State Media|Government will expedite the promulgation of the Cybercrime and Cyber Security Bill into law amid growing concerns over social media abuse and the proliferation of fake news.
Speaking at the launch of a Community Information Centre in Charandura, ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister Kazembe Kazembe said political hooligans were now hijacking social media platforms to push their political agendas through fake news.
“We are now working hard to bring the Cybercrime and Cyber Security Bill into law. We now realise that it is long overdue with the rampant abuse of social media platforms.
“Social media abusers have become so wanton that they are now even going to the extent of creating false death notices, which goes against our culture as a people.
“I urge users of this new Community Information Centre to use it responsibly,” he said.
Cybercrimes are on the rise in Zimbabwe on the back of a rise in mobile telephony and broadband penetration.
Meanwhile, the ICT Minister said the CIC concept is well in line with the Government’s goal of achieving an upper-middle income economy by 2030.
“The aim of the Community Information Centre concept is to create centres where the community can access and use ICTs to promote their businesses, advance their education and improve their livelihood.
“In this regard, Charandura Community Information Centre is furnished with modern computers that are connected to the internet. It will provide basic electronic services such as Internet surfing, electronic mail service, printing, scanning, photocopying and document binding for your convenience.
“14 CICs have been established in Midlands Province alone. All of them including Charandura CIC are now operational,” said Minister Kazembe.
State Media|Zimbabwe has become the first country in the Sub-Saharan Africa region to complete the successful enrolment of participants who are taking part in the ongoing large-scale HIV vaccine efficacy trials which are currently underway on four continents, covering 12 countries with about 12 669 study participants on board.
Zimbabwe has 500 participants in the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) 705 also known as “lmbokodo” and the Antibody Mediated Prevention (AMP) studies which seek to find a lasting solution to a safe and effective HIV vaccine.
Speaking to state media at the weekend, HIV vaccine researcher at the University of Zimbabwe College of Health and Clinical Trials Research Centre, Dr Stranix Chibanda said the country finished its participants enrolment in June and they now await to monitor them as part of the research.
“The 705 study has just finished enrolling participants and now we continue to follow them up monitoring their health and checking how the immune system will react to vaccines.
“This will take a couple of years but I think in the next few years we will be able to roll out one of the vaccines for the benefit of our children today,” said Dr Chibanda.
Dr Chibanda added that while the HIV vaccine trial remained an ongoing process, Zimbabwe had shown its preparedness to take the vaccines aboard once they pass the due process.
“We are still doing the trials and not even in the next five years can we say we will be done. Maybe in 10 years, but I have noticed that the country is ready to take the vaccines once they are approved and licensed by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe.
“However, the end of this enrolment phase facilitates the collection and analysis of trial specific data enabling researchers to answer research questions. It is in this vein that I want to applaud all those who volunteered to participate in these trials and they are commended for their selfless contribution towards this noble effort to move closer to a world without Aids,” she said.
The AMP studies is now fully enrolled with 4 625 participants from communities in the USA, Brazil, Peru, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
The AMP studies are the most advanced human clinical studies to test wether a broadly neutralising antibody (bNAb) called VRCO1 which is given intravenously can prevent HIV acquisition in people.
The trials also seek to help to establish the concentrations of bNAb’s required for protection and to characterise any “breakthrough” HIV infection to understand if it was sensitive or resistant to VRCO1.
The studies also could also clarify what level of neutralisation a vaccine or antibody-based method of HIV prevention needs to achieve or maintain to promote sustained protection.
HVTN705 or “Imbokodo”, meaning the rock in Zulu, was derived from a popular African proverb “Wathint’ abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo! meaning “You strike the women, you strike the rock!” in recognition of the strength women show in the face of challenges.
This vaccine is being administered in women in Africa with 2 637 healthy HIV negative women aged 18-35 years drawn from Zimbabwe and the neighbouring countries helping in moving ahead with the trials.
The vaccine regimen being tested in Imbokodo is based on “mosaic” immunogens — vaccine components designed to induce immune responses against a wide range of global HIV strains.
President Mnangagwa (right) shares a lighter moment with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the African Union summit in Niamey, Niger, yesterday.
State Media|President Mnangagwa yesterday held successful bilateral talks here with his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to find lasting solutions to Zimbabwe’s power problems, clearing the way for officials from the two countries to meet soon for a new power supply arrangement.
The President said Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi would soon lead a delegation to SA to finalise a new power supply deal, that should ease electricity woes in the country.
“With President Ramaphosa we met and we were sharing challenges we are facing and, in particular energy shortages.
“We exchanged views on how we can deal with that issue. Of course, our Zesa owes Eskom quite a lot of money and they have been able to pay US$10 million last week to reduce that debt.
“This enables them to have discussions and I think our Minister of Energy (Fortune Chasi) will go to South Africa next week to discuss some new arrangements,” he said.
Last week Government paid US$10 million to reduce the debt owed by Zesa to South Africa’s Eskom.
A 24-year-old Masvingo man allegedly fatally stabbed a fellow congregant with a knife during a prayer vigil following a dispute over badly cooked relish, police have confirmed.
Tinos Mudyanembwa of Mutumwapasi Village under Chief Shumba allegedly stabbed Clever Guvuriro (28) of the same village once on the left side of the neck during prayers at their church deacon’s homestead.
Masvingo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula said the incident occurred on Saturday at around 10 pm.
She said the body of the deceased was taken to Masvingo General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem. “I can confirm receiving a report of murder involving congregates who had a prayer vigil at a homestead in Masvingo rural. The suspect has since been arrested and is expected to appear in court soon facing murder charges,” said Chief Insp Mazula.
She said Clever Guvuriro and other congregates were at Mr Mutupo Madondo’s homestead for a prayer vigil when tragedy struck. “At around 8 pm, a 14-year-old boy allegedly served Clever Guvuriro and his friend, Mr Simbarashe Gumbochuma supper.
Guvuriro mocked the boy saying the relish was poorly cooked and resembled women hair,” she said.
This, she said, apparently irked the boy who advised Clever Guvuriro that he was supposed to be mindful of the church environment and his language was in bad taste.
The man could not accept being reprimanded by the boy and in protest, repeatedly slapped him on the face until he fled.
The boy, she said, reported the matter to his attacker‘s sibling, Mr Moses Guvuriro and Mudyanembwa.
The two confronted Clever Guvuriro who was with his friend, Mr Gumbochuma and accused the pair of being a nuisance at church.
Messrs Mudyanembwa and Moses Guvuriro teamed up and fought with the pair, Clever and Gumbochuma.
Mudyanembwa allegedly drew an okapi knife from his pocket and stabbed Clever on the left side of the neck and he died minutes later.State media
GOVERNMENT is set to craft a law to regulate operations of churches to curb criminal activities, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema said failure to regulate the activities of churches was creating a fertile environment for criminal activities such as money laundering and subversive behaviour.
Government’s decision comes at a time when some church leaders have been arrested for crimes such as rape and fraud.
“Religious organisations have to be registered so that their activities are monitored to curb crimes such as money laundering and other such crimes,” said Minister Mathema.
He said there was a danger of people engaging in subversive activities hiding behind the church.State media
GHANAIAN Robert Sackey made the difference on his debut for Dynamos when he rose from the bench and grabbed a late winner in this tough Castle Lager Premiership football assignment against Chapungu at Rufaro yesterday.
The midfielder brought the house down three minutes into stoppage-time when he beat the badly exposed Chapungu goalkeeper Talbert Shumba with a powerful left-footer which all but erased the seething emotions in the terraces following a rather disappointing shift by the hosts in this early kick-off.
DeMbare skipper Edward Sadomba, who was full of energy the whole afternoon, should also have left the park with a great deal of satisfaction after providing the brilliant assist.
Sadomba had earlier in the first half shaken his head in disbelief after goalkeeper Shumba made a spectacular save to keep out his dipping long-range strike.
A draw was possibly going to be a fair result for both teams. But just as Chapungu were beginning to wind down the clock, a long delivery from the back found Sadomba who controlled well and released the ball into the path of the unmarked Ghanaian Sackey.
Sackey, who had appeared unsettled earlier on, silenced his critics when he responded with a powerful shot and the goal could help his confidence after he had missed almost the whole first half of the season with injuries.
“I just want to thank the coach for giving me this opportunity to play because when I came I was facing challenges with injuries each and every time. But the coach gave me this opportunity,” said Sackey.State media
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has been elected Vice President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in recognition of her philanthropic work and assistance to the less privileged in Zimbabwe.
She was elected during the ongoing 23rd OAFLAD’s General Assembly Meeting which is running concurrently with the African Union’s Extraordinary Summit.
According to the organisation’s constitution, elections are held after every two years.
Amai Mnangagwa takes over from Margaret Kenyatta of Kenya while former OAFLAD president, the First Lady of Burkina Faso, Adjoavi Sika Kabore was replaced by Congo Brazaville’s First Lady Antoinette Sassou Nguesso.
OAFLAD is an advocacy organisation where First Ladies of Africa seek to leverage their unique position to advocate for policies that make health services accessible and laws that boost women and youth empowerment.
In an interview after her election, an ecstatic Amai Mnangagwa pledged to continue working hard for the development of Zimbabwe and the continent at large.
She said her election was not an individual achievement but that of the whole country.
“I am happy that my colleague First ladies entrusted me with this position. I feel exalted and this is dedicated to all women (of Zimbabwe),” she said.
Amai Mnangagwa said the position she got as OAFLAD’s Vice President was not for her alone but for the nation of Zimbabwe particularly women.State media
Egypt’s FA President Hany Abou-Rida along with some board members have resigned from their posts following the nation’s exit from the 2019 AFCON.
Abou-Rida also announced that Coach Javier Aguirre and his staff have been relieved of their duties.
Despite stepping down as the FA boss, Abou-Rida will continue in his position as the head of the organizing committee of the tournament.
The Pharaohs who are hosting the tournament were knocked out in the Round of 16 after a 1-0 loss to South Africa on Saturday, thanks to an 85th-minute strike by Thembinkosi Lorch.
The win was Bafana Bafana’s first in the knockout stages since 2000.
Despite the abuse of state funds by ZANU PF the people of Bikita East defied ZANU PF by attending in their thousands an MDC rally held today to drum up support for Moses Maphosa.
ZANU PF has been abusing the CIO whenever the MDC held campaign rallies in ward 31 by moving around with an unmarked vehicle.
After years of neglect, roads are being graded to hoodwink the voters in the ward.
People are heading calls by the MDC to reject a party that has dismally failed to run the country despite decades of being in power through rigging machinations.
Prices are rising on daily basis and the ZANU PF regime banned the selling maize to other buyers non-other than GMB. This has incensed the rural voters and they are ready to show ZANU PF the exit door.
As we enter the last stretch of the campaign the MDC will continue to radicalise voters in ward 31 so that they would not be intimidated by ZANU PF.
Cde Gore
Information and Publicity Secretary, Youth Assembly, Masvingo Province
The 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 study chete? 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.
Adv Chasi said the Government was going to engage Intratek as they expected a refund or to see an operational solar plant. – state media
Farai Dziva|Non Governmental Organizations in Masvingo have threatened to withdraw aid following a directive by government to stop foreign currency disbursements.
Government has with immediate effect directed all non-governmental organisations operating in the country who have been giving aid in the form of foreign currency to either buy food using the money and donate to the beneficiaries or give out local currency.
This comes after Government outlawed the multi-currency regime and restricted domestic transactions to local currency through Statutory Instrument (SI) 142 of 2019, in an effort to enhance the affordability of goods and services by the majority.
The Government recently had a meeting with the World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies in the country through which humanitarian aid comes to deliberate on the matter and ensure that SI 142 is fully implemented.
“As you are aware I am the chairperson of the inter-Cabinet Committee that deals with disaster and climate change, recently we had a meeting with World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies.
The Minister of Finance (and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube) was there, the Minister of Public Service (Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza) was there as well as other ministries,” said Minister July Moyo.
“We discussed how best we can get help as a country. We told them that non-governmental organisations should stop giving beneficiaries US dollars or any other foreign currency. If they so wish to give them money, they should give them local currency.
The argument was we have removed the multi-currency regime and restricted domestic transactions to local currency and most people in rural areas to which most of the aid goes will not be able to use the money.”
However NGOs in Masvingo have vowed to withdraw aid as a result of the government directive.
“The directive will result in donor fatigue and widespread protests.
The directive will grossly affect our operations,” said a COTRAD official.
Mpilo Central Hospital needs an additional 44 junior doctors and 20 specialists in order to adequately service its catchment area.
The shortage of doctors is straining the few doctors who are now forced to work long hours.
Mpilo Central Hospital services Bulawayo, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces.
Junior doctors at Mpilo are said to be working about 130 hours a week instead of the 56 hours prescribed in their contracts.
In response to questions, the hospital’s clinical director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya said the shortages were also affecting the school of medicine as students have no one to teach and monitor them.
“We urgently need additional 44 junior doctors and 20 specialists for us to be able to provide quality health services. The staff complement we have at the moment is failing to cope, thereby compromising service delivery,” said Dr Ngwenya.
He said due to shortage of specialists, junior doctors were not being supervised thereby compromising their training.
Dr Ngwenya said the hospital has been operating without enough specialist doctors for years and there was therefore urgent need to address the anomaly.
“The hospital is running with a handful of specialists which has greatly compromised our service delivery. We would do better with at least 20 additional specialists,” said Dr Ngwenya.
In a letter addressed to Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo last month, junior doctors at Mpilo Central Hospital said they could not continue working 130 hours per week.
Their representative Dr Mthabisi Bhebhe said the hospital could not be run by a few junior doctors with no supervision or assistance from seniors as that compromises service delivery.
Dr Bhebhe said no junior doctor should be in the casualty ward and doing calls alone more than twice a week.
“The Ministry of Health must take the health of the people in this region seriously by immediately deploying the remaining 60 junior doctors who have just completed their studies.
“These measures must bring an end to the situation whereby surgery junior doctors are made to do calls every single day while their medicine counterparts are made to manage the whole casualty alone without supervision.” – state media
The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has failed to account for or distribute goods donated by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) which are reportedly lying idle and losing value in storerooms.
In her 2018 report, Auditor General Mrs Mildred Chiri said the ministry had failed to account for the goods which are meant to be distributed to vulnerable and needy individuals.
“There was poor accountability for goods donated to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) held at Northcort Training Institute. Items donated were inconsistently being recorded either as bales, sacks, bags by quantities or by weight instead of maintaining a standard unit of measurement of classification of the goods,” said Mrs Chiri.
She said Northcort Training Institute personnel received the donated goods without physically verifying the quantities against the Issue Vouchers raised by Zimra.
“From interviews held with the staff, there were instances when deliveries were made by transporters in the absence of the Ministry’s head office administration personnel for accountability purposes as they are the ones who would have collected the items from Zimra,” she said.
Mrs Chiri said during a physical inspection of the donated goods, bales, sacks and bags of donated clothes and shoes were open and their contents were scattered on the storeroom floors.
“Although the Northcort Training Institute had a stores register in place, the register did not include vital information such as full description of items (specifications), quantities received, quantities issued, running balances and signature of the recipient,” she said.
Mrs Chari said four brand new and four used tyres were issued to one of the Ministry’s administration officers without the approval of the accounting officer. The recipient officer was the one who originated and authorised the letter of issuance.
According to Mrs Chiri the Ministry did not have a clear policy for management and distribution of the donations.
