By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has advised members of the public that there are fraudsters moving around masquerading as ZACC official and defrauding individuals and companies.

In a statement, ZACC urged citizens that it does not send agents to demand bribes in order to cover their offences.

Said ZACC:

It has come to our attention that there are bogus people approaching unsuspecting victims and presenting themselves as Zacc officers intending to solicit for bribes on the pretext that they will help them get away with committed offences.

Citizens are advised that Zacc does not operate in such a manner and are also reminded that by paying these supposed bribes, they are aiding to the corruption and committing further offences.

Those that have been approached can report such matters on email to [email protected] or approach our offices to report in person.

We believe that in order to effectively fight corruption, all avenues that promote corruption regardless of size must be shut with urgency and we look forward to working with all stakeholders in such scenarios to actively close these pilferage opportunities.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A worker’s bid to satisfy his “sweet tooth” at a leading hotel in Bulawayo cost him his job when he was allegedly sacked for helping himself to 15 ice mints which had been reportedly left behind by guests after a workshop.

It is reported that the dismissal was harsh for the worker (name supplied) who had 32 years of loyal service under his belt.

Sources from the hotel alleged that after firing the worker in question, management argued that the monetary value of the sweets was irrelevant as it had a zero tolerance policy towards theft.

Surprisingly, the dismissal, which some workers argue was a warning shot to other long serving employees came two months before the worker’s retirement.

“From the look of things, it seems he was framed so that he won’t get his benefits since he was left with two months before his retirement.

“After being caught he admitted that he had made a mistake, but denied that it was theft.

“Although the company has a zero tolerance policy towards theft, as workers we felt the dismissal was rather harsh for someone who had loyally served the organisation for 32 years.

“After all, the sweets have been left behind by guests who were conducting a workshop,” said a worker who declined to be named for fear of victimisation.

The worker insisted that the move by the company was a very heavy handed way to treat its employees who sometimes treat themselves with “food items” left behind by guests.

It is reported that the sacked worker who also felt his sacking was inconsiderate had since appealed against his dismissal. Although the worker could not be reached for comment, the hotel manager confirmed the incident.

He, however, couldn’t share fuller details with this publication arguing that he wasn’t around when the incident happened.

By A Correspondent- There was real life drama in Magwegwe when a Bulawayo man with support from his relatives disrupted his lover’s funeral after they allegedly stormed into their in-laws’ house and made off with mourners’ bags and other goods.

John Ncube, who was the deceased’s (Colleta Ncube’s) lover, stormed into the funeral with his relatives and caused a scene which left tongues wagging.

“When they arrived at Colleta’s funeral they started shouting while outside. They were told to keep quiet but they continued causing mayhem which sparked rage among Colleta’s relatives. John’s brother who is believed to be a soldier then led his clan into the bereaved’s house. They ransacked the house. They entered the bedroom and took mourners’ bags, groceries, $100 and a rosary,” said a source close to the issue.

It is believed that the two families were at each other’s throats soon after the death of Colletta because John was staying with Colleta in South Africa (SA) and they have a three-year-old son but he had not yet paid lobola.

When Colletta died John helped in repatriating the corpse from SA and upon arriving in Zimbabwe he was told by Colletta’s family to pay lobola.

“But John and his family were disappointed to be told to pay lobola after paying in repatriating the corpse, something which they felt had taken most of their money. They felt unappreciated,” said the source.

When a local publication visited Colletta’s family they said there was nothing amazing about repatriating the corpse. 

“They were expected to bring Colletta back home since John was staying with Colletta; worse still she has a child. We want our lobola from them. Before Colletta died her son was not feeling well so she brought him to Zimbabwe and she left again for SA. Her mother has been the one looking after the child. At this moment what is most important is that we want a cow which they should give to Colletta’s mother for looking after their son,” said a relative who declined to be named.

Colletta’s mother, who preferred being identified only as MaNcube said she was still shocked at everything that took place.

“I did not want to talk about this issue because I am still in pain and grieving. What I can say is the residents and I around are amazed at John and his relatives’ behaviour. As we were mourning John’s mother decided to sit outside the gate. We requested them to come in the house so that we solve our disputes amicably but they refused. Then they stormed into my house and into my bedroom and stole some stuff. 

“They left in a rush and they also grabbed the child. The child looked so confused and he was crying because they are more like strangers to him,” said MaNcube.

MaNcube said at the moment they wished to locate the family’s whereabouts. 

“We do not know where they stay and we do not have any contacts. We want the things that they stole. We are more concerned about the child because he is not feeling well and they would not know how to care for him. Our hearts are sore because we know the boy is emotionally traumatised right now. We have since reported this matter to the police and we hope to get help as soon as possible,” she said.

-BMetro

By A Correspondent- During the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, which opens on Tuesday, Government intends to fast-track the enactment of legislation that underpins political and economic reforms, including introducing some Constitutional amendments to entrench democracy and personal freedoms.

The new legislation that will be tabled before the august House is informed by recommendations from the Inter-Minister Taskforce that was set up by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in March.

The President will spell out his legislative agenda when he opens Parliament this week. According to a schedule of proposed legislative work gleaned by The Sunday Mail, the Constitution is expected to be amended in order to entrench devolution.

There are proposals to extend the women’s quota in Parliament beyond 2023, and scrapping the running mate clause for Presidential elections, which was set to kick in during the next elections. A law to de-link the national census from the delimitation exercise, which involves drawing up electoral boundaries, will also be considered.

Further, a new Electoral Act will be tabled for debate in Parliament, while Government will set up an independent mechanism to handle complaints of misconduct by members of the security services in line with Section 210 of the Constitution.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said legislation that supports political and economic reforms will dominate the Executive’s legislative agenda.

“For the forthcoming session, we presented (to Cabinet) our matrix on all the legislative reforms we want to do and some rough timelines,” said Minister Ziyambi.

“The forthcoming year will be very busy; we will be considering our electoral laws for reform. “By 2020 we should have come up with a new Electoral Act that speaks to issues raised by observers and those that will come up from the consultations that we will do.

“We have given ourselves up to June 2020 to identify provisions in the Electoral Act that may require amendment and we should have the Bill passed by Parliament by 2020.”

Amendments

Minister Ziyambi said tweaking the supreme law will be done through an omnibus Constitution Amendment Bill. “We are also preparing a Constitutional Amendment Bill. We need to take care of the devolution aspect.

“We need to amend the Constitution to remove Members of Parliament from being members of Provincial Councils.”

He said delimitation will be delinked from the national census in order to prevent a potential administrative disaster that might result from conducting the two processes on the eve of the 2023 elections.

The Constitution obliges the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to draw up new electoral boundaries every ten years, immediately after a national population census, which is due in 2022.

There are fears that the elections management body will not have adequate time to carry out delimitation ahead of the polls.

Minister Ziyambi said: “We also are going to amend the Constitution in order to delink the census from delimitation and we realise that in the Constitution, census is linked to delimitation, yet delimitation is on the basis of registered voters.

“We are also amending the Constitution to continue with the women’s quota. “Another amendment has to do with removing the running mate clause.”

Deepening freedoms

Laws that seek to deepen personal freedoms, as envisioned by the Second Republic’s reform agenda, will also be tabled.

“We also have other Bills that are part of the matrix, including the Freedom of Information Bill, the Data Protection Bill and the Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill — those that have to do with freedoms that people enjoy in a democratic society.

“We are introducing them to give people more freedoms in line with the recommendations that came up from the Inter-Ministerial Committee and the (election) observer reports,” he said.

By A Correspondent- Addressing party stalwarts at Rufaro stadium Saturday, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa said while it was clearly evident that the current regime would employ all means to stifle change agents, change was imminent considering the current social, economic and political challenges bedevilling the nation.

Speaking at the MDC’s 20th anniversary celebration, Chamisa said;

“….I have heard what you have said. We will be arrested, we will be taken into prison, we will be persecuted but it is clearly evident that change is coming. It is just like someone who is fishing, they are bound to catch even the crocodile.

The temptation was high, we have so many youths and it was just supposed to be one word that we give them a signal but we are for democratic and peaceful constitutional processes. Know that change is coming, know that perseverance pays.”

Watch the video loading below…………

By A Correspondent- Churches say they convinced at least 50 commercial s-e-x workers in Bulawayo to abandon the world’s oldest profession during a five-day outreach program.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) and Africa Evangelistic Enterprise (AEEZ), an evangelistic support organization, said the women turned to God during the Bulawayo for Jesus Mission.

Organizers said the outreach was meant to give residents “hope instead of despair, improvement for the human moral state as well as a tenacity for development and success to people of Bulawayo”.

The announcement that the commercial sx workers had repented was made during a top leadership dinner dubbed The Shining Stars Dinner last week.

It was organized by AEEZ, a Christian organization that was formed in 1962 by a South African, Michael Cassidy.

One of the organizers, Pastor Chris Nxumalo, said the 50 commercial sx workers were among the 66 that had been invited to the dinner.

“This has been a productive week, we held a dinner for our shining stars. I am talking of our commercial sx workers, we are happy to say that 66 turned up for the dinner to listen to the gospel of God, and of those 66, 50 of them gave their lives to the Lord their savior,” Nxumalo said.

AEEZ team leader Bishop Guide Makore said the women would be taught life skills so that they could start rebuilding their lives.

“These ladies are angels, you know during their dinner they were screaming ‘Halelluyah’ more than the regular church-goers,” he said.

“I am so happy to say we will help them with life skills like tailoring, baking, and hairdressing.

“We want them to do things that will keep them out of the streets.”

The crusades, which ran under the theme Evangalising the cities of Africa through word and deed in partnership with the church, also saw the groups drilling a borehole at Vulindlela Primary School in Cowdray Park.

–Newsday

By A Correspondent- The University of Zimbabwe has adopted austerity measures in the provision of meals for students resident on the campus.

In a memorandum released on Thursday, September 26, 2019, Assistant Director, Catering, one M. Chimbuya wrote:

Due to budgetary constraints, please take note of the following adjustments on standards:

Chicken  1 bird 12 students
Beef        1kg: 12 Students (1 piece per student).
Beans      1kg: 16 students
Rice:        Twice per week
Milk        1 litre: 40 students
Bread      3 slices per person

Take note that all meals will have fried cabbage only and cooking oil should be used for cooking vegetables on all meals that have chicken or beef.

Recently, Gweru Polytechnic College scrapped breakfast and all meat dishes on their menu as the economic meltdown bites.

By Own Correspondent| The former president Robert Mugabe was buried at his rural home in  Kutama in Zvimba District at a “private ceremony” which was reportedly strictly by invitation.

Zvimba Chiefs were conspicously absent save for only two after they reportedly clashed with the family about the late leader’s final resting place.

It is believed Mugabe wanted to be buried in a Christian way a move that didn’t settle down well with traditional chiefs.

Only 2 Chiefs, Chief Zvimba and Chief Mutare were present at the burial.

President Mugabe’s surviving sibling emphasised on the Christian burial for her brother saying he was a Christian and was to be buried as such.

“As the only surviving sibling, allow me more time to speak. This man lying hear was a true Christian who said, I will live a Christian life and die a Christian . . .

He was on record saying we will follow the family’s decisions, so all these discords, should go where they deserve.”

Watch the video loading below for this and more…..

State Media|ROBERT MUGABE, the man, might be inscrutable to many, but to those who grew up with him, he was like any other human being. However, his formative years, upbringing, experiences and influences, helped to shape the man who stood like a colossus over the country’s political, social and economic terrain during the past six decades. Following Mugabe’s sad passing on Friday at the age of 95, we republish Johannes Chikanya’s account. Chikanya grew up with the liberation icon and was very close to him, almost like a ‘twin’.

Johannes Chikanya was born in Chitendero Village, Kutama, on May 8 1924.

This is the place where Robert Mugabe was also born.

I am related to him in that his father, Gabriel, was my cousin and referred to me as mukoma. I called Robert my son.

A sense of pride wells up in me each time I consider that I am one of Mugabe’s remaining peers.

You can search through Kutama in its entirety, but will not find another 93-year-old (in 2017) like me.

To the best of my knowledge, Mugabe and I are the only nonagenarians left among the lot born here.

I am told that I did not cry when I was born, and the resident Catholic priest baptised me on that day, fearing that this was an indication that I would not live long.

But here I am still going strong!

I grew up at Kutama Mission.

In the early days, we were not allowed to interact with non-Catholics as the priest at that time, Father Loubiere, was intolerant and did not have cordial relations with the community.

He would not even allow us to interact with our grandparents as they were not Christians.

Robert’s father, Gabriel, worked at the mission as a carpenter, alongside my uncle, Paul Gono.

This drew Robert and I closer. We spent a lot of time together, eventually becoming best friends, more like twins. We often ate from the same plate.

Robert was very intelligent, so was his brother Michael.

Father Jerome O’hea, Father Loubiere’s successor at the mission, greatly influenced our upbringing, making sure we followed Catholic traditions and never missed church services.

He was a man of many talents – a doctor, builder and an engineer.

He managed to spread the faith, and worked well with people of different faiths as well as other Christian churches like the Methodist.

We learnt a lot from this priest, whom the people loved. He was far much better than his predecessor.

Father O’hea was a role model we adored as children.

