BULAWAYO City Council last week failed to pay its workers their August salaries and this was confirmed yesterday by the Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni. 

Clr Mguni blamed the council’s financial woes on the failure by residents and companies to pay their bills.

“We are failing to function as a result of non-payment of bills. Our coffers are dry and as such we failed to pay this month’s salaries which were due last week,” said Clr Mguni.

He said council was also failing to pay contractors and suppliers on time and some of them were suing the local authority.

The Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, said August salaries were supposed to be paid on August 21 but council failed to raise enough money.

He, however, said council managed to pay July salaries on time. 

“Normally salaries are paid on the 21st of the month but up to now we are yet to pay the August salaries.

The workers are now burdened with reporting for work given the increased transport costs,” said Mr Dube.

He said council hoped to have raised enough money to pay junior workers by the end of next week.

“Fuel is now very expensive yet we need a lot of it for our Fire and Ambulance Services, refuse collection, attendance to faults and many other services. We therefore urge residents and companies to pay their bills to enable council to meet its obligation to provide services as well as pay its workers,” said Mr Dube.

THE move to peg fuel price according to delivery distance from Harare has sparked outcry among consumers and business leaders who feel the move will disadvantage communities that are far from Harare.

On Monday, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) announced an increase in the price of fuel, with cities having different prices ranging from $10,01 to $10,56 for petrol and $10,32 to $10,86 for diesel.

According to the price list released by the authority, motorists in Matabeleland are now buying fuel at higher prices compared to what their counterparts in other provinces are paying. The increase comes a week after the authority reviewed fuel prices to $9,36 for diesel up from $9,27 while petrol went up to $9,12 from $9,09.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) president for Matabeleland Chamber, Mr Shepherd Chawira, said they would soon engage authorities to express their displeasure over the pricing of fuel. He said fuel price disparities would affect prices of products produced in the region which logically would be more expensive compared to those produced say in Harare.

“It’s an issue that we are seized with as industry in Bulawayo because what we are saying is that the fuel price disparities will render all goods and services produced in Bulawayo uncompetitive and this also undermines efforts being made to revive the city’s industries,” he said.

In Victoria Falls for instance, petrol is now Z$10,80 per litre while diesel is Z$10,88. Motorists in the resort town said they were concerned as this will force many of them to park their vehicles amid fears public transport operators will also hike fares.

“Fuel is now very expensive. Transporters have started adjusting their fares with a one way trip now going for Z$6. We know we are far away from the fuel source but we cannot be punished for that. We are earning the same salaries that workers in other cities and towns are being paid hence we should pay the same prices for fuel,” said a taxi driver, Mr Ignatius Muleya.

He said they were already feeling the negative impact of the price disparities as commuters were now walking to town after they adjusted fares inline with the new fuel prices.

Commenting on the same, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union secretary general, Mr Japhet Moyo, said employers including Government should constantly increase salaries to cushion workers against such shocks as fuel price increases.

Many Zimbabweans took to social media platforms to express reservations over the decision to have different fuel prices for cities and towns and implored Government to reverse it.

Contacted for comment Energy and Power Development Minister, Advocate Fortune Chasi defended the decision saying the model was in line with international trends.

“If there was a pipeline from Botswana to Bulawayo naturally fuel was going to be cheaper in Bulawayo compared to areas far way such as say Muzarabani in Mashonaland Central province,” he said.

Minister Chasi said such pricing was being implemented in other countries.

“In South Africa forexample, areas that are close to the coast where the fuel is warehoused, pay less compared to what motorists say in Musina and other areas pay.The same thing happens in Malawi but in Tanzania it’s different because the Government subsidises fuel so that the price is uniform throughout the country,” said Minister Chasi.

He, however, said it was important for the nation to come up with measures that will make fuel accessible across the country at a reasonable prices.

Minister Chasi said his ministry was therefore analysing several proposals to ensure fuel is provided at affordable prices across the country.

Association for Business in Zimbabwe chief executive officer, Mr Victor Nyoni, backed the minister’s stance saying fuel price disparities were justified taking into account business fundamentals. “We understand that there are transportation costs that will obviously cause variation in terms of the price of fuel and we all know that fuel has to be moved from Harare to various places,” he said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has blamed the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy on his predecessor Robert Mugabe who he accessed of applying populist policies on the economy.

Responding to questions from Japan’s media organisations on the sidelines of the three-day Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) summit yesterday, President Mnangagwa said his approach to the economy is far different from that of Mugabe.

Asked on what differs in his approach to leadership of Zimbabwe in comparison with former president Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa failed to outrightly castigate his mentor who he removed through a military assisted coup in 2017. Mnangagwa described Mugabe as the respected leader of the liberation of the country.

“Former president Mugabe was our commander for 15 years, when we fought the liberation struggle against Ian Smith. In 1979, we went to Lancaster where we got our political independence.

“Secondly, former president Mugabe is the founding father of our Independence and the principle grievance that we had during the liberation struggle was for us to get back our land.”

The President said his liberalisation of Zimbabwe’s economy also showed that his economic vision is different from the former president who was known for promoting counterproductive populist policies.

“In July last year, I won the elections with two thirds majority in Parliament. I have the majority party in Parliament. I have now liberalised and opened the space so that in modern times you must compete for global capital to come into your country. We are doing the liberal measures in Parliament, a raft of economic measures, political and social measures.”

State Media|President Mnangagwa yesterday told the high-level Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) that his administration is committed to comprehensive economic reforms and making the country a safe destination for investment.

He lauded Japan, saying the world’s third largest economy had a “critical role to play for Africa’s economic transformation, diversification and industrialisation”.

