“Justice Is Possible Abroad”
“We Need ZUPCO Food, Health, Rent, Clothes”: ARTUZ
By A Correspondent- The Amalgamated Rural Teachers of Zimbabwe have issued a statement warning the government against intimidation of teachers saying that the government risked worsening the already dire situation.
Below is the union’s statement issued on the 17th of October as teachers are on the 4th day of industrial action.
The government of Zimbabwe is displaying sickening arrogance and contempt towards our legitimate demand for interbank rate indexed salaries.
The employer is instructing hungry and desperate civil servants to board the inefficient ZUPCO buses as a way of dealing with incapacitation. They have further requested for patience as they engage in more pity parties under the National Joint Negotiating Council.
Incapacitation is not confined to transport only, assuming that the ZUPCO intervention could solve the transport crisis, civil servants would still need;
ZUPCO healthcare
ZUPCO education fees
ZUPCO rentals
ZUPCO food
ZUPCO clothing
The ZUPCO intervention in the transport sector remains inefficient and unavailable in rural areas. The immediate solution is a review of the transport allowance.
The so-called negotiations touted by Minister Nzenza, are a waste of everyone’s time. It is clear to all that we don’t have to negotiate salaries anymore. The new negotiated salaries will be eroded before they are announced. We demand interbank rate indexed salaries.
We note that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has issued a circular demanding statistics of teacher attendance in our schools. This move is a clear testimony that the government has been shaken by the success of the ongoing job action.
The circular is aimed at intimidating teachers who are participating in the ongoing job action. We urge the teachers to ignore the threats and focus on demanding bread and butter for our children. We warn the government to desist from the shameful act of intimidating teachers, such cowardly behavior will force us to escalate the ongoing fight.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, ARTUZ salutes all the revolutionary civil servants who have taken heed of the call to withdraw their labour demanding a living wage. The bold move is set to rescue our public service from collapse. Let’s remain united demanding interbank rate indexed salaries.
Tomorrow Friday 18 October we will give a full statistical report of the first week of our job action.
Matebeleland North has volunteered to host the launch of poverty camps. The poverty camps will be centers for the working class to converge during this job action as we intensify the fight for a living wage. Preparations are at an advanced stage and finer details will be shared soon.
*ARTUZ INFORMATION DEPARTMENT.*
*+263776129336/775643192*
Harare City Council Director Of Works On Forced Leave To Pave Way For Investigations
By A Correspondent- Isiah Zvenyika Chawatama, Harare City Council Director of Works has been sent on forced leave to facilitate investigations into operational challenges being faced by his department.
Town clerk, Hosea Chisango, revealed in his letter to Chawatama that the director was being sent on a 45-day leave, with all benefits, to allow investigations to be carried out without interferences.
The letter read:
It has come to my attention that your department is facing some operational challenges that has necessitated an investigation in order to establish the acts on the ground. For purpose of transparency, it is necessary that you be given absence of leave to pave way for this investigation.
A local publication reported that there are council sources who revealed that some committees were complaining about the way the department was operating.
The publication further reports that the environmental committee spoke against some of the designs of houses being constructed in Harare which it said were not in sync with the smart city concept.
“It’s Insane To Expect Zanu Pf To Get Us Out Of The Current Hellhole”
By Patrick Guramatunhu- Zimbabwe’s worsening economic situation has some Zimbabweans in such a panic they have a fixation with the idea of a Zanu PF and MDC GNU as the solution they cannot listen to reason.
“It’s high time we should sit down and declare enough of this untold suffering. President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and his leadership must swallow his pride and go for a genuine dialogue with Nelson Chamois and abandon this kangaroo POLAD. The President needs the most powerful young marinated brains in the opposition for the country to move forward,” argued Leonard Koni, in Bulawayo 24.
“Zanu PF and MDC- Alliance must strike a genuine political dialogue ,the two to set conditions and put aside all their political differences. What unites both of them is greater than what divides them. Zimbabwe is such a beautiful country and we can’t let that beauty just fade away like that.
“We need to build strong institutions and strong democracies.”
Yes, we desperately need to build strong democratic institutions. The real shock here is anyone with half a brain would trust Zanu PF and MDC to do it, given the two’s well documented past!
Zanu PF has been in power for the last forty years, for Pete’s sake; who or what has stopped the party building these strong democratic institutions? Indeed, the party has spent these years doing the exact opposite; it has systematically destroyed democracy and replaced it with this ruthless de facto one-party dictatorship.
Any hope that Mnangagwa was going to dismantle the Zanu PF dictatorship when he seized power following the November 2017 coup have been quickly dashed. He promised to hold free, fair and credible elections only to blatantly rig the July 2018 elections. When the people dared to protest the rigged elections; he used brute force to silence all dissent, 17 innocent people shot dead and hundreds were injured.
To this very day, Mnangagwa insists that last year’s elections were free, fair and credible and that Zimbabwe is a model heathy and functioning democratic country. Next Friday, 25 October, Zanu PF will hold mass demonstrations to drive home the point that Zimbabwe is a democracy and the sanctions imposed by the west as punishment for undemocratic behaviour must now be lifted.
Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies built the de facto one-party dictatorship because their have an insatiable greed for absolute power and the wealth that it brings. The dictatorship has delivered. It is naive to expect Mnangagwa and his cronies to reform themselves out of power!
As for Nelson Chamisa and his MDC friends, they had the golden opportunity to implement the democratic reforms and dismantle the Zanu PF dictatorship during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. They failed to get even one meaningful reform implemented because they are corrupt and incompetent. Again, it is naive to expect MDC to implement the reforms in the proposed new GNU.
Wikipedia defines fixation (psychology) as “the state in which an individual becomes obsessed with an attachment to another human, an animal, or an inanimate object.”
Ordinarily, a housefly knows that it cannot fly through a window-pane. But not so with a panicked housefly; it has such a fixation with getting out, it will fly into the window-pane again and again. It is disconcerting when human beings behave like panicked houseflies.
Zimbabwe’s worsening economic and political situation is cause for panic but that is no excuse for people to forget it is 40 years of corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF misrule that landed the nation into this hell-on-earth in the first place.
So after four decades of Zanu PF misrule, it is insane, to still expect the same corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF regime to get the nation out of the hell-hole. Absolutely insane!
“Use Power Sparingly”: ZESA Appeals To Customers
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe power utility, ZESA has issued an update on the country’s increased scheduled power cuts, locally known as load shedding saying that they were being caused by the limited power imports.
Zimbabwe is importing electricity from ESKOM and Hydro Cahora Bassa and ESKOM have announced that it will be reducing power supplies to Zimbabwe.
Below is the ZESA Holdings’ statement in full.
New Bond Notes To Be Injected Into Economy To Address Cash Crisis, Will This Work?
By A Correspondent- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) said that new banks notes will be printed outside the country and drip-fed into the economy “soon”, to end the current liquidity crunch.
The Central Bank’s director for finance and markets, William Manimanzi, revealed this on Wednesday when he appeared before the Budget and Finance Portfolio Committee to speak on the 2020 National Budget. He said:
… what is happening is that new notes will be available soon so that they meet the required cash demands. Obviously, these notes are going to be printed outside the country and this requires foreign exchange.
That is all I can say at the moment — but maybe in a few months — I do not know exactly when, but those new notes will be available.
There has been a cash crisis in Zimbabwe for the past three years since the surrogate bond notes were introduced in 2016.
As a result, the few notes available are now being “sold” to the transacting public since some service providers accept cash only.
-Newsday
Relatives Demand 70 Cattle For Murdered Headman’s Spirit To Rest
By A Correspondent- Relatives of a headman who was murdered by his neighbour in Mberengwa are demanding 70 heads of cattle from the murderer’s family to conduct a traditional ritual to appease the dead man’s spirit.
Chief Matarutse of Mberengwa, under whose jurisdiction the families live, told NewsDay that the deceased’s spirit was not at rest and would seek vengeance on the murderer’s family unless they deliver the cattle. Said the chief:
Jorum Makondo, brother to the deceased, and some family members informed my court that they need 70 beasts from the accused’s family to conduct a cleansing ceremony.
It is usually our custom and tradition that when one murders someone, he/she has to meet certain demands from the deceased’s family to avoid being haunted by an avenging spirit.
Malambeni Makondo (56) of Chemimwe village under Chief Mataruse was struck with a log several times and killed by Hlupeko Mabuzane (38) following a dispute over a botched donkey deal.
Strange things are alleged to be happening at the Mabuzane homestead and villagers suspect that the dead man’s spirit is haunting the family.
-Newsday
“Sue Mthuli Ncube, John Mangudya Who Are Also Abroad”
What Now Oppah Muchinguri As EU Harsh Statement Declares Moza Elections As Very Intimidating And Unfair
All Africa|”An unlevel playing field was evident throughout the campaign,” said the European Union Observation Mission in an unusually harsh interim statement this afternoon. “The ruling party dominated the campaign in all provinces and benefited from the advantages of incumbency, including unjustified use of state resources, and more police escorts and media coverage than opponents.”
“Frelimo received the largest share of [public media] coverage, often in an uncritical tone,” the EU noted. “The President of the Republic was often shown or mentioned in his official capacity, promoting projects and giving speeches.”
“Limitations of freedom of assembly and movement of opposition parties were often reported.”
The EU mission also highlighted the general lack of trust. “A lack of public trust was observed in the impartiality of the national police forces, who were often perceived as more supportive of the ruling party and not managing properly the election related incidents and complaints. … The murder of a prominent national observer by members of the national police force had the effect of exacerbating an already existing climate of fear and self-censorship prevalent in Mozambican society.”
The CNE and STAE were a particular target of criticism, and the EU cited the “lack of confidence that the electoral administration (CNE and STAE) and the judiciary were independent and free from political influence. … The CNE missed important legal deadlines, including the late disbursement of public campaign financing to political parties. … There was also poor public communication by electoral authorities to keep all political parties and the public informed.”
The EU was also critical of some parts of the voting and counting process. The EU “observed four cases of ballot box stuffing in Sofala and Manica. The absence of national observers in almost half of polling stations did not contribute to the transparency of the process.” And results sheets (editais) were not posted at 14 observed polling stations, as required by law.
Arson in Angoche
The car and residence of the Chief of the Namaponda administrative post, Angoche, Nampula, were set on fire on election day, 15 October, by people who alleged that secret ballot boxes were hidden there. The vehicle had been used to carry ballot boxes to the local STAE headquarters.
Also in Namaponda, two Frelimo secretaries’ houses were burned down in Corona and two annexed rooms of the Namaripe primary school erected with local material were set on fire.
Paying staff to allow stuffing
In Morrumbala district, Zambezia, Frelimo gave money to the polling station members to facilitate ballot box stuffing. The day before voting, polling station presidents were summoned at the locality government office in he middle of the night and given envelopes containing 20,000 meticais ($325) to distribute to polling station staff to manipulate the results, several people who received money told our correspondents.
In Milange, Zambezia, a hundred observers from the unknown SIM (yes) group took advantage of special voting rights to vote several times – which requires the collaboration of polling station staff to not require them to put their fingers in the indelible ink.
At Mongue, Milange, an observer was surprised trying to introduce 15 votes into the ballot box, infuriating the population. Police were called in to intervene, but the alleged observer fled.
Tried for ballot box stuffing in Tete
Five polling station members (MMV’s) are on trial in the Mutarara district court. Most are presidents and vice president, accused by Renamo of providing additional ballot papers to voters identified as members of Frelimo. The cases were reported at Inhangoma at polling stations at three primary schools – Cachaco, 1st May and Mapulangos. While the trial is taking place, dozens of Renamo members are waiting outside the courtroom for the final verdict.
Renamo boycott not total
Renamo ordered its party delegates (poll watchers) to boycott the district tabulations. Our correspondents report Renamo absent in most districts and present in some districts, including Beira, Dondo and Matola.
This Is Aston Villa’s Strongest Starting Eleven
Aston Villa v Brighton | throughout the international break Villa fans have been voting for their strongest team and the results were conclusive as Dean Smith prepares his side for Brighton on Saturday
It shows how far Aston Villa have come knowing an insanely-talented Brazilian who once ripped it up at the Bernabeu can’t get nowhere near Dean Smith’s starting XI.
Douglas Luiz has a ridiculous knack of scoring worldie after worldie and scored from outside the box yet again while on international duty captaining the Brazilian under-23s.
It took the £15million summer signing from Man City all of five minutes to spank one into the top corner at Carrow Road a fortnight ago after coming on as a substitute.
It’s likely, though, that Douglas will have to take his place on the bench at Villa Park once again this weekend.
The reasoning, as Villa supporters have said, is simple: you can’t change a winning team, especially one who performed so well together against Norwich.
In our latest Aston Villa fan survey, we asked hundreds of supporters this simple question: What is Villa’s strongest XI when everyone is fit and available? The response was, well, incredibly overwhelming and it’s likely Smith will go with what the fans are all in agreement with.
“The same side at Norwich,” was what the majority of supporters penned into BirminghamLive, sticking with the exact, free-flowing formation Smith went for with Jack Grealish out wider with Conor Hourihane alongside Marvelous Nakamba and John McGinn in the middle.
Of the 100 or so responses, there were a few that featured Egyptian winger Trezeguet possibly coming in for either Hourihane or Anwar El Ghazi out wide.
Shakeel Hussein wrote: “I’d like to see a 4-2-3-1 with following, Heaton GK, Guilbert RB, Engels RCB, Mings LCB, Targett LB, Douglas Luiz RDM, Nakamba LDM, McGinn RAM, Hourihane CAM, Grealish LAM, Wesley ST.”
Another interesting idea was put forward by Paul Lee, from Birmingham, who said: “I’d actually like to see a change of formation, similar to how England play now.
“Heaton, a back 3; Engels, Mings and Konsa. 2 wing backs; Guilbert and Targett. Marvellous sitting deep with Grealish, McGinn and Jota played further up behind Wesley.”
Overall, though, it’s that Villa side who hammered Norwich which is seen as Smith’s strongest XI – and credit there must go to Villa’s Cork hard man, Hourihane, who has battled his way back after being abruptly dropped earlier in the campaign.
The back five (including Heaton) you’d say is pretty much set in stone now given rock-solid displays of late while, in midfield, Zimbabwean Nakamba has been absolutely everywhere, mopping things up while allowing Villa’s forward players to flourish.
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McGinn has been majestic as everybody knows and Smith is now getting the best out of skipper Grealish who’s playing in a more advanced inside forward role floating in and off Wesley up top. El Ghazi’s form on the right-hand side has improved significantly, too. The Dutch winger is starting to add real consistency to his game now which is needed in the Premier League.
Here’s the XI Smith is expected to pick for Brighton on Saturday – and there’s no surprises:
VILLA (4-3-3): Heaton; Guilbert, Engels, Mings, Targett; Nakamba; McGinn, Hourihane; El Ghazi, Wesley, Grealish.
Subs: Steer, Konsa, Taylor, Douglas Luiz, Trezeguet, Lansbury, Davis.
Brighton (4-2-2-2): Ryan; Montoya, Webster, Dunk, Burn; Alzate, Stephens; Gross, Mooy; Maupay, Connolly.
Subs: Button, March, Murray, Jahanbakhsh, Balogun, Bissouma, Bong.
Birmingham Mail
Registrar General Scratched Record On Again: Passports Backlog To Be Cleared Soon
State Media|The Government has intensified efforts to reduce the passport backlog after Treasury came up with a payment plan to suppliers of consumables who are owed an undisclosed amount of money.
In an interview at the sidelines of the ongoing Lusaka Fifth Conference of African Ministers responsible for civil registration and statistics, the Registrar General, Clemence Masango who is accompanying the the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Cain Mathema said it would no longer be a question of when, but how soon the backlog would be cleared since all systems were in place.
“The passport situation still remains a matter of concern. The backlog is still on. We are now at 370 000 applications that need to be attended to.
“On a daily basis we receive an average of 1 200 new applications for passports and we are only able to process 800 applications daily. Which means that on our daily requirements, we are unable to process the other 400, a figure that builds on the backlog.
“However Government has since made a payment plan to our supplies, who had withheld services so that they can resume suppliers as soon as possible, “ he said.
Musango said because of the precarious position that the Registrar General’s office was currently in, it was only giving priority to the Diasporan community and those who wanted to travel on health related issues.
“We don’t want our people in the Diaspora to get stranded, hence that decision.”
Masango appealed to the nation to be patient, adding that the passport backlog would be cleared in four months . Masango is among senior government officials from across Africa attending the Fifth Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, which ends tomorrow.
The conference was organized by African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA. The conference aims to provide strategic and policy guidance on pathways towards holistic, innovative and integrated civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) and digital identity management systems to help close the identity gap in Africa where more than 500 million people have no legal identity documents such as national identitily cards.
Just In- Former Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira Nabbed Over Fresh Charges
By A Correspondent- Former Tourism and Hospitality minister Prisca Mupfumira has been arrested on fresh charges and is currently appearing at the Harare magistrates court.
Mupfumira is out on bail after spending over a month in remand on charges of corruption and abuse of office.
This is a developing story. More details to follow…
-263Chat
American Boxer Dies From Traumatic Brain Injury He Suffered During A Professional Fight Over The Weekend
American fighter was knocked out in 10th round of super welterweight fight on Saturday
Boxer Patrick Day has died at the age of 27 after sustaining head injuries in his fight in Chicago on Saturday, promoter Lou DiBella has confirmed.
Day was knocked out in the 10th round of his bout against Charles Conwell and subsequently underwent brain surgery.
DiBella said in a statement on his website: “Patrick Day passed away today, succumbing to the traumatic brain injury he suffered in his fight this past Saturday, October 12, at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL.
“He was surrounded by his family, close friends and members of his boxing team, including his mentor, friend and trainer Joe Higgins.”
Day had previously been knocked down twice in the contest before succumbing again to a left hook midway through the 10th round.
He was treated on the canvas for several minutes before being removed from the ring on a stretcher, and underwent surgery that night.
Earlier, Conwell wrote an emotional letter on Instagram praying for Day’s recovery and revealing he had considered quitting the sport.
DiBella’s statement added: “He was a son, brother, and good friend to many. Pat’s kindness, positivity and generosity of spirit made a lasting impression with everyone he met.
