By Own Correspondent| Church pastors on Tuesday saying the two main political parties, MDC and ZANU PF are in a logjam that has paralyzed the country, proposed “a seven-year suspension of all political contestation for the sake of rebuilding trust.” Analysts said if the churches are under instruction from Emmerson Mnangagwa, this suggests he is now resigning and a transitional authority is taking over.

Below was their full statement.

ALSO WATCH VIDEO LOADING BELOW ….

https://youtu.be/2Ij8QypHIEs

CALL FOR NATIONAL SABBATH FOR TRUST AND CONFIDENCE BUILDING 7th October 2019

We, the leaders of the ZHOCD made up of EFZ, UDACIZA, ZCBC and ZCC, met at the Africa Synod House on the 7th of October 2019 to consider the currently unfolding national crisis in its totality and to propose what we believe is a comprehensive but sustainable solution to it. We have prayerfully come to the conclusion that in light of the current political paralysis, deepening mistrust and the dehumanizing economic decline, the nation will need to take a bold decision to address the root causes of the our national challenges that have a very long history and will not be fully resolved by one entity. In this light we are calling the nation to SABBATH on all political contestation for a period of seven years to allow for the rebuilding of trust and confidence, reset our politics and chart a shared way forward towards a comprehensive economic recovery path in a non-competitive political environment. This position builds on the founding vision of the 2006 church discussion document, the Zimbabwe We Want. The position also builds on the proposal from the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations Episcopal Conference at the Large City Hall, Bulawayo of 08-09 May 2019.

1. The idea of the SABBATH is a deep theological theme in the Old and New Testaments of the bible and in Church tradition. It is based on God’s command to his people to set aside the seventh day for a rest. Seven years were also considered as SABBATH years. Seven seven-year sabbaths or forty-nine years constituted what was called the Jubilee season. In this Jubilee season, land would be left fallow so that it could recover its nutrients. Debts would be forgiven. New relationships would be built and God would bless his people. Since its independence in 1980, Zimbabwe reaches her Jubilee year in 2029. The nation could use the coming period to usher in a true Jubilee for the nation by removing all political contestation from the land and focus the period on healing past wounds, recover the economy, and build a new political culture of cooperation focused on nation-building.
2. The current deteriorating economic crisis which is characterized by systemic corruption, shortages of fuel, prices going out of control and collapse of the health sector needs to be built from the ground with everyone’s support. As we are meeting, doctors are on strike and other workers such as teachers are threatening the same as they find it difficult to make ends meet with their current remunerations. According to the ZimVAC figures for 2019, an estimated 7.7 million Zimbabweans are in need of food assistance due to drought. Malnutrition and the interruption of basic services such as health and education may have both immediate and long-term negative impact. When this is combined with high levels of unemployment, stagnant salaries and the loss of buying power of salaries for those who are still employed, one can only conclude that Zimbabwe needs an urgent and holistic solution in which the grassroots, organized society and political and policy sectors should contribute to and own.

3. The current political paralysis and logjam characterized by the failure of the ruling party and the main opposition party to find a workable collaborative model is an issue of great concern. The fact that the two main political parties remain stuck in the post-election mode and will soon embark on a new election mode means that Zimbabwe is unlikely to realize any meaningful engagement between these parties towards a shared constitutional alignment agenda. Without a shared approach to national processes, the efforts by one are undermined by the other, while any positive contribution towards the national good by each is read only within a party-political perspective. We foresee that, whichever political party wins an election, the paralysis will remain, if the opposing parties do not learn how to collaborate. It is the people who will continue to suffer if as a nation we fail to establish some unity in diversity.

4. Zimbabwe has not yet undergone healing from the various periods of national hurt. While we recognize the efforts of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, the failure of the nation to fully bring healing and mutually acceptable closure to the long past, immediate past and recent past means that hatred fossilizes and the propensity for revenge grows. Casual references to ethnicity as the organizing principle for political mobilization threatens national stability in ways many may not be aware of.
5. Having looked at these issues in a holistic fashion, the Church leaders have observed that the current environment does not allow for meaningful political reforms nor is it conducive for an inclusive economic participation for ordinary citizens. Such an environment of toxic political relations also renders our international re-engagement process futile, which international isolation inhibits investor confidence and slow economic growth. Such a polarized environment weakens respect for national institutions such as the courts, the police and the security sectors. Once such institutions are viewed as partisan and lacking in independence, it becomes impossible to ellicit cooperation among the policy and political actors to drive a national reform process in the best interests of the nation.

6. The Church leaders have also realized that since 2000, election periods have been characterized by violence and paralyzing polarization and have helped to provoke high levels of mistrust. On one hand, the ruling party has blamed the opposition for selective recognition of electoral processes and for celebrating when results go in their favor while crying foul when results go in favor of the incumbents. On the other hand, the opposition has continued to point to gross human rights violations and the skewed political playing field. Different observers and independent commissions have raised the need for a broad-based and comprehensive national dialogue to find lasting solution to these challenges and mutual accusation. What has not been proposed is the environment conducive enough to allow for such transformative national conversation to bring hope. It is such a solution the Church is humbly proposing to the nation.

7. While all the political bickering is continuing, the basic concern for the ordinary citizen across the political divide is to get on with their personal development. In the current context, the citizens have grown weary from struggling against the never-ending waves of electoral polarization that undermine their hard work, disrupt community building and erode progress. The danger is that, the more citizens lose confidence in democratic processes such as elections, the more apathetic they will become, and the less representative political offices will become. We must rescue this situation by providing, not yet other piecemeal solutions. What we need is a proper break with the current paralysis and move towards real renewal and transformation.

8. It is in this light that the Church leaders are proposing a national seven-year SABBATH period for the purposes of (a) establishing an emergency recovery mechanism to address the dire national situation, especially for the most vulnerable communities, (b) rebuilding trust and confidence by healing all the hurts of the past, (c) developing a shared national reform agenda to deepen our democracy, (d) establishing a shared and inclusive national economic vision. The SABBATH proposal entails the suspension of the constitutional provision of elections but such a deficiency will be redressed through a national referendum. The national referendum question would seek to ascertain from all Zimbabweans whether they agree with a proposal for a seven-year suspension of all political contestation for the sake of rebuilding trust and confidence by healing to all hurts of the past, sharing and executing a shared constitutional and political national reform agenda, and establishing and implementing a shared national economic vision.

9. The Church leaders are not proposing any detailed government structure of the SABBATH season. Such an implementation structure must emerge from a process of consultation of citizens at different layers of society. The structure will take into consideration the institutional and systemic requirements to achieve the objectives and safeguard the outcomes of the SABBATH. Through this SABBATH call, the church leaders are soliciting for national acceptance of the seven-year SABBATH period as a season for trust and confidence building, resetting of national politics, and creating an appropriate environment for economic recovery outside party political competition. The assumption is that once the principle receives national acceptance through a referendum, a consultative process to design the operationalization framework of the SABBATH season will be established through a broad-based and comprehensive national dialogue involving all levels of society.

10. Taking into consideration that the SABBATH call is a holistic and long-term process, but also being aware that we are currently faced with a national humanitarian and emergency situation, we as the church commit ourselves to upscaling our efforts towards health, education, development and humanitarian assistance. In the same vein, we call upon all political actors, state and non-state actors to respond to the immediate need for humanitarian assistance and social services to alleviate the suffering of Zimbabweans.

Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert… I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. (Isaiah 43: 18-19, 25)

By A Correspondent- Parliament yesterday grilled Bankers’ Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) president Webster Rusere over a circular which was recently leaked on social media by one of their members announcing that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) will control withdrawal of foreign currency from people’s nostro accounts.

THE DEVELOPMENT COMES AS THE RESERVE BANK OF ZIMBABWE (RBZ) SAYS WE ARE ONLY CONTROLLING COMPANIES’ FOREX ACCOUNTS, NOT PEOPLE’S – ARE THEY TELLING THE TRUTH? HERE IS THE EVIDENCE.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

The below is a simple extrapolation (using simple day to day English) from the leaked RBZ memo which was debated in the parliamentary portfolio committee responsible, yesterday (see copies here).

1. Clear evidence RBZ is raiding people’s bank accounts m, not companies as claimed by @ReserveBankZIM … – pic.twitter.com/4eWMuyY5hL— ZimEye (@ZimEye) October 8, 2019

1. Who is the account holder referred to in bullet point number 3, the company or the employee? This holder’s account has already been raided by the Central Bank.
2. The accounts talked about in bullet point 4 are those of employees and not the employer.
3. Bullet 5 clearly refers to employees bank account saying this is an account that has been credited with a salary, and that after a 30 day period the forex funds will be liquidated *that is – converted into Zim dollars.
4. Bullet 6 clearly refers to all bank accounts employer and employer that unutilised funds will be compulsory liquidated after 30 days.
5. Bullet point 7 is an instruction to banks to ensure compliance.

Appearing before the Felix Mhona-led Parliamentary Portifolio Committee on Budget and Finance to speak on the 2020 budget proposals, Rusere said:

“This circular that found itself on social media was an internal circular for a bank and it was commenting on approval for certain requests made by some companies, and it only referred to foreign currencies funded by export proceeds and does not relate to free funds.

This was an internal circular meant to guide on some conditions of approval, but unfortunately people chose to read one line which talked of disposal of those foreign currency assets. It does not relate to free funds.”

Mhona however said the internal memo had caused a lot of panic among nostro account-holders.

Last week, the leaked internal memo from a commercial bank revealed that the RBZ had instructed banks that Zimbabweans employed by exporting companies and who earn their salaries in foreign currency will now have their money converted into local currency, or only withdraw in forex after applying and getting approval from the central bank.

By A Correspondent- Over 100 pupils at the Anglican-run Cyrene High School in Plumtree were left without a roof over their heads a fortnight ago after heavy winds blew off the roofs of two hostels at the school.

The school has sent an SOS to well-wishers to help refurbish the hostels before the rains fall.

Pupils are now overcrowded in the remaining hostels.

The windstorm hit the school in the afternoon during lessons, but no casualties were recorded.
Charles Bhebhe, the school head, yesterday confirmed the incident.

“It’s true we had a problem at the school when the strong winds blew off roofs of two hostels.

There were no casualties. We have since shifted the pupils into other hostels which they are now sharing with others,” he said, adding that they had since received pledges of assistance from well-wishers to refurbish the damaged hostels.

