Farai Dziva|The Movement for Democratic Change has released a statement informing Zimbabweans that preparations for the August 16 peaceful march are at an advanced stage despite efforts by Zanu PF elements to block progress.

See the MDC full statement below :
Preparations for the People’s Free Zimbabwe Peaceful March on course and at an advanced stage

Preparations for the much awaited People’s Free Zimbabwe Peaceful March remain on course and are now at an advanced stage.

The people’s Free Zimbabwe peaceful march will be held on Friday 16 August 2019, in line with Section 59 of our national Constitution that guarantees all citizens of Zimbabwe the unconditional right to demonstrate and petition peacefully.

In this regard, no stone has been left unturned in strict measures to ensure that the people’s Free Zimbabwe march is going to be most peaceful one ever witnessed in the country.In particular, hundreds of peace marshalls will be deployed. Further, digital cameras will be used to film the entire march to ensure that any violent planted elements trying to disrupt the peaceful march will be fully recorded.

This is meant to ensure that the people’s Free Zimbabwe march is not just guaranteed to be peaceful, but also to be resounding success.

The MDC is thus concerned by the spirited attempts by Zanu PF and the rogue regime to message and plan for the people’s Free Zimbabwe march, that they are clearly not part of. Indeed, Zanu PF and the rogue regime have no business whatsoever related to the people’s Free Zimbabwe peaceful march.
lt is clear that that both Zanu PF and the rogue regime are now in a panic mode and desperate to justify their well-known own violent behaviour. This then explains why they are now actively using their functionaries such as Cain Mathema, Pupurai Togarepi, Energy Mutodi, and Victor Matemadanda, among others, in a futile attempt to dictate the nature and character of the forthcoming people’s Free Zimbabwe peaceful march.

lndeed, Zimbabweans are not surprised at all by the regime’s desperate efforts to disrupt the popular people’s Free Zimbabwe peaceful march for its behaviour is typical of similar other dictatorships that always panic whenever the people express their constitutional rights.

lndeed, the rogue regime’s behaviour is a strong reminder of such dictatorships under despots like Idi Amin Dada, Sani Abacha, Mobutu Sese Seko, Slobodan Milosevic, Pol Pot, Augusto Pinochet, Nicolae Ceausescu, among others.

But like those similar dictatorships the rogue regime in Zimbabwe will not be able to stop the people from expressing their popular wishes and aspirations. In fact, like all other dictatorships, the rogue regime will eventually collapse under the heavy weight of the democratic dreams of the people of Zimbabwe.

lronically, the regime claims it is a “New Dispensation”. Yet its behaviour clearly shows that it is nothing but the same old Zanu PF regime Zimbabweans have come to know since 1980.The rogue regime is continuing in the same old repressive tendencies that were used against Joshua Nkomo and PF Zapu, Edgar Tekere and ZUM; and Morgan Tsvangirai and MDC.

However, no amount of determined attempts by the rogue regime will stop the popular tide of the people’s call for democratic change in Zimbabwe. lt is clear that Zimbabweans are now so tired of suffering endlessly, and totally fed up with the painful repression from the rogue regime.

Indeed, the rogue regime must be reminded that the people of Zimbabwe are now so determined to make sure that all perpetrators of violent injustice will no longer be allowed to get away with murder, both literally and metaphorically.

Freedom may be denied temporarily, but it cannot be denied permanently. Neither can be justice be delayed forever. So it is now just a matter of time before freedom and justice prevail in Zimbabwe.
lt is now clear to the whole world and indeed to all Zimbabweans across the entire national spectrum, that the rogue regime has failed dismally to resolve the never ending crisis in Zimbabwe.

This explains why so many Zimbabweans from across all political divide; be it business, labour, churches, women, youths, students, social movements, civil society, among others; are all very eager to actively participate in the forthcoming people’s Free Zimbabwe peaceful march.

We are totally confident that the people’s Free Zimbabwe march on Friday 16 August will both be peaceful and a resounding success.

MDC: Change that Delivers

Daniel Molokele
MDC National Spokesperson

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says the violence that rocked the country in August last year and in January is regrettable.

Mnangagwa made the remarks in a state of the nation address on Friday ahead of the Heroes Day holiday tomorrow.

Six people were shot dead in Harare during protests against the delayed release of presidential election results on August 1 last year.

A commission led by former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe found out that soldiers deployed to quell the protests used excessive force.

In January, another 17 people were killed by soldiers after Mnangagwa allegedly deployed the army following widespread protests over a steep increase in the price of fuel.

Several women were also reportedly raped by the marauding soldiers during that period.

“The two incidents were regrettable,” Mnangagwa said in the televised address.

“But since then, we have continued to enjoy strong peace and that is why I am calling for dialogue.

“Never again should electoral disputes be allowed to degenerate into violence.”

His statement came in the wake of threats by government and Zanu PF officials that security forces would deal ruthlessly with any protests by the opposition.

The MDC has called for protests on Friday against the worsening economic situation in the country that has seen a massive erosion of people’s incomes.

However, Mnangagwa said his government had achieved a lot towards the resuscitation of the economy.

“With people’s support, good ground worthy celebrating has been covered,” he said.

Mnangagwa said last year’s elections created international goodwill after decades of international isolation, with international monetary institutions warming up to work with the country towards its quest to achieve middle income status by 2030.

“We are on the right path and our ambitious vision is within grasp. We continue to engage international financial institutions and the ongoing discussions with our creditors are going well,” he said.

“Painful but necessary reforms have been made in the year gone by and while the beginning may be painful, the medium term will bring about growth and jobs.”

Mnangagwa promised to make legislative reforms and do away with bad laws.

With the opposition hyping for confrontation with the government on the 16th of August, will Mnangagwa repeat the mistake of August 1?

-The Standard. Additional lines from ZimEye

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnanngagwa administration is fabricating stories to bar the opposition MDC from conducting its widely publicised demonstration slated for Friday the 16th of August.

In a statement today, Home Affairs minister, Cain Mathema said the opposition was posting intimidatory social media messages and was plotting to unleash violence to push for regime change.

Mathema added that the opposition had brought in foreigners to help its cause among other allegations being thrown around in what seems like preparations to block the demonstration from proceeding.

The police is yet to respond to the notification by the MDC despite the demo being less than a week away.

Below is Mathema’s statement;

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has been advised by the police and through the recent media stories that MDC Alliance has made several notifications to Regulating Authorities in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and other towns to hold demonstrations on 16’5, 19th and 20’h August 2019.

The Government is fully aware and recognises sections 58 and 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which grant citizens freedom of assembly and association and freedom to demonstrate and petition.

On the other hand, my Ministry has a responsibility to ensure that there is law and order in all parts of the country as enshrined in section 219 (1) (c) and (d) of the Constitution.

As Government, we are quite aware that there are political machinations to have these purported demonstrations turned into violent episodes through the use of overt and covert means. This includes the use of workshops by some Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), executive meetings by opposition political groups and labour organisations.

My Ministry has also observed an increase in social media posts where several threats and intimidatory tactics have been issued. Some of the messages are even dubbed “march for our lives, 16th August 2019” and the “start of final push, hatidzokere kumba, asibuyeli emakhaya”.

While the police is yet to give an official response on the notifications submitted by the opposition, the situation on the ground indicates that a lot of underhand activities under the guise of “peaceful demonstrations” are taking place with a view of fomenting violence, destruction of property, looting and attack on innocent citizens, motor vehicles, private property and government buildings. This has been buttressed by fliers and pamphlets seen in Epworth, Mbare, Kuwadzana, Glenview and Chitungwiza where opposition political activists have been implored to bring offensive and dangerous weapons for use against law enforcement agents during the purported demonstrations.

The Government has a responsibility to protect citizens from unruly elements and will certainly not renege on this huge responsibility.
Some street kids have even been mobilised to embark on destruction and looting of shops in return for some goodies. Unmarked and plateless vehicles are being used to mobilise and pick the identified street kids in Central Business Districts (CBDs).

We are also aware that some foreign nationals are now in the country on the pretext of being tourists yet they are activists who are working closely with the opposition political parties to organise the perceived demonstrations. The foreigners include one who is known for masterminding the Arab spring and the recent Sudan clashes.

Let me remind foreigners who are clearly dabbling in local politics that Zimbabwe is a sovereign state and will not allow people disguised as tourists to come and promote anarchy and destruction of property in the country. Zimbabweans are therefore urged to continue observing peace and dutifully undertake their socio and economic activities knowing very well that the police and other security services are there to protect anyone who wants to move freely in any part of the country.

The Commissioner General of Police has promised the Ministry that the police is ready to deal with unruly elements who want to cause alarm and despondency in the country.

Members of the public are accordingly implored to remain calm and not be swayed into joining any violent conduct by the opposition under the pretext or guise of “peaceful demonstration”.

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

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to join the POLAD discussion forum.

In a statement on Friday Mnangagwa said dialogue should be used as an instrument for durable peace.

“In working for durable peace, I pledge to keep the hand of dialogue and goodwill outstretched to all Zimbabweans, including those I raced against in the July polls.”

“Never again should electoral contest be allowed to degenerate into open conflict that mars our peace.

The national dialogue, through which the majority of the national political leadership has sought to find one another, and to work together on national issues, is now underway.

I continue to urge the few parties which have shunned the national dialogue to please reconsider by joining in the consolidation of national peace, and in working in harmony for economic recovery and growth.”

FULL TEXT – STATEMENT BY HONOURABLE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE ON THE INTENDED DEMONSTRATIONS

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has been advised by the police and through the recent media stories that MDC Alliance has made several notifications to Regulating Authorities in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and other towns to hold demonstrations on 16’5, 19th and 20’h August 2019.

The Government is fully aware and recognises sections 58 and 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which grant citizens freedom of assembly and association and freedom to demonstrate and petition.

On the other hand, my Ministry has a responsibility to ensure that there is law and order in all parts of the country as enshrined in section 219 (1) (c) and (d) of the Constitution.

As Government, we are quite aware that there are political machinations to have these purported demonstrations turned into violent episodes through the use of overt and covert means. This includes the use of workshops by some Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), executive meetings by opposition political groups and labour organisations.

My Ministry has also observed an increase in social media posts where several threats and intimidatory tactics have been issued. Some of the messages are even dubbed “march for our lives, 16th August 2019” and the “start of final push, hatidzokere kumba, asibuyeli emakhaya”.

While the police is yet to give an official response on the notifications submitted by the opposition, the situation on the ground indicates that a lot of underhand activities under the guise of “peaceful demonstrations” are taking place with a view of fomenting violence, destruction of property, looting and attack on innocent citizens, motor vehicles, private property and government buildings. This has been buttressed by fliers and pamphlets seen in Epworth, Mbare, Kuwadzana, Glenview and Chitungwiza where opposition political activists have been implored to bring offensive and dangerous weapons for use against law enforcement agents during the purported demonstrations.

The Government has a responsibility to protect citizens from unruly elements and will certainly not renege on this huge responsibility.
Some street kids have even been mobilised to embark on destruction and looting of shops in return for some goodies. Unmarked and plateless vehicles are being used to mobilise and pick the identified street kids in Central Business Districts (CBDs).

We are also aware that some foreign nationals are now in the country on the pretext of being tourists yet they are activists who are working closely with the opposition political parties to organise the perceived demonstrations. The foreigners include one who is known for masterminding the Arab spring and the recent Sudan clashes.

Let me remind foreigners who are clearly dabbling in local politics that Zimbabwe is a sovereign state and will not allow people disguised as tourists to come and promote anarchy and destruction of property in the country. Zimbabweans are therefore urged to continue observing peace and dutifully undertake their socio and economic activities knowing very well that the police and other security services are there to protect anyone who wants to move freely in any part of the country.

The Commissioner General of Police has promised the Ministry that the police is ready to deal with unruly elements who want to cause alarm and despondency in the country.

Members of the public are accordingly implored to remain calm and not be swayed into joining any violent conduct by the opposition under the pretext or guise of “peaceful demonstration”.

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

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of betraying the vision of Zimbabwe’s liberation heroes by presiding over the collapse of the economy.

Chamisa, who has in recent weeks escalated his dispute with Mnangagwa over last year’s disputed elections, said the country’s political and economic crisis can only be resolved by a genuine dialogue.

In a message to mark Heroes Day today, the MDC leader said Zimbabwans did not deserve to be wallowing in poverty.

“Today, this once breadbasket of Africa is now a basket case,” Chamisa said.

“Surely, this stands out as a betrayal of the ideals of the liberation struggle. Incredibly, Zimbabwe houses vast wealth, exceptionally talented human resources, rich minerals, fertile lands and natural wonders.

“The opportunities for economic transformation and prosperity are limitless and immediately available if we have a people’s government, one that cares about the nation.

“The population of our young and very educated people makes an ambitious economic growth path more certainly achievable in our lifetime.”

Chamisa accuses Mnangagwa of rigging last year’s elections.

Last week he announced that the MDC would start staging demonstrations against the Zanu PF government on Friday to protest the deterioirating economic situation in the country.

“My fellow citizens, nothing short of a political solution through national dialogue will extricate our country from the jaws of impoverishment and suffering,” he said.

“We must have genuine comprehensive political and electoral reforms to transform our country and make it prosperous againMore in Home

“Let us be the heroes of our time by bringing back that glitter, glamour and glory to our motherland.

“The cost of doing nothing far exceeds the cost of doing something. We must change our unmerited circumstances and harsh realities of joblessness, hopelessness and poverty. That work begins today by fixing our politics and governance deficits.”

MDC has refused to join the current dialogue between Mnangagwa and leaders of political parties that took part in last year’s elections, demanding a neutral convenor for the talks.

Meanwhile, Chamisa said his party was worried about the plight of war veterans whom he said were wallowing in poverty.

He said the war veterans’ vision for a free Zimbabwe had been betrayed by “selfish and greedy politicians”.

“Their plight is of immediate national concern,” Chamisa said.

“It is heart-wrenching to note that war veterans who were at the centre of the struggle for our independence are living under squalid conditions and without any social or economic support from the state.”

The war veterans say the government is neglecting them and want their pensions reviewed.

“The men and women who fought for the independence of this country from colonial rule had a vision and aspirations. Sadly that vision has being shattered by criminal behaviour and selfish, personal pursuits for wealth,” Chamisa added.

“The vision that has been set by our forefathers and yet betrayed by their successors is not far beyond our reach, but only if we start working now.”

He said an MDC government would ensure that the whole of August would be set aside to celebrate the former freedom fighters.

-The Standard

Zim is partially in its current emotional state because of bitterness. Bitterness imprisons life & poisons its host. It will make people be buried where they never wanted to be buried, away from their wife & sister who they ensured waited 4 them at their anticipated resting place pic.twitter.com/hRSkwfNhLN

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) August 11, 2019

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to address members of the Zion Christian Church in Gokwe’s Defe shrine.

Thousands of congregates are gathered at the Defe shrine to commemorate the death of the founding Father Bishop Samuel Mutendi.

Bishop Mutendi died on the 20th of July 1976 and the church gathers at Defe annually to recognize his contributions to the church.

The church is now led by Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi who took over from his father.

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

The commission of inquiry into the sale of State land will this week submit its findings from six of the country’s ten provinces to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, while alleged cases of fraud and corruption have since been referred to police for actioning.

The seven-member Justice Tendai Uchena-led commission was set up in February 2018 to investigate the sale of Government-owned land in urban areas since 2005.

So far, the commission has covered Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo, Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland East provinces.

Secretary to the commission Mrs Virginia Mabhiza told a local publication that the probe has uncovered potentially explosive cases of fraud, corruption and unjust benefit by some land barons who are now being investigated by police.

