HMetro|BONA Mugabe shared with the nation her sorrow and gratitude with their coming in numbers to welcome the body of her father and former President Robert Mugabe at the airport yesterday.
Bona, sitting next to her husband Simba Chikore, opened the window to face the crowd as they cheered with some in tears as the body leaves Robert Mugabe International Airport.
Some of the mourners wept before a moment of silence engulfed the whole nation connecting point as military commanders led proceedings.
Churches from various denominations were singing, interceding and uttering spiritual hymns as they waited for the arrival of the body.
Chimurenga choir made their seductive dances chanting revolutionary songs while some including slay queens were busy posing for selfies celebrating their first time to get close to the runway.
“I came to witness the arriving of our former President Mugabe and I am happy that he made it possible for me to be near an aeroplane,” said one of the young ladies refusing to identify self.
Numerous people have reportedly been injured in a stampede at the viewing event for founding Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, as those in attendance jostled in an attempt to see the late leader’s body.
There was no way Zimbabwean police officials were going to be able to contain that many people.
The thousands of Zimbabweans caused a stampede as they frantically shoved their way into the Rufaro Stadium.
As the body was welcomed into the stadium, thousands waited outside the gates to get inside and occupy the best seat for an untethered view of the late president.
However, things quickly got out of hand as scores of locals pushed through the gates, causing a stampede. The numbers have not been confirmed but there was a number of people who suffered serious injuries.
Riot police managed to barricade the area and contain the chaos.
Fadzayi Mahere|It’s embarrassing and selfish for political elites to destroy our public hospitals then seek health care abroad, destroy our airlines then hire private jets for themselves, destroy our farms then import grain.
The standoff between Zanu’s G40 and Lacoste factions is a red herring. The real issue is that Zanu PF in whatever form is happy to use public funds to live lavishly while people’s lives deteriorate. Sad to see public funds used for all this largesse while people are hungry and poor.
After 40 years of independence, where is our liberation?
Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa says he has risen above political differences.
Chamisa was responding to criticism for attending former President Robert Mugabe’s funeral.
“I’ve been to the Mugabe family residence to pay condolences as a gesture of Ubuntu, rising above political differences and personal animosities. The circumstances right now inform us that this is the time for mourning not political point scoring or politicking.
A nation that drinks from the cup of bitterness and hate runs the risk of getting drunk and drowning under a stupor of revenge, vengefulness and perpetual pain,”Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
“As pan africanists, we will do all what is required of us from a position of principle and values, showing leadership & courtesy. All will be revealed in due course. We all have a duty to each other maintaining fidelity to the matters that matter most for all Zimbabweans.
We have very many guests and dignitaries coming into our country from around the world to pay their respects and we must welcome them as one family despite our challenges and differences. So we shall not do or say things except all in the spirit of Ubuntu/hunhu hwedu.”
Farai Dziva|CAPS United’s Joel Ngodzo and Dynamos striker Evans Katema are leading the race for the golden boot award.
Ngodzo and Katema are tied in second place with nine goals after Match-day 22.
Another CAPS player, John Zhuwawu follows on third position with 8 goals while Black Rhinos’ Moses Demera is in the 4th place with seven.
Clive Augasto Chicken Inn (Former)14 Joel NgodzoCAPS United 9
Evans Katema Dynamos 9 John Zhuwawu
CAPS United 8
Moses Demera Black Rhinos 7. Donald Teguru Ngezi Platinum Stars 6 Ishmael Wadi Harare City 6 Ralph KawonderaTriangle United 6 Gabriel Nyoni CAPS United (Former) 5 Albert Eonde FC Platinum 5 Wellington Taderera Black Rhinos 5 Allen Tavarwisa Chapungu 5 Brighton Mugoni Chapungu 5 Ian Nyoni Chapungu5 Enerst Gwitima Hwange 5 Stanley Ngala Manica Diamonds 4
Farai Dziva|FC Platinum head coach Norman Mapeza has left the club.
See the statement below :
FC Platinum Club wishes to announce the departure of Head Coach, Norman Mapeza from the team through a mutual separation agreement.
Norman has been with the team for the past five (5) years and the Club would like to thank him for his professionalism, dedication and commitment to the achievement of the Club objectives.
During his tenure, the Club made history by winning back to back League titles and reaching the group stages of the prestigious CAF Champions League.
The Club Presidium, Fans, Executive, Management, entire Technical and playing staff wish him well in his future endeavours.
In the interim, Lizwe Sweswe will be the acting Head Coach.
Farai Dziva|Barcelona and Inter Milan legend Samuel Eto’o has explained why Liverpool duo of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will not win the Ballon d’Or this year.
The recently retired 38-year-old believes African stars have for long been looked down despite their big achievements in Europe.
The pair finished as joint top scorers in the EPL, along with Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
In an interview with RFI, Eto’o has, however, backed the pair who won the Champions League to finish in the final five shortlist.
“We are only good to denigrate our brothers. We are not respected,” Eto’o told RFI.
“It’s a fact. I hope I’m wrong, but the next Ballon d’Or will be neither Mane nor Salah.
“There is no explanation that Mane, Salah or Aubameyang, the top three scorers of the Premier League last season may not even be among the top five.
The G40 cabal is desperately clutching on Mugabe's death to try & revive their long-dead political careers. Who can believe this @PatrickZhuwao@Hon_Kasukuwere fellas saying Mugabe was haunted out of Zim? Mugabe's health &travel bills were met by Gvt. G40 must shut up @ProfJNMoyopic.twitter.com/RzUgTwSOlH
Farai Dziva|The late former President Robert Mugabe will be buried at his home village, Kutama in Mashonaland West Province, according to reports on the veteran politician’s funeral plans.
According to the reports, Leo Mugabe had an interview with AFP.
Mugabe will be buried early next week, either on Monday or Tuesday, and it will not be at the National Heroes Acre, according to the reports.
“His body will lie in state at Kutama on Sunday night.., followed by a private burial – either Monday or Tuesday – no National Heroes Acre. That’s the decision of the whole family,” Leo reportedly told AFP.
Ambulances & fire fighters at RBZ building. | Unconfirmed reports were saying someone "adonha", which could be translated into falling or collapsing but then to the extent of firefighters coming? Could be terrible. WHAT'S HAPPENING @ReserveBankZIM , @InfoMinZW@PoliceZimbabwe ? pic.twitter.com/mOirQrajKy
Ezra Tshisa Sibanda -Morgan Tsvangirai must be turning in his grave to hear some MDC people saying Mugabe left an adorable legacy.
Robert Mugabe was one of the most ruthless tyrants of modern times.
His savage rule over Zimbabwe for nearly four decades was dominated by genocide, murder, bloodshed, torture, persecution of political opponents, intimidation, completely destruction of our economy, division, forced migration and vote-rigging on a grand scale.
Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa and former First Lady Grace Mugabe will meet to discuss the way forward on the burial of the late former President Robert Mugabe.
Mugabe died in Singapore last Friday.
Mnangagwa made the remarks at the Blue Roof in Harare on Friday.
“I will talk to Amai (Grace Mugabe) because there are many issues that we need to discuss,”said Mnangagwa.
Farai Dziva| Former ZBC radio and television presenter, Ezra Tshisa Sibanda is one person who has flatly refused to forgive former President Robert Mugabe.
Sibanda also attacked MDC officials for sympathizing with Mugabe.
See Sibanda’s argument below:
Morgan Tsvangirai must be turning in his grave to hear some MDC people saying Mugabe left an adorable legacy.
Robert Mugabe was one of the most ruthless tyrants of modern times.
His savage rule over Zimbabwe for nearly four decades was dominated by genocide, murder, bloodshed, torture, persecution of political opponents, intimidation, completely destruction of our economy, division, forced migration and vote-rigging on a grand scale.
By Patrick Guramatunhu- The sheer arrogance, contemptuous disregard for the truth and heartless indifference to the suffering of the masses by the Zanu PF thugs has never seize to amaze me. Never!
Zimbabwe’s former dictator and president for 37
years, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, died in Singapore last week after spending five
months in a five-star hospital at great expense to the nation. It is no secret
that Singapore was a favourite haunt of Mugabe and his whole family; they went
their every year for their holiday and all the health care needs.
In 2012 the then Minister of Finance, Tendai Biti
revealed that Mugabe’s health check trip to Singapore was costing the nation
US$3 million @ trip and Mugabe made no fewer than 8 such trips that year alone.
Mugabe’s daughter had her a baby in the Far East too and all told the birth
must have costed US$10 million, at least!
It has become the accepted norm for Zimbabwe’s
filthy rich ruling elite, not just Mugabe, to seek all their care needs outside
the country. The present Minister of Health admitted that Zimbabwe was spending
a staggering US$400 million a year on outside the country health care.
Zimbabwe’s health care service has all but
completely collapsed after decades of being starved of funds. It is a common
occurrence for even the country’s big hospitals to run out of something as
basic as pain killers and bandages. The situation is the country’s rural
hospitals and clinics is a lot worse.
The late dictator, Robert Mugabe, was in his
palatial five-star, no expense spared, Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore, for five
months and, as usual, the Zimbabwe taxpayer will pay the bill. No doubt the
country was probably spending more on Mugabe’s extravagant health needs than on
the most basic needs of ten million Zimbabweans. Given such a grotesque
disparity one would expect these callous Zanu PF thugs to at least acknowledge
the injustice of it all.
Former Zanu-PF national commissar Savior Kasukuwere,
told SABC listeners that Mugabe died in “exile” haunted out of the country by
his former Zanu PF colleagues.
“I think to an extent that the harassment, the
unfair behaviour by the comrades who have now taken over the country, we must
put it clearly that you can’t keep on doing this effectively Mugabe died in
exile,” said Kasukuwere
“To then caricature such a man just because you
want power is unacceptable. I think the time has come for us to be very blunt
with each other and say no Cdes we are going wrong, we are going astray, let’s
respect each other, let’s respect the founding fathers of our, President Mugabe
did not deserve to be treated in the manner he was.”
There are two things to say to Kasukuwere and his
fellow Zanu PF thugs:
Mugabe has been going
to Singapore for his health care needs at public expense for decades because
Zimbabwe’s health care collapsed years ago. The least you lot can do is show
some gratitude to the masses footing the bill at great cost to their own needs
It is rich for any
Zanu PF thug complain of the “unfair treatment” they received from their former
Zanu PF cronies when the party has ridden roughshod over the millions of
ordinary Zimbabweans these last 39 years, denying them their freedom, human
rights and even the right to life. Whilst Zanu PF thugs are fighting each other
over political power and the looted wealth, what wrong has the povo done!
Mugabe and the rest
of the Zanu PF thugs are not liberation heroes or heroines of the millions of
ordinary Zimbabwe still fighting for a meaningful vote and a fair share of the
nation’s wealth. Mugabe was a corrupt, incompetent, vote rigging and murderous
dictator; the truth of that is everywhere you look in Zimbabwe, we don’t need
to wait for history to tell us.