The President made the remarks while addressing a plenary session at the three-day TICAD 7 Summit, which was officially opened yesterday by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

A number of African Heads of State are attending or are highly represented at the summit which seeks to stimulate trade and investment between the continent and Japan.

President Mnangagwa said under his new administration, Zimbabwe is ripe for investment and is pulling all the stops to attract global capital.

“Guided by our Zimbabwe is Open for Business mantra, my administration is determined to continue implementing reforms, aimed at making Zimbabwe a safe, favourable and competitive destination for investment.

“My Government has put in place comprehensive reforms to accelerate the economic development agenda.

“We are promoting private sector-led investment, particularly in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, ICTs and service sectors,” he said.

The President lauded Japan for its inspiring development model characterised by advanced technology, saying Zimbabwe is ready to walk hand-in-glove with Tokyo to take lessons from Japan’s advancement.

“Zimbabwe recognises and applauds the immense strength that Japan continues to have in science, technology innovation and stands ready to enhance cooperation with Japan in these and other spheres.

“Zimbabwe and others within our African continent has vast resources across all sectors and remains ready to increase trade and investment with Japan on mutually beneficial basis,” he said.

The President underscored the significance of TICAD, saying partaking at the high-level meeting primes Zimbabwe to achieve its goals of modernisation and industrialisation to become a middle income economy by 2030.

“Our participation at this important conference reaffirms my Government’s continued commitment to the TICAD process. The private sector is a valued partner in sustainable economic development in our quest to transform, modernise and industrialise our economies,” the President said.

President Mnangagwa informed TICAD delegates of the tangible progress made under the ease of business programme, including remodelling of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) for a One-Stop-Shop that will enhance convenience for potential investors.

“We have embarked on the ease of doing business reforms, which seek to enhance the country’s investment environment.

“The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) will ensure that all Zimbabwe’s investment information is available and processed under one roof,” President Mnangagwa said.

He also said the jettisoning of the indigenisation and economic empowerment act was a game-changing move by the Government to lure investors.

“Under my administration, Zimbabwe has liberalised our investment conditions, by repealing the indigenisation and economic empowerment act,” he said.

“This now allows for greater adjustment in the private sector participation across all sectors, which should in turn, further accelerate our economic transformation and industrialisation.”

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Abe, who is co-chair of the summit, pledged to aggressively promote private-sector investment from Japan to Africa.

He said Japan’s private sector invested US$20 billion in Africa over the past three years.

“The Japanese Government will do its best to encourage the private sector so that it will surpass the $20 billion in investment over the past three years.

“I make this pledge to you that Japan’s investment will be surpassed under the New TICAD that we agreed to come up with at the last summit in Nairobi Kenya,” said Prime Minister Abe.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as well as African Heads of States also addressed the high level summit that was co-chaired by African Union chairperson and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

The TICAD summit is co-organised by the AU, the UN, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme.

State Media|The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has recovered over $10 million since it assumed office and has vowed to continue pouncing on Government officials who abuse their positions for self-enrichment or interfere with judicial processes.

Latest statistics however indicate that Zimbabwe loses about $4 billion per year into corruption. So if one considers the fact that Zimbabwe is a $16 billion economy and 25 percent of that is lost, then you can actually project that in Zimbabwe we are losing about $4 billion through corruption.

The money which ZACC recovered mainly was mainly minor sources like tax evaders and individuals who had acquired illicit wealth but not the dominant political figures and the elite private sector individuals who milk the country dry.

The anti-graft body also asserts that the recent arrest of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko was not politically-motivated and the independent body does not take instructions from anywhere to pounce on suspected law-breakers.

ZACC spokesperson Mr John Makamure said Mphoko’s arrest sought to finalise a case which the previous commission had failed to dispose of.

He said ZACC had so far recovered over $10 million from its corruption busting efforts, but said the figure could be more if Parliament expeditiously passes the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Amendment Bill (2019) which is before the House.

The Bill empowers corruption-fighting State agents like the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), Zacc and the police to demand explanations from people who flaunt wealth above their known legitimate means.

“Zacc is now prioritising revenue and asset recovery. Those who have stolen Government revenue or misuse Government assets will be pursued, Zacc is keen to recover those assets. So far Zacc is pleased with its achievement in that regard. Since we came into office, Zacc has managed to recover over $10 million that has since been paid to Zimra, through Zacc’s efforts. So we want to intensify recovery. We need to intensify revenue recovery so that it aids economic recovery,” said Mr Makamure.

Under the Bill, law enforcement agents will have powers to question people leading flamboyant and swanky lifestyles from inexplicable sources of income, as the Government moves in to curb corruption, money laundering and tax evasion, among other vices.

Those who fail to explain or hide useful information pertaining to the source of their wealth will be jailed up to two years, while the tainted property will be forfeited to the State.

“I would like to call upon Parliament to expeditiously pass legislation to do with unexplained wealth because that will facilitate Zacc to be able to ensure that ill-gotten wealth, wealth that was acquired through corrupt activities is forfeited to the State. There is a law that is before Parliament for someone to explain how you acquired that wealth. Parliament must quickly pass that law to facilitate our work. The point is asset and revenue recovery is very important, we need enabling legislation,” said Mr Makamure.

Turning to the arrest of former VP Mphoko, Mr Makamure said Zacc did not act on the directive of anyone but merely exercised its constitutional duty and obligation to fight crime whenever it reared its ugly head.

Mr Makamure was responding to some media reports that sought to cast aspersions that the arrest of VP Mphoko was politically motivated.

“We look at the story as an attempt by certain sections of the media to divert public attention from a serious case of abuse of office by the former Vice President. This is not a new case, it is a case that happened in 2016 or thereabout, so what ZACC simply did was to finalise that matter. The previous commission was unable to finalise it probably because of their own ineptitude. But the new ZACC simply took over that matter and we are finalising it, so there has been no attempt by anyone to direct us to deal with the matter in a certain way. The matter is now before the courts which the previous commission was unable to do,” said Mr Makamure.