“Patrick Day didn’t need to box. He came from a good family, he was smart, educated, had good values and had other avenues available to him to earn a living.
“He chose to box, knowing the inherent risks that every fighter faces when he or she walks into a boxing ring. Boxing is what Pat loved to do.
“It’s how he inspired people and it was something that made him feel alive.”
DiBella also discussed how the sport of boxing might respond to Day’s death.
“It becomes very difficult to explain away or justify the dangers of boxing at a time like this,” he said.
“This is not a time where edicts or pronouncements are appropriate, or the answers are readily available. It is, however, a time for a call to action.
“While we don’t have the answers, we certainly know many of the questions, have the means to answer them, and have the opportunity to respond responsibly and accordingly and make boxing safer for all who participate.
“This is a way we can honour the legacy of Pat Day. Many people live much longer than Patrick’s 27 years, wondering if they made a difference or positively affected their world.
“This was not the case for Patrick Day when he left us. Rest in peace and power, Pat, with the angels.”
British promoter Eddie Hearn tweeted: “Devastated to hear the news of the passing of Patrick Day. I met him for the first time last Thursday, what a charming young man with a dream and a smile that lit up the room.
“Our deepest prayers are with his family, his trainer Joe Higgins, Charles Conwell and promoter Lou DiBella.”
Harare Man Loses Car In A Bid To Cut Into A Fuel Queue
In a rather tragic incident, a Harare motorist’s efforts to avoid queuing for hours for fuel backfired after his car was stolen by an unknown male who had offered to assist him to get to the fuel pump quickly.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) the man had his Toyota Hiace, motor vehicle Reg ADZ 2349 stolen at a service station in the CBD on Wednesday by an unknown suspect who had asked for a $10 bribe to assist him.
The driver then left his disembarked from his motor vehicle to look for cash to pay the suspect, leaving his car keys on the ignition.
Taking advantage of the man’s absence, the suspect then took the chance and drove off with the vehicle.
Speaking on microblogging site, Twitter, using their official account, ZRP said:
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Mudenda To Face Prosecution In Serbia At A Time When The War Crimes Court Vows To Intensify Prosecutions
Watch video downloading below of charges against Mudenda.
Paul Nyathi|Zimbabwean speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda has been set up for prosecution at the Serbian War Crimes Court for his involvement in the August 1 killings.
The prosecution for Mudenda may be coming at an absolutely wrong time for him at a time when the court in Serbia has declared the need to accelerate prosecutions.
A report released by the Humanitarian Law Centre NGO in July this year, Serbia was blasted for continuing to make slow progress in implementing its strategy for processing war crimes, with no increase in indictments and the continued glorification of war criminals.
The report by the Belgrade-based Humanitarian Law Centre, said there has been no progress this year so far in the implementation of Serbia’s national strategy for the prosecution of war crimes.
The report, which covers the period from the start of December 2018 to the beginning of July this year, said there has not been an increased number of indictments compared to the number of investigations, that court cases continue to drag on for too long and that fewer missing persons have been found.
It also highlighted the lack of progress in Serbia to improve attitudes towards the issue of war crimes trials.
The Serbian government adopted its first National Strategy for the Prosecution of War Crimes in 2016, and it remains in force until 2020.
With Mudenda’s case coming in as the immediate next war crimes case and the first for a high profile Zimbabwean since Gukurahundi, the Zimbabwean speaker of parliament may find himself going through a difficult time.
New Zim Dollar Twist And Turn Continues, RBZ Official Says New Currency Soon
There story about government introducing a new currency has been marked by twists and turns. Initially, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube himself mentioned that a new currency in the form of new notes and coins will be introduced.
And over a month later, Eddie Cross, who happens to sit on the Monetary Policy Committee, confirmed that the new currency will debut in November. However, a day later the government distanced itself from Eddie Cross’s statement.
Now RBZ deputy director for finance and markets, William Manimhanzi has revealed that new notes will be introduced in a “few months” time. As reported by Newsday, Mr Manimhanzi said:
There are currency reforms that have taken place over the past few months and we have been working on ways to try and ameliorate the current cash shortages…..
I am not privy to the dates, but what is happening is that new notes will be available soon so that they meet the required cash demands. Obviously, these notes are going to be printed outside the country and this requires foreign exchange. That is all I can say at the moment – but maybe in a few months — I do not know exactly when, but those new notes will be available.
SADC Zim Anti Sanctions Day A Pointless Side Show
IN 2007, as the Zimbabwean crisis was approaching its climax, the late Zambian leader, Levy Mwanawasa broke ranks with his counterparts, particularly Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, saying quiet diplomacy had failed to help “solve the political chaos and economic meltdown in Zimbabwe”.
Mwanawasa went on to describe Zimbabwe as a sinking Titanic whose passengers were ready to jump ship to save their lives.
It was quite a brutal assessment.
The former Zambian leader went as far as saying Sadc should take a firm stand on Zimbabwe, as the crisis continued unabated, while the regional bloc insisted on quiet diplomacy, which was championed by Mbeki, South Africa’s former leader.
These were quite unprecedented remarks, as all along, the regional bloc had been quite happy to mollycoddle the late Robert Mugabe and seemed unfazed by the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe.
They were happy to parrot self-serving cliches like “African solutions to African problems”, yet a solution to Zimbabwe’s problems remained elusive.
Mwanawasa died about 15 months later, the situation having literally “reached another level” and there is no telling what firm stand he would have taken on Zimbabwe.
Fast forward eight years later.
Xenophobic violence, as it always does, had flared up in South Africa and the then President Jacob Zuma faced his colleagues at a Sadc summit.
Zuma ducked, dived, dipped and dodged, but in the end explained his way out.
Mugabe then was chairman of Sadc and he tried to put Zuma on the spot, but the former South African leader hit back and tensions soared at that meeting.
Botswana’s Ian Khama then intervened saying instead of focusing on the xenophobic violence in South Africa, Sadc leaders should address the root causes of the problem that included bad leadership and economic mismanagement, which trigger waves of mostly illegal immigration.
While Sadc did not come up with lasting solutions to Zimbabwe’s problems, what is evident is that there was a crop of yesteryear leaders who were willing to take their Zimbabwean counterpart head on and call out his bluff.
They were not impressed by pointless pan-Africanist rhetoric and instead wanted a solution to Zimbabwe’s problems, which had gone on for far too long.
They were so forthright that one day a petulant Mugabe threatened to drag Zimbabwe out of the regional bloc.
These Sadc leaders looked beyond empty rhetoric and put the region first; for the region to thrive, they had to be frank with Mugabe and tell him that he had gone too far and it was time to fix Zimbabwe.
This is why I am absolutely disappointed by the new crop of Sadc leaders, who are intent on spending time and resources on a pointless sideshow.
In just over a week, Sadc countries will come together to demand that the United States and the European Union end sanctions on Zimbabwe.
Outside the sanctions issue, none of these leaders have spoken out about human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
None of them have voiced their concerns about repeated military crackdowns on demonstrators and certainly none of them will speak about the shrinking democratic space in Zimbabwe.
As Khama said in 2015, the root cause of Zimbabwe’s problems then and now is bad leadership and economic mismanagement.
Sanctions may have contributed in their own way, but corruption, misgovernance and economic mismanagement are the real causes of Zimbabwe’s problems and if Sadc was really genuine about helping us, then this should be their first port of call.
Right now, Zimbabwe is begging the West for food, following a drought worsened by corruption, and not even a single Sadc country has lifted a finger to help us.
If Sadc was concerned about us, they would know that the money spent on Command Agriculture alone is more than enough to end Zimbabwe’s food crisis, but because the whole scheme is shrouded in mystery and corruption, nobody has got a clue what happened to the funds.
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli, a demagogue of note, has been vocal about ending sanctions on Zimbabwe, but what we are yet to hear is why Zimbabwe is allegedly buying grain from his country at double, if not treble, the world market price.
This was reported in Africa Confidential, which showed how elites in Zimbabwe were lining their pockets with money that is meant to alleviate the drought by buying overpriced grain from a country that is supposed to be our friend.
What is clear is that Sadc is not standing for the rights of you and I, they are only protecting each other’s interests, not citizens.
On its part, Sadc says it has called for the anti-sanctions day because sanctions have an “adverse impact on the economy of Zimbabwe and the region at large”.
No mention made of the running down of the economy or bad governance, which are far more devastating than the sanctions that Sadc protests so much about.
If Zimbabwe was properly governed, its economy would be working and there would be no need for thousands of us to run to Botswana, Zambia, South Africa and beyond.
Sadc leaders see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil about each other.
They are complicit in our suffering.
South African opposition leader, Julius Malema aptly described Sadc recently when he said: “It’s a group of old people, who protect each other. They don’t protect the interests of their people.”
Malema further said Sadc leaders do not call each other out and tell each other where they are going wrong.
Now, we have a classic case, Sadc leaders have not called President Emmerson Mnangagwa out, at least publicly and instead they have gone on to set up a meaningless and pointless anti-sanctions day.
As I have argued in the past, sanctions are not going to be removed anytime soon and if Sadc leaders were truly honest and at least applied their minds, they would tell Mnangagwa to first sort out his house before targeting sanctions.
The anti-sanctions march will be a red-letter day for those who believe in scapegoating and looking for sideshows, but for the country’s future, it is an elaborate waste of time and our resources could be used more meaningfully.
Maybe Mugabe was right after all, pulling Zimbabwe out of Sadc may not have been a bad idea.
Sadc is adynamic, absolutely not fit for purpose and the anti-sanctions day is ridiculous.
Bulawayo Will Hold More National Events, Mnangagwa Promises
President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday said Bulawayo will hold more national events as he opened the Zim trade Annual Exporters conference in the city.
The conference which ends on Friday, is being held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds.
Mnangagwa who was guest of honour at the conference was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo and Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu.
He noted that the conference was being held in Bulawayo for the first time which he said should be continued with other national events.
“I applaud the fact that this is the first time this forum is being held in Bulawayo, which is befitting, given that the city is an industrial hub and special economic zone,” said Mnangagwa.
‘We look forward to more national meetings, events and conferences being hosted at this, our second largest city.”
Mnangagwa flew back to Harare soon after officially opening the conference.
Kembo Mohadi A Hopeless Sellout And Liability – Mthwakazi
Media Statement By Mthwakazi Republic Party|As the leader of Mthwakazi Republic Party i cannot let people like Mohadi have a field day on us, surely how can he stoop that low to address Mthwakazi Republic Party at his Zanu-PF rally at Stanley square one the 13th of October 2019.
Infact it is rather naive and out of desperation that the so called VP can remind us that Zimbabwe is a unitary state and ask us, where we were when they fought for this country? I quote he said “we are determined to fight those people who call for such. We fought against the whites settlers from Britain, Germany without a single cent”…Mohadi said explaining that Zanu-PF will defend the country from any threat. He went on to say Zimbabwe is a unitary state and has one national anthem.
Mohadi the question “where were we when you fought for this country?” is misdirected.
We in Mthwakazi should join you in asking Mnangagwa and his mashona where they were when uMthwakazi’s Zipra and uMkhonto wesizwe were fighting for independence.
You talk of defending Zimbabwe Mohadi; take note that no country or organizations can monopolize violence. It is a natural or cultural force in some societies and we in Mthwakazi have a history of successfully handing out that force to our oppressors. Be careful not to start a fire that will put your Mashonaland handlers on the defensive.
Kembo Mohadi like his other Shona worshippers, Dr Calistus Ndlovu, the late Enos Nkala and people like Obert Mpofu are a big liability to the people of Matebeleland and Midlands alias Mthwakazi.
I want to remind Kembo Mohadi that we don’t eat one national anthem, we do not eat nationalism that benefit them as Shona puppets.
To set the record straight I am a son of an ex- ZPRA freedom fighter, my father could not test the so called Zimbabwean independence as he passed away two years before it. In response to his dull question of where were we when they liberated Shonas, My answer will be my father was with you in trenches Kembo Mohadi, one way or the other i also fought directly or indirectly through my father’s participation and other fallen heroes and heroines of good standing not sellouts like you Mohadi.
As the Vice President of Zimbabwe you are failing to be the mouth piece of the people of Matebeleland and Midlands particularly the people of Beitbridge whose resources are being looted by the Shona people, you are failing to tackle the issue of unemployment of Venda and Sotho people who cannot be employed at the Beitbridge border post, actually the whole of Beitbridge has been Shonalised whilst people like you are watching and assisting the implementation of the 1979 grandplan against our own people.
I want to take this opportunity to applaud you for recognising and acknowledging the presence of Mthwakazi Republic Party, your lashing at us as a bloody thirst satanic party Zanu-PF really show that MRP is giving you sleepless nights hence all these threats that you will defend yourselves against us.
I put it to you Kembo Mohadi that MRP is not a sessationist party as you insuniated, we are a restorationist movement that is also fighting to liberate people like you because you are possessed by the demonic spirits of your cult party.
We are a generation that cannot be threatened by people like you Kembo Mohadi, actually some of you were younger than us when you went to the bush to fight the Ian Smith regime and my advice to you is that undermine us at your own peril.
I am afraid your statements will haunt you for the rest of your life and your offspring will be cursed because of such utterances by you.
Enos Nkala and Dr Calistus Ndlovu died paupers because of blasphemous statements they said against Zapu and Matebeleland people.
The restoration agenda is irreversible and we are also prepared to lay our lives for it as you also claimed that you will defend yourselves against us, surely it’s us who are supposed to be telling you that we will defend ourselves against you because you are a gangster government. Zanu-PF does not qualify to be called a government, instead the perfect name for it is a terrorist organisation that is not in power because of the people’s choices but because you are nothing but a sanguinous party.
Few months back when you were campaigning for a shona candidate in Cowdry park in ward 28 , one Kidwell Mujuru, you said I quote “Gukurahundi-Genocide was necessary for nation building”, many people became upset about your misfiring which simple meant the creation of Zimbabwe as a State was to come through the butchering of our more than 50 000 innocent people.
The same Zanu-PF that you are defending today once persecuted you, other ZPRA cadres, ZAPU LEADERSHIP, ZAPU supporters calling you dissidents yet you forget about the Gukurahundi-Genocide which happened 36 years ago but you are quick to remind us about how you fought the British and the Germans.
Our people continue to suffer economic Genocide under your watchful eye but you can’t raise these imbalances to your master Emerson Mnangagwa, our resources are looted daily, government departments in Mthwakazi are manned by Shona speaking people from Policemen, Soldiers, doctors, nurses, teachers and all other civil service but to you all this is nationalism and it’s a normal situation.
As MRP we are the voice of the voiceless in Matebeleland and Midlands alias Mthwakazi, we know that people like you Kembo Mohadi are singing for their supper and defending where your bread is buttered. No amount of threats, arrests and killings by your bloody thirsty Zanu-PF government will cause us to retreat, instead your lashing at MRP has legitimised our struggle.
We expected you to be telling your Zanu-PF supporters at Stanley Square on how you were going to rescucitate Bulawayo which used to be the Industrial hub during the Ian Smith regime but rather where it used to be companies in Bulawayo has become an Industrial site for Shona churches and to you all this is regarded as normal.
We were expecting to hear you giving Bulawayo people hope on how as the misruling party you would fix electricity problems, water problems, employment challenges and all the things affecting an ordinary person on the street but alas you chose to attack MRP and Zapu.
On the other hand I don’t think you understand the contents of the so called Unity Accord of 1987 that you boast about. The so called unity accord like the Lancaster house agreement of 1979 were just smokescreen arrangements that we can call marriage of convenience documents. The unity accord of 1987 is just a one page document with 11 points and in all those points there is nothing that gives Zapu powers or that portrays Zapu as equal to Zanu-PF, instead the highest position that a Zapu person can get is being a Vice president as you are and you cannot be the president of Zimbabwe that you claim to be a Unitary state. Actually shonas from Zanu-PF, MDC and other Shona led parties know it very well that a Ndebele person cannot lead them.
In your trying to defend the unity accord of 1987 you tried to highlight that you were not swallowed by Zanu-PF hence the two parties agreed to remove-PF but surprisingly you cannot explain to us why the Zanu-PF headquarters in Harare still has a Cockerial symbol ( Iqhude, Jongwe ) yet your Zapu bull was castrated hence the naming of the Karigamombe Arcade building in Harare on 20 November 1987 a month before the signing accord in December and Robert Mugabe commissioned the building after the demise of Zapu and this building was named Karigamombe as a celebration by Zanu-PF and Shonas that the bull has been castrated. Karigamombe means it’s just a small oxen or oKuyiNkabi nje. Remember Zapu had a charging bull as your symbol but surprisingly the cock defeated the charging bull and today you want us to take you serious when you mislead people and misrepresent facts.
Let me also remind you that it is Zanu-PF which further confirmed that Matebeleland and Mashonaland are two separate states when they selectively killed our people through the 1983 -1987 Genocide starting at the Midlands where there is our (Jameson line) border and spreading to the whole of Matebeleland.The likes of Joseph Msika, Ambrose Mutinhiri (Zapu supporters and leaders)and areas like Mashonaland West that were ZPRA liberated were never targeted. Our calls for restoration are justified as we want to break the 1923 only whites referendum which brought us to this satanic marriage of convenience.
Nothing for us without us.
MRP For Peace And Justice in our Lifetime.
Sisonke Sibambene SinguMthwakazi Sizakulungisa.
Oppah Muchinguri Shockingly Declares Chaotic Moza Elections Free And Fair As NGOs Narrate Proven Rigging Tactics Used By Flerimo
Paul Nyathi|The SADC Head of Election Monitoring team in Mozambique, Zimbabwean Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri has hurriedly issued a statement indicating that the chaotic elections held in that country on Tuesday were free and fair.
While Muchinguri makes the shocking declaration, Independent Civil Society Organisations monitoring the elections held on Tuesday have declared massive rigging especially by ruling party Frelimo.
The latest issue of the “Mozambique Political Process Bulletin”, published by the anti-corruption NGO, the Centre for Public Integrity (CIP) outlined several rigging methods that the ruling party used which somehow Muchinguri failed to take note of.
The by now declared traditional, form of fraud highlighted in the report is to invalidate a ballot paper by adding an ink mark, thus making it seem as if the voter concerned has tried to vote for two or more candidates.