Speaking at the Blue Roof this morning, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was operated on this morning and the procedure had been a success.
He said, the VP was recuperating well and he calls every morning asking about developments regarding the late former President Robert Mugabe’s funeral.
Said Mnangagwa:
“…VP Chiwenga calls every morning asking about the situation. This morning i spoke to him. He came out of theatre around 9:30 this morning. His operation was a success. He was saying when i get here, i should say to you Soko (Grace Mugabe’s totem), I will live and i will come alive. That is what he (Chiwenga) said this morning when he came out of theatre.”
By A Correspondent- Harare Polytechnic students have been ordered to vacate their hostels before 6 am today to accommodate mourners for former President Robert Mugabe’s funeral who passed away last week in Singapore.
The development comes days after the University of Zimbabwe students protested against a similar move, forcing the institution to recall its decision.
The students said they were addressed by the dean of students, Cosmas Shiridzinomwa yesterday and were instructed to leave the hostels before 6 am today and return on Tuesday when leading commences.
”We will be given transport money to go back home and an allowance to return to school on Tuesday when learning commences,” one of the students told a local publication.-Newsday
By A Correspondent| Isaac Mabandla’s brother tells ZimEye, the number of people to be evacuated from South Africa is rising.
He said:
“As soon as people noticed 3 buses at the community hall, they began swarming the place where the foreigners fearing for their lives due to xenophobic attacks are currently housed requesting to be registered.
The number could go way above 200.”
WATCH LIVE ON ZIMEYE THE VIDEO BELOW FOR THIS AND MORE….
FC Platinum have announced the departure of head coach Norman Mapeza with immediate effect.
In a statement the club ststed :
FC Platinum Club wishes to announce the departure of Head Coach, Norman Mapeza from the team through a mutual separation agreement.
Norman has been with the team for the past five (5) years and the Club would like to thank him for his professionalism, dedication and commitment to the achievement of the Club objectives.
During his tenure, the Club made history by winning back to back League titles and reaching the group stages of the prestigious CAF Champions League.
The Club Presidium, Fans, Executive, Management, entire Technical and playing staff wish him well in his future endeavours.
In the interim, Lizwe Sweswe will be the acting Head Coach.
By A Correspondent- Surgeons at Parirenyatwa Hospital have conducted a world-record operation after successfully removing a 12,3kg 11-year-old kidney cyst from a patient.
The cyst becomes the largest to be removed in the world, with the previous record in Japan where a similar one weighing 11,5kg was removed.
The complicated surgical procedure was conducted by a team of local doctors led by consultant urologist Dr Shingirai Meki, who is also a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe’s College of Health Sciences.
If conducted outside the country, the procedure costs upwards of US$11 000, but it was performed for just $2 000.
Addressing members of the media at Parirenyatwa Hospital yesterday, the institution’s clinical director, Dr Aspect Maunganidze, urged Zimbabweans to have faith in the country’s public health delivery system, saying it had competent medical professionals that are able to carry out most of the services sourced externally.
“We encourage the members of the public with various ailments to seek medical attention in our health institutions because we still have the experts who can provide such services,” he said.
The sentiments were shared by the head of the medical operating team, Mr Meki, who said with enough support, the majority of such services could be accessed locally, cutting on foreign medical tourism.
“Members of the public should be assured that most surgeries like these can be done in public hospitals,” he said.
“We are very much able to deliver quality health care to our patients in a public setting and members of the public must be assured that surgeries like these can be done locally at much affordable rates.
“Patients need to have confidence in the public health system and this is a case in point. The experts are available to do the surgeries and any patient can come into the institutions where they will get help.”
Speaking at the same occasion, the patient, Mrs Milka Gwatiringa, said she once sought services from South Africa as she doubted the efficiency of the local institutions.
She blamed the media for concentrating on negative coverage of the health delivery system, saying at times the media discourage patients from seeking help.
“I had so many fears because the media reports about our public health system.
I wanted to go to South Africa because the reports and the news that we sometimes hear about our public institutions leave a lot of doubt, especially when you are sick.
“After getting assurance from peers and friends and because it was expensive for me to get the services outside the country, I came to Parirenyatwa and here I am, the 11-year-old tumor has been removed.”
By A Correspondent- Finer details of former President Mugabe’s funeral would be known by mid-morning after a meeting between President Mnangagwa and former First Lady Grace Mugabe.
Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Mr George Charamba, who is also the Presidential spokesperson, revealed this Wednesday evening in an interview with the state media.
He said:
“The body of the former President Mugabe will be taken to Rufaro Stadium over a period of two days where provinces in clusters of five per day, would be afforded an opportunity of bidding farewell to the former leader.
So that will be for Thursday and Friday, then of course Saturday we have the day for international guests who will pay their last respects to the dear departed.
And this will be at the National Sports Stadium. This is where there will be a major address by the President. On Sunday the body is then taken for final interment at a venue that will be mutually agreed to between the family and the State.”
Mr Charamba confirmed that Mrs Mugabe will meet President Mnangagwa this morning to craft the final programme of the funeral.
“The widow of the former President will meet with His Excellency the President tomorrow (today) morning where details of the entire programme will be finalised,” he said.
“The meeting could not take place as was originally planned for two basic reasons; we needed to give time to the former First Lady to settle down, but more critically, there was a stream of Zimbabweans who were going to the residence of the former President to condole with the former First Lady so it was then decided that we defer the meeting to tomorrow.
“We expect that by mid-morning, there will be certainty to the details of the actual programme.”-StateMedia
Statement by the immediate family of the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe on the absence of consultation on the programme for the funeral and burial of the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe issued on 12th September 2019
We note with extreme concern the manner with which the Government of Zimbabwe has developed the Programme for the Funeral of the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe without consulting his immediate family who were tasked with communicating his last wishes in regard to his funeral and burial.
As his immediate family, we have also observed with shock that the Government of Zimbabwe is attempting to coerce us to accept a programme for the funeral and burial of the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe which is contrary to his wishes on how he wished to have his mortal remains interred.
As the immediate family of the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe, we are ready and willing to work with the Government of Zimbabwe to develop a programme for the funeral and burial of the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe which is in conformance to his wishes on how his mortal remains will be interred.
One of the wishes that the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe indicated was that his wife, Dr Grace Mugabe, MUST NEVER leave the casket bearing his remains for the duration of the funeral proceedings whilst in Zimbabwe up until his mortal remains have been interred.
To that end, we confirm that Honourable Walter Chidakwa may communicate our position with relevant authorities to ensure that we develop a programme that conforms to the wishes of the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe. We have also tasked Honourable Patrick Zhuwao to disseminate this statement.
Government will not allow the abuse of constitutionally enshrined freedoms and democratic rights by individuals that want to engage in acts of subversion and lawlessness.
This was said by President Mnangagwa while addressing mourners at the burial of national hero, Major General Trust Mugoba, at the national shrine yesterday.
Maj Gen Mugoba died at the Avenues Clinic in Harare on Friday last week after a short illness.
“As we grieve the loss of our dear departed gallant son of the soil, we pay tribute to our defence and security forces for the freedom, peace and tranquillity that some among us take for granted. Theirs is not an easy task of protecting the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of our great country,” he said.
“Let it be known that under the Second Republic, the rule of law shall be applied without exception. My Government will not allow the abuse of the constitutionally enshrined democratic rights and freedoms that comrades like the late Maj Gen Mugoba fought so hard to achieve.”
President Mnangagwa said acts of subversion, lawlessness and civil delinquency disguised in whatever manner will not be condoned.
He said the law will apply without fear or favour.
The President’s warning follows attempts by the opposition MDC Alliance and its allies in the civil society to mount an uprising against the Government.
Turning to the economic challenges facing the nation, President Mnangagwa said Government would continue providing safety nets to vulnerable members of society.
“I am aware of the economic hardships being experienced as a result of a combination of factors such as the continued illegal sanctions, the ongoing economic reforms and drought among other issues.
“My Government will be rolling our more social safety nets to cushion the vulnerable members of our society,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said as Government worked towards turning around the economy, it will at the sametime step up the fight against corruption.
He said the anti-graft fight has already seen a number of big wigs being arraigned before the courts to answer to charges relating to corruption.
“Let us continue to fight all forms of corruption at all levels. Every individual must be accountable for his or her actions, to this, there is no going back,” President Mnangagwa said.
He called on all citizens to continue to work in unity of purpose towards a collective common good and the development of the country.
President Mnangagwa said the late departed national hero, Maj Gen Mugoba, understood the importance of hard work and centrality of economic empowerment for sustainable economic development.
“As a successful cattle farmer in the Featherstone area, he played his part towards ensuring that our agrarian reform is a success,” he said.
Patrick Zhuwao, the nephew to the late President Robert Mugabe, says the late president died in exile. Zhuwao was speaking to the SABC in an interview shortly after the arrival of Mugabe’s body in Harare from Singapore.
Zhuwao who is in self exile in South Africa said the family was very disappointed that Mugabe died in exile.
“I think the family has taken it pretty hard. We were expecting this but all the same we are saddened. And I think what saddens us the most is that President Mugabe died in exile.”
Nehanda|The body of Zimbabwe’s founder Robert Mugabe arrived home at the country’s main airport on Wednesday, but it was still unclear where he would be buried amid a dispute between some family members and the government.
Tense moment. Grace Mugabe seating between Mnangagwa and his wife Auxilia.
Mugabe, one of the last “Big Men” of African politics, ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years until he was ousted by his own army in November 2017. He died in a Singapore hospital five days ago aged 95.
He is proving as polarising in death as he was in life, as the fight over where he will be buried threatens to embarrass his successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and deepen divisions in the ruling ZANU-PF party that he helped form decades ago.
The former president’s body arrived at Harare’s Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport shortly after 1330 GMT. A military guard of honour stood at attention as the casket was removed from the aircraft, draped in the national flag and accompanied by security chiefs.
“The entire nation of Zimbabwe, our people, across the board are grieved and are in mourning because the light which led us to independence is no more, but his works, his ideology will continue to guide this nation,” Mnangagwa said.
“On the day we shall lay him to rest, on Sunday, I appeal to you in your hundreds, in your thousands, in your millions to show your love of our great leader who has left us,” he added, without saying where Mugabe would be buried.
Mugabe’s wife Grace, dressed in black and wearing a veil, was next to Mnangagwa at the airport. As she left the tarmac in a vehicle behind the hearse, Grace could be seen wiping away tears and being consoled by one of her sisters.
Also present were Mugabe’s daughter Bona and son Bellarmine and Savior Kasukuwere, a former Mugabe cabinet minister and staunch ally who has been living in self-imposed exile in South Africa since early this year.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, the former general who led the coup that overthrew Mugabe, was notably absent at the airport. He has been receiving treatment in China since July for an unknown illness.
