Reports just received from Bulawayo indicate that Magistrate Gladmore Mushowe has sentenced Chief Nhlanhla Ndiweni to serve an effective 18 months in prison.

More details to follow.

Independent|A SENIOR official in the Parliament of Zimbabwe who was entrusted with the custody of former president Robert Mugabe’s forced resignation letter has been dismissed from work for gross negligence after the historic document vanished.

Zimbabwe Independent’s sources disclosed this week assistant clerk of parliament Johannes Gandiwa was relieved of his duties in June after a hearing presided over by clerk of parliament Kennedy Chokuda resolved he be dismissed for carelessness.

Sources said the matter came to light after the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) requested the original copy of the letter. The letter could not be located.

Mugabe resigned under pressure from the military on November 21, 2017, bringing an end to his 37-year rule.

The resignation letter, a culmination of a week of sustained military pressure and street demonstrations, was read out by the speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda as parliament was in the process of discussing a motion for his impeachment.

In the letter, Mugabe said the decision was voluntary even though he quit under military siege. He said he wanted to allow a smooth transfer of power.

The news abruptly halted an impeachment process that had begun against him and heralded the beginning of what was at the time thought to be a new era in the governance of the country. The Mnangagwa administration has, however, so far failed to deliver and finds itself preserving in the same autocratic system of governance which characterised the Mugabe era, along with a crumbling economy.

Gandiwa, who was third in the Parliament of Zimbabwe hierarchy after Chokuda and his deputy Helen Dingane, was tasked with the responsibility of keeping the letter safe.

“Gandiwa was fired in June after the OPC requested for the original copy of Mugabe’s resignation letter from parliament at the end of May. The letter could however not be located. He even confessed that he could not find the letter despite having filed it as he normally does with other records,” a senior parliament official said. “The fear was that if the letter could not be found, there was a realistic risk that Mugabe or his supporters could turn around and say he never resigned and the government would not have anything to prove otherwise. Talk is rife here that Gandiwa’s dismissal was ordered from the OPC. It was all very fast. I don’t think he was even subjected to a proper hearing. It was just a brief meeting presided over by Chokuda at the end of May and within a week, he was gone.”

Gandiwa confirmed his sacking from parliament in a telephone interview with the Zimbabwe Independent this week, but declined to give details over the phone.

“Yes it is true that I am no longer a Parliament of Zimbabwe employee, I left in June. I, however, cannot give details over the phone. I would have wanted to do so in person, but I am out of Harare at the moment,” he said.

Chokuda also confirmed the story, but flatly refused to discuss the matter, saying he does not have authority to discuss internal parliament issues with the Press.

“Yes, that is true,” he said when asked to confirm Gandiwa’s departure. “But I have an obligation to ensure that internal issues are kept within the institution. In other words, we don’t talk to the media about internal parliament issues.”

Sources also said Gandiwa was being accused of sympathising with Zanu PF’s decimated G40 faction which had coalesced around former first lady Grace Mugabe.

UN Statement|Geneva, 16 August 2019 –  We understand that today’s planned protests in Harare have just been called off by the organisers, following a High Court decision to uphold a Government ban. The crowds that had already gathered were dispersed by police, with reports emerging of the use of force against protestors.

With opposition demonstrations still likely to take place in Zimbabwe in the near future, we urge the Government to find ways to continuously engage with the population about their legitimate grievances on the economic situation, and to stop cracking down on peaceful protestors. If demonstrations go ahead we urge the security forces and protesters to ensure they proceed calmly and without any violence.

We are deeply concerned by the socio-economic crisis that continues to unfold in Zimbabwe. While acknowledging efforts made by the Government, the international community and the UN in Zimbabwe to mitigate the effects of the crisis and reform process, the dire economic situation is now impacting negatively on the realization of the economic and social rights of millions of Zimbabweans.

Long-term neglect and structural deficiencies have contributed to hyperinflation, resulting in soaring prices for fuel, food, transport and health services, which is having a dramatic impact on the population, and particularly on marginalized working-class people. The fact that key commodities and services have become less affordable for poor families, means there is an increasing need for strong social protection measures.

The economic crisis is converging with the impact of cyclone Idai that hit Zimbabwe last March, as well as the El Niño-induced drought, to create a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, with the result that around five million Zimbabweans, or one third of the total population of 16 million people, are now estimated to be in need of humanitarian aid.

