By A Correspondent| Members of the Defence Forces yesterday started receiving a cushioning allowance, while the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) convened a meeting to discuss an increment and other conditions of service for Government workers.
Soldiers received salaries adjusted with the cushion allowance, while other members of the civil service are expected to get theirs on their scheduled pay dates.
Those who spoke to the state media said they received an adjustment which ranged from around 40 percent of their usual salaries.
This dovetails with an assurance by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professosor Mthuli Ncube that civil servants will have an increment with effect from this month.
The NJNC, which brings together representatives of Government workers under the Apex Council and those representing the Government, held a marathon meeting yesterday to discuss conditions of service.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza said an agreement on the real salary increment should be reached by Wednesday.
“The NJNC will continue negotiations tomorrow (today). There should be an outcome by tomorrow or Wednesday,” she said.
In an interview, Apex Council president Mrs Cecilia Alexander said the meeting was aimed at affording them feedback following the proposal they submitted on conditions of service for civil servants could be improved.
“The meeting had only one item, to get a feedback on the proposal that we had presented. No agreement was settled in the meeting but we agreed that each party should go back to its constituency for a way forward.
It was equally agreed that we should reconvene before the end of this week because the issues that we are dealing with are very urgent,” said Mrs Alexander.
She said they were not happy with the offer that was presented to them by representatives of their employer.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- PROPERTY worth ZWL$30 000 was reduced to ashes after a house was gutted by fire in Bulawayo’s Lobengula West suburb.
The incident occurred at around 9PM on Tuesday.
It is suspected that the fire was caused by a candle which was not put out after everyone had fallen asleep. The Bulawayo Fire Brigade suspects that the fire started in the bedroom where children were sleeping and spread to the other rooms.
Senior Divisional Fire Officer, Mr Edward Mpofu, said when they arrived at the scene, the sitting room had already been destroyed, with the fire spreading to other rooms. “I confirm receiving a call at around 9PM and rushed to the scene. When the fire-fighters arrived at the scene, they found the entire house engulfed in smoke.
“The call came late as the sitting room was already collapsing at the time of arrival. This was a nine roomed house which was already partially destroyed at the time of arrival,” he said.
Mr Mpofu said most of the rooms were damaged and some of the windows were shattered by heat.
He estimated that the damaged property was worth $30 000. Mr Mpofu warned the public against leaving lit candles when they retire to bed.
A 13-year-old asthmatic girl who was affected by smoke was the only one ferried to Mpilo Central Hospital. The rest of the family members escaped unharmed.
In an interview, the family representative, Ms Juliat Kabungaidze, said all the children’s school uniforms and stationery were destroyed.
She said they suspect the fire may have been deliberately started.
By Correspondent- Six armed men robbed four Chinese nationals on Wednesday morning of US$44 200, ZWL$2 920 and 500 Chinese yuan at Sino Non-Ferrous Metal Resources gold milling company in Shurugwi.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko referred all the questions to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyati. Nyati could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone went unanswered.
“If it is anything to do with armed robbery, you can talk to national police spokesperson Police Commissioner Paul Nyati. I am a junior and I am not allowed to comment on such cases. He is the only one who can comment on that one,” Goko said.
NewsDay understands that on Wednesday at around 01:30hrs, six men wearing masks and armed with two pistols got into Sino Non-Ferrous Metal Resources gold milling premises in Shurugwi after cutting the security fence and feeding their dogs with poisoned sausages, leading to one of dogs dying.
They then used a sledge hammer to force open the door and gained entry into complainants’ rooms before assaulting them. The four Lu Fujun’s (40), Li Chaundi (30), Zhou Sheng Ping (28) and Xu Chao, whose age could not be ascertained, sustained minor injuries.
The robbers took away US$1 900, ZWL$200 and three black Huawei cellphones from the first complainant. From the second complainant the grabbed one Oppo cellphone, two brown satchels containing one passport, bank cards, keys flash, a wallet containing US$2 000 ZWL$460, 500 Chinese yuan, driver’s licence, NSSA card and brown luggage bag containing various clothing items.
They proceeded to third complainant’s room and took US$32 000, ZWL$260, one wallet containing a driver’s licence and car keys for a Toyota Hilux.
The fourth complainant lost ZWL$2 000, US$4 000, three Huawei cellphones and a suitcase with text books, a WiFi machine and toiletries. The complainants reported the matter at Shurugwi Police Station under docket RRB3981153.
Shurugwi Criminal Investigation Department and dog section attended the scene. The six robbers are still at large and police investigations are continuing.
THE MDC is galvanising its support base for action against President Emmerson Mnangagwa until he acts to solve a “legitimacy crisis” which party leader Nelson Chamisa says is at the centre of all problems threatening peace and stability in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the launch of MDC’s Road to Economic Recovery, Legitimacy, Openness And Democracy (Reload) policy document yesterday, Chamisa said he was waiting for people to be ready to take to the streets and mount a sustained campaign to force Mnangagwa to the negotiating table.
“Some have been saying lets go into the streets. Yes, we will go into the streets, but we must have a plan. As your leader, if I send you into the streets when you are not convinced, you will go and just like a bubble you will fizzle out,” he said.
“But when you are convinced that this is what is going to liberate our country, all of you being part of it, I can assure you we will have results and that is our leadership role. We have a duty to make sure that we engage citizens in a democratic action.”
There has been speculation that the MDC was failing to mobilise people for mass action, while police have issued warnings in anticipation of demonstrations led by the opposition. But Chamisa said these were tactics by Zanu PF to force them into action.
“We have the courage to think and the courage to act. When you have seen us not acting it’s because the acting moment has not come,” he said.
“But when it comes we will act. There will be no signal. You are the signal. We do what we do when we feel we have to do what we have to do and we are going to act.”
Chamisa told Mnangagwa and Zanu PF that he would not succumb to pressure to drop his demand that political talks address the issue of legitimacy, saying it was the crux of the matter.More in Home
“Our fundamental disagreement is that Mr Mnangagwa was not elected. He is saying he was elected so we must resolve that. Mr Mnangagwa says drop the legitimacy question. I will not drop it because that is my trump card to dialogue with you,” he charged.
“If you are saying you are legitimate and I accept you are legitimate why should I dialogue with you? Go ahead and lead the country. I must lead the opposition, but I will not do that because the issue of who has been given the mandate must be resolved first.”
The launch occurred as the MDC deputy chairperson Job Sikhala was appearing in a court in Bikita where he faces a charge of plotting to subvert a constitutionally-elected government. But Chamisa said it was a duty of every citizen to seek the ouster of Mnangagwa allegedly because he is illegitimate.
“What did Sikhala commit as a crime? They say he threatened to remove the government. How do you remove that which is not there? Is that an offence? The world over illegitimate governments are always fought; and what makes people fight illegitimate governments is that they do not derive their authority from the
Constitution and from the people and doing so is not a crime; it’s actually a duty of every citizen, the world over,” Chamisa said. Chamisa said at least 14 people, including MDC legislators have faced treason charges since Mnangagwa came into office in November 2017.
By Own Correspondent- A man from Emganwini suburb in Bulawayo allegedly raped a prostitute after dragging her to a bushy area, only to fall asleep at the crime scene leading to his arrest.
The 25-year-old prostitute was allegedly raped by Bruce Mlotshwa (28) from Emganwini suburb after they met at a motel in Matobo while the accused person was in the company of his friend who was only identified as Vandali.
Mlotshwa appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Mr Tinashe Utahwashe, facing rape charges.
He pleaded not guilty and the magistrate remanded him in custody to July 18 for continuation of trial.
Mlotshwa said the woman consented to sex but he failed to pay her and she reported the matter to the police.
“I did not rape the complainant we had a mutual agreement but afterwards I realised I did not have the money to pay her. She then decided to report the matter to the police,” Mlotshwa said.
Prosecuting, Mr Jethro Mada said on April 4 at around 8PM the complainant and accused were at Rock Motel in Matobo drinking beer when they started arguing.
Mr Mada said the hooker went to her friend’s room at the back of the bar and the accused person and his friend followed her.
It is alleged that the duo threw a bottle into the room and it struck the complainant on the left thigh.
Mr Mada said the woman then went to the bar as she was afraid since the door did not have a lock.
He said the accused pulled the complainant outside the bar and Vandali hit her with the back of an axe and a bottle on her right eye and dragged her to a bushy area.
Mr Mada said Vandali left and Mlotshwa had sexual intercourse with the complainant without her consent.
Mlotshwa allegedly fell asleep after raping the complainant and his victim escaped.
She went and told some people about the rape and they went to the crime scene and apprehended Mlotshwa as he was still asleep.
The accused person was then handed to the police.-StateMedia
Following the ZHRO Vigil protest of 10th July 2019, where Nick Mangwana, allegedly a former UK asylum seeker, now the ZANU PF, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Publicity, had earlier received a rowdy, prolonged and unceremonious greeting that showed he was unwelcome in the UK, from, ZHRO Vigil protesters outside the Zimbabwe Embassy as he tried to hurriedly leave in a chauffer driven car surrounded by UK security personnel.
Chipochedenga Parirenyatwa, ZHRO Chair lady who is a Firebrand and ardent human Rights Activist, sat down for an interview which turned into a Rallying call for Zimbabweans and other human rights activists to make themselves seen, heard and noticed on Friday 12th July 2019 at Chatham House, 10 St James Square, London, SW1Y 4LE.
When asked about the delegation from Zimbabwe she said amongst other things, “S.B. Moyo is the one who announced (On ZBC that it was not a coup) when they took over from Mugabe, he has come to England with Nick Mangwana.” She added on saying, “He (Nick Mangwana) was in the country (UK) for a very long time. Soon after this coup, (Removal of Mugabe) he is the one who is mobilising the deportation of all the asylum seekers who are here in the UK.
When asked about the Chatham house meeting by S.B. Moyo, she said, “We are Mobilizing all the Zimbabweans. We should meet at the Chatham house, so that nothing that they have come to do will take place.” “We (ZHRO) are going to protest against those people, because there is no Human Rights at home. They don’t respect the human rights. No democracy at all, even now, as we speak, we have one of our own, Job Sikhala Vice Chairman of MDC who was arrested two days ago for expressing his views. There is no freedom in Zimbabwe,” She stressed.
When asked what she meant by stopping things from happening, she said, “Definitely, WE ARE GOING TO STOP THEM FROM ENTERING THE BUILDING AT CHATHAM HOUSE. That’s our promise, and we are going to make sure we succeed in that. They have to go back to Zimbabwe, that’s where they belong. They are saying, Zimbabwe is open for business and yet its open for Persecution. Its open for oppression, so, they should go back and sit over there.”
“We are expecting more than 100 people there, ” she said. “We have invited RORH who are coming to join hands with ZHRO, MDC political party, Yes we can and others.” She said members are expecting to meet at 8:30am at Chatham House as the event is starting at 10am and is finishing at 11am. Further checking has shown that the event will be livestreamed.
To find out more, join ZHRO, attend the weekly protest vigils or other events and to offer your support please contact.
By Own Correspondent- An Airforce of Zimbabwe pilot who allegedly murdered his Gweru-based girlfriend last year, has explicitly revealed how on that particular day he, together with the deceased and his subordinate, engaged in a three-some sex act after smoking dagga.
Tashinga Musonza (29), who is facing a murder charge for allegedly killing Ms Lucy Duve (37) in a crime of passion in November last year for allegedly cheating on him with his colleague, yesterday intimately revealed the sexual act during his testimony before Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo.
The seemingly flagrant Musonza told the court that it was Ms Duve’s idea to engage in a three-some sex orgy at her house in Windsor Park suburb.
He said they agreed with Ms Nokuthula Matsikiti, who is an officer cadet, to engage in the act after smoking dagga.
“When the deceased turned 37 in October last year, I asked her what she wanted as a birthday present and she suggested that we rope in my other girlfriend Nokuthula Matsikiti to have a three-some.
The deceased told me that she had always fantasised about romantic movies and that it was her wish to imitate some of the sexual acts on movies,” said Musonza.