Crowds had gathered at the airport well before the scheduled arrival time, with some wearing T-shirts bearing Mugabe’s face and others with Mnangagwa’s image, while music blared from loudspeakers.
A convoy of vehicles with number plates bearing the letters “RG Mugabe” and the former leader’s signature were also on the runway.
BLUE ROOF
Leo Mugabe, a nephew and family spokesman, declined to say where Mugabe would be buried.
Mnangagwa and his party want him buried at a national monument to heroes of the liberation war against the white minority Rhodesian regime.
But some of Mugabe’s relatives have pushed back against that plan. They share Mugabe’s bitterness at the way former allies including Mnangagwa conspired to topple him and want him buried in his home village.
Sunday’s burial will take place a day after a state funeral, but officials said the burial site would only be known after consultations with the family.
The body was taken to Mugabe’s palatial home in the capital, known as Blue Roof, after an earlier detour to an army barrack for prayers by the military.
Soldiers held the coffin aloft as they carried it up the steps to the house. Grace Mugabe walked behind the coffin, wailing.
Musicians sang songs and beat drums as family members and associates filed into the ornate pagoda-style main building. Flowers arranged in the shape of the word “Gushungo”, Mugabe’s clan name, decorated the steps of the building.
Hundreds of well-wishers sat in a marquee on a lawn in front of the house, waiting to pay their respects.
On Thursday, ordinary Zimbabweans and supporters are expected to pay their last respects to Mugabe at a Harare soccer stadium, where the body will lie in state before being taken to his rural home in Kutama, 85 kilometres (50 miles) from the capital.
Mugabe left behind an economy wrecked by hyperinflation and deeply entrenched corruption, and a raging political rivalry between ZANU-PF and the opposition MDC.
The MDC said on Wednesday it had postponed its 20th anniversary rally because of Mugabe’s funeral.
“Notwithstanding our legendary differences with Mr. Mugabe, we have no reason to exhibit barbarity by hosting a national festivity during his funeral,” it said in a statement.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa with Grace Mugabe at the arrival of Mugabe’s body yesterday.
Details on when, how and where the late former President Robert Mugabe will be buried would be known today after a tense closed door meeting between President Mnangagwa and former First Lady Grace Mugabe.
This was revealed by Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet George Charamba, who is also the Presidential spokesperson, last night in an exclusive interview with state media.
While under normal circumstances there would not have been such a meeting, the meeting has been necessitated by a stance from the Mugabe family that the late President demanded that he be not buried at the National Heroes Acre and that President Emmerson Mnangagwa be excluded from the burial.
Government has been announcing that Mugabe will be buried on Sunday at the National Heroes Acre, while the Mugabe family has remained silent on the matter indicating that family elders and chiefs from the Gushungo clan will announce the arrangements when the body arrives at Mugabe’s Zvimba family home.
The body arrived yesterday afternoon and spent the night at Mugabe’s Harare home.
Meanwhile, elders from the Mugabe family are reported to have met last night and no word has yet been communicated on what the meeting resolved. Grace Mugabe is expected to carry the decision of the elders into Mnangagwa’s meeting.
Charamba confirmed that Grace Mugabe will meet Mnangagwa this morning after failing to meet last night allegedly “to craft the final programme of the funeral.” The meeting could not take place as Grace Mugabe still had to meet with the family elders.
“The widow of the former President will meet with His Excellency the President tomorrow (today) morning where details of the entire programme will be finalised,” he said.
“The meeting could not take place as was originally planned for two basic reasons; we needed to give time to the former First Lady to settle down, but more critically, there was a stream of Zimbabweans who were going to the residence of the former President to condole with the former First Lady so it was then decided that we defer the meeting to tomorrow (today).”
“We expect that by mid-morning, there will be certainty to the details of the actual programme.”
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria at the weekend wrote the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnagwagwa, over the demise of former President Robert Mugabe, saying he personally, the people of Zimbabwe and Africa owe the deceased a debt of gratitude.
Mugabe passed on at the age of 95 on Friday in a Singaporean hospital after a protracted illness.
The president’s personal letter to the Zimbabwean president, described Mugabe as a highly intelligent and courageous leader who fought and sacrificed a lot for the liberation of his people and other Southern African countries from the yoke of colonialism and apartheid.
Buhari who said Africa had lost one of its finest sons, also described Mugabe as a pan-Africanist and true patriot who led his country to greater heights after independence until economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by western nations crippled the economy of the country.
According to him, unlike some African countries where xenophobic attacks are being carried out against other Africans, the blacks were duly accommodated in Zimbabwe after the country obtained independence.
He urged the Zimbabwean president to accept his condolences on behalf of the people and government of Nigeria.
The letter read: “It is with sadness that I learned today of the passing of Robert Mugabe, former President of Zimbabwe.
“You, Zimbabwe and Africa owe huge debt of gratitude to this highly intelligent and courageous leader who fought and sacrificed so much to liberate his country and free his people from minority occupation.
“He was also in the vanguard of the fight to free several countries of Southern African from apartheid and colonialism. He was a true pan-Africanist and true patriot. African has lost one of its finest sons.
“He led his country to greater heights after independence until the economic sanctions imposed by western countries on account of expropriation of land occupied by white Zimbabweans crippled his country economically.
“As we witness xenophobic attacks against Africans in African countries, it is right to recall that Africans all over the continent were made to feel at home in the newly independent Zimbabwe.
“As we join Zimbabwe to mourn the departure of the great leader, please accept on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria and my own behalf, our sincere condolences. May his soul rest in peace.”
THE Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs has increased tariffs by over 150 percent a development that has resulted in marriage licence costing Z$100 and a liquor licence application fee going up to Z$1 500.
The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi confirmed the increase in tariffs, which is with immediate effect.
“We have reviewed all fees to make them relevant to the current economic environment after we introduced our own currency as the sole legal tender, ” he said.
The increases are contained in Statutory Instrument 188 of 2019 (Magistrates Court (Civil) (Amendment) Rules, 2019 (No.1).
The SI effectively increased fees for civil courts with immediate effect.
According to the SI marriage licence has been set at ZW$100 up from $35.
Application of civil imprisonment is now pegged at ZW$100 up from $20. Liquor licence application (Bulawayo and Harare districts) for temporary application and late opening now costs ZW$1500 and ZW$1050 up from $500 and $350 respectively.
Certification of documents per page now costs ZW$3 up from 50c. Local court (a villager appealing against a ruling by a traditional leader) appeal now cost ZW$50 from $5.
Notice of appeal and warrant of civil imprisonment are now on ZW$50 from $10, warrant of execution against property ZW$20 from $4, request for default judgment ZW$10 from $2.
Notice of pre trial conference now cost ZW$10 up from $2. Inspection of records is now ZW$10 up from $4 while consent of transfer is now ZW$10 up from $5 and notice of withdrawal is now ZW$10 up from $2.
Two people have been arrested for allegedly abusing the name of First Lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, to extort more than US$40 000 from Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder, Prophet Walter Magaya.
They misrepresented to the church leaders that they were officers from the military intelligence attached to the office of the First Lady.
It is alleged that the duo, a man and a woman exerted force on the man of the cloth demanding a “protection fee” to be forwarded to the First Lady.
They demanded a deposit payment of US$40 000.
They reportedly lied that the First Lady would then protect Magaya, who is under investigations for allegedly abusing women.
Magaya is under investigation by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission.
Pertinus Zvabva (45) of Crowhill West and an ex-soldier Takesure Marisa (50) of Kuwadzana, have been pestering Magaya for cash for almost a week.
Following several calls, Magaya’s right hand man, Overseer Admire Mango, then alerted the police resulting in a trap being set.
Detectives arrested Zvabva at Rowan Martin Building where she had agreed to meet with Mango after refusing to collect part of the money at Magaya’s hotel in Prospect Hotel.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Marisa who was found near the Harare Magistrates’ Court.
They were taken to Harare Central Police Station for further investigations by the CID Law and Order Section.
The two were yesterday still in police custody.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was still checking the details of the case.
In an interview, Overseer Mango said a number of people were now in the habit of trying to extort money from Magaya using the names of politicians and senior government officials. He said the two suspects started by befriending them a few weeks ago while masquerading as security agents attached to the office of the First Lady.
“They said Amai Mnangagwa was aware of all the allegations being levelled against Prophet Walter Magaya and that she was willing to assist him,” said Overseer Mango.
“They went on to demand a ‘deposit’ of US$40 000 but emphasised that the money was just a down payment. We became suspicious because knowing the mother of the nation, she would not act in such a manner that would disgrace her personality and office.
“We alerted the police resulting in the arrest of the two. One of them identified himself as ‘Major General Dube’.”
PRICES of basic commodities have increased by up to 100 percent this week thereby pushing the prices beyond the reach of most consumers.
Shops, including big supermarkets, have increased prices of basic goods such as bread, mealie-meal, cooking oil, meat, rice and vegetables among others.
A two-litre bottle of cooking oil, which was selling at around $28, has increased to $35.
The price of a 10kg bag of mealie-meal has been increased from $27 to about $68 but most supermarkets do not have the mealie-meal.
The price of a loaf of bread has also gone up from $6,90 to $9 while that of 1kg of salt has gone up from $4 to $7.
The price of a 1kg packet of Cremora has gone up from $40 to $50 and that of a packet of 2kg rice has increased from $20 to $25.
Vegetables have also become a luxury as prices have sharply increased with a pocket of potatoes going for $50 up from $38.
A 2kg portion of chicken cuts is now selling for between $40 and $45 while the price of a kg of beef is now pegged at $39 or more depending on the quality.
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president, Mr Denford Mutashu attributed the price increases to the changing interbank rates and speculation by retailers.
He said the speculative behaviour emanates from the fact that Government has stopped publishing inflation figures.
“While we remain positive and optimistic that the prices will stabilise, there is need to provide all the required information. Month- on-month and year-on-year inflation figures are important for planning purposes,” he said.
Mr Mutashu said there was also a need to ensure uninterrupted power supplies to enable manufacturers to use their time productively as opposed to paying idle workers.
Consumers in Bulawayo said the prices of most basic commodities were no longer affordable. Mr Lindela Dube, a taxi driver, said the prices were not commensurate with the levels of salaries people were earning.
“If this trend of price increases is not controlled, people will fail to feed their families. People are already struggling to put food on the table and something must be done urgently to rein in retailers. Food is there in the shops but people cannot afford the prices,” he said.
Ms Stella Mashava, a civil servant, said most workers’ salaries were no longer enough to buy just the basics making it pointless to go to work.
“The prices we are seeing in these shops are frustrating given our meagre salaries,” she said.
Mrs Mashava said it was time Government put in place measures to control prices especially of basic commodities that people cannot do without.
Mrs Ntombizodwa Mlilo, a vendor, said it was worrying that the prices were being increased at a time when the economy was not doing well.