Ahead of today’s planned protest, which was called off at the last minute, there were worrying reports of threats against citizens who wish to exercise their right to express their opinions of the economic situation via peaceful protests, with allegations of increased surveillance of, and threats against, civil society organizations by State agents.

More disturbing still, there have been reports of actual physical attacks on, and arrests and detention of, civil society leaders and activists over the past few months, with one human rights defender and one political activist reportedly temporarily abducted and severely beaten by unidentified armed men a few days ago, apparently because of their role in helping to organize the protests today. In the last few hours, we have heard reports of more such cases and are looking into them. Senior officials have also reportedly issued threats against organisers of demonstrations or against people who take part in them.

State authorities have a duty to ensure people’s rights to freedom of expression and to facilitate and protect the right to peaceful assembly. In addition, we urge the Senate when reviewing the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill to protect the essential democratic freedoms of peaceful assembly and demonstration by ensuring the Bill’s compliance with the Constitution, decisions of the Constitutional Court, and international human rights standards.

In January, we expressed concerns about reports of excessive use of force, including live ammunition, by Zimbabwean security forces during protests following the announcement of an increase in petrol prices.  We are not aware of the indictment or prosecution of a single alleged perpetrator of human rights violations committed during or after of those protests. The Government does not appear to have carried out the requisite investigations into the violence, including the alleged excessive use of force by security forces, in a prompt, thorough and transparent manner, with a view to accountability, and we urge it to do so without further delay.

We also urge the Government to redouble its efforts to address the current challenges through a national dialogue, with the support of the international community, and to ensure that civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and activists can carry out their activities in a safe and secure environment without fearing intimidation or reprisals for their work.

Reuters|Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader said his party backed down from a planned anti-government protest on Friday to avoid bloodshed and signaled the MDC would change tactics in confronting what it called a “fascist” government.

Police combed Harare’s streets rounding up suspected Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters, after using batons and water cannon to break up a protest that authorities had declared illegal.

Nelson Chamisa, the MDC leader who disputes President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s election win last year and accuses him of being as repressive as predecessor Robert Mugabe, said his party had followed the law but authorities responded in bad faith.

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

“We will continue to mobilize 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.

Friday’s street demonstration was to have been the first in a nationwide series of MDC-organized protests.

The party accuses Mnangagwa’s government of state-sponsored violence, corruption and economic mismanagement.

It was banned on Thursday by police, but more than 100 MDC supporters defied that before being chased by baton-wielding officers from a city square.

Police patrolled the usually bustling city center in lorries and on foot, witnesses said, firing tear gas to disperse any groups that attempted to gather as most shops and business shut.

Police also directed tear gas at journalists.

Chamisa said more than 80 people had been arrested.

A police spokesman said he would give an update later.

The MDC called the protest off early on Friday after armed police barred access to the party’s Harare offices and its court appeal against the ban failed.

“The constitution guarantees the right to demonstration … yet this fascist regime has denied and proscribed this right,” MDC vice president Tendai Biti said outside the court.

“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.”

ECONOMIC CRISIS

In Geneva, a spokesman for the U.N. 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 ability to tolerate dissent in a country tainted by a long history of repression. So far this year he has failed to make good on promises of political and economic reform.

Elected after the armed forces intervened to oust Mugabe, Mnangagwa has said he aims to break with the brutal legacy that characterized much of his predecessor’s 37 years in power.

But 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 last year’s vote to usher in a new dawn of expanded rights and an end to the country’s international pariah status, but the elections instead left society more polarized.

In January, a crackdown in Harare against fuel demonstrations left more than a dozen people dead.

Before Friday’s planned demonstration, six political activists were abducted from their homes at night and beaten by armed men, rights groups said.

In another echo of the Mugabe era, the apparatus of state was out in full force on Friday. Witnesses saw police and armed soldiers searching buses, taxis and private vehicles at checkpoints and randomly asking for identity documents.

One woman was taken to hospital with a deep gash on her head after police charged at MDC supporters.

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.

“We are tired, enough is enough,” MDC member Patience Gurure said moments before police dispersed her group.

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 rejected his invitation to talks. The MDC leader has said he will only sit down if there is a neutral arbiter.

“The doors of national dialogue are still open to all political leaders,” Mnangagwa said.

The Movement for Democratic Change says police cordoned off Harare, making it impossible for the party to stage planned protests over the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

Speaking to reporters outside the High Court where the party was seeking permission to stage the protests after the police revoked some provisions of the Public Order and Security Act to stop the public march in the city, MDC lawyers and party officials said state security agents sealed off the city and surrounding areas.

