President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday received an Honorary Doctorate in Peace and Governance from Bindura University of Science and Technology (BUSE) for his role in promoting peace and development.
The honour was bestowed at BUSE’s 18th graduation ceremony in Bindura yesterday.
The university said it had accorded the President with the doctorate for policies that promote the rule of law, deepen democracy and strengthen international cooperation.
BUSE applauded President Mnangagwa for his “intellectual dexterity to steer the State with unparalleled skill”, as well as for being a reformer who has opened the country to business and investment.
In his acceptance speech, President Mnangagwa dedicated the doctorate to peace-loving Zimbabweans for promoting harmony in the country.
“I wish to express my deep sense of gratitude to the Bindura University of Science and Technology for the conferment of Honorary Doctor (Honoris Causa) in Peace and Governance. I humbly dedicate this award to all Zimbabweans who have, over the years, remained committed to peace, security, unity and stability of our beloved country.”
President Mnangagwa said his administration will continue to promote peace and stability, as these are key ingredients to develop the country.
“Rest assured that my Government, under the Second Republic, will continue to entrench these tenets as we strive for sustainable economic development and prosperity.
“In addition, the strengthening of strong, transparent, accountable and ethical institutions will remain key as we deepen democracy in our country, building the Zimbabwe we all want.”
The Second Republic, he said, tolerates divergent views that are relayed without threatening the country’s peace and stability.
“All our activities across the socio-economic and political spectrum must therefore be underpinned by unity of purpose, love, peace, harmony, as well as an environment where divergent views are accepted and tolerated.”
The President implored the successful graduates to be patriotic and aim to develop the country though the knowledge and skills attained at the university.
“Love your country, serve your communities and families with humility and compassion. Be patient, bold, confident, upright and courageous.
Our future is bright. No matter the challenges you may encounter, be strong and persevere; the knowledge and skills gained from this great institution – Bindura University of Science and Education – are invaluable and will surely lead to your success, when appropriately applied.”State media
Dear Editor- I am presently at Law and Order attending to 11 vendors who were severely assaulted and detained by ZRP Friday evening.
Upon arrest they were not informed of the charges but were beaten severely with most of them sustaining serious injuries.
Four of the victims have broken limbs from the brutal assault.
Furthermore the arresting detail also illegally confiscated significant amounts of money and phones which they forcefully took from the 11 vendors and did not even bother booking all items taken from the victims…
This is yet another brutal crackdown by the regime on innocent civilians..
More update to follow…
Agency Gumbo
Sec For Justice and Legal Affairs- MDC Youth Assembly
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has issued a price circular effective tomorrow 14 October 2019 which shows the price of fuel did not increase byt remained at last week figures.
Last week, ZERA shocking the motoring public after announcing a price hike of fuel from around $12 to $15.
During the course of the week, there have been countless fake circulars announcing that the price of fuel was set to get to around $18, though ZERA dismissed the announcements as fake.
A stracker machine loads coal mined to a conveyor belt at stock pile area at an open pit coal mine Bloomberg
Zimbabwe’s Hwange Colliery has set its eyes on exporting coal to South Africa to wriggle its way out of a financial crisis exacerbated by debts and obsolete equipment.
Hwange currently exports largely to Zambia. The company said South Africa and Zambia could boost its export market.
“Trial orders of industrial coal to new blue chip customers in Zambia and South Africa were also undertaken (in the period under review),” said acting managing director, Charles Zinyemba.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is in the dark on former president Jacob Zuma’s next legal move regarding his corruption charges.
Zuma is facing a litany of corruption, fraud and money laundering charges stemming from the late 1990s multi billion arms deal where it is alleged he received bribes via convicted Durban fraudster, Schabir Shaik.
The NPA’s spokesperson in KZN, Natasha Kara, told Independent Media on Sunday that the authority will just go to the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Tuesday and see what transpires.
“The matter has been set down for the trial from 15 to 18 October. We will have to wait for Tuesday to see what will transpire and how the matter will proceed,” Kara said.
On Friday a full bench of the Pietermaritzburg High Court, led by Judge Bhekisisa Mnguni, working with Judges Thoba Poyo-Dlwati and Esther Steyn, ruled that the prosecution of Zuma must proceed.
Zuma had applied to have his charges quashed, citing long delays and political interference as his reasons.
The NPA has always maintained that it was ready to continue with the prosecution after reinstating the charges against Zuma in March last year, shortly after he was recalled as the country’s president by his party, the ANC.
While Zuma is mum on his next move, his nephew, Inkosi Siphiwe Zuma of Impendle in the KZN Midlands where the Zuma clan originated from, said his uncle should appeal the ruling.
According to Simphiwe Zuma, the Zuma clan he felt his uncle would not win the case as its outcome was predetermined.
“You cannot continue with such a case if it is clear that there are people who are hellbent on destroying Msholozi (Zuma),” Simphiwe Zuma was quoted as saying by IOL.
Jacob Zuma’s lawyer, Advocate Daniel Mantsha, did not respond to queries about their next legal move on the matter.
Filipe Mahajane, spokesperson for the Matavele family, holds a portrait of murdered Executive Director of the Non Governmental Organisation in Gaza province (FONGA) Anastacio Matavele on October 11, 2019 at Xai-Xai in the Gaza Province, Mozambique. (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP)
The gunmen left nothing to chance. The dark green four-wheel drive has no less than 10 bullet holes lodged into the driver’s side door.
It was an execution.
Anastacio Matavele, the 58-year-old head of a local election observation mission, was shot dead at the wheel of his car in the southeastern Mozambique city of Xai-Xai on Monday.
It was just over a week before elections in the southern African nation, and the shocking assassination of a prominent election observer — as well numerous other violent incidents across the country during an increasingly fraught campaign — has heightened tensions ahead of the vote on Tuesday.
Filipe Mahanjane recalls the death of his friend.
“That day Anastacio had organised training for observers who wanted to follow the electoral process,” he says. “He made the opening speech then had to leave for the city centre.”
“He was alone in the car, no one saw what happened,” says Mahanjane, standing beside the bullet-riddled car, now parked in front of the victim’s house.
The mother of murdered Executive Director of the Non Governmental Organisation in Gaza province (FONGA) Anastacio Matavele, mourns together with other family members and relatives on October 11, 2019 at Xai-Xai in the Gaza Province, Mozambique. (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP)
“We just know that he was shot and taken to hospital. He didn’t survive.”
With no witnesses, those behind the murder could have easily gotten away with it.
But in their haste fleeing the scene, the alleged killers smashed into another car.
Two of them were killed in the crash, two were wounded and a fifth managed to run off.
Locals quickly recognised the men — they were police officers, members of a special rapid intervention unit.
Mozambique’s national police had no choice but to admit the identity of its officers, suspend the two wounded and launch an investigation. The police have said they will not comment further pending the probe’s outcome.
– ‘Death squads‘ – But for the local candidate of Renamo, the country’s main opposition party, the motive is clear.
“This guy was working to make the election transparent,” says Mouzinho Gama Gundurujo.
“So they killed him.”
By “they”, he is referring to the ruling Frelimo party of President Filipe Nyusi, who is running for his second term in office.
Frelimo has been in power since Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and is expected to prevail once again in presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections on Tuesday.
The country is still struggling to shake off the legacy of decades of violent conflict between Frelimo and former rebel group Renamo after the two sides sealed a historic peace treaty in August.
Xai-Xai is the capital of the Gaza province, a key Frelimo stronghold three hours north of the capital Maputo.
Campaigning in Gaza was bitter, marred by numerous incidents of intimidation and threats.
“We know that death squads exist and that the police conduct special operations to silence politicians and activists. They serve as an arm of the ruling party,” says Renamo’s Gundurujo.
“Above all, we know that a huge fraud is being prepared here.”
Before his death, the observer non-governmental organisation Matavele belonged to had revealed a series of irregularities in Gaza’s electoral lists.
Enrolment has more than doubled in Gaza in five years, from 591,000 to nearly 1.2 million — by far the biggest increase in the country.
Civil society groups and the head of the National Institute of Statistics have expressed concern about the size of the jump.
But the National Electoral Commission (CNE) has confirmed its calculations and increased the number of Gaza seats from 14 to 22.
“There is no scientific explanation for those figures,” says Ericino de Salema, commentator, and lawyer at the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa.
However he did indicate a potential political advantage for Frelimo.
“Gaza is the only province in the country where the opposition has never elected a single MP.”
– ‘Ghost voters‘ – Several local observer NGO groups in Xai-Xai estimate there are around 300,000 “ghost voters” in Gaza — names on the electoral roll not aligned with real, potential voters.
And some observers in the province said the CNE had been slow to grant them accreditation for polling day.
“We were the first to speak out about the extravagant number of registered voters, so they are doing everything they can to keep us out of the process,” said one observer on the condition of anonymity.
On the ground, Frelimo candidates don’t want to discuss such accusations.
“I have nothing to say about the irregularities, nor on the subject of Anastasio’s death,” says candidate Raimondo Savenca, wearing a red Frelimo cap in Xai-Xai. “I have nothing to say,” he repeats.
Frelimo’s national spokesman is more talkative.
“The opposition complains about problems just to gain sympathy because it has no programme,” says spokesman Caifadine Manasse.
“There will always be opportunists to create disorder and attribute blame to Frelimo and the police.”
Meanwhile the friends and family of Anastacio Matavele wait for answers.
“He trained those who needed to observe the voting process, which you want to be free, fair and transparent. He only championed that,” a grief-stricken Mahanjane said.
“So we want to know who is responsible for this crime.”
Human Rights Lawyer Doug Coltart With Members of the Rural Teachers’ Union
*ARTUZ ZVIMBA DISTRICT* ARTUZ Zvimba district joins the entire ARTUZ family countrywide to down tools on the 14th of October 2019.
Every teacher in Zvimba district is encouraged to heed the call for a strike. It is meant to ensure that dignity is restored in the teaching profession.
Teachers have been reduced to mere beggars at the hands of the government of our day.
The so-called austerity for prosperity measures are turning out to be austerity for poverty.
As Zvimba district we cannot just sit and wait for someone to fight for us. The fight for a living wage is for us teachers, let not cowardice ruin our fight for a living wage.
Do not fear fellow cdes, there is no amount of intimidation that must stop us from fighting a good cause.
Future generations will demand answers from us if we let the government take away the dignity of the teaching profession.
Oliver Chipfuwamiti ( ARTUZ Zvimba district Chairperson) 0773517256
Zambia is on the brink of an energy crisis that threatens to hike tariffs for consumers already feeling the economic hardship caused by the country’s rocketing debt service bill. Load shedding is so severe that power cuts of up to 16 hours have hit the capital, Lusaka. The official explanation is drought, causing low water levels at the Kariba dam, a major source of the country’s energy. But experts and insiders at state power utility Zesco also blame mismanagement and corruption.
Zesco has now lost financial support from the World Bank because it refuses to restructure its bloated workforce and cannot properly account for how funds are spent, we understand, ending its chances of raising a planned US$500 million bond (AC Vol 59 No 10, A swirling fog of debt).
Faced with the prospect of Kariba running dry by December, Zesco announced on 24 September it would import 300MW of emergency power from Eskom, South Africa’s state power company, at a monthly cost of $20.5m. The deal was meant to last six months, starting from 1 October, but no imports have yet begun. Zesco blames bureaucracy, but Eskom’s spokesperson Dikatso Mothae told local media no deal had been signed because Zesco had failed to meet the necessary conditions. These include addressing the outstanding debts Zesco has to Eskom, we understand.
Businesses question why Zesco continues to export power to Namibia and Congo-Kinshasa, instead declaring force majeure domestically to raise tariffs for emergency power. Patriotic Front insiders say the crisis benefits the elite. A deal signed in November 2015 with Turkish company Karpower supplied diesel-generated power to Zambia from a ship stationed off the coast of Mozambique at a hefty 23 cents per kwH. The high price covered commissions paid to politically connected brokers of the deal, including former President Rupiah Banda’s son Henry, Africa Confidentialcan reveal. Banda and Zesco Managing Director Victor Mudende are on close terms, say PF insiders, who say that Mundende only remains in post because he is complicit in Zesco being used as a cash cow for PF elites. – Africa Confidential
Nehanda|Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono has shed an astonishing 35kgs in 9 months after investing in a home gym and hiring the services of well-known personal trainer Kenny Murungweni.
Personal trainer Kenny Murungweni and Gideon Gono
Gono who also occasionally uses the services of a fitness trainer and Norton independent MP Temba Mliswa, says he is now putting on suits he used to wear 20 years ago.
In an exclusive interview with Nehanda Radio, Gono who turns 60 in November said “My Weight-loss journey has been a long and consistent one. It’s just that I have been out of the public eye for a very long time so those seeing me today think that it’s been a miracle-Weight loss or an event… no
“It’s a journey characterized by discipline, dedication to a voluntary cause, determination to achieve one’s set goals and objectives, good dieting where one eats to live not live to eat as I used to do, good sleeping habits, persistent and irritating frequency in the gym and on road-walks and runs.”
“I invested a lot in a home gym and hired a well-known personal trainer by the name Kenny Murungweni aka in the fitness circles as The Rambo. We have literally been training every day for the past 8 months and our mutual addiction to the fitness cause is now legendary among my friends and family. Those around me get my “V11s” or workout evidence on a daily basis.”
Speaking to Nehanda Radio, Mliswa said; “I was his personal trainer for a long time and then left, then got Guramanyanga Gerald to work with him and so forth. Listen he is one person that understands the lifestyle that is needed in terms of one being healthy and he invests a lot in that.
“First of all the time he invests. Religiously he would wake up at 5am, train for an hour, we would monitor every session, we would record every session and so forth. He is one person I can say mentally he has the propensity to put on weight, he also has the propensity to lose weight.
“In one month that I was training him he lost 22kgs, so that weight loss has nothing to do with any economic challenges or anything. Its his mental strength, if he wants to lose weight, he will lose weight….kudos to him, great mental strength… his work ethic is out of this world.
“I coached national team players and they would complain but Gideon never complains. He is a person who works like the military where he complains after duty and I’m not an easy person when it comes to the aspect of physical training….
“But again Gideon will want to put on weight again, that’s him and then he will lose it again, so he could be like that, how long he wants to be like that for, I don’t know but it’s been awesome seeing him in that shape, just that he has to invest in a new wardrobe,” Mliswa told Nehanda Radio.
Gono meanwhile has advice for anyone seeking to start their own fitness journey;
“The starting point for anyone wanting to lose weight ought to be regular walking and running outside. Between September 2018 and February 2019, my wife and I walked/ran a combined total of about 1200 kms or an average of 10 kms a day 5 days a week.
“The records are there for evidence. Then daily gyming began in February 2019 and we do on average 1,5 hrs a day, six days a week. People like Hon Temba Mliswa have come to my home for competitive gyming and anyone is free to get a testimony from him. He is one hell of a gym fanatic but he will tell you stories about my training and competitions with him.
“We have these competitions on video. Therefore, yes, for me and my wife and family, it’s now a way of life. I have lost 35kgs in 8-9 months and my shirt sizes have reduced from 6XL to just XL and I’m putting on suits I used to wear 20 years ago, am enjoying my body as much as I did then.
“I hope to start a weight loss academy soon for those like me who believe that Failure is not an option. Once it’s up and running, I will want to impart my experiences to others. Many people are moving around carrying hanging gardens of Babylon and we must deal with these life-styles and change for the better. Obesity and overweight is a killer my friend.
“I’m happy that I have dealt with it and am determined to stay younger! For those suggesting that I’m sick or have some dreaded disease(s), I’m willing to undergo any form of medical examination, public or private, in return for a sponsored new wardrobe of my choice!( kikikiki).”
As a former governor of the central bank Gono could not resist an economic analogy, telling us;
“If we are to deal decisively with our economy, there is need to start at the personal levels and show commitment to sweating for rewards, for discipline, consistency, determination, perseverance then you can tackle the macro-economy with the same understanding that without pain, there is no gain!
“Those are the parallels I can draw between personal sacrifices and the outer world… no pain, no gain and failure must never be an option,” Gono told Nehanda Radio
Dear Editor-I am presently at Law and Order attending to 11 vendors who were severely assaulted and detained by ZRP Friday evening.
Upon arrest they were not informed of the charges but were beaten severely with most of them sustaining serious injuries. 4 of the victims have broken limbs from the brutal assault.
Furthermore the arresting detail also illegally confiscated significant amounts of money and phones which they forcefully took from the 11 vendors and did not even bother booking all items taken from the victims…
This is yet another brutal crackdown by the regime on innocent civilians..
