By A Correspondent- Government has started paying cost of living adjustments (COLA) to civil servants, with health workers becoming the first group to receive their dues Wednesday.
The health workers’ COLA was agreed on after a Health Service Bipartite Negotiating Panel (HSBNP) met on August 28, 2019.
At the meeting, it was also agreed that the COLA be paid to members of the health service with effect from August 1, 2019.
In a statement recently, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said funds have since been released for payment of the COLA, which was disbursed through normal salary payments.
“Government availed resources for the implementation of the agreed Cost of Living Adjustment.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care confirms that health workers have been paid COLA through the normal salary disbursement channels today (yesterday), the 4th of September 2019,” reads the statement.
Government and civil servants’ representatives agreed on a cost of living adjustment pegged between 55 percent and 76 percent on a sliding scale, which will see the least-paid worker taking home $1 023 per month.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi told the National Assembly during the question and answer session yesterday that most civil servants will start getting their increments this week.
Minister Ziyambi is also the leader of Government business in Parliament.
The increments were awarded by Government last month as part of efforts to address the concerns of its workers.-StateMedia
Jane Mlambo| According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), a 61 year old man from Magunje has been arrested for illegal possession of a firearm which he used for hunting wild animals.
The police through Twitter announced that it is a serious offence to keep a firearm and ammunition without a valid permit.
Hunting of wild animals without a permit is an offence.
Watch- Disturbing video as woman hammers husband's girlfriend in the head, invites own daughter to beat up father's side chick.Who is this woman? pic.twitter.com/SoAFJuGbsC
By A Correspondent- A Nigerian airline, Air Peace has volunteered to give Nigerians, who want to travel back from South Africa free flights as from Friday tomorrow, September 6th, unconfirmed reports have claimed.
This follows after Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s government on Tuesday summoned South Africa’s envoy and said it would dispatch a delegation to Pretoria to express “deep concern” over attacks on Nigerians in a wave of xenophobic violence.
The decision came after mobs descended on business hubs and townships in various parts of South Africa, looting dozens of shops and torching trucks driven by foreigners in an outburst of anti-migrant anger.
By A Correspondent- Chilling evidence heard in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court about the brutal murder of UCT student Uyinene Mrwetyana – known as Nene – inside the Clareinch Post Office has shocked both students, university management and the postal services to their core.
The court heard that the accused confessed to the murder and led police to where her body was dumped. Bawa ordered that the accused’s name and photograph not be published.
Court 4 was packed to capacity by students waiting in great anticipation of hearing news about Nene, who went missing on August 24.
Many were still hopeful and even told court-goers that she was not dead and had come to court to hear what had happened to her. But seconds after prosecutor Nomnikelo Konisi told the court that Mrwetyana was raped and bludgeoned to death with a scale inside the post office, tears welled up in their eyes.
Konisi said: “The student went to the post office to inquire about a parcel but was told by the accused to come back later because the electricity was off at that time. She returned and he was alone at the post office.
“He locked the door, assaulted her and penetrated her vagina and she fought back. When he heard her screaming he took a scale inside the post office and hit her. He then dumped her body in Lingelethu West. Blood was found inside the post office and on his shoe when he was arrested.”
Martie Gilchrist, regional communications manager for the SA Post Office, reacting to the fact that the crime was committed inside a post office, said:
“The SA Post Office is shocked and saddened by the horrible and inhumane act alleged against an employee. It is deplorable and we are embarrassed.
“We send our condolences to the affected family. We are collaborating with the police and wish for the might of the law to take its course.”
UCT said the fact that a young female student had died in such a horrific manner was devastating and shocked the university to its core.
Management added that Nene was a member of the UCT community and that many people in her residence, Roscommon House, in her class and in her faculty had been profoundly affected by this event.
University spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said:
“The university executive remains deeply distressed by the unacceptable levels of violence against women and the marginalised in South African society on a daily basis.
“The UCT executive will be meeting urgently to discuss how we can commemorate Nene’s life and the many in our society who are affected by violence.”
Meanwhile, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, reacting to the brutal murder said:
“On my own and the Anglican Church’s behalf, my deepest condolences to the family of Uyinene Mrwetyana, her friends and fellow students and staff at UCT.
“May her soul rest in peace. As the father of a daughter at the same institution, I feel this loss especially painfully. Society must rally against the dreadful prevalence of violence against women and children.
“The quick investigation and arrest, in this case, is to be commended.” National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) provincial spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said so far the accused had not indicated if he was going to apply for bail.
If he did the NPA would oppose it. “One of the reasons the case was postponed is that statements still need to be taken and an identity parade held.
“We are still waiting on the DNA results of the blood found in the post office and in his car,” Ntabazalila said.
The magistrate told the murder accused that the case was postponed to November 5.
At his next appearance, he would not appear in court and the proceedings would be conducted via an audio link.
Nigerian airline, Air Peace have voluntereed to give Nigerians, who want to travel back from South Africa free flights as from Friday tomorrow, September 6th.
This follows after Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s government on Tuesday summoned South Africa’s envoy and said it would dispatch a delegation to Pretoria to express “deep concern” over attacks on Nigerians in a wave of xenophobic violence.
The decision came after mobs descended on business hubs and townships in various parts of South Africa, looting dozens of shops and torching trucks driven by foreigners in an outburst of anti-migrant anger.
The Nigerian news site, Punch, quotes the Airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, in a letter addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, on Wednesday, urging the Federal Government to facilitate the rescue of stranded Nigerians in South Africa.
Olajide described the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa as an unfortunate event.
She said, “We cannot fold our hands and watch our fellow Nigerians being killed by South Africans.
“To this end, Air Peace is willing to support the Nigerian government‘s effort in this matter by deploying our B777 aircraft immediately to South Africa to evacuate Nigerians back home.”
She said the Federal Government should ask the Nigerian Embassy and the South African Government to rescue stranded Nigerians by transporting them to the airport to enable the airline to evacuate them back to Nigeria.
The Chairman of the airline, Mr Allen Onyema, while sympathising with the Nigerian victims’ families who lost their lives and properties in the attacks, said Air Peace decided to bring back Nigerians in support of the action already taken by the Federal Government.
Onyeama was said to have welcomed the offer and said it would be a relief to the government and Nigerians who might be stranded in South Africa.
By A Correspondent- Flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo has blasted broke Zimbabwean men likening them to pythons that squeeze the life out of ladies.
The briefcase businessman Chivaro said cuddling with a broke man is the same as being squeezed by a python which just takes your life and gives you nothing in return.
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule says the tension and acts of violence in Gauteng are not xenophobic but are acts of criminality.
He was addressing students at the Tshwane University of Technology’s main campus in Pretoria.
“It is not acts of xenophobia, these are acts of criminality, they are acts of tribal battles. And you think all these things are happening because of xenophobia, that is not the case.
“Criminals are seizing the opportunity to do what they are not supposed to do. That’s why we are saying police must act very harshly against criminals”, said Magashule.
Foreign-owned shops have been looted for days across Gauteng and dozens of people are behind bars.
At least seven people have now been killed in the violence in the province.
By A Correspondent- In a hard-hitting ruling delivered yesterday, Justice Gowora criticised the decision by High Court judge Justice Erica Ndewere to set aside a certificate which had been issued by the Prosecutor-General to detain the ex-minister for 21 days without applying for bail, saying she was wrong to do so.
“In my view, the court a quo was not properly seized with this matter and the decision to set aside was a gross irregularity.
Former Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Priscah Mupfumira’s bid for freedom hit a snag after the Supreme Court yesterday turned down her bail application, citing procedural irregularities. Supreme Court judge Justice Marie-Anne Gowora dismissed the bail application for lack of merit and on the basis that the appeal was defective.
There was no legal premise before the court a quo to interfere with the certificate. Its acceptance by the acting chief magistrate was an exercise of his discretion in terms of the Act, which exercise was never challenged. The court a quo was invited and persuaded to set it aside on the basis of submissions made to it by the appellant’s counsel premised on the alleged constitutional invalidity of s32(3b) of the Act. I have already found that those remarks by the court a quo have no legal justification,” Gowora ruled.
“Accordingly, it is ordered as follows: The appeal is dismissed. In the exercise of my review powers under s25(2) of the Supreme Court Act [Chapter 7:13], the proceedings of the High Court brought by the appellant under Case No HREP 10641/19 be and are hereby set aside.
For the avoidance of doubt, the decision by the High Court to set aside the certificate issued by the Prosecutor-General and produced to the acting chief magistrate on July 26, 2019 is hereby set aside in accordance with the provisions of s25(2) of the Supreme Court Act,” the Supreme Court ruling read. Mupfumira, who is facing seven counts of corruption-related charges, was arrested on July 25 by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and has been languishing in remand prison since them.
In her submissions before the Supreme Court through her lawyers Chinyama and Partners, Mupfumira stated that the State’s evidence against her was weak, adding that the High Court had erred in many respects when it denied her a chance to be tried while out of custody.
But the Supreme Court judge said the whole process was defective and her lawyers were fully aware of the correct process. Mupfumira is facing allegations of swindling the National Social Security Authority of over US$95 million.
Mupfumira came to Harare Magistrates’ Courts yesterday seeking to make a fresh bail application after unsuccessful bids at the High Court and Supreme Court. But she failed to appear before any magistrate after the State discovered that there was no notice given to them for the bail application.
Her lawyer, Charles Chinyama, said they have deferred the bail application to tomorrow. “We wanted to make a fresh bail application, but unfortunately, the State was not prepared and we deferred it to this Thursday (tomorrow),” Chinyama said.
Justice minister Ronald Lamola has promised to take calls for a referendum for the return of the death sentence to the cabinet.
The calls have been made amid the background of rising violence against women in the country, particularly in the wake of the brutal rape and murder of student Uyinene Mrwetyana, which brought the question of gender-based violence and femicide back into the spotlight.
Lamola and minister for women in the presidency Maite Nkoana-Mashabane were addressing the media on Tuesday.
Lamola said he could not decide alone whether or not to bring back the death penalty, but that all he could do was to take the matter to cabinet for discussion – and then for approval or disapproval.
“Whether we are open to referendum or not, at this stage I cannot say… It is something we can take further as a discussion to the cabinet,” said Lamola.
According to him, the NPA and the court could never alone halt gender-based violence if society at large, particularly men, did not play their part.
“The NPA does take these matters seriously when they are brought before them, and when you look at their stats it shows they have 74% conviction rate. But it is not enough,” said Lamola.
“It needs more of a societal work and needs us men in particular to be more sensitive and responsive to the calls of the nation. NPA and the judiciary may not be able to do all the work, we need men to do their part.”
Lamola said there were various interventions that government was undertaking to curb the scourge of gender-based and femicide in the country. Chief among these was a consideration for the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act to “ensure that it is effective, responsive and enables us to prevent the scourge”.
Furthermore, said Lamola, government would accelerate the establishment of 92 special sexual offences courts, 11 of which would be built in the current financial year.
