It is without shock to receive the news that my boss Hon Thabitha Khumalo, the National Chairperson of our party has been arrested for allegedly contravening Section 31(b) ii(A) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.

The offense insinuates that an accused person should have deliberately spread falsehoods knowing that he or she knows it to be false.

I don’t care about the stupid charge, but want to bring it to everyone attention both locally and abroad that the MDC leadership is under serious siege from the fascist, illegitimate regime of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Since the formation of the MDC in 1999, at no point in its history has it had its leadership under attack than what it faces today. The illegitimate regime of Emmerson Mnangagwa has taken joy in hounding the leadership of the party.

Spurious and stupid charges are preferred against almost everyone in the party, the latest being the one preferred against our National Chairperson.

It is now clear that illegitimate Emmerson Mnangagwa wants to kill, squeeze and destroy all the democratic space for Zimbabweans. What hounds him is his illegitimacy.

He knows well deep down his heart that he did not win the elections. He is on a crusade to force himself upon the people of Zimbabwe, which we must all reject in unison.

The illegitimate fascist leader underestimates the resolve among the people of Zimbabwe and the MDC leadership to weather his oppression.

Hon Thabitha Khumalo is a strong woman. She will neither be intimidated or cowed by the shenanigans of a desperate despot.

No amount of arrests or intimidation will stop us from demanding our stolen victory. Free Thabitha Khumalo now.

Job Wiwa Sikhala
MDC National Vice Chairman

Agencies|Some social media users have distanced the Zimbabwe Republic Police from Friday’s violent scenes that were witnessed in the streets of Harare. They said that the conduct and combat some of the purported police officers were wearing raise serious questions about their real identity.

Prior to the demonstrations, there were reports suggesting that the army was being trained for deployment as police officers during demonstrations. Whether it is true or not, we cannot tell.

Hopewell Chin’ono, a Harvard trained journalist had to say:

These police officers, if they are that at all, are extremely unprofessional & the evidence lies before us to see. They were using ropes to beat up protesters, yet the Monthlante commission reminded the Government of the need to retrain the police force.

Are these real policemen?

There is a need for the progressive organizations in Zimbabawe to investigate whether there is now a conflation between the army and the police force. Are we now seeing soldiers dressed in police uniforms sent to inflict pain through disproportionate violence on protesters?

During the January military crackdown on civilians, authorities denied deploying the army saying that there were some people who stole military regalia and used it to commit crimes. Some cases are still pending in court.

Authorities also argued that if they were indeed soldiers, they were just rogue soldiers not operating under the command of their bosses. The government also denied deploying soldiers who fired live ammunition on civilians on August 1 2018. They argued that there must have been snipers who were shooting at the people.

By A Correspondent- Twenty-six suspects who were arrested on Friday for participating in a peaceful demonstration organised by the MDC Alliance were on Saturday remanded in custody to Monday for bail application.

At least 25 men and one woman were arrested for various offences arising from the peaceful 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 said

“I will, however, be able to give you the figures tomorrow morning.”

Through their lawyer Jeremiah Bhamu, the protestors on Saturday appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboea.

Prosecutor Mr George Manokore requested that the accused be remanded in custody until Monday 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.

MDC- Alliance activists, however, went on to gather at Africa Unity Square in defiance of the court ruling.

The police also say some of the youths went on to engage in confrontational acts which included threats, intimidation and disruption of the smooth flow of traffic in the Central Business District.

The police moved in and dispersed the unlawful gathering, arresting some of the suspects in the process. Others were arrested for various offences linked to the demonstration in Chitungwiza and Harare South.

In a statement the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services said no one died during the demonstrations, while two people were injured.-StateMedia

EMBATTLED former State Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has challenged the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to arrest incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa and former president Robert Mugabe, saying the two were also part of the presidency which allegedly abused power, the same allegations Mphoko is facing.

ZACC investigating officers on Friday visited Mphoko at his residence in Bulawayo to question him over his alleged release of former Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive officer, Moses Juma from police custody following the latter’s arrest for criminal abuse of office in 2016.

In response, Mphoko argued he was not acting alone at the time.

“The presidency is an institution. In that case, it was President Mugabe, myself and ED (Mnangagwa),” Mphoko told the ZACC officers in a video image posted on social media by his daughter.

“There were people who were coming to us to inform us of what was happening, requesting the intervention of the presidency.”

Mphoko said some cases were referred to Mnangagwa while some were directed to him by Mugabe.

“In situations of that nature, there were some cases which were referred to me, some cases handled by ED,” said Mphoko.

The former vice president cited the Maleme Ranch Farm saga in Matobo as one of the cases which he handled as a special presidium assignment.

In the particular case, Mphoko intervened in a dispute involving a white commercial farmer, Peter Cunningham and a CIO officer Rodney Mashingaidze.

Mashingaidze’s illegal take-over of Maleme ranch had triggered protests from locals who were benefitting from Cunningham’s generosity.

Mphoko ordered Mashingaidze out of the farm.

He also told the ZACC investigators he was not a corrupt person as alleged.

“I never stole anything from anybody. I have a record of being generous together with my family. If at all there is anything I could have taken from people, there is nothing like that,” he said.

GOVERNMENT will this week bring its employees under the auspices of the Apex council to the negotiating table to discuss the August to December cost of living adjustments.

This comes after Government last month awarded the civil servants a once off $400 cushioning allowance.

Discussions have now begun on the cost of living adjustment which will further cushion civil servants from economic vagaries for the remaining five months.

Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Dr Sekai Nzenza said the two parties were set to meet early this week to resume talks on the negotiations.

“As soon as we get a mandate from the Treasury on the allocation from the supplementary budget, we will convene,” she said.

“We are most definitely going to have it (the meeting).

“Government will not revert on its obligation with the cost of living adjustment set to be effective from the August 1.“We will not revert from our previous agreement.”

Apex Council deputy chairperson Mr David Dzatsunga said the council was ready to begin negotiations with Government over the issue.

“We have been very clear with Government on our position which we would want fulfilled,” Mr Dzatsunga said.

“We want the Government to multiply our October 2018 salaries by the current prevailing interbank market rate.”

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) general secretary Mr Tapson Sibanda said they were now waiting for the meeting.

“We now await for another round of talks with Government to negotiate for August to December cost of living adjustment. We expect the Government not to award us not less than $4 600 as demanded earlier,” he said.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube recently said all civil servants will get their bonuses for the year in November.

In March civil servants received a salary increase of $400 million as part of their cost of living adjustment, with the Government promising another review of salaries in July this year.

Under this deal, a civil servant who was earning $441 is now getting $570, while those who were earning $519 saw their salaries rising to $649.

The salary increases ranged from 13 percent to 25 percent, depending on grade.

Last month, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza said the Government was working on introducing non-monetary incentives for its employees such as housing, transport and medical insurance.

Recently, civil servants got the green light to import vehicles duty-free as part of non-monetary incentives.

In addition, a $60 million housing facility was unveiled.

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

The gang of 25 men and one woman were arrested for various offences arising from the demonstration which the police had earlier foiled.

Initially 91 people including children and babies 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 organised demonstration was barred by police on Thursday.

MDC 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.

MDC activists, however, had already gathered at Africa Unity Square unaware of the court ruling.

The police also say some of the youths went on to engage in confrontational acts which included threats, intimidation and disruption of the smooth flow of traffic in the Central Business District.

The police moved in and violently dispersed the gathering, arresting some of the suspects in the process. Others were arrested for various offences linked to the demonstration in Chitungwiza and Harare South.

In a statement the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services said no one died during the demonstrations, though several people were injured.

The state run Sunday Mail newspaper has yet again raised sensational claims that the United States of America was behind the foiled MDC protests on Friday.

The media implicates senior MDC official Job Sikhala and several civil society organisations leaders as having had a hand in the process.

The full media report reads as follows:

Details of how the United States of America Ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols actively encouraged senior MDC officials to press on with Friday’s demonstrations by assuring them that Washington “would impose punitive measures should Government arrest or assault the protestors”, have emerged.

Diplomatic sources privy to be behind-the-scenes engagement between US embassy officials and the MDC top leadership told The Sunday Mail that the grand scheme is part of a broader coordinated project that also includes civil society organisations, some of which have been planning protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the ongoing Sadc Summit that ends today.

However, alert Tanzanian authorities, who were aware of the planned protects, which were supposed to coincide with the protests in Harare, reportedly “strongly warned” the organisers of the grave implications of the plans.

Government and security officials have been consistently warning that the there is a “third hand” behind the disturbances that have been plaguing Zimbabwe since the July 30 2018 elections.

Sources said Ambassador Nichols, his deputy Thomas Hastings and regional security officer Patrick Bellinger, including Mrs Nichols and Mrs Hastings, met MDC deputy chairperson Job Sikhala on Thursday — the eve of the planned demonstrations – at the latter’s home in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza.

Mr Nichols left after 30 minutes.

“In their engagement with Sikhala, the American diplomats urged the MDC to ago ahead with the demonstrations until their demands were met. They assured him that the US was watching the developments and would impose punitive measures should Government arrest or assault the protestors,” said the sources.

Cowardice

Sikhala reportedly apprised the Americans about the rift within the opposition and claimed Chamisa “was unsuitable to lead the party”.

Added the sources: “On his part, Sikhala highlighted developments in the MDC. “He accused MDC leader Nelson Chamisa of cowardice, adding that he was unsuitable to lead the party.

“He claimed that himself and deputy president Tendai Biti were better placed to lead the MDC, citing that they were brave and had been previously arrested.

“Sikhala telephoned MDC national deputy secretary for international affairs, Douglas Mwonzora, to come and meet the diplomats, but the latter failed to arrive on time.

“Sikhala took the four diplomats on a tour of Chitungwiza. They visited Chigovanyika, Chikwanha, Huruyadzo, Makoni and Zengeza 2 shopping centres, taking photographs.”

The latest development, they claimed, proved beyond reasonable doubt that the Americans were behind the destabilisation activities in the country.

But the involvement of the Americans is understood to be causing a rift in top ranks of the opposition party.

It is believed that there is a group of disillusioned supporters who are “alive to the futility of the demonstrations”, which the MDC hopes would begin to snowball from this week to the upcoming annual United Nations General Assembly in New York scheduled for September.

“The group is made up of innocent MDC members who are not privy to the factional squabbles within the party and are not eager to demonstrate for fear of a repeat of the August 1 2018, and 14 and 16 January 2019 violent protests.

“The group has also questioned what the demonstration would achieve in light of the fact that it would only be staged for four hours and people go back home to face the same economic challenges,” added the sources.

Separately, briefed diplomatic sources said the planned disturbances in Harare were timed to coincide with the demonstrations by the Southern African People’s Solidarity Network (SAPSN) in Tanzania, which were calculated to pooh-pooh the decision by Sadc to elect President Mnangagwa as the chair of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

Participants to non-governmental organisation (NGO)’s five-day “programme” jetted here on Thursday and had tentatively planned to march to hand over their communiqué – ostensibly drafted to besmirch the President – to the Sadc secretariat yesterday.

But the Tanzanian authorities reportedly strongly warned that “the stunt” would not be tolerated.

The programme was running under the theme “Rebuilding People’s Movements within Southern Africa’s Climate, Political and Socioeconomic Emergencies, Towards Radical Democratic Alternatives and Just Transition.”

The group is comprised of Nqobizitha Mlambo from Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development, Clayton Manjova (Heal Zimbabwe Trust), Lloyd Sesemani (artisanal miner), Michael Ndiweni (BVTA and Youth NAD), Foster Thole (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Blessing Vava (Crisis in Zimbabwe) Joy Mabenge (Action Aid), Tinashe Madondo (Family Aids Caring Trust) and Cloud Fusire, a university student.

It also includes Thulani Mswelanto (Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition), Charles Kataure (ZNNP+), Phakamani Moyo (PATA), Ropafadzo Sandra Shoko (a law student), Lydia Dhliwayo (Zimcodd), Confidence Bobo (Zimcodd) and Margarety Nyakuhwa (FACT).

Mr Mlambo is widely viewed as the brains behind MDC-Alliance youth wing — the Vanguard — which has been accused of hounding political rivals within the party, including former deputy president Dr Thokozani Khupe.

It is believed that the MDC’s trail of suspicious meetings and exchanges with hostile forces has exposed it in the region.

Police last week issued a prohibition order against MDC planned protests, but some elements defied the ban notwithstanding the decision by the High Court to uphold the order.

