By Own Correspondent- The 64-hectare Chimwe Chegato Irrigation Scheme in Mberengwa that suspended operations last year is reported to have resumed operations.

The irrigation scheme is reported to have suspended operations after failing to settle utility bills it owed to ZESA, and ZINWA amounting to $92 000.

The irrigation scheme had to halt operations following its failure to settle utility bills amounting to $92 000 which it owed the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA).

Operations were resumed after the irrigation engaged service providers and agreed on a payment plan. The irrigation scheme has been a source of income and food for villagers.

Ms. Zvisinei Mataruse, the irrigation scheme’s vice chairperson said that the lives of many villagers have transformed since the introduction of the scheme. Her sentiments were echoed by Ward 12 councilor, Ms. Nokuthula Ndhlela who said:

The face of the community has changed as villagers are now getting their food and income from the scheme.

The State Media reports that a number of parents were now failing to pay fees for their children since they do not have other sources of income.

It also reports that the scheme is also ready for the production of wheat during this year’s season.

The scheme is located in Mberengwa North near Chegato High School which used to get agricultural supplies from the irrigation.

The Government of Zimbabwe launched the Political Actors Dialogue (PAD) on 17 May 2019. The stated goal of the process is to improve the country’s socio-economic fortunes whilst fostering tolerance and an inclusive democratic culture. It comprises seventeen (17) political parties with one conspicuous absentee, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Nelson Chamisa. The MDC and its supporters have consistently dismissed POLAD as insincere, ineffectual and disingenuous. In this post, I evaluate the criticism of the POLAD process in the context of Zimbabwe’s recent political history.

1.    Exclusionary Nature of the Process
The most recurring criticism of POLAD has been the absence of the MDC. Some have questioned the efficacy of a process which does not include the country’s biggest opposition party. The absence of the MDC means the views of a significant number of Zimbabweans will be excluded, thereby undermining the credibility and legitimacy of the process. For this reason, South Africa’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Mphakama Mbete, underscored the need for the process to be inclusive and representative. Indeed, it would be inexcusable if the process lacks tangible outcomes and is only meant to bolster President Mnangagwa’s image as a unifying statesman. 

However, the absence of the MDC is not by exclusion. They were invited andrejected the offer. Thus, Ambassador Mphakama Mbete also urged all parties to join POLAD. In other words, the process was not designed to be exclusionary. Instead, it is the MDC which found it too broad and inclusive. Nelson Chamisa argues that as the only political actor disputing Emmerson Mnangagwa’s legitimacy, he must be the sole party to dialogue with the incumbent. By this logic, the process need not be more inclusive, but be made exclusive to ZANU PF and the MDC.  

It is demonstrably false to claim that Nelson Chamisa is the only political actor with an electoral dispute with Emmerson Mnangagwa. If anything, he is the only politician who was willing to pursue that dispute in a judicial forum. Whilst Chamisa has persisted with confrontation, his peers have opted for conversation; substituting embroilment with engagement. Therefore, it is counter-intuitive to argue that willingness to dialogue must itself be the basis for the removal of such actors from the dialogue process in favour of those questioning the legitimacy of the incumbent. 

The MDC emerged from a broad coalition of working people, civil society and other groups. In spite of the eclectic nature of its origins, the MDC has operated with a high degree of secrecy and exclusivity in both the negotiations leading to the 18^th Amendment of the Lancaster House Constitution and those in terms of the Global Political Agreement (GPA). In both instances, calls for inclusion from civil society were ignored and the MDC even berated the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) for opposing the constitution-making process.

Given this backdrop, it is hardly surprising that the MDC finds the POLAD process too inclusive. They believe in the sufficiency of their own participation to the exclusion of other political and civil society players.

This is one of the underlying drivers for the proliferation of political parties in Zimbabwe – the primacy of political party formations in national processes.  Ten years ago, the NCA could only protest from the margins as a civic organisation. Now that it is a political party, it is part of the dialogue process and has left the business of boycotts to the MDC. National processes are seldom halted by the non-participation of one political player. Just as the COPAC process continued in spite of the boycott by the country’s biggest constitutional pressure group, the POLAD process has forged ahead in spite of spirited opposition from the MDC.  

2.    Legitimacy and Democratic Mandate
Alex Magaisa argues against the dialogue process as follows;
The fact of the matter is that none of these people has a democratic mandate to assume the role they are claiming. They do not represent anyone because not only are they are unelected but they have no significant vote to their name.

In other words, dialogue is only legitimate if conducted among elected representatives. This mistakenly conflates electability with the capacity to govern. Optimal governance choices are not the exclusive preserve of the elected. Elected officials have an important constitutionally delineated function which is not mutually exclusive with the proffering of alternate models of governance. The Constitution of Zimbabwe recognizes this by allowing the President to appoint up to five unelected members of cabinet.

In the United States, the less popular third parties have advocated for pertinent matters excluded from the national debate including opposition to slavery, the women’s suffragette movement and child labour laws.

Locally, the Zimbabwe Unity Movement (ZUM) led the effort against the one-party state in spite of securing only two seats in the 1990 general elections. It is abundantly clear that optimal ideas do not fester only among the elected/electable.