He admitted that they had a fight with Ms Duve after she confessed that she was involved in an affair with his workmate, Mr George Himalaya Makwenjere.
“I discovered love messages between the deceased and Makwenjere on her cellphone.
When I confronted the deceased about the messages, she admitted that she was involved in an affair with him. We had an altercation during which the deceased got angry and picked an empty bottle of whiskey, which was on the table.
She smashed it before trying to stab me with a broken piece and I blocked her,” Musonza said.
He said they wrestled resulting in both of them falling on the glass table and it broke and the deceased sustained injuries.
Musonza said after the scuffle, Ms Duve bolted out of the house and fell on the veranda.
“After falling on the veranda, she stood up and went out of the yard and I followed her to the street and caught up with her. I then phoned
Makwenjere and quizzed him about their affair before we drove to his residence at Josiah Tungamirai Airbase,” he said.
Musonza said on arrival at Mr Makwenjere’s house, he confronted him and demanded that he and the deceased explain their affair.
“Despite confessing, the deceased was adamant when I asked her in front of Makwenjere and I became angry and pulled her out of the car and slapped her.
Lucy tried to flee and in the process she fell down and that is when I kicked her on the side of her chest,” he said.
Musonza said after leaving Mr Makwenjere’s house, they drove to Ms Matsikiti’s place before proceeding to the deceased’s place.
“When we arrived at the deceased’s house, I called her friend, Ms Noleen Moyo, who stays in the same neighbourhood and asked her to render first aid since Lucy was now struggling to breathe.
Ms Moyo refused and insisted that we take her to the hospital,” he said.
They later drove to Thornhill Airbase Hospital and found the facility closed before proceeding to Clay Bank Hospital where Ms Duve died on admission.
Chief Public Prosecutor Mrs Tariro Rosa Takuva said on November 25, Musonza went to their lodgings at around 10PM and found Ms Duve asleep. He allegedly accused her of cheating on him with Mr Makwenjere.
The two allegedly drove to Josiah Tungamirai Airbase since Musonza wanted the matter clarified.
They allegedly woke up Ms Duve’s alleged lover who denied being in a relationship with her.
Musonza allegedly got furious and started assaulting his girlfriend.
Mr Makwenjere tried to restrain him but was overpowered before he ran away from the scene to seek assistance from colleagues.
Upon their return they found Ms Duve lying unconscious in a pool of blood. Musonza later drove Ms Duve to Clay Bank Hospital in the company of two of his colleagues and Ms Moyo.
She was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital leading to the arrest of Musonza.
The trial continues today when Musonza’s two defence witnesses are expected to testify.
Mr Kalvern Tundu of Chihambakwe Mutizwa and Partners is representing Musonza.
The postmortem report states that Ms Duve had a fractured skull, blood clots in her brain and that her lungs were affected by the attack among other injuries.-StateMedia
IOL|The unified South African Traders have called for the removal of foreigners, particularly Zimbabwean, operators in their midst, saying they are creating unfair competition.
The association, whose members operate mostly in Marabastad, claimed there had not been any significant arrests of illegal foreign informal traders in the area.
Yesterday, the organisation met the MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning Isak Pietersen at Ourasdaal, near Church Square, to hand over their petition of demands.
In the petition, the organisation said foreign informal traders must be removed, because they took away bread from the locals, while contributing nothing to the South African and Tshwane economy.
“Vending spaces in Marabastad must be occupied by local informal business people. Foreign traders sell illegal and fake items at exorbitant prices,” said the deputy chairperson of the organisation, Ramadika Morema.
Furthermore, the traders said the Ministry of Home Affairs should declare a moratorium on foreign informal traders.
The association also condemned business people who did not allow local informal traders to sell in front of their businesses.
“Big retailers should allow informal traders on to their corridors, or go back where they came from.
“We call on all informal traders not to support the outlets until they allow us to do business in their corridors.
“Our members are not thieves or beggars, but business people,” the organisation stated in the petition.
Morema said informal traders contributed to the economy through self-employment, and were not static, but growing to become big business enterprises.
Other grievances were the alleged daily “brutality” by Tshwane Metro Police Department officers.
The traders claimed the officers confiscated their stock and used violent means to do so.
They said they had to fork out bribes to stop the City police from harassing them.
Other informal traders have, on the other hand, vowed that the Marabastad development planned by the City would not get off the ground until they had been properly consulted.
They expressed unhappiness that the City failed to inform them about the project.
They also wanted the City to defuse confusion emanating from rumours that the project included the building of shops for foreigners.
During the State of the Capital Address, Executive Mayor Stevens Mokgalapa announced that R8million would be set aside for the 2018/19 financial period to benefit informal traders in Marabastad.
By A Correspondent- Veteran actress Nomhle Nkonyeni has died. She was 77.
She died in hospital on Wednesday morning after she was admitted on Friday, according to a close family friend.
Nkonyeni’s most recent role was playing Lulama Langa in etv soapie, Scandal!
“e.tv is deeply saddened by the news and our condolences go out to Nomhle Nkonyeni’s family, the cast and crew of Scandal!”, e.tv Head of Local Content Ziyanda Mngomezulu confirmed the news.
She has also starred recently in filmmaker Jahmil X.T. Qubeka’s two newest films Sew the Winter to My Skin and Knuckle City.
Her other memorable roles have been in Igazi, Gaz’lam, Zero Tolerance, Tsha Tsha and Home Affairs.
In April, Nkonyeni was awarded the order of Ikhamanga in Silver – a prestigious honour by President Cyril Ramaphosa for excellence in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism or sport.
Her fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to her-SowetanLive
By A Correspondent- Vice President Kembo Mohadi reportedly flew to South Africa for medical treatment since July 8, it has emerged.
Mohadi, joins his counterpart Constantino Chiwenga, who is also in the same country at a Pretoria hospital since June 23 for medical attention.
Chiwenga has been absent from office and national duty since mid May suffering from an undisclosed ailment.
When ZimEye contacted Chiwenga, his mobile phone was answered by his wife Mary who told the publication that the VP was well.
This is despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa confirming during a speech at the POLAD that his deputy was not well and recuperating.
VP Mohadi, who has on several occasions been acting president, was reportedly flown to South Africa shortly after Mnangagwa returned home at 2AM on July 8.
Confirmed a source:
“Yes he was flown to South Africa and he clearly looked unwell.”
Mohadi missed Cabinet on Tuesday and a meeting between Mnangagwa and a visiting delegation from the International Air Transport Association on the same day.
He was also absent at a State House meeting between Mnangagwa and 12 ambassador-designates on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Mohadi was also absent when Mnangagwa attended World Population Day commemorations at the newly-opened Tariro Clinic and Youth Centre in Hopley, Harare.
Owing to Zimbabwe’s poor medical facilities, top government officials regularly seek treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense.
State Media|INVESTIGATIONS into the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) corruption scandal are now complete and findings will be handed over to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joel Biggie Matiza next week.
The investigation was launched in the wake of an undercover exposure of deep-rooted corruption in the issuance of learner driver’s licences at the VID Marondera Depot recently.
A Herald journalist working on an investigative story was issued with an authentic learner driver’s licence at VID Marondera Depot after paying a bribe to officials there.
After the exposure of corrupt activities at the depot, Minister Matiza dispatched investigative teams to 23 VID depots in the country.
In an interview, Minister Matiza said the investigators had completed their task and detailed findings will be officially handed over to him on Monday.
“We have deployed auditors to all the VID depots and centres across the country. Their main focus was to investigate any anomalies or corrupt practices in the issuance of learners’ licences and vehicle licensing.
“The investigation is now complete and a report on the findings will be ready by next week. The report is key in mapping a way forward for the operations of the department,” he said.
Minister Matiza said computerisation of all centres will be fast-tracked to curb corruption associated with the issuance of provisional learners’ licences among other services.
“All VID depots would be computerised by August to ensure the issuance of driver’s licences was aboveboard.”
He said his ministry was determined to bring sanity in the issuance of provisional driver’s licences and inspection of vehicle fitness.
Recently, Minister Matiza said that most accidents on the country’s roads were a result of defective vehicles that were “passing” fitness test through bribery.
He also attributed some of the accidents to half-baked drivers who obtain licences through corrupt means.
“As Government, we are not leaving any stone unturned in the fight against corruption,” he said.
He also said action was going to be taken against Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) officials who are corruptly issuing learner driver’s licences to undeserving people.
By A Correspondent- The Registrar-General (RG)’s Office has been incurring huge costs for unfinished district registry office projects, whose prices have since doubled or trebled due to late implementation.
As a result, the AG said buildings which took long to complete ended up incurring expenses such as fees for security guards hired to secure building materials.
Hwedza district registry incurred an extra $55 742 expenses above the cost of the project which was $121 599.
“I observed that the RG incurred questionable expenditure on PSIP (Public Sector Investment Programme) projects that took long to be completed as remedial works and security costs were incurred on various projects,” Chiri said.
“The contractors had to redo some work that had previously been done such as replacing water damaged roof trusses, roof area with sagging tiles, wall cracks, and so on. I also noted that when the projects stalled, the contractors hired security guards to guard the buildings and the material on site resulting in unplanned security costs.
“The costs could have doubled or trebled due to inflation since prices of material required are based on quotations obtained between August to November 2018.” The AG also expressed concern over the failure to commence work on Kadoma and Goromonzi district registries which will increase the cost of the projects.
“I further noted that Treasury released $400 000 for Kadoma district registry and another $400 000 for Goromonzi district registry in September and October 2017 respectively, but no work was done on the two projects in 2017 and 2018,” she said.
“Further inquiries revealed that Public Works commenced working on the two projects in March 2019. Public Works could not explain the causes for the delay. I am concerned that at the time the funds were released by Treasury in 2017, they were sufficient for the materials that were required to complete the projects, but it was no longer the case in 2019.”
Chiri noted that inflation was going to heavily affect the projects and recommended that government projects be completed as soon as possible.
“If funds are not adequate to complete the various projects the department should concentrate on one or a few projects and complete them before embarking on other projects,” she said. Another department under the Home Affairs ministry, the Immigration Department was said to have failed to maintain a database of all immigrants who visited and exited the country for the past 10 years.
“The risks are that the country could be having many undocumented and illegal foreigners who could be staying in the country without being pursued by relevant authorities,” Chiri observed
By Own Correspondent- The government has launched a drive to lure Zimbabweans in the diaspora to engage in the economic development of the country, especially in the tourism sector.
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Priscah Mupfumira is in the United Kingdom for Zimbabwe’s roadshow whose aim is to engage diasporans. She said:
The main theme is to reach out to Zimbabweans and diasporas of all backgrounds, religious communities, academic, media, tourism trade, tourism organisations, tourism associations, airlines, tourist boards, embassies, conservation organisations, youths, United Kingdom government and others engaged in economic development.
The diasporas, together with the wider stakeholders, have a huge role to play in releasing the huge potential of the tourism sector for socio-economic benefits.-Newsday
The roadshow kicked off on Tuesday and ends on July 19. It will travel from London to Glasglow, Liverpool, Huntingdon, Manchester and Birmingham.
Celebrations, Nigeria celebrates goal against South Africa.
A Nigerian man, known as Emeka, has reportedly been murdered in South Africa, hours after the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
There was general panic among Nigerians living in South Africa on Wednesday and Thursday after the Super Eagles defeated Bafana Bafana 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
After the recent murder of the Deputy Director-General of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Elizabeth Ndubusi-Chukwu, in South Africa, it is reported that the number of Nigerians killed in South Africa in three and half years has risen to 127.
The Nigerians said they were scared and many of them refused to celebrate the Eagles’ win publicly to avoid being attacked.
Few hours after the match, a Nigerian identified simply as Lekan, specifically warned his countrymen not to go to O.R. Tambo or Motherwell, where a Nigerian, identified as Emeka, was killed last Thursday.
On a WhatsApp group consisting of Nigerians in South Africa, he wrote, “Nobody should go to O.R Tambo or Motherwell after such lousy showing from our team.”
A Nigerian who resides in South Africa, Michael, said many of them could not go to commercial viewing centres and bars to watch the match as a result of fear.