He was a larger than life figure and influenced Robert Mugabe in a very big way.

The way (the then) President Mugabe conducts himself shows that he has stuck to the principles we took from Father O’hea, who always emphasised on the need to do what is right.

Robert and I also shared lighter moments with Father O’hea.

I remember how we would sometimes hide from him or roll over weaved mats to dodge chores.

The teetotaller

Following Catholic indoctrination, many people felt encouraged to move from Kutama Mission to other areas to spread the gospel.

Gabriel moved to the Karigamombe area, while Robert remained behind at Kutama with his grandparents, Sekuru and Ambuya Shonhiwa.

Sekuru Shonhiwa was known as “Chigubhu” because of his love for traditional brew.

He had an adept way of imbibing the brew, enabling him to keep it for longer while the containers of his drinking partners’ had long run dry.

Despite this exposure, Robert never took to the bottle, but instead took many positives from his grandparents.

He was, in a way, his grandparents’ keeper, and had many responsibilities at that young age.

The two of us were separated when he started school.

I was only able to start school when I was 15-years-old, leaving Kutama for Chishawasha.

At the time, Robert was in Standard 5.

We used to interact often whenever I went back to Kutama during the school holidays.

He never forgot our special relationship and bought me a suit when he started working.

This was one of the special gifts I held dear because it was a sign of his great affection for me.

Our lives later took different turns when he joined politics while I joined the Rhodesia Civil Service as an extension officer.

I worked in Mutoko and Murewa for many years, and thus could not see him.

All I could do was support what he was doing to liberate the country.

I was not surprised that he became a nationalist leader because he had shown signs of greatness during our formative years.

He was disciplined and stuck to principle, having blended his grandparents’ and Father O’hea’s teachings.

Father O’hea taught us to love one another.

One sees that in the Robert, he loves his family greatly.

Long life

Many people wonder how he has managed to live this long. I believe everyone is responsible for their decisions in life.

He has never imbibed alcohol, even during our youth when our peers were drinking themselves senseless.

If he had, or had not followed the right path, he would not have achieved what he has.  Above all, it is God who has given long life to Robert and I.

As his ‘twin’, I understand Mugabe and his vision for Zimbabwe.

He saw and experienced colonial brutality and does not want it repeated.

He has carried self-discipline, wisdom and principle since our days together at Kutama.

His greatness began when he fell in love with his books and kept on the right path.

Ukubuswa ngumbulali owaziwayo ukuthi ulisela, yena futhi eyisithutha esingazilutho ngaphandle kokuthanda imali, kuyethusa njalo kubuhlungu kakhulu ngoba kubulala ingqondo lezifiso zabantu!

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) September 28, 2019

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has gazetted Statutory Instrument 213 of 2019 that amended the Exchange Control Act of 2019 which will see individuals and companies transacting in any other currency other than the Zimbabwe dollar being fined up to $30 000 or face jail.

The President gazetted the SI in terms of section 2 of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Regulations Act (Chapter 10:20). According to the SI, individuals and companies will now exclusively use the Zimbabwe dollar for domestic transactions.

Those transacting in any other currency will face fines ranging from $40 to $30 000 depending on the category and or jail.

“Section 5 (offences and penalties) of the principal Act is emended by the insertion of the following subsection (4d) (4e) A contravention of any regulations made under section 2(i)(d) prohibiting the sale, offering for sale, quoting, displaying, charging, receipt or payment in any currency other than the Zimbabwean dollar for goods and services whose purchase, sale or disposal are or deemed to be a domestic transaction, is a civil default for which the defaulter is liable to a civil penalty of the category specified in those regulations,” reads the Statutory Instrument.

The SI further states that Under the Exchange Control (Exclusive Use of Zimbabwean Dollar for Domestic Transactions Regulations, 2019), no person shall pay or receive as the price or the value of any consideration payable or receivable in respect to such transaction any currency other that the Zimbabwean dollar.

However, some transactions have been exempted and can still be paid using foreign currency. Those, according to the Statutory Instrument include carbon tax payments for foreign registered vehicles, third party insurance for foreign registered vehicles, road access fees for foreign registered vehicles, electronic sealing fees and finances charged by or to trans-border logistics enterprises or trans-border electronic tracking or tagging enterprises, among others.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has opened investigations on companies and individuals who are understood to be illegal manipulating the exchange rate for selfish gains.

Zacc commissioner John Makamure told our Harare Bureau that the anti-graft body’s pursuit is being jointly undertaken with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).

“Zacc is mandated in terms of the schedule to the Anti-Corruption Commission Act Chapter 9:22 to investigate any offences related to corruption,” he said. RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya said the central bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) will crack the whip on errant dealers.

State Media|THE ruling Zanu-PF has expressed disappointment over the uncommunicated disregard of the agreement between Government and the late former President Robert Mugabe’s family for his remains to be interred at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare only for the family on Thursday to hastily take the body to his rural home in Zvimba for a private burial yesterday.

The party slammed the manoeuvres saying they bordered on political gimmicks. In a statement yesterday, the party’s Secretary for Information and Publicity, Simon Khaya Moyo, said trivialising the late liberation icon and founding father of the country by throwing his remains from pillar to post after an amicable agreement had been reached with the family that he would be buried at the national shrine was belittling him.

“We indeed respect the wishes of families of deceased heroes, hence get saddened when manoeuvres that border on political gimmicks begin to unfold on an issue concerning an illustrious liberation icon.

“The former late President was the founding father of the nation and trivialising his remains by scandalously throwing it from pillar to post particularly after an amicable agreement had been reached with the family that his remains will be interred at the national shrine is belittling the late revolutionary icon,” said Moyo.

He said the revelation of the late former President’s private burial in Zvimba — his rural home was most unfortunate. The revelations, he said, came after intensive negotiations between the Government led by President Mnangagwa and the Mugabe family including chiefs from Zvimba and all concerned whereupon it was agreed that his remains be interred at the National Heroes’ Acre. Moyo said President Mnangagwa had shown his exemplary and exceptional leadership qualities by ensuring that the late iconic political figure got a befitting send-off.

“He did everything possible to accord the former President a decent farewell. There is nothing more a humane President could have done. He invited Presidents, former Presidents in the region and beyond to come and bid farewell to their late colleague at a decent funeral ceremony at the National Sports Stadium. They came in their numbers.

“It must be remembered that ordinary Zimbabweans who adored him so much had the opportunity to bid their late gallant leader at Rufaro Stadium with aplomb. Scenes of emotions from the diversity of our great nation shall forever be embedded in the national memory,” said Moyo.

He added that the revolutionary Zanu-PF party will eternally remain grateful to the late iconic leader. Mugabe passed on in Singapore on 6 September and was declared a national hero by the Zanu-PF Politburo soon after his death.

After engagements between the family and Government and an agreement reached, a mausoleum was already under construction at the National Heroes’ Acre with a defined time-frame but the family surreptitiously took his remains to Zvimba for a private burial.

By Dorrothy Moyo| The People’s President, Nelson Chamisa has announced that he is ready to speak with the man who has killed more black Africans than apartheid South Africa, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Speaking on Saturday during his party’s birthday celebrations, Chamisa said he is ready to share with (the man the late President Robert Mugabe described as a disgrace the nation needs to rid itself of), Mnangagwa not power, but a vision.

“We are ready to engage with Mnangagwa, but on principle,” he said.

MUST CHAMISA TALK TO THE MAN WHO'S KILLED MORE AFRICANS THAN APARTHEID, ED?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 29, 2019

He continued saying, “we don’t want to share power with ZANUPF, we want to share a vision, we want to share ideas, we want to share the pride of the people,” said President Nelson Chamisa yesterday.

State Media|Some of the Chiefs from the late national hero Robert Mugabe’s Gushungo clan of Zvimba were conspicuous by their absence during his burial yesterday, amid indications that they failed to agree with the family on burial procedures.

The late former President’s wish was to be buried the Christian way, a development that did not go down well with the chiefs, who wanted him to be buried in a traditional way.

The only notable figures during the burial were Chief Zvimba Beperere (Mr Alfred Tome) and one only identified as Chief Matare.

Addressing mourners at the Mugabe family’s homestead yesterday, Mugabe’s surviving sibling Dr Regina Gata said her brother was a Christian and he deserved to be buried as such.

The burial was presided over by the Roman Catholic Church.

Said Dr Gata: “ As the only surviving sibling, allow me more time to speak. This man lying hear was a true Christian who said, I will live a Christian life and die a Christian . . .

“Let me first make sure that I express my gratitude to His Excellency President Mnangagwa because he listened to the children on their father’s wishes.

“He was on record saying we will follow the family’s decisions, so all these discords, should go where they deserve.”

Family spokesperson Mr Walter Chidhakwa urged chiefs from the Gushungo clan to remain united but not to interfere with family issues.

He said this in reference to the feud between the family and the chiefs.

“As the Gushungo clan of Zvimba we are one,” he said.

“We have Beperere, Mutsedza and Chidziva amongst us. We should remain united, but when it comes to family issues, let us allow individual families to make their own decisions.”

State Media Editorial|Events leading up to the burial of the country’s founding President, Robert Mugabe, at his rural home in Zvimba yesterday – 22 days after his death in Singapore – betrayed former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s insecurities, political ambitions and scheming, sources close to the former First Family told state media yesterday.

While speculation was rife that inordinate delays and confusing chatter surrounding Cde Mugabe’s final resting place was due to haggling between Government and the Mugabe family, it has since been revealed that heated disagreements within the family, especially between Mugabe’s clansmen and Mrs Mugabe, took centre stage.

She reportedly held out for a burial at the family’s sprawling Blue Roof mansion, but both the chiefs and elders wanted him interred at the National Heroes Acre as the founder of both the struggle and the nation.

However, the former First Lady and her associates came unstuck when it came to the title of the land and the bylaws that govern the residential property.

“Blue Roof is a homestead and not a cemetery, so changing the land use could have been encumbered by the associated legal processes. There was also the issue of the title: Blue Roof is part of properties that were purchased through Zanu-PF’s M&S Syndicate (a holding company for the party’s private and public investments) at the time President Emmerson Mnangagwa was the party’s Secretary of Finance,” said the source who took part in the heated discussions.

Sources said Mrs Mugabe further made a shocking proposal to exhume the body of Mugabe’s mother, Bona, from Zvimba for burial at Blue Roof as the former President had expressed a wish to be buried close his mother.

After failing to get her way, Mrs Mugabe then pushed for a burial in Zvimba, but those who opposed the suggestion were unyielding.

She told Mugabe’s clansmen that burying him at the national shrine amounted to “rewarding the dead and overlooking the living who minded for the former President until his death”.

In order to sway the chiefs and elders, she reportedly played them a recording of Mugabe purportedly pronouncing his final wishes.

“Chiefs argued that the recording by Grace lacked integrity: it sounded like a guided conversation. They also questioned Mugabe’s state of mind at the time the purported recording was made – and by an interested party.

“The elders also argued that at the few occasions they met Mugabe, he had made it known that he wanted to be buried at the National Heroes Acre.”

They further chronicled how then-President Mugabe overruled the wishes of Edgar Tekere and Cephas Msipa.

On Tekere, he famously noted that “the dead do not decide where they are buried”.

Further, the chiefs questioned why Mugabe “would not find rest at the National Heroes Acre”, where he had his first wife, Sally, and his sister, Sabina buried.

One of the elders reportedly broke down during the exchanges after voicing his concern about the manner the body was being kept at home for so long before being laid to rest.

Said the source: “They said Mugabe “imharuri” (founder) of both the struggle and the nation and, therefore, ‘could not sink into oblivion’ by being interred away from the national shrine.

“This is why they proceeded to mark the grave at the Heroes Acre.”

Faced with a recalcitrant customer, the chiefs left the former First Lady — who was allegedly being urged on by self-exiled G40 members Patrick Zhuwao, Professor Jonathan Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere — to her designs.

Since the death of the former President, the controversial trio were reportedly angling to milk political capital from the wake.

Mugabe’s promise to Kasukuwere

In particular, Kasukuwere, who is understood to have been in almost daily contact with Ms Mugabe, believes he has the political gravitas to take over the Presidency from Zanu-PF, which stems from a promise that was once made by the late Mugabe to him during a State visit they made in one South American country.

During the visit, Mugabe reportedly promised to hand over the reins to Kasukuwere, but expressed reservations that he was still young to gain the trust of commanders in the security forces and senior officials in the revolutionary party.

A plan was then hatched to hand over power to Sydney Sekeramayi during the interregnum.

However, Sekeramayi was supposed to rule for one term before eventually handing over power to Kasukuwere.

It is this belief that is understood to be pushing Kasukuwere and his G40 to entertain the idea of launching a political party that he would lead, deputised by Mrs Mugabe.

“He has a sense of proprietorship over the presidency, which he thinks is the heritage of the former President. . .

“As for Mrs Mugabe, the plan was to lie low, smile a lot, hoping that ED (President Mnangagwa) is naïve enough, not to know that underneath the smile lay a dagger. They planned to out themselves (politically) with a bang in such a way they thought ED could have never had contained. Fortunately, the State has ears,” said another source privy to the behind-the-scenes discussions.

