By Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC has once defeated the ruling Zanu PF in the Kadoma ward 2 by-election.
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MDC garnered 780 to Zanu PF’s 361.
More to follow…
Despite Violence, MDC Defeats Zanu PF In Kadoma Bi Election
“Power Generators At Kariba And Hwange Are 50 Years Beyond Decommissioning Age”
Police Confiscate Newsday Reporter’s Mobile Phone
Police in Kadoma arrested NewsDay correspondent Nunurai Jena yesterday for allegedly shooting pictures at a police roadblock.
According to reports the police confiscated his phone which he was using to take the images, before hauling him to Rimuka Police Station.
At the time of writing, Jena said police were preferring charging him for “disorderly conduct.”
Jena is a Mashonaland West-based correspondent with NewsDay and Standard, both publications under the Alpha Media Holdings stable.iHarare
Gas Prices Shoot Up
State Media – Residents in urban areas who have turned to other sources of energy because of power outages are moaning the continuing rise of gas prices.
A survey by Sunday News revealed that gas costs US$1,60 or $11 to those still accepting the RTGS$ per kilogramme. BOC Gas managing director Mr Edson Padya said that LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) sales, despite the load-shedding, have remained depressed and this could be because of prices.
“We provide the product to all markets but we have not seen an increase in the demand of LPG. Sales have been average so far hence we reduced the volume of the gas and because it is procured in foreign currency, we pegged our prices in US dollars that is $1,40 per kg and the continuous price increase is due to the fluctuating local currency value.
“LPG is a by-product that comes from refineries and its prices are controlled by the Ministry of Energy in South Africa. LPG prices fluctuate every first Wednesday of every month controlled by the maximum refinery gate price of LPG which has an impact in the pricing of every gas company in the every continent. We are not responsible for the pricing of retailers but can only recommend a price for them,” he said.
He added that demand tends to be high during the winter season as people use gas for domestic uses like heaters, cooking and breeding chickens.
A salesman at 9th Avenue Gases Mr Perfect Mhoya said demand has remained constrained because of the pricing.
“Like on every winter season, sales increase but we have not seen any change this year, maybe because of price. We reduced from $1,80 last year to $1,50 per kg because business is slow. Unlike before, people were used to the USD but now everyone wants to hang on to it and pay in the local currency that makes the prices unaffordable to citizens,” he said.
The price of gas and continuous load-shedding has also seen firewood vendors cashing in although there are fears that rampant harvesting of firewood could lead to deforestation in surrounding areas. Cars carrying firewood have become a common feature along most roads that lead into the cities.- State Media
“Prophet” Uses Manhood To Heal “Bewitched” Girl
A SELF-PROCLAIMED prophet from Gwanda has been jailed 18 years for raping a 16-year-old juvenile under the pretext of healing her.
The prophet aged 38, from Spitzkop North suburb told the juvenile who is his neighbour that he had to sleep with her in order to be healed and warned her that she would go mad if she did not comply.
He pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape when he appeared briefly before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira last week.
He was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment with three years suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
The prophet will serve an effective 15 years in jail.
In his defence, the prophet denied to have raped the juvenile. He said the juvenile’s mother approached him and asked him to heal her daughter as she was not feeling well.
The prophet said he attended to the juvenile and gave her some water to cleanse herself but did not touch her as was being alleged.
Prosecuting, Mr Mncedisi Dube said the prophet summoned the juvenile who is a Form Three pupil at Gwanda Government High School to his house on 2 February in order to prophesy to her.
“On 2 February (the prophet) summoned the juvenile to his house as he wanted to prophesy to her. He prayed for a paper which he gave to her and told her to put it under her pillow at night so that she would dream of the person who bewitched her. He further instructed the juvenile to return the paper to him the following day together with some charcoal.”State media
Dodgy Magaya Investments Kill Byo Pastor
A pastor from a Pentecostal Church in Bulawayo allegedly died of stress after he sold a family house and invested in stands and other business ventures that were promised by Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries fronted by Prophet Walter Magaya, that are yet to come to fruition.
Pastor Ernest Mutasa, who was a pastor at Assemblies of God died in April after allegedly investing US$14 000 into the scheme in 2016.
His family, before and after the time of his death has reportedly been frantically trying to recover the investment. The late Pastor Mutasa’s daughter, Miss Bethel Mutasa (36) told Sunday News that her father made the investment in 2016, when he sold their family home to buy three residential stands in Douglasdale under Magaya’s supposed multi-million dollar housing construction scheme.
Miss Mutasa said not only did her father invest in the housing scheme but also in mining, and farming programmes under Magaya’s Yadah Connect a subsidiary of his PHD Ministries.
“What is really painful is that they caused his death and don’t want to acknowledge it. He was stressed and all he wanted to do was to secure a house for the family. He thought this was a good investment but on the contrary it took his life.
He sold our family house with the hope of building three houses, which would in turn make returns to the money he invested in the programme,” she said with tears clouding her eyes.
Miss Mutasa said she had to leave her job in South Africa to pursue the case and had been to PHD offices in Bulawayo many times, where she was on numerous occasions told that the investment was being processed.
“Many a time I have been there and it is the same answer I get. We are tired as a family and we are stressed. We lost our breadwinner due to stress and now we are suffering too, all because of some church ministry that doesn’t want to own up to its mess.
My father may have been alive now if it wasn’t for this,” said Miss Mutasa.
She accused PHD ministries of misleading people to fund the church’s programmes.
“They come up with different excuses all the time. One time they say they are reimbursing us, the next they say the stands will be availed with us being the first beneficiaries. We are tired of these lies and just want our father’s investment back,” said Miss Mutasa.
She said at one time because of the pressure she had been mounting on the ministry, she was blocked off their WhatsApp platform.
“They had the audacity to block me yet they owe us. They clearly showed how unprofessional they are. Sometimes I am referred to Harare, yet the investment was made in Bulawayo. So many excuses they have and it is frustrating.
“My mother too is showing signs of weariness due to stress of my father’s death and the failed investment,” said Miss Mutasa.
She said they were failing to meet rentals as the money her father had saved in a projection towards the completion of building a new home had run out.
“We are failing to pay rentals now, yet my father had a great investment. Now we are forced to scrounge around, which is really disheartening,” she said.
“ . . . my father’s dying wish was for us to expose Magaya and his church. He wanted us to find a means to reach out to TB Joshua, whom he says is his spiritual father,” said Miss Mutasa.
Sunday News is in possession of audio recordings where the late Pastor Mutasa made his creed, with several other audio messages of him instructing his daughter on what to do concerning the issue. A woman who identified herself as Mrs Dube operating from the church’s Bulawayo office said she was aware of the issue and the church through its relevant organs was working towards reimbursing the Mutasa family the money back.
“I am aware of that issue and a refund is being processed as I speak. I cannot comment further on the issue and it would be prudent if you sought a comment from Harare,” she said.
An Overseer at the church who only identified himself as Clive said the church was not ready to comment on the matter
“You cannot run with that story. Get in touch with me on Monday and we can have a man to man talk,” he said.
In 2016, Prophet Magaya commissioned a site in Douglasdale, Bulawayo, where he promised to build 5 000 medium to low density houses as part of the multi-million housing project spearheaded by the church.
The project was part of an ambitious scheme which would have seen the church construct houses in the entire Sadc region. However, Sunday News has established that nothing much has been done at the construction site with reports that beneficiaries were also now disgruntled over the slow pace of the project. – State Media
Zimbabwe’s Challenge Of Being Converted Into A Tyrannical State
By Blessing Madzima| The purpose of a government is to uplift and encourage citizens to participate in positive activities that encourage development, not to crush or discourage citizens through repression, or oppression. The unfolding events being evidenced and witnessed on the ground are a signal of a government which lacks legitimacy and is now insinuating a war with the citizens.
The relationship between the Executive, the Judiciary and Parliament is now being evidenced by corrupt judgements and arbitrary arrests of activists, human rights defenders, civic groups and any other organisations that must hold the government to account.
The conduct of our jury and the partiality of the judgment on the citizens is becoming a big worry to our constitution and rule of law. Our outrage over our Judiciary which has joined activism is growing louder as unconstitutional decisions continue to be issued from benches across the country.
Repressive laws and policies are now being passed without proper legislative scrutiny to align those policies and laws with our constitution. The continuous incarceration of citizens for a longtime in prison on tramped up and alleged charges without a fair trial are symptoms of a tyrannical jury corrupting with the Executive to punish citizens unconstitutionally.
Experience has taught us that Tyrants ignore legislature and rule on a whim.Tyrants also ignore constitutional bounds placed on their power.
As Zimbabwean citizens, we express our dismay about circumstances in which the government has chosen to use unconstitutional decisions against citizens who are being charged with various alleged crimes of trying to overthrow the government. The unfortunate thing of the matter is that all these citizens being alleged and accused of such a serious crime are not armed and are not leaders of any known armed groups which makes it very synonymous with Tyrannical rule.
Our Courts no longer have anything to do with the law and it’s a a scary that these robbed judges now have completely chosen to destroy our freedoms and finish us by ripping the Zimbabwe Constitution to shreds. These judges have evolved into enemies of our freedom by twisting the law to sanction immoral perversions to further the totalitarian agenda of this military government and its Cabal.
We no longer have a judicial accountability act that can facilitate curbing of bad decisions from these military judges.
Zimbabwe now need every citizen’s participation to be able to build the People’s Power and Advocate a strong resistance to this Tyrannical rule.
The real power still lies with the people of Zimbabwe. That Power invested in u as Zimbabwe citizens is the vital tool of consent to any government to have authority to govern or to refuse it to govern. It is our constitutional obligation to stop our country to slide into full scale Tyrannical rule.
The militarisation of law enforcement personnel, infiltration and subversion of citizen groups that are forces for reform is really worrying.
Now we are witnessing undue official influence of trials and juries by the Executive which interfere with internal checks and balances of the judiciary. A lot of things have happened after the fall of Mugabe and that has created a very vulnerable citizenry and allowed us to be replaced by a more ruthless tyranny. This government is feeling insecure which are the characteristics of illegitimacy and converting to Tyranny. It’s conduct in seeking a government monopoly on the capability and use of armed forces on citizens is regrettable. This government has created a class of officials who are above the law bringing our country into a national security risk. Citizens are being forced to be more dependent on govt so as to increase public ignorance of their civic duties and reluctance to perform them In voicing their displeasure in government”s failures.
Staged events are being used to produce some kind of support from part of communities. It is no more a right to be a Zimbabwean but now a privilege for the government is denying indigenous Zimbabwe citizens their right to vote because of being in Diaspora. This is to allow only a section of community to decide the government of the day through easy corrupt electoral process.
Reforms are needed now to constitutionally align the relationship between the Executive, the Judiciary and Parliament with our societal demands and democracy. The character of this relationship must significantly curb any use of law for competitive suppression of citizens by all state organs of power.
Together we can activate the People’s Power and mitigate a full scale Tyrannical rule if our country.
Warriors Hold Super Eagles
THE Zimbabwe Warriors put up a courageous display to hold Nigeria to a goalless draw in an international friendly match played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Nigeria last night.
Like true Warriors, they thwarted raid after raid by the Super Eagles throughout the 90 minutes to earn a draw.
Both teams were using the match to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations which gets underway in Egypt on 21 June. At Afcon, Zimbabwe are in Group A, which also has the host nation Egypt, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Warriors will open their campaign with what seems a tough encounter against the hosts in the tournament opener before playing Uganda five days later. Zimbabwe’s last group match is a tricky fixture against the DRC on 30 June.
The two teams met in the Afcon qualifiers, with Zimbabwe picking four points and will obviously head into that battle as favourites, although the DRC are no pushovers and will be out for revenge.
This year’s Afcon has been expanded from 16 to 24 teams and with the top two teams of each group, along with the best four third-placed teams advancing to the round of 16, the Warriors will certainly stand a chance of progressing, something they have to do in three previous attempts.State media
Catholics Change Lord’s Prayer
POPE Francis has changed the Lord’s Prayer after criticising the English translation for implying that God — not Satan — leads people into temptation.
Francis approved an alteration the line ‘‘lead us not into temptation’’ which now reads ‘‘do not let us fall into temptation’’, which is closer to the French translation.
Speaking about the change back in 2017, Francis said: ‘‘It’s Satan who leads us into temptation, that’s his department.’’
The pontiff continued: ‘‘I am the one who falls. It’s not Him pushing me into temptation to then see how I have fallen.
A father doesn’t do that, a father helps you to get up immediately.’’
The change comes after 16 years of research by Biblical scholars, and corrects what they believe was an error when the prayer was translated.
