Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema said Dr Magombeyi had been examined by his own personal and Government doctors and would be interviewed by the police, in consultation with his lawyers, once discharged.

Minister Mathema warned some sections of the media and human rights lawyers against interfering with police investigations.

“The Government of Zimbabwe reiterates that Dr Magombeyi has not been arrested by the police as portrayed in some media circles, neither has he been denied access to his lawyers,” he said.

“In fact it is on record through the police that Dr Magombeyi has freely accessed his lawyers, medical doctors and reunited with his family.

“May I caution the media, human rights lawyers and some civil organisations against interfering with police investigations through the issuance of unverified statements, some of which border on defeating or obstructing the course of justice.”

NewsDay|political rift between Zanu PF and the main opposition MDC continues to widen amid counter allegations centred on the series of abductions, torture and assaults on human rights activists and trade unionists.

In the aftermath of the abduction of Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association acting president Peter Magombeyi, the State and Zanu PF have alleged that these could be stage-managed or perpetrated by a third force bent on soiling President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

Government, through the Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo, State Security minister Owen Ncube and Home Affairs minister Cain Mathema have pointed to a third force that has been abducting people ahead of international or regional summits.

This has provoked a response from the MDC who said Zanu PF, which appears inseparable from the State, were the authors of the abductions, torture and assaults.

“Zimbabweans have suffered massive violence, abductions and murders at the hands of the State and Zanu PF. The ED regime cannot claim that the following events

were choreographed and that a third force was responsible,” MDC deputy spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka said in a statement.

The MDC invoked past cases of abductions the party suffered at the hands of the State.

“The Mnangagwa regime says it cannot be held liable for the violence currently taking place as the government cannot commit such dastardly acts during or ahead

of crucial summits. Yet the facts confirm that Zanu PF has done it before,” the MDC said.

Tamborinyoka said history is replete with abductions and murders perpetrated by the State ahead of crucial summits.

“In May 2012, while a Sadc summit was in session in Luanda, Angola, Cephas Magura, the MDC chairperson for ward 1 in Mudzi North was murdered by Zanu PF thugs

at Chimukoko Business Centre. President (Morgan) Tsvangirai, then the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, had to alert Sadc leaders during the summit that one of the

party’s supporters had been callously murdered by Zanu PF while the summit was in session,” he said.

The MDC said venue and time has never mattered much for Zanu PF and the government when it came to torture and abductions, saying they beat up party leader

Nelson Chamisa at an airport in broad daylight.

“Venue and timing of violence have never mattered to Zanu PF. On May 18, 2007, Chamisa, then the MDC spokesperson, was seized and beaten at the Harare

International Airport in front of frightened travellers as he headed for a European Union parliamentary conference in Brussels, Belgium. Eight men with iron bars beat him to pulp, took his passport, bags and laptop before speeding off in two cars, one without a licence plate. Seven of his assailants wore suits and

one was in an army vest,” Tamborinyoka said.

“In May 2007, president Tsvangirai and other senior political and civic leaders were brutally assaulted inside Machipisa Police Station when they attended a

Save Zimbabwe prayer meeting in Highfield. Mr Mnangagwa was one of the leaders of this government that perpetrated such heinous crimes inside a police station”

he said.

In the face of the examples which the MDC drew to include the August 1, 2018 killings of demonstrators, January 2019 shooting and beating of protesters by

members of the police and army, Tamborinyoka said the third force can only be government and its arms.

“Can Mnangagwa tell us that it was a third force that was wearing police uniforms inside Machipisa Police Station in Highfield on that day? The State is

culpable for the heinous acts against Zimbabweans. The illegitimate, scarfed regime of Mr Mnangagwa must explain the whereabouts of Magombeyi,” he said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the late former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was the bravest leader in Africa in the call for the emancipation of black people.

Ramaphosa made the remarks when he addressed a memorial lecture to honour Mugabe in Kwazulu Natal on Friday.

Mugabe died in Singapore on 6 September at the age of 95.

“President Robert Mugabe was a product of his time, there will be no other President Robert Grabriel Mugabe. He was of a special type and he was the only Robert Gabriel Mugabe on the whole continent who was brave, who was articulate, who was forthright in everything that he said but who was an outstanding revolutionary and we dip our heads to him for that,” said Ramaphosa.

“Our task is to take the best lessons from the life of President Robert Mugabe and continue the struggle to create a better Africa and better world. We pay tribute to him as a great liberator who sought to unite his people and lead them in the fight for the return of the wealth of their land.

“We will always remember him as a forthright leader who made no apologies in warning his people against colonial an imperial powers bent on undermining the rights of Africans to self determination.”

Ramaphosa said Mugabe’s great desire was to see that his people were empowered.

He said Mugabe would be remembered as the most gallant liberation fighter.

Advocate Obert Gutu, the Vice President of opposition MDC-T led by Dr Thokozani Khuphe has said that former Education Minister, David Coltart has a case to answer over the disappearance of acting president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association, Peter Magombeyi.

Gutu claimed that the disappearance of Magombeyi who went missing on Saturday 14 September and resurfaced on the 19th was stage-managed.

Posting on Twitter, Gutu said:

His remarks come when there are people accusing the state of abducting and torturing citizens. On the other hand, the state has claimed that the alleged kidnappings were either being stage-managed or being conducted by a third force intending to tarnish the image of the government.

The deputy national spokesperson of the opposition MDC led by advocate Nelson Chamisa, however, dismissed the existence of a “3rd hand” theory saying it was the state.

There have been a series of kidnappings lately with members of the opposition MDC, human rights defenders and government critics being nicodemusly taken from their homes.

A parliamentary portfolio committee wants to call the leader of doctors’ union Peter Magombeyi to explain what had happened to him during the days he went missing.

Magombeyi went missing last week sparking protests by doctors who alleged that he had been abducted. He was found on Thursday in Nyabira, 40km from Harare.

Health and Child Welfare parliamentary committee chairperson Ruth Labode said the committee was celebrating that Magombeyi was found alive and will be able to resume his professional duties as a medical doctor.

Magombeyi is the president of Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association and one of the organiser of an ongoing strike to demand higher wages for state doctors.

“As parliamentarians, we are concerned  to what had happened to  Dr Magombeyi, and we want the  committees  Defence and  Home Affairs  and our  committee  to call him to explain what happened to him because we believe his case was politically motivated and not related to his profession,” Labode said.

“We are concerned with what had happened to him.”

She said government should address the grievances being raised by the doctors and improve the working conditions to avoid industrial action in the medical profession.

MP for Chinhoyi Peter Mataruse said he did not support what happened to Magombeyi and wants the case to be investigated.

“As a medical doctor I fully support  the actions taken by the doctors in demonstrating in support of colleague who was missing  and we  hope the issue  of the doctors  will be addressed  and  the victimisation should stop,” Mataruse said.

Government has denied being responsible for the abduction of Magombeyi accusing third forces of wanting to tarnish the image of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

Voting is currently underway in Zaka East with a voter turn out of around 50%. All the 38 polling station opened on time.

We are however worried with the number of assisted voters where every polling station in the constituency has recorded more than thirty assisted voters.

This therefore creates a perception that people are being commandeered to vote.

One incident of violence has so far been recorded where one of our agents was brutally assaulted by a Zanu PF thug who happens to be a teacher in the area. A police report has since been made.

Zanu PF is using three village heads as agents and ZEC has since been notified. Despite all the vote buying tactics being used by the sunset party, people remain determined to vote Zanu PF out and take Dereck Charamba the MDC candidate to Parliament.

MDC Information Department

21 September 2019 – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) is observing the Zaka East National Assembly and Insiza Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 15 by-elections in line with its mandate to assess the extent to which standards of holding democratic elections as espoused by the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and other regional as well as international principles are adhered to. This midday statement is based on reports received from ZESN observers so far. Network challenges experienced in the by-election areas, especially Zaka East, are affecting communication with observers.

Pre-election Period and Campaigns

The pre-election period was largely peaceful. There was however intimidation by the ruling party supporters and traditional leaders, in particular village heads soliciting for support in favour of the ruling party.

Campaigns for Free Zim and NCA were low key. ZANU-PF and the MDC Alliance were visible holding meetings and rallies addressed by senior party leadership.

Observation Methodology

For Zaka East, ZESN has a total of 13 observers; static, mobile, Ward and Constituency Collation Centre observers, altogether. For Insiza, ZESN has deployed a total of four trained observers to cover three out of six polling stations and the Ward Collation Centre.

Set up and Opening of Polling Stations

ZESN observers have reported that ZEC posted the voters’ roll outside all polling stations in all the two by-elections. This is commendable as it enables the easy identification of polling stations by voters. More so, polling stations were set up in accordance with the requirements of the law to ensure that voters mark their ballots in secrecy. ZESN observers have reported that essential voting materials such as ballot boxes, ballot papers, ZEC stamp, indelible marking pens, biometric voters’ roll were present at all polling stations. Furthermore, observers reported that all the polling stations opened on time and had started processing voters by 7:15 am. All the polling stations were reported to be easily accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. On average, there are 7 polling officers per polling station in both by-elections.

