Former Zimbabwean deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara has warned South Africa against the chaotic approach in the expropriation of land calling on them to learn from their northern neighbours.

“There is a problem that you must watch out for as South Africans, land expropriation is a good idea but might be abused by the elite who take a good idea and use it as a political tool,” he said in a presentation at Rhodes University.

He said the politicians abuse the land expropriation subject to gain votes without commitment to the idea.

“The number one lesson is, don’t allow a good idea to be used by political elites for their self interests. They will talk about it because it’s a popular cause, because there is a historical basis but have no commitment to it,” said Mutambara.

He called on ANC and EFF to walk the talk on the land revolution.

“Once the land is taken, it must not be distributed in a partisan manner, don’t allow the political elites to seize the land and distribute among themselves, that’s the lesson we learnt from Zimbabwe,” said Mutambara.

He warned those opposed to the land expropriation that there are some arguments advocating for South Africa not to compensate white farmers when it expropriates land but instead the whites should actually compensate the State for using land for free over years.

A 31-YEAR-OLD Harare man is in trouble after allegedly impersonating Agriculture minister Perrance Shiri’s son to ostensibly defraud and extort gold from a miner in the Manzou area, Mazowe.

The matter came to light at Bindura Magistrates’ Court, where Tendai Daka of Mainway Meadows, Waterfalls, appeared yesterday before provincial magistrate Tinashe Ndokera.

The State, led by Tariro Janhi, alleges that sometime in July, Daka unlawfully represented himself as Shiri’s son to the Elton 20 Mine owner and demanded US$2 000 and gold ore, which he was given after claiming that it was for the minister and he had just been sent to collect.

The State opposed bail, saying he was facing a serious offence and was a flight risk, adding he was likely to interfere with witnesses and that he will be safer in custody than outside.

However, the magistrate granted him $200 bail, saying it was his constitutional right and that he should surrender his travelling documents, report every Monday and Friday at Waterfalls Police Station and that he should not interfere with witnesses.

Chitungwiza residents, who own boreholes and wells, have resorted to selling water for at least $1 for two buckets as the water situation continues to deteriorate in the dormitory town.

In some areas such as Unit F, G, N, O,P, Zengeza and St Mary’s people are sleeping In queues at the few community boreholes available.

Currently, council is receiving an average of 30 to 35 mega litres of water per week.

The local authority recently said it had plans to drill 25 boreholes around the town and the tender will be flighted any day from now.

In an interview, one of the residents who identified herself as Mai Memory and sells water from her borehole said the she was making people pay in order to maintain the borehole.

“We hardly get tap water and as such the demand for water has increased,” she said. “I never used to charge, but I am now doing so to have some funds to maintain the borehole and hire people to fix it.”

Mrs Lorainne Mukanaya from Zengeza 4 said it was not fair to pay for water in the neighbourhood because council was failing to provide the tap water.

“At first I used to ask around for water and we would get it for free, but the challenge now is that most wells have also dried up,” she said.

“Those with wells now need money.

“It is costly to buy water every day because I need to use an average of 100 litres per day. The painful thing is that we still have to pay monthly water charges to council when we are not getting the precious commodity.”

Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA) director Mr Marvellous Khumalo urged Chitungwiza Municipality to buy bowsers as an urgent measure.

“It is sad that some people are taking advantage of the situation to make money,” he said. “Chitungwiza Municipality should offer stop-gap measures to temporarily cushion the residents by providing mobile water bowsers in the affected areas and then drill the promised boreholes before the onset of the rainy season.”

By A Correspondent- There was a near fist fight in Parliament on Thursday when MDC Alliance vice president Lynnette Karenyi accused Zanu-PF Mberengwa North MP Tafanana Zhou of proposing love to her and various other women in parliament. 

An angry Karenyi stood up and accused Zhou through gestures of being a sex pest whom most women were now afraid of. 

An angry Zhou had to be restrained by fellow MPs as he charged towards Karenyi in what could have degenerated into a physical fight.

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

8 August 2019

RE: REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF CABINET MINISTER AND GOVERNMENT MINISTER: PRISCAH MUPFUMIRA

Please be advised that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, E D Mnangagwa, has in terms of section 340, subsection (1), paragraph (f), as read with section 104, subsection (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe has removed you, Priscah Mupfumira from the office of Cabinet Minister and Minister of Government with immediate effect for conduct inappropriate for a Government Minister.

CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has with immediate effect fired incarcerated minister Prisca Mupfumira from government over her ‘inappropriate’ conduct, ZimEye can report.

Mupfumira was arrested last month on charges of corruption involving the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) funds.

She is currently in detention after Harare Magistrate denied her bail.

Mupfumira is due to appear in court tomorrow the 9th of August for routine remand.

Below is the official communication from Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda.

ACCOUNTANT-General in the Finance ministry, Daniel Muchemwa, has admitted before Parliament that his ministry had carried out financial transactions that were outside the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

Muchemwa was appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) led by Tendai Biti (Harare East MP) on Monday to answer to allegations of unauthorised allocations of funds to the Command Agriculture programme. Biti described the behaviour of the Finance ministry bureaucrats as “rogue”.

The committee expressed unhappiness that the ministry had failed to account for $3,2 billion allocated during 2017 to 2018 to Command Agriculture.

Acting secretary in the Finance ministry, Zvinechimwe Churu, said to correct the anomaly, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube would bring a Bill before Parliament for condonation because the ministry had failed to bring a supplementary budget in 2018 for the $3,2 billion which was paid through Treasury Bills.

Noting the extent of financial mismanagement by the Finance ministry, Biti spoke very strongly against it.

“How do you feel when you offend the PFMA and the Constitution and all laws? How does a country function when there are bureaucrats in the Ministry of Finance that do not respect the laws of the country? You are supposed to be the enforcers of good governance and how do we have a country where the enforcer is the one committing the bank robberies, and what is the point of a budget when the Ministry of Finance is at the forefront of derailing those allocations?” Biti asked.

