NOTICE OF THE FIRST 2019 GRADUATION CEREMONY

Please note that Midlands State University will hold two graduation ceremonies this year (2019). The first graduation ceremony is for the Nov/Dec 2018 Class and the May/June 2019 Class and will be held on 12 July 2019 at the University’s Gweru Main Campus.

The second graduation ceremony will be for the Nov/Dec 2019 Class and will be held later in the year, at a date to be advised.

Graduation fee is RTGS $300 for both Undergraduate and Masters graduands. The fee is inclusive of academic regalia ($150), participation fee ($125) and alumni fee (25).

For more information, please contact the Information and Public Relations Office on +263 54- 2260568/ 2260632/2260596/ 2260416/2260404 Exts 2111/ 2415 or directly on +263 54-
2260359.

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APOSTLE CHIWENGA'S ACCIDENT, REAL CAR CRASH, OR ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 13, 2019

By Talent Gondo- Addressing editors in the capital Harare recently, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said it was important for political parties to get out of the election mode as such behaviour was stifling Zimbabwe’s re- engagement efforts with the international community.

Said Mutsvangwa in a statement:

“We have individuals and parties that choose to disrespect the electoral and judicial systems for their selfish ends. Such uncouth behaviour projects our country as a nation with unresolved political questions when deep down their hearts, these entities and personalities know very well that they lost in a fair and credible plebiscite.

Politics leads the way in statecraft and if we are not stable as people all other areas in the country will not become stable.

Such behaviour is holding us back as a nation as it stifles our re-engagement efforts and will make recovery more painful. We need to get out of the election mode that continues to seize us and work together to build our country.

However, dialogue which is underpinned by sharing of ideas to come up with national solutions is plausible and welcome.”

Farai Dziva| Zanu PF MP for Chiredzi West Farai Musikavanhu has ordered state security agents to seize hospital equipment donated by an MDC member.

UK based MDC losing candidate for the constituency, John Mangange, donated hospital beds and other medical ancillary supplies to Chiredzi Polyclinic.

The state security agents dumped the equipment outside the council offices.

An official at the health institution said :” Yes it is true MP Musikavavanhu instructed security agents to seize the equipment donated by an MDC official.”

By Talent Gondo- In its First Quarter Treasury Bulletin Highlights, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development said the country has made progress in implementing institutional and political reforms.

Regarding political reforms, Treasury said Government was committed to national dialogue to resolve challenges facing the country.

Said the report:

“The objective is to remove deficit of trust, restore public confidence, forge a renewed sense of shared national vision and social cohesion and advance an economy that works for everyone.

A National Political Dialogue was launched on February 6, 2019, bringing together at least 21 leaders of different political parties to confront the national socio-political and economic challenges.

Going forward, the parties have established thematic committees to look into different issues of interest for deliberations during the planned dialogue meetings.”-StateMedia

By Talent Gondo- In a meeting with local media editors recently, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said  challenges confronting the country require collective efforts and a unity of purpose at all levels, which was the basis of national dialogue.

She said it was important to understand that calls for dialogue were not meant to negotiate any power sharing agreement with anyone.

She said:

“It is for this noble cause that His Excellency, the President, called for national dialogue across all political parties so we put our minds together to confront our challenges and work as a nation to move the country forward.

I want to take this opportunity to clarify that dialogue is not the same thing with power sharing negotiations. Every time we go for elections to elect a government, losers selectively choose components of the election results to accept and reject.”

By Talent Gondo- THE Attorney-General’s Office is in the process of drafting a Bill to reform the Zimbabwe Republic Police whose name will change to the Zimbabwe Police Service in line with its rebranding thrust, as reforms of State institutions under the New Dispensation continue to gather momentum.

Government’s decision to reform the police force has also seen it implementing recommendations made by the commission of inquiry that was chaired by former South Africa president Kgalema Motlanthe.

The seven-member Commission that looked into the 2018 post-election violence recommended equipping the police with the necessary skills and capacity to deal with rioters, further training in order to be professional and non-partisan in the interest of national cohesion, the protection of all citizens, as well as preventing corporal failings in the future.

In its First Quarter Treasury Bulletin Highlights, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development said the country has made progress in implementing institutional and political reforms.

“In February 2019, the Police Act amendments became effective and finally being in line with the Constitution,” it said.