One of the attorneys representing the party, Tendai Biti, who is also MDC vice president, said it would have been impossible to even stage the march if the High Court had granted it permission to take to the streets.

“The High Court ruled that we should go to the magistrates’ courts in this matter but we believe that we can’t do that at the moment … Even if we had been granted permission, the state has cordoned off Harare … Our headquarters are totally cordoned off too. This is a fascist government that does not have the respect of Zimbabweans,” said Biti.

Party spokesperson Daniel Molokele said as a result of the right security situation in Harare, residents were urged to stay indoors.

“Stay at home and be safe. We are proceeding with the protest next week. We are not backing down the struggle continues.”

Molokele said, “The High Court has referred the people’s lawyers application against the police prohibition order back to the Magistrates courts. The people’s lawyers have decided not to go to the Magistrates Courts. The people’s lawyers have expressed total shock and respectfully think the judgment was riddled with political interference by the junta.

“ln the meantime, heavily armed police have cordoned off all the major roads leading into the city centre. The junta has also deployed a huge police contigent at both the Africa Unity Square and the MDC headquarters. This effectively means that the junta has now forcibly declared a total shutdown of Harare today. So for now the people must remain calm, avoid any form of violence and stay safely at home.”

He noted that the time has come for the people of Zimbabwe to take charge of their future and democratic destiny.

Indications are that police had been blocking people from going to the Harare Central Business District amid claims by the MDC that at least 15 people were arrested in Mabvuku and a large number of other residents in different parts of Harare.

ln the meantime, the preparations will continue for the other already planned people’s marches to be held at Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and Masvingo.

Police were not available for comment.

By A Correspondent- Former Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Prisca Mupfumira’s second bid for freedom hit a snag after a High Court refused to grant her bail today (Friday).

Mupfumira, whose initial application for bail was denied after a Harare magistrate ruled that she was a flight risk saw the former Zanu PF cabinet minister and politburo member spend 21 days behind bars following her arrest over graft allegations.

More details to follow…

Farai Dziva|The economic turmoil in Zimbabwe has reached a breaking point, according to a SADC report.

According to sadc.org, Zimbabwe is going through a lean spell -with economic turmoil topping the list of the country’s recurring challenges.

Below is part of the sadc.org report:

Zimbabwe is undergoing a difficult period -as food is in such short supply that some people have stopped taking their HIV medicine because they cannot afford to pay for the meals that must the accompany tablets.

The country is also in the midst of its worst drought in 40 years. Low dam levels have deprived Zimbabwe of electricity, adding to misery by plunging hungry people into the dark.

However, the main cause of Zimbabweans’ suffering is economic mismanagement.

People should actually demonstrate against MDC-run councils for poor service delivery: Linda Masarira pic.twitter.com/NCtaX2u3Nu

— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) August 16, 2019

Location: Geneva

Date: 16 August 2019

Zimbabwe

We understand that today’s planned protests in Harare have just been called off by the organisers, following a High Court decision to uphold a Government ban.

The crowds that had already gathered were dispersed by police, with reports emerging of the use of force against protestors.

With opposition demonstrations still likely to take place in Zimbabwe in the near future, we urge the Government to find ways to continuously engage with the population about their legitimate grievances on the economic situation, and to stop cracking down on peaceful protestors.

If demonstrations go ahead we urge the security forces and protesters to ensure they proceed calmly and without any violence.

We are deeply concerned by the socio-economic crisis that continues to unfold in Zimbabwe. While acknowledging efforts made by the Government, the international community and the UN in Zimbabwe to mitigate the effects of the crisis and reform process, the dire economic situation is now impacting negatively on the realization of the economic and social rights of millions of Zimbabweans.

Long-term neglect and structural deficiencies have contributed to hyperinflation, resulting in soaring prices for fuel, food, transport and health services, which is having a dramatic impact on the population, and particularly on marginalized working-class people. The fact that key commodities and services have become less affordable for poor families, means there is an increasing need for strong social protection measures.

The economic crisis is converging with the impact of cyclone Idai that hit Zimbabwe last March, as well as the El Niño-induced drought, to create a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, with the result that around five million Zimbabweans, or one third of the total population of 16 million people, are now estimated to be in need of humanitarian aid.

Ahead of today’s planned protest, which was called off at the last minute, there were worrying reports of threats against citizens who wish to exercise their right to express their opinions of the economic situation via peaceful protests, with allegations of increased surveillance of, and threats against, civil society organizations by State agents.

