Speaking about the electricity situation in the country, Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mthuli Ncube said that electricity tariffs are to be increased with immediate effect.
Below are the new tariffs:
The electricity tariff for Non-Exporting businesses be increased from an average of ZWL9.86c/kWh to an average of ZLW44c/kWh (approximately USc5/kWh);
The electricity tariff for domestic consumers be increased from an average of ZWL9.86c/kWh to an average of ZWL27c/kWh (approximately USc3/kWh), which is subsidised;
The electricity tariff for Agriculture consumers be increased from an average of ZWL9.86c/kWh to an average of ZWL27c/kWh (approximately USc3/kWh), which is subsidised;
Maintain the tariff for ferrochrome smelters and other miners to be maintained at US$0.0986/kWh, respectively, and ensure that the resources are ring-fenced in a Special Account solely for purposes of importing electricity.
ZESA to be allowed to bill all other exporters and foreign currency earners in foreign currency and ensure that the resources are ring-fenced in a Special Account solely for purposes of importing electricity.
HON. SEN. RTD. AIR CHIEF MARSHALL SHIRI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I am not protecting anyone. I am stating facts as they are. I seem not to appreciate the need to come and issue a ministerial statement given that I am able to give the required facts here. I have highlighted that the money in question was used for the cotton input scheme, for the Presidential Input Scheme and for the importation of grain – [HON. MEMBERS:Inaudible interjections.] –
Hon. Members having stood up.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: No more points of order. May you resume your seats Hon. Members. – [HON. MEMBERS:Inaudible interjections.] – -[HON. SEN. RTD. AIR CHIEF MARSHALL SHIRI: Ndakumbovatuka mbijana.]-
HON. SEN. RTD. AIR CHIEF MARSHALL SHIRI: Mr. Speaker Sir, I am not addressing baboons and monkeys. I am addressing people who are supposed to listen when I am responding. If they want me to respond and they want an answer, they have to give me a chance to respond. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir – [HON. MEMBERS:Inaudible interjections.] –
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: No more points of order. Hon. Members, may you resume your seats. – [HON. MEMBERS:No, no.] – [HON. MEMBERS:Inaudible interjections.] –
HON. MAMOMBE: Mr. Speaker, I am the one who asked the question. The Hon. Minister cannot refer to us as baboons and monkeys. We need sufficient answers Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you need to protect us Sir. – [HON. MEMBERS:Inaudible interjections.] – [HON. MEMBERS:Mr. Speaker, there are no monkeys] –. We are not going to allow that kind of language in this House. He has to withdraw.
MDC Hon. Members sang a song – Intho oyenzayo siyayizonda, whilst ZANU PF Hon. Members chanted – E. D. pfeee, E. D. pfeee.
MDC Hon. Members shouted – Chamisa, Chamisa and sang a song Ndezve change, Nero, ndezve change Nero.
Hon. Members having continuously behaved disorderly, the Temporary Speaker abruptly adjourned the House at Twenty-Six Minutes past Four o’clock p.m.
By Stephen Sarkozy Chuma (Eye Witness to August 01 Killings)
The first of August brings with it a flood of kaleidoscopic sad memories of savage human butchery at the hands of the military.
In broad daylight, the Emmerson Mnangagwa administration unshamedly unleashed rogue soldiers dressed in balaclavas on a deleterious human massacre mission which left a stinking trail of death and plunder.
So horrendous and gruesome was the mission that a number of citizens sustained fatal bullet wounds and holes from their backs.
Of the few accounted defenceless civilians, the gorry and sorry pictures of Sylvia Maphosa, Ishmael Kumire, Gavin Dean Charles, James Chikandira, Brian Zhuwawo and Challenge Tauro explicitly became the face of state brutality on innocent citizens.
While events that unfolded in the streets of Harare reminds history students of Nazi Night Of Long Knives, Zimbabweans across political divide are quickly reminded of citizen devouring state antics at the hands of a supposedly public protector.
So moral spineless and inhumanely ruthless was the state behavior just for pursuit of power at expense of sacred human lives.
Ironically, a pre-choreographed commission was set up using taxpayers money to sanitize the horrendous killings.
What is more saddening is the fact that this military regime is grossly unrepentant.
To soundly mark the August 01 butchery, the state security agents working in cahoots with the highest office in the land surreptitiously ambushed the MDC Youth Assembly National Chairman on his way from a program supposedly meant to proffer dialogue and peace.
It is not only myopic but foolish for anyone to expect change from this unrepentant, callous and illegitimate establishment.
Only a clear and clean overhaul of the entire system can save the Zimbabwean situation and as it stands right now it is the Nelson Chamisa led administration that can transcend the people’s nervous circumstances.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma is MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson.
By A Correspondent- Public service minister Sekai Nzenza has told parliament that following the expose of the rot at NSSA by the Auditor General Mildred Chiri over management malpractices, those found on the want side face disciplinary action.
She said this Thursday, while presenting the NSSA audit report before parliament adding that the delay in presenting the document was a result of internal legal processes which were necessary before tabling the report before the August House.
Jane Mlambo| Former Commander of the Presidential Guard, Anselem Sanyatwe has been slapped with United States sanctions effectively barring him and his wife from entering the US.
Sanyatwe was banned over his role in the August 1 shootings and the failure by the President Emmerson Mnangagwa regime from punishing all those implicated in the open murder of civilians by the army.
Below is the full text from the US Secretary of State;
The Secretary of State is publicly designating Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, former Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army’s Presidential Guard Brigade and current Ambassador Designate of Zimbabwe to Tanzania, under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (Div. F, P.L. 116-6), due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights. Section 7031(c) provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign officials have been involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States. The Department has credible information that Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe was involved in the violent crackdown against unarmed Zimbabweans during post-election protests on August 1, 2018 that resulted in six civilian deaths. The law also requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate such officials and immediate family members. In addition to the designation of Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, the Department is also publicly designating his spouse, Chido Machona. To date, the Government of Zimbabwe has held no member of the security forces accountable for the acts of violence committed against Zimbabweans on August 1, 2018. Furthermore, there has been no accountability for the excessive use of force by Zimbabwean security forces on civilians in January and February this year, which reportedly resulted in at least 13 deaths, 600 victims of violence, torture or rape, and more than 1,000 arrests. We again call on Zimbabwean authorities to hold accountable those officials responsible for human rights violations and abuses in Zimbabwe. For more information, please contact [email protected].
By A Correspondent- The United States of America has slapped the soldier who told the August 1 Commission of Inquiry led by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe that soldiers who were captured live on video fired into the air at 45 degrees angle hence were not responsible for the deaths of unarmed civilians which occurred on the day.
Former Commander of the Presidential Guard, Anselem Sanyatwe and his wife has been slapped with United States sanctions effectively barring the duo from entering the US.
Below is the full text from the US Secretary of State;
The Secretary of State is publicly designating Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, former Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army’s Presidential Guard Brigade and current Ambassador Designate of Zimbabwe to Tanzania, under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (Div. F, P.L. 116-6), due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights. Section 7031(c) provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign officials have been involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States. The Department has credible information that Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe was involved in the violent crackdown against unarmed Zimbabweans during post-election protests on August 1, 2018 that resulted in six civilian deaths.
The law also requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate such officials and immediate family members. In addition to the designation of Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, the Department is also publicly designating his spouse, Chido Machona.
To date, the Government of Zimbabwe has held no member of the security forces accountable for the acts of violence committed against Zimbabweans on August 1, 2018. Furthermore, there has been no accountability for the excessive use of force by Zimbabwean security forces on civilians in January and February this year, which reportedly resulted in at least 13 deaths, 600 victims of violence, torture or rape, and more than 1,000 arrests. We again call on Zimbabwean authorities to hold accountable those officials responsible for human rights violations and abuses in Zimbabwe.
By Blessing Simpson Madzima| Replying to the suggestion that our President Advocate Nelson Chamisa should replace General Chiwenga as Vice President.
The arrangement of ED offering Nelson Chamisa to the Vice President position will be a very high degree of corruption and I can assure you our President and our Party will not get into such corrupt arrangements. It will not work. For the experience you talk about, Nelson does not need to get experience in practicing corruption, he has already gained experience in good governance and making the right decisions of standing with the people in all most difficult times.
One doesn’t have to build alliances with corrupt groups to be president. What is vital to be a President is to remain principled and maintaining your values with integrity. Nelson has done that and that is the reason the people of Zimbabwe want him to be President.
Your suggestion is to condemn Zimbabweans to remain being held at ransom by the army and those connected to it, we can’t build a better Zimbabwe under that system. We need a completely different trajectory where a leader comes from the people not from corrupt arrangements.
The environment is doing fine and it’s giving citizens an experience that fraudulent processes to gain power will never resuscitate our economy or be able to give hope to our communities. We are where we are because of those corrupt arrangements. Real free Zimbabwe will come soon. God has a plan with us as a nation and it will not fail.
Farai Dziva|The Movement for Democratic Change Australia Branch has put in place new structures as the opposition party seeks to spread its wings across the globe.
Below is MDC Organising Secretary Amos Chibaya’s statement on the development.
The Movement for Democratic Change led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa continues to grow globally following the recent election of MDC Australia Branch Main Wing leadership which covers the rest of Australia minus New South Wales.
The party is expected to open New Branches in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia.
Elected officials to the main wing are;
Chair, – Henry Munashe Jaji,
Deputy Chair – Cathbert Tapiwa Mashonganyika
Secretary-General – Tino Chiremba Mudzekenyedzi,
Deputy Secretary-General – Lloyd Changaira
Organising Secretary – Dr Gus Manatsa
Deputy Organising Secretary – Tafadzwa Brian Mpofu
Treasurer-General – Isaac Watosvorwa
Deputy Treasurer-General – Farai Mudzekenyedzi
Secretary for Information & Publicity – Patience Sakonda
Deputy Secretary for Information & Publicity – Claudious Jongwe
Membership continues to grow, and we are confident Australia, New Zealand and surrounding islands will combine to become the MDC Australasia Province by the next Congress.
Farai Dziva|Mighty Warriors striker Rudo Neshamba is back with a bang.
Some time back, she suffered a career-threatening knee injury and was reportedly even told she would never play football again- something which could have been appalling considering her heroics in the famous gold and green strip of the national team.
Neshamba’s exploits for the Mighty Warriors are well-heralded and don’t need much research and news that she was in the latest Mighty Warriors COSAFA squad, which signalled her full recovery, was applauded by many football fans.
Neshamba scored three goals that propelled Zimbabwe to an impressive 4-1 victory over Angola.
Popular Warriors fan Alvin Zhakata spoke highly of Neshamba through a tweet and so did Star FM sports editor Steve Vickers.
Farai Dziva|Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has praised Warriors star Khama Billiat.
Billiat left Sundowns at the end of the 2017/18 to join Chiefs.
“Khama won all the awards here you know that…But he is a Chiefs player, we will just monitor the space, if there is a possibility of Chiefs selling (I don’t think Chiefs want to) also does he want to come back. He’s a great player, if he’s available then okay,” Mosimane said on SAFM, according to the Citizen news website.
Meanwhile, reports in South Africa are suggesting that Sundowns and Chiefs are already in talks for Billiat to move back to the Brazilians owing to his unhappiness at Amakhosi after playing one season for them.
Billiat
Farai Dziva|Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has praised Warriors star Khama Billiat.
Billiat left Sundowns at the end of the 2017/18 to join Chiefs.
“Khama won all the awards here you know that…But he is a Chiefs player, we will just monitor the space, if there is a possibility of Chiefs selling (I don’t think Chiefs want to) also does he want to come back. He’s a great player, if he’s available then okay,” Mosimane said on SAFM, according to the Citizen news website.
Meanwhile, reports in South Africa are suggesting that Sundowns and Chiefs are already in talks for Billiat to move back to the Brazilians owing to his unhappiness at Amakhosi after playing one season for them.
Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said guns and live ammunition should never again be used on innocent civilians.
Chamisa paid tribute to civilians who were shot dead during the August 1, 2018 protests in Harare.
See Chamisa’ s full statement:
1 August 2018: NEVER AGAIN!
Today marks yet another very important day in the recent history of the Zimbabwean people’s struggle against dictatorship, oppression, tyranny and theft of elections.
This day we remember fellow citizens who lost their lives at the hands of the State on 1/8/2018. They had names & families behind them:
Silvia Maphosa 53 years
Ishmael Kumire 43 years
Gavin Dean Charles 45 years
James Chikandira 21 years
Brian Zhuwao 26 years
Challenge Tauro 20 years
We can’t forget & we will never forget.
On this day in August 2018, we saw the brutal, merciless, senseless and heinous murder of unarmed and innocent civilians in the Harare central business district.
The event of 1 August 2018, in itself demonstrated to the whole world the crisis of governance that has defined the character and nature of the problem in Zimbabwe.
The violence witnessed in the Harare CBD brought untold suffering, not only to the families, relatives and friends of the deceased but to the nation as a whole.
It is indeed unpardonable that in the 21st century, those entrusted with the protection of the constitution and the people would conjure up schemes to maim and eliminate the same in order to protect their ill-gotten comforts and privileges, and satisfy their insatiable thirst for power.
After the departure of Mr Mugabe, nothing has changed in Zimbabwe. The old cannot renew. The past cannot be the future. The past cannot be renovated. In short, it is now clear for all to see that, concerning the style of leadership, those in the state have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing.
The August 1 fallen citizens were victims of a system which devours it’s own children. The brutality is fuelled by a longstanding culture of impunity.If the nation had punished perpetrators, there would be no incentive to commit violence in the name of power and politics .
But the Incumbent since 1980 always protects and rewards the callous perpetrators of violence.
It is common knowledge that the state reacted with excessive force in the circumstances of the demonstrations. Even the Motlanthe Commission, with all its limitations, found that the conduct of the State was “unjustified and disproportionate”. However, those responsible have not been held to account.
We must enforce measures to redress this grave injustice. What is disheartening is the plight of the victims who have received no reparation.Victims of orchestrated brutality must be compensated. Justice must be done.
Over and above this,we have witnessed an increase in abductions, harassment and intimidation of democracy activists, civil society and leaders of the opposition including members of parliament.
The attempted abduction on MDC youth leader, Obey Sithole by unknown men with unmarked vehicles, armed with AK47 guns is both a reminder and a confirmation that Zimbabwe, being unsafe for its citizens and visitors, is a country under extreme terrorism and severe violence.
The path to progress begins with honest acknowledgement of failings. The cost of power is responsibility. A genuine people’s government has a duty to protect, repudiated on August 1 & again 5 months later. That’s why it’s gross irresponsibility for ministers to threaten to unleash the military upon the people.
We believe in giving peace a chance. We must make peace happen in Zimbabwe.
