President Emmerson Mnangagwa|Today, (yesterday) we commissioned the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF); a transparent platform for crucial dialogue. As we progress our audacious development agenda, let us shun the culture of militancy & solve our differences by talking to each other.
With unjustified price increases affecting all, we are demanding a stronger and more responsive social dialogue, protecting both our workers and our reforming economy.
Zimbabwe will only be truly open for business when collaboration is put ahead of confrontation.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Permanent Secretary Ambassador James Manzou
Zimbabwe and the European Union (EU) yesterday launched a formal dialogue process based on Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement that governs relations between member States of the African-Carribean-Pacific regions and the EU in a major realisation of President Mnangagwa’s re-engagement policy which seeks to reintegrate Zimbabwe into the global family of nations.
Zimbabwe and the European bloc have endured underwarm relations in the past two decades and the dialogue opens a fresh page that will have major geopolitical implications and benefits for Zimbabwe, whose international relations adversely affected domestic prospects for growth economically and socially.
The dialogue is being co-chaired by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Permanent Secretary Ambassador James Manzou and the Head of the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Timo Olkkonen.
In his remarks, Ambassador Manzou said the launch was a culmination of three years of informal dialogue between the two parties.
“This event that brings us together marks another milestone in the Government’s re-engagement efforts and indeed in the strengthening of relations between Zimbabwe and the EU,” he said.
“As you are all aware re-engagement, particularly this one with the EU is one of the foreign policy priorities of the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Looking back at the informal meetings we have had this year and the year before I am convinced that we have laid the ground work for a frank constructive engagement on all issues aimed at strengthening our relations.”
Ambassador Manzou added that through Vision 2030 the Government under the guidance of His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, has committed to transforming the country into an upper middle income economy by 2030.
“This is a huge task but one that we think is doable. We continue to count on the support our EU partners in our noble endeavour.
“Government is already making significant strides in carrying out political and economic reforms that are key in creating a conducive environment for business and more importantly for improving the life of ordinary Zimbabweans,” he said.
Ambassador Manzou said stronger Zimbabwe-EU relations would help in the attainment of Vision 2030.
In his remarks, Ambassador Olkkonen said the platform offered an opportunity to discuss areas of common interest.
“We hope that formal political dialogue will from now on become an integral part of the relations between the EU and the Republic of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“This should provide a useful platform to exchange views on topics that are of common interest and identify areas where we can deepen our relationship. It also provides a forum for a frank exchange of views on issues we might not agree upon and foster mutual understanding. Our commitment is to a relationship that we are building together, as partners.”
“In all our activities, we want to engage Zimbabwe on an equal footing, based on shared values, such as respect of human rights and the sustainable development goals agenda. A strengthened relationship between Zimbabwe and EU holds promise of increased investment and trade opportunities.”
The issues under discussion range from economic development, trade and investment, climate change and its humanitarian impact, human rights, democratisation, rule of law and good governance, as well as development cooperation, migration and regional and international cooperation.
Meanwhile, ambassador Manzou said the dialogue would be an ongoing process with the parties agreeing to meet twice a year while the next meeting is scheduled to be held within the first two weeks of November.
Hon. Mudenda said ZEC has not acted constitutionally as it has not yet submitted the 2018 Harmonised Elections Report before Parliament 11 months down the line
Sandra Ndebele entertains the crowd at the celebrations
The Bulawayo @125 celebrations that were held at the Large City Hall car park on Tuesday brought cheers to the city’s residents as they were treated to quality entertainment with food served in abundance.
The daylong celebrations started with a carnival around the city in the morning and culminated with a concert which had the city’s finest artistes.
First on stage were Mzoe 7 and Msiz’Kay who warmed up the stage for Clement Magwaza of the Kokotsha fame.
Magwaza was greeted by the hundreds that had congregated at the venue with wild cheers, whistles and ululations. His dancers complemented him well as they showed their skills, while another left the crowd in awe as he danced while balancing two bicycle wheels.
However, the fun was short-lived as Magwaza, after performing two songs, left the stage, much to the dismay of the crowd.
Next on stage was Novuyo Seagirl who was a tad bit nervous after the horrific experience during the ZITF Shutdown Show where she was booed off stage.
Fortunately for her, she was warmly received this time and even got people to sing her two tracks, Bambelela and AEIOU.
She then paved way for Madlela Skhobokhobo who also performed two songs Majazana and his break out track, Ngamnanka.
Before Sandra Ndebele closed off the show, there was a fireworks display which was a big highlight as it stole the show. People quickly took out their phones to capture the moment.
Earlier in the day, the commemorations of the city began with two processions, the first at Inxwala site and second at the National Railways of Zimbabwe train station.
These processions passed through various historical sites around the city.
The first procession started off at Inxwala site, which was a place the Ndebele nation used during the sacrificial ceremony of giving the first fruits of harvest to the ancestors.
The long meandering parade passed through another significant location, “The Hanging Tree” (down Joshua Mqabuko Street, between First Avenue and Masotsha Ndlovu).
“The Hanging Tree” (a False Marula tree) was used by the European settlers to hang blacks during the 1896 uprisings at the height of Matabele uprisings.
Passing by the “Hanging Tree”, the local authority recognised the brutality of the settlers as they colonised the Ndebele nation.
The city’s Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni who was on board the mayoral vintage car, a black 1971 Daimler Limousine, was part of this procession.
The colourful and vibrant parade which included schools drum majorettes and army band led the march along the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street.
The procession also had traditional dancers and horse -riding city council employees in true reflection of the mode of transport that was common back then.
Scores of the city’s residents watched the spectacle unfold with some of them wondering what was actually happening. But all the same, they joined in the fun and had a good day.
Own Correspondent|Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday met United States of America Ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols where the US emphasised to him the importance of political reforms to aid economic reforms.
The duo also talked about the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Staff Monitored Programme (SMP).
Prof Ncube tweeted, “Met with @usembassyharare Ambassador Nichols. Discussed progress of broad #Zimbabwe economic reforms, IMF Staff Monitoring Program and Zimbabwe investment opportunities for American companies.”
Met with @usembassyharare Ambassador Nichols. Discussed progress of broad #Zimbabwe economic reforms, IMF Staff Monitoring Program and Zimbabwe investment opportunities for American companies. pic.twitter.com/d9bcKkjT8X
“Ambassador Nichols met Finance Minister @MthuliNcube. They discussed the progress on SOE (State owned Enterprise) privatisation, US investment opportunities, land & agricultural reforms, implementation of Staff Monitoring Program & the importance of political reforms which must accompany economic reforms,” tweeted the US embassy.
Ambassador Nichols met Finance Minister @MthuliNcube. They discussed the progress on SOE privatization, US investment opportunities, land & agricultural reforms, implementation of Staff Monitoring Program & the importance of political reforms which must accompany economic reforms pic.twitter.com/LqYr6v5hcQ
Recently, Ambassador Nichols said the economy can recover, but cautioned it won’t happen “overnight” and not without commitment to change by the Zimbabwean government.
Emmerson Mnangagwa with Robert Mugabe during the Gukurahundi era.
Zimbabwe’s President Mnangagwa has called for open debate on massacres in the 1980s that he allegedly masterminded. Many are unconvinced.
President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa was Minister for State Security at the time of the Gukurahundi massacres.
In 1983, Nqobizitha Mhlaleri was ten years old when a bloody massacre in western Zimbabwe destroyed his community and left him an orphan.
“I was made to step on dead bodies including my parents’,” he says, now aged 46. “The soldiers were ruthless. They left a trail of disaster.”
Nobuhle Ndlovu, 68, recounts a similar tale of violence.
“I was pregnant then when six men arrived at our home enquiring of any suspicious men around the village,” she says. “They accused us of harbouring dissidents. I was told to lie face down… The next thing were gunshots and they left. When I went to check, I saw my husband in a pool of blood. He had been shot in the head.”
In Matabeleland and the Midlands, many people have similarly traumatic experiences from the 1980s when political tensions spilled into mass atrocities. Zimbabwe became independent in 1980 to much jubilation, but from the start, tensions simmered between two rival groups: Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), which won the 1980 elections, and Joshua Nkomo’s Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU).
In 1983, their antagonism erupted into violence when ZANU-led government decided to crack down on ZAPU supporters. The Fifth Brigade, a military unit trained by the North Korean army, swept through provinces in Matebeleland and the Midlands, where ZAPU support – much of which came from the minority Ndebele people – derived. The operation was codenamed Gukurahundi, which translates in Shona as “the rain that washes away the chaff”. From 1983 to 1987, security forces targeted thousands of Ndebele with torture, detention and summary execution. An estimated 20,000 people were killed.
The man widely alleged to have masterminded the massacres, Emmerson Mnangagwa, became Zimbabwe’s president in 2017.
A moment of madness?
This period of violence effectively ended in December 1987 when former President Mugabe and Nkomo signed the Unity Accord. As part of this, ZANU and ZAPU merged to become the ZANU-PF party. In the following months, an amnesty was announced for both security forces and dissidents who had committed violations.
The Gukurahundi massacres ended but the underlying issues and impact of the chaos remained unresolved and unaddressed. President Mugabe commissioned an NGO report and appointed the Chihambakwe Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violence. But the commission’s findings were never made public. Many Ndebele communities were left devastated and alone to cope with the trauma and loss, passing on the pain from generation to generation.
“The Gukurahundi issue is still unresolved 36 years after it occurred,” says David Coltart, Zimbabwe’s former minister for Education, Sport, Arts and Culture. “There are no memorials. There are still mass graves. There was never any compensation of victims.”
According to Coltart, the closest the government has come to apologising for the havoc it wrought was in 2000 when Mugabe referred to the massacres as “a moment of madness”. Beyond that, little has been done to atone for the widespread violence. Many Ndebele still suffer from the wounds of the Gukurahundi, which were made even harder to bear when Mugabe was removed from office and replaced by Emmerson Mnangagwa in November 2017.
At the time of the Gukurahundi, Mnangagwa was the minister for state security and oversaw the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO). He is widely believed to have played a central role in the massacres. He now not only occupies Zimbabwe’s top job, but has brought other key figures accused of leading the massacres with him.
“The First Brigade was then headed by Dominic Chinenge and the Fifth Brigade was headed by Perence Shiri,” says Coltart. “The CIO provided lists of ZAPU private operatives to the Fifth Brigade who deployed troops to villagers, whilst the First Brigade provided with logistical support.”
Dominic Chinenge (aka Constantino Chiwenga) is now Vice-President. Perence Shiri is Agriculture Minister.
“We need to talk about reparations, justice, and truth-telling”
Since coming to office, President Mnangagwa has made some efforts to address the grievances of the Ndebele community. In March 2019, for instance, he agreed to meet with representatives of the Matebeleleland Collective, a consortium of regional civil society organisations. For Jenny Williams, convener of the collective, the time was right to meet with the new government.
“Despite the pain still felt and shared by people of this region, we realistically told each other that it is time to engage the government of Zimbabwe,” she says.
That decision may have borne some fruit. In the weeks following the meeting, Mnangagwa appealed to Zimbabweans to talk freely about the massacres. “Let’s open a debate so as not to fear anything”, he said. The government also suggested plans to exhume and rebury victims, provide counselling and medical services, and issue documents to displaced survivors.
These moves have so far split opinion. Dr Dumisani Ngwenya, a member of the Matebeleleland Collective, is cautiously optimistic.
“It does seem as if there is a more of a movement now than previously… People are a little freer to talk about it in public,” he says. “Only time will tell whether this is a genuine move or not, but for now we have no reason to doubt the intention at least.”
Many others, however, are far less convinced. Political analyst Gift Ostallos Siziba, for instance, suggests that it is “folly” to believe progress is being made without more comprehensive redress.
“We need to talk about reparations, justice, and truth-telling,” he says. “These are fundamentals that need to be discussed.”
He stresses Mnangagwa’s alleged role in the Gukurahundi massacres and suggests the president is obscuring the reality of what happened.
“He is not going to open up. That’s why he was arresting those viewed as threats to the process of truth telling,” says Siziba, referring to the arrest of journalist Zenzele Ndebele after he called on the president to address what happened in the 1980s. “Mnangagwa is putting lipstick [on the issue], trying to cajole the international community [by] talking about something that he is a perpetrator of.”
Researcher Tjenesani Ntungakwa echoes some of these views and suggests that only an independent body can honestly adjudicate.
“Everyone who was involved in these atrocities does not want to come out clean,” he says. “There is a need to have an independent commission manned by the church. The first people to bring facts on the issue [of human rights abuses committed in the Gukurahundi massacres] was the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP).”
A collective healing
Across Matebeleleland and the Midlands, the impact of the violence in the 1980s continues to be felt. For survivors like Nqobizitha, the lack of redress has made it hard to move on.
“It continues to haunt me even in my sleep,” he says.
He and thousands of others are still awaiting acknowledgement from the government, an apology and meaningful compensation. It is hard to say whether the fact that Mnangagwa – the man many believe to have been the violence’s key architect – is now president helps their cause or not.
Either way, for many, the Gukurahundi massacres continue to loom over Zimbabwe 36 years after they began. On the one hand, these ongoing grievances feed into the minority Ndebele’s long-standing feelings of marginalisation. But on the other, some argue that the issue is about more than just one group; it strikes at the heart of the kind of nation Zimbabwe should be.
“You cannot say it should be a Matebeleland thing,” says researcher Mbuso Fuzwayo. “It is something where national resources were spent to carry out the exercise and we should approach it with the national outlook to say: ‘What form of Zimbabwe do we want?'”
Read the original of this report, including embedded links and illustrations, on the African Arguments site.
General Sani Abacha with Pope John Paul just before his death in 1998.
Own Correspondent|Nigeria, the United States and the Island of Jersey are to share about $267 million, which was plundered from the treasury by former military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.
Reports by the BBC and JERSEY EVENING POST said the cash was seized from a Jersey bank account.
It is, however, different from previous seizures from the late head of state.
According to reports, about $268 million was paid into the Island’s Civil Asset Recovery Fund from assets channelled to Jersey from Nigeria after being laundered through the USA.
The money was laundered from the United States and paid into Jersey accounts by a British Virgin Islands shell company, Doraville Properties Corporation.
After a five-year legal wrangle, the money, which was frozen in 2014, but has now been recovered, will be split between Jersey, the United States and Nigeria.
The huge sum will be held in Jersey while an asset-sharing agreement is struck between the USA, Nigeria and the Island.
It was however, unclear how much each of the three nations will get as no sharing formula has been agreed upon.
It was learnt that more money held by the shell company might be seized and paid into the Civil Asset Recovery Fund in the future.
More than $450 million was frozen in 2014 by the US Department of Justice, in what it described as the biggest kleptocratic forfeiture in its history. Abacha, who died in 1998, is believed to have embezzled and stolen billions during his five years dictatorship and stashed most of it in accounts throughout Europe.
A suspected hooker was found dead in a lodge in Bulawayo with 666, biblically known as the mark of the beast and a star associated with the occult, inscribed on her belly with a red substance.