It is thought that Jesus originally spoke the prayer in Aramaic, before it was translated into Greek and other languages.Daily Mail
Vapositori Prophesy “Removal Of Sanctions “
Farai Dziva|Members of the Zimbabwe Inter-denominational Council of Churches (ZICC) have predicted the removal of what they described as “sanctions against Harare.”
The church leaders shared their prophesies and visions — that sanctions “are close to be lifted” — with Mnangagwa at State House.
They did not reveal the exact date.
Mnangagwa in turn consoled the apostolic church for the 11 members that perished in an accident near their shrine in April this year.
He also promised to open up lines of communication between his office and the ZICC, including attending their major church gatherings, according to a weekly publication.
Vapositori “Anoint” Mnangagwa
Representatives of all sects of apostolic church organisations under the banner of the Zimbabwe Inter-denominational Council of Churches (ZICC) met President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House on Wednesday and thanked him for the work done by the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa in mitigating the impact of Cyclone Idai in the affected areas.
ZICC as an umbrella body of all indigenous apostolic church bodies.
Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba told The Sunday Mail that the churches, who also thanked the Head of State and Government for his leadership, “registered their displeasure with countries sanctioning Zimbabwe”.
“These churches came specifically for three things: Firstly, to thank the President for the work done by the First Lady in mitigating the impact of Cyclone Idai and pledging to work very closely with her to provide more food and non-food items,” he said.
“Secondly, they thanked the President for the leadership, as well as to encourage him to open lines of communication between him and the office of the ZICC; that also included the invitation for the President to attend their major church gatherings so that he can interact with them and appreciate the challenges they face.”
The churches also reportedly shared their prophesies and visions — that sanctions “are close to be lifted” — with the President.State media
Magaya’s Yadah FC Dismiss Inconsistent Bosso
HIGHLANDERS coach Madinda Ndlovu felt they were their own worst enemies as they came out of Rufaro empty-handed despite dominating their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie against Yadah yesterday.
Tafadzwa Makahlera’s 40th minute from outside the box found its mark and it made the diference handing the struggling hosts a win.
shot outside the box made the difference that saw Yadah collecting maximum points for the second time, in this year’s campaign.
Yadah took their tally to 12 points while Highlanders remain a point behind.
Bosso were good in all departments and created a number of fine opportunities but they lacked the final touch.
At the end of the game Ndlovu reckoned his Bosso had literally scored an own goal.
“In today’s game, we lost to ourselves. We dominated play but not dominating the game tactically.
“Tactically we were not sound. Tough luck to us, but we made very good tactical changes. We were looking for a goal and we have to try our best to get that equaliser.
“We have numerous chances probably more than we have created before. But if luck is not on your side, it is not on your side.
“I don’t blame the players they did extremely good, it’s a game we count as not our day and we move forward,’’ said Ndlovu.State media
Herentals Stun Caps United
FOR the second game running, early pacesetters, CAPS United succumbed to a surprise defeat, piling more misery on a team that has been presenting strong Castle Lager Premiership credentials.
A second half ambush by Herentals inspired them to a surprise win, cancelling Makepekepe’s first half lead with three goals in the second stanza.
John Zhuwawo had given the Green Machine a first half lead, but Kelvin Bingali, Juan Mutudza, Tafadzwa Chitukutuku scored in the second half to outweigh the earlier strike.
Last week CAPS United lost only their second game this season to fellow early pacesetters, Chicken Inn who then assumed pole position albeit on a superior goal difference.
At the end of yesterday’s match, the green machine supporters did not hide their displeasure following the unexpected slump in form.
However, coach Lloyd Chitembwe’s men will take some solace from the fact that rivals Chicken Inn and FC Platinum failed to capitalise on their slump after they both failed to collect full points in their respective matches.
Despite their defeats CAPS United and Chicken Inn remain joint log leaders with 22 points, while Herentals are 12th with as many points.
Herentals threatened earlier on with Blessing Majarira and Bingali, but it was their opponents who took an early lead when Zhuwawo fired home in the 29th minute after he was fed by pacey winger Phineas Bamusi.
Despite the lead Makepekepe never looked in control of the duel and 10 minutes after the breather the students equalised through Bingali who fired home after a fine cross from Majarira.
Moments later CAPS United were reduced to 10 men when Prosper Chigumba seemed to have deliberately punched the ball outside his box.
From the resultant free-kick Mutudza fired home a well-placed curling effort, before Chitukutuku added gloss to the score-line three minutes from time on a quick break from the left.
Chitembwe did not hide his disappointment at the end of the match saying it is always difficult to win against a team you are expected to beat.
“It is disappointing, the result as well as the performance, we really wanted to come back after last week’s loss.
“We were really not in control because when you play against a team you are expected to beat it is always difficult, anxiety creeps and times these players want to be too elaborative.
“We really wanted to make sure that we get three points that is why we took a decision to have more numbers in attack, it was a risk sometimes it work for you sometimes it does not,” said Chitembwe.State media
Kadoma By-election : A Step Towards MDC Youth Assembly’ s Clarion Call
The MDC Youth Assembly would like to extend a deluge of gratitude to the residents of Kadoma Ward 2 for taking heed of the MDC Youth Assembly’s clarion call of winning all by elections.
Clr Svorai Chiwara’s victory comes right in the backdrop of MDC Youth Assembly National leadership’s visit to Kadoma where the Youth Chairman Obey Sithole highlighted the Assembly vision and roadmap towards the party’s theme of defining a new course for Zimbabwe.
The MDC victory in Kadoma is not only historic but symbolic.
It is historic in the sense that this is the first by election victory after the newly elected Youth Assembly assumed office.
More importantly, the MDC victory in Kadoma comes with abundance of symbolism especially given that it feeds into the Youth Assembly’s clarion call to consign ZANU PF into political extinction.
That clarion call and vision starts with Kadoma’s seemingly little but giant step towards the Assembly’s declaration to make ZANU PF unelectable going forward.
The hallmark of this Assembly is anchored on consistency in pursuing of set agendas and goals.
While addressing congregants on the sidelines of the Mashonaland Central Provincial Council, Youth Chair Obey Sithole reiterated on the Assembly’s desire to reclaim rural areas from ZANU PF.
That task Sithole said starts by winning all the upcoming rural by elections, with Bikita and Lupane in sight.
Elsewhere, the Youth Assembly National Organizer, Godfrey Kurauone also shared the same sentiments when he addressed at the official Bikita by election campaign launch.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
Squabbles Rock Telecel
A full-blown brawl is playing out at Telecel Zimbabwe as board members cross swords over attempts to oust current chief executive officer Mrs Angeline Vere over allegations that she turned the mobile telecommunications company into a loss-making entity since taking over the reins in 2015.
Government assumed a controlling stake in Telecel after buying a 60 percent stake in 2016.
Those pushing for Mrs Vere’s ouster also claim that in addition to failing to uphold her fiduciary duties, she has reportedly failed to produce audited financial statements through the five-year period through 2018.
However, there are board members who are fiercely fighting in the embattled CEO’s corner.
As the messy fight escalated last week, board chairperson Mr James Makamba moved to suspend board member and ex-CEO Mr Francis Mawindi for allegedly leaking confidential company information.
It is believed that Mr Mawindi has been persistently raising the flag over Mrs Vere alleged failure to adhere to prudential management practices and unilaterally making questionable decisions, which had negative connotations on the company’s finances, without seeking board approval.State media
Meet Rudo, One Of Zimbabwe’s Female Pilots
By Marian Meyers- Rudo is a pilot here in Zimbabwe flying for Wilderness Air.
She was born in Harare where she lived with her five younger siblings and attended Arundel Girls School. Just after completing her O Levels she participated in an “inside programme” which exposes the students to various career choice opportunities.
At this point, Rudo wanted to be a criminal psychologist, but unfortunately they only had 20 places available on a programme that was heavily over-subscribed and so she missed out.
Her second choice was marine biology, but you cannot really practice that in Zimbabwe of course, so she went back to consult the list and decided to give aviation a try!
So for two weeks she and two other girls went to Pegasus Flying School where they did admin and filing. They were also exposed to the subject of Aviation Law briefly and were rewarded with a short flight in an aircraft that had to be moved from Prince Charles to Harare Airports.
A very short flight, but a great joyride for Rudo and the girls. This is the point when Rudo decided she was going to fly.
Rudo applied to a university in Australia to study a BA Aviation, and while she waited for the year’s intake calendar to commence, she started studying her Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL).
With only six hours left to qualify on her PPL she got the news that she had been accepted at the university. She made the decision to let the university wait and to finish her PPL which she did two weeks later.
Unfortunately, at this point her father passed away and Rudo took up a job in HR at Cresta Hotels which then funded her flying to get her commercial licence. She supplemented the funding required by instructing flying at the same time.
Rudo then joined Wilderness Air as a student pilot doing hour-building which worked towards her instrument rating qualification.
After flying freight as a co-pilot for a while, Rudo graduated to flying guests and then she got her final check and the go-ahead, and was awarded her Commercial Pilot’s Licence.
Wilderness Air Zimbabwe now has a total of eight pilots. Rudo is not the only female pilot as Natsai is currently a student pilot doing hour-building and will be joining the team as a commercial pilot as soon as she has reached the necessary milestones.
Currently Rudo is also studying for her degree in logistics and transport through UNISA. Incredible how life turns out – from wanting to be a criminal psychologist to becoming a commercial pilot flying guests into wild and remote places. Who knows what lies ahead?
Daring Thief Rewards S_ex Worker With Stolen Phone
By Own Correspondent- A man from Lupane has been arrested after he allegedly stole a cellphone and used it to pay for sexual services.
The incident happened last week on Wednesday at Lupane Business Centre.
A court heard that Thulani Moyo was relaxing while having beer with his drinking mate Dumisani Zikhali. Later on they were joined by a sex worker.
The court heard that Moyo stole Zikhali’s Hisense cellphone worth RTGS$120. It is alleged Moyo used it to pay the sex worker.
It is said on the following day, Zikhali saw the unsuspecting sex worker using his cellphone.
Zikhali made a report at Lupane Police Station leading to Moyo’s arrest.
Moyo appeared before Lupane resident magistrate Ndumo Masuku facing a theft charge.
He pleaded guilty.
“Your Worship, I had to steal his cellphone because he owes me RTGS$80.00. I have been asking for my money for the past four months but he has been making empty promises. As a result I decided to steal his cellphone and gave it to a friend of mine who is a sex worker,”he said.
Zikhali denied that he owed Moyo that much.
“He always asks me to buy him beer and we agreed that we will subtract from the amount I owe him. As far as I know I now owe him RTGS$20. In most instances I buy him supper before we drink beer,” he said.
Masuku remanded him out of custody to next week Wednesday.-StateMedia
Mthuli Ncube Develops Cold Feet To Stand As Zanu Pf Candidate For Lupane East?
By Own Correspondent- Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has reportedly pulled out of the Lupane bi election, fearing ZANU PF wants to use and dump him if he fails top secure the seat.
However, ZANU PF Secretary for Information, Simon Khaya Moyo told ZimEye that he did not even know that the party would be fielding Ncube in the forthcoming by election.
As Mthuli Ncube’s phones were bouncing into voicemail, ZANU Pf Secretary Of Information Simon Khaya Moyo told ZimEye:
“……aah, I have no idea at all. I didn’t even know it was going to be him. Why don’t you speak him?”
He was also asked to confirm if ZANU PF has a backup plan in the event of appearing without a candidate, to which Hon Moyo said, ”
“No no no, I do not speculate. I don’t want to speculate,” said Khaya Moyo.
Credible sources in Mat North claimed Ncube has declined to stand in Lupane. He considered it a plot to discredit and destroy him should he lose in the by-election.
ZANU PF could be slaughtered in Lupane as opposition players scheme on how to slay EDs candidate in Lupane. Mthuli they recon could be defeated easily as he single handedly is responsible for the economic mess due to his 2% punitive tax and corruption. He is said to be still staying in an upmarket hotel in Harare and will be driving to Lupane to seek supporter from villagers he has drove into penury.
It is expected that various political parties are considering ganging up and land a shock defeat to ZANU PF signaling to the ruling party MPs what lies ahead of them in 2023. This could mark the beginning of the end of the dominance by ZANU PF and total rejection of the Gukurahundist type of politics, an analyst said.
Africa University Students Graduate
By Talent Gondo- A total of 526 students were conferred with various academic degrees today after completing their studies at Africa University just outside Mutare.
In his speech during the graduation ceremony, the 25th for the university, Africa University Vice Chancellor Professor Munashe Furusa applauded students for overcoming hardships throughout their courses up to yesterday’s graduation ceremony.
