian of the minor child who was born during the subsistence of my relationship with Mbofana with whom I was cohabiting.
“I must hasten to mention that when I started staying with Lawson Mbofana I was already pregnant with the minor child from my previous relationship and this was a fact that I disclosed to Mbofana.
“The child’s biological father denied paternity and would have nothing to do with me or the minor child. Mbofana and I decided to obtain a birth certificate for the child using his surname and reflecting him as the father.”
She added that Mbofana had accepted and raised the child as his own.
However, Garaneunga had a change of heart and wishes to set the record straight by having the birth certificate cancelled.
State Media|A specialist neurosurgeon and senior lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) who administered anaesthesia to a patient whose life was at risk, has taken Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals to the High Court for instituting disciplinary proceedings.
Parirenyatwa Hospital accused Aaron Musara of misconduct, saying he acted in an unprocedural and inappropriate manner.
Musara is seeking a High Court order declaring that Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and its acting clinical director, Aspect Jacob Maunganidze, have no disciplinary powers over him.
He also wants a memo in his file dated August 2, 2019 to be declared null and void.
“The habitual suspension and cancellation of surgical operations by Parirenyatwa between 1pm and 4pm to be declared unconstitutional,” read the draft order.
“Respondent shall take all necessary steps and measures to avoid absurd cancellation of surgical operations booked for each day.
“Parirenyatwa Hospital to furnish the applicant with a copy of its Standard Operating Procedures within seven days of the order.”
Musara is a senior lecturer in the UZ’s Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgery in College of Health Sciences, which is based at Parirenyatwa.
“The internal medicine and outpatient clinics of the hospital are inter alia, staffed by UZ’s lecturers and students studying for master’s degrees in medicine,” read the application.
“I have access to the hospital’s patients and medical facilities and entitled to conduct surgical operations upon the hospital’s willing patients using its facilities.”
Musara says on June 4 this year, his team attended to Shadreck Musekiwa, who needed urgent laminectomy decompression of the spine and a team decided to operate him the same day.
The patient was at risk of losing his life, the hospitals anaesthetic team refused to anaesthetise the patient citing other urgent cases.
The operation was scheduled for the following day.
“Unfortunately, the doctor who was anaesthetising patients on this day refused to put Musekiwa to sleep citing that he and his team wanted to go for lectures,” said Musara.
“The operation was cancelled. I took the bold decision to administer general anaesthesia upon the patient. The operation was carried out successfully and the patient recovered well.”
Resultantly, Musara was accused of misconduct.
“I was served with a letter on August 8, where Maunganidze ruled that I acted unprocedurally and inappropriately. The communication was to be kept in my personal file for future reference,” said Musara.
The letter mars my disciplinary record, say Musara.
“I am not employed by the hospital. Thus, the hospital or Maunganidze do not have jurisdiction to conduct any disciplinary action against me or to pronounce any penalty against me,” he says.
“Surgeons are not completely prohibited from administering general anaesthesia upon patients at the hospital in casu. Any practitioner can administer anaesthesia where it would be a life saving measure.”
The lady whose boyfriend committed suicide at her doorstep following a dispute, has broken her silence giving a detailed account of what transpired on the night.
It is suspected that Byron Nyevera hanged himself at his lover, Nothando Hlongwane’s gate in Mbizo 8 in Kwekwe and his body was found on Monday morning.
While the family accepted the news of Byron taking his own life with a pinch of salt, they said they were not ruling out foul play. Hlongwane who has been seeing the deceased for more than a year, said on the night, the two had an argument after he received a call from another girl.
“He visited at my friend’s place in Mbizo 8 where I am currently staying. He received a call from a girl called Ivy who asked him to visit her.
This angered me as he had the audacity to talk to another girl in my presence,” revealed Hlongwane. Out of anger, she then ordered Byron to leave the house and go to where he was being called.
“He begged me to stay but I refused. He told me he would rather die as he loved me but I just thought he was joking. Because I was angry, I continued chucking him out of the house,” she said, fighting back tears. Byron sent messages to Hlongwane informing her that he was hanging himself, but she didn’t buy it.
“He started sending messages threatening to hang himself. He told me he loved me so much but what I had done to him had left him with no option.
I slept hoping that by the next day I would have recovered but little did I know that my Byron would be no more,” further narrated Hlongwane.
Asked if she regretted causing Byron’s death, Hlongwane said: “I loved him, I wish I could turn back the hands of time. People always have squabbles but I never knew it would come to this. I was so jealous and I didn’t want to see him with another lady so naturally I was angered.”