The Commission, she said, also established that there was rampant flouting of urban development laws and regulations.

“The commission is ready to present reports from six provinces to His Excellency, the President, next week (this week) after the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays,” said Mrs Mabhiza.

“The reports will cover the commission’s work in Mashonaland East, Matabeleland South and North, Manicaland, Masvingo and Bulawayo metropolitan province. The reports will inform the President of the commission’s findings in terms of its terms of reference.

“The exercise has been fairly challenging, having faced some resistance from some corrupt elements, particularly those with assumed political clout in the provinces.”

Public hearings in Mashonaland West province will be concluded this week.

Inquiries in Harare, Midlands and Mashonaland Central provinces remain outstanding.

The Justice Uchena commission is expected to finish its work by year-end.

Some of the alleged land barons whose cases are before the courts include ex-Zanu-PF Youth League commissar Innocent Hamandishe, whose name features prominently in land scams around the Caledonia area.

Resistance

The commission has already been taken to court twice in the Midlands province.

“Currently, the commission is doing its work in Mashonaland West and the public hearings will conclude next week (this week).

“The biggest challenges we have seen that are in the reports have to do with murky land allocations, illegal distribution of State land and there are also cases of fraud in some cases, where members of the public are forced to pay endless development levies.

“We were also charged with unearthing land barons and the flouting of urban development rules and regulations.

“There is also the procedural aspect where we sought to establish whether the relevant laws for urban development were complied with. We have also discovered cases where there are reasonable grounds of fraud and we have reported these cases to the police,” she said.

Investigations

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the commission and the police were working together, with the latter having seconded senior police officers to the commission’s secretariat.

“There is constant engagement between police and the commission and where action has to be taken members of the public will be informed through the media.

“I can confirm that there is close collaboration between the police and the commission and when there are developments such as arrests we will inform the public.”

He, however, refused to give details of cases under active investigation or those that have been investigated.

In December, the commission’s chief investigator Superintendent Godfree Muza said police had arrested 75 alleged land barons.

Supt Muza’s list of criminal cases features prominent names like Innocent Hamandishe, who is facing five cases of land-related criminal cases at Caledonia Farm.

Also on the list is former Zanu-PF youth leader Mubuso Chinguno, who faces allegations of swindling home-seekers in Chipinge.

The barons face charges including theft of trust property, receiving money from cooperative members and converting it to personal use and selling non-existent stands.

Other members of the commission are Mr Andrew Mlalazi, Mr Stephen Chakaipa, Dr Tarisai Mutangi, Dr Heather Chingono, Ms Vimbai Nyemba and Ms Petronella Musarurwa.

The commission’s terms of references are: (i) “To investigate and identify all State land in and around urban areas that was acquired and allocated to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for urban development since 2005; (ii) To investigate and ascertain the status of such land in terms of ownership, occupation and development; (iii) to investigate methods of acquisition and/or allocation by current occupants and owners of such land; and (iv) To investigate and ascertain the actors involved in allocations, occupation and use of such land.”

-StateMedia

Matter of fact
In our 3 February 2019 Sunday Mail edition, we published an article entitled “In the Press ” where we alleged Honourable Charlton Hwende’s constituency was at the centre of the January 2019 violent protests.

We also alleged that Hon Hwende is a known sponsor of the notorious Vanguard.

It has since come to our attention that the violence referred to did not take place in Hon Hwende’s constituency, Kuwadzana East, but in Kuwadzana constituency.

We had no basis for alleging that he is a known sponsor of the notorious
Vanguard.

The Sunday Mail sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused to Hon
Hwende. -Editor

Jane Mlambo|With the MDC planned demonstration drawing closer with each passing day, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has not really not figured how to tackle this serious threat to his grip on power due to a number of factors this article will seek to unravel.

First of all, when Mnangagwa assumed power following the fall of Mugabe, he pitched himself as a reformist who was keen to depart from what he termed the old dispensation with his reign popularised as the new dispensation.

The term new dispensation for Mnangagwa meant tolerance of political diversity and early into his reign, he allowed the MDC to march for electoral reforms and seemed to have opened the political space to everyone. While this worked for him, allowing him to score political points both locally and internationally, it did not last long as he faltered at the first real threat to his power on the 1st of August 2018. In front of local and international observers, Mnangagwa began his fresh mandate with blood after killing upto seven innocent civilians when military men from the Presidential guard opened fire on protestors who were demanding the immediate release of poll results.

The establishment of a commission of inquiry gave Mnangagwa some hope as it was endorsed by Britain and SADC among other important international bodies.

Another test to his power came again on the 14th of January and true to his old self, he unleashed fire killing even more civilians.

Now with the 16th of August demonstration written regime change all over, Mnangagwa is in a fix. Should he allow the demo to proceed, he would have to face the consequences should the protesters turnaround and demand his resignation.

Should the demo turn violent as witnessed in January this year, his options will be limited as he may not want to dent his already tainted reign by unleashing soldiers again.

The decision to use force and unleash soldiers will put the final nail on his political coffin as he is likely to face yet another international condemnation.

Secondly, Mnangagwa is currently in a corner. Economy is not functioning and the level of anger among citizens is building up. While this is an MDC demo, November 2017 is still fresh in citizens’ mind which means should there be peace on the day, more and more people are likely to join in. So it’s a tricky situation for him and his fate is on the line.

Former president, Robert Mugabe has told his family members that he doesn’t want his successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his burial.

Mugabe has accused Mnangagwa and former Defence Forces Commander Constantino Chiwenga of betraying him in his hour of need for their role in his removal from power in 2017.

Mugabe, who is still bitter about his overthrow poured his heart to family members at the bedside of his hospital bed in Singapore.

He singling out of Mnangagwa and his current Zanu PF crew shows that he is not keen on forgiving them even in his death.

Mugabe is said to have branded Mnangagwa and Chiwenga as the two biggest traitors and his arch-enemies who conspired to wrest the presidency away from him after he had kept firm claws on power for a staggering 37 years.

“He had no kind words for those two. He blamed them for everything that has happened to him and kept referring to them as traitors,” sources said.

Mugabe has always described Mnangagwa as an “illegal and illegitimate president” who rose to power through the barrel of the gun and yearned for assistance from the African Union to restore his presidency. Mugabe apparently does not attach much value to his resignation on November 21, 2017, which he tendered under immense pressure from the army and following demonstrations that rocked the country.

According to the sources, Mugabe also revealed that he doesn’t want to be buried at the National Heroes Acre. Rather, he would prefer to be buried close to his mother, Bona in his home of Zvimba.

A family source was quoted as saying, “Mugabe has made it clear to his family that he does not wish to be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre anymore. He does not want to be associated with Mnangagwa and all those he now views as his betrayers and tormentors.

“He has said he doesn’t want them to sing and pontificate over his dead body. He has informed relatives about his decision and this is known in the family; it’s also now known in government circles.”

Mugabe has been in a Singaporean hospital for some time now.

Sources in the ZANU PF security establishment have accused the opposition MDC over the bombings of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association offices in Bulawayo.

The sources said the attack could be a pre-emptive strategy by the MDC and its surrogate NGOs, who have since notified police about their intention to hold demonstrations this week.

The intelligence sources allege that the MDC and its affiliate organizations recently held a meeting in Kariba to strategize on the planned mayhem.

“From the meeting, the strategy was to target Zanu-PF buildings, war veterans’ installations and offices of prominent Zanu-PF officials and businesspeople. Each member who was recruited to do the attacks was promised US$800. The Entumbane attack might be the beginning of putting into motion their tactics,” said the source.

The provincial headquarters of war veterans located in Entumbane suburb, Bulawayo, was petrol-bombed on Saturday morning.

The resultant fire caused extensive damage to property and records.

However, no one was injured in the attack.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“We can confirm that there was an attack on the war veterans’ provincial headquarters in Bulawayo early this morning (yesterday). What happened is that the caretaker suddenly saw that the whole office was on fire and he alerted the treasurer of the association through the phone.

“A report was made to the police and the Fire Brigade attended the scene, and it was established that the attack emanated from a window that was broken and somebody threw a petrol bomb inside, which damaged records and property belonging to the association,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He called on members of the public who might have information on possible suspects to come forward.

The caretaker, Mr Ntokozo Ncube, said that he did not see the person who threw the bomb.

“I was doing rounds at the offices at about 2am when I noticed a fire coming from the back office and I alerted Mr Lucas Ngwenya, who lives in a nearby house, to assist me in putting out the fire . . . We opened the office from the front and found documents that were on the office desk and curtains already burning, and we used water to extinguish the fire,” he said.

Some of the items destroyed included curtains, office furniture, windows and clothes that were stored in the office.

Bulawayo war veterans chairperson Cephas Ncube said they would issue a statement about the bombing.

“We will comment in due course as war veterans. We are letting the police do their work,” said Ncube.

Separately, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema said Government was aware of the unfolding plot to stage violent demonstrations around the country.

He added that there were foreigners masquerading as tourists who are working closely with the MDC to roll out the demonstrations.

“Let me remind foreigners who are clearly dabbling in local politics that Zimbabwe is a sovereign state and will not allow people disguised as tourists to come and promote anarchy and destruction of property in the country,” he warned.

By A Correspondent- Army boss Valerio Sibanda has said investigations continue regarding who shot August 1 protestors last year casting a shadow of doubt on whether soldiers who murdered civilians will face justice.

This is despite recommendations by a commission of Inquiry led by the former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe calling on government to bring to account soldiers who murdered innocent civilians in broad daylight and under camera in Harare last year.

Said Sibanda:

“Well, we continue with investigations, some action has been taken but we continue with investigations to establish exactly whether there were any of our members who actually shot civilians.

Like I said during the commission, there was a third hand at play in the disturbances of the 1st of August last year.

This is why there was a report that some shots were fired from some buildings and I think that is ample proof to show that there was a third hand at play.

And yes, we have not allowed our soldiers, the culprits to go scot-free, we still want to establish who exactly did it because what I don’t want to do as a commander is punish a soldier for something he didn’t do.

So I need to be definite that this is the individual who did this and we will deal with them.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has justified the ongoing “painful but necessary reforms” by the new administration saying they are set to deliver sustainable jobs, economic stability, growth and development..

In his address to the nation on Friday to mark his first year in office, Mnangagwa said making the Zimbabwe dollar the sole tender for domestic transactions would increase the country’s export earnings and help promote a free-market economy.

He also exhorted political parties that still remain outside the recently launched Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) to join the platform.

“On the economic front, painful but necessary reforms have been made in the year that has gone by.

“The multi-currency regime, which ran from 2009, has now given way to reforms towards a national currency whose value is determined by the market,” he said.

“The multi-currency regime had eroded our export drive thus hurting our recovery efforts. Through this key reform, and the operationalisation of open market in all spheres, we have geared our economy for a major transformation underpinned by greater efficiencies, fair value and secure property rights. While the beginning may be painful, the medium to long run will deliver durable more jobs, economic stability, growth and development.”

He said Government has started planning for this year’s summer cropping season following last year’s El Nino-induced drought, which drastically reduced agricultural output.

Mnangagwa said notwithstanding the upheaval inherent in transitioning from old policies to new policies, the country has to brace for a bright future.

Positive signs such as the country’s newly found ability to generate more revenues and contain its expenses and the continued re-engagement with the international community had become noticeable recorded during the past year, he added.

“We are on the right path and our ambitious vision is within grasp. We continue to engage international financial institutions and creditor nations so we unlock more inputs towards our full recovery.

“The ongoing discussions with our creditors are promising, with our Staff Monitored Programme with the International Monetary Fund proceeding remarkably well.

“For the first time in decades, Government has been able to balance its books and to even enjoy a healthy surplus. This points to good stewardship of public affairs, itself a prerequisite for normalising relations with international financial institutions and creditor nations.”

Government, he added, had also been able to repeal indigenisation laws that were unattractive to investment, including fast-tracking the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Authority (ZIDA) Bill to create a one-stop shop for investors.

Laws that inhibit the ease of doing business had also been relooked.

Dialogue

Dialogue, the President added, could also be used as an instrument for durable peace.

“In working for a durable peace, I pledge to keep the hand of dialogue and goodwill outstretched to all Zimbabweans, including those I raced against in the July polls. Never again should electoral contest be allowed to degenerate into open conflict that mars our peace.

“The national dialogue, through which the majority of the national political leadership has sought to find one another, and to work together on national issues, is now underway. I continue to urge the few parties which have shunned the national dialogue to please reconsider by joining in the consolidation of national peace, and in working in harmony for economic recovery and growth.”

Re-engagement

Mnangagwa said his visit to Russia last October helped enhance bilateral and investment ties with Moscow.

He also noted the upgrade in bilateral relations with Namibia and Tanzania, which is expected to  increase trade and enhance the country’s export drive.

Considerable progress has been made in restoring the country’s infrastructure, particularly roads, he said.

“After several years of neglect and decline, our infrastructure has begun to receive attention. Many of our trunk roads are under construction, as too are our feeder roads. While contracts for the dualisation of key roads are being finalised, work on the same continue through our efforts.

“Equally, our rail network and services are being revamped so, alongside modern highways, we transform Zimbabwe into a regional transportation hub with excellent links to other countries and seaports,” he said.

The President said he was hopeful that the 2019/2020 summer cropping season would be a better one.

“Efforts are ready underway to mobilise inputs for the new season to perform better in order to lighten our import burden. These include a greater push towards a bigger hectarage under irrigation to cushion ourselves from vagaries of the weather.”

He assured the nation that “no Zimbabwean life should be lost on account of drought” as Government was working with international partners to ensure that the effects of the drought are mitigated.

Mnangagwa said Government would continue to provide social safety nets, including improving public transport and revamping the health sector, by improving affordable drug supplies and re-equipping major referral hospitals.

-StateMedia

Army commander Valerio Sibanda had an interview with the state media and we publish below the full text of the interview.

Question: We know your military side, can you just touch a little bit on your civilian side?

Answer: I don’t have a civilian side, there is very little of that within me. I joined the military when I was very young and I have been in the military ever since.

Q: Do you have a hobby, maybe football?

A: I watch football a bit when the national team is playing and they are winning; once they start losing, I lose interest.

Q: You fought the liberation struggle side-by-side with some of our heroes, what is the significance of the Heroes and Defence Forces Day in our calendar?

A: Each and every nation has got its own history and Defence Forces’ Day, Heroes’ Day, they are all part of our history. And we celebrate the work that was done by our heroes during the liberation struggle, whether they were active participants or they were supporters. But we also take time to remember them over the Heroes’ Day, and of course for defence holidays we just have to associate with our people and once again to get our people to understand who we are, where we came from and so on. And we look into the future together with them because we are a people’s defence force.

Q: Do you have any lingering memories from the struggle?

A: There are many, but they are not good ones unfortunately. They are about the harshness, the ferocity of the struggle, the many deaths and so on. So, yes, they are there but they are not memories that you really want to keep recycling — the brain tends to push into some corner those things that you don’t want to continue to remember — but, yes, there are a lot of memories indeed.

Q: The Zimbabwe Defence Forces played a major role in ushering in the Second Republic in November 2017, was that intervention necessary?

A: Well, I think the people of Zimbabwe are the best judges on that, I think we had gotten to a point where if we had continued, something was going to happen, something bad was going to happen and so, yes, that intervention was necessary, but, like I said, the people of this country can judge us best.

Q: In response to the August 1 2018 events, the Motlanthe Commission recommended, among other things, that action should be taken against the soldiers who are alleged to have shot at civilians. Has that been done, what is the progress on that?