“We really want to applaud the graduating students for their resilience in overcoming challenges until this day. We want to that parents, guardians and spouses for supporting the group that is graduating throughout their studies.
“In the past year we have made several achievements as the university aims at to establish a world class university. We prioritise high impact teaching and learning and also invested heavily in leveraging on technology in the advent of ICTs in today’s world,” he said.
Professor Furusa urged the graduating students to be exemplary in their future occupations.
“For all the achievements, we thank the Lord without whom all that was achieved could not have been. We thank the university board for a sterling effort in supporting university initiatives. I want to urge the students to be like the water that refreshes the world
“I want to urge you the graduating students to be like your predecessors who have become movers and shakers in leadership positions across the continent,” he said.
Of the 526 graduands, 54.6 percent are women with a fair share from beyond the country’s borders.
Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba, local traditional leaders and several academics from other universities graced the graduation ceremony.-Manica Post
Minister Blames Cartels For Price Increases
By Talent Gondo- In an interview soon after the Bulawayo clean-up campaign at Ross Camp Police Station, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema said opening up the economy and increasing production will dismantle cartels.
He said:
“Let us share the economy because when you are a monopoly and cartel you end up fixing prices and it’s clear that prices are being fixed. The Minister of Industry (and Commerce) (Nqobizitha) Ndlovu has issued a statement on that showing that cartels fix prices and hide certain goods. Let us share the economy of this country together.
This is what the President wants done. This is what the majority of our people want. The President and his Cabinet has gone out of their way to ensure that prices are stabilised but the cartels are doing what they are doing now.
That’s why prices are going up everyday. You will have a number of companies owned by one individual who determines what should be done.
The prices of wheat and bread go up everyday, the price of cooking oil goes up everyday. We don’t want that.”-StateMedia
“There Will Be No Sacred Cows On Corruption”: Mathema Warns Ministers
By Own Correspondent- HOME Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema has said there will be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption and even Cabinet Ministers found on the wrong side of the law will be arrested.
The Minister said Government is intolerant of corruption and will arrest anyone involved in destroying the country’s economy.
Minister Mathema said this in Bulawayo yesterday after taking part in the provincial clean-up exercise in areas around Ross Camp and at Ross Camp Police Station.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister, Cde Judith Ncube, the Officer Commanding Bulawayo Commissioner Bernard Dumbura, members of the Joint Operations Command (JOC), police officers and officials’ from the Environmental Management Agency, the Bulawayo City Council and the private sector took part in the exercise.
Minister Mathema said even Ministers or chief executives of private companies found to be corrupt will be arrested.
“If you look at the papers, a lot of people are being arrested on corruption charges every week. This is done by police and other systems, the Anti-Corruption Commission; people are appearing in courts. We are doing all we can to fight corruption as the New Dispensation. Nobody should earn what they didn’t work for. I’m a Minister and as Minister it’s easy for me to use my position in order to access what I’m not supposed to have. Whether I’m a Minister or chief executive, if I’m found to be corrupt the law has to take its course. Corruption is not only in Government but it is right across the spectrum even in the private sector,” said Minister Mathema.
He said no one will be spared in the fight against corruption.
“As you push your broom (clean up) it should also click in your mind that this is how we want to clean corruption. We need to remove corruption because corruption makes our country dirty and makes other people fail to achieve what they want to achieve. So let us all be clean and smart and all our streets must be clean,” said Minister Mathema.
He said as scores of people and organisations take to the streets on the first Friday of every month to embark on the national clean-up exercise, the same attitude should be employed in fighting corruption.-StateMedia
Pope Francis Changed A Line In Lord’s Prayer “Our Father”: Report
The current leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has changed a line in the Lord’s Prayer, also known as “Our Father.”
The Pope has changed the words “lead us not into temptation” to “do not abandon us to temptation…”
The change so far only applies to the Italian translation of the ‘Our Father” which was given final approval by Italy’s bishops of the church, in consultation with the Holy See.
Some background to the change as reported in The Economist:
In 2017, Pope Francis told an Italian TV channel that he was unhappy with the standard translations of one particular line in the prayer which Christ proposed. That line is “lead us not into temptation” or in Italian “non indurci in tentazione”.
He explained: “It is not a good translation because it speaks of a God who induces temptation… I am the one who falls. It is not Him pushing me into temptation to then see how far I have fallen. A father doesn’t do that, a father helps you to get up immediately. It is Satan who leads us into temptation, that’s his department.”
In the wake of that papal bomb-shell, it was left up to national bishops’ conferences, responsible for translation into their respective languages, to decide how to respond.
The latest development, prompting the recent headlines, is that Italy’s bishops, in consultation with the Holy See, have given final approval to an Italian version which reflects the pontiff’s thinking and will be used in a forthcoming Missal or prayer-book. The new rendering is “non abbandonarci alla tentazione…” meaning something like “do not abandon us to temptation…”
“Stop Introducing Your New Currency, Its Not Sustainable”
“We Will Match Your Modern Methods”: Muchinguri Kashiri Warns “Enermies”
By Own Correspondent- Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has revealed that the state will find modern methods that match the enemy’s and protect government.
She accused opposition political parties backed by their “foreign hand” in attempting to unseat a constitutionally elected government through protests.
Muchinguri Kashiri applauded ‘peace-loving’ Zimbabweans for ignoring the recent demonstration calls by some civil society groups.
She was speaking at a graduation ceremony of Junior Staff Course (JSC) number 71 at Zimbabwe Staff College (ZSC) at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare recently.
She said:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Zimbabwe for remaining peaceful and ignoring recent frantic efforts by our detractors to foment mayhem and unnecessary loss of life and damage to property.
It is apparent that these violent demonstrations, advocated by some opposition political parties and civic organisations that are backed by foreign forces to unconstitutionally unseat a democratically-elected Government and subvert our country’s electoral process.
She claimed that ‘enemy’ was using modern methods of destabilising the state hence the need to find matching solutions.
The minister added:
In our country we have seen the use of violent demonstrations against the Government purportedly over the poor performance of the economy or to display disapproval of the national electoral process.
Ncube Lacks Realism, Intelligence And Honesty” Charged Biti – True Enough But What About You
By Wilbert Mukori| “When asked about the economy and Mtuli Ncube, Tendai Biti said among other things.”Mthuli is a Loud mouth that doesn’t have a connection with its brain and the economy has found him out. This is about (1) realism, this is about (2) intelligence and this is about (3) honesty. These three things are lacking in Mtuli Ncube.” reported Thabo Makuyana.
Professor Mthuli Ncube’s greatest failing has to be his folly in believing the Zimbabwe economy can ever recover much less thrive whilst the country remains a pariah state ruled by corrupt and vote rigging thugs. He was so thrilled with his appointment as Minister of Finance he refused to accept that Zanu PF rigged last year’s election confirming Zimbabwe as a pariah state.
Still only someone, like Thabo Makuyana, who has no clue what the 2008 to 2013 GNU was all about would describe Biti as the “Honourable Tendai Biti, Zimbabwe’s former and without doubt most successful Finance Minister this Century”!
The primary task of the MDC in the GNU was to implement the democratic reforms designed to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. MDC failed to implement even one reform in five years because the party leaders were bribed by Mugabe with the trappings of high office and, with their snouts in the feeding trough, they forgot about the reforms.
If Morgan Tsvangirai and his fellow MDC leaders, Tendai Biti was a senior MDC leader in the GNU, had implemented the democratic reforms the country will not be in this political and economic mess we are in.
Tendai Biti and his fellow MDC leaders have continued to participate in flawed and illegal elections, knowing fully well that Zanu PF would rig the elections, out of greed as David Coltart readily admitted.
In his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of tyranny in Zimbabwe, former MDC – Ncube Senator and Minister of Education in the GNU, David Coltart, gave details of how Zanu PF flouted the electoral rules, it was clear the upcoming 2013 elections would not be free and fair. And yet both the two MDC factions participated in the elections regardless.
“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the elections,” explained Senator Coltart.
“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.”
Three of the main MDC factions did come together to form the MDC Alliance before the 2018 elections. Again the Alliance went on to participate in the elections knowing fully well that with no reforms in place Zanu PF would blatantly rig the elections, which the latter did.
The MDC A leaders did not mind the elections were flawed and illegal as long as they win the few gravy train seats! Both Tendai Biti and David Coltart were among the lucky few who did win the few seats Zanu PF gave away as bait.
Tendai Biti and his fellow MDC A have withheld their full endorsement of last year’s rigged elections, MDC A accept the parliamentary results but not the presidential; to pressure Mnangagwa to grant Chamisa and one or two other party leaders gravy train seats.
The inclusion of Chamisa and one or two other MDC A leaders in the illegitimate Zanu PF regime will not change the reality on the ground – Zimbabwe will still be a pariah state ruled by corrupt and vote rigging thugs. The only way to change this reality is for Zanu PF to step down.
If the MDC A leaders had publicly and unreserved endorsed the EU, the Commonwealth and other election observers’ dismissal of Zimbabwe’s July 2018 elections as a farce; Mnangagwa and his regime would have known they are illegitimate and the pressure for the regime to step down would be mounting with each day they remained in power. Better still, the MDC A should have never even participated in these elections!
It is rich for Tendai Biti to accuse Professor Mthuli Ncube of lacking realism, intelligence and honesty when for five years he and his MDC A friends failed to implement even one democratic reform in five years.
Where were they all hiding their realism, intelligence and honesty; assuming anyone of them has ever had any these virtues!
Nick Mangwana “Chaffed” By Mnangagwa Twitter Poll Victory
Home Affairs Minister Declares War On Corruption
By Talent Gondo- HOME Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema has said there will be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption and even Cabinet Ministers found on the wrong side of the law will be arrested.
The Minister said Government is intolerant of corruption and will arrest anyone involved in destroying the country’s economy.
Minister Mathema said this in Bulawayo yesterday after taking part in the provincial clean-up exercise in areas around Ross Camp and at Ross Camp Police Station.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister, Judith Ncube, the Officer Commanding Bulawayo Commissioner Bernard Dumbura, members of the Joint Operations Command (JOC), police officers and officials’ from the Environmental Management Agency, the Bulawayo City Council and the private sector took part in the exercise.
Minister Mathema said even Ministers or chief executives of private companies found to be corrupt will be arrested.
“If you look at the papers, a lot of people are being arrested on corruption charges every week. This is done by police and other systems, the Anti-Corruption Commission; people are appearing in courts. We are doing all we can to fight corruption as the New Dispensation. Nobody should earn what they didn’t work for. I’m a Minister and as Minister it’s easy for me to use my position in order to access what I’m not supposed to have. Whether I’m a Minister or chief executive, if I’m found to be corrupt the law has to take its course. Corruption is not only in Government but it is right across the spectrum even in the private sector,” said Minister Mathema.
He said no one will be spared in the fight against corruption.
“As you push your broom (clean up) it should also click in your mind that this is how we want to clean corruption. We need to remove corruption because corruption makes our country dirty and makes other people fail to achieve what they want to achieve. So let us all be clean and smart and all our streets must be clean,” said Minister Mathema.
He said as scores of people and organisations take to the streets on the first Friday of every month to embark on the national clean-up exercise, the same attitude should be employed in fighting corruption.
Meanwhile, in Matabeleland South, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Dr Sithembiso Nyoni took part in the clean-up campaign at Esigodini Central Business District.
Umzingwane Member of Parliament Levi Mayihlome, civil servants, council officials among others took part in the exercise.
Dr Nyoni challenged communities not to take for granted the clean-up campaign exercise which has become prominent on the nation’s calendar.
She assured the public that Government was alive to problems they are facing as result of unjustified price hikes.
Dr Nyoni said Government was setting up silo shops which would be providing cheaper products to cushion the public from unscrupulous business practices.
She also visited several community projects where she challenged members to be proactive and ensure that they succeed as Government is willing to support their initiatives.-StateMedia
Gvnt Denies Hand In Trade Unionist Abduction And Torture, Claims It Was Stage Managed
By Talent Gondo- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has claimed that a trade unionist who was abducted and brutally tortured on Wednesday night, staged the whole incident and tortured himself “to put Zimbabwe in very bad light” during political dialogue with the European Union.
The president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Association of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) Obert Masaraure was abducted from his Harare home by a group of suspected state security agents, taken to a secluded place, then stripped naked and beaten.
The incident came hours after the European Union (EU) held talks with the Zimbabwe government, the first in a series of meetings aimed at ending years of strained relations over Harare’s alleged rights abuses.
In an interview with the state media, Information and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Nick Mangwana said the wounds that Masaraure had were self-inflicted .