Lamola added that it was high time that the justice system treated cases of gender-based violence and femicide with the sensitivity and speed they deserved – to the satisfaction of the victims.
Nkoana-Mashabane said her ministry had declared Sunday September 8 as a national day of prayer and silence to mourn women who have died at the hands of men.
“Enough. We are sick and tired of hearing how women get killed in their homes, in their churches and as they walk along the streets,” she said.
Nkoana-Mashabane further revealed statistics of the conviction rate of gender-based violence and femicide cases.
According to her, between July 1 and December 31 2018, the courts sentenced 1,357 people to 371 life sentences – a total of 4,629 years’ imprisonment.
“This includes six serial rapists who were sentenced to a combined sentence imprisonment.”
She said much more was being done by government.
“In 2018, the government signed a declaration of gender-based violence and femicide with various civil society organisations.
“We are working toward the establishment of the gender-based violence and femicide council and national strategy plan that will guide all of us wherever we are in our efforts to eradicate this national scourge,” she said.
By A Correspondent- The country’s established retailers are concerned over the proliferation of street grocery vendors in Bulawayo, that they may put the health of members of the public at risk by selling uncertified goods.
The street traders reportedly flood the streets after 4 PM when most of the people leave town for home.
They sell goods at low prices when compared to large-scale retailers. Some of their merchandise is imported from South Africa and Mozambique while some products are sourced locally.
A customer who spoke to The Chronicle explained the pros and cons of buying groceries from the street. Said the customer:
“For instance, Nivea lotion costs $25 at the vegetable market side while it’s $60 in supermarkets. Cooking oil costs $22 here and $26 in the supermarkets.
The only challenge here is that street traders want cash and because it is in short supply we end up going to retail supermarkets for swipe and EcoCash.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president, Denford Mutashu, said that business-wise, they are not fazed by the street traders. Their concern is on public safety.
He said:
“We implore consumers not to buy perishable goods like poultry products and beef products because we have seen a lot of these being smuggled from Botswana as well as South Africa in Musina.
This poses a great danger because such goods are meant to be stored under favourable conditions.”-StateMedia
A report has circulated claiming the Islamic militant group, Boko Haram has given the South African government an ultimatum to stop xenophobic attacks in the country within 24 hours.
The report said the Nigerian based group says they will execute South Africans living in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and other surrounding countries.
It was attributed as having been authored by the Nigerian News Agents.
This warning was in a brief YouTube video message, Nigerian Watch reported but did not provide the video evidence tracing down to the group. Evidence at hand was just a warning contained in an audio file which went viral.
Boko Haram is also said to have threatened to attack South African embassies in the aforementioned countries.
Durban has been a war zone with foreigners fighting running battles with locals and the Police in the city centre. According to the South African Institute of Race Relations, a number of reasons exist that has seen the uprising of xenophobic attacks in the country.
Concerns over validity of facts however arose since the reporters did not provide the video and it is believed the report is one of many campaign messages by activists seeking to raise alarm over the ongoing Xenophobic attacks.
They include the failure to maintain the rule of law, unemployment. lack of border controls, poor service delivery and rising food costs.
ORGANISERS of the much-hyped Mafikizolo Back in Town Concert, which was slated for the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) tomorrow have postponed the show to an as yet to be announced date amid threats to boycott the gig by local fans over xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Show promoter, Blessing Jeke, yesterday announced the postponement citing security reasons.
“Mafikizolo group has also been advised through its contacts in Harare to postpone the concert until the situation is normal. They have since issued a video drop to that effect, postponing the show and condemning Xenophobia attacks.
“We urge all fans, who have bought advance tickets, to keep them for the rescheduled concert.
“This postponement has a huge financial bearing on us, but for the sake of security and sending a message against xenophobia and similar unrests, it is necessary.
“We strongly condemn these Xenophobic attacks, and urge our brothers and sisters in South Africa to embrace each other. We are one people,” he said.
Rhumba outfit Diamond Musica, afro-jazz songstress Selmor Mtukudzi, pop singer Gemma Griffiths, Dendera ace Sulumani Chimbetu, afro singer Andy Muridzo, dancehall chanter Tocky Vibes and songbird Sasha Amadhuve were billed to perform at the concert.
Meanwhile, a number of African artistes have cancelled their show in South Africa with some vowing to never step foot in that country.
Nigerian superstar Burna Boy posted on his Twitter handle calling out the South African government to tackle the situation.
“But today after watching the killing of my people in SA, the same way we have watched it happen a few times in the past, I personally have had my own xenophobic experience at the hands of South Africans and because of that I have not set foot in SA since 2017.
“I will not ever go to South Africa again for any reason until the South African government wakes up and really performs a miracle because I don’t know how they can even fix this,” he tweeted.
Nigerian musician Tiwa Savage has become the latest artiste to cut ties with South Africa in a show of solidarity against the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in thecountry.
She was scheduled to perform at the annual event later this month alongside the likes of DJ Zinhle, Corrine Bailey Rae, DJ Shimza, and Lira to name a few.
Savage’s decision was prompted by what seems to be an unverified video of a Nigerian man allegedly being killed by South Africans.
Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa has earned himself a new position as Chairperson of a newly formed Sports Club of Parliamentarians.
Announcing the Committee Mliswa said, “Yesterday (Tuesday), some committee members of the newly formed Parliament Sports Club The Patriots paid a courtesy call to the Speaker, Hon. Adv. Jacob Mudenda who is in great support of the initiative aimed at promoting wellness in Parly.
“The Committee is Chaired by myself with Hon. Nomathemba Ndlovu as Vice, Hon. Saruwaka SG, Hon. Chipato Deputy SG, Mr. Zvamada Sec Finance, Mr. Nyamuramba Sec Information and Publicity with Honourables Mhona, Chinyanzvavana, Charewa & Chitanda as Committee Members.”
Mliswa said the Committee will be participating in various activities with parliamentarians of neighbouring countries.
“We’ll be taking part in various sporting activities against Parliamentarians in the SADC region as well as holding events like “The Speaker’s Walk” every quarter. A healthy body is a healthy mind and wellness is strategically important for overall health & vitality across the board.”
Mliswa is a well-know fitness trainer and sports person.
OpinionBy Africa Check|Claims by South Africa’s Former police deputy minister Bongani Mkongi in a 2017 video which has been used to justify on going xenophobic attacks in South Africa that 80% of Johannesburg’s inner city is inhabited by foreign nationals can not be proven as true.
Since the outbreak of the xenophobic violence, a news video where the former deputy police minister claims that the inner city in Johannesburg has been ‘surrendered’ to foreign nationals is racking views in the thousands, despite being from 2017.
But publicly available data, from Stats SA and a provincial survey does not back up this controversial claim, with more and better data needed.
In the video being shared briskly following a spate of attacks in South Africa by mobs targeting foreign-owned businesses, former deputy minister of police Bongani Mkongi claims that Johannesburg is “80% foreign nationals”.
This is “dangerous”, he declares before narrowing down the area of interest to “Hillbrow and the surrounding areas”.
But the video, which has racked up views by the hundreds of thousands, is not new. Mkongi made the controversial remarks in July 2017 while visiting the Hillbrow police station to discuss his concerns over crime and illegal trade.
Despite this the video has been widely used to depict other situations, most recently in August following pitched battles between the police and street traders alleged to be foreign nationals in the Johannesburg CBD.
But does the claim by Mkongi stand up to closer scrutiny?
Mayor Mashaba makes a close claim
A few weeks after Mkongi’s comments, Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba, made a variation of this claim, saying that “as many as 80%” of the residents of Johannesburg’s inner city were undocumented foreigners.
Africa Check fact-checked the mayor’s claim in September 2017 and found it to be incorrect, with at least three sources of data contradicting it.
In response, the mayor’s office said that the statistic was from Mashaba’s “own experience” during raids of impaired or illegally occupied buildings in the inner city.
City currently does not have accurate numbers
Robinson Sathekge is head of the City of Johannesburg’s migrant help desk. He told Africa Check that currently, the city does not have any accurate numbers or percentages as to the number of migrants in the city or Hillbrow specifically.
The help desk seeks to ensure that immigrants feel they are part of an inclusive city.
“The migrant help desk tried, without success, to tap into existing databases of the department of home affairs and only relies on the statistics produced through census by Statistics South Africa,” said Sathekge.
(Note: Africa Check has for weeks tried to get more details about documentation from the department. We will continue to do so.)
But only a census could yield such ward and suburb level data, Diego Iturralde, the head of demography at Stats SA told Africa Check.
Iturralde said that any claim about the make-up of a given neighbourhood “by any person is anecdotal and may or may not be true or may be temporal.”
The most recent national census was in 2011. This had data on the foreign-born population of the city.
None of the areas around Hillbrow shows an 80% foreign born population. (NOTE: Stats SA notes that being “foreign-born” and “foreign-national” are not the same. For example a foreign-born person may have become a citizen at the time of the census, or one may have been born elsewhere but be a citizen by descent.)
The data agency added that while census data is widely used to estimate foreign-born residents, a shortcoming is that it takes place every 10 years, and major population changes may have since taken place. The next national count is set for 2021.
What do other data sources show?
We asked the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa on if they had data on this. They referred Africa Check to a recent presentation on the development and change of the Gauteng city-region over the last ten years. This was by Michael Sachs, an adjunct professor from the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies.
Sach’s work drew extensively from that of the Gauteng City Region Observatory, a partnership between the universities of Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand as well as the Gauteng provincial government.
Every two years, the city observatory through a quality of life survey collects data to inform the development of cities in the province. The survey randomly samples resident adults in Gauteng. It “can provide a rough estimate for the proportion of the adult population resident in an area who migrated from another country,” the researchers told Africa Check
Survey of about 25,000 adults
The observatory shared its most recent quality of life survey, which is for 2017/18. Some 24,889 adult respondents were surveyed across all 529 wards of Gauteng.
It showed that on average, “24.9% of respondents in wards in and around the Johannesburg inner city indicated that they migrated from another country.”
The Gauteng partnership says the survey is not able to track undocumented foreigners in the province. “However, the survey is able to provide various insights into the lives of self-reported migrants.”
Share that reported migrating from another country
None of the reported percentages shows an 80% share. The available data does not support the claim by former deputy minister Mkongi.
Conclusion: Current data does not support Johannesburg inner city is ‘80% foreign nationals’
A widely shared claim from 2017 by the former deputy police minister Bongani Mkongi that Johannesburg’s inner city is “80% foreign nationals” is unsubstantiated by the available data.
More data and research on foreign born – or foreign nationals – would help provide a better picture of the city’s population.
2011 census data on place of birth of Johannesburg inner city residents
Nigeria has recalled its Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Kabiru Bala.
The nation has also pulled out of the World Economic Summit.
A presidential source told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Nigeria also demanded for full compensation for the loss of life and property of Nigerians affected by the xenophobic attack.