“ZACC is guided by the Constitution, which is very clear that there should be no interference by anyone and we have not come across that interference. On the contrary, the highest political office has been very supportive as evidenced by His Excellency President Mnangagwa being the Guest of Honour at our national Anti-Corruption Awareness launch, a joint programme between us and the National Prosecuting Authority. Also Government recently gave ZACC additional funding through supplementary budget, funding which we believe will enable us to carry our operations. We are grateful of the additional funding we got. This is what the Government should be seen to be doing because the Constitution requires that independent Commissions be adequately funded.”

He said Zacc will arrest anyone who upon reasonable grounds was suspected to have committed corruption or abused his or her office.

“The former VP’s case must send a strong signal that ZACC will pounce at anyone who abuse his or her social status to interfere with judicial processes. So Zacc, without fear or favour will pounce at anyone who interfere with judicial processes, that is a serious case of abuse of office. Let me say that the fight against corruption is a fight that requires everyone’s participation including the media. The media is a strong ally in this fight,” he said.

A 42-year-old man committed suicide in Kariba on Tuesday afternoon after he had assaulted his wife following a misunderstanding at their home.

The man, whose name was still being withheld yesterday, thought that he had killed his wife following the assault, yet she had only lost consciousness.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the man’s body was later recovered on the shores of Lake Kariba.

“On August 27, 2019 at around 12pm, a 42-year-old male adult in Kariba had a misunderstanding with his spouse at their residence,” he said. “The male adult struck his wife with an unknown object and she lost consciousness.

“The man fled from the scene and his body was later found on the shores of Lake Kariba. The woman was taken to hospital where she was treated and later discharged. We reiterate that members of the public should not resort to violence when embroiled in domestic disputes.”

This incident comes after the Zimbabwe Republic Police recently expressed concern over an increase in domestic violence cases, which have resulted in deaths and injuries.

Police urged members of the public to seek counselling services to resolve their differences. Meanwhile, police are investigating a case in which a man was hit and killed by an unknown motorist on Sunday at around 2000hrs at the 80-kilometre peg along Bulawayo-Tsholotsho Road.

“Anyone with information pertaining to this hit and run accident may report to their nearest police station, or call national complaints desk on 0242 703631 or WhatsApp number 0712800197 ,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.State media

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“I would like you to quote an action where Zimbabwe has acted outside the rule of law and I would like to hear that.”

Zimbabwe will not bend the law to please the opposition and its sympathisers who are supporting the recent attempts to embark on illegal protests, ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

This came as the state media reported claiming:Western embassies have in the past two weeks openly sided with the opposition after police used their powers to quash a series of futile illegal protests that had been organised by the MDC-Alliance.

Responding to questions from Japan’s media organisations on the sidelines of the three-day Tokyo, International Conference on African Development (TICAD) summit yesterday,  Mnangagwa said the law cannot be applied selectively to tolerate illegal demonstrations.

The journalists had asked Mnangagwa to comment on the crackdown on opposition protesters.

“We apply the rule of law, those who commit crime, the law must apply. You cannot have double standards where the rule of law is concerned. Are you saying if people funded by the Americans commit crimes, we should not touch them? No! Zimbabwe is a unitary state and our laws apply to every citizen, whether you are in the opposition or you are in Government or you don’t belong to any political party at all.”

Mnangagwa added: “If you commit murder you get arrested, if you engage in corruption you get arrested, any violent act you get arrested. That is the rule of law which we observe.”

“I would like you to quote an action where Zimbabwe has acted outside the rule of law and I would like to hear that.”

Mnangagwa said Government was committed to political, economic and legislative reforms.

“There is POSA and AIPPA which are in the process of being repealed. We are not repealing to please America, we are repealing because it is necessary for us. It is for Zimbabwe and if it helps the Americans, so be it,” he said.

Asked on what differs in his approach to leadership of Zimbabwe in comparison with former president Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa answered: “Former president Mugabe was our commander for 15 years, when we fought the liberation struggle against Ian Smith. In 1979, we went to Lancaster where we got our political independence.

“Secondly, former president Mugabe is the founding father of our Independence and the principle grievance that we had during the liberation struggle was for us to get back our land.”

Mnangagwa said his liberalisation of Zimbabwe’s economy also showed that his economic vision is different from the former President who was known for promoting counterproductive populist policies.

“In July last year, I won the elections with two thirds majority in Parliament. I have the majority party in Parliament. I have now liberalised and opened the space so that in modern times you must compete for global capital to come into your country. We are doing the liberal measures in Parliament, a raft of economic measures, political and social measures.” – State Media

A 26 year old man from Jalukange area some 135 km west of Beitbridge town has been arrested for fatally stabbing a fellow villager in a fight over a woman.
Justice Ndlovu who resides under Chief Stauze area was not asked to plead to a charge of murder when he initially appeared before Beitbridge Resident Magistrate Mr Langton Mukwengi on Wednesday.

Ndlovu was remanded in custody to 10 September. Prosecuting, Mr Misheck Guwanda told the court that on Monday the accused and the now deceased had an argument over the courtship of a local woman.
He said a fist fight between the two then ensued.

The court also heard that upon realising that he was being defeated, Ndlovu withdrew a knife from his pocket and stabbed his rival once on the left side of the chest and arm.
The state also alleges that the man died instantly and a report was made to the police who immediately arrested Ndlovu and recovered the knife…State media

Farai Dziva| The Member of Parliament for Zengeza East Goodrich Chimbaira who is also a Johane Masowe member, has described the bashing of a 14-year-old girl for wearing a pair of trousers as unfortunate.