Assisted, Turned Away, and Redirected Voters

There were 20 assisted voters at Chiromo Polling station in Zaka due to illiteracy and a few cases of redirected voters by noon. The low numbers of redirected voters of 7 people at Mthwakazi Hall (A) in Insiza by midday may be attributed to the displaying of the voters’ roll outside polling stations that has been observed in both by-elections. There were however a few isolated cases of voters who were turned away for turning up at the wrong polling station for example, 5 voters had been turned away as at midday with 3 turned away voters at Mthwakazi Hall (A) and 2 at Filabusi Primary School polling stations respectively.

Party Agents

Political Parties and candidates are allowed to have one election agent inside the polling station and an additional agent stationed within the vicinity of the polling station. At polling stations where ZESN has observers or observed ZANU-PF and the MDC Alliance have deployed election party agents comprehensively in Zaka East Constituency while other parties deployed to selected polling stations. For Insiza, ZANU-PF and MDC Alliance have deployed party agents at all polling stations where ZESN has observers.

Incidents

There were isolated incidences of electoral malpractices that were observed in both by-elections such as acts of victimization of an MDC Alliance polling agent by ZANU PF polling agents at Mthwakazi Hall (A) polling station in Insiza.  Observers could not get much of what the crying victimised candidate was saying to the presiding officer who attended to him.

Observers reported that political parties’ agents were still taking down their campaign posters and materials within 100 metres upon the Presiding Officer’s instruction between 6am and 7am an hour before polling stations opened at Mthwakazi (A). The displaying of campaign materials in the vicinity of a polling station is in defiance of the Electoral Code of Conduct for Political Parties Schedule 7 (1) (d) on the Conduct during polling period which states that, “No political party or candidate may, from midnight twenty-four hours before polling day in any election or referendum campaign or display campaign material within 300 metres of a polling station or counting centre until polling stations are closed on that day.”

In Zaka East, observers reported that a Village Head came to cast out their vote at Machiva polling station wearing a ZANU PF T-shirt and a cap, ZEC ordered him to remove the cap and wear a jacket to cover his T-shirt. ZESN commends the ZEC for the action they took in keeping with the provisions of the Code of Conduct as well as Section 146 of the Electoral Act which also prohibits the wearing of party symbols and regalia in the vicinity of a polling station.

Turnout

ZESN observed that as at midday, there was generally low voter turnout in Zaka East Constituency and Insiza RDC ward 15. Perhaps this can be attributed to voter apathy that ZESN has consistently observed in the previous by-elections.

By Own Correspondent| As he lands in the United States, indications yesterday were that ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa has hired another public relations company.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

The development was leaked by a US journalist Jeffrey Smith who exposed how a new western PR public company is busy circulating poisionous propaganda and falsehoods seeking to cover up for the torture and abuse of Hospital Doctors Association President Peter Magombeyi.

The company, BTP Advisers, is made up of two whites who have experience in reputation stitch up jobs for dictators the likes of Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Paul Kagame of Rwanda and John Magufuli of Tanzania.

Mnangagwa is paying several millions of dollars for the botch jobs.

The development will serve to further expose Mnangagwa for duplicity on racial grounds after failing to pay renowned Zimbabwean black author, Pettina Gappa who was doing a similar job.

A quick scan through the company’s profile reveals that publishing falsehoods for its clients is all it exists for.

While a comment from Mnangagwa’s office was awaited at the time of writing, below is what Smith wrote:

“Appears as if the ruthless #Zimbabwe regime has hired yet another PR firm, @btpadvisers, which has worked w/ Kagame among other abusive leaders. Just saw an email in which they cast blame on the media & others for recent abductions of activists like Dr. Peter Magombeyi. Shameful.”

Watch Video below. ..

BEING in Harare in the past two weeks has been quite an experience. The Robert Mugabe era has finally closed after his death in Singapore on September 6, even through he is yet to be buried.

But from a people perspective the whole thing was just a curiosity— we have already moved on and this just seems like another diversion from the harsh realities of daily life.

But whatever you think about the man, he was at the very centre of this country’s history for longer than any other leader in our history. Just for once let’s consider the contribution of the men who have made this part of the world what it is today. First, the leaders who led the historical migration from north Africa who settled and built Great Zimbabwe and established a kingdom that dominated the region for over 500 years. Then the men who led another migration — this time from the south in the form of Mzilikazi who brought thousands of his people to settle in and around a place he called KoBulawayo or the “Place of Slaughter”.

By the time these migrants arrived, the Mutapa Kingdom was long gone and all that remained were signs of their activities in stone structures built across the country and evidence of a community that had traded across the world and was known as being rich in gold. The new migrants were very different in culture and language. A group with a military history who dominated the southern regions of Africa and were destined to be defeated in South Africa by the Boers and in Zimbabwe, by the settlers who came to the country in 1893.

Mzilikazi was followed by Lobengula who was finally responsible for negotiations with the settlers and was defeated in a series of battles with the settlers culminating in his suicide in the distant Zambezi valley and an uneasy peace treaty with Rhodes that prevailed until the early 60’s of the subsequent century.

Then the long shadow of Rhodes, never really recognised as a national leader, was a global colossus in every way. He died at the age of 49, spent less than 25 years in Africa, but had an influence that continues even today. He founded 73 companies — two of which, even now, are in the top 500 firms internationally. He fixed the boundaries of Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Congo, Lesotho and Botswana. He was Prime Minister of the Cape and a confidant of kings. Whatever you think of the man – he was a towering figure in his day and has had global influence. In many ways his shadow continues to lie across the sub-continent.

Then Lord Malvern, Prime Minister of Rhodesia for 37 years — the longest serving Prime Minister in the Commonwealth. A medical doctor professionally, he led the country through the Second World War and into the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. He dominated the country politically by a canny combination of co-option of his opponents and carefully protecting the interests of the small but dominant white population. At the same time, he used our position in the Commonwealth and the Sterling Zone to create a small but competitive economy based on its mines and farms.

Under his long leadership, the country’s white population thrived and in their own way made a global contribution becoming leaders in both agriculture and mining and establishing a monetary and fiscal system that made the Rhodesian currency one of the strongest in the world. In addition, albeit too slowly, Malvern created a small, but sophisticated system of schooling for black Rhodesians which eventually produced the leadership of the nationalist movement which ultimately prevailed and brought Zimbabwe to independence.

Then Ian Smith. He led Rhodesia for 17 years and was responsible for a spirited attempt to stop history. He failed but not for want of trying and the one thing he was skilled and adept at was how to secure and maintain the trust of the local white population. The black community had begun demanding a greater say in how the country was run in 1949 when the emerging leadership led a national strike. This was followed by the creation of Zanu and Zapu under a leadership that was to dominate the country after independence in 1980. This inevitably led to the liberation struggle which really started in 1962 when the armed struggle was launched by Zapu. This intensified in 1972 when the first Zanla guerrillas entered the country and launched the phase of the war that would eventually lead to Independence in 1980.

The Americans classified the Rhodesian war as a “low level guerrilla conflict” but that hardly describes the heroic, but futile attempt by the tiny white settler community that had dominated the country and even the region since 1893, to hold onto power. The story of the heroism of both sides in this conflict is impossible to tell without engendering feelings of hostility and anger, even today, but that does not deny its truth. But was it worth the sacrifice, many asked, when after thousands of casualties and hardship the Rhodesians won all the battles but lost the war.

My own personal view is that the Kissinger intervention in September 1976 saved the country from a savage transition that would have made the country a ruin. Smith called it the “Great Betrayal” and even Kissinger confessed in his biography that it was a task he took little pleasure in, but felt it was necessary to bring this senseless conflict to a halt.

And then Mugabe, who came to power in 1980 when in fact he had not played a significant role in the armed struggle and had even been a relatively junior member of the group of national leaders who had negotiated independence at Lancaster House in 1979. But that is history. The issue today is what did he do with that task that was handed to him by history and international intervention in 1980.

The record is mixed, at best. No doubt he gave black Zimbabweans dignity, pride and opportunity. In the early days of independence, we built a new school every day, every district got a hospital, all institutions were integrated and the task of creating a national army out of the tens of thousands of men who had carried arms in the war was successfully completed. Every significant town got a polytechnic and 14 universities were created. Life expectancy rose in 20 years to 63, literacy to 95% and hundreds of thousands of young people graduated with skills and knowledge that has made them a hot commodity the world over. Today 10 000 Zimbabweans teach mathematics in South Africa.

But always there was a dark side — the genocidal campaign against Zapu to create a one-party State, the crushing of all opposition until the labour unions formed the MDC in 1999. The harsh cruelty of Murambatsvina where half of the men who were evicted in mid-winter from their homes, died. The thousands killed in the campaign to try and crush the MDC and the steady stream of unexplained fatalities that all seemed to point to the assassin. Even his close associates were not protected.