A: Well, we continue with investigations, some action has been taken but we continue with investigations to establish whether there were any of our members who actually shot civilians. Like I said during the commission, there was a third hand at play in the disturbances of the 1st of August last year. This is why there was a report that some shots were fired from some buildings and I think that is ample proof to show that there was a third hand at play. And yes, we have not allowed our soldiers, the culprits to go scot-free, we still want to establish who exactly did it because what I don’t want to do as a Commander is to punish a soldier for something they didn’t do. So I need to be definite that this is the individual who did this and then we will deal with them.

Q: So you are saying that if you did find out that they did something — some of your soldiers — you will take action?

A: Definitely, they will certainly be taken to book.

Mass demonstrations are allowed under the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The question most people are asking is under what circumstances should the army be called in to solve issues of mass demonstrations?

If the demonstrations are peaceful, we don’t get called in and we will not interfere with peaceful demonstrations, peaceful petitions and so on — we will not interfere. If you will recall sometime before the elections last year, the opposition called for demonstrations and they walked through town and we were sitting here and they went past Government offices and went round and round and we did not take any action because it was peaceful. What is wrong is to abuse the Constitution, where it says you are allowed to demonstrate. The Constitution is very clear, I think Section 59, it says you are allowed to demonstrate, you are allowed to petition provided it is peaceful, and that is the keyword — peaceful. When people start going around town burning, looting and so on, that is no longer peaceful and won’t be allowed to happen because now you are interfering with other people’s freedoms and you are also destroying other people’s properties and that is anarchy, we can’t allow that.

Q: And you being called in would be about the President, for example, President Mnangagwa deciding, given the situation on the ground?

A: Yes, he is the Commander-in-Chief and he is the ultimate in terms of giving that order.

Q: General, when you took office you intimated that you wanted to promote a people’s army. How far have you gone with that dream or the realisation of a people’s army?

A: We have made quite some good progress in the sense that we have extended our activities to almost all parts of this country in terms of visibility, in terms of projects, in terms of getting them to be part of the defence force by bringing in their own children. This is why we are working on a quota per province to make sure that each province has got some of its children in the military. We have done quite a bit in that area.

Q: Your idea, of course, is to make people believe in the army and to know that it is part of them. Is this the concept of the people’s army?

A: Well, from the liberation struggle that was the belief. You cannot fight a war without the people’s support. Go to any country today, they want the people to be with them because that way, you have the moral support. You also have the strength required in terms of doing what you are supposed to do.

Q: Some critics would say that the force is heavy-handed, what would be your comment to that?

A: I am not sure whether this relates to the incidence of the 1st of August last year and the 14th of January, but really we have not been heavy-handed. We have only responded in a manner that allows the situation to be brought to normalcy in the shortest possible time. It is unfortunate that lives have been lost in the process, but you cannot allow a situation of anarchy to prevail. That certainly is a no-no.

So the army was proportional in terms of response to what was happening at the time. That is what we did.

Q: There are some who also say that Zimbabwe is heavily militarised, what is your response?

A: I do not understand when they say Zimbabwe is heavily militarised. You know we are Zimbabweans. We come from the people, we retire from the military and we go back to the people to become civilians. Yes, we retain our titles and so on but we are no longer serving. So when I go, I have got my qualifications and I go looking for a job and get taken in by some Government department, that does not mean that I am an extension of the military in that Government department. In any case, which country on earth does not take retired members of the military in its governance structures? Which one? If anyone can give me an answer, then maybe I can agree with this assertion, but otherwise I do not.

Members of the Zimbabwe National Army go through their drills at the National Sports Stadium in Harare yesterday in preparation for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day commemorations tomorrow– Picture by Kudakwashe Hunda

Q: Zimbabweans appear to be currently divided, very much divided along political lines. What role do you think the Zimbabwe Defence Forces can play to foster unity, the feeling that Zimbabweans are together and united, just like it was during the liberation struggle?

A: We are playing our part as the defence force through the main projects that I have already talked about, the activities that we are doing in the countryside. Also, we feel that these divisions that are rocking people today are counterproductive and so on. For us, we do not see the people of this country to say this an MDC fellow, this is Zanu-PF, no! We see Zimbabweans and we would like to promote that and whatever we do, we try and make sure that we do not segregate. When we are, for example, asked by Government to work with communities, do food distribution and things like that, we do not choose. We allow people in the community to get the same share of food that they are entitled to. So we would want to see our people united because when united we are stronger and we stand, and divided we fall. Unfortunately, some people seem to be wanting to perpetuate divisions in the country and that is just not right.

The army commander said the one thing that I always ask myself: “When I went to the liberation struggle at a young age, we were so united. Why is it that today we are no longer united as a country in independent Zimbabwe?”

Yes, perhaps it can be politics here and there. In our Constitution, we are apolitical; that is why multi-party politics is allowed in our Constitution of Zimbabwe, we observe what will be taking place.

Q: So the army commander is saying that the army, the defence forces is apolitical, they are here for the good of the nation, is that what it is?

A: Indeed, indeed, you see people must separate the institution of the military from individuals: there can be individuals within the military who support whatever political party, but it is not the military, it is the individuals and if they go beyond what is authorised, then we deal with those individuals because we are apolitical. You see, it is like saying to people do not belong to any church because when he is in his home he will pray to his God or invite a pastor or somebody to come and pray and you cannot stop them from doing that.

Q: You talked earlier, you touched on humanitarian issues or the people issues that the defence forces do. You played a key role in rescue and recovery efforts following Cyclone Idai, a natural disaster that is unparalleled in our recent history. Where you prepared for such a disaster?

A: We were prepared for the normal disasters that we had gotten used to, but the ferocity, the intensity of Idai was something else, so from what happened we have learnt: from the need for effective early warning systems, the need for education for our people to understand that indeed some calamity is coming and take this action. There is need for maybe organisational changes to the way we respond. At the moment we have got the Civil Protection Unit, but we believe that from the experiences that we have gained from Idai, we may need to fine-tune the whole response mechanism. It was not as tidy as we would have wanted it to be.

Q: So do you think in future the ZDF will work together or try to put in place maybe committees or discussions so that when something like this happens again you will be more prepared?

A: Yes, we have made recommendations, we are hoping that we can meet with the authorities concerned so that we can discuss and maybe come up with refined methods of responding to disasters of the size and ferocity of Idai.

Q: Now, I think a lot of people don’t really understand the magnitude of what the Zimbabwe Defence Forces did, maybe you can briefly tell us the areas that the ZDF assisted our people in that disaster?

A: If you recall Cyclone Idai struck on a Friday night. The first elements of the ZDF were deployed in the early morning of Saturday. And to get to the area of the cyclone and so on, they had to walk long distances and they had to cross flooded rivers. Fortunately, we had done adequate training and some of them had to use ropes and so on to cross some of the flooded rivers and they were joined later on by other units. We were not able to fly into the area because of the mist and rain, so it was just ground-based effort into, I think, the afternoon of Sunday. We were able to go in by air on Monday, this was after about two days and the troops that went in were very, very courageous because really here is a river that is flooded and flowing fast and in its way it brings down rocks, trees and so on but they managed to cross and got to the areas where there were people who were trapped and needed help. So yes, a lot of work was done, especially during those first two days. After that, the weather cleared and we were able to go and spread our activities to a much wider area and also we started getting assistance from various NGOs.

By and large, ZDF did very well during Cyclone Idai, but also I want to thank the people of Zimbabwe in general, those within the country and those outside the country who assisted. We saw the country getting united; unfortunately, for just that period of time, thereafter we went back to our old ways of disunity and it is unfortunate.

Q: General, can you explain the role of the ZDF in economic development?

A: Let me take you back to the early days of our independence in the 80s, we had something called OPSEED, if some of you remember. OPSEED meant Operation Soldiers Employed in Economic Development. When the demobilisation process was taking place, some of the soldiers were going into OPSEED, but others were actually in OPSEED, even before demobilisation. I am saying this because there are people in this country who think the military should not be involved in the economic development of the country. I think that is very wrong, it is an uninformed position. Like I said earlier, we are Zimbabweans and it is in our interest to develop the country. So we will do what is necessary if we have the time and the resources to take part in the development of our country. Some people criticise, for example, command agriculture. There is nothing wrong with command agriculture and it has happened in other countries under different names, but it is still the military assisting in economic development.

Q: Some countries do, however, have the military sort of having their own industries, I think Russia is a good example where the military does have businesses. Is that the model the ZDF is employing in terms of having their own businesses?

A: Well, there are different models of the military engaging in economic activities. What we would want to do here is to produce certain products for ourselves and we will not be directly responsible as the military, but, yes, we can have companies that are run on a purely business basis for the production of the materials that we use. So different models, but we would want to see some of the products being produced by ourselves.

Q: Let us turn to the men and women in the armed forces. What initiatives is the Zimbabwe Defence Forces putting in to look after the welfare of its members because apart from the members in the army, of course, the extended families can run into millions of people? What initiatives has the ZDF taken to look after its members?

A: We are talking about the conditions of service of our members here. We, maybe, have not done well in that area in the sense that we have not been able to adequately provide for the accommodation of our troops and their dependents. Because of the economic environment, we have not been able to adequately provide for their medical cover and we have also not been able to provide for their various needs as expected.

However, this is not to say nothing is being done. There is a lot that is being done. We are working on providing Government accommodation for our officers. We had programmes running in the past, they came to a hold because there was no money. We have resuscitated these projects, especially those providing accommodation to our officers and men. We have just resuscitated this, but as individual citizens, we have been putting up accommodation for our officers countrywide. You have heard about the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Fund, which has been constructing houses all over the country. So what happens is a member says when I retire I want to settle in this area, and when we get stands in that area, they are ticked off the list and they are provided with their houses. They can then extend the houses as they wish. So we are doing quite a bit in that area. In terms of the rest of the conditions of service, Government is working tirelessly to address this because they have been inadequate for a very long time. In fact, from the time of our independence, there has never been a time when the conditions of service have been fully met. They are at different levels of fulfilment.

Q: Finally, General Sibanda, when the time comes, how would you like Zimbabweans to remember you?

A: First, they should remember me as just another Zimbabwean. Number two, they should remember me as somebody who tried to bring more peace and stability in this country, and thirdly, they should remember me as somebody who would like to see Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces being the cream of the cream of Southern Africa, if not the whole of Africa.

Q: I have to ask this, do you have any political ambitions at all?

A: No!

-StateMedia

State Media|THE army will not summarily punish soldiers that are alleged to have shot six civilians during the 1 August 2018 violent protests as it is presently following due process to get to the bottom of the matter, as evidence suggests they could have been a “third hand at play”, Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda has said.

In an interview with Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN), Gen Sibanda said the army has not allowed the soldiers to go scot-free and if investigations concluded that the soldiers were culpable, they would “certainly be taken to book”.

He also said the current divisions among Zimbabweans were unfortunate.

“Well, we continue with investigations, some action has been taken but we continue with investigations to establish exactly whether there were any of our members who actually shot civilians. Like I said during the commission, there was a third hand at play in the disturbances of the 1st of August last year. This is why there was a report that some shots were fired from some buildings and I think that is ample proof to show that there was a third hand at play. And yes, we have not allowed our soldiers, the culprits to go scot-free, we still want to establish who exactly did it because what I don’t want to do as a commander is punish a soldier for something he didn’t do. So I need to be definite that this is the individual who did this and we will deal with them,” he said.

Gen Sibanda said while the Constitution provides for mass demonstrations, anarchy — violence, arson and looting — was a “no-no”.

“. . . but the Constitution is very clear, I think Section 59, it says you are allowed to demonstrate, you are allowed to petition provided it is peaceful, and that is the keyword, peaceful. When people start going around town burning and looting and so on, that is no longer peaceful and won’t be allowed to happen because now you are interfering with other people’s freedoms and you are also destroying other people’s properties and that is anarchy, we can’t allow that.”

When faced with anarchy, he added, the army would always respond proportionately to restore order in the shortest possible time.

Added Gen Sibanda: “I am not sure whether this relates to the incidence of the 1st of August last year and the 14th of January, but really we have not been heavy-handed. We have only responded in a manner that allows the situation to be brought to normalcy in the shortest possible time. It is unfortunate that lives have been lost in the process, but you cannot allow a situation of anarchy to prevail. That certainly is a no-no.”

By A Correspondent- Of the 148 Zimbabwean bodies that were swept away and buried in neighbouring Mozambique following the tropical cyclone Idai disaster in March this year, only 1 body has been retrieved and reburied back home, Local government minister July Moyo has revealed.

Moyo told parliament that government had put measures and mechanisms to facilitate the identification of the remaining 147 bodies that are currently buried in Susunhenga, Mozambique by the families and relatives who had reported missing persons following the cyclone Idai tragedy

Said Moyo:

“On research and recovery, the Government has put measures and mechanisms in place to identify the 147 bodies buried in Susunhenga in  Mozambique.  

They used to be 148 and one has already been retrieved by the family and correctly identified.

To date, D.N.A samples have been collected from relatives of the missing persons waiting linking with the deceased.” 

BULAWAYO councillors have initiated fresh attempts to oust the Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, from office despite offering an apology last week over the botched effort by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tinashe Kambarami to kick him out last month.

According to council confidential minutes, charges to be preferred against Mr Dube include those that were initially cited by Clr Kambarami and fresh ones emanating from the verbal exchange Mr Dube had with the Deputy Mayor during the botched suspension move.

The Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni, has since been instructed to issue a charge sheet to the Town Clerk, further noting that Mr Dube’s conduct when he was issued with the suspension letter by Clr Kambarami was not consistent with that of a public officer.

“Councillors were generally in agreement that the suspension be lifted and current process be abandoned on the understanding that the mayor would pursue the charges previously laid and any other that he deems appropriate including, but not limited to the conduct of the Town Clerk when he was served with the suspension letter by the Deputy Mayor.

“Councillors generally agreed that, regardless of the circumstances, the Town Clerk’s action and language were not acceptable in public office and towards one’s policy makers. To avoid further pitfalls, councillors felt the mayor should rely on the advice of the city solicitor (Coghlan and Welsh) for a smooth conclusion of the case filed by the Town Clerk and on the institution of fresh proceedings against the Town Clerk,” reads the council report.

In a letter to the council, Clr Mguni noted that while there were irregularities surrounding the initial attempt to suspend Mr Dube he had not exonerated him, but had given him seven days to respond to the allegations levelled against him. The Deputy Mayor had accused the town clerk of abuse of office.

“I must state that on the day in question, I was not on council leave. I was neither incapacitated nor did I fail to perform my duties. I was in constant communication with the town clerk.

“There was no vacancy in the office of the mayor. This then makes the suspension irregular that is, I was away for a few minutes and the Deputy Mayor takes such a drastic step, this decision cannot be defended at law.

“It is further important to note that my letter did not state that the town clerk had no case to answer. In fact, the letter directed the town clerk to respond to the various allegations within seven days. My office’s intervention was to enable council to follow the right procedure to avoid legal impediments,” reads the council report.

The revelations come at a time when the mayor and Deputy Mayor had issued a public statement assuring residents that the disturbances would not happen again.

“The City of Bulawayo would like to apologise to residents and stakeholders on the recent disturbances that rocked the city on July 11 and 12, 2019. We want to assure residents that this will not happen again. This incident is a reminder to all of us on the importance of unity in whatever we do,” said Clr Mguni.

The MDC-A councillors are reportedly divided along two factions angling to control the awarding of tenders and the town clerk has been viewed as a stumbling block to their shenanigans. The Government constituted a probe team to investigate circumstances leading to Mr Dube’s suspension and to look into corruption allegations raised against council management and its findings are yet to be released.

