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

ZimEye will be livestreaming the prayer meeting.

Refresh this page for latest updates.

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 #RejectImpunity pic.twitter.com/eZboyFVNM5

— U.S. Embassy Harare (@usembassyharare) August 1, 2019

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

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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:

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

MDC: Change that delivers

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:

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

MDC: Change that delivers

The grace of the Lord of my father saved me from the jaws of the crocodile. I thank the Lord for my life. #MwariAnonzwa #PropheticProtection pic.twitter.com/vA8JSqNDio

— mawarire mbizvo jealousy (@mawarirej) July 31, 2019

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.

“Asi dai tanga tichiita zviri untoward, tiri kungoita zvatangotaura kuti ndozvatiri kuita.”

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

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

MDC: Change that delivers

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.”

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.

Business connect

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

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?

Jane Mlambo|Former Director of State Residences, Douglas Tapfuma has been denied bail.

He has been remanded in custody to the 15th of August 2019.

Tapfuma was arrested yesterday on allegations of abuse of office after he fraudulently imported personal vehicles using a government privileges.

He is the second top government official to be nabbed for corruption after Tourism and hospitality minister Prisca Mupfumira.

More to follow…

President Emmerson Mnangagwa today spent valuable time commissioning public transport buses in Harare leaving many questioning if his desk did not have anything needing urgent attention.

Critics blasted the President who earlier this year commissioned another similar delivery of the same buses.

Mnangagwa was proud of the event in his social media postings.

“This morning we commissioned a further 47 new ZUPCO buses as we work to mitigate the transport challenges felt by our communities,” said Mnangagwa.

“We are building a modern public transport system, a key component of a growing economy, which enables citizens to travel cheaply and efficiently.”

Watch video of the event downloading below:

Jane Mlambo| Parliament has postponed the mid-term budget review session in what appears like a move to give President Emmerson Mnangagwa a chance to open a low note event in the Midlands city of Gweru.

Mnangagwa who this morning officially commissioned 47 ZUPCO buses has also left Harare for Gweru to officially open the 2019 National Youth Games.

The country is facing a myriad of challenges and the mid-term budget review is particularly important as it is expected to bring relief to the economy which is struggling due to inflation.

Part of the crowd eagerly waiting for the official opening of the @ZNYPGames the President @edmnangagwa @KirstyCoventry @TitanLaw1 #everyyoutheveryright @HeraldZimbabwe @StarfmZimbabwe @centralradio958 @ChronicleZim pic.twitter.com/AXhRWi5mEA

— SRC Zimbabwe (@ZimbabweSrc) July 31, 2019

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.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

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:

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

MDC: Change that delivers

Farai Dziva|A Masvingo based political analyst, Jeffryson Chitando, has said Auxillia Mnangagwa should focus on fixing the economy instead of wasting energy on pushing for a national dress code.

Speaking at Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on Monday, Mrs Mnangagwa said:
“What brings us together today is a subject of great national importance which should have been concluded over the past 39 years of our independence.

As the mother of the nation, I am convinced that all Zimbabweans regardless of colour, creed, sex, age or location will be willing and keen to contribute to this national project involving my full participation.
The dress should reflect a lot more on our traditions, history, national heritage and aspirations.

It should also be appropriate for social and religious gatherings.

It should give us our national identity that conveys a message that I am Zimbabwean without even saying a word.”

However, Chitando said:”The First Lady has to get her priorities right, at this juncture the nation desperately needs to come out of the economic crisis.

Mrs Mnangagwa must work on how to fix the economy.”

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

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) July 31, 2019

Tajamuka/ Sesjikile leader Promise Mkwananzi has revealed that he has engaged his lawyer Job Sikhala to establish why he is wanted by the police before presenting himself to clear his name.

He said:

I have asked my lawyer @JobWiwa to enquire and hear what it is that the police want of me. If required, he will accompany me to the police station to clear my name. I'm aware of attempts to criminalize and delegitimize the works of Human Rights Defenders by the GoZ. pic.twitter.com/vEL7sLqUm6

— Promise Mkwananzi (@pmkwananzi) July 31, 2019

Media Reports and Enquiries on the alleged arrest of Permanent Secretary Munesu Munodawafa refer:
These reports are incorrect. PS Munodawafa is assisting ZACC as a witness on a high profile case which is already before the courts. pic.twitter.com/ET0L0tgdk5

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) July 31, 2019

MDC vice president, Tendai Biti, says that the Cabinet’s decision to withdraw section 40 from the Marriages Bills is wrong and ill-advised.

Biti argues that the Zimbabwe public and the Parliament itself must debate the clause. Writing on Twitter, he said:

Surely the regime’s cabinet has no right to withdraw section 40 of the Marriages Bill from Parliament.

The Zimbabwe public and Parliament itself must debate the clause.

Civil partnerships are a hard reality and they can not be deleted from Zimbabwe’s geo-space. Law must deal with the same.

On Tuesday, the Cabinet resolved to withdraw the controversial clause from the Marriages Bill.

The clause would have, among a plethora of other things, licenced civil partnerships which are not classified as marriage under current laws.

By A Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said his government is in the process of building a modern transport system in order to ensure that citizens travel cheaply and efficiently.

