MDC Secretary General Hwende remanded to 16th October

The MDC Secretary General, Chalton Hwende, appeared at the Harare Magistrates courts this morning.

Hwende is facing charges of subversion. He was further remanded to the 16th October 2019

Hwende’s case is part of the on-going systematic harrassment of political leaders and civil society activists by a rogue regime that has clearly panicked and is now determined to suppress all alternative voices in Zimbabwe

We thank all our party leaders and members who managed to join Hwende in solidarity.

MDC: Change That Delivers

Daniel Molokele
MDC Spokesperson

According to the poll so far, 73% of the over 300 voters are calling for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s prosecution at the ICC over human rights violations.

However, 7 percent of those who have voted do not agree saying there is no reason why he should be tried before the ICC. A total of 14 percent of the voters however are of the opinion that no- one will take him while 6 percent want nothing to do with the poll question.

If you have not yet voted, please participate and share your opinion in the poll below, “Should Mnangagwa be taken to the ICC over human rights violations in Zimbabwe?”

By A Correspondent| Opposition MDC Vice Chairperson Job Sikhala has said President Emmerson Mnangagwa should be taken to the International Criminal Court over human rights violations.

Information ministry permanent secretary Nick Mangwana reacted to Sikhala’s suggestion and said the statement was nothing but a dream and “he can shout Hague 70 times seven times, but his fantasy of getting into power through the back door will not be realised.”

Please share your thoughts in the poll below and answer the question: “Do you think President Emmerson Mnangagwa must be taken to the ICC over human rights violations against the people of Zimbabwe?”

By A Correspondent- Professor Jonathan Moyo has claimed that the military was behind his loss in the 2013 election where the Tsholotsho North seat was won by the then MDC candidate Rosemary Nkomo. 

Moyo posted on Twitter and said:

“These are the wages of rigging by the military, which now rigs elections in the rural areas brazenly and openly. For ZANU PF to keep winning, it needs the military to keep rigging, and the rural areas to remain rural. ZANU PF has no future in an urbanized and developed Zimbabwe. Zero!”

When asked by one user whether the army started rigging post November 2017 coup Moyo said:

“Of course not. I was a victim of their rigging on 2013 and I took them to court all the way up to the Supreme Court. I also took George Chiweshe to court in 2008 over rigging issues. Needless to say I lost the court battles. But aluta continua!”

By A Correspondent- Chief Ndiweni’s lawyer Dumisani Dube has filed an appeal against the incarceration of the traditional leader by a Bulawayo court last week.

Chief Ndiweni was last week sentenced to 24 months in prison over malicious damage to property charges after he allegedly destroyed property belonging to a villager who had resisted an order to leave his area.

Bulawayo magistrate Gladmore Mushowe suspended 6 months of his jail term on condition of good behavior and ordered the remaining 18 months to be an effective jail term.

Chief Ndiweni’s 23 assailants were sentenced to 24 months in prison with 6 months suspended on condition of good behavior.

The remaining 18 months were wholly suspended on condition they each complete 525 hours of community service.

“This is a serious offence that was committed in aggravating circumnstances using fire,axes and other dangerous weapons. Fire is categorised under the third schedule which means the offense was committed in aggravating circumstances,” said Mushowe.

She said the offence was committed in a barbaric manner and it is unbelievable for a chief in this day and age to punish his subjects in that manner.

“A chief’s duties include protecting his people and mainataining peace and freedom now for him to break the law like this is very disturbing. The court will take into consideration that the other other 23 accused persons were acting under the instruction of a chief who is a voice of authority. As such there shall be a disparity in sentencing,” said Mushowe.

Mushowe ordered that the 525 hours of community service be completed within 20 weeks starting from August 19.

By A Correspondent- A local businessman who sued his alleged lover for defrauding him did not realise that by doing so he would land in hot soup as he is now being sued by the woman’s husband for having an adulterous affair with his wife.

 Dick Sakala is accusing Gordon Virimai, who is based in Australia, of engaging in an adulterous relationship with his wife, Yvonne Thandiwe Sakala (59). 

Sakala, through his lawyers VJ Mpofu and Associates, filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing Virimai as a defendant.

In papers before the court, Sakala said he discovered the illicit affair after intercepting text and WhatsApp messages on his wife’s cellphone, which were sent by Virimai.

Sakala’s suspicions were confirmed when Virimai sued his wife to recover US$41 000 which he claimed he had sent to Thandiwe for a business venture but she allegedly converted it to her own use. 

“The defendant has had a romantic and illicit relationship or has committed adultery with my wife well knowing of her marital status which has been confirmed by the defendant’s wife who is in Australia,” he said. 

Sakala said their marriage was solemnised in terms of Chapter 5:11 of the Marriages Act on July 27 in 1980. The couple has three grown up children.

Sakala said due to the adulterous affair between his wife and Virimai, the two lovers had a public fallout after Thandiwe allegedly defrauded her boyfriend of more than US$41 000.

Thandiwe allegedly masqueraded as overseer of a certain family trust which sells several properties and defrauded Virimai of US$41 870. The case is still pending before the courts.

Sakala said due to the adulterous affair, he had lost consortium and comfort. 

He wants a court order that compels Virimai to pay US$300 000.00 in damages for loss of consortium and contumelia. 

“Owing to the adulterous relationship, I have lost the consortium, comfort and society of my wife resulting in damages in the sum of US$150 000 and also resulting in contumelia or hurt feelings with damages totalling US$150 000, which is due and payable by the defendant,” he said.

In her opposing affidavit Thandiwe said they had not been living as husband and wife for the past 10 years.

“We have not been living as husband and wife for the past 10 years. Sakala was irresponsible and abusive. He sold four matrimonial homes against my will,” she said.

She added:

“He is a greedy husband who wants to reap where he never sowed and  wants  to throw me under  the bus  by  claiming  I had an adulterous relationship  with Virimai so  as  to gain financial claims from him(sic).The marriage broke down  after I found  out that he had extra marital affairs with male persons (sic).”-BMetro

By A Correspondent- Opposition Vice-Chairperson, Advocate Job Sikhala has said that it was time president Mnangagwa faces the wrath of International Law over crimes against humanity.

His remarks come after recent reports of abductions and torture of members of the MDC and human rights defenders.

They also come at a time when the government has blocked MDC demonstrations that were slated to begin on the 16th of August.

Sikhala said:

Now is the time to plait the international law that presses international obligations for crimes against humanity against Mnangagwa. This man has been thriving on the blood of our kith and kin. It is high time to look him right into his eyes and tell him ‘stop spilling blood of our relatives anymore.

