By A Correspondent- Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president, Denford Mutashu, has appealed to government to shut down small businesses operating in the downtown area for refusing electronic money.
Mutashu accused the business owners of rejecting electronic forms of payment such as mobile money transfer and bank cards insisting to be paid in hard cash.
Mutashu said that it was necessary for those businesses to prove that they do not smuggle in their commodities.
Mutashu said:
We recommend that area must be shut down and every shop owner… account for what they have done in terms of satisfying authorities on how much they have been banking per day, what are the sort of activities in their accounts and if they have been paying taxes.
There is also need to prove sources of where they are purchasing their goods because a lot of their goods are smuggled.
His remarks were reiterated by Harare Residents Trust (HRT) chairperson, Precious Shumba, who called for the downtown businesses to reveal how they purchase and import their commodities.
Posting on Facebook, Shumba said:
People who are going downtown to buy are being denied opportunities to use mobile money, swipe and EcoCash, as shop owners are demanding cash only payments.
What type of management systems or accounting systems are they using that do not allow them to accept mobile transfers?
This raises a lot of questions such as where are they getting their goods to the extent that they are demanding cash only payments?
Several businesses have been accused of either tax evasion or tax avoidance or both.-DailyNews
Egypt were knocked out of the 2019 AFCON following an astounding 1-0 defeat against South Africa. The Pharaohs’ exit from the tournament represents their worst AFCON result when the competition is hosted by Egypt.
South Africa will now face Nigeria in the quarter finals after the Super Eagles edged Cameroon in a 3-2 win on Sunday.
“I warned before from sports corruption and especially in EFA after the underwhelming results and scandal that happened in the 2018 World Cup and I requested in the Parliament their resignation, the thing which didn’t happen,” Wahdan said.
“Not holding the EFA accountable for their deeds back in that time is what made us achieve these results in AFCON 2019. Now failure and corruption is repeated from the association’s members. They have to be accounted for the failure and the state of sadness they caused the Egyptian people.”
“They failed in everything whether in choosing the coach who was the highest earner in the tournament and in favouring certain players as well as Amr Warda’s incident which saw him excluded from the squad before he was brought back in.”
President Yoweri Museveni has summoned Uganda Cranes team at State House, Entebbe following their exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt on Friday.
Senior Presidential Press Secretary Don Wanyama confirmed that the President will meet the team this evening.
“Yoweri Museveni will this evening meet and welcome the Uganda Cranes squad at State House Entebbe as they return from Egypt, where they put up a formidable show at the AFCON 2019 tournament, making it to Group of 16,” Wanyama tweeted.
The Uganda Cranes have returned to the country after being knocked out of the round of 16 by Senegal in a game that ended 1 to nil.
The Cranes who arrived a few minutes to 4:00 am will later on be hosted by President Kaguta Museveni for a luncheon at State House.
While in Egypt, the Uganda Cranes proceeded to the round of 16 after beating DR Congo 2-0, drawing 1-1 with Zimbabwe and suffering a 2-0 loss to Egypt.
The Cranes had last moved out of the group stages in 1978.
Their exit has also been followed by the exit of their coach Sebastien Desabre who has since been linked to Egyptian side Al Ahly and Tunisian top side, Etoile Sportive du Sahel.
This after he (Desabre) reached a mutual understanding with FUFA to terminate his contract for reasons yet to be known.
The team that arrived at Entebbe International Airport today at about 4am is expected to head to State House for a scheduled meeting with Museveni.
Before flying to Cairo, Egypt ahead of the tournament, Museveni had met the Uganda Cranes squad in a meeting that was meant to morale boast them which eventually paid off with Uganda’s first win in their first game against Dr Congo. The Cranes later booked a place in the last 16 after a one-all draw against Zimbabwe despite losing to the host- Egypt in their last game of the group.
It is the first team the Cranes went past the Group stages since 1978 when the national team reached the final, losing to Ghana by 2 goals.
Uganda Cranes on Friday were eliminated in the last 16 following their 1-0 loss to Senegal. Liverpool star Sadio Mane scored the only goal.
Despite a diminutive sit-down strike before the game against Senegal, Uganda Cranes will be given a heroic welcome for such a wonderful performance.
By Ndaba Nhuku| If you are not politically tuned up, you will always allow someone to set the agenda.
This is what the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa did with Job “Wiwa” Sikhala’s rally speech.
It allowed Zanu to interpret it and use it the way it wants. As usual, MDC A waited to react.
Zanu is always setting the national agenda because the MDC A is not assertive, is slow at defending its own folks, waits to see how Zanu will react to issues.
MDC A, as the Opposition, must be setting the agenda. It must have visible people in Wiwa’s mould who are out there, assertively and forcefully challenging the government, challenging government policies, challenging government leaders’ conduct.
There is nothing as bad as having government setting the national agenda and Opposition reacting to it because this renders the Opposition useless.
It means the Opposition is the one being assessed, observed and corrected by the government instead of the opposite!!! It is the Opposition that should keep the government on its toes and not government keeping the Opposition defensive!!
In this case, the Opposition should have come out supporting Wiwa strongly, in unison.
For the Opposition to issue a statement alienating itself from Wiwa’s speech was a big blunder that actually silences its members from saying anything against government.
This is one of the reasons l am against the MDC A behaving like they are in power by demanding dialogue!! MDC A is an Opposition party that should be thirsty to replace Zanu, and not work with Zanu!! MDC A has no business calling for dialogue.
It is the government that is facing a crisis that should call for dialogue. MDC A is not in power and should not be there to rescue Zanu Pf.
By asking for dialogue, MDC A compromises itself as has now been seen! How can it oppose the government it wants to work with? How it can behave any different from MDC T led by Thokozani Khupe when it’s also dying to be included in government?
This issue is at the core of MDC A failure and especially those people who have been around Chamisa as unofficial advisors.
If MDC A longs to be in power, it must not allow itself to be turned into a reactionary party. Zanu has succeeded to turn MDC A into a reactionary party because it made it lack political substance, direction, agenda and focus.
A party can have a good vision but without a solid strategy to achieve its goals, it’s all myopic.
Zimbabwe is in trouble because MDC A has for too long given Zanu Pf the opportunity to survive in its chaos.
MDC A forcibly doesn’t challenge Zanu Pf on specific issues and doesn’t appeal to its huge support base when challenging Zanu Pf.
Wiwa did very well to challenge Zanu Pf in the midst of MDC A masses. That is what MDC A must be doing to set the agenda, to make the masses be with its leadership, to keep the masses mood opposed to Zanu Pf.
MDC A leadership need to be seen to be frustrated and angry with what is going on in the country, and that has to be done at rallies!! It is the masses that will overthrow a government!
Mnangagwa and Lacoste and Zimbabwe Defence Forces uses the masses’, anger to overthrow the former president Robert Mugabe and termed the illegal coup a “smart coup!”
That is how you use the masses to your advantage and not going meek when you want to be in power.
On the other hand it is ironic, ignorance if not downright stupid and divisive for some MDC A members who rightly support Wiwa, to turn against Luke Tamborinyoka, the party spokesman for issuing that statement distancing the party from Wiwa.
Luke is a mere party spokesperson whose job is to issue such statements whether he agrees with them or not!
Members should not abuse him for doing what he was appointed for. He doesn’t issue his own statements not sanctioned by party leadership.
If anyone at their point in time was to be criticised by such party members… for assertive and action oriented leadership, it is not Luke but Chamisa, the NEC and shadow cabinet!!
The Youth Assembly should also have forcefully come out defending Wiwa and asking the party to withdraw it’s statement. No point taking frustration on individual party appointees doing their job!
This is what destroys parties when people can’t do their tasks because praise singers won’t hold leadership accountable and instead target innocent party appointees.
The party mast be assertive enough to make Zanu Pf fear it instead of being a reactionary party existing on fear of being hounded by the government. MDCA must be holding the government accountable and not the other way round. This doesn’t however call for unnecessary recklessness on the part of leadership.
MDC-A must use advisors who don’t only have political vision, but are able to interpret national mood and frustration and use it to the advantage of the party.
An Opposition party must have attack dogs like Wiwa and calm faces who stabilise emotions. It must not be seen as a gentry club!! Wiwa’s case leaves it appearing as an elite party eager to go and work with government without causing and tension. Wiwa comes out as the only winner forcefully challenging a chaotic inept and corrupt regime using the language it survives on!!! The party alienated itself from the national anger against Zanu Pf failures, when Wiwa was trying to use that anger to its advantages.
I therefore stand with both Wiwa assertively speaking against Zanu Pf as a failed party, and Tamborinyoka for doing his job as a party spokesperson!
One of the Netball Team players was injured yesterday at a time when the whole team has run for days without a penny of their allowances since touching down in Manchester last week. Another worry is that a lump sum $39,000 is missing from the team’s donated funds. The money is meant for food and medicines.
The below was an update by the Netball President Leticia Chipandu:
PHYSICAL assaults and stabbings perpetrated by police officers, people sleeping on human excrement, and inmates being denied their life-saving chronic medication.
These are the alleged “inhumane and hazardous” conditions which inmates, who are awaiting deportation, said they had to contend with at Pretoria Central police station after being sent there on June 24, after their release from Tshwane’s Kgosi Mampuru Prison.
The Daily News has seen videos and pictures depicting the harrowing environment in which Zimbabweans and other foreigners are forced to live before being deported, and spoke to several inmates on condition of anonymity.
Colonel Lungelo Dlamini, spokesperson for the Gauteng SAPS, confirmed yesterday that the police were aware of “these concerns”, and that an internal investigation had been initiated.
According to the inmates, things came to a head on Thursday when they revolted against Pretoria Central officers, who they claimed had denied a prisoner his vital ARV medication.
Further allegations are that the “abused” inmate had been repeatedly assaulted every night since his arrival at Pretoria Central “only because he asked to take his life-saving medication”.
“On the day we stood up and fought the police, they had missed our brother’s medication time by 45 minutes. When they came to take him to reception where his medication was stored, they went down beating him, they came back beating him and beat him up some more in the cells,” said one observer.
“Some of us intervened, and the officers started fighting us as well. One officer – a white man – took out a knife and stabbed a brother on his arm. Another officer – a Mr Baloyi – took the knife away from the white cop. When both of them realised that we were fighting for the brother who wanted his ARVs, they left us alone.”
“They are treating us very badly,” another detained inmate said. “They even denied us a shower; the one in our cell is not working. Cells are not cleaned and when we ask for cleaning materials, the officers refuse.”
Putrid-looking excrement and filthy ablution and shower facilities inside the cells are visible from visuals sent to the Daily News.
Colonel Dlamini said Pretoria Central police station management viewed these allegations seriously and were investigating.
“However, the cleaning materials may not be provided to the inmates for safety reasons. The police cells are cleaned by our cleaners every day. It’s unfortunate that during the hourly cell inspections, these concerns were not raised with our officers. Community members are encouraged to come forward with any cases alleging police brutality so that they can be properly investigated,” Dlamini said.
Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Apollonia Munzverengwi, however, claimed that perhaps the picture was leaked after her phone was hacked and insisted that the picture should not have left her phone’s gallery.
Zimetro|In a rather embarrassing development, a Zanu-PF Minister has apologised to her party and its supporters after her semi-nu_de pictures leaked onto social media.
The photo was first shared in a Zanu-PF group before being circulated in other Whatsapp groups. Speaking to the Daily News, Munzverengwi said. Vanhu ngavandinzwire tsitsi handizivi kuti chii chakaitika kuti phone yakahakwa here … pawandiudza nyaya iyi hana yangu yarova ndabva ndatokanganisika.
(I don’t know what happened maybe my phone was hacked, the moment you enquired about this, I got disturbed).
In November 2018, former South African Home Affairs Minister Malusi Knowledge Nkanyezi Gigaba was forced to resign from his post after his s.e.x tape went viral on social media
Foreign tourists can still use foreign currency in Zimbabwe.
South African and other travellers will be able to use their own currency in cash or through credit and debit cards in Zimbabwe after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe clarified that tourism operators will be allowed to accept settlement for goods and services from tourists in foreign currency.
This is despite the banning of payments for local goods and services using foreign currencies inside Zimbabwe, under new monetary policy measures aimed at addressing economic distortions.
South Africa’s struggling northern neighbour has introduced the Zimbabwe dollar for settling local payments.
“Players in the tourism sector are designated as tourism operators, which are permitted to receive foreign currency payments from non-residents (foreign tourists),” said the central bank’s deputy director for economic policy, William Kavilan, in a presentation to the Chartered Institute of Accountants Zimbabwe in Harare last week on the implications stemming from the new monetary policy measures.
Individual foreign currency account holders from Zimbabwe will also get access to their foreign currency through withdrawals, but companies and non-governmental organisations have to convert their foreign currency funds using the interbank exchange rate before use.
Although the Zimbabwean tourism operators have been given room to accept payments in foreign currency, they will not be allowed to pay local suppliers in foreign currency.
