By A Correspondent- A police officer mistakenly shot and injured his colleague who had accompanied him on a raid on a licensed firearm owner in Rujeko C on Tuesday, October 08.
Police in Masvingo referred all questions to Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who confirmed the case but said he had not yet received full details of the case.
“I heard about it but have not yet received the full details. You may want to check with me later,” said Nyathi.
The incident happened along Ingwe Drive when the officers had collected the gun from its civilian owner.
Sources said off-duty police officers at Rujeko A shopping centre noticed that one Chengetai Musiyarira was carrying a firearm in his pocket. They trailed him as he walked towards Jazire shopping centre in Rujeko C.
They caught up with him in Ingwe Drive where they then asked to search him, to which Chengetai complied and handed over the gun to one Detective Constable Masendu.
Sources, however, said the pistol had a valid licence number (442956) which was due for expiry in 2022.
As Masendu began to unload the firearm, he accidentally discharged it and the bullet hit one Constable Nyambuwa just below the abdomen and the bullet went through his intestines.
The victim was rushed to Makurira Memorial Clinic from where he was referred to Masvingo Provincial Hospital where underwent a successful operation to remove the bullet.
Nyambuwa is currently admitted in the intensive care unit of the hospital.
An elderly man says the snake which crept into the public at Joina City at 1045 this morning is called a "ngara." He says "inoshura rufu and haiwanike pese pese." He adds saying "pane mukuru anodonha." WATCH LIVE VIDEO ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0a
An elderly man says the snake which crept into the public at Joina City at 1045 this morning is called a "ngara." He says "inoshura rufu and haiwanike pese pese." He adds saying "pane mukuru anodonha." WATCH LIVE VIDEO ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0a
By A Correspondent- A Victoria Falls man who broke into a church, stole an assortment of household goods and tried to blame the offence on someone who died before it was committed, has been sentenced to four years in jail.
William Chirimuuta (39) of 4212 Chinotimba suburb broke into the Anglican Church chapel in Chinotimba and stole a deep freezer before proceeding to the priest’s house on the same premises where he stole a 32-inch television screen, a mattress, bed sheets, blankets and four chickens.
He sold the stolen property to different people in the resort town.
Chirimuuta pleaded not guilty to unlawful entry and theft when he appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa. In his defence he claimed that he bought the property from one Brighton who he wanted as his witness.
He claimed that police forced him to admit to committing the crime.
Investigations by the State revealed that Brighton had actually died two weeks before commission of the offence prompting the magistrate to convict Chirimuuta after the State led evidence from four witnesses.
The magistrate slapped Chirimuuta with a four-year jail term.
Prosecuting Mr Bheki Tshabalala said Chirimuuta stole the property on August 13.
The Anglican priest Reverend Darlington Tembo said he had travelled to Bulawayo when Chirimuuta broke into the church premises.
Mr Gerald Dube, Ms Constance Moyo and Mrs Soneni Mlalazi all from Chinotimba told the court how Chirimuuta sold the stolen goods to them.
Chirimuuta ran out of luck after Rev Tembo got an anonymous tip-off directing him to where some of his property was.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Chirimuuta’s arrest.
PLUMTREE Town secretary Mr Davis Dumezweni Luthe has been suspended for allegedly issuing 61 residential stands unprocedurally.
In an interview Plumtree Town Council Chairperson, Mr Fanisani Dube said the local authority had resolved to suspend Mr Luthe pending further investigations on unclear land issues during a special full council meeting that was held on Monday.
He said an acting town secretary will be appointed today.
By Sports Reporter| Celebrating the World Karate Champion, Samson Muripo, Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry has complained saying her ministry has a messed up structure.
The Sports ministry’s commission has a bloated wage bill, as it is now run under the Mnangagwa family and the ZANU PF leader’s son in law, Gerald Mlotshwa was secretly appointed, allegedly imposed on her while she was away.
Coventry has complained before narratig how sports such as netball have become suffocated under a ballooned structure which has a pile of hangers ons- office holders. When she became minister last year, she swiftly fired the entire board of the Sports And Recreation Commission and then went on for several months without it.
As soon she signed off for her maternity leave however, Mnangagwa appointed his son in law and a group of other appointees to head a new commission.
Speaking to the ZBC, Coventry said she has once again complained about the ministry continuing under a bloated structure.
“We now need to put proper structures in place, so that we can identify our athletes early enough to support them early enough in the process….the success of the athletes is showing us that there needs to be a better support structure in place,” she said.
Samson Muripo was on Sunday crowned world champion at the sixth Kyokushin Karate World Cup in Moscow, Russia.
Muripo emerged tops in the Veterans Open category. This is the second time he has been crowned world champion at the Kyokushin Karate World Cup. Muripo was first crowned world champion at this tournament in 2009, in the middleweight division when it was held in Japan.
He returned to the same event in 2011, in Kazakhstan and got silver in the same weight division before his third appearance on Sunday in Russia.
Samson Muripo was on Sunday crowned world champion at the sixth Kyokushin Karate World Cup in Moscow, Russia.
Muripo emerged tops in the Veterans Open category. This is the second time he has been crowned world champion at the Kyokushin Karate World Cup. Muripo was first crowned world champion at this tournament in 2009, in the middleweight division when it was held in Japan.
He returned to the same event in 2011, in Kazakhstan and got silver in the same weight division before his third appearance on Sunday in Russia. – state media/additional reporting
DISGRUNTLED Bulawayo residents have criticised the selection process of 24 student nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital after 20 were selected from outside Matabeleland.
The 24 reportedly started their studies on Monday.
The Health and Child Care Ministry recently introduced an online nurses’ application forum after investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission concluded there were unacceptable levels of bribery in the old system.
In a letter to the hospital, disappointed applicants said there was need for responsible authorities to investigate the development. “The national advertisement came out a few months ago and we failed to access the website and if you did, you couldn’t know where to pay the RTGS$10 application fee. Internet is not accessible and affordable especially to our rural peers in and outside our region for example where will one get internet connection in Lupane, Bulilima, Nkayi, Tsholotsho?”
The letter also questioned why the selection and interviews were done “secretly” compared to the past years before online application system was adopted. “Some of us went and noticed that most of those coming for interviews are mostly from Harare and surrounding areas of Mashonaland East and Central. People from our region did not make it surprisingly but most if not all from other provinces came back to Bulawayo to start school on Monday at Mpilo and United Bulawayo Hospitals.”
They also called on Health Ambassador First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, provincial ministers of state, MPs, councillors, and all activists to demonstrate against corruption.
The applicants claimed the health system was sidelining the Matabeleland region. “We should start fighting for the statistics in terms of allocation as we have hospitals in Matabeleland like Mpilo and UBH which are as big as Parirenyatwa. Mpilo School of Nursing enrols 25 students per intake, Gwanda 15, St Luke’s 10 while Harare hospital 50, Parirenyatwa 50, Chitungwiza 40, and looking at number it’s clear they don’t want us to learn. They keep lying that we are all quick to cross the border to South Africa but allocation of posts is not justifiable for starters,” reads the letter.
Some nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital said the students who came from other places were likely to be employed in their provinces of origin on completion of studies, leaving a gap in Matabeleland. Contacted for comment, Mpilo clinical director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya who also heads the school of nursing said:
“I would like to confirm that this time around, the selection and interviews were done from Harare and none of us had a hand or were consulted. We have since received the 24 names of the student nurses who started on Monday and all these were a recommendation from the head office,” said Dr Ngwenya.
UBH clinical director Dr Narcissus Dzvanga could not be reached for comment. Another source from the hospital said what she described as “deliberate marginalisation” of Matabeleland prospective students would have far reaching effects on access to health.
“What they have simply done is declare that as a people from this region we do not deserve access to health care. From the list of 24, only four students are from this region and it is clear that they are not worried about our right to health,” she said.
She also said the online application though a noble idea, did not take into cognisance economic challenges.
Zimbabwe’s top karateka Samson Muripo who was on Sunday crowned world champion at the sixth Kyokushin Karate World Cup in Moscow, Russia, is heading back home.
Muripo emerged tops in the Veterans Open category. This is the second time he has been crowned world champion at the Kyokushin Karate World Cup. Muripo was first crowned world champion at this tournament in 2009, in the middleweight division when it was held in Japan.
Beautiful sound of my national anthem far away from home. ??????
Great feeling after winning gold ? at 6th Kyokushin Union World Cup in Russia.
By A Correspondent- The Zanu-PF Youth League executive left the country yesterday for Angola to attend the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) youth congress which kicks off today.
The party’s deputy secretary for Youth Affairs Lewis Matutu is the head of delegation.
Matutu said the congress was meant to discuss issues affecting youths.
“They invited us to observe and give solidarity to them as our colleagues,” he said.
“Remember MPLA is a former liberation movement and this follows the meeting we had in Victoria Falls.
“They extended an invitation to say, ‘please come and grace our congress so we discuss issues of youth leadership in the region and amongst former liberation movements’.
“We will also focus on issues affecting the youth and improve their welfare.”
The conference runs from October 10 to 12.
Matutu said they will exchange notes and ideas on youth participation in leadership.
“They are ahead of us in terms of economic development, youth participation in leadership and government so that is what we want to learn from them, that interaction is critical to us,” he said.
“We will also relay the issue of sanctions and update them on what we are doing as we move towards 25 October.”
CAPTAINS of industry and commerce yesterday asked Treasury to scrap or lower the controversial 2% intermediated money transfer tax (IMTT) imposed last year by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, saying it was an unsustainable additional cost to their already struggling companies.
The call came as various bodies representing industry and commerce appeared before the Felix Mhona-chaired Budget and Finance Portfolio Committee as part of the 2020 budget consultations.
The industrialists also urged government to stop funding the Command Agriculture programme because it was fuelling broad money supply and driving the economy into hyperinflation.
The US$2,8 billion that government used to support Command Agriculture has since been deemed as unauthorised expenditure after it was allocated without Parliament approval.
Ncube is yet to come before Parliament for condonation.
Command Agriculture has all along been supported by government through issuance of Treasury Bills (TBs), which is basically printing of money that government does not have.
Between 2017 and 2018, around US$2,8 billion was issued to Sakunda Holdings, owned by Kudakwashe Tagwirei to spearhead the Command Agriculture programme.
“The impact of the Command Agriculture programme has been to crowd out activities in the market, and we think that the Presidential Input Scheme should be the one funded through the budget,” Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) chief executive officer Christopher Mugaga said.
“Command Agriculture should be a specialised activity funded by banks. It is non-performing loans and at the end government incurred an expenditure and so Command Agriculture must not be on the budget figures,” Mugaga said.
Turning to the 2% tax, Mugaga said it has been a serious expenditure and so Command Agriculture must not be on the budget figures,” Mugaga said.
Turning to the 2% tax, Mugaga said it has been a serious cost to business.
“Running a budget surplus on the 2% transaction tax has always been high for us as business and we need to engage Zimra (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority) and the Finance ministry so that they either remove it or reduce it to 1% because of its cost to business. If I send money to my mother today, it is taxed and it is too much. The 2% (tax) is a major cost to business and you cannot celebrate a budget surplus driven by this when business is being lost through it and there is no cost benefit to it,” Mugaga said.
Zimbabwe power utility, ZESA increased its average electricity tariffs by 320 percent on Wednesday in a bid to enhance power supply.
The increase comes when the country has a huge power deficit attributed to dwindling water levels at the Kariba dam and ageing equipment at Hwange Thermal Power Station.
ZESA has increased electricity tariffs for the second time within three months. The increase comes days after the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority also increased fuel prices.
Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of power utility ZESA, in consultation with ZERA raised the tariff to 162.16 cents (10.61 U.S. cents) from 38.61 cents.
New electricity tariffs will see domestic users paying an average of US$0.12 per kWh up from approximately US$0.02. The change will also see low power users (200kWh/month) forking out ZWL157 up from ZWL48.
Zimbabwe refuses to join the world's oldest customs union because it wants to continue 'enjoying' tarrifs. As a result Zim has lost out on 9,7 bln trade deal with UK.
IS IT WISE FOR ZIMBABWE TO REFUSE TO JOIN THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN CUSTOMS UNION @MoFA_ZW ? @InfoMinZW
By Own Correspondent| Presidential Advisor and author Pettina Gappah has waded into the discussion on why Zimbabwe is not a member of the Southern African Union, SACU.
It is ZimEye’s position that there are millions of benefits in being a member of the world’s oldest customs union.
But Gappah said a policy decision was taken some years ago not to join SACU and one of reasons for not joining was that “customs unions require an external common tariff for all constituent members…”
She added saying, “Zimbabwe relies on tariffs for revenue. It was felt that joining SACU would prejudice revenue collection.”
Meanwhile, she also said Zimbabwe signed another trade deal on its own, with the UK.
The Zanu-PF youth league has blasted the University of Zimbabwe over the the sacking of two specialist doctors that sparked an uproar from their colleagues who also threatened to down tools.
The youth league secretary general Tendai Chirau said the move by the UZ was irrational.
He was responding to a statement by the tertiary institution that it had reinstated the two doctors.
“In the first place, such irrational pronouncements should not be made,” said Chirau.
Former Passenger Rail Agency of SA executive Daniel Mthimkhulu
Paul Nyathi|Former Passenger Rail Agency of SA executive Daniel Mthimkhulu said he has a diploma acquired from the Vaal University of Technology.
He acknowledged that he could have come clean about not having a PhD and said he did not realise the cost of creating a perception that he had one.
Mthimkhulu worked as chief engineer at Prasa for 63 months and got paid more than R15-million.
Under his watch locomotives were acquired that could not be used on South Africa’s railway infrastructure, costing Prasa billions of rand.
The court has now ordered Mthimkhulu to pay back some of the money.
“I would like to take this opportunity to admit that I do not have a PhD and I failed to correct the perception that I have it.
“I just became comfortable with the title, I did not foresee any suffering or damages as a result of this because I got to be known at the time after I was appointed in the position of the executive manager in 2010”, said Mthimkhulu.
Mthimkhulu, who joined the rail agency in 1998, said he was promoted to the executive position based on the work experience he had acquired over the years.
Zanu PF and the opposition MDC have shot down proposals by churches that the country should suspend elections for seven years to pave way for political and economic reforms under a new structure of government to usher free and credible elections.
The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) made the proposal on Tuesday, arguing that a seven-year sabbatical from elections would address the current political paralysis and deepening mistrust and polarisation.
The churches claimed the period of reform would stabilise the fast deteriorating economy under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, which has seen the country’s inflation figures rising at an unprecedented pace since the record-breaking 2008 hyperinflation.
But Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu said the country was coming from elections that produced winners and there was no need to suspend the Constitution.
He said economic hardships were not caused by elections and the proposals by the churches were misplaced.
“That is their proposal, that is their view. We go by the dictates of the Constitution,” Mpofu said.
“We have a Constitution that guides the conduct of elections and the mandate thereof. We have been reading about the view from the churches and it is their entitlement to have their own views. As Zanu PF, we feel there is need to constantly respect the Constitution.
“We have come out of an election that produced their leadership. What is motivating the view, I don’t know.”
Pressure has been mounting on both Mnangagwa and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to engage in dialogue to solve the country’s plunging economy.
Mnangagwa this year entered into dialogue with presidential representatives of fringe political parties in last year’s elections.
Chamisa snubbed the talks, demanding a neutral mediator, instead of Mnangagwa, who he accused of lacking legitimacy after allegedly stealing last year’s polls.
The opposition leader has constantly claimed that the country was experiencing a legitimacy problem.
Chamisa’s deputy, Tendai Biti, also dismissed the proposal by the church, saying any solution on the country’s crisis was predicated on genuine talks between Zanu PF and the MDC, the main political actors, followed by social dialogue.
“The churches are putting the cart before the horse,” Biti said.
“The country is in serious structural crisis, we don’t want to put make up on the crisis. There has to be genuine dialogue in the country, supported by the international community. This dialogue is not about sharing positions or suspending the Constitution, but structural reforms, that is what is key.
“The problem is much deeper than elections, the country is in crisis. Any solution should be a product of dialogue. There are two major players in the country’s polity, Zanu PF and the MDC and the dialogue between these two actors is key, followed by social dialogue. The church should only facilitate their dialogue. And the solution should come from the process of dialogue.”
The University of Zimbabwe has succumbed to pressure and rehired paediatric surgeon Dr Bothwell Mbuwayesango and senior cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr David Chimuka recently suspended for allegedly leading doctors’ demonstrations.
In a twist of events, the top academic learning institution in the country on Wednesday backtracked on its decision after other lecturers at its Medical School threatened to stop taking classes.
A joint statement signed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Paul Mapfumo and Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZiMA) secretary-general Dr Sacrifice Chirisa said:
Following these deliberations and further submissions by representatives of the Surgical Department of the University of Zimbabwe, the parties resolved that… the university reconsiders its action in light of further information availed and submissions made during the discussions.