More update to follow…
Agency Gumbo
Sec For Justice and Legal Affairs- MDC Youth Assembly
The late former President Robert Mugabe used his nephew Leo Mugabe’s cattle to pay lobola for his second wife, Grace, in Chivhu in 1992, four years after he had sired Bona in an “adulterous” relationship as Sally (his first wife) was still alive.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe looks at cows with his counterpart the President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema (out of the picture) 31 August 2007 at the Harare Agricultural Show, which was formally opened by the Equatorial Guinea President. AFP PHOTO/Desmond KWANDE / AFP PHOTO / DESMOND KWANDE
Leo told the Daily News on Sunday that Mugabe later refused to reimburse the cattle on the pretext that Leo’s father had not fully paid lobola for Mugabe’s sister (Sabina). Said Leo:
The story is that I was sent by sekuru (Mugabe) to go and marry Grace in Chivhu. Indeed, most people believed I had married Grace for myself. I was sent by sekuru to marry her.
I was accompanied by my late brother Innocent. Sekuru told me to use my cattle to pay the lobola, with the promise that he would replace them.
Later, sekuru declined to replace my cattle, arguing that my father had not paid lobola fully when he married our mother. Still, I was happy for sekuru when he married Mbuya Grace, as he wanted children.
Leo, who is Sabina’s son, revealed that the reason why Mugabe married Grace while Sally was still alive was that he wanted children badly.
Mugabe and Sally had one child, Nhamodzenyika, who reportedly died before independence while Mugabe was detained by the colonial government.
Mozambique holds a general election on Tuesday that will test the country’s fragile peace as the Frelimo party, faced with economic crisis and chronic conflict, prepares to relinquish at least some control after 44 years in power.
The impoverished southern African nation has seen one of the most violent campaigns in its brief and turbulent history, raising fears that the presidential, parliamentary and provincial polls could be marred by bloodshed.
Frelimo has ruled Mozambique since independence from Portugal in 1975 and — barring a major upset — is expected to again beat it arch-rival Renamo, a former rebel group turned opposition party.
Frelimo and Renamo, who fought a brutal civil war from 1975-1992 that left a nearly million people dead, signed a peace deal in August hoping to turn the page on decades of conflict.
But an armed breakaway faction of Renamo has splintered off, rejecting the treaty and threatening to attack campaign events.
“This election will be a test for democracy,” said Ericino de Salema of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa.
“For the first time, the political geography of the country may change substantially, it may even lead to confrontation.”
A bitter, violent campaign
Under the peace deal, Frelimo will have to loosen its stranglehold on power.
Mozambique’s 13 million voters, out of a population of nearly 30 million, will elect provincial governors for the first time — they were previously appointed by the government — who will have expanded powers.
Renamo is expected to gain control of between three to five of the country’s 10 provinces.
“For the very first time, the ruling party is facing the risk of losing something… and there is no way they are going to let it go,” said Zenaida Machado of Human Rights Watch.
“These elections are on track to be one of the most violent that we have ever seen.”
The increasingly bitter campaign has seen candidates threatened, election material destroyed, and clashes break out between supporters of both sides.
The lowest point was the brutal murder of a prominent election observer, with four police officers suspected of being responsible.
Civil society groups have already denounced numerous irregularities, including thousands of “ghost voters” on the electoral roll, and intend to deploy thousands of observers for the vote.
Cyclone, conflict and scandal
Frelimo enters the election in an unprecedented position of weakness after its worst-ever performance at the ballot box last year, winning 51.8 percent of votes in local elections.
The party’s popularity took a hit when it was revealed the government had secretly borrowed $2 billion, sparking one of Mozambique’s worst financial crisis.
For one of the world’s poorest countries, which is heavily reliant on aid, the “hidden debt” scandal severely tarnished the regime’s image in the eyes of donors and investors.
Mozambique is also still picking up the pieces after Cyclone Idai decimated the second city of Beira in March, leaving nearly two million people displaced.
And the government has struggled to respond to an insurrection by a shadowy jihadist group that has killed hundreds of people in the northernmost Cabo Delgado province since 2017.
President Filipe Nyusi, who hails from the province, has vowed to restore order, but with little success.
The violence has threatened to delay the exploitation of vast gas reserves in the north, which could pose a problem for Nyusi, who has touted future “petrodollars” in his campaign speeches.
Renamo leader Ossufo Momade has had his own difficulties.
Only rising to prominence after the death of long-time leader Afonso Dhlakama in 2016, Momade pushed for the peace deal but has struggled to rally his party behind it, with the breakaway faction threatening to revive hostilities.
With tensions so high, some fear a return to the bad old days.
“Renamo didn’t hand over its weapons. It therefore shouldn’t surprise anyone if it decides to resort to violence again,” warned Machado.
Nyusi, who is running for his second five-year term in office, urged calm as he wrapped up his campaign on the outskirts of capital Maputo on Saturday.
“We call on our supporters not to respond to provocation and to avoid violence,” he told thousands of supporters.
At his own rally in the central city of Nacala, Momade pledged that his party would win and “put an end to corruption”.
“Let’s remove Frelimo from power so we can give Mozambicans back their dignity,” he said.
1/3 Supporters of Mozambican main opposition party RENAMO hope to win some of the country’s provincial governor posts for the first time2/3 How Mozambique ranks compared to other selected nations in southern Africa3/3 An armed breakaway faction of Renamo has splintered off, rejecting the treaty and threatening to attack campaign events
MUDENDA WITH SIMBA CHIKANZA FOR AN INTERVIEW- Begins with the humiliation Zim is receiving here, a Tanzanian politician says “Zim is now 7 times worse than it was under Bob.” Mudenda asks why.He is told it’s cause you’re torturing MDC MPs and 1Aug victims..FINAL VIDEO ON ZIMEYE pic.twitter.com/23KwitUSSM
INTERVIEW OF ZIMBABWE’S SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT WITH SIMBA CHIKANZA AT THE IN-HOTEL IN SERBIA ON SUNDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2019.
The interview by Simba Chikanza (SC) with Adv Jacob Mudenda was recorded partly on audio and the rest on video. It began with Simba Chikanza showing Adv Mudenda his official name badge presenting himself as a journalist doing research over the Interparliamentary Union (The Union of all parliaments around the world).
Adv Mudenda was happy doing the brief interview which later became heated.
Watch video below. ..
FULL VIDEO OF INTERVIEW (PLUS AUDIO) LOADING BELOW…
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 adding 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; you are a 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 threat 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 THEN THE BELOW HAPPENS….
BREAKING – JACOB MUDENDA HUMILIATED AFTER SENDING SERBIAN POLICE TO CHASE AWAY JOURNALIST AFTER BEING CONTRONTED OVER MENTALLY TORTURING MDC MPs AND 1 AUG VICTIMS, WHICH WAS DONE TO CHANGE 2018 ELECTION RESULTS | FULL STORY TO FOLLOW pic.twitter.com/RQwnMVX86m
(I will get you) Kasukuwere faction takes centre stage in ZANU PF.
Exiled former ZANU PF Political Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere’s name has been fingered in a chaotic ZANU PF DCC election held over the weekend in Harare South.
Sources said during the election the voters were in favour of candidates that are deemed to be loyal to Kasukwuere and one Shadreck Mashayamombe while the Party leadership had their own preferred candidates.
“There as massive rigging during the DCC elections especially in Harare South. Some senior leaders did not want some candidates to win because they were said to be loyal to former PC,” The source said.
“What you must understand is that the has not released enough membership cards so people were using payment receipts to prove that they were paid up members. The faction that is aligned to the senior leaders dished out the receipts to a number of people and they could use those to vote in a number of zones.”
The source alleged that Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri was being blamed for the chaos because she wanted her people to win so that she can use them to further he r Vice Presidential ambitions.
DCCs were recently re-instated after being dissolved years ago when candidates that belonged to the then Vice President Joice Mujuru lost the elections to the Emmerson Mnangagwa aligned candidates.
Kasukuwere has been touted as the person that should take over the Presidency from Mnangagwa.
The military has become a very powerful political institution in Zimbabwe.
Tanzania recently hosted the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Summit and, as part of the resolutions, the leaders condemned sanctions against Zimbabwe. They agreed to make October 25, 2019 a “day of political action against sanctions” in solidarity with Zimbabwe.
The ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF), celebrated the resolution as a victory. But, as the summit was going on, in Zimbabwe, the opposition had organised national protests, which were brutally stopped by the police backed by the military. While the leaders in Tanzania revived the liberation movement solidarity that historically existed in the pan-African project to liberate Zimbabwe, the people of Zimbabwe themselves were protesting the worsening socio-economic conditions.
While showing solidarity with the political class in Zimbabwe, the citizens have been abandoned. It is likely that the country will face more social unrest.
LIBERATION
The leaders meeting in Tanzania did not pay adequate attention to the way Zimbabwe’s crisis has been manufactured by nationalist elite, who have abandoned the liberation project of transformation and are now focused on an accumulation project, which has killed the country’s economic prospects.
No amount of “liberation solidarity” is going to rescue a leadership that is imploding. The International Monetary Fund has said that Zimbabwe’s economy will experience negative growth. Power generation has almost ground to a halt, as electricity is now only available for a few hours at night. Incomes for the working class have collapsed so badly that the average worker now earns almost $40 a month and unions are threatening strikes.
Inflation has been spiralling out of control and close to five million Zimbabweans have crossed the borders into South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique. Others have gone to Australia, Europe and the US. If there were no crisis in printing passports, more citizens would leave.
But this crisis cannot be explained by the noise over sanctions. The economic collapse can be blamed on the way the nationalist-liberation movement in the country has degenerated because of corruption, incompetence and unwillingness to promote economic and political reforms.
After the removal of Robert Mugabe in November 2017, the military has become a very powerful political institution. Just before Mugabe left, the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces issued a warning that as a “result of squabbling” within the ruling party, “there has been no meaningful development in the country for the past five years” and that the economic impasse had “ushered in more challenges to the Zimbabwean populace.”
Increasingly the military has been dabbling in the electoral landscape in the country and openly supporting one faction against another in the ruling party.
MILITARY INVOLVEMENT
While the involvement of the military in politics can be traced to the early 1980s, it intensified after 2000, when the ruling political class faced a formidable challenge from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) then led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai.
In 2008, the military took complete charge of the ruling party machinery and engaged in operations across the country to make sure that Mugabe was retained in the election. The election was so bloody that the opposition leader fled, hundreds of opposition members were brutalised, the Africa Union and SADC refused to endorse the results and the mayhem only ended when a government of national unity was formed.
Since then, the military has continued its march into civilian institutions. Men — and a few women — from the army, especially those associated with the liberation army of the 1970s, are now occupying very powerful positions across the bureaucracy.
Vice-President Kembo Mohadi was in the military in the 1970s; the other vice-president, Constantine Chiwenga was recently the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defences Force (ZDF). The ministers of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs are former army generals. What this means is that while Zimbabwe has constitutional democracy institutions like parliament, judiciary and holds periodic elections, the real political power now lies elsewhere — in what has been called the “junta” or the “system.”
This is a network of very powerful military elites who make decisions that override civilian institutions and the result has been catastrophic on several fronts. Routinely, the military and its resources are deployed against citizens and the election campaign of 2018 was run by a political commissar, who is a former army general.
SANCTIONS AND THE RULING CLASS
The ruling political class has been very quick to point to the sanctions imposed by the US as a stumbling block to economic transformation. There is no doubt that the sanctions have restricted the ability of Zimbabwe to access financial facilities from the likes of the IMF and the World Bank. But the story goes further than this.
Zimbabwe’s growth prospects have been hampered by widespread corruption. When the army generals placed Mugabe under house arrest and then he subsequently resigned, they cited corruption around the president as a cause of political instability in the country. What has since emerged is that for the past four decades in Zimbabwe, the ruling elites have inserted themselves in every corner of the economy – the political class is now the business class.
Officials from the Ministry of Finance recently admitted, in parliament, that the ministry had irregularly disbursed $3 billion. Year in, year out, the Auditor-General has diligently pointed to how state resources have been pillaged and nothing has been done. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is chaired by Loice Matanda-Moyo, the wife of Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo.
It was significant that the SADC Summit was held in Tanzania. First, Tanzania’s founding president Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was a pan-Africanist who maintained solidarity with the liberation project in Africa. Second, post-colonial Tanzania has remained politically and socially stable, with leadership changes, and has escaped the scourge of regionalist and ethnic movements that have torn apart most independent African countries. Third, and most importantly, Tanzania, especially the University of Dar es Salaam, provided intellectual space for pan-Africanists, Marxists, nationalists and radical activists of all shades who challenged colonialism and apartheid.
So notable was Tanzania in the pan-African solidarity that Dr Walter Rodney made it his home when he was researching, teaching, and wrote How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, which became a seminal text in understanding Africa’s underdeveloped political economy.
But Africa has changed and the nationalist movements have been in power for a while now. The nationalist movement has been in power in Zimbabwe for almost four decades and they have made a mess of things. Unless the regional leaders confront the real problem of militarism in Zimbabwe’s politics, the cycle of repression and protest will continue and more Zimbabweans will continue fleeing poverty. As Nelson Mandela once said, the Zimbabwe crisis is a leadership crisis.
On Doctors’ Continued Incapacitation 13 October 2019 1245hrs
Today marks the 42″ day since doctors nationwide declared incapacitation. Despite numerous efforts to engage with the Health Services Board about the harsh economic challenges doctors are facing due to the continued erosion of their salaries, there has been little meaningful progress made to date.
It must be noted with great concern, that only three formal meetings have taken place between the ZHDA National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Health Services Board in the last six weeks, since incapacitation was declared. The first two meetings ended in a stalemate, with the Health Services Board offering an increment of 30% and 60% respectively despite the reality that doctors’ salaries have been eroded by more than 1500% over the past few months.
On Friday 11th October another meeting was held with the Permanent Secretary, Mr Madyiradema, in attendance; however, no progress was made as the Health Services Board has reiterated the offer of a 60% increment.
The ZHDA has tabled a proposal to have on-call allowances reviewed monthly in accordance with the prevailing interbank rate. However, the Health Services Board has rejected this offer due to their inability to peg salaries to USD.
The ZHDA has requested that the Health Services Board reconsider what viable options exist that will not leave doctors in a continued state of incapacitation and reflect a genuine appreciation for the prevailing economic environment and the reality of the financial predicament that has left doctors unable to offer their services.
The ZHDA will continue to negotiate for a viable solution to end this unfortunate impasse and has noted with great dismay the verdict of the Labour Court calling for doctors to return to work on Monday 14′ October 2019. While doctors would want nothing more than to return to work in service of their patients, they continue to be incapacitated and lack the resources to allow them to comply with the Labour Court judgement.
An appeal will be lodged with the supreme court. ZHDA continues to advocate for quality health services which include adequately stocked hospitals and fairly remunerated staff. We remain hopeful that a sincere and lasting solution will be found.
For latest updates you can visit our web page www.zhda.org *Solidarity meeting: Monday (tomorrow) 14/10/2019 Time 0900hrs Venue Parirenyatwa Main Entrance All Members of the media are invited.
Lloyd Chitembwe was relieved after Harare City picked their first victory in five games on Saturday against Mushowani Stars.
The Sunshine Boys won the match 3-2 to ease relegation fears as they moved out of the drop zone, at least for now.
“Sometimes it is not about playing pretty football, it is about making sure the job is done,” said Chitembwe after the game.
“I am happy with the three points, that is what we desperately needed.
“This will give us confidence going into the next game.”
Mushowani opened the scoring through Blessing Phiri in the fourth minute but William Manondo restored parity just after the half hour mark.
Ishmael Wadi gave City the lead for the first time in the game three minutes after the break, but his effort was cancelled by Charles Rukwanhi in the 75th minute.
Manondo came back again ten minutes from time and secured the winner for Harare City.Soccer24
A Chiredzi man (25) has been arrested after being found in possession of a live pangolin at his homestead without a licence. The protected animal was being kept in a granary and waiting to be sold. Meanwhile the pangolin was taken to National Parks and Wildlife.
Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon are considering renaming their home ground – Estadio Jose Alvalade – after former prodigy Cristiano Ronaldo.
The venue is currently named after founder, Jose Alvalade. It has been known as such since 1956 but club president Frederico Varandas has revealed the plans to change the name and Ronaldo is being considered for that honour.
Varandas confirmed the news to Tuttosport saying: “Calling the stadium ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’ is an option that, right now, we are not against.
“It would be a source of great pride for us.”
The 34-year-old who is now at Juventus joined Sporting in 1997 as a 12-year-old and worked his way up to the first-team, making his senior debut in the 2002/3 season.
He played for one season before joining Manchester United in 2003.
“Cristiano played 31 times and scored five goals in the 2002/03 season, his last campaign before joining United,” the president added.
“He is and always will be one of the great symbols in the club’s history.
