Farai Dziva|A Zanu PF youth leader has claimed that Emmerson Mnangagwa is the right person to lead the economic recovery process.

ZANU PF Youth League national commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu told party supporters at the weekend Mnangagwa was doing his best to better people’s lives.

“We have to be very patient with President Mnangagwa’s policies because they are taking the country in the right direction.”

“He will not get in shops to control prices but he is doing all his best to make sure everything is in its rightful place.”

By A Correspondent- MDC Mashonaland East provincial women assembly chairperson Brightness Mangora at the weekend brought smiles to three widows of the 2008 political violence victims through donation of various foodstuffs.

A number of MDC activists were reportedly abducted and killed by suspected State security agents and Zanu PF militia in Marondera at the height of 2008 political violence that saw a number of women becoming widows with some of the activists yet to be found.

Mangora, who is also a legislator (proportional representation), honoured three of the late MDC activists’ widows, as more victims are set to be assisted in kind every month.

“As a woman, I understand the plight of these women (widows). And if we look at the current economic situation, it means they are suffering because their husband died due to political violence. They lost breadwinners and I was there when it happened, I understand what they went through. I forked out the little from my allowances to buy groceries for them and their children. I want this programme to be a monthly thing so that more political violence victims will be assisted,” she said.

Those who were assisted include the widow of the late chairperson Kainos Betera who was reportedly abducted in 2008 by unknown people and is still missing.

Another beneficiary was the wife of the late Stephen Nakomo, who was the first MDC driver in the province before he died after he was beaten by suspected Zanu PF thugs. The last to be honoured was the wife of one Ruchaka who was an MDC ward chairperson in Marondera before his abduction and torture that led to his death.

“We are still looking for more resources so that we assist these widows and other victims. If those who are working fails to buy a bar of soap what more to these widows?” Mangora said.

The MDC claims that more than 400 of its party supporters were killed during the 2008 political violence by suspected State apparatus and Zanu PF militia during the then former President Robert Mugabe’s rule.-Newsday

The team of the moment, #ZimGems arrive in Harare at 5.30pm on Wed 24 July 2019. Over to you guys back home, we did our part this end. Its your turn to welcome them the best way they deserve. @bustoptv @kubatana @263Chat @NewsDayZimbabwe @iMisred @HeraldZimbabwe @TeeKayZim pic.twitter.com/ZM6QsMIEHQ

— Hillary Musarurwa (@HillaryMusarurw) July 23, 2019

By Blessing Ivan Vava| The leaked audio featuring a conversation between Mnangagwa’s wife Auxillia and an army commander named as one Murombo has exposed the power struggles in the “New Dispensation” administration.

In the audio, Auxillia Mnangagwa claims that the army is trying to ‘get Mnangagwa ‘ through’ her, clearly asserting that all is not well in the cockpit and that the army is out to remove Mnangagwa.

These revelations thus vindicate my postulations in my previous blog article, where I warned that Zimbabwe was on the brink of another military takeover based on Mnangagwa’s dismal failure to handle and manage the transition, and failing to cure the coup. I posited that the ghost of November 2017 continues to hunt us, and this is a call to the progressive forces to layout and undertake a political programme of action to remove ZANU PF from power.

 It is now crystal clear that the system that replaced Mugabe is not new at all, despite trying to decorate it with funky terms like the “2nd Republic, New Dispensation etc.” It is as old as it was during Mugabe, with the only new thing being the voodoo scarf which he awfully dons even in the hot Savanna temperatures and has also become Mnangagwa’s symbol of failure.

As a leader who took over from Mugabe, Mnangagwa has so far done badly, because after securing political power, he failed to utilize it to transform society, and most importantly the economy. To think that this is a man who for decades wanted to be president is utterly shocking as it has emerged that he only wanted to wear a scarf, have those endless foreign trips and debauchery.

The Mnangagwa administration sold a dummy to the people of Zimbabwe, it failed on its promises to transform and reform the systems of governance, improve the economy for the upliftment of the livelihoods of Zimbabweans. To his credit, what Mnangagwa only did was to remove an unpopular, hated and feared dictator and that change of power were greeted with much hope and satisfaction. 

However, let me hasten to say that the coup was not in any way revolutionary in character and form, though the masses supported it, the revolutionary element was probably only limited to the rhetoric of the military conspirators, that it was indeed a ‘’peoples revolution.’’

Consequently, it is correct to argue that the coup was undue influence in the politics of Zimbabwe, in that it abrogated the country’s supreme law, the constitution and thus compromised the spirit of constitutionalism in Zimbabwe. It was an illegal act that should have never happened and set a wrong precedent for our country. 

Dumisani Muleya, in his article, Coup: Of usurpers and judges in the Zimbabwe Independent of the 20th of July 2018 posited that whenever there is a military coup anywhere in the world, the executive, legislature and judiciary — are usually shaken to their foundations or collapse.

This is largely true, particularly when we take a closer look at the judiciary. On top of it all, since assuming power, the actions of the coup government have equally shown a complete disregard of the constitution based on the many illegalities that we can count since the time of them assuming power. 

On the judiciary, a case in point being the shocking High court ruling of 24 November 2017 which ruled that the military takeover leading to ex-President Robert Mugabe’s resignation was legal, and therefore not a coup d’état.

At the same time, another court ruled that Mugabe’s sacking of his former deputy, current President Emmerson Mnangagwa was illegal and this points to fears over judicial independence. Above all, Zimbabwe is now being governed by decrees, with the amending of some principal legislation being done by Ministers thereby usurping the role of parliament as what happened on S1 142 of 2019 a clear violation of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act. 

However, it can also be argued that the coup was necessary for exposing where the real power lies. Zimbabweans are now dealing with the real power behind Mugabe’s façade, the real enemy and elephant in the room (the military) is now right before us in full glare. There is no longer hiding, Mugabe was just its figurehead. This then calls for revised strategies especially for the progressive social and political forces on how to confront this beast which is now in full glare.

The regime’s propensity for the use of force in response to peaceful protests shows that they are in panic So, their only option is fear and violence. However, they have now been exposed that in the long run if they are continually exposed the resort to brute force will expire.

To date, the coup regime has surpassed Mugabe in his 37 years in power with a high number of activists being charged with treason. The threats on the deployment of the military to quell civil unrest by the minister of defence Oppah Muchinguri shows that brute force is the only language they understand. It is in this light that I argue that brutal power will have to be brought to the table of reform, force is overwhelming but it eventually wields to the people.

In light of the prevailing situation, Zimbabwe’s progressive social and political forces need to quickly re-engage, re-mobilise, re-organise and re-group to build an alternative country through sustained political action. Relying on the crippling economy or some Sarajevo moment will simply not work.

The citizens require decisive leadership, there is no Sarajevo moment waiting to happen unless there is sustained radical political action on the ground. ZANU PF will not budge unless pressure has been mounted, otherwise, a rush into another GNU will only be suicidal and will mark the end of opposition politics in Zimbabwe.  

Subsequently, the progressive forces must work on a massive mobilisation programme of action, that will result in the seizure of political power from ZANU PF.

Capturing the state is as it were the premise upon which Zimbabwe can be protected from corruption, covetousness, mediocrity, directionless and add up to disregard of the economic interests of the people by the current government. Anybody who accepts and considers that ZANU PF will lead society into economic emancipation is living in Cloud cuckoo land. Blessing Vuvuzela Vava is a blogger who is based in Chipinge. He can be contacted on [email protected]

FOREIGN Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo yesterday told Parliament that Zimbabwe is working on normalising relations with the United States and British governments to end decades of isolation.

Moyo appeared before the Kindness Paradza-led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs to speak on Zimbabwe’s foreign policy, re-engagement efforts to remove the country from isolation, the Diaspora policy and foreign missions.

Moyo said Zimbabwe has been a pariah State for two decades, with a high country risk for business and impeded availability of lines of credit, but under the new dispensation, government was making efforts in changing the foreign policy towards re-engagement through focusing on foreign direct investment, securing markets, increase tourism into the country, increasing Diaspora remittances that are around $1 billion and ensuring diasporans also invest in the country.