The suspension had been widely condemned by many within and beyond the medical fraternity. Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association had said that surgical training was going to suffer because of the suspensions.
Dr Mbuwayesango made headlines after leading a team that successfully separated conjoined twins in 2014 during an eight-hour operation at Harare Hospital.
Please publish my letter below in response to Mrs Chamisa’s letter published yesterday.
Dear Mrs Sithokozile Chamisa,
I was excited to read your letter yesterday dated October 8th 2019. My excitement comes not only from the content and dismay you highlighted but from the fact that we women are now finding our voice to talk issues affecting women in all classes in our societies in Zimbabwe. Please let’s keep talking and very loud about these female issues and painful problems of abuse against women and girl-children. The culture of patriarchy and misogyny must be defeated with all our collective strength.
However you are unhappy about the method of approach to your personal problem regarding your husband’s abuse in the public. You wish the organisation would have done first things first: to find out what actually transpired at that rally that was at Rufaro Stadium on the 28th of September. I agree with your argument that you should have been contacted first and be privately asked, what actually transpired. That was going to be a balanced knowledge and information; the two sides of the coin, you are a paid-up member of WCoZ as such.
Not very long ago, I wrote two letters regarding abuse of misogynistic nature: one was about Mrs Tambudzani Mohadi’s case and her deranged husband, the Vice President of Zimbabwe: Mr. Mohadi. The other was regarding the First Lady: Auxilia Mnangagwa and the Army Commander who appeared to be dubiously following her movements until she complained bitterly. This story about her abuse at the hands of her security details filtered into the social media; as Mrs Mnangagwa spoke to the General: the communication was recorded. I had hoped the WCoZ was going to pick this up and act on this as these two cases are classical cases of abuse on women. I admit painfully that I was let down by our women who did not pick these two issues in as much as in your case.
I wished women would have come together in a non partisan approach and give a statement on abuse of women irrespective of what political ladder Mnangagwa and Mohadi: Presidents of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Abuse on women is abuse on women! Having written those letters, but without any response from the WCoZ at least in the social media, I telephoned the Honourable Ms Priscilla Mishihairabwi openly complaining about the deafening and loud silence of women especially WCoZ regarding the plight of Senator Tambudzani Mohadi. I even appealed to her: “please, let’s put aside what divides us personally as women and come up with one voice and condemn the barbaric behaviour of Vice President Mohadi who almost shot Tambudzani at her home. Indeed this was a case whereby one of our own would have been murdered; femicide per se.
It has come to my realization that we African women need to do a lot regarding violence against women in our societies in Zimbabwe. We cannot achieve anything if we selectively pick-and-cherry where to engage and where not to engage. In the scheme of things, Tambudzani’s case was compelling for action at WCoZ level to shout loud that VP Mohadi should respect women, for goodness sake. If 52% of the population in Zimbabwe are women, it factually means women’s organisation have a lot of work in their hands. We read daily in our news-media about women being murdered by their spouses we wish our women’s organisations to act on our behalf.
There are some cases whereby women are battered in the presence of children in our societies. Surely it is understandable that the political and economic situation is such that these women’s organisations are challenged to act in some cases. How do they go for Chamisa’s misogynistic tendencies if they cannot tackle the President Mnangagwa’s insensitive undermining behaviour to his dear wife Auxilia? Auxilia Mnangagwa kicked and screamed and not a single voice came from WCoZ-women condemning the abuse of the whole President to his dear wife.
When all that said and done; dear Sithokozile, we do not cover up the misdeeds of our husbands. Your letter compels one to say that you are not happy that WCoZ has exposed your husband who was abusive to you at the glare of the social media cameras for all to see. We do not want to cover up the misdeeds and cruelty of our relatives who sexually abuse small girls in their care. To this day, young girls in Zimbabwe are out there in the red lights eking out a living in all towns, growth points and cities; curiously, some parents gain from such activities. Child marriages are still common practice condoned by the very relatives in Zimbabwe. Rape is prevalent in Zimbabwe and those relatives choose to be silent about it because the criminal in the home is the father, brother, uncle, and grandfather or any male relative.
The women’s work is made difficult by women themselves who try to cover up these misogynistic tendencies in men or their spouses and relatives. As a member of WCoZ you should know better. We need that single voice without having to tear each other to earn men acceptance: men do laugh at us when we contradict each other on such matters relating to women-abuse and misogyny. We can never win without a collective voice. We shoot each other on the foot when we come to defend those men again, they actually laugh at us literally. Dear Sithokozile, it came to my attention very late that men can actually tell women to dress down other women on social media. Men enjoy this scenario and this is what we should avoid at all cost, contradicting each other on social media. I can assure you Mrs Chamisa, if you are mistreated because you are a woman by any man including your husband, I will come to your side and defend you. I am not an MDC-Alliance member. I have defended Mrs Grace Mugabe who was abused by unscrupulous men who wanted to get power with her assistance; I am not a G-40 member. I have written a sketching letter when I thought the First Lady Mrs Auxilia Mnangagwa’s life was on the line and all the humiliations she had to go through with President Mnangagwa. I am not a Zanu PF member. I will do it again if I thought Auxilia’s life was in danger. The cause, the fight for the rights of women should go beyond political party affiliations, it should transcend beyond partisan thinking and religious affiliations. We women must not see each other as rivals, a thing of the past. I stopped writing articles attacking other women because I felt bad after that. I felt I had shot myself on the foot.
I am deeply convinced that WCoZ is doing its best in light of challenging political, social and economic situation prevailing in the country. Is our organisation WCoZ resourced to perform in the way we expect them to do? These are pertinent questions we should ask ourselves first before we jump into conclusions that they are incompetent. Indeed you are right if you say there are MDC women languishing in remand prisons with trumped-up charges and the WCoZ has not reacted as such or issued a statement in that regard about them regarding their incarceration. Here, they are indeed found wanting. The second question is how do we render assistance to this noble organisation in form of finance, logistics to be able to relatively execute their duties to our satisfaction? What expertise does the organisation have, are there lawyers, sociologists, pastoral workers, social workers, medical doctors, mothers and aunties? Again we should not always be talking about women in the higher social status who find their defence and their stories recognised in the form of articles on social media. Ordinary women out there need this organisation to assist them with day to day challenges they face in their lives: problems of domestic and sexual violence in homes and at work. Our lives as women and girl-children in Zimbabwe are on the line all the time. We need women with great courage who will still be able to talk loud about abuse in our communities especially at homes where the culture of silence is still intact. Our communities are violent to women and children to this day and we need young women who will do some thorough research: why this violence on women and children. We should find the root cause of any form of violence. Only then can we be able to tackle it better.
WCoZ should be resourced with some powerful platform whereby women are encouraged to come to the platform to give their voice. A radio station is the most powerful platform for women to air their grievances that are related to domestic violence and several other women and girl-child issues we know too well. The themes of gender-based violence are long enough. The culture of silence can be revoked by the presence of radios that will give women courage to collectively talk their problems and traditions that undermine them. The women’s radio in Zimbabwe should be our target dear Sithokozile. I hope I find you well dear sister
Paul Nyathi|One of Africa’s remaining dictators Yoweri Museveni and his new found friend Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa partied on Wednesday at Uganda’s Independence celebrations while main opposition leader Bobi Wine was placed on house arrest.
In a Twitter thread on Tuesday,Wine also a popular musician in the country, said Museveni wanted to frustrate a music concert organised by his party.
“Since 11:00pm, police and military surrounded my home and my private property, One Love Beach Busabala, in yet another move to place me under house arrest and block our Independence Day music concert. 156th concert so far! For singing truth to power, I can’t perform in my own country,” said Wine who posted pictures of the police camped outside his home.
Wine, an ally of Zimbabwe opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, said Museveni was afraid of critical voices.
Wine had to make a daring motorbike escape from security forces after they barricaded his home. He later shared a video of himself hopping onto a motorbike surrounded by dozens of cheering supporters while police remained around his house.
He captioned the video, “Busabala Final destination,” — the venue of his canceled concert.
The Ugandan police on Tuesday said the concert was not approved because they did not have the manpower to provide security for those attending the show.
“We are unable to provide adequate security as police officers will be at the Independence Day celebrations in Sironko and other authorized venues,” police spokesman Patrick Onyango said in a statement.
However, Wine disagreed with police saying security personnel deployed to his homes could have been sent to the show instead.
“These are the same people who claimed not to have enough security to secure our people at the show. Yet, they have enough manpower to instill fear, harass citizens and block the show!,” Wine said in a Facebook post.
The 37-year-old reggae star, who is leading a revolutionary campaign in Uganda, has thrown his hat in the 2021 presidential race and has vowed to end Museveni’s 33-year-rule over the nation.
Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Judith Ncube
State Media|THE Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Judith Ncube has pledged to engage responsible authorities to resolve the questionable recent recruitment of student nurses in Bulawayo.
She made the commitment after a number of people flooded her office demanding answers yesterday.
Last week, Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo recruited 24 trainee nurses and 20 were reportedly from Harare, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central.
At the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) it is claimed 23 out of the 27 trainees are from outside Matabeleland.
Ncube told state media that a number of delegations had approached her raising concern over the handful number of Matabeleland residents who were selected to study nursing in hospitals around the region.
She said she was happy because people exercised their right to question and was going to gladly take their concerns to higher authorities.
“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,” said Ncube.
Ncube added that she failed to get hold of both chief executive officers from the hospitals for explanations.
“Now that this issue has been raised it is now my duty to engage higher and responsible authorities for a solution. I will therefore give you guys an update after engaging them,” she said.
Efforts to get a comment from the director of nursing services in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Mrs Cynthia Chasokela were fruitless as her phone was not reachable.
The Health and Child Care Ministry recently introduced an online nurses’ application forum after investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission concluded there were unacceptable levels of bribery in the old system. The Ministry’s public relations officer Mr Donald Mujiri said the recent selection was done by a digital system based on qualifications. He referred media to the permanent secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva who was unreachable.
One of the affected residents, Ms Musa Ndlovu said the unfair representation of people from Matabeleland is a reflection of the future challenges that people will have to brace up for.
“They can give all the excuses they want but we know there is no way student nurses at Parirenyatwa or any hospital in Mashonaland will be dominated by people from Matabeleland. Before this whole online policy was introduced, we tried applying in hospitals in the northern region and they bluntly told us to stick to our lanes in the southern region,” she said.
A letter circulating on social media also questioned why the selection and interviews were done “secretly” compared to the past years before online application system was adopted.
“Some of us went and noticed that most of those coming for interviews are mostly from Harare and surrounding areas of Mashonaland East and Central. People from our region did not make it surprisingly but most if not all from other provinces came back to Bulawayo to start school on Monday at Mpilo and United Bulawayo Hospitals,” the letter alleges.
“We should start fighting for the statistics in terms of allocation as we have hospitals in Matabeleland like Mpilo and UBH which are as big as Parirenyatwa. Mpilo School of Nursing enrols 25 students per intake, Gwanda 15, St Luke’s 10 while Harare hospital 50, Parirenyatwa 50, Chitungwiza 40.”
They also called on Health Ambassador First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, provincial ministers of state, MPs, councillors, and all activists to demonstrate against corruption.
State Media|ALL political parties are expected to take part in an anti-sanction campaign scheduled for October 25, Zanu-PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda has said.
In an interview with state media, Matemadanda said preparations for the anti-sanctions campaign were underway.
“We have lined up a number of programmes to accommodate all political parties,” he said. “The anti-sanction campaign is not a political issue, but a national issue which requires the involvement of all stakeholders.”
“I want also to give credit to some political parties that are involved in POLAD,” said Matemadanda.
“They are doing quite a lot of work and a lot of ground has been covered in terms of political tolerance. Those who are yet to join POLAD should come on board.
“We expect all political players to join hands in calling for the removal of sanctions. I think our politics is developing to becoming national politics where people distinguished between petty political party issues and national issues and this is what makes a nation.
“You can only do your politics as a ruling party or as an opposition party when you have a country. A country is not just an open space, it needs to have people. It is the people that we should all care and worry about.”
Sanctions, said Matemadanda, were a crime against humanity.
“They are meant to destroy our people and once the people’s fibre of life is destroyed then there is lawlessness and mistrust,” he said. “The intention of sanctions is to cause the people to rise against their Government.”
Matemadanda called upon the youth to contribute immensely towards the fight against sanctions.
“I am happy because it seems that the fever has also gripped the young people at the moment,” he said.
“They understand the effects of sanctions and whether numbers are going to be many or not, the message has reached the right people.
“The young people are the future and they are the ones who are going to be affected by sanctions more that the elderly. It is important that they understand that our problems are being caused by sanctions.”
SADC has declared October 25 as the solidarity day against sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
Paul Nyathi|Zimbabwe has inched closer to clamping down on citizens’ use of social media platforms and will likely fish out and penalize citizens who create and share what is deemed offensive material over outlets including WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cabinet yesterday hurriedly approved the Cyber Crime, Security and Data Protection Bill which will all but shrink the internet usage space for Zimbabweans who have described it as another Public Order and Security Act reincarnation this time on the internet.
The bill was first mulled under the late former leader, Robert Mugabe in 2016 and took hold in 2017 after major protests against Mugabe and economic decline broke out in Harare.
The Bill, which provides for an array of issues such as code of conduct and ethics, data protection authority and penalties for violations, will be gazetted soon representing an important step towards it becoming law. It still has to be debated and approved by parliament, in which Mnangagwa’s ruling Zanu PF party has a majority.
This was said by Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu while briefing journalists on the 35th Cabinet decision matrix in Harare yesterday.
Mnangagwa said last week the bill has to be fast-tracked to protect Zimbabwe’s “cyber-space”. However, there is wide-spread sentiment the law is being pushed through to deal with potential uprisings, especially as public anger against the government’s austerity measures mounts up.
Minister Ndlovu was standing in for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa.
“Cabinet considered and approved the Cyber Crime, Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Ziyambi Ziyambi.) The Bill seeks to combat cyber crime and increase cyber security in order to build confidence and trust in the secure use of information communication technologies,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He said the Bill will also address issues to do with codes of conduct and ethics.
“More specifically, the Bill provides for the following: provision and approval of codes of conduct and ethics to be observed by all categories of data controllers, data protection with due regard to constitutional rights and public interest under (the) Postal, Telecommunication and Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe,” said Minister Ndlovu.
The bill has been criticized for infringing on civil liberties if it becomes law and there are fears from rights and democracy campaigners it could also strengthen government bid to snoop on private communications of citizens. It sets out penalize people for generation and distribution of “data concerning an identifiable person knowing it to be false and intending to cause psychological or economic” harm.
“It will also seek to establish a data security centre and a Data Protection Authority, investigation and collection of evidence relating to Cyber Crime and unauthorised Data Collection and breaches thereof,” Ndlovu added.
He said the Bill will also seek to spell out the admissibility of electronic evidence for such offences and penalties for offences committed under the Act.
“The Bill will also provide penalties for the transmission of data messages inciting violence and damage to property, protection of citizens against cyber bullying and harassment, measures to address the production and dissemination of racist and xenophobic material using language that tends to lower the reputation or feelings of persons for the reason that they belong to a group of persons distinguished on the grounds set out in section 56 subsection 3 of the Constitution,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He said the Bill will provide for penalties to persons who generate, distribute or broadcast data concerning an identifiable person knowing it to be false and intending to cause psychological or economic harm; and curbing the transmission of pornographic material.
“In essence, the Bill advocates the use of ICTs for more constructive purpose,” said Minister Ndlovu.
Though there have been growing calls among citizens for Government to come up with mechanisms that control the abuse of the Internet insofar as it has been used to tarnish the images of other people and used to propagate lies and hurtful messages, some Zimbabweans are also worried Mnangagwa is pushing the bill to become law so he can use it to deal with potential uprisings fueled through social media.
WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook have become key platforms for spreading information about protests in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa. WhatsApp in particular, is very well used in Zimbabwe, where it accounts for nearly 50% of all internet use in the country.
Zimbabwean government officials have long complained these platforms are being abused to spread false news, most of which is deemed by authorities to be offensive.
Mnangagwa’s government ordered a social media black-out in January this year after deadly protests rocked major urban centers following a massive fuel price hike.
The Cyber Crime and Cyber Security Bill “seeks to combat cyber-crime and increase cyber security” and to foster “data protection with due regard to constitutional rights and public interest” said justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi in his presentation of the bill to cabinet.
The controversial bill has, however, been welcomed in some circles, especially on the principle of “curbing the transmission of pornographic material” in the Zimbabwean context where revenge pornography leaks have become common. The Human Rights Forum of Zimbabwe said earlier this year that revenge pornography was a form of gender-based violence, hence its call for laws to regulate the transmission of pornography.
“The technology will likely be Chinese and so will be the expertise for this project (social media regulation). And it’s probably to deal with protests and uprisings,” said Ruhanya.
State Media|Government has said economic reforms under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), including re-engagement and investment promotion efforts will put Zimbabwe on a firm pedestal for economic growth from next year onwards.