Consider the following contradiction; the MDC maintains that the 2018 elections were not free and fair and so Emmerson Mnangagwa is not the legitimate President of Zimbabwe. Conversely, they insist the figures from that disputed election entitle them to preferential treatment as the country’s main opposition party. This is the art of having your cake and eating it. If the 2018 election results are to be considered, then one must come to terms with Mnangagwa’s victory ahead of claiming first position among the losers. If those results remain disputed, then it is reasonable for all political parties to be ranked equally pending a credible election result to set them apart. Just like the CODESA process in South Africa, all parties would then participate in creating the environment for an election with an undisputed outcome.  

The undue emphasis on representative capacity seems misinformed by the 2008 negotiations in which all parties represented in parliament were also parties to the negotiations. In fact, that process was informed more by legislative rather thanrepresentative capacity. There could be no legislative outcome from the talks without the two MDC’s since they held a slim majority in the lower house. Representative capacity would have meant that Simba Makoni’s impressive 8.3% of the national vote would have secured him a seat at the negotiating table. Yet he had no legislative capacity and thus no leverage. In the current scenario, and in spite of their parliamentary representation, the MDC has very limited legislative capacity.

Like all the political parties represented at POLAD, they cannot block any legislation by ZANU PF including constitutional amendments, let alone pass their own legislation. This severely encumbers their ability to set the terms for any dialogue process or distinguish themselves from other political parties save by reference to figures from the same election whose result they continue to dispute. 

3.    Independent Mediator
The MDC has demanded an independent and mutually acceptable mediator. In the past, a mediator has been selected with some regional or international backing. South Africa was appointed mediator by SADC in 2007 whilst Britain facilitated the 1979 process in terms of a mandate from the Commonwealth Heads of States and Governments. Since the 2018 elections were largely endorsed as credible, there is no such regional/international backing for a mediator. This means the parties would need to create consensus over both the need for and choice of a mediator.

Past experience suggests that there is no mediator who is ever truly independent. Lord Carrington deftly protected white settler interests in 1979 whilst the South African mediators were repeatedly accused of pro-ZANU PF bias. The Motlanthe report was the latest iteration of the complexity in trying to secure independent arbiters from abroad.

4.    Undermining Parliament
Magaisa fears the dialogue process will undermine Parliament.
More importantly, as a forum of interaction between the ruling party and the opposition on public affairs, the Polad is beginning to assume the role of an institution that is parallel to Parliament, except that it consists of the ruling party and the unelected.

It is not apparent how dialogue with a member of the executive amounts to assuming the role of the legislature. Neither is it clear how those without any votes in parliament can assume or subsume its role. As already highlighted, many noble causes have been championed outside of formal state institutions. In circumstances where Parliament is established for elected officials, it is reasonable to establish a more inclusive platform outside parliament to influence policy formulation. This does not circumvent the legislative process. Increasing the number of voices in the democratic conversation is not inimical to democracy.

5.    Solving the Economic Crisis 
Everybody agrees that the economy urgently needs to improve. Whilst some believe the panacea lay in better ideas, others repose their trust in particularindividuals. Magaisa argues that the economic problems are tied to ZANU PF’s failure to secure the loser’s consent after their victory. Yet the MDC has always argued that ZANU PF cannot manage the economy due to corruption and incompetence. Put differently, the moribund economic has more to do with the victor’s ineptitude than the loser’s consent or kudira jecha. If the country needs better ideas, then POLAD is an important opportunity for such technocrats as Nkosana Moyo to influence government policy. On the other hand, if it is onlyNelson Chamisa and the MDC who possess the keys to unlocking the economy’s potential, then there is little value in engaging the broad swath of Zimbabwean political parties.

6.    Conclusion
If in previous post I was accused of blindness to politics, in this instance it is my singular focus. Opposition to the POLAD process has more to do with the politics of entry and exit than the value of discussing issues and ideas. It is concerned with the who and not the how; hence the emphasis on the legitimacy of the incumbent and those invited to the process. Imagine if fortunes were reversed and the MDC had won the 2018 elections with a two thirds majority in parliament; would they likely cajole ZANU PF to a dialogue process even if ZANU PF rejected the MDC’s claim of legitimacy? Such an outcome is highly unlikely given the treatment of the last high profile member of the opposition to question their leader’s legitimacy: Dr. Thokozani Khupe. Yet somehow, what leads to party expulsion internally is expected to justify exclusive dialogue nationally. Ultimately, every platform must be used to try improve the dire situation in the country and the courage to confront must not preclude exchange of ideas with those with a willingness to converse.

-www.davidhofisi.blogspot.com

By Own Correspondent- Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda has said that the government is committed to accelerating the law-making process.

The advocate was speaking after meeting with British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms. Melanie Robinson.

Speaking to the state media, Adv Mudenda said:

We had fruitful discussions. We explained the law-making process. We had to explain that because we got the impression from our exchange that the process was a bit slow.

We reassured the ambassador that we will accelerate the process, but without compromising the quality of our legislative process which must comply with Sections 149 and 141 of the Constitution. I am quite sure that the Bills that have come from the Executive are receiving the greatest attention from Parliament.