More disturbing still, there have been reports of actual physical attacks on, and arrests and detention of, civil society leaders and activists over the past few months, with one human rights defender and one political activist reportedly temporarily abducted and severely beaten by unidentified armed men a few days ago, apparently because of their role in helping to organize the protests today.

In the last few hours, we have heard reports of more such cases and are looking into them. Senior officials have also reportedly issued threats against organisers of demonstrations or against people who take part in them.

State authorities have a duty to ensure people’s rights to freedom of expression, and to facilitate and protect the right to peaceful assembly.

In addition, we urge the Senate when reviewing the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill to protect the essential democratic freedoms of peaceful assembly and demonstration by ensuring the Bill’s compliance with the Constitution, decisions of the Constitutional Court, and international human rights standards.

In January, we expressed concerns about reports of excessive use of force, including live ammunition, by Zimbabwean security forces during protests following the announcement of an increase in petrol prices.

We are not aware of the indictment or prosecution of a single alleged perpetrator of human rights violations committed during or after of those protests.

The Government does not appear to have carried out the requisite investigations into the violence, including the alleged excessive use of force by security forces, in a prompt, thorough and transparent manner, with a view to accountability, and we urge it to do so without further delay.

We also urge the Government to redouble its efforts to address the current challenges through a national dialogue, with the support of the international community, and to ensure that civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and activists can carry out their activities in a safe and secure environment without fearing intimidation or reprisals for their work.

ENDS

ZRP Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirms that 83 people have been arrested while 1 has been injured in the August 16 Protest in Harare. pic.twitter.com/C226kdX7F9

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 16, 2019

By Own Correspondent| Police in Harare manhandled and assaulted a journalist who was covering the Free Zimbabwe protest Friday morning.

Fani Talkmore Mapfumo, a reporter for ZimMorning Post was manhandled and thoroughly beaten by riot police despite a visible tag indicating that he was a journalist.

The publication has since taken the matter up and written to the ZRP calling for justice.

We publish below the full text by ZimMorning Post:

To the National police spokesman Paul Nyathi

It is sad that we write to inform you that some overzealous police officers assaulted our journalist Fani Talkmore Mapfumo, who was carrying out his duties on Friday 16 August 2019.

The assault on journalists is becoming a permanent feature and a modus operandi of your police force especially during demonstrations and protests.

This untoward behaviour is in sharp contrast to the government of Zimbabwe’s reform agenda mantra.

While your officers are mandated to maintain peace and order during demonstrations, our journalists are also mandated to play their role and record the events as they unfold.

It is, therefore, sad to see your officers abusing their office and harass the media. We are in possession of a video recording which shows how the officers manhandled and assaulted the reporter and we will not hesitated to provide it to you so that this issue is investigated and the culprit is brought to book.

Farai Dziva|Police have imposed a ban on all demonstrations across the country.

This was said by National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

“The prohibition still stands and no demonstrations are allowed throughout the country.

Our law enforcement agents are on the ground to ensure peace and harmony prevails in the country…

We have come across and received reports of some mobs in Harare CBD, Budiriro, Chitungwiza and Tshabalala in Bulawayo and we would like to warn all Zimbabweans that such gatherings are illegal and police will arrest those defying the law.

I would like to emphasise that no one should cry foul for being arrested if they decide to proceed to wilfully break the law…

We have all the evidence showing that this particular demonstration was not meant to be peaceful, hence the prohibition.

We as the police are mandated to protect the rights of the majority of Zimbabweans and their peace and security comes first.

There should not be a situation where some individuals speak of having their rights respected while they are mobilising people to engage in activities that infringe on others’ rights,”said Nyathi.

Farai Dziva|Nationwide protests will go ahead next week in spite of the ban imposed by the police, the MDC has said.

Below is the opposition party’s full statement:

The High Court has not granted the people’s lawyers’ application against the police prohibition order.

The people’s lawyers have expressed total shock and respectfully think the judgment was riddled with political interference.

Meanwhile, heavily armed police have cordoned off all the major roads leading into the city centre. The regime has also deployed a huge police contigent at both the Africa Unity Square and the MDC headquarters.

The desperate efforts by the regime will NOT stop the people of Zimbabwe from expressing themselves in a peaceful manner.

Preparations continue for the other already planned people’s marches in Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and Masvingo.

The time has come for the people of Zimbabwe to take charge of their future and democratic destiny.

Daniel Molokele
MDC Spokesperson

By Own Correspondent| An activist and student from Kwekwe Polytechnic who was arrested on Thursday for organising a peaceful protest at the institution has been released.