“This will see the country’s Police Force — the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) being rebranded to the Zimbabwe Police Service (ZPS) as a professional police responsible to the needs of the society.

“The Bill is being drafted by the Attorney-General.”

ZRP has started retraining its officers so that they conduct their duties in a professional manner.-StateMedia

By Talent Gondo- A ZANU PF MP in the country’s lowveld reportedly withdrew hospital beds and other medical supplies donated to Chiredzi Polyclinic by an opposition MDC official.

Farai Musikavannhu, who represents Chiredzi West, dumped the goods donated by John Mangange outside the council offices.

Mangange is based in the United Kingdom. He contested for the parliamentary seat but lost to Musikavanhu.

Musikavanhu reportedly teemed up with State Security agents to forcibly remove an ambulance, 30 wheelchairs, three 5 000-litre water tanks, 10 electric operated beds, BP testing kits from the clinic and other items.

Former Chiredzi West MP Darlington Chiwa, who represented ZANU PF in the constituency had this to say:

If this was the idea of (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa and his wife’s (which I doubt) way of thinking; then they are not fit to rule this country. Zanu PF should thoroughly vet some of their candidates, otherwise, some are just in there to destroy the party from within.

On the other hand, we have overzealous State security agents in Chiredzi that is why some are now playing the part of bodyguards to certain individuals, or harass ordinary citizens over petty issues, while some are now involved in food distribution.

I don’t think their headquarters are even aware of such behaviour that is reducing the respected intelligence department to mere police constabularies bereft of elementary professional ethics.-Newsday

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Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa is reported to have requested a private meeting with Zimbabwe First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa when they met at the funeral of late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai Java.

According to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Chamisa made the request after the Tsvangirai family had also requested to meet the First Lady in private.

Chamisa appeared on television face to face with the First Lady but the national broadcaster did not say whether he had been granted his request.

The First Lady who described Tsvangirai as “sekuru” (uncle) showered praise on Vimbai who was the Member of Parliament for Glenview South.

Vimbai died on Monday after almost four weeks in hospital following an accident which claimed two lives, one of them her uncle.

She will be buried tomorrow.

By Talent Gondo- Speaking before a parliamentary committee on Post, Telecommunications and Courier Services investigating the contribution of Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), Sakubva High 2 School headmaster Clever Chiturumana said:

Power cuts are disrupting our activities because besides having a high computer-pupil ratio for computer lessons, it’s also limiting access to those who would want to research on the Internet and if the situation persists, we will have problems with their preparedness with national examinations.

Chiturumana added that the harsh economic climate is a hindrance to educators as a significant number of children are struggling financially.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary committee, Trevor Saruwaka urged Potraz to play a role in enabling schools to have access to the internet

Newly formed Zimbabwe Total Independence (ZTI) leader Tapfumaneyi Mbabvu has called for the immediate resignation of president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“Mnangagwa must step down for change to take place,” Mbabvu said.

While addressing the media in Harare, Mbabvu said the decline in the state of the Zimbabwean economy and the current land reform project are at the top of the list.

“All these problems the country is facing, from high a inflation rate, he said. “Unemployment to shortages of basic commodities, in our view, their causes are not a result of sanctions, but rather, Zanu PF and their leader Mnangagwa.

“Mnangagwa has failed to put the country in order in all aspects, especially in as far as the economy is concerned. The economy is worsening by the end of each day and it is the ordinary person who is suffering. The ordinary Zimbabwean men and women are failing to provide food for their families or sending their children to school. Life in Zimbabwe at this point is unbearable.”

He added that priority should be given to the regeneration and growth of the industry employing the latest technological trends.

He the declared: “The best leader by the end of the day is the one who can fix the economy and deal with day-to-day inflation levels and the runaway economy which has turned out to be the worst world over.

“There is need to immediately adopt and enforce a genuine national currency which will help in avoiding any further erosion of the personal incomes.”

Hon Mliswa: On the second one, Mr. Speaker Sir, whilst Members of Parliament enjoy tax rebate for their vehicles, I think it is important for this Parliament to explain what sort of vehicle we are entitled to because my understanding on the rebate of the vehicles is cars we can use in the constituencies, not Lamborghinis because a Lamborghini does not get to the constituencies.  Now, what is happening is people are saying Members of Parliament, especially myself, Hon. Mliswa…

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, you are allowed only one issue of privilege.