“At the time of the audit (March 12, 2019), I noted that there were over 200 bales of clothes and shoes, 16 brand new tyres and 1 200 second hand tyres of different sizes that were being kept at the institute, of which, these goods were being damaged by rodents and deteriorating in quality due to adverse weather conditions,” she said.
Mrs Chiri said there was no evidence of periodic or regular physical stock counts by supervisors both from the Ministry’s head office and the institute.
She said donated goods are exposed to misappropriation if the Ministry does not put adequate controls for delivery, receipt, recording and custody of goods.
“Failure to consistently record donated items compromises the accountability of same and without physical verification, it would be difficult to ascertain whether the received donations were properly recorded and accounted for,” said Mrs Chiri.
She recommended that the ministry should ensure that goods donated are consistently recorded using the same unit of measurement.
“The Ministry should ensure that bales, sacks and bags of donated goods are kept sealed at all times. Stores register should capture all important details such as full description of items (specifications), quantities received, quantities issued, balance (in stock) and signature of the recipient on issuances” said Mrs Chiri. – state media
Ladies and Gentlemen it is with great sadness that I confirm to you the death of our comrade Leader Dusty Zivhave
Mr Ngonidzashe Mupfumba MDC National youth secretary for Environmental and Climate affairs said: “Today is the darkest day of our struggle. We lost hard working cadre Mr Dusty. The MDC history is incomplete without mentioning name Dusty. Rest in Peace. Mr Dusty Zivhave, served as MDC councilor in Ward 5 Chiredzi West from 2008 to 2013
Contested as MP for Chiredzi West in 2013
Served as Masvingo Provincial Spokesperson for two terms.
The news of Mr Zivhave proverbial call has shocked the province as it comes at a time when as a province we are picking the bits and pieces so that we take on ZANU PF in its so called rural strongholds where it uses intimidation as a formular for winning.
As a province we have been robbed of a gallant fighter, a founder member of our struggle.
Its indeed a minus for the MDC, Masvingo Province and Chiredzi West in particular where he started his activism in 1999 when the idea of forming a political party was mooted.
He survived many battles in Chiredzi West. The area is known for housing the notorious “so called” war veteran Matemachani, who used to intimidate, maim and manhandle MDC members and supporters back then.
His bravery to confront ZANU PF back then at a time when many proffessionals feared for their jobs will forever be cherished.
He has departed the mother earth but his yearning for a better Zimbabwe hasn’t gone, we shall indeed carry the york to liberate Zimbabwe.
It is indeed our duty as the living to continue with the struggle till we achieve what those who mooted the idea to finish the unfinished business of the liberation struggle set out.
We join the family in mourning a departed father. We are with you in prayers and hope you will find comfort in the Lord as he is soul giver of life.
On Behalf of Masvingo Province
Cde Gore
Provincial Information and Publicity Secretary, Masvingo Province, Youth Assembly
"They are stealing deacons, pastors..Look at the poverty levels in the country and we have people driving lamborghinis," Says MDC VP Tendai Biti pic.twitter.com/QqhBCsXSPF
By Anonymous | The money people give to Walter magaya for house Mable honey projects and church branded material merchandise, this money has financed the mafia PHD (pull her down) ministries.
If you still blame Magaya victims for withdrawing lawsuits and accusing them for not reporting to the police soon after being raped then you have no idea how Magaya works.
Some of these raped girls tried the legal and police route only to be visited while still inside police stations giving their rape reports by Magaya giants and the girls wonder who told Magaya I’m making a report.
That’s the power of money. Believe you me police protects the one who pays and I won’t encourage raped girls to report Magaya because it’s a waste of time.
The best any female can do is to stay at least five kilometres away from Magaya than getting within his reach thinking the law will protect you forget it.
All the officers and lawyers will be glad to be given Magaya cases because then they have the best Christmas. So stop blaming the rape victims for not reporting rather blame them for staying close to a reputable jail immune rapist thinking they will be spared.
Starting with
Mrs Mutashu was laid at the guest lodges and wanting to scream she was given a saloon and the husband wanting to blow the whistle was invited to Nigeria by Magaya spiritual rapist father TB Joshua. The following Sunday Mutashu was in Magaya’s church asking for forgiveness from the rapist. The power of money.
Bev the dancer after she left PHD, she said I will state the reasons why I left coz magaya is not what you think he is and the next thing she officially got a shop to run which magaya himself confirmed and she went quiet. That’s the power of money. 3.Chipo is history now after threatening to expose Magaya and got killed in exile. A Botswana police gets into the bus asking who is Chipo and where are your bags and only to find precious stones which were not hers. She sent her mother texts that Magaya had sent people to kill me. She got into prison and died. Her phones were given to Zimbabwean police and they disappeared.
The power of money
4.Petronella Donhodzo reported a rape case and Magaya is recorded in office of Mr Kwainona the policeman who stood behind Mugabe during every speech and Magaya is seen and heard mentioning the same Donhodzo that he, the man of God had an affair with Donhodzo and that there are video evidence he payed USD10,000 to get. Later on Donhodzo released their multiple phone calls with Magaya then guess what the obvious happens she goes live on radio apologising to Magaya please never blame her the whole state was after her including the then First Lady. The PG Goba refused the Magaya money sent to him not realising Magaya is a state project and he lost his job. This time Magaya is with the second lady.
The power of money
Angela Charakupa reported rape again legal documents and audio communications with magaya and even with TB Joshua inviting her to come to Nigeria the mutashu style were circulated on social media and the next thing there was an out of court settlement.
The power of money
A Maenzanise the parents came out to expose Magaya raping their 17 year old daughter and some think it’s planned. Honestly who as a parent would want that kind of humiliation in society lying about something that can be proven scientifically who? And the police instead of making an arrest, they were stopped by a mere video where the daughter came out as usual saying I wasn’t raped! Really? really? a video in the back of the car were you can’t even see their surroundings and who else is there?And that stops the arrest. And yet in the video they are even saying we had peace but not anymore. Honestly do our police know how to read an sos? Also in the video, she never said it’s not Magaya’s child. You know what even in a country of idiots they would have simply carried out a DNA test and ignore all the videos and establish the year the baby was born backwards to see if she wasn’t 17 back then. And also even if she was 18 is that the work of a Prophet to sleep with girls? Now because people like us are smart and we can’t be fooled I can tell you the next plan. Right now that girl doesn’t know that marriage was planned to silence her. That husband came in to cover Magaya but never got paid by Magaya and then used his raped wife to get the money from Magaya he asked her to confess to parents and now as we speak he got some money. The wife is not even aware of and he is pushing the wife to remove the rape part so that Magaya is saved from jail. This husband and Magaya’s PA Admire Mango must also face the law together with his Lawyer Chatambudza they all participate in these crimes. Okay back to the story, plan B is that the couple will present a wrong child for DNA test in the absence of the grandparents and finally Magaya is free again going to pounce on his next victim watch this space. These are not the only cases every female worker in Magaya slept with him.
So my advice is:
A. Don’t report because police is owned by the one who pays it and not by the state.
B. The state must regulate all these prophets and their big churches or close all of them and protect our young children
C. Magaya is a flight risk he planned an emergency conference outside so you won’t say he fled the country and yesterday his hotel was on fire again a planned thing either to get money from the insurance to cover legal battles or to find a reason not to stay in the country as though his life is in danger and that’s a smart way of starting afresh elsewhere.
I am reliably told that from Wednesday no one was allowed to book people into those same rooms that got affected and some furniture where seen removed from there a day before. Magaya is an idiot who can shoot himself and cry for help and his idiot members will believe and pity him.
Its time every man take your wife away from this man and every parent dont be childish thinking all these are lies take your children away from this monster and you won’t regret its the PHD (PULL HER DOWN) ministries and the Vision is to destroy the future by infecting the girl child. If our man don’t do something, ladies let us get into the streets and have these Prophets’ churches closed and let’s protect our own children.
If nothing is done in the next few days i will circulate another message on how we intend to meet and demonstrate in Harare and on social media until our children get the attention they deserve from the authorities.
LETS PROTECT THE GIRL CHILD And MAY GOD HELP US IN THIS EXERCISE
By Own Correspondent- Learners who fall pregnant during the course of their studies are set to enjoy “maternity vacation” before returning to continue with their education after giving birth.
The privileges are provided in the Education Bill that is currently under debate in the National Assembly, where legislators are showing support for the clause.
Advocates of girl child rights have also hailed the proposal.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima recently told legislators that allowing the pregnant girls to take a vacation is in line with the national Constitution, which calls for non-discrimination.
“There is an issue that has generated a lot of interest among the Parliamentarians. This is the issue of exclusion on account of pregnancy. The fundamental basis of the inclusion of this issue is premised on Section 75 of the Constitution, which speaks against discrimination,” said Prof Mavima.
“The current practice in our education system has it that if two Form Four learners have an affair and the girl ends up pregnant, the male student can continue with his education while the female student cannot. Yet Section 75 of our Constitution bans discrimination on the basis of gender or sex. It is on that basis that this item was included in our Bill.”
Due to current policies that bar expecting school girls from studying, a number of pregnant girls have had to drop out of school.
Parliament instituted public hearings on the Education Amendment Bill, with various stakeholders seconding the provision to allow pregnant learners to take a break and resume studies after birth.
Speaking to our Harare Bureau, MDC-T proportional representation legislator for Bulawayo, Mrs Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga said, “All we are doing is to give a chance not only to the girl, but to the unborn child.
“Those who impregnate the girls are usually the older selfish predatory males who go scot free and never help with anything.”
She added that society must move away from entirely blaming and punishing the pregnant learners.
Shamwari Yemwanasikana executive director, Mrs Ukenia Chifamba-Chidodo said education is key in fighting inequalities between girls and boys.
She welcomed the move to afford pregnant learners a chance to learn after pregnancy.
“With such high records in teen pregnancy, it means we are losing so many girls as they often drop out of school because of pregnancy,” said Mrs Chifamba-Chododo.
“We believe education is the most important right that should be a weapon to fight any form of inequality.
“Girls always bear the burden of carrying the pregnancy and dropping out of school while the boy child is safe and continues with education,” she said.
Lawyer and gender equality activist Ms Jessie Majome also hailed the move of maternity leave for school girls.
“It is a positive development that goes beyond paying lip service to the constitutional guarantees to the rights to education, of the child, and to equality and protection from discrimination.
Zimbabwe has recorded the highest teen pregnancy rate in Sub-Saharan Africa with annual figures of between 500 000 and 700 000.
According to the latest report from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, United Nations Population Fund and Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council, 19 percent of female adolescents between 15 and 19 years are pregnant.
By Own Correspondent- As part of his congregation’s social responsibility work, Bulawayo cleric Madzibaba Emmanuel Mutumwa and his Johanne Masowe the Fifth Apostolic sect has donated ZWL$6 000 to Bulawayo City Football Club.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony at the city council offices at Bulawayo Tower Block, Mutumwa expressed appreciation for the work being done by the municipality football team.
“As residents of Bulawayo, we appreciate the efforts and work being done by Bulawayo City FC. There are doing a great job by keeping many youths off the streets and away from drugs and other illicit behaviours which kill their lives and careers,” Mutumwa said.
“We are ratepayers, that makes us a part of the team and we feel like we have to contribute to the team’s show off the field of play.”
Bulawayo City FC chairman Jerry Sibanda was grateful for the cleric’s donation.
“We appreciate this gesture by the church and it’s good to see a religious sect coming on board to support football,” Sibanda said.
“Football is a sport associated with beer, but seeing religious leaders and their sects coming in is humbling. We want to keep on working with you, this will help us go back to the premier league.”
Mutumwa is well-known in the city for exorcising demons in Bulawayo and around the country through famous marathon services dubbed “Hoko yechiwororo/Go back to sender”, where a number of people who worship at his church are basking in the glory of testimonies.
Mutumwa leads the Johanne Masowe the Fifth stationed at the Selbourne Park church shrine in Bulawayo.-Standard
By Own Correspondent- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the country have been banned from giving aid to beneficiaries, most of whom are in the rural areas, in the form of foreign currency.
The move is in line with the recently gazetted Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019 which banned the use of foreign currency in domestic transactions.
The NGOs have been directed to convert the hard currency to the Zimbabwe Dollar if they intend to give out cash to locals.
This was revealed by the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Cde July Moyo in an interview with State media.
Said Moyo:
“As you are aware I am the chairperson of the inter-Cabinet Committee that deals with disaster and climate change, recently we had a meeting with World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies.
The Minister of Finance (and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube) was there, the Minister of Public Service (Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza) was there as well as other ministries.
We discussed how best we can get help as a country. We told them that non-governmental organisations should stop giving beneficiaries US dollars or any other foreign currency.
If they so wish to give them money, they should give them local currency.
The argument was we have removed the multi-currency regime and restricted domestic transactions to local currency and most people in rural areas to which most of the aid goes will not be able to use the money.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- The government at a Zanu PF Provincial Coordination Committee in Mashonaland East province revealed that an estimated 5.7 million required food aid.
The state media reported:
5.7 Million people require food aid. Therefore 800 000 tonnes of maize is needed to fed the 5.7 million people.
The food crisis has been intensified by the drought or low rainfall that most parts of the country experienced during the 2019/2019 rain season.
Another network, Famine Early Warning Systems Network has echoed the Zanu Pf Coordinating Committee findings by saying:
The deteriorating macro economy and significantly below average 2018/19 crop production are expected to drive widespread Crisis food security outcomes through at least January 2020. In high production northern areas and some central parts of the country Stressed outcomes are expected through August, after which Crisis outcomes are expected.
One cannot deny the fact that the deteriorating economy is also playing a part in the food crisis that is looming.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- The President’s wife Auxillia Mnangagwa has been elected the OAFLAD Vice president, the State Media exclusively revealed. She will be deputising Congo Brazzaville first lady.
Speaking to the publication after the election the first lady said:
I am happy to have been recognised this far. This was possible through support from all Zimbabweans i will challenge my fellow first ladies to do humanitarian work especially targeting the vulnerable and also empowerment programs.
Auxillia is the first, first lady to hold an important post in the office of first ladies. Mrs Mnangagwa is seen around the country on different missions almost every week.-StateMedia
Robert Sackey scored a last minute goal which handed Dynamos a victory over Chapungu in a match-day 13 encounter played at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
The win was the Glamour Boys’ first in three games after losing to Highlanders in the previous round and drawing against Manica Diamonds in Round 10.
Chapungu set the pace, taking the game to the hosts in the opening moments but the hosts managed to settle and absorbed the pressure.
The first real chances, however, were created inside the last five minutes of the first half with goalkeeper Simbabrashe Chinani saving a dangerous freekick while at the other end, Dynamos launched a counter-attack which saw Edward Sadomba’s lofted effort tipped over.
The game went to the break with both sides tied in deadlock.
The second period witnessed a number of efforts created at both ends, but all lacked precision as they either went off target or had little threat to cause any trouble to the goalkeepers.
As the match looked set to end in a stalemate, Sackey buried home a first-time volley to find the breakthrough in the added time after receiving the ball from Sadomba.
The goal proved to be the last action of the game as it ended in favour of Dynamos.
At the Colliery, Hwange edged out Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0 while in Bulawayo, TelOne drew 1-1 with Harare City who finished with ten-man following Moses Muchenje’s red card in the first half.
Former MDC-T councillor for Ward 29 in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, Mr Collet Ndhlovu has come under fire from residents who are accusing him of misappropriating funds that he collected from them on the pretext that he would buy commuter omnibuses to service the area.