“There are companies which have pledged to help us refurbish the hostels. Help is forthcoming. We have done something and soon, the hostels would be repaired,” he said.

Cyrene Old Boys Association (Coba) chairperson Roy Tapela yesterday said they were also mobilising resources to help the school.

“Coba is doing its best to assist. I can only confirm exactly what we will do when we do it, end of this week most likely,” Tapela said.

Windstorms have perennially wreaked havoc in Plumtree, destroying a number of schools and villagers’ homesteads.

Recently, hundreds of pupils escaped death by a whisker after a whirlwind blew a roof off a classroom block at Phumuza Primary School in Bulilima.

The strong winds destroyed property worth $5 000.

Documents belonging to the Registrar of Births and Deaths, whose team was housed at the school, were also reportedly destroyed.

The team was part of the national outreach programme issuing births and national identification cards which was rolled out by the government two months ago.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri is leading the SADC Elections Observer Mission (SEOM) to Mozambique’s general elections set to be held on the 15th of October this year.

This was revealed by Shepherd Gwenzi, the spokesperson in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He said:

The Republic of Zimbabwe, as Sadc Chair on the Organ of Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation will lead the Sadc Elections Observer Mission to the presidential, provincial and legislative elections to be held on October 15, 2019, in Mozambique.

As mandated by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri, the Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs will lead the SEOM to the Republic of Mozambique from the period running from 2-22 October 2019.

A Zimbabwean team is leading the SEOM following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s appointment to the role of chairman of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (OPDSC).

Muchinguri-Kashiri is being deputised by Zanu-PF secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Former First Lady Grace Mugabe last week reached out to her erstwhile political rival and former Vice President Joice Mujuru to apologise “profusely” for publicly humiliating the latter, leading to her sacking from the government in 2014.

The two met in Zvimba for the first time in five years, and again last week on Wednesday, according to the Daily News. The publication’s sources are quoted as saying:

When Mujuru came, Grace broke down. She wept for 30 minutes and was inconsolable. She narrated how the president had died and then apologised profusely for the way they had treated her (Mujuru) in 2014.

She (Grace) even revealed the name of the person who was used to record and film Mujuru talking negative things about the former president.

Following Grace Mugabe’s elevation to the leadership of the ZANU PF Women Assembly, she went after Mai Mujuru, castigating her in public, accusing her and her Gamatox faction of corruption and incompetence.

Mai Mujuru was eventually fired by the then President, Robert Mugabe, in 2014 and went on to form a political party, Zimbabwe People First, alongside former ZANU PF stalwarts Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo.

– DailyNews

By A Correspondent- In a horror incident, a 10 year-old girl from Chirongoma Village, a stone throw away from Lake Mutirikwi in Chief Mugabe’s area had the agony of watching her mother tie a rope around her neck before hanging herself from a tree.

The girl who cannot be named for ethical reasons saw the whole episode of suicide by hanging.

Her grandmother Mbuya Aleta Gunyangu–Jaricha said that the juvenile who is one of the most brilliant pupils at Boroma Primary School is showing signs of unexplained fear and may suffer nervous breakdown if she does not receive the right counselling as a matter of urgency.

The juvenile’s school head, Esdon Mukuma confirmed the story and said that one of the school teachers who specialised in the area of counselling will start working on the girl next week and the case will be taken to a district specialist if the problem proves to be too big for the local teacher.

The girl talked to The Mirror and said she cried throughout as her mother went through the paces of hanging herself.

“Mama vakasvuvura gavi, vakazvisunga muhuro. Vakabva vakwira mumuti murefu vakasungira gavi riya pamuti ndokubva vazvirembedza. Vakatanga kukava-kava vakaita weti. Ini ndaingochema ndichidaidza vanhu. Vanhu vakazouya vakandiudza kuti mama vako vatofa (My mother got a fresh tree bark and tied it around her neck. She climbed up a very tall tree and tied the bark to the tree branch. She then jumped off from the branch and dangled in the air and kicked around as she tried to remove the bark from her neck. She passed urine and I was crying out for help until some villagers came and told me that my mother was dead,” said the juvenile.

Masvingo Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula said she is not aware of the incident.

Mbuya Jaricha said her daughter’s death pained her so much that she feels like dying. She however, said what made the death worse is that Ellen committed suicide while her own little daughter watched.

“I really don’t understand why Ellen had to do that when her daughter was watching. When I look at my granddaughter and try to think of what she went through I almost faint.

“My granddaughter came back from the hill a while after she left with her mother. She was holding her mother’s shoes in one hand and a mobile phone in the other. We were sitting here and I asked her where her mother was and she said she hung herself and was dead.

No one said anything. For what seemed like a decade everyone remained quiet.

“Now my granddaughter is afraid even to enter the house alone, even in the afternoon. She has fear. I am really frightened that she can have a nervous breakdown because of what she saw,” said Mbuya Jaricha.

Mukuma said the juvenile is one of the best grade four pupils in the school always coming among the top three in the two classes in her grade.

“She is a very bright pupil and we fear that her mother’s death might affect her perfomance and even her life in a very negative way,” said Mbuya Jaricha.

Ellen hung herself after some differences with her mother who was not happy that she left the mother’s home to go and stay with her father’s girlfriend Edna Chiringima in Mlambo village which is just close by.

On the fateful day Ellen’s father, her mother and other relatives had a meeting over the issue and Ellen agreed to go and bring back her clothes from her father’s small house where she was staying. She is said to have cried out aloud after the meeting. She then left with her daughter in tour and only to hang herself a few kilometres from home.

Her husband Nosta Muleya who comes from Maranda in Mwenezi but is now living in South Africa last communicated in 2014 and Mbuya Jaricha has been struggling to look after her daughter and the two grandchildren.

She appealed for assistance both for counselling and fees for the children who are both very bright.

–The Mirror

Local churches under the banner Zimbabwe Head of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) are pushing for the suspension of general elections to allow the country to ‘heal past wounds, recover economically and build a new political culture of cooperation focused on nation-building.’

Addressing the press, Rev Kenneth Mtata, who is the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) said the idea of a SABBATH followed a meeting convened by leaders of the ZHOCD to consider the currently unfolding national crisis.

“In light of this, we are calling the nation to SABBATH on all political contestation for a period of seven years to allow for the rebuilding of trust and confidence, reset our politics and chart a shared way forward towards a comprehensive economic recovery path in a non-competitive political environment,” said Mtata.

“The nation could use the coming period to usher in a true Jubilee for the nation by removing all political contestation from the land and focus the period on healing past wounds, recover the economy, and build a new political culture of cooperation focused on nation-building,” added Mtata.

He added that Zimbabwe was unlikely to realize any meaningful engagement as the two main political parties are stuck in the post-election mode.

“The fact that the two main political parties remain stuck in the post-election mode and will soon embark on a new election mode means that Zimbabwe is unlikely to realize any meaningful engagement between these parties towards a shared constitutional alignment agenda,” said Mtata.

Zimbabwe is currently going through one of its worst economic crisis with prices of basic commodities going up by over 500 percent while basic commodities such as bread, fuel and many others have disappeared from local shops.

Workers have also become restless amid demands for better salaries commensurate with the inter-bank rate while government is adamant it will not increase salaries as it does not have capacity to meet their demands.

Rev Mtata said they have since met opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa who committed to discuss with his party executive while efforts to meet President Emmerson Mnangagwa did not yield results as they left a note at his offices

 By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has left Harare for Uganda where he is set to grace that nation’s 57th Independence Anniversary celebrations as a special guest

He was seen off at Robert Mugabe International airport by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Minister of State for National Security Owen Ncube; Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province Engineer Oliver Chidawu and other senior government officials including service chiefs.

President Mnangagwa was invited By President Yoweri Museveni to attend the celebrations as a special guest.

The celebrations will be held under the theme “Consolidation of National Unity, Security, Freedom and Prosperity”.

Addressing the media last Tuesday, Ugandan Minister of Presidency, Esther Mbayo said Presidents Museveni and Mnangagwa will use the time to discuss areas of cooperation between the two countries.

We, the leaders of the ZHOCD made up of EFZ, UDACIZA, ZCBC and ZCC, met at the Africa Synod House on the 7th of October 2019 to consider the currently unfolding national crisis in its totality and to propose what we believe is a comprehensive but sustainable solution to it.

We have prayerfully come to the conclusion that in light of the current political paralysis, deepening mistrust and the dehumanizing economic decline, the nation will need to take a bold decision to address the root causes of our national challenges that have a very long history and will not be fully resolved by one entity.

In this light, we are calling the nation to SABBATH on all political contestation for a period of seven years to allow for the rebuilding of trust and confidence, reset our politics and chart a shared way forward towards a comprehensive economic recovery path in a non-competitive political environment.

This position builds on the founding vision of the 2006 church discussion document, the Zimbabwe We Want. The position also builds on the proposal from the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations Episcopal Conference at the Large City Hall, Bulawayo of 08-09 May 2019.

1. The idea of the SABBATH is a deep theological theme in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and in Church tradition. It is based on God’s command to his people to set aside the seventh day for a rest. Seven years were also considered as SABBATH years.

Seven seven-year sabbaths or forty-nine years constituted what was called the Jubilee season. In this Jubilee season, the land would be left fallow so that it could recover its nutrients. Debts would be forgiven. New relationships would be built and God would bless his people.

Since its independence in 1980, Zimbabwe reaches her Jubilee year in 2029. The nation could use the coming period to usher in a true Jubilee for the nation by removing all political contestation from the land and focus the period on healing past wounds, recover the economy, and build a new political culture of cooperation focused on nation-building.

2. The current deteriorating economic crisis which is characterized by systemic corruption, shortages of fuel, prices going out of control and collapse of the health sector needs to be built from the ground with everyone’s support.

As we are meeting, doctors are on strike and other workers such as teachers are threatening the same as they find it difficult to make ends meet with their current remunerations.

According to the ZimVAC figures for 2019, an estimated 7.7 million Zimbabweans are in need of food assistance due to drought. Malnutrition and the interruption of basic services such as health and education may have both immediate and long-term negative impact.

When this is combined with high levels of unemployment, stagnant salaries and the loss of buying power of salaries for those who are still employed, one can only conclude that Zimbabwe needs an urgent and holistic solution in which the grassroots, organized society and political and policy sectors should contribute to and own.

3. The current political paralysis and logjam characterized by the failure of the ruling party and the main opposition party to find a workable collaborative model is an issue of great concern.