Diplomatic sources who spoke to The Sunday Mail said the grand scheme reportedly has the buy-in of a former president of Mozambique and the Economic Freedom Fighters (South Africa), who think they can leverage on burgeoning youthful populations in the three countries to assume the levers of power.

“They think residual respect for Robert Mugabe will transcend anger for Ms Mugabe, Jonathan Moyo and Zhuwao, who they blame for ruining the stature of the old man.”

Sources also said there was interesting triangular communication between Mrs Mugabe, Saviour Kasukuwere and Nelson Chamisa, president of the MDC.

Insecurities

Central to the ex-First Lady’s fears are concerns over the former First Family’s sprawling real estate empire.

“She fears losing pieces of land that she acquired contrary to the country’s land policies. It has since emerged from the ongoing land audit that the family owns 22 farms, six of which were under the ‘old man’, while the rest were under Grace and her associates,” said another source.

It is understood that soon after arriving from Singapore with the body of the late Mugabe, Mrs Mugabe tried to broach the subject of the properties with President Mnangagwa.

“The President said we are still mourning and we cannot discuss these issues; why don’t we lay Mugabe to rest and then come back and discuss.’”

Mugabe’s Zanu-PF legacy

Ultimately, there is concern that the decision to bury Mugabe in Zvimba will affect the narrative of Mugabe’s legacy.

Last week, Zanu-PF expressed its disquiet over the decision to bury Mugabe at his rural home, describing the development as “unfortunate”.

President Mnangagwa, the party said, had done everything possible to give the former President a decent farewell.

“The revelation that former President R. G. Mugabe who passed on in Singapore on September 6 2019 will have a private burial at his rural home in Zvimba is most unfortunate. . .

“All will remember that the Zanu-PF Politburo declared the former President a national hero soon after his death,”said Zanu PF secretary for information yesterday.

“With the construction of the mausoleum progressing within the defined time-frame, all patriotic Zimbabweans were shocked to learn that the remains of the former President had been surreptiously taken yesterday(Thursday) to Zvimba for a private burial on Saturday 28 September 2019.

“We indeed respect the wishes of families of deceased heroes, hence get saddened when manoeuvres that boarder on political gimmicks begin to unfold on an issue concerning an illustrious liberation icon,” he said.

Zanu-PF, Khaya Moyo added, will remain “eternally grateful to the late iconic leader”.

“President E. D. Mnangagwa has shown his usual exemplary and exceptional leadership qualities by doing everything possible to accord the former late President a decent farewell. There is nothing more a humane President could have done. . .

“It must be remembered that ordinary Zimbabweans who adored him so much had the opportunity to bid their late gallant leader farewell at Rufaro Stadium with aplomb. Scenes of emotions from the diversity of our great nation shall forever remain embedded in the national memory.”

State Media|President Emmerson Mnangagwa will deliver his State of the Nation Address (Sona) when he officially opens the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament on Tuesday.

Rehearsals for the ceremonial pageantry that precedes the official opening of the new session are underway.

Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda said all arms of Government have been notified.

“The State of the Nation Address will be on the first of October at Parliament building. We have started preparations for the event and as you know, it is an event that brings together all the three arms of Government — Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary – so we have also notified all of them. This Sunday (today), we will have rehearsals for the event,” he said.

“There will be a lot of pomp and fanfair. We will have the flypast by the Air Force of Zimbabwe and ceremonial movement by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) along Nelson Mandela Avenue and so forth. We have engaged all stakeholders and they are busy doing their own preparations,” Mr Chokuda said.

In his Sona, President Mnangagwa is expected to reflect on political, economic and social issues facing the nation.

He will also pronounce the Executive’s legislative agenda.

By Farai D Hove| The state owned Sunday Mail has published a claim saying the previously missing Dr Peter Magombeyi was not abducted at all. In their editorial, the broadsheet claimed the phone number which sent a threat to Dr Magombeyi two weeks before he went missing is not registered.

The report which ignored clear official evidence of ownership, by a Bindura based woman, Nakisai Petros, said in full: prior to the alleged abduction, Dr Magombeyi reportedly posted on his social media pages in August 2019 a screenshot of a threatening SMS on his phone reading: “Usazoti I did not warn you. Ramba uchiita nharo. Uchatorwa nechamupupuri. We are getting close now.”

It seems Dr Magombeyi never bothered to make a police report of the threatening messages, fuelling speculation that it could be part of a well-choreographed script.

The phone number which purportedly sent the threats is not registered.

It is during these “threat days” that Dr Magombeyi called for a strike by junior doctors.

But it has since been revealed that Dr Magombeyi was actually in trouble with his Harare Central Hospital bosses for alleged absenteeism.

SEE OWNERSHIP EVIDENCE PAPER TRAIL BELOW-

[3/12] This phone number (0786645911) used to text Dr Peter Magombeyi threatening to make him disappear belongs to one NAKISAI PETROS who comes from Mhizha village, Ward 4 under Chief Musana in Bindura, Mashonaland Central province.

Nakisai's ID number is 05-142756B15. pic.twitter.com/ki7naxNKkj

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 18, 2019

[4/12] Nakisai also uses these other four(4) @econetzimbabwe numbers.

0778360027,
0777374464,
0783259160,
0777692494.

Please @econetzimbabwe
you are letting us down. Help identify & track this person who is responsible for the abductions of fellow citizens.#BringBackDrPeter

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 18, 2019

Khupe has shot down reports by MDC-Alliance that her party supporters in Victoria Falls have defected to the Nelson Chamisa-led faction, describing them as lies.

This comes after MDC-A’s Matabeleland North party leadership claimed the renegades were citing lack of direction in the former MDC vice-president and ex-deputy prime minister Thokozani Khupe-led party.
Speaking to The Herald yesterday, Dr Khupe said the reports by the Chamisa-led MDC-A were fake news, a gimmick meant to aide their political propaganda.

“The reports are fake news, it’s political propaganda,” said Dr Khupe.
The supporters backed Dr Khupe after MDC split following the death of its founding president, the late Morgan Tsvangirai, in February last year.

MDC-A provincial organising secretary Goshen Zhou, who is also Victoria Falls councillor for Ward 11, had confirmed the development saying they had received calls from MDC-T supporters who wanted to jump ship.

“We have received a number of calls from MDC-T supporters who want to defect from the party to MDC-Alliance. They have expressed their desire to come back.

“Some of them have approached the provincial leadership begging to be allowed back into the party. We have requested that they put their applications in writing and we are still waiting for their letters,” he said.
MDC-T vice president Dr Obert Gutu dismissed the reports saying the allegations were an exercise in futility and frivolity.

“Anyone alleging that MDC-T cadres in Victoria Falls have defected to a rag-tag political formation which is now evidently in terminal decline doesn’t deserve to be taken seriously. This is actually a joke that isn’’t funny at all,” said Dr Gutu.State media

The former President Robert Mugabe was yesterday buried at his rural home in Kutama, Zvimba, Mashonaland West Province yesterday.

He was laid to rest at a “specially constructed site” in the courtyard of his first wife, Sally’s house.

The man who removed him from power Emmerson Mnangagwa did not attend the burial.

The burial was conducted in accordance to Roman Catholic rites, which were presided by Father Paul Tigere of Marymount Parish. Family members and a handful of villagers related to the Mugabes attended the event, where Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Mrs Mary Mliswa-Chikoka was the only notable Government figure.

Robert Mugabe died of advanced prostate cancer in Singapore on September 6.

He was 95.

A family spokesperson, Mr Walter Chidhakwa thanked Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Government, during his illness.

“We want to thank President Mnangagwa and Government. The journey that we have travelled with the late Cde Mugabe has not been easy. It was full of pain. Amai (Mugabe) used to say she wants to take baba for medical check-ups in Singapore and we would approach President Mnangagwa. In no time he would assist us with travel arrangements before we return. But in the last visit, baba did not return as his condition deteriorated, leading to his death. President Mnangagwa sent a plane together with Vice-President (Kembo Mohadi) and he received us at the airport.”

Added Mr Chidhakwa: “The President then assisted us with transport, food and other logistics before conferring baba a national hero. We thank President Mnangagwa because since the death of baba, he said he will let the family decide on the funeral and burial arrangements. But it is not the family that decided, VaMugabe is the one who said he wanted to be buried here at his home. We simply followed his wish and we are happy President Mnangagwa has also granted him that wish.”

The burial was also attended by former war veterans’ leader Jabulani Sibanda and National Constitution Assembly leader Professor Lovemore Madhuku. – state media

VIDEO LOADING BELOW. ..

By Own Correspondent| Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) is planning protests countrywide to push the government to improve teachers’ salaries.

ARTUZ president, Obert Masaraure, revealed that his union is mulling staging decentralised street protests. He said:

We are preparing for decentralised street protests which will be held in all provinces.

Our salaries are not taking us anywhere. The payday is now a non-event. We are now living like paupers and cannot afford basic needs and we have completely lost our dignity.

Teachers and other civil servants were last month awarded between 60 to 70 per cent pay rise which has since been eroded by surging inflation which is now at 300% according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

-Newsday

Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU PF)

27 September 2019

PRESS RELEASE THE BURIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT R.G. MUGABE

The revelation that former President R. G Mugabe who passed on in Singapore on 6 September 2019 will have a private burial at his rural home in Zvimba is most unfortunate.

This comes after intensive negotiations between the Government led by H.E Cde E.D Mnangagwa and the Mugabe family including Chiefs from Zvimba and all concerned whereupon it was agreed that his remains be interred at the National Heroes Acre.

The state was building a special mausoleum at the site which was approved by his family.

All will remember that the Zanu Pf politburo declared the former President a National Hero soon after his death. With the construction of the mausoleum progressing within the defined timeframe, all patriotic Zimbabweans were shocked to learn that the remains of the former President had been surreptitiously taken yesterday to Zvimba for a private burial on Saturday 28 September 2019.

We indeed respect the wishes of families of deceased heroes, hence get saddened when manoeuvres that border on political gimmicks begin to unfold on an issue concerning an illustrious liberation icon.

The former late President was the founding father of this Nation and ( trivializing his remains by scandalously throwing it from pillar to post particularly after an amicable agreement had been reached with the family that his remains will be interred at the National Shrine is belittling the late revolutionary icon.

President ED Mnangagwa has shown his usual exemplary and exceptional leadership qualities by doing everything possible to accord the former late President a decent farewell.

There is nothing more a humane President could have done. He invited Presidents, former Presidents in the region and beyond to come to bid farewell to their late colleague at a decent funeral ceremony conducted at the National Sports Stadium. They came in their numbers.

It must be remembered that ordinary Zimbabweans who adored him so much had the opportunity to bid their late gallant leader at Rufaro Stadium with aplomb. Scenes of emotions from the diversity of our great nation shall forever remain embedded in the national memory.

The revolutionary ZANU PI, Party will eternally remain grateful to the late iconic leader.

The revolutionary ZANU PF Party can only say to the late formes President, “Go well. Rest in Peace Gushungo.”

Ambassador S.K MOYO) Secretary for Information and Publicity & National Party Spokesperson

Paul Nyathi|A priest asked God to take pity on Robert Mugabe as the family of the longtime Zimbabwean leader buried him Saturday at his rural home.

“This man lives forever,” declared the priest, to cries of approval. Mugabe died this month in Singapore at age 95 after leading the country for nearly four decades and being pushed into a shocking resignation as thousands danced in the streets. “I was ridiculed,” a relative said Mugabe told them

Business Times|THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has summoned companies whose accounts were frozen last Friday on suspicion of illegal forex trading for questioning next week as the authorities try to manage irregular foreign exchange movements, Business Times has established.

Last week the Zim dollar lost 80% of its value in less than three months despite several measures — such as increasing interest rates and monitoring the activities of bureaux de change — which were introduced by the authorities to reduce rent-seeking behaviour and arbitrage opportunities.

The demand for foreign currency has increased following the end of the tobacco marketing season and low gold deliveries due to unfavouarable prices on the local market. This has left some companies and individuals relying on the parallel market for the US dollar which is being sold at a higher premium compared to the formal market.

The weakening of the Zim dollar has had inflationary pressures on the economy as restless workers struggle to make ends meet. As this trend persists, concerns are heightening that the economy could be forced to re-dollarise.

The RBZ’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) last week ordered the freezing of accounts belonging to Sakunda Holdings, Access Finance, Spartan Security, and Croco Motors to pave way for investigations following the dramatic crash of the Zim dollar last week.

This week the central bank ordered the freezing of the accounts of five more companies as it intensifies its clampdown on financial indiscipline. Sources close to the developments told Business Times that the stance by the FIU would see more company accounts being frozen as the central bank moves to curb the illicit financial dealings.

“The investigations will be guided by the provisions of the Banking Act and the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act. No stone will be left unturned,” a source familiar with the investigations told Business Times.

“The FIU has summoned the aforementioned companies to come for questioning early next week when the governor and other monetary authorities’ officials return from the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the concrete decisions.”

RBZ Governor John Mangudya, who is in New York with President Mnangagwa for the UNGA, said the FIU was an independent body which makes its own decisions. Thus, the RBZ would not interfere with the FIU’s investigations or decisions.

“We want to meet those companies whose accounts were frozen to discuss their [huge] transactions and map the way forward,” Mangudya said.