Milton Gwamuri was released after spending the night behind bars for organising a protest at Kwekwe Polytechnic College recently.

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

"Mnangagwa Is Being Set Up and whoever is briefing the security is misleading them" claims @TembaMliswa .Is this true?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 16, 2019

President Mnangagwa says he understands the hardships that citizens are facing owing to austerity measures which have been compounded by natural disasters.

He said although the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) — Government’s economic blueprint — occasioned difficulties, it laid the foundation for economic turnaround.

He said this in a letter he wrote on Wednesday in response to the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) and the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations’ pastoral letter.

He said:

“I fully agree and acknowledge difficulties which our people are facing as we seek to re-gear our economy after years of weak performance and even negative growth.”

We must continue on the path of reforms in spite of temporary hardships for a better tomorrow.

Indeed, signs of recovery and positive growth are now ample, with clear indications that more jobs are now being created than ever before.

The efforts are beginning to pay off as our country becomes more and more compliant with international benchmarks, while winning more and more international goodwill and support,” he said. The President urged everyone, including industry, to pull in one direction.

As Government intensifies its engagement and re-engagement efforts, I implore you as our conscience industry to play your part as best as you know how, in bringing about this much-needed rapprochement.

Zimbabwe cannot continue along the path of isolation. Needless to say, economic recovery and growth require an environment of peace engendered by all Zimbabweans moving beyond the divisive and distracting election mode we all were in a year ago.

Economic reforms do spawn many difficulties, especially on vulnerable sections of our society. This is the more so amidst a bad agricultural season such as we have had.

It is for this reason that Government must put in place mechanisms for cushioning vulnerable members of our society who are susceptible to economic shocks.”

President Mnangagwa urged the Church to feed the hungry and protect the vulnerable as well as support Government’s food distribution exercise.

Regarding transport costs which have been rising against static or even diminishing incomes and livelihoods, Government continues to invest in a viable public transport system by replenishing ZUPCO’s fleet, and adapting our rail system to commuter needs.”

The ever escalating prices of basic commodities continues to worry us. Whilst the prevailing price instability may be attributable to the ongoing reforms, some price movements are unjustifiably traceable to sheer greed.

We all need to raise our voices against such business malpractices, especially in a difficult year such as we face.

While Government continues to review wages and salaries for its workers, the same can hardly be said of the private sector where wages remain static or eroding.

Again we must continue to appeal to our business sector to empathise with the hard-pressed working class.”-StateMedia

[1/3] Security Concern:

Three suspected state agents (2 males & 1 female) masquerading as Tatenda Mombeyarara's (@CdeTatenda) relatives attempted to access his private ward by lying that they were send by his South Africa based brother during the evening visiting period. pic.twitter.com/GN1xqqhYgK

— Makomborero Haruzivishe (@MakomboreroH) August 15, 2019

[3/3] Their intentions are not known up till now but of serious concern is that @CdeTatenda is physically incapacitated to defend himself or raise alarm in case of a follow up attack to his abduction & barbaric torture.

Let's pray for his life & quick recovery. @nelsonchamisa

— Makomborero Haruzivishe (@MakomboreroH) August 15, 2019

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Sad to learn about the passing on of Doctor Collin Saunders, one of Zimbabwe’s great conservationists. As a someone passionate about tourism, his work in establishing Malilangwe Trust, his writing about Gonarezhou, are an inspiration to keep sharing about the beauty of Zim. pic.twitter.com/CkN2dfWpV4

— Soko Mukanya ?? (@PTChimusoro) August 15, 2019

I’m convinced that people are setting up @edmnangagwa whilst he’s away at a regional @SADC_News meeting. Whoever is briefing security seems to be misleading them

— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) August 16, 2019

By A Correspondent- At a time when the opposition MDC has issued notice of a mega protest over the current deteriorating economic conditions bedevilling the nation, President Mnangagwa is set to join fellow Sadc leaders for the 39th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled to take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Mnangagwa is also expected to assume the chairmanship of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.

In a statement Thursday, Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Mr Shepherd Gwenzi said the Summit would be held under the theme: “A Conducive Environment for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, Increased Intra-Regional Trade and Job Creation.”

He said:

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa will participate at the 39th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government scheduled to take in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania from 17 to 18 August 2019, at the invitation of the outgoing Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency Dr Hage G. Geingob of the Republic of Namibia and the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax.”