Sikhala also made reference to January violent demonstrations, August 1, 2018, shootings and the Matebeleland massacres of the 1980s dubbed Gukurahundi to demonstrate that the government is not respecting human rights.

The Zengeza West legislator also said that it was now beyond any reasonable doubt, even to those who doubted, that Mnangagwa was not different from former president Robert Mugabe.

He also said that Mnangagwa has been Mugabe’s lieutenant hence implicated in all crimes against humanity since the aftermath of independence.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Harare residents are lamenting the failure by Harare City Council to use the new billing system saying it is leaving room for the abuse of ratepayers’ money.

The city migrated to a new system called Sage Evolution whose developer is from South Africa early last month following fallout over the BIQ system. Harare Residents Trust director Mr Precious Shumba said failure to use the new billing system could affect ratepayers.

“The City of Harare is disorganised and continues to demonstrate to the ratepayers that they are totally incompetent to handle technology.
“Their failure to replace the BIQ billing system which was shut down on 21 March 2019 means that the city is unable to technologically capture their incomes and expenditures, reducing everything to manual,” he said.

“The risk is that all the money that ratepayers are paying is not getting onto the BIQ, and this implies that there is higher possibility of the criminal elements in the council to manipulate the accounts of council. At this stage the council has no access to ratepayers’ account details except when ratepayers make payments”.

He said the BIQ billing system was shut down because the agents of the system in Zimbabwe allegedly raised alarm at the continued failure in the last four years by the City of Harare to produce both a trial balance and a bank reconciliation on councils’ accounts, which was threatening the maximum utilisation of underutilised fields on the BIQ platform. Mr Shumba alleged that the delay of using the system was a deliberate move meant to protect few debtors.

By A Correspondent- The Siyadudula operation general secretary, Benjamin Chisari said they were raiding houses looking for drugs, houses used for sex work and any other illegal activities that residents of Orange groove have been complaining about.

The South African police crackdown team, which conducted the Operation dubbed Siyadudula discovered 24 coffins some of them used in Orange Groove during their raids.

Said one of the officers:

“When we got to the house, we found a caretaker who’s been working there for three years. He gave us permission to search the house and when we opened one of the rooms, we found coffins.

We had no idea we’d find coffins. We thought we might find drugs as tipped off but we were in for a shock,” he added.

Benjamin also told Daily Sun that when they asked the caretaker about them, he said he was just a worker who was just sticking to his job.

Daily Sun spoke to the JMPD spokesman, Wyne Minnaar, who confirmed that 24 coffins were found. ”The matter is with the police,” said Minnaar.

By A Correspondent- The speaker of National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda has implored the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) to vigorously push for a national apology for the past conflicts, especially the Entumbane and Gukurahundi atrocities.

Mudenda said there is a need for the perpetrators of the atrocities to publicly acknowledge their wrongdoing to allow the country to move forward.

“Let us confess that era of the conflict so that we go beyond the acknowledgement of the ‘moment of madness’. Confession is a condition precedent to letting bygones be bygones.

“Once that confession is done the spring of hope, national healing and reconciliation will abundantly germinate without any doubt,” Hon. Mudenda said. He said there is a need for truth-telling so that there can be cultural expatiation ceremonies especially in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces where the Gukurahundi massacres occurred.

“Immediately what should follow are traditional and cultural expatiation ceremonies which must ride on the pedestal of truth-telling in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces where the Gukurahundi tragedy was most pronounced,” he said.

In addition, Mudenda said the issue of reconciliation will facilitate the process of documentation and proper re-burial of victims.

“In tandem, the low hanging fruit of reconciliation is a concerted and strategic issuance of personal identity documents, namely the birth and identity certificates as well as reburial of victims where need be,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hon. Mudenda said as part of the reconciliation process there is a need for construction of modern laboratories in the affected areas. “Relatedly, the secondary schools in the erstwhile affected provinces must be revamped through the construction of modern science laboratories as part of a tangible reconciliation process.

“These last two areas of remedial response can easily be funded by UNICEF, catch up infrastructural development can be embarked upon soon after. This is the practical approach to national healing and reconciliation,” he said.

Former President Robert Mugabe who described the killings as “a moment of madness” did not allow open discussions on the issue. However, his successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa has allowed people to openly speak on the issue and has given the go-ahead for reburials.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko is on the run after he reportedly escaped from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officials who were set to arrest him today.

The former Vice President is being pursued for abuse of office crime which he allegedly committed during his tenure in office.

ZACC commissioner John Makarume on Monday afternoon confirmed that Mr Mphoko was now a fugitive from law and anti-corruption officials were after him.

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

By A Correspondent- The commander of One Presidential Guard Infantry Battalion at State House, Lieutenant-Colonel Samson Murombo, was sidelined from commanding the parade at the Defence Forces Day commemorations on Tuesday this week after a nasty fallout with First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.

In the recorded phone call leaked to various social media platforms, Auxillia begins by challenging Murombo to a physical showdown before later breaking down and asking him to spare her life because she is a woman with kids. Auxillia tells Murombo to go and kill Mnangagwa instead.

The audio brought to light the escalating brinkmanship between Mnangagwa and his ailing deputy Constantino Chiwenga as they are locked in a titanic struggle to effectively control the country’s security apparatus. Mnangagwa and Chiwenga have tried to put up a public posture of unity, but insiders say it is fake comradeship.

While Murombo looked dejected during Defence Forces Day commemorations under the VIP tent where he was relegated to a mere spectator, his junior and Commanding Officer of Two Presidential Guard Battalion in Dzivaresekwa, Lieutenant-Colonel Honesty Mangezi, took charge of over 300 troops on parade.

Although the two share the same rank within the same battalion, security sources told the Independent Murombo is senior by virtue of joining the army earlier and being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel first. Murombo, military sources say, was one of the first officers to graduate from the Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA) in Gweru. Mangezi also graduated from the ZMA, but well after Murombo had joined the army, it was said.

“Such parades are normally commanded by the Commander of One PG which is situated at State House, but this was not the case this year after the audio leak. It was clear he was sidelined. What we don’t know, however, is whether it was a directive from above because of the fallout or whether the decision was made by military commanders to protect Murombo from the spotlight,” a military source said.

Murombo only joined the parade at the end. Since the November 2017 military coup which dramatically toppled long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, who was the commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces at the time, have been using the military and other security sector instruments and state institutions as well as the ruling Zanu-PF structures to checkmate each other.

The sensational audio is said to have been in the context of the bombing incident in Bulawayo in June 2018. Mnangagwa said it was an inside assassination plot. He did not say who was responsible. “You’re spying on me,” Auxillia rails to Murombo on the phone, not giving him a chance to respond to the allegations even though he pleaded with her to hear him out.

