Farai Dziva|MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa has said the Emmerson Mnangagwa led dialogue lacks credibility because it ignores the views of 2,6 million voters.

Said Chamisa:”Zimbabwe’s crisis is political.We have’nt had genuine and true political settlement since the days of Lancaster,Unity accord and GPA GNU.Deceptive, manipulative politics upon fake dialogue is the source of all our national discohesion.This breeds false, disputed and rigged processes.”

He added:”Ambassador Mbete added that “…the success of a national dialogue will have far reaching implications for the SADC region and beyond.” This is what we have always said that stolen elections have a negative impact on the welfare of all SADC citizens, they repulse investment.

His Excellency Mbete also said, “…if necessary for credibility, the leadership of Zimbabwe wishes to consider a facilitator from outside Zimbabwe, we as a region will be ready to propose names from the African Continent.”We’ve said this from day 1 and called for such a mediator.”

“We welcome the wise words by the South African Ambassador Mphakama Mbete. He said, “..the national dialogue must be inclusive and participatory and take into account the views of all Zimbabweans.”

We restate that dialogue can’t be credible when it ignores the views of 2,6m voters.”

By Own Correspondent- Government remains committed to solving fuel and electricity shortages through engaging the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) on long-term financial mechanisms, Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi has said.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority’s ISO Quality Management Standard Certification celebrations in Harare, Chasi said the financial mechanisms had already been formulated and were awaiting implementation.

He said:

“The Government remains committed to eradicate fuel queues and is working on long-term financing mechanisms with the RBZ which will see the supply gaps being eliminated over time.

“We are working closely with the power utility to ensure that there is increased power generation from different sources other than Kariba Power Station.

“As a new minister, I expect to see results and strategies that resolve some of the challenges and proposals to restructure the sector for a better performance.

“We are not an oil-producing country not by choice but by geographical location yet we need fuel to run our transport system,” he said.

Speaking at Kariba North Power Station on Thursday, Minister Chasi said they were also exploring electricity trade-offs with Mozambique.

The trade-off proposition seeks to leverage on abundant water in the Cahora Bassa Basin following Cyclone Idai, amid fears that the continued discharge of large volumes of water during generation at Kariba South and North power stations was causing flooding.

Coupled with prioritisation of demand management, Minister Chasi said the country would significantly reduce the electricity import bill in the wake of depressed supply from Kariba, Hwange, Munyati, Bulawayo and Harare thermal power stations.
“We need to understand the source of the problem that our counterparts in Mozambique are facing as a result of Cyclone Idai on the generation side of electricity,” said Chasi.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| First lady Auxillia Mnangagwa was on Friday afternoon booed as she entered a leading supermarket in Masvingo.

Masvingo, which is situated near President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s hometown Zvishavane, is also in the same province of Midlands.

Said a source privy to the development who spoke to ZimEye:

“There was commotion yesterday as scores of people jeered at Mrs Mnangagwa as she was getting into one of the shops.

Angry by bystanders also booed her as she exited the supermarket.”

According to the witness, angry by standers denounced the country’s leader for the untold suffering being experienced by citizens.

Said the witness:

“They also denounced her husband Emmerson Mnangagwa for causing the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe.”

The source revealed that the First lady’s security aides had a torrid time trying to contain the situation before whisking her away.

Farai Dziva|Auxillia Mnangagwa was on Friday afternoon booed as she entered a leading supermarket in the ancient city of Masvingo.

“There was commotion yesterday as scores of people jeered at Mrs Mnangagwa as she was getting into our shop.

Angry bystanders also booed her as she exited the supermarket,” a shop assistant who identified herself as Tanaka said.

“They also denounced her husband Emmerson Mnangagwa for causing the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe,” she added.

Mrs Mnangagwa’s security aides reportedly battled to contain the turmoil before whisking her away.

MDC deputy president Welshman Ncube has claimed the late party leader Morgan Tsvangirai anointed him to deputise Nelson Chamisa before he died.

Ncube was MDC’s founding secretary-general, with Tsvangirai as president in 1999. Speaking on the side-lines of the MDC Mashonaland West provincial caucus meeting on Tuesday, Ncube said he was told to help Chamisa fight the Zanu PF “junta regime”.

“The most important thing is that when president Tsvangirai was to pass on, he specifically and entrusted me with the responsibility of assisting president Chamisa in the struggle against the junta regime that we have in Zimbabwe today. I promised him in the presence of Chamisa that I will do all I can” Ncube said.

Ncube said his chances were very high.

“Our people believe that we are an inclusive country. We are a tolerant party, we must select and elect people who will honestly and properly assist the president in his task, so there is absolutely no risk of that happening,” he said.

Another VP candidate, Tendai Biti said he was going to bring back the tenacity lacking in the presidium.

“We want our party to have leaders who can stand up to (President) Emmerson Mnangagwa and his illegitimate government and to make sure that there is change in Zimbabwe and Nelson Chamisa is the next President of the country,” Biti said.

Job Sikhala, who is vying for the deputy chairman’s position, said his first task was to bring sanity by instilling discipline among party cadres.

“There is a lot of indiscipline within the party and it needs a person who has a legal knowledge and a legal background, which I believe I have,” Sikhala said.

Incumbent party, secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora forewarned his detractors of yet another shocker when he retains the position at the congress in Gweru next week.

The lawyer-turned politician said he was no push-over as his history has testimonies of victories.

“I have been arrested by this government 34 times and have won 34 times,” Mwonzora boasted.

He said he was confident of a clean sweep at the congress polls.

“I command respect and support of the people, because they know what I stand for. I stand for the truth, I stand for constitutionalism and what is right. I’m not afraid to criticise powerful people within and outside MDC,” Mwonzora said.

He said he went into the 2014 congress with a single nomination, but pulled the rug off the then organising secretary Chamisa to land the secretary-general position.

“This time around, again, Mashonaland West did not nominate me, but I command a lot of support in 15 districts (out of 22),” he said.

The secretary-general took a dig at his main contender, Chalton Hwende, describing him as an “absentee leader” domiciled in Namibia.

“He is a candidate who seeks exile and runs away when youths are arrested. I’ve been arrested numerous times and I am not afraid of prison,” he said.

— NewsDay

By Own Correspondent- Richard Tsvangirayi, son to the late former Prime Minister and founding president of MDC, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, is of the view that the government’s austerity measures will only make things harder for the majority of the citizenry.

Tsvangirayi said that the gap between the haves and the have-nots will widen while the crime rates will increase.

The end result of austerity will be nothing but a broken society, a sad story indeed, opines Tsvangirai.

He said:

“The only thing you’re going to get from these austerity measures is a rise in inequality, as a result, the only people who are going to afford medication (the death rate in poor areas is going to increase) and school fees are the rich folks; the crime rate is going to increase.”

By Own Correspondent- The country’s power utility, ZESA and fuel barons have been fingered in the recent dramatic fall in the value of the RTGS dollar on the parallel market.

Former cabinet Minister Jonathan Moyo, who has been living in forced exile since the November 2017 military coup that ousted longtime President Robert, claims that RBZ’s fictitious interbank market rate has forced businesses to source foreign currency from the streets.

Writing on Twitter, Moyo said:

The dramatic upswing of the rate at $5.8 publicly and actually $6.0 for industry OPENLY buying from dealers has been spawned by ZESA and FUEL BARONS who have forsaken the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s fictitious interbank foreign currency market to scrounge real bucks from the parallel market!

However, a Zimbabwean-born businessman, Mutumwa Mawere disagreed with Moyo’s assessment.

He wrote:

“The idea that this or that baron is the problem diverts attention from the real impact of policies that offend the fundamental principles that speak to the aspirational aspect of human life.

The substitution of consent by command antics necessarily produces distortions and winners.”

On the 11th of May 2019 ZCIEA officially opened its Macheke territorial structure.

Elections were held and the following were elected into territorial leadership positions;

President George Makoni
Vice President Caroline Nheweyembwa
Secretary Rebeccah Sebastin
Vice secretary Moses Samu
Treasurer Pauline Revanawo
Organizer Ellen Budisai
Vice organizer Mubaiwa Luwizhi

Committee members -Adam Midzi,
– Asiyatu Makala
-Evelyn Mutambidzanwa.