“We all die….
The goal isn’t to live forever,
The goal is to create something that will”
Robert Gabriel Mugabe
The man and legend,
The myth and mystery,
Truly a man of Destiny
My Interactions with the Man, Robert Mugabe Who I had the Pleasure and Honour of Knowing By Hon. Temba P. Mliswa (MP)
My first encounter with President Robert Gabriel Mugabe was in 2011 at the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) Graduation Ceremony,where he had been invited to attend an event there as the Guest of Honour. It was at this same event that I was also invited to attend by the then Vice Chancellor, Professor David Jambgwa Simbi after I had donated 25 heifers and a bull to the institution towards the establishment of a herd to set up a livestock department at the university.
At the time I was the ZANU-PF Secretary for Lands for Mashonaland West Province a position I held from 2008 to 2011. After the event, President Mugabe proceeded to the administration block where I had patiently waited for the opportunity to meet with him. Much to the displeasure of his security details, who tried to stop me, I swiftly took the opportunity to reach out to the President. Fortunately for me, as we had already made eye contact, Mugabe instructed his security details not to stop me. I must also add that his Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Kajese also inadvertently assisted in my endeavour by restraining the security personnel to allow me to talk to him. So as fate would have it we talked for few minutes. Our brief conversation centred on various ills bedevilling land reform in Mashwest Province. I had previously conducted a land reform fact finding visit to each of the six administrative districts in Mashwest and therefore was well versed with with the challenges thereof.
At this point I give credit to the late Cde. John Mafa the then ZANU-PF Mashwest Chairperson for allowing me to carry out such exercise much to the dismay of some of his senior Politburo members.
The chief culprit who was exposed in this land reform exercise was Mugabe’s blue eyed boy, Ignatius Chombo who was the then Deputy Secretary of Lands and Resettlement in the Politburo.
I mentioned this fact to Mugabe during our chat and his immediate reaction before getting back into his vehicle to leave, was to call Chombo and in full earshot of those around, he admonished Chombo for his actions declaring that he should stop protecting white farmers and cease the unsavoury practice of allowing multiple farm ownership. Upon his angry tirade, Mugabe entered his famous Zim 1 car and was driven off.
After this encounter with President Mugabe there were mixed emotions from people, one school of thought came from those who congratulated my bravery and stance of people representation by telling the truth so fearlessly whilst others feared for the obvious enemy my actions would make me to Chombo.
In no time however Mugabe appointed Chombo as the substantive Secretary for Lands in the Politburo. The appointment of Chombo to this position compelled people to seek my opinion on the move as it would appear that despite his admonishment of Chombo, exposing him in such a manner had been inconsequential to the President. However as I later realised and as I began to understand the wisdom of the late Mugabe, such moves put the appointees in a position of compromise and indebtedness where whilst one’s weaknesses or transgressions were known, one was given more responsibility, a strategy akin to giving one a rope to hang oneself by.
Verily however, Mugabe liked and trusted Chombo and wanted him to succeed him.
President Mugabe was so fiercely passionate about land reform that he ensured the relevant department fell under his office in the custody of his most trusted ally, Didymus Mutasa. So confident was Mugabe of his abilities, that Mutasa was appointed head of two portfolios namely the Minister for Lands as well as that of State Security. Unfortunately however his friendship with his trusted ally sadly came to an end as did the collapse of ZANU-PF as we knew it.
To me it is safe to say that Mugabe lost his dear friend and confidante and as well as a strategic part of him.
Much to the confusion of many, Mugabe was firm in retaining Dr. Joseph Made as the Minister of Agriculture because of his firm stance on land reform which resonated so deeply with Mugabe’s own.
Ultimately, Chombo who had never forgotten nor forgiven my exposure of him to the President construed a falsehood against myself and John Mafa which subsequently led to our suspension from the ZANU-PF Mashonaland West Provincial structures.
In another incident, I approached Mugabe to intervene in the Kingsdale saga, a farm given to ZANU-PF beneficiaries. Once again Chombo had meddled in the affairs and created problems. Mugabe instructed that the land be returned to the people so that they would not have to pay for the land. It was their benefit and what he had promised them through Chris Mutsvangwa’s 2013 election campaign which became a huge decider. Hence my background in Norton began and how I am privy to the details behind its establishment. Mugabe’s intervention in the matter demonstrated to me his passion and love for the people and people empowerment.
Mugabe made sure that his home area of Zvimba district was in control as well as Chikomba from where the First Lady hails.
Mugabe had a phenomenal memory, was a brilliant politician who appreciated hearing the truth and acted on all information that was proffered to him; a consistent, true man of and for the people.
On one occasion when I was at Mugabe’s Munhumatapa offices, his Presidential Spokesperson, George Charamba commented that to his recollection I was the only ZANU-PF Provincial Chairperson who met with the President as the norm would be to find Cabinet Ministers waiting outside who even then often waited in vain being asked to return the next day. How they took that? I do not know because back then, I was a nobody – but that was the man Mugabe.
Two people I must mention who were pivotal to me understanding the President were Gilbert Mudimbu (Provincial Intelligence Officer) and Douglas Nyakutsikwa (then MashWest Police Commissioner in charge of Intelligence). They always gave me sound advice. Gilbert was a long time colleague from Lord Malvern who although my senior, we met many a time on the wrong side of our then Headmaster, Mr. Dry. The two were always avidly interested in my discussions with Mugabe. I further recall approaching the President with a request to invite Julius Malema to be the guest of honour at my 2013 election win celebrations; he agreed. However it would appear that Intelligence countered my proposal and advised Mugabe against the idea. Mugabe subsequently had the courtesy to call me to explain the change of heart. This is when I learnt that oversupply of information can be costly.
To me the final nail in the coffin of his downfall, was when President Mugabe tasked the youth to attack the leadership of his party, the so called perceived “Gammatox”. This was a great travesty and marked the beginning of a dark period for the revered man as the senior leadership had been selflessly loyal to him. Among those targeted where; former Vice President Joice Mujuru, Comrades Didymus Mutasa, Rugare Gumbo, SK Moyo and Sydney Sekeramai. The attacks went on to further include nine out of the ten ZANU-PF Provincial Chairpersons of whom I was one and in fact, the first to receive such fate.
At the time I was expelled from ZANU-PF, I recall approaching my Sekuru Didymus Mutasa questioning my expulsion and his silence thereof. He did not answer. Three months later I asked again and he responded that in all honesty it was a move that had surprised not only him but many due to the soft spot everyone knew he had for me. Mugabe later disclosed that he doubted MashWest would find someone as hardworking to replace me. My expulsion did not go down well with Mai Madzongwe either who was agonised by my leaving. Such was the effort I had exerted into protecting the interests of Mugabe. It was what motivated me to win Hurungwe West Constituency from the clutches of MDC just to ensure that Mugabe had ultimate control. It ceased to be fighting for the Party but became more fighting for Mugabe; he was loved and revered. He indoctrinated is in a manner that made him more superior. The slogan was “Pamberi ne vaMugabe, vaMugabe Chete, Chete!”
At no point did anyone want to remove Mugabe, if anything, though getting on in years, he was still the center of power.
In 2004, at the Harare International Conference Centre during the ZANU-PF elective Congress, Mugabe played the gender card and in a move that surprised many, elevated Mujuru ahead of the expected current President, É. D. Mnangagwa. No-one argued with Mugabe then as was the norm. Politically, the firing of senior leadership and unexpected appointing of a Vice President brought about his demise although arguably old age by then had taken its toll and played a role in such poor decision making.
President E. D. Mnangagwa was a student of Mugabe in many ways hence despite what happened he remained respectful of him and respected him up to his death and must be commended for such a principled, moral stance of goodwill.
President Mugabe was kind and human attributes I found extremely admirable. These attributes I witnessed during the times when Comrades Shamuyarira and Chivende were ill and subsequently hospitalised. Whilst they were in hospital, he ensured their comfort and would be driven to the hospitals to spend hours visiting them; this to me illustrated a man with a kind hearted soul. I recall the time when I recall the time when Hon. Kindness Paradza who was the then Secretary for Administration for ZANU-PF Mashonaland West, was asked at my behest, to make a hospital visit to West End Clinic to accompany President Mugabe; the visit lasted for over two hours.
Today I remember and honour the Mugabe that I had the pleasure of knowing. The man who gave me the courage to stand up to the whites in sport where racism still existed as I knew I would have his support. He stood fiercely to protect Zimbabweans from the Western world.
I remember once asking him for his phone number. He was taken aback by my request and questioned the reason for my asking. My response was the as the ZANU-PF Provincial Chairperson of his home province, Mashonaland West, it was only proper that I have his number for convenience sake to be able to communicate with him efficiently and not have to go through his foot soldiers who may be reluctant to pass on certain information inherently negative about them. My zeal and boldness was an uncommon and unstoppable trait and I was rewarded by having my request granted. I would subsequently ring him when the occasion arose and likewise I was privileged to similarly receive calls from him.
Often there were times I would go to his office and his secretary would ask whether I had an appointment with the President to which I would respond that I had personally received a call from him and been accordingly summoned to his office. During these visits, we would spend hours discussing various topics. There were times during these conversations where he would close his eyes and appear to be sleeping, however from the questions he subsequently asked, I realised that this was not the case; What a man indeed. In the eleven months that I was the MashWest Provincial Chair I visited Mugabe no less than eleven times at a minimum of two hours per visit.
He was very proud and commended the manner in which I won the ZANU-PF MashWest without using money as influence and would often repeat his well known saying of “Good Show, Good show” to express his delight in my election. In fact, I was the only MashWest Chair to be voted in.
During our interactions I saw a man with a witty sense of humour, an introvert and the teacher in him. A man that was a stickler for protocol who would never attend a Provincial function without according the relevant Provincial Chairperson their due respect and sit next to him. In fact he was adamant that all Provincial Chairpersons be the centre of power in their respective provinces.
I can never forget the strategic role played by Leo Mugabe and Patrick Zhuwawo who facilitated my visit to the Presidential rural home in Zvimba after the likes of Chidakwa had literally blocked my request by referring me to Chombo who I was not in a position to approach because of the previously mentioned incident. During this visit, I had the pleasure of sitting around the dinner table with Grace, Bona his daughter and Gabriel his brother’s son who was much loved by Mugabe. It was an unforgettable evening that galvanised our relationship as Robert Mugabe became more of a father figure to me. I treasure the encounter and the wise words of wisdom that he shared with me that night as well as the gift of mangoes and rice that I received from Mugabe upon my leaving the next day. He further went on to encourage me to help Zhuwawo retain his lost seat in the elections, such was his confidence in me.
When one was in close proximity to him you would pick up on the humanness behind the foreboding countenance. Being in his presence was awe striking.