On that score, we have offered a credible and sign posted dialogue to resolve the deep problems Zimbabwe is facing.
Today, as we remember those who lost their lives on 1 August, let us remember that peace is a collective responsibility and a universal duty. It is incumbent upon every citizen to play a part in building a great and stable Zimbabwe.
Never again should citizens be subjected to brutality at the hands of the state.
Never again should citizens be harassed for demonstrating.
Never again should there be loss of life on account of power, politics and political differences.
Never again should live ammunition and guns be used against civilians.
Never again should citizens live in fear of the state.
Never again should elections be rigged in Zimbabwe.
Never again should we hold elections in Zimbabwe without fundamental reforms.
Never again should we undermine the sanctity of the vote and the security of the voter and the vote.
Never again should Zimbabwe attract the eye of the whole world on account of human rights abuses and violations.
Never again should dictatorship prevail over democracy.
I commend fellow citizens for your love of peace and non-violence. Whatever we do in pursuit of our rights we hold steadfastly to the values of peace and non-violence. We are not enemies of the State. We cannot be enemies to something that derives its authority from us. We pray for the souls we lost.
Peace in Zimbabwe!
Today we build a better tomorrow!
Today marks yet another very important day in the recent history of the Zimbabwean people’s struggle against dictatorship, oppression, tyranny and theft of elections.
This day we remember fellow citizens who lost their lives at the hands of the State on 1/8/2018. They had names & families behind them:
Silvia Maphosa 53 years
Ishmael Kumire 43 years
Gavin Dean Charles 45 years
James Chikandira 21 years
Brian Zhuwao 26 years
Challenge Tauro 20 years
We can’t forget & we will never forget.
On this day in August 2018, we saw the brutal, merciless, senseless and heinous murder of unarmed and innocent civilians in the Harare central business district.
The event of 1 August 2018, in itself demonstrated to the whole world the crisis of governance that has defined the character and nature of the problem in Zimbabwe.
The violence witnessed in the Harare CBD brought untold suffering, not only to the families, relatives and friends of the deceased but to the nation as a whole.
It is indeed unpardonable that in the 21st century, those entrusted with the protection of the constitution and the people would conjure up schemes to maim and eliminate the same in order to protect their ill-gotten comforts and privileges, and satisfy their insatiable thirst for power.
After the departure of Mr Mugabe, nothing has changed in Zimbabwe. The old cannot renew. The past cannot be the future. The past cannot be renovated. In short, it is now clear for all to see that, concerning the style of leadership, those in the state have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing.
The August 1 fallen citizens were victims of a system which devours it’s own children. The brutality is fuelled by a longstanding culture of impunity.If the nation had punished perpetrators, there would be no incentive to commit violence in the name of power and politics .
But the Incumbent since 1980 always protects and rewards the callous perpetrators of violence.
It is common knowledge that the state reacted with excessive force in the circumstances of the demonstrations. Even the Motlanthe Commission, with all its limitations, found that the conduct of the State was “unjustified and disproportionate”. However, those responsible have not been held to account.
We must enforce measures to redress this grave injustice. What is disheartening is the plight of the victims who have received no reparation.Victims of orchestrated brutality must be compensated. Justice must be done.
Over and above this,we have witnessed an increase in abductions, harassment and intimidation of democracy activists, civil society and leaders of the opposition including members of parliament.
The attempted abduction on MDC youth leader, Obey Sithole by unknown men with unmarked vehicles, armed with AK47 guns is both a reminder and a confirmation that Zimbabwe, being unsafe for its citizens and visitors, is a country under extreme terrorism and severe violence.
The path to progress begins with honest acknowledgement of failings. The cost of power is responsibility. A genuine people’s government has a duty to protect, repudiated on August 1 & again 5 months later. That’s why it’s gross irresponsibility for ministers to threaten to unleash the military upon the people.
We believe in giving peace a chance. We must make peace happen in Zimbabwe.
On that score, we have offered a credible and sign posted dialogue to resolve the deep problems Zimbabwe is facing.
Today, as we remember those who lost their lives on 1 August, let us remember that peace is a collective responsibility and a universal duty. It is incumbent upon every citizen to play a part in building a great and stable Zimbabwe.
Never again should citizens be subjected to brutality at the hands of the state.
Never again should citizens be harassed for demonstrating.
Never again should there be loss of life on account of power, politics and political differences.
Never again should live ammunition and guns be used against civilians.
Never again should citizens live in fear of the state.
Never again should elections be rigged in Zimbabwe.
Never again should we hold elections in Zimbabwe without fundamental reforms.
Never again should we undermine the sanctity of the vote and the security of the voter and the vote.
Never again should Zimbabwe attract the eye of the whole world on account of human rights abuses and violations.
Never again should dictatorship prevail over democracy.
I commend fellow citizens for your love of peace and non-violence. Whatever we do in pursuit of our rights we hold steadfastly to the values of peace and non-violence. We are not enemies of the State. We cannot be enemies to something that derives its authority from us. We pray for the souls we lost.
Peace in Zimbabwe!
Today we build a better tomorrow!
Farai Dziva|Zimbabwe kicked off their 2019 Cosafa Women’s Championship with a convincing 4-1 victory against Group C opponents Angola on Wednesday.
The Mighty Warriors put on a dominant performance in the encounter with striker Rudo Neshamba netting a hattrick on her return to international football after a long lay-off due to a knee injury.
Zimbabwe opened the scoring in the 34th minute through midfielder Emmaculate Msipa before Neshamba extended the lead twice inside the last ten minutes of the half.
Angola also scored before the break courtesy of Cristina Makua’s added-time effort to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
Neshamba sealed her hattrick on the hour as the Mighty Warriors sailed to victory in the tournament’s opener.
Zimbabwe are now set to face Mozambique on Friday in their second match of Group C.
"Politicians do not interfere with us. We want to do our job independently. Stop being corrupt" says Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission Chairperson Justice Matanda-Moyo. Whatch and listen ?? pic.twitter.com/BVWlKvQsND
Farai Dziva|The MDC youth wing has castigated the attempted abduction of its leader Obey Sithole by suspected state security agents.
See below a statement on on the attempted abduction:
The MDC Youth Assembly is deeply concerned and riled by the fascist antics of state security agents on innocent youth leadership.
It is very shocking and saddening that the state repressive machinery stooped so low by attempting to abduct our Youth Assembly National Chairman for airing public grievances at a television program.
We want to make it categorically clear that that the behavior or misbehavior of state security agents is quite provocative!
Our grievances and concerns about the dwindling economic and political situation are genuine and mirrors the people’s nervous conditions hence can never be solved through abductions, bayonets or bullets.
As an Assembly, we only answer to the voice of reason and that voice is loudly clear that we have to stand for the people.
From every corner and space our people are groaning under the yoke of dictatorship and economic melt down.
Prices are soaring up everyday, there is no electricity, no political freedom and starvation is rampant!
No one from the military regime seems to care, but as young progressive social democrats we do have a future to protect.
It is our generational mandate and duty to serve and save our country from ZANU PF induced extinction.
Statements of Oppah Muchinguri and Victor Matemadanda about the intention to use military force to solve economics are now glaringly unmasking and as an Assembly we are prepared to pay the ultimate price to save our country from extinction.
As an Assembly, we want to make it clear that this military state is poking into our eyes and like normal and concise youths our duty is to retaliate in fashion that will save our country from further economic and political deterioration.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
Farai Dziva|MDC councillor Gilbert Mutubuki was arrested for allegedly inciting Chiredzi residents to protest against multiple farm owners.
In a statement released yesterday an MDC official said : The arrest of Councillor Gilbert Mutubuki for executing his lawful duties as a local government official must be condemned by all right thinking Zimbabweans.
They steal billions, kill citizens, grab land -yet they have the audacity to arrest Councillor Mutubuki for demanding that they must stop stealing land from the people.
The fight for land is a generational struggle which all youths are urged to join.
Farai Dziva|Jealousy Mawarire has castigated Lands Minister Perence Shiri for describing MDC MPs as “monkeys.”
There was chaos in Parliament yesterday following Shiri’s remarks.
Commenting on Shiri’s remarks, Mawarire said :
“Characters like Perence Shiri should never have been made ministers.
They need proper rehabilitation from a sordid past before anyone puts them near public office. For the avoidance of sounding exactly like him, I will not ask who is closer to a monkey, the accuser or his targets?”
By A Correspondent| Grace Ablaze International Ministries Founder, Bishop Ancelimo Magaya has castigated the country’s leadership over human rights abuses and resorting to violence to stifle citizens from expressing themselves.
He said this at a church prayer meeting where victims of the August 1 murders are being remembered in Highfields Harare.
He said:
“…unfortunately our liberators are our new oppressors.”
By Own Correspondent| Citizens here have blasted President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s indifference over the murders committed against civilians by soldiers arguing that the murderers continue enjoying impunity and are still on the government payroll despite their crimes.
Six people died on August I when soldiers opened fire at unarmed civilians in the capital Harare following protests over the Presidential election results.
Mnangagwa was later declared by the ZEC the winner, results of which were challenged by opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.
The matter spilled to the Constitutional Court where Justice Luke Malaga ruled that Mnangagwa had won, but to date, the court has failed to furnish the nation with the full ruling.
We publish below citizens’ messages as they remember August 1.
What were their names?
Silvia Maphosa 53 Ishmael Kumire 41 Gavin Dean Charles 45 Jealous Chikandira 21 Brian Zhuwao 26 Challenge Tauro 20
All 6 were shot dead by the military, 4 were shot from the back. No perpetrator has been held to account #Remembering1Aug2018#Justice4Aug1
By A Correspondent- A married Mazowe High School teacher has been sentenced to an effective 12 years in prison for raping a mentally-challenged woman.
Terance Makombe (36) of Mazowe High School Cottages had denied the rape charges, but Bindura regional magistrate, Mrs Sandra Mupindu found him guilty of two counts of rape and slapped him with a 15-year jail term before she suspended three years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence in five years.
In sentencing him, Mrs Mupindu noted that Makombe was the complainant’s neighbour and as a teacher, he knew that girls had to be protected and as such his behaviour warranted a custodial sentence.
Prosecutor Mrs Gossy Mudimbu told the court that sometime in December 2018 at Mazowe High School Cottages, Makombe took advantage that the complainant was alone at her parents’ home and invited her to his office
She said Makombe proposed love to the complainant when she entered his office, but she turned him down.
The court heard that Makombe went on to play pornographic videos on his computer to seduce her.
“Makombe demanded to be intimate with her, but she refused,” said Mrs Mudimbu.
“He locked the door before raping her once. He threatened to assault her with a belt if she divulged the matter to anyone.
“During the same month of December 2018 in the morning, Makombe approached the complainant who was at her parents’ home after noticing that she was alone.
“He knocked on the bathroom door while she was bathing and told her to report to his office after, but she refused.
‘‘He later entered her bedroom while she was naked and pushed her on the bed before raping her.”
Mrs Mudimbu said Makombe raped the complainant on three other different occasions between December 2018 and January 8 2019.
She said the matter came to light when the complainant went to Marondera and told her house parent, Ms Chido Makoni at Kukura Neshungu Institute, that she had been sexually abused by Makombe.
A report was made to the police, leading to Makombe’s arrest.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe and Tanzania yesterday signed five Memoranda of Understanding to strengthen their diplomatic and economic ties at the end of the three-day Eighth Session of the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation meeting held in Harare.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo and Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Palamagamba Kabudi signed three MoUs on diplomatic and political consultation, cooperation on economic, industry and trade relations and tourism development.
The other two on promotion of small and medium enterprises development and cooperation towards the promotion and empowerment of women, gender equality and community development were signed between Minister Kabudi and Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni.
In his remarks Minister Moyo commended the two countries for convening the Eighth Session of the JPCC that had been dormant for 21 years.
“I want to complement our conveners for working tirelessly to make the Eighth Session of the Zimbabwe-Tanzania JPCC a success. It has been a very productive session which has been long overdue hopefully it will kick start the convening of regular sessions of the JPCC,” Minister Moyo said.
He urged the officials to work towards completing other MoUs.
“We note that there are a number of agreements and outstanding MoUs that await finalisation. I would like to urge the concerned ministries from both sides to expeditiously negotiate these important agreements as they provide the requisite legal basis for our cooperation,” he said.
“As we move towards the implementation of these agreements, I am convinced of the need to convene a mid-term review by our senior officials to set our monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. We don’t want to be told in the next JPCC that such agreement has not been signed or one is still being considered.”
Minister Moyo also emphasised the importance of economic relations between two countries.
“Our economic sphere is the most important sphere of our relations. It is what is tangible to our people so that they understand that there is Zimbabwe and there is Tanzania on the other side in which I am providing and facilitating investment, trade and tourism,” Minister Moyo said.
In his remarks after the signing ceremony Minister Kabudi said the MoUs would form the basis of the two countries’ cooperation.
“The MoUs we have signed today are now the framework of cooperation in the agreed areas between our two countries. The successful implementation of the areas of cooperation will definitely contribute to the socio-economic development of our two countries. It is therefore important to commit ourselves to the implementation of these areas,” Minister Kabudi.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- Former Principal Director State Residences in the Office of the President and Cabinet Douglas Tapfuma allegedly abused his office to facilitate the importation without duty of up to 82 vehicles, a court heard yesterday.
Tapfuma (53), who was arrested this week as part of the ongoing anti-corruption blitz by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), yesterday faced three counts of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer involving seven vehicles when he appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya, but in opposing bail, the State said he was being investigated for importing 76 more vehicles using the same method.
He was remanded in custody to August 15.
Tapfuma — who was represented by a legal team led by Harare lawyer Vincent Matatu — failed to persuade the courts to grant him bail.
In its application, Tapfuma’s legal team argued that there was no evidence that their client benefited from the seven vehicles and that he used them for personal gain.
The team also argued that its client was of fixed abode, a senior Government official and there was neither evidence nor proof that he will interfere with the investigations.
In opposing bail, the State represented by Mr Charles Muchemwa argued that Tapfuma was a flight risk due to the nature of the offence he was facing.
He said Tapfuma was also being investigated on another issue where he used the same modus operandus where he connived with other accomplices and illegally imported 76 double cab Isuzu vehicles.
In his bail ruling, Magistrate Mujaya said Tapfuma was not a proper candidate for bail.
“Due to the predicament he (Tapfuma) found himself in, as a senior Government official makes him a flight risk, there is a likelihood that he will abscond,” he said.
Allegations around the matter arose when Tapfuma purchased his two personal mini buses from South Africa under the guise of the Government on April 10 2018, chassis numbers KDH225-0001125 and KDH 225-0002048, respectively.