Another Nigerian, who studies in the country, Oke, said, “We were told to avoid wearing the Nigerian jersey until after a week the match was played.”
When contacted, the President of Nigeria Union, South Africa, Mr Adetola Olubajo, said though there may be panic, no casualty was recorded.
He said, “There is no fresh killing or attack over the AFCON match. Definitely, when there is such match there is always panic. But we have not heard of any casualty from the match for now.”
Some of the Nigerians, however, dedicated the victory to those killed in xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Okwuruha said, “Fair play to Bafana Bafana, but this win is for the Nigerians killed in xenophobic attacks in South Africa. We will always remember them.”
State Media|The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) management is yet to reinstate eight employees dismissed for exposing corruption within the parastatal, a month after President Mnangagwa directed it to do so.
The suspended workers are Florence Taruvinga, Gibson Mushunje, Admire Mudzonga, Ackim Mzilikazi, Given Dingwiza, Tariro Shumba, Stephen Moyoweshumba and Joanes Chingoriwo.
Energy Sector Workers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general who is also one of the affected workers Mr Gibson Mushunje said they are yet to receive their letters of reinstatement.
“It seems management is reluctant to reinstate us as directed by the President,” he said.
President Mnangagwa issued the directive during the launch of the Tripartite Negotiating Forum Act to pave way for the establishment of a platform to discuss issues affecting the economy.
The workers were victimised for exposing corruption linking the management and former Minister of Energy and Power Development Samuel Undenge to a public relations company run by Oscar Pambuka and Psychology Maziwisa during the tenure of Zesa chief executive Engineer Joshua Chifamba.
The president of the Energy Sector Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe, Mr Admire Mudzonga, concurred that the workers are waiting for a confirmation letter from Zesa.
ZESA acting chief executive Engineer Patrick Chivaura said they have already submitted papers pertaining to the employees’ reinstatement to responsible ministries for recommendations.
“I was tasked by the Ministry of Energy and Power Development to make some recommendations in regard to the reinstitution of the workers. I have already submitted the recommendations.”
Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi says that he will seriously consider setting up solar energy power stations at airports after he was alerted of a blackout at Harare’s Robert Gabriel Mugabe Airport early this week.
Failing to confirm nor decline the blackout rumour, Chasi said he “just received some dark pictures” on social media, suggesting that the airports have been hit by load shedding.
“Your question cannot be answered outside of our power challenges. I will engage Zesa to establish what it is that needs to be done, but primarily like they (Caaz) told, I presume you talked to Caaz about generators; that is what needs to be encouraged.
“But not only that, we also think that airports are good candidates for solar power. So I will be engaging the Ministry of Transport in that connection,” said Minister Chasi.
He said there was need for uninterrupted power to airports, through solar.
“This is not only confined to airports, but we would like to encourage all entities to invest in solar power to assure themselves of uninterrupted power supply and business continuity,” said Minister Chasi.
Media was this week abuzz with pictures of the country’s main airport caught up in a ZESA loadshedding schedule that left the major port of entry without power.
Bulawayo Town Clerk, Christopher Dube, has been suspended as the Bulawayo town clerk in a move that has exposed serious tribal divisions within the city councillors.
The Town Clerk was yesterday suspended without benefits by acting mayor Tinashe Kambarami after a section of the councillors accused him of incompetence and abuse of office.
On leave Mayor Solomon Mguni told media that he was not aware that the retired army Major, who joined the Bulawayo City Council after serving in a similar role with the Victoria Falls Town Council, had been suspended indicating that the Acting Mayor’s move was wrong.
Highly placed sources within the council told ZimEye.com that Dube’s suspension is a result of major tribal flights within the City Councillors.
The sources claimed that the councillors in the second capital are severely divided on tribal lines with 16 of them said to be of the dominating Shona orientation against 13 of Ndebele orientation.
The sources indicated that, Councillor Kambarami rushed to suspended the Town Clerk ahead of a meeting which was set for Friday to decide the mayor’s fate after it became apparent that the Ndebele speaking councillors had held a caucus where they agreed to turn down the move to dismiss Dube.
Dube has hit back saying Kambarami has a hidden agenda as he suspended him without pay after taking advantage of the mayor’s absence. Some councilors say they have no idea of what is going on following Dube’s suspension.
In a letter to Dube, Kambarami noted that Dube has been suspended with immediate effect in terms of the Urban Councils Act Section 139 (3) relating to the conditions of service of the town clerk.
“This suspension is without benefits and you are hereby ordered to surrender all council property in your possession.”
Kambarami said Dube failed to tackle the current water crisis in the city, which has left thousands of people without water.
“The city has experienced one of the worst water delivery ever due to lack of your supervision … Your failure to effectively manage repairs and maintenance works has exposed the city to water borne diseases like cholera and typhoid.”
The deputy mayor, said to be backed by three close colleagues while other councilors are in the dark about the suspension, also accused Dube of misappropriating the council’s Ward Retention Fund.
“According to the council minutes as submitted 3 July 2019, the fund is supposed to be having a credit of $4,441 909 yet the account showed less than $10,000 balance as at 10 July 2019. You therefore misled Council. It is also alleged that you paid some contractors in advance without authority of council and yet works have not been done and council has lost money.”
At the same time, Kambarami claims that Dube abused his office when he allegedly acquired property in contravention of council procedures.
“Sometime in 2017, working in conivence with the then Mayor Alderman Martin Moyo you were issued with an offer letter to mine gold at GoodHope/Aisleby Farm in contravention with council procedure. As town clerk you got this offer letter before a council resolution and you therefore willfully violated council procedures that you were aware of and influenced the decision by the mayor and became (a) beneficiary in this commission/omission. Such misconduct, dishonest, negligence contravenes Section 139 (b) of your conditions of service.”
Dube is further accused of failing to implement some council resolutions.
He dismissed all the allegations saying “Kambarami is wrong. He cannot suspend me. I can only be suspended by the mayor who has told me to stay put. I’m not going anywhere.”
Kambarami and Mguni were not available for comment.
A councilor who requested anonymity said, “Frankly speaking, this is a big mess. I’m not even aware that the town clerk has been suspended. I read it on social media. Kambarami is not doing the right thing.”
Council spokesperson Nesisa Nyathi declined to comment.
Kambarami himself has never been the favoured candidates for the City’s Deputy Mayor position. The MDC tried very hard to withdraw him from the position after President Nelson Chamisa had picked on Councillor Mlandu Ncube to be elected as the Deputy Mayor.
Kambarami won the elections beating Ncube by 16 votes to 13.
By Dorrothy Moyo|Developments in the run up to today’s World Cup first match between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, saw revelations emerge that the Zimbabwe Netball players have been instructed to purchase their own Asics shoes for the mega tournament.
The gems’ trip to the United Kingdom has been mired in controversy as government apparatchiks abused the funds donated by well-wishers to support the team.
As ZimEye.com aptly reported, over $39,000 was squandered by government officials leaving the players ‘strangled’.
“The food the players are eating is pathetic.
To make matters worse, the girls have as of this week been instructed to buy shoes for the tournament,” said the Liverpool caller.
Well-wishers have pledged to raise money to purchase shoes for the netball players.
Meanwhile, the below is a market description of the shoe type and brand desired by the Zimbabwe Netball team for their World Cup matches.
The Zim Netball Team, known as the Zim Gems have asked to have this brand, the Asics before their match on Friday, the reason being the shoes’ tried and tested agility on the slippery floors such as the below arena’s.
Experts reviews list the Asics as the most affordable among the range of quality shoes for the game.
The below ranking by the respected UK Independent paper, put Asics on number 2 for affordability, and number 2 on quality.
The review reads in part: Asics are a great first pair for someone looking to elevate their footwear to enhance their game. The high sides mean these are very comfortable and supportive, especially on ankles, which can be a player’s weak spot. The gel system is based on a special kind of silicon that enables optimal shock absorption, meaning jumping in these trainers is a breeze. The natural bounciness of the sole helps you to feel light on your feet. The extra-ribbed sole provides essential grip, which results in good performance on slippery outdoor courts as well as indoors.
Yesterday after much pressure, the players were handed a paltry £40 each, a source told ZimEye. They need £79,99 to purchase the right professional shoes.
The caller contacted ZimEye to reveal the plight of the Zim players, and below was the briefer:
On another note, the playrs have been missing their afternoon meals and to this, the Netball President Leticia Chipandu has responded saying, “where we have our lunch or when we have our lunch, that is not your business, or anybody else’s business. I have the interests of my team, I got them to where they are here, so everybody else can go to hell, all I care.” – -ARTICLE CONTINUES-
The netball team’s evening meal last night
Furthermore, some of them are demoralised as they do not have appropriate shoes for playing the match. One source told ZimEye, as they do not have allowances, many they do not have their appropriate Netball sporting shoes.
The team has not been paid their allowances ever since entering the UK and last week and an official audit, document seen by ZimEye show that the money has gone to pay people handpicked by Leticia Chipandu.
Before their last match back home, they protested and were paid 50 bond each to motivate them.
“They can’t even afford the basic netball shoes, the Asics type, which cost just £34,99,” the sources said. (the standard pair of professional shoes cost £79,99.
“Do not be surprised to see them refusing to play on Friday, since the Netball President Leticia Chipandu has refused to pay them,” they added.
The fund for the netball team is down by over $39,000 after Leticia Chipandu added to the delegation, people who have nothing to do with the netball team. When she was interviewed, Chipandu at first promised that allowances would be paid (while at Manchester Airport last week Friday night), but she would later shift to tell donors that anyone who is requesting an account of funds distributed should “go to hell.”
Struggling national power company, Zesa has warned that it may soon be forced to escalate the load shedding to Stage 4
The country is currently facing a power crisis which has seen many residents experiencing up to 20 hours without any electricity as the country embarks on massive load-shedding.
The Financial Gazette reports that Stage 4 will see households and businesses going for at least 4 days of the week with zero power at all.
The bombshell was revealed at a time when farmers are complaining that the country’s food security is now in jeopardy due to decreased production caused by the power blackouts.
The farmers warned that the previously projected harvest of 375 000 tonnes for this year could be halved as a result.
Speaking to the publication, agricultural economist Peter Gambara said,
“The effects of load shedding are devastating, as yields will be very low … and this also means that the farmers’ ability to make money is very limited.”
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) vice-president said,
“Wheat farmers need at least 60 percent of uninterrupted power supply … without electricity, we will not survive … because the crop is not getting the required amounts of water, which will affect yield.”
Jeremiah Tevera, a fellow ZCFU director, said
“The situation is dire, as the hours without power are consistently long, with no solution in sight. We are now encouraging farmers to irrigate their crops at night when the power comes on, because the use of generators will make them unprofitable.”
WARRIORS team manager, Wellington Mpandare, has cleared the air over the altercation in camp that involved Tino Kadewere and Tafadzwa Kutinyu.
Social media has been buzzing that the duo clashed after falling out over a girlfriend with some pointing the finger at a local female journalist who was on tour at the 2019 Afcon finals.
However, Mpandare yesterday said the duo clashed during training after one of them was unhappy with a physical challenge.
“Tino and Tafadzwa didn’t fight, one of them charged at the other after he complained over what he felt was a nasty tackle during training,’’ said Mpandare.
“The other players quickly intervened and separated them. I can also tell you that they wrote reports after that training session telling the technical team that they were sorry about what had happened because they understood they had a role to maintain the fine spirit in camp.
I have been reading all this stuff, especially on social media, that they fought over a female companion and I can tell the world that nothing can ever be further from the truth.
“It’s sad that an incident, which had happened even at other bigger clubs and involved players with bigger profiles, has been spun to suggest that this was something that was sparked by a fallout over a female companion.’’
Khama Billiat’s agent, Michael Ngobeni of M Sport Management, has confirmed that Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca are interested in signing the Zimbabwe international forward.
Billiat impressed during the Warriors’ unsuccessful 2019 Afcon Group A campaign in Egypt and scored against Uganda. “Yes, Raja Casablanca phoned me but Khama is still contracted to Chiefs.