In his determination to dominate, to control and to make sure his power was never challenged, Mugabe wrecked the economy and left us with a currency that was worthless, a lower standard of living than we had at independence, a whole raft of failed institutions — hospitals without drugs and even cleaning materials, schools without chalk and an infrastructure that barely functions. He left us with unsustainable debts and crushing international isolation. On balance, I think he will be judged as the leader who failed his country and his people.

So that is how we got here and where is that? This is a small country — its population is less than many mega cities and its total GDP less than the garbage collection budget of New York. But our potential in terms of human and natural resources is enormous and we need now to harness that potential to make sure that our leadership, which has the task of taking us into the future, does better than those who have made us who we are. That is not the task of one, it is our responsibility and I am excited to be able to play a small part.

Eddie Cross is an economist. He writes in his personal capacity.

By A Correspondent- Suspended Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) chief executive officer Engineer Nancy Masiyiwa-Chamisa and finance director Mr Simon Taranhike have been fired for alleged gross incompetence and abuse of office.

The two have pending cases of corruption before the courts. This comes amid reports that over 24 other ZINARA workers were arrested on corruption charges and their cases are at various stages of trial.

Zinara board chairman Engineer Michael Madanha, who is leading the anti-corruption crusade at the parastatal, confirmed the pair’s expulsion and revealed deep-seated corruption at the road utility.

He said lifestyle audits were being instituted to recover looted public funds by some Zinara senior managers.

“The CEO and the financial director who were on suspension were fired for great incompetence and abuse of office after it was realised that all the rot at Zinara was happening under their noses whilst they were engaged in bruising fights and failed to act on reports of corruption addressed to them as accounting officers,” said Eng Madanha in a document.

“Both are attending trials to answer to abuse of office at Zinara.”

Eng Madanha said the new board unearthed revenue leakages that were going on under the watch of the CEO and the finance director as the accounting officers.

Said Eng Madanha: “There are leakages at the tollgates, transit fees and bulk licensing where cashiers pocket public funds and according to a report by one of the employees caught red handed, the stolen money is shared right up to the echelons of power with rates of contribution by cashiers clearly stipulated.

“There is alarming variance at the tollgates between money captured by the system, money collected and money banked indicating fraudulent activities at the revenue collection points under the supervision of the finance director.

“Fraudulent activities are noted with petty cash managed by the finance department as no records are present on some disbursements and acquittals to provincial offices.

“Another area of abuse is recorded on fuel coupons which are disbursed without proper paper trail in some cases.

“The other major problem at the institution lies in the recruitment process and each director is in charge of the filling of posts in his respective department.

“Directors filled up positions with relatives, friends and church members, thereby creating an environment which defies corporate governance as workers pay their allegiance to their director and not to the institution.”

Eng Madanha said the corporate culture at Zinara was so bad that if an employee was caught stealing at a tollgate, instead of instituting disciplinary action against them, they would be transferred to another tollgate.

He said the management was indifferent to change and accountability insisted on by the new board to protect their corrupt activities.

Eng Madanha said the fired directors were desperately trying engineer a comeback by planting false stories in the media against the new board.

Acting Zinara chief executive officer Mr Suston Muzenda admitted that there had been financial leakages.

He also said Zinara was filling in critical posts such as those of director; administration and human resources, director (technical), corporate secretary, finance manager and audit manager.

-StateMedia

READ FULL TEXT BELOW…

PUBLIC hospital doctors have vowed to continue with their industrial action despite the return of their abducted colleague, Peter Magombeyi, who went missing last Saturday before being dumped in Nyabira, 40km north west of Harare on Thursday night.

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) acting leader Dean Ndoro said Magombeyi was now receiving medical check-up at a private hospital in Harare.

“Dr Peter Mugombeyi is safe, but I’m not in a position to comment on these issues. There is so much speculation and it is not my duty to comment on the issue, but the Ministry of Health. We are still waiting to find answers and to hear from the Ministry of Health,” he said, confirming that doctors were still continuing with their strike for better working conditions.

“Today (yesterday), they were gathering and we are talking to bring more demonstrations to the government. They are not going back. It is a good thing Peter Mugombeyi and people are happy that he is back. I’m not sure if this return will stop the doctors from demonstrating but they want salaries to be increased,” he said.

Magombeyi’s disappearance triggered mayhem in the health sector as nurses and doctors downed tools demanding his safe return, accusing State security agents of leading the alleged abduction.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo accused non-governmental organisations of politicising the incident, singling out the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Zimbabwe Association for Doctors for Human Rights for allegedly fomenting chaos in the medical field.

“All in the hope of receiving filthy lucre from the nation’s detractors is not only unpatriotic, but rather unbridled irresponsibility from a quarter in the nation expects to know better. All must be warned that the ruling party, Zanu PF, will not stand akimbo while such lawlessness is being perpetrated,” he said.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations into Magombeyi’s disappearance were in progress.

“Dr Magombeyi is still in hospital and he has been examined by (private) doctors and government doctors. He has been given access to his lawyers, family and friends. He is not under arrest contrary to reports in other sections of the media,” he said.

“There were many lawyers who were showing up. So we asked them to organise themselves so that we know who is dealing with the police.”

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| Leo Mugabe, the spokesperson of the family of the late founding leader of Zimbabwe, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, has dismissed as fake reports suggesting that Mugabe’s body was flown to Singapore for safekeeping.

Leo said that the body lies in state at the Blue Roof, the mansion where Mugabe family resides.

“There have been messages circulating on social media about the remains of the former leader being flown back to Singapore; they are false.We all woke up to these messages on WhatsApp, but they are just rumours and nothing of that nature is happening.

“I am not sure about the One Commando thing. All we know is the body will be kept safely.

“Mugabe’s remains are yet to be buried as a mausoleum in which he is to be laid to rest is yet to be completed.”

The Chinese company that was contracted to construct the unique and special grave revealed earlier that the mausoleum, depending on availability of resources, would take about three months to be completed.

This comes when there are reports suggesting that the body of the former veteran leader was embalmed to last for five years. Since its arrival from Singapore where he died, it has never been to any funeral parlour.

State of the Nation
I address you this evening on three issues which have been exercising the mind of the Government. These are: (1) the ongoing industrial action by our medical staff; (2) the below-par water supply situation and sewer services in Harare and other towns and cities and; (3) prices of consumer goods which continue to rise against wage income erosion.

Government is aware of the economic pressures affecting our medical staff, alongside the generality of the country’s workforce and citizenry. To the extent possible, and consistent with our broader quest to stabilise the economy, Government continues to review and adjust the cost of living for all public servants, including our medical staff. This exercise, which is ongoing, is often constrained by a particularly meagre agricultural season we have experienced, and which has forced Government to redirect scarce resources towards drought mitigation through a massive grain importation programme. Our nation requires bridging grain of more than 800 000 tonnes to ensure food security in the country until the next harvest. All the same, Government continues to value and address the concerns of our care-givers, whose services are essential and life-saving.

While we are happy that a staffer at a local hospital who had been reported missing has now been found unharmed, Government is disturbed by the growing trend of politically motivated false abductions in the country which are calculated to put Government in negative light. Such political trickery, which in fact amounts to terrorism, will not take our country forward. The State has a responsibility to ensure protection and safety of all citizens. New measures might have to be formulated to deal with this new threat, and to severely punish those responsible for such subterfuges.

Equally, Government was not impressed at all by the way medical staff, as organised labour, responded to this political act of propaganda trickery. Reports on hand indicate innocent lives were gambled with, affected and even lost, as our medical staff who must provide an essential service, abandoned post in solidarity with the so-called missing staffer. While the “missing” person has been found, precious lives already harmed or lost are either permanently incapacitated or lost forever. It is very sad, indeed a poor reflection, on a profession of such standing, and on its commitment to the unique oath that binds it.

As we reflect on this sad turn of events, the least our medical staff can do now is to return to their work stations without any further delay, and to restore and resume vital services to all those in desperate need of them. The appropriate, professional response to reports of any missing persons should never take the form that endangers more lives, all of them innocent. Now is the time for our medical staff to retrieve their collective conscience and to restate their commitment to the very oath that makes their profession sacred. As I said, Government is looking at improving their working conditions, including revamping our entire health delivery services, through significant investments which are already evident. But the yearly cycle of labour instability and indiscipline in the medical sector must come to an end.

Fellow Zimbabweans,

I am happy that Government has swiftly moved in to arrest the deteriorating water supply and level of sewer services in Harare. This intervention will extend to other towns and cities. In Harare alone, clean water production had declined from 450 million litres a day in March this year, to about 200 million litres a day since the beginning of this September. This precipitous fall in water supply, against soaring demand which is currently estimated at about 800 million litres a day, means many residents have been going without clean water at all, or making do with little and erratic supply of this precious liquid.

As if this is not bad enough, a number of new suburban settlements which have sprouted, are still to be connected to water and sewer reticulation systems. We thus run the risk of fresh outbreaks of water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid, more so against the raging drought situation we find ourselves in as a country.