On April 17 2018 Tapfuma allegedly assigned Bonani Ganyane an officer working in the transport section of the department of State Residences to proceed to Beitbridge and facilitate clearance of the two vehicles on behalf of the department using report order forms as if they were Government vehicles.
It is the State case that clearance of goods by report order form is a clearance procedure that is normally used by Government departments to apply for deferred clearance of goods from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
Ganyane allegedly proceeded to Beitbridge and provisionally cleared the vehicles using report order forms. After clearing the alleged vehicles Ganyane advised Tapfuma who instructed him to hand over the vehicles to Vongaishe Mupereri who at that time was House of Assembly Member for Mbizo Constituency.
The court heard that on April 20 2018 Tapfuma made an application to the Chief Secretary in the office of the President and Cabinet requesting for duty free certificates in the name of President’s Department and they were issued.
Tapfuma allegedly applied for duty exemption for the vehicles at Zimra which was granted. He then registered the vehicles at Central Vehicles Registry under the name of the President’s Department and started using the vehicles for his personal use.
The alleged vehicles were liable to a duty of US$3 180.
The court heard that on count two Tapfuma purchased another batch of three personal vehicles on June 2018 from South Africa.
It is alleged that sometime that same month Tapfuma assigned Cousin Gwanyanya who was acting Transport Manager in the Department of State Residences to clear the vehicles at Zimra, Beitbridge.
Tapfuma allegedly gave Gwanyanya written requests on official Department of State Residences letterhead addressed to ZIMRA regional manager authorising him to clear Tapfuma’s personal vehicles while under the name of the Department of State Residences.
The court heard that Gwanyanya provisionally cleared the vehicles in Beitbridge and delivered them to Tapfuma at State House. It is alleged that Tapfuma made an application to the Chief Secretary in the office of the President and Cabinet requesting for duty free certificates purporting that the vehicles belonged to Government.
The duty free certificates were allegedly issued and Tapfuma applied for duty exemption for the three vehicles at Zimra which was granted.
He went on to register them at Central Vehicle Registry under the name of the President’s department and started using them for personal use.
The vehicles were supposed to pay duty of US$4 340.
On the third count, which occurred on August 13 2018 Tapfuma allegedly purchased a batch of two personal vehicles from South Africa.
The court heard Tapfuma used the above modus operandi to acquire the vehicles and was supposed to pay US$4 416 as duty.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, has applied for a tariff increase to cushion it from rising costs of raw materials such as coal, diesel and water.
In a statement, ZETDC said it had filed its application with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera).
It is understood ZETDC wants about USc13/kWh.
“The current tariff of ZWLc9,86/kWh has been severely eroded due to the prevailing economic environment. As of July 2019, the real tariff was approximately USc1/kWh against an average of USc10/kWh in the SADC region,” said ZETDC.
“The utility has been negatively affected by local inflation to the extent that its viability has been compromised.”
ZETDC says electricity production has been impacted by low water levels in Lake Kariba, which has restricted power production to an average capacity of 358MW against the previous average of 750MW.
The company said coal prices have gone up to US$26 per tonne or $230,20 in local currency, diesel US$1,26 per litre or $7,22 and Kariba water US$1,2 million or $10,56 million per month.
Said ZETDC: “The tariff applied for will enable ZETDC to raise the required working capital for the improvement of among other things, local electricity generation, procurement of critical spares as well as electricity imports.”-StateMedia
By A Correspondent| Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa will today join the church in remembering August 1 victims at a prayer meeting in Highfields, Harare.
Today marks exactly one year after soldiers ruthlessly murdered innocent civilians in the capital Harare following protests over the announcement of Presidential election results.
Six people died in the capital Harare after soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians killing 6 while injuring several others.
Said the MDC in a notice to the press:
The church has invited the MDC leadership to a prayer day tomorrow Thursday, 01 August 2019, at Zimbabwe Hall opposite Mushandirapamwe Hotel in Highfield, Harare.
The prayer day comes on the first anniversary of the shooting of innocent Zimbabweans in Harare on August 1 last year. Tomorrow’s prayer meeting also coincides with what President Nelson Chamisa has declared the week of prayer to pray for the country and its citizens.
President Chamisa and other MDC leaders will thus attend the prayer meeting in Highfield, which kicks off in the morning
The MDC Youth Assembly is deeply concerned and riled by the fascist antics of state security agents on innocent youth leadership.
It is very shocking and saddening that the state repressive machinery stooped so low by attempting to abduct our Youth Assembly National Chairman for airing public grievances at a television program.
We want to make it categorically clear that that the behavior or misbehavior of state security agents is quite provocative!
Our grievances and concerns about the dwindling economic and political situation are genuine and mirrors the people’s nervous conditions hence can never be solved through abductions, bayonets or bullets.
As an Assembly, we only answer to the voice of reason and that voice is loudly clear that we have to stand for the people.
From every corner and space our people are groaning under the yoke of dictatorship and economic melt down.
Prices are soaring up everyday, there is no electricity, no political freedom and starvation is rampant!
No one from the military regime seems to care, but as young progressive social democrats we do have a future to protect.
It is our generational mandate and duty to serve and save our country from ZANU PF induced extinction.
Statements of Oppah Muchinguri and Victor Matemadanda about the intention to use military force to solve economics are now glaringly unmasking and as an Assembly we are prepared to pay the ultimate price to save our country from extinction.
As an Assembly, we want to make it clear that this military state is poking into our eyes and like normal and concise youths our duty is to retaliate in fashion that will save our country from further political economic and political deterioration.
Violence has no place in a democracy. Today, we remember the victims of August 1, 2018. We stand with Zimbabweans working toward a peaceful, equitable and prosperous nation for all. #August1#RejectImpunitypic.twitter.com/eZboyFVNM5
The transformation over the past year of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), which is part of President Mnangagwa’s reform agenda, is burying the ghost of post-election violence that rocked the country exactly a year ago.
Deadly violence flared last year as opposition MDC-Alliance supporters unleashed mayhem in Harare before the announcement of Presidential election results, with the outcome of other harmonised polls indicating a trouncing of the main opposition and its candidate Mr Nelson Chamisa.
In a move calculated to besmirch the outcome that had won praise from the international community for its peaceful conduct, violent goons launched onto the streets destroying property, with a stated aim of burning the Election Command Centre run by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) at a Harare hotel.
In the resultant mayhem, six people lost their lives after deadly force was used to quell the violence.
President Mnangagwa appointed the seven-member Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry to look into the incident, with the commission submitting its report containing recommendations to the President late last year.
And ZRP, heavily cited in the report for its handling of the situation at a time when its resources were stretched, has been undergoing major transformation as it adopts a new structure and rebrands to win back public confidence.
The organisation is set to be called the Zimbabwe Republic Police Service.
“The ZRP has been undergoing retraining and capacitation in order to ensure that civil authority is better able to manage any instance of public disorder or unrest which may occur in the future; and so that recourse to the military will be avoided,” Government said this week.
“Part of that retraining has focused on human rights-related aspects of policing and law-enforcement more generally, and has been well-received and appreciated by all those involved.”
“In line with the Motlanthe Commission recommendations, the new Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA) is very clear in articulating the operational framework governing instances in which the military may be deployed in support of an overwhelmed civil authority (the Police) and requires that in any such instance, the military will be placed under the control of that Civil Authority. The soldiers, in any such future instance, will operate under the command structure of the police.”
In an interview Wednesday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they will soon issue a detailed report on what the organisation has so far done.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police will give a detailed departmental brief through the parent ministry on the ongoing Zimbabwe Republic Police rebranding thrust, re-engagement with the public, training and equipping of officers with the relevant tools of trade soon,” he said.
In April this year, Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga in a speech during the opening of the rebranding and refresher courses for 55 senior police officers from Bulawayo province at the police’s Ntabazinduna Depot in Matabeleland North, said they were now implementing the commission’s recommendations on the conduct of the police.
He said violent scenes that were witnessed in August last year and January this year exposed some police shortcomings.
He said criticism and feedback from the public will propel ZRP into offering a world class service.
Comm-Gen Matanga said the force, just like most modern police organisations derives its legitimacy from the people, hence it is committed to continuously learn under public scrutiny.
Comm-Gen Matanga said the Commission’s recommendations include equipping the police with the necessary skills and capacity for dealing with rioters, further training in order to be professional and nonpartisan in the interest of national cohesion, the protection of all citizens as well as preventing corporal failings in the future.
“We are obligated to take heed of matters that are of concern to the public. Indeed our code of conduct, the Police Client Service Charter and all our policies underscore the importance of professionalism in all police endeavours,” he said.
Comm Gen Matanga said ongoing refresher courses will transform the force into a people oriented force.
He said the courses cover crime management, management of discipline, corruption, customer care, briefing and debriefing, public order management, cyber-crime and intellectual crime, community policing, retirement planning, integrated results based management and the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, among others.
He also said the ZRP is in the process of rebranding into a modern police force that fits within the country’s developmental goals of transforming the country into an upper middle income economy by 2030.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) also approved a new Zimbabwe Republic Police structure that abolished the rank of senior assistant commissioner and replaces it with that of Commissioner of Police as the force continue to undergo major transformation.-StateMedia
South-Africa Caster Semenya celebrates after winning the women’s 800m of the African Athletics Championships at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State in midwestern Nigeria, on August 5, 2018.
In perhaps the most disappointing news of the week, even more disappointing than Zodwa and Ntobeko’s breakup.
It has been officially reported that Caster Semenya will not be allowed to compete in women’s events at the upcoming Athletics World Championships in Doha.
This invariably means that she will not be able to defend her world title at the same event (due to the IAAF’s pending rule) which will see her banned from competing in women’s events unless she takes drugs to suppress the levels of testosterone in her body.
The law was actually passed earlier this year, but after Caster took the IAAF to the Court of Arbitration for Court, the international sporting body lifted her ban until the rules could be clarified. While that course has not reached its conclusion, this week’s biggest update came when the suspension on Caster’s ban was lifted and the Olympic-Gold-winning athlete was once again barred from competing.
Caster’s PR team released a statement which read:
“Yesterday a single judge of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court reversed prior rulings that had temporarily suspended the IAAF regulations pending the outcome of Caster’s appeal against the CAS award‚”
Caster expressed her disappointment at the ruling but revealed that she will still be fighting to see justice served when she said:
“I am very disappointed to be kept from defending my hard-earned title‚ but this will not deter me from continuing my fight for the human rights of all the female athletes concerned‚”
While the IAAF maintains that they are trying to make athletics a fairer sport, the truth appears to lie closer to them wanting women to look, act and perform within certain boundaries. The sporting body has a history of making life difficult for women who did not fit the “norm” for “what a woman should look like” and Caster appears to be the latest victim.
One can only hope that like some of her predecessors, Caster will stand up and overcome their discrimination.
SHE’S known as a rule-breaker, a hustler, a woman who doesn’t care about norms and taboos. So it’s no surprise she’s turning tradition on its head once again and doing things her way when it comes to the man she loves.
Now put all that aside because things always change. Local entertainer Zodwa Wabantu is determined to get at least half of her lobola money back since calling off her wedding.
Zodwa Wabantu (35) has never been shy and when she made up her mind that it would be happily ever after with her much-younger sweetheart-then, Ntobeko Linda (24), she took matters into her own hands. The short-lived big moment happened at Eyadini Lounge in Durban, the place where she first rose to fame.
She knelt down and asked her Ben 10 man if he would marry her. Gladly, he obliged. However, when the time came to wed, Ntobeko developed cold feet and refused to tie the knot. This was after the panty-less dancer and Vosho Queen had already paid R80,000 lobola for her lover.
Now the entertainer is demanding her lobola back as things have gone haywire. Speaking to Drum after saying she needs to discuss a way forward with her ex-fiancé, Zodwa has clearly made up her mind – the wedding is officially over and there’s no going back this time.
“The wedding is officially off,” she said. “It’s not about me taking a break, the wedding is off.”
The wedding preparations were all set for the alter, from the lobola negotiations to the wedding dress, but, the 33-year-old won’t let her hard work go to waste.
Zodwa revealed that Ntobeko’s family would have to give her hack at least half the lobola money.
“We will have to split the lobola money in half. It’s only fair” she said.
The reality TV star isn’t prepared to let her wedding gown go either.
“I’m planning to wear it [the wedding dress] on the last episode of Zodwa Wabantu: Uncensored,” she revealed.
Zodwa’s love for her work may have been one of the reasons she decided to call off the wedding indefinitely, but had she had the power to turn back the hands of time, Zodwa says she wishes she and Ntobeko didn’t do things just for fame.
“When you do things for people, you end up not doing them the right way. Ntobeko is still young, I won’t satisfy him when he decides to have babies,” she said, adding: “I’m too old to get pregnant.”
The MDC will cooperate with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) in the event of a party official being arrested and investigated by the anti-graft body.
This follows the recent appointment of new ZACC officials and the almost immediate arrest of Public Service Minister Prisca Mupfumira and State Residents director Douglas Tapfuma on different cases of alleged corruption.
Social media has linked former Finance Minister and top MDC official Tendai Biti to the siphoning of National Social Security Authority (NSSA) funds during his time as Treasury boss in the now defunct Government of National Unity (GNU.
Addressing the media at the MDC headquarters in Harare on Wednesday, party spokesperson Daniel Molekele said although allegations against Biti have been restricted to social media chat, they accepted MDC top officials were not immune to the arrests.
He said the main opposition will comply with due process of the law in the event of any arrests by ZACC.
“These threats about some of our leaders being corrupt is just a public speculation and we are not under any compulsion to respond to such mere public speculation.
“But if ever there is an arrest, we are not saying that MDC leaders are immune to arrests. If due process of the law is followed, obviously we will respect that.
“But as far we are concerned, our top leaders are not corrupt people. As far we are concerned, we have credible leaders who are going to help Zimbabwe move forward…” Molekele said.
Molokele however questioned the sincerity of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s renewed anti-corruption drive saying the country’s most powerful man has proven he was not serious about fighting graft.
“A lot of people who were presumed to have externalised foreign currency never responded to the amnesty but up to today no one has been brought to book. “So, Zanu PF has no moral capacity to fight corruption because it is the source of corruption.”
A white commercial farmer being evicted from a farm by ZANU PF supporters
The Zimbabwean government has said it will continue to engage the British government on the compensation of the land, which was repossessed during the Fast Track Land Reform program in 2000.
During his three-day state visit to Namibia, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had no regrets in repossessing its land and distributing it to its people and said the British had a role to play in compensating their kith and kin as was agreed at independence during the Margaret Thatcher era.
“We as Zimbabweans don’t regret the decision to take back our land. We did not take back the land in order to be productive. We took it back because it was ours. What we do with it is nobody’s business. It is up to our people to determine that and fortunately we want to make it productive and hence we will do that,” said Mnangagwa.