Woman’s Structure

Chairperson Asiyatu Makala
Vice Chairperson Accucilia Munhenga
Secretary Happiness Mutero
Vice Secretary Winnet Gundula
Treasurer Rosemary James
Organizer Tryphine mashanda
Vice Organizer Cathrine Makwanya

Committee Members -Rachel Chenge
– Naomi Manzai
– Nyarai Nyamatambo

Youth Structure

Chairperson Evelyn Mutambidzanwa
Vice Chairperson Kabande
Secretary Hilda Tazviwana
Vice Secretary Talent Jere
Treasurer Fellon Tashizha
Organizer Agness Musora
Vice Organizer Dephine Mandaza

Committee Members-Fadzai Madeko
– Esther C Hwenje
-Tatenda kandiyero

By Own Correspondent| TrustAfrica coordinator and ZimAlliance member Biggs Bomba has demanded a retraction and apology from the state media The Herald following the publication of a story on its front page alleging that he was part of a team of individuals plotting to topple President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

The story titled “Plot To Unleash Violent Protests Unearthed” alleged that a group a shady organisations with links to opposition MDC Alliance are organising to spearhead and unleash civil unrest in their bid to overthrow Mnangagwa’s administration.

According to the report, Bomba is part of eight local activists and a Newsday journalist who is receiving training in the Maldives under the banner of a Serbian organisation called Centre for Non Violent Action and Strategies (CANVAS).

However, Bomba demanded a retraction from the state media arguing that the report was not only false but intended to clampdown on targeted individuals and muzzle the civic space and voice.

He said:

I REMAIN UNDETTERED IN ADVOCATING FOR A BETTER ZIMBABWE FOR ALL!

Today, I am compelled to issue this public statement, given the consistent pattern of harassment and increasing threats against my person by the state security apparatus in Zimbabwe.

I would like to dismiss with total contempt the outright lies published on the front page of today’s Herald and syndicated in the Chronicle in an article titled “Plot to unleash violent protests unearthed.”

My name and the organization that I work for, TrustAfrica and the ZimAlliance collaborative, are recklessly mentioned as behind the so-called plots to overthrow the Zimbabwean government, without any shred of evidence.

I declare this totally false, as would be established by any basic look at the facts.

I demand an equally prominent full apology and retraction of the lies by the Herald, failure of which, I reserve my rights to pursue justice through the courts.

The article, which reveals that there “are individuals that security services in Zimbabwe have been watching”, is clearly a hatchet job intended to spread fear and intimidation and set an obvious pretext to clampdown on targeted individuals and muzzle the civic space and voice.

The fact of the matter is that citizens are suffering and understandably frustrated as the government seems unable to provide solutions. Therefore, the government of Zimbabwe is better advised to urgently address the dire state of economic emergency in this country rather than create imaginary dissidents.

This is the only way to avert the looming social crisis in this country. No amount of spin and scapegoating can hide the fact that the real problem is the fact that the economy continues to slide from bad to worse without any solution in sight.

I have made my own position very clear on several occasions and I remain undeterred in advocating for a better Zimbabwe for all, underpinned by freedom, fairness and an unwavering pursuit of a brighter future.

The harassment against myself and other civic leaders must stop. It has no place in a free and democratic society.

A Better Zimbabwe for All is Possible! Briggs Bomba

THE Zanu-PF Youth League in Matabeleland North has appealed to the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, July Moyo, to dethrone Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna.

In a statement, the Youth League’s provincial chairman, Tamuka Nyoni, urged Chief Ndiweni to behave like a chief for him to be accorded the respect associated with the position.

He said Chief Ndiweni is not fit to be a leader.

“The so-called Chief Ndiweni must behave like a chief if he wants to be respected and recognised as a chief. 

“What kind of a chief is he who calls for sanctions against his own people? We are worried about a chief who is always in courts for misbehaving and is busy denouncing the same Government of President Mnangagwa that gave him the car he is driving. We call upon the Minister of Local Government to revisit Chief Ndiweni’s installation as he is not the rightful candidate for that position,” said Nyoni.

He said the Youth League would not tolerate anyone who mischievously denounces Government and the party’s First Secretary, President Mnangagwa.

“Since he is opposing the Government that gave him the vehicle, we as the youths are there to defend the party which formed the current Government that is being criticised by Chief Ndiweni. We can’t tolerate anyone who attacks the First Secretary of the party and Head of State and Government,” added Nyoni.

He accused Chief Ndiweni of acting like a politician and threatened that the party’s youths will start treating him like one.

Nyoni said Chief Ndiweni had exposed himself to be furthering the opposition MDC Alliance agenda, as the opposition party’s youths are reported to be planning a demonstration in his defence.

Chief Ndiweni last week addressed a Press conference in Bulawayo and called for tougher sanctions against Zimbabwe as he is apparently angered by the Government’s decision to evict a white commercial farmer and replace him with an indigenous farmer at a property in Ntabazinduna.

ZANU PF accuses him of sensationally appealling to the international community to escalate sanctions on President Mnangagwa’s Government, claiming it has failed to pursue democracy.

It is understood that before addressing the Press Club, Chief Ndiweni wrote to a number of foreign embassies calling for further sanctions to be imposed on Zimbabwe. 

He is also accused of setting up a parallel organisation to the Chiefs Council under the banner of College of Amakhosi where he is reportedly seeking to rope in some traditional leaders from Matabeleland and the Midlands provinces.

ZimEye.com will this Monday hold an in depth live interview with Chief Ndiweni at his Ntabazinduna homestead.

State Media|Zimbabwe Chiefs’ Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira has dismissed a Twitter handle where controversial comments pertaining to President Mnangagwa and other political issues in the country were posted on Thursday. Chief Charumbira told The Herald here where he was attending the Second Ordinary Session of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) which ended yesterday, that he has never opened a Twitter account in his life.

He said those behind the fake Twitter handle were shameless impostors bent on soiling his image for cheap political gain.

Chief Charumbira added that no amount of smearing will break his strong association with the ZANU-PF Government and President Mnangagwa because of his high respect of the country’s liberation ethos.

One of the handles going under the name @CharumbiraChief, read,

Another post under the same handle two minutes later read,

Chief Charumbira, who is also the vice president of PAP dismissed the Twitter accounts.

“I have never used a Twitter handle in my life, I am not on Twitter and whoever created that handle is doing it out of mischief to earn cheap political scores,” he said.

“This is a well-orchestrated plan to soil my reputation and standing. It is clear that there is a lot of politics at play.

“Let me make it clear that my views have never changed.

“I am totally inclined towards the liberation ethos which in Zimbabwe are represented by the Zanu-PF Government.”

He added that he has great respect for President Mnangagwa, who leads the country on the back of a clear mandate he got after convincingly winning last year’s harmonised elections.

“I also have great respect for the President owing to the journey he travelled in the pre and post-independence periods to put Zimbabwe where it is today,” said Chief Charumbira.

The Chiefs’ council boss said the fake Twitter handles in his name typify everything that is wrong with social media, in so far as it can be used to politically assassinate innocent characters.

He vowed to continue drawing inspiration from the Zanu PF liberation ethos and the ruling party’s respect of the traditional leadership’s institution as evidenced by the party’s drive to restore traditional leaders’ status which had been condemned by the racist Rhodesian regime.

Some people who responded to the offensive tweet doubted it had been originated by Chief Charumbira.

VICE President Kembo Mohadi yesterday said Zimbabwe is a safe and secure tourism and investment destination, endowed with unique resources across all sectors of the economy. He said this in his keynote address at the Zimbabwe-China Business Forum in Harare yesterday.

“Zimbabwe is just a gem, an awakening giant, a safe and secure tourism and investment destination,” said Mohadi.

“I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the Chinese delegates that Zimbabwe has unique resources across sectors and as Zimbabweans, we are of high intellect, resilient, and have a great work ethic only identical to us.

“These unique attributes point to our resourcefulness and thus a sure guarantee of our economic growth potential and a significant return to your investment.”

Mohadi said the Zimbabwe China Business Forum was an opportunity to “establish strategic alliances and partnerships for our economic revival”.

“It is, therefore, prudent that each business representative here present, applies themselves fully in today’s interface for this purpose.

“Our meeting today (yesterday) is sure proof that indeed tourism cuts across sectors and is a precursor to investment. I would like to applaud the Chinese business delegates for believing in us by responding to our call for investment,” said Mohadi.

He said the Chinese business people have not only immersed themselves in the wonders of destination Zimbabwe, but have also come with “keen interest” to explore possibilities of strategic alliances, partnerships and business opportunities, given their composition.

Mohadi said the expressions of interest by the Chinese businesspeople was a “true reflection” that tourism is a critical sector of the country’s economy and if strategically managed, could result in ripple effects across other sectors, resulting in growth of the overall national income.

He added that the business forum would go a long way in promoting investments across all sectors of the economy, as Government pushes for the attainment of an Upper Middle Income economy by 2030.