“We are very proud to be associated with Cristiano and that the name of the best player of the world is associated with Sporting.”Soccer24
LIVE- BREAKING: We Hunt Down MDC MP Chibaya To Respond To Mudenda’s Allegations https://www.zimeye.net/2019/10/13/live-breaking-we-hunt-down-mdc-mp-chibaya-to-respond-to-mudendas-allegations/ via @ZimEye
Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has described the party’s founding president Morgan Tsvangirai as great visionary who laid the foundation for the struggle for democracy.
See Chamisa statement :”With hindsight, I can see now that people-power alone can be an insufficient instrument for an effective power transfer. As long as a possibility exists for deep political subversion, both the people and the process must be right in order to achieve a disired goal. Change must be visible; change requires national ownership; change must have a meaning.( At the Deep End Morgan Tsvangirai pg 63)
Thank God. Our founder’s hindsight is our foresight.Thank you Dr Tsvangirai!
Revolutionary greetings comrades of the academic struggle, the intellectuals.
Enough is enough. We have endured the harsh economic conditions of our beloved country and now we say it’s enough.
The clueless government of ED has absolutely failed to turn around the economy and we students are the victims of the aftermaths. Fees hikes, high rentals, transport costs for off campus students, power cuts, high prices for basic commodities, water shortages among others and no jobs afterwards.
Our lives are now miserable. We have endured for so long and we can’t be fooled by the so called 2030 vision which is only a myth not a reality given the previous deceits by ED such as ‘100 day plan’!
The crisis is manmade therefore it’s solvable. We demand that ED humbles himself and go to the negotiating table with President Advocate Nelson Chamisa for a dialogue and solve the illegitimacy crisis which happens to be the root for our suffering and bring about economic reforms.
We are shutting down all colleges across the country on Tuesday till our message reaches ED.
Education which is our right according to section 27 of the constitution should not be a hard earned thing and useless.
Comrades of the academic struggle, the intelligentsia! No one is attending any lecture on Tuesday the 15th of October till ED accept the dialogue with Chamisa, resolve the legitimacy crisis from which we are suffering.
There is nothing to fear except fear itself. Mwana asingacheme anofira mumbereko. It’s time to wake up from our slumber, unite as one and fight for the Zimbabwe we want.
A man is believed to have killed his girlfriend and then went on to steal the identity details of another individual to forge a claim that they are the deceased. An exclusive investigation now reveals that the person whose identity particulars were stolen is alive and well. WATCH BELOW –
Farai Dziva|Students will on Tuesday stage nationwide protests at Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
See full statement :
Enough is enough. We have endured the harsh economic conditions of our beloved country and now we say it’s enough.
The clueless government of ED has absolutely failed to turn around the economy and we students are the victims of the aftermaths. Fees hikes, high rentals, transport costs for off campus students, power cuts, high prices for basic commodities, water shortages among others and no jobs afterwards.
Our lives are now miserable. We have endured for so long and we can’t be fooled by the so called 2030 vision which is only a myth not a reality given the previous deceits by ED such as ‘100 day plan’!
The crisis is manmade therefore it’s solvable. We demand that ED humbles himself and go to the negotiating table with President Advocate Nelson Chamisa for a dialogue and solve the illegitimacy crisis which happens to be the root for our suffering and bring about economic reforms.
We are shutting down all colleges across the country on Tuesday till our message reaches ED.
Education which is our right according to section 27 of the constitution should not be a hard earned thing and useless.
Comrades of the academic struggle, the intelligentsia! No one is attending any lecture on Tuesday the 15th of October till ED accept the dialogue with Chamisa, resolve the legitimacy crisis from which we are suffering.
There is nothing to fear except fear itself. Mwana asingacheme anofira mumbereko. It’s time to wake up from our slumber, unite as one and fight for the Zimbabwe we want.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday received an Honorary Doctorate in Peace and Governance from Bindura University of Science and Technology (BUSE) for his role in promoting peace and development.
The honour was bestowed at BUSE’s 18th graduation ceremony in Bindura yesterday.
The university said it had accorded the President with the doctorate for policies that promote the rule of law, deepen democracy and strengthen international cooperation.
BUSE applauded President Mnangagwa for his “intellectual dexterity to steer the State with unparalleled skill”, as well as for being a reformer who has opened the country to business and investment.
In his acceptance speech, President Mnangagwa dedicated the doctorate to peace-loving Zimbabweans for promoting harmony in the country.
“I wish to express my deep sense of gratitude to the Bindura University of Science and Technology for the conferment of Honorary Doctor (Honoris Causa) in Peace and Governance. I humbly dedicate this award to all Zimbabweans who have, over the years, remained committed to peace, security, unity and stability of our beloved country.”
President Mnangagwa said his administration will continue to promote peace and stability, as these are key ingredients to develop the country.
“Rest assured that my Government, under the Second Republic, will continue to entrench these tenets as we strive for sustainable economic development and prosperity.
“In addition, the strengthening of strong, transparent, accountable and ethical institutions will remain key as we deepen democracy in our country, building the Zimbabwe we all want.”
The Second Republic, he said, tolerates divergent views that are relayed without threatening the country’s peace and stability.
“All our activities across the socio-economic and political spectrum must therefore be underpinned by unity of purpose, love, peace, harmony, as well as an environment where divergent views are accepted and tolerated.”
The President implored the successful graduates to be patriotic and aim to develop the country though the knowledge and skills attained at the university.
“Love your country, serve your communities and families with humility and compassion. Be patient, bold, confident, upright and courageous.
Our future is bright. No matter the challenges you may encounter, be strong and persevere; the knowledge and skills gained from this great institution – Bindura University of Science and Education – are invaluable and will surely lead to your success, when appropriately applied.”
BREAKING – JACOB MUDENDA HUMILIATED AFTER SENDING SERBIAN POLICE TO CHASE AWAY JOURNALIST AFTER BEING CONTRONTED OVER MENTALLY TORTURING MDC MPs AND 1 AUG VICTIMS, WHICH WAS DONE TO CHANGE 2018 ELECTION RESULTS | FULL STORY TO FOLLOW pic.twitter.com/RQwnMVX86m
By Jonathan Moyo|The death of former President Robert Mugabe at a hospital in Singapore on Thursday September 6, 2019 rang memory bells about the hush-hush, but spirited conversations that Zanu PF comrades used to have about this day, during the 2013 election campaign in which his advanced age and mortality were campaign issues.
General Chiwenga
In one such conversation, General Constantino Chiwenga was adamant that calls, which were then spreading and getting louder, for Mugabe to name a successor and retire were misguided because “as a founding leader Mugabe was entitled to die in office like his departed co-founders Joshua Nkomo, Simon Muzenda and Joseph Msika, who had died in office with the dignity of the office befitting a founding leader”.
This view became the Chiwenga gospel.
None of the comrades imagined a situation in which some day there would be media reports that “former President Robert Mugabe” has died out of office.
This possibility was taken as an unacceptable indignity to be avoided at all cost.
Yet this is what happened on the dark day of September 6, 2019.
Mugabe died not only out of office, but also out of the country with the attendant indignity in Singapore where, despite government claims that he was being accorded State facilitation and assistance, his regular mode of transport there was uber taxis, as he had to make do with very little.
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa
It remains a known unknown why Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cabal that deposed Mugabe in a military coup on November 15, 2017, while claiming not to be targeting him, but alleged criminals surrounding him, tormented and subjected the former president to inexplicable hardships.
Time will tell.
Meanwhile, a debate is raging about Mugabe’s legacy.
The debate has taken centre stage ahead of Mugabe’s burial, which is all but certain to be at the national Heroes Acre, after the denial by key family members of initial media reports that Mugabe made a dying declaration to be buried at his ancestral home in Zvimba; because he did not want his tormentors who deposed him in a military coup to pontificate over his body at the national shrine in Harare.
The legacy of founding leaders in historically divided societies or in countries founded after an armed struggle or war, such as Zimbabwe, is invariably mixed.
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who are among America’s highly regarded founding leaders, were slave owners and slave traders.
Yet African Americans, the victims of the slave trade in the United States, generally acknowledge Washington and Jefferson as American heroes.
The world media loves Jefferson for his oft-quoted 1787 line that “it is better to have newspapers without government, than to have government without newspapers”.
Mugabe’s critics allege that his legacy is of a liberator-turned-tyrant.
While crediting him with leading a successful liberation struggle to the exclusion of other founding nationalist leaders who played pivotal roles such as Joshua Nkomo, Ndabaningi Sithole and Herbert Chitepo, critics of Mugabe’s legacy say that he had an exemplary start at Independence and that, under his stewardship, Zimbabwe was an African jewel, a breadbasket for the continent and an economic success story founded on Mugabe’s celebrated “reconciliation” policy he extended to Rhodesians from 1980 to about 1990.
To his critics, Mugabe became a tyrant with the advent of the “hondo yeminda” land reform programme from 2000 onwards, a period which coincided with the formation of the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai.
Critics emphasise that this period was characterised by economic meltdown, hyperinflation and socio-economic ruin; which eroded standards of living and destroyed livelihoods.
The compulsory acquisition of land from white farmers and its redistribution to indigenous Zimbabweans, along with the brutalisation and suppression of the opposition, especially but not only in the 2008 presidential election, are cited as the high points of Mugabe’s tyranny.
The problem with the version of Mugabe’s legacy as told by his conventional critics is that it’s self-serving, ahistorical, unbalanced, without nuance and in fact false.
It is not true that since independence in 1980 Zimbabwe has had two periods: one a paradise and the other a lost paradise.
This narrative is peddled by beneficiaries of Zanu PF largesse in the first decade of independence.
For example, beneficiaries of free basic education and university grants in the 1980s predictably consider that period to have been a golden age, which they credit to Mugabe’s legacy.
Yet the beneficiaries of those grants did not include children in Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands provinces who had no schools, no schooling and no birth certificates because of the Gukurahundi atrocities which gripped that region of the country in the
1980s.
As a matter of fact, the untold and unacknowledged truth is that modern Zimbabwe, as it is known today, has never experienced peace or a golden age since 1893 when Cecil Rhodes assassinated King Lobengula; and the attainment of independence in 1980 did not
create a new paradigm.
A false start was made in 1980 when Zanu and Zapu did not contest the independence elections as the Patriotic Front, despite having negotiated as a common forum at the Lancaster House constitutional talks.
The 1980 unity government was shortlived as the Gukurahundi onslaught became the order of the day from 1981 to 1987; reinforced by the continuation of the notorious Rhodesia state of emergency from 1980 to 1990.
It is a staggering contradiction for critics of Mugabe’s legacy to assert that the 1980s are Zimbabwe’s golden years of economic and educational success, when that is precisely the period of the Gukurahundi years during which some 20 000 people were massacred
in Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands.
Although its commitment to establish a one-party state was treacherous and notwithstanding the fact that it amounted to the swallowing of Zapu, the 1987 Unity Accord was a milestone that puts Mugabe’s legacy in good, if not better, stead.
This is because it marked a meeting of minds between him and Nkomo with an opportunity and promise for a fresh beginning to correct the false start in 1980.
The fact that Nkomo served as Zimbabwe’s vice-president under Mugabe for some 11 years following the Unity Accord is of untold historic significance.
A question with a bearing on Mugabe’s legacy, but which has not received the attention it deserves, is why the Unity Accord fell short of its promise and failed to usher in a truly new era.
The answer is blowing with the wind: it is because Mugabe did not rule as a system unto himself.
Mugabe was a product of a vicious system that imposed him in 1975 at Mgagao in Tanzania; confirmed that imposition in Mozambique in 1977, got him elected prime minister in 1980; reposed him in power for 37 years and cruelly deposed him on November 15, 2017 to
the detriment of his health.
The system that imposed, reposed and deposed Mugabe was responsible for blocking the Patriotic Front from contesting the 1980 elections as a united platform; it was responsible for collapsing the 1980 unity government; responsible for retaining the Rhodesian
State of Emergency for 10 years; responsible for triggering Gukurahundi and responsible for wrecking the 1987 Unity Accord despite the best efforts of Mugabe and Nkomo.
Over the years, it is this system that kept Mugabe in power and used him less as its leader and more as its spokesperson.
It is this system that blocked Mugabe from handing over power to Morgan Tsvangirai after he lost the 2008 election.
Despite this setback, Mugabe was able to forge a government of national unity (GNU) with Tsvangirai.
This was a major milestone in Mugabe’s legacy, whose implications are yet to be felt in the Zimbabwean body politic.
On the back of the 2009 GNU, Mugabe agreed with Tsvangirai to author a new constitution for Zimbabwe.
This is another milestone of Mugabe’s legacy not yet fully appreciated, but certain to reverberate far and wide in the future.
In the meantime, the system—which engineered Gukurahundi, wrecked the Unity Accord, blocked Mugabe from handing over to Tsvangirai in 2008 — did not and does not support the new 2013 constitution.
This system literally ran the Zanu PF election campaign in 2013 to put itself in a position to tear apart the new constitution when it staged a military coup on November 15, 2017 under the false pretext that it was stopping Mugabe from handing over power to
his wife Grace by allegedly targeting the so-called criminals around him.
Before independence this system was Zanla’s High Command; after independence it became the Joint Operations Command (JOC).
The repugnant ideology of this system is that the gun dictates politics.
Mugabe sought to reverse this ideology, to get politics to dictate the gun, when it was too little too late to do so.
Given the foregoing, the pillars of Mugabe’s legacy whose ideals will withstand the test of time are the Unity Accord with Nkomo; land reform; indigenisation and economic empowerment for the youth; the GNU with Tsvangirai and the new 2013 constitution.
Jonathan Moyo is the former Higher and Tertiary Education minister. He is one of Mugabe’s associates who fled the country following the 2017 coup.
Paul Nyathi|Four candidates will be on the ballot on Tuesday for the presidential election in Mozambique, including outgoing head of state Filipe Nyusi who is a favorite.
Filipe Nyusi
Filipe Jacito Nyusi, 60, succeeded his mentor Armando Guebuza as head of Mozambique in 2014.
Until then little known to the general public, he became the first head of state not to be from the south of the country – he was born in the province of Cabo Delgado (north) – and the first to have not participated in the independence struggle.
The son of veterans of this liberation war, Filipe Nyusi joined the Frelimo (Mozambique Liberation Front) at a very young age. He studied in Brno, Czech Republic, and Manchester, UK, before making a career with the national railway and port company (CFM).
Driven by President Guebuza, he joined the government in 2008 in the portfolio of Defense, then is invested Frelimo candidate for the presidential election of 2014.
Winner with 57% of the votes, Mr. Nyusi then presents himself as “the bee who will make honey for all”, in reference to his surname which means “bee” in his native language.
But under his mandate, the country’s economy, which grew at a rate of 7% per annum, slows down sharply, victim of a scandal provoked by a secret lending affair which has fueled a massive corruption operation at the highest summit of the country. Mozambican state.
Filipe Nyusi approaches the election in a position of weakness, further destabilized by an Islamist insurgency that has bloodied his home province for two years.
Ossufo Momade
At the age of 58, Ossufo Momade has hardly taken over for a year the succession of the historic leader of the National Resistance of Mozambique (Renamo), Afonso Dhlakama, who died suddenly in his stronghold in the mountains of Gorongosa (center).
He entered the army very young and joined Renamo shortly after the beginning of the civil war (1975) until he became one of the main military leaders at the signing of the 1992 peace agreement.
His movement officially joined the opposition to the regime and Mr. Momade was elected MP in 1999, a mandate he has retained to this day.
Secretary General of the party from 2007 to 2012, he then directs the military department, especially during the resumption of armed hostilities with the regime (2013-2016), until the brutal death of Afonso Dhlakama in May 2018.
Bombed then at the head of the ex-rebellion, he follows the footsteps of his predecessor by signing in August with the government a peace agreement supposed to end the conflict.
But this agreement, which provides for the disarmament of Renamo’s armed wing, is not to the taste of the whole party. One faction denounces him and denies the authority of Mr. Momade, however, inducted his party candidate Filipe Nyusi.
Daviz Simango
At 55, he is the third man of the vote. The son of a Frelimo leader who was purged by the ruling party, Daviz Simango embarked on politics with Renamo before seceding in 2009 to form the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM).
An engineer by training, he has been the mayor since 2003 of the second city of Beira country, ravaged six months ago by cyclone Idai.
Candidate for the first time in the presidential election in 2009, he won nearly 9% of the vote. But he fails to push his influence beyond it and has to settle for just 6% five years later.
His party also shrank in last year’s local elections, garnering only 8.5 percent of the vote nationally. Daviz Simango had managed to keep his stronghold of Beira.
Mario Albino
Surprise guest of the presidential election, Mario Albino presents himself in the name of a United Movement for Integral Salvation (AMUSI), created by former MDM members dissenting.
Originally from Nampula, he went to the town hall last year but received only 4.2% of the vote.
Paul Nyathi|Police say that a woman was hit and killed by a vehicle while she was fighting with a man in the middle of the road along the Harare-Bulawayo road on Friday.