Local banks in Zimbabwe are battling to contain the fall-out with one of their service providers that wants to be paid in foreign currency, which the finance institutions says is not feasible after the new monetary measures.
The central bank, however, added that prior exchange control approval was required for the “operation of special foreign currency transitory accounts to facilitate downstream payments” in foreign currency.
Zimbabwe is battling acute foreign currency shortages while the central bank and treasury have been implementing policies to ensure that Zimbabwe does not re-dollarise.
Banks were also working on ATMs that will allow tourists and travellers from abroad to withdraw local notes from their foreign cards using the prevailing interbank exchange rate through platforms such as Visa and MasterCard. Banking sector managers said on Friday that banks were working on switching on this service.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe netball team players are yet to get their allowances, ZimEye has learnt.
The players, who are in their maiden appearance at the World Netball Cup arrived in the UK last week and they will play their first match against Sri Lanka this Friday.
The development also comes amid indications that the girls are not being given lunch food.
Recently, it emerged that there was an uproar inside the white walls at No 1 The Strand concerning the welfare of the Zimbabwe Netball team which is being starved after government officials blew their food money ($39 000).
However, President of the Zimbabwe Netball Association, Leticia Chipandu refused to answer questions when quizzed by this publication.
While responding to a question on whether the girls had been paid their allowances or not, Chipandu said:
“….Who says that? All those reports are untrue. We have our system of paying allowances and it is none of your business… I am only accountable to myself and my government.”
This is despite Chipandu promising as soon as the team landed at the airport that she was ready to furnish anyone interested in knowing the players’ contracts as soon as the team was settled.
She is on record saying:
“The girls were not paid 50RTGs bond and it is not true. I can show anyone who is interested the players’ contracts as soon as we are settled (at hotel Ibid).
By Ndaba Nhuku | If you are not politically tuned up, you will always allow someone to set the agenda. This is what MDCA did with Wiwa’s rally speech. It allowed Zanu to interpret it and use it the way it wants. As usual, MDC A waited to react. Zanu is always setting the national agenda because the MDCA is not assertive, is slow at defending its own folks, waits to see how Zanu will react to issues. MDCA, as the Opposition, must be setting the agenda. It must have visible people in Wiwa’s mould who are out there, assertively and forcefully challenging the govt, challenging govt policies, challenging govt leaders’ conduct.
There is nothing as bad as having govt setting national agenda and Opposition reacting to it because this renders the Opposition useless. It means the Opposition is the one being assessed, observed and corrected by the govt instead of the opposite!!! It is the Opposition that should keep the govt on its toes and not govt keeping the Opposition defensive!!
In this case, the Opposition should have come out supporting Wiwa strongly, in unison. For the Opposition to issue a statement alienating itself from Wiwa’s speech was a big blunder that actually silences its members from saying anything against govt. This is one of the reasons l am against the MDCA behaving like they are in power by demanding dialogue!! MDCA is an Opposition party that should be thirsty to replace Zanu, and not work with Zanu!! MDCA has no business calling for dialogue.
It is the govt that is facing a crisis that should call for dialogue. MDCA is not in power and should not the there to rescue Zanu. By asking for dialogue, MDCA compromises itself as has now been seen! How can it oppose the govt it wants to work with? How it can behave any different from MDCT when it’s also dying to be included in govt?
This issue is at the core of MDCA failure and especially those people who ha e been around Chamisa as unofficial advisors.
If MDCA longs to be in power it must not allow itself to be turned into a reactionary party. Zanu has succeeded to turn MDCA into a reactionary party because it made it lack political substance, direction, agenda and focus. A party can have a good vision but without a solid strategy to achieve its goals, it’s all myopic. Zim is in trouble because MDC has for too long given Zanu the opportunity to survive in its chaos. MDCA forcelly doesn’t challenge Zanu on specific issues and doesn’t appeal to its huge support base when challenging Zanu.
Wiwa did very well to challenge Zanu in the midst of MDCA masses. That is what MDCA must be doing to set the agenda, to make the masses be with its leadership, to keep the masses mood opposed to Zanu. MDCA leadership need to be seen to be frustrated and angry with what is going on in the country, and that has to be done at rallies!! It is the masses that will overthrow a govt!
Mnangagwa and Lacoste and ZDF uses the masses’, anger to overthrow Mugabe and termed the illegal coup a “smart coup!” That is how you use the masses to your advantage and not going meek when you want to be in power.
On the other hand it is ironic, ignorance if not downright stupid and divisive for some MDCA members who rightly support Wiwa, to turn against Luke the party spokesman for issuing that statement distancing the party from Wiwa. Luke is a mere party spokesperson whose job is to issue such statements whether he agrees with them or no! Members should not abuse him for doing what he was appointed for. He doesn’t issue his own statements not sanctioned by party leadership.
If anyone at their point in time was to be criticised by such party members… for assertive and action oriented leadership, it is not Luke but Chamisa, the NEC and shadow cabinet!!
The Youth Assembly should also have forcefully come out defending Wiwa and asking the party to withdraw it’s statement. No point taking frustration on individual party appointees doing their job!
This is what destroys parties when people can’t do their tasks because praise singers won’t hold leadership accountable and instead target innocent party appointees. MDC-A must use advisors who don’t only have political vision, but are able to interpret national mood and frustration and use it to the advantage of the party.
The party mast be assertive enough to make Zanu fear it instead of being a reactionary party existing on fear of being hounded by the govt. MDCA must be holding the govt accountable and not the other way round. This doesn’t however call for unnecessary recklessness on the part of leadership.
An Opposition party must have attack dogs like Wiwa and calm faces who stabilise emotions. It must not be seen as a gentry club!! Wiwa’s case leaves it appearing as an elite party eager to go and work with govt without causing and tension. Wiwa comes out as the only winner forcefully challenging a chaotic inept and corrupt regime using the language it survives on!!! The party alienated itself from the national anger against Zanu failures, when Wiwa was trying to use that anger to its advantages.
I therefore stand with both Wiwa assertively speaking against Zanu as a failed party, and Luke doing his job as a party spokesperson!
Ndaba Nhuku
Outspoken opposition MDC MP and lawyer Job Sikhala
MDC Deputy National Chairperson Job Sikhala has been charged with subverting constitutional government which is a crime against the state and is facing up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted.
Reports from Harare indicate that Sikhala has been detained and will appear at Harare Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Sikhala is accused of telling MDC supporters that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be overthrown before 2023.
Human Rights Lawyer Pedzisai Ruhanya said, “With respect, while my friend Hon Job Sikhala’s purported freedom of expression may be undesirable especially in authoritarian regimes such as Zimbabwe, it is definitely not TREASONOUS. Treason happened in November 2017. Even Smith was not overthrown but Mugabe was clear treason!”
The law of Zimbabwe described subversion in this manner:
(2) Any person who, whether inside or outside Zimbabwe
(a) organises or sets up, or advocates, urges or suggests the organisation or setting up of, any group or body with a view to that group or body
(i) overthrowing or attempting to overthrow the Government by unconstitutional means; or
(ii) taking over or attempting to take over the Government by unconstitutional means or usurping the functions of the Government; or
(iii) coercing or attempting to coerce the Government;
or
(b) supports or assists any group or body in doing or attempting to do any of the things
described in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (a);
shall be guilty of subverting the constitutional government and liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding twenty years without the option of a fine.
Revered Harare Prophet Sawana has issued an emergency prophecy calling for the nation to pray that ailing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga repents and find the Lord because he is about to die.
In a prophecy posted on Youtube on Monday Sawana said the Lord showed him a very important person in the country dying. He said he saw the Zimbabwean flag on top of the coffin and God also showed him a military uniform placed on top of the same coffin with flags flying half way.
Sawana added that no matter how much is spent on foreign doctors nothing will be done to save his life except prayer.
Mutsvangwa’s housemaid was on Saturday taken to the Mutare Magistrates’ Court on allegations of stealing US$25 000 given to the Cabinet minister for safekeeping.
The issue comes hot on the heels of yet another foreign currency storm where Mutsvangwa’s son was involved in a deal where four police officers were arrested after taking a bribe from his partners, to only seize US$40,000, which later reduced to US$20,000 by the time the money was declared at the police station.
Tracy Manase (59) from Chizemo village, under Chief Mutambara, who appeared before magistrate Nortilda Muchineripi, pleaded guilty to the charges and will be sentenced tomorrow.
The complainant in the matter is Joyce Mukono (49) from Zimre Park in Harare and is not employed.
According to the State, in March this year, the complainant gave her sister Mutsvangwa, who was the accused’s employer, US$25 000 for safekeeping.
Manase reportedly took the US$25 000, resigned from her workplace at the end of May and went to her rural home in Chimanimani.
On an unknown date in the month of June the complainant asked for her money back and Mutsvangwa informed her that the money had gone missing.
The complainant carried out her own investigations and found out that the accused was hiring workers at her rural home and paying them in United States dollars.
The complainant made a report at Mutare Central Police and proceeded to the accused’s rural home with police officers where they recovered US$3 200 cash and groceries worth US$6 200.
Zanu PF youth affiliates spokesperson Taurai Kandishaya has said that the party would prefer having opposition MDC’s Job Sikhala out of prison so that they go head on with him.
The remarks come after Sikhala said that the MDC was not joking about overthrowing the government before 2023. The MDC has since distanced itself from the remarks saying that they reflected Sikhala’s personal opinion.
Kandishaya called for a withdrawal of the statement by Sikhala saying that failure to do so, the party would hunt him down. Speaking to the Daily News, an emotional Kandishaya said:
We note with great concern that MDC Alliance is now mistaking democracy for lawlessness, they are now mistaking freedom of expression for insults inviting upon themselves law enforcement agents to react because such statements are treasonous.
However, … we are happy to announce … that we are against having Job Sikhala arrested for if he gets arrested we won’t be able to locate him since we will not be having access to the prisons or police cells.
As politicians we have decided to confront him. We are going head-on with him. … , we can’t fold our hands and relax when our government is under attack. When our president is under attack.
Sikhala was summoned by the police over his remarks. Citizens who criticise the MDC’s stance on the remarks have since launched #IStandWithJob. Party youths have however openly pledged their support for Sikhala saying that it was very obvious that the party’s main agenda was overthrowing ZANU PF .Daily News
Farai Dziva| Mighty Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca have reportedly made Khama Billiat their top target ahead of the new season.
According to reports in the North African country, Raja’s technical director Fathi Jamal is pushing for Billiat’s signature, and the Zimbabwean forward is seen as a perfect replacement for Zakaria Hadraf who moved to Saudi Arabia.
The Kaizer Chiefs winger has not only been linked with the Moroccan side, but a number of big teams in that region are also after his signature.
Michael Ngobeni who is Billiat’s agent recently revealed that teams like Zamalek, Esperance and Al Ahly have all enquired about the services of the player.
The 28-year-old, however, still has two more years left on his contract, and it will be up to Chiefs Chiefs to decide his fate.
Farai Dziva| The Castle Lager Premier Soccer round 14 will be played during the weekend of 13-14 July.
Below are the fixtures.
Saturday 13 July 2019
Black Rhinos vs Dynamos (NSS)
Harare City vs ZPC Kariba (Rufaro Stadium)
Chapungu vs Ngezi Platinum (Mandava Stadium)
Bulawayo Chiefs vs Manica Diamonds (Luveve Stadium)
Sunday 14 July 2019
Highlanders vs FC Platinum (Barbourfields Stadium)
Caps United vs Yadah (NSS)
Hwange vs Chicken Inn (Colliery Stadium)
Triangle United vs Telone (Gibbo Stadium)
Mushowani Stars vs Herentals (Trojan Stadium)
The illegitimate regime is insecure & paranoid.The MDC is a legitimate peaceful democratic movement that will achieve change through peaceful,democratic & Constitutional means We reject the victimization of our cadres by a regime that ceased power through unconstitutional means https://t.co/EYfWAdAuKe
Farai Dziva|MDC vice president Job Sikhala will appear in court tomorrow.
“Hon. Vice Chair Sikhala has been charged with contravening section 22(2)(a)iii of the Criminal Code… Subverting a Constitutionally Elected Government.
A warned and cautioned statement has been recorded from him and he will appear in court tomorrow…
Our legal affairs dept tried to get him to be released today but it was in vain as they seemed to be acting on instructions,” the MDC has said in a statement.
Farai Dziva|The MDC Youth Assembly has said Job Sikhala’ s statement merely reflects public anger.
See the MDC youth assembly statement below:
The MDC Youth Assembly is riled by the state and ZANU PF’s overtures to flagrantly and wantonly disregard the right to freedom of expression through the ill thought move to charge MDC National Vice Chair, Job Sikhala with treason.
Having listened and re-listened to Honorable Sikhala’s Bikita rally statements, we found it shocking that the panic stricken military junta intends to slap our National Vice Chair with treason charges.
It is not a secret that as a party our end game which is in sync with the people’s agenda is to remove a failed ZANU PF government from power.
While MDC believes in non-violence, legality and constitutionalism as has already been buttressed by our deputy National spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, the party is also deeply anchored in values and ethos of social democracy.
