By Talent Gondo- About 300 people believed to be Zimbabweans were on Wednesday arrested around Musina, including the Beitbridge Border Post areas, for allegedly flouting South African immigration laws, officials in South Africa have said.
Among those arrested was a suspected human trafficker, caught with a two-year-old undocumented Zimbabwean toddler during a joint operation code-named “Basadi”, supervised by Mamane Dickson Masemola, a member of the executive committee (MEC) in charge of the affairs of the Limpopo province bordering Zimbabwe.
A joint statement from Masemola – who is the MEC for Transport and Safety and the Limpopo Province commander of South African Police Services (Saps), Lieutenant-General Nneke Ledwaba – issued on Wednesday evening said 295 people had been arrested under the Immigration Act .
It also said Mamane, who sits on a committee of provincial ministers, participated in operation Basadi, which incorporated stop-and-search roadblocks, including patrol crime-beats.
“The MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Namane Dickson Masemola, has today (August 21, 2019) visited Musina in support of the law enforcement operation, Basadi”, the statement said.
“The on-duty parade was held at the Musina South African National Defence Force (Sandf) military base and the integrated operation was conducted until 13:00hrs, covering Musina, the Beitbridge Border Post and surrounding areas.”
The stop-and-search operation was carried out along all the major roads, targetting police wanted persons and all unlicensed businesses.
“In total, 373 suspects were arrested for residence and business burglary, aggravated and common assaults, thefts of and from motor vehicles,” the statement read.
“Saps units from the lowest to the highest ranks, constituting female police officers within the environments of Crime Intelligence, Assets Management, Legal Services, Corporate Communication, Provincial Support, Vispol, Detectives, Stock Theft, FCS, VCIU, DPCI, CR & SCM, POCC, ORS, K9, Mounted Unit, the Public Order Police Unit, Beitbridge Border Gate and cluster commanders of Tzaneen, Seshego, Mahwelereng, Polokwane, Makhado, Giyani, Modimolle, Lephalale and Thohoyandou, joined forces as they embarked on law enforcement activities around the border area. During this operation, Saps women were also joined by other law enforcement partners from the Provincial and Municipal Traffic and the Sandf.”
Operation Basadi (women), which is ongoing, has a bias to acknowledge police women and has in some occasions involved Zimbabwean female cops in operations within the border areas.
Thousands of Zimbabweans are arrested in South Africa on a daily basis as they flee a free-falling economy which government blames on illegal sanctions.
The main opposition MDC party, however, points at misrule and poor management of the economy — coupled with corruption — as the main undoing of an otherwise promising nation whose citizens now flock to South Africa where they settle for poorly-paid second-class jobs.
Of late, most cross-border travellers have found themselves having to jump the border, risking robberies and attacks by wild animals since Zimbabwe currently does not have enough material to produce passports, with government only able to produce 800 travel documents per day.-Newsday
By Talent Gondo- Government has awarded a 76% salary hike to its restive workers, a move which will see the lowest paid civil servant getting around $1 000 per month.
However, the civil servants’ representative body, the Apex Council, yesterday described the increase as a drop in the ocean, given the rate of inflation in the country.
The increase comes after most civil servants had notified their employer of their incapacity to continue reporting for duty, with others threatening industrial action over the high cost of living.
In a statement, the Apex Council said the salary adjustment fell far short of their expectations of $4 750 (US$475) for the least paid worker.
“Following the rejection of a 10% government offer by the Apex Council, the National Joint Negotiating Council meeting convened today (August 23, 2019) saw government move their offer to 76% of the total package with effective from August 1, 2019,” part of the statement co-signed by Apex Council chairperson Cecilia Alexander and vice-chairperson, Thomas Muzondo, read.
“The offer does not meet the stated position of the workers, which is pegged at $4 750 for the least paid civil servant. According to this development, the lowest paid worker is expected to take home $1 023 from $582.”
Apex Council leaders said they would soon consult their members again and update government of the outcome at their next meeting on Wednesday.
Earlier, Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou had poured cold water on the government’s salary offer.
“Why has the government and Apex Council been quiet for all along? Government and Apex Council claim to be talking when civil servants threaten to go on strike. We certainly do not eat empty promises. The government already claims that a hefty salary is on its way, but we are aware that this is a tissue of misrepresentation,” he said.
“Let the teachers measure the deftness of the salary rather than the self-appraisal of a starvation salary being labelled hefty by an uncaring employer.”
“At any rate, the government is well known for peddling falsehoods. They promised duty-free cars to civil servants last year, but up to now, not even a single teacher has accessed that facility. The government has failed to provide stands for teachers’ accommodation purposes, let alone to exempt three children for every teacher from paying tuition fees,” Zhou said.
This comes as staff at State universities have declared that they are financially incapacitated to continue reporting for duty following the erosion of their salaries by inflation.
Zimbabwe State Universities’ Union of Academics president Alois Muzvuwe on Thursday gave notice that from September 8, their members would stop going to work until government reviewed their salaries.
“This decision comes after realising that efforts to seek redress on State universities have not yielded the desired outcome. The Higher Education ministry has failed to provide answers or solutions to low standards of living and hardships that are being experienced by State universities teaching staff,” Muzvuwe said in a statement.
This came after Midlands State University (MSU) staff on Wednesday registered the same concerns with their administration.
In a memorandum to vice-chancellor Victor Muzvidziwa, the MSU Lecturers’ Association said their salaries had dropped 10 times, adding they were now only able to report for duty on the first three days of the month.
MSU spokesperson Mirirai Mawere yesterday told NewsDay Weekender that the university management was now seized with the matter.
“We acknowledge receipt of the memorandum and we wish to assure our valued stakeholders that the university is seized with this matter. We are pursuing internal strategies to ensure that our students continue to learn and are not inconvenienced in any way,” she said.-Newsday
By Talent Gondo- Embattled Zanu PF chairperson for Mashonaland Central province Kazembe Kazembe has warned ruling party members against remaining in the campaign mode and urged them to accept the current party leadership.
Addressing party supporters during Muzarabani North legislator Zhemu Soda’s victory celebrations at Utete Business Centre recently, Kazembe said he would not leave his party position because he loved it and those who try to disturb his duties would suffer the consequences.
“As Zanu PF, we should be united and not be on each other’s throat every time, meaning we should not be in the campaign mood always,” he said.
“Let us learn to accept the incumbent leaders so as to build the nation. Let me also take this opportunity to warn those fanning divisions in the party that there will be a blood bath. You want me to leave this
chairmanship yet I still want it. There will be bloodbath.”
Serious factionalism is reportedly rocking the province, with war veterans calling for the removal of Kazembe from the chairmanship on allegations of failing to mobilise supporters to attend party programmes supposed to be presided over by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa reportedly snubbed two events at the eleventh hour due to poor attendance.
Kazembe further claimed that officials were already positioning themselves in the structures before the official restructuring exercise.
“We have officials who are already positioning themselves before the official exercise. Why should we be doing that? What do you need these positions for? Give us time to work, a councillor, Member of Parliament and the chairperson of the party should be supported to avoid getting into each other’s tracks, since we are winners,” he said.More in Home
He further castigated the Nelson Chamisa-led opposition MDC for accusing Mnangagwa of stealing votes in last year’s controversial presidential election.
“We have the MDC making noise for the next five years. We were robbed, we were robbed yet time is moving. But we are very alert and will not let the country go. They have set demonstrations after seeing the great works of the President who is fighting corruption with Zacc [Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission],” Kazembe claimed.
He further implored members of the community to police each other and account for their movements and whereabouts in light of the planned demonstrations by the MDC.
“Our President told us that there will be pain when resolving the country’s economic hardships, but Chamisa has taken that opportunity and is now influencing retailers to raise prices so that you revolt against the President,” Kazembe claimed.
“Recently, I heard that they want to move province by province. Here in Mash Central, we do not do demonstrations. Check your neighbour, if you find him or her missing, he or she has to explain about his or her whereabouts,” he said.-Newsday
By AEDIT Beauty Board- In the wake of Allergan issuing a global recall of its BIOCELL textured breast implants and tissue expanders, The AEDITION breaks down what it means for patient safety.
At this point, you’ve likely heard that Allergan (the Dublin-based drugmaker behind BOTOX®, JUVÉDERM®, CoolSculpting®, LATISSE®, and more) issued a worldwide recall of its BIOCELL® saline- and silicone-filled textured breast implants and tissue expanders.
The decision followed a request from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove the products from the market due to a link between them and a rare type of cancer known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (a.k.a. BIA-ALCL).
The Backstory
The debate about textured implants is nothing new. Amidst a growing concern about potential health risks (they were pulled from European markets in December 2018, with Canada and Australia following suit in May and July, respectively), the FDA determined in March 2019 that there was not enough evidence to support banning the products at the time. New data, however, has the agency changing its tune.
The FDA now reports there have been 573 cases of BIA-ALCL since 2011, and 481 of the patients had BIOCELL® implants at the time of their diagnosis. Of the 33 deaths from the rare cancer of the immune system, authorities have been able to identify the manufacturer of the implants in 13 cases — 12 of them involved Allergan. The agency believes the risk of disease from BIOCELL® textured products is six times greater than that of other brands.
“Once the evidence indicated that a specific manufacturer’s product appeared to be directly linked to significant patient harm, including death, the FDA took action to alert the firm to new evidence indicating a recall is warranted to protect women’s health,” FDA principal deputy commissioner Amy Abernethy said in a statement.
The Specifics
Unlike smooth implants, textured breast implants are known for their sandpaper-like exterior that helps to hold them in place. While they are common in Europe, they make up less than 10 percent of the units sold in the U.S. market.
Even so, the FDA recommends (as of July 24, 2019) health care providers immediately stop implanting BIOCELL® products and return unused inventory. Patients, meanwhile, are advised to monitor for BIA-ALCL symptoms, which include persistent swelling or pain in the vicinity of the implant. While patients diagnosed with the cancer should have their implants removed, the FDA does not currently suggest the removal of textured implants or tissue expanders for those who are symptom free.
The recall adds yet another layer to the recent negative press breast implants in general have received. In the lead up to that March FDA meeting, some providers renewed calls for so-called “breast implant illness” or BII to be classified as a medical condition due to the autoimmune disorders (think: muscle pain, fatigue, digestive issues, inflammation, weakness, hair loss, and cognitive impairment to name a few) patients and surgeons believe could be tied to silicone implants.
“While the FDA doesn’t have definitive evidence suggesting breast implants are associated with these conditions, we’re looking to gain a fuller understanding of this issue to communicate risk, minimize harm and help in the treatment of affected patients,” the agency said in the report, while imploring medical device manufacturers to invest in long-term testing for BII.
The Takeaway
So, what does all of this new information mean for the estimated five million-plus Americans who currently have breast implants?
If you have a textured breast implant, the risk of developing BIA-ALCL over your lifetime is somewhere between one in 4,000 and one in 30,000. To put that in perspective, the lifetime risk of being hit by lightning is one in 3,000. Thus, the chance of developing breast implant-associated cancer is less than the chance of getting struck by lightning, and treatment of local BIA cancer is nearly 100 percent curable with excision.
The low odds explain why the FDA does not recommend removal of Allergan BIOCELL® breast implants in patients with no symptoms — though it has rightly banned BIOCELL® products from further use due to the unnecessarily and significantly elevated risk of BIA cancer.
Patients experiencing symptoms that could be related to BIA or BII should contact their plastic surgeon.
By Wilbert Mukori- There is no doubt that ever since the 2008 to 2013 GNU there was mutual understanding, a cordial agreement, a “entente cordiale” as the French would say, struck between Zanu PF and MDC. MDC was supposed to implement the raft of democratic reforms SADC leaders had managed to get Mugabe to sign on to at the on-set of the GNU.
“The opposition MDC went
into the Government of National Unity (GNU) between 2009-2013 without a plan
and failed to utilise the opportunity, new party leader Nelson Chamisa has
admitted,” reported New Zimbabwe.
“We got in the inclusive
government and just sat there, spent five years in there. We came out without
doing anything. We will not do that, dialogue must have timelines that are very
clear, the international community must tick us, mark us on the boxes,” quoting
Chamisa
This was just a feeble
excuse; SADC leaders produced a roadmap and they did their best to remind MDC
leaders to follow the roadmap but were repeatedly ignored.