The economy is anticipated to grow by 4,6 percent next year, driven by improved foreign currency availability and a decent rainfall season in the 2019/2020 summer cropping season.
This was said by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube in the 2020 Pre-Budget Strategy Paper released this week.
He said good rains will result in better agricultural yields and respectable dam levels for electricity generation, which would be channelled towards the productive sectors of the economy.
“Implementation of reforms outlined in the TSP is on course, with notable milestones on fiscal consolidation, monetary policy restoration, liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, structural and governance reforms, re-engagement, investment promotion and support for the productive sector,” he said.
“These reforms present a strong foundation for economic rebound in 2020 and beyond.”
Prof Ncube said next year, the economy is projected to “turn around building on the success of the ongoing reform initiatives” and premised on the broader assumptions, including a recovery in aggregate demand, improved foreign currency availability and improved macro-fiscal stability and business confidence.
“As a result, the economy is projected to grow by 4,6 percent in 2020,” he said.
Next year, global growth is projected to increase to 3,5 percent from an expected 3,2 growth this year.
The expected improvement is mainly spurred by accelerating growth in emerging markets and developing economies, which are off-setting an anticipated slowdown in advanced economies.
But the trade war between the United States and China, as well as Britain’s expected departure from the European Union (EU) bloc, commonly known as Brexit, remain major sources of uncertainty in advanced economies.
Prof Ncube said Zimbabwe’s economy has not been doing well this year because of “severe exogenous shocks related to climate change caused by drought and cyclone, which compromised agriculture activities and electricity generation with extended effects on other sectors, all forcing the economy into recession”.
Erratic rains in the previous cropping season have put pressure on Government to import more food for the population after a bad season, as it now has to balance foreign currency requirements with other critical sectors such as energy.
The 2020 Pre-Budget Strategy Paper is designed to facilitate discussions on policy direction for the 2020 National Budget, consistent with the objectives of the TSP and aspirations of Vision 2030 of achieving an upper middle income society.
Prof Ncube said the National Budget thrust was informed by progress made on implementation of various reforms under the TSP, including policy gaps that require attention during the forthcoming year.
In a development that could redefine the relationship between consumers and various service providers, Econet subscribers made an unprecedented uproar against unsolicited messages from the company advertising its newest product, the Sasai App.
Sasai is a chat and payments application seen by technology enthusiasts as a challenge to the dominance of WhatsApp in Africa.
Although Zimbabweans complained over the matter attacking Econet, the App was sending unsolicited messages to numbers all over the world.
It had always been assumed as part of terms and conditions (T&Cs) that mobile phone service providers send messages promoting products and services — and there were no complaints — at least not in a deluge, but yesterday customers rediscovered their voice.
Vincent Kahiya turned to Twitter and wrote: “Dear @econetzimbabwe @econet_support. Please don’t irritate me with this stuff. Who told you that these are my friends? I did not sign up for this”.
Another Twitter user, @Te_Madd said: “@econetzimbabwe and @econet_support, same. Pliz (please) stop clogging my inbox.”
Econet Customer Care responded to @Te_Madd saying, “thank you for contacting us and our apologies for the SMS influx. Please note that we are still investigating the issue. TBD.”
The company also directed @SASAiAfrica to “kindly investigate and assist”, the query raised by Kahiya.
But Magatshana Dingilizwe Ntuli fired back at Econet and Sasai saying: “There’s nothing to investigate here, this is deliberate and fatally annoying.”
Stephen Tsekea said the messages were “so irritating”.
“I am also receiving the stuff. So boring. I don’t even know what Sasai is. Why not explain first,” said Tsekea.
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe turned to Twitter to respond to subscriber concerns.
“We have taken note of the numerous complaints and views from consumers on the continuous receipt of the SASAI SMS,” it said.
“We are engaging the service provider and will communicate further developments.”
But Fred G. Sanford replied to the Potraz message saying: “I doubt if Potraz ever takes any action. Complaints about overcharging #Ecocash agents have gone on for years . . .”
Econet public relations manager Mr Fungai Mandiveyi didn’t answer his mobile phone last night when contacted for comment.
Econet has been under fire from concerned citizens in the recent past over the behaviour of EcoCash agents who have been selling physical notes and coins at 60 percent, in the process, ripping people of their hard-earned cash. – state media
Farai Dziva|Oral rehydration also known as salt and sugar solution is an effective way of assisting those suffering from diarrhoea.
Below are some useful health tips compiled by Sydney Mukonoweshuro.
It’s that time of the year again, diarrhoea is on the prowl.
Be careful of take aways, wash your hands with soap before handling any food, Boil water, treat it or drink mineral water.
Both Cholera and Typhoid are endemic to Zimbabwe, assume any food is contaminated, heat it first.
When you or your child has a runny tummy, quickly start giving Salt and Sugar Solution(Its the most important life saving tip) Then dont delay seeing your General Practitioner.
Boreholes, shallow wells get contaminated by all the free flowing sewage on our streets! Be extra careful!!!
Farai Dziva|The country’s main opposition party, MDC has described the state of health service delivery as pathetic.
Read full statement below:
MDC leadership of the National Standing Committee met for seven hours in Harare today and took stock of the deteriorating economic situation that has affected ordinary citizens, particularly with respect to weekly fuel price increases that have triggered further increments on the prices of basic commodities.
Of concern to the leadership was that the illegitimate government of Mr. Mnangagwa has failed to deal with the burgeoning national crisis and the party resolved to take robust action in the near future on the side of the suffering people of Zimbabwe.
In any case, the leadership noted that the Mnagagwa regime was the biggest threat to the safety of the citizenry, judging by the regime’s clampdown on ordinary citizens and the proscription of their basic rights.
The party noted that there has been State capture as evidenced by cartels comprising top State players and a politically connected business elite. It is these cartels that are stealing taxpayers’ money through illegal deals and other nefarious activities that have brought the economy to its knees. The leadership also took note of the recent court judgement which ruled that the Mnangagwa administration had stolen from suffering Zimbabweans by collecting a 2 percent transaction tax for over six months outside any legal framework. The Mnangagwa government must simply have the decency of reimbursing Zimbabweans the money that it illegally collected from them.
Of major concern was the deteriorating predicament of the ordinary citizen as characterized by 18-hour power cuts as well as declining social services particularly in the health and education sectors. Transacting platforms for ordinary citizens such as the ecocash platforms have been virtually banned, further affecting despondent citizens who now can barely afford public transport costs and other basics.
The party leadership resolved that it will soon embark on a robust programme to respond to the national crisis through peaceful and constitutional means.
Luke Tamborinyoka
MDC Deputy National Spokesperson
Farai Dziva|
A former police officer is suing Emmerson Mnangagwa and Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema.
The former ZRP cop, Peter Kurauwone Dube is suing Mnangagwa Mathema for defying a 2010 High Court order compelling the police force to reinstate him, pending the finalisation of his appeal against unlawful dismissal .
“On March 25, 2010, Dube won a High Court order filed under case number HC 1673/09, compelling the then Public Service Commission (PSC) to reinstate him but the employer failed to comply with the order,” a source revealed.
Police in Harare have arrested a suspected conman for allegedly swindling 510 people of more than US$2 million in a fake financial investment scam.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of Silas Chimuka (41).
“In April 2018, the suspect misrepresented to an apostolic church gathering that he was in the financial investment business with the ability to give 500 to 700 percent return on capital invested,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said in November last year, one of the victims handed over US$9 000 to Chimuka as her investment capital.
“She was issued with a receipt and was promised a return of US$45 000 payable in February 2019,” he said. “The other complainant gave the suspect his capital investment of US$14 000 in December 2018 and was promised to get US$72 000 in April 2019.”
Asst-Comm Nyathi said upon the maturity of their respective timelines, the two tried to engage Chimuka over their pay-outs that were now due, but they failed to locate him.
His mobile number was unreachable.
“The two complainants made reports to the police and on 4 October 2019, 25 more complainants filed reports as the amount prejudice stood at US$129 845,” said Asst-Comm Nyathi.
“The number of complainants is now 510, with the actual prejudice being $2 004 844. The accused was arrested.”
Asst Comm Nyathi urged people who could fallen prey to Chimuka to contact CID Commercial Crimes Division for assistance.
“We urge members of the public not to engage in shoddy deals which appear too good and lucrative to resist, yet they are dubious,” he said. “Members of the public should exercise due diligence before parting with their money.” – state media
Farai Dziva|Warriors star Marvelous Nakamba is unmoved by the racist abuse he suffered from a small section of Aston Villa fans on Saturday.
The Zimbabwean was a victim of the abuse after the supporters sang about him following a great performance in 5-1 victory against Norwich.
The song which was meant to praise him contained racist connotations as the lyrics included calling the Warriors international a son of a ‘Rasta’, and his ‘master’ is John McGinn, a fellow midfielder at Villa.
Speaking to the Chronicle on Tuesday, Nakamba, who has created a huge fan-base since joining the EPL side in the pre-season, said he remains focused on his career.
“I’m not worried at all, all is well and God is in control,” said the midfielder.
“I just want to enjoy my game, keep on improving. I’m feeling the love from everyone at Aston Villa which makes my work even easier.”
The club, meanwhile, issued a statement on Monday condemning the abuse, saying they are disgusted and appalled by what their supporters did.
Farai Dziva|Warriors star Marvelous Nakamba is unmoved by the racist abuse he suffered from a small section of Aston Villa fans on Saturday.
The Zimbabwean was a victim of the abuse after the supporters sang about him following a great performance in 5-1 victory against Norwich.
The song which was meant to praise him contained racist connotations as the lyrics included calling the Warriors international a son of a ‘Rasta’, and his ‘master’ is John McGinn, a fellow midfielder at Villa.
Speaking to the Chronicle on Tuesday, Nakamba, who has created a huge fan-base since joining the EPL side in the pre-season, said he remains focused on his career.
“I’m not worried at all, all is well and God is in control,” said the midfielder.
“I just want to enjoy my game, keep on improving. I’m feeling the love from everyone at Aston Villa which makes my work even easier.”
The club, meanwhile, issued a statement on Monday condemning the abuse, saying they are disgusted and appalled by what their supporters did.
By Dorrothy Moyo| There was no Zimbabwean flag anywhere near, as UK signed a special deal with the Southern African Customs Union, SACUM. The arrangement helps to ensure increased and continued trade between UK and Southern Africa post Brexit. Zimbabwe has been excluded as it is not a member of the customs union. It comprises – South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho and Mozambique.
(STORY CONTINUES BELOW)
PICTURE
Zimbabwe excluded as UK signs £9.7bn trade deal with he Southern African Customs Union & Moza (SACUM) signed a trade agreement, which'll: ?strengthen the £9.7bn trading relationship between the UK & SACUM ?ensure UK benefits from continued trade with the region post-Brexit pic.twitter.com/ZHQDJmA08g
International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss yesterday addressed Commonwealth Ministers and High Commissioners at a reception to mark the start of the annual Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting.
Speaking at the reception in London, Ms Truss said:
We face a challenging global outlook in which protectionist tendencies are increasingly on the rise. But we can and must seize the opportunity Brexit presents to take advantage of new partnerships with some of our oldest allies across the Commonwealth.
The world is ready to sign free trade deals with Britain. Other countries want our voice at the WTO table, they want to work with our people and have better links with our industries.
Together, the 53 member states of the Commonwealth have the unique ability to be able to lead the defence of free trade, working together to shape new policies and approaches, showing the world a route to prosperity that lies through partnership, not protectionism.
The Commonwealth is one of the UK’s largest trading partners and our trading relationship was worth over £100 billion in the twelve months to March 2019.
The UK currently trades with the majority of Commonwealth members on preferential terms, providing UK businesses with easy access to some of the world’s largest markets.
The 53 member states in the Commonwealth boast a combined population of over 2.4 billion people and intra-Commonwealth trade is projected to reach $700 billion by next year.
Thursday’s meeting will be chaired by the UK and discussion will focus on strengthening multilateral trade, fighting protectionism, as well as the need to make trade more inclusive and sustainable, by engaging women and youth at all levels.
Ms Truss also announced an additional £2.5 million of funding for the Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN). The CSN works to increase use of international standards across the Commonwealth, in order to promote inclusive intra-Commonwealth trade. The additional funding will help the CSN continue its valuable work to break down non-tariff barriers to trade and support institutions and exporters in developing countries to use standards, so they can access new markets and attract investment.
International Development Secretary, Alok Sharma said:
UK aid is vital in reducing barriers to trade and investment across the Commonwealth.
Our work is helping developing countries to adopt international standards, attract inward investment that will see them become economically self-sustaining and, ultimately, our trading partners of the future.
The UK has also signed a new trade continuity agreement with the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique (SACUM). This trade continuity agreement will see British businesses and consumers benefitting from continued trade with SACUM after the UK leaves the European Union.
The agreement will help to further strengthen the trading relationship between the UK and SACUM nations, which was worth £9.7 billion last year.
Background:
Total UK exports to Commonwealth nations was worth £57 billion last year.
The UK-SACUM agreement will eliminate tariffs on all goods imported from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique and Namibia into the UK, as well as on products covering around 96% of goods imported from South Africa.
The agreement was signed by the UK, Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho and Mozambique on Wednesday 9 October 2019. South Africa are expected to sign the agreement shortly.
A Memorandum of Understanding has also been signed to enable continued market access in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 31 October 2019, pending ratification of the agreement.
International Trade Secretary Address to Commonwealth Trade Ministers Reception
Welcome to Lancaster House for the sixth Commonwealth Trade ministers meeting.
I am delighted to welcome everybody here to London.
Nothing is more exciting than what we are doing here tonight, and what we will be doing tomorrow in our trade ministers meeting.
We are talking about the future prosperity for our nations and we are talking about how we can help all the people in our countries become more successful and better off, and alleviate the challenges we face.
After 45 years of being in the European Union, we as the United Kingdom are now setting our own path.
We are going to have our own independent trade policy for the first time, we will be able to strike new free trade deals with nations across the world and we are going to take up our independent seat at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
I know for 45 years at the WTO some people have been wondering where we were, but I want to reassure you Britain is back.
One of our biggest opportunities is a deeper relationship with some of our old friends and I don’t think there are better friends than the people here in this room tonight.
The Commonwealth has a collective GDP of $10 trillion, it represents one-third of the world’s population and it represents half of the globes top emerging cities.
I was looking at these cities and I realised I had only been to five of them, so you better watch out Nairobi, Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai and Dhaka because I will be coming very soon.
As Chair in Office for the next six months, I think we have a real opportunity to drive an ambitious agenda. First of all, for more trade between our nations, secondly for working together as a fighting force to champion multilateralism and free trade and finally to advance areas like e-commerce and digital trade.
The fact is that trade between our nations is already worth half a trillion dollars. Whether it is lamb from Wales, wines from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Coffee from Kenya or Canadian maple syrup.
There are all types of fantastic products across the Commonwealth, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, with their thriving chemicals industry.
The fact is that the Commonwealth grows the food that is on tables across the world. We design the clothes that appear on the catwalks in London, New York and Milan and we build the planes, trains and automobiles that mean we can travel where we want, when we want, whenever we want to. As trade ministers we know we have to do that all the time.
So I’m delighted that today before this event we have signed a new trade continuity agreement with the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique, this will take the UK to the position that we have now protected £100 billion worth of continuity trade. This also means our hard working team at the Department for International Trade have pretty much conducted more trade negotiations than any other team at any point in history.
I am incredibly proud of our Commonwealth, our shared values of democracy, the rule of law and the belief in the power of free enterprise as a global force for good.
But the reality is that we do face growing tensions across the world, we do face tariff tit-for-tat. My belief that increased protectionism enables and overzealous regulation, stifles enterprise and it harms consumers. For example, the good people of America may now need to pay extra for a glass of Whiskey on current proposed tariffs.
The way to solve this is to de-escalate because trade wards benefit no one and I see the Commonwealth as a fighting force against protectionism at the World Trade Organization.
Together, the 53 member states of the Commonwealth have the unique ability to be able to lead the defence of free trade, working together to shape new policies and approaches, showing the world a route to prosperity that lies through partnership, rather than protectionism.
In that vein, I am delighted to announce £2.5 million worth of funding for the Commonwealth Standards Network, which will increase the use of international standards and will help break down non-tariff barriers that effect our enterprises.
But we are also future-facing and forward-leaning and we need to make trade fit for the 21st century. As I said this morning in Geneva, the WTO does need to reform for a new era. I believe the Commonwealth can play a leadership role in this, as we cover so much of the world’s trade, we have a fantastic group of countries in our organisation.
One of the topics in discussion at the WTO was generation Z, how are we going to support the next generation to succeed in trade and the fact is right across the world, more of the next generation want to start their own businesses rather than be employees. We need to talk about how we can support SME’s to be able to trade with other countries- this is incredibly important.