Residents have said the chaos at City Hall was a culmination of the election of immature, greedy councillors who think of their stomachs and little about service delivery.

Sources in the ZANU PF security establishment have accused the opposition MDC over the bombings of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association offices in Bulawayo.

The sources said the attack could be a pre-emptive strategy by the MDC and its surrogate NGOs, who have since notified police about their intention to hold demonstrations this week.

The intelligence sources allege that the MDC and its affiliate organisations recently held a meeting in Kariba to strategise on the planned mayhem.

“From the meeting, the strategy was to target Zanu-PF buildings, war veterans’ installations and offices of prominent Zanu-PF officials and businesspeople. Each member who was recruited to do the attacks was promised US$800. The Entumbane attack might be the beginning of putting into motion their tactics,” said the source.

The provincial headquarters of war veterans located in Entumbane suburb, Bulawayo, was petrol-bombed on Saturday morning.

The resultant fire caused extensive damage to property and records.

However, no one was injured in the attack.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“We can confirm that there was an attack on the war veterans’ provincial headquarters in Bulawayo early this morning (yesterday). What happened is that the caretaker suddenly saw that the whole office was on fire and he alerted the treasurer of the association through the phone.

“A report was made to the police and the Fire Brigade attended the scene, and it was established that the attack emanated from a window that was broken and somebody threw a petrol bomb inside, which damaged records and property belonging to the association,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He called on members of the public who might have information on possible suspects to come forward.

The caretaker, Mr Ntokozo Ncube, said that he did not see the person who threw the bomb.

“I was doing rounds at the offices at about 2am when I noticed a fire coming from the back office and I alerted Mr Lucas Ngwenya, who lives in a nearby house, to assist me in putting out the fire . . . We opened the office from the front and found documents that were on the office desk and curtains already burning, and we used water to extinguish the fire,” he said.

Some of the items destroyed included curtains, office furniture, windows and clothes that were stored in the office.

Bulawayo war veterans chairperson Cephas Ncube said they would issue a statement about the bombing.

“We will comment in due course as war veterans. We are letting the police do their work,” said Ncube.

Separately, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema said Government was aware of the unfolding plot to stage violent demonstrations around the country.

He added that there were foreigners masquerading as tourists who are working closely with the MDC to roll out the demonstrations.

“Let me remind foreigners who are clearly dabbling in local politics that Zimbabwe is a sovereign State and will not allow people disguised as tourists to come and promote anarchy and destruction of property in the country,” he warned.

Desperate Zanu PF elements have taken to social media to raise an absurd claim that a former faction of Zanu PF, G40, pumped water out of Kariba Dam in a bid to sabotage the economy using electricity shortages.

The cartel also claims that there are plans in place to assassinate President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the long Heroes and Defence Forces holidays.

https://twitter.com/angelaheartmoyo/status/1159849888475017216?s=19

THE Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza yesterday gazetted Statutory Instrument 174 of 2019 gazetting new toll fees for Beitbridge Tolling Regulations that are paid in foreign currency.

“The Beitbridge Tolling Regulations, 2014, published in the Statutory Instrument 100 of 2014 (hereinafter referred to as the “principal regulations”) are amended in section 5 by the addition of “un currency denomination specified in the “Schedule” after “toll.” The principal regulations are amended by the repeal of the schedule and substitution of the following motorcycle US$4 or R55, light vehicles up to 3 tonnes US$9 or R125 and heavy vehicles US$23 or R325,” reads the Statutory Instrument.

The vehicle registration licensing for light vehicles went up to $300 for vehicles with a net mass of 1 500kg while the charges can even reach $3 500 for vehicles weighing 10 750kg and above.

Meanwhile, internal toll gate and vehicle registration fees were also hiked significantly.

The changes will result in toll fees for light vehicles increasing from $2 to $10 while the largest toll fee for haulage trucks will be $50 from $10.

The changes will also see personalised number plates being priced for $12 500 with learners’ licensing going up from $20 to $100.

“It is hereby notified that the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development in terms of section 6 of the Toll Roads Act [Chapter13:13] has made the following regulations — these regulations may be cited as the Toll Roads (National Road Network (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 (No.9). The Fourth Schedule to the Toll Roads (Regional Trunk Road Network) regulations, 2001, published in Statutory Instrument 39 of 2009 is repealed and substituted by the following fourth schedule light motor vehicles ZWL$10, minibuses ZWL$15, buses ZWL$20, heavy vehicles ZWL$25 and haulage trucks ZWL$50,” reads the SI 172 of 2019.

Zimbabwe National Road Administration spokesperson Mr Augustine Moyo said the new charges were effective from 5PM yesterday.

Mr Moyo said the changes were prompted by the changes in the macro-economic environment and the desire to have a world class road network by 2030.

“The above amendments have been necessitated by the increasing costs of road construction rehabilitation and repairs.

“The amendments have been done in such a manner as to balance the accessibility of the country’s road networks with the need to maintain and secure the access of public roads by the generality of the population in line with the country’s Transitional Stabilisation policy and the achievement of a world-class road network worthy of an Upper Middle Income Economy by 2030,” said Mr Moyo.

Government has warned that it will not brook unlawful demonstrations and has deployed police and the army on stand by ready to pounce on demonstrators Home Affairs and Culture Heritage Minister Cain Mathema has said.

His remarks come in the wake of MDC’s announcement that it will be staging protests on Friday to put pressure on the current political administration.

Police has since advised that they are still considering the notice by the MDC before announcing its position.

While evidence has been provided that the ruling ZANU PF party is working on a scheme to deploy its agents to destabilise the planned peaceful protest, Minister Mathema is already hinting at police dealing with the opposition MDC.

“We have heard of the call for demonstrations by the MDC on the 16th of August and our position is that we do not disallow legal and Constitutional demonstrations.

“Demonstrations must be in line with the Constitution and in line with other laws of Zimbabwe,” he said.

“My job is to preside over law and order; anything that does not follow law and order, we will not accept and our law enforcement will deal with it accordingly.”

Demonstrations, Minister Mathema said, must not affect other law-abiding citizens who seek to go about their normal business.

“The space in Zimbabwe belongs to all of us, which is why we have to regulate who is demonstrating along which path and how this will affect the business of everyone else.

“We will not allow demonstrations that impinge upon the rights of others.”

Minister Mathema said: “President Mnangagwa was legitimately elected and we even had a record number of foreign observer missions which came here. After the results were announced, the opposition went to the courts to challenge that decision. We did not force them to court, neither did we force them to go for the election.

“The courts gave a final decision on the matter, which meant that President Mnangagwa’s legitimacy cannot be contested in any way.

“We cannot fold our hands if people make such serious threats. We will not allow them to abuse their freedom of expression or freedom to hold demonstrations.

“We know that the MDC has a history of being violent during elections. They have to be careful in their call for demonstrations.”

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said it will issue an official response.

“The ZRP acknowledges receipt of MDC-A notification on the intended demonstration on 16 August 2019. However, the police reiterates that considerations are still being made on the notification and the official response is yet to be given to the concerned convener,” it said in a statement.

Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWA) chairperson Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa said the MDC protests are a part of Nelson Chamisa’s misguided ambitions to usurp State power.

“Why on earth would a proud national resort to an uprising against their own State apparatus? Such wayward thinking is the hare-brain wish of the political day-dreamer that is Chamisa and his political greenhorns. Their folly arises from conflating the political party Zanu-PF and the State. To have an attitude against a party should not, of the misplaced necessity, lead to the treacherous conduct of challenging the Zimbabwe State. Such an act is the realm of treason.

“The second fallacy is that uprisings can be prompted by an on-off electrical switch of the indigent ambition of young Chamisa.

‘‘He is either too lazy or too scared to read about the long road travelled by President Emmerson and his generation to power. They took extraordinary risks of which Chamisa plainly avoids even as he craves power so much. Will he place his own life on the line for the cause of personal political power he pontificates about?”

Former president, Robert Mugabe has told his family members that he doesn’t want his successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his burial.

Mugabe has accused Mnangagwa and former Defence Forces Commander Constantino Chiwenga of betraying him in his hour of need for their role in his removal from power in 2017.

Mugabe, who is still bitter about his overthrow poured his heart to family members at the bedside of his hospital bed in Singapore.

He singling out of Mnangagwa and his current Zanu PF crew shows that he is not keen on forgiving them even in his death.

Mugabe is said to have branded Mnangagwa and Chiwenga as the two biggest traitors and his arch-enemies who conspired to wrest the presidency away from him after he had kept firm claws on power for a staggering 37 years.

“He had no kind words for those two. He blamed them for everything that has happened to him and kept referring to them as traitors,” sources said.

Mugabe has always described Mnangagwa as an “illegal and illegitimate president” who rose to power through the barrel of the gun and yearned for assistance from the African Union to restore his presidency. Mugabe apparently does not attach much value to his resignation on November 21, 2017, which he tendered under immense pressure from the army and following demonstrations that rocked the country.

According to the sources, Mugabe also revealed that he doesn’t want to be buried at the National Heroes Acre. Rather, he would prefer to be buried close to his mother, Bona in his home of Zvimba.

A family source was quoted as saying, “Mugabe has made it clear to his family that he does not wish to be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre anymore. He does not want to be associated with Mnangagwa and all those he now views as his betrayers and tormentors.

“He has said he doesn’t want them to sing and pontificate over his dead body. He has informed relatives about his decision and this is known in the family; it’s also now known in government circles.”

Mugabe has been in a Singaporean hospital for some time now.

Government says it will be engaging the private sector and financial institutions in the auditing structures of the scheme, ignoring the Auditor General Mildred Chiri.

Chiri can arguably be the biggest newsmaker this year after she produced government audit reports that have condemned several top government officials for corruption and misuse of office. These include the highly incriminating NSSA forensic audit which has led to the arrest of former Minister Prisca Mupfumira.

Command Agriculture is a President Emmerson Mnangagwa initiated and managed programme, which has used huge amounts of government funds but yielded very little result raising eyebrows of possible misuse of public funds.

The programme entails providing farmers with requisite resources and technical skills, to optimally produce specific crops and was implemented by Government in the last few years as a way of stimulating agricultural production with the accent on ensuring food security.

Huge concern has been raised over the failure by some farmers including politicians and Government to pay back the money advanced to them under the scheme.

Farming seasons under the scheme have not been successful because of poor planning and misuse of funds with unsustainable claims that the El Nino induced drought impacted on production.

Repayment of loans was also very poor as beneficiaries reneged on their obligations over and above sad stories of some farmers who abused the inputs.

Former Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa revealed in his 2018 Budget presentation that the government had received 66 percent of its target loan repayments and of that only 33 percent had paid in full.

This posed a high risk to the scheme’s future as well as the country’s coffers as Government had to takeover the bad debts.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube in his 2019 National Budget Statement, also noted low loan recoveries from farmers contracted under previous facilities, which he said was due to weak management arrangements.

This weakness undermines refinancing of agricultural programmes, said Minister Ncube.

Speaking at the 2019 Mid-Term Budget Review Breakfast meeting held in Harare last week, Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development George Guvamatanga, said government was considering how other players can be involved in funding command agriculture.

“At the moment as an institution we are actually considering to see how other players such as banks and other financial institutions can play a significant role in command agriculture.”

He said as safe guard measure, Treasury is also looking at appointing private firms to “actually audit and make sure that the process works much better for us”.

In his 2019 Mid-Term Budget Review presentation, Minister Ncube also highlighted the same saying to close the “loopholes during the forthcoming agriculture season, Government is adopting a targeted approach, which select exclusively farmers with track record of honouring their loan obligations from previous Programmes and have a history of producing high yields.

“The selection of farmers will be done in a transparent way and measures will be put in place to recover all the loans,” said Minister Ncube.

POLICE have expressed concern over the rise in murder cases countrywide after more than 50 people were killed in the country last month.

Most of the murder cases, added police, were related to love affairs, domestic and trivial disputes.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said for the month of July alone police had recorded 51 cases of murder compared to 44 cases reported in July 2018.

“Most murder cases are associated with domestic disputes that can be resolved harmoniously.

“Other crimes that have contributed immensely to these statistics are petty crimes, such as those of people fighting over insignificant things like change. Other cases that are a cause for concern are disputes that arise when people are intoxicated,” said Asst Comm Nyathi adding that other cases were those of people attacked when they were robbed by assailants.State media

The ongoing “painful but necessary reforms” by the new administration are set to deliver sustainable jobs, economic stability, growth and development, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

In a special address to the nation on Friday to mark his first year in office, the Head of State and Government said making the Zimbabwe dollar the sole tender for domestic transactions would increase the country’s export earnings and help promote a free-market economy.

He also exhorted political parties that still remain outside the recently launched Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) to join the platform.

“On the economic front, painful but necessary reforms have been made in the year that has gone by.
“The multi-currency regime, which ran from 2009, has now given way to reforms towards a national currency whose value is determined by the market,” said the President.

“The multi-currency regime had eroded our export drive thus hurting our recovery efforts. Through this key reform, and the operationalisation of open market in all spheres, we have geared our economy for a major transformation underpinned by greater efficiencies, fair value and secure property rights.

While the beginning may be painful, the medium to long run will deliver durable more jobs, economic stability, growth and development.”State media

Government will not brook unlawful demonstrations as law enforcement agents stand ready to resolutely safeguard the peace and tranquillity that currently exists in the country, Home Affairs and Culture Heritage Minister Cain Mathema has said.

His remarks come in the wake of MDC’s announcement that it will be staging protests on Friday to put pressure on the current political administration.

Police have since advised that they are still considering the notice by the MDC before announcing its position.
Minister Mathema told The Sunday Mail that while Government fully recognises people’s Constitutional right to demonstrate, lawlessness would not be tolerated.

“We have heard of the call for demonstrations by the MDC on the 16th of August and our position is that we do not disallow legal and Constitutional demonstrations.

“Demonstrations must be in line with the Constitution and in line with other laws of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“My job is to preside over law and order; anything that does not follow law and order, we will not accept and our law enforcement will deal with it accordingly.”

Demonstrations, Minister Mathema said, must not affect other law-abiding citizens who seek to go about their normal business.

“The space in Zimbabwe belongs to all of us, which is why we have to regulate who is demonstrating along which path and how this will affect the business of everyone else.
“We will not allow demonstrations that impinge upon the rights of others.”State media

Government has increased tollgate entry fees and other traffic related fees with immediate effect.

This is contained in Statutory Instrument 171 of 2019 published in the Government Gazette yesterday.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development increased the fees in terms of Section 6 of the Toll Roads Act (Chapter 13:13).

Light motor vehicles now pay $10 from $2, mini buses $15 from $3, buses $20 from $4 heavy vehicles $25 from $5 and haulage trucks $50 from $10. SI 171 of 2019 also says: “It is hereby notified that the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development has in terms of Section 52 of the Vehicles Registration and Licensing Act (Chapter 13:14), vehicle registration and vehicle number plate replacement is now at $400.”

Duplicate registration book and change of ownership is now $75, whereas personalised number plates are now $12 500.

The cost of a provisional driver’s licence has also risen to $100 for Classes 3 and 4 vehicles; Classes 1 and 2 are now $125.
Application for foreign drivers licences have also been increased to $500.State media

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said Zanu PF betrayed the core values of the liberation war through massive vote rigging.

Below is Chamisa’s statement on the coming Heroes and Defence Forces celebrations:

It is exactly twelve months since disputed and stolen election of 2018.

The majority of Zimbabweans are still in shock at the brazen manner in which their vote was stolen.