He also disclosed that Nigeria has pulled out of World Economic Forum on Africa billed for Capetown, South Africa, from September 4-6 over the xenophobic attacks.
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo was to represent Nigeria at the forum.
Earlier, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Malawi pulled out of the event.
Presidents Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Felix Tshisekedi (DRC) and Peter Mutharika (Malawi) have all withdrawn from the event.
The source said that Nigeria has also demanded for full compensation for the victims of the attacks.
According to the source, this is the outcome of President Muhammadu Buhari, Osinbajo and Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, brainstorming session on the raging Xenophobic attacks of Nigeria in South Africa.
Onyeama had on Tuesday during at a joint news briefing with the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Bobby Moroe, insisted: “In the first place, we must address the issue of compensation. There has to be accountability and there has to be responsibility for compensating all those Nigerians that have suffered loss and we are going to absolutely push forward.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa who rushed off without reservations to the on going World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, will next year participate in the global World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland, allegedly following an invitation by the executive chairman Professor Klaus Martin Schwab.
This was said by Presidential Spokesperson and Deputy Chief Secretary (Presidential Communications) in the Office of the President and Cabinet Mr George Charamba yesterday following President Mnangagwa’s meeting with Prof Schwab ahead of the official opening of the WEF on Africa which opened in the background of massive Xenophobic violence in South Africa yesterday.
“The President gave an update (to Professor Schwab) on the economic reforms that are happening back home to make Zimbabwe more attractive to FDI (foreign direct investment) and investment capital,” said Mr Charamba.
“He also updated him on the re-engagement including the slow, but sure pace we are having with the EU and USA.
“Critically, Prof Schwab promised that he is going to invite the President to the World Economic Forum next year in Davos (Switzerland), so that Zimbabwe can consolidate on its messaging on the back of ongoing reforms, which reforms will register with investors.”
Mr Charamba said Prof Schwab was particularly impressed when he heard that Zimbabwe now enjoys a National Budget surplus, saying it was “a key piece of information that he (President Mnangagwa) must deliver to the investment community”.
Zimbabwe has undertaken widespread economic reforms that broadly seek to reign in the twin deficits; fiscal and current account deficits.
The country also wants to contain excessive and destabilising runaway Government expenditure, improve the investment climate, enhance ease of doing business, deepen re-engagements with Western countries and global multilateral and bilateral partners, clearing burdensome external debts and restoring key and proper economic fundamentals.
We have noted with concern unsettling unconstitutional statements made in the afternoon yesterday by Hon Dr Obadiah Moyo, the Minister of Health, to bar our members from exercising their labour rights to collective job action in cases of labour disputes with the employer.
The remarks come at a time when we have been engaging the Health Service Board and Ministry of Health to improve the working conditions in hospitals and create a suitable, safe, environment where doctors can assist patients optimally.
Dr Obadiah Moyo is campaigning for legislation that is not in keeping with the modern-day labour practices anywhere in the world.
The purported Bill seeks to deprive doctors their right as workers to strike and to collectively table labour disputes.
The motive is to silence the cries of disgruntled doctors who are simply demanding a fair living wage and fair living practices.
The Bill will cause an unintended severe brain drain with medical personnel seeking alternative and better working conditions in places where professionals are treated with dignity and fairness.
Doctors must be fairly treated as workers who have full labour rights like any worker in Zimbabwe. They have a right for collective bargaining and to demand better conditions of services.
We, therefore, reject any attempt meant to interfere with these rights. We remind the Minister that he is expected to come up with policies that are meant to enable doctors as health care providers in discharging their duties and suggest solutions to that effect.
We wish to reaffirm that doctors are committed to providing lifesaving services to fellow countrymen. The current economic environment has made it difficult for the majority of our members to attend to their important obligations as doctors.
The current salary our members are receiving has lost buying power as it has not been reviewed since the previous year when it was pegged at equilibrium with the USD. The salary has been effectively devalued ten times, leaving us incapacitated.
State media reports that the Health Service Board has finally reviewed our salaries are unverified as such information has not been communicated officially with the ZHDA executive.
We would like to make it very clear that we simply don’t have the capacity to report for duty anymore. Unless and until the grievance is dealt with accordingly, we will not be able to resume work.
We derive no pleasure in abandoning patients. We call upon the Minister and the employer to find a lasting solution to this impasse before they endanger more lives.
Confusion has rocked Chitungwiza Municipality as it is now being run by two town clerks, Dr George Makunde and Engineer David Duma.
The confusion emanated on Monday when suspected rowdy members of the ZANU PF Youth League attacked mayor Lovemore Maiko fire suspending the town clerk who is a senior member of their party.
It is alleged that town clerk Dr Makunde was given a letter of suspension by councillor Maiko on allegations of failing to report to work and disobeying councillors.
Clr Maiko appointed Eng Duma as the acting town clerk.
However, on the same day Dr Makunde also suspended Eng Duma and housing director Ms Hazel Sithole.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Secretary, Mr George Magosvongwe yesterday confirmed receiving a letter of Dr Makunde’s suspension.
“The Ministry received the letter from Chitungwiza Municipality mayor indicating the suspension of the town clerk. The ministry expects the employer namely Chitungwiza Municipality to follow full process in resolving the impasse with its employee,” he said.
A MAN from Bulawayo who was accidentally shot and wounded by a policeman who opened fire on a suspected robber within the city’s Central Business District, is suing Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema and Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga for US$100 000.
Mr Timothy Mangena (49) of Hillside suburb was in December last year caught in the crossfire when Constable Samuel Marava attempted to gun down an alleged robber along George Silundika Street between 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue.
The stray bullet penetrated through the rear screen of Mr Mangena’s car, damaging the seats before it hit his shoulder resulting in him sustaining severe injuries.
Mr Mangena, through his lawyer Mrs Nikiwe Ncube-Tshabalala of Ncube-Tshabalala Legal Practitioners, filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing Minister Mathema, Comm-Gen Matanga and Const Marava as defendants.
He wants an order directing the defendants to pay him US$100 000 or the equivalent in local currency at the prevailing interbank rate in damages for pain, injuries, suffering, trauma and medical expenses incurred.
“As a consequence of the harm caused, the plaintiff sustained a severe gunshot wound and went through excruciating pain, trauma and suffering. He incurred medical, travel and accommodation expenses. He further incurred the car damages and is likely to incur future medical expenses as he has not completely recovered,” said Mrs Ncube-Tshabalala.
She said despite the notice to sue for damages arising from negligent gunshot, the defendants have failed or neglected to respond.
Mr Mangena pegged his medical expenses at US$1 000, future medical expenses at US$1 000, transport at US$1 000, accommodation at US$1 000, car damage repairs at US$1 000 and pain, injuries, suffering and trauma at US$95 000.
“Wherefore, plaintiff’s claim against the first, second and third defendants jointly and severally, the one paying the other to be absolved for payment of the sum of US$100 000 or the equivalent at the interbank rate on the day of payment for actual damages as a result of negligent gunshots,” said the lawyer.
Mr Mangena also wants the defendants to pay the money with interest calculated at the prescribed rate from the date of issue of summons to the date of payment in full including the legal costs.
In papers before the court, on December 21, 2018, Mr Mangena was sitting in his car along George Silundika between 4th and 5th Avenue in Bulawayo, at around 2.44PM, when he was negligently shot by Const Marava.
Const Marava, who is attached to the ZRP Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) at Bulawayo Central Police Station, fired shots at the suspected robbers who were breaking into motorists’ vehicles.
“The stray bullet penetrated the rear of the plaintiff’s car, damaging the boot and going through the driver’ seat and then through my left shoulder and I was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for treatment where it was revealed that I suffered a fracture,” he said.
Const Marava was reportedly using a service pistol, a CZ with five rounds of ammunition. He fired two warning shots in the air and two other shots towards the robbers’ getaway car. The suspects allegedly tried to steal a bag from a parked car and it contained an HP laptop and an IPad.
Const Marava grabbed the suspect from behind and they started wrestling until the suspect dropped the satchel on the ground and managed to break loose, enabling him to jump into the getaway car, a Honda Fit, and speed off.
ZANU-PF will on Friday be holding a consultative forum with Bulawayo stakeholder this according to the party’s Department of Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment secretary Dr Mike Bimha.
Dr Bimha said the party has lined up its final breakfast meeting in Bulawayo to solicit the views of various stakeholders to have an input in the Economic policy that is supposed to link with the Government’s Vision 2030 agenda.
“What we are having in Bulawayo tomorrow is a business breakfast meeting, targeted at the Bulawayo community. We are earmarking small companies, big companies, start-ups, indigenous, multinationals, the whole setup of enterprises we are open to hearing their views, we want to hear views from women in business, youth in business and other groupings within our society, it could be the disabled or other cultural groups who have something to do with business organisations.”
Dr Bimha said a lot of work has already been done in terms of consultations, what they need now is to concretise the Economic Empowerment policy and be able to make it through, push it through levels that determine its approval.
South Africa Police minister Bheki Cele. File photo.
Sowetan Live|South African Police minister Bheki Cele says the police “will not apologise” for raiding businesses owned largely by foreign nationals in the Johannesburg inner city in August.
Cele was responding to questions from an EFF MP in the National Assembly on Wednesday, who had argued that police raids on businesses run by foreign nationals in Johannesburg had triggered this week’s violent attacks on foreigners across Gauteng.
The police had carried out raids in the Johannesburg city centre in a bid to clamp down on trading in illegal goods and illegal business operations.
Cele said the SAPS would remain undeterred in its resolve to tackle illegal economic activities and those who sought to undermine the country’s laws. He said this week’s violence had nothing to do with the operation last month, in which the police themselves had been attacked by foreign nationals.
“We did not raid the people that are innocent …. We were raiding the criminals and for that we’re not apologising and for that we’re repeating again: we’ll raid them time and again until they keep to the law and make sure that the law of the republic is kept.”
Since August 28 2019, Gauteng’s streets have become the scene of widespread protests, looting and violence. In the space of a week, many streets have become like a war-zone.
GOVERNMENT claims to have started paying cost of living adjustment (COLA) to civil servants, with striking doctors and their fellow health workers said to be the first group to receive their dues yesterday.
The health workers’ COLA offer which was rejected by doctors was offered after a Health Service Bipartite Negotiating Panel (HSBNP) met on August 28, 2019 and was supposed to have been effected under dispute on the 1st of August.
In a statement last night, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said funds have since been released for the payment of the COLA, which was disbursed through the normal salary payment system.
“Government availed resources for the implementation of the agreed Cost of Living Adjustment.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care confirms that health workers have been paid COLA through the normal salary disbursement channels today (yesterday) the 4th of September 2019,” reads the statement.
Government offered civil servants’ representatives a cost of living adjustment pegged between 55 and 76 percent on a sliding scale, which will see the least paid worker taking home $1 023 per month while workers insist on a minimum wage of $4000.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi also told the National Assembly during the question and answer session yesterday that most civil servants will start getting their increments this week.