Mnangagwa Says Introduction Of New Currency Will Stabilise Prices
Zimbabwe must have a new currency by the end of the year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Friday, arguing this would help stabilise prices after inflation hit a 10-year high.
The southern African nation in February removed an unrealistic peg for its electronic dollars and surrogate bond notes and merged them into a transitional currency called the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) dollar.
The unit, which started trading at 2.5 to the dollar on the official interbank market when it was introduced on Feb. 22, was pegged at 5.9 on Friday, bringing its devaluation to 57.6 % to date. The currency has devalued by 49.4 % on the black market during the same time.
Most businesses are now pegging their prices in U.S. dollars and use black market rates to calcuate RTGS dollar prices.
“As a country we must have our currency by the end of this year, we have started that journey,” Mnangagwa said at a gathering south of the capital Harare.
Prices of basic goods from sugar to maize meal have spiked in the last month as the RTGS dollar has lost value.
Mnangagwa said price hikes were unjustified.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said in January that Zimbabwe, in the grip of a severe dollar crunch that has caused shortages of fuel and medicines, would have a new currency in the next 12 months.
Zimbabwe abandoned its own currency in 2009 after it was wrecked by hyperinflation and adopted the greenback and other currencies, such as sterling and the South African rand.
As physical dollar supplies started dwindling, the central bank introduced the bond note in 2016 at par to the dollar while the amount of electronic dollars increased, plunging the financial system into disarray.-Reuters
“13 Key Questions To Ask Before Introducing The New Currency”
By Law Togaraseyi| The questions to ask before introducing the proposed new
currency are:
1. Why did Zim change from pounds
to Zim$s in 1980?
2. Why and how did the Zim$ fall in
1997?
3. Why did government through the RBZ
introduce agro and bearers’ cheques?
What caused them to fail?
4. Why did government introduce a multi-
currency system in 2009?
5. How did forex flood Zimbabwe in
just less than 5 months in 2009?
6. What caused the shortage of forex
since 2014?
7. Why/how did bond coins which
were introduced in 2014 fail?
8. What were the reasons behind the introduction of bond notes in November 2016?
9. Where are the bond notes, and
how many millions/ billions were
printed?
10. What was the reason to introduce hot air (RTGS) currency?
11. What is the total value of RTGS
as a currency? If we can’t have the total value of the RTGS then how can we say it’s
money/ currency?
12. If the Zim$, agro cheques, bearers’ cheques, bond coins and notes and the RTGS failed, how will the proposed money printed on bond paper be a stable currency?
13. Will people have confidence in
money?
Sudan Military Arrest 2 Protest Leaders
Security forces in Sudan have arrested 2 protest leaders – Mohamed Esmat and Ismail Jalab. The two were arrested immediately after the talks facilitated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Abiy Ahmed met the opposition leaders on Friday and immediately afterward, Esmat was arrested. Jalab was arrested on Saturday morning.
Jalab’s was quoted by AFP saying,
“a group of armed men came in vehicles at 3am (1:00 GMT) and took away Ismail Jalab … without giving any reason. We don’t know where they are being held.”
Jalaba leads the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N). RThe party’s spokesperson was also arrested. Earlier in the week, SPLM-N deputy leader Yasir Arman, was also taken from his home. More than 100 protestors were reportedly killed by security forces this week. Sudan this week was suspended from the African Union over its crackdown on protestors.
Read More: Aljazeera
“It Is Just A Cheap PR Stunt”: Twimbos React To Auxilia Mnangagwa Poll On Nhodo
“I Don’t Have A Spiritual Father”: Prophet Pambuka
Auxillia Mnangagwa Playing Nhodo While Zimbabwe Burns – Pic
Farai Dziva|In the picture below Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wife, Auxillia, is seen playing nhodo with a microphone stashed in the sand.
Is this genuine humility or pretence?
“What’s Wrong, SB Moyo Is With His Next President!”
“Stop The New Currency Mantra, Its A Bad Move”
“Dialogue Will Not Stop, It’ll Continue Without Chamisa”: Zimbabwe People First
By Talent Gondo| The Agrippa Mutambara led Zimbabwe People First (Zim PF) which recently pulled out of the MDC Alliance has said that dialogue will continue with Nelson Chamisa’s MDC because the country has to go forward.
A senior party official said they now recognise President Mnangagwa as the legitimated leader of the country.
This is a departure from the position of the MDC which maintains that Mnangagwa did not legitimately win the July 2018 presidential election.
Senior party member Vongai Muti, made the statement during a recent show when she was asked if the MDC was right to put the question of Mnangagwa’s legitimacy as a precondition for involvement in the ongoing political leader’s dialogue.
Said Muti:
I think the dialogue can continue and will continue without the MDC. Because this defense that they have that they are putting a front that because they are questioning the legitimacy of the presidency – I think that issue has already been dealt with and it is retrogressive.
We want to move with people who want to move forward. If you want to stay where you are because you think you have numbers, listen, people are suffering out there, people are suffering at the grassroots as she (Linda Masarira) was saying. We need solutions.
I will re-emphasise that we appreciate what the president has done to make our lives easier as women. To make lives easy for the ordinary Zimbabwean. Let us work together for the common good of the Zimbabwean.
Students Cry Fowl As School Announces “Shocking” Exam Fees Hike
Dear Editor
It was shock for the June 2019 private students of Sobukhazi High School in Bulawayo to be told on Friday the 07th of June 2019 that the practical fee for combined science has been increased from $20.00 to $220.00 and the payment was due on Tuesday the 11th of June 2019.
School authorities further announced that those who will fail to pay the required amount will not be allowed to sit for the paper.
Government please help us….
Affected student.
“Your Austerity Policy Has Resulted In A Humanitarian Crisis”: ZCTU Tells Mthuli Ncube
By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has told Finance minister Mthuli Ncube to abandon his “unpopular Austerity for Prosperity” policy arguing that it is killing the majority especially civil servants.
Posting on its Twitter account ZCTU said that the government needs to address the economic challenges faces by the people of Zimbabwe urgently.
Said ZCTU:
THIS IS NOT ON , some worker reports that on Wednesday this Nivea body cream was RTGS$21 and today RTGS$69. We don’t want your austerity Mthuli Ncube, it is killing us. @InfoMinZW how does Government and Business expect workers to continue to work.
This Economic Crisis is now a serious humanitarian crisis. It can’t be ignored anymore. Workers have suffered enough and can not go on carrying this burden. The Government must address this urgently.
LIVE: BREAKING – MDC Beats ZANU PF In Kadoma Ward 2 Bi Election In The Face Of Violence
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Zanu PF Clobbered In Kadoma By-Election
Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC has once defeated the ruling Zanu PF in the Kadoma ward 2 by-election.
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According to MDC Twitter post, MDC garnered 780 to Zanu PF’s 361.
More to follow…
Zanu PF Twitter Moles Mock Opposition Following ED Victory In Twitter Polls
Zanu PF moles including the popular Matigary, Kudzai Mutisi among others are in an overdrive mocking opposition supporters who have accusing the ruling party of rigging a Twitter poll which sought to gauge how people reacted to the way President Emmerson Mnangagwa is governing the country.
Posting on Twitter, Matigary and his crew accused the opposition of perennially raising rigging allegations even when they lose in a fair contest.
ZANU PF Mat North Elect Dube They Know For Lupane By Election, Not Imposed Mthuli Ncube
Zanu PF Matabeleland North Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) has nominated Mbongeni Dube as their candidate for the forthcoming Lupane East constituency by-elections slated for the 3rd of August.
Dube was nominated by the province amid revelations that Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube was being pushed by the party head office to contest the seat. Mthuli Ncube though reported to have declined the offer was strongly being pushed for the seat.
The party has called for unity and teamwork towards retaining the seat which fell vacant following the death of Sithembile Gumbo.
The PCC meeting was held ahead of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) nomination court set for Friday the 14th of June.
Matabeleland North Minister of State, Richard Moyo thanked the members of the party for being well organised and urged them to unite in ensuring that the party retains Lupane East seat.
“The meeting went on smoothly and we are proud of the province for demonstrating unity of purpose and we are confident that we will be able to retain the seat,” he said.
Following the proclamation of the bye-election date, ZEC is currently conducting voter education for pre-nomination court.
Zambia Are COSAFA Champions
Zambia has beaten Botswana 1-0 to lift the 2019 Cosafa Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Tapson Kaseba scored the only goal of the game as Zambia were crowned 2019 COSAFA Cup champions after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Botswana in the decider at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
The result means Zambia are regional champions for the fifth time, one less than gold medal leaders Zimbabwe, and lift the trophy for the first time since 2013 having lost out in the previous two finals.
For Botswana it is more heartache as their quest for a maiden COSAFA Cup glory continues following a second final defeat, the previous one coming in 2016 when they lost to South Africa.
Zambia started the tournament with a 4-2 win over Malawi on penalties after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time and dispatched a star studded Zimbabwe by a similar margin on spot kicks after the match finished 0-0 in normal time.
Highlanders And CAPS Thumped
CAPS United suffered a second successive defeat when they lost 3-1 to Herentals in a Match-day 11 encounter played at National Sports Stadium on Saturday.
It was indeed a bad day for Green Machine as they also finished the game with ten men after keeper Prosper Chigumba received a straight red card in the second half.
The Students started the game on high and, they could have grabbed an early advantage, but Blessing Majarira missed a glorious attempt in the 3rd minute.
Gabriel Nyoni had his shot saved at the other end on quarter hour before John Zhuwawu got it right and opened the scoring eight minutes later.
CAPS went to the break in the lead despite Herentals’ efforts to get an equaliser.
However, parity was restored a few moments after the hour through Kelvin Bingala. Majarira followed up with a great shot which almost sent Herentals in front on minute 71 but the effort crashed against the crossbar.
Chigumba’s expulsion following a deliberate handball outside the box on the 79th minute proved to be the turning point as the home team, through Juan Mutudza, took the lead from the resultant freekick.
The Students killed the contest with four minutes to the full-time courtesy of Tafadzwa Chitukutuku who made it 3-1.
Across the city at Rufaro Stadium, Highlanders dropped points after losing 1-0 to Yadah who got their second victory of the season.
Tafadzwa Makahlera netted the winner on the 40th minute, a few moments after Ralph Matema had failed to break the deadlock from the spot.
The Stars were awarded a penalty after Nqobizitha Masuku handled the ball inside the box.
Elsewhere, Harare City won 2-1 against Chicken Inn while the game between FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum played at Baobab Stadium ended in a goalless draw.
Results:
Yadah 1-0 Highlanders
Herentals 3-1 Caps United
Ngezi Platinum 0-0 FC Platinum
Chicken Inn 1-2 Harare City
ZPC Kariba 0-0 Chapungu
Log Standings:
ZANU PF Of Old Emerges In Kadoma, Bloody Scenes As Bi-Election Is Disrupted At Rimuka
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Own Correspondent|The ruling ZANU PF party on Saturday exhibited its old characteristic of violence on voters whenever it becomes imminent that they will be losing an election.
WATCH LIVE: Deputy Mayor Brutally Attacked At Rimuka Polling Station https://t.co/VQFPx23skC via @InfoMinZW @UKinZimbabwe @euinzim @ZLHRLawyers @nelsonchamisa pic.twitter.com/ANA1zFbHiI
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 8, 2019
The ruling party supporters in three cars armed with machetes brutally attacking suspected opposition MDC supporters who were thronging polling stations evidently to vote for the opposition party at the just ending Kadoma Ward 2 council by election.
ZimEye.com eyewitnesses interviewed in a live streaming of the violence incident indicated that at least two people were seen being brutally attacked by the gang using machetes shedding blood in the process.
The witnesses could not immediately disclose the condition of the two MDC supporters.
The seat fell vacant after MDC-Alliance councillor Michael Gore was jailed allegedly for inciting public violence during the January protests.
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Polling stations in the election have just closed as at the time of writing and results are expected by midnight Saturday.
LIVE: Deputy Mayor Brutally Attacked At Rimuka Polling Station
By Dorrothy Moyo| Mrs Svorai Chiwara, who is the wife of a jailed MDC councillor (jailed over the military engineered January protests) beat the ZANU PF candidate to retain the seat for the MDC party.
Despite violence by a ZANU PF gang known as ve-mabhemba, Svorai Chiwara won by 782 votes against 381 for Lloyd Nyambo of Zanu PF.
The events during the violence were tracked via video and exposed by ZimEye.com (watch below).
Her husband, Michael Gore, who is Chiwara’s husband, was sentenced to four years in jail on allegations of setting on fire ZANU PF offices in Kadoma during January protests. Locals believe that he was convicted on from trumped up charges.