Solidarity with the downtrodden is one of those values!
As such, the Assembly and the party in general has an obligation to stand in solidarity with long suffering masses whose nervous conditions we all know is a direct result of a bastion of governance failure by ZANU PF.
That Honorable Sikhala chose the words “overthrow of Emmerson Mnangagwa” instead of subtle adjectives is an issue of semantics.
The bottom line is that people are sick and tired of the whole ZANU PF system and henceforth its removal or “overthrow” through constitutional means is long overdue!
What Honorable Sikhala said is just a mirror reflection of the sentiments of the ordinary people in the country.
People are groaning under the ZANU PF yoke and their loud cries have one thing in common- “ZANU PF is corrupt and must go!”.
Honorable Job Sikhala only amplified the people’s position that ZANU PF and Emmerson Mnangagwa should be overthrown albeit through constitutional means if the country to move forward.
As an Assembly we would like to warn Simon Khaya Moyo and his sinking ZANU PF ship that any reckless overtures to decimate opposition figures like Sikhala on flimsy treason charges will be repelled by equal force.
If anything, a Sikhala illegal arrest will be our own Sarajevo moment that the country desperately awaits.
Mr Khaya Moyo should be reminded that another November 2017 is possible in our life time!
The voice of people is the voice of God!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
A warned and cautioned statement has been recorded from him and he will appear in court tomorrow… Our legal affairs dept tried to get him to be released today but it was in vain as they seemed to be acting on instructions. @nelsonchamisa@BitiTendai
— Fortune Daniel Molokele (@molokele) July 9, 2019
“My calling is to deliver the one thing we all want, a corrupt-free Zimbabwe. This will only be achieved if I get the right support.” @matandamoyo.
Amb. Brian A. Nichols met with the new @ZACCOnline Chair today & offered strong support to Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption efforts. pic.twitter.com/QUmQg7sGEF
Farai Dziva|Zanu PF political commissar Victor Mademadanda left the city of Bulawayo in frustration after his planned demonstrations against price hikes did not materialize.
Mademadanda had organised demonstrations against prices in Bulawayo on Monday.
Only a handful of party supporters turned up for the demonstrations.
A crestfallen Matemadanda then went around the city interacting with residents.
“Go back and put your house in order, we have had enough of your propaganda,” an angry Bulawayo resident told Mademadanda.
Farai Dziva|Concerned Zimbabweans have launched an initiative called #IStandWithJob in support of opposition MDC vice chairperson, Job Sikhala.
Yesterday the MDC said the remarks made by Sikhala did not represent the position of the party.
Posting on Facebook, party deputy spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka wrote:
“The MDC believes in non-violence, legality and constitutionalism
The MDC notes with deep worry and concern that Hon.
Job Sikhala’s statements made during a rally in Bikita East over the weekend have caused uproar and the party wishes to clarify its position regarding the same.
It is the party’s view that Hon. Sikhala’s views as expressed at the rally and widely quoted in the press were his own personal opinions, which we believe have been misconstrued and misinterpreted.”
Concerned Zimbabweans have however vowed to support the ” under siege” Sikhala.
Farai Dziva|MDC deputy spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka has said the party will use democratic means to pursue democracy.
” I have a constitutional responsibility to defend the party and its values. And yes, we shall use peaceful, democratic means to pursue struggle, ” said Tamborinyoka.
He added:” It is also true that protests, marches and demonstrations are very much constitutional means as they are in line with section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.”
Tamborinyoka made the remarks following the controversy surrounding Job Sikhala’s comments at a rally in Bikita.
By A Correspondent- Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president, Denford Mutashu, has appealed to government to shut down small businesses operating in the downtown area.
Mutashu accuses them of rejecting electronic forms of payment such as mobile money transfer and bank cards.
Mutashu said that it was necessary for those businesses to prove that they do not smuggle in their commodities.
Mutashu said:
We recommend that area must be shut down and every shop owner… account for what they have done in terms of satisfying authorities on how much they have been banking per day, what are the sort of activities in their accounts and if they have been paying taxes.
There is also need to prove sources of where they are purchasing their goods because a lot of their goods are smuggled.
His remarks were reiterated by Harare Residents Trust (HRT) chairperson, Precious Shumba, who called for the downtown businesses to reveal how they purchase and import their commodities.
Posting on Facebook, Shumba said:
People who are going downtown to buy are being denied opportunities to use mobile money, swipe and EcoCash, as shop owners are demanding cash only payments.
What type of management systems or accounting systems are they using that do not allow them to accept mobile transfers?
This raises a lot of questions such as where are they getting their goods to the extent that they are demanding cash only payments?
Several businesses have been accused of either tax evasion or tax avoidance or both.-DailyNews
Farai Dziva|The MDC Youth Assembly has said Job Sikhala’ s statement merely reflects public anger.
See the MDC youth assembly statement below:
The MDC Youth Assembly is riled by the state and ZANU PF’s overtures to flagrantly and wantonly disregard the right to freedom of expression through the ill thought move to charge MDC National Vice Chair, Job Sikhala with treason.
Having listened and re-listened to Honorable Sikhala’s Bikita rally statements, we found it shocking that the panic stricken military junta intends to slap our National Vice Chair with treason charges.
It is not a secret that as a party our end game which is in sync with the people’s agenda is to remove a failed ZANU PF government from power.
While MDC believes in non-violence, legality and constitutionalism as has already been buttressed by our deputy National spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, the party is also deeply anchored in values and ethos of social democracy.
Solidarity with the downtrodden is one of those values!
As such, the Assembly and the party in general has an obligation to stand in solidarity with long suffering masses whose nervous conditions we all know is a direct result of a bastion of governance failure by ZANU PF.
That Honorable Sikhala chose the words “overthrow of Emmerson Mnangagwa” instead of subtle adjectives is an issue of semantics.
The bottom line is that people are sick and tired of the whole ZANU PF system and henceforth its removal or “overthrow” through constitutional means is long overdue!
What Honorable Sikhala said is just a mirror reflection of the sentiments of the ordinary people in the country.
People are groaning under the ZANU PF yoke and their loud cries have one thing in common- “ZANU PF is corrupt and must go!”.
Honorable Job Sikhala only amplified the people’s position that ZANU PF and Emmerson Mnangagwa should be overthrown albeit through constitutional means if the country to move forward.
As an Assembly we would like to warn Simon Khaya Moyo and his sinking ZANU PF ship that any reckless overtures to decimate opposition figures like Sikhala on flimsy treason charges will be repelled by equal force.
If anything, a Sikhala illegal arrest will be our own Sarajevo moment that the country desperately awaits.
Mr Khaya Moyo should be reminded that another November 2017 is possible in our life time!
The voice of people is the voice of God!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
Jane Mlambo| When Luke Tamborinyoka, the MDC Deputy Spokesperson issued a statement yesterday distancing the party from Job Sikhala’s remarks at a Bikita rally, he never thought things would turn south.
The party had to act quickly as statements from both government and Zanu PF were clear, the issue was getting out of control and Tamborinyoka as per his job, he had to communicate a party position.
But despite it being perhaps a party position that they sanitize the mess Sikhala had created, Tamborinyoka is now under-fire from both party members and the general public who feel he did not protect the combative deputy chairperson from state security and Zanu PF.
Twitter users descended on Tamborinyoka’s handle blasting him and calling him all sorts of names.
Luke we shall never forget how you gave our Goromonzi seat to that ndombolo guy u should have been thrown under the bus a long time ago.
By A Correspondent- AGRICULTURE permanent secretary Ringson Chitsiko was yesterday quizzed by the Tendai Biti-led Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over shambolic 2017 accounts, which revealed that the ministry consumed a $2 billion budget with no supporting vouchers to show how it was spent.
Chitsiko appeared before PAC together with his ministry’s finance director, Peter Mudzamiri, to respond to the anomalies in the Lands ministry’s books picked up by Auditor-General Mildred Chiri’s 2017 audit report.
A member of the committee, Wesley Sansole (Hwange East), asked Chitsiko to explain the ministry’s expenditure of $1,5 billion and $515 000 which has no supporting vouchers, which could end up in the appropriation account being misstated.
Biti added: “That unsupported expenditure of $2 billion is actually six times your 2017 budget allocation of $292 million, and we need to know what the money was used for — whether it was for command agriculture.”
Mudzamiri said the money was mainly paid to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), but Biti said it was too much money to pay for grain procurement.
“It cannot be for grain because that is a huge amount. What did GMB do with $1,5 billion? Where are the supporting documents because as at April 2019, there are still no supporting documents,” Biti said.
Mudzamiri explained that accounting anomalies arose because the ministry’s accounts were separate from GMB’s accounts, where receipt of the money could have been recorded.
Another anomaly picked up by the AG was that the ministry had a liability of US$65 million which had to do with equipment procured from China through Farmers’ World and the beneficiaries failed to pay.
Chitsiko responded: “This farm mechanisation project was thrust upon my ministry when it was realised it had no home.”
But the committee said after the US$65 million liability was thrust on the Agriculture ministry, Chitsiko should have sought for Parliament condonation because now, it will be a debt to be paid back by the Zimbabwean public.
Biti said the committee was disappointed by the ministry’s poor governance, adding MPs were disappointed that the mistakes keep recurring and that the ministry’s 2018 accounts were even more shocking.-Newsday
By Own Correspondent- PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa could have blown in excess of US$200 million in travelling expenses since he came into power in November 2017, former Finance minister Tendai Biti has said.
Mnangagwa, who has been in power for a little over a year, has made close to 38 foreign trips aboard a chartered plane which, according to internet research, charges no less than US$4 million a trip.
Biti, who is also the MDC deputy president, said the President gallivants, while the country was in continuous darkness because of load-shedding, which has seen most of the country without power for up to 18 hours daily.
Zimbabwe owes US$68 million in debt to South Africa’s Eskom and Mozambique’s Hydro Cahora Bassa.
“Mnangagwa hires a plane at the cost of US$4 million, just to travel to Bulawayo. Since he was sworn in as President in August of 2018, Mnangagwa has made 36 trips. In all the trips, his transport is $4 million. Do the maths, 36 multiply by $4 million. That is over $120 million in travelling costs alone,” Biti said.
“What kind of a President are you? Have you no shame? He is a thief because a real President will respect his people. Even [former President Robert] Mugabe used to use Air Zimbabwe, but this President we have has failed to deal with (corruption).”
Biti was addressing a rally in Harare on Sunday.
The cost estimations by Biti did not include the recent trips to Rwanda and the ongoing Africa Union trip to Niger.
He also said travel allowances were also not factored into the tally, pushing the travel and substance costs outside the country by Mnangagwa to over $200 million in under a year.
“Why are you stealing people’s money? Why have you removed the US dollar? We refuse an economic agenda; we refuse an economic policy whose function is to destroy the values of people’s wealth. You have stolen people’s salaries, to fund your own luxury lifestyles while bankrupting the nation,” Biti said.-Newsday
By Own Correspondent- Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube has described as “misguided” litigations against the reintroduction of the Zimbabwean dollar and ban on the use of foreign currencies.
Currently, there are three cases at the High Court challenging Statutory Instrument (SI) 142 of 2019 as unconstitutional and overstepping the powers of government ministers.
Said Ncube at a breakfast meeting in Harare Monday:
“The litigations are misguided. All the actions we have taken are within the law. We consulted with the legal profession both within government and outside, verified that we were within the law. So I am not too sure if it is warranted to be heading for the courts to deal with SI 142, but if people want to do, then it’s their legal right.
If it is being challenged because certain members feel aggrieved, that is how they feel. They should challenge and they have done, by the way, so I don’t need to convince them. But what I am saying is that we consulted, acted within the law and it is the right thing to do to move Zimbabwe forward. It needs its own domestic currency and I believe this is the right way to go.”
According to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya, who also attended the meeting, since the SI was introduced a week ago, between US$8 million and US$9 million has been traded on the interbank market and bureaux de change.
Mangudya added that since February 22, to the end of June, US$644 million had been traded on the interbank forex platform.
The market continues to be sceptical about the Zimbabwean dollar leading to it increasingly losing value. Since June, the currency has lost about 40% of its value to trade at US$1:ZWL$8,94.
In his lawsuit against Ncube, Harare lawyer and businessman Tawanda Nyambirai last week said the law, plus SI 33 of 2019 that introduced the RTGS dollar (now Zimbabwe dollar), eroded the values of people’s monies.
Ncube said government was working on a cushioning allowance for civil servants and on reviewing upwards the tax monthly threshold from its current ZWL$350.
“You want to benchmark the salary against the basket of currencies. So what are we doing about that? We are going to have a cushioning allowance and here I encourage business to follow suit and cushion their employees. We have not concluded (discussions), but we are working on it,” Ncube said.
“We are going to also increase the threshold on taxation as well to give further relief. That is what we are assimilating right now, but I think it will be a visible increase.
