Farai Dziva|Controversial Masvingo Minister of State For Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira has threatened to fire civil servants who are sympathetic to MDC leader Nelson Chamisa.

Addressing party members in Mwenezi, Chadzamira threatened to dismiss known MDC sympathizers “ensconced” in government departments.

Said Chadzamira:

“We know that there are some government employees who are working with the opposition to disrupt our programmes.

We know you and do not regret when we come hard on you.”

Chadzamira also declared he would instruct his assistants to compile names of those sympathetic to Chamisa.

“Do not violate your standard ethics, I will instruct some officers to compile names of dissenting elements,” said Chadzamira.

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Farai Dziva|The mayor of Chitungwiza has been hospitalized after being attacked by a group of rowdy Zanu PF youths.

The youths also attacked police officers.

“Violenced rocked Chitungwiza as over 50 Zanu PF Youths attacked the Mayor and beat up police details .

The Zanu PF youths beat up 4 police details attending to the scene and anti riot police had to be called in to disperse the marauding youths.

The full council meeting which was scheduled to take place today has been cancelled following the violence by Zanu PF youths at Chitungwiza Town Council.

The Mayor was injured and is currently being attended to at hospital,” a source told Zim Eye.com

Farai Dziva|The MDC is calling on party members, supporters and residents of the city of Masvingo to throng the Masvingo Magistrates Court tomorrow for the trial of Provincial Administrator Peter Chigaba.

The former Morgan Tsvangirai bodyguard is being accused facilitating an illegal demonstration.

See the MDC full statement:

We are urging all our leaders and members to come out in numbers in solidarity with our Provincial Administrator .

Peter Chigaba who is out on bail will be appearing at the Masvingo magistrates court tomorrow at 0800 hours.

He is facing 2 charges- publishing false statement prejudicial to the state and mobilising residents for protests without police clearance.

We will not be intimated by these desperate acts ,let’s join our PA tommorow in solidarity .

Lee mahachi
Deputy spokesperson MDC Masvingo Province

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PRETORIA – The International Cross-Border Traders Association (ICTA) on Friday urged the South African government to protect foreign bus and truck drivers amidst threats of violence from their local counterparts who accuse the immigrants of taking their jobs.

“We warn the South African government to protect foreign nationals in their country. We have previously witnessed foreign nationals getting killed, assaulted and threatened without a single person being arrested or prosecuted. South Africa is not an island in heaven. The government should respect rights of foreign nationals,” ICTA president Denis Juru told African News Agency (ANA) in Pretoria.

Juru said his association had noted several threats circulating online, threatening a work stoppage and violence against foreign nationals scheduled for September 2.

“If that plan succeeds, we’re going to stop all South African registered trucks, buses and flights to cross borders to any other African nation.

Foreign truck drivers have work permits to work in South Africa. The government of South Africa found it necessary to give those foreign nationals work permits, allowing them to take employment in South Africa,” said Juru.

“No one has monopoly of violence. If they turn to be violent to foreign nationals, our organization shall respond accordingly.”

Sources told African News Agency that ambassadors representing Southern African nations were planning to raise their unhappiness with the department of international relations and cooperation at a meeting in Pretoria on Friday.

On Wednesday, the Truckers Association of SA (TASA) warned that further work stoppages and violence in the volatile trucking industry would be a blow to the ailing South African economy.

“We have indeed received such notices about the strike. What we would first and foremost want to preach is peace. We encourage all people to be peaceful and exercise restraint,” said TASA president Mary Phadi.

She said her organisation was losing sleep over the impact of the scheduled on the already bleeding South African economy.

“Our economy is not growing and these incidents and work stoppages continues to affect the income of many people in these difficult times where the country is bleeding,” she said.

Earlier this week, Zambia’s High Commission in Pretoria issued a travel advisory warning its citizens in the trucking business to avoid travelling to South Africa next Monday because of the threats of violence circulating.

The high commission’s Naomi Nyawali said reports have been received of some Zambian truck drivers being threatened with violence ahead of the stoppage by their disgruntled South African counterparts.

“According to the information made available to the Zambian mission, some Zambian truck drivers have faced physical attacks and threats from their South African counterparts who are fighting for better conditions of services from their employers,” said Nyawali.

Notices doing the rounds on Twitter and WhatsApp from unidentified individuals purporting to be representing South African truck drivers call for the nationwide stoppage on September 2 and warn that “no foreign truck drivers will be allowed to drive across South Africa”.

“It is with this background that [Zambia’s High Commission] would like to advise all Zambian truck drivers who are scheduled to travel to South Africa on the mentioned date not to do so until security is guaranteed,” said Nyawali.

“The mission would also want to advise Zambian Truck drivers who will enter or would be working in South Africa on the 2nd of September 2019 to park their trucks in safe and secure designated places in order avoid loss of life and property. 

“The mission has in the past engaged [Pretoria’s] department of international relations on the safety of Zambian truck drivers, and [was] assured of tight security measures that the South African government was putting in place.”

-ANA

The Zimbabwe Cross Borders Transport Association (ZCBTA) has warned that it will stop all South African cross-border transport if reputed attacks by South African nationals on foreign truck drivers proceed.

“Due to threats by South African nationals that on September 2, 2019 they are embarking on an attack on foreign national drivers, the International Cross-Border Traders Association executive has resolved that if this plan succeeds, we are going to stop all South Africa-registered trucks, buses and flights to cross borders to any African nation,” Dennis Juru, the chair of ZCBTA, said in a statement.

Juru said that the foreign truck drivers had permits to work in South Africa that had been granted by the South African authorities and that the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa required an appropriate response, Pindula News reported on Monday.

“We have previously witnessed foreign nationals killed, assaulted and threatened without a single person being arrested or prosecuted,” he added.

South Africa has regularly made international headlines for the ongoing attacks on foreigners, mostly from Africa, which have included killing many, injuring many more and destroying businesses owned by the foreigners, claiming they are stealing South African jobs and are involved in crime operations in the country.

-ANA

By A Correspondent- Chitungwiza Mayor Lovemore Maiko and 4 police officers were this morning beaten up by over 50 suspected Zanu PF youths at the town’s head office, ZimEye has learnt.