Robert Mugabe entrapped
the MDC leaders with very generous salaries and allowances, ministerial limos,
a former white-owned farm for senor Welshman Ncube, a $4 million Highlands
mansion for senor Tsvangirai, etc., etc.
A down payment and Mugabe’s entente cordiale gesture; proof, as far as
the MDC leaders were concerned, that Zanu PF accepted them as fully paid
members of the exclusive rule elite.
Ditching implementing the
democratic reforms was the least MDC leaders could do to express their
gratitude to Robert Mugabe for his acceptance of the MDC leaders into the
exclusive ruling elite club. Afterall why would MDC leaders still want to
implement the reforms when they too stand to benefit from these undemocratic
practices, now that they are members of the ruling elite for life.
MDC leaders were warned
against participating in the 2013 elections without reforms, but they ignored
the warning. Tsvangirai was cocksure MDC would win that election regardless of
the vote rigging.
Tsvangirai knew Zanu PF
would rig the elections but, given the prevailing entente cordiale spirit, he
was cocksure he would win the 2013 elections. True enough the wanton violence
and barbarism of 2008 was gone, Zanu PF had taken its heavy boot off the wanton
violence pedal. True, the party stepped up its intimidation with party leaders
and operatives warning the populous that the 2008 violence would return if the
party was to lose the election. It was operation harvest fear.
Zanu PF stepped up the
more subtle vote rigging activities such as vote buying and jerrymandering the
voter registration and voting to give the party the edge. The number of polling
stations were increased from 2 000 in 2008 to 9 000 in 2013 and the regime
failed to produce a verified voters’ roll, for example. Still MDC leaders
soldiered on confident they would still win the 2013 elections.
Morgan Tsvangirai won 73%
of the vote in the March 2008 election, according to Mugabe’s Freudian slip,
and he went into the 2013 elections cocksure he will be elected president and
MDC will win the majority. He lost and so did his party! They were shocked but
helpless to do anything about it.
Tsvangirai and company
could not take Zanu PF to task for the blatant vote rigging when everyone who
understood what had happened throughout the GNU KNEW it was MDC leaders’ fault
that not even one reform was implemented in five years of the GNU. Not even
one!
MDC leaders knew they had
lost their chance to implement the democratic reforms during the GNU and with
it their political credibility.
Zanu PF was smart enough
to know the party will need MDC to continue participating in elections
regardless how flawed and illegal the process got if the party was to get away
with rigged elections. Zanu PF offered to let the opposition a few gravy-train
seats to entice them to participate. It worked like a charm!
There were a staggering 23
presidential candidates and no fewer than 130 political parties contested last
year’s elections. All the opposition candidate knew Zanu PF was going to rig
the elections because not even one reform was implemented since the 2013 rigged
elections.
Even when ZEC failed to
produce a verified voters’ roll and the number of polling station had gone up
to over 11 000; not even a team of wild horses would stop the opposition
candidate participating. Chamisa even boasted that “MDC had stringent measures
to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections!” Of course, he was lying. The opposition
candidates were after the few seats Zanu PF was giving away and did not care
that the elections were rigged!
In 2013 Zanu PF rigged the
elections and MDC leaders accepted the outcome without a farce; there are three
main reasons MDC leaders have made a big farce following the 2018 elections
with their demand for Mnangagwa to include MDC leaders in his cabinet.
Chamisa feels
that he had gone the extra mile by participating in the elections even when it
was clear the elections were being rigged. He clearly believes that extra
effort is worthy of political recognition and rewarding. He is asking for a
ministerial position for himself and a few other MDC leaders.
The EU,
Commonwealth and all the other election observers have condemned last year’s
election as a farce making the Zanu PF regime illegitimate. Although the MDC
has accepted the parliamentary process as legitimate the party’s continued
rejection of Mnangagwa as the legitimately elected president is unnerving
Mnangagwa. Chamisa is only taking advantage of the EU, etc. position to
pressure Mnangagwa to concede to his power sharing demands.
By blatantly
rigging the elections, failing to do anything to stamp out corruption, etc.;
Mnangagwa confirmed that Zimbabwe, under his leadership, is still a pariah
state. There will be no meaningful economic recovery as long as the country
remains a pariah state.
Chamisa has offered to revive the economy, if Mnangagwa agreed to share
power. “I have the key to unlock the economy,” said Chamisa. He is bluffing, of
course; there will be no meaningful recovery as long as the country remains a
pariah state.
However, with the country’s economic meltdown going into overdrive,
Mnangagwa will be forced to go into the power sharing arrangement.
In 1939 Adolf Hitler and
Joseph Stalin signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact or Non-aggression and
Neutrality Pact. The pact included a secret protocol defining the borders of
Soviet and German “spheres of influence” in the event of possible
rearrangement of the territories belonging to Poland, Lithuania, Latvia,
Estonia, and Finland.
The Zanu PF and MDC
entente cordiale is every bit the Hitler-Stalin pact in which we the ordinary
Zimbabweans are the Poles, Lithuanians, etc. whose rights and freedoms are
being decided by the two parties and we have no say. The new GNU that MDC is
pushing for will secure cabinet positions for MDC but will not advance our
common cause of free, fair and credible elections one iota!
Zanu PF rigged last year’s elections and so the regime is illegitimate. The regime must step down to allow the appointment of competent body to implement the reforms and finally end this curse of rigged elections.
MDC is now working in cahoots with Zanu PF to remain in power for each’s selfish gain. It is important that we end this cosy MDC and Zanu PF entente cordiale that has brought nothing but suffering and death to us all.
By Muchie Shamuyarira | In recent years, the UK courts and tribunals have resisted attempts by employers to use the “illegality defence” to block vulnerable migrant workers’ employment tribunal claims.
While this case concerned contractual claims, employers should bear in mind that illegal working does not necessarily preclude a claim under the Equality Act 2010 (see case Hounga v Allen and another [2014] IRLR 811 SC).
Contract of employment | illegal working | enforceability
In the recent case in Okedina v Chikale [2019] EWCA Civ 1393 CA, the UK Court of Appeal held that a worker’s former employer could not block her contractual claims by arguing that she was working without the required immigration status.
Mrs Okedina brought Ms Chikale from Malawi to the UK in July 2013 to work for her as a live-in domestic worker. She worked very long hours and was paid only £3,300 during her employment.
Ms Chikale was initially granted a visa to work in the UK. When the visa ran out in November 2013, Mrs Okedina told Ms Chikale that the necessary steps were being taken to extend the visa. Mrs Okedina made an application for a visa extension, forging Ms Chikale’s signature and applying on the false basis that she was a family member. The application was refused.
Ms Chikale, who was unaware that she was working illegally, continued in Mrs Okedina’s employment, but was dismissed in June 2015 after asking for more money. She brought a number of successful “contractual” employment tribunal claims, including claims for unfair and wrongful dismissal, unlawful deductions from wages, and unpaid holiday pay.
The Employment Appeal Tribunal upheld Ms Chikale’s claims and Mrs Okedina appealed to the Court of Appeal. The sole point before the Court of Appeal was whether or not Mrs Okedina could raise a defence of illegality in respect of the period after November 2013. In other words, Mrs Okedina argued that the contractual claims could not succeed because the contract of employment was illegal once Ms Chikale’s leave to remain expired.
The Court of Appeal noted that the contract of employment could have been unenforceable because of:
Statutory illegality. This is where legislation either prohibits the making of a contract so that it is unenforceable by either party or provides that a contract, or a particular contractual term, is unenforceable by one or other party. The knowledge or culpability of the party seeking recompense is irrelevant: it is a simple matter of obeying the legislation.
Common law illegality. This arises where the formation, purpose or performance of the contract involves conduct that is illegal or contrary to public policy and where the denial of enforcement of the contract to one or other party is an appropriate response to that conduct.
The Court of Appeal observed that, in most case law involving illegality in the employment field, the employee is well aware of their immigration status, although they may have sought to conceal it from the employer. Unusually, Ms Chikale was unaware of her immigration status and it was her employer concealing her true immigration status from her. For this reason, the only possible defence for Mrs Okedina would be “statutory illegality”.
The Court of Appeal set out the two relevant statutory provisions: sections 15 and 21 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Section 15 imposes civil penalties on employers that employ illegal workers, although employers have a statutory excuse against liabilities for civil penalties if they carry out satisfactory right-to-work checks. Section 21 makes it a criminal offence to employ a person knowing that they are disqualified from employment because of their immigration status.
However, the Court of Appeal highlighted that the sections do not expressly prevent the parties from entering into a contract of employment where the employee does not have the appropriate immigration status, nor do they provide that such a contract should be unenforceable by either party. The sections do no more than provide for civil and criminal penalties, which are imposed only on the employer.
The Court of Appeal went on to consider whether or not an intention could be implied into sections 15 and 21 that a
contract of employment where the employee does not have the appropriate immigration status should be unenforceable by either party. To imply such an intention, the Court had to consider “public policy in the light of the mischief which the statute is designed to prevent, its language, scope and purpose, the consequences for the innocent party, and any other relevant considerations”.
The Court of Appeal concluded that it would be going too far to imply such an intention into sections 15 and 21, where the effect would be that an innocent employee is deprived of all contractual remedies against the employer. The Court noted that the “common law illegality” defence remains available where the employee knowingly participates in the illegality.
The Court of Appeal rejected Mrs Okedina’s appeal and upheld Ms Chikale’s contractual claims.
This article and case should not in anyway meant to encourage illegal working in the UK but to advise potential victims regarding their employment rights.
Muchie Shamuyarira (Chartered Member of CIPD – UK)
HR & Industrial Relations Director and also Employment Law Consultant in the UK
The savage attack on lawyer Doug Coltart who was simply carrying out his work as a Legal Practitioner for the Association of Rural Teachers of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) is further evidence that all pretence is gone and we are now dealing with a brutal illegitimate regime that has now turned full scale.
lndeed, it now seems that the regime is increasingly making dictator Robert Mugabe now look like an angel. At least with him we knew where we stood.
But this is not so with the illegitimate regime. Having initially assumed office after a coup and having been misled that we were turning the corner it has become evident that this was a false dawn.
We in the MDC now feel vindicated. We have been saying it, time and again that this is neither a New Dispensation nor a Second Republic but a continuation of the repression which started under the racist colonial regime and was perfected by Mugabe and now its deja vu.
The hopes of the long suffering Zimbabwean people have been dashed and the dream of November 2017 has turned into a terrible nightmare.
The New Deception is no longer subtle and we thought that the era where professionals doing their job would be brutalized was gone but alas we are back to square one.
The failure by the illegitimate regime to uphold the rule of law is astounding.
ARTUZ is a bona fide trade union and as such exempt from the provisions of POSA but to the powers that be this matters not and that exception is not recognized.
Further to that the excessive use of force and overreaction is clearly unwarranted if indeed we want to be taken seriously as a democratic country.
Following the brutalization of some journalists who were simply trying to cover events on the 16th of August 2019 it was not surprising that something more frightening was to occur in the dead of the night when Samantha Kureya aka Gonyeti received some uninvited visitors who abducted and tortured her.
While we know that the culprits are unlikely to be apprehended what we find reprehensible and disgusting is the Twitter post allegedly under the handle of a Deputy Minister Energy Mutodi that this is an abduction skit.
This is not new as a former Minister Moven Mahachi made a bizarre claim that journalists the late Mark Chavhunduka and Ray Choto who had been tortured had scratched themselves.
This level of insensitivity and callousness is not expected and should have been buried with the demise of racism and apartheid but is alive and well with our new rulers.
We in the MDC cherish the freedoms and rights which are enshrined in our Constitution and we will continue fighting for a truly democratic system which Zimbabweans deserve.
Innocent Gonese
MDC Secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs
Nyasha Times|The Malawian presidential election nullification petition case will drag for the next four months with Constitutional Court expected to deliver ruling next year.
The revelation comes as the five-judge panel on Friday rejected a new checklist by President Peter Mutharika lawyers who indicated they wanted to cross-examine 243 witnesses.
Last week, the Constitution Court directed that all parties should submit new witness checklist indicating how many dependent they are to be cross examine, their identities and areas or paragraphs to be examined for the court to achieve expedition on the case.