The release yesterday of $37,3 million in local currency, and another US$2,2 million in foreign currency, as I directed, should stabilise the water and sewer reticulation systems in our capital. Central Government, through the relevant ministry, must immediately move in to support our municipal authorities, in order to bring the situation under control before the start of the rainy season. No effort should be spared in tackling this very dire and urgent matter.

Government continues to be concerned and exercised about the escalation in prices of basic commodities. While we concede that the new monetary measures and the drought may have contributed to the current price movements, we do not believe such movements are justified in all cases. We have observed with increasing concern a tendency within the business sector to randomly increase prices without reason or cause, except that of greedy profiteering. The whole situation becomes completely unjustified and untenable when only prices of basic commodities continue to escalate against static or even declining wages. Surely a generalised price escalation should and must have a bearing on wage levels in the economy?

We urge our business community to show leadership by taking business decisions which are professional, ethical and even compassionate. They must act in a manner consistent with the broader goal of economic recovery, tripartism and sustainable long-term macroeconomic stability.

Soon, I shall be calling for a meeting with the business community so we agree on clear ground rules which ensure fair play in the market. It is not the intention of Government to interfere with the operation of business. However, where clear failures and/or imperfections become evident and rampant in the market, the hand of Government will inevitably show. To avoid this, I urge our business community to demonstrate leadership, empathy and patriotism while recovery takes root.

As I address you tonight, the preliminary weather forecast is now out. We are likely to enjoy normal to above normal rains in the first three months of October, November and December of the season. Thereafter, from January, February up to march, the forecast points to a normal-to-below normal rainfall pattern. Our farmers should be guided by this so they plan to grow their crops within this forecast. As before, Government will support our farmers with inputs and other services in time. The goal is for speedy recovery so our country regains its food-secure status. In the meantime, I urge all our farmers, big and small, to put shoulder to wheel so we take full advantage of the early rains.

Later today, I shall be leaving for the United States of America where Zimbabwe will join other nations of the world at this year’s session of the United Nations General Assembly. For us, we have a particular interest in discussion around climate change and Sustainable Development Goals. Our country, alongside three others in our region, was this last March hit by a deadly cyclone which claimed many lives; which displaced many of our people, and damaged a lot of our infrastructure. We are still grappling with the after-effects of Cyclone Idai, as indeed we continue to reel from effects of a climate change-induced severe drought. Even though Zimbabwe’s contribution to emission of gases that damage our ozone layer is negligible, its exposure to climate change-related crises is horrendous. We thus have a direct interest in discussions and decisions which nations of the world take on this very matter blights our prospects and retard the attainment of SDGs.

Alongside Africa and the progressive world, we will continue to use the United Nations platform to speak against illegal sanctions imposed against our country by the West. As I leave for New York, Zimbabwe is heartened by the recent decision of SADC declaring 25th October as the Day of Action Against Illegal Sanctions. We in Zimbabwe, who are on the receiving end of these illegal sanctions, should speak the loudest, and campaign the hardest, against them.

May God continue to bless our nation.

I thank you.

Kambuzuma legislator Willias Madzimure (MDC Alliance) on Thursday described Finance minister Mthuli Ncube as a complete failure, claiming Members of Parliament have managed to “put him where he belonged”, while they await the Executive decision on whether he remains in Cabinet.

The MDC legislator who is a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said this during a panel discussion convened by the National Association of NGOs (Nango) under the theme Public Finance Management: Can it be a Gateway to Sustainable Economic Development.

Madzimure said Ncube had presided over a lot of chaos during his tenure as minister, including allowing over-borrowing by government in breach of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) which stipulates that any new borrowing must not exceed 20% of the previous year’s revenues. The debts are now being paid through Treasury Bills with government simply printing the money.

As a result of over-borrowing without Parliament approval, Ncube is now set to approach the House with three Bills for condonation, one of which will deal with the US$3 billion which cannot be traced, but is said to have been allocated for Command Agriculture between 2017 and 2018.

“As a country, we have been seriously affected by the behaviour of the fiscal authority which borrowed a lot of money which we did not have on the domestic market and it directly affected operations to the extent that we are now experiencing company closures,” Madzimure said.

“In Parliament, MPs have been able to put Ncube where he belongs, but it is the duty of the Executive to decide whether he remains as Finance minister or not because his performance is dismal – but I cannot say that former Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa should come back because he is the one who actually killed all financial systems in Zimbabwe.”

Madzimure said Ncube was selling Zimbabweans a myth about a budget surplus, adding that ministry officials like accountant-general Daniel Muchemwa wantonly broke PFMA rules by allowing ministries to use money without the Accountant-General signing certificates of receipt of that money.

“This week the Accountant-General Muchemwa ended up leaving his position because of pressure by the Tendai Biti-led PAC. This time PAC means serious business and our reports will be harsh and recommend firing of public officials found to be corrupt and misusing public funds,” he said.

Kipson Gundani, who represented business at the discussions, said Ncube was taking the country back to the 2008 era due to his incoherent policies.

“I think this country is full of theatre performers where Ncube speaks of a budget surplus, but there is no electricity, water or medicines and you wonder whether Ncube is a theatre actor getting excited by mere figures. We have resources that are enough to turn around the economy, but there is no transparency and accountability.

“What is happening is direct printing of money and the same formula that brought us to the 2008 situation is being used again. Ours is a broken country, broken currency and a broken people who need healing,” Gundani said.

Zimcodd official Naomi Chakanya said wanton breach of the PFMA rules will hinder Zimbabwe from achieving the sustainable development goals to reduce poverty, support health education, clean water and clean energy.

“Last year, US$5 billion could not be accounted for by different ministries. About US$4 million was paid to Zesa for transformers in 2017, but this was not accounted for and yet we are struggling with electricity cuts,” Chakanya said.

Afrodad representative Tirivangani Mutazu said the country has not been servicing its debts since 2000, adding that although Ncube was paying the International Monetary Fund debt, they will still demand that the country finishes off paying its debts to the African Development Bank and the World Bank before accessing new lines of credit.

Ncube could not be reached for comment.

-Newsday

I shall be leaving for the United States of America where Zimbabwe will join other nations of the world at this year’s session of the UN General Assembly.

jFor us, we have a particular interest in discussions around climate change and Sustainable Development Goals.

Our country, alongside three others in the region, was this last March hit by a deadly cyclone which claimed many lives; which displaced many of our people and damaged a lot of our infrastructure.

We are still grappling with the after-effects of Cyclone Idai, as indeed we continue to reel from effects of a climate change-induced severe drought. Even though Zimbabwe’s contribution to emission of gases that damage our ozone layer is negligible, its exposure to climate change-related crises is horrendous.

We thus have a direct interest in discussions and decisions which the nations of the world take on this very matter which blight our prospects and retard the attainment of SDGs.”

President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe would continue to use the UN platform to speak against the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe that have caused untold suffering to ordinary people.

Alongside Africa and the progressive world, we will continue to use the UN platform to speak against illegal sanctions imposed against our country by the West.

As I leave for New York, Zimbabwe is heartened by the recent decision of Sadc, declaring 25th October as the Day of Action Against Illegal Sanctions.

We in Zimbabwe, who are on the receiving end of these illegal sanctions, should speak the loudest and campaign the hardest against them.

By A Correspondent- Burial of a 21-year-old Sakubva man was delayed for more than five hours as relatives quarrelled and exchanged blows over his wife’s undergarment that had been placed in his coffin last Thursday at Yoevil cemetery in Mutare.

Armed police officers had to intervene to facilitate the burial of Carlton Mutseketerwa (21) of Chisamba section of Sakubva in Mutare who died early last week after he was hit by a vehicle.

Apparently, Mutseketerwa, a popular figure in his home area where he was fondly referred to as ‘Chairman’, had been staying with Patricia Chirenje (17) as husband and wife for the past three months and Chirenje is said to be two months preg_nant now.

Relatives of both Chirenje and Mutseketerwa, drawn mainly from the Chisamba section of Sakubva that is popularly known as kumaJapan, disagreed on whether Chirenje must be allowed to place her undergarment in the coffin as a ritual meant to ensure she gets married in future and moves on with her life well after her husband’s death.

Mutseketerwa’s elder brother Hector Matondo told The Weekender that his family totally disagreed with the idea to place Patricia’s undergarment in his brothers’ coffin since, as a family, they never knew of their relationship.

“Carlton grew up here with our grandma and moved out about three months ago to stay in Chikanga. We understand that is when Patricia eloped and started staying with my brother.

“They stayed together for about two months. When my brother died, Patricia came and we only thought she came to mourn just like anyone else. When we asked for the keys to Carlton’s house when we wanted to dress him ahead of burial, Patricia initially refused to give us.

“She later accepted to give us the keys after we had told her that she could keep his clothes for good. When we were about to go to the cemetery for burial that is when Patricia’s relatives approached us saying they wanted to perform a certain ritual process that involved placing her undergarment in the coffin,” he said.

Matondo added that his family disagreed with the idea to have Patricia’s undergarment in the coffin since they not only were unaware of such rituals but also his family did not acknowledge Patricia as their daughter in law.

