By Own Correspondent- A Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee chaired by Tendai Biti (MDC-Alliance) has unearthed yet another mismanagement of funds scandal at the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA).
It emerged that ZINARA has been paying two salaries for the suspended Nancy Masiyiwa-Chamisa and acting CEO Mathlene Mujokoro for the chief executive officer post for the past 12 months.
The road authority has also been spending thousands of United States dollars on hairstyle, food hampers, and gym allowances for managers.
The legislators were also notified that ZINARA also simultaneously spent US$4 000 on each director in buying and installing gym equipment at their residences and paid monthly subscriptions for their gym at upmarket clubs in Harare.
It was also reported that ZINARA also spent more than US$60 000 on hairstyle allowance with one boutique pocketing more than US$25 000 on having hair done for Zinara female managers.
The Committee registered fears over ZINARA’s inability to show that the crisis was being seriously rectified.
This is not the first time the road authority has come under fire for maladministration of public funds. There have also been tendering issues within the authority which implicated the management.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- At least 4 miners have died while more are feared dead following an accident at Nugget Mine in Matabeleland South.
Nugget Mine Civil Protection Department Chairperson, Sithandiwe Ncube has confirmed the development and said that four gold miners have died after the mine collapsed on Monday morning.
It is feared that the death toll might rise to six after the mine in Matabeleland South Province collapsed.
Reports also indicate that 12 other miners are still trapped underground the mine situated about 30km from Bulawayo.
The chairperson has indicated that mining experts are assessing the risks before a rescue team is dispatched underground.
She also revealed that resources are also being mobilised in order to rescue the trapped miners and retrieve the bodies spotted at the site of the mine accident.-StateMedia
GWERU City Council is in urgent need of US$64 million to upgrade the old and dilapidated water pumping system which has seen it failing to supply potable water consistently.
This has resulted in 10 high-lying suburbs going for weeks without water.
In a statement, town clerk Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza said because of obsolete equipment and a growing population of about 200 000 people, residents should brace for continued water woes until such a time when the local authority is able to secure the US$64 million.
“To be able to pump treated water at full capacity, there are rehabilitation works that need to be undertaken at our treatment plant and raw water pump station (Amaphongokwe and Gwenhoro) which mainly comprise of obsolete pump replacements and repair of mainlines and major fittings which have been costed to the tune of US$10 million,” she said.
“There are however, additional works that need to be done in the short and medium term which include upgrading water treatment plants, upgrading of water pumping mains plus pump stations, replacement of old and dilapidated pipe networks and other related works at a cost of US$54 million.”
Ms Gwatipedza said the local authority is experiencing a daily deficit of 15 mega litres for its population of about 200 000 residents who require over 60 mega litres of water per day.
She said the city needs in excess of 80 mega litres when industry if factored.
“Supply through the two treatment plants that is Gwenhoro and White Waters, with capacities of 60 mega litres and 5 mega litres respectively when fully functional brings the total a mere 65 mega litres per day. “Currently Gwenhoro Treatment Plant has an output of 40-43 mega litres per day while White Waters has an output of 1.5 mega litres per day giving a total of between 43-44 mega litres. Due to bottlenecks caused by civil mechanical and electrical equipment broken down, we cannot operate at full capacity.
The total water produced per day is not enough to meet the 60 plus mega litres that are required per day. With a deficit of 15 mega litres per day, we can’t fill our reservoirs. High lying areas which include Mkoba 14, 19, 11, 10, 1, 2, 7, 17, Haben Park and Ridgemont suffer because of the deficit,” said Ms Gwatipedza. She said due to frequent power outages and pipe bursts on council’s pumping mains, there are times when there is no production from the treatment plants further worsening the water supply.
Ms Gwatipedza advised residents that Gwenhoro Dam is only 26 percent full which translates to only five months’ supply.
THE Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) has been paying two salaries for two chief executive officers for the past 12 months, while thousands of United States dollars were spent on hairstyle, food hampers, and gym allowances for managers, legislators heard yesterday.
Zinara has also been paying a salary for suspended chief executive officer Mrs Nancy Masiyiwa-Chamisa since June 2018 together Mrs Mathlene Mujokoro, who is the acting CEO.
It also emerged that Zinara spent US$4 000 on each director in buying and installing gym equipment at their residences, but the road authority went on to pay monthly subscriptions for their gym at upmarket clubs in Harare.
More than US$60 000 was also spent on hairstyle allowance with one boutique pocketing more than US$25 000 on having hair done for Zinara female managers.
This came out yesterday when Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee to give evidence on an audit report prepared by Auditor-General Mrs Mildred Chiri as he unearthed the historical corruption that obtained at the parastatal before the new administration of President Mnangagwa.
Committee chairperson Mr Tendai Biti (MDC-Alliance) said they had been informed that Zinara was paying salaries for both Mrs Masiyiwa-Chamisa and Ms Mujokoro.
“As we speak now, negotiations between that CEO and the board are in progress to make sure that they come to an agreement. There is a process of scouting for a new CEO for this organisation. These are processes that are going on which are not being made public, sooner we will have a new structure, once we have a substantive CEO,” said Minister Matiza.
Dzivaresekwa MP, Mr Edwin Mushoriwa (MDC-Alliance) asked why conducting negotiations with Mrs Masiyiwa-Chamisa and not disciplinary proceedings if there was any offence that she committed.
“When there is a report of corruption and maladministration and when you hear that there are negotiations with the former CEO, what comes into our mind is a golden handshake that is going to be given. We were expecting to see heads roll, but you now have a softer approach unless you are saying the board suspended a wrong person,” said Mr Mushoriwa.
In response, Minister Matiza said while he concurred with the concern the board was seized with the issue and a lasting solution would be found.
Marondera Central MP, Mr Caston Matewu (MDC-Alliance) questioned why Zinara paid US$4 000 as gym allowance for each director, but went on to pay subscriptions at different clubs.
“How can you buy gym equipment for their homes and at the same time pay their subscription at a club,? said Mr Matewu.
Mr Biti said according to the audit, management got US$3 000 each for corporate wear for the year under review, two directors that were paid in excess of what was approved in the contract of employment among other issues.
“Our concern is that we do not see a satisfactory position by the Minister of ensuring that measures have been taken to stop the rot. It is not enough, with all due respect, just to say that we have a new board.
“We would have thought that there must be evidence of action taken against employees, we have interviewed them and they are very arrogant and they are still there. How do you continue giving the same company money when it has failed to perform? What have you done to go to those companies that performed, but did not perform, like Badon?
“We are not hearing a convincing story going forward arising out of the omission of the past. I can assure you, although I am not a prophet, that the 2018 and 2019 audit report will be talking about the same thing,” said Mr Biti.
By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pledged to provide decent accommodation for all Zimbabweans.
Mnangagwa said this during his visit to Mbare’s Matapi flats, which are being renovated under a joint deal between government and Harare City Council.
Renovations at the flats, which had become an eyesore and a potential health disaster, started after one block was gutted down by fire last year.
Said Mnangagwa:
“Remember that last year, when one block was burnt, I visited the place and promised residents that I will look into renovations there, particularity that block and the rest of other blocks around that place.
When I visited the place, I discovered that they were very dilapidated so I made arrangements that they are fixed. The company that is working there has so far attended to about three or four blocks, but they are going to do all the blocks around there.”
He said government, using funds raised through the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, together with Harare City Council contracted a Singaporean company, FCG, which is leading the renovations.
Mnangagwa said the Matapi renovations were the beginning of “bigger things to come”.-Newsday
By Own Correspondent| Three out of 131 youths who were arrested on Saturday in Bulawayo for conducting the infamous “vuzu” parties in the city have each been sentenced to three months in prison.
The sentence was however wholly suspended on condition that they complete 105 hours of community service.
The three pleaded guilty to criminal nuisance.
The other six were arrested on the same day were cautioned and discharged after they had pleaded guilty to the charges.
ZRP Acting Spokesperson for Bulawayo province, Inspector Abednico Ncube revealed to the state media that some of the young people are alleged to have been drunk on alcohol and drugs.
Alcohol, drugs and used condoms, as well as sex enhancing pills, were discovered at the crime scene
The accused and their parents and guardians were seen loitering around Tredgold Building yesterday. Many of the accused were later cautioned and discharged.-StateMedia
State Media|THREE of the more than 100 youths who were arrested on Saturday for criminal nuisance have each been sentenced to three months in prison.
Police raided youths, mostly school children, who get drunk in the city centre and organise the infamous vuzu parties.
Children get drunk and often have unprotected group sex at the wild parties.
Bhekimuzi Moyo (20), Prichard Sibanda (22) and Alex Ndlovu (20) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi who sentenced them to three months in prison which was however wholly suspended on condition that they complete 105 hours of community service.
The three pleaded guilty to criminal nuisance.
The court heard that the three reside in West Acre and New Lobengula.
Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza said on May 4 this year at around 8PM outside The Vista Club at corner 8th Avenue and Fife Street the three were shouting obscenities at the top of their voices, playing music loudly and drinking alcohol in public.
The police arrived at the scene and arrested them, escorted them to Bulawayo Central Police Station where they were detained until yesterday when they were arraigned.
Zenzele Ndlovu (20), Bongani Mhlanga (19), Tatenda Mpofu (18), Valentine Sibanda (26), Sebala Moketsi (24) and Gabriel Tarambiwa (22) who were arrested on the same day were cautioned and discharged.
The court heard the six were also facing criminal nuisance charges and pleaded guilty.
“Last Saturday around 8PM police on duty were deployed at Centenary Park and they heard loud music and people singing at the same time, they proceeded to the scene and arrested the six,” said the prosecutor.
Mr Mkhwananzi warned the youths not to behave in that manner again.
Yesterday scores of youths were milling around the corridors of Tredgold Building with their parents and guardians who had been called by the police following their arrest.
Mnangagwa leaves the block of flats visibly unimpressed
Own Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday quickly dashed away from his much talked about visit to Matapi flats in Mbare after it dawned on him that what was being shown to him on the outside of the flats did not reflect the real progress on the work he ordered to be done.
Mnangagwa was shocked when he demanded to go inside the flats to realise that much of the work in the inside of the flats had not been done and occupants were living in the building as renovations were taking place.
Journalists who were at the scene heard the President take Local Government Minster July Moyo to task for keeping people in the flats while renovations were taking place.
Mnangagwa, left without addressing people who had gathered to witness the event.
A tent, chairs and podium had been set up to allow Mnangagwa to address the gathering, however the President briefly spoke to senior officials before leaving.
“You must move people while renovating the flats, since it is not healthy. This paint is producing a bad chocking smell and could affect people.
“Before moving to the rehabilitation of the next section of flats please make sure you move people until such time it is safe to do so because some might be allergic to it,” Mnangagwa told officials at close range.
Mnangagwa immediately tasked Harare City Council to find alternative places for Matapi Flats residents to stay while the blocks were being renovated.
Briefing the journalists after touring the flats, Mnangagwa turned against the residents saying he was not impressed by some residents who are refusing to be moved from the flats temporarily to quicken the refurbishment.
Government is carrying out the renovations in partnership with the Harare City Council with the works being done by FGC Singapore.
The flats are being renovated at the instruction of President Mnangagwa following a fire which gutted some flats last year.
The refurbishment includes the painting of the buildings, rehabilitation of the sewer and water system and the painting of the pre-cast wall.
Sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West and the United States of America, are a double-edged sword that is also inflicting pain on the administrators of the embargo, a top economist has said.
Mr Ashok Chakravarti, an economist and University of Zimbabwe lecturer, said US sanctions under Zimbabwe Democracy Recovery Act (Zidera) and other measures couched in executive orders, were preventing dialogue between the two countries while at the same time hurting America’s business interests in Zimbabwe.
Further, US assistance to Zimbabwe hardly provided relief to the Southern African country, Mr Chakravarti argued.
Mr Chakravarti was part of the panellists at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington and was commenting on the US imposed Zidera sanctions last week.
He said the sanctions have made it difficult for Zimbabwe to access new financing from international markets.
“It (Zidera) also requires US executive director on the international financial institutions to vote against any new aid to Zimbabwe,” said Mr Chakravarti.
“It is problematic from the Zimbabwe’s point of view, but I think it is against the US interests as well.”
Mr Chakravarti said the US policy towards Zimbabwe was contrary to that country’s strategy for Africa because it has made it difficult for American businesses to trade with Zimbabwe.
“It makes US companies to have commercial ties with Zimbabwe difficult,” he said.
“There are reports of Islamic terrorists group moving to Southern Africa. As far as I know the Government of Zimbabwe is more than willing to cooperate with the US on this matter, but as long as Zidera is in place it is not going to happen.”
He urged for the abolishment of Zidera and normalisation of relations between the two countries. “I am saying this prevents proper dialogue between the US and Zimbabwe and the people of Zimbabwe more importantly. He said though the US sought to use relief assistance to push for reforms, this Mr Chakravarti said has negligible effect.
“The US relief assistance does not at all tackle the fundamental problems of Zimbabwe,” he said, adding that dialogue could provide a long term solution.
Zimbabwe, he said, had moved from the State-led model and that new trajectory should be applauded.
“That model is no longer the philosophy of the new administration,” he said. “This is a new direction and if the direction has changed certainly it must be supported because if you do not support this direction of change you are actually inadvertently the other side. That is the reality of Zidera.”
Zimbabwe was slapped with illegal sanctions by Britain and her allies at the turn of the millennium, after the country embarked on a successful land reform programme as part of efforts to correct skewed land ownership which favoured the minority whites. The country, as a result of the embargo, cannot access lines of credit, making it difficult to operate a modern economy.
Recently, Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni condemned the imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe by the West saying it is an act of cowardice and those behind the economic restrictions should lift them, adding to the general condemnation by countries and statesmen over the years.
He made the remarks while officially opening the 60th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo.- State Media
By Own Correspondent- Nugget Mine Civil Protection Department Chairperson, Sithandiwe Ncube has confirmed that four gold miners have died after the mine collapsed on Monday morning.
It is feared that the death toll might rise to six after the mine in Matabeleland South Province collapsed. Reports also indicate that 12 other miners are still trapped underground the mine situated about 30km from Bulawayo.
The chairperson has indicated that mining experts are assessing the risks before a rescue team is dispatched underground. She also revealed that resources are also being mobilised in order to rescue the trapped miners and retrieve the bodies spotted at the site of the mine accident.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- The trial date for former permanent secretary in the ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Francis Gudyanga who is facing corruption charges has been set following the dismissal of his application for an exception.
Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba dismissed the application by Gudyanga for lack of merit.
She also indicated that the matter was triable and it was necessary for it to go to trial as the allegations do not embarrass Gudyanga in any way.
The trial is set to kick off on June 5.
Gudyanga was arrested for suspected cases of corruption he committed when he was permanent secretary in the ministry of mines where at the time, he chaired the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ).
It is alleged that he never convened a meeting of the board, but claimed $28 000 in board sitting allowances.
He was the only board member and allegedly never consulted the acting general-manager Richard Chingodza and the corporation’s secretary Nomsa Moyo, whom he was supposed to hold meetings with, according to the Company Act.
He is on record telling the Harare magistrates’ court during the trial of MMCZ bosses that he paid himself board fees when there was no board to talk of at the parastatal.
Gudyanga told the court in March, 2017 while testifying against the MMCZ bosses: “It is not just sitting, but decision making. No, it was not sitting fees, but boarding fees because we did not sit as a board. The board is not all about sitting, but consultation and decision making. It took most of my time.”
Prof Gudyanga received $875 monthly as board fees and $460 sitting fees for “sitting” 21 times, totalling $28 910.-StateMedia
The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) has been paying two salaries for two chief executive officers for the past 12 months, while thousands of United States dollars were spent on hairstyle, food hampers, and gym allowances for managers, legislators heard yesterday.
Zinara has also been paying a salary for suspended chief executive officer Mrs Nancy Masiyiwa-Chamisa since June 2018 together Mrs Mathlene Mujokoro, who is the acting CEO.
It also emerged that Zinara spent US$4 000 on each director in buying and installing gym equipment at their residences, but the road authority went on to pay monthly subscriptions for their gym at upmarket clubs in Harare.
More than US$60 000 was also spent on hairstyle allowance with one boutique pocketing more than US$25 000 on having hair done for Zinara female managers.