The youths first stoned Maiko’s vehicle and the mayor went to the police station to make a report.

Upon their return to the town’s head office, Maiko who was in the company of 4 police officers was again attacked by the youths who did not spare the police details either.

Said a source who spoke to ZimEye:

“It seems this violence was pre planned because it all happened in a co-ordinated manner. The over 50 Zanu Pf youths stoned vehicles including the Mayor’s car and he went to the police station to report the matter. He came back in the company of four police details.

When he went to the town clerk’s office, where he allegedly intended to serve him with a letter to clarify on why he was not reporting for duty, the youths followed him there and started assaulting him with chairs, stones and fists.

The four police officers who were also attending to the crime scene were not spared and they were beaten up. Anti riot police had to be called to calm the marauding Zanu Pf youths

Maiko sustained injuries and was rushed to Chitungwiza General Hospital. He is currently at the local health institution where is still being attended to.”

A full council meeting which was scheduled to take place has been shelved due to the violence.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.

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By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association reported on Sunday that union leaders were receiving death threats from suspected government agents over the strike call.

Doctors at public hospitals will go on strike on Tuesday after they rejected a government offer of a 60 percent salary increase.

“We simply do not have the means to continue coming to work because the salary is not sufficient,” the doctors said in a letter to the Health Services Board last Friday. The doctors said talks with the government had “proved to be futile.”

“No satisfactory agreement has been reached so far to insulate the doctors from the current high cost of living. To this end, it is within this reason that on the date stated above (September 3) we will not report for duty until the salaries are adjusted,” the doctors added in the letter signed by their acting president Peter Mugombeyi.

The government last week announced a 76 percent pay rise for the rest of the civil service, and 60 percent for doctors in a bid to avert imminent strikes, but unions say the increases are far off their demands to have their salaries adjusted to the interbank rate. The Zimbabwe dollar was trading for 10.6 to the United States dollar last Friday.

Surging inflation, currency changes and the continued deterioration of Zimbabwe’s economy has led to an erosion of workers’ buying power, placing the government on a collision course with its employees who are demanding z$4,750 (US$448) for the lowest paid government employee. The announced pay increase only raises the lowest paid worker’s salary to Z$1,023 (US$96) a month.

A strike by doctors will bring fresh woe to Zimbabwe’s creaking health service which is already strained by lack of drugs and equipment.

According to an MDC Youth member Makomborero Haruzivishe, an MDC Councillor in Chitungwiza has been attacked by suspected Zanu PF youths.

Posting in Twitter today Haruzivishe said;

“Zanu-PF youths clad in party regalia have attacked councillor Lovemore Maiko. ZanuPF is using all weapons within its means to persecute our youthful Chitungwiza Mayor. Last week they arrested him on false corruption allegations,today they attack him with stones & machetes!”

Zanu-PF youths clad in party regalia have attacked councillor Lovemore Maiko.

ZanuPF is using all weapons within its means to persecute our youthful Chitungwiza Mayor.

Last week they arrested him on false corruption allegations,today they attack him with stones & machetes! pic.twitter.com/xU5xHV2owH

— Makomborero Haruzivishe (@MakomboreroH) September 2, 2019

The current bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ today are as follows:

USD = ZWL$10.7139
ZWL$ = RAND1.4567
Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates:

USD = ZWL$12.50 zimrates
USD = ZWL$12.10 zwl365 [as at 30/08/2019]
USD = ZWL$12.50 bluemari

By A Correspondent- Addressing hundreds of MDC supporters in Glen View South over the weekend, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa revealed that his party was currently engaging the grassroots in a move aimed at ensuring that the people drive and direct the party’s agenda and discourse.

He said:

“……..We are here because of death. Our honourable MP Honourable Vimbai Tsvangirai Java left us when we least expected it. The MDC people here chose Richard Tsvangirai in honour of his late father and we thank you because we were not expecting that.

The other leaders are not here because we launched a program where we are consulting the electorate on what we should do. This is why the other leaders are not here. Some are in Mangwe and others are involved in other programs nationally. We want you to give direction to the party so that when we speak we are speaking on your behalf.”

By A Correspondent- ZESA has embarked on a blitz to compel all high-profile people who owe it money to pay up or face prosecution.

So far, several bigwigs including former and serving ministers have appeared in court after Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi empowered the parastatal to recover the money without fear or favour.

The power utility is owed $1,2 billion by consumers, some of whom have not paid a cent in almost a decade.

This comes as ZESA, which is struggling to meet demand due to low water levels at Lake Kariba and  technical challenges at Hwange Thermal Power Station, has indicated that it will soon disconnect all consumers who fail to pay or make a payment plan, ZESA acting chief executive officer Engineer Patrick Chivaura has said.

Acting on the minister’s instruction s, the power utility is working on a debt recovery strategy to press consumers to pay their outstanding bills.

Eng Chivaura told The Herald yesterday: “The power utility is not going back on its quest to recover its debts from debtors.

“We have been given the mandate by the Government to put more effort to recover our debts despite one’s position. After failing to comply with our directive, we will be left with no option but to approach the courts of the land to recover the debts.”

Eng Chivaura said it was critical for defaulters to pay their obligations to ensure a steady supply of electricity.

A number of citizens and businesspeople are complaining about load-shedding yet they do not pay for services rendered.

For instance, the manufacturing sector owes up to $350 million while miners owe $200 million.

Said Eng Chivaura: “In the interest of service provision, the power utility has stepped up credit control measures in order to recover the debt owed in sectors such commercial, mining, agriculture and domestic. All defaulting business are required to make payment plans in order to clear their bills to avoid the inconvenience of service being withdrawn and litigation.”

Letters of demand have since been sent to debtors.

Eng Chivaura said they had put in place a payment plan for the production sector, especially the manufacturing sector, mining and winter wheat farmers.

As soon after the winter wheat season is over, ZESA will disconnect power to all farmers who have not paid. He said Zesa was not a charity organisation and everyone had to honour their electricity obligations regardless of status.

“We have this mechanism to ensure that money is collected and we are now working on a debt strategy to recover that money,” said Eng Chivaura.