“In my capacity as a Member of Parliament, I condemn what happened to the girl and the people behind it.”

“This area is not a private property where people are not allowed to do certain things and everyone has freedom to wear whatever he or she wants to.

We actually accommodated others who now live among us but are not of Johane Masowe church, so people have to be tolerant of other cultures and if they want to have such kind of culture they better construct a wall where no-one can enter,” said Chimbaira.

“I would like you to quote an action where Zimbabwe has acted outside the rule of law and I would like to hear that.”

Zimbabwe will not bend the law to please the opposition and its sympathisers who are supporting the recent attempts to embark on illegal protests, ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

This came as the state media reported claiming:Western embassies have in the past two weeks openly sided with the opposition after police used their powers to quash a series of futile illegal protests that had been organised by the MDC-Alliance.

Responding to questions from Japan’s media organisations on the sidelines of the three-day Tokyo, International Conference on African Development (TICAD) summit yesterday,  Mnangagwa said the law cannot be applied selectively to tolerate illegal demonstrations.

The journalists had asked Mnangagwa to comment on the crackdown on opposition protesters.

“We apply the rule of law, those who commit crime, the law must apply. You cannot have double standards where the rule of law is concerned. Are you saying if people funded by the Americans commit crimes, we should not touch them? No! Zimbabwe is a unitary state and our laws apply to every citizen, whether you are in the opposition or you are in Government or you don’t belong to any political party at all.”

Mnangagwa added: “If you commit murder you get arrested, if you engage in corruption you get arrested, any violent act you get arrested. That is the rule of law which we observe.”

“I would like you to quote an action where Zimbabwe has acted outside the rule of law and I would like to hear that.”

Mnangagwa said Government was committed to political, economic and legislative reforms.

“There is POSA and AIPPA which are in the process of being repealed. We are not repealing to please America, we are repealing because it is necessary for us. It is for Zimbabwe and if it helps the Americans, so be it,” he said.

Asked on what differs in his approach to leadership of Zimbabwe in comparison with former president Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa answered: “Former president Mugabe was our commander for 15 years, when we fought the liberation struggle against Ian Smith. In 1979, we went to Lancaster where we got our political independence.

“Secondly, former president Mugabe is the founding father of our Independence and the principle grievance that we had during the liberation struggle was for us to get back our land.”

Mnangagwa said his liberalisation of Zimbabwe’s economy also showed that his economic vision is different from the former President who was known for promoting counterproductive populist policies.

“In July last year, I won the elections with two thirds majority in Parliament. I have the majority party in Parliament. I have now liberalised and opened the space so that in modern times you must compete for global capital to come into your country. We are doing the liberal measures in Parliament, a raft of economic measures, political and social measures.” – State Media

Farai Dziva| A 14 year-old girl was assaulted by members of the Johane Masowe mob for wearing a pair of trousers.

The incident happened in Chitungwiza, Unit E area – a community dominated by the Johane Masowe sect members.

According to H-Metro, the girl was passing through one of the houses in Unit E and this prompted the community members to gang up against her.

“They beat her up badly, and she sought refuge in a nearby bottle store. She had to hide inside for about three hours as the crowd waited for her to come outside.

The people were so angry that they really wanted her head but the police came and rescued her,”said a Chitungwiza resident.

By Own Correspondent| The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is set to introduce technical high schools and science academies next year.

Education Minister Paul Mavima said that initially there will be one school in each of the country’s 10 provinces.

A list has been drawn up of schools that will be targeted, and these are schools that already have suitable infrastructure for technical and science learning.

Said Mavima:

“As a ministry, we decided to come up with these schools of excellence that favours the competence of learners in their respective areas of choice with the targeted subjects of learning being technical and science ones.

The least number of schools we are targeting to start with countrywide is 10 that is one per each province. So far a tentative list has been done and will be shortlisting them soon.

Our target schools are existing ones that already have a suitable infrastructure for technical and science learning.

These we are going to quickly resource them to facilitate the start of this project.

In terms of funding, we are getting a large chunk from the fiscus, but education being everyone’s business parents can also chip in, but entirely the project is a Government thing with no outside source of funding.

Minister Mavima also revealed that the technical high schools and science academies certificates will be awarded by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC). The certificates will be on par with an Advanced Level certificate, with holders privileged to enrol at university.-StateMedia

 By A Correspondent| Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has condemned the arrest of the secretary-general of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Raymond Majongwe.

Majongwe used his Twitter handle to speak about his arrest earlier on Wednesday.

He said:

“Am getting detained at Mbare Police with my two sons who were assaulted by police at Mbudzi roundabout this morning. Sad things go like this.”

Commenting on Majongwe’s arrest, ARTUZ said:

“We condemn the arrest of Raymond Majongwe by the overzealous the Police who have since become the number one public enemy due to their excesses. We demand the unconditional release of cde Majongwe.”

By A Correspondent| Deputy Information Minister, Energy Mutodi’s remark, that Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni is an enemy of the State has been condemned.

Mutodi took to Twitter after Chief Ndiweni was freed on bail by a Bulawayo High Court judge on less stringent conditions. He wrote:

Chief Ndiweni’s release on bail proves judicial independence, a free and democratic society where enemies of the state are protected by the law.

His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa has taken the rule of law to another level in Zimbabwe.

Here are some of the responses on Twitter:

David Coltart: Enemies of the State? How can a Chief who is clearly a Zimbabwean patriot be an enemy of the State? I suggest you apologise. I find that when one is in a hole it makes sense to stop digging.