But also areas such as digital trade, we are leading the world and tomorrow we are going to be talking about our connectivity action plan and digital transformation.
Thank you so much for coming here and thank you so much for participating in tomorrow’s meeting, thanks for all the work officials have done already.
This is a really important time for world trade and it is also a really important time for the UK as we leave the EU on the 31 October. This is an opportunity for us to really realise our potential in every corner of the UK. It’s an opportunity for us to build deeper, stronger relationships with some of our oldest friends and new partners but also to modernise trade and to make sure all our countries are getting the maximum benefits whether they work for a small or big business. I really believe it is an opportunity for us to work together at the WTO to promote free trade and to fight protectionism.
We have ambitious plans for our remaining time as chair in office and I’m looking forward to working with all of you to achieve great things over the next few months. – UK Trade
By Veritas- The 10th October is the day on which the United Nations every year urges countries of the world to abolish the death penalty.
Zimbabwe has not yet heeded the call, even though no one has been executed here since 2005. Our courts continue to sentence prisoners to death for murder, and these prisoners are kept in unspeakable conditions waiting for their sentences to be carried out, not knowing from one day to the next when they will be taken from their cells and hanged. As the courts continue to impose the death sentence more and more prisoners suffer this horrible fate.
Children, the Unseen Victims
It is not only the prisoners who suffer. This year we are asked to consider the innocent victims of the death penalty: the families of condemned prisoners, particularly their children. Children of condemned prisoners have committed no crime yet they are stigmatised by their communities and carry heavy emotional and psychological burdens. They especially deserve our pity.
The Death Penalty can Easily be Abolished in Zimbabwe
The Constitution allows, but does not require, the penalty to be imposed for murder committed in aggravating circumstances. All it needs to abolish the penalty, therefore, is a short Act of Parliament. A Bill for such an Act has already been drafted [link]. If the Government were to put forward such a Bill most members of the public would acquiesce because the death penalty is not part of Zimbabwe’s indigenous culture. The President and most Members of Parliament favour abolition: all that is needed is political will.
Veritas urges the Government to present such a Bill to Parliament and urges all Parliaments of good will to pass it without delay.
Zimbabwe Should Join the World in Abolishing the Death Penalty
Out of the 195 member or observer states of the United Nations, only 55 keep the death penalty in law and in practice.
Out of the 54 nations in Africa, only 15 continue to carry out the death penalty.
More and more countries are abolishing the death penalty. It is time for Zimbabwe to do so.
By A Correspondent- Cabinet yesterday approved the Cyber Crime, Security and Data Protection Bill which seeks to combat cyber crimes and enhance security in the wake of rampant abuse of the platform.
The Bill, which provides for an array of issues such as code of conduct and ethics, data protection authority and penalties for violations, will be gazetted soon. It will be tabled in Parliament for debate thereafter.
This was said by Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu while briefing journalists about the 35th Cabinet decision matrix in Harare yesterday.
Minister Ndlovu was standing in for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa.
“Cabinet considered and approved the Cyber Crime, Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi.) The Bill seeks to combat cyber crime and increase cyber security in order to build confidence and trust in the secure use of information communication technologies,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He said the Bill will also address issues to do with codes of conduct and ethics.
“More specifically, the Bill provides for the following: provision and approval of codes of conduct and ethics to be observed by all categories of data controllers, data protection with due regard to constitutional rights and public interest under (the) Postal, Telecommunication and Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe,” said Minister Ndlovu.
“It will also seek to establish a data security centre and a Data Protection Authority, investigation and collection of evidence relating to Cyber Crime and unauthorised Data Collection and breaches thereof.”
He said the Bill will also seek to spell out the admissibility of electronic evidence for such offences and penalties for offences committed under the Act.
“The Bill will also provide penalties for the transmission of data messages inciting violence and damage to property, protection of citizens against cyber bullying and harassment, measures to address the production and dissemination of racist and xenophobic material using language that tends to lower the reputation or feelings of persons for the reason that they belong to a group of persons distinguished on the grounds set out in section 56 subsection 3 of the Constitution,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He said the Bill will provide for penalties for persons who generate, distribute or broadcast data concerning an identifiable person knowing it to be false and intending to cause psychological or economic harm; and curbing the transmission of pornographic material.
“In essence, the Bill advocates the use of ICTs for more constructive purpose,” said Minister Ndlovu.
There have been growing calls among citizens for Government to come up with mechanisms that control the abuse of the internet insofar as it has been used to tarnish the images of other people and used to propagate lies and hurtful messages.
A MAN from Neruwana Village under Chief Budzi now has one eye after a fellow imbiber struck the other eye with a catapult following a dispute over traditional brew.
Sydney Neruwana was struck in the eye for taking and drinking traditional beer that he had not paid for.
The matter is that Maxwell Mucheyi of Porunobva Village under Chief Budzi bought beer together with friends and Neruwana who did not realize that his friend Mucheyi was sharing the beer with others, picked the mug and gulped down the contents.
Mucheyi then asked why Neruwana was drinking the beer which he had not bought and the latter responded in jest.
Mucheyi then took his catapult and struck Neruwana in the eye. The complainant had further bad news as the hospital told him that he runs the risk of getting the other eye affected.
Neruwana demanded a woman to marry from Mucheyi’s family as compensation for his eye but Chief Budzi rejected such a demand.
He ordered Mucheyi to pay four beasts since he was also responsible for hospital bills.
By A Correspondent- A fraudster who masqueraded as former High Court judge Justice Mafios Cheda and swindled several Government officials of large sums of money was jailed for an effective three years and two months.
Tinashe Munhuweyi (36), of Mufakose in Harare, would call the victims and introduce himself as Justice Cheda and would pretend to be desperate and in urgent need of financial help.
He conned Deputy Minister for Defence and War Veterans Affairs Victor Matemadanda, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza and Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Richard Moyo.
Other victims include Great Zimbabwe University Professor Ben Siyakwazi and a relative to late retired High Court judge, Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe, Naboth.
The named victims lost a total of over $12 000.
Munhuweyi was convicted by magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa after a full trial.
In aggravation, prosecutor Ms Patience Chimusaru called for a lengthy prison term, arguing that Munhuweyi brought the name of Justice Cheda into disrepute.
Convinced by the State’s submissions, the magistrate said there was need for a deterrent sentence which would send a message to would-be offenders.
She then sentenced Munhuweyi to 56 months in prison before setting aside six months on condition of good behaviour and a further 12 months were suspended on condition he restitutes all the victims on or before January 1, next year.
She effected 38 months, but failure to pay back the money, Munhuweyi will serve an effective 50 months.
On September 17 last year, Munhuweyi contacted Matemadanda while purporting to be Justice Cheda and misrepresented that he had two trucks which had run out of fuel at Chirundu Border Post.
He requested for $600 to refuel the trucks and pay for other expenses. Munhuweyi asked Cde Matemadanda to transfer the money into a supplied EcoCash account and promised to repay the debt.
Munhuweyi became evasive after receiving the money.
When Matemadanda testified during trial, he said when he received the call for help from the imposter, he was made to believe it was Justice Cheda since they had met on several occasions.
He said when Munhuweyi became evasive, he then conducted his own investigations and later spoke to the real Justice Cheda, who knew nothing about the transactions.
According to Matemadanda, Justice Cheda even said he had also received various complaints of people who had been duped in his name.
On November 28, Munhuweyi, the court heard, contacted Minister Nzenza masquerading as Justice Cheda and lied that his nephew had a truck carrying fertiliser which had a breakdown on its way from South Africa.
He asked for $825 to fix the truck before asking for a further $863 the following day which he said was for fuel.
The money was sent via EcoCash.
Minister Nzenza became suspicious due to the unending demands and made her own investigations which unearthed the scam.
Using the same modus operandi, Munhuweyi defrauded Professor Siyakwazi after misrepresenting that his son “Christian Cheda” had died while on his way to India for medical attention.
He then said he was looking for financial assistance towards his son’s funeral.
By A Correspondent- An Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) pastor based in Mutare has been hauled before the courts on allegations of having se_xual interc0urse with a minor after he reportedly impreg_nated his 14 year old sister-in-law before promising to marry her after her grade seven exams.
The pastor, Felix Mazengero (30) appeared before Mutare Magistrate Purity Gumbo on charges of having se_x with a minor and was remanded to October 21 on condition he pays ZWL $200 bail.
It is the State’s case that in August last year, Mazengero proposed love to his minor Sister-in- law to which she was not opposed as she accepted the proposal.
The court heard that sometime in June this year Mazengero went to his in law’s house where he had se_xual interc0urse with his ‘teenage’ lover.
It is the State’s case that Mazengero promised to marry the girl after she finished writing her grade seven exams when she informed him she had missed her period.
The matter came to light when police got a tip off that the 14-year-old girl was preg_nant and upon being quizzed she told the police her story leading to Mazengero’s arrest.
President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa has been given the highest honour bestowed on any foreign leader, the Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa at Sironko where he was guest of honour at Uganda's 57th independence anniversary. @GNyambabvu@InfoMinZW@JoshMunthalipic.twitter.com/nfgbXjclsP
By A Correspondent- A 40-YEAR-OLD Shurugwi man was allegedly beaten and stabbed to death by a fellow reveller following a dispute over a snooker game recently.
Hardlife Chikuni was allegedly killed by Tafadzwa Muvambwi Moyo in a bar brawl in cold blood.
In an interview with one of his relatives only identified as Ramson, he said he got the full information from an eye witness.
“According to an eyewitness Tonderai Sirinda a resident in Shurugwi, Tafadzwa Muvambwi was once involved in a fight with a man called Tafadzwa Nhoro and was beaten up whilst Hardlife was there but failed to stop the fight.
“Muvambwi got angry at Hardlife since he could not help him.
“So I think from this day he then developed a grudge with Hardlife.
“Friday last week in a bottle stole Muvambwi then sent his nephew to slap Hardlife twice during a snooker game at a bottle store.
“Hardlife then left the bottle store but was unlucky as there was a trailer carrying chrome which had arrived making it difficult for people to see what was happening behind,” said Ramson.
He continued:
“Muvambwi accompanied with his nephew is said to have then followed Hardlife from behind.
“Muvambwi first stabbed him with a knife on his neck whilst his nephew helped him by holding Hardlife’s hands making it difficult to defend himself.
“Tafadzwa went on to stab him on the head countless times and he was using a sharp knife.
“He went on to stab him countless times on his back and his head as well. So, as Hardlife was struggling to scream he put the knife in his mouth so that he stops screaming.
“He went on to stab his mouth such that the jaws were exposed anga akatorembera majaws ake.
“They went on to stab his stomach, kuita kurivhura dumbu kusvika hura wabuda panze and then they returned to the hall.
“He also removed his eye. We had to bury him without his eye.
“Shurugwi Hospital authorities can confirm this and the police station too.
“After the incident Dombwe Primary School authorities were called and they came to help take him to hospital”.
Police sources in Midlands said they were yet to get finer details of the murder.
However, multiple sources said Tafadzwa was stabbed to death and had to be buried with a mutilated body.
By A Correspondent- Sunningdale 2 Primary School parents and members of the School Development Committee (SDC) have called for the immediate closure of the school amid fears of an outbreak of water borne diseases.
The two parties concurred that the problem which dates back to the year 2013 remain unattended with raw sewage flowing everywhere.
Fears have been raised as over 2000 children are at risk of contracting diseases as the council turns a blind eye to the problem.
“Since 2013, nothing has been done after consultations with the District Office and Council.
“We have engaged the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the head office over the matter, so we’re saying if the Council does not come up with a lasting solution, we’re closing the school.
“This year alone we last saw the councillor in January and even the MP does not know his people.
“We can’t continue to run the school in this state because we’re exposing children to typhoid and cholera,” he said.
The Sunningdale 2 Primary School SDC source also said they engaged the Council officials who promised to fix the sewage system adding that they will go on to close the school if they do not fulfill their promises.
Sunningdale Councillor Hammy Madzingira confirmed the situation at the school.H-Metro
THE Apex Council has requested an urgent National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting tomorrow, to map a way forward on salaries that correspond with the continuously escalating cost of living.
The council, which represents all civil servants wrote to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and also demanded salaries indexed to the interbank rate.
“The Apex Council requests the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to convene an urgent NJNC meeting on or before October 9, 2019 to map the way forward on continuous escalating cost of living.
“The council also wishes to bring to the attention of the ministry that it maintains its demand of salaries payment to be indexed to interbank rate, basing on the salary scale of October 2018,” reads the letter.
Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) president Mr Richard Gundane said it was important for the Government to adjust salaries monthly considering high inflation in the country.
“We are pressing for a new round of talks following the recent spike in prices of goods and services.
“The price increases rendered the cost of living adjustments (COLA) a non-event. Teachers are worse off after the COLA.
“In this hyperinflationary environment, monthly adjustments would assist in closing the gap between salaries and prices. Government should, as a matter of urgency, also ensure that its workers have access to cash from the banks. There is more value in cash than alternative ways of transacting,” said Mr Gundane.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza could not comment on the issue yesterday, saying she needed to speak to the NJNC chairman first.
In August, Government increased civil servants’ salaries by 76 percent, a development that saw the lowest paid worker earning $1 023 up from $582.
Civil servants were demanding at least $4 750 for the lowest paid worker.
Prices of basic commodities have continued to increase, pushing the prices beyond the reach of many.
Apart from the various monetary incentives to cushion the civil servants, Government has promised to offer non-monetary incentives.
The Apex Council’s request comes when the Ministry of Health and Child Care brokered a deal with striking doctors by offering them a 60 percent increase in allowances and ordered all health workers to report to work or face disciplinary action for breaching their contracts.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said the Health Services Bipartite Negotiating Panel (HSBNP) agreed to a 60 percent increase on Health Specific Allowances despite the doctors walking out on the negotiations demanding a higher percentage.
The 60 percent was an improvement on the previous offer by Government of 30 percent, which was rejected by the Health Apex Council.
By A Correspondent- Disgruntled Bulawayo residents have criticised the selection process of 24 student nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital after 20 were selected from outside Matabeleland.
The 24 reportedly started their studies on Monday.
The Health and Child Care Ministry recently introduced an online nurses’ application forum after investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission concluded there were unacceptable levels of bribery in the old system.
In a letter to the hospital, disappointed applicants said there was need for responsible authorities to investigate the development. “The national advertisement came out a few months ago and we failed to access the website and if you did, you couldn’t know where to pay the RTGS$10 application fee. Internet is not accessible and affordable especially to our rural peers in and outside our region for example where will one get internet connection in Lupane, Bulilima, Nkayi, Tsholotsho?”
The letter also questioned why the selection and interviews were done “secretly” compared to the past years before online application system was adopted. “Some of us went and noticed that most of those coming for interviews are mostly from Harare and surrounding areas of Mashonaland East and Central. People from our region did not make it surprisingly but most if not all from other provinces came back to Bulawayo to start school on Monday at Mpilo and United Bulawayo Hospitals.”
They also called on Health Ambassador First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, provincial ministers of state, MPs, councillors, and all activists to demonstrate against corruption.
The applicants claimed the health system was sidelining the Matabeleland region. “We should start fighting for the statistics in terms of allocation as we have hospitals in Matabeleland like Mpilo and UBH which are as big as Parirenyatwa. Mpilo School of Nursing enrols 25 students per intake, Gwanda 15, St Luke’s 10 while Harare hospital 50, Parirenyatwa 50, Chitungwiza 40, and looking at number it’s clear they don’t want us to learn. They keep lying that we are all quick to cross the border to South Africa but allocation of posts is not justifiable for starters,” reads the letter.
Some nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital said the students who came from other places were likely to be employed in their provinces of origin on completion of studies, leaving a gap in Matabeleland. Contacted for comment, Mpilo clinical director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya who also heads the school of nursing said:
“I would like to confirm that this time around, the selection and interviews were done from Harare and none of us had a hand or were consulted. We have since received the 24 names of the student nurses who started on Monday and all these were a recommendation from the head office,” said Dr Ngwenya.
UBH clinical director Dr Narcissus Dzvanga could not be reached for comment. Another source from the hospital said what she described as “deliberate marginalisation” of Matabeleland prospective students would have far reaching effects on access to health.
“What they have simply done is declare that as a people from this region we do not deserve access to health care. From the list of 24, only four students are from this region and it is clear that they are not worried about our right to health,” she said.
She also said the online application though a noble idea, did not take into cognisance economic challenges.
By A Correspondent- Police have arrested one of two Zimra officials who were on the run after being fingered in a fraud case involving a syndicate that allegedly smuggled vehicles worth millions of dollars into the country through Plumtree Border Post.
Police arrested Teeklar Ndlovu (55), who was allegedly on the run since Friday while Ms Semukele Maphosa is said to be still in hiding.
The two women are suspected to be part of a criminal syndicate involving another Zimra official, Norest Ushe (29) who was arrested and has since appeared in court for fraud charges of over US$430 000 and ZW$1,4 million.