He character belay a somehow contradictory individual, one being so British in his mannerisms, articulate diction, eloquent oration and impeccable western styled dressing and yet so African to the bone. He was so well versed in African culture that his speeches were often interjected with symbolic African proverbs.
President Mugabe essentially lived a simple life where he would go to work on weekdays and would be driven to his village home in Zvimba during the weekends, such was his love for his rural homestead.
The Mugabe I knew was not corrupt, he was an academic who sadly became so intoxicated by power that he neglected to pass on the leadership baton, that being his biggest weakness. But don’t we all have our strengths and weaknesses? Whilst being a man of the people his populist decisions were not necessarily economically sound and hence the economic mire we find ourselves in today. However freedom of a country and its people is of prime importance; as this he achieved.
Mugabe had the ability to protect the sovereignty of Zimbabwe and even when the tide was against him, he stood firm. He cannot solely be blamed for the ills in the country, we were all involved, we all accepted his rule. He is a legend and debate around him will continue.
This was the man I had the privilege of knowing.
A great tree has fallen indeed. Fare thee well as you are reunited with Sally and Nyikadzino. Once again you will meet with the likes of Joshua Nkomo, Josiah Tongogara,Nikita Mangena, Herbert and Victoria Chitepo, Lookout Masuku and all. And as we usually say “afa anaka”, what a show, good show Mr. President!
My sincerest condolences go out to Mai Mugabe, Bona and her husband Chikowore, Robert Jr, Chatungu, Mukoma Leo, Patrick, the Gushungo and Soko clans and the entire Family on the passing of a great legend; Gone but never forgotten, May he rest in well deserved peace, until we meet again.
“Good show, good show” and so it was with your life, RIP Gushungo.
Hon. Temba P. Mliswa (MP)
Former ZANU-PF DCC Chairperson for Hurungwe, Secretary for Lands, Mashonaland West Provincial Chairman & Central Committe Member
State Media|FINANCE and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has appointed former MDC legislature Eddie Cross into a nine-member monetary policy committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), which is chaired by central bank governor Dr John Mangudya.
Other members of the MPC include the RBZ deputy governors; Dr Kupukile Mlambo and Dr Jesiman Chipika, industrialist and businessman Kumbirai Katsande, ex-Government advisor and economist Professor Ashok Chakravati, former ABC Holdings chief executive Doug Munatsi, Professor Theresa Moyo and Mrs Marjorie Ngwenya.
The MPC has been established in terms of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (rbz) Act, section 29B, subsection (1), which also requires committee members to have sound knowledge, experience or expertise in finance, banking and fiscal or monetary policies.
In terms of the RBZ Act, the committee shall be independent of the board, chaired by the governor, but comprise deputy governor or deputy governors, as the case may be, deputy chairperson of the RBZ and not less than five or more than seven other persons appointed by the President in consultation with the Minister of Finance.
The MPC’s functions entail determining the monetary policy of Zimbabwe; including the setting of limits on open market operations by the bank and ensure price stability as defined by the Government’s inflation target in the national budget.
It shall also determine interest rates in line with the Government’s economic policies and targets for growth and employment creation as well as other monetary policy functions, as the finance minister may prescribe by way of regulations.
According to the RBZ Act, the committee shall submit its findings to the board of the central bank for information purposes only.
Notably, the MPC’s immediate task will entail stabilising the recently reintroduced local currency exchange rate, which has been on a free fall since being floated in February this year and taming inflation.
Zimbabwe’s annual inflation, which hit 176 percent in June this year, has also been on a wild run since September last year, when the annual rate stood at 5,39 percent.
Prices of goods and services have continued to increase on the back of various economic reforms, among them separation of RTGS and foreign currency accounts, liberalization of fuel procurement, introduction domestic currency and scrapping of multi-currency.
Amid an acute US dollar and liquidity crunch, Zimbabwe is going through a tumultuous economic environment, characterised by high unemployment, a crippling power deficit, low industrial and agricultural production and runaway inflation.
Meanwhile, Minister Ncube has also announced the appointment of an 11member board of the central bank, similarly, chaired by the governor of the RBZ, deputised by industrialist, businessman and former Nestle Zimbabwe country manager Kumbirai Katsande.
Other board members include Ministry of Finance principal director Zvinechimwe Churu, lawyer Edwin Manikai, former Reserve Bank of Zambia governor Caleb Fundanga, industrialist Busisa Moyo, academic Professor Jerry Parwada, Lindiwe Sibanda (President, Country Support-Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa), POSB chairperson Mrs Matilda Dzumbunu, financial consultant Mrs Emma Fundira and Mrs Belinda Musakwa.
Soldiers carry the body of General Mugoba to his final resting place at the National Heroes Acre.
State Media|Thousands of mourners yesterday thronged the National Heroes Acre in Harare for the burial of national hero Major-General Trust Mugoba.
President Mnangagwa said in his eulogy that Maj-Gen MUgoba was a selfless individual who dedicated his life to the liberation of the country and Africa.
Maj-Gen Mugoba died at the Avenues Clinic last Friday.
Proceedings started in the morning at Stodart Hall in Mbare where scores of people gathered to bid farewell to the gallant son of the soil.
By 8am, mourners from different walks of life had started gathering at the iconic hall to celebrate a cadre who dedicated his life to serve, not only his family, but the nation, earning him the nickname “Heart Condition” because of his unconditional love.
Mbare residents lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the procession, as Zanu-PF supporters sang different revolutionary and gospel songs, while waving flags and dancing.
Dignitaries also started arriving at Stodart Hall around 8am.
First to arrive were Cabinet Ministers, who received wild cheers from youths and Mbare Chimurenga Choir.
The gun carriage with the body of the national hero arrived accompanied by relatives and friends.
Service chiefs led by the Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda arrived and waited for the arrival of President Mnangagwa around 9am.
Home Affairs and Cultural Affairs Minister Cain Mathema led the body viewing ceremony and as soon as the President arrived and consoled family members, body viewing began.
The President led the body viewing followed by the First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa, Ministers and service chiefs.
At the National Heroes Acre, various choral groups sang revolutionary songs and danced.
Several placards were on display with various messages that include; “No to violence and illegal sanctions”, “Sanctions: ordinary people suffering the most”, “Unity, Peace and Development” and “Go well our Chief of Staff”.
Proceedings began with Bishop Chemist Pfimbi reading from the Bible.
Mrs Grace Mabika, the Mugoba family representative, was invited by master of ceremony Minister Mathema to make her remarks.
Mrs Mabika is sister to the late Maj-Gen Mugoba.
She said her brother was appreciated by people from all occupations, and was a unifying figure.
Maj-Gen Mugoba, Mrs Mabika revealed, declined a scholarship to study medicine in the UK after independence as he put the interests of the country and his family ahead of his personal ambitions.
President Mnangagwa then took to the podium.
He said the death of Maj-Gen Mugoba on Friday came as a double blow to the nation.
“A sombre mood engulfed the nation on Friday 6 September 2019, as we received the sad news of his untimely death, hours after receiving equally disturbing news of the passing on of our founding Father and revolutionary icon, the late former President His Excellency, Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe,” said President Mnangagwa.
“It is a heavy double blow that has been dealt to our nation.”
President Mnangagwa narrated Maj-Gen Mugoba’s history during and after the liberation struggle, saying he exhibited exceptional leadership qualities.
Maj-Gen Mugoba (60) whose Chimurenga name was Joseph Zulu, was a former Chief-of-Staff in the Zimbabwe National Army and at the time of his death he had been seconded to the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as the Chief of Staff Africa Stand-by Force.
President Mnangagwa described the late national hero as a selfless individual who had dedicated his life for the liberation of the country and the African cause.
“It is that record which has earned him a place in our hearts, indeed which has inspired our decision to lay him to rest at this shrine of honour, the National Heroes Acre,” he said.
The late Maj-Gen Mugoba was born on November 2, 1959 in the Midlands Province, Nuanetsi District and did his primary education in Mberengwa and Chivhu.
He received military training at Takawira Training Camp in Mozambique and advanced training at Nachingweya in Tanzania.
The late national hero survived the Chimoio bombing by the Rhodesian Army in 1977.
“At independence, the gallant freedom fighter was attested into the ZNA in August 1981 at the rank of Lieutenant,” said President Mnangagwa. “He served in various capacities and ranks.”
President Mnangagwa said when Renamo became a security threat and destabilising factor in Mozambique and the country’s eastern border, Maj-Gen Mugoba was posted to the Parachute Group as its commander and led the capture of the Renamo base at Gorongoza, in Mozambique.
Maj-Gen Mugoba was promoted to the rank of Major General in 2008 where he assumed the post of Chief of Staff Administration and Quartermaster Staff at the ZNA headquarters and in January 2012 he was appointed Chief of Staff Administration Staff.
In 2015, he was appointed Chief of Staff General Staff and in September of the same year he was appointed General Officer Commanding a Sadc Special Forces Exercise, which was held in Kariba, were 10 Sadc countries participated.
A month later he also led Exercise Amani Africa II, which was a continental exercise held in South Africa.
The later, Maj-Gen Mugoba was awarded the Independence, Liberation, Service, Long and Exemplary Service, Mozambique Campaign, DRC Campaign medals and the Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
Maj Gen Mugoba is survived by his wife Peddie, nine children and three grandchildren.
State Media|It never rains, but pours for former Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira who had her fourth freedom bid thrown out yesterday by a Harare magistrate who ruled that she was a flight risk.
Mupfumira is facing seven counts of criminal abuse of office involving US$95 million.
Mr Elijah Makomo added that though some of the counts faced by Mupfumira involved intricate investigations which are yet to be completed, the other three counts showed there was a strong case.
The magistrate also raised the issue of the gravity of the offence as an inducement for absconding trial.
“The State mentioned the existence of two passports in the name of the accused. One an ordinary passport and the other a diplomatic one. In that ordinary passport is a multiple-entry visa to the United Kingdom. It is a 10-year visa expiring in May 2028. At each visit, she is entitled to remain in the United Kingdom for 180 days (6 months). Clearly, this visa virtually gives her residence in the United Kingdom for the next nine years,” he said.
“The 10-year visa, was obviously acquired not for Government business travel, but personal business.
“What this clearly brings to the fore, however, is that she has strong connections with that country. Certainly, the United Kingdom would not grant such a visa at the mere asking, especially to a woman of straw as she is portrayed by her counsel. This must be taken in light of the deposition of the investigating officer that she owns houses in that country.
“In my view, this is a very strong factor militating against the accused’s bid for her freedom.”
Mr Makomo said Mupfumira, through her lawyer, tendered two CBZ bank statements in a bid to demonstrate that she does not have the kind of money mentioned in State papers.
Mupfumira, through her lawyer, Mr Charles Chinyama, made a fresh bail application last Friday following the expiry of her 21-day detention period. She also made another application challenging her arrest and detention on the basis that police officers who arrested her were seconded to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and, therefore, did not have arresting powers.