HON. T. MLISWA:  Is the Lamborghini one very sensitive to a point that I cannot talk about it?

THE HON. SPEAKER:  One matter of privilege which you have articulated very well.

HON. T. MLISWA:  This one is in terms of the corruption of us as Members of Parliament in the cars that we are supposed to get as rebate.  Are they luxury vehicles or vehicles that must be used in the constituency?  So your guidance is sort in that regard, Mr. Speaker Sir, on the cars that we must get on the tax rebate – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.]-

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order.

HON. WADYAJENA:  Haunyare kuita jealous murume mukuru akaita sewe.

HON. T. MLISWA:  Wakaiwana kupi mari yacho, hauna business wakabroker saka wakaiwanakupi mari? –[HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.]-

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order!  On the latter issue, I advise Hon. Mliswa to approach administration and they will look into it. 

FIRST Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday paid her condolences to the Tsvangirai and Java families following the death of MDC founder Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java.

Mrs Tsvangirai-Java died this week at the age of 36 from injuries sustained in a car crash last month.

Speaking from the late MDC leader’s residence where mourners were gathered and paying their last respects, the First Lady said she was pained by the passing on of Mrs Tsvangirai-Java.

“I am pained by the passing on of Vimbai, who died at 36,” she said. “She was too young to die, I am pained. Whenever a person dies, it’s painful. But I say to the family, be strong.

“To all the women, I say Vimbai is gone, she had a role to play in society, as you know women have multiple tasks in a society which include among others, looking after their families, preaching love and unifying people, all which comes from women. As women of this nation, we have lost one of our own and to Vimbai we say, go well.”

The First Lady said death knows no political party and when one dies, a new register is opened in heaven which is apolitical.

“As you know, death does not know any political party, it does not matter whether you are MDC or Zanu-PF when one dies,” she said.

“They are erased from their earthly register and a new one is opened in heaven, this is the one Vimbai is registered in now.”

The First Lady revealed that she was at the Tsvangirai residence to pay her condolences as an in-law of the family and on behalf of her family.

“My presence here, as you all might know, is that President Mnangagwa is a nephew and I am also an in-law to the Tsvangirai family,” she said.

“So, I am here on behalf of the President and the entire family.”

Mrs Tsvangirai-Java was recently elected MDC Women’s Assembly secretar-general.

Burial will take place at Glen Forest Memorial Park at 3pm today.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa|”Last night, we held an event to support our upcoming 2019 AFCON battle. As our brave Warriors venture into the deserts of Egypt to represent our country before the eyes of the world, I exhort the nation at large to rally behind our boys. We are all Warriors!”

State Media|POLICE in Bulawayo are investigating a bizarre case in which the charred remains of a 75-year-old woman were found in a house where nothing else was burnt.

Neighbours said they last saw Gogo Angeline Ndlovu alive on June 6 around 11AM while she was basking in the sun outside her house in Cowdray Park suburb.

They were then shocked to discover her charred remains in her house two days later but nothing else in the house was burnt.

Neighbours, worried that they had not seen her for days, opened her back door, which was not locked and found her body burnt beyond recognition.

“She was lying on the floor and was burnt almost to ashes. Strangely, nothing else except a corner of the table appeared burnt. We are asking ourselves how she could have been burnt to that extent yet the house remained intact.

“It really boggles the mind how a person can be reduced to ashes like that and yet the house remains untouched save for the corner of kitchen table,” said one of the neighbours who spoke to the news crew.

Acting Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer, Mr Edward Mpofu said the cause of fire remained unknown although fire officers found a candle on the scene.

“Nothing can be ruled out because we were only called to the scene by police when the fire had long died down and there had been traffic at the scene. It becomes difficult to carry out any thorough investigations to ascertain cause of fire in such circumstances where there is a possibility of the place having been tampered with. A candle was found near the scene of the incident which, however, does not necessarily mean that it was the source or cause of the fire. The cause of fire therefore remains unknown,” said Mr Mpofu.

He said neighbours told them of a fire that occurred on Wednesday night although they were not certain it had been in the house.

The old woman is said to have been living with some people who apparently left a fortnight ago.

Family members who had travelled for the funeral wake declined to speak to the Press.

However, windows at the house were black with soot.