Speculation is rife that contractors under the Command Agriculture Scheme import substitution programme were on the market buying critical inputs and fuel imports for the exercise. Sakunda Holdings is the major contractor of the Command Agriculture programme.

The financing of Command Agriculture has in recent months come under the spotlight with Parliament and the Auditor General raising concerns over its funding model. Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, led by Tendai Biti, has in the past taken the authorities to task over nearly US$4bn that was not properly accounted for under the project.

By Nelson Chamisa|Thank you Zimbabwe!!The level of your commitment and sacrifice is humbling.

Your support humbled me.

Life is hard and the cost of transport is so high but you came to Rufaro stadium. Against all odds..

Odds of no bus fare or transport, odds of police harassment and roadblocks, odds disinformation…We will get there. God is good all the time God bless you. #Godisinit Pamabvi hatibvi!

See pictures of the below:

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is now surviving on liquids only a weekly paper Zimbabwe Independent has reported.

Quoting family sources, the paper said the feared General was now on the road to full recovery and could now walk and do certain exercises.

“The operations were very successful and he is in a better condition although he will stay in Beijing for several months. He still can’t eat solid food but is now able to take liquids like water. There has been a massive improvement. He has also gained weight and is now weighing about 80 kilogrammes from about 50kgs when he was taken to China,” the paper reported.

The paper further added that Chiwenga would remain in China for several months before he is allowed to come back to Zimbabwe.

“He is also now able to walk, which is very positive. He is now surrounded by several family members, including his son. He will now remain in China for several more months and will come when he is in a better condition,” another source was quoted saying.

General Chiwenga revealed that he got sick during the November 2017 coup that ended 37 years of Robert Mugabe’s iron rule.

In 2018 General Chiwenga said his disease was a result of a rare disease that attacked him,”Let me say this since the media are here. During Operation Restore Legacy, I was with General Sibanda, he is a great man as you see him, I also called  Matanga. Unfortunately, I fell very sick, while in their company,” he said. “This is what caused my sickness to the extent of having a light skin. I was affected all over the body, and the papers said I am applying a skin-lightening cream.”

Paul Nyathi|The family of former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe gathered in his rural homestead on Saturday, three weeks after his death, to attend a much-awaited burial ceremony in the village of Kutama.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

Mugabe died in a Singapore hospital on September 6, aged 95, almost two years after a military coup ended his despotic 37-year rule.

His remains will be laid to rest in the courtyard of his home in the district of Zvimba, about 55 miles west of the capital Harare.

Widow Grace, known as Gucci Grace for her lavish spending habits, wore a black veil at the ceremony as she looked on at the coffin draped in the nation’s flag.  

Hundreds of mourners assembled for the low-key event, which was initially intended to be a private family ceremony.

Many wore white Mugabe-emblazoned T-shirts with the slogans ‘founding father’, ‘liberator’ and ‘torch bearer.’

Some were singing and dancing. Others sat quietly under two white tents set up for the occasion.

Mugabe’s widow Grace and his children accompanied the casket – drapped in Zimbabwe’s green, yellow, red and black flag.

No senior government officials were among the audience. 

The Mugabe family decided to bury Zimbabwe’s founding father in Kutama after weeks of wrangling with the government, who wanted the body to rest at the National Heroes Acre in Harare. 

A mausoleum was being constructed at the site, which is reserved for heroes of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.

Former guerrilla leader Mugabe took power after independence from white minority rule in 1980.

Initially hailed as a pan-African liberator, Mugabe’s rule became increasingly repressive as he cracked down on his political opponents.

This combined with a series of disastrous economic policies to drive millions of Zimbabweans abroad.

Mugabe was toppled by his formerly loyal army generals in 2017.

Many in Mugabe’s family are bitter over his ouster and the role played by his deputy and successor Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was elected president in 2018.

Zimbabwe remains deeply split over his legacy.

The burial of the late former President Robert Mugabe is currently underway at Kutama Village in Zvimba, Mashonaland West province as the family of former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe gathered in his rural homestead on Saturday, three weeks after his death, to attend a much-awaited burial ceremony.

Mugabe died on the 6th of September in Singapore at the age of 95 after a long battle with cancer in a Singapore hospital almost two years after a military coup ended his despotic 37-year rule.

The government had been building a mausoleum at the National Heroes Acre in Harare for Mugabe’s burial but his family had a change of mind on Thursday.

His remains will be laid to rest in the courtyard of his home in the district of Zvimba, about 90 kilometres (55 miles) west of the capital Harare.

Hundreds of mourners assembled for the low-key event, which was initially intended to be a private family ceremony.

Mugabe’s widow Grace and his children accompanied the casket — drapped in Zimbabwe’s green, yellow, red and black flag.

Watch video downloading below:

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

Video- At the opposition MDC 20th Anniversary at Rufaro stadium in Mbare pic.twitter.com/mhkRoAWgKq

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 28, 2019

Inside Zim|Not likely. There have been so many twists and turns in the Mugabe saga since he died in Singapore on 6 September that the intrigue is likely to continue for some time after his burial today.

There are too many unanswered questions and new ones are likely to keep popping up.

The first question is, who is being buried today? Is it Mugabe or a dummy? There have been so many reports that he was buried a long time ago at a secret grave that one wonders whether this is true or not and who or what is being buried today.

Now that the Mugabe family has “slapped” Mnangagwa in the face- although he publicly stated that the burial place was entirely up to the family and he will respect their decision- this has raised questions as to what is going to happen to the Blue Roof and all the properties that belong to the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front that the Mugabe family has been using.  If reports that the Mugabe family gave in to government demands to bury Mugabe at the national Heroes’ Acre so that they could be given those properties are true, then what is going to happen now that they have reneged on that promise?

With reports that the family has been closely guarding Mugabe’s body because he told them before he died that those who removed him from power were after his body parts, are we not going to hear that his grave has been tampered with shortly after his burial just to prove that theory?

Spotlight Zimbabwe|In all but the closing chapter of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s young presidency, the ruling Zanu PF leader has reportedly sent emissaries to request for an exit package deal from Vice President, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga, and his hardline military backers in preparation for exile, Spotlight Zimbabwe, has been told.

Mnangagwa who is living on borrowed time in office, faced embarassing disapproval and international isolation this week in New York, when he addressed empty chairs at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, following a walkout by diplomats registering their protest and displeasure at his regime’s increasing wave of political repression and abduction of activists.

Mnangagwa who took a delegation of almost a 100 officials on the U.S. trip aboard a chartered luxurious plane, blowing millions of scare foreign currency and taxpayers money, was airborne as the primate city shut down it’s water treatment plant due to lack of forex to secure chemicals, causing outrage over the President’s Office insensitivity and urge to splurge.

This publication last week reported, that Chiwenga, was going to use the country’s dreaded Joint Operations Command (JOC), to forcefully kick out Mnangagwa from office, and is said to be polishing the nitty-gritties of the plan from China together with a coterie of generals in government, who now want Mnangagwa gone without further delay.

High level government officials and a senior Zanu PF politburo source, said the wheels are coming off on Mnangagwa’s term as Zimbabwe leader, and that he has opted to negotiate for an exit package deal before going into exile, because the situation will get nasty and dangerous once Chiwenga returns home from China, where he is receiving special medical treatment at a military hospital in Beijing.

“The wheels to his presidential term are coming off,” said a high ranking official with the exchequer. “It is so serious that even his close allies, including a prominent government minister are also planning to skip the country, because this whole ship is sinking. We have received information that Mnangagwa has sent emissaries to the vice president to come up with a package for him before he steps down into exile, possibly to the United Arab Emirates. Other countries being mentioned as safe havens for him include, Belarus, Canada and Japan.”

A former aide who worked for Mnangagwa when he was vice president between 2014-2017, told Spotlight Zimbabwe in August, that the president had reportedly found a bolthole in the UAE, where he is thought to have been offered State protection should the need arise, after befriending the Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Canada was previously involved in brokering an exit package for the late president Robert Mugabe, from behind the scenes with engagement of the UN and South Africa to save Zimbabwe from economic ruin and a humanitarian disaster then.

A former Canadian paliamentarian for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca in British Columbia, Keith Martin, wrote a letter to former South African president, Thabo Mbeki, in 2007 highlighting the appalling political situation in Zimbabwe, and urging him to “lead an initiative” for Mugabe to step down, in exchange of not having to be dragged before the Hague, and some kind of favourable exit deal incentive.

Mnangagwa received a bootlicking peace, unity, and development award a few days ago, from Zanu PF members in Canada and the United States.

Intelligence sources also said the Zanu PF boss, could easily relocate to Japan, as one of his inner circle cabinet ministers has connections with bankers and business people at the island country in East Asia, which he can use to organise a new home for Mnangagwa.

“If the UAE is not his first pick, chances are that he will opt for Japan or Canada. Belarus is not in the immediate picture. Japan is easier, because one of his inner circle cabinet ministers has connections with bankers and big business over there. Actually the minister in question was the brains behind Mnangagwa’s chairing of a session at the Japan-African business forum in Yokohama, last month.”

The ruling party politburo member said Mnangagwa had also tabled an alternative deal to reach an understanding with VP Chiwenga and the army, but it was all in vain as military hardliners will not tolerate nonsense.

“Mnangagwa’s camp have tried in vain to offer an alternative deal, of reaching a compromise with Chiwenga’s faction and the army, which will see the VP continue in his position as a ceremonial vice president until he has fully recovered from his health challenges,” he said.

“While Chiwenga recuperates Mnangagwa’s backers proposed to appoint defence minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, as the substantive first vice president of the country, for the duration needed for Chiwenga to be back on his feet, a position which hardline securocrats said was nonsensical and refused to entertain arguing that Chiwenga is a heartbeat away from becoming president.”

Chiwenga is believed to be on the mend in China, although his real health status remains a mystery. Other government insiders said under Mnangagwa’s proposed exit package, he is seeking among other things the right to keep his farms and mansions, including his flagship Sherwood Farm in Kwekwe.

Mnangagwa is also asking for his business interests in the fuel sector, banking, mining, and mobile communications to be spared, the insiders said.

In a sign of a growing vote of no confidence by his own lieutenants, one of his advisors, Shingi Munyeza, on Wednesday questioned Mnangagwa’s managerial competencies, likening the country to a train that was racing for crash, according to local online media reports. Munyeza said Zimbabwe was a train that has been steered in the wrong direction at full speed by its leaders.

“We think we are dealing with a static matter, it is an accelerating situation in the wrong direction which needs to be slowed down, stopped so that we can change where we are going,” said Munyeza at a National People’s Convention convened by civil society groups in the capital.

“We have not yet changed where we are going. Somehow, those in the locomotive and those in the wagon have got to come together and start saying ‘let us agree on how to stop this train, we are all going to crash and burn’. I am not a sadist or a prophet of doom but I can tell you the truth…we will crash at some point if we do not deal with this. We are at war, it is the war of reformer versus conservatives and hawks and let me tell you what is happening, the reformers are losing, the conservatives are losing, that is why the train is picking speed. We are getting closer to the next station where we can either change direction or cause a carnage, we need to cease fire, let us all come to the table engage and dialogue. There must be capacity and competence. We always assume those in leadership have capacity and competence, I stand to question all that now.”

Mnangagwa was also severely reproved by South African opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, as a chancer on Monday, after arriving in the country to pay his last respects to former First Lady Grace Mugabe, following the death of Mugabe early this month.

“We cannot rely on these people to keep his (Mugabe’s) legacy. There can only be one Mugabe, these are chancers. So they should not even try and be like him. They won’t even come near him,” Malema said.

Deputy chief secretary responsible for presidential communications, George Charamba, was not reachable for comment yesterday.

State Media|MOST car parks in Harare’s suburbs have been turned into love nests by commercial sex workers who find it cheaper for their clients to pay the attendants $3 per hour than spending at least $65 at lodges.

Motorists, mostly those who do not have reliable security at their homes, rely on car parks where they pay for the security of their vehicles daily.

Charges for the security of these vehicles vary with car parks.

While car parks play a crucial role in securing vehicles, hookers found it cheaper and convenient to conduct their business there at night.

In the past, couples used to book at local lodges or hotels, but the skyrocketing charges have forced them to improvise and utilise car parks.

Ladies of the night and their clients just drive into the yard and pay an entry fee of $3, which is valid for an hour.

The practice is prevalent at night and the car park owners may not be aware of the shenanigans.

A car park next to Maruta Shopping Centre in Hatfield, along Seke Road is usually a busy spot at night as couples drive in for intimacy.

Prostitutes, mainly from Jongwe Corner Bar and others from Maruta shopping centre and Paramount Signature, are the major clients at the car park in question.

The youthful male attendant comes out of the cabin that is closer to the gate and talks to the hookers, who appear familiar to him.

He demands his $3 before showing the lovebirds a secluded area to park their vehicle, usually behind big trucks.

The couples will enjoy an uninterrupted hour of intimacy.

However, The Herald noticed that some would just spend 10 minutes and leave before the expiry of the paid for hour.

It is indeed a lucrative business for attendants as they pocket $3 fees throughout the night.

During a week-long investigation, The Herald counted the vehicles that got into the car park and recorded almost 90 vehicles for a single night between 9pm and 2am, each paying at least $3.