In past elections, the electoral bodies have vigorously criticised this dishonest behaviour by polling station staff, but nobody has ever been arrested for it.
Measures now in force include removing all inky objects from the polling station table before the count begins, and obliging staff with dirty hands to wash them. Nonetheless, there are still cases reported of this type of fraud, and occasionally dishonest staff are caught in the act.
In one polling station in the Zambezia district of Chinde, the polling station chairperson, Angelo Moniz, was detained after he was caught adding fingerprints to Renamo votes. He had dyed his hair and had transferred the dye to his finger to make the extra marks. The police detained him, but later released him.
This type of fraud can be readily detected because it results in abnormally high numbers of invalid votes. It is normal for there to be a few invalid votes at any polling station (these include ballot papers where the voter really has tried to vote for more than one candidate, where he has added slogans or insults, or where he has signed his name).
But when invalid votes are more than three per cent of the total, suspicion is in order, and when the number goes to more than five per cent, those votes are almost certainly fraudulent. But the Bulletin notes cases in this election of polling stations reporting more than 10 per cent invalid votes, and in one even 32 per cent and all shockingly disadvantaging the opposition.
A new form of fraud, reported by the Bulletin, is that observers aligned with the ruling Frelimo Party are alleged to have voted several times. A provision in the law allows observers (like journalists and policemen) to vote at any polling station they are working in.
The Bulletin claims the observers from the National Youth Council (CNJ) abused this right to a “special vote” to vote at several different polling stations in Mopeia and Inhassunge districts, in Zambezia.
But for this to work, polling station staff must ignore the basic safeguards of the indelible ink applied to the index finger of every voter after casting his or her ballot. Before receiving a ballot paper, the voter must show his or her hands so that staff can check there is no ink on them, and that he or she has not voted already.
This story strains belief because it suggests that literally dozens of polling station staff failed to apply the ink, or failed to check the hands of several hundred CNJ observers.
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Impossible Voting Figures Emerge From Moza Elections, 100% Voter Turn Out At Numerous Polling Stations And All Voting For One Candidate!!!
Paul Nyathi|Reports coming through from Mozambique show some of the most outrageous elections figures that make the history of our own local election rigging allegations on ZANU PF look very minute.
Results sheets from a considerable number of polling stations in the general elections held on Tuesday indicate that an impossible hundred per cent of the registered voters cast their ballots in several polling stations.
Although the voter registration was held from 15 April to 30 May this year, it clearly defies belief that among the 800 or so people registered in any polling station, not one of them has died since registration, not one was too ill to travel, and not one had travelled away from the district.
Almost as unbelievable are the polling station result sheets which claim that between 90 and 100 per cent of those registered at the station voted for the same candidate.
It seems that overall country turnout in the election was around 50 per cent. So any polling station which claims a turnout of 90 per cent or more sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb.
An obviously fraudulent result came from one polling station identified as 092012-02, where all 800 registered voters supposedly voted in the presidential election – 799 of them voting for incumbent president Filipe Nyusi, and just one for Ossufo Momade, of the main opposition party, Renamo. There were no votes at all for Daviz Simango, of the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), and no blank or invalid votes.
The “100 per cent” polling stations are found mainly in Gaza, parts of Tete, Nampula and Cabo Delgado provinces. Not even one station in Maputo the capital city reported this impossible turnout.
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Just In: Chamisa Visits Gringo In Hospital
Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has today visited Gringo, real name Lazarus Boora, who is currently hospitalized due to stomach disorders.
“Just visited & prayed with the talented Lazaraus Boora ‘Gringo’ who is undergoing treatment.
Kudos to the CITI Med hospital medical staff for the job well done. In other countries such talent is highly rewarding.Will get there.Thanks to all who helped in med fees.#Zimtalent,” tweeted Chamisa.
Prince Dube Pockets R5000 After Winning Top Award
Farai Dziva| Farai Dziva| Highlanders forward Prince Dube’s excellent performance has seen him collecting his second award for the best player in September.
The Highlanders player was named the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) Player of the Month on Wednesday, walking away with R5 000 courtesy of Doves’ Zororo Phumulani.
Dube who had a slow start to the campaign was also named the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League POTM.
The Highlanders striker won the accolade for the first time since returning to the Bulawayo giants at the end of last year.
High Internet Costs Deliberately Meant To Frustrate Social Media Users
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El Classico To Be Moved To Madrid Due To Political Instability
Farai Dziva|La Liga have made a request to move this month’s El Clasico from Camp Nou to Bernabeu.
The request is due to the political protests happening in Catalonia after nine Catalan separatist leaders were jailed on Monday.
The League asked the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for their opinion, and the RFEF competitions committee is expected to make its decision by Thursday 24 October.
Barcelona and Real Madrid were not involved in La Liga’s initial request and there has been no official response from either club.
El Clasico is scheduled for 26 October.
Mutsvangwa Attacks Journalists For Being “Unpatriotic”
Media reports on Government’s re-engagement with Western countries being led by President Mnangagwa should be accurate and progressive for the benefit of all Zimbabweans, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.
She said this during her ministry’s Strategic Planning Review Meeting in Harare yesterday.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the meeting was aimed at reviewing the operationalisation of the strategic plan adopted early this year.
“Zimbabwe demands journalists to objectively unpack the Zimbabwean story, mobilise citizens to realise the national vision of developing an upper-middle economy by the year 2030, as defined by President E.D Mnangagwa,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
She said it was worth noting that the contribution of academics in the analysis of Zimbabwe’s re-engagement process may benefit citizens by way of conditioning them to the eventual outcome of the process.
She said rebranding Zimbabwe locally, in the region and internationally was paramount going forward.State media
Pogba To Miss Explosive Man U, Liverpool Tie
Farai Dziva|Manchester United have been delt another blow ahead of their potentially explosive Premier League game against Liverpool on Sunday after it was revealed that Paul Pogba will miss it due to injury.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men host Jurgen Klopp’s run-away leaders at Old Trafford and Pogba becomes the second ‘regular’ player this week to be confirmed out of the historic clash, after goalkeeper David DeGea limped off in Spain’s Euro 2022 qualifier against Sweden.
Solskjaer confirmed that the Frenchman will miss the clash.
“He came back and played a couple of games, maybe played through the pain barrier,” the Norwegian told MUTV.
“He had a scan after the Arsenal game and maybe needed a few weeks’ rest in a boot, so hopefully he won’t be too long, but he won’t make this game, no.” he added.
Pokello Pays $ 18 000 For Gringo Surgery?
Farai Dziva|Prominent socialite Pokello Nare has reportedly paid $18 000 for Lazarus Boora’s surgery.
Boora popularly known as Gringo is set to undergo an operation after suffering from stomach disorders.
“Queen Of Swagger Pokello Pays $ 18 000 For Gringo’s Surgery.
Congrats Pokello izvi zvinovengwa nemuroyi chete wadadisa chamama!!!
musakanganwa kuliker page redu mosheyawo nevamwe,”Legendary Family posted on its Facebook page.
Muchinguri Describes Mozambican Polls As Free And Fair Yet She Is Aware Of Masvingo Fake Voters Caught On Camera
Muchinguri Urges Mozambicans To Accept Outcome Of Polls
Muchinguri “Endorses” Mozambican Elections
Will New Bank Notes Ease Cash Crisis?
Farai Dziva|In a desperate bid to ease the cash crisis, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is set to introduce new bank notes.
However the big question Zimbabweans are asking is whether the move will resolve the economic crisis.
According to a daily publication the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) said that new banks notes will be printed outside the country and drip-fed into the economy “soon”, to end the current liquidity crunch.
The Central Bank’s director for finance and markets, William Manimanzi said:
” What is happening is that new notes will be available soon so that they meet the required cash demands.
Obviously, these notes are going to be printed outside the country and this requires foreign exchange.
That is all I can say at the moment — but maybe in a few months — I do not know exactly when, but those new notes will be available.”
Human Rights Activist Exposes Zanu PF Election Rigging Tactics
Farai Dziva| Prominent human rights activist, Prosper Tiringindi has “exposed” Zanu PF’ s election rigging tactics.
On October 15, villagers around Masvingo were forced to vote for FRELIMO as Zanu PF rigged elections in favour of the Mozambican ruling party at Chiefs Hall in Masvingo.
Speaking to ZimEye.com Tiringindi said:
On October 15 villagers from Nemamwa, Zano and Charumbira were forced to vote for Mozambique’ s ruling party, FRELIMO at Chiefs Hall in Masvingo.
The villagers were given Mozambican identity cards.”
“I have gathered overwhelming evidence to expose the rigging process.
I would like to urge opposition parties to unite and expose massive rigging by ruling parties.
It is clear that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is dubious, illegitimate and undemocratic,” added Tiringindi.
“Opposition Parties In Southern Africa Should Unite And Expose Rigging “
Farai Dziva| Prominent human rights activist, Prosper Tiringindi has urged opposition parties in Southern Africa to unite and expose massive electoral theft by ruling parties.
On October 15, villagers around Masvingo were forced to vote for FRELIMO as Zanu PF rigged elections in favour of the Mozambican ruling party at Chiefs Hall in Masvingo.
Speaking to ZimEye.com Tiringindi said:
On October 15 villagers from Nemamwa, Zano and Charumbira were forced to vote for Mozambique’ s ruling party, FRELIMO at Chiefs Hall in Masvingo.
The villagers were given Mozambican identity cards.”
“I have gathered overwhelming evidence to expose the rigging process.
I would like to urge opposition parties to unite and expose massive rigging by ruling parties.
It is clear that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is dubious, illegitimate and undemocratic,” added Tiringindi.
ZESA Notifies Customers Of Increased Load Shedding
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe power utility, ZESA has issued an update on the country’s increased scheduled power cuts, locally known as load shedding saying that they were being caused by the limited power imports.
Zimbabwe is importing electricity from ESKOM and Hydro Cahora Bassa and ESKOM have announced that it will be reducing power supplies to Zimbabwe.
Below is the ZESA Holdings’ statement in full….
“Chamisa Was Given Mandate To Lead At Congress “
Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa was given the mandate by the Congress to lead the opposition, the party’s presidential spokesperson, Nkululeko Sibanda has said.
Sibanda said: “Whatever happens in the Supreme Court today the reality is that President Nelson Chamisa held a Congress for the Movement for Democratic Change.
The MDC is a Democratic movement which means that the only D-Day that is understood by its statutes and its membership, is the day of a Congress. It is therefore always going to be clear to any right-thinking person that the shenanigans of attempting to wrestle or destabilise the MDC through the court system will always be insufficient and cannot change the facts as they obtain. President Nelson Chamisa is a strong leader of great integrity, immense charisma and an overarching vision, who continues to work extremely hard to ensure that the Party of Excellency achieves its primary goal and mandate, which is to free Zimbabwe.
This will be done no matter how many people keep going to court because they’re afraid to face his leadership.”
MTHULI NCUBE, AN OVERRATED MINISTER
MTHULI AN OVERRATED MINISTER. NO Solutions to Economic Crisis.
BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA
Zimbabwe has experienced the worst economic dip since independence.
Given recent economic problems, what are the possible solutions?
The current downturn affects all major economies. Problems in Europe are feeding lower growth in US and vice versa. Some developing economies (China and India) are doing well, but they don’t have the same spending power and will to boost Zimbabwe’s ailing economy.
The unbalanced nature of growth in the economy, combined to cause a rise in commodity prices at the same time as economic stagnation in the West adds more grief to zimbabwe. Certainly this contributed to lower real wage and held back consumer spending. As well as the impact on disposable income, the cost push inflation (rising food / petrol prices) contributed to a general economic malaise – you can almost hear each Zimbabwean saying we’ve never had it so bad’.
Zimbabwe is now in a double dip recession where politics alone cannot sort the problems.
A double dip recession refers to a second period of negative growth (fall in output) that many economies are now facing and many have closed down.
Zimbabwe needed to avoid a technical recession (with very low growth) but with spare capacity and in the aftermath of a recession, very weak growth will have all the signs of an actual recession. (i.e. higher unemployment, decline in living standards. It is a very wrong time to be a Zimbabwean now.
But Zimbabwe is the only company we can call ours in the whole world. We therefore need to come together regardless our political divides. Zimbabwe now needs people to pull together.
Reasons why Zimbabwe is in this situation.
There is a lot of sacred cows within those in power. The efforts of president Munangagwa are being pulled down by corruption in the economic sector.
In the boom years, banks made an increasing number of loans with little regard to ability to repay. Many white farmers had loans which were tied to the farms. Banks found ways to increase the number of mortgage loans through strategies such as interest only mortgages, 100% mortgages and lending to people with credit histories which are ignored because of their influence in the country. This senior man’s syndrome pulled the liquidity to dry. Zimbabwe is the only country in the world which gives only Thirty dollars per day. This seriously slows down growth and plunges monetary system to become a joke. The result is that more farmers who have lost farms in the land distribution are at risk of mortgage defaults. It is this rise in mortgage defaults that led to bank losses and reduced their willingness to lend and cleaning the banks dry money availability becomes a dream.
Credit Crunch. banks lost billions through Loan defaults. They either did this directly or indirectly through the whole complicated network of credit default swaps. The financial system has never fully recovered – bad loans and loss of confidence. To that end the new dispensation inherited a time bomb which is now bursting into calamities and difficulties. The nation has now been brought to their knees with no hope in sight. Only a miracle will save Zimbabwe.
Balance Sheet Recession. The great recession of 2008, was not due to a temporary period of high interest rates or deflationary fiscal policy (
The last recession was because of fundamental imbalances in the banking sector. This is much more difficult to recover from. For example, interest rates were cut but low interest rates weren’t enough to encourage strong lending; it remains an example of a liquidity trap. Banks are concentrating on improving their balance sheets, and even now, there is a greater reluctance to lend, and banks are being more cautious. Only those who had influence got loans and failed to pay. Only those who are no longer protected by the authorities are being sued for the loans. Most still in power have refused or simply failed to pay or service the loans.
For Zimbabwe the economy could be helped if there was strong and decisive leadership in the economic sector. The fundamental thing is the government need to stop emphasizing the need for austerity and hard times. They are currently trying their best to talk us into a recession. It is not just a fiscal crisis, the real problem is the prospect of a second recession there are fundamental problems like Lack of Economic growth High Unemployment Long-term structural deficits Lack of Confidence in finance and consumer sector. These are just a few.
However there is hope only if the Number One priority is to Target Economic growth and reduce unemployment. At the very least, economic growth needs to be close to long run trend rate. it actually needs to be higher to catch up with lost spare capacity. Strong growth will help boost tax revenues and reduce unemployment. It is only in this climate you can successfully reduce the deficit.
There is supply-side unemployment, especially in Our youth. We have seen prolonged structural unemployment in past decades. But, the fundamental cause is lack of aggregate demand.
Zimbabwe should make a point of not cutting spending in this current economic climate. Governments should be bold and say the best way to reduce Debt / GDP ratios – is to increase GDP and this is what we are going to do.
Governments have to stop focusing on the negative and the necessity for austerity and hard times. If they want to turn around consumer and business confidence, they should convince the country their aim is to boost growth and reduce unemployment. This is the thing that will really encourage stock markets and bond markets.National debt – has been reduced significantly during the period of economic growth enabled the economy to pay off debt. Minister Mthuli Ncube is making the mistake of trying to solve long term structural deficits, by sacrificing short term growth. In the name of long term structural change, governments is deflating the economy at a time when they should be doing the opposite.
Mthuli should be setting out plans to reduce the long term deficit, but this should not be involving short term cuts in spending on important capital investment. These long term policies. are appropriate for incentives, efficiency and equality. The minister might raise tax on petrol, and tax on those high income earners who have benefitted from recent dip in the economy.
These kind of policies are sustainable and actually, make a big difference to long term budget situation. If you sell off assets or stop current capital investment projects, it is a very limited benefit to the long term budget. The government should come up with plans to improve long term budget situation over next 20 years, markets would be willing to lend for short-term economic recovery.
The minister is dazed by a wrong belief that making people suffer changes the economy.
It should be known that people have suffered a lot and so not need this suffering.
Zimbabweans do not deserve this situation.
There must be a clear option to this plan. The minister is overrated and must be guided by the party.
Those who are not voted for are the ones who disturb the flow of life in the masses.
State Media Announces Fake Arrest Of MDC MP, Police Spokesperson Confirms It. What Mess Could This Be?
By Paul Nyathi|State run Chronicle Newspaper on Thursday woke up with highly sensational yet misleading front page report that MDC Member of Parliament for Magwegwe Constituency Anele Ndebele has been arrested for raping and impregnating a young school girl.
According to the report Ndebele is accused of raping an Upper Six pupil who learns at a school in Kezi, Matabeleland South Province.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi is said to have confirmed the MP’s arrest yesterday.
“I can confirm that we received a rape report against a 47-year-old male who is a politician. He is a member of the House of Assembly for Magwegwe Constituency. The victim in this case is a minor therefore I cannot divulge further details. The matter is under investigation and the accused is assisting us with investigations,” said Asst Commissioner Nyathi.
The opposition parliamentarian has since come out disputing the whole issue indicating that he is under no arrest nor police investigations for any form of crime including the rape allegations.
Below is Honourable Ndebele’s position on the issue.
Morning family.
l wish to bring it to your attention that l am accused of raping a minor and impregnanting her.
While this is dishonourable. I would like to assure you once more that l am a victim of fake news.l did not do what l am alleged to have done.
l have called on the police for the last 24hours to provide me with details on the issue.The charge sheet has not been coming.Yet l am vilified by the State Media who for reasons unknown to me have had access to the charge sheet.l am traumatised.
There are indications that l am under arrest but l am not.
l shall leave the story here for our spokespersons to interface with the media and shall not comment on the matter again.
You have my deepest assurance that this is fake news again!
Efforts to get a comment from police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, quoted in the state media report have so far not been successful.
MDC Scoffs At “Desperate ” Attempts To Wrestle Power From Chamisa
Farai Dziva|MDC presidential spokesperson, Nkululeko Sibanda has said attempts to wrestle power from party leader Nelson Chamisa reflect desperation on the part of the Zanu PF regime.
Sibanda said: “Whatever happens in the Supreme Court today, the reality is that President Nelson Chamisa held a Congress for the Movement for Democratic Change.