That is why we had to meet today (Friday), which is unusual, so that we expedite the law-making process. We believe that when it comes to the electoral reforms in refining our electoral law, we should be in a position in the next two or three months to refine that piece of legislation.

He said that despite the need to quicken the process, consultation of the citizenry is equally important.-StateMedia

THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has said residents in the city’s affluent suburbs are the worst rate payers as they constitute the majority of debtors.

Council is owed more than $100 million by residents and the business community.

Recently, it resolved to resume water disconnections with immediate effect after it observed lack of commitment to clear arrears by its debtors.

In the latest council report, the local authority provided statistics on how much it is owed by each of the municipality’s 29 wards.

The report identified Ward 4 as its worst domestic debtor.

Ward 4 consists of suburbs such as Burnside, Ascot, Willsgrove, Glencoe, Lochview, Riverside, Buena Vista, Manningdale, Sunninghill, Waterford, Matsheumhlope Portion, Hillside Portion, Fortunes Gate, Malindela, Woodlands, Ilanda and Selbourne Park Phases 1 and 2.

The suburbs have a joint $10 million debt from 9 302 debtors and 1 924 did not make any payments in the last six months.

According to the report, Ward 4 is closely followed by Ward 3 that has the following suburbs; Hume Park, Suburbs, Killarney, Orange Grove, Queens Park East, Romney Park, Sunnyside, Paddonhurst, Kumalo, Glengarry, Parklands, Northlea, Woodville and Mahatshula with a combined $7,2 million debt.

The report shows that Ward 3 has 11 137 debtors and 1 786 of them have not made any payments to the local authority in the last six months.

Ward 2, which has suburbs that include Sauerstown, Tegela, Norwood, Richmond, Windsor Park and Glenville, Trenance North, Highmount, Harrisvale, Queensdale,Kingsdale, Trenance, Northgate, Queens Park West and North End has debts amounting to $5,3 million.

The Ward, the report states, has 5 959 debtors and 1 096 of them have not made any efforts to clear their debts in last six months.

In the western suburbs, Ward 13 dominates the domestic debt book as it owes council $5,4 million from 4 475 debtors who include 1 128 who have not made any payments to the local authority in half a year.

The ward has Pelandaba, Iminyela and Mabutweni suburbs as well as Kelvin North industrial site.

Ward 27 under which Pumula South and Pelandaba West suburbs fall in the western areas owes council $4,3 million.

From the council’s report, suburbs such as Old Luveve, New Luveve and Luveve Industries owe council the least amount just above $1,3 million from 2 692 debtors with 418 of them having not made any payments in the last six months. .

Council said in light of the ballooning debt, it will take drastic measures to remain afloat and provide services.

State Media|SPEAKER of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda has described the women’s parliamentary quota system as a powerful gender empowerment tool saying he will ensure its extension beyond 2023.

The constitutional provision for women proportional representation in Parliament is set to expire in 2023.

Speaking at the launch of Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (ZWPC) photobook in Harare last week, Adv Mudenda said he was going to ensure the extension of the women’s quota beyond 2023.

The photobook depicts in words and pictures the achievements, challenges encountered by women politicians and their aspirations for the future.

“As your Speaker, I shall ensure that the constitutional provision for women’s proportional representation rolls over beyond 2023.”

Adv Mudenda said he will also try to persuade different political parties to promote gender parity in line with the supreme law of the country.

“Furthermore, I shall endeavour to persuade political parties to provide for gender parity in their party constitutions so as to comply with the national Constitution’s demand for gender parity,” he said.

Adv Mudenda said the proportional representation enriched parliamentary debates and had helped in mitigating gender stereotypes in politics.

“In fact, an increase in the proportion of women elected under the proportional representation matrix has made a difference in the passage of legislation beneficial towards mitigating the negative attitudes against women participation in politics,” he said.

Adv Mudenda said the ZWPC was instrumental in the debates that led to the promulgation of the of 2013 Constitution, which is highly rated globally for being gender sensitive.

It also played an integral role in the amendment of the Labour Act which now provides for maternity leave with full pay for women.

ZWPC was also instrumental in passing the Domestic Violence Act and the Education Act which provides for gender parity in education.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, who is a former ZWPC chairperson, urged the Ninth Parliament ZWPC to mentor young girls in various constituencies.

“I would urge the Ninth Parliament ZWPC to take up the issue and engage the young girls and move towards the promotion of politics as a career”

Cde Mutsvangwa also said the Ninth Parliament should push for equal representation in Parliament.

“The 50/50 campaign is a campaign that is now at the core of the gender movement’s work which the Ninth Parliament should consider seriously to ensure equal representation in Parliament and all sectors at decision- making level.”

The launch of the Eighth Parliament photobook is an initiative driven by the Research and Advocacy Unit and the Gender Media Connect to amplify the voices of women, feminist principles, media and research expertise.

State Media|THE Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial leadership and restructuring team yesterday declared the provincial elections null and void with former war veterans’ leader Jabulani Sibanda who was eyeing the chairman’s post being asked to step aside.