A few pedestrian couples would also walk into the yard where they paid the fee before being ushered into some non-runner vehicles.

The Herald interviewed a number of prostitutes along Seke Road who said their clients preferred the car park because it was cheaper and lodges were now beyond their reach.

“The car park is cheaper and convenient for us. Clients who pay us about $30 for a brief encounter, find it difficult to pay a further $50 for a lodge.

“It is better to for me to get my money and use the car park,” said one of the sex workers.

Another one said the car park was closer to Jongwe and it was convenient for their business.

“I stay in Epworth and I cannot go home with a client who requires my services for a few minutes.

“It is more convenient to get into the car park and quickly come back here to look for more clients,” she said.

A survey carried out by this publication revealed that lodges considered to be affordable are charging between $50 and $90 an hour and between $150 and $200 per night.

Mugoni Lodge charges $50 for those who would want to book for a short period between 30 minute and one hour while those who want to book for the entire night will have to part with $140.

City to City Haven charges $90 per hour and one would fork out $190 for a night.

These charges are beyond the reach of many couples, who end up being regular guests at car parks.

Car park attendants are said to be making a killing from these hookers.

“Yes, many times we use these car parks for our services. Lodges are expensive for some of our clients who frequent this area. So we negotiate with car park attendants who charge $3 for a brief encounter in any of the cars available on that particular night.

In Mufakose, another sex worker who thought this reporter was a client, was quick to point to a nearby car park as the best place for a “quickie”.

She even offered to pay the $3 to the car park attendant.

“I always use that car park for brief encounters. If you are interested let us go right away. I will pay the $3, and you give me $20,” she said.

Some car park attendants confirmed to the development saying they were making money out of it.

“On a good day, we realise up to $300, which we equally share with my two colleagues. We have an understanding with kombi drivers who leave their vehicles unlocked. We then offer them to those who come here without their own vehicles.

“Motorists who come here, just drive in and do whatever they want to do in their cars,” he said.

Another one said:

“We charge them $3 per hour, but on busy days we demand as much as $10. Our busy days are Fridays and Saturdays. We also give the kombi crews a token of appreciation.”

Paul Nyathi|The late former President Robert Mugabe will not be buried in a cave as a chief would have been buried according to the family culture since Mugabe was said to have been part of the Gushungo Chieftainship.

He will also not be buried next to her mother, Bona, at the family grave site as was reported to have been his wish.

Family spokesperson Leo Mugabe said that the long time ruler of Zimbabwe will be buried in a courtyard at the centre of the homestead.

Leo Mugabe revealed how his uncle will bee buried in an interview on Friday evening.

Listen to the full interview here

Source: VOA Student 7

Paul Nyathi|It is now done deal Robert Mugabe will not be buried at National Heroes Acre in Harare as had been planned but will be buried at a courtyard at his rural home in Zvimba this Saturday.

“The family has expressed its desire to proceed with the burial in Zvimba. In line with Government policy to respect the wishes of families of deceased heroes, Government is cooperating with the Mugabe family,” a statement from the Ministry of Information on September 26 reads.

Revelations of the new burial site come two weeks after emotional mourning which included stampede at Rufaro Stadium by mourning citizens and a number of African leaders travelling for his State funeral at the national stadium in Harare.

On Thursday this week, Al Jazeera revealed that Mugabe’s family was no longer comfortable with burial at National Heroes Acre.

Grace Mugabe was said to be at the centre of the rift pitting the family against President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The government had resisted his family’s wish for him to be buried in his home region of Zvimba, deciding that he should lay in Heroes Acre – a national monument and burial ground.

The family eventually consented, but on Thursday the government backtracked.

It was not immediately clear what prompted the late change in plans. The Mugabe family had appeared content with the burial at Heroes Acre, after it was agreed that a mausoleum would be built for the former leader.

According to The Telegraph, the family stood its ground maintaining that their patriach be buried alongside his mother and brothers in the village where he grew up.

In the wake of his death, the family publicly complained that they had not been consulted about arrangements for the state funeral.

In a statement, they accused the government of coercion , and said plans to bury Mugabe at the monument were “contrary to [Mugabe’s] wishes”.

The statement said that one of his final requests was for his wife, Grace Mugabe, to never leave Mr Mugabe’s coffin during the funeral and up until the point when he was buried.

His family is said to be bitter over his being ousted by his former ally, President Mnangagwa, two years ago – a resentment that may have contributed to the clash over his burial place. Mr Mnangagwa had pushed for it to be Heroes Acre.

The BBC further reports that the family remains bitter over the ouster of the late Mugabe from power in 2017.

President Mnangagwa revealed that Mugabe died while undergoing treatment for cancer in Singapore.

The late Mugabe and his family had kept details of his health secret for several years as he sought treatment.

Paul Nyathi|Online media Zimbabwe Voice which has a known biase towards the ruling ZANU PF party has published a set of minutes said to be those of the MDC Standing Committee meeting held on the 18th of September 2019 from 10:00hrs to 13:45hrs.

The media claims that the meeting was supposed to be one of the most secret meetings, but unfortunately the minutes were leaked to them.

The said minutes expose the top party officials planning to unleash a wave of violence as well as “marching to the seat of power,” a phrase implying removing the government through violence.

According to the minutes, the opposition party wants to gather enough numbers at its 20th anniversary celebrations being held in Harare today to mount flash protests into Harare CBD.

The MDC anniversary celebrations are being held at the Rufaro Stadium in Mbare, just less than 6km from central Harare.

Efforts to get a comment from the MDC Secretary General Charlton Hwende were not successful at the time of writing but a highly placed source within the party told ZimEye.com that the minutes sounded very fake as the party would never deliberate issues in the manner the minutes are written.

See the images of the minutes below:

Source: Zimbabwe Voice

The Africa Report|In its 53 years in power, the governing party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has never come this close to losing an election. True, it has seen its support dwindle over time, and most notably lost the popular vote in the last election in 2014.

Back then, it was able to retain power because of a combination of the first-past-the-post electoral system and its dominance of the Central Region of the country, which contributes 19 out the 29 seats needed to win a mandate to govern.  Things have changed, and the tables in the election in six weeks are completely turned.

The Khama factor

The most significant risk to the BDP’s electoral fortunes is the party’s fallout with its former president, Ian Khama. Most visible through a public personal spat with his successor Mokgweetsi Masisi, it has seen Khama form his own party, the Botswana Patriotic Front, to contest the election. Whilst Khama has no illusions of wrestling power from Masisi and BDP, he can hurt them really badly. It was Khama who presumably saved the BDP when its popularity declined, especially in rural areas. As chief of the Bangwato (the majority ethnic group in the Central Region), he was drafted in to shore up his subjects’ support. Their allegiance to their Kgosi improved the fortunes of the BDP. Now that he has severed ties with BDP, many of his subjects may follow suit. Ian Khama’s brother Tshekedi, long touted as a possible successor to Ian and then Masisi, resigned from the BDP this week – signaling an irreparable rift.

Some estimates, including his own, are that Khama and his new party can get at least 14 seats. That’s  easily enough to badly hurt the BDP. Even so, in other constituencies that he is unlikely to win, he is openly encouraging voters to ditch the BDP in favour of the opposition coalition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by Duma Boko, and comprised of three parties: his party, the Botswana National Front (BNF), the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) led by Dumelang Saleshando and the Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) led by Motlatsi Molapisi. Khama’s sole agenda is the defeat of Masisi and the BDP. In any event, any sense of politicising ethnicity or ethnicising politics especially in Africa is not just bad but dangerous.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend

As for the opposition, there is little that binds them together ideologically besides a common desire to oust the BDP. Prior to Khama stepping down, they were bound by a common desire to punish Khama for what they alleged was his excessively authoritarian rule. But now with Khama offering them support, ambivalence has set in and they can neither condemn him openly nor continue to call for accountability as they previously did. One notable change in the opposition coalition is the inclusion of the BCP. In the last election in 2014, Saleshando declined to join the coalition. And when the opposition and independents garnered more votes than BDP, he was blamed for handing over victory to the BDP.

Analysis shows that had he joined the coalition, the opposition would have garnered 33 seats, enough to win outright. This time round he did not want to make the same mistake. But beyond that, he is widely respected and seen as a moderating influence in the coalition. Duma Boko, the leader of the coalition, is a charismatic individual and seasoned politician who has been on the scene for some time and popular with young people. He has made the most populist and attractive electoral promises of all – creating 100,000 jobs, quadrupling pensions to P1,500 ($136), doubling the minimum wage to a P3,000 ‘living wage’ and increasing student allowances by 56% from P1,600 to P2,500. Never mind the scanty details on how this will be funded by the fiscus, this is likely to attract some voters. Not to be outdone, Masisi has himself provided populist salary increases to the army, prison workers and the police. This may come in handy for him later in a tussle to retain power.

Corruption – the elephant in the room

Masisi and BDP have made dealing with corruption a major issue in the election. But, this is seen as code for dealing with corruption allegations related to Khama and his allies. One of these is Isaac Kgosi, Khama’s spy chief. He is in Malaysia, where he says he is seeking medical attention.

But, corruption allegations have been contagious. Masisi, himself has not been spared of accusations of knowing and doing nothing – as vice-president, about the looting of P250m from the Petroleum Fund, benefiting several individuals. In his founding affidavit to court, Bakang Seretse, the key suspect in the looting of the fund, made unproven allegations about both Khama and Masisi. They maintain their innocence. Whilst corruption has remained a concern in the country in recent years with high-level scandals, very little has been done to curtail it.

On the campaign trail, there have been concerns regarding the undisclosed financing of the campaign including allegations of support for Duma Boko from controversial South African businessman Zunaid Moti, who provided planes and helicopters for the UDC campaign. The aircraft was seized by the revenue service in what some saw as an act of partisanship in favour of the BDP.

It is unclear to what extent it will have a bearing on the outcome of the election. In view of the fact that all candidates are in one way or the other alleged, accused or implicated albeit remotely, it may really turn out to be a non-issue.

So, who’s winning?

Never in history of the country has the result of an election been so uncertain. Fitch Solutions has put the BDP’s prospects of winning at 35%. But, it does not mean that the opposition coalition, whose prospects Fitch places higher at 40%, will win either. If Khama’s prediction of taking 14 seats holds, garnering the 29 seats required to win may prove elusive for both the BDP and the opposition.

Deal or no deal?

In the absence of an outright winner, a hung parliament is likely to result. Only a coalition government may be able to govern. That may make Khama a kingmaker, and there areno prizes for guessing where he will be casting his lot in view of his spat with the BDP. Then again, a day in politics is too long. A deal may yet be struck with Khama by the BDP to bury the hatchet. Negotiating with a stronger hand, Khama could return to the BDP with greater sway. With the prospect of losing power altogether, the BDP may do any deal to stay there. Whatever the outcome, everyone needs to start seriously thinking about a deal of some sort.

If the opposition aligns with Khama – if he too wins the 14 seats he hopes – then Botswana will for the first time in history have a new party in government. This is highly likely. But, is the country, the BDP and the opposition itself ready for this outcome? In the worst case, a hung parliament may bring with it political instability of the kind seen in Lesotho. Parties will need to quickly learn how to share power and govern together.

Letting go is never easy

53 years is a hell of a long time to be in power. Experience from elsewhere in Africa and the world has shown that the longer a party is in power, the less likely it is to give up power willingly even when it loses elections. There are many reasons for this including and especially the political economy. Political patronage systems dominate the landscapes of many countries. The political and economic elites work hand in hand to leverage the political and commercial levers of power. An election result can readily torpedo these systems. The high stakes of losing not just political but economic control with obvious implications on personal livelihoods make losing an unacceptable outcome for political elites in many countries. Examples of ruling parties in the region that have lost elections and refused to give up power include Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF in Zimbabwe. In other countries, such as the DRC, the prospect of losing has driven ruling parties into election rigging frenzies. Worse, in some cases, parties have resorted to violence to stay in power.

Contested outcomes

Whatever the case may be, the higher the electoral stakes, the higher the likelihood of a contested electoral outcome. This is likely to be the case in Botswana. Should this ensue, what should we expect?

The classical caution to electoral contestants is always to follow legal and peaceful means to contest outcomes they are unhappy with. In most cases, this is the route some take. But, in many African elections, the legal route to resolving electoral disputes is the least attractive to losers. Factors such as lack of independence, partisanship and lack of impartiality by the courts and justice systems have led opposition parties to reject outright the use of the courts to adjudicate electoral disputes in many countries, including in Kenya in 2008. Even when parties do use the courts, such as in Zimbabwe in 2002, 2008, 2013, and 2018, the courts often either drag their feet until the next election – rendering the petition useless, or when they do hear the petition, fail to deliver reasoned judgement up to a year later, as they did in the presidential election in Zimbabwe.

So, whether losing political contestants opt for judicial resolution depends on the levels of trust and confidence they may have in the judiciary and its independence. In Botswana, the most recent example of a court-led electoral dispute resolution is the petition by President Masisi’s rival for the BDP presidency, Pelonomi Venson- Moitoi.  In that case, several judges recused themselves alleging possible conflict of interest. Botswana is a country with a very small population and such conflicts are commonplace with personal relationships the order of the day.