“SI 142 is very clear. It is also legal and binding and you are complying. I don’t think, going forward, we have any big macro policy to make. I think we have done enough for now and covered a lot of ground. There is really no need to bring any policies going forward.”-Newsday
By Own Correspondent- In a rather embarrassing development, a Zanu-PF Minister has apologised to her party and its supporters after her semi-nu_de pictures leaked onto social media.
The photo was first shared in a Zanu-PF group before being circulated in other Whatsapp groups.
Speaking to the Daily News, Munzverengwi said:
“Vanhu ngavandinzwire tsitsi handizivi kuti chii chakaitika kuti phone yakahakwa here … pawandiudza nyaya iyi hana yangu yarova ndabva ndatokanganisika meaning I don’t know what happened maybe my phone was hacked, the moment you enquired about this, I got disturbed.
In November 2018, former South African Home Affairs Minister Malusi Knowledge Nkanyezi Gigaba was forced to resign from his post after his s.e.x tape went viral on social media.
By A Correspondent- Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa’s housemaid was on Saturday hauled to Mutare Magistrates’ Court on allegations of stealing US$25 000 given to the Cabinet minister for safekeeping.
The complainant in the matter is Joyce Mukono (49) from Zimre Park in Harare and is not employed.
According to the State, in March this year, the complainant gave her sister Mutsvangwa, who was the accused’s employer, US$25 000 for safekeeping.
Manase reportedly took the US$25 000, resigned from her workplace at the end of May and went to her rural home in Chimanimani. On an unknown date in the month of June the complainant asked for her money back and Mutsvangwa informed her that the money had gone missing.
The complainant carried out her own investigations and found out that the accused was hiring workers at her rural home and paying them in United States dollars.
The complainant made a report at Mutare Central Police and proceeded to the accused’s rural home with police officers where they recovered US$3 200 cash and groceries worth US$6 200.
I have a constitutional right to disagree with you @luke_tambo and your MDC party on Job Sikhala. Both you and your party are wrong on this one including the whole MDC leadership if it supports this tomfoolery. Dont behave like Morrison Nyathi!
— Pedzisai Ruhanya (@PedzisaiRuhanya) July 9, 2019
The Department of Immigration has in the first half of this year arrested 614 foreigners for illegally staying in the country, as it intensifies efforts to curb breaches of immigration laws.
About 562 of the illegal immigrants have since been deported to their respective countries.
Newly-appointed chief immigration officer Ms Respect Gono said the department formulated compliance teams nationwide to enforce national migration laws.
“The department carries out spontaneous and sporadic operations countrywide,” she said.
“The department has strengthened stakeholder engagement with other security departments. The department publishes cases of those in breach of national migration laws to deter future offenders.
“This has also resulted in citizens giving tip-offs leading to successful arrests. We have ensured offenders are prosecuted for deterrence. To date, a total of 614 have been prosecuted, while 562 illegal immigrants have been deported from the country.”
Ms Gono said the department, being an arm of the Government, has also joined hands in fighting corruption in society.
She said the department maintains an unwavering intolerance policy on corruption.
“We have a sound code of conduct that we ensure is made aware to officers apart from the in-house training sessions that we periodically do from time to time,” said Ms Gono.
“The department is guided by the Public Service Regulations of 2000 and all officers are aware that any violations of its provisions are dealt with accordingly. We have on record officers who have been reprimanded, penalised and discharged.”
Ms Gono said digitalisation of work processes was an ongoing exercise in the department and this was meant to eliminate human interface, thus plugging all forms of revenue leakages that would emanate from manual processes. “The department introduced an online visa application and payment platform,” she said. “The department is also working towards an e-permit platform which totally eliminates physical interface between officers and clients.
“There is a staff transfer policy in place to ensure that officers do not enjoy prolonged stays at one station where they will over familiarise themselves with clients who use respective borders.”
By Own Correspondent- A 49 year old Harare woman, who grew up being moved around from one mother to another, has obtained a court order compelling two women to undergo a DNA test to establish who her real mother is.
Silence Matanhire (nee Chisema), recently approached the High Court seeking a compelling order after the two women, Selina Mutema of Bikita and Esther Mutambara of Sengere Farm in Bindura, declined to shed light on who Matanhire’s mother was, claiming the issue was too complicated for her to comprehend.
“According to my birth certificate, I was born on January 1, 1970 to Jacob Mapfumo and Esther Chimedza. However, during his lifetime, Mapfumo clearly told me that he was not my father, but that his identity documents were used by one Farai Mutema to secure my birth certificate. The reason behind this is unclear. The person stated as my mother, Esther Chimedza, is to me unknown,” Matanhire said in her affidavit.
“I grew up regarding first respondent (Mutema) as my mother. Her husband was Farai Mutema, I regarded him as my father, and later she was married to Agrippah Mutambara, who became my stepfather. Later on in life, I was then taken to second respondent (Mutambara), who is a sister to first respondent.”
Matanhire said Mutambara was introduced to her as her real mother and later grew up treating her as such until she got married to Machingura Elvis Matanhire.
She further said a traditional lobola ceremony was conducted at the instance of her husband and was held at Mutema’s homestead who accepted her lobola share as the mother, but when she was handed over a blanket, in terms of the African custom, she declined to accept it, saying it should be given to Matanhire’s real mother.
“When it came to the issue of the blanket, she (Mutema) vehemently refused to accept it stating that the blanket needed to be taken to the actual mother, that being the second respondent,” she said.
“To date, I have three women namely Ester Chimedza, Ester Mutambara and Selina Mutema, all claiming in one way or the other to be my real mother. I have never met Ester Chimedza in my life and every time I ask the respondents about her, they become angry and they have since stopped talking to me. I believe it is my right as a human being to have proper identity.
“This is confusion of the biggest order and it makes me shiver day and night. The birth record, unfortunately, was forcefully taken away from me by my brother, who is now late when I asked him about its content. It appears a lot of people know about my story, except myself.”
High Court judge Justice Edith Mushore granted the order on July 3, 2019.-Newsday
We petition your municipality to keep the current rates as they are.
Our petition is premised on the following prevailing socio-economic circumstances:
Government as the majority employer has not increase salaries.
A large number of your rate payers are elderly and either earning pittance or they do not have pension.
Service delivery is found wanting in terms of availability of water, and sewerage. Roads also need to be rehabilitated.
We call upon the City to engage the residents so as to bring about meaningful progress.
As residents we are against the development of Waverley Bus Terminus, given that we have 2 old bus terminus in Rimuka that need rehabilitation and as residents we want to use these.
By Own Correspondent- The two-day public interviews for the eight posts of judges of the High Court opened in Harare yesterday with the first batch of 10 aspiring candidates being interviewed by the Judicial Service Commission’s nine-member panel.
Chief Justice Luke Malaba led the interviews asking a set of four standard questions.
The questions included naming three types of jurisdiction the High Court has in criminal matters and in what circumstances does the Prosecutor-General have the right to appeal to the Supreme Court against a judgment of the High Court in a criminal matter.
Interviewees were also required to explain the principles governing the exercise by the High Court of jurisdiction in respect of arbitral awards brought to the court for review.
Chief Justice Malaba said speedy disposition of cases is a constitutional obligation on every judicial officer, and asked how do the interviewees intended to ensure, if appointed, speedy disposition of cases while at the same time ensuring a fair hearing to those appearing before them.
Advocate Webster Chinamora, who was the first to be grilled, acquitted himself well applying his mind with aplomb of a veteran lawyer, as he was comfortable fielding questions from the panel.
When asked to tell the commissioners his greatest strength and weakness, he said he was an avid researcher who loved analytical thinking and writing.
“You have before you my curriculum vitae and a sample of some of the work I have done which demonstrates my aptitude for research and analytical thinking which I think is an essential asset of a judge,” he said.
He also referred to his impressive record of academic publications, which includes three-book chapters, one of which is in the Encyclopaedia of International and Comparative Private Law.
However, Zvishavane-based lawyer Mr Tichaona Chivasa had a bad day in office as he struggled with questions, some of which were elementary.
He had a nightmare in answering the first standard question on the jurisdiction of the High Court on criminal matters.
Mr Chivasa came for the interviews despite the fact that he failed the test on the writing of a judgment. He was, however, allowed to exercise his right to participate in the public interviews.
Bulawayo-based lawyer Mr Christopher Dube-Banda put up a sterling performance in the manner he answered questions.
He said he was a man fit for the job given the fact that he had garnered sufficient layers of experience throughout his 25 years in private practice.
“If appointed I will take it upon myself deal with the cases before me as expeditiously as possible,” he said with a voice booming with authority.
“I will not sit on cases placed before me. I can say that am a diligent person and consider myself a hard working person. I am not that kind of person who leaves things for tomorrow. I deal with things as they come and am conscious of the Constitution on this requirement and the rights of people appearing before courts.”
Not to be out done was Labour Court judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa, left the panelists unanimously content with her work and judicial intelligence.
The other six interviewees are Sheila Kanyangarara, Cemis Madembo, Benhilda Manyowa, Simba Mawere, Emilia Muchawa and Richard Mufuka.
By A Correspondent- A haulage truck transporting 30 000 litres of diesel from Beira to the Democratic Republic of Congo overturned along the Christmas Pass in Mutare yesterday morning.
When the state media visited the accident scene, diesel was still oozing from the tanker and police had to act swiftly to secure the area.
Mutare City Council acting director of engineering and technical services engineer Tinashe Mutetwa said officials had visited the accident site and were ensuring that the road was not slippery.
“Diesel is very slippery,” he said. “It is risky for vehicles with poor braking systems and worn out tyres. As an immediate measure, the City of Mutare will mobilise sand and cover the affected area.”
Eng Mutetwa implored the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to visit the site and make its own assessment.-StateMedia
“There is need for detergents to clean the area covered with diesel, which might damage the road,” he said. “The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, as the responsible authority, has to look into this.”
The MDC Youth Assembly is riled by the state and ZANU PF’s overtures to flagrantly and wantonly disregard the right to freedom of expression through the ill thought move to charge MDC National Vice Chair, Job Sikhala with treason.
Having listened and re-listened to Honorable Sikhala’s Bikita rally statements, we found it shocking that the panic stricken military junta intends to slap our National Vice Chair with treason charges.
It is not a secret that as a party our end game which is in sync with the people’s agenda is to remove a failed ZANU PF government from power.
While MDC believes in non-violence, legality and constitutionalism as has already been buttressed by our deputy National spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, the party is also deeply anchored in values and ethos of social democracy.
Solidarity with the downtrodden is one of those values!
As such, the Assembly and the party in general has an obligation to stand in solidarity with long suffering masses whose nervous conditions we all know is a direct result of a bastion of governance failure by ZANU PF.
That Honorable Sikhala chose the words “overthrow of Emmerson Mnangagwa” instead of subtle adjectives is an issue of semantics.
The bottom line is that people are sick and tired of the whole ZANU PF system and henceforth its removal or “overthrow” through constitutional means is long overdue!
What Honorable Sikhala said is just a mirror reflection of the sentiments of the ordinary people in the country.
People are groaning under the ZANU PF yoke and their loud cries have one thing in common- “ZANU PF is corrupt and must go!”.
Honorable Job Sikhala only amplified the people’s position that ZANU PF and Emmerson Mnangagwa should be overthrown albeit through constitutional means if the country to move forward.
As an Assembly we would like to warn Simon Khaya Moyo and his sinking ZANU PF ship that any reckless overtures to decimate opposition figures like Sikhala on flimsy treason charges will be repelled by equal force.
If anything, a Sikhala illegal arrest will be our own Sarajevo moment that the country desperately awaits.
Mr Khaya Moyo should be reminded that another November 2017 is possible in our life time!
The voice of people is the voice of God!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
By A Correspondent- A KLM airlines cargo plane yesterday dropped a flap mid-air in Chitungwiza, but landed safely at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) public relations and communications manager Mrs Anna Julia Hungwe confirmed the incident last night.
“The aeroplane dropped a flap in Chitungwiza, but landed safely at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
“Investigations into the incident are ongoing,” she said.
According to website www.howthingsfly.si.edu <http://www.howthingsfly.si.edu>, “the purpose of the flaps is to generate more lift at slower airspeed, which enables the airplane to fly at a greatly reduced speed with a lower risk of stalling.
“This is especially useful during take-off and landing.
“When extended further, flaps also generate more drag which slows the airplane down much faster than just reducing throttle.”
There were no reports of any casualties from the incident.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- Government has set annual targets for high-level minerals as it moves to maximise production in the mining sector.
The gold sector is expected to produce 40 tonnes per year, diamond sector 10 million carats and 50 tonnes of refined platinum as the drive towards a mining contribution of US$12 billion by 2023 gathers momentum.
Further, Government wants all holders of claims to use them for the nation’s benefit or risk losing them.
This was said by Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura during the launch of the Environmental Management Plan for Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in Patchway, Kadoma, last week.
He said to achieve the US$12 billion contribution by the mining sector, Government would review its policies, legislation and regulations governing the sector.
Besides establishing gold centres, Government would replace aged maps indicating where the country’s minerals are located through the cadastre system, guarantee bank loans for small-scale miners and financing gold buyers to curtail leakages.