“This is a savage, rogue attack on our Public Finance Management System, and this is not professional because if you were in the private sector, you would have been fired,” he said.

Muchemwa submitted that the 2017 and 2018 Auditor-General’s report would, indeed, reveal a lot of inconsistencies in the manner the Finance ministry handled its accounts.

“It is consistent with the rogue nature that we exhibited here. I think we have accepted that for three years, we did not complied with the law. Lack of respect of the law will be consistent throughout your questions,” Muchemwa said.

Some of the facts that were laid before Muchemwa by Kambuzuma MP Willias Madzimure (MDC Alliance) were that in 2016, when the Command Agriculture programme was introduced, it was funded through a private lender and Treasury did not give the details of the nature, procedures to be used for the programme and accounting records.

“Why were financial procedures not put in place for the Command Agriculture programme before it started and we need to see the list of beneficiaries,” Madzimure said.

Muchemwa then conceded that there was no accounting procedure put in place when the Command Agriculture programme was introduced in 2016.

“There was no accounting procedure because when Command Agriculture came into place, I was not yet aware of the process that would follow to achieve command agriculture. I confirm that the programme started without procedures, but they were later put in place,” Muchemwa said.

-Newsday

Farai Dziva|MDC T leader Thokozani Khupe believes dialogue is the permanent solution to the country’s economic problems.

“We want to know for how long we are going to feel that pain before things change because we know that the economy has been down and under for a long time. We are looking for permanent solutions for our problems. We don’t want things that are not going to help us at the end of the day.

“We want permanent solutions to our problems. We want an economy that is going to be built on a strong foundation. While we don’t expect things to change overnight, there are things that need to be fixed like the cost of living which should match salaries and wages. That is exactly what we said to them. Look into prices which are rising everyday. Surely they must do something about that,” Khupe told a state run publication.

Khupe is part of the Emmerson Mnangagwa led POLAD discussion forum.

The Nelson Chamisa led MDC has distanced itself from POLAD arguing the whole thing lacks sincerity.

The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has welcomes the introduction of the tap and go payment system for ZUPCO since it brings convenience to the commuting public. However, they expressed concern with the fact that passengers are being made to buy the tap and go card for $10.

“This amount over-stretches the pockets of passengers, many of whom are not formally employed. PAZ is also concerned with the fact that ZUPCO is prioritising 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,” said PAZ President Tafadzwa George Goliati.

He called upon ZUPCO to 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,” Goliati added.

-Online

SEVEN police officers from Bulawayo have been arrested for storming into a resident of Njube suburb’s bedroom and assaulting him while threatening to shoot him as he lay naked for failing to pay a $1 500 fine at the Tredgold Magistrates courts.

Njube and Bulawayo Central police station officers identified as Samuel Marava, Leonard Mlezane, Kudakwashe Saungweme, Abious Munatsi, Edgar Muduva, Vincent Dube and Collen Zumo allegedly assaulted Mr Edmond Makonese (56) while threatening him with a gun.

The officers pleaded not guilty to assault charges before West Commonage magistrate Mr Stephen Ndlovu yesterday.

The magistrate remanded them out of custody to today for continuation of trial.

It is alleged that Mr Makonese defaulted paying a fine after he was found operating as an agent in the city centre without a licence.

It was not stated exactly what Mr Makonese was found operating without being registered but he was arrested and taken to court where a magistrate fined him $1 500.

He did not pay the money.

The seven police officers allegedly went to look for him at his home in connection with a warrant of arrest that was issued against him at Tredgold Courts for failing to pay the fine.

The court heard that the officers saw the complainant’s son, Tatenda, who was outside the house and assaulted him while asking him where his father was hiding.

They then stormed into the complainant’s bedroom and assaulted him while threatening him with a firearm.

Prosecuting, Ms Patience Sibanda said on March 6 this year at around 7:30AM, police officers stormed into Mr Makonese’s bedroom armed with a pistol and batons. They found him changing clothes and ordered him to lie down naked.

“The police officers assaulted the complainant by hitting him with hands, booted feet and baton sticks several times intending to cause bodily harm,” she said.

Ms Sibanda said one of the police officers threatened to shoot Mr Makonese who was now screaming in pain as he was being assaulted.

She said Mr Makonese sustained chest injuries, swollen eyes and a deep cut on his forehead and was admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital.The matter was reported to police leading to the officers’ arrest.

— Chronicle

Farai Dziva|Thomas Tafirenyika Mukanya Mapfumo is set to join the August 16 demostration in Harare, a social media platform for youths has reported.

The demo will be led by the Movement for Democratic Change.

“Mapfumo will touch down at 8.30 am on the same day at Harare International Airport and proceed straight to Africa Unity Square,” ZIMUCU reported.

“The time for every Zimbabwean to stand up and be counted is now.

We need to leave a legacy for our children’s children. The liberation struggle was not meant for a few but for us all.

That’s why I am going to Zimbabwe. I want to make a statement that it’s time we allow the young generation to carry the flame,”the Chimurenga music guru reportedly told ZIMUCU.

“Mapfumo urged everyone to participate on August 16 saying this day is a national event where everyone who wants a better Zimbabwe must join.
VivaZimucu.”

The announcement came at a time when however it was doubtful the singer would fly to Zimbabwe after his London feature show afterwhich he appeared needing a rest.

Mapfumo is now souring above the age of 74, and has enjoyed decades of music glory which have seen him becoming the grandpa of Chimurenga music.

Farai Dziva|The MDC has described the bail conditions for the party’s youth assembly secretary general Gift Siziba as unfair and stringent.

See the party’s full statement:

The MDC is unhappy about the new bail conditions that have been imposed on our Youth Assembly Secretary General Gift Ostallos Siziba.