The relationship between the executive and judiciary in Botswana has also not been good. Prior to stepping down, Khama suspended several judges and forced them to apologise before reinstating them in a move that was widely regarded as a significant incursion into their independence. The bitter taste of this infringement looms large as the country approaches potentially contentious elections.

Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst

If you ask Batswana, they will tell you that they are a peaceful and tolerant people who will never use violence against each other -especially for politics. Whilst this is largely true, it is also false. There have been instances of election-related violence in previous elections. In addition, that there has not been violence before does not mean they can never be.

It can be triggered by perceived flaws in the electoral process, lack of trust in those running elections. It can be used by one party to intimidate and force particular electoral choices by voters, as happened in Zimbabwe in 2008. It can also be triggered by an outcome that is perceived as not reflecting the will of the people, as was the case in Malawi.

Experience of elections and violence from around the world shows that there are many drivers of election-related violence and the changes in space and time can drive hitherto peaceful communities into confrontation.

The greatest responsibility to avert chaos lies with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the body responsible for managing the election. This will be the toughest election it will ever have run. It will also have to be the cleanest. The process will have to meet the transparency and credibility test in every respect in order for the outcome to be credible and acceptable. Domestic and external observers will be needed to verify the transparency and credibility of the process and the extent to which it is an accurate reflection of the will of the Batswana.

An architecture for peace

Undesirable as it maybe, is therefore possible that the election could bring with it some violence. For this reason, there has to be a certain level of preparedness to prevent it. Many countries come back from the brink because there exist within societies an architecture for peace – in other words  institutions, systems, individuals that transcend the political spectrum to build and promote social cohesion. It is the peace architecture that helps societies ride the wave of political turbulence. Botswana will need its own architecture ready and on standby to bring the country back from the brink should it go there.

But, this time around the region’s and the continent’s poster child for democracy will also need help from the outside as it seeks to navigate its greatest political test ever.

Paul Nyathi|The former President’s nephew, Leo Mugabe, in an interview with Voice Of America, emphasised that the burial of the late leader will be a very private affair. Mugabe will be buried today in Kutama his home village after his family snubbed the heroes acre.

In ask interview on Friday, Leo Mugabe said the family does not regret changing the burial arrangements at the last minute and costing government money in the construction of a mausoleum at the National Heroes Acre.

Listen to the full interview here

Source: VOA Student 7

Independent|Councillor Herbert Gomba has spoken about the intensifying Harare Water crisis. In an interview with Zimbabwe Independent, the mayor spoke about the woes tormenting the city fathers in supplying clean water to Harare residents. The Mayor said their biggest challenge is importing chemicals which they need at least US$3 a month to buy chemicals especially chlorine gas.

The Mayor also said they need at least ZW$40 Million a month now to treat the water due to the volatile interbank exchange rates. He dismissed reports that the government was now taking over Morton Jaffray Waterworks in the same interview. The Mayor also shed light on the council’s plans to construct other dams to supply Harare with water and shed more light on why the projects had a false start. Read the full transcript below as posted by the Zim Ind:

TK: This week council announced that it had to shut down operations at the Morton Jaffray Waterworks owing to inadequate treatment chemicals. How much money is required on a monthly basis to ensure is a consistent supply of treated water to residents?

HG: On average, we need at least US$3 million to procure chemicals that will last a month. However, if the Procurement Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz) approves our application for production of our own chemicals to happen at the plant, that will reduce the cost by US$1 million.

TK: We understand there is more to the water crisis than just a shortage of forex to buy purification chemicals. What are the other challenges causing these water cuts?

HG: It is basically due to inadequate chemicals, particularly chlorine gas. The challenge is that since the removal of the 1:1 we are now required to chase the interbank market for forex, meaning we needed ZW$40 million from residents to procure the US$3 million from the banks.
TK: The government this week announced it was taking over the Morton Jaffray plant. Is that true?

HG: Morton Jaffray is run by City of Harare. We have no communication to the effect that government has taken over the plant. You must remember that central government once transferred management of the plant to Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and you know what happened. Nationalising the plant will not bring the foreign currency which is required to procure treatment chemicals.

The ideal situation is to have US$9 million to buy three months’ supply of chemicals as cover for eventualities; that was what the Rhodesian government would do. However, under the current circumstances, we only have foreign currency to buy chemicals that will last for only four days. Then after that, we have to start running around to mobilise the money needed to import treatment chemicals.

TK: This week, you announced that you had secured chemicals to last seven days. Going forward, what measures have you put in place to ensure that water supply returns to normalcy?

HG: We have bought chemicals for seven days and are waiting for government to transfer the ZW$37,4 million it promised after our requests. We are also building internal capacities to get more resources.TK: How is the ZW$37,4 million going to be utilised?

HG: It is yet to be transferred to our municipal account and its use is detailed in our request to the parent ministry. We need to do piping, metering and improve the purification capacity.

TK: In 2013, council received a US$144 million loan from China Export and Import Bank to fund the same tasks you are asking for more money. Can you explain how that money used?

HG: Only US$72 million from that US$144 million was used. The Chinese started raising issues around the non-payment of other government debts. It was also the case with that loan facility because it was guaranteed by the government.

Part of that money was used to refurbish Morton Jaffray, while some of it was channelled towards the procurement of vehicles. This was done by the commission which was running the city in June and July 2013.

TK: We understand that up to 60% of the water which the council treats is lost through leakages. What is being done to curb these leakages?
HG: We have sent our work programme to government for approvals. The work programme includes entering into agreements with the Chinese for a comprehensive project to do pipe replacement. As it stands, we are using internal resources to do it.

TK: There are some suburbs which have not been receiving water for over a decade now, what is council doing to ensure that potable water is supplied to those communities?

HG: Council is committed to supplying those suburbs with water, but that can only be done through rationalising water distribution and managing water demand.
TK: How has the re-introduction of the Zimbabwean dollar impacted on your operations, particularly in light of your import requirements?

HG: It has caused a lot of problems, particularly the removal of the 1:1 ratio and the multi-currency pricing regime. What it means is that we are now chasing the interbank market with limited resources from a price-controlled product such as water.

TK: There are a number of informal settlements sprouting across the city, thereby straining service delivery. What is council doing to regularise these illegal settlements?

HG: We have approached the High Court in terms of the law, seeking to remove some but, again, we will regularise where possible.TK: The Kunzvi Dam project has been on the cards for decades. What is stalling progress?

HG: The tender was awarded but nothing has been done yet. We need to expedite the construction of Kunzvi and Muda dams in order to ensure adequate supply of water. Unfortunately, it is Zinwa and the Ministry of Water who must do that. We can only remind them of the urgency of now.
TK: How much is required to finalise the project?

HG: Kunzvi needs US$450 million and Muda requires US$180 million, according to research done before by engineers.

End of Mission Statement of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Mr. Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, on his visit to Zimbabwe (17-27 September 2019).

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

https://youtu.be/2GqVvku5nas

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

https://youtu.be/2GqVvku5nas

End of Mission Statement of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Mr. Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, on his visit to Zimbabwe (17-27 September 2019)
27 September 2019, Harare:

Members of the press,

Ladies and gentlemen,

In my capacity as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, I conclude today the first official visit carried by a United Nations Special Procedures mandate holder in the country, which took place from 17 to 27 September 2019.

As a Special Rapporteur, my views are independent. I present reports to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. The overarching purpose of my visit to Zimbabwe is to contribute to the efforts it has undertaken in its path towards democratization and to offer recommendations as to how Zimbabwe can better respect, promote, protect and implement international human rights law and standards as they apply to the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.

I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation to the Government of Zimbabwe for having extended an invitation to my mandate to visit the country with the aim of assessing, in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation, the level of enjoyment of these two civil and political rights. I would also like to thank the Government of Zimbabwe for the cooperation extended to me prior to and throughout the visit. I hope that after my departure we will continue working jointly towards a better enjoyment of these rights by all.

I would also like to particularly thank representatives of independent institutions who also engaged in this dialogue as well as a wide-range of civil society representatives from around the country, including chiefs and community based organizations, trade union leaders and women human rights defenders.

I also take this opportunity to sincerely thank the UN Resident Coordinator ad interim and his Human Rights Advisor, the UNDP Representative and their Offices as well as the World Food Programme for the support provided to me.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to travel outside the capital to Bulawayo, Hwange in the Matabeleland North Province and Mutare, Arda Transau and Marange, in the Manicaland Province.

In Harare, I met with senior Government authorities, including the Acting Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage and authorities from the Zimbabwe National Police, the Minister of Defence and War Veterans, the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, accompanied by representatives of the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company, the Speaker of Parliament and heads of relevant parliamentary Committees, the Attorney General, the Prosecutor General and the Chief Justice. I also held meetings with representatives of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission as well as with the members of the United Nations Country Team, the diplomatic community, representatives of civil society and representative of the main opposition political party, at their request.

Although the majority of my requests for meetings and visits to places of interest to my mandate were facilitated, I regret that my requests to meet with the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; the Minister of Finance and Economic Development; and the Mayor of Harare could not be accommodated despite the length of my ten-day visit.

In addition, outside Harare, I also met local authorities such as the Minister of State of Bulawayo, the Mayor of Bulawayo, the Minister of State of Manicaland and the Mayor of Mutare as well as with relevant law enforcement authorities and development programme officers in both provinces.

I will now present some of the preliminary findings and recommendations in the spirit of holding a constructive dialogue and based on information received before and throughout my visit. I will elaborate on these preliminary findings in a more detailed manner in a report that will be presented at the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council in June 2020. These preliminary findings neither reflect all the issues presented to me, nor all the initiatives undertaken by the Government of the Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe has ratified a number of international and regional human rights instruments and committed itself to observe them. I would like to encourage it to ratify the remaining key international human rights treaties such as the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances and the optional protocols to which it is not yet a State party, in particular those of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In addition, during the Universal Periodic Review in 2016, Zimbabwe accepted recommendations pertaining to the freedoms I am mandated to monitor. My assessment is guided by these principles.

Democratic transition

Zimbabwe has gone through different political transitions in the course of its recent history since independence in 1980. More recently, as a result of a National Unity Government, a Constitution was adopted in 2013 which includes an expansive bill of rights with specific provisions promoting and protecting the rights on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.

With the new constitutional framework that includes the establishment of a number of independent institutions, the recent change of leadership, prospects of legal and judicial reform, effective economic recovery measures and changes in the governance structures,, arose as a natural expectation for many Zimbabweans who are desperately awaiting to improve the quality of their lives.

I have repeatedly heard from different segments of society that the “new dispensation” brings the hope of more freedoms. The Government has committed to have a more open and democratic space, that enables a multi-party democratic political system. They have also promised to erect a transparent, just, accountable and responsive way of governance based on the rule of law, respecting the principles of separation of powers.

The transition has also brought along reassurances of strategic reengagement with representatives of the international community as well as with financial institutions. The Government has said it will take a strong stance in relation to the fight against corruption and impunity and has recommitted to its obligations contained in regional and international human rights instruments.

Albeit the common belief that a transformation will come, I believe that the long-awaited hopes are fading. The population is now questioning the Government’s capacity to bring about such changes. They feel they have not experienced concrete and tangible results. On the contrary, I have perceived from my different meetings around the country, that there is a serious deterioration of the political, economic and social environment since August 2018 resulting in fear, frustration and anxiety among a large number of Zimbabweans.

Freedom of Peaceful Assembly

Zimbabwe is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which it acceded to on 13 May 1991, and which provides for the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association under articles 21 and 22.

The Constitution guarantees freedom of peaceful assembly. Various pieces of legislation give effect to Sections 58 and 59 of the Constitution that provides for this fundamental right such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA), the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and the Electoral Act.

I was informed that the POSA will soon be repealed and replaced by the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill (MOPO) which “will provide mechanisms to ensure that the police in maintaining law, order and suppression of civil commotion or disturbances in any police district do so in a manner that does not compromise human rights”.

While I acknowledge that there is a need to enact a new law in accordance with international human rights norms and standards, the MOPO bill has worrying similarities to the POSA revealing a common scope in which the exercise of the right to peaceful assembly is not fully guaranteed. Instead the MOPO bill continues to give law enforcement agencies broad regulatory discretion and powers.

The MOPO bill does not propose significant substantive amendments targeted to address the main problems prevailing in the POSA. One important improvement is the deletion of Section 27 of the POSA related to the temporary prohibition of holding processions or public demonstrations within particular police districts, however this change is made based on the declaration of unconstitutionality made by the Constitutional Court in 2018. Another improvement is the provision mandating the President, instead of the Minister of Defence (as provided by POSA), to authorize the deployment of military forces to assist the police in exercising their functions, and report promptly to Parliament bringing it in line with the Constitution.

I have emphasized in my different meetings with government authorities that assemblies should be presumed lawful and peaceful. Permissible limitations to this right are set out in international law and require the Government to explicitly justify any limitation, to explain the necessity of any limitation, its legality and proportionality in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. Citizens should be able to challenge such limitations in the courts. Under international law it is not enough for a Government to say demonstrations pose a national security threat, a Government has the obligation to identify the specific risks it is concerned about, the measures it will implement to mitigate such risks and the limited number of restrictions it will order to manage the risks. Blanket prohibitions are rarely lawful. The role of the Government is to mitigate risks to enable the enjoyment of the fundamental right to peaceful protest.