During his tenure, Mr Ndhlovu asked residents from his ward to contribute US$10 per household to purchase commuter omnibuses that were meant to service the suburb since some of the operators were not reaching certain parts of Cowdray Park.
Residents from the suburb, some who preferred anonymity for fear of victimisation, said the scheme failed to benefit the residents as initially
They said only two commuter omnibuses were bought and they were on the road for just a month before they disappeared. Instead of registering them as an association, Mr Ndhlovu allegedly registered them in his sons’ names.
“We paid once and two commuter omnibuses were bought, people were only transported for a month and the vehicles disappeared from the roads, he (Ndhlovu) took the commuter omnibuses to his village in Silobela where we are told they are now plying some routes there.
“We asked for our refunds but he never paid back, only a few who were persistent and aggressive enough got their money but some of us are afraid to put pressure on him because he is a very dangerous man,” said one of the residents.
Another resident said the matter was taken to court but they were still waiting for the outcome.
He said the former councillor was notorious for shady deals and at one time sold a stand to two people.
“He duped them after he sold one stand to two people, the matter has not been solved up to today,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Mr Ndhlovu denied the accusations adding that the commuter omnibuses broke down two months after they were bought.
“The commuter omnibuses were bought and they were on the road for two months and stopped working because of mechanical issues.
“The cars are not in Silobela, they are parked at some garage in town because there is no money to repair them since other community members pulled out of the project,” he said although he could not say which garage the vehicles were parked at.
THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has dispatched a monitoring team to knock down the last bastions of unscrupulous businesses that are still transacting in foreign currency.
Last month, the Government repealed the use of the basket of multi-currencies that had been in place since 2009 and said all local transactions are now being done in the local dollar.
However, some businesses have remained adamant and are still openly transacting in foreign currency in defiance of the law.
In an interview on Friday, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr John Mangudya said there was a need for businesses to comply with the Statutory Instrument 142/2019, which stipulates the Zimbabwe dollar as the sole currency for legal tender purposes further stating that failure to abide with the new law was tantamount to sabotage.
“Our request is for them (businesses) to respect consumers by complying with the country’s laws. We need to cherish discipline for the national good. Our teams are now on the ground to foster compliance by all businesses,” said Dr Mangudya.
The move by the Central Bank comes after police issued a statement warning retailers to desist from charging their goods and services in foreign currency.
As of 24 June, the Government banned the use of the British pound, United States dollar, South African rand, Botswana pula and any other foreign currency as a legal tender.
The Zimbabwean dollar (bond notes, coins and RTGS) was made the sole legal tender and those with foreign currency could change the money before using it for local transactions.
However, a survey by Sunday News in some shops in Bulawayo discovered that some businesses are still clandestinely defying the order.
It was also observed that some fuel service stations are still charging in foreign currency with some openly displaying US dollar prices.
Shops in Matabeleland South Province in rural areas bordering the country with neighbouring countries of South Africa and Botswana are said to be still transacting using foreign currency especially the South African rand.
Contacted for a comment Plumtree-Mangwe Business Association chairman Mr Golden Sibanda confirmed communities living along the border were still transacting in foreign currency.
“In essence most rural people in Matabeleland use foreign currency especially the rand when selling their livestock. It’s difficult to convince them to accept the bond and as such because most people are based in South Africa, so you find that other shops have no option but to transact in the rand. As business we have accepted the new currency reforms but for some it’s proving to be difficult,” said Mr Sibanda.
He said the use of local currency was also proving to be a challenge as most elderly people in the rural areas were not conversant with modern electronic payment methods.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Mr Denford Mutashu said the association was not in a position to defend any business found liable to contravening the new policy.
“Anyone found selling goods in forex, which is outlawed, is breaking the Exchange Control Act and laws of the country. As you may have heard from the President, Government will soon crack the whip as an association, we will not stand in the way,” he said.
He, however, said there was a need to curb the existing price distortions across the value chain.
“The pricing regime in the country has got to be investigated right through the value chain in view of the unjustified price increases obtaining across general economy,” said Mr Mutashu.
Meanwhile, the fruits of the banning of the use of foreign currency have continued to manifest with prices either remaining stable or going down in the past two weeks.
Prices of some basic commodities such as bread, cooking oil, mealie-meal and Mazoe Orange Crsu, have slightly gone down this past week.
A survey in major shops in Bulawayo revealed that a bread now costs $4.20 from $5, cooking oil went down from $30 to $20 while Mazoe has gone down from $23 to $16 in most shops.
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe executive director Ms Rosemary Siyachitema said her oragnsiation was expecting prices of more goods to go down.
“We are happy that there are changes being seen in formal shops but we expect prices to go down even further than that and we want to see reduction of all prices not certain prices. Retailers were saying they are buying foreign currency from the black market at high rates but the black market is almost most dead so the prices must fall,” she said.
The Secretary of State of the United States of America, Michael Pompeo, has endorsed Malawi’s recent Tripartite Election as “successful” — just at the time when the opposition is campaigning to create a state of chaos using the same elections as their reason.
President Mutharika says they will only take this government over my dead body,
As Secretary of State, Pompeo is the third most powerful man in the US Government and speaks the policy position of the government.
His carefully worded but concise and very precise statement seen by Nyasa Times is an implied backing of President Peter Mutharika’s re-election despite the opposition claiming that the elections were flawed.
Speaking in a press statement on Malawi’s Independence Day which fell on 6 July, Pompeo said “Malawi’s recent successful national elections underscore the nation’s commitment to our shared democratic principles.”
The US Secretary of State continues that “These values form the basis of our strong partnership and we look forward to continuing, and building upon, the positive relationship between Malawi and the United States.”
This unequivocal backing coming from the world’s superpower, the US, is read as a strong warning to the opposition which has waged a campaign of violence to “create a state of lawlessness” using the same elections as an excuse, according to President Peter Mutharika.
Led by Lazarus Chakwera and Saulos Chilima, the opposition has staged the worst violent and most damaging demonstrations in the history of the country.
President Mutharika has told the nation in his address at Independence Day that “The violence you see is calculated to turn Malawi into a lawless state. That is why they want to undermine every democratic institution that ensures law and order in the country.”
Mutharika has displayed rare patience and restraint against violent attacks against him and party as he endeavours to keep Malawi peaceful and calm and save the country from those who are fighting to push it into a state of lawlessness.
He has consistently campaigned for peace and unity to create an environment that moves his country out of poverty.
On Saturday, Mutharika delivered a unifying and peace speech that has struck a quiet chord of peace loving Malawians.
He said, “We may have differences but we are not enemies. There is no Malawian who must regard a fellow Malawian as an enemy.
“We may vote for different parties. That does not mean we are enemies. We may come from different parts of the country, that does mean we are enemies. We are all Malawians. We are one people.”
The elections which Chakwera and Chilima are disputing were virtually endorsed by all international and local election observors as free, fair, peaceful elections.
But the opposition filed a complaint and sought to have the whole election ignored. To the surprise of everyone, the same opposition is waging a campaign of violence without due respect of the court to do its job first.
In this file photo taken on June 11, 2019, activists pose with a rainbow flag as they celebrate outside the Botswana High Court in Gaborone, following a ruling that decriminalised homosexuality. PHOTO | TSHEKISO TEBALO | AFP
Botswana’s government will appeal against a landmark High Court ruling that decriminalised homosexuality, the attorney general says.
In June, the court rejected colonial-era laws that imposed up to seven year jail terms for same-sex relationships, saying they were unconstitutional.
The ruling was viewed by many as a step towards improving LGBT rights in Africa.
‘MISTAKE’
But Attorney General Abraham Keetshabe said the judges had made a mistake.
“I have thoroughly read the 132-page-long judgment and I am of the view that the High Court erred in arriving at this conclusion,” Mr Keetshabe said in a statement on Friday.
He added that he would take the case to the Court of Appeal, but did not give further details on the basis for the appeal.
The High Court ruling last month was reached unanimously by three judges.
“Human dignity is harmed when minority groups are marginalised,” Judge Michael Elburu said at the time. “Sexual orientation is not a fashion statement. It is an important attribute of one’s personality.”
OTHER COUNTRIES
The case had been brought to court by a student who argued that society had changed and homosexuality was more widely accepted, and the ruling was celebrated by human rights groups and activists around the world.
Angola, Mozambique and the Seychelles have all scrapped anti-homosexuality laws in recent years.
But laws outlawing same-sex relations still exist in many African countries, and it is punishable by death in northern Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia and Mauritania.
In May, Kenya’s High Court ruled against overturning a law banning gay sex.
THEY planned to escape from prison but didn’t think how tough it would be to get over the barbed wire fence, or the damage it could do to a man’s 4-5!
The SunTeam has seen a 50-second video of an inmate stuck on a barbed wire fence.
Correctional services spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo said the incident took place on 26 May at Empangeni Prison in KZN.
While only one inmate is seen, Correctional Services say there were two of them.
The man can be heard whispering that he’s worried about his 4-5.
Officials lighting his face with a torch are heard screaming at the man, who’s taking his time getting off the high fence.
But the warders are not impressed.
“Jump down!” they scream at him.
“My balls are hurting. They may not be able to work!” says the inmate wearing a white vest and shorts.
Angry officials repeatedly shout: “Get out of there and jump down. How were you going to get out of there? Do you think you will still use your genitals?”
Nxumalo said more details about the inmates cannot be revealed as it would harm investigations.
He said the inmate was treated for a minor injury after jumping off the fence.
“An investigation is underway and the two inmates were charged by police. Attempting to escape is a criminal offence.”
President Mutharika, Commander-In-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force, inspects a guard of honour at the 55th independence celebrations on Saturday.
“They want to create lawlessness so that they can take over this government. But they will only take this government over my dead body,” Mutharika said, in a keynote speech marking 55 years of independence at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The 55th celebrations since Malawi gained independence from Britain in 1964, were held under the theme “Clebrating Our Independence with Peace, Love and Unity” and were spiced with a soccer match between Nyasa Big Bullets(0) and Be Forward Wanderers (1) who carted home K5 million each, courtesy of President Mutharika. Traditional dances and military displays were part of the celebrations.
In a speech to reconcile and unify the nation after violent demos staged by rights groups and the opposition, Mutharika, who was declared presidential winner by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) of the May 21 vote after walloping MCP’s Lazarus Chakwera and Saulos Chilima of UTM, said: “The violence you see is calculated to turn Malawi into a lawless state.
“This is why they want to undermine every democratic institution that ensures law and order in this country.”
Rights groups under the umbrella body of Human Rights Defenders Coalition, joined by the opposition, have been staging violent demos in major cities of the country over the past weeks, causing mayhem, distrupting businesses and demonstrators openly looting shops, beating people and torching police and government offices. They demand the resignation od MEC Chairperson Justice Jane Ansah.
Mutharika said such violent acts were meant “to undermine our courts because courts make us a democratic and lawful country. They want to intimidate our chiefs because chiefs are custodians of our traditional laws.”
He also accused the groups of wanting to undermine the Malawi Electoral Commission because “this is the body that oversees democratic transition.”
The President said: “They are creating propaganda against Army and Police because these are hardworking security officers who keep law and order.”
He said: “They want to intimidate vendors, shop owners and banks from doing their business because “they don’t want you business people to succeed in your lives.”
Mutharika said the situation was created by “selfish people who do not love this country…nd these people who do not love you Malawians.”
He said the violence was unacceptable, saying intimidating people who support government was unacceptable. He added: “Intimidating innocent business people is unacceptable. Intimidating our chiefs is unacceptable.”
He said Malawi will “hold them accountable and the law will take action.”
ZANU PF officials reportedly dumped supporters who were bused from rural Midlands to attend a Presidential cleanup campaign presided by Vice President Kembo Mohadi on Friday.
Centre for Natural Resource Governance’s Farai Maguwu said, “On Thursday 4 July the ZANU government paid Rooney’s $200 000 for two VIP tents for the Gweru presidential cleanup campaign that was presided over by VP Kembo Mohadi. Rooney’s had refused to pitch the tents before payment hence the tents had to be pitched at night after receiving their payment.
” In addition, ZANU PF bussed in hundreds of party supporters from as far as Munene in Mberengwa, Zvishavane, Shurugwi, Gokwe, Chirumhanzu and many other rural areas. The event was snubbed by Gweru residents.
“After the event, most of the people bused in from rural areas were left in the cold and the ZANU PF leaders who had coordinated their coming to Gweru vanished and switched off their cell phones.”
Maguwu said the bused said they were told to attend the event or risk not getting maize seeds.
“A close source who attended the event insinuated that the unwell VP did not do anything at the event and Victor Matemadanda spoke on his behalf. My source also assisted the stranded old women with drinking water. He asked them why they agreed to be bussed and they said they were told they won’t be given maize handouts if they didn’t participate.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the first Friday of every month as a National Cleanup Day.
Thembinkosi Lorch of South Africa challenged by Walid Soliman of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo,
A sangoma in South Africa predicted good news for Mzansi over the Afcon match between Bafana Bafana and Egypt.
On Thursday morning, Sangoma Nzama Maluleke from Meadowlands, Soweto, woke up to a good dream, the Daily Sun reported.
According to the publication, Maluleke dreamt on Wednesday night that women were cheering and men were whistling, there were also people blowing on vuvuzelas.
Maluleke took to his bones to interpret the dream and he was met with good news. “They showed me Bafana beating Egypt by a very late goal on Saturday,” he said.
However, considering how Bafana had performed that far in the tournament, everyone dismissed the Sangoma’s claims.
After the public outburst, the Sangoma couldn’t believe his dream and cast his bones and was met with the same results.
True to the Sangoma’s claims,Thembinkosi Lorch scored five minutes from time to hand South Africa an upset 1-0 win and knock holders Egypt out of the Africa Cup of Nations as the shock results at the competition continued on Saturday.
South Africa, who had lost two of their three group games yet crept into the knockout stages, showed great improvement and were the more enterprising team, leaving 70,000 partisan fans at the Cairo International Stadium stunned.
Lorch finished off a sweeping counter-attack as South Africa, who created much the better chances, finally reaped a reward for their efforts.
They will now meet Nigeria, who earlier on Saturday eliminated holders Cameroon in a come-from-behind victory, in Wednesday’s quarter-final.
HARARE giants CAPS United’s title charge suffered a major blow after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at ZPC Kariba while champions FC Platinum overcame the absence of several players to grind out an important 1-0 victory against Manica Diamonds at Mandava Stadium on Sunday.
Makepekepe, who have now failed to register a win in their last four matches, fell courtesy of a 67th minute goal by Nigel Makumbe as alarm bells must now be ringing in the Harare giants’ camp after a promising start to the season.
The defeat meant they are now four points behind long leaders and defending champions FC Platinum, who secured all three points courtesy of a solitary goal by Cameroonian Albert Eonde.
The Norman Mapeza coached side was missing the services of several players due to a combination of injuries and other factors.
The likes of Raphael Muduviwa, Ali Sadiki and William Stima are nursing injuries while the Moyo twins, Kelvin and Elvis are reportedly away on trials at South African side Chippa United.
Veteran forward Mkhokeli Dube was also not available. So was Lawrence Mhlanga who was suspended while Godknows Murwira, who is being linked with a return to Dynamos, has reportedly gone AWOL.
FC Platinum however provided a timely reminder of their intentions to secure a third successive PSL title after Eonde expertly headed home Gift Mbweti’s cross after 10 minutes for the lone goal of the match.