The driver of the Ford Ranger involved in the incident fled from the scene. Police said in a statement on Twitter:
Police in Gweru are investigating a case of a fatal road traffic accident where a woman (26) was hit by a car at the 264 kilo metre peg along Harare-Bulawayo road whilst fighting with an unknown man on the middle of the road on 11 October 2019 at 0400 hours.
The man is alleged to have quickly driven away in a Ford Ranger, AEX 6370, after the accident. Police are investigating this case to find out the motive behind the parties who were fighting on the centre of the road and circumstances leading to the accident.
BREAKING – JACOB MUDENDA HUMILIATED AFTER SENDING SERBIAN POLICE TO CHASE AWAY JOURNALIST AFTER BEING CONTRONTED OVER MENTALLY TORTURING MDC MPs AND 1 AUG VICTIMS, WHICH WAS DONE TO CHANGE 2018 ELECTION RESULTS | FULL STORY TO FOLLOW pic.twitter.com/RQwnMVX86m
By supporting Zimbabwe’s oppressive government, SADC risks setting a very low bar for democracy in southern Africa.
By Tafi Mhaka Al Jazeera|Following a decision made in August by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) secretariat, the body’s 16 member states are expected to organise simultaneous activities on October 25 to show solidarity with Zimbabwe and demonstrate their disapproval of sanctions imposed on the country by the European Union and the United States.
Zimbabwe is still subject to sanctions that date back to the reign of former President Robert Mugabe, who was ousted in late 2017 after 38 years in power. The EU sanctions consist of an arms embargo and targeted asset freezes and travel bans, while the US has imposed financial restrictions and travel sanctions against selected individuals and entities.
Following Mugabe’s ousting, a swift return to democracy and consequent lifting of sanctions were expected. Mugabe’s successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, however, proved to be a far more brutal leader than him. Under his watch, anti-government protests stemming from an ever-deepening economic crisis have been repressed with unprecedented force. In August 2018 and January 2019, for example, soldiers reportedly killed and raped scores of unarmed civilians participating in peaceful anti-government demonstrations.
In response, the US and the EU extended the sanctions they previously imposed on the country and vowed to keep all sanctions in place until Mnangagwa’s government allows protests and changes laws that restrict media freedoms.
SADC, nevertheless, claims the “illegal sanctions” have “an adverse impact on the economy of Zimbabwe and the region at large”, and calls for their immediate lifting to facilitate “socioeconomic recovery in the country”. Were it genuine, SADC’s public concern for the wellbeing of ordinary Zimbabweans would be welcome and much appreciated. However, SADC is lobbying against sanctions not to help Zimbabwe’s democratic and economic progression, but to whitewash the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front’s (ZANU-PF) repressive tactics and policy failures.
SADC has not only failed to censure Harare for violently stifling dissent and ignoring Zimbabweans’ core constitutional rights, but also claimed that “internal groups, in particular, NGOs, supported by external forces” are the ones that are destabilising the country.
The SADC leadership’s shocking reaction to repeated incidents of state-sanctioned violence in Zimbabwe and insistence that any opposition to ZANU-PF is a product of foreign intervention show that they believe Zimbabwean citizens cannot possibly embrace progressive ideals and make simple democratic choices for themselves.
To label democratic dissent a form of foreign-funded destabilisation is to create a polarising political binary and deny Zimbabweans the right to enjoy the full measure of liberal and constitutional freedoms. Furthermore, SADC is being extremely disingenuous about the source and nature of Zimbabwe’s intricate challenges. The ebb and flows of Zimbabwe’s multifaceted problems always match its ever-soaring political temperature. But SADC has never adopted a robust and dynamic approach to either monitoring or resolving Zimbabwe’s long-standing political and economic challenges. It only feigns dogmatic, obligatory interest in Zimbabwe’s affairs mainly before and after mostly disputed elections.
Why has SADC been reluctant to condemn repressive tendencies and the recurring use of excessive, deadly force against unarmed, peaceful demonstrators in recent times? Human rights defender Tatenda Mombeyarara, MDC youth leader Blessing Kanotunga, comedian Samantha “Gonyeti” Kureya and President of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association Dr Peter Magombeyi were reportedly abducted and tortured earlier this year. SADC has not explicitly condemned any of these politically motivated abductions or other crimes committed against unarmed, peaceful individuals.
By openly and unreservedly siding with an increasingly authoritarian government masquerading as a reformed and progressive “Second Republic”, SADC is making light of a pressing and ever-expansive need to enact serious political, media and security reforms in Zimbabwe out of “brotherly” love.
And it is undermining a substantial need for ZANU-PF to belatedly take straightforward stock of its countless failures, public sector corruption and gross inefficiency.
Various reports published by Auditor-General Mildred Chiri in June have detailed flagrant accounting malpractices as well as excessive and unauthorised expenditure amounting to billions of dollars at state entities, ministries and local authorities.
SADC, though, continues to relentlessly beat the anti-sanctions drum without paying appropriate, consistent attention to the multidimensional threat of corruption, political unaccountability, dodgy elections and rampant impunity manufactured by ZANU-PF since President Mnangagwa’s inauguration in November 2017.
By supporting the ZANU-PF-led government and disregarding the credible cries of long-suffering Zimbabwean citizens, SADC runs the risk of setting an incredibly low bar for democracy in southern Africa and continually watering a growing trend of political denialism among former liberation war parties.
The undeclared slide to authoritarian populist rule favoured by ZANU-PF has created an economic quagmire and political survival, not Western sanctions or economic revival, seemingly occupies the top of the government’s agenda.
It’s a political strategy that SADC is awfully comfortable with, because the organisation has failed to transform into a strong, progressive-thinking political outfit.
It’s a fallacy to believe that a post-independence failure by a former liberation war party could possibly vindicate colonial rule or diminish past achievements. As things stand, ZANU-PF certainly helped to liberate Zimbabwe, but it has failed to build the Zimbabwe it promised before and just after independence. Still, this should not compromise or diminish the democratic ideals cherished by progressive-minded Zimbabweans and residents of southern Africa.
SADC must in fact create a solid and effective political surveillance system to closely monitor democratic developments within the region, a facility that will lead the charge against enduringly delinquent administrations such as Zimbabwe’s. Undeniably, SADC should not have to wait for Western nations to point out glaringly obvious constitutional transgressions or human rights abuses. Besides, a still-murderous “new dispensation” cannot be persuaded to freely adopt democracy without establishing measures that proactively punish repressive deeds.
A distorted brand of pan-Africanism, where the voluntary, self-gratifying need to maintain old, wartime relationships trumps people-centred necessities and expressions, will obviously fail and simply cause further widespread social, economic and political instability in southern Africa.
To be sure, what Western powers demand of Zimbabwe’s government does not really matter in the greater scheme of life, but the humanitarian needs, liberal freedoms and democratic choices of Zimbabweans always will. So, if anybody should rebuke Zimbabwe’s government, it should be SADC.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.
A KZN ward councillor was gunned down shortly after a municipal meeting.
KwaZulu-Natal councillor Khaya Sithole has been gunned down in full view of his constituents.
The fatal shooting took place shortly after a council event on Thursday evening.
“Preliminary information indicates that the slain councillor was participating in a municipal event when unknown assailants fired a hail of bullets at him,” said KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka.
He “was gunned down in full glare of the public,” said Hlomuka.
Offering condolences to Sithole’s family and constituents, Hlomuka said: “We are saddened to learn that the councillor was murdered with his boots on while working to advance the course of service to his community.”
Hlomuka urged law enforcement agencies to “leave no stone unturned in apprehending the perpetrators of this crime and in bringing them to justice speedily.”
“We have consistently spoken out against violence perpetrated against public representatives in this province and we will continue to do so. Violence is never the answer. Violence must be tackled with the full might of the law and this is what we all expect to happen now,” said Hlomuka.
The opposition MDC has given a facelift to its headquarters Morgan Richard Tsvangirai house.
The party had over the years come under heavy criticism from the public for failing to properly manage its home with some questioning their capacity to run the country when they were failing to properly keep their headquarters in good shape.
Following the last elective congress that ushered in a new leadership, one of their first priority areas was to give a facelift to their home and within a year, they have done that.
Below are pictures from the ongoing renovations taking place at the formerly Harvest House.
President Emerson Mnangagwa pictured putting on his scarf, eating sadza and zondo in the skies. What could be the intentions of the photographer? pic.twitter.com/sT3EMFx5ih
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi says Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) leader Dr Peter Magombeyi faked his abduction in order to get a scholarship from the the US government.
Magombeyi was reportedly seized by unknown men in early September and held captive for five days before he was dumped in Nyabira.
The issue caused an international outcry given he had been leading demands from medical doctors for a review of their salaries and allowances.
But Ziyambi told participants to a discussion organised by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum on Thursday that the whole thing was an act aimed at portraying the government in bad light.
“I honestly want to believe that there are people who are conducting this (abductions) for their own ends.
“I will give a brief a good example of the good Doctor Magombeyi, he announced his abduction, and the abductors has the liberty of allowing him to send a message that I have been abducted,” said Ziyambi.
“He announced his own discovery, I listened to him speaking on Studio 7 and he never accused anyone he just said I have been found my friends are coming to get me.”
Ziyambi added amid howls of disapproval from the audience: “And he left he found a scholarship and now he is going to study for his post graduate.”
“Perhaps that is what he wanted to achieve, I do not know. He made the necessary noise to award him a scholarship and so far nobody knows who abducted him because he never accused anyone he announced everything and it was only him who knew.”
The Justice Minister said there was littlle police could have done in the Magombeyi case.
Magombeyi was airlifted to South Africa where he has been receiving specialist treatment.
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum organized the event under the theme: The Role of Government in safeguarding Human Rights; What can be Sate do to guarantee the safety of its citizens.
Nehanda|At an estimated USD$10 000 a day, flamboyant businessman and Intratrek Zimbabwe Managing Director Wicknell Chivayo has hired one of South Africa’s best lawyers in Advocate Francois Joubert SC to beef up his legal team comprising Wilson Manase and Advocate Lewis Uriri.
Wicknell Chvayo and Advocate Francois Joubert SC
A slew of cases against the businessman have been crumbling like a deck of cards in the courts but he has had to deal with a string of appeals that many feel have little chance of success.
Joubert, a practicing advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa will represent Chivayo in cases between him and the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a Supreme Court appeal and another one in which he is being jointly charged with former ZPC board chairperson, Stanley Kazhanje.
Nehanda Radio understands Chivayo had initially filed an urgent chamber application with the High Court seeking nullification of a decision by the Justice Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi who had denied Joubert a residential exemption certificate so that he can practice in Zimbabwe. We understand Chivayo has since withdrawn his application after the Minister submitted a favourable affidavit.
Intratrek Zimbabwe Managing Director Wicknell Chivayo
Chivayo rose to fame after winning various government tenders worth USD$600 million dollars. The primary accusation thrown at him was that he leveraged his close relationship with former President Robert Mugabe’s family to get the tenders, an accusation he strongly denies.
Some of the tenders he won were the Gwanda 100 MW solar ($202 million) with his technical partner Shanghai giants Chint Electric Co Ltd, Munyati refurbishment 100 MW ($113 million) with Indian partners Jaguar Overseas, Gairezi Hydro 30 MW Bharat heavy Equipment Limited at ($112 million) and Harare Repowering ($171 million dollars) with Jaguar Overseas Ltd.
After the November 2017 military coup that toppled Mugabe, Chivayo’s legal problems began. Some of the cases brought against him appeared frivolous or without evidence. The cases predictably collapsed in court with stinging rebukes coming from judges who were not amused.
A defiant Chivayo has continued to fight successfully after winning all his High Court cases and being acquitted by regional magistrate Morgan Nemadire.
Wicknell Chivayo with his lawyers Wilson Manase and Advocate Lewis Uriri
Ten days ago Chivayo took another giant step towards quashing all the cases against or involving him before the courts after a judge granted $1 000 bail pending appeal to the former Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) board chairman Stanley Kazhanje.
Kazhanje was convicted and sentenced to an effective one-year jail term for allegedly concealing a US$10 000 payment from Chivayo, the Intratrek Zimbabwe chief executive. It is the reasons given by Justice Amy Tsanga in granting bail however that will have cheered both Kazhanje and Chivayo.
Justice Tsanga noted that Kazhanje may not have disclosed his past relations with Intratrek but it equally could not have been said on the basis of facts that were argued, that he had an interest in the transaction, being the Gwanda Solar Project.
“Strictly speaking, there was no evidence placed before the court a quo that he had a personal interest in the Gwanda solar project,” she said.
“The prospects of success on conviction are, in my view, therefore, not manifestly doomed to failure. If there is a possibility of conviction being set aside, it stands to reason that so will sentence.”
New developments … Intratrek director Wicknell Chivayo in front of the newly-built engineers’ office block
Last month a ‘ray of light’ in the saga emerged as construction at the Gwanda Solar Farm resumed with Chivayo personally on site to supervise progress. This was after High Court judge Tawanda Chitapi’s ruling wherein he ordered Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and Intratrek Zimbabwe to find common ground with a view of fast tracking completion of the solar power project.
The judge submitted that ZPC and Intratrek must not “merry dance in boardrooms and court rooms but must go to successfully implement the project for the benefit of Zimbabwe” adding that the power to be generated was not for use by Wicknell Chivayo and Intratrek but for the nation at large.
ZPC had a pending appeal at the Supreme Court whose motive Justice Chitapi described as “improper.” “It is disgraceful that national projects are stalled by contracting parties having merry dances in boardrooms instead of project sites and seeing the project to fruition,” the judge said.
The Gwanda Solar Power Project underway
“The public wants electricity for use at home and in industries. The public is not interested in bickering for self-interest and egos on the part of State actors and their contractors.”
If ZPC wished to cancel the contract, the judge said, it had to pay Intratrek US$25 million dollars in damages.
“It has already been observed that the subject matter of the contract is of national importance. It is of public interest. The public wants electricity for use at home and in industries.
The public is not interested in bickering for self-interest and egos on the part of State actors and their contractors,” Justice Chitapi said. Nehanda Radio
South African government is looking to revive the Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Bill which lapsed automatically when parliament was dissolved on 7 May 2019.
The bill aims to bring South Africa in line with other countries’ cyber laws as well as the ever-growing threat of cybercrime.
While the majority of the bill focuses on criminalising the theft and interference of data, it has also introduced new regulations surrounding any ‘malicious’ electronic communication.
These malicious messages include:
Data messages which incite damage to property or violence;
Data messages which threaten persons with damage to property or violence;
Distribution of data message which contains an intimate image without that person’s consent.
The bill states that any person who is found guilty of sending these types of messages is liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years or to both a fine and such imprisonment.
FPB Act
Should it be revived, the proposed Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Bill will likely be used alongside the Film and Publications Amendment Act which was signedinto law by President Ramaphosa at the start of October.
Known as the ‘internet censorship bill’ by some of its opponents, the act introduces a number of changes including harsher rules to protect children from disturbing and harmful content, and to regulate the online distribution of content such as films and games.
Notably, the act states that any person who knowingly distributes private sexual photographs and films without prior consent and with intention to cause the said individual harm shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction.
This includes a possible fine not exceeding R150,000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years and/or to both a fine and imprisonment not exceeding two years.
Where the individual is identified or identifiable in said photographs and films, this punishment rises to a R300,000 fine and/or imprisonment not exceeding four years.
The act also states that any person who knowingly distributes a message which amounts to propaganda for war, incites imminent violence, or advocates hate speech, shall be guilty of an offence.
This includes a possible fine not exceeding R150,000 and/or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.
While the FPB Act has been signed into law, it will only come into effect on a date decided upon by President Ramaphosa in a government gazette.
Zimbabwe teachers unions today said the government should pay invigilators of the on-going third term national examinations allowances pegged to the United States dollar.
While Grade Seven students already finished writing their final examinations, ordinary and advanced level students are still in the process.
The teachers unions say government, through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council, had earlier this year committed to payment of the allowances before new currency reforms were ushered in later in the year.
But as examinations had already started, the government was yet to make its position clear on the matter.
Teachers unions said they want to be paid US$7 per hour for invigilating practical tests and US$5 per hour for other examinations.
The official exchange rate is currently pegged at 15.3 to the greenback.
“What the teachers are requesting is not outside the examination cycle as other players, such as exam markers, items writers and cluster heads, are already being paid similar allowances,” the teachers unions said in a letter addressed to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
“We demand that this issue be treated with the urgency it deserves.”
Five unions including the Zimbabwe Teachers Association, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe signed the letter.
Besides the examinations allowances, teachers are already tussling with government over review of their salaries which they also want linked to US dollars.- New Ziana
State Media|AT least 65 percent of patients that are attended to in Bulawayo suffer from some form of mental disorder with drugs, among other issues, cited as a major cause of the problem.
