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By A Correspondent- In an audio which is doing the rounds on social media, an unidentified man claimed that the man in the picture above is called Maifeso Masakara and he took the minor that he is posing with in the picture and made her his wife.

The man in the audio said Masakara is in Southerton Harare. He also alleged that when they made a follow up on their daughter and asked him to return the minor, he dumped her in Tsakani and did not bring her back to the family.

Said the father of the minor:

“This is Maifeso Masakara (in the picture above), who took my daughter from here to make her his wife, that is my daughter, she is my daughter and she is only 15 years but he took her and slept with her as his wife. That is him. When we told him to bring back our child he did not bring her here he took her to Tsakani and she is in Tsakani. He took my 15 year old daughter and made her his wife. That is him.”

Gvnt officials have said the recent spate of abductions, torture of activists and opposition members are being perpetrated by the #MDC which is seeking relevance and tarnishing gvnt image. Who do you think is behind the abductions and torture of activists, opposition members?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 25, 2019

By A Correspondent| Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has accused the MDC of faking abduction to tarnish the government imageand to remain relevant.

He said the government is not involved in the recent political abductions in the country.

Said Ziyambi Ziyambi:

Why would we abduct people? To tarnish our own image? It is the MDC who are faking abductions, they are doing it so that they can remain relevant.

They have realised that they were becoming irrelevant. After the demonstration in January, all the other demonstrations that they tried have failed.

Who would abduct Gonyeti for Christ’s sake? Some people I began to know them after their abductions allegations.

Ziyambi joins other government officials who have also denied the government’s involvement in the recent abductions. 

Permanent Secretary in the Information Ministry, Nick Mangwana, and Deputy Defence minister Victor Matemadandaalso said the same recently.

By A Correspondent| Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum chairperson Jestina Mukoko has said that the government is behind the recent spate of abductions of politicians and activists in the country.

Her comments come after several government officials claimed that the abductions are not by the state but by a third force or just the MDC.

Said Mukoko:

“Where do some people other than them have access to guns? Even if you check my case, the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled that I was abducted by State agents.

So from my experience, it is the State behind all these. Abductions have been done by the State in the past.

I am sure the trend has not yet changed. The (former) minister of State Security (Didymus Mutasa) at one time stated in a certain document to protect those State agents.”

Jestina was herself once abducted by state agents in 2008 and spent 3 weeks with her location unaccounted for. She also spent more than 3 months in detention.-Standard

By A Correspondent- A Shamva man who could not stomach the thought of not having sex with his wife for one night will spend the next three months without getting his conjugal rights after he was jailed by a Bindura magistrate for severely assaulting his wife.

Emmanuel Chihuta aged 56 assaulted his better half after she refused to have sex with him arguing that she was not feeling well.

Chihuta (56), of Rather dale farm, Shamva, will spend three months behind bars after the magistrate Maria Msika conditionally suspended six months of the nine-month sentence.

Prosecutor Tariro Janhi said on August 17 at around 10pm, the man had a misunderstanding with his wife Plaxedes Makiti over conjugal rights. The wife refused to sleep with him that night because of back pain.

Chihuta flew into a rage accusing his wife of being a prostitute before assaulting her with a stick, punching, clapping and kicking her several times all over the body. 

Makiti sustained a swollen face and back due to the assault.- Standard

Standard|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday visited jailed Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni at Khami Maximum Security Prison on the outskirts of Bulawayo, where the traditional leader revealed he feared for his life.

Ndiweni told Chamisa that he was not taking any chances and was not having any food prepared by prison officials.

He also said a team of medical doctors have promised to have him undergo a full medical check-up once released.

Ndiweni is serving an 18-month jail sentence following his conviction by Bulawayo magistrate Gladmore Mushove for destroying a villager’s homestead. His co-accused, 23 other villagers, were ordered to do community service.

“I have not been taking food prepared by the prison. I have been extra-careful and ensuring that all the food I take is coming from outside, from the people I trust,” he said.

“Also, just yesterday [Friday], a team of medical doctors was here and promised a full medical check-up once I am released,” Ndiweni, who was in high spirits, told Chamisa.

Chamisa, who was mobbed by inmates during the visit, was accompanied by the chief’s lawyer Dumisani Dube and Senator Hellen Mpofu.

Chamisa told The Standard in an exclusive interview that the traditional leader was jovial and the prison stint had not sapped his energy.

“I was encouraged to see that the people’s chief is in high spirits,” he said.

“He is happy that he is not broken; he is not a broken man.

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“He continues to show courage and fortitude under extreme circumstances, but my coming here is just to express solidarity with him.”

Ndiweni has approached the High Court challenging his conviction and sentence.

He has also lodged papers seeking bail pending the determination of his challenge.

“He thanks the people of Zimbabwe for not being provoked to violence after his incarceration,” Chamisa added.

“He thanks people for continuing to be peaceful, and is encouraged and fortified that he now has a first-hand account of the rule of law and justice situation in our country so these things are going to be key when he leaves prison.”

Meanwhile, Chamisa condemned the recent abduction of opposition and civic society activists as terrorism, describing the kidnappings as akin to terrorist acts carried out by Al-Shabaab, a deadliest jihad group in sub-Saharan Africa, largely operating in Somalia.

“All our leaders at various levels even civic society activists are being terrorised,” he said.

“They are being terrorised for fighting for the terrorists and their terrorisers to also be happy.

“I don’t understand it because our problems are mutual, they are collective.

“A line has to be drawn in the sand. We can’t be back to Ian Smith’s days of Rhodesia, back to the days of repression under Mr [Robert] Mugabe.

“The same tactics that were being used against Zapu is the same template that is being used against the people now.

“The same old song is now being played and we must not dance to that music but also, we have to escalate this thing because we also have international instruments and international bodies that have a responsibility to protect the people.”

WE'LL BE GOING LIVE SHORTLY – Zimbabwe seems suddenly gone back to 15 Jan levels – the number of people hospitalised (Pari) after being assaulted by cops yesterday is rising. A ZRP cop responsible for beatings confirmed the ZANU order @PoliceZimbabwe. @euinzim
@UKinZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/Vb8CovEbSX

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 25, 2019

Standard|President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has accused the opposition of staging-managing the abduction and torture of activists to soil the image of the country amid reports at least 18 people have been affected.

A number of MDC and civil society activists have in the last two weeks been allegedly abducted by armed gunmen who went on to torture them.

Popular comedian Samantha Kureya, who goes by the stage name Gonyeti, has been hospitalised after armed men seized her from her Harare home at night and tortured her.

The abductions coincided with calls by the main opposition party to stage countrywide protests against the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

Mnangagwa’s government has come under unprecedented pressure from the international community to stop the human rights violations.

Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the government was not involved in the abductions of the opposition party and civil society activists.

“Why would we abduct people? To tarnish our own image? It is the MDC who are faking abductions, they are doing it so that they can remain relevant,” he said.

“They have realised that they were becoming irrelevant. After the demonstration in January, all the other demonstrations that they tried have failed.

“Who would abduct Gonyeti for Christ’s sake?

“Some people I began to know them after their abductions allegations.”

Nick Mangwana, the government spokesperson, claimed people were being paid to stage the abductions.

This is despite the fact that Kureya’s tormentors also assaulted members of her family and left her severely injured.