Murombo is occasionally heard pleading: “Excuse me, Your Excellency,” but the First Lady curtly responds: “Just tell me what you want from me because, if I die, it would be you.”

“Get away! I’m just a mere woman, a grandmother. Go and shoot Mnangagwa, I ask for a pardon. Don’t shoot me, I have children. Just shoot Mnangagwa, because I know this is all about him. Just go and shoot him, why do you want to shoot me? What have I done? What threat do I pose to you Murombo? I don’t even know your wife. I don’t discuss politics, I don’t discuss military issues. I’m coming to your office.

“You draw your confidence from the fact that you have a gun. I’m coming there and you can shoot me. If you don’t shoot me before I get there, we’ll kill each other in your office.”

The First Lady also claimed she was aware of a plot to kill Mnangagwa and said those who wanted to do so could go ahead, but leave her alone because she had children to look after.

She went on to describe Murombo as a man with an “ugly face”, who was “trying to get to Mnangagwa through me”.-TheIndependent

By A Correspondent- Chief Ndiweni’s lawyer Dumisani Dube has filed an appeal against the incarceration of the traditional leader by a Bulawayo court last week.

Chief Ndiweni was last week sentenced to 24 months in prison over malicious damage to property charges after he allegedly destroyed property belonging to a villager who had resisted an order to leave his area.

Bulawayo magistrate Gladmore Mushowe suspended 6 months of his jail term on condition of good behavior and ordered the remaining 18 months to be an effective jail term.

Chief Ndiweni’s 23 assailants were sentenced to 24 months in prison with 6 months suspended on condition of good behavior.

The remaining 18 months were wholly suspended on condition they each complete 525 hours of community service.

“This is a serious offence that was committed in aggravating circumnstances using fire,axes and other dangerous weapons. Fire is categorised under the third schedule which means the offense was committed in aggravating circumstances,” said Mushowe.

She said the offence was committed in a barbaric manner and it is unbelievable for a chief in this day and age to punish his subjects in that manner.

“A chief’s duties include protecting his people and mainataining peace and freedom now for him to break the law like this is very disturbing. The court will take into consideration that the other other 23 accused persons were acting under the instruction of a chief who is a voice of authority. As such there shall be a disparity in sentencing,” said Mushowe.

Mushowe ordered that the 525 hours of community service be completed within 20 weeks starting from August 19.

Two women who had come for the August 16 Protest yesterday give harrowing accounts of what had motivated them to protest after they had been brutally assaulted by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

 ‌https://cy4ad5.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Viral-VIdeo-Tinzwireiwo-Nyasha-Tatambura.mp4

 ‌https://cy4ad5.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Viral-VIdeo-Tinzwireiwo-Nyasha-Tatambura2.mp4

Zimbabwean courts are slowly turning into a real circus completely destroying the credibility of learned judges and magistrates who agree to be turned into ZANU PF weapons of fighting the opposition MDC.

Arrested MDC national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo was today granted $200 bail on an offence where she is accused of saying the 2018 elections were stolen.

The statement is uttered daily by almost all opposition politicians including MDC leader Nelson Chamisa but no arrests have ever been made.

Thabitha Khumalo’s charge sheet is as below.

By A Correspondent- Anti riot police pounced on MDC officials and members outside Tredgold magistrates court in Bulawayo while they were briefing the media following their urgent chamber application against a ZRP prohibition order.

The MDC leaders, members and journalists took to their heels when they realised that the anti riot police were advancing towards them clearly showing their intention to beat them up.

Watch the video (loading) below for this and more.

TWO police officers from Nkulumane Police Station were allegedly robbed of police uniforms, cell phones, groceries, $890 and R200.

The incident coincides with a time when suspected fake police officers deployed by ZANU PF are being accused of wantonly beating up citizens in the capital city.

The incident also brings memories of police officers who shot and killed protesters in January before denying the shootings claiming that the killers were not police officers but thugs who had stolen police uniforms.

The latest incident according to state media occurred at Nkulumane Shopping Centre bus stop on Saturday at around 7PM.

A police officer who declined to be identified said the officers were at the bus stop when the gang appeared from the bush carrying knobkerries.

“The two officers were deployed at Zimbabwe Republic Police Mall base at Nkulumane complex from 6.45AM to 6PM.

“Upon completion of duty they went to board a commuter omnibus along Khami Road opposite the mall.

“As they were waiting for transport two men appeared from the bush carrying knobkerries and threatened to kill them,” said the source.

The source said the officers surrendered spare uniforms that they were carrying in their bags.

The officers, who feared death, surrendered all their particulars to the robbers and ran away.

The robbers went away with two sets of police uniforms, cash and two cell phones.

Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube could not be reached for comment.

Aston Villa coach Dean Smith has explained why Zimbabwean midfielder Marvelous Nakamba hasn’t featured in the team yet.

The 25-year old arrived at the EPL side early this month, a week before the start of the 2019/20 season, and has missed the two opening games.

According to the Birmingham Mail newspaper, Smith revealed Nakamba is still working on his fitness after a disrupted pre-season.

“He’s done extra work in training on Saturday, and he’s still a little bit off it,” said the coach.

“He played one game in the Africa Cup of Nations and got injured and hasn’t done an awful lot of training afterwards so when he came to us we’ve been working on his fitness.”

By Own Correspondent- Former Zanu Pf big wig and the country’s Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko is on the run after he reportedly escaped from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officials who were set to arrest him today.

The former Vice President is being pursued for abuse of office crime which he allegedly committed during his tenure in office.

ZACC commissioner John Makarume on Monday afternoon confirmed that Mr Mphoko was now a fugitive from law and anti-corruption officials were after him.

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

Farai Dziva|The MDC has reported that the father of Bulawayo youth leader, Pashor Sibanda, was abducted, tortured and later dumped at a cemetery.

Sibanda’ s father was abducted by suspected State security agencies.

“Suspected State agents abducted MDC Bulawayo Youth leader’s father, tortured him and dumped him at a cemetery in the cover of the night.

Pashor is a young Zimbabwean whose only crime is fighting for a better Zimbabwe where he and his peers can get jobs,” the party posted on Twitter.

By A Correspondent| Opposition MDC National Chairperson, Thabitha Khumalo and seven others have each been granted $200 bail.

The MDC stalwarts were locked up on Saturday over charges of publishing falsehoods and they appeared before a Bulawayo magistrates court today (Monday).