In an interview after the elections were declared null and void at the party provincial headquarters, Davies Hall, yesterday, Zanu-PF Director in the Commissariat George Nare said elections were moved to Saturday after it was realised that the calibre of party members that were being nominated into leadership positions was below the party’s expectations and standards.

He however, said election results that came out of Saturday’s polls still stand.

Nare said during Saturday’s elections, Rejoice Ndlovu was elected chairperson of the Women’s League, while Cephas Ncube and Garikayi Zonde were elected as chairpersons of the Main Wing and Youth League respectively.

On Sibanda not participating in the elections, Nare said the former war veterans’ leader had not been disqualified but was asked not to contest.

“He was persuaded by fellow war veterans not to contest and allow Cde Ncube who is chairman of the war veterans in Bulawayo province to do so which he won resoundingly,” he said.

On nullification of yesterday’s process, Nare said as the elections progressed they realised that the calibre of candidates who were being elected to occupy critical provincial posts left a lot to be desired.

He said people with criminal records were now finding their way into the provincial leadership yet the party requires disciplined people with sound education and experience.

Nare said the party also discovered that some people were not registered voters.

He said Zanu-PF wants to choose people on merit in line with its theme of rebuilding the party.

“As the Bulawayo provincial executive council elections progressed, we discovered that the people who were being elected didn’t have the requisite qualifications and experience to occupy the posts. They’re not able to mobilise more people to join the party and lack the capacity to manage affairs of the province,” said Nare.

“We therefore, as the restructuring team, Central Committee members and Politburo members decided that it would be unwise to proceed with the elections with unsuitable people being elected to occupy powerful and sensitive posts at provincial level.”

Among those supervising the process were Deputy National Commissar Omega Hungwe, Secretary for Health, David Parirenyatwa; Secretary for Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Mike Bimha, Politburo members Munyaradzi Machacha, Angeline Masuku, Absalom Sikhosana, Central Committee member Anna Moyo and Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Judith Ncube.

Nare said it was unfortunate that the national leadership thought the electorate was mature and responsible enough to select people who were qualified for the provincial posts.

“We realised that the electorate was not measuring up to the party’s expectations. So we’ve given ourselves another week to put our house in order to come up with a new way to pick suitable candidates for the different posts. We’re talking of a whole province not a cell, branch or district, so we have to be careful about the people we elect to be leaders,” he said.

“We had advised party members to avoid electing people with criminal records but surprisingly those people were being elected but it’s totally unacceptable. Dubious characters known for extorting money from people in the name of the party and putting it into disrepute were being nominated. It would be irresponsible of us to allow such to happen in the party.”

Nare said for the secretary for legal affairs post, the party prefers someone with a law degree so that the person is able to execute his duties competently and professionally.

The same goes for the secretary for health; a medical doctor or at least a nurse with experience in the health profession is required.

“We have to be honest with ourselves and do what’s best for the party, otherwise it will go down on its knees. Accordingly we agreed that the best was to postpone the elections to the next weekend to come up with a set criteria for each position, in line with the duties and responsibilities of that particular post,” said Nare.

“The secretary for administration and finance should also have qualifications and experience in the same fields. The same applies for all other posts. We want a strong provincial leadership that will have capacity to rebuild the party, especially in Bulawayo, we don’t want to take chances.

“We want to make sure that we do the right thing. We want a team of men and women with stamina, energy, who are bold and have the drive to make sure they meet targets that will be set for them by the party headquarters in terms of mobilising people and making sure the provincial structures are strengthened.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A 56-YEAR-OLD self-proclaimed prophet has been jailed 20 years for raping a 14-year-old juvenile under the pretext of cleansing her of evil objects in her body.

Alfosi Nzinga of Silalatshani area in Filabusi pleaded not guilty to rape when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira, but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence.

Nzinga was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment of which three years were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.

He will serve an effective 17 years.
Prosecuting, Mr Mncedisi Dube said Nzinga raped the juvenile, who is a Form Two pupil, on several occasions in January and February while he was temporarily staying at the complainant’s home.

“In December last year the complainant went to stay with her mother in Gwanda for the school holidays. She returned to Filabusi in January when schools had opened and learnt that Nzinga was now staying at her home after he had been offered temporary accommodation by her grandmother.

“During his stay Nzinga invited the juvenile to sleep in his bedroom on two occasions but she refused. On the third attempt the juvenile sought advice from her grandmother who told her to comply. The juvenile followed her grandmother’s advice and went to sleep in Nzinga’s bedroom. Nzinga told the juvenile that she had some evil objects in her body and he had to cleanse her,” he said.

Mr Dube said Nzinga instructed the complainant to remove her clothes and he applied an unknown herb all over her body and sprinkled some herbs on the floor where she was going to sleep.

He said Nzinga also removed his clothes and told the juvenile that he was supposed to have sexual intercourse with her as part of the cleansing process. Mr Dube said the juvenile tried to resist but Nzinga overpowered her and raped her.

“From that day onwards until 21 February Nzinga raped the juvenile on several occasions during his stay at her home. The juvenile remained quiet about the matter as she thought her grandmother was in support of what Nzinga was doing. On 25 February the complainant escaped from her grandmother’s homestead and went to her mother in Gwanda and narrated what Nzinga had done to her.