“As the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, we sat down and agreed that the industry should contribute at least US$12 billion by the year 2023.
“In this endeavour, we identified each mineral that could contribute to the attainment of that goal, for example, producing 10 million carats of diamonds, 50 tonnes of refined platinum and 40 tonnes of gold,” said Deputy Minister Kambamura.
Already, the country is on course to achieving the 40 tonnes target for gold after producing 33,3 tonnes last year driven by artisanal miners who outperformed large-scale producers.
However, there has been a marked decline in gold production this year with 1,77 tonnes produced in January, February (2,1 tonnes), March (2,6 tonnes) and April (2,1 tonnes).
The output represents a decline from an average of 2,5 tonnes per month last year.-StateMedia
Jane Mlambo| Binga Rural District Council has taken to Twitter to raise alarm on baboons which are terrorizing women and children, vandalizing property and snatching anything they suspect to be food from hospital patients and villagers.
Posting on Twitter, Binga RDC said their area has been experiencing an influx of baboons which target women and children.
“Binga town residents have been experiencing a heavy influx of baboons. The baboons are snatching food or anything they suspect to be food, targeting mainly women and school children.
“Several incidences of baboon snatching pots, satchels and paper bags they suspect to contain food have been witnessed. They have smashed rooftops, vehicle mirrors and wind screens.
Binga District Hospital roof vandalised by baboons
“The worst hit areas are hospital compound, the hospital itself, expecting mothers’ residents and houses along the hospital – Rest Camp road.
“Baboons fall into the hospital surgery through the roof! Education houses, D.A’s compound, Army barracks, and many govt houses are being destroyed by baboons,” said Binga RDC.
The baboons have even vandalised hospital roof in search of food while the Binga RDC posted a picture of a pregnant women who had her 5kg of mealie-meal snatched from her in broad daylight.
Binga is one of the areas hard hit by drought this season.
By Own Correspondent- The Vice President of the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe, Obert Gutu has said that overthrowing the government is unconstitutional.
His remarks come after the vice national chairperson of the MDC-Alliance, advocate Job Sikhala has said that his party was not joking about overthrowing the President Emmerson Mnangagwa led government.
Sikhala mentioned intimidation and terrorisation of citizens as the main reason the MDC-A has resolved to confront the government.
Posting on Twitter, Khuphe’s deputy, Gutu said:
Section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe reads: “Every person has the right to demonstrate and to present petitions, but these rights must be exercised peacefully.” It doesn’t provide for the unconstitutional overthrow of Government.
His remarks are in resonance with those of the permanent secretary in the Information Ministry, Nick Mangwana, who described Sikhala’s remarks as uncivilised and unconstitutional. Mangwana added that the government will take necessary actions against anyone who wants to overthrow a constitutionally elected government.
The ruling ZANU PF and the Nelson Chamisa led MDC-A have been at loggerheads since the July 30, 2018 elections which the latter claims were manipulated in favour of the former.
Both parties have been agreeing on the necessity of institution a national dialogue to address both the economic and political crises. However, they clash on the issue of legitimacy which Chamisa is saying has to be resolved since it is the root cause of all the issues. ZANU-PF, on the other hand, is adamant that Mnangagwa won, hence no need for discussing the matter.
By Sports Analyst| The whole of Africa and especially Egypt were stunned on Saturday evening when Bafana Bafana of South Africa beat Egypt’s Pharaohs 1-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout round. The Cairo International was filled to capacity with 75 000 spectators filling the stadium. The host nation was one of the favourite teams in the tournament and was predicted to lift the cup for an eighth time. The winning goal of the match game was scored by Thembinkosi Lorch on the 85th minute of the game. This is the first time that he started a match for Bafana Bafana in the tournament. Their coach Stuart Baxter praised his team for their effort and said it was a “master class”. South Africa now has to face Nigeria in the quarter finals on Wednesday.
South Africa is not the only team that has caused an upset in this AFCON tournament. Madagascar has gone past the expectation of many. The Barea first caused an upset in the group stages by beating Nigeria 2-0 in the group stages and going on to finish top of Group B. The team then met the DRC in the knockout stages. DR Congo lost 4-2 on penalties to put them out of the tournament. The win means Madagascar is now progressing to the quarter finals of the AFCON 2019. Their upcoming game against Tunisia is a mile stone for the island’s football history. This will be the first time that the team will be participating in the AFCON final rounds. The game is scheduled to be played this Thursday.
Benin has also been an underdog in this tournament. Les Écureuils beat Morocco on Friday by 4-1 in a penalty shoot out. This will also be the first time the West African country will be playing past the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations. Benin will be playing against a strong Senegal team on Wednesday afternoon. Senegal beat Uganda 1-0 in the knock out stage of the tournament. Algeria scored three goals against Guinea to take them to the quarter finals against Ivory Coast on Thursday. For live sport updates visit Betway sports betting and get up to date info on upcoming games. The semi finals will be played this Sunday the 14th of July and the final will be played on the 19th of July.
By A Correspondent- The MDC says that it will soon launch its school of ideology that will be aimed at grooming party cadres who are able to articulate the party’s policies.
This was revealed by MDC secretary general Chalton Hwende in an interview with NewsDay on Monday. He said:
We are now busy with recruiting lecturers and administrators for the school. All the preparations are at an advanced stage now and we will be launching soon.
The setting up of the school is out of a resolution that came from our party congress. We want to develop a cadre who is conscious of their responsibility to the party and society as a whole.
We want to develop 21st-century leaders who are different from those we see in Zanu PF. We want leaders who are able to articulate our party policies, hence improving the quality of our membership.
The intention is to also change the course of politics in the country; it is no longer business as usual.
Hwende dismissed suggestions that the MDC was copying the ruling ZANU PF party which has its own Herbert Chitepo Ideological School.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- Former Mines ministry secretary Francis Gudyanga, who is accused of defrauding the State of more than US$1,6 million together with an Israeli company Nikuv, yesterday threatened to expose the State if it refuses to allow his case to be held in camera.
Gudyanga, who is represented by Norman Mugiya, warned the State before magistrate Hosea Mujaya that some of the elements in his case were covered under the Official Secrecy Act which he signed as a public official and revealing them in a public court will be in breach.
But the State ignored Gudyanga’s threat, saying he must file an application to the court to have that privilege.
Gudyanga, also a former Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe chairperson, allegedly caused the parastatal to pay $1 629 500 to Glammer (Pvt) Ltd, an Israeli company through a local agricultural company, Pedstock.
Pedstock is a sister company to Nikuv International Projects Limited, which was accused of aiding Zanu PF rig the 2013 polls.
Prosecutor Vernanda Munyoro yesterday told the court that they have been waiting for Gudyanga’s written application for the case to be held in camera after he told the court that he will submit the application on June 24.
But Mugiya warned the State that if they do not want to consider his request it will be to their disadvantage.
“The application of this nature can be made after plea and we will make that application after plea. There is no need to protect the State if they do not want to be protected. We are prepared to unpack the reality of the case. We are going to plead and make that application,” Mugiya said.
Mujaya postponed the matter to August 5 for trial.-Newsday
MDC deputy national chair, Job Sikhala has confirmed being summoned to Harare Central police station for Tuesday where treason charges hang over his head over weekend threats to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The Chitungwiza legislator reportedly told a party rally in Bikita on Saturday that his party was planning to force an end to Mnangagwa’s rule which the main opposition insists was illegitimate.
“I agreed with them that I will surrender myself tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9am as I am out of Harare,” he said.
“So tomorrow at 9am, I will be at the Harare Central Law and Order. They will prefer treason charges against me.”
Meanwhile, the MDC has moved to distance itself from Sikhala’s remarks saying the party deputy chairperson was speaking in his own capacity.
“It is the party’s view that Hon. Sikhala’s views as expressed at the rally and widely quoted in the press were his own personal opinions, which we believe have been misconstrued and misinterpreted,” national party deputy spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka said in press statement Monday.
An ouctry was early Tuesday raised over the welfare of MDC MP Job Sikhala.
Sikhala was subjected to a state media onslaught following his recent remarks at a party rally.
The state media claimed Sikhala’s statements were treasonous, just as the below alert was raised by the COZWA association. Below was the full text(unedited):
(02:00am)
Dear Zimbabweans
I’m receiving a very sensitive msg from best friend and brother, Hon Job Sikala this hour of the night. I don’t understand it but I thought I shld share it with you. Here is the message:-
[07/09, 01:32] Job Sikala: Please tell my wife Mai Job that I love her so much. I have left savings I think will take my children up to University. Tell her to take care of all my kids. Please please do. I love all my kids. She must be conservative and make sure that Josh and Fide do not leave the schools I have put them.
[07/09, 01:32] Job Sikala: My relative and colleagues. I would like to tell you that I am ready to die. I have been sacrificed. Bury me well. Have been taken by my enemies. I don’t know whether I will come out alive. My ancestors have talked to me. Mosara zvakanaka. Give me a wonderful send off.
Zimbabwe let’s all unite and assist this man. He is being sacrificed for each and every Zimbabwean who is suffering today, fighting for our future democracy and freedom.
State Media|Mozambique is ready to assist Zimbabwe with increased supplies of electricity from Cahora Bassa, the President has said.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the 12th Extraordinary Summit on the Continental Free Trade Area after fruitful discussions with his Mozambican counterpart, President Filipe Nyusi.
President Mnangagwa said they had agreed that Mozambique will supply more energy to Zimbabwe and the two countries’ Ministers of Energy will soon meet to tie up the loose ends of the deal.
“My minister will go to Mozambique. I discussed with the President of Mozambique, Nyusi (my brother) and they are ready for us to discuss the issue so that they can also increase the supply of energy from Cahora Bassa to Zimbabwe on terms which are comfortable to us,” he said.
This comes after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, following bilateral discussions with President Mnangagwa here on Sunday, sealed a deal for Eskom to supply Zimbabwe with electricity.
Recently, Government paid US$10 million to Eskom to reduce the debt with the South African power utility.
Once the two deals come to fruition, electricity shortages are expected to ease. President Mnangagwa also held fruitful discussions with Gambian President Adama Barrow that will see Zimbabwe supplying wildlife to the East African country.
“I also met Gambia’s president. Gambia would want to acquire wildlife in Zimbabwe.
“He said they want to acquire wildlife, so we have to discuss how we can support them,” he said
Zimbabwe has supplied wildlife to several countries, including China.
During another meeting, the President was invited to Equatorial Guinea.
“I also met the President of Equatorial Guinea (Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo).
“He has invited me to visit his country, I think sometime in August but we are still going to look into some feasibilities to do so,” he said.
I really want to apologize for not believing you when you started the Magaya hunt down.
I was one of the strongest followers of him defending him in every way until today. I was not aware that these things were actually happening until I spoke to some of people I really love who told me it also happened to them.
Please those who have been abused forgive me. Simba May God direct you to bring justice. It’s so sad and heartbreaking. It’s happening everyday to almost everyone who gets close to him.
Former Higher Education Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo and President Emmerson Mnangagwa
Moyo said the #TBgate saga was a monumental theft that is being hidden from the public by various entities and individuals who are involved.
He estimated the stolen bonds to be about USD$9 Billion.
While it’s bad that corruption in Zimbabwe has ravaged the economy, destroyed livelihoods and eroded society’s moral fabric, what’s worse is that the fight against corruption remains a corrupt fight by the most corrupt elements in the country to hide their corruption!
The economy is bleeding and dying with money losing value not because of a $12K Fruitful Communication/Zesa PR deal involving Undenge, Mazivisa and Pambuka, or Tsholotsho bicycles or a managerial appointment by Dr Parirenyatwa at National Pharmaceuticals but because of #TBgate!
#TBgate is a mega corruption scam through which billions in USDs were corruptly printed between 2013 and 2019 under a fictious 1:1 exchange rate to effectively line up the pockets of linked individuals for their personal benefit at the expense of the economy and the public good!
#TBgate is the most far reaching corruption scandal in Zimbabwe involving systematic and corrupt abuse of USD billions under: *Command agriculture *Fuel imports by cartels *Dark imports for unspecified and unauditable “operations”, siphoned through Mobutu-style payments!
#TBgate has had a devastating impact on the economy and the livelihoods of ordinary people because of its link with other systemic corruption including but not only systematic theft of diamonds, never mind whether its quantum is USD 15 billion or whatever: the value is huge!
Paranthetically, the corrupt fight against corruption is exposed by the fact that absolutely nothing is being done or said by Matanda-Moyo, Zanu PF youth, ZRP, ZACC,NPA, SACU, the judiciary or state media about Zimbabwe’s stolen diamonds and their actual value!
Related to stolen diamonds given #TBgate, is gold theft. Before the coup, machete-murders were rife in the Midlands over the control of the sale of Zim gold. Since then gold smuggling has become rampant. Gold smugglers now run the country, which they are also running down!
There’s a link between #Tbgate and the plunder of the country’s key resources, diamonds and gold, to corruptly benefit some individuals, their families and cronies. These are the individuals who unconstitutionally seized power by the threat and use of military force in Nov 2017!