Mohadi praised the strategic partnership between Zimbabwe and Touchroad International Holdings, a Chinese travel and tourism company that brought a 343-member Chinese delegation into the country on Thursday.

He said the partnership with Touchroad, which will bring about 300 Chinese tourists monthly, has come at the “right time for us to increase our market presence and destination visibility in the Chinese market”.

State Media|The Zimbabwe Republic Police has assured citizens and visitors that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure peace and tranquillity continue to prevail countrywide. This comes after the United States issued a notice on Tuesday alleging there was rampant violent crimes and civil unrest in the country.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the country remains safe, peaceful and secure.

“Contrary to the Zimbabwe Travel Advisory Level 2 issued by the Americans recently, the Zimbabwe Republic Police wishes to assure all Zimbabweans and visitors who include tourists to all parts of the country that the country remains safe, peaceful and secure.

“The ZRP is conducting general patrols, blitz, stop and search patrols in all Central Business Districts, industrial sites, residential areas and other places, which are usually frequented by the public with a view of getting rid of the malady of criminality,” he said.

Asst-Comm Nyathi said members of the public, including visitors should feel free to seek clarity on security matters from the ZRP on telephone numbers 0242-703631 national complaints desk, 0242-748836 for Harare Operations, 0292-885479 for Bulawayo Operations or WhatsApp number 0712800197.

In a notice titled “Zimbabwe Travel Advisory, Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution”, released on Tuesday, the US “warned” Americans to be vigilant in Zimbabwe “due to crime and civil unrest”.

“Violent crime, such as assault, carjacking, and home invasion, is common. Smashing the windows of cars with the intent to steal, which can harm the driver or passengers, is also common.

“Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Read the safety and security section on the country information page,” read the advisory.

In January this year, the Zimbabwe Republic Police deployed officers in all residential areas, shopping centres and the CBD to conduct patrols, surveillance and stop and searches, following some social media articles agitating Zimbabweans to engage in violence and unsanctioned demonstrations.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema has implored Zimbabweans to disregard the social media posts.

He advised security agencies to take action on some rogue groups who are circulating old doctored videos and pictures of purported violence and demonstrations on the pretext that this is currently taking place in Zimbabwe.

In August last year, Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda also assured the nation that the country remains safe and secure despite the recent politically motivated violence that erupted in Harare, a day after last year’s harmonised elections.

He said the ZDF would remain resolute in its support for the ZRP as it discharges its constitutional mandate.

Gen Sibanda said the country had continued to enjoy peace, security and stability during the harmonised elections and was determined to ensure such peace continues.

“Zimbabwe remains secure despite the recent politically motivated violence that erupted a day after the harmonised elections on 30 July, 2018,” he said.

“That notwithstanding, the country has continued to enjoy peace, security and stability during the harmonised elections.

“Had it not been for evil intentions of some opposition political players who went on to incite violent protests, unnecessary loss of life of six people who were caught up in the unfortunate shooting incidents could have been avoided.

“All the same, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces remain resolute in its support for the ZRP as they continue to fulfil their constitutional mandate of maintenance of law and order to ensure peace, security and stability in the country. People are therefore, assured that they should feel free to go about their usual business.”

Own Correspondent|A United States diplomat smuggled two rifles and two shotguns into the country in 2016, only to declare the weapons in February 2019, about a month before leaving Zimbabwe, state media reports on Saturday.

According to a security documents which state media claims to be in possession of, Mr John Kent, a US Embassy Attaché responsible for Overseas Building Operations and was project director for the New Embassy Campus, requested to import the firearms through a note verbale to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on February 15. Mr Kent was, however, already in possession of the firearms, which he had not declared as part of his diplomatic luggage in 2016.

He also did not register or get the weapons licensed.

Mr Kent’s tour of duty reportedly ends in December, but because the construction of the new embassy ended in February, he left earlier.

The weapons allegedly smuggled into the country by Mr Kent were two Bolt Action rifles — a Savage 111 and Remington 700 — and two semi-automatic shotguns — a Berreta A390 and Weatherby SA-08.

The report claims that the weapons could have been used for nefarious purposes, including civil disturbances that occurred in 2018 and this year, although the media could not ascertain the claim.

“Kent flagrantly violated the law by not declaring his firearms to Zimra (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority) on his entry into the country in 2016. The firearms were apparently treated as part of the diplomatic luggage, was unlawful since firearms are among exceptions to this, under the Vienna Conventions.

“Kent stayed three years in the country, in possession of unlicensed firearms which is also a violation of the law. There is no guarantee that the firearms were not used for any outward or unlawful activities during that period.

“The US Embassy through the note verbale misrepresented facts by indicating that Kent is intending to import firearms,” says the report.

Farai Dziva|State media reports claim MDC secretary general Douglas Mwonzora and party leader Nelson Chamisa clashed in Bulawayo over alleged manipulation of internal electoral processes.

See a report that was published by a state run paper:

MDC Alliance secretary general Mr Douglas Mwonzora left his leader Mr Nelson Chamisa holding his head in shame when he exposed the party’s flawed process in the holding of internal polls that led to the fielding of double candidates in last year’s harmonised elections and by-elections that followed.

Addressing MDC Alliance members during a caucus at MacDonald Hall in Bulawayo’s Mzilikazi suburb this week, Mr Mwonzora said the party’s internal election processes were fraught with corruption.

He also seemed to blame the party’s chairperson at the time, Mr Morgen Komichi, who is now one of the party’s vice presidents, for the chaos that also saw the party fielding double candidates in last year’s polls which were won by Zanu-PF with a resounding two thirds majority in Parliament.

Mr Komichi is an ally of Mr Chamisa.
“I want you to understand that the issue of elections in the MDC is led by the Elections Directorate chaired by the national chairperson and not the secretary general. The national chairperson develops the rules of the elections and if there are any complaints, they go to the national chairperson,” said Mr Mwonzora.

“The issue of elections belongs to the national chairperson of the party whether good or bad. On the issue of national elections, there was corruption. When a candidate was elected, and candidates were selected in primary elections and the rules are that the one who comes first in those polls becomes an automatic candidate. We would see two candidates and I do not know what would have happened because my office only had one candidate.”

Mr Mwonzora also accused some elements within the party of sacrificing him over the chaos that rocked the party’s primary polls for the Cowdray Park by-election that was won by Zanu-PF.

“It’s easy to sacrifice someone for a crime they did not commit,” he said.
Mr Mwonzora said he made consultations with the present chairperson Ms Thabitha Khumalo and former Bulawayo provincial chairperson Mr Gift Banda on the Cowdray Park candidate.

He said because of the initial date of the Nomination Court in January, one name was given without going to primary elections and after its postponement, the party held chaotic primary elections leading to two candidates contesting.

“We were lucky because Zec postponed the Nomination Court. I then spoke to the president and asked what to do. We agreed on holding primary elections. I wrote a letter to Bulawayo to hold primary elections, I have the letter if you want to see it,” said Mr Mwonzora as Mr Chamisa held and shook his head in apparent embarrassment.

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Farai Dziva|Professor Jonathan Moyo has revealed why former President Robert Mugabe wanted Sydney Sekeramayi to succeed him.

The outspoken politician said contrary to claims that Mugabe’s intention was to elevate his wife Grace to the Presidency, Sekeramayi was and is still regarded as a level headed figure in the party.

” It wasn’t going to be a Mugabe/Sekeremayi issue in those simplistic terms.

You are reducing the discussion to the level of simpletons. Zanu PF needed a Kibaki, to calm the older (Maputo) generation while inspiring the new generation (to takeover from him) and Sekeremayi was one,”said Moyo.

A POLICE officer allegedly kidnapped and brutally assaulted a 16-year-old boy who was suspected to have stolen a mobile cell phone at his uncle’s car wash premises to force him to admit he had taken the gadget.

Constable Munashe Shumba (30), who was the investigating officer in the case, allegedly went to the minor’s home with two of his co-accused persons, a Bulawayo City Council security guard Millister Shumba (43) and the owner of the phone Manfred Nhemachena (43).

The trio appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube facing a charge of assault and they all pleaded not guilty.

They were remanded out of custody on free bail to Monday for continuation of trial.

Constable Shumba told the court that the three did not kidnap the boy but instead went to his home to take him to the police station for questioning and he tried to escape.

“He got out of the house and after telling him that we were taking him to the police station. He tried to escape and I ran after him while Shumba and Nhemachena followed us in a car.

“I finally caught him after he fell in an awkward way and then I discovered he had badly injured himself,” he said.