Mr Gwenzi also said the outgoing Chair of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, Zambian President Edgar Lungu was expected to handover the chairmanship to President Mnangagwa.

The agenda of the Summit includes receiving the report of the Sadc executive secretary for the period 2018 to 2019 giving an overview of the political and economic developments in the region and the implementation of programmes of regional cooperation and integration among  others.

Other items include an update on the regional economic integration particularly the status of the implementation of the Sadc Industrialisation Roadmap that was adopted during Zimbabwe’s chairmanship in 2015.

The Summit will also focus on political and security situation in the region focusing on the Kingdom of Lesotho and emerging issues of terrorism.

It will also review the implementation of the revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ and other on-going Sadc programmes.

“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 added.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent| The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed Zimbabweans’ right to freedom of assembly, association and peaceful protest.

The EU has urged demonstrators to abstain from violence or vandalism, and security forces to exercise restraint.

It said in a statement:

On the eve of planned demonstrations, the EU reiterates that citizens have rights to freedom of assembly, association, expression and to peaceful protest.

We urge demonstrators to abstain from violence or vandalism and call on security forces to exercise constraint and proportionality!

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has accused the protests convenors of plotting to unleash violence. Part of the ZRP statement reads in part:

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) informs the nation that based on the notifications given by MDC A to regulating authorities to hold demonstrations in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare and surrounding towns on August 16, 19, 20, 21 and 22 , intelligence and concrete evidence on the ground has revealed that indeed these so-called ‘peaceful’ demonstrations will turn out to be violent.

ln a serious act of political desperation, last night the illegitimate regime arm-twisted our national police to issue an 11th hour prohibition order against the people’s Free Zimbabwe march.

However, no such desperate attempts will not be allowed to stop the people of Zimbabwe from fully expressing themselves in line with Section 59 of the Constitution.

The people of Zimbabwe remain determined to continue with the march today. To this end, an urgent application to the High Court was filed by the people’s lawyers last night. The matter has been set for an urgent hearing at 7am today at the High Court.

The urgent application is seeking for the High Court to set aside the prohibition order immediately. lt is also seeking for an interdict to bar anyone from interfering with the people’s march today.

The people of Zimbabwe must be rest assured that no stone will be left unturned to make sure that no one stops the people’s Free Zimbabwe march from going ahead today.

MDC: Change That Delivers

Daniel Molokele
MDC Spokesperson

The website that accurately predicted the November 2017 coup, has reported on “evidence” that Vice President, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga, is now recovering from his health woes at a top notch Beijing military hospital.

Spotlight quotes sources saying that Chiwenga is now visibly bouncing back.

Their report quotes a said senior aide in the VP’s office who was recently with him in Pretoria, before his transfer. The source has for the first time revealed Chiwenga’s true state of health, which is in sharp contrast to what President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has been telling the nation to date.

The report says Mnangagwa is ignorant of developments in China, could have been slapped with an information blackout by the military, and is only receiving general censored updates of Chiwenga’s health, for security and political reasons.

Chiwenga is being treated at The General Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army (PLAGH) in the Chinese capital, and Splotlight last month reported that China’s medical experts have found an antidote for Chiwenga, who is suspected to have suffered multiple poisoning attacks through food and his home water supply, from his nemesis in the ruling Zanu PF angling for his job.

The institution attending to the VP has provided health and medical care to the leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, the PLA’s general headquarters, and to the troops stationed in Beijing.

Chiwenga’s recovery news is certain to send shivers running down the spine of Mnangagwa’s inner circle, who are said to have been anticipating the former Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander becoming incapacitated and eventually having to to be relieved of his top post on health grounds. It is also not sweet music in the ears of Zanu PF heavyweights, who had started jostling for Chiwenga’s position, after prematurely popping political champagne bottles hoping for his demise.

Media reports last week indicated that the vice president’s health troubles had ignited a scramble for his presidium seat, with current defence minister and ruling party national chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri emerging as a front-runner. Information minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, was also named among contenders of the post, and thought to be formidable because of her husbund, Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa, who also has ties to China, where he was Zimbabwe’s Ambassador for six years between December 2002 to December 2006.

Another political couple, that was said to be eying the second highest post in the land by Zanu PF insiders from the shadows, are the Moyo family, of foreign affairs minister, Sibusiso Busi Moyo and his wife Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, who was promoted by Mnangagwa in May to become the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). However SB Moyo is believed to belong to Chiwenga’s faction, which is fighting for Zanu PF control with Mnangagwa’s faction.