Siziba appeared at the Rotten Row Magistrates court this morning.

He was remanded to the 2nd of September 2019

However, the court today added more stringent terms to his bail conditions

Under the new tight conditions, Siziba is now expected to report to the police at least three times a week. His travel documents have also been taken away from him.

Siziba has since then instructed his lawyers to lodge an appeal urgently

The MDC suspects that there has been a high level of political interference in his case.

The MDC would like to thank all our party leaders and members who turned out in their large numbers today in solidarity with SG Siziba

Daniel Molokele
MDC Spokesperson

MDC: Change That Delivers

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has said that the recent increase in fuel prices was motivated by surging prices on the international market.

Appearing before the parliamentary portfolio committee on energy and power development in Harare, ZERA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Eddinton Mazambani, added that the delivery of fuel has been affected by the failure by oil companies to procure fuel through the National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC).

Mazambani also noted that there is a standoff between NOIC and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority over new taxes articulated in the mid-term fiscal policy review statement.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Economic Freedom Fighters has announced that it will be join the main opposition MDC in the schedule anti-Mnangagwa mass Demonstrations set for 16 August 2019. 

In a statement on Thursday the party said,”the decision to participate in these mass demonstration is in solidarity with of our people who experience the consequences of 39 years of the Zanu PF government’s economic mismanagement on a daily basis.”

The party set out the demands that must be implemented for Zimbabwe to me forward.

The demands are as follows:

Parliament to be dissolved and a Government of National Unity (“GNU” be formed for a period of 5 years until the next General elections in 2023;

i)    For the military to return to the Barracks and the rule of law to be re-instated in our land;
ii)    For the GNU to make all essential and meaningful electoral changes to usher in the true will of the people;
iii)    An Independent Anti-Corruption Unit to be set up to investigate and bring to Justice all those who have looted our state resources over the period of Zanu PF rule;
iv)    An Independent Commission, led by internationally approved Commissioner(s) to be set up to address long standing Human Rights Abuses by Zanu PF;
v)    An Economic Revival Plan to be drawn up to address the severe economic challenges the country is facing;
vi)    Immediately embark on an expansive monetory policy backed by re-energising of industry and commerce to 
create conditions employment for our people;

Urging its members to participate in the protests the party said:

“We call upon all our ground forces from all our structures to join the people of Zimbabwe in the demonstrations on the 16th of August 2019. We further call upon our ground fighter to partake in the demonstrations peacefully and to resist responding to deliberate provocations by the Zanu PF blood thirst youths and mercenaries .

“It is time that we stand together as Zimbabweans to demand change and accountability from our political leaders. Doing nothing at this juncture is not an option. We cannot sit back and continue to live in perpetual misery and poverty.”

By A Correspondent- Fresh details have emerged from the ongoing court case involving the Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Prisca Mupfumira, showing that the Minister might have properties in Dubai, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

The revelation of Mupfumira’s alleged properties could have a bearing on her bail application ruling, with the state raising fears that she might flee the country if released on bail.

High court judge, Justice Erica Ndewere on Monday reserved ruling on Mupfumira’s bail application, saying it will be announced at a later date.

The revelations by state prosecutor, Mr Michael Reza, alleged that Mupfumira has mansions in Dubai, South Africa and the United Kingdom that have become the subject of the contest on her bail application.

Mr Reza said the Minister should be denied bail on the basis that there is a great chance of her absconding.

The applicant’s defence council led by Advocate Lewis Uriri hoped for favourable responses from the judge after they had made their submissions but Justice Ndewere reserved the ruling application to a later date.

Mupfumira is facing seven counts of criminal abuse of office, with the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) reportedly having completed investigations on three of the counts.

Below are today’s trading rates for various local banks.

PRESSURE group Tajamuka/Sesijikile leader Promise Mkwananzi has been arrested and is being detained at Harare Central police station, NewZimbabwe can reveal.

Mkwananzi, a prominent government critique has been on the police wanted list since the violent January protests that turned into an orgy of violence leading to the death of 17 people after the army opened fire on demonstrators.

Tajamuka/Sesijikile Coordinator Tineyi Munetsi confirmed the development.

“Promise has been taken in by the police and we have contacted Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

“They are yet to lay charges,” said Munetsi.

Mkwananzi fled to the UK after the protests while other activists connected to the opposition MDC scattered into different countries including South Africa after the President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration launched a manhunt for what it claimed were the ring-leaders.

The protests had initially been called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) in response to a 150% fuel price hike announced by Mnangagwa before the Zanu PF leader flew out on a four nation tour of Euro-Asia.

Mnangagwa was to cut-short his trip as the country descended into anarchy and threatened his stay in power.

Since then hordes of activists including ZCTU secretary general Japhet Moyo as well as president Peter Mutasa were also arrested and charged with subversion.

However the stay-away was reportedly “hijacked” by militant anti-government groups leading to the deaths and destruction of property.

Mkwananzi a former MDC secretary youth secretary general has been holed up in South Africa after leaving the UK early a few months ago.

Last month Takamuka/Sesijikile called for another nationwide shutdown with Mkwananzi urging Zimbabweans to flood the streets from his base in South Africa. The cal, was largely ignored and failed given the little support from the grouyp’s usual partners including the opposition.

Police were not immediately available for comment.

-NewZimbabwe

By Own Correspondent| Gweru City Council (GCC) workers have given the city fathers a 14-day strike notice. They are demanding a cost of living adjustment and salary increase.

The notice was signed by the Zimbabwe Urban Council Workers’ Union’s (ZUCWU) Gweru branch secretary, Ambrose Hwande.

The notice reads:

Notice is hereby given that from August 13, 2019, City of Gweru employees will engage in a demonstration and picketing.

From August 22, it will be a total withdrawal of labour against the employer’s insensitivity to employees’ cost of living adjustment and allowances request.