“I am the maternal uncle to the deceased, so I am the mother. We have nothing to say to the Press. This is a family secret, it is our matter, we do not want it published in your paper,” said a relative who only identified himself as Mr Ndlovu.

The family threatened to sue thev state run Chronicle if the story was published.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said police were investigating the incident.

“I can confirm that we are dealing with a case of sudden death of a 75-year-old woman who was found burnt beyond recognition at a house in Cowdray Park suburb. Her body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals and investigations are underway.

“The body was lying in the kitchen passage head facing the door leading to the lounge. About three metres from the body was a half used candle that was not burning and next to the body was a wooden table that was partly burnt. The lower part of the legs were not burnt,” said Assistant Inspector Msebele

State Media|President Mnangagwa has reconfigured Standing Cabinet Committees to give impetus to the implementation of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and future development plans.

This was said by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda in his opening remarks during a meeting with the Presidential Advisory Council to familiarise its members with Government programmes.

“The TSP is hinged on the following key pillars or clusters namely; the Governance pillar, the inclusive economic growth pillar, the macro-economic stability and financial re-stabilisation pillar, the social development pillar and the infrastructure utilities pillar.

“From the Cabinet perspective, His Excellency saw it necessary to reconfigure Standing Cabinet Committees in order to give due prominence to the key thrusts of the TSP and its successor development plans,” Dr Sibanda said.

He said the Cabinet Committees on Financial and Economic Affairs and that on Devolution and Economic Development of Provinces and Local Authorities, would be chaired by President Mnangagwa.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga is now the chair of the Cabinet Committees on Public Enterprises Reform and Development, Food Security and Nutrition and Honours and Awards.

Vice-President Kembo Mohadi chairs the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions, Social Services and Poverty Reduction and National Peace and Reconciliation.

Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira was appointed chair of the Cabinet Committees on Innovation, Science, Technology Development and Application and Human Capital Development, Skills Audit and Employment Creation.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Joel Biggie Matiza, now chairs the Cabinet Committee on Utilities and Infrastructural Development while his Industry and Commerce counterpart, Mangaliso Ndlovu chairs the Industrialisation and Export Development committee.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, chairs the Cabinet Committee on Legislation with Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo chairing the Cabinet Committee on Environment, Disaster Prevention and Management.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube chairs the National Development Planning Committee while his Foreign Affairs counterpart Sibusiso Moyo chairs the Trade and International Cooperation Committee.

“While all along, Standing Committees were only considering issues brought before them at the discretion of line ministries, each Standing Cabinet Committee is now deemed to be a cluster or pillar, which should, therefore, come up with priority development programmes that seek to deliver on the goals of the relevant TSP thematic area under which the cluster or pillar falls,” Dr Sibanda said.

“This ensures the coordinated implementation of all the key components of the TSP and successor programmes. This cluster priority has now started, with the Cabinet Committee on Innovation, Technology Development and Application having met this Monday while the Cabinet Committee on Human Capital Development, Skills Audit and Employment Creation is set to meet by end of this week.”

He said the recommendations of the two committees would be tabled before the next Cabinet meeting.

“We shall receive presentations on key Government programmes by the various cluster representatives. The objective is to acquaint our colleagues in the PAC with the major programmes of Government being implemented, so that they may be better positioned to effectively discharge their esteemed role,” he added.

President Mnangagwa appointed the 26-member PAC early this year to advise him on key economic issues and reforms that will support his vision of making Zimbabwe a middle income economy by 2030.

State Media|THE Poverty Datum Line (PDL) for an average family of five shot up to $924 for the month of April 2019, a 5,8 percent increase from $872 in March, ZimStats has revealed.

Total food consumption alone for a family of five stood at $319 for the month of April, eight percent up from $294.66 in the month of March 2019 while an individual’s food and total consumption was pegged at $63.72 and $184.86 respectively.

The rise in PDL has been attributed to relentless price increase on basic commodities such as mealie-meal, rice, flour, salt, cooking oil, among others.

Rampant pricing has led most shops to peg basic commodities prices beyond the reach of many working class citizens.

According to the figures Matabeleland North is the most expensive province in the country with a total monthly consumption for a family of five costing $995.30, Matabeleland South is the second most expensive province as its total consumption for the month of April stood at 972.78.