Minister Ziyambi is also the leader of Government business in Parliament.
The increments were awarded by Government last month as part of efforts to address the cost of living concerns of its workers.
Said Minister Ziyambi: “We deliberated on this issue as Government and the Minister of Finance (Professor Mthuli Ncube) undertook that the civil servants will be paid their increments before schools open or by the end of this week.
“I believe there are some who have already received their increments.”
Schools are expected to re-open for the third term next Tuesday.
Minister Ziyambi reiterated that negotiations with employees would continue to further improve their welfare. “We agreed on that increment but negotiations are ongoing. We are looking holistically at the plight of all civil servants because Government is committed to improve the welfare of all workers,” he said.
Doctors have since gone on a strike at all major government hospitals over the disputed salaries with government issuing a revised offer that doctors have not yet responded to.
Mphoko at the court in Harare with his son on the left and lawyer on the right.
State Media|Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts for his routine remand and asked the court to have the trial moved to Bulawayo where he resides.
Initially, Mphoko — who is facing charges of criminal abuse of office as a public officer — appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Enias Magate, who released him on $1 000 bail.
Mphoko allegedly instructed junior officers at Avondale Police Station in Harare to release from detention cells, former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive Moses Juma, who was facing abuse of office.
Yesterday, the former Vice President appeared before regional magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya, who remanded him to October 4.
Prosecutor Mr George Manokore successfully applied for a postponement of the matter on the basis that they intended to furnish Mphoko with a trial date on that day.
However, Mr Mujaya questioned the prosecution on why the matter had been referred to a trial court when it was not yet ready for trial.
In response, Mr Manokore said the matter was due for trial but could not proceed as they were still deliberating on the issue of jurisdiction.
Mphoko’s lawyer, Mr Zibusiso Ncube, then consented to the application for postponement before requesting for the State papers to enable them to prepare their defence.
He further indicated that Mphoko had since made a request to the Prosecutor-General to have his matter tried at the Bulawayo courts.
HARARE magistrate Mrs Learnmore Mapiye has announced that the trial for Harare businessman Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure, will kick off on September 18.
Kadungure is facing charges of fraud, tax evasion and money laundering. He was recently granted $1 000 bail by Justice Tawanda Chitapi on the grounds that the prosecution case had irregularities.
Allegations against Kadungure are that between February 2009 and May 2016, his company Piko Trading Private Limited misrepresented to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) that it made total sales of $2 777 678, inclusive of Value Added Tax, when in actual fact the company had made $9 092 951.
To that end, Zimra suffered a prejudice of $417 940. Kadungure is also being accused of evading tax, with Zimra suffering a total prejudice of $3 468 949.
He was arrested in November last year at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts after appearing before the court in a different case in which he is being accused of duping Chegutu West National Assembly Member Cde Dexter Nduna and Ivon and Enos Gatawa of R1 535 000 in a pump supply deal.State media
YOUNG Warriors midfielder Jonah Fabisch has pulled out of the team to take on South Africa in an Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier tomorrow.
The first leg of the final qualifying round has now been switched from Bidvest Stadium in Johannesburg to Soweto’s Orlando Stadium tomorrow night.
The second leg is pencilled for Barbourfields next Tuesday. Jonah, the son of former Warriors coach Reinard, sparked a lot of interest when it emerged he had chosen to represent Zimbabwe.
But his mother, Chawada, was not amused by the way the arrangements for the trip were made and kept asking to get the programme related to her son’s adventure.
She could also have been concerned about the safety of her son, in the wake of the ongoing xenophobic attacks on foreigners, in Johannesburg.State media
ZIFA have asked COSAFA to furnish them with correspondence from FIFA on which they based their communication saying the ban on the region’s football boss, Philip Chiyangwa, was null and void.
The ZIFA position shows the domestic national game is still a long way from bringing down the landmines which have transformed it into a minefield.
FIFA have been trying to find a resolution to the crisis in Zimbabwe football by reaching out to many of the principal characters in the game. The world football governing body’s officials have been communicating with Chiyangwa and other parties to try and find a breakthrough.
Last week, COSAFA general secretary, Sue Destombes, advised the region’s football leaders that, after consultations with FIFA, they had been advised ZIFA’s ban on Chyangwa was null and void and had, in fact, mandated the regional football leader to help find a resolution to the challenges affecting domestic football. ZIFA have now responded to that letter.
“We refer to your letter to all COSAFA Member Association president regarding the above and dated 30 August 2019,’’ ZIFA chief executive, Joseph Mamutse, wrote.
“We have taken note that you claim to have received a letter from FIFA with their alleged “opinion that the Ban served on Dr Chiyangwa is a nullity . . .”
“You further claim in the same letter that FIFA had mandated Dr Chiyangwa in consultation with ZIFA, SRC and the Government of Zimbabwe to find lasting solutions on “ongoing problems” in Zimbabwe, whatever that means.
“We kindly request you favour us and the rest of the COSAFA membership with that communication from FIFA that allegedly lifted or nullified the Ban as well as mandated Dr Chiyangwa to find solutions in Zimbabwean Football.
“It is our sincere hope that you are not deliberately putting words in FIFA’s mouth because such will be regrettable. Kindly note we have a letter from FIFA to ZIFA which was delivered last week and which basically was a reply to our letter to FIFA and enquiry for more details related to the ban of Dr Chiyangwa and Mr Sibanda.State media
THE row over control of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Church and its assets, pitting rival groups led by Bishop Aspher Madziyire and Reverend Cossam Chiangwa, was yesterday settled after the High Court declared the former as the bona fide leader of the church.
High Court judge Justice David Mangota barred Rev Chiangwa and his followers from using the name of the church when conducting their activities without authorisation from Bishop Madziyire’s camp.
“The respondents are hereby barred from accessing or using any assets or property of any kind belonging to the church,” said Justice Mangota.
“The respondents and their followers or agents or assignees be and are hereby directed to relinquish to the church all and any property belonging to the church that is in possession or under control of the respondents.
“Failure of the above, the Sheriff of Zimbabwe and his lawful deputy be and is hereby authorised to take all and any property and assets belonging to church from the control and possession of the respondent and hand over the same to the church.”
Rev Chiangwa, Amon Chinyemba, Nathan Nhira, Donald Ndoni, Arthur Nhamburo, one M. Mashumba and one S. Sebata were cited as respondents.
Bishop Madziyire and his then deputy went their separate ways with each of them commanding their followers in the church following last September’s church council meeting, which passed a vote of no confidence on the president of the church.State media
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned against a dangerous measles comeback in many countries including in Africa as cases have been increasing since the beginning of the year.
Measles is a preventable highly infectious viral illness that can sometimes lead to serious health complications such as lung and brain infections in children.
According to WHO, trust in vaccines is highest in poor countries but weaker in wealthy ones where scepticism has allowed outbreaks of diseases such as measles to persist, a global study established in June.
This has forced the international organisation to strip the United Kingdom, Greece, Czech Republic and Albania their measles free status. For a country to attain the measles free status, it must achieve at least 95 percent measles immunisation coverage and Zimbabwe stands at 90 percent.
“Every region in the world, except the Americas, is experiencing an increase in cases of measles, a vaccine-preventable disease that can kill or disable children,” said WHO in a statement last week.
“Nearly 365 000 cases have been reported globally this year, the highest figure since 2006, which represent only a fraction of the 6,7 million suspected cases. Measles caused an estimated 109 000 deaths in 2017 as shown by recent figures.” WHO blamed weak health systems and misinformation about vaccines for the measles comeback. It urged social media outlets and communities to make sure information about preventing the highly contagious disease is accurate.
“Nearly three times as many cases were reported from January to July this year than in the same period in 2018. The biggest outbreaks are raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo (155 460 cases), Madagascar (127 454) and Ukraine (54 246),” reads the statement.
Health experts say the virus has spread among school-age children whose parents declined to give them the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, which confers immunity to the disease.
Zimbabwe launched a national immunisation programme in 2012 following a massive measles outbreak in 2009 which killed 630 children. During that time, more than 12 000 suspected cases were recorded.
Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Epidemiology and Disease Control director Dr Portia Manangazira recently said Government has intensified efforts to ensure that all children are vaccinated against measles. “For this year, we have intensified efforts in six-low performing districts which require us to raise measles vaccination coverage to at least 90 percent as elimination requires sustained 95 percent coverage,” she said.State media
Farai Dziva|MDC supporters are renegades who should not be given food aid, Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira has said.
Chadzamira made the remarks at a victory celebration rally for Mwenezi East legislator Joosbi Omar at Rutenga Growth Point on Saturday last week.
“Let me be clear on this issue, those who voted for the MDC should get food from Chamisa.
We cannot feed someone else’s children.Mwenezi belongs to Zanu PF and we will punish the rebels who betrayed us,”said Chadzamira.
WARRIORS’ interim coach, Joey Antipas, has named Welsh-based Alec Mudimu as the new Warriors’ captain, deputised by SuperSport United’s Kudakwashe Mahachi.
Mudimu takes over from Knowledge Musona, who ironically was also given the armband by a former caretaker coach Norman Mapeza in 2017, again under similar circumstances.
The previous captain, Willard Katsande, was a victim of a silent bloodbath by Zifa. Katsande and his group of ‘‘renegades’’ were punished for allegedly snubbing a sendoff dinner for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon, which was supposed to be addressed by then acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The players were protesting against non-payment of bonuses. Zifa desperately tried to deregister the ring leaders of that mutiny from the Afcon team list, but their efforts were turned down by Caf.
The template this time around was similar, with Zifa saying only players that were patriotic would be fit for the new look Warriors’ squad following some disturbances at the 2019 Total Afcon finals in Egypt.
Musona’s absence from the Warriors’ called up by Antipas was attributed to medical reasons, although it looked highly unlikely that he might have made it into Antipas’ squad.
Alec Mudimu
The Chicken Inn gaffer seems to be a strong believer in rewarding players that command regular action at their individual clubs.State media
Farai Dziva|Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira has blacklisted ward 8 in Mwenezi East Constituency for supporting the MDC .
Addressing party supporters in Mwenezi last Saturday Chadzamira declared the ward would not receive any form of aid.
“You will learn the hard way because you betrayed the ruling party.I will talk to all responsible authorities to cut all forms of aid to your ward,” said Chadzamira.
He said Mwenezi had since 1980 voted Zanu PF and the loss of Ward 8 to MDC was a big mistake.
Farai Dziva|Controversial Deputy Information Minister, Energy Mutodi has torched a tribal war after describing Ndebele people as foreigners.
Mutodi was commenting on the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Former ZBC radio and television presenter Ezra Tshisa Sibanda described Mutodi’s remarks as reckless.See Sibanda’s response below:
While most Zimbabweans and Africans are angered by the killings of our people in South Africa, this Energy Mutodi comes out with the most appalling recorded video by anyone in Government, distorting the history of Matabeleland people big time.