Said the MDC in a statement|

“Tabitha Khumalo and seven others were granted $200 each. They are required to report once a week on Fridays at CID Law and Order and not to interfere with witnesses.”

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

By A Correspondent- MDC Provincial Youth Chairperson and Bulawayo Deputy Mayor councilor Tinashe Kambarami was allegedly abducted on Saturday night outside his residence and tortured by unknown assailants.

A source privy to the developments revealed that Kambarami’s dreadlocks were shaved off using glass by the gang.

He is reportedly receiving medical attention for injuries sustained during the abduction and torture.

His abduction comes at a time when there has been increased cases of abduction and torture of opposition leaders, their members and human rights defenders by suspected state security agents.

Kambarami’s abduction and torture however occurred a few days before the highly anticipated Free Zimbabwe march slated for Bulawayo today, which has however not taken place following a prohibition order filed by the ZRP.

The MDC has however challenged the prohibition order with the presiding magistrate revealing that he will issue a ruling at 4pm today (Monday).

Farai Dziva| Outspoken MDC official Job Sikhala has urged the International Criminal Court to charge Emmerson Mnangagwa with gross violation of human rights.

Sikhala told NewsDay the abduction, brutal assaults and torture of suspected MDC activists during and ahead of the opposition’s planned mass protests on Friday, had painted Mnangagwa’s “new dispensation” in the same light as “the old” regime.

“Now is the time to plait the international law that presses international obligations for crime against humanity against Mnangagwa. This man has been thriving on the blood of our kith and kin. It is high time to look him right into his eyes and tell him ‘stop spilling blood of our relatives anymore,” Sikhala said.

watch video below…

He says MDC will not stop demonstrating. pic.twitter.com/gNvl5qRcZd

— Cite (@citezw) August 19, 2019

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF youth leader, Pupurai Togarepi has no kind words for his own homeboy Nelson Chamisa.

The Zanu PF official has sensationally claimed the MDC leader is using the people of Zimbabwe to achieve his personal political goals.Ironically both men hail from from Gutu South Constituency in Masvingo Province.

See Togarepi’s argument :
MOST probably ensconced in the comfort of their homes, the violence mongering leaders of the opposition used their proxies to ignite chaos in the heart of Harare but that was never to be because the police who had gathered intelligence of the evil machinations were on top of the situation.

While I am no prophet, I know just as the sun will rise tomorrow that any attempts to reverse the will of the people, expressed unequivocally in last year elections will never be accepted, we have our next election in 2023, and until then President Emmerson Mnangagwa remains our President.

Chamisa and his band of sore losers, whose recalcitrance is a stuff of legends should eat the chill-pill and move on because we have so many things to do yet so many distractions from all sorts of clowns who crave unnecessary attention especially whimpering adult man who believe they must be part of government even when the people rejected them.

As we watched from the sidelines, a few inebriated MDC youths who had been sponsored to descend on Harare and stir up emotions, a melancholy feeling settled in, we asked among ourselves why are the leaders of the opposition so heartless, they call for demonstrations but when push comes to shove they drive to the safety of their homes and to use Thomas Hardy classic novel “Far from the Madding Crowd”.

I really felt sorry for the men and women who dared to cross the line and pushed the police to the limits because in the madness that was swiftly splashed on social media—I was being haunted by Chamisa’s own words that protestors are stupid, yes, the ambitious advocate cum pastor described his supporters as such just a year ago and it seems the would-be-demonstrators learnt nothing from that gaffe.

While the right to demonstrate is something enshrined in our Constitution, the law enforcement agents had good reason to believe that the MDC was spoiling for violent demonstrations, using their powers, the police prohibited the demonstrations.

A High Court judge also dismissed an application by the MDC to proceed with its demonstration but defying all logic and daring to take the bull by the horns MDC supporters were unleashed into the streets, fortunately for peace loving Zimbabweans, the police were at hand to protect peace and also business.

All this happened as the cowards who lead the opposition were in the comfort of their homes or offices, drinking tea or coffee while the youth they had bought cheap drugs like nyaope challenged the police.

Can we locate Chamisa’s grievances and why he thinks (wrongfully) that demonstrations are his ticket to the power table, no authority is derived from people through elections, it is not derived through streets protests, that is a subject that lawyers or is it liars in the sinking ship that is the MDC should accept, embrace and move on.

In their infantile imaginations, fed by their handlers who are tinkling a few pieces of silver in order to subvert the will of the people, the opposition leaders think that they will trigger an Arab Spring revolution in the country even as they lack the masses to back that fantasy.

President Mnangagwa has extended his hand, he is talking to progressive opposition figures but like ostriches the likes of Chamisa have stuck their heads in the sand, they want to make noise but no one, not in Zimbabwe or outside is prepared to listen to the fictitious concoctions.

Zimbabwe is not on the brink, the economy is on a recovery path and it is the bitter medicine that ensure healing that we must take no matter how vile it is to the palate, the country is set to regain its lost lustre and that is one of the major reasons why Chamisa and his misfits would want to ensure they spoil the party and rock the boat.

As the leader of the Zanu PF youth league, I am comforted that we have a youth movement that is patriotic, a wing that is well informed and appreciate the headwinds and yet never lose focus of the goals, unfortunately, Chamisa, whose only weapon against Zanu PF is the economy knows that when the economy recovers he will be rendered useless and irrelevant, time is indeed running out for him.

We are also alive to the power struggles in the MDC and Chamisa’s desperation to fend off competition from the likes of Biti, the man he betrayed in 2014 in order to clear his path for presidency.

Biti’s is breathing hard on Chamisa’s neck and the later is now behaving like a desperate slut, hitching skirts to grab attention of donors and save his position which need I say is a hot seat. All the prancing is to convince donors that he is still relevant.

From the above, it is as clear as daylight that Chamisa just wants to use and abuse people for his gain, he is living large yet he forces people to go on a rampage and disrupt everyday life. People should refuse to be used by such charlatans.
Another, disgraceful ending to so-called demonstrations that are nothing but a desperate bid to stir up emotions and trigger a bloodbath.

Kudos to our Government arms for protecting and maintaining peace. I salute the peace loving people of Zimbabwe for resisting these soldiers of fortune. For those who were used as cannon fodder by some machonists in the opposition it’s time to introspect and choose peace for the good of our Great Country.

Jane Mlambo| ZIMCODD Director Janet Zhou who was part of the civil society delegation that attended the just ended SADC Summit held in Tanzania has blasted the state owned Herald for claiming that a group of Zimbabweans were on a mission to destabilize the country.

Posting on Twitter soon after her arrival, Zhou said she was back home safely adding that she was harassed and traumatized over the Herald story.