ZANU PF members from the gang called ve-mabhemna went amok on polling day at Rimuka 1 School and began assaulting people.
At least 6 people were attacked using whips that had wires on them. The attackers were also wielding machetes.
The Kadoma deputy mayor, Tendayi Kokera was one of the assaulted ans her bloody stripes (on her back) are on LIVE camera. Kokera said, “was beaten by Zanu PF youths with sjamboks. They were also wielding machetes. I reported the matter to the police. The security agents were involved because I saw some of them in suspicious vehicles.”
During his side interview the MP for the area told ZimEye.com he is concerned that the police did not act immediately.
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“The Situation Has Moved To Another Level,” Chamisa To SB Moyo
Own Correspondent|Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa had a chance to interact with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Internal Trade Sibusiso Moyo at a function held by the British Embassy.
Writting on social media, Chamisa echoed the words made famous by Moyo when he announced the coup against former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017, saying
“The situation has moved yet to another level..At a function with the British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Her Excellency Melanie Robinson and invited special guests.”
Chamisa Plots Deal With Khupe Over Party Symbols
OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, still basking in the glory of a fresh mandate given to him at the party congress last month, has rekindled his fight to effectively bar former vice-president Thokozani Khupe from using the party symbols, name and related regalia.
The MDC, in its resolutions at the just-ended congress held in Gweru, ratified the expulsion of Khupe, former spokesperson Obert Gutu and former organising secretary Abednigo Bhebhe, saying they formed their own political party and should, therefore, be stopped from masquerading as members of the Chamisa-led party.
“Congress noted that some former members of the MDC party, namely Thokozani Khupe, Obert Gutu and Abednigo Bhebhe, were expelled by the national council and subsequently left the party to form and found their new political home. Congress, therefore, confirms their expulsion by the national council and further resolves that they must, forthwith, cease or be stopped from using the party’s name, symbols, trademarks and intellectual property,” part of the resolutions read.
Spokesperson Jacob Mafume confirmed that their lawyers were putting in place measures to ensure that the legal case over party symbols and names between the MDC and Khupe was brought to finality.
“The case is already before the courts and after the congress resolutions, our lawyers are moving to ensure that the case is brought to finality so that our symbols and logo are not abused and used by people who are not part of the party,” he said.
Congress mandated Chamisa to clip Khupe’s wings by ensuring that she is barred from using the name MDC-T, slogans or party regalia.
“Congress resolved that the name of the party should not be used by anyone who is not a member of the MDC for any purpose without the authority of national council. In particular, no seceding, expelled or resigned person/s shall be allowed to use or continue to use the name of the Party or any derivative thereof,” part of the resolutions read.
Gutu dismissed the resolutions by the Chamisa-led party as “kindergarten gibberish”.More in Home
“They will not win this; they are allowed to day dream. They will not win this one, they are day dreaming, but they can try and, as usual, we will give them the Mike Tyson knock-out punch,” he said.
Khupe has maintained that she is the legitimate successor of the late MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirai, adding Chamisa had used unorthodox means to wrest the party leadership from her.
-Newsday
WATCH LIVE: 2 Attacked At Kadoma Bi Election, Bleeding Profusely
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New Currency Announcement: Markets Will React And Inflation Will Soar, ED Warned
LIVE Scenes At Rimuka High Where Violence Has Broken Out And Police Dispersed Notorious MaBhemba Gang
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Zimbabwean Pilot Drives Drunk Kills One, Injures One, Denied Bail In S.A Court
A 31-year-old Zimbabwe national facing a litany of charges including culpable homicide was denied bail when he appeared in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Zimbabwe national facing a litany of charges including culpable homicide was denied bail when he appeared in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Friends and family of Kelvin Zirema, 31, packed the court gallery and followed proceedings attentively.
Port Elizabeth Magistrate Xolisa Dlolisa told Zirema: “If someone is in South Africa illegally, the court or state should not grant bail to such a person.”
The accused, a qualified helicopter pilot, faces additional charges which include driving under the influence, reckless and negligent driving, defeating the ends of justice and contravening the Immigration Act.
His court appearance stems from an accident that occurred on May 12. The state alleges that on that day Zirema was driving an Audi A4 that claimed the life of Anthony Agbo, 36.
The accident took place on Beach Road, Summerstrand. Another 26-year-old pedestrian from Zwide was also critically injured and she subsequently lost her left leg.
Zirema was ordered to remain in custody and the matter was postponed to July 26 for further investigation.
LIVE: Violence Breaks Out At Kadoma Bi Election
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“SB Moyo Knows Chamisa Is The Real President”
Farai Dziva|Zimbabwean news readers have mooted contrasting permutations pertaining to the picture of MDC leader Nelson Chamisa and Sibusiso at a function in Harare.
Commenting on the picture Takudzwa Jerome said : Are they not supposed to meet ?SB is the minister of Zimbabwe,so he can engage with any citizen whether MDC, ZANU,ZAPU or any political party…….He is not minister of Zanu PF.
Muks M Vee:SB moyo isn’t that stupid after all he knows who the real president is (Chamisa) well done SB.
Patrick Zimba: Being pictured together doesn’t mean working together…maybe they bumped into each other in a public toilet.
Shoaib Ndolo: Chamisa lecturing to the Coup leader that a country cannot be run while playing Nhodo.
RM Mbeke:Politicians talk to another we the people are the stupid ones.
Ethan Dzinemhuru:Wats wrong,SB MOYO IS WITH HIS NEXT PRESIDENT,so fair nd fyn.
Raphael Gwangwadza:SB Moyo wearing Chamisa # redtie.
Why Has Mnangagwa Has Bought Rocket Launchers, 4,000 Assault Rifles When There’re No Medicines In Hospitals?
Rwandan Army Deserter Turned Govt Critic Killed And Buried In South Africa
Rwandan government critic Camille Nkurunziza who was recently killed in an alleged carjacking incident in South Africa has been buried.
Nkurunziza according to sources, was buried in South African city of Cape Town on Friday evening.
South African police has since not released much detail surrounding his death but it was said that he was killed in a fire exchange between hijackers and police.
He was shot with a South African national identified as Thabo Majeke aged 34 in the town of Goodwood last week.
Nkurunziza’s family however, revealed to media that before his burial on Friday, a friend to the deceased (names withheld) was also attacked and shot in the shoulder by unknown assailants at his house in Westbank, Blue downs on Tuesday night.
Nkurunziza’s wife, Annette Kasibandi confirmed the incident to RFI news agency and said she believes the friend was a “target”.
“Those who killed my husband want us to shut up. It is a warning to those who come to offer their condolence” she said
Nkurunziza was a deserter of the Rwandese army who had fled to South Africa and became a renowned critic of President Paul Kagame.
At the time of his death, Nkurunziza was linked to National Liberation Front (FNL) a militant group opposed to Rwandese government.
Nkurunziza’s killing adds on the inquests that the South African government is handling regarding the deaths of Rwandese dissidents.
In 2014, another Rwandese dissident, former intelligence chief Patrick Karegeya was assassinated which created diplomatic tensions between South Africa and Rwanda
TOUCHING VIDEO: Macheso Celebrates Birthday While Paying School Fees For 109 Kids At Former School
WATCH: EXPOSED: How Mnangagwa Telephoned Himself Using Twitter Votes
ZimEye in this LIVE video exposes how ZANU PF telephoned itself by celebrating a Twitter poll Mnanagwa endorsement. It cost the party less than $1,000 to perform this operation using a website called buytwitterpollvotes.com. WATCH BELOW
SB Moyo Puts On Red Tie, Speaks To Chamisa – PICTURE
Picture: Chamisa And SB Moyo Pictured Together, What’s Cooking? https://t.co/Ga1lw3pb31 via @ZimEye pic.twitter.com/4kWkW5iM8i
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 8, 2019
Newly Elected MDC Youth Leader Says 2023 Is Too Far For Suffering Zimbabweans
Jane Mlambo| Newly elected MDC Youth chairperson Obey Tererai Sithole has threatened that Zimbabweans hard hit by economic crisis hitting the country cannot wait for 2023 when the elections are due to see back of Zanu PF.
Posting on Facebook, Sithole said the country was burning hence they cannot fold hands, promising hard hit citizens that change is coming.
Picture Blast- Humble First Lady, Auxilia Mnangagwa Playing “Nhodo”
Chamisa Meets SB Moyo
BREAKING: Mthuli Ncube Reportedly Pulls Out Of Lupane Bi-Election, Khaya Moyo Says “I Didn’t Even Know It Was Going to Be Him”
By A Correspondent| Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has reportedly pulled out of the Lupane bi election, fearing ZANU PF wants to launch a Jonso(use and dump) on him. ZANU PF Secretary for Information, Simon Khaya Moyo told ZimEye “I didn’t even know it was going to be him.”
As Mthuli Ncube’s phones were bouncing into voicemail, ZANU Pf Secretary Of Information Simon Khaya Moyo told ZimEye, “aah, I have no idea at all.
“I didn’t even know it was going to be him. Why don’t you speak him?” he asked.
He was also asked to confirm if ZANU PF has a backup plan in the event of appearing without a candidate, to which Hon Moyo said, ”
“No no no, I do not speculate. I don’t want to speculate,” said Khaya Moyo.
Credible sources in Mat North say Mthuli Ncube has declined to stand in Lupane. He considered it a plot to discredit and destroy him should he lose in the bi-election.
ZANU PF could be slaughtered in Lupane as opposition players scheme on how to slay EDs candidate in Lupane. Mthuli they recon could be defeated easily as he single handedly is responsible for the economic mess due to his 2% punitive tax and corruption. He is said to be still staying in an upmarket hotel in Harare and will be driving to Lupane to seek supporter from villagers he has drove into penury.
It is expected that various political parties are considering ganging up and land a shock defeat to ZANU PF signaling to the ruling party MPs what lies ahead of them in 2023. This could mark the beginning of the end of the dominance by ZANU PF and total rejection of the Gukurahundist type of politics, an analyst said.
“The Situation Has Moved To Another Level”: Chamisa
The Situation Has Moved Yet To Another Level: Chamisa
Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has posted his picture with Foreign Affairs minister, Sibusiso Moyo and British Ambassador at a function currently underway at a place he did not disclose.
Earlier on, the picture had made rounds prompting some to think something was cooking in the background.
Zimbabweans Name A Bike After Minister Fortune Chasi | WHAT DO YOU YOURSELF CALL THIS?
Herentals FC Pays Courtsey Call On George Shaya, Donates Groceries
By Takent Gondo- Herentals College FC players made a surprise visit to Zimbabwean football legend George Shaya and presented groceries and food stuffs worth $2000.
The surprise call left Mama Shaya and her husband beaming with joy.
Picture: Chamisa And SB Moyo Pictured Together, What’s Cooking?
Picture Of Auxillia Mnangagwa Playing Nhodo:Zimbabweans Say She Is Merely Seeking Attention
Chombo Fights For Passport As His Corruption Case Drags On
Own Correspondent| Ailing former Finance minister Ignatius Chombo, whose passport was recently seized by a State security agent at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as he sought to fly to South Africa for a medical review, has petitioned the Supreme Court seeking an order to compel a Harare Magistrates’ Courts clerk to release his travel document, to enable him to proceed with his travel arrangements.
In his affidavit through his lawyer, Lovemore Madhuku, Chombo said his earlier application to the High Court was dismissed by Justice Nyaradzo Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa despite the fact that she did not make a determination that his travel document was unlawfully taken away from him.
Justice Munangati-Manongwa ordered Chombo to go back to the lower court and exhaust all alternative remedies, including filing for contempt of court charges against the clerk of court who is alleged to have refused to release his passport despite an extant order.
“As the judgment of the court aquo (High Court) makes it clear, there is no factual dispute regarding the following; that the passport was unlawfully taken away from me (Chombo) by a State agent; that it was handed back to the first respondent (clerk of court) and that the first respondent is refusing to release it to me in accordance with the order of May 10, 2019,” he said.
The former minister further said he was now worried that if the passport was not released on time, he would miss his medical review dates and above all, the date upon which the court ordered the return of the same passport would be due with him not having utilised it.
“If my appeal is heard urgently before June 21, 2019 and it succeeds, I will be able to utilise the remaining days before June 21, 2019 and have very useful medical reviews. My failure to travel for medical treatment is causing me a great deal of mental and physical pain,” Chombo said.
“I fear for my health. I feel it every day that is passing that my health is deteriorating. At my age, these routine medical reviews are a source of strength.” The matter is pending.
“Thank You For The Support”: Mnangagwa
By Tongai Mnangagwa|Hello Harare South Constituency once again.