This came out yesterday when Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee to give evidence on an audit report prepared by Auditor-General Mrs Mildred Chiri as he unearthed the historical corruption that obtained at the parastatal before the new administration of President Mnangagwa.
Committee chairperson Mr Tendai Biti (MDC-Alliance) said they had been informed that Zinara was paying salaries for both Mrs Masiyiwa-Chamisa and Ms Mujokoro.
“As we speak now, negotiations between that CEO and the board are in progress to make sure that they come to an agreement. There is a process of scouting for a new CEO for this organisation. These are processes that are going on which are not being made public, sooner we will have a new structure, once we have a substantive CEO,” said Minister Matiza.
Dzivaresekwa MP, Mr Edwin Mushoriwa (MDC-Alliance) asked why conducting negotiations with Mrs Masiyiwa-Chamisa and not disciplinary proceedings if there was any offence that she committed.
“When there is a report of corruption and maladministration and when you hear that there are negotiations with the former CEO, what comes into our mind is a golden handshake that is going to be given. We were expecting to see heads roll, but you now have a softer approach unless you are saying the board suspended a wrong person,” said Mr Mushoriwa.
In response, Minister Matiza said while he concurred with the concern the board was seized with the issue and a lasting solution would be found.
Marondera Central MP, Mr Caston Matewu (MDC-Alliance) questioned why Zinara paid US$4 000 as gym allowance for each director, but went on to pay subscriptions at different clubs.
“How can you buy gym equipment for their homes and at the same time pay their subscription at a club,? said Mr Matewu.
Mr Biti said according to the audit, management got US$3 000 each for corporate wear for the year under review, two directors that were paid in excess of what was approved in the contract of employment among other issues.
“Our concern is that we do not see a satisfactory position by the Minister of ensuring that measures have been taken to stop the rot. It is not enough, with all due respect, just to say that we have a new board.
“We would have thought that there must be evidence of action taken against employees, we have interviewed them and they are very arrogant and they are still there. How do you continue giving the same company money when it has failed to perform? What have you done to go to those companies that performed, but did not perform, like Badon?
“We are not hearing a convincing story going forward arising out of the omission of the past. I can assure you, although I am not a prophet, that the 2018 and 2019 audit report will be talking about the same thing,” said Mr Biti.-state media
By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has arrived in Botswana where he is set to attend the 2019 Elephant Summit.
Mnangagwa will be one of the five Heads of State of countries in the KAZA TFCA region.
Among other issues, the summit is expected to establish ways to deal with the growing population of elephants in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). It is also expected to review the 1989 ban in international trade in ivory by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The summit comes after SADC environment ministers have already agreed to resolutely and collectively champion sustainable utilisation of wildlife resources for the good of citizens.
Tourism minister, Priscah Mupfumira who is also attending the event has urged the region to adopt homegrown solutions to address issues affecting the tourism sector.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has hired a private plane for former president Robert Mugabe for flying to Malaysia .
Information gathered by ZimEye revealed that Mugabe flew out yesterday afternoon to the Asian country to seek medical treatment.
Although the flight tracking data was obfuscated in the database, ZimEye managed to get the details from a secondary record cache.
The costs of the chartered aircraft however was not known at the time of writing. The move to hire the plane is part of an arrangement by Mnangagwa where he pledged to take care of Mugabe as part of his exit package from the presidency.
Mnangagwa is on record saying that “Mugabe is well taken care of” and that the former leader deserved everyone’s respect for his role in liberating Zimbabwe.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.
By Own Correspondent- Presenting his manifesto for the Vice Presidencyat an MDC party caucus held at the party’s headquarters recently, Tendai Biti said that the party had to change its modus operandi.
He also said that the upcoming party elective congress was a platform to show the general populace that the MDC was tired of being an opposition party.
Speaking at the caucus, Biti said:
The 2019 5th congress for the MDC is going to be a very important congress for us. It’s an opportunity to start new dialogue with the people of Zimbabwe. It’s an opportunity for the people of the MDC to show Zimbabweans that we are tired of being an opposition political party.
The party must shift focus to the rural area. For us to gain power we need to go into the village in Humanikwa, Chiendambuya, Dotito.. so we need to change our strategy.
Speaking at the same event, Professor Welshman Ncube projected himself as a think tank and a strategist who stands ready to offer Chamisa the much-needed direction the party would embark on. Ncube said:
I will do all I can. All in my power to render that assistance to president Chamisa. One of my major tasks that has not been talked about would be to provide strategic direction.-263Chat
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“The 2019 of MDC, the 5th congress for the MDC is going to be a very important congress for us. It’s an opportunity to start new dialogue with the people of Zimbabwe. It’s an opportunity for the people of the MDC to show to the people Zimbabweans that we are tired of being an opposition political party.
“The party must shift focus to the rural area. For us to gain power we need to go into the village in Humanikwa, Chiendambuya, Dotito.. so we need to change our strategy.”
By Own Correspondent- A pool of sewage has developed in Chitungwiza’s Zengeza 4 suburb a few metres from council head office which is posing a potential health time bomb in the dormitory town.
Some of the sewage is flowing past Herentals College and the middle of the shopping centre posing a threat to both pupils and residents who use the shopping centre and council has done nothing about it despite being in its vicinity.
A heap of garbage is also collecting at the centre of the shopping centre.
The garbage has been accumulating over the past months and no efforts have been made to rectify the situation.
Information gathered by this publication is that there is a damaged sewer pipe in the suburb and council has ordered a man who damaged the line while digging a well to repair it in the process holding residents to ransom.
“Council cannot hold people to ransom like this. What wrong have we done?
“Inga wani we pay rates,” said a resident who identified himself Landers.
So dire is the situation that a stench engulfs the whole suburb while litter continues to mount.
Council spokesperson Lovemore Meya said he would find out why the burst sewer pipe has not been replaced while he blamed accumulation of garbage to shortage of fuel at council that they sometimes fail to send compactors to collect garbage.
“Sometime we won’t be having fuel so there will not be compactors to collect garbage and residents end up dumping garbage everywhere and we need to educate them on cleanliness.
“I will investigate why the damaged pipe has not been replaced for that long.
“The flowing and pool of sewerage is a result of perennial water shortages in the town,” he said.
He said when water gets available, pressure is created in the blocked pipes leading to leakage of sewage.
“Some of the places need new pipes or even overhaul of the sewage system,” Meya said.-HMetro
By Patrick Guramatunhu| The story of the British planning to invade Zimbabwe should be dismissed as far-fetched.
The Sunday Times, citing a leaked National Security Document, said Williamson “ordered military chiefs to draw up plans for intervention by the armed forces in at least five African countries, including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt.”
“This sabre-rattling sacked British Defence Secretary thinks Africa is still a place where British invasions are acceptable ways of conducting international relations? It’s an embarrassment to have someone with such imperialistic nostalgia so highly placed,” tweeted Nick Mangwana.
I do not know about the other four African countries but I believe many Zimbabweans will be out in the streets to welcome the British soldiers in greater numbers as those who welcomed the 15 November 2017 military coup. The very fact that Zimbabweans should even welcome a coup is a measure of just how desperate the people are for meaningful democratic change.
I, for one, did not support the 15 November 2017 coup because I never believed for a minute that any good could ever come out of the replacement of one dictator with another. What the country needed was the dismantling of the dictatorship, that entailed the implementing of the democratic reforms designed to strip Zanu PF of its carte blanche dictatorial powers, restructuring the country’s institutions and appointing clean people, etc.
However, I would not have joined the mob welcoming the British soldiers but for a more subtle reason. I am sure that the British would have seen to the complete dismantling of the Zanu PF dictatorship. My worry would be how long the new system the British will leave behind last?
I believe the country’s chaotic political system and the economic mess that it has caused have caused serious human suffering but out of all the tragic suffering and deaths the people were learning that they must be masters of their own destiny.
In 1980, when the country attained her independence, the biggest mistake the people of Zimbabwe made was to let Mugabe and his Zanu PF thugs deny them their freedoms and rights including the right to a meaningful vote and even the right to life. The people should have fought for their freedoms and rights and never give an inch. They did not and have paid dearly for their folly. One hopes that the people were waking up out of the slumber and reclaiming their freedoms and rights.
The British invasion would have helped secured their freedoms and rights but will the people not be tempted to let the regime that takes over when the British leave systematically rob them of their freedoms and rights once again just as happened in 1980? Will the people not be tempted to believe the British will invade the country again and rescue them?
If the people of Zimbabwe had foreseen the sorry state of rot and decay 39 years of corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF rule has brought many would have refused independence. We are an independent nation now, we cannot turn back the clock, the challenge is for us to make independence work for all Zimbabweans and not just for the sabre-rattling filthy rich ruling elite few.
No single Zimbabwean with half a brain is proud that Zimbabwe has become the basket case of a failed state. Still, by invading the country the British will be sending out the message that the country is not just a failed state but one incapable of self-government beyond the pale. Not even one Zimbabwean with half a brain will accept that characterisation.
I, for one, has no doubt that the country has competent men and women far endowed with common sense and humanity beyond the brain-dead Zanu PF thugs and MDC sell-outs who have ruled the country this far!- SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com
By Own Correspondent- An economics lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe professor Ashok Chakravarti has argued that the USA is being adversely affected by the sanctions it imposed on Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington last week, the advisor to president Mnangagwa said:
It (Zidera) also requires US executive director on the international financial institutions to vote against any new aid to Zimbabwe.
It is problematic from the Zimbabwe’s point of view, but I think it is against the US interests as well.
Chakravarti further said that the sanctions are impinging on the US strategy for Africa. He added:
It makes US companies to have commercial ties with Zimbabwe difficult.
There are reports of Islamic terrorists group moving to Southern Africa. As far as I know the Government of Zimbabwe is more than willing to cooperate with the US on this matter, but as long as Zidera is in place it is not going to happen.
The USA is adamant that the removal of the sanctions entirely depends upon the Zimbabwean government. A US diplomat recently argued that intimidation and harassment of citizens and the media by state security were a major constraint to dialogue on sanctions.
Chakravarti however argues that the new dispensation under president Mnangagwa has made efforts enough to secure the removal of sanctions.-StateMedia
Emmerson Mnangagwa has arrived in Botswana where he is set to attend the 2019 Elephant Summit.
Mnangagwa will be one of the five Heads of State of countries in the KAZA TFCA region.
Among other issues, the summit is expected to establish ways to deal with the growing population of elephants in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). It is also expected to review the 1989 ban in international trade in ivory by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The summit comes after SADC environment ministers have already agreed to resolutely and collectively champion sustainable utilisation of wildlife resources for the good of citizens.
Tourism minister, Priscah Mupfumira who is also attending the event has urged the region to adopt homegrown solutions to address issues affecting the tourism sector.- state media
An 11-member Zanu-PF delegation is in South Africa to observe tomorrow’s elections.
The team is led by the party’s secretary for Finance Patrick Chinamasa and has been assigned by President Mnangagwa to represent the ruling party and the country.
They are monitoring the pre-election processes and the elections themselves. The team of observers attended an ANC “Siyanqoba” star rally at Ellis Park on Sunday.
The ruling party’s secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, who is part of the delegation, said the South African ruling party was poised for victory.
“The ANC could be heading for a victory and the rally was a huge success, sending a clear message of dominance. The atmosphere around is calm and peaceful,” Khaya Moyo said yesterday.
Zanu PF deputy secretary for Youth Affairs Lewis Matutu also commended the ANC youth league for their mobilisation efforts.
“The ANC youth league has done a lot of mobilisation for the party and they are in control of their structures from top to bottom,” Matutu said.
Other senior officials that make up the delegation include Amon Murwira and Sithembiso Nyoni.
Incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the ANC in tomorrow’s elections against his main challenger Mr Mmusi Maimane of the Democratic Alliance seeking to retain the party’s majority status and get a full term in office after assuming office in February last year, following the resignation of former President Jacob Zuma.
Opinion polls show that the ruling ANC will win with approximately 60 percent of the vote. – state media
Zimbabwe-born United States-based actress Danai Gurira and American actor Forest Whitaker will join local stars for the upcoming documentary, ‘‘The Rise of Emmerson Mnangagwa’’.
The film is being produced by Tatenda Gate and directed by Zimbabwe-born United Kingdom-based Kenny Gasa.
According to the producer, the film is now on its pre-production and will be shot in Zimbabwe beginning of next month.
“We are just finalising on the budget and the shootings will begin next month. Danai and Forest will be coming down a week before the shoot. We have Asha Stuart from US, who is a scriptwriter and will be able to help us on research.
‘‘We also have Gunnar Orn, a film cinematographer, who will lead the film team together with Stefania Vignisdottir. The idea of the film is to capture the attention of black people across the globe and young forward thinking youths,” he said.
Gate said Zimbabweans should be able to tell their own story.
“Zimbabwe has a short modern history and so much has happened. Some people don’t even know what Rhodesia was. Our story has never been told and we have to be smart on how we tell the story.
‘‘The feature film is about the fight for independence in Zimbabwe focusing on President Mnangagwa’s journey from his days as a young man, getting involved in anti-colonial politics through his time as a freedom fighter and evolving into a politician leading Government in a new Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said the film is inspired by freedom fighters who brought Independence and freedom to Zimbabwe.
“To understand the history of our country we wish to portray what life was like in Zimbabwe before colonisation and how Europeans raided the country in the late 19th century.
‘‘We will portray what it was like for the black majority to live under white rule in Rhodesia,” he said.
Gate said the film structure will encompass pre-colonial Zimbabwe, young Emmerson Mnangagwa’s life in Rhodesia, his imprisonment and his role in the struggle for Independence to the birth of the Second Republic. The film will also explore ED’s fresh mandate and vision for the future.
Gate expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services for giving them the opportunity to start on the project, and corporates who are helping with funding.- State media
Farai Dziva|It is a matter of double tragedy for the survivors of Tropical Cyclone Idai who are freezing in the cold weather on empty stomachs.
Sources in the area have revealed the tents in the area cannot accommodate all the homeless people.
” There was fracas at the Chingwizi Camp in Chimanimani when CIO operatives tried to abduct Antony Machingauta in the company of new Chimanimani DA who boasted that he is a war veteran.
This followed Machingauta (a time CYCLONE Idai aid relief thief)’ address to the people to be given food before entering the tents. And he also told the people to wait until each could get his tent.
Apparently there are more families than the tents leaving many people in the open.
Chimanimani nights are too cold and people are going to freeze on empty stomachs,” said the sources in the area.
Farai Dziva| MDC president Nelson Chamisa has accused Zanu PF of using war veterans to suppress the will of the people of Zimbabwe.
” We have realised that when elections are around the corner war veterans become relevant when there are no elections, war veterans are useless, they are relegated to be at the periphery of decision making,” Chamisa said.
He said war veterans should be given honor.
“We just had our independence, there is nothing that we can say we are proud of when it comes to the way the pockets of our war veterans are arranged its because we are not giving the appropriate attention to our war veterans.”
“Our war veterans should be given honor, we have to help them with school fees, medical expenses, transport expenses and other important things that are essential for their living,” he said.
Farai Dziva|MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa has lamented the “economic genocide in Zimbabwe.”
“You are all aware of the economic genocide that is in our country, nobody spared in this genocide except the fat cats, the big chefs but most of the people are feeling the pinch particularly when one has regard to the hyperinflationary environment that is in the country,” Chamisa said.
He likened the “political instability” in the country to that of Venezuela.
“66 percent inflation that has been recorded to date, we are almost second from Venezuela and you can see that we are twins with Venezuela in terms of the political instability and the political crisis that is gripping the two nations.
“This is an unprecedented hyperinflationa
ry situation that we are encountering,”added Chamisa.
Farai Dziva|An MDC A official has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa to get rid of illegal arms.
Senator Lilian Timveos has said Zimbabwe has an unknown number of illegal firearms.
“The regular cases of armed violence and robberies, sometimes involving deadly clashes between law enforcement agents and criminals are ample proof of this.”
” Recent episodes of political violence by Zanu PF militias armed by the state also illustrate this.
Evidence shows that Zimbabwe is not taking significant steps to get rid of illegal firearms.
The country is also not doing enough to ensure that legally-registered ones are not used to commit crime or to violate human rights.
Weak regulation of authorised firearm possession, theft, loss and corrupt sales from official holdings are a major cause for concern .
The country’s porous borders also provide fertile opportunities for black market and illicit weapons,” said Senator Timveous.