Addressing journalists in Namibia, Mnangagwa said he was happy with the new British Administration led by Prime Minister Borris Johnson. The President indicated that the British were willing to engage Zimbabwe on the issue of compensation.
“Fortunately the current United Kingdom government is willing to discuss the issue in order for them to contribute towards compensating their own kith and kin,” said Mnangagwa.
Zimbabwe is expecting to repair relations with the new administration of Prime Minister Johnson. The land issue is a contentious subject, which has led the West in imposing sanctions on the country.
Asked to the clarify on the compensation, Mnangagwa said it is the role of the British to compensate their own, whilst the government of Zimbabwe, will only compensate development and improvements that were done on the farms.
“Zimbabwe has not agreed to pay compensation on land. Get that clear. What we agreed in our Constitution is to pay compensation for improvements on land by those who had acquired our land. Initially, there was an agreement with the British to compensate their kith and kin,” he said.
The revelation by the President settles a debate on the subject of land compensation. The majority of Zimbabweans, feel the whites who were dispossessed from the land must not be paid, as the issue of land is the reason Zimbabweans went to war against the white minority rule, which had acquired large portions of land at the expense of the natives.
Rugby fans in Zimbabwe have been marking the 70th anniversary of Rhodesia’s 10-8 win over the All Blacks in Bulawayo in 1949.
Three days later, on July 30, the teams drew 3-3 in Salisbury. Rhodesia was re-named Zimbabwe after gaining independence from Britain in 1980, while the capital’s name was changed from Salisbury to Harare.
The jury is out on whether the games should be regarded as internationals, given Rhodesia were competing in South African provincial competition at the time and providing players to the Springboks. Indeed, two stars of the home-team’s victory, ‘Salty’ du Rand and Ryk van Schoor, would also represent South Africa in the Test series against the All Blacks.
On the surface, Rhodesia’s victory would appear to be one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport, and with the draw in their second meeting the hosts might even claim a “series victory.” But the team which competed in South African provincial competition was a very different proposition to the current Zimbabwe Sables national team, who are ranked 36th in the world.
Besides, it is doubtful the NZRFU would recognise the games as official Tests, given they did not even award caps against Argentina as recently as the 1970s. New Zealand sent the second-stringers north to take on the Rhodesians while the rest of the squad were preparing for the Test matches with South Africa.
The Springboks would win that series 4-0, prop Okey Geffin doing the damage with his boot as the All Blacks outscored their hosts four tries to three. Geffin was said to have perfected his goal-kicking skills while a POW during WWII.
Meanwhile, the free-running Rhodesians took a 10-0 lead against Fred Allen’s tourists in Bulawayo, winger JA Brink and flanker Claude James getting across for tries. New Zealand struck back through winger Eric Boggs and halfback WJM Conrad, but a missed conversion proved the difference.
Regardless of the status of this match, 1949 was certainly an “annus horribilis” for New Zealand rugby. While the South African tour was still in progress, an entirely different All Blacks team was beaten 2-0 at home by Australia.
In fact, they lost two Tests on the same day – the first against the Wallabies in Wellington, and the third against the Springboks in Durban.
Fast forward seven decades, and as New Zealand and South Africa were battling to a 16-all draw in Wellington on Saturday, Zimbabwe played Uganda in Victoria Cup competition in Kampala, winning 31-26. The tournament, revived this year after the collapse of the African championships, also involves Kenya and Zambia.
Those two teams were in action on Saturday, the former running out 43-23 winners after leading 20-13 at halftime. Zimbabwe and Kenya now have two wins apiece, while Uganda and Zambia have both suffered two defeats. The latter are considered rank outsiders, having played in the African second division last year, then lost the playoff for promotion with Algeria.
Incidentally, the venue for the weekend’s match with Kenya was Kitwe, scene of an All Blacks’ victory over a Rhodesian XV in 1960. It was New Zealand’s only match ever in Northern Rhodesia – today the nation of Zambia.
Elsewhere at the weekend, Ivory Coast defeated hosts Ghana 22-12 in the opening game of the West African Rugby (WAR) championships on Sunday. The 1995 World Cup qualifiers are heavy favourites to take out the inaugural Tri-Nations series, which also involves Nigeria.
That’s it for the international action, though in South Africa’s Currie Cup first division the Jaguares development team continued their unbeaten run with a 54-15 demolition of Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth.
Flyhalf Hugo Miotti contributed 17 points with a try and six conversions, while halfback Gonzalo Bertranou scored a brace. This was the fourth win in a row for the Argentinians, who led 26-10 at the break and now sit five points clear at the top of the table.
Across the border in Botswana, the national club final was played out on Sunday. Gaborone Hoggs beat cross-town rivals BDF Cheetahs 27-17 in the final.
Zimbabwe’s central bank on Wednesday sought to raise 30 million Zimbabwe dollars ($3.27 million) at its first public auction of treasury bills since 2012.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe said in Harare that it had invited bids for 91-day treasury bills worth 30 million Zimbabwe dollars, which would be allotted to successful bidders on Thursday.
Between 2013 and last year, the government held private auctions for banks and insurance firms and used a central bank overdraft facility to raise money.
Between 2013 and last year, the government held private auctions for banks and insurance firms and used a central bank overdraft facility to raise money.
It often breached its borrowing limit, pushing domestic debt to more than $9 billion.
Under a staff-monitored programme with the International Monetary Fund, Harare has promised to limit its reliance on the overdraft facility.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube told business leaders earlier this month that the government had not borrowed from the central bank this year.
Mr Ncube, who is set to present a midterm budget review on Wednesday, has pledged to lower the budget deficit to below five per cent of gross domestic product this year from 11.7 per cent in 2018.
State Media |South Africa is considering a proposal put forward to increase power exports to Zimbabwe after high-level talks between the two countries, a senior Government official has revealed.
Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi said prospects of the resumption of power imports from South Africa will be announced soon, while South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe is set to table Zimbabwe’s power request before his Government.
Minister Chasi was recently in South Africa to finalise an electricity import deal with Eskom as Government moves to reduce power shortages.
His trip to South Africa follows fruitful discussions between President Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa. Critically, the discussions come after Government paid US$10 million as part-payment of a US$33 million debt to South African power utility Eskom.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the second batch of Zupco buses in Harare yesterday, Minister Chasi said he had fruitful deliberations with his South African counterpart, Minister Mantashe.
“In my discussion with Minister Mantashe, I underlined the importance that Zimbabwe places on the need for us to work out the debt that exists between us and also the need for us to be able to access power.
“I can confirm that initially we had our technical team who went to meet Eskom of South Africa. These are senior people from Zesa and also from the Ministry of Finance and my ministry and they did a lot of work.
“We discussed the issue of the debt that exists between us and also the dire situation of power in this country.”
Michael Job the man who appeared in Kenya as Jesus Christ
With Christians awaiting the return of Jesus Christ for a long time, some Kenyans thought a white Jesus had landed in Kiseria.
Michael Job set tongues wagging after pictures and videos showed him dressed as Jesus Christ, waving to people out of a car’s sunroof.
The event started with the pastor announcing that he had invited the white, long-haired man to his church, and minutes later “White Jesus Christ” appeared – complete with long blond hair and wearing a robe, adding further fuel to the speculation. The congregants were cheering him on, danced and celebrated on the streets and, of course, what some thought was the “Son of God” joined in.
According to his social media profiles, Job is an actor, evangelist, and president at Jesus Loves You Evangelistic Ministries.
Job claims to have studied music and vocal Performance at a college in New York, to be a former associate pastor at Christ Embassy International and to be from Clarence.
Writing on his Facebook page, Job said; “Tonight’s last night of the Kiserian crusade was awesome! God’s Spirit came upon all of us. People surrendered their lives to Jesus, many people were healed, and God’s Spirit came upon us powerfully in worship…”
Although he’s is accused of claiming to be Jesus when he held his crusade, which triggered off an avalanche of reactions on social media, it appears that the evangelist has been preaching dressed like Jesus as portrayed in movies for years. He also portrayed Jesus in a movie titled ‘Life of Jesus’.
What was clear from all the reactions across social media is that most if not everyone expected the real Jesus Christ to have better dance moves.
Mobile Phone tower batteries have a huge market in Zimbabwe due to power shortages.
An increasing number of thefts of batteries from cellphone towers in Gauteng has left some Soweto residents battling with network problems. According to mobile network provider MTN, there were 125 incidents of battery theft last week.
Interestingly, the theft of these batteries has increased as Zimbabwe’s electricity shortage worsens, with most residents throughout the country now going for 18 hours without power.
The national power utility, ZESA, says their hydro power station in Kariba, the world’s largest man-made dam, constructed by the Chinese contractors in the mid 1960s, is quickly running out of water and said to be now at 24% full. This is the troubled country’s main source of energy, followed by Hwange Thermal Power Station which is also not functioning at full capacity anymore.
For that reason, many Zimbabweans have resorted to solar energy as use of generators is no longer a good idea in the country due to a serious fuel shortage crisis.
Since April, MTN said, 733 batteries were stolen from its sites across South Africa. The worst-hit areas in Gauteng are Soweto, Tembisa, Vereeniging and Parktown, affecting most mobile networks.
Investigations by Celebgossip.co.za have revealed that these stolen batteries have a readily available market in Zimbabwe where each battery fetches nothing less than US$300 (R4,200) and in most cases at least US$400 (R5,600).
On Monday, a tow truck driver alerted police to a Hilux bakkie loaded with cellphone tower batteries. The van had been towed to Newcastle, KZN, after a crash. Its driver was arrested and batteries believed to have been stolen from towers were recovered.
Some Soweto residents who have been affected by the theft of batteries from towers spoke to Sowetan about their battles to find connection for their cellphones. Lerato Morei, 18, from Dobsonville said she spent most of the time walking around struggling to get reception for her phone. She said in order to stay connected, she spent extra hours at university because there was better connection than at home.
“I cannot do any school research using my phone at home because of the network problems. At times I have to come back very late, which puts my life at risk. The theft of these batteries is costing us a lot and I would like to urge community members not to keep quiet if they know who the perpetrators are,” Morei said.
Jabulani Mdlalose, 30, said his cellphone could only make emergency calls.
“I cannot call or get calls from my wife who is currently in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. I now use my phone to listen to music and when I want to make a call I have to walk to another section,” he said.
MTN general manager of network operations Ernest Paul said battery theft and related vandalism were costing millions of rands.
“There is a high cost to customers and network providers each time a battery is stolen. To replace batteries at 100 sites, for instance, would cost over R10m. MTN will provide a monetary reward mechanism for information that can help bring the criminals to book,” Paul said.
Paul advised potential buyers to be aware that major mobile operators in SA make use of one brand, Leoch lithium batteries, which are imported solely by average technologies which are not for sale to the general public.
Vodacom spokesperson Byron Kennedy said base stations of local network providers were increasingly being targeted for theft and vandalism. “What we are finding through our investigations is that organised syndicates are coming up with unique approaches to commit this crime.”
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, has applied for a tariff increase to cushion it from rising costs of raw materials such as coal, diesel and water.
In a statement, ZETDC said it had filed its application with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera).
It is understood ZETDC wants about USc13/kWh.
“The current tariff of ZWLc9,86/kWh has been severely eroded due to the prevailing economic environment. As of July 2019, the real tariff was approximately USc1/kWh against an average of USc10/kWh in the SADC region,” said ZETDC.
“The utility has been negatively affected by local inflation to the extent that its viability has been compromised.”
ZETDC says electricity production has been impacted by low water levels in Lake Kariba, which has restricted power production to an average capacity of 358MW against the previous average of 750MW.
The company said coal prices have gone up to US$26 per tonne or $230,20 in local currency, diesel US$1,26 per litre or $7,22 and Kariba water US$1,2 million or $10,56 million per month.
Said ZETDC: “The tariff applied for will enable ZETDC to raise the required working capital for the improvement of among other things, local electricity generation, procurement of critical spares as well as electricity imports.”
The Zimbabwean government has said it will continue to engage the British government on the compensation of the land, which was repossessed during the Fast Track Land Reform program in 2000.
During his three-day state visit to Namibia, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had no regrets in repossessing its land and distributing it to its people and said the British had a role to play in compensating their kith and kin as was agreed at independence during the Margaret Thatcher era.
“We as Zimbabweans don’t regret the decision to take back our land. We did not take back the land in order to be productive. We took it back because it was ours. What we do with it is nobody’s business. It is up to our people to determine that and fortunately we want to make it productive and hence we will do that,” said Mnangagwa.
Addressing journalists in Namibia, Mnangagwa said he was happy with the new British Administration led by Prime Minister Borris Johnson. The President indicated that the British were willing to engage Zimbabwe on the issue of compensation.
“Fortunately the current United Kingdom government is willing to discuss the issue in order for them to contribute towards compensating their own kith and kin,” said Mnangagwa.
Zimbabwe is expecting to repair relations with the new administration of Prime Minister Johnson. The land issue is a contentious subject, which has led the West in imposing sanctions on the country.
Asked to the clarify on the compensation, Mnangagwa said it is the role of the British to compensate their own, whilst the government of Zimbabwe, will only compensate development and improvements that were done on the farms.
“Zimbabwe has not agreed to pay compensation on land. Get that clear. What we agreed in our Constitution is to pay compensation for improvements on land by those who had acquired our land. Initially, there was an agreement with the British to compensate their kith and kin,” he said.
The revelation by the President settles a debate on the subject of land compensation. The majority of Zimbabweans, feel the whites who were dispossessed from the land must not be paid, as the issue of land is the reason Zimbabweans went to war against the white minority rule, which had acquired large portions of land at the expense of the natives.
Chivhayo threatens to unleash Van Damme style 'flying kick' on anyone who ask about the ZESA money he squandered without delivering the project. ZACC where are you when criminals are bragging like this.. pic.twitter.com/WT8SYGcV4A
State Media|Former Principal Director State Residences in the Office of The President and Cabinet, Douglas Tapfuma, allegedly abused his office to facilitate the importation of more than 80 vehicles without paying duty, a court heard yesterday.
Tapfuma (53) who was arrested this week as part of the ongoing anti-corruption blitz by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, yesterday faced three counts of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer involving seven vehicles when he appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya but in opposing bail, the State said he was being investigated for importing 76 more cars using the same method.
He was remanded in custody to August 15.
Tapfuma who was represented by a legal team led by Harare lawyer, Vincent Matatu, failed to persuade the courts to grant him bail.
In their application, Tapfuma’s legal team argued that there was no evidence that their client benefited from the seven vehicles and that he used them for personal gains.