“Actors are being paid to come up with performances and not so true accusations of abductions,” Mangwana claimed.

“The opposition has said it’s changing tactics from protests.

“It’s within logical reason to believe that they have moved to dirty tactics and dark arts supported by the former establishment people.”

Mangwana has also previously blamed the human rights violations on loyalists of former president Robert Mugabe who were dismissed from the country’s security establishment.

However, Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum chairperson Jestina Mukoko said there were reasonable grounds to suspect that the state was behind the abductions.

“There has been an increase in the number of abductions over the past few days, may be it was because of the demonstrations. It is inhumane and disgraceful,” she said.

“It is the State coming up with such statements that there is a third hand.

“Where do some people other than them have access to guns? Even if you check my case, the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled that I was abducted by State agents.

“ So from my experience, it is the State behind all these. Abductions have been done by the State in the past.

“I am sure the trend has not yet changed. The (former) minister of State Security (Didymus Mutasa) at one time stated in a certain document to protect those State agents.”

Mukoko said the Justice ministry had been claiming that Kureya stage-managed her abduction.

“Government should come out clearly and state its position. If not we are going in the dark, if someone commits crime, they should be arrested,” she said.

“Due process should be followed. Why abducting them? Those who abduct people should be held accountable.”

Mangwana yesterday insisted that Mugabe loyalists could be behind the abductions, claiming that it was possible they could be working with the opposition..

“We suspect it’s a serious team of former establishment people who are opposed to the reform agenda,” he added.

“They are also bent on ensuring that the ED presidency is not successful and are surely bent on derailing it.

“There is also a hypothesis that they are working closely with the opposition.”

MDC spokesperson Daniel Molokele said they suspected the government was behind the abductions.

“Investigations are still ongoing, so, it is difficult to know exactly where it is, but my fears and suspicion is that these are being funded by the State,” he said, “So, there is a hand of the government in this, that is my suspicion, that it is the way the regime is reacting to intimidate and to instil fear in the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition regional coordinator Blessing Vava said abductions and torture were weapons used by the ruling party to intimidate and instil fear among citizens.

“It is naïve to think that that there is a third force that is orchestrating these abductions,” he said.

“We know that this has been Zanu PF practice over the years. It is clear it is the hand of the military, they are the ones that have guns.

“No ordinary Zimbabwean can do such an operation and it shows that these are people who are trained, these are people who know what they are doing.”

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were investigating the abductions.

“As for us, we are conducting investigations, none has been arrested,” he said.

“We are investigating those cases which have been reported to us.

“We are investigating without rushing to conclusions. It is wrong for people especially the media to put in conclusions.

“I am appealing to the media to wait till investigations are over,” he said.

Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission chairperson Elasto Mugwadi said they could not comment on the issue because they were still carrying out investigations.

By A Correspondent| Zimbabwe Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has accused the MDC of faking abduction to tarnish the government image.

He said the government is not involved in the recent political abductions in the country.

Said Ziyambi Ziyambi:

“Why would we abduct people? To tarnish our own image? It is the MDC who are faking abductions, they are doing it so that they can remain relevant.

They have realised that they were becoming irrelevant. After the demonstration in January, all the other demonstrations that they tried have failed.

Who would abduct Gonyeti for Christ’s sake? Some people I began to know them after their abductions allegations.”

Ziyambi joins other government officials who have also denied the government’s involvement in the recent abductions. 

Permanent Secretary in the Information Ministry, Nick Mangwana, and Deputy Defence minister Victor Matemadanda are also on record saying the same recently

By Farai D Hove| ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa will not kill the Whistleblower who last week began speaking concerning alleged mass murders he committed on behalf of the ruling party, newsreaders have said.

The 41 year old man is Mr Anesu Kapere, who says he killed 6 MDC members in Uzumba in 2008.

He is seen on video narrating how he committed the mass murders.

Using religious insinuations from the Bible on the consequences of and the fear of receiving successive damnation or retribution from murder, it was said the chances of the Zanu-pf politician carrying out a hit job on his own hit man are nill. DO YOU BELIEVE IN THIS? COMMENTS BELOW –

He won't get killed bro,he has 6 people he killed in Uzumba. So if that person kills him, there will be 7 people on that person.

— ??? ??????? ?. ???? (@SirGibsWillard) August 25, 2019

'Murderer' Tells Mnangagwa To Resign pic.twitter.com/TI2AEX83gE

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 25, 2019

WATCH: I Killed 6 People, Please Help Me Zimbabwe – Anesu Kapere https://t.co/kJKh2e9jkE via @ZimEye pic.twitter.com/jy4PXwVJH4

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 23, 2019

By A Correspondent- Two people have been arrested in Bulawayo after they allegedly forged a hospital stamp to generate fake birth certificates.

Cheneso Clara Mumbire (42) and Claudus Chigwere (41), recently appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Jochonia Ncube to answer to charges of forgery. The duo was remanded out of custody to 28 August 2019 for trial.

 Presenting the State’s case, Mr Nathan Marime said the duo used a record book belonging to the Registrar General’s office, in committing the crime.

“Allegations are that on 30 July 2019 and at Manly Court corner 13th Avenue and Simon Parirenyatwa St, Mumbire and Chigwere plotted to fake a date stamp for Mpilo hospital. Chigwere then processed the date stamp while he was at Hi-gate Complex along Fort Street opposite Pick ‘n’ Pay supermarket,” said Mr Marime.

The court heard that Chigwere who was now in possession of a fake date stamp and birth record serial numbers 0930236 to 0930335 lured one Miss Evelyn Tavengwa who has two children without birth certificates and offered to assist her with birth records.

“Two fake birth records where processed with serial number 0930242 and 0930243 stamped with a fake Mpilo date stamp in the name Absolom Masasa aged four years and Jacob Masasa aged three years old. The mother took the birth records to Bulawayo Registrar’s office for processing.

“The Registrar discovered that the two records were not genuine and he alerted the police leading to the duo’s arrest,” said Mr Marime.

He said the police found two birth records and processed baby cards. Mumbire and Chigwere led the police to Hi-gate Complex, where they recovered a stamp which they used to serialise the receipt book.

“The police led by Mumbire and Chigwere went to Mumbire’s place of residence where a fake birth record with serial numbers 0930236 and 0930335, affidavits in the name Beauty Ncube and Bethina Sibanda which were yet to be deposited before the commissioner of oaths were found,” said Mr Marime.

The court heard that the police approached the Registrar General’s office and recovered a processed birth certificate record with serial number 0930323 in the name of Nonhlanhla as the child and Ruth Ncube as the mother. The fake record book, affidavits and birth records were recovered.-StateMedia

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF Political Commissar Victor Matemadanda has described “reports of comedian Gonyeti’s abduction as the work of the ruling party’s political foes.”

“This is an attempt to tarnish the government’s image by detractors.”

Matemadanda was addressing war veterans and traditional leaders from Mashonaland East Province in Marondera on Friday.

“It is laughable to hear people saying the government is abducting its citizens. Surely what would we get from abducting a comedian like Gonyeti, that is the work of our detractors bent on tarnishing the image of the government,” claimed Matemadanda.

A Pastor at Fountain of Life Ministry has appeared in court facing 12 counts of fraud for allegedly defrauding congregants of over US$11 000 and over R3 000 whom he had promised to secure studying places and help them import cars.