However, Judge Healey Potani, chair of the five-judge panel of Dingiswayo Madise, Redson Kapindu, Mike Tembo and Ivy Kamanga, on Friday noted that Mutharika lawyers were not ‘serious’ on the issues as they only indicated that they want to quiz 243 witness.
“The court has rejected the first respondent’s checklist because it seems like it was not prepared according to the direction of the court. They will have to file a new one which will comply with the court directive,” said Justice Potani.
UTM has indicated it only want to cross examine a total of four, while the Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP), looks set to examine 12 witnesses. Lawyers for President Mutharika want 243 witnesses in the block, while the MEC legal team want a total of 38 from UTM and 15 from MCP affidavits.
The Court has sent back all legal teams to perfect their submissions, indicate the areas which they are in agreement and areas they want to cross-examine the other side. Mutharika lawyers were chided for not being serious.
An estimated 50 witnesses are expected to be on the dock and MCP president Lazarus Chakwera might only be heard in court probably end October or November should the current pace of proceedings persists.
Registrar of High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal Agnes Patemba said there is no specific duration to hear the elections petition case, saying the trial may reach December.
Patemba who is Judiciary spokesperson said the constitutional court gives judges mandate to make their determination for a maximum of 45 days after conclusion of hearing the case.
“There are rules that govern elections, Considering that the case is now at the Constitutional Court, there are also rules that are followed,” said Patemba.
Ruling in the case in which UTM Party president Saulos Chilima and a fellow presidential hopeful in the May 21 Tripartite Elections, MCP’s Lazarus Chakwera, petitioned the court to nullify the results, citing irregularities in the administration of the polls can be predicted somewhere after one year of elections.
The MCP and UTM Party presidential candidates claim the presidential elections were rigged in favour of Mutharika who was declared winner with 38 percent of the votes trailed by Chakwera with 35 percent and Chilima with 20 percent.
There was drama last night during a live debate when the ZANU PF Youth League chairman (UK) charged accusing the exiled Prof Jonathan Moyo for manufacturing evidence proving military intervention during the 2018 elections. Below is a snippet (ALSO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO BELOW :
State Media|Government has offered a 76 percent pay rise to civil servants, which will see the least-paid worker taking home $1 023 per month.
This emerged during yesterday’s National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting in Harare, which involved the Government and civil servants’ representatives.
Government could not be immediately reached for comment as Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza was reportedly in remote areas, while the ministry’s permanent secretary and lead negotiator, Mr Simon Masanga said he “does not issue Press statements”.
But Apex Council chairperson, Mrs Cecilia Alexander, confirmed that Government had reviewed its offer to 76 percent from the initial 10 percent offer.
“We have not rejected and we have not accepted the offer from Government,” said Mrs Alexander.
“We are going back to consult our members; we don’t have the mandate to accept that $1 023 offer, so we are going back to our members.
“But we are going to meet on Tuesday (next week). Once our members have given us a go-ahead — we are messengers — we will accept and if they say no, we will also communicate that accordingly.”
A statement released yesterday by the Apex Council, which was signed by both Mrs Alexander and her deputy Mr Thomas Muzondo, read; “Following the rejection of a 10 percent Government offer by the Apex Council, the NJNC meeting convened today this 23 August 2019, saw Government move their offer to 76 percent of the total package with effect from the 1st of August 2019.”
However, the Apex Council said Government’s latest offer does not meet the workers’ position of $4 750 for the least-paid civil servant.
Presently, the lowest paid civil servant is taking home $582.
The new offer by Government shows its determination to ensure its employees were well remunerated, especially following a wave of unjustified increases in the price of goods and services.
On July 18, Government and its workers met and agreed to a once-off cushioning allowance of $400 to provide relief to employees while a cost of living adjustment (COLA) was being negotiated.
State Media|THE High Court has nullified the suspension of Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, by Deputy Mayor Councillor Tinashe Kambarami.
The ruling by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Thompson Mabhikwa follows an application by Mr Dube challenging his recent suspension. He sought a court order declaring his suspension by Clr Kambarami null and void even though council had lifted the suspension.
Mr Dube was recently violently ejected from his office by Clr Kambarami working closely with Ward Four Clr Silas Chigora as they claimed that they were suspending him from work over a number of allegations including abuse of office.
In papers before the court, Clr Kambarami, in his personal capacity and Bulawayo City Council, were cited as respondents. “It is ordered that the letter of the 11th July 2019, authored by the first respondent (Clr Kambarami purporting to suspend the applicant (Mr Dube) be and is hereby declared ultra vires (done beyond one’s legal power or authority) and consequently null and void together with all actions following therefrom,” ruled Justice Mabhikwa.
He ordered each party to bear its own legal costs. Mr Dube, who was represented by lawyers from Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, also wanted the respondents to conform to provisions of the law should they decide to institute disciplinary proceedings against him.
In his founding affidavit, Mr Dube said Clr Kambarami acted unlawfully and unreasonably when he suspended him from office.
“Our country is a constitutional democracy and in terms of the new constitutional dispensation, the right to administrative justice is enshrined in the Justiciable Bill of Rights and every person has a right to administrative conduct that is lawful, prompt, efficient, reasonable, proportionate, impartial and both substantially and procedurally fair,” he said.
Mr Dube said the respondents are bound by the provisions of the Administrative Justice Act to act reasonably and in a fair manner in taking administrative action, which may affect the rights, interests or legitimate expectations of any person. “The first respondent (Clr Kambarami) in casu acted in violation of the law making his conduct unlawful and indeed unreasonable,” he said.
Mr Dube said Clr Kambarami purported to arrogate himself mayoral powers when he suspended him. “The fact that the office of the mayor and that of the deputy mayor are created by the same Section 103 of the Urban Councils Act, does not mean that the deputy mayor can usurp the powers of the mayor.
Of course, there are instances when a deputy mayor can lawfully act in the stead of the mayor, but their functions are governed by Section 104 of the Urban Councils Act,” he said.
Mr Dube said it was unreasonable for Clr Kambarami to storm into his office and serve him with an “illegal purported” letter of suspension.
“My constitutional rights were flagrantly violated by first respondent who was acting illegally by taking the law into his own hands and it is for this reason that I have sued him in his personal capacity. He was certainly acting in a frolic of his own and his conduct was not sanctioned by the second respondent (Bulawayo City Council),” said Mr Dube.
He argued that the purported letter of suspension dated 11 July 2019 could not stand.
Mr Dube later opened a criminal case against his assailants under CRB2516A&B/19 and the matter was ruled in favour Clr Kambarami.
Clr Kambarami suspended Mr Dube and, with the help of other councillors, ejected the Town Clerk from his office before locking it and placing a key blocker.
This was despite advice to Clr Kambarami by Chamber Secretary Mrs Sikhangele Zhou that they had not followed procedure in their actions.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi on Wednesday stated that the government will find it difficult to respect the rights of the people for as long as the country is under economic restrictions from the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA).
Zimbabwe has been under the economic embargo from the western power since the turn of the millennium after the controversial and highly violent land reform during former President Robert Mugabe’s era.
The restrictions have been used as a scapegoat for the economic collapse and have been accused of fuelling corruption which deters progress.
Corruption rank in Zimbabwe averaged 123.48 from 1998 until 2018, reaching an all-time high of 166 in 2008 and a record low of 43 in 1998.
This has seen most public institutions failing to perform and the old regime under Mugabe seemed to show a lack of zeal to fight the scourge.
Making a presentation during the launch of the Anti-Corruption Campaign which is sponsored by the EU, Ziyambi said it is difficult for the government to respect people’s rights for as long as sanctions are still there.
He said the resections make it impossible for Zimbabwe to attain its vision 2030 as corruption will still be escalated due to unavailability of basic goods and services which are a right for the struggling masses.
“Among the things we need to deal with is the reform process and the respect of our constitution, fundamental human rights. We cannot respect the rights of the citizens of Zimbabwe when sanctions are still there.
“So I want to call upon my brother (EU Ambassador Timo Olkkonen), as we launch the anti-corruption campaign and say that corruption and sanctions go hand in hand.”
Ziyambi said when a country is under sanctions, shortages of basic commodities will be inevitable hence corruption starts sprouting.
“So I urge him to reconsider the rights of the poor citizens of Zimbabwe and become an advocate of the anti-sanctions drive,” he said.
The sentiments came barely a week after the main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), had its supporters beaten by the police after they took to the streets to protest against corruption, an ailing economy and poor governance by the Emmerson Mnangagwa administration.
The move was condemned by the EU and the USA as the two powerhouses cited human rights abuses.
EU Ambassador, Timo Olkkonen told the same gathering that Zimbabwe needed to respect the rights of citizens to petition and demonstrate and called on Mnangagwa to ensure a free environment for civil society to keep the government in check.
However, Mnangagwa would have none of it as he said the CSOs needs to stay in their lane and respect the laws of the land.
“May I urge civil society to restrict themselves to their mandate. The rule of law observance is not needed for the purpose of pleasing other countries, we need it because it is proper for ourselves,” warned Mnangagwa.
The coming in of President Mnangagwa had revived hopes that Zimbabwe might start acting on corruption.
The recently commissioned Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has made a number of arrests on senior political figures but the “catch and release” gimmick has raised eyebrows over its willingness to deal with the rampant scourge.263 Chat
Zimbabwean businessman Frank Buyanga – who is based in South Africa – has again dismissed allegations that he was involved in corrupt land deals in his home country, saying the ruling Zanu-PF party’s bigwigs were being misled by the youth league.
Earlier this month, the Zanu-PF Youth League accused the businessman of corruption involving the acquisition and sale of residential stands, at a time when authorities have upped the ante in the fight against graft.
Zimbabwe’s newly constituted anti-graft body has been on blitz that has fingered senior government officials including Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira – who has since been arrested and sacked over graft allegations involving millions of US dollars.
Mupfumira is facing seven counts of corruption in relation to the $94 million that went missing from the state pension fund.
Another high flyer to be arrested was Principal Director Monitoring and evaluation in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Douglas Tapfuma.
Buyanga, who has previously denied the allegations, on Friday took issue with Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party, which he said was being misled by its youth league. He claimed the youth league was using the anti-corruption blitz by authorities as guise to target individuals.
Last week, the businessman demanded that Zanu-PF Youth League leader Lewis Matutu provides evidence of any wrong doing. So far no such evidence has been made public.
Buyanga said he wants to remind Matutu that he has been at the forefront of fighting corruption in Zimbabwe, even during the Robert Mugabe era. He said since 2013 he has has been calling for an economic surveillance and monitoring unit under the Presidency.
The Hamilton Group founder produced letters in which he implores Zimbabwe government leaders to act against rampant corruption, especially in parastatals.
In a letter dated 30 September 2016, Buyanga tells state residences director, Innocent Tizora, that “… as a national duty, I would only be willing to assist … uncorrupted security sectors. It is not only obvious to the naked eye, but reports on the police and anti-corruption sectors leave a lot to be desired suggesting further that a total weed out of bad apples, if not saboteurs, within these crucial socio-economic segments of law enforcement and State-owned enterprises would help regain confidence for the much-needed recovery”.
But now that the youth league has fingered the businessman alleging that he bought and sold land in Zimbabwe in an under hand manner it remains to be seen what action the anti-corruption unit will take.
For his part Buyanga, who appears to be on a collision course with Zanu-PF over the graft allegations, is ready to declare his innocence to anyone who cares to listen.
Zimbabwe’s economy is in meltdown. In the past Buyanga has mentioned the millions of US dollars he says he has invested in that country.
Congratulations to Zimbabwean ?? swimmer ?♀️ Robyn Lee for winning a bronze medal ? in the 200m backstroke at the ongoing All Africa Games in Morocco ??.
Congratulations to Zimbabwean ?? swimmer ?♀️ Robyn Lee for winning a bronze medal ? in the 200m backstroke at the ongoing All Africa Games in Morocco ??.#BeInspiredpic.twitter.com/3b5BtyMJD5
Independent|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is gunning for ex-vice-president Phelekezela Mphoko after picking up intelligence that he is reportedly working with some senior Zanu PF officials linked to ailing Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and remnants of the ruling party’s spooky G40 faction to launch a court application challenging Mnangagwa’s legitimacy.