Mapeza was full of praise for his team after the match.
“Today we did not have numbers but before the game, I told my players that today is not about our technical abilities but it’s about our hearts,” he said.
“It’s indeed a massive result for us, the boys played well. There was coherence between the midfield and defence. Lameck Nhamo worked very hard and I really want to applaud everyone for a brave show today,” Mapeza said.
Manica Diamonds coach Luke Masomere was disappointed with the loss.
“I am disappointed with the result but there are a number of contributing factors to this loss which I would not want to talk about today,” said Masomere.
Meanwhile, Highlanders played out to a one-all draw away to Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab Stadium as they begin life without Madinda Ndlovu who has since left for Botswana.
The Bulawayo giants managed top hold the 2018 PSL runners-up even after finding themselves reduced to 10 men when Andrew Mbeba was shown a red card for a crude challenge on an opponent just eight minutes into the encounter.
After threatening to score on several occasions in the first half, Ngezi were punished for the missed opportunities when Peter Muduhwa put Bosso into the lead in the 70th minute.
Their lead however did not last long as Ngezi restored parity nine minutes later through an Osi Miniru’s effort.
Elsewhere, Chicken Inn remained second on the log standings after beating Mushowani Stars 3-1 at Luveve Stadium.
The league’s top scorer Clive Agosto grabbed a brace with Sipho Ndlovu scoring the other goal for the Gamecocks, who remain a point behind FC Platinum on 26 points from 13 matches.
Mushowani got their consolation on the stroke of full-time through Evans Katema.
Agosto’s brace yesterday took his tally of the season to 13 goals from as many matches as he looked well poised to clinch the Golden Boot award at the end of the season.
In another match, Herentals lost 2-0 at home to Triangle United at the National Sports Stadium while Black Rhinos and Yadah FC settled for a goalless draw at Rufaro.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League results and fixtures
Saturday: Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-1 Highlanders, ZPC Kariba 1-0 CAPS United, FC Platinum 1-0 Manica Diamonds, Chicken Inn 3-1 Mushowani Stars, Yadah FC 0-0 Black Rhinos, Herentals 0-2 Triangle United
Sunday: Hwange v Bulawayo Chiefs (Colliery), TelOne v Harare City (Luveve), Dynamos v Chapungu (Rufaro)
The football association’s failure to pay for players’ flight tickets following a disastrous showing in Egypt has apperently left Khama Billiat pondering his future with the national team.
Still reeling from falling out of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals following their disastrous showing, Zimbabwe now have to deal with their star player Khama Billiat’s threats to quit international football.
The Warriors crashed out of the tournament in Egypt winless after two losses and a draw. They suffered an emphatic 4-0 thumping at the hands of DR Congo last week in their final match.
A storm has erupted after their elimination with the team having been accused of match-fixing.
Not only that, Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has been accused of owing players money and leaving them without tickets to fly back home.
This has apparently left Billiat pondering his future with the national team. “Khama is not happy with what happened at Afcon and is even thinking about quitting the national team,” an insider said.
The Kaizer Chiefs star apparently had to pay for his teammates’ flight back home after Zifa failed to make bookings for the team.
Billiat’s agent Mike Ngobeni refuted the claims that his client wanted to quit.
“Khama is still going to serve his country and will play for the national team,” Ngobeni said.
“Of course Zimbabwe is struggling financially, which we all know about.”
Ngobeni, though, admitted that Billiat paid for his flight home from the tournament.
“Even if he has to pay for his own ticket, he will do that and not complain about it.”
AmaZulu winger Talent Chawapiwa admitted that he also paid for his flight.
“I don’t want to talk about this, but yes I did organise my own flight to SA,” he said.
Many of the players are afraid to speak out for fear of being victimised or banished.
Goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze has been left traumatised after he took much of the blame for his poor goalkeeping in the thumping loss.
His club coach at Baroka, Wedson Nyirenda, has confirmed that they would organise a psychologist for the shot stopper. “We are going to get him counselling and make sure he is in the right frame of mind,” said Nyirenda.
Attempts to contact Zifa communications officer Xolisani Gwesela yesterday were unsuccessful.
MDC Youth Assemby National Deputy Secretary For Legal Affairs was this afternoon involved in an accident near Featherstone along Masvingo Harare Highway.
Mavhaire was on his way to Masvingo.
However, no-one was hurt in the accident.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.
Uganda’s players ended their boycott of Africa Cup of Nations training after being promised an extra $6000 dollars each by the country’s Football Association (FUFA).
Uganda are the latest team at the Africa Cup of Nations to get embroiled in a dispute over payments.
The Cranes are through to the second round after finishing second in a group containing hosts Egypt and DR Congo. But their players boycotted training on Tuesday.
The country’s FA, Fufa, has said the players are trying to “renegotiate” their remuneration.
It is the fourth pay dispute to hit the tournament so far.
Nigeria had similarly refused to train after not receiving a $10 000 (£7 940) match bonus that had been promised.
Meanwhile, Cameroon arrived in Egypt late after an unresolved row over bonuses. The players had refused to get on the plane – the same tactic they employed at the 2014 World Cup.
And there were concerns that the opening game would not even happen after suggestions came from the Zimbabwe camp that the players had threatened to boycott the match against the hosts Egypt.
Ultimately that game did go ahead.
Exercising pressure
Why do these strikes continually afflict African teams at major tournaments? In a word — leverage.
The way that payments work in tournaments is that the further a team goes, the greater the amount of money they receive. Thus, success in major championshipshave the potential to bring revenue to a country’s football federation.
In theory some of that money should end up with the players as bonus payments — they should also receive some money for qualifying.
For players based in major European leagues, those tournament payments are not necessarily a huge amount in comparison to their club wages.
All of England’s players, for example, donated their bonuses for their surprise run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup to charity.
But for players based in African leagues, those payments constitute a great deal of money.
Indeed, last season in Cameroon, not only bonuses but basic wages from the clubs were not being paid, forcing players across the country’s top divisions to stage a series of strikes.
Eventually, former Indomitable Lions captain Geremi Njitap filed a complaint direct to Fifa, which resolved the matter. But the episode highlighted theimportant role that international appearance bonuses have for some players.
Sometimes, however, these payments do not appear after the tournaments. Some football associations have little accountability; others are opaquely managed —and even end up being suspended by Fifa.
Over time, players have grown deeply distrustful of the very football federations they are picked to represent.
So, aware that after a tournament their ability to exercise pressure individually on their FA is greatly diminished, they strike before the competition begins.
By threatening not to play, players create a double bind for their countries. Not only would it be damaging for their image, it also would dramatically reduceany money that the FA would be looking to get themselves.
The tactic has proved effective over the years — having been employed by at least one African team at every World Cup since 1990.
What’s more, star names in teams over the years, such as George Weah and Didier Drogba, have been much higher-profile than their country’s FAs — and have notbeen afraid to use their presence to support their less well-known (and well-off) team-mates.
Indeed at some tournaments, a country’s president has had to personally intervene in order to get things going again.
Famously, in Brazil in 2014, $100 000 payments for Ghana were flown in, in cash in briefcases, and unloaded at the airport in Rio — where the Brazilian authorities took a 17% cut, before the money was sent out across the city to the players.
Nothing like that has happened in Egypt — but nevertheless, the disputes don’t seem to be going away any time soon.
Zimbabwe Darts fraternity has been thrown into mourning following the death of Matabeleland South based ace national team player Sawujadi Phiri in Gwanda on Saturday.
National Darts Association of Zimbabwe President Meynard Moyo said Phiri died after a short illness on Saturday.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing on of our National Dart Player, a renowned sister, a friend and colleague by the name Sawujadi Phiri a.k.a. Dr Fiyoo from Mat South Province. This is indeed a very sad day for us as Darts family,” said Moyo in a statement.
“MaPhiri was a household name in the darts fraternity and her passing on is definitely of national impact.”
The Sports and Reconciliation Commission expressed shock at the passing on of Phiri who emerged the regional champion in Malawi last year in the ladies open championships.
We have received with sorrow and sadness the news of the passing on Saujadi Phiri a National Darts Team player. Last year Sawujadi won a silver medal in the open doubles and a gold medal in the Ladies open at the AUSC Region 5 Darts Championship in Malawi MHSRIP pic.twitter.com/KxJ2LQeR6V
Matabeleland South Darts Chairman Ephilweni Sibanda said the province is shocked by Phiri’s death as she participated in the provincial team qualifiers trials last Saturday in good health.
“As Mat South Chairman, I don’t have any words to say. We were with her last weekend on trials. She was fit and strong. When I got the message I thought it was a prank but no, she is gone and not coming back.”
By A Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed optimism regarding the existing good relations between his country and its neighbour South Africa adding that he envisions strengthened relations for the good of both nations.
Mnangagwa said:
Always good to catch up with my friend and comrade, His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa. Our two nations are part of the same family and I look forward to further strengthening the close ties between South Africa and Zimbabwe for the benefit of both peoples.”
Farai Dziva| Warriors keeper Elvis Chipezeze is unfazed by relentless accusations being pointed at him following his mistakes in the 4-0 defeat to DRC at the 2019 AFCON Tournament.
The 29-year-old received a backlash from fans who criticised his performance and even alleged that he sold the game to the Congolese.
The result saw the national side making an early exit from the tournament and blowing off the opportunity to advance to the knockout stages.
“The allegations being levelled against me are unfounded,” the keeper told Sunday News in an interview. “I admit that in that particular game, I had a bad day in office.
“These things do happen in football. I am not moved at all because that’s the nature of the game. I still stand to be advised to consult lawyers or not.
“As much as we wanted to win, things were not coming up, that’s all I can say.
“Because this is not the time for blaming each other as we wanted to achieve that goal of going into the next round, and unfortunately it didn’t happen.”
Chipezeze made his first fumble in the 4th minute of the game when he spilled the ball from a free-kick into the path of Jonathan Bolingi who headed home effortlessly to give DRC an early lead.
The third goal was from the spot after he fouled Cedric Bakambu inside the box while the fourth one came as a result of another spill.
The news of Mr Zivhave proverbial call has shocked the province as it comes at a time when as a province we are picking the bits and pieces so that we take on ZANU PF in its so called rural strongholds where it uses intimidation as a formular for winning.
As a province we have been robbed of a gallant fighter, a founder member of our struggle.
Its indeed a minus for the MDC, Masvingo Province and Chiredzi West in particular where he started his activism in 1999 when the idea of forming a political party was mooted.
He survived many battles in Chiredzi West. The area is known for housing the notorious “so called” war veteran Matemachani, who used to intimidate, maim and manhandle MDC members and supporters back then.
His bravery to confront ZANU PF back then at a time when many proffessionals feared for their jobs will forever be cherished.
He has departed the mother earth but his yearning for a better Zimbabwe hasn’t gone, we shall indeed carry the york to liberate Zimbabwe.
It is indeed our duty as the living to continue with the struggle till we achieve what those who mooted the idea to finish the unfinished business of the liberation struggle set out.
We join the family in mourning a departed father. We are with you in prayers and hope you will find comfort in the Lord as he is soul giver of life.
On Behalf of Masvingo Province
Cde Gore
Provincial Information and Publicity Secretary, Masvingo Province, Youth Assembly
Farai Dziva|The MDC is ready to romp to victory in Bikita East following a star rally on Saturday.
See the MDC statement below : Despite the abuse of state funds by ZANU PF the people of Bikita East defied all odds and attended the rally in their thousands.
The MDC rally held on Saturday was held to drum up support for Moses Maphosa.
ZANU PF has been abusing the CIO whenever the MDC held campaign rallies in ward 31 by moving around in an unmarked vehicle.
After years of negligence, roads are being graded to hoodwink voters in the ward.
People are heeding calls by the MDC to reject a party that has dismally failed to run the country despite decades of being in power through rigging machinations.
Prices are rising on a daily basis and the ZANU PF regime banned the sell of maize to other buyers non-other than GMB.
This has incensed the rural voters and they are ready to show ZANU PF the exit door.
As we enter the last stretch of the campaign the MDC will continue to radicalise voters in ward 31 so that they would not be intimidated by ZANU PF.
Gore
Information and Publicity Secretary, Youth Assembly, Masvingo Province
Ladies and Gentlemen it is with great sadness that I confirm to you the death of our Leader Dusty Zivhave
Mr Ngonidzashe Mupfumba MDC National youth secretary for Environmental and Climate affairs said: “Today is the darkest day of our struggle. We lost hard working cadre Mr Dusty. The MDC history is incomplete without mentioning name Dusty. Rest in Peace. Mr Dusty Zivhave, served as MDC councilor in Ward 5 Chiredzi West from 2008 to 2013
Contested as MP for Chiredzi West in 2013
Served as Masvingo Provincial Spokesperson for two terms.
Farai Dziva|Non Governmental Organizations in Masvingo have threatened to withdraw aid following a directive by government to stop foreign currency disbursements.
Government has with immediate effect directed all non-governmental organisations operating in the country who have been giving aid in the form of foreign currency to either buy food using the money and donate to the beneficiaries or give out local currency.
This comes after Government outlawed the multi-currency regime and restricted domestic transactions to local currency through Statutory Instrument (SI) 142 of 2019, in an effort to enhance the affordability of goods and services by the majority.
The Government recently had a meeting with the World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies in the country through which humanitarian aid comes to deliberate on the matter and ensure that SI 142 is fully implemented.
“As you are aware I am the chairperson of the inter-Cabinet Committee that deals with disaster and climate change, recently we had a meeting with World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies.
The Minister of Finance (and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube) was there, the Minister of Public Service (Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza) was there as well as other ministries,” said Minister July Moyo.
“We discussed how best we can get help as a country. We told them that non-governmental organisations should stop giving beneficiaries US dollars or any other foreign currency. If they so wish to give them money, they should give them local currency.
The argument was we have removed the multi-currency regime and restricted domestic transactions to local currency and most people in rural areas to which most of the aid goes will not be able to use the money.”
However NGOs in Masvingo have vowed to withdraw aid as a result of the government directive.
“The directive will result in donor fatigue and widespread protests.
The directive will grossly affect our operations,” said a COTRAD official.
The MDC Youth Assembly today intensified the #GoRuralCampaign by visiting Nyanga Ward 26 in Manicaland to drum up support for party candidate, Vincent Bopoto.
Today’s program was held at Selbourne Estate whereby the Youth Assembly National leadership led by Chairman Obey Sithole, Vice Chair Cecelia Chimbiri and Spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma graced the occasion to lay out the victory roadmap for the party.
Speaking at the occasion National Youth Assembly Spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma scoffed at recent manoeuvres by ZANU PF to hoodwink the masses into a false belief that the former liberation party can bake bread as a stop gap measure to avert bread shortages in the country.
Chuma said expecting ZANU PF to produce bread for the long suffering masses is akin to expecting the beleaguered party to produce bread out of sand-made farm bricks.
The Assembly motor mouthpiece also said bread baking is not a child’s play and as such it requires basic economics starting from input production instead of expecting honey without bees.
Youth Assembly National Vice Chairman, Cecilia Chimbiri took a bitter snipe at the ZANU PF military regime for neglecting and trampling women’s rights.
Chauya Chauya as Chimbiri is popularly known said it is regrettable that 39 years after independence the chauvinist ZANU PF regime is still blind to basic needs of women like sanitary pads.
Chimbiri said the conditions of women conditions have become nervous to the extend that women now resort to using unhygienic means like rags yet cotton is produced in Zimbabwe.