Against this backdrop, it’s disquieting that the new ZACC chairperson, Loice Matanda-Moyo, has assumed her post full of sound and furry signifying nothing about the fight against corruption. It seems her brief is to cover up the REAL corruption that has destroyed the economy!
Why is Matanda-Moyo talking too much and setting an agenda with SOLO paradigmatic policy pronouncements in ZACC ‘s name when ZACC is not yet fully constituted? ZACC is not a one person show but a constitutional body run by a board and not a chairperson running amok, alone!
What makes Matanda-Moyo’s case untenable is that she does not inspire any public confidence because she comes to ZACC as a tainted ZanuPF judge with no history of judicial independence. Matanda-Moyo is a well established judge of the system, not a judge of the people!
Already, and acting solo without a board, Matanda-Moyo, a war veteran, has associated herself and ZACC with the ZanuPF youth league and the national war veterans association, whose members claim to be Zimbabwe’s stockholders, as key sources of evidence on corruption for ZACC !
Matanda-Moyo has boasted that she has the NASA audit report and ZACC will make arrests soon. Good but not reassuring. Will ZACC make arrests on the basis of audit reports or investigations? Is the NASSA audit report the only one? And the audit report on Command Agriculture?
But the crucial question facing Matanda-Moyo is this: can the public trust that she will lead ZACC to investigate the real and systemic corruption, #TBgate, that has led to the collapse of the multicurrency system and the destruction of people’s livelihoods? The answer is no!
Yet but for #Tbgate corruption, livehoods have been destroyed; no Zesa for 19 hours or more daily; health and education services have collapsed; salaries now valueless; exponential price hikes are the order of the day, as Zimbabwe has become hell on earth for ordinary people!
Instead of dealing with #TBgate, Mnangagwa has come up with another self-serving “anti-corruption” crusade to purge his political rivals. Before it was the so-called G40, now it’s his coup conspirators; like Obert Mpofu and Jacob Mudenda who facilitated his power grab!
It is not surprising that Matanda-Moyo has shown a willingness and eagerness to assist Mnangagwa in his latest purge of political rivals under the corrupt pretext of fighting corruption. Mnangagwa is working closely withSibusiso Moyto, Matanda-Moyo’s husband and Mthuli Ncube!
The new power block in town is revolving around Mnangagwa, Minister SB Moyo and Mthuli Ncube; with SB Moyo, the coup announcer, emerging as the most vicious of the trio and literally calling the shots and targeting his perceived enemies in ZanuPF and officials in govt and parastatals!
Emmerson Mnangagwa jr has emerged as a notorius busbody in the mix. Working in cahoots with rogue security elements and ZACC officials, he engineered the names targeted by the ZanuPF youth, whom he briefed ahead of their presser. He’s threatening to use ZACC to target more!
Notably and like one of his siblings now rivaling Fidelity Refineries as a major gold dealer, Emmerson Mnangagwa jr has become filthy rich. Public eyes are wide open to see if Matanda-Moyo wiil use the new law on unexplained wealth to get Emmerson Jr to explain his wealth!
The real questions on the corruption that has collapsed the economy and destroyed livelihoods are these: *Who will investigate and act on #TBgate? *Who will investigate the billions of TBs stolen under Command Agriculture? *Who will investigate diamond, gold and fuel corruption?
As noted, Matanda-Moyo can’t lead a credible fight against corruption. She’s irredeemably conflicted. In 2017, her husband faced High Court indictment on fraud charges over proceeds of crime he allegedly received. She has the NASSA audit, does she have her husband’s docket?
What needs to be understood and acted upon is that systemic corruption involving USD billions is at the core of the unprecedented suffering of ordinary people whose livelihoods have been destroyed. The eyesore of this mega corruption is #TBgate: TBs abused for personal gain!
If #TBgate is understood as the reason for Zim’s current economic mess, causing untold suffering, and taking into account who the schemers and gainers of #TBgate are, there will be no economic turnaround; unless the architects and beneficiaries of #TBgate are held to account!
State Media|ENERGY and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi has demanded completion of the multi-million dollar 100 megawatts Gwanda solar project saying he wanted to see electricity being generated from the power station after Government paid US$5,1 million in tax payers’ money for its construction.
The energy minister also said an explanation from Zesa Holdings, the holding arm of the group’s power generation unit, on why there have been crippling delays to the implementation of the Gwanda solar project was necessary.
This comes as Zimbabwe is grappling rolling power cuts due to electricity shortages that have been occasioned by significantly reduced electricity output at Kariba South hydro plant, which had its water ration for power generation significantly cut down by Zambezi River Authority due to receding lake water levels.
Minister Chasi was in Gwanda on Friday to apprise himself with the progress at the slow moving solar project, for which State-owned Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), paid a staggering US$5,1 million to have pre-commencement works done, ahead of actual phased construction, with little of initial works done thus far, which includes land clearance and site fencing and topography studies.
Earlier, the Energy and Power Development Minister had toured the outdated Bulawayo Power Station, which was de-commissioned a few years ago and is set for major systems overhaul under a multi-million dollar re-powering programme.
Delays in the implementation of the Gwanda solar project have already resulted in a contractual dispute between Zesa and contractor, Intratrek Zimbabwe, which saw the power utility attempting to terminate the agreement.
Zesa wanted to terminate the agreement on the grounds that the contractor had violated the parties’ contract after failing to complete pre-construction works within the stipulated time as agreed, despite receiving payment of US$5,1 million.
But Intratrek, in its heads of arguments, accused the State power utility of frustrating the project including through causing the arrest of the company’s director, Wicknell Chivayo.
The project contractor also argued that delays on the project were not its fault given that financial closure was scuppered by the negative effect of Government’s legacy debts in China where Intratrek intended to raise project finance.
Construction of the Gwanda solar plant was quoted at US$172 million, but Intratrek had offered to cut down the price to US$132 million commensurate with the falling costs of constructing solar energy plants across the entire world.
The firm further claimed that this was confirmed by actions of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, which in 2016 and on realising challenges of raising funding in China’s Export and Import Bank (China Eximbank), instructed CBZ Bank to float energy bonds to raise requisite funding for the project. As such, when Zesa tried to terminated the Gwanda project contract, Intratrek contested the purported cancellation of the project agreement and won in a ruling delivered by the High Court last year, declaring the contract valid and demanded that the parties find a way to ensure that the solar power project is implemented.
While the contract for the project was signed in October 2015 and part payment made to the contractor (Intratrek Zimbabwe) for the pre-construction works to be done, little progress has been recorded on site at a time the country is now facing acute shortage of electricity that has spawned severe rolling power cuts.
The minister reiterated that the Gwanda solar project needs to be completed as soon as possible “because money was paid and the contractor needs to deliver the 100 megawatts as per contract signed with ZPC.”
Also commenting after visiting the Gwanda solar project site in the company of Zesa and ministry officials, Minister Chasi said he was depressed by what he saw regarding progress on implementation and demanded that the project should be made to produce power as originally envisioned or the money paid be returned.
“I can’t express the level of depression that I am experiencing right now. (A bad) power situation is in the country. I was expecting that some magnificent amount of work would have been done.
“I feel that as a ministry and as Government, this is a big let down and we are now going back to look at this situation. I am aware that there has been litigation; the project owners won; what I need are megawatts. I am also focusing and zeroing in on Zesa itself to understand why there was a delay,” the minister said.
He said the solar project started a long time ago and the country could not afford to have the solar project delayed for an extended period of time given the current power situation.
Zesa recently appealed at the Supreme Court against High Court judge Tawanda Chitapi’s ruling in favour of Intratrek and declaring the contract between the parties to be valid and in force.
While Zesa’s appeal is still pending at the Supreme Court, Intratrek recently had its application for execution pending appeal granted with the judge saying action was required on Gwanda given the power situation in the country.
Justice Chitapi added that the parties should spend more time on implementation at the project site instead of merry dancing in board rooms and court of law because the power required was not for Intratrek or ZPC, but the whole country.
ZANU-PF national secretary for the commissariat Victor Matemadanda yesterday warned businesses in Bulawayo against selling goods at exorbitant prices, saying corrective measures will soon be taken against those found overcharging.
Matemadanda, who is also the Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, was in the city yesterday and visited some shops to see if prices had been reduced. His visit came a few days after President Mnangagwa called on shops to stop over-charging.
President Mnangagwa said that measures would be taken against businesses that were taking advantage of consumers.
Victor Matemadanda
Matemadanda visited some shops in the CBD and spoke to members of the public to hear their grievances and general feeling about the economy.
He spoke to vendors outside Econet along Leopold Takawira Avenue and proceeded to City Hall where he also spoke to the vendors and purchased some of their products. He passed through Chicken Inn along 8th Avenue before going to the Bulawayo Centre, where he visited Choppies and Topics and also spoke to consumers and some shop owners.
Matemadanda also visited Pick n Pay Hyper, Heads and Hooves, Mandla’s Hair Salon, Adam’s Flea Market and OK supermarket along Lobengula Street and Renkini Bus Terminus. In an interview after the tour, Matemadanda said it was unfortunate that people in Bulawayo were being treated unfairly by businesses.
“I came to Bulawayo to see if prices have been reduced in the shops following the announcement by President Mnangagwa. It’s unfortunate that prices are still too high in most of the shops and this must come to an end. I’ll report back to the President so that corrective measures are taken to protect the consumers.
“What is happening here is daylight robbery and it must stop. There will be penalties for all businesses overpricing their goods and we’ll name and shame them. Every shop has an operating licence. We’re going to make sure that some of these licences are withdrawn and given to patriotic and responsible people,” said Matemadanda.State media
A 25-year-old man from Mberengwa fatally struck his 72-year-old father with an axe and dumped the body in a disused mine shaft because the father was opposed to his marriage.
Midlands police provincial spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko said the allegations were that Luke Robert Jojo did not like his daughter -in-law Brenda Dube (18) of Village 4 Greenspan and always insisted that his son Lonias (25) divorce her.
“On July 4 around 2pm, Brenda came home drunk and had a misunderstanding with her father in-law, who then instructed Lonias to chase her away because he did not like her,” he said.
“This angered Lonias, who took an axe from his bedroom and struck his father twice on the head and he died on the spot.”
Insp Goko said the couple allegedly dumped Luke’s body in a mine shaft. “Lonias and his wife Brenda allegedly ferried the deceased’s body in a wheelbarrow and threw it in a disused mine shaft about 400 metres away from their home,” he said.
“The following morning, Lonias allegedly went to the village head and reported that his father was missing since the previous day. The village head mobilised a team to search for him and Luke’s body was found covered in blood stains in the disused mine shaft.”
Police were alerted and they attended the scene. The pair later confessed to murdering the deceased.State media
CAPS United president Farai Jere has come out guns blazing in defence of his deputy and co-shareholder Nhamo Tutisani who has been targeted for abuse by a section of the club’s supporters.
A group of the club’s supporters caused scenes at Nyamhunga following the 1-0 defeat to ZPC Kariba at the weekend, denouncing the Green Machine vice president in song and dance. The supporters demanded answers as to why coach Lloyd Chitembwe has been missing on the team’s bench with speculation in the overdrive that he has been involved in a major fallout with Tutisani.
The club yesterday called a Press conference addressed by club president Jere. He was flanked by Tutisani, Chitembwe and his backroom staff. Jere said he was worried his partner Tutisani was being targeted for no apparent reason.
“That is speculation. It’s natural, remember in the past it was Joel Makuvire (who fell in the same predicament) then Cuthbert Chitima.
“Everyone knows that Nhamo Tutisani is responsible for the day-to-day running of the team, so if things are not going on well they speculate that maybe he is the problem or is the cause of the problem. I want to make it very clear that there is nothing like that.
“Honestly, Nhamo Tutisani is not just a director or worker at CAPS United, he is a shareholder and I don’t see any reason or any sense in him trying to divide his team and make it lose when he is putting money into the team. It’s his investment.
You cannot invest into something and expect it to fail. It was mere speculation because the coach was not around,” said Jere.
Jere reiterated that Chitembwe, who had been thought to be on his way out, remains the team’s head coach. He said there were no divisions in the club and explained that the coach missed recent assignments because of illness. Makepekepe have collected a single point in their last four matches and the dip in form, and the absence of Chitembwe, has fuelled speculation.State media
THE blistering pace that earned him the nickname “Duduza” might have slowed down, but the control, positioning on-and-off the ball and brilliant vision are still rich in his play.
Veteran Dynamos forward and skipper Edward “Duduza” Sadomba (35), now in his second spell at the side, was the star of DeMbare’s show in their 1-0 win over a battling Chapungu United in a Castle Lager Premiership football encounter at Rufaro on Sunday.
The build-up to that winning goal – scored by Ghananian midfielder Robert Sackey with a booming left-footer – was a beauty. And Duduza was the creator with some deft thinking and precision.