The suspected satanic ritual killing occurred at Silver Sands Lodge situated at number 13 Connaught Avenue between Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street and Jason Moyo Street.
A cleaner at the lodge stumbled on the body which had been stashed under a bed on Monday morning.
Sources at the lodge said the woman checked into Silver Sands with a man who gave a Pumula South address as his home at around 3AM on Sunday.
“She appeared drunk and was carrying a bucket with ice and beer. Around 10AM on the same day, a staff member knocked on the door to tell them it was time to check out. The man partially opened the door and paid for an extra day saying his companion was still drunk,” said a source.
The source said around 2PM the man left the lodge saying he was going to buy food and never returned.
“On Monday at around 10AM a staff member went to clean the room and inform the occupants that it was time to check out. She knocked without a response and eventually opened the door. We heard her screaming saying someone was dead in the room,” said the source.
The police, added the source, were called and the full horror of the situation was revealed.
The source said there were no visible marks on the woman’s body but blood and a strange fluid were coming out of her mouth.
“We think it was a satanic ritual killing. The number 666 is known as a mark of evil as shown in the Bible in Revelations 13. A police officer said the star that was painted on her tummy is used to summon evil spirits,” said the source.
Bulawayo acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said investigations were underway to determine the cause of death.
“I confirm that police are investigating a case of a woman who was found dead under a bed at Silver Sands Lodge in the CBD. The body was discovered by a cleaner while she was spreading sheets on the bed and she alerted her superiors who reported the case,” she said.
Ass Insp Msebele said the body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for postmortem.
“We have not yet established the cause of death. We will provide finer details after investigations. The police have not obtained the name of the deceased as well as residential address of the man the deceased was allegedly in the company of,” she said.
The dead woman was wearing blue jeans, a brown jacket, black bra and black top. Recently an unknown woman from Bulawayo was allegedly raped and killed in a bushy pathway between Richmond and Mzilikazi suburbs.
A passerby called police after stumbling on the body. The woman was found half naked. -state media
Farai Dziva| Veteran journalist and political analyst Hopewell Chin’ono says the economy is already demonstrating against Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
Chin’ono has urged the opposition MDC to desist from mass protests because that will be playing into the hands of the government.
Chin’ono believes the economy has already taken to the streets.
Writing on Twitter, Chin’ono said:
“I have argued that the MDC shouldn’t put people in the streets because this is what this regime wants.
The economy is already in the streets demonstrating against the incompetence, corruption, nepotism, lack of Political Reforms and looting of natural resources by this government!”
The Minister of Energy and Power Development, Fortune Chasi, has called for greater private sector participation in the generation of renewable solar energy to help complement Government’s electricity supply.
Speaking during a tour of Distributed Power Africa’s (DPA) recently commissioned solar power plant at Econet’s Willowvale office complex in Harare, the new Energy Minister commended Econet and DPA for leading in the adoption of renewable energy.
“I would like to congratulate the Econet group and DPA for taking the lead in driving the use and adoption of renewable energy which reduces the load on the national power grid,” the minister said.
The installation of the 466KW grid-tied solar system, which was constructed under an Independent Power Producer (IPP) Licence issued by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), marks DPA’s largest commercial and industrial project to date.
Zimbabwe has been experiencing power shortages that have prompted the national power utility company ZESA to introduce an aggressive load-shedding schedule in a bid to manage power consumption across industry, business and domestic users.
Minister Chasi said Government supported efforts by private sector players such as DPA to deploy solar energy generating plants, as this would reduce dependency on the national grid, lower the energy importation bill and save scarce foreign currency.
“Government fully supports the use of solar power and sees the adoption of renewable energy as a sustainable, clean and long-term option to the challenges of inadequate power supply,” the minister said.
The country’s power deficit has been made worse by the current hydro-power challenges at Kariba Dam, where the water level is dangerously low at only 29 percent full.
“But solar energy can alleviate the country’s dependence on both hydro-power energy and non-renewable fossil fuels, and it can significantly reduce the importation of energy and save scarce foreign currency, which can be used for other national developmental programmes,” the minister said.
He said Government was ready to engage the private sector to create an enabling environment when it comes to power generation, and to ensure an energy policy framework that facilitates for ease of generation and adoption of renewable energy.
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe group CEO Mr Douglas Mboweni said Government’s support was key in the success of renewable energy adoption in Zimbabwe.
“We cherish the Minister of Energy’s visit and his interest in what we are doing. We are encouraged by his commitment to encourage the private sector to participate in contributing to sustainable energy generation,” said Mr Mboweni, pledging that Econet was ready to play its part.
Econet has installed grid-tied solar systems at nearly all of its major business premises around the country, including Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare.
DPA Zimbabwe’s CEO, Mr Divyajeet Mahajan, whose company has successfully installed over 1MW in Zimbabwe, said DPA’s business model lent itself to speedy deployment, at minimum risk to the client.
“We believe that with our zero-risk asset financing model, the adoption of solar energy will significantly increase, and it is our hope that more businesses will take up this opportunity as energy remains a critical pillar in Zimbabwe’s economic transformation,” said Mr Mahajan, adding that DPA had a project pipeline of 150MW.-State Media
Farai Dziva| Warriors captain Knowledge Musona says the team is working hard on rectifying the mistakes from the previous Afcon edition.
Zimbabwe were knocked out in the group stage, managing only a point at the 2017 tournament.
The squad was composed of players without the Afcon experience as the country had last made their last appearance over a decade before.
In an interview with Reuters at the Warriors’ training camp in Durban, Musona believes the selection, which has a couple of new faces, is now capable of getting beyond the first round.
“We have a good team with good quality, and we are working hard to correct the mistakes from the last tournament,” said the skipper.
“We have enough experience and our initial target is to pass out from the group stages for the first time.”
Zimbabwe are in Group A, and they start their campaign on the opening Match-day against hosts Egypt on June 21.
They will play Uganda and DRC in the coming days, and Musona, who is contracted to Belgian side Anderlecht but played part of last season on loan at Lokeren, says the team is targeting to pull an upset on the group favourites.
“We have the hosts and they are always going to be favourites. DR Congo have a strong team and they will know what to expect from us. Uganda are a very good team also.
“Zimbabwe are the only underdog in the group, but that in itself should give is motivation to say we are the Ajax Amsterdam of the Nations Cup.
“We are going there to fight and give disappointment to other teams,” he said, alluding to the Dutch club’s surprise run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals this season.
State Media-A 19 year-old Bindura-born flying sensation, has become the youngest pilot in the country after passing his aviation studies with flying colours.
Mr Simbarashe Machigere was awarded a commercial pilot licence on May 5, 2019 by the East African Aviation School based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Before him, the youngest pilot in the country was 21 year old Mr Kalenga Kamwendo, who is based in Zambia.
Machigere attained his qualification in style, after shattering the aviation academy’s record for flying solo at 29 hours of training.
ZIMBABWE Warriors’ two-year dominance of the COSAFA Cup came to an agonising end last night when they crashed out of the tournament after losing to bitter rivals, Zambia, in a semi-final decided by a penalty shoot-out at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban last night.
Despite the heroics of goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, who was named man-of-the-match and virtually booked his place in the team for the AFCON finals, the Warriors could not find the winning magic that had driven them to winning this tournament in the past two years.
The decision to throw in some of the regulars, who will today travel to Nigeria for a friendly international set for Saturday, will be debated because many of them appeared to be playing with their minds already on the plane to the West African country.
And, it became clear, that many of them were also worried about picking an injury which could rule them out of the AFCON finals and could not commit themselves to the tackles the way they usually do.
As promised, the Warriors made wholesale changes to the team which defeated Comoros in the quarter-finals, with eight changes to their starting XI, and they still started strongly as they dictated the pace of the game.
However, while there was accuracy in their passing, their moves were pedestrian and the Zambians would easily regroup to provide the cover they needed in defence and ensure the Zimbabweans didn’t threaten their danger area as much as their possession merited.
The first chance for the defending champions came in the 16th minute when some good work down the left channel saw Divine Lunga charging into the box, but Admiral Muskwe could not push his effort home.
The Zambians sparked into life midway into the game and twice, within a minute, forced goalkeeper Chipezeze to make decent saves with the Zimbabweans guilty of taking too much time in midfield where Thabani Kamusoko, man-of-the-match in the victory over Comoros in the first match, appeared to be trying to impress too much.
After the half-hour mark, Chipezeze justified the voices that have been grumbling for his inclusion in the Warriors with a spectacular point-blank save, flying to his left to pluck the ball over the bar, although the effort could have been ruled out for offside had it gone in.
Seven minutes later, Comoros referee, Ali Mohamed Adelaid, whose handling of the first half was very biased in favour of the Zambians, somehow, decided to ignore what appeared a genuine call by Zimbabwe skipper, Knowledge Musona, for a penalty.
The Smiling Assassin skinned his marker on the left side, fooling him with twists and turns and leaving him for dead, before roaming into the space where he was tackled from behind only for the referee to award the Warriors a corner kick instead of the penalty they were screaming for.
A minute later, the ball appeared on the other side and when it brushed part of the shoulder of Teenage Hadebe, who was already turning the other side, Adelaid shocked all and sundry by pointing to the spot.
“That, to me, will be the worst penalty you will see,’’ said SuperSport analyst, William Shongwe.
“That’s where VAR would have come handy for me, I don’t have to doubt my feelings about that one.’’
Austin Muwowo took responsibility and directed his effort to the right of the ’keeper and Chipezeze dived the right way to produce a fine save with the Zambian then kicking him on the head as he chased the rebound to earn himself a yellow card.
Zimbabwe had 63 percent possession in the first half.
Chipezeze then saved well again on the hour mark from range before a big cheer erupted inside the stadium when Khama Billiat was introduced for Tafadzwa Kutinyu.
Musona then fooled his marker and fired a near post bullet which the Zambian goalkeeper did well to push for a corner.
The pace of the game decreased in the middle of the second-half, but right at the end, substitute Tino Kadewere could have won it for the Warriors.
Billiat carried the ball well down the right avenue and Musona sold the Zambians a dummy, the ball rolling kindly to Kadewere who went for both power and the top corner only to direct his effort wide.
It was a great chance and, on reflection, Kadewere knows he should have buried that opportunity.
The match then spilled into a penalty shoot-out and it started in horror fashion for the defending champions when Billiat appeared to slip, just before the connection, and his effort was saved by the goalkeeper dividing to his left.
Admiral Muskwe, who had a quiet game, was handed the responsibility to try and bring the Zimbabweans back into the game but his effort was wild and floated over the goal by a distance.
It was probably the biggest miss, in terms of height cleared, since Wilfred Mugeyi fired a great chance over the bar in the first 2004 AFCON finals game against Egypt.
The Zambians kept converting their penalty kicks and despite the successful conversions by late substitute Marvelous Nakamba and the impressive Tendai Darikwa, the Zimbabweans crashed out.
Having beaten their opponents in the previous two finals, the Zambians will feel they deserved their chance to smile and will now meet Botswana in the final on Saturday.- state media
A 22-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo who allegedly broke into a pregnant soldier’s house and attempted to rape her has been charged with unlawful entry.
Bandlalwenkosi Ncube from Douglasdale pleaded not guilty to an unlawful entry charge when he appeared before Bulawayo Regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza.
He was remanded in custody to Friday for commencement of trial. Ncube is unemployed whereas the complainant is a soldier based in Plumtree.
The court heard that Ncube allegedly unlawfully entered the complainant’s house and proceeded to her bedroom. Prosecuting, Ms Tarisai Kamema said on May 30 this year at around 12.35AM, the soldier woke up and realised that her bedroom lights were off and her door was open. She woke up and closed the door.
“When she was going back to bed, Ncube grabbed her from behind and told her to be quiet, threatening to stab her if she screamed.
“Ncube fondled her breasts, patted her tummy and undressed her. When he tried to rape the woman, she overpowered him and screamed for help.
“Ncube bit the complainant on her right shoulder and fled from the house,” said Ms Kamema. The court heard that Ncube dropped his cellphone on the bed and it was used to track him, leading to his arrest.
He was arrested on the same day he allegedly committed the offence.State media
THE head of a gold panner from Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb was left hanging by a shred of flesh following a savage attack in a fight over gold in Mphoengs, Plumtree.
Ficson Mkandla was killed on Saturday in the vicious confrontation pitting a gang from Insuza, in Matabeleland North and another from Nkayi, in the same province.
Chronicle yesterday visited Mkandla’s home where his elder brother Collen narrated the grisly killing.
A group of gold panners were also present to mourn their colleague. Collen said the family was devastated and saddened by his younger brother’s gruesome death.
“I’m based in South Africa. I wasn’t there when this incident occurred but will only narrate what I was told by his friends and my other brother who escaped the fatal attack. I’m told a gold war erupted in Mphoengs on Saturday where these guys from Nkayi, which my brother is part of, were involved in an altercation with a gang from Insuza. The gang from Insuza were overpowered during the scuffle and escaped only to emerge later with reinforcements,” said Mr Mkandla.
He said the gang from Insuza ambushed his brother’s team who were already panning for gold in shafts.
Mr Mkandla said as Ficson’s team retreated, he was struck with a stone on the head.
“The Insuza gang was in hot pursuit. The gang pounced and axed him on the head, splitting his skull open and nearly decapitating him. He had four deep cuts and his hand was also nearly cut off. He died at the scene. It was a horrific scene and sadly no one has been made to account for his death,” said Mr Mkandla.State media
Zanu-PF Matabeleland North meets in Lupane this weekend where the candidacy of Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube in the Lupane East by election is expected to be discussed.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Sithembile Gumbo in April this year following a long illness exacerbated by injuries sustained in an accident in 2014.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa promulgated August 3 as the date of the by election.
“The idea of deploying Mthuli in the by election has been discussed in the province but no concrete decision was reached,” said a Zanu-PF official.
“It is expected that the matter will be finalised on Saturday so that preparations for the by elections start. We do not anticipate that Mthuli’s candidacy will be opposed by anyone.”
The province is also expected to discuss the humiliation of provincial affairs minister and Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Richard Moyo during the burial of struggle icon Dumiso Dabengwa in Ntabazinduna on Saturday.
Moyo is also the Zanu-PF Umguza legislator under which Ntabazinduna falls.
Moyo, representing President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was forced to cut his speech within four minutes after he was booed by members of the public.
“The provincial leadership is not happy about the humiliation suffered by Moyo during the burial. There is a feeling that the humiliation was instigated by Chief Ndiweni and elements of the Nelson Chamisa MDC,” said a Zanu-PF member.
Own Correspondent|The Confederation of African football have decided to replay the Champions League final following the scandalous scenes in Radès last week.
This became clear at CAF’s emergency meeting in Paris, to discuss the mayhem that took placeon the second leg of the Champions League final between Wydad Athletic Club and Espérance de Tunis.
The visitors had a goal wrongly disallowed after 60 minutes of play and when the VAR system proved not to be working, they refused to continue, resulting in Espérance being handed the title.
But the case has now gone to the CAF executives, which now have decided to replay the final on neutral ground, with results from the previous legs cancelled out. There’s still unclarity surrounding when the game would be played, although it looks like we’d have to wait until after the summer, with Africa Cup of Nations soon approaching.