First and foremost I would like to extend my hearty felt gratitude over your steadfast love and everlasting support that you keep on giving me.
My heart is overwhelmed that words cannot express how grateful I am. His Execellency was also moved by your endless support for the bible says where there is unity God always commands his blessings.
I feel so humbled to be a MP of such a loving constituency. On another note His Excellency promised to address all of our griviencies as a constituency and I assure you that as your MP I won’t rest until all of His promises are fulfilled.
Once again I thank you Harare South Constituency for making this day possible. Last but not least I would like to thank the Almighty for making this day a success
Harare South you give me peace at heart and it makes me roar like a lion??
Hon mnangagwa
With a small ‘m’
Picture: Auxillia Mnangagwa Playing Nhodo, Is This a Sign Of Humility?
Farai Dziva|In the picture below Auxillia Mnangagwa is seen playing nhodo with a young girl.
Is this genuine humility or pretence?
MILITARY COUP: Oppah Muchinguri Still To Reveal Secrets Of Tongogara’s Death, Accuses Opposition of Trying To Topple Govt – COMMENT
-ORIGINAL ARTCLE BELOW –
By Own Correspondent- Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has accused opposition political parties backed by their “foreign hand” in attempting to unseat a constitutionally elected government through protests.
Muchinguri Kashiri applauded ‘peace-loving’ Zimbabweans for ignoring the recent demonstration calls by some civil society groups.
She was speaking at a graduation ceremony of Junior Staff Course (JSC) number 71 at Zimbabwe Staff College (ZSC) at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare recently.
She said:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Zimbabwe for remaining peaceful and ignoring recent frantic efforts by our detractors to foment mayhem and unnecessary loss of life and damage to property.
It is apparent that these violent demonstrations, advocated by some opposition political parties and civic organisations that are backed by foreign forces to unconstitutionally unseat a democratically-elected Government and subvert our country’s electoral process.
She claimed that ‘enemy’ was using modern methods of distabilising the state hence the need to find matching solutions.
The minister added:
In our country we have seen the use of violent demonstrations against the Government purportedly over the poor performance of the economy or to display disapproval of the national electoral process.
Muchinguri Kashiri Accuses Opposition, A “Foreign Hand” Of Fueling Protests
By Own Correspondent- Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has accused opposition political parties backed by their “foreign hand” in attempting to unseat a constitutionally elected government through protests.
Muchinguri Kashiri applauded ‘peace-loving’ Zimbabweans for ignoring the recent demonstration calls by some civil society groups.
She was speaking at a graduation ceremony of Junior Staff Course (JSC) number 71 at Zimbabwe Staff College (ZSC) at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare recently.
She said:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Zimbabwe for remaining peaceful and ignoring recent frantic efforts by our detractors to foment mayhem and unnecessary loss of life and damage to property.
It is apparent that these violent demonstrations, advocated by some opposition political parties and civic organisations that are backed by foreign forces to unconstitutionally unseat a democratically-elected Government and subvert our country’s electoral process.
She claimed that ‘enemy’ was using modern methods of distabilising the state hence the need to find matching solutions.
The minister added:
In our country we have seen the use of violent demonstrations against the Government purportedly over the poor performance of the economy or to display disapproval of the national electoral process.
“Caged Sitabile Dewa Should Be Graduating With A Masters In Peace, Human Rights And Governance”
The remaining 2! At Africa University 25th graduation today! Sitabile Dewa is in Chikurubi maximum for subverting a constitutionally elected prison bail hearing on Monday. She should be graduating with a Masters in Peace Human rights and governance. She is in prison! Mr government get your act together! You are a shame to Africa and it’s dream!!
Slain Diamond Panner’s Post Mortem Out, “He Had 3 Bullets”
By Talent Gondo| When the post-mortem results were read to them on Thursday, the family cried.
Said one family member who is an uncle to the deceased Richard Masendeke:
“It was a horrific experience for us the family. He had three bullets, which were removed from the body. They just read the results to us, but the High Court ruled that we should be given copies of the post–mortem report.
“Another post-mortem is going to be carried out Friday. This one is being facilitated by our lawyers. It’s an independent post-mortem. From there, we are hoping that the body will be carried to Mutare General Hospital as we organise for his burial in Buhera.”
The report came after the family last week took Home Affairs minister Cain Mathema and Commissioner-General of police Godwin Matanga to the High Court, demanding an urgent autopsy and release of the body for burial. Police had earlier indicated that the post-mortem would only be conducted on June 25 due to the shortage of pathologists at public hospitals.
The family expressed fears that further delays in carrying out the post-mortem would compromise evidence. According to the court papers, Masendeke was fatally shot on May 15 by ex-policeman Dulula Chinamano, in full view of his colleagues.
War Vets Expose Gvnt Officials, Zanu Pf Businessmen Behind Price Increases
By Own Correspondent- War veterans in Bulawayo have expressed concern over “respected” Zanu Pf cadres and senior government officials who own most businesses accusing them of increasing prices despite government calls to stop the practice.
The war veterans urged government to quickly address the wanton increases in prices of commodities as this portrayed government in bad light among citizens.
Speaking during a meeting at Entumbane suburb on Tuesday, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association Bulawayo province chairperson Cephas Ncube applauded Government for introducing Silo shops that sell basic commodities at affordable prices across the country.
He, however, said there is a need to guard against hoarding of commodities sold in those shops.
“Regarding basic commodity prices, it has been noted with concern that there are some supermarkets and individuals that have started selling commodities at exorbitant prices. This unabated price hike of basic commodities, especially in the past two weeks, is affecting our people in a negative way and we call upon the Government to put measures to control this,” Ncube said.
“I’m glad that our Government’s initiative to cushion consumers against high prices is being implemented as silo food shops established by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) are now operational throughout the country.”
He said war veterans or Government officials operating shops must not join the price hike madness.
Ncube said it is difficult to give hope to the general public if the same people expected to come up with measures to address the situation are directly involved in wantonly increasing prices.
“We are tired of seeing our Government officials who are also respected members of the party increasing prices three-fold and at the same time telling people that things will be normal. It doesn’t make sense,” he said. —
Cyclone Hit Chimanimani Communities Suffer Double Blow, As “Foreigners” Invade Their Area In Gold Rush
A victim of cyclone Idai has alleged that whites have taken over their land following the discovery of gold in cyclone Idai hit areas of Chimanimani.
Cephas Maipa from Chewechewe, Chimanimani East at the border of Mozambique and Zimbabwe said the gold rush has invited “escavators” run by unidentified white people who are now denying the locals access to their land.
He said:
“Cyclone Idai destroyed our livelihoods. We are surviving from donations. There is a lot of gold. Whites are here with their escavators and they have taken over our land. They are mining gold as we speak. They have told us that we are no longer allowed access to our land because they are saying they want to mine.
Our crops were destroyed by the cyclone and now they are here taking over our land for gold. Nothing has been communicated to us by the village head, the chief or even government.
The escavators are here and they are already mining. My wife’s farm has been reduced to holes as they just mine and leave. They come with their people who work with them. They have taken over our sources of drinking water and now they are going after the only river that we have left. We do not know how we are going to survive. The whole setting clearly excludes us as local. We are suffering and only relying on donor aid, but it is not enough. We need our land back so that we are able to look after our families.”
Tsvangirai Estate To Go Under The Hammer Over 2013 Elections Debt
By Own Correspondent- Morgan Tsvangirai’s estate faces a US$205,000 claim from a political consultant for work he says he carried out for the late Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader in the run-up to the 2013 national elections.
Moreprecision Muzadzi claims in a High Court filing that he was awarded US$84,800 by Justice Owen Tagu on October 4, 2017, after Tsvangirai – who died in February 2018 – failed to pay him for his services.
Following Tsvangirai’s death, Muzadzi says he approached his brother Manasa who undertook to settle the award amount as well as give him a Nissan NP200. He claims as part of his agreement with Manasa on April 9 this year, Tsvangirai’s brother had also promised to settle a further claim of US$120,000 for “breach of contract, perjury and libel.”
“Manasa, after failing to get anything from his sources, insisted that the estate has money but there were underhand efforts to hide property that should be on the inventory and prejudice the children,” Muzadzi says in an affidavit.
Muzadzi, citing Tsvangirai’s estate executors Innocent Chagonda and Charles Maunga together with Morgan Komichi, is now seeking an order to execute the 2017 judgment.
He has identified Tsvangirai’s Strathaven house in Harare as the property to execute the judgement against.
He pleads: “Section 85 of the Zimbabwe Constitution says the court, while observing the rules of natural justice, must not be unreasonably restricted by procedural technicalities. Plaintiff (Muzadzi) therefore asks the court to grant judgment according to offer and according to rule 148.”
Initially, Muzadzi filed the summons on May 3, 2018, citing Tsvangirai and Komichi as respondents and claiming $204,800 for his services from the two men. In the current application, Muzadzi cited the late Tsvangirai’s estate executors Innocent Chagonda and Charles Maunga.
The matter is pending.
Muzadzi said he successfully represented Tsvangirai in the coalition negotiations with opposition leaders Simba Makoni (MKD), the late Dumiso Dabengwa (ZAPU), Margret Dongo (ZUD) and 15 others to support him as the opposition candidate.
He further said he together with his partner, Kisinote Mukwazhe, organised meetings and during the course of their assignment met a diplomat from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, First Secretary Henrik Lunden, Australian Ambassador Mathew Nuehaus and his first secretary, Shane Flanagan, US Embassy officials, EU head of delegation Aldo Dell’Ariccia and EU political counsellor Giles Anticknap.
In alleged breach of the said agreement, however, Tsvangirai and his colleagues are said to have reneged on their promise to pay but instead unleashed some people who then attacked Muzadzi and Mukwazhe when they visited Tsvangirai’s residence in Highlands to collect their dues.
Chiwenga Illness: Reader Reactions
Chombo Takes Passport Fight To Supreme Court
By Own Correspondent- Ailing former Finance minister Ignatius Chombo, whose passport was recently seized by a State security agent at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as he sought to fly to South Africa for a medical review, has petitioned the Supreme Court seeking an order to compel a Harare Magistrates’ Courts clerk to release his travel document, to enable him to proceed with his travel arrangements.
In his affidavit through his lawyer, Lovemore Madhuku, Chombo said his earlier application to the High Court was dismissed by Justice Nyaradzo Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa despite the fact that she did not make a determination that his travel document was unlawfully taken away from him.
Justice Munangati-Manongwa ordered Chombo to go back to the lower court and exhaust all alternative remedies, including filing for contempt of court charges against the clerk of court who is alleged to have refused to release his passport despite an extant order.
“As the judgment of the court aquo (High Court) makes it clear, there is no factual dispute regarding the following; that the passport was unlawfully taken away from me (Chombo) by a State agent; that it was handed back to the first respondent (clerk of court) and that the first respondent is refusing to release it to me in accordance with the order of May 10, 2019,” he said.
The former minister further said he was now worried that if the passport was not released on time, he would miss his medical review dates and above all, the date upon which the court ordered the return of the same passport would be due with him not having utilised it.
“If my appeal is heard urgently before June 21, 2019 and it succeeds, I will be able to utilise the remaining days before June 21, 2019 and have very useful medical reviews. My failure to travel for medical treatment is causing me a great deal of mental and physical pain,” Chombo said.
“I fear for my health. I feel it every day that is passing that my health is deteriorating. At my age, these routine medical reviews are a source of strength.” The matter is pending.
Former Telecel Boss Responds To Makamba, “You Have No Right To Fire Me”
By Own Correspondent- Francis Mawindi, the former Telecel who now serves as part of the Telecel Zimbabwe board has said that the company’s board chairman, James Makamba, has no right to fire him from the Telecel board.
Mawindi said in a statement posted on a local online publication that only the appointing authority, Telecel International, has the right to remove him.
Telecel international is controlled by the government.
Here’s the full text of his statement:
My response is that the resolution that has been passed is false and therefore null and void due to the fact that I never communicated with the press on any matters concerning the company and never in any way, shape or form misrepresented confidential company information. I believe that the chairman seized an opportunity to cover up the shenanigans happening in the company and I’m sure the truth will soon come out.
It’s important to note that I was appointed to the board of directors of Telecel Zimbabwe by the principal and majority shareholder of the company, Telecel International and not by the chairman of the company and as such the purported resolution of the board is null and void. There are supposed to be a minimum of 3 board directors from TI and 2 from EC as per the existing shareholder’s agreement and since the resignation of Barbara Rwodzi from the Board late last year (who represented TI) there has not been a replacement and so to date the board is still not fully represented.