They also argued that their client was of fixed abode, who is also a senior Government official and there was no evidence or proof that he will interfere with the investigations.
In opposing bail the state represented by Mr Charles Muchemwa argued that Tapfuma was a flight risk due to the nature of the offence he was facing.
He said Tapfuma was also being investigated on another issue whereby he allegedly used the same modus operandi but connived with other accomplices to illegally import 76 double cab Isuzu vehicles.
In his bail ruling, Magistrate Mujaya said Tapfuma was not a proper candidate for bail.
“Due to the predicament he (Tapfuma) finds himself in as a senior Government official, makes him a flight risk,” he said.
Allegations are that on April 10, 2018, Tapfuma allegedly imported two personal mini buses from South Africa under the guise that they belonged to the Government. The buses’ chassis numbers are KDH225-0001125 and KDH 225-0002048.
On April 17, 2018, Tapfuma allegedly assigned Bonani Ganyane, an officer working in the transport section of the department of State Residences to proceed to Beitbridge and facilitate clearance of the two vehicles on behalf of the department using report order forms as if they were Government vehicles.
It is the State case that clearance of goods by report order form is a clearance procedure that is normally used by Government departments to apply for deferred clearance of goods from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
Ganyane allegedly proceeded to Beitbridge and provisionally cleared the vehicles using report order forms. After clearing the alleged vehicles Ganyane advised Tapfuma who instructed him to hand over the vehicles to Vongaishe Mupereri who at that time was House of Assembly Member for Mbizo Constituency.
The court heard that on April 20, 2018, Tapfuma made an application to the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet requesting for duty free certificates in the name of President’s Department and they were issued.
Tapfuma allegedly applied for duty exemption for the vehicles at Zimra which was granted. He then registered the vehicles at Central Vehicles Registry under the name of the President’s Department and started using the vehicles for his personal use.
The alleged vehicles were liable to a duty of US$3 180.
The court heard that on count two Tapfuma imported another batch of three personal vehicles on June 2018 from South Africa.
It is alleged that during the same month Tapfuma assigned Cousin Gwanyanya who was acting Transport Manager in the Department of State Residences to clear the vehicles at Zimra, Beitbridge. Tapfuma allegedly gave Gwanyanya written requests on official Department of State Residences letterhead addressed to Zimra regional manager authorising him to clear Tapfuma’s personal vehicles while under the name of the Department of State Residences.
The court heard that Gwanyanya provisionally cleared the vehicles in Beitbridge and delivered them to Tapfuma at State House. It is alleged that Tapfuma made an application to the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet requesting for duty free certificates purporting that the vehicles belonged to Government.
The duty free certificates were allegedly issued and Tapfuma applied for duty exemption for the three vehicles at Zimra which was granted.
He went on to register them at Central Vehicle Registry under the name of the President’s Department and started using them for personal use. The vehicles were supposed to pay duty of US$4 340.
On the third count, which occurred on August 13 2018 Tapfuma allegedly imported a batch of two personal vehicles from South Africa.
The court heard Tapfuma used the above modus operandi to clear and register the vehicles and was supposed to pay US$4 416 as duty.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is considering a raft of measures gleaned from other electoral bodies on the continent to improve conduct of elections ahead of 2023 when the next election is due.
This also includes lobbying Parliament to amend the Constitution and allow for the delimitation exercise to be conducted ahead of schedule and extension of the women’s quota system.
Other measures include adoption of a code of conduct for political parties that provides for docking of votes after violation of its provisions and barring such offending parties from campaigning in certain areas or advertising in the media depending on the gravity of the offence.
Some of the measures are contained in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) which is in the process of being ratified.
It has gone through both houses of Parliament and is now with the Ministry Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
ZEC Commissioner Joyce Kazembe said the Commission was committed to facilitating conduct of democratic elections in line with ACDEG.
“We are together with civic society and other stakeholders in wishing that people exercise their democratic rights in a manner that is defined in the ACDEG,” she said.
“This ensures that we are on the same plane in Africa because we have different ways of expressing democracy, elections and so on, but the intention of the ACDEG is that Africa as a continent comes together and has sort of an agreement.”
Comm Kazembe said realisation of democratic ideals was being entrenched through engagements with the people, civic society, faith based organisations, political parties, Parliament and other commissions.
“Although the ACDEG is still in the process of ratification we have already started implementing some of its provisions because it is in our mandate,” she said.
“Part of it includes lobbying and asking Parliament to reform the laws because there is a disjuncture between what is in the Electoral Law and the Constitution. So they need to be aligned.”
ZEC legal services director Ms Shamiso Chahuruva said there was need for amendment of the Constitution to bring forward the delimitation exercise last conducted in 2012 and due in 2023 according to the 10-year cycle.
“From our various engagements with various stakeholders, there are a number of issues that have emerged which as ZEC we are considering and have included in a raft of proposals for amendment of the Constitution,” she said.
“In terms of the law, the delimitation exercise is supposed to be conducted in 2023 after the population census. We are trying to lobby Parliament through the Ministry of Justice to allow the commission to conduct the exercise earlier than 2023.”
Ms Chahuruva said reforms were also looking at postal voting.
“We are currently involved in researching how other jurisdictions deal with issues of diaspora voting,” she said. “We know for example that in Mozambique two seats are reserved for people in the diaspora.
“These are the issues we want to bring to the people so that they know that this is what is done in other countries so that we can come up with our own model as Zimbabwe.”
ZEC is also considering discarding the current “persuasive” code of conduct to one with sanctions for violations, including docking of votes for offences like the South African code.
“In our peer learning visits with various electoral management bodies we have learnt that there is regulation of their political parties and their electoral code of conduct empowers or sanctions non-conforming political parties,” said Ms Chahuruva.
“It has gone through all trials, and it has gone through all tests in South Africa, in Botswana, in India and other countries.” –
– Walter Magaya
Botswana Minister Of Health says it is not true
By Simba Chikanza| Speaking after four people died after taking his Aguma medication, the controversial preacher, Walter Magaya has returned to the fore to defend his HIV AIDS “treatment”, this time claiming it has undergone clinical tests in three nations, namely, South Africa, Botswana, and India.
The development comes 10 months after Magaya’s treatment was “banned” and the preacher was arrested, convicted and fined USD700.
Impeccable documents show that just as Magaya was raided by police over his so called “treatment,” Aguma on the 30th October 2018, within 10 days he had registered another brand and would continue selling Aguma under a second brand known as Aviivo.
Four people have since died after taking Aguma. The father of one the victims, tells his story in the feature release today, on 1st August.
“We are the first batch of clients, if I am not mistaken, we should be the 3rd customers; When it was first called Aguma, and we were buying on behalf of my son, whatever the case, we thought my son was going to be helped, until he developed a condition with the kidney infection, it was caused by those herbs. He died on the 4th April this year.
ZimEye reached Magaya’s lawyer for a comment early in July and none was given, despite messages reaching him.
The preacher however contacted ZimEye on Monday evening apparently hoping to use a well known politician so to possibly obtain media favours. Magaya told ZimEye he wishes to travel to the London, UK for a crusade meeting and before then, he wants to clear his name concerning many reports and allegations against his name.
Although he hung up the phone promising to phone back on Wednesday, Walter Magaya answered the crucial question concerning complaints about his Aguma medication.
His exact words were: “Apparently, everything is tested, everything is clinical and I’ve all the papers that are necessary to answer. Let me tell my team to contact Dr Wellness to address everything, as I have said, allow me to answer everything on Wednesday, and all the things, to clear the conceptions to the minds, to answer on all such things.
“Cause whatever is said to have been given to people, it has gone through all the clinical trials, but Aviivo is not me. I am not even Avivo at all, and I have the papers to prove that Aguma was discontinued, and it has gone through all trials, and it has gone through all tests in South Africa, in Botswana, in India and other countries.
“I am sure you have all those things. But anyway everything I will answer you [on Wednesday].”
Wednesday however came and Magaya did not call as per his promise. He later responded via text message to claim he is in Nigeria with his mentor TB Joshua.
Contrary to his claims, a brief visit at Magaya’s premises at 166 – 8 Smuts Road, Prospect proves the preacher is truly selling Aviivo. (SEE PICTURES)
Furthermore contrary to his claims, there is no record at all of clinical tests on Aguma, or Aviivo in Botswana, or South Africa, and on Tuesday the Botswana’s Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr Alfred Madigele told ZimEye via phone, “it is not true, I am not aware of any such.” He then requested for an email so he could forward an official response.
– THE FULL DOCUMENTARY ON THESE FINDINGS WILL BE STREAMED ON ZIMEYE.COM
The Zimbabwe Republic Police National Traffic section has reportedly run out of admission of guilt books, creating a challenge that has seen motorists being referred from one station to another to pay fines for traffic offences.
Motorists yesterday told The Herald that they were stranded with tickets issued by the police for traffic offences as they failed to pay fines due to unavailability of the books in question.
A number of them claimed they were issued with tickets at roadblocks before being referred to nearby police stations for payment.
Some police stations did not have the said books, creating a challenge for motorists. The Herald has it on good authority that only two police stations in Harare had these books yesterday, but at the end of the day, they were finished.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that they had received a report from one of the complainants. “We are conducting investigations or inquiries on what transpired,” he said.
“However, we have (since) put in place modalities to assist the complainant.”State media
Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube is today expected to present his 2019 Mid-Term Budget Review Statement, amid high expectations for measures to improve disposable incomes, boost production and protect the value of the local currency.
Little to no shock therapy interventions are anticipated from the minister’s Budget review, but measures to facilitate consolidation and the march towards prosperity, after he said recently that major reform measures had been completed.
The Treasury chief is on record as saying following a series of policy reforms since his US$8,2 billion 2019 Budget in November last year, focus shifts towards driving production.
However, a supplementary budget may well be up his sleeve after currency reforms that saw the adoption of a local currency, which has lost ground against major currencies.
The statement comes against the backdrop of foreign currency shortages, high inflation, rolling power outages, low industrial production and the shortage of cash, among other issues which the Budget must speak to.
Minister Ncube’s economic reform measures under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) designed to correct ills of the past, have inadvertently made life unbearable for the majority.
These include the separation of nostro and RTGS accounts, liberalisation of the foreign exchange market and fuel procurement, the introduction of 2 percent intermediated money transfer tax, removal of the multi-currency regime and return of the local unit as the sole legal tender.
In the intervening period, Zimbabwe’s annual inflation raced from 5,39 percent in September 2018 to 175,66 percent by June 2019, raising fears of a repeat of the crisis and hyperinflation that rocked the country in the decade to 2008.
Of late, inflation has largely been driven by steep premiums from foreign currency trading on the black market where a number of businesses bought hard currency to import goods; including raw materials used in production.
While the country’s inflation rate has bolted, salaries and wages for employees have remained largely stagnant, pushing most basic goods beyond the reach of the majority.
Similarly, the value of pensions has been eroded; the second time in a space of two decades.
Economist and former Bulawayo East Member of Parliament Eddie Cross said it was critical that Minister Ncube gave an account of how far he has gone with reforms under TSP.
“I think he will give some overall review of the reform programme. He must tell us how far he has gone with the reform programme under TSP (Transitional Stabilisation Plan 2018-2020).
“I think it’s very important if he gives us a summary of what he is going to do to restore the living standards of the people,” he said.
Critically too, he said the minister
should announce measures to increase workers’ disposable incomes (by adjusting Pay As You Earn bands) to cushion them from high inflation.
“There have been some challenges with regards to P.A.Y.E, he needs to adjust that. I think he is going to give people more disposable incomes (wider tax bands) and then I think he’s got some idea of where things are going; those are the three main priorities,” Mr Cross said.
Mr Cross added that in terms of fiscal consolidation, the minister had got “that well in hand” and he expected him to report that in his midterm review statement this afternoon.
“What will (also) be very interesting is to see if he’s got an idea on how to improve liquidity and I think he’s going to announce that they are going to buy back some of the Treasury Bills that they have got out there with the banks,” he said.
The finance minister, he suggested, might also announce something on import duties. “I know that he is going to make solar components duty free,” Mr Cross opined.
Harare economist, Dr Gift Mugano said major reform predictably over, tax breaks for companies that support value chain were critical to reduce appetite for imports.
“I think he is going to give tax breaks. The whole mantra should now be on production so that we support the (local) currency. Without production the currency is going to weaken, so we need to come up with a number of fiscal incentives to promote production,” he said.
Dr Mugano said the fiscal incentives should target items such as agricultural produce, cereals as well as manufactured produce, which can be produced locally, such as pharmaceuticals and fertilisers, as these were consuming a lot of forex.
Zimbabwe recently launched a new industrialisation policy, which has a value chain strategy in it. Dr Mugano said these value chains needed financing by companies.
“So, companies which are financing backward value chains throughout…should be given tax holidays,” he said, adding this will reduce pressure on foreign currency and upward swings of exchange rates.
He said Minister Ncube also needed to raise workers’ disposable incomes to give impetus to low income earners to “consume because right now we are in a low demand trap, which can cause recession”.
“I think what he also needs to reaffirm is the issue that there is not going to be any surprises because too many (economic policy reform) surprises are creating challenges of deficit of confidence,” he said.
Following the cocktail of shock policy changes, Dr Mugano said, Zimbabwe more than ever before now needed economic stability, policy predictability and consistency.
“So we are here, we have landed; we now have a currency. I do not think we need more surprises going forward. It’s a midterm budget review, so I don’t think there is much we should expect from him.
“From a fiscal point of view, he must not run into budget deficit beyond 5 percent, which he stipulated because once he does that he has to finance the deficit and that will require more Treasury Bills to go out there and it becomes inflationary,” he said. orrect ills of the past, has inadvertently made life a bit unbearable for the majority.
These include separation of nostro and RTGS accounts, liberalisation of foreign exchange market and fuel procurement, introduction of 2 percent intermediated money transfer tax, removal of multicurrency and return of local currency as sole legal tender.
In the intervening period Zimbabwe’s annual inflation raced from 5,39 percent in September 2018 to 175,66 percent by June 2019, invoking fears of a repeat of the crisis and hyperinflationary era that rocked the country in the in decade to 2008.
Of late, inflation has largely been driven by pass through effects of the steep premiums from foreign currency trading on the black market where a number of businesses bought hard currency to import goods; including raw materials used in production.
While the country’s inflation rate has bolted, salaries and wages for employees have remained largely stagnant, putting most basic goods beyond the reach of the majority.
Similarly, the value of pensions has been eroded; the second time in a space of two decades.
Economist and former Bulawayo East Member of Parliament Eddie Cross said it was critical that Minister Ncube gave an account of how far he has gone with reforms under TSP.
“I think he will give some overall review of the reform programme. He must tell us how far he has gone with the reform programme under TSP (Transitional Stabilisation Plan 2018-2020).
