By Tariro Moyo- Jailed Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura’s wives have vowed to remain loyal to their husband and united despite negative coverage by some sections of the media.

Even from prison, Gumbura still ensures all his wives are catered for and will do little things to ensure they are happy.

When they visited him on Thursday during the Prison and Correctional Services Family Week, his wives and children wore similar red and white hats bought by the incarcerated clergyman.

They said Gumbura parted with 3kg of sugar as payment for the hats sewn by a fellow inmate.

Speaking to the media, Gumbura poured cold water on reports alleging that he had allowed his wives to look for love elsewhere since he would be in jail for a long time.

He said:

“Look at all my wives as they sit there, which one do you think I will divorce, which one?” he said as the wives burst into laughter.

“You can ask them, they are all here, all the mothers are here,” he added.

Gumbura’s family visited him as part of the Prison and Correctional Services Family Week facility at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.

He is serving a 40-year jail term and has been behind bars for the past five years.

Sitting around their husband, all the wives nodded in agreement that in the five years Gumbura has been away, they have been and will remain faithful to him.

They said previous reports in some sections of the media that they had deserted him were false.

“It was a lie. We know that media will be looking at selling their newspapers, so we just ignore it. We will remain loyal to our husband,” said spokesperson Queen Bunga, who is Gumbura’s second wife.

Asked how many of his wives had visited him, Gumbura insisted that all the mothers of his children had come. He added that his children would visit later that day and start feasting as a family.

Gumbura applauded the Prison and Correctional Services department for providing such an opportunity for convicts to meet their families.

He said without such a provision, it would be a challenge for people like him serving long sentences of up to 40 years to recognise their children when they were eventually released.

“With this current arrangement, you can relate with developments happening back home. You can trace the growth of your children. Very soon, my children will be coming here, you will see them.

“They are not very difficult to spot. You will see them in their numbers with their hats similar to those of their mothers,” said Gumbura.

Media reports alleged that Gumbura’s wives had stopped visiting him in prison while others reported that he had given them his blessings to look for love elsewhere.

The Gumbura family remains a centre of attraction at all Family Weeks. During each visit, a huge crowd comprising his wives, children and a few parishioners visit him.

Gumbura was convicted in 2014 on four counts of rape.

He has 21 wives, nine of whom do not have children with him.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- With about two weeks to go before the Mangwe constituency by-election, the Zanu-PF leadership has challenged party members to honour the 1987 Unity Accord by ensuring the party retains the seat.

Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo descended on Matabeleland South province ahead of the by-election set for 7 September where he met the provincial leadership and party supporters in Mangwe district.

He challenged the party members to unite and deliver victory for the party in the constituency following the death of the party’s Deputy Chief Whip, Obedingwa Mnguni.

Chief Hobodo and the Zanu-PF candidate, Hlalani Mguni, who is Mguni’s widow, said nothing is going to stop the party from retaining the seat as Mangwe District is a Zanu-PF strong-hold.

The Mangwe by-election will be held on the same day with another in Glenview South constituency in Harare.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A South African registered bus, Africa Link Coach was involved in an accident killing 5 people and leaving scores of other passengers seriously injured.

The accident, which happened this evening in Rutenga, Mwenezi along the Harare Beitbridge highway was heading to South Africa and had on board passengers of Malawian nationality.

The injured have been rushed to Neshuro Hospital.

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

By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has engaged some European ambassadors seeking co-operation in efforts to identify and repatriate offshore investments from proceeds of corruption by locals, it has emerged.

Zacc chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo met with ambassadors from some EU member states on Thursday last week and struck an agreement to assist in locating properties owned by individuals involved in corrupt activities.

Officials who attended the meeting said the ambassadors agreed to engage their respective governments in the process. 
Zacc wants all those convicted of corruption by the courts to have their offshore investments repatriated by the state.

Zacc spokesperson John Makamure confirmed the meeting, but declined to give details.

“It is true, the chairperson met with those ambassadors, but I cannot give you the details yet since I have not received a briefing,” he said.

Diplomats who attended the meeting told the Zimbabwe Independent this week that Matanda-Moyo sought assistance from the ambassadors after the explosion of the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) corruption scandal in which those accused of pillaging the pension fund are suspected to have used the money to acquire real estate in Europe, particularly Britain.

“A senior UK diplomat attended a diplomatic briefing with Zacc chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo. Any request for assistance in this regard would go through the appropriate legal channels in the UK,” a British embassy spokesperson said.

“There was a meeting where we were exploring how we can co-operate in the country’s anti-corruption drive. I can say the mood was very cooperative and we will see how their operations proceed but, basically, everyone agreed to help where they can,” one of the diplomats said.

Sources said although Zacc had initially targeted property in Britain said to be owned by former cabinet minister Prisca Mupfumira, who is accused of fleecing Nssa of more than US$95 million during the time she was Labour and Social Welfare minister, the issue had opened a can of worms as some people living in the United Kingdom have come forward and offered to appear as witnesses in many other cases.

As such, sources said, Zacc will now also investigate corruption cases dating as far back as 2003.

“The chairperson met with the EU ambassadors on Thursday last week where she sought their assistance in the forfeiture and repatriation of those properties upon the conviction of the accused persons. In fact, the issue is now not only limited to Nssa,” a source said.

“There are many other cases being investigated, (with some of them) dating as far back as 2003. The investigation will also involve those who were named in WikiLeaks files, so it has become wider and there are many people offering to stand as witnesses.”

Matanda-Moyo requested for more time with the top British diplomat after other diplomats had left. 

The Independent also understands that Zacc has engaged a London-based Zimbabwean national to trace some of the properties allegedly owned by Mupfumira and others.

The investigator, who is currently checking on a company in which Mupfumira is believed to have interests, will then be able to stand as a witness.

The investigator has been viewing files lodged at the Companies House and in particular with respect to a company in which one Priscah Chidavaenzi is named as a director, sources said.

The company, Priscah C Limited, was registered on August 14 2015 in Leicester.

“What is interesting about this company is that it has a board of directors who appointed Priscah Chidavaenzi as a director, yet there is a small amount of funding. What are they hiding? When the agent in London entered Mupfumira on the website, it came up with Priscah Chidavaenzi,” the source revealed.

One of the cases on Zacc’s radar is a long-standing Grain Marketing Board (GMB) scandal involving two businessmen accused of corruptly exporting maize which cost the country US$26 million.-Zimbabwe Independent

By A Correspondent| An estimated 20 passengers are feared dead after a cross-border bus was involved in an accident this evening.

While details of the accident were still sketchy by the time of writing, sources privy to the development said the accident occurred near Neshuro turn off in Rutenga, Mwenezi district along the Harare-Beitbridge highway.

Said Munyaradzi Naison:

“I heard it was going to South Africa. It happened near Neshuro turn off.”

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

By A Correspondent- Doug Coltart and several Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe members who were arrested yesterday (23 August 2019) have been released on bail.

They were granted bail on Saturday afternoon by a Harare magistrate and later released that evening.

Coltart tweeted about the bail and release:

He said:

We are finally out! Thank you so much to all those who have been praying for us and showing your solidarity. Huge thank you to @ZLHRLawyers for the legal representation. So many reflections from the past two days but that’s for another day. Feeling grateful, hopeful, energized! pic.twitter.com/Wh0MXX6J2P

— Doug Coltart ✊??? (@DougColtart) August 24, 2019

An estimated 20 passengers are feared dead after a cross-border bus was involved in an accident this evening.

While details of the accident were still sketchy by the time of writing, sources privy to the development said the accident occurred in Rutenga, Mwenezi district, along the Harare-Beitbridge highway.

More to follow…

By A Correspondent- The Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Victor Matemadanda has said the abduction of the comedienne Samantha Kureya, (popularly known as Gonyeti) is an attempt to tarnish the government’s image by detractors.

He was addressing war veterans and traditional leaders from Mashonaland East Province in Marondera on Friday (24 August 2019).

Said Matemadanda:

“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,”

Matemadanda joins other government officials who have also said that the abduction of the comedian was not by government operatives or any group supporting the government.

Permanent secretary in the Information Ministry Nick Mangwana said on Friday:

“Recent activities in Zim have all the hallmarks of “black ops” hence need to be analysed dispassionately. Who stands to gain from a damage to ED’s local & international prestige? Why would masked people abduct then order victim not to criticise govt? Nicely setting things up?-StateMedia

The Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Victor Matemadanda has said the abduction of the comedienne Samantha Kureya, (popularly known as Gonyeti) is an attempt to tarnish the government’s image by detractors.

He was addressing war veterans and traditional leaders from Mashonaland East Province in Marondera on Friday (24 August 2019).

Matemadanda said “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,”

Matemadanda joins other government officials who have also said that the abduction of the comedian was not by government operatives or any group supporting the government. Permanent secretary in the Information Ministry Nick Mangwana said on Friday.

Recent activities in Zim have all the hallmarks of “black ops” hence need to be analysed dispassionately. Who stands to gain from a damage to ED’s local & international prestige? Why would masked people abduct then order victim not to criticise govt? Nicely setting things up?

-State media

By A Correspondent- Veteran municipal manager and City of Masvingo town clerk for 15 years, Adolf Gusha has retired.

Deputy city engineer Edward Mukaratirwa has since been appointed acting town clerk with effect from September 01, to serve until a new substantive town clerk is appointed.

A special full council meeting convened yesterday, August 22, announced the departure of Gusha who had been at the helm since 2004.

Masvingo Mayor Collen Maboke said council was pleased with Gusha’s contribution to the city since he joined council 32 years ago.

“We are happy with the work that he did for the city. He worked with many mayors including Francis Aphiri. We thank him for initiating many projects including the water augmentation programme which we are still carrying forward. As we wish him the best in his retirement, we also wish our acting town clerk the best in his duties,” said Maboke.

Gusha was overdue for retirement, and had initially been expected to leave at the end of August 2018.Gusha joined the municipality in 1987, and served in various capacities before being appointed substantive town clerk in 2004.

Before joining Masvingo town council, he worked for Shurugwi Rural District Council and for the Ministry of Local Government.

His record as the topmost council manager in Masvingo was marked by both ups and downs; many will remember his runs-in with former executive mayor, the late Alois Chaimiti in 2007 and 2008.

He won for the city many service delivery awards but was also there when former employees left the council destitute after a costly legal suit for unpaid wages. The legal wrangle resulted in all council vehicles getting attached in 2011.

Gusha, however, presided over a remarkable recapitalisation drive which saw the council buying new service vehicles altogether.

The introduction of a roads levy in 2015 drew the indignation of many residents, but it seems the idea has paid off, with the city in 2017 commissioning its own fleet of earth moving equipment needed for roadworks.

Gusha will mostly be remembered probably for leaving behind a city that boasts arguably the cleanest municipal water in the country. The city recorded few, if any, incidences of cholera in 2008, at a time when thousands were dying of the waterborne diseases in other urban areas.

Gusha, however, leaves behind decaying pipes and deep trenches of the botched Mucheke Trunk Sewer project which has cost the ratepayer millions of dollars yet with nothing to show of it.

He also leaves at a time when the quality of service delivery is plummeting, with refuse being collected but not on a regular basis. The whole city has only two refuse compactors.-TellZim

By A Correspondent- Health and Child Care Ambassador, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, has said measures are being taken to prevent conditions that promote the spread of malaria ahead of the onset of the rain season.

The First Lady also said there was no going back on cancer screening awareness campaigns. 

She Mnangagwa said this during her visit to the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare where she toured various stands yesterday.