The fact that the two main political parties remain stuck in the post-election mode and will soon embark on a new election mode means that Zimbabwe is unlikely to realize any meaningful engagement between these parties towards a shared constitutional alignment agenda.

Without a shared approach to national processes, the efforts by one are undermined by the other, while any positive contribution towards the national good by each is read only within a party-political perspective.

We foresee that, whichever political party wins an election, the paralysis will remain, if the opposing parties do not learn how to collaborate. It is the people who will continue to suffer if as a nation we fail to establish some unity in diversity.

4. Zimbabwe has not yet undergone healing from the various periods of national hurt. While we recognize the efforts of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, the failure of the nation to fully bring healing and mutually acceptable closure to the long past, immediate past and recent past means that hatred fossilizes and the propensity for revenge grows.

Casual references to ethnicity as the organizing principle for political mobilization threatens national stability in ways many may not be aware of.

5. Having looked at these issues in a holistic fashion, the Church leaders have observed that the current environment does not allow for meaningful political reforms nor is it conducive for inclusive economic participation for ordinary citizens.

Such an environment of toxic political relations also renders our international re-engagement process futile, which international isolation inhibits investor confidence and slow economic growth.

Such a polarized environment weakens respect for national institutions such as the courts, the police and the security sectors.

Once such institutions are viewed as partisan and lacking in independence, it becomes impossible to elicit cooperation among the policy and political actors to drive a national reform process in the best interests of the nation.

6. The Church leaders have also realized that since 2000, election periods have been characterized by violence and paralyzing polarization and have helped to provoke high levels of mistrust.

On one hand, the ruling party has blamed the opposition for selective recognition of electoral processes and for celebrating when results go in their favour while crying foul when results go in favour of the incumbents.

On the other hand, the opposition has continued to point to gross human rights violations and the skewed political playing field.

Different observers and independent commissions have raised the need for a broad-based and comprehensive national dialogue to find a lasting solution to these challenges and mutual accusation.

What has not been proposed is the environment conducive enough to allow for such transformative national conversation to bring hope. It is such a solution the Church is humbly proposing to the nation.

7. While all the political bickering is continuing, the basic concern for the ordinary citizen across the political divide is to get on with their personal development.

In the current context, the citizens have grown weary from struggling against the never-ending waves of electoral polarization that undermine their hard work, disrupt community building and erode progress.

The danger is that the more citizens lose confidence in democratic processes such as elections, the more apathetic they will become, and the less representative political offices will become.

We must rescue this situation by providing, not yet other piecemeal solutions. What we need is a proper break with the current paralysis and move towards real renewal and transformation.

8. It is in this light that the Church leaders are proposing a national seven-year SABBATH period for the purposes of (a) establishing an emergency recovery mechanism to address the dire national situation, especially for the most vulnerable communities, (b) rebuilding trust and confidence by healing all the hurts of the past, (c) developing a shared national reform agenda to deepen our democracy, (d) establishing a shared and inclusive national economic vision.

The SABBATH proposal entails the suspension of the constitutional provision of elections but such a deficiency will be redressed through a national referendum.

The national referendum question would seek to ascertain from all Zimbabweans whether they agree with a proposal for a seven-year suspension of all political contestation for the sake of rebuilding trust and confidence by healing to all hurts of the past, sharing and executing a shared constitutional and political national reform agenda, and establishing and implementing a shared national economic vision.

9. The Church leaders are not proposing any detailed government structure of the SABBATH season. Such an implementation structure must emerge from a process of consultation of citizens at different layers of society.

The structure will take into consideration the institutional and systemic requirements to achieve the objectives and safeguard the outcomes of the SABBATH.

Through this SABBATH call, the church leaders are soliciting for national acceptance of the seven-year SABBATH period as a season for trust and confidence building, resetting of national politics, and creating an appropriate environment for economic recovery outside party political competition.

The assumption is that once the principle receives national acceptance through a referendum, a consultative process to design the operationalization framework of the SABBATH season will be established through a broad-based and comprehensive national dialogue involving all levels of society.

10. Taking into consideration that the SABBATH call is a holistic and long-term process, but also be aware that we are currently faced with a national humanitarian and emergency situation, we as the church commit ourselves to upscale our efforts towards health, education, development and humanitarian assistance.

In the same vein, we call upon all political actors, state and non-state actors to respond to the immediate need for humanitarian assistance and social services to alleviate the suffering of Zimbabweans.

Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert…I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. (Isaiah 43: 18-19, 25)

Local churches under the banner Zimbabwe Head of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) are pushing for the suspension of general elections to allow the country to ‘heal past wounds, recover economically  and build a new political culture of cooperation focused on nation-building.’

Addressing the press, Rev Kenneth Mtata, who is the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) said the idea of a SABBATH followed a meeting convened by leaders of the ZHOCD to consider the currently unfolding national crisis.

“In light of this,  we are calling the nation to SABBATH on all political contestation for a period of seven years to allow for the rebuilding of trust and confidence, reset our politics and chart a shared way forward towards a comprehensive economic recovery path in a non-competitive political environment,” said Mtata.

“The nation could use the coming period to usher in a true Jubilee for the nation by removing all political contestation from the land and focus the period on healing past wounds, recover the economy, and build a new political culture of cooperation focused on nation-building,” added Mtata.

He added that Zimbabwe was unlikely to realize any meaningful engagement as the two main political parties are stuck in the post-election mode.

“The fact that the two main political parties remain stuck in the post-election mode and will soon embark on a new election mode means that Zimbabwe is unlikely to realize any meaningful engagement between these parties towards a shared constitutional alignment agenda,” said Mtata.

Zimbabwe is currently going through one of its worst economic crisis with prices of basic commodities going up by over 500 percent while basic commodities such as bread, fuel and many others have disappeared from local shops.

Workers have also become restless amid demands for better salaries commensurate with the inter-bank rate while government is adamant it will not increase salaries as it does not have capacity to meet their demands.

Rev Mtata said they have since met opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa who committed to discuss with his party executive while efforts to meet President Emmerson Mnangagwa did not yield results as they left a note at his offices.

By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwe needs him more than he needs them and he
will easily bounce back into private practice – but one of the country’s best surgeons, who performed Zimbabwe’s first ever successful separation of siamese twins in 2014  (by local doctors), Dr Bothwell A. Mbuwayesango, has been punished for participating in the ongoing doctors’ strike. He was suspended from his lecturing job at the at the University Of Zimbabwe by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s deputy, Prof P Mapfumo. Below is the letter of suspension:

….

NAME : Mr Bothwell A. Mbuwayesango DEPARTMENT/SECTION: Surgery POSITION HEW: Lecturer
DATE:
Monday, 7 October 2019
NATURE OF OFFENCE: SUSPENSION FROM DUTY WITHOUT PAY AND BENEFITS.

The University has good cause to believe that you contravened the University of Zimbabwe Code of Conduct Section 16, Schedule 13, subsection 16.2 which reads. “Any act of conduct or omission inconsistent with the fulfilment of the terms and conditions of his/her contract.” and subsection 16.31 which reads:
Inciting and/or taking part in the unlawful collective job action or strike by students or staff.”

We regret to inform you that we find it necessary to suspend you from duty without pay as from today whilst your offence is being investigated. If it is subsequently decided to dismiss you this will be effective from the date we inform you of this decision.

If however, it is decided not to dismiss you and/or alternative action is taken against you, this will be communicated to you likewise and your pay will be reinstated from the date of suspension.

The University will invite you to appear before a Staff Disciplinary Committee hearing to answer to the charges.

Yours sincerely

There were abnormally long queues at the Registrar General’s offices in Harare today as thousands, if not tens of thousands, of desperate Zimbabweans, turned up hoping to secure the now priceless document.

Most of these people were ultimately unsuccessful and had to endure a long thankless day at the offices. It turns out that most people went to the passport offices after being wrongly informed that their passports would be guaranteed if they topped up $250 before the 15th of October.

Explaining his ordeal, one unfortunate applicant said,

Passport Office update …..For some reason, maybe to generate extra revenue, the passport office announced something to the effect that if you top up zw $250 before the 15th October, you can get your emergency passport processed in 3 days, and today there must have been 20,000 people pushing their way down darkened corridors looking for the elusive cardboard box outside of the toilets, that we were meant to drop our application letters into for processing. It is absolute bedlam and I am not exaggerating. I am not ashamed to admit I failed, having spent the morning there I finally succumbed and came home having achieved nothing except preserving a semblance of my sanity. Not for the faint-hearted.

Another applicant added,

l was there, l was told to come back 8 October with an explanation letter why l need to top up, to my surprise l got there and tjo seemed the whole country was there only to have my letter thrown in a box that had millions of letters there and to come back on the 15th. l was really heartbroken and really wanted to cry today.

The Zimbabwean passport has become priceless as the government is reported to be battling to clear a backlog of over 350 000 passports while only producing less than 800 passports per day.

National Patriotic Front Spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire has claimed that Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube clashed with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Panonetsa Mangudya in front of President Emmerson Mnangagwa over what policy direction to take to solve the country’s challenges.

When Mthuli and Mangudya openly challenge each other and fight over the monetary policy direction in front of @edmnangagwa and PAC members then you know the centre can no longer hold. #ChaoraChinhuIchi #TruthOnly pic.twitter.com/4Vt17EM2Er

— mawarire mbizvo jealousy (@mawarirej) October 8, 2019

Said Mawarire, “When Mthuli and Mangudya openly challenge each other and fight over the monetary policy direction in front of Mnangagwa and PAC members then you know the centre can no longer hold.”Mawarire had earlier on alleged  that the Presidential Advisory Council were attacked by Mnangagwa who called them alarmists. 

“After meeting PAC on 30 Sept 2019, Mnangagwa accused PAC members of being alarmists after the group gave him an appraisal of the dire economic conditions.” Mawarire added. “PAC members were shocked by his reaction and are convinced he doesn’t appreciate hardships faced by people or he doesn’t care.”

CONTROVERSIAL politician and former Minister of State for Masvingo provincial affairs Mr Kudakwashe Bhasikiti says he has decided to quit politics and focus on agriculture at his Moriah Farm in Mwenezi East.

Bhasikiti was expelled from the ZANU-PF in 2015 during the late former President Robert Mugabe’s leadership following allegations of fanning factionalism in the party.