The prosecutor, Mr Tapiwa Solani said on April 24 at around midnight, the trio went to the minor’s home intending to take him to Western Commonage Police Station.

“Instead they drove the minor to a bushy area. Constable Shumba, who was driving, stopped the car and got out. The trio dragged the minor out of the car and forced him to take off his pants.

“They questioned the minor on the whereabouts of the phone but he told them he knew nothing. After a few questions, they assaulted the minor forcing him to admit that he had stolen the phone,” he said.State media

Zimbabwe Chiefs’ Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira has dismissed a Twitter handle where controversial comments pertaining to President Mnangagwa and other political issues in the country were posted on Thursday.

Chief Charumbira told The Herald here where he was attending the Second Ordinary Session of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) which ended yesterday, that he has never opened a Twitter account in his life.

He said those behind the fake Twitter handle were shameless impostors bent on soiling his image for cheap political gain.

Chief Charumbira added that no amount of smearing will break his strong association with the ZANU-PF Government and President Mnangagwa because of his high respect of the country’s liberation ethos.

One of the handles going under the name @CharumbiraChief, reads, “President@edmnangagwamust humble himself and start serious dialogue with @nelsonchamisa as well (sic) all know according to @Zeczim he has support base of 2.6 million supporters. Samadzishe isu tinoti please hatidi kuti vana varambe vachitambura, Zimbabwe has suffered for too long. ”

The tweet was posted at 5:31pm on Thursday.
Another post under the same handle two minutes later read, “As the Chief President am tired of being partisan
please@ZANUPF_Official let us respect our Citizens. Am tired of lying before the Television from now own(sic) this twitter handle will tell you the exact burden in my heart not zviya zvepamusangano.”

Chief Charumbira, who is also the vice president of PAP dismissed the Twitter accounts.
“I have never used a Twitter handle in my life, I am not on Twitter and whoever created that handle is doing it out of mischief to earn cheap political scores,” he said.State media

Farai Dziva| The President of the Chiefs Council Of Fortune Charumbira has declared that he will continue to draw inspiration from Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF.

While Chief Ndiweni is being subjected to relentless attacks by Zanu PF sympathizers, Charumbira continues to utter political statements reflecting allegiance to Zanu PF.

Charumbira distanced himself from a twitter handle using his name.Derogatory remarks about Mnangagwa were posted using the twitter handle.

“This is a well-orchestrated plan to soil my reputation and standing. It is clear that there is a lot of politics at play.

“Let me make it clear that my views have never changed.
I am totally inclined towards the liberation ethos which in Zimbabwe are represented by the Zanu-PF Government.”

He added that he has great respect for Mnangagwa, who leads the country on the back of a clear mandate he got after convincingly winning last year’s harmonised elections.

“I also have great respect for the President owing to the journey he travelled in the pre and post-independence periods to put Zimbabwe where it is today,” said Chief Charumbira.

The Chiefs’ council boss has also said the fake Twitter handles in his name typify everything that is wrong with social media, in so far as it can be used to politically assassinate innocent characters.

He vowed to continue drawing inspiration from the Zanu PF liberation ethos and the ruling party’s respect of the traditional leadership’s institution as evidenced by the party’s drive to restore traditional leaders’ status which had been condemned by the racist Rhodesian regime.

A MBARE man has been accused of physically and verbally abusing his mother because she failed to pay back his money.

The matter came to light at the Harare Civil Court where Margret Chidowa was applying for a protection order against Gift Chidowa who she said physically and verbally abuses her.

“Your worship he beats me up, insults me and chases me with harmful objects because of the money l borrowed him on behalf of his sister.
“His sister was in an emergence state that required her to borrow some money and l asked him to lend her money since l did not have it.

“My daughter failed to return that money on time and unfortunately she went out of the country where she is now staying.

“Your worship, l have had sleepless nights because of my son’s torturous behaviour.
“He damages my property and harasses me in public. H-Metro

opular socialite Pokello Nare says her leaked tape some seven years ago was the worst experience in her life. The self-styled queen of swag said the video leak was something she never planned. Her two-minute clip with an ex-boyfriend, Desmond ‘Stunner’ Chideme enjoying some unprotected s.e.x went viral on social media networks during the time.

In the video, the love birds ended their business with some passionate kissing. “That was actually a mistake,” Pokello told a group of University of Zimbabwe female students recently. “It leaked; it was not for public viewing or public consumption.”

She was speaking at the launch of the She Roars brand, a platform that allows young women to share their success stories and offer advice on many other issues. “It wasn’t that good, it was not worth the kind of attention it got now and then.” Following the leak, Pokello was later chosen Zimbabwean representative to a season of the popular Big Brother Africa.

She added, “But I was able to turn around that situation and use it in my favour. So I don’t encourage young girls to do controversial things thinking it will propel them into stardom.

A court in Kenya has ordered former President Daniel arap Moi to pay 1.06bn shillings ($10.5m; £8.2m) in compensation to a widow for illegally seizing her land.

Mr Moi transferred to himself 53 acres of land belonging to widow Susan Cheburet Chelugui, the judge ruled.

The land was illegally grabbed 36 years ago but only transferred to Mr Moi’s name in 2007.

Ms Chelugui’s husband Noah Chelugui was a local chief during Mr Moi’s rule.

The former president, who remains Kenya’s longest-serving leader, was accused by Ms Chelugui and her son David Chelugui of transferring their family land into his name two years after Ms Chelugui’s husband passed away.

Mr Moi is then said to have sold the land to Rai Plywood Limited, a timber firm, the BBC’s Mercy Juma reports from Nairobi.

Judge Anthony Ombwayo said Mr Moi had behaved in a way that was “unconstitutional, irregular, unprocedural” and “tainted”.

Mr Moi became Kenya’s second president in 1978 and served until 2002.

He ruled the country with an iron fist and was accused of human rights abuses.

Under international pressure, he allowed multi-party elections in 1992, which were marred by widespread violence and allegations of rigging.

This ruling is hugely significant for Kenya.

There have been numerous cases of land grabbing by high-ranking government officials and wealthy business people over the years but the victims generally have neither the will nor the money to fight back.

Corruption in the judiciary is another huge problem. When disputes are taken to court, they often drag on for many years.

Many hope that this will come to be seen as a test case and that it will send a message to powerful people that they can no longer simply seize land belonging to the poor.-BBC

By Own Correspondent- President of the Chiefs’ Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira, has distanced himself from a Twitter account which reportedly posted advice to President Emmerson Mnangagwa telling him to humble himself and start serious dialogue with opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.

His office said:Chief Charumbira does not have a Twitter account and all accounts purporting to be him are fake.

Said the office:

“We want to place it on record so that Zimbabweans are not misled by ghost accounts (that are) out to misrepresent the views of Chief Charumbira or the Chiefs’ Council.”

The statement follows a recent tweet under his name which urged president Mnangagwa to humble himself and start a serious dialogue with opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.

The tweet read:

President @edmnangagwa must humble himself and start a serious dialogue with @nelsonchamisa as well all know according to @ZECzim he has a support base of 2.6million supporters. Semadzishe isu tinoti please hatidi kuti vana varambe vachitambura, Zimbabwe has suffered for too long.”

The chief has however since distanced himself from the tweet suggesting that the tweet came from a ghost account.

Former Warriors, Zimbabwe Saints and Dynamos star midfielder, Ronald ”Gidiza” Sibanda is reportedly broke and homeless after he was allegedly evicted by his live-in girlfriend, who sensationally accused him of threatening suicide to stop her from dumping him.

The angry lover identified by court papers as Lovie Nkosilathi Dube who works at Mpilo Central Hospital claimed that she was fed up of the ex-footballer who was using suicidal threats as a manipulation tool.

The matter only came to light at the Bulawayo Civil Court after Dube approached the court seeking an interim order to bar Gidiza from abusing her and to have him evicted from her residence.

” I am applying for an interim protection order against my live-in boyfriend Ronald Sibanda, a commentator. He is physically abusing me and has on several occasions hit me and threatened me with a knife. He is also verbally abusing me and destroys property. He has suicidal ideas and has tried to hang himself a number of times and he once took the detergent in a bid to try and kill himself. I now fear for my life as he is refusing to leave my home to an extent that on 25 April this year I had to go and sleep at a neighbour’s house,” said Dube.

The B-Metro reports that presiding magistrate Franklin Mkwanazi granted the order In a bid to provide immediate protection to Dube, which compelled Sibanda not to verbally assault or threaten his girlfriend.

The ex-footballer was also ordered by the magistrate to vacate his girlfriend’s premises on or before 26 April. After the temporary ruling, the magistrate ordered the couple to come back on May 10.