Law enforcement agents had to disperse the demonstrators.

However, the MDC is determined to continue with its protests purportedly to catapult the opposition party into power.

The absence of MDC leaders who abandoned the demonstrators despite publicly throwing their weight behind the protests has also been roundly condemned by some party members that are unaware of the liaisons between senior officials and hostile foreign officials.

Security officials continue to claim that there are forces that are behind disturbances the country has been experiencing since last year.

State Media|FORMER Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko faces imminent arrest after resisting officers from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) who wanted to pick him from his Bulawayo home over allegations of criminal abuse of public office.

The ex-Vice President thwarted the arrest on Friday at his Douglasdale house after dramatically refusing to cooperate with Zacc arresting officers whilst his wife Laurinda and daughter Siduduzo ordered the officials out.

A video of the incident has since gone viral.

However, Zacc chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo said the long arm of the law will catch up with Mr Mphoko as no one is above the law.

His arrest is historic as he becomes the first such high ranking ex-public official to be nabbed over abuse of office.

Allegations against Mr Mphoko are that in 2016, while he was still Vice President, he stormed Avondale Police Station to release former Zimbabwe National Road Administration acting chief executive officer Moses Juma.

Mr Mphoko, during that time, threatened to beat junior police officers at the station if they failed to comply to his demands.

Juma was later re-arrested and sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of abuse of office.

In an interview, Justice Matanda-Moyo said: “Yesterday (Friday), our officers visited the former VP Phelekezela Mphoko at his residence. The officers intended to question him with a view to record a warned and cautioned statement. The matter relates to abuse of office whilst he was VP.

“It is sad that the former VP refused to collaborate with the enforcement officers. Unfortunately, he and those around him believe that they are above the law….no one is above the law.

“We will ensure that the long arm of the law visits him in a manner that he understands and that he answers for his actions ASAP (as soon as possible).”

Sources said Zacc officers were yesterday planning to arrest Mr Mphoko.

According to the video on the failed arrest, the Mphoko family chased away two Zacc detectives out of their house while accusing them of trespassing and being “very corrupt people”.

The family demanded a warrant of arrest and threatened to call the police on the Zacc officers.

“You come here on false pretences, you are the one who pretended. We will put you out on Facebook and see,” says Siduduzo in the video.

Mr Mphoko shouted at the Zacc officers, “Out of my house please. Outside.”

The arresting officer then threatened to call for reinforcements.

Siduduzo is then heard saying the Zacc officers’ departure was an opportune time for the family to regroup.

Zacc has found some teeth after being given arresting powers through Statutory Instrument 143 of 2019.

The Justice Matanda-Moyo led body has already shown some sting by arresting former Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira on allegations of corruption involving US$95 million misappropriated at the National Social Security Authority (Nssa).

She is currently languishing in remand prison after being denied bail as she was said to be a flight risk by the High Court.

Zacc also arrested former State residences director Douglas Tapfuma for abuse of office after importing vehicles without paying duty.

The anti-corruption commission is investigating over 200 graft cases, with more arrests expected soon.

RE: GROSS VIOLATIONS OF FIFA AND ZIFA STATUTES BY ZIFA

I write to draw the attention of your esteemed office to extremely disturbing developments emanating from the Zimbabwe Football Association (“ZIFA”) which is a duly admitted member of FIFA.
2. I write in my personal capacity as the immediate past President of ZIFA (December 2015 – December 2018) and the current President of COSAFA.
3. I have found it compelling to directly address your office in light of the gross violations of both the FIFA Statutes and the ZIFA Constitution being wilfully perpetrated by the current ZIFA officials who have unconstitutionally constituted themselves as a management committee. While on the surface the malicious actions of this illegal ZIFA management committee may appear as personal attacks against me, it is clear that the totality of the actions emanating from them are fast-tracking Zimbabwean football into the dark days of maladministration, financial embezzlements, constitutional violations and other undesirable elements.
4. To exemplify the blatant madness prevailing in the mind of the current ZIFA leadership , on the 14th of August 2019 1 was served with a letter advising me that I was being handed a life ban from all Association Football activities in Zimbabwe. The letter stated that this was a unanimous resolution of a meeting held by the Zimbabwe Football Association on the 9th of August 2019. I hereto attach to a copy of the letter as Annexure A
5. You will note that the letter does not at all mention the specific body of ZIFA that is alleged to have arrived at such a decision. The bodies of ZIFA are outlined in Article 19 of the ZIFA Constitution. You will note that the letter does not at all state that the purported decision to ban me was arrived at in accordance with due process. There is no mention at all of the involvement of any judicial body in the alleged ban. At law, the letter is null ad void as it communicates a clear nullity.

6. The General Secretary of ZIFA seem to believe that by the mere stroke of his pen he can pronounce a life ban on my person from Association football. With respect that manifests madness of the highest rank.
7. Article 2D of the FIFA Statute is clear that the objectives of FIFA are:
“to control every type of association football by taking appropriate steps to prevent infringements of the Statutes, regulations or decisions of FIFA or of the Laws of the Game”
8. Further, Article 2G of the FIFA Statute states the objective if FIFA is to:
“promote integrity, ethics and fair play with a view to preventing al/ methods or practices, such as corruption, doping or match manipulation, which might jeopardise the integrity of matches, competitions, players, officials and member associations or give rise to abuse of association football.
9. These provisions of FIFA are binding on ZIFA as an Association because Article 14(1)(a) obligates every member association to:
“comply fully with the Statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA bodies at any time as well as the decisions of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) passed on appeal on the basis of art. 57 par. I of the FIFA Statutes. ”
10. The communication purporting to ban me from association football epitomizes the serious lack of understanding of the application, limitations, and interpretation by ZIFA of football Statutes. Article 36 of the ZIFA Constitution exclusively reserves the power to dismiss a person to the Congress of ZIFA.
11. It is common cause that there was no ZIFA Congress on the 9th of August 2019. The ZIFA Congress can only make a decision on the dismissal of a person if the Executive Committee of ZIFA places the dismissal of the particular person on the agenda of Congress. It is common cause that there has never been an agenda from the Congress for my dismissal on the 9th of August 2019.
12. The Constitution is clear that even if there is such an agenda the motion for dismissal must be justified and must be sent to members of ZIFA along with the agenda. This did not happen at all.
13.Article 36(3) of the ZIFA Constitution provides that before a decision for the dismissal of a person is made, the person in question has the right to speak in his defence.No such forum was provided. Further, the dismissal can only succeed if there is a secret ballot for which two thirds (2/3) of the valid votes cast is required. No detail of the secret ballot is mentioned because there simply wasn’t any such vote.
14. None of the peremptory provision of the Constitution were complied with in the purported ban. As a matter of fact it appears the General Secretary of ZIFA and the hoodlums he serves at ZIFA appear to be totally ignorant of the provisions of Article 36 of the ZIFA Constitution.
15.1 am fortified in my view that the malicious elements at ZIFA are unaware of any provisions of their Constitution because their letter does not make reference to any provision of the Constitution for their decision. The letter does not use any language or diction that is consistent with the provisions of the ZIFA Constitution.
16. You will note that as a matter of fact, there is absolutely no provision of the ZIFA Constitution which provides for the power of the ZIFA Congress to give a life ban to a natural person. Equally the ZIFA Executive Committee does not have any power to impose a life ban any person. The letter of the 14th of August 2019 does not state that the purported ban is a decision that has been made provisionally. That in itself means the decision cannot have been made by the ZIFA Executive Committee.
17. The ZIFA Executive Committee can only provisionally dismiss a person if the full procedure of placing the matter on the agenda, justifying the motion, circulation of the agenda, allowing the accused person to speak in his defence, reaching a decision by means of a secret ballot and achieving a two thirds (2/3) majority vote is fully complied with. What is clear is that the General Secretary together with other individuals whose names he has not disclosed has allocated to himself power that is not provided for in the football statutes.
18.Clearly in Zimbabwe we now have a dangerously delinquent cabal that is abusing association football offices to pursue outrightly illegal, petty, vindictive, malicious and pointless pursuits. This administratively bankrupt bunch is led by Felton Kamambo who was the key regional chairman of ZIFA for the period ZIFA failed to have audited financial statements presented at Congress. Kamambo who was Cuthbert Dube’s blue eyed boy has failure written all over anything he is associated with. He has assumed office without any vision or strategy.
19.As you know, when I assumed office as ZIFA President in December 2015, ZIFA had become the black sheep of African football due to constitutional violations, maladministration, insolvency, failure to produce audited financial statements and flagrant violation of all football norms and rules.
20.Zimbabwe had received a ban from FIFA which excluded it from participating in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and was on the verge of being disqualified from the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. When I assumed office ZIFA had no movable properties as all its assets had been attached by the Sheriff to satisfy judgement debts. ZIFA had innumerable dubious creditors and was failing to send national teams at different levels to fulfil continental competitions.
21.When I was elected ZIFA President, ZIFA was good as dead. I had to use my personal fortune, business experience and goodwill to return normalcy and sanity to ZIFA. Notwithstanding all these sterling efforts on my part to make a contribution to the wellbeing of association football in my country. I find myself being maligned and besmirched without any basis or justification whatsoever.
22.Against the odds I salvaged Zimbabwe’s right to participate in the 2022 world cup qualifiers by engineering payment for Coach Santfiet just three weeks into office. I led Zimbabwe’s qualification for both the 2017 and 2019 AFCON finals. I revived women’s football and led our senior ladies team to qualify for the Olympics and AFCON finals. I resumed league football for women. Also I resumed the participation of national teams at under 17,under 20 and 23 in all regional campaigns. I hired winning technical teams and motivated players and the public into rediscovering football as their darling sports code. I purged ZIFA of its ghost workers and ghost creditors. In short I brought football back from the graveyard it had been banished to by Cuthbert Dube, Jonathan Mashingaidze and Felton Kamambo.
23. You will note that as a result of my outstanding leadership I was unanimously elected to be the President of COSAFA which is the biggest regional bloc in Africa. I have also served with distinction in different subcommittees of CAF. I am presently the CAF vice president AFCON games.
24.My record of overachivement in the few years I have been ZIFA President is unprecedented and is self speaking. I used my dexterity to build a decaying institution into a enigmatic organization. I have no desire to see my sweat and success going to waste. I have no time to pursue pettiness and parochial interests. I am stunned by the jealousy and hatred being exhibited by those who have succeeded me.
25.1n the history of Zimbabwean football no individual has achieved anything comparable to my administrative successes. Beyond ZIFA I have moulded COSAFA into a modern model subregional body. I have been a transformative agent of change in CAF. I led a well organized campaign to replace the Issa Hayaotu hegemony. I receive endless accolades and invitations the world over to guide on football matters. I have no time for the idiosyncrasies and pettiness of little football dwarfs ruining the football show at ZIFA.
26.When I ceased to be the ZIFA President in December 2018 1 completely divorced myself from all local football people, functions, events and matches as I wanted to give the new Executive Committee full space to control the local association without any inhibition or interference in any manner whatsoever from myself. I took a well deserved break from loca football matters in the same way that I have previously peacefully walked away from being Zimbabwe’s most accomplished music promoter, boxing promoter and wrestling promoter. I never retrace where I have left footprints of success. That is my inborn nature. I have founded business organisations and elected to many which I walked away from, people must learn to walk away and to allow for fresh ideas, I have since realised I walked away from ZIFA, handing the button to a totally lost cause. Zimbabwe is bleeding heavily with the lot at the helm.
27.Sadly, the new Executive Committee weighed down by their own gross incompetence and deficiencies have failed to divorce themselves from my personality. They have a toxic obsession with my name. They mistakenly believe that the constant mention of my name will of its own accord magically pass on my successes to them. I pity these confused souls.
28.1n gross violation of their own statutes, the ZIFA Executive Committee unlawfully suspended the vice President Mr Gift Banda because he dared to request a forensic audit on ZIFA transactions. Philemon Machana the self proclaimed president of a mickey mouse one man band political party. He did not take kindly to the audit request and led the illegal banishment of Gift Banda. Machana now masquerades as ZIFA’s acting vice president in breach of the ZIFA Constitution.
29.Without conducting any disciplinary hearing, they have also now expelled an elected Executive Committee member, Mr Chamunorwa Chiwanza. In flagrant disregard to the provisions of the COSAFA Statute, the ZIFA Executive Committee purported to mount a motion to recall me from being the President of COSAFA.
30. The current ZIFA President has mounted a spirited campaign to badmouth and smear my name in every regional and international forum that he gets an opportunity to attend. In the limited scope of his mind he somehow believes that he can only build his name as a leader of Zimbabwean football on the ashes of my reputation. Such kind of thinking is retrogressively primitive, backward, destructive and uncivilised.
31. The whole charade of maligning my name and character is calculated to divert attention from public anger and regulatory scrutiny over the manner in which ZIFA has failed to run its affairs since my departure and properly manage its 2019 AFCON campaign in Egypt.
32.1t is public knowledge that ZIFA failed to pay the national team players as per agreed contracts. It is an incontrovertible fact that ZIFA instead of giving priority to players’ welfare and notwithstanding its insolvent state, a whole private plane was chartered to Egypt.
33. The ZIFA players and team officials used scheduled flights while the ZIFA President his wife, daughter, brother, pastor and corrupt cronies enjoyed the luxury of an all expenses paid charter flight to Egypt. Not surprisingly such grossly outrageous conduct greatly displeased the Zimbabwe national team players and the public in general.
34.As a result, ZIFA endured endless battles with players and had its whole tournament epitomizing a trip of shame. The root cause of ZIFA’s problems in this regard is clearly misplaced priorities and corrupt conduct. ZIFA has attempted to lay all the blame for all their chaotic conduct on my doorstep.
I submit that this failure by ZIFA to take responsibility speaks volumes about the absolute lack of skill or capacity in the ranks of the current ZIFA Executive Committee.
35.1 have played my part. I have made my contribution and I have earned my stripes. My ambition and interest now lie in different spaces and I consider it an insult of the worst order to be accused of interfering with ZIFA an institution I walked away from in December 2018.
36.1 must also categorically state that the allegation that have been peddled against me in respect of the disciplinary verdict made by COSAFA against ZIFA are outrightly preposterous. Long after I had left office, ZIFA pursued the bid to host the 2019 COSAFA Senior Men’s Tournament. They made their own representations and communications without my involvement. Having fallen foul of the set conditions by COSAFA disciplinary measures were meted against ZIFA by the independent disciplinary Committee of COSAFA. I hereto attach the full verdict by COSAFA which absolves me of any wrong doing as Annexure B.
37.Most shockingly ZIFA instead of dealing with the consequences of its conduct has taken a position to viciously malign my name and reputation by making endless and senseless accusations against me.
38.1 therefore implore your good offices to extend a helping hand to your prodigal and discordant association so that they focus on their mandate and not to chase my shadow even in places where it cannot be found.
39.1 further believe that the manner in which I have been persecuted and the extent of lies fabricated against me calls for an investigation on the current ZIFA Executive Committee by the FIFA Ethics Committee. I do hereby formally request an inquiry to be commenced.
40.As I have already stated the ZIFA statute easily confirms that the purported life ban communicated by the ZIFA General Secretary does not comply with elementary, procedural and substantive provisions of the ZIFA Constitution.
41.1 accordingly have not given any regard or attention to the null and void communication. All things being normal I ordinarily would not need to burden your busy office to confirm of the void status of the purported ban. However to the extent that we are not dealing with normal people I require that you censure ZIFA for the outrageous disregard of football statutes.My status and personal achievements in football cannot be arbitrarily tarnished without regard to the peremptory provisions of football statutes by an ignorant and confused cabal.
42.Abuse of power and diversionary tactics must have limitations. The purported ban is a bad joke in extremely bad taste. I have no time for the embarrassing nonsensical antics by Joseph Mamutse and his desperate handlers. Their kindergarten nonsense must stop forthwith. These hopelessly misguided pranksters urgently require rehabilitation and reorientation from FiFA and I trust that you will expeditiously assert your authority before football completely fizzles out of Zimbabwe.
43.1 must hasten to say I like a quote by President Donald Trump “America has many mentally ill people, we need more institutions”, so do we in Zimbabwe
Yo
Cc: FIF Ethics Committee: Investigative Chamber
Cc:
Cc: CO
Cc: Hon. Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation Cc: Director General, Sports and Recreation Commission
P.O Box cy Tel. +263 4 444039
Causeuvav [email protected]
Harare www.zifa.org.zw
14th 2019
Mr Pti:p Chivangvca 160 ifr,terprise Road
Highlands
Harare
Dear Chiyangvvz:

ZIMBABWE
The above matter refers.
The Zimbabwe Football Association at a meeting held on the 9th August 2019, in Hara r e enanimous’y resoMed that you are with immediate effect banned for life from an assoc:ation football activities in Zimbabwe.
Your ban was imposed by the association of account of the following punishable transgressions.
I. You single handedly committed Zimbabwe to host the 2019 COSAFA senior men’s Cup vvithout getting the association’s resolution to host such a tournament.
2. You committed Zimbabwe to host the 2019 Senior Men’s Cup without getting the guarantee letter and authority from the government of Zimbabwe as per standard practice.
3. You caused ZIFA to be sanctioned by COSAFA and fined US$200000.OO for failure to host a tournament for which you unilaterally submitted an incomplete bid to CCSÅFÅ.
The association by copy of this letter advises all the organisations copied hereunder of your ban for immediate enforcement. The association is in the process of recaliinc you from all Standing Committees of COSAFA, CAF and FIFA as well as completing investigations into other cases where in you are implicated. ZIFA and its affiliates wi!! no icncer a*low you admission into organized football matches, meetings and/or conferences and ail other football related activities in Zimbabwe.
Affiliates have heen notified of this position.
Meanwhile the association is completing investigations on other transgressions that you stand of and you shall be advised of the outcome of the investigations.

Tel. +263 4 444039 [email protected]
www.zifa.org.zw
Yours
Joseph Mamutse
ZIFA
Cc. FIFA Secretary General
Cc. CAF S=retary General
Cc. Minister of youth, sports, arts and Recreation
Cc. Parliament cf Zimbabwe- The Speaker
Cc. SQ. Boat
Cc. SAC
Cc. ,Zi+.A La•nyers

AND
ZIFA RESPONDENT

I. Cosafa Disciplinary Body, Chaired by Antånio Caetano de Sousa, accompanied by Adrian Kashala and Daud Suteman, meeting on April 12, 2019, at COSAFA HOUSE, No.l Victory Rd,Pårkhurst, ‘Johannesburg, held a hearing of the parties involved in the litigation COSAFÅ and the Zimbabwean Football Association (ZIFA), about the latter’s withdrawa.l from the organization of the 2019 COSAFA Seniors Men’s Football Tournament, which should have in Zimbabwe.
2. The hearing began at 3:00 pm, and COSAFA was represented by the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Sue Dgstombs and the Zimbabwean Football Federation, by the respective Acting Vice President, Phillemon Machana, Secretary General, Mr Joseph Mamutse and Mr Comoro a legal representative.
3. The hearing began with Cosäfa to present the facts that led to the present litigation, which was briefly caused by the manifestation of will, by the Zimbabwean Football ASsociAtion by letter dated October 12, 2018, accepted to organize the 2019 COSAFA Senior Tournament, having for the made concluded a contract with on January 28, 2019, the Organizing Association Agreement (DAA) between ZIFA and. COSAFA, While waiting for the letter of guarantee from the

All correspondence to the Secretary General •

P. Giyangwa (President). F. Mbidi (Vice-president).
AB. Mamelodi (Hon Secretary Genera”. S. Destombes (Secretary General)

Government of Zimbabwe, which did not happen, as the attached correspondence shows, which includes the letter from ZIFA in which the desistance of the organization of the proof for alleged lack of this guarantee.
4. COSAFA made every effort• to’ •deprive ZIFA of its decision not to host the Tournament in the name of Concordance and stability of the organization and also because of other commerciql .interests and sponsors of the event. Cosafa, in its initial submissions, also argued that we were facing statutory violations, which could be assessed by. the Disciplinary Board, based on the Cosafa Code of Discipline and subsididry CAF and FIFA Codes of Discipline.
5. ZIFA started by raising’ three preliminary questions, (l) that the act itself did not constitute a sanction, nor any infringement of the bylaws, for which it applied for a waiver, on the grounds of the Zimbabwean Government’s guarantee letter, and therefore (ii) that the provisions invoked in the statement of objections were not applicable and (iii) that the •Gpvernment was in default, and not ZIFA, and that it was therefore should not bé penalized, and in these respects it should be dismissed from the case.
6. Cosafa Disciplinary. Board considered the allegations made by COSAFA and the previous questions submitted by ZIFA and decided to proceed with the case on the understanding that the COSAFA affiliate is ZIFA and not the Government of Zimbabwe, that after:due and necessary commitment through the OAA concluded on January 21*, 20195 entered into default by submitting the wäiver of the evidence, thus constituting a violation of CoSAFNs statutes, subject to the sanctioning measures set focth in the COSAFA Code of Discipline and subsidiarily in the Codes of Discipline of the CAF and FIFA.
2
7. COSÅFA Disciplinary Board set a deadline of 16 April for the parties to present their written submissions, which are attached.
DECISION
Since the parties have complied with this formality Eithin the time-limit, it is up to Cosafa Disciplinary Board, based on articles 6.10, 24.2.2, 25.1, 25.2.3., all of the Statutes of COSAFÅ, to consider and decide as foltows:
a) It is established by the correspondence between COSAFA and ZIFA and by the OAA between the parties that the affiliate ZIFA formally undertook to organize the COSAFA 2019 Men’s Senior Football Tournament, following a formalism that was previously followed by same association as at the time of the Female Tournament in 2017, which took place in Bulawayo, reason why the argument by ZIFÅ does not proceed with respect to the alleged non-fulfil!rnent of the established in the article 29 of the Statutes of COSAFA;
b) It does not constitute sufficient argument that ZIFA shotild not be held liable because the Government of Zimbabwe did not iséue the guarantee letter because ZIFA is a member of COSAFA and not the Government •of Zimbabwe. In this context, it is the ZIFA to whom duties and obligations are imposed, which in this case are found to be breached and constitute statutory violations, and which are proven as fully proved;
c) In this context, in accordance with article 25 Of the COSAFA Statutes, paragraphs 25.2.3, 25.2.3.9, 25.2.3.10 and 25.3, in conjunction with Article 92 of CAF AFCON regulations, applicable in a subsidiqry manner, the COSAEA Disciplinary Board, has decided to apply the following disciplinary measure* against the Zimbabwean Football Federation:
3

a) The suspension of, ZIFÅ, •as a result of its sealing of 2019 COSAFA Senior Men’s Tournament; and
b) The payment of a fine of USD 200,000, as indemnification to COSAFA for losses resulting from withdrawal.
COSAFA HOUSE, No. 1 Victory Rd,Parkhurst, Johannesburg, April 25, 2019

4
Council of Southern Africa Football Associations
COSAFA : Angelo Comorqs Botswana Lesotho Madpqascgr Malawi Mauritius
h u h A i im
000 • p • + 7 447
COSAFA DISCIPLINARY BOARD
DECISION
In the matter between:-
COSAFA COMPLAINANT
AND
ZIFA RESPONDENT
1. The Cosafa Disciplinary BödY, chaired by Antönio Caetano de Sousa, accompanied by Adrian Kashala and Daud Suleman, proceeded to review the decision dated 25 April 2019, in the context of a hearing of the parties involved in the COSAFA litigation and the Association (ZIFA), about the latter’s withdrawal from the organization of the 2019 COSAFA Senior Men’s Football Tournament, which he should have in Zimbabwe.
2. Subject to certain conditions and in order to mitigate the consequences of the decision already taken, thé COSAFA Disciplinary Body decided as follow
a) The conditional suspension of ZIFA from COSAFA, upon ZIFA reverting to COSAFA within •two (Z) months, a confirmation to host the COSAFA CUP in 2020 accompanied by the already signed guarantees from the
Zimbabwe Government to host the CUP;

2

By Farai D Hove| The senior lawyer who is currently the MDC Treasurer General, David Coltart has criticised the trial that and conviction of the popular Chief Felix Ndiweni.

Chief Ndiweni was sentenced to 18 months in prison over a property damage case amounting to USD30.00

Writing at the end of the week, Coltart said in full:

I have just discussed Chief Felix Ndiweni’s case with his lawyer Dumisani Dube. From our discussion it is clear that this entire case is just a political sham trial in which none other than Obert Mpofu and Zanu PF have been deeply involved in.