While touring the Health and Child Care stand, Mnangagwa said:

“We are now approaching the rain season and malaria is the most prevalent disease during that period. Since there is a problem of water-logging during the rain season, mosquitoes get a conducive environment to breed.

However, from what I saw here, I can say the ministry is preparing itself to deal with the disease. I also saw some herbs on display that are said to manage various conditions. Some people opt for herbs while some choose pharmaceutical drugs. However, the doctors here said people should not mix the two.

On cancer screening, we are not going back and we will not tire, the programme is still ongoing.”

“The Chinese are our all-weather friends and they are always there to help us. They do not come as tourists only, but they also bring useful things into the country, the things that help us as a nation, things that alleviate some of the challenges we face.”

Amai Mnangagwa toured the stand for Tongaat Hullet which donated half a tonne of sugar to Angel of Hope Foundation, a brainchild of the First Lady.

She also visited Agricultural Produce Hall were products from communal and small holder farmers were on display, and stands for Tregers, Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) and CIMAS medical aid society.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF Chivi South legislator and businessman Killer Zivhu’s political career is hanging by a thread after the ruling party here recommended his expulsion citing treacherous behaviour.

Zivhu’s fate now lies with the Zanu-PF National Disciplinary Committee(NDC) which has the final say on whether or not to endorse his expulsion. If the decision to expel him is upheld by the NDC, Zivhu will also automatically cease to be the ruling party legislator for Chivi South, necessitating a by-election.

The ruling party’s provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) yesterday overwhelmingly resolved to kick out Zivhu from the party. This was after the Chivi South legislator who is the provincial secretary for Environment and Tourism had snubbed a hearing called by the party’s provincial disciplinary committee chaired by vice chair, Ailess Baloyi, over a week ago.

Zivhu had been served with a prohibition notice prior to the recommendation for his dismissal.

Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chair, Ezra Chadzamira, confirmed the decision.

Chadzamira who is also Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister said Zivhu remained unapologetic hence the decision to summarily expel him.

“We sat as the PCC today (yesterday) and recommended to the NDC that Zivhu be expelled from the party for his activities on social media. We arrived at the decision to recommend his expulsion because even when we served him with a prohibition order and called him to a hearing, he snubbed the process,’’ said Chadzamira.

He said Zivhu continued with his treacherous behaviour even after the prohibition order by using the social media to push for a meeting between First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and MDC Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa’s wife, Sithokozile.

The controversial Chivi South legislator stood accused of violating party rules via social media platforms such as Whats App and Twitter where he allegedly said he was going to push for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and Mr Chamisa.

Zivhu is also accused of having initiated the process of collecting signatures for people in support of his initiative for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and the MDC Alliance leader.

Prior to yesterday’s decision to recommend his expulsion, Baloyi had also accused Zivhu of being unrepentant and having ignored several warnings via various social media platforms by other party members to stop his treachery.

Baloyi said Zivhu’s push for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and Mr Chamisa raises stink because the MDC Alliance leader has repeatedly snubbed overtures to be part of POLAD, instead demanding face to face talks with the President.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Mr Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, will be in Zimbabwe on an official visit from 17 to 27 September this year.

Nyaletsossi Voule’s visit is by invitation of the government of Zimbabwe.

In a statement, The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner outlined some of the issues the Special Rapporteur will assess:

“– Legal frameworks in place to guarantee the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (including key cases from the judiciary);

– Procedural and practical measures for holding peaceful assemblies, including issues of authorisation versus notification and access to public spaces; legal and practical limitations to the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly;

– Facilitation and management of assemblies by law enforcement officials, including relevant guidelines and training; internal and external oversight mechanism in case of excessive use of force by law enforcement officials

… During the visit, in addition to government authorities, the Special Rapporteur wishes to meet with independent institutions working on human rights, civil society actors, human rights defenders and other stakeholders working on the rights of freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.”

A wave of abductions, torture and arrests in Zimbabwe are targeting opposition activists and other government critics, the latest being a popular comedian dragged from her home by armed and masked men.

Barely two years after euphoric scenes engulfed Zimbabwe following the forced resignation of former repressive ruler Robert Mugabe, frustration and fear have returned.

Comedian Samantha Kureya was this week dragged from her bed, stripped naked and tortured by masked men with assault rifles for skits perceived as anti-government. She spoke to The Associated Press from her hospital bed.

I was wearing my underwear and a T-shirt when they took me, they didn’t even give me a chance to dress properly.

“I am living in fear,” she said, complaining of “severe pain” in her legs and on her back.

Kureya said the men claiming to be police officers dragged her from bed half naked and bundled her into a waiting car on Wednesday night. They beat her using short whips, forced her to roll in a stream of sewage and drink from it, she said.

“I was wearing my underwear and a T-shirt when they took me, they didn’t even give me a chance to dress properly,” she said. Her abductors forced her to strip naked during the torture and warned her against mocking the government before abandoning her to seek clothing and help from strangers, said Kureya.

She had received threats on social media before the abduction, she said. Her latest skit mocked security agents for beating up demonstrators that included elderly women.

Political tensions are rising in Zimbabwe as the economy deteriorates with inflation at over 175% and growing dissatisfaction with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took over from Mugabe less than two years ago with promises of a “new dawn” and a “flowering of democracy.”

Human rights groups say at least six activists were abducted and tortured by suspected security agents ahead of an opposition demonstration last week. Police later used violence to disperse demonstrators in Harare on August 16.

On Friday, police broke up a protest by a group of teachers and arrested nine people, including a lawyer for the teachers and a journalist filming the arrests, according to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, an NGO providing them with lawyers. They are yet to be charged, said the organization.

One of the activists abducted and tortured ahead of last week’s demonstration, Tatenda Mombeyarara had visible wounds on his legs, hands, buttocks and back. His kidneys were damaged and doctors put metal plates and pins on his fractured left leg and hand, he said, showing AP a scan while lying on a hospital bed.

He said he was beaten with sjamboks (short whips), gun butts and a wheel spanner and also submerged in a pool of dirty water at a quarry dumpsite.

“They told me ‘you think you are a hero, all that will end today. You are going to die and your American sponsors will not save you’,” said Mombeyarara, who has been in hospital for the past nine days. “I am still traumatized. The pain was unbearable. I thought I was going to die.”

An opposition member of parliament said unknown people fired shots at his house Wednesday night, while a top official was arrested Thursday and accused of failing to stop supporters from demonstrating against the government. Since January, more than 20 activists have been charged with plotting to unseat Mnangagwa.

Police spokesman Paul Nyathi said the recent abductions and attacks “are being investigated” but denied that security agents were involved.

“We cannot blame security agents (for the abduction) because investigations are still underway,” he said.

Government spokesman Nick Mangwana blamed the attacks on “a force” he associated with Mugabe “to impair President Mnangagwa’s image as a sincere reformer.”

The U.S embassy in Zimbabwe and the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe said in a joint statement earlier this week that reports of worsening human rights abuses were of “great concern.”

Kureya, the comedian, said she would continue poking fun at the government despite her abductors threatening to “put a bullet” in her mother’s head if she continues with her work.

“That is how I survive,” she said. “I don’t have any other job, plus we all can’t just keep quiet when things are as bad as they are in this country.”

AP

Nelson Chamisa|Vibes from Khami Prsion..A stampede at Khami Prison..Humbled by inmates’ affection here at Khami Maximum Prison just outside Bulawayo where I visited The people’s Chief, Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamanhwe Ndiweni recently sentenced to 18 months in prison for exercising his lawful duties as a Chief.The people’s Chief is upbeat,unbroken & thanking you all for your solidarity.As a people’s leader, Chief Ndiweni is concerned at the human rights abuses, torture, terror and violence against the citizens.We had time to pray for the Chief, all others and our beautiful country!

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1131389088848916482?s=19

THE opposition Zapu party says it feared controversial Ntabazinduna chief and fierce government critic, Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni could be poisoned in jail.

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1131389088848916482?s=19

Ndiweni was jailed 18 months by Bulawayo Magistrate, Gladmore Mushove last week for damaging his subject, Fetti Mbele’s homestead. His other 23 co-accused villagers were sentenced to 525 hours of community service.

Zapu Women’s Union this week organised a prayer meeting for the incarcerated traditional leader at its offices in the country’s second largest city.

The party Women’s Union provincial chairperson, Jane Mlalazi said the prayer meeting was meant to “protect” the incarcerated traditional leader from any harm and poisoning while in prison.

“We are concerned by our chief’s health and safety while in prison. We are praying that God intervenes in his life so that he will not be poisoned like what happened to our commander Lookout Masuku who died following his release from prison,” said Mlalazi.

Although authorities claim that Masuku died of meningitis, some people strongly suspect that he died as a result of poisoning while in prison.

The Zapu Women’s Union boss maintained that Ndiweni‘s imprisonment was more political than criminal.

“We know that there is a political hand in all this. We have not only called this prayer meeting for his release but for his health as well. With this regime, he is certainly in danger,” she said.

Mlalazi warned that the Zapu women are willing to take to the streets until Ndiweni is released.

Another Zapu activist, Therezia Taka also concurred with Mlalazi.

“As a party, we are very worried about the chief’s fate in prison. It is clear that these people wanted him locked up for speaking his piece of mind,” she said.

Ndiweni has rubbed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime the wrong way by openly calling for political reforms and seemingly indicating the Zanu-PF leader might not have won last year’s presidential election cleanly.

The traditional leader also attended the opposition MDC congress in May this year.

Before his ascendancy to the Presidency in what has been described by analysts as one of Africa’s softest coup, Emmerson Mnangagwa was being investigated over 39 Counts of fraud.

According to the Zimbabwe Independent, the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Criminal Investigations Department was investigating Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s role in the mismanagement and looting of Zanu PF’s business empire, leading to its collapse, in what was seen as part of President Robert Mugabe’s succession war.

Said Tendai Rushwaya, Ndumiso Ncube and Bhongomafin:

We publish below the full report by the publication:

“Police sources reportedly said the investigations stemmed from a Zanu PF’s Report of the Committee on Party Investments, debated by the politburo on July 27 2005 and August 3 2005, which revealed the companies, supervised by Mnangagwa who was then secretary for administration, were a shambles due to gross mismanagement and corruption.

Zanu PF had interests in public and private companies held through M&S Syndicate (Pvt) Ltd. The ruling party had invested in Treger Holdings, Mike Appel, Catercraft, Fibrolite, which closed in December 2004 as well as Zidlee, which failed to take over Delta in 1989.

The party also had interests in Southern African Re-Insurance Company (Sare), Zidco Holdings and First Bank, whose Democratic Republic of Congo investment also collapsed.

Zanu PF also had interests in National Blankets, Woolworths and Ottawa Building, which were disposed of under unclear circumstances.

Furthermore, Zanu PF separately owned Jongwe Printing & Publishing Company, as well as Jongwe and Nyadzonya farms.

Mnangagwa, who sat on nearly all the companies’ boards, supervised M&S Syndicate with Manharlal Chiunilal and Jayant Chiunilal Joshi.

The Zanu PF probe team comprised the late David Karimanzira, who chaired the committee, and the late retired army commander General Solomon Mujuru, Obert Mpofu, Simba Makoni and Thokozile Mathuthu.

The report said the companies were a mess and riddled with managerial corruption and incompetence which could have prejudiced the ruling party of billions of dollars and assets.

It said some of the companies had virtually collapsed, while others had not been audited for years and their financial accounts were a complete mess.

During mid-2005, the official exchange rate was US$1:Z$38, although on the black market it was US$1:Z$10 000.