Eng Chivaura said: “We want power to be paid for. A number of consumers are owing Zesa and if you don’t pay for the services, Zesa will come to a stage where it will not be able to deliver that service, yet the source of the problem will be consumers.”

He added that Zesa has to remain viable, financing its projects and providing the much needed power to drive aspirations of the Vision 2030 while at the same time meeting farmers, industry and general consumers needs.

By A Correspondent- The body and head of the deceased, Joshua Munhuwani (57) of plot 11 Fairwood Farm, were later recovered by fellow villagers who had become suspicious of his long absence before quizzing the suspect, Job Munhuwani, who confessed to the killing.

Police in Wedza, Mashonaland East, have arrested a 19-year-old man who beheaded his father, wrapped his head in a plastic bag before throwing his dismembered body into a pit.

Police provincial spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza yesterday confirmed the tragedy and said police were still investigating the motive behind the gruesome murder.

“I confirm the death of a Wedza man who was beheaded by his biological son. It is a tragedy that the man died that way. The remains of the deceased were found after he had gone missing for close to two months. The police are still investigating the matter to establish the reason for such a gruesome act,” he said.

According to police, it is alleged that between June and July 2019, the suspect and his father were sleeping in the same hut.

The suspect is believed to have woken up that night, took an axe and fatally struck his father in the head, killing him instantly. The suspect allegedly beheaded his father, wrapped the head with a plastic bag before dumping it in a pit on the outskirts of the homestead.

He is also suspected to have taken the dismembered body of his father and concealed it in the same pit by covering it with two blankets and some dry grass.
When the suspect was quizzed by other villagers on the whereabouts of his father, he allegedly lied that he had visited some relatives in Rusape.

However, when the village head and his subjects failed to take the explanation of the suspect, they teamed up on August 27, 2019, and quizzed him until he admitted to the murder. He led the people to the pit where he had concealed the decapitated body.

A report was made at Wedza police who then attended the scene. The deceased’s remains were removed and taken to Mount St Mary’s Hospital for post-mortem.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Cross Borders Transport Association has issued a counter-statement in response to South Africans’ Xenophobic threats.

The Chair of the Zimbabwe Cross Border Transport Association, Dennis Juru said if xenophobic attacks succeed, they would retaliate by stopping all South African cross border transport into crossing into any African country. Juru’s latest statement said:

Due to threats by South African nationals that on September 2, 2019 they are embarking on an attack to foreign national drivers, the International Cross-Border Traders Association executive has resolved that if this plan succeeds, we are going to stop all South Africa-registered trucks, buses and flights to cross borders to any African nation.

Foreign truck drivers have work permits to work in South Africa. The government of South Africa found it necessary to give foreign nationals work permits, allowing them to take employment in South Africa. No one has monopoly of violence.

If they turn to be violent to foreign nationals, our organisation shall respond accordingly. We have previously witnessed foreign nationals killed, assaulted and threatened without a single person being arrested or prosecuted.

Juru was responding to South Africans who threatened to protest against foreign truck drivers today.

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo woman who faked pregnancy before she allegedly ganged up with a friend to steal a two-day old baby from a new teenage mum to impress her husband, has been arrested.

Ngonidzashe Shava (38) of Magwegwe North who had faked pregnancy, teamed up with Loveness Ndebele and they went to Mpilo Central Hospital where they met a 16-year-old girl who had just been discharged and she was carrying her new born baby.

They stole the baby on Thursday and were arrested on the following day after a tip off.

Acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the two suspects went to Mpilo Central Hospital where they spotted the complainant coming out of hospital carrying her baby and offered to assist her.

“The suspects left the hospital in the company of the complainant who was carrying her baby and proceeded to the Central Business District.

“On arrival in town, the two suspects together with the complainant went to Bulawayo City Hall under the guise that they intended to board a lift to Mahatshula where they purported to be staying,” he said.

Insp Ncube said Shava and Ndebele gave the teenage mother $10 so that she could buy food and offered to look after her baby while she went to the shops.

“On her return, the complainant discovered that the two suspects had disappeared with the baby and she made a police report at the Bulawayo Central Police Station,” said the police spokesperson.

Shava, who had stolen the baby, after faking pregnancy to her husband, ran out of luck when neighbours and relatives became suspicious after seeing her with a new born baby.

“They went to Mpilo Central Hospital to make an inquiry and there were no records indicating that Shava had given birth at the hospital.

“They got suspicious and alerted police leading to the arrest of the two suspects,” said Insp Ncube.

Shava and Ndebele are facing a charge of baby theft and will appear in court today.

Insp Ncube warned new mothers against entrusting their babies with strangers as such cases were on the increase.

“We continue to urge mothers to make sure that they jealously guard their babies to avoid the recurrence of such cases,” he said.

— StateMedia

HARARE – High level sources have revealed that a letter was written to the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission urging them to investigate incumbent speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda over criminal abuse of office,  corruption,  nepotism and other practices.

Part of the letter reads that there is enough evidence to link Mudenda to the botched fuel deal that was facilitated by his son Donald Mudenda when Jacob Mudenda was Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.

It is alleged that officials from CAAZ tried approaching Speaker Mudenda over the issue in 2014 and eye witnesses state that the Speaker of Parliament called Parliament Security to kick out the CAAZ officials from his office.

The letter also further urges ZACC to look into a Victoria Falls land scandal where Mudenda is alleged to have used his influence to coerce ZESA into buying a piece of land which belonged to Mudenda at an inflated price.

Contacted for comment ZACC officials declined to comment on the matter.

Sources within ZANU PF said the party had taken heed of the youth league accusations of corruption levelled against some senior members including Mudenda and the axe was going to fall heavily on those found guilty.

Meanwhile other sources said it is a matter of time before Mudenda is elbowed out as there are whispers in the corridors of power to the effect that Retired General Rugeje was heading to parliament to replace Mudenda and ensure that Emmerson Mnangagwa does not face a motion of impeachment.

During the run up to the 2018 harmonised elections Mnangagwa revealed that there were plots to oust him from power though a parliamentary process.