She vowed to tell the correct story once she recuperates.

I am back home safely. The anxiety, trauma and harassment I experienced due to lousy journalism @HeraldZimbabwe and a lazy state intelligence is a story I will tell in the next few days when I have recuperated @nangabe @rumbi_masango @MorebieChidaush

— Janet Zhou (@MudzvitiJanet) August 19, 2019

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said Emmerson Mnangagwa is pushing himself into a tight corner. In an interview with Daily News Chamisa said the situation in Zimbabwe had gone beyond party lines.

“ED is pushing himself in a dangerous corner. He is in his 70s and should make sure that he leaves behind a happy legacy.

He must choose whether he wants to be remembered as a legend or a villain.

While 2017 was supposed to be a window for him and his comrades to say we are leaving the past behind and correcting our mistakes, it was a regression.

Now, he is leaving people with little space and that could be a source of discomfort and resistance … which could come from unemployed youths.

The next few weeks are going to be decisive for the next generations and my message to Mnangagwa is very simple: I am your man for genuine dialogue … my interest is your interest, and your interest is my interest.

A new dawn can never be impeded. Indeed, nobody has the power to stop that … the sun is rising in Zimbabwe and there will be light very soon,”said Chamisa.

Farai Dziva|The government wants Non Governmental Organizations to disclose their respective sources of funding. This was said by Home Affairs Minister, Cain Mathema.

In a statement Mathema warned NGOs that if they were unwilling to work with the government, they would be deemed spy organisations.

“Let me state it again, all NGOs must work with the government or they should close their offices and each has to tell us who funds them and how they use their funds. If they do not work with the government, they are spy organisations,”said Mathema.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW.

Judgment for the MDC urgent application will be handed down at 4pm.

Magistrate Tinashe Tashaya says he will give his ruling at 4pm in the case on the MDC challenge against the prohibition order

More to follow…

By A Correspondent- The government has rejected claims that it had a hand in the jailing of its critic, Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna.

Chief Ndiweni (54) was on Friday last week sentenced to an effective 18 months in jail. His 23 subjects were ordered each to perform 525 hours of community service.

Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Ndavaningi Nick Mangwana told a local publication that the traditional leader’s incarceration was the rule of law at work.

He said:

“There is absolutely nothing political about a community leader who goes on to maliciously destroy someone’s property simply because that person has refused to divorce his wife.

The doctrine of the rule of law implies that no institution, including customary and traditional, is above the law, and should be allowed to act outside the ambit of the law.

Chief Felix Ndiweni should not be allowed to abuse fellow citizens like Mr Mbele and his family just because he is a chief.

He is not above the law and there is nothing political about the principle that when you commit the crime, you should do the time.

In South Africa, AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo is in prison as well for abusing his traditional position and this is how the law works.”

Chief Ndiweni and his 23 subjects were hauled before the courts after they banished from their village, Fetti Mbele’s wife who was involved in an adulterous relationship with a fellow villager.

Mbele was ordered to send his wife back to his people for a period as per their tradition but refused to do so.

This prompted the chief to instruct his subjects to remove a hedge around Mbele’s homestead, which according to the State, amounted to malicious damage to property.-StateMedia

The Large City hall outside area is looking a bit normal. But there are several police trucks that have been deployed there. Riot police are patrolling there and also across some strategic parts of the entire city area.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

All those arrested over the weekend are still detained at Byo central police station. They might go to court at any time today.

The Bulawayo CBD area is a bit quite but still active enough. More like a weekend set up

The Tredgold magistrates court is surrounded by about 200 heavily armed anti riot police. They are limiting the public access to the courts. Everyone entering the courts is being questioned first before a decision is taken to admit or turn them away. lt looks like most people are being turned away. some riot police are also deployed all over inside the court area

The demo prohibition court case is now underway at Court no. 1

-MDC Information Dept

Police have completely condoned off the Bulawayo City Centre in fear of an impending MDC and Mthwakazi activists protests.

Opposition MDC intended to hold a demonstration this morning against the crumbling economic situation in the country.

At the same time Mthwakazi proponents in the city also wanted to join in the demonstration to protest against the arrest of chief Nhlanhla Ndiweni.

Below are some of the pictures from the city of Bulawayo as of this morning.

By A Correspondent- The Zanu Pf Youth League is set to throw a party on Wednesday, 21 August, to celebrate President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s assumption of the role of Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika.

A message circulated on social media by party youth league commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu, read:

“You are hereby cordially invited to attend the Celebration of the Election of His Excellency The President E.D Mnangagwa as the Chairman for the SADC Troika on Politics, Defence and Security at the just ended SADC Summit.

This comes as a Vote Of Confidence in our leader by the region and we have every reason to celebrate as young people of this great party ZANU-PF.”

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

USD to ZWL$: 10.0873

ZWL$ to RAND: 1.5109

Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates:

USD to ZWL$ zimrates.com 11.20

USD to ZWL$  zwl365.com 11.00

USD to ZWL$ bluemari.info 10.90

USD to BOND: zimrates.com 7.90

More: marketwatch.co.zw

By A Correspondent- A cabinet minister has ordered non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to cooperate with the government or close down their operations.

In a statement on Sunday, Home Affairs Minister, Cain Mathema warned NGOs that if they are unwilling to work with the government, they will be deemed spy organisations.

He said:

“Let me state it again, all NGOs must work with the government or they should close their offices and each has to tell us who funds them and how they use their funds.

If they do not work with the government, they are spy organisations.

My ministry knows that its officers are human rights officers all the time during the performance of their duties.”

The Zanu Pf government has under the leadership of the former President Robert Mugabe kicked out NGOs ahead of elections, making it difficult for the outside world to provide humanitarian assistance or monitor a vote marred by political violence and voter intimidation.

The NGOs were described as vehicles of the regime change agenda.-Newsday

Nelson Chamisa, the leader of Zimbabwe’s main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), intends to pay visits to Moscow and Beijing to seek help in settling the political crisis that has been gripping his country for over a year now, Chamisa’s spokesman told Sputnik.

The situation in Zimbabwe remains tense since July 2018, when opposition candidate Chamisa refused to concede the defeat to Emmerson Mnangagwa in the presidential race, claiming that the result was rigged.

The country has since been repeatedly shaken by violent protests, with the opposition accusing the government of corruption, rising economic woes and clampdown on dissent​​​. Most recently, on Friday, the opposition had to call off its rally in Harare after a court ruled against the action.

Yet, hundreds of protesters defied the decision, prompting the police to use tear gas and batons and arrest a number of demonstrators.