She said it was unfortunate that the Nyevera family were angry at her and for that reason she was not attending her lover’s burial. “It’s unfortunate that the family jumped to conclusions and blamed me for everything. No one gave me the opportunity to give my side of the story.
I would have loved to attend his burial but under the circumstances I can’t,” she said. Byron was buried yesterday in Kwekwe. — BMetro
DYNAMOS coach Tonderai Ndiraya milked the occasion as the Glamour Boys rode on Evans Katema’s solitary goal to beat traditional rivals Highlanders in the Anti-Sanctions Challenge Cup match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Bosso had beaten Dynamos three times this year in different competitions.
But the Bulawayo giants, with a diabolical fixture congestion which saw them travel to Kariba for a midweek league match, before they face FC Platinum in a Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final tomorrow, turned to their youth brigade.
DeMbare fielded some of their regulars, including skipper Godfrey Mukambi and striker Katema, and found a way to win a tight encounter. Ndiraya said what mattered was that they won the game.
“What is important is that we have won. How we have done that it doesn’t matter,’’ he said.
‘’But I think what’s way important than just the game is why we are here. I think we all know what we are here for.
“The significance of the event carries the day more than anything else. But, in terms of performance, I think it has taken a long time before we broke the jinx.
“Of course, it had to be broken on this occasion and that makes it sweeter. From a technical point, we had to give some of our fringe players a run and to mix, of course, with the next match in mind.
“I am quite happy with the performance, although, I would have wanted more. What was important was the win so that we bring back the confidence not just to the players but the team as a whole.’’ Ndiraya then saluted his opponents.State media
FARMERS have been warned of impending heat stress on livestock as the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has forecast extreme weather conditions in the country with places such as Lupane, Gwanda and Victoria Falls expected to record maximum temperatures of between 40 and 44 degrees Celcius.
The extremely hot weather conditions are expected to prevail until the end of this month.
In a telephone interview, Matabeleland North Provincial Agritex Officer Mr Dumisani Nyoni said the heat wave was drying up the few drinking points, meaning that cattle and goats will have to move longer distances in search for water.
He said plants under irrigation were also prone to suffer from moisture stress and urged farmers to adjust watering cycles throughout the duration of the extreme weather.
“This extremely hot weather had detrimental effects for farmers and livestock such as chickens risk dying or not laying eggs. Pregnant livestock are at a risk of suffering abortions due to heat stress.
“Dehydration will be high and it is particularly problematic because many areas were affected by veld fires meaning there is no shade and leaves from trees,” said Mr Nyoni.
“At this time leafy vegetables will lose their green colour and turn pale due to moisture stress, even plants under irrigation are not spared, so farmers are urged to reduce cycle days to ensure that plants always have enough moisture to avoid evapotranspiration,” he said.
He urged farmers to closely monitor the condition of livestock at this period and consult livestock officers for assistance if they faced challenges.State media
London — Manchester City have the chance to exert some short-term pressure on runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool this weekend as Manchester United look to end their away day blues.
Jurgen Klopp’s side saw their long winning streak ended by a hungry United in a draw at Old Trafford last week but still have a comfortable six-point lead over second-placed City. Guardiola’s defending champions can cut that gap to just three points, at least temporarily, if they beat Aston Villa at home on Saturday, while Liverpool have a trickier-looking tie against Spurs the following day.
Frank Lampard’s young Chelsea side travel to Burnley on the back of a six-match winning run in all competitions while third-placed Leicester visited Southampton yesterday. Manchester United will be desperate to put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone but travel to Norwich without an away win in the Premier League since February.
AFP Sport picks out some of the talking points ahead of the weekend’s matches.
Fortress Anfield Liverpool go into their home match against Tottenham after falling one game short of matching Manchester City’s record 18-match winning run in the Premier League. The European champions, on a 44-match unbeaten run at home in the league, have forgotten how to lose at Anfield but will be facing a Spurs team buoyed by a 5-0 victory at home to Red Star Belgrade in midweek.State media
The results of Mozambique’s general elections will be announced on October 30, the electoral commission said on Wednesday, amid allegations of widespread ballot fraud.
Partial tallies from the October 15 vote show President Filipe Nyusi and his Frelimo party dominating parliament, the legislative assemblies and all 10 provinces.
The National Electoral Commission (CNE) spokesperson told AFP on Wednesday that full and final results were being tallied.
“We have already received all the results from the provinces, now we’re busy processing them and it (the final result) will be published on the 30th of this month, as the law requires,” CNE spokesperson Paulo Cuinica said.
Mozambican civil society and international observers have flagged numerous alleged attempts to stuff ballots and expel election monitors on voting day, as well as hundreds of thousands of so-called “ghost voters” on the electoral roll.