Byo24

THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) is waiting for official communication from the Bulawayo City Council to start preparing for a by-election after the High Court nullified the election of Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tinashe Kambarami.

Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Thompson Mabhikwa, last week nullified the election into council of Mr Kambarami.

His ruling followed an application by 1893 Mthwakazi Restoration Movement Trust, through its lawyer Mr Godfrey Nyoni of Moyo and Nyoni Legal Practitioners seeking an order nullifying Mr Kambarami’s election as councillor for Ward 3 and the city’s Deputy Mayor.

In an interview yesterday, Zec Commissioner Dr Qhubani Moyo said the commission was waiting for the council to communicate the vacancy before undertaking due procedure.

“We have read about the judgment in the newspapers but we are yet to be officially informed before we can start analysing the judgment. Standard procedure is that where there is a vacancy as a result of any reason which includes death, expulsion or resignation, the council of the area concerned will notify Zec that a vacancy has arisen,” said Dr Moyo.

He said once Zec receives official communicaton from council, the process to prepare for a by-election will then be set in motion. The Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube said council was waiting for the written judgment to map a way forward.

“Unfortunately, I was away but I know that as of Friday we had not yet received the written judgment from courts. We are expecting that to happen tomorrow or on Tuesday for us to map the way forward,” said Mr Dube.

He said once the written judgment is received, council will notify the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing and then Zec. Mr Kambarami will, however, be given a chance to exercise his right to appeal,” said Mr Dube.

State Media|PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has never interfered with the operations of the Judiciary as it is an independent arm of the State whose decisions are not influenced by any political interests, Chief Justice Luke Malaba has said. 

In an exclusive interview with State Media, CJ Malaba said the Judiciary, which is the third arm of the State after the Executive and the Legislature, operates within the confines of the country’s Constitution from which it derives its independence.

“The Judiciary is an institution of the people by virtue of it having been created by the very same people. The Judiciary doesn’t create itself. With us, we are very clear and I can say it once and for all that there is no one who has ever interfered with the judiciary, including the President himself and if people don’t believe that then hard luck. It is in the interest of everyone that the judiciary has independence and that includes members of the public, the Executive, Legislature and even NGOs. It is also in the interest of even those that criticise the Judiciary to ensure its  independence. You don’t criticise the judiciary to the extent of eroding its independence,” he said.

CJ Malaba’s remarks come hot on the heels of unsubstantiated claims by some members of society, including the opposition, alleging that some court decisions not ruled in their favour, were a directive from the Government.

Notably, the recent conviction of Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni who was slapped with an effective18 months in jail for ordering his subjects to destroy a villager’s property in Ntabazinduna, has drawn the ire of opposition activists with some taking to social media to criticise the Judiciary and alleging a political hand in the magistrate’s ruling.

“It is the people who created the independence of the Judiciary and it is equally important for people to understand that before criticising the judiciary, they must first reflect deeply on what it means to have a judiciary, and what it means to criticise it to the extent of discouraging its independence. Independence is not just supporting it, you can actually destroy the independence of the judiciary by constantly attacking it. There is no judiciary which has an interest in any other thing except delivering justice,” said CJ Malaba.

The Chief Justice said in the event that there is some form of evidence of lack of independence exhibited by a judicial officer, they would not hesitate to take appropriate measures.

“As Judiciary, we can’t ensure that what we say is accepted by everyone because that is not our job as judiciary. 

“However, as the Judiciary, we can only state what we exist for, and if anyone has a case of a judicial officer who has exhibited lack of independence and lack of independence is not just a term in abstract, but a constitutionally reviewable substantive term hence you don’t criticise a judiciary in the air and hope to succeed. You will never succeed because we don’t care,” he said.

“What we care about is the substantive aspect and if you can show us that a particular judicial officer has acted against the constitutional obligation to be independent then definitively we will take action even if it’s a chief justice who has to be shown that he acted outside the law because that is the only criteria by which we measure ourselves in the judiciary.”

CJ Malaba said although the Judiciary exists in relation to other organs of the State, it remains an independent arm with its own interest.

“Judiciary does not exist in a vacuum, but it is critical for the other organs of the State to be able to also exist without interfering with the judiciary. An Executive that has an interest in interfering with the judiciary doesn’t understand its position because its very inherent interest is the survival of the independence of the judiciary. 

“You can’t have an Executive that is worth its salt interfering with the Judiciary,” he said.

Watch Sibusiso Moyo being embarassed in the UK by angry Zimbabweans. Is it possible to do the same on Mnangagwa? Video downloading below:

NewsDay|ZIMBABWEANS in neighbouring South Africa are reportedly mobilising to embarrass President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his delegation during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Africa summit scheduled for Cape Town from September 4 to 6.

The developments come at a time when Mnangagwa’s government has outlawed the rights to demonstrate for its citizens by banning opposition protests over the deteriorating situation in the country, despite the right being guaranteed by the Constitution.

Last week, Zimbabweans in South Africa circulated messages mobilising each other to stage a demonstration in Cape Town this week to show the world that all was not well back home, at the same time taking advantage of the international fora since back home protesting was being met with hostility.

“All Zimbabweans in South Africa, let’s stand together with one voice and raise our hands in Cape Town on Wednesday to Friday, September 4 to 6, 2019 while marching in Cape Town where ED Mnangagwa will be attending a meeting of the World Economic Forum,” one of the messages circulating on social media read.

“Do not be left behind, follow others in Cape Town. ED must know what the people of Zimbabwe are crying about. It is enough. We need a government which looks after its people . . .”

This would be the second time Zimbabweans based in South Africa are protesting against Mnangagwa since he took over from former leader Robert Mugabe in November 2017 following a military-backed operation. Some Zimbabweans protested against him on his first visit to South Africa in December 2017, just a month after he became President.

A Zimbabwean political activist based in South Africa, Fortune Mlalazi, confirmed that Zimbabweans were mobilising to demonstrate against Mnangagwa’s delegation.

“It is true, people are mobilising each other to demonstrate in Cape Town where there will be an economic forum and it is their right to demonstrate,” he said.