Security sources said Mphoko is also being hounded over his former shareholding in supermarket chain Choppies — seen as the source for a war chest to fund the application and the renewed power struggles.
He is also being hunted down over his role as former president Robert Mugabe’s point man to investigate a series of alleged crimes against Mnangagwa which include the late Godfrey Majonga’s forced crippling plunge from a high-rise flat saga, the mysterious death of a Harare woman and the Kwekwe gold mining wars and associated deaths.
The court challenge, security officials said, was meant to be premised around the contestation that Mnangagwa was unconstitutionally and unprocedurally appointed president after the November 2017 military coup which toppled former president Robert Mugabe.
The application was not going to challenge the coup per se, but argue that the constitution was not followed after Mugabe’s ouster.
The revelation comes at a time it has emerged Mugabe’s resignation letter has disappeared from parliament. Sources said this was connected to the planned court battle.
As revealed by the Zimbabwe Independent last week, a senior official in the Parliament of Zimbabwe, assistant clerk Johannes Gandiwa, who was entrusted with custody of Mugabe’s resignation letter, has been dismissed from work for gross negligence after the history-making document disappeared under his watch.
Mugabe resigned under pressure from the military on November 21, 2017, bringing an end to his controversial 37-year rule, although Chief Justice Luke Malaba later ruled he quit voluntarily. The letter, which vanished, says he left voluntarily.
His resignation letter, a culmination of a week of sustained military pressure and street demonstrations, was read out by Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda as parliament was in the process of initiating an impeachment motion against him.
Mnangagwa was then appointed president by Zanu PF before taking over the country.
Mphoko and his allies were said to be preparing to contest how Mnangagwa came in.
Part 4 of the Sixth Schedule Section 14 sub-paragraph 4 of the constitution, which provides a special provision for the election and tenure of president and appointment of vice-presidents, says “if the person elected president in any election referred to subparagraph (1) dies, resigns and is removed from office (a) the vice-president or, where there are two vice-presidents, the vice-president who was last nominated to act in terms of subparagraph (3)(b) acts as president until a new president assumes office in terms of subparagraph (5)”.
Mphoko was the only vice-president when the coup occurred following the firing of Mnangagwa by Mugabe two weeks earlier.
Sub-paragraph 4(b) states that “the vacancy in the office of the president must be filled by a nominee of the political party which the president represented when he or she stood for election”.
Sub-paragraph 5 says: “A political party which is entitled to nominate a person in terms of subparagraph (4)(b) must notify the Speaker of the nominee’s name within 90 days after which the vacancy occurred in the office of the president, and thereupon the nominee assumes office as president after taking the oath of president in terms of Section 94, which oath the nominee must take within 48 hours after the Speaker was notified of his or her name.”
Security sources say Mphoko was going to argue that Mnangagwa was not vice-president when Mugabe was removed and therefore he could not immediately come in from outside as required by the constitution and law, even though Zanu PF later held a meeting to reinstate him and then install him as president. The sources say Mphoko was going to contest the constitutionality and procedure of that process on those grounds.
Mnangagwa has been battling legitimacy questions since he came in; first the coup issue, then the disputed election matter and now Mphoko’s planned challenge. His legitimacy also came under close scrutiny on August 1, 2018 when the military shot and killed six people in the streets, before killing 17 more in January this year and after the police’s brutal crackdown on peaceful protestors in Harare last Friday.
“After information was obtained showing that Mphoko could launch the court challenge, a decision was made to get him so that he doesn’t become a new headache and a rallying point,” a source said. “An easy way of getting rid of him was to arrest him for storming Avondale Police Station to free former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive Moses Juma and non-executive director Davison Norupiri who were arrested in 2016 on allegations of defrauding the authority of US$1,3 million.”
Juma was last year jailed for an effective two years, while Norupiri was made an accomplice witness.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commisison (Zacc) officers were then unleashed on Mphoko. They tried to seize him last week on Saturday from his Bulawayo home and fought battles with him on Monday when he escaped arrest.
Zacc claimed on Tuesday he was on the run and a wanted man even though he was at his house. He then appeared in court on Wednesday at the magistrates’ court on criminal abuse of office charges. He was remanded out on ZW$1 000 bail.
Security sources said Mphoko spoke to Mnangagwa by phone on Tuesday to ask why he was being hounded and plead with him to stop Zacc from pursuing him. The sources said Mnangagwa told him that he was not sure why Zacc was in hot pursuit of him, but refused to intervene in the matter.
Despite being co-vice-presidents under Mugabe, Mnangagwa and Mphoko had fractious and sometimes hostile relations which deteriorated after the coup.
In his battle to regain control of Choppies following boardroom squabbles at the company after he was ousted from the vice-presidency in the aftermath of the coup, Mphoko’s backers accused Mnangagwa of supporting their Botswana business rivals.
Sources said Mphoko was only paid ZW$400 000 — instead of US$400 000 — for his 7% equity stake after being kicked out of Choppies.
However, Mphoko insists he owned 51% of the business and was entitled to US$33 million. He also wanted to launch a court case over that.
Sources said Mnangagwa is also hunting down Mphoko because he was used as a blunt instrument by Mugabe to attack him at the height of his succession battles. Mphoko was superintending criminal investigations against Mnangagwa ordered by Mugabe. Mphoko worked closely with former Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo, before he was appointed Finance minister just before the coup, and former police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri, sources say.
Police were investigating Mnangagwa over a series of allegations, including the murder of a Harare woman which his accusers implicated him in, his role in Kwekwe’s machete-driven gold wars and for allegedly forcing prominent journalist Majonga to jump from the second floor of a flat in the Avenues in Harare, leaving him crippled.
Majonga died in Harare this week.
Besides checkmating Mnangagwa, Mphoko also actively encouraged Mugabe to fire him. After Mnangagwa was sacked, forcing him to flee to South Africa through Mozambique, Mphoko urged Mugabe to appoint Grace as his co-vice-president, saying he was “lonely” as deputy at the top table.
This man was a student at Mugabe Secondary School between 1998-2001 and most of his victims were parents of his former school mates. The school is in Uzumba and he was from Manyika village. pic.twitter.com/rcGPzTGl9A
ZimEye can reveal the “killer’s” name is Mr Anesu Kapere.
By Own Correspondent | Latest details have emerged over the Uzumba man who confesses to allegedly killing six (updated) MDC members.
The were suggestions in a live broadcast on ZimEye on Wednesday that the man is suffering from a mental health condition.
But following the program, several people have confirmed the development. One of our sources in an audio recording, went to the extent of stating the man exact whereabouts.
ZimEye can now authoritatively reveal the “killer’s” name is Mr Anesu Kapere.
Kapere is seen on video confessing to killing the below list of people in exchange for $500 per person promised him by a ZANU PF MP. He also pleads for people to put spread news of this on social media platforms. On his Facebook page, he has placated the below as his profile picture:
Anesu Kapere
Kapere confidently says that he killed MDC members during the violence that lasted 72 hours in which perceived 32 MDC supporters were murdered in May 2008.
VIDEO LOADING (story also continues) BELOW…
This was just after the announcement of the 2008 Presidential elections where Morgan Tsvangirai beat Robert Mugabe by over 72% of the total vote tally.
To corroborate with the report, Emmerson Mnangagwa who was Mugabe’s chief election agent, is also in a separate video seen boasting that he is the one who later pushed for the election result to lead to a run off.
The murders happened in Uzumba. The list includes:
Farai Mudimu – Musafare Mudimu was murdered, confimed with MDC list
Karombe Benson Chipungu – Manyika Village, confirmed with MDC list
Amai Mushayahembe – Ruth Mushayahembe of Chimbwanda Village, confimed with MDC list
Brighton Mabwera – Child – 4 years old, in Manyika Village. He was burnt while inside his parents house after the father had fled.
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has instituted investigations into Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder Prophet Walter Magaya, who has been facing a slew of allegations of sexually abusing women.
The constitutional and independent body, whose mandate is to investigate possible violations of rights relating to gender and to receive and consider complaints from the public, is inviting “any person or victim with evidence or complaints” against Prophet Magaya.
The announcement was made by commission chairperson Mrs Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe in a Government Gazette published yesterday.
“It is hereby notified that, in terms of Section Five of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act (Chapter 10:31) the Zimbabwe Gender Commission intends to investigate complaints of sexual abuse of women by Walter Magaya of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries,” read the notice by Mrs Mukahanana-Sangarwe.
“Further to the above notice, an invitation is hereby given to any victims or witnesses to any acts of sexual abuse by Walter Magaya to furnish Zimbabwe Gender Commission with written complaints, witnesses’ statements and any other supporting documents or evidence which can assist in the investigation. Oral hearings will commence thereafter on dates to be advised by the Commission.”
Section Five of the Act stipulates that before launching an investigation, “the Commission shall publish a notice in the Gazette and in any one or more national newspapers informing the public that, no earlier than 14 days or later than 30 days after the publication of the notice in the Gazette, it intends to investigate any systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality”.
Last month, Magaya made headlines in the media after an actress Ms Charity Dlodlo accused him of raping her.
Interestingly, after some days, Ms Dlodlo made an about turn saying the man of the cloth had never done her any harm.
She eventually apologised saying the allegations were false and she had been used by demons to “distract the work God was doing” through Magaya.
Earlier, some parents had claimed that their daughter was raped by the prophet, only for the alleged victim to dismiss the claim.
London — Early Premier League leaders Liverpool and Arsenal face-off, while Frank Lampard is under pressure to deliver his first win as Chelsea boss at Norwich today.
One of the only two remaining 100 percent records in the Premier League will go at Anfield where the European champions will hope to continue a fine recent record against the north Londoners.
Jurgen Klopp has never lost in seven previous Premier League meetings against Arsenal and his side have beaten the Gunners 4-0 and 5-1 at home in the past two seasons.
However, Unai Emery’s outfit are hoping a busy summer in the transfer window, while Liverpool did not strengthen, will have significantly narrowed the 27-point gap between the sides last season.
Emery could hand a first start to 72 million ($87 million) club record signing Nicolas Pepe, while on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos earned rave reviews by creating both goals on his full debut against Burnley last weekend.
However, it is at the back Arsenal need a drastic improvement and there is an early opportunity for veteran centre-back David Luiz to make his mark by halting the free-scoring trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, who combined for all five Liverpool goals when the sides last met.
“A lot of times in my life I had sensational players always (but) not world-class players,” Klopp told Liverpool’s website. “Now, thank God I have them and they make the difference. Sadio Mane, Bobby Firmino, Mo Salah — these guys in the last situation are really outstanding.”
Arsenal have some outstanding finishers of their own. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who shared the Premier League Golden Boot with Mane and Salah last season, has scored his side’s winner in the first two games of the campaign.
And on the evidence of Liverpool’s first four games of the season across all competitions, a defence that registered 20 Premier League clean sheets last season looks far less solid. Alisson Becker remains sidelined with a calf injury, meaning Adrian — whose calamitous attempted clearance gifted Southampton a goal last weekend — will keep his place in goal.State media
By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has announced that the body is instituting investigations against Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder, Prophet Walter Magaya over alleged sexual abuse.
The Commission, on Friday issued a notice in a government Gazette inviting any person or victim with evidence or complaints against Magaya.
Zimbabwe Gender Commission Chairperson, Mrs Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe said:
“It is hereby notified that, in terms of Section Five of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act (Chapter 10:31) the Zimbabwe Gender Commission intends to investigate complaints of sexual abuse of women by Walter Magaya of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries.”
These accusations, however, would not stay for a sustained period of time as the accusers would dramatically withdraw the charges, some accusing the devil of having used them to institute those cases.
There was drama last night during a live debate when the ZANU PF Youth League chairman (UK) charged accusing the exiled Prof Jonathan Moyo for manufacturing evidence proving military intervention during tbe 2018 elections. Below is a snippet (ALSO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO BELOW :
Zanu-PF Chivi South legislator and businessman Killer Zivhu’s political career is hanging by a thread after the ruling party here recommended his expulsion citing treacherous behaviour.
Zivhu’s fate now lies with the Zanu-PF National Disciplinary Committee(NDC) which has the final say on whether or not to endorse his expulsion. If the decision to expel him is upheld by the NDC, Cde Zivhu will also automatically cease to be the ruling party legislator for Chivi South, necessitating a by-election.