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has acquired the latest surveillance equipment to aid officers execute their duties in line with international standards and the modernisation agenda of the organistion.
Deputy Commissioner-General Learn Ncube revealed this yesterday at the end of a week-long rebranding and refresher course for 55 senior officers at Ntabazinduna Training Depot.
He said latest technologies are essential for the operations of any modern police organisation.
“As an organisation we are aware that for the rebranding exercise to be successful we should be well resourced. Without doubt policing requires timeous deployment of necessary equipment. In these contemporary times we are living in, our police service must have modern tools of trade such as drones, helicopters, vehicles and surveillance cameras to mention just a few. In addition our police officers should be provided with a decent office and residential accommodation,” said Deputy Comm-Gen Ncube.
He said police were satisfied that Government has committed and pledged to resource the police force.
Deputy Comm-Gen Ncube said they will continue to engage Government through the office of the Minister of Home Affairs and Culture Heritage Cde Cain Mathema to fulfill the pledges.
He said so far police have acquired the latest surveillance equipment and some officers are already being trained on how to use it.
SIMBISA Brands’ US dollar pricing model is now servicing its monthly US$1 million demand for raw materials bill which has upped the company’s initial capital expenditure to $15 million on 20 more outlets, NewsDay has learnt.
In February, Simbisa announced it would invest about $10 million setting up 21 new outlets, with the company opening a Nando’s branch last Friday in Harare central business district at a cost of US$675 000.
Helping the company increase its capital investment is the company’s adoption of a US dollar pricing model in December 2018 which covers its monthly raw materials demand and is helping
with the company’s expansion plans.
“What we have looked at is, because of the demand for our brands throughout the country, we have upped that investment from $10 million. We are still working out the finer details, but it may come closer to about $15 million or $17 million for 20 more outlets by the end of this financial year (ending June 30, 2019),” Simbisa Brands managing director Warren
Meares told NewsDay Business.
“Basically, the United States dollar pricing has helped in that it has made available the US dollars required to help us with our expansion and to import all the raw materials required to run our operations. In our operations we require at least US$1 million a month and I would say for our raw materials it (US dollar pricing) is largely covering that.
The US pricing model includes offering customers discounts nearly at cost for those buying with the United States dollar.
Other fastfood chains implementing such a model include KFC Zimbabwe and Slice Distributors (Private) Limited.
Simbisa operates Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn, Baker’s Inn, Creamy Inn, Fish Inn, Rocomamas, Steers, Nando’s and Galito’s outlets.
Meares said on top of increasing their total outlets across all the brands they also have plans to introduce some new ones.
“We also have some new brands that we are going to be bringing in from South Africa,” Meares said.
To date, Simbisa Brands has 209 outlets across the country.
In its financials for the half year ended December 31, 2018, the fastfood chain saw a 44% growth in revenue to US$143,24 million from the previous year’s comparative of US$99,2 million.
This was from a 6% increase in the total number of customers served to 30 million, equivalent to at least every citizen buying twice from Simbisa Brands outlets in the period.
In terms of profit after tax, this more than doubled to US$16,37 million for the period under review from a comparative of US$7,99 million in the previous period.
Heading into the second half of the year, the company had an operating profit margin of 19% leaving it in a very profitable position.
Total assets grew 23,33% to US$104,64 million from the previous period’s comparative US$84,84 million.
POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested two men from Queenspark and Thorngrove suburbs for trying to dupe people using fake United States (US) dollars.
Speaking during a ZRP Crime Watch programme aired on ZBC TV recently, Chief Inspector Divine Muzombi from Mzilikazi police station said police arrested Nkosana Mpofu and Munashe Siziba who were in possession of four fake US$50 notes.
“The accused persons were caught in a shop when they wanted to dupe a shopkeeper using fake US$200 which was in US$50 notes. They pretended to be buying some groceries but the complainant realised that they were fake,” he said.
Chief Insp Muzombi said the complainant managed to apprehend one of the accused persons leading to the arrest of his accomplice.
He said the accused persons are also part of an armed robbery syndicate which was terrorising citizens using a Honda Fit pirate taxi.
Chief Insp Muzombi appealed to members of the public to be very observant when doing cash transactions.
“Members of the public should be vigilant and should not take the issue of fake notes for granted. They should report any crime to the police,” he said.
Recently, police in Bulawayo arrested a syndicate of suspected fraudsters who were using muti to aid their criminal activities after they tried to defraud an illegal money changer by exchanging fake US dollar notes with RTGS dollars.
The incident occurred in Nguboyenja suburb and the suspects were allegedly found with muti/umuthi/juju which they are believed to have used to aid them in their criminal activities.
The four accused persons approached the complainant saying that they were miners and wanted to change or convert US$200 to RTGS dollars.
After the four reached an agreement with the illegal money changer, they briefly left and came back with four fake US$50 notes.
With the aid of other people, the illegal money changer managed to apprehend three accused persons and recovered RTGS$503 but one of the accused persons fled.—@tamary98
Pep Guardiola's side return to the top! Vincent Kompany's unbelievable thunderbolt from distance sends them a point above Liverpool#MCILEIpic.twitter.com/rG4drTT1bz
Minister in the Presidency Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said that she is ready to serve in any capacity in government, including being deputy president should the ANC retain power.
Dlamini Zuma who lost out to Ramaphosa in the ANC leadership race in 2017 has not ruled out being the country’s second in command.
“Who becomes deputy is the president’s prerogative,” said Dlamini-Zuma.
“I’ve always said that if I am asked to sweep the floor, I will sweep it very clean. So whatever I am asked to. I will do.”
Dlamini-Zuma cast her special vote in KwaDukuza in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.
She is amongst the first few high- ranking ANC officials to cast special votes.
The former chairperson of the African Union Commission has encouraged despondent young people to vote in order to shape their future.
“It is very important to shape the future,” said Dlamini-Zuma.
“Young people are for today but also they are for the future. So they better shape the future that they want to inherit today.
“One of the ways of doing that is actually taking responsibility to vote and it is a sign of being a good citizen to take the responsibility to vote.”
Leaders of the Matabeleland Collective welcome President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Bulawayo.
Correspondent|Theresa May’s former Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson allegedly held meetings with Ambassador Catriona Laing’s husband Clive Bates in a bid to recolonise Zimbabwe.
Williamson was sacked last week following a leak inquiry, was dismissed following concerns about his plans to ‘invade Africa’ and risk war with China.
According to sources at the military intelligence department in Harare Williamson met some with Bates and some British diplomats to fund the Matabeleland Collective to create an environment for British’s military invasion in Zimbabwe.
The source says the plan by Laing, her husband and Williamson was that they remove Robert Mugabe and replace him with a weak candidate who will be removable.
The Matabeleland Collective has been used as a conduit to endorse President Emmerson Mnangagwa while creating an animosity between him and Zimbabweans it is alleged.
Sunday Times reported that May refused his request to send Royal Navy warships into Chinese waters in the South China Sea, leading the then Defence Secretary to scrawl “f*** the prime minister” on the accompanying paperwork, which was subsequently reported to Downing Street.
A leaked National Security Document, seen by the Times, also suggests that Williamson drew up plans for the British Armed Forces to be sent to “at least five African countries, including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt”.
The plans were reportedly for peacekeeping initiatives. However, Ministry of Defence officials told the paper that Williamson wanted to “find excuses to send troops”.
They added: “He wanted to invade Africa… He made it clear that he was keen to send the troops in.”
MYLAN together with New Avakash have introduced a new drug called Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) meant to assist first liners on ARV treatment in Zimbabwe.
Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NtRTI), an antiretroviral drug being investigated for HIV-1 infection and chronic hepatitis B.
The antiretroviral (ARV) ,Tenofovir Alafenamide Tablets, 50 mg/200 mg/25 mg will be immediately available in developing countries as a first-line regimen for people being treated for HIV/AIDS.
Mylan is the world’s largest producer of HIV/AIDS drugs, and more than 40% of people being treated worldwide for HIV/AIDS depend on a Mylan antiretroviral product.
Mylan has committed itself again and again to bringing new therapeutic options to people living with HIV as quickly as possible and to as many people as possible
“The launch of Mylan’s Dolutegravir, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir Alafenamide tablets sets a new standard for affordable access for patients in countries hardest hit by HIV, as it’s the first time a product combines dolutegravir and tenofovir alafenamide,” said Mylan Business Head Mr Sateesh Jami.
“With limited funding, the world needs cost competitive and clinically effective products like this one, and New Avakash is proud to work with partners to make it available and help reach the more than 15 million people living with HIV worldwide who still need access to treatment,” Dr Tadesse Mekonen, executive director Health Care Services , Research and Development and Education Programs at Avacare Health Group said.
Mylan’s ARV is a once-daily, fixed-dose combination of Dolutegravir, Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Alafenamide, the individual components that make up ViiV Healthcare’s Tivicay and Gilead’s Descovy.
Mylan manufactures these products under licenses from the Medicines Patent Pool and Gilead Sciences, respectively.
The combination of these agents is currently included as a “Recommended Initial Regimen for Most People with HIV” in the HIV guidelines of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“We are proud that Mylan has been the first supplier to receive FDA approval for nearly half of the new medicines under PEPFAR since 2009. In the last year alone, we have been the first company to receive approval for three new fixed-dose combination products that use a lower dose of Efavirenz, Dolutegravir, and now Dolutegravir in combination with Tenofovir Alafenamide,” said Mylan Business Head Mr Sateesh Jami.
The tablet will be the smallest sized single-tablet regimen available for patients in the developing world. It will be offered in a 90 and 30 days packages, potentially allowing patients fewer trips to the clinics for a refill.
Mylan was also the first generic drug maker to develop a heat-stable version of a drug critical for second-line regimens, and is the leading supplier of pediatric ARVs, including taste-masked and dispersible formulations.
Minister of Health and Child Care, Obadiah Moyo applauded Mylan for being the biggest supporter of the patient community through the sponsorship of free community HIV/AIDS testing and clinical research.
During a Presentation, Asso vice president (Product Development) for Mylan Laboratories Ltd, Mr Emmanuel Patras said Mylan is a global pharmaceutical company committed to setting new standards in healthcare.
“We offer a growing portfolio of more than 7,500 marketed products around the world, including antiretroviral therapies on which more than 40% of people being treated for HIV/AIDS globally depend,” said Mr Emmanuel.
Former Affirmative Action Deputy President Elizabeth Nyathi
Former Affirmative Action Deputy President Elizabeth Nyathi, was last Friday sentenced to six years in prison at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court after being found guilty of 10 counts of fraud.
Nyathi who was deputy to flamboyant ZANU PF legislator Philip Chiyangwa defrauded a Johannesburg auctioneer over R700 000 in a deal on antique goods and jewellery where nothing of the money was recovered.
Nyathi duped the Old Johannesburg Warehouse Auctioneers in Selby by making fake payments to settle items worth R721 579 she purchased from four auctions.
Christiaan Scholtz, the owner of the Old Johannesburg Warehouse Auctioneers, said that since the trial started last year he hadn’t recovered the lost money besides Nyathi’s repeated promises to settle the debt.
“We have not received any money back and there are always promises, but the magistrate said it’s very unlikely that we’re getting any back,” said Scholtz.
He added that despite the large loss of money, the company overcame the ordeal, with lessons learnt.
“It taught us some lessons about business and not to trust everyone anymore, but the business is strong, so we are blessed,” he said.
The antique goods included seven Rolex watches, diamond and gold rings, kitchenware and furniture, which Nyathi had bought between January and April last year.
About 90% of the goods that the auction house sells are from private individuals and, once sold, the auctioneer takes a percentage from the sale.
Magistrate Benita Oswell declared that because Nyathi’s passport expired during the course of her trial, she will be deported to Zimbabwe after serving her time. Oswell said Nyathi had a gift to manipulate people without showing any remorse.
Prosecutor Richard Chabalala also revealed that Nyathi is also wanted by Interpol in Zimbabwe for a 2012 case where she allegedly stole more than $250 000 worth of maize seeds from a Zimbabwean seed production company.
Scholtz said he was grateful for the work that Chabalala and the Hawks investigator did in the case.
Chabalala said the complainant was at least consoled by the fact that “the people who caused their loss will be spending time behind bars and later be removed from the Republic of South Africa and returned to Zimbabwe.”
Chabalala added that victories in cases like these sent a strong message to other criminals.
“Victories of this sort send a loud and clear message to other like-minded people that these types of crime will not go unpunished, and it helps to instil fear in criminals,” he said.
First Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa has been appointed health ambassador for Zimbabwe. Is Mnangagwa's wife becoming a worse version of former president Robert Mugabe's wife Dr Grace Mugabe?
Own Correspondent |South African opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says if South Africans give his party the mandate to rule, he will not hesitate to send former President Jacob Zuma to prison.
Speaking at a final campaign rally at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg on Sunday May 5, Malema claimed that President Cyril Ramaphosa and his predecessor, Zuma, were on top of his list of criminals that needed to be jailed. At the same time, he accused the South African Police Service (SAPS) of failing to arrest ANC politicians facing corruption allegations.
“I have a list of criminals. Zuma is number one on that list, followed by Ramaphosa. You left Ramaphosa over the Marikana massacre. Till today, you’re still letting him go over the massacre because he’s your friend,” Malema said, while addressing thousands of supporters.
Malema said Ramaphosa had to be arrested over the Marikana massacre in August 2012, where police killed 34 protesting Lonmin miners. Ramaphosa was a non-executive director at the mine at the time, and a judicial commission inquiry in 2015 exonerated him of any wrongdoing.
Malema said Ramaphosa didn’t deserve to be at the Union Buildings as the country’s first citizen.
“What type of police are you? You look at a criminal going around addressing stadiums. A criminal is sitting at the wrong place at the Union Buildings. He is not supposed to be at the Union Buildings, he’s supposed to be at Sun City prison, that’s where he deserves to be,” he said.
He also called on police to stop shooting at protesters during service delivery protests.
“When people are protesting don’t shoot them. They are not fighting, they want justice. There is a difference between demanding justice and fighting. When we march and barricade roads it is because the criminals in the offices are not delivering to us. If those criminals were delivering, we were not going to block roads and burn tyres,” Malema said.
South Africa goes to the polls on Wednesday, May 8.
Own Correspondent| Latest reports from within the ruling ZANU PF party in Bulawayo indicate that former PF ZAPU members in the party threatened to boycott both the National Heroes Acre and ZANU PF if one of their own Misheck Velaphi Ncube was denied national hero status.
Highly reliable party insiders revealed to ZimEye.com that party heavyweights who were in the former PF ZAPU structures under the late Joshua Nkomo defied a ZANU PF politburo decision which had declared Ncube as a liberation war hero a status far lower than that of a National Hero and even lower than a provincial hero.
According to the sources, the former ZAPU members sent a delegation to President Emmerson Mnangagwa declaring that if Ncube was not declared a national hero they would also all write in their wills that they not be buried at the National Shrine.
The sources revealed that the party’s secretary for administration Obert Mpofu had been sent by the politburo to to convey the message that Ncube had been declared a liberation hero status against the party’s provincial request for National Hero.
An emergency provincial executive committee meeting was convened in Bulawayo on Friday where a delegation was dispatched to raise the concern with Mnangagwa.
Ncube, who died on April 29 from diabetes at the age of 82 and was one of the pioneer ZIPRA fighters during the 1970s independence war after receiving military training in Egypt in 1962.
He was one of the top Zipra fighters and ZAPU intelligence officers during and after the liberation war. In 1984 he was arrested with Dumiso Dabengwa and Lookout Masuku by former President Robert Mugabe’s regime and convicted on treason charges. He was pardoned in 1987 at the signing of the Unity Accord between ZANU and PF ZAPU.
The ZAPU members declared to Mnangagwa that former ZANU PF Bulawayo Provincial Chairman Callistus Ncube, who was buried at the National Heroes Acre did not deserve a National Hero Status ahead of Ncube.
The former PF ZAPU members blasted Mnangagwa for giving priority to former ZANU and ZANLA members ahead of them in according hero status.
Zanu-PF politburo member, Munyaradzi Machacha, who was appointed by Mnangagwa to oversee the restructuring of the party in Bulawayo, was so alarmed by the strong objections among ex-ZAPU officials that he called Mnangagwa during the meeting to tell him that “people are angry down here” the sources revealed.
Mnangagwa subsequently overruled the politburo and directed officials to declare Ncube a national hero.