On the first count, Sare allegedly paid a dividend of Z$13 900 on June 17, 2002 which was however diverted to Mnangagwa First Banking Corporation account.

On December 10 2001, Z$20 million was allegedly withdrawn from AM Tregger and deposited into Mnangagwa’s Zimbank account. Mnangagwa also allegedly benefited from Z$33 million which was withdrawn from AM Tregger and deposited into his Jewel bank account on March 17, 2003.

Police are also investigating allegations that Z$10 million was withdrawn from AM Tregger and reinvested into Mnangagwa’s Mafidi Corporation at NDH on March 27 2003.

On October 9 2003 Z$2,3 million was withdrawn from AM Tregger and deposited into Mnangagwa’s CBZ account, while on October 13 2003 Z$3,3 million was withdrawn from Kushinga Investments and deposited to Mnangagwa’s First Banking Corporation account, the report alleged.

There are investigations into allegations that Z$5 million was withdrawn from AM Tregger and deposited into Mnangagwa’s CBZ account on October 13 while on October 16 Z$1,7 million was withdrawn from AM Tregger and also allegedly deposited into his CBZ account.

Also in October 2003, Z$5,3 million was withdrawn from AM Tregger as cash and given to Mnangagwa. The vice-president also allegedly donated Z$1 million to Mnene Mission Hospital which was taken from AM Treger.

The vice-president also allegedly benefitted from Z$2 million which was withdrawn from AM Tregger on October 24 2003 and paid into his First Banking Corporation account and on the same day Z$19 million was withdrawn from the same account and used to pay for kitchen refurbishment at Mnangagwa’s house.

On October 31 2003, Z$53 000 000 was taken from AM Treger account and paid to Clonsilla Service Station in Gweru for the prurchase of petrol by Aleta Mambodza, Mnangagwa’s family friend.

Police are further investigating allegations that Z$5 million was withdrawn from AM Treger and deposited in the vice-president’s CBZ account on November 3, while on December 10 Z$10 million was paid into his CBZ account.

The vice-president also allegedly benefitted from Z$1,5 million, which was withdrawn from AM Treger and deposited into his First Bank Corporation account.

The Zanu PF probe team report had established that a Z$650 million Tregers Holdings cheque for dividend declared on February 18 2003 for the year-ended December 31 2002 could not be accounted for.

The report said it was “inconceivable” that Tregers, in which Zanu PF had 41,96% shareholding, managed to declare a Z$1,2 billion dividend in four years when its annual turnover was about Z$150 billion.

There were queries over the murky investment of Z$120 million in the portfolio investment company M&S Investments by Zanu PF’s wholly owned investment arm, M&S Syndicate.

The report said another company, NamZim, was “closed due to mismanagement and the property was looted by unknown people”.

Some companies’ books, for instance those of Catercraft, were not audited for four years while there were no board meetings for two years.

Mnangagwa, who was interviewed twice by the probe committee because he held sway over the party’s network of companies, confirmed the chaos in the businesses by admitting most of the companies had no records.

“He (Mnangagwa) said that in most of these arrangements there were no written agreements on the formation of the companies and most of these agreements were done verbally between parties,” the report said. “Neither was there an agreement for payment of management fees to the Joshi brothers as these companies were operating as one.”

The Joshi brothers and Dipak Pandya fled the country shortly after the probe began. Several Zanu PF officials were quizzed about their escape.

Former Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa said the three ran way from being arrested and were in regular contact with him. He said Jayant was believed to be in Dubai, while Manharlal was in Manchester, England.

Some of the Zanu PF investments such as in Bindura Nickel Mine were also unclear. The report stated that Zanu PF had a 23% equity in Bindura through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Further inquiries into this investment were recommended.

There were also fears that companies like Tregers could have externalised funds.

As a result, the report recommended that “police/law enforcements agents should go into further investigations in order to establish any prejudice in terms of revenue to the party on its investments”.

More investigations were required into the shady M&S Z$120 million investment, Fibrolite and Catercraft operations, the unaccounted for Z$650 million Tregers dividend and other dividends declared without audited accounts, as well as Mike Appel’s dividend declarations.

The report said it was surprising that Mike Appel declared a Z$31 million dividend in 2003, but Z$250 million in 2005. Sare and shelf companies like M&S Investments, Segmented Investments through which Zanu PF had a 27% interest in First Bank, and Smoothnest Investments, Hutsonville and Amelia Properties, the report said, should also be further investigated.-TheZimbabweIndependent

The Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Victor Matemadanda says the acts of abductions in the country are a work of enemies who want to tarnish the name of the so called new dispensation under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Addressing war veterans and traditional leaders from Mashonaland East Province in Marondera this Friday, Matemadanda laughed off the issue of abductions, saying what would the government get in abducting a comedian like Samantha Kureya, popularly known as Gonyeti.

“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,” said Matemadanda.

Mashonaland East War Veterans Chairperson, Daniel Sigauke and provincial Chiefs’ Council leader, Chief Nechombo said their institutions have always supported government efforts on development.

“As war veterans, we have always supported developmental initiatives by the government and we will continue to render our support to all programs,” said Cde Sigauke.

“As traditional leaders from this province, we are supporting all government programmes including devolution which is set to decentralize issues of development,” said Chief Nechombo.

The meeting was attended by chiefs from the province and members of the war veterans provincial leadership and district representatives.

By A Correspondent| Former Zanu Pf heavyweight Professor Jonathan Moyo has said failure by Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s failure to avail to the nation a fully dressed judgement which saw the courts declare Emmerson Mnangagwa as the winner of the 2018 elections exposed the latter’s illegitimacy.

Said Moyo:

#OneYearLaterNoMalabaJudgment
Still no "fully dressed judgment" as promised by Chief Justice Malaba on 24 August 2018. Instead Zimbabweans remain stuck with his undressed judgment that has left the country with a naked problem of Mnangagwa's illegitimacy, after a stolen election! https://t.co/Dye5JyN9W9

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) August 24, 2019

Do you think Justice Malaba will release the fully dressed judgement? Show your thoughts in the poll below:

@ProfJNMoyo said failure by @JusticeLukeMalaba to furnish the nation with a fully dressed judgement of how the courts decided that @edmnangagwa had won the #2018elections 1 yr later exposed Mnangagwa's illegitimacy. Do you think Justice Malaba will ever release the judgement?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 24, 2019

The lawyers representing @ARTUZ_teachers teachers and @DougColtart have challenged the State's request to place them on remand as they believe the charges are utterly spurious. The Magistrate hearing the matter has postponed the ruling on this application to 1.30pm

— David Coltart (@DavidColtart) August 24, 2019

It was a clear case of command justice when MDC Organising Secretary Hon. Amos Chibaya was on Friday remanded in custody to Monday 26 August for a ruling on his bail application.

Chibaya, the convener of last week’s peaceful and constitutional demonstrations that were brutally foiled by the police, spent five hours incourt today with the prosecution arguing that he be denied bail.

His lawyer, Obey Shava exposed the State case for its clumsiness, arguing that Chibaya could not be denied bail on a lesser charge of violating provisions under POSA when he was already on bail on a more serious charge of subversion.

The State also denied a bail offer from Hon. Chibaya to commit a monetary payment with stringent reporting conditions as well as a pledge not to interfere with State witnesses, who in any case are police officers. Chibaya’s passport is already with the court as part of his reporting conditions for a subversion charge he is 
already facing and for which he is on bail.

Chibaya’s remand in custody is testimony that the regime is undertaking a brutal programme of persecution by prosecution after they denied 
the MDC Organiser bail even though he had handed himself over to the police in the company of his lawyer.

The MDC believes that the country is choking under the thick blanket of an unofficial state of emergency. There is a systematic targeting ofinnocent Zimbabweans and the people’s leaders by brutally blocking them from exercising their constitutional right to peaceful demonstrations.

It also telling that Hon. Chibaya was denied bail on the very same day that the State waged a clampdown on the leaders of a rural teachers 
union in which their lawyer, Douglas Coltart, was brutally assaulted. Coltart is the son of the MDC Treasurer-General, Hon. David Coltart.

Citizens are under siege. The people’s leaders are under siege but all Zimbabweans remain in high spirits, well aware that brutality has short 
legs and that no amount of State-sanctioned thuggery will triumph over the people.

In fact, it is the regime that is under siege from its cluelessness and from the legitimate grievances of the citizens that it is failing to address. 

Zimbabweans are peacefully clamouring for a truly people’s government that can begin to address the challenges facing the nation.

MDC: Change That Delivers.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Deputy National Spokesperson
Movement for Democratic Change

By A Correspondent- Opposition Deputy Spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka has claimed that there was no difference between president Emmerson Mnangagwa and his predecessor, Robert Mugabe.

Tamborinyoka cited the shrinking democratic space since the ascendancy of Mnangagwa to power in 2017. Tamborinyoka said:

“It (the repression) confirms the de facto state of emergency in the country. Mnangagwa has just mounted a second coup on the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

This is a continuation of the First Republic. Mnangagwa is simply a scarfed Robert Mugabe, which is why we are saying that with these sanctions that ED has imposed on Zimbabwe, Sadc should understand that there is a siege in Zimbabwe.”

His remarks come when reports of abductions of MDC members and human rights defenders have been increasing lately.

The latest report is that of Bustop TV comedienne, Samantha Kureya whose stage name is Gonyeti. Reports suggest that she was abducted at her home by masked and armed men who claimed to be soldiers.

They assaulted her family members before abducting her. They reportedly forced her to strip naked before assaulting her and forcing her to drink sewer.

Observers have implicated the government in the violations against human rights saying that the victims were government critics.

The government has however said that there is a third hand behind the abductions. It also says that some of the “so-called” abductions, including that of Gonyeti, were being stage managed.-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC has said that national demonstrations against the deteriorating state of affairs are coming very soon.

Party Secretary-General, Chalton Hwende told a local publication that the national standing committee had given a go-ahead on demonstrations after reading the mood of the masses.

Hwende said:

“The banned protests showed us that people are ready for action, and as such, we will be rolling out more protests throughout the country, including at growth points … and those are coming very soon.”

The publication further reports that party insiders revealed that protests should be expected as early as next week.

These remarks come when the country has blocked all demonstrations which the MDC had scheduled to start on the 16th of August in Harare.

The State argued that it had gathered concrete evidence that suggested that the protests were going to be violent.

Police violently dispersed protesters who had defied the prohibition order and thronged to the streets on the 16th of August.-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights who are representing members of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe have said that they are failing to locate one of their clients.

ZLHR say that top lawyer, Beatrice Mtwetwa and others are extremely worried about Godfrey Chanda @ARTUZ_teachers Midlands member.

Posting on Twitter, the lawyers said:

“.@ZLHRLawyers currently at Law & Order representing at least 9 people arrested for participating in @ARTUZ_teachers peaceful protests. Those arrested include @OMasaraure, a journalist Leopold Munhende & lawyer @DougColtart were also arrested.

@ZLHRLawyers Beatrice Mtwetwa, & others are extremely worried about Godfrey Chanda @ARTUZ_teachers Midlands member. He was isolated from others, lawyers failing to locate him at cells or at Law & Order. @advocatemahere @ZimHRNGOForum @zppinfo@SAHRDNetwork @AmnestySARO “

ARTUZ members were arrested whilst presenting a petition to the Ministry of Finance.

Teachers are complaining about their paltry salaries which they say must be increased.-ZLHR

By Hardlife Mudzingwa| Massive borehole drilling in Glen View will breed a health disaster in the near future. The by-election for Glen View South Constituency which birthed the jostling for power, has brought interventions to drill many boreholes in the area. I want to state my position today. This so-called development is a seed to funerals in the area.