The ruling party’s provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) yesterday overwhelmingly resolved to kick out Zivhu from the party. This was after the Chivi South legislator who is the provincial secretary for Environment and Tourism had snubbed a hearing called by the party’s provincial disciplinary committee chaired by vice chair, Ailess Baloyi, over a week ago.
Zivhu had been served with a prohibition notice prior to the recommendation for his dismissal. Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chair, Ezra Chadzamira, confirmed the decision.
Chadzamira who is also Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister said Zivhu remained unapologetic hence the decision to summarily expel him.
“We sat as the PCC today (yesterday) and recommended to the NDC that Zivhu be expelled from the party for his activities on social media. We arrived at the decision to recommend his expulsion because even when we served him with a prohibition order and called him to a hearing, he snubbed the process,’’ said Chadzamira.
He said Zivhu continued with his treacherous behaviour even after the prohibition order by using the social media to push for a meeting between First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and MDC Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa’s wife, Sithokozile.State media
GOVERNMENT has increased civil servants’ salaries by a massive 76 percent, a development that will see the lowest paid worker earning $1 023 up from $582.
A statement released yesterday by the Apex Council, which was signed by both president Mrs Cecilia Alexander and her deputy Mr Thomas Muzondo, read: “Following the rejection of a 10 percent Government offer by the Apex Council, the NJNC meeting convened today, 23 August 2019, saw Government move their offer to 76 percent of the total package with effect from the 1st of August 2019.
“The offer does not meet the stated position of the workers, which is pegged at $4 750 for the least paid civil servant. According to this development, the lowest paid worker is expected to take home $1 023 up from $582”.
Mrs Alexander said the Apex Council requested for time to consult its members over the salary increase offer.
“We are going back to consult our members; we don’t have the mandate to accept that $1 023 offer, so we are going back to our members. We are going to meet on Tuesday (next week). Once our members have given us a go-ahead – we are messengers – we will accept and if they say no, we will also communicate that accordingly.”
The latest salary increment comes at a time when Government has said all civil servants will get their bonuses for the year in November, with Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube conceding that since the introduction of Statutory Instrument (SI) 142 of 2019, also known as Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (Legal Tender) Regulations, wage and salary erosion was now a big challenge, hence the need to continuously adjust wages and salaries.State media
MADRID. – Lionel Messi could be ready to play against Real Betis in the Spanish La Liga tomorrow and Barcelona could do with him back.
In other circumstances, Messi might have left it another week, having missed the whole of pre-season with a calf injury he sustained in his first training session back.
But after re-joining his teammates on Wednesday, the temptation will be to put Messi straight to work, to lift the mood and minimise the chances of what would be a disastrous second slip in La Liga.
One defeat, by Athletic Bilbao inside a bouncing San Mames on the opening night and inflicted by a freakishly brilliant bicycle kick in the 89th minute, might ordinarily have been accepted as a blip.
“San Mames is always a difficult place to play,” said Gerard Pique. “When you’re not at your best, they make you look stupid.” Yet memories of Barcelona’s capitulation in May remain fresh.
The humiliation in the Champions League and submission in the final of the Copa del Rey mean this team and, in particular, their coach begin the season very much on the back foot.
Ernesto Valverde is never far from blame, suspicion about his style and suitability always bubbling under the surface, despite the fact he is hoping to become the first Barca coach since Pep Guardiola to win three La Liga titles in a row. When Messi tweaked his calf, it was assumed an attacking roster of Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele would cope.
Instead, Suarez and Dembele both picked up strains against Bilbao while Griezmann delivered the sort of hesitant display to suggest he may also need time to adapt.
“This league is hard,” Griezmann said. “We have to bounce back.” Another muscle injury for Dembele, his fifth in two years at Barcelona, is a concern, especially after the 22-year-old reportedly took time off in France instead of undergoing medical tests – AFP.
VETERAN cricket administrator, Peter Chingoka, will be buried on Monday at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare.
Chingoka passed away on Thursday morning. According to his younger brother Patrick, mourners continue to throng the Chingoka residence at 38 Sandringham Drive in Alexandria Park where a church service was held last night.
“Tomorrow (today) we will have a church service at 6PM and on Sunday at 4PM we will collect his body from Nyaradzo and it will lie in state at his house.
“Monday, 10AM, we will have a church service at St George’s School Chapel and have burial thereafter at Glen Forest,” he said.
The cricket fraternity, including players, management and family friends have been paying their condolences.
Former Zimbabwe cricket coach, Alan Butcher, has also paid his condolences. “When we were team mates at Universals as callow 22-year-olds, Peter looked after me and we became great mates.
‘‘Very sad news. RIP Peter. Zimbabwe Cricket please pass on my condolences to Shirley,” he wrote on Twitter.
The International Cricket Council have since paid tribute to the long-serving chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket.State media
A WOMAN from Bulawayo and her boyfriend have been arrested for possessing 2kg of crystal methamphetamine, a dangerous drug in the same class as cocaine, worth more than $120 000 which was smuggled from India concealed under a consignment of weaves.
Judith Phiri (24) of Killarney suburb and Keith Mpofu (24) of Pumula North were nabbed by detectives who acted on a tip-off from officials of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) upon receiving the suspicious parcel which arrived via Courier Connect.
The consignment of two boxes containing 25 packets of weaves had 1,980kg of crystal methamphetamine stashed in between the layers of boxes.
Yesterday Phiri and Mpofu jointly appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya facing charges of violating section 157 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (possession of crystal methamphetamine).
Mpofu and Phiri, through their lawyers Messrs Lament Ngwenya and Siphosethu Nkomo of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, applied for bail, which the State opposed.
They were both remanded in custody to Monday for bail ruling. Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza said on August 20, detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics in Bulawayo received information from Zimra officials that there was a suspicious parcel at Courier Connect which had arrived from India. The parcel was addressed to Phiri.
“Armed with the information, detectives carried out a surveillance so that they could identify the owner of the parcel. They then observed Phiri collecting the parcel and she was in the company of Mpofu,” said Mr Mageza.State media
A THREE months pregnant woman from Makokoba suburb in Bulawayo excessively bled and subsequently suffered a miscarriage after she was punched on the stomach by her neighbour who owed her $1,50.
It is said last week on Thursday Alice Ndlovu (23) went to Jabulani Dhliwayo’s place to collect a $1,50 tomatoes debt from Dhliwayo. The court heard that she got there and asked for her money from Dhliwayo. It is alleged Dhliwayo accused her of spreading lies that they were in love when he was married.
As a result an argument ensued and Dhliwayo, in a fit of rage kicked Ndlovu before allegedly turning her into a punching bag while accusing her of being a serial liar.
It is reported he hit her several times on the abdomen leading her to bleed excessively. It is said Ndlovu suffered a miscarriage while she was being rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital. She was treated and discharged. A police report was made leading to the arrest of Dhliwayo.
Ndlovu took to the stand: “He (Dhliwayo) bought tomatoes on credit and promised to pay the next day. But he did not pay. After two days I had to confront him. As I was asking for my money he became angry while accusing me of being a rumour monger who was hell -bent on wrecking his marriage. He was also accusing me of going around telling people who cared to listen that I was in love with him.”
She added: “He then kicked me before he punched me several times on the abdomen, as a result I bled profusely and suffered a miscarriage while I was being rushed to hospital.” Appearing before Ulukile Mlea- Ndlovu for the assault charge he pleaded not guilty: “I deny that I hit her several times on the abdomen leading her to suffer miscarriage. I only slapped her on the face and I was restrained by my brother. I was incensed by her lies that I was in love with her. I never said that I’m in love with her.”
He was remanded out of custody to 26 August.B-Metro
Farai Dziva|Sources in the ruling party Zanu PF have revealed the Masvingo disciplinary committee has made a recommendation for the expulsion of Chivi South MP Killer Zivhu.
Zivhu is accused of undermining the authority of the President by purporting to represent him on the social media.
A party official told ZimEye recommendations have been made for Zivhu’s expulsion.
“It is true we have recommended the expulsion of Cde Zivhu. He is guilty of gross indiscipline associated with social media abuse.
We will soon send a detailed report to the President and the national disciplinary committee,”said the official.
Farai Dziva|MDC Provincial Administrator (Masvingo) Peter Chigaba’s court case has been postponed to September 3.
See the MDC statement:
Update on Mr Peter Chigaba Court Case:
The court hearing has been postponed to 3 September 2019 after defense Lawyer Advocate Maboke argued the state submitted state papers today at 1:15 pm. It was too late to proceed with the matter.
Farai Dziva|The government is failing to purchase new anti-riot equipment because of sanctions.
This was said by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi last week.
Ziyambi made the remarks during a debate in Parliament on the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill (MOPA).
“We need to upgrade our anti-riot equipment, and I submit that it is difficult for us in government at the moment to procure that riot equipment because of sanctions.
I submit that once the sanctions are removed and we can trade freely with anyone, that issue can be resolved,” said Ziyambi.
Analyst have questioned behind the government’s list of priorities at a time the majority of the people are grappling with the biting economic challenges.
Dictatorships always ultimately fall! We now understand the true nature of the beast …Freedom in our lifetime! The people’s organiser, Hon Amos Chibaya being targeted and victimized for his unwavering commitment to the democratic struggle and real change in Zimbabwe. pic.twitter.com/iGeORuDBRJ
By A Correspondent- The woman who recently caused drama at the Bulawayo magistrates’ courts when she burst in on her husband’s secret wedding with another woman has broken her silence on her husband’s alleged secret rendezvous, calling it “a great betrayal that left her heart in a million pieces”.
In the stun and shock of everything, Francisca Ncube (36) from Gokwe, who stormed into the wedding room moments before her husband Future Mbiba (36) exchanged vows with Pretty Tshuma (37) said the “scandal” caught her by surprise.
Ncube, who was at their rural home in Gokwe, allegedly received a tip-off from her relatives that her husband who is reportedly a gold panner, was getting married at court and she decided to attend.
This was after Mbiba who was co-habiting with Tshuma lied to her that he had divorced his wife with whom he had three children.
In her anger Ncube endured the embarrassment because her children were reportedly hungry when their father had spent a lot of money preparing for a lavish wedding with another woman.
In a telephone interview with a local publication a heartbroken and devastated Ncube said she last “saw” her husband six months ago before she heard of his secret wedding.
She said after receiving the news she was hurt beyond belief.
“I can’t believe this happened to me, the pain is unbearable. I spent nearly two decades of my life with my husband, just to watch him walk away like that was not easy and that is why I travelled all the way from Gokwe to stop the wedding. I was absolutely devastated and felt so betrayed.
“I pray for the day to come when I don’t wake up feeling this huge anchor on my chest, the day where he (Mbiba) is a distant memory,” said Ncube.
Ncube said although her marriage was not rosy, she kept hoping that Mbiba was going to change. She, however, insisted that her marriage to Mbiba still subsisted because he had not given her a token of divorce or done the formal customary procedure to annul their union.
Added Ncube: “I am also going to sue him for maintenance since he is no longer supporting his children.”
On the day she stopped the wedding, Ncube declared that she would not allow her husband to marry another woman while she was still alive.
Mbiba who left the court with his tail between his legs agreed that the wedding should be called off.-BMetro
By A Correspondent- In a dramatic incident a police officer stationed at Bulawayo Central Police Station hid in a toilet after he was pummelled and violently pushed against a guard room wall.
Prayford Masunda (28,) employed as a security guard at Manor Hotel had reportedly handcuffed two unknown male adults while assaulting them.
Priviledge Chikova (33) tried to restrain Masunda from bashing the two men with a baton stick. He never knew that he was courting trouble. The intervention did not go down well with Masunda.
It is said Masunda swiftly grabbed Chikova by the neck before he violently pushed him against the guard room wall. As if that was not enough he reportedly head butted him while shouting obscenities at him. As he charged to mete out instant justice on him an unidentified male patron restrained him.
Chikova made a hasty retreat to the toilet where he locked himself inside.
It is said while in the toilet he phoned a colleague who came and took him. He made a report at Bulawayo Central Police Station leading to the arrest of Masunda. Masunda appeared before magistrate Ulukile Mlea-Ndlovu facing an assault charge.