Harare is the third most expensive at $952.71. The figures indicate that Mashonaland East is the cheapest province with a total monthly consumption for a family of five costing $857.14 while Manicaland consumption stood at $899.66 as of April 2019.

Year on year poverty datum line costs, grew by 8,1 percentage points to 62 percent in April from 54.1 percent in March as year on year Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April stood at 76 percent from 67 percent recorded in March a nine percent points surge.

Apex Council chairwoman, Mrs Cecelia Alexander, is on record saying salaries have been eroded by price distortions in the market.

“We are not requesting for an increment from Government but we want them to restore value of the money we used to get since July last year when we got a 17.5 percent increment,” she said earlier this year.

Economists contend that it is judicious for businesses — in the context of Zimbabwe’s challenging environment — to link the measurement of performance to the reward systems.

By Talent Gondo- Zenzele Ndebele, a journalist has produced a documentary which spotlights the January fuel protests that rocked the country leaving a trail of destruction and subsequently a heavy crackdown by security agencies.

The documentary which is 45 minutes long dubbed “Zimbabwe shutdown the January protests” will be showcased at Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel at 5pm.

Bulawayo was declared the most affected by the protests which saw over 800 people being arrested and dragged to court.

The producer of the documentary described it as a revisit of what exactly transpired.

He said:

In January, there were demonstrations that were serious in Bulawayo and Harare, people looting shops and there were riots. What followed after that massive looting was also a massive crackdown by the police and army.

The documentary is captivating and terrific, it summarises everything that happened since we followed events as they were happening.

We notified the police according to the law. We had a meeting with them and they didn’t have a problem. We don’t expect any disruption at the event because they gave us a go-ahead. But they actually promised that they will send their details to give us protection.

There were allegations that the army tortured and raped civilians during the shutdown and the documentary is expected to reveal what really transpired.

Pictures of Apostle Talent Chiwenga’s car which was involved in a fatal crash today killing his wife and two others leaving him seriously injured have emerged.

By A Correspondent- A prominent Bulawayo medical doctor Dr Nicholas Ndebele has died.

Dr Ndebele died on Wednesday morning his family has confirmed.

He conducted his medical practice at Galen House.

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

By Own Correspondent| A local radio station is set to host President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s first ever live radio program on Friday June 14 2019.

Said Capitalk100 FM:

“We are proud to present, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa First Live radio interview on Friday the 14th of June at 1900hrs

This will be Zimbabwe’s chance to ask His Excellency anything.”

Send in all your questions via Whatsapp on 0717 777 777.

Lusaka Times|A senior Zambian government official has confirmed that the University of Zambia will go ahead and confer Honorary Doctorates in Good Governance to President Edgar Lungu and his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The official who preferred to remain anonymous confirmed that the ceremony will go ahead at the next UNZA graduation ceremony.

“Yes the ceremony is on and invitations have been sent to Zimbabwe and both Presidents have accepted to be honoured, so we are just preparing to host President Mnangagwa here,” the official said.

Frantic efforts to get a comment from UNZA Council Caretaker Committee Chairperson Namucana Musiwa proved futile as she referred all queries to the Public Relations Manager Damaseke Chibale who refused to comment.

But some UNZA insiders have also confirmed that Presidents Lungu and Mnangagwa will be honoured at next week’s ceremony.

And some Zambians have taken to social media to denounce UNZA’s plans to confer Honorary Doctorates on President Lungu and the Zimbabwean Leader.

Zambians took to social media to express displeasure on the decision by UNZA after it was revealed that President Lungu might be changing titles from Mr Lungu will be conferred with an honorary doctorate degree as he officiates at the next graduation ceremony slated for June 21.

Both President Lungu and Mnangagwa graduated from UNZA with LLB.

“The initial plan was to simply confer an honorary doctorate degree on President Lungu alone, but some expressed concern that the public and even the members of the university may question the move, so it was decided that the best thing would be to find a cover-up. After much deliberation, it was agreed that another honorary doctorate degree be given to Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa so that he can be used as a decoy to legitimise the award. As you probably know the Zimbabwean President, like President Lungu, has an LLB degree from UNZA,” said the source who spoke to the News Diggers.

And the UNZA Alumni association has advertised an alumni dinner slated for June 22 at Mulungushi International Centre to be graced by President Lungu and President Mnangagwa.