ZUCWU secretary-general and Midlands chairperson of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Kudakwashe Munengiwa threw his weight behind the workers. He said:

What the workers are demanding is a cost of living adjustment of $500 across the board which should be immediately paid and then adjustment of the salaries to match the prevailing US dollar rate on the interbank market.

The employer is paying new prices that have been adjusted on every service rendered like fuel and hotel bills when officials travel. The only thing they have not adjusted are the salaries of their employees.

Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe urged workers to be patient and wait until the supplementary budget is approved.-Newsday

Disgruntled Zanu PF members in Kadoma this week dragged former Kadoma Central Member of Parliament Fani Fanuel Phiri to appear before the Justice Tendai Uchena-led Lands Commission to answer allegations of diverting more than 600 residential stands to his personal project.

The unhappy party members, led by Panyika Jack, are accusing the former legislator of diverting the stands to his Berina Housing Scheme after the party had donated 50 hectares, being part of Pixie Combie, to the party leadership in Kadoma’s 12 wards.

“Sir, we are here as disgruntled Zanu PF members to find out how Berina Housing Scheme is being run by former Kadoma Central Member of Parliament, Fani Phiri,” Panyika said.

“The government through the then Local Government Minister, Ignatius Chombo, donated 50 hectares of land in Pixie Combie to be shared among Zanu PF leadership in Kadoma, but the former legislator grabbed the land and formed Berina Housing Scheme with the stands that were meant for the people.”

Panyika added: “We want the Lands Commission to verify the ownership of the scheme; we feel that we were denied what was rightfully ours. What did Chombo see in Phiri to give him 50 hectares? Phiri called for a meeting in Rimuka Hall sometime back and advised us to come with 50 names from the 12 wards of Kadoma Central constituency, but we discovered later that he had formed his own housing scheme.”

Phiri was then asked by the commission to leave the court room because some of the witnesses were not comfortable with him being in the room.

In an interview, Phiri, however, denied the allegations that he had diverted land that was meant for Zanu PF members, but actually applied for the 50 hectares through the Ministry of Local Government and National Housing in 2015 and his application was successful.

“The land in question does not and never belonged to Zanu PF. I actually applied for the land in 2015 and land was availed to me and then I formed Berina Housing Scheme to parcel out stands for residential stands,” Phiri said.

“I have all the documents to verify the ownership of that land in part of Pixie Combie. Those disgruntled members of Zanu PF are barking at the wrong tree and are being misled by someone. The land that was donated to the party is there, but they are trying to protect the one who has it and pointing a finger at Berina Housing Scheme, shame on them.”

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| Following the clearance of the MDC demonstration on the 16th of August, the party is leaving no stone un-turned in mobilizing Zimbabweans to come out in numbers and protest against the deteriorating standard of living.

Social media has of late been awash with posters rallying Zimbabweans to push President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Zanu PF government out.

Following yesterday’s drama filled events in which the controversial couple Tytan and Olinda Chapel paraded their disdain for each other with the musician husband telling the world that he has moved on, the wife has pleaded for dialogue to end the marriage amicably.

Posting on Instagram yesterday, Olinda who appeared to have the light in not parading her private life on social media, she pleaded with her ex-husband to dialogue and part ways amicably for the sake of their daughter Nandi.

Below is Olinda’s Instagram post targeted at Tytan.

By Own Correspondent| Gweru City Council (GCC) workers have given the city fathers a 14-day strike notice. They are demanding a cost of living adjustment and salary increase.

The notice was signed by the Zimbabwe Urban Council Workers’ Union’s (ZUCWU) Gweru branch secretary, Ambrose Hwande.

The notice reads:

Notice is hereby given that from August 13, 2019, City of Gweru employees will engage in a demonstration and picketing.

From August 22, it will be a total withdrawal of labour against the employer’s insensitivity to employees’ cost of living adjustment and allowances request.

ZUCWU secretary-general and Midlands chairperson of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Kudakwashe Munengiwa threw his weight behind the workers. He said:

What the workers are demanding is a cost of living adjustment of $500 across the board which should be immediately paid and then adjustment of the salaries to match the prevailing US dollar rate on the interbank market.

The employer is paying new prices that have been adjusted on every service rendered like fuel and hotel bills when officials travel. The only thing they have not adjusted are the salaries of their employees.

Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe urged workers to be patient and wait until the supplementary budget is approved.-Newsday

Dear Editor

That lady in the picture is from ZERA. Instead of arresting the service station that was selling fuel at $12 per litre instead of $9.20 litre, her colleague was busy dealing with the service station owner.

After a while her male colleague came out of the office and they just drove off…kuita here ikoko.. Isu tichiti pasi ne corruption. #tirikugadzirisanyika

Below are more pictures….

MDC Youth Assembly Statement Ahead 16 August Mass Protest

Every August the nation commemorate the gallant efforts of our liberation war heroes who selflessly took it upon themselves to extricate our country from the jaws of colonialism.

Many paid the ultimate price to ensure that the liberation struggle’s three main cardinals of freedom, majority rule and one man-one vote are realized and exercised by our people.

It is against this background and in the same spirit that as an Assembly we have a generational mandate to carry on the baton stick to ensure that we complete the unfinished and hijacked national interest agenda.

There is a clique of a few greedy and corrupt individuals who have since diverted and capsized the revolutionary ship hence upsetting the national interest agenda.

Theirs is a substitution agenda and not a transformation agenda!

It is very clear that when a political party ceases to have in its foundation a determination to advance people’s cause and morals then it becomes nothing more than a conspiracy to rule by force.

ZANU PF in its current form and entirety has since degenerated into a looting conspiracy, hence its carefree attitude on pertinent economic issues like high prices, fuel shortages and electricity blackouts affecting our people.

The people’s civil and political space is being dwarfed and trampled on with brazenness and regularity.