A neat build-up from the back involving Godfrey “MaRubber” Mukambi and Jimmy Tigere was deftly controlled by Sadomba just outside the penalty box and he was well-positioned to have a crack at goal but he unselfishly rolled it to an onrushing Sackey, who blasted it past Chapungu’s ‘keeper Talbert Shumba.
Sadomba was full of energy all afternoon going deep to win balls and set up his younger team-mates. And he could have grabbed his first goal for his beloved club this season in the 35th minute after a piece of some fine distribution by his ‘keeper, Simba Chinani, found him up-field with a Chapungu defender in his wake.
Again, just like “old habits die hard”, the Mbare-born and bred attacker watched the ball all the way and before it touched the turf, belted it on the volley as he had somehow spotted Shumba off his line.
The ball was destined for the top right corner and many of the Blue Army fans were already up on their feet but Shumba produced an amazing, airborne reflex save to tip it out for a corner.State media
Mozambique is ready to assist Zimbabwe with increased supplies of electricity from Cahora Bassa, the President has said.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the 12th Extraordinary Summit on the Continental Free Trade Area after fruitful discussions with his Mozambican counterpart, President Filipe Nyusi.
President Mnangagwa said they had agreed that Mozambique will supply more energy to Zimbabwe and the two countries’ Ministers of Energy will soon meet to tie up the loose ends of the deal.
“My minister will go to Mozambique. I discussed with the President of Mozambique, Nyusi (my brother) and they are ready for us to discuss the issue so that they can also increase the supply of energy from Cahora Bassa to Zimbabwe on terms which are comfortable to us,” he said.
This comes after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, following bilateral discussions with President Mnangagwa here on Sunday, sealed a deal for Eskom to supply Zimbabwe with electricity.State media
Government is set to increase civil servants’ salaries, potentially beginning this month-end, to cushion them from recent price hikes once a framework to guide the deal has been concluded.
The Government has also urged the private sector to follow suit. This was said by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday while addressing delegates at a breakfast meeting on currency reforms in Harare.
Prof Ncube said the prevailing inflationary pressures necessitated that workers’ salaries, including those in the private sector, be reviewed upwards.
“I am sure there are a few civil servants in here who are saying now that you have introduced the Zimbabwe dollar, how about our salaries?” said Prof Ncube.
“We are going to deal with that in the next week or so. We are going to make an announcement in terms of a cushioning allowance for civil servants.
“And industry can you please follow suit. Some of these companies have been making fantastic profits, you are looking after your shareholders but also look after the employees as well by adjusting their wages so that they can cope with the inflationary pressures.”
Without disclosing figures, Prof Ncube said meetings with the respective unions representing Government workers were set for today to finalise the matter.
“I have a figure already and I am just waiting to hear from the unions. We will be meeting them tomorrow (today) to hear their figures,” he said.State media
Farai Dziva|Kembo Mohadi has warned businesses against overpricing.
In a speech read on his behalf in Beitbridge, Mohadi accused businesses of “milking members of the public.”
“We know those businesses and as the President said, we will deal with you because you undertook to serve the people and not to milk them.
Can anyone explain why beverages from our local manufacturers are so expensive here in Beitbridge where we have depots?
Shops have a duty to protect consumers who must not be punished for their loyalty. Now that we are using local currency through the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019, we urge businesses to shun the exploitative process overburdening the consumers,” said Mohadi.
Farai Dziva|In a shocking incident, a third-year student at the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) was brutally murdered by her boyfriend.
According to H-Metro, Angela Dapi was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend Richard Nenhowe at Elizabeth Hotel in Harare.
Richard then tried to commit suicide.
He is currently admitted at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals where he is under police guard.
“I remember tiri ma 1.1 (First Year, First Semester) she used to complain that he was abusive.
He would beat her because of his insecurities…Angie wanted to leave this guy a long time ago, but she was trapped; it’s not making any sense. I feel like I failed her. I could have paid more attention and reported him right away, but instead we comforted her,” Angela’ s friend told H-Metro.
“Angela and her boyfriend broke up a month ago because Nenhowe had cheated on her and he refused to accept being dumped.
He travelled from a mine in Zvishavane, where he worked, to Harare on Sunday to try and fix their relationship that’s when they met at Elizabeth Hotel and he then choked her when she entered the hotel.
Nenhowe then sent a text to his friend stating that he had killed his girlfriend and when the police found Nenhowe, he was bleeding profusely after he attempted to kill himself,” a source said.
Farai Dziva|The MDC will this week launch the Road To Economic Recovery, Legitimacy, Openness and Democracy(RELOAD) Document.
” The MDC launches its Road to Economic Recovery, Legitimacy, Openness And Democracy (#RELOAD) this Thursday in Harare.
The document is the party’s comprehensive agenda to end Zimbabwe’s current economic crisis,” said the party.
The MDC has also paid homage to the late former Masvingo Provincial spokesperson, Dusty Zivhave.
“The MDC mourns the sad passing of former Masvingo Provincial Spokesperson, Mr Dusty Zivhaye who died yesterday after a short illness. May his departed soul rest in eternal peace.”
Farai Dziva|South African based socialite Luminitsa Dumbisa Jemwa who is Grace Mugabe’s ex-daughter-in-law has driven the social media crazy with “suggestive” photos during her birthday.
Luminitsa also boasts of her “flaunting hourglass figure.”
Luminitsa is Grace Mugabe’s ex-muroora from her son Russell Goreraza.She is also footballer Nyasha Mushekwi’s former wife.
Her ” mouth-watering photographs where she is featured wearing a tighter-than-skin body-hugging dress have gone viral.
The socialite also boasts of having curves like no other lady.
Below is the Message from MDC Masvingo provincial secretary Advocate E. Musendekwa.
“MDC Masvingo Province has been engulfed with a dark cloud following the death of one of our own, Hon Dusty Zivhave. His family has authorised us as a Party to afford him a decent burial. He will be buried on Wednesday the 9th July 2019.
Hon Mugidho is our focal person in Chiredzi west
Nyaradzo funeral service has been engaged and they require us to $6 452 fo everything.
Contributions recorded so far:
MDC Masvingo provincial Hon James Chafungamoyo Gumbi has contributed $3000.
Masvingo provincial youth Secretary of ICT Mr Wakurakurerwa pledge $100 (to be sent tomorrow)
We kindly request MDC Family to assist in this noble cause
All financial funeral contributions should be deposited in our Proportional Representative and National women assembly vice chair Hon Mugidho’s cell phone number 0772448519. The reason is that hn Mugindo resides in Chiredzi West where honourable Zivhave is.
Hn Mugidho will be updating our Provincial Treasurer Mr Munhazo for accountability purposes
MDC believes in non-violence, legality and constitutionalism
The MDC notes with deep worry and concern that Hon. Job Sikhala’s statements made during a rally in Bikita East over the weekend have caused uproar and the party wishes to clarify its position regarding the same.
It is the party’s view that Hon. Sikhala’s views as expressed at the rally and widely quoted in the press were his own personal opinions, which we believe have been misconstrued and misinterpreted.
For the record, the MDC believes in Constitutional, peaceful, democratic, non-violent and legal means of resolving the national crisis. We have never been perpetrators of illegality and non-violence. If anything, we have always been the victims.
The MDC is deeply worried about the escalating national crisis and to this end; the party will on Thursday this week launch the Roadmap to Economic Recovery, Legitimacy, Openness and Democracy (RELOAD) which is our blueprint to legitimacy and economic recovery in the country.
RELOAD does not in any way entail illegal and unconstitutional means of solving the national crisis.
Once again, the MDC wishes to state unequivocally that it has always submitted itself to the cardinal values of legality, constitutionalism and democracy. Any attempt to portray the MDC in any other way is disingenuous and unfortunate.
MDC: (1999 – 2019) Celebrating 20 Years of Tenacity and Courage
Luke Tamborinyoka
Deputy National Spokesperson
Movement for Democratic Change
By A Correspondent- The City of Masvingo has failed to build a secondary school in the high density suburb of Rujeko and is now set to put the land on sale to possible private buyers with capacity to do the work, it has emerged.
A report by a local publication said the city has made several false promises regarding plans to build a secondary school in the area, with candidates for the Ward 7 city council seat in many elections promising to deliver on the project.
Indications are that the secondary school project had been provided for in the 2019 council budget but the local authority failed to commence the project ‘due to financial challenges’.
Council has therefore decided to invite potential church organisations that may have the capacity to do the work.
It was resolved in the recent full council meeting that the housing director should advertise an institutional stand for the establishment of a secondary school in Rujeko.
Some councillors, however, argued that the land should not be sold but be given for free in return for council having some control of the school.
Ward 10 councillor Sengerayi Manyanga argued that if the land was to be sold, then the responsible school authority may then seek to charge high fees to recover the money used to buy the land.
“Let’s give the land for free so that we will be able to regulate the fees and other services. If they start charging similar amounts to what boarding schools charge, we would then be empowered to stop them,” said Manyanga.
Mayor Collen Maboke, however, said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will regulate the fees and everything else to suit the normal standards expected of a high density residential area school.
Housing and Community Services director Levison Nzvura said a lot had been taken into consideration before the decision was made.
“We considered that council need some money to operate and since the project is of community benefit, we decided to sell the land at half price to a church organisation,” said Nzvura.
However, many believe that council has diverted some of the money that was budgeted for the project as they hurriedly try to surface the Nyaradzo Road whose own budgeted funds they misappropriated. -TellZim
By A Correspondent- The cash-strapped Zaka Rural District Council recently splurged thousands of dollars on expensive smartphones for the 34 councilors, a move which has drawn sharp criticism from residents who accuse the local authority of misplaced priorities.
Residents accused the local authority of failing to prioritise more important issues like refuse collection and provision of safe and reliable water for domestic use.
“Jerera has no dumpsite and council cannot even collect refuse regularly. We therefore feel that the councillors and council management are serving themselves,” said a Jerera resident.
When contacted for comment, council chairperson Cornelius Mapuranga justified the purchase but refused to divulge the type of cellphones bought for councillors.
Some sources, however, said each councillor got a 10-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 which trades in some South African retail outlets for R8 000, an equivalent of US$572.
The phone comes with a standard 34 gigabytes of internal memory.
Mapuranga said councillors were now looking forward to getting motorbikes when the authority’s financial position ‘improves’.
“We wanted to ease the burden of communication so we bought the cellphones. Our wards are big and we cannot be travelling all the time. We need to use the cellphones to communicate. The type of phones we bought doesn’t matter, what matters is that we now have easy communication with our people. We are now looking forward to getting motorbikes in the near future,” said Mapuranga.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Majaura refused to comment, saying he was out of office and referred all comments to administrator Nancy Chatikobo who was also not available.
A 2017 full council resolution rejected demands by some councillors for motorbikes and only approved cellphones which, however, could not be bought until now.
Zaka District Development Coordinator (DCC) Ndeya Nyede defended the move and said the money will be recovered during the councillors’ term of office in the same manner that a stands-for-councillors scheme works.
“The money will be recovered during their term of office. For effective communication, it’s important that they got those phones. The government is preaching E-governance so it’s a positive start,” said Nyede.-TellZim
By A Correspondent- Vice President Kembo Mohadi has appealed to local businesses to support the Government’s economic realignment measures through implementing a fair pricing model to avoid causing unnecessary suffering of the people.
In a speech read on his behalf by Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Abednico Ncube during the official opening of the Beitbridge Business Expo, Cde Mohadi said businesses should stop fleecing consumers through charging exorbitant prices.
“We are pleading with businesses to ensure fair pricing of goods and services. The exploitative pricing we are witnessing at some shops and supermarkets here should stop forthwith,” said VP Mohadi.
He said what businesses should appreciate is that they can only thrive when there are consumers of their goods and services.
Cde Mohadi said prices charged by businesses should be affordable to the majority of consumers.
“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the days of those who are overpricing goods are numbered and that does not spare those people in our town who have turned against the very community that supports them”, said VP Mohadi.
He said it was important for people to work together in ensuring that the economy recovers.
Vice President Mohadi said the Government was ready to support and engage businesses on a number of cross cutting issues.
He said now that the country was using local currency, it was prudent for businesses to shun exploitative prices.
“We know those businesses and like the President said, we will deal with you because you undertook to serve the people and not to milk them. Can anyone explain why beverages from our local manufacturers are so expensive here in Beitbridge where we have depots?
“Shops have a duty to protect consumers who must not be punished for their loyalty. Now that we are using local currency following the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019, we urge businesses to shun exploitative prices,” said Vice President Mohadi.
Meanwhile, Cde Mohadi said Beitbridge town was poised for growth with the border modernisation programme taking shape.
In addition, he said the town will benefit by having a modern border post, a fire station, and a water reservoir on Mawale hill for improved water supply, an additional sewer pond and a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) village.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- ZIMBABWE is lagging behind in terms of conclusively reaffirming its borders with neighbouring countries to avoid potential conflicts arising from the exploitation of resources and other disagreements that may affect good relations.
The border reaffirmation exercise is in line with the African Union Border Programme (AUBP) that requires all member states of the continental body to complete all international boundaries reaffirmations by the year 2023.