The man of the cloth, Pastor Christopher Mudawarima (36) pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Zvishavane Magistrate Mr Archie Wochiunga. He was remanded in custody to August 29.

It is the State’s case that on October 23 in 2015, Mudawarima approached Juannita Ndlovu alleging that he was connected to administrators at Marondera School of Nursing. He asked Ndlovu to pay him US$430 so as to help her secure a place at the nursing school.

During the same month, the accused misrepresented to Password Chilanda, Nelly Dliwayo and Aaron Tolani that he was selling cars which he imported from Japan. As a result, the four complainants paid US$3 954 to the accused as instalments for the cars.

The court heard that in November 2015, Mudawarima approached Richard Mugandani and Edwin Tagwirei alleging that he was a car dealer and can get cheaper cars for them. Mugandani and Tagwirei paid US$1 882 to the accused who then vanished into thin air.

In December 2015, Mudawarima defrauded Winnie Charashika of US$775 after promising to help her secure a studying place at Mutare Teachers’ College. During the same month, he also defrauded Goddard Moyo of US$2 582 after promising to help him buy a car at a cheaper price.

In February 2016, the accused conned Brenda Nyaguze and Yukai Charumbira of US$2 550 after promising to help them secure places to study at Marondera Nursing School.

In March 2016, he misrepresented to Antony Mandizvidza that he was an Administrator at Paramount Teachers’ College before asking for US$566 and R3 700 to help him get a place at the same institution. The court heard that the accused used the money he got from the complaints amounting to US$11 464 and R3 700 to buy two cars and a residential stand. A report was made to the police leading to Mudawarima’s arrest.

-State Media

A GROUP of five men reportedly ambushed a Filabusi couple, threatened the man who fled from the scene before one of them raped the woman.

Kennedy Wonder Ndlovu (23) of Marumba B Village in Filabusi was not asked to plead when he appeared briefly before Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi facing a rape charge last week. He was remanded in custody to 9 September for trial.

Prosecuting, Miss Ethel Mahachi said Ndlovu raped the woman on 13 February at around 3am while she was on her way from a nightclub with her boyfriend.

“On 13 February at around 3am the complainant and her boyfriend left Sibiya Nightclub in Theleba Business Centre in Filabusi where they had been drinking and proceeded home. After they had walked a distance of about 500 metres from the nightclub they were approached by a group of five men who were flashing torches and Ndlovu was among them.

“Ndlovu produced a catapult and threatened to assault the complainant’s boyfriend who fled from the scene leaving his girlfriend behind. Ndlovu dragged the complainant into the bush for a distance of about 100 metres while his friends followed,” he said.

Miss Mahachi said Ndlovu pulled the complainant into a disused mine about five metres deep and raped her while his friends watched. She said after he was done Ndlovu and his friends left and he forgot his catapult and a black hat at the scene.

Miss Mahachi said the complainant went back to the business centre where she sought assistance and the matter was reported to the police. The police attended the scene and recovered Ndlovu’s belongings. She said Ndlovu who was on the run was arrested on July 10.

Meanwhile, a 38-year-old Bulawayo man has been arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl who is a Form Four pupil at a local college.

The man from Queens Park West who cannot be named to protect the identity of the minor, pleaded guilty when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi last week. 

Prosecuting, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo told the court that on 31 July, the girl was coming from a butchery in the area when she met the man who was driving along the way. The man however, drove along Free Road and upon reaching Robert Mugabe Way, he turned at the Post Office into Cardigan Road towards a bush.

Then along the way he suddenly parked his car. The court also heard that he then jumped to the passenger’s seat where the girl was seated and opened a condom. He adjusted the seat and raped the girl once.

After the incident he threatened the complainant not to tell anyone what had happened. The case was later reported to Queens Park police station leading to the man’s arrest.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- Cheneso Clara Mumbire (42) and Claudus Chigwere (41), last week appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Jochonia Ncube to answer to charges of forgery.

The duo was remanded out of custody to 28 August 2019 for trial after they were arrested for allegedly forging a hospital stamp to generate fake birth certificates. 

Presenting the State’s case, Mr Nathan Marime said the duo used a record book belonging to the Registrar General’s office, in committing the crime.

“Allegations are that on 30 July 2019 and at Manly Court corner 13th Avenue and Simon Parirenyatwa St, Mumbire and Chigwere plotted to fake a date stamp for Mpilo hospital. Chigwere then processed the date stamp while he was at Hi-gate Complex along Fort Street opposite Pick ‘n’ Pay supermarket,” said Mr Marime.

The court heard that Chigwere who was now in possession of a fake date stamp and birth record serial numbers 0930236 to 0930335 lured one Miss Evelyn Tavengwa who has two children without birth certificates and offered to assist her with birth records.

“Two fake birth records where processed with serial number 0930242 and 0930243 stamped with a fake Mpilo date stamp in the name Absolom Masasa aged four years and Jacob Masasa aged three years old. The mother took the birth records to Bulawayo Registrar’s office for processing.

“The Registrar discovered that the two records were not genuine and he alerted the police leading to the duo’s arrest,” said Mr Marime.

He said the police found two birth records and processed baby cards. Mumbire and Chigwere led the police to Hi-gate Complex, where they recovered a stamp which they used to serialise the receipt book.

“The police led by Mumbire and Chigwere went to Mumbire’s place of residence where a fake birth record with serial numbers 0930236 and 0930335, affidavits in the name Beauty Ncube and Bethina Sibanda which were yet to be deposited before the commissioner of oaths were found,” said Mr Marime.

The court heard that the police approached the Registrar General’s office and recovered a processed birth certificate record with serial number 0930323 in the name of Nonhlanhla as the child and Ruth Ncube as the mother. The fake record book, affidavits and birth records were recovered.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba has reportedly dismissed and poured cold water on circulating reports that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has returned from China.

Online media platforms posted that Chiwenga spoke to President Emmerson Mnangagwa by phone on Monday, according to Charamba, and the VP is continuing treatment in China.

Reports that circulated on Saturday said the ailing General landed in the country in the company of Chinese medical expert who had come to attend him.

Chiwenga was airlifted to China in July from South Africa after his sickness worsened.

He is being attended in China by doctors from China, Zimbabwe, South Africa and India.

Chiwenga became sick in November 2017 during the bloody coup that ended 37 years of President Robert Mugabe’s rule.

A South African pastor Alph Lukau said Chiwenga had stepped on a lion’s tail and needed spiritual help lest he dies.

On Saturday there was rumour saying the ailing Vice President General Chiwenga has arrived in the country to continue with his road to recovery a website edited by Award winning journalist Elias Mambo Zimmorning post has reported.

The former Military strongman was reported to be accompanied by a team of medical experts from China.

Political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya posted on Twitter that people should be excited because the General was getting better.

“Don’t listen to rumors, Gen VP Chiwenga is well and recovering big time. Get this from the Zaka villager. Calm down fellow citizens! The next few months are going to be very interesting in Zanu-PF politics. Take note fellow compatriots!”

Ruhanya also said Zimbabweans needs factions in ZANU PF for the party to collapse.

“ZANU PF and Zimbabwe politics without factional and elite fights do not mean anything to me. For authoritarian erosion, breakdown and possible collapse factions in ZANU PF must not die. That’s why Gen VP Chiwenga must be part of the dynamics than celebrating his demise.”