CAF’s president had since weighed in on the matter, suggesting that Wydad got the short end of the stick in the second leg of the final.
“If somebody did not see WAC’s goal as legitimate, he then should change his hobby and to stop watching football,” Ahmad told Moroccan sports news outlet Almountakhab.
“The goal was legitimate and the Video Assistant Referee is not necessary to prove that.”
Ahmad also provided some clarity regarding the lack of VAR in the second leg.
“Everything has been unfair towards Wydad,” he told HeSPORT.
“We have had an agreement with a company to supply VAR; however, they informed us they wouldn’t be apply to provide it for technical reasons just before the game.
“I have no answers to give you. I am even so frightened after what happened.”
Community Water Alliance ward 43, 33 and 32 Committees visited Budiriro District Offices of the City of Harare registering their displeasure on water consumption charges on households where water has not been provided for the past 4 years in Ngungunyani and Goshen areas in Budiriro.
A copy of the letter was delivered and the District Officer immediately called CWA Committees for a meeting.
The meeting resolved the following:
1) Community Water Alliance ward 43 committee will collect information on all affected households in Ngungunyani and Goshen and present details of House Numbers including water meter readings to local district offices of the City of Harare.
2) Local District Officer agreed to remove erroneous charges on water bill upon submission of affected households by CWA. She however said that the timeframe for this will be determined by the capacity of central office at Rowan Martin to ensure the new billing system functions within the shortest period.
CWA Ward Committees will soon be doing ward engagement meetings to collect more cases on arbitrary water disconnections in Budiriro, encourage payment for services rendered and bank rolling community stewardship to water infrastructure
By Talent Gondo| A 32 year old man from Gwanda has been jailed 15 years for raping his friend’s wife after he found her alone at her home while her husband was at work.
Bukhosi Nyathi of Tshoboyi pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira, but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence.
He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and three years were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years. He will serve an effective 12 years.
In his defence, Nyathi, who was being represented by Mr Bukhosi Ncube of Mlweli Ndlovu and Associates, said the complainant had consented to having sexual intercourse with him as they were having an affair.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has spoken strongly against the culture of holding demonstrations as they create disharmony among citizens.
He added that the culture of violence is retrogressive and will only serve to worsen the socio-economic challenges facing the country.
Mnangagwa said this during the launch of Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) at the Rainbow Towers in Harare on Tuesday.
He said:
In the Second Republic, let us shun the culture of militancy, disharmony and demonstrations. We must develop a greater understanding of each other’s perspectives.
Like one writer says, ‘Most problems would disappear if people talk to each other more, instead of talking about each other.
Differing positions must be permissible within our country, however, these must never divide us or result in conflict.
Violence must never be used as a tool to gain a temporary advantage, at the expense of the people we must serve and protect.
The old, retrogressive culture will only serve to widen our fissures and exacerbate our socio-economic challenges, and further delay the prosperity that our country so much needs and our people deserve.
The Chikurubi Maximum Prisoners band leader Felix Sadza confessed that he was jailed for raping a 14-year-old, adding that while he committed the offence, he was not supposed to be caught.
Felix notes that schooling like what other prisoners do is not into him because he likes singing and dancing.
“I am the band leader and also the choir master amongst all the prisoners,” he said.
He also notes that he once had a goblin and was once tsikamutanda in Karoi.
“I once had a goblin which every year was supposed to kill my relative so that I become rich.
“I was also capable of helping people to catch witches and wizards making payments in form of cattle,” said Sadza.
Sadza alleged that he raped but he wasn’t supposed to be caught but then people saw that he was making a lot of money whilst his relatives were dying. To take care of his children and make money he is also doing business though he is a prisoner.
“I used to have three wives but they all went away when my father returned my goblin because they realised that they had been sleeping with goblin to make me rich.
“Though I am 28, I already have nine children and only five of them still visit me.
“My relatives became jealous because I was making money and they reported me.
“To take care of my children whilst I am still in prison, I make shoes, hats, ladies’ hand bags and sell them or do barter trade with the other prisoners,” said Sadza.
One of the police officers who engaged in a conversation with Sadza’s father said Sadza’s father has been telling them that they have been seeing his son around the streets and sometimes he comes home so they suspect he’s still being used by the goblin.-HMetro
By Talent Gondo- A couple’s marriage has ended after a dispute over allowing a sangoma into their home.
Violet Machipinda claims she left her matrimonial home after a misunderstanding with her husband Medium Viki who had brought a Sangoma to conduct a ceremony.
Machipinda made the revelation at the Harare Civil Court where she applied for a protection order.
“We were staying together in Kambuzuma where I moved out last month because he had brought a sangoma into our home.
“He claimed there was a ceremony that had to be conducted after his brother’s death and I did not approve of it since it is against my Christian values,” said Machipinda.
She added that the sangoma was still conducting the ceremony and she was afraid that her children might be sexually abused.
“I have two girls aged 15 and 18.
“My children told me that during the night the sangoma knocks on their door saying that he wants to come do cleansing on them,” she said.
She added: “I once reported him to the police for assaulting me and he was warned that if he continued to assault me he would be charged.”
Viki disputed the claims saying that the man at his house was his relative.
“The man at our house is not a sangoma, he is my relative who will be staying with us,” said Viki.
He also laid accusations against his ex-wife.
“I caught her with her boyfriend and I lost my temper. She used to come home at around midnight lying that she was coming from work. I have never assaulted her,” said Viki.
Presiding over the matter, magistrate Noah Gwatidzo granted the protection order in favour of Machipinda.-StateMedia
Farai Dziva| Warriors captain Knowledge Musona says the team is working hard on rectifying the mistakes from the previous Afcon edition.
Zimbabwe were knocked out in the group stage, managing only a point at the 2017 tournament.
The squad was composed of players without the Afcon experience as the country had last made their last appearance over a decade before.
In an interview with Reuters at the Warriors’ training camp in Durban, Musona believes the selection, which has a couple of new faces, is now capable of getting beyond the first round.
“We have a good team with good quality, and we are working hard to correct the mistakes from the last tournament,” said the skipper.
“We have enough experience and our initial target is to pass out from the group stages for the first time.”
Zimbabwe are in Group A, and they start their campaign on the opening Match-day against hosts Egypt on June 21.
They will play Uganda and DRC in the coming days, and Musona, who is contracted to Belgian side Anderlecht but played part of last season on loan at Lokeren, says the team is targeting to pull an upset on the group favourites.
“We have the hosts and they are always going to be favourites. DR Congo have a strong team and they will know what to expect from us. Uganda are a very good team also.
“Zimbabwe are the only underdog in the group, but that in itself should give is motivation to say we are the Ajax Amsterdam of the Nations Cup.
“We are going there to fight and give disappointment to other teams,” he said, alluding to the Dutch club’s surprise run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals this season.
Farai Dziva| Bayern Munich have confirmed that they will not activate their purchase option on James Rodríguez, whose two-year loan from Real Madrid expires at the end of the month.
The Colombia international will now return to his parent cub after the Bavarians decided against activating a €42 million buying clause.
“I thank James on behalf of FC Bayern Munich for two successful years,” Bayern’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the club’s official website.
“We have twice won the German Championship and the DFB Cup with him. In addition, we reached the semi-finals of the Champions League with him last season.
“James made an important contribution to all these successes. We wish James all the best for his future.”
Rodríguez, 27, netted 14 goals and made the same number of assists in 43 Bundesliga games during his loan spell but consistently struggled to hold down a place in the starting line-up.
Meanwhile, the forward is unlikely to make a stay at Santiago Bernabeu and has been linked with a move to Manchester United, Juventus and Napoli.
Farai Dziva|MDC deputy Tendai Biti has said Emmerson Mnangagwa rigged the election but he cannot rig the economy.
Speaking in an interview with ZimEye.com Biti said: Well this issue is not about Tendai Biti, it is about the economy and the suffering people of Zimbabwe.
Our message to Emmerson Mnangagwa is very clear, you can rig an election but you cannot rig the gas station, you cannot rig the supermarket.
You don’t have to like me personally but just look at what is happening on the ground.”
“The fuel queues we are seeing in Zimbabwe were last seen in Rhodesia around 1973.”
Farai Dziva| Veteran journalist and political analyst Hopewell Chin’ono says the economy is already demonstrating against Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
Chin’ono has urged the opposition MDC to desist from mass protests because that will be playing into the hands of the government.
Chin’ono believes the economy has already taken to the streets.
Writing on Twitter, Chin’ono said:
“I have argued that the MDC shouldn’t put people in the streets because this is what this regime wants.
The economy is already in the streets demonstrating against the incompetence, corruption, nepotism, lack of Political Reforms and looting of natural resources by this government!”
Farai Dziva| Respected Constitutional Law expert and political commentator, Fadzayi Mahere has said the thriving black market will literally remove Emmerson Mnangagwa from power.
Mahere has said the economic crisis is “beyond Mnangagwa’s reach.”
“Economy sent Blackmarket onto the street to protest against Ed. Blackmarket ran riot. The army tried to shoot Blackmarket but shot Wages instead.
Bond joined the protest but was sprayed with RTGS and ran away. They looked for the US but we refused to protest and hid under our mattresses,”said Mahere.
Farai Dziva|Masvingo residents have been angered by the fact that local taxi driver Josiah Rimai was brutally murdered near Masvingo Central Police Station.
The alleged killers allegedly bribed workers at Backpackers Lodge before brutally killing Rimai.
After hearing Rimai screaming for help the Backpackers Lodge workers never bothered to alert the police.
The lodge is situated 100 metres from Masvingo Central Police Station.
“We are not happy with the fact that the workers at Backpackers Lodge did not bother to alert the police as Rimai was calling for help.
Above all we expect police officers to be alert,” fumed one taxi driver.
Farai Dziva|The ancient city of Masvingo has been shaken by the gruesome murder of a local taxi driver,Josiah Rimai.
See below an account of how he was allegedly murdered:
Matsotsi awandisa. Munin’ina wangu akaponderwa sahwira wake waanoshanda naye paPik N pay.
He was hired by a couple who seemed to be booked paBackpackers opp Central..
The couple vakazoinda nadriver neshamwari yake kunogocha kwaDunira kumashops kuRanch uko…Because they were now 4 the driver and his friend plus the couple hanzi pakazotengwa nyama yakawanda sahwira wadriver ndokusara achigocha nyama ava ndokumboti tisvitse mutown.
Farai Dziva|A Taxi driver was brutally murdered in the city of Masvingo on Sunday evening.
According to the police Josiah Rimayi was murdered by one Kambarami and her female accomplice.
“Josiah was hired by the couple on Sunday after the two had indicated they wanted to tour the Great Zimbabwe ruins.
The two then offered to pay Josiah USD 100 and he became suspicious.He called his friend Lucky who then accompanied him during his errands with the couple.
The couple then left Lucky at a braai spot in Mucheke Suburb.
Upon arrival at Backpackers Lodge, Kambarami and his girlfriend assaulted Josiah and he died on the spot,” police said.
“The two dumped Josiah’s body near Masvingo Teachers’ College and Kambarami was then arrested near Beatrice.”
Kambarami and his girlfriend are in cells at Masvingo Central Police Station.
Prof Mthuli Ncube, Special Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa commissions new Zupco buses that Government acquired in an effort to ease transport woes in this file photo. The recently introduced ZUPCO subsidies are helping many Zimbabweans on a daily basis as a direct result of a budget surplus. Sensible economics always trickles down
A
former US Secretary of the Treasury once noted that, “the budget is not just a
collection of numbers, but an expression of our values and aspirations.”
Indeed,
a culture of overspending and irresponsible finances trickles down and spreads
like a disease. It undermines our very basic values and aspirations. And that
is why, the most important step, and perhaps the most difficult, in reforming
an economy is that initial act of balancing the budget.
In
record time, we have made it over this first hurdle. Revenues at RTGS$1.9
billion have outperformed targets (RTGS$1.8 billion) throughout the first
quarter of 2019. While expenditures have been contained at RTGS$1.5 billion
against a target of RTGS$1.7 billion.
This
has led to savings of RTGS$218.9 million, and a budget surplus of RTGS$443.1
million. Government is finally earning more than it is spending.
No
deficit. Not even breaking even. But a real budget surplus for Zimbabwe.
However, the question I keep hearing is “what does this surplus mean to us?”
Well,
the values enshrined in responsible economics have already started to bear
fruit.
Even
with the uncontrollable outside factors from Cyclone Idai and drought; our
progress remains. Our foundations for long-term stability are being
built. Indeed the surplus has already allowed us to tackle these
particular crises head on, and with many successes.
Government,
for example, had initially earmarked RTGS$50 million towards mitigating the
impact of Cyclone Idai; resources which the targeted welfare of survivors,
infrastructure rehabilitation in the areas of roads, bridges, water and
sanitation, schools and health facilities, amongst others.
The
above allocation, however, has since been doubled to RTGS$100 million to cover
the emergency requirements. This would be impossible without the budget
surplus.
Likewise,
the recent ZUPCO subsidies which are helping so many Zimbabweans on a daily
basis are a direct result of this budget surplus. Sensible economics always
trickles down.
The
structural reforms introduced under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme
are therefore providing us crucial breathing room, protecting the economy from
failure.
Of
course, inflation is yet to be fully tamed. However, fiscal consolidation
measures, reinforced with a tight monetary policy stance together with the
liberalisation of the exchange rate, are containing previously uncontrolled
inflationary pressures.
We
must continue to tackle the widespread indiscipline in the foreign exchange
market which is still a major source for parallel exchange market premiums
feeding into inflation.
This
austerity program cannot merely be about balancing the budget.
We
have a duty to ensure that we continue to invest in the development of our
people and our nation.
During
the first quarter, RTGS$12 million was disbursed towards education in support
of teaching and learning materials as well as programmes such as student
stipend support, school feeding and special needs education.
Likewise,
health support amounted to RTGS$33.9 million, including preventative health and
medical supplies, primary health care (child and maternal health) and hospital
care (hospitals and health care centres).
Not
just a balanced budget, therefore, but an ongoing expression of our values and
aspirations.
Furthermore,
RTGS$16.5 million was disbursed towards a whole variety of social protection
programmes such as BEAM, Harmonised Social Cash Transfer, drought mitigation
and sustainable livelihoods.
The
fiscal position of the country has therefore been turned around in just six
months. We leapfrogged the breakeven point, and jumped straight from
month-to-month deficit, to month-to-month surplus.
However,
this is just the beginning. And patience is required from all as the process of
reform gathers pace. We must regain control of our monetary and fiscal policy.
Indeed,
what we did on the first of October last year was to begin the process of
restoring monetary policy as an additional tool to deal with macro-economic
issues.
It
is a complicated matter, but crucial to understand. As long as we were pegged
to the dollar, we could not respond, or manage our monetary policy; inflation
was out of our control.
It
is quite clear that we need to move towards having our own domestic unit
account and the RTGS$ is the beginning of that. But it is a process. You
cannot run before you can walk.