Zenzele: So #ChiefNdiweni is an enemy of the state?. This is hate speech from a govt minister. This is the gukurahundi language. #Asakhe

Hopewell Chin’ono: You have just confirmed what we have always known, that your government thinks of Chief Ndiweni is an enemy of the State.

How pathetic that you see everyone who disagrees with your corruption, incompetence, nepotism, theft and Mismanagement of the State as an enemy of the State!

Pedzisai Ruhanya: Energy Mutodi says ED has taken the rule of law to another level after Chief Ndiweni was granted bail by the High Court kkkkkk surely ZANU PF does not need this apo akapfeka doctoral gown, maiwe zvangu iwe!

Cde Setfree Mafukidze: I think you are psychotic my God Jehova Eriiiiiya tibatsirei this dimwit is Deputy Minister?No Dambudzo iri iDambudziko raunaro muHurumende. Energy Mutodi has the audacity to call a Chief @ChiefKhayisa an enemy of the state? How is he an enemy because he disagrees with your lot?

Adv Tinomudaishe Chinyoka: How? Isn’t the whole point of Judicial Independence precisely that President @edmnangagwa had nothing to do with it? With supporters like this, who needs enemies?

People in the rural areas are feeling the heat of high bus fares, such that they are no longer in a position to travel to family gatherings such as funerals, weddings and graduations in the cities or to visit their relatives in other villages.

We have come to the point whereby literally those who belong to cities stay in the cities and those in rural areas stay in the rural areas as people have no financial capacity to visit their parents or siblings. There is now an artificial border –or Berlin Wall- created by the high bus fares.

Rural based expectant mothers and those who are critically ill are also finding it difficult to access maternal care or medical attention such that maternal deaths and mortality of the elderly and other people who need constant medical attention, for instance, those that suffer from hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases are in mortal danger.

Giving comparison of bus fares: Harare to Bulawayo ranges between $80 and $105; Harare to Mutare is around $70.; Harare to Mutoko around $40; Harare to Chinhoyi around $25; Harare to Kadoma $40; Harare to Gweru is around $65.

These price hikes have been due to fuel and toll gate price hikes, as well as spare parts that are charged in United States Dollars or its equivalents.

We are anticipating further fare hikes as operators continue to cushion themselves.

Tafadzwa Goliati

President of Passengers Association of Zimbabwe

A Zimbabwean woman, apparently on her way to a church service, was crushed to death on Sunday morning in the Johannesburg suburb of Windsor East.

The woman was identified by police as 31-year-old Geraldine Nyaradzo Mudimu.

According to witnesses, the car was being driven by an unlicensed Nigerian national who was whisked away by his friends.

He has not been found since.

“Yes we can confirm the death of the woman who was hit by a car. The same driver first hit and injured another man who was ferried to Helen Joseph Hospital with serious injuries. We are still looking for the driver who is still on the run,” said a police detective working on the matter.

He will likely be charged for murder, attempted murder or alternatively culpable homicide as well as defeating the ends of justice by evading from the law.

The suburb came to a standstill as residents, the majority of whom are foreign nationals, descended on the scene to catch a glimpse of the incident.

“The accident was horrific. The driver was speeding and he first hit the guy, lost control and then hit the woman who was waiting for a taxi,” said Lesley Makumbe who was among the first ones to arrive on the scene.

“It was a very painful death as she was dragged underneath the car for about 50 metres before it was stopped by the wall. Paramedics struggled to pull her body out as she had already passed away,” said Makumbe.

This is the second accident along the same spot six years.

In 2014 two sisters lost their lives after being by a car as well.

The injured man was identified as Ntuthuko Mkwebu also a Zimbabwean and sustained serious head injuries and he is in Intensive Care Unit. His friend Elvis Chiwanda who comes from Malawi says he is likely to make it.

“Yes he is still in intensive care but the situation is improving. I actually praise God because it could have been worse. I have worked with him for a very long time and he is a good guy,” said Chiwanda.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has arrested members of MRP for demonstrating outside the Bulawayo High Court.

Various online reports said at the time of writing the activists were locked at the Central Police Station at the CID Law and order section at Central Police Station.

The said arrested activists are Partone Xaba, Ndabazelizwe Ncube ,Ackim Ndebele, Mongameli Mlotshwa, Prince Mazilankatha Ncube.

No charge has been filed as yet.

ZIMBABWE Divine Destiny leader Ancelimo Magaya has urged the country’s political leaders to unearth past acts of killings and violence and have them addressed if the nation is to achieve lasting peace.

Addressing a churches convergence on peace meeting in Gweru yesterday, Magaya said although it was noble for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to fight corruption, there were more “horrendous and horrific” issues that needed to be addressed.

“Although we have seen attempts by authorities to address the issue of corruption with the recent arrest of the likes of Priscah Mupfumira (former Tourism minister), there are, however, more horrendous and horrific issues underneath that need to be unearthed,” he said. “We cannot have people who killed continuing to roam the streets without being arrested.”

Magaya said it was pointless to continue talking about peace without embracing what it took to achieve that peace.

The cleric further noted that there was need for truth to be told and people who committed acts of violence and killings should be arrested.

“Let the truth be told, in (the 1980s Matabeleland and Midlands) genocides, who ordered the army to kill civilians?” he asked.

“In the run-up to the 2008 elections, there were people who were maimed, raped and killed, yet the murderers are still roaming the streets. Who ordered the soldiers to shoot at 45 degrees in the August 1 (2018) killings? Those that killed on August 1 are yet to be arrested.”

He challenged government to implement the Kgalema Motlanthe Commission recommendations following last year’s fatal shootings by security agents. Magaya said even the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission would never achieve its mandate if truth is not told.

He added that while it was commendable for the police to arrest people who looted during protests, there was need to also arrest those who kill others during such demonstrations.