Glen View is near Firle Sewer Treatment Plant. Majority of the sewer generated in Harare finds it’s way to Firle. Blockages of sewer pipes, clogging and all manner of challenges on sewer reticulation are rampant in Glen View. Ground water in Glen View is heavily contaminated. THAT PARTLY EXPLAINS WHY MABVUKU WITH DECADES OF NO WATER SUPPLY HAD FEW CASES OF TYPHOID AND CHOLERA THAN GLEN VIEW. IT PARTLY EXPLAINS WHY BUDIRIRO AND GLEN VIEW ARE CHOLERA HOT SPOTS.

This by-election will therefore bring funerals in Glen View because politicians need votes. I urge development practitioners to prepare for interventions to correct mistakes brought by the hunger for power.

My prayer is that those who will vote based on boreholes drilled will not at least loose their lives in the near future. The sad situation happens when you fast track your death by okaying a health time bomb.

By A Correspondent- Jailed RMG End Time Message founder and leader, Robert Martin Gumbura said that his wives remain loyal to him even after spending many years in prison.

Speaking to a local publication on Thursday during the Prison and Correctional Services Family Week, Gumbura said:

Look at all my wives as they sit there, which one do you think I will divorce, which one?.

You can ask them, they are all here, all the mothers are here.

Gumbura’s wives and children had visited him at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison as part of the Prison and Correctional Services Family Week facility.

Gumbura’s spokesperson and second wife, Queen Bunga, vowed that the wives will remain loyal to their husband.

She said:

It was a lie. We know that media will be looking at selling their newspapers, so we just ignore it. We will remain loyal to our husband.

Gumbura was convicted of four counts of rape in 2014 and sentenced to 40 years in prison. He has 21 wives, nine of whom do not have children with him.-StateMedia

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing an acute shortage of family planning pills with pharmacies and private institutions also affected.

Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council Matabeleland regional officer Blessed Gumbi said the shortage of the contraceptives has become a crisis.

He said:
We are running dry on contraceptives and it’s a countrywide crisis that we are struggling to contain.

We have nothing in our stocks and at Zimbabwe National Pharmaceuticals which affects pharmacies as they normally buy from us.

However, we are expecting a shipment at the beginning of September and we are hopeful that will improve the situation.

We are short of the Control pills, the most used by women but we still have low supplies of the Secure pills which are accessible. However, Secure pills are on demand compared to the Control hence the challenge.

Gumbi suggested that members of the public should approach health institutions and access alternative methods while waiting for the pills.

He further recommended using condoms as a viable birth control measure.State media

By Own Correspondent| On 23 August 2019, members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, arrested ten (10) people who include Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) members, their lawyer Doug Coltart and a journalist Leopold Munhende outside a government complex in Harare.

The ARTUZ members were arrested as they engaged in a peaceful protest dubbed “PAY FUNERAL”

Those arrested include ARTUZ President Obert Masaraure, Shepherd Tazvivinga, Gerald Tinashe Taruvinga, Tryvine Musokeri, Andrew Mungure, Nation Mudzitirwa, Simon Drury, Godfery Chanda, Doug Coltart and Munhende.

They were apprehended outside the Ministry of Finance Offices in Harare, where they intended to hand over a petition highlighting their grievances as teachers whose salaries have been severely eroded by inflation and the changes in monetary policy resulting in most teachers taking home a salary of less than an equivalent of thirty-eight United States Dollars every month.

Nine (9) of those arrested excluding Munhende (who is a journalist arrested during the course of his work) have since been charged with committing ‘Criminal Nuisance’ as provided in section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and are detained at Harare Central Police Station.

The nine are represented by Blessing Nyamaropa, Tinomuda Shoko and Beatrice Mtetwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Meanwhile, Munhende has since been released.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe is currently experiencing an acute shortage of family planning pills with pharmacies and private institutions also affected.

Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council Matabeleland regional officer Blessed Gumbi said the shortage of the contraceptives has become a crisis.

He said:

“We are running dry on contraceptives and it’s a countrywide crisis that we are struggling to contain.

We have nothing in our stocks and at Zimbabwe National Pharmaceuticals which affects pharmacies as they normally buy from us.

However, we are expecting a shipment at the beginning of September and we are hopeful that will improve the situation.

We are short of the Control pills, the most used by women but we still have low supplies of the Secure pills which are accessible. However, Secure pills are on demand compared to the Control hence the challenge.2

Gumbi suggested that members of the public should approach health institutions and access alternative methods while waiting for the pills.

He further recommended using condoms as a viable birth control measure.-StateMedia

By Tariro Moyo| Jailed Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura’s wives have vowed to remain loyal to their husband and united despite negative coverage by some sections of the media.

Even from prison, Gumbura still ensures all his wives are catered for and will do little things to ensure they are happy.

When they visited him on Thursday during the Prison and Correctional Services Family Week, his wives and children wore similar red and white hats bought by the incarcerated clergyman.

They said Gumbura parted with 3kg of sugar as payment for the hats sewn by a fellow inmate.

In an interview with The Herald, Gumbura denied reports that he had allowed his wives to look for love elsewhere since he would be in jail for a long time.

“Look at all my wives as they sit there, which one do you think I will divorce, which one?” he said as the wives burst into laughter.

“You can ask them, they are all here, all the mothers are here,” he added.

As part of the Prison and Correctional Services Family Week facility, the wives and children had visited Gumbura at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.

Gumbura is serving a 40-year jail term and has been behind bars for the past five years.

Sitting around their husband, all the wives nodded in agreement that in the five years Gumbura has been away, they have been and will remain faithful to him.

They said previous reports in some sections of the media that they had deserted him were false.

“It was a lie. We know that media will be looking at selling their newspapers, so we just ignore it. We will remain loyal to our husband,” said spokesperson Queen Bunga, who is Gumbura’s second wife.

Asked how many of his wives had visited him, Gumbura insisted that all the mothers of his children had come. He added that his children would visit later that day and start feasting as a family.

Gumbura applauded the Prison and Correctional Services department for providing such an opportunity for those incarcerated to meet their families.

He said without such a provision, it would mean for people like him serving sentences of up to 40 years would never recognise their children when they were eventually released.

“With this current arrangement, you can relate with developments happening back home. You can trace the growth of your children. Very soon, my children will be coming here, you will see them.

“They are not very difficult to spot. You will see them in their numbers with their hats similar to those of their mothers,” said Gumbura.

Previously, other media houses reported that his wives had stopped visiting him in prison while others reported that he had given them his blessings to look for love   elsewhere.

The Gumbura family remains a centre of attraction at all Family Weeks. During each visit, a huge crowd comprising his wives, children and a few parishioners visit him.

Gumbura was convicted in 2014 on four counts of rape.

He has 21 wives, nine of whom do not have children with him.

-Online

By a Correspondent- The Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU), is concerned that jailed Ntabazinduna traditional leader, Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni, could be killed while he is in prison.

Chief Ndiweni was sentenced to an effective 18 months in prison after he was convicted alongside 23 of his subjects of malicious damage to property involving a fellow villager.

ZAPU deputy organising secretary Ndodana Moyo told a crowd attending a prayer meeting in Bulawayo on Friday that their prayer was that the Chief’s life will be spared, unlike what happened to Lookout Masuku. He said:

We are praying that God intervenes in the life of our chief. They must not kill our chief.

We know they hate him with a passion and they are willing to end his life by any possible means.

But we know with God’s power nothing is going to happen.

… Mphoko, who knows Zanu PF more than us, says he is afraid of being killed. So, we are praying that they must not kill our chief like what they did to Lookout Masuku.

Recently, former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s lawyer told Voice of America’s Studio 7 that his client was afraid of lethal injection if he was taken into custody.

Mphoko is out on bail on charges of criminal abuse of office dating back to the time he was the Vice President.-DailyNews

Prices have been going up every day for virtually all commodities. Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of these changes.

We publish below some of the prices of meat in various supermarkets:

Beef	OK	Food World	Choppies	Pick N Pay
Mince	31.50		29.95	32.99
Brisket	31.90		28.65	38.99
Economy	31.10			24.99
Commercial	34.50
T bone			29.95
Liver				38.00
Matumbu	12.50		14.99	13.99
Super blade	38.90		32.99	42.99
Guru	24.50		18.95	19.99
Bones			10.99	8.49
Sausage	28.90		28.75
Country Style/Shop
Country Style Colcom 500g		26.30		25.99
Country Style Garfunkel’s 500g		20.50		16.99

Showing 1 to 14 of 14 entries

Things to note

• Different supermarkets use different labels for different beef cuts, what is economy in what shop can be commercial or beef on steak in another
• To avoid this we tried hard to make sure we compared to like products only.
• There are different types of guru here we were generally looking at rough tripe
• Matumbu refers to casings

By Talent Gondo- Landlords in Masvingo have escalated boarding houses charges by up to 100 percent in a move that borders both on profiteering and a fair attempt to keep up with inflation.

Accommodation prices have been raised from last semester’s RTGS$600 per head to RTGS$1200 per head. The rise in private boarding fees is said to be a response to Great Zimbabwe University (GZU)’s decision to hike on-campus accommodation fees from RTGS$300 for a room for two and RTGS$350 for a room for one to RTGS$500 for two and RTGS$600 for one at some campuses.

A landlord with a boarding house in Rhodene said he hiked charges to cushion himself against increases in the cost of electricity, Wi-Fi and water.

“The rentals per semester seem unreasonable to you but it is not that greedy but a fair response to the increase in the cost of everything else. We have to see to it that students have uninterrupted power, water and WI-Fi so there is no other way I can manage.

It is also even difficult for landlords to come up with a cost structure for our services because the market is not stable. The fee might be fine for us this week but it may not be the same the following week due to inflation.Things are now expensive in the shops and it’s becoming worse every day.

We need the money to renovate the walls, beds and everything so that the students can enjoy their stay,” he said.Some landlords of other boarding houses are said to be charging their houses at US$120 per head per semester.2-TellZim

THE Minister of Energy and Power Development, Advocate Fortune Chasi, has said the prolonged load shedding hours experienced in some parts of the country over the past few days were due to unexpected technical challenges at Hwange Power Station.

In an interview with Zimpapers Television Network on Thursday, Adv Chasi said there had been faults at Hwange Power Station and as a result the electricity supply situation in the country has been erratic in the past few days.

The Minister assured the nation that the power situation was set to improve as his Ministry was making frantic efforts to address the matter.

“I must admit that there was a bit of regression over the past few days. This not a permanent situation. It’s really arising from the challenges that we faced from a number of units in Hwange but its actively being sorted out so I am confident that they will come on board pretty soon,” said Adv Chasi.

He, however, said the load shedding programme would continue for domestic consumption as Government prioritises the productive sector in the country.

“What we are doing at the moment is to ensure that we give more power to the productive sector. We want to make sure that the mines are operating and that the farms, and particularly now that we have wheat, we want to ensure that the farms have power. So the domestic consumer will find that they will be load shed,” said Adv Chasi.

The Minister said he would ensure that Zesa sticks to its published schedule for the convenience of the public.

He said if the power utility is not able to stick to its schedule, it must communicate to its clients.

“The load shedding schedule must operate as it has been published and presented. I have emphasised to Zesa that they need to stick to the schedule and that in those situations where they are unable to do so, the public must be informed that there has been a change. Otherwise if there is a schedule that is not speaking to reality, it gives a false impression and we do not desire that at all,” said Adv Chasi.