Ncube is expected to be buried at the Heroes Acre in Harare on a day still to be announced.
By Luke Tamborinyoka Facts are stubborn. It is trite to state that the story of this country cannot be written without according veneration to the name of Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.
For there is no debate he deserves his own space in the national narrative for the significant role he has played in shaping the country’s post-liberation politics.
Fate is a capricious woman and the whole journey was never planned, as he often said. It was mother fate that often tended to throw him to the deep end.
As he always told me, it all started during midnight conversations at the national labour federation’s elective congress in Gweru in 1988. He did not even want to run for office and most delegates at that Congress, including Tsvangirai himself, had tipped veteran journalist Charles Chikerema to clinch the powerful post of secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.
The post had once been held by Albert Mugabe, the former President’s brother and everyone at the congress was convinced that Chikerema, yet another relative of Mugabe, would ascend to the powerful post. But the conversations on that ominous night on the eve of the elections in Gweru expressed doubts on whether Chikerema would be able to able to wean off the ZCTU from the firm clutches of government, where previous leaders had unwittingly left the ZCTU.
President Tsvangirai, then a leader of the mineworkers’ union, eventually agreed to run after fellow delegates had made persuasive arguments about the unsuitability of Chikerema. The delegates had their misgivings on whether the veteran scribe would give the ZCTU its deserved autonomy from government control.
It was almost morning when Morgan Tsvangirai finally agreed to run for the post of secretary-general, which he won a few hours later, setting the stage for a 30-year tenure in the national limelight as a doyen of the country’s democratic struggle.
When I heard the news at exactly 1737hours on Wednesday, I mused over how this journey that started in 1988 had painfully ended 30 years later, only 24 days before his 66th birthday. It was a journey in which he was prejudiced of the Presidency following his watershed victory in the elections held on 29 March 2008. Given his mammoth love for the country and its people, he humbled himself and settled for the junior post of Prime Minister.
He was to rescue the country from a debilitating crisis and poise the nation for stability, growth and development in a mere four years as premier of Zimbabwe. Driving a stability and growth agenda through the Government Work Programme, Tsvangirai showed his competence on the wheel of government during his four year stint in the inclusive government.
As the nation stood on the cusp of a crucial election in which he was expected to win resoundingly, mother Fate again intervened. This time, cruel fate took him to the grave, leaving a despondent nation shell shocked.
He was a man I knew so well. To me, he was a father, a man I served for over a decade as his spokesperson. A boss. A father. A friend. We travelled the world and across the country together. We spent many times talking about the country and the people he so much loved. Tokyo, Washington, London, Canberra, Beijing, Paris, Berlin, the Swiss Alps in Davos and many other world capitals, I had the privilege of accompanying him as his spokesperson. During those trips across the globe, he often charmed the world and gave revered speeches to bemused audiences, especially during his stint as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and leader of the country’s opposition.
In the country, we travelled together from Plumtree to Chipinge, from Nyanga to Chirundu and from Mt. Darwin to Binga down in the Zambezi escarpment as he engaged in his favourite pastime—-meet ing ordinary people and getting their input into how the democratic struggle ought to be prosecuted. The last time was the period between January and February 2017 when together we spent one-and-half months traversing the country and getting the people’s feedback on the MDC Congress resolution to enter into a formidable political alliance with other players.
We sat together until late in the night after that tour as we penned his piece after that highly informing jaunt. The piece, in keeping with his natural disposition as a listening leader, was entitled “I heard You.” He was a boss any rational person could wish for; the only boss I know who could afford to attend funerals of relatives of his underlings, as he did in 2015 when he came to my rural home in Domboshava for the burial of my grandmother, Martha Tamborenyoka Gombera.
He would wait to give an ear to everyone, whatever their station in life. He often had tiffs with his security personnel, whom he always wanted to relax their tight protocols and allow ordinary people to shake his hand and speak to him.
Party members and ordinary villagers would come from Mt. Darwin and be granted an ear at his residence whether in Strathaven or in Highlands; even against the advice of security personnel who would often want to refer the party members to their respective provincial leaders. Not with Tsvangirai, who would insist he wanted to get the untainted, raw information from ordinary supporters, undiluted by the strictures of officialdom and bureaucracy. That was vintage Tsvangirai. Always a man of the people. His death came as a shock….especially against the background of my last two moments with him.
The first of our last two personal and direct engagements was on Friday, 5 January 2018 after his meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa. It was at that meeting at his residence that he intimated to me the details of his discussion with Mnangagwa. At the same meeting, he told me to tell the world that he was about to leave the country and he would leave Vice President Nelson Chamisa as acting President and he asked me to call Chamisa and ask him to come to Highlands. I dont know what they discussed but after their brief indaba with VP Chamisa, he told me to communicate to the world that VP Hon. Engineer Mudzuri would now be acting President.
Present in the meeting that Friday afternoon as he gave me instructions was his wife Elizabeth, his brother Manaseh Tsvangirai and his uncle, Sekuru Zvaipa. It is ironic that after that communication, VP Khupe took issue with me, saying that as the elected VP, she should always act in the President’s absence. I told I spoke on behalf of a principal and referred her queries to the President, under whose authority and direction I had done the communication. Ironically, when the shoe was on the other foot a month later, VP Mudzuri was to dispute my communication of the President’s directive that Chamisa was now the acting President.
My last face-to-face meeting with my boss was on Monday, 8 January 2018, the day before he left for South Africa, never to come back alive. He had asked me to draft a belated New Year’s message to the people of Zimbabwe, in which he was hinting at his imminent retirement. He told me that it was important to signal to the world that he would not hold the nation at ransom; that he would not hold on to the party presidency if his doctors told him his health would not permit him to withstand a rigorous campaign. He perused his script and certified that I distribute it, only for the same script to cause a major furore in the party, with some misguided elements lying that the statement did not have president Tsvangirai’s blessings. It is important to state that present at the foyer of his Highlands residence as he authenticated that statement hinting at a possible retirement was his brother Manasseh and Jameson Timba, who later arrived as the President and I were finishing validating his script, in which he hinted at handing over the baton to the younger generation It was a possibility which he said he would only confirm upon his return. Sadly, he will return with his body lying in the soft requiem of death; the inimitable raspy and raucous laughter never to be heard again at Harvest House.
Yes, he left for the infirmary in South Africa on Tuesday, 9 January 2018, never to return alive to the country and the people he loved so much. He regularly phoned and at one point asked me to come over to South Africa so we could discuss a lot of issues, including the book that I was assisting him to write—-Servic e and Sacrifice. It is a book that I pledge to complete in honour of this loving man who had so much faith and trust in me.
I told then acting president Mudzuri that president Tsvangirai wanted me in South Africa. The then acting president promised to facilitate my trip before logistical impediments were thrown in the way to ensure that the trip never materialized. He calld to express his regrets that I had failed to turn up in South Africa. On Wednesday, 7 February 2018, he called again using a hospital staffer’s cellphone and told me that he had learnt that the other party leaders in the presidium had left the country for a meeting in Cape Town, leaving only VP Chamisa. He asked me to communicate that VP Chamisa, the only VP in the country then, would be acting President until he (president Tsvangirai) returned from South Africa.
In any case, this is the Presidency we are talking about, a whole institution which has its own unique ways of operation in which the whims of an individual staffer cannot just hold sway. Even the chief of staff Hon., Sessel Zvidzai and the party’s head of security and intelligence, Hon. Giles Mutsekwa can testify to the veracity of the President’s position when it comes to who was acting President at the time of his death.
President Tsvangirai told me from South Africa that his health was slowly failing him and that the thrust of the book—Service and Sacrifice—should change into a valediction and not to remain as a simple story of the party’s capacity to deliver to the people as shown during the inclusive government.
I felt tears swelling in my eyes before assuring him that he would be fine and he would rejoin us in the struggle soon. Alas, that was never to be. My father. My boss. My friend. He was a close friend who would at times call me and my wife to offer advice and to assure me that he took cognizance of my loyalty and committed service to himself. He once invited me and my wife to his house and he shared many of his thoughts in a convivial atmosphere. Present in that meeting in June 2017 was my friend, Sydney Masamvu.
As the party and the nation mourns, I cannot help but reminisce on the many moments we shared; the many thoughts he intimated to me on controversial subjects such as family politics, succession and his vision for the future. In our last conversation, he told me he had instructed medical staff to keep me informed about his health and that is how I kept in contact with staff at the infirmary until I received the tragic message that he had passed on.
In this his final moment, I urge the leadership to give this man a befitting send-off. I sincerely hope that this needless cockpit stampede will be put in abeyance, at least in the veneration of this doyen of our struggle.
His will remain a story of fortitude and tenacity and there is no doubt that he has left ineradicable footprints on the sands of history. Thanks for the memories, Pakuru. Go well, gallant son of Zimbabwe. Luke Tamborinyoka is the Presidential spokesperson and Director of Communications in the MDC. He writes this in his official capacity.
Farai Dziva|Irate Zimbabweans have accused Edwin Tsvangirai of selling his integrity for money.
See comments below:
Nigel Gwirikwiti:
Masimbiro akaita Edwin iyo nyika isina chingwa, arikuchiwanepi chikafu! Kusimba kunge Wicknel! He has been financially captured by the Junta! He sold his integrity for money.
Norman Mdzimiri:
He deserved it cz the statements were an incite to the MDC-A family. Sadza rezuva rimwe rinotibatsirei ivo vakauraya our icon. Calling his father by first name does not show respect to him at all that is why he was called to order.
People were right, nesuwo taramba zva Edwin cz he doesnt know the pain of the struggle!
Melody T Gwese:
WE DEMAND AN APOLOGY…iwe bleeding Edwin..
Sasha Sarudzai Shaka:
He just is Tsvangirai’son who z he to tok abt GNU taura zvekurangirira baba vako chete nd liv politics to politician.
Shami Maworera Masibanda:
He deserved it, y being too loyal to the people who betrayed his father.
Ossah Tiri Flynn:
In other words he’s talking to Chamisa. He’s been paid by ED it’s obvious.
In a suspected case of black magic, the bones of a war veteran were exhumed on Sunday night at Warren Park provincial heroes acre in Harare.
The war veteran was buried in 2017. The empty coffin and the blanket were discovered Monday morning by passersby who then alerted relatives of the deceased.
The war veteran was in the security services before he died.
He died in 2017 and was laid to rest at the provincial shrine after he was declared a provincial hero.
Farai Dziva| Highlanders coach Madinda Ndlovu Madinda Ndlovu says he can’t explain how Highlanders dropped points on Sunday.
Bosso were undoubtedly the better side in the goalless draw against Hwange at Barbourfields Stadium. They restricted the visitors in their half for the majority of the game and created several chances.
But the Bulawayo giants were still stuck in the deadlock at the final whistle, something that Madinda failed to explain after the game.
“There are things that you can’t explain. I don’t know how I can explain this result where you create so many scoring chances, but still, fail to bury them. I feel pity for my boys, but we know that scoring is an individual skill, you can’t train it,” he said.
Highlanders remain rooted in the relegation zone and have dropped to 16th position. They are still to win this term, gaining just four points from six matches.
By Own Correspondent- A Harare pastor has been dragged to court for refusing to maintain their child.
Zvikomborero Katsoma appeared at the Harare Civil Court against her husband Pastor Nyakuda who she accused of neglecting their child.
“I want $380 to take care of my child who is still a month old.
“He owns a printing machine and so he is able to offer $380 for his own child.
“He doesn’t have another wife or any children but he seems to be failing to take care of his child; he did not even buy any preparation clothes for his child.”
She added:
“He has been lying that his printing machine is no longer working but he also gets some of the allowances from his church members because he is now a pastor.”
Pastor Nyakuda insisted that he was not working.
“I can only offer $35 for maintenance because at the moment I am not working.
“My printing machine is not working and it is the only source of income I once had.
“Yes I am a pastor but this has given me a lot of responsibilities to take care of the poor.”
Presiding magistrate ordered that Pastor Nyakuda pays $100 every month.
By Own Correspondent- Two Harare women have been dragged to court for allegedly beating an 11-year-old with an electric cable.
Tracy Zimunya, 40, and Chidochashe Tawonezvi, 18, appeared before Harare magistrate Learnmore Mapiye accused of neglecting a minor.
The matter was postponed to May 8.
The duo are aunt and cousin to the complainant who is a minor and they were staying together.
Allegations are that, on an unknown date but in December 2018 at around 12pm, the complainant was at home with Zimunya when the latter started beating the complainant with an electric cable.
Zimunya assaulted her all over the body and told her that she no longer wanted to stay with her and then she chased her away from the home.
The complainant went to seek accommodation from their neighbour where she started staying.
Tawonezvi reportedly came back home and called the complainant and started questioning her why she was staying at their neighbour’s house.
This didn’t go down with Tawonezvi and she started beating the complainant with an electric cable.
The matter came to light when a neighbour Fortunate Gumbu informed the complainant that she no longer wanted to stay with her since she had stolen a tenant’s cellphone and she escorted the complainant to the police.
The complainant was not medically examined.-StateMedia
Farai Dziva|It is a matter of double tragedy for the survivors of Tropical Cyclone Idai who are freezing in the cold weather on empty stomachs.
Sources in the area have revealed the tents in the area cannot accommodate all the homeless people.
” There was fracas at the Chingwizi Camp in Chimanimani when CIO operatives tried to abduct Antony Machingauta in the company of new Chimanimani DA who boasted that he is a war veteran.
This followed Machingauta (a time CYCLONE Idai aid relief thief)’ address to the people to be given food before entering the tents. And he also told the people to wait until each could get his tent.
Apparently there are more families than the tents leaving many people in the open.
Chimanimani nights are too cold and people are going to freeze on empty stomachs,” said the sources in the area.
By Own Correspondent- A food outlet opened at Fife Avenue shopping centre is buying its chickens and potatoes from local farmers, a local business man has said.
Simbisa Zimbabwe chief executive officer Warren Meares said this in his speech during the official opening of Nando’s recently.
Said Meares:
“Nando’s fire warms up the entire country every time they open a new Casa because they employ Zimbabweans to run them and create employment.”
Farai Dziva|ZPC Kariba coach Godfrey Tamirepi has said Dynamos employed rough tactics to win the league match played at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
Defender Munyaradzi Mawadza scored the lone goal on the stroke of half time, heading in Tinotenda Muringani’s freekick from some 40 yards out.
But it was Dynamos’ second-half performance which infuriated Tamirepi. The home team became more physical, frustrating ZPC Kariba whenever they tried to reach for the goal.
“I would describe the game as a rugby match. The opponents never came to play football. We were not playing football, but we played rugby.”
“They were playing something else. Our guys were so frustrated and we couldn’t play our normal game.”
Farai Dziva|The Warriors will wear the Umbro branded kit with a new design, different from the initial set, ZIFA has revealed.
The new home shirt has the traditional solid yellow colour while the away jersey is green.
See the statement by ZIFA below :
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and UMBRO today announced the consummation of their long-term partnership as the parties continue their preparations for the upcoming Total Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The Warriors begin their campaign against Egypt in the prestigious opening match on 21 June 2019 and will wear the Umbro designed kit which incorporates the most advanced lightweight performance fabrics designed for movement and breathability.
The parties also confirmed the plans for the official kit launch which will be held on the 16th of May in Harare at a retail partner to be announced. Replica jerseys and supporters’ apparel will also be available for purchase on the day.
The Warriors home kit was inspired by Zimbabwe’s traditional yellow jersey with an added modern twist, using a mix of solid and gradient red vertical stripes. This clean and contemporary design ensures the home jersey will be a fan favorite. The away kit was inspired by the traditional colours of the Zimbabwean national flag. The use of solid green for the jersey, yellow for the shorts, and red for the socks incorporates the colours of the flag in simple yet classic design features.
UMBRO has committed to partnering with major local retailers to distribute replica products and supporters gear to ensure that fans can participate in the growth and performance of the National Team as they take part in Africa’s premier tournament.
Farai Dziva|Social commentator Antony Taruvinga has said the MDC A’ s victory against is the only way to honour the late MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai.
” We have a duty to preserve his (Tsvangirai) legacy and push his agenda for real change until victory is achieved.
His dream of a New Zimbabwe, modern day, prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe is a dream that every Zimbabwean must cherish. A land of milk and honey!