Ushe is accused of fraudulently clearing 50 cars into the Zimra capturing system without officially charging duty.
Sources said Maphosa and Ndlovu worked together at the Zimra registry, responsible for typing customs clearance certificates. They allegedly forged their superiors’ signatures on the certificates.
It is alleged that Ndlovu had gone into hiding on Friday before police officers got wind of her whereabouts and arrested her at her hideout, which has not yet been disclosed.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the development yesterday.
“I can confirm that we arrested Teeklar Ndlovu stationed at the Zimra Bulawayo office in connection with a suspected case of fraud through vehicle clearance at the border. Further investigations are underway,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“We are still looking for Semukele Maphosa who is still on the run and are appealing to members of the public to assist with any information that may lead to her whereabouts,” he said.
Sources who spoke to the state media said part of Ndlovu’s charge sheet includes fraudulently clearing luxury vehicles by undercharging or exempting duty.
“She cleared a 2018 Toyota Fortuner which was supposed to pay duty of R369 000, a 2008 Toyota Fortuner which was supposed to pay duty of R145 000 and a 2007 Hummer station wagon which was supposed to pay R109 000, amongst other things. The total of the three vehicles duty was R623 000. Zimra received less that R100 000 for the vehicles,” said a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Police sources said Ndlovu was busted after alert auditors noticed that the three vehicles had been underdeclared and undercharged.
Ndlovu is expected to appear in court today, charged with fraud.
Ushe is alleged to have forged customs clearance certificates allegedly supplied by the syndicate that includes the two women, endorsed them with used serial numbers printed on bond paper and used them to register and license luxury vehicles without paying duty.
By A Correspondent- Police in Chipinge have arrested two brothers who were in possession of 16kgs of dagga which they were busy sorting and selling at their homestead in Checheche Growth Point.
The siblings, Luke (30) and Truelove Mtetwa (44) of Number 74 Checheche are facing charges of unlawfully dealing in dangerous drugs as defined in Section 156(1)(a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9.23.
Circumstances to the case were that on October 4 at around 7am detectives who were on patrol around the area picked information to the effect that the accused persons were dealing in dangerous drugs at their homestead.
The detectives went close to the suspects’ residence and made static surveillance.
They then observed that people were making random visits at the homestead.
This gave suspicion that the visitors were buying dangerous drugs as per the received tip off.
Detectives raided the homestead and then carried out a search at the home. They found dagga stashed in black plastic paper bags and some spread on the floor.
Luke was subsequently arrested and the dagga was taken as exhibit.
While detectives were still at the accused persons’ homestead, Truelove who is Luke’s brother arrived and claimed ownership of the recovered dagga.
He was also arrested.
During investigations detectives learnt that the two brothers were using the porous international border between Mozambique and Zimbabwe to traffic the dagga into the country.
The recovered dagga was weighed at Checheche Zimpost and it measured 16,2kgs.
THE Progressive Agriculture and Allied Industries Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe (Paawuz) has written to Labour and Social Welfare minister Sekai Nzenza, requesting for a meeting over the “conduct of white commercial farmers”.
In a letter dated August 2, 2019, Paawuz secretary-general Raymond Sixpence revealed that workers in the agriculture sector were being exploited, hence requesting for an emergency meeting with Nzenza.
“We are writing to you in displeasure over the conduct of farmers, particularly white commercial farmers. The farmers are abusing workers, making them to work for over 12 hours and underpaying them,” he wrote.
“The farmers are threatening workers and harassing them. They are only worried about production; they don’t care about workers’ welfare. We are kindly requesting for your honourable office to book for any appointment to meet with you and the two employer’s unions. We need harmony in the agriculture sector. Zimbabwe is open for business and not for workers exploitation,” Sixpence wrote.
Commercial Farmers’ Union director Ben Purcell Gilpin refuted the allegations, saying they were “advocating for and support fair labour practice in the agricultural industry and noted with concern any allegations of inappropriate labour practices”.
“The labour law provides for conciliation through the NEC (national employment council) and we believe the proper process of complainant should be followed. We would, therefore, appeal to all employers to act within the law and to use the designated NEC to settle disputes,” he said.
Gilpin said it would be important to have full facts in each case before any further comment, “suffice to say all we can do is to encourage good workplace relationships as this is essential for the sustainable operation of farming businesses”.
The agriculture sector is the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy as more than 70% of its population derives its livelihood from it, according to a 2016 report titled Working and Living Conditions of Workers in the Agricultural sector in Zimbabwe compiled by Naome Chakanya.
The sector contributes the highest figure in terms of the country’s wealth and employment.
In terms of employment, according to the Labour Force and Child Labour Survey released in 2014, the agriculture sector (including forestry and fishing) contributes about 67% of total employment and about 15% to the country’s gross domestic product.
Despite all this, workers in the sector are classified as working poor.
By A Correspondent| In a tragic incident, a new mother died hours after giving birth to triplets at St Patricks Hospital in Hwange on Wednesday.
The Binga woman who had not undergone an ultrasound scan because of the poor medical facilities provided at rural hospitals and clinics was not aware that she was carrying triplets until she went into labour.
The woman who has not yet been named, naturally gave birth to the first baby, but had complications giving birth to the other two and had to undergo surgery.
Speaking to a local publication, Mpilo Hospital Clinical Director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya revealed that the woman died from loss of too much blood adding that there had been delays in seeking medical attention.
“We tried everything here, but it failed. She died on September 25,
“We had a highly competent medical team that operated on her when she got here. We had the doctors but there was not a lot they could do. She had bled too much and stabilisation efforts were in vain,” he said.
The incident comes against a backdrop of high maternal mortality rate in the country which is largely caused by poor medical facilities and delays in seeking medical care.
According to Fungisayi Dube of the Citizens Health Watch, the estimated maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the country is at 651 per 100 000 live deaths.
The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) buses have been overwhelmed by commuters who can no longer afford the exorbitant fares being charged by commuter omnibuses following the recent fuel price hike.
Long queues have become the order of the day at all ZUPCO bus termini in Harare as the commuting public can longer afford fares charged by commuter omnibuses that range between ZWL $5 and $8 dollars for a local trip.
ZUPCO buses charge between a dollar and two for local trips, hence the huge turnout at the buses’ various termini as passengers try to avoid paying more in commuter omnibuses.
“This resulted in some of us here failing to report for work on time as we battle for the cheap mode of transport,” said one passenger.
“The transport situation has turned dire as kombis have hiked fares to between ZWL $10 and twenty dollars to and from work,” said another one.
“Its 11 o’clock now and I joined this queue in the morning but up to now I am yet to board the ZUPCO to go to work. The buses are being overwhelmed to say the truth because they are the cheap one, says commuter in the CBD,” said another one.
“We appeal to government to bring more buses because everyone is now preferring the ZUPCO, we don’t have money to board the expensive kombis, says another old woman in the city,” said another one.
A driver with ZUPCO confirmed the swelling numbers as the cheaper mode of transport has become the overwhelming choice for many.
“It has been hectic, but the fact is that the buses are few, says the driver,” he said.
Government introduced ZUPCO buses to cushion commuters from transport challenges and exorbitant fares charged by commuter omnibuses.
More buses are expected to arrive in the country from Belarus and South Africa.
THIS IS THE FRAUDSTER, FUNGAI MARUTA WHO’S STOLEN OVER £100,000 FROM VULNERABLE VICTIMS UNDER THE GUISE OF BURIAL COVER. After being exposed in a UK court in June last year, she skipped to SA. Her latest victims are Zimbabwean women in South Africa.
RETWEET! – FRAUDSTER, FUNGAI MARUTA WHO'S STOLEN OVER £100,000 FROM VULNERABLE VICTIMS UNDER THE GUISE OF BURIAL COVER. After being exposed in a UK court in June last year, she skipped to SA. Her latest victims are Zimbabwean women in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/dDwgfuzw7z
The family of the late former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is planning to build a museum at his rural home in Zvimba where he lies buried, local media reported.
Mr Mugabe’s nephew, Leo Mugabe, said that a museum would be more appropriate than the mausoleum which the family had initially agreed that he would be buried in, local broadcaster ZTN News reported on Wednesday.
“That place is going to be turned into a museum type of thing where his grave is in the middle there and people can walk around.
In actual fact, in hindsight, this was the best decision, because a mausoleum would have been smaller,” ZTN quoted the nephew and family spokesman as saying.
Mr Mugabe died in Singapore aged 95 on September 6 this year and was declared a national hero.
The government wanted to have his remained interred at the National Heroes Acre and had agreed with the family that the former leader would be buried in a mausoleum.
Work on the mausoleum had begun when the family had a change of mind and decided to bury him at his rural home at a modest ceremony on September 28.
Manchester United are set to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if he loses to Norwich at the end of the month – unless he gets hammered by Liverpool first.
Just two games and you go
The under-fire Red Devils boss has been given a stay of execution during the international break.
But his fate will be decided once 12th-placed United have played Liverpool, Partizan Belgrade (in the Europa League) and the Canaries, report The Sun.
The club’s hierarchy understands the need for Solskjaer to be given time and to stick to their “plan”.
Defeat by Liverpool on October 20, although not ideal, is widely expected, and will not be the one that finishes Solskjaer off — as long as it’s not a complete capitulation.
United are instead looking at the trip to Carrow Road on Sunday October 27 as the acid test.
That result looks set to decide if they want to persist with the club legend, who was only appointed full-time boss in March, or start the search for their fifth manager in six years.
United have already lost this season to West Ham, Crystal Palace and the struggling Newcastle.
Defeat against a newly-promoted side might make supporters and the board believe that United are genuinely in a relegation fight, when they were tipped to be battling for a top-four place.
After a disappointing end to last season, pre-season actually went well, the players worked hard and Solskjaer developed a particular style.
On top of this, there has been mild success in the summer transfer window too, and all three new additions — Dan James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire — have performed well.
Manchester United have only won two Premier League games all season. Source: AFP
The club has accepted that a rebuild is required but they’re realising along the way that the man leading the rebuild might not be suitable for the job, and six wins in all competitions since March under Solskjaer supports this.
Similar noises about Jose Mourinho’s time at United coming to an end began to be made around this time last year.
But Mourinho’s United came from behind to beat Newcastle United 3-2 and the inevitable was put back a few weeks.
He was sacked just before Christmas following a 3-1 defeat by Liverpool.
Solskjaer might get away with such a result in two weeks’ time… but probably not for long.
Reigning Miss Tourism Zimbabwe (MTZ) Tafadzwa Jaricha has resigned due to work commitments and has been replaced by her first princess Natalie Mangondo.
Mangondo will now represent the country at the Miss Tourism International pageant slated for Malaysia next month.
The local pageant’s license holder Sarah Mpofu said Jaricha, a qualified lawyer, resigned after securing a job in South Africa.
“Due to some unforeseen circumstances inclusive of a hectic work and study schedule, our MTZ 2018 queen Tafadzwa Jaricha has written to our office asking to be excused as Queen. As such, our First Princess Natalie Chido Mangondo from Mashonaland East automatically becomes our new queen,” said Mpofu.
She said Mangondo is expected to leave the country for the world contest on October 21 where she will compete with over 80 beauties.
“Natalie will leave on October 21 for boot camp which starts the following day in Malaysia. I appreciate her positive response on taking up the role of MTZ queen.
“She’s a beautiful and intelligent young lady who raced very closely to the winner at the 2018 finals and I’ve no doubt she will do the country proud in her new position,” said Mpofu.
She thanked companies such as Tsholotsho Mlele Productions who bought Mangondo’s air ticket to Malaysia for their support.
“United Refineries Limited who have helped us immensely in the past couldn’t fulfill their pledge of providing a return ticket for the queen at the last hour. Our day was then saved by Mlele Productions, a Tsholotsho-based promotion company.
“They swiftly came to our rescue through one of our judges, Elvis Sibanda and Mr Clement Garura who bought a return ticket for the Miss Tourism International representative.”
Asked whether Mangondo is ready for the international pageant, Mpofu said she would be ready by the time she leaves as she is preparing hard.
On her part, Mangondo said: “I believe I’m prepared because I have the strongest support system. This includes Mrs Sarah Mpofu-Sibanda, one of the most knowledgeable people on pageantry in Zimbabwe.
“I’m so honored and privileged to represent my country as well as Sub-Saharan Africa on a global stage as I’m the only contestant from this region.”
Mangondo added: “I hope to be a tourism ambassador for not only the popular attractions but to promote lesser-known ones from the Highveld to the flaming Msasa trees and lush mountains.”
Off modeling, the beauty who is studying Economics at the University of Cape Town said she wishes to become a leader in the country’s business industry.
“I wish to begin my career in management consulting and ultimately become a leader in Zimbabwe’s business industry with a focus on regional integration on the continent. Further, anything I do is in the advancement of empowerment of the girl child.”
The MDC Youth Assembly is highly appalled by the Zimbabwe Head of Christian Denominations’ suggestion to suspend all electoral process for a period of seven years.
While we agree that there is definitely a need to address the current crises, it is also our strong belief that the current political and economic malaise can not be solved by massaging egos of an illegitimate president through suspension of elections.
As an Assembly, we are very clear that suspension of elections is not the panacea to our problems but will only help to set a wrong precedence where dictators deliberately subvert the people’s will only to be rewarded by another negotiated stay in power.
Suspending elections for a period of seven years is not only a trample on the people’s constitutional right but is akin to rewarding sin by men of cloth.
It is true that Emmerson Mnangagwa stole the July 2018 plebiscite, killed on 01 August 2018 and presided over abductions and rape after January 2019 shutdown.
Surprisingly the church and men of cloth remained tight-lipped!
Ironically this is the same Mnangagwa who invited a curse to the nation by blasphemously saying his regime is better compared to the heavenly kingdom.
It defeats logic as to why would our clerics root for the deferment of elections if Mnangagwa’s regime is performing better than God’s kingdom.
If anything, it is time to give a blasphemous Emmerson Mnangagwa a political Sabbath and not the people’s constitutional rights to elect leaders of their choice.
Contrary to Mnangagwa’s Minister Energy Mutodi who termed Bishop Kenneth Mtata “a Baal prophet”, as a God fearing Assembly we are not going to tear apart the clergyman for expressing his right to opinion.
It is clear that if there are any “prophets of Baal” as the dishonorable Minister want us to believe, then Mutodi’s political godfather is the Archangel of such doomed prophets.
Clearly Mnangagwa is an old man who desperately needs deliverance and exorcism but definitely that is not going to come by caging our people for a good seven years!
As an Assembly we are very clear that the best way to solve our current crises is by completely dismantling the whole system that authored our misery.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
A 40-YEAR-OLD Shurugwi man was allegedly beaten and stabbed to death by a fellow reveller following a dispute over a snooker game recently.
Hardlife Chikuni was allegedly killed by Tafadzwa Muvambwi Moyo in a bar brawl in cold blood.
In an interview with one of his relatives only identified as Ramson, he said he got the full information from an eye witness.
“According to an eyewitness Tonderai Sirinda a resident in Shurugwi, Tafadzwa Muvambwi was once involved in a fight with a man called Tafadzwa Nhoro and was beaten up whilst Hardlife was there but failed to stop the fight.
“Muvambwi got angry at Hardlife since he could not help him.
“So I think from this day he then developed a grudge with Hardlife.
“Friday last week in a bottle stole Muvambwi then sent his nephew to slap Hardlife twice during a snooker game at a bottle store.
“Hardlife then left the bottle store but was unlucky as there was a trailer carrying chrome which had arrived making it difficult for people to see what was happening behind,” said Ramson.
He continued:
“Muvambwi accompanied with his nephew is said to have then followed Hardlife from behind.
“Muvambwi first stabbed him with a knife on his neck whilst his nephew helped him by holding Hardlife’s hands making it difficult to defend himself.
“Tafadzwa went on to stab him on the head countless times and he was using a sharp knife.
“He went on to stab him countless times on his back and his head as well. So, as Hardlife was struggling to scream he put the knife in his mouth so that he stops screaming.
“He went on to stab his mouth such that the jaws were exposed anga akatorembera majaws ake.
“They went on to stab his stomach, kuita kurivhura dumbu kusvika hura wabuda panze and then they returned to the hall.
“He also removed his eye. We had to bury him without his eye.
“Shurugwi Hospital authorities can confirm this and the police station too.
“After the incident Dombwe Primary School authorities were called and they came to help take him to hospital”.
Police sources in Midlands said they were yet to get finer details of the murder.
However, multiple sources said Tafadzwa was stabbed to death and had to be buried with a mutilated body.
It’s not long before the Warriors begin their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign next month.
The national team will face Zambia and Botswana in their first two games of Group H.
And with a new coach – Joey Antipas – who took over in August following the departure of Sunday Chidzambwa, the senior men’s side will be looking for a positive start to the campaign.
Antipas has already overseen three games, back-to-back fixtures against Somalia and a Chan qualifier, first leg encounter against Lesotho.