This is insanity, totally misplaced rhetoric and very shallow thinking from someone who is suppose to be a deputy minister. Did Zimbabwe exist in 1836 and were there any borders? This guy is so naive to even try to compare the 2 scenarios. King Mzilikazi left South Africa, moved to the north rounding up tribes on the way and then settled in the southern part of now Zimbabwe.
He created a nation with various tribes he rounded up like Venda, Kalanga, Tonga, Shangaan, Sotho, Some Shona tribes, Ngunis etc and called it a Ndebele nation.
Mutodi is one of those people who inherited Mugabe DNA of dividing our people. Instead of talking about the sadistic treatment from blood thirsty blood dripping vampires who we call neighbours, he brings Matabeleland people into this sh*t.
He is a disgrace, l wonder why and how he is a deputy minister. He is inciting tribal war in Zim, he should be fired from his job.
HARARE magistrate Mrs Learnmore Mapiye has announced that the trial for Harare businessman Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure, will kick off on September 18.
Kadungure is facing charges of fraud, tax evasion and money laundering. He was recently granted $1 000 bail by Justice Tawanda Chitapi on the grounds that the prosecution case had irregularities.
Allegations against Kadungure are that between February 2009 and May 2016, his company Piko Trading Private Limited misrepresented to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) that it made total sales of $2 777 678, inclusive of Value Added Tax, when in actual fact the company had made $9 092 951.
To that end, Zimra suffered a prejudice of $417 940. Kadungure is also being accused of evading tax, with Zimra suffering a total prejudice of $3 468 949.
He was arrested in November last year at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts after appearing before the court in a different case in which he is being accused of duping Chegutu West National Assembly Member Dexter Nduna and Ivon and Enos Gatawa of R1 535 000 in a pump supply deal.
His body language says it all, he looks sleepy while delivering his lukewarm pathetic statement condemning xenophobic attacks.
It’s like he was forced to say something about civil unrest in his country and shockingly he praises his police for watching people die and doing nothing. Its clear he is happy with the status quo and not moved at all by on going violence in SA.
People can safely conclude this barbarism is state sponsored.
By Nyore Madzianike and Pauline Mhuka|THE row over control of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Church and its assets, pitting rival groups led by Bishop Aspher Madziyire and Reverend Cossam Chiangwa, was yesterday settled after the High Court declared the former as the bona fide leader of the church.
High Court judge Justice David Mangota barred Rev Chiangwa and his followers from using the name of the church when conducting their activities without authorisation from Bishop Madziyire’s camp.
“The respondents are hereby barred from accessing or using any assets or property of any kind belonging to the church,” said Justice Mangota.
“The respondents and their followers or agents or assignees be and are hereby directed to relinquish to the church all and any property belonging to the church that is in possession or under control of the respondents.
“Failure of the above, the Sheriff of Zimbabwe and his lawful deputy be and is hereby authorised to take all and any property and assets belonging to church from the control and possession of the respondent and hand over the same to the church.”
Rev Chiangwa, Amon Chinyemba, Nathan Nhira, Donald Ndoni, Arthur Nhamburo, one M. Mashumba and one S. Sebata were cited as respondents.
Bishop Madziyire and his then deputy went their separate ways with each of them commanding their followers in the church following last September’s church council meeting, which passed a vote of no confidence on the president of the church.- Herald
ARTISTES from all over Africa have been irked by the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa with some cancelling their performances in the neighbouring country in solidarity with those who have been affected.
South Africans have been embarking an orgy of violence, looting shops owned by foreigners, beating and killing some in the process.
Nigerian singers such as Tiwa Savage and Burna Boy are among those who have boycotted their gigs in the neighbouring country with some locals calling on the cancellation of shows involving South African artistes in Zimbabwe.
Reacting to the brutal attacks, Tiwa Savage posted: “I refuse to watch the barbaric butchering of my people in South Africa. This is sick. For this reason, I will not be performing at the upcoming DStv Delicious Festival in Johannesburg on the 21st of September. My prayers are with all the victims and families affected by this.”
South African house DJ Prince Kaybee, however, bashed Tiwa saying: “Her making this statement made her part of the problem. . . We could say it’s an emotional statement but she’s got absolutely no idea how much fuel has been poured in the fire with this.”
South Africans; Mafikizolo, Dr Malinga and Mlindo the Vocalist were billed to perform in Zimbabwe this week. Mlindo has already chickened out as he said he fears for his life.
“I’m supposed to travel to Zimbabwe this weekend but I fear for my life since I’m South African. My country is doing so much harm to our brothers and sisters and I’ve no choice but to wonder what lies in another African country as an African,” wrote Mlindo on his Instagram page on Tuesday.
Mafikizolo’s concert in Harare tomorrow has also been postponed because of the xenophobic attacks.
Said Mafikizolo: “The show we were supposed to perform at the HICC in Zimbabwe this coming Friday has been cancelled because of what is happening in our country – the violence, crime and killings happening to our brothers and sisters.
“As Mafikizolo, we’d like to let people know that we condemn killings of innocent people from the African continent that have been taking place. We urge our government to take strong and harsh steps to punish the perpetrators responsible for these horrific crimes.”
However, Dr Malinga, who is expected to perform at Skyz Metro FM’s Umcimbi Wabantu celebrations in Bulawayo, has been assured of his safety in the city by event organisers.
“Dr Malinga is safe and can come to Zimbabwe for his performance at the Umcimbi Wabantu as Bulawayo citizens are peace-loving people who are not xenophobic. Our listeners are calling in saying all they want is to have a great time,” said the radio station’s manager Godwin Phiri yesterday.
Meanwhile, South African queen of Gqom music, Babes Wodumo, who had been caught up in a xenophobia storm after inflammatory comments were allegedly posted on her Twitter account on Tuesday evening, yesterday said she was not responsible for those posts as the account had been hacked.
A series of anti-African messages were posted on her @BABESWODUMO_ account targeting foreigners especially Zimbabweans, Nigerians and whites who she said should go back to their respective countries.
One of the messages to Zimbabweans read: “I’m not done Zimbabweans!!! Hambani”. It immediately torched a storm among a cross section of locals who immediately called on organisers of the Victoria Falls Mapopoma Festival (where she is billed to perform in December) to remove her from the line-up.
Through another micro blogging site, Instagram, Babes Wodumo distanced herself from the posts.
“As you all know, my Twitter is hacked and what’s sickening is the fact that this person is busy fighting our African brothers and sisters on my Twitter. I want to assure everyone that I am 100 percent against xenophobia.
“I’m coming to Zimbabwe . . . the person who is writing all of these things is not me, I love you guys,” she wrote on her Instagram.
Mapopoma Festival organiser DJ Spevah also defended Babes and said she is still part of the Mapopoma festival.
“We’ve spoken to her and she has distanced herself from the tweets as her account was hacked,” DJ Spevah said.
Most South African artistes however, have been embarrassed by the behaviour of their countrymen and have been urging Africans to unite. Zimbabwean comedy crew, Omkhula, who are based in South Africa, also took to the streets there to urge people to desist from violent behaviour.
Five people have been killed and close to 200 arrested in the latest wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa. – Herald
The MDC Youth Assembly notes with concern and disdain at the continued shrinking of democratic space as evidenced by the government’s impending decision to ban doctors and nurses trade unions from exercising their labour rights.
The recent new low by the illegitimate Emmerson Mnangagwa administration comes hot on the heels of the regime’s unconstitutional decision to ban MDC led mass demonstrations and the illegal arrest of ARTUZ members a week ago.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the cornered and clueless Mnangagwa administration intends to ban everything else in this country except hunger, poverty and corruption!
What is also now critical to note for citizens across the political chasm is that a new zone of convergence is now the fight for democratic space.
The shrinking of democratic space is the common denominator of the challenges that we are faced by as a people.
Doctors, nurses and teachers can no longer exercise their labour rights because the democratic space to do so is no more!
Lawyers and journalists are not spared either from this taunting political malady as they are harassed and arrested on course of executing their professional jobs.
Civil society and opposition have also been adversely affected by the shrinking of democratic space.
The advent and reincarnation of LOMA dressed in new wineskins disguised as MOPA threatens to wipe out any ounce of the remaining democratic space!
It is against this background that as an Assembly of young social democrats we call upon all citizens from every facet to converge on the battlefront for democratic space.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
DEPOSED Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Tinashe Kambarami, has approached the Supreme Court challenging the nullification of his election by the High Court.
Bulawayo High Court judg,e Justice Thompson Mabhikwa, last week nullified Kambarami’s election as councillor for Ward 3 and the city’s Deputy Mayor following an application by 1893 Mthwakazi Restoration Movement Trust.
Justice Mabhikwa ruled that the election of Kambarami was in violation of section 119 (2) (e) of the Electoral Act following his theft conviction.
Kambarami was in July last year convicted of theft by Bulawayo provincial magistrate, Ms Sharon Rosemani, under case number CRB 1981/18.
He was fined $80 or 18 days in prison for stealing an extension cord from an electrician he had hired to work at his offices.
Kambarami, through his lawyers Samp Mlaudzi and Partners, yesterday filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court challenging Justice Mabhikwa’s judgment.
In papers before the court, Kambarami cited 1893 Mthwakazi Restoration Movement Trust, its representative, Ms Nomalanga Ngwenya, the Bulawayo City Council, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) and MDC Alliance, as respondents.In his grounds of appeal, Kambarami said the lower court erred by failing to note that it had no jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter on the basis that it was not an election petition filed under section 168 of the Electoral Act.
He argued that the High Court erred by failing to hold that the second respondent (Ms Nomalanga Ngwenya) did not have a locus standi to approach the court including her organisation.
“The court a quo erred in its interpretation of section 119 (2) of the Electoral Act. Mostly importantly, the court a quo failed in not holding that once a person had been lawfully nominated such as the appellant in this case, he could only be removed from office in terms of section 278 of the constitution of Zimbabwe,” argued Kambarami’s lawyers.
“The appellant prays that this appeal succeeds with costs and that the court a quo’s judgment under case number EC8/18 be and hereby set aside and dismissed with costs.”
In nullifying Kambarami’s election, Justice Mabhikwa said his failure to notify his party and Zec was in itself an act of dishonesty and an illegality, which rendered his subsequent election a nullity and therefore unsuitable to hold a public office. According to section 119 (2) (e) of the Electoral Act, a person shall be disqualified from being nominated as a candidate for or from election as a councillor if he or she has been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty.
Kambarami was convicted on his own plea of guilty to theft.
He was given a chance to voluntarily relinquish his posts as councillor and Deputy Mayor and he declined, prompting 1893 Mthwakazi Restoration Movement Trust to approach the High Court. Section 41 (7) of the Urban Councils Act states that a councillor who is convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a period of six months or more shall forthwith cease to exercise his or her functions or to be entitled to any remuneration as a councillor, and subject to subsection (8), he or she shall cease to be councillor at the expiry of 30 days from the date of such sentence.