Health experts told Sunday News that extreme cases have been referred to Ingutsheni Central Hospital where more than 600 patients are admitted due to extreme mental disorder. An accredited drug prevention and rehabilitation specialist, Mr Mthabisi Ndlovu said the problem was being worsened by drug lords who have taken over the city targeting the youths.
He said while 65 percent is the recorded figure, the percentage could be higher as there are other challenges such as economic hardships that are causing mental trauma to people.
“They could be almost 80 percent but 65 percent is the documented figure,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said drug peddlers were now vulnerable schoolchildren to push their business. The scary statistics comes as Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Mental Health Day on Thursday last week.
“Mental issues emanate from substance abuse of drugs like marijuana, codeine and mood stabilisers usually put in muffins sold at school which when eaten confuse the individual and thus we end up labelling users as mentally unstable,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He said most drugs make the mind blank as the drugs are “fat loving” and with the brain containing a lot of these fats, the drugs get stuck in the brain, making the person go blank. Mr Ndlovu said community leaders should educate people, especially the youth, on the dangers of substance abuse.
Ingutsheni Central Hospital clinical director Dr Wellington Ranga said the mental institution was also recording an increase in the number of patients admitted. He, however, said some of the cases were not entirely linked to drugs but other societal problems.
“We have a rough estimate of about 606 patients diagonised with mental issues in our hospital. I can say the reason behind is that we tend to overlook some of the small issues affecting those around us and concentrate on issues like drug abuse yet there is more to that,” he said.
Dr Ranga said although substance abuse may be the most cited causes, issues like depression, stress, and anxiety were contributing to mental health problems.
“Half the time when consulting patients we do communicate with them and with time we then realise that the primary cause lies within issues to do with family, that is abuse and other things related to that,” Dr Ranga added.
In June, the Government revealed that more than one million people in the country were suffering from mental health or neurological disorders. However, most of them are not seeking treatment making efforts to deal with the problem difficult.
“Despite the availability of treatment, nearly two thirds of persons with a known mental disorder never seek professional help. In most cases stigma, discrimination, neglect and limited knowledge prevent care and treatment from reaching people with mental and neurological disorders, hence the need for awareness campaigns so that communities are empowered and they take an active role in reducing morbidity due to mental ill health,” Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said then.
THE contentious top-flight relegation saga has resurfaced with a strong proposal to reduce the number of teams that are demoted from the Premier Soccer League being made at the international football symposium which ended in Victoria Falls yesterday.
Currently, four teams are chopped from the league at the end of each season.
lnternational speakers who presented at the indaba expressed concern at the high turnover.
After months of waiting, the inaugural PSL international football symposium exploded into life in the resort town on Thursday amid huge expectations that the expo would finally transform the domestic game into a big industry.
Fifteen of the 18 PSL teams were represented, with financially crippled Mushowani Stars, Triangle and basement outfit Yadah failing to send delegates.
Ambitious Division One clubs ZPC Hwange and Talen Vision who are within reach of booking tickets in the 2020 PSL season attended the symposium.
Zifa president Felton Kamambo, who was part of the cast of officials here, revealed that the relegation issue will be discussed at the mother body’s next annual meeting in February 2020.
“That proposal is welcome but as usual, it has to decided by the assembly.
“Relegating four teams in a league of 18 teams is too much, we are losing experience every year.
“Initially we had 16 teams, now we have 18. We also don’t have a national league for Division One.
“We are busy looking for sponsorship so that we can have a national league, that will solve the demotion and promotion issue,” said Kamambo.
PSL chairman Farai Jere described the symposium as a success story.
“The symposium lived to its expectations, our expectations were to have these clubs here so that they learn how things are done out there.
“We learnt a lot on issues of corporate governance, the legal aspect of the game and how football can be turned into a big industry.
“On the issue of relegated teams, the presenters were actually shocked, Zimbabwe is probably the only country in the world where four teams are relegated from the top-flight.
“If you look at the South African ABSA Premiership, they demote one, the second bottom placed team goes for the play-offs.
“I was happy with the representation we had. We got support from the Sport and Recreation Commission who sent their director-general,” Jere said.
For years, Zimbabwe’s football has been long on business potential but terribly short on delivery, with the elite league now paying a measly $100 000 to the winner of the championship.
The country’s flagship sport has also been grappling with compliance issues on fundamentals such as club licensing, with some of their efforts being weighed down by a tough economic environment which has left them operating on shoe-string budgets.
World League Forum general secretary Jerome Perlemuter headlined the cast of experts who descended on Victoria Falls for the indaba.
He presented a paper on sports corporate governance and development.
“For Zimbabwe, the potential is on the pitch. You have good players, those players like Marvelous Nakamba are proof that you can do it. “Talent is key to developing a good competition, but you need to have proper structures in football to be able to develop.
“The potential is there, the willingness is there, you could hear from the engagements,” said the French lawyer, who was appointed as the general secretary of the WLF in April 2017.
The WLF Forum represents professional football leagues worldwide and fosters cooperation between them. It notably focuses on improving the regulatory framework of professional football and its development around the world.
The PSL are a member.
The La Liga Global Network delegate in South Africa, Enrique Suay, spoke on how football can realise its full commercial value. He used the Spanish league as a case study.
Other high-profile speakers who attended included Cape Town-based Cameron Calder, managing director at Hype Sports, who talked about driving fan engagement through digital technology.
Marc Juillerat, chief legal officer of the Swiss Football league, enlightened local administrators on club licensing benefits and the future of football.
World soccer governing body Fifa endorsed the symposium by seconding their safety and security manager Lee Davidson, who presented a paper on managing safety and security at match venues.
“Africa is high up there in terms of stadium disasters because of the infrastructure, and the manner in which fans enter the stadium,” Davidson told The Sunday Mail Sport on the sidelines of the symposium.
Zimbabwe experienced a tragic event on March 24 when a woman lost her life owing to a stampede as fans jostled to get into the National Sports Stadium for the Warriors’ final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo Brazzaville.
Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele urged clubs to implement what was discussed in Victoria Falls.
“I am very happy that the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation was represented here. They are currently working on a strategic plan. The symposium was an eye opener.
“The topics were created in a manner that covered a lot of aspects.”
Sports Commission director-general Prince Mupazviriho challenged the clubs to unlock their business potential.
“Obviously the problem could be our reluctance to implement what has been learnt here.
“We should be proactive leaders who are willing to turn things around. Sport is business and it has to be run as such.
“The club leaders should always bear this in mind and work hard for this,’’ Mupazviriho said. Delta Beverages channel marketing executive Irimayi Muzorewa said the league’s sponsors were bowled over by the “highly engaging” symposium.
“At the end of the day, we need to make sure that we play a role in the development of football,” said Muzorewa.
Former Minister Of Local Government (who was also ZANU PF political commissar) Saviour Kasukuwere addressed an ANC meeting held in honour of the late president Robert Mugabe.
Prices of goods and services in Zimbabwe are pegged at an average of 50 percent above those obtaining in South Africa despite relative convergence between the Rand and the local unit on the interbank market over the last month.
While wages and fuel — the biggest contributors to production costs — are lower in Zimbabwe compared to South Africa, local products and services are priced inordinately higher than the neighbouring country. Economic analysts believe this could indicate unfair pricing models by local businesses through arbitrage.
NHMK Capital founder and chief executive Mr George Manyere contends that since the convergence of the Zimbabwe dollar and the South African unit last month, prices of goods in the two countries should align.
“As from 23 September 2019, the prices of goods and services in Zimbabwe and South African including the cost of labour should theoretically be expected to be aligned since the currencies are at par according to the interbank exchange rate,” he said.
“However, this is not the case as the Zimbabwean economy continues to suffer from the threat of hyperinflation and significant rent-seeking behaviour caused by the huge arbitrage opportunities that exist in the market.”
A comparison of prices in the two countries shows that a 2kg pack of brown sugar is retailing at R19,60 while it costs $29,99 locally, which is a variance of 53 percent.
While a 2 litre bottle of cooking oil costs R32,50 in South Africa, it is selling for $51,99 in Zimbabwe giving a price difference of 60 percent.
There is a 43 percent difference in the price of a 2kg box of Maq washing powder which is pegged at R39,99 in South Africa and $56,99 locally.
A 2kg pack of rice costs 122 percent more in Zimbabwe at $54,99 while in South Africa it is selling at R24.75.
Zimbabwean workers earn at least 90 percent less than their South African counterparts and this, according to the analysts, indicates local workers are subsidising their employers.
“Prices in Zimbabwe are on average 51 percent higher than those in South Africa implying that there is scope for downward revision of prices if the country pegs the currency to the ZAR or adopts it as the reference currency,” Mr Manyere.
“In essence, poverty levels are increasing in Zimbabwe resulting in huge salary gaps when compared to South Africa.
“The adoption of the ZAR as reference currency will indeed result in a gradual increase in salaries and a reduction in prices, thereby resulting in the market self-correcting and improvement of people’s lives.
“It will also result in improved competitiveness as wages will not respond instantaneously.
“Lower wages will attract new investment and expansionary projects.
Confederation of Zimbabwean industries president Mr Henry Ruzvidzo said businesses were placing a premium on the products to ensure that they can replace their stock.
He said the Rand exchange rate was stable, but the currency in Zimbabwe was volatile.
“There is a premium put (by business) on the pricing which may not relate directly to the exchange rate if you are comparing with the Rand,” said Mr Ruzvidzo.
“What is needed in Zimbabwe is stability of the exchange rate; people need to be able to predict in a month, in a year or two years the movements of the exchange rate.
“But, at the moment the movements are totally unpredictable and this makes businesses very vulnerable.”
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dr Chris Mugaga also concurred that the price differences in South Africa and Zimbabwe were reflection of the volatility of the local unit.
He said inflation was not the only driver of the exchange rate.
“If one thinks when the Zimbabwean dollar is trading at 15 to the US dollar then it means it is at par with the South African Rand, that is actually a myth that needs correcting.
“Or when the Kenyan shilling is at 100 to the dollar and the Zimbabwean dollar is trading at 15 then the Zimbabwean dollar is actually stronger, that is another myth.
“In currency determination, we do not use the absolute number, we use the real exchange rate determination. “The issue of pricing in Zimbabwe is a function of the exchange rate, it’s a function of confidence, it’s a function of money supply and other factors that include foreign currency shortages.
“If the market is to stabilise today and businesses wants to increase prices of their goods, they will lose customers because people will simply not buy.
“We all know that salaries are low and this is a reflection of imbalances, not a reflection of overpricing,” said Dr Mugaga.
Consumer protection advocates are now calling for immediate introduction of the Consumer Protection Bill which was gazetted last year. The Bill seeks to protect consumers by establishing the Consumer Protection Agency and Regulation of Consumer Advocacy Organisations.
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) executive director Rosemary Siyachitema said slow progress in promulgating the Consumer Protection Bill was hampering efforts to fully protect consumers.
“Last year, we had Parliament doing consultations and we went with them. This was a step forward,” she said.
“Unfortunately, all of a sudden the Bill has become stuck. (There is) no progress whatsoever.
“The Bill will allow many people to participate in consumer protection matters.
“We are a very small organisation trying to do big things,” she said.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce chair Joshua Sacco said Parliament had now passed the Bill. It now awaits Presidential assent.
Jacob Zuma after an appearance in court last year.
Former South African President Jacob Zuma will face trial on corruption charges after a court on Friday dismissed his application for a permanent stay of prosecution.
Zuma, who is accused of taking bribes from French defence company Thales in the 1990s, sought to have the case permanently dropped in March. It is uncertain how long the trial will last and when South Africans will have answers for a case that has been going on for almost 15 years.
Zuma’s lawyers said the case is politically motivated and the years of delay will result in an unfair trial.
But, the trial is now expected to begin on Tuesday after High Court Judge Willie Seriti ruled Zuma’s “application for the permanent stay is dismissed”.
The judge agreed with the prosecution that parts of Zuma’s arguments to have the case thrown out were “scandalous and or vexatious”.
Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller, reporting from Pietermaritzburg in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, said the court ruling was handed down in less than two minutes.
“However, the former president has the option to approach the Supreme Court to appeal this judgement and perhaps further delay his day in court,” she said.
“Zuma has said for a long time that he wants to have the opportunity to appear in court, but at the same, he also tried to delay his appearance.”
The charges
Zuma, 77, has been charged with 16 counts of fraud, racketeering, and money-laundering relating to a multimillion-dollar arms deal dating back to before he took office in 2009. The charges were first brought in 2005.
They were dropped by prosecutors in 2009, shortly before Zuma became president, and reinstated in 2016. He is alleged to have taken the bribes during his time as a provincial economy minister and later as deputy president of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in the 1990s.
Zuma was forced to resign from office last year over a separate corruption scandal.
Corruption crackdown
His successor as president and head of the African National Congress (ANC) party, Cyril Ramaphosa, has promised to root out corruption as part of a sweeping reform agenda aimed at restoring faith in South Africa’s government and the country’s dominant political movement. The ANC won re-election earlier this month, scooping 57,5 percent of the vote to guarantee a sixth straight term in power.
But, the result was the worst-ever electoral performance by the party, which has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid 25 years ago, reflecting widespread frustration over rampant corruption and a stagnant jobs market. South Africa’s economy, the second-largest on the continent, grew just 0,8 percent in 2018.
Overall unemployment hovers at about 27 percent with more than 50 percent of young people out of work.
Ramaphosa has, so far, faced resistance to his reform agenda, especially from Zuma allies who still occupy several high-ranking positions in the party and the government. – Aljazeera
THE business community in Masvingo has implored the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to expedite the re-introduction of the local currency to replace the bond note and maintain a blanket ban on the use of foreign currency.
The RBZ has said the country will soon have a new currency which will replace the bond note.
Making a contribution during a Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) stakeholder meeting at a local hotel here last week, Hilthru Enterprises director Mr Benjamin Taguma Mazarire said it was not prudent for the country to use foreign currency especially the United States dollar.
He said it was practically difficult to control inflation when the country was using foreign currency. He, however, called for a strong policy formulation which will retain value of the local currency.
“I think we made a blunder when we accepted the use of the multi-currency system, especially the US dollar. We could not have embraced the use of this money because of its strength against other currencies. Our economy will not prosper if we keep on using a borrowed currency, as we do not have control over it. However, we need strong policies for the currency (local)to retain its value.”
Mr Mazarire said it was folly to believe that the use of the US dollar was stabilising economies, as events on the ground proved otherwise. “We have this illusion that the US dollar makes the economy stabilise and yet the opposite is true. You can have a look at all the countries which have used this currency and realise that their economies were left struggling. The currency is too strong and we need to have futuristic plans than short term. We commend Government’s decision to outlaw the use of foreign currency because it is not helping us, as business,” he said.State media
By Commissioner John Makamure|This is the inaugural contribution of bi-weekly articles from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) that are meant to inform the public of the elaborate steps being taken by the crime-fighting body to uproot the scourge of corruption currently plaguing the nation. . .
Corruption is commonly defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. Key international organisations such as the United Nations, World Bank and Transparency International are unanimous on this definition.
Forms of corruption include bribery, nepotism, cronyism, embezzlement, fraud, extortion, abuse of office and money laundering.
Corruption can be classified into petty and grand corruption.
The former is everyday abuse of entrusted power by low and mid-level public officials in their interactions with ordinary citizens, who often are trying to access basic services in hospitals, schools, police departments and other agencies.
Grand corruption is abuse of high-level power that benefits the few at the expense of the many, and causes serious and widespread harm to individuals and society.
The administration of His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa has identified corruption as the number one enemy to economic revival and sustainable socio-economic development.
This is why key policy documents such as the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and Vision 2030 have elaborated on the urgent need to implement measures to fight corruption without fear or favour if the policy targets are going to be realised.
It is against this background that the new Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), headed by renowned High Court Judge Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, was established to lead the fight against the vice.
Upon assuming office in July, the commission immediately embarked on a strategic planning exercise in order to provide the organisation with a sense of direction and measurable goals and objectives.
I am happy to say that the five-year strategic plan (2020 – 2024) is now in place.
For the first time, Zacc’s strategy is results-based in line with the Integrated Results-Based Management System that Government has adopted.
The two key result areas of the strategy are: investigation of corrupt cases and arrest of the culprits; and prevention of corruption.
Because of the current frightening high levels of grand corruption, the commission has decided to allocate 60 percent of its resources to investigations and the remaining 40 percent to prevention programmes.
Basically, the commission is determined to thoroughly investigate all suspected cases of grand corruption and ensure that the culprits are prosecuted.
We are aiming for a very high conviction rate, which can only come about if the commission carries out thorough investigations, and submit high-quality dockets to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution.
We are of the view that Zacc must be granted powers to prosecute corruption cases, while the NPA must concentrate on other numerous criminal matters.
This will certainly speed up prosecution of corrupt cases.
Zacc can prosecute through the recently established Anti-Corruption Courts.
Conviction alone is not enough.