“I think it’s very important if he gives us a summary of what he is going to do to restore the living standards of the people,” he said.
Critically too, he said the minister should announce measures to increase workers’ disposable incomes (by adjusting Pay As You Earn bands) to cushion them from high inflation.
“There have been some challenges with regards to P.A.Y.E, he needs to adjust that. I think he is going to give people more disposable incomes (wider tax bands) and then I think he’s got some idea of where things are going; those are the three main priorities,” Mr Cross said.
Mr Cross added that in terms of fiscal consolidation, the minister had got “that well in hand” and he expected him to report that in his midterm review statement this afternoon.
“What will (also) be very interesting is to see if he’s got an idea on how to improve liquidity and I think he’s going to announce that they are going to buy back some of the Treasury Bills that they have got out there with the banks,” he said.
The finance minister, he suggested, might also announce something on import duties. “I know that he is going to make solar components duty free,” Mr Cross opined.
Harare economist, Dr Gift Mugano said major reform predictably over, tax breaks for companies that support value chain were critical to reduce appetite for imports.
“I think he is going to give tax breaks. The whole mantra should now be on production so that we support the (local) currency. Without production the currency is going to weaken, so we need to come up with a number of fiscal incentives to promote production,” he said.
Dr Mugano said the fiscal incentives should target items such as agricultural produce, cereals as well as manufactured produce, which can be produced locally, such as pharmaceuticals and fertilisers, as these were consuming a lot of forex.
Zimbabwe recently launched a new industrialisation policy, which has a value chain strategy in it. Dr Mugano said these value chains needed financing by companies.
“So, companies which are financing backward value chains throughout…should be given tax holidays,” he said, adding this will reduce pressure on foreign currency and upward swings of exchange rates.
He said Minister Ncube also needed to raise workers’ disposable incomes to give impetus to low income earners to “consume because right now we are in a low demand trap, which can cause recession”.
“I think what he also needs to reaffirm is the issue that there is not going to be any surprises because too many (economic policy reform) surprises are creating challenges of deficit of confidence,” he said.
Following the cocktail of shock policy changes, Dr Mugano said, Zimbabwe more than ever before now needed economic stability, policy predictability and consistency.
“So we are here, we have landed; we now have a currency. I do not think we need more surprises going forward. It’s a midterm budget review, so I don’t think there is much we should expect from him.
“From a fiscal point of view, he must not run into budget deficit beyond 5 percent, which he stipulated because once he does that he has to finance the deficit and that will require more Treasury Bills to go out there and it becomes inflationary,” he said.
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has started engagements with men’s representative organisations to hear their issues and also help overcome ills such as physical and verbal abuse, domestic violence, abuse of children, rape and forced marriages, among others, that have mostly affected women.
As health and child care ambassador, Amai Mnangagwa has also been advocating cancer screening for women and mother-to-child HIV and AIDS prevention, and has taken the same campaigns to educate men on prostate cancer, among other diseases.
Guests at the Men’s Conference in the capital yesterday welcomed the involvement of the First Lady, saying it was long overdue.
Minister of Health and Child Care Obadiah Moyo also applauded the initiative by the First Lady, which he said came at a time when the ministry was engaged in initiatives to enhance services in the public health delivery system.
Speaking at the meeting which she convened in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the First Lady said, “From my interaction with women, it came to my attention that men are a missing or left out population.
We are one nation made up of both men and women. As your mother, I must listen to your concerns as well and play whatever part I can to address the challenges you face. “I have come so that we discuss issues affecting you and find some solutions to lesson your challenges.
“It appears to me that most men have a challenge with a health seeking behaviour. Statistics indicate that fewer men than women make use of available HIV prevention and health services in general. All service areas indicate higher uptake by women and it appears to me that some men use their partners as proxies for their own health.
“With a positive health seeking behaviour, you should feel alright about openly seeking HIV testing.
“You can be a positive force for social and health revolution in your families and communities. As a nation we can sustain and increase our gains in HIV prevention, treatment and control of non-communicable diseases if all men commit to being agents of social change and health revolution.”
The First Lady urged men to utilise the range of HIV prevention services available and also get checked for prostate cancer.
“We are being assisted by other countries and partners to equip our hospitals with the President running around sourcing machines and medicines,” she said.State media
SOUTH AFRICA-based wordsmith, Maskiri, has dropped a new album titled, Come Back as he seeks to re-enter the local music scene after being quiet for some time.
The 10-track album features Nox in a song called Ndiregerere and tracks Pajoni, N’anga, Mukoma Joze, Ambuya, Mabhuru , Panotisa and Huya Tisangane .
Come Back is Maskiri’s sixth album after New Look which was released in 2011. His other albums include Muviri Wese (2003), Blue Movie (2005), Tapinda Tapinda (2007) and Ndo Taundi Yacho (2009).
Since 2011, he had been releasing singles. According to the artiste, this album, which will be availed on digital platforms iTunes, Spotify and YouTube, is meant to show people that he has studied the music game and is ready to regain his fame.
“I haven’t been active in the music scene for all these years as I’ve been studying the music industry. I now know what’s going on and how best to strike that’s why I’ve dropped this album,” said Maskiri.State media
THE Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) has dismissed social media reports indicating that vehicle licence fees will be increased with effect from today by more than 500 percent.
The reports, which started circulating on Tuesday, urged motorists to buy licence discs possibly for the whole year, claiming that Zinara would increase licence fees on August 1 by more than 500 percent.
Motorists are currently paying RTGS$20 for a vehicle licence per term.
Zinara spokesperson, Mr Augustine Moyo, yesterday told Chronicle that the reports were false and urged motorists not to panic. He said motorists would be advised in time about any impending changes to road user charges.
Mr Moyo said such information would follow normal Government channels and would not be relayed through social media. “It has come to the attention of Zinara that there are social media reports circulating regarding an imminent increase of vehicle licence fees by more than 500 percent.
“Zinara is a parastatal under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and as such any upward review in the vehicle licence tariffs will be formally communicated to Zinara by the parent Ministry,” said Mr Moyo.
He said Zinara revenue streams were statutory and therefore, could not be reviewed without being gazetted.State media
Farai Dziva
A Harare woman allegedly caught her co-tenant with her husband in the main bedroom.
Temptation Chitewe accused Christina Kudambo of being a prostitute.
According to H-Metro, Chitewe told the court that she was not comfortable with Kudambo’s efforts to seduce her husband by wearing risque outfits when he was around.
Kudambo told the court that she entered Chitewe’s bedroom looking for her shoe, which had been stolen by her son.
Magistrate Tafadzwa Miti granted the peace and protection order in favour of Chitewe.
The magistrate also ordered Kudambo not to walk around in a nightdress.
”We stay in the same house, and she is in the habit of walking around wearing exposing clothes when my husband is there.
”This last month I saw her coming from my bedroom clad in a nightdress and she said she was looking for her shoes.
” Her husband passed away six months ago and she is taking advantage of that to walk around semi-nude,” said Chitewe.
Farai Dziva|After rigging the 2018 polls, it is now crystal clear that Emmerson Mnangagwa is clueless about transforming the country’s economy, the MDC has said.
See the MDC full statement on the state of affairs in the country.
It is now a year since Zimbabweans voted in the last harmonized elections on 30th July 2018.
We reiterate that the results of the Presidential election as announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and as endorsed by the Constitutional Court; were not a true reflection of the will of the people. We further maintain that according to our computation, our candidate Advocate Nelson Chamisa emerged as a clear winner in the contest.
One year later, the MDC re-affirms its stance NOT to recognise Emmerson Mnangagwa as the duly elected President of Zimbabwe. Further, the MDC notes with serious concern the ever worsening socio-economic and human rights situation in the country during the past year.
Indeed Zimbabweans have had to endure ever increasing prices of basic commodities, endless queues, fuel shortages, water rationing, electricity load shedding and massive unemployment, among other challenges. The shortages and the spiraling prices are just but a symptom of an underlying political crisis of legitimacy.
It is our strong view that the current regime has no capacity to resolve the ever worsening crisis in Zimbabwe and as a way forward, the MDC recommends a clear roadmap as encapsulated in the recently launched RELOAD strategy document.
As part of addressing the deeper political crisis, RELOAD recommends the following five steps as a prerequisite for a return to legitimacy, confidence and normalcy in Zimbabwe:
Pressure (Political and Diplomatic)
Section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe gives ordinary Zimbabweans the right to petition and pressure their government on any issue of concern. The MDC will thus mobilize Zimbabweans across the spectrum for purposes of attaining national consensus and convergence. Attendant to the political pressure is diplomatic pressure in which the region, Africa and the broader international community will be sensitized so that international pressure can be brought to bear for the regime in Harare to realize that there has to be sincere dialogue for the nation to agree on a way out of this mammoth national crisis.
National Dialogue
We envisage sincere and honest dialogue among Zimbabweans to locate a prudent exit point out of this monumental national crisis. As such a credible, bankable, legitimate process of dialogue fully guaranteed by the international community with specific deliverables benchmarks and timelines through a mutually agreed and acceptable facilitator is a must.
National Transitional Mechanism
The sincere dialogue must yield an agreed framework and agreed positions that must spur this country from the current political and economic gridlock arising out of a pilfered plebiscite. The terms and details around this National Transitional Mechanism must be agreed at the dialogue table.
Comprehensive Reform Agenda
Zimbabwe requires comprehensive reforms that include political, economic, security, legal, media and electoral reforms. A robust reform agenda will have to be implemented as a prelude to poising the country towards a genuinely free, fair and credible electoral process.
Free and Fair Elections
The holding of a truly free, fair and credible election is paramount to Zimbabwe. It is only such an election that will return the confidence and legitimacy that the country sorely needs so that it takes its rightful place among the family of nations. It thus answers to the legitimacy question that has dogged Zimbabwe since 2000.
The MDC firmly believes that this roadmap will address the deeper crisis of legitimacy that has brought the country and its citizens to the despicable plumbing depths of penury, starvation and suffering
The Mighty Warriors subdued Angola 4-1 in the 2019 Cosafa Women’s Championship match played on Wednesday morning.
Rudo Neshamba scored a hattrick on her return to the Mighty Warriors fold following a long knee-injury layoff.
Zimbabwe drew first blood through midfielder Emmalulate Msipa in the 34th minute.
This was followed by a Neshamba brace inside the last 10 minutes of first-half.
Angola reduced the deficit to 3-1 in added time through Cristina Makua.
Neshamba completed her hattrick on the hour mark as the Mighty Warriors sailed to victory in the tournament’s opener.
The Mighty Warriors square off against Mozambique on Friday in their second match of Group C. Soccer24
Farai Dziva|ZCTU has strongly condemned the the intimidation of civil society groups by state security agents.
ZCTU president Peter Mutasa, has described the threats by state security agents to civil society groups and opposition political parties as an unfortunate confirmation that the country is going in the wrong direction.
“There is no government that must celebrate the killing of its citizens. It is appalling.
Workers grievances are legitimate and the government must focus on resolving them not on sharpening its arms against defenceless citizens.
Workers and the majority of the citizens are suffering. Many are starving, failing to pay rentals and facing evictions.
Many cannot access medical care and are dying in their homes.
Instead of opening the armoury, the government must open channels of genuine dialogue.
Instead of killing citizens, it must kill poverty and hunger that is stalking the majority of citizens.”
“We are, however, sure that workers will proceed with peaceful forms of protests. For history teaches us that no form of repression managed to stop people from raising their legitimate grievances and from attaining their freedom.”
Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa has said his government is in the process of building a modern public transport system.
Mnangagwa made the remarks after commissioning a fleet of 47 ZUPCO buses.
“This morning we commissioned a further 47 new ZUPCO buses as we work to mitigate the transport challenges felt by our communities.
We are building a modern public transport system, a key component of a growing economy, which enables citizens to travel cheaply and efficiently,”said Mnangagwa.
Farai Dziva|After rigging the 2018 polls, it is now crystal clear that Emmerson Mnangagwa is clueless about transforming the country’s economy, the MDC has said.
See the MDC full statement on the state of affairs in the country.
It is now a year since Zimbabweans voted in the last harmonized elections on 30th July 2018.
We reiterate that the results of the Presidential election as announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and as endorsed by the Constitutional Court; were not a true reflection of the will of the people. We further maintain that according to our computation, our candidate Advocate Nelson Chamisa emerged as a clear winner in the contest.
One year later, the MDC re-affirms its stance NOT to recognise Emmerson Mnangagwa as the duly elected President of Zimbabwe. Further, the MDC notes with serious concern the ever worsening socio-economic and human rights situation in the country during the past year.
Indeed Zimbabweans have had to endure ever increasing prices of basic commodities, endless queues, fuel shortages, water rationing, electricity load shedding and massive unemployment, among other challenges. The shortages and the spiraling prices are just but a symptom of an underlying political crisis of legitimacy.
It is our strong view that the current regime has no capacity to resolve the ever worsening crisis in Zimbabwe and as a way forward, the MDC recommends a clear roadmap as encapsulated in the recently launched RELOAD strategy document.
As part of addressing the deeper political crisis, RELOAD recommends the following five steps as a prerequisite for a return to legitimacy, confidence and normalcy in Zimbabwe:
Pressure (Political and Diplomatic)
Section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe gives ordinary Zimbabweans the right to petition and pressure their government on any issue of concern. The MDC will thus mobilize Zimbabweans across the spectrum for purposes of attaining national consensus and convergence. Attendant to the political pressure is diplomatic pressure in which the region, Africa and the broader international community will be sensitized so that international pressure can be brought to bear for the regime in Harare to realize that there has to be sincere dialogue for the nation to agree on a way out of this mammoth national crisis.
National Dialogue
We envisage sincere and honest dialogue among Zimbabweans to locate a prudent exit point out of this monumental national crisis. As such a credible, bankable, legitimate process of dialogue fully guaranteed by the international community with specific deliverables benchmarks and timelines through a mutually agreed and acceptable facilitator is a must.
National Transitional Mechanism
The sincere dialogue must yield an agreed framework and agreed positions that must spur this country from the current political and economic gridlock arising out of a pilfered plebiscite. The terms and details around this National Transitional Mechanism must be agreed at the dialogue table.
Comprehensive Reform Agenda
Zimbabwe requires comprehensive reforms that include political, economic, security, legal, media and electoral reforms. A robust reform agenda will have to be implemented as a prelude to poising the country towards a genuinely free, fair and credible electoral process.
Free and Fair Elections
The holding of a truly free, fair and credible election is paramount to Zimbabwe. It is only such an election that will return the confidence and legitimacy that the country sorely needs so that it takes its rightful place among the family of nations. It thus answers to the legitimacy question that has dogged Zimbabwe since 2000.