The MDC is a Democratic movement which means that the only D-Day that is understood by its statutes and its membership, is the day of a Congress. It is therefore always going to be clear to any right-thinking person that the shenanigans of attempting to wrestle or destabilise the MDC through the court system will always be insufficient and cannot change the facts as they obtain. President Nelson Chamisa is a strong leader of great integrity, immense charisma and an overarching vision, who continues to work extremely hard to ensure that the Party of Excellency achieves its primary goal and mandate, which is to free Zimbabwe.
This will be done no matter how many people keep going to court because they’re afraid to face his leadership.”
Is This An Ideal Union?
Facts About Heart Diseases
Heart disease is a term covering any disorder of the heart.
Unlike cardiovascular disease, which describes problems with the blood vessels and circulatory system as well as the heart, heart disease refers to issues and deformities in the heart itself.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia. One in every four deaths in the U.S. occurs as a result of heart disease.
Fast facts on heart disease
One in every four deaths in the U.S. is related to heart disease.
Coronary heart disease,
arrhythmia , and myocardial infarction are some examples of heart disease.
Heart disease might be treated with medication or surgery.
Quitting smoking and exercising regularly can help prevent heart disease.
Types
There are many different types of heart disease.
There are many types of heart disease that affect different parts of the organ and occur in different ways.
Congenital heart disease
This is a general term for some deformities of the heart that have been present since birth. Examples include:
Septal defects : There is a hole between the two chambers of the heart.
Obstruction defects: The flow of blood through various chambers of the heart is partially or totally blocked.
Cyanotic heart disease: A defect in the heart causes a shortage of oxygen around the body.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat.
There are several ways in which a heartbeat can lose its regular rhythm.
These include:
tachycardia , when the heart beats too fast
bradycardia, when the heart beats too slowly
premature ventricular contractions, or additional, abnormal beats
fibrillation, when the heartbeat is irregular
Arrhythmias occur when the electrical impulses in the heart that coordinate the heartbeat do not work properly.
These make the heart beat in a way it should not, whether that be too fast, too slowly, or too erratically.
Irregular heartbeats are common, and all people experience them. They feel like a fluttering or a racing heart.
However, when they change too much or occur because of a damaged or weak heart, they need to be taken more seriously and treated.
Arrhythmias can become fatal.
Coronary artery disease
The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with nutrients and oxygen by circulating blood.
Coronary arteries can become diseased or damaged, usually because of plaque deposits that contain cholesterol.
Plaque buildup narrows the coronary arteries, and this causes the heart to receive less oxygen and nutrients.
Dilated cardiomyopathy
The heart chambers become dilated as a result of heart muscle weakness and cannot pump blood properly.
The most common reason is that not enough oxygen reaches the heart muscle, due to coronary artery disease. This usually affects the left ventricle.
Myocardial infarction
This is also known as a heart attack, cardiac infarction, and coronary thrombosis. An interrupted blood flow damages or destroys part of the heart muscle. This is usually caused by a blood clot that develops in one of the coronary arteries and can also occur if an artery suddenly narrows or spasms.
Heart failure
Also known as congestive heart failure, heart failure occurs when the heart does not pump blood around the body efficiently.
The left or right side of the heart might be affected. Rarely, both sides are. Coronary artery disease or high blood pressure can, over time, leave the heart too stiff or weak to fill and pump properly.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
This is a genetic disorder in which the wall of the left ventricle thickens, making it harder for blood to be pumped out of the heart. This is the leading cause of sudden death in athletes. A parent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has a 50 percent chance of passing the disorder on to their children.
Mitral regurgitation
Also known as mitral valve regurgitation, mitral insufficiency, or mitral incompetence, this occurs when the mitral valve in the heart does not close tightly enough. This allows blood to flow back into the heart when it should leave. As a result, blood cannot move through the heart or the body efficiently.
People with this type of heart condition often feel tired and out of breath.
Mitral valve prolapse
The valve between the left atrium and left ventricle does not fully close, it bulges upwards, or back into the atrium. In most people, the condition is not life-threatening, and no treatment is required. Some people, especially if the condition is marked by mitral regurgitation, may require treatment.
Pulmonary stenosis
It becomes hard for the heart to pump blood from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery because the pulmonary valve is too tight. The right ventricle has to work harder to overcome the obstruction. An infant with severe stenosis can turn blue. Older children will generally have no symptoms.
Treatment is needed if the pressure in the right ventricle is too high, and a balloon valvuloplasty or open-heart surgery may be performed to clear an obstruction.
Symptoms
The symptoms of heart disease depend on which condition is affecting an individual.
However, common symptoms include chest pain, breathlessness, and heart palpitations. The chest pain common to many types of heart disease is known as angina , or angina pectoris, and occurs when a part of the heart does not receive enough oxygen.
Angina can be triggered by stressful events or physical exertion and normally lasts under 10 minutes.
Heart attacks can also occur as a result of different types of heart disease. The signs of a heart attack are similar to angina except that they can occur during rest and tend to be more severe.
The symptoms of a heart attack can sometimes resemble indigestion.
Heartburn and a stomach ache can occur, as well as a heavy feeling in the chest.
Other symptoms of a heart attack include:
pain that travels through the body, for example from the chest to the arms, neck, back, abdomen, or jaw
lightheadedness and dizzy sensations
profuse sweating
nausea and vomiting
Heart failure is also an outcome of heart disease, and breathlessness can occur when the heart becomes too weak to circulate blood.
Some heart conditions occur with no symptoms at all, especially in older adults and individuals with diabetes .
The term ‘congenital heart disease’ covers a range of conditions, but the general symptoms include:
sweating
high levels of fatigue
fast heartbeat and breathing
breathlessness
chest pain
a blue tint to the skin
clubbed fingernails
In severe cases, symptoms can occur from birth. However, these symptoms might not develop until a person is older than 13 years.
Causes
Heart disease is caused by damage to all or part of the heart, damage to the coronary arteries, or a poor supply of nutrients and oxygen to the organ.
Some types of heart disease, such as
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, are genetic. These, alongside congenital heart defects, can occur before a person is born.
There are a number of lifestyle choices that can increase the risk of heart disease.
These include:
high blood pressure and cholesterol
smoking
overweight and obesity
diabetes
family history
a diet of junk food
age
a history of preeclampsia during pregnancy
staying in a stationary position for extended periods of time, such as sitting at work
Having any of these risk factors greatly increases the risk of heart disease. Some, such as age, are unavoidable. For example, once a woman reaches 55 years of age, heart disease becomes more likely.
Treatment
There are two main lines of treatment for heart disease. Initially, a person can attempt to treat the heart condition using medications. If these do not have the desired effect, surgical options are available to help correct the issue.
Medication
A very wide range of medication is available for the majority of heart conditions. Many are prescribed to prevent blood clots, but some serve other purposes.
The main medications in use are:
statins, for lowering cholesterol
blood thinners, such as warfarin, for preventing blood clots
beta-blockers , for treating heart attack, heart failure, and high blood pressure
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, for heart failure and high blood pressure
Your doctor will work with you to find a medication that is safe and effective. They will also use medications to treat underlying conditions that can affect the heart, such as diabetes before they become problematic.
Surgery
Heart surgery is an option for people with heart disease, but it can be debilitating.
Heart surgery is an intensive option from which it can take a long time to recover.
However, they can be effective in treating blockages and heart problems for which medications may not be effective, especially in the advanced stages of heart disease.
The most common surgeries include:
angioplasty, in which a balloon catheter is inserted to widen narrowed blood vessels that might be restricting blood flow to the heart
coronary artery bypass surgery, which allows blood flow to reach a blocked part of the heart in people with blocked arteries
surgery to repair or replace faulty heart valves
pacemakers, or electronic machines that regulate a heartbeat for people with arrhythmia
Heart transplants are another option. However, it is often difficult to find a suitable heart of the right size and blood type in the required time. People are put on a waiting list for donor organs and can sometimes wait years.
Prevention
Some types of heart disease, such as those that are present from birth, cannot be prevented.
Other types, however, can be prevented by taking the following measures:
Eat a balanced diet. Stick to low-fat, high-fiber foods and be sure to consume five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables each day. Increase your intake of whole grains and reduce the amount of salt and sugar in the diet. Make sure the fats in the diet are mostly unsaturated.
Exercise regularly. This will strengthen the heart and circulatory system, reduce cholesterol, and maintain blood pressure .
Maintain a healthy body weight for your height. Click here to calculate your current and target body mass index (BMI ).
If you smoke, quit. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart and cardiovascular conditions.
Reduce the intake of alcohol. Do not drink more than 14 units per week.
Control conditions that affect heart health as a complication, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
While these steps do not completely eliminate the risk of heart disease, they can help improve overall health and greatly reduce the chances of heart complications.
Exercise is one easy way to keep heart disease at bay.Health News Today
RBZ To Print New Notes To Avert Cash Crisis
By A Correspondent- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) said that new banks notes will be printed outside the country and drip-fed into the economy “soon”, to end the current liquidity crunch.
The Central Bank’s director for finance and markets, William Manimanzi, revealed this on Wednesday when he appeared before the Budget and Finance Portfolio Committee to speak on the 2020 National Budget.
He said:
… what is happening is that new notes will be available soon so that they meet the required cash demands. Obviously, these notes are going to be printed outside the country and this requires foreign exchange.
That is all I can say at the moment — but maybe in a few months — I do not know exactly when, but those new notes will be available.
There has been a cash crisis in Zimbabwe for the past three years since the surrogate bond notes were introduced in 2016.
As a result, the few notes available are now being “sold” to the transacting public since some service providers accept cash only.
-Newsday
Murdered Headman’s Family Demand 70 Cattle
By A Correspondent- Relatives of a headman who was murdered by his neighbour in Mberengwa are demanding 70 heads of cattle from the murderer’s family to conduct a traditional ritual to appease the dead man’s spirit.
Chief Matarutse of Mberengwa, under whose jurisdiction the families live, told NewsDay that the deceased’s spirit was not at rest and would seek vengeance on the murderer’s family unless they deliver the cattle. Said the chief:
Jorum Makondo, brother to the deceased, and some family members informed my court that they need 70 beasts from the accused’s family to conduct a cleansing ceremony.
It is usually our custom and tradition that when one murders someone, he/she has to meet certain demands from the deceased’s family to avoid being haunted by an avenging spirit.
Malambeni Makondo (56) of Chemimwe village under Chief Mataruse was struck with a log several times and killed by Hlupeko Mabuzane (38) following a dispute over a botched donkey deal.
Strange things are alleged to be happening at the Mabuzane homestead and villagers suspect that the dead man’s spirit is haunting the family.
-Newsday
Pokello Rescues Gringo?
By Own Correspondent- Unconfirmed reports allege that socialite and businesswoman Pokello Nare may have paid actor Lazarus Boora’s surgery bill.
Boora, who is known as Gringo’s family appealed to the public through social media influencer Jackie Ngarande asking for RTGs18 000 in order for Gringo to have surgery.
Jackie gave a shout-out to Pokello on social media thanking her for saving someone in need, prompting many to think that she had contributed to Gringo’s bill.
The actor was taken in sick on Tuesday due to complications with his appendix.
My friend has a heart made of gold,The most generous person I know,She made a huge difference for someone in need God bless you Pokello’s Addicted 2 Shoes
Both parties are yet to confirm the story.
Mugodhi Apostolic Faith Church Leader Succumbs To Cancer
By A Correspondent- Mugodhi Apostolic Faith Church leader, Bishop Tefius Mugodhi has died aged 79.
The passing on of the clergyman was confirmed by his spokesperson, Benjamin Mungiriya who said that Mugodhi succumbed to cancer at a local hospital in Harare on Monday.
Mungiriya said:
We are saddened by his death. It’s a great loss for us. He is the one who initiated the church’s anti-sanctions call and he would have loved to die after the sanctions are lifted.
Mugodhi took over the church leadership in 2002. Four church leaders had to lead the church since 1961 when his father died since he was too young to lead.
Most recently, the ailing Mugodhi indicated that he would pass the church leadership to his son, Washington, a decision that prompted rebellion from one of his deputies, Tony Sigauke.
The battle for the church leadership is already at the courts.
-Newsday
Incapacitated Mpilo Doctors Join Strike
By A Correspondent- Mpilo Hospital doctors, one of the last groups of public hospital doctors that was still going to work in Bulawayo, has now joined the doctors’ incapacitation strike.
In a letter addressed to the hospital’s Clinical-Director, the doctors said that they cannot afford to come to work anymore due to the high cost of living.
Below is the letter by the doctors…..
MDC MP Nabbed Over Rape
By A Correspondent- The Member of Parliament for Magwegwe Constituency in Bulawayo, Anele Ndebele (MDC Alliance), has been arrested for allegedly raping and impregnating a high school pupil.
Ndebele is accused of raping the Upper Six pupil who learns at a school in Kezi, Matabeleland South Province.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the MP’s arrest yesterday.
“I can confirm that we received a rape report against a 47-year-old male who is a politician. He is a member of the House of Assembly for Magwegwe Constituency. The victim in this case is a minor therefore I cannot divulge further details. The matter is under investigation and the accused is assisting us with investigations,” said Asst Commissioner Nyathi.
Sources told The Chronicle that the matter came to light when the pupil, whose name has been withheld for ethical reasons, fell pregnant.
Ndebele is alleged to have first met the girl in March this year when he proposed love to her but was turned down.
He then allegedly started raping her in April and May after offering to pay for her school holiday lessons.
The girl reported the matter to the police after discovering that she was pregnant.
“Ndebele met the school girl at Kezi Business Centre in March and she told him she was a Form Six pupil. He allegedly met the pupil again the following month in Kezi during the school holidays and asked her why she was not attending holiday lessons like other pupils. The complainant is alleged to have informed him that she had no money to pay for the holiday school programme. He is alleged to have offered to pay for her holiday school lessons and gave her 100 rand and some local currency,” said a source.
Ndebele allegedly proposed love to the pupil and was shot down.
“After he was rejected by the school girl, he then forced himself on her. After the rape he gave her money and left,” said the source.
Ndebele is alleged to have seen the girl again in May this year after calling her from school to meet him by his car.
He reportedly drove to a house under construction in the area where he dismissed all construction workers.
“He told all workers to leave and then went into the house with the school girl. He raped her four times before he let her go. He gave her ZWL$60 and took her back to school where he dropped her off at the gate,” said the source.
The matter allegedly only came to light when the complainant discovered that she was pregnant and filed a police report.
-StateMedia
FULL TEXT- MDC Refutes Meeting Zanu Pf Chefs At Shake Shake Building, What Is Going On?
The opposition MDC led by advocate Nelson Chamisa has dismissed reports that its officials had a meeting with ZANU PF officials at the ruling party’s Headquarters to push for dialogue between Chamisa and President Emmerson Mnangagwa. We present the party’s statement in full below.
MDC dismisses report on talks and meeting at Zanu PF Headquarters
The MDC would like to put it on record that it has not been involved in any meeting with Zanu PF either formal, ad-hoc or informal.
As the party that won the 2018 election, the MDC is committed to resolving the socioeconomic problems facing the country in keeping with its promise to the people of Zimbabwe at the 2018 Election.
The MDC understands that the deepening crisis is a direct consequence of the unresolved 2018 Presidential election wherein popular will was disregarded and the MDC was prevented from executing its mandate as the winning party. We therefore, believe that it is fundamental that there be genuine dialogue aimed at resolving this legitimacy question and to attend to political and economic reforms.
The MDC believes that the platform for this dialogue must be convened by a neutral arbitrator or institution and that the outcome of the dialogue and its execution be guaranteed by SADC, AU or the UN.
The MDC would like to reassure its members and the nation that we have not digressed from the path to dialogue as explicitly expressed in the RELOAD document.
Chalton Hwende
Secretary General
Zim Makes Strides Towards Hemp, Cannabis Production
By A Correspondent- After long regulatory delays, Zimbabwe has now begun cultivation of hemp and cannabis, with high hopes to add a new export into its pot of traditional cash crops.
In 2018, Zimbabwe announced it would allow the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes, and further amendments to the law this September legalised the growing of industrial hemp, which is used in the manufacture of fibres.
On Friday, overcoming bureaucracy and the suspicion that has long-delayed investment, the Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust (ZIHT) sowed six varieties of industrial cannabis, the country’s first authorised hemp crop. Industrial hemp is a variety of cannabis that is grown for industrial uses in textiles, paper, rope and edible seeds.
The notion that hemp is “mbanje”, or marijuana, has, however, caused some suspicion and delay. In reality, hemp, unlike marijuana, is not a drug and does not make one “high”. Unlike marijuana, hemp contains a low count of psychoactive substance THC.
ZIHT founder, dentist Zorodzai Maroveke, says she discovered the opportunity when she bought a dress made from hemp fabric while studying in China. She has lobbied for years to have the production of cannabis and industrial hemp legalised, which meant having to convince government officials to overcome their own prejudices.
Hazy regulation
Johannes Swan, co-founder of lobby group the Roots Movement, says they still have to prove to the government that hemp is not a narcotic.
“As soon as we can prove that to them then we can take this to a larger scale and go commercial. We hope to be producing the best quality hemp fibre in the world,” Swan says.
However, the industry has won part of the battle against negative perception, with Agriculture Minister Perence Shiri attending Friday’s first plant.
“This project is the first of its kind in the history of our country,” Shiri said. “This pilot project will provide essential knowledge or information for the successful production of this crop. The benefits that will be derived from the production of industrial hemp are enormous and varied.”
Hazy on how to regulate the crop, and confused by differing submissions by applicants over just how much the crops would earn for the country, government took months to develop a licencing regime.
Growers of hemp and cannabis – two different crops – get licences running for up to five years, and have to produce their crops under strict monitoring.
To convince the sceptics in government, growers have had to show them the numbers. According to consultancy firm, Prohibition Partners, Africa’s legal cannabis industry could earn up to US$7,1 billion per year by 2023 “if a number of the continent’s major markets open up and mirror the trend of legalisation” seen in markets such as the USA, Canada and Europe.
Since legalisation of cannabis growing last year, interest has been strong, with over 350 applications received within weeks of the announcement.
“We will find the funding for it. There are many interested parties already,” Swan says.