These substitutes of Rhodesian Front have mastered everything and forgot nothing from their colonial masters to the extent that up to this day their party have provincial offices at the former Rhodesian Front torture base along Fourth Street.

This explains why ZANU PF’s anti-people policies and repressive laws draws parallels from the colonial laws.

Right now ZANU PF is currently pushing for a draconian MOPO Bill to outlaw the people’s right to demonstrate.

The Bill if it passes through will be a direct grandson to LOMA which was replaced by the repressive POSA.

It is important to note that the underlying thinking to all these repressive acts is to fight the democratic space and national interest.

This is the very reason why young people from across the political divide should flood the streets on 16 August to express their disdain at the military cabal that is threatening to wipe out the entire generation through its so-called austerity measures.

It is our resolve as an Assembly of progress young social democrats to serve and save this generation as well as providing leadership and direction on issues of national interest.

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

By A Correspondent- Defence minister, Oppah Muchinguri and Minister of State Security Owen Mudha Ncube were opening a clinic at a place called Marapira under chief Jiri when she allegedly collapsed.

The report, which has gone viral on social media claimed that Muchinguri collapsed on stage while she was addressing residents of Gokwe South.

Below is the message which has since gone viral online.

Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri collapsed on stage when she was addressing the residents of Gokwe. She and Minister of state security Owen Mudha Ncube were opening a clinic at a place called Marapira under Chief Jiri.

Former MDC National Chairman Samuel Sipepa Nkomo who threw himself into political oblivion by a series of miscalculated moves has openly appealed to another former MDC heavyweight Moses Mzila Ndlovu to come up with plans to resuscitate their political life outside of the MDC.

In a social media post on Monday, Nkomo invites Mzila to lead a Matabeleland only initiative to establish a united regional setup. According to Nkomo, Mzila will by so doing be taking over from the late ZAPU leader Dumiso Dabengwa.

Wrote Sipepa:

Hie Moses! I am becoming more and more concerned about where we are going as a country! May I suggest that you Moses Mzila ka Ndlovu call a discussion of all progressive individuals in Matebeleland first and put for discussion the national crisis! I am asking you because you are more than qualified to do that as Dumiso Dabengwa is gone! The people you call to the discussion could come from whatever party or no party but from Matebeleland first. What I suggest will carry wait if it’s you and not some NGO. Moses, I am concerned! Be blessed mfowethu!

Mzila apparently accepted the invitation

Am honoured Sir to hear that you have faith and trust in me making a positive contribution towards unifying our people for the common good. Can we put all our irrelevant and unnecessary differences aside and work to rescue the people of this land from the clutches of the evil that has torn us so much apart. Once more thank you for the challenge you just placed squarely on my lap let me promise you I will apply myself diligently in ensuring the achievement of the goal you have just set

Police officers in Botswana have arrested 10 suspects nine of them Zimbabweans for possession of stolen mobile phone base station batteries.

The arrests were recorded at Dibete police station on Tuesday morning.

Botswana Director of Crime Intelligence, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Nunu Lesetedi said the suspects were arrested after they were found in possession of 15 batteries for communication towers belonging to different mobile networks.

The suspects comprised nine (9) Zimbabwean male citizens and one Motswana male citizen aged between 37 and 42 years who were intercepted on their way from Gaborone to the north towards Zimbabwe.

The suspects are still in police custody while investigations are continuing.

Mr Lesetedi appealed to members of the public to report any person they may suspect is involved in such criminal activities.

Two other Zimbabweans were arrested in Beitbridge on the same day by South African police after being found in possession of nine similar batteries belonging to Vodacom.

The batteries are on demand in Zimbabwe as they are used in solar power systems with the country experiencing the worst power shortage in decades.

PRESSURE group Tajamuka/Sesijikile leader Promise Mkwananzi has been arrested and is being detained at Harare Central police station, NewZimbabwe can reveal.

Mkwananzi, a prominent government critique has been on the police wanted list since the violent January protests that turned into an orgy of violence leading to the death of 17 people after the army opened fire on demonstrators.

Tajamuka/Sesijikile Coordinator Tineyi Munetsi confirmed the development.

“Promise has been taken in by the police and we have contacted Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

“They are yet to lay charges,” said Munetsi.

Mkwananzi fled to the UK after the protests while other activists connected to the opposition MDC scattered into different countries including South Africa after the President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration launched a manhunt for what it claimed were the ring-leaders.

The protests had initially been called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) in response to a 150% fuel price hike announced by Mnangagwa before the Zanu PF leader flew out on a four nation tour of Euro-Asia.

Mnangagwa was to cut-short his trip as the country descended into anarchy and threatened his stay in power.

Since then hordes of activists including ZCTU secretary general Japhet Moyo as well as president Peter Mutasa were also arrested and charged with subversion.

However the stay-away was reportedly “hijacked” by militant anti-government groups leading to the deaths and destruction of property.

Mkwananzi a former MDC secretary youth secretary general has been holed up in South Africa after leaving the UK early a few months ago.

Last month Takamuka/Sesijikile called for another nationwide shutdown with Mkwananzi urging Zimbabweans to flood the streets from his base in South Africa. The cal, was largely ignored and failed given the little support from the grouyp’s usual partners including the opposition.

Police were not immediately available for comment.

-NewZimbabwe

According to the United Nations (UN), with the economic situation in Zimbabwe worsening, about a third of the population is close to starvation and in desperate need of food aid.

Reports say that the World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a $331 million appeal as the country battles the effects of drought, a cyclone and an economic crisis.

Head of the WFP David Beasley said many were “in crisis emergency mode and marching towards starvation”.

The Southern African country has suffered years of economic and political turmoil.

With the country having recently introduced the Zimbabwe dollar, rejecting all foreign currency, food prices have risen sharply with drought affecting harvesting and low water levels in the country.

Rolling power cuts have also rampaged the country.

The WFP launched an appeal on Tuesday saying about 2.5 million people were on the point of starvation.  