— Chronicle

GOVERNMENT has awarded a 76% salary hike to its restive workers, a move which will see the lowest paid civil servant getting around $1 000 per month, but civil servants’ representative body, the Apex Council, yesterday described the increase as a drop in the ocean, given the rate of inflation in the country.

The increase comes after most civil servants had notified their employer of their incapacity to continue reporting for duty, with others threatening industrial action over the high cost of living.

In a statement, the Apex Council said the salary adjustment fell far short of their expectations of $4 750 (US$475) for the least paid worker.

“Following the rejection of a 10% government offer by the Apex Council, the National Joint Negotiating Council meeting convened today (August 23, 2019) saw government move their offer to 76% of the total package with effective from August 1, 2019,” part of the statement co-signed by Apex Council chairperson Cecilia Alexander and vice-chairperson, Thomas Muzondo, read.

“The offer does not meet the stated position of the workers, which is pegged at $4 750 for the least paid civil servant. According to this development, the lowest paid worker is expected to take home $1 023 from $582.”

Apex Council leaders said they would soon consult their members again and update government of the outcome at their next meeting on Wednesday.

Earlier, Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou had poured cold water on the government’s salary offer.

“Why has the government and Apex Council been quiet for all along? Government and Apex Council claim to be talking when civil servants threaten to go on strike. We certainly do not eat empty promises. The government already claims that a hefty salary is on its way, but we are aware that this is a tissue of misrepresentation,” he said.

“Let the teachers measure the deftness of the salary rather than the self-appraisal of a starvation salary being labelled hefty by an uncaring employer.”

“At any rate, the government is well known for peddling falsehoods. They promised duty-free cars to civil servants last year, but up to now, not even a single teacher has accessed that facility. The government has failed to provide stands for teachers’ accommodation purposes, let alone to exempt three children for every teacher from paying tuition fees,” Zhou said.

This comes as staff at State universities have declared that they are financially incapacitated to continue reporting for duty following the erosion of their salaries by inflation.

Zimbabwe State Universities’ Union of Academics president Alois Muzvuwe on Thursday gave notice that from September 8, their members would stop going to work until government reviewed their salaries.

“This decision comes after realising that efforts to seek redress on State universities have not yielded the desired outcome. The Higher Education ministry has failed to provide answers or solutions to low standards of living and hardships that are being experienced by State universities teaching staff,” Muzvuwe said in a statement.

This came after Midlands State University (MSU) staff on Wednesday registered the same concerns with their administration.

In a memorandum to vice-chancellor Victor Muzvidziwa, the MSU Lecturers’ Association said their salaries had dropped 10 times, adding they were now only able to report for duty on the first three days of the month.

MSU spokesperson Mirirai Mawere yesterday told NewsDay Weekender that the university management was now seized with the matter.

“We acknowledge receipt of the memorandum and we wish to assure our valued stakeholders that the university is seized with this matter. We are pursuing internal strategies to ensure that our students continue to learn and are not inconvenienced in any way,” she said.

— NewsDay

BOUT 300 people believed to be Zimbabweans were on Wednesday arrested around Musina, including the Beitbridge Border Post areas, for allegedly flouting South African immigration laws, officials in South Africa have said.

Among those arrested was a suspected human trafficker, caught with a two-year-old undocumented Zimbabwean toddler during a joint operation code-named “Basadi”, supervised by Mamane Dickson Masemola, a member of the executive committee (MEC) in charge of the affairs of the Limpopo province bordering Zimbabwe.

A joint statement from Masemola – who is the MEC for Transport and Safety and the Limpopo Province commander of South African Police Services (Saps), Lieutenant-General Nneke Ledwaba – issued on Wednesday evening said 295 people had been arrested under the Immigration Act .

It also said Mamane, who sits on a committee of provincial ministers, participated in operation Basadi, which incorporated stop-and-search roadblocks, including patrol crime-beats.

“The MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Namane Dickson Masemola, has today (August 21, 2019) visited Musina in support of the law enforcement operation, Basadi”, the statement said.

“The on-duty parade was held at the Musina South African National Defence Force (Sandf) military base and the integrated operation was conducted until 13:00hrs, covering Musina, the Beitbridge Border Post and surrounding areas.”

The stop-and-search operation was carried out along all the major roads, targetting police wanted persons and all unlicensed businesses.

“In total, 373 suspects were arrested for residence and business burglary, aggravated and common assaults, thefts of and from motor vehicles,” the statement read.

“Saps units from the lowest to the highest ranks, constituting female police officers within the environments of Crime Intelligence, Assets Management, Legal Services, Corporate Communication, Provincial Support, Vispol, Detectives, Stock Theft, FCS, VCIU, DPCI, CR & SCM, POCC, ORS, K9, Mounted Unit, the Public Order Police Unit, Beitbridge Border Gate and cluster commanders of Tzaneen, Seshego, Mahwelereng, Polokwane, Makhado, Giyani, Modimolle, Lephalale and Thohoyandou, joined forces as they embarked on law enforcement activities around the border area. During this operation, Saps women were also joined by other law enforcement partners from the Provincial and Municipal Traffic and the Sandf.”

Operation Basadi (women), which is ongoing, has a bias to acknowledge police women and has in some occasions involved Zimbabwean female cops in operations within the border areas.

Thousands of Zimbabweans are arrested in South Africa on a daily basis as they flee a free-falling economy which government blames on illegal sanctions.

The main opposition MDC party, however, points at misrule and poor management of the economy — coupled with corruption — as the main undoing of an otherwise promising nation whose citizens now flock to South Africa where they settle for poorly-paid second-class jobs.

Of late, most cross-border travellers have found themselves having to jump the border, risking robberies and attacks by wild animals since Zimbabwe currently does not have enough material to produce passports, with government only able to produce 800 travel documents per day.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Mutare City Council has teamed up with Forestry Commission and Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to stop rampant deforestation at Mutare’s top tourist attraction, the Christmas Pass.

The rate of deforestation at the aesthetic mountain has escalated to 80 percent throughout the year and this is attributed to increased load shedding.

Council spokesperson, Mr  Spren Mutiwi said they have put tight security in the woodlands to monitor people.

“We have been policing people around the Christmas Pass and so far these efforts have yielded a good result. We have recovered 36 tonnes of wood.

“However we are still scaling up our operations to ensure that there is no more environmental devastation because most of the deforestation is now happening during the night when our patrollers are not in the forest,” he added.

Mr Mutiwi also urged citizens to play their part in reducing deforestation.

“We are slowly losing our identity as a people by destroying our environment. This is not council’s role alone, every stakeholder should take a proactive role and play their part to sustain  our scenic Christmas Pass,” he said.

The National Tree Ambassador Mr Never Bonde, said he was concerned with the decimation of Christmas Pass vegetation and suggested other measures that could be done.

“I have been to Rwanda recently and they put beehives in such mountains with trees to prevent people from cutting down trees. Our government should take this initiative of using beehives to prevent tree cutters,” he said.

The environmental activist said they have started promoting whistle blowing to avoid further destruction of the woodland.

“We have since started promoting snitching among  citizens if a person reports on the act we give them a tip off. We have tried this to ensure the sustainability of the forest.

“We will also continue to raise awareness on the alternatives that can be used and dangers of deforestation. Starting next week we will be having campaigns at household level in all suburbs,” Mr Bonde said.-ManicaPost

By Talent Gondo- An infant was on Monday morning found dumped in Sakubva River, in an incident that left residents in the sprawling high-density suburb of Sakubva shell shocked.

The lifeless body was found floating in the river on Monday around 10 am.

Police said they were yet to ascertain further details, particularly the mother of the child. Eye witnesses told The Manica Post that the body was found floating in the river Monday morning.

“I was heading to where I stay in St Joseph’s when I saw the body floating in the river. We were shocked and in a few minutes people were gathered jostling to see it. We have no idea who the mother of the infant is but we were all shocked,” said one eye witness.

Police arrived at the scene and covered the infant with a plastic wrapper.-ManicaPost

By Talent Gondo- Mutare businessman Gondai Musabaeka was last week arrested and dragged to court on allegation of duping his former girlfriend US$4 700 in a botched stand deal.

Musabaeka (54), of Lot 2 Kellys Farm, Penhalonga was arrested last Thursday by detectives from Rusape after a Canada-based nurse Ms Rebecca Chinamasa, of Plot 1 Lionshead Farm, Rusape lodged fraud charges against him.

Musabaeka, who was represented by Mr Walter Mangwende, of Chiwanza and Partners Legal Practitioners, was granted $300 bail by magistrate Mr Vusimuzu Gapara.

He was also ordered to report once a fortnight at ZRP Penhalonga and not to interfere with State witnesses.

Mr Marlon Makamba prosecuted.

Mr Makamba had opposed the release of Musabaeka arguing that he was not a suitable candidate for bail as he was facing a serious offence.

Mr Makamba told the court that Ms Chinamasa, sometime in 2012, met Musabaeka in Mutare, who promised to assist her to acquire a residential stand.

When Ms Chinamasa returned to Canada, Musabaeka allegedly informed her that there was a residential stand on offer in Nyanga. Ms Chinamasa allegedly wired US$4 700, which the accused converted to personal use.

“Musabaeka and Chinamasa are not related, but were once lovers. In June 2012, Chinamasa came to Zimbabwe and met Musabaeka in Mutare, where she confided in him that she was in need of a residential stand. Musabaeka offered to assist her, and he drove her around Mutare showing her some stands which he alleged were vacant.

“Musabaeka also drove her to Nyanga where they approached Nyanga Rural District Council, but were told that there were no vacant residential stands at that moment.

“They were advised that some residential stands would be available in a few months’ time. Chinamasa went back to Canada and maintained communication with Musabaeka. In August 2012, Musabaeka told Chinamasa there were some residential stands available in Nyanga. He told her that US$100 was needed as registration fee.

“On 31 August 2012, the complainant wired CAD 101,65 to Musabaeka as the registration fee through MoneyGram. From September 2012 to November 2012 Chinamasa wired varying amounts towards the purchase of the stand.

“When Chinamasa returned to Zimbabwe, she made numerous efforts to locate Musabaeka so that he could show her the residential stand she had paid for and surrender the documentation to her, but she failed to find him. This month (August 2019) Chinamasa returned to Zimbabwe and then lodged a police report after realising that Musabaeka had duped her.

The transaction history from MoneyGram could be produced in court as exhibit.  The value is US$4 700 when converted to United States dollars and nothing was recovered,” said Mr Makamba.

Musabaeka’s trial was expected to kick off yesterday (Thursday) as Chinamasa was expected to fly back to Canada today (Friday).-ManicaPost

By Talent Gondo- Zimbabwe’s livestock sector is set to produce the country’s first veterinary vaccines after Treasury provided funding for the programme.

Speaking at the 7th Annual National Agribusiness Conference at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare this Wednesday on stakeholders’ preparedness for the 2019/20 summer agricultural season with regards to livestock vaccines, Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) chief executive officer Professor Robson Mafoti said the they would be in a position to report completing the first batch of locally produced vaccines by year-end if the everything went according to plan.

Seed houses, fertiliser and agro-chemical companies also took the opportunity to announce their preparedness to play their part in making the 2019/2020 agricultural season a success.

Seed Co Limited managing director (Southern Africa) Mr Denias Zaranyika who briefed the conference on the seed supply situation on behalf of all seed houses at the event said they had 35 000 tonnes of maize seed, 8 000 tonnes of wheat seed, 7 000tonnes of soya bean, 1 200 of sugar beans, 1 200 tonnes of sorghum and 8000 tonnes of cotton seed while the Tobacco Research Board (TRB) also confirmed that they had enough seed in their stocks for the season.