“We realised that our biggest problem to end isolation of Zimbabwe has been the Western countries and we started refocusing our re-engagement process to the Western world; firstly, to normalise relations with the United Kingdom and then develop into Europe and the Americas.”

He said efforts were being made to ensure President Emmerson Mnangagwa meets with United States President Donald Trump to discuss re-engagement efforts, as well as British Prime Minister Theresa May’s successor.

Moyo said it was also imperative to sort out ease of doing business in the country to attract foreign direct investments, adding this would be achieved through crafting of the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency Bill.

The Foreign Affairs minister said government would rationalise foreign missions and close those that are not bringing value, but would open new embassies in Rwanda, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

He said ambassadors’ performance would determine their salary scales, and if an ambassador does not bring any investment, tourists and value to the country, their salary and status would be degraded or they may face recall.

Moyo said his ministry had purchased a new fleet of vehicles for ambassadors who had to hitch-hike, and was planning to purchase some buildings for embassies instead of renting, which was very expensive.

“For example, if you have been renting a chancellery from 1980 to date, you could have bought five chancelleries,” he said.

Moyo said Zimbabwe continued to strengthen bilateral ties and engage Western countries to unlock investments, as well as in Asian and Brics countries, with Mnangagwa having visited countries such as Russia, China twice, the Middle East, Kazakhstan, Belarus and others in Africa.

On the incident in which water was poured on him in London by Zimbabweans in the diaspora, he said “never mind the water pouring as long as we are engaging”.

Asked by Paradza to explain if failure to align problematic laws with the Constitution was not going to hinder the re-engagement process, taking into cognisance complaints that the new Maintenance of Order and Peace (Mopa) Bill and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy replacement Bills were even worse than the original Bills, Moyo refuted the perceptions.

“In fact, Cabinet’s busiest schedule is pre-occupied with legislative reforms. On Mopa, what they are saying is that there is need for clarity on who deploys the military and under whose command. We said what has happened with Mopa is that it has taken the exact words in the country’s Constitution and if soldiers are deployed to support the police, they will always be under the command of the police,” he said.

“The other issues are rules of engagement, but you do not put rules of engagement in the Act. They are going to be subsidiary to the Act, which means issues like at what point are you going to fire live ammunition. You go to the demonstration as a non-military person, but carrying a weapon, but what controls you is the issue of engagement. So, issues in Mopa are actually in conformity with the Constitution.

“We cannot put tactical issues in an Act and you cannot say in an Act that you will use rubber bullets.”

On re-engagement with the Commonwealth, Moyo said the team from the bloc was in the country two weeks ago, but they are yet to release a report on the second phase of their assessments.

Moyo also defended Mnangagwa’s globe-trotting, saying that when a President is elected, the first thing is to meet his counterparts in the region.

“Every new head of State does exactly the same and they travel to Sadc countries because it is the first line of defence and it is not that the President travels because he enjoys travelling, but he is there to maintain close relationships,” he said.-Newsday

Eskom’s Megawatt Park in Sunninghill, Johannesburg was on lock-down on Monday after Soweto residents barricaded all entrances leading to the offices…

Disgruntled residents embarked on the protest action after the power utility cut electricity to some parts of the township over non-payment of bills.

Staff members who were already inside the premises were unable to leave while those who were outside were unable to gain access.

Eskom had warned residents to pay up or the utility would not repair faulty and damaged substations and transformers.

News24 previously reported that the township alone owes Eskom over R17bn in unpaid electricity bills.

Last week Johannesburg mayor, Herman Mashaba, promised to engage with Eskom officials over the power utility’s threats

He said he had received complaints from residents demanding his intervention.

Eskom spokesperson Dikatso Mothae said residents seemed not to be pleased with the utility’s stance of requesting access to audit meters in order to fix the outages experienced in some parts of the area.

“The reason why we are saying this is because we have seen that to just reconnect infrastructure in those areas, without dealing with the root cause of illegal connections, we found we just reconnect then the infrastructure three days later fails or explodes and we have to replace [it] which is quite expensive,” Mothae said.

She said the groups who blocked entrances were from Protea South and Dlamini. No damage to property was reported and employees were safe, Mothae added.

The residents handed over a memorandum and have since dispersed.

Mothae said the memorandum has been received and the power utility would revert to the residents in due course.

“With these issues, we continue to engage with communities as best as we can but what is paramount is that they allow us in to do those meter audits,” she said.

By A Correspondent- Vice President, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga, is in China to receive an antidote for his poisoning from Chinese military doctors, as a last ditch effort to help him heal, Spotlight Zimbabwe reported.

Chiwenga is being treated at a top and reputable military hospital called, The General Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army (PLAGH) in Beijing.

The institution has provided health and medical care to the leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, the PLA’s general headquarters, and to the troops stationed in the Chinese capital.

“China believes they have a cure for the Zimbabwe vice president, and will administer an antidote for his poisoning ailment in a few days at the General Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army,” said the diplomat whose mission is also situated in the South African capital.

“The whole operation involves China and Zimbabwe’s military intelligence units. After the Indians failed to diagnose him recently, a set of blood and urine tests were done on him by Chinese military doctors when he was back in Zimbabwe from India in June. The doctors actually flew to his private residence in Harare for the tests, and based on the confidential results an antidote has been found.”

Chiwenga was left as Acting President by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in late June, when he left for Mozambique to attend the United States-Africa Business Summit. However Chiwenga, was not seen in public and is said to have perfomed his presidential functions via teleconferencing from his home, owing to poor health.

In February, high level sources in the defence ministry disclosed that the VP had been rushed to India aboard a private plane through the Manyame air base in the capital, for urgent treatment, as military intelligence officials suspected that the former Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) boss, could have ingested the deadly polonium-210 poison, possibly administered using food by his political enemies.

The government yesterday, through presidential spokesman, George Charamba, took the unusual and rare step to issue a statement on Chiwenga’s health saying that he had left South Africa for China for further medical tests, without revealing that the vice president was actually in China for the cure, as the matter is classified as a state secret.

“Following last week’s Presidential statement on Vice President CGDN Chiwenga’s health and recovery status, the Office of the President and Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the Vice President this week left for the People’s Republic of China where he is set to undergo further medical tests,” Charamba said.

“His relocation to China, which builds on the satisfactory recovery progress he has been making, follows weekend discussions at the highest level between Governments of Zimbabwe and China at which a decision was taken to allow Chinese medical experts to join their counterparts from Zimbabwe, South Africa and India in attending to the Vice President. The Office will keep the nation updated on the progress the Vice President continues to make towards full recovery.”

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Beyond the current energy agonies born out failure to plan & a deficit of leadership, we must dare to dream SMART& BIG. We shall get there and soon.We must act to be that change & make prosperity possible.This tram is in Melbourne, Australia.#makechangehappen #changethatdelivers pic.twitter.com/XwSgyJcdRh

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) July 23, 2019

Eskom’s Megawatt Park in Sunninghill, Johannesburg was on lockdown on Monday after Soweto residents barricaded all entrances leading to the offices…

Disgruntled residents embarked on the protest action after the power utility cut electricity to some parts of the township over non-payment of bills.

Staff members who were already inside the premises were unable to leave while those who were outside were unable to gain access.

Eskom had warned residents to pay up or the utility would not repair faulty and damaged substations and transformers.

News24 previously reported that the township alone owes Eskom over R17bn in unpaid electricity bills.

Last week Johannesburg mayor, Herman Mashaba, promised to engage with Eskom officials over the power utility’s threats

He said he had received complaints from residents demanding his intervention.

Eskom spokesperson Dikatso Mothae said residents seemed not to be pleased with the utility’s stance of requesting access to audit meters in order to fix the outages experienced in some parts of the area.

“The reason why we are saying this is because we have seen that to just reconnect infrastructure in those areas, without dealing with the root cause of illegal connections, we found we just reconnect then the infrastructure three days later fails or explodes and we have to replace [it] which is quite expensive,” Mothae said.

She said the groups who blocked entrances were from Protea South and Dlamini. No damage to property was reported and employees were safe, Mothae added.

The residents handed over a memorandum and have since dispersed.

Mothae said the memorandum has been received and the power utility would revert to the residents in due course.

