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.

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

Farai Dziva|Controversial Deputy Information Minister, Energy Mutodi has described the MDC demonstration as a monumental failure.

Mutodi also hailed the police for “blocking unruly elements” from destroying property.

“It’s business as usual in Harare CBD today 16 August 2019. Police issued a prohibition order which the court upheld seeing some hooligans were gathering up to loot shops, destroy property and cause mayhem under the guise of exercising their right to protest,” wrote Mutodi on Twitter.

Calm in Harare as His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa leaves for the SADC Summit where he will assume troika chairmanship. He was seen off by the police & military chiefs as well as several government officials. Vice President Kembo Mohadi is the Acting President. pic.twitter.com/5cLQ93PFLc

— Dr Energy Mutodi (@energymutodi) August 16, 2019

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent| The woman who was brutally assaulted and left lying at the corner of Second street and Jason Moyo in Harare on Friday morning has been identified as an MDC member from Harare North.

The woman, who is in her 50s, is said to be battling for her life at a local hospital after the Red Cross came to her aid.

This was revealed by the MDC Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga.

She said:

Alert: a Brutalised woman struggling for life in hospital

The woman who was badly injured and carried off by Red Cross is now in hospital where she is battling for her life. She is a party member from Harare North who is in her 50s.

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.

Maureen Kademaunga 
MDC Sec for Public Service and Social Welfare

By A Correspondent- Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko was Friday visited by security details at his home with the intention of effecting an arrest on him.

In the video below, the police officers can be heard telling the former VP who served under the former president Robert Mugabe that he is under arrest.

However, his family challenged the police’s bid to arrest Mphoko arguing that the police details had denied the former VP legal representation and they were trying to take him in under false circumstances.

The women in the video said:

“Gentlemen please leave. You are trespassing. You came on a convenient day. You know the law and come back when you have a warrant. You came here saying you need help and now you are saying he is arrested. Kindly leave. We can actually call the police on you again.

You refused to talk to the lawyer, you refused to speak to the lawyer. What rights are you giving him when you took away all his rights? You said it was not about him. Liers, very corrupt people. Yes, sent to do people’s vendettas.”

One of the two police details is however also heard saying:

“Mr Mphoko, you are under arrest, you have a right to remain silent..If you are not coming then we will have to take you sir. We will call for reinforcement.”

The police detail is heard saying this as he is ushered outside by one of the women in the video following a directive by the former VP for the police officers to leave his house.

Watch the video below………..

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa arrived in Tanzania Friday afternoon for the 39nd Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), where he is expected to officially assume the chair of a key organ that guarantees peace in the 16-member bloc.

He 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, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe. Lands, Agriculture, Water Climate and Rural Settlement 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 Zambian President Edgar Lungu.

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

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 the political and economic developments in the region and the implementation of programmes of regional cooperation and integration.

It also includes an update on the regional economic integration, particularly the status of Sadc’s Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2016-2063) and other ongoing regional programmes. Focus will also be on 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.

The summit ends tomorrow.-StateMedia

Video downloading below.

By A Correspondent- Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, yesterday said his hands are clean but some officials in the local authority will fall due to their corrupt activities.

Mr Dube was recently violently ejected from his office by Deputy Mayor Councillor Tinashe Kambarami working with Ward Four Clr Silas Chigora as they claimed that they were suspending him for abuse of office among other charges.

Bulawayo Mayor Clr Solomon Mguni, however, reinstated the Town Clerk before a special full council ratified the decision.

Opening up for the first time since the fracas, the fiery Mr Dube told The Chronicle in an exclusive interview that his hands are clean. 

“Corruption allegations are there in council and some people will certainly fall either among the management or councillors. The Government is serious about tackling corruption and no one is going to be spared if they are corrupt. Even myself if I’m corrupt I’m not going to be spared,” he said. 

“But of course, if I’m corrupt and if I’ve done something wrong as the Town Clerk, I shouldn’t be humiliated, that is nonsense, its thuggery at its worst. There is procedure that should be followed to discipline a Town Clerk. That thuggery that we saw can only happen in a war situation, in countries north of the Equator not in Zimbabwe. I’m hoping that after the investigating committee finishes its investigations, the Ministry is going to take strong measures against the perpetrators of that confusion. You cannot expect City Fathers to behave like activists.” 

Mr Dube said councillors can plot to oust him but they have no authority to get him removed from office. 

He said he is determined to put the City Fathers in their rightful positions so that they stop interfering with management duties. 

“There is a very big problem that we are having now. Issues of turf, councillors have been getting into territory that’s not theirs. They don’t even understand what they are supposed to do as councillors. We are running council as management. Theirs is to oversee how we do business not to supervise us, to tell us what to do. That is all nonsense, I want to say nonsense,” Mr Dube said.

“If management is not running council properly they’ve the right to remove them and follow proper procedures but not to tell management how to do business. Remember we are professionals. We are hired on merit.

“We are not elected but hired on merit. We are here to advise council but councillors seem to be taking advice from whatever quarter I don’t know and for what reason I don’t know.”

He said councillors should follow procedure when disciplining officials instead of trying to embarrass them. 

Mr Dube said in any case he is fired by the Local Government Board not councillors.

 “Remember I am appointed by the Local Government Board. It is the appointing authority that will remove me from my office, of course with recommendations coming from council and having been caught on the wrong side of the law. What have I done wrong? These people were trying to embarrass me personally and destabilise management. Whatever they were doing they were putting it on social media,” he said. 