On August 1, 2017, Kambarami engaged the complainant, Mr Washington Chirikuudzi (68), to do some work at his offices.
Kambarami asked the complainant to leave his tools at his offices inside a safe before knocking off. When the complainant returned on the following morning, he discovered that his extension cord was missing. Kambarami admitted that he took it and promised to return it.
However, Kambarami did not return the cable despite pleas from the complainant.
Mr Chirikuudzi reported the matter to the police leading to Kambarami’s arrest. Kambarami was elected Deputy Mayor in September last year after beating his closest rival, Clr Mlandu Ncube of Ward One. Chronicle
Farai Dziva|A clueless Emmerson Mnangagwa is desperate to muzzle disgruntled voices, the MDC Youth Assembly has said.
See full statement below:
The MDC Youth Assembly notes with concern and disdain at the continued shrinking of democratic space as evidenced by the government’s impending decision to ban doctors and nurses trade unions from exercising their labour rights.
The recent new low by the illegitimate Emmerson Mnangagwa administration comes hot on the heels of the regime’s unconstitutional decision to ban MDC led mass demonstrations and the illegal arrest of ARTUZ members a week ago.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the cornered and clueless Mnangagwa administration intends to ban everything else in this country except hunger, poverty and corruption!
What is also now critical to note for citizens across the political chasm is that a new zone of convergence is now the fight for democratic space.
The shrinking of democratic space is the common denominator of the challenges that we are faced by as a people.
Doctors, nurses and teachers can no longer exercise their labour rights because the democratic space to do so is no more!
Lawyers and journalists are not spared either from this taunting political malady as they are harassed and arrested on course of executing their professional jobs.
Civil society and opposition have also been adversely affected by the shrinking of democratic space.
The advent and reincarnation of LOMA dressed in new wineskins disguised as MOPA threatens to wipe out any ounce of the remaining democratic space!
It is against this background that as an Assembly of young social democrats we call upon all citizens from every facet to converge on the battlefront for democratic space.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
Emmerson Mmangagwa flew into South Africa for the World economic forum just as several other Heads of States bunked the function over concerns that their citizens are being killed in the ongoing xenophobic attacks.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Coperation (DIRCO) confirmed it has received official communication from Rwandan government that its president will no longer be attending the WEF on Africa meeting in Cape Town.
Reports suggest that other countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Malawi have withdrawn their participation as well, citing the recent violence and the looting of shops belonging to foreign nationals especially in Gauteng.
Zambia has also cancelled a scheduled friendly match with Bafana Bafana citing security concerns. DIRCO says it has not received any official communication from the DRC and Malawi governments.
DIRCO spokesperson, Lunga Ngqengelele, says Rwanda’s withdrawal from WEF has nothing to do with the violence and looting:
“I can confirm that we did receive confirmation from Rwanda that the president has withdrawn but we did not get indication that it is because of the sporadic violence taking place in South Africa at the moment. With DRC and Malawi have not received any official correspondent so we are unable to confirm if they are not coming or they are coming.” sabc/additional reporting
By A Correspondent- Former VP Mphoko has requested that he be tried in Bulawayo, on his pending court case.
Bulawayo is where the former VP resides and he has formally made his request to be tried at his hometown known.
The Prosecutor General has not yet responded to the request as reported by the Chronicle which qouted one Mr Manokore, The Lead prosecutor who said:
The accused is requesting that he be tried in Bulawayo not in Harare and the Prosecutor General has not consented or declined as he is still going through the record
VP Mphoko is facing criminal abuse of office charges after he reportedly instructed some police officers to release from police custody former ZINARA Acting CEO Mr Moses Juma who had been arrested on criminal abuse of office.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- In an interview with Bloomberg TV at the World Economic Forum in Capetown, President Mnangagwa said relations between Zimbabwe and the US are at their best since 2 decades ago when sanctions were imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.
The president was qouted saying:
We have rejoined the family of nations, I am happy that dialogue with the Trump administration is ongoing. I am happy with the progress we are so far making, which has never happened in the last 20 years.
We are moving at the pace of what is possible. We know where we want to go. We are beginning from the bottom of the trough. I am in charge of my country, and I must look at what is necessary to resurrect and to grow my economy
The president said these remarks barely 20 days after protests were violently thwarted by the police in front of the whole world.
WARNING- DISTURBING VIDEO XENOPHOBIA:We are investigating this brutal attack on a driver filmed in a video with Anderson Street, and a Nursery. – DO YOU KNOW THE ADDRESS? JOIN IN TONIGNT… – https://t.co/eY98GsdO0apic.twitter.com/lg20WIDSnZ
By A Correspondent- South African Musician and entertainer Mlindo The Vocalist says he is afraid to come to Zimbabwe this weekend following Xenophobic attacks happening in South Africa.
Writing on Twitter The Amablesser singer said:
“I’m supposed to travel to Zimbabwe this weekend, but I fear for My life since I’m South African. My country is doing so much harm to our brothers and sisters I have no choice but to wonder what lies in another African country as an AFRICAN!!!???”
A few people responded to his tweet assuring him that Zimbabwe is a hospitable country and he had nothing to fear.
I’m supposed to travel to Zimbabwe this weekend, but I fear for My life since I’m South African. My country is doing so much harm to our brothers and sisters I have no choice but to wonder what lies in another African country as an AFRICAN!!!???
You will be safe. That’s our trademark as #Zimbabwe. Our hospitality is second to none. Which part are you visiting. Thank you for choosing Zimbabwe A World of Wonders.
Zimbabwe is one of the safest destinations in Africa. Your life, your possessions are safe in Zimbabwe. However, what you can do is to use your voice to help discourage the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. We are one people.
South Africans have been attacking foreigners living in their country a move that started with some of them protesting against foreign truck drivers. So far 5 people have been killed in the xenophobic attacks.
Organisers of the cancelled Mafikozolo Back In Town Concert have issued the following statement on the cancelled show:
MAFIKIZOLO SHOW POSTPONEMENT NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that Mafikizolo Back in Town Concert scheduled for Friday 6 September 2019 at HICC in Harare has been postponed to a later date which will be announced in due course.
1. We have found it necessary to postpone the show due to security reasons following the Xenophobic attacks in South Africa and the wave of retaliation protests across Africa.
2. We have also considered the security concern of the Zimbabwe Republic Police who have declined to sanction the show, “We regret to inform you that this office is no longer in support of your notification because of the xenophobic attacks currently going on in South Africa. There is a high possibility that the concert might be taken advantage of by the already agitated citizens. There are high chances that violence may erupt either upon arrival at the Robert Mugabe Airport or during the concert,” read the statement from the Police.
3. Mafikizolo group has also been advised by its contacts in Harare to postpone the concert until the situation is normal. They have since issued a video drop to that effect, postponing the show and condemning Xenophobia
4. We urge all fans who have bought advance tickets to keep their tickets for the rescheduled concert.
5. This postponement has a huge financial bearing on us but for the sake of security and sending a message against xenophobia and similar unrests, it’s necessary.
6. We strongly condemn these xenophobic attacks and urge our brothers and sisters in South Africa to embrace each other. We are one people
7. Thank you for your unwavering support. Blessing Jeke Harare
By A Correspondent- The Multichoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela, has issued the following statement in response to xenophobic attacks currently underway in South Africa.
Said Mawela:
MultiChoice is committed to uniting Africans through our programming and cultural initiatives.
We advocate equality and condemn all forms of discrimination. The on-going violence in South Africa against foreign nationals, is against the spirit of Africa, and counter-productive to the decades of work done by African leaders and well-meaning organisations to unite the continent.
We are a proudly African company and although our story began in South Africa, today we represent the African continent in all its diversity through our presence across the region.
We embrace and celebrate the diversity of varied nationalities, traditions, cultures and religions from across the continent and beyond. This is demonstrated through our multinational staff complement, our multicultural supply chain, as well as the local and international content that we showcase on both our DStv and GOtv platforms.
We believe Africa’s full potential can only be realised through dialogue, peace, and unity.
By A Correspondent- The Mafikizolo show has been cancelled, Gemnation revealed.
The show was hanging in the balance since yesterday when people started circulating #MuteMafikizolo messages on social media in solidarity with Xenophobia attacks happening in South Africa right now.
A source that spoke to the publication said:
The show has been cancelled following a directive from the authorities regarding the security around the show.
The promoters of the show have not yet confirmed the development with one Blessing Jere not being reachable to comment on the alleged development.
By A Correspondent- A man drowned in a well on Monday in New Arcadia whilst allegedly trying to retrieve a mobile phone.
According to the people who witnessed the incident, the man – only identified as Lovemore – had been promised between US$5 to US$10 by the owner of the mobile phone, Wonder Nyapokoto.
Nyapokoto, who resides at No. 41 Culverwell Road in New Arcadia as a tenant, claimed he had hired experts who have a know-how in the drilling of wells to retrieve his mobile phone, and denied that he had promised any amount of money to the person who retrieves his cellphone.
“My mobile phone fell into the borehole while I was fetching water.
“I then looked for someone who has the knowledge and skill about drilling and building of wells to recover my phone from the well.
“The guy came and he said he could not retrieve the mobile phone from the well and promised to bring someone who can do the job
“After five minutes when I had finished talking with the well guy, that is when I heard that there is someone who has fallen into the well.
“That is when I assisted with looking for a crane along Mashwede Road to take the body out of the well,” said Nyapokoto.
In an interview with H-Metro, the young man who was called to retrieve the mobile phone by Nyapokoto, only known as Pride, said he refused to enter the well and he also tried to restrict Lovemore from entering the well.
“I am not an expert in wells as people say. I used to assist my colleague to drill and build wells.
“I refused to get into the well since I realised that the temperature inside the well was high and it could have led to suffocation.
“And the time was not good for me to get inside the well because of the temperature.
“I also realised that we had no equipment to get inside there but Lovemore insisted that he can retrieve the phone.
“As I was leaving the scene that is when I heard some children shouting that someone has fallen into the well,” said Pride.
By A Correspondent- Zambians in Lusaka have retaliated to the Xenophobic attacks in South Africa by looting a Pick’n Pay supermarket as seen in the video below:
By A Correspondent- Deputy Information Minister, Energy Mutodi has torched a war of words after describing Ndebele people as foreigners.
Mutodi was commenting on the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Former ZBC radio and television presenter Ezra Tshisa Sibanda described Mutodi’s remarks as reckless.
Said Sibanda:
While most Zimbabweans and Africans are angered by the killings of our people in South Africa, this Energy Mutodi comes out with the most appalling recorded video by anyone in Government, distorting the history of Matabeleland people big time.
This is insanity, totally misplaced rhetoric and very shallow thinking from someone who is suppose to be a deputy minister. Did Zimbabwe exist in 1836 and were there any borders? This guy is so naive to even try to compare the 2 scenarios. King Mzilikazi left South Africa, moved to the north rounding up tribes on the way and then settled in the southern part of now Zimbabwe.