“We refused to have her undergarment in the coffin since we did not know Patricia as our daughter in law. Apart from that we have never heard of such a ritual so we had no business accepting a stranger’s undergarment in our brother’s coffin,” he said.

While at the graveyard, Patricia’s relatives opened the coffin and placed her undergarment inside resulting in the deceased’s relatives refusing to go ahead with the burial rites.

A fight ensued between the two parties, with the coffin being lowered into the grave and retrieved four times as the two families bitterly disagreed.

On a number of occasions, the coffin was opened as the deceased’s relatives took out the undergarment but Patricia’s relatives would place them back against the will of the Mutseketerwa’s relatives.

It was only after armed police was invited to facilitate the burial around 5pm that the undergarment was finally removed and the burial process went ahead.

Patricia’s mother Linda Marere complained that her child’s in-laws refused to listen to the elderly who were present at the funeral.

“It is unfortunate that my child’s in-laws chose to play to the gallery on serious traditional issues that could have been resolved if they had listened to the elders that were present.

“They were cruel to my daughter to the extent that they failed to understand basic traditional processes that demand that a woman’s undergarment is placed in her husband’s coffin to make sure that the deceased husband’s spirit does not follow the woman.

‘I took the two (Patricia and Carlton) as my own children. I actually paid RTGS$500 fine when Carlton was arrested and sentenced to jail with an option for a fine not so long ago. I did that because these were my children. I really wonder why they acted in such a cruel manner. Anyway we took my child’s daughter’s and we are going to take care of the child that she will deliver because she is only two months pregnant,” she said.

When contacted for comment, Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA) president George Kandiero said bereaved families must sit down and agree on traditional rituals without outside interference.

“I think this is an issue that needs bereaved families to sit down and agree on traditional rituals without outside interference. We are Africans, we are not white and we cannot run away from that but at the end of the day what we believe in differs from one area to the other.

“Therefore there is need to sit down, especially elders of both families, and agree on way forward,” he said.

When asked on whether the undergarment ritual actually works or not, Kandiero said: “I cannot really say placing an undergarment in the coffin works or does not work. It depends with the beliefs in a given area and that is why I said there is need to sit down and agree.”

-ManicaPost

Public hospital doctors have vowed to continue with their industrial action despite the return of their abducted colleague, Peter Magombeyi, who went missing last Saturday before being dumped in Nyabira, 40km north west of Harare on Thursday night.

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) acting leader Dean Ndoro said Magombeyi was now receiving medical check-up at a private hospital in Harare.

“Dr Peter Mugombeyi is safe, but I’m not in a position to comment on these issues. There is so much speculation and it is not my duty to comment on the issue, but the Ministry of Health. We are still waiting to find answers and to hear from the Ministry of Health,” he said, confirming that doctors were still continuing with their strike for better working conditions.

“Today (yesterday), they were gathering and we are talking to bring more demonstrations to the government. They are not going back. It is a good thing Peter Mugombeyi and people are happy that he is back. I’m not sure if this return will stop the doctors from demonstrating but they want salaries to be increased,” he said.

Magombeyi’s disappearance triggered mayhem in the health sector as nurses and doctors downed tools demanding his safe return, accusing State security agents of leading the alleged abduction.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo accused non-governmental organisations of politicising the incident, singling out the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Zimbabwe Association for Doctors for Human Rights for allegedly fomenting chaos in the medical field.

“All in the hope of receiving filthy lucre from the nation’s detractors is not only unpatriotic, but rather unbridled irresponsibility from a quarter in the nation expects to know better. All must be warned that the ruling party, Zanu PF, will not stand akimbo while such lawlessness is being perpetrated,” he said.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations into Magombeyi’s disappearance were in progress.

“Dr Magombeyi is still in hospital and he has been examined by (private) doctors and government doctors. He has been given access to his lawyers, family and friends. He is not under arrest contrary to reports in other sections of the media,” he said.

“There were many lawyers who were showing up. So we asked them to organize themselves so that we know who is dealing with the police.”

-Newsday

By A Correspondent| President Mnangagwa yesterday conferred 3 927 with various undergraduate and post-graduate degrees at the University of Zimbabwe and installed Professor Paul Mapfumo as the fifth Vice Chancellor of the institution.

The graduates were drawn from nine faculties of the university with 3 132 graduating with Bachelor of Science Degrees, 760 with Master’s Degrees, 23 with Doctor of Philosophy and 12 with Masters of Philosophy.

Officiating at the function, Prof Mapfumo said the university had come up with several initiatives to ensure it plays a role in the national development and attainment of the national vision 2030.

“The university has since last year intensified its focus and energies on a transformative reconfiguration of our programming, our internal governance system, strategic partnerships, delivery methods and skilled human capital development all in in the contest of becoming a true leader in delivering on Government education 5.0 framework in pursuit of a clear national vision 2030. 

“We are much awake to the responsibilities that Government and society at large expects from the university,” he said.

Prof Mapfumo said the university remained indebted to the President for launching its strategic plan 2019-2025 that enables the institution to pursue its vision of being recognised as the centre of excellence in research and innovation in higher education and training by 2025.

“Our strategic plan provides scope for deepening technical skills and technological capabilities enabling creation of a new generation of innovative specialists and practitioners,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor said the university had for the first time established different key posts to improve service delivery and made strides in different areas including the farm which realised a meaningful production despite last year’s drought. 

“The university has registered seven new companies including Vakanyika Private Limited, Incuhub Pvt Ltd and Njere Pvt Ltd that will serve as holding companies for subsidiary entities that will come from discoveries and products developed under research and industrial framework,” he said.

Prof Mapfumo said the university was going to introduce several other new academic programmes and retire some so that it remains relevant.

“The university has strengthened its partnerships and collaborations with the private sector which has seen it receiving several donations and financial support in different sectors.

“Demand for student accommodation continues to be a challenge and the university is in serious discussions with external investors to construct hostels.

There are companies that have offered models that we are considering and our objective is to have at least 50 percent of the student population housed at the campus,” he said.-StateMedia

THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has spread its tentacles to include a probe into vote-buying allegations raised by the opposition MDC in the just-ended parliamentary by-elections.

MDC secretary-general Chalton Hwende, whose party has accused the ruling Zanu PF of engaging in vote-buying activities, particularly in Lupane East and Glen View South by-elections, said his party had been invited to provide evidence to Zacc.

“We are happy that Zacc has shown interest in investigating the allegations of vote-buying that have been the order of the day in the recent by-elections. In Lupane East, ministers connived to release medicines for campaign purposes and we raised these issues, but the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) did not act,” Hwende said.

He said he had handed over letters written by Zanu PF political commissar and Defence deputy minister Victor Matemadanda to Health minister Obadiah Moyo and the response showing a paper trail of abuse of power.

“Corruption also involves abuse of power. Using government resources to buy votes and attain power is corruption and this becomes a litmus test for Zacc on whether they are serious or not and we are prepared to give them a chance,” he said.

In its final report on the Glen View South and Mangwe by-elections, Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (Zesn) also raised concern over vote-buying, accusing Zanu PF of electoral malpractices.

“However, other forms of malpractices were observed. In Glen View South, Zesn was concerned with the timing of the drilling of 15 boreholes by the District Development Fund (DDF), which Zanu PF seemingly took advantage of during its campaigns ahead of a by-election as the party was observed officiating at some of the boreholes in the constituency,” the electoral watchdog report read.

“DDF trucks carrying borehole rigs were observed moving in convoys with vehicles carrying Zanu PF supporters in their full party regalia heading for the borehole drilling sites. Zanu PF also distributed rice in the constituency until a day before the election. This amounts to vote-buying or an attempt to influence voting preferences with an effect to make the electoral playing field uneven.”

Zesn called on the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to investigate the allegations.

“Zesn implores the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to investigate reports of vote-buying that were reported in the Glen View South by-election, as well as in previous by-elections that were held post 2018 harmonised elections,” the Zesn report read in part.

Zacc spokesperson John Makamure had, by the time of going to print, not yet responded to questions sent to him early this week.

-Newsday

The family of the late national hero, former President Robert Mugabe, on Thursday dismissed as speculation claims circulating on social media that his remains will be flown to Singapore for safe keeping.

This also comes amid reports that the family is resisting moves to have Mugabe’s body kept at the One Commando mortuary until the day of burial.

The family has, however, refused to divulge the mortuary where the body will be kept besides the Blue Roof.

During an exclusive interview with Zim Morning Post, Leo Mugabe said the rumours which have taken social media by storm were false.

“There have been messages circulating on social media about the remains of the former leader being flown back to Singapore; they are false,” Leo said.

“We all woke up to these messages on WhatsApp, but they are just rumours and nothing of that nature is happening.”

“I am not sure about the One Commando thing. All we know is the body will be kept safely,” Leo said.

Leo, however, struggled to give a comprehensive explanation concerning where the body of the late leader would be kept while preparations of his burial were being finalised.