A 79-year-old Kwekwe man has been slapped with a four-month jail term for failing to control a fire which went on to burn a nearby TeleCash booth, destroying property worth thousands of dollars.

Juaki Smart of House Number 21 Rusununguko Road in Redcliff, was doing land preparation and burning maize shrubs in his field when he failed to control the fire which went on to burn down the booth which was only a few metres away. 

He was arrested and arraigned before Kwekwe magistrate Mr Tayengwa Sangster facing charges of negligently causing serious damage to property.

Mr Sangster sentenced him to four months imprisonment before he suspended the sentence on condition that Smart restitutes a total of $3 185,60 before 30 October 2019. The State proved that on 13 August this year along Rutendo Road near Chemhere Business Centre, Smart was doing land preparation in a field.

The fire which he was using to burn the shrubs in his field however, ended up being blown by wind thereby burning a TeleCash booth belonging to Ms Caroline Mushayandebvu. Ms Mushayandebvu reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the man.

Meanwhile, a Kwekwe man has been slapped with a three-year jail term for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting a rival following a wrangle involving mining explosives. 

Honest Mandiku (24) in company of two others, James Mpofu, Clifford Phiri and Bekhithemba Sicha, who are still at large, allegedly bundled Mr Zivanai Kamunhukamwe into an unregistered vehicle before they took him away and tortured him before dumping him by the roadside.

Mandiku appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Mr Storey Rushambwa facing kidnapping or unlawful detention and assault charges and was sentenced to 36 months in prison.

Mandiku will however, serve an effective 24 months behind bars after Mr Rushambwa suspended 12 months on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecuting, Mr Freddy Ndoro proved that on 4 May this year around 12pm, at Blackman compound, Mandiku and three other accused who are still at large, approached the complainant who was drinking beer at a bar in Amaveni.

The gang then accused the complainant of stealing their mining explosives and slapped him on the face before they manhandled him and forced him into the back-seat of an unregistered blue Toyota Mark 2 vehicle before they sped off.

They then drove, the court further heard, to Zesa Mine in Kwekwe, approximately five kilometres outside Kwekwe Central Business District without the complainant’s consent.

Upon arrival, Mandiku allegedly hit the complainant with an iron bar twice on the back and other accused persons also assaulted him all over the body with open hands, forcing him to agree that he had indeed taken the explosives despite him having no knowledge of their whereabouts.

They then bundled him back into the car and sped off before dropping him at Gokwe turn-off.

The complainant was discovered by passersby drenched in blood and ferried him to Kwekwe General Hospital where he was treated and discharged.

From the beatings, Mr Kamunhukamwe sustained injuries on the right arm, leg, knee and suffered backache.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- A Form two girl in Chinhoyi is now looking forward to enrolling for Lower Sixth after successfully sitting for the ZIMSEC Ordinary Level examinations in June at the age of 13.

Buhle Ukaka got 5 Bs in English Language, Geography, History, Commerce and Accounts and a C in Economics and is now ready to join the Lower Sixth class, which is already in its final term of the year.

Speaking to the state media, Ukaka said she is inspired by her sister Sifiso who has also made headlines after she sat for her ordinary level examinations and scored 7As and 1b, while she was still in form 3.

Sifiso has now completed her Advanced level with 10 points in science subjects at the age of 16. Chinhoyi High School Head, Dr Savious Mutopa said he has no problems in enrolling the 13 year old for advanced level studies as the issue is not on skipping levels but on the readiness of the learner.

Buhle’s mother, Mrs Blantina Ukaka, who is a teacher at the same school, concurred with Dr Mutopa, describing Buhle as a self-starter and an extrovert who will not find it difficult to mingle with older learners.

The achievements by the Ukaka sisters have sent a strong message to parents to give equal opportunities to boys and girls as they are all capable of shining.-StateMedia

Jane Mlambo|Following the gazetting of an announcement by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission that they are investigating Prophetic Healing and Deliverance founder Walter Magaya, will the popular but scandalous prophet pay the entire commission to cover his alleged crimes.

The Zimbabwe Gender Commission announced that they had instituted an investigation against Magaya who faces countless cases of sexual abuse.

“It is hereby notified that, in terms of Section Five of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act (Chapter 10:31) the Zimbabwe Gender Commission intends to investigate complaints of se_xual abuse of women by Walter Magaya of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries,” read the notice by Mrs Mukahanana-Sangarwe.

Magaya’s alleged sexual abuse victims have come out in the public before apologizing to the powerful prophet amid indications that they would have been paid to retract their revelations.

ZimEye has LIVE recorded evidence that Magaya is working to pay commissioners and journalists bribes so. to hide his offences.

With the gender commission now in the map, it remains to be seen how he will negotiate his way past the influential body considering that it is composed of respected figures some of whom possess strong beliefs in the empowerment and emancipation of women.

Zimbabwe’s foreign policy in the Second Republic is anchored on ensuring the country regains its past glory by integrating into the community of nations after years of isolation typified by the First Republic.

The Commonwealth stands as one such critical organisation that can enhance the country’s standing in the community of nations.

Cognisant of the critical role the Commonwealth plays in the international arena, Zimbabwe at the dawn of the New Dispensation formally applied to have its membership back.

While the country’s re-admittance is fundamentally dependent on the 53-member countries, there seems to be abundant goodwill to make Zimbabwe optimistic that it will be accepted back into club at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting scheduled for Kigali, Rwanda, next year.

A catalogue of past events and developments give Zimbabwe the optimism that it will regain its membership.

At the end of September 2018, His Excellency President Mnangagwa met with Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York where the two exchanged letters.

And earlier, just after the July 30 2018 harmonised general elections, Baroness Scotland sent a congratulatory letter to President Mnangagwa for successful conduct of the elections as well as for being inaugurated as President of Zimbabwe.

Most recently, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Sibusiso Busi Moyo met Baroness Scotland after attending the Global Conference for Media Freedom in England where the conversation was said to have been characterised by conviviality.

Beyond these diplomatic engagements, Zimbabwe has since the advent of the New Dispensation mapped out a trajectory that seeks to implement a raft of reforms meant to deepen and widen the democratic space, ensure the ease of doing business by ratcheting the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra, and repeal certain laws that had become outdated.

Most of these reforms have already been implemented or are taking shape. The Gender Commission, the Peace and Reconciliation Commission, the revamped Anti-Corruption Commission with arresting powers, the repealing of AIPA and POSA including the setting up of the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), are just a few of the initiatives implemented to deepen the democratic space and promote a culture of tolerance, inclusivity and national cohesion.

Although the opposition MDC-A is intent on blighting these well-intended reforms, the world is surely not blind to the sincerity of President Mnangagwa’s administration.

In President Mnangagwa’s own words, the reforms are not meant to please any external powers but are being implemented because the Government views them as progressive and good for the country.

It must be noted that the reforms dovetail with the country’s foreign policy, anchored on the need to facilitate economic recovery, economic growth, create employment and foster a conducive climate that attracts investors into the country.

Zimbabwe’s quest for re-admittance to the Commonwealth is thus fashioned with the primary desire or obligation to nurture and protect its national interests, security, independence, sovereignty, ideological goals and spur economic prosperity.

The Commonwealth thus stands as one such organisation where Zimbabwe could have a voice to shape its own destiny by promoting its own political and economic interests, image and be able to influence the international community on a number of issues while ensuring the safety of its nationals abroad.