He created a nation with various tribes he rounded up like Venda, Kalanga, Tonga, Shangaan, Sotho, Some Shona tribes, Ngunis etc and called it a Ndebele nation.
Mutodi is one of those people who inherited Mugabe DNA of dividing our people. Instead of talking about the sadistic treatment from blood thirsty blood dripping vampires who we call neighbours, he brings Matabeleland people into this sh*t.
He is a disgrace, l wonder why and how he is a deputy minister. He is inciting tribal war in Zim, he should be fired.”
BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA| If one can not be angered by the animalistic sadistic killings of our people in South Africa then one has a heart of a stone. Please be angry with me as we moan the patriots who are slaughtered like animals. What wrong have we done to deserve such sadistic treatment from blood thirsty blood dripping vampires who we call neighbours. Do you know that during apartheid, immigrants from elsewhere faced discrimination and even violence in South Africa. After majority rule in 1994, contrary to expectations, the incidence of xenophobia increased.Between 2000 and March 2008, at least 67 people died in what were identified as xenophobic attacks. In May 2008, a series of attacks left 62 people dead; although 21 of those killed were South African citizens. The attacks were otivated by xenophobia.In 2015, another nationwide spike in xenophobic attacks against immigrants in general prompted a number of foreign governments to begin repatriating their citizens.62% of South Africans viewed immigrants as a burden on society by taking jobs and social benefits and that 61% of South Africans thought that immigrants were more responsible for crime than other groups.
One wonders what advantage leaders derive from invoking issues of identity and nationality in dealing with criminal elements, except to incite xenophobic and Afrophobic sentiments from innocent citizens.
The world has witnessed a downwards dive in democracy with the election into power of, inward looking political demagogues like Donald Trump in the United States, Viktor Orban in Hungary, Narendra Modi in India, Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, and recently, Boris Johnson in the United Kingdom. The above are polarising figures who are united in their narrow-nationalism postures seeking to promote a crude version of nationalistic conservatism, not-so-subtle racism and pro-market populist policies.
There are a lot of organisations that have supported each other in their populist anti-immigration positions, bringing up a feeling of misguided patriotism while characterising immigrants as an embodiment of all social maladies. This does not inspire hope about the future of democracy. It destroys any humanity as we know it.
This is not only in the world afar. It is rearing its ugly head again in South Africa. The country which had given people hope. It has become a n disaster.
The media often makes the mistake of treating xenophobic outbreaks and xenophobic attacks as an unexpected and spontaneous event, when the exact opposite is true.
Xenophobic attacks are often covered by the mainstream media in the same way a traffic accident is reported, for example: “A number of foreign-owned stores were attacked and looted by an angry mob. Three people were arrested.”
The physical and emotional scars that some of these characters bear is a reminder that xenophobic violence, often encouraged and incited by community and political leaders, impact real people and have serious consequences, sometimes talking lives and destroying livelihoods.
Despite these reminders, South Africa, has turned a new low in killing foreigners black foreigners. South Africans have no respect for life, they spill blood for a penny. They can kill families for two rands. Killing people is in the South African DNA. During apartheid South Africans killed their own in the same way they are killing foreigners today. If they have done this to their own what makes one think they can spare a foreigner. South Africans are strangers to social understanding. What they call a foreigner is only a black person. If the foreigner is white they call him god yes they worship him. Calling them murders is not enough. They are so lazy and only good for beer and women. When any innovative person comes along and excels in the field they freak out. They run around blaming the foreigners for the rains. Grassroots activists and political parties are openly calling for attacks against migrant-owned shops in KwaZulu-Natal and government and opposition parties are taking an increasingly hardline approach to migration.
Legislation such as the Border Management Authority Act and the White Paper on International Migration are calling for stricter control of migrants and increased military presence at the borders, while the DA has made immigration one of its key campaign points.South Africa is a compelling reminder that reactionary policies, electoral opportunism, and populist rhetoric by politicians, and other actors, have serious, lasting and often devastating consequences for ordinary people.
Tears run down our cheeks as we see fellow Africans forced in a tyre and dosed with petrol, they are then set alight to cheers of blood sucking vampires called South Africans.
South Africans do not want to work they blame a Nigerian medical doctor of taking their jobs yet they do not have Junior certificate level. They blame shop owner for taking their jobs yet they have no intention of even selling eggs at a bar door.
Violence is in their DNA and blame game is their speciality.
It is a sorry sight to see foreigners flipped from lorries and have their limbs chopped off by lunatics who do not even have a drivers licence. The poor drivers are being accused of taking jobs from these murdering idiots who cannot drive a car let alone a bicycle. Whose job has been taken. They blame foreigners for committing crimes yet they target working foreigners and those with striving businesses.
The Devil has settled in South Africa his angels are seen by their works. A country where a minister promotes genocide and he is not sanctioned a country where the head of state utters xenophobic words and goes on to win elections.
The Xenophobic attacks in South Africa only brings out what South Africans are made of. Yes made of the devils fibres. Animosity between the rest of Africa and South Africa has heightened in recent weeks, with an influential Nigerian student body demanding that all South African-owned businesses leave the West African state, and Zambia promising to retaliate.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (Nans) – which represents university students at campuses across the country – has picketed branches of South African telecoms giant MTN, and those of supermarket chain Shoprite, turning away staff and customers.
The South African government must as a matter of urgency do whatever it takes to protect the lives and property of migrants living there.” But it is unclear whether the South African government is committed to protecting migrants. It seems like the South African government only are reactionaries. They only react to murders. It is knee shaking to imagine being in South Africa right now.
Zimbabwe has thousands of South Africans in Zimbabwe none of them has been killed. Zimbabweans are peace loving people they can not even harm a fly. They are naturally good people. It is this goodness which costs them heavily in South Africa.
The streets of South Africa are over flooding with the blood of the innocent hard working Zimbabweans.
Our people will cry under the knife of the South Africans for how long? Our people will roast in the fires set by these hooligans for how long? For how long will our tears wash our faces? How long shall we be roasted like chicken by those who have been our guests.
Zimbabwe had to delay the land distribution until South Africa was free. Do they even think of that. Zimbabwe endured serious bombings from South Africa as a price for south African Freedom. Do they even know that. How long will we be in this situation. Prayers are not being answered. Our country is the only country we can call ours in the whole world. This Xenophobic cruel satanic diabolic inhuman barbaric situation in South Africa must be condemned by all people on earth.
His body language says it all, he looks sleepy while delivering his lukewarm pathetic statement condemning xenophobic attacks.
It’s like he was forced to say something about civil unrest in his country and shockingly he praises his police for watching people die and doing nothing. Its clear he is happy with the status quo and not moved at all by on going violence in SA.
People can safely conclude this barbarism is state sponsored.
Former Vice President, Phelekezela Mphoko, who is facing criminal abuse of office charges has requested to have his case tried in Bulawayo where he resides.
Mphoko is accused of instructing some police officers to release from detention cells, former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive, Moses Juma, who was facing abuse of office. The former Vice President today appeared before Harare Provincial magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya facing charges of criminal abuse of office as a public officer as defined in Section 174 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Mphoko is currently on $1 000 bail. The State led by Mr George Manokore applied for the postponement to October 4 of the matter saying it was going to furnish Mphoko with a trial date on the day. Mr Mujaya questioned the Prosecution why the matter was referred to a trial court when it was not yet ready for trial.
Mr Manokore responded saying the matter was supposed to come for trial but they are deliberating on the issue of jurisdiction. Mphoko’s lawyer Mr Zibusiso Ncube of Ncube and Partners Legal Practitioners consented to the State’s application for postponement adding that they were not yet furnished with State papers since the matter came on a form 242. Mr Ncube further stated that the record is with the Prosecutor General who is yet to go through it.
“The accused is requesting that he be tried in Bulawayo not in Harare and the Prosecutor General has not consented or declined as he is still going through the record,” he said.
Organisers of the Mafikizolo concert which was penciled to take place this Friday have cancelled the show amid threats of a boycott by local fans and musicians.
This comes after the xenophobic attacks on African nationals in South Africa. Show organiser Blessing Jeke was unavailable for comment at the time of publication as his mobile phone was not reachable. However, a close source in the organisers revealed that the show has been cancelled because of the planned boycotts.
Farai Dziva|A clueless Emmerson Mnangagwa is desperate to muzzle disgruntled voices, the MDC Youth Assembly has said.
See full statement below:
The MDC Youth Assembly notes with concern and disdain at the continued shrinking of democratic space as evidenced by the government’s impending decision to ban doctors and nurses trade unions from exercising their labour rights.
The recent new low by the illegitimate Emmerson Mnangagwa administration comes hot on the heels of the regime’s unconstitutional decision to ban MDC led mass demonstrations and the illegal arrest of ARTUZ members a week ago.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the cornered and clueless Mnangagwa administration intends to ban everything else in this country except hunger, poverty and corruption!
What is also now critical to note for citizens across the political chasm is that a new zone of convergence is now the fight for democratic space.
The shrinking of democratic space is the common denominator of the challenges that we are faced by as a people.
Doctors, nurses and teachers can no longer exercise their labour rights because the democratic space to do so is no more!
Lawyers and journalists are not spared either from this taunting political malady as they are harassed and arrested on course of executing their professional jobs.
Civil society and opposition have also been adversely affected by the shrinking of democratic space.
The advent and reincarnation of LOMA dressed in new wineskins disguised as MOPA threatens to wipe out any ounce of the remaining democratic space!
It is against this background that as an Assembly of young social democrats we call upon all citizens from every facet to converge on the battlefront for democratic space.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
Mnangagwa Wants to Ban Everything Except Hunger and Poverty The MDC Youth Assembly notes with concern and disdain at the continued shrinking of democratic space as evidenced by the government’s impending decision to ban doctors and nurses trade unions from exercising their labour rights.
The recent new low by the illegitimate Emmerson Mnangagwa administration comes hot on the heels of the regime’s unconstitutional decision to ban MDC led mass demonstrations and the illegal arrest of ARTUZ members a week ago.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the cornered and clueless Mnangagwa administration intends to ban everything else in this country except hunger, poverty and corruption!
What is also now critical to note for citizens across the political chasm is that a new zone of convergence is now the fight for democratic space.
The shrinking of democratic space is the common denominator of the challenges that we are faced by as a people.
Doctors, nurses and teachers can no longer exercise their labour rights because the democratic space to do so is no more!
Lawyers and journalists are not spared either from this taunting political malady as they are harassed and arrested on course of executing their professional jobs.
Civil society and opposition have also been adversely affected by the shrinking of democratic space.
The advent and reincarnation of LOMA dressed in new wineskins disguised as MOPA threatens to wipe out any ounce of the remaining democratic space!
It is against this background that as an Assembly of young social democrats we call upon all citizens from every facet to converge on the battlefront for democratic space.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
The MDC Youth Assembly notes with concern and disdain at the continued shrinking of democratic space as evidenced by the government’s impending decision to ban doctors and nurses trade unions from exercising their labour rights.