“With these issues, we continue to engage with communities as best as we can but what is paramount is that they allow us in to do those meter audits,” she said.

By Own Correspondent- The ruling party, Zanu-PF, has said it will not turn a blind eye on anarchy following acts of extreme provocation by the Mr Nelson Chamisa-led MDC-Alliance, which has escalated its violence to the international arena.

Addressing journalists at Zanu-PF Headquarters Monday, the party’s secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo said they had been closely following the behaviour of the MDC-Alliance which is in pursuit of its doomed unconstitutional regime change agenda.

Zanu-PF Politburo member and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo was “baptised” by protestors in London last week in a development that has been described by Zanu Pf as violence.

“The recent assault on Honourable Moyo and his team in London by MDC hoodlums masquerading as human rights activists while they were on official Government business, firmly demonstrates the aversion of the opposition to the principle of respect for the rule of law and peaceful protests as set out in the national Constitution and international human rights laws,” said Khaya Moyo.

“However, the attack in London on SB Moyo cannot be taken in isolation as it is part of the beleaguered opposition’s grand plan to foment chaos within Zimbabwe and create false impression of a failed State.”

Khaya Moyo said in the last 12 months alone, the MDC penchant for violent protests led to the death and injury of innocent Zimbabweans and destruction of property running into millions of dollars.

“While the Zanu-PF led Government under the stewardship of His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa has exceedingly committed to ensuring that the rights of Zimbabweans, including the right to protest, are guaranteed as set out in the supreme law of the land, it has rightfully demonstrated that it cannot take a blind eye to anarchy,” he said.-StateMedia

Grace Ntombizodwa Mugabe (née Marufu; born 23 July 1965) is the second wife of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. She served as the First Lady of Zimbabwe from 1996 until her husband’s resignation in November 2017, a week after he was ousted from power.

Starting as a secretary to President Mugabe, she rose in the ranks of the ruling ZANU–PF party to become the head of its Women’s League and a key figure in the Generation 40 faction. At the same time, she gained a reputation for privilege and extravagance during a period of economic turmoil in the country.

She was expelled from the party, with other G40 members, during the 2017 Zimbabwean coup d’état.

Zimbabweans have this morning been wishing her happy returns on her 54th birthday with some claiming that she is being missed.

By A Correspondent- Home Affairs secretary Melusi Matshiya on Monday warned that security forces, who are deployed to man the country’s border posts without receiving allowances, are prone to corruption and underhand dealings.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Security, chaired by Zanu PF MP for Umzingwane Brigadier-General (Retired) Levi Mayihlome, Matshiya revealed that security details deployed at border posts were living in squalid conditions without proper tools to prevent smuggling of goods and people.

Matshiya told the committee that police officers at the border posts were being deployed without allowances and food in some cases due to budgetary constraints.

“It is something that I am ashamed of, but this is the reality. Yes, we have mechanism in place to discipline them, but they are exposed. I am their boss and I have to tell the truth, we send a police officer for 30 to 40 days away in the bush without money and we expect them to work. They will be tempted,” he said.

Matshiya said at least US$1,5 million was required to buy monitoring equipment for the border posts to curb smuggling.

The permanent secretary who was accompanied by police Deputy Commissioner General Levi Ncube, Immigration principal director Respect Gono and Registrar-General, Clemence Masango, said the issue of subsistence allowances for police officer deployed at border posts should be dealt with urgently to ensure that those tasked to guard the country’s borders are well taken care of.

The committee wanted Matshiya and his crew to explain strategies they were undertaking to deal with smuggling of goods and people at border posts across the country.

The committee was told that the country’s border posts were porous and minerals such as gold and diamonds were being smuggled to South Africa and at times officers deployed there get involved in the illicit trade.

“This is bleeding the economy, at some point we had more than 20kg of gold smuggled through Zambia. We also had diamonds that were taken through South Africa and they found their way to the United Arab Emirates,” Matshiya said.

Beitbridge East MP, Albert Nguluvhe (Zanu PF) took the secretary and the police boss to task on allegations that the police details deployed at border posts were abusive and at times assisting smugglers to conduct their trade.

So far, according to Matshiya, 187 immigration officers have been charged with corruption and 177 of those have been convicted, while in the Registrar-General’s Office 26 officers were accused of graft and 19 of them convicted.-Newsday

The online publication, Spotlight Zimbabwe, which is reported to have links to Zimbabwe’s Military Intelligence Directive (MID) has claimed that ailing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga will be administered with an antidote for poisoning by Chinese medical experts.

This comes after Chiwenga was airlifted to China from South Africa where Chinese medical experts will now join their counterparts from Zimbabwe, South Africa and India in trying to heal the sick former General who is believed to have been poisoned.

The publication has written a series of articles with fantastic claims concerning the presidency and the military. The publication is notable for correctly writing about the November 2017 military coup against former President Robert Mugabe before it occured.

PRETORIA– Vice President, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga, is in China to receive an antidote for his poisoning from Chinese military doctors, as a last ditch effort to help him heal, Spotlight Zimbabwe, can exclusively reveal.

According to a diplomatic source with close links to a Chinese military attache at their embassy here in Pretoria, Beijing believes it can turn around Chiwenga’s troubling health woes as their medical experts in the military have developed a special antidote to administer to him.

 Spotlight Zimbabwe, has also been told that Chiwenga is being treated at a top and reputable military hospital called, The General Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army (PLAGH) in Beijing.

 The institution has provided health and medical care to the leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, the PLA’s general headquarters, and to the troops stationed in the Chinese capital.

“China believes they have a cure for the Zimbabwe vice president, and will administer an antidote for his poisoning ailment in a few days at the General Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army,” said the diplomat whose mission is also situated in the South African capital. “The whole operation involves China and Zimbabwe’s military intelligence units. After the Indians failed to diagnose him recently, a set of blood and urine tests were done on him by Chinese military doctors when he was back in Zimbabwe from India in June. The doctors actually flew to his private residence in Harare for the tests, and based on the confidential results an antidote has been found.”

 Chiwenga was left as Acting President by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in late June, when he left for Mozambique to attend the United States-Africa Business Summit. However Chiwenga, was not seen in public and is said to have perfomed his presidential functions via teleconferencing from his home, owing to poor health.

 This publication was the first to report about Chiwenga’s poisoning in February, after high level sources in the defence ministry disclosed that the VP had been rushed to India aboard a private plane through the Manyame air base in the capital, for urgent treatment, as military intelligence officials suspected that the former Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) boss, could have ingested the deadly polonium-210 poison, possibly administered using food by his political enemies.

The government yesterday, through presidential spokesman, George Charamba, took the unusual and rare step to issue a statement on Chiwenga’s health saying that he had left South Africa for China for further medical tests, without revealing that the vice president was actually in China for the cure, as the matter is classified as a state secret.

 ‌

“Following last week’s Presidential statement on Vice President CGDN Chiwenga’s health and recovery status, the Office of the President and Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the Vice President this week left for the People’s Republic of China where he is set to undergo further medical tests,” Charamba said.

 ‌

“His relocation to China, which builds on the satisfactory recovery progress he has been making, follows weekend discussions at the highest level between Governments of Zimbabwe and China at which a decision was taken to allow Chinese medical experts to join their counterparts from Zimbabwe, South Africa and India in attending to the Vice President. The Office will keep the nation updated on the progress the Vice President continues to make towards full recovery.”

Last week we also reported that Chiwenga is thought to have been allegedly poisoned, during a private lunch meeting with Mnangagwa at a luxury hotel in Harare last year.

Mnangagwa himself is a victim of ice-cream poisoning, which his supporters claim he suffered at the hands of former first lady, Grace Mugabe, at a ruling party rally in Gwanda, in 2017.

Vincent Tsvangirayi has won the internal MDC election to stand in September’s by-election for Glen View South constituency. The seat fell vacant following the death of Vincent’s sister, Vimbayi Tsvangirai-Java, last month.

Posting on Twitter, the opposition party said:

Vincent Tsvangirai son to our late icon and MDC founding leader, will represent the party in the Glen View South by-election slated for 7 September this year after beating seven other contestants in the primaries held today.