-State Media

#HappeningNow @mdczimbabwe president @nelsonchamisa says chief Ndiweni is strong and upbeat pic.twitter.com/CGQBE0YgDL

— TechMag.TV (@TechMagTV) August 24, 2019

ZBC scoops award at agric show: https://t.co/kctjiVWwpO pic.twitter.com/fpX6HN8tfv

— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) August 23, 2019

By A Correspondent- Government will next week resume electronic cash transfers amounting to $40 million to more than 60 000 vulnerable households to cushion them against the current economic challenges and rising cost of living.

The exercise, which is administered through the harmonised social cash transfer programme (HSCT), was discontinued a few years ago owing to cash shortages, reported the state media.

An additional $63 million has also been released to clear school fees arrears accrued through the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) programme, which provides assistance to 415 900 disadvantaged children countrywide.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza said Government has since identified a platform through which the cash transfers would be made.

“Currently, a new e-payment system is being put in place within the next month after Econet won a tender to disburse HSCT funds to beneficiaries in various districts via the EcoCash platform. A total of 62 017 beneficiary households, who are food-poor and labour-constrained, will benefit. Currently, $39 472 644 – which is being reviewed upwards – will be disbursed,” said Nzenza.

“Treasury continues to release funds to offset outstanding (BEAM) arrears. So far, an amount of $63 million awaits disbursement into school accounts once they have complied with vendor-coding requirements set by the Treasury as a new system.

“BEAM will, therefore, clear all arrears owing to date this month.”

In her latest report, Auditor-General Mrs Mildred Chiri said Treasury last year recalled $9 million that had been allocated for the HSCT programme, as the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare failed to release it to beneficiaries.

However, Nzenza indicated that the department responsible for the disbursements failed to get timely authorisation for payments from the Reserve Bank of

Zimbabwe (RBZ).

The HSCT began in 2012 to support food-insecure households in rural areas.

The facility is targeted at households living below the poverty datum line, especially families that do not have able-bodied members who are fit for work.

BEAM arrears

Official statistics indicate that notwithstanding the $23 million that was released by Treasury towards BEAM last year, school fees arrears had soared to $54,5 million by December.

The 18-year programme is designed to subsidise examination fees and applicable levies for orphaned or vulnerable primary and secondary school children.

The 2019 Zimbabwe Vulnerable Assessment Committee (ZimVac) report revealed that Government remains the major provider of support to vulnerable communities in need of food assistance countrywide.

The report stated that of vulnerable households that received food assistance in 2018-19, 56 percent got support from Government, 13 percent from non-governmental organisations and the United Nations.

Three percent received support from churches, while 16 percent were aided by relatives within rural areas.

Relatives in urban areas covered 18 percent of the vulnerable, while 11 percent got succour from remittances from outside the country.

Apart from BEAM and HSCT, Government is also carrying out a Food Deficit Mitigation Programme from which 600 000 households are benefiting, a Public Assistance Programme for the elderly and disabled, and the Assisted Medical Treatment Orders (AMTOs) targeting needy persons who are assisted to get medical attention at State-owned institutions.-StateMedia

Jane Mlambo| State owned broadcaster ZBC has dismissed circulating reports it won the best television channel at the just ended Agricultural show saying the category they won was called ‘Media, Print or Publishing’.

Posting on Twitter this morning, ZBC said;

“The ZAS category won by the ZBC is ‘Media, Print or Publishing’; not ‘television’ as conveniently claimed by some.”

The ZAS category won by the ZBC is 'Media, Print or Publishing'; not 'television' as conveniently claimed by some. pic.twitter.com/cz3kQcMczH

— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) August 25, 2019

South African authorities have seized a plane from Tanzania’s national carrier, the Tanzanian government said.

The Airbus 220-300 was due to fly from Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

It was not immediately clear why the action was taken, and South African authorities have not commented.

But a retired farmer has said the aircraft was impounded because Tanzania’s government had not paid him $33m (£28.8m) it owes in compensation.

Lawyer Roger Wakefield told the BBC the money was awarded after Tanzania’s government seized lands belonging to the South African farmer.

A Tanzanian government spokesperson told the BBC that the country’s lawyers had arrived in South Africa to investigate.

In a statement on Friday, Air Tanzania said that it expected to make flight schedule adjustments “due to unforeseeable circumstances”, but did not give any further details.

The carrier’s managing director Ladislaus Matindi told Reuters arrangements had been made for passengers to resume their journey on another flight.

The move comes barely two months after Air Tanzania opened its service to South Africa.

Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has led attempts to revive the state-owned airline, hoping to boost tourism and turn the country into a major transportation hub.

It had just one plane when the president was elected in 2015. Since then, millions of dollars have been spent on the purchase of eight new aircraft.

But the carrier is battling several multi-million dollar lawsuits with its former suppliers.

This is also not the first time Air Tanzania has had a plane seized. In 2017, Canadian construction firm Stirling Civil Engineering seized the airline’s new Bombardier Q400 plane in Canada over a $38m lawsuit.

The Q400 was released in March 2018 after Tanzania’s prime minister and attorney general negotiated its release. No details were given about the terms of the settlement.-BBC

The main Zimbabwe public sector union on Saturday rejected a pay offer from the government, which is trying to avert threats of strike action amid growing anger over the country’s ailing economy.

The Apex Council, which represents most of the country’s public service workers, said the proposal to boost salaries by 76 percent fell far below the demands of civil servants, who are buckling under the pressure of skyrocketing living costs.

Zimbabwe’s government offer would see the lowest-paid worker taking home about ZW$1 023 (US$97) up from the current 582 (US$55).

In a statement, the Apex Council which represents the workers said “the offer does not meet the stated position of the workers, which is pegged at ZW$4,750 (US$452) for the least paid civil servant.”

The offer came after some workers had threatened strike action over the high cost of living.

The civil servant salary bill gobbles up more than 90% of tax revenue.

The pay impasse is part of gathering storm clouds facing the Zimbabwean government amid shortages of basics like fuel, bread and medicines and surging prices when the goods are available.

On assuming office, President Emmerson Mnangagwa who came to power following the 2017 ouster of long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, promised more freedoms and to revamp an already ailing economy.

But the country has seen growing protests as the economy falters.

A Harare court on Saturday freed on bail 10 people arrested during protests by a rural teachers’ union, a day after the demonstration over poor salaries and working conditions.

Eight of those arrested on Friday are from the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), whose members gathered outside the Finance Ministry’s offices to present a petition as part of their protests in downtown Harare.

They carried a small red cardboard coffin, which they said symbolised the death of their livelihoods because their salaries have dropped in value to less than US$50 a month.

Along with their lawyer Doug Coltart and bystander, the teachers were arrested by the police and charged with criminal nuisance which attracts the equivalent of less than US$2.

But they refused to pay the fine arguing that by demonstrating peacefully, they were exercising a constitutionally guaranteed right.

They ended up spending the night in police custody.

One of the lawyers for the accused Jeremiah Bamu told AFP that the police arrested anybody who was in the vicinity of the protest “regardless of what business that person was doing”.

Magistrate Nyasha Vitorini granted them bail of less than US$5 each and ordered them back to court on October 1.

A journalist also rounded up along with the teachers was later freed on Friday without charge.