“The [MDC] president is open and has plans to travel to major international centers, including Moscow and Beijing, some capitals in Europe and the West just to highlight the extent of the problem in terms of how the problem is man-made and how the problem is costing millions of lives and has threatened food security for millions of people,” Nkululeko Sibanda said.

According to the opposition spokesman, the economic situation in the country is unprecedentedly fragile.

“In just a few weeks, I’m told, we would completely run out of electricity. And we haven’t got money to buy electricity from other countries like we have done in other years when there was a drought.

“The situation has been made worse as in the last twelve months we have lost about $3 billion to corruption in one transaction. It means that the country doesn’t have money to pay for electricity, the country doesn’t have money to pay for food,” he argued.

Zimbabwe’s opposition believes that Mnangagwa’s government is not much different from the one of Robert Mugabe, who ruled the country for over 30 years.

Along with blaming the incumbent government for pressuring the opposition, the MDC is also highly critical of the economic situation in the country, which is one of the poorest in the world.

Sadc countries have declared October 25 as solidarity day against targeted sanctions imposed on Zimbabwean corrupt and brutal leaders and resolved to conduct various activities in their respective countries on that day to resoundingly call for the immediate removal of the sanctions.

The move has left many people shell shocked on the regional bloc’s attitude towards Zimbabwe’s economic and social problems which are beyond the so called sanctions mantra.

Several critics have come out trailblazing against the bloc which chose to ignore all the ongoing human rights abuses Mnangagwa’s government is inflicting on Zimbabweans.

Renowned writer Hopewell Chinono in one of his latest social media postings, blasted the bloc calling on citizens never to take the bloc serious as the leaders are bound to defend each other no matter how bad one has been.

Below is his comment on the bloc:

Fellow citizens, DON’T waste your time worrying about what SADC says, it is a useless club of dictators running failed economies, that rely on foreign Aid from Western countries!

What SADC says is absolutely inconsequential to the bigger picture and scheme of global politics!

They will support each other regardless, because that is what they have always done even in the face of human made tragedies.

President John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania who presided over this SADC Summit, jails critics, journalists and has no respect whatsoever for human rights!

History will judge all of them harshly for being anti-people, corrupt and useless political leaders!

The only country that matters to Zimbabwe in SADC is South Africa.

Listen to what its Minister of Higher Education Dr Blade Nzimande thinks of the crisis in Zimbabwe.

SADC continues to make statements disconnected from the realities of its millions of citizens subjecting them to poverty.

Zimbabwe’s problem is not Sanctions, it is corruption, incompetence, nepotism and mismanagement.

Added to that is Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s refusal to implement genuine political reforms that will see sanctions removed and unlock reforms.

Is is that simply! Failure to understand this self evident truth makes us a laughing stock around the world!

These leaders don’t think beyond their noses, and they lack the big ideas, instead settling for pedestrian thinking.

We are on our own and should not expect much from the SADC clowns.

Billions of Dollars are looted from the Zimbabwean State, and then SADC blames Sanctions for our lack of electricity, fuel, investment and medication?!

Who in their right mind thinks like that? Citizens are brutalized and SADC calls that a new chapter for international reengagement?!

What rank madness!

By Own Correspondent | There was drama on Sunday night when a Rusape based man, Mr Clever Samakomva banged out voicing that he is not at all a police officer as was alleged following the Friday assaulting of innocent civilians by police officers in Harare.

The 41 year old, whose identity was confirmed by human rights advocate Dr Muzvare Betty Makoni, said he was nowhere near Harare on Friday the 16th August when the unplanned demonstration by civilians in Harare happened.

The demonstration saw several people injured by police officers most whose identity could not be established at the close of day, Sunday. Several mothers with their children were taken to Harare Police Station. (SEE THE LIVE VIDEO of the helpless women inside the holding area inside the station with their hungry suckling kids).

One of the police officers was named as Mr Clever Makomva from Rugoi village, in Rusape. This led civilians to conclude that the individual is Mr Samakomva. In the Manica dialect, the “Sa” prefix is traditionally added to a Male person’s surname – the equivalent honorary of the English, “Sir.” It was believed he is the notorious cop who smashed a 51 year old mother’s head, leaving her nearly totally lifeless in the open street near the Unity Square in the Harare CBD.

The scenes were captured on video by journalists and the public from several angles.

As is our dedication at ZimEye to give our valued readers not one side, nor two sides, not even three or four, but 12 sides to each story, we herewith give Mr Samakomva the opportunity to clear his name. His testimony was supported by Dr Makoni who also said he is not at all a police officer and the case is only one of mistaken identity. Added to this Samakomva said his surname is not Makomva, but Samakomva (imprinted onto his identity document and birth certificate). Tbe below LIVE engagement happened as emotions shifted from raging anger to sympathy for Samakomva.

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ORIGINAL PROGRAM- VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

Sadc countries have declared October 25 as solidarity day against sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and resolved to conduct various activities in their respective countries on that day to resoundingly call for the immediate removal of the sanctions.

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

In a communiqué of the 39th Sadc Summit of the Heads of State and Government that was read out yesterday to mark the end of the indaba, Sadc Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax said the embargo was militating against economic growth in both Zimbabwe and the region.

“Summit noted the adverse impact on the economy of Zimbabwe and the region at large of prolonged economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and expressed solidarity with Zimbabwe, and called for the immediate lifting of sanctions to facilitate socio-economic recovery in the country,” said Dr Tax.

“Summit declared the 25 October as the date on which Sadc member states can collectively voice their disapproval of the sanctions through various activities and platforms until the sanctions are lifted.”

President Mnangagwa told local media in an interview yesterday on the sidelines of the just-ended summit that the 16 member states, which were unanimous on the position that has been taken, would also engage the continental body to raise the issue with the United Nations.

“Well, as Zimbabwe, we were very pleased that this time around Sadc was unanimous on the issue of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. We resolved that we must pronounce ourselves as Sadc that sanctions on Zimbabwe should be lifted; that our secretariat should communicate that position of Sadc to the AU, so that the AU chairman, at the United Nations, can also pronounce the position of Sadc and the position of AU,” said the President.

“We are happy that again it was emphatic that there was no cause or need for sanctions to continue; after all, the basis for the sanctions are not there anymore, and they were illegal at the time when they were imposed by a few Western countries, America and the EU. So, we are very happy with that.”

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa returned home yesterday afternoon from the 39th SADC Summit in Tanzania where he assumed the chairmanship of Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Corporation.

He was received at the Robert Mugabe International Airport by Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, Harare Metropolitan Minister Oliver Chidau, State Security Minister Owen Ncube, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, service chiefs, Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana and senior Government officials.