The new hemp project in Harare, on a 10 hectare patch on the fields of the Harare Central Prison, is partly funded by NSK Holdings, an international company, and Symtomax, a Portuguese firm that will provide technical farming support.
Joint venture
In Marondera, British firm Eco Equity has begun work on its US$6.3 million medicinal cannabis project. The company plans to complete a greenhouse by the first quarter of 2020, start cultivation in the second quarter, and begin exports of the product by the third quarter.
Eco Equity has partnered with Dutch greenhouse manufacturer DutchGreenhouses and Australian cannabis company Delta Tetra to build the facility. The company says it has been granted a long-term lease on 2 000 hectares of land to grow and process cannabis.
Jon-Paul Doran, Eco Equity CEO, said: “After months of planning, we have moved on to the next exciting phase of our project and we are already seeing the first pictures of the work undertaken. We believe we have the perfect site in terms of both location and climate to cultivate the optimum quality cannabis, which we can use for medicinal purposes. We have employed experts from around the globe to ensure our facilities are cutting edge as we look to provide an alternative natural cure.”
According to Eco Equity, the project has an expenditure requirement of £5 million (US$6,3 million), which will include total capital cost of £3 million and £2m as working capital.
-newZWire
Would You Sign The ZANU PF Anti – Sanctions Petition? Give us your thought.
Man Nabbed For Detaining, Raping Minor
By A Correspondent- Police in Beitbridge are holding a man on allegations of detaining a 13-year-old girl for sexual purposes.
The crime was discovered after it was noticed that the young girl was bleeding from her private parts, resulting in investigations by relatives who subsequently informed the police.
“We have such a report, but you can get more details from our Gwanda Press office,” the Officer-in-Charge at Beitbridge Urban Police Station, Chief Inspector Kenneth Mushongahande said on Sunday.
The Matabeleland South police spokesman, Chief Inspector Sibanda said he was in Bulawayo and had no information on the arrest.
Alocal publication reported that the man, now in police custody, took the girl in his Honda Fit car and drove to a secluded place where he allegedly abused the minor.
“Relatives of the girl who had been looking for her discovered her unusual bleeding. She later revealed her ordeal and pointed to the man,” sources said.
The suspect was expected to appear in court yesterday.
-Newsday
“The Curse Of Infertility”
As she waits for her turn to immunise her twin boys at a local clinic, 33-year old Sphiwe Muranda (not her realm name) cannot help but reflect on the long, emotional journey she has travelled.
The memory of how she suffered at the hands of her first husband’s family after failing to conceive for 10 years is still fresh in her mind.
“Harrison’s family put all the blame on me. They said I was infertile. But now, it is clear the problem was their son,” she said, wiping off tears with the back of her hand.
Muranda is one of the many women who have been hounded by their in-laws and condemned by society for “failure” to conceive. Cultural beliefs on infertility issues have resulted in both physical and emotional abuse of many women in Zimbabwe.
“At first, my ex-husband would rally behind me and we would pray over it. None of the family members ever thought that their son was the one who was infertile. I was forced to visit traditional healers and prophets, but all was in vain. I was verbally abused until I could not bear it anymore. I decided to end the marriage,” she said.
After the divorce, Muranda relocated to South Africa in 2017, where her sister lived, to pick up the pieces of her life in a new environment. She met the man who would marry her and sire her twin boys.
“My sister encouraged me to try again. At first I thought I would suffer a miscarriage, but I was relieved when the doctor said he had discovered two foetuses and that I was in perfect health. I gave birth to these two boys and my ex-husband who also got married is still childless. The answer is clear now,” said Muranda, forcing a smile.
Her ex-husband is already aware that she is now a mother.
“Harrison is aware of my two sons. I told him to visit specialists so that they can examine him. He wants a baby, but the truth is most people think that only women suffer from infertility issues. That is a very wrong perception,” she said.
In some societies, infertility is like a curse while others see it as a bad omen or a result of witchcraft. Despite the massive effects of globalisation or modernity, most people are still reluctant to accept that infertility is a medical condition and that even men can be infertile.
According to Mayo Clinic, infertility in men is due to a low sperm count, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other factors can play a role in causing male infertility.
Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (Zinatha) spokesperson George Kandiero said it is high time affected couples sought solutions together since it has proven that the problem can also lie with men.
“Most times the woman is blamed, even if it means consulting traditional medical practitioners, it is the woman who does it alone. As custodians and champions of culture we know and believe that the problem can also lie with the man, hence we encourage couples to consult together,” he said.
According to the World Health Organisation, between 8% and 12% of couples around the world have difficulty in conceiving a child at some point in their life, and in some areas that figure reaches one-third or more of couples. Infertility affects an estimated 48,5 million couples worldwide, of which 10,8 million live in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Addressing journalists in Harare recently, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa said the issue of infertility should not be a blame game, mainly on women.
“Infertility affects men and women. This cannot be a blame game. Yet we know in our societies that women bear the brunt of this problem. This can be a basis of sexual and or physical abuse, divorce or isolation from the family structure,” she said.
Traditionally, men’s infertility has been concealed by family and relatives who at times devised ways of secretly engaging his elder or younger brother to impregnate his wife. This act would be kept as a secret by the family members. However, it is different with women who, after being certified barren, are chucked out of the family residence in a humiliating way.
“There is need for a shift from the traditionally-held view that infertility affects women to a realistic understanding of the truth that infertility equally affects both men and women,” said Gerald Madziyire, a gynaecologist with the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
According to a 2003 research by Health Care Women International on the fertility patterns of women in Zimbabwe, at least one in every four women of childbearing age suffers from some degree of infertility.
Zimbabwe has one of the world’s highest infertility rates along with other southern African countries such as Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho according to a 2010 World Population Prospect survey.
Today, Muranda has proved her tormentors wrong. She is now a proud mother after enduring 10 years of emotional and physical torture from his in-laws.
Though God has blessed her with twin boys, the hard times she experienced in her first marriage will never be erased off her mind.
-Newsday
ZANU PF Extensively Shares Invitations To Sign Anti Sanctions Petition – Full Text Of Petition
We, the citizens of Zimbabwe, are tired of putting up with the never ending assurances from the United States that sanctions are exclusively targeting certain individuals and companies, and do not affect ordinary residents. Even American president, Donald Trump, admitted that sanctions do damage to our people. Our government has long been changed. We have long been trying to open up to the world and boost our economy. Both the president and the government agree on the need to strengthen international cooperation and attract investment to Zimbabwe.
We do not see any reason why the sanctions should last and do not understand at all how deteriorating the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and undermining our economic growth reflects the interests of US national security.
We see economic pressure in the form of sanctions as an act of political blackmail designed to keep the residual US influence in Africa, as opposed to China and Russia.
Moreover, many American companies would like to come to Zimbabwe, but they cannot because of their own authorities. If the United States is not interested in the African market nor in investing in Zimbabwe, and restricting its own companies in doing so, then let them not stop others from cooperating with us!
If this is not blackmail, but the product of a huge bureaucratic machine, operated by inertia, then now is the time to turn it back and correct the mistakes of the White House previous administration.
In order to push the United States towards this decision and draw the attention of Americans to our problems, let’s act in the same way – we urge our authorities to limit US imports and see how quickly the White House comes to their senses when they see that China and Russia will instantly take their place on the market.
Share this petition on social media and forward it to your friends and family. Let everyone see how many we are!
Reprieve For RBZ, As Supreme Court Overturns High Court Ruling On $33k Accident Damages
By A Correspondent- The Supreme Court has overturned a High Court ruling ordering the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to pay accident damages amounting to US$33 552 to a local company.
The judgment, nullifying the lower court’s decision, was handed down on September 26, 2019, by Supreme Court judge Justice Rita Makarau in concurrence with Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza and Justice Paddington Garwe.
The ruling by the Apex Court followed an appeal by the central bank after the High Court, in 2016, ruled that an RBZ driver, one Joram Makonde, was responsible for an accident that occurred on August 27, 2008 along the Harare-Masvingo Highway which resulted in damages to Tran Transport (Pvt) Ltd’s motor vehicle.
However, Justice Makarau said the appeal by the central bank was based on whether or not the High Court had sufficient evidence before it to find the RBZ liable for the claimed damages.
The judge further said the High Court had fallen into a trap of believing evidence of a Tran Transport’s witness who said a policeman, who was a passenger in the RBZ vehicle claimed that the RBZ driver fell asleep while driving, thereby causing the accident. Apparently, the judge said, the alleged policeman was never called to give evidence.
“The respondent’s (Tran Transport) witness did not testify on the circumstances under which the unidentified policeman was a passenger in the appellant (RBZ)’s vehicle. They simply testified as to what the policeman said. There was, thus, no evidence before the court upon which it could make its finding that the unidentified policeman had been given transport to Harare and for which he was grateful,” Justice Makarau said.
“One of the witnesses for the respondent testified that the unidentified policeman had been injured as a result of the accident. The court a quo was not in a position to assess the effect these injuries might have had on the policeman on the basis of the terse and scanty evidence that was before it.
Similarly, the amity and/or the congeniality among the persons riding in the appellant’s vehicle were not assessed as there was no evidence upon which such an assessment could be made.
That these factors could have had an effect on the truthfulness of the statement attributed to the unidentified policeman is beyond dispute,” the judge said while upholding the RBZ’s appeal and dismissing Tran Transport’s application for damages.
Law Firm Hauled To Court Over Stands Scam
By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo law firm, Vuyile Jamela Mpofu and Associates and a local resident have been dragged to court for their alleged involvement in a residential stands scam.
The law firm’s two lawyers Vuyile Jamela Mpofu (52) of Queens Park and Mayor Kazingizi (35) of Cowdray Park appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Jeconiah Ncube on Saturday facing four counts of fraud.
The two reportedly made fake agreements of sale between sellers and Bulawayo City Council and fake copies of identity cards and fraudulently sold stands to unsuspecting homeseekers. They were remanded to October 30 on $3 000 bail each.
The court heard that in September this year and at Charter House in Bulawayo, Mpofu and Kazingizi misrepresented to Rumbidzai Chimbunde that Khulumani Mpofu was selling residential stand number 13560, Pumula South.
It is alleged that the two introduced Chimbunde to an imposter who was paid R56 100 for the stand.
It is further alleged that the two again duped Linah Takura of R60 000 by making her pay yet another imposter after purporting that Judith Moyo was selling residential stand number 12239 in Pumula South.
The court was told that using the same modus operandi, in August they again misrepresented to Angela Chikanya that Nomsa Sibanda was selling residential stand number 5343, Emganwini and Chikanya paid R40 000 for it.
Last month, they misrepresented to Douglas Tizirai that Khumbulani Gatsheni was selling residential stand number 3333 Emganwini and he paid R60 000.
Reports filed by the complainants to the police led to the arrest of the two lawyers.
-Newsday
Mnangagwa’s NRZ “Mega Deal” Tender Cancelled
Government has cancelled the US$400 million deal with Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group-Transnet consortium meant to revive the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) after the group failed to comply with contractual timelines.
Apart from failing to meet agreed timelines, Government re-tendered the deal after DIDG cut ties with South Africa’s publicly-owned rail operator, Transnet, which was part of the consortium agreed in the initial tender award, raising legal complications.
The DIDG-Transnet consortium was awarded the tender by the then State Procurement Board in August 2017 for the revival of the rail operator’s operations.
In a statement yesterday, Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana said Government had re-tendered the project.
He said after the consortium was awarded the tender, NRZ was given Cabinet authority to enter into negotiations with the consortium.
“On October 16, 2017, Cabinet granted authority for the NRZ board to negotiate with the consortium and once agreed, to come back and seek Cabinet approval through the Joint Venture Unit,” Mr Mangwana said.
“On February 14, 2018, a Framework Agreement was signed between the parties for the purpose of performing mutual due diligence. An interim solution to plug the NRZ gap while negotiations continued was arrived at. The framework agreement was valid for 12 months.
“It is the Framework Agreement and a separate Interim Solution Agreement that led to the delivery of 13 locomotives, 200 wagons and six passenger coaches on a lease arrangement.”
Mr Mangwana said after due diligence by both parties, negotiations were initiated in October 2018, but could not be concluded within 12 months as per the Framework Agreement.
“In February 2019, both parties made representations to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development seeking an extension to the Framework Agreement,” hesaid.
“Government granted a conditional extension on 21 March 2019 for a period of six months starting from 14 February 2019. Part of the conditions was that the ‘exclusive clause’ in the Agreement be expunged and that the consortium was to provide proof of funds and shareholder approval before 14 August 2019.”
Mr Mangwana said the consortium submitted an appeal against the above conditions and wanted the extension period to commence on the date of signing and the “exclusive clause” restored.
“Several meetings between DIDG and NRZ leadership took place at which they also raised the concerns that were subject of their appeal,” Mr Mangwana said.
“On June 13, 2019, the Honourable Minister J.B Matiza met the NRZ Board and informed them that the appeal to vary the conditions of the Framework Agreement Extension had been unsuccessful. They were reminded that the six-month extension was due to expire on August 14, 2019.
“Government insisted on getting proof of funds from the consortium before the deadline. NRZ also committed not to enter a competing funding arrangement for the project before August 14, 2019.”
Mr Mangwana said on August 30, a Joint Plenary Session was held at a Harare hotel at which it emerged that there were serious differences between DIDG and Transnet.
“It is important to note that at this point, the parties had still not signed the Framework Agreement Extension they had applied for in February 2019 and therefore, there was no subsisting agreement between the parties,” he said.
“Government indulged the consortium by working with them outside the Framework Agreement. Regardless; they failed to present a common position. DIDG presented a funding structure based on funds sourced internationally, which excluded Transnet.
“The exclusion of Transnet had a legal impact on the tender which had been awarded to them as a consortium. In light of the foregoing, Government took a position to issue a new tender. If any of the former members of the consortium want to compete, they are still eligible to make bids and will be adjudged fairly.”
“We Will Not Be Coming To Work Soon,” Civil Servants Warn Government
HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe’s public sector unions said on Tuesday they were unable to go to work because of soaring prices, adding to the government’s problems as it struggles to revive the economy.
The unions however stopped short of calling a strike to give the government more time to respond to their salary demands.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is grappling with triple-digit inflation, shortages of dollars, fuel and bread, and rolling power cuts that have hit mines and industry.
His government’s moves to end subsidies on fuel and electricity and a decision to re-introduce the Zimbabwe dollar have accelerated inflation and dimmed hopes of economic recovery.
The Apex Council, which groups 14 public sector unions, said it had told the government on Monday that its 230,000 members – which exclude workers from the security and health services – no longer had the capacity to go to work.
Asked if this amounted to a strike, Apex Council co-chair Thomas Muzondo said workers would report for duty only when they were able to do so.
“Here is a situation where one has no capacity to go to work. The person wants to go to work but has no capacity. It is a different scenario to a stay-away,” Muzondo told reporters.
Unions are demanding that government employees should be paid U.S. dollar-indexed salaries. They want the least-paid workers – who get 1,023 Zimbabwe dollars ($67) a month – to receive the equivalent of $475.
In shops, prices of sugar, cooking oil and maize meal are rising at least once a week in line with the weakening local currency, but salaries have fallen behind.
Some public sector doctors have been on strike since Sept. 3 to demand higher pay and have vowed not to return to work even though a court ruled their action was illegal.
The government is caught between placating restive workers and keeping the share of public wages in the national budget low, in line with commitments under an International Monetary Fund programme that ends next year.
The worst economic crisis in a decade, worsened by a drought that cut farm output, has angered citizens. Mnangagwa’s government is anxious to avoid violent protests like those in January after a sharp fuel price hike.
The crisis has echoes of the dark days under late president Robert Mugabe, when hyperinflation reached 500 billion percent and workers stopped reporting for duty as salaries and pensions became worthless.
Civil Servants Most Likely Not To Get Bonus This Year
As the month of November nears, the payment of bonuses for the majority of the country’s workforce hangs in the balance, with the government also still undecided over the 13th cheque for the civil servants.
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development officials on Monday told Parliament the government had not yet made a decision on whether civil servants will be paid bonuses this year as they needed to consult workers’ representatives first.
The government is currently in salary negotiations with civil servants who are now demanding US$475 or local currency equivalent for the lowest paid worker.
Bonuses in Zimbabwe have traditionally been paid in November to boost workers’ income as they enter into the festive season, but since the economy took a nosedive a number of companies stopped paying them.
The government, which has maintained the practice despite economists having warned it was unsustainable to continue doing so, paid bonuses on basic salaries only last year.
Other allowances such as housing and others were not catered for.
Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe (EMCOZ) president, Israel Murefu, told CITE they did not have one standpoint as employers on the payments of bonuses.
“On such issues, we do not have one position,” he said.
“Each organisation will have to look at its own circumstances and if they are able to pay bonuses, they can go ahead and pay. However, most of them are struggling and I will not be surprised if they fail to their workers bonuses.”
He said a number of challenges including energy, water and foreign currency availability were negatively affecting businesses.
Murefu added it did not make any economic sense for businesses struggling to surpass their targets or operating on losses to pay bonuses.
Economist, at the National University of Science and Technology’s Department of Banking and Investment promotion, Stevenson Dlamini, said conditions under which Zimbabwean companies are operating defeat the whole purpose of bonus payments.
“The whole idea behind bonus payment is to celebrate a surplus and a productive year but companies are downsizing and closing and therefore it would not make any economic sense to pay bonuses,” he told CITE.
Dlamini said companies should instead reinvest the little money that they have to create more jobs instead of wasting it on bonuses.
FULL TEXT: INTERVIEW OF ZIMBABWE’S SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT BY SIMBA CHIKANZA AT THE IN HOTEL IN SERBIA SUN 13TH OCTOBER 2019
The interview was recorded partly on audio and the rest was on video.
SC: Many of the things that are coming on Zimbabwe; right now, I have just met some Tanzanians who were criticising us, heavily, just here
Well, we are being told that we are now 7 times worse, more, than when we were during Robert Mugabe times. I think that is one matter that I am going to need a short engagement with you Sir.
Mudenda: There are exigencies (sic)
SC: Excuse me?
Mudenda: There are exigencies (sic)
SC: Let me just, while we are, let me just get a picture with you if you don’t mind Sir.
SC: Right, where are we here? Right so, here meeting Advocate Mudenda.
Mudenda: Thank you.