Earlier this week, the International Monetary Fund warned the government against increasing civil servants’ wages saying public wage growth must be aligned with economic growth and government revenue.

-AFP

This follows the recent payment of €490K for the inspection . Actual repair time is estimated at 8 to 12 weeks.
It’s return will make a meaningful difference. The unit 6 will add a further 160 MW to the Grid bringing up Hwange power production to 670 MW.

— Fortune Chasi (@fortunechasi) August 25, 2019

Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC Vice President Tendai Biti has dismissed a Sunday Mail story which alleges that the combative Harare East parliamentarian is set to run for Presidency in 2023 saying they will not accept any defamatory false attempt to divide the movement.

Posting on Twitter this morning, Biti said the Sunday Mail story reveals the desperate attempts by the ruling Zanu PF to divide the movement, vowing to focus on the struggle.

“Ours is a people s project, owned by the people,rooted in the people with one undisputed leader @nelsonchamisa .We will not accept any defamatory false attempt to divide our movement.We will focus on our struggle.Not the desperate kicks of a tired,toxic,illegitimate rogue regime,” said Biti.

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa who has recently crossed swords with the west who have come out condemning the deteriorating human rights situation in the country is hoping he could win Japan to his side.

Mnangagwa is due to fly to Japan on for the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) which kicks off on Wednesday and has lined up meetings with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in what the state owned Sunday Mail says is ‘a major engagement set to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities between Harare and Tokyo.”

The Japanese embassy’s counsellor to Zimbabwe, Mr Kenichi Kasahara ,told The Sunday Mail that Zimbabwe will need “international help” during its reform process, which Japan is willing to provide.

“The topmost point is that the President himself, President Mnangagwa, is going to Japan and he will meet Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe. We are actually arranging a bilateral meeting to be held on the sidelines of the summit,” said Kasahara.

With Mnangagwa’s re-engagement with the west including USA, UK, Germany, France and many others increasingly becoming a pie in the sky, he is hoping Japan will embrace his ‘Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra.

The EU and its member states have issued a strongly worded statement condemning the Mnangagwa regime over the recent wave of abductions, arrest and assault of civil society and opposition members.

This has watered down any hopes of getting aid and increased bilateral ties with the western world who are very serious about human rights and democracy ahead of any trade arrangements.

Will Mnangagwa win Japan and turn-around the ailing economy, only time will tell.

By A Correspondent| Mutanda Primary School in Gutu North is set to close due to poor ablution facilities.

This was revealed by a concerned citizen who said the health worker in the area had raised the flag suggesting that the school should close because of poor toilet facilities.

Said the citizen:

“Today I was in Gutu North Constituency for my usual weekend visits. Was pained to find out that the health worker told Mutanda Primary School to close because of poor toilets that are a risk. I have offered to donate 5 bags of cement.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa will this week meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), a major engagement set to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities between Harare and Tokyo.

The three-day TICAD summit, which begins on Wednesday in Yokohama, has become a prime global platform through which international stakeholders join forces to promote Africa’s development.

Japan is the third largest economy in the world after the United States and China, and is also a member of the Group of Seven (G7) nations, from which Zimbabwe is seeking a financial package to clear arrears owed to international finance institutions.

G7 – made up of the world’s seven most advanced economies as described by the IMF – consists of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.

The Japanese embassy’s counsellor to Zimbabwe, Mr Kenichi Kasahara ,told The Sunday Mail that Zimbabwe will need “international help” during its reform process, which Japan is willing to provide.

“The topmost point is that the President himself, President Mnangagwa, is going to Japan and he will meet Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe. We are actually arranging a bilateral meeting to be held on the sidelines of the summit.

“Sending a delegation headed by the President himself is an advantage in terms of TICAD.

“Zimbabwe will definitely be known; if the delegation meets the Japanese side. They can certainly impress their counterparts with their background and potential,” he said.

Arrears Clearance

The indaba, he said, will likely have potential benefits for the local economy as it presents an opportunity for the country to get international support to clear its obligations to international finance institutions.

Zimbabwe owes US$2,5 billion to multilateral institutions, of which the World Bank is owed US$1,5 billion, African Development Bank US$702 million, European Investment Bank US$309 million and other multilaterals US$74 million.

As at the end of June 2019, the country’s total bilateral debt amounted to US$5,5 billion, with Paris Club creditors accounting for US$3,5 billion and non-Paris Club US$1,6 billion.

Mr Kasahara said: “I believe that TICAD can be the thrusting element in terms of development of Zimbabwe’s economy.

“I know that Zimbabwe is seeking financial aid from one of the G7 members. But at the same time, the international financial system is a tight system; we have to focus on the fact that Zimbabwe has cleared its arrears with IMF but it cannot get finance from the IMF because it has to clear its arrears with WB and the African Development Bank also.

“Yes, Japan is a member of G7, G20 and also a member of the Paris Club, but the issue of finance must be collectively resolved with everyone’s consent.”

It is believed that the private sector will also be presented with an opportunity to pitch projects to potential investors.

One of the six sessions at the conference is specifically meant for the private sector, which will be attending its own side events.

In a statement last week, Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Toshiyuki Iwado, who also paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa ahead of the summit, said Harare can expect more assistance from this year’s TICAD summit.

“It is only through Africa developing sustainably that the world’s development will be assured. Our assistance is implemented with this in mind. Since Japan launched TICAD in 1993, the policy of Japan’s assistance towards Africa has been strengthened and elaborated even further, and our assistance to Zimbabwe can be seen by our support to rural communities,” he said.

Since 1980, Japan has provided loan aid amounting to US$346 million, as well as grant aid worth US$560 million.

Some of the developmental projects funded by Japan in Zimbabwe include the Nyakomba irrigation scheme in Nyanga, which is benefiting hundreds of households in the area.

Last year, Japan provided a US$21 million grant for a road construction project to improve the Makuti-Chirundu highway on the north-south corridor.

Japan has also provided a US$5,5 million grant for road construction materials that were distributed to eight provinces around the country.

Emergency relief assistance has also been provided to the victims of Cyclone Idai.

Spin-offs

President Mnangagwa’s bilateral engagements have been yielding huge material benefits for the local economy.

His visit to China in April last year unlocked funding for the US$1,3 billion expansion of Hwange Thermal Power Station, plus a US$150 million loan for the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

Beijing also provided a US$100 million grant for the construction of the new Parliament building in Mount Hampden.

All the projects are currently underway.

More projects and investments from Russia are set to be announced in October after President Mnangagwa’s fruitful bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin in January this year.

Visits to United Arab Emirates and Belarus, among others, have also proved to be worthwhile.

At the last TICAD summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2016, Japan committed to investing approximately US$30 billion under public-private partnerships for Africa.

This year’s TICAD summit, which will be held from under the theme “Advancing Africa’s Development through People, Technology and Innovation”, will focus firmly on business and investment, giving further impetus to Zimbabwe’s investment drive.

-State Media

WIDOW to former Zimbabwean President Canaan Sodindo Banana, Mrs Janet Madade Banana has received a brand new Ford Everest car from Government as part of her benefits.

The Government early in the year, made a commitment to pay Mrs Banana’ medical bills on top of other benefits after she returned to Zimbabwe after an 18-year stay in the United Kingdom. All former First Ladies are entitled to certain packages.