Youth Assembly National Chairman, Obey Sithole giving a key note to the same event said ZANU PF is anti people religion whose survival is hinged on corruption, nepotism and cronyism.
Cde Luther as Sithole is affectionately known declared that expecting ZANU PF to win any election is akin to expecting a second virgin Biblical Marry in our life time.
The forceful Youth Assembly Commander unapologetically likened Emmerson Mnangagwa to a habitual thief with a canning culture to reap where he did not sow.
Sithole said the Assembly will this month lead massive massive action programs to reclaim the 2018 MDC electoral victory stolen by ZEC working in cahoots with the military junta.
The Selbourne by-election rally was organized by Manicaland Youth Assembly provincial leadership led by Youth Chairman, Kelvin Kambiro.
Also in attendance were Manicaland Provincial Chairman, Prosper Mutseyami and leaders from the party’s Women Assembly.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
Government will revoke non performing licenses of In-dependent Power Producers as it seeks to implement strategies to reduce power outages that have crippled industrial operations, Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi said.
In an interview after a tour of Bulawayo Power Station, Chasi said there was a need to ensure that all the licensed power projects are started as soon as possible.
“We need to quickly advance the execution of projects by all those who are licensed. I have asked Zera (Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority) to examine the status of each licensed project to see exactly where we are with each of them. We need to understand if there are specific challenges each particular licensee is facing,” he said.
Minister Chasi said failure by any licensee to justify the reason for non-operating the ministry would be compelled to revoke such a license with immediate effect.
“If we are satisfied that there is unjustified pilgrimage around the implementation of the projects then the necessary action will be taken. We cannot have a long list of licenses which are not productive. Everything has to be very legal.
“The licensees must be given the right to explain themselves around the issue of non-performance because at the end of the day, we cannot hang onto people that keep licenses for speculative purposes,” he said.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- A GWANDA taxi driver has appeared in court for assaulting a municipality police officer for clamping his car.
Soviar Moyo (30), who operates the Gwanda-West Nicholson route and stays in Spitzkop suburb, pleaded not guilty to assault but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi.
He was sentenced to three months imprisonment which was wholly suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
In his defence, Moyo said he did not assault the complainant, Mr Lawrence Tshuma. He said Mr Tshuma was the one who grabbed him by his shirt.
“I left home and drove into town so that I could check on the loading queue but I was not loading any passengers.
“When I parked my vehicle and disembarked, the complainant, who was driving past with his workmates, came to me and I told them that I wasn’t loading,” Moyo said.
“I went back into my vehicle and as I tried to drive off I realised that my wheel had been clamped. I went out to talk to the complainant but instead he held me by the shirt and I also held his.
“One of his workmates grabbed my leg while another grabbed my shirt from the back. Some people who were in the area then restrained us and that’s when they let me go. I didn’t assault him as alleged but I held his clothes as he was also holding me.”
Prosecuting, Miss Faith Mutukwa said Moyo assaulted Mr Tshuma on April 16 at around 10PM.
She said Mr Tshuma was on duty with his workmates conducting a patrol in Gwanda CBD when Moyo parked his vehicle at a no stopping zone.
Miss Mutukwa said Mr Tshuma tried to clamp the vehicle but this did not go down well with Moyo who then grabbed him by the collar.
She said Moyo further punched Mr Tshuma twice on the face. Mr Tshuma’s workmates then restrained Moyo.-StateMedia
By Patrick Guramatunhu: MDC Vice President Professor Welshman Ncube says the current Zimbabwean government is poised for failure and anyone pinning their hopes on it will be disappointed.
“Is
there still anyone who still believes that Zimbabwe has a chance of being
turned around by this coup government when most of the country has no
electricity supply from 4am to 10pm every day, no water in some cities for
days, no fuel month after month, no money
unbuyable basics?” Prof Ncube said.
Well that is
very true, there is no hope of this Zanu PF regime turning the Zimbabwe economy
around. None! What Professor Ncube should know is that there are many
Zimbabweans who are very angry with him and his MDC friends not because they
are the bearers of the bad news of economic meltdown and bad governance but
because the country would not be in this mess if they had not sold-out.
The people
of Zimbabwe have risked life and limb to elect Professor Ncube and his MDC
friends into power on the ticket they will bring about the democratic changes
including free and fair elections as their party name implied. MDC – Movement
for Democratic Change! Millions have been beaten and/or raped and over 500 were
murdered by Zanu PF thugs in the 2008 elections alone. Sadly, it was all for
nothing.
MDC leaders
have failed to deliver even one democratic change in the nearly 20 years of the
party occupying centre political stage. During the 2008 to 2013 GNU MDC had the
golden opportunity to implement the raft of democratic reforms agreed in the
Global Political Agreement (GPA). The party had the majority in cabinet and
parliament and had the support of SADC leaders, who were the guarantor of the
GPA. And yet not even one reform was implemented in five years. Not one!
Mugabe bribe
the MDC leaders with the trappings of power; the ministerial limos, very
generous salaries and allowances, a former white-owned farm for Welshman Ncube,
a $4 million Highlands mansion for Morgan Tsvangirai, etc., etc. With their
snouts in the feeding trough, MDC leaders forgot about implementing the
reforms.
“Mazivanhu
eMDC adzidza kudya anyerere!” (MDC people have learnt to enjoy the gravy train
spoils of power!) Zanu PF cronies crowed when asked why MDC leaders were not
implementing the reforms.
MDC leaders
did not repent for selling out during the GNU but compounded their betrayal by
participating in the 2013 elections even when they knew Zanu PF was rigging the
elections and participating was giving credibility to a flawed and illegal
process, as David Coltart readily admitted.
“The
electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to
withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the
distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that
the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process
credibility,” wrote Coltart. He was a Minister of Education in the GNU and a
senior member of the Ncube led MDC-N faction.
At their
2014 party congress, the MDC-T faction resolved the party would never again
participate in future elections until reforms were implemented. “No reform! No
election!” the nation was told. The MDC-N and other opposition parties join the
“No reform! No Election!” bandwagon. They all abandoned this position as 2018
elections approached; they all participated although not even one reform was
implemented for the
“Legitimacy
is an issue – last year’s elections were illegal, and not free and fair. All
reasonable observers concede that,” admitted David Coltart. Coltart and
Ncube have since merge with the other MDC factions to form the MDC Alliance of
which the two are Treasurer General and VP respectively.
To resolve
the legitimacy problem MDC A leaders are proposing that Zanu PF must agree to a
new power sharing arrangement, a Transition Authority (TA). The party claims
that it “has the key to end the country’s economic problems” but has never
offered any concrete policies because it has none.
The root
cause of Zimbabwe’s economic meltdown is that the country IS a pariah state
ruled by corrupt, incompetent and vote rigging thugs. No one, absolutely no
one, in their right mind wants to do business with thugs. The addition of
Nelson Chamisa and one or two other MDC A leaders to the Zanu PF regime will
not change the fundamental reality; Zimbabwe will still be a pariah state.
Worse still,
the TA will not implement the democratic reforms and thus end the curse of
rigged elections a pariah state. The TA is a watered down version of the 2008
GNU in that Zanu PF will now has all the trump cards, majority in cabinet, 2/3
majority in parliament and senate and there is no SADC leaders to supervise;
why Zanu PF would agree to see any reforms being implemented.
Besides,
Zanu PF knows from past experience MDC A will participate to win the bait gravy
train seats regardless how flawed and illegal the process got. Zanu PF is almost
certain to create the position of Official Opposition Leader and shadow cabinet
complete with the cabinet limo, salary and perks; just to spice up opposition
bait!
If Zanu PF
is still in office in 2023; be it on its own or in the TA, it does not matter
which; we can be 100% certain the party will rig that year’s elections and thus
retain the pariah state and the economic and political mess.
No Mnangagwa
is not going to revive Zimbabwe’s comatose economy. His “Zimbabwe is open for
business!” mantra is dead and buried. He killed the mantra by blatantly rigging
last year’s elections and thus confirming Zimbabwe was still a pariah state.
Chamisa and his MDC friends have wasted many golden opportunities to deliver
meaningful democratic change. Chamisa does not have “the key to unlock economic
recovery”; he is lying.
The only
hope of Zimbabwe getting out of the economic and political mess it for the
country to hold free, fair and credible elections and lift the curse of pariah
state. Zanu PF must step down to allow the appointment of an interim body
tasked to implement the democratic reforms, the pre-requisite for free and fair
elections. The economic situation is dire; both Zanu PF and MDC A should stop
wasting time with their gimmick solutions.
“Zanu PF is
not going to turn around the economy!” Professor Ncube must have been rubbing
his hands gleefully when he said that. He knows the worsening economic meltdown
is put Mnangagwa under ever increasing the pressure to agree to form the TA.
And as VP of MDC A and former minister in the last GNU, Professor Ncube is
certain of a cabinet post in the TA. He does not care that the country is still
stuck in this economic and political mess because he and his MDC friends are
sell-out. He does not care that the TA is just the latest MDC A sell-out; it
will neither end the economic meltdown nor end the scourge of rigged elections.
Millions of
ordinary Zimbabweans whose lives is hell-on-earth today, care and they are
desperate for democratic change and good governance.
By A Correspondent| SEVEN Chiweshe men have allegedly been fingered in a black magic (mubobobo) syndicate by a Bulawayo prophet at Chief Makope’s traditional court.
This followed the recent discovery of 63 women’s undergarments at a graveyard in Nzvimbo village.
“We hired a prophet from Bulawayo (Madzibaba Sejiby) to assist us in identifying the culprits of the black magic.
Fortunately, the prophet managed to identify a syndicate of seven elderly men who are set to appear before me on Sunday,” Chief Makope told NewsDay Weekender.
Village head Doubt Chawawa said the first accused fled from the village after he was convicted by Chief Makope and was yet to be sentenced.
“Villagers were baying for his blood, so in shame, he just disappeared to an unknown destination,” he said.
Chief Makope said those found guilty would be judged harshly since it was a serious violation of hunhu/ubuntu.
“Such people are not welcome in my area, so we should be seen to be punishing them,” he said.-Newsday
By Own Correspondent- The government’s decision to reintroduce the local currency faces a serious test after a third person filed a High Court application challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s use of presidential powers to ban the multi-currency regime.
On June 24, the government renamed the RTGS dollar the Zimbabwe dollar and declared it as the sole legal tender to end a decade of dollarisation.
An opposition leader, Joseph Busha, and a human rights lawyer, Godfrey Mupanga, approached the High Court challenging the use of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) to issue the currency decree soon after the move was announced.
They have since been joined by prominent lawyer and businessman Tawanda Nyambirai, who accused the government of “governing the country by decree”.
Nyambirai is seeking a court order to stop Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya from introducing any policies, regulations or decisions that may affect the value of the foreign currencies held by banks before June 24.
He argued that he was representing his own interests and account holders who held foreign currency when Statutory Instrument (SI) 142 of 2019 was gazetted.
Nyambirai accused Ncube and Mangudya of “churning out half-baked statutory instruments”.
He said the two “have themselves become the executive, Parliament and the public in these matters”.
Nyambirai wants the court to compel all the banks in Zimbabwe to preserve the records of the RTGS balances held by account holders before June 24.
“As holders of RTGS balances that were converted to RTGS dollars, we are the public, we are being deprived!
“We are aggrieved by the deprivation. In a democracy, such far-reaching laws are supposed to be taken to Parliament at least, or be subjected to a referendum,” he said in his founding affidavit,” he said.
“The rate at which the first and second respondents (Ncube and Mangudya) are churning out half-baked statutory instruments gives me the feeling that the first and second respondents are now ruling us by decree.
“They have themselves become the executive, Parliament and the public in these matters.” He said the fiscal reforms could not be said to be in the public interest.
“Although it may be said to be in the public interest to reduce the domestic debt that was going to result from the payment of compensation on the conversion of RTGS balances and bond notes and coins to RTGS dollar, it is undemocratic and unfair to simply avoid domestic debt by impoverishing the very public that first and second respondents are supposed to serve,” he argued.
“There are other options available to the first and second respondents to reduce domestic debts. Such options include, among others, reducing government expenditure, eliminating corruption, stimulating productivity through lowering taxes and thus boosting consumer purchasing power and spend.”
Nyambirai is also challenging section 44C of the RBZ Act, which he said violated the constitution.
“I also contend that the following restrictions imposed by the second respondent’s Exchange Control Directive RU102/2019 dated June 25, 2019 constitute a compulsory deprivation of property in contravention of section 71(3) of the constitution of Zimbabwe and must therefore be nullified,” he said.
The businessman argued that the new measures were discriminatory because they gave the nod to airlines to continue charging in foreign currency.
“SI 142 allows the use of foreign currencies in Zimbabwe to pay some duties and to pay for international airline services,” he argued.
“The discriminatory treatment of these services disqualifies SI 142 as a law of general application.”
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has also weighed in saying the banning of the use of foreign currency violated the law.
“It must be noted that while section 44A provides for the designation of other currencies to be legal tender in Zimbabwe, it does not expressly provide for the inverse process; that is the revocation of the designation of a currency other than the Zimbabwean dollar,” the lawyers said in a statement.
“The minister acted beyond the powers conferred on him by the Act and so for that reason SI 142 should be considered ultra vires the enabling Act.
“Our view is further supported by the fact that section 17 of the Finance (No.2) Act No. 5 of 2009, which introduced the multi-currencies through section 44A (2), remains extant in our statute books.
“This section has not been repealed. The section cannot be repealed by inference.
“The Act has to be properly amended by the legislature and not by the minister.”
Veritas, a legal think-tank, also argues that the government cannot ban the use of foreign currency in local transactions.
By Own Correspondent- Vice President Kembo Mohadi’s son, Campbell Junior, was recently ordered to pay his ex-girlfriend RTGS$100 for the maintenance of “his” 11-month-old daughter pending a DNA test to ascertain the paternity of the child.
Campbell, an Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) pilot, allegedly sired the child with Ms Sharon Mukarazita, who is also a soldier.
The ruling by Bulawayo magistrate Ms Nomasiko Ndlovu follows an application by Ms Mukarazita seeking a maintenance order against her ex-lover.
In papers before the court filed under case Number M593/ 19 at the Bulawayo Civil Court, Campbell was cited as a defendant.
Ms Mukarazita wanted Campbell Jnr to pay $180, but the magistrate reduced the amount to $100 after the defendant indicated to the court that he was earning a salary of $438 per month.
“You are to pay $100 per month and since you are also disputing the paternity of the child, I advise you to go for DNA tests within the next six months, failure of which this judgment will be deemed final,” ruled Ms Ndlovu.
In his response, Campbell, who is disputing the paternity of the child, had offered to pay the maintenance fee on condition that he is afforded an opportunity to do DNA tests.
“I’m employed at the Air force of Zimbabwe as a pilot and I earn $438 per month and I can only offer $100 for maintenance. I’m not sure if this child is mine, I’m not willing to pay maintenance for the child who is not mine, “he said.
In her summons, Ms Mukarazita indicated that Campbell was the person liable to pay for the upkeep of the child, arguing that he is gainfully employed by the Air Force of Zimbabwe as a pilot, earning about $700 per month.
She told the court that Campbell refused to support “their” child soon after birth, claiming he was not the father of the child.
Ms Mukarazita said she was prepared to sue Campbell in the event that the DNA test comes out positive.