Since the body arrived in Zimbabwe, it has never been taken to a local funeral palour on the backdrop of reports that Mugabes body was embalmed to last for five years.

The 95 year old leader, who died on September 6, is yet to be buried as government has engaged a Chinese company, Shanghai Construction Group, to build a mausoleum at the National Heroes Acre as his final resting place.

The burial is set for mid-October when construction of the mausoleum is expected to have been completed.

Mugabe ascended to power as Prime Minister when the country attained its independence from Britain in 1980, later becoming executive President of Zimbabwe in 1987.

In November 2017, he was ousted from power through a military intervention after internal squabbles in Zanu PF reached fever pitch. -Zim Morning Post

I shall be leaving for the United States of America where Zimbabwe will join other nations of the world at this year’s session of the UN General Assembly. For us, we have a particular interest in discussions around climate change and Sustainable Development Goals. Our country, alongside three others in the region, was this last March hit by a deadly cyclone which claimed many lives; which displaced many of our people and damaged a lot of our infrastructure.

We are still grappling with the after-effects of Cyclone Idai, as indeed we continue to reel from effects of a climate change-induced severe drought. Even though Zimbabwe’s contribution to emission of gases that damage our ozone layer is negligible, its exposure to climate change-related crises is horrendous. We thus have a direct interest in discussions and decisions which the nations of the world take on this very matter which blight our prospects and retard the attainment of SDGs.”

President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe would continue to use the UN platform to speak against the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe that have caused untold suffering to ordinary people.Alongside Africa and the progressive world, we will continue to use the UN platform to speak against illegal sanctions imposed against our country by the West.

As I leave for New York, Zimbabwe is heartened by the recent decision of Sadc, declaring 25th October as the Day of Action Against Illegal Sanctions. We in Zimbabwe, who are on the receiving end of these illegal sanctions, should speak the loudest and campaign the hardest against them.

By A Correspondent| Zaka East parliamentary by-election is on today and voting will begin at 7 AM ZEC officials notified people from Zaka East.

ZEC officials said everything was in place and anyone who is part of the 15+k registered voters from Zaka East should come and vote.

According to ZEC officials in Masvingo:

Everything is in place for the elections tomorrow (today), and we are happy that a very peaceful environment has been prevailing in the run up to the voting day. We have not received any reports of violence or any disturbances, so it is all systems go,’’ said Mr Pudurai.

There will be 38 polling stations across the constituency, and today (yesterday) we were busy doing rehearsals ahead of kicking off of voting.

Zanu PF will be represented by Clemence Chiduwa and MDC Alliance will be represented by Derick Charamba.

Zanu Pf has won almost all by-elections conducted after the 2018 harmonised elections except for Vimbayi Java’s Glenview Constituency.-StateMedia

A note purported to have been written by an official at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has exposed massive underhand dealings at the central bank.

The note suggested that the country was losing millions of United States dollars daily as some individuals were externalising proceeds from gold sales.

We present the note below.

All Africa.com|The recent corrective action taken by Zimbabwe’s largest plastic money payment platform, EcoCash, which saw 4 000 errant agents being suspended for illegally selling cash on high premium, is a welcome development.

However, more needs to be done to end the rot.

EcoCash’s decision shows the company’s seriousness in dealing with the rot associated with illegal cash sales on the streets.

The situation has gone out of hand with desperate commuters being forced to buy cash from the agents at extortionist rates.

Commuter operators, except for the conventional Zupco buses, are demanding fares in cash and the people are arm-twisted to buy cash from agents.

Most agents have resorted to illegally charging premiums of up to 55 percent to customers in need of cash.

So bad has become the situation that some kombi operators, retailers, wholesalers, ice cream vendors and other traders have set up illicit “cash wholesalers” where vendors get cash at lower rates ranging between 35 and 40 percent for resale on higher rates.

In simple terms, the illegal cash traders are just collecting 55 percent of everyone’s earnings.

If one wants cash for his RTGS salary of $1 000, he or she pays the agents $550 and remains with $450.

That is daylight robbery and the people of Zimbabwe should stand up and fight the illicit cash sales on the streets.

This has strained the masses who are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Yes, EcoCash has played its part by firing warning shots, but it remains a fact that there is no law criminalising the conduct.

Although EcoCash agents are dominating the illicit cash sales on the streets, there are other smaller traders who just take a table and a chair and sit at an open space to sell money.

That is common practice with kombi or tuckshop owners who realise smaller amounts of cash daily and channel it to the market for a premium.

That group of cash vendors is not affected, in any way, by the corrective measures taken by EcoCash against its errant agents.

Despite the reported suspension of 4 000 EcoCash agents, there is no sign of reformation on the part of other agents who are still operating.

If the 4 000 were surely suspended, then the impact is quite insignificant as the agents continue with their illicit activities without fear.

It is also a fact that Econet also makes money out of the transactions, legal or unlawful, hence the fight cannot easily be won.

Section 14(1) of the Bank Use Promotion Act makes it unlawful to trade in cash without a licence, but it is silent on the punishment for the conduct.

To that end, it becomes clear that the conduct is unlawful, but it is not criminal. Government now needs to act with speed to ensure the conduct is criminalised.

Introduction of a law that criminalises the illicit sale of cash on the streets is the best way to go.

The proposed law must ensure such economic saboteurs are jailed for deterrence.

Most importantly, that piece of legislation, if enacted, must be fully enforced to ensure all the offenders face the wrath of the law.

If the people have a law, but the law enforcement decide to turn a blind eye on illegal cash trading on the streets, we will never win the war.

So the mere enactment of a law without willpower to enforce it, is a futile exercise.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, should also inject more notes and coins into circulation to get rid of the cash shortages.

That can be another way of managing the crisis.

https://www.facebook.com/ZimEye/videos/961845270831296/

UNITED Nations (UN) special rapporteur on the Rights of Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Clement Voule this week flew into a storm as his visit coincided with the abduction of the acting president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association Peter Magombeyi amid worsening human rights violations.

Civil society groups say more than 50 people have been abducted since the beginning of the year while there has been a spiralling of the security clampdown on civil liberties since last year’s election.

Voule’s visit coincided with a doctors’ strike over the abduction.

Dr Magombeyi who was found dumped outside Harare is currently hospitalised with injuries that show that he was tortured and beaten during his five day ordeal.

Dr Magombeyi was abducted by unknown assailants last Saturday at his home in Budiriro, Harare.

The government blamed a “third force” for the disappearance that happened after the young medical practitioner led a strike against poor salaries.

While blaming a “third force”, government also alleges that the abductions were stage managed to tarnish the image of the country ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York where the issue of human rights is likely to take centre stage.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to attend the summit where Zimbabwe is expected to present a report on human rights.

Voule’s visit has rattled the state amid growing demands for explanations over Magombeyi’s abduction. The abduction led to doctors downing their stethoscopes, leading to a barrage of criticism against the government.

“I’m here at the invitation of the government of Zimbabwe to conduct a special country visit regarding my mandate which is to assess the implementation and the protection of the right to freedom of association, peaceful assembly in the country. I will be conducting these visits from today until 27 September and I will also share with you my preliminary observation of the situation in the country,” Voule told reporters on Wednesday.

The UN rapporteur is expected to meet civil society leaders, human rights groups the opposition, government officials and Mnangagwa to discuss the human rights situation in the country.

The state has a long history of abductions with no arrests having ever been made. A case in point is that of Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO forum chairperson Jestina Mukoko who was abducted in December 2008, only to resurface three weeks later in police custody.

Mukoko said Voule’s visit would go a long way in cleaning Zimbabwe’s bad human rights record.

“The mandate of the special rapporteur as you might be aware is to understand the situation in the country as far as these rights are concerned and make recommendations that will help strengthen the position of the country depending on what his mission will reveal,” Mukoko said.

“Indeed, he has met some human rights defenders and we believe he comes in at a critical juncture when there have been many concerns about the violation of the rights to freedoms of peaceful assembly and association.”

Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet in charge of Presidential Communications George Charamba said government had underestimated the “third force”, and was finding ways of tackling it.

“There’s now awareness of the latest subterfuge which is anti-Second Republic.

The security services have gone back to the drawing board to deal with this. The intentions of this third force are to create internal instability and to affect Zimbabwe’s international rating, we can’t allow that,” he said.

Charamba said the third force is suspected to be composed of ex-Rhodesians who are working independently or with the opposition, disgruntled former members of the security services as well as elements of the G40.

In August alone, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO forum reported 19 cases of abduction, while the state continues to maintain a tight grip on freedom of assembly as witnessed by the banning of the MDC’s countrywide demonstrations last month.

Ahead of and during the protest ban, a spate of beatings and abductions occurred with police mounting roadblocks along major roads leading into Harare city centre, plunging the nation into an undeclared state of emergency.

Masked and heavily armed security agents have been abducting and severely assaulting opposition politicians, trade unionists and civil society leaders before dumping them at various locations.

Among the recent cases of abduction is the widely condemned kidnapping and assault of comedian Samantha Kureya who was last month seized at gunpoint, stripped naked and assaulted before she was made to drink raw sewerage.