He then joined the National People’s Party (NPP), attempted in vain to re-join ZANU PF and eventually defected to Nelson Chamisa’s MDC, among other political bed-hopping antics.

In an interview yesterday, the politician said he was quitting active party politics and venturing into full-scale farming activities at his Moriah Farm in Mwenezi.

“People do not eat active party politics. My previous involvement in party politics was based on a desire to participate in policy-making and contribute to economic growth,” said Mr Bhasikiti.

“I have therefore decided to abandon party politics and focus on developmental projects. As you know, l am already into a thriving business of growing mango, sugarcane and citrus fruit trees on my
farm.

“Let it be known that l am different from other “myopic politicians” who engage in unnecessary political “dogfights”, while the nation goes hungry”.

Prior to the latest development, Mr Bhasikiti held several senior posts  in both ZANU PF and government over the years.

The party, however expelled him following glaring proof that he had linked up with the Joice Mujuru camp, which was threatening to unseat the then President Mugabe.

Meanwhile, drama unfolded in 2015 as ZANU PF Politburo members toured Moriah Farm after Bhasikiti was falsely accused of cutting down the citrus plantation on the farm, out of disgruntlement over his
expulsion from the party.

Mr Bhasikiti recently said some jealous politicians in Masvingo province were after his investments instead of participating in meaningful development.

“They lie to people about me. Instead of developing communities, they engage in unnecessary mudslinging,” said Mr Bhasikiti.

#ForThePeople: MDC Mat North Provincial Ogarniser and Councilor for ward 11 Victoria Falls urban, (#GoshenEdmoreZhou) donates 2 brand new ambulances to his ward and the entire #VicFalls community.@nelsonchamisa@BitiTendai @Welshman_Ncube @molokele pic.twitter.com/CcD4WSVYsZ

— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) October 8, 2019

See more pictures….

KING Lion Motorways (Private) Limited has been slapped with a $800 000 lawsuit by a survivor of 2017 bus disaster which claimed 43 lives on June 7 2017.

Aaron Muroyi was left disabled by the accident which occurred at the 257km peg near Nyamakate shops along the Harare-Chirundu Highway.

Muroyi was also robbed of his US$10 000 at the accident scene while he was still unconscious.

According to court papers, he was on his way to buy goods in Zambia for resale back home.

Following the accident, he is now unable to fend for his family and has lifetime injuries which will see him seeking medical assistance in future.

“The plaintiff as a result of the accident has 11 percent degree of disability and is at risk of spondylosis (damaged spine) and will require medical attention in future,” read the summons he filed against King Lion through his attorneys, Mugiya and Macharaga.

“The medical doctors who attended to plaintiff concluded that he will need a shoe raise for the rest of his life since his right leg is now shorter than the left leg with 2.55cm.

“Prior to the accident, plaintiff was in the business of buying and selling clothes from Zambia and when the accident occurred he was actually on his way to import goods for resale in Zimbabwe and was in possession of US$10 000 which was stolen at the accident scene as plaintiff was unconscious,” further reads the summons.

Muroyi prays that King Lion pays him $350 000 being damages for pain and suffering, $350 000 being damages for disfigurement and $70 000 being future shoe raise expenses.

He also want $30 000 being future medical expenses bringing the total to $800 000.

Recounting the horror crush Muroyi said he was one of the passengers who boarded a Scania Iriza bus registration ABQ 2875 owned by  King Lion on the day in question.

The bus was being driven by Jimson Ruzvidzo who was employed by the first defendant.

He said Ruzvidzo was speeding and passengers had complained and warned him against that.

Muroyi said the driver was stubborn and ignored passengers’ concerns.

He said the driver then failed to negotiate a curve resulting in the bus veering off the road before hitting a big tree at around 10pm. The driver died on spot together with 42 passengers.

Muroyi sustained a broken thigh and arm. According to court papers he also sustained head injuries.

Nicoz Diamond Insurance Limited was also cited as a respondent in its capacity as the registered insurer of King Lion at the time of the accident.

The case is yet to be heard.

Watch Video

State Media|The death toll in the Kwekwe bus accident involving a Gokwe-bound cross-border bus, Mandeep, which collided head-on with a Govasberg bus near Kwekwe River on Sunday morning, has risen to 12 after two more people died in hospital.

This comes as the police have so far released the names of four people who died in the accident after their next of kin had been informed.

Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the four victims were Gideon Magwaza (40) of Vuravhi village under Chief Madhlangove in Chivi, Shareck Muyinisi Chirombe of Chirekwa village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera, Tafadzwa Shambare of Epworth in Harare and Richard Muchenje (40), whose address was not given.

Kwekwe District Hospital officials announced the death of the two additional people during a visit to the hospital by the Kwekwe District Civil Protection Unit team yesterday to check on the state of 43 injured passengers that were admitted there.

The district CPU’s chairman Mr Fortune Mpungu said one of the two latest victims died upon admission to Kwekwe District Hospital on Sunday, while another victim died at Gweru Provincial Hospital where she had been transferred.

“It was a sad experience and as we mourn with those who lost their loved ones, our prayers are also with those in hospital and we wish them a quick recovery,” he said.

“We visited the hospital as Kwekwe District CPU and we learnt with sadness that two more people had died.

“One died upon admission to Kwekwe District Hospital on Sunday and the other victim died this morning (yesterday) at Gweru Provincial Hospital where she had been transferred.”

Mr Mpungu said the families of the accident victims will get State assistance.

He said they were still contacting families of the deceased.

“The families of the 12 victims will get $1 000 each and at the moment we are still making contacts with the families so that they can access money from the State assistance funeral fund,” said Mr Mpungu.

Kwekwe District hospital authorities said 33 people were still admitted after eight were treated and discharged.

— Herald

Former Zanu-PF spin doctor and Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has lashed out at national war veterans chairman Chris Mutsvangwa describing him as functionally illiterate.

Prof Moyo was responding to a news report by the Sunday Mail where Mutsvangwa attacked Moyo of creating a fake Twitter account on his behalf.

This was after a screen shot of a twitter exchange between Prof Moyo and a Mutsvangwa parody account was widely circulated on social media with the two exchanging “jaw breakers.”

Mutsvangwa in the news report accused Prof Moyo of desperation after their attempts to use the death of former President Robert Moyo to score political points failed to yield intended results.

However, Moyo shot back saying he knew that it wasn’t Mutsvangwa’s account anyways.

“Come on guys. Has the heat you are getting become so hot that you cannot even take a joke? Everyone knows it’s a fake account because Chris Mutsvangwa is functionally illiterate to be on @Twitter. Just chill  guys. Let’s have fun once in a while. Remember laughter is therapeutic,” said Prof Moyo.

Thrdre is no love lost between Mutsvangwa and Prof Moyo as the two fought from opposite ends in the succession battles between G40 fronted by Grace Mugabe and Lacoste led by now President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s wife Sithokozile has accused WCoz of neglecting its members.

She said the coalition remained mum when its members were openly tormented by suspected government agents.

See Sithokozile’s statement :

Dear Madam,

It is with utmost shock that I learnt of your statement dated 4 October 2019 requesting a national apology and respect for women from Advocate Nelson Chamisa over an incident that happened at Rufaro stadium on 28 September 2019.

As the person who is purportedly directly affected by the actions of the said Advocate Chamisa, I find the action by your institution inconsistent for a number of reasons outlined below:

I am a fully paid up member of WCoZ. Surely, if you purport to act on behalf of women and allege as stated in your statement that I was heckled, then ought you not to have sought my side of the story. Alternatively, as you conclude that I am a victim of abuse, would not your first port of call have been to offer support to enable me to come out of the abusive circumstances.

I would allege further that in the publication of your statement you have even further abused and traumatised me by making me an object of public ridicule and pity as an “abused wife.”

You seem more worried about a national apology than the welfare of a woman victim who according to you continues to live with an “abuser.” I am further shocked that you have picked this one incident to act on my behalf when there have been other incidents of abuse targeted at me where the WCoZ has chosen to remain silent.

I have been subject of abuse on social media that included body shaming. I expected on those occasions for WCoZ to have responded with sisterly love and demanded respect for women but no support was forthcoming.

Earlier this year, The Herald carried a story with a scathing attack on me alleging that I had purportedly used my official position in one organisation to support a partisan agenda, a story that attacked my integrity as a professional woman.

The story was published by the Herald on 13 February 2019 entitled “Chamisa’s Breakfast Prayer Meeting: The Untold Truth.” Again as WCoZ member you would have known that to be false and I expected that would have come to my defence. I have also followed other incidents on abuse of women where I personally thought they were of such serious magnitude that WCOZ should have acted but you did not act.

A case in point is the abduction of popular comedian Samantha Kureya where the women’s voice was notably absent. The Herald for instance has on various occasions carried stories that have attacked women using very abusive language . A case in point is the attack on Hon Joanna Mamombe made on 29 June 2019 in an article “The Saturday Column: The day cyclone Mthuli came to town.” Again no response was heard from WCoZ.

Other WCoZ members Rita Nyamupinga and Sithabile Dewa are facing trumped up treason charges. . Again WcoZ was conspicuously silent. It is light of the above that your purported sympathy in the press statement you, made on 4 October then exposes your hypocrisy in the whole matter.

If as you say you represent the rights of women, your exploits in this regard must be consistent, holistic and informed. Otherwise they come across as partisan and lacking in all sincerity.

I felt compelled to register my displeasure personally by writing to you directly before I make any public statement on the matter so that we can engage constructively as a member of the movement who has served in it in various capacities.

I await to hear from you.

Regards,

Sithokozile Thabethe – Chamisa

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s wife Sithokozile has dismissed claims that he was heckled by her husband during the party’s anniversary celebrations at Rufaro Stadium.

See Sithokozile’s response to WCOZ’s claims :
Dear Madam,

It is with utmost shock that I learnt of your statement dated 4 October 2019 requesting a national apology and respect for women from Advocate Nelson Chamisa over an incident that happened at Rufaro stadium on 28 September 2019.

As the person who is purportedly directly affected by the actions of the said Advocate Chamisa, I find the action by your institution inconsistent for a number of reasons outlined below:

I am a fully paid up member of WCoZ. Surely, if you purport to act on behalf of women and allege as stated in your statement that I was heckled, then ought you not to have sought my side of the story. Alternatively, as you conclude that I am a victim of abuse, would not your first port of call have been to offer support to enable me to come out of the abusive circumstances.