Disputed elections continue to pose a major blow and betrayal to the fundamental ideals of the liberation struggle, whose main aim and clarion call was One Man, One Vote.

Manipulation of the vote is indeed a negation of the sanctity and integrity of the right to choose for which so many of our people died in pursuit of that democratic right.

The non racial Zimbabwe of today was born out of a strong desire, and a determined sense of sacrifice, by many brave young men and women, who put their lives and livelihoods at risk in order to deliver a free and prosperous Zimbabwe, for all who live and belong to it.

The liberation of Zimbabwe came through a protracted war of independence, so this month we are joined together as Zimbabweans in paying tribute to the valiant men and women, who fought for the liberation of their country, Zimbabwe.

What brings and binds us together as Zimbabweans is far more important than what may separate us as a people.

Through this incredible sacrifice, we are moved to believe that with unity of purpose, fortitude and commitment, no weapon can stop a moment whose time has come.

Our liberation heroes such as Josiah Tongogara and Nikita Mangena, always reminded us that victory was certain, those worlds have never been more appropriate and truer, than for this time that we are living in.

No evil force can overwhelm a people’s desire whose cause is just and righteous, and whose time has now come.

In fact, so important is the Heroes commemoration, such that allocating a mere day for such a mammoth and important occasion is not enough.

In a New Zimbabwe, under a new people’s government, everyday will be a Heroes Day, because we honour our heroes through how we live our lives and not through cosmetic, vacuous and inadequate celebratiosn that ignore our people’s suffering.

We believe that Heroes are found at all levels, and are not only political, because we find them in our communities looking after orphans and the disabled, an example set by the late great Jairos Jiri.

Our new government will declare a Heroes and Memorials month so that the nation is accorded adequate time to remember the sacrifices made, the courage exhibited, the bodies maimed and the lives lost in the struggles to liberate and democratize our beautiful Zimbabwe.

We will be setting aside a whole month to celebrate this significant epoch in the national story of Zimbabwe, these celebrations will be done and reflected through how we look after our people, especially the most vulnerable.

There is nothing heroic or revolutionary about stealing money meant for pensioners at NSSA, and looting money meant for social services as we have seen happen for decades under the present government.

Heroism is about protecting our people and not about making empty speeches at a place that has been turned into a political party cemetery, yet funded by the struggling taxpayer in Guruve, Gwanda, Murewa, Bikita and everywhere in the country.

It is my wish for the whole month of August to be littered with community programs, town-hall meetings, village communions, dance, arts, film and various other festivities in remembrance of those patriotic Zimbabweans whose blood irrigated the tree of our political and economic emancipation.

These gallant sons and daughters of this land, whose sweat, toil and tears birthed an independent and democratic Zimbabwe, should be celebrated through works that reflect how they envisaged a free Zimbabwe.

Those of us who are the political alternative are fully aware of the fact that the democratic struggle that we are prosecuting, is mutually inclusive and consistent with the liberation struggle ideals of Nikita Mangena and Josiah Tongogara.

We fully recognize that the unfulfilled part of their struggle desires is found in the lack of liberation and political independence outcomes, which are defined by the freedom to choose, and also by the availability of a better life for our people.

Theirs was a truly heroic struggle, but unfortunately their dream of a better Zimbabwe remains a dream deferred that we must now fulfil in order to complete the liberation struggle.

The challenge for our generation is to fully address that conspicuous deficit, one that has brought untold suffering to our people.

Our role as a democratic movement is simply to complete the unfinished business of the liberation struggle, whose aspirations and desires should never be ignoredd or undermined.

Our struggle as a democratic movement, the struggle we began with the iconic Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai and others in 1999, is a patriotic struggle that stands right on the shoulders of the struggle waged by Alfred Nikita Mangena, Joshua Nkomo, Josiah Magama Tongogara and Lookout Khalisabantu Vumindaba Masuku, Herbert Chitepo, Leopold Takawirato mention but a few.

We only wish to complete that unfinished National Democratic struggle by ensuring that the attendant freedoms and the full democracy that this iconic generation aspired for are fully achieved in our lifetime.

And indeed from this generation, they shall come forthwith our own heroes, those who are sacrificing for the fulfilment of the Zimbabwean dream.

The spirit of heroism is within each and every one of us.
That spirit of sacrifice, that sense of responsibility and duty towards others around and beyond us within our borders is what we are in pursuit of.

We salute those who at times risk their lives to save others in one-way or another.

Each and every generation has its own heroes. We also have modern-day heroes who remind us that it is in our nature to reach out to others, to sacrifice for others and to do that which is good for our country.

On this National Heroes’ Day, we resolutely salute them, as we do to our sportsmen and women; our musicians who through their hard work on the international scene continue shine a positive and bright light on Zimbabwe.

Indeed, we also have everyday heroes in our military and police forces, our teachers, nurses, and countless responsible citizens who see sacrifice as a duty, and honour in service to our great nation.

I am painfully aware that some of you may be in a fuel or bank queue, or have no electricity or water, or can’t get your passport, or are struggling with medical or school fees, or have nightmares with the rising cost of living and high prices.

Remember, every shortage is but a shortage of love. Every problem and shortages that we are encountering are a leadership deficit.

Amidst the current hardships of water, power and cash shortages, I wish to take advantage of this occasion to salute all resilient Zimbabweans who are braving these painful realities under these difficult circumstances.

Indeed, you are national heroes. Your sacrifices under these trying times need to be equally celebrated and acknowledged.

I urge you all the heroic people of Zimbabwe not to despair, better must come, and it will come if we are united in delivering a Zimbabwe for not only ourselves, but for future generations to come whose stock is constantly being looted by a corrupt, incompetent and nepotistic predatory group.

Let all Zimbabweans reflect on the sacrifices paid on this day.

Let us all spend the holiday with our families and friends and share our aspirations and thoughts of a united and peaceful country.

It is heart wrenching to note that war veterans who were at the centre of the struggle for our independence are living under squalid conditions and without any social or economic support from the State.

The plight of war veterans and their families is of immediate national concern.

The men and women who fought for the independence of this country from colonial rule had a vision and aspirations.

This vision has being shattered by criminal behaviour and selfish and personal pursuits for wealth.

Today, this once breadbasket of Africa is now a basket case.

Surely, this stands out as a betrayal of the loft ideals of the liberation struggle.

Incredibly, Zimbabwe houses vast wealth, exceptionally talented Human Resources, rich minerals, fertile lands and natural wonders.

The opportunities for economic transformation and prosperity are limitless and immediately available if we have a people’s government, one that cares about the nation.

The population of our young and very educated people makes an ambitious economic growth path more certainly achievable in our lifetime.

The vision that has been set by our forefathers and yet betrayed by their successors is not far beyond our reach, but only if we start working NOW.

That work begins today by fixing our politics and governance deficits.

Good governance and growth have long been pencilled to go hand in hand with a nation’s success.

However, we will not fix our politics without true and legitimate leaders, Zimbabwe is a long way from real transformation and sustainable growth as long as it is subjected to comical political arrangements meant to satisfy the greed and very few.

The Zimbabwe that our heroes dreamt, worked and died for is one in which no citizen would be unsafe and insecure in the land of their birth.

In that Zimbabwe, no citizen would die or be in jail on account of politics, power and political differences.

It would be a Zimbabwe in which every citizen would have a decent job and wage, with all Zimbabweans having a fair share and equal opportunities to the wealth they create and equal rights that our heroes secured for us.

This Zimbabwe, however, can only be built by a political leadership that places the highest premium on integrity and which is committed to the highest standards of public service, while recognising the importance of a partnership with the people they serve.

We can best honour our heroes by providing this leadership in our various areas of endeavour, as we rededicate ourselves to the task of building a Zimbabwe that offers opportunity to all its people, and where we all share and care for each other.

This is where we must begin today here in Zimbabwe. We are determined to return our country to legitimacy, democracy and prosperity.

My fellow citizens, nothing short of a political solution through national dialogue will extricate our country from the jaws of impoverishment, poverty and suffering.

We must have genuine comprehensive political and electoral reforms to transform our country and make it prosperous.

To the entrepreneurs (vendors), the war veterans, the workers, youth and women’s groups, the marginalized groups, the civic and church groups, let us mobilize each other as peacemakers in the quest for freedom.

Let us not miss our turn to be genuinely heroic in pursuit of a better life.

Let us sacrifice for a better Zimbabwe. Let us be the heroes of our time by bringing back that glitter, glamour and glory to our motherland.

Our national heroes have left us a great heritage and legacy to build on; let us preserve it for generations to come.

None but ourselves can fix this country.

This is the purpose of our generation. The liberation generation discovered theirs, we as the transformation generation must play our part and act our duty by delivering a truly prosperous Zimbabwe.

In conclusion, I wish to say to the youth of this country, you are the game changers and defenders of our country.

The cost of doing nothing far exceeds the cost of doing something.

We must change our unmerited circumstances and harsh realities of joblessness, hopelessness and poverty.

The future is bright. Tomorrow is glorious!

Change that delivers.

Thank you and God Bless You.

Happy Heroes Month.

Zimbabwe, land we love, land of peacemakers, Our motherland.

Nelson Chamisa
MDC President

Farai Dziva|PPPZ leader Pastor Timothy Chiguvare has said he will defeat Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2023 Presidential plebiscite.

“My ability to add value to the nation of Zimbabwe is an art form that has taken years of experience to perfect and I am now ready to do what I am born for , to live for and to die for .”

“FELLOW ZIMBABWEANS! YOU DESERVE THE BEST OR NOTHING
I am the CHANGE you have been waiting for and your LIVES will never be the same again , NOW watch this space!” , declared Chiguvare in a statement.

“Fellow Zimbabweans you have a choice to make. Remember! you are the KEY and the SOLUTION – Vote for PPPZ , your Party of choice for the 2023 election.
Making the wrong CHOICE will mean that you have failed to plan your FUTURE , then POVERTY will plan it for you.”

By Own Correspondent- A Chipinge man was arrested for pushing the boundaries of what’s acceptable to do in public, when he begged to “play” with the intimate area of a woman who had been turning down his sexual advances. 

It is reported that Themba Mathebo from Madhinga Village under Chief Mapungwana in Chipinge had a brush with the law when he struck his alleged admirer Judith Madhinga (19) with a stone on the head after she turned his passionate plea to “just” put his fingers in her nether region.

Circumstances are that on 4 August at around 6pm Mathebo visited Judith at her workplace at Mundanda Business Centre where she is employed as a shopkeeper.

It is reported that when he entered the shop, he begged Judith to have a feel of her private parts.

Judith ignored him thinking it was in jest.

It was proved that Judith who initially thought Mathebo’s request was just a joke was later shocked when he advanced towards her and forcibly tried to grab her privates.

Mathebo’s unwanted sexual advances hit a brick wall when Judith violently pushed him away. In a fit of pique Mathebo picked up a stone and struck her on the head.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Mathebo’s arrest.

For the offence Mathebo was dragged before Chipinge magistrate Joshua Nembaware charged with assault.

Mathebo, who pleaded guilty to the charge, begged for forgiveness saying he was drunk when he committed the offence.

He was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment of which three months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

The remaining three months were suspended on condition that he performs 105 hours of unpaid labour at Mundanda Primary School. Prosecutor Shamiso Ncube appeared for the State.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s lawyer, Thabani Mpofu, has challenged the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) to arrest “the real big criminals” involved in the looting of National Social Security Authority (Nssa) and offered to prosecute the matter for free.

In a terse statement, Mpofu said he had details of the real looters around Nssa, accusing Zacc of going for small fish.

Said Mpofu:

“We know who it is that has raided the public purse. We are fully aware of what happened with Command Agriculture, the true but untold Nssa story is known to us, even to the minutest derail. We are ready to act, but we will only act against the corrupters of the corrupt, the bishops of thievery.”

Mpofu said if Zacc chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo was sincere in the fight against corruption, she should arrest the chief architects of the looting and he would offer his expertise free of charge to prosecute them.

“This is my public offer to you Justice Matanda Moyo, give me three of the big ones, give me three who have looted our billions and I will prosecute the for free. The ball is on your court, m’ lady,” he said.

Mpofu’s statements come at a time there has been outrage from the public fronted by Zanu PF accusing MDC-aligned lawyers of representing alleged corrupt Zanu PF chefs.

One of the MDC-aligned lawyers, who spoke on condition of being unnamed, said people were missing the bigger picture.

“Look at the defence in most of the cases, it has been simple, that the public officials acted under instructions from the appointing authorities. In the scheme of taking the cases, we expose the fact that the State is targeting smaller fish and it should prosecute everyone from the top,” the lawyer said.

National Patriotic Front spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire said there was nothing much to read in the corruption crusade because it was merely a fight for political space.

“It has nothing to do with corruption, it’s politics. This is why you find lawyers who are part of the MDC don’t miss a heartbeat when they take on cases against the small fish in Zanu PF because it becomes persecution,” he said.

Former Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Priscah Mupfumira battling for freedom has in her defence indicated that the pilferage of funds from Nssa was bigger than her.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said the introduction of the Zimbabwe dollar was timely as the country had registered macro-economic fundamentals that will promote stability of the local currency.

Ncube said this during a Mid-Term budget review breakfast meeting in Bulawayo recently,

He said as highlighted in the Mid-Term fiscal policy statement, there was a host of positive macro-economic fundamentals supporting the introduction of the local currency.

Underpinned by the two-year Transitional Stabilisation Programme adopted in October last year, Prof Ncube said the country’s current domestic debt level was receding and as at the end of June, it stood at $8,8 billion from $9,5 billion during the same time last year.

He said:

“Also the fact that domestic expenditure is not growing means that money supply growth is under control. 

“We are targeting reserved money or high-powered money as long we can target a specific growth on that we are good. Money supply not growing too fast, current and budget deficit under control, and we are able to support production, we are good.

“We are certainly going in the right direction in terms of the macro-economic picture,” said Prof Ncube.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Several students at Belvedere Teachers College are reported to have suffered from diarrhoea which could be the reason why the institution of higher learning closed before the school term calendar provision.

Most students left the institution last Thursday while yesterday was said to be the last day where most students had to vacate the college.

Speculation has been that the cases of diarrhoea had increased prompting the college to close earlier, a theory which was dismissed by the institution though acknowledging case of diarrhoea at the institution.

College principal Julia Mbofana confirmed diarrhoea cases but said early closure was to make students have ample time to look for internship as well as the institution to prepare for graduation ceremony scheduled for next week.

Some students who opened about the diarrhoea cases said they suspected that food offered at the institute was causing diarrhoea.

A first year wood technology student said the outbreak mainly affected those who stay at school.

“The situation was terrible on Wednesday (last week) night because people were affected while some are still sick.

“We were supposed to close this week but due to the outbreak, the college ordered people to go home last week, and the college closed yesterday,” she said.

A Mathematics student added:

“We ate cold food on Thursday and I’m suspecting that could be the reason why people were infected.

“People started vomiting, stomach cramps, headaches and dehydration and we were certain that this might be diarrhoea since there are a number of diarrhoea cases recorded in Harare.”

An unidentified staff also confirmed the diarrhoea outbreak saying many people suspect the food.

Mbofana said cases of diarrhoea could be emanating from buying food from vendors by the main gate adding that she also consumes the meals taken by students but has not suffered.

“The reasons why we closed earlier are that we wanted them to prepare for industrial attachment for those who are due for attachment and we also wanted to prepare for our 2019 graduation ceremony.

“Some students left but some are still at the institution,” Mbofana said.

Mbofana said some students were treated of diarrhoea while some would throw away the medication given to them.