“The vice president is bouncing back soon, as he is fully recovering from treatment,” said the VP aide in a telephone interview this week. “He (Chiwenga) does not wish to make his exact nature of treatment and progress known for political and security reason. The information in the public sphere about his health situation from government is incomplete, as he appears to be now out of the woods. China wants to monitor him closely, and he should be coming home at an opportune time.”

The VP aide said there has been mystery surronding Chiwenga’s illness, and speculation that he was suffering from liver damage to multiple organ failure, because people do not know the true story.

“A lot has been said about his health, with some speculating that he was suffering from a liver disease, to reports of multiple organ failure, simply because the true story had hitherto been untold. According to a close family member of the VP who I cannot name, our vice president was poisoned using food on multiple occasions ever since the military intervention in November 2017, but is very lucky to be alive because the poisoning was done by amateurs. Furthermore the other untold dimenson disclosed by the family member is to do with spiritual afflication and attack. You should know that there are evil forces out there, and the VP was targeted by elements who do not want him to succeed the current leader as president. Spiritual affliction and attack is not physical and therefore difficult to examine and explain. The good news is that China found an antidote for the poisoning and are also good at not simply treating illness, but rather about taking care of the whole person, body, mind, and spirit, through what they call ‘The Five Shen of Chinese medicine’.

The Five Shen of Chinese medicine are the spirits associated with each of the body’s five yin organ systems (Heart, Kidney, Spleen, Liver, and Lungs).

Government especially Mnangagwa himself has been kept guessing about the VP’s condition, releasing press statements bereft of meaningful detail.

In a statement last Tuesday, prepared by his office Mnangagwa said China had completed extensive tests on Chiwenga and was now beginning treatment, describing his condition as “remarkably stable”.

“Further to my communication last month updating the nation on the condition of our Vice President, Dr CGDN Chiwenga, I wish to add that the Vice President has now completed extensive tests required by the Chinese medical team attending to him, thus paving way for the commencement of actual treatment,” Mnangagwa said.

“While it is too early in the treatment process, I am advised that the vice president’s conditions remains remarkably stable, with the initial strict regimen imposed on him at the time of his admission being gradually eased to allow greater access by close family members.”

Meanwhile, Chiwenga’s enemies have been on a propaganda campaign of announcing his death in recent times.

A 22-YEAR-OLD man from Victoria Falls has been arrested for having sexual intercourse with a minor girl in a moving commuter omnibus full of passengers.

The Form Four girl, now 16, is seven months pregnant following the consensual sexual encounter that took place on December 24 last year in a kombi that was heading to Jambezi from Victoria Falls.

Nhlalwenhle Mpofu, a general hand at Victoria Falls Municipality and residing in Chinotimba suburb, pleaded guilty to having sexual intercourse with a young person when he appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate, Ms Rangarirai Gakanje.

He was remanded in custody to today for sentence.
His lawyer, Mr Thulani Nkala of Dube, Nkala and Company said Mpofu deserved a second chance as he had shown remorse by pleading guilty. “The accused is a young person who is gainfully employed and incarcerating him will destroy his future as he will be unemployed.

Besides, the age difference is small as the complainant is 16,” said Mr Nkala.
Prosecuting, Mr Bheki Tshabalala said Mpofu and his unnamed friend offered to have the complainant and her younger sister sit on their laps as the vehicle was full.

Along the way, Mpofu and the complainant had consensual sex.
“On December 23 the accused proposed love to the complainant who rejected. The following day the complainant boarded a kombi to Jambezi and the accused was also in the kombi. The kombi was full and the complainant and other girls were made to sit on the accused and his friends’ laps,” said the prosecutor.

The court was told that along the way, Mpofu unzipped his pair of trousers and had sex with the complainant in the presence of her younger sister and other passengers.
The matter came to light in May when the complainant’s aunt suspected that she was pregnant. The girl revealed that she had not had her periods for five months.State media

MULTI-MILLIONAIRE businessman Simon Rudland, whose $5 million injection into Dynamos at the beginning of the year provided a kiss of life for the Glamour Boys, was shot and seriously wounded in an assassination attempt in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning.

Two assassins are reported to have pumped nine bullets into the car in which Rudland and his lawyer were travelling in, with the businessman being hit in the neck and rushed to hospital where, according to reports from South Africa, he remains in a critical condition.

In what is being described in the South African media as a hit, in a country and city with a shockingly high homicide rate, two men in a white Golf GTI pulled behind the car in which Rudland and his lawyer were in, parked outside the Fair Trade Tobacco Association offices in the plush Norwood area of Johannesburg.