Much focus, however, was on the Somalia tie in the World Cup qualifiers and the Warriors performed terribly despite progressing through to the next round.
They missed several regular players including Knowledge Musona, Danny Phiri, Marvelous Nakamba, Tinotenda Kadewere, George Chigova, Ovidy Karuru and Tendayi Darikwa. Khama Billiat only featured in the return fixture played in Harare.
The absence of these stars was due to injuries, lack of fitness and an alleged ban by ZIFA on some seniors on account of disciplinary issues.
But after the country’s football governing body made a u-turn on the suspensions and declared the coach was free to select anyone, we might see the return of these regular players to the fold.
Nakamba who was left out in the previous encounters due to fitness issues will be available should he remain injury-free.
The same goes with Musona who recently started training with the Anderlecht first team after recovering from a reported surgery.
However, one player who is likely to miss next month’s games is Darikwa.
The right full-back has been out of action for two months now after sustaining a knee injury on the eve of the 2019/20 English Championship season. He is poised to miss more time on the pitch as he recovers from the knock.
Macauley Bonne’s passport issue is still on and could be forced out of selection again if he doesn’t get the document on time. The 23-year-old England-born striker has two caps for Zimbabwe which came in 2017 in friendly matches and coach Antipas sees him as the perfect replacement for Nyasha Mushekwi who retired international football.
CAPS United midfielder Joel Ngodzo also faces the same predicament as he is yet to get his new passport.
Paul Nyathi|A few weeks ago, two national teams turned their backs on Bafana Bafana, but now relations have normalised after xenophobia attacks threatened to turn SA into a pariah state.
After the fallout, which saw Zambia and its late-minute replacement Madagascar pull out of a friendly fixture with SA, Safa has since moved to mend diplomatic relations with fellow associations on the continent.
All appears to be well now as Safa has managed to secure Mali as an opponent in the Nelson Mandela Challenge on Sunday (3pm).
“We have a good relationship with all the teams including Zambia and Madagascar. In fact, Madagascar tried to come back and play the match but we had already decided to let it go,” Safa president Danny Jordaan said.
“We didn’t want to create uncertainty in the minds of the players because they were ready at that point to return to their clubs.
“We looked at this window and we looked for a very strong opponent in Mali for the Nelson Mandela Challenge.”
The friendly against Mali gives coach Molefi Ntseki his only chance to prepare the team before facing Ghana and Sudan in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.
Zimbabwe is experiencing bread shortages for the umpteenth time this year. In the past, the scarcity was blamed on flour shortages as the country has become a net importer of wheat over the past two decades.
Online vendors, Fresh In A Box (FIAB) apologised to their customers for failing to deliver bread. FIAB said in a statement:
“We could not find any bread delivery trucks to chase and our supplier just isn’t delivering. So if you ordered Bread from us, please bear with us and we will make sure we deliver when it becomes available. Sorry guys. Zim happens…”
However a walk in the streets of most major urban centres will show that there is plenty of bread in the black market.
Bread now costs ZWL$11.00 per loaf on the formal market with some street vendors selling it for ZWL$7.00but strictly on cash.
There are reports that bakers are seeking to hike the price of bread to ZWL$14.00 in order to factor costs driven by things like fuel and electricity.
THE MDC led by Nelson Chamisa says it is gravely concerned about the deepening economic situation in tghe country, threatening unspecified but “robust action”.
In a statement following a seven hour meeting of the party’s national standing committee on Tuesday, deputy national spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka said President Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed to arrest the crisis.
“The party will soon embark on a robust programme to respond to the national crisis through peaceful and constitutional means.
“Mnangagwa has failed to deal with the burgeoning national crisis and the party resolved to take robust action in the near future on the side of the suffering people of Zimbabwe,” part of the statement reads.
In August this year, the MDC was barred from staging protests in five cities across the country.
Tamborinyoka said the Zimbabwean crisis has manifested itself in the form of unending fuel queues, electricity and water shortages and the ongoing strike by hospital doctors that entered its second month last week.
“There has been State capture as evidenced by cartels comprising top State players and a politically connected business elite. It is these cartels that are stealing taxpayers’ money through illegal deals and other nefarious activities that have brought the economy to its knees,” the opposition party said.
The MDC demanded that President Mnangagwa’s administration reimburses Zimbabweans the money that it illegally collected from them through the 2018, 2% transactional tax.
The tax was introduced last October and last month a High Court judge ruled Statutory 205/2018 null and void. However, government had already incorporated the legal instrument into the Finance Act rendering the ruling academic.
Zimbabwe is experiencing its worst power crisis with and an 18hr loadshedding schedule, water shortages across the country’s urban centres triggering fears of water borne disease outbreaks, fuel queues that have become a permanent feature and a currency that has gone into tailspin since introduction in June.
Zanu PF youth league political commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu
ZANU PF Youth leader, Godfrey Tsenengamu has urged his colleagues to remain focused saying power is not permanent.
Posting on Facebook as the ruling party is embarking on a national restructuring exercise, the outspoken leader said:
Let’s always set a very good precedent when we are in power or have access to it for what goes around comes around. Power is never permanent. Let’s remain sober and never allow power to get us drunk. Power must not corrupt us.
Tsenengamu at some point clashed with the late former President Robert Mugabe for openly supporting the then vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa as Mugabe’s successor.
He recently came under fire for opposition party leaders’ policies including the compensation of white farmers.
Paul Nyathi |Thokozani Khupe led Splinter MDC-T Deputy President Obert Gutu has joined joined ZANU PF spin doctor and Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi in dismissing the idea of an election sabbath proposed by local churches to deal with political polarization and economic crisis in what could be an indication of the thinking within the Zanu PF circles.
Writing on Twitter, both Gutu and Mutodi launched a vitriolic attack on Zimbabwe Council of Churches Secretary General Rev Kenneth Mtata.
Below are the two controversial politicians’ highly criticised Twitter posts.
Every nation has mad people & we have our own Kenneth Mtata & his bunch of false prophets. The Bible says all leaders come from God & for a purpose but for his lack of faith, the hypocrite sees visions from the devil & proclaims them as if they were from God. #no-to-baal-prophets
With the greatest of respect to @zccinzim, the proposal of suspending elections for a period of at least 7 years is untenable & impracticable. It smacks of a dodgy & suspicious agenda to create a creature called a national transitional authority. It won't work. It doesn't fly.
A proposal that advocates for the postponement of elections in Zimbabwe is a complete misdiagnosis of our political situation & socio-economic challenges. Elections should be held as & when they're due. Losers should accept defeat & winners should form the Government. Period.
Today Hon Minister @energymutodi is using all words available to insult me. I prefer deliberatlng on the substance of our proposal and not exchange of insults. I am humbly surprised how many suffering Zimbabweans are embracing the call to rebuild trust and confidence.
Chaos rocked the Registrar General’s (RG) passport office in the capital as the office failed to handle the demand for emergency passport applications in response to an invitation by the issuing office.
Hundreds of applicants were queuing at the offices since morning as a result of the invitation for applicants to submit their emergency applications extended by the office.
Many applicants were left in despair after going through a cumbersome process which they say has given them very little guarantee for a passport.
“I have a child who desperately needs a passport to travel to South Africa, and if I don’t get it that means she will not be admitted in school outside the country, I came here in the morning but there seems to be nothing for us here,” one applicant said.
“I work in Dubai, and I need my passport in order to renew my work permit, the situation here is so depressing, I hope they will be able to address it soon,” another said.
Investigations at the scene by ZBC Online revealed what many noted as an anomaly on the part of the passport issuing office that forwarded a blanket invitation for applicants to submit their emergency applications without a proper strategy to manage the numbers.
Members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) had to be deployed to help control the masses amid the chaos with only a few fortunate to get to the service windows.
Access inside the building was almost impossible as there was disorder much to the disappointment of people waiting to submit their applications.
Efforts to get a comment from the Registrar General were fruitless as he was said to be out of office.
The Director Human Resources said the situation was not as bad as it appeared.-zbc
African Report|Once great allies, presidents Kagame and Museveni are becoming more and more critical of each other, risking conflict in East and Central Africa. At stake are big investments, regional leadership, the future of the EAC
Someone with a sense of humour drew up the seating plan for Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidential inauguration on 25 May in South Africa.
There in the best seats, reserved for Africa’s veteran leaders, were presidents Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame, chatting, if not animatedly, at least with civility.
So why not seat two of East Africa’s grandees next to each other? They should have had so much to discuss.
But this year, relations between Uganda’s President Museveni and Rwanda’s President Kagame have sunk to their lowest ebb for two decades. The day before the two men flew to Pretoria to cheer on Ramaphosa there was another skirmish on the border between Rwanda and Uganda.
This time, two Rwandan soldiers crossed into south-western Uganda in the district of Rukiga in pursuit of a Rwandan national. When the man resisted capture, they shot him dead along with a Ugandan citizen who had tried to protect him.
Uganda’s foreign ministry demanded an immediate apology. The rest of the episode is shrouded in mystery, but it is likely to have come up when the two presidents met the following day.
It fits a pattern of growing tensions between the two countries this year over trade and political matters. These escalated in February when Kagame’s government started blocking Ugandan trucks from entering Rwanda at the Kitona crossing point, one of the busiest border posts between the two countries.
Rwanda’s foreign minister, Richard Sezibera, then barred his country’s nationals from travelling to Uganda – ostensibly for security reasons. He told the BBC that Rwandans faced harassment, arrest and sometimes indefinite detention by the Ugandan authorities.
Behind all this is Kagame’s core accusation that Museveni is backing dissidents and militias intent on overthrowing his government. That is all the more serious because both countries, with substantial military forces and intelligence services, regard themselves as guarantors for security in the region.
Row over dissidents
A visibly angry Kagame tells The Africa Report that Museveni had been trying to cover up Uganda’s associations with Rwandan dissidents such as tobacco magnate Tribert Rujugiro and former Rwandan chief of army staff General Kayumba Nyamwasa.
Both men had been close allies of Kagame. But in 2009, Rujugiro fell out with him and was stripped of his Rwandan citizenship and his businesses.
Kagame dismisses Rujugiro as a crook now, but resents his presence in Uganda, citing it as evidence of Museveni’s complicity in a plot against Kigali. Rwandan intelligence says it has evidence that Rujugiro is in business with Museveni’s brother, Salim Saleh.
This has evolved into a very personalised quarrel, which makes it harder to forecast its outcome. “President Museveni, we know each other,” Kagame told The Africa Report. “He knows me very well. Museveni has a flaw of thinking that everyone must bow to him whether he’s wrong or right. He actually thinks he has that right, that this region is his.”
But the dispute goes far beyond the personal realm.
Rwanda and Uganda send peacekeeping forces to Somalia, Sudan, the Central African Republic and beyond. They try to set the agenda and pursue their specific interests on security at the African Union and the United Nations.
An escalation of tensions between them could threaten regional stability. At the very least, with Kagame as chairman of the East African Community (EAC) it could set back the cause of regional economic integration.
Wooing Tshisekedi
FAMILY FEUDS
How Kagame and Museveni became the best of frenemies
By Nicholas Norbrook, Parselelo Kantai, Patrick Smith, in Kigali and Kampala Posted on Friday, 4 October 2019 11:56
The presidents of Rwanda and Uganda, Paul Kagame (L) and Yoweri Museveni / Village Urugwiro
Once great allies, presidents Kagame and Museveni are becoming more and more critical of each other, risking conflict in East and Central Africa. At stake are big investments, regional leadership, the future of the EAC
Someone with a sense of humour drew up the seating plan for Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidential inauguration on 25 May in South Africa.
There in the best seats, reserved for Africa’s veteran leaders, were presidents Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame, chatting, if not animatedly, at least with civility.
So why not seat two of East Africa’s grandees next to each other? They should have had so much to discuss.
But this year, relations between Uganda’s President Museveni and Rwanda’s President Kagame have sunk to their lowest ebb for two decades. The day before the two men flew to Pretoria to cheer on Ramaphosa there was another skirmish on the border between Rwanda and Uganda.
This time, two Rwandan soldiers crossed into south-western Uganda in the district of Rukiga in pursuit of a Rwandan national. When the man resisted capture, they shot him dead along with a Ugandan citizen who had tried to protect him.
Uganda’s foreign ministry demanded an immediate apology. The rest of the episode is shrouded in mystery, but it is likely to have come up when the two presidents met the following day.
It fits a pattern of growing tensions between the two countries this year over trade and political matters. These escalated in February when Kagame’s government started blocking Ugandan trucks from entering Rwanda at the Kitona crossing point, one of the busiest border posts between the two countries.Daily newsletter:join our 100 000 subscribers!Each day, get the essential: 5 things you need to know Sign upAlso receive offers from The Africa ReportAlso receive offers from The Africa Report’s partners
Rwanda’s foreign minister, Richard Sezibera, then barred his country’s nationals from travelling to Uganda – ostensibly for security reasons. He told the BBC that Rwandans faced harassment, arrest and sometimes indefinite detention by the Ugandan authorities.
Behind all this is Kagame’s core accusation that Museveni is backing dissidents and militias intent on overthrowing his government. That is all the more serious because both countries, with substantial military forces and intelligence services, regard themselves as guarantors for security in the region.
Row over dissidents
A visibly angry Kagame tells The Africa Report that Museveni had been trying to cover up Uganda’s associations with Rwandan dissidents such as tobacco magnate Tribert Rujugiro and former Rwandan chief of army staff General Kayumba Nyamwasa.
Both men had been close allies of Kagame. But in 2009, Rujugiro fell out with him and was stripped of his Rwandan citizenship and his businesses.
Kagame dismisses Rujugiro as a crook now, but resents his presence in Uganda, citing it as evidence of Museveni’s complicity in a plot against Kigali. Rwandan intelligence says it has evidence that Rujugiro is in business with Museveni’s brother, Salim Saleh.
This has evolved into a very personalised quarrel, which makes it harder to forecast its outcome. “President Museveni, we know each other,” Kagame told The Africa Report. “He knows me very well. Museveni has a flaw of thinking that everyone must bow to him whether he’s wrong or right. He actually thinks he has that right, that this region is his.”
But the dispute goes far beyond the personal realm.
Rwanda and Uganda send peacekeeping forces to Somalia, Sudan, the Central African Republic and beyond. They try to set the agenda and pursue their specific interests on security at the African Union and the United Nations.
An escalation of tensions between them could threaten regional stability. At the very least, with Kagame as chairman of the East African Community (EAC) it could set back the cause of regional economic integration.
Wooing Tshisekedi
The arrival of Félix Tshisekedi on official visit to Kigali in March raised eyebrows / Village Urugwiro
A big part of the row between Museveni and Kagame is rooted in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), part of a rivalry over resources and strategic influence.
Gold exports from Uganda, for example, have risen from less than $10m a year a decade ago to over half a billion dollars last year; much of it is believed to be from the DRC.
So the arrival of newly elected Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi in Kigali on a full state visit in late March, where he was a star attraction at the Africa CEO Forum, raised eyebrows.
Tshisekedi’s own supporters back home piloried the Congolese president for visiting the genocide memorial in the Rwandan capital. Nevertheless, Tshisekedi condemned the militias operating on the Congolese side of the border with Rwanda. “We have to believe him,” says Kagame. “My problems in Rwanda very often end up being problems in the DRC, and vice versa. We can’t address that without cooperation.”
“We start with one principle: we ourselves are just temporal actors, but our countries will always be neighbours,” said Tshisekedi at the close of the forum. “Nurturing tensions is just a waste of time, time which we could set aside for building. I have felt from President Kagame a desire to move forwards, it is exactly the kind of partnership I am looking for.”
Against this backdrop, The Africa Report sought out the views of Kagame and Musevenion the causes of the rising tensions between their two countries and how Africa should respond to the international economic slowdown and trade wars.
Interrupting a cabinet meeting at the majestic State House in Entebbe overlooking Lake Victoria, President Museveni, a spritely 74 year old, strides across the building to meet us.
Almost immediately he ticks off a list of 10 bottlenecks that are holding back structural economic transformation in Uganda, such as inadequate infrastructure, electricity and transport systems.
Then he starts handing out papers on development strategy that he delivered in Japan and Europe. The spirit of his days at Dar es Salaam University in the 1960s, taught by Walter Rodney and other Marxists, lives on.
Over the next three years, gross domestic product growth in Uganda is set to average about 5.7% due to the gradual expansion of services and industries. And if oil production and refining starts up on schedule in 2022, growth should increase by at least an additional percentage point per year.
Despite these better growth prospects, does Museveni worry about Uganda’s growing debt-service commitments undermining the country’s financial stability? Not at all, as long as the loans are used productively, he replies. “If all our cotton had been converted into textiles, how much money would we have earned? So Africa is losing whether we borrow or we don’t borrow,” Museveni says.