“Some had diarrhoea and they were treated but some would throw the pills in the bins.

“I’m also having the same meals but nothing happened. I am suspecting that it could be outside food.

“We also asked the students to come and get tested for diarrhoea but no one came forward,” added Mbofana.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has called on the 100 girls that participated in her inaugural National Girls Boot Camp in Harare this week to be ambassadors who spread the theme of hard work, unity, love and the spirit of entrepreneurship among their peers in their respective provinces.

The girls were from the country’s 10 provinces.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the camp at Lake Chivero yesterday, Mnangagwa said the event was a platform to engage and impart life skills to the girl child.

“We are gathered here to bid each other farewell,” she said.

“I want to thank all of you for the good behaviour you exhibited as I did not hear of any complaints of misbehaving. Keep up the good behaviour wherever you go.

“As I said during the official opening, that you have become provincial ambassadors for the First Lady, I expect you to go and influence others to learn from you.”

Mnangagwa said following the success of the inaugural event, the national boot camp would be an annual event, adding that the next episode will be more exciting.

“During this week’s stay in this camp, you had built some relationships, however, true friendship should not be affected by distance,” she said.

“You were staying as a mixed group such that someone from Masvingo was sharing a room with a colleague from Matabeleland, this was deliberately done so that you learn to quickly adapt to situations and be able to interact.

In life you will face such situations as you will be moving from place to place in search of your needs. The next episode of the boot camp will be much better and more interesting.”

Mnangagwa told the girls to remain focused.

“To you our girls, our pride, you came, you saw, you heard, you interacted and you made friends. As you go back to your destinations, remember to focus on the good things that you experienced, for it is the good things that will help you in shaping your future.”

The Angel of Hope Foundation patron thanked teachers who accompanied the girls and ZimParks for hosting them.

She also thanked other partners who made the camp a memorable event. The girls walked away with an assortment of foodstuffs and other goodies.

“These foodstuffs, I want you to go and give to your parents, and grandmothers who are my friends and pass my gratitude to them for entrusting me with you for the whole week,” said Amai Mnangagwa.

The secondary school pupils are also set to benefit from the First Lady’s scholarship programme starting next year.

The boot camp involved engaging, interacting and empowering the girls who got advice and teachings on several topics from qualified and experienced facilitators.

On sports day, they interacted with the Zimbabwe national netball team, the Gems, who shared with them their life testimonies.

The boot camp was life-changing for the girls, who learnt life lessons from Mnangagwa’s humility. One of the girls, Tadzai Ndlovu (15) from Machakata School in Gokwe, said it was her first time to be in Harare and thanked the First Lady for the opportunity.

She said she learnt a lot, especially from the Zimbabwe Republic Police Victim Friendly Unit, adding that she was going to educate other girls in her village about their rights and how to go about it if they were infringed.

The First Lady is passionate about women empowerment and recently several young women from disadvantaged backgrounds received certificates after undergoing a special training programme in tourism and hospitality, courtesy of Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa facilitated the skills mentorship programme through her charity organisation Angel of Hope Foundation, whose main focus is to uplift lives of disadvantaged children and other vulnerable members of society.

The skills they received during the tourism training programme will empower and capacitate the young ladies to be self-reliant.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- FC Platinum players had to endure a 315km trip by bus from Lilongwe to Blantyre, which took them about 4hrs 30 minutes, after the plane that was supposed to carry them for their Confederation of African Football (Caf) Champions League preliminary match against Kalisto Pasuwa’s Nyasa Big Bullets today, developed a technical fault.

The match was set for the Kamuzu Stadium at 2:30pm.

The Zimbabwe champions flew into Lilongwe on Thursday night and were supposed to connect to the capital city at 7am in the morning, but found themselves stranded at the airport after their plane developed problems and failed to take off.

With the few other domestic airlines fully-booked, the Norman Mapeza-coached side had no other alternative other than getting on the road.

The travelling glitches saw them arriving in Blantyre at around 5:30pm, throwing their training programme into chaos as they had planned to have the feel of the match venue in the afternoon.

Instead, they had to train in the evening, but the session was restricted to only about 30 minutes.

Mapeza looked a frustrated figure as the chaos unfolded, but remained optimistic that the travelling huddle will not affect his players.

“We travelled about 300km by road, and sometimes it affects psychologically, but at the end of the day we are here and we have to play the game and see what happens. It was something that is beyond our control and there is nothing we can do.

We will talk to the players, because it’s all part of the game and that’s what happens in Africa most of the time. But I think physiologically, we should be ready for the game,” Mapeza said.

Mapeza will be facing off against Pasuwa, another former Warriors coach in a battle of wits between two coaches viewed by many as two of the country’s finest.

Between them, they share a staggering seven local league titles with Pasuwa just edging Mapeza by one. The former Dynamos coach also won the league tittle with Nyasa Bullets last season.

Today’s battle, while it will not fully define who is the best coach of the two, but what is certain is that the winner will not only walk away with the three points, but also the bragging rights.

“We know Kalisto, he has done well in terms of our football back home and the game will be a huge challenge but we will just have to go there tomorrow with the right frame of mind and try to get a positive result. Nyasa from my understanding is a very good side and we will have to be at our best to get a result,” Mapeza said.

The Zvishavane-based side will begin this edition of the competition with a new looking squad after the departure of five key players.

They lost the Moyo twins, Kelvin and Elvis, Farai Madhanhanga, Ali Sadiki and Godknows Murwira. But Mapeza is not utterly worried because he still has loads of experience in veterans like Devon Chafa, Never Tigere, Raphael Mudhuviwa Mkhokeli Dube, Kelvin Madzongwe and the returning Rodwell Chinyengetere, who can do the job.

“We lost the core of the team just a month ago and we have a new team now, but I think they are capable of getting a positive result.”

Goalkeeper and captain Petros Mhari, who returned from trials in South Africa last week, did not travel with the team to Malawi because of a bereavement in his family.

He is expected to be back for the return leg at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, in a fortnight.-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- Harare City Council has warned land invaders who are erecting structures built on wet lands that they risked losing their money.

Council said some land invaders have illegally built on road verges.

“Land invaders are losing thousands of dollars in illegal investments following council’s decision to pull down structures built on wetlands, school and clinic sites. Most invasions occurred in the Southern and Western suburbs,” Council said.

In recent minutes of the Environmental Management Committee, Director of Works Engineer Zvenyika Chawatama noted with concern the rampant cases of land invasion which had seen council resorting to taking legal action through effecting a nine-month eviction order against the invaders.

“The committee expressed concern at the invasion of Crowborough Farm and open spaces in Budiriro,” reads the minutes.

The Director of Works reported that with regard to invasion of Crowborough Farm, Council has sought for nine months eviction orders and was only left with one month to effect the evictions.

“The Environmental Management Committee has made evictions a top priority solely because the land being occupied by the invaders has been reserved for the construction of council schools and other purposes.
“The committee requested Eng Chawatama to identify all school sites which had been invaded so council can get eviction orders.”

Council added:
“Eng Chawatama was also tasked to engage the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner with regards to the matter. With regard to the Budiriro issue the Director of Works reported that the Zimbabwe Republic Police were not willing to help Council to stop the new invasions.

He had however, since booked an appointment with the ZRP Commissioner to map a way forward on the issue. He also further requested to organise a meeting with the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Environmental Management Committee to map a way forward on the matter.”-StateMedia

By Majaira Jairosi- Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent performance address at State House, reflecting an end of his one year in office since he was endorsed by the constitutional court (ConCourt) in August 2018, was full of mockery and lies.

In all aspects of life, nothing is so annoying as to confront an ignorant ruler who conveys lies and deception with dogmatic arrogance.

In the following sections, I will attend to some of the statements that Mnangagwa made, which were all driven by nothing but lies, deception, pretence and arrogance.

My response to his statements will be in no particular order.
(1) “I heartily thank you for choosing me to lead you on this new, exciting but long journey, a year of which we have now completed.”

Well, who does he want to fool? Mnangagwa was not chosen by the majority, but by a minority with support from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which was working in cohort with the Military Junta.

We all witnessed how they came up with a ballot paper that was designed to favour Mnangagwa among other shenanigans, which I will briefly explore in other sections of this article.

Even after the election, Mnangagwa expressed his disappointment by directing an attack at his MPs whom he accused of sabotaging him by not encouraging their supporters to vote for him.

It is a known fact that most Zanu PF candidates encouraged their supporters to vote for Zanu PF MPs but to chose wisely when it comes to voting for a President.
The reality that the ConCourt endorsed him remains as true as it is that Mnangagwa was
not chosen by the people but that he was endorsed by a court. As such, the people did not
give him the consent to govern, but it is the court that consented in one of the most
bizarre judgements ever passed by, presumably, a group of learned people.
It is laughable & intriguing for Mnangagwa to think that people chose him. Given
Mnangagwa’s well documented history, which attaches him to gory episodes of murder and
ruthlessness, Zimbabweans have never trusted him or liked him. Since 2000 Mnangagwa
never won an election, reason why, in August 2018, ZEC, the Military Junta and ConCourt
had to come to his rescue the same way they did with Mugabe in 2008.
To sum up this section, let me categorically state that it is a pathological lie that the
majority of the people of Zimbabwe chose Mnangagwa. He is “unchoosable” , unlikable
and unelectable.
(2) “Above all, a solid foundation has been laid for more and greater gains in future.”
This is utter nonsense, what foundation has been laid? A solid foundation of lies, fraud, murder and
pretence. You see, when they murder people to maintain a grip on power they call it a solid
foundation; when they appoint military men like Utoile Silaigwana as Chief Elections Officer,
despite his well known history of involvement in electoral coup & fraud, they call it solid
foundation; when they practise nepotism by appointing a coup announcer’s wife as Zimbabwe Anti-
corruption Commission chairperson, they call it solid foundation.
Compatriot, when they appoint sycophants in the form of a Priest, Media Mogul and a Cooking oil
tycoon in Presidential Advisory Council, they call it solid foundation. Perhaps they are right,
because these solid foundations will make sure that Mnangagwa continues to hold on to power
regardless of his tragic leadership failure.

The truth be told, Mnangagwa’s solid foundation to power is laid on the carcasses our
people brutally murdered in August 2018 and January 2019 by cowards in military
fatigue, brandishing automatic machine guns.
(3) “We are back into the international fold, with those we continue to re-engage, notably
the Europeans and Americans, increasingly warming up to our overtures”.
Another stupid claim meant to hoodwink the generality. Contrary to this pronouncement, we heard
representatives of the international community registering their dismay on 1 st of August whilst
paying tribute to the those who were murdered by the regime. They did not mince words but they
categorically expressed their concerns over they way Mnangagwa handled the matter. It is such lack
of transparency and accountability which they maintained, will continue to hinder any prospects for
re-engagement.
It is so funny, arrogant and disingenuous that Mnangagwa tells the nation that “we are
back into the international fold” when countries like US were imposing sanctions on
unruly elements like Anselem Sanyatwe. Such penchant for lying does not help the
situation. The reason why China is now watching from a distance is that it does not want
to be seem to be the only country, which props up a patently corrupt regime. China has
very a very strong law, which detests corruption.
(4) “The pace at which our broad reforms have unfolded in the year which has gone by is
truly remarkable”
This is one of the biggest lies being told by this regime. There are no meaningful reforms
taking place. Look at the media. Entities like ZBC, The Herald and its sister papers have
remained very partisan in favour of Zanu PF. These entities have, like always, served as
Zanu PF mouthpieces with their journalists who have become the party’s activists and foot
soldiers. The way they conduct their business is so embarrassing in the eyes of the people
of Zimbabwe and the international community. Watching ZBCtv or listening to ZBC radio,
one questions why people are subject to Zanu PF nuisance day in day out. It is so
staggering that people like Nick Mangwana, Monica Mutsvangwa and dunderhead Energy
Mutodi find nothing wrong with it. For Mnangagwa to say “ The pace at which our broad
reforms have unfolded in the year which has gone by is truly remarkable” is just crude
nonsense meant to provoke the people.
When it comes to reforms, the regime has not moved an inch. One notable evidence is that
they have even introduced a law via the back-garden, which allows anyone and everyone to
be charged with “subverting a constitutionally elected government”, judging by the pace &
number of people who have been charged so far. Even by Mugabe’s standard, this is
despotism on another level. Zimbabweans have never seen anything like it. The monstrosity
being displayed by Mnangagwa has left many people shocked both local and international.
But this is who he is, a man who was described by his own people as someone who has
“consistently and persistently exhibited traits of disloyalty, disrespect, deceitfulness, and
unreliability”. The jointly drafted letter of dismissal went on to state that “He has also
demonstrated little probity in the execution of his duties”.
Anyone familiar with Zwitter (A term which describes Zimbabwean twitter community),
will agree that many people from Zimbabwe have been tweeting about the need for
genuine reforms in Zimbabwe. These demands stem from a realisation that no meaningful
reforms have been implemented so far. The calls for reforms have been loud, however the
regime, with its arrogance, has been taking no notice.
The whole address by Mnangagwa was driven by the regime’s new culture of lies, deception, fraud

and pretence. It was nothing but another Asante Sana.

Majaira Jairosi
Researcher. MDC Activist
[email protected]

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed that a Bulawayo man shot a fellow motorist after the duo were involved in a minor altercation over a  road accident. 

Said the police:

“A male adult aged 45 years is being charged with attempted murder after he shot a 29 year old man on the neck with a Glook pistol at the 55km peg, Bulawayo- Nkayi road on 8/8/19.

“The two were involved in a minor road traffic accident which resulted in minor damages and a punctured tyre to the vehicles.” 

ZRP says members of the public, especially drivers are warned against road rage and violence after getting involved in accidents.

“They should timeously report such incidents to the police.” ZRP added.

NewsDay|Zanu PF’s promotion of wood-powered kiln ovens to make bread has been described as “primitive and unsustainable”.

The project was commissioned in Harare recently before the concept was taken to Chinhoyi, where Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs minister Mary Mliswa officiated at the launch held at the party’s provincial offices last week.

In separate interviews conducted by NewsDay Weekender, ordinary citizens described the bakery projects as “taking back the country to the stone age era”.

“This is a mockery to Zanu PF as these projects do not take the economy forward,” Leonard Chirinda said.

“Instead of retooling confectionaries and other industries, Zanu PF is taking us to the stone age.”

Another critic, Shumirai Kaseke, said the hype that surrounded the bakery and soap-making projects was not necessary.

“All the fuss around these projects will come to nought. These are just side-shows by the ruling elite to gloss over a failed economy, characterised by closed industries. It’s not promoting entrepreneurship,” Kaseke said.

Some residents also said the wood-fuelled ovens would result in people wantonly cutting down trees, leading to the depletion of forests.

Zanu PF is promoting the “bush-bakeries” in the wake of shortages of bread in shops.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police have reported that a Bulawayo man was shot after he was involved in a minor altercation with a fellow motorist over a  road accident. 

Confirmed the police:

“A male adult aged 45 years is being charged with attempted murder after he shot a 29 year old man on the neck with a Glook pistol at the 55km peg, Bulawayo- Nkayi road on 8/8/19.

“The two were involved in a minor road traffic accident which resulted in minor damages and a punctured tyre to the vehicles.” 

ZRP says members of the public, especially drivers are warned against road rage and violence after getting involved in accidents.

“They should timeously report such incidents to the police.” ZRP added.

Nelson Chamisa urges Linda Masarira to rejoin the big tent

The Zimbabwean surrogate currency, the Bond Note is expected to be removed from circulation within the next three weeks and replaced by the new Zimbabwean currency.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is expected to launch a new series of Zimbabwe Dollars to replace the Bond notes.