Mlalazi said this was exactly what Mnangagwa was looking for after he closed avenues for Zimbabweans to freely express themselves on home soil.

“You saw what happened in London with SB (Sibusiso) Moyo (Foreign Affairs minister). It will continue to happen wherever he (Mnangagwa) goes as long as he closes avenues in Zimbabwe. People will always find alternatives,” Mlalazi said.

Zapu spokesperson Iphithule Maphosa said: “We are supportive of this and any other effort to pile pressure on the international community and make them see the Zimbabwean government for what it really is — it is a rogue mafia regime that feeds on Zimbabweans’ blood like vampires.”

The WEF Africa summit will run under the theme Shaping Inclusive Growth and Shared Futures in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It seeks to address the African Union’s Agenda 2063 on regional strategic priorities.

ZANU PF has gone on a massive massive drive to drill boreholes in Glen View in Harare ahead of this weekend’s by election.

The programme, which is being spearheaded by the District Development Fund (DDF) department of water, began a week ago and is expected to reach a target of 15 boreholes in time for the elections.

The development followed the statement by Zanu-PF National Political Commissar, Victor Matemadanda, who visited Glen View South constituency last month and told residents that President Mnangagwa had acquired drilling machines from Belarus.

Addressing hundreds of ZANU-PF supporters in Glen View South yesterday ahead of the by-election, forgotten ZANU PF Secretary for Finance Patrick Chinamasa said addressing the issue of water shortages was critical.

“ZANU-PF is the only party which has got people at heart. President Mnangagwa is making frantic efforts to ensure that the people of Zimbabwe live a better life. As the Government, we are aware of the challenges that people are going through especially on water and sanitation, among other things. So these boreholes will go a long way in solving water problems in this area and automatically deal with cholera outbreaks,” said Chinamasa.

Chinamasa called on the people of Glen View to vote for ZANU-PF because of its sound policies.

He castigated rival MDC for disturbing the peace being enjoyed in the country by calling for demonstrations.

“Let us all come out in numbers on 7 September and vote for ZANU-PF, which has the capacity to deal with challenges in the country.

“What MDC is capable of is calling for demonstrations. They don’t even think of developing their respective constituencies. But Zanu-PF, which is led by our visionary leader Cde Mnangagwa, is always making strides to stimulate robust development in the country on a non-partisan basis,” said Chinamasa.

“We will also engage the Ministry of Local Government to stop developments on open spaces which are being spearheaded by MDC councillors. This is increasing the chances of water-borne diseases and should stop,” he said.

“Right now, MDC is insisting on conducting demonstrations countrywide with no apparent reason, never take heed to them. They disturb people’s daily programmes. Have you ever asked yourself why they are calling for demonstrations while President Mnangagwa is pushing for developmental programmes? It’s a testimony that ZANU-PF is the only party that is pushing for development,” he said.

Election watchdog Zimbabwe Election Support Network, ZESN, has condemned the untimely drilling of the boreholes in Glenview describing it as a vote buying gimmick by ZANU PF.

The election will see ZANU-PF candidate Offard Muchuwe battling against eight other candidates among them Vincent Tsvangirai of the MDC.

ZANU PF has been cleared to hold its own demonstration in the streets of Harare on Thursday.

The so called demonstration against sanctions will take place after the opposition MDC was denied holding its own similar demonstrations by the police and the courts while no reports are heard on the interference with the ZANU PF demonstration.

Several of the MDC leaders and members are currently facing prosecution for requesting to hold the demonstrations.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to address the protesters.

The ZANU PF march is said to be in support of SADC member states who are calling for the removal of the sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union.

Zanu-PF Secretary of Administration Dr Obert Mpofu yesterday said the solidarity march was being organised by the ruling Zanu-PF.

He said all progressive Zimbabweans should overcome their political affiliations and take part in the solidarity march.

“We want to make it a national event. The solidarity march will include the Government, civil society, students, the business community (and) all political parties, among others, to participate in the solidarity march.

“The event is open to everyone,” said DR Mpofu.

The solidarity march comes after SADC countries declared October 25 as a solidarity day against illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and resolved to conduct various activities in their respective countries on the day to resoundingly call for the immediate removal of the sanctions.

The SADC Secretariat has also since been tasked to escalate the lobby with the current African Union chairperson, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who will be expected to raise the issue at the upcoming 74th United Nations General Assembly later this month.

NewsDay|CONTROVERSIAL cleric Obadiah Msindo has claimed that opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa lost a golden opportunity to push for electoral reforms for the 2023 general elections when he spurned President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s offer to appoint him the official opposition leader in Parliament.

Speaking on the sidelines of Olinda Marowa’s album launch that was graced by popular South African singer Deborah Fraser in Harare on Friday, Msindo also challenged Chamisa to find ways of engaging with Mnangagwa without resorting to violence.

Msindo’s Destiny for Africa Network funded the album launch, as part of his campaign to promote peace and unity in the country.

“Chamisa committed political suicide when he refused to accept President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s offer of being the official opposition leader,” Msindo said.

“Chamisa should have embraced the position and force Mnangagwa to compromise on electoral reforms ahead of 2023 polls. Chamisa should have been pushing in Parliament for the reforms and we could not been having these protests that are resulting in loss of lives.”

Msindo said Chamisa must consider the plight and suffering of Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation and peacefully engage with Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa in January last year proposed to adopt the Commonwealth system and establish the office of the official opposition leader.

Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said then government would change the Constitution to create the office of official opposition leader in Parliament should Chamisa accept the offer.

Government claimed Chamisa snubbed the offer, but the youthful leader said although he would opt to fight Mnangagwa’s legitimacy, no formal offer was advanced to him.

Msindo challenged Chamisa to first prove he was the best leader by improving the situation in the opposition-run councils across the country.

“Chamisa must learn from DA (Democratic Alliance) from South Africa, they are managing Cape Town very well and they are using the testimony to campaign for national leadership. Before Chamisa can take over as president of the country, can he prove to the people he is the best option by introducing innovative strategies to turn around urban centres,” Msindo said.