SC: You seem to have forgotten me, I don’t know why.
Mudenda: Yeah, I am trying to recollect.
SC: Splendid. Looking forward, I will be with you shortly.
Mudenda: Yeah
SC: Thank you Sir.
Mudenda: Someone will be joining me soon.
SC: Oh, someone will be joining you?
Mudenda: Yes.
SC: Okay, so someone will be joining you. Okay. So what I will do maybe, once they come maybe, I will go away. I am just having a very light one.
Mudenda: Okay.
SC: Oh, thank you Sir. Yeah, the criticism against us is very scathing, it is very heavy, this gentleman from Tanzania who was saying he runs an NGO, and works between Uganda and Tanzania, and he says your country is now 7 times worse than when Robert Mugabe.
Mudenda: What reasons does he give?
SC: Err, we didn’t go into deep, we didn’t get deeper than that, other than him saying the conduct of both government and institutions. He alleges the judiciary as well, and parliament and he mentioned specifically the withdrawal of allowances. Sir.
Ndokutorerai (shall I get you a ) chair?
SC: Sir, the withdrawal of allowances Advocate Mudenda, that has extremely, extremely criticised yourself. On what basis you have here a topic, local and international policy analysts here, they say you have caused the deterioration of parliament, and.
Mudenda: I have what?
SC: You have made parliament to deteriorate. The value of parliamentarianism is, should be.
Mudenda: Into what?
SC: You are now a spokesman of a military cartel rather than parliament. And in this case Advocate Mudenda, you have a discussion, a topic, that you yourself, you allowed into parliament, you brought this discussion, and that is the 1 August brutality. It is clear even ZBC broadcast this.
Mudenda: (nod and sound in affirmation).
SC: They broadcast this, announcement that the military would be used to change 2018 election results.
Mudenda: (nod and sound in affirmation).
Mudenda: Yes
SC: The same MPs who are meant to be part of your own parliament Advocate Mudenda, they are part of your parliament. And you are the one who allowed this discussion to get into. You allowed it to be discussed.
Mudenda: No, you see the members of parliament have threatened to go to court, so that matter is subjudice.
SC: Sorry.
Mudenda: The matter is subjudice and I am not discussing that.
SC: Because they have threatened to go to court?
Mudenda: Yeah I m not discussing that.
SC: But then, Sir, aren’t you concerned?
Mudenda: I am not discussing that.
SC: Aren’t you concerned?
Mudenda: I am not discussing that. I am not discussing that.
SC: That we have a clear matter.
Mudenda: I am not discussing that.
SC: You talked about a threat Sir, you talked about a threat advocate.
Mudenda: I am not discussing that.
SC: You talked about a threat.
Mudenda: Can you stop it. Alright?
SC: Advocate, Advocate, a crime is being committed right now. People are dying.
Mudenda: Go to court. Go to court.
SC: Go to court where? People are dying right now in Zimbabwe advocate.
Mudenda: I am not.
SC: I have got; I have got victims of 1 August.
Mudenda: Can you also respect my point of view. Alright?
SC: Do you also respect the people who are suffering, Sir? Do you respect the victims who still have bullets in their bodies, Sir? The victims who still have bullets in their bodies right now.
Mudenda: Can you stop it. Alright. Can you stop it.
SC: Advocate, Advocate, you are the highest you are the most respected person in Zimbabwe you are here to represent parliamentarianism. What parliamentarianism is. You are the person we refer to; we respect you sir. We respect you. And I’ve come to you to ask you about this thing which we are being criticised for our nation is being criticised right here, Sir.
Mudenda: Can you still stop it. This is not the forum.
SC: Why is it not the forum Sir?
Mudenda: can you stop it.
SC: but you are the Speaker of Parliament.
Mudenda: can you stop it. Haaah.
SC: I have got people who are crying I have got victims. Are you concerned that you are no longer the Speaker of Parliament you are now the Speaker of a military cartel.
Mudenda: Can you stop it.
SC: Stop what advocate, stop what?
Mudenda: Can you stop it.
SC: Stop what?
Mudenda: Can you stop it.
SC: But you are destroying our country. You are destroying a whole community. You are right now, even the perception of our nation (sic) Advocate Mudenda.
Are you happy that parliamentarianism has been violated advocate Mudenda? Tell me.
Mudenda: [NO RESPONSE]
So you are not willing to address concerns about parliamentarianism, you are here to represent parliamentarianism and you are mentally torturing MDC MPs heading to the physical torture to victims of violence on 1 August which was done to change election results and this was broadcast on the ZBC. Advocate Mudenda, you are a respected man. You are the highest, the most respected person Sir.
Mudenda: Can you slow down so I can eat.
SC: I shall slow down, but I hope you realise here, that I have got people who are dying, there is a crime that is being committed.
Mudenda: Can I have my breakfast?
SC: You can sir, you can sir, I shall wait.
A crime is being committed Advocate.
Mudenda: can you move off can you move off.
SC: I am not Sir.
I have got a legitimate criminal concern here, a legal concern sir;
I have got a legitimate legal concern.
UNKNOWN/ UNNAMED MAN – MUDENDA’S AIDE TRAVELED WITH HIM FROM ZIMBABWE:
Sorry sorry I thought I had given you enough time.
SC: No you can’t do this.
SC: Advocate Mudenda people are dying right now people are dying right now and you are mentally torturing MDC MPs. On what basis do you withdraw their allowances for 5-months merely because they are expressing what you brought before Parliament?
Mudenda: Can you move out.
SC: I am here I am not going to move out I am a guest here and I am also; I am very much here; I am very much here; but I will wait on you because this is important, because you are an employee you are a civil servant Sir; your civil servant this is your job this is your job to be accountable to members of the public; to the international community; to prove that you’re doing the job of a speaker of Parliament not a speaker of a military cartel advocate Mudenda.
UNKNOWN/ UNNAMED MAN:
No you cannot shut me I’m going to slow down I will allow him to eat but I’m not going to leave here. I am here I am a guest here; I am an invitee to this conference where you are as well; Thank you.
Tine vanhu varikufa right now hamadzedu dzirikufa kuZimbabwe, akomana, varume, mauya kunoku imimi, saka ndanyarara ikozvino. Ndakumirirai. Ndakumirirai.
This is a legal matter, it is also a criminal matter; I am waiting here.
UNKNOWN/ UNNAMED MAN:
I think the honorable speaker has come here to have something to eat.
SC: yes I will wait for him. I will wait for him Sir
As you can see I have withdrawn, I have withdrawn, I was sitting there when you are sitting so now I have moved away now so we will wait sir. I have got Zimbabweans who are waiting across inside Zimbabwe and around the world they’re waiting; this is the most respected person, the highest person in the country in Zimbabwe next to Emmerson Mnangagwa.
UNKNOWN/ UNNAMED MAN:
So why are you shouting?
SC: I am not shouting I am waiting sir.
UNKNOWN/ UNNAMED MAN:
I think it is more about threatening than anything.
SC: What threat did you hear? What threat did you hear there?
UNKNOWN/ UNNAMED MAN:
I haven’t heard.
SC: No no no. Please don’t be unreasonable what street did you hear here?
What threat did you hear tell me can you justify what you said.
UNKNOWN/ UNNAMED MAN:
Know what I am simply saying you know when you are talking on top of your voice if you really want to interview you the Speaker you should interview in a manner that is (sic).
SC: According to your allegations I am quiet. Thank you.
UNKNOWN/ UNNAMED MAN:
Thank you.
POLICE ARE THEN SUMMONED IN AND DISRUPT THE INTERVIEW….
LIVE: MUDENDA CONFESSES MNANGAGWA USED MILITARY TO KILL PEOPLE TO CHANGE 2018 ELECTION RESULTS https://www.zimeye.net/2019/10/15/live/ via @ZimEye
Xenophobia Cited As Air Tanzania Pulls Out Its Flights From Johannesburg
Air Tanzania Company Ltd has announced the indefinite suspension of its flights to Johannesburg, South Africa hardly four months since they were relaunched amid much fanfare in June.
In a letter to all travel agents dated October 3, and which The EastAfrican has seen, ATCL managing director Ladislaus Matindi said they regret “to inform you that, effectively from October 7, 2019 and onwards, all tickets sold for route Dar-JNB-Dar shall be refunded and route suspended until further notice.’’
The airline said all tickets for the Dar-J’burg-Dar route already sold to passengers but still unused would be refunded.
Matindi directed that questions about the route suspension be forwarded to Works, Transport and Communication Minister Isaack Kamwelwe.
In September, Mr Kamwelwe issued a statement hinting at the suspension “for security reasons.”
At the time an ATCL Airbus A220 had just been released after being detained for weeks by a South African court at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport over a private individual’s debt claim against the Tanzanian government.
South Africa was also at the time going through a period of exacerbated xenophobic attacks on foreigners living and working in the country.
Mr Matindi told The EastAfrican on October 9 that the airline is finalising plans to ply the Far East routes to China and Thailand by year-end.
Mr Matindi said ATCL’s grand expansion strategy will also include the launch of regular flights to Lubumbashi, Lilongwe, Lagos, Accra and London.
The national carrier is making these potential routes a priority so as to firstly promote tourism in the country and second, to compete with other established airlines in the aviation industry, he said.
Eight new planes have been purchased in the past three years, with six of these already delivered and two more set for delivery by 2021. The airline had only one working plane before President John Magufuli launched the revival plan in 2016.
The government budgeted Tsh495.6 billion ($216 million) for aircraft purchases in financial year 2018/19.
The East African
ZBC Workers Threaten To Down Tools
Staffers at the State broadcaster ZBC have threatened to go on strike over non payment of salaries.
The staffers last got paid in August and are yet to receive their September wages.
According to insiders, the workers committee at the country’s biggest media institution wrote to management indicating that they could not continue coming to work while salaries were outstanding.
The committee said the salaries were also paltry that even if they were paid, they can only report for duty once a week.
The management is expected to respond by the end of the week.
China Gives America Taste Of Its Own Medicine As The Two Superpowers Set Stage For A Major Diplomatic Row
Washington Times|Two Americans are being detained in China in apparent retaliation for the arrest of Chinese official in New York on visa fraud charges.
“We are aware of the detention of two U.S. citizens in Jiangsu, China and the charges being brought against them by the provincial government,” said a person familiar with the matter. “We take seriously our responsibility to assist U.S. citizens abroad and are monitoring the situation.”
The Americans were identified by people close to the matter as Jacob Harlan and Alyssa Peterson, who were arrested last month and charged with illegally moving people across borders. They are being held at a detention facility in Jiangsu Province, near Shanghai.
Mr. Harlan is the founder of China Horizons, a group that arranges for Americans to teach English in China, and Ms. Peterson is assistant director of the group.
A U.S. official said the timing of the arrests coincided with the arrest of a Chinese official in New York on visa fraud charges. The detentions in Jiangsu appear to be a Cold War-style hostage-taking, the official said.
The China Horizon website says Mr. Harlan has taught English in China since 2002, and noted that Ms. Peterson has spent the past eight years in and out of China. China has used detentions of foreign nationals in the past in response to arrests of Chinese officials overseas.
For example, as many as 11 Canadians were arrested in China on questionable criminal charges following the Dec. 1 arrest by Canadian authorities of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies.
Ms. Meng’s arrest was carried out in response to a Justice Department information that she was linked to trade with Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions.
China also arrested a Canadian couple, Kevin and Julia Garratt, in 2014 and held them for nearly two years on trumped-up spying charges.
Their arrests were carried out in apparent retaliation for the arrest by Canadian authorities of Chinese hacker Su Bin, who was later imprisoned for his role in stealing Boeing C-17 secrets, as well as data on F-35 and F-22 jets.
The detentions follow the FBI’s arrest Sept. 13 of Chinese government official Zhongsan Liu following a lengthy investigation into Chinese visa fraud related to Beijing’s efforts to garner American high-technology at U.S. universities.
According to court papers, Mr. Liu headed a Chinese front group in New Jersey called the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel (CAIEP).
The case also involves contacts between Mr. Liu and a Chinese government-funded Confucius Institute on a U.S. university campus.
Around 100 Confucius Institutes in the United States have come under fire from critics who say they are being used for Chinese influence operations in support of the Beijing government.
The location of the Americans’ detention also suggests linkage to another FBI case: the detention in October 2018 of Yangjun Xu, a Ministry of State Security intelligence officer indicted on charges of related to the theft of aviation trade secrets.
Mr. Xu is deputy division director with the MSS’s Jiangsu State Security Department, a unit that has been linked to trade secrets’ theft.
Mr. Liu was charged with conspiracy to fraudulently obtain U.S. visas for Chinese officials involved in an effort to recruit Asian-Americans and others who have valuable high-technology experts. Six universities that were not named in court papers were targets of the scheme. They were located in Massachusetts, Georgia, New Jersey, and elsewhere.
According to the FBI criminal complaint, Mr. Liu worked to obtain J-1 research visas to support Chinese scholars in the United States.
Prosecutors, however, charged that Mr. Liu secured the visas “with the knowledge that, once in the United States, the CAIEP employees would not in fact principally conduct research on behalf of their sponsoring universities. but rather would work fulltime for CAIEP.”
The operation was part of a Chinese government recruitment plan called the “Thousand Talents Program,” aimed at gaining American technology and intellectual property.
The Pentagon’s most recent annual report on the Chinese military stated that the Thousand Talents Program funnels technology to the Chinese military and civilian sectors. A White House report published in 2018 stated that more than 44,000 highly skilled overseas Chinese have returned to China through the programs.
At the time of Mr. Liu’s arrest, Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers, director of the National Security Section, said the United States will prosecute government-backed visa fraud while welcoming Chinese researchers.
“We will continue to confront Chinese government attempts to subvert American law to advance its own interests in diverting U.S. research and know-how to China,” he said.
A Chinese Embassy spokesman and China Horizon did not respond to email requests for comment.
Pompeo on China
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has revealed that the United States will insist on strict verification measures for any future trade deal with China.
In an interview for my book “Deceiving the Sky: Inside China’s Drive for Global Supremacy,” Mr. Pompeo outlined the Trump administration’s new get-tough policy toward China. Asked about China’s past failure to abide by agreements made with the United States, Mr. Pompeo said the issue is something “we face in every negotiation.”
“The answer is always really very simple: Whatever outcomes are determined have to be verifiable,” Mr. Pompeo said.
“They have to have a methodology by which enforcement can take place, which means sharing of information and transparency so that we can see what the other side is doing so you can understand if, in fact, they’re abiding by the agreement.”
Additionally, a trade deal will need “enforcement mechanisms.”
“There needs to be … things that happen in the event that one side or the other — in this case you’re referring to Chinese malfeasance — but one side or the other doesn’t abide by their agreements,” Mr. Pompeo said.
“There needs to be a built-in mechanism inside the agreement that says we’re going to verify, we’re going to have an evaluative process, and then in the event there are breaches of the agreement that one side or the other is not living up to their commitments, that there is an enforcement mechanism.”
The enforcement mechanism could include a withdrawal from the agreement or other tools that could be used that would “bring to bear to convince both parties that it is appropriate, when a commitment is made, that one needs to honor it.”
Asked if such mechanisms can be reached in a trade deal, Mr. Pompeo said: “Only time will tell.
China already backed out of a draft agreement with the Trump administration reached in May that would have recognized China’s unfair trade practices and illicit activities.
Last week, President Trump announced a partial trade deal he described as “Phase 1” had been reached and would involve the United States holding off on further tariffs in exchange for China purchasing billions of dollars worth of American farm products.
However, Bloomberg News reported on Monday that China wants more talks before signing the partial deal and will be sending a delegation of negotiators to Washington headed by Vice Premier Liu He.
Additional talks were needed before Chinese President Xi Jinping signs the agreement, according to the news agency, quoting people in familiar with the matter.
An agreement could be signed during the APEC summit in Chile next month.
The Chinese are seeking a halt in additional U.S. tariffs planned for December in addition to the tariffs that were to go into effect this week.
Top Businessman Arrested For Smuggling Given Bail
Prominent Mutare businessman, Ernest Mungwari, owner of Tenda Buses, has been arrested on allegations of obstructing the police and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officials from confiscating goods that had been smuggled into the country.
Mungwari (72) and businesswoman Mary Njokwe (34) yesterday appeared before Mutare magistrate Tendai Mahwe, who granted them $150 bail each and ordered them not to interfere with the State witnesses.
The pair was not asked to plead and will appear in court on November 28 for trial. Prosecutor Nyasha Mukonyora told the court that Mungwari and Njokwe obstructed police officers and Zimra officials from confiscating contraband that had been smuggled into the country.
Mukonyora told the court that on October 13, three police officers were on anti-smuggling duties at Sakubva bus terminus.
The detectives received a tip off that Njokwe had loaded contraband from South Africa which she had received from a Tenda bus.
Detectives proceeded to Tenda garage in Mutare and observed two motor vehicles leaving the premises.
The detectives followed the motor vehicles until they reached Sakubva Musika rank where they intercepted them.
After the detectives intercepted the vehicles, the court was further told that the detectives demanded to see the declaration papers of the goods, but none could be produced, prompting the cops to effect an arrest on Njokwe.
Newsday
MDC MP Arrested For Rape: Advice To Politicians, “Stay Away From These Relationships.” – Reader
Paul Nyathi|A ZimEye.com reader has immediately responded to the arrest of MDC MP for Magwegwe Constituency Anele Ndebele, calling on politicians to be very careful when involving themselves in relationships outside their marriages.
Below is the full advice from the reader going by the name Jojo3.
Let me give an invaluable advice to my fellow politicians, whether MDC or Zanu-PF.
The economic situation in Zim is dire at the moment and, so the traps are everywhere, you are walking on eggshells every day as long as you’re involved with women outside your marriage.
Some of these girls and their relatives are gold diggers and can be used by your political enemies to bring you down.
Guys be very careful with Zim women, they’ve copied a system in UK where they report someone for rape when in actual fact they agreed to everything and will hide behind being drunk.
If there’s need for a girlfriend go for mature beautiful women. Don’t say I didn’t tell you.
As for Hon Ndebele, please gather all the trail of evidence this girl left behind and expose her.
Bulawayo Kombi Operators Reject ZUPCO Deal
CITE|Commuter omnibus owners, operating under the banner of Tshova Mubaiwa in Bulawayo have rejected a move by the government to have their vehicles placed under the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) franchise citing a number of reasons.