The peace meeting was convened under the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and included Christian organisations such as the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance and Zimbabwe Divine Destiny.

The American entertainer posted a holiday snap and was then ‘forced’ to take it down.

American Entertainer Steve Harvey has been sucked into fractious politics after the opposition MDC Alliance, led by Nelson Chamisa, persuaded him to delete a tweet in which he posted a video of the Victoria Falls.

Matters came to a head after Harvey posted the video showing a rainbow over the Victoria Falls, with an emoji of clapping hands.

Steve Harvey becomes a ‘political pawn’

Harvey’s tweet gained some traction with positive comments until the MDC Alliance got wind off it. The opposition party then persuaded the American comedian to delete it.

Dr Nkululekho Sibanda, spokesperson for Chamisa, claimed he had persuaded Harvey to delete the tourism promo tweet.

“He is just making his money, I agree with you. Just got excited, the ZANU PF consultants in the US, got Steve Harvey @IAmSteveHarvey to tweet about@edmnangagwa, we got to him and he quickly deleted the post. They are failing, that is how bad they are. They are losing fast!” tweeted Sibanda.

Dire socioeconomic problems in Zimbabwe

The MDC and the ruling Zanu PF party led by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa are at loggerheads. Hard pressed Zimbabweans are restless. Discontent has been rising along with commodity prices.

Joblessness is rife. Electricity and water are in short supply in many urban areas.

Last week police clamped down on attempts by the MDC to hold demonstrations against the economic meltdown in Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, Harvey, the award-winning entertainer, businessman and philanthropist, is in South Africa where he will launch “Family Feud” the internationally acclaimed game show, 

CHIEF Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni who was is serving 18 months imprisonment following his conviction with his 23 subjects for destroying a villager’s property in Ntabazinduna, was today released by the High Court on $500 bail coincidentally on the day that the City of Bulawayo remembers gallant freedom fighter Sydeny Malunga who died on the same day in 1994.

During the Gukurahundi genocide years, Sidney Malunga was imprisoned, tortured and put on trial for treason. He was finally acquitted, in time to see his party absorbed by the ‘new’ ZANU-PF.

He could have walked away, but instead he walked into a hostile parliament and took his seat. He knew that the honourable members to the left and to the right of him had sanctioned breathtaking acts of barbarism on his people.

Many rubbed it in his face – he often spoke of “a man” that regularly spoke of ‘the cockroaches’ when he approached – a reference to the systematic dehumanisation of the Ndebele people before and during the genocide. That man was current President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

But Sidney did not surrender his dignity, in spite of the clear and present danger. The smell of cordite and blood was still fresh on both sides, victor and vanquished.

Even after the ‘ceasefire’, Mugabe’s minions had found an ingenious way to quietly terminate high ranking former members of the defunct PF-ZAPU. Their cars would be involved in high speed head-on collisions with armoured vehicles or freight trucks; the number of such ‘unfortunate accidents’ was mounting. Sidney’s profile fit the bill for such an end, and he had received less than veiled threats and tip-offs of an imminent attempt on his life.

Sidney was loved by his people. He never backed down, and continued to ask hard questions in and out of parliament. No-one could or would accuse him of being a ‘sell-out’. When Sidney walked through the streets, he stopped for anyone, any colour, gender, age, social standing; you would watched him commiserate with an elderly white woman who had just lost her husband, and equally engage with a dusty street child. He always had a ready smile and easy manner, never in so much of a hurry that he wouldn’t stop and listen.

“Be true to yourself first, and you cannot but be true to others. If you witness a wrong, never avert your eyes. Remember what you have seen and keep it vivid in your mind. Refuse to be silenced. Refuse, until there is some justice, or until you are dead.”

Sidney and his driver died in mysterious circumstances in 1994 – Jacob, reportedly swerved for ‘a black dog’ and slammed into a lamp post. ‘Black dog’ was to become a euphemism for ‘army truck’.

Ndiweni (54) and 23 other villagers were recently convicted by Bulawayo magistrate, Ms Gladmore Mushove for malicious damage to property belonging to Mr Fetti Mbele’s property.

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Thompson Mabhikwa ruled that Chief Ndiweni’s appeal against both conviction and sentence had prospects of success and dismissed the State’s assertion that if granted bail, the applicant was likely to abscond.

The judge ordered Chief Ndiweni to report once a week at ZRP Ntabazinduna and to reside at his given address until the matter is finalised as part of the bail conditions.

Speculation has been rife on the condition of ailing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who is receiving treatment in China.

Some sources have been writing him off, however latest reports from China suggest otherwise. He is getting better and here is his first picture since he was taken to china…

Exiled former ZANU PF heavyweight Jonathan Moyo was lost of words on seeing the picture.

Farai Dziva| The Member of Parliament for Zengeza East Goodrich Chimbaira who is also a Johane Masowe member, has described the bashing of a 14-year-old girl for wearing a pair of trousers as unfortunate.

“In my capacity as a Member of Parliament, I condemn what happened to the girl and the people behind it.”

“This area is not a private property where people are not allowed to do certain things and everyone has freedom to wear whatever he or she wants to.

We actually accommodated others who now live among us but are not of Johane Masowe church, so people have to be tolerant of other cultures and if they want to have such kind of culture they better construct a wall where no-one can enter,” said Chimbaira.

The MDC Welcomes the Granting of Bail to Chief Ndiweni

The MDC is absolutely delighted to hear that the Bulawayo High Court has granted bail to Chief Ndiweni

According to the High court; Chief Ndiweni will need to abide on the following bail conditions:

1. He pays an amount of RTGS500
2. He resides at his homestead at Ntabazinduna
3. He reports at the Ntabazinduna Police station once every week on Fridays

Further, there was no condition attached to his travel documents.