And
our economic legs have been broken for too long, we must first recover and get
back on our feet before racing ahead with a full on new domestic unit.
We
must continue to fine tune the interbank market making it more efficient whilst
also putting in place the micro institutions for making sure that monetary
policy begins to work.
One
of the things that we have done in order to boost our balance of payment
position, is to put in place a US$500 million facility which we have sourced
from outside of Zimbabwe in order to deal with demands for meeting external
payments from importers and others.
While
this of course is not a long term solution, a wounded economy sometimes needs
crutches, aid, or support from friends on the tough road to recovery.
But
we are making great strides, and progress is real. We have a surplus in both
RTGS and US$.
This
is no small achievement. This is the culmination of tough economic
decisions, a nation pulling through and working together, and a new economy
being rebuilt for a new Zimbabwe, on the shared values of responsibility,
progress, and aspiration towards prosperity.
Hon. Prof Mthuli Ncube Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance and Economic Development
ZimEye brings our viewers, readers and listeners LIVE coverage of the Deputy MDC President Tendai Biti’s address before ChathamHouse in London. – More follows
By Talent Gondo- Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has dismissed as “rumours” reports that government was in the process of reviewing civil servants’ salaries.
Ncube said this following claims that Treasury has set aside $500 million for civil a servants’ salary hike this month.
Addressing the media on Tuesday in a post cabinet briefing, Ncube said:
“Government has not set aside RTGS$500 million to cushion civil servants. We would have to enter first a proper process which we always do before reaching any figure.
However, government is always sensitive to the plight of civil servants and we can review (their salaries) from time to time. But this has to be within our means and within our coffers. Currently, we have not set aside RTGS$500 million.”
4 JUNE 2019- Kariba – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) is holding an Electoral Reforms Petition workshop to review the legal framework governing elections in light of the petition submitted to Parliament by ZESN on the 3rd December 2018. The workshop is attended by the Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Advocate Jacob Mudenda and Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in Kariba from 4 – 5 June 2019. The workshop comes against the backdrop of a plethora of recommendations that were proffered by ZESN and other Election Observer Missions to the Zimbabwe 2018 Harmonised elections.
In light of the foregoing, it is incumbent upon Zimbabwe to undertake electoral and political reforms to ensure future electoral processes are not disputed as well as complying with domestic, regional and international standards that govern the conduct of democratic electoral processes.
In his Opening Remarks, the Speaker of Parliament Honourable Advocate Jacob Mudenda also echoed the sentiments noting that, “This petition, comes at the most vital moment in that it creates thorough leverages to interrogate and take stock of our electoral laws, identify gaps and shortcomings in our electoral system that can be refined in order to promote and enhance democracy, transparency and an effective democratic electoral system.”
Honorable Mudenda commended ZESN for utilising the Constitutional provisions, in particular Sec 149 to petition Parliament. He also applauded the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Portfolio Committee for taking the petition process seriously and for demonstrating its commitment and institutional accountability in seeking more clarification and engaging with ZESN.
Mindful of the need for free, fair and credible elections in 2023, the Speaker is elated that the public inclusive of ZESN is consciously responding to the dictates of the Constitution regarding their rights.
“It is, therefore, appropriate and salutary that the petitioners are now desirous of seeing Electoral Law reforms which beckon Zimbabwe to embrace and implement its commitments under the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance as well as the SADC Principles and Guidelines for Democratic Elections so that the Electoral law creates clear voting related rights,” says the Speaker of Parliament.
The workshop brought in local and regional experts to get a more in depth engagement with the Portfolio Committee, reiterating ZESN’s calls for political, administrative and legal reforms that are needed to enhance the credibility of Zimbabwe’s electoral processes as expounded in the Petition.
The key demands in the ZESN Petition for consideration include the need to ratify and domesticate the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance which Zimbabwe is signatory to, the independence of ZEC and other Chapter 12 institutions; reviewing provisions around the delimitation of constituencies; incorporation of a Code of Conduct for traditional leaders to ensure they are apolitical; reviewing results management and transmission systems; the repeal or amendments of Acts that restrict the enjoyment of fundamental rights key in electoral processes, review legislation relating to public media to ensure equal coverage of all political parties, ensuring compliance with Constitutional provisions for the equal representation of women in all key decision making positions; and streamlining election dispute mechanisms.
ZESN applauds the Speaker of Parliament in particular and Parliament in general for demonstrating commitment to the electoral reform process as an investment in the promotion of peace, good governance and democracy in light of the residual mistrust amongst some election stakeholders as a result of continual contested electoral outcomes.
By Talent Gondo- Convicted rapist former RMG End Time Message leader, Robert Martin Gumbura, has revealed that he admires raunchy dancer Beverly Sibanda.
Gumbura revealed this at Chikurubi Maximum Prison following a performance by Bev at musician Sulumani Chimbetu’s 37th birthday celebrations.
Gumbura, who had 14 wives before being incarcerated, described Bev as a beautiful woman begging for a selfie with her.
Gumbura could not hide his joy at seeing Bev revealing that he admires her dance moves.
“I want a selfie with her because she is beautiful and i admire her dance moves.”
The Sexy Angels leader left male inmates drooling with her ‘waist tactics’ and suggestive acrobatics.
“I am happy. I admire her moves. “That is the reason I requested for a picture with her,” he said. He thanked Bev for entertaining them saying he had relieved some form of stress after watching her performing.
“She actually relieved a bit of stress from me after watching her,” he said. Gumbura had Sulu to thank after he requested to help him in cake cutting subsequently leading him to see Bev.
By Talent Gondo- Ntabazinduna Chief Nhlanhla Ndiweni castigated President Emmerson Mnangagwa and government officials for snubbing the burial of national hero Dumiso Dabengwa last Saturday
The outspoken chief, who has been warned by the government to be careful, tore into Mnangagwa and Zanu Pf while giving a graveside speech during the burial of the late ZAPU president’s funeral.
He said:
“Our tradition tells us that death unites people despite the differences that people might have. When there is a funeral people come together.
They could be here just to see if we have laid him to rest properly.
Maybe we might have done it the wrong way here; they could be here to say ‘no, this is not it!’ But above all, this whole scenario points to a situation that things are not well in our country.”
Jane Mlambo| Outspoken Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has castigated government for failing the nation and stealing from its people saying the present situation in the country is synonymous with a bus without a driver.
Addressing villagers in his constituency, Mliswa accused government of promising to pay tobacco farmers with foreign currency for their produce before reneging on its commitment.
BELOW IS THE FULL TEXT OF WHAT MLISWA SAID
Iye zvinezvi nyaya ye food is now a problem, tobacco, mukanzwa kuti tobacco ndiyo inoita kuti vanhu vararame, ma farmer e tobacco akanzi tichakupai 50 percent mu foreign currency, 50 percent iri kupi, 50 percent iri kupi, kubira vanhu mari pachena, ndanga ndiri ku parliament manje manje ndichibvunza minister of finance kuti ihurumende chete chete iri kubira vanhu mari, momboti bond ne dhora zvakafanana, mangwana moenda ku RTGS matora mari dzevanhu, unoshaya kuti tiri papi, imi muri kutobata vanhu venyu khaki, ndiyani munhu angaisa mari munyika imomo imi muchitobata vanhu venyu khaki, saka ini ndiri kutouya kuzokuudzai kuti the situation is terrible, ndo news dzandinadzo, dzekutaura kwamuri, kana mune zvimwe zvinopfuura zvandataura izvi ah tinga waster time panapa nzara futi yonya, moti futi ndikutengerei chikafu chacho handina, mazuwa ano ndongofamba nemvura chete
By Ndaba Nhuku| The founder syndrome prevalent among our organizations, political parties, charity organizations, churches and companies is sickeningly retrogressive!
This applies to those angry that some founder menbers of the MDC who worked for many years with its late president Morgan Tsvangirai (may his dearest soul rest in peace) were not elected as leaders at its recent Congress.
Founder member leadership mentality stops organisation s’ growth and success and the injection of new ideas. It can be tolerated in companies and possibly blindly accepted in churches as they deal with spiritual and prophetic matters determined by the founder.
However, in political parties, the founder syndrome must not be tolerated or accepted at all. Whilst we voluntarily become members of political parties as we do in churches, the huge difference is that political parties are aimed at governance.
Once in power, they rule over EVERYONE in the land, whether you support them or no. Therein lies the need to not allow founder ownership of political parties.
Parties belong to the collective members who elect their leadership. Founder members are not lifelong leaders. Parties members can choose new leaders and move on. A typical example is that Ndabaningi Sithole and others founded Zanu but were sacked from the party with Mugabe taking over.
Mugabe was consequently fired in a coup by the army that opted to impose Mnangagwa. ANC, the oldest political party south of Sahara changed leadership many times firing some of the founders.
A political party can not be owned by individuals as that would be beginning of a dynasty which the world long awakened to its dangers.
There is therefore no need for purportedly enlightened democratic forces in Zim to go about telling us about founder members of MDC as entitled to continue as leaders of the party.
Once they fail to deliver, or members feel they don’t want them to continue leading for whatever reason, they have a right to kick them out. Being a member of a party, let alone a leader, is something based on acceptance and voluntary identification with the party. It is not an act of permanent identity like your family or clan.
Members can fire you whenever they feel you are no longer effective to the aims of the organisation. That can be failure to articulate, to attain or pursue its collective members’ goals. This being a founder doesn’t mean you will continuously be able to do this.
A founder has a right to leave the organisation should s/he feel the majority of the members and leaders have since ceased pursuing it’s aims. Noone is forced to remain a member as if it’s a mafia organisation.
MDC and those who have left it for whatever reasons must know that MDC doesn’t belong to founder members. It is a party that belongs to its members as does Zanu and any other political party unless specifically formed as a party whose purpose is to fulfill the objectives of the founder members installed as lifelong leaders.
Zimbabwe has not yet seen such a party. All are formed as voluntary democratic organisation anyone is free to join or leave. Democracy will only prevail if we stop seeing political leaders as demigods and when we stop taking founder leaders of political parties as lifelong leaders even when they clearly cannot serve the organisation effectively anymore.
The Constitution and aims of the organisation must be it’s soul that determines the choosing of an effective leadership. In democracy, noone should has an automatic right to political leadership of a political organization.
By Fanuel Chinowaita| The situation in Zimbabwe has become unbecoming. People are crying from every corner.
The different between the working class and the unemployed is just the same. The noise is now very high…..People are asking for the signal. They need a better Zimbabwe where everyone has equal opportunity.
A Zimbabwe with industries. A Zimbabwe with stable economy. A Zimbabwe with rule of law and a Zimbabwe with a capable President.
The message has been clearly sent to Dambudzo that he has failed the nation. People demonstrated and he unleashed riot police and army with button sticks and fire arms.
This is inhuman!!!
Our brothers and sisters died, reminding us of Gukurahundi where about 20 thousand people from Matabeleland died. That is up to 1987 right…after what we so called independence.
In 2002 people were also beaten and killed for belonging to an Opposition. In 2005, there was Operation Murambatsvina where property worth millions were destroyed and people died again.
2008 is the year most of politicians were butchered, the likes of the late Morgan Tsvangirai, Nelson Chamisa, Tendai Biti and so many activists. That’s when Robert Mugabe was on television bragging that, ” tinovadashura”. Many People died in that year. We lost Tonderai Ndira, Kauzani, Betty Mafikeni and so many other cadres. About 2 thousand people died.
People who died during the liberation struggle are more than people who died during what we call independent Zimbabwe. This is uncalled for.
Zimbabweans are not stupid. They are not cowards and they will not be silent.
The signal is coming, Zimbabwe will be a bread Basket of Africa Again.
Jane Mlambo| Sydney based Zanu PF sympathizer, Reason Wafawarova has made startling revelations that former Information minister Professor Jonathan Moyo directed the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) board to fire top Disc Jockey Ezra Tshiza Sibanda for refusing to play the late Cde Chinx’s hondo yeminda on national radio.
Yesterday, Professor Moyo and Sibanda engaged in a social media fight with the latter accusing the exiled former cabinet minister of pushing for his dismissal while the former claimed to only know him when he was begging to join Zanu PF in 2014
But posting on Facebook today, Wafawarova said Moyo knew Ezra and the reason why the popular DJ was fired was because he refused to play Hondo yeminda every 15 minutes.
“Jonathan Moyo directed to have Ezra fired from the ZBC for refusing to play Hondo Yeminda on radio every 15 min. He knows Ezra.” said Wafawarova.
By Talent Gondo- Information secretary Nick Mangwana has said that the new Protection of Personal Information Bill shall see Political parties prosecuted and penalised for accessing citizen’s personal mobile phone numbers and using them to solicit votes.
Said Mangwana:
The Protection of Personal Information Bill came from section 75 of the constitution which is our rights to privacy.
You know every one of us go to the Registrar General’s Office and you give your information.
You then start receiving text messages from certain political parties and when formulating this bill, people gave an example of the previous elections when people started receiving text messages from certain political parties asking for your vote and you start questioning and asking yourself where they got your information, it makes people uncomfortable because they want their information protected.
THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Zimbabwe must step up efforts to increase foreign currency supply and allow exporters to sell their earnings directly on the interbank market to improve liquidity.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) introduced the market back in February as part of monetary measures to facilitate the availability of foreign currency and tame a thriving parallel market, but the platform has failed to excite the market with few trades taking place.
Business has on several occasions complained about unavailability of hard currency on the interbank market.
“Deepening the interbank foreign currency market is essential for it to function as the basis for a market-determined exchange rate and to close the parallel market spread. Staff encouraged the authorities to take steps to increase the supply of foreign currency in the market, including by allowing exporters to sell directly into the interbank foreign currency market the amount they are required to surrender to the RBZ, which would allow for an effective price formation,” the fund said in a recent statement.
The IMF has approved a Staff Monitored Programme for Zimbabwe which will run to the end-December 2019.
“Existing exchange controls, which limit foreign currency purchases in the official interbank market for current account transactions, would continue to control demand for foreign currency, but the sanctioning and enforcement framework would be applied transparently and uniformly,” the statement added.
The IMF added that to move towards a unified exchange rate, any subsidies for specific goods or sectors such as fuel and medicine should be channelled through the budget, not through administered exchange rates. Authorities have since removed fuel subsidies.
RBZ deputy governor, Kupukile Mlambo, told a recent business meeting that around US$120 million had been traded on the platform since February.
Economist Persistence Gwanyanya, however, said the market was still not well developed to encourage trade.
By Own Correspondent- Sulumani Chimbetu’s 37th birthday celebrations saw him teaming up with sungura musicians, Romeo Gasa, Simon Mutambi and Tendai and Morgan Dembo to perform before hundreds of inmates at Chikurubi maximum prison.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) ambassado teamed up with other artists and performed at the prison during his birthday celebrations.
Raunchy dancer, Beverly Sibanda, also joined the ‘behind the walls’ birthday celebrations in a development which saw jailed RMG Independent End Time Message leader Robert Gumbura asking for a photo moment with Bev.
Sulu belted his yesteryear hits much to the excitement of the inmates who danced and sang along throughout his performance.