Mupfumira was further remanded in custody to September 29.
VETERAN sungura musician, Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria, has expressed displeasure at local businessmen who are in the habit of publicly giving fake promises to musicians, saying such a culture should come to an end.
The Senior Lecturer, as Zakaria is affectionately known by his legion of fans, said fake promises make planning difficult on the part of musicians, especially when the pledges have something to do with production.
“We have had a number of businessmen, who are on record giving promises to musicians, and those pledges have never been fulfilled.
“It is disheartening to note that most of these businessmen will not be sincere. At the end of the day, it will be the musicians who suffer, especially when the pledges have something to do with production,” said Zakaria.
The left-handed lead guitarist suggested that this crop of people should be named and shamed as they have a culture of “playing the goodwill role” while riding on the name of an artiste.
“The culture has reached alarming levels and it is worrying. As you are aware, a businessman from Harare promised to fund the production of my album, which was scheduled for release last year.State media
The late founding leader of the country, former President Mugabe was a revolutionary, icon, Pan Africanist who made Zimbabwe to be what it is today, President Mnangagwa has said.
President Mnangagwa said this while addressing thousands of mourners today who gathered at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to welcome the body of the late national hero, Mugabe who died in Singapore last Friday.
Mugabe’s body touched down at the RGM International Airport at 3.35 p.m aboard a Chartered flight to a rousing welcome from hundreds of mourners who included Zanu-PF supporters, Government Ministers, hordes of local and foreign journalists.State media
MAJOR supermarkets in Bulawayo have run out of mealie-meal and by yesterday only a few retail outlets had the commodity on the shelves.
A snap survey conducted in the city’s Central Business District revealed that major supermarkets did not have mealie-meal. Most shops in the western surbubs had also run out of mealie-meal.
At OK Zimbabwe Jason Moyo branch, which also did not have the mealie-meal on its shelves, the price was pegged at $36,50 for 10kg roller meal. TM Pick n Pay,Choppies and Food 4 less along Herbert Chitepo Steet, all did not have the commodity.
At Greens Supermarket which had the mealie-meal, a 10kg bag of roller meal was selling for between $43,70 and $48 depending on the brand. Last week the prices were ranging from $25 to $30 for the same bag.
Consumers who spoke to Business Chronicle said the shortage started last week. They said they suspected some retailers were hoarding the commodity to create artificial shortages which will then trigger astronomical price increases.State media
Antony Taruvinga|Since his death, I decided that I should say nothing mainly because his death has no bearing on our lives. He died when he was just an ordinary old man.
I actually understand the anger the people have on him. He inflicted untold suffering to the people for power. Some of us have not recovered. Homes were destroyed, we have not built new ones. People died painful deaths. Families are still mourning.
There were two abductions attempts on me. The last was on 26 July 2008 when more than 10 men clad in green bomber uniforms, armed with crude weapons, singing songs of war descended on our homestead in Chivi South looking for me. They couldn’t find me because I was hiding in a drum of water. As usual, they left after terrorising family.
Mugabe was cruel, so is Mnangagwa and other top cronies, that’s why his death is not popularised and felt across the country as the death of Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai. But we cant fight a dead man.
More so, his endorsement of Pres. Adv. Nelson Chamisa in the last election showed he had detached himself from the system he created. The system whose constitution is Zanu pf got inherited by Mnangagwa, a man Mugabe has always used to do the dirty work who now has mastered the art of killing.
I will neither mourn nor celebrate Mugabe’s demise. I must be clear here, I will not waste my hard gotten few dollars attending Mugabe funeral. I will do nothing about it but those who may wish to do something must be given the chance to do so hence I welcome President’s announcement that 20th Anniversary is postponed to 28 September 2019.
Mugabe is not a hero. It’s not possible to have a hero in a murderer. Not at all. The people spreading the hero lie are totally misguided. Those people are facts free. They need help.
Let’s all unite and give Mnangagwa a fight. Zanu pf must be removed from power. That exactly will be the first step towards economic recovery.
Respecting a funeral is not tantamount to respecting the deceased.
It is a fact that #RobertMugabe brought extreme damage to Zimbabweans during his days. This is why we firmly confronted & opposed him without fear during his days because we didn’t agree with his art of (mis)governance. We had the courage to confront him while he was alive. When we did that some of you didn’t take the same courage for reasons best known to you. Now he is dead, some of us now appear to be more courageous in lashing out at him as he lies motionless.
The people’s President Adv. Nelson Chamisa exhibited that he is a true African who can’t celebrate while others are mourning. We are guided by this wisdom, as cultured Africans we can’t be seen wining and dining as others are crying. This is definitely not a recognition of any of Mugabe’s heroic/iconic efforts because he has none. If he ever had, he squandered them during his era of unfettered love for power at the expense of people’s suffering. He is gone and his going entails that he is gone with everything bad that he did to us.
We are now confronted with a new era, an era compromising of a living tyrant who needs the same effort and action from us to deal with him. The country currently has a ‘President’ who finds joy in suffocating the democratic space as evidenced by the recent banning of protests, a series of abductions, disruption of party gatherings etc. All these are signs of an undemocratic person presiding over the affairs of this country.
This sad reality is a call for us to unite, stand up and reject these desperate attempts to take Zimbabwe to an archaic state of a one party state. To the young people of this great nation, let us all remember that we have so many issues that must unite us that divide us. We are jobless in our multitudes, lives have been claimed due to ailments that coould have been avoided but because of an ailing healthcare, people are dying. So many peers are out of school because tuition fees have been made expensive beyond the reach of many. We are witnessing the ruralisation of urban areas due to shortages of power and energy. Corruption has made made most of us poor in a country endowed with natural resources.
This is the time to gather not scatter, to reflect not to deject. We have to emancipate ourselves from the hands of this tyrannical system which has for brought harm than good.
Zimbabwe shall be free!!!
All roads lead to Rufaro Stadium on Saturday 28 September 2019.
MDC @ 20: Celebrating courage, growth and people’s victories.
Farai Dziva|Teenage Hadebe’s mistake almost cost the Warriors in the World Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday, but the defender has promised to avoid such incidents in future.
The Turkey-based centre-back gave away the ball at the back, and it resulted in Somalia getting the precious away goal.
The Warriors were leading 1-0 courtesy of Marshall Munetsi’s effort before the mistake happened. They were now in need of two more goals within six minutes to progress to the group stage.
But Knox Mutizwa and Khama Billiat went on target before the full-time to secure a 3-1 victory which sent the team to the next round.
Speaking after the game, Hadebe explained that the mistake was due to some communication breakdown with Alec Mudimu.
“It is part of the game, but it can’t always be like that,” said Hadebe, according to The Herald.
“I made a mistake after some communication breakdown involving me and captain (Alec Mudimu), but it’s part and parcel of the game.
“I will strive to do much better in the next assignments.”
Farai Dziva|Warriors captain Alec Mudimu says leading the national team is a great honour.
Joey Antipas’ charges booked a place in dramatic fashion, leaving it late courtesy goals from Marshall Munetsi, Knox Mutizwa and Khama Billiat, much to the delight of the Wales-based defender.
“It’s an amazing feeling, I thank everyone and God bless everyone,” Mudimu told Soccer24.
“Of course it’s a dream come true and I’m so grateful that God has made my dreams come true, to lead my nation in any game whatsoever, let alone a World Cup qualifier is amazing. It’s a dream come true.”
“I thank the fans for always having my back and supporting me, I thank my family and friends and everyone that has been involved, it’s been a long journey,” he said.
Farai Dziva|Warriors mentor Joey Antipas believes there are no more small teams in football after Somalia forced them to sweat for their 3-2 aggregate victory in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Zimbabwe lost 1-0 in the first leg of the tie played last week before they were almost held at home in the return fixture played on Tuesday.
The national team managed to secure three late goals which saw them winning the second leg 3-1.
“I am quite happy to win against the so-called small team,” said Antipas. “There are no more small teams in football.
“It was difficult, but we dominated the entire match and created chances, but they (Somalia) sat back and relied on counter-attacks.
“They got an opportunity and scored, it became difficult for us, but we kept probing and pushing. It was that belief which gave us the victory.”
The game was tied in a deadlock until the 77th minute when Marshall Munetsi opened the scoring. The visitors responded six minutes later with Abdulla Mohamed following a defensive error by Teenage Hadebe.
Knox Mutizwa and Khama Billiat hit the target with six minutes left on the clock to ensure Zimbabwe reach the group stage of the qualifiers.
Former President Robert Mugabe is gone, a giant of the liberation struggle and a colossus that stood against imperialism is no more, he has been silenced by ineluctable fate.
In this instance death has been very unkind and unjust, snatching from us a fatherly figure before we had the opportunity to tap all the wisdom from his encyclopaedic memory.
Baba Mugabe was the pacesetter, a trailblazer and the first leader of independent Zimbabwe, we owe our freedoms to him, the schools, hospitals and an informed citizenry we have today are all a result of that liberation war icon.
He ran his race, fought the good fight, just as the Bible says, maybe as fellow revolutionaries we let him down, yes we probably let him down when we allowed an overambitious clique to abuse his old age, but then we all make mistake and that is the mistake we corrected rather belatedly.
A true Pan-Africanist, he was one of the last men standing from that glorious and selfless generation that took initiative to find colonialism and its ills. He was no push over throughout his political life.
For us as Zanu PF youth league, we are proud that we are products of his vision, we honour him, and to express our love we have his birthday February 21 as a youth holiday, we have a Robert Mugabe International Airport, writing his name in stone and for eternity.
Indeed heroes don’t die they just turn into legends and the legend of Cde Mugabe is the one that will live in Zimbabwe, Africa and the world memories forever. We were highly privileged to live in Robert Mugabe’s time and we should remain apostles of his principles.
He was an illustrious son of the soil, the Father of the Nation, a true nationalist who was also a good mentor, a shepherd and symbol of our black consciousness, now he is gone, snapped by inescapable death all we have are sad memories, we remember him because its only natural to remember him and we shall try to follow in his giant footprints although that will be a tall order.
There is no doubt that some may not have so fond memories of Cde Mugabe but he was no saint, his good and bad sums all our hopes and failures, we have to learn from his trials and tribulations – engrave his good deeds in our hearts.
Rest in Peace Our Leader, Rest in Peace Gushungo, indeed “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts…” RG was a special breed from his legacy we learned to defend the Revolution. Rest in Power dear leader of the African cause.
Former President Mugabe played his part and we shall keep the fire burning.
WHOLE NIGHT… A snr govt official, esp Commander In Chief must lie in state at 1 Commando overnight. Notwithstanding, he was their boss. This is the official practice.
The body will not spend night at 1 Commando, but at blue roof. The government does not know the clear program for the remaining days. Gushungo clan to meet this evening.