The prosecution was spurious, the judgment deeply flawed and the sentence utterly ridiculous. Even if one accepts the deeply flawed State case as fact (which is strenuously denied by Chief Ndiweni) the damage alleged to property is only RTGS $300, namely US$ 30, for which Chief Ndiweni has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. There was no evidence that Chief Ndiweni himself damaged the property but somehow he has been found vicariously guilty. This is a profoundly shocking development and the hand of Zanu PF is clearly obvious.

Zanu PF have been deeply angered by Chief Ndiweni’s staunchly independent attitude and principled criticism of all that is so wrong about Zimbabwe today. This politically motivated trial is clearly designed to silence a very troubling voice.

The public at the court today were deeply angered by the jailing of this honest, decent, compassionate and principled traditional leader, so much so that riot police had to be deployed in case their anger boiled over.

I have no doubt that Zanu PF have scored a major own goal in this sham trial. This shocking judgment and sentence will reverberate throughout Matabeleand and beyond. When I last met Chief Ndiweni (pictured below) he was on his way to Kwazulu Natal to meet South African traditional leaders, who I have no doubt are going to be deeply angered by this matter.

All this will ultimately do is further undermine any last remaining respect rural people have for this pitiful, incompetent and corrupt regime.

Chief Ndiweni’s legal team are working on an appeal and an application for bail which will be lodged as soon as possible.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Matabeleland North Province has described the arrest and conviction of Chief Felix Ndiweni as a calculated move meant to intimidate perceived opponents Zanu PF opponents.

See the MDC Mat North statement:

MDC MAT. NORTH CONDEMS THE ARREST AND CONVITION OF CHIEF NDIWENI.

Mat North Province condems in the strongest terms possible the conviction of the people’s Chief. Chief Felix Nhlanhla Yamangwe Ndiweni.

We are quite aware that this is not aimed at the Chief in particular but a move calculated to intimidate the generality of disgruntled people of Matebeleland and the entire nation.

We the Province of Mat. North want to make it clear to the panicking regime that we stand by Chief Ndiweni and share his persecution , his beliefs and the suffering he is going thtough at the hands of the failed regime who are only doing this solely for power and wealth.

Our people are now immune to any forms of violance,threat , intimidation ,toture and any form of harassment.No amount of toture will diviate us from our route to total freedom and Democracy,no amount of pressure will stop us from our quest to remove dictatorship and suffering from our people.

We want once again to take this oppotunity to join our President Advocate Nelson Chamisa in calling for the immédiate release of Chief Ndiwane for what they are doing its only adding salt to the wound.They are only worsening the alread volatile situation and they have only themselves to blame.

MDC remains resolute in its quest for a New Zimbabwe and its now dawning.

Mhlonipheki Ncube .
MDC Mat. North Provincial Spokesperson.

Farai Dziva|The MDC has opened hotlines for citizens to report cases of violence, torture and intimidation.

See the notice below:

Important Notice

We note with concern a recent increase in cases of abductions, victimisation and torture of party activists and civic activists.

Social Welfare Department has introduced a hotline facility where reports of violations can be made.

Please immediately notify us of any violations on the following 24/7 Hotline numbers:

Econet: 0787272716
Netone: 0712458383

MDC Social Welfare Department

By A Correspondent- A 69-year-old polygamist from Ndawana village under Chief Nembudziya in Gokwe is in the habit of forcing his four wives into a sex orgy each time he comes home drunk.

This was heard when Tendai Masimba, a father of 23, was dragged to Chief Nembudziya’s traditional court by his four wives, Paulina Gatsheni, Phahlani Chirume, Getrude Sibanda and Rumbidzai Moto, who accused him of treating them like ladies of the night each time he drinks.

The four women shocked the court upon revealing that their husband wanted to have sex with all of them at the same time insisting that they were all his wives.

Chief Nembudziya confirmed the incident saying he ordered Masimba to treat his wives with respect.

“Masimba’s wives were complaining that their husband is in the habit of wanting to have sex with all of them at the same time. They said they felt uncomfortable about this new arrangement and they tried talking to him but it never helped.

“They said he sleeps with them one after the other forcing them to watch while he beds the other wife,” he said.

Chief Nembudziya said Masimba blamed beer for his behaviour saying he loses control of his senses each time he gets drunk.

“He apologised to his wives promising that he will not do such weird acts in future adding that he will behave properly each time he takes the wise waters,” he said.

Chief Nembudziya said he warned Masimba to desist from ill treating his wives. 

“I strongly warned him against abusing his wives because in my village we do not tolerate such kind of behaviour. We want men who respect their wives and treat them with dignity,” he said.-BMetro

The MDC National Chairman Hon Thabitha Khumalo, MDC Bulawayo Provincial Organising Secretary, Hon Helen Mpofu, Elliot Mujeri, Tinashe Matimbure and three (3) other party members were arrested earlier today while their were conducting an awareness campaign for the next people’s Free Zimbabwe march that will be held in Bulawayo on Monday.

They were initially detained at Tshabalala Police Station.

However, they have now been transferred to the Law and Order section at the Bulawayo Central Police Station.

Nosimilo Chanaiwa, Godfrey Nyoni from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights have been assigned to the case.

It is not clear yet as to what charges they might be facing.

So far we have been denied access to our leaders. We have also been barred from giving them any food.

SWITHERN CHIROWODZA
MDC BULAWAYO PROVINCIAL SPOKESPERSON

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).”

Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has implemented the new electricity tariff system.

Below, a statement posted today, of the change:

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STEPPED DOMESTIC PREPAYMENT TARIFF

In line with the recently approved Electricity tariffs for 2019, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) would like to advise its valued customers that it has now started implementing the stepped prepayment tariff for domestic consumers to replace the flat rate tariff of 14c/kWh which was previously used for domestic customers.

The flat-rate tariff afforded customers of electricity a standard tariff for purchases despite the kWh purchased and the number of times customers bought electricity in the month and was thus wasteful and expensive for low power users.

The implementation of the stepped tariff is with effect from 1st August 2019.

The implementation of the stepped domestic prepayment tariff is designed to encourage practices of conserving electricity by consumers given the current power supply situation.

The stepped domestic electricity tariff encourages customers to use electricity more sparingly and efficiently and rewards them with a lower tariff with heavy domestic power users having to pay more for higher consumption. Customers are thus advised to buy electricity units that are sufficient for their monthly consumption as any excess units would be charged at the higher tariff.

In every calendar month, customers are afforded a lifeline tariff rate of $0.06 ($6.00) for the first 50 kWh, which is enough electricity to power a two-plate stove and five lights for a calendar month for a single household, with the next 150 kWh (150 to 200kWh) in the same calendar month being charged $0.30 ($30.00). The first 200 kWh are enough for the majority of domestic households. Any additional purchases in excess of 200 kWh within the same calendar month, is thus charged at a higher rate of $0.40 ( $40.00).

ZETDC advises customers that the lifeline tariff is enjoyed at point of the first purchase of unites during any calendar month to cushion the less privileged consumers and is enjoyed once every month.

For example, if a customer buys $48.00 worth of electricity, the units would be calculated as follows:

0 – 50 kWh – 50 x 0.06 = $3.00
51 -200 kWh – 150 x 0.30 = $45.00
Total – 200 khW = $48.00

The power utility further advises that if the same customer comes for a second purchase within the same month using the same amount of money ($48.00), he/she will receive 120 kWh and not 200 kWh as in the first purchase of that month. The reduced amount of electricity in kWh is due to the fact that the second purchase within the same calendar month is cumulative and thus the customer would have exhausted the lifeline benefit for that particular month.

In order to assist customers, prepayment vouchers will indicate how the units purchased are charged and the bands to which they belong in compliance with the provisions as set by the Regulator.

The stepped tariff takes cognisance of the depressed power supply situation emanating from the low levels at Lake Kariba and the need to conserve the available power and encourage customers to save foreign currency from wasted energy.

By A Correspondent- The new chairperson for  Southern African Development Community (SADC), Tanzanian President, John Magufuli has called for the lifting of sanctions on Zimbabwe by the international community.

In his inaugural speech as chairman, Magufuli said that Zimbabwe has opened a new chapter and it is ready to engage with the rest of the world.

The sanctions, he said, are also hurting people in the wider SADC region:

“We should unite to support Zimbabwe against sanctions imposed by western countries because they are hurting Zimbabweans and people from across member states”

Magufuli takes over the chairmanship from Namibian president Hage Geingob.

President Mnangagwa assumed the chairmanship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

By A Correspondent- It seems not even a month-long prison sentence could erase the shock that a teenager had when he allegedly was threatened by his victim and neighbour that she would cast a spell on him.  

Kelvin Ndlovu (18) from Cowdray Park in Bulawayo surprised a court after telling the magistrate that the complainant would bewitch him over a stolen cellphone.

“She said she’ll bewitch me because of the stolen gadget,” said the worried convict.

Ndlovu appeared before magistrate Gladmore Mushove at Western Commonage Court for stealing Lujatano Muleya (31)’s cellphone.

Presenting the State’s case, Kenneth Shava told the court that on 7 August 2019 in the morning Muleya placed her Vodafone  cellphone on a solar charger outside the house and went inside. 

She checked her cellphone a while later only to discover that it was no longer there.

Lujatano spotted a shoe print from the scene and trailed the suspect. She interrogated Kelvin and recovered her cellphone from him. The value of the phone is $70. Kelvin was fined $100 (or 30 days in prison).

The police force must exercise restraint when policing demonstrations especially against women and avoid the bad repetition of death and injuries caused by their extremely heavy-handed response to peaceful legal demonstrations.

Since July 2018 Police have on several occasions used used live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas against largely peaceful protesters who did not threaten public life.

Human rights organisations in Zimbabwe, regionally and internationally have documented numerous instances of excessive use of force by police on women, rape and at some point women loosing their lives.

What pains most is the fact that the majority of these women are innocent mothers who will be doing their daily vending jobs to try and feed their children.

It is essential that both the Zimbawean law and international human rights law is respected. Police have a duty to maintain public order, and in doing so they must be protecting the peaceful demostrators.

Excessive force and tear gas were yesterday used against innocent women, protesters and journalists.

Testimonies from victims, eyewitnesses and video footages reviewed by Journalists show that police improperly tear gassed peaceful demonstrators and beat women vendors.

In pictures being circulated one woman is seeing battling for her life unconscious in one of Harare streets. This is so painful and such brutality must stop.

One clear fact is that the thousands of people who had gathered in harare were very peaceful as they did not destroy property or retaliated to the attacks by riot police

In conclusion I wish citizens who were injured and hurt by police in Harare yesterday a quick healing and recovery.

Issued by

Lynette Karenyi
MDC Vice-President

By A Correspondent- Former Zimbabwe Cricket player Henry Olonga has torn into President Emmerson Mnangagwa over his popular video where the President is captured saying: “We are the the police, we are the army, we are everything.”

Said Olonga:

“I keep hearing it differently in my head….. We are destroyers, we are oppressors, we are violent ones, we are corrupt, we are evil, we are incompetent, we are good at deflecting failures, we are excellent in denial, we are mismanagers, we are are what we fought against. Fixed.”

South Africa based businessman Mutumwa Mawere said Mnangagwa’s statements showed that power is not derived from the people.

He said:

“All he is saying is that if u are part of the ruling party, the consequences must be clear. You then define what is legal and what is illegal. It so happens that power illiteracy is pervasive. He was underscoring the point that power is not defined by the benevolence of the majority.”

In his latest comment, Professor Jonathan Moyo has said the Mnangagwa government is a rogue and illegitimate state and this is confirmed by how the prohibition order barring the August 16 protest was issued in the dead of the night.

Said Prof Moyo:

“Only an illegitimate and rogue State issues an illegal midnight prohibition order on 15 Aug to prohibit a 16 Aug demonstration notified on 5 Aug; and uses the illegal prohibition and court order to unleash an orgy of violence on peaceful citizens who have lawfully come to Harare CBD!”

By A Correspondent- Mr Davies Chitagu had an altercation with his wife, Ms Alice Chigwida, over why he had come home late and failed to pick her from St Mary’s Cathedral last Sunday.

Ms Chigwida is said to have waited for Mr Chitagu to fall asleep before boiling water and pouring it all over his body.

Contacted for comment, Ms. Chigwida acknowledged that she was Alice before making a U-turn and denying her name when she learned that she was talking to the news crew.