“We are talking about people who truly are marching towards starvation if we are not here to help them,” said Beasley.

“We are facing a drought unlike any that we have seen in a long time,” he said.

The huge storm affected 570,000 Zimbabweans and left tens of thousands of them homeless.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said in a statement last week, the government had been providing grain to 757,000 homes since January, in both rural and urban areas.

While President Emmerson Mnangagwa, declared the drought a national disaster on Tuesday.

The UN was already appealing for $294m for Zimbabwe but says it now needs more funding as the impact of the drought has spread.

President Mnangagwa on Tuesday declared a State of National Disaster paving way for the launch of the Revised Zimbabwe Humanitarian Appeal to the international community in an effort to mobilse funds to cushion the population from the effects of drought. Mr Beasley held a meeting with the Cabinet Committee on Emergency, Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation and had a field visit to Masvingo on a fact finding mission. 

“Today we had a great conversation with the President and Mr Beasley. Very cordial discussions about the Zimbabwe situation and how the WFP comes to help us in this situation,” Prof Murwira said.

He said the Government is looking at a very positive outcome in terms of ameliorating the effects of drought together with WFP.

“We are looking at a situation where there is a good chemistry that is developing between Zimbabwe and the international community and this chemistry can only yield us better results in terms of Zimbabwe as a family within the family of nations,” Prof Murwira said.

“As you know, President Mnangagwa and his team are focusing on a re-engagement process. As you can see the re-engagement process is giving us those kinds of positive results in terms of the response of the international community to any need Zimbabwe may have.”

The Minister said the humanitarian response plan Government co-launched with the UN paved the way in terms of fundraising for the country.

Public Service and Social Welfare Minisiter Sekai Nzenza said people facing hunger could be over 5.7 million. 

“I am pleased that the Government is taking the hunger problem seriously, particularly in cushioning the most vulnerable,” she said, adding that her ministry distributes up to 27 000 tons of maize across the 10 provinces but still cannot reach everyone. 

“This is where we are relying very much on donor partners. So, I am pleased to say that the support we are getting from the WFP has been incredible and also from the UN partners.” 

State Media|MDC-T president Dr Thokozani Khupe has said protests will not resolve the country’s economic challenges but dialogue, proffering solutions and unity of purpose are required to transform the country’s fortunes.

Dr Khupe, who is part of the national dialogue under the banner of the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad), said there is no quick fix to the economic problems bedevilling the country but Government should ensure that prices match people’s salaries. 

President Mnangagwa leads Polad which consists of leaders of political parties that participated in last year’s Harmonised  Elections.

In an interview yesterday, Dr Khupe said she was against protests as they do not bring solutions to economic challenges affecting the country.

Her sentiments follow an announcement by the MDC Alliance led by Mr Nelson Chamisa that they will unleash protests against Government next week.

“My issue is that you can only resolve issues by sitting around the table and talking to each other. You cannot resolve issues by throwing stones, by burning tyres and by going out there. But you can only resolve issues by sitting around and discussing issues like we are doing right now (in Polad). If we sit down with them (Government) and they explain to us what is going on, we can also give our input. I’m pretty sure that Government and the President listen to some of the issues that we present to them,” said Dr Khupe.

She said last Friday Polad members met Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube and Reserve Bank Governor Dr John Mangudya among other senior Government officials seeking an explanation on what is happening in the economy.

Dr Khupe said they had frank discussions with the senior Government officials who explained reforms being implemented. In response, members of Polad urged Prof Ncube and Dr Mangudya to tame prices and foreign currency exchange rates. “The problem is the exchange rates. The prices are increasing because they are chasing the exchange rate. Once it goes up everything else increases. That is what we have told them that you must deal with the issue of prices because the cost of living does not match wages and salaries. Wages must match the cost of living,” she said.

Dr Khupe said confidence building, unity of purpose and increasing production are some of the issues that need to be addressed in turning around the economy.

She said while Government officials explained that the economic hardships being faced by citizens were a passing phase, they demanded that Government ease the pain on the suffering Zimbabweans.

“We want to know for how long we are going to feel that pain before things change because we know that the economy has been down and under for a long time. We are looking for permanent solutions for our problems. We don’t want things that are not going to help us at the end of the day. 

“We want permanent solutions to our problems. We want an economy that is going to be built on a strong foundation. While we don’t expect things to change overnight,  there are things that need to be fixed like the cost of living which should match salaries and wages. That is exactly what we said to them. Look into prices which are rising everyday. Surely they must do something about that,” said Dr Khupe.

Netone has once again increased the prices of its data charges by over 100% effective this morning.

The new tariffs will now see the costs of a daily data bundle shoot up from $5 for 1000mb to $3.50 for just 200mb.

See the new data charges effected without announcement:

A FAMILY from Binga is looking for a Zaoga Church pastor who disappeared after allegedly impregnating their 19-year-old adopted daughter who is a Form Three pupil.

The pupil was adopted by the family in Manjolo, about 25km from Binga when she was eight-years-old following the death of her parents. She was in the custody of a family member, who is a teacher at a local school.

The teacher, who declined to be named, said Pastor Bruce Mushayavanhu (29) allegedly left Binga on the pretext that he was going to answer to his case before the church in Harare but never returned.

She said Pastor Mushayavanhu, who was on probation, had however, acknowledged responsibility after being confronted by the family and reported to the church’s overseer in Binga. She said they have been trying to locate him for the past three months after he disappeared.

“My mother, who is late now, adopted the pupil when she was eight-years-old and she took her to school. My mother died in 2017 and I took over the responsibility of taking care of the girl, who is literally my sister.

“In January this year Pastor Mushayavanhu was deployed to Binga and he moved into our family house, which we’ve been renting out to Zaoga Church for years. In April I heard that my sister was pregnant,” said the teacher.