The MDC remains of the strong view that Chief Ndiweni should not have been arrested in the first place.

The charges against him are politically motivated and have no legal justification whatsoever.

lndeed, the MDC remains convinced that there are high prospects of success on appeal against both his conviction and sentence.

The MDC would like to thank all its leaders and members; and the general public for turning out in their large numbers in active solidarity with Chief Ndiweni.

MDC: Change that Delivers

Daniel Molokele
MDC Spokesperson

Jane Mlambo| As part of his bail condition, Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni has been asked to report every Friday at Ntabazinduna police station.

Ndiweni has just been granted ZWL$500 bail by the Bulawayo High Court.

He was convicted of destruction to private property and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

According to Bulawayo based CITE, someone wearing a traditional head gear and a cream shirt has been bundled into a Mitsubishi Truck outside the High Court by security agents in plain cloth.

This followed the granting of bail to Chief Ndiweni by the Bulawayo High Court.

More to follow…

Mthwakazi people celebrate the ruling which was granted in favor of Chief Ndiweni. #Asakhe #ChiefNdiweni pic.twitter.com/HfGhRV7eUk

— Cite (@citezw) August 28, 2019

We condemn the arrest of @RMajongwe by the overzealous @PoliceZimbabwe who have since become the number one public enemy due to their excesses. We demand the unconditional release of cde Majongwe.

— ARTUZ (@ARTUZ_teachers) August 28, 2019

Dear Customer. Please take note bundle prices for Data & SMS will be reviewed effective 29 August 2019. Dial *143# or *151# to buy Data or *140# to buy SMS Bundles.

Am getting detained at Mbare Police with my two sons who were assaulted by police at Mbudzi round about this morning.Sad things go like this. pic.twitter.com/eWD76OhL9x

— Raymond Majongwe (@RMajongwe) August 28, 2019

Jane Mlambo| Ntabazinduna chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni has been granted RTGS$500 bail after his lawyers led by MDC Vice President Professor Welshman Ncube succesfully appealed against his sentence.

More to follow…

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

Jane Mlambo| War veterans have quashed any chances of political dialogue saying power will never be negotiated.

Addressing a press conference today, war veterans spokesperson Douglas Mahiya said they fought for power and will never let go easily.

“War veterans have sat down here today to be able to tell the nation and the world that we are unmoved, in fact the question of power, what we went out there to do was nothing else but power and the question of power will never be negotiated, it will never be got on any other terms other that struggling.”

WATCH FULL VIDEO BELOW…

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

War veterans spokesperson Douglas Mahiya has said the former freedom fighters are surviving on less than a dollar day, emphasizing that the economic welfare has not been properly looked at.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

Farai Dziva| A 14 year-old girl was assaulted by members of the Johane Masowe mob for wearing a pair of trousers.

The incident happened in Chitungwiza, Unit E area – a community dominated by the Johane Masowe sect members.

According to H-Metro, the girl was passing through one of the houses in Unit E and this prompted the community members to gang up against her.

“They beat her up badly, and she sought refuge in a nearby bottle store. She had to hide inside for about three hours as the crowd waited for her to come outside.

The people were so angry that they really wanted her head but the police came and rescued her,”said a Chitungwiza resident.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW

By Tariro Moyo| APOSTOLIC Faith Mission International (AFMI) has stepped in to clarify legitimacy issues that have been bedevilling the church in Zimbabwe and recognised Reverend Madawo as the Bona Fide leader, Zim Morning Post has learnt.

AFM International Conference was held at Kenyatta University last week while reports claim that Chiangwa regardless of not being invited travelled for the conference but was stopped from attending meetings.

In a press statement, AFMI threw Rev Chiyangwa under the bus by inviting only Madawo to the Conference and it triggered tension between the two rivals.

“The AFMI Conference held in Kenya however gave the AFMI another platform to speak on the developments in Zimbabwe. Prior to the Conference in Kenya, the AFMI had maintained its position by inviting Reverend Madawo to attend the Council of Presidents slated for the 19th of August 2019 at Kenyatta University starting at 1400hrs and expected to end at 1700hrs. The invitation dated 4th  July 2019 was only sent to the Church’s Presidents in member countries and was sent by email to Reverend Madawo.”

“Reverend Chiangwa did not receive the letter triggering complaints from his camp directed at the AFMI,” reads the statement.

Chiangwa mobilized his Constituency and traveled to Kenya but he was snubbed despite his presence.

AFM recognized Reverend Madawo as the president of AFM in Zimbabwe with similar insinuation being made by the then AFMI President Reverend Chinake.

“Without the assurance and the promises, Reverend Chiangwa still mobilized his constituency and with his delegates, they travelled to Kenya to attend the Conference. The AFMI however stuck to their guns and only allowed Reverend Madawo to attend the Council of Presidents on Monday the 19th  August 2019. Reverend Chiangwa was not allowed to attend this meeting.”

“On Wednesday the 21st August 2019, the AFMI once again recognized Reverend Madawo as the Bona Fide leader of the church in Zimbabwe when the then AFMI President Rev Chikane introduced Reverend Madawo as the President of the AFM in Zimbabwe,” reads the statement.

However, Rev Madawo requested to the AFMI that Zimbabwe be observers and not participate in the Council given that the church at home was not in order.
Rev wrote the letter to AFMI advising them of the following facts as they were behind their pulling off from participating in the Council.

“This letter serves to advise you that as the AFM in Zimbabwe leadership, we wish to recuse ourselves from participating in the Council for the following reasons:1. Our house (i.e. the church in Zimbabwe) is not in order.2. The AFMI is seized with the matter3. The matter is pending before the courts in Zimbabwe,” reads the letter.