In an interview at her sister’s home in Southwold suburb in Bulawayo on Friday, Mrs Banana said she was grateful to the Government for fulfilling its promise.

“The vehicle was delivered on 8 August. It was a shock really, although I had been expecting it for a long time. In the end I was really glad and appreciate what Government has done for me so far. It is a Ford Everest, I even bought a shed for it to cover it and protect it from the sun and the rain,” she said, smiling.

Mrs Banana said the Government was also taking care of her medical bills as she was still undergoing treatment. She also acknowledged that she has been receiving her pension, but added that there were still some outstanding issues that were still to be addressed.

“They are still sorting out my accommodation, security and general upkeep. When I returned home I had to ask my sister to live with her as the Government had said I could be put in a hotel while I wait for my accommodation to be sorted out. But I turned that offer down because I did not want to be isolated and lonely in a hotel,” she said.

Mrs Banana sang praises to the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa who visited her in June.

“I am grateful for Amai Mnangagwa’s initiative of coming here to see me, I told her about my problems such as accommodation and transport. I am really thankful to her, she is a star to me. Things have been progressing since her coming,” said Mrs Banana.

Mrs Banana also took time to highlight the need for Zimbabweans to assist in nation building and not focus merely on living in the diaspora.

“Living in a foreign country is not easy; don’t envy those that are out of the country. I know there are hardships that are there at home but I think to conquer these hardships we need to work together to unite for the progress of the country,” she said.

Mrs Banana said she is not going back to the UK.

“I am not going back to the UK. I have decided to retire and live in Zimbabwe, I even had my sister sending me some of my belongings because when I left the UK, I was going on holiday in South Africa and I became seriously ill.

“My visa was now expiring in South Africa and I spoke to the Ambassador about my predicament and he suggested I come to Zimbabwe and apply for another visa and go back but I told him once I go home that is it,” she said.

“I go to Methodist Church in Zimbabwe and I have been there once, when I get better I will be going more often and I am now mobile.”

President Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba has dismissed as false the claims that indisposed Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has returned from China.

According to Charamba, Chiwenga spoke to President Mnangagwa by phone on Monday and the VP is continuing treatment in China.

Charamba’s response comes when some local publications had claimed that the former military boss had returned from China with a number of Chinese doctors for further treatment at home.

Chiwenga was airlifted from South Africa to China where a team of doctors from Zimbabwe, South Africa, China and India are said to be attending to him.

Recently, President Mnangagwa revealed that Chiwenga was recovering and was about to undergo real treatment.

Some observers, however, were sceptical of Mnangagwa’s remarks saying if they were true, the government would not be sending Chiwenga’s close family members to stay close to him.

For the past eight months, Chiwenga has been in and outside the hospital.

State Media|THE Government duly takes exception and offence in instances where accredited diplomatic personnel dabble in “opposition politics in Zimbabwe”, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo has said.

In a no-holds-barred meeting with ambassadors from Western countries held in the capital on Thursday, Minister Moyo said although the new administration was not averse to criticism, it was deeply concerned with the “one-sided character of the brickbats” following the 16 August “illegal demonstrations”.

Thursday’s meeting was convened a day after the same missions issued a statement criticising the way Government handled the protests. Zimbabwe’s top diplomat said although ambassadors had the right to associate with whomsoever they want, this did not translate to interfering in the affairs of a sovereign State.

“You may all have your personal likes or dislikes: you may have friends and acquaintances across the broad spectrum of Zimbabwean politics — indeed, as diplomats, it is to be expected and it is perfectly acceptable that you should engage all players across that spectrum and gain as full as possible an understanding of this country and its robust socio-political and economic dynamic. Nothing is wrong with that. But when any accredited representative allows themselves to become actively engaged in or associated with that political dynamic; and is sucked into the crude machinations which, today, constitute opposition politics in Zimbabwe, then, Excellencies, we do take offence and we do take exception,” he said.

Police had decided to issue a prohibition order, which was upheld by the High Court, after establishing “grounds of probable violence, danger to life and probable destruction of property”, he said.

Three people — Evidence Ncube (28) of Gokwe, Masimba Jemwa (41) and James Pfundira (27) — have already been jailed for two months by a Harare court after they were arrested at a police roadblock while travelling in an unregistered Nissan Hardbody vehicle during the MDC-Alliance’s illegal demonstration.

Notably, the trio was found in possession of a satchel containing machetes and a knife. Minister Moyo also questioned why the ambassadors have remained deafeningly silent despite continued incendiary rhetoric from the opposition calling for the removal of a “democratically elected” Government.

“Your Governments, Excellencies, are quick to condemn us for any breach of law or for any failure to uphold the rule of law. But you are silent when opposition formations blatantly disregard the law, defy the High Court and repeatedly threaten to overthrow the elected Government of the day through violent protests and the promotion of chaos and anarchy . . . Again, Excellencies, your silence at this stated determination — to undermine democracy in Zimbabwe, to overthrow the Government and plunge the country into chaos — is deeply concerning,” he said.

Minister Moyo said despite dealing with a mob acting in open defiance of the law, which had also committed “provocation at its worst” by marching to Munhumutapa Offices — the seat of the Presidency — police had carried out their duties satisfactorily. No serious injuries or fatalities had been recorded on the fateful day, he said.

Dr Moyo said the nascent signs of economic recovery are making the opposition increasingly uneasy as they know that a growing and stable economy spells a bleak future for them.

Minister Moyo also exhorted the embassies to counsel the opposition and civil society, which had shown a determination for what he called “political insurgency”.

Woke up to see 13 missed calls from my landlord and neighbors.

Just called them back and they telling me armed men came looking for me just after 2300hrs.

Thank God they did not harm anyone or damage anything and also that they did not find me home. pic.twitter.com/7brETt9mFH

— Makomborero Haruzivishe (@MakomboreroH) August 25, 2019

By Own Correspondent| Gunmen reportedly visited human rights campaigner, Makomborero Haruzivishe late Saturday evening.

He was not at home at the time when he says his landlord and neighbours were awoken when the untold number of men descended onto the property.

It is believed the reason Mako is being targeted is a tweet he made concerning a missing

“Woke up to see 13 missed calls from my landlord and neighbours,” he wrote.

He continued saying, “just called them back and they telling me armed men came looking for me just after 2300hrs.

“Thank God they did not harm anyone or damage anything and also that they did not find me home.”

The development comes as ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa verbally attacked civil society organisations saying they must “restrict themselves to their mandate. ”  It also comes as the 68^th United Nations Civil Society Conference  opened under the theme: “BUILDING INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES” 

State Media|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa will this week meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), a major engagement set to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities between Harare and Tokyo.

The three-day TICAD summit, which begins on Wednesday in Yokohama, has become a prime global platform through which international stakeholders join forces to promote Africa’s development. Japan is the third largest economy in the world after the United States and China, and is also a member of the Group of Seven (G7) nations, from which Zimbabwe is seeking a financial package to clear arrears owed to international finance institutions.

G7 — made up of the world’s seven most advanced economies as described by the IMF — consists of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. Japan’s embassy Counsellor to Zimbabwe Mr Kenichi Kasahara told our Harare Bureau that Zimbabwe will need “international help” during its reform process, which Japan is willing to provide.

“The topmost point is that the President himself, President Mnangagwa, is going to Japan and he will meet Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe. We are actually arranging a bilateral meeting to be held on the sidelines of the summit.

“Sending a delegation headed by the President himself is an advantage in terms of TICAD. Zimbabwe will definitely be known; if the delegation meets Japanese side, they can certainly impress their counterparts with their background and potential,” he said.

The indaba, he said, will likely have potential benefits for the local economy as it presents an opportunity for the country to get international support to clear its obligations to international finance institutions.

Zimbabwe owes US$2,5 billion to multilateral institutions, of which the World Bank (WB) is owed US$1,5 billion, African Development Bank US$702 million, European Investment Bank US$309 million and other multi-laterals US$74 million.

As at the end of June 2019, the country’s total bilateral debt amounted to US$5,5 billion, with Paris Club creditors accounting for US$3,5 billion and non-Paris Club US$1,6 billion.

Mr Kasahara said: “I believe that TICAD can be the thrusting element in terms of development of Zimbabwe’s economy.

“I know that Zimbabwe is seeking financial aid from one of the G7 members. But at the same time, the international financial system is a tight system; we have to focus on the fact that Zimbabwe has cleared its arrears with IMF but it cannot get finance from the IMF, because it has to clear its arrears with WB and the African Development Bank also.

“Yes, Japan is a member of G7, G20 and also a member of the Paris Club, but the issue of finance must be collectively resolved with everyone’s consent.”

It is believed that the private sector will also be presented with an opportunity to pitch projects to potential investors. One of the six sessions at the conference is specifically meant for the private sector, which will be attending its own side events.

In a statement last week, Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Toshiyuki Iwado, who also paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa ahead of the summit, said Harare can expect more assistance from this year’s TICAD summit.

“It is only through Africa developing sustainably that the world’s development will be assured. Our assistance is implemented with this in mind. Since Japan launched TICAD in 1993, the policy of Japan’s assistance towards Africa has been strengthened and elaborated even further, and our assistance to Zimbabwe can be seen by our support to rural communities,” he said.

Since 1980, Japan has provided loan aid amounting to US$346 million, as well as grant aid worth US$560 million.

Some of the developmental projects funded by Japan in Zimbabwe include the Nyakomba irrigation scheme in Nyanga, which is benefiting hundreds of households in the area. Last year, Japan provided a US$21 million grant for a road construction project to improve the Makuti-Chirundu highway on the north-south corridor.

Japan has also provided a US$5,5 million grant for road construction materials that were distributed to eight provinces around the country. Emergency relief assistance has also been provided to the victims of Cyclone Idai.

President Mnangagwa’s bilateral engagements have been yielding huge material benefits for the local economy.

His visit to China in April last year unlocked funding for the US$1,3 billion expansion of Hwange Thermal Power Station, including a US$150 million loan for the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

Beijing also provided a US$100 million grant for the construction of the new Parliament building in Mount Hampden. All the projects are currently underway.

More projects and investments from Russia are set to be announced in October after President Mnangagwa’s fruitful bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin in January this year. Visits to United Arab Emirates and Belarus, among others, have also proved to be worthwhile.

At the last TICAD summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2016, Japan committed to investing approximately US$30 billion under public-private partnerships for Africa. This year’s TICAD summit, which will be held from under the theme “Advancing Africa’s Development through People, Technology and Innovation”, will focus firmly on business and investment, giving further impetus to Zimbabwe’s investment drive.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has assured the nation that by the end of 2019 the country’s economic reforms will have been completed and the country will be back on its feet.

In a publication by weekend state media, Mthuli Ncube said that the current tough austerity measures will have scaled down by year end and the country will be flourishing once more.

“Really, the major macro-economic policy adjustments we are coming towards the end of that and really my view is that within the year 2019 we should be able to complete all the major adjustments.

“And then beyond that, we put those behind us then we focus on jobs, productivity and competitiveness to see how we can focus these on the micro- economy so that we can lay the foundation for real prosperity going forward, having concluded all the major macro-economic adjustments” the finance minister said.

Minister Ncube has previously said that while the reform agenda let loose the inflation scourge, underlying factors for high inflation were already in place only waiting for a trigger to bolt away.

He, however, indicated from the outset his reform initiatives, dubbed austerity measures, would inevitably cause suffering among citizens, but remained necessary to correct ills of the past.

Frankly, his interventions have already started bearing results and for the first time in a long period Treasury has consistently posted primary budget surpluses since November 2018.

Treasury recorded a primary budget surplus of $803,6 million between January and June 2019 on the back of fiscal discipline in line ministries and government, as the TSP initiatives start to bear fruit.

And between January and March this year, Zimbabwe registered a positive current account balance of US$200 million, also the first since dollarisation in 2009, which provides signs that the country’s macro-economic fundamentals are falling in place.

Although Zimbabwe remains largely trapped in the throes of high inflation, it has recently experienced relative price stability, seen official and parallel market rates converge, is starting to see shorter fuel queues, growing foreign currency balances in the banks and witnessing improved access to forex by companies on the interbank.

Minister Ncube stated in his macroeconomic reform document, Transitional Stabilisation Programme, that the prevailing environment of macro-economic imbalances presented constraints to rapid economic development, as public deficits fuel unsustainable.

The Treasury chief noted that large fiscal borrowing requirements and money supply growth, in the process consumed scarce foreign reserves and undermining currency stability.

The fiscal deficit, a major cause of macro-economic instability and financial sector vulnerability, was estimated at US$1,4 billion at the close of the first half of 2018, and was projected at over US$2,7 billion in the absence of corrective measures being taken.

Annual growth in money supply to May 2018 stood at 40,8 percent, from US$6,5 in 2017, underpinned by growth in domestic credit of 47,3 percent, mostly to Government. And so, these were some of the fiscal misnomers the minister sought to correct.

Presenting his 2019 midterm policy review statement last month Minister Ncube said a relentless commitment to full implementation of key macro-economic reforms, void of policy reversals and inconsistencies had, as intended, set a solid stabilisation base for triple “S” growth, which is strong, sustained and shared growth.

His sentiments were recently shared by ex-MDC-A parliamentarian and former Bulawayo legislator Mr Eddie Cross who said “The economy is about to turnaround.”

Government takes exception and offence in instances where accredited diplomatic personnel dabble in “opposition politics in Zimbabwe”, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo has said.

In a no-holds-barred meeting with ambassadors from Western countries held in Harare on Thursday, Minister Moyo said although the new administration was not averse to criticism, it was deeply concerned with the “one-sided character of the brickbats” following the August 16 illegal demonstrations.

Thursday’s meeting was convened a day after the same missions issued a statement criticising the way Government handled the protests.
Zimbabwe’s top diplomat said although ambassadors had the right to associate with whomsoever they want, this did not translate to interfering in the affairs of a sovereign State.

“You may all have your personal likes or dislikes: you may have friends and acquaintances across the broad spectrum of Zimbabwean politics.

Indeed, as diplomats, it is to be expected and it is perfectly acceptable that you should engage all players across that spectrum and gain as full as possible an understanding of this country and its robust socio-political and economic dynamic. Nothing is wrong with that,” said Minister Moyo.

“But when any accredited representative allows themselves to become actively engaged in or associated with that political dynamic; and is sucked into the crude machinations which, today, constitute opposition politics in Zimbabwe, then, Excellencies, we do take offence and we do take exception,” he said.State media