This was revealed by the Auditor General, Mrs Mildred Chiri in her 2018 annual report tabled before Parliament last week.
The AUBP was adopted in 2007 during the 8th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa under the theme ‘preventing conflicts and promoting integration’ and one of its ambitious goals was ‘the delimitation and demarcation of African boundaries’ where this had not yet taken place by 2017. This deadline was extended to 2023 following a programme review in 2016.
Mrs Chiri warned that delays in reaffirming boundaries was likely to give rise to more conflicts along the border areas and urged the Government to speed up the process.
“Taking long to reaffirm the boundaries may give rise to more conflicts along the border areas with neighbouring countries,” she said.
The Government through the Surveyor-General Department, had planned to reaffirm at least 200km kilometres of its international boundaries every year, but it only managed to reaffirm 53km, which translate to 27 percent of the planned annual output.
Mrs Chiri attributed the delay to lack of coordination in resource mobilisation among the countries involved.
“Despite the fact that the department managed to get $119 941, which is 70 percent, out of the total budget of $172 508, the output did not correspond to the resources utilised during the year under review. This was caused by lack of coordination in resource mobilisation among the countries involved as the reaffirmation cost was shared between the neighbouring countries,” she said.
Mrs Chiri said there were no reaffirmations done on the South African and Zambian borders. The two countries have 225km and 798km respectively.
For the Botswana boundary only 542 km was reaffirmed out of a total of 841km while the Mozambican boundary, which has the largest chunk of 1 134km had only 43 km reaffirmed.
“For Mozambican boundary the other cause for slow reaffirmation was partly because most parts of the boundary are landmine infested,” said Mrs Chiri.
She urged the parent ministry to engage the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs to expedite the removal of land mines on the Mozambican boundary.
“Life might be lost along the Mozambican boundary which is land mine infested, if the land mines are not removed in time. The Surveyor-General Department should ensure that the boundaries are reaffirmed in time, for the country to meet the AUBP deadline of 2023. Co-operation of the department and the Ministry of Defence should also be considered in order to expedite the removal of land mines,” said Mrs Chiri.
Out of the total of 2 998 km of the Zimbabwean boundary only 585km, which is 20 percent, were reaffirmed since the inception of the AUBP programme in the country in 2011. The programme was launched as part of the efforts of African States to meet the challenges related to the management of the borders inherited from colonisation.
Meanwhile, Mrs Chiri said the Surveyor-General Department planned to undertake 1 000 A2 farm surveys of which only 494 farm surveys were done while 1 000 township surveys were planned but only seven were undertaken by the department.
“Lack of capacity by the Surveyor-General to survey A2 farms and townships will have a negative effect on economic growth and the 2030 vision of Zimbabwe to achieve middle income status,” she said.-StateMedia
FLAMBOYANT businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo whose company was in 2015 awarded a tender and paid US$5 million by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) for pre-commencement work at the 100 megawatt Gwanda solar power plant, yesterday came off his high horse and admitted his wrongdoing.
Mr Chivayo, who owns Intratek Zimbabwe, yesterday took to his micro-blogging site, Twitter page and apologised for failing to deliver.
“I accept full responsibility for all my wrong doing and if you thought I was perfect I apologise for being human,” he tweeted much to the chagrin of his followers who were quick to lash back at him.
Chivayo is known for flaunting his riches and scorning people who he says do not have money on social media.
A majority of his followers felt the apology was not enough while others seemed to think it was sarcastic.
They demanded that he pays back the money.
“This is not your personal pet project, your apologies mean jack (Sic) . . . it’s a national initiative which requires the seriousness it deserves . . . just payback and we find someone (company) who is competent,” said @sirosnaire.
Another follower @PrinsNathan retorted: “You are not perfect sir but then do what’s right, pay back the money since you did not deliver the services that you have been paid for.”
@NellsNelson tweeted: “Ah but u still have to go to prison.”
@JusticeMabuwa wrote: “But vaChivayo, the US$3,3 million was for a feasibility studychete? Varumeka ngatisadaro so, hona nyika yese irikungochema nekushaya magetsi (Let’s not do that, the whole nation is crying because we don’t have electricity). Just complete the job man.”
@NdiTarwanda quizzed: “Best apology is changed behaviour or in this case paying back the money?”
@Tendayee said: “You are human we all are, just pay back the money tiwane magetsi(so that we get electricity) simple.”
@TinasheBvute responded: “It’s either you pay back the money or there should be repercussions, simple! You can’t hold the whole nation hostage (sic) by prejudicing Zesa.”
@ realmedicaldoc said: “I know you have more money than me, but, I humbly request that you finish the Gwanda solar project if it’s within your means, the cries of most Zimbabweans won’t help you at all, we feel you might have abused the facility.”
Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi during his visit to the Gwanda solar power plant site last week, said the Government has suffered a potential revenue loss of about US$50 million as a result of the non-completion of the project, which was supposed to have been commissioned by December 2017.
He said the delays in implementing the project had resulted in the loss of sales by Zesa equivalent to 500GWhs (Gigawatt-hours) and potential revenue loss of about US$50 million as of June this year.
Mr Chivayo was awarded the tender in 2015 and paid US$5 million by ZPC for pre-commencement work at the 100 megawatt Gwanda solar power plant.
After receiving the money without a bank guarantee, no meaningful development has taken place at the site.
Adv Chasi expressed disappointment as no work has been done at the site despite the $5 million payment that was made to Intratek.
He said the solar project was a crucial initiative that would address electricity challenges the country is facing.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo woman who was mauled by her landlady’s five dogs in March received a hero’s welcome yesterday at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo (JMN) International Airport in Bulawayo.
Ms Muchegwa, who doctors feared would never walk again after sustaining stomach-turning injuries from the rabid dogs, walked down the plane’s steps without being assisted by anyone. She went to India on a wheelchair and came back on her feet.
After spending three months at Kiran Hospital in India, Ms Cherish Muchegwa, who was accompanied by her husband, Mr Joseph Masaiti, was met at the airport by the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Cde Raj Modi and a delegation of more than 50 people from Abundant Life Revival Mission Church.
When she reached the ground, she refused to use the wheelchair that the airport staff had offered and instead walked to meet fellow church members.
Members of Abundant Life Revival Mission Church who were allowed into the airport’s tarmac area, burst into praise and worship songs as Ms Muchegwa and her husband disembarked from an Air Zimbabwe plane.
Ms Muchegwa, who doctors feared would never walk again after sustaining stomach-turning injuries from the rabid dogs, walked down the plane’s steps without being assisted by anyone. She went to India on a wheelchair and came back on her feet.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- SHURUGWI South MP Edmond Mkaratigwa (Zanu PF) took over the chairmanship of the Mines Committee from vocal Norton MP Temba Mliswa, at a time when many people were wondering what would happen to one of the most pivotal committees in Parliament.
The Mines committee was reconstituted after Mliswa almost traded blows with Chegutu West MP Dexter Nduna (Zanu PF) when the committee was investigating issues around the Hwange Colliery Company corruption saga that nearly brought the giant coal miner to its knees. Mliswa and Nduna were removed from the committee and Mkaratigwa appointed chairperson.
The committee deals with very sensitive issues in the mineral sector which is dogged with corruption, illicit financial flows and smuggling.
Accountability and transparency is needed, including Parliamentary oversight over the mining sector. A competent chairperson with the ability to probe without fear, is critical for such a committee.
Mkaratigwa describes himself as a “hands-on” electrical tech engineer-cum-marketing executive, businessman and politician who is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in Energy and Sustainability with the University of Cumbria in the United Kingdom.
“I was born and bred by Zanu PF parents and I grew up from being a party youth to vice-chairperson of Guruguru South youth league. I chose Zanu PF because in my view, it is the only party rooted in a political philosophy that is historically traceable and has a broad ideology; the party has never lost focus on,” he said.
“The party has also embarked on the new trajectory of transforming itself to suit new national characteristics as well as the renewed aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe, and yet on the contrary, a host of other political parties in Zimbabwe lack that foundation, hence I opted for Zanu PF where young leaders are nurtured by fellow experienced, decorous and mature leaders,” he said.
During the 2018 Zanu PF primary elections, Mkaratigwa competed and won against former Sports deputy minister Tapiwa Matangaidze. He says he easily trounced Matangaidze because he was not a competent MP.
“I can categorically state that I am the MP for Shurugwi South, particularly because of what my predecessor did not do right. He succumbed to the temptations that often lead one to lose touch with the constituency when engrossed in power,” he said.
“Once one loses that touch with the grassroots, it also raises questions regarding whose new interests you will now be representing, if not only personal, thereby defeating the whole purpose of the foundational concept of parliamentarism and parliamentary democracy, upon which our existence as MPs rests.”
“In short, he did not move with the winds of change, again like the Biblical Lot’s wife, remained stuck in old Zanu PF utopia, and fell into disfavour of the adaptively transforming Zanu PF party, philosophy and electorate at the dawn of the new dispensation (President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s era).”-Newsday
The idea that Zanu PF removed Mugabe unlawfully does not follow that the opposition will behave illegally. For 20 years the MDC has always acted lawfully and democratically against a militarized and murderous regime! pic.twitter.com/fX48EYGfMy
— Pedzisai Ruhanya (@PedzisaiRuhanya) July 8, 2019
By A Correspondent- IN a typical tit-for-tat fashion, a seemingly scorned man revealed details of his ex-lover’s drug addiction claiming she was a “serial boozer” who was apparently being controlled by alcohol.
Mike Ndabenkulu Khumalo from Bulawayo’s Gwabalanda suburb claimed his ex-lover Jolyn Sibanda became violent whenever she got wasted.
Most upsetting of all, Khumalo said Sibanda was also addicted to marijuana. Khumalo decided to shame his ex-lover after she approached the court seeking a protection order against him claiming he was abusing her and threatening her with death.
“I was in a relationship with Mike Ndabenkulu Khumalo for the past five-and-a-half years. We separated after he became violent and is always threatening me with death. He beats me up and constantly comes to our home at around 2am heavily intoxicated and in the process he will be insulting me.
“My elder brother once warned him not to come to our house after 9pm but he keeps on coming at odd hours. This disturbs my peace and that of the tenants and neighbours.
This is also causing so much discomfort and I am now even afraid to remain alone at home or go to the shops whenever he is there. He has also threatened to beat me up before he flees to South Africa,” grumbled Sibanda.
Khumalo didn’t take the allegations lightly and he decided to shame Sibanda saying she was an alcoholic and drug addict.
He revealed her excessive drinking habits saying she wakes up as early as 5am to drink beer and smoke dagga.
“She is a drunkard and whenever she is drunk she becomes violent. She wakes up as early as 5am to drink and smoke dagga.
She is being ill-influenced by her friends to turn against me. We are always engaging in fist fights because of her excessive drinking,” said Khumalo.
His defence, didn’t however, court the sympathy of the presiding magistrate Rachael Mukanga who sternly ordered him not to verbally, emotionally and physically abuse his ex-lover, or threaten her in any way.-B Metro
Several times l have received threats from @mdczimbabwe folks. I always tell them that we know more than they do. Denzel Zibhodha, a CIO, was Tsvangirai's logistics man. Now, as we speak, MDC leadership has more than 6 of our people. We have them by the balls, idzungu chete. pic.twitter.com/y9NQSserNN
By A Correspondent- Gospel songbird Olinda Marowa and one of South Africa’s top artistes Deborah Fraser are currently working together on a new track, Mweya Mutsvene, which is set to be recorded this week.
Marowa — renowned for tracks such as Ndichengetei and Ndinouya Baba — told NewsDay Life & Style at the weekend that she was excited about the collaboration, especially because Frazer was her role model.
She confirmed that she would be travelling to South Africa for the recording to be done by top local producer Lyton Ngolomi and another South African producer.
“I am having a collaboration with Deborah Frazer and we are set to record the song sometime next week in South Africa. We will have two producers on it, Lyton Ngolomi and Deborah Fraser’s producer in South Africa,” she said.
“We met in the music circles and it has been my wish to collaborate with her since I love her music so much.”
Marowa said her deep admiration for Fraser’s work saw her doing a cover for her song, Hallelujah, adding that she believed working with the South African would give her own music new depth.
“I remember, at one point, I did a cover for her song Hallelujah on my first album, Nyasha, and it was received very well by people. She is an icon in the gospel music fraternity and collaborating with her will bring a lot of depth in my music and widen my listenership as well,” she said.
The gospel star who is known for her charismatic stage performances and has collaborated with some of the country’s best musicians, said that she expected to learn a lot from Fraser.
“To me, it’s really a priviledge. I have staged shows with South Africa’s queen of gospel music, Rebecca Malope, twice in 2009 and 2016, respectively and now collaborating with mum Frazer is a move from glory to glory,” she said.
She said the new song would be a teaser for her forthcoming album that would be released later this year, alongside a string of videos.
Marowa said she was set to embark on massive online marketing and international tours as a way of introducing the new album, while marketing her previous works.-Newsday