“The matter was reported to the police the following day resulting in Nzinga’s arrest,” he said.State media

MDC-Alliance Members of Parliament have come under fire for performing political antics which cost the taxpayer over $100 000 through the re-sitting of the House last Friday.

The National Assembly had to re-sit last Friday, when it prematurely adjourned the previous day after MDC MPs walked out so as to create a quorum crisis when the House was about to debate two crucial Bills — the Tripartite Negotiating Forum Bill and Companies and Other Entities Bill.

Parliament does not ordinarily sit on Fridays, but had to re-convene in terms of standing orders since there had been a quorum-induced adjournment as was the case last Thursday, thereby costing taxpayers a fortune in sitting allowances, accommodation, fuel, meals, printing of stationary among other costs.

Parliament has total of 270 MPs each getting $75 sitting allowance and at least $300 in accommodation.
Zengeza West legislator Mr Job Sikhala (MDC-Alliance) rose on a point of order to notify the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, that there was no quorum only for him and fellow legislators to walk out as the bells were ringing to invite other legislators who were outside.

The move by Mr Sikhala surprised everyone including Adv Mudenda, who latter implored MDC MPs to take the House seriously.

“Honourable Sikhala, I thought you were hungry for debate. Call your colleagues back.

“Hon (Tabitha) Khumalo, you have demonstrated good example, but the head of train without a trailer or trailers cannot move, you tried, but can we send a word that in the national interest and respecting the tax payers’ money, we need to do business as much as we can so that we cover up in the legislative agenda.

I would urge you as the national chair of the main opposition party to ensure that next week when we come back, we have to cover what should have been covered today plus much more which will be presented to us by the Leader of Government business so that we are within the time lines of finishing the legislative agenda during this session. It is very important,” said Adv Mudenda.State media

Zimbabwe might face challenges accessing the US$1 billion loan facility from China Eximbank for Hwange Power Station expansion following the change of functional currency that resulted in funds that were held in an escrow account to securitise an earlier loan being converted to local currency.

This emerged yesterday during a briefing between Zesa officials and newly appointed Minister of Power and Energy Development Advocate Fortune Chasi who was on a tour of power generation facilities in Kariba.

Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), the generation arm of State power utility Zesa, acting managing director Engineer Robson Chikuri, said China Eximbank had verbally expressed its displeasure about the situation.

Fears now abound that the bank may soon register its misgivings in writing, indicating the escalation of the gravity of its reservations, which might strain the relationship between the parties.

At this point, Eng Chikuri said, there will be need to urgently address the issue, which posed serious threat to draw downs on the US$1 billion loan for Hwange extension project, a programme already underway.

Zimbabwe cannot afford to delay the Hwange units 7 and 8 expansion programme at a time the country is gripped in the throes of a debilitating power deficit, which has spawned load-shedding.

The escrow account funds related to a US$320 loan million Zesa received from China Eximbank for the capacity expansion of Kariba South power station.

The 300 megawatts extension project, completed in March last year and commissioned by President Mnangagwa, cost just over half a billion US dollars.

State power utility, Zesa, was obligated to maintain an escrow account balance of US$28 million held in the form of trust funds that would be accessed by China Eximbank if the borrower defaulted.State media

The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) has pulled out of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), accusing the umbrella labour representative body of continuously dabbling in opposition politics, undermining the cause of workers.

Zimta’s move will prompt other affiliates to follow suit amid reports that some members are accusing ZCTU of deviating from its mandate of fighting for workers’ rights.

There has been simmering discontent within the rank and file of ZCTU’s membership and affiliates who feel that the labour body was dabbling in partisan politics, in particular recent events where Workers’ Day commemorations, held annually on May 1, were being turned into an MDC-Alliance rally and anti-Government event.

Zimta provincial structures have since conveyed the message to their regional counterparts.
“This note serves to notify you, that a resolution was made at our national annual general conference to withdraw from ZCTU. Following this, we have recalled all our members, hence they will not be able to participate in any ZCTU business,” wrote Zimta Manicaland provincial officer Mr Kudakwashe Mbaura to the ZCTU regional office.

In an interview yesterday, Zimta chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu confirmed the development, saying the decision was made by their national executive who noted with concern the continued dabbling in opposition politics by the ZCTU leadership.

Mr Ndlovu said it was also noted that ZCTU was making “major and fundamental decisions with financial implications” unilaterally without consulting affiliates.

“Zimta has been pursuing an ideology of non-partisan political activities. In our view, it would be improper for a teacher who by heart and commitment does not believe in partisan politics to be dragged into opposition politics.

“The decision to pull out was made by our national executive meeting, although it has not been formally communicated,” said Mr Ndlovu.State media

Own Correspondent|Besides all the chaos in the ZANU PF provincial elections, the party has managed to endorse all three chairperson of their wings.

The winners of the elections are:

Main Wing

Cephas Ncube

Women

Rejoice Sibanda

Garikayi Zonde

Youth

All positions in the provincial elections were voted for but the party nullified all of them except the Chairpersons.