Defunct payTV channel Kwese had its expensive equipment stolen during a daring armed robbery that involved 13 thugs.

One of the robbers, according to police records, disguised himself as a security guard during the Sunday night raid on the company’s Randburg, Joburg studios.

More details to follow

GOVERNMENT is understood to be preparing a “meaningful offer” for civil servants as it seeks to address the challenges they face of high prices of goods and services.

The offer is set to be tabled during the next engagement of the National Joint Negotiating Council, which is expected to meet in the near future.

According to state media, a top Government official close to the negotiations confirmed that indeed, a package that should go a long way in cushioning civil servants has been decided.

“Government, taking its cue from its engagements with the Apex Council, is preparing a meaningful offer to address hardships facing civil servants for discussions during the next meeting of the National Joint Negotiating Council to be convened soon,” said the source on condition of anonymity.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza confirmed that the Government and the Apex Council, which represents civil servants, will resume negotiations soon. But she declined to say the figure that Government would table.

“The negotiations will start soon on civil servants salaries. No figure (has been agreed) yet,” said Dr Nzenza.

Government is keen to improve the welfare of its employees and is frantically working towards that since the start of the year, on the back of a wave of unwarranted increases of prices of goods and services.

On July 18, Government and its workers held a National Joint Negotiating Council meeting, where an agreement was reached to pay a cushioning allowance of $400 to all civil servants to provide relief from the harsh economic environment.

The cushioning allowance was extended as a once-off payment for the month of July, while negotiations continued on a cost of living adjustment (COLA), to further cushion civil servants for the remaining five months of the year.

Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo has said the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) issued a prohibition order against the opposition MDC’s planned peaceful protest on 16 August 2019 due to the discovery of a cache of weapons.

In a statement on Sunday, SB Moyo said that the inflammatory statements made by the MDC-A leadership coupled with the discovery of a weapons cache (catapults and granite stones), necessitated the ban of the planned march.

He quoted by the state media said in part:
On 15 August, in the wake of highly irresponsible and inflammatory statements made by the MDC-A leadership and on the basis of a weapons cache discovered a few days previously, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), as the civil authority responsible for ensuring law and order, issued a prohibition order effectively denying legal authority for the demonstration to proceed the following day.

The prohibition order was communicated to the MDC-A well in time to enable them to advise their supporters that authorisation for the demonstration had been denied. Per their constitutional rights, the MDC-A appealed to the High Court seeking to overturn the civil authority’s prohibition order. In its wisdom, the High Court upheld the civil authority’s decision and dismissed the MDC-A’s appeal.

The fact that the MDC-A leadership — themselves noted lawyers — decided to defy both the civil authority and the High Court and to proceed in a highly confrontational manner with an illegal demonstration was as irresponsible as it was unfortunate.

They must take full responsibility for the consequences of their injudicious actions and their statements to incite and encourage their followers to challenge the law whilst they ‘led’ from ‘positions of safety’.

Once again, the MDC-A, as part of its relentless attention-seeking agenda, has incited public unrest at home to coincide with a key international event.

The deliberate act of defiance of 16th August was timed to coincide with the SADC Summit meeting scheduled to take place the following day, 17th August, in Tanzania at which Zimbabwe will assume the Chairmanship of the Regional Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.

The action was designed to achieve two specific objectives: firstly, by fomenting instability at home, to cast doubt among SADC leaders with regard to the suitability of Zimbabwe to take on the leadership of this key SADC Organ; and, secondly, to have Zimbabwe included in the agenda of the SADC Summit with the hope of breathing new life into their already long-discredited ‘legitimacy’ claims and with the intention of attaining their and their foreign backers’ objective of imposing some form of regional or continental mediation process upon our Government.

Once again, they have failed. Both they and those within Zimbabwe and beyond who continue to harbour such fantasies and who continue to pursue the politics of regime change by way of violence and terror and who must surely shoulder much responsibility for the ugly scenes witnessed in the streets of Harare on 16 August and indeed the tragic events of 1 August 2018 and 14/15 January, 2019, should simply cease and desist.

… Whilst the scenes which unfolded in our streets were indeed distressing to behold — as they are in any such circumstances — order was swiftly re-established and instances of serious confrontation avoided.

There have been no reports of any serious injuries. Social media allegations of fatalities are simply ‘fake news’ and must be rejected with contempt.

State Media|POLICE yesterday issued a prohibition order against a demonstration planned by MDC-Alliance in Bulawayo today, saying anyone taking part in such action will face the full wrath of the law.

A prohibition notice compels one to stop an activity immediately.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the decision to ban the demonstration was arrived at following extensive consultations between the convener and the other stakeholders who include the business community.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police wishes to advise members of the public that the regulating authority for the Bulawayo Central District has issued a Prohibition Notice in terms of section 26 (9) of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA), Chapter 11:17 against the holding of a demonstration by MDC and its partners scheduled on 19 August 2019. This was after an extensive consultation with the convener and other stakeholders who include the business community.

“The High Court has since confirmed a Prohibition Notice after a court case had been filed the Bulawayo business community today (yesterday) citing security concerns,” he said.

Section 26 (9) of POSA reads: “After considering representations made in the course of a meeting held in terms of subsection (3), if any, the regulating authority may, if he or she on reasonable grounds is convinced that no amendment or condition contemplated in subsection (5) or (6) would prevent the occurrence of any of the circumstances contemplated in subsection (3), issue a prohibition notice, giving the reasons and grounds therefore to the convener.”

Ass Comm Nyathi assured the nation that officers were on high alert to deal with rogue elements following the intended demonstration called for by the MDC-Alliance and its partners.

“Police have deployed to maintain law and order in all parts of the country. We implore the public to cooperate with the police as they seek to protect all Zimbabweans and visitors in the country,” he said.

Ass Comm Nyathi said members of the public should continue with their economic and social activities, saying the environment was calm.

He urged people to report any form of intimidation, threats, violence or obstruction of traffic to Bulawayo police operations on 09-885279, 881925 or Harare on 0242-703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197.

Ass Comm Nyathi said the police will be conducting patrols, surveillance, stop and searches to ensure law and order is maintained in all areas of the country. In this regard, security for all citizens is guaranteed to conduct their social and economic activities.

According to the Prohibition Notice signed by the Officer Commanding Bulawayo Central District, Chief Superintendent Elizabeth Phiri, some of the reasons cited for barring the MDC Alliance demonstration include flashes of violence, which were reported along Luveve Road last Friday during which roads were barricaded with tree branches and rocks. On the same day, a Harare-bound bus had its windows smashed while it was loading. Police also cited the recent bombing of war veterans’ Bulawayo provincial offices in Entumbane suburb.