“If the DNA results come out positive, I will sue the defendant for defamation of character,” she said.-StateMedia
ZANUPF is just a big joke this is the new dispensation they are talking about. Even this sorry excuse for a bread you can’t find it in the shops pic.twitter.com/HHd6fxCuyE
— Chalton Hwende MP Chairperson Public Accounts (@hwendec) July 7, 2019
We have received with sorrow and sadness the news of the passing on Saujadi Phiri a National Darts Team player. Last year Sawujadi won a silver medal in the open doubles and a gold medal in the Ladies open at the AUSC Region 5 Darts Championship in Malawi MHSRIP pic.twitter.com/KxJ2LQeR6V
By Own Correspondent- Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Thompson Mabhikwa has recused himself from hearing the 19-year-old legal wrangle between former PG Industries (Zimbabwe) Limited marketing director Nkululeko Mabhena and his ex-employers over terminal benefits of over $73 million.
Mabhikwa, who was the sixth judge to deal with the case, recused himself from hearing it after he discovered that he knew one of the parties to the matter.
“I recuse myself from dealing with this matter because I know one of the parties personally. The matter has to be set down before another judge. The matter is hereby removed from the roll,” he said.
The matter had been set down for hearing after it had been off the roll for the past four years when Mabhena skipped the border in 2015 claiming his life was in danger.
Mabhena only returned in December last year and was scheduled to meet Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs secretary Virginia Mabhiza, to whom he had sent his complaint about the conduct of two judges that previously handled the case. The letter was copied to Chief Justice Luke Malaba.
However, Mabhena was advised to take the legal route and approached the High Court again demanding that his case be set down for hearing.
The protracted legal battle has seen a number of applications and counter-applications filed at the Bulawayo High Court over terminal benefits and salary arrears amounting to $73 million.
The saga started when Mabhena fell ill and was believed to have died — with doctors at United Bulawayo Hospitals certifying him dead.
PG went on to pay off his funeral expenses. At some point he was put in a morgue.
Mabhena was eventually discharged from hospital and went back to work, where he was asked to produce a certificate of existence as he was now believed to be dead.
After meeting the employer’s demand, PG Industries, however, refused to take him back, but dismissed him with a payoff of 64 cents.
Mabhena filed an appeal at the High Court demanding that the company pay him terminal benefits and salary arrears.-TheStandard
Those who allege conflict on my appointment to ZACC must have a gender bias. I was appointed a judge of the high court long before @MinisterSBMoyo was appointed to cabinet. No one alleged any conflict until my move to @ZACConline. Let’s fight corruption together, let’s focus.
— Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo (@matandamoyo) July 7, 2019
By Own Correspondent- The government’s decision to reintroduce the local currency faces a serious test after a third person filed a High Court application challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s use of presidential powers to ban the multi-currency regime.
On June 24, the government renamed the RTGS dollar the Zimbabwe dollar and declared it as the sole legal tender to end a decade of dollarisation.
An opposition leader, Joseph Busha, and a human rights lawyer, Godfrey Mupanga, approached the High Court challenging the use of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) to issue the currency decree soon after the move was announced.
They have since been joined by prominent lawyer and businessman Tawanda Nyambirai, who accused the government of “governing the country by decree”.
Nyambirai is seeking a court order to stop Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya from introducing any policies, regulations or decisions that may affect the value of the foreign currencies held by banks before June 24.
He argued that he was representing his own interests and account holders who held foreign currency when Statutory Instrument (SI) 142 of 2019 was gazetted.
Nyambirai accused Ncube and Mangudya of “churning out half-baked statutory instruments”.
He said the two “have themselves become the executive, Parliament and the public in these matters”.
Nyambirai wants the court to compel all the banks in Zimbabwe to preserve the records of the RTGS balances held by account holders before June 24.
“As holders of RTGS balances that were converted to RTGS dollars, we are the public, we are being deprived!
“We are aggrieved by the deprivation. In a democracy, such far-reaching laws are supposed to be taken to Parliament at least, or be subjected to a referendum,” he said in his founding affidavit,” he said.
“The rate at which the first and second respondents (Ncube and Mangudya) are churning out half-baked statutory instruments gives me the feeling that the first and second respondents are now ruling us by decree.
“They have themselves become the executive, Parliament and the public in these matters.” He said the fiscal reforms could not be said to be in the public interest.
“Although it may be said to be in the public interest to reduce the domestic debt that was going to result from the payment of compensation on the conversion of RTGS balances and bond notes and coins to RTGS dollar, it is undemocratic and unfair to simply avoid domestic debt by impoverishing the very public that first and second respondents are supposed to serve,” he argued.
“There are other options available to the first and second respondents to reduce domestic debts. Such options include, among others, reducing government expenditure, eliminating corruption, stimulating productivity through lowering taxes and thus boosting consumer purchasing power and spend.”
Nyambirai is also challenging section 44C of the RBZ Act, which he said violated the constitution.
“I also contend that the following restrictions imposed by the second respondent’s Exchange Control Directive RU102/2019 dated June 25, 2019 constitute a compulsory deprivation of property in contravention of section 71(3) of the constitution of Zimbabwe and must therefore be nullified,” he said.
The businessman argued that the new measures were discriminatory because they gave the nod to airlines to continue charging in foreign currency.
“SI 142 allows the use of foreign currencies in Zimbabwe to pay some duties and to pay for international airline services,” he argued.
“The discriminatory treatment of these services disqualifies SI 142 as a law of general application.”
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has also weighed in saying the banning of the use of foreign currency violated the law.
“It must be noted that while section 44A provides for the designation of other currencies to be legal tender in Zimbabwe, it does not expressly provide for the inverse process; that is the revocation of the designation of a currency other than the Zimbabwean dollar,” the lawyers said in a statement.
“The minister acted beyond the powers conferred on him by the Act and so for that reason SI 142 should be considered ultra vires the enabling Act.
“Our view is further supported by the fact that section 17 of the Finance (No.2) Act No. 5 of 2009, which introduced the multi-currencies through section 44A (2), remains extant in our statute books.
“This section has not been repealed. The section cannot be repealed by inference.
“The Act has to be properly amended by the legislature and not by the minister.”
Veritas, a legal think-tank, also argues that the government cannot ban the use of foreign currency in local transactions.
By Own Correspondent- Villagers in Plumtree are living in fear of lions after over 10 cattle were killed last week.
The lions have wreaked havoc in the Makhulela and Ndolwane areas in the district.
The pride of lions was first noticed last week after it attacked and killed cattle grazing in the veld.
The petrified villagers informed Bulilima Rural District Council (RDC) which sent a team of hunters to track the lions. The team is being assisted by Zimparks rangers.
Bulilima RDC CEO John Brown Ncube on Saturday revealed that the ravenous lions are yet to be located while Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said their rangers were hunting for the lions.
The lions are thought to have escaped from Mabhongwane Game Park, which borders the two villages.-TheStandard
By Own Correspondent- Zesa will this week add 160 MW of electricity to the national grid following the successful refurbishment of Unit 5 at Hwange Power Station (HPS), while a further 160MW from Unit 6 is expected within the next three months, it has been learnt.
Unit 6 has been down since March.
The addition of power from Unit 5, which is expected to ease the current heavy load-shedding, will take the total generation at HPS to 660MW.
In addition, President Mnangagwa is today expected to engage his South African counterpart President Cyril Ramaphosa to explore the possibilities of imports from Eskom.
Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said the utility is currently engaging the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to help raise the £3,3 million (US$4,1 million) needed to refurbish Unit 6.
“Hwange Unit 5 is expected to be back in service during the course of this weekend and it will inject 160MW. Thus Hwange will generate an average of 500MW,” said Mr Gwasira.
“Unit 6, which has been out from March 2019 owing to the generator earth fault, requires up to £3,3 million to be fixed. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Finance are making efforts to assist Zesa in raising this amount.”
However, he warned that generation at Kariba Power Station might be further reduced by the continued decline of water levels in Kariba Dam.
“Owing to the drought experienced in the upstream of the Kariba reservoir, the lake levels are now about 27 percent.
“Kariba South Hydropower Station is expected to further reduce the plant’s current average output from 580MW to the recommended 358MW.
“Failure to adhere to the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA)-recommended 358MW may result in the plant shutting down by October 2019. This is a situation we have to avoid by taking the correct remedial action in line with the noble recommendations.”-StateMedia
By Gifford Mehluli Sibanda|Reading through the biography of Chris Hani, one can’t help but notice the frustration that he went through during his days in exile in Zambia where the African National Congress (ANC) was preparing the Umkhonto weSizwe guerillas to be deployed to the front in South Africa.
The leadership seemed reluctant to deploy the energetic youths to the front, but let them starve in camps at times to death. This is one of the reasons, I am convinced, that delayed the liberation of South Africa from apartheid.
While the MDC’s time and circumstances are different as the party is not considering war or at war, it has an inescapable task of confronting this Zanu PF regime in the streets by using all constitutional and democratic means to stop the worsening economic situation facing the people before it’s too late.
The people look up to this movement as a real political alternative to Zanu PF. The masses stand ready for that call, which Nelson Chamisa pledged at the 2019 congress, saying he would lead the masses towards economic prosperity and reclaim their electoral victory stolen by Zanu PF.
The MDC seems either absent or is taking too long to take up the task.
The danger of the MDC procrastination to take to the streets is that it will frustrate Zimbabweans to a point of giving up on the movement and the unintended consequence is that it will give Zanu PF a chance to reinvent itself through one of its factions. The Zanu PF youth league seems on track, doing something about corruption. Unfortunately, people know that more than weeding out corruption, the real motivation is a chance at the feeding trough.
We may not, in the distant future, find people thronging the streets celebrating this cosmetic changes with no value as Zanu PF projects itself as the saviour in the crisis that they have worked so hard to create for close to four decades.
One of the dangerous things to ever do as a political entity, is to create a vacuum in politics. A party must always be heard and seen to be in pursuit of providing answers to the desires of the constituency that it leads, especially in times of economic collapse and hardship.
The MDC must be at the forefront of exposing corruption in Zanu PF, the corruption that stinks to high heavens. The MDC’s silence is quite deafening and disappointing.
One would have expected the party to be leading the protests, going to the courts and approaching all other institutions that are established within our constitution to expose this corruption, but unfortunately the movement seems to be choosing silence while Zimbabweans are short-changed daily.
Now the architects of corruption and their offspring want to play Messiah to the evil they gave birth to.
Unemployment in the country is now estimated to be around 90%, the private sector is in intensive care, the public workers receiving insults as salaries for
their loyal service to the country, while the politically connected and dealers contributing nothing to the national purse are drowning in riches — this surely must inspire the movement that was born out of workers’ struggles to take the lead and liberate the workers from this exploitation.
The glorious movement of Morgan Tsvangirai and Gibson Sibanda must find its voice, it must take leadership in this struggle, and since the people voted for it overwhelmingly, it cannot abdicate the responsibility to lead from the front.
This silent movement is not the one that Fletcher Dulini-Ncube and Isaac Matongo were prepared to lay their lives for, Susan Tsvangirai and Zodwa Sibanda must be turning in their graves seeing this silence — silence that may be mistaken for complicity and complacency.
The party must learn from history. Not long ago Evan Mawarire almost took away the thunder and had it not been for his own blunders, it could have been another story. In January this year a demonstration that was initiated by unknown forces almost took people to total freedom, but sadly lives were lost as the regime crushed the people’s voice with military might, but the lesson from history is force doesn’t last forever.
My submission is that the MDC must wake up, it must not at this point be seen not to be doing anything about this national crisis, the people are so tired of Zanu PF and their desperation to get out of the chaos can be seen on their faces. The MDC has a duty to lead, before either a third force emerges or Zanu PF, for their own greed, reinvent themselves and delay the people’s victory.
By Own Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) chair has lambasted the current docket keeping system, which may result in loss of key information in criminal cases, and the institution is moving to modernise the records’ storage.
She bemoaned the critical lack of resources , with 90 investigators sharing three vehicles, but insisted that these would not deter her from the bringing culprits to book. Already, she is studying the Auditor-General and NSSA audit reports, with arrests expected soon.
In a no-holds-barred interview with The Sunday Mail, Justice Matanda-Moyo said Zacc was raring to go.
Parliament recently held public interviews for 38 prospective candidates and the names of the successful ones will be forwarded to President Mnangagwa, who will then appoint the 10 commissioners.
“My Commission will be functional. There is no room for corruption as any mishap will be dealt with severely. The new Zacc will not tolerate any corrupt officials,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.
She was concerned about the shambolic record-keeping system, particularly for dockets at Zacc.
A digital docket management system is now reportedly in the works.
“The Commission’s records should be very secure and independent, hence we will be improving in that regard. I am just waiting for the commissioners to be appointed so that we make decisions on those aspects.
“You struggle to find dockets. One can ask for a particular docket and officers will go in circles searching for it. In one instance, a docket was finally found at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). That is undesirable. A docket management system should be done in a press of a button.”
The Zacc chair said a list of the graft-fighting body’s requirements will soon be forwarded to the Office of the President and Cabinet, and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
“Zacc is not well-resourced. We have 19 teams of investigators sharing three vehicles. When they investigate, a team is made up of three or four investigators, so we have 19 teams sharing three vehicles. These cars are all we have nationwide,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.
“In terms of investigators, we do not have the adequate numbers as we are currently riding on secondment from the police and other State institutions.
“There is less than half of what we are looking for, thus we have 90 — that’s in Harare.”
Justice Matanda-Moyo — a seasoned High Court judge — said Zacc will sign an agreement with the University of Zimbabwe to train investigators in forensic accounting, financial intelligence and cyber-crimes to enhance skills in fighting white-collar crimes.
There are also plans to introduce a new law to protect whistleblowers.
“We urgently require a piece of legislation to protect witnesses. It is a problem to invite whistleblowers to testify in court without that piece of legislation. They are open to abuse by their superiors,” she said.
The former Dr Job Wabhira-led Zacc, she added, was dysfunctional.
She also rubbished claims of conflict of interest in her appointment as Zacc chair at a time when her husband — Dr Sibusiso Moyo — is Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
“Why didn’t you raise the issue of conflict (of interest) when he was appointed Minister since I was already a High Court Judge?
“My marriage and job are two different things. I have been married to him for a long time. I am not marrying him today that I should be influenced by him. He is not the one who has mandated me to lead Zacc.”
Jenni Williams at the Matabeleland Collective meeting with Mnangagwa.
Standard|A coalition of civil society groups from Matabeleland that struck a deal with President Emmerson Mnangagwa that paved the way for a government intervention on the Gukurahundi killings is disintegrating amid allegations that it has been hijacked.
The government in March announced plans to address concerns surrounding the killing of over 20 000 civilians in Midlands and Matabeleland by the North Korean trained Fifth Brigade in the 1980s after Mnangagwa met the groups coalescing under the Matabeleland Collective banner.
Mnangagwa pledged that the government will facilitate reburials of victims of the atrocities and access to national identity documents for survivors, but the initiative is already facing collapse.
One of the founders of the Matabeleland Collective, Dumisani Nkomo resigned a fortnight ago citing frustration over the direction the initiative was taking.
Nkomo, who was the head of the secretariat, co-founded the Matabeleland Collective alongside Women of Zimbabwe Arise leader Jenni Williams.
According to insiders, the coalition has in the past few weeks been rocked by disputes fuelled by suspicions that it has been heavily infiltrated by State security agents and ruling Zanu PF moles.
Nkomo confirmed that he had resigned from the Matabeleland Collective and hinted that all was not well.