They have to get hold of Chiefs if they are serious about signing Khama. It’s up to the two teams (if they agree or not).
I will just wait,” Ngobeni told IOL.
“He is happy there. He did well in his first season with Chiefs. Whatever comes we will see.
There’s no pressure for Khama to go. They love him at Chiefs.
“The management loves him, fans love him and his teammates also love him.
What difference will it make if he leaves?” he asked. “Chiefs is bigger than Casablanca.
They phoned and approached me but I told them to go and talk to his employers.”
The player’s manager also went on to disclose Egyptian football heavyweights, Zamalek and Al Ahly, are also interested in the 28-year-old attacker.
“He wants to win something with Chiefs. Al Ahly and Zamalek have also enquired.
He did well at the Afcon. Obviously, there will be inquiries but they have to phone Chiefs.
“No one has come to me with an offer, it all been inquiries.
I’m just waiting. It’s not the deal that I need to check. The player is still happy at Chiefs.
“I can’t put pressure on Chiefs. Khama is still happy there. If he was not happy then I would put pressure.’’
Philip Chiyangwa congratulates Felton Kamambo after losing ZIFA elections to him.
ZIFA president Felton Kamambo yesterday made sensational claims accusing his predecessor, Philip Chiyangwa, for allegedly being part of a cartel that caused mayhem that stalked the Warriors’ 2019 Afcon finals campaign.
The association’s emergency committee held a review meeting on Thursday where they resolved they would try to recall Chiyangwa from his post as Cosafa president as the fallout between the two parties deepens.
Kamambo accused Chiyangwa of working with his former deputy Omega Sibanda, board member Chamu Chiwanza and journalist Hope Chizuzu to destabilise the Warriors’ ship.
The Zifa president also announced the suspension of Chiwanza on various allegations relating to his nomination for the post he holds at the association and for his alleged role in the recent Afcon debacle.
Chiyangwa reacted furiously to the developments last night and said he wasn’t just dismissing all the allegations laid against him, “with the contempt they deserve but I will also hold a press conference to answer every charge that has been laid against me”.
Kamambo conceded that their biggest challenge, at the Afcon finals, was dealing with demands from the players and said while they had contracts with the Warriors, the players ended up having their heads turned, and focus distracted, by people who were deliberately giving them false information.
The crisis, the Zifa boss said, started when a number of people, notably Chizuzu, began calling the players telling them they were being paid less than what they deserved while the association was spending a fortune on flying councillors and fans to Egypt.
The players were also told, according to Kamambo, that those who were being flown to Egypt were being paid huge amounts of allowances when, in reality, none of them pocketed the money.
“In fact, I want to bear with the players. I feel for them as well because you are in camp and someone is phoning you and giving you information that the supporters that are coming to Egypt are being paid US$400 per day when you have been paid US$1 500 to participate in the whole tournament,’’ said Kamambo.
“Yes, US$1 500.
“That is what we had agreed then the other amount was going to be paid as and when but because of the third forces coming into the camp, the likes of Hope Chizuzu, the former president Philip Chiyangwa, board member Chamu Chiwanza, that acted as a catalyst to cause confusion in the camp.
“The Executive Committee was not amused by the chaos that surrounded the Warriors camp at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals, and will institute an ad hoc committee to probe several issues that characterised the team’s stay in Egypt.
“This is in line with Section 51 of the Zifa constitution.
“Zifa has evidence of infiltration of the Warriors camp by a group of vengeful individuals bent on undoing the great work done by the current executive.
“Fifa, Caf and Cosafa have been notified for possible corrective action, so that they are barred from football corridors.’’
The Zifa president believes his board was being attacked by his predecessors who want to see his downfall.
“Attacks on the reputation of Zifa are from vengeful elements who wanted but failed to monopolise corridors of football administration and their cohorts.
“The emergence committee has also taken a decision to recall Phillip Chiyangwa from his position as Cosafa president.
“The Emergency committee has resolved to suspend Executive Committee Member ,Chamunorwa Chiwanza.
“Mr Chiwanza is accused of electoral fraud, threatening a member of the Zifa congress, destabilising Warriors’ Afcon camp among a host of charges.
“Mr Chiwanza’s suspension would be ratified by the next full board meeting in line with article 40.3 of the Zifa constitution,” said Kamambo.
Zifa are also expected to respond to the Sports Commission by end of day today after they were asked to explain issues related to the Afcon show.
“We are studying the letter meticulously and we will respond at the appropriate time. We have also notified Fifa of this correspondence.”
Chiyangwa said the allegations against him were unfortunate.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let me make it clear that I don’t have any interest in being Zifa president or any post in that association and, therefore, I have no reason to be fighting anyone because I am above that level now,’’ he said.
“I did what I did during my time, I had my success stories and it was God’s plan and I walked away with grace, unscathed but some people now want to punish me with allegations that are unfounded.
“I won’t lose sleep over this, my first assignment as Zifa president was to secure the future of these players by paying off that (Tom) Saintfiet debt so that the boys could play at the World Cup again and I can’t be seen to be destablising the same team I worked hard to give them a chance to shine on the big stage.
“I will respond accordingly but I to say that I am very disappointed with what Zifa are claiming.’’
Kamambo said while they had expected the Warriors to go all the way, which explained why they had booked the team’s return tickets for
July 21, two days after the final, they also feel the side’s campaign had some positives.
Coach, Sunday Chidzambwa and his technical team have been asked to prepare for the upcoming Chan assignment while the Zifa technical committee will review the Afcon show.
The Zifa boss said there was nothing wrong in taking his family and the councillors to Afcon.
He said his trip was paid for by Caf but opted to use the charter flight with his family for travel convenience.
Kamambo also defended their financial transactions and said allegations they misused funds were unfounded.
State Media|AN Airforce of Zimbabwe pilot who allegedly murdered his Gweru-based girlfriend last year, has explicitly revealed how on that particular day he, together with the deceased and his subordinate, engaged in a three-some sex act after smoking dagga.
Tashinga Musonza (29), who is facing a murder charge for allegedly killing Ms Lucy Duve (37) in a crime of passion in November last year for allegedly cheating on him with his colleague, yesterday intimately revealed the sexual act during his testimony before Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo.
The seemingly flagrant Musonza told the court that it was Ms Duve’s idea to engage in a three-some sex orgy at her house in Windsor Park suburb.
He said they agreed with Ms Nokuthula Matsikiti, who is an officer cadet, to engage in the act after smoking dagga.
“When the deceased turned 37 in October last year, I asked her what she wanted as a birthday present and she suggested that we rope in my other girlfriend Nokuthula Matsikiti to have a three-some.
The deceased told me that she had always fantasised about romantic movies and that it was her wish to imitate some of the sexual acts on movies,” said Musonza.
He admitted that they had a fight with Ms Duve after she confessed that she was involved in an affair with his workmate, Mr George Himalaya Makwenjere.
“I discovered love messages between the deceased and Makwenjere on her cellphone.
When I confronted the deceased about the messages, she admitted that she was involved in an affair with him. We had an altercation during which the deceased got angry and picked an empty bottle of whiskey, which was on the table.
She smashed it before trying to stab me with a broken piece and I blocked her,” Musonza said.
He said they wrestled resulting in both of them falling on the glass table and it broke and the deceased sustained injuries.
Musonza said after the scuffle, Ms Duve bolted out of the house and fell on the veranda.
“After falling on the veranda, she stood up and went out of the yard and I followed her to the street and caught up with her. I then phoned
Makwenjere and quizzed him about their affair before we drove to his residence at Josiah Tungamirai Airbase,” he said.
Musonza said on arrival at Mr Makwenjere’s house, he confronted him and demanded that he and the deceased explain their affair.
“Despite confessing, the deceased was adamant when I asked her in front of Makwenjere and I became angry and pulled her out of the car and slapped her.
Lucy tried to flee and in the process she fell down and that is when I kicked her on the side of her chest,” he said.
Musonza said after leaving Mr Makwenjere’s house, they drove to Ms Matsikiti’s place before proceeding to the deceased’s place.
“When we arrived at the deceased’s house, I called her friend, Ms Noleen Moyo, who stays in the same neighbourhood and asked her to render first aid since Lucy was now struggling to breathe.
Ms Moyo refused and insisted that we take her to the hospital,” he said.
They later drove to Thornhill Airbase Hospital and found the facility closed before proceeding to Clay Bank Hospital where Ms Duve died on admission.
Chief Public Prosecutor Mrs Tariro Rosa Takuva said on November 25, Musonza went to their lodgings at around 10PM and found Ms Duve asleep. He allegedly accused her of cheating on him with Mr Makwenjere.
The two allegedly drove to Josiah Tungamirai Airbase since Musonza wanted the matter clarified.
They allegedly woke up Ms Duve’s alleged lover who denied being in a relationship with her.
Musonza allegedly got furious and started assaulting his girlfriend.
Mr Makwenjere tried to restrain him but was overpowered before he ran away from the scene to seek assistance from colleagues.
Upon their return they found Ms Duve lying unconscious in a pool of blood. Musonza later drove Ms Duve to Clay Bank Hospital in the company of two of his colleagues and Ms Moyo.
She was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital leading to the arrest of Musonza.
The trial continues today when Musonza’s two defence witnesses are expected to testify.
Mr Kalvern Tundu of Chihambakwe Mutizwa and Partners is representing Musonza.
The postmortem report states that Ms Duve had a fractured skull, blood clots in her brain and that her lungs were affected by the attack among other injuries.
By Simba Chikanza | The following is a summary fromChief Svosve’s program on Thursday morning: Much talk has emerged over the MDC MP Job Sikhala’s political utterances that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government must be overthrown. Sikhala needs not apologise for this because it is not new, the same has even been practiced by the Zimbabwe nation for over 39 years to date.
Chief Svosve, Tawanda Dzvokora
There are numerous times the government has been overthrown. In 1987, the government was demolished and a new one emerged. Supreme Court judges were not involved, it was all done by politicians. In 2008, the government was demolished by an act of elections, when the late Morgan Tsvangirai defeated Robert Mugabe at the polls. Mugabe says Tsvangirai defeated him by over 72% of the vote.
Between 2008 and 2008, Tsvangirai overthrew the regime twice. He did it first using elections, and in 2009, using a mere stroke of the pen. No judge was there. No Luke Malaba was there. It was a political transition enforced by politicians and a new government emerged.
Since the July 2018 elections, most citizens have said the government needs to be overthrown. This has been uttered far and wide with business owners even saying they will only trust a new administration, this does not necessarily mean removing Emmerson Mnangagwa.
These statistics are seen in numerous surveys.
One of those voicing out is Chief Felix Ndiweni who has said it is time for us to stand up and undo this charade of a democracy. He said Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has no capacity whatsoever to deal with the current crisis. “It is time for us to stand up and undo this charade of a democracy. And I say charade of a democracy cause at the apex of our difficulty, is our democracy is dead,” he said.
The Zim Netball Team, known as the Zim Gems have asked to have this brand, the Asics before their match on Friday, the reason being the shoes’ tried and tested agility on the slippery floors such as the below arena’s.
Experts reviews list the Asics as the most affordable among the range of quality shoes for the game.
The below ranking by the respected UK Independent paper, put Asics on number 2 for affordability, and number 2 on quality.
The review reads in part: Asics are a great first pair for someone looking to elevate their footwear to enhance their game. The high sides mean these are very comfortable and supportive, especially on ankles, which can be a player’s weak spot. The gel system is based on a special kind of silicon that enables optimal shock absorption, meaning jumping in these trainers is a breeze. The natural bounciness of the sole helps you to feel light on your feet. The extra-ribbed sole provides essential grip, which results in good performance on slippery outdoor courts as well as indoors.
Last night, a caller contacted ZimEye to reveal the plight of the Zim players, and below was the briefer:
YADAH coach Genesis Mangombe believes the underdog tag on his team will work in their favour as they look to upset giants CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Mangombe’s men have found some form of late. “I think CAPS United are one of the best teams in the league and that can cause a lot of problems, especially if you lose concentration in the game.