The best example, he argues, is the government’s strategy on developing Uganda’s oil reserves. Although it was one of the first countries in East Africa to find commercial quantities of oil – it has estimated recoverable reserves of at least 1.7bn in the Lake Albert basin – Uganda has held out for a deal that met its key demands: a substantial amount of the oil should be refined near the oil wells, providing enough supply for national and regional markets.
“Without a refinery, the oil would have stayed in the ground. It has been there for two million years. There’s no way we could be an oil producer while importing finished products [such as petrol]. It doesn’t make any sense. It’s really treason, and I’m not a traitor,” says Museveni.
The pipeline’s not the point
In June, Museveni’s government finally agreed terms with France’s Total, China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Ireland’s Tullow for the tariffs and fees on the pipeline to Tanga port in Tanzania to export crude. That part of the project was of secondary importance, according to Museveni: “I wasn’t interested in the pipeline […] but the oil companies wanted to recover their money quickly, so we compromised as long as they agreed with my oil refinery.”
Such decisions about resource allocation will prove critical if Uganda is to meet the ambitious aims of its Vision 2040 programme, which aims to achieve upper-middle-income status through a succession of five-year plans. Alongside the oil production and refining, the government is building a new hydropower project at Karuma on the edge of Murchison Falls National Park. It is also investing in new transport projects, including the revitalisation of its national carrier, Uganda Airlines.
That fits into the plans for a boost to tourism, marketing the country’s natural beauty. In all these projects, Museveni makes it clear that the jobs created are as important as the revenue they raise.
Pointing to his traditional tunic, he says: “This shirt I am putting on is a Ugandan shirt […] from cotton to fabric to garment. If you sell a kilo of what they call lint cotton, after they remove the seed you may get $1 a kilo. Africa has been ending the process there. But when you make a shirt out of it, you get $15.” It is a straightforward progression with clear rewards, he adds: “You spin the cotton to get thread – there are jobs. You weave – that’s more jobs. You print the colours – that’s more jobs. You’re donating all those jobs.”
Yet there is also a big tax-revenue drive, partly to pay for the government’s new infrastructure investments. The most controversial has been the so-called lugambo (meaning gossip) tax, under which Ugandans pay a tax of USh200 ($0.05) per day to use digital services such as WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook and Twitter.
Activists have condemned the tax as an attempt to restrict freedom of speech. It follows the cutting off of Twitter and Facebook during the 2016 elections.
Consumption tax Museveni staunchly defends it: “We don’t have to tax technology. Our tax policy is very clear. We don’t tax production when you are putting inputs into production for industry, for agriculture. […] But when it’s just consumption, that’s where we tax.” Other countries in the region, especially Tanzania, are watching to see the impact of Uganda’s initiative.
The day before our interview, Museveni had been touring northern Uganda, getting his message out, although elections are not due until 2021. He used the term “the politics of war” when referring to a mooted alliance between longtime opposition candidate – and his former doctor – Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobbi Wine, the 37-year-old singer and self-appointed ‘Ghetto President’ (see TAR 107, ‘The Youth Wave’).
“What I meant was that here in Africa we are building countries, [whereas] in Europe and America people are running countries. So it’s a struggle of direction. Do we do this or do we do that? And they are all very serious issues”, says Museveni.
Asked what he considers his legacy, Museveni slips back into electioneering mode: “First of all, the anti-colonial efforts, the liberation of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa itself. Then the politics of unity, building a strong, disciplined army, and then, finally, defogging the ideo- logical horizon because in Africa people don’t know what is needed. By removing the fog, it has helped Uganda. That’s why Uganda is growing.”
The other area he pinpoints is regional integration: “Integration – we are the ones who insisted on it.” Why then, we asked, was Uganda not doing more to heal the rift with Rwanda, as it is disrupting trade and regional projects?
A pause, then a smile with an uncharacteristically brief response. “No. Those are hiccoughs, but the direction of the integration is correct.”
What is the cure for the hiccoughs? Another smile and more pauses.“There’s always medicine for hiccoughs. You drink some water. We shall find a solution.” He concludes: “We’ll deal with Rwanda confidentially – not through journalists.” Try as we might, that was the only available verdict from Kampala on relations with Rwanda.
Barbs in public
Contrary to standard diplomatic protocols, this bilateral dispute has been aired thoroughly in public. When it started in February, Kagame gave a tough message – without mentioning Uganda – to a national leadership retreat at Gabiro: “You can attempt to destabilise our country. You can shoot with a gun and kill me, but there is one thing that is impossible: no one can bring me to my knees.”
To which Museveni fired back, at the opening of a new manufacturing plant and surrounded by bemused foreign businessmen: “Those who want to destabilise our country do not know our capacity. Once we mobilise, you can’t survive.”
President Museveni likes to remind followers of his military roots. /James Akena/Reuters
According to one of Museveni’s most senior diplomats, the dispute has gone beyond mere rhetoric. “My concern,” the diplomat says, “is the state of our regional economic organisations […], just as we are negotiating with the European Union and maybe Britain on the side […] as well as launching our own African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA, see page 8) and a host of other pan-African institutions. We can’t afford to tread water now.”
Kagame’s position as EAC chairman – and running one of the region’s smallest economies – makes his diplomatic position critical. For now, Rwanda is in open dispute with Uganda and Burundi, while there are rumbling discontents in its relations with Tanzania.
Reviewing the state of Rwanda’s regional relationships from the top floor of the ministry of defence in Kigali, President Kagame seems almost eerily relaxed about these growing tensions. Occasionally, he allows himself the odd chuckle when trying to explain why his critics have got it so wrong – as if their errors were just too absurd to merit discussion.
None of these local difficulties have shaken Kagame’s belief in regional economic integration, even political federation, he tells The Africa Report. He was a lead sponsor of the AfCFTA and an energetic chairman of the African Union, trying to shake up its institutions and reform its financing structures.
Having downed an excellent Rwandan espresso in the defense ministry’s waiting room, we launch into the idea of creating an East Africa coffee brand, a sort of caffeinated version of Europe’s multinational Airbus production line. Kagame says he completely agrees with such cooperation. Then there is a pause: “But that only happens if you address many other problems. Nothing is so independent of the other: the business will not be independent of the politics […] and the politics is not completely independent of the economics.”
Give and take
The problem is, he explains, that “we are still stuck in very old politics […] even when we are aware that there are more and better things we can achieve together, but still we take this route that’s old-fashioned or archaic.” We assumed that his use of the first person plural was rhetorical rather than any admission of fault.
Lest there be any doubt about his enthusiasm for ‘new politics’ he continues: “Integration necessarily means give and take, giving away a certain level of sovereignty. […] The old politics plays on sovereignty as if it’s the beginning and the end of everything.”
Giving up sovereignty is a calculated risk. “It begins with political will […] you must bring in the citizens of your country because you need that backing to deal with any threat you envisage.”
All that is much easier in Europe than in Africa, Kagame believes. In Europe, he says, there are parties – conservatives and liberals – that span the continent. But in Africa, the parties and the parliaments are still too fragmented, confined to national identities. “In East Africa, integration has come about as a result of leaders sitting in this room and saying: ‘This is the right thing to do.’ But they forget to mobilise their people to be part of it.”
A lot of Western politicians would argue that this is exactly what has gone awry with the European Union project.
Western problems, Africa’s advantage
That brings us to the effects on Africa of the revival of nationalist and populist politics in Europe and the Americas. For Kagame, the ideal type of democratic politics in the West appears to be crumbling, but that can be turned to Africa’s advantage: “We are in an era where there are these difficulties across the world, but they constitute the best opportunities for Africa, the best we’ve ever had.”
Navigating the emerging multipolar world suits Kagame: “You can try to get the best from whichever side you may choose and what you think may work best for you […] the freedom to navigate, making choices between so many things.”
Like Africa’s nimbler diplomats, Kagame has been able to win friends and influence officials equally in the council chambers of Beijing, New Delhi, Tokyo, Brussels and Moscow. Only in London and Washington DC, which were counted among his most ardent admirers two decades ago, are officials taking a more sceptical line on
Kigali’s governance model
By comparison, navigating East Africa may prove trickier for Kagame. As chairman of the EAC, he has no real problem with the fact that his country has been accused of backing an insurrection in Burundi: “I don’t interfere with [the mediators, Museveni and Tanzania’s former president Benjamin Mkapa]. I’ll make my contribution, and that’s where it will stop. I won’t dictate what should happen in Burundi […]. Let those who are responsible for it deal with it.”
Accusations by Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza against Rwanda are rejected wholesale: “The first problem of Burundi is Burundi itself,” says Kagame. “When you put lies on the table […] they’ll be seen for what they are. And then the East African leaders will decide how to move forward. This is the approach.”
Brothers in arms
The theme of neighbourhood tensions leads us inexorably back to Kagame’s complex relationship with Museveni. Exiled to Uganda after a purge of the Tutsi ethnic group in Rwanda in 1959, Kagame’s childhood was consumed by the political dramas of Milton Obote’s overthrow, the ousting of Idi Amin Dada and the brutal rule of Tito Okello.
It was Kagame and Fred Rwigyema who led the Rwandan contingent in Museveni’s National Resistance Army, which seized power in Kampala in 1986. Although Kagame was appointed head of military intelligence, he and Rwigyema’s main aim was to overthrow the Juvénal Habyarimana regime, which was planning the ethnic cleansing of Rwanda.
President Kagame takes pride in his military background / Village Urugwiro
At that stage, Kagame was beginning to make his break with Museveni, although the two remained allies. And Uganda’s military help was useful in the battles to seize power in Kigali and defeat the génocidaires in 1994.
Much of the thinking developed in Museveni’s guerrilla campaign – revolutionary committees and decentralisation – resurfaced in Kagame’s Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). Museveni’s combination of revolutionary rhetoric about popular power, anti-corruption campaigns, restructuring and devolution – combined with a rhetorical commitment to free-market economics and attracting investment – also shaped much of the RPF’s strategy.
There was a third grand alliance between Kagame’s and Museveni’s forces: the campaign to overthrow Mobutu Sese Seko in what is now the DRC. Initially, they worked alongside the forces of Laurent-Désiré Kabila, but the seeds of conflict over military strategy and the sharing of local resources had been sown.
It was the battle for Kisangani, the diamond town on a bend in the Congo River, that tore Kagame and Museveni apart. They had differed over which local rebel factions to back and how to divide the spoils of war. But, above all, the split was due to the deadly clashes between their forces – seen by the Ugandan forces as a colossal betrayal by their Rwandan counterparts.
From there the personal relationship between the two leaders fell apart, according to the Ugandan diplomat we spoke to. Such is the level of mistrust that there cannot be good-faith negotiations, Kagame told us, adding that Museveni had failed to treat him with respect.
Now, as both men hone their differing plans and strategies for the region, there could be a prolonged stand-off.
Neither side is likely to plan a direct attack on the other, but both sides are testing the limits. The danger, says the diplomat, lies in whether either side misjudges the red lines: there is no obvious face-saving mechanism and no one is willing to risk playing the mediator.
[This article first appeared in the July print edition of The Africa Report print edition]
Farai Dziva|
A former police officer is suing Emmerson Mnangagwa and Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema.
The former ZRP cop, Peter Kurauwone Dube is suing Mnangagwa Mathema for defying a 2010 High Court order compelling the police force to reinstate him, pending the finalisation of his appeal against unlawful dismissal .
“On March 25, 2010, Dube won a High Court order filed under case number HC 1673/09, compelling the then Public Service Commission (PSC) to reinstate him but the employer failed to comply with the order,” a source revealed.
Farai Dziva|Reports in Italy suggest that struggling English giants Manchester United have named their first choice manager replace under-fire Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should he be sacked by the club.
United have endured their worst start to a Premier League season in over 30 years and have won only two of their opening eight games, a scenario which as pilled a lot of pressure on Solskjaer.
According to Italian pubication Gazzella de Sport, the Manchester club have lined up former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri to replace Solskjaer.
Allegri has not been in football management ever since he was relived of his duties at the Old Lady.
Farai Dziva|Warriors coach Joey ‘Mafero’ Antipas says he understands the financial problems currently faced by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).
The Chicken Inn coach would have wanted to have a look at some European- born players who can be eligible to play for Zimbabwe but the financial situation at ZIFA does not allow, something which he understands.
“It would have been a great idea to play a game or two this week,’’ Antipas told The Herald.
“It would have been a great opportunity to assess the British-born players.
“But, as you all know, the economy is bad and ZIFA are also struggling with financial constraints and it would have been a burden for them.’’ he said.
Motormouth deputy information minister Energy Mutodi has dismissed the idea of an election sabbath proposed by local churches to deal with political polarization and economic crisis in what could be an indication of the thinking within the Zanu PF circles.
Writing on Twitter, Mutodi launched a vitriolic attack on Zimbabwe Council of Churches Secretary General Rev Kenneth Mtata whom he described as a false prophet.
Below is Mutodi’s tweet;
Every nation has mad people & we have our own Kenneth Mtata & his bunch of false prophets. The Bible says all leaders come from God & for a purpose but for his lack of faith, the hypocrite sees visions from the devil & proclaims them as if they were from God. #no-to-baal-prophets
Farai Dziva|Warriors star Marvelous Nakamba is unmoved by the racist abuse he suffered from a small section of Aston Villa fans on Saturday.
The Zimbabwean was a victim of the abuse after the supporters sang about him following a great performance in 5-1 victory against Norwich.
The song which was meant to praise him contained racist connotations as the lyrics included calling the Warriors international a son of a ‘Rasta’, and his ‘master’ is John McGinn, a fellow midfielder at Villa.
Speaking to the Chronicle on Tuesday, Nakamba, who has created a huge fan-base since joining the EPL side in the pre-season, said he remains focused on his career.
“I’m not worried at all, all is well and God is in control,” said the midfielder.
“I just want to enjoy my game, keep on improving. I’m feeling the love from everyone at Aston Villa which makes my work even easier.”
The club, meanwhile, issued a statement on Monday condemning the abuse, saying they are disgusted and appalled by what their supporters did.
Farai Dziva|Warriors star Marvelous Nakamba is unmoved by the racist abuse he suffered from a small section of Aston Villa fans on Saturday.
The Zimbabwean was a victim of the abuse after the supporters sang about him following a great performance in 5-1 victory against Norwich.
The song which was meant to praise him contained racist connotations as the lyrics included calling the Warriors international a son of a ‘Rasta’, and his ‘master’ is John McGinn, a fellow midfielder at Villa.
Speaking to the Chronicle on Tuesday, Nakamba, who has created a huge fan-base since joining the EPL side in the pre-season, said he remains focused on his career.
“I’m not worried at all, all is well and God is in control,” said the midfielder.
“I just want to enjoy my game, keep on improving. I’m feeling the love from everyone at Aston Villa which makes my work even easier.”
The club, meanwhile, issued a statement on Monday condemning the abuse, saying they are disgusted and appalled by what their supporters did.
Sunningdale 2 Primary School parents and members of the School Development Committee (SDC) have called for the immediate closure of the school amid fears of an outbreak of water borne diseases.
The two parties concurred that the problem which dates back to the year 2013 remain unattended with raw sewage flowing everywhere.
Fears have been raised as over 2000 children are at risk of contracting diseases as the council turns a blind eye to the problem.
“Since 2013, nothing has been done after consultations with the District Office and Council.
“We have engaged the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the head office over the matter, so we’re saying if the Council does not come up with a lasting solution, we’re closing the school.
“This year alone we last saw the councillor in January and even the MP does not know his people.
“We can’t continue to run the school in this state because we’re exposing children to typhoid and cholera,” he said.
The Sunningdale 2 Primary School SDC source also said they engaged the Council officials who promised to fix the sewage system adding that they will go on to close the school if they do not fulfill their promises.
Sunningdale Councillor Hammy Madzingira confirmed the situation at the school.H-Metro
Is it not amazing that Emmerson Mnangangwa removed Robert Mugabe so that he can do ten times worse than what Mugabe was doing.
Remember the coup masters claimed they were targeting the thieves around Mugabe who were causing economic harm, pain and suffering to the people, yet it turns out they were the thieves around Mugabe all along, they just didn’t want competition, look at the billions they have looted in the short period they have been in power, look at the pain and suffering they have rabidly inflicted on a people since the coup. Since ascendancy to power they have killed with impunity under government immunity, government sponsored terrorism, abductions, torture, state sanctioned army killings of civilians, no essential services, no electricity, no clean running water, no health care, expensive private jet rentals for President Emmerson Mnangangwa when the medicine cabinets are empty and they are failing to adequately remunerate medical personnel who are working under difficult, ill equipped and most inhospitable conditions where they have to be creative and improvise everything.
Now they are introducing all repressive forms of legislation to consolidate power, strangle anything that resembles unrestrained freedom and silence a people in to conformity hence further constrict freedom of expression under the guise of cyber security, yet they are failing to find a sustainable fix to the economy which they are grossly mismanaging and mercilessly looting. The only thing safely protected under the proposed legislation is government propaganda. It is comical that the corrupt are now putting in place legislation after legislation to protect a reputation they have naught and silence critics who callout and expose influential thieves in high political a places.