“Hello, yes you are speaking to Alice. Oh, I’m sorry I do not know what you are talking about. It’s not Alice. It must be a wrong number,” she said before hanging up.

A family member who declined to be identified for fear of victimization said Ms. Chigwida ignored her husband while he screamed in pain.

“When she feared that he would die on their matrimonial bed, she helped him into their car and went to dump him at a surgery in the city before telling his relatives that he was in the hospital,” said the source.

A police report had to be made as Mr. Chitagu could not be treated without a report.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident. “I can confirm that we are dealing with a case of domestic violence where a woman scalded her husband with boiling water following a domestic dispute.

Further investigations into the matter are underway,” said Inspector Ncube. He urged the public to desist from violence in families as it dragged people apart and increased tensions.

Another relative, who also preferred anonymity, said he was relieved that Mr. Chitagu had survived, but feared for his life as Ms. Chigwida “was unpredictable.”

He said police seemed to be dragging their feet on the matter.

“My relative had boiling water poured on him while he was sleeping by his wife. His whole upper body and face have been badly scalded and he has serious burns.

“A report has been made to Donnington (Police Station) and to date the perpetrator has not been arrested. We as a family are frustrated and we fear for our brother’s safety as he is now back home and she is there,” said the relative

“We feel the police are dragging their feet and not responding appropriately. Male victims of gender-based violence are never taken seriously. If this was reversed the community would be up in arms.

This is attempted murder and there is nothing to justify what the wife has done. My brother has given his statement, a medical report has been issued and it states the seriousness of what has happened but still, this woman is in the community. What is she going to do next?” asked the relative.

The relative said Mr. Chitagu came home around 10 PM last week and they had an argument about why he had not picked Ms Chigwida from the church earlier that night.

The relative said after Ms. Chigwida had poured boiling water on him, she initially refused to take him to hospital.

“He sustained serious burns to his upper body and limbs and face. He had difficulties breathing. He asked Alice to take her to the hospital as he was in excruciating pain.

Initially, she refused. She later took him to a private hospital and dumped him at the entrance and drove off,” said the relative.

He said Mr. Chitagu had since been discharged from hospital although he still had bandages on over 50 percent of his body.

“Davies has since been discharged and is back at home now. He has difficulty in speaking. Nothing has been done to Alice and she is at the family home as we speak.

We are concerned at the lack of or delayed police action in this matter. This is serious domestic violence. Alice has injured Davies.

He will be physically and emotionally scarred for life. He is having panic attacks since the incident,” he said.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has described as brutal, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration arguing that contrary to claims by the incumbent that Zimbabwe was in a new era, the state had not reformed and was worse than when the country was ruled by the former President Robert Mugabe.

Chamisa however appreciated the peace loving Zimbabweans for engaging in non violent protests Friday and wished those brutalised by the police a speedy recovery.

He said:

“All said and done, I acknowledge you the peace loving people of Zimbabwe.I salute those who supported the march despite the challenge. To those who got injured and were assaulted, I wish you quick recovery. Your bravery and courage are not in vain.We shall overcome!

2/15 To the regional leaders, their countries, citizens of Africa and to the international community, thank you for your solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe. Ours is a peaceful and just cause, indeed a democratic struggle for a better, free and truly new aZimbabwe.

3/15 As a peaceful party, the MDC has followed all legal processes in the exercise of our political rights which are guaranteed by the constitution. We gave notice of the demonstration even though we disagree vehemently with the legislation under which this had to be done (POSA).

4/15 However,at the eleventh hour the police unreasonably denied us the opportunity to exercise our rights.Our efforts to challenge the decision in court were in vain.We always expect and trust our courts to be fair and impartial but we are once again disappointed by the outcome.

5/15 It is now clear we did everything possible using the available legal routes in order to exercise our rights but all avenues are closed.We’re confronted by an unjust system – unjust rulers, unjust rules and unjust playing field but will never doubt the justice of our cause.

6/15 There comes a point in the affairs of humankind when a people must challenge an unjust system, when compliance is as good as reaffirming the unjust system and your own mental and physical subjugation.

7/15Throughout the course of history no oppressed people have achieved freedom by complying with the dictates of an unjust system.They have challenged it.This is the historic task of our people;our generation. The system a vicious machinery but the people have a valiant spirit.

8/15 The world saw for itself how brutal the regime is despite attempts to paint a picture that it is a New Dispensation.Sights of police brutalising defenceless civilians, beating up women and the elders are tragic but they also confirm why this demonstration was necessary.

9/15 The State has not reformed and it lacks the moral authority to govern, hence the resort to use of excessive force. In fact, those in power today clearly show us that they have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing from the yesterpolitics.

10/15 We’ve always called for the need of political reforms underpinning economic reforms. Images going around the world as a result of the excessive force used by the state against the people shame Zimbabwe & make the country less attractive as an investment destination.

11/15 What the government has done reaffirms the need for political reforms and reinforces our argument about the importance of restoring legitimacy. No government that enjoys untrammelled legitimacy behaves as the Zimbabwean government has behaved today.

12/15 Ahead of August 16 there had already been signs of the brutal hand of the regime. Political activists were abducted and brutally tortured by agents. The state’s bad history in this regard places responsibility upon its shoulders, they carry the duty to protect citizens.

13/15Going forward,Zimbabweans have no choice but to continue peacefully expression.All authority comes from the people as it is up them to assert it.ED has made the choice for you,remain steadfast in the face of violence and intolerance and keep fighting for your rights.

14/15 In the days,weeks and months ahead, peaceful action is our force. To the people who will come out to express themselves we say it’s important to exercise your rights and to do so peacefully.

15/15 We continue pray for the injured wishing them quick healing.We salute those incarcerated or charged on account of politics.Many of us have scars of the struggle.There will be many more.But this is not the time to give up.The seed of liberty is in our blood & expires not!

In Bulawayo @ZLHRLawyers is offering emergency legal support services to Hon Tabitha Khumalo, Helen Mpofu Meliqiniso Sithole Emot Mujeri Tinashe Matimbura Shelton Tembo&Tendai Musotsha arrested by #ZRP&charged with publishing falsehoods as defined in s31(b)(2)(a) of criminal code pic.twitter.com/pl8b0zrhrr

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) August 17, 2019

In Bulawayo @ZLHRLawyers is offering emergency legal support services to Hon Tabitha Khumalo, Helen Mpofu Meliqiniso Sithole Emot Mujeri Tinashe Matimbura Shelton Tembo&Tendai Musotsha arrested by #ZRP&charged with publishing falsehoods as defined in s31(b)(2)(a) of criminal code pic.twitter.com/pl8b0zrhrr

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) August 17, 2019

VIDEOS LOADING BELOW

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government lacks the moral authority to govern, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said.

Below is Chamisa’s statement:

All said and done, I acknowledge you the peace loving people of Zimbabwe.I salute those who supported the march despite the challenge. To those who got injured and were assaulted, I wish you quick recovery. Your bravery and courage are not in vain.We shall overcome!
To the regional leaders, their countries, citizens of Africa and to the international community, thank you for your solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe. Ours is a peaceful and just cause, indeed a democratic struggle for a better, free and truly new aZimbabwe.

As a peaceful party, the MDC has followed all legal processes in the exercise of our political rights which are guaranteed by the constitution. We gave notice of the demonstration even though we disagree vehemently with the legislation under which this had to be done (POSA).

However,at the eleventh hour the police unreasonably denied us the opportunity to exercise our rights.Our efforts to challenge the decision in court were in vain.We always expect and trust our courts to be fair and impartial but we are once again disappointed by the outcome.

It is now clear we did everything possible using the available legal routes in order to exercise our rights but all avenues are closed.We’re confronted by an unjust system – unjust rulers, unjust rules and unjust playing field but will never doubt the justice of our cause.

There comes a point in the affairs of humankind when a people must challenge an unjust system, when compliance is as good as reaffirming the unjust system and your own mental and physical subjugation.

Throughout the course of history no oppressed people have achieved freedom by complying with the dictates of an unjust system.They have challenged it.This is the historic task of our people;our generation. The system a vicious machinery but the people have a valiant spirit.

The world saw for itself how brutal the regime is despite attempts to paint a picture that it is a New Dispensation.Sights of police brutalising defenceless civilians, beating up women and the elders are tragic but they also confirm why this demonstration was necessary.

The State has not reformed and it lacks the moral authority to govern, hence the resort to use of excessive force. In fact, those in power today clearly show us that they have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing from the yesterpolitics.

We’ve always called for the need of political reforms underpinning economic reforms. Images going around the world as a result of the excessive force used by the state against the people shame Zimbabwe & make the country less attractive as an investment destination.

What the government has done reaffirms the need for political reforms and reinforces our argument about the importance of restoring legitimacy. No government that enjoys untrammelled legitimacy behaves as the Zimbabwean government has behaved today.

Ahead of August 16 there had already been signs of the brutal hand of the regime. Political activists were abducted and brutally tortured by agents. The state’s bad history in this regard places responsibility upon its shoulders, they carry the duty to protect citizens.

Going forward,Zimbabweans have no choice but to continue peacefully expression.All authority comes from the people as it is up them to assert it.ED has made the choice for you,remain steadfast in the face of violence and intolerance and keep fighting for your rights.

In the days,weeks and months ahead, peaceful action is our force.

To the people who will come out to express themselves we say it’s important to exercise your rights and to do so peacefully.
We continue pray for the injured wishing them quick healing.

We salute those incarcerated or charged on account of politics.Many of us have scars of the struggle.There will be many more.But this is not the time to give up.The seed of liberty is in our blood & expires not!

REPORT ON ALL DONATIONS TO DATE

By Own Correspondent- Protestors who were arrested in Harare Friday have appeared in court.

They were however remanded in custody pending their bail application.

The ZRP on Friday confirmed that 91 people had been arrested in connection with the August 16 demonstrations in Harare’s central business district, Chitungwiza and Harare South.

Opposition activists and human rights defenders Phinius Nyambi, Pride Mukono and about 22 others who were detained at Harare Central police yesterday(16 August 2019) appeared at Rotten Row Court 6 today.

Said a lawyer from the ZLHR:

“Yes they have appeared at Rotten Row magistrates court but the state used the 242 forms which postpones bail and they have been remanded in custody.”

Watch the video below….

Farai Dziva|The MDC has opened hotlines for citizens to report cases of violence, torture and intimidation.

See the notice below:

Important Notice

We note with concern a recent increase in cases of abductions, victimisation and torture of party activists and civic activists.

Social Welfare Department has introduced a hotline facility where reports of violations can be made.

Please immediately notify us of any violations on the following 24/7 Hotline numbers:

Econet: 0787272716
Netone: 0712458383

MDC Social Welfare Department

Farai Dziva|Detained opposition and human rights activists are set to appear in court this afternoon.

In a statement MDC Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga said:

Phinius Nyambi, Pride Mukono and about 22 others who were detained at Harare Central police yesterday(16 August 2019) are to appear at Rotten Row Court 6 today.

We are encouraged to throng the court in solidarity.”

Anotidashe Munikwa a Former DUDLEY HALL SCHOOL Girl missing since Thursday . If seen pliz contact the father Rev. Munikwa on 0772352381 or Norton Police Station.

Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has vowed to continue with protests saying Zimbabweans have no choice but to continue expressing themselves albeit peacefully.

In a 15 thread message posted on Twitter today, Chamisa urged people to keep fighting for their rights in the face of violence.

“Going forward, Zimbabweans have no choice but to continue peacefully expression.All authority comes from the people as it is up them to assert it.ED has made the choice for you, remain steadfast in the face of violence and intolerance and keep fighting for your rights.

“In the days, weeks and months ahead, peaceful action is our force. To the people who will come out to express themselves we say it’s important to exercise your rights and to do so peacefully,” said Chamisa.

Defence deputy minister Victor Matemadanda (VM) says security sector reforms are not necessary because it is comprised of people who fought in the war of liberation.

In a wide ranging interview with our senior reporter Blessed Mhlanga (ND) on Defence Forces Day, Matemadanda, who is also secretary general of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, claimed the August 1 shootings last year and the killing of at least 17 people during the January fuel price hike
protests were caused by people who wanted to portray President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government as not respecting human rights. Below are the excerpts of the
interview:

ND: What is the role of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF)?