Last year govt managed to take Morgan Tsvangirai's body to 1 Commando, but the State is not having success with the late ZANU PF leader, Robert Mugabe's body. – WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Yesterday the 10th of September 2019,the MDCSA Province dispatched a high powered 5 member delegation led by the Provincial Chairman Trust Ndlovu to Kathlehong to assess the situation on the ground,that befell our fellow countrymen and women,and come up with a comprehensive report of the assistence needed by the victims.
The team comprised of Chairman Trust Ndlovu,Treasurer Joel Marere,I,Innocent Nsingo the Communications Secretary,SAYA Director of Elections Loveness Gotora,and Jozi District Youth Chair Praise Mahlanganise.
Our brethren are accomodated at Tsulu hall in Kathlehong,where women,men and children share the same hall.We couldn’t ascertain the actual number of people who are currently staying at the hall because some had gone to work when we arrived,but according to the list produced to us there are more than 200 people there.Only one male person is confirmed to have lost life in the attacks,and he left behind a young wife and a 6 weeks old daughter.
Various necessities,ranging from food,toiletries,clothing,latex gloves,blackets,matresses,mops,brooms,disinfectants etc are needed urgently.The young 6 weeks babe also needs warm clothes,towels,bath and washing soaps,nappies,porridge,milk etc.
There are some among the victims who want to go back to Zimbabwe.There is need for transport for these people,and some parcels of groceries.They will need among other basic items;sugar,salt,mealie-mean,flour,cooking oil,rice,bath soap,washing soap,washing powder,beans,blackets,clothes,tinned foods,candles,matches etc.
Below is the breakdown of the total number of victims who volunteered to be transported back to Zimbabwe.
Men 34
Women 30
Children 15
Can well wishers help our brothers and sisters in cash and in kind.
MDCSA calls upon the government of South Africa to protect human life at all times,and fellow South Africans to respect the right to life for everyone.
Farai Dziva|The MDC has stepped up efforts to assist victims of xenophobia in South Africa.
Read full statement below:
Yesterday the 10th of September 2019,the MDCSA Province dispatched a high powered 5 member delegation led by the Provincial Chairman Trust Ndlovu to Kathlehong to assess the situation on the ground,that befell our fellow countrymen and women,and come up with a comprehensive report of the assistence needed by the victims.
The team comprised Chairman Trust Ndlovu,Treasurer Joel Marere,I,Innocent Nsingo the Communications Secretary,SAYA Director of Elections Loveness Gotora,and Jozi District Youth Chair Praise Mahlanganise.
Our brethren are accomodated at Tsulu hall in Kathlehong,where women,men and children share the same hall.We couldn’t ascertain the actual number of people who are currently staying at the hall because some had gone to work when we arrived,but according to the list produced to us there are more than 200 people there.Only one male person is confirmed to have lost life in the attacks,and he left behind a young wife and a 6 weeks old daughter.
Various necessities,ranging from food,toiletries,clothing,latex gloves,blackets,matresses,mops,brooms,disinfectants etc are needed urgently.The young 6 weeks babe also needs warm clothes,towels,bath and washing soaps,nappies,porridge,milk etc.
There are some among the victims who want to go back to Zimbabwe.There is need for transport for these people,and some parcels of groceries.They will need among other basic items;sugar,salt,mealie-mean,flour,cooking oil,rice,bath soap,washing soap,washing powder,beans,blackets,clothes,tinned foods,candles,matches etc.
Below is the breakdown of the total number of victims who volunteered to be transported back to Zimbabwe.
Men 34
Women 30
Children 15
Can well wishers help our brothers and sisters in cash and in kind.
MDCSA calls upon the government of South Africa to protect human life at all times,and fellow South Africans to respect the right to life for everyone.
The body will not spend night at 1 Commando, but at blue roof. The government does not know the clear program for the remaining days. Gushungo clan to meet this evening.
Last year govt managed to take Morgan Tsvangirai's body to 1 Commando, but the State is not having success with the late ZANU PF leader, Robert Mugabe's body. – WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Information just received indicates that senior doctors at government hospitals have also downed tools joining junior doctors who have been on strike for the last four weeks.
According to sources the doctors advised their employer the Health Services Board that they can no longer afford coming to work out of their income.
This is a developing story, more details to follow.
UPDATE ON STRANDED XENOPHOBIA VICTIMS: Ambassador Hamadziripi told ZimEye paperwork has now been completed and preparations are now there to evacuate people tomorrow morning. Special thanks to Human Rights Watch lawyer, @dewamavhinga who engaged the embassy. – MORE TO FOLLOW..
Former Zanu-PF national commissar Savior Kasukuwere says former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s health deteriorated leading to his death due to the treatment he received from his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mugabe died on 6 September at the age of 95.
Kasukuwere said after Mugabe’s ouster in the November 2017 military coup, Mugabe was subjected to a barrage of attacks and humiliation by senior Zanu-PF members.
“I think to an extent that the harassment, the unfair behavior by the comrades who have now taken over the country, we must put it clearly that you can’t keep on doing thisz effectively Mugabe died in exile,” said Kasukuwere
“He was the founding father of our country, come the day of the coup, President Mugabe accepted that well, this is what the nation wants for me to step down and he did that but there were many statements thereafter.
“Everybody who thought they had to say something would say this man was a sell out, he is the one who brought sanctions on the country, very unguided statements by senior members of the party which they know very well that this can’t be accepted.”
Kasuwere said the attacks were unacceptable especially considering that Mugabe and his wife Grace were the only remaining names on the United States and European Union sanctions list.
“To then caricature such a man just because you want power is unacceptable. I think the time has come for us to be very blunt with each other and say no Cdes we are going wrong, we are going astray, let’s respect each other, let’s respect the founding fathers of our, President Mugabe did not deserve to be treated in the manner he was,” said Kasukuwere.
The health department in KwaZulu-Natal has put a stop to the hiring of foreign health professionals, particularly doctors, to accommodate Cuban-trained South African doctors.
An internal circular dated 4 September 2019 signed by the department’s acting head of health, Dr Musa Gumede, states: “The Department has taken a decision to suspend the recruitment and employment of foreign health professionals in particular foreign doctors.”
The African News Agency (ANA) has seen the circular and verified its authenticity. It is addressed to district managers, hospital managers, community health centre managers, institution heads and head office managers.
In the circular, Gumede says the decision to suspend the foreign professionals was taken because the department “has recruited a huge number of South African citizens to be trained as doctors in Cuba”.
Some of the medical students were returning to medical schools around the country to complete their training, continued Gumede, and the department “will not have sufficient posts and funds to absorb these doctors should the recruitment and employment of foreign doctors not [be] reviewed and suspended”. The department also had a “huge” responsibility to ensure the Cuban-trained doctors were absorbed into the healthcare system in the near future, said Gumede.
“Planning ahead is therefore crucial for this project to be successful, bearing in mind the financial constraints in the filling of critical posts.”
The suspension would continue until further notice, concluded Gumede.
In a statement issued last year as part of celebrations to welcome 260 Cuban-trained student doctors to KZN, the department said there were 2 885 medical students in Cuba who were at various levels of study.
“No fewer than 590 doctors have already qualified from the training programme, while 98 students are doing their final year at South African medical schools,” said the release.
“For the first time, the student doctors would be placed in various hospitals throughout the province, as opposed to the erstwhile approach where their training was mainly concentrated in the metropolitan areas of eThekwini and UMsunduzi municipalities,” said Dhlomo.
KwaZulu-Natal’s then health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, called the agreement to train South African students in Cuba “revolutionary” and a catalyst for the continued “upskilling” of medical students.
The body will not spend night at 1 Commando, but at blue roof. The government does not know the clear program for the remaining days. Gushungo clan to meet this evening.
Former President Robert Mugabe’s nephew Jason Zhuwao has announced that he has commissioned entertainment company Bustsop TV to cover the funeral of the Zimbabwean strongman
In a tweet on Wednesday the Chairman of the Robert Mugabe Institute ‘ “| I have assigned to give you live updates of the proceedings. From VaMugabe’s arrival to when he is laid to rest. Follow their Facebook page now to keep informed.”Bustop TV has gained popularity in Zimbabwe over its political skits that probe critical developments happening in the comic in a comic manner.
I have assigned @bustoptv to give you live updates of the proceedings. From VaMugabe's arrival to when he is laid to rest. Follow their Facebook page now to keep informed. pic.twitter.com/LR06UGKzIm
International journalists have been camped at the Zvimba homestead of Robert Mugabe and more are expected in the country on Wednesday afternoon to witness the arrival of the remains of the late leader who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years.
Mugabe who passed away at the age of 95 in Singapore was removed through a bloody coup in November 2017.
The coup claimed lives including that of CIO Boss Peter Munetsi and exiled many ZANU PF cadres including Patrick Zhuwao and Jonathan Moyo.
Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa wants to preside over the burial of former leader Robert Mugabe.
REUTERS|Even in death, former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe remains an Achilles’ heel for his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa’s legitimacy.
Since 1977, Mnangagwa has been on Mugabe’s side – first as his assistant, then as a body guard and then as a trusted minister from 1980, only to leave cabinet between 2000 and 2005, when he lost in parliamentary elections.
Still, Mugabe kept him on the political radar as speaker of parliament, despite Mnangagwa plotting with Jonathan Moyo to effect “leadership change” in the Zanu-PF that would have resulted in a palace coup to remove Mugabe through the infamous Dinyane Declaration in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North.
Despite spending all these years as allies, in his last days in office last year, Mugabe passed a vote of no confidence in Mnangagwa when he regularly claimed that no one among his lieutenants had leadership qualities.
This was followed by what became a Zanu-PF slogan: “There’s no vacancy in the presidium.”
An impatient Mnangagwa would later be fired from the government, before briefly fleeing the country.
His response to being fired was a military coup. Having worked with Mugabe for years, it was not a hard move, but it was a play that broke up their relationship for life.
Now, for Mnangagwa, presiding over the funeral wake and burial of a man he knew so well would be an honour.
Mugabe’s burial was provisionally planned for Sunday – coincidentally falling on Mnangagwa’s 77th birthday.
The event is expected to take place at the National Heroes Acre in Harare. Deputy information minister Energy Mutodi was less than diplomatic when he declared that Mugabe would be buried there, while presidential spokesman George Charamba told journalists that the date and location for the burial had not yet been set.
Mugabe’s family was having none of that, however. “President Mugabe’s wishes on his final resting place must be respected – irrespective of the desires and wishes of any politician, no matter what lofty positions or office they think they occupy,” said Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwao in a statement.
Zhuwao also hinted that he was not allowed access to Mugabe’s corpse in Singapore to pay his last respects this week.
To show how much Mnangagwa still needs Mugabe’s endorsement, even in death, the president had a meeting with the leadership of the Gushungo clan – Mugabe’s tribesmen – on Tuesday about the burial arrangements. Sources said the meeting was to convince them to consider a Heroes’ Acre burial.