We would like to see assets recovered from the culprits for the benefit of the nation.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) estimates that US$500 million worth of assets are lost annually through corruption.
Zacc is strengthening its asset recovery unit in order to recover this wealth for the country.
The strategic plan identifies six expected outcomes from the work of the commission. They are as follows:
a) Increased investigations for prosecutions;
b) Increased asset recovery;
c) Improved access to Zacc services;
d) Enhanced awareness of the dangers of corruption by citizens and institutions;
e) Improved anti-corruption legislation and policies; and
f) Improved Zacc work performance
Achievement of all these outcomes will go a long way in realising the Zacc vision of “A citizenry and institutions that uphold integrity and good governance for a corruption-free Zimbabwe by 2030.”
A corruption-free Zimbabwe will see higher levels of gross domestic product (GDP) being realised and the well-being of society being enhanced.
The Zacc Strategic Plan will be complemented by the development of a National Anti-Corruption Strategy through a highly inclusive process.
This is because citizen groups are a vital cog in any anti-corruption initiatives.
The new Zacc will bring all stakeholders on board regardless of political, religious, gender or any other affiliation.
The commission will, in the next couple of weeks, embark on provincial consultative meetings to gather citizen views on the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
We expect business membership organisations, church groups, trade unions, women’s groups, youth organisations and civil society organisations in their various forms to participate fully in these consultative meetings.
This will forge national ownership of the strategy.
Another area the new Zacc is prioritising is policy and legal reform.
It is true that Zimbabwe boasts of good pieces of legislation to fight corruption.
These include, among others, the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) 2013; Prevention of Corruption Act; Anti-Corruption Commission Act [Chapter 9:22]; Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act; Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act; Serious Offences Act; and Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
While we are rich in terms of statutes, there is still need to make the legal framework robust enough.
For example, important pieces of legislation such as the Anti-Corruption Commission Act are still to be fully aligned with the Constitution.
Zacc is working on proposals for full alignment, and we are giving this exercise the urgency that it deserves.
In the same vein, a law to protect whistleblowers is long overdue.
Whistleblowing is the act of drawing public attention, or the attention of an authority, to perceived wrongdoing, misconduct and unethical activity within public, private or third-sector organisations.
Although there are provisions in the Prevention of Corruption Act to protect whistleblowers, these provisions are not considered comprehensive enough.
Lack of easily accessible anonymous complaints mechanism, lack of protection from employer reprisals in the workplace and lack of physical protection (including relocation) have severely hampered the work of the commission.
Nearer home, countries with whistleblower laws are South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania and Botswana.
Now that the new Zacc has settled down, we would like to vigorously pursue the fight against corruption through robust prevention programmes, criminalisation, law enforcement, asset recovery, collaboration, public education and publicity/information exchange.
We equate the fight against corruption to a real war experience.
Normally, a war constitutes a series of battles.
As Zacc, we may be happy to win battles, but we will only celebrate the day we win the war against corruption.
Commissioner John Makamure is the Zacc spokesperson and chairs the committee on prevention and corporate governance. For reporting corruption, use Toll Free Line: 080101010.
HIGHLANDERS’ battle to climb up the log standing continues today as they face new boys, TelOne, at Barbourfields Stadium.
Bosso’s woeful season has seen them hover just above the relegation zone for the better part of the year but a recent turn of fortunes has seen them steadily climb up the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after collecting seven points in the last three games.
Highlanders coach, Hendrikus Pieter de Jongh believes they have to collect maximum points if they are to entertain any chances of making it into the top eight.
“We are aiming for nothing but a victory and I have a good feeling we will win on Sunday but it is something that we are going to have to work for.
“The league is very competitive and any team can win against any other side. Even if you look at the scores there haven’t been huge margin wins meaning we have to take our chances.
We have to get maximum points if we are to cover the gap between us and our rivals. There is a big opportunity as the points gap is not that huge,” he said.
The Dutchman was however, not lost to TelOne’s good form that has seen the Gweru-based side go for five games without tasting defeat. He said the fact that TelOne has managed to go for four games without conceding was a feat they were mindful of and they would not underrate the side.
The Bosso coach said a hectic schedule that saw them play four games in 11 days with two of those games in Harare left his charges drained and played a role in their failure to come to the party against Herentals last Sunday.
“I gave my boys time off to rest today (Thursday) so they can recover from the packed schedule.
We had to travel to Harare twice inside a week while playing a mid-week fixture in between and I feel this was draining. I feel they can come back rejuvenated and give a similar performance to the one we saw against Chicken Inn,” he said.State media
Paul Nyathi|Government and representatives of civil servants have scheduled an urgent meeting for Monday on negotiations over conditions of service and bonus payments this after revelations that the government workers have issued the employer with a threat for a massive job action.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza confirmed that the meeting will take place indicating that consultations on bonus payments with the Apex Council have not yet taken place.
Government last week released pay day dates for its employees for the period up to December but there was no indication of when the bonus will be paid if any at all. Of
Nzenza expressed concern over the rising cost of living, which is militating against Government efforts to cushion its workers.
“Once a figure has been agreed upon, we then seek Treasury concurrence. The price hikes continue to affect buying power. I am hoping that the bonuses will help ease the burden of rising costs, especially of basic commodities,” she said.
Apex Council secretary Mr David Dzatsunga said while the bonus issue was important, what was urgent was the need for a salary review.
“We are meeting on Monday and the main focus at the moment is on salary review. We have already given Government our position on salaries, which is to say we want our salaries pegged at the October 2018 level of US$400.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday received an Honorary Doctorate in Peace and Governance from Bindura University of Science and Technology (BUSE) for his role in promoting peace and development.
The honour was bestowed at BUSE’s 18th graduation ceremony in Bindura yesterday.
The university said it had accorded the President with the doctorate for policies that promote the rule of law, deepen democracy and strengthen international cooperation.
BUSE applauded President Mnangagwa for his “intellectual dexterity to steer the State with unparalleled skill”, as well as for being a reformer who has opened the country to business and investment.
In his acceptance speech, President Mnangagwa dedicated the doctorate to peace-loving Zimbabweans for promoting harmony in the country. “I wish to express my deep sense of gratitude to the Bindura University of Science and Technology for the conferment of Honorary Doctor (Honoris Causa) in Peace and Governance.
I humbly dedicate this award to all Zimbabweans who have, over the years, remained committed to peace, security, unity and stability of our beloved country.”
President Mnangagwa said his administration will continue to promote peace and stability, as these are key ingredients to develop the country.
“Rest assured that my Government, under the Second Republic, will continue to entrench these tenets as we strive for sustainable economic development and prosperity.
“In addition, the strengthening of strong, transparent, accountable and ethical institutions will remain key as we deepen democracy in our country, building the Zimbabwe we all want.”
The Second Republic, he said, tolerates divergent views that are relayed without threatening the country’s peace and stability. “All our activities across the socio-economic and political spectrum must therefore be underpinned by unity of purpose, love, peace, harmony, as well as an environment where divergent views are accepted and tolerated.
The President implored the successful graduates to be patriotic and aim to develop the country though the knowledge and skills attained at the university.
“Love your country, serve your communities and families with humility and compassion. Be patient, bold, confident, upright and courageous. Our future is bright. No matter the challenges you may encounter, be strong and persevere; the knowledge and skills gained from this great institution – Bindura University of Science and Education – are invaluable and will surely lead to your success, when appropriately applied.”State media
Khama Billiat has described the reports suggesting that he was no longer interested staying at Kaizer Chiefs as mere social media speculation.
The 29-year-old commented on these rumours for the first time on Friday ahead of the Shell Helix Ultra Cup.
The reports linked him with a return to Mamelodi Sundowns who were said to have secretly contacted the player in the August transfer window, a development which led Chiefs to sound a warning to their rivals.
“I can’t confirm that [they contacted me] because I don’t know what was happening. I didn’t get anything to my phone and everything [I know] I just read on social media,” revealed Billiat, according to Kick-Off.com.
“Like I said, I don’t know what was happening, and I just thought it was rumours.”
The Zimbabwe international says he is happy at Amakhosi and will try to enjoy his time there.
“I’m happy, this is my home and I have to make my environment as best as I want it to be – it’s exactly what I hoped for and I just hope it will be like this forever,” he added.Soccer 24
Liverpool youngster Harvey Elliott was on Friday hit with a 14-day ban in all domestic club football after using offensive language to mock Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane in a video posted on social media.
Elliott admitted to the offense and issued an apology when the video surfaced earlier this season.
The 16-year-old who made his senior team debut in a 2-0 League Cup win at MK Dons last month impersonated Kane during last season’s Champions League final when Liverpool beat Spurs in Madrid.
According to a statement by the FA, the video constituted an “aggravated breach” of its rules as it included reference to disability.
The player was also fined £350 and asked to complete a “face-to-face education course.Soccer 24
The National Management Committee met in Harare at the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House on the 10th of October 2019 to look at number of socio- economic and political situation in the country in a bid to come up with a youth driven solution to the crisis.
The economic situation has reached alarming levels with prices skyrocketing and inflation going up. Life for the ordinary person has become unbearable.
Citizens are waking up at the blessing of waterless taps, empty fridges and without electricity.
There are literally queues everywhere from transport queues to fuel one, in the registrar office, in hospitals and other such vital places. Prices are indexed in US dollars but the regime is still stuck in the not so popular Zimbabwean dollar.
Cognizant of these hardships the National Management Committee resolved the following
1) Action
The youth assembly has resolved that we press factory settings and face the incompetent regime to act on the crisis in Zimbabwe.
2) Structures
The YA resolved that they be urgent structure audit and verification as well as the need to speed up branch formation process for the Assembly to be able to carry out its mandate with vigor and vitality.
3) Elections
We noted with urgency the ongoing delimitation process in Bulawayo metropolitan province and resolved to urgently deploy national executive members to assist Bulawayo province in the voter registration process that is ongoing.
4)Local Government
We resolved to urgently look into the situation in our local authorities in a bid to enhance effective service delivery and the role of youth deployees.
5) Regional and International solidarity
The management resolved to relocate the youth assembly as a critical voice in the geopolitics of the world and establish platforms of solidarity with like minded movements across the continent.
6) Provincial Councils
The management committee resolved to suspend all Provincial council meetings that had been scheduled to pave way for branch Making process and holding grass meetings by the national executive which the organising department shall conduct soon.
Gift Ostallos Siziba
Secretary General
MDC Youth Assembly
Today I visited Jairos Jiri Association Community Based Rehabilitation Masvingo Provincial Office.This is the Centre known for giving life skills and practical trainings to physically handicapped people in Masvingo Province.
Jacob Nyokanhete
I was told that the centre used to enrol more than 100 students.Despite having good infrastructure the centre is facing great water challenges due to the breakdown of its water connections.
This calls for assistance from all stakeholders,local and central gvt ,and the donor community to support the vision of the late great man,Mr Jairos Jiri.
A modest home with a brightly painted pre-cast wall nestled in one of Harare’s suburbs hardly raises any eyebrows.
From outside, the house, situated in a generally quiet zone of Glen View 4, resembles a normal high density home.
Like a book, which should never be judged by its cover, this household’s exterior tells a different story from what actually happens within its walls.
Once inside the gate, one is confronted by a range of things — pain, joy, anxiety and expectation.
The house is by no means an ordinary residence. In fact, few maternity homes in Zimbabwe have delivered more babies than this ordinary-looking home — the Mukubvu household — over the past 23 years.
The Mukubvu household has also become a place of solace for those battling infertility, expecting mothers, those seeking matrimonial intervention, the sick, job seekers and a lot more.
Although there is no proper medical lab and other equipment at the Mukubvu household, the cutting off of masare is also a common activity.
Masare are small chunks of foreign flesh found in women’s reproductive tracts, which usually cause infertility or death of a foetus should the foetus get into contact with them during delivery.
One would be forgiven for mistaking this modest house for a church or a maternity clinic. Its owners are a special family of three prophets and a midwife, who happens to be a prophetess as well.
Residents know this place as PaMbuya Mukubvu, where Pretty Mukubvu (57) is the chief midwife.
She claims that since 1992 she has delivered countless babies, running into several hundreds. She also claims that she has helped solve numerous marital problems.
Growing up in a religious environment, Mukubvu became an evangelist and a Sunday school teacher at the age of 14.
Since then, she would receive spiritual and social guidance through dreams. She still gets those dreams — they even guided her into marriage.
“In 1979 in a dream, a voice told me that I would meet and marry a Christian man from Uzumba. Two years later, I met my husband, Never Mukubvu, indeed from Uzumba, and we got married that same year,” she said.
But, it is not every day that a family turns their home into a citadel of community hope. So, what inspired the Mukubvus to make this unusual choice?
To understand more about the prophetess-cum-midwife and what happens at her house, The Sunday Mail Society sat down with Pretty Mukubvu.
She recounted how it all started. Without the conventional academic qualifications of a midwife, Mukubvu delivers babies with ease.
Her journey started when she remained childless two years into marriage. A man of cloth prayed for Mukubvu and her husband in 1983.
They were to have their first child later that year. They then converted to Mughodhi Apostolic Faith Church. On a regular basis, resident prophets in the church would prophecy about her calling.
In 1992, she confronted her first task. “I was in Uzumba and a local pregnant woman came to say she was due. I had to deliver her. I was afraid, I had never done it before, but a voice told me to do it, it kept giving me instructions and in no time, it was done.”
Mbuya Mukubvu, as she is affectionately known, recalls that this was the commencement of her healing and delivering journey.
Her typical day starts at 5am when she prepares for her husband’s departure for work. She then cleans the house, does the laundry and prepares the meals.
All her attention then shifts to her ‘patients’. With her cut off time being 6pm, some patients continue to seek her services late into the night. She uses one of her rooms as a surgery and maternity ward.
Since she does not charge her patients, Mukubvu has to use her own resources to purchase surgical gloves, cotton wool, razor blades and the other items needed for her services.
Although Mukubvu attends to all kinds of problems, her passion is in assisting those with fertility problems. She claims that she helps them fall pregnant (kuwuchika) and usually prefers guiding them until delivery, to make sure the new born is healthy.
As if the gift is matrimonially shared, her husband is a prophet who specialises on marital and social problems. He provides what they describe as spiritually-inspired social counselling.
And their apples did not even bother leaving the stem. Of the couple’s five children, two of them are prophets, with one specialising in social and marital issues. The other one focuses on fertility and maternity matters.
The two young prophets are students at the University of Zimbabwe.
Although Mbuya Mukubvu tries to restrict those seeking her services to Mondays and Fridays, more than 80 clients still throng her home daily. She said some of the clients come from as far as Gokwe, while others come from beyond borders.
“The yard is always fully packed daily, which even makes it difficult for me to be away for days,” she said. But, it has not been all rosy in her unorthodox line of work.
ln 2017, Mbuya Mukubvu remembers that she had to attend to an intra-uterine foetal death. An intra-uterine foetal death is when a child dies in the womb. Usually, it happens in the last trimester or most rarely during delivery.
Mbuya Mukubvu is registered with the Ministry of Health and Child Care. After delivery, she helps the parents acquire birth certificates for their babies from the Registrar General.
Where there are complications prior or during delivery, Mbuya Mukubvu believes that God will always intervene and protect mothers and their babies.
Just like in clinics, she recommends that all her clients get tested for HIV prior to delivery.
While at Mbuya Mukubvu’s home, we spoke to Evert John, a 30-year-old woman who has been battling infertility for eight years. She said she found an answer to her problems in Mbuya Mukubvu. She told us that she received her first prayer from the midwife in December last year.
“For years I could not conceive and life had become unbearable. I was labelled different names and had lost hope until a relative referred me to gogo (Mbuya Mukubvu). I am looking forward to the big day,” said John, who is heavily pregnant. – Sunday Mail
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has cancelled licences of seven Independent Power Producers (IPPs) that have failed to kick start their projects within stipulated timeframes as it moves to open up space to investors exhibiting the capacity to assist the country to reduce its power deficit.
Zera acting chief executive officer Engineer Eddington Mazambani said the authority has cancelled seven dormant IPPs and would continue with the purge as it moves to ensure the power projects are expedited.
In recent years, the country liberalised its energy sector in a bid to promote the participation of private capital but most of the projects have failed to take off.
“Seven licences have been cancelled to date. The cancellation of licences is a continuous exercise. Zera monitors project implementation on a quarterly basis as provided for in their licence conditions. It is on the basis of these quarterly reviews that Zera identifies non-performers,” said Eng Mazambani although he could not readily name the affected companies.
The energy regulator had to date licensed 61 IPPs with a combined capacity of contributing 6 671,886 megawatts (MW) to the national grid with 19 of those all being solar projects with a total capacity of 547,3MW having been licensed this year.
However, only 16 projects are operating contributing 131,276MW to the grid. Mr Mazambani said it was however, of paramount importance to note cancellation of IPP licences is done in accordance with the laws of the country and as such might take time in some instances.