The estranged couple allegedly failed to come to court to have the interim protection order granted and put into final order.

Rachael Mukanga then removed the matter from the roll.

statemedia

South Africa has urged Zimbabwe to look for a mediator to facilitate meaningful dialogue between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition parties as Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa on Friday snubbed a launch of the Political Actors’ Forum in the country’s capital, Harare.

South Africa’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mphakama Mbete, made the call when he addressed delegates attending the meeting, who included Mnangagwa, MDC-T president Thokozani Khupe and scores of other opposition party leaders and civic society representatives.

Mbete said, “… For credibility the leadership of Zimbabwe wishes to consider a facilitator outside Zimbabwe. We as a region we will be ready to propose names from the African continent. At this point we would like to appeal to the political formations, to the political leaders who are now yet part of the political dialogue to join the national dialogue.”

Zimbabwe is currently facing an economic crisis stemming from lack of foreign direct investment, capital constraints in reviving collapsing industries, an unpredictable financial system, high investment risk factors and other issues.

Mbete’s call was embraced by the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa, who has criticized Mnangagwa’s political dialogue with small opposition parties, which he thinks are seeking relevance in Zimbabwe following their dismal performance in the 2018 general elections.

MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume praised Mbete, saying the Zimbabwean president should engage in direct talks with Chamisa facilitated by an eminent person from outside Zimbabwe in order to tackle the current economic crisis.

“In any dialogue there are some people who are supposed to mediate. Engaging these small parties is a waste of time, it won’t take us anyway as it won’t resolve the current economic crisis in Zimbabwe.

“We are surprised that Mnangagwa wants to pursue this kind of dialogue to the extent that people will start eating baboons while wallowing in poverty.

“The economic situation is bad in Zimbabwe and continues to deteriorate. Chamisa says he is prepared to engage in any meaningful dialogue mediated by a person from outside Zimbabwe so that he will talk with Mnangagwa about moving the country forward so that there are jobs and people can live a normal life.”

Mnangagwa, who officially launched the Political Actors Dialogue Forum aimed at creating harmony among all stakeholders in the country, could not immediately react to Mbete’s call for an external mediator.

He told people attending the meeting that unity was key in developing Zimbabwe. “Let us all come to the big tent of unity … Let us all come to this tent to spread love, peace and harmony as we develop our country …”

Speaking at the same meeting, Khupe urged Chamisa to embrace the Forum, saying that would help in the transformation of Zimbabwe, which is currently ranked by some international organizations as one of the poorest nations in the world.

The MDC still maintains that Chamisa beat Mnangagwa in the last presidential election though the Constitutional Court ruled that the president won the poll. 

First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa is reported to have been lampooned by bystanders in Masvingo when she entered and exited one of the supermarkets on Friday afternoon.

This comes after the growing unpopularity of the first lady who has been on a charm offensive since Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed office in November 2017.

263 chat reports that Auxillia, who is the country’s health ambassador, was in Masvingo assessing the drugs situation at the General Hospital.

According to witnesses, the first lady was met by a hostile audience when she headed towards OK Supermarket.

“I was at OK and she was doing her shopping with her super security all over the place.

“Passerbys vabva vambomira kufamba vachiona and only a few people were ululating .

“When she was about to leave, people some started booing her showing their displeasure but she seemed unbothered as she went to her car, waving with a fist,” said the source.

The first lady made headlines a few weeks ago when she torched storm after accusations that she was meddling in government business circulated, amid claims that her modus operandi is similar to that of the much-loathed former first lady Grace Mugabe.

Dear Editor|There are striking similarities between the rise of Nelson Chamisa to the helm of the MDC-T and the current on-going attempts by Felix Ndiweni to grab the Ndiweni Chieftainship of Ntabazinduna in Matabeleland North. Interestingly, both cases are before the courts of law.

While Chamisa snatched power at Tsvangirai’s funeral wake, Felix the fourth child of the late Ndiweni circumvented all the traditional practices usually followed to install a new chief following the death of his father Chief Khayisa Ndiweni.

The rightful heir to the Ndiweni chieftainship according to custom is Jorum Thambo Ndiweni the eldest son of the late Chief Ndiweni. Felix is number four coming after his sister Lydia.

But how did he come to be recognised by Government to an extent of receiving allowances and a vehicle.

His unheralded arrival in Zimbabwe after he was deported from the United Kingdom coincided with dirty machinations of the now fallen G40 proponents.

To be precise, in Felix the G40 key proponents Prof Jonathan Moyo and Patrick Zhuwao found a traditional weapon in Matabeleland region gullible enough to advance their cause.

Zhuwao who at some point superintended over the Community Ownership Trust used stipends drawn from the programme to lure the poverty struck Felix. Zhuwao would never miss a trip to Ntabazinduna whenever he was on state or private business in Bulawayo. When the then two ministers had Felix where they wanted him to be, they moved on to coerce senior Government officials within the Ministry of Local Government’s Mhlahlandlela Complex in Bulawayo to initiate paper work to have Felix recognised as the Acting Chief. The rest is history and is now being rectified.

But for a man who spent two decades in the United Kingdom and incorporated as a beneficiary of the Crown Queen why did he come back to Zimbabwe following the death of his father. Read on.

Felix who claims to have at least 15 degrees including that of Law, did not actually complete his studies in the UK. He enrolled as an Engineering student but never sat foot into the classes as he squandered tuition fees that was being wired to the UK by his late father on alcohol and women. The late Chief Ndiweni died a bitter man over the irresponsible actions of his stray son. His brother Thambo also disowned him as a result of his rogue behaviour.

As life became difficult for him in the UK after the late Chief stopped sending him “tuition” fees and his allowances from the Crown Queen stopped, Felix sought a job where he ended up being employed as a security guard. But once he had money in his pocket he would revert to his wild habits of partying and women and forget to report for duty. He was later fired. He sued his former employers in vein.

With the loss of his job and now enmeshed in poverty, Felix became a nuisance resulting in his deportation from the UK. The circumstances surrounding his deportation is a story for another day.

Felix did not mourn his father who passed on in 2010. While the rest of the Ndiweni clan where still in mourning like Chamisa, Felix wrote his script to snatch the throne. He stopped resisting his deportation and was flown back home. He now had his eyes set on the throne that would in turn become his new source of income.

Not being that stupid, Felix knew the hurdles back home that would stall his machinations. The major hurdle would be his younger brother Douglas who would team up with their elder siblings in the UK. Manipulating her old mother, Felix sought a peace order barring Douglas from entering the Ndiweni palace. This was despite the fact that Douglas was the only child who had remained with his parents in Zimbabwe when the rest of the siblings went to UK.

Then with Douglas out of the way and with the assistance of the aforementioned former G40 ministers and gullible Ministry of Local Government officials the troublesome Ndiweni was created and he continues on the path he was created for. But will he triumph, we live to see that, as the drama unfolds.

By and large Felix, who was deported from the United Kingdom where he had spent over two decades is understood to be entering the political space as a ploy to get a political asylum ticket that might help him over turn his London persona non grata status.

From A ZANU PF Supporter

Own Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has hailed his inter party dialogue with certainly irrelevant opposition political parties.

Going on social media on Friday evening after the launch of the dialogue in Harare, Mnangagwa said he will sink or swim with his rogue opposition parties.

“The culture of dialogue, which we have begun today, must be synonymous with us as a people and nation. Whatever our differences, we are all Zimbabweans. We will sink or swim together. Let us build our future in peace, love and unity,” said Mnagagwa

Video Loading below……

Own Correspondent|Scores of Bulawayo Residents and Mthwakazi activists took to the streets of Bulawayo on Friday to express their solidarity with under siege Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni.

The group of residents congregating at the statue of ex-State Vice President Joshua Nkomo to show support for the defiant traditional leader.

Chief Ndiweni torched a storm recently when he said the West and the US should maintain their sanctions on Zimbabwe.

He said the embargo was befitting of a Zanu PF led regime that remains unaccountable, and for that, subjecting poor citizens to abject penury.

His comments invited both verbal and physical attacks by Zanu PF with war veterans secretary general Victor Matemadanda going all out to attack the chief.

The outspoken chief was also subjected to physical abuse by some suspected Zanu PF youths in the city centre of Bulawayo on Wednesday.

But as Zanu PF takes a hostile stance towards the Ndebele chief, residents in the city have stood firmly behind him.

A group of residents gathered around Nkomo’s statue, singing for close to an hour while police in riot gear and some members of the public looked on.

One of the organisers of the event, Josphat Ngulube said they failed to march in the streets as had originally planned because they felt the march was going to be hijacked for other reasons.