The MDC firmly believes that this roadmap will address the deeper crisis of legitimacy that has brought the country and its citizens to the despicable plumbing depths of penury, starvation and suffering
By A Correspondent| Former Cabinet Minister Ignatius Chombo has never owned shares at MetBank, it has emerged.
This was revealed by his lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku who dismissed as false reports alleging that Chombo was a shareholder at MetBank.
Said Prof Madhuku:
“I am Dr Ignatius Chombo’s lawyer. I am instructed to inform the world as follows: my client does not own and has never owned shares in MetBank. Accordingly, a statement claiming that my client is a MetBank shareholder is wholly false.”
I am Dr Ignatius Chombo 's lawyer. I am instructed to inform the world as follows: my client does not own, and has never owned, shares in Metbank. Accordingly, a statement claiming that my client is a Metbank shareholder is wholly false.
— Prof Lovemore Madhuku (@ProfMadhuku) July 31, 2019
By A Correspondent- Zanu Pf’s Secretary for Legal Affairs Paul Mangwana has told the opposition MDC to wait for 2023 to contest the election adding that contestation for legitimacy ended in July 2018 where his party’s leader got the mandate to rule the country.
Mangwana said this at a discussion hosted by ZimPapers TV Network in Harare Wednesday.
He said:
“2023…That is when we will have another contestation as to who has the right to rule the country. So that issue is not on the negotiating table and will not be on the negotiation table.
We can talk about many other issues but not who has the right to run this country until the next election. That right was given to Zanu Pf through the ballot box.
Let noone kid themselves that Zanu Pf is prepared to negotiate its right to rule. It will not.”
By A Correspondent- Former Director of State Residences, Douglas Tapfuma has been denied bail.
Tapfuma, was arrested Tuesday on allegations of abuse of office after he fraudulently imported personal vehicles using a government privilege.
He has been remanded in custody to the 15th of August 2019. He is the second top government official to be nabbed for corruption after Tourism and hospitality minister Prisca Mupfumira who is also suffering the same fate after she was denied bail and remanded in custody for 21 days..
The attempted abduction alert was raised by the Deputy National Youth Chairperson, Cecilia Chimbiri.
She posted an alert on the attempted abduction of MDC youth wing leader by six armed men adding that they wanted to drag Teererai Obey Sithole into a kombi.
Posted Chimbiri:
“Six men wanted to abduct Obey. One is holding an AK47. We are stuck at the venue like hostages. Please contact the police.
Please rescue us, the men outside are armed call the police. The venue is Avondale.They were closing Obey’s mouth wanting to drag him into the kombi.
Jacob Mafume, we can’t find him as people were shouting for Obey’s rescue. I last saw him running.”
Watch the video below for this and more.
The attempted abduction happened shortly after the MDC members had finished a live discussion dubbed The Chase, organised by ZimPapers Television Network, Zimbabwe Council of Churches and Voice Of America.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.
By A Correspondent- A freedom bid by a jailed Chipinge white commercial farmer who shot his employee hit a brick wall after he was denied bail.
Joubert Francois Johannes (36) of Lushon Farm was jailed for 2 years last week over the shooting incident.
He recently appeared before senior Chipinge magistrate Mr Joshua Nembaware seeking bail.
In denying him bail the magistrate said the accused person was sentenced to an effective 18 months jail term and if released on bail he was likely to abscond.
Mr Nembaware also noted that the accused did not have prospects of success on appeal.
He added that even though the State had consented to bail, the discretion still lies with the court since it is not bound by the consent order.
Defence lawyer Mr Langton Mhungu of Kwirira and Associates told the court that he would appeal against the court’s decision at the Masvingo High Court.-ManicaPost
By A Correspondent| LEGENDARY film director Davies Guzha said they are just creative artists who have no intentions to fight the State and Government.
He said they have been in the industry for more than 30 years and are well versed with the statutes that guide the industry.
Guzha was speaking at a press briefing following his arrest along with three of his colleagues over the weekend.
Guzha, the owner of the Theatre in the Park, Peter Churu, Kudakwashe Bwititi, and Tendai Maduwa were arraigned before Harare Magistrates’ court for allegedly releasing the film Lord of Kush without the approval of the censorship board.
“Our arrest represents an unfortunate low in the relationship between the creative sector and state governance systems in Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe Republic Police were clumsy in the way that they carried out their mandate in this instance and it is our belief that this was an abuse of their constitutional powers and a blatant violation of our artistic and constitutional freedoms.
“The last time we had a run in with the police was with the last dispensation.
“We are extremely familiar with the censorship act by being in business for the last 24 years and myself having been a producer for over 35 years, so I am pretty familiar with those acts.
“We had really hoped to move the country forward and paint a positive picture for our country which we really believed in.
“So we are very clear as Zimbabweans and we care about this country,” he said.
Added Guzha:
“We are just artists, tiri macreatives, taane makore tirimo musector umu, we are simply known as for this, as vanhu vaye vaye vemafirimu, vetheatre.
“But I am sure we will be having dialogue, we are here to create employment, to enable the cultural and creative industry kuti zviite.
Guzha said Rooftop Promotions has been in business since 1986.
“When you have been in business for many years you become very familiar with almost every other statutes that applies to our sector.
“Having survived during the time when it was difficult munguva yavaMugabe there is no way we can become clumsy in this era.
“We also know there are things exist in the constitution and as producers we are familiar
“Through the creative and cultural sector we need each other, if we have any hope of repairing the image of the country.
“The fastest way of repairing the image of this country is through this industry.
“The creativity and cultural industry has zero interface with the president’s office and we received a call from the embassy telling us that whatever we were about to show could be a security threat.
“We told them that they should be in touch with foreign affairs rather coming to us before they highlighted the concern.”
The veteran producer said they didn’t interface with the Censorship board.
“We will leave that for August 26 when the trial begins and we will get to the bottom of this.
“We want to view this incident and we will not allow anybody to come and destroy good sentiments.
“We will not censor our work, because if we didn’t censor it during the most difficult era of former president Robert Mugabe why now, we remain committed and resolute, we will still continue to express our self without limits.”
The film producer Tendai Muduwa said:
“Lord of Push is a work of fiction, it’s not a documentary film inspired by a real incident that happened in Pakistan.
“All the characters are fiction just like Black Panther and we have never in any way become a threat to the leadership, politics of either Zimbabwe or Pakistan but we are social commenters who can make films out of inspiration.
“Why this film in particular yet we have many films.
“We actually believe that arts industry is where other industries fits in and we have high opportunities to employ.
“This is the industry which be the enemy of the State but we are rather contributing and creating employment.”
Theatre in the Park manager Peter Churu said:
“We are not at war with our government and we have a respectful and mutual discussion with officers from cabinet and president’s office.
“They were satisfied with what we told them and they even said they would do their own reports before giving us a go ahead.
“They were understanding on the facts we laid on the table,” he said.
The film is centred on a diplomatic family in Kush and the family is Christian family in Muslim economy. In the running of the story there is a mother to the ambassador who is Christian but teaches the children in the Islamic region which created a conflict with the Islamic religion leading to the fight of the extremists groups.-HMetro
By A Correspondent- The Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Perrance Shiri reportedly called opposition MDC supporters baboons and monkeys in Parliament on Wednesday.
Shiri’s outburst came after Harare West MP, Joanna Mamombe (MDC Alliance) had asked him why the country continues to have food shortages if the government spent so much money on acquiring grain.
Mamombe was referring to the US$3 billion which Shiri said was spent by the government on buying grain from farmers such as wheat, soya etc, and some of the money being used to pay for Presidential Input Scheme, utilities such as electricity.
Commenting on Shiri’s remarks, former spokesperson of the Robert Mugabe-linked National Patriotic Front, Jealousy Mawarire wrote on Twitter:
Characters like Perence Shiri should never have been made ministers. They need proper rehabilitation from a sordid past before anyone puts them near public office. For the avoidance of sounding exactly like him, I will not ask who is closer to a monkey, the accuser or his targets?
A city woman allegedly caught her co-tenant coming from her bedroom semi-n_aked whilst her husband was home.
Temptation Chitewe was seeking a protection order against Christina Kudambo, whom she accused of being a prostitute
Chitewe told the court that she was not comfortable with Kudambo’s efforts to seduce her husband by wearing risque outfits when he was around.
”We stay in the same house, and she is in the habit of walking around wearing exposing clothes when my husband is there. This last month I saw her coming from my bedroom clad in a nightdress and she said she was looking for her shoes. Her husband passed away six months ago and she is taking advantage of that to walk around semi-n_ude,” said Chitewe.
In response, Kudambo told the court that she entered Chitewe’s bedroom looking for her shoe, which had been stolen by her son.
”She is accusing me of being a prostitute but I am not. Your Worship, I used to walk around the house in a nightdress when my husband was still alive and I cannot change that because he is no more.”
Presiding magistrate Tafadzwa Miti granted the peace and protection order in favour of Chitewe.
Kudambo was then ordered not to walk around dressed in a nightdress.-HMetro
Att: Hon Justice Matanda-Move
RE: CRIMINAL ABUSE OF OFFICE BY MAGISTRATE N GWATIDZO IN FRANK BUYANGA SADIQI v CHANTELLE TATENDA MUTESWA CCA20SA/18 write to lodge a complaint against Harare Civil Court Magistrate Never Gwatldzo’s conduct In the above matter which I believe to be in contravention of Section 114 of the Criminal taw Codification and Reform Act The Section 174 of the code provides that;
(1) if . public officer, in the exercise of his or her functions as such, intentionally (a) does anything that is contrary to or inconsistent with his or her duty as a public officer; or (b) omits to do anything which it is his or her duty us a public officer to do, for the purpose of showing favour or disfavour to any person, he or she shall be guilty of criminal abuse of duty its a public officer and liable to a fine not exceeding level thirteen or imprisonment for period not exceeding fifteen years or bath
(I) if it is proved, in any prosecution for criminal abuse of Ju4• as a public officer, mar a public officer, in breach of his or her duty as such, did or omitted to do anything to the favour or prejudice of any person, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that he or she did or omitted to do the thing for the purpose of showing favour or disfavour, as the case may be, to that person.
Mr Gwatidzo, being a Judicial officer, (and therefore a public officer in terms of Section 169 of the ;c r) has no authority to overturn the decision of another magistrate of parallel jurisdiction. He purported to do so, contrary to and inconsistent with his constitutional duties to act lawfully, objectively and fairly. He corruptly issued a ruling in favour of Mr Frank Buyanga Sadiqi in a custody matter between the said Mr Sadiqi and myself brought by Manase and Manase Legal Practitioners on an Ex Parte basis.
On the 19th July 2019, at Harare Magistrates (Civil) Court, Mr Gwatidzo, being in possession of a file case number CCA205A/18 in which the order of another magistrate of similar authority was contained proceeded to “overturn”the decision of that magistrate by giving custody to Mr Sadiqi, which sole custody of the minor child was previously granted to myself. On the basis of that order favourable to him, Mr Sadiqi has detained my four (4) year old son from me since 21′ July 2019 and through Mr Gwatidzo’s disfavor to me, has put me through the otherwise unnecessary but expensive need to approach the High Court for the return of my son in case number HC6037/19 which is now pending before Justice Thou Accordingly, I request your intervention in the form of an investigation in this matter. I approach you in light of the fact that over the course of my dispute with Mr Frank Buyanga Sadiqi, I have had difficulties securing help from the police, in particular police at Borrowdale Police Station who in the past refused to serve court orders on Mr Sadiqi. I attach hereto the copies of the court order of May 27. per Mr Nyatsanza and the purported order issued by Mr Gwatidzo.
Yours faithfully, Chantelle T Muteswa (Ms)
It is now a year since Zimbabweans voted in the last harmonized elections on 30th July 2018.
We reiterate that the results of the Presidential election as announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and as endorsed by the Constitutional Court; were not a true reflection of the will of the people.
We further maintain that according to our computation, our candidate Advocate Nelson Chamisa emerged as a clear winner in the contest.
One year later, the MDC re-affirms its stance NOT to recognise Emmerson Mnangagwa as the duly elected President of Zimbabwe.
Further, the MDC notes with serious concern the ever-worsening socio-economic and human rights situation in the country during the past year.
Indeed Zimbabweans have had to endure ever-increasing prices of basic commodities, endless queues, fuel shortages, water rationing, electricity load shedding and massive unemployment, among other challenges.
The shortages and the spiralling prices are just but a symptom of an underlying political crisis of legitimacy.
It is our strong view that the current regime has no capacity to resolve the ever-worsening crisis in Zimbabwe and as a way forward, the MDC recommends a clear roadmap as encapsulated in the recently launched RELOAD strategy document.
As part of addressing the deeper political crisis, RELOAD recommends the following five steps as a prerequisite for a return to legitimacy, confidence and normalcy in Zimbabwe:
1. Pressure (Political and Diplomatic) Section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe gives ordinary Zimbabweans the right to petition and pressure their government on any issue of concern.
The MDC will thus mobilize Zimbabweans across the spectrum for purposes of attaining national consensus and convergence.
Attendant to the political pressure is diplomatic pressure in which the region, Africa and the broader international community will be sensitized so that international pressure can be brought to bear for the regime in Harare to realize that there has to be sincere dialogue for the nation to agree on a way out of this mammoth national crisis.
2. National Dialogue We envisage sincere and honest dialogue among Zimbabweans to locate a prudent exit point out of this monumental national crisis.
As such a credible, bankable, legitimate process of dialogue fully guaranteed by the international community with specific deliverables benchmarks and timelines through a mutually agreed and acceptable facilitator is a must.
3. National Transitional Mechanism The sincere dialogue must yield an agreed framework and agreed positions that must spur this country from the current political and economic gridlock arising out of a pilfered plebiscite.
The terms and details around this National Transitional Mechanism must be agreed at the dialogue table.
4. Comprehensive Reform Agenda Zimbabwe requires comprehensive reforms that include political, economic, security, legal, media and electoral reforms. A robust reform agenda will have to be implemented as a prelude to poising the country towards a genuinely free, fair and credible electoral process.
5. Free and Fair Elections
The holding of a truly free, fair and credible election is paramount to Zimbabwe. It is only such an election that will return the confidence and legitimacy that the country sorely needs so that it takes its rightful place among the family of nations. It thus answers to the legitimacy question that has dogged Zimbabwe since 2000.
The MDC firmly believes that this roadmap will address the deeper crisis of legitimacy that has brought the country and its citizens to the despicable plumbing depths of penury, starvation and suffering
By A Correspondent- MDC VP Tendai Biti has queried why government has continuously been overspending since 2014 urging the Finance minister Prof Mthuli Mthuli to present to parliament a Bill of Condonation.