CCTV images show the Porsche Boxster in which Rudland and his lawyer were travelling in, coming in to park in front of the FITA offices ahead of a scheduled meeting for members of the organisation.

Then, a white Golf GTI pulls behind the Porsche and shots are fired before the attackers drive off the scene.
The Porsche is then reversed and speeds away to hospital where Rudland, who is a member of FITA, was admitted and is said to be in a critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Rudland, with interests in tobacco through the Golden Leaf Tobacco and R&G cigarettes, the brand he used to tie a five-year sponsorship deal with Dynamos as the flagship sponsor of the country’s biggest football club, is considered one of the richest Zimbabweans.State media

Farai Dziva|Protests at escalating economic challenges will spread to South Africa in the coming weeks, the MDC has said.

In a statement, MDC Information and Publicity Secretary, South Africa Branch, Innocent Nsingo said mass protests would be staged in the neighboring country in the coming weeks.

See the full statement below :

South Africa we are really saddened by the violence being perpetrated by Zanu PF- through state agents and rogue militia – against unarmed and defenseless members of the civic society in the run up to tomorrow’s demonstration.

Zanu PF is in panic mode, they are running around like headless chicken.

They have failed the people of Zimbabwe in uncountable ways.

Tomorrow it is all systems out.Most of our members from South Africa are already in the country, including myself.

We are unfazed by Zanu PF’s machinations to intimidate the citizens of Zimbabwe – in a bid to stop them from exercising their democratic right to demonstrate against their bad governance and false promises.

We are here to show solidarity with our fellow citizens, Zimbabwe is our home.In South Africa plans are also underway to stage a demonstration at the Zimbabwean embassy in Pretoria at a date to be announced.

Our team has already filed a notice to stage a demonstration in Pretoria.

This will be the first of a series of such demos.

It’s just the beginning, Zanu PF has to watch out,we are sick and tired of this regime that doesn’t respect rule of law and human rights.

We are also going to demonstrate in Cape Town.

Our team has already approached the authorities with the notice to demonstrate and mobilisation is already underway.

Innocent Nsingo-Information and Publicity Secretary MDC South Africa

This is just the beginning, we are taking these demonstrations to the next level in and outside South Africa and in Zimbabwe.

Farai Dziva|The Government is not involved in the harassment of human rights activists and opposition members, an official has said.

Instead, Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana has claimed a third force is behind the abductions.

Read Mangwana’s full statement below:

We have noted with concern and distress reports of alleged abductions and torture of citizens by unknown assailants in Harare. Whilst the Zimbabwe Republic Police are still investigating these allegations and their veracity, the Government would like to inform the public of the following:
Torture, arbitrary punishment and degrading treatment of citizens by anyone is contrary to the provisions of the Constitution and ethos of the Second Republic.
As the Government, we undertake to uphold the rights of citizens to be treated with dignity and respect.
Since the emergence of the New Dispensation, there has always been a force comprised of discharged and disgruntled former members of the old establishment, of whom some are trained.
These have shown a determination to impair President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s image as a sincere reformer through various acts of malice and criminality in order to cause both local and international outrage.
This is the Third Force that we have reasonable grounds to believe to be in existence. Its hand in the incidences of the alleged violation of human rights, where established, cannot be discounted.
The Police will leave no stone unturned in efforts to detect and act upon any violation of human rights.
So far, the following persons and details have been reported:
Mr Morgen Gumbo (46) of Mufakose made a report to the police that he was abducted and assaulted on 13/8/2019. Earlier in the day, there had been a reported violent altercation between Mr Gumbo and Mr Shamboc Chivese also known as Mufaose, over an allegation of abuse of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) by Hon Susan Matsunga. This is reported to have degenerated into a fistfight and open threats were made. Police are investigating whether the alleged abduction and the said violent incident is related.
On the 14th of August 2019, the Police also received a report on the alleged abduction and assault of one Blessing Kanotunga of Mufakose on 13/8/2019. Investigations are underway.
Tatenda Mombeyarara also made a report to the police on 14/8/2019, saying that he had been abducted from Chitungwiza and assaulted on the night of 13/8/2019, before being dumped in Hatfield.
These allegations and any other will be professionally investigated to their final conclusion and the outcomes shared with the public.
Statement Issued by
N. Mangwana
Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services

Prof Ncube is on a Party assignment at SADC. Our representation is key at all levels. One struggle many fronts!

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) August 15, 2019