Tickets are going for K950 per person.

Meanwhile civil rights activist Laura Miti said President Lungu must decline the good governance honorary doctorate if indeed the university is planning to confer him.

“If there is ever a time one hopes a rumour making the rounds is fake news, it this story that the University of Zambia plans to award President Lungu with an honorary doctorate in good governance. Good governance Even he would refuse it, kaleza. They should give him one for encouraging health and fitness pela, if they must. These things must ring true” Miti said.

Some have also used social media to circulate a mock Honorary Doctorate to be conferred to President Lungu for apparently promoting corruption.

VOA|A non-governmental organization in Zimbabwe claims that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is cracking down on civil society leaders in the same manner former President Robert Mugabe used to torment his opponents.

In its May monthly report, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) said, “The Government of Zimbabwe has reverted to its systematic and coordinated Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and human rights activists attack modus operandi; a path they always take when under pressure.”

The organization cited the arrest of several human rights activists by the government as an example of allegedly brutalizing local people amid reports of looming street protests over the current harsh economic situation in the country.

The civil society leaders were arrested two weeks ago when they landed at the Robert Mugabe International Airport after attending a workshop in the Maldives hosted by the Centre for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies.

They include George Makoni, an Advocacy Officer for Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe; Tatenda Mombeyarara (Co-ordinator for lobby group Citizens Manifesto); Gamuchirai Mukura (executive director of the Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development); Nyasha Mpahlo; Farirai Gumbonzvanda of the Rozaria Memorial Trust, Sitabile Dewah (Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence and Director of the Female Prisoners Support Trust) and Dr. Rita Nyamupinga.

ZPP said, “Government recently on different occasions accused CSOs of regime change endeavours through coordinated demonstrations throughout the country despite Section 59 of the Zimbabwean Constitution clearly providing for the right to demonstrate and petition. It is now apparent that these intimations were orchestrated to herald and justify the persecution of CSOs.

“The activists’ arrest is a clear sign of criminalisation of human rights activism, which flies in the face of democratic society ideals. Government’s targeting of activists who attended a workshop whose scope is ‘non-violence’, is nothing short of chasing mirages and stifling clearly provided-for rights.”

The organization said the continued deferment of bail rulings and detention of the activists at Chikurubi Female and Maximum security prison “deprives the activists of their freedom and is a form of continued violation and victimisation. We implore the justice system to speedily follow due process so that these Human Rights Defenders are treated fairly.”

ZPP accused state-leaning media entities of supporting what it called a “concerted smear campaign” by the ruling Zanu PF government.

“This clearly exposes that the Mnangagwa administration will not stand down in allowing Zimbabweans’ enjoyment of their rights and freedoms. Other organisations mentioned in the malicious (press) article include, the Counselling Services Unit, the Research and Advocacy Unit, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and the umbrella body the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum to which all the organisations listed are members.”

State officials were not reachable for comment.

Zimbabweans went on the rampage early this year following fuel increases of up to 150 percent, which were announced by President Mnangagwa. At least 12 people were shot dead by state security agents and others were injured in running battles with the police and national army.

BULAWAYO House musician Novuyo Seagirl was forced to abort her act after she was booed and pelted off-stage during an Econet Wireless Ziyawa KuEcocash monthly draw at the City Hall car park in Bulawayo on Saturday.

The songbird opened her set with her new song, Bambelela, and when she launched into the award-winning hit, A.E.I.O.U, insults from fans grew louder, forcing the master of ceremonies to intervene and ask the fans to give her time.

Fans calmed down for just a moment before they resumed their rowdy behaviour, leading to Seagirl prematurely ending her act.

This was the second time the musician suffered such a fate in just two months.

“It’s very unfortunate that this is always happening to me, I won’t give up and will keep doing what I love doing. One day, the fans will accept me and also accept our music in Bulawayo. For now, I will stay hopeful and determined. One day, we will strike the right chord,” she told NewsDay Life & Style after the show.

Seagirl was introduced before Jah Prayzah’s act, but from the very moment she stepped onto the stage, irate fans started shouting unprintable words, calling the singer to leave the stage.

Her slot came after performances by Winky D, Mzoe 7 and IYASA.

The last time she was pelted off the stage was at the ZITF shutdown gig at Queens Sports Club, resulting in her angrily insulting the fans and accusing them of not supporting their own local artistes.