“The purpose of today’s intended march was to show support to our chief who is being victimised by Zanu PF. As people of Bulawayo, we are 100 percent behind our chief,” he said.

Ngulube, who contested last year’s parliamentary elections in Bulawayo South as an independent candidate and lost, said the government should protect and respect chiefs regardless of their tribes.

He also urged the government to desist from the habit of involving traditional leaders in partisan politics.

“The government should stop abusing chiefs by aligning them to Zanu PF. The government should also stop selectively treating chiefs,” he said.

Last year, the High Court found president of Chiefs Council, Fortune Charumbira in contempt of the national constitution when he publicly pledged traditional leaders’ support for Zanu PF ahead of last July’s elections.

There has been no condemnation by any government officials towards Charumbira.

News Agents

By Own Correspondent- Gospel musician Mathias Mhere’s brother Lovemore died yesterday in South Africa.

Lovemore was involved in an accident last month and succumbed to the injuries he sustained. He was 38.

“My brother died in South Africa where he was nursing wounds following a road accident he was involved in last month. “I am in pain, my brother. I was in South Africa to see him but I came back home last week. “He was my elder brother and he was the third born in our family.

“We are yet to hold a meeting as a family and see how best the body can be repatriated home,” he said before breaking into tears. The Favour singer further told this publication that the much publicised album has been postponed to a further date.

“I have cancelled my album launch due to this incident. “As I have told you earlier on, everything was ready but for now I am postponing it to a later date.

“I am mourning my brother who died after suffering for almost a month,” he said. A close family member also said Lovemore has been on life support for several days.

“The situation was not looking good, Lovemore anga atambura but we all wished for the best but God took him to a safe place. “The accident was a fatal one and he was lucky not to perish on the spot.

“The doctors tried their best but God himself saw it worth to take him away today. “He was in pain, it’s unfortunate we lost our close family member,” said one of the close family member.

Own Correspondent|The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamonds Company, ZCDC, has confirmed that its security guards shot and killed alleged illegal diamond miners in Marange last Tuesday.

ZCDC spokesperson Sugar Chagonda confirmed the shooting in an interview on Friday.

Reports initially received from ZimEye.com sources indicated that two people were killed and over forty injured when the ZCDC guards fired at miners who had found a new diamonds deposit outside the protected concession area.

Chagonda disputed the claim saying that only one person was killed and a number he could not specify injured.

Chagonda defended the guards’ brutal act claiming that they shot the hapless miners in self defence.

According to him, the guards were dispatched to go and clear the miners from the area by the government owned mining company which is holding sole rights to mine diamonds in the area.

“When the guards got to the area, the illegal miners refused to disperse and armed themselves with shovels and peaks and advanced to fight the guards,” he said.

“Fearing for their lives, our guards fires three warning shots to the air but the miners who out numbered the guards continued advancing which forced the guards to shoot at them,” he added.

Speaking in a seperate interview, Director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance Trust, Farai Maguwu claimed that the guards indeed killed two innocent people and injured forty others.

According to him, the matter was reported to Mutare Rural Police who however would not comment on the matter.

By Own Correspondent | Vice President Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga is unwell again barely 3 months after his medical trip to India and as his boss Emmerson Mnangagwa revealed, he also failed to attend the political dialogue meeting at the Harare International Conference Centre.

The former Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander who removed former president Robert Mugabe, has for weeks crept out of the public eye and been spending more time indoors. ZimEye also found that he has been skipping church for the past three weeks.

Sources privy to the developments told ZimEye, that VP Chiwenga has for nearly 3 weeks to date been summoning ambulances full of medics to his rescue at his home residence.

Sources told ZimEye:

“He has been quiet and more indoors lately.”

Other sources also told ZimEye: “different ambulances full of medics are regularly being summoned to him whereever he will be, including his house.

“This is happening just about every other day,” they added albeit failing to reveal if the ambulances are civilian or military ones.

When Mnangagwa flew to Botswana earlier in the month, he left the country in the hands of Chiwenga’s side-swipe, Kembo Mohadi, another infirm.

Today more eyebrows were raised as VP Chiwenga, who was recognised in his absence has also been conspicously absent in parliament, a development which has seen opposition legislators raise the issue to the speaker of parliament Jacob Mudenda on Wednesday.

Addressing delegates at the National Dialogue launch Friday, Mnangagwa recognised Chiwenga in absentia.

He however said regarding the National Dialogue launch:

“This marks a significant history in our Second Republic. It’s the first of its kind in Zimbabwe and the dialogue will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on our politics and help contribute to the economic turnaround… It must a platform through which we proffer solutions to the challenges that affect us as a people the culture of dialogue must be synonymous with us a s a people and as a nation it must lead us into improving our democratic practices and our culture. It must lead us to compete while guided by national interest.”

Watch the live video below for this and more..

Farai Dziva|Respected political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya says even if Emmerson Mnangagwa meets the the political parties that signed the dialogue agreement a thousand times nothing will materialize.

“IF LEGALITY is the fundamental ingredient of LEGITIMACY why is ED and ZANU PF struggling to run Zim after the Constitutional Court ruled in his favour over electoral dispute?

Legality is a subset of legitimacy; what matters most is POLITICAL LEGITIMACY, Court of Public Opinion.”

“If Mnangagwa meets Ruhanya today, the political and economic problems in Zimbabwe will not be resolved.

The fact of the matter is that I am not a critical stakeholder in the governance/political dispute in Zimbabwe. ED can meet those political parties 1000 times but hapana chobuda.

In The Return of the Political, Chantal Mouffe(1993)argues that liberal democracy misunderstands the problems of ethnic, religious and nationalist conflicts because of its inadequate conception of politics.”

Kana paine anozivawo sekuru avo tibatsireiwo kuzivisa hamadzavo vakarasika tinavo pa ZRP RUWA, zvavarikutaura hazvisI kunzwisisika meaning if there is anyone who knows the old man in the picture above please help us notify his relatives because he is here with us at ZRP Ruwa in Harare. We cannot make sense out of what he is saying.

Farai Dziva|MDC secretary for policy and research Jameson Timba has expressed disappointment at the failure by secretary general Douglas Mwonzora to “defend” the party position in the High Court case.

” Well, I think Mwonzora should speak for himself regarding certain issues.

My only concern as a member and a leader is why he failed or neglected to defend the party position by filing an opposing affidavit in this case.

He is the custodian of party records and privy to all documents pertaining to this case. On this case, it is my view that he owes our membership an explanation as to why in his central party position, he did not defend the known collective party position on the issues before the court irrespective of his own views. He had a duty of care to do so in my humble opinion,” Timba told Daily News.

By Own Correspondent| The social media was this afternoon awash with photos showing Bulawayo central business district being surrounded by anti-riot police in armoured vehicles.

The police had also deployed water tankers which were on standby to disperse people in case things went out of control

The development followed information reports that there would be a solidarity peace march in support of Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni starting at Joshua Nkomo statue in the heart of Bulawayo.

By Own Correspondent| The MDC led by Nelson Chamisa has said that the political dialogue led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa is a waste of both labor and state resources.

MDC National Spokeaperaon, Jacob Mafume said Mnangagwa was talking to himself:

“We cannot have a situation where he talks to himself among his own cheer-leaders and then says he is having a dialogue. He has no conflict with those small parties or motley crew of individuals that he has with him, why is he allowing himself to pretend to have a national dialogue when clearly the person who represents over 50% of the nation is not there at the dialogue.

How does he think it will solve the nation, a person who has almost all the urban councils and that number of MPs and rural councillors too, is not there at that dialogue?

That is a pure waste of time, resources and lying to himself and why he continues lying to himself and pretends to think the nation believes his lies is a mystery to us?”

President Mnangagwa invited all political parties which participated in the presidential elections in 2018 to a national dialogue.

The dialogue was expected to suggest ways of addressing both the economic and political crises.

The MDC led by Chamisa boycotted the dialogue after the party and ZANU PF failed to find each other on the issue of Mnangagwa’s legitimacy.-Newsday

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed the United States’ advisory warning Americans against travelling to Zimbabwe. The advisory said Zimbabwe was an unsafe and insecure destination.

The ZRP insisted that Zimbabwe was safe noting that the police has intensified security for both civilians and tourists. In a statement, ZRP noted:

Contrary to the Zimbabwe Travel Advisory Level 2 issues by the Americans, the ZRP wishes to assure all Zimbabweans and visitors who include tourists to all parts of the country that the country remains safe, peaceful and secure.