From my discussions on recent events, I have perceived that the use of military forces has a profound negative impact, including in the minds of the population, who fear these forces are not adequately trained to handle demonstrations. On this point, I would like to stress that the involvement of the military in the managing of assemblies contradicts the Guidelines for the Policing of Assemblies by Law Enforcement Officials in Africa, as they provide that military forces must only be used in exceptional circumstances and only if absolutely necessary. This same criteria has been used by the CCPR that has recommended “to ensure that public order is, to the maximum extent possible, upheld by civilian rather than military authorities” (CCPR/C/VEN/CO/4).

I am also concerned that the MOPO bill contains notification requirements for certain gatherings, including cumbersome administrative processes – that amount to an authorization, not a notification regime. It is also of concern that spontaneous assemblies are not protected in the bill, which does not recognize the right of individuals to engage in spontaneous public gatherings.

I have requested to be briefed on how the notification procedure is implemented in practice in different provinces and found that it is extremely burdensome in terms of administrative requirements but also very intrusive in its demands, undermining the exercise of this fundamental freedom for public gatherings and private meetings.

I firmly believe that the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly should not be subjected to authorization. At most, a prior notification procedure is sufficient, in order to facilitate peaceful assemblies and to take measures to protect public safety and order and the rights and freedoms of others. Moreover, spontaneous assemblies should be recognized in law and exempted from prior notification in conformity with the jurisprudence of the CCPR that reaffirms that article 21 contains an obligation to facilitate spontaneous assemblies without interference.

I am also concerned by the provisions of the MOPO Bill regarding the administrative liability of organizers as well as the criminal liability of organizers and participants of gatherings. Such legal consequences undermine the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly especially as the law does not clearly define the administrative or criminal offenses and the language could provide for a very extensive interpretation of the liability of individuals entitled to exercise this right.

Finally I would like to express my concern in relation to the provisions that allow the police broad discretion to disperse public gatherings as well as the broad search and seizure powers given to law enforcement agencies. The United Nations Basic Guidelines on the Use of Force by law enforcement officers, provide important guidance on these matters in line with international human rights standards.

I trust that as a result of this visit and the good level of cooperation that I have experienced with the Government and seek to maintain, it will be possible for the government to examine the concerns that have been raised in order to revise the MOPO bill according to international human rights standards.

Furthermore, throughout my visit, I have noted that restrictive practices also limit the enjoyment of this freedom.

The restrictions described to me range from very subtle forms of interference, to threats issued by public authorities to suppress protests and dissent, to the use of the judicial system to impose unlawful charges and/or the use of disproportionate and excessive force resulting in massive violations against protestors. I have also heard of numerous cases of arbitrary detentions, cases of injury, torture and even the loss of innocent lives.

Recurrently during meetings with civil society actors, trade union leaders or representatives of dissenting political parties, I have learnt of several number of occasions in which there has been unjustified denials of authorization to demonstrate, some even with extremely short notice, making it virtually impossible to call off the protests at the very last minute and resulting into unwarranted liability.

In response to this seemingly common practice, it was drawn to my attention that the organisers of assemblies are compelled to recurrently challenge these decisions in the courts in order to be able to exercise this fundamental right though the support of court orders.

Another, worrying example is the use of Section 22 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act provision on “subverting a constitutional government” to prosecute human rights defenders, civil society and opposition leaders suspected of having played important roles in protests. The crime is similar to treason and could attract up to 20 years of imprisonment. From my meetings, it transpired that leaders calling for protests, supporting protests through public statements or social media, and participating in protests have been charged with this crime and I have been informed that in this year alone, 22 individuals are facing this criminal charge.

I have also heard extremely disturbing reports of excessive, disproportionate and lethal use of force against protestors, through the use of tear gas, batons and live ammunition.

In particular, I would like to refer to the authority’s response to the protests of January 2019 calling for a national ‘stay-away’ in response to massive fuel price increases. The order to disperse protestors participating in the demonstrations led to the use of lethal and excessive use of force, mass arbitrary arrests and torture. Unlawful restrictions on access to internet were also put in place.

On this occasion, I was informed that the military was deployed to the streets in different parts of the country, including in Bulawayo, Harare city centre, Chitungwiza Township and high-density suburbs of Epworth, Mabvuku and Kuwadzana. While I was informed that there was looting and destruction of private property, the disproportionate response by the security forces to the turmoil resulted, according to different sources, in at least 17 killings, including 14 men and 3 women, with more than 300 people treated for serious injuries including 70 for gunshot wounds. I was informed that one police officer in Bulawayo died as a result of these events.

From the conversations held with government authorities in and outside the capital on the facts related to these very unfortunate events, it is clear that, in line with the existing legislation, law enforcement officials view their role in managing assemblies as a public order function, rather than a protection function.

I would like to reiterate my call to the Government to adopt a human rights based approach that facilitates assemblies as an integral human right of every person. An approach that allows for specific, targeted, legal and measured responses to prevent, contain and respond to specific incidents of violence in the context of protests. An approach that leads to the establishment of a well-trained force and professional democratic policing.

From my meetings with different stakeholders, I also heard the testimonies of individuals who lost valuables and property and who until now have not received compensation in respect of these violent acts.

I was shocked by the testimonies of victims who alleged they had been raped and sexually assaulted by military and police elements in the context of the protests. The victims of these crimes explained they were assaulted in their homes, in many cases at night, and felt this was being used as a tactic to cause pain and fear among those linked to leaders of protests or to cause general fear among the population. I also heard of massive arbitrary arrests, and cases of abduction and torture of protestors. During these events children who were caught in the middle of the protests or who wanted to actively participate in them were prevented from doing so.

I was also informed of cases of internet shutdown that took place during the crackdown of protests further limiting the right to peacefully assembly. I strongly believe that network disruptions are in clear violation of international law and cannot be justified under any circumstances. Network shutdown orders often lack a legal basis and these events in Zimbabwe were no exception. In this sense, I applaud the High Court’s decision ruling that the Minister of State responsible for national security in the President’s Office did not have the authority to issue any directives in terms of the Interception of Communications Act.

Although, the events of January 2019 affected most of the country, I would like to recognize efforts made in Bulawayo to address this situation, among other issues, when the President met with a large and diverse representation of the Matabeleland Collective. A set of follow up action points was reached with the Matebeleland Collective and I call on the Government to closely monitor the implementation of all items discussed, in particular, action point 14.

In another instance, in Hwange, I met with spouses of workers of the Hwange Colliery, who initiated protests on behalf of their husbands due to unpaid salaries of almost 5 years. Since the workers feared victimisation from the employer which could result in dismissal from work, a group of women decided to make the situation visible by protesting peacefully and camping at the company’s premises to demand their husbands’ due payments. The women indicated that they have endured very difficult moments, not only as a result of the hardships that they were confronted with in their homes but also because of pressure and threats from anonymous sources possibly linked to the company. The company took the women to court on civil and criminal charges for trespassing on the company’s premises. Although the cases were dismissed from the courts, the women decided to put an end to the protests as they felt were not being listened to, while they had suffered too much hardship. The role that non-State actors also play in creating an environment of fear, to silence the voice of the most desperate, is a matter of concern, which warrants attention by state authorities in order to prevent and respond to such acts.

Although there are areas of concern I am encouraged that the Government took steps to investigate the crackdown of the protests of 1 August 2018, which took place after the harmonised national elections, when demonstrators took to the streets of Harare demanding the immediate release of the election results. On this occasion, what started out as a peaceful protest turned into chaos and included violent indiscriminate acts. As a result of these protests at least six persons were killed and many others tortured and injured.

In order to investigate these events, through Statutory Instrument 181 of 2018, a Commission of Inquiry, now known as the Motlanthe Commission, was appointed and a final report has been presented with recommendations. These include recommendations such as the need to compensate the losses and damages caused, including support and school fees for the children of the deceased; the need to promote political tolerance, as well as responsible and accountable leadership and citizenry; the need to adopt electoral reforms to enhance the transparent and expeditious announcement of election results; the need to build the capacity of law enforcement authorities; the need for accountability in respect of the alleged perpetrators and the need for nation building and reconciliation including an initiative for multi-party dialogue and cooperation.

During my meeting with the Minister of Justice, I was informed that as a response to the recommendations of the Montlanthe Commission, authorities have continued to undertake legislative and administrative measures to ensure that recommendations are implemented. For example, in March 2019, an Inter-Ministerial Taskforce was established to lead political, electoral and legislative reforms. I hope to get additional information on the work of the taskforce and the implementation of the recommendations.

I commend the Government for these efforts and encourage it to follow this good practice in relation to other such incidents which have occurred.

To conclude, I would like to reiterate that the right to peacefully assemble is a basic pillar in any democracy and should not be negated and feared. On the contrary, it should be allowed and encouraged as its intrinsic value is to allow individuals and groups to express aspirations and concerns publicly. It is in the interests of the State to allow public and peaceful assemblies as a “release valve” in order to avoid recourse to other means of dissent and disagreement that are not desirable and can be harmful to society as a whole. It is a right and one that the State has the obligation to enable and protect.

Freedom of Association

The right to freedom of association is guaranteed in Constitution and is currently regulated through legislation such as the Private Voluntary Organisations Act (PVOA) and the Deeds Registries Act.

Registration of associations, including NGOs, is required by the PVOA and is done through the Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare. I am informed that the registration procedure can be onerous, lengthy and complex in nature requiring, through the PVO registration form, a significant amount of detailed information of the association, and additional documents can be requested at the discretion of the Registrar of PVOs.

Applicant associations are required to provide a proof of public notice in national papers in order to call for objections, which should be lodged with the Registrar. If an applying association has been denied registration due to their political stance and support or under vague circumstances such as “appears unable to abide by the objectives”, no system for challenging the decision is in place.

Foreign funding is strictly regulated and when allowed is met with hostile government rhetoric. International non-governmental organisations intending to operate in the country are required to conclude a memorandum of understanding or cooperation with Government. The PVOA stipulates severe penalties for any unregistered organisations that continue to operate in the country.

In addition to the limitations in setting up an association, the PVOA grants wide discretionary powers to the Minister who can interfere in the internal governance of the association, if she or he believes that a PVO has failed to comply with its objectives or constitution, has been subject to maladministration, or has engaged in illegal activities, or that “it is necessary or desirable to do so in the public interest” or any other ground in terms of Section 21 of the PVOA. Another barrier to the activities of associations relates to the authority of the Minister to inspect “any aspect of the affairs or activities” of any an association.

Considering the registration limitations and challenges provided in the PVOA, many NGOs have resorted to registering themselves as Trusts under the Deeds Registries Act.

Regardless of the law that governs their activities, I have been informed that NGOs are under surveillance in law and in practice. On the latter, I have heard repeatedly accounts of NGOs who need to submit letters of notification to the police informing of their intent to hold meetings in public or even privately.

In particular, I have been able to perceive this toxic environment during my meetings with community based organizations from the Marange region and in Arda Transau whose activities are related to advocacy for transparent, accountable and fair distribution of benefits within the communities in the context of natural resource exploitation.

In both places, I could feel the level of pressure that communities feel because of their activities related to their own well-being and development. The level of isolation in which these communities attempt to operate, which in the case of the Marange communities is even physical, confirms a strong policy of control and intimidation.

In order to reverse this situation, I believe that one of the first steps that the government should take is to carry out genuine consultations with all affected communities, particularly with those that have been relocated. Through the practical guidelines for “Civil society participation in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (A/HRC/41/41/Add.2) and by aligning to the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, a more constructive dialogue can be instituted within the Marange communities and with others in similar situations.

I was also able to understand how activism is immediately related to a political stand even when advocating for the achievement of economic, social and cultural rights. A training abroad can result in arrests upon return to the country, as it occurred earlier this year when activists were detained at the Harare airport and charged with subversion because of their participation in a workshop on peaceful resistance.

I have also been made to understand from my discussions that NGOs working on development and humanitarian issues have been accused of being partisan and based on those perceptions required to sign MOUs with local authorities or they would not be able to implement their projects or activities in a particular province. In the same vein, I received allegations of partisan distribution of food aid.

Finally, I would like to mention that I regret not having being able to meet with the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare since there were a number of issues of particular concern of this mandate, such as the current audit exercise planned to be completed by October and through which more than 700 private voluntary organisations registered in the country will be scrutinized.

Freedom of Association of trade unions

Trade union activities are guaranteed by the Constitution and regulated mainly by the Labour Act and the Public Service Act. In addition, Zimbabwe ratified, in 1998, the ILO Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (No. 98) and, in 2003, the ILO Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention (No. 87).

I understand that comprehensive labour law reform and harmonization predates the 2013 Constitution; however, no concrete results have been achieved from this process.

Of particular concern to me are sections 102 and 104 of the Labour Act. Section 102 refers to “essential services” and provides a very wide and open discretion to the Minister of Labour to declare what constitutes an essential service from which workers are denied the right to strike. In turn, Section 104 provides that workers embarking on strike should give a 14 day written notice to the regulating authority. Failure to do so renders the strike illegal, and such workers will not enjoy the right to protest. For instance I learnt that in 2016, 1357 workers of the National Railways of Zimbabwe were dismissed after the Labour Court ruled that they did not comply with the set procedures ignoring the fact that the same workers were owed a significant amount of dollars’ worth in unpaid salaries.