“We’ll go into this game as we did in previous games. I think when we maintain our philosophy, and tactics very well like what we did in our last three matches, we can give anybody in this league a good game.
“We are happy that we are getting our rhythm back and the recent results are building positive spirit in my team.
“But we know that doesn’t make us favourites against CAPS. “I would love to have the underdogs tag and, that way, it will take the pressure away from us. But we are going into this game knowing that we have a chance to win, draw or lose, and that is how we approach every game,” said Mangombe.State media
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has bemoaned the high maternal mortality rate in the country, calling for investment in strengthening the skills of midwives and doctors as well as the supply of essential medical equipment to avert such deaths.
He made the call while speaking at the World Population Day commemoration and official opening of Tariro clinic and youth centre in Hopley suburb, Harare, where he also warned perpetrators against child marriages saying the law is catching up with them.
“We remain concerned with the high maternal mortality in Zimbabwe with 651 deaths for every 100 000 live births.
As Government we take note of this and we are committed to ensuring safe motherhood through a number of ways including investing in strengthening the skills of midwives and doctors, the supply of essential medical equipment to avert such deaths,” he said.State media
By Michael Magoronga| Redcliff town clerk Mr Gilson Chakauya escaped death by a whisker after the vehicle he was travelling in veered off the road and overturned along the Gweru-Kwekwe Highway on Tuesday evening.
His wife, who was allegedly behind the wheel, is reportedly battling for her life at a private hospital in Gweru.
Chakauya’s damaged vehicle
Redcliff Mayor Councillor Clayton Masiyatsva confirmed the accident, saying Mr Chakauya was on his way to Gweru when the accident occurred.
“Yes, I can confirm that the town clerk was involved in a road traffic accident on Tuesday evening while on his way to Gweru with his wife,” he said.
“He had taken days off work and decided to take the time to visit his parents in Gweru.”
Clr Masiyatsva said Mrs Chakauya, who was allegedly driving, must have failed to negotiate a curve leading to the vehicle veering off the road.
“From what I have gathered, the town clerk’s wife who was behind the wheel failed to negotiate a curve near Amatava turn-off and lost control of the vehicle, leading to it veering off the road and rolling a couple of times,” said Clr Masiyatsva.
He said the couple was rushed to Kwekwe General Hospital where Mr Chakauya was treated and discharged.
“Mr Chakauya was treated and declared fit, but Mrs Chakauya is said to be in a critical condition and as we speak she is admitted to a private hospital in Gweru where she is reportedly in the intensive care unit,” said Clr Masiyatsva. The Herald
By Courtney Matende | A ZAOGA church pastor from Gweru was kicked and punched on the face by a mechanic following a misunderstanding over a car radiator.
Athanas Kene appeared before Gweru magistrate, Mrs Beaulity Dube, facing a count of assaulting Mr Rabson Marikopo.
Kene pleaded not guilty and was remanded to August 8 for continuation of trial.
It is the State case that on July 1 at around 10am at Clemkwa Wholesale Garage in Gweru, Mr Marikopo and Kene had a misunderstanding over the radiator.
Kene had sold the radiator to Mr Marikopo.
Afterwards, Kene sought to reverse the deal because the radiator was not the size he wanted, which sparked disagreement between them.
Kene kicked Mr Marikopo several times on the back and hit him several times on the face. Mr Marikopo managed to escape and rushed to report the incident to the police.
Mrs Constance Madzudzu appeared for the State.The Herald
GOVERNMENT is calling for partnerships between local and foreign investors to set up generic drug manufacturing plants to improve drugs availability and create jobs.
Further, Government believes such investments will help generate foreign currency from the sale of generic drugs across the region. This was said by Mr Godfrey Chanakira, the Permanent Secretary in Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s office, during the public health supply chain conference and exhibition in Harare on Tuesday.
“The Government of Zimbabwe advocates for improved availability of healthcare consumables and sustainable pricing structures of drugs,” said Mr Chanakira.
“The TSP (Transitional Stabilisation Programme) acknowledges the technical and financial requirements in the sector, hence its call for new partnerships between domestic and foreign investors for setting up generic drug manufacturing plants in Zimbabwe in the course of this year.
“The joint venture partnerships envisaged are expected to benefit the country through technology transfer, among others.”
He said such an approach results in value chain development, which comes with the creation of jobs for locals as well as generation of foreign currency through regional exports.State media
Government insists that the ban on the use of multiple currencies will remain in place as it seeks to lower the cost of doing business and get the economy functioning again after decades of uncompetitive pricing due to expensive currencies.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo said this in an interview with BBC World Service Newsday.
The news anchor, Shaimaa Khalil, sought to know if the introduction of a local currency at this stage would be sustainable.
Minister Moyo said the move has stabilised the economy. “The whole point is for you to understand the whole roadmap from the time we introduced the US dollar and the multiple currencies that depreciated the whole productivity and lowered exports in the country,” he said.
Minister Moyo emphasized that it was important for Zimbabwe to take its fate in its own hands by promoting exports to ensure foreign currency inflows.
“It is a right of every sovereign nation to have its own currency and it is a more organised way for exporters to have access to foreign currency,” he said.State media
Environmental Magament Agency (EMA) must sue Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority for air pollution caused by city residents as they are using firewood for cooking.
The level of air pollution in most urban areas is unbearable and causing breathing difficulties.
A dark smoke cloud blanket covers the urban areas low density surburbs from around 1800hr as most households can not afford gas or other source of power for cooking.
In 2018 ZanuPF Mnangagwa presidential candidate had billboards which promised voters uninterrupted electricity supply .The ZanuPF government has failed to provide solutions to the power problems iñ the country.
The Zimbabwean Minister of Energy acknowledged that most high powered Zanu PF chefs owned the power authority millions of dollars. Its known that most ZanuPF chefs who have farms do not pay their electricity debts.Zesa has to import power from neighbouring countries.
The failure by ZanuPF chefs to Zesa has caused the country to import power from neighbouring countries.
The electricity problems in the country is mainly to do with the ruling party’s leaders who have huge debts .
Farai Dziva|MDC secretary for International Relations, Gladys Hlatywayo has castigated Emmerson Mnangagwa for masquareding as a political messiah.
See Hlatywayo’s statement below :
MDC is concerned about Mnangagwa’s attempts to mislead regional leaders on the situation in our country.
This follows a statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa where he indicated that he had been briefed by Emmerson Mnangagwa that Zimbabwe is now on the
road to recovery.
This was despite the fact that he had gone with a begging bowl to South Africa for electricity as a result of the incessant and crippling power cuts bedeviling the nation. It is our considered view that contrary to Mr Mnangagwa’s view, Zimbabwe is far off the road to recovery.
If anything, the situation has gotten worse.
The economic situation has deteriorated as evidenced by skyrocketing prices, shortages of basic commodities including bread and fuel, power cuts, water rationing and the erosion of salaries owing to hyperinflation. Our young people are without jobs and the public healthcare system has
collapsed whilst the private healthcare system is now beyond the reach of many.
The democratic space is shrinking by the day as the current military government is moving in to thwart dissent. A record breaking 21 opposition, labor and civic leaders are currently facing trumped up charges of subversion. This is the first time since independence that such serious charges have been so generously dished out.
In August 2018, the regime shot and killed seven unarmed citizens. In January 2019, the same government killed several unarmed citizens during protests. Impunity is the order of the day as perpetrators of these human violations have not been brought to book as recommended by the
Mothlante Commission.
The MDC asserts that the socio-economic challenges are a manifestation of the crisis of legitimacy, borne out of the 2018 disputed elections that failed the credibility test.
The MDC therefore strongly insists on the urgent need for a political solution anchored on genuine, inclusive, mediated dialogue that is underwritten by the international community. Such a dialogue must ensure the return to legitimacy, a comprehensive reform agenda, economic recovery, a national healing program and international re-engagement. It is only when the above mentioned requisite measures are put in place that Zimbabwe can be on the road to recovery.
MDC: (1999 -2019) Celebrating 20 Years of Tenacity and Courage
Gladys Hlatywayo
Secretary for International Relations
Farai Dziva|One of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s lawyers, Tinomuda Chinyoka, has said there is nothing treasonous about Job Sikhala’s remarks.
Chinyoka also slammed the arrest of Sikhala.
Chinyoka has also insisted that Job Sikhala should not have been arrested or charged with treason for statements he made at a rally because they are protected by free speech.
He also said that there was nothing treasonous about Sikhala as the statements were not sinister but were made in an excitable state.
Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has described the RELOAD Policy document as “pure milk” implying that it contains vibrant ideas for nation building and economic development.
Speaking at the launch of the RELOAD Document, in Harare, Chamisa said:”This is an excellent document, mukaka chaiwo…
This document consists of vibrant ideas for economic development,” said Chamisa.
“I would like to thank party leaders who crafted the document.
This shows we are very serious as a party.If we are able to come up with such a document it means we have the potential to transform the country’s economy.”
By Nomusa Garikai | MDC is a party of corrupt and incompetent individuals; I did not expect the party’s promised road-map plan, Road to Economic Recovery, Legitimacy, Openness And Democracy (RELOAD), to be worth much. I was right, it is a road-map from nowhere and going nowhere else!
Chamisa said that the party will exert both political and diplomatic pressure on the government so as to reclaim its July 30, 2018, elections victory. This is just a lead balloon that will never ever fly; no nation will ever support him in that quest.
SADC, AU and such odd balls as China and Russia either endorsed the Zanu PF election victory outright. Or had to confined their report on the elections to the peaceful campaign period and said nothing about the glaring flaws and illegalities such as the failure to produce a verified voters’ roll, to justify their thumbs up. No amount of diplomatic pressure from MDC will force this lot to switch and endorse Chamisa as the winner.
The Americans, EU, Commonwealth and other nations have dismissed the elections as a farce. “The electoral commission lacked full independence and appeared to not always act in an impartial manner,” stated the EU Mission report.
“The final results as announced by the Electoral Commission contained numerous errors and lacked adequate traceability, transparency and verifiability. Finally, the restrictions on political freedoms, the excessive use of force by security forces and abuses of human rights in the post-election period undermined the corresponding positive aspects during the pre-election campaign. As such, many aspects of the 2018 elections in Zimbabwe failed to meet international standards.”
So Chamisa expect the EU, Americans, etc. to accept his claim as the winner even though his figure contained the same “numerous errors and lacked adequate traceability, etc.” as ZEC’s figures. Chamisa failed to produce all the relevant V11 forms, giving the summary of the vote count for each polling station, just as ZEC failed to do.
“Legitimacy is an issue – last year’s elections were illegal, and not free and fair. All reasonable observers concede that,” admitted David Coltart, MDC Alliance Treasurer General.
In short MDC know that Zanu PF rigged last year’s election and therefore the regime is illegitimate. Both Zanu PF and MDC know that the mandate to rule and legitimacy is a gift the people of Zimbabwe can confer in a free, fair and credible elections. What MDC is proposing is declare the illegitimate Zanu PF regime legitimate in return for a share of the spoils of power.
Chamisa called for the formation of a “National Transitional Mechanism” (NTM): variation of the 2008 to 2013 GNU; in which Nelson Chamisa and a few other MDC leaders are expected to hold cabinet positions.
MDC is once again promising that the NTM will implement “comprehensive reform” to ensure the next elections are free, fair and credible. One has to doubt MDC’s sincerity given that the party has not exactly condemned last year’s rigged elections; other than disagreement over the presidential race result MDC has never condemned the denial of 3 million in the diaspora the vote, the failure to produce a verified voters’ roll etc.
Besides, even if MDC wanted the reforms implemented this time, it is Zanu PF who has the real power and they will never reform themselves out of power. In the 2008 GNU MDC had the majority in cabinet and parliament plus the backing of SADC who too wanted the reforms implemented. In the NTM, it will Zanu PF that has the majority in cabinet and 2/3 majority in parliament.
What is more, Zanu PF knows that MDC leaders will participate in the next elections even if not even one reform is implemented, for the same reason they participated in 2013 and last year’s elections – greed.