He pleaded not guilty.
“Your worship, I deny that I headbutted him resulting in him bleeding from the mouth and nose. He tried to arrest me but I refused because I assumed he was not a police officer since he was not in police uniform,” said Masunda.
He was remanded out of custody to next week on Wednesday for judgment.
By A Correspondent- There was drama in New Magwegwe suburb when a jealous woman left residents tongue-tied after she and a group of other women threatened to kill her ex-lover’s pregnant wife.
Nyarai Hofisi is reportedly furious about her ex-lover Moses Mutizwa’s new relationship with Kudzanai Muparangi so she has resorted to making the couple’s relationship hell.
It has been gathered that soon after Hofisi found out that Mutizwa had moved on and married Muparangi she was now in the habit of terrorising Muparangi constantly.
As if that is not enough, Hofisi recently barged into the couple’s home with a group of several women at 8pm. The women were reportedly armed with weapons and threatened to kill Muparangi.
According to sources close to this issue Mutizwa is also scared of Hofisi as she also threatens to kill him whenever she sees him.
“There is nothing Mutizwa can do because he is equally scared of Hofisi because she is a very violent woman,” said a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
After Hofisi broke into the couple’s home with several women they were left terrified so Muparangi decided to seek justice from the courts.
“Hofisi is the ex-girlfriend of Mutizwa, my husband. She came to my house with a group of women at night carrying weapons. They were very violent in front of my children and they were insulting me.
“When they broke into my house they threatened me saying that I should not walk alone because they will kill me and my unborn child. May the court grant me a peace order so that she stays away from me and my children,” said Muparangi.
When asked about the issue, Hofisi denied the allegations.
However, Western Commonage magistrate Urgent Vundla ordered Hofisi not to insult, assault and threaten the couple with violence. She was also ordered to stay away from the couple’s house.-BMetro
By A Correspondent| Opposition MDC National Organising Secretary has been remanded in custody to the 26th of August.
Chibaya was arrested on the 22nd of August and charged with failing to ensure that the MDC demonstrations which the State had blocked would not be held.
The development was announced by the MDC on microblogging site Twitter.
The party said:
“Hon. @AmosChibaya was today remanded in custody to 26 August for a ruling on his bail application. Chibaya’s remand in custody is testimony of a brutal programme of persecution by prosecution after the regime denied him bail though he had handed himself over to@PoliceZimbabwe”
The State blocked all of the party’s demonstrations arguing that it had gathered concrete evidence indicating that the demonstrations were going to be violent.
Meanwhile, the party has vowed to launch a series of nationwide demonstrations, this time reaching grassroots levels.
MDC is citing empty stomachs, empty wallets, empty shelves in medical institutions, power shortages, fuel shortages, soaring inflation, shrinking democratic space, partisan distribution of aid and several other issues as the major factors it is initiating the demonstrations.
The party says the government’s illegitimacy and mishandling of the country’s resources including the taxpayer’s money have resulted in the country’s sorry state of affairs.
On the other hand, the government attributes the country’s woes to a number of issues, chief among them, sanctions, corruption, climate change and sabotage by the business sector and the MDC.
By A Correspondent- The government is failing to purchase new anti-riot equipment because of sanctions.
This was said by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi recently
Ziyambi made the remarks during a debate in Parliament on the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill (MOPA).
He said:
“We need to upgrade our anti-riot equipment, and I submit that it is difficult for us in government at the moment to procure that riot equipment because of sanctions.
I submit that once the sanctions are removed and we can trade freely with anyone, that issue can be resolved,” said Ziyambi.
Analyst have questioned behind the government’s list of priorities at a time the majority of the people are grappling with the biting economic challenges.
By A Correspondent- Former Sunday Mail editor Edmund Kudzai has approached the High Court seeking $500 000 compensation following his acquittal on charges of unlawfully possessing an umbrella which resembled military camouflage.
Kudzai was on February 22, 2019 arrested at a security roadblock along Domboshawa Road by a Constable Chitana and Corporal Francis Murehwa as police and military officers were carrying out joint “stop and search” operation on motorists.
Kudzai was immediately charged with possession of articles with military style camouflage markings, but was later released on $100 bail by a Harare magistrate.
However, when his trial commenced on March 26, 2019 at the Harare Magistrates’ Court, he was found not guilty and acquitted, prompting him to sue Home Affairs minister Cain Matema, Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Philip Valerio Sibanda, in their official capacities.
“Plaintiff (Kudzai) was detained in police cells, whose conditions exposed him to inhuman and degrading treatment. During the time of his unlawful arrest, detention and subsequent prosecution, plaintiff was unable to go to work and lost business opportunities,” Kudzai said through his lawyers.
He further said at all material times, Chitana and Murehwa were acting within their scope and course of employment with the Zimbabwe Republic Polce and Zimbabwe National Army, respectively, when they arrested and detained him for prosecution.
“As a result of the foregoing, plaintiff suffered loss in the sum of $500 000,” he averred, giving a break-down of the whole amount which includes compensation for unlawful arrest, detention, pain, shock and suffering, malicious prosecution, loss of business opportunities, contumelia and cost of suit.
The cited top government officials are yet to respond to the lawsuit.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- Government is concerned over allegations of Samantha “Gonyeti” Kureya’s kidnapping and assault by unknown masked men which occurred on Wednesday night.
Gonyeti is an artist-cum-comedienne at Bus Stop TV.
Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Nyathi confirmed receiving the report and said investigations into the matter are being conducted.
“We can confirm receiving a report of kidnapping and assault of Samantha Kureya which occurred on Wednesday night in Mufakose. We are already conducting investigations into that,” he said.
The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services said Government confirmed the report made at Marimba Police Station and investigations were underway.
Gonyeti was reportedly kidnapped from her house and assaulted by unknown people on Wednesday night before being dumped in Crowborough.
Yesterday morning, social media was awash with messages on what could have happened to Gonyeti on the night in question.
In a video clip yesterday, Gonyeti said she was forced out of her house head down and was dumped somewhere after being severely assaulted.
In the video, Gonyeti said she heard a knock on her door with the people knocking identifying themselves as police officers.
She said the people, one of them armed, forcibly entered in the house, wearing masks and assaulted her sister.
Gonyeti said she was half dressed, and asked them if she could dress up but the alleged masked men refused, and started assaulting her instead.
She said they dragged her out to a waiting car, a white Isuzu — and they drove off.
Gonyeti said after driving for some minutes, they came to a stop at an unknown place and they ordered her out of the car and continued to assault her.
She alleged that the masked men forced her to roll on the muddy ground, made her to drink sewage water before ordering her to remove the only clothes she was wearing.
She was allegedly dumped later and found her way back home naked.
By A Correspondent| Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) president, Henry Ruzvidzo (HR), has said that Zimbabwe is yet to be a conducive environment for business.
Speaking during an interview with a local publication reporter Lisa Tazviinga (LT) this week, Ruzvidzo said the country was yet to ease the doing of business.
The interview discussed the performance of companies amid the economic crisis engulfing the nation.
Below are the excerpts from the interview:
LT: How long do you think an economic turn around will take and what are some of the requirements to boost local Industry?
HR: We need to address fiscal issues, monetary issues first and I think we have seen indications that we now begin to address the productive issues. What production needs is some kind of stability in terms of policies, access to financing and markets both domestic and export markets.
Another issue to be addressed is the ease of doing business. Zimbabwe is still a very difficult environment to do business in, both from a policy perspective and from a regulatory perspective. I think once those things begin to be addressed then industry can begin to look up again.
His remarks come as some companies have revealed that the economic crisis was making it hard for them.
The power crisis, fuel shortages and scarcity of foreign currency have all been cited as challenges that have impinged on the ease of doing business.
He also said that it was still difficult for investors to repatriate their profits.-ZimbabweIndependent
By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has announced that the body is instituting investigations against Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder, Prophet Walter Magaya over alleged sexual abuse.
The Commission, on Friday issued a notice in a government Gazette inviting any person or victim with evidence or complaints against Magaya.
Zimbabwe Gender Commission Chairperson, Mrs Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe said:
“It is hereby notified that, in terms of Section Five of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act (Chapter 10:31) the Zimbabwe Gender Commission intends to investigate complaints of sexual abuse of women by Walter Magaya of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries.”
These accusations, however, would not stay for a sustained period of time as the accusers would dramatically withdraw the charges, some accusing the devil of having used them to institute those cases.
It was a clear case of command justice when MDC Organizing Secretary Hon. Amos Chibaya was today remanded in custody to Monday 26 August for a ruling on his bail application.
Chibaya, the convener of last week’s peaceful and constitutional demonstrations that were brutally foiled by the police, spent five hours in court today with the prosecution arguing that he be denied bail.
His lawyer, Obey Shava exposed the State case for its clumsiness, arguing that Chibaya could not be denied bail on a lesser charge of violating provisions under POSA when he was already on bail on a more serious charge of subversion. The State also denied a bail offer from Hon. Chibaya to commit a monetary payment with stringent reporting conditions as well as a pledge not to interfere with State witnesses, who in any case are police officers. Chibaya’s passport is already with the court as part of his reporting conditions for a subversion charge he is already facing and for which he is on bail.
Chibaya’s remand in custody is testimony that the regime is undertaking a brutal programme of persecution by prosecution after they denied the MDC Organiser bail even though he had handed himself over to the police in the company of his lawyer.
The MDC believes that the country is choking under the thick blanket of an unofficial state of emergency. There is a systematic targeting of innocent Zimbabweans and the people’s leaders by brutally blocking them from exercising their constitutional right to peaceful demonstrations.
It also telling that Hon. Chibaya was denied bail on the very same day that the State waged a clampdown on the leaders of a rural teachers union in which their lawyer, Douglas Coltart, was brutally assaulted. Coltart is the son of the MDC Treasurer-General, Hon. David Coltart.
Citizens are under siege. The people’s leaders are under siege but all Zimbabweans remain in high spirits, well aware that brutality has short legs and that no amount of State-sanctioned thuggery will triumph over the people.
In fact, it is the regime that is under siege from its cluelessness and from the legitimate grievances of the citizens that it is failing to address.
Zimbabweans are peacefully clamouring for a truly people’s government that can begin to address the challenges facing the nation.
MDC: Change that delivers.
Luke Tamborinyoka
Deputy National Spokesperson
Movement for Democratic Change.
It was a clear case of command justice when MDC Organizing Secretary Hon. Amos Chibaya was today remanded in custody to Monday 26 August for a ruling on his bail application.
Chibaya, the convener of last week’s peaceful and constitutional demonstrations that were brutally foiled by the police, spent five hours in court today with the prosecution arguing that he be denied bail.
His lawyer, Obey Shava exposed the State case for its clumsiness, arguing that Chibaya could not be denied bail on a lesser charge of violating provisions under POSA when he was already on bail on a more serious charge of subversion. The State also denied a bail offer from Hon. Chibaya to commit a monetary payment with stringent reporting conditions as well as a pledge not to interfere with State witnesses, who in any case are police officers. Chibaya’s passport is already with the court as part of his reporting conditions for a subversion charge he is already facing and for which he is on bail.
Chibaya’s remand in custody is testimony that the regime is undertaking a brutal programme of persecution by prosecution after they denied the MDC Organiser bail even though he had handed himself over to the police in the company of his lawyer.
The MDC believes that the country is choking under the thick blanket of an unofficial state of emergency. There is a systematic targeting of innocent Zimbabweans and the people’s leaders by brutally blocking them from exercising their constitutional right to peaceful demonstrations.
It also telling that Hon. Chibaya was denied bail on the very same day that the State waged a clampdown on the leaders of a rural teachers union in which their lawyer, Douglas Coltart, was brutally assaulted. Coltart is the son of the MDC Treasurer-General, Hon. David Coltart.
Citizens are under siege. The people’s leaders are under siege but all Zimbabweans remain in high spirits, well aware that brutality has short legs and that no amount of State-sanctioned thuggery will triumph over the people.
In fact, it is the regime that is under siege from its cluelessness and from the legitimate grievances of the citizens that it is failing to address.
Zimbabweans are peacefully clamouring for a truly people’s government that can begin to address the challenges facing the nation.
MDC: Change that delivers.
Luke Tamborinyoka Deputy National Spokesperson Movement for Democratic Change.