The appointment to the board can only be rescinded by the appointing authority, which in this case is Telecel International, the majority shareholder
Zanu Pf And MDC Clash In Bikita, Nyanga
By Talent Gondo- The ruling Zanu PF and the opposition MDC Alliance will next month clash in local authorities by-elections for Bikita and Nyanga.
Moses Maposa, Thomas Matanga and Peter Mavenga, in that order, will be representing the MDC Alliance, Zanu PF and the National Constitutional Assembly in the Bikita Rural District Council Ward 31 by-election slated for July 1.
The council seat was left vacant following the death of Zanu PF councillor Patrick Marozhe in April.
MDC-A’s Vincent Bopoto is expected to clash with Zanu PF’s Bisset Mapeta in the Nyanga Ward 26 by-election. The seat fell vacant after the death of MDC councillor Elias Mashumba in April after a short illness
8 Street Kids Drug, Sodomise 12yr Old Boy
By Own Correspondent- Eight street kids have appeared in court for taking turns to sodomise a 12-year-old boy whom they had drugged for more than a week after he ran away from home in Bulawayo.
Thembinkosi Siziba (22), Elton Ndlovu (19), Tafadzwa Zvou (19) and five other minors who cannot be named for ethical reasons yesterday appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi facing charges of aggravated indecent assault.
The magistrate remanded them in custody to June 20 and advised them to apply for bail at the High Court.
Magistrate Mkhwananzi said he was remanding them in custody because they were of no fixed abode as they live on the streets.
The court heard that the boy who was sodomised ran away from home after his grandmother had said she wanted to beat him up as a way of disciplining him.
Prosecuting, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo said on May 24 this year, the 12-year-old boy ran away from home after being reprimanded by his grandmother.
“The complainant met one of the accused persons who took him to a disused building at Corner 11th Avenue and JMN Nkomo Street, Bulawayo where they met the rest of the accused persons.
“While at the building they made the complainant sniff drugs resulting in him passing out,” said Mr Dlodlo.
He said the accused persons took turns to sodomise him until he passed out.
Mr Dlodlo said the complainant woke up on the following day feeling pain in his anus.
“The 12-year-old boy spent a week staying with the accused persons and would be given drugs to knock him out everyday so they would take turns to sodomise him. He always woke up undressed and his anus would be painful and soiled,” he said.
Mr Dlodlo said the complainant was picked up by some well-wishers who took him back home on June 1. The complainant told his mother about what had happened and the matter was reported to the police.
The boy was medically examined and the medical report was produced in court as an exhibit.
20yr Old Man On The Run After Looting US$24k, R120k
By Talent Gondo- Police here have launched a manhunt for a 20 year old man from Bulawayo who allegedly stole US$24 000 and R120 000.
The money has since been recovered after the suspect phoned police from a hiding place to reveal where he had stashed it.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday confirmed the case.
He said after realising that the law was about to catch up with him, the suspect phoned the police and told them where he had hidden the money.
Asst Comm Nyathi said police will not release more details so as not to expose the complainant to other criminals.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has recovered US$24 000 and R120 000 cash which had been stolen from a complainant in Bulawayo by a 20-year-old man who is currently on the run,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the suspect revealed to cops where he had stashed the money when it became clear that the net was closing in on him.
“It’s the police who during the course of investigations had suspected that the man could have been the one who stole the money. During the course of investigations, he discovered that the net was certainly closing on him so he just decided to go into hiding and reveal where the money was hidden. He used a cellphone to reveal where he had hidden the money and police recovered the stolen money,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said police will not release details of the complainant to protect his or her identity.
Asst Comm Nyathi said police were also investigating where the complainant got the money.
He said police were concerned about members of the public and business proprietors keeping large sums of money as this exposes them to criminals.
“We have said this time and time again that it’s not safe to keep large sums of money at a business premise or at home. We are also concerned about those who travel with large sums of money in their vehicles because there is a likelihood of one losing that money due to attacks by criminals.
“Also there is a possibility of information leaking resulting in the person being traced. It’s very risky to be in possession of such huge amounts of money be it in business or residential premises,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.-StateMedia
War Vets Lament Price Increases
By Talent Gondo- War veterans in Bulawayo have expressed concern over wanton increases in prices of commodities, saying the issue needs to be urgently addressed.
Speaking during a meeting at Entumbane suburb on Tuesday, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association Bulawayo province chairperson Cephas Ncube applauded Government for introducing Silo shops that sell basic commodities at affordable prices across the country.
He, however, said there is a need to guard against hoarding of commodities sold in those shops.
“Regarding basic commodity prices, it has been noted with concern that there are some supermarkets and individuals that have started selling commodities at exorbitant prices. This unabated price hike of basic commodities, especially in the past two weeks, is affecting our people in a negative way and we call upon the Government to put measures to control this.
“I’m glad that our Government’s initiative to cushion consumers against high prices is being implemented as silo food shops established by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) are now operational throughout the country.”
He said war veterans or Government officials operating shops must not join the price hike madness.
Ncube said it is difficult to give hope to the general public if the same people expected to come up with measures to address the situation are directly involved in wantonly increasing prices.
“We are tired of seeing our Government officials who are also respected members of the party increasing prices three-fold and at the same time telling people that things will be normal. It doesn’t make sense,” he said. -StateMedia
Zanu PF Forgot To Rig A ZimEye Poll And Zimbabweans Overwhelmingly Rejected Mnangagwa’s Economic Trajectory
Jane Mlambo| Forget about the Herald story on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s approval ratings, ZimEye followers have overwhelmingly made voted that the current administration is not taking the country anywhere.
Of the 1868 votes at the close of the poll, 76 percent said NO while a paltry 20 percent said YES.
Mnangagwa Meets Russian Billionaire Evgeny Lebedev
By Talent Gondo- RUSSIAN billionaire and owner of The London Evening Standard, The Independent (UK) and television channel London Live, Evgeny Lebedev, has met President Emmerson Mnangagwa and appreciated the new dispensation for implementing reforms .
The state media reported that Lebedev said this soon after meeting President Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare Friday.
Lebedev said there are vast economic opportunities in the country’s economy that are yet to be tapped.
He said:
“There are some positive reforms taking place in the country and these send a positive message to the rest of the world to come and invest in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has vast opportunities especially in the tourism sector hence there is a need to market Zimbabwe extensively as a safe tourism destination.
There is plenty of wildlife, waterfalls, rivers and mountainous areas that can attract tourists which can boost the country’s economy.”
“Takambozvitaura Kuti Ichechi Yebenzi,” Zimbabweans React To Oscar Pambuka Mbanje Tolerating Church
Own Correspondent|Former ZBC anchor and Robert Mugabe’s blue eyed boy, Oscar Pambuka appears not to be having it his way on his newly established church, Oscar Pambuka Ministries.
Zimbabweans have taken to the social media to blast him calling him all sorts of names for waking up as a prophet of God.
Defiant Pambuka however turns a deaf ear to all the connects comments insisting that he is moving ahead as a prophet and is opening social media platforms for his cause. He wrote on his latest Facebook page:
“By public demand and request, please note that from today I will be opening a new page wholly dedicated to the Prophetic Ministry.
The page will be called Prophet Oscar Pambuka.Here you will find all the information about the Ministry, daily devotions, prayer line platform, testimonies, live broadcasts and many more.
However this current page Oscar Pambuka will continue to be there unraveling all those issues you hear and talk about daily.
God bless you.
Below are comments put through by ZimEye.com readers on a publication that Pambuka said his church tolerates mbanje smokers and drunkards.
AU Finally Honours Kenneth Kaunda
Own Correspondent|The African Union has announced it will honor Zambia’s former President Kenneth Kaunda and his significant support in a fight for independent Africa, the organisation’s representatives said in a statement on Thursday.
This comes after the Zambian authorities emphasised the fact that 95-year-old Kaunda was the only African leader, whose contribution to the liberation of the continent had not been recognized by the AU.
In response to these claims, the AU stated that the Zambian ex-president’s role was never in dispute.
According to AU Commission Chairperson Mousa Faki Mahamat, it won’t be the last initiative implemented in Kaunda’s honour and the Union will continue these practices in the future.
Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri Hails Peaceful Zimbabweans
By Talent Gondo- Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has applauded ‘peace-loving’ Zimbabweans for ignoring the recent demonstration calls by some civil society groups.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri was speaking at a graduation ceremony of Junior Staff Course (JSC) number 71 at Zimbabwe Staff College (ZSC) at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare yesterday. She said:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Zimbabwe for remaining peaceful and ignoring recent frantic efforts by our detractors to foment mayhem and unnecessary loss of life and damage to property.
It is apparent that these violent demonstrations, advocated by some opposition political parties and civic organisations that are backed by foreign forces to unconstitutionally unseat a democratically-elected Government and subvert our country’s electoral process.
She claimed that ‘enemy’ was using modern methods of distabilising the state hence the need to find matching solutions.
The minister added:
In our country we have seen the use of violent demonstrations against the Government purportedly over the poor performance of the economy or to display disapproval of the national electoral process.-StateMedia
Tenants Bashed Over Electricity Row
By Own Correspondent- A MAN from Bulawayo’s Parklands suburb went berserk and beat a man and his wife with a knobkerrie after they accused him of switching off electricity.
A court heard that Victor Ndlovu is the son of the owner of the house Velile Ndlovu while Olga Marandu and Christopher Mwashitu are tenants.
It is said at around 8pm last week on Monday, Victor switched off electricity from the main switch after he had accused Olga of misusing electricity.
After that things turned nasty. Olga approached Victor’s father who stays a few houses away and informed him about the problem.
The accused’s father quickly came and knocked at the accused’s door. Victor opened the door armed with a knobkerrie. It is said upon opening the door he sternly warned Olga to go away.
As Olga was trying to take to her heels he hit her twice on the buttocks and once on the back with a knobkerrie.
Olga’s husband Christopher tried to save his wife but Victor seemed to be too powerful and beat him several times all over the body with the knobkerrie.
The couple made a report at Khumalo police post leading to the arrest of Victor.
Olga and Christopher were referred to a hospital and a medical report was produced in court as exhibit.
In cross-examination before magistrate Ulukile Mlea-Ndlovu at Tredgold Magistrates Courts Victor pleaded not guilty.
He took to the stand and said:
“I didn’t beat them, they are just cooking up a story so that I get convicted and sentenced. But I only had a minor misunderstanding with Olga.”
A medical report was produced in court and it nailed him.
He was found guilty and was sentenced to five months imprisonment, two months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within a period of five years.
For the remaining three months he was ordered to do community service commencing on 3 June.
Nathan Marime represented the State.-StateMedia
Warriors Clinch Bronze At COSAFA
Zimbabwe have finished third at the 2019 Cosafa Cup after beating Lesotho 5-4 on penalties on Friday night.
The match had ended in a 2-2 stalemate and was decided by the shootout.
The Warriors opened the scoring in the 13th minute through Zambia-based striker Tafadzwa Rusike, connecting Rodwell Chinyengetere’s cross. Lesotho restored parity on minute 33 courtesy of Jane Thaba- Ntso’s effort to go to the break 1-1.
A brilliant solo run by Leeroy Mavunga on the hour saw Zimbabwe getting into the lead for the second time in the game, but the advantage, however, shortlived as Tshwarelo Bereng equalised through a deflected shot seven minutes later.
The game finished in a deadlock with no further changes on the scoresheet.
Talbert Shumba, who had come on as second-half substitute managed to save one penalty while Rusike, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Rodwell Chinyengetere and Denis Dauda all converted their kicks as Zimbabwe won 5-4.
Warriors XI: E. Chipezeze (T. Shumba 63′), R. Hachiro, R. Pfumbidzai, L. Mavunga, T. Kutinyu, B. Ncube, D. Dauda, L. Mhlanga, B. Madzokere, R. Chinyengetere, T. Rusike.
Substitutes: T. Kamusoko, T. Shumba, A. Muskwe.
“Whites Only” Gold Rush Hits Cyclone Idai Hit Chimanimani, Who Are These People?
By Own Correspondent- A victim of cyclone Idai has alleged that whites have taken over their land following the discovery of gold in cyclone Idai hit areas of Chimanimani.
Cephas Maipa from Chewechewe, Chimanimani East at the border of Mozambique and Zimbabwe said the gold rush has invited “escavators” run by unidentified white people who are now denying the locals access to their land.
He said:
“Cyclone Idai destroyed our livelihoods. We are surviving from donations. There is a lot of gold. Whites are here with their escavators and they have taken over our land. They are mining gold as we speak. They have told us that we are no longer allowed access to our land because they are saying they want to mine.
Our crops were destroyed by the cyclone and now they are here taking over our land for gold. Nothing has been communicated to us by the village head, the chief or even government.