He was later joined on stage by Bev who excited the convicts with her raunchy dances.
Sulu could not hide his joy and said it was out of his personal volition to celebrate with the inmates.
“I thought of these people and decided to celebrate with them. I am humbled by the response that I got from these inmates,” he said.
Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa against following in the footsteps of tyrants by arresting and detaining activists and human rights defenders.
Posting on Twitter, Chamisa said the recent arrest of seven civil society leaders is a confirmation that there is nothing new in Mnangagwa’s dispensation.
” The recent arrest & detention of 7 activists,cases of crackdown against opposition,labour & civil society activists confirm that NOTHING IS NEW in Zimbabwe.ED stop adopting the same old tactics used by tyrants to repress,harass, embarrass & terrorize citizens. Free the #Zimbabwe7,” said Chamisa.
The recent arrest & detention of 7 activists,cases of crackdown against opposition,labour & civil society activists confirm that NOTHING IS NEW in Zimbabwe.ED stop adopting the same old tactics used by tyrants to repress,harass, embarrass & terrorize citizens. Free the #Zimbabwe7pic.twitter.com/P3UXoc0VEF
By Talent Gondo- A Bulawayo s_ex worker was found dead with 666, biblically known as the mark of the beast and a star associated with the occult, inscribed on her belly with a red substance.
Sources at the lodge said the woman checked into Silver Sands with a man who gave a Pumula South address as his home at around 3 AM on Sunday.
“She appeared drunk and was carrying a bucket with ice and beer. Around 10 AM on the same day, a staff member knocked on the door to tell them it was time to check out. The man partially opened the door and paid for an extra day saying his companion was still drunk,” said a source.
The source said around 2 PM the man left the lodge saying he was going to buy food and never returned.
“On Monday at around 10 AM a staff member went to clean the room and inform the occupants that it was time to check out. She knocked without a response and eventually opened the door. We heard her screaming saying someone was dead in the room,” said the source.
The source said there were no visible marks on the woman’s body but blood and a strange fluid were coming out of her mouth.
“We think it was a satanic ritual k!lling. The number 666 is known as a mark of evil as shown in the Bible in Revelations 13. A police officer said the star that was painted on her tummy is used to summon evil spirits,” said the source.
Speaking to the state media, Bulawayo acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said investigations were underway to determine the cause of death.
I can confirm that police are investigating a case of a woman who was found dead under a bed at Silver Sands Lodge in the CBD. The body was discovered by a cleaner while she was spreading sheets on the bed and she alerted her superiors who reported the case,” she said
Own Correspondent|Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has yet again scored a victory over beleaguered President Emmerson Mnangagwa after a new law was set up criminalising sending of messages on private cellular phones.
According to the new law, political parties will be prosecuted and penalised for accessing personal mobile phone numbers and using them to canvas for votes from the electorate under the new Protection of Personal Information Bill, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Secretary Nick Mangwana has said.
The new law is a victory for MDC leader Chamisa who in the run up to last year’s elections also castigated Mnangagwa for the move and led a mass demonstration of MDC supporters and citizens who received the messages from Mnangagwa to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
Zanu PF has been caught with its hands in the cookie jar. There is no legal way for any political party to access voter phone numbers. A govt that does illegal things can’t deliver prosperity and happiness. Join me tomorrow July 11 as we demonstrate against ZEC. We will prevail. pic.twitter.com/5yRVohr46e
President Emmerson Mnangagwa used the method last election sending millions of messages to citizens on their mobile phones in the process attracting heavy criticism from the citizens who felt their right to privacy was infringed on.
Most people blamed mobile phone service providers for providing Mnangagwa with their contact details without their approval.
Mnangagwa’s election campaign sms which also had wrongly spelt IsiNdebele words
In the just ended South African elections Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC also used the same strategy leaving South Africans bitter and demanding for legislation that will prohibit the practice.
Speaking during the belated Press Freedom Day commemorations in Kwekwe recently, Mangwana said there were complaints and concern from the general public in the last elections when the electorate received messages on their mobile phones from political parties canvassing without them having provided them with their mobile phone numbers.
“The Protection of Personal Information Bill came from Section 75 of the Constitution which is our right to privacy,” said Mangwana.
“You know every one of us go to the Registrar-General’s Office and you give your information. You then start receiving text messages from certain political parties and when formulating this Bill, people gave an example of the previous elections when people started receiving text messages from certain political parties asking for your vote and you start questioning and asking yourself where they got your information, it makes people uncomfortable because they want their information protected.”
Mangwana said Government was internationalising data protection and every personal data collected will be protected under the new Bill.
“Every one of us is a data subject,” he said.
“We are data subjects and being a data subject you need some protection, for example when applying for a job you submit your CV which has a lot of personal information.
“There is an expectation that information will be treated with integrity and for the purpose that you submitted it and not for anything else, if you find out that information has been abused, you have the right to complain.”
Mangwana said the Bill, which is now awaiting approval from the Executive, was in line with international standards with regards to the protection of personal information.
“What we are doing is basically standardising our practices with international practices to the protection of people’s information,” he said.
“For example, when people visit our country, when they get to the airport their information is collected because they have become data subjects. They do not want their information published anywhere else.
“So, the fact that we have internationalised our practices is good for the country. It also puts the country in a better light. We provide for the prohibition of processing of genetic biometric information and data except where consent is given. Your information can only be used for the purposes it has been collected.”
With regards to elections, Mangwana said officials in his ministry were leading the Sadc media observer mission in African countries that were conducting general elections.
He said the ministry studied the Zimbabwe 2018 election observer mission reports in a bid to improve the 2023 election in terms of media coverage.
“Most of the directors in my ministry were out observing elections — in South Africa, Malawi and Madagascar,” he said.
“The Zimbabweans were leading the media observer missions.
“We have also gone through the observers’ reports pertaining to our last elections and we are learning lessons from those reports and we hope and believe that the reports that will come up in the 2023 elections will be different.”
Own Correspondent| Suspended Choppies CEO, Mr Ramachandran (Ram) Ottapathu has hit out at the company for criticising him in Stock Exchange News Services (Sens) announcements in Botswana and South Africa.
He was responding to a Sens announcement
published by Choppies today (3 June 2019) which claimed his suspension was “valid and proper” and
related to “an aggregation of activities and conduct” by him, which would “in due
course be made known to shareholders, once the various investigations referred
to in previous announcements by the Company are completed.”
To date, and despite numerous requests from
his legal representatives, Choppies have failed to provide any particular facts
about the charges against him.
Mr Ottapathu said: “This is simple character assassination which does not give
me a chance to defend myself. I was suspended without notice and without a
hearing.
“I deny the insinuations and allegations that I have done anything wrong. I
have said repeatedly that I have not been involved in material wrongdoing or
that I benefited financially from any of the
transactions which have now been under investigation since our shares were
suspended almost a year ago.
“I am going to challenge my suspension in court at the soonest opportunity – as
I do not believe it is justified or that it was done in a manner which was
valid or proper. I have also called on the board to convene an Extraordinary
General Meeting of Shareholders at which this issue will be raised and where I
will propose that various changes be made to the Board of Directors in order to
ensure that it properly represents the interests of shareholders.”
He added: “The company criticises me for comments made in the media. Yet they
use their access to Sens, which access is denied to me, to attack me.”
“The recent arrest and detention of 7 activists upon increasing cases of crackdown against opposition, labour and civil society activists and progressives confirm that NOTHING IS NEW in Zimbabwe. ED must stop copying and adopting the same old tactics used by tyrants to repress, harass, embarrass and terrorize citizens. Free the #Zimbabwe7” Nelson Chamisa
CONVICTED Chipinge white farmer, who shot and injured his employee, claiming that he had mistaken him for a stray dog and later blamed the victim for the incident, has taken the trial magistrate and Prosecutor-General Kumbirayi Hodzi to the High Court.
Joubert Francois Johannes (36) of Lushof Farm, was last month convicted by Chipinge magistrate, Joshua Nembaware for negligently causing serious bodily harm to his employee, Frank Makuyana.
After convicting him, Nembaware stopped the proceedings and remanded the matter to June 11 for sentencing as the court sought the Prosecutor-General (PG)’s Office to increase its sentencing jurisdiction.
However, Johannes applied to Masvingo High Court, seeking an order barring the magistrate from applying for an increased sentencing jurisdiction, describing his decision as traumatic.
“The decision to stop proceedings, seeking increased jurisdiction made by the first respondent (Nembaware), thus grossly irregular in that there’s simply no sound basis upon which that decision was arrived at. It’s gross miscarriage of justice that I have been made to wait and endure the delay and anxiety … as I now fear that justice will not be done,” submitted
Johannes in his application filed by his lawyer Langton Mhungu.
“It’s clear that first respondent intends to give me a long imprisonment in excess of five years when in fact there are other possible sentencing options available in terms of section 90 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. The trauma that the first respondent’s decision has caused and is causing is unbearable.”
In his defence, he said his employee Makuyana was to blame for not being at his usual workplace at the time of the shooting.
“I was not negligent at all. It’s the complainant who is to blame. Had the complainant not moved away from his usual workplace, he wouldn’t have been shot,” Johannes said.
In convicting him, the magistrate noted that Johannes did not take proper care in the circumstances.
“In convicting the accused, the court noted that the accused didn’t act like a reasonable person in the circumstances. He didn’t exercise proper care and wasn’t even remorseful. He blamed the complainant for his negligence,” Nembaware said.
In mitigation, through his lawyer, Johannes pleaded for a non-custodial sentence, arguing that he was a first offender who had no intention to injure the complainant. However, in aggravation, prosecutor Gift Bikita called for a deterrent sentence.
Bikita told the court that on October 5 last year, Johannes and Makuyana were under a dairy shed at around 6am. Johannes then saw stray dogs which had entered his kraal and went to his farmhouse to collect his shotgun. While shooting at the dogs, a stray bullet hit Makuyana.
Sudan’s military on Tuesday announced that elections will be held within nine months, adding that it had decided to cancel all that had been previously agreed with protesters about the country’s transition.
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s announcement came the after Sudan’s military forcefully broke up a weeks-long sit-in outside Khartoum’s army headquarters calling on the country’s ruling generals to hand over to civilian rule, leaving more than 30 dead.
“The Military council decides on the following: cancelling what was agreed on and stopping negotiating with the Alliance for Freedom and Change, and to call for general elections within a period not exceeding nine months,” Burhan said in a statement broadcast on state television early on Tuesday.
The Military council decides on…cancelling what was agreed on and stopping negotiating with the Alliance for Freedom and Change.
Burhan added the election would take place under “regional and international supervision”.
The Transitional Military Council ousted president Omar al-Bashir in April after months of protests against his authoritarian rule.
What had been agreed with protesters
It had agreed a three-year transition period for transferring power to a civilian administration and that parliament be composed of 300 members for the transition, with around two-thirds from the protest alliance and the rest drawn from other political groups before talks broke down on May 20.
Thousands of people remained camped outside the military headquarters calling for the generals to cede power before security forces used force to break up the sit-in, leaving some 30 people dead and hundreds wounded, according to doctors close to the protesters.
It drew sharp international criticism, with both the US and the UN condemning the breaking up of the sit-in.
The UN Security Council will meet behind closed doors on Tuesday to discuss Sudan, after Britain and Germany requested the talks, diplomats said.
The Alliance for Freedom and Change had announced “the end of all political contact and negotiations with the putschist Council” following the deaths.
Burhan said that the military council would order an investigation into it.
“The military council promises an investigation into today’s events and invites the general prosecutor to take that over,” he said in the address.
Businesses in Zambia have warned that a move to ration electricity to non-mining businesses could hurt industrial production and commercial services.
The country began rationing power on Saturday to address a daily electricity deficit of 273 Megawatts (MW), said Henry Kapata, spokesman for state power utility Zesco.
“If generation is maintained at the current level, Kariba dam will drain to minimum operating level by November,” Kapata said, referring to Zambia’s largest hydropwer plant.
All customers shall be subjected to this for four hours daily.
“All customers shall be subjected to this for four hours daily but mining companies have their own agreements, which we signed with them.”
Zambia is Africa’s second-largest copper producer and copper exports account for 70% of its total export earnings and 12.2% of its gross domestic product.
Mining industry sources said electricity rationing had not affected the sector but was likely to if the situation worsened.
The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI), an industry body, said the electrity rationing would push up production costs as firms switch to other forms of energy.
Firms that cannot afford to switch to alternative sources of electricity like diesel power may be forced to cut output and lay off workers, said ZACCI President Michael Nyirenda.
“We already have other serious issues like the depreciation of the kwacha and planned introduction of sales tax next month, so the power rationing will just make it worse,” Nyirenda said.
A new non-refundable sales tax replacing value-added tax (VAT) was meant to have been introduced on April 1, but has been postponed until July to allow more consultation.
Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) President Roseta Chabala said her organisation would ask Zesco to reduce the power rationing for manufacturers.
“We have some concrete proposals on how the load shedding time can be reduced,” Chabala said, referring to the electricity rationing.
A SUSPECTED hooker was found dead in a lodge in Bulawayo with 666, biblically known as the mark of the beast and a star associated with the occult, inscribed on her belly with a red substance.
The suspected satanic ritual killing occurred at Silver Sands Lodge situated at number 13 Connaught Avenue between Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street and Jason Moyo Street.
A cleaner at the lodge stumbled on the body which had been stashed under a bed on Monday morning.
Sources at the lodge said the woman checked into Silver Sands with a man who gave a Pumula South address as his home at around 3AM on Sunday.
“She appeared drunk and was carrying a bucket with ice and beer. Around 10AM on the same day, a staff member knocked on the door to tell them it was time to check out. The man partially opened the door and paid for an extra day saying his companion was still drunk,” said a source.
The source said around 2PM the man left the lodge saying he was going to buy food and never returned.
“On Monday at around 10AM a staff member went to clean the room and inform the occupants that it was time to check out. She knocked without a response and eventually opened the door. We heard her screaming saying someone was dead in the room,” said the source.
The police, added the source, were called and the full horror of the situation was revealed.
The source said there were no visible marks on the woman’s body but blood and a strange fluid were coming out of her mouth.
“We think it was a satanic ritual killing. The number 666 is known as a mark of evil as shown in the Bible in Revelations 13. A police officer said the star that was painted on her tummy is used to summon evil spirits,” said the source.
Bulawayo acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said investigations were underway to determine the cause of death.
“I confirm that police are investigating a case of a woman who was found dead under a bed at Silver Sands Lodge in the CBD. The body was discovered by a cleaner while she was spreading sheets on the bed and she alerted her superiors who reported the case,” she said.
Ass Insp Msebele said the body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for postmortem.
“We have not yet established the cause of death. We will provide finer details after investigations. The police have not obtained the name of the deceased as well as residential address of the man the deceased was allegedly in the company of,” she said.
The dead woman was wearing blue jeans, a brown jacket, black bra and black top.
Recently an unknown woman from Bulawayo was allegedly raped and killed in a bushy pathway between Richmond and Mzilikazi suburbs.