By Own Correspondent| Mbira maestro and Zanu Pf sympathiser Sekuru David Gweshe has died.

He was 74.

Wrote The Mbira Centre:

END OF AN ERA.
Sekuru Gweshe is no more. He passed on late afternoon today. We got word from his family a few minutes ago. No words. RIP Gwenyambira.

Born in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central, Sekuru Gweshe went to Gweshe Primary School and then Kutama College for Standard 6.

At 14, he developed an interest in mbira as both an instrument and music. He then would spend time at ritual ceremonies where mbira was played.

When he completed Standard 6, he worked in Harare as an upholsterer from 1958 to 1979.

It was during his time in Harare that he met Felix Mabhena, who helped him record his debut single titled “Mhuri YekwaGweshe” in the late 1970s.

Because of the single’s huge success, Sekuru Gweshe went on to release a second single titled “Zevezeve Rina Vatete”, done with the help of the late  Jordan Chataika.

His other singles were “Nehoreka” and “Bhurugwa Renzungu”.

In 1977, Sekuru Gweshe founded the dance troupe Boterekwa that toured the world. His group was one of the very few that took traditional music to Germany, Australia, Mexico, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Malaysia and UK.

He has trained seven generations of dancers since 1977 and was involved with the National Dance Company of Zimbabwe together with the late Ephat Mujuru which nurtured Ambuya Stella Chiweshe among several others.

As part of the group, Sekuru Gweshe was instrumental in the scripting of the film Mbuya Nehanda that featured Ambuya Chiweshe.

He was also commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture Dzingai Mtumbuka to teach mbira in some tertiary institutions. His last release was “Changamire Nyamweda” in 2000.

BELEAGUERED Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna was yesterday singing another tune when he said he is not in any way associated with MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa, claiming they had been mistakenly yoked together after a run-of-the-mill meeting between the two last year.

After making controversial statements that seemed to parrot opposition positions like the tightening of Western-sponsored illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe, Chief Ndiweni has been cautioned by various political actors and analysts to stick to his core mandate and stop meddling in the country’s politics.

Seemingly angered by the Government’s decision to settle an indigenous farmer on land previously occupied by a white farmer, the British-bred chief has gone full throttle calling for more sanctions despite evidence that the country’s path to reform and recovery was being hampered by the ruinous sanctions from Western countries.

In an interview on the sidelines of a meeting he called to drum up support for the evicted white farmers at Ntabazinduna Mountain yesterday, Chief Ndiweni claimed that he had no links with Chamisa despite claims from a local independent daily that he had endorsed the embattled opposition leader. At the time, Chief Ndiweni was quoted saying Chamisa “was a breath of fresh air who has youthfulness behind him and can accept ideas very quickly”.

He says : “In my area of jurisdiction, my people will vote differently. Some will follow this party and some will follow that party but at the end of the day they’re still my people and so I will address my concerns to them. So even though speaking on that particular level, I come back to the essence of why we’re here. This is about purely the mountain, how the mountain is in danger of being taken away. But to answer directly those that are pushing aspersions directly towards my way, those aspersions only emanate from one photograph which was taken after I had a meeting with Nelson Chamisa in Harare. I went there with Godlwayo (Chief Maduna). It was a fact finding meeting, a fact finding tour. Just like I’ve seen so many ministers in the current administration, just because I went to their offices, would people be saying I’m affiliated to them?”

Chief Ndiweni has in the past also set up a parallel organisation to the Chiefs Council under the banner of College of Amakhosi, where he is reportedly seeking to rope in some traditional leaders from Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.

“I didn’t get a response from Chief Charumbira (president of the Chiefs Council) but I got responses from other senior chiefs. Currently they’re non-existent because we differ profoundly on our beliefs. We differ profoundly on the role of a chief. I strongly believe that a chief should never ever get involved in party politics,” he said.

Chief Ndiweni angered the Government and Zimbabweans in general when he appealed to the international community to escalate sanctions on the President Mnangagwa’s Government, claiming it has failed to pursue democracy.

Own Correspondent|Bulawayo has once again proven itself to be a difficult area for political parties to operate after the ruling ZANU PF like all other parties before it, failed to conclude internal elections without commotion.

The ZANU PF leadership assigned to conduct elections in the city nullified all the results from the weekend elections after some preferred senior party officials failed to win the elections.

Cephas Ncube was named chairperson in a restructuring election where all other results were nullified because “the result threatened elders in the party.”

The province held elections for all positions over the weekend, after the dissolution of structures meant to revive Zanu-PF and end a 19 year losing streak to the opposition MDC in Bulawayo.

Sources from within the party revealed that former war veterans chairperson Jabulani Sibanda who was favourite to clinch the chairpersonship was disqualified under unclear circumstances.

The sources said youths whose ages range between 20 and 36 years made a clean sweep of the other posts that were voted for sending the party into panic mode.

“Raj Modi was upstaged by a 36 year old candidate for the finance chairperson position and youths ran rampant beating older candidates in the other positions. Celebrations had already started when it was announced that elections had been stopped, all results expect those for the chairperson were being withheld. Later we were told the results had been nullified,” said a party youth.