The election has been seen as a key test of a peace deal sealed in August between Frelimo and the main opposition party Renamo, which fought a brutal 1975-1992 civil war.
The opposition had been tipped to win control of at least three provinces after Frelimob agreed to allow voters to elect provincial governors for the first time as part of the peace deal.
But Renamo has called the vote to be annulled, saying the government breached a peace deal by using violence and intimidation on voting day.
The election campaign was one of the most violent in the country’s history, with at least 10 people killed in the run-up to the polls, according to a local observer mission.
Among the killings was the murder of a prominent election observer — suspected to have been carried out by a special police unit — and the shooting of Renamo Women’s League leader, whose bullet-ridden body was found with her husband’s in the western province of Tete.
Frelimo has ruled Mozambique since independence from Portugal in 1975.State media
POLICE have launched a manhunt for two South-based Mwenezi men who allegedly fled after fatally assaulting their father with a sjambok, accusing him of witchcraft.
Clayton Moyo (22) and Layton Moyo(20), both of Hlunganiso Village under Chief Mazetese in Mwenezi accused their biological father Nelson Tomu of using black, white and red pieces of cloth to bewitch them. They then allegedly took turns to assault him using a sjambok until he died on the spot.
Masvingo police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed the incident and said investigations to bring the culprits to book were still in progress.State media
The PSL has released a statement regarding the violent incidents that marred the Match-day 27 fixtures on Wednesday.
There were interruptions in the games between ZPC Kariba vs Highlanders, Dynamos vs FC Platinum and Chicken Inn vs CAPS United.
At Nyamhunga, Bosso players were engaged in a scuffle with the referee after Prince Dube received a straight red card for stamping on the keeper. The expulsion prompted a stoppage in the play as the striker refused to leave the pitch.
CAPS United players also portrayed a bad picture after they assaulted the referee for awarding a late penalty to Chicken Inn in their match played Barbourfields.
In the game played at Rufaro, Dembare fans caused a lengthy stoppage, throwing missiles on the pitch after Evans Katema was booked for assimilation.
Here is the statement by the PSL:
The Premier Soccer League is appalled by skirmishes and match disturbances that took place during Castle Lager PSL Matchday 27 fixtures played on Wednesday 23 October 2019.
The PSL strongly condemns the unacceptable behaviour witnessed at Rufaro Stadium during a match between Dynamos FC v FC Platinum, ZPC Kariba FC v Highlanders FC at Nyamhunga Stadium and Chicken Inn FC v Caps United FC at Barbourfields Stadium.
Hooliganism has no place in our football and as such we urge football fans, players and administrators to respect the referee’s decision, to abide by the rules and regulations of the competition and to act in a responsible manner.
We further advise all stakeholders to know, understand and respect the 17 FIFA Laws of the game.
We also call upon the ZIFA Referees Committee to investigate clubs’ complaints of poor match officiating.
The League is committed to taking decisive and appropriate action and will work closely with law enforcement agents to ensure that those responsible for this hooliganism are brought to book.
The League is currently awaiting reports from all the relevant parties.Soccer 24
A man from Mvuma has appeared in court charged with indecent assault after he fondled a woman while she breastfed her baby, before threatening to rape her if she tried stopping him.
The matter came to light when Shepard Tafirenyika (25) of Kwesi Village in Mvuma appeared before Mvuma resident magistrate Tafadzwa Mhlanga.
He pleaded not guilty but he was found guilty following a full trial. In his mitigation, Tafirenyika told the court that on the day in question, he was drunk and as such he could not remember anything that transpired. “Your Worship, on that particular day l was drunk so l don’t remember what transpired,” he said.
Magistrate Mhlanga slapped him with a 12-month jail sentence. Three months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The case against Tafirenyika was that on October 8, the complainant Natasha Mahufa (21) was seated on her doorstep with her two housemates Pamela Chimvemve and Evelynn Manyumbu.
Tafirenyika arrived and proceeded to Mahufa who was breast-feeding her baby while talking to Chimvemve and Manyumbu.
He then started caressing Mahufa’s thighs, threatening to rape her if she dared to stop him.
Mahufa’s housemates ran off and hid inside the house leaving Mahufa at Tafirenyika’s mercy. Out of fear, the complainant complied. She then managed to escape, ran to her bedroom and locked herself inside.
Tafirenyika followed her to the house saying ndikakubata ndoda kukuk**ra meaning “If l manage to catch you, I will rape you”.
While inside her bedroom, Mahufa then called her friend Tinovonga Tongogara, who together with other men apprehended Tafirenyika and handed him to the police. Mr Michael Kazomba prosecuted.B-Metro