A passerby called police after stumbling on the body.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi took the fight against his predecessor, Ian Khama, a notch higher when on Friday he dispatched the head of civil service, Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP) to discredit the former president.
Although PSP, Carter Morupisi, was supposed to brief the media about issues of national interest, it turned out that the only subject was Khama’s conduct and decisions during his reign.
For two hours, Morupisi sought to absolve the current administration from any blame while demonstrating how Khama made poor unilateral decisions and wasted public funds. Now, acting unlawfully to accommodate amendments forced by Khama to his retirement benefits has come back to haunt the Office of the President, said Morupisi, admitting to the blunder on Friday.
Morupisi conceded that they violated the law when dealing with the benefits and entitlements for Khama. To buttress their blunder and blind loyalty Morupisi revealed that Khama has additional 13 staff members, which contravenes the law governing the benefits of former presidents.
“We did that because when he asked for additional staff members to help him settle in his new position we agreed on the basis that after settling down they will be recalled. Now that is proving to be a challenge,” he revealed.
According to Morupisi, Khama was allowed to use the two Chief Catering Officers from State House because it was still being renovated while the current President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, was using State House 2. Each former president is also entitled to four staff members at their residential place including two maids, one gardener and a nursery man. “The arrangement was that when President Masisi moves to State House they will go back to their designated posts but it seems there will be a problem. We are going to correct this thing and ensure the law is followed to the letter,” said Morupisi.
Morupisi could not explain why technocrats at the Office of the President (OP) approved decisions, which he confessed were unlawful. He would not even say why nobody is facing criminal charges for breaking the law as it happens with all other public officers, regardless of their position.
Instead of enforcing the law, Morupisi said they have adopted a reconciliatory approach to find a reasonable resolution to the issues. “The truth is that Khama made some decisions about his retirement package and benefits for former President while he was still in office. President Masisi has also raised questions about some of those decisions that clearly were meant to benefit Khama, and how they were sanctioned. I did not have the answers. So we could only apologise and promise to correct that,” said Morupisi, explaining that Khama made unilateral decisions and disregarded their advice.
SKI troublesome
In not so many words Morupisi narrated a very difficult relationship between OP and Khama. Comparing Khama to other former presidents, he said OP has never had any issues with the late Sir Ketumile Masire or his successor Festus Mogae.
“Whenever they sent a request and it was not honoured due to certain circumstances they always understood but with the other one (Khama) is a problem,” he said.
Morupisi said had they known that Khama was going to give them problems they could have done things differently, especially refusing to bend the law to suit his needs.
Morupisi also revealed that there was major disagreement recently when Khama demanded that government foot the bill for food, transport and accommodation for his social club, Super XI. OP refused. “Super XI is a not a national team and paying the bill for its expenses will be against the law,” said Morupisi.
Although Khama still claims that Super XI was disqualified mysteriously from a football tournament during the recent Khawa Dune Challenge, the team participated and emerged champions. Detailing how government is ill-treating him, Khama recently told multitudes of his supporters in Serowe that his social football team was banned from competing at Khawa Dune Challenge.
Khama wasteful
Morupisi also took a swipe at Khama for wasting public funds in his pet projects, saying in most cases money was spent on his soup kitchen and his football team Super XI. Using the example of staff overtime allowances, which are allocated to offices of former Presidents, Morupisi revealed that in the 2018/19 budget Khama’s office was allocated P650, 000 from which he used up P540, 000.
In comparison former President Festus Mogae’s office was allocated P160 000 in the same financial year and only used up P109, 000 as payment for overtime allowance. “You can make your interpretations; I will not say anything further,” said Morupisi.
Govt aircrafts
One of the thorny issues that have led to the fall out between Masisi and Khama is the use of government aircrafts. Khama has on many occasions complained that he is being denied the use of government aircrafts despite that he is entitled according to benefits for retired presidents.
Morupisi said the issue of aircrafts is the main cause of trouble between the Office of the President and Khama. “Out of the 13 requests sent by Khama for the use of government aircraft, seven were approved by President Masisi while four were denied,” he revealed, explaining that OP is acting within its powers and that they follow provisions of the law, which they will continue to abide by.
The Dalai Lama
In March 2019 Khama travelled to Dharamshala, the residence of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile. The trip did not sit well with Botswana government as it threatened the relationship with the Chinese government.
Morupisi revealed that they tried everything without success, to convince Khama not to go to Dharamshala as it will soil the relationship with Beijing. “I even went to the extent of appealing to the representatives of Dalai Lama in South Africa begging them to cancel the invitation but that too didn’t bear any fruits,” he said.
At that time government through Directorate of Intelligence Services (DIS) withdrew his security details but they defied the orders and travelled with Khama. Khama has since taken government to court after they refused to reimburse him the money he used to travel to India.
On his trip to Dalai Lama, Khama accused the Masisi administration of trying to do bidding for the Chinese government. “Because of these new-struck relations [between] the current administration of Botswana and China, I think they feel they have to do China’s bidding and have succumbed to pressure from China to have no contact with people the Chinese do not like,” Khama was quoted saying.
Morupisi said when the Dalai Lama was supposed to come to Botswana in 2017, cabinet tried to convince Khama not to allow him as it will come at a cost for the country. “China is one of our biggest trading partners and consumes 20% of our diamonds. Remember that they were threatening to close their embassy in Gaborone but Khama didn’t budge,” said Morupisi, who was one of Khama’s trusted allies.
President’s Housing Appeal
After taking office in 2008 Khama’s administration actively promoted the President’s Housing Appeal as an initiative to afford dignity for the less privileged. Khama has been at loggerheads with the current administration demanding to continue overseeing the project claiming that it was his personal initiative. The issue has contributed to a major rift between the parties.
On the other side, Government has maintained that it was not Khama’s personal pet project but rather belongs to the Office of the President. Morupisi said he reminded Khama that the presidential housing appeal is a twin government programme with the Destitute Housing Programme. “The Presidential Housing Appeal was started by former President Quett Ketumile Masire in 1994 then called small borrowers fund. I wanted to remind Khama that the presidential housing appeal is not his pet project,” he said.
Was Tlhalerwa fired?
Last year Khama accused OP of acting in bad faith and refusing to renew the contract of his long time Senior Private Secretary Brigadier George Tlhalerwa. In response Morupisi stopped short of accusing Khama of lying; saying Tlhalerwa terminated his contract while it was still left with a year.
“On the 1st of May 2016, Tlhalerwa’s contract was extended by three years meaning it will end in May 2019. On the 1st of April 2018 he was deployed to the office of the former president but still with his benefits. On the 12th of June 2018, Brigadier Tlhalerwa informed me that he wants to terminate his contract because he was over burdened by the work and the working conditions were not conducive,” Morupisi said, but refused to share more details.
Khama then submitted the name of former Director General of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) Isaac Kgosi to be hired as his private secretary, which was rejected by the Office of the President.
After Kgosi was rejected, Khama submitted another name of his ‘golden boy’ Tsaone Nkarabang, an employee at the Office of the President, to be appointed his senior private secretary. Khama has in past interviews expressed shock when he learnt that after his nomination Nkarabang was transferred to Sowa Town as deputy District Commissioner.
Morupisi rubbished the suggestion, explaining that before Khama submitted his name for consideration Nkarabang was already transferred to Sowa Town. “I again told him that Nkarabang was on E2 salary scale and it was not possible for him to skip other scales to F2. That will be irresponsible on our part,” he lashed out, adding that another big challenge is that most public officers do not want to work at Khama’s office.
ZANU-PF has expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the Government is addressing the issue of so called illegal settlers in the country.
The so called illegal settlers were incidentally settled in the areas by a ZANU PF system ahead of general elections in a bid to boost their numbers.
In a statement, the ruling party’s Secretary for Information and Publicity, Simon Khaya Moyo, said: “Zanu-PF notes with tremendous satisfaction the manner in which the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement is addressing the issue of illegal settlers of land in the country.”
Khaya Moyo said having successfully undertaken the fast track land reform exercise, the ruling party and Government continue to collaborate in the mutual bid to further consolidate gains achieved so far. He said the challenges were being addressed with compassion and utmost consideration.
“It should be recalled that the land question was at the core of the liberation struggle hence its judicious management is always an issue of prime concern to the party. In view of that reality, the party through the appropriate arm of government, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement, is satisfied with the current process of rationalisation of the land where all cases of those in need of it are given,” said Khaya Moyo.
“The continuous refinement of the processes of rationalisation is an indication of the party and Government’s utmost desire to ensure that the land is at the centre of economic rejuvenation and ultimately its stability.”
He said the economy is agro-driven hence the ongoing scientific recalibration of the agriculture sector was a necessity to unlock its potential.
Khaya Moyo commended the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Retired Chief Air Marshal Perrence Shiri and his team for the exceptional work of reorganising and retooling the country’s agricultural sector.
He said Zanu- PF will continue to render support to that venture.
A Form 3 pupil from Gweru has been jailed for four years for raping a two-year-old child. The 17-year-old boy, who is a repeat offender, will serve a total of seven years after Gweru regional magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa added three years which were suspended in 2015 when he was convicted of a similar charge of rape.
He was convicted against his own plea of not guilty after a full trial.
In passing sentence, Mrs Msipa said as a repeat offender, the teenage boy deserved custodial sentence which she said will also act as a deterrent to would be offenders.
“This is not your first time appearing before the court facing a similar charge,” she said. “In 2015 you committed a similar offence and you were sentenced to a three year suspended sentence on condition you do not commit a similar offence within five years. That time frame hasn’t lapsed and you have committed another similar offence.
“There is a difference in age of 15 years between you and the complainant and you were supposed to protect the complainant, therefore a custodial sentence will serve justice to this case.”
It was the State case that on April 21 around 3pm, the complainant was playing with the accused’s siblings at their house.
The accused, the court heard, called the complainant into his room and raped her once without protection.
The matter came to light when the complainant indicated to her mother that she felt pain on her private parts while she was bathing her.
The court heard that the mother examined her and noticed some bruises.
The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the accused.
A 22-year old man from Bulawayo who allegedly broke into a pregnant soldier’s house and attempted to rape her has been charged with unlawful entry.
Bandlalwenkosi Ncube from Douglasdale pleaded not guilty to an unlawful entry charge when he appeared before Bulawayo Regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza.
He was remanded in custody to Friday for commencement of trial. Ncube is unemployed whereas the complainant is a soldier based in Plumtree.
The court heard that Ncube allegedly unlawfully entered the complainant’s house and proceeded to her bedroom.
Prosecuting, Ms Tarisai Kamema said on May 30 this year at around 12.35AM, the soldier woke up and realised that her bedroom lights were off and her door was open. She woke up and closed the door.
“When she was going back to bed, Ncube grabbed her from behind and told her to be quiet, threatening to stab her if she screamed.
“Ncube fondled her breasts, patted her tummy and undressed her. When he tried to rape the woman, she overpowered him and screamed for help.
“Ncube bit the complainant on her right shoulder and fled from the house,” said Ms Kamema.
The court heard that Ncube dropped his cellphone on the bed and it was used to track him, leading to his arrest.
He was arrested on the same day he allegedly committed the offence. – state media
Own Correspondent|Political parties will be prosecuted and penalised for accessing personal mobile phone numbers and using them to canvas for votes from the electorate under the new Protection of Personal Information Bill, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Secretary Nick Mangwana has said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa used the method last election sending millions of messages to citizens on their mobile phones in the process attracting heavy criticism from the citizens who felt their right to privacy was infringed on.
Most people blamed mobile phone service providers for providing Mnangagwa with their contact details without their approval. MDC leader Nelson Chamisa also castigated Mnangagwa for the move.
Zanu PF has been caught with its hands in the cookie jar. There is no legal way for any political party to access voter phone numbers. A govt that does illegal things can’t deliver prosperity and happiness. Join me tomorrow July 11 as we demonstrate against ZEC. We will prevail. pic.twitter.com/5yRVohr46e
In the just ended South African elections Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC also used the same strategy leaving South Africans bitter and demanding for legislation that will prohibit the practice.
Speaking during the belated Press Freedom Day commemorations in Kwekwe recently, Mangwana said there were complaints and concern from the general public in the last elections when the electorate received messages on their mobile phones from political parties canvassing without them having provided them with their mobile phone numbers.
“The Protection of Personal Information Bill came from Section 75 of the Constitution which is our right to privacy,” said Mangwana.
“You know every one of us go to the Registrar-General’s Office and you give your information. You then start receiving text messages from certain political parties and when formulating this Bill, people gave an example of the previous elections when people started receiving text messages from certain political parties asking for your vote and you start questioning and asking yourself where they got your information, it makes people uncomfortable because they want their information protected.”
Mangwana said Government was internationalising data protection and every personal data collected will be protected under the new Bill.
“Every one of us is a data subject,” he said.
“We are data subjects and being a data subject you need some protection, for example when applying for a job you submit your CV which has a lot of personal information.
“There is an expectation that information will be treated with integrity and for the purpose that you submitted it and not for anything else, if you find out that information has been abused, you have the right to complain.”
Mangwana said the Bill, which is now awaiting approval from the Executive, was in line with international standards with regards to the protection of personal information.
“What we are doing is basically standardising our practices with international practices to the protection of people’s information,” he said.
“For example, when people visit our country, when they get to the airport their information is collected because they have become data subjects. They do not want their information published anywhere else.
“So, the fact that we have internationalised our practices is good for the country. It also puts the country in a better light. We provide for the prohibition of processing of genetic biometric information and data except where consent is given. Your information can only be used for the purposes it has been collected.”
With regards to elections, Mangwana said officials in his ministry were leading the Sadc media observer mission in African countries that were conducting general elections.
He said the ministry studied the Zimbabwe 2018 election observer mission reports in a bid to improve the 2023 election in terms of media coverage.
“Most of the directors in my ministry were out observing elections — in South Africa, Malawi and Madagascar,” he said.
“The Zimbabweans were leading the media observer missions.
“We have also gone through the observers’ reports pertaining to our last elections and we are learning lessons from those reports and we hope and believe that the reports that will come up in the 2023 elections will be different.”
Farai Dziva|Zimbabwe’s main opposition party MDC has bemoaned the relentless hiking of prices of basic commodities.
See below the party’s statement on the deepening economic crisis in the country:
The MDC notes with concern the unabated price hikes, especially on basic foodstuffs.
An announcement by the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe highlights steep increases of rice, maize meal and flour.
These are basically the commodities which the people of Zimbabwe survive on.
The MDC advised against bad policies and the broken politics of Mnangagwa and Zanu PF, yet they did not listen, they still do not listen. They display a lack of care for the people’s plight and arrogance.
In December of 2018, we made the point that the economy would fail because Mthuli Ncube’s budget was premised on false underlying assumptions specifically inflation.
In January 2019, the MDC also stated that Mnangagwa’s witchy fuel price increase would drive inflation. We also made the same point when a dog’s breakfast disguised for monetary policy was announced by Panonetsa Mangudya.
We argued that the bond note must be demonetised in its totality, a point we have made consistently since August of 2016. The skewed monetary policy meant to facilitate patronage for political elites is causing unpalatable suffering for Zimbabweans.