Earlier reports had suggested that there were nine prospective candidates for the MDC primary election.

MDC secretary for Education, Fadzai Mahere, and former representative of the constituency, Paul Madzore, were on the list. Mahere however later refuted the claims.

Glen View National Assembly seat fell vacant following the death of Tsvangirai Java who succumbed to injuries that she sustained following a car accident on her way from Bulawayo.

Zanu-PF Politburo member Obert Mpofu says an apology by President Emmerson Mnangwagwa’s government over the Gukurahundi atrocities will be a disaster for the ruling party and the administration.

In a two part article published by a Bulawayo based weekly, Mpofu, who defected from PF-Zapu to Zanu in the 1980s, says it’s time to let bygones be bygones.  

“Let bygones be bygones, if Government is to be dragged into formally apologising, this will open closed wounds which may be catastrophic to the party and government,” said Mpofu.

Mpofu further argues that the Gukurahundi which saw more than 20 000 people, largely supporters of PF-Zapu, from Matabeleland and Midlands massacred by the army and state agents in the early 1980s was resolved by the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987.

“The Gukurahundi issue was resolved on 22 December 1987 by former President R G Mugabe and the late Vice-President J Nkomo. If discussions on Gukurahundi are to happen, Zanu-PF as the custodians of the Unity Accord should define the agenda and own the process,” said Mpofu.

He said discussions on Gukurahundi should be on identifying the victims and help them to access basic social services such as identification if there is need.

“Like any other disaster, a crisis of this sort is bound to create victims who have lost economic and social livelihoods. Some of these things can never be fully restored, instead the Government can recognise these people as victims and try to establish centres where they can be assisted,” said Mpofu.

Zimbabwe has awarded controversial former Eskom acting CEO Matshela Koko a deal to build a 100MW solar power plant, with energy minister Fortune Chasi saying Harare is not concerned about allegations involving Koko at SA’s power utility.

Reports in March said Koko had been accused of promising Swiss-based engineering giant ABB future contracts worth R6.5bn if it subcontracted work at the Kusile power station to Impulse International, a company partially owned by his stepdaughter, Koketso Choma.

The company is one of 11 international engineering giants said to be under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit for their role in the looting of about R139bn during the building of Medupi and Kusile power units.

Both Koko and Impulse International’s Pragasen Pather have since denied the allegations.

Zimbabwe, which is experiencing power outages of up to 18 hours a day, is desperate for new investors to add power to the national grid.

Another solar plant project that was earmarked to be built in Gwanda, Matebeleland South, stalled after allegations that funds were misappropriated at Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) and controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo.

Matshela Energy’s solar power plant will be built in Gwanda. The licence is for 25 years.

In an interview on Monday, Chasi confirmed the government’s deal with Koko. He said his country was going to benefit from the investment.

“What is important about this deal is that Matshela Energy has the requisite expertise in energy given its experience in South Africa. We need investors in our country, more so in energy because we are in a crisis.

“This deal is good for us because Matshela Energy will bring in an investor from the US. So our country is going to benefit and the people in that area are also going to benefit through employment and development.”

Asked if Harare trusted Koko, Chasi said: “The difference between Koko and Chivayo’s contracts is that the South African company will raise private funding for the power plant, while Chivayo was paid through Zesa.

“So Matshela Energy is going to invest money into this project. It is going to be a BOT (built, operate and transfer). So government is not going to pay a cent but it is leaving everything in the hands of the investors and if Matshela fails to deliver, it will be their own baby,” said Chasi.

A post on Koko’s Twitter account shows him celebrating the deal.

“Matshela Energy brings to the region a 100MW Solar PV power plant with 240MWh of battery storage. I was forcefully diverted to my destiny by president @CyrilRamaphosa & @mgigaba. Little did they know they were pushing me to greater heights,” he tweeted.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, ZERA, confirmed the issuing of the licence in a public notice and said the plant would be established at Timber Farm for purposes of generation and supply of electricity.

“The generation licence is hereby granted to Matshela Energy (Private) Limited . . . to own, operate and maintain the 100MW solar power plant called Matshela Energy — Gwanda Timber Farm Solar Power plant at Gwanda Timber Farm, Gwanda in Matabeleland South Province,” said Zera.

“The licensee may supply electricity to any transmition, distribution or supply licensee who purchases electricity for resale and, with the approval of the Authority, to any one or more consumers.”

The issuing of solar plant licences by Zera comes as a short to long term solution to ending the electricity crisis in the country.

BULAWAYO Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube reportedly tried to warn the city’s Deputy Mayor Councillor Tinashe Kambarami and his sidekick Councillor Silas Chigora, among others, against flouting procurement procedures saying they risked arrest for corruption.

This is contained in a nearly five minute audio recording that has been circulating on social media.

Clrs Kambarami and Chigora were recently at the forefront of violently ‘suspending’ Mr Dube accusing him of corruption, among other accusations.

Bulawayo Mayor Clr Solomon Mguni rescinded the suspension the following day.

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

In the audio, Mr Dube explains to Clr Kambarami council procurement procedures warning that they would remember his advice when things go sour.

“Deputy Mayor let me tell you, now the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has been given arresting powers.

There are so many things that would lead to the arrest of certain individuals.

So I have tried to correct you as the city fathers.

I don’t gain anything in this. But it is my duty and obligation to tell you that this thing is not correct, do it this way. I thought I should call you and sit down together with the three other councillors . . . ,” says Mr Dube.

“Chigora in his capacity as chief whip and finance and development committee chair, I’m trying to advise you.

You see you will remember me tomorrow that uDube tried to advise us and it’s up to you to accept or discard my advice. I would have done my part.”

In the audio, the Town Clerk further educates Clr Kambarami on what procurement entails as he seems not to understand.

Clr Kambarami asks whether the issue of parking is a procurement issue to which Mr Dube says it is.
The Deputy Mayor insists:

“No it’s a bit different Town Clerk, you know why I’m saying that because when you are reading on procurement, Procurement Act the first thing is on definition of procurement and procuring is acquiring but are we buying anything in that case?”

Mr Dube responds: “We are buying services from those people. Yes we are acquiring services from those people Deputy Mayor. I’m advising you as your Town Clerk. That is a procurement issue.”

Mr Dube, Clrs Kambarami and Chigora could not be immediately reached for comment yesterday.

The standoff between the Town Clerk and some councillors allegedly started after he resisted their moves to interfere with council management operations.

The councillors are said to be angry that the Town Clerk has refused to involve them in the distribution of the $5 million ward retention fund as well as the allocation of stands and premises.

State Media|The country’s diplomats serving at various missions will now have their performance measured in line with the Second Republic’s thrust of promoting economic diplomacy with those failing the test being recalled.

This was said by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Busi Moyo when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade yesterday.

“His Excellency (President Mnangagwa) will not just deploy, but he will ensure that he deploys ambassadors who have the same vision and thrust of economic diplomacy,” he said.

“We have taken time to train our ambassadors before deployment this time so that we actually reorient them and they have got specific targets and their targets are given like for every quarter how many tourists have come from your country of accreditation.

“We can count easily your performance, how many companies or investors have come from your country of accreditation and what new markets have you secured for this country.

“We can actually measure that so that we have a pro-forma which they fill to say this is what I have done and this is what I have not done and we can assess.

“If an ambassador cannot perform, the President has the prerogative to recall that ambassador so we prefer to have performing ambassadors.” Minister

Moyo said they were rationalising the country’s foreign missions to reflect the policy thrust of Government.

“The ministry is in the process of rationalising its foreign missions in order to correctly reflect the realities in the international community and most importantly the Second Republic’s thrust of engagement with everyone,” he said

“The rationalisation process includes but is not limited to closing down some sections where there is hardly any trade, opening new diplomatic missions and increasing staff at missions with multiple accreditation. The Government is in the process of opening three new diplomatic missions in Rwanda, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.”

He added that they would also introduce a ranking system for ambassadors where they would be paid according to their rank.

“We have decided to have what we call a rank of ambassadors. Instead of saying all ambassadors are the same, we rank them so that we can reduce the salaries of those who are ranked lower and that will create a saving in that regard and we believe it is a way to cut cost,” he said.