“I felt I had done my part and no individual should privatise the institution,” he said. “I was also worried about our increasing propensity for silence in the face of injustice.
“The Collective as we envisaged it was a good idea because it brought together civil society from Matabeleland for the first time in order to have a common position among players in the region.”
There were several efforts dating back to 2010 to unite civil society groups in Matabeleland, which culminated in the formation of the Matabeleland Consortium.
It included organisations such as Habakkuk Trust, Radio Dialogue, Christian Legal Society and the National Development Trust, among others, which pushed for solutions to problems facing the region.
In 2012, the consortium pushed for the implementation of devolution ahead of elections the following year and the Matabeleland Collective was viewed as a significant leap in efforts to advance regional issues.
“[The Matabeleland Collective] is a key player that must be protected and preserved,” Nkomo said. “It is critical for the Collective to continue to fight against infiltration, state capture, personal ambitions and avarice.
“I pray for the success of the Collective and deliverance from circling wolves, vultures and other political predators.”
The Matabeleland Collective is made up of over 50 civil society groups and some members complained that the alleged infiltration by the state showed that the government was not sincere in addressing the Gukurahundi issue.
Manangagwa last month met chiefs from Matabeleland and Midlands in Bulawayo where Gukurahundi topped the agenda.
The chiefs submitted a document to the president where they advised him to apologise for the atrocities before seeking solutions to a number of issues that arose after the killings.
Mnangagwa was also told that he could not be a neutral arbiter in the matter because of his involvement in the atrocities. The president was the State Security minister at the time.
By Own Correspondent- Energy and Power Development Minister, Fortune Chasi, said that the government feels let down by Wicknell Chivayo’s Intratek Zimbabwe Private Limited’s failure to deliver on the Gwanda Solar Project.
Chasi revealed that the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) has incurred losses of up to US$50 million because of the delays in implementing the project.
Speaking to State media after visiting the site on Friday, Chasi said:
“I can’t explain the level of depression that I’m experiencing right now given the power situation in the country, my expectation was to see some magnificent amount of work.
As a ministry and Government we feel let down and we are now going back to look at this situation.
I know that there has been mitigation and the project owner has won but what I need are megawatts.
I’m also focusing on Zesa itself to understand why there was a delay.
This project started a long time ago and we can’t afford the luxury of taking extended periods of time in project implementation. I need to see a project here generating 100 megawatts as we were promised.
That’s a significant amount of power, right now all I see is firewood and we can’t put firewood in the transmission system of Zesa.
Chasi said the country is exploring opportunities of importing power from other countries.
Egypt’s FA President Hany Abou-Rida along with some board members have resigned from their posts following the nation’s exit from the 2019 AFCON.
Abou-Rida also announced that Coach Javier Aguirre and his staff have been relieved of their duties.
Despite stepping down as the FA boss, Abou-Rida will continue in his position as the head of the organizing committee of the tournament.
The Pharaohs who are hosting the tournament were knocked out in the Round of 16 after a 1-0 loss to South Africa on Saturday, thanks to an 85th-minute strike by Thembinkosi Lorch.
The win was Bafana Bafana’s first in the knockout stages since 2000.Soccer24Zimbabwe
Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed has banned the wearing of the niqab, the full face veil, in public institutions for security reasons, an official source said on Friday.
The decision follows a suicide bombing in Tunis by a wanted militant. Witnesses said the suicide bomber, who blew himself up on Tuesday, was disguised in a niqab. The Interior Ministry denied this.
It was the third such incident within a week and came as Tunisia prepares for autumn elections and at the peak of a tourist season in which the country hopes to draw record numbers of visitors. Islamic State has claimed all three attacks.
“Chahed signed a government decree that bars any person with an undisclosed face from access to public headquarters, administrations, institutions, for security reasons,” the official source told Reuters.
In 2011, women were allowed to wear the hijab and niqab in Tunisia after a decades-long ban under secular presidents Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Habib Bourguiba, who rejected all forms of Islamic dress.
Tunisia has been battling militant groups operating in remote areas near its border with Algeria since an uprising overthrew Ben Ali in 2011.
Tunisia is one of the few countries in the region where Islamists share rule with secular parties.
FILE PHOTO: Rape accused former Gambia’s President Al Hadji Yahya Jammeh.
Agencies|Hundreds of Gambian activists held a peaceful procession on Thursday expressing solidarity with the country’s beauty queen who claimed she was raped by the country’s former president.
Fatou Jallow, also known as Toufah in her home country, made public allegations for the first time against Yahya Jammeh on June 28 2019 at a press conference organized with several activists and human rights organizations.
Jallow was a Gambian beauty queen who won a beauty pageant held in 2014 sponsored by Jammeh.
While Jallow, then 18 years old, was to receive a scholarship to continue with her studies, she said Jammeh used the proximity he gained through the pageant to rape her.
“I am intimidated to [a] certain level but I am proud as well. When I was coming out with my story, I did not anticipate this level of public show of support,” Jallow told journalists at a march organized by activists to support her movement.
Since Toufah made her story public, the country’s Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou issued a statement urging girls with similar stories to come out and speak.
The country’s Truth Commission, investigating human rights violations committed under the former president, is expected to look into sexual violence against women under the former ruler who now lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea. Jallow told journalists the Commission already reached out to her and that she will testify against Jammeh.
Though rape is a rarely-discussed topic in Gambia, Jallow’s experiences have resonated with dozens of women who came out with their own stories.
A top official in country’s Foreign Ministry, Melville Roberts, has also been named by several girls as an alleged rapist. Roberts was immediately suspended with a criminal inquiry filed against him into the allegations.
“I am glad Gambian women have embraced it,” Jallow said, adding that this was a step to “make women feel comfortable to talk about their experiences of sexual harassment.”
Meanwhile, Gambia’s prominent human rights activists have joined the movement now called “#I am Toufah”. Prominent Gambian activist Madi Jobarteh told Anadolu Agency that Jallow had started a revolution changing “a very significant reality” in society.
“For Toufah to come out, that is so significant and that is what has led to this march because we feel these women need support,” said Jobarteh.
Jammeh’s Alliance with the Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party denied the rape allegations against him as a “smear campaign”.
State Media|THE Confederation of African Football have said despite the red flags raised following the 2019 AFCON Group A game between Zimbabwe and the DRC, there is no suspicion of any corrupt acts in the game.
The continent’s football body, whose anti-corruption mechanisms are also backed by the FIFA Early Warning System which detect suspicious patterns in football, said there was no hint of corruption related to the game which the Warriors lost 0-4 to crash out of the tournament.
The announcement by CAF secretary-general, Mouad Hajji, at a media briefing here on Friday, effectively provides closure to a case that triggered a media hysteria across the continent and provoked an angry reaction from Zimbabweans on social media platforms.
The issue first emerged in Madagascar newspaper, La Gazette de la Grande, which said it was drawing its report from an Egyptian media site, Al Sports Cairo, which — after investigations carried out last week — proved to be a non-existent news outlet in this country.
“The author of this article claimed to have taken the information from ‘Al Sports Cairo,’ a newspaper that is supposed to be Egyptian but a thorough verification has revealed that this newspaper does not exist,’’ the influential Ghanasoccernet website reported yesterday.
The Warriors reacted to the allegations, which implied goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze could have been bribed by wealthy Congolese businessman Moise Katumbi, by challenging those who were making the claims to provide evidence, which could be sourced by the network of security cameras at the hotel they were staying, or simply to shut up.
Katumbi, who is the owner of five-time African champions TP Mazembe, also rebuffed the allegations in a strongly-worded letter sent by his Belgian lawyers to CAF, and said contrary to the reports that the businessman was in Cairo on the eve of the match, and visited the Warriors’ hotel, he was actually in Belgium.
The La Gazette de la Grande reports had claimed CAF had launched investigations and their emergency committee was holding an emergency meeting, which could result in the Congolese being booted out of the tournament.
However, CAF — who insisted they had zero tolerance on corruption — have now pronounced their position through their secretary-general, Hajji.
Hajji addressed the world media on Friday to discuss this and other issues related to the 2019 AFCON finals.
“At the level of the CAF, there is no suspicion,” the Moroccan told the media at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday.
“There is no hint of corruption about the Zimbabwe-DRC match in the third Group A match played on June 30, in Cairo.
“But, if it turned out that there was anything, and not only for this match, I remind you that our policy is a zero tolerance policy on corruption. As of today, there is no correspondence or issue.”
CAF also released a statement on their official website yesterday.
They also said contrary to the reports that they were investigating the game, “we haven’t received any communication regarding the DR Congo versus Zimbabwe match.’’ DRC will take on Madagascar in a Round of 16 match in Alexandria tonight and CAF unveiled their training programme on Thursday and also released a digital promotion of the match in yet another demonstration that they were not investigating the Congolese.
On Friday, Katumbi said the allegations that he bribed Chipezeze to influence the outcome of the match were false, ridiculous and a work of fiction created by the Madagascan newspaper.
His Belgian lawyers, Altius, provided CAF with evidence, including a copy of his passport, to show that he wasn’t in Egypt — as alleged by Madagascar newspaper La Gazette de la Grande — at the time he was alleged to have orchestrated the shady deal.
The businessman said while he attended the 2019 AFCON opening ceremony, at the invitation of CAF, and went on to watch the match between the DRC and Uganda, he flew back to Belgium on the very day the Congolese lost to the Cranes 0-2, a day after the tournament started.
Thembinkosi Lorch scored on 85 minutes to give South Africa a stunning 1-0 victory over Africa Cup of Nations hosts and favourites Egypt after a pulsating last-16 clash in Cairo on Saturday.
After three woeful group performances, South Africa were rank outsiders against the record seven-time African champions, whose line-up included Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
A see-saw struggle was settled when a swift counterattack allowed Lebo Mothiba to send Lorch through and he fired past goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy.
The winners were unrecognisable from the team that struggled in the group stage as they displayed sharpness and desire not previously evident.
South Africa will face arch-rivals Nigeria, who eliminated defending champions Cameroon earlier on Saturday, in the quarter-finals.
Egypt changed three of the side that defeated Uganda to complete Group A with a 100 percent record, five goals scored and none conceded.
Back came defender Mahmoud Alaa, midfielder Tarek Hamed and forward Marwan Mohsen with Baher Elmohamady, Nabil Donga and Ahmed Hassan dropping to the bench.
South Africa made two changes, both in midfield, from the team that lost to Morocco and squeezed into the second round with the worst record of the best four third-place teams.
In came South African Premiership Player of the Season Lorch and fit-again Dean Furman for Thulani Serero and suspended Themba Zwane.
Bafana Bafana had been woeful in all three Group D matches, barely troubling rival defences, and the public and media slammed the negative tactics of coach Stuart Baxter.
The England-born coach hinted at a more attacking approach and was true to his word as Percy Tau and Lorch had ambitious long-range attempts at goal within three minutes of the kick-off.
Salah, passed fit after recovering from a midweek cold that forced him to miss some training, had a shot deflected wide soon after.
Mohamed ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan, one of the Pharaohs’ stars in the group stage, tormented several defenders just outside the box and induced a foul, but Abdallah el Said botched the free-kick.
The desire of South Africa to attack was evident again on 15 minutes when impressive winger Tau stung the fingertips of Elshenawy with a hard, long-range shot.
Tau came much closer to breaking the deadlock midway through the half with a free-kick that cleared the wall and forced Elshenawy into a brilliant save.
South Africa were looking the likelier side to break the deadlock and a brave block by Ayman Ashraf foiled Lorch.
Mokotjo then unleashed a sizzling low, long-range shot that flew past Elshenawy but finished just off target,
The frustration of Egypt, who scored all five group goals before half-time, was mirrored in the angry reaction of Salah when a free-kick was awarded against him.
Mexico-born Egypt coach Javier Aguirre altered his largely ineffective attack at half-time, bringing in veteran Ahmed Ali for Mohsen.
‘Trezeguet’ squandered a great chance just before the hour, tamely shooting straight at goalkeeper Ronwen Williams after a superb defence-splitting pass from Salah.
Amr Warda, axed from the squad over sexual harassment allegations and swiftly recalled after player pressure, came off the bench on 64 minutes for his second tournament appearance.
South Africa captain Thulani Hlatshwayo headed just wide as he darted on to a free-kick with 20 minutes remaining.
Stuart Baxter’s men will take on Nigeria in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, July 10 at 21:00 SA time.
Super Eagles of Nigeria celebrate a goal against Cameroon
The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Saturday in Alexandria defeated the indomitable Lions of Cameroon 3-2 to progress to the quarter finals of the ongoing African Cup of Champions in Egypt.
Odion Ighalo’s brace and Alex Iwobi’s winning goal were all that the Super Eagles needed to eliminate the defending champions in a highly competitive match between the two rival African teams.
Ighalo opened scoring for the Super Eagles in the 19th minute of the first half when he collected a pass from his team mate during a goal mouth scramble to shoot into the net.
The Cameroonians, who dominated the game got the equalizer in the 41st minute through Stephane Bahoken, while Clinton Njie put the Cameroonians ahead with the second goal in the 44th minute of the match when he capitalized on the defensive error of the Super Eagles defenders.
The Cameroonians ended the first half with a 2-1 score line against the Super Eagles.
The Super Eagles stepped up their game in the second half and Ighalo completed his brace in the 63rd when his volley beat the Cameroonian goalkeeper for the equalizer.
Iwobi scored the winning goal for the Super Eagles when he collected a through pass from Ighalo to score the third goal, three minutes after the equalizer by Ighalo in the 63rd minute.
The attempts made by the Cameroonians to get the equalizer were frustrated by the defence of the Super Eagles who kept the score line at 3-2.
The Super Eagles will face rivals South Africa who beat Egypt also on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria for defeating the indomitable lions of Cameroon 3-2 to advance to the quarter finals stage of the tournament.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said that President Buhari recognised the hard work and sportsmanship of the team.
“President Buhari recognises the hardwork, team spirit and sportsmanship the boys have exhibited in the tournament, which are good signs for a team destined to excel.
“The President urges the team and their handlers to remain focused and determined, assuring them of the fervent prayers and support of all Nigerians,” he said.
Girls who fall pregnant during the course of their studies are set to enjoy ‘maternity vacation’ before returning to continue with their education after giving birth.
The privileges are provided in the Education Bill that is currently under debate in the National Assembly, where legislators are showing support for the clause.
Advocates of girl child rights have also hailed the proposals they describe as positive in affording the girls a chance to continue with studies.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima recently told legislators that allowing the girls to take a vacation and continue with studies was in line with the National Constitution that advocates non-discrimination.
“There is an issue that has generated a lot of interest among the parliamentarians; and this is the issue of exclusion on account of pregnancy, and the fundamental basis of the inclusion of this issue is premised on Section 75 of the Constitution, which speaks against discrimination,” said Minister Mavima.
“The current practice in our education system has it that if two form four learners have an affair and end up impregnating each other — the male student can continue with his education, but the female student cannot, yet section 75 of our Constitution bans discrimination on the basis of gender or sex and it is the basis upon which this item was included in our Bill.”
A number of pregnant girls drop out of school because of current policies that bar them from studies whilst expecting.
Parliament instituted public hearings on the Education Amendment Bill with various stakeholders seconding the provision to allow pregnant learners to take a break and resume studies after birth.
MDC-T Bulawayo National Assembly proportional representation member Ms Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga told The Sunday Mail that; “All we are doing is to give a chance not only to the girl, but to the unborn child.