The government, which is battling to address the urban transport crisis, is mobilising over 200 kombis to service urban routes in addition to a few ZUPCO that have been failing to cope with demand.
The move is aimed at having affordable fares for commuters in the city.
ZUPCO held a meeting in Bulawayo with kombi owners to explain the newest scheme in the transport sector.
“I am just from the meeting between kombi owners and ZUPCO officials and they (kombi owners) have rejected the move to put their Kombis under ZUPCO,” Tshova Mubaiwa Chairman, Atlas Moyo, told CITE.
“They said their vehicles will not be subjected to work from 4 am up to 10 pm, so they refused to have their vehicles operate under ZUPCO.”
Under the scheme, transport owners only provide drivers while ZUPCO avails conductors, something the former says is for transparency purposes.
Moyo said kombi owners shot down that down, arguing they cannot abandon their touts with whom they have worked for years.
“They also rejected the move to not use their conductors, saying it was difficult to just drop people they have worked with over the years,” said Moyo.
“They said they want to use their drivers and conductors. They also said that they have also managed to discipline their workers for over the years. As operations we have had disciplinary committees for over the years and we have also managed to put order.” said.
Expricoss Chairperson, Nsikelelo Ngangezwe Khumalo, said their association had not yet been consulted.
Expricoss is an association mostly made up of operators whose use small vehicles.
“As an association, we have not been consulted, we only heard the news through media; we have been isolated,” said Khumalo.
“We cannot join something which we have not been consulted on. As an association we have ways of running these associations; we cannot just be part of something which we were not approached about in the first place.
He, however, said they were also having challenges with fuel and also looking forward to being rescued from that.
We have also had challenges of fuel and eager to be rescued,” he said.
Director of Bulawayo United Public Transport Association (BUPTA), Morgan Msipa, told CITE he did not attend the meeting.
“I was not part of the meeting so I cannot comment on that as I was not part of,” he said.
ZUPCO Bulawayo manager, Modreck Zivende, said proper documentation was a prerequisite to operators registering their kombis under the company.
“Anyone can register their Kombi under ZUPCO, associations or even individuals,” said Zivende.
UK:Women No More Silence Function 26th Oct
MDC MP For Magwegwe Arrested For Allegedly Rapping An A’Level Student
THE MDC Member of Parliament for Magwegwe Constituency in Bulawayo, Anele Ndebele, has been arrested for allegedly raping and impregnating a high school pupil.
Ndebele is accused of raping the Upper Six pupil who learns at a school in Kezi, Matabeleland South Province.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the MP’s arrest yesterday.
“I can confirm that we received a rape report against a 47-year-old male who is a politician. He is a member of the House of Assembly for Magwegwe Constituency. The victim in this case is a minor therefore I cannot divulge further details. The matter is under investigation and the accused is assisting us with investigations,” said Asst Commissioner Nyathi.
According to sources the matter came to light when the pupil, whose name has been withheld for ethical reasons, fell pregnant.
Ndebele is alleged to have first met the girl in March this year when he proposed love to her but was turned down.
He then allegedly started raping her in April and May after offering to pay for her school holiday lessons.
The girl reported the matter to the police after discovering that she was pregnant.
“Ndebele met the school girl at Kezi Business Centre in March and she told him she was a Form Six pupil. He allegedly met the pupil again the following month in Kezi during the school holidays and asked her why she was not attending holiday lessons like other pupils. The complainant is alleged to have informed him that she had no money to pay for the holiday school programme. He is alleged to have offered to pay for her holiday school lessons and gave her 100 rand and some local currency,” said a source.
Ndebele allegedly proposed love to the pupil and was shot down.
“After he was rejected by the school girl, he then forced himself on her. After the rape he gave her money and left,” said the source.
Ndebele is alleged to have seen the girl again in May this year after calling her from school to meet him by his car.
He reportedly drove to a house under construction in the area where he dismissed all construction workers.
“He told all workers to leave and then went into the house with the school girl. He raped her four times before he let her go. He gave her ZWL$60 and took her back to school where he dropped her off at the gate,” said the source.
The matter allegedly only came to light when the complainant discovered that she was pregnant and filed a police report.
Minister July Moyo Says He Is Not Aware Of Gweru Town Clerk Suspension
State Media|Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo said he was not briefed about the suspension of Gweru town clerk Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza by the MDC-Alliance-led council.
Ms Gwatiringa was suspended on a slew of charges on Tuesday.
In an interview, Minister Moyo said he would look into the issue as a matter of urgency to ensure service delivery was not affected.
“About the suspension of Gweru town clerk, I’m not aware of it, I wasn’t briefed about this alleged suspension and I’m going to look into it,” he said.
Announcing the suspension of Ms Gwatipedza at Town House on Tuesday, Gweru Mayor Councillor Josiah Makombe said the suspension was with immediate effect and was without pay.
Clr Makombe said Ms Gwatipedza faced a number of allegations which included failure to coordinate, monitor and supervise all departments, thereby resulting in employees working in silos which consequently affected service delivery.
He said Ms Gwatipedza was also accused of negligence of duty which resulted in council being prejudiced financially. Without elaborating, Clr Makombe said Ms Gwatipedza violated the Public Procurement and Debt Management Act.
He said she was being accused of continuously exhibiting inconsistency in the discharge of her duties.
Meanwhile, Mr Vakayi Douglas Chikwekwe, who assumed the post of Gweru town clerk on an interim basis, has come under spotlight after it emerged that he allegedly looted more than 4 500 litres of fuel from the cash strapped local authority worth over $70 000.
This publication is in possession of a letter dated September 15 written to Mr Chikwekwe by Ms Gwatipedza alleging that he committed 84 counts of fuel theft after claiming more fuel than what he was entitled to.
It also emerged that Ms Gwatipedza was in the process of suspending him for contravening Section 4 (d) (Theft or Fraud) of the Labour Act SI15 of 2006 when she was suspended on allegations of mismanagement and incompetence.
Mr Chikwekwe directed questions to the public relations officer Ms Vimbai Chingwaramise, who was not reachable.
Bread Price Outrage “Children Are Going To School Without Bread; Spending The Whole Day Without Food.”
State Media|THE Consumer Rights Association says bread is now beyond the reach of many consumers as retailers this week increased the price of bread to almost $16 a loaf from around $10.
Consumer Rights Association spokesperson Mr Effie Ncube said they were troubled by the continuous increases in the cost of basic commodities including bread which was now beyond the reach of consumers.
“We are very much concerned about the ever-increasing cost of basic commodities, like bread that has been priced beyond the reach of the majority of the people of Zimbabwe.
“As a result, in the morning everyday where you are supposed to have bread on the table, people are not affording that, so children are going to school without bread; spending the whole day without food,” he said.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, the Poverty Datum Line for a family of five as at the end of August was pegged at $1, 826,99 while a majority of middle-income earners were earning way below $1 000.
Leading bakery, Bakers Inn, a business unit of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed Simbisa Brands had its bread sold at $15,65 by major supermarkets in the Central Business District.
Oceans Supermarket which also operate a confectionery was selling its factory-produced bread at $15 a loaf.
In a separate interview, the Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) media and public relations manager Mr Garikai Chaunza said flour supply by the millers across the country was constant.
National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Dennis Wallah said his association does not prescribe prices individual members should charge on their products, adding that the association was only able to engage the Government on cost changes.
“As an association, we don’t actually prescribe prices to our members. But we conscientise the Government to say when the costs are moving like this and in the event that nothing is done, obviously chances are there that price movements on bread are going to take place,” he said.
ZANU PF Endorses District Elections Dominated By Re-emerging G40 Faction
THE Zanu-PF Politburo has endorsed newly-elected Harare District Coordinating Committee (DCC) executive members as part of a restructuring exercise to strengthen the party ahead of 2023 national elections.
Zanu-PF is starting from DCCs as the basis of setting up party structures in Harare and Bulawayo since the provincial structures were dissolved earlier this year by President Mnangagwa after reports of divisions that rocked the restructuring process.
The Politburo yesterday endorsed former Harare provincial chairman Godwills Masimirembwa as the DCC chairman for Zone 4, former provincial youth chairman Godwin Gomwe (Zone 2), Ephraim Fundukwa (Zone 6), Kudakwashe Damson (Zone 5), Mafuratidze Goodwell (Zone 1) and George Chiminhi (Zone 3).
Addressing a Press conference after the special session yesterday, Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu said the Politburo endorsed the DCC elections outcome.
“This is a special edition of an extraordinary session of the Politburo which was called by His Excellency President Mnangagwa to address the outcome of the DCC elections which took place here in Harare,” he said.
“We received a detailed report from the National Political Commissar, Cde Victor Matemadanda, and the report was comprehensive and identified areas that needed to be addressed.”
Generally, Dr Mpofu said, the exercise was accepted in its entirety, including the results of that exercise.
“You will notice that the exercise was conducted by six provinces, six representatives who supervised the six zones that were restructured,” he said.
“We have chairpersons, in fact, the whole structure of DCC has got structures whose leadership has been fully endorsed by the Politburo. These are the outcomes of a very contested process which saw quite a number of comrades taking part.”
The newly elected DCC Harare executives will undergo the party ideological training to instil discipline.
“The Politburo has also directed that all the recently elected leaders in Harare
for all the zones should be compelled to undergo ideological training as we reaffirm discipline and ideological understanding of our revolution,” said Dr Mpofu.
He urged party members to stop interfering with party processes, saying they risked expulsion.
“It was observed also that there was some mischief by some certain elements who are prone to using money to cause confusion within the party process and the Politburo has directed that in future such characters if found and proven that they are using money to interfere with our internal electoral process this should warrant an instant dismissal from the party,” said Dr Mpofu.
“We want to warn those who would want to use unorthodox methods in seeking for positions in the party to refrain from activities that are meant to divide or corrupt the system.”
Mupfumira Kicked Out Of ZANU PF Politburo Meeting
State Media|Sacked Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister and Zanu-PF Politburo member Prisca Mupfumira, who is on $5 000 bail for alleged criminal abuse of office, was ejected from yesterday’s extraordinary session of the Politburo.
The former minister arrived just before the start of the meeting at 9am and took her seat among other Politburo members.
She, however, emerged from the meeting before debate started minutes later and left.
Sources said members of the party’s protocol were instructed to eject Mupfumira from the meeting because her presence was undesirable.
Before entering the meeting room, the erstwhile minister had attended an anti-sanctions day preparatory meeting at the party headquarters.
Mupfumira was recently granted bail after spending nearly two months in custody. She is facing seven counts of criminal abuse of office involving US$95 million.
President Mnangagwa relieved Mupfumira of her duties in early August on the basis that her conduct was not in line with that expected of a Government minister.
The President has made it clear that he does not tolerate corruption, and those engaging in it risked punishment despite their standing and positions.
The Zanu-PF Mashonaland West Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) has since resolved to recall Mupfumira from her position.
Party provincial chairman Ziyambi Ziyambi said the province resolved to recall her from being a Central Committee member and Senator.
Mupfumira’s criminal abuse of office charges date back to her time as Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister.
During her application for bail, it emerged that Mupfumira had properties in South Africa, Dubai and the United Kingdom.
She was granted $5 000 bail by High Court judge Justice Amy Tsanga recently, that was coupled with stringent conditions.
Justice Tsanga ordered her to surrender her two passports or any other travel documents and title deeds of house number 51 Fairway, Mt Pleasant.
Mupfumira is to report twice a week at Avondale Police Station, not to interfere with State witnesses and to continue residing at her Mt Pleasant, Harare, home.
She is set to be charged with fraud and money laundering, with the State saying it had completed investigations into the fresh charges and will be ready to commence trial once all due processes have been completed.
Nyusi Likely To Walk Away With A Tainted Victory In Chaotic Moza Elections
- Polling Stations burnt during voting and counting
- Significant ballot box stuffing
- Polling station head invalidated ballots
- Frelimo “observers” vote several times
- Ballots burned in Sofala
- Observer harassment
- Frelimo calls for calm
Preliminary data from the ‘Peace Room’ Joint Electoral Observation Platform point to a significant victory for Frelimo presidential candidate Filipe Nyusi, with 72% of the vote.
The information was shared at a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Maputo by ‘Sala da Paz’ spokesperson Felicidade Chirindza (see video below).
“In terms of projected results, the ‘Sala da Paz’ data, – although preliminary, based on the reading of result sheets [editais] – indicate a 72 percent victory for candidate Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, followed by 21 percent for Ossufo Momade, Daviz Simango with 5.8 percent,”said Chirindza.
However, Peace Room notes, data will vary as result sheets are released on the platform. “This data is in line with the projections which are being shared by the press,” she said.
Source: Carta de Moçambique
Moza Election; Several Detained After Being Caught Stuffing Ballot Papers Into Boxes
Maputo — The Mozambican police have detained a member of Mozambique’s ruling Frelimo Party, named as Afonso Henriques, for alleged electoral fraud, reports the election observation team from the anti-corruption NGO, the Centre for Public Integrity.
Henriques was supposedly caught in the possession of 12 extra ballot papers all marked in advance in favour of Frelimo, while he was trying to slip them into the ballot box in a polling station in the Angoche municipality of the northern province of Nampula.
In a polling station in Mopeia district, in Zambezia province, a member of the polling station staff named Selma Francisco was found with ballot markers also marked in advance for Frelimo. The report did not say how many she was carrying.
In Dachua locality, in Milange district, also in Zambezia, a citizen was found with six extra ballot papers, and was arrested.
In the same district, a polling station monitor for the main opposition party, Renamo, caught a man trying to slip extra ballot papers into a ballot box in the locality of Chitambo. According to the CIP correspondents, the man concerned works for the district immigration services. In his case, the police took no action.
According to the coalition of observer groups known as Sala da Paz (Peace Room), people have also supposedly been found with ballot papers marked in advance for Frelimo in Nampula city and in the Zambezia districts of Mulumbo and Mocuba.
So far, it is not known whether these ballot papers are authentic, or how they reached the hands of the people who intended to slip them into the ballot boxes.
CIP also noted a number of other irregularities at polling stations. Thus, at a station in the Zona Verde neighbourhood of Maputo, the deputy chairperson of the station was suspended for unauthorised use of a cell phone. Polling station members of staff are forbidden from using cell phones, except for the chairperson and them only to communicate with STAE.
In the Caliu administrative post of Angonia district, Tete province, a citizen who had already voted was detained by the police, when he returned to the polling station. He was said to be making “strange movements”. A citizen was detained in the Angonia district capital Ulongue, because he had been collecting voter cards. In both case, these individuals turned out to be members of Renamo.
President Filipe Nyusi Takes Convincing Early Lead In Mozambiquen Elections
Paul Nyathi|As more polling station data is processed from Tuesday’s general and provincial elections in Mozambique, incumbent President Filipe Nyusi and the ruling Frelimo Party are extending their lead.
From a source in the Zambezia branch of the Electoral Administration Technical Secretariat (STAE), AIM found that by 13.30 on Wednesday, presidential ballots from 745 polling stations had been processed, giving the following result:
Filipe Nyusi (Frelimo) 133,509 (65 per cent)
Ossufo Momade (Renamo) 51,299 (24 per cent)
Daviz Simango (MDM) 7,733 (4 per cent)
As for the parliamentary election, data from 455 Zambezia polling stations have been processed, with the following result:
Frelimo 71,931 (59 per cent)
Renamo 31,469 (25 per cent)
MDM 4,257 (3 per cent)
Data on the provincial assembly election is available from 469 polling stations, and they give similar results:
Frelimo 79,556 (61 per cent)
Renamo 34,864 (26 per cent)
MDM 5,058 (4 per cent)
The above percentages omit the handful of votes won by minor parties, and the spoilt ballots.
But these figures come from a minority of the polling stations. Zambezia is the second largest provincial constituency, with 2.13 million registered voters and 3,219 polling stations. As the data from polling stations in the more remote parts of the province, where Renamo is likely to do well, becomes available, the Frelimo lead could shrink or even disappear.
Botswana IEC Ready For Crunch Elections Next Week
Paul Nyathi|The Independent Electoral Commission in Botswana says it is ready for the 12th general elections in the landlocked country. Botswana will be going to the polls next Wednesday.
Out of the 1.6 million eligible voters, only 925 000 people have registered to vote.
Four political parties including the ruling Botswana Democratic Party have registered presidential candidates.
The party needs to win more than 29 seats in the 57 seat Parliament for its candidate to be declared the winner.
“A total of 210 candidates successfully nominated for assembly, which comprises 57 seats and we have 1 547 local-government-nominated candidates. Out of this 1 547, we have 198 independent candidates,” says spokesperson for the IEC in Botswana, Osupile Maroba.
Bread Price Shoots To $ 16
THE Consumer Rights Association says bread is now beyond the reach of many consumers as retailers this week increased the price of bread to almost $16 a loaf from around $10.
A snap survey by our Bulawayo Bureau yesterday revealed that bread was not available in most retail outlets.
Consumer Rights Association spokesperson Mr Effie Ncube said they were troubled by the continuous increases in the cost of basic commodities including bread which was now beyond the reach of consumers.
“We are very much concerned about the ever-increasing cost of basic commodities, like bread that has been priced beyond the reach of the majority of the people of Zimbabwe.
“As a result, in the morning everyday where you are supposed to have bread on the table, people are not affording that, so children are going to school without bread; spending the whole day without food,” he said.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, the Poverty Datum Line for a family of five as at the end of August was pegged at $1, 826,99 while a majority of middle-income earners were earning slightly above $1 000.
Leading bakery, Bakers Inn, a business unit of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed Simbisa Brands had its bread sold at $15,65 by major supermarkets in the Central Business District.State media
Mutsvangwa Accuses Journalists Of Lacking Objectivity
Media reports on Government’s re-engagement with Western countries being led by President Mnangagwa should be accurate and progressive for the benefit of all Zimbabweans, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.
She said this during her ministry’s Strategic Planning Review Meeting in Harare yesterday.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the meeting was aimed at reviewing the operationalisation of the strategic plan adopted early this year.