“I will be removed by the people of Bulawayo and the Local Government Board and of course with the recommendation of councillors if I have been found on the wrong side of the law.”

Mr Dube said he has a duty to protect the interests of Bulawayo. 

“I’m here to do business. I’m doing business of council and I’m doing it without fear of anybody. I don’t fear anybody. I respect people. Those who behave like rascals unfortunately I will behave the same to them. In fact when I discuss with my managers to say look I’m overburdened by this thing let me step down. They say if you step down Dube no one will correct this. Before you go correct this and this is what I’m going to do,” he said.

“Let me tell you I don’t fear anybody, I fear the law. I’m protected by the law and the law also protects the people of Bulawayo. If I’m not doing things right I have to be removed procedurally in terms of the law.”-StateMedia

Video downloading below:

By A Correspondent| Riot police has reportedly been deployed to quell protests at Tredgold magistrates court in Bulawayo following the sentencing of Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni.

Chief Ndiweni was convicted Thursday together with 23 of his subjects on charges of destroying a villager’s property in Ntabazinduna by Bulawayo magistrate Ms Gladmore Mushove.

Chief Ndiweni was today sentenced to 24 months in prison, 6 of which were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence. He will serve an effective 18 months behind bars.

His co- accused subjects were however also sentenced to 24 months, 6 of which were also suspended on condition that they do not commit similar offences and the remaining 18 months commuted to 525 hours of community service.

Independent|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa — under siege in the face of worsening economic hardships fuelling a groundswell of social discontent — is coup-proofing his regime by giving the security forces preferential treatment ahead of other public servants. This comes at a time opposition, labour and civil society forces have organised protests starting today.

Mnangagwa, who assumed power through a military coup which toppled former president Robert Mugabe in November 2017, has been on a systematic military appeasement drive, while simultaneously removing commanders he does not trust as he seeks to consolidate his grip on power.

However, government officials say despite purging several army commanders loyal to his ailing deputy Constantino Chiwenga, Mnangagwa remains under growing pressure owing to the deteriorating socio-economic situation.

As part of the coup-proofing measures, Mnangagwa on Tuesday promised to give the country’s military salary upgrades and other benefits as part of a package to cushion them against the skyrocketing inflation, while urging the rest of the civil servants and hard-pressed citizens to remain patient as his government struggles to fix the economy.

He was speaking during the Defence Forces Day commemorations at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.

“My administration remains committed to improving the conditions of service of our armed forces. My government is aware that our defence force is equally affected by economic difficulties faced by the general citizenry. Efforts are at an advanced stage to reintroduce the military salary concept,” Mnangagwa said.

Soldiers and other members of the security forces have not been spared the impact of the current economic implosion which has seen prices of basic goods and services rising beyond common affordability.

Security sector sources say there are growing fears within Mnangagwa’s administration that disgruntled rank and file security forces members might be tempted to sympathise or even embrace the protests after calls for today’s mass street demonstrations by the opposition MDC.

Besides the special treatment on salaries, benefits and promises of accommodation, Mnangagwa has been purging senior military officers he does not trust, while also promoting his close allies.

One of the coup-proofing methods Mnangagwa has used is to ensure there are a series of promotions within the military and commanders enjoy huge perks and other spoils of patronage.

His daring manoeuvres in February this year to reshuffle and redeploy critical personnel and commanders in strategic military positions have triggered fears of purges among troops that staged the 2017 coup and facilitated his dramatic rise to power.

Senior commanders retired in February and given diplomatic re-assignments include Major-General Anselem Sanyatwe, who was commander of the Presidential Guard; former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) chief-of-staff (administration) Douglas Nyikayaramba, chief-of-staff responsible for service personnel and logistics Major-General Martin Chedondo, and Air Vice-Marshal Sheba Shumbayawonda.

Mnangagwa also made changes to the Presidential Guard and Mechanised Brigade, the two brigades which played the most critical role in the coup.

Security sources told the Zimbabwe Independent at the time that Mnangagwa’s move was designed and calculated to contain and diminish Chiwenga’s political ambitions.

Chiwenga was the commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) during the 2017 coup which catapulted Mnangagwa into power. He was the ZDF commander from 2004 up to the time of the 2017 coup

Disgruntlement has, however, returned to the rank and file of the military after the coup over Mnangagwa’s failure to resolve the current economic crisis. Many Zimbabweans, including those in the security sector, are complaining that life has become harder under the Mnangagwa administration than it was under Mugabe. This has culminated in today’s planned protests.

Mnangagwa’s decision to cushion the military, leaving out other civil servants, has raised eyebrows, although government officials say it betrays his fear of another coup.

Teachers, who form the bulk of the civil service, and health sector employees who have been clamouring for salary increments were not mentioned in the new measures.

Doctors on Wednesday gave a 21-day notice to go on strike, saying they were now incapacitated and could no longer report for duty.

Mnangagwa could be plucking a leaf from his mentor, Mugabe, who also used promotions within the military, while also ensuring that senior officials are afforded luxuries such as top-of-the-range vehicles and other opulent perks to keep them silent, content and ready to crush dissent.

That, however, failed to save Mugabe from being ultimately toppled through a coup.

An image of journalists surrounding a victim of police brutality after the August 16 skirmishes in Harare has gone viral.

The image shows the photo journalists shooting pictures instead of checking if the elderly lady lying on the centre of the road is well.

One Twitter user said, “As journalists we are taught not to interfere with the story and capture it without any undue alteration. I however, wonder how everyone felt swarming that woman without even checking if she was well. Where should journalists draw the line? How much should the perfect shot cost?”

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