If Zanu PF is still in power come 2023, be it on its own or in some power sharing arrangement, we can be certain the party will rig that year’s elections too.
The only realistic way forward is for Zanu PF step down so the country can finally implement the democratic reforms to ensure free, fair and credible elections. The road-map MDC is proposing will not get us anywhere and we should not waste time on gimmicks! – SOURCE: zsdemocrats.blogspot.com
Farai Dziva|MDC president Nelson Chamisa has accused Emmerson Mnangagwa of claiming credit for the hard work done by the opposition party in Harare.
Said Chamisa:”Why should Mnangagwa come to open a local authority institution, in fact, this is an effort of the council.
But if he is coming, he is welcome because he must also come and see evidence of good leadership at the local level.”
“That’s the problem. Success has many parents and failure seems to be orphaned, there is a failure at ZESA, ZINWA, there is a failure in the roads which are now death traps but we are not seeing him there.
Then there is now this child from our local authorities, he wants to come here. He should address the problems faced in government.”
Farai Dziva|A caller from Liverpool has revealed that the Zimbabwe Netball players have been instructed to purchase their own “Asics” professional shoes for the Vitality World Cup starting today (Friday).
Zimbabwe faces Sri Lanka today, Friday.
The gems’ trip to the United Kingdom has been mired in controversy as government apparatchiks abused the funds donated by well-wishers to support the team.
As ZimEye.com aptly reported, thousands of dollars were squandered by government officials leaving the players stranded.
The gems were forced to camp at a substandard hotel while the government apparatchiks were ensconced in luxurious rooms.
“The food the players are eating is pathetic.
To make matters worse, the girls have been instructed to buy shoes for the tournament,” said the Liverpool caller.
Well-wishers have pledged to raise money to purchase the Asics professional shoes for the players.
Meanwhile, experts have explained that Asics are needed to enhance the players’ game. The high sides mean these are very comfortable and supportive, especially on ankles, which can be a player’s weak spot. The gel system is based on a special kind of silicon that enables optimal shock absorption, meaning jumping in these trainers is a breeze. The natural bounciness of the sole helps you to feel light on your feet. The extra-ribbed sole provides essential grip, which results in good performance on slippery outdoor courts as well as indoors.
Farai Dziva|Lawyers representing MDC vice chairperson, Job Sikhala have filed an urgent application for bail pending trial.
“At Masvingo High Court, ZLHR lawyers have failed a bail application seeking the release of Zengeza West MP Hon. Job Sikhala after he was remanded in custody at Bikita Magistrate Court by Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
Bail application was successfully filed at15:30pm.
The High Court will sit on the 15 July 2019 at 9:30am to hear Job Sikhala’s bail application,” the MDC has said in a statement.
Farai Dziva|MDC deputy spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka has said the arbitrary arrests of opposition members confirm that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is a “brutal continuation of Robert Mugabe’s dispensation.”
Two MDC officials, vice chairperson Job Sikhala and youth assembly secretary general, Gift Ostallos Siziba were arrested in as many days for “plotting to overthrow the government.”
ZimEye.com asked Tamborinyoka about the selective persecution of opposition members :
Government sympathizers are attacking Hon Sikhala from all angles any response to the matter?
Tamborinyoka Luke responded: “It only confirms Mnangagwa is not in any way a new dispensation. He is a brutal continuation of Mugabe’s dispensation.
In other words there is no Second Republic. It is a continuation of the First…”
Human rights lawyers have accused the authorities of employing a series of dirty tricks in the arrest of opposition MDC MP Job Wiwa Sikhala who is facing treason charges for comments that he made at a rally in Bikita.
The case has caused a stir after the lawyers representing Sikhala accused the state of engaging in underhand dealings in order to deny Sikhala his constitutionally protected rights.
In making some of the allegations, human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart narrated as follows,
Job Wiwa Sikhala has now been found. Having spoken to his lawyers, here are the #FACTS about his incommunicado detention and the regime’s clandestine and deceitful operation to move him to Bikita without his lawyers’ knowledge.
Job Sikhala was detained on Tuesday at around 9 am after he voluntarily presented himself to the police for questioning, accompanied by his lawyers. He was detained overnight and was due to appear in court the next morning.
Though there had been talk of moving Sikhala to Bikita, an agreement was reached between the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Sikhala’s lawyers that he would appear for initial remand at Harare Magistrate’s Court (Rotten Row) at 2:15 pm.
The NPA asked Sikhala’s lawyers to write a letter consenting to the jurisdiction of Harare Mag Court for initial remand, which they did, even though jurisdiction actually only applies to trial (not remand). The letter was delivered at 12 pm on Wednesday.
Sikhala’s lawyers Obey Shava and Jeremiah Bamu of ZLHR were told to go and wait for him at Rotten Row where he was expected to appear at 2:15 pm. Others from his legal team including Innocent Gonese remained with him at Harare Central police station.
What happened next is truly shocking. As the lawyer’s who had remained with Sikhala were leaving Harare Central expecting to accompany him to Rotten Row, they were barred from leaving. Sikhala was whisked away and no one knew where he had been taken.
Sikhala says that he was blindfolded at this point. This was meant to disorient him and instil fear in him. Such treatment amounts to a violation of the right to freedom from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment (section 53 of the Constitution)
His lawyers were not informed. Obey Shava says the first knew he’d been taken to Bikita was when the Information Ministry tweeted about it. The Information Ministry lied that this was a decision of the courts, when in fact he had not been brought before the courts.
Jeremiah Bamu had to drive through the night on the dangerous Harare-Masvingo highway to make it to Bikita for court this morning because the State had LIED to him and clandestinely taken Sikhala to Bikita without his (or any of his lawyers’) knowledge.
Some people, such as a former Herald editor desperate to win favour with a regime that rejected him, think it’s funny for someone to go missing while in police custody. Do you know that people DIED in police custody during the January/February crackdown?
Some people accused me of “rushing to tweet” & spreading fake news because I quickly raised the alarm about Sikhala being missing. Let me tell you a few stories to explain why I do that and why I won’t stop!
When Gift Siziba was abducted in 2016, many of us raised the alarm. We managed to trace the car he’d been abducted into ZANU PF HQ where he was being tortured. Because of the outcry, he was handed to the police. When he got out of prison he told me we’d saved his life.
When Robson Chere was abducted in Arcturus by armed masked men on 16 January 2019, I drove to Goromonzi police station and told the Officer in Charge that if he wasn’t brought to the police station immediately I’d sue him personally. He made a phone call & Chere re-appeared.
When Obert Masaraure was abducted (&tortured) on 18 January & 6 June 2019, we again raised the alarm. His abductors were threatening to kill him – but they knew that the world knew he had been abducted. They ended up dumping him at the police (in January) & in the bush (in June).
When 4 teachers were abducted in April 2019, we delayed raising the alarm until we’d tried to establish where they were. After being lied to by the police, we raised the alarm – and then they were handed over to the police. But in that time, 2 of them had been tortured.
In truth, this is an extremely blood-thirsty regime and so raising the alarm does not always save people’s lives. On 24 January 2019, I raised the alarm that Blessing Toronga had been abducted. Months later, his decomposing body was found at a mortuary.
So, no, raising the alarm does not always work. But often it’s the least that you can do to try and stop torture or save a life. In Job Sikhala’s case, raising the alarm forced Information Ministry’s hand to reveal where he’d been taken. Who knows what might have happened if we had not
The Combined Harare Residents Association mourn the passing on of its Board Member and CHRA Ward Branch Chairperson for Ward 14 Mr Davies Hove.
Mr Hove died on the 7th of July 2019 and will be laid to rest on the 13th July 2019 at Glen Forest Cemetery.
Mr Hove and the late Mbuya Monica Chokuwa and others founded Kambuzuma Residents Association.
During the CHRA transformation phase between 2005-2006, Mr Hove became the CHRA Coordinator for Ward 14 Kambuzuma.
At the time of his death he was serving as the Chairperson for the Welfare Committee and a Board Member of the Association.
His unwavering selfless service in community development to the Association and the Kambuzuma Constituency was outstanding and will be remembered.
Mr Hove was a peace builder and negotiator, an art that helped him to assist the poor masses of Kambuzuma in water reconnections when the City unleashed brutal debt management strategies through abitrary water disconnections for ratepayers who owe the City of Harare.
To all of our sisters, brothers in the MDC and affiliate unions I join you in solidarity with MDC Vice Chair Hon. Job Sikhala and Youth SG Gift Ostalos Siziba.
We must continue to fight for what we believe is right. Freedom must come in our lifetime.
I am currently not around on work business but my heart and thoughts are with Hon. Sikhala and Gift Ostalos Siziba.
These incomprehensible selective arrests and detention of leaders of the opposition members fills us all with deep pain. But we are reminded again that acts like this only strengthen us. Together to the end. In God we trust.
I thank you all who are in solidarity with our leaders
Back from college: In turmoil and tenacity, we continue to fight.
Fellow Zimbabweans, members of the democratic change, Africans and the world at large, You have afforded me, yet again the opportunity to be alive and post on this platform.
In 2016 l spent more than a month in Chikurubi Maximum Prison and with your solidarity and support l managed to survive Robert Mugabe’s house of terror.
Today, l got a glimpse of Mnangagwa’ s new dispensation having been accused of inciting public violence.
I thank you all fellow countrymen and country women for the unprecedented act of Solidarity and revolutionary love.
We are all committed to the establishment of a democratic Zimbabwe. A society whose key values are Justice, Freedom, Solidarity, Openness and Transparency.
Painful as it might be, we continue to fight!
Until victory, Aluta Contra
Moi!
Cde Ostallos
Secretary General (MDC Youth Assembly)
By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance president, advocate Nelson Chamisa, has said that party supporters must not be confused by the party’s inaction saying that they have a solid plan to rescue the country from political and economic crises.
His remarks come at a time when MDC supporters are demanding party leadership to nod to protests against arrests of party members.
He said:
We are thought leaders, but beyond being thought leaders we are actors. So when we think, we also act. We have two courages, the courage to think and the courage to act. So when you have seen us not acting, it’s because acting, its moment has not come. But when it comes, we will act.
I say this because i know … eeh takamirira signal, eeh takamirira signal. No! there will be no signal, you’re the signal. (I say this because I know some are saying we’re waiting for the signal. No! there will be no signal, you’re the signal).
The youthful leader said that giving a signal will only alert the ZANU PF party. He also said that the MDC will implement democratic measures in its endeavour to take power away from the ZANU PF. He said that peaceful demonstrations were constitutional.
He warned however that a democratic and peaceful process was painful but necessary. He said he was convinced that Zimbabwe was heading for disaster, but, a paradigm shift was the only way forward.
He observed that the removal of Mnangagwa was not enough if the system remained the same.
The South African National Defence Force will be deployed in violence-riddled communities in Cape Town, the office of Police Minister Bheki Cele said on Thursday.
The areas include Bonteheuwel, Delft, Hanover Park and Philippi East.
On the weekend at least 11 people were shot dead in Philippi East.
There were seven murders in Delft and two in Hanover Park since last Friday.-EWN
By A Correspondent- The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) on Wednesday boycotted a feedback meeting following a meeting held on Tuesday between the Apex Council and government representatives.
PTUZ secretary-general, Raymond Majongwe, confirmed that his union did not attend the feedback meeting saying that they have lost confidence in the Apex Council.
However, the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) president, Richard Gundani said that unions should speak with one voice.
He said:
The issues that PTUZ are raising have always been raised.
We should be able to find a way that is acceptable so that we have a strong body that will not be challenged.
It is important that we speak with one voice. There are these small things that end up dividing workers.
At the moment we have no choice because Apex Council and NJNC are the legal bodies that provide a platform for bargaining.
The Apex Council is a body comprising of 15 trade unions representing civil servants from across Government departments and only nine sit in the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC).
The NJNC is the platform that brings together trade unions under the Apex Council and government representatives to negotiate conditions of service for civil servants.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Sibusiso Moyo, on Wednesday, told BBC World Service that there is no going back on the banning of the multi-currency regime.