Our only drawback to MRT’s dream is Mnangagwa and Zanu PF ! The monster that needs to be fought to death.
We can’t watch helplessly as murderers and thieves ruin our future and the future of our children.
To the president Nelson Chamisa and the MDC, the only way to pay back MRT for his service and sacrifice is a win against Zanu PF,” said Taruvinga.
By Own Correspondent| Zinara has once again hogged the limelight amid revelations that the parastatal splashed $4 000 on each of its directors for them to buy their personal gym equipment.
By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has wished all Muslims in Zimbabwe and internationally a happy Ramadan Day.
Said Mnangagwa:
“Wishing all Muslims in Zimbabwe and around the world a blessed Ramadan. Let this holy month serve to bring people together, united by the values of tolerance, compassion and peace. Ramadan Kareem.”
National Dialogue Subcommittees have been meeting to discuss the launch of the Dialogue process and its guidelines. Leaders of the political parties involved in the dialogue are expected to adopt the principles this morning at the State House. #NationalDialogueZimpic.twitter.com/k9vpuM024Z
— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) May 6, 2019
Farai Dziva|An MDC A official has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa to get rid of illegal arms.
Senator Lilian Timveos has said Zimbabwe has an unknown number of illegal firearms.
“The regular cases of armed violence and robberies, sometimes involving deadly clashes between law enforcement agents and criminals are ample proof of this.”
” Recent episodes of political violence by Zanu PF militias armed by the state also illustrate this.
Evidence shows that Zimbabwe is not taking significant steps to get rid of illegal firearms.
The country is also not doing enough to ensure that legally-registered ones are not used to commit crime or to violate human rights.
Weak regulation of authorised firearm possession, theft, loss and corrupt sales from official holdings are a major cause for concern .
The country’s porous borders also provide fertile opportunities for black market and illicit weapons,” said Senator Timveous.
Farai Dziva|MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa has lamented the “economic genocide in Zimbabwe.”
“You are all aware of the economic genocide that is in our country, nobody spared in this genocide except the fat cats, the big chefs but most of the people are feeling the pinch particularly when one has regard to the hyperinflationary environment that is in the country,” Chamisa said.
He likened the “political instability” in the country to that of Venezuela.
“66 percent inflation that has been recorded to date, we are almost second from Venezuela and you can see that we are twins with Venezuela in terms of the political instability and the political crisis that is gripping the two nations.
“This is an unprecedented hyperinflationa
ry situation that we are encountering,”added Chamisa.
Farai Dziva| MDC president Nelson Chamisa has accused Zanu PF of using war veterans to suppress the will of the people of Zimbabwe.
” We have realised that when elections are around the corner war veterans become relevant when there are no elections, war veterans are useless, they are relegated to be at the periphery of decision making,” Chamisa said.
He said war veterans should be given honor.
“We just had our independence, there is nothing that we can say we are proud of when it comes to the way the pockets of our war veterans are arranged its because we are not giving the appropriate attention to our war veterans.”
“Our war veterans should be given honor, we have to help them with school fees, medical expenses, transport expenses and other important things that are essential for their living,” he said.
TRANSFORM ZIMBABWE POSITION VIS-À-VIS MDC ALLIANCE
On the 5th of August 2017, Transform Zimbabwe signed the Global Political Agreement that led to the establishment of the MDC Alliance. The Alliance was a non-contestation electoral pact in terms of which the 7 political parties agreed to work together with a view to dislodging the Zanu PF government and lead Zimbabwe into a better, prosperous future. The Alliance was motivated by the truism that we are stronger together.
However, it was always clear that each of the parties would retain its identity and autonomy.
The Global Political agreement had a clear lifespan. It lasted until the 2018 General Election. What would happen after the election was subject to the outcome of the election.
The idea was that if the
Alliance succeeded in dislodging, the parties would form a coalition government in terms of the agreed criteria; if it did not succeed, the parties would engage to agree on the way forward. It is common cause that the Alliance did not succeed to dislodge the military backed Zanu PF government and by operation of law, the Alliance was dissolved with each party reverting to its position prior to 5 August 2017.
Negotiations were opened for the amalgamation of the Alliance partners into one political formation. This would entail the Alliance partners dissolving their party structures and joining into one Party under the name and style of MDC.
The Transform Zimbabwe National Executive Committee met to consider the various options and resolved not to participate in the amalgamation process. It was resolved that the Party pursues its founding vision and continue to champion the cause of democratization of Zimbabwe outside the MDC formation.
Consequently, Transform Zimbabwe members were advised not to participate in the MDC nomination processes in preparation for the upcoming congress as Transform Zimbabwe was charting a different course. The Transform Zimbabwe leadership and membership wishes the MDC well in its upcoming congress and beyond. We remain committed to cooperate with other pro-democracy forces until we achieve the dream of a free, democratic, inclusive and transformed Zimbabwe
By Own Correspondent- Energy and Power Development minister, Joram Gumbo, revealed that the erratic fuel supplies are a result of a shortage of foreign currency to pay the international suppliers.
In an interview with a local publication, Gumbo said that the buck stops with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) which allocates foreign currency. Said Gumbo:
I only provide fuel and it is in the country; the one who buys the fuel is Reserve Bank (of Zimbabwe) governor John Mangudya.
The fuel is there but if there is no foreign currency to access it then the international suppliers will not give us the fuel; it is that simple.
The problem is with foreign currency allocation and unless the situation improves then the queues will continue to increase.
I may only come in when the situation demands and ask the president (Emmerson Mnangagwa) to release fuel from the strategic reserves.
During the Easter holiday and also during the (Zimbabwe International) Trade Fair I asked the president to give me the green light to access the reserved fuel; I had to do so because many people were travelling and the situation was better but it seems the RBZ relaxes once we do that.
Presidential spokesperson, George Charamba, told a local publication that there is adequate fuel in the country;
There is fuel in the country, (it is just that) we can’t afford it. Fuel suppliers in the country, such as Trafigura and Glencore have fuel stocks running into millions but those millions have to be paid for in terms of foreign currency.-DailyNews
By Own Correspondent- Gospel diva, Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave, escaped possible injury after her Jeep Grand Cherokee hit a herd of cattle along Mutare-Chipinge road on Friday night.
Fungisai was in the company of another lady when the incident occurred. Speaking about her close shave with death, Fungisai said:
“So the Devil is a failed liar again…. I decided to attend our ZAOGA Explo Crusade in Chipinge last eve before coming to the Cyclone Survivors fundraising event at Queens Hall in Mutare today. And a herd of cattle happened!!
Kindly join the cause in Mutare today and bring everything you can to Queens Hall. Thank you for your prayers. I know I could have been carried lifeless from the scene in a silver thing that I saw at the police station but God preserved my life and I don’t take it lightly.
I may not make it there today but kindly celebrate this escape by bringing your donation at queens hall today. A 6th sense tells me God found it worthwhile to preserve this Gift so I have the chance to unveil The Prophetic Ancient Voice Album and I believe God it will change the face of Christian Music and the Zim music Industry in general. Watch the space …..All my love God bless u
By Own Correspondent- A Mashava man is appealing for financial assistance from well-wishers so that he can undergo an operation on both his legs after an attack by a hippopotamus.
Garikai Charles (44), from Zvamahande village, was bitten by the animal while fishing in 2014.
He has not been able to walk properly since then.
Charles requires US$4 000 for the operation to be done.
Those willing to assist Garikai, his address is Zvamahande primary school, P.O Box 79 Mashava and his mobile contacts are 0782 274 491 or 0785 846 347.
By Own Correspondent- Various teachers’ unions have expressed dismay over poor remuneration threatening to embark on a go slow ahead of the second school term which opens on Tuesday this week.
Teachers have cited poor salaries, which have been decimated by galloping inflation.
In an interview with a local publication on Sunday, Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general, Raymond Majongwe, said:
No person will ever lead a war without counting whether his soldiers are in the barracks or not. So, we are simply going back to school to make sure that we create a strategy that must take us forward.
Our salaries have just gone below US$80 and we are talking of people here who are degreed.
People have families to take care of, but it seems the government seems to be insensitive or they are busy looking somewhere else.
The painful part is we have patriotic teachers who want to turn up for duty, but it is almost impossible we are going back to exactly where the circle started. Teachers are incapacitated.
Both the Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president, Obert Masaraure, and Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive officer, Sifiso Ndlovu, have accused the government of failing to fulfil its promises, especially the issue of duty-free cars.-Newsday
By Own Correspondent- A 53-year-old Zimbabwean woman has been sentenced to six years in prison by a South African court after she was found guilty of 10 counts of fraud.
Elizabeth Nyathi, 53, the former deputy president of Zimbabwe’s Affirmative Action Group (AAG), defrauded the Old Johannesburg Warehouse Auctioneers in Selby by making fake payments to settle items worth R721 579 she purchased from four auctions.
She purchased the goods between January and April.
Speaking to a South African publication, Christiaan Scholtz, the owner of the Old Johannesburg Warehouse Auctioneers, said:
We have not received any money back and there are always promises, but the magistrate said it’s very unlikely that we’re getting any back.
It taught us some lessons about business and not to trust everyone anymore, but the business is strong, so we are blessed.
Among the goods, Nyathi duped the Jo’burg Auctioneers, are seven Rolex watches, diamond and gold rings, kitchenware and furniture.
Magistrate Benita Oswell ruled that Nyathi will be deported back to Zimbabwe after serving her time since her passport expired during the course of the trial.
Nyathi is allegedly wanted back home for stealing more than $250 000 worth of maize seeds from a Zimbabwean seed production company in 2012.-TheStar
By Own Correspondent- Parirenyatwa Hospital Clinical Director Dr Noah Madziva has resigned from his post with immediate effect.
Dr Madziwa was summoned to appear before a disciplinary committee to explain why he was absent during Health Minister, Obadiah Moyo’s visit to the hospital.
He was reportedly in surgery operating on a patient during the time of Minister Moyo’s visit.
Said Hopewell Chin’ono through a post on his Twitter handle:
Parirenyatwa Hospital Clinical Director Dr Noah Madziva has resigned from the post with immediate effect.
Three weeks ago he was hauled before a hearing for not being available when the Minister visited the hospital.
He was in surgery operating a patient. He has also left Parirenyatwa.
By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has hired a private plane for former leader Robert Mugabe who is set to travel to Malaysia today.
Information gathered by ZimEye revealed that Mugabe is set to travel this afternoon to the Asian country to seek medical treatment.
However, the costs of the chartered aircraft is not yet known. The move to hire the plane is part of an arrangement by Mnangagwa where he pledged to take care of Mugabe as part of his exit package from the presidency.
Mnangagwa is on record saying that “Mugabe is well taken care of” and that the former leader deserved everyone’s respect for his role in liberating Zimbabwe.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.
By Own Correspondent- Government has with immediate effect suspended Chitungwiza Central Hospital clinical director Dr Patrick Dhliwayo and transferred principal nursing officer Mirriam Mangeya over a plethora of misconduct allegations as part of an ongoing exercise to bring sanity to public health institutions.
Mangeya has been transferred to head office awaiting transition to a new work station while Dr Dhliwayo was effectively put on suspension for verbally abusing fellow doctors.
Incidentally, Dr Dhliwayo was last year sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of a fine after he was found guilty of physically assaulting nurses at Zengeza Clinic.
In a letter seen by The Herald, signed by the Acting Secretary for Health Dr Gibson Mhlanga, Dr Dhliwayo is accused of verbally abusing six co-workers, among them three fellow doctors.
“You are hereby charged in terms of Section 4 (a) of National Employment Code of Conduct Regulations 2006, Statutory Instrument 15 of 2006.
“There is reason to believe that you committed an act of misconduct or acts of misconduct as defined in Section 4 in that; victimisation of a subordinate, Dr Arthur Mhizha, issuing threats to a subordinate Lawrence Kasinganeti, issuing threats to a subordinate Ndarukwa and Dzikamai and turning clinical meetings into forums of verbal abuse of GMOs Dr Shongo and Dr Ekofo,” reads Dr Dhliwayo’s charge sheet.
Mangeya’s letter stated that the former Chitungwiza hospital top nurse will report to the ministry’s head office by May 9, 2019.
By Own Correspondent- Harare City Council has been losing millions of dollars to space barons and cartels within and outside council that have been pocketing millions of dollars from council markets depriving the city of much-needed revenue.
Some politicians have been conniving with council officials to deprive the city of revenue from Mupedzanhamo, Mbare Musika, Glen View Area 8 Furniture Complex and other markets in Highfield.
Harare recently regained control of Carter and Paget houses in Mbare, 10 years after it lost the buildings to an infamous violent outfit called Chipangano.
The city lost over $3,6 million in revenue during the years when the buildings were under the control of Chipangano, whose leaders pocketed all the money paid by tenants.
Mbare vendors are reportedly paying thousands of dollars to politicians who lost in last year’s elctions, but now acting as “space barons”.
A known Highfield “space baron” married six wives thanks to the thousands of dollars he gets from vendors.
A report on revenue collected from the informal sector and challenges being encountered presented to the Informal Sector Committee by Housing and Community Services director Mr Edmore Nhekairo said council collected $7 652 376 from 2016 to date.
In 2016 council collected $3 360 000 and in 2017 the money declined to $2 000 476 before taking a further dip in 2018 when only $1 532 473 flowed into its coffers.
From January to March this year council collected $759 427, more than half of what was collected the whole of last year.
Nhekairo reported that he had put in place various strategies to improve revenue collection which included periodic rotation of market officers and assistants as well as identification of more sites, among others.
Council is also repossessing defaulters’ market stalls for non-payment of tariffs and has introduced an electronic receipting system to curb leakages through corruption.
The recent Informal Sector Committee minutes say the Director of Housing and Community Services reported that the strategies had been put in place to enhance revenue collection included routine transfer of market officers and market attendants, control and monitoring of overlaps and ensuring that traders produced proof of payment upon entering the market.
Also arising from the same discussion, the committee requested progress on areas such as Marlborough Home Industry and Siyaso Home Industry where traders were not paying.
“The Director of Housing and Community Services reported that the traders at Siyaso Home Industry had not been paying (their dues) over the years. They only started paying after the district officer had engaged them. They had offered to pay $20 a month,” reads the minutes.
“After the joint operation command operation, the district officer had engaged them and they had agreed to pay the requested amount. They had, however, requested for the same arrangement at Mupedzanhamo where a municipal detail manned the gate and ensure everyone paid.”
With regard to Marlborough Home Industry, Nhekairo reported that the site was allocated in 1998 but had not been serviced to date.
He said there were no roads, running water or toilets and traders had resisted paying as the site was not serviced.
Nhekairo also reported that the other major problem at the home industry was that the traders had been allocated stands ranging from 800 square metres to 1 000 square meters which were way bigger than the 50 square metres for the other industries.
“To that effect, he had engaged the Survey Section to do a proper mapping of the stands and the latter had submitted a report to the Planning Division to formally allocate the stands. The traders were told that for them to qualify for the allocation, they had to pay at least 25 percent of their arrears by April 3o for them to enter into lease agreements with council.
By Own Correspondent- Opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa, has placed the blame on President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the political impasse between the country’s main political parties, claiming that the latter has refused dialogue.
In an interview with a local publication, Chamisa said that he sent his emissaries to Mnangagwa several times only to be given a cold shoulder.
Said Chamisa:
We have sent letters to him (Mnangagwa); we have sent emissaries; I have sent several people to his offices but they have found the doors locked and iron-willed, but we will keep knocking because what moves us is the suffering of the people.
Zimbabwe is polarised and people are too angry…my plea and request to Mnangagwa are to come down from his high horse. Pride has never been known to be a progressive disposition — people need to be united (and) not put asunder.
Chamisa bemoaned citizens’ suffering, especially the hardships being experienced by the country’s younger generation.
He said:
“Many young people have never been employed; many young people do not know a payslip or the meaning of a salary.
Many young people are not aware of a higher purchase of lay-by dispensation – they don’t how to purchase things on credit and these are basic things in other countries.
These issues need to be addressed. It is not good to be stone-hearted and cruel to the people.
Everyone is suffering; civil servants are suffering and we are decimating the honour of professionals and punishing professional and academic excellence.
Learning and earning qualifications have been emptied of their meaning. I listen to our men and women in uniform, their cries are still the same.
In government, many shares with me their agonies that should call for sensitivity on the part of the leadership.”-DailyNews
By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa this morning toured Matapi flats in Mbare, one of Harare’s oldest suburbs which was recently given a facelift.