The escavators are here and they are already mining. My wife’s farm has been reduced to holes as they just mine and leave. They come with their people who work with them. They have taken over our sources of drinking water and now they are going after the only river that we have left. We do not know how we are going to survive. The whole setting clearly excludes us as local. We are suffering and only relying on donor aid, but it is not enough. We need our land back so that we are able to look after our families.”
Mthwakazi Claims Victory In Econet, Jah Prayzah And Winky D Row Following Police Intervention
By Mbonisi Gumbo| Good morning good people.
Yesterday, 7 June 2019 we were contacted by the police at Southerton pertaining the letter we wrote to Econet Bulawayo regarding the bizzare decision of importing artists from Harare to come and perform at a Bulawayo event .
We are proud to announce that the dialogue between Econet and us with the police as mediators went very well and they agreed to add 3 Bulawayo artists into the program for the Ziyawa draw today 8 June 2019 at City Hall ko Bulawayo and that in future they will consider the local artists first.
However we are humbled to learn that Econet as a business, does have people at heart. We urge people to go out in numbers to support Ecocash Ziyawa draw and we wish the very best to all artist who will be performing today.
BULAWAYO GIGS FOR BULAWAYO ARTISTS. Phambili siyaya, emuva asibuyeli!
Amavikelambuso Association
Police Tickets Woman For Being Too Pretty And Disrupting Other Drivers
The cop even wrote “I love you” at the bottom of the ticket.
A police officer in Uruguay is under internal investigation after issuing a bizarre citation that chastises a woman for driving with “excessive beauty” and confessing his love for the offender, reports ABC.
The incident happened just before 3 p.m. on May 25 in Paysandú when an officer performed a traffic stop on a female driver. When issuing the ticket, the officer cited the woman for “imprudence while driving (excessive beauty on public roads),” a seemingly flirtatious message which quickly made its way to social media.
In order to make his advances obvious, at the bottom of the citation the officer wrote “te amo,” or “I love you” in Spanish.
Some users on Facebook applauded the officer’s attempt at playful advances, while others condemned his actions that towed the line of being creepy. Of course, this also raised a public forum with one question in mind: did the officer abuse his position of power when issuing the ticket?
The citation is actually complete gibberish. In fact, when the details of the officer’s actions reached his superiors, they were quite unenthusiastic to learn of the department’s new-found popularity. An investigation was launched to comb through the details of the incident and determine if the officer broke policy by issuing an official document for an unauthorized purpose.
Should the officer be found liable for his actions, he could face a suspension or demotion. Should the actions be deemed too despotic, he could even be dismissed from the police force.
Magaya Death Threatening Body Guard Acquitted
Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Prophet Walter Magaya’s personal bodyguard James Dzamu was yesterday acquitted of making death threats to a popular actress, Charity Dhlodhlo.
Dzamu was accused of threatening to kill Dhlodhlo, who was reportedly revealing sordid details about Magaya’s business and private life.
However, Mbare magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje cleared him of any wrongdoing at the end of the prosecution’s case.
The court found that Dhlodhlo’s evidence was not credible enough and that it was riddled with inconsistencies.
To that end, the court held that the State had failed to prove its case.
According to the magistrate, Dhlodhlo failed to state the exact words that the prosecution deemed threatening.
Instead, she gave three different versions before she made a concession that she had forgotten the exact statement.
“What the complainant did was to reconstruct her own statements and this distorts the exact words that were uttered on the day in question,” said Mr Mambanje.
He said Dhlodhlo’s statement does not require a professor in languages to prove they are indeed different.
Mr Mambanje blasted Dhlodhlo for taking the court for a ride by exhibiting her theatrical skills.
She would weep and make noise in a bid to draw the court’s sympathy.
The magistrate said the case was just like any other cases, hence the decision by Dhlodhlo to report it to the President’s Office was unwarranted.
Dzamu’s lawyers Messrs Everson Macharaga and Stephen Chikotora had applied for the discharge of their client at the close of the State’s case arguing that there was no evidence linking him to the offence.
The lawyers told the court that the facts which the State was relying on did not constitute an offence.
It was the State’s case that on December 12, 2018 Dhlodhlo, who appeared in Studio 263 as Mai Madziva, arrived at her Waterfalls home only to find Dzamu waiting for her.
Dzamu approached Dhlodhlo and issued the chilling death threats.
“Charity if you want to die keep on doing what you are doing talking about Magaya,” he reportedly said.
The court heard that after uttering these threats, Dzamu left and Dhlodhlo proceeded to Waterfalls Police Station and reported the matter.
Minister Who Corruptly Covered Up Sexual Harassment Allegations Warns Other Ministers On Corruption
Own Correspondent|HOME Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema who is under Gender Commission investigations on corruption has said there will be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption and even other Cabinet Ministers found on the wrong side of the law will be arrested.
Mathema was recently sucked into a row about sexual abuse at the Department of Immigration which is now at the centre of investigations by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission.
The commission is investigating reports of sexual abuse where Mathema was pointed as having used his authority to cover up sexual abuse claims where Registrar-General Clemence Masango is fingered.
One of the complainants revealed that she had requested a meeting with Mathema over the issue but the minister’s response had left her stunned.
“The minister (Mathema) agreed to my request, but just dismissed me off-hand, arguing I should not have resigned because of ‘mere sexual abuse’. It seems the minister wanted me to suffer in silence. This is why women are suffering because we have leaders who are not empathetic to their cause,” Nyamuremba said accusing permanent secretary in the ministry, Melusi Matshiya, of protecting those accused of misdemeanours.
Nyamuremba resigned her job citing the sexual harassment that Mathema allegedly covered up.
Speaking in Bulawayo yesterday after taking part in the provincial clean-up exercise in areas around Ross Camp and at Ross Camp Police Station, Mathema said Government is intolerant of corruption and will arrest anyone involved in destroying the country’s economy.
Minister Mathema said even Ministers or chief executives of private companies found to be corrupt will be arrested.
“If you look at the papers, a lot of people are being arrested on corruption charges every week. This is done by police and other systems, the Anti-Corruption Commission; people are appearing in courts. We are doing all we can to fight corruption as the New Dispensation. Nobody should earn what they didn’t work for. I’m a Minister and as Minister it’s easy for me to use my position in order to access what I’m not supposed to have. Whether I’m a Minister or chief executive, if I’m found to be corrupt the law has to take its course. Corruption is not only in Government but it is right across the spectrum even in the private sector,” said Minister Mathema.
He said no one will be spared in the fight against corruption.
“As you push your broom (clean up) it should also click in your mind that this is how we want to clean corruption. We need to remove corruption because corruption makes our country dirty and makes other people fail to achieve what they want to achieve. So let us all be clean and smart and all our streets must be clean,” said Minister Mathema.
He said as scores of people and organisations take to the streets on the first Friday of every month to embark on the national clean-up exercise, the same attitude should be employed in fighting corruption.
VP Chiwenga’s Health Struggle Linked To Food Poisoning – Report
Itai Mushekwe/Nancy Mabaya/Mary-Kate Kahari
COLOGNE/VANCOUVER/HARARE– Vice President, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga’s perennial health problems are reportedly linked to the ruling Zanu PF’s thickening internal assassination and counter-assassination plots among it’s key triune factions, amid claims that the VP has suffered at least two poisoning attacks from his foes since 2017, but doctors are allegedly failing to identify the nature of the poisons involved, Spotlight Zimbabwe, has been told.
The ruling party is said to be split among confederacies backing Chiwenga who have a heavy military background, President Emmerson Mnangagwa himself, and remnants of the G40 circle who are loyal to former leader, Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace.
A senior Zanu PF Politburo member this week said there are fears of imminent bloodbath in the party, as the two key factions supporting Chiwenga and Mnangagwa are now locked in an ultimate political war to control the party, and ensure that Mnangagwa’s successor is a candidate from their camp.
We have since exclusively revealed that Mnangagwa is due to resign as the country’s president inside 12 months over his failure to fix the economy and open Zimbabwe for business, and that a military campaign to force him out code-named “Operation Restore Economy” is on the cards should he resist, and will now depend on Chiwenga’s recovery, so it might seem.
Chiwenga has not been to work since last month, and has been receiving medical treatment mostly in South Africa and more recently in India for an undisclosed ailment, as he battles to recover good health.
In February this year, government sources who spoke to private Zimbabwe online media, said the former Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander, at one time was unable to speak and had gone for a whole weak without eating, resulting in serious weight loss to his body. While in South Africa, Chiwenga reportedly underwent esophageal manometry, according to ZimLive.com.
The procedure involves, an examination to test the strength and muscle coordination of one’s esophagus when they swallow.
Military intelligence sources said, there was indication that Chiwenga had been poisoned at least twice since the November 2017 coup, and is lucky to be alive after initially receiving emergency treatment in China to clean out his system.
“The vice president’s security has been tripled, and he no longer eats and drinks at public gatherings (especially Zanu PF),” the sources said. “We have established that his health problems could be linked to increasing assassination and counter- assassination plots inside the ruling party. He (Chiwenga) is lucky to be alive right now because Chinese doctors were quick to detect poisoning in his system. However he is still not out of danger, as we suspect he was poisoned again recently. Investigations are taking place, that’s why you see he has been in and out of the country to South Africa and India for further examination and treatment, but all the doctors are failing to establish the exact nature of the poison he might have ingested with his food.”
Chiwenga himself has suggested that, he was paying the price for removing Mugabe from power, triggering speculation that he was indeed poisoned.
Early this year army officials said they were not taking chances with Chiwenga’s health, following suspicion he could have been made to ingest the deadly Polonium -210 by his enemies using food. The poison is very difficult to trace in the human body and only nuclear scientists have the expertise needed to trace it.
The Politburo member said Zanu PF was likely to witness “a terrible series of assassinations” as the fight to dislodge Mnangagwa was going to wind up bad, but the military would prevail with Chiwenga as the winner.
“The internal rifts are severe, and unlike the exit of Mugabe, we are likely to witness a terrible series of assassinations in the party. Off course the military will emerge victorious, but people from the president’s side are scheming to have his wife to take over, because he himself is also a victim of poisoning and has no clean bill of health. Ko zvingataurwe here? (They cannot openly talk about it). I don’t she her (Firstlady) succeeding because of Oppah Muchinguri, who is very senior in the party hierarchy. Muchinguri can only become VP at best, and the number one spot is for the military. Zanu PF is on the verge of military configuration.”
Assassination plots are not new in Zanu PF.
In June 2018 Mnangagwa escaped injury after a bomb explosion at White City Stadium in Bulawayo, where he was addressing a presidential election campaign rally, in what state media described as an assassination attempt.
The bombing resulted in at least 49 injured, including Chiwenga and his counterpart, VP Kembo Mohadi, together with other high ranking government officials. Mnangagwa blamed the attack on former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s G40 faction.
A few months earlier before becoming president, Mnangagwa had accused Mugabe’s administration of plotting to eliminate him from his bolthole in South Africa.
“I told the President that I would not return home now until I am satisfied of my personal security, because of the manner and treatment given to me upon being fired,” said Mnangagwa at the time, citing a sinister plot against him.
“Security personnel, who are friendly to me, warned me that plans were underfoot to eliminate me once arrested and taken to a police station. It was in my security interest to leave the country immediately.”
Also in April this year, former Bulawayo South legislator, Eddie Cross, alleged that members of G40 expelled from Zanu PF in 2017 are buying arms to instigate a war in the country and topple Mnangagwa.
Addressing the Cape Town Press Club Cross said: “Mnangagwa is committed to reform but he has not received sufficient recognition for what he has done. Daily he has to deal with recalcitrant elements in his party. Intelligence sources informing me suggest that the G40 are buying weapons.”
Prior to her demise, G40 vice presidential aspirant Grace reportedly launched the Empowerment Bank a month before the November 2017 putsch, as a vehicle to facilitate laundering huge sums of money to be used in her bid for power.
According to a Zanu PF central committee report some $10 million had been put aside to fund G40’s fight to control Zanu PF. Grace fronted the G40 group and would have been appointed the party and State Vice President.
Our contact in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) yesterday confirmed that all was not well in the presidium, adding that Mnangagwa’s supporters want him to fight to the bitter end, and stay as president, but it was now a matter of time before there was a new regime in Harare.
“Political tensions are high, to such an extent that Mnangagwa is not staying in Harare regularly, opting to be at his Kwekwe farm, where he has a mini-command center to run some government affairs that do not require him to be in Harare. He has been using the presidential helicopter to be airlifted between Sherwood Farm and State House. Once the VP recuperates, he’s likely to usher in a new government sooner than people expect. ”