On Mnangagwa, Msindo said: “Mnangagwa should do away with people who still have an old mentality and defeating policies on ease of doing business. There is need for the President to surround himself and have people in strategic positions, especially in parastatals who share his vision, not saboteurs.

He added: “We have heard investors come and as soon as they step out of Mnangagwa’s office, they meet an anti-prosperity culture. Things should change. We have heard of deals that the President is signing; there can be a swift implementation of the deals.”

The MDC has been rolling out protests against the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

State Media|ZESA has embarked on a blitz to compel all high-profile people who owe it money to pay up or face prosecution.

So far, several bigwigs including former and serving ministers have appeared in court after Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi empowered the parastatal to recover the money without fear or favour.

The power utility is owed $1,2 billion by consumers, some of whom have not paid a cent in almost a decade.

This comes as ZESA, which is struggling to meet demand due to low water levels at Lake Kariba and technical challenges at Hwange Thermal Power Station, has indicated that it will soon disconnect all consumers who fail to pay or make a payment plan, ZESA acting chief executive officer Engineer Patrick Chivaura has said.

Acting on the minister’s instructions, the power utility is working on a debt recovery strategy to press consumers to pay their outstanding bills.

Eng Chivaura said: “The power utility is not going back on its quest to recover its debts from debtors.

“We have been given the mandate by the Government to put more effort to recover our debts despite one’s position. After failing to comply with our directive, we will be left with no option but to approach the courts of the land to recover the debts.”

Eng Chivaura said it was critical for defaulters to pay their obligations to ensure a steady supply of electricity.

A number of citizens and businesspeople are complaining about load-shedding yet they do not pay for services rendered.

For instance, the manufacturing sector owes up to $350 million while miners owe $200 million.

Said Eng Chivaura: “In the interest of service provision, the power utility has stepped up credit control measures in order to recover the debt owed in sectors such commercial, mining, agriculture and domestic. All defaulting business are required to make payment plans in order to clear their bills to avoid the inconvenience of service being withdrawn and litigation.”

Letters of demand have since been sent to debtors.

Eng Chivaura said they had put in place a payment plan for the production sector, especially the manufacturing sector, mining and winter wheat farmers.

As soon after the winter wheat season is over, ZESA will disconnect power to all farmers who have not paid. He said Zesa was not a charity organisation and everyone had to honour their electricity obligations regardless of status.

“We have this mechanism to ensure that money is collected and we are now working on a debt strategy to recover that money,” said Eng Chivaura.

Eng Chivaura said: “We want power to be paid for. A number of consumers are owing Zesa and if you don’t pay for the services, Zesa will come to a stage where it will not be able to deliver that service, yet the source of the problem will be consumers.”

He added that Zesa has to remain viable, financing its projects and providing the much needed power to drive aspirations of the Vision 2030 while at the same time meeting farmers, industry and general consumers needs.

A BULAWAYO woman who faked pregnancy before she allegedly ganged up with a friend to steal a two-day old baby from a new teenage mum to impress her husband, has been arrested.

Ngonidzashe Shava (38) of Magwegwe North who had faked pregnancy, teamed up with Loveness Ndebele and they went to Mpilo Central Hospital where they met a 16-year-old girl who had just been discharged and she was carrying her new born baby.

They stole the baby on Thursday and were arrested on the following day after a tip off.

Acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the two suspects went to Mpilo Central Hospital where they spotted the complainant coming out of hospital carrying her baby and offered to assist her.

“The suspects left the hospital in the company of the complainant who was carrying her baby and proceeded to the Central Business District.

“On arrival in town, the two suspects together with the complainant went to Bulawayo City Hall under the guise that they intended to board a lift to Mahatshula where they purported to be staying,” he said.

Insp Ncube said Shava and Ndebele gave the teenage mother $10 so that she could buy food and offered to look after her baby while she went to the shops.

“On her return, the complainant discovered that the two suspects had disappeared with the baby and she made a police report at the Bulawayo Central Police Station,” said the police spokesperson.

Shava, who had stolen the baby, after faking pregnancy to her husband, ran out of luck when neighbours and relatives became suspicious after seeing her with a new born baby.

“They went to Mpilo Central Hospital to make an inquiry and there were no records indicating that Shava had given birth at the hospital.

“They got suspicious and alerted police leading to the arrest of the two suspects,” said Insp Ncube.

Shava and Ndebele are facing
a charge of baby theft and will appear in court today.State media

By Farai D Hove|ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa allegedly pulled USD5,9 billion out of the government coffers and the money disappeared without a trace, it has emerged.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW(story continues below)…

All this happened within 4 months of removing former President Robert Mugabe (Nov 2017).

Former Finance Minister and current chairman of the portfolio on the Public Accounts Parliamentary Committee, Tendai Biti made the revelations in Glen View on Sunday.

He was speaking while curtain-raising for his boss, Nelson Chamisa.

Said Biti, “Cde President these people steal.

“I sit in the Parliamentary portfolio for public accounts. I have never seen this kind of theft. Mnangagwa and his people there is somewhere where they actually go and beer is brewed for them, and they are told to go and steal lions. I have never seen this kind of theft.

“On the 27th December 2017 one month after the coup, USD2.7 suddenly came direct from the ministry of finance; where it went is not known and there is neither a voucher for it, there is not a single statement for it.

” 3 months later, in March 2018, 3.2 billion dollars was siphoned from the ministry of finance, there is no voucher, there is no invoice, neither is there any paper trail, there is nothing you can put a finger to show where it went.

“The money has disappeared.

“Cde President, we grew up being taught there is a thief called Mobutu Seseseko. ZANU PF has redefined Mobutu Seseism; if Mobutu was a thief, he was just a pastor. The Bishop, the ArchAngel is this one you call Mnangagwa here. These people steal.

“So Cde President, we have a duty to lead,” concluded Biti.

While efforts to obtain a comment from Emmerson Mnangagwa administration, the “revelations” are not new.  They have been the subject of parliamentary portfolio discussions in recent weeks and the latest one was last week.

By Farai D Hove|ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa allegedly pulled USD5,9 billion out of the government coffers and the money disappeared without a trace, it has emerged.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW(story continues below)…

All this happened within 4 months of removing former President Robert Mugabe (Nov 2017).