Sources within the RBZ said they emerged from a meeting where all systems were set at go.

“I am just coming from a marathon meeting with the bosses and I can assure you that the Zim dollar will be printed and unveiled in the next 21 days all things being equal,” the source said.

“The Governor has been busy the whole week in consultation with relevant stakeholders to make sure that the physical notes are launched with public confidence as they will ease the liquid crisis that the country is faced with.”

The source added that the new notes are anticipated to stabilize the Zim dollar at around 1:1 rate with the South African Rand thereby giving a boost to salaries that workers have been crying of.

In June Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube issued an SI that banned the use of foreign currency as legal tender in the country,

Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) welcomes the introduction of the tap and go payment system for ZUPCO.

It brings convenience to the commuting public. However, there is concern with the fact that passengers are being made to buy the tap and go card for $10.

This amount overstretches the pockets of passengers, many of whom are not formally employed.

PAZ is also concerned with the fact that ZUPCO is prioritizing passengers with tap and go cards such that those who will be paying with cash either get left behind or are the last to board the bus.

Some of the passengers who will be paying with cash, at times would have been the first ones on the queue. The purchasing of tap and go cards should not be through this form of duress.

We are calling upon ZUPCO have a timetable. Many people who rely on ZUPCO are often late to work, because they start operating later in the morning hours.

Many people leave their work stations after seven in the evening and there will be no buses to transport them.

The buses that ZUPCO is hiring must be roadworthy. There are many that are not fit to transport people.

Tafadzwa Goliati

Passengers Association of Zimbabwe President

Farai Dziva|PPPZ leader Pastor Timothy Chiguvare has said he will defeat Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2023 Presidential plebiscite.

“My ability to add value to the nation of Zimbabwe is an art form that has taken years of experience to perfect and I am now ready to do what I am born for , to live for and to die for .”

“FELLOW ZIMBABWEANS! YOU DESERVE THE BEST OR NOTHING
I am the CHANGE you have been waiting for and your LIVES will never be the same again , NOW watch this space!” , declared Chiguvare in a statement.

“Fellow Zimbabweans you have a choice to make. Remember! you are the KEY and the SOLUTION – Vote for PPPZ , your Party of choice for the 2023 election.
Making the wrong CHOICE will mean that you have failed to plan your FUTURE , then POVERTY will plan it for you.”

Fellow Zimbabweans, it is again the month of August, a month associated with high accident incidences on our highways.

The month has seen record high fatalities in the previous years and the MDC is concerned by such a trend. August is a month associated with many people traveling to church conferences, family gatherings, Heroes day celebrations and so on. These events result in high usage of the highways making the roads busy and abundant with drivers of various characters on vehicles in multi ranging state.

The MDC is gravely concerned by the state of our roads across the country, the deplorable road conditions have become a death trap to our drivers and road users alike. It is imperative therefore that all road users exercise extra caution when on the wheel.

According to the Auditor General Report of 2018, Road accidents went up by 26%, and this is worrisome in that our hospitals are ill-equipped to offer emergency services to save life in the event of a serious accident. The only way to remain safe is to avoid the accidents. The MDC family bears testimony to this tragedy in that in the month of May and June we lost three senior leaders, who included Paul Rukanda, Tafadzwa Mhundwa and our dear Honourable MP for Glenview South Vimbai Tsvangirai Java. May their souls rest in eternal peace.

We are aware that so many other families have born this pain of losing their loved ones through road traffic accidents hence our clarion call to all citizens and especially drivers that our lives are best determined by how we drive and behave on the roads.

Zero Accidents are possible.

Let’s have August 2019 being different from the rest.

Just remember the following:

Do not drink and drive.

Have a good rest before embarking on a long journey

Make all the basic checks on your vehicle i.e. tyre pressure, water and oil.

Avoid driving at night.

Observe all traffic signs at all times

Respect speed limits.

Be courteous to fellow road users, avoid high emotions.

when feeling tired pull over and rest at a safe place.

While the economic hardships are wreaking havoc on our lives and to our families, imagine being unable to fend for them anymore after a fatal accident. Imagine the hospital bills required in case of a serious injury in a road traffic accident, let’s try and avoid all that by driving safely this August and forever after.

Zimbabwe still needs you.

Drive to arrive alive.

ZeroAccidentsPossible

Hon Settlement Chikwinya (MP)
Secretary for Transport and Logistics.
Movement For Democratic Change

Jane Mlambo| Zanu PF Youth League Commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu has urged Finance minister Professor Mthuli Ncube to adjust workers salaries to maintain the buying power which has been eroded by inflation since the local economy began tumbling.

Posting on Facebook today, Tsenengamu said workers salaries which were once pegged at USD400 should be getting an equivalent of that amount in Zimbabwean dollars.

He added that at the current rate, workers were getting less than USD50 dollars due to the devaluation of the Zimbabwean dollar against the greenback.

“Salaries Ought To Be Adjusted To Maintain Buying Power For The Worker Whose Salary Was Pegged e.g @ USD400 who now gets ZWD400 which is now less than USD50,’ said Tsenengamu on Facebook.

 By A Correspondent| In a restructuring exercise currently underway at First Capital Bank, more than 200 employees are set to lose their jobs.

The bank reportedly sent a memo to the would-be retrenches Friday, pledging to continue supporting each and every affected member.

The memo read in part:

The restructuring exercise is a significant change and the bank remains commited to assist each colleague through this process.

The HR Department has already communicated arrangements that have been put in place for the support services that includes counselling and financial advice.

The First Capital Bank Head of Corporate Affairs and Customer services confirmed the development to a local publication and said:

First Capital bank Zimbabwe can confirm that some employees will be exiting the bank undera compulsory restructuring exercise.

This has come at the back of the review of the operating model aimed at creating operational efficiencies. The exercise also seeks to respond to local and global trends impacting the banking industry.

This comes barely a month after First Capital Bank employees threatened to go on strike over low remunerations.

Some workers were reportedly shaken by the sudden announcement.-263Chat

Dear Mr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa

May you please tell your people to stop following me around!! Ever since I was released from prison I am being followed and monitored everwhere I go by weird people in tinted cars without number plates. In the past four days, the car pictured below (black tinted ford ranger with no number plates) has been parking outside my house in the evenings.The pattern of its arrival and departure is consistent with my arrival at home from work.

I would like to reiterate that I am neither a terrorist, nor a security threat in any way. My work as a women and human rights activist is in no way related to any insurgency or terrorism acts as alleged by state security agents.

I hold no intentions to unconstitutionally remove your Government from power. I am a law abiding and peace loving Zimbabwean. I was never trained on the use of either small or big arms in Maldives as wrongly stated by propaganda in state media. The workshop I participated in was on human rights and peace building in line with my work of mobilising and capacitating women to take up leadership positions.

Please tell your people to leave me and my kids alone!! The intensified surveillance is traumatizing my family and the children are now afraid of moving freely at home where they are supposed to feel safe and secure. My children (aged 4 and 3 years) deserve peace and a safe environment just like yours and every other kid for proper development. Above all, they also need me and risk growing up without parental love and guidance if I am to be harmed by these menacing thugs.

May you also please tell your people who arrested me and confisticated my passport at the airport on 27 May 2019 to return my passport to law and order officers at Harare central police station. During my last court appearance, the investigating officer indicated that she never received my passport from the people who arrested me.

I had many opportunities to leave this country but I chose to stay so please don’t punish me for choosing to stay in Zimbabwe amidst all the economic turmoils we have faced as a country over the years.

I am not an enemy of the state Mr Mnangagwa, the enemy is the ailing economy, corruption and misgovernance. Women are suffering the worst in this economy and as a woman I don’t deserve further harassment by your agents. Women, girls and the general citizens are in a state of hopelessness. May you kindly solve the political and economic crisis sir rather than persecuting human rights defenders!

Regards, 
Sitabile Dewa

Zimbabwe’s economy is getting close to the fuel market price after eliminating subsidies which have been in place over the past months, subsidies which helped keep prices low in US$ terms, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said.

Despite the erratic supplies, fuel prices have over the last few months rising gradually, tracking movements on the foreign exchange market. Demand for the commodity increased since May as business and domestic consumers of use fuel as an alternative source of energy. Zimbabwe is facing rolling power outages lasting up to 18 hours due to depressed generation at the country’s largest hydro-powered station.

Until May, fuel importers were accessing foreign currency at 1:1 between the RTGS dollar and the greenback despite the central bank dumping the parity in February.

IMF resident representative to Zimbabwe Patrick Imam told Business Times the subsidy was not done in a transparent manner as it was not reflecting in the budget.

“Zimbabwe has subsidised fuel on a large scale in the recent past. This was, however, not done in a transparent manner, as these were not reflected in the budget despite the budget eventually having to pay for it. It was instead done indirectly,” Imam said.

“The central bank, through preferential foreign exchange allocation to fuel importers, helped keep fuel prices low. This quasi-fiscal activity has now started to be addressed, and we are getting close to the market price.”

Since the removal of the fuel subsidy, the price has been on an upward trend will fuel retailing at ZWL$9.01 and ZWL$9.06 per litre for petrol and diesel respectively from ZWL$3.26 and ZWL$3.38 prior to the removal of the subsidy.

Imam said the Fund was not opposed to subsidies as they can be used, for instance, when the government wants to encourage the consumption or production of something that would otherwise be under-supplied by the market such as education.

“In all countries around the world, there is a strong belief in the importance of having an educated population, both for its own sake because there is an intrinsic value in being educated, but also because an educated workforce imposes a positive externality on the
country,” he said.

He said when Malawi removed all primary school fees, enrollment went up from 2 million children to 3 million over 6 years and the enrollment gap between the rich and the poor closed.

Imam said there were also bad reasons to subsidise, for instance, when it happens for political reasons and that from society’s point of view are not necessarily desirable or efficient.

“Think of the Common Agricultural Policy as practiced in Europe in the 1980s. European farmers were able to extract large subsidies, because they mattered politically. The result of this policy was that it imposed a huge cost on European consumers, but especially on farmers around the world who saw on oversupply of products such as milk depressing international prices,” he said adding that there are subsidies used to keep loss-making State-owned enterprises that are not viable alive.

“Think of all the airlines over the African continent that are recapitalised every few years. It’s politically easier to keep a State-owned enterprise alive than face a vocal group of unemployed individuals.”

-Business Times

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said Zanu PF betrayed the core values of the liberation war through massive vote rigging.

Below is Chamisa’s statement on the coming Heroes and Defence Forces celebrations:

It is exactly twelve months since disputed and stolen election of 2018.

The majority of Zimbabweans are still in shock at the brazen manner in which their vote was stolen.

Disputed elections continue to pose a major blow and betrayal to the fundamental ideals of the liberation struggle, whose main aim and clarion call was One Man, One Vote.

Manipulation of the vote is indeed a negation of the sanctity and integrity of the right to choose for which so many of our people died in pursuit of that democratic right.

The non racial Zimbabwe of today was born out of a strong desire, and a determined sense of sacrifice, by many brave young men and women, who put their lives and livelihoods at risk in order to deliver a free and prosperous Zimbabwe, for all who live and belong to it.

The liberation of Zimbabwe came through a protracted war of independence, so this month we are joined together as Zimbabweans in paying tribute to the valiant men and women, who fought for the liberation of their country, Zimbabwe.

What brings and binds us together as Zimbabweans is far more important than what may separate us as a people.

Through this incredible sacrifice, we are moved to believe that with unity of purpose, fortitude and commitment, no weapon can stop a moment whose time has come.

Our liberation heroes such as Josiah Tongogara and Nikita Mangena, always reminded us that victory was certain, those worlds have never been more appropriate and truer, than for this time that we are living in.

No evil force can overwhelm a people’s desire whose cause is just and righteous, and whose time has now come.

In fact, so important is the Heroes commemoration, such that allocating a mere day for such a mammoth and important occasion is not enough.

In a New Zimbabwe, under a new people’s government, everyday will be a Heroes Day, because we honour our heroes through how we live our lives and not through cosmetic, vacuous and inadequate celebratiosn that ignore our people’s suffering.

We believe that Heroes are found at all levels, and are not only political, because we find them in our communities looking after orphans and the disabled, an example set by the late great Jairos Jiri.

Our new government will declare a Heroes and Memorials month so that the nation is accorded adequate time to remember the sacrifices made, the courage exhibited, the bodies maimed and the lives lost in the struggles to liberate and democratize our beautiful Zimbabwe.

We will be setting aside a whole month to celebrate this significant epoch in the national story of Zimbabwe, these celebrations will be done and reflected through how we look after our people, especially the most vulnerable.

There is nothing heroic or revolutionary about stealing money meant for pensioners at NSSA, and looting money meant for social services as we have seen happen for decades under the present government.

Heroism is about protecting our people and not about making empty speeches at a place that has been turned into a political party cemetery, yet funded by the struggling taxpayer in Guruve, Gwanda, Murewa, Bikita and everywhere in the country.

It is my wish for the whole month of August to be littered with community programs, town-hall meetings, village communions, dance, arts, film and various other festivities in remembrance of those patriotic Zimbabweans whose blood irrigated the tree of our political and economic emancipation.

These gallant sons and daughters of this land, whose sweat, toil and tears birthed an independent and democratic Zimbabwe, should be celebrated through works that reflect how they envisaged a free Zimbabwe.

Those of us who are the political alternative are fully aware of the fact that the democratic struggle that we are prosecuting, is mutually inclusive and consistent with the liberation struggle ideals of Nikita Mangena and Josiah Tongogara.

We fully recognize that the unfulfilled part of their struggle desires is found in the lack of liberation and political independence outcomes, which are defined by the freedom to choose, and also by the availability of a better life for our people.

Theirs was a truly heroic struggle, but unfortunately their dream of a better Zimbabwe remains a dream deferred that we must now fulfil in order to complete the liberation struggle.

The challenge for our generation is to fully address that conspicuous deficit, one that has brought untold suffering to our people.

Our role as a democratic movement is simply to complete the unfinished business of the liberation struggle, whose aspirations and desires should never be ignoredd or undermined.

Our struggle as a democratic movement, the struggle we began with the iconic Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai and others in 1999, is a patriotic struggle that stands right on the shoulders of the struggle waged by Alfred Nikita Mangena, Joshua Nkomo, Josiah Magama Tongogara and Lookout Khalisabantu Vumindaba Masuku, Herbert Chitepo, Leopold Takawirato mention but a few.

We only wish to complete that unfinished National Democratic struggle by ensuring that the attendant freedoms and the full democracy that this iconic generation aspired for are fully achieved in our lifetime.

And indeed from this generation, they shall come forthwith our own heroes, those who are sacrificing for the fulfilment of the Zimbabwean dream.

The spirit of heroism is within each and every one of us.
That spirit of sacrifice, that sense of responsibility and duty towards others around and beyond us within our borders is what we are in pursuit of.

We salute those who at times risk their lives to save others in one-way or another.

Each and every generation has its own heroes. We also have modern-day heroes who remind us that it is in our nature to reach out to others, to sacrifice for others and to do that which is good for our country.

On this National Heroes’ Day, we resolutely salute them, as we do to our sportsmen and women; our musicians who through their hard work on the international scene continue shine a positive and bright light on Zimbabwe.

Indeed, we also have everyday heroes in our military and police forces, our teachers, nurses, and countless responsible citizens who see sacrifice as a duty, and honour in service to our great nation.

I am painfully aware that some of you may be in a fuel or bank queue, or have no electricity or water, or can’t get your passport, or are struggling with medical or school fees, or have nightmares with the rising cost of living and high prices.