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has instituted investigations against Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder, Prophet Walter Magaya over alleged sexual abuses.
The Commission has since invited any person or victim with evidence or complaints against the clergyman.
Making the announcement in a Government Gazette published on Friday (today), Commission Chairperson, Mrs Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe said:
It is hereby notified that, in terms of Section Five of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act (Chapter 10:31) the Zimbabwe Gender Commission intends to investigate complaints of sexual abuse of women by Walter Magaya of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries.
A large number of women including actress, Charity Dlodlo, previously came out accusing the preacher of having sexually abused them.
Some even claimed that there were kids belonging to Magaya who were born after the clergyman had violated his female counterparts.
These accusations, however, would not stay for a sustained period of time as the accusers would dramatically withdraw the charges, some accusing the devil of having used them to institute those cases.
Jane Mlambo| President for United Democratic Alliance Party Daniel Shumba has reported that state agents are hunting for him at his house in Harare with his crime being speaking against the President Emmerson Mnangagwa regime.
Responding to the US Embassy in Harare, Shumba said state agents are circulating his name for abduction upon arrival in Harare.
Below is Shumba’s tweet;
State Agents continue to search for me at my house in Harare and have circulated my name across all boarders for abduction upon arrival in Zimbabwe. Am being victimized for speaking against the ills being perpetrated by the Zanu PF regime. The truth shall set us free. https://t.co/ff3ZfTqfkJ
Governing party, is not e party of our fathers.This one has lost e support of working class, academics & professionals. It is essentially a rural party that considers any enlightened person e enemy.Ironically, independence was delivered by professionals, academics & working class
Jane Mlambo| Outspoken Zanu PF critic and spokesperson of the National Patriotic Front backed by former President Robert Mugabe, Jealousy Mawarire has sensationally claimed that the suspended Chivi South legislator Killer Zivhu will be expelled from the ruling party on the 6th of September.
Mawarire claimed that Zivhu is being punished for being a member of the extinguished Zanu PF faction named G40.
Below is Mawarire’s tweet on Zivhu’s fate in Zanu PF
(1)Sources tell me Zivhu will be expelled from Junta-PF on 06 Sept 2019, not for calling for dialogue btn @edmnangagwa & @nelsonchamisa but for allegedly being G40. Submissions are being made on Junta-PF chances of winning the by-election even if he were to contest
(2) Arguments are that he has many unfinished projects he started and abandoned mid-stream. Lacoste envisages using these against him if he were to contest against them in the by-election. More are on the firing list
Jane Mlambo| The opposition MDC has threatened to report the ruling Zanu PF to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for violating the electoral rules after the party announced that it was drilling 15 boreholes in Glen View South ahead of the by-election to replace the late Vimbai Tsvangirai.
Responding to a Zanu PF Twitter mole by the name Kudzai Mutisi who posted pictures of drilling machines at work in Glen View, MDC Secretary for Elections Jacob Mafume said they will be writing to ZEC about the abuse of state institutions.
“Thank you alerting us again to another election violation .We will be writing to ZEC about this abuse of state institutions,” said Mafume.
Campaigning is underway in Glen View to fill the parliamentary vacancy left following the death of Vimbai Tsvangirai early this year.
Jane Mlambo| A Toyota Wish that had 8 people on board overturned at Rutenga around 2pm at 160 km peg Masvingo-Beitbridge road killing one person on spot while the other one died at the clinic.
Two were seriously injured while other four sustained minor injuries.
A THREE months pregnant woman from Makokoba suburb in Bulawayo excessively bled and subsequently suffered a miscarriage after she was punched on the stomach by her neighbour who owed her $1,50.
It is said last week on Thursday Alice Ndlovu (23) went to Jabulani Dhliwayo’s place to collect a $1,50 tomatoes debt from Dhliwayo.
The court heard that she got there and asked for her money from Dhliwayo. It is alleged Dhliwayo accused her of spreading lies that they were in love when he was married.
As a result an argument ensued and Dhliwayo, in a fit of rage kicked Ndlovu before allegedly turning her into a punching bag while accusing her of being a serial liar. It is reported he hit her several times on the abdomen leading her to bleed excessively.
It is said Ndlovu suffered a miscarriage while she was being rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital. She was treated and discharged. A police report was made leading to the arrest of Dhliwayo.
Ndlovu took to the stand: “He (Dhliwayo) bought tomatoes on credit and promised to pay the next day. But he did not pay. After two days I had to confront him. As I was asking for my money he became angry while accusing me of being a rumour monger who was hell -bent on wrecking his marriage. He was also accusing me of going around telling people who cared to listen that I was in love with him.”
She added: “He then kicked me before he punched me several times on the abdomen, as a result I bled profusely and suffered a miscarriage while I was being rushed to hospital.” Appearing before Ulukile Mlea- Ndlovu for the assault charge he pleaded not guilty: “I deny that I hit her several times on the abdomen leading her to suffer miscarriage. I only slapped her on the face and I was restrained by my brother. I was incensed by her lies that I was in love with her. I never said that I’m in love with her.”He was remanded out of custody to 26 August.B-Metro
Jane Mlambo| Government proposes to increase civil servants salaries by 76% effective August 1, up from earlier proposed & rejected 10% Latest proposal takes lowest paid worker to ZWL$1 023 but workers want a minimum of ZWL$4 750 Apex Council says to consult members on new proposal.
Farai Dziva|MDC Provincial Administrator (Masvingo) Peter Chigaba’s court case has been postponed to September 3.
See the MDC statement:
Update on Mr Peter Chigaba Court Case:
The court hearing has been postponed to 3 September 2019 after defense Lawyer Advocate Maboke argued the state submitted state papers today at 1:15 pm. It was too late to proceed with the matter.
Farai Dziva|Sources in the ruling party Zanu PF have revealed the Masvingo disciplinary committee has made a recommendation for the expulsion of Chivi South MP Killer Zivhu.
Zivhu is accused of undermining the authority of the President by purporting to represent him on the social media.
A party official told ZimEye recommendations have been made for Zivhu’s expulsion.
“It is true we have recommended the expulsion of Cde Zivhu. He is guilty of gross indiscipline associated with social media abuse.He deliberately undermined the authority of the President.
We will soon send a detailed report to the President and the national disciplinary committee,”said the official.
During his first year as President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa
has presided over a systematic and brutal crackdown on human rights, including
the violent suppression of protests and a witch-hunt against anyone who dared
challenge his government, Amnesty International said today.
The socio-economic conditions of many Zimbabweans have also
declined over the past 12 months. The weak economy has seen fuel prices
skyrocket and high inflation push the prices of basic commodities such as bread
through the roof as well as eroding people’s salaries.
“What we have witnessed in Zimbabwe since President Emmerson
Mnangagwa took power is a ruthless attack on human rights, with the rights to
freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association increasingly
restricted and criminalized,” said Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s
Deputy Director for Southern Africa.
“The authorities have shown blatant contempt for basic freedoms
and they have demonstrated that there is no space for dissent in the so-called
“new dispensation”. Time and again they have resorted to the same brutal
tactics that were used by President Mnangagwa’s predecessor Robert Mugabe to
clampdown on human rights.”
Crackdown on protests
Just last week, baton-wielding police mounted a vicious assault on peaceful protesters who gathered in Harare in anticipation of the “16 August” national protests against deteriorating socio-economic conditions in the country. Scores of people were left injured following the crackdown. On Thursday 15 August before the march, Zimbabwean police announced they were banning the protests through a press statement, saying the demonstrations would turn violent. After the aborted protest, about 128 activists were arrested and placed on remand. Other protests that were planned to take place in four other cities around the country were also banned and some activists arrested.
At the start of the year, Amnesty International documented at least 15 killings by police when nationwide protests erupted on 14 January, sparked by the announcement of fuel price hikes. The state carried out mass arrests which saw hundreds of people being arrested on charges including public violence. By the end of April, close to 400 people were convicted by the courts, with most of them through hastily conducted trials.
During the protests, the police used lethal and excessive force such as tear gas, batons, water cannons and live ammunition. They also launched a house-to-house hunt to track down and silence the organizers of the protest and other prominent civil society leaders and activists. Some of those arrested – including Evan Mawarire, a well-known local cleric and activist, and trade union leader Peter Mutasa – still face trumped-up treason charges in connection with the protests. The state has charged an unprecedented number of 22 people with subverting a constitutional government in relation to the protests.
The pursuit of those perceived to be linked to protest movements continued throughout the year. In May, seven human rights defenders were arrested at Robert Mugabe International Airport as they returned from a capacity-building workshop on non-violent protest tactics in the Maldives. The activists, Stabile Dewah, George Makoni, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Gamuchirai Mukura, Nyasha Mpahlo, Farirai Gumbonzvanda and Rita Nyamupinga were accused of “plotting to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government”. They are yet to face trial.
Abductions and
torture of human rights activists to silence them from freely expressing
themselves continue. On 21 August, comedian Samantha Kureya was abducted by
masked men from her house and tortured after publishing a skit on police
brutality.
“In his first year
in office, President Mnangagwa’s government has demonstrated little observance
of human rights and adherence to the rule of law, continuing the trend that we
saw under Robert Mugabe,” said Muleya Mwananyanda.
“As he enters his
second year in office, the president has the opportunity to start on a fresh
slate by immediately taking steps to ensure that his government ends the
escalating attacks on human rights and impunity for human rights violations. We
urge him to build a Zimbabwe that has a culture of respect for the human rights
of everyone.”
A businessman from Chiyanga Village under Chief Chireya stunned villagers after confessing that he sleeps with his own mother to boost their family business.
The man, Tadiwa Rushungo (37), shocked all and sundry when he revealed that he has been sleeping with his mother Getrude Mashamba for the past two years, a secret that was only known by the two of them.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the two “love birds” would “make love” every month end as was directed by a traditional healer following the death of Tadiwa’s father, Twoboy Rushungo, two years ago.
“The two would have sex every month end as they were directed by their traditional healer. No one suspected that there was something going on until they were caught red handed by a neighbour.
“The two were then dragged to court on charges of incest. Tadiwa, a father of four, admitted before Chief Chireya’s fully packed court that his relationship with his mother was meant to boost the family’s businesses.
He even confessed that ever since their illicit affair, they had managed to buy a new house in Gokwe centre and two commuter omnibuses. “Mashamba told the court that she agreed to sleep with her son because she was instructed to do so by the traditional healer following the death of her husband who was the owner of the businesses. She said the healer had told her that if she didn’t do so, the businesses would crumble,” said the source.
Chief Chireya confirmed presiding over the matter saying he ordered Mashamba and her son to pay five cows for disrespecting the community. He said incestuous relationships were a taboo adding that people engaging in such acts should be handed stiff penalties.
“I do not tolerate incestuous relationships in my community. Such kind of relationships are not even accepted in Zimbabwe as a whole because they are inhumane and disgusting.
I ordered Mashamba and her son to pay five cows to the entire village for such an embarrassment and l also made him pay three more cows to his wife,” said Chief Chireya.B-Metro
Farai Dziva|FC Platinum have announced the gate charges for their CAF Champions League preliminary round, second leg encounter against Nyasa Big Bullets of Malawi.
The match will be played on Saturday at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, some 185km from their home town in Zvishavane. FC Platinum used the same venue in the previous Champions League campaign.
The tickets have been pegged at $10 for the rest of the ground while the wings are going for $20 and the VIP for $50.
The match kicks off at 3 pm. The aggregate scoreline stands at 0-0 after a goalless stalemate in the first leg in Malawia fortnight ago.
Farai Dziva |Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has broken the silence on the actual reasons why he left Real Madrid to join Juventus.
The five-time World Player of the Year left the Spanish giants last year after a nine year stay in which he won 4 Champions League titles as well as 2 Laliga crowns and many questioned his decision to join the Old Lady.
In an interview with Portuguese channel TVI however, the 34-year-old did open up.
“At Real Madrid I was too comfortable, I had already won so much that each new title was just one more, and the routine always the same,” he explained.
“I don’t like being in the comfort zone,” he added.
Admittedly though, Ronaldo revealed that leaving Los Blancos was not any easy decision.