VM: Independence is precious; we got it through the loss of lives of the young, old men and women who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of this
country. Once we got that independence, it must now be preserved and protected, a duty undertaken by the ZDF. Territorial integrity and the provision of
security of Zimbabwe has to be proffered by the ZDF. For that reason, they must be honoured because they continue to portray and give a heroship that you have
seen, for example, what they did during the Cyclone Idai ordeal.

ND: What do you say to those who view the ZDF as an enemy when we look, for instance, at the August 1 and January shootings?

VM: That is a very unfortunate situation well-orchestrated by violence perpetrators, who wanted such a situation so that Zimbabwe is portrayed as a country
that does not respect human lives. There are many things that happened on that day.

ND: Does Zimbabwe respect human lives?

VM: Yes, it does. This is why we fought for the emancipation and continuation of the protection of human lives in Zimbabwe.

Unfortunately, there are some who believe that democracy means ultraism, where they can do whatever they want despite it being wrong. These people have to
respect the rights of others. Once they refuse to respect other people’s rights, they will be violating the Constitution. It is just unfortunate that the
occurrence of August 1 took place although no one had wished for it. We had gone through the elections without a single incident of violence.

ND: You have been talking about security sector reforms; is there anything that is happening on that front?

VM: Why do we need to reform something that is still functional and okay? Why do we need to reform a security system that is able to fulfil its mandate?
Remember, this security sector is composed of people who sacrificed their time and lives for the freedom this country is enjoying. There is, therefore, no one
with the moral right to tell those that liberated the country how they should protect it.

ND: Are you not slowly becoming what you fought against under former President Robert Mugabe’s regime.

VM: We never wanted the rights to destroy other people’s properties. We were, in fact, promoting the rule of law and fighting against lawlessness, which were
being perpetrated by the team that surrounded the former President.

ND: One of the liberation heroes has indicated that he does not want to be buried here at the National Heroes Acre, what can you say to that?

VM: You have to ask the hero the reason behind his indication. It is his right to say he wants to be buried wherever; that decision solely depends on the
individual.

ND: For someone who has buried so many other heroes here, what do you think his decision implies?

VM: Only that person can answer the question on why he refuses to be buried at a place where he has buried many others.

-Newsday

Chief Ndiweni Conviction -A Move Calculated To Intimidate Perceived Zanu PF Opponents

Farai Dziva|The MDC Matabeleland North Province has described the arrest and conviction of Chief Felix Ndiweni as a calculated move meant to intimidate perceived opponents Zanu PF opponents.

See the MDC Mat North statement:

MDC MAT. NORTH CONDEMS THE ARREST AND CONVITION OF CHIEF NDIWENI.

Mat North Province condems in the strongest terms possible the conviction of the people’s Chief. Chief Felix Nhlanhla Yamangwe Ndiweni.

We are quite aware that this is not aimed at the Chief in particular but a move calculated to intimidate the generality of disgruntled people of Matebeleland and the entire nation.

We the Province of Mat. North want to make it clear to the panicking regime that we stand by Chief Ndiweni and share his persecution , his beliefs and the suffering he is going thtough at the hands of the failed regime who are only doing this solely for power and wealth.

Our people are now immune to any forms of violance,threat , intimidation ,toture and any form of harassment.No amount of toture will diviate us from our route to total freedom and Democracy,no amount of pressure will stop us from our quest to remove dictatorship and suffering from our people.

We want once again to take this oppotunity to join our President Advocate Nelson Chamisa in calling for the immédiate release of Chief Ndiwane for what they are doing its only adding salt to the wound.They are only worsening the alread volatile situation and they have only themselves to blame.

MDC remains resolute in its quest for a New Zimbabwe and its now dawning.

Mhlonipheki Ncube .
MDC Mat. North Provincial Spokesperson.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Matabeleland North Province has described the arrest and conviction of Chief Felix Ndiweni as a calculated move meant to intimidate perceived opponents Zanu PF opponents.

See the MDC Mat North statement:

MDC MAT. NORTH CONDEMS THE ARREST AND CONVITION OF CHIEF NDIWENI.

Mat North Province condems in the strongest terms possible the conviction of the people’s Chief. Chief Felix Nhlanhla Yamangwe Ndiweni.

We are quite aware that this is not aimed at the Chief in particular but a move calculated to intimidate the generality of disgruntled people of Matebeleland and the entire nation.

We the Province of Mat. North want to make it clear to the panicking regime that we stand by Chief Ndiweni and share his persecution , his beliefs and the suffering he is going thtough at the hands of the failed regime who are only doing this solely for power and wealth.

Our people are now immune to any forms of violance,threat , intimidation ,toture and any form of harassment.No amount of toture will diviate us from our route to total freedom and Democracy,no amount of pressure will stop us from our quest to remove dictatorship and suffering from our people.

We want once again to take this oppotunity to join our President Advocate Nelson Chamisa in calling for the immédiate release of Chief Ndiwane for what they are doing its only adding salt to the wound.They are only worsening the alread volatile situation and they have only themselves to blame.

MDC remains resolute in its quest for a New Zimbabwe and its now dawning.

Mhlonipheki Ncube .
MDC Mat. North Provincial Spokesperson.

By A Correspondent- Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has wished a speedy recovery to protestors clobbered by police details in Harare Friday saying their bravery and courage was not in vain.

Below is Chamisa’s message:

“All said and done, I acknowledge you the peace loving people of Zimbabwe.I salute those who supported the march despite the challenge. To those who got injured and were assaulted, I wish you quick recovery. Your bravery and courage are not in vain.We shall overcome!

2/15 To the regional leaders, their countries, citizens of Africa and to the international community, thank you for your solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe. Ours is a peaceful and just cause, indeed a democratic struggle for a better, free and truly new aZimbabwe.

3/15 As a peaceful party, the MDC has followed all legal processes in the exercise of our political rights which are guaranteed by the constitution. We gave notice of the demonstration even though we disagree vehemently with the legislation under which this had to be done (POSA).

4/15 However,at the eleventh hour the police unreasonably denied us the opportunity to exercise our rights.Our efforts to challenge the decision in court were in vain.We always expect and trust our courts to be fair and impartial but we are once again disappointed by the outcome.

5/15 It is now clear we did everything possible using the available legal routes in order to exercise our rights but all avenues are closed.We’re confronted by an unjust system – unjust rulers, unjust rules and unjust playing field but will never doubt the justice of our cause.

6/15 There comes a point in the affairs of humankind when a people must challenge an unjust system, when compliance is as good as reaffirming the unjust system and your own mental and physical subjugation.

7/15Throughout the course of history no oppressed people have achieved freedom by complying with the dictates of an unjust system.They have challenged it.This is the historic task of our people;our generation. The system a vicious machinery but the people have a valiant spirit.

8/15 The world saw for itself how brutal the regime is despite attempts to paint a picture that it is a New Dispensation.Sights of police brutalising defenceless civilians, beating up women and the elders are tragic but they also confirm why this demonstration was necessary.

9/15 The State has not reformed and it lacks the moral authority to govern, hence the resort to use of excessive force. In fact, those in power today clearly show us that they have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing from the yesterpolitics.

10/15 We’ve always called for the need of political reforms underpinning economic reforms. Images going around the world as a result of the excessive force used by the state against the people shame Zimbabwe & make the country less attractive as an investment destination.

11/15 What the government has done reaffirms the need for political reforms and reinforces our argument about the importance of restoring legitimacy. No government that enjoys untrammelled legitimacy behaves as the Zimbabwean government has behaved today.

12/15 Ahead of August 16 there had already been signs of the brutal hand of the regime. Political activists were abducted and brutally tortured by agents. The state’s bad history in this regard places responsibility upon its shoulders, they carry the duty to protect citizens.

13/15Going forward,Zimbabweans have no choice but to continue peacefully expression.All authority comes from the people as it is up them to assert it.ED has made the choice for you,remain steadfast in the face of violence and intolerance and keep fighting for your rights.

14/15 In the days,weeks and months ahead, peaceful action is our force. To the people who will come out to express themselves we say it’s important to exercise your rights and to do so peacefully.

15/15 We continue pray for the injured wishing them quick healing.We salute those incarcerated or charged on account of politics.Many of us have scars of the struggle.There will be many more.But this is not the time to give up.The seed of liberty is in our blood & expires not!

1/15 All said and done, I acknowledge you the peace loving people of Zimbabwe.I salute those who supported the march despite the challenge. To those who got injured and were assaulted, I wish you quick recovery. Your bravery and courage are not in vain.We shall overcome!

2/15 To the regional leaders, their countries, citizens of Africa and to the international community, thank you for your solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe. Ours is a peaceful and just cause, indeed a democratic struggle for a better, free and truly new aZimbabwe.

3/15 As a peaceful party, the MDC has followed all legal processes in the exercise of our political rights which are guaranteed by the constitution. We gave notice of the demonstration even though we disagree vehemently with the legislation under which this had to be done (POSA).

4/15 However,at the eleventh hour the police unreasonably denied us the opportunity to exercise our rights.Our efforts to challenge the decision in court were in vain.We always expect and trust our courts to be fair and impartial but we are once again disappointed by the outcome.

5/15 It is now clear we did everything possible using the available legal routes in order to exercise our rights but all avenues are closed.We’re confronted by an unjust system – unjust rulers, unjust rules and unjust playing field but will never doubt the justice of our cause.

6/15 There comes a point in the affairs of humankind when a people must challenge an unjust system, when compliance is as good as reaffirming the unjust system and your own mental and physical subjugation.

7/15Throughout the course of history no oppressed people have achieved freedom by complying with the dictates of an unjust system.They have challenged it.This is the historic task of our people;our generation. The system a vicious machinery but the people have a valiant spirit.

8/15 The world saw for itself how brutal the regime is despite attempts to paint a picture that it is a New Dispensation.Sights of police brutalising defenceless civilians, beating up women and the elders are tragic but they also confirm why this demonstration was necessary.

9/15 The State has not reformed and it lacks the moral authority to govern, hence the resort to use of excessive force. In fact, those in power today clearly show us that they have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing from the yesterpolitics.

10/15 We’ve always called for the need of political reforms underpinning economic reforms. Images going around the world as a result of the excessive force used by the state against the people shame Zimbabwe & make the country less attractive as an investment destination.

11/15 What the government has done reaffirms the need for political reforms and reinforces our argument about the importance of restoring legitimacy. No government that enjoys untrammelled legitimacy behaves as the Zimbabwean government has behaved today.

12/15 Ahead of August 16 there had already been signs of the brutal hand of the regime. Political activists were abducted and brutally tortured by agents. The state’s bad history in this regard places responsibility upon its shoulders, they carry the duty to protect citizens.

13/15Going forward,Zimbabweans have no choice but to continue peacefully expression.All authority comes from the people as it is up them to assert it.ED has made the choice for you,remain steadfast in the face of violence and intolerance and keep fighting for your rights.

14/15 In the days,weeks and months ahead, peaceful action is our force. To the people who will come out to express themselves we say it’s important to exercise your rights and to do so peacefully.

15/15 We continue pray for the injured wishing them quick healing.We salute those incarcerated or charged on account of politics.Many of us have scars of the struggle.There will be many more.But this is not the time to give up.The seed of liberty is in our blood & expires not!

Statement jointly issued by the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference, UDACIZA, Zimbabwe Council of Churches

PRESS STATEMENT

16 August 2019
Today, the 16th of August 2019, at around 9am, the high court upheld of the Zimbabwe Republic Police prohibition order for the Demonstration that had been called out by the Movement for Democratic Change.

The police drove out people who had come for the demonstration and others who were in the Harare Central Business District as well as cordoning off some areas of the city. In the process, a number of people were injured, especially those women who could not quickly flee from the advancing police. A number of people were arrested.

The incident today and the other incidents in recent weeks raise a number of concerns from the perspective of the church:

Through its Local Peace Monitors (LPM), the church observed that the few protestors were relatively peaceful in spite of the tensions following the ban of the demonstration even in the absence of any formal leadership.

It must be accepted that demonstrations serve as formal outlet for citizens to vent their frustration over the current painful economic conditions. Such peaceful disposition must be commended.

It was also observed that the police involved used unnecessary excessive force to disperse the protesters who were largely peaceful. This heavy-handedness creates an unnecessary rift between citizens and the security sector at a time when the nation needs such cooperation the most.

Unnecessary excessive use of force must be rejected and condemned.
The Church is deeply concerned by the state’s admission, prior to today’s demonstration, of the possible existence of an armed and trained “third force” that is allegedly involved in the recent abductions and torture of some civil society and opposition members.