He added that they also wanted the foreign missions to coordinate Diaspora activities that he said had an important role to play in the development of the country.

The illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West in the past two decades have cost the country over US$70 billion in lost revenue and lines of credit, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo has said.

He said this yesterday when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade to brief them on his ministry’s programmes and activities.

Minister Moyo said Zimbabwe continues to deal with the illegal sanctions imposed by some Western countries, which have negatively affected the most vulnerable groups of citizens in particular, and the economy in general.

“It is estimated, for those who have done the studies, that Zimbabwe has lost an estimated US$42 billion in revenue because of the sanctions,” said Minister Moyo.

“The country lost multi-lateral donor support which is estimated at about US$4,5 billion annually since 2001 and US$12 billion in the IMF, World Bank and African Development Bank loans which could have developed infrastructure in this country and commercial loans estimated at US$18 billion which could have gone to the private sector and into other areas and as a result of that, a reduction of GDP of over US$21 billion .

“Now that’s a picture of what has been the impact of the sanctions in the past two decades.”

Minister Moyo said the heavy cost to the economy has necessitated Zimbabwe’s policy thrust of re-engagement to ensure the country returns to the community of nations.

“This is the main reason why our foreign policy at the moment targets at re-engagement with those countries who have seen us in negative a way and who should therefore unlock this particular area.
That’s why since his inauguration, His Excellency (President Mnangagwa) has dynamised Zimbabwe’s quest to normalise relations with the West through re-engagement.

Serious and focused dialogue has already been initiated with key constituent countries among them the United Kingdom, the US, Germany, France, Sweden and Australia.

“The main objective of the re-engagement is to normalise all aspects of the country’s relations by ending Zimbabwe’s isolation and re-opening all lines of communication.”State media

THE crippling power outages being experienced across the country have escalated operational costs and compromised the quality of service delivery in the telecommunications sector, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, has said.

In a statement yesterday, Econet apologised to its customers following the mobile network collapse at the weekend, which it said was “triggered by Zesa power outages” at its network operations centre in Harare.

Thousands of subscribers countrywide were left stranded on Saturday as they could neither make calls or conduct transactions using EcoCash.

Econet said the level of power cuts had reached unsustainable levels and was threatening the viability of the telecoms sector.

The listed firm said provisional measures to mitigate the impact on service quality and network performance through use of diesel generators at base stations were being hampered by prevailing fuel shortages.

“Even with these contingency measures, the increased fuel allocation is still inadequate to ensure the required optimum network performance and at current regulated pricing levels, the related costs are not sustainable,” said Econet.

“The severe shortage of both electrical power and diesel fuel means that some of our base stations will not be operational when there is no Zesa power or when fuel runs out on a site.

“This inevitably results in the degradation of all services supported by the network in terms of service availability, call setup, call success rates, dropped call rates and speech quality.”State media

Farai Dziva| Medical experts in China will examine Constantino Chiwenga as the government steps up efforts to secure treatment for the former army general.

Below is a statement released by government on Chiwenga’s health:

Following last week’s President Statement on Vice President CGDN Chiwenga’s health and recovery status, the Office of the President and Cabinet wishes to inform the Nation that the Vice President this week left for the People’s Republic of China where he is set to undergo further medical tests.

His relocation to China, which builds on the satisfactory recovery progress he has been making, follows weekend discussions at the highest level between Governments of Zimbabwe and China, at which a decision was taken to allow Chinese medical experts to join their expert counterparts from Zimbabwe, South Africa and India in attending to the Vice President.

The office will keep the Nation updated on the progress the vice President continues to make towards full recovery.

Farai Dziva|
A Mutare man was shocked beyond beyond belief when he caught his wife in bed with her boyfriend in their matrimonial home.

According to The Manica Post, Ishmael Madhochi of Sakubva, Mutare, unexpectedly came back home from Harare around 3 am on Tuesday, only to find his wife Faith in bed with her lover Livingstone Gwandura.

Ishmael managed to contain himself and did not assault the lovebirds but called his relatives instead to witness the shameful act.

One of Ishmael’s sisters who spoke to The Manica Post publication said:

It was around 3 am when we heard about the incident. My brother alerted us saying he caught his wife with a boyfriend.

We are worried because our brother is a caring and loving husband. We are shocked that this woman had to do this.

This is disgraceful. Our daughter-in-law (Faith) is a disgrace to the family. We were shocked by the incident and we are now about to deliberate on the way forward. We are glad that at least our son Ishmael did not injure the boyfriend or do anything that he would regret later.

Ishmael came back home after a tip-off and we are glad that it came to light.”

The ruling Zanu-PF party has embarked on an intensive drive to persuade the nation to give President Emmerson Mnangagwa a chance to “prove his capabilities” as the country’s economic woes continue to mount.

The youth league national political commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu told Wedza villagers over the weekend that Mnangagwa’s policies might be tough but will eventually bear fruits.

This comes as prices of basic commodities continue to shoot on the backdrop of fuel prices increases, which have become regular in recent weeks.

Tsenengamu said, Mnangagwa, unlike former President Robert Mugabe, will not force business owners to reduce prices in their shops as this will cause total  industry collapse.

He said the Mnangagwa government is aware of the people’s plight and he is “working around the clock” to rectify the challenges.

“We have to be very patient with President Mnangagwa’s policies because they are taking the country in the right direction. He will not get in shops to control prices but he is doing all his best to make sure everything is in its rightful place,” he said.

“If Mnangagwa goes around controlling prices, investors will stay away and we will continue to suffer,’ Tsenengamu said.

Ironically, when Mnangagwa came into power, his promise was premised on bringing in investors who would channel in funds which would see the reopening of industries which have been lying idle for years.

After the 2018 election, there was hope that Mnangagwa’s promises would bear fruits but the brutality at the hands of the military post-election and in January when citizens protested against fuel prices and a shrinking economy, has hampered chances of him attracting the much needed foreign direct investment.

With the current acute power shortages, the remaining functional companies have been threatened as the business has been slow.

Tsenengamu said the citizens have a right to demand a good life from a sitting President since they voted for him but he said the job ahead needed a collective effort.

“We are used to a President who interferes with business, but he is one a person who will not do so. President Mnangagwa will do the right thing but he needs your support for the economy to function,’ said the youth leader.

Wedza South Member of Parliament, Tinoda Machakaire said people should be patient with President Mnangagwa’s austerity measures saying there are good for the country.

He bemoaned the high levels of starvation in his constituency saying all focus should be on finding solutions to the challenges people are facing.

“Our people are hungry, there is drought in Wedza, our ordinary people do not afford these exorbitant prices charged here. I have since approached relevant authorities to deal with such issues,” he said.

Machakaire donated several tonnes of rice saying it will cushion villagers from exorbitant charges.

By Own Correspondent- A woman from Zibombo Village 2 in Shangani area in Matabeleland South left her community shocked when she reportedly kicked out her husband of 17 years from their matrimonial home allegedly as punishment for not paying bride price for her.

Julian Chiza, who felt her husband Tuesday Moyo could not continue enjoying her affection without giving her parents a token of appreciation for raising a woman who bore him three children reportedly told her husband that she could not sleep with him or accept him until he paid lobola.

Narrating his ordeal to B-Metro over the phone, Moyo who is now staying with a friend, said he was still to come to terms with his wife’s nasty move of evicting him from their home over failure to pay lobola.

“My wife kicked me out of the house because I had not paid lobola. She threw all my belongings outside. When I confronted her she started shouting at me with vulgar language saying she could not stay with a man who has not paid lobola for her,” said a devastated Moyo adding that he could not do so at the moment as he could not afford to.

He said his wife was also not allowing him to have access to their children.

“She is also refusing me access to our children. I tried to engage the village head and her family over the matter but to no avail. Her family said they will only entertain me after I had paid something,” said Moyo.

After realising that his in-laws had refused to entertain him, Moyo sought the intervention of the courts in the form of a peace order against his wife.

His application reads: “Julian Chiza is my wife and we got married in 2002. We have three children together and I want a protection order against her because she chased me away from our matrimonial home in February this year saying I didn’t pay lobola for her. She also insults me with vulgar language and I want the court to assist me so that I can go back and look after my children,” begged Moyo.