Last week police issued a statement saying they had concrete evidence showing that MDC-Alliance had plans to roll out violent demonstrations, considering the assortment of weapons the force found being smuggled into parts of Harare.

An MDC Alliance’s attempt to stage a demonstration in the capital failed on Friday after the High Court upheld a prohibition order that had been issued by police. However, a few dozen opposition activists defied the ban and tried to converge at Africa Unity Square in Harare. Police dispersed them and arrested 91 of them.

State Media|THE High Court has blocked today’s planned demonstration by the MDC in Bulawayo following an urgent chamber application by some ZANU PF aligned residents, business community and churches.

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Thompson Mabhikwa ruled that MDC could not go ahead with the demonstrations after the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers’ Association, the Bulawayo United Residents’ Association (BURA), the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) and the Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) yesterday approached the High Court on an urgent basis seeking an order prohibiting the opposition party from carrying out the demonstrations in the city.

In papers before the court, the applicants through their lawyers Joel Pincus, Konson and Wolhuter Legal Practitioners, cited MDC-Alliance, the Officer Commanding Police in Bulawayo Central District Chief Superintendent Elizabeth Phiri and her boss Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, as respondents.

“Pending the return date, the first respondent (MDC-Alliance) is temporarily prohibited from carrying out and convening a public demonstration and procession in terms of the first respondent’s notice dated 8 August 2019, such notice having been issued in terms of Section 24 of the Public Order and Security Act,” ruled Justice Mabhikwa.

In his founding affidavit, Mr Rodgers Hove, who is the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers’ Association’s committee member, said the intended demonstration was likely to turn violent hence they were likely to suffer irreparable harm through loss of property and business.

“This is an urgent chamber application petitioning for the temporary prohibition of the MDC-Alliance’s intended demonstration scheduled for 19 August 2019. The applicants’ petition for temporary relief as they contend that no adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the first respondent’s demonstration will not occasion irreparable harm, grievous inconvenience, public endangerment, serious injury, loss of property and business,” he said.

Mr Hove argued that although they fully respected that MDC-Alliance had a right to protest and demonstrate, they had a compelling and reasonable fear that they would suffer and experience losses similar to the January 14-16 violent protests.

“The MDC-Alliance seeks to occupy Bulawayo central business district for the whole day and yet they do not even address the issue of public and property safety, an issue of direct interest to the applicants. Nothing expressive is said about the potential destruction of property and likelihood of monetary loss by businesses,” he said.

Mr Hove said some of their members were yet to receive compensation after their businesses were looted during the January protests.

The others applicants, in their supporting affidavits, concurred with the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers’ Association, saying they suffered when their products were looted and destroyed in January. They said there was a reasonable fear that there would be a repeat was of the January protests if no stringent measures were employed to ensure MDC-Alliance’s protests were peaceful.

GMAZ deputy national chairperson Mr Masimba Dzomba said their members lost stock worth US$1 million with some of the consignment having been supplied on credit.

Last week, MDC-Alliance’s bid to quash a police order prohibiting their planned demonstrations in Harare hit a brick wall after Harare High Court judge Justice Joseph Musakwa dismissed the application saying the political party had jumped the gun.

1MDC-Alliance had notified the police of their planned demonstration on August 5 this year but the police on Thursday issued an order prohibiting the event for security reasons.

Sadc countries have declared October 25 as solidarity day against illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and resolved to conduct various activities in their respective countries on that day to resoundingly call for the immediate removal of the sanctions.

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

In a communiqué of the 39th Sadc Summit of the Heads of State and Government that was read out yesterday to mark the end of the indaba, Sadc Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax said the embargo was militating against economic growth in both Zimbabwe and the region.

“Summit noted the adverse impact on the economy of Zimbabwe and the region at large of prolonged economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and expressed solidarity with Zimbabwe, and called for the immediate lifting of sanctions to facilitate socio-economic recovery in the country,” said Dr Tax.

“Summit declared the 25 October as the date on which Sadc member states can collectively voice their disapproval of the sanctions through various activities and platforms until the sanctions are lifted.”State media

Twenty-six suspects who were arrested on Friday for participating in an illegal demonstration organised by the MDC Alliance were yesterday remanded in custody to Monday for bail application.

The activists were arrested for various offences arising from the illegal demonstration which the police had earlier prohibited.

Initially 91 people were arrested, however, some were released after paying fines.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not ascertain the number of people who had been released.

“I am no longer in the office at the moment. I cannot ascertain the number of people who have been fined and those who have appeared in court,” he told The Sunday Mail last night.

“I will, however, be able to give you the figures tomorrow morning.”
Through their lawyer Jeremiah Bhamu, the gang yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboea.

Prosecutor Mr George Manokore requested that the accused be remanded in custody until tomorrow pending further investigations into the case.

“The state requests that the accused be remanded to 19 August pending further investigations on the matter,” he said.

The accused persons’ lawyer did not contest the date and said he would seek to challenge further remand of the accused or alternatively seek bail.
After hearing submissions from both parties, the magistrate rolled the matter to tomorrow.

The accused were arrested in Harare after the MDC-A organised demonstration was barred by police on Thursday in fear of the protest turning violent.

MDC-A the made an urgent High Court application seeking to challenge the police decision, but the bid hit a brick wall after Justice Joseph Musakwa dismissed it and upheld the prohibition.State media

A local human rights lobby group Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has claimed that the opposition activists who were arrested on Friday during demonstrations in Harare were handed over to Zanu PF youths who tortured them amid fears some are still missing.

Posting on Twitter yesterday NGO Forum revealed that those who were arrested were taken to the Zanu PF provincial offices at Fourth street.

“Victims of police brutality from #August16 protests report that they were handed over to ZANU PF youths at the ZANU PF Office in 4th Street where they were tortured. Others are feared to have been disappeared,” said the organisation.ZIMUCU

Farai Dziva|Eskom, has placed tight conditions for ZESA following an agreement of a payment plan between the two power utilities.

Under the agreement, Zimbabwe committed to making weekly payments of US$890 000 to service the US$33 million debt and also undertook to submit weekly reports on this arrangement.

There is no room for leniency in the deal.

According to Business Times , the power supply agreement is backed by a US$15 million guarantee from a regional bank.

“Negotiations between Eskom and Zesa were not easy given Zimbabwe’s record in servicing debts.
Zimbabwe has to adhere to several conditions to keep this arrangement active.

Eskom has made it clear that it will not hesitate to switch off Zesa if it fails to effect its payments,” a source in the South African power utility said.