The mere possibility of the existence of such an extra-judicial force should put the security of citizens and the whole nation in a precarious position. Closure of past hurts must be attained. The church remains concerned that there exists no social contract between the citizens and the state which should determine how the two cooperate to find a shared commitment on the kinds of sacrifices required to lift the nation out of its current socio-economic and political crisis. National convergence must be reached.

1. The church notes with concern that the intolerance and mistrust between the two main political parties (MDC and Zanu-PF) and within the different arms of the state remain the greatest threat to economic recovery, integrity of constitutional reforms and the broader social cohesion in Zimbabwe. Reconciliation must be pursued.In light of the above, the church would like to reiterate its call For the cessation of hostilities between the ruling party Zanu PF and the MDC which can be achieved through a deliberate process to commit to a formal process towards national convergence. The church remains open to facilitating such a process.
2. The nature and complexity of Zimbabwe’s historic, present and future challenges can only be resolved through cooperation among all Zimbabweans which can be achieved through an inclusive and
   comprehensive national dialogue process. The church commits to continue to pray and invite all Zimbabweans to such a process.
   
   Isaiah 32:17 The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust for ever.
   

BULAWAYO Mayor Councillor Solomom Mguni has said for effective service delivery council should embrace international best practices of commercialising some of its entities instead of solely depending on residents’ rates payments to fund programmes.

Clr Mguni is in Germany attending a local authority leadership seminar where he said it is prudent for the Bulawayo City Council to devise new revenue streams.

His sentiments are in sync with calls from Bulawayo residents who have consistently urged council to come up with alternative ways of generating revenue.

Clr Mguni said his visit has allowed him to tour local authorities in Germany and learn how council can utilise its resources to improve service delivery.

“We have to have other revenue streams. I noticed that in Zimbabwe we depend on milking residents but cities in this part of the world are doing a lot of commercial projects to cushion their residents from high rates,” he said.

“So this is an opportunity to share best practices from colleague mayors and city managers from across the world. We have people from Malaysia, Chile, Morocco, Libya, Lebanon among other countries. So there are a lot of people from local authorities who are sharing their experiences through their expertise.”

Clr Mguni said he would impart the knowledge he is receiving in the ongoing seminar to the city’s councillors as well as management for consideration.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister, Professor Amon Murwira has said education should assist in the country’s modernisationa and industrialisation process.

Prof Murwira said this during the Harare Polytechnic graduation and prize giving ceremony Friday.

He said:

“Modernisation and industrialisation has become our national strategic intent. The challenge is then to make sure we develop a national capability for this to happen.

National capability lies in our education system and its design. Education has to be of the correct design, if it has to be fit for purpose. Additionally, this can also happen when our education and its underlying philosophy are sound. Our education has to work hard for us, it must produce industry for us and must create jobs for us.

Our National Critical Skills Audit from December 2017 to April 2018 showed that although the national literacy rate is 94 percent, the national skills levels are at 38 percent.

This is a result of the trajectory of literacy development that we followed for 38 years. While literacy is already a huge advantage, we now need to bridge the gap to transform knowledge into tangible goods and services by making sure that we now train relevant skills beyond the high literacy levels.

Zimbabwe is full of possibilities. Every little problem that you see is a potential business. Never stop to try. Our Polytechnics shall evolve into centres of innovation and excellence in order to be relevant to the country’s industrialisation and modernisation agenda. Our graduates should innovate and create industry rather than be employment seekers.”

A total of 3048 graduates received either a national certificate, national diploma or higher national diploma in automotive, civil, construction, electrical and mechanical engineering.

Other courses include information technology, applied arts, commerce, printing, science and technology, tourism and hospitality, office management and mass communication.

Almost half of the graduates, 1484, were female.-StateMedia

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent- Three illegal diamond miners died in Chiadzwa on Wednesday night after a mine shaft they were working on at a Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) field reportedly collapsed.

Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said they were yet to receive the death report.

Brothers Washington (35) and Gladmore Simango (31) and another unidentified person were allegedly trapped in the shaft, where they were illegally mining diamonds.

Simango’s elderly brother, Galio, confirmed the deaths while he was at Mutare Provincial Hospital mortuary.

Galio, who recently relocated to Arda Transau, was struggling to come to terms with the loss of his two brothers. “I have lost my two brothers. I received the news at around 11pm on Wednesday while I was at the shops in Arda Transau, drinking beer. I was told that my brothers were trapped in a mine shaft at a ZCDC mine,” he said.

“Immediately, I was told that Gladmore had died while Washington was still missing. When I rushed back home to tell my wife, she had already heard the news that both of my brothers had died.”

Galio added: “I am told they were four in the mine and the other one who died is Rodwell from Sakubva. I can’t remember his surname.

The one who escaped told the Chiadzwa villagers about what had happened.”

Centre for Natural Resources Governance director Farai Maguwu also confirmed the incident.

“I am deeply saddened about what happened in Chiadzwa, I received the news yesterday (Thursday) and as I have always said, the government should formalize these artisanal miners so that we cannot continue to lose lives,” he said.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Leaders attending the 39th Ordinary Summit of Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Heads of State and Government, which begins here today and ends tomorrow, will consider a resolution to push for the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe, it has been learnt.

New chairman of the Sadc Council of Ministers, Mr Palamagamba Kabudi — who is also Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation — told the media ahead of the regional indaba that the resolution was one of 107 draft resolutions that will be tabled at the summit.

The Sadc Council of Ministers, comprising ministers of foreign affairs and finance from the 16 members states, are responsible for drawing up the summit agenda.

“The situation in Zimbabwe has normalised with the recent successful elections and a new political dispensation,” said Minister Kabudi.

Tanzanian President Dr John Magufuli will officially take over as chair of the bloc from Namibian President Hage Geingob.

Sadc believes the continued embargo on Harare by the United States of America and the European Union (EU) is now untenable, particularly in view of progress that the new political administration has made with its political and economic reforms.

Mnangagwa, who will also assume the chairmanship of the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation during the ongoing meeting, is presently on a mission to engage and re-engage the global community in order to integrate Zimbabwe into the global family of nations.

Mnangagwa arrived in Tanzania yesterday evening and was met at Julius Nyerere International Airport by Tanzania’s Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service and Good Governance) Mr George Mkuchika and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe.

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri also welcomed the President.

Zimbabwe was elected to chair the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, the Organ Troika, at a regional meeting in Namibia last year.

President Mnangagwa will take over the mantle from his Zambian counterpart President Edgar Lungu.

The Organ Troika yesterday convened a meeting at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre — the venue of the summit — in the evening.

This year’s regional indaba is running under the theme: “A Conducive Environment for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, Increased Intra-Regional Trade and Job Creation.”

It is the same theme that has been running for the past five years in the bloc’s 39-year history, especially ever since the region made a commitment to prioritise industrialisation after the Sadc Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2016-2063) was adopted at an Extraordinary Summit held in Harare in 2015.

In a statement released before the summit, Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Mr Shepherd Gwenzi said the agenda of the summit includes receiving the report of the Sadc executive secretary, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, for the period 2018 to 2019, which gives an overview of political and economic developments in the region and the implementation of programmes of regional cooperation and integration.

It also includes an update on regional economic integration and other regional programmes.

Focus will also be on the political and security situation in the region, especially the Kingdom of Lesotho.

“The following legal instruments will be opened for signature at Summit following their clearance and recommendation to Summit by the Committee of Ministers of Justice and Attorney-General: (a)Agreement Amending the Protocol on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and (b) Draft Agreement Amending Article 7 of the Protocol on Extradition,” Mr Gwenzi said.

Notably, the summit will also adopt Kiswahili as the fourth official language of the bloc.

Currently, the official languages of the 16-nation body are English, French and Portuguese.

Earlier in Harare, President Mnangagwa was seen was seen off at the Robert Mugabe International Airport by Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, Harare Metropolitan Minister Oliver Chidau, Minister of State Security Owen Ncube, chief secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services secretary Nick Mangwana, service chiefs and other senior Government officials.

He is accompanied by Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Muthuli Ncube, Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu, and deputy chief secretary Mr George Charamba among other senior Government officials.

Vice-President Mohadi is Acting President.-StateMedia

https://twitter.com/JobWiwaSikala/status/1162445623829942273?s=19

At least he doesn't use vulnerable, desperate and poor youths like you do in Chitungwiza. You paid them to protest in January v11 riri ti in your zengeza group, they got arrested & you pushed @JessieFMajome to the sidelines to represent them under zlhr so that you could benefit

— Linda Tsungirirai Masarira (@lilomatic) August 16, 2019

@lilomatic please take care to tweet truths – I wasn’t ‘pushed to the sidelines to represent them by zlhr’ or to represent any1. I am a legal practitioner & as such I enjoy independence of practice of my profession – I am a founding member of Zimbabwe Lawyers For Human Rights.

— Jessie F. Majome (@JessieFMajome) August 17, 2019

Dai angobvisa abata pamawoko, dzakanhongwepiko????, iro vhudzi kuita kunge Mnangagwa amhanyiswa nemuchibage.

— Mukoma Enduru,, ❤️?????…The star of Manica. (@andrew_gwiza) August 17, 2019

*Gogo battling for life in hospital: UPDATE*

Yesterday we managed to locate and get medical help for our party member, an elderly woman who was caught on film while being brutally assaulted by ZRP. @daddyhope @usembassyharare @edmnangagwa @NewsDayZimbabwe @SirNige

— Maureen Kademaunga: Sunningdale Constituency (@MaureenKade) August 17, 2019

She has now been taken to theater by a neurosurgeon after a CT scan showed that she bled into the brain and she has a clot in the brain. She is under close monitoring by specialists.
The MDC is working tirelessly to make sure she gets the best possible medical care.

— Maureen Kademaunga: Sunningdale Constituency (@MaureenKade) August 17, 2019

The ZRP assault of an elderly, unarmed and defenseless woman is uncouth and deplorable; we will pursue justice for our member.@daddyhope @PedzisaiRuhanya @usembassyharare @NewsDayZimbabwe

— Maureen Kademaunga: Sunningdale Constituency (@MaureenKade) August 17, 2019

By A Correspondent- A man from New Luveve, in Bulawayo Tafadzwa Mutero stunned the court after he claimed that he has not been performing his duty as a husband for the past nine years because of his wife Ntombiyomthetho Mutero who is refusing to get between the sheets with him.

This was after he bitterly complained that he was living with his wife as strangers in the house after she allegedly slapped him with a lifetime sex ban.

He said his wife’s actions of denying him his conjugal rights amounted to cruel and unusual punishment.

Tafadzwa bared his soul at the Bulawayo Civil Court where his wife was seeking a protection order against him claiming he was emotionally and physically abusing her.

“I am married to Tafadzwa Mutero under the Marriages Act Chapter 5: 11 and the marriage still subsists. He is violent and has beaten me up several times, the latest being on 29 July after I stopped him from assisting some women who wanted his assistance to beat up a mentally disturbed person. He is also in the habit of bringing his female friends at home and those friends do not greet me. When I ask him why they are doing that he gets angry and assaults me. He threatens to injure me and that is why I want my application for a protection order to be considered urgently,” said Ntombiyomthetho.

Rebutting the allegations Tafadzwa said his wife was the source of their marital problems because she was denying him his conjugal rights.

“I do not deny that I am assaulting her as we are going through a lot of problems in our marriage. We got married in 1996 and for the past nine years she has been denying me my conjugal rights. Another problem is that whenever she sees me talking to other women she suspects that I am in love with them so she becomes confrontational,” responded Tafadzwa adding that he was missing the nights of passion with Ntombiyomthetho.

On why she denies her husband sex, Ntombiyomthetho said she was provoked by one of Tafadzwa’s female friends who accused her of having snatched her man from her sister.

“The reason why I deny him sex is because there is a certain lady who texted me saying I snatched him (Tafadzwa) from my sister. My husband knows that lady who is also insulting my children,” said Ntombiyomthetho while declaring that she was not going to lift the ban until Tafadzwa brings the lady in question to her so that she apologises.

Presiding magistrate Rachael Mukanga who seems to have been shocked by Ntombiyomthetho’s stern command referred the couple for counselling.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- Kwekwe man who could not stand the prospect of being thrown behind bars for allegedly abducting and raping a 11-year-old juvenile, bolted from the Kwekwe magistrate courts while in handcuffs leaving court personnel and onlookers perplexed.