She said she confronted the pastor and he professed ignorance on the issue but when she interrogated her sister she confirmed that she was pregnant and the pastor was responsible. The teacher, who is a Roman Catholic, informed the local priest and they decided to go and report the case to the Zaoga overseer, who is also based in Binga and only identified as Overseer Ndlovu.

“Overseer Ndlovu summoned him and asked him to explain what was going on. He accepted responsibility and promised to take care of my sister and the child.

“My priest suggested that we seek advice from legal experts and we approached a magistrate, who advised us that Mushayavanhu should write an affidavit and put his acknowledgements and promises on paper.

“He agreed and wrote the affidavit on 27 May. He even said he wanted my sister to continue with school and promised to pay her fees,” she said. She added that Pastor Mushayavanhu later took his clothes and property somewhere else before leaving the house and he never came back.

“We asked Overseer Ndlovu about his whereabouts and he said the pastor had to go to the church’s headquarters in Harare to answer to his case.

“He gave us his uncle’s number but he could not help us locate him,” she said. Chronicle is in possession of the affidavit written by Pastor Mushayavanhu on May 27, 2019.
“I, Bruce Mushayavanhu take responsibility for the pregnancy of (name withheld) and I’m ready to take (sic) her but not now because I’m still making consultations on the way forward. I will give the final decision and way forward on June 3, 2019,” reads part of the affidavit.

Contacted for comment, Overseer Ndlovu confirmed the incident, saying the church was also looking for the pastor. “I was working with the young man here in Binga together with a few other pastors. He was deployed to Binga just after completing Bible school, and was still on probation.

“I advised our headquarters about his case and he was summoned before being demoted to an ordinary church member while the church was monitoring his commitment,” said Overseer Ndlovu.State media

BULAWAYO Mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni and his deputy Councillor Tinashe Kambarami yesterday apologised for the recent chaos at City Hall saying measures have been put in place to bring sanity and ensure that there are no sacred cows at council.

Cllr Kambarami and Ward 4 Councillor Silas Chigora violently ejected Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, from his office after he refused to take a letter “suspending” him from duty last month triggering an ugly chain of events.

Cllr Kambarami, who was the acting Mayor at a time when Cllr Mguni was on study leave in South Africa, accompanied by Cllr Chigora, shoved Mr Dube after he told them that their actions had no legal force.

The two were at the forefront of violently ‘suspending’ Mr Dube accusing him of corruption, among other allegations.Councillor Mguni however, rescinded the suspension the following day and council ratified his decision days after.

Just before a full council meeting commenced yesterday, Councillor Mguni read a statement he co-signed with his deputy 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 Cllr Mguni.

He said the events were also a reminder to all of them that they are servants of the people of Bulawayo, hence they must serve respectfully and honourably.

The Mayor said as a council, they would strengthen their dedication and responsiveness to fighting corruption and abuse of office.

“There shall be no sacred cows and anyone implicated must be investigated and go through the relevant audit processes. Once again the City of Bulawayo apologises to all stakeholders for the mix up. We’ll continue to serve our city with integrity and reputation of the City of Kings, to ensure we become a smart and transformative city by 2024, in line with our vision,” said Cllr Mguni.

Bulawayo councillors are reportedly divided between two factions angling to control the awarding of tenders and the Town Clerk has stood as a stumbling block to their shenanigans.

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.

State Media|Metbank’s corporate secretary and legal counsel Mr Kiitu Zawanda has brought in a new dimension to the banks case against NSSA claiming that the TBs and interest, together with legal fees attached to them, were paid back to NSSA “in full on the 24th of July 2019”.

His remarks follow media reports that NSSA had not been paid back the money and had instituted court proceedings to recover the money.

Said Mr Zawanda: “It is false that Metbank has not repaid US$20 million in TBs as ruled by the High Court and it is equally false that a writ to attach property has been issued against the bank.”

He said in 2017, it entered into an agreement with NSSA where in exchange for an agreed consideration, NSSA gave the bank TBs with a face value of US$20 million for use for its third party borrowings.

“The facility held by Metbank was a performing asset and when it came to an end in December 2017, Metbank paid all the attendant fees and returned the TBs.

“It (facility) performed so well that as a result the facility was renewed on the 18th of December 2017 for a further six months through a term sheet which had a clause that it would be replaced by a subsequent agreement, which would govern the rights and obligations of the parties in respect of the TBs.

“The facility was extended on the basis of a further consideration which Metbank duly paid,” said Mr Zawanda.

It added that after the six-month period specified in the term sheet, a dispute arose over the release of the TBs, with Metbank refusing to return the TBs because NSSA had failed to avail the agreement which was meant to replace the term sheet as agreed between the parties. The dispute was despite the fact that the facility was performing and Metbank had honoured all its obligations to NSSA.

“Whilst the parties were still in negotiations regarding the dispute, NSSA went to court seeking the return of the TBs on the basis of the term sheet. Metbank opposed the relief sought on the grounds that the term sheet did not constitute an agreement, but was merely a precursor meant to precede a substantive agreement between the parties.

“For Metbank, the issue was that the TBs should only be released after an agreement had been entered into and only in terms of what that agreement would have provided for.

“Both NSSA and Metbank were made aware of the judgment on 22nd of July 2019. Prior to receiving this judgment, Metbank of its own volition, wrote to NSSA on the 19th of July offering to transfer the TBs to them.

“NSSA indicated that they needed time to consult with their lawyers and after doing so, they finally accepted a full transfer of the TBs back to them on the 24th of July 2019,” said Mr Zawanda.

He added that a perusal of Justice Nicholas Mathonsi’s judgment shows that he largely dealt with what constituted an agreement, “and all the other issues brought to light in social media were peripheral issues which were a meniscal (sic) part of the judgment”.

State Media|Zimbabwe National Army Commander, Lieutenant-General Edzai Chanyuka Chimonyo has reiterated the statement once said by former Defence Forces Commander Constantino Chiwenga before the historic 2017 coup on former President Robert Mugabe that the army is bigger than politics.