Some fans blamed one of the female MCs for hyping up and enticing fans after she said the stage was set for Winky D’s appearrance, yet they were bringing in Seagirl.

“I think one of the female MCs might have misled fans into thinking that they were bringing in Winky D, when they were bringing in Seagirl.

“She (the MC) was heard shouting are you ready for Winky D, sending fans into wild cheers, but thereafter brought in Seagirl, something I think angered the fans, who were expecting the Harare-based artiste,” one of the fans said.

The organisers had to add more Bulawayo acts after the Mthwakazi Republic party wrote to the telecommunications giants, ordering them to call off their gig if Winky D and Jah Prazyah – both of who are from Harare – were going to be the headline acts, without local representation.

‌Parirenyatwa group of hospitals have announced a huge increase in private award fees with immediate effect.

In a memorandum circulated on Wednesday, the hospital increased the minimum admission fee to RTGS$ 600 per day, just more than what the average civil servant including nurses at the hospital earns in a month.

 ‌

FROM: GUTU TRAFFIC
TO:DISPOL MASVINGO EAST
MITSUBISHI SHOGUN STATION WAGON

TALENT FARAI CHIWENGA, SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND COMPLAINING OF GENERAL BODY PAINS, CONDITION IS SERIOUS AND IS ADMITTED AT MASVINGO PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL.

THE SOLE PARTY WAS TRAVELING FROM MASVINGO TOWARDS HRE ALONG MASVINGO – HRE ROAD WITH 3 PASSENGERS ON BOARD, UPON REACHING 235KM, PEG THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE AND IT VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND OVERTURNED SEVERAL TIMES AND LANDED ON ITS ROOF THEREBY KILLING 2 PEOPLE ON THE SPOT AND THE THIRD ONE DIED UPON ADMISSION AT MASVINGO HOSPITAL, THE NEXT OF KINS HAVE BEEN ADVISED. VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGES AND WAS TOWED TO MASVINGO VID. THE SCENE WAS ATTENDED BY OFFICER COMMANDING MASVINGO CENTRAL DISTRICT, OFFICER IN CHARGE MASVINGO TRAFFIC AND GUTU TRAFFIC DETAILS, BODIES WERE FERRIED TO MASVINGO PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL MORTUARY AWAITING POSTMORTEM. GUTU TRAFFIC RRB REF 3849322 REFERS

263 Chat|Brother to the late MDC leader and founding father,  Morgan Tsvangirai seems to be charming party supporters who even ululated applauding him before demanding that he should be given a chance to address people who had gathered to attend a rally at Glenview during introductions.

Mannase Tsvangirai, the current family spokesperson and young brother to the MDC founder who formed the party in 2009, seem to have gained support from the party support base nation wide.

Mourners who had gathered to attend  the late Vimbai Tsvangirai’s farewell rally in Glen View today ululated after Mannase was called to the stage demanding him to do the party slogan with others shouting ‘Tsvangirai! Tsvangirai! Mudhara!’.

“Who can not give a position to such a person, he also looks like our father (Tsvangirai),” said Murisi Zwizwai who was the master of ceremony at the event.

The crowd cheered as Mannase grabbed  the microphone to talk to the people.

“We have been shocked by Vimbai’s death as a family.

“The seat of Glen View will never be taken by any one but someone from MDC,” he said.

He also added that the MDCs should unite and support each other in electing who will represent Glen View South Constituency which was represented by Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java.

Vimbai died in Harare after having been involved in an accident  along the Harare  Bulawayo highway together with  manager Paul Rukanda who died on the sport.

Could the MDC members be seeing another Tsvangirai rising in Mannase? Only Time will tell.

The Warriors have secured an Afcon warm-up match against Tanzania on Sunday.

The encounter will be played in Egypt and will be the second practice match for the Warriors after playing the Super Eagles to a goalless in the in Asaba, Nigeria last weekend.

Tanzania who are in Group C along with Algeria, Senegal and Kenya will also play another warm-up game tomorrow against Egypt.

Zimbabwe were initially scheduled to play Ghana but the plans fell through and will now face the Taifa Stars. The national team start their Afcon campaign against the hosts, Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on June 21.

The Warriors arrived in North Africa on Monday morning after flying in the same chartered plane with Nigeria.