Thirty-six-year-old Givemore Maphosa’s attempt to evade justice, however, was foiled after he was apprehended by members of the public and brought back to court.

Maphosa (36) who was set to appear before the same court for raping an 11-year-old juvenile,  bolted out of the court premises with handcuffs on just as he was about to enter the court for initial remand.

With Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officers in hot pursuit, members of the public assisted by apprehending the fleeing Maphosa before he was handed back to the courts.

He was arraigned before Kwekwe magistrate Mr Tayengwa Sangster facing charges of escaping from lawful custody.

He was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Four months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

Meanwhile, in the rape case, the same magistrate remanded him in custody to Friday.

Allegations against Maphosa in the rape case are that, sometime in July the juvenile went missing.

The parents reported the matter to the police after she had gone missing for two days.

The juvenile was spotted by neighbours at Maphosa’s home in Mbizo Section 3.

A report was made leading to police raiding the house and finding the girl in the house.

Upon being quizzed the girl told the police officers that Maphosa had sexual intercourse with her for the two days with the promise of marrying her.

Maphosa was then arrested and brought before the courts facing charges of kidnapping and having sexual intercourse with a minor. Ms Ethel Bhumure prosecuted.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- The 51-year-old woman brutally assaulted on the head by police on Friday during the unplanned August 16 protests is reportedly now stabilizing after undergoing surgery.

The unnamed woman was caught up in the melee while sitting peacefully at the intersection of Jason Moyo and 2nd Street.

She was brutally assaulted by a mob of uniformed police officers and the incident was recorded LIVE by ZimEye.com and other media houses.

Watch the video below….

Gogo “Who’s Head Split” After ZRP Attack Reportedly Stabilizing After Undergoing Surgery https://t.co/OdLrZOVz3V via @ZimEye pic.twitter.com/PCOEl98T3P

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 17, 2019

While some people speaking on camera at the scene claimed her head had split, there was further speculation that she had been killed, following the incident.

Others who remained with her could be heard screaming to the police that they should go ahead and kill but the people will not retaliate.

She was eventually taken into the care of a Zimbabwe Red Cross Society ambulance and transported to a nearby hospital.

Confirming the reports of head injury, the hospital CT scans showed that she was suffering from life-threatening bleeding in the brain and required urgent surgery.

In an update, Dewa Mavinga, the director of Human Rights Watch, Southern Africa said: “Some good news in update from Doctors: Surgery successfully done. Patient is stable and doing well.

MDC’s Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga said her party was saddened by the police’s brutality on clearly unarmed and defenceless citizens.

She said:

“Her only crime was to sit peacefully while waiting to hear the Court verdict. We are saddened by the police’s brutality and use of extreme violence on an elderly unarmed and defenceless woman.”

The Information ministry said:

From today's skirmishes
0 deaths
2 Injuries
1 allegation of an assault on journalist Mr Fani Mapfumo. Complaint has been lodged with the police. Investigation underway.
1- Case of harassment of journalist Ms Memory Chamisa. Formal apology offered by the police and accepted

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) August 16, 2019

By A Correspondent- In a statement Friday, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 91 people were arrested for various offences in Harare, Harare South and Chitungwiza in connection with the August 16 demonstration which the police had earlier prohibited.

He said:

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police informs the nation that following the issuance of a prohibition notice by the regulating authority for Harare Central District, the MDC-Alliance filed an urgent Chamber application with the High Court.

The High Court ruled against the holding of the demonstration, but the MDC-Alliance activists went on to gather at Africa Unity Square and other parts of Harare central business district (CBD) in defiance of the court ruling.

Some of the youths went on to engage in confrontational acts which included threats, intimidation and disruption of the smooth flow of traffic in the CBD. The police moved in and dispersed the unlawful gathering. In the process, 91 people were arrested for various offences in Chitungwiza, Harare central business district and Harare South.

We have also noted with concern falsehoods by some online publications that the police shot into the crowd, killing two people, which is false. No live rounds were used by the police. No one was shot or injured by police through firearms.

The police are firm on the ground to ensure that law and order is maintained. We are appealing to the members of the public to remain calm and peaceful. They should continue to conduct day to day activities in a peaceful manner. We want to assure our citizens that the police stand ready to protect Zimbabweans and visitors . . .

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has confirmed reports that its officers approached former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko at his residence over criminal abuse of office allegations.

The alleged crimes are believed to have been committed during his tenure as the vice president.

Posting on Twitter, ZACC said:

Yesterday our officers visited the former VP Phelekezela Mphoko at his residence. The officers intended to question him with a view to record a warned and cautioned statement. The matter relates to abuse of office whilst he was VP.

It is sad that the former VP refused to collaborate with the enforcement officers and unfortunate that he and those around him believe that they are above the law. As the chairperson @matandamoyo has reiterated time and again, no one is above the law. We will ensure that the long arm of the law visits him in a manner that he understands and that he answers for his actions ASAP.

Reports suggest that officials from ZACC tried to arrest the former Vice President at his Bulawayo home on Friday afternoon.

Mphoko allegedly ordered the officials to leave his house.

ZACC was recently given arresting powers after analysts criticised it for being toothless.

"Urayayi, urayayi-(Go ahead and kill), we will not fight back, nobody is going to live forever anyway!," man says at Africa Unity Square on Friday pic.twitter.com/OqpeCIFPlG

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 17, 2019

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

A POLICE officer stationed at Magwegwe Police Station in Bulawayo has been arrested for allegedly breaking a woman’s arm after accusing her of habouring a suspected fugitive in her house.

It is alleged that Brian Mugandi (31), who was in company of three other cops — Mr James Runesu, Mr Luzibo Kasondela and Mr Nkosilathi Khumalo — went to look for Norman Zikhali, an ex-convict, at his ex-wife Ms Sitshengisiwe Sibanda’s (46) house in Old Magwegwe suburb. When the four police officers arrived at Ms Sibanda’s house, the woman told them that she did not know his whereabouts and Mugandi started assaulting her.

It was not mentioned in court why the police officers were searching for the ex-convict.

Mugandi pleaded not guilty to assault charges before West Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube.He was remanded in custody to August 23 for judgment.

Prosecuting, Mr Tapiwa Solani said on May 31 this year at around 9AM, Mugandi broke Ms Sibanda’s arm by twisting it.

“Mugandi assaulted Ms Sibanda by slapping her thrice on her face and twisted her arm intending to cause her bodily harm,” he said.

Ms Sibanda testified that police officers asked to search her house for her ex-husband and she told them she did not know about Zikhali’s whereabouts.

“I told them that I no longer stay with Zikhali as he is now my ex-husband and while Constable Runesu requested for my details, his colleague Constable Mugandi started assaulting me saying that I was hiding a fugitive that the police were looking for,” she said.

“As a result of the assault I sustained a broken arm and the police officers also proceeded to handcuff me and took me to the police station.”

The court heard that at Magwegwe Police Station, an ambulance was called to ferry the complainant to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical assistance.State media

A GWANDA businessman – who last year was thoroughly bashed by a group of angry young men accusing him of sleeping with their wives – is at it again after he allegedly snatched another man’s wife and coerced her to dump her marital home.

She has since moved back to her parents’ home in rural Gwanda and sometimes allegedly co-habits with her businessman lover in Gwanda town in a rented house.

Elias Manyathela – a transport operator with a number of commuter omnibuses plying the Makwe-Gwanda route – allegedly snatched Mabutho Ncube’s customary wife Precious Ndlovu and a few weeks into the affair, the woman ditched her matrimonial home.

Ncube is said to have gotten wind of his significant other’s philandering ways when he was contacted by Manyathela’ wife informing him that the two were lovers.

“Imagine discovering that your wife is cheating on you after getting a call from her lover’s wife. That’s how Mabutho got to know about the affair. Manyathela’s wife phoned and said wena tshela umfazi wakho atshiyane lendoda yami (tell your wife to stay away from my husband),” said a source close to the drama.B-Metro

Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa that a protest called off by the police on Friday was only a “teaser”, as he vowed: “We will remain in the streets.”

Chamisa’s Movement for Democfratic Change (MDC) called off planned anti-government demonstrations on Friday, saying it aimed to avert bloodshed after police rounded up its followers and dispersed them with batons and water cannon.

The MDC, which accuses President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of repression and economic mismanagement, had called a demonstration for Friday as the start of a nationwide protest movement.
But police announced on Thursday that the protest would be banned, and an MDC court appeal to have the ban lifted failed.

Police patrolled the usually bustling city centre in lorries and on foot, firing tear gas to disperse any groups that attempted to gather as most shops and business shut.
Around 100 MDC supporters who gathered early were chased by baton-wielding officers from a city square. Armed police barred access to the MDC’s Harare offices.

“Today we didn’t want to risk people’s lives by continuing to be confrontational because if we had chosen to be confrontational there would be blood in the streets,” Chamisa told reporters in Harare.

“We will continue to mobilise but what you are going to see is a mutation of our strategy because when you are facing a confrontational regime you must also use tactics that are going to be above them,” he said, without elaborating.
Chamisa however left little doubt that the MDC’s theatre of resistance will remain in the streets.

“We wanted to have an opportunity to address people on the way forward. The regime in Harare is far worse than Mugabe,” Chamisa said of the former President Robert Mugabe who was ousted in a military coup in 2017. “Mugabe was better that one may say he is now a toddler when we talk about brutality.

“There was money to buy new uniforms and kit for the police to assault but the government has no money to get us out of power cuts. Our way forward is very clear. It’s not going to be a walk in the park. We are going to pursue every avenue. There will be no rest until we get what we want. This is nothing but a teaser. We want to activate the streets until a resolution is achieved. So, you must know that people have a right to demonstrate and we are going to do just that,” said Chamisa.

Police said in a statement that 91 people were arrested for various offences.

“The police is firm on the ground to ensure that law and order is maintained,” the statement read.
Outside the court that rejected the appeal to lift the ban on protesting, MDC vice president Tendai Biti said: “The constitution guarantees the right to demonstration … yet this fascist regime has denied and proscribed this right. We have jumped from the frying pan into the fire after the (anti-Mugabe) coup of November 2017… We don’t accept the conduct of this regime, the conduct of Mr Mnangagwa.”

Anger is mounting over triple-digit inflation, rolling power cuts and shortages of U.S. dollars, fuel and bread – bringing back memories of the hyperinflation of a decade ago that forced Zimbabwe to ditch its currency.

In a letter to church leaders published on Friday in the state-owned Herald newspaper, Mnangagwa said the economic hardship had its roots in sanctions imposed by the West more than a decade ago as well as a drought this year.

He also said Chamisa had rejected his invitation to talks. The MDC leader has said he sit down only if there is a neutral arbiter.
“The doors of national dialogue are still open to all political leaders,” Mnangagwa said.

In Geneva, a spokesman for the United Nations human rights commissioner urged the government to engage with citizens on legitimate economic grievances and “stop cracking down on peaceful protesters.”

The demonstrations are viewed as a test of Mnangagwa’s willingness to tolerate dissent in a country tainted by a long history of repression under Mugabe, its ruler for nearly 40 years. Opponents say Mnangagwa has failed to make good on promises of political and economic reform.

The economy is mired in its worst crisis in a decade, and Mnangagwa is struggling to convince the growing ranks of poor that austerity measures and reforms can trigger a recovery.
Zimbabweans had also expected an election last year to help usher in a new dawn of expanded rights and an end to the country’s international pariah status, but so far society has only become more polarised.

In January, more than a dozen people died during a crackdown in Harare against fuel demonstrations.
In the days before Friday’s planned demonstration, six political activists were abducted from their homes at night and beaten by armed men, rights groups said.

On Friday, police and soldiers searched buses, taxis and private vehicles at checkpoints and demanded identity documents.
One woman was taken to hospital with a deep gash on her head after police charged at MDC supporters.
“We are tired, enough is enough,” MDC member Patience Gurure said moments before police dispersed her group.

The MDC, which maintains that Mnangagwa stole elections last year, wants the Zanu-PF leader to give up power in favour of a “national transitional authority” that will implement key economic, political and electoral reforms in preparation for elections in 2023. Mnangagwa is however determined to stay on, with the help of the security apparatus that put him in power.

“Once we fix the issue of governance, we will be able to solve other things,” Chamisa said.
“We are not anarchists, we are not blood mongers. We notified the police in broad daylight but they chose to respond in the night (prohibition against protests), just like they announced presidential election results during the night.”Reuters