Rule by law they swear by, not rule of law, the perils of living under a dictatorship.Concerned Citizen
Farai Dziva|The MDC says it is now clear that Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismally failed to resolve the national crisis.
Read full statement below:
MDC leadership of the National Standing Committee met for seven hours in Harare today and took stock of the deteriorating economic situation that has affected ordinary citizens, particularly with respect to weekly fuel price increases that have triggered further increments on the prices of basic commodities.
Of concern to the leadership was that the illegitimate government of Mr. Mnangagwa has failed to deal with the burgeoning national crisis and the party resolved to take robust action in the near future on the side of the suffering people of Zimbabwe.
In any case, the leadership noted that the Mnagagwa regime was the biggest threat to the safety of the citizenry, judging by the regime’s clampdown on ordinary citizens and the proscription of their basic rights.
The party noted that there has been State capture as evidenced by cartels comprising top State players and a politically connected business elite. It is these cartels that are stealing taxpayers’ money through illegal deals and other nefarious activities that have brought the economy to its knees. The leadership also took note of the recent court judgement which ruled that the Mnangagwa administration had stolen from suffering Zimbabweans by collecting a 2 percent transaction tax for over six months outside any legal framework. The Mnangagwa government must simply have the decency of reimbursing Zimbabweans the money that it illegally collected from them.
Of major concern was the deteriorating predicament of the ordinary citizen as characterized by 18-hour power cuts as well as declining social services particularly in the health and education sectors. Transacting platforms for ordinary citizens such as the ecocash platforms have been virtually banned, further affecting despondent citizens who now can barely afford public transport costs and other basics.
The party leadership resolved that it will soon embark on a robust programme to respond to the national crisis through peaceful and constitutional means.
Luke Tamborinyoka
MDC Deputy National Spokesperson
Farai Dziva|The country’s main opposition party, MDC has described the state of health service delivery as pathetic.
Read full statement below:
MDC leadership of the National Standing Committee met for seven hours in Harare today and took stock of the deteriorating economic situation that has affected ordinary citizens, particularly with respect to weekly fuel price increases that have triggered further increments on the prices of basic commodities.
Of concern to the leadership was that the illegitimate government of Mr. Mnangagwa has failed to deal with the burgeoning national crisis and the party resolved to take robust action in the near future on the side of the suffering people of Zimbabwe.
In any case, the leadership noted that the Mnagagwa regime was the biggest threat to the safety of the citizenry, judging by the regime’s clampdown on ordinary citizens and the proscription of their basic rights.
The party noted that there has been State capture as evidenced by cartels comprising top State players and a politically connected business elite. It is these cartels that are stealing taxpayers’ money through illegal deals and other nefarious activities that have brought the economy to its knees. The leadership also took note of the recent court judgement which ruled that the Mnangagwa administration had stolen from suffering Zimbabweans by collecting a 2 percent transaction tax for over six months outside any legal framework. The Mnangagwa government must simply have the decency of reimbursing Zimbabweans the money that it illegally collected from them.
Of major concern was the deteriorating predicament of the ordinary citizen as characterized by 18-hour power cuts as well as declining social services particularly in the health and education sectors. Transacting platforms for ordinary citizens such as the ecocash platforms have been virtually banned, further affecting despondent citizens who now can barely afford public transport costs and other basics.
The party leadership resolved that it will soon embark on a robust programme to respond to the national crisis through peaceful and constitutional means.
Luke Tamborinyoka
MDC Deputy National Spokesperson
The MDC leadership of the National Standing Committee met for seven hours in Harare today and took stock of the deteriorating economic situation that has affected ordinary citizens, particularly with respect to weekly fuel price increases that have triggered further increments on the prices of basic commodities.
Of concern to the leadership was that the illegitimate government of Mr. Mnangagwa has failed to deal with the burgeoning national crisis and the party resolved to take robust action in the near future on the side of the suffering people of Zimbabwe.
In any case, the leadership noted that the Mnagagwa regime was the biggest threat to the safety of the citizenry, judging by the regime’s clampdown on ordinary citizens and the proscription of their basic rights.
The party noted that there has been State capture as evidenced by cartels comprising top State players and a politically connected business elite. It is these cartels that are stealing taxpayers’ money through illegal deals and other nefarious activities that have brought the economy to its knees. The leadership also took note of the recent court judgement which ruled that the Mnangagwa administration had stolen from suffering Zimbabweans by collecting a 2 percent transaction tax for over six months outside any legal framework. The Mnangagwa government must simply have the decency of reimbursing Zimbabweans the money that it illegally collected from them.
Of major concern was the deteriorating predicament of the ordinary citizen as characterized by 18-hour power cuts as well as declining social services particularly in the health and education sectors. Transacting platforms for ordinary citizens such as the ecocash platforms have been virtually banned, further affecting despondent citizens who now can barely afford public transport costs and other basics.
The party leadership resolved that it will soon embark on a robust programme to respond to the national crisis through peaceful and constitutional means.
Luke Tamborinyoka
MDC Deputy National Spokesperson
By A Correspondent- A man from Neruwana Village under Chief Budzi now has one eye after a fellow imbiber struck the other eye with a catapult following a dispute over traditional brew.
Sydney Neruwana was struck in the eye for taking and drinking traditional beer that he had not paid for and he is now demanding a wife as compensation for the loss of his eye.
The matter is that Maxwell Mucheyi of Porunobva Village under Chief Budzi bought beer together with friends and Neruwana who did not realize that his friend Mucheyi was sharing the beer with others, picked the mug and gulped down the contents.
Mucheyi then asked why Neruwana was drinking the beer which he had not bought and the latter responded in jest.
Mucheyi then took his catapult and struck Neruwana in the eye. The complainant had further bad news as the hospital told him that he runs the risk of getting the other eye affected.
Neruwana demanded a woman to marry from Mucheyi’s family as compensation for his eye but Chief Budzi rejected such a demand.
He ordered Mucheyi to pay four beasts since he was also responsible for hospital bills.
Farai Dziva|Oral rehydration also known as salt and sugar solution is an effective way of assisting those suffering from diarrhoea.
Below are some useful health tips compiled by Sydney Mukonoweshuro.
It’s that time of the year again, diarrhoea is on the prowl.
Be careful of take aways, wash your hands with soap before handling any food, Boil water, treat it or drink mineral water.
Both Cholera and Typhoid are endemic to Zimbabwe, assume any food is contaminated, heat it first.
When you or your child has a runny tummy, quickly start giving Salt and Sugar Solution(Its the most important life saving tip) Then dont delay seeing your General Practitioner.
Boreholes, shallow wells get contaminated by all the free flowing sewage on our streets! Be extra careful!!!
Farai Dziva|Zimbabweans have been urged to take note of health awareness tips to combat diarrhoea.
Below are some useful health tips compiled by Sydney Mukonoweshuro.
It’s that time of the year again, diarrhoea is on the prowl.
Be careful of take aways, wash your hands with soap before handling any food, Boil water, treat it or drink mineral water.
Both Cholera and Typhoid are endemic to Zimbabwe, assume any food is contaminated, heat it first.
When you or your child has a runny tummy, quickly start giving Salt and Sugar Solution(Its the most important life saving tip) Then dont delay seeing your General Practitioner.
Boreholes, shallow wells get contaminated by all the free flowing sewage on our streets! Be extra careful!!!
It’s that time of the year again, diarrhoea is on the prowl.
Be careful of take aways, wash your hands with soap before handling any food, Boil water, treat it or drink mineral water.
Both Cholera and Typhoid are endemic to Zimbabwe, assume any food is contaminated, heat it first.
When you or your child has a runny tummy, quickly start giving Salt and Sugar Solution(Its the most important life saving tip) Then dont delay seeing your General Practitioner.
Boreholes, shallow wells get contaminated by all the free flowing sewage on our streets! Be extra careful!!! Thank me later.Sydney Mukonoweshuro
A fraudster who masqueraded as former High Court judge Justice Mafios Cheda and swindled several Government officials of large sums of money was jailed for an effective three years and two months.
Tinashe Munhuweyi (36), of Mufakose in Harare, would call the victims and introduce himself as Justice Cheda and would pretend to be desperate and in urgent need of financial help.
He conned Deputy Minister for Defence and War Veterans Affairs Victor Matemadanda, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza and Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Richard Moyo.
Other victims include Great Zimbabwe University Professor Ben Siyakwazi and a relative to late retired High Court judge, Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe, Naboth.
The named victims lost a total of over $12 000.
Munhuweyi was convicted by magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa after a full trial.
In aggravation, prosecutor Ms Patience Chimusaru called for a lengthy prison term, arguing that Munhuweyi brought the name of Justice Cheda into disrepute.
Convinced by the State’s submissions, the magistrate said there was need for a deterrent sentence which would send a message to would-be offenders.
She then sentenced Munhuweyi to 56 months in prison before setting aside six months on condition of good behaviour and a further 12 months were suspended on condition he restitutes all the victims on or before January 1, next year.
She effected 38 months, but failure to pay back the money, Munhuweyi will serve an effective 50 months.
On September 17 last year, Munhuweyi contacted Cde Matemadanda while purporting to be Justice Cheda and misrepresented that he had two trucks which had run out of fuel at Chirundu Border Post.
He requested for $600 to refuel the trucks and pay for other expenses. Munhuweyi asked Cde Matemadanda to transfer the money into a supplied EcoCash account and promised to repay the debt.
Munhuweyi became evasive after receiving the money.
When Cde Matemadanda testified during trial, he said when he received the call for help from the imposter, he was made to believe it was Justice Cheda since they had met on several occasions.
He said when Munhuweyi became evasive, he then conducted his own investigations and later spoke to the real Justice Cheda, who knew nothing about the transactions.
According to Cde Matemadanda, Justice Cheda even said he had also received various complaints of people who had been duped in his name.
On November 28, Munhuweyi, the court heard, contacted Minister Nzenza masquerading as Justice Cheda and lied that his nephew had a truck carrying fertiliser which had a breakdown on its way from South Africa.
He asked for $825 to fix the truck before asking for a further $863 the following day which he said was for fuel.
The money was sent via EcoCash.
Minister Nzenza became suspicious due to the unending demands and made her own investigations which unearthed the scam.
Using the same modus operandi, Munhuweyi defrauded Professor Siyakwazi after misrepresenting that his son “Christian Cheda” had died while on his way to India for medical attention.
He then said he was looking for financial assistance towards his son’s funeral.
The 10th October is the day on which the United Nations every year urges countries of the world to abolish the death penalty.
Zimbabwe has not yet heeded the call, even though no one has been executed here since 2005. Our courts continue to sentence prisoners to death for murder, and these prisoners are kept in unspeakable conditions waiting for their sentences to be carried out, not knowing from one day to the next when they will be taken from their cells and hanged. As the courts continue to impose the death sentence more and more prisoners suffer this horrible fate.
Children, the Unseen Victims
It is not only the prisoners who suffer. This year we are asked to consider the innocent victims of the death penalty: the families of condemned prisoners, particularly their children. Children of condemned prisoners have committed no crime yet they are stigmatised by their communities and carry heavy emotional and psychological burdens. They especially deserve our pity.
The Death Penalty can Easily be Abolished in Zimbabwe
The Constitution allows, but does not require, the penalty to be imposed for murder committed in aggravating circumstances. All it needs to abolish the penalty, therefore, is a short Act of Parliament. A Bill for such an Act has already been drafted [link]. If the Government were to put forward such a Bill most members of the public would acquiesce because the death penalty is not part of Zimbabwe’s indigenous culture. The President and most Members of Parliament favour abolition: all that is needed is political will.
Veritas urges the Government to present such a Bill to Parliament and urges all Parliaments of good will to pass it without delay.
Zimbabwe Should Join the World in Abolishing the Death Penalty
Out of the 195 member or observer states of the United Nations, only 55 keep the death penalty in law and in practice.
Out of the 54 nations in Africa, only 15 continue to carry out the death penalty.
More and more countries are abolishing the death penalty. It is time for Zimbabwe to do so.
By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe seeks to broaden co-operation with countries in Africa in advancing the interests and growth of the continent.
Mnangagwa, who is guest of honour during Uganda’s 57th Independence Day celebrations today, rallied African countries to unite and develop the continent. And the President was making an emotional return to Entebbe, a place he passed through as he went to Egypt for military training back in 1963.
A dinner was hosted in his honour by host President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“We have come here to show our appreciation with desire to broaden our cooperation. We are fully aware that the role of our founding fathers was to have Africa free, to attain political freedom but today we now have a duty as the current crop of leadership in Africa to develop our countries, improve the standard of life for our people, trade among ourselves, grow our industries and modernise all aspects of our life,” said President Mnangagwa.
“To do so we have to share our respective resources and knowledge between ourselves.”
Earlier, the President said the independence of Uganda inspired Southern African States to also fight for the right to self-determination.
“May I mention that your own independence was a great inspiration to us in Southern Africa in the early 1960s.
“We were inspired by the independence of countries in Eastern Africa, we believed that it was going to be possible for us in Southern Africa to also become independent and indeed Eastern Africa became the basis for the struggle waged.
“You may speak of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa or Angola, we all were here and indeed some members of my Cabinet are products of Makerere University so you have tremendously contributed to the development of Southern Africa materially and intellectually,” said President Mnangagwa to his colleague President Yoweri Museveni.
President Mnangagwa said he was greatly honoured by the invitation extended to him by President Museveni to be special guest at the celebrations.
“I was mentioning to His Excellency thatI was last here in 1963, that’s the year I came to Entebbe on my way for military training, I can’t remember anything but I know I passed through here at Entebbe, this is great, congratulations on what you have achieved,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Museveni thanked President Mnangagwa for honouring his invite to be guest of honour at today’s event.
“The people of Africa are one. When our brothers and sisters from Southern Africa, when they come here , they are coming home and when you go there you are also going home,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President arrived here yesterday at 6pm local time and was received at the Entebbe Airport, 41 kilometres from the capital Kampala, by Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Sam Kutesa, Zimbabwe Ambassador to Kenya and Uganda Mrs Winpeg Moyo and Chief Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Lovemore Mazemo.
President Mnangagwa was welcomed at the State House by President Museveni. He was honoured with a 21 Gun Salute before inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and the Uganda Police.
A fraudster who masqueraded as former High Court judge Justice Mafios Cheda and swindled several Government officials of large sums of money was jailed for an effective three years and two months.
Tinashe Munhuweyi (36), of Mufakose in Harare, would call the victims and introduce himself as Justice Cheda and would pretend to be desperate and in urgent need of financial help.
He conned Deputy Minister for Defence and War Veterans Affairs Victor Matemadanda, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza and Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Richard Moyo.
Other victims include Great Zimbabwe University Professor Ben Siyakwazi and a relative to late retired High Court judge, Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe, Naboth.
The named victims lost a total of over $12 000.
Munhuweyi was convicted by magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa after a full trial.
In aggravation, prosecutor Ms Patience Chimusaru called for a lengthy prison term, arguing that Munhuweyi brought the name of Justice Cheda into disrepute.
Convinced by the State’s submissions, the magistrate said there was need for a deterrent sentence which would send a message to would-be offenders.
She then sentenced Munhuweyi to 56 months in prison before setting aside six months on condition of good behaviour and a further 12 months were suspended on condition he restitutes all the victims on or before January 1, next year.
She effected 38 months, but failure to pay back the money, Munhuweyi will serve an effective 50 months.
On September 17 last year, Munhuweyi contacted Matemadanda while purporting to be Justice Cheda and misrepresented that he had two trucks which had run out of fuel at Chirundu Border Post.
He requested for $600 to refuel the trucks and pay for other expenses. Munhuweyi asked Matemadanda to transfer the money into a supplied EcoCash account and promised to repay the debt.
Munhuweyi became evasive after receiving the money.
When Matemadanda testified during trial, he said when he received the call for help from the imposter, he was made to believe it was Justice Cheda since they had met on several occasions.
He said when Munhuweyi became evasive, he then conducted his own investigations and later spoke to the real Justice Cheda, who knew nothing about the transactions.
According to Cde Matemadanda, Justice Cheda even said he had also received various complaints of people who had been duped in his name.
On November 28, Munhuweyi, the court heard, contacted Minister Nzenza masquerading as Justice Cheda and lied that his nephew had a truck carrying fertiliser which had a breakdown on its way from South Africa.
He asked for $825 to fix the truck before asking for a further $863 the following day which he said was for fuel.
The money was sent via EcoCash.
Minister Nzenza became suspicious due to the unending demands and made her own investigations which unearthed the scam.
Using the same modus operandi, Munhuweyi defrauded Professor Siyakwazi after misrepresenting that his son “Christian Cheda” had died while on his way to India for medical attention.
He then said he was looking for financial assistance towards his son’s funeral-StateMedia