The ZRP is conducting general patrols, blitz, stop and search patrols in all central business districts, industrial sites, residential areas and other places which are usually frequented by the public with a view of getting rid of the malady criminality.

Members of the public who include visitors to the country should feel free to seek clarity on security from the ZRP.

The US State Department travel advisory had warned its citizens that they should exercise increased caution in Zimbabwe. It also advised US citizens to monitor the local media for updates. The advisory said:

Violent crime such as assault, carjacking, and home invasion, is common (in Zimbabwe).” The US provides levels of advice ranging from 1 to 4, with Level 1 as the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk, while level 4 highly condemns travel to the nation.

Smashing the windows of cars with the intent to steal, which can harm the driver or passengers, is also common. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.

Jane Mlambo| Zimbabweans have warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa against engaging in dialogue with powerless political parties and find common ground with opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa if he is to entertain any hopes of achieving turning around the country’s economic fortunes.

Soon after the official launch of the Political Actors Dialogue Platform (POLAD) in Harare today, Mnangagwa tweeted a group picture with all the 2018 presidential candidates except Chamisa and a few others.

But he got a rude awakening after Zimbabweans swarmed his Twitter account with calls to dump all the political leaders and talk to Chamisa.

Read messages below.

Isaac Mutsau: Key stakeholders are not there. Therefore what we see is just a gathering of politicians enjoying tax payer’s money. Otherwise there is not much to expect from it.

Peter Evans: ED , ED, ED how many did l call you? Simply call that young man tonight wega and you see everything zvichiendeka, kumagumo kune nyaya , remember it’s you who told me that.

Lawrence: All these people with you there are already on your side; the one you need (Chamisa) is the one you are avoiding; when you engage him tge true dialogue begins. For now mahumbwe.

M-Jay: Kodak moment with the political nonentities. These theatrics must stop Mr President. Our country is burning. The only dialogue needed is between you and @nelsonchamisa. Leave the excesses out. They bring nothing of value to this dialogue. We didn’t vote for them!

DocLawo: Lol dialogue of one illegitimate soul and a bunch of so called leaders with no followers. You are insincere in your approach to this political dialogue – for that reason nothing will change chief. Consider a one on one with those frm whom the vote was stolen. Simple

VIDEO LOADING BELOW..

As leaders, we must also pledge to to be exemplary; leaders of our nation at every level must say no to sanctions, and say no to all conduct and speech that will bring harm to our people. It is when there is unity that God will come and all blessings upon a land – @edmnangagwa pic.twitter.com/wVEFOjZq3r

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) May 17, 2019

FULL VIDEO BELOW….

A 15 year-old boy is suing the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) after he
was brutally assaulted by a police officer, who was reportedly
investigating the theft of a mobile phone handset in Mutare’s
high-density suburb of Sakubva.

The 15 year-old boy, who is represented by Peggy Tavagadza of Zimbabwe
Lawyers for Human Rights, recently served ZRP with a notice of
intention to sue for inhuman and degrading treatment after he was
handcuffed and assaulted in March by Jefinias Mazambani, a police
officer, who accused him of stealing a cellphone before detaining him
at Sakubva Police Station in Mutare, Manicaland province.

However, the 15 year-old boy was released from police custody without
being charged.

According to Tavagadza, the 15 year-old juvenile bled profusely as a
result of the assault by Mazambani.

Despite being released from police custody without any charges pressed
against him, Tavagadza said some ZRP officers continued making
impromptu visits to the juvenile’s residence and continued assaulting
him.

Tavagadza will soon issue summons against ZRP, where she will indicate
the total amount of damages suffered by the 15 year-old boy as a
result of the ill-treatment by the law enforcement agents

THREE opposition political party legislators have slapped government
with a lawsuit demanding more than $20 000 as compensation for
violation of their fundamental rights when some law enforcement agents
assaulted them in Parliament in November 2018.

The three opposition MDC party legislators namely Hon. Lynette Karenyi
(Proportional Representation), Hon. Thabitha Khumalo (Proportional
Representation) and Hon. Amos Chibaya representing Mkoba constituency
were manhandled and assaulted by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)
officers who invaded Parliament in November 2018 to eject them
following an instruction by Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob
Mudenda after they refused to rise to attention when President
Emmerson Mnangagwa entered Parliament to attend the 2019 national
budget presentation in protest against the ZANU PF leader’s claim to
victory in the July 2018 elections.

In summons filed recently at Harare Magistrates Court by the
legislators’ lawyer Tinomuda Shoko of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human
Rights, the lawmakers, who cited ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin
Matanga and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema
as respondents, charged that some ZRP officers assaulted them using
clenched fists and open hands and had their clothes torn during the
scuffle.

Shoko charged that the assault of the legislators amounted to
violations of their constitutional rights to be treated humanely, with
respect, with dignity, with integrity and not to be subjected to
physical, psychological torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment guaranteed in sections 50, 51, 52 and 53 of
the Constitution.

Hon. Karenyi, who fell down as she was forcefully grabbed by three
police officers and suffered injuries on her right arm as a result of
the assault is demanding $9 000 for damages emanating from shock,
pain, suffering and past and future medical expenses.

Hon Chibaya is demanding compensation for payment of $9 000 being
damages for pain, suffering and medical bills he incurred for
treatment, while Hon Khumalo, who is asthmatic and lost her breath
during the Parliament fracas and sustained some bruises on her hand
and right hip as a result of being manhandled by ZRP officers, is
demanding payment of $9 000 for shock, pain and suffering and for past
and future medical expenses.

Opposition MDC President Nelson Chamisa has met with constitutional law expert and losing parliamentary candidate for Mt Pleasant Fadzayi Mahere in Harare today.

Though he did not divulge what they discussed, Chamisa tweeted that their vision for the future is the force behind the need for unity.

VIEW PICTURES BELOW….

By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa confirmed the absence of his deputy Vice President Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga at today’s launch of the Code of Conduct for National Dialogue but would not avail further details of his whereabouts.

VP Chiwenga, who was recognised in his absence has also been conspicously absent in parliament in a development which has seen opposition legislators raise the issue to the speaker of parliament Jacob Mudenda on Wednesday.

Addressing delegates at the National Dialogue launch Friday, Mnangagwa recognised Chiwenga in absentia.

He however said regarding the National Dialogue launch:

“This marks a significant history in our Second Republic. It’s the first of its kind in Zimbabwe and the dialogue will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on our politics and help contribute to the economic turnaround… It must a platform through which we proffer solutions to the challenges that affect us as a people the culture of dialogue must be synonymous with us a s a people and as a nation it must lead us into improving our democratic practices and our culture. It must lead us to compete while guided by national interest.”

Watch the live video below for this and more..

By Own Correspondent- US based Chimurenga guru Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo’s daughter Matinyanya who was studying Medicine will be graduating in Atlanta on Sunday.

Speaking to a local publication from his Oregon family home, Mukanya could not hide his elation after his daughter made the family proud.

“Thank you God for all these blessings and favouring my family,” said Mukanya in a telephone interview.

“Congratulations to Zimbabwe because it is said it takes the whole village to bring up a child and every child is for us all.

“It makes everyone happy to see their children prospering like this because their prosperity is ours too.

“So I personally beg all parents and guardians to care and educate them up to the end.

“To all pupils and students, discipline is important because education is for your own good for life,” he said.

Mukanya urged students to abstain from sexual activities and concentrate on their studies.

“Fun is endless but mind your health and always remember that there is death,” he said.

On life after his daughter Matinyanya’s graduations, Mukanya said he was wishing her to start a family.

The Blacks Unlimited Spirits founder urged Matinyanya to support and respect her husband when she gets married.

Mukanya said his daughter who came to America aged two years had difficulties in speaking English but has excelled.

He said his daughter would learn English at a neighbour’s place.

He also said Matinyanyanya had problems in adjusting to the new diet.

Mukanya’s wife Vena was equally excited by Matinyanya’s achievements saying they owe it to God.

“Only God knows where we came from, where we are at present, where we must be, what our rewards are and what our answers are to only Him.

“As Dr Thomas Mukanya Mapfumo’s family, we owe God a lot for what he has done for us as a family, for what He is still doing for us, imagine my other child will be graduating on 29 May this 2019.

“I have run short of words to praise God, please help me I am over excited, your child’s single step brings a shade on you, I personally do not like a public life, ndinonyara zvekuti, ndezvana Mukanya izvi,” she said.

Venna urged guardians and parents to take good care of their children by education them despite challenges.