I would allege further that in the publication of your statement you have even further abused and traumatised me by making me an object of public ridicule and pity as an “abused wife.”

You seem more worried about a national apology than the welfare of a woman victim who according to you continues to live with an “abuser.” I am further shocked that you have picked this one incident to act on my behalf when there have been other incidents of abuse targeted at me where the WCoZ has chosen to remain silent.

I have been subject of abuse on social media that included body shaming. I expected on those occasions for WCoZ to have responded with sisterly love and demanded respect for women but no support was forthcoming.

Earlier this year, The Herald carried a story with a scathing attack on me alleging that I had purportedly used my official position in one organisation to support a partisan agenda, a story that attacked my integrity as a professional woman.

The story was published by the Herald on 13 February 2019 entitled “Chamisa’s Breakfast Prayer Meeting: The Untold Truth.” Again as WCoZ member you would have known that to be false and I expected that would have come to my defence. I have also followed other incidents on abuse of women where I personally thought they were of such serious magnitude that WCOZ should have acted but you did not act.

A case in point is the abduction of popular comedian Samantha Kureya where the women’s voice was notably absent. The Herald for instance has on various occasions carried stories that have attacked women using very abusive language . A case in point is the attack on Hon Joanna Mamombe made on 29 June 2019 in an article “The Saturday Column: The day cyclone Mthuli came to town.” Again no response was heard from WCoZ.

Other WCoZ members Rita Nyamupinga and Sithabile Dewa are facing trumped up treason charges. . Again WcoZ was conspicuously silent. It is light of the above that your purported sympathy in the press statement you, made on 4 October then exposes your hypocrisy in the whole matter.

If as you say you represent the rights of women, your exploits in this regard must be consistent, holistic and informed. Otherwise they come across as partisan and lacking in all sincerity.

I felt compelled to register my displeasure personally by writing to you directly before I make any public statement on the matter so that we can engage constructively as a member of the movement who has served in it in various capacities.

I await to hear from you.

Regards,

Sithokozile Thabethe – Chamisa

5 October 2019

Attention: Ms Ronica Mumbire

The National Chairperson
Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
13 Bates Road
Milton Park
Harare

Dear Madam,

It is with utmost shock that I learnt of your statement dated 4 October 2019 requesting a national apology and respect for women from Advocate Nelson Chamisa over an incident that happened at Rufaro stadium on 28 September 2019.

As the person who is purportedly directly affected by the actions of the said Advocate Chamisa, I find the action by your institution inconsistent for a number of reasons outlined below:

I am a fully paid up member of WCoZ. Surely, if you purport to act on behalf of women and allege as stated in your statement that I was heckled, then ought you not to have sought my side of the story. Alternatively, as you conclude that I am a victim of abuse, would not your first port of call have been to offer support to enable me to come out of the abusive circumstances.

I would allege further that in the publication of your statement you have even further abused and traumatised me by making me an object of public ridicule and pity as an “abused wife.”

You seem more worried about a national apology than the welfare of a woman victim who according to you continues to live with an “abuser.” I am further shocked that you have picked this one incident to act on my behalf when there have been other incidents of abuse targeted at me where the WCoZ has chosen to remain silent.

I have been subject of abuse on social media that included body shaming. I expected on those occasions for WCoZ to have responded with sisterly love and demanded respect for women but no support was forthcoming.

Earlier this year, The Herald carried a story with a scathing attack on me alleging that I had purportedly used my official position in one organisation to support a partisan agenda, a story that attacked my integrity as a professional woman.

The story was published by the Herald on 13 February 2019 entitled “Chamisa’s Breakfast Prayer Meeting: The Untold Truth.” Again as WCoZ member you would have known that to be false and I expected that would have come to my defence. I have also followed other incidents on abuse of women where I personally thought they were of such serious magnitude that WCOZ should have acted but you did not act.

A case in point is the abduction of popular comedian Samantha Kureya where the women’s voice was notably absent. The Herald for instance has on various occasions carried stories that have attacked women using very abusive language . A case in point is the attack on Hon Joanna Mamombe made on 29 June 2019 in an article “The Saturday Column: The day cyclone Mthuli came to town.” Again no response was heard from WCoZ.

Other WCoZ members Rita Nyamupinga and Sithabile Dewa are facing trumped up treason charges. . Again WcoZ was conspicuously silent. It is light of the above that your purported sympathy in the press statement you, made on 4 October then exposes your hypocrisy in the whole matter.

If as you say you represent the rights of women, your exploits in this regard must be consistent, holistic and informed. Otherwise they come across as partisan and lacking in all sincerity.

I felt compelled to register my displeasure personally by writing to you directly before I make any public statement on the matter so that we can engage constructively as a member of the movement who has served in it in various capacities.

I await to hear from you.

Regards,

Sithokozile Thabethe – Chamisa

Farai Dziva|MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa, who is also a pastor, has prophesied that the nation’s recovery shall be dramatic.

“WE THE PEOPLE…Beyond this doom, the rise of Zimbabwe shall be a surprise to all and the breaking news to the whole world.

The changes will be dramatic and transformation supersonic. New minerals shall be discovered. Economists will not be able to explain the boom,” said Chamisa.

Chamisa is minister of the Gospel in the Apostolic Faith Mission Church.

“I know what we about to go through. The problem with many of us is we don’t understand that the answer and solution to any question or problem is always revealed to the chosen.

Action without strategy is futile. Strategy without action is fatal. Fortunately, we have both,” Chamisa told Bulawayo 24.

In a horrible incident, a 10 year-old girl from Chirongoma Village, a stone throw away from Lake Mutirikwi in Chief Mugabe’s area had the agony of watching her mother tie a rope around her neck before hanging herself from a tree.

The girl who cannot be named for ethical reasons saw the whole episode of suicide by hanging.

Her grandmother Mbuya Aleta Gunyangu–Jaricha said that the juvenile who is one of the most brilliant pupils at Boroma Primary School is showing signs of unexplained fear and may suffer nervous breakdown if she does not receive the right counselling as a matter of urgency.

The juvenile’s school head, Esdon Mukuma confirmed the story and said that one of the school teachers who specialised in the area of counselling will start working on the girl next week and the case will be taken to a district specialist if the problem proves to be too big for the local teacher.

The girl talked to The Mirror and said she cried throughout as her mother went through the paces of hanging herself.

“Mama vakasvuvura gavi, vakazvisunga muhuro. Vakabva vakwira mumuti murefu vakasungira gavi riya pamuti ndokubva vazvirembedza.

Vakatanga kukava-kava vakaita weti. Ini ndaingochema ndichidaidza vanhu. Vanhu vakazouya vakandiudza kuti mama vako vatofa (My mother got a fresh tree bark and tied it around her neck. She climbed up a very tall tree and tied the bark to the tree branch. She then jumped off from the branch and dangled in the air and kicked around as she tried to remove the bark from her neck. She passed urine and I was crying out for help until some villagers came and told me that my mother was dead,” said the juvenile.

Masvingo Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula said she is not aware of the incident.

Mbuya Jaricha said her daughter’s death pained her so much that she feels like dying.

She however, said what made the death worse is that Ellen committed suicide while her own little daughter watched.

“I really don’t understand why Ellen had to do that when her daughter was watching. When I look at my granddaughter and try to think of what she went through I almost faint.

“My granddaughter came back from the hill a while after she left with her mother. She was holding her mother’s shoes in one hand and a mobile phone in the other. We were sitting here and I asked her where her mother was and she said she hung herself and was dead.

No one said anything. For what seemed like a decade everyone remained quiet.

“Now my granddaughter is afraid even to enter the house alone, even in the afternoon. She has fear. I am really frightened that she can have a nervous breakdown because of what she saw,” said Mbuya Jaricha.

Mukuma said the juvenile is one of the best grade four pupils in the school always coming among the top three in the two classes in her grade.
“She is a very bright pupil and we fear that her mother’s death might affect her perfomance and even her life in a very negative way,” said Mbuya Jaricha.

Ellen hung herself after some differences with her mother who was not happy that she left the mother’s home to go and stay with her father’s girlfriend Edna Chiringima in Mlambo village which is just close by.

On the fateful day Ellen’s father, her mother and other relatives had a meeting over the issue and Ellen agreed to go and bring back her clothes from her father’s small house where she was staying. She is said to have cried out aloud after the meeting. She then left with her daughter in tour and only to hang herself a few kilometres from home.

Her husband Nosta Muleya who comes from Maranda in Mwenezi but is now living in South Africa last communicated in 2014 and Mbuya Jaricha has been struggling to look after her daughter and the two grandchildren.

She appealed for assistance both for counselling and fees for the children who are both very bright.
–The Mirror

5 October 2019

Attention: Ms Ronica Mumbire

The National Chairperson Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe 13 Bates Road Milton Park Harare

Dear Madam,

It is with utmost shock that I learnt of your statement dated 4 October 2019 requesting a national apology and respect for women from Advocate Nelson Chamisa over an incident that happened at Rufaro stadium on 28 September 2019.

As the person who is purportedly directly affected by the actions of the said Advocate Chamisa, I find the action by your institution inconsistent for a number of reasons outlined below:

I am a fully paid up member of WCoZ. Surely, if you purport to act on behalf of women and allege as stated in your statement that I was heckled, then ought you not to have sought my side of the story. Alternatively, as you conclude that I am a victim of abuse, would not your first port of call have been to offer support to enable me to come out of the abusive circumstances.

I would allege further that in the publication of your statement you have even further abused and traumatised me by making me an object of public ridicule and pity as an “abused wife.”

You seem more worried about a national apology than the welfare of a woman victim who according to you continues to live with an “abuser.” I am further shocked that you have picked this one incident to act on my behalf when there have been other incidents of abuse targeted at me where the WCoZ has chosen to remain silent.

I have been subject of abuse on social media that included body shaming. I expected on those occasions for WCoZ to have responded with sisterly love and demanded respect for women but no support was forthcoming.

Earlier this year, The Herald carried a story with a scathing attack on me alleging that I had purportedly used my official position in one organisation to support a partisan agenda, a story that attacked my integrity as a professional woman.

The story was published by the Herald on 13 February 2019 entitled “Chamisa’s Breakfast Prayer Meeting: The Untold Truth.” Again as WCoZ member you would have known that to be false and I expected that would have come to my defence. I have also followed other incidents on abuse of women where I personally thought they were of such serious magnitude that WCOZ should have acted but you did not act.