Former Finance Minister and current chairman of the portfolio on the Public Accounts Parliamentary Committee, Tendai Biti made the revelations in Glen View on Sunday.

He was speaking while curtain-raising for his boss, Nelson Chamisa.

Said Biti, “Cde President these people steal.

“I sit in the Parliamentary portfolio for public accounts. I have never seen this kind of theft. Mnangagwa and his people there is somewhere where they actually go and beer is brewed for them, and they are told to go and steal lions. I have never seen this kind of theft.

“On the 27th December 2017 one month after the coup, USD2.7 suddenly came direct from the ministry of finance; where it went is not known and there is neither a voucher for it, there is not a single statement for it.

” 3 months later, in March 2018, 3.2 billion dollars was siphoned from the ministry of finance, there is no voucher, there is no invoice, neither is there any paper trail, there is nothing you can put a finger to show where it went.

“The money has disappeared.

“Cde President, we grew up being taught there is a thief called Mobutu Seseseko. ZANU PF has redefined Mobutu Seseism; if Mobutu was a thief, he was just a pastor. The Bishop, the ArchAngel is this one you call Mnangagwa here. These people steal.

“So Cde President, we have a duty to lead,” concluded Biti.

While efforts to obtain a comment from Emmerson Mnangagwa administration, the “revelations” are not new.  They have been the subject of parliamentary portfolio discussions in recent weeks and the latest one was last week.

A BULAWAYO woman who faked pregnancy before she allegedly ganged up with a friend to steal a two-day old baby from a new teenage mum to impress her husband, has been arrested.

Ngonidzashe Shava (38) of Magwegwe North who had faked pregnancy, teamed up with Loveness Ndebele and they went to Mpilo Central Hospital where they met a 16-year-old girl who had just been discharged and she was carrying her new born baby.

They stole the baby on Thursday and were arrested on the following day after a tip off.
Acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the two suspects went to Mpilo Central Hospital where they spotted the complainant coming out of hospital carrying her baby and offered to assist her.

“The suspects left the hospital in the company of the complainant who was carrying her baby and proceeded to the Central Business District.

“On arrival in town, the two suspects together with the complainant went to Bulawayo City Hall under the guise that they intended to board a lift to Mahatshula where they purported to be staying,” he said.

Insp Ncube said Shava and Ndebele gave the teenage mother $10 so that she could buy food and offered to look after her baby while she went to the shops.

“On her return, the complainant discovered that the two suspects had disappeared with the baby and she made a police report at the Bulawayo Central Police Station,” said the police spokesperson.

Shava, who had stolen the baby, after faking pregnancy to her husband, ran out of luck when neighbours and relatives became suspicious after seeing her with a new born baby.

“They went to Mpilo Central Hospital to make an inquiry and there were no records indicating that Shava had given birth at the hospital.

“They got suspicious and alerted police leading to the arrest of the two suspects,” said Insp Ncube.

Shava and Ndebele are facing
a charge of baby theft and will appear in court today.State media

THE woes that have haunted women’s football in this country reached another level with the Mighty Warriors boycotting the second leg of the second round Olympic qualifiers at the National Sports Stadium.

The match was expected to kick-off at 3pm but the Zimbabwe senior women’s side didn’t show up for duty.

According to Zifa communication and competitions manager, Xolisani Gwesela, some of the clubs withdrew their players from camp on Saturday at the Zifa Village and this made it impossible for them to proceed with the match.

“Around 10pm yesterday (Saturday) we were notified by the team manager that Blue Swallows, Correctional Queens and Black Rhinos football administrators had taken away players from camp totalling to 12,’’ said Gwesela.

“Then, today, (in the) morning Herentals also took their players from camp.

So, we communicated with Fifa about our position, we requested Fifa to allow us to change the players, Fifa accepted that we can change the players.

By the time the teams arrived at the stadium the new players had not reported for camp.

So, we then wrote to Fifa seeking postponement of the match but Fifa have written back to us to say can you consult with Zambian Football Association so that they accept that, then the match can be postponed, that’s where we stand.’’

While Gwesela said there were no reasons communicated to Zifa on why the clubs withdrew their players, there have been indications that action was provoked by pleas from the players.

The players have been complaining that they have not been receiving their allowances, appearance fees and bonuses from the association.

They claim the stand-off with the Zifa leaders goes back to the time when they took part in the Cosafa tournament where the Mighty Warriors finished third.

The Mighty Warriors were expected to get $2 400 each for their participation at the regional tournament where they settled for bronze.

Zifa has also come up with a vastly-reduced payment schedule for national teams while the association also raised the red flag on Saturday when it announced one of its former employees had obtained a court order to freeze their bank account.

“I cannot comment on rumours, unfortunately, but what I can confirm is that we have a contractual obligation between us and players and not between Zifa and clubs.

Clubs are members of Zifa, so I cannot comment on issues where reasons were not proffered when withdrawing these players from camp.

Unfortunately, the clubs that took players from camp did not proffer any reasons for withdrawing players from camp.

But, in terms of regulations governing the release and status of players, once a player is released into camp, it’s prohibited, it’s not allowed for you to withdraw a player from camp especially when the game is on the international calendar,” said Gwesela.

ZANU-PF Political Commissar Victor Matemadanda has called on political parties to be tolerant and work together so that Zimbabwe becomes a middle income economy by 2030.

Speaking during the national clean up campaign held in Gweru recently, Matemadanda who is also Defence deputy minister, said working together brings about development.

“Political parties should know that unity and working together brings development.

“We can never go forward as a country when there are others who do not want to go forward,” he said.

Matemadanda said MDC councillors had been allowed to run Gweru City Council because they had won elections and their party and leadership should also let those that won in other areas do the same.

“The MDC should admit where they lost…they are leading us in this clean-up campaign because they won Gweru. This shows people are united and they should also acknowledge in areas that they lost,” he said in reference to the 2018 Presidential election which was won by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The Defence deputy minister said when elections are finished, people should unite and start working for the country.

“We cannot be stopped from developing the country by one person,” he said.