“Zimbabwe demands journalists to objectively unpack the Zimbabwean story, mobilise citizens to realise the national vision of developing an upper-middle economy by the year 2030, as defined by President E.D Mnangagwa,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
She said it was worth noting that the contribution of academics in the analysis of Zimbabwe’s re-engagement process may benefit citizens by way of conditioning them to the eventual outcome of the process.
She said rebranding Zimbabwe locally, in the region and internationally was paramount going forward.State media
MDC Marshals Bail Ruling Set For Today
Bail ruling in the case of 11 suspected MDC-Alliance marshals who allegedly assaulted a police officer at a food court in Harare after declaring it a no-go area for police officers was yesterday postponed to today because the presiding magistrate is not feeling well.
According to the State, the 11
— Hilton Tamangani (29), Evans Chinyanga (39), Tichaona Maziya (22), Petros Kaesa (44), Tafadzwa Madziwa (23), Lovemore Chitengo(42), Robson Mutseta (31), Hillary Nyawasha (29), Denford Mlambo (41), Blessing Chirodza (41) and David Tawanda Tekere (35) — pounced on the police officer, Tatenda Sibiya, who was standing at the intersection of Julius Nyerere Way and Kwame Nkrumah Avenue.
Harare provincial magistrate Mrs Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro told the court that she was not familiar with the matter as the presiding magistrate, Mrs Learnmore Mapiye, was not in attendance.
She rolled over the ruling to today.
The 11 allegedly took turns to punch and slap the policeman while ordering him to leave ‘‘their’’ area.State media
Striking Doctors Face Disciplinary Action
The Health Services Board (HSB) is likely to commence disciplinary hearings against doctors who ignored last Friday’s Labour Court ruling ordering them to return to work within 48 hours.
This followed revelations that the provision for arbitration in the ruling was based on the doctors’ return to work, which they defied.
Furthermore, striking doctors who spend more than 30 days without reporting for work were not paid October salaries.
Speaking from Harare Central Hospital where he was assessing the situation, including availability of medicines and equipment, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said Government was still open for dialogue and would want the striking doctors to return to work while negotiations continue.
“The arbitration process as of today, I have been advised by the Attorney-General that, because the doctors did not meet the deadline, they didn’t turn up for work, so that provision now falls away,” said Dr Moyo.State media
Warriors Leave For Lesotho
THE Warriors are set to leave the country this morning for the second-leg of the final round of the Chan qualifier against Lesotho on Sunday.
The Warriors will fly to Johannesburg and complete the remaining 420km to Maseru by road.
“All the travelling logistics are in place and the team leaves tomorrow by air to Johannesburg. From there, they will travel by road to Maseru.
They had two days of training, and the travelling squad will be announced tonight (last night),” said Xolisani Gwesela, the Zifa communications manager.
The Warriors are hoping to finish off Lesotho in their backyard and book a place to the Chan finals to be held in Cameroon next year.
Zimbabwe are one foot into the finals of the tournament meant for players plying their trade in their respective national leagues, as they carry what appears to be a healthy 3-1 lead from the first-leg.
Highlanders’ forward Prince Dube scored a brace in the first-leg, with the other goal coming from Wellington Taderera of Black Rhinos.
As part of their preparations, the Warriors trained on an artificial turf at Zifa Village on Tuesday to familiarise themselves with the turf they will play on in Maseru on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association (ZNSSA) has organised a special package for fans that want to travel to Lesotho to cheer the Warriors.
Carlmarx Nkomo, the ZNSSA vice-president, said fans will leave Bulawayo by road tomorrow morning.
“We are having a send-off ceremony at the Zifa Southern Region offices in Bulawayo on Thursday for the supporters travelling to Lesotho. We’ll leave on Friday morning and depart Maseru on Monday. We want to make sure that we are there when the boys do us proud and give them the same support that we’ve done when the international stars represent the country.
“Supporters from Harare, Masvingo and Zvishavane are coming to sleep in Bulawayo and we will pick up a couple of guys in Beitbridge. These supporters are paying their own transport and accommodation. We only negotiated reasonable charges. We’re appealing to Zimbabweans in South Africa, especially around the Free State province, to crossover into Lesotho and support the boys,” said Nkomo.State media
Bosso Youngster Scoops Top Award
Farai Dziva|Highlanders forward Prince Dube has been named the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Player of the Month of September.
The Highlanders striker who had a slow start to the campaign won the accolade for the first time since returning to the Bulawayo giants at the end of last year.
His outstanding performances saw his extending his goal tally to five by the end of the month.
Manica Diamonds’ Johanisi Nhumwa won the Best Coach ward for the same month.
I Will Not Let My Dad Down :Peter Moyo
AS the arts industry is remembering the late Utakataka Express founder Tongai “Dewa” Moyo who died eight years ago on October 15, his son, Peter “Young Igwe” Moyo has taken time to reflect on life without his father.
Having been left with the responsibility to take care of his mother and five siblings at the age of 23, Peter said he is content with the ground he has covered thus far as he is ably upholding his father’s legacy.
For the past eight years, Young Igwe has had to support his family and ensure the music legacy left by Dewa lives on.
Speaking from Harare where he is based, Young Igwe said: “At 23, I was given a huge task of being a leader of the family. I wondered if I’d be able to do it, leading and taking care of people older than me, but I’m glad to say I’m doing well as the breadwinner of the family.
“God has his own way of doing things and I’m amazed by it. Up to today, I don’t know how I was able to do it, but all I know is that without Him, I wouldn’t have been able to do so. I’m grateful to Him as I’ve been able to support people who depended on my father.”State media
Grace Mugabe To Lose Mazowe Property
Farai Dziva|Former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s is facing eviction from her Mazowe Farm.
A Mazowe gold miner she displaced during her late husband, Robert Mugabe’s reign, is now seeking to evict her and repossess the farm where the mine is located, according to NewsDay.
The miner, Langton Chapungu, approached the High Court seeking the former First Lady’s eviction together with two other individuals who were only identified in court papers as Tongai and Jemwa.
Grace is facing similar threats from Harare property owners who were displaced to pave way for expansion of Mugabe’s Blue Roof mansion in Borrowdale.
“The first and second respondents (Tongai and Jemwa) are doing illegal mining activities in my plot and the third respondent (Grace) is also doing her farming activities in that same plot of mine, to an extent that she had even erected some structures at my place,” Chapungu argued.
“The defendants have gone further threatening me with unspecified action if I continue disturbing them from their illegal activities in my plot.
In spite of the demand to vacate, the defendants have refused and offered flimsy and fabricated reasons to justify their continued illegal stay at my place, leaving me with no option except to approach this honourable court for relief.”
How To Reduce Impact Of Inflation
During inflationary situations it is important to come up with effective strategy to preserve value;
- What ever you do, make sure you owe rather than being owed. Hyperinflation always works in favour of the borrower.
- Quickly convert all your excess liquid cash into physical assets or commodities as quickly as you can, preferably those that will be easy to convert back into cash when you need the cash, or can be exchanged for other commodities.
- Don’t sell any asset unless you really have to. Especially do not sell big assets like cars, land or house with the intention of buying another one. You may lose value while you are holding the cash, or there maybe a policy change overnight which prevents you from replacing the asset.
- Don’t make long term decisions based on the current situation as sooner or later the market will correct itself. If you are earning forex and you are benefiting from the runaway exchange rate, don’t transfer your children to expensive schools or star renting premises which you will not be able to afford, but for the market distortions.
- Don’t rush to quit your formal job or drop out of college to become a money changer, fuel dealer etc. Most importantly of all, don’t upgrade your spouse because of the temporary upgrade in your lifestyle.
- If you have the opportunity to make some money from the arbitrage opportunities that currently exist, make hay while the sun is shining and quickly convert all your extra earnings into lasting, physical assets so that you have something to show for it when the music stops. Far too many money changers wasted money on big screen tvs and leather sofas while living in rented accommodation, instead of buying a stand or even a small core-house.
Conclusion:
Information is power, please share advice with your loved ones, family and friends.Coalition Against Sanctions
Exposed: Massive Vote Rigging In Masvingo
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
Mthuli Ncube Is Crazy
Watch video below. ..
MDC’s Siziba Blasts Mthuli Ncube
Watch Video below. ..
“Chamisa Will Not Beat Mnangagwa In 2023”
Farai Dziva| A United Kingdom based think tank has claimed the MDC does not have the capacity to defeat Zanu PF in 2023.
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a member of The Economist Group has also predicted a comfortable win for Zanu-PF in the 2023 harmonised elections.
See part of the report below :
“In the most recent presidential election, in July 2018, President Mnangagwa won 50.8 percent of the votes just enough to avoid a run-off against his nearest rival, Nelson Chamisa of the MDC.”
“Mr Chamisa secured 44,3 percent of the vote, with the remainder spread across the other 21 candidates.
“In the legislative election, which was held at the same time, Zanu-PF secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority, with 179 out of 270 seats. Zanu-PF remains in a dominant position because any group splitting from the ruling party would lose access to the benefits of incumbency.
“The opposition has little political authority or ability to hold the government to account. The next presidential and legislative elections are due to be held in 2023. We expect Zanu-PF to win comfortably given its stranglehold on the political scene.”
“Government revenue will decline in 2020 as the economy contracts by almost 13 percent.”
“However, as economic activity increases steadily in 2021-24, and government capacity to collect taxes improves, we forecast that revenue will pick up steadily.
“In 2021-24, as revenue increases, expenditure will rise steadily, as the government seeks to repair infrastructure following years of underinvestment, support broader economic growth and maintain the substantial public-sector wage bill. We expect the fiscal deficit to narrow slightly in 2020, to 6,3 percent of GDP, before trending down in 2021-24, to 5,9 percent of GDP in 2024, as revenue growth out paces spending growth.”
Family Perishes In Car Crash
A Zimbabwean family perished in a horrific accident in South Africa last weekend.
The accident claimed eight lives and some of the victims were burnt beyond recognition.
The crash occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, with one of the vehicles bursting into flames.
According to the police, all the four occupants were burnt beyond recognition -State media
MDC Dismisses Report On Talks And Meeting At Zanu PF Headquarters
The MDC would like to put it on record that it has not been involved in any meeting with Zanu PF either formal, ad-hoc or informal.
As the party that won the 2018 election, the MDC is committed to resolving the socioeconomic problems facing the country in keeping with its promise to the people of Zimbabwe at the 2018 Election.
The MDC understands that the deepening crisis is a direct consequence of the unresolved 2018 Presidential election wherein popular will was disregarded and the MDC was prevented from executing its mandate as the winning party. We therefore, believe that it is fundamental that there be genuine dialogue aimed at resolving this legitimacy question and to attend to political and economic reforms.
The MDC believes that the platform for this dialogue must be convened by a neutral arbitrator or institution and that the outcome of the dialogue and its execution be guaranteed by SADC, AU or the UN.
The MDC would like to reassure its members and the nation that we have not digressed from the path to dialogue as explicitly expressed in the RELOAD document.
Chalton Hwende
Secretary General
Movement for Democratic Change
Zim Family Members Who Died In S.A Car Crash Named
By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwean couple and their minor children perished in a horrific road accident in South Africa last weekend which claimed eight lives, some of them burnt beyond recognition.
The crash occurred in Ladysmith, KwaZulu Natal, with one of the vehicles, a Porsche Cayenne, bursting into flames on impact. According to the police, all four occupants of the vehicle were burnt beyond recognition.
The husband and wife Zimbabwean couple and their two children aged 10 and five who were travelling in the other vehicle, a Toyota Fortuner, died at the scene of the accident.
SA Police spokesperson Nqobile Gwala said circumstances surrounding the tragedy were being investigated.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport is assisting the relatives of two families with the bereavement.
Traffic officials were working with police to establish the owner of the Porsche, as the car had no registration numbers.
Police identified the Zimbabwean family as: Tonderai Godfrey Sithole (38) – Driver, Faith Sithole – Wife (36), Shalom Sithole – Female (10), Shekinah Sithole – Female (5).
Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Bheki Ntuli said he was saddened at the continued loss of life and extended his condolences to the families of the dead. He pledged the support of the department.
“I’m deeply saddened at the continued loss of lives. Losing an entire family in just one accident is such a great tragedy. In this particular accident we have lost two families,” he said.
“We once again extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and our officials will continue supporting the families as the make arrangements to bury their loved ones.
“What is most worrying is that it seems as though motorists are not adhering to our road rules and speed limits, which in the main is leading to these accidents.”
Local councillor Zakhele Myende said the area where the accident occurred was notorious for speeding vehicles.
“We don’t often have such accidents, but are aware of the issue of cars speeding at the spot where the accident happened,” said Myende.
“There are a lot of trucks going in and out of Ladysmith towards Newcastle, and motorists often speed to try to overtake these trucks. We have reports that there are lots of speeding tickets issued on that part of the road.”
-Agencies
Mozambique Elections: Six Polling Stations Set On Fire As Vote Counting Gets Dirty
Six polling stations with 4605 registered voters were set ablaze by Renamo supporters who were furious over alleged fraud. The classrooms at Milagre Mabote primary school, Maniamba, Lago district, Niassa, where the 6 polling stations operated were made of traditional materials. As the photo shows, the classrooms and all voting materials, including ballot papers, were reduced to ashes.
After voting ended but before the count, the opposition surrounded EPC Milagre Mabote, and police fired into the air to disperse the crowd. With those shots, Renamo supporters threw many stones at police officers and burned all the ballot boxes. Polling station staff, journalists and even the police took refuge in the woods. A police car rescued the polling station staff, reported our correspondent at dawn today.
Jacob Zuma Fights To Avoid Nkandla Being Repossed
The Pietermaritzburg High Court on Tuesday agreed to postpone former president Jacob Zuma’s corruption trial until February of next year.
In the meantime, his lawyers say they’ll be appealing last week’s judgment refusing him a permanent stay of prosecution.
So just what is Zuma’s endgame?
Legal journalist Karyn Maughan says he’s really just biding his time. “At this point he simply does not have the money to fund a full-scale criminal trial.”
“We could have a situation where we see him applying for legal aid,” says Maughan. “At this point, he is fighting to stop Nkandla from being repossessed by the VPS liquidators who want him to pay R7.3-million or they will attach that property as part of efforts to recoup the loan that he got.”
Maughan says the postponement of the trial allows Zuma’s legal team the opportunity to use the next few months to plot a way forward.
Chivhu Farmer loses Entire Head Of Cattle After Using Wrong Chemical
A CHIVHU communal farmer has lost his entire head of 12 cattle after spraying them with a wrong dipping chemical.
Taziva Madondo’s cattle died on Monday soon after he had finished spraying them with Diazinon 30 EC, an insecticide for garden use.
Chikomba district veterinary doctor, Tafadzwa Mashawi confirmed the incident.
“I received information that a farmer had sprayed his cattle with a wrong chemical, but I have not yet received finer details from the vet officer who attended the scene,” Mashawi said.
Madondo, of Chirinda village in Chief Chivese’s area, told NewsDay that he purchased the insecticide from a pharmacy in Chivhu intending to kill insects in his fowl run and he assumed that it would also work on cattle ticks.
“Unfortunately, all the cattle reacted negatively soon after I had finished spraying them so I couldn’t do anything to save them. Luckily, I had not yet used it in the fowl run,” he said.
The villager said since he uses cattle for draught power, this farming season could be a difficult one after losing his entire head.
Mozambique Elections: One Person Killed By Police During Clashes At Vote Counting Station
Maputo — One person died during police intervention against a crowd in the northern Mozambican port city of Nacala, during the counting of votes at the polling stations after Tuesday’s general and provincial elections.
According to a report by correspondents from the anti-corruption NGO, the Centre for Public Integrity (CIP), the police intervened when the crowd began to set tyres on fire. In addition to the fatality, the police shot four other people in the legs in their efforts to disburse the crowd,
The incident took place outside polling stations in the Sao Vicente de Paulo secondary school in the Nacala neighbourhood of Ontupaia
The crowd had gathered in obedience to calls by leaders of the main opposition party Renamo, notably the mayor of the central city of Quelimane, Manuel de Araujo, to gather outside the polling stations “to control the vote”.
In practice, crowds who obeyed this call were too far away from the stations to see anything going on inside them, and merely exposed themselves to lethal force in the event of clashes with the police.
A crowd also gathered outside polling stations at a school in Angoche which, like Nacala, is in the northern province of Nampula. Tensions ran high because, earlier in the day, Renamo supporters suspected that polling station chairpersons had filled in extra ballot papers in support of the ruling Frelimo Party.
According to the “Mozambique Political Process Bulletin”, published by CIP, when the crowd approached the polling stations, the police fired into the air seven times, and used tear gas in an attempt to disperse the protestors. Three classrooms in the school were set on fire, but there are no reports of damage to the election material.
At the Gulamo polling centre, in Mozambique Island, off the Nampula coast, at about 19.00 the police fired three shots into the air, to disperse a crowd, the Bulletin reported.
Elsewhere, the police expelled duly accredited observers from the count. At a polling centre in a school in Mocubela, Zambezia province, police threatened a CIP observer and forced him to leave. This police behaviour was entirely illegal.
At a polling station in Guro district, in the central province of Zambezia, the station chairperson threw out independent observers.
At one Nampula station, the Bulletin reported the police preventing observers from taking photos of the result sheets (“editais”) posted on the walls. The editais are public documents and any citizen, observer or not, is fully entitled to copy or photograph them.
MDC Dismisses Report On Talks And Meeting At Zanu PF Headquarters
Media Statement|The MDC would like to put it on record that it has not been involved in any meeting with Zanu PF either formal, ad-hoc or informal.
As the party that won the 2018 election, the MDC is committed to resolving the socioeconomic problems facing the country in keeping with its promise to the people of Zimbabwe at the 2018 Election.
The MDC understands that the deepening crisis is a direct consequence of the unresolved 2018 Presidential election wherein popular will was disregarded and the MDC was prevented from executing its mandate as the winning party. We therefore, believe that it is fundamental that there be genuine dialogue aimed at resolving this legitimacy question and to attend to political and economic reforms.
The MDC believes that the platform for this dialogue must be convened by a neutral arbitrator or institution and that the outcome of the dialogue and its execution be guaranteed by SADC, AU or the UN.
The MDC would like to reassure its members and the nation that we have not digressed from the path to dialogue as explicitly expressed in the RELOAD document.
Chalton Hwende
Secretary General
Movement for Democratic Change