He said although the order was granted in his favour, he didn’t receive any joy after the presiding magistrate “ignored” his request to stop his wife from chasing him from their matrimonial home. 

The wife was only ordered not to verbally abuse him with vulgar language.

Chiza was, however, not available for comment but according to evidence she led in court she admitted to chasing away her husband from home as punishment for not paying lobola.

She also said her husband once ill-treated her when he deserted her soon after giving birth to their first child.

“After he impregnated me in 2002, he disappeared. He returned in 2006 and we started staying together. I chased him away because I can’t say we are married since he didn’t pay lobola for me for all those years we had been staying together. He was also accusing me of poisoning him,” she responded.-BMetro

By Own Correspondent| Council is acquiring 20 water bowsers to cart water to areas not receiving supplies.

A Special Council which sat Tuesday to discuss the water crisis, health issues and the next 100 day plan resolved that 20 Bowsers be urgently acquired.

Council also approved Mayor Herbert Gomba’s plans to send a team to South Africa to acquaint themselves with the operations of mobile water treatment plants.

Said the Harare City Council in a statement:

“Harare plans to acquire similar equipment. Environment Management Committee chairperson Councillor Kudzai Kadzombe will lead the delegation which also include Acting Harare Water director Engineer Phakamile Moyo and Supply Chain manager Mr Never Murerwa.”

The secretary-general of the MDC Alliance has revealed that NetOne refused their request to have a biller code for their party. However, NetOne extended the service to Zanu PF.

This was revealed by MDC secretary-general Chalton Hwende on Twitter:

By A Correspondent- The first officer to hold a “full” general’s rank in post-Independence Zimbabwe General Andrew (Sandy) Maclean has died. 

His promotion was announced by current President and then Minister of State Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Maclean was promoted to full general in overall command of the country’s army and air force as the supreme commander of Zimbabwe’s defence forces by (then) Prime Minister Robert Mugabe in 1981 at the age of 49.

Maclean was the commander of the Rhodesian army and one of the men who led the fight against Mugabe’s nationalist guerrillas during the seven-year independence war which ended late in 1979.

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

By A Correspondent- A 32-year-old man from Gondo Village in Gokwe under Chief Nemangwe brought a hooker to his home and forced his wife to watch him have sex with the thigh vendor on their matrimonial bed.

After the deed, he instructed his wife to prepare food for the “girlfriend”.

The matter was heard when Tafara Mzembe was dragged by his wife Atalia Sibanda to Chief Nemangwe’s traditional court.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said Mzembe who is an artisanal miner, was in the habit of buying sex from sex workers at Gondo Business Centre.

“He is a miner and as such he usually has lots of money that he usually spends on sex workers at the growth point.

On the fateful day, he hired the services of a certain hooker called Betty Masamba and he decided to take her home.

“Upon arrival in the wee hours, he woke his wife up and forced her to watch him bed the hooker on their bed saying he wanted her to learn various sex positions from Masamba,” said the source.

After the deed, Mzembe who was heavily intoxicated ordered his wife to prepare Masamba a meal as she had complained of hunger.

“After having sex with the hooker, he instructed Sibanda to go to the kitchen and prepare a meal for the ‘visitor’ as a token of appreciation for showing her sex positions,” said the source.

Contacted for comment, Chief Nemangwe under whose jurisdiction the area falls under, confirmed the matter saying he ordered Mzembe to pay three cows to his wife for disrespecting her in such a manner.

“I can confirm presiding over such a matter and l ordered Mzembe to pay his wife three cows. He abused his wife and we do not tolerate women abuse in this area.

“When l inquired why he was sleeping with hookers yet he has a wife, he said his wife had lost sexual flavour,” said Chief Nemangwe.-BMetro

MDC Glenview South
Primary Elections Result

Vincent Tsvangirai 148 Votes
Tahwa 62 votes
Joshua 25 votes
Mapisi 21 votes
Mukomondera 8 votes
Mututwa 3 votes
Gidi 1 vote
Chimedza 1 vote

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe versatile cricket player, Solomon Mire, has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect following International Cricket Council’s decision to suspend Zimbabwe.

Fears abound that more players would follow in the footsteps of the 29-year-old. Zimbabwe was recently suspended by the ICC over allegations of government interference in the sport.

In a statement on his Instagram account, Mire said that it was with a heavy heart that he was making the decision.

Read the full text below:

By A Correspondent- ZANU PF Member of Parliament for Chakari Constituency, Andrew Nkani, has appeared before the court for allegedly defrauding 100 teachers of $63 000 in a land scam.

Nkani is jointly accused with the Ministry of Small to Medium Enterprises which introduced Nkani to the teachers.

Nkani is appearing before Harare magistrate, Yeukai Chigodora after he allegedly squandered $63 000 from 100 teachers.

The teachers reportedly formed a Housing cooperative after Nkani had assured them that he can allocate them residential stands.

The State alleges that the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe Housing Cooperative chairman, Andrew Karongo, formed the cooperative with other 99 teachers in 2011.

The cooperative was issued with a registration certificate and was also introduced to Nkani who was said to be an auditor who had a running project with the city of Harare.

Nkani then revealed to the cooperative that he had 100 stands in Budiriro which would demand that each member pays $8000. PTUZ reportedly paid $63 000 to the accused.

The accused allegedly failed to deliver the stands as he was supposed. He, however, demanded an additional $2 000, $5000 and $4000 for a land development permit, drawing of sewer and water diagrams and offer letters respectively.

PTUZ allegedly exerted pressure on Nkani who only availed 40 stands of which 5 were double allocations.-263Chat

By A Correspondent- Government takes the diaspora community as a critical sector that cannot be left out in the country’s turnaround strategy and achievement of Vision 2030. 

Addressing Zimbabweans living in Birmingham, England during her visit last week, Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Prisca Mupfumira, said Zimbabwe’s re-engagement and re-construction as guided by the Transitional Stabilisation Programme and Vision 2030, will be difficult to attain without the participation of the diaspora community. 

The Minister’s re-engagement train started in London, straddling Glasglow, Liverpool, Huntingdon and Manchester.

At each step of the way tourism authorities have been urging Zimbabweans to come back home and invest in the economy especially within the tourism sector.

Minister Mupfumira, who led the engagement drive, shared with delegates and ordinary Zimbabweans in Birmingham on the synergies available and encouraged Zimbabweans to take part in development and joint venture initiatives under the new dispensation. 

“Since the ushering in of the Second Republic, Zimbabwe has been generating renewed confidence and interest throughout the world as a result of a vibrant re-engagement strategy and the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra,” she said.

“We are already working with business partners including airlines that will ease your travel back home to enjoy what the country has to offer. 

“This will be made possible, for example, through the introduction of special fares and packages for Zimbabweans in the diaspora. This in our view will not only reduce your travel costs but also make tourism packages relatively affordable.” 

The engagements were being held on the back of the tourism sector recording an increase in tourist arrivals and growth in the number of investment inquiries from both local and foreign prospective investors. 

“The unprecedented growth on the backdrop is riding on a number of factors that include aggressive marketing efforts, political transition ushering in a new political dispensation, harmonised elections, traffic boom, increased air seat capacity and Government’s new marketing mantra “Zimbabwe is open for business”. Indeed Zimbabwe is open for business,” said Minister Mupfumira. 

“In this positive trajectory, as Government we feel it would be amiss for us not to pay attention to you, the Zimbabwe diaspora, in this quest of rebuilding our beloved country. You are a very important and special constituency, which we cannot do without.

“Apart from contributing to tourism expenditure you are critical to boosting both domestic and international tourist arrivals. This is especially important given that conservatively we have more than four million of our people in the diaspora”.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is now heading to China for treatment, Presidential Spokesperson George Charamba has revealed.

The state media reports that the decision to transfer Zimbabwe’s Vice President follows the decision by Zimbabwe and China to allow Chinese experts to join fellow experts in Zimbabwe, South Africa and India in attending to the Vice President.

VP Chiwenga has been recovering in South Africa with President Mnangagwa last week confirming that the Vice President’s health was improving.