Mnangagwa, toured Mbare in the company of heavily armed soldiers. Both Zanu Pf and the opposition MDC have claimed to have given the flats a facelift.
By Own Correspondent- Police have released the names of two Hwange Magistrates Courts’ officials who died in an accident on their way to attend a colleague’s wedding in Bulawayo on Saturday.
Officer Commanding Police in Lupane District, Chief Superintendent Edgar Dhliwayo identified the deceased as Loveness Maseko (32) and Pertunia Mawundura (27).
Maseko was a policewoman attached to the National Prosecution Authority as a prosecutor at Hwange Magistrates’ Courts while Mawundura was the Judicial Service Commission’s Matabeleland North provincial administration officer also stationed in Hwange.
The two were travelling together with area prosecutor in-charge of Matabeleland North Martha Cheda and Hwange Magistrates’ Court prosecutors Tsepo Cheda, Charlene Murove-Gorerino and Jamesina Makanza as well as a policewoman Assistant Inspector Ester Sibanda, who is also attached to the NPA as a prosecutor.
Chief Supt Dhliwayo said Maseko and Mawundura were sitting in the twin cab’s loadbox when the accident occurred.
He said the Isuzu twin cab, belonging to the NPA, burst a rear right tyre before veering off the road where it hit a tree killing the two on the spot.
“On Saturday at around 10AM, seven passengers were driving in a KB300 Isuzu twin cab from Hwange to Bulawayo and on approaching a curve at the 62km peg, the car burst its right rear tyre and veered off the road to the left whereupon it hit a tree,” said Chief Supt Dhliwayo.
Maseko and Mawundura died on the spot.
They’re next of kin have been notified, police said.
The injured were rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where Cheda, Cheda and Makanza were treated and discharged.
Murove-Gorerino and Asst Insp Sibanda were still admitted yesterday but in stable condition, said Chief Supt Dhliwayo.
He urged motorists to exercise caution when driving.
“Motorists should exercise extreme caution and avoid speeding especially when approaching curves. That portion of the road might look good because it is straight but there are a lot of livestock hence speeding is not advisable,” he said.
By ZIMCODD| The current economic meltdown in Zimbabwe is slowly turning the Southern African country into a “house of hunger.” The ushering in of a new dispensation in the famous month of November 2017 ignited a sense of hope among Zimbabweans, with the majority hoping for socioeconomic turnaround after years of economic stagnation. Nevertheless, it all remained a pie in the air, with Zimbabweans now in a worse off situation than before. From bizarre bread price hikes and the entire rise in prices for basic commodities and services, shocking data hikes, deteriorating health services and the overall economic recession, citizens are continuously impoverished and wallowing in abject poverty.
Despite the depressing situation citizens are suffocating under, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development claims that the Transitional Stabilisation Programme anchored on austerity for prosperity has led to economic growth. The Minister is reported having claimed that due to TSP, the country registered 4 percent growth in its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018, marginally down from the initially set growth target of 4,5 percent. To access the media report click here.
Furthermore, the government of Zimbabwe has already reported revenue surplus for December 2018 and January 2019. The declared surplus is not congruent to the socioeconomic situation in the country where an ordinary citizen’s life has not improved. It is disheartening that the government is concentrating on quantitative growth of the economy without matching it to the material conditions of the citizens. It is worrisome that the so called growth has not translated into improved living conditions for the general citizenry. The much celebrated economic growth comes at a time when the country is grappling with socio-economic woes characterized by deplorable public social service delivery and where 70% of the country’s population is languishing in poverty.
“Evident successes are in fiscal consolidation and discipline, the removal of various pricing distortions, monetary sector and currency reforms, infrastructure rehabilitation, and Doing Business Environment reforms which will attract investment.” Prof. Mthuli Ncube. The claims that pricing distortions have been removed are alarming when in actual fact the prices of individual commodities are not following the laws of supply and demand, in a free market economy Zimbabwe is currently pursuing. Currency shortages and uncertainties coupled with looming hyperinflation are continually fuelling cost distortions and what makes the problem more complex is the fact that skyrocketing prices has eroded the buying power of the majority whose incomes remained stagnant. The removal of pricing distortions will remain a fallacy if the currency issue is not resolved once and for all and ensure that there is consistency in the currency regime.
In terms of fiscal discipline, it does not suffice to say that the government has made success as claimed by the Finance Minister up until a time when there is evident transparency and accountability in fiscal management. As it stands, fiscal management in the country is shrouded in secrecy, lack of accountability with misappropriation and abuse of public funds being the order of the day as evidenced by the recent Zimbabwe National Roads Administration Authority (ZINARA) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scandal where reports claim that more than $1 million was abused under the pretext of being a fund for the road administrator’s CSR activities. Transparency and accountability remain low hanging fruits for the government and what is required is honouring constitutional and associated legislative provisions on public finance management.
With the government cheering austerity measures, citizens are grappling with high cost of living in an economy crumbling at its knees. Evidence of economic growth should manifest itself through improved material living conditions for the ordinary citizens.
Government is coming under increasing scrutiny over the manner it handled cyclone idai aid with political activists demanding an audit of how the monies and donations were used.
Chiposi who is a losing parliamentary candidate for Southerton in Hararevsaid Activist Fungai Chiposi called on the government through the Auditor General to audit public as well as private led donation campaigns to check if all contributions went to the intended objective.
Chiposi also suggested that guidelines be put in place for future situations where Zimbabweans will donate to disaster causes.
“Our budding democracy needs this opportunity to grow stronger. Our listening President, who is the President of all citizens of Zimbabwe, must order the Auditor General’s office to audit all donations and systems that came into play during this disaster. Every donated cent and banana must be accounted for.
“The report must be immediately made public so that the nation learns for the future. Systems to handle future disasters must be put in place and guidelines made public. Creation of a disaster fund is of utmost importance. Earmarking independent response organisations will quickly mobilise resources in future.
“An audit of Cyclone Idai disaster will also assure citizens that their money and goods were put to good and intended use and thus motivate them to help more in future. Distribution of relief and disaster assistance donations along political lines should be a thing of the past. The international community should rest assured that all their help will be used as intended and accounted for.
“The Auditor-general must not focus only on government ministries but everyone who played a part in receiving donations for and behalf of Cyclone Idai survivors,” said Chiposi.
Former Bulawayo provincial minister Angeline Masuku declared that she too must not be buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare after the Zanu-PF politburo initially turned down a request to have Misheck Velaphi Ncube declared a national hero, ZimLive reported.
The politburo had initially declared Ncube a liberation war hero to be accorded a state-assisted funeral, and the party’s secretary for administration Obert Mpofu had been sent to convey the message.
But an emergency meeting at the party’s provincial HQ at Davies Hall in Bulawayo on Friday ended with a delegation being sent to Harare to make the case to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, two officials briefed on the meeting confirmed.
Ncube, who died on April 29 from diabetes at the age of 82 and was one of the pioneer ZIPRA fighters during the 1970s independence war after receiving military training in Egypt in 1962, was declared a national hero on Saturday after Mnangagwa overruled the politburo, the officials said.
“Masuku was quite forceful at the meeting, saying that if Ncube was not declared a national hero then she too and everyone else in the room did not deserve the honour. She said Callistus Ncube, who was buried at the National Heroes Acre also did not deserve to be there ahead of Ncube,” one Zanu-PF official said.
“She was supported by central committee member Joseph Tshuma and others who said the denial of national hero status to Ncube reflected a skewed understanding of the liberation history, with only former ZANLA combatants considered fit for the honour.”
Zanu-PF politburo member, Munyaradzi Machacha, who was appointed by Mnangagwa to oversee the restructuring of the party in Bulawayo, was so alarmed by the strong objections among ex-ZAPU officials that he called Mnangagwa during the meeting to tell him that “people are angry down here.”
Mnangagwa said he would meet a two-member delegation that travelled to Harare to see him. He told the officials that he knew Ncube, and had sent him a personal message through Bulawayo’s provincial minister Judith Ncube during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair at the end of last month after learning that he was hospitalised.
Mnangagwa subsequently overruled the politburo and directed officials to declare Ncube a national hero.
Speaking at the Ncube home in New Lobengula in Bulawayo on Saturday, Zanu-PF politburo member Absalom Sikhosana said: “He was involved at all levels of the liberation struggle. He was involved at all levels of the political leadership. There is no reason whatsoever for denying him that right (national hero declaration). That’s the appropriate consideration befitting a man of his calibre.”
Ncube was the ZAPU administrator soon after independence in 1980 and was among top leaders arrested after the government allegedly discovered arms caches at a farm owned by the party.
The arrests, which also saw the detention of late ZIPRA commander Lookout Masuku and current ZAPU leader Dumiso Dabengwa being charged with treason, marked the beginning of the Gukurahundi massacres.
At the time of his death, Ncube was a member of the Zanu-PF national consultative assembly.
Burial arrangements were yet to be announced on Sunday.
Latest data from Zimstat shows that the average Zimbabwean lived on $5.63 per day while an average family of five persons needed $872.94 in order to survive and not to be deemed poor.
This means that Zimbabweans are now living slightly below the World Bank’s updated international poverty line of US$1.90 a day, at US$1.87 (based on March end official interbank rate of 3.012).
According to the Poverty Datum Lines for March, the total consumption poverty line for a family of five stood at $872.94 in March 2019. This means that an average household required that much to purchase both food and non-food items for them not to be deemed poor. This represents an increase of 5.53% from February 2019 figure of $827.19.
According to the latest PICES (Poverty Income, Consumption and Expenditure Survey) report, The average household size in Zimbabwe is 4.2 persons. Household sizes in rural areas are on average larger with (4.5 persons) compared to household sizes in urban areas with (3.4 persons).
The PDL for the country stood at $174.59 per person in March 2019, an increase of 5.53% from February’s $165.44.
Number of people living in extreme poverty in Zimbabwe at the date of the last Poverty Survey was 2.5 million representing a poverty rate of 16%. This is below the 18% poverty rate that the World Bank considers as being in extreme poverty. According to the World Bank’s Poverty Report for 2018 titled; Piecing Together the Poverty Puzzle, released recently, most of the 43 countries with poverty rates above 18% are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Zimbabwe’s poverty gap is at 3.5.
According to the report, Sub-Saharan Africa has little or no chance of achieving the UN target of having not more than three percent of its population living in extreme poverty by 2030. The rate of reduction is decelerating despite the dramatic decline of poverty in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) since the early 1990s.
The food poverty line (FPL) as at March 2019 stood at $58.93. This means that the minimum needs basket cost that much per person in March 2019. This represents an increase of 2.7% over February’s $57.38. The March 2019 FPL for an average of five persons in Zimbabwe stood at $294.66 from $286.90.
No details included in the Zimstat PDL index are provided but the differences in costs between different parts of the country are shown. The TCPL for an average household in March 2019 ranged from the lowest of $825.00 in Mashonaland East Province to the highest of $902.00 in the Matabeleland North Province. Bulawayo experienced the highest inflation among the surveyed regions with the average cost of living rising 7% to $866.00. Meanwhile, Matebeleland South experienced the lowest rise in living costs at 4.5% to $887.00.
PICES notes that in Harare Province 27.7% of the economically active persons 15 years and above are unemployed while 26.1% are in the paid employee permanent category. In Bulawayo 26.7% of the economically active persons are unemployed while 23.8% are paid employees permanent.
It is noted that the proportion of unpaid family workers is lowest in Matabeleland North with 0.6% and highest in Manicaland with 3.4%. It is also noted that most provinces with a large rural component are mainly engaged in agricultural activities. The proportion of communal and resettlement farmers across provinces excluding Harare and Bulawayo range from 62.9% in Mashonaland East province to 82.1% in Matabeleland North.
President Mnangagwa has once again come to the aid of the family of former Prime Minister and the late MDC T founding leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai by providing financial and logistical support to the memorial service of the former opposition leader to be held in Buhera today.
Government yesterday dispatched two graders to clear the road linking Murambinda road to Mr Tsvangirai’s homestead and will provide food for more than 5 000 people expected to throng Humanikwa village in Buhera where the memorial service would be held.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the assistance Government was providing to the Tsvangirai family was consistent with President Mnangagwa’s commitment to unity and peace in the country.
“I do not have the actual detail of what has been given to the Tsvangirai family but what is critical is that President Mnangagwa will continue supporting the family because Mr Tsvangirai worked well with us as Government when he was Prime Minister during the Inclusive Government. It is also in the spirit of oneness that President Mnangagwa is showing this gesture. You might also need to know that the Tsvangirai family invited President Mnangagwa to the memorial service and obviously he will respond appropriately just as he did during the funeral wake when he sent me and Oppah Muchinguri to represent him,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
In an interview yesterday from Buhera, Mr Manase Tsvangirai, younger brother to the late Mr Tsvangirai confirmed the development and said the family felt indebted to President Mnangagwa.
“As the Tsvangirai family, we are very grateful to President Mnangagwa and the Government for the continued support that they have been rendering to us starting from the illness of my brother in South Africa up to date when we are holding a memorial service for him. I am sitting on my brother’s homestead right now, there are two graders clearing the road, tents and being pitched, Government has pledged to provide food that will be served to more than 5 000 people expected to come,” said Manase.
“Had it not been for Government, I do not think that as a family we would have been able to manage this memorial. Of course, there are other individuals who have come to assist in some way but the Government, led by President Mnangagwa, has assisted us in a big way to ensure that the event succeeds.” He said President Mnangagwa had not only assisted them to make the memorial a success but had fulfilled his pledge to help the family.
“Right now, Government is paying tuition fees for Mr Tsvangirai’s children in Australia and in South Africa,” said Manase.
He said Government had not relented on assisting the family from the time of Mr Tsvangirai’s illness.
“Government rendered help to us from illness of my brother in South Africa up to his death, it provided air tickets for people who went there, paid hospitals bills, ferried the body to its burial including the food just to mention a few. We remain grateful to President Mnangagwa,” he said. Turning to the memorial, Manase said the wish of the family was that the event should not be used as a campaign platform.
“We know that the MDC, which my brother led, is approaching its congress, and there might be a temptation for some to use the event as a campaign platform. This is why we were saying we are encouraging people not to put on self serving regalia but regalia that espouses the work of Mr Tsvangirai whom we are commemorating,” he said.
Mr Tsvangirai died in February last year at a hospital in Johannesburg after he succumbed to cancer of the colon.
Botswana’s President Seretse Ian Khama (L) shakes hands with his then vice-president Mokgweetsi Masisi now the leader of Botswana. The two have since crossed paths.
Own Correspondent|Former Botswana president Ian Khama has hinted at the possibility of quitting the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) news agents have revealed.
Khama – who is a paramount chief of one of the largest tribes in the country, the Bangwato – informed his audience in his home village of Serowe that he was consulting them so that he can have their views on whether to quit the party or not.
The ruling party, which has been in power since independence from Britain in 1966, was formed by Khama’s father and the country’s founding president Sir Seretse Khama.
Khama said he was asking his tribesmen to give him the mandate on the decision to take considering the huge respect they accord him and his father.
He asked them to consult other citizens of Botswana before coming up with a final recommendation.
He said he intended to quit the BDP because his relationship with the current president Mokgweetsi Masisi has broken irreparable over governance issues.
Khama also hinted at the possibility of supporting opposition parties during the up-coming general elections slated for October this year.
He said Masisi’s administration was ill-treating him, citing, among other things, the decision to reverse his policies while he was president and the refusal to provide him with aircraft when he intends to travel during local and international trips.
He added that his staff was also reduced and there are threats to prosecute him over corruption allegations.
Khama accused the current administration of harrassing citizens by eves-dropping on their cellphones.
Zimbabwe Newspapers (Zimpapers) Group radio division staff reportedly downed tools yesterday in protest over late payments.
A staffer at Diamond FM in Mutare, who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity, told NewsDay that the company was ill treating them.
“We are on go-slow today because our employer is paying us two weeks on after the actual pay day. Another grievance is that there is unfair treatment of independent contractors,”the source said.
“These are supposed to get benefits such as sick leave, medical aid and bonuses, but they have not gotten them for the last three years. There is also no salary increment.”
Another source said after their efforts to negotiate were turned down by the employer, they thought the only language Zimpapers bosses could understand was an industrial action.