Chimonyo says this on an online state media platform yesterday in an interview ahead of this year’s Heroes and Defence Forces Day commemorations.

He implored Zimbabweans to remain patient, saying the current economic challenges are temporary, normal and not unique to the country as those that are now developed went through the same in the past.

“People of Zimbabwe should know that we (ZDF) are pillars of Zimbabwe to ensure that there is peace,” said Lt Gen Chimonyo.

“One thing that I always ask myself is ‘when we went to the liberation struggle at that young age we were so united, why is it today we are not united as a country in an independent Zimbabwe?’ Yes, perhaps it can be politics here and there; we in our Constitution, we are apolitical, that is why in our Constitution multiparty (politics) in Zimbabwe is allowed; we observe what would be taking place.

“We can never move while divided, unity of purpose, that is what we want . . . we want politicians do their own work and ourselves doing our work.”

Turning to economic challenges, Lt Gen Chimonyo said many countries, including the United States, went through some turbulent times.

He added that before the First World War, Europe had problems too, while China has also navigated even worse problems to become one of the world’s economic giants.

“As I speak on behalf of the ZNA, I see light at the end of the tunnel. We are saying that there is nothing that can defeat us as long as we are united and together, these are difficulties we must overcome. But there are not difficulties that other countries have not gone through.

“As your ZDF, I stand here and beg you let us be united and stand together under these difficult circumstances; we will prevail,” he said.

He said unity would attract the much-needed investment for the country, adding that the ZNA’s role in the new dispensation is to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The role of the ZNA in the new dispensation is to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interest of Zimbabwe, at the same time contributing to international peace and stability. In the new dispensation the ZNA has a role to play which is to create a peaceful environment which is conducive to the investment as espoused by the mantra that is spoken about by His Excellency (President Mnangagwa) that ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’”.

“One of the most important things we should always keep in our minds is peace, so that investment comes our way as a nation. There is unemployment (and) we can only create that employment if there is investment and this happens when we are united just like those liberation guys, men and women, who went out to be together as Zimbabweans,” said Lt Gen Chimonyo.

He said the ZNA will continue undertaking training programmes for its troops in order to move in line with advancing technology, and to equip them with skills of countering threats that come with globalisation.

“There is no doubt that the enemy we fought yesterday is the same enemy we are fighting today and what is there is that it has only changed its tactics and we are faced with asymmetrical warfare, which is to do with media, cyber (wars) and these are elements that are very important aspects that men and women in the ZNA needs to understand and know what implications they have to the nation,” said Lt Gen Chimonyo.

By Business Analyst| Instead of coping China which processes its coal to generate most of its electricity needs countrywide, Emmerson Mnangagwa has moved to export the precious raw material to India and Japan.

Mnangagwa made the boast yesterday as he said Zimbabwe has enough coal to last a thousand years. He punctuated the minister of mines’ speech by saying, “…coal deposits in this country at the current extraction rate, will last a 1000 years, more than 1000 years, so I was thinking who in this room who will still be around then. So we are witnessing an event which will outlive us all, and it is very rare that these things happen, so to those who will still be around, they should be grateful that we started this journey and in that journey I was present.” VIDEO BELOW….

if we have coal to last a thousand years, why not explore how to generate electricity and be an exporter of electricity instead of a raw material?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 8, 2019

E.g China which produces the most electricity from coal by a long margin – 3,785 TWh, more than twice as much as the US in second place. India, Japan and Germany complete the top five. This data is taken from the IEA's Key World Energy Statistics 2014…

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 8, 2019

……….

E.g China which produces the most electricity from coal by a long margin – 3,785 TWh, more than twice as much as the US in second place. India, Japan and Germany complete the top five. This data is taken from the IEA's Key World Energy Statistics 2014…

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 8, 2019

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

Farai Dziva|Controversial yet popular musician Andy Muridzo has blamed his obsession with women for his inconsistent career.

Muridzo is currently working on his fifth album.

“I’m now focused on my work after all the years I wasted doing wrong stuff like chasing after loose women,” Muridzo told H-Metro.

“I have lost some of my fans as a result of the negative stuff that was publicised but there comes a time when a man matures and decides to correct his past mistakes.

I know I wronged many people and even lost opportunities but in life we all move on.”

“In life, we need not to dwell more on the past even though it is difficult for some to forget.

In my case, I’m appealing to fans and the corporate world to accept a new Andy Muridzo who has reformed.

I do admit that I was once caught off-side but it’s sad for the nation to continue dwelling in the past.

Biblically, there are people who sinned but asked for forgiveness and their prayers were heard.”

Farai Dziva|Masvingo based political analyst Jeffryson Chitando has said he hopes Zanu PF Youth League leader Pupurai Togarepi will soon wake up and realise he has been nursing an unrealistic dream about the country.

Chitando was responding to a statement made by Togarepi indicating that “Zanu PF will rule until donkeys grow horns.”

Said Togarepi :“The wise always say do not pick fights you can’t win and the clever ones stick to this time old piece of wisdom, it is free and has been proven by history to be a key ingredient to success and a happy life, but sadly and rather regrettably, our political opponents in the MDC are naive and fail to understand such basics.”

He added:”Zanu-PF is the ruling party of Zimbabwe, and with a very weak and out-of-sorts opposition such as the MDC, we will rule this country until donkeys grow horns, they can only dream, but then dreams are for free.

Zanu-PF will rule for ages to come, not because we are undemocratic, but purely because we are the people’s preferred party as has been proven since the turn of this year where the party has won by-elections with little effort.”

Chitando responded:” I suppose he (Togarepi) is daydreaming and he shall soon wake up and realize that he has been nursing unrealistic fantasies.

In the past Ian Smith made similar remarks,” said Chitando.