“It is also important to note that there are procedures to be followed in cancelling licences in-line with Section 51 of the Electricity Act (Chapter 13:19). Cancellation of a licence is therefore a process and not an event,” he said.
The country is battling electricity shortages following a sharp decline in water levels in the Kariba Dam due to erratic rains in the 2018-19 rainfall season, and generation constraints at Hwange Power Station because of ageing equipment.
Zimbabwe and Zambia share less than 1 000MW, which is currently being generated by Kariba Hydro-electric Power Station.- state media
Zimbabwe cricket stakeholders are keeping their fingers crossed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will lift the country’s suspension, with an announcement to be made tomorrow.
All is pointing to the ICC lifting Zimbabwe’s suspension, which will come as a huge sigh of relief to Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) employees who have gone for months without getting their salaries. The ICC board, the highest decision makers at the world cricket governing is meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates with the gathering to come to an end tomorrow. It is then that a decision on the suspension of Zimbabwe Cricket will be made. An ICC spokesperson confirmed that Zimbabwe was on the agenda of the board meeting with a pronouncement to be made tomorrow.
“Zimbabwe’s suspension is on the agenda of the ICC board meeting, the communication on the outcome will be made on Monday post board meeting,” the spokesperson said.
It has been a difficult time for ZC employees, including players who have gone for four months without salaries since ICC suspended funding in June. The ICC board suspended Zimbabwe’s membership in July after they deemed that the action taken by the Sports and Recreation Commission amounted to Government interference in the running of the sport. In June, the SRC suspended the Tavengwa Mukuhlani-led ZC board after the latter went ahead with their elective annual general meeting in Victoria Falls against the advice of the country’s supreme sports governing body not to do so.
In suspending ZC, the ICC put in place conditions that had to be met for Zimbabwe to again enjoy the full benefits of being part the global cricketing family. One of the stipulations was that the SRC must reinstate the ZC board unconditionally and that proof must be provided that there shall be no interference in the operations of the cricket mother body. The SRC then lifted the ZC board suspension in August, which should pave way for Zimbabwe to be readmitted as a Full ICC Member, a status they have enjoyed since 1992.
Zimbabwe’s suspension has hit ZC where it hurts the most, that is in the pocket. With ZC heavily reliant on money from ICC as part of controlled funding agreement, their operations have been crippled by the withholding of that financial support. The domestic first class season is yet to get underway as ZC cannot afford to run it minus the money coming from the ICC.- state media
By A Correspondent- At least 45 passengers aboard a Smart Express bus on Saturday escaped death by a whisker after the bus overturned while negotiating the steep Vumba curves at the 15km peg from Mutare at Lower Vumba Gardens.
Some of the passengers who spoke to a local publication alleged that the driver was drunk after gulping beer in Mutare, a charge which the driver rejected.
The unnamed driver had this to say:
When I was negotiating a curve, I heard something breaking under the bus and I knew it was the U-bolt. I lost control of the vehicle but I managed to avoid hitting trees, otherwise, people would have died.
20 passengers were injured in the accident and were rushed to hospital by guests who were attending a wedding at Vumba Gardens.
The accident follows another Smart Express bus which killed over 50 people along the Harare-Mutare Highway in November last year.
By A Correspondent- A woman’s quest to know the true identity of her father resulted in shock after she found out that the man who had sired her was her own uncle!
DNA – Image credit https://www.smarterhobby.com/genealogy/best-dna-test/
Now Jacqueline Ngwenya (30) from Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, wants a DNA test.
“This whole issue started when she wanted me to help her get an ID. I told her that her father was in Zimbabwe.”
She told Daily Sun she and her twin sister were raised by her gogo after their mum left them in Zimbabwe when they were five years old.
“My sister died at 18. My mum made contact with me in 2017 and asked to see me and my younger sister. So, we went to Newcastle, KZN, to meet her,” said Jacqueline.
She said her mum was happy to see them. But she became angry when she asked her who her father was.
“She kicked us out, saying she never wanted to see us again,” she said.
Jacqueline said a prophet told her that her uncle was her father.
“He even mentioned the names of my three uncles and told me which one was my father,” she said.
“He told me to ask my mkhulu. My mkhulu asked me what I would do if I found out my father shared the same surname as my mother. I told him I’d be fine because I just want the truth.”
Jacqueline said her mum told her to believe whatever she wanted.
But Jacqueline’s mum, Sibonisiwe, told Daily Sun her daughter was crazy.
“This whole issue started when she wanted me to help her get an ID. I told her that her father was in Zimbabwe, but she didn’t want to listen,” said Sibonisiwe.
Jacqueline’s mkhulu, Abraham, said he didn’t want to get involved when a South African publication contacted him recently.
“The three of them must sort it out. Jacqueline should have sat the family down instead of running to the papers,” he said.
Cultural expert and traditional healer Mntimande Ngwenya said: “The ancestors do not approve of such. This child will carry the sins of her parents until she dies, if she’s not cleansed.”
By A Correspondent- The Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Judith Ncube said she will engage those responsible for the recruitment of student nurses in Bulawayo following an outcry over last week’s “unfair” recruitment.
Ncube made the remarks on Tuesday after her office was inundated by unsuccessful applicants who were seeking clarification on how the process was done.
Said Ncube:
I have been busy attending to more than five delegations who flocked my office this morning seeking answers on what really transpired in the selection of student nurses. Indeed, it’s a serious public concern that should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo recruited 24 trainee nurses with only 4 being locals while the rest were from Harare, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central.
United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) reportedly recruited only 4 students from Matabeleland while 23 were from outside the province.
By A Correspondent- He is one of Bulawayo’s young and well-known business entrepreneurs, a fate that is coupled by the fact that he is younger brother to celebrated former Manchester City and Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwari.
His spending power of the Benjamins has never been doubted and courtesy of his elder brother’s football exploits in the lucrative
English Premier League, Mzansi’s Super Diski, France and Switzerland, he is a young man who really felt how it is to grow up pampered and protected.
In his boyhood days, in the high density suburb of Nkulumane, an environ from which he completed his primary education while going to Amavene Primary School, Chris (34), used to be on the steering of whatever sleek toy that Benjani would have bought.
Do you still remember that yellow Hummer H2 and the blue Peugeot 206 that usually zoomed past the streets of Bulawayo with everyone who cared to give a gaze, seeing Chris on the driver’s seat?
It was a development that suggested he was living the life of the rich and famous.
While no one wondered who was oiling the wheels, many-especially ladies — would have asked themselves, how in the following years was Chris’ wedding going to be like?
Wonder no more, as we reveal that on 28 September 2019, Benjani’s sibling might have stunned many when he exchanged vows with his longtime sweetheart Ayanda Sibanda (27), in a low profile event at the Bulawayo Magistrates Court.
“Sometimes there is a need of not going flashy. I’m the one who proposed the idea of exchanging our vows in September to avoid the long, usually busy December period at the courts. It was a move that was also welcomed by our two families. After the court process we went for pictures and we had lunch at home,” said the rather coy Chris.
Pressed on, he, with a smile, let the cat out of the bag.
“Our big wedding function will take place sometime in December in Bulawayo. Benjani, who has always been supportive, has already confirmed that he will travel from England to grace the event,” he said.
Question: Should people expect any big names in their bridal team? “We are yet to finalise on the list of the people that will be part of our bridal team. However, anything is possible,” said the towering and soft-spoken father of one.
Ayanda and Benjani’s lookalike have been together for eight years.
By A Correspondent- Two women from Bulawayo have been sentenced to nine months in prison for stealing cellphones during a burial at Luveve cemetery.
Nolwazi Dube (18) and Minenhle Mare (25) from Pumula suburb stole a Samsung J6 belonging to Ms Talent Ndiweni (26) and Ms Thembo Hlalaphi’s (26) Samsung J2 both valued at $3 500.
Dube and Mare pleaded guilty to two counts of theft before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube.
The magistrate sentenced Dube to six months in prison before suspending three months. She suspended another three months on condition that Dube performs 105 hours of community service at Pumula Police Station.
Ms Dube also sentenced Mare to an effective three months in prison.
The State, represented by Mr Tapiwa Solani, said the two women stole the cellphones last week on Thursday at around 11AM.
“The accused persons were given a Samsung J2 cellphone by Ms Hlalaphi for safe keeping while she was busy with burial. After the burial the accused persons sold the phone,” he said.
On count two on the same day, Dube and Mare hatched a plan to steal a cellphone from Ms Ndiweni.
“The accused persons pretended to be asking for time from the complainant before snatching her Samsung J6, and ran away,” Mr Solani said.
Ms Hlalaphi testified that when she gave Dube and Mare her cellphone, they used it to record the proceedings. She said Dube is her niece.
“I was burying a relative and I handed over my phone to my niece who was taking a funeral video. By the time I was placing flowers on the grave, the accused persons were nowhere to be found. They sold my phone without my consent,” she said.
The total value of stolen cellphones was $ 3 500 and nothing was recovered.
The Zimbabwe Medical Association is once again appalled at the relentless and senseless attack on the medical profession by the state.
We were alarmed, but not entirely surprised to hear that the Vice Chancellor has suspended, without pay, two prominent surgeons purportedly for “inciting a strike”.
Messrs Mbuvayesango and Chimuka are senior professionals whose selfless contribution to the training of medical practitioners and unrewarded, dedicated and unheralded service to the Zimbabwean population is embarrassingly glaring.
Mr Mbuwayesango is the distinguished paediatric surgeon who separated the conjoint twins and has been a selfless teacher and represents Zimbabwe at COSECSA.
Mr Chimuka is a Cardiothoracic surgeon who had resuscitated our open heart programme until the government allowed the supplies to run out in 2018. Their crime is to support the demand that government should restore the capacity of the decaying public hospitals and the health professionals who can no longer afford to come to work. Even the Labour Court recently struggled to dismiss this claim.
ZIMA fully supports all doctors in Zimbabwe who find themselves in the untenable situation where they are expected to care for patients while they: barely have any equipment or drugs to use, are barely remunerated sufficiently to ensure that they turn up for work, are under the constant fear of being victimised for airing their genuine concerns and grievances.
We urge the government to urgently put an end to this misguided, misinformed and self- defeating madness before completely destroying what is left of the exasperated, strained, poorly funded and poorly governed heath delivery system.
ZIMA calls upon the Government to use dialogue and not confrontation to resolve crises.
ZIMA calls all doctors to stand together against this unprecedented assault on the profession.
ZIMA calls on all Zimbabweans to pray for preservation of life during these trying times for the medical profession.
GENUINE AND WELL MEANING DIALOGUE IS THE ONLY SOLUTION
2020 National Budget Strategy Paper. 2020 Budget to focus on growth, productivity, job creation, competitiveness and development. https://t.co/izpVzNiioc
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) secretary-general, Reverend Kenneth Mtata, has warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa of impending anarchy as a result of unresolved socio-economic and political crises in the country.
Mtata said that there was a necessity to adopt far-reaching solutions to the crises so as to avoid recurrence of the same issues in the future. He said:
If we continue to address the symptoms, we are going to face this crisis for 20 more years. There is, for example, an urgent need for negotiations, and these negotiations are not about two individuals but must be for the whole nation.
Things are such that this can lead to a very desperate situation because citizens are suffering. There is a high risk of chaos if the situation is not solved urgently.
Earlier this week, the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHoCD) recommended that the country suspends elections for seven years to focus on resolving the issues and rebuilding the nation.
Zimbabwe is grounded by the worst economic crisis since 2008. The country has a huge deficit in food, power, water, fuel and cash which have together with the inflation have inflicted pain on the general populace.
Zodwa Wabantu has finally balanced the masses on why she loves her men young, ‘adventurous’ and ‘outgoing’. Zodwa is well known for her cougar tendencies, among other things. Her preference for younger men was first displayed when she introduced the nation to her then boyfriend Ntobeko Linda, whom she ended up proposing to.
The couple later broke off the engagement with Zodwa going as far as requesting to get half of her lobola back.
A few months later, the entertainer came out with another Ben 10 named Vusi and the couple has been together for about 4 months now. Zodwa has finally eased our wondering minds with an explanation on why she prefers dating the younger male citizens of the country.
In a video she posted on Instagram, Zodwa explains that dating a younger guy is ideal for her demanding lifestyle. The entertainer says an older man would ultimately domesticate her and she wouldn’t be able to accommodate that kind of situation. Well, there you have it folks, Zodwa just doesn’t want stress.
By Own Correspondent| Six people were injured and have been rushed to a nearby clinic while several others sustained minor scratches after a Bulawayo bound passenger train derailed in the Dorset area of Shurugwi yesterday evening.
National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) spokesperson Mr Nyasha Maravanyika confirmed the mishap.
He said the passenger train was coming from Chikwalakwala Border Post when the incident occurred around 6pm.
“The six who were injured have been taken to the nearby Dorset Clinic where their conditions are being monitored. Investigations into the cause of derailment are still underway. We will avail more information soon,” he said.
The National Management Committee met in Harare at the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House on the 10th of October 2019 to look at number of socio- economic and political situation in the country in a bid to come up with a youth driven solution to the crisis.
The economic situation has reached alarming levels with prices skyrocketing and inflation going up. Life for the ordinary person has become unbearable. Citizens are waking up at the blessing of waterless taps, empty fridges and without electricity. There are literally queues everywhere from transport queues to fuel one, in the registrar office, in hospitals and other such vital places. Prices are indexed in US dollars but the regime is still stuck in the not so popular Zimbabwean dollar.
Cognizant of these hardships the National Management Committee resolved the following
1) Action The youth assembly has resolved that we press factory settings and face the incompetent regime to act on the crisis in Zimbabwe.
2) Structures The YA resolved that they be urgent structure audit and verification as well as the need to speed up branch formation process for the Assembly to be able to carry out its mandate with vigor and vitality.
3) Elections We noted with urgency the ongoing delimitation process in Bulawayo metropolitan province and resolved to urgently deploy national executive members to assist Bulawayo province in the voter registration process that is ongoing.
4)Local Government We resolved to urgently look into the situation in our local authorities in a bid to enhance effective service delivery and the role of youth deployees.
5) Regional and International solidarity The management resolved to relocate the youth assembly as a critical voice in the geopolitics of the world and establish platforms of solidarity with like minded movements across the continent.
6) Provincial Councils The management committee resolved to suspend all Provincial council meetings that had been scheduled to pave way for branch Making process and holding grass meetings by the national executive which the organising department shall conduct soon.
Gift Ostallos Siziba Secretary General MDC Youth Assembly
If I could talk to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, I would tell him this:
Dear Comrade President, do you remember coming to London sometime in the late 1980s presumably in pursuit of international support for COSATU, of which you were then Secretary-General?
I attended a joint news conference you held with the Secretary of the British Trades Union Congress, the late Mr. Norman Willis. I asked Mr. Willis why he wasn’t asking his British trade union member to stop processing mails and parcels sent from Britain to South Africa, and vice versa? Did the British trade union movement not realise that many of the Africans the apartheid regime had detained were picked up from “the shop floor”? They needed the solidarity of workers everywhere, especially fellow workers in trade and industry, I added.
Norman Willis brushed the question aside! He confirmed for me the famous statement by the late leader of the PAIGC in Guinea-Bissau, Amilcar Cabral, that “it’s only in fables that you can cross a river in a boat piloted by the crocodile’s friend”!
Of course, British trade with the apartheid regime enriched Britain and its workers a great deal, and the British TUC wasn’t going to disrupt that by taking such a decisive action to help to free a bunch of black workers whose trade union – and human – rights, were being trampled underfoot, thousands of miles away.
Comrade President, even if you appreciated the import of the question I asked Mr. Willis on your organisation’s behalf, you would not necessarily have known that so widespread was the international support for you and your people that the questioner wasn’t even from South Africa at all, or indeed, anywhere near it, but from faraway Ghana, in West Africa!
Yes, international support for the blacks of South Africa was solid and far-ranging, and cost some of those international supporters a lot of personal sacrifices.
Nowhere else was the support for the black struggle against apartheid waged with such consistency and justified anger as at the United Nations. Every session of the General Assembly and sometimes, the Security Council had an item on its agenda condemning apartheid and calling for the liberation of your oppressed nation. To the annoyance of “the crocodile’s friends”, the UN called for a boycott of the apartheid regime. Some limited sanctions were also imposed on it.
A special anti-apartheid committee was set up, and the Decolonization Committee also refused to allow the South African argument that apartheid was its “internal affair” to prevent it from persistently issuing condemnations against apartheid. The UN was, in fact, the first front of the anti-apartheid war.
One would have thought, therefore, that when the blacks of South Africa achieved victory over apartheid in May 1994, co-operation with the UN would be one of the hallmarks of its foreign policy. But alas, Comrade President, this does not appear to be the case. In September 1961, the Secretary-General of the UN at the time, Mr. Dag Hammarskjoeld, was travelling to Ndola in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) in pursuit of peace for war-torn Congo, when his plane was cruelly shot down.