Mr Zaranyika highlighted that 13tonnes of the total maize seed were of the early maturity category and could play a critical part in alleviating food shortages in the event of a poor season punctuated by insufficient rains.

Chemplex Corporation chief executive officer Engineer Tapuwa Mashingaidze chipped in calling on Government to capacitate local manufacturers such as Sable Chemicals to produce to capacity and help cut on the import billadding that there was a worrisome dependency on imported that were bleeding Government’s coffers every year.

He said 400 000 tonnes of fertiliser were required for the summer cropping seasonwith an estimated RTGS$2, 2 billion needed for this season’s fertilizer requirements only.

Eng Mashingaidze added that these projections could be met if the RTGS$3, 2billion funding that treasury availed for fertilizer the sector was channelled to the intended parties on time.-ManicaPost

By Talent Gondo- The computerisation programme in the transport sector has increased government revenue, with at least US$375 million being realised over the past five years since the programme was implemented.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has computerised most of its departments and services, curbing leakages, pilferage and corruption, as human interface has been significantly reduced, raising the amount of money accruing to Treasury.

The ministry modernised systems through the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (zinara), Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) and most recently through the Zimbabwe Traffic Information System (ZIMTIS).

In an interview on Thursday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza said they were excited as Government with gains that have accrued to the fiscus owing to the computerisation process.

“We are quite excited with the computerisation process which has removed the human interface, thus reducing corruption in a significant way. Not only has it eradicated or reduced corruption, the system has also brought efficiency and convenience to the ordinary public.

Some of the work was being done manually, but it is now being done electronically. Revenue has increased significantly, something which is a source of pride to us. We will continue to work to improve the system in our quest to fight corruption and inefficiencies.”

According to statistics glimpsed by a local publication, vehicle licensing, under ZINARA, generated revenue of US$15 million annually before the advent of the system, but was now raking in an average of US$56 million.

Tolling revenue across the 17 tollgates increased from $16 million when manual receipting was being carried out in 2013, to an average of $50 million a year, meaning computerisation drove a revenue increase of $34 million. Revenue also rose with respect to road transit programme fees which is collected when foreign registered vehicles traverse the country.-StateMedia

By Talent Gondo- Government has awarded a 76% salary hike to its restive workers, a move which will see the lowest paid civil servant getting around $1 000 per month.

However, the civil servants’ representative body, the Apex Council, yesterday described the increase as a drop in the ocean, given the rate of inflation in the country.

The increase comes after most civil servants had notified their employer of their incapacity to continue reporting for duty, with others threatening industrial action over the high cost of living.

In a statement, the Apex Council said the salary adjustment fell far short of their expectations of $4 750 (US$475) for the least paid worker.

“Following the rejection of a 10% government offer by the Apex Council, the National Joint Negotiating Council meeting convened today (August 23, 2019) saw government move their offer to 76% of the total package with effective from August 1, 2019,” part of the statement co-signed by Apex Council chairperson Cecilia Alexander and vice-chairperson, Thomas Muzondo, read.

“The offer does not meet the stated position of the workers, which is pegged at $4 750 for the least paid civil servant. According to this development, the lowest paid worker is expected to take home $1 023 from
$582.”

Apex Council leaders said they would soon consult their members again and update government of the outcome at their next meeting on Wednesday.

Earlier, Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou had poured cold water on the government’s salary offer.

“Why has the government and Apex Council been quiet for all along? Government and Apex Council claim to be talking when civil servants threaten to go on strike. We certainly do not eat empty promises. The government already claims that a hefty salary is on its way, but we are aware that this is a tissue of misrepresentation,” he said.

“Let the teachers measure the deftness of the salary rather than the self-appraisal of a starvation salary being labelled hefty by an uncaring employer.”

“At any rate, the government is well known for peddling falsehoods. They promised duty-free cars to civil servants last year, but up to now, not even a single teacher has accessed that facility. The government has
failed to provide stands for teachers’ accommodation purposes, let alone to exempt three children for every teacher from paying tuition fees,” Zhou said.

This comes as staff at State universities have declared that they are financially incapacitated to continue reporting for duty following the erosion of their salaries by inflation.

Zimbabwe State Universities’ Union of Academics president Alois Muzvuwe on Thursday gave notice that from September 8, their members would stop going to work until government reviewed their salaries.

“This decision comes after realising that efforts to seek redress on State universities have not yielded the desired outcome. The Higher Education ministry has failed to provide answers or solutions to low standards
of living and hardships that are being experienced by State universities teaching staff,” Muzvuwe said in a statement.

This came after Midlands State University (MSU) staff on Wednesday registered the same concerns with their administration.

In a memorandum to vice-chancellor Victor Muzvidziwa, the MSU Lecturers’ Association said their salaries had dropped 10 times, adding they were now only able to report for duty on the first three days of the month.

MSU spokesperson Mirirai Mawere yesterday told NewsDay Weekender that the university management was now seized with the matter.

“We acknowledge receipt of the memorandum and we wish to assure our valued stakeholders that the university is seized with this matter. We are pursuing internal strategies to ensure that our students continue to learn and are not inconvenienced in any way,” she said.-Newsday

By Talent Gondo- Embattled Zanu PF chairperson for Mashonaland Central province Kazembe Kazembe has warned ruling party members against remaining in the campaign mode and urged them to accept the current party leadership.

Addressing party supporters during Muzarabani North legislator Zhemu Soda’s victory celebrations at Utete Business Centre recently, Kazembe said he would not leave his party position because he loved it and those who try to disturb his duties would suffer the consequences.

“As Zanu PF, we should be united and not be on each other’s throat every time, meaning we should not be in the campaign mood always,” he said.

“Let us learn to accept the incumbent leaders so as to build the nation. Let me also take this opportunity to warn those fanning divisions in the party that there will be a blood bath. You want me to leave this

chairmanship yet I still want it. There will be bloodbath.”

Serious factionalism is reportedly rocking the province, with war veterans calling for the removal of Kazembe from the chairmanship on allegations of failing to mobilise supporters to attend party programmes supposed to be presided over by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa reportedly snubbed two events at the eleventh hour due to poor attendance.

Kazembe further claimed that officials were already positioning themselves in the structures before the official restructuring exercise.

“We have officials who are already positioning themselves before the official exercise. Why should we be doing that? What do you need these positions for? Give us time to work, a councillor, Member of Parliament and the chairperson of the party should be supported to avoid getting into each other’s tracks, since we are winners,” he said.More in Home

He further castigated the Nelson Chamisa-led opposition MDC for accusing Mnangagwa of stealing votes in last year’s controversial presidential election.

“We have the MDC making noise for the next five years. We were robbed, we were robbed yet time is moving. But we are very alert and will not let the country go. They have set demonstrations after seeing the great works of the President who is fighting corruption with Zacc [Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission],” Kazembe claimed.

He further implored members of the community to police each other and account for their movements and whereabouts in light of the planned demonstrations by the MDC.

“Our President told us that there will be pain when resolving the country’s economic hardships, but Chamisa has taken that opportunity and is now influencing retailers to raise prices so that you revolt against the President,” Kazembe claimed.

“Recently, I heard that they want to move province by province. Here in Mash Central, we do not do demonstrations. Check your neighbour, if you find him or her missing, he or she has to explain about his or her whereabouts,” he said.-Newsday

By AEDIT Beauty Board- In the wake of Allergan issuing a global recall of its BIOCELL textured breast implants and tissue expanders, The AEDITION breaks down what it means for patient safety.

At this point, you’ve likely heard that Allergan (the Dublin-based drugmaker behind BOTOX®, JUVÉDERM®, CoolSculpting®, LATISSE®, and more) issued a worldwide recall of its BIOCELL® saline- and silicone-filled textured breast implants and tissue expanders.

The decision followed a request from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove the products from the market due to a link between them and a rare type of cancer known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (a.k.a. BIA-ALCL).

The Backstory

The debate about textured implants is nothing new. Amidst a growing concern about potential health risks (they were pulled from European markets in December 2018, with Canada and Australia following suit in May and July, respectively), the FDA determined in March 2019 that there was not enough evidence to support banning the products at the time. New data, however, has the agency changing its tune.

The FDA now reports there have been 573 cases of BIA-ALCL since 2011, and 481 of the patients had BIOCELL® implants at the time of their diagnosis. Of the 33 deaths from the rare cancer of the immune system, authorities have been able to identify the manufacturer of the implants in 13 cases — 12 of them involved Allergan. The agency believes the risk of disease from BIOCELL® textured products is six times greater than that of other brands.

“Once the evidence indicated that a specific manufacturer’s product appeared to be directly linked to significant patient harm, including death, the FDA took action to alert the firm to new evidence indicating a recall is warranted to protect women’s health,” FDA principal deputy commissioner Amy Abernethy said in a statement.

The Specifics

Unlike smooth implants, textured breast implants are known for their sandpaper-like exterior that helps to hold them in place. While they are common in Europe, they make up less than 10 percent of the units sold in the U.S. market.

Even so, the FDA recommends (as of July 24, 2019) health care providers immediately stop implanting BIOCELL® products and return unused inventory. Patients, meanwhile, are advised to monitor for BIA-ALCL symptoms, which include persistent swelling or pain in the vicinity of the implant. While patients diagnosed with the cancer should have their implants removed, the FDA does not currently suggest the removal of textured implants or tissue expanders for those who are symptom free.

The recall adds yet another layer to the recent negative press breast implants in general have received. In the lead up to that March FDA meeting, some providers renewed calls for so-called “breast implant illness” or BII to be classified as a medical condition due to the autoimmune disorders (think: muscle pain, fatigue, digestive issues, inflammation, weakness, hair loss, and cognitive impairment to name a few) patients and surgeons believe could be tied to silicone implants.

“While the FDA doesn’t have definitive evidence suggesting breast implants are associated with these conditions, we’re looking to gain a fuller understanding of this issue to communicate risk, minimize harm and help in the treatment of affected patients,” the agency said in the report, while imploring medical device manufacturers to invest in long-term testing for BII.

The Takeaway

So, what does all of this new information mean for the estimated five million-plus Americans who currently have breast implants?

If you have a textured breast implant, the risk of developing BIA-ALCL over your lifetime is somewhere between one in 4,000 and one in 30,000. To put that in perspective, the lifetime risk of being hit by lightning is one in 3,000. Thus, the chance of developing breast implant-associated cancer is less than the chance of getting struck by lightning, and treatment of local BIA cancer is nearly 100 percent curable with excision.

The low odds explain why the FDA does not recommend removal of Allergan BIOCELL® breast implants in patients with no symptoms — though it has rightly banned BIOCELL® products from further use due to the unnecessarily and significantly elevated risk of BIA cancer.

Patients experiencing symptoms that could be related to BIA or BII should contact their plastic surgeon.

By Wilbert Mukori- There is no doubt that ever since the 2008 to 2013 GNU there was mutual understanding, a cordial agreement, a “entente cordiale” as the French would say, struck between Zanu PF and MDC. MDC was supposed to implement the raft of democratic reforms SADC leaders had managed to get Mugabe to sign on to at the on-set of the GNU.

“The opposition MDC went into the Government of National Unity (GNU) between 2009-2013 without a plan and failed to utilise the opportunity, new party leader Nelson Chamisa has admitted,” reported New Zimbabwe.

“We got in the inclusive government and just sat there, spent five years in there. We came out without doing anything. We will not do that, dialogue must have timelines that are very clear, the international community must tick us, mark us on the boxes,” quoting Chamisa

This was just a feeble excuse; SADC leaders produced a roadmap and they did their best to remind MDC leaders to follow the roadmap but were repeatedly ignored.