The recent new low by the illegitimate Emmerson Mnangagwa administration comes hot on the heels of the regime’s unconstitutional decision to ban MDC led mass demonstrations and the illegal arrest of ARTUZ members a week ago.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the cornered and clueless Mnangagwa administration intends to ban everything else in this country except hunger, poverty and corruption!
What is also now critical to note for citizens across the political chasm is that a new zone of convergence is now the fight for democratic space.
The shrinking of democratic space is the common denominator of the challenges that we are faced by as a people.
Doctors, nurses and teachers can no longer exercise their labour rights because the democratic space to do so is no more!
Lawyers and journalists are not spared either from this taunting political malady as they are harassed and arrested on course of executing their professional jobs.
Civil society and opposition have also been adversely affected by the shrinking of democratic space.
The advent and reincarnation of LOMA dressed in new wineskins disguised as MOPA threatens to wipe out any ounce of the remaining democratic space!
It is against this background that as an Assembly of young social democrats we call upon all citizens from every facet to converge on the battlefront for democratic space.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
Cape Town(New Ziana)-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday urged the South African government to deal with on-going xenophobic attacks being perpetrated against African foreigners by its citizens.
Speaking at a dinner event hosted in his honor by the Zimbabwe Diaspora Business Forum here, President Mnangagwa said the South African government should use a bit of force to quell the xenophobic attacks.
“I have no doubt that the authorities here will not fold hands. They must bring sanity and to do so, they must apply a bit of force,” he said.
President Mnangagwa’s remarks come as he joined other African leaders here to attend the 28th session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) for Africa which opens here on Wednesday.
South Africa has been hit by an outbreak of xenophobic violence in its biggest city, Johannesburg attracting criticism from other African nations in the week political and business leaders from at least 28 countries gather in Cape Town for WEF.
The spate of violence that broke out in suburbs south of Johannesburg’s city centre on Sunday and spread to the central business district on Monday saw the destruction of mainly foreign-owned shops and business premises, cars and properties.
Speaking at the same event, Zimbabwe Diaspora Business Forum chair Terry Mhungu condemned the xenophobic attacks.
“The continued xenophobia is a cause for concern for us here. We call on South Africa to exercise maximum force to protect foreigners living here. Xenophobia diminishes our ability as Sadc (Southern African Development Community) to fight poverty,” he said.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier on Tuesday vowed to clamp down on what he described as “acts of wanton violence”.
“I condemn the violence that has been spreading around a number of our provinces in the strongest terms. I’m convening the ministers in the security cluster today to make sure that we keep a close eye on these acts of wanton violence and find ways of stopping them. The people of our country want to live in harmony; whatever concerns or grievances we may have, we need to handle them in a democratic way. There can be no justification for any South African to attack people from other countries,” he said.
The South African police said at least five people, mostly locals were killed in the xenophobic attacks while 91 were arrested in connection with the violence.
South Africa is a major destination for economic migrants from other parts of the continent, including the Southern Africa region, with many moving from neighbouring Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in search of work.
Farai Dziva|The local group of the Warriors team is now in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Warriors team will proceed to Djibouti today for the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Somalia.
Six players — goalkeeper Talbert Shumba, Peter Muduhwa, Maclive Phiri, Sipho Ndlovu, Tichaona Chipunza and Phineas Bamusi, together with nine officials arrived in the West African country around mid-night and will link up with the foreign-based stars there.
The national side’s preparations have not been smooth and at one point, it looked like the squad might fail to travel after Zifa had their accounts frozen.
The team didn’t train as a whole unit, and it will only have one day to do so when they arrive at their destination.
Farai Dziva|The Zambian Football Association (FAZ) is said to be on the verge of cancelling the scheduled friendly game between Chipolopolo and Bafana Bafana on account of xenophopic attacks.
There have been violent attacks and looting in Gauteng in the past days putting FAZ under pressure to cancel the game, which was initially schedueled for Saturday at the Heroes Stadium.
Bafana players are currently camping in Johannesburg and the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) is reportedly trying to find another opponent amid reports that their Zambian counterparts are planning to cancel Saturday’s game.
Farai Dziva|MDC supporters are renegades who should not be given food aid, Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira has said.
Chadzamira made the remarks at a victory celebration rally for Mwenezi East legislator Joosbi Omar at Rutenga Growth Point on Saturday last week.
“Let me be clear on this issue, those who voted for the MDC should get food from Chamisa.
We cannot feed someone else’s children.Mwenezi belongs to Zanu PF and we will punish the rebels who betrayed us,”said Chadzamira.
Farai Dziva|Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira has blacklisted ward 8 in Mwenezi East Constituency for supporting the MDC .
Addressing party supporters in Mwenezi last Saturday Chadzamira declared the ward would not receive any form of aid.
“You will learn the hard way because you betrayed the ruling party.I will talk to all responsible authorities to cut all forms of aid to your ward,” said Chadzamira.
He said Mwenezi had since 1980 voted Zanu PF and the loss of Ward 8 to MDC was a big mistake.
By A Correspondent- Captains of Industry have condemned the “half-hearted” approach to currency reforms by Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mthuli Ncube.
The government seems to be vacillating when it comes to reintroducing a fully-fledged local currency.
In June this year, the government made the real-time gross settlement (RTGS) and bonds notes as well as coins the sole legal tender through the statutory instrument (SI) 142 of 2019. The development put to an end the multi-currency regime that had been in place since 2009.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president, Henry Ruzvidzo, asserted that monetary authorities should actively support the market. He said:
Prospects for the industry to year-end will depend on a number of important factors, which include foreign currency availability, electricity supply and general macro-economic stability.
The macro-environment has been highly volatile for most of the year and does not auger well for business performance.
A functional market for foreign currency requires liquidity and transparency. The continued half-hearted approach to the mono-currency system is undermining confidence in the local currency.
The active support of the market by the monetary authorities is also important for stability.
Meanwhile, Ncube revealed that Zimbabwe is moving towards having its fiat currency later this year.
Writing in the Financial Times recently, Ncube said:
The Zimbabwe dollar, comprising RTGS and bond notes, is now the designated sole legal tender in Zimbabwe — pending the rollout of a fiat currency later in the year.
Initially, the government introduced it alongside the other currencies, with the intention of it becoming the main currency of exchange in place of the dollar, which would primarily be used as a reserve of value.
By A Correspondent- In apparent response to the destruction of cars and businesses belonging to Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa on Sunday, a mob on Tuesday, burnt one of the offices of South Africa’s Telecom giant MTN in Apapa, Lagos.
Mobs in South Africa had between Sunday and Monday, in what was a continuation of xenophobic attacks in the country, killed at least three individuals, looted and burnt properties belonging to foreigners, including Nigerians.
The President of the Nigeria Union South Africa, Adetola Olubajo had told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday that the attacks began on Sunday morning in Jeppestown area of Johannesburg when a building was set ablaze by an angry mob.
“The mob also looted several shops that were around the vicinity suspected to be owned by foreign nationals.
“But the Police later dispersed the mob and made some arrests. Late in the evening of Sunday, September 1, a group of violent locals suspected to be Zulu hostel dwellers besieged Jules Street in Malvern, Johannesburg looted and burned shops/businesses.’’
Farai Dziva|Controversial Deputy Information Minister, Energy Mutodi has torched a tribal war after describing Ndebele people as foreigners.
Mutodi was commenting on the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Former ZBC radio and television presenter Ezra Tshisa Sibanda described Mutodi’s remarks as reckless.See Sibanda’s response below:
While most Zimbabweans and Africans are angered by the killings of our people in South Africa, this Energy Mutodi comes out with the most appalling recorded video by anyone in Government, distorting the history of Matabeleland people big time.
This is insanity, totally misplaced rhetoric and very shallow thinking from someone who is suppose to be a deputy minister. Did Zimbabwe exist in 1836 and were there any borders? This guy is so naive to even try to compare the 2 scenarios. King Mzilikazi left South Africa, moved to the north rounding up tribes on the way and then settled in the southern part of now Zimbabwe.
He created a nation with various tribes he rounded up like Venda, Kalanga, Tonga, Shangaan, Sotho, Some Shona tribes, Ngunis etc and called it a Ndebele nation.
Mutodi is one of those people who inherited Mugabe DNA of dividing our people. Instead of talking about the sadistic treatment from blood thirsty blood dripping vampires who we call neighbours, he brings Matabeleland people into this sh*t.
He is a disgrace, l wonder why and how he is a deputy minister. He is inciting tribal war in Zim, he should be fired from his job.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said Zimbabwe is closely following developments in South Africa amid concerns over the violence targeting foreigners in the southern african country.
He commended the South African authorities for their response to the violence adding that his government was in regular contact with the nation’s Southern African counterparts.
Said Mnangagwa:
“We strongly condemn all forms of hate driven violence and applaud the South African Authorities for the swift way they have responded. We are closely following the situation in South Africa and are in regular contact with our South African counterparts.”
Cape Town(New Ziana)-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday urged the South African government to deal with on-going xenophobic attacks being perpetrated against African foreigners by its citizens.
Speaking at a dinner event hosted in his honor by the Zimbabwe Diaspora Business Forum here, President Mnangagwa said the South African government should use a bit of force to quell the xenophobic attacks.
“I have no doubt that the authorities here will not fold hands. They must bring sanity and to do so, they must apply a bit of force,” he said.
President Mnangagwa’s remarks come as he joined other African leaders here to attend the 28th session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) for Africa which opens here on Wednesday.
South Africa has been hit by an outbreak of xenophobic violence in its biggest city, Johannesburg attracting criticism from other African nations in the week political and business leaders from at least 28 countries gather in Cape Town for WEF.
The spate of violence that broke out in suburbs south of Johannesburg’s city centre on Sunday and spread to the central business district on Monday saw the destruction of mainly foreign-owned shops and business premises, cars and properties.
Speaking at the same event, Zimbabwe Diaspora Business Forum chair Terry Mhungu condemned the xenophobic attacks.
“The continued xenophobia is a cause for concern for us here. We call on South Africa to exercise maximum force to protect foreigners living here. Xenophobia diminishes our ability as Sadc (Southern African Development Community) to fight poverty,” he said.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier on Tuesday vowed to clamp down on what he described as “acts of wanton violence”.
“I condemn the violence that has been spreading around a number of our provinces in the strongest terms. I’m convening the ministers in the security cluster today to make sure that we keep a close eye on these acts of wanton violence and find ways of stopping them. The people of our country want to live in harmony; whatever concerns or grievances we may have, we need to handle them in a democratic way. There can be no justification for any South African to attack people from other countries,” he said.
The South African police said at least five people, mostly locals were killed in the xenophobic attacks while 91 were arrested in connection with the violence.
South Africa is a major destination for economic migrants from other parts of the continent, including the Southern Africa region, with many moving from neighbouring Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in search of work.