Last week, President Mnangagwa said VP Chiwenga was now able to do physical exercises on his own, an indication that he was on the road to recovery.

In a statement on Monday, Presidential Spokesman, George Charamba confirmed the latest developments.

“Following last week’s Presidential statement on Vice President CGDN Chiwenga’s health and recovery status, the Office of the President and Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the Vice President this week left for the People’s Republic of China where he is set to undergo further medical tests.

“His relocation to China, which builds on the satisfactory recovery progress he has been making, follows weekend discussions at the highest level between Governments of Zimbabwe and China at which a decision was taken to allow Chinese medical experts to join their counterparts from Zimbabwe, South Africa and India in attending to the Vice President.

“The Office will keep the nation updated on the progress the Vice President continues to make towards full recovery,” said Charamba.

-Statemedia

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has left South Africa for China for further medical tests.

This follows the decision by Zimbabwe and China to allow Chinese experts to join fellow experts in Zimbabwe, South Africa and India in attending to the Vice President.

VP Chiwenga has been recovering in South Africa with President Mnangagwa last week confirming that the Vice President’s health was improving.

Last week, President Mnangagwa said VP Chiwenga was now able to do physical exercises on his own, an indication that he was on the road to recovery.

In a statement on Monday, Presidential Spokesman, Cde George Charamba confirmed the latest developments.

“Following last week’s Presidential statement on Vice President CGDN Chiwenga’s health and recovery status, the Office of the President and Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the Vice President this week left for the People’s Republic of China where he is set to undergo further medical tests.

“His relocation to China, which builds on the satisfactory recovery progress he has been making, follows weekend discussions at the highest level between Governments of Zimbabwe and China at which a decision was taken to allow Chinese medical experts to join their counterparts from Zimbabwe, South Africa and India in attending to the Vice President.

“The Office will keep the nation updated on the progress the Vice President continues to make towards full recovery,” said Cde Charamba.

President Mnangagwa’s clarification is set to pour cold water on some sections of the media who have been publishing speculative stories on VP Chiwenga’s health.—The Herald.

The ruling Zanu-PF party has embarked on an intensive drive to persuade the nation to give President Emmerson Mnangagwa a chance to “prove his capabilities” as the country’s economic woes continue to mount.

The youth league national political commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu told Wedza villagers over the weekend that Mnangagwa’s policies might be tough but will eventually bear fruits.

This comes as prices of basic commodities continue to shoot on the backdrop of fuel prices increases, which have become regular in recent weeks.

Tsenengamu said, Mnangagwa, unlike former President Robert Mugabe, will not force business owners to reduce prices in their shops as this will cause total  industry collapse.

He said the Mnangagwa government is aware of the people’s plight and he is “working around the clock” to rectify the challenges.

“We have to be very patient with President Mnangagwa’s policies because they are taking the country in the right direction. He will not get in shops to control prices but he is doing all his best to make sure everything is in its rightful place,” he said.

“If Mnangagwa goes around controlling prices, investors will stay away and we will continue to suffer,’ Tsenengamu said.

Ironically, when Mnangagwa came into power, his promise was premised on bringing in investors who would channel in funds which would see the reopening of industries which have been lying idle for years.

After the 2018 election, there was hope that Mnangagwa’s promises would bear fruits but the brutality at the hands of the military post-election and in January when citizens protested against fuel prices and a shrinking economy, has hampered chances of him attracting the much needed foreign direct investment.

With the current acute power shortages, the remaining functional companies have been threatened as the business has been slow.

Tsenengamu said the citizens have a right to demand a good life from a sitting President since they voted for him but he said the job ahead needed a collective effort.

“We are used to a President who interferes with business, but he is one a person who will not do so. President Mnangagwa will do the right thing but he needs your support for the economy to function,’ said the youth leader.

Wedza South Member of Parliament, Tinoda Machakaire said people should be patient with President Mnangagwa’s austerity measures saying there are good for the country.

He bemoaned the high levels of starvation in his constituency saying all focus should be on finding solutions to the challenges people are facing.

“Our people are hungry, there is drought in Wedza, our ordinary people do not afford these exorbitant prices charged here. I have since approached relevant authorities to deal with such issues,” he said.

Machakaire donated several tonnes of rice saying it will cushion villagers from exorbitant charges.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who has been in South Africa for the last couple of weeks was earlier today flown to China for further medical attention after the Zimbabwean government engaged its Chinese counterparts to help rescue the ailing former army commander.

According to a press statement by presidential spokesman George Charamba “his relocation to China, which builds on the satisfactory recovery progress he has been making, follows weekend discussions at the highest levels between the governments of Zimbabwe and China, at which a decision was made to allow Chinese medical experts to join their expert counterparts from Zimbabwe, South Africa and India in attending to the Vice President.”

The Spotlight Zimbabwe website has previously claimed that Chiwenga was poisoned during a private lunch meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at a luxury hotel in Harare last year.

This article first appeared on Spotlight Zimbabwe.

LONDON – President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidential exit is all but sealed amid reports that China will likely help in his removal from office, after he recently allegedly angered Beijing by giving exclusive diamond exploration and mining rights to Russia ahead of the Asian powerhouse, Spotlight Zimbabwe, has been told.

Mnangagwa’s tenure in office is already hanging by a thread, as a faction in the military close to Vice President, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga, wants him to voluntarily resign and make way for Chiwenga, after he has dismally failed to resuscitate the country’s economy, which is now nearing total collapse in the face of the worst and unseen power outages in the nation’s history of up to 18 hours a day, growing fuel and water shortages, a wave of extortionate taxes by his regime, and uncontrollable price escalations.

According to diplomatic sources in the capital, diamond company executives and an official in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), who survived Mnangagwa’s purges after former leader, President Robert Mugabe’s ouster in November 2017, China is upset with the ruling Zanu PF leader, and she is reportedly about to play a hidden hand in his removal from power, as Mnangagwa has reneged on a political deal to give China unlimited and preferential access to Zimbabwe’s vast diamond deposits.

Last week Mnangagwa’s administration gave Russian diamond exploration and mining giant Alrosa, a massive 70 percent stake in a joint venture with government owned Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) in Manicaland with a contract provision for possible expansion across the territory of the whole country. Alrosa is the world leader in diamond mining, accounting for over 25% in the global diamond production in terms of carats.

Russia is the world’s biggest diamond miner, while China is the world’s second biggest diamond consumer market after the US.

Prior to Alrosa’s Zimbabwe entry, China had enjoyed access to mining diamonds in Marange, which is thought to be home to the globe’s biggest diamond find carats wise in more than a century, with plans by Beijing to explore other deposits in the country, before it’s flagship diamond mining firm in the area, Anjin Investments, had it’s licence controversially terminated by Mugabe in 2015 over accusations of diamond looting and corruption.

Anjin is a joint venture between a Chinese company, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Co. Ltd., and Matt Bronze Enterprises, which was formed by the Zimbabwe Defense Ministry and the Zimbabwe Defense Forces through an intermediary company.

“China though they might say otherwise actually removed Mugabe over the fallout in Marange diamonds mining,” said one of the envoys last week. “From what we understand in our circles your new leader made a political deal with the Chinese, to grant them exclusive diamond mining and exploration rights in Zimbabwe post-Mugabe, as they had facilitated his passage to becoming president. However he appears to have reneged on the pact, and has decided to choose Russia over China, now that’s a very dangerous game and they (China) will help remove him (Mnangagwa), because their economic interests in your country are increasingly coming under threat, from the Russians and the West. China is the one keeping Zimbabwe running, and they will make sure that a leader who protects their interests is in power.”

China has over the years and before his dethronement, funded Mugabe’s presidential campaigns and Zanu PF’s power retention agenda, through the direct intervention of the Chinese Communist Party, and financial support said to have topped US$1 billion from diamonds alone, according to news organisation 100Reporters.

A diamond company executive based in the port city of Antwerp, in Belgium, with close links to a former presidium member, yesterday in a telephone briefing told Spotlight Zimbabwe that, Mnangagwa had courted Alrosa and favoured them with diamond mining in Zimbabwe instead of China, because he wanted political and financial support from Russia in his bid to run for a second term as president in 2023, but the whole strategy will backfire.