Remember, every shortage is but a shortage of love. Every problem and shortages that we are encountering are a leadership deficit.

Amidst the current hardships of water, power and cash shortages, I wish to take advantage of this occasion to salute all resilient Zimbabweans who are braving these painful realities under these difficult circumstances.

Indeed, you are national heroes. Your sacrifices under these trying times need to be equally celebrated and acknowledged.

I urge you all the heroic people of Zimbabwe not to despair, better must come, and it will come if we are united in delivering a Zimbabwe for not only ourselves, but for future generations to come whose stock is constantly being looted by a corrupt, incompetent and nepotistic predatory group.

Let all Zimbabweans reflect on the sacrifices paid on this day.

Let us all spend the holiday with our families and friends and share our aspirations and thoughts of a united and peaceful country.

It is heart wrenching to note that war veterans who were at the centre of the struggle for our independence are living under squalid conditions and without any social or economic support from the State.

The plight of war veterans and their families is of immediate national concern.

The men and women who fought for the independence of this country from colonial rule had a vision and aspirations.

This vision has being shattered by criminal behaviour and selfish and personal pursuits for wealth.

Today, this once breadbasket of Africa is now a basket case.

Surely, this stands out as a betrayal of the loft ideals of the liberation struggle.

Incredibly, Zimbabwe houses vast wealth, exceptionally talented Human Resources, rich minerals, fertile lands and natural wonders.

The opportunities for economic transformation and prosperity are limitless and immediately available if we have a people’s government, one that cares about the nation.

The population of our young and very educated people makes an ambitious economic growth path more certainly achievable in our lifetime.

The vision that has been set by our forefathers and yet betrayed by their successors is not far beyond our reach, but only if we start working NOW.

That work begins today by fixing our politics and governance deficits.

Good governance and growth have long been pencilled to go hand in hand with a nation’s success.

However, we will not fix our politics without true and legitimate leaders, Zimbabwe is a long way from real transformation and sustainable growth as long as it is subjected to comical political arrangements meant to satisfy the greed and very few.

The Zimbabwe that our heroes dreamt, worked and died for is one in which no citizen would be unsafe and insecure in the land of their birth.

In that Zimbabwe, no citizen would die or be in jail on account of politics, power and political differences.

It would be a Zimbabwe in which every citizen would have a decent job and wage, with all Zimbabweans having a fair share and equal opportunities to the wealth they create and equal rights that our heroes secured for us.

This Zimbabwe, however, can only be built by a political leadership that places the highest premium on integrity and which is committed to the highest standards of public service, while recognising the importance of a partnership with the people they serve.

We can best honour our heroes by providing this leadership in our various areas of endeavour, as we rededicate ourselves to the task of building a Zimbabwe that offers opportunity to all its people, and where we all share and care for each other.

This is where we must begin today here in Zimbabwe. We are determined to return our country to legitimacy, democracy and prosperity.

My fellow citizens, nothing short of a political solution through national dialogue will extricate our country from the jaws of impoverishment, poverty and suffering.

We must have genuine comprehensive political and electoral reforms to transform our country and make it prosperous.

To the entrepreneurs (vendors), the war veterans, the workers, youth and women’s groups, the marginalized groups, the civic and church groups, let us mobilize each other as peacemakers in the quest for freedom.

Let us not miss our turn to be genuinely heroic in pursuit of a better life.

Let us sacrifice for a better Zimbabwe. Let us be the heroes of our time by bringing back that glitter, glamour and glory to our motherland.

Our national heroes have left us a great heritage and legacy to build on; let us preserve it for generations to come.

None but ourselves can fix this country.

This is the purpose of our generation. The liberation generation discovered theirs, we as the transformation generation must play our part and act our duty by delivering a truly prosperous Zimbabwe.

In conclusion, I wish to say to the youth of this country, you are the game changers and defenders of our country.

The cost of doing nothing far exceeds the cost of doing something.

We must change our unmerited circumstances and harsh realities of joblessness, hopelessness and poverty.

The future is bright. Tomorrow is glorious!

Change that delivers.

Thank you and God Bless You.

Happy Heroes Month.

Zimbabwe, land we love, land of peacemakers, Our motherland.

Nelson Chamisa
MDC President

By A Correspondent| The house is in Borrowdale, Harare.

Sources privy to the developments alleged that hundreds on MDC t-shirts are being printed in preparation for the upcoming August 16 protest.

The regalia, is set to be distributed to Zanu Pf youths who are going to cause violence and mayhem.

The development follows revelations by the Zimbabwe National Army boss Valerie Sibanda that while the army is not partisan, it would not fold its hands and watch “anarchy”.

Could this be reason why MDC t shirts are being printed?

Will violence perpetrated by Zanu Pf erupt on August 16?

Watch the video below….

Where red MDC t l-shirts are allegedly being printed in preparation for 16th August protest @MakomboreroH @mdczimbabwe pic.twitter.com/oqVC30wiRt

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 10, 2019

By Nelson Chamisa| It is exactly twelve months since disputed and stolen election of 2018.

The majority of Zimbabweans are still in shock at the brazen manner in which their vote was stolen.

Disputed elections continue to pose a major blow and betrayal to the fundamental ideals of the liberation struggle, whose main aim and clarion call was One Man, One Vote.

Manipulation of the vote is indeed a negation of the sanctity and integrity of the right to choose for which so many of our people died in pursuit of that democratic right.

The non racial Zimbabwe of today was born out of a strong desire, and a determined sense of sacrifice, by many brave young men and women, who put their lives and livelihoods at risk in order to deliver a free and prosperous Zimbabwe, for all who live and belong to it.

The liberation of Zimbabwe came through a protracted war of independence, so this month we are joined together as Zimbabweans in paying tribute to the valiant men and women, who fought for the liberation of their country, Zimbabwe.

What brings and binds us together as Zimbabweans is far more important than what may separate us as a people.

Through this incredible sacrifice, we are moved to believe that with unity of purpose, fortitude and commitment, no weapon can stop a moment whose time has come.

Our liberation heroes such as Josiah Tongogara and Nikita Mangena, always reminded us that victory was certain, those worlds have never been more appropriate and truer, than for this time that we are living in.

No evil force can overwhelm a people’s desire whose cause is just and righteous, and whose time has now come.

In fact, so important is the Heroes commemoration, such that allocating a mere day for such a mammoth and important occasion is not enough.

In a New Zimbabwe, under a new people’s government, everyday will be a Heroes Day, because we honour our heroes through how we live our lives and not through cosmetic, vacuous and inadequate celebration that ignore our people’s suffering.

We believe that Heroes are found at all levels, and are not only political, because we find them in our communities looking after orphans and the disabled, an example set by the late great Jairos Jiri.

Our new government will declare a Heroes and Memorials month so that the nation is accorded adequate time to remember the sacrifices made, the courage exhibited, the bodies maimed and the lives lost in the struggles to liberate and democratize our beautiful Zimbabwe.

We will be setting aside a whole month to celebrate this significant epoch in the national story of Zimbabwe, these celebrations will be done and reflected through how we look after our people, especially the most vulnerable.

There is nothing heroic or revolutionary about stealing money meant for pensioners at NSSA, and looting money meant for social services as we have seen happen for decades under the present government.

Heroism is about protecting our people and not about making empty speeches at a place that has been turned into a political party cemetery, yet funded by the struggling taxpayer in Guruve, Gwanda, Murewa, Bikita and everywhere in the country.

It is my wish for the whole month of August to be littered with community programs, town-hall meetings, village communions, dance, arts, film and various other festivities in remembrance of those patriotic Zimbabweans whose blood irrigated the tree of our political and economic emancipation.

These gallant sons and daughters of this land, whose sweat, toil and tears birthed an independent and democratic Zimbabwe, should be celebrated through works that reflect how they envisaged a free Zimbabwe.

Those of us who are the political alternative are fully aware of the fact that the democratic struggle that we are prosecuting, is mutually inclusive and consistent with the liberation struggle ideals of Nikita Mangena and Josiah Tongogara.

We fully recognize that the unfulfilled part of their struggle desires is found in the lack of liberation and political independence outcomes, which are defined by the freedom to choose, and also by the availability of a better life for our people.

Theirs was a truly heroic struggle, but unfortunately their dream of a better Zimbabwe remains a dream deferred that we must now fulfil in order to complete the liberation struggle.

The challenge for our generation is to fully address that conspicuous deficit, one that has brought untold suffering to our people.

Our role as a democratic movement is simply to complete the unfinished business of the liberation struggle, whose aspirations and desires should never be ignored or undermined.

Our struggle as a democratic movement, the struggle we began with the iconic Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai and others in 1999, is a patriotic struggle that stands right on the shoulders of the struggle waged by *Alfred Nikita Mangena, Joshua Nkomo, Josiah Magama Tongogara and Lookout Khalisabantu Vumindaba Masuku, Herbert Chitepo, Leopold Takawira*to mention but a few.

We only wish to complete that unfinished National Democratic struggle by ensuring that the attendant freedoms and the full democracy that this iconic generation aspired for are fully achieved in our lifetime.

And indeed from this generation, they shall come forthwith our own heroes, those who are sacrificing for the fulfilment of the Zimbabwean dream.

The spirit of heroism is within each and every one of us. That spirit of sacrifice, that sense of responsibility and duty towards others around and beyond us within our borders is what we are in pursuit of.

We salute those who at times risk their lives to save others in one-way or another.

Each and every generation has its own heroes. We also have modern-day heroes who remind us that it is in our nature to reach out to others, to sacrifice for others and to do that which is good for our country.

On this National Heroes’ Day, we resolutely salute them, as we do to our sportsmen and women; our musicians who through their hard work on the international scene continue shine a positive and bright light on Zimbabwe.

Indeed, we also have everyday heroes in our military and police forces, our teachers, nurses, and countless responsible citizens who see sacrifice as a duty, and honour in service to our great nation.

I am painfully aware that some of you may be in a fuel or bank queue, or have no electricity or water, or can’t get your passport, or are struggling with medical or school fees, or have nightmares with the rising cost of living and high prices.

Remember, every shortage is but a shortage of love. Every problem and shortages that we are encountering are a leadership deficit.

Amidst the current hardships of water, power and cash shortages, I wish to take advantage of this occasion to salute all resilient Zimbabweans who are braving these painful realities under these difficult circumstances.

Indeed, you are national heroes. Your sacrifices under these trying times need to be equally celebrated and acknowledged.

I urge you all the heroic people of Zimbabwe not to despair, better must come, and it will come if we are united in delivering a Zimbabwe for not only ourselves, but for future generations to come whose stock is constantly being looted by a corrupt, incompetent and nepotistic predatory group.

Let all Zimbabweans reflect on the sacrifices paid on this day.

Let us all spend the holiday with our families and friends and share our aspirations and thoughts of a united and peaceful country.

It is heart wrenching to note that war veterans who were at the centre of the struggle for our independence are living under squalid conditions and without any social or economic support from the State.

The plight of war veterans and their families is of immediate national concern.

The men and women who fought for the independence of this country from colonial rule had a vision and aspirations.

This vision has being shattered by criminal behaviour and selfish and personal pursuits for wealth.

Today, this once breadbasket of Africa is now a basket case.

Surely, this stands out as a betrayal of the loft ideals of the liberation struggle.

Incredibly, Zimbabwe houses vast wealth, exceptionally talented Human Resources, rich minerals, fertile lands and natural wonders.

The opportunities for economic transformation and prosperity are limitless and immediately available if we have a people’s government, one that cares about the nation.

The population of our young and very educated people makes an ambitious economic growth path more certainly achievable in our lifetime.

The vision that has been set by our forefathers and yet betrayed by their successors is not far beyond our reach, but only if we start working NOW.

That work begins today by fixing our politics and governance deficits.

Good governance and growth have long been pencilled to go hand in hand with a nation’s success.

However, we will not fix our politics without true and legitimate leaders, Zimbabwe is a long way from real transformation and sustainable growth as long as it is subjected to comical political arrangements meant to satisfy the greed and very few.

The Zimbabwe that our heroes dreamt, worked and died for is one in which no citizen would be a unsafe and insecure in the land of their birth.

In that Zimbabwe, no citizen would die or be in jail on account of politics, power and political differences.

It would be a Zimbabwe in which every citizen would have a decent job and wage, with all Zimbabweans having a fair share and equal opportunities to the wealth they create and equal rights that our heroes secured for us.

This Zimbabwe, however, can only be built by a political leadership that places the highest premium on integrity and which is committed to the highest standards of public service, while recognising the importance of a partnership with the people they serve.

We can best honour our heroes by providing this leadership in our various areas of endeavour, as we rededicate ourselves to the task of building a Zimbabwe that offers opportunity to all its people, and where we all share and care for each other.

This is where we must begin today here in Zimbabwe. We are determined to return our country to legitimacy, democracy and prosperity.

My fellow citizens, nothing short of a political solution through national dialogue will extricate our country from the jaws of impoverishment, poverty and suffering.

We must have genuine comprehensive political and electoral reforms to transform our country and make it prosperous.

To the entrepreneurs (vendors), the war veterans, the workers, youth and women’s groups, the marginalized groups, the civic and church groups, let us mobilize each other as peacemakers in the quest for freedom.

Let us not miss our turn to be genuinely heroic in pursuit of a better life.

Let us sacrifice for a better Zimbabwe. Let us be the heroes of our time by bringing back that glitter, glamour and glory to our motherland.

Our national heroes have left us a great heritage and legacy to build on; let us preserve it for generations to come.

None but ourselves can fix this country.

This is the purpose of our generation. The liberation generation discovered theirs, we as the transformation generation must play our part and act our duty by delivering a truly prosperous Zimbabwe.

In conclusion, I wish to say to the youth of this country, you are the game changers and defenders of our country.

The cost of doing nothing far exceeds the cost of doing something.

We must change our unmerited circumstances and harsh realities of joblessness, hopelessness and poverty.

The future is bright. Tomorrow is glorious!

Change that delivers.

Thank you and God Bless You.

Happy Heroes Month.

Zimbabwe, land we love, land of peacemakers, Our motherland.

Nelson Chamisa
MDC President

MDC Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya and his Redcliff counterpart, Lloyd Mukapiko, were yesterday acquitted of charges of inciting violence during the January fuel price hike protests.

Kwekwe magistrate Story Rushambwa concurred with the legal team for the MPs led by Gweru lawyer Wellington Davira that the State had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Chikwinya and Mukapiko spent more than two weeks in custody, before being granted bail.

The State, led by prosecutor Yemurai Mugumba, had alleged that the two MDC officials incited public violence during the fuel price hike protests that rocked the country in January after President Emmerson Mnangagwa raised the price by 150 %.

According to the State, the actions of the two led to the blocking of roads and destruction of property in central Kwekwe.

In an interview with Southern Eye yesterday, the duo’s lawyer, Davira, said the magistrate had directed himself well in clearing the MPs of the charges.

“Our clients’ defence was that of alibi. They were not at the scene of the alleged crimes. That on its own, therefore, saw them being cleared of the false charges,” he said.

Chikwinya is a national executive member of the MDC, where he heads the transport and logistics committee. On the other hand, Mukapiko is the MDC Midlands organising secretary.

Davira argued during trial that Chikwinya was at a local pub during the time he was alleged to have addressed people at Rippaz Shop, inciting them to turn violent.

He also told the court that Mukapiko was, in fact, sitting for a provisional driver’s license at Vehicle Inspection Department at the time police also alleged he had addressed people, inciting them to engage in violence.

-Newsday