The staff said the strike had spread to Zimpapers Group’s other radio stations such as Capitalk FM in Harare and Nyaminyami FM in Kariba.
The Zimpapers Group is alleged to have not been spared by the “austerity for prosperity” measures which was introduced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government as staff salaries
have been eroded following the devaluation of the local Real Time Gross Settlement dollar currency against its benchmark, the United States dollar.
Zimpapers Group spokesperson Beatrice Tonhodzayi said they had met staff in Mutare and resolved their grievances.
“Our teams are at work. The stations are on air. There were some internal meetings with staff in Mutare, as is the case with any organisation in these tough times, but all is well. Like
any other business, we continue to engage with staff as we move forward,” she said.
FIRST LADY Auxillia Mnangagwa on Saturday stood up scores of Beitbridge civil servants and her ruling Zanu PF party supporters gathered for what has become a traditional national clean-up exercise recently launched by her husband President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
As early as 7:30am, Beitbridge district development committee members had gathered for the First Lady’s briefing, but instead Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs minister Abednico Ncube showed up for the function.
No explanation was given. Some participants, who had availed themselves for the cleaning exercise, dismissed the event as a publicity stunt after the Environmental Management Agency and
the Beitbridge Municipality selected the border post leaving several dirty areas in the town, where the generation of litter is spiralling out of control.
“We have a company contracted to clean the Beitbridge Border Post and this cleaning should have been taken to Dulivhadzimo or other places where it would drive the message to residents.
This is like preaching to the converted. It is a publicity stunt,” remarked one participant.
Mnangagwa has declared every first Friday of each month as a national clean-up day. He has been actively involved, going to various places around the country to lead the national cleaning exercise.
At the poorly-attended gathering in Dulivhadzimo Stadium, Ncube asked law enforcement agents to arrest and bring to book litter bugs.
”I urge all law enforcement arms such as EMA, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Beitbridge town police to be on guard to prevent further littering and dumping of waste,” he said.
He said there was need to strengthen laws against littering at the same time calling for the recycling of waste coupled by separation of litter at source.
“I am reliably informed that 60 residents of Beitbridge received training on waste separation at source. I want to implore Beitbridge residents to (take advantage of the) opportunities
that come with the high volumes of recyclable waste. Let us think of recycling enterprises as income-generating projects,” said Ncube.
Beitbridge deputy mayor Munyaradzi Chitsunge asked the 60 000 residents of the border town to collectively combat litter.
He said local authorities faced a major problem in solid waste management and this also affected the country and continent at large.
Chitsunge said his council was ready to partner with other stakeholders in cleaning up of the border town.
Jane Mlambo| Former Bulawayo senator David Coltart has tweeted his excitement on returning to Harvest House, the MDC headquarters.
Coltart left the main MDC together with Professor Welshman Ncube in 2005 following sharp disagreements on the party’s participation in the Senate elections.
He was appointed Minister of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture on a MDC-M ticket and had stuck with Ncube until the parties joined forces to create the MDC-Alliance.
I’m back in Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House for the first time since the fateful meeting which split the #MDC in October 2005 to attend the first caucus in the run up to the elections at the Congress soon. It is good to be back rebuilding the party we set up on 11 September 1999.
By Farai D Hove| The late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s firstborn son, Edwin, took a loud swipe at MDC President Nelson describing his complaints about the 2018 election rigging as futile.
Edwin was humiliated during his father’s memorial on Saturday, while ordering Chamisa to stop complaining about electoral fraud. Below is an excerpt of his speech (ALSO WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW):
Edwin: I would like to finish saying Morgan used to know that power which comes without peace is a futile exercise. Power without peace is a futile exercise. To those who are ruling right now and to those who are aspiring for power, power without peace is futile. Because the country of a democratic dispensation cannot prevail in an atmosphere of violence and despair. I shall finish by saying Morgan said himself, to all of us as his children my children I cannot rule the country watching dead bodies in the street. I will have to know when to stop, I will have to stop. I will have to know when to stop and when to proceed. So because of all this let us all conclude by saying our country is not in a good place. But there is Hope. This country is endowed with resources, with abilities, with capacity we must use all our potential for the progress of this country. Let me stress one little point, let me just say this so that you understand this, there is a gratitude I want to extend to those who have made contributions. I want to praise the government I want to praise president (Emmerson Mnangagwa).
LOUD BOOING FROM STAGE.
Edwin: No please listen to me, pay attention to me. Listen to me, listen to me.
CROWD SCREAMS: GET AWAY, GET AWAY!
– Amos Chibaya rises.
Chibaya: Tshisa Mpama Tshisa! Maoko mudenga!
Chibaya: Chinja, I said wave your hands in the air, both of them!
CROWD RESPONDS LOUDLY…
Chibaya: I think this is the last time he is speaking please let us pay attention to him. Gukula, Izenzo! Please we want order.
Edwin Tsvangirai returns on front stage.
Edwin: Machinja! Machinja! Machinja, veduwee…
Please listen to me, please listen to me now, please listen to me, you have eaten Sadza, you have eaten food, please be grateful, thank you
By Own Correspondent- Following the recent visit to National Pharmaceutical Company (Natpharm) by the first lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, the government has given Natpharm a one-week ultimatum to disburse medicine to health institutions across the country.
Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo said failure to do so, heads would roll.
He said:
I am giving you one week to clear all those boxes that are here. You have to make sure that all those stocks move to districts, laboratories, clinics. We cannot have excuses. So it is up to you to come up with a system in place that takes care of the movement of the products.
The minister also said that he expected a change in the way things were done at Natpharm. He also said that he was shocked to realise that Natpharm was stockpiling drugs. He also said that Natpharm should make sure all the products are disbursed as soon as they arrive.
Natpharm managing director, Mrs. Florah Sifeku had earlier revealed that they distribute medicine that would have been ordered. With regards to medicine in stock, she said that some laboratories had already ordered them but were not able to immediately take them up because of the absence of other consumables and equipment.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- Zanu Pf has sent an over 10 member delegation to China for exchanging ideas.
The delegation is led by national party chairperson Oppah Muchinguri.
Speaking during an interview before the departure of the delegation, Munyaradzi Machacha said the trio was meant to strengthen relations between Zimbabwean and the Chinese ruling parties.
He said:
This is part of our regular cooperation. We are two revolutionary parties that share a rich history. We want to exchange views on party building so that we can strengthen the party.
Muchacha also said that ZANU PF intended to learn economic policies from its Chinese counterpart. He also noted that China has been doing well economically hence the need to copy and domesticate some ideas.
The party’s look East policy has been criticised for not bearing any significant results to the country. The policy was adopted following a fall out between Zimbabwe and Western economies like the UK and the rest of the European Union
By Own Correspondent- Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has said that in the event that the MDC manages to get into government, his government will not have three vice presidents.
The structure of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) currently accommodates three vice presidents.
Speaking at a memorial service for the party’s founding president Morgan Tsvangirai in Buhera on Saturday, Chamisa said:
“Some ask where the vice presidents issue came from. One of the ideas Tsvangirai brought up was the three vice presidents. In the ZCTU, from whose womb the party was formed, there are four presidents; we ended at three.
Some ask what does this mean? In government we won’t have that, the government is supposed to be lean and mean. We’ll separate the government from the party.
The agenda started by Morgan Tsvangirai is not going to be betrayed. We remain going back to the centre, which is the ZCTU. The party was born out of the determination of the workers.”
By Own Correspondent- Over 130 youths were arrested in Bulawayo for conducting the infamous “vuzu” parties in the city over the weekend.
A Vuzu party has been defined by some as an orgy or underground club setting party for teenagers, popular in Bulawayo where they engage in all sorts of immoral behavior.
The 131 youths, including one 13-year-old boy and 15 girls, who were being held in custody will appear in court today.
ZRP Acting Spokesperson for Bulawayo province, Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the arrest to the State Media.
Ncube also revealed that some of the young people are alleged to have been drunk on alcohol and drugs. Alcohol, drugs and used condoms, as well as sex enhancing pills, were discovered at the crime scene. Below is a photo of things discovered.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has appealed to parents and other members of the community to assist law enforcement agencies in dealing with the vuzu parties scourge which has rocked Bulawayo.
Whilst some have suggested that those engaged in such parties be rounded up and disciplined, some have dug into the likely causes of such parties. Some have claimed that parents are no longer executing their duties, objects, and responsibilities as guardians in society. Some have blamed economic conditions for the conduct of the youths.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Matthew Harrington has said that the Zimbabwean government must reform for sanctions to be lifted. The diplomat specifically identified the use of the security sector to intimidate citizens and the media and repressive laws as major issues to be dealt with.
Speaking at Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, Harrington said that the removal of sanctions depended upon Zimbabwe.
Harrington said:
“Any goodwill from the international community that might have been generated by an improved election process dissipated as a result of several problematic developments.
In addition, in January and February (2019) the army launched a sustained crackdown on citizens in response to their protests over fuel price increases. We welcome a better relationship with Zimbabwe, but the ball is very much in the Zimbabwean government’s court. If there’s real, concrete progress in the areas laid out in the ZIDERA legislation Zimbabwe will find a committed partner in the United States.”
South Africa goes to the polls on Wednesday with the leaders of the three main parties vying for votes in a race that could test the ruling ANC’s long-held dominance.
Here is a look at the three party leaders:
THE SHREWD PRESIDENT
Cyril Ramaphosa
Cyril Ramaphosa, the leader of the ruling ANC party, finally came to power last year after a dramatic and varied career intertwined with the birth of modern South Africa.
He was a pioneering young trade union leader, an anti-apartheid activist and the Nelson Mandela protege who led talks to end white-minority rule and helped write the new constitution.
When Mandela walked out of jail in 1990, Ramaphosa was standing alongside him.
But after missing out on becoming Mandela’s successor as president, Ramaphosa instead became a hugely wealthy businessman through stakes in McDonalds, Coca-Cola, mining and telecoms, and developing a taste for breeding rare cattle.
In 2012, his image was badly tarnished when 34 striking mine workers were killed by police at the Marikana platinum mine, operated by London-listed Lonmin, where he was then a non-executive director.
Ramaphosa had called for a crackdown on the strikers, whom he accused of “dastardly criminal” behaviour.
He returned to politics to become Jacob Zuma’s vice president in 2014, often drawing criticism for failing to speak out against corruption and government mismanagement.
Renowned for his patience and strategic thinking, Ramaphosa narrowly beat off pro-Zuma rivals to take over leadership of the ANC party in 2017 and then claim the presidency when Zuma was forced out last year.
Ramaphosa attracts a support base crossing South Africa’s racial and class divides, but still faces strong opposition from inside the ANC.
“This is a decisive moment in our country, in the history of South Africa, this is a moment when… we choose hope over despair,” he told supporters at the final ANC campaign rally.
Born in Johannesburg’s Soweto township, Ramaphosa took up activism while studying law in the 1970s, and spent 11 months in solitary confinement in 1974.
THE YOUNG OPPOSITION LEADER
Mmusi Maimane
Mmusi Maimane, 38, is the first black leader of the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s main opposition party.
Raised in the Johannesburg township of Soweto — heartland of the anti-apartheid struggle — Maimane only joined the DA in 2009 and was fast-tracked through its ranks to take control in 2015.
His rapid promotion led to accusations that he was being used by the party’s senior white activists to cover up lack of reform within the party.
A gifted orator and smooth campaigner, he has kept the DA in the spotlight, broadened its appeal and held together its warring factions.
But he has struggled to land punches on Ramaphosa or to convince many black middle-class voters that the DA is not still a “white” party.
A devout Christian, he has a masters degree in Theology and regularly preaches at church, where he met his white wife Natalie.
Before getting into politics, Maimane ran his own management consultancy and lectured at a business school in Johannesburg.
His reserved leadership style could come under question if the DA fail to make significant gains on top of its 22 percent of the vote in the 2014 election.
THE RADICAL FIREBRAND
Julius Malema
Julius Malema, 38, is the former ANC youth leader who launched the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party in 2013 and, against all the odds, has turned it into a political force.
He was kicked out of the ruling party after coming into conflict with the leadership but has thrived as a rebel, delivering fiery speeches spiced with jokes and digs at Ramaphosa, the ANC and South Africa’s white minority.
Presenting himself as the voice of the young and unemployed, he demands the seizure of land from whites without compensation and the nationalisation of the mines and banks.
His threat to the ANC was underlined last year when Ramaphosa adopted a similar stance on land reform to try to hold onto voters.
Wearing a red beret and styling himself as “commander in chief”, Malema hopes to ride a growing wave of discontent among the poorest of South Africans, 25 years after the end of apartheid.
During Jacob Zuma’s reign as president, he led his lawmakers in a campaign to disrupt parliament by chanting and heckling, before being thrown out by security officers.
By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwe teachers said yesterday they will stage massive demonstrations and they will not go back to work unless the government reviewed their salaries.
Teachers are supposed to go back to work on Tuesday this week when the schools open for the second term.
Amalgamated Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) secretary-general, Robson Chere, also said their members would be embarking on a go-slow. “We have resolved to embark on a series of protests, to demand a living wage. We have since written to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and also the ministry of Finance about our eroded wages.
“However, they seem reluctant to act and we are fully aware that the language they understand most is through action, and our members are ready for that
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general, Raymond Majongwe, also accused the government of spurning their calls for dialogue.
“We have communicated to the government that things are bad. We asked them to organise a meeting, but they are not responding. Judging from what is on the ground, teachers are not going to teach.
“We tried our best to engage the government, and so they must not blame us if our members fail to come to work. We gave them enough time, but they did nothing,” Majongwe told the Daily News.
“Our members are just going to check in on Tuesday, but they are not going to undertake any duties. We are having a sit-in whilst we prepare to escalate the protest to a higher level.” Chere said.
Early this month, the government announced salary increments ranging from 13 percent to 29 percent, depending on grades, leaving the lowest paid State worker getting RTGS $600.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- Zanu-PF Secretary for Legal Affairs Paul Mangwana dismissed as false claims by MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa that Zanu-PF and MDC-T had agreed on a transitional authority.
During Operation Restore Legacy, Zanu-PF recalled Mugabe — then party’s president and First Secretary — before instituting impeachment proceedings in Parliament which also involved opposition legislators. And as the august House sat in the afternoon of November 21, Mugabe tendered his resignation, writing to the Clerk of Parliament that he was stepping down.
Mangwana claimed that the removal of former president Robert Mugabe in November 2017 was the party’s internal project and the opposition MDC was only roped in as a back-up against some ruling party members deciding against the impeachment of the former president in Parliament.
Chamisa wildly claimed at the memorial service of the late opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai at the weekend that President Mnangagwa had betrayed the late Tsvangirai by allegedly backtracking on concessions he made to secure the opposition leader’s backing in the ouster of the former president.
When Mugabe fell, the stricken Tsvangirai left the hospital in South Africa in apparent anticipation of trappings of the development. But Mangwana, who is Zanu-PF’s legal secretary, said Tsvangirai was only promised his pension and that his welfare would be looked after, a promise which Government has since fulfilled.
“I was involved in the discussions and we never deliberated on a transitional authority or any coalition,” said Mangwana. “This was purely a Zanu-PF internal process. The only role played by MDC-T was as insurance in Parliament in case some of our legislators do not show up for the vote of no confidence.”
Mangwana said Zanu-PF had a two-thirds majority and could have removed the former president without the involvement of the opposition party. “So, there was no talk of any coalition at any point,” he said. “Zanu-PF had the majority to Government by itself. Whoever is saying anything to the contrary is peddling falsehoods.”
Chamisa was quoted saying, “Tsvangirai told me that Chamisa, we are now going to help remove the poverty caused by Mugabe, but the assurance I have is that we are going to have a transitional authority.”
“I said to him, this was a good thing, but asked him if he was sure about the people he was dealing with and he said ‘let us give them time’. We gave them time and they betrayed my old man.” Zanu-PF resolved to impeach former president Mugabe on November 20, 2017 after he refused to resign. The resolution to impeach Mugabe was reached by a caucus of Zanu-PF parliamentarians.
The party said the former president faced several charges including allowing his wife Dr Grace Mugabe to usurp constitutional powers when she was not an elected official. On November 21, 2017 Mugabe resigned from office following a week of unrelenting pressure from the public and his own party Zanu-PF, for him to step down after 37 years at the helm.
Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda made the announcement during a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate in the capital that was debating a motion to impeach the now former president.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- Prosecutor Edmore Nyazamba on Saturday appeared in court facing charges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer after he allegedly failed to oppose an application for exception by former minister Supa Mandiwanzira at the High Court recently.
Mandiwanzira was eventually acquitted of all the charges involving breach of procurement regulations when he awarded a $218 million contract to Megawatt, a South African-based consultancy company, on behalf of NetOne.
As part of his bail conditions, the prosecutor was ordered to surrender his travelling documents to the Clerk of Court. The prosecutor was also ordered not to interfere with witnesses and to continue residing at his given address while reporting twice a week on Mondays and Fridays at Mbare Police Station until the matter is finalised.
Nyazamba (42) is being accused of acting contrary to his duties when he failed to lodge relevant papers in opposing Mandiwanzira’s application seeking review of the trial court’s proceedings. Nyazamba was not formally charged with criminal abuse of duty when he appeared before Harare magistrate Learnmore Mapiye, who remanded him to June 3 on $200 bail.
Nyazamba’s lawyer, Bhekithemba Mlausi, made a complaint to the court over failure by the police to divulge all the allegations being levelled against his client when they took him to the station.
He said Nyazamba was informed of some of the charges he is facing shortly before the proceedings of the remand hearing. Charges against Nyazamba arose on March 6, when he was assigned to handle a court application filed at the High Court under case number HC 1761/19 for review involving Mandiwanzira, who was challenging the decision of the trial court to dismiss his application for exception.
The matter had been set for March 8.
It is alleged that on March 8, Nyazamba informed the court that the State’s intention to oppose the application and asked for time to file his papers.
This resulted in the matter being deferred to March 19 and notwithstanding the deadline given, and contrary to his duties, Nyazamba failed to lodge relevant papers, allegedly showing favour to Mandiwanzira.
This prompted the matter to be set down on the unopposed roll on March 27 before it was again deferred to April 3 on which date Mandiwanzira’s application was granted unopposed by Justice Mathonsi.
By Showbiz Correspondent| Cris Gera is Zimbabwean musician based in Sweden.
Cris last month entered the Playbook’s international artistry competition and has now been voted into their top 20. African citizens and lovers of music wishing to support him in New York, can vote using the below link.
File Picture, Auxilia Mnangagwa cleaning a street in Bulawayo, she was meant to be turned away from seeing the dirt at the over populated Dulivhadzimo Township in Beitbridge to clean the already clean border post.
FIRST LADY Auxillia Mnangagwa on Saturday stood up scores of Beitbridge civil servants and her ruling Zanu PF party supporters gathered for what has become a traditional national clean-up exercise recently launched by her husband President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
As early as 7:30am, Beitbridge district development committee members had gathered for the First Lady’s briefing, but instead Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs minister Abednico Ncube showed up for the function.
No explanation was given. Some participants, who had availed themselves for the cleaning exercise, dismissed the event as a publicity stunt after the Environmental Management Agency and the Beitbridge Municipality selected the border post leaving several dirty areas in the town, where the generation of litter is spiralling out of control.
“We have a company contracted to clean the Beitbridge Border Post and this cleaning should have been taken to Dulivhadzimo or other places where it would drive the message to residents.
This is like preaching to the converted. It is a publicity stunt,” remarked one participant.
Mnangagwa has declared every first Friday of each month as a national clean-up day. He has been actively involved, going to various places around the country to lead the national
cleaning exercise.
At the poorly-attended gathering in Dulivhadzimo Stadium, Ncube asked law enforcement agents to arrest and bring to book litter bugs.
”I urge all law enforcement arms such as EMA, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Beitbridge town police to be on guard to prevent further littering and dumping of waste,” he said.
He said there was need to strengthen laws against littering at the same time calling for the recycling of waste coupled by separation of litter at source.
“I am reliably informed that 60 residents of Beitbridge received training on waste separation at source. I want to implore Beitbridge residents to (take advantage of the) opportunities
that come with the high volumes of recyclable waste. Let us think of recycling enterprises as income-generating projects,” said Ncube.
Beitbridge deputy mayor Munyaradzi Chitsunge asked the 60 000 residents of the border town to collectively combat litter.
He said local authorities faced a major problem in solid waste management and this also affected the country and continent at large.
Chitsunge said his council was ready to partner with other stakeholders in cleaning up of the border town.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Matthew Harrington
By Dorrothy Moyo| The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Matthew Harrington, has told the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, has said that ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa should repeal laws which suppress the media.
He also said there will not be a removal of sanctions until for instance the soldiers who shot and killed civilians on the 1st August 2018 are tried.
While saying there was some improvement in the 2018 elections, compared to previous years, he emphasised saying “any goodwill from the international community that might have been generated by an improved election process dissipated as a result of several problematic developments,” referring to the 1 August brutality.
He also spoke against the military brutality of January – February 2019.
He said, “in addition, in January and February (2019) the army launched a sustained crackdown on citizens in response to their protests over fuel price increases.”
“We welcome a better relationship with Zimbabwe, but the ball is very much in the Zimbabwean government’s court. If there’s real, concrete progress in the areas laid out in the ZDERA legislation, Zimbabwe will find a committed partner in the United States.”
Meanwhile, he was opposed by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s advisor, Ashok Chakravarti, who said the US sanctions have created a problem of negative perception against Zimbabwe.
He said, “Zdera does make a difference to trade and commercial flows, not legally. International markets don’t necessarily work purely on the laws in place. Perception is terribly important…
“Some years ago, we had 40 correspondent banks which dealt with Zimbabwe. It’s a fact that there are only about half a dozen banks that are willing to do business with Zimbabwe now because of the perceived risks. It has nothing to do with whether there’s a specific law in place.”
Chakravarti added saying his child who is studying in the US’s fee payments were blocked because the money was detected as coming from Zimbabwe.
Responding to him however, Harrington said Zimbabwean politicians were not genuine.
Harrington said “the government are saying some of the right things but it is falling short when it comes to concrete actions. There are some steps the government could take to demonstrate it is serious about improving rule of law and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe.
“It could repeal POSA (Public Order and Security Act) and AIPPA (Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act), two laws long emblematic of a repressive regime. It could stop using the army to harass and intimidate citizens who exercise their fundamental right to free speech, and it could hold accountable those members of the security services who have abused their fellow citizens,” he firmed up.
He added: “Those simple actions would send a strong signal to Zimbabweans and the international community that Zimbabwe is on a very different path and genuinely committed to embracing democratic institutions and values, and to becoming a more responsible member of the international community. And not one of those steps, I would point out, requires outside assistance. The government could take any one of them today. The fact that it has chosen not to do so raises questions about the genuineness of its commitment to put the country on a much different trajectory.”
By Dorrothy Moyo| MDC President Nelson Chamisa at the weekend promised that his government will not have three Vice Presidents.
Speaking during the memorial of his predecessor, Morgan Tsvangirai, Chamisa said the concept of several presidents was a ZCTU skeleton.
he said that template would remain at party level and not be adopted in government.
Said Chamisa, “Some ask where the vice presidents issue came from. One of the ideas Tsvangirai brought up was the three vice presidents
“…In the ZCTU from whose womb the party was formed, there are four presidents; we ended at three.
“Some ask what does this mean? In government we won’t have that, the government is supposed to be lean and mean. We’ll separate the government from the party.
“The agenda started by Morgan Tsvangirai is not going to be betrayed. We remain going back to the centre, which is the ZCTU. The party was born out of the determination of the workers.”
Julius Malema left, Nelson right, will the two team up to change Southern Africa fortunes?
Paul Nyathi|The EFF’s firebrand Commander In Chief Julius Malema has been invited to attend the MDC’s elective conference that will be held in Gweru later on Africa day weekend in May, ZimEye.com can reveal.
Malema will be joined by Kenya’s former prime minister Ralia Odinga amongst other opposition political party leaders in the continent who are yet to confirm attendance after invitations by the MDC have also been extended to them.
According to reliable sources within the MDC who requested anonymity at the stage, invitations have already been sent out to more than a dozen leading political leaders in Africa including EFF leader Julius Malema to attend the congress.
“Among the list of invited dignitaries will include diplomats and civil organisations from various embassies based in Zimbabwe and political leaders from the African continent,” said the source.
More than 9000 delegates are expected to converge at Ascot stadium in Gweru for the opposition party’s 5th elective congress where Nelson Chamisa will attend uncontested.
This will be the first time the new look United MDC will hold an elective congress without founding leader the late Morgan Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai’s MDC had a “T” at the end – which stood for Tsvangirai himself. This was to distinguish his MDC from the Welshman Ncube MDC which had cut ties with Tsvangirai. Ncube was the founding secretary-general of the MDC.
Just before he died Tsvangirai had agreed to bring back former “rebels” who had been founding members of the party. This included Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti and Job Sikhala. For his part, Chamisa agreed to accommodate and rope in his former “comrades-in-arms” into his election campaign.
The coalition under their umbrella became known as the MDC-Alliance party just before Zimbabwe’s 2018 elections. The reason for the name change was that former MDC member Thokozani Khupe was arguing in the courts that her formation was the bona fide MDC-T.
The MDC Alliance has since completed its integration of alliance partners to rename the party by its founding name MDC leaving Khupe running with the MDC-T name.
Malema will attend the congress fresh from a gruelling election set for this Wednesday in South Africa where he is fighting to increase his party’s six percent representation in parliament to a higher stake where they are targeting at least 25%.
So far the youthful leader has done very well matching the giant ruling ANC pound for pound in the election campaign rallies.
Some of the items recovered by police at a dirty children’s party in Bulawayo.
State Media|POLICE have arrested 131 rowdy youths in Bulawayo in an operation that saw law enforcement agents also confiscating alcohol and sex enhancing pills from teenagers headed to Vuzu parties where they engage in risky unprotected group sex.
Young people in Bulawayo have developed a tradition of going on the rampage in the city centre on the first Saturday after schools close and the last Saturday before a new school term begins.
Police said those arrested on Saturday are aged between 14 and 24 years and are in custody awaiting to be taken to court for criminal nuisance and public drinking.
Their arrest follows the arrest of 40 others aged between 15 and 25 years on the first Saturday after schools closed last month.
Forty nine more were arrested on the last day of the 60th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
The latest arrests follow warnings by the police that they had increased deployment of officers to deal with the unruly youths over the weekend.
Police raised concern that there is a growing trend of youths causing anarchy in the city centre or organising Vuzu parties where alcohol and drugs are abused leading to unprotected sex.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said police on Saturday walked the talk and made arrests and some of those arrested had sex enhancing ‘vuka vuka’ pills.
“We arrested 131 youths in the CBD for criminal nuisance and public drinking. Some of these kids were making disruptive noise in the city and uttering obscene words and drinking alcohol in public.
“We also arrested a 28-year-old kombi driver, Nkosiphile Ndlovu, who was driving a Toyota Hiace with number plate ADZ 1987. Alert cops intercepted the vehicle which was headed towards Mahatshula suburb. The kombi had 25 youths and it was loaded with alcohol, nine packets of unused condoms, sex enhancing pills and mbanje,” he said.
Insp Ncube said Ndlovu’s vehicle was impounded.
He said seven 750ML bottles of Breakers spirit, one bottle of Gold blend, one 750ml bottle of Two Keys, one 150ML bottle of Modivine spirit and peppermint cigarettes were found in the kombi.
Insp Ncube said those who were arrested were taken to Central Police Station awaiting court appearances.
“They are in safe police custody waiting to be taken to court. We have asked their parents and guardians to bring their birth certificates for those under age as we want to avoid being given false names. They will be charged with public nuisance and public drinking,” he said.
“They will also be released after their parents and guardians consult the Department of Social Welfare as it has become clear that there is no proper parenting of some of these children at home.
“It still doesn’t make sense that parents and guardians allow their children to be all over town when they clearly know of the activities they usually indulge in.”
Insp Ncube said the police want parents to raise responsible children.
Prosecutor Edmore Nyazamba on Saturday appeared in court facing charges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer after he allegedly failed to oppose an application for exception by former minister Supa Mandiwanzira at the High Court recently.
Mandiwanzira was eventually acquitted of all the charges invloving breach of procurement regulations when he awarded a $218 million contract to Megawatt, a South African-based consultancy company, on behalf of NetOe.
Nyazamba (42) is being accused of acting contrary to his duties when he failed to lodge relevant papers in opposing Mandiwanzira’s application seeking review of the trial court’s proceedings.
Nyazamba was not formally charged with criminal abuse of duty when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Learnmore Mapiye, who remanded him to June 3 on $200 bail.
As part of his bail conditions, the prosecutor was ordered to surrender his travelling documents to the Clerk of Court.
The prosecutor was also ordered not to interfere with witnesses and to continue residing at his given address while reporting twice a week on Mondays and Fridays at Mbare Police Station, until the matter is finalised.
Nyazamba’s lawyer, Mr Bhekithemba Mlausi, made a complaint to the court over failure by the police to divulge all the allegations being levelled against his client when they took him to the station.
He said Nyazamba was informed of some of the charges he is facing shortly before the proceedings of the remand hearing.
Charges against Nyazamba arose on March 6, when he was assigned to handle a court application filed at the High Court under case number HC 1761/19 for review involving Mandiwanzira, who was challenging the decision of the trial court to dismiss his application for exception.
The matter had been set for March 8.
It is alleged that on March 8, Nyazamba informed the court that the State’s intention to oppose the application and asked for time to file his papers.
This resulted in the matter being deferred to March 19 and notwithstanding the deadline given, and contrary to his duties, Nyazamba failed to lodge relevant papers, allegedly showing favour to Mandiwanzira.
This prompted the the matter to be set down on the unopposed roll on March 27 before it was again deferred to April 3 on which date Mandiwanzira’s application was granted unopposed by Justice Mathonsi.
Fired Secretary for Security, Gavin Williamson has accused British Prime Minister Theresa May of trying to smear him, following reports he wanted to “invade Zimbabwe and other African States” and had made derogatory comments about Theresa May’s diabetes.
In an escalation of the row between May and Williamson, who was sacked as defence secretary on Wednesday, he accused May of being behind anonymous briefings and a leak of confidential information to discredit him.
Williamson was fired over allegations he leaked information from the National Security Council (NSC), which he has strongly denied, and called for a police investigation to clear his name.
He was himself the subject of a leak from the NSC on Sunday, after a document was passed to a newspaper suggesting he had wanted to send troops into at least five African countries, along with a briefing that he wanted to invade Africa.
It was also reported he was overheard saying May was unfit to hold office because of her diabetes.
Williamson dismissed the reports as smears. “I find it very disturbing that No 10 are leaking confidential information in order to try and smear me,” he said. “This goes to show that they had no evidence to justify the actions the prime minister took last week.”
No 10 sources denied that anyone from Downing Street was behind the briefings.
Williamson helped to put the prime minister in Downing Street by organising her campaign to be Conservative leader and he was later promoted from chief whip to defence secretary. But he was sacked by the prime minister because she believed he was responsible for telling the Telegraph that the government would allow the Chinese state company Huawei to be involved in the 5G communications network.
A number of Conservative MPs have rallied round Williamson since his sacking, saying May should only have acted on clear evidence.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the European Research Group of MPs, asked whether Williamson was “stitched up for being right”, after the police said there were no grounds to investigate a breach of the Official Secrets Act.
Michael Fabricant, the Conservative MP for Lichfield, said: “I do not know whether Gavin Williamson leaked any Huawei material or not, but accusations about his criticising the prime minister for her diabetes – which he denies and appears ridiculous – sounds like the No 10 spin machine in deep briefing overdrive.”
Williamson has vowed to clear his name over the NSC leak, claiming he was “royally screwed over”, but No 10 is refusing to release the report prepared by Sir Mark Sedwill, the cabinet secretary, into his conduct. The public evidence so far is that Williamson had an 11-minute conversation with the Telegraph journalist who wrote the story about Huawei before it appeared.
He told the Sunday Express he believed it was “a game of politics, settling scores and trying to prove the prime minister’s political strength”.
“This whole affair hasn’t been about trying to find the real culprit who leaked what was said at that meeting,” he said. “The PM has spoken about compelling evidence. Well, I’d like to see it.
“With the Metropolitan police not willing to do a criminal investigation, it is clear a proper, full and impartial investigation needs to be conducted on this shabby and discredited witch-hunt that has been so badly mishandled by both the prime minister and Mark Sedwill.”