“The Chinese have written Mnangagwa off and are not interested in funding his stay in office anymore,” said the executive. “He has courted Alrosa with the intention to receive funding and support from Russia, in his remote bid to remain president and run again as Zanu PF’s 2023 presidential candidate, because China stopped to bankroll the ruling party when Mugabe chased their companies away from mining diamonds in Marange. It’s going to backfire, and he’ll soon be desposed as leader. China made his presidency, and they’re now going to annul it over the war on Zimbabwe diamonds with Russia.”

The OPC official said the recent Alrosa joint venture with ZCDC in Manicaland, and another US$3 billion platinum project with Russia in Darwendale, has won Mnangagwa invitation to the inaugural Russia-Africa Summit in October in Sochi, but he might not be in office or it will be his very first and last Russia-Africa Summit, as he was definately leaving the presidency in 2020, whether he liked it or not.

“The Chinese are not happy with Mnangagwa because of the diamonds saga,” said the OPC staffer. “Even communication channels are no longer direct, these days. President Mugabe always had a direct line to speak with the Chinese leader, but now we have to go through the Chinese Embassy, that tells you that all is not well. He’s definately leaving the presidency in 2020, whether he likes it or not, but you already know that.”

Outspoken Independent legislator for Norton, Temba Mliswa, last month warned that Mnangagwa faces the danger of either being captured or removed by Chinese nationals operating various businesses in Zimbabwe.

Speaking in parliament on a point of privilege, Mliswa accused the Chinese of disrespecting the laws of Zimbabwe.

“Government must review relations with China. I was kidnapped yesterday (Wednesday) in my constituency. Chinese have no respect for the laws of this country. Today it is Mliswa but next it will be the President (Mnangagwa) Mr Speaker Sir,” Mliswa said.

China has previously been accused of orchestrating Mugabe’s removal via a military coup, but has vehemently denied any involvement, calling such speculation “complete nonsense, and purely fictitious”.

It’s embassy in South Africa during the time said in a statement: “Some people are trying to link China to the political crisis that is taking place in Zimbabwe in order to drive a wedge between China and Africa and to undermine China’s image.” Such allegations were “illogical, inconsistent and filled with evil motives”.

“China has long enjoyed friendly relations with Zimbabwe. When Zimbabwe was facing isolation and sanctions from the west, China stood firm on its principles and remained by Zimbabwe’s side, developing mutually beneficial cooperation, which brought benefits to both countries and peoples.”

Alrosa says it has targeted various areas for further diamond exploration. The company’s chief executive officer Sergey Ivanov told State media last week, that: “We expect to have more than four spots in Zimbabwe where we see potential and where we need to invest in exploration. We hope to get discoveries in all these. We see some exploration perspectives on the border with South Africa, the border with Botswana, (the) border with Mozambique; we see that there are some promising geological data and perspectives for new discoveries,” Ivanov was quoted.

They have been reports of recent diamond deposits and discoveries in the Sese area of Chivi, Masvingo Province, Chihota in Marondera West and Penhalonga just outside Mutare.

Information minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, whose husband is a former Zimbabwean Ambassador to China, was not reachable for comment last night, while the Chinese Embassy was closed.

Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi is reported to have late this afternoon been admitted a private hospital in Harare.

According to highly placed sources, Ziyambi is believed to be suffering from acute high blood pressure.

This comes a few hours after Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was hurriedly airlifted to China also in a critical condition.

More Details To Follow…

Farai Dziva|
A Mutare man was shocked beyond beyond belief when he caught his wife in bed with her boyfriend in their matrimonial home.

According to The Manica Post, Ishmael Madhochi of Sakubva, Mutare, unexpectedly came back home from Harare around 3 am on Tuesday, only to find his wife Faith in bed with her lover Livingstone Gwandura.

Ishmael managed to contain himself and did not assault the lovebirds but called his relatives instead to witness the shameful act.

One of Ishmael’s sisters who spoke to The Manica Post publication said:

It was around 3 am when we heard about the incident. My brother alerted us saying he caught his wife with a boyfriend.

We are worried because our brother is a caring and loving husband. We are shocked that this woman had to do this.

This is disgraceful. Our daughter-in-law (Faith) is a disgrace to the family. We were shocked by the incident and we are now about to deliberate on the way forward. We are glad that at least our son Ishmael did not injure the boyfriend or do anything that he would regret later.

Ishmael came back home after a tip-off and we are glad that it came to light.”

By Own Correspondent| A philanthropist and a farmer have hauled Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Hon. Perrance Shiri and the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to court challenging the restrictive measures banning the sale of maize grain in the country and giving the state-run Grain Marketing Board (GMB) a monopoly over trade in the commodity.

In an application filed in the High Court recently, Hon. Allan Markham, a philanthropist and Clever Rambanapasi, a farmer, argued that Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019 Grain Marketing (Control of Sale of Maize) Regulations, 2019, which was recently gazetted by government had made GMB the sole trader of maize in the country and made it illegal for people to trade in maize among themselves and banned the transportation of more than five bags of maize grain except in situations where one is delivering to the state-run body.

The regulations also empowered Zimbabwe Republic Police officers to seize maize grain suspected of being moved without authority and compliance with the law.

But through their lawyer Tendai Biti of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Hon. Markham, who is a philanthropist who buys and sells maize in communities to support many charities and Rambanapasi, a farmer based in Murewa in Mashonaland East province, protested that through the regulations, Hon. Shiri had set up a monopoly and a dangerous one which bars anyone who trades in grain whether he or she is a buyer or seller to only do so through the GMB and at a fixed price.

Hon. Markham and Rambanapasi charged that the consequences and effect of the restrictive regulations and of declaring a product a controlled one is drastic as it affects the contractual right of farmers and traders of buying grain from any party or individual and has a serious effect on livelihoods especially in rural communities where communal farmers produce subsistence maize.

Rambanapasi, who runs a small piggery project in Murewa, argued that maize is an essential ingredient in pig production and he buys the grain from rural communities in various villages to feed his pigs while Hon. Markham, who as a philanthropist supports some charities in the country, said he buys maize from communal farmers, which he uses to feed vulnerable communities in high density suburbs.

The duo said the regulations had affected people who engage in barter trade in communities and had also affected the freedom to contract and freedom to trade as professional millers, retailers and other organisations and individuals, who previously had the right to buy maize everywhere could no longer do so except from GMB.

Hon. Markham, who is also the legislator for Harare North constituency and is an entrepreneur with extensive interest in the agriculture sector and Rambanapasi said the restrictive regulations has an effect on due process rights protected under Section 56 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe of which both procedural and substantive due process requires that one has notice, and one has choices and opportunities, which have been taken away by Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019 Grain Marketing (Control of Sale of Maize) Regulations, 2019.

The regulations on grain, Hon. Markham and Rambanapasi said, has the effect of depriving one of his property and appropriating the same to the GMB at a price that is already fixed and does not make economic sense.

Hon. Markham and Rambanapasi want Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019 Grain Marketing (Control of Sale of Maize) Regulations, 2019 to be declared as ultra vires the Constitution in particular Section 56, 58, 64 and 71 of the Constitution.

The philanthropist and farmer also want Part V and Part VI of the Grain Marketing Board Act particularly Section 29, 33,34,35 to be declared ultra vires Section 56, 58, 64 and 71 of the Constitution.

Farai Dziva|
Medical experts in China will examine Constantino Chiwenga as the government steps up efforts to secure treatment for the former army general.

Below is a statement released by government on Chiwenga’s health:

Following last week’s President Statement on Vice President CGDN Chiwenga’s health and recovery status, the Office of the President and Cabinet wishes to inform the Nation that the Vice President this week left for the People’s Republic of China where he is set to undergo further medical tests.

His relocation to China, which builds on the satisfactory recovery progress he has been making, follows weekend discussions at the highest level between Governments of Zimbabwe and China, at which a decision was taken to allow Chinese medical experts to join their expert counterparts from Zimbabwe, South Africa and India in attending to the Vice President.

The office will keep the Nation updated on the progress the vice President continues to make towards full recovery.