Moyo, who is in the United Kingdom for the Global Conference on Media Freedom currently underway in London, said:
The whole point is for you to understand the whole roadmap from the time we introduced the US dollar and the multiple currencies that depreciated the whole productivity and lowered exports in the country.
It is a right of every sovereign nation to have its own currency and it is a more organised way for exporters to have access to foreign currency.
In fact, this is a listening Government, what happens is it is going to be painful getting the country out of two decades of going down.
We are not looking at making decisions and coming back, but we are looking at improving the future for our people.”
By A Correspondent- Bulawayo residents have expressed fears over the possibility of a cholera outbreak with the city going for more than 8 days without water.
The council shut down its Criterion water treatment plant for refurbishment last week and residential areas have largely been dry since then.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) acting co-ordinator Emmanuel Ndlovu called for the powers that be to declare a State of Emergency in the city.
He said:
Bulawayo is, therefore, in the utmost danger of cholera and typhoid outbreak. This reflects poor planning and management of water resources by BCC.
Given the continued failure to finalise the project and scanty information from BCC and the failure by BCC to provide Plan B, BPRA is calling for a shutdown of schools until the situation returns to normalcy.
BPRA is further calling for heads to roll in council and for relevant powers to declare the State of Emergency in Bulawayo.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni has apologised to residents and stakeholders over the water situation.
He said:
The rehabilitation of water treatment and pumping infrastructure under the African Development Bank’s BSWIP grant continues.
There are times when we must take the pain to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of water delivery to our people.
We apologise to our residents and stakeholders for the seven days of dry taps.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- A traditional court has fined six men 16 cattle and 4 goats after they were convicted of practising black magic on women.
The men, who are from Chiweshe, were hauled before Chief Makope’s traditional court on Sunday on allegations that they were using “mubobobo” after 63 women’s undergarments were found at a graveyard in Nzvimbo village in May.
Chief Makope told NewsDay that the six suspects pleaded guilty to the charge and implicated a 70-year-old man as the ring leader.
The alleged ring leader reportedly fled before the judgement was handed down.
Said the Chief:
After the prophet from Bulawayo (Madzibaba Sejiby) identifying the culprits five of them said they were initiated into the mubobobo syndicate by the villager who fled after they were given small sticks which they used when going to bed.
Five of the culprits wept in court, pleading guilty to witchcraft so I fined them 16 cattle and four goats since they were initiated unknowingly.
Chief Makope has called for prophets from outside his jurisdiction to come and “vet” the villager who pleaded not guilty to using mubobobo.
According to a report, Mubobobo is a kind of black magic whereby a man can supposedly have sex with a woman from a distance and without her consent.
In effect, it refers to a magical remote sexual intercourse, metaphorically called ‘blue tooth sex’, as it generally ‘connects’ perpetrator and victim within an eye-shot distance or even beyond.
It refers to the magic for engaging in sexual intercourse without consent and physical contact. As such one could not lose virginity or contract HIV because there is no physical contact.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa has bemoaned the high maternal mortality rate in the country, calling for investment in strengthening the skills of midwives and doctors as well as the supply of essential medical equipment to avert such deaths.
“We remain concerned with the high maternal mortality in Zimbabwe with 651 deaths for every 100 000 live births.
As government, we take note of this and we are committed to ensuring safe motherhood through a number of ways including investing in strengthening the skills of midwives and doctors, the supply of essential medical equipment to avert such deaths,” he said.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has retrenched 38 employees, saying it is adopting a leaner, more efficient and cost effective human resource base.
The employees, from different departments and offices across the country started receiving their letters on Tuesday afternoon, it has emerged.
This retrenchment comes after a staff audit carried out by the authority, early this year.
ZTA Corporate and Communications manager Godfrey Koti said he will give details this afternoon.
This is a developing story. More details to follow
By A Correspondent- Bulawayo City Council Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, has been suspended.
The state media alleges that Dube was suspended for allegedly blocking councillors’ ‘intrusive’ activities and ‘overstepping their boundaries’ in the running of council affairs.
He was suspended by Bulawayo Acting Mayor Tinashe Kambarami, a day before a meeting requested by councillors to discuss the conduct of senior managers at the local authority.
Cncllr Kambarami is reported to have handed to suspension letter to Mr Dube in person.
The Chronicle reports that Kambarami was being accompanied by another person who was recording a video while they shoved the Town Clerk out of his office.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo Mayor, Solomon Mguni, is away on study leave.
The publication further notes that there was a plot to suspend Mr Dube on Friday in the meeting after he blocked their intrusive activities and breaching their boundaries in the running of council affairs.
By Own Correspondent- One South African man died and the other was injured after being attacked by a group of women who accused them of stealing their laundry on the lines.
“We got tired of seeing our laundry disappearing from washing lines all the time,” the angry woman told Daily Sun.
“We were forced to sit outside guarding our washing all the time or run the risk of losing it.” The women vowed they would teach the men a lesson they’d never forget once they caught them.
Stones, knobkerries and sjamboks rained down on them as the angry women from Tamboville in Wattville, Ekurhuleni, South Africa vented their anger. One man died and the other managed to run away. The women said they were frustrated because the cops weren’t helping them.
“We try to be patient, respect the law and hand them over to cops but it doesn’t work for us,” said one of the women who witnessed the beating. “The thieves are arrested but a few days later they are back on the streets. Where’s the justice?” Another woman said they were guarding their washing with their lives.
“We spend the whole day watching it and waiting for it to dry. But the washing still disappears and we end up crying,” said another woman. “It is better that their families cry as well. Not just us.” But the families of the victims are sad and angry.
Thembeka Majwete (43) said the people who killed her nephew Esethu Majwete (20) didn’t know the full story. “Esethu was mentally ill. He went around begging for food. There was no way he could steal their clothes or their bathtub.
“We are hurt, especially after learning that the people who killed my nephew were women.” Neighbour Sylvia Lekoape said the women were heartless.
“How can women who gave birth themselves beat another woman’s child as if they never raised their own?” she asked. “Instead of killing him, why didn’t they bring him here and tell their parents to pay them back?”
Captain Pheello Mothapo said a murder case was opened at Actonville Police Station but said no arrests have been made as cops are still investigating. “We’ll be making an arrest soon,” he said.
National power utility ZESA Holdings says it is seeking a government exemption to charge mining companies and other exporters in United States dollars to guarantee power supplies.
ZESA wrote to the Ministry of Finance after Professor Mthuli Ncube banned the use of foreign currency as legal tender in Zimbabwe repealing the 2009 law that introduced multi currency system in Zimbabwe.
The move by ZESA received widespread condemnation form Z8imbabweans who feel it is insensitive and exposes the folly of Mthuli Ncube’s statutory Instrument.
Professor Jonathan Moyo remarked, “What? “And other exporters”. Name them. An exemption for some must be an exemption for all. Great job in exposing the folly of Mthuli Ncube’s 142/19!”
Exiled business tycoon Mutumwa Mawere said, “Exceptions are the mother of all evil and distortions.”
Posting on Twiitter Public Policy analyst Joseph Mhlanga said, “What’s to stop my local supermarket from seeking a government exemption to charge its customers in US$ to guarantee grocery supplies?”
South Africans attack a Nigerian national in continued xenophobic attacks
Senate President Ahmad Lawan issued the warning on Wednesday during a plenary session.
Nigeria’s Senate has warned South Africa that if the killing of Nigerian citizens in the country continues there will be grave consequences.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan – referring to South Africa’s ongoing problems with xenophobia where foreigners and their property have been repeatedly attacked often with deadly consequences – issued the warning on Wednesday during a plenary session, Ripples Nigeria reported on Thursday.
Lawan added that Pretoria should also extend “due respect to Nigeria and should not take the good gesture towards it for granted”.
Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa was also summoned to the Senate to explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged murder of the deputy director-general of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Elizabeth Ndubusi-Chukwu.
Ndubusi-Chukwu’s killing in June brought the number of Nigerians murdered in South Africa to 127 in a three-year period.
Meanwhile, the Senate has issued travel alert warnings to Nigerians travelling to South Africa and ordered Foreign Affairs to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the death of the CIIN deputy director-general.
The Senate has also recommended that the Nigerian delegation to the Pan African Parliament (PAP) raise the matter before the parliament for deliberation later this year so that they can pass a resolution.
Donald Trump gestures and declares “You’re fired!” at a rally in Manchester, New Hampshire during his campaign in 2015 where he declared he was not going to be nice to illegal immigrants.
United States President, Donald Trump, has approved the mass arrests of citizens of other countries who are illegally living in the country, beginning from Sunday, July 14, 2019.
The New York Times quoted sources in the U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as saying the agency will begin a nationwide raid and arrest of thousands of immigrant family members who are undocumented in the country.
The DHS officials told the newspaper that the raid will include “collateral” deportations.
The development is coming barely two months after the DHS declared that an estimated 29,723 Nigerians who entered the U.S with either non-immigrant tourism or business (B1/B2) visas between October 1, 2017, and September 30, 2018, overstayed in the country.
According to the “The fiscal Year 2018 Entry/Exit Overstay Report” released by the agency, this set of Nigerian immigrants refused to leave the U.S after their visas expired.
The report stated that 195,785 Nigerians who were given visas into the U.S were expected to leave “within the above window.”
Besides Nigeria, the earlier report identified Djibouti as another African country with highest rate of visa overstay immigrants at 180 in the country.
Trump had in June said he would delay the deportation operation targeted at undocumented families, but the U.S President’s new directive to DHS will now see Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arresting illegal immigrants on sight and deporting them to their countries.
The raid will reportedly take place in at least 10 major cities of the U.S.
Illegal immigrants who restrict their movements may escape the raid as the ICE operatives are legally not allowed to forcibly enter a home.
The New York Times report indicates that at least 2,000 illegal immigrants will be targeted in the raid, but noted that the ICE operatives may detain immigrants who happen to be on scene of the operation.
Those specifically being targeted, according to the report, are those whose deportation have been ordered as a result of their failure to appear in court or who have continued to stay in the country illegally.
President Trump’s directive on the raid is said to be aimed at curbing the rising illegal immigrant overstay in the U.S.
Farai Dziva|One of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s lawyers, Tinomuda Chinyoka, has said there is nothing treasonous about Job Sikhala’s remarks.
Chinyoka also slammed the arrest of Sikhala.
Chinyoka has also insisted that Job Sikhala should not have been arrested or charged with treason for statements he made at a rally because they are protected by free speech.
He also said that there was nothing treasonous about Sikhala as the statements were not sinister but were made in an excitable state.
Zimbabwean defender Adam Chicksen is searching for a new club after his contract with English League Two side Bradford City came to an end last month.
The 27-year old joined the outfit in 2017 as a free agent and signed a two-year contract.
He was on of the eleven players released by the club following its relegation from the League One at the end of the 2018/19 season.
The former Brighton and Hove left back has so far been linked with a move to Scunthorpe United and number of other fourth tier teams.
Meanwhile, Chicksen who has one cap for Zimbabwe has faced challenges to secure a local passport after the registrar failed to find his father’s national ID number.
VAR, the video review system that sparked chaotic scenes at the Caf Champions League final two months ago, made its Africa Cup of Nations debut yesterday for Benin’s last eight clash with Senegal in Egypt.
The technology is being used from the quarter-finals of Africa’s premier football competition, with officials hoping the drama during some previous VAR matches in the continent can be avoided.
“VAR requires not only equipment, but also expertise,” stressed Caf secretary general Moaz Hajji.
The technology was supposed to be used in the second leg of the Caf Champions League final between Esperance Tunis and Wydad Casablanca in Tunisia, but malfunctioned before kick-off.
Wydad refused to continue playing when a disallowed equaliser could not be reviewed, despite the team having reportedly been told before the return match VAR would be unavailable.
After a 90-minute delay, an Esperance team leading 2-1 overall were awarded the match only for the organisers to later order a replay at a neutral ground.
No date or venue has been announced amid hints from both clubs they will take legal action over the decision.
In the first leg of the 2018 Champions League final between Cairo club Al Ahly and Esperance, the Algerian referee used VAR to award two hotly disputed goals.