Robert Mugabe entrapped the MDC leaders with very generous salaries and allowances, ministerial limos, a former white-owned farm for senor Welshman Ncube, a $4 million Highlands mansion for senor Tsvangirai, etc., etc.  A down payment and Mugabe’s entente cordiale gesture; proof, as far as the MDC leaders were concerned, that Zanu PF accepted them as fully paid members of the exclusive rule elite.

Ditching implementing the democratic reforms was the least MDC leaders could do to express their gratitude to Robert Mugabe for his acceptance of the MDC leaders into the exclusive ruling elite club. Afterall why would MDC leaders still want to implement the reforms when they too stand to benefit from these undemocratic practices, now that they are members of the ruling elite for life.

MDC leaders were warned against participating in the 2013 elections without reforms, but they ignored the warning. Tsvangirai was cocksure MDC would win that election regardless of the vote rigging.

Tsvangirai knew Zanu PF would rig the elections but, given the prevailing entente cordiale spirit, he was cocksure he would win the 2013 elections. True enough the wanton violence and barbarism of 2008 was gone, Zanu PF had taken its heavy boot off the wanton violence pedal. True, the party stepped up its intimidation with party leaders and operatives warning the populous that the 2008 violence would return if the party was to lose the election. It was operation harvest fear.

Zanu PF stepped up the more subtle vote rigging activities such as vote buying and jerrymandering the voter registration and voting to give the party the edge. The number of polling stations were increased from 2 000 in 2008 to 9 000 in 2013 and the regime failed to produce a verified voters’ roll, for example. Still MDC leaders soldiered on confident they would still win the 2013 elections.

Morgan Tsvangirai won 73% of the vote in the March 2008 election, according to Mugabe’s Freudian slip, and he went into the 2013 elections cocksure he will be elected president and MDC will win the majority. He lost and so did his party! They were shocked but helpless to do anything about it.

Tsvangirai and company could not take Zanu PF to task for the blatant vote rigging when everyone who understood what had happened throughout the GNU KNEW it was MDC leaders’ fault that not even one reform was implemented in five years of the GNU. Not even one!

MDC leaders knew they had lost their chance to implement the democratic reforms during the GNU and with it their political credibility.

Zanu PF was smart enough to know the party will need MDC to continue participating in elections regardless how flawed and illegal the process got if the party was to get away with rigged elections. Zanu PF offered to let the opposition a few gravy-train seats to entice them to participate. It worked like a charm!

There were a staggering 23 presidential candidates and no fewer than 130 political parties contested last year’s elections. All the opposition candidate knew Zanu PF was going to rig the elections because not even one reform was implemented since the 2013 rigged elections.

Even when ZEC failed to produce a verified voters’ roll and the number of polling station had gone up to over 11 000; not even a team of wild horses would stop the opposition candidate participating. Chamisa even boasted that “MDC had stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections!” Of course, he was lying. The opposition candidates were after the few seats Zanu PF was giving away and did not care that the elections were rigged!

In 2013 Zanu PF rigged the elections and MDC leaders accepted the outcome without a farce; there are three main reasons MDC leaders have made a big farce following the 2018 elections with their demand for Mnangagwa to include MDC leaders in his cabinet.

1. Chamisa feels that he had gone the extra mile by participating in the elections even when it was clear the elections were being rigged. He clearly believes that extra effort is worthy of political recognition and rewarding. He is asking for a ministerial position for himself and a few other MDC leaders.

• The EU, Commonwealth and all the other election observers have condemned last year’s election as a farce making the Zanu PF regime illegitimate. Although the MDC has accepted the parliamentary process as legitimate the party’s continued rejection of Mnangagwa as the legitimately elected president is unnerving Mnangagwa. Chamisa is only taking advantage of the EU, etc. position to pressure Mnangagwa to concede to his power sharing demands.

• By blatantly rigging the elections, failing to do anything to stamp out corruption, etc.; Mnangagwa confirmed that Zimbabwe, under his leadership, is still a pariah state. There will be no meaningful economic recovery as long as the country remains a pariah state.

Chamisa has offered to revive the economy, if Mnangagwa agreed to share power. “I have the key to unlock the economy,” said Chamisa. He is bluffing, of course; there will be no meaningful recovery as long as the country remains a pariah state.

However, with the country’s economic meltdown going into overdrive, Mnangagwa will be forced to go into the power sharing arrangement.

In 1939 Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact or Non-aggression and Neutrality Pact. The pact included a secret protocol defining the borders of Soviet and German “spheres of influence” in the event of possible rearrangement of the territories belonging to Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland.

The Zanu PF and MDC entente cordiale is every bit the Hitler-Stalin pact in which we the ordinary Zimbabweans are the Poles, Lithuanians, etc. whose rights and freedoms are being decided by the two parties and we have no say. The new GNU that MDC is pushing for will secure cabinet positions for MDC but will not advance our common cause of free, fair and credible elections one iota!

Zanu PF rigged last year’s elections and so the regime is illegitimate. The regime must step down to allow the appointment of competent body to implement the reforms and finally end this curse of rigged elections.

MDC is now working in cahoots with Zanu PF to remain in power for each’s selfish gain. It is important that we end this cosy MDC and Zanu PF entente cordiale that has brought nothing but suffering and death to us all.

24 August 2019

The savage attack on lawyer Doug Coltart who was simply carrying out his work as a Legal Practitioner for the Association of Rural Teachers of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) is further evidence that all pretence is gone and we are now dealing with a brutal illegitimate regime that has now turned full scale.

lndeed, it now seems that the regime is increasingly making dictator Robert Mugabe now look like an angel. At least with him we knew where we stood.

But this is not so with the illegitimate regime. Having initially assumed office after a coup and having been misled that we were turning the corner it has become evident that this was a false dawn.

We in the MDC now feel vindicated. We have been saying it, time and again that this is neither a New Dispensation nor a Second Republic but a continuation of the repression which started under the racist colonial regime and was perfected by Mugabe and now its deja vu.

The hopes of the long suffering Zimbabwean people have been dashed and the dream of November 2017 has turned into a terrible nightmare.

The New Deception is no longer subtle and we thought that the era where professionals doing their job would be brutalized was gone but alas we are back to square one.

The failure by the illegitimate regime to uphold the rule of law is astounding.

ARTUZ is a bona fide trade union and as such exempt from the provisions of POSA but to the powers that be this matters not and that exception is not recognized.

Further to that the excessive use of force and overreaction is clearly unwarranted if indeed we want to be taken seriously as a democratic country.

Following the brutalization of some journalists who were simply trying to cover events on the 16th of August 2019 it was not surprising that something more frightening was to occur in the dead of the night when Samantha Kureya aka Gonyeti received some uninvited visitors who abducted and tortured her.

While we know that the culprits are unlikely to be apprehended what we find reprehensible and disgusting is the Twitter post allegedly under the handle of a Deputy Minister Energy Mutodi that this is an abduction skit.

This is not new as a former Minister Moven Mahachi made a bizarre claim that journalists the late Mark Chavhunduka and Ray Choto who had been tortured had scratched themselves.

This level of insensitivity and callousness is not expected and should have been buried with the demise of racism and apartheid but is alive and well with our new rulers.

We in the MDC cherish the freedoms and rights which are enshrined in our Constitution and we will continue fighting for a truly democratic system which Zimbabweans deserve.

Innocent Gonese
MDC Secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs

State Media|Government has offered a 76 percent pay rise to civil servants, which will see the least-paid worker taking home $1 023 per month.

This emerged during yesterday’s National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting in Harare, which involved the Government and civil servants’ representatives.

Government could not be immediately reached for comment as Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza was reportedly in remote areas, while the ministry’s permanent secretary and lead negotiator, Mr Simon Masanga said he “does not issue Press statements”.

But Apex Council chairperson, Mrs Cecilia Alexander, confirmed that Government had reviewed its offer to 76 percent from the initial 10 percent offer.

“We have not rejected and we have not accepted the offer from Government,” said Mrs Alexander.

“We are going back to consult our members; we don’t have the mandate to accept that $1 023 offer, so we are going back to our members.

“But we are going to meet on Tuesday (next week). Once our members have given us a go-ahead — we are messengers — we will accept and if they say no, we will also communicate that accordingly.”

A statement released yesterday by the Apex Council, which was signed by both Mrs Alexander and her deputy Mr Thomas Muzondo, read; “Following the rejection of a 10 percent Government offer by the Apex Council, the NJNC meeting convened today this 23 August 2019, saw Government move their offer to 76 percent of the total package with effect from the 1st of August 2019.”

However, the Apex Council said Government’s latest offer does not meet the workers’ position of $4 750 for the least-paid civil servant.

Presently, the lowest paid civil servant is taking home $582.

The new offer by Government shows its determination to ensure its employees were well remunerated, especially following a wave of unjustified increases in the price of goods and services.

On July 18, Government and its workers met and agreed to a once-off cushioning allowance of $400 to provide relief to employees while a cost of living adjustment (COLA) was being negotiated.



Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi on Wednesday stated that the government will find it difficult to respect the rights of the people for as long as the country is under economic restrictions from the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA).

Zimbabwe has been under the economic embargo from the western power since the turn of the millennium after the controversial and highly violent land reform during former President Robert Mugabe’s era.

The restrictions have been used as a scapegoat for the economic collapse and have been accused of fuelling corruption which deters progress.

Corruption rank in Zimbabwe averaged 123.48 from 1998 until 2018, reaching an all-time high of 166 in 2008 and a record low of 43 in 1998.

This has seen most public institutions failing to perform and the old regime under Mugabe seemed to show a lack of zeal to fight the scourge.

Making a presentation during the launch of the Anti-Corruption Campaign which is sponsored by the EU, Ziyambi said it is difficult for the government to respect people’s rights for as long as sanctions are still there.

He said the resections make it impossible for Zimbabwe to attain its vision 2030 as corruption will still be escalated due to unavailability of basic goods and services which are a right for the struggling masses.

“Among the things we need to deal with is the reform process and the respect of our constitution, fundamental human rights. We cannot respect the rights of the citizens of Zimbabwe when sanctions are still there.

“So I want to call upon my brother (EU Ambassador Timo Olkkonen), as we launch the anti-corruption campaign and say that corruption and sanctions go hand in hand.”

Ziyambi said when a country is under sanctions, shortages of basic commodities will be inevitable hence corruption starts sprouting.

“So I urge him to reconsider the rights of the poor citizens of Zimbabwe and become an advocate of the anti-sanctions drive,” he said.

The sentiments came barely a week after the main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), had its supporters beaten by the police after they took to the streets to protest against corruption, an ailing economy and poor governance by the Emmerson Mnangagwa administration.

The move was condemned by the EU and the USA as the two powerhouses cited human rights abuses.

EU Ambassador, Timo Olkkonen told the same gathering that Zimbabwe needed to respect the rights of citizens to petition and demonstrate and called on Mnangagwa to ensure a free environment for civil society to keep the government in check.

However, Mnangagwa would have none of it as he said the CSOs needs to stay in their lane and respect the laws of the land.

“May I urge civil society to restrict themselves to their mandate. The rule of law observance is not needed for the purpose of pleasing other countries, we need it because it is proper for ourselves,” warned Mnangagwa.

The coming in of President Mnangagwa had revived hopes that Zimbabwe might start acting on corruption.