Matemadanda said Zimbabwe had been milked dry during the First Republic but it was time to make amends by supporting the informal sector.

“Our economy should be people oriented and youths, women and vendors should be empowered.

“Vendors are now driving the economy and they should not be fought.”

Matemadanda said those calling on stay aways were non-governmental organisations who are paid in hard currency and vendors should ignore such calls as they end up not doing business on the said days.

He warned businesses that were profiteering saying they would soon take the suffering masses to have a showdown with the business owners.

Matemadanda, who is also Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association secretary general, also warned pharmacies and commuter omnibus operators who are charging exorbitant prices to stop the practice.-New Ziana

VIDEO LOADING BELOW..

https://youtu.be/ToLMSRXCcH8

By Farai D Hove| The whole of Harare froze as MDC President Nelson Chamisa announced that he will not move an inch until the issue of the stolen polls is resolved.

Chamisa told Emmerson Mnangagwa until we resolve the issue of 2018 elections, ndaramba, ndakabata chinhu changu “I will remain holding my thing.” Chamisa then broke into song “ramba ukadzvanya ipapo!

Pictures from the MDC rally in Glenview South ahead of next weekend’s by election.

LOADING BELOW…

FULL LIVE VIDEOS LOADING BELOW….

Press Statement By ZESN|The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes with concern the timing of the drilling of 15 boreholes by the District Development Fund (DDF) in Glen View South which ZANU-PF seems to have taken advantage of in its campaigns ahead of a by-election scheduled to be held on 7 September 2019 in the Constituency.

While ZESN acknowledges that Section 77 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe requires the State to take reasonable legislative and other measures within the limits of the resources available to it, to achieve progressive realization of the right to food and water, it appears the prioritisation of the service delivery has been influenced by political considerations.

ZESN observers have reported on the official opening of some of the boreholes by ZANU-PF during its ongoing campaigns in the Constituency. They have also observed DDF trucks carrying borehole rigs moving in convoys with vehicles carrying ZANU-PF supporters in their full party regalia heading for the borehole drilling sites. This can be viewed as a form of vote buying or attempts to influence voting preferences.

Vote buying, according to, The Electoral Knowledge Network (ace) includes promising, offering or giving money; goods; services and/or other inducements (such as promises of employment or special favours or treatment) to voters and/or others, including voters’ families or communities in the run-up to an election, after an election has been announced, or during the campaign, by a political party candidate or others (agents) operating on their behalf in a way which is intended or reasonably could be expected to influence how voters cast their vote or would likely do so.

Whenever it happens, vote buying has the effect of making the playing field uneven. Yet, critical for a free and fair electoral context is a pre-election environment devoid of irregularities and malpractices that include vote buying.

The act is also in contravention of, among others, Section 4.1.4 of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections which stipulates that “Member States shall take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent corruption, bribery, favouritism, political violence, intolerance and intimidation.”

The Network is concerned with the timing of the drilling of the 15 boreholes in an area that is scheduled to have a by-election soon when there are so many other areas in Harare and other cities and towns that are facing rampant water shortages and erratic water supplies.

It is also disturbing that essential service delivery now seems to be tied to electoral campaigns. This perception is reinforced by another incident that was observed by ZESN on 11 May 2019 in Ward 10 of Mutasa Rural District Council by-election where a borehole was drilled on the actual polling day.

Further, concerns about vote buying were also raised in the Lupane East National Assembly by-election when a letter replying favourably to a request, by the ruling party, for medicines to be supplied to Lupane in support of the party’s campaign was leaked.

This letter widely circulated on social media during the run up to the by-election and its contents were not refuted.

The Network reiterates the need for clear legislative measures prohibiting vote buying as well as the enforcement of Section 156 (c) (i) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe that requires ZEC to ensure the establishment of appropriate systems and mechanisms to eliminate vote buying muds the pre-election environment.

ZESN remains committed to support the promotion of democratic electoral processes that are in line with best practices outlined in regional and international instruments governing the conduct of democratic elections.

//Ends

Are these the last days of Emmersom Mnangagwa?

LIVE COVERAGE LOADING BELOW…

Chamisa uses a list of examples to warn Mnangagwa, Any dictator who assaults his own citizens their days are numbered… WATCH LIVE ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0a pic.twitter.com/XmxMESqxzB

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 1, 2019

FULL LIVE VIDEOS LOADING BELOW….

LIVE COVERAGE LOADING BELOW…

Chamisa uses a list of examples to warn Mnangagwa, Any dictator who assaults his own citizens their days are numbered… WATCH LIVE ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0a pic.twitter.com/XmxMESqxzB

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 1, 2019

FULL LIVE VIDEOS LOADING BELOW….

ZANU-PF Political Commissar Victor Matemadanda has called on political parties to be tolerant and work together so that Zimbabwe becomes a middle income economy by 2030.

Speaking during the national clean up campaign held in Gweru recently, Matemadanda who is also Defence deputy minister, said working together brings about development.

“Political parties should know that unity and working together brings development.

“We can never go forward as a country when there are others who do not want to go forward,” he said.

Matemadanda said MDC councillors had been allowed to run Gweru City Council because they had won elections and their party and leadership should also let those that won in other areas do the same.

“The MDC should admit where they lost…they are leading us in this clean-up campaign because they won Gweru. This shows people are united and they should also acknowledge in areas that they lost,” he said in reference to the 2018 Presidential election which was won by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The Defence deputy minister said when elections are finished, people should unite and start working for the country.

“We cannot be stopped from developing the country by one person,” he said.

Matemadanda said Zimbabwe had been milked dry during the First Republic but it was time to make amends by supporting the informal sector.

“Our economy should be people oriented and youths, women and vendors should be empowered.

“Vendors are now driving the economy and they should not be fought.”

Matemadanda said those calling on stay aways were non-governmental organisations who are paid in hard currency and vendors should ignore such calls as they end up not doing business on the said days.

He warned businesses that were profiteering saying they would soon take the suffering masses to have a showdown with the business owners.

Matemadanda, who is also Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association secretary general, also warned pharmacies and commuter omnibus operators who are charging exorbitant prices to stop the practice.-New Ziana