Replays suggested Walid Azaro dived to win a penalty and the Ahly forward later deliberately tore his shirt to gain another spot-kick.
Ahly won the match, but finished overall losers after a heavy second-leg defeat.Eight weeks ago Egyptian referee Gehad Grisha was handed a six-month ban after making two VAR calls that angered Moroccan club Renaissance Berkane in the second-tier Confederation Cup final.
The suspension was dropped on appeal, allowing Grisha to be part of the referees’ panel for the Cup of Nations in his homeland.
Benin coach Michel Dussuyer favours VAR and said before the match: “I hope it will work and that there will be no technical problems.” The use is a plus for football because it corrects injustices.”
VAR intervenes when a referee makes a clear and obvious error regarding a goal, a penalty, a straight red card or a mistaken identity.
Ghana wished the system had been used in a second round match against Tunisia this week that they lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Black Stars captain Andre Ayew had a goal disallowed because the referee said team-mate Thomas Partey had handled the ball when it had actually struck his chin.
“We could have had a different result,” lamented Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah, “but VAR will help African football a lot.” — AFP.
MBARE Magistrate Kudzai Zihove on Wednesday acquitted Kudakwashe Nyanga, who had been on trial after he was arrested in January and charged with public violence for allegedly participating in an anti-government protest.
The 21 year-old Nyanga, who was represented by Gift Mtisi and Tinashe Mundawarara of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on 15 January and charged with public violence as defined in section 36(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
During trial, prosecutors claimed that Nyanga unlawfully and forcibly disturbed the peace, security or order of the public during an anti-government demonstration held in January to protest against the hike in fuel prices by burning tyres along Seke road in Harare and throwing stones and other missiles at members of the public and at some police officers who were manning Mbare Police Station.
But Magistrate Zihove on Wednesday discharged and acquitted Nyanga at the close of the prosecution case after ruling that the evidence led by state witnesses during trial was discredited.
Magistrate Zihove noted that none of the Zimbabwe Republic Police officers who testified during Nyanga’s trial told the court why he was shot while the arresting officer didn’t testify in court.
Agents|MDC female Vice President Lynette Karenyi-Kore has urged MDC supporters to continue fighting for the freedom of the people of Zimbabwe regardless of the arrests that are being conducted by the state on MDC officials.
Karenyi-Kore who is out of the country said, “I am currently not around on work business but my heart and thoughts are with Hon. Sikhala and Gift Ostalos Siziba.These incomprehensible selective arrests and detention of leaders of the opposition members fill us all with deep pain. But we are reminded again that acts like this only strengthen us. Together to the end. In God we trust.”
She further urged all MDC supporters to remain in solidarity with arrested lawmaker Job Sikhala and Youth Secretary General Gift Siziba.
“To all of our sisters, brothers in the MDC and affiliate unions I join you in solidarity with MDC Vice Chair Hon. Job Sikhala and Youth SG Gift Ostalos Siziba. We must continue to fight for what we believe is right. Freedom must come in our lifetime. I thank you all who are in solidarity with our leaders.”
Sikhala who was transported to Masvingo on Wednesday is facing a charge of plotting to subvert a constitutionally elected government and faces up to 20 years in prison.
Bulawayo Acting Mayor Tinashe Kambarami has reportedly suspended Bulawayo City Council Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube a day before a meeting requested by councillors to discuss the conduct of senior managers at the local authority.
Kambarami is said to have gone to Mr Dube’s office to hand the letter of suspension accompanied by another person who was recording a video while they shoved the Town Clerk out of his office.
This was done in the absence of the Bulawayo Mayor Solomon Mguni who is away on study leave and is not aware of his deputy’s actions.
This paper had reported a plot by MDC Alliance councillors to suspend Mr Dube on Friday in the meeting.
Agents|MDC Alliance deputy president Tendai Biti who is one of the party’s vice chairperson Job Sikhala’s lawyers in his treason case has revealed that the police locked them behind a steel door so that they could not have access to him.
Sikhala was arrested on Tuesday over statements he made at a rally in Bikita, Masvingo province at the weekend threatening to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa before the end of his reign.
Sikhala’s lawyers were initially told that he would appear at the Rotten Row magistrates courts in Harare on Wednesday but he was taken to Bikita.
Biti said the behavior of the police showed that the government is not sincere about rebranding the country.
“They call themselves a new dispensation but today (Wednesday) when they whisked away Job Sikhala a from Law and Order Department, they locked us (all the lawyers present ) behind a steel door to prevent us from trekking same. T his is an absolute fascist regime presided over by predatory fascists,” said Biti.
There was panic among opposition circles when Sikhala failed to appear at the Harare courts with some speculating that security agents had abducted him.
The Ministry of Information on Wednesday night issued a statement that Sikhala was being transferred to Bikita where the alleged crime was committed.
Arrested MDC Vice Chairperson Job Sikhala according to his lawyers has also indicated he wants to sue both government and specific officers who abused him while in detention.
There was confusion on Wednesday after it emerged Sikhala was initially supposed to appear in court in Harare before the jurisdiction issues were raised.
Authorities then decided the Zengeza West MP would appear in court at Bikita leaving MDC supporters who had gathered at the Rotten Row Magistrates Court Wednesday afternoon seething with anger.
Reports claim that Sikhala was blind folded as he was being transported from Harare to Bikita.
Sikhala was remanded in custody for the next two weeks on allegations that he told party supporters in Bikita that the opposition was planning to topple President Emmerson Mnangagwa before scheduled elections in 2023.
“We will overthrow Mnangagwa before 2023. This is not a joke,” Sikhala reportedly said.
MDC spokesperson Daniel Molokele said the opposition had been dismayed by the ruling.
“We are not happy with the decision and our lawyers will be appealing to the High Court,” said Molokele.
MDC President, Nelson Chamisa, has today officially launched the party’s Road to Economic Recovery, Legitimacy, Openness And Democracy (RELOAD) at Harare Gardens.
Chamisa said that the party will be guided by a five-point road map in its endeavour to dislodge the ruling ZANU PF from power. Below is the Five-point road map:
1. Diplomatic and Political pressure on this govt: Chamisa said that the party will exert both political and diplomatic pressure on the government so as to reclaim its July 30, 2018, elections victory. He said that the party will be “radically-peaceful” in terms of the constitution, that is, peaceful protests. He called upon other stakeholders including church leaders, women, political parties, and war veterans to the MDC and “reason.” Chamisa also reiterated the party’s intention to push for the Zimbabwean agenda to be discussed at regional groupings including SADC.
2. National Dialogue: Chamisa said that there must be a genuine national dialogue. He said that the party was against the use of violence to resolve issues saying that even after an armed struggle, there is still need to sit down and dialogue. He said that the MDC believes that a Civilised community resolves issues amicably. Chamisa added that the dialogue must discuss the legitimacy issue which is the source of the problems affecting the nation. He also said that a legitimate and credible dialogue needs to be facilitated by international adjudicators. He also said that the dialogue has to have timelines so as to measure achievements.
3. National Transitional mechanism: Chamisa said that the dialogue will result in the establishment of a national transitional mechanism to lift the country from the crises. He also said that another mandate of the NTM will be to usher Zimbabwe into new elections.
4. Comprehensive reform agenda: Chamisa also said that there are a number of areas that need to be reformed for democracy to prevail in the country. He, however, said that he would not preempt the party’s plan on reforms as he fears that the ZANU PF would start implementing the MDC’s ideas.
5. Free and fair elections: Chamisa also said that there is need for electoral reforms before the nation goes to the elections. He said that there won’t be elections if the current Zimbabwe Electoral Commission team is in place as it is biased towards the ZANU PF.
Chamisa concluded saying that the party will not be pushed into prematurely launching its strategic plan by the ZANU PF because it knows their rivals’ evil plans
Farai Dziva|MDC deputy spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka has said the arbitrary arrests of opposition members confirm that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is a “brutal continuation of Robert Mugabe’s dispensation.”
Two MDC officials, vice chairperson Job Sikhala and youth assembly secretary general, Gift Ostallos Siziba were arrested in as many days for “plotting to overthrow the government.”
ZimEye.com asked Tamborinyoka about the selective persecution of opposition members :
Government sympathizers are attacking Hon Sikhala from all angles any response to the matter?
Tamborinyoka Luke responded: “It only confirms Mnangagwa is not in any way a new dispensation. He is a brutal continuation of Mugabe’s dispensation.
In other words there is no Second Republic. It is a continuation of the First…”
In Harare, ZLHR lawyers have secured the release on $1 000 bail of MDC Youth Assembly Secretary-General Gift Ostallos Siziba charged with incitement to commit public violence. Magistrate Elijah Makomo ordered Ostallos to report three times per week at Harare Central Police Station. Ostallos returns to court on 24 July 2019.
Farai Dziva|Lawyers representing MDC vice chairperson, Job Sikhala have filed an urgent application for bail pending trial.
“At Masvingo High Court, ZLHR lawyers have failed a bail application seeking the release of Zengeza West MP Hon. Job Sikhala after he was remanded in custody at Bikita Magistrate Court by Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
Bail application was successfully filed at15:30pm.
The High Court will sit on the 15 July 2019 at 9:30am to hear Job Sikhala’s bail application,” the MDC has said in a statement.
At Masvingo High Court, ZLHR lawyers Jeremiah Bamu and Tinomuda Shoko have filed an application seeking the release of Zengeza West MP Hon. Job Sikhala on bail after he was remanded in custody at Bikita Magistrates Court by Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
Farai Dziva|A caller from Liverpool has revealed that the Zimbabwe Netball players have been instructed to purchase their own Asics shoes for the mega tournament.
The gems’ trip to the United Kingdom has been mired in controversy as government apparatchiks abused the funds donated by well-wishers to support the team.
As ZimEye.com aptly reported, thousands of dollars were squandered by government officials leaving the players stranded.
The gems were forced to camp at a substandard hotel while the government apparatchiks were ensconced in luxurious rooms.
“The food the players are eating is pathetic.
To make matters worse, the girls have been instructed to buy shoes for the tournament,” said the Liverpool caller.
Well-wishers have pledged to raise money to purchase shoes for the netball players.
MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General Gift Ostallos Siziba has been granted ZWL$1000 bail, ZimEye has learnt.
Siziba was arrested yesterday on charges committing to incite public violence.
MDC Youth Assembly Chairperson Tererai Obey Sithole confirmed the court decision to grant Siziba bail.
Meanwhile MDC vice Chairperson Job Sikhala has been denied bail and taken to Masvingo Prison but his lawyers have indicated that they will appeal at the High Court.
Farai Dziva|MDC president Nelson Chamisa has accused Emmerson Mnangagwa of claiming credit for the hard work done by the opposition party in Harare.
Said Chamisa:”Why should Mnangagwa come to open a local authority institution, in fact, this is an effort of the council.
But if he is coming, he is welcome because he must also come and see evidence of good leadership at the local level.”
“That’s the problem. Success has many parents and failure seems to be orphaned, there is a failure at ZESA, ZINWA, there is a failure in the roads which are now death traps but we are not seeing him there.
Then there is now this child from our local authorities, he wants to come here. He should address the problems faced in government.”
Since the New Dispensation, Zimbabwe has allowed all international media houses to freely operate in and from Zimbabwe. No journalist has been killed, abducted or imprisoned in the #NewErapic.twitter.com/VdAKJWfxSu
— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) July 11, 2019
Farai Dziva|Elvis Chipezeze’s team, Baroka FC, has signed a new goalkeeper ahead of the new season.
The new signing is a 30-year old Namibia international Loydt Kazapua.
A statement on the club’s official Twitter account reads: “Baroka FC signed number one Namibian international goalkeeper, Loydt Kazapua. Welcome come home Moroka.”
Kazapua arrival comes at a time Chipezeze is battling with match-fixing allegations.
The Zimbabwean is being accused of selling the result in the Warriors’ 4-0 loss to DRC at the 2019.
His coach at Baroka, Wedson Nyirenda, has tried to stand by him but the accusations seem to be weighing too much on the keeper who has since approached his lawyer as part of efforts to clear his name.