“I wish my all graduating students the best and wish the best to all pupils and students studying globally and those in Zimbabwe, to all mothers, let care and educate our children at all challenges, let us be like born brave hens which feeds after weaning its chicks for months,” added Vena.-H Metro

By Own Correspondent- Lovie Nkosilathi Dube employed at Mpilo Central Hospital claimed that she was fed up of her ex-footballer lover, Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda who was using suicidal threats as a manipulation tool. 

The former Zimbabwe Saints, Dynamos and Warriors star midfielder was allegedly evicted by his live-in girlfriend, who sensationally accused him of threatening suicide to stall her from dumping him.

The matter came to light at the Bulawayo magistrates court.

She said:

” I am applying for an interim protection order against my live-in boyfriend Ronald Sibanda, a commentator. He is physically abusing me and has on several occasions hit me and threatened me with a knife. He is also verbally abusing me and destroys property. He has suicidal ideas and has tried to hang himself a number of times and he once took the detergent in a bid to try and kill himself. I now fear for my life as he is refusing to leave my home to an extent that on 25 April this year I had to go and sleep at a neighbour’s house.”

Presiding magistrate Franklin Mkwanazi granted the order In a bid to provide immediate protection to Dube, which compelled Sibanda not to verbally assault or threaten his girlfriend.

The ex-footballer was also ordered by the magistrate to vacate his girlfriend’s premises on or before 26 April. After the temporary ruling, the magistrate ordered the couple to come back on May 10.

The estranged couple allegedly failed to come to court to have the interim protection order granted and put into final order. Rachael Mukanga then removed the matter from the roll-B. Metro

By Own Correspondent- A local publication reports that the proliferation of the refusal rate for entry into Europe has been triggered by the worsening economic conditions as many Zimbabweans are deemed ineligible to sustain themselves in a foreign land.

According to the report, some western countries have recorded an 80% refusal rate for Zimbabweans seeking green pastures over the past year as embassies continue to tighten their stranglehold on entry requirements.

This comes as Australia, Britain and Canada have stopped processing visas in Harare, with applicants forced to apply at the Pretoria consulate, which has weakened the chances for many Zimbabweans. 

”Our Schools might want Zimbabwean students and our institutions might want Zimbabwean workers but, this is economy is not favourable for their applicants.

The currency exchange rate and the restrictions in sending money outside the country have negatively impacted the applicants,” a diplomatic source told the Independent. 

An effort by the publication to get the refusal rate from The United Kingdom embassy were unfruitful, with an official at the embassy maintaining that every application was treated individually.

” All UK visa applications are considered on their individual merits, on the basis of the evidence available and in line with the UK immigration rules,” an embassy spokesperson said. The United States embassy in Harare said most visa refusals are because of lack of proof that the applicant was entitled to non-immigrant status.

”We do no comment on visa refusal rate for applicants. Most applicants are refused under 214b, which is from the Immigration and Nationalisation Act and presumes that all applicants are intending immigrants unless they can demonstrate otherwise to the consular office,” an official from the US Embassy Public Affairs Section said.

By Staff Reporter- Vice President Kembo Mohadi, who several weeks ago hit the headlines for wielding an axe at his former wife Tambudzani Mohadi demanding property has told Chinese delegates that Zimbabwe is a safe and secure tourism and investment destination.

In his keynote address at the Zimbabwe China Business Forum in Harare today, Mohadi said:

Zimbabwe is just a gem, an awakening giant, a safe and secure tourism and investment destination.

I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the Chinese delegates that Zimbabwe has unique resources across sectors and as Zimbabweans, we are of high intellect, resilient, and have a great work ethic only identical to us.

These unique attributes point to our resourcefulness and thus a sure guarantee of our economic growth potential and a significant return to your investment.

The vice president also applauded the strategic partnership between Zimbabwe and Touchroad, a Chinese travel and tourism company, saying it will boost the country’s image in the world in general, and China in particular.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- Leader of the opposition MDC party, Nelson Chamisa has said that he and his colleagues fear for their lives alleging that the government has placed them under 24-hour surveillance.

The Daily News reports that the government suspects that the opposition party is planning mass demonstrations against President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Speaking to the Daily News, MDC Vice president Morgen Komichi said that the worsening economic situation in the country coupled with the fear of Chamisa has unsettled the government. Komichi said:

President Chamisa is very unsafe because he is viewed by Mnangagwa’s government as its biggest enemy … together with several other senior party officials who have been put under surveillance because they realise that with the economic situation becoming worse in the country, the chances that people will go into the streets anytime are more than 70 percent.

Addressing mourners on Wednesday during the funeral wake of Tafadzwa Mhundwa, Chamisa indicated that he had since changed his traveling patterns. He said:

After we ended our programme in Bulawayo, I told Komichi that we were now leaving for Harare to which he told me that he does not travel at night.

I maintained that I would be travelling at night and told him to rest. My travelling at night has a reason. “When we travel, we do not publicise it because we are always in danger. We are swimming in a river full of crocodiles.

Chamisa’s remarks are a reminiscence of remarks that were made by the party’s spokesperson, Jacob Mafume last year.

By Own Correspondent- A Harare lawyer and academic, Fadzayi Mahere, said the current situation with power cuts is a clear indication that President Mnangagwa and his government have dismally failed and should simply resign.

She added that the entire system is dysfunctional, corrupt and toxic.

On the issue of dialogue, Mahere opined that it is pointless to talk with someone who gives John Mangudya (RBZ governor) another 5-year term. She said:

This business of only having power for a couple of hours while we are asleep is not sustainable.

We’ve hit rock bottom but they continue to dig in. The government has failed.

ED and friends must accept responsibility for their failure and resign. The entire system that they run is dysfunctional, corrupt and toxic.

The Zanu PF culture will choke any strategy that anybody suggests for lunch. My solution is therefore that they must go.

… There was a moment when dialogue could have been a plan but then the powers that be adopted a bogus version thereof.

It will take a lot more to restore confidence. How do you have a dialogue with someone who gives Mangudya another 5-year term and hopes for economic success?

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By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has implored political party leaders to move away from the election mode and join hands with hims as the legitimate elected leader of the nation in rebuilding a better nation for all.

He said thsi at the launch of the Code of Conduct for National Dialogue at the HICC in Harare today.

Said Mnangagwa:

“Just as i said in my inauguration speech, I am a listening President and i will continue to listen. I embrace those who are willing to join hands in the re- building of our nation. Every Zimbabwean is important…..It does not serve any purpose to continue in election mode.. when citizens are yearning for social growth.”

By Own Correspondent_ Addressing delegates at the launch of the Code of Conduct for political parties in the National Dialogue, President Emmerson Mnangagwa implored the country’s leaders to be exemplary in their conduct.

Said Mnanngagwa:

“As leaders, we must strive to be exemplary. We must say no to all forms of hate speech and conduct that will bring harm to our people. When there is unity, God will command blessings to our nation.”

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By Own Correspondent- Professor Welshman Ncube, MDC deputy president has claimed that the late party leader Morgan Tsvangirai anointed him to be Nelson Chamisa’s assistant before he died.

Speaking on the sidelines of the MDC Mashonaland West provincial caucus meeting on Tuesday, Ncube said:

The most important thing is that when president Tsvangirai was to pass on, he specifically and entrusted me with the responsibility of assisting president Chamisa in the struggle against the junta regime that we have in Zimbabwe today. I promised him in the presence of Chamisa that I will do all I can.

He also said that selection of the deputy president must be on merit as the president needs proper assistance.

He added:

Our people believe that we are an inclusive country. We are a tolerant party, we must select and elect people who will honestly and properly assist the president in his task, so there is absolutely no risk of that happening.

Ncube was MDC’s founding secretary-general, with Tsvangirai as president in 1999.

By Own Correspondent- Addressing leaders of parties who are part of the political parties National Dialogue initiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa today, Justice Commissioner Sello Nare revealed the 15 key guidelines to be adhered to by all parties as they dialogue.

Nare added that the doors to dialogue were still open to all political parties at whatever stage.

Said Nare:

“The doors to dialogue are open to all and it does not matter whether you have joined or not.”

Those who signed the Code of Conduct were presidential candidates or their representatives from the following political parties:

Bethel Christian party, Coalition of Democrats, Democratic Opposition Party, Independent, the Movement for Democratic Change led by Dr Thokozani Khupe. Nationalist Alliance Party, National Constitutional Assembly, the New Patriotic Front, Rebuilding Zimbabwe Party, the United African National Council, United Democratic Front, United Democracy Movement, People’s Rainbow Coalition, #1980 Presidential Candidate, Zimbabwe Partnership for Prosperity Party, #1980 Freedom Movement for Zimbabwe and Zanu Pf.