A case in point is the abduction of popular comedian Samantha Kureya where the women’s voice was notably absent. The Herald for instance has on various occasions carried stories that have attacked women using very abusive language . A case in point is the attack on Hon Joanna Mamombe made on 29 June 2019 in an article “The Saturday Column: The day cyclone Mthuli came to town.” Again no response was heard from WCoZ.

Other WCoZ members Rita Nyamupinga and Sithabile Dewa are facing trumped up treason charges. . Again WcoZ was conspicuously silent. It is light of the above that your purported sympathy in the press statement you, made on 4 October then exposes your hypocrisy in the whole matter.

If as you say you represent the rights of women, your exploits in this regard must be consistent, holistic and informed. Otherwise they come across as partisan and lacking in all sincerity.

I felt compelled to register my displeasure personally by writing to you directly before I make any public statement on the matter so that we can engage constructively as a member of the movement who has served in it in various capacities.

I await to hear from you.

Regards,

Sithokozile Thabethe – Chamisa

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean television personality and actress Vimbai Mutinhiri is off the market after announcing her engagement to her long-time boyfriend Nigerian Andrew ‘Dru’ Ekpenyong.

The 32-year-old Vimbai told her followers on her social media platforms about the engagement calling it ‘‘MyAfricanFairytale’’. Posting a pic with her beau, the former Big Brother Africa star said: “God’s time is the best time. ???? x ????”.

In the next post Vimbai showed off an engagement ring.

Friends, fans and media personalities from across Africa such as Nigerian actress Rita Dominic, singer Yemi Alade, South African actresses Tembi Seete and Terry Pheto, congratulated her.

Some asked why this relationship had been under the radar and not many people knew about it. Vimbai responded: “It was important to enjoy it and pray for it in our privacy first.”

Vimbai represented Zimbabwe in the Big Brother Africa reality TV show in 2011. After Big Brother, she was chosen as the new presenter for ‘‘Star Gist’’, on Africa Magic Entertainment.

Vimbai moved to Nigeria after Dstv moved ‘‘Star Gist’’ to the West African country. There she met the 33-year-old Andrew “Dru” who runs a family hotel in Nigeria’s tourist town of Calabar. He is the youngest son of Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong, a powerful tribal leader from Cross River State.

— StateMedia

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Life Project (ZLP) on Monday donated equipment and surgical consumables to several Zimbabwean hospitals.

Speaking to the media after meeting members of ZLP who were being led by the chief executive officer  Lucia Vambe, Special Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Stuart Comberbach, said:

“As you know there is a diaspora directorate being set up in this Ministry now and right from the beginning of the new dispensation, President Mnangagwa has made it a real priority for our embassies and government to reach out to the diaspora wherever they are to encourage them to use their talent, skills and expertise to assist Zimbabwe as we rebuild our economy.

ZLP is a diaspora philanthropic group of 26 health professionals based in the United Kingdom. The group is in Zimbabwe on a two-week tour to share knowledge and experience with mental health staff in the country.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Many people in Zimbabwe are not able to acquire identity documents such as birth certificates, national IDs, and passports.

A 50-year-old Mutare woman, Jessica Makwela, whose parents were from Mozambique, told ZBC News that she and her 9 children and 13 grandchildren have no identity documents.

She said:

I don’t have national identity documents as my parents who are of Mozambican origin died when I was young and I don’t have any other relative in Zimbabwe to help me acquire identity documents.

I have 9 children and 13 grandchildren who also have no identity documents, and are deprived of benefits such as access to education and even the right to vote.

Access to identity documents is considered a human rights issue. However, the cost of acquiring the documents in prohibitive for many people.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri is leading the SADC Elections Observer Mission (SEOM) to Mozambique’s general elections set to be held on the 15th of October this year.

This was revealed by Shepherd Gwenzi, the spokesperson in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

He said:

The Republic of Zimbabwe, as Sadc Chair on the Organ of Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation will lead the Sadc Elections Observer Mission to the presidential, provincial and legislative elections to be held on October 15, 2019, in Mozambique.

As mandated by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri, the Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs will lead the SEOM to the Republic of Mozambique from the period running from 2-22 October 2019.

A Zimbabwean team is leading the SEOM following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s appointment to the role of chairman of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (OPDSC).

Muchinguri-Kashiri is being deputised by Zanu-PF secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- The Labour Court is on Tuesday, 8 October 2019, expected rule on the legality of the ongoing strike by doctors at the country’s public health institutions.

In a statement on Monday, Health and Child Care Minister, Obadiah Moyo revealed that the government is eagerly waiting for the court’s verdict.

He said:

Further to the statement issued by Ministry of Health and Child Care on Saturday, October 5, 2019, regarding the ongoing withdrawal of labour by some doctors, Government today (yesterday) the 7th of October 2019 has made an assessment of the situation at public health institutions and noted that some doctors did not take heed of the appeal and still chose to stay away from their work stations.

Government is, therefore, allowing the due legal process to continue with the Labor Court scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, 8 October 2019 at 14:30 hours wherein the Labor Court will determine the legality of the mass job action.

Doctors have been on strike since the 3rd of September this year, citing poor salaries which have rendered them incapacitated.

The government offered the doctors a 60 per cent salary increase which was rejected out of hand, with doctors demanding their salaries to be quoted in US dollars and paid the equivalent local currency at the prevailing interbank rate.

-StateMedia

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution and lookout for children when driving following an accident that occurred in Ruwa in which a motorist knocked down a five year old who was trying to cross the Harare-Mutare highway.

The girl later died upon admission at a nearby hospital, the police have announced.

On 6/10/19 at about 1020hrs, a 5 year old girl was knocked down by a car while trying to cross the Harare – Mutare road near Ruwa. She later died on admission at a local clinic. We urge drivers to be cautious and lookout for children when driving.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) October 8, 2019

Former First Lady Grace Mugabe last week reached out to her erstwhile political rival and former Vice President Joice Mujuru to apologise “profusely” for publicly humiliating the latter, leading to her sacking from the government in 2014.

The two met in Zvimba for the first time in five years, and again last week on Wednesday, according to the Daily News. The publication’s sources are quoted as saying:

When Mujuru came, Grace broke down. She wept for 30 minutes and was inconsolable. She narrated how the president had died and then apologised profusely for the way they had treated her (Mujuru) in 2014.

She (Grace) even revealed the name of the person who was used to record and film Mujuru talking negative things about the former president.

Following Grace Mugabe’s elevation to the leadership of the ZANU PF Women Assembly, she went after Mai Mujuru, castigating her in public, accusing her and her Gamatox faction of corruption and incompetence.

Mai Mujuru was eventually fired by the then President, Robert Mugabe, in 2014 and went on to form a political party, Zimbabwe People First, alongside former ZANU PF stalwarts Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo.

– DailyNews

By A Correspondent- Former First Lady Grace Mugabe last week reached out to her erstwhile political rival and former Vice President Joice Mujuru to apologise “profusely” for publicly humiliating the latter, leading to her sacking from the government in 2014.

The two met in Zvimba for the first time in five years, and again last week on Wednesday, according to the Daily News. The publication’s sources are quoted as saying:

When Mujuru came, Grace broke down. She wept for 30 minutes and was inconsolable. She narrated how the president had died and then apologised profusely for the way they had treated her (Mujuru) in 2014.

She (Grace) even revealed the name of the person who was used to record and film Mujuru talking negative things about the former president.

Following Grace Mugabe’s elevation to the leadership of the ZANU PF Women Assembly, she went after Mai Mujuru, castigating her in public, accusing her and her Gamatox faction of corruption and incompetence.

Mai Mujuru was eventually fired by the then President, Robert Mugabe, in 2014 and went on to form a political party, Zimbabwe People First, alongside former ZANU PF stalwarts Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo.

– DailyNews

By A Correspondent- In a horror incident, a 10 year-old girl from Chirongoma Village, a stone throw away from Lake Mutirikwi in Chief Mugabe’s area had the agony of watching her mother tie a rope around her neck before hanging herself from a tree.

The girl who cannot be named for ethical reasons saw the whole episode of suicide by hanging.

Her grandmother Mbuya Aleta Gunyangu–Jaricha said that the juvenile who is one of the most brilliant pupils at Boroma Primary School is showing signs of unexplained fear and may suffer nervous breakdown if she does not receive the right counselling as a matter of urgency.

The juvenile’s school head, Esdon Mukuma confirmed the story and said that one of the school teachers who specialised in the area of counselling will start working on the girl next week and the case will be taken to a district specialist if the problem proves to be too big for the local teacher.

The girl talked to The Mirror and said she cried throughout as her mother went through the paces of hanging herself.

“Mama vakasvuvura gavi, vakazvisunga muhuro. Vakabva vakwira mumuti murefu vakasungira gavi riya pamuti ndokubva vazvirembedza. Vakatanga kukava-kava vakaita weti. Ini ndaingochema ndichidaidza vanhu. Vanhu vakazouya vakandiudza kuti mama vako vatofa (My mother got a fresh tree bark and tied it around her neck. She climbed up a very tall tree and tied the bark to the tree branch. She then jumped off from the branch and dangled in the air and kicked around as she tried to remove the bark from her neck. She passed urine and I was crying out for help until some villagers came and told me that my mother was dead,” said the juvenile.

Masvingo Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula said she is not aware of the incident.

Mbuya Jaricha said her daughter’s death pained her so much that she feels like dying. She however, said what made the death worse is that Ellen committed suicide while her own little daughter watched.

“I really don’t understand why Ellen had to do that when her daughter was watching. When I look at my granddaughter and try to think of what she went through I almost faint.

“My granddaughter came back from the hill a while after she left with her mother. She was holding her mother’s shoes in one hand and a mobile phone in the other. We were sitting here and I asked her where her mother was and she said she hung herself and was dead.

No one said anything. For what seemed like a decade everyone remained quiet.

“Now my granddaughter is afraid even to enter the house alone, even in the afternoon. She has fear. I am really frightened that she can have a nervous breakdown because of what she saw,” said Mbuya Jaricha.

Mukuma said the juvenile is one of the best grade four pupils in the school always coming among the top three in the two classes in her grade.

“She is a very bright pupil and we fear that her mother’s death might affect her perfomance and even her life in a very negative way,” said Mbuya Jaricha.

Ellen hung herself after some differences with her mother who was not happy that she left the mother’s home to go and stay with her father’s girlfriend Edna Chiringima in Mlambo village which is just close by.