Mnangagwa said this soon after commissioning 47 new ZUPCO buses in Harare.

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 pic.twitter.com/MPlCfJxtFO

— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) July 31, 2019

By A Correspondent| Residents of Alaska Township in Chinhoyi have gone for 20 years without tapped water, forcing households to fetch supplies from disused mine shafts.

Thousands of residents currently face the risk of contracting waterborne diseases, as Chinhoyi Municipality battles to provide water to the former mining settlements of Alaska and Sheckleton.

A pump station at Chidzuwi Dam, which used to provide water to the area, broke down and council has, for years, failed to resuscitate it.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting, organised by Women Coalition in Zimbabwe, an Alaska resident, Evelyn Guvaza lamented the perennial water challenges that have seen residents drinking water from disused mine shafts.

Guvaza expressed fears that the water might also be contaminated with cyanide, mercury or other harmful substances used in mining operations.

“The last time we had water flowing out of our taps was in 1998, but it seems council has failed to solve this problem,” she said.

“Residents of Alaska have been left with no option but to draw water from mine shafts, but we are not sure if the water is safe because it might be
contaminated.”

Chinhoyi Municipality engineer Simon Marara said council needed to budget for the construction of a new water treatment and pump station dedicated for the two
suburbs, which are not connected to the town’s main water and sewer reticulation system.

“As council, we need to recast our finances to create another pump station for Alaska and Sheckleton, but unfortunately, the same people are not paying rates
to council, but expect service provision,” he said.

The engineer said the former owner of the mine settlements, the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, was to blame for the residents’ woes becaucse the firm
failed to develop infrastructure to service the area.

Marara said council had since approached a German development partner, GIZ, which has pledged materials to revamp the dilapidated pump station at Chidzuwi Dam.-Newsday

THE opposition MDC has described as disappointing utterances by war veteran leaders threatening violence, claiming such recklessness ultimatums will only cause alarm and despondency.

Zanu PF politburo members —Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri and her deputy Victor Matemadanda, whose ministry is responsible for war veterans affairs — have threatened that the army would be deployed to crush any uprising.

The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC said the war veterans must stop causing despondency and behave maturely.

This came as the opposition, labour body, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), and other civic organisations were planning to mount pressure on the
government over the rising cost of living.

“As war heroes and senior citizens of this country, war veterans must always seek to promote peace and stability and they must conduct themselves in a very
peaceful and engaging manner,” party spokesperson Daniel Molokele said.

“They must avoid engaging themselves in such a way that causes alarm and despondency in this country. This applies to everyone whether they are in government
or not, whether they are in a position of public authority or not.

“We, as Zimbabweans, are a peace-loving country and we expect our senior citizens and war veterans to take a lead and ensure that there is peace and stability
in this country.”

Molokele said one of the ethos of the liberation struggle was to promote freedom of expression and, as such, they were not intimidated in any way and would
exercise their constitutional rights without any fear.

He said the Zanu PF regime has thrived on violence and the war veterans statements should be viewed as representing the bigger behaviour of the ruling party.

The MDC and the ZCTU, however, said they would not be cowed by threats from war veterans and Home Affairs minister Cain Mathema that the army would not fold
its arms while the country slides into anarchy.

“Obviously, as a party, we are very disappointed by the officials who issue those threats. We reserve our right to follow the Constitution and that is a right
that every Zimbabwean is entitled to,” Molokele said.

“As the MDC, we are not affected at all and we are going forward with our plans to freely express our concerns about the direction our country is going and the
need to change the political discourse of this country.”

The MDC spokesperson added: “We really urge everyone who is in a position of authority to refrain from such statements because they are a threat to stability
and peace in this country.”

ZCTU president Peter Mutasa said it was “quite sad and an unfortunate confirmation” that the country has taken a wrong turn.

“There is no government that must celebrate the killing of its citizens. It is appalling,” Mutasa said.

“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.”

He also said workers should be allowed to peacefully air out their grievances, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

“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,” Mutasa said.

“We will go back to the workers and consult on this new brazen threat. We are, however, sure that workers will proceed with p
eaceful 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.”

-Newsday

Today marks exactly one year after the July 31 2018 harmonised elections which eventually declared President Emmerson Mnangagwa the winner.

Members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and the general public have taken to Twitter to reminisce on the events of that day as the nation waited anxiously for the announcement of results.

Below are some of the Twitter messages;

Exactly a year ago we wuz robbed. A harmonized election was stolen through a harmonized effort in which a captured Judiciary played its part in pick-pocketing the people's will.The net result was illegitimacy.

— Luke Tamborinyoka (@luke_tambo) July 31, 2019

Exactly a year ago we wuz robbed. A harmonized election was stolen through a harmonized effort in which a captured Judiciary played its part in pick-pocketing the people's will.The net result was illegitimacy.

— Luke Tamborinyoka (@luke_tambo) July 31, 2019

At this time last year a brazen and massive rigging of the 2018 presidential election was fully underway at @ZECzim. The rigging precipitated the Harare Massacre on 1 August 2018. It is mandatory, in the interest of posterity and justice, to tell the full story of what happened! pic.twitter.com/POQEmgj3oY

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) July 31, 2019