“We have always said the revival of Zanu-PF lay in the removal of the old guard and replacing them with young blood that has fresh ideas and the party has stopped the revolution even as it is starting. The process is inevitable and the time has come, youths shall not be denied.”

Correspondent|Metallon Corporation, the Zimbabwean gold producing company owned by South African business mogul Mzi Khumalo, has announced that it is suing the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for failing to pay $132 million for gold delivered to Fidelity Printers and Refiners, a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank.

Zimbabwean gold miners are required by law to sell their output to Fidelity Printers and Refiners, which buys the gold in US Dollars and then exports the gold. Eversince 2016, a severe dollar crunch has rendered the Reserve Bank incapable of fulfilling its obligations and as a result, RBZ and Fidelity Printers and Refiners have paid for the gold in in electronic dollars known locally as RTGS$ or Bond Notes.

Bond Notes originally traded at par with the U.S. dollar but their value has since collapsed on the black market. In a press release Metallon published on its website, it said the discrepancy had led to a shortfall of $132,748,521.

Metallon said the currency issue had put the company in financial distress, stifled output from Metallon’s mines in Zimbabwe and led to job losses. Metallon plans to take legal action, possibly in a jurisdiction outside Zimbabwe, if it does not receive a satisfactory response from the Reserve Bank within 60 days.

The Central Bank has denied it was in arrears with the company.

In April, Metallon Corporation, a gold mining group owned by Mzi Khumalo, one of South Africa’s most prominent mining entrepreneurs, filed for business rescue for two of its subsidiaries, Goldfields of Mazowe Limited and Goldfields of Shamva Limited, in order to protect the companies’ assets from being seized by creditors.

Metallon is Zimbabwe’s largest gold mining company, operating four gold mines throughout the country. The company, which is headquartered in London, was founded in 2002 when Mzi Khumalo acquired Lonmin’s Zimbabwean gold assets for $15.5 million. Khumalo, 63, is one of South Africa’s most recognizable businessmen and a former anti-apartheid activist. Apart from Metallon, Khumalo owns extensive business interests in the financial services and infrastructure industries.

Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general, Douglas Mwonzora, who dropped out of the race to contest party leader Nelson Chamisa for presidency but is now seeking re-election as secretary-general at the party congress scheduled for this weekend, says he does not understand why people under-estimate him all the time.

“I do not see why people continue underestimating me every time. In 2014 I had one nomination and I went on to win by more than 1 000 votes, in 2011 I had one nomination and went on to win by more than 1 000 votes,” he told the Standard.

Mwonzora said he is going to retain his post if the elections are free and fair.

“Given a free and fair election, I will definitely win, but quite a number of things have to be done. An independent electoral commission has to put its foot down to avoid cheating and it must also make sure that those things that must be availed to candidates must be availed on time,” he said.

“The voters roll must be availed to all the candidates as agreed. It was supposed to be availed on April 29, but we are yet to receive it.

“There must be watertight security and also we must avoid as much as possible the running of this election by staff members of the MDC. So it depends on the way the commission will conduct this election.”

Mwonzora refused to say if the congress is going ahead or not following the High Court ruling that the party must hold an extra-ordinary congress instead and that Chamisa’s leadership is unconstitutional.

“I have not applied my mind to it. I think the lawyers who are handling the matter are better placed to comment on whether or not it is enforceable,” he said.

Mwonzora, who like Chamisa, Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube, Jacob Mafume, just to name a few , is a lawyer, said it was wrong for anyone to demonise judges.

“As an officer of the court myself, I am not very comfortable with spreading hate language against judges in the media or social media. I think judges still need to be respected,” he said.

“Respecting the judiciary does not necessarily mean agreeing with their judgements, but I think it is wrong for anyone to demonise judges. However, it is permissible to disagree with judgements wherever people feel that the judgement is not fair.”

Opposition MDC President Nelson Chamisa has told party supporters in Chiredzi that they respect the Justice Edith Mushore judgement on the MDC Leadership question hinting that their lawyers are already working on an appeal against the ruling.

Chamisa also refuted claims that the ruling makes former vice President Thokozani Khupe as the leader of the party saying she already has her own movement.

“I want to be very clear. We don’t have a problem with the courts and the judges. We are built on the foundation of constitutionalism, rule of law and good governance We regard constitutions and constitutionalism

“You should not be afraid. Everything we have done is according to the constitution. But the courts saw it differently. We said we respect the courts and we respect the judges. Because our new society is going to be built on the independence of the courts and independence of the judiciary. Separation of powers. We respect their determinations. But we are allowed to appeal judgments to a higher court. That we will pursue and our lawyers assist with that matter.

“it’s not an issue because we are in the stadium of politics. The stadium of law is the purview of our lawyers, and they know what they are doing.

“I laugh when I see my sister (Thokozani) Khupe who says the judgement makes her a leader. I say to her, ‘No, my sister, you misread the law. It did not mention you because you’re not there. You have formed your own party.’

“We told her that you have your own MDC-Thokozani. We have the original MDC. Tsvangirayi told me (before he died) to go an bring back all those that had left the MDC such as Professor Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti and I followed that instruction,” said Chamisa.