Other abduction cases include Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure, who was kidnapped by assailants wearing black masks and armed with AK47 rifles and pistols. He was later dumped in a bushy area near Manyame Airbase in June.

Zimbabwe has a long history of abductions and torture that predate independence. In 1975 Edson Sithole and his secretary Miriam Mhlanga were abducted in Salisbury, now Harare.

Some of the people who were abducted and later found dead are Edwin Nleya, Cain Nkala, Tonderai Ndira, Abigail Chiroto and Patrick Nabanyama.

Others have however not been found to date and they include, Rashiwe Guzha, Itai Dzamara Marceline Dzumbira and Paul Chizuze, among others.

Zimbabwe is yet to ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

While the UN secretariat is pushing for a universal ratification of Cat, Zimbabwe has remained out of step with the rest of the world.

Some of the 2019 class of graduating medical students at the University of Zimbabwe are reported to have proceeded to boycot their graduation ceremony at which they were due to be capped by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The move was in solidarity with hospitalised union activist Dr Peter Magombeyi, who was abducted and later dumped by suspected state security agents.

In a letter addressed to Mnangagwa on the eve of the graduation, in his capacity as the university’s chancellor, the former students who were meant to boycott the event enmass said they had resolved to boycott the graduation ceremony in solidarity with a “selfless individual who decided to put himself in the forefront in demanding a fair living wage for the health profession”.

The letter was copied to the dean of students at the medical school.

Their stance comes at a time when government through the state media and state security have been disputing that Dr Peter Magombeyi was indeed abducted.

Deputy minister of information Energy Mutodi earlier got the ire of the doctors when on his official Twitter account @energymutodi, accused doctors of being politicians and implied that the missing doctor would “sober up and find his way home”.

The withdrawal from the graduation ceremony is the first direct resistance Mnangagwa has encountered from the doctors over the abduction.

On Tuesday, doctors were barred from marching to his offices. However, on Thursday, with High Court clearance, they marched to parliament.

Meanwhile, Zimbabweans in New York have vowed to protest against Mnangagwa when he arrives in the Big Apple for the UN General Assembly today.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa left for New York last night for the 74TH Ordinary Session of United Nations General Assembly, where the country is likely going to get a huge backslash over its deteriorating human rights abuses a subject which Mnangagwa deliberately did not include in his issues for presentation to the Assembly.

In his address to the nation last night, the Mnangagwa said the country would use the platform to call for the removal of the isanctions imposed on Zimbabwe forgetting that the sanctions are a result of the country’s history of gross human rights abuses.

Mnangagwa said his other key focus discussion areas will be climate change and the sustainable development goals.

“I shall be leaving for the United States of America where Zimbabwe will join other nations of the world at this year’s session of the UN General Assembly,” he said.

“For us, we have a particular interest in discussions around climate change and Sustainable Development Goals. Our country, alongside three others in the region, was this last March hit by a deadly cyclone which claimed many lives; which displaced many of our people and damaged a lot of our infrastructure.

“We are still grappling with the after-effects of Cyclone Idai, as indeed we continue to reel from effects of a climate change-induced severe drought. Even though Zimbabwe’s contribution to emission of gases that damage our ozone layer is negligible, its exposure to climate change-related crises is horrendous.

“We thus have a direct interest in discussions and decisions which the nations of the world take on this very matter which blight our prospects and retard the attainment of SDGs.”

On his issue of sanctions Mnangagwa said;

“Alongside Africa and the progressive world, we will continue to use the UN platform to speak against illegal sanctions imposed against our country by the West.

“As I leave for New York, Zimbabwe is heartened by the recent decision of Sadc, declaring 25th October as the Day of Action Against Illegal Sanctions.

“We in Zimbabwe, who are on the receiving end of these illegal sanctions, should speak the loudest and campaign the hardest against them,” President Mnangagwa said.

By Own Correspondent|

Contrary to attempts by the state media to claim that the previously missing doctors association president, Peter Magombeyi is in “good health,” the man is actually hospitalised.

Over 30 men in suits Friday night were crowding the 1st Floor, of the Avenues Clinic in Harare, blocking people from accessing Dr Peter Magombeyi. He is currently hospitalised there. Dr Magombeyi’s father spoke to ZimEye via phone saying he was on his way from there.

Revelations to date show Dr Magombeyi was burnt at his privates.

Asked if he has noticed that the alleged abductors burnt his son at his privates, Dr Magombeyi’s father told ZimEye via phone, “Ahh izvo chingotisiirai, izvo chingotisiirai. – Those things why don’t you leave them to us, leave them to us.”

ZimEye also contacted Dr Magombeyi’s brother, Kenneth who sounded withdrawn only saying, ” I cannot talk right now.” ZimEye is reliably told Dr Magombeyi sustained injuries at his privates consistent with torture by some kind of burning, whose kind could not be established.

Sources who make the revelations of burning include the man himself. Magombeyi told VOA via phone Thursday night that he was electrocuted during the five days in detention.  Some of the evidence of torture ZimEye has had to redact (this is a developing story).

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

Magombeyi is also a victim of threats to abduct. On the 28th August he received an sms telling him he would be taken away by a whirlwind if he continues to complain about poor salaries for doctors. Doctors are currently earning salary values of USD70 per month. ZimEye has been able to trace phone network trail of evidence which the police avoided. – MORE FOLLOWS…

Now out of sorts President Emmerson Mnangagwa says he will meet the business sector to discuss consumer price hikes.

After successfully rigging himself into power in the 2018 elections where the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has to date failed to state exactly how many votes Mnangagwa got, the President has seen the country’s economy collapse in his hands to highest inflationary levels in the last decade.

Prices Of basic commodities have gone up twenty fold since the beginning of the year when Mnangagwa through his Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, introduced the ongoing austerity measures.

Addressing the nation shortly before flying to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last night, Mnangagwa said he will be meeting with the business community about the increase in prices of basic products.

“Soon, I shall be calling for a meeting with the business community so we agree on clear ground rules which ensure fair play in the market,” he said.

“It is not the intention of Government to interfere with the operation of business.

“However, where clear failures become evident and rampant in the market, the hand of Government will inevitably show.

“To avoid this, I urge our business community to demonstrate leadership, empathy and patriotism while recovery takes root.”

President Mnangagwa said while Government acknowledges that the new monetary measures may have added to present price actions, he did not accept such actions were justified in all cases.

All along, he said, Government observed with increasing concern a tendency within the business sector to randomly increase prices without cause, except that of greedy profiteering.

“The whole situation becomes completely unjustified and untenable when only prices of basic commodities continue to escalate against static or even declining wages,” the President said.

“Surely a generalised price escalation should and must have a bearing on wage levels in the economy.”

The President appealed to the business sector to put on show leadership that takes business decisions which are professional, ethical and even compassionate.

“They must act in a manner consistent with the broader goal of economic recovery, tripartism and sustainable long-term macro-economic stability,” he said.

‘
The prevailing run-away price increases are hurting the majority of people as all basic commodities are now beyond their reach.

Since October last year when Government introduced austerity measures to turnaround the fortunes of the economy, the country has experienced a sharp increase of consumer prices.

The trend continues to date, unabated. The increases in prices and pricing models in the economy paint a nerve-wrecking picture on competitiveness.

While wages are paid in local currency, whose purchase power has been debilitated, businesses and individuals are now pegging prices of most goods and services in United State dollars or the prevailing interbank rate.

This has worsened the plight of the ordinary people who are now earning peanuts.

A volatile foreign exchange crisis hit the country this week with the rate peaking at $25 to the US dollar in the formal market by Thursday and closing the day on Friday at $18.00.

The sharp rise in the exchange rate and an inexplicable rout of the local unit caused a spike in prices of goods and services as most traders claim they peg prices against the US dollar.

Both Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube and his permanent secretary Mr George Guvamatanga could not be reached for comment last night on what triggered the volatility in exchange rates, as they were not picking their mobile phones, amid wide speculation on social media and on street corners.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Deputy Governor Dr Kupukile Mlambo was also not answering his phone.

However, the market was awash with rumours that the RBZ had cracked the whip on bureaux de change and firms, thought to be fuelling the runaway exchange rate.

A statement purportedly from the RBZ circulated widely on social media yesterday suggesting the apex bank had moved to freeze the accounts of some companies.

The authenticity of the correspondence directed to banks could not immediately be verify.

Stories have been told about how people from various parts of the region used to frequent popular late traditional healer Sekuru Ndunge’s homestead in Chipinge for various consultations. It is said that people would come from as far as South Africa, Botswana and Zambia to visit the traditional healer.

The scenario at Sekuru Ndunge’s homestead reflected how people travel long distances to seek spiritual help from traditional healers.

It is a common trend among people who follow African traditional beliefs. For many years on African soil, traditional healers’ homesteads have been known to be busy meeting places.

However, the trends are shifting and evolving technology is bringing in a new phenomenon. The process of consulting traditional leaders has gone online.