Sections 107, 109 and 112 of the Labour Act in relation to Collective Job Action, which provides for excessive penalties in case of an unlawful collective industrial action, also raise concerns.

The application of POSA to trade union marches, demonstrations and protests actions, has also resulted in the restriction of the right to peaceful assembly and of association despite several court orders against law enforcement forces prohibiting them from interfering in these peaceful protests.

During my visit, I have received a considerable number of allegations related to arrests, detentions and even abductions of a high number of trade union leaders and members that have taken place in connection with their activities. In particular, I would like to refer to the alleged abduction of Dr. Peter Magombeyi, acting president of the Zimbabwe Hospitals Doctors Association (ZHDA), who led a series of strikes over working conditions and poor pay in the health sector. Although Dr. Magombeyi was later found and the matter is currently under investigation by the authorities, I would like to mention that this is not an isolated case and that union leaders that requested to meet with me expressed that they were living in a toxic environment of constant retaliation and fear.

Due to the current economic situation the country is facing, mass striking appears to be taking place regularly in the country. However, reactions by authorities do not appear to be in line with their Constitution and international commitments.

For instance, in April 2018, there was a nationwide nurses’ strike. The Vice President dismissed all nurses participating in the strikes and ordered the recruitment of new nurses to cover the gaps. As a result, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) went to court to reverse the order, saying that the Vice President did not have the authority to issue such an order and claiming that members had been threatened when negotiations with the government had taken place. The order was later reversed, and the nurses returned to work, but the incident reflected the government’s stance on striking.

Another worrying example is that of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), whose fourteen members were arrested and charged with “disorderly conduct” after organising protests concerning the economic crisis in Zimbabwe as well as low wages in December 2018. On this case, the Harare Court dismissed it stating that trade unions are exempt from the application of POSA.

Key Recommendations and Conclusions

Zimbabwe’s openness to receive my mission and the visits of other United Nations Special Procedures is an important step in its efforts to create a more enabling environment for human rights. I hope that my visit and the conclusions and recommendations of my visit will assist the authorities in improving the environment for and protection of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

In particular, I would like to urge the Government, in line with Section 210 of the Constitution, to establish an effective and independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from members of the public in respect of misconduct by security services and remedy any harm caused by such misconduct. Furthermore, it is critical that in establishing such an oversight mechanism, its independence is ensured in line with international law principles and best practices.

The Government’s stated commitment to improve human rights and widen democratic space is welcome. The 2013 Constitution provides a sound and robust basis for the protection of human rights and it is important to acknowledge progress in the setting up of several independent commissions.

I lament the loss of lives due to excessive use of force against protestors and urge the Government to ensure a thorough and independent investigation of these events and the prosecution of those responsible. The repression of protestors, the attempt to ban protests, the excessive use of force and the restrictive application of legislation regulating the rights of freedom of peaceful assembly and association gravely overshadow efforts to democratically transform Zimbabwe.

I urge the Government to amend laws that are not in line with the Constitution and make use of the independent institutions which are designed to facilitate the exercise of human rights and the courts, in order to ensure that all human rights are enjoyed by all those under its jurisdiction. I recommend that the Government takes steps to identify gaps in legislation which may allow for its discriminatory use, and makes concerted efforts to close these gaps. In these processes, I strongly call for a close consultation with civil society organizations and encourage them to actively engage and participate.

The Government has the momentous task of redressing and solving the long and grave economic crisis afflicting Zimbabwe. In order to be able to find durable solutions that protect the most vulnerable, the Government of Zimbabwe is going to need the support and assistance of the international community. It is important for all actors to join forces to assist in this effort.

In such a context, the Government must protect its citizens’ rights to organize and to assemble. The Government’s role is to enable the free expression different views. The Government must strengthen good practices that enhance dialogue, that allow for democratic expression and organization and respond to the grievances of the people. Such an approach will help enable a solution to the crisis, with the participation of the citizens of Zimbabwe.

It is furthermore important that the Government acts to address the root causes of protests, dealing head on with the issues raised by the populace in the course of their demonstrations.

In a similar vein, following the testimonies that I have received while travelling throughout the country, I am of the opinion that reform of the security sector and strengthening the capacity of reformed structures will go a long way in preventing unnecessary disproportionate use of force, intimidation, surveillance, of civil society, social movement leaders and building trust among communities.

With regards to the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill (MOPO Bill), which will replace the POSA, I encourage the government to ensure that this new bill is brought in line with the international standards to effectively guarantee the enjoyment of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly. In that regard, my full end of mission statement and the report I will produce of my visit, will contain detailed recommendations regarding specific provisions of the MOPO Bill law that I believe should be amended, to bring them into conformity with Zimbabwe’s international human rights obligations.

Regarding the trade unions, I urge the government to implement the recommendations of the ILO Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) adopted by the International Labour Conference of June 2019 and accept a direct contact mission to assess progress in this regard.

In order to build trust between the government and civil society actors and create an enabling environment for civil society work, it is important to withdraw all criminal charges against workers’ representatives and civil society leaders who were arrested for exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

I would also like to encourage the government to follow up and deliver on the recommendations issued by the Montlanthe Commission as well as with other instances such as the action points from the meeting with the Matabeland Collective.

The effective combat of corruption and impunity is key in delivering on the promises under the “new dispensation” and concrete and tangible result need to be achieved in this regard.

I encourage the government to seek the support of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights through the establishment of an Office to support the government’s efforts to promote and protect human rights in this critical transition.

I equally encourage the government to continue to open up the country for the visit of the United Nations Special Procedures in order to benefit from the expertise of these mechanisms.

I urge the Government to ensure that no acts of reprisals, threats or intimidation occur against those under its jurisdiction who have interacted with me or cooperated with the United Nations.

All in all, I urge the Government to take the issues raised in my preliminary observations into consideration, and I underline that, in this regard, my mandate remains available to the Government for any advice regarding the implementation of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, technical or otherwise. Furthermore, at the Government’s invitation, I would be happy to conduct a follow up country visit should the opportunity arise.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Zimbabwe during this critical period, I strongly believe that Zimbabweans are peaceful loving people and that the Government should capitalize on this value and facilitate an unfettered exercise of democratic fundamental freedoms.

I look forward to continuing our dialogue, including through pending replies to communication from my mandate, and discussing my full report when I present it in June 2020 at the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

I thank you for your attention.

Contact Us
Block 10, Arundel Office Park, Norfolk Road
Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
Phone: +263-4-338 836-44, Fax: +263-4-338 294.

Follow Us
facebook.pngtwitter.pngyoutube.pngcredit-logo.jpg
Additional funding for UN coherence efforts in Zimbabwe is provided by the UN Country Team and through a generous grant from the Government of Sweden.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW (commentary)….

By A Correspondent| Harare mayor Councillor Herbert Gomba has spoken about the intensifying Harare Water crisis.

In an interview with Zimbabwe Independent, the mayor spoke about the woes tormenting the city fathers in supplying clean water to Harare residents.

The Mayor said their biggest challenge is importing chemicals which they need at least US$3million a month to buy chemicals especially chlorine gas.

The Mayor also said they need at least ZW$40 Million a month now to treat the water due to the volatile interbank exchange rates.

He dismissed reports that the government was now taking over Morton Jaffray Waterworks in the same interview. The Mayor also shed light on the council’s plans to construct other dams to supply Harare with water and shed more light on why the projects had a false start.

Read the transcript below:

TK: This week council announced that it had to shut down operations at the Morton Jaffray Waterworks owing to inadequate treatment chemicals. How much money is required on a monthly basis to ensure is a consistent supply of treated water to residents?

HG: On average, we need at least US$3 million to procure chemicals that will last a month. However, if the Procurement Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz) approves our application for production of our own chemicals to happen at the plant, that will reduce the cost by US$1 million.

TK: We understand there is more to the water crisis than just a shortage of forex to buy purification chemicals. What are the other challenges causing these water cuts?

HG: It is basically due to inadequate chemicals, particularly chlorine gas. The challenge is that since the removal of the 1:1 we are now required to chase the interbank market for forex, meaning we needed ZW$40 million from residents to procure the US$3 million from the banks.
TK: The government this week announced it was taking over the Morton Jaffray plant. Is that true?

HG: Morton Jaffray is run by City of Harare. We have no communication to the effect that government has taken over the plant. You must remember that central government once transferred management of the plant to Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and you know what happened. Nationalising the plant will not bring the foreign currency which is required to procure treatment chemicals.

The ideal situation is to have US$9 million to buy three months’ supply of chemicals as cover for eventualities; that was what the Rhodesian government would do. However, under the current circumstances, we only have foreign currency to buy chemicals that will last for only four days. Then after that, we have to start running around to mobilise the money needed to import treatment chemicals.

TK: This week, you announced that you had secured chemicals to last seven days. Going forward, what measures have you put in place to ensure that water supply returns to normalcy?

HG: We have bought chemicals for seven days and are waiting for government to transfer the ZW$37,4 million it promised after our requests. We are also building internal capacities to get more resources.TK: How is the ZW$37,4 million going to be utilised?

HG: It is yet to be transferred to our municipal account and its use is detailed in our request to the parent ministry. We need to do piping, metering and improve the purification capacity.

TK: In 2013, council received a US$144 million loan from China Export and Import Bank to fund the same tasks you are asking for more money. Can you explain how that money used?

HG: Only US$72 million from that US$144 million was used. The Chinese started raising issues around the non-payment of other government debts. It was also the case with that loan facility because it was guaranteed by the government.

Part of that money was used to refurbish Morton Jaffray, while some of it was channelled towards the procurement of vehicles. This was done by the commission which was running the city in June and July 2013.

TK: We understand that up to 60% of the water which the council treats is lost through leakages. What is being done to curb these leakages?
HG: We have sent our work programme to government for approvals. The work programme includes entering into agreements with the Chinese for a comprehensive project to do pipe replacement. As it stands, we are using internal resources to do it.

TK: There are some suburbs which have not been receiving water for over a decade now, what is council doing to ensure that potable water is supplied to those communities?

HG: Council is committed to supplying those suburbs with water, but that can only be done through rationalising water distribution and managing water demand.
TK: How has the re-introduction of the Zimbabwean dollar impacted on your operations, particularly in light of your import requirements?

HG: It has caused a lot of problems, particularly the removal of the 1:1 ratio and the multi-currency pricing regime. What it means is that we are now chasing the interbank market with limited resources from a price-controlled product such as water.

TK: There are a number of informal settlements sprouting across the city, thereby straining service delivery. What is council doing to regularise these illegal settlements?

HG: We have approached the High Court in terms of the law, seeking to remove some but, again, we will regularise where possible.TK: The Kunzvi Dam project has been on the cards for decades. What is stalling progress?

HG: The tender was awarded but nothing has been done yet. We need to expedite the construction of Kunzvi and Muda dams in order to ensure adequate supply of water. Unfortunately, it is Zinwa and the Ministry of Water who must do that. We can only remind them of the urgency of now.
TK: How much is required to finalise the project?

HG: Kunzvi needs US$450 million and Muda requires US$180 million, according to research done before by engineers.

Paul Nyathi|The University of Zimbabwe has made drastic adjustments to its students’ menu by adding beans as part of their meal plan.

The institution has also made some serious rationing which will see 12 students sharing one chicken, 1kg beef for 12 students with each student getting 1 piece of meat. 1 litre of milk will cater for 40 students.

See full menu below

By A Correspondent| Government has finally gazetted laws to govern the industrial production and supply of industrial hemp.

This came to light in a published Government gazette yesterday.

The regulations in the gazette read in part:

These regulations may be cited as the Criminal Law Codification and Reform (Persons who may lawfully possess, deal in or use industrial hemp) Regulations, 2019.

In these regulations  “industrial hemp” means the plant cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not with a delat-9tetrathydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0,3 percent on a dry weight basis

An application for the issue of a licence in terms of section 27 of the Act shall be made to the Minister, in duplicate and shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee and three copies of a plan of the site proposed to be licensed which shall comply with the requirement specified in these regulations.

In case of an individual, proof of citizenship or proof of being ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe or proof of an exemption by the Minister (will be required).

In the case of a company, proof of citizenship or proof of being ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe of the majority of directors or proof of an exemption by the Minister and proof of incorporation in Zimbabwe of the company; and a declaration, signed and dated by the proposed authorised person in charge, stating that the authorised person in charge, the proposed responsible person in charge and, if applicable, the proposed alternate responsible person in charge, are familiar with the provisions of the Act (will be required).

-StateMedia

Paul Nyathi|THE Nelson Chamisa led Movement for Democratic Change has been ordered to pay $10 000 in damages and interest to an employee they fired unlawfully.

According to the Daily News, Bramston Gwena had cited the MDC as a respondent in the registration of an arbitral award after it had been opposed by the political party.

High Court judge Tawanda Chitapi registered the arbitral award granting Gwena $10 140 with five percent interest calculated from May 1, 2014 as damages in lieu of reinstatement as an order of the court.

Gwena and 15 other employees took the MDC to the Labour Court sometime in 2015 and it was ordered to reinstate the aggrieved workers without loss of salary and benefits from the date of dismissal.

Source – dailynews