“Obviously leaving Real Madrid was difficult because I spent nine years, 60% of my career was there, so you feel it. But I came to a different challenge and I’m very happy to be here (Juventus). I wanted a new challenge.” he said.
Farai Dziva|Nyasa Big Bullets gaffer Callisto Pasuwa has bemoaned fatigue on his players ahead of their Champions League match against FC Platinum.
Nyasa Big Bullets left Blantyre, Malawi on Wednesday and had a stopover in Harare where they conducted a loosening training session before progressing to Bulawayo yesterday afternoon.
The match will be played on Saturday at Barbourfields Stadium at 3 pm.
Speaking to the Herald before they left for Bulawayo, Pasuwa said: “So far so good but fatigue, we trained in the morning and you could see the legs are heavy, but we are trying our best to see how we can manage this with the doctors.”
Meanwhile, the aggregate scoreline stands at 0-0 after a goalless stalemate in the first leg in Malawi two weeks ago.
Unfortunately the people ordering these brutal and despicable attacks will not suffer from the financial consequences of their actions.
They have access to State funds at their disposal.
It is you and me who will suffer from lack of investment or access to international finance.
The door for “Open for Business” is now firmly shut, and there won’t be any international loans after this open display of brutal violence against unarmed civilians.
No serious investor will come to a country where the State uses brutal violence to stop citizens from exercising their constitutional rights.
State sponsored violence is taking place and guns are being fired indiscriminately…
This man was a student at Mugabe Secondary School between 1998-2001 and most of his victims were parents of his former school mates. The school is in Uzumba and he was from Manyika village. pic.twitter.com/rcGPzTGl9A
The state is now reading the charge against Amos Chibaya the people's organiser MDC .It's about contravention of Section 26 of POSA (Public Order and Security Act )The state is opposed to the organiser being granted bail .The state states that he is likely to abscond pic.twitter.com/I2RrWAiqtA
Another day, another arbitrary arrest and another violation of the rule of law and a blatant disrespect of fundamental rights.
The regime has arrested Hon Amos Chibaya, the firebrand Organizing Secretary of the biggest civilian political party in Zimbabwe on flimsy charges of failing to stop a demonstration.
This again is a clear indication of how clueless the regime has become. Like a headless chicken the Junta is running towards everywhere while going nowhere. Instead of arresting the skyrocketing inflation, acute shortages and poverty for the betterment and development of the nation, they are more concerned with suppression and oppression, all in a bid to extinguish and destroy the MDC.
It is quite alarming that while the PEOPLE have genuine, legitimate and pressing concerns and issues for which they are demonstrating, the forever clueless regime has decided not to address these concerns, opting to shoot the messenger than accepting the message.
Arresting Hon Chibaya, the people’s Organizer because citizens exercised their sacrosanct and Constitutionally given right to peacefully protest washes away all that was left of the fake Dispensation which has been nothing short of an Embarrassing Desperation.
Organizer Chibaya, together with many political prisoners must be freed, they are innocent, their only crime is stating the obvious, the Junta gvt is clueless.
Since the regime has developed a penchant of arresting and detaining, let them arrest.
*#FreePoliticalPrisoners
In the name of the Revolution,
Farai Dziva|The government is failing to purchase new anti-riot equipment because of sanctions.
This was said by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi last week.
Ziyambi made the remarks during a debate in Parliament on the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill (MOPA).
“We need to upgrade our anti-riot equipment, and I submit that it is difficult for us in government at the moment to procure that riot equipment because of sanctions.
I submit that once the sanctions are removed and we can trade freely with anyone, that issue can be resolved,” said Ziyambi.
Analyst have questioned behind the government’s list of priorities at a time the majority of the people are grappling with the biting economic challenges.
By A Correspondent| A journalist Leopold Munhende has been arrested for filming the police as they arrested the ARTUZ leaders during their #PayDayFuneral protest at the government complex in Harare.
Munhende, was arrested together with the ARTUZ leaders outside the Finance ministry offices in Harare.
By Own Correspondent| The leader of the Amalgamated Teachers Union Of Zimbabwe, Obert Masaraure has been arrested during the “funeral demo” in Harare where teachers are protesting over their meagre USD38 per month salary.
The demo was dubbed #paydayfuneral.
Masaraure was together with nine others violently led away by riot police officers in the CBD at midday.
Lawyer Fadzayi Mahere said, “the riot police have descended heavily, manhandled protesters. Masaraure, Doug Coltart and others have been arrested.”
“The protesters were completely peaceful. Trade unions are exempt from POSA. This is unconstitutional & ruthless,” she added.
The list of the arrested was at 10 at the time of writing. The arrested include: Obert Masaraure Doug Coltart Andrew Munguri Gerald Tavengwa Nation Mudzitirwa Leopold Munhende Tryvine Musokeri Godfrey Chanda Shepherd Tazvivinga Simon Drury
By A Correspondent- There was drama when a police officer stationed at Bulawayo Central Police Station hid in a toilet after he was violently attacked by a security guard.
Prayford Masunda (28,) employed as a security guard at Manor Hotel had reportedly handcuffed two unknown male adults while assaulting them. Priviledge Chikova (33) tried to restrain Masunda from bashing the two men with a baton stick.
The intervention did not go down well with Masunda. It is said Masunda swiftly grabbed Chikova by the neck before he violently pushed him against the guardroom wall.
As if that was not enough he reportedly heads butted him while shouting obscenities at him. As he charged to mete out instant justice on him an unidentified male patron restrained him.
Chikova made a hasty retreat to the toilet where he locked himself inside. It is said while in the toilet he phoned a colleague who came and took him. He made a report at Bulawayo Central Police Station leading to the arrest of Masunda.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.
“Your worship, I deny that I headbutted him resulting in him bleeding from the mouth and nose. He tried to arrest me but I refused because I assumed he was not a police officer since he was not in police uniform,” said Masunda.-BMetro
By A Correspondent| An unconfirmed report coming in says a person was this morning killed in Emmerson Mnangagwa’s traditional constituency, Kwekwe. The killers are suspected ZANU PF youths, the report said.
There were no specifics on the deceased’s age or sex.
Efforts to establish the motive were fruitless at the time of writing.
The report stated: Alert Zanu Pf youths have killed someone at the vicinity of the Mbizo Constituency Offices. The suspects have been arrested and are currently bieng taken to Kwekwe Central police.
*THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY – REFRESH THIS PAGE FOR MORE DETAILS
By A Correspondent- The UK based Zimbabwe businesswoman-Olinda Chapel Nkomo has revealed that she is till shocked by what her husband Tytan Nkomo did to her adding that if she is to ever date anyone, no- one will ever know.
According to an online Question and Answer session on social media platform Olinda said she is still in shock.
Question And Answer Below:
Q – How are you feeling since that separation?
Olinda: I am still in shock, I guess!
Q- Is there any chance you and your husband getting back?
Olinda: No. He has made it very clear that he does not love me. And he last saw his child in July. I think that alone speak volume.
Q – Aint you Tytan’s Chimoko since you are the mother of his child?
Olinda: When one can’t even value that child, I doubt they would value the mother!
Q – Are you going to date Ndunge?
Olinda: Too early to be talking about dating. But by whatever miracle I do. No one will ever know.
Olinda: I think I have answered all I can. The kids and I are just fine. life is actually moving on. As it stands our marriage is over.
And No he doesnt have any contact with me or the child, since July. I have spent the last month going through the police, mental health team and social services and so far, I have done very well.
I just want peace for me and my babies and that’s all that matters. No one has the power to take me off from the pedestal I built myself.
No matter what lies are created and perpetuated. I will continue being a good mom and a good person. If he decides he wants contact he knows exactly where to find us.
ZAHARA is a prophet and should take a break from music because she has a gift from God.
This is what Dipuo Mokgatho from Dawn Park, Ekurhuleni, told the SunTeam yesterday. She claimed she had dreams about Zahara and a message she wanted to share with her.
“I dreamt Zahara was wearing a white gown and a crown.
“God told me to tell her she should focus on being a prophet because it’s another gift He’s given her.
“I wish I could meet her and tell her in person.
“I have more prophesies for her, but I can only reveal them to her.”
Dipuo said God had told her Zahara would be at the SABC offices yesterday. She went to talk to her.
But Zahara was rushing to an interview and couldn’t stop.
“I want her to know 2020 is the year God has set aside for her to become a prophet,” she said.
Dipuo said she was a prophet herself, but unlike many others she didn’t want money.
“Zahara has so many attacks because of the gift of prophecy. Next year many false prophets will fall,” she said.
“This is because 20 plus 20 equals 40, and Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights before he began his work.”
Zahara’s spokesman Oyama Dyosiba said: “Zahara has no time to meet Dipuo. She’s on tour in the UK.”
One of Zimbabwe’s best-known comedians and political satirists is in hiding after being abducted from her home by unidentified armed men, then beaten, stripped and made to drink sewage.
The attack on Samantha Kureya is one of a series in recent weeks targeting critics of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu-PF party.
Human rights activists believe Zimbabwe’s security services are responsible.
Kureya, who is known as Gonyeti and appears for the irreverent Bustop TV, said men who identified themselves as police officers knocked at the door of her Harare home at about 9pm on Wednesday. Three men wearing masks forced their way in and slapped the comedian, who was in her underwear, then forced her into an Isuzu pick-up truck.
The same vehicle has reportedly been involved in many of the 10 similar incidents – six in Harare and four in Bulawayo – reported to human rights activists in the last week.
Tensions are running high in Zimbabwe. Last week, police broke up an opposition rally in Harare, the capital, with baton charges and teargas. The protest, against ongoing austerity measures aimed at staving off economic collapse, had been banned by authorities.
There were reports on Thursday night that a senior official from the Movement for Democratic Change, the main opposition party, had been detained for organising illegal demonstrations. Two further MDC protests in provincial cities were banned earlier this week.
Kureya said she was driven by her abductors to “an unknown place”.
“They started saying: ‘You mock the government and we have been monitoring you’. They told me to lie down and instructed me to start rolling on the ground. They would instruct me to roll from either side and each time I did, I would get beaten. They started stomping on my back,” the 33-year-old said.
The men made the her perform army drills and ordered her to drink water contaminated with raw sewage, before asking questions about her partner, the offices of the TV company she works for and her colleagues. They then told her to strip and smashed her phone with an AK-47 assault rifle.
Earlier this year, Kureya was one of two comedians arrested for public nuisance after appearing in a comic sketch wearing a police uniform.Advertisement
“They said: ‘If you report this case, we will put a bullet in your mother’s skull’. We are not safe in this country, it’s scary. If men like that come and abduct a woman like me with guns, it’s scary,” she said on Thursday, speaking from a secret location where she is receiving medical care.
Relatives were also assaulted during the abduction, with beatings taking place in front of children.
Authorities in Zimbabwe have faced criticism from the EU, US and UK over the crackdown on protests and the reports of abuses.
“Only by addressing concretely [and] rapidly these human rights violations will the government of Zimbabwe give credibility to its commitments to address longstanding governance challenges,” said Andrew Stephenson, the British minister for Africa.
Mnangagwa has responded to the criticism by underlining the importance of the rule of law in Zimbabwe.
“The rule of law observance is not needed for the purposes of pleasing other countries, we need it because it is proper for ourselves … The [current government] has brought about enhanced democratic space, it is for the good of our people. The few who abuse the democratic space, the rule of law will apply,” the president told a civil society meeting.
Energy Mutodi, the deputy information minister, said Kureya had done “a comedy … on abductions”.
“We will not be fooled,” he said.
The government is trying to mend relations with the west after decades of isolation over human rights abuses under Robert Mugabe, who was ousted in a military-led coup in 2017.
Mnangagwa won contested elections last year with a pledge to revive the country’s economy. But many Zimbabweans say things have gone from bad to worse with shortages of bread, fuel and medicines. Inflation is running at triple figures.
According to the UN, about 5 million Zimbabweans, or a third of the population, need food aid.
The country is crippled by massive debts incurred during Mugabe’s rule and needs a multibillion-dollar bailout to prevent economic collapse. However, the continuing repression and a lack of tangible political reform means there is little chance of international institutions offering major aid packages.
Though most of the several hundred people detained during unrest in January have been released, 21 activists, opposition leaders and trade unionists are facing subversion charges that could lead to lengthy sentences.