The traditional leaders are supplementing their face-to-face consultations with online interactions. Personal sessions are also increasingly being augmented by telephonic and video consultations.

Many traditional healers are online and they say a spiritual connection has no boundaries.
In those early days knowing about a certain traditional healer was through recommendations from someone else and this has been replaced by online consultations where people can interact with traditional healers.

Sekuru Simba is one of the local traditional healers who operate using online platforms. He said using technology is possible in his trade because ancestral spirits are not confined to a place.

“It is a remote connection, it’s a spirit connection. The messages that come through are things that I would not have sat down and guessed. It is literally not me channelling those messages, I just pass the message that l would have received concerning that particular person,” said Sekuru Simba.

“I manifest people’s illnesses whether it is online or face to face. I connect with people’s ancestors. We are in an era where people are reconnecting with their cultural and religious beliefs.”

In an interview, founding president of Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association, an affiliate of Traditional Medical Practitioners Council, Friday Chisanyu said online sessions are helpful the most to the people more than to the Sangoma.

“Online consultations help those looking for help to easily locate the appropriate traditional healer for their particular problem. Traditional healers are now creating profiles online and they stipulate what they are good in solving, be it removing bad luck, marriage problems or witchcraft issues.

Chisanyu said digital world has helped the traditional healers to become more efficient.State media

By Own Correspondent| Over 30 men in suits Friday night were crowding the 1st Floor, of the Avenues Clinic in Harare, blocking people from accessing the previously-missing Dr Peter Magombeyi. He is currently hospitalised there. Dr Magombeyi’s father spoke to ZimEye via phone saying he was on his way from there.

Revelations to date show Dr Magombeyi was burnt at his privates.

Asked if he has noticed that the alleged abductors burnt his son at his privates, Dr Magombeyi’s father told ZimEye via phone, “Ahh izvo chingotisiirai, izvo chingotisiirai. – Those things why don’t you leave them to us, leave them to us.”

ZimEye also contacted Dr Magombeyi’s brother, Kenneth who sounded withdrawn only saying, ” I cannot talk right now.” ZimEye is reliably told Dr Magombeyi sustained injuries at his privates consistent with torture by some kind of burning, whose kind could not be established.

Sources who make the revelations of burning include the man himself. Magombeyi told VOA via phone Thursday night that he was electrocuted during the five days in detention.  Some of the evidence of torture ZimEye has had to redact (this is a developing story).

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

Magombeyi is also a victim of threats to abduct. On the 28th August he received an sms telling him he would be taken away by a whirlwind if he continues to complain about poor salaries for doctors. Doctors are currently earning salary values of USD70 per month. ZimEye has been able to trace phone network trail of evidence which the police avoided. – MORE FOLLOWS…

Government has warned against the rising cases of false abductions in the country and is contemplating measures to deal with the threat and punish those responsible.

This was said by President Mnangagwa in his address to the nation last night.

His comments follow the reported abduction of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association acting president Dr Peter Magombeyi last weekend.
The alleged disappearance resulted in health personnel striking, demanding his release, while questions were raised in many quarters on the authenticity of the said abduction, amid indications it could have been staged to tarnish the Government’s image.

“While we are happy that a staffer at a local hospital who had been reported missing has now been found unharmed, Government is disturbed by the growing trend of politically motivated false abductions in the country which are calculated to put Government in negative light,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Such political trickery, which in fact amounts to terrorism, will not take our country forward. The State has a responsibility to ensure protection and safety for all citizens. New measures might have to be formulated to deal with this new threat and to severely punish those responsible for such subterfuges.”

President Mnangagwa said Government was disappointed by the health workers’ actions to strike following the alleged abduction, saying this resulted in unnecessary loss of lives.

“Equally, Government was not impressed at all by the way medical staff, as organised labour, responded to this political act of propaganda trickery,” he said.State media

Farai Dziva|Police have claimed Dr Peter Magombeyi has not been arrested.

Dr Magombeyi was abducted last weekend and he was found in Nyabira last night.

“The ZRP advises members of the public that investigations in Dr Peter Gabriel Magombeyi’s case are in full swing. He is currently admitted at a local hospital for observation by a medical team. He has been examined by his own medical team and Government Medical Officers.

He is safe and has not been arrested at all as claimed in some sections of the media. Dr Magombeyi will be interviewed by the Police once he is cleared by his medical team,” police said in a statement.

Farai Dziva| Battle lines have been drawn in Zaka East Constituency as perennial political foes Zanu PF and MDC fight for supremacy.

Zanu PF is represented by Clemence Chiduwa while Advocate Derrick Charamba is the MDC candidate in the by-election scheduled for Saturday.

” The MDC Zaka East aspiring Member of Parliament, Derrick Charamba, senators, vice national chairlady, Masvingo Provincial Administrator Peter Chigaba, National youth organiser councillor Kurau one, Masvingo Provincial youth, main and women wing members, Zaka East branch and district members had door to door campaigns in all wards.

Zanu PF has been using its traditional ways of rigging namely: giving maize and other food hand-outs, clothes, tearing MDC campaign posters, and intimidation.

More so, Zanu PF has invested a lot in the Zaka East By-election, it gave its candidate a brand new car,” said an observer.

By A Correspondent| Sweden has pledged to support Zimbabwe’s re-engagement agenda only if President Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa, had engaged for a dialogue.

In a report written by former MDC Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora, the Swedish government and Speaker of Parliament told the five-member delegation led by Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, that Zimbabwe also needed to implement intended reforms.

Mwonzora further reported that the delegation comprised of Kindness Paradza, Joshua Sacco of Zanu PF and Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga of the MDC-T, himself and Mudenda had a torrid time convincing Sweden to support Zimbabwe’s re-engagement agenda.

Part of the report, that was also handed to Chamisa, read:

The ministry officials then made the following promises: That Sweden would advocate for Zimbabwe’s re-engagement only if there was dialogue between Nelson Chamisa and Emmerson Mnangagwa. It called on Zimbabwe to sort out its currency problems.

It called for specific programmes to advance gender issues, including gender budgeting, it called for programmes to make sure the people were effectively involved in the political affairs of Zimbabwe and that key reforms had to be expedited.

Mwonzora added that the Swedish parliament expressed concern over human rights violations in Zimbabwe.

Mudenda confirmed that he had met with Swedish authorities but could not divulge on what had transpired. Mudenda reportedly said that a report which was still being compiled would be made available in due season.-Newsday

The ZRP wishes to advise members of the public that investigations in Dr Peter Gabriel Magombeyi’s case are in full swing. He is currently admitted at a local hospital for observation by a medical team.

He has been examined by his own medical team and government medical officers. He is safe and has not been arrested at all as claimed in some sections of the media. Dr Magombeyi will be interviewed by the police once he is cleared by his medical team.

We are waiting to talk to him once he has been discharged. As of now he said he is physically fit but we are also waiting for the results from the examination that was conducted by the doctors.

By A Correspondent-A Harare policeman who was nabbed and dragged to court for stabbing his stepdaughter was yesterday issued with a warrant of arrest after it was established that he is on the run.

Harare provincial magistrate Learnmore Mapiye granted the State’s application to have Mose Nigel Jalasi on a warrant after he failed to report at the police as stipulated in his bail conditions.

Jalasi, who was denied bail on his initial appearance, was granted bail at the High Court and was ordered to report once every Friday at ZRP Marimba.

In applying for the warrant of arrest, the State led evidence from the investigating officer Anele Mkandla who told that court that Jalasi never reported from the time he was granted bail and produced an affidavit from the Officer in Charge ZRP Marimba as well as the ‘Persons Reporting to Police’ document which Jalasi was supposed to sign whenever he reported.

Jalasi is accused of raping and later murdering his teenage stepdaughter.

Jalasi is also facing indecent assault charges where it is alleged that he, together with an alleged accomplice, drugged and sodomized a young man.

Farai Dziva|Police have claimed Dr Peter Magombeyi has not been arrested.

Dr Magombeyi was abducted last weekend and he was found in Nyabira last night.

“The ZRP advises members of the public that investigations in Dr Peter Gabriel Magombeyi’s case are in full swing. He is currently admitted at a local hospital for observation by a medical team. He has been examined by his own medical team and Government Medical Officers.

He is safe and has not been arrested at all as claimed in some sections of the media. Dr Magombeyi will be interviewed by the Police once he is cleared by his medical team,” police said in a statement.

Jane Mlambo| The Zimbabwe Republic Police says Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) President Dr Peter Gabriel Magombeyi is safe at a local hospital where he is admitted following five days in abduction.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the police said investigations into the abduction of Dr Magombeyi are currently underway.

“The ZRP advises members of the public that investigations in Dr Peter Gabriel Magombeyi’s case are in full swing. He is currently admitted at a local hospital for observation by a medical team. He has been examined by his own medical team and Government Medical Officers.

“He is safe and has not been arrested at all as claimed in some sections of the media. Dr Magombeyi will be interviewed by the Police once he is cleared by his medical team,” reads the police statement.