Biti said this at parliament Tuesday:
“…The second issue that concerned us were budget deficits. The Government has been running budget deficits since 2014, starting with a modest budget deficit of $380 million in 2014 to $2.8 billion in 2018.
Mr. Speaker, when Parliament sits to approve a Budget, we approve proposals that come from the Minister of Finance in disposing of its constitutional functions defined in Section 304/305 of the Constitution. It is Government itself which says we want to spend $2 billion or $4 billion.
It is an abuse of this Parliament when Government then proceeds to spend money outside that approved Budget but that can happen. Mr. Speaker Sir, that is allowed in our law but when that happens, the Minister of Finance must come up with a bill of condonation to ask for forgiveness from this Hon. House for spending outside the limit that is given in the Appropriation Act, also known as the Budget.
We are disturbed as a Committee that since 2014, the Government has been spending outside the Budget, running a budget deficit which at times has run up to more than 100% but has not come to this august House for condonation. There are two things that must happen Mr. Speaker Sir.”
By A Correspondent- Doug Coltart, a human rights lawyer and son to the former Education Minister and current MDC Treasurer, David Coltart, says that he does not regret representing ZANU PF bigwigs who were under the cosh during the Robert Mugabe-era.
Coltart represented the controversial ZANU PF MP for Goromonzi West, Energy Mutodi and War ZANU PF MP for Gokwe Central, Victor Matemadanda in 2017.
Writing on microblogging site Twitter on Wednesday, Coltart said:
I was part of the legal team who represented Energy Mutodi and Victor Matemadanda when they were being persecuted by G40 in 2017. We did so because their rights were being violated. Now they’re in power they turn around and threaten to kill citizens for exercising their rights.
When Mutodi was detained at Harare Central, I asked him: “If things go your way and you come to power, will this experience change the way you do things?” He responded “Yes, we have to do things differently. People shouldn’t be persecuted for exercising their rights.”
While I was sitting with Matemadanda when he was detained at Harare Central, he told me and the police officers: “This is what we went to war to fight against, the violation of human rights. What is being done by this Government is the same as what was done by the Rhodesians.”
I don’t regret representing either of them. Human rights violations are human rights violations, and we have to fight against them no matter who the victims and perpetrators are. I’m just sad they’ve forgotten so quickly what it’s like to be on the receiving end.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said that it has secured the release of one Tinashe Dembo who had been in detention for more than a month.
Dembo was arrested for allegedly insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa when he said that he had failed to fix the economy.
In a statement, ZLHR said:
“In Mutare, ZLHR Lawyers rescues Tinashe Dembo by securing his release from prison, where he had been detained for more than one month after he was arrested and charged with insulting President Mnangagwa for stating that he had failed to fix the economy and that the price of beer had gone up.”
In a very disturbing development, a paedophile primary school teacher from Kwekwe has been arrested after he raped and impregnated one of his pupils.
The Chronicle reports that Jimmy Phiri (38) a teacher at Grasslands Primary School in Redcliff appeared at the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court facing charges of having se_xual intercourse with a minor.
In a shocking turn of events, Phiri claimed that the se_xual intercourse had been consensual as he had proposed love to the minor when she was still 12 years old. He went on to say that the minor had accepted his request and that the two had been engaged in an affair for the past year.
Kwekwe magistrate Vimbai Mtukwa released Phiri on ZWL$100 bail and remanded him to August 28, 2019.
According to the state, Phiri who stays in Grasslands, proposed love to the girl sometime in 2018, when the girl was still in Grade 7 at the school.
He then showered her with presents and manipulated her until she accepted the said proposal. Phiri then took advantage of this to rape the minor until she fell pregnant.
The minor tried to hide the pregnancy but was forced to reveal the secret affair after her stomach grew much bigger.
Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eng Nancy Masiyiwa-Chamisa is still receiving her salary and full benefits a year after being suspended, ZINARA board chair Michael Madanha has confirmed.
Speaking before a public accounts committee, Madanha said Chamisa resisted a handsome payout which had been offered to her as a way of bringing the matter to conclusion.
He was responding to a question by committee chair, Harare East Member of Parliament, Tendai Biti on the rampant corporate governance flaws within ZINARA.
“Chamisa is still receiving her salary and full benefits because we are yet to finalise her disciplinary proceedings. Furthermore, she is participating in a court case. We offered the former CEO a package which she turned down as she superintended over most of the issues that are now haunting ZINARA. We have since handed over the matter to our lawyers who are working on the matter which they have promised to bring to finality in the coming days. Unfortatley it has taken so long because due diligence has to be followed,” he said.
Chamisa was suspended in June 2018 after she allegedly instituted the suspension and disciplinary hearings of Simon Tanharika and former administration and human resources director, Precious Murove without the approval of then minister Joram Gumbo.
However, Chamisa claims Gumbo interfered with the disciplinary proceeding of ZINARA executives to protect them.
Chamisa also claims she was suspended as punishment for her refusal to payout a kick back to South African firm, Neo Africa. The payout of $5.2mln had been set as a prerequisite for ZINARA to be able to access a 150mln loan from ZB Bank.
Neo Africa was also implicated in a 2012 Corruption Watch report over a R3million bribe scam in a Johannesburg tender scandal. Chamisa said there was no justification for the involvement of a third party in a transaction between ZINARA and ZB bank.
Gumbo has since been moved and is now the minister of state in the president’s office in charge of implementation and monitoring.
Madanha said the parastatal is currently resolving its Human resource challenges starting by filling in vacant positions. ZINARA has since held 5 interviews for the positions of Corporate Secretary, Finance Director, Technical Director and Audit manager. He said the state entity has since put in place a robust human resources policy which has been approved by the board.
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has warned of more shock arrests, declaring that nobody will be spared in the effort to root out endemic graft costing the country billions of dollars.
Speaking in a no-holds barred one-on-one interview on Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) platform In Conversations with Trevor, which will be broadcast this afternoon on HStv, Zacc chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo said there would be more shock arrests, especially in connection with the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) forensic audit report which has already claimed the scalp of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Priscah Mupfumira.
“From the NSSA report, more people are going to be arrested. Of course, I am not going to tell you the names of the people because I am bound by ethics, but
arrest, we want to be sure that the persons are likely guilty. We don’t want to harass people who are innocent,” she said.
Mupfumira’s arrest came at a time Zimbabwe has witnessed top government officials being arrested and released, while their cases crumbled thereafter in what has been dubbed the “catch-and-release” season.
However, Matanda-Moyo said her team was doing things differently, promising that there will be no “catch-and-release” during her tenure because of tight investigations.
“No catch-and-release, and I promise the nation that. I have insisted in thorough investigations. The investigation department will investigate the matter. Before it goes anywhere, it’s vetted by our legal department here. Then the legal department looks at all the other elements of the case, whether they have been proven through the evidence in the docket,” she said.
“Once they are satisfied, that docket will be taken to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Again, at the NPA before the docket is taken to court, they also look at the evidence and if they feel that there is anything missing, they refer it back for investigation. That is the system we have put in place. That is the end of catch-and-release.”
Speaking tough, Matanda-Moyo said chances of getting a conviction against Mupfumira were high because Zacc was building a “rock-solid case”.
“According to us, the evidence that we are getting will be enough to secure a conviction, although we can’t go into details of the matter because the matter is sub judice,” she said.
The Zacc chairperson read the riot act against the Zanu PF youth league, warning them to stop grandstanding and holding Press conferences in the name of fighting corruption.
“That kind of behaviour doesn’t help anybody. As I have said in my Press statements, you cannot deal with corruption at a Press conference. Allegations of corruption must involve evidence,” Matanda-Moyo said.
“It’s not about tarnishing people’s names. People have got rights too. So, if you don’t have evidence against anyone, there is no reason (to hold) a Press statement and then list people as corrupt. As Zacc, we do not support that. We actually call upon everyone who has allegations of corruption to report the matters for proper investigation and not to go about at a press conference.”
She warned that Zacc would crack the whip if the Zanu PF youth league continued its “naming and shaming” of alleged corrupt people without providing evidence.
“We have called those people to come forward with the evidence they have. So, far they have not come forward with the evidence and if they continue, we will be forced to take action as Zacc,” the Zacc boss warned.
“We don’t want to look like we are following somebody’s script. To me, it looks like they are actually trying to frustrate our work as Zacc and I am not impressed by that at all.”
In Conversations with Trevor is a weekly show hosted by AMH chairman Trevor Ncube and currently running on HStv and all other AMH digital platforms.
One show, in a month, is recorded in front of a live audience. Three shows are recorded in studio or offices or homes of interviewees.
It is non-partisan and will cover all political views and opinions.
The next In Conversations with Trevor, to be recorded in front of a live audience, will be tomorrow, and the guest is Energy and Power Development minister Fortune Chasi. There are going to be more shocks coming, yes. We are still investigating because before
HORRIFYING video shows rioting jailbirds playing football with severed heads.
A deadly riot at the Altamira prison in Brazil has led to at least 57 deaths and a major fire. And now video has emerged showing inmates kicking the heads of their decapitated rivals around the prison yard.
Two rival gangs have been blamed for starting the troubles, with one group breaking into an area earmarked for the other faction, locking the room and setting fire to a number of mattresses which booked the exits.
Dozens were killed by smoke inhalation, while 16 were beheaded in brutal fights.
LOCKDOWN: Armed guards are patrolling outside the jail (Pic: Getty)
“We transferred more than thirty leaders of criminal factions to Catanduvas, in Paraná, as a preventive measure”
Jarbas Vasconcelos
“It was a targeted attack,” said.Jarbas Vasconcelos, state prisons chief in Brazil “The aim was to show that it was a settling of accounts between the two groups, not a protest or rebellion against the prison system.”
The deadly clash started around 7am and was brought under control by 12pm by the Tactical Operational Group of the Military Police of Pará who were called in to quell the riot.
ANGUISH: Relatives of inmates wait outside the jail, unsure if their loved ones are alive (Pic: Getty)
They worked with representatives from the prison system to negotiate the release of hostages. Two prison guards who had been captured by the rioters were later released.
The death toll could rise after authorities have searched all areas involved, Mr Vasconcelos said at a news conference.
The prison has a capacity of 208 but is reported to be overcrowded with 372 inmates.
Prison authorities said they were still trying to determine the ringleaders behind the attack, and those men will be transferred to federal prisons.
In October 2016 another Brazilian prison riot ended with a severed head being used as a football by inmates.
In that case the notorious Primeiro Comando da Capital drugs syndicate were thought to be behind the violence at the prison in Fortaleza, north-eastern Brazil,
With the ANC splintering and in a state of deshabille, President Cyril Ramaphosa adopted his best buffalo stance at this weekend’s NEC meeting and faced down his many opponents.
Cyril Ramaphosa stared down his opponents at the weekend in an attempt to make the space to lead the party out of political gridlock, according to party leaders. The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will enter its fourth and final day on Monday, after intense politicking that saw jibes from each of the two main factions.
Leaders associated with the Ramaphosa camp were jubilant, claiming the meeting demonstrated that the president had control of the party. They also believed that their opponents were not able to land any damaging blows.
Former ministers under Jacob Zuma — Mosebenzi Zwane and Bongani Bongo — were labelled by the opposition camp as being among vociferous critics of Ramaphosa. This camp includes people such as Faith Muthambi and Thandi Mahambehlala.
Jacob Zuma attended the meeting, in which he was criticised for his claims at the Zondo Commission that some of his colleagues were apartheid spies who drove a conspiracy to remove him from politics. He is an “ex officio” member of the NEC, due to…
Axed CEO Peter Moyo reported for duty on Wednesday morning despite a statement by Old Mutual late on Tuesday night that it would immediately appeal the court order reinstating him.
In its statement, Old Mutual said that in light of its appeal, the court order would therefore be suspended and its interim CEO Ian Williamson would remain in place. Moyo’s legal representative, Eric Mabuza, however, disputed this, saying Moyo had every right to return to work as instructed by the court.
Moyo apparently entered the Sandton office via the back entrance at 08:00 on Wednesday morning but later came to the reception area to instruct security guards at the front entrance of the building to allow journalists inside. They had previously been barred from entering.
Dressed in a dark blue suit and carrying a cup of coffee, he told security, “This is a public space…you know that.” The security guards then acceded to his request and let the journalists inside.
Moyo then ascended the escalator and told journalists, “I’ll see you guys.”
Curious Old Mutual employees took pictures and filmed the events downstairs.
Mabuza later briefed journalists that they had met with Old Mutual’s legal team and informed them that a notice to appeal does not suspend an interim order.
“If they want to suspend an interim order, they must go to court to get a court order…so it’s quite incorrect,” Mabuza said.
Mabuza added that Old Mutual’s legal team was presently “caucusing about it”.
Contempt of Court
In a letter to Bowman Gilfillan Attorneys, who are acting on behalf of Old Mutual, Mabuza states that if the company takes any steps to prevent Moyo from returning to his office, they will be in “willful contempt of court”.
“We trust that your client’s board, for once, will act in a measured and lawful manner in the interest of Old Mutual shareholders,” the letter concludes.
Old Mutual’s spokesperson has meanwhile maintained that its statement still stands.
On Tuesday, the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg ruled that Moyo should be reinstated and his suspension and subsequent dismissal were unlawful.
The ruling also barred the JSE listed insurer from filling his post pending Part B of Moyo’s application which will be dealt with in approximately two months.
In this, he will ask the courts to grant him damages as a result of reputational harm from being fired and declare the entire board delinquent directors under the Companies Act.
Moyo said after the ruling that he would report for duty on Wednesday morning.
Moyo was suspended in May and axed in June, with Old Mutual citing a conflict of interest and a breakdown in trust. Moyo has in turn argued that these claims were “artificially manufactured” and that his “deteriorating” relationship with Old Mutual chairman Trevor Manuel was central to his dismissal.
The Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Perrance Shiri reportedly called opposition MD supporters baboons and monkeys in Parliament on Wednesday.
Shiri’s outburst came after Harare West MP, Joanna Mamombe (MDC Alliance) had asked him why the country continues to have food shortages if the government spent so much money on acquiring grain.
Mamombe was referring to the US$3 billion which Shiri said was spent by the government on buying grain from farmers such as wheat, soya etc, and some of the money being used to pay for Presidential Input Scheme, utilities such as electricity.
Commenting on Shiri’s remarks, former spokesperson of the Robert Mugabe-linked National Patriotic Front, Jealousy Mawarire wrote on Twitter:Characters like Perence Shiri should never have been made ministers.
They need proper rehabilitation from a sordid past before anyone puts them near public office. For the avoidance of sounding exactly like him, I will not ask who is closer to a monkey, the accuser or his targets?