By Own Correspondent- MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has advised Zanu Pf leaders who are past the retiring age to rest adding that they have played their part and should take an advisory role in the country’s politics.

Chamisa said this at a “Thank You” rally held Sunday in Chiredzi.

He said:

“…..I have elders who give me advise. The role of elders must give us advise while we lead from the front. Mr Dzikamai Mavhaire, tell those in Zanu Pf to rest. Don’t be like a watch that rest with malfunctioning or death.”

By Own Correspondent- MDC President, Nelson Chamisa addressed a thank you really in Chiredzi today.

Former Zanu-PF senior member Dzikamai Mavhaire also spoke at the rally.

Watch the video below for this and more.

By Own Correspondent- The government, through the National Building Society (NBS), has failed to deliver the houses it promised it would when the back was introduced back in 2016. NBS has only built 840 out of the 10,000 housing units promised.

In January 2017, NBS announced that it would roll out 10, 000 housing units that year alone. Then, the housing backlog was reported to be at 1.2 million.

A report in the state-run Sunday Mail today says only 840 units have been built, leaving 9,125 as “planned projects”. The same report says the housing backlog is now at 1.3 million.

Said the report:

Last year, NBS added 1,790 housing units to the national housing stock, of which 526 were completed units and 1,264 units were at various stages of construction.

..Despite efforts from the NBS and other players in the housing deliery system, current headwinds on the market are making it increasingly difficult to clear the housing backlog.

Reports indicate that Zimbabwe needs an estimated 15 to 20 years to clear its national housing backlog, which has been ballooning in recent years as a result of increased rural to urban migration and high cost of construction.

The national housing backlog is currently estimated at 1,3 million, with Harare alone requiring about half a million housing units.

NBS is owned by the State-run National Social Security Authority (NSSA). During the run-up to the presidential election, President Mnangagwa and his party Zanu-PF promised to build 1.5 million houses within 5 years.

By Own Correspondent- MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume has dismissed claims by the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe that a recent court ruling against Nelson Chamisa’s leadership had given control of the party headquarters and other assets including political party funding to Khupe.

An excited MDC-T vice president Obert Gutu told the privately owned Daily News that they had engaged their legal team led by Professor Lovemore Madhuku to block the Chamisa-led party from receiving money from government in terms of the Political Parties (Finance) Act.

“Our legal team is busy on the matter right now. Of course, we are very much aware that the other respondents in the High Court will note an appeal to the Supreme Court in a desperate but futile and misguided attempt to delay the day of final reckoning,” Gutu told the paper.

“However, their prospects of success on appeal are close to zero and they know it. They are just desperate to proceed with their sham ‘congress’ in Gweru in order to ordain their illegitimate leader. It’s kindergarten gibberish, really. Well, they will not have their cake and eat it.

“They will have to continue to be bankrolled by Robert Mugabe as has been the case since February, 2018. It’s surely going to be a very long winter of discontent amongst our erstwhile comrades,” Gutu who lost the parliamentary election for the Mt Pleasant constituency by a dismal margin said.

MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume had no kind words for Gutu, telling a local publication:

“Unlike them we are not getting any money from anyone, we know that they are being funded for the fake dialogue they are doing with Mnangagwa, that is why Mnangagwa is helping them to fight the people. We have seen them being booked in hotels and they are in bed with Zanu PF,” said Mafume.

“They have not been given powers over our headquarters or our assets, a court order cannot tell us to accept a leader who was rejected by the voters, she has her own members and therefore no court can order the hearts and souls of Zimbabwe to support her.

“In Parliament she has her own people and the MPs from the MDC are in Parliament because they contested on the MDC Alliance ticket and therefore she cannot do anything about that.

“I hear they say they have a legal route they want to take but what legal route are they talking about of course there is no law against daydreaming but the issue remains we are not going to be sidetracked and we will hold our congress as scheduled, we are within the time to deal with any issues that may arise we will remain vigilant because the plan is to destroy the MDC,” said Mafume.

As already reported early this month Justice Edith Mushore, ruled that former leader Morgan Tsvangirai broke the party constitution when he appointed three vice presidents months before his death. Further, Chamisa’s assumption of the MDC presidency following Tsvangirai’s death was “unconstitutional and therefore null and void”.

The judge directed the party to hold an extraordinary congress within a month using party structures that existed in 2014, the time of the last congress. However David Coltart, a senior MDC official and lawyer, said the judge was interfering with the MDC’s internal processes.

“It will be appealed. This is what is called a brutum fulmen – ‘empty thunder’, an ineffective order. By the time the appeal is heard a duly constituted Congress of the MDC will have been held and Nelson Chamisa elected. It’s a pathetic interference with the due process of a party,” Coltart said.

Political commentator Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya told a local publication:

“The MDC led by Nelson Chamisa needs both a legal and ROBUST political response to this judiciary capture masquerading as rule of law. Going by this nonsense it means the likes of James Maridadi who has joined ZANU PF and Eddie Cross now adviser to ED will attend congress using 2014 structures. We have argued before that there can’t be justice in courts captured by a party/ state/ military complex as there was no justice