On the fateful day Ellen’s father, her mother and other relatives had a meeting over the issue and Ellen agreed to go and bring back her clothes from her father’s small house where she was staying. She is said to have cried out aloud after the meeting. She then left with her daughter in tour and only to hang herself a few kilometres from home.

Her husband Nosta Muleya who comes from Maranda in Mwenezi but is now living in South Africa last communicated in 2014 and Mbuya Jaricha has been struggling to look after her daughter and the two grandchildren.

She appealed for assistance both for counselling and fees for the children who are both very bright.

–The Mirror

By A Correspondent- Survivors of the Gweru-Kwekwe bus accident, which claimed 12 people told harrowing stories on how they cheated death.

Ten people were killed on the spot, while 43 others were injured when a Gokwe-bound cross-border bus, Mandeep Tours collided head-on with a Govasberg bus near Kwekwe River along the Gweru-Kwekwe highway on Sunday morning.

Two more people died on admission to hospital.

The Herald visited some of the survivors at Kwekwe District Hospital who narrated their terrifying experiences.

Mr Tsaurayi Mativenga, who runs a grocery business at Nembudziya, Gokwe, and was travelling from Beitbridge said he had taken a nap when he was awakened by deafening noise followed by shrieks and yells.

“I tried to raise my head to see what had happened, but I realised that I was trapped underneath some seats.

“As the screams of pain and anguish reached a crescendo I could not help, but join in hoping my screams were louder than everyone else to attract immediate help,” recalled Mr Mativenga.

He said the accident occurred at around 4.30am and he only found this out after he managed to free himself from the wreckage of the Mandeep bus at around 5am.

“It was still dark as I pulled myself from under the seats and crawled in the blood drenched bus floor until I was finally out of the bus,” he said.

Mr Mativenga, who sustained a deep cut on the left eye, lips after he freed himself, fell to the ground after realising he had dislocated a hip.

He said the driver was tired and this could have caused the accident.

“We had some near misses before the accident because the driver was dosing and swerving from side-to-side. We complained, but he kept going.

“He eventually fell asleep and our bus encroached into the lane of the Govasberg Bus resulting in the head-on collision,” he said.

Another survivor, Ms Sandra Sibanda, who was in the Govasberg bus said it was by God’s grace that she survived to tell the story.

“I had just boarded the Govasberg bus in Kwekwe when the accident occurred less than 30km on. It happened in a twinkle of an eye.

“When the buses collided the impact threw me to the back seat and was thrown on top of people.

“I realised that some of them were already dead. It was a really harrowing experience,” she said.

Mr Last Gurinde, who was also in the Govasberg bus, said he watched in anguish and hopelessly as people died around him.

He said when he got out of the bus through the window, he saw more dead bodies.

“This will haunt me for ever. I watched helplessly as a pre_gnant woman approximately in her eighth or ninth month, frothing and dying in anguish.

“The two drivers were also trapped for nearly an hour until they died. The fire brigade only arrived approximately an hour after the accident maybe because it was still early in the morning when the accident occurred,” he said.

— StateMedia

By A Correspondent- The Minister of Local Government, July Moyo has been dragged to court over Binga Chieftainship after he recommended the late Mr Gasta Siakulya Muleya for the appointment as Chief Binga four months ago.

Mr Peter Mwembe has since approached the High Court challenging the appointment of the late Muleya as Chief Binga saying that he did not belong to the Sikabuwa lineage where rightful heirs to the throne should come from.

In his court papers, Mr Mwembe said:

In the circumstances, the second respondent (Minister Moyo) should not have made recommendations to the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe for the appointment of the first respondent as Chief Binga.

Any other person outside the Sikabuwa lineage cannot be appointed Chief Binga as there are spiritual rain making and other ceremonies which the incumbent chief should perform and the first respondent could not perform them as he was outside the Sikabuwa matriarch lineage.

Mwembe seeks a court order which orders the minister to convene a meeting within 14 days for the selection and approval of an appropriate candidate to be appointed Chief Binga.

He added that only those from Sikabuwa lineage could perform traditional rituals including rainmaking.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Long queues have become the order of the day again at the passport offices amidst reports that passport production has decreased once again.

Zimbabwe is said to have a backlog of about 370 000 as the Registrar General’s office has inadequate essential passport production materials which are imported and require foreign currency.

See the picture below…

Paul Nyathi|Following a fake price list that was circulating on Social Media of a Fuel price increase, The Zimbabwe Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has set the record straight.

ZERA wishes to advise consumers that there is a fake fuel price list circulating on social media purporting to be effective on 14 Oct’ 19. The official fuel price changes are only shared on official ZERA social media handles Twitter:

Below is the bogus list that had caused panic in the market.

Paul Nyathi|PARLIAMENT yesterday grilled Bankers’ Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) president Webster Rusere over a circular which was recently leaked on social media by one of their members announcing that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) will control withdrawal of foreign currency from people’s nostro accounts.

The circular meant to guide bank branches on the Terms and Conditions which were set by the central bank, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe when organisations pay workers’ salaries in USD.

Rusere had appeared before the Felix Mhona-led Parliamentary Portifolio Committee on Budget and Finance to speak on the 2020 budget proposals.

Mhona said the internal memo had caused a lot of panic among nostro account-holders.

Last week, the leaked internal memo from a commercial bank revealed that the RBZ had instructed banks that Zimbabweans employed by exporting companies and who earn their salaries in foreign currency will now have their money converted into local currency, or only withdraw in forex after applying and getting approval from the central bank.

“This circular that found itself on social media was an internal circular for a bank and it was commenting on approval for certain requests made by some companies, and it only referred to foreign currencies funded by export proceeds and does not relate to free funds,” Rusere said.

“This was an internal circular meant to guide on some conditions of approval, but unfortunately people chose to read one line which talked of disposal of those foreign currency assets. It does not relate to free funds,” he said.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has dismissed rumours that it will raid citizens’ Nostro accounts. This follows a leaked memo from FBC bank that highlighted the RBZ’s new policies on Nostro accounts.

Under the new regulations, Nostro Account Holders can not withdraw their money in USD at will but have to seek special permission from the Central Bank,Secondly, Nostro Accounts balances will be liquidated at the Interbank rate after 30 days from date of receipt. The latest regulations have been slammed by Zimbabweans as illegal and in violation of the constitution.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe would like to dismiss the social media reports suggesting that Nostro Accounts will be raided by the RBZ and Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

This assertion should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves. There hasn’t been any change in the operation of Nostro Accounts.

The Central Bank is not new to flip-flopping as in the past,they assured citizens that Bond Notes and USD were at par only to shift goalposts two years later with accounts now denominated in ZWL and no compensation for lost value.

Last week the RBZ banned Mobile Cash in and Cash Out only to rescind their directive after 48 hours following a public backlash.

Paul Nyathi|Zimbabwean businessman and philanthropist,  Strive Masiyiwa says Africa needs to address the reality of corruption in order to progress. 

Masiyiwa was delivering the annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture in Cape Town on Monday, the same day that the Emeritus Archbishop celebrated his 88th birthday. 

Masiyiwa says corruption affects everyone, not just Africans, and is the “elephant in the room” that needs to be addressed. 

“Corruption is no laughing matter,” says Masiyiwa. “Nations are destroyed by corruption,. and yet we talk about it. We talk about almost in a cynical way I guess. Come elections, up comes the topic of corruption, and then it does away.”

According to the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, Masiyiwa created a massive global telecommunications, media and technology network, Econet, to bring benefits of the 4th industrial revolution home to the African continent.

He also manages an extraordinary Facebook account that aims to inspire and mentor the next generation of young African entrepreneurs and leaders, with more than 3.6 million followers.

He serves on international boards including Unilever, the Council on Foreign Relations in the US, and Stanford University, and is the only private sector representative on the SMART Africa Board driving continental digital transformation. In 2019, he held the sixth position on Forbes’ list of Black Billionaires.

The foundation says the lecture was conceived as “an annual opportunity to take stock of issues critical to the sustainability of our species and our planet.” 

On Monday, Masiyiwa said about corruption: “Everything we fought for, everything we hoped for is on the line. 

“State Capture – call it what you may, it’s corruption.”

Masiyiwa said his hope is that the next generation could beat the scourge of corruption, chi his why he spent a lot go time mentoring young people. 

“I seek to teach them not only the craft of the entrepreneur, but I try to share with them some fo the things that I’ve experienced; to encourage them that it is possible here in Africa to runa successful business, to do successful things in business, without corruption.”

Paul Nyathi|Former Tourism Minister, Priscah Mupfumira is said to have paid back NSSA funds which therefore means that she did not prejudice the authority of any funds as earlier reported.

According to online news agency, Pindula News, an unidentified source who claimed Mupfumira had paid back the money, is accusing the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Corruption of arresting her without making investigations first.

The source said:

“If ZACC does not know that Mupfumira had Cabinet authority allowing her ministry to get that loan and, more than that, the loan was repaid four years ago resulting in no prejudice to NSSA or pensioners, it begs the question if any investigation was conducted.

“You keep hearing that she (Mupfumira) stole US$95 million but when you look at the specifics, there is no indication that she took any money; instead, the allegation is that she encouraged bad investments, a point that is equally disputed.“

Mupfumira who was recently granted bail is facing corruption charges after she allegedly abused her office as the minister of Labor and Social Welfare.

Her actions are said to have prejudiced the association about US$95 million. President Emmerson Mnangagwa dismissed Mupfumira from her ministerial post following her arrest.

Source: Pindula News

Paul Nyathi|With the economic hardships in the country heading for a peak and Zimbabweans moral at its lowest due to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s continued failing economic policies, the President needs to urgently warn his wife to stop her so called “family fun day,” gatherings as people have no time for that.

First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s family fun day at Chipadze Stadium in Bindura on Saturday was complete flop as very few people attended the off time event.

The programme, which had been scheduled to start at 10am, started three hours later with mostly schoolchildren and a few bussed Zanu PF supporters in attendance.

The First Lady took almost two hours grilling Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs minister Monica Mavhunga and chairperson Kazembe Kazembe, accusing them of failing to properly mobilise people for her event.

“Mnangagwa was not happy with the attendance and she took Mavhunga and Kazembe to task for failing to mobilise supporters to her event. She allegedly fumed as she compared her poorly attended events with those of the former First Lady Grace Mugabe which were fairly attended,” party sources told media at the weekend.