Zanu PF has failed in absolute terms. It is time they accept and allow Zimbabwe to start afresh and move forward, with dignity and pride. MDC: Defining a New Course for Zimbabwe! Jacob Mafume MDC National Spokesperson
Farai Dziva|There is chaos in Chiredzi as residents strive to repossess community land that was invaded by Zanu PF activists.
Zanu PF activists with the help of Chiredzi West MP Farai Musikavanhu grabbed land that was reserved for community projects, irritating local residents in the process.
MDC councillor for ward 18 Chiredzi West Gilbert Mutubuki told ZimEye.com in an interview yesterday Zanu PF activists forcibly occupied community land but local residents have vowed to repossess the land.
“The town council has stated that the land belongs to the local community but Zanu PF activists are having non of it.
I had a meeting with council officials on the matter and I hope it will be resolved,” said Mutubuki.
“Local residents have vowed to repossess the land that was seized by Zanu PF supporters,” added Mutubuki.
Farai Dziva| A Ruwa woman believed to be mentally challenged is being trailed by state security agents following her prediction of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s exit in the coming few weeks.
The woman is seen in a footage that has gone viral on social media saying that Mnangagwa will soon be shown the exit-door in the first two weeks of June.
The woman was seen talking about Mnangagwa’s exit along Mutare road in Ruwa.
However state security agents are closely monitoring her movements, according to Ruwa residents.
“Her message has unsettled the security agents who are keen to ascertain her mental condition,” a Ruwa resident said.
Farai Dziva|Zimbabwe Amalgamated Council of Churches patron Jimaya Muduvuri has vowed to expose bigwigs behind parallel market deals.
Muduvuri has threatened to expose all the ‘big fish’ behind illegal foreign currency black market if they do not immediately stop their operations.
“We have issued a one-week ultimatum to all people involved in black market deals to stop their operations or face the consequences,” said Muduvuri in a statement.
“All those involved in illegal foreign currency dealings, running the parallel market, causing untold suffering to ordinary citizens- your days are numbered. “
By Talent Gondo- In a sad turn of events, a 22-year-old Mutare woman’s search for love turned into a nightmare after she was raped by a suitor whom she had met through a popular show on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s National FM.
It is alleged that while listening to the programme she heard Charles Majura’s request of an adult woman who wanted to settle down and she took his contact details.
After being lured by Majura’s proposal of marriage, the single mother took an interest. The two then started to date through WhatsApp until Majura asked to meet her in Westgate in Harare, where he was purported to be staying.
The complainant reportedly agreed to the request and visited Majura on May 25 at around 5 pm and he took her to his place. Upon her arrival, the complainant was appalled by the state of the house which was a wooded cabin roofed with iron sheets, which was different from what she had been told.
It is the state’s case that Majura then asked her to get into the house, but she refused. It is alleged that Majura then forcefully dragged her inside, telling her that she was now his wife before raping her on a makeshift bed of metal sheets.
The matter came to light after the complainant escaped in the morning and told a lady whom she met about the ordeal, who then accompanied her to the police leading to Majura’s arrest.
By Own Correspondent- Caged rapist and former leader of RMG Independent End Time Message Robert Martin Gumbura could not resist a photo moment with raunchy dancer Beverly Sibanda following her visit at Chikurubi Maximum prison.
Sibanda, who visited incarcerated males and gave them a taste of her dances wooed Gumbura who reportedly pleaded for a photo moment with her.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.
By Talent Gondo- A Harare woman has dragged her stepson to court seeking a protection order alleging that the son is always verbally abusing her and accusing her of murdering his biological mother.
Tackler Nyambera made the revelation at the Harare Civil Court where she applied for a protection order against Thinkmore Nyambera.
Tackler told the court that Thinkmore was in the habit of insulting her whenever he visits her at her Mbare house.
“He is my stepson but he accuses me of killing his mother.
“He also claims that I bewitched his father who recently had a stroke,” said Tackler.
She said she was now living in fear after her stepson threatened to burn her alive.
“He threatened to burn me alive.
“I reported him to the police and they took him for questioning but he kept on insulting me; this is why I am seeking this relief from the court,” said Tackler.
Thinkmore disputed the allegations saying he only had an argument with his stepbrother.
“I did not insult her. I only had an argument with my stepbrother and I asked her not to intervene.
“I have never threatened to burn her alive. I only visit the house to see my father,” he told the court.
Presiding magistrate Noah Gwatidzo granted the protection order in favour of Tackler ordering the respondent not to issue threats of violence or death.
By Talent Gondo| Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Nelson Chamisa has alleged that Zimbabwe is now under an undeclared state of emergency following the deployment of state security personnel in most cities and towns where public protests are imminent following the rise in prices of most goods and services.
Chamisa’s MDC alleges that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has deployed soldiers in cities over looming public protests due to the deteriorating economic crisis.
In a statement, the MDC said recent developments in the country have “exposed a failed government that is running scared of citizens’ demands to be governed differently and effectively.
“The country is effectively on military lockdown. Soldiers have pitched tents in high density suburbs, no reason of deployment have been brought to Parliament in line with Constitutional requirements; there is also an unconstitutional attempt by the illegitimate government to ban demonstrations and industrial action. Is Zanu PF declaring a State of Emergency through the back door?”
“Just last night, suspected state security agents raided Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe chairperson Rashid Mahiya’s home, refused to identify themselves and banged at his doors. This is unacceptable.”
Seven civic society actors, Stabile Dewa, Farirai Gumbonzvanda, Gamuchirai Makura, George Makoni, Frank Nyasha Mpahlo, Rita Nyamupinga and Tatenda Mombeyarara are facing charges of attempting to unseat Mnangagwa’s government.
“The MDC is concerned by this dictatorial attitude by the failed government and its incapacity to lead this nation in any positive direction.
That is why we have insisted on dialogue as a way forward, premised on truth telling and an objective analysis of our national socio-political and economic problem, including answering the legitimacy question and dealing decisively with corruption.
“Zanu PF must know that any commands that stand against the people will not succeed. What is needed is a lasting solution to the economic woes arresting this country. An iron fist approach will not work, simple.”
By Own Correspondent| Government has invited the Apex Council for fresh civil servants’ salary talks following revelations that salaries would be adjusted against the prevailing inflation levels, not the foreign currency exchange rate.
In March, civil servants received a salary increase of $400 million as part of their cost of living adjustment, with Government promising another review this month.
In an interview recently, Apex Council president Cecilia Alexander confirmed that the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) would sit Thursday to discuss an adjustment of civil servants’ salaries.
She said the Apex Council would sit today to agree on proposals they will present to the Government as requested by the workers.
“The Government has written to the Apex Council inviting us for a meeting on Wednesday. The main issue on the agenda is reviewing civil servants’ salaries. Apex Council will sit on Tuesday to discuss and agree on the salary increment that the civil servants want.
“Previously, we had set the minimum salary at $1 700. We’ll definitely demand more than that because it’s no longer adequate due to the prevailing situation,” said Mrs Alexander.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza could not be reached for comment on her mobile phone.
This is not the first time state agents have used all sorts of tactics to threaten the security of Mahiya and his family. After the January 2019 peaceful protests, members of the security services launched a violent manhunt on Mahiya whom they accused of inciting citizens to demonstrate. While conducting the search, they heavily assaulted his brother and harassed his mother and wife.
Heal Zimbabwe notes that this continued trailing and harassment of Mahiya does not only compromise his security and that of his young family, but also violates his fundamental human rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the constitution such as the right to personal security. This latest threat on the life of Mahiya, come at a time when seven Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) are languishing in prison facing a litany of charges that include effecting regime change.
In light of this, Heal Zimbabwe implores government to create a conducive environment for the enjoyment of fundamental human rights and freedoms that are exclusively provided for in the Bill of Rights (Chapter 4 of the constitution). Added to this, the government must also stop criminalizing the work of CSOs as their contribution to the attainment of democracy in any given society is key.
By Talent Gondo- An official from the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), Godfrey Chanda was reportedly taken by CID officers to Gweru Central Police Station for questioning.
According to ARTUZ, Chanda was detained for two hours and released without being charged.
ARTUZ said:
Police in Gweru has arrested ARTUZ leader Godfrey Chanda. Mr Chanda was picked in town by one officer Ncube who took him to CID department at Gweru Central Police for “questioning”. Our Rapid response team is working flat out to secure more details.
Chanda is now being held at a building opposite to Main Post office in Gweru. He is in a room with 8 men. One of them identified himself as Ncube but refused to share reasons for picking our leader. We are now treating this as an abduction.
… Thanks for the online support. Chanda has been released and ordered not to address teachers in Gweru district. He has not been charged but was detained for over 2 hours.
ARTUZ on Monday, June 3, 2019, embarked on a 3-day strike in a bid to force the government to address teachers’ working conditions.
By Talent Gondo- A Kwekwe married man and his police officer girlfriend’s plans to marry while the wife of the man is hospitalised after suffering a still birth has been foiled leaving the two in shame.
Kampeza Tambwari of Mbizo 9 tried to book with the magistrate’s office to have a wedding date with a police officer Constable Ropafadzo Vongai Nehumambi while his wife Ruvimbo Chinamanyawi was hospitalised after suffering still birth.
Chinamanyawi was operated on and is still hospitalized at Kwekwe General Hospital a feat which gave her husband room to plan a wedding with another woman.
The registration of the wedding at Kwekwe Magistrates court is said to have been stopped by Chinamanyawi’s relative and one Tambwari who is the brother to Kampeza.
According to sources privy to the issue, the two (Nehumabi and Tambwari) took an advantage of admission of Chinamanyawi in hospital after she had a still birth to tie a knot before she is discharged.
“Constable Nehumambi snatched Ruvimbo’s husband and she started abusing her by sending her messages threatening her.
“As I speak the poor woman is lying helplessly in hospital after she had a miscarriage she had an operation just last Thursday and she is still seriously sick; it is unfortunate that you cannot talk to her in that condition.
“These two then went to the court to register for a wedding whilst Chinamanyawi was still in hospital,” said a cousin to Chinamanyawi who preferred anonymity.
Nehumambi has also been showing no remorse for Chinamanyawi’s condition on social media as she continued to utter some unremorseful statements towards the woman.
“I am feeling sorry for those who want Kamu (Tambwari) to go back to Ruvimbo because he is going to infect her with HIV because when he parted ways with Ruvimbo we were using condoms by then but we are no longer using condoms,” said Nehumambi on social media.
When contacted for comment, Tambwari said he divorced Chinamanyawi and married Nehumambi a year ago.
“I divorced Ruvimbo sometime ago due to some marital problems we faced which I cannot disclose so I married Nehumambi whom I am staying with now.
“Ruvimbo is hypertension patient and she had a number of miscarriages when we were still married and this is not the first one so the still birth she had has nothing to do with this matter,” said Tambwari.
Nehumambi insisted that Tambwari was hers.
“Tambwari is my husband and we have been married for three years after he divorced Ruvimbo.
“We did not succeed with the registration of the wedding because something happened,” said Nehumambi.
Tambwari’s brother who reportedly stopped the wedding arrangement refused to give further details saying it was not for public consumption.
“This is a family issue and I cannot comment anything,” he said.-HMetro
By Own Correspondent- The Zimbabwean government has accused a Serbian national Srdja Popovic of training civic society activists in Zimbabwe to topple the government.
The state-controlled Herald has reported that Srdja Popovic’s CANVAS organisation has of late been involved in the mobilisation of small groups of Zimbabweans to lead Zimbabweans into a mass uprising to remove the Emmerson Mnangagwa led government.
Government has arrested some activist with the State alleging the activists received training in organising mass protests, the use of small arms and counter-intelligence in the Maldives.
Minister of Home Affairs Cain Ndabazekhaya Ginyilitshe Mathema was quoted in the media saying, “Anybody who agitates, therefore, against the Government of the President of this country illegally will be dealt with according to the dictates of our laws.
“Those who are actually here for subversion and those who are being trained outside the country, will face the full wrath of the law. I have no qualms about it. I am prepared to use the law as it stands in Zimbabwe.”
Srdja Popovic was one of the founders and key organizers of the Serbian nonviolent resistance group Otpor!
Otpor!’s campaign to unseat Serbian president Slobodan Milosovic found success in October 2000 when hundreds of thousands of protestors converged upon and took over the Serbian Parliament, effectively ending Milosevic’s rule.
After the revolution, Popovic served a term as a member of the Serbian National Assembly 2000-2003.
In 2003, Popovic and other ex-Otpor! activists started the nonprofit educational institution the Centre for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies (CANVAS).
CANVAS has worked with people from 37 countries, including Zimbabwe, Burma, Iran and Venezuela, spreading knowledge on nonviolent strategies and tactics that was used by the Serbian pro-democracy movement to other non-democratic countries.
CANVAS has worked with the activists responsible for successful movements such as the Georgian “Rose Revolution” of 2003 and the Ukrainian “Orange Revolution” of 2004-2005.
It also transferred knowledge to Lebanese activists in 2004 to address the crisis after the assassination of Prime Minister Harriri, and assisted participants in the Maldives’ revolution in 2008.
Recently CANVAS has worked with April 6th, a key group in the Egyptian nonviolent uprising, as well as other groups from the Middle East.-StateMedia
Daid the Amalgameted Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe:
“The teachers are now demanding an extension of the days of their successful job action, non-ARTUZ members are joining the job action and School Heads are now forced to compile statistics by the employer.
The government is engaging its sweetheart the Apex Council. Yellow Unions are mobilising teachers to go back to work.
The teachers are winning, they are boldly declaring that they will not remain under the armpits of perennial sellouts who claim to be big Unions.
Attendance has dropped to 40% and more are expected to join.
We warn the government to urgently address the salary crisis before schools totally shut down.
Meanwhile, we will confine ourselves to 3 days, evaluate after tomorrow and escalate the struggle as soon as possible.
By Own Correspondent- An attempt by a Kwekwe married man to tie the knot with his police officer girlfriend has been foiled leaving the two in shame.
Kampeza Tambwari of Mbizo 9 tried to book with the magistrate’s office to have a wedding date with a police officer Constable Ropafadzo Vongai Nehumambi while his wife Ruvimbo Chinamanyawi was hospitalised after suffering still birth.
Chinamanyawi was operated on and is still hospitalized at Kwekwe General Hospital a feat which gave her husband room to plan a wedding with another woman.
The registration of the wedding at Kwekwe Magistrates court is said to have been stopped by Chinamanyawi’s relative and one Tambwari who is the brother to Kampeza.
According to sources privy to the issue, the two (Nehumabi and Tambwari) took an advantage of admission of Chinamanyawi in hospital after she had a still birth to tie a knot before she is discharged.
“Constable Nehumambi snatched Ruvimbo’s husband and she started abusing her by sending her messages threatening her.
“As I speak the poor woman is lying helplessly in hospital after she had a miscarriage she had an operation just last Thursday and she is still seriously sick; it is unfortunate that you cannot talk to her in that condition.