“Those who impregnate, are usually your older selfish predatory males who go scotfree and never help with anything.
She added that society must move away from entirely blaming and punishing the pregnant learners.
Shamwari Yemwanasikana executive director Mrs Ukenia Chifamba-Chidodo said education was key in fighting inequalities between girls and boys.
She welcomed the move to afford pregnant school girls a chance to education.
“With such high records in teen pregnancy, it means we are losing so many girls as they often drop out from school because of pregnancy,” said Mrs Chifamba-Chododo.
“We believe education is the most important right that should be a source of weapon to fight any form of inequality.
“Girls always bear the burden of carrying the pregnancy and dropping out of school while the boy child is safe and continues with education.”
According to a Ministry of Health and Child Care, United Nations Population Fund and Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council latest report, 19 percent of female adolescents between 15-19 years are pregnant.
Lawyer and gender equality activist Ms Jessie Majome hailed the move of maternity leave for school girls.
“It is a positive development that goes beyond paying lip service to the constitutional guarantees to the rights to education, of the child, and to equality and protection from discrimination.
Zimbabwe has recorded the highest teen pregnancy rate in Sub-Saharan Africa with figures of between 500 000 and 700 000 annually in 2017 statistics.
After ZimEye.com ran a series of revelations of Prophet Walter Magaya’s continuous abuse of women in his church, State Media has also come into the fray revealing further extremely incriminating details on the PHD Ministries leader.
A week after ZimEye.com exclusively interviewed members of the Maenzanise alleging that their daughter had been raped, more women are coming out to make allegations of improper sexual behaviour against the man-of-cloth state media reported on Sunday.
The latest allegations come from Charity Dlodlo and Sarah Maruta, both former church members of Prophet Magaya’s Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD).
At the centre of the allegations by the Maenzanises were the insinuations that Prophet Magaya, the leader of PHD, might have had an improper sexual relationship with their daughter, which resulted in a child being born.
But as the nation digested the latest round of sexual allegations against Prophet Magaya, who is no newcomer to such allegations, the Maenzanise daughter poured water on the story.
In a video released on Facebook last weekend, she denied ever having been raped by the prophet.
But the Maenzanise interview opened the floodgates and by mid-week, a number of women were opening up on the several improper sexual encounters they have had with Prophet Magaya.
Two prominent politicians, whom we cannot name as they are still weighing their options — whether to go public or not, were also allegedly sexually abused and harassed. One of the politicians’ daughter was also sexually abused.
“I am coming out not because I have any scores to settle with Magaya, nor that I want his money but because I want justice to be done. I am doing this for the girl child, many of whom were sexually abused at the church and who might not be strong enough to stand up to him,” said Charity Dlodlo on Wednesday.
She travelled from Malawi, where she is currently based as a swimming coach, to file charges against the prophet.
“This is not the first time that I have been raising these allegations but previously no one would listen to me. The police were compromised and so were most of the journalists, but I am hoping that the opening up by the Maenzanises will go some way in bringing closure to the many sexual allegations against Magaya,” she said.
Dlodlo, who gained fame on Studio 263 as Mai Madziva, said she joined PHD Ministries on August 2, 2015, “a date that I remember so well because I manifested on that very day”.
Probably given her fame from the soap opera, her manifestation caught the eye of the prophet. And when she checked into the Marlborough guest house for a one-on-one session with the prophet, she was invited to the main church for further “deliverance”.
As someone who was witnessing the power of the prophet first-hand, she did not see anything amiss with the invite and the subsequent offer of ministry work. Later on, offers to financially help with her rent came.
“When the offer to pay my rent came, I saw nothing amiss as I thought this was the man of God living up to his word. I accepted the money and didn’t see any ulterior motive,” narrated Dlodlo.
Then a year into the church, rumours of the various allegations against the prophet started circulating. “Then I did not take the allegations seriously as someone who had witnessed the power of Magaya,” she said.
As part of her voluntary ministry work, for which she was paid just a stipend, Dlodlo would help a class with acting lessons. She would also vet testimonies that would later be aired on Yadah TV, the PHD Ministry’s television channel.
“Through the vetting exercise, I came face-to-face with the work of Prophet Magaya, and every testimony that I came across emboldened my faith and trust in him.
“Then the day Prophet Magaya went to Israel, Sarah Maruta, whom I had become close to during the acting lessons, phoned to say she wanted to talk to me. We met in town and after some lunch, when I was about to say my goodbyes, she opened up. She told me she had been raped by Prophet Magaya.”
Dlodlo’s initial reaction was to deny the allegations on behalf of the prophet, telling Maruta that a man of Magaya’s stature would not stoop so low.
“Earlier on, the prophet had told me to appraise him if any girl had opened up to me about any problems, whatever problem. So when the prophet came from Israel, I approached him with Sarah’s allegations, which he flatly denied and asked me to keep him in the loop of what Sarah was saying to me,” recounted Dlodlo.
So it was in keeping with that spirit that Dlodlo would forward to the prophet all the communication between her and Sarah.
In the meantime, it is said the prophet was keeping Dlodlo pampered, making sure she got all the financial help that she wanted.
But when she was asked to steal Maruta’s cellphone, that is when she realised she was playing for the wrong team.
Then her moment came.
She was asked to come to the Prospect offices where she knelt before the prophet, as per church tradition. When the man of cloth rose from his chair, she assumed he was coming to pray for her, possibly with his hand placed on her head.
But instead, he kissed her and touched her breasts. In response, Dlodlo cried out loud, possibly attracting the attention of those who were nearby.
This encounter came after several WhatsApp messages from the prophet to Dlodlo, some which included pornographic videos, she further alleges. She said after that encounter, the prophet made efforts to keep her close — as well as pampered, financially.
But Maruta was not as lucky as Charity, as she claims she was raped at a house in Borrowdale (address withheld), not once, but twice. The second rape incident resulted in her getting pregnant.
The pregnancy, she further alleges, was forcibly terminated at one of the biggest hospitals in Harare, again at the instigation of the prophet.
“Mai Chibhero (name changed by this publication) is at the centre of most of the sexual abuses happening at PHD, she acts more like a pimp for the prophet, and she is the one who accompanied me to hospital and made sure my pregnancy was terminated. She also accompanied me to a shopping trip to South Africa, a trip which I strongly believe was arranged to kill me,” further accused Maruta.
She claims that when she found out that she was pregnant, especially a pregnancy borne of a rape encounter, she could not stomach it and attempted suicide. When she was admitted at the said hospital due to the attempted suicide, she was drugged and chained to a hospital bed.
She claims that it was in that drugged stupor that her pregnancy was terminated.
And then the hush money started pouring in, with Mai Chibhero, Admire Mango and a prominent Harare lawyer involved in the negotiations for the settlement.
After a letter of demand was written to Prophet Magaya, a copy of which is in our possession, the prophet agreed to settle out-of-court so that Maruta would not press any charges against him.
“Financial help continued to come towards my rentals, general upkeep and he even advised me to start cross-border trading”, said Maruta.
The money that was advanced to Maruta comes close to $100 000.
“This money was paid at different stages and times, some of it in hard currency, some through bank transfers from his church account into my personal account and some of it as RTGS dollars,” claimed Maruta.
She said she is not surprised that Mrs Maenzanise’s daughter has denied that she had been raped, as possibly she could have been paid off.
“Everyone at PHD knew about her case and we are not surprised that she has turned against her mother, chances are she was paid off,” she said.
“In fact, there are many girls at the church who have been sexually abused. There is Teclar, Caroline, Petronellah, Precious and Diana, to name just a few of these girls. I know these girls because there came a time when we opened up to each other and we would openly discuss these issues.
“Besides, there came a time when we went to church and we knew every girl who was being handed an envelope, we knew what it meant — she would have slept with the prophet.”
She even alleges that some of the girls, on discovering these improper sexual liaisons with the prophet, would become jealous of each other.
“But the weird thing is, when we discussed our encounters with him, most of us professed of having had weird dreams. At times you would dream having sex with a snake, kissing a snake or something weird. And what made it even worse was that he would ask if we had dreamt about him,” narrated Maruta.
She also alleged that whenever an announcement was made in church that the prophet was looking for 17-year-olds or university student girls to employ, “we knew what it meant, he was looking for new girls”.
Efforts to talk to Prophet Magaya on Friday proved fruitless as he was said to be out of the country, together with his spokesperson, Admire Mango. Both were not reachable.
When reached for comment, Mai Chibhero said she could not speak on church issues and referred all questions to Mango.
The lawyer, who was involved in the hush money settlement, said he could not speak to the Press as he has a confidentiality clause with his client. He also could not speak on behalf of the church as he is not the church’s spokesperson.
State Media|In the next two weeks, legislators are expected to take delivery of new vehicles under the Parliamentary vehicle loan scheme amid reports that some of the lawmakers have been using public transport to carry out their duties.
Each lawmaker has been handed a US$50 000 cap from which they can purchase more than one vehicle.
Indications are that the bulk of the vehicles will be imported, a factor that has worried domestic automobile industry players who say they have the capacity to produce top of the range off-road vehicles.
In an interview clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda said delivery of the vehicles is imminent.
“We are finalising the arrangements and we expect that within a week or so, the MPs will have their vehicles. We are in constant communication with Treasury over the matter and they have been giving us assurances.
“The scheme, as has been the norm, is a loan payable over a period of five years.”
Mr Chokuda said the MPs need the vehicles to service their constituencies in line with their roles of representing the people.
Asked if Parliament had struck a deal with local vehicle assemblers for the supply of the vehicles, Mr Chokuda said: “It is really up to the individual MPs and the types of vehicles they want. They are free to negotiate their contracts with the local industry players.”
MDC chief whip Mr Prosper Mutseyami said most Members of Parliament from his party were struggling to reach their constituencies due to lack of vehicles.
“There are some MPs who are using public transport to get to the people. This makes it very difficult for them to do their work,” he said.
“It also makes them lose their dignity if we have a situation where an Honourable Member of Parliament disembarks from a commuter omnibus to be received by the community,” he said.
Mr Mutseyami implored Parliament to also address other matters pertaining to the welfare of the legislators.
“It is not only about the vehicles, but other matters such as allowances and the Constituency Development Fund,” he said.
“We are not receiving our allowances on time and we are also worried that the ($50 000) CDF has been eroded by inflation. lt will not do much to uplift our constituencies.”
Zanu-PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi, who has been on record saying the party is prepared to do without the vehicles, advised his party’s MPs to take the vehicles only if they need them.
“We are glad that Treasury has managed to source the funds to purchase the vehicles for the MPs. We encourage those that need the vehicles to take advantage of the scheme, but if there are others that already have worthy vehicles, we encourage them not to take-up the vehicles if they do not need to,” he said.
Quest Motors managing director Mr Tariq Adam said he was disappointed that no firm deal had been struck with his company to supply the MPs with locally assembled vehicles.
“There has been nothing from them in terms of local production support,” he said
Newly appointed Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission chairperson Loice Mtanda Moyo has rubbished ongoing claims of conflict of interest in her appointment as Zacc chairperson at a time when her husband — Dr Sibusiso Moyo — is Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
“Why didn’t you raise the issue of conflict (of interest) when he was appointed Minister since I was already a High Court Judge?
“My marriage and job are two different things. I have been married to him for a long time. I am not marrying him today that I should be influenced by him. He is not the one who has mandated me to lead Zacc.”
Justice Matanda Moyo is a judge of the High Court of Zimbabwe. She was appointed by the former President Robert Mugabe in 2013 and was sworn in on the 14th of July 2014.
Before her appointment as a High Court judge, Justice Matanda Moyo was the president of the Labour Court. At one stage she was the Director of Public Prosecution in the Attorney General’s office.
Emmerson Mnangagwa disbanded the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) in February amid claims that it had become a white elephant, with some of the members allegedly involved in corrupt activities, while others were dabbling in factional politics.
State Media|Zesa will this week add 160 MW of electricity to the national grid following the successful refurbishment of Unit 5 at Hwange Power Station (HPS), while a further 160MW from Unit 6 is expected within the next three months, it has been learnt.
Unit 6 has been down since March.
The addition of power from Unit 5, which is expected to ease the current heavy load-shedding, will take the total generation at HPS to 660MW.
In addition, President Mnangagwa is today expected to engage his South African counterpart President Cyril Ramaphosa to explore the possibilities of imports from Eskom.
Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said the utility is currently engaging the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to help raise the £3,3 million (US$4,1 million) needed to refurbish Unit 6.
“Hwange Unit 5 is expected to be back in service during the course of this weekend and it will inject 160MW. Thus Hwange will generate an average of 500MW,” said Mr Gwasira.
“Unit 6, which has been out from March 2019 owing to the generator earth fault, requires up to £3,3 million to be fixed. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Finance are making efforts to assist Zesa in raising this amount.”
However, he warned that generation at Kariba Power Station might be further reduced by the continued decline of water levels in Kariba Dam.
“Owing to the drought experienced in the upstream of the Kariba reservoir, the lake levels are now about 27 percent.
“Kariba South Hydropower Station is expected to further reduce the plant’s current average output from 580MW to the recommended 358MW.
“Failure to adhere to the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA)-recommended 358MW may result in the plant shutting down by October 2019. This is a situation we have to avoid by taking the correct remedial action in line with the noble recommendations.”
According to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), load-shedding has increased outside the published schedule due to soaring demand in excess of 1800 MW against generation of about 1100 MW.
Zesa is failing to compensate the shortfall with imports as it owes significant amounts to suppliers in South Africa and Mozambique.
Meanwhile, Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi has said all Government ministries will be metered to ensure responsible use of electricity.
At national level, Mr Fullard Gwasira said 656 000 prepaid meters have been installed in domestic premises so far.
“The installation of prepaid electricity meters is ongoing, although the rate of connection was affected by the current shortage of foreign currency.
“Since the inception of the programme in 2012, ZETDC has connected 656 000 prepaid electricity meters in domestic premises and small institutions countrywide.”
Mr Gwasira says the development has greatly empowered customers to manage their own consumption as well as guarantee the power utility’s revenue collection.
Private players were licensed to supply meters to speed up the process, which resulted in 48 000 additional consumers being connected to the grid. Zesa expects to connect a further 135 000 customers to the grid once the foreign currency supplies improve.
THE Government has with immediate effect directed all non-governmental organisations operating in the country who were giving aid in the form of foreign currency to either buy food using the money and donate to the beneficiaries or give out local currency.
This comes after Government outlawed the multi-currency regime and restricted domestic transactions to local currency through Statutory Instrument (SI) 142 of 2019, in an effort to enhance the affordability of goods and services by the majority.
The Government recently had a meeting with the World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies in the country through which humanitarian aid comes to deliberate on the matter and ensure that SI 142 is fully implemented.
In an interview, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo said the Government had a meeting with the World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies in the country to discuss the matter.
“As you are aware I am the chairperson of the inter-Cabinet Committee that deals with disaster and climate change, recently we had a meeting with World Bank and United Nations representatives as well as embassies.
The Minister of Finance (and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube) was there, the Minister of Public Service (Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza) was there as well as other ministries.
“We discussed how best we can get help as a country. We told them that non-governmental organisations should stop giving beneficiaries US dollars or any other foreign currency. If they so wish to give them money, they should give them local currency.
The argument was we have removed the multi-currency regime and restricted domestic transactions to local currency and most people in rural areas to which most of the aid goes will not be able to use the money,” he said.State media