The Chiangwa led AFM had all along believed that they were the rightful leadership of AFM arguing that they were operating within the dictates of the original AFM constitution.

The split was a result of a cumulation of issues within the church with the Rev Chiangwa led faction citing change of constitution, victimisation of pastors as well as alleged gross inefficiency in the church for a long time.

-Zim Morning Post

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

USD = ZWL$10.5189
ZWL$ = RAND1.4566
Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates:

USD = ZWL$11.50 zimrates
USD = ZWL$11.40 zwl365
USD = ZWL$11.60 bluemari
USD = BOND8.20 zimrates

More: Marketwatch

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has noted with concern the mischief by MDC and its surrogates who have notified the Regulating Authorities in all Police districts and stations of the intended demonstrations on the 29th — 31′ August 2019. It is clear that the MDC Alliance is now playing to the gallery and does not want law and order to prevail in the country.

While constitutionalism exists in Zimbabwe in terms of observance of human rights, it is disturbing that these rights which are clearly espoused in the constitution are now being misused to foment disorder and cause anarchy in the country.

The Government of Zimbabwe is quite aware that the timing of these demonstrations is meant to draw the attention of the international community especially when the President has intensified the country’s re – engagement process at various regional and international fora.

Sadly, some individuals, Non Governmental and Civic Organisations are openly engaging in political acts as a ploy to raise funds from the international world and at the same time tarnish the image of the country in pursuance of a regime change agenda.

The Government of Zimbabwe is also disturbed by the activities of some diplomatic missions in Zimbabwe who are engaging in local politics and clearly showing open support for the opposition political parties in the country through various activities. Let me remind the missions that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), Article 41(1) emphasizes the duty of Diplomats which is to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state and they are duty bound not to interfere with the internal or domestic affairs of the receiving state. My ministry is therefore concerned by the security implications of these diplomatic missions’ interference and visits to private residences of some opposition political party leaders under the guise of diplomatic engagements. The nation cannot afford to be having demonstrations on a daily or weekly basis, the economy suffers as attention is taken away from key activities which as a country we should be focused upon. We cannot continue to be in the elections mode indefinitely as this creates a security threat to the country.

We are also aware that there are manoeuvres to rope in civil servants in the demonstrations through the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions which has openly engaged in opposition party politics. The Government has a way of interacting with its workers without alarming and threatening messages being sent. My ministry is concerned by the MDC Alliance’s continuous agenda of dividing and polarising the nation. This agenda will not work as the Commissioner General of Police has been given the responsibility to ensure that law and order is maintained in every village, district, province and the nation at large.

Let me assure all peace loving and law abiding citizens that the law enforcement agents are on high alert to deal with any acts of lawlessness in the country. May I urge Zimbabweans to remain calm and not to be hoodwinked to join unlawful gatherings or demonstrations which are meant to benefit individuals at the expense of the people of Zimbabwe.

We are quite aware that the opposition and its partners intend to hire buses and other vehicles to ferry people to various centres in the country for unlawful gatherings. Transport operators, both public and private7should not be used as destabilising agents in the country. Let me reiterate that anyone caught on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with without fear or favour. Vehicles used to promote lawlessness will certainly be impounded by the police.

We urge members of the public NOT to take heed of retrogressive calls to join or participate in the demonstrations. Government in its entirety is working day in,day out to improve the socio – economic situation in the country. Let us all support these efforts for the good of the country and promote peace in all corners of Zimbabwe.

Ambassador N. C. G Mathema (Senator) Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage

By Tariro Moyo|AN opposition MP has demanded that Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema issues a statement on the ongoing reports of abductions and torture across the country.

MDC Mbizo MP, Settlement Chikwinya on Tuesday requested that Mathema approaches parliament with a statement.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Tsitsi Gezi agreed, saying the minister must indeed attend to the request in due course.

Mathema, who was following proceedings in the house, immediately walked out of the legislative chamber as Chikwinya finished his request and before Gezi ruled.

Chikwinya said many MDC supporters and activists have been forced into hiding in the aftermath of the banned demonstrations the MDC had planned early this months.

Dozens have been abducted by suspected State security agents, tortured and left for dead.

“I rise on a motion of privilege and my concern is that since August 14 this year, 26 members of the opposition have been abducted and tortured at night.

“Section 61 (1) (b) of the Constitution allows freedom of expression but our youths are being abducted every day. It is dismay that one of our MPs Caston Matewu had his house sprayed with 21 bullets last week on 19 August, 2019 around 2am. Whilst we are doing our work, we expect protection from the law and enforcement agents Madam Speaker.,” Chikwinya said amid jeering from Zanu PF MPs.

Chikwinya said it was disheartening that the Zanu PF administration was violating the Constitution by not allowing MDC members to petition government on various issues affecting the nation.

The vocal MP also stated that Section 59 of the Constitution allows citizens to petition and demonstrate where they have any dissatisfaction towards government policies or programmes.

“It is disheartening Madam Speaker that continued abuse of our members whereby the opposition is not allowed to petition the government. We hope that government will see sense and abide by the dictates of the Constitution.

“I therefore implore the Minister of Home Affairs Cain Mathema to issue a ministerial statement on the developments that are taking place,” he added as one Zanu PF MPs shouted, “Hamusati matanga (you have not yet started).”

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Tsitsi Gezi agreed that a statement be issued by the Home Affairs Minister.

“I will advise the Honorable Minister to come and give a ministerial statement,” Gezi responded.

On Friday, Minister Mathema professed ignorance on the matter and angrily told reporters that she was lying before hanging up his cellphone.

President Mnangagwa has used police to thwart countrywide demonstrations that were planned by the opposition over continuous price hikes in goods and services.