“These two then went to the court to register for a wedding whilst Chinamanyawi was still in hospital,” said a cousin to Chinamanyawi who preferred anonymity.
Nehumambi has also been showing no remorse for Chinamanyawi’s condition on social media as she continued to utter some unremorseful statements towards the woman.
“I am feeling sorry for those who want Kamu (Tambwari) to go back to Ruvimbo because he is going to infect her with HIV because when he parted ways with Ruvimbo we were using condoms by then but we are no longer using condoms,” said Nehumambi on social media.
When contacted for comment, Tambwari said he divorced Chinamanyawi and married Nehumambi a year ago.
“I divorced Ruvimbo sometime ago due to some marital problems we faced which I cannot disclose so I married Nehumambi whom I am staying with now.
“Ruvimbo is hypertension patient and she had a number of miscarriages when we were still married and this is not the first one so the still birth she had has nothing to do with this matter,” said Tambwari.
Nehumambi insisted that Tambwari was hers.
“Tambwari is my husband and we have been married for three years after he divorced Ruvimbo.
“We did not succeed with the registration of the wedding because something happened,” said Nehumambi.
Tambwari’s brother who reportedly stopped the wedding arrangement refused to give further details saying it was not for public consumption.
“This is a family issue and I cannot comment anything,” he said.-H Metro
Minister of Finance and Economic Development @MthuliNcube says he will present a Mid Term Budget Review in July. He adds that the surplus will be used to increase social safety nets for the vulnerable in the country. #PostCabinetPressBriefingpic.twitter.com/qpIo7InAyo
— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) June 4, 2019
Zainab Aliu, a Kano State indigene and graduate of English from Maitama Sule University, Kano, was arrested in Saudi Arabia for allegedly being in possession of hard drugs, which were later found to have been smuggled into her luggage at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
Following the intervention of the Federal Government, Zainab regained her freedom. Shortly after returning to Nigeria, she tells about her experience in Saudi Arabian prison for 124 days.
Excerpts:
You were arrested and detained for 124 days by Saudi Arabian authorities for a drug-related offence. What was your experience in Saudi Arabian prison?
The journey and what transpired was not what I expected. I was always thinking about my family, as well as thinking about how I had no knowledge of it. I was accused of committing an offence I did not commit or even know about. What kept on coming to my mind were questions like, when will I regain my freedom and why am I being charged for an offence I did not commit? I cannot really explain how I felt. It is only when someone goes through that situation that they can experience what I felt when I was in that situation.
How did you feel when the Saudi Arabian security men came to arrest you?
When the policemen walked into our hotel room, I did not know that they were police officers because they had no visible identification that revealed their identities. They told me that I had a luggage and I asked, where is the luggage? They said I left the luggage at the airport. At that moment, my mum and my sister told them that we only had our three pieces of luggage with us, which we showed them. They searched the luggage but found nothing incriminating. They bluntly told us that we had left a bag at their airport. At that moment, I was speechless. I could not utter a word; I was just crying because they were accusing us of something we had no knowledge about. Then they brought out handcuffs and that shocked me. I stopped talking from that moment. I was just crying.
When they eventually took you to their office, were you able to establish contact with your mother?
When they took me out from our hotel room, I had no means of talking to my family.
Based on the accusation, did they tell you that you might go to jail?
No, they did not tell me anything about jail until they took me to the prison. After spending about seven days there, I still could not believe that I was in prison. All I kept thinking about was that at least whoever is taken to prison must have been found guilty. I knew that I was not guilty and had not committed any offence. So, why must they imprison me? For the seven days I was there, I could not believe that I was actually in prison.
While in prison, how were you treated and what was your experience?
I cannot explain it because I was always crying. I was always crying because I missed my family. I would cry and cry until there were no more tears rolling down my cheeks. I was just crying and praying to God. What really kept me strong in the prison were the conversations I had with my parents; they consoled and assured me that everything would soon be okay and that I would soon regain my freedom. They advised me to be praying and that God was with me.
Were you able to make some friends while in prison?
No, I did not (make any friend) because I was not comfortable with the prison inmates as I was scared and could not trust anyone again.
Who was the first person you came in contact with when you were taken to prison?
The first person I met in the prison was an old woman. She gave me her credit card to enable me to use it within the prison complex to call my parents and inform them of my predicament.
So, you were allowed to contact your parents on phone?
There was a standby telephone and inmates were allowed to speak to their parents or relations for a maximum of 10 minutes. The time allowed for that was between 8am and 8pm.
When you were held in prison in Saudi Arabia, was there any time you felt that was the end, or that you wouldn’t get out of here?
I could not explain the feeling within me the very first day. I was detained in a prison for an offence I was convinced I did not commit. I was overwhelmed and felt that I would never get out of there again. But I did not allow negative thoughts to take over, so I resorted to prayers there, believing in Almighty Allah that someday I would be exonerated and regain freedom. While in prison, my only sources of happiness were prayers and my Quran, which made me feel that I was with my family.
What do you think could have been your sentence on conviction if you had not been freed?
Seriously, I had no idea because you would see a lot of people who committed the same offence getting different sentences. So, I did not know what sentence they would have given me. Some detainees were busy discussing and guessing that the sentence might range from 10 to 20 years or be execution.
What was your expectation?
In my mind, I knew I was not going to be executed because I knew nothing about it. I was confident that I was coming back to my country. I intensified my prayers, believing that God would sooner than later, liberate and exonerate me.
Prior to boarding your flight to Saudi Arabia from Kano, what happened at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano?
Nothing went wrong; everything went smoothly. I joined the queue like other Saudi Arabia-bound passengers for checking of our luggage and airport formalities. We were given our boarding passes.
After you regained your freedom, where were you first taken to?
First, I was taken to the home of the Acting Consul-General in Jeddah, where I spent between four and five days. And subsequently, I was moved to the National Intelligence Agency, where I spent about seven days. Thereafter, I was brought back to the house of the Acting Consul-General because of the preparations that had to be made to bring me back to Nigeria.
How were you treated in the Saudi Arabian prison?
A prison is not like a home, so, you will not expect to be treated the way you would be treated at home, in a boarding school, university or hostel. The treatment was entirely different.
What was your immediate reaction when you saw your parents on arrival to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia?
I was overwhelmed with joy; I felt like a born-again person as my parents and entire family burst into tears of joy. The way I felt cannot be explained!
What is your message, particularly to those who facilitated your freedom?
I have no words of appreciation for them, other than to continue to pray to Almighty Allah for their success, as well as for the creator to do for them what they have done for me.
On the other hand, what punishment would you want to be meted out to those who implicated you?
I am calling on the Nigerian authorities to impose appropriate punishment on them that is commensurate to their illegal act. I am not the only one they have implicated. There are a lot of innocent people (they have implicated). To this end, I am calling on the Nigerian authorities to mete out to them the commensurate punishment.
Since you returned from Saudi Arabia, have you had any challenges?
I do not have any challenge; all I can say thanks be to God, thanks be to God, thanks be to God because I have regained my freedom. The only challenge I can talk about has to do with the social media. A lot of people are creating fake accounts in my name, whereas I do not have an account on social media. Some people will just come into our house while exchanging pleasantries with some family members. Some people will be videoing me and sharing it on social media, which is disgusting. They need to seek my permission before posting my videos and pictures on social media. I hate with passion when people come into my home to video me and post it on social media, without my knowledge.
Did you have any health challenges while you were there or have you felt any since you returned?
I was hale and hearty while in Saudi Arabian prison and I’ve been enjoying good health since I returned to the country.
While in prison, did any Nigerian official visit you?
They visited and assured me that by the grace of God, sooner than later, I would be freed because the Nigerian government was working towards securing my release, alongside others, who were guilty and not guilty.
After that experience, are you scared of travelling or flying out of the country?
I am not scared of travelling out of the country.
Do you see the money given to you by the Kano State Government as a worthy compensation for your travails?
No comments!
Did you nurse any feeling that you would die?
No, certainly not, because I was confident that I would regain my freedom because I did not commit any offence. So, the question of whether I would die or not did not even arise.
Can you recall the first day you walked into the prison?
The first day I was taken into prison, I could not believe that it was a prison because I believe that only bad people are taken to prison after doing something illegal. I knew that I was innocent.
What occupied your time and attention while you were there?
My Quran and my prayer book occupied my time and attention in prison.
Did you witness other inmates being taken out for execution?
Yes, while in prison, I witnessed some inmates being taken out for execution, particularly for drug-related offences. It did not bother me because I knew I was innocent and would not face the hangman.
How many of you were in your prison cell?
We were over 150, and were from different countries of the world. That included over 20 Nigerians. It is a large hall, partitioned into rooms and six people occupy each room. But in my room, we were only four, all females. All the Nigerians in the prison were there over allegations of drug trafficking.
What was your experience like?
It was a very terrible experience and I cannot wish anybody to go through such a situation in their life.
Now that you are free, is there anything that you would like to change about your life?
Since my stay in prison, I was dreaming of establishing a non-governmental organisation in Nigeria, most especially for women. That is the new thing that will happen to my life. – Punch.
By A Correspondent|A notorious protege of President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been arrested for allegedly stealing gold.
Christopher Manyuchi, was arrested on Sunday 2 June 2019.
Manyuchi who is a Kadoma business man, was arrested on allegations of defrauding Bambanani Mining (Pvt) Limited. Manyuchi without the knowledge of Bambanani Mining, extracted and sold gold worth US$1 million from 2015 to sometime in 2018.
Investigations suggest he was was stealing some of the gold and handing it over to the Mnangagwa’s personal aide, Owen Mudha Ncube.
Manyuchi sold the gold to Eiffle Gold in Kadoma. When the Company discovered this, it made a report to the police leading to Manyuchi’s arrest.
Manyuchi’s court hearing commenced today today 4 June 2019, and ZimEye will give the update
Farai Dziva| A Bulawayo man suddenly went berserk and stabbed his nephew with a kitchen knife in a dispute over a mobile phone charger.
The man was charged with attempted when he appeared in court.
According to court documents Benjamin Akimu (47) allegedly stabbed Shingirai Nyahuma (45) six times in the back using a kitchen knife after he failed to return the former’s charger.
Nyahuma sustained deep wounds and was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital for treatment.
Own Correspondent|THE Linda Masarira-led LEAD opposition has unveiled its ideology document and national executive as well as presented its strategy which will be executed by the party in the run up to the 2023 elections.
The ten-member National Executive Council has Masarira as President, the Vice President is Patrick Ndhlovu of Bulawayo Province while the Chairperson is Carol Rwafa, also from Bulawayo province.
Other officials include Vice Chairperson Morgan Ndhlovu (Matebeleland North), Secretary-General Sydney Muyambi (Matebeleland North), Vice Secretary-General Laura Mutasa (Mashonaland West) and Treasurer-General Adamson Banda (SA Diaspora).
Kevin Muzhunga (Mashonaland West) is the organising secretary and is deputized by Tapiwa Mutasva (Mashonaland Central).
The information department is headed by Musa Kapena from Matebeleland North Province.
Secretary-general Sydney Muyambi announced that a Congress will be held later this year.
“We are going to hold our first Congress in October. At that Congress, whatever is being done now will be ratified and more appointments could be made,” Muyambi said.
Linda also weighed in: “Our supporters should expect that the party should have established structures in readiness for the 2023 elections. If protests worked MDC should be in government by now.
“Since it’s formation MDC has used that method and ZANU pf with its Rhodesian experience know how to deal with protests. Our strategy is centred around winning elections not making the country ungovernable.
“We will engage government at all levels to register our dissatisfaction and advice on matters of development and governance,” said the firebrand human rights defender and former trade union leader.
Farai Dziva|Zimbabwe’s main opposition party MDC has bemoaned the relentless hiking of prices of basic commodities.
See below the party’s statement on the deepening economic crisis in the country:
The MDC notes with concern the unabated price hikes, especially on basic foodstuffs.
An announcement by the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe highlights steep increases of rice, maize meal and flour.
These are basically the commodities which the people of Zimbabwe survive on.
The MDC advised against bad policies and the broken politics of Mnangagwa and Zanu PF, yet they did not listen, they still do not listen. They display a lack of care for the people’s plight and arrogance.
In December of 2018, we made the point that the economy would fail because Mthuli Ncube’s budget was premised on false underlying assumptions specifically inflation.
In January 2019, the MDC also stated that Mnangagwa’s witchy fuel price increase would drive inflation. We also made the same point when a dog’s breakfast disguised for monetary policy was announced by Panonetsa Mangudya.
We argued that the bond note must be demonetised in its totality, a point we have made consistently since August of 2016.
The skewed monetary policy meant to facilitate patronage for political elites is causing unpalatable suffering for Zimbabweans.
Zanu PF has failed in absolute terms. It is time they accept and allow Zimbabwe to start afresh and move forward, with dignity and pride. The nation must stake a new direction far from where Zanu PF has led us.
MDC: Defining a New Course for Zimbabwe! Jacob Mafume MDC National Spokesperson
Petrol attendant Nkosikho Mbele allegedly asked to not get the R400k directly.
South Africans have expressed their anger over the news that the money gathered for petrol attendant Nkosikho Mbele would not be paid directly to him, even though the viral campaign where funds have been allocated insists that he requested it manage the cash.
Mbele gained overnight fame after a post about his kindness went viral.
A woman named Monet van Deventer took to Facebook to share the story of how Mbele had helped her by paying for her petrol after she had forgotten her purse at home.
Van Deventer started a crowdfunding campaign for Mbele with the aim of raising R100,000. The campaign easily surpassed that target and has so far raised R400,000.
However BackaBuddy NPC, the site which hosted the campaign, tweeted that the funds raised would not go directly to him and would instead be managed by the crowdfunding platform.
According to BackaBuddy, Mbele asked for the money to be handled this way.
“NB: PLEASE NOTE Funds raised by this campaign will be administered by BackaBuddy NPC and transferred directly to the relevant institutions for Nkosi’s children’s education.”
Funds WILL NOT be paid into Nkosi’s PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNT.
Many viewed this as a scam – here is a snapshot of some of the reactions:
“We are acting on his express wishes and all funds are going exactly where Nkosokho has decided he wants them to go. You can contact us directly for more information and we will share Nkosokho’s response today.”
“We as http://Akeldnok.co.za , who contributed to this fundraising campaign do not condone the path you have chosen. We believed that our contribution was for the funds to reach Nkosi Mbhele with no other parties acting as conduits to the money. We are disappointed.”
So they are now dictating how the petrol attendant should spend his money?
Came across this, if its true people can be scammers
So the R100 petrol attendant dude Nkosi whom the nation donated over R200k for is told “nah dude, we can’t give you the money we’ll administer it for you” and now y’all mad? Hahahah, @backabuddy probably looking at y’all like.
Let’s get a video of Nkosi confirming his intention for using you to keep his money. I myself donated R1000 for his life to change….not u investing it and making profit from it.
A video is not solid evidence of his true intention. It will be scripted and recorded under duress.
According to BackaBuddy, it will share Mbele’s response today, adding that it is acting on his “express wishes” that were inspired by his “not living in a safe area”.