The Secretary-General and 15 other persons on board perished. It has been established that military action was going on in the Congo and the neighbouring countries at the time, carried out by mercenaries recruited and paid by British, American, Belgian and South African companies that had either connections with Union Miniere, the Belgian company that was milking the Congo of copper, uranium, diamonds and other minerals, on behalf of Western shareholders. Behind them stood powerful forces, including the CIA and M16 of Great Britain.
All the Western countries indisputably POSSESS first-hand intelligence reports on how Mr. Hammarskjoeld’s assassination was carried out. But despite requests from the UN that they should release documents relating to the crash to various enquiry bodies set up by the UN, very little has been given.
Currently, an ‘Eminent Person’, Judge Mohamed Othman, former Chief Justice of Tanzania, is in charge of reviewing what previous UN enquiries have done before, and plugging the informational holes in their reports on Hammarskjoeld’s assassination.
As could be expected, the “crocodile’s friends” (in this case, the USA, the UK, Belgium and France, in particular) have steadfastly refused to allow the ‘Eminent Person’ to see all the more important secret documents on the crash. This is in spite of the fact that the information therein is over 60 years old and, therefore, according to their own laws, may be released!
But Comrade President, what is most puzzling is that South Africa has joined the USA and its murderous friends in refusing to release all the relevant documents it possesses to the UN’s ‘Eminent Person’. This is very strange, indeed, because it is known that an employee of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, at great risk to her life, tried to submit some documents that had come into her possession, to the Commission at the very end of its sittings.
However, she was fobbed off by silly bureaucratic niceties placed in her way by a very highly-placed personage on the Commission, for reasons known only to himself. The documents subsequently became “lost”!
Comrade President, it is my considered opinion that you owe the world, on behalf of your country, a moral duty to ferret out all documents relating to the crash and deliver it, without delay, to the UN’s Eminent Person.
Now, Comrade President, we all know, to our chagrin, that some black South Africans do not want to remember the part played by their fellow blacks on the continent in their eventual liberation. But this, Comrade, is not just a matter for the continent, but the whole of the UN. What are the Swedes and other Scandinavians – great supporters of yours – to think? The Latin Americans? The Asians?
No Comrade, please you need to save the honour of South Africa.
Please, you do not owe the apartheid regime any protection. If the ANC agreed to keep the apartheid era’s murderous secrets under wraps, that agreement was invalid. For it was reached by your negotiators under duress.
And international and national laws do not recognise agreements procured by duress.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Peace and Governance Degree by the Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE).
Receiving his additional degree, Mnangagwa urged the university to focus on its mandate of science education.
The president made the remarks this Saturday at the university’s 18th graduation ceremony where he also conferred degrees and diplomas to 1 920 graduands, 927 of them being female and the remainder 993 being male.
BUSE and the new graduates were challenged to contribute to the speedy attainment of the industrialisation and modernisation.President Emmerson Mnangagwa said his government was committed to continue upholding peace security unity and stability.
“Rest assured my government under the Second Republic will continue to entrench these tenets as we strive for sustainable socio-economic development. In addition, the strengthening of strong transparent accountable and ethical institutions will remain key as we deepen democracy in our country, building the Zimbabwe we want,” said president Mnangagwa.
BUSE’s Vice Chancellor Professor Eddie Mwenje briefed the gathering on new developments in the past and the new five year strategic plan in line with vision 2030.
“The University has crafted a new five year strategic plan which shall guide the University for the next 5 years. The plan seeks to address the critical skills gap identified in the National critical skills report of 2018,” he said.
Of the 1 920 graduates that were capped, the majority, 1 115 were first degree graduands while 247 were Master degree graduands.
Prior to the graduation ceremony, president Mnangagwa officially opened the university road which leads up to BUSE Mount Darwin campus and the national sports academy.
RIHANNA To TRUMP: You Are The ‘Most Mentally ill Human Being In America’
Paul Nyathi|American musician, Rihanna, has called President Donald Trump “the most mentally ill human being in America right now.”
Gracing the November issue of Vogue, the 31-year-old singer spoke about the gun violence in America and called the president out following the two mass shootings in 24 hours back in August 2019.
“The fact that it’s classified as something different because of the color of their skin? It’s a slap in the face. It’s completely racist,” Rihanna said.
“Put an Arab man with that same weapon in that same Walmart and there is no way that Trump would sit there and address it publicly as a mental health problem,” said the singer.
“The most mentally ill human being in America right now seems to be the president.”
Picture the same being said by for example our very own Aleck Macheso on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and see what would happen to him.
Several people have been arrested in recent days for simply saying Mnangagwa Has failed to govern which in its own is somewhat a fact.
Paul Nyathi|Uganda under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s newly found soul mate, Yoweri Museveni, has announced plans to impose the death penalty on homosexuals.
The bill, colloquially known as “Kill the Gays” in Uganda, was nullified five years ago on a technicality, but the government said on Thursday it plans to resurrect it within weeks.
The government said the legislation would curb a rise in “unnatural sex” in the east African nation.
“Homosexuality is not natural to Ugandans, but there has been a massive recruitment by gay people in schools, and especially among the youth, where they are promoting the falsehood that people are born like that,”
the country’s ethics and integrity minister, Simon Lokodo, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
“Our current penal law is limited. It only criminalises the act. We want it made clear that anyone who is even involved in promotion and recruitment has to be criminalised. Those that do grave acts will be given the death sentence.”
Mr Lokodo said the bill, which has the support of the country’s president, Yoweri Museveni, will be reintroduced in parliament in the coming weeks.
He said it was expected to be voted on before the end of the year.
The minister was optimistic the bill would pass with the necessary two-thirds of members present, he said, as the government had lobbied legislators ahead of its reintroduction.
Uganda’s constitutional court overturned the law – formerly known as the “Kill the Gays” bill because it includes the death penalty – on a technicality in 2014.
Uganda faced widespread international condemnation when the previous bill was signed off by Mr Museveni in 2014.
The United States reduced aid, imposed visa restrictions and cancelled military exercises. The World Bank, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands also suspended or redirected aid.
Mr Lokodo said Uganda was prepared for any negative response.
“It is a concern,”
he said.
“But we are ready. We don’t like blackmailing. Much as we know that this is going to irritate our supporters in budget and governance, we can’t just bend our heads and bow before people who want to impose a culture which is foreign to us.”
Under British colonial law, gay sex in Uganda is punishable with up to life imprisonment.
Activists warned the new bill risked an increase in violence and Pepe Julian Onziema from Sexual Minorities Uganda, an alliance of LGBT + organisations, said its members were fearful.
“When the law was introduced last time, it whipped up homophobic sentiment and hate crimes,” said Mr Onziema.
“Hundreds of LGBT+ people have been forced to leave the country as refugees and more will follow if this law is enacted. It will criminalise us from even advocated for LGBT+ rights, let alone supporting and protecting sexual minorities.”
Mr Onziema said three gay men and one transgender woman had been killed in homophobic attacks in Uganda this year – the latest last week when a gay man was bludgeoned to death.
Strong winds hit Honde Valley uprooting trees in their wake. "We pray that no lives are lost in this violent weather phen" – The Source pic.twitter.com/q6piGTUUV5
Controversial social media abuser Acie Lumumba has fired shots at Mnangagwa commenting on current events. ED has failed, he tweeted and the tweet has since gone viral.
By Martin Samuel Wades|There is absolutely no doubt that the song about Aston Villa’s Marvellous Nakamba is racist. It says his dad’s a ‘rasta’, presumably because he’s black. It says John McGinn is his ‘master’, and we don’t need to explain what is wrong with that.
Finally, it makes stereotypical presumptions about a certain part of his anatomy. And Villa fans may think that counts as praise. It doesn’t. Those who believe all black men are well-endowed tend to believe other labels, too: that they are thick, or lazy, or carry Ebola, or are Rastafarians.
Yet what is also true is that few had a clue what the racist chant said, or that it even existed, until Villa made their misgivings public. There is a clip of it on YouTube and the words are unintelligible. To find out what was being sung required detective work that would have made Coleen Rooney proud.
In this way, it is much like Louie, Louie by The Kingsmen which the FBI investigated on the grounds of obscenity for 31 months before concluding that, as absolutely no one had a clue what lead vocalist Jack Ely was singing about, obscenity couldn’t be an issue.
Villa was right to call out the racism of a minority. Yet, in doing so, they gave the stupid song a wider audience than it ever deserved, or would have achieved, given the singers had mangled the English language as thoroughly as they had indulged in shameful black stereotyping.
Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) secretary-general, Reverend Kenneth Mtata, has warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa of impending anarchy as a result of unresolved socio-economic and political crises in the country.
Mtata said that there was a necessity to adopt far-reaching solutions to the crises so as to avoid the recurrence of the same issues in the future. He said:
If we continue to address the symptoms, we are going to face this crisis for 20 more years. There is, for example, an urgent need for negotiations, and these negotiations are not about two individuals but must be for the whole nation.
Things are such that this can lead to a very desperate situation because citizens are suffering. There is a high risk of chaos if the situation is not solved urgently.
Earlier this week, the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHoCD) recommended that the country suspends elections for seven years to focus on resolving the issues and rebuilding the nation.
Zimbabwe is grounded by the worst economic crisis since 2008. The country has a huge deficit in food, power, water, fuel and cash which have together with the inflation have inflicted pain on the general populace.
Zimbabwe’s security services are yet to find the bombers who in June 2018 apparently attempted to assassinate President Mnangagwa in Bulawayo at White City Stadium. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said this week that there’s a need to revisit the matter as the government suspects the work of the “Third Force”.
Said Ziyambi: We had a bombing where our president was almost killed and where some of our people were killed, people have remained silent as to the identity of the people who did it. When we say there is a third force doing this, fingers are pointed at the State, but from our own position, we are saying we need to have a relook at this.
The bomb killed some aides and left several people, including Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife Marry, injured. Following the bombing, Mnangagwa blamed it on the Generation 40 faction that had been ousted from Zanu-PF during the November 2017 coup.
ZANU PF Youth League Political Commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu has urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to dissolved the Politiburo, Cabinet and the Presidential Advisory Council.
Posting on Facebook, Tsenengamu said, “Cde President get rid of the saboteurs around you who are in cabinet, politiburo and PAC. Time is running out, you have to act now. They are full of mischief and not sincere.”
The radical ZANU PF Youth leader has been vocal calling for a ZANU PF and MDC to unite for the good of the nation.
“We all have our differences yes but I think for Zimbabwe’s sake let us major on what brings us together more than that which divides us,” Tsenengamu recently said. “For a s long as two majnor political parties in Zimbabwe continue to play hide and seek games prioritising to score cheap political points, then sustainable development remains a pipe dream. Let us dialogue.”
A ZANU PF source who spoke to us alleged that Tsenengamu belongs to a certain clique of ZANU PF members called the reformers who are eager to see some ZANU PF members removed from Senior posts and an arrangement with the opposition forged.
The church has been making frantic efforts to unite MDC leader Nelson Chamisa and Mnangagwa.
The ZRP is on the hunt for a Gweru pharmacist Simbarashe Ruzive(35) who allegedly fled from Zvamabande Hospital after he was involved in a fatal crash that claimed the life of his girlfriend Angela Taso. Ruzive failed to control his Isuzu car and it veered off the road overturning several times. The crash occurred at Zvamabande Turnoff along Mhandamabwe Shurugwi Road on Saturday as Ruzive drove from Chivi back to Gweru.
According to sources who spoke to the Masvingo Mirror, there were 4 people on board of which 3 escaped with minor injuries. Ruzive fled from the hospital by sneaking out and in the processing stealing a car belonging to a good samaritan who had ferried them to hospital after the accident. The car was later found dumped in Chivi, Masvingo after it ran out of fuel
Midlands Police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the accident:
“I confirm that Taso died on the spot in an accident which happened on Saturday at the 25km peg along Masvingo – Shurugwi road. The other three were ferried to Zvamabande where Ruzive fled from the hospital before he was admitted. He fled with the car of the man who gave the three transport to the hospital. He is still missing because we never received any information that he came back. The three did not sustain any injuries and they were therefore discharged from hospital,”
Khama Billiat has described the reports suggesting that he was no longer interested staying at Kaizer Chiefs as mere social media speculation.
The 29-year-old commented on these rumours for the first time on Friday ahead of the Shell Helix Ultra Cup.
The reports linked him with a return to Mamelodi Sundowns who were said to have secretly contacted the player in the August transfer window, a development which led Chiefs to sound a warning to their rivals.
“I can’t confirm that [they contacted me] because I don’t know what was happening. I didn’t get anything to my phone and everything [I know] I just read on social media,” revealed Billiat, according to Kick-Off.com.
“Like I said, I don’t know what was happening, and I just thought it was rumours.”
The Zimbabwe international says he is happy at Amakhosi and will try to enjoy his time there.
“I’m happy, this is my home and I have to make my environment as best as I want it to be – it’s exactly what I hoped for and I just hope it will be like this forever,” he added.Soccer 24
Prophet orders congregants to divorce. It is alleged Bishop Philip Chipato, who also doubles up as a prophet, encouraged married male congregants to divorce their wives who no longer attend church services.
An Apostolic church bishop in Bulawayo has been accused of wrecking church members’ marriages by ordering married congregants to divorce their partners who would have stopped coming to church.
A pastor who requested anonymity said Chipato preached castigating married female congregants who had somehow stopped coming to church.
It is further said as a result Bishop Chipato reportedly ordered one of his pastors, Cleopas Midzi, to divorce his wife Vimbai Denhere who had stopped attending church services.
“Vimbai stopped coming to church and after about two weeks Bishop Chipato started to teach a series of lessons demonising married partners who would have stopped coming to church. He also ran a series of sermons preaching against such truant members while encouraging their partners to divorce them,”said a source.
An elder of the church who requested anonymity said as a result Midzi divorced his wife. Contacted for a comment Vimbai said:
“I stopped going to that church (Word Apostolic Church) because I did not like the things that were done at that church. His teachings were not in conformity with the word of God. After a month Chipato influenced my husband (Midzi) to divorce me and left me with two children and he is not taking care of them.
Liverpool youngster Harvey Elliott was on Friday hit with a 14-day ban in all domestic club football after using offensive language to mock Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane in a video posted on social media.
Elliott admitted to the offense and issued an apology when the video surfaced earlier this season.
The 16-year-old who made his senior team debut in a 2-0 League Cup win at MK Dons last month impersonated Kane during last season’s Champions League final when Liverpool beat Spurs in Madrid.
According to a statement by the FA, the video constituted an “aggravated breach” of its rules as it included reference to disability.
The player was also fined £350 and asked to complete a “face-to-face education course.Soccer 24
PROSECUTOR-GENERAL (PG) Kumbirai Hodzi has petitioned the High Court on an urgent basis seeking an order to bar self-exiled former Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere from accessing title deeds for his Mutare property which was forfeited to the State before the High Court quashed the ruling.
Kasukuwere was last year arrested and charged with criminal abuse of office, but when he took the matter to the High Court for review, Justice Tawanda Chitapi quashed all the charges saying there was no evidence suggesting that the former Zanu PF political commissar committed any criminal offence during his tenure in government service.
Early this week, the High Court again issued another order releasing Kasukuwere’s forfeited title deeds to a property on Lot 4 of Subdivision D Manchester in Mutare district, registered under 8010/2003, which had been held as surety when he was granted bail.
But according to prosecutor Zivanai Macharaga of the President’s Office Special Anti-Corruption Unit, the order for the release of the title deeds was issued at a time when Hodzi had petitioned the Supreme Court against Justice Chitapi’s ruling and the matter is still pending under case number SC550/19.
In his founding affidavit, the PG said he feared that Kasukuwere would dispose of his property once the title deeds are released to him, leaving the State with no other recourse in case it wins the Supreme Court challenge.
“Kasukuwere has shown that he is ready to deal with the property and may possibly dispose of it. I seek an urgent intervention of the court to interdict Kasukuwere from dealing with the property or disposing of it pending the resolution of the dispute under SC550/19,” Hodzi said.
The PG’s submission was also supported by Tafadzwanashe Mupariwa from the National Prosecuting Authority, who insisted that it was clear that the former minister intended to sell his Mutare property once released back to him.
“Kasukuwere has acted in a manner which shows that it is his intention to deal with the property in a manner that will prejudice the interests of the applicant (PG) and the due administration of justice,” Mupariwa said.
“Should the application not be dealt with now, the applicant may not be able to have recourse to the property as it will be difficult for him to retain the property as recognisance in the event that he succeeds in his appeal under SC550/19.”
Zimbabwe cricket stakeholders are keeping their fingers crossed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will lift the country’s suspension, with an announcement to be made tomorrow.