After the meeting, Charamba said the government was working closely with the family but no date or place of burial was mentioned because it was still a point of contention.
“The delegation pledged full support to government arrangements and programmes, which are being drawn up and executed in close consultation with the family of the departed,” said Charamba.
Political scientist Dr Ibbo Mandaza told TimesLIVE that the main reason for Mnangagwa to push for centre stage at Mugabe’s burial was because he wanted to give the impression that there was no rift between the two.
“It’s simply a move to try to tell the world that there was no coup, Mugabe resigned on his own and left power to the younger leader,” he said.
To date, however, no one knows where Mugabe’s resignation letter is. As a result, assistant clerk of parliament Johannes Gandiwa was fired.
Zimbabweans wait for the arrival of the body of former President Robert Mugabe to the country after he died on Sept 6, 2019, in Singapore after a long illness.
REUTERS|The body of Zimbabwe’s founder Robert Mugabe arrived at the country’s main airport on Wednesday but his final resting place remains a source of mystery amid a dispute between some family members and the government.
Mugabe, one of the last “Big Men” of African politics who ruled the southern African nation for 37 years until he was ousted by his own army in November 2017, died in a Singapore hospital five days ago.
He is proving as polarising in death as he was in life, as the fight over where he will be buried threatens to embarrass his successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and deepen divisions in the ruling ZANU-PF party.
The former president’s body arrived at Harare’s Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport shortly at 15:00hrs.
Crowds had gathered at the airport well before the scheduled arrival time, with some people wearing T-shirts bearing Mugabe’s face and others with Mnangagwa’s image, while music blared from loudspeakers.
A convoy of 4×4 vehicles with number plates bearing the letters “RG Mugabe” and the former leader’s signature were also on the runway.
Mugabe’s wife Grace and Zimbabwean Vice President Kembo Mohadi were among those accompanying the body of the former leader on the plane.
Mnangagwa, top officials and other Mugabe family members were at the airport to receive the body.
Leo Mugabe declined to say where Mugabe would be buried, saying only that on arrival his body would be taken to his palatial home in the capital, known as Blue Roof.
On Thursday, ordinary Zimbabweans and supporters are expected to pay their last respects to Mugabe at Rufaro soccer stadium, where the body will lie in state before being taken to his rural home in Kutama, 85 km from the capital.
Mnangagwa and his party want Mugabe buried at a national monument to heroes of the liberation war against the white minority Rhodesian regime.
But some of Mugabe’s relatives have pushed back against that plan. They share Mugabe’s bitterness at the way former allies including Mnangagwa conspired to topple him and want him buried in his home village.
A government minister said on Tuesday the burial was still planned for this Sunday, a day after a state funeral. But the minister said Mugabe’s burial site would only be known once the body had arrived and government officials had consulted with the family.
Mugabe left behind an economy wrecked by hyperinflation and deeply entrenched corruption, and a raging political rivalry between ZANU-PF and the opposition MDC.
The MDC said in a statement on Wednesday that it had postponed its 20th anniversary rally because of Mugabe’s funeral. It said: “Notwithstanding our legendary differences with Mr. Mugabe, we have no reason to exhibit barbarity by hosting a national festivity during his funeral.”
Zanu-PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda says he will attend the funeral of former President Robert Mugabe since it was a national event.
Matemadanda said he will also be attending the funeral to support President Mnangagwa.
The declaration by the tough-talking Matemadanda puts to rest unconfirmed social media reports that the Zanu-PF Political Commissar and war veterans’ secretary general has been barred from attending the funeral wake.
Speaking on a live radio programme on Classic 263 on Monday, Matemadanda said he was going to attend as Mugabe was not a family person but a national asset.
He said no family member has the right to decide who attends a funeral and who doesn’t.
“I am going to attend the funeral as a leader in the Zanu-PF hierarchy and to support my President Cde Mnangagwa,” said Matemadanda.
“No one in the Mugabe family has the right to decide who attends; they are too small for that, not at this juncture. They don’t tell us how to bury our heroes, they are not heroes.
“Mugabe is a national person and as such, I will attend and if they don’t want me to view the body then I don’t mind but I will be there as a war veteran and a Government minister.” Matemadanda said he has not yet withdrawn what he said about the late Cde Mugabe during the infamous interface rallies.
“Let everyone be reminded that I haven’t withdrawn what I said about (Cde) Mugabe that Zimbabwe was not a family dynasty. I still stick to that up to this day. Zimbabwe is not a dynasty.
“People must know that I was representing all war veterans when I made those remarks. But that does not mean someone has to bar me from attending the funeral; no it’s too late now.
“In our culture, we don’t fight over dead people and who can want to do that. He was a human who had his mistakes but we will give him a befitting send off,” he added. Matemadanda’s intervention follows reports that some Mugabe Family members had banished him from attending the funeral wake of the former President allegedly on the basis of what he said at the height of factional fights in the revolutionary party.
Wrapped in cargo. Former president Robert Mugabe’s body arrives in Harare.
The body of Zimbabwe’s ex-president Robert Mugabe has arrived in Zimbabwe from Singapore on Wednesday afternoon.
The 95-year-old statesman died in a Singapore hospital on Friday.
Mugabe’s body and the delegation that was dispatched to bring the body back home was received by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the airport with thousands of cheering ZANU PF supporters brought in from across the country.
On arrival the body was taken to One Commando barracks for formal reception by the defence forces. After that it will be taken for overnight stay at Mugabe’s Blueroof Residence in Harare.
The body will then lie in state on Thursday and Friday at Rufaro Stadium to allow the public to pay their last respects.
According to President Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s funeral is expected to take place on Sunday an announcement which was immediately rebuked by the Mugabe family.
His burial at Heroe’s Acre is also still being contested.
Spokesperson of the late Robert Mugabe family, Leo Mugabe, has disputed an announcement by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that the late former President will be buried on Sunday at the National Heroes Acre.
In a brief interview with ZimEye.com at the Robert Mugabe International Airport on the sidelines of activities marking the arrival of Mugabe’s body, Leo Mugabe, reiterated his previous stance that the date of Mugabe’s burial and place of burial will be announced by the chiefs from Zvimba when the body gets to Mugabe’s rural home.
Addressing a not so big crowd of people who turned up to witness the arrival of the body, President Mnangagwa said Mugabe will be buried on Sunday at the National Heroes Acre after a series of services at Rufaro Stadium and the National Stadium in the capital.
The MDC was due to hold its 20th Anniversary on Saturday at Rufaro Stadium, Harare, as the day for the National Memorial Service for the late President Robert Mugabe.
As MDC, being a pan Africanist and social democratic party, consistent with our values of ubuntu, solidarity and empathy we have decided to postpone our 20th Anniversary Celebrations to the 28th September 2019 so as to allow the funeral proceedings and events not to compete with our Anniversary celebrations. This is in line with our values of ubuntu, solidarity and empathetic leadership.
We had our differences, which are well documented and recorded, with the late President Mugabe, but this is not the time to rehash those differences. This is the time to join the former President’s relatives and friends in mourning.
In order to give peace a chance and allow for nation building in the context of tolerance and human dignity, we continue to deploy our might and main to things that unite us than those that may divide us.
The MDC does not make profit out of tragedies. For that reason, the party would not use Mugabe’s death to score political points. We have sufficient avenues and platforms to address the huge challenges facing the motherland outside funerals.
As a Pan Africanist and Social Democratic Party, we don’t take our differences with our political adversaries to the grave. Hurt and hatred is not part of our agenda.
The passing on of former President Mugabe should remind leaders of today, tomorrow and the future on how we must treat each other as Zimbabweans. The position we take today is not to wish away issues of transitional justice to do with past injustice but to exhibit that as the MDC our role is to heal, unite and bring freedom and justice to every Zimbabwean.
To all Zimbabweans, this is an opportunity to reflect on values of nation building, national healing, democracy, tolerance, justice, equality, freedom and solidarity that are central to our democratic struggle.
Let us take this moment to build upon the positives of the past and negate its negatives to build a better nation and a better future. We must correct past mistakes and right the wrongs. We must learn from the omissions and commissions of the past.
Stand-in Warriors skipper Alec Mudimu says leading Zimbabwe to the 2022 World Cup qualifiers group stage is a dream come true.
Joey Antipas’ charges booked a place in dramatic fashion, leaving it late courtesy goals from Marshall Munetsi, Knox Mutizwa and Khama Billiat, much to the delight of the Wales-based defender.
“It’s an amazing feeling, I thank everyone and God bless everyone,” Mudimu told Soccer24 after the game.
“Of course it’s a dream come true and I’m so grateful that God has made my dreams come true, to lead my nation in any game whatsoever, let alone a World Cup qualifier is amazing. It’s a dream come true.”
“I thank the fans for always having my back and supporting me, I thank my family and friends and everyone that has been involved, it’s been a long journey,” he added.Soccer24
Farai Dziva| A government official has released a tentative list of world leaders who are expected to attend former President Robert Mugabe’s funeral.
Below is the initial list of expected guests:
Ghana – President Nana Akufo Addo, Former President John Mahama, Former President Jerry Rawlings & Former President John Kufuor.
Zambia – President Edgar Lungu, Former President Kenneth Kaunda, Former President Rupiah Banda & Former President Guy Scott.
South Africa – President Cyril Ramaphosa, Former President Jacob Zuma & Former President Thabo Mbeki.
Lesotho – King Letsie III
Malawi – President Peter Mutharika
Chad – President Idriss Deby
Botswana – President Mokgweetsi Masisi & Former President Festus Mogae.
China – President Xi Jinping Former President Hu Jintao
Mozambique – President Filipe Nyusi, Former President Armando Guebuza & Former President Joaquim Chissano.
India – Prime Minister Narenda Modi & Former President Pranab Patil
Equatorial Guinea – President Obiang Mbasogo
Togo – Faure Gnassingbe
Namibia – President Hage Geingob, Former President Sam Nujoma & Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
DRC – President Felix Tshisekedi & Former President Joseph Kabila.
Congo Brassaville – President Denis Nguesso
Angola – President Joao Lourenco & Former President Jose Dos Santos
Brazil – Former President Dilma Rousseff
Tanzania – President John Magafuli, Former President Jakaya Kikwete & Former President Benjamin Mkapa.
Cameroon – President Paul Biya
South Sudan – President Salva Kiir
Nigeria – President Mohammadu Buhari & Former President Olusegun Obasanjo
Belarus – Alexander Lukashenko
Kenya – President Uhuru Kenyatta & Former President Mwaii Kibaki.
Cote Divoire – President Alassane Ouattara
Uganda – President Yoweri Museveni
President
Malaysia – Former Prime Minister Najib Razak
Singapore – President Halimah Yacob
Cuba – Former President Raul Castro
Liberia – President George Weah & Former President Ellen Johnson Serlief
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