Zanu PF’s Mashonaland Central provincial chairman Kazembe Kazembe and Bindura North lawmaker Kenneth Shupikai Musanhi nearly came to blows after trading sabotage accusations during an inquest into poor attendance at the event.

Saturday’s event in Bindura was supposed to be a family fun day which she said was designed to “promote economic development through sport tourism.”

Mnangagwa hectored local officials for poor organisation and demanded that political commissar Monica Mavhunga, who’s also the provincial affairs minister, “should be sacked immediately”.

Paul Nyathi|Striking government employed doctors have called upon international organisations including the World Health Organisation and the United Nations to urgently intervene in the country’s health situation by raising funding for the sector.

We present below the ZHDA statement in full.

Zanu PF’s Mashonaland Central provincial chairman Kazembe Kazembe and Bindura North MP Kenneth Shupikai Musanhi nearly came to blows on Saturday after accusing each other of sabotage during an inquest into poor attendance at an event for first lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa.

Saturday’s event in Bindura was supposed to be a family fun day which she said was designed to “promote economic development through sport tourism.” however there were delays to the starting time and there was a poor turnout.

The first Lady is said to have demanded answers and asked for heads to roll over the poor attendance.

A source who attended the meeting told ZimLive:

“Kazembe and Musanhi exchanged harsh words and were literally restrained to avoid a physical altercation. There was a dispute over who was to blame over the low turnout.

“Musanhi at one point told Kazembe that ‘ndokum*’, and he in turn shot back saying, ‘age haina basa topedzarana pa fight’ (age doesn’t matter, let’s settle this in a fight). They were restrained by Mashonaland Central provincial state intelligence officers.”

‌

State Media|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.

State Media|Chitungwiza councillor for Ward 13 Kiven Mutimbanyoka (Zanu-PF) has urged Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo to suspend all the town’s councillors citing poor service delivery.

Cllr Mutimbanyoka told state media that there was an urgent need for Government’s intervention and allow a commission to run the affairs of the council while investigations were being undertaken.

“I strongly feel that all the 25 councillors, including myself, should be suspended and the Minister of Local Government should put in place a commission to run the council for the next three months as prescribed in the Urban Councils Act so that we do away with the politics that is impeding service delivery.

“Such that at least our people can actually get the services that they are yearning for all the trust and confidence that the residents had in us are all gone,” he said. He said the processes leading to the suspension of the Town Clerk, Dr George Makunde, last month by Mayor Lovemore Maiko and the appointment of Engineer David Duma as Acting Town Clerk were illegal and suspicious.

He said under the circumstances, according to the law, chamber secretary was supposed to become the acting town clerk. Mayor Maiko appointed Eng Duma barely a few days after he was arrested by the police on allegations of corruption and abuse of office regarding land deals and the matter is still pending before the courts.

“At one point the mayor himself, Engineer Duma and Councillor Kudakwashe John were arrested together prior to them suspending the town clerk, but then why did the mayor rush to appoint Eng Duma, who has a case before the courts, and whose bail conditions prohibit him from interfering in council operations,” he said.

Eng Duma this week informed residents that regularisation of illegal properties had resumed. He also appointed a new chamber secretary, Mr Raymond Wenyeve, on the basis that the position was previously being held by a person who had no law qualifications.

“I think that after these guys realised that the game was up, the so-called acting town clerk and Mayor Maiko they are now sanitising their corrupt activities by intensifying the regularisation exercise and appointing an acting chamber secretary in retrospect.

“He has appointed a junior legal officer to the post of chamber secretary, which is not provided for in the Urban Councils Act.”

Cllr Mutimbanyoka alleged that the MDC-run council had illegally taken over managerial functions at Town House.

State Media|Survivors of the Gweru-Kwekwe bus accident, which claimed 12 people told harrowing stories on how they cheated death.

Ten people were killed on the spot, while 43 others were injured when a Gokwe-bound cross-border bus, Mandeep Tours collided head-on with a Govasberg bus near Kwekwe River along the Gweru-Kwekwe highway on Sunday morning.

Two more people died on admission to hospital.

State media reporters visited some of the survivors at Kwekwe District Hospital who narrated their terrifying experiences.

Mr Tsaurayi Mativenga, who runs a grocery business at Nembudziya, Gokwe, and was travelling from Beitbridge said he had taken a nap when he was awakened by deafening noise followed by shrieks and yells.

“I tried to raise my head to see what had happened, but I realised that I was trapped underneath some seats.

“As the screams of pain and anguish reached a crescendo I could not help, but join in hoping my screams were louder than everyone else to attract immediate help,” recalled Mr Mativenga.

He said the accident occurred at around 4.30am and he only found this out after he managed to free himself from the wreckage of the Mandeep bus at around 5am.

“It was still dark as I pulled myself from under the seats and crawled in the blood drenched bus floor until I was finally out of the bus,” he said.

Mr Mativenga, who sustained a deep cut on the left eye, lips after he freed himself, fell to the ground after realising he had dislocated a hip.

He said the driver was tired and this could have caused the accident.

“We had some near misses before the accident because the driver was dosing and swerving from side-to-side. We complained, but he kept going.

“He eventually fell asleep and our bus encroached into the lane of the Govasberg Bus resulting in the head-on collision,” he said.

Another survivor, Ms Sandra Sibanda, who was in the Govasberg bus said it was by God’s grace that she survived to tell the story.

“I had just boarded the Govasberg bus in Kwekwe when the accident occurred less than 30km on. It happened in a twinkle of an eye.

“When the buses collided the impact threw me to the back seat and was thrown on top of people.

“I realised that some of them were already dead. It was a really harrowing experience,” she said.

Mr Last Gurinde, who was also in the Govasberg bus, said he watched in anguish and hopelessly as people died around him.

He said when he got out of the bus through the window, he saw more dead bodies.

“This will haunt me for ever. I watched helplessly as a pregnant woman approximately in her eighth or ninth month, frothing and dying in anguish.

“The two drivers were also trapped for nearly an hour until they died. The fire brigade only arrived approximately an hour after the accident maybe because it was still early in the morning when the accident occurred,” he said.

State Media|The Labour Court is this afternoon expected to make a determination on the legality of the 36-day mass job action by medical doctors who have repeatedly snubbed the employer’s plea to return to work.

The doctors have also rejected offers tabled by the Government.

This was said by Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo last night.

Government last Friday urged the striking doctors to return to work with effect from yesterday or face disciplinary action.

Dr Moyo yesterday said most doctors remained defiant, leaving Government with no option, but to institute legal proceedings.

“Further to the statement issued by Ministry of Health and Child Care on Saturday, October 5, 2019, regarding the ongoing withdrawal of labour by some doctors, Government today (yesterday) the 7th of October 2019 has made an assessment of the situation at public health institutions and noted that some doctors did not take heed of the appeal and still chose to stay away from their work stations.

“Government is therefore allowing due legal process to continue with the Labor Court scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, 8 October 2019 at 14:30 hours wherein the Labor Court will determine the legality of the mass job action,” said Dr Moyo.

He commended the few doctors and some health workers who continued providing services during the ongoing job action.

“The Government continues to be grateful to those doctors and other health care workers who have remained on their posts of duty delivering care, saving lives and alleviating suffering.

“Patients’ lives are paramount,” said Dr Moyo.

In a statement last Friday following the Health Services Bipartite Negotiating Panel from which doctors rejected Government’s offer of 60 percent, all doctors were called to report for work beginning yesterday at 8am.

It was argued that those who fail to do so would be breaching their contracts of work and could face disciplinary action.

The death toll in the Kwekwe bus accident involving a Gokwe-bound cross-border bus, Mandeep, which collided head-on with a Govasberg bus near Kwekwe River on Sunday morning, has risen to 12 after two more people succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

This comes as police have so far named four people who perished in the accident after their next of kin had been informed.

Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi identified the four as Gideon Magwaza (40) of Vuravhi Village under Chief Madhlangove in Chivi, Shareck Muyinisi Chirombe of Chirekwa Village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera, Tafadzwa Shambare of Epworth, Harare, and Richard Muchenje (40), whose address was not given.

Kwekwe District Hospital officials announced the death of the two additional people during a visit to the hospital by the Kwekwe District Civil Protection Unit team yesterday to check on the state of 43 injured passengers that were admitted there.

The district CPU chairman Mr Fortune Mpungu said one of the two latest victims died upon admission at Kwekwe District Hospital on Sunday, while another victim died at Gweru Provincial Hospital where she had been transferred.

“It was a sad experience and as we mourn with those who lost their loved ones, our prayers are also with those in hospital and we wish them a quick recovery,” he said.
“We visited the hospital as Kwekwe District CPU and we learnt with sadness that two more people had died.

“One died upon admission at Kwekwe on Sunday and the other victim died this morning (yesterday) at Gweru Provincial Hospital where she had been transferred.”State media

THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has halted installation of prepaid water meters saying the project has become too costly.

Bulawayo Director of Engineering Services, Engineer Simela Dube revealed this on Friday as he told a gathering attending the Bulawayo Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project Service (BWSSIP) delivery indaba held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre that changes in the economic environment have led council to have a change of heart regarding implementing the policy.

BCC for years has been pushing for the implementation of prepaid meters saying it would improve ways of generating revenues as rate payers were defaulting payments.

“The issue of prepaid meters that was also raised by my colleague which obviously the city has looked at. One of the biggest challenges at the moment is that most of them (prepaid meters) are actually imported. We changed our currencies while council had actually approved a policy forward,” said Eng Dube.

“You will find out that the prepaid meters and what we are billing does not make any business sense.

“The cost of a prepaid meter is between US$300 to US$500 per unit. But our bill of water after effecting 42 percent increase the water bill could be ZW$1 per cubic metre.

“On average people use between 15 to 20 cubic metres. So, to look for a US$350 device in order to collect ZW$15 wouldn’t make sense. However, that policy has not been thrown away. We will continue to review it as the economic environment stabilises. But currently that’s where our challenges are with the policy.”

Residents associations had in the past strongly opposed the prepaid water system.State media

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said the country’s roads need urgent attention.

“Our roads in Zimbabwe need urgent expansion and upgrade to minimize such head-on collisions.10 people died, several others injured in an accident involving 2 buses along Bulawayo-Harare road.

We pour out our hearts as we grieve with the bereaved families & pray for the injured,” said Chamisa.