The recently commissioned Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has made a number of arrests on senior political figures but the “catch and release” gimmick has raised eyebrows over its willingness to deal with the rampant scourge.263 Chat

Independent|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is gunning for ex-vice-president Phelekezela Mphoko after picking up intelligence that he is reportedly working with some senior Zanu PF officials linked to ailing Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and remnants of the ruling party’s spooky G40 faction to launch a court application challenging Mnangagwa’s legitimacy.

Security sources said Mphoko is also being hounded over his former shareholding in supermarket chain Choppies — seen as the source for a war chest to fund the application and the renewed power struggles.

He is also being hunted down over his role as former president Robert Mugabe’s point man to investigate a series of alleged crimes against Mnangagwa which include the late Godfrey Majonga’s forced crippling plunge from a high-rise flat saga, the mysterious death of a Harare woman and the Kwekwe gold mining wars and associated deaths.

The court challenge, security officials said, was meant to be premised around the contestation that Mnangagwa was unconstitutionally and unprocedurally appointed president after the November 2017 military coup which toppled former president Robert Mugabe.

The application was not going to challenge the coup per se, but argue that the constitution was not followed after Mugabe’s ouster.

The revelation comes at a time it has emerged Mugabe’s resignation letter has disappeared from parliament. Sources said this was connected to the planned court battle.

As revealed by the Zimbabwe Independent last week, a senior official in the Parliament of Zimbabwe, assistant clerk Johannes Gandiwa, who was entrusted with custody of Mugabe’s resignation letter, has been dismissed from work for gross negligence after the history-making document disappeared under his watch.

Mugabe resigned under pressure from the military on November 21, 2017, bringing an end to his controversial 37-year rule, although Chief Justice Luke Malaba later ruled he quit voluntarily. The letter, which vanished, says he left voluntarily.

His resignation letter, a culmination of a week of sustained military pressure and street demonstrations, was read out by Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda as parliament was in the process of initiating an impeachment motion against him.

Mnangagwa was then appointed president by Zanu PF before taking over the country.

Mphoko and his allies were said to be preparing to contest how Mnangagwa came in.

Part 4 of the Sixth Schedule Section 14 sub-paragraph 4 of the constitution, which provides a special provision for the election and tenure of president and appointment of vice-presidents, says “if the person elected president in any election referred to subparagraph (1) dies, resigns and is removed from office (a) the vice-president or, where there are two vice-presidents, the vice-president who was last nominated to act in terms of subparagraph (3)(b) acts as president until a new president assumes office in terms of subparagraph (5)”.

Mphoko was the only vice-president when the coup occurred following the firing of Mnangagwa by Mugabe two weeks earlier.

Sub-paragraph 4(b) states that “the vacancy in the office of the president must be filled by a nominee of the political party which the president represented when he or she stood for election”.

Sub-paragraph 5 says: “A political party which is entitled to nominate a person in terms of subparagraph (4)(b) must notify the Speaker of the nominee’s name within 90 days after which the vacancy occurred in the office of the president, and thereupon the nominee assumes office as president after taking the oath of president in terms of Section 94, which oath the nominee must take within 48 hours after the Speaker was notified of his or her name.”

Security sources say Mphoko was going to argue that Mnangagwa was not vice-president when Mugabe was removed and therefore he could not immediately come in from outside as required by the constitution and law, even though Zanu PF later held a meeting to reinstate him and then install him as president. The sources say Mphoko was going to contest the constitutionality and procedure of that process on those grounds.

Mnangagwa has been battling legitimacy questions since he came in; first the coup issue, then the disputed election matter and now Mphoko’s planned challenge. His legitimacy also came under close scrutiny on August 1, 2018 when the military shot and killed six people in the streets, before killing 17 more in January this year and after the police’s brutal crackdown on peaceful protestors in Harare last Friday.

“After information was obtained showing that Mphoko could launch the court challenge, a decision was made to get him so that he doesn’t become a new headache and a rallying point,” a source said. “An easy way of getting rid of him was to arrest him for storming Avondale Police Station to free former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive Moses Juma and non-executive director Davison Norupiri who were arrested in 2016 on allegations of defrauding the authority of US$1,3 million.”

Juma was last year jailed for an effective two years, while Norupiri was made an accomplice witness.

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commisison (Zacc) officers were then unleashed on Mphoko. They tried to seize him last week on Saturday from his Bulawayo home and fought battles with him on Monday when he escaped arrest.

Zacc claimed on Tuesday he was on the run and a wanted man even though he was at his house. He then appeared in court on Wednesday at the magistrates’ court on criminal abuse of office charges. He was remanded out on ZW$1 000 bail.

Security sources said Mphoko spoke to Mnangagwa by phone on Tuesday to ask why he was being hounded and plead with him to stop Zacc from pursuing him. The sources said Mnangagwa told him that he was not sure why Zacc was in hot pursuit of him, but refused to intervene in the matter.

Despite being co-vice-presidents under Mugabe, Mnangagwa and Mphoko had fractious and sometimes hostile relations which deteriorated after the coup.

In his battle to regain control of Choppies following boardroom squabbles at the company after he was ousted from the vice-presidency in the aftermath of the coup, Mphoko’s backers accused Mnangagwa of supporting their Botswana business rivals.

Sources said Mphoko was only paid ZW$400 000 — instead of US$400 000 — for his 7% equity stake after being kicked out of Choppies.

However, Mphoko insists he owned 51% of the business and was entitled to US$33 million. He also wanted to launch a court case over that.

Sources said Mnangagwa is also hunting down Mphoko because he was used as a blunt instrument by Mugabe to attack him at the height of his succession battles. Mphoko was superintending criminal investigations against Mnangagwa ordered by Mugabe. Mphoko worked closely with former Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo, before he was appointed Finance minister just before the coup, and former police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri, sources say.

Police were investigating Mnangagwa over a series of allegations, including the murder of a Harare woman which his accusers implicated him in, his role in Kwekwe’s machete-driven gold wars and for allegedly forcing prominent journalist Majonga to jump from the second floor of a flat in the Avenues in Harare, leaving him crippled.

Majonga died in Harare this week.

Besides checkmating Mnangagwa, Mphoko also actively encouraged Mugabe to fire him. After Mnangagwa was sacked, forcing him to flee to South Africa through Mozambique, Mphoko urged Mugabe to appoint Grace as his co-vice-president, saying he was “lonely” as deputy at the top table.

VIDEOS LOADING BELOW…

This man was a student at Mugabe Secondary School between 1998-2001 and most of his victims were parents of his former school mates. The school is in Uzumba and he was from Manyika village. pic.twitter.com/rcGPzTGl9A

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 23, 2019

ZimEye can reveal the “killer’s” name is Mr Anesu Kapere.

By Own Correspondent | Latest details have emerged over the Uzumba man who confesses to allegedly killing six (updated) MDC members.

The were suggestions in a live broadcast on ZimEye on Wednesday that the man is suffering from a mental health condition.

But following the program, several people have confirmed the development. One of our sources in an audio recording, went to the extent of stating the man exact whereabouts.

ZimEye can now authoritatively reveal the “killer’s” name is Mr Anesu Kapere.

Kapere is seen on video confessing to killing the below list of people in exchange for $500 per person promised him by a ZANU PF MP. He also pleads for people to put spread news of this on social media platforms. On his Facebook page, he has placated the below as his profile picture: 

Kapere confidently says that he killed MDC members during the violence that lasted 72 hours in which perceived 32 MDC supporters were murdered in May 2008. 

VIDEO LOADING (story also continues) BELOW…

This was just after the announcement of the 2008 Presidential elections where Morgan Tsvangirai beat Robert Mugabe by over 72% of the total vote tally.

To corroborate with the report, Emmerson Mnangagwa who was Mugabe’s chief election agent, is also in a separate video seen boasting that he is the one who later pushed for the election result to lead to a run off.

The murders happened in Uzumba. The list includes:

Farai Mudimu – Musafare Mudimu was murdered, confimed with MDC list

Karombe Benson Chipungu – Manyika Village, confirmed with MDC list

Amai Mushayahembe – Ruth Mushayahembe of Chimbwanda Village, confimed with MDC list

Brighton Mabwera – Child – 4 years old, in Manyika Village. He was burnt while inside his parents house after the father had fled.

Eddie Mukombe (still to be confirmed). 

REFRESH THIS PAGE TO WATCH 

The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has instituted investigations into Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder Prophet Walter Magaya, who has been facing a slew of allegations of sexually abusing women.

The constitutional and independent body, whose mandate is to investigate possible violations of rights relating to gender and to receive and consider complaints from the public, is inviting “any person or victim with evidence or complaints” against Prophet Magaya.

The announcement was made by commission chairperson Mrs Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe in a Government Gazette published yesterday.

“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 sexual abuse of women by Walter Magaya of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries,” read the notice by Mrs Mukahanana-Sangarwe.

“Further to the above notice, an invitation is hereby given to any victims or witnesses to any acts of sexual abuse by Walter Magaya to furnish Zimbabwe Gender Commission with written complaints, witnesses’ statements and any other supporting documents or evidence which can assist in the investigation. Oral hearings will commence thereafter on dates to be advised by the Commission.”

Section Five of the Act stipulates that before launching an investigation, “the Commission shall publish a notice in the Gazette and in any one or more national newspapers informing the public that, no earlier than 14 days or later than 30 days after the publication of the notice in the Gazette, it intends to investigate any systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality”.

Last month, Magaya made headlines in the media after an actress Ms Charity Dlodlo accused him of raping her.

Interestingly, after some days, Ms Dlodlo made an about turn saying the man of the cloth had never done her any harm.

She eventually apologised saying the allegations were false and she had been used by demons to “distract the work God was doing” through Magaya.

Earlier, some parents had claimed that their daughter was raped by the prophet, only for the alleged victim to dismiss the claim.

There was drama last night during a live debate when the ZANU PF Youth League chairman (UK) charged accusing the exiled Prof Jonathan Moyo for manufacturing evidence proving military intervention during tbe 2018 elections. Below is a snippet (ALSO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO BELOW :

The aspect of military intervention during 2018 elections, is a creation of JONATHAN MOYO @ProfJNMoyo's, there is no evidence at all, says ZANU PF Youth League chair, UK @FaraiMuvuti @ZANUPF_Official pic.twitter.com/v5blO7h3qi

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 24, 2019

Zanu-PF Chivi South legislator and businessman Killer Zivhu’s political career is hanging by a thread after the ruling party here recommended his expulsion citing treacherous behaviour.

Zivhu’s fate now lies with the Zanu-PF National Disciplinary Committee(NDC) which has the final say on whether or not to endorse his expulsion. If the decision to expel him is upheld by the NDC, Cde Zivhu will also automatically cease to be the ruling party legislator for Chivi South, necessitating a by-election.

The ruling party’s provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) yesterday overwhelmingly resolved to kick out Zivhu from the party. This was after the Chivi South legislator who is the provincial secretary for Environment and Tourism had snubbed a hearing called by the party’s provincial disciplinary committee chaired by vice chair, Ailess Baloyi, over a week ago.

Zivhu had been served with a prohibition notice prior to the recommendation for his dismissal.
Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chair, Ezra Chadzamira, confirmed the decision.

Chadzamira who is also Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister said Zivhu remained unapologetic hence the decision to summarily expel him.

“We sat as the PCC today (yesterday) and recommended to the NDC that Zivhu be expelled from the party for his activities on social media. We arrived at the decision to recommend his expulsion because even when we served him with a prohibition order and called him to a hearing, he snubbed the process,’’ said Chadzamira.

He said Zivhu continued with his treacherous behaviour even after the prohibition order by using the social media to push for a meeting between First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and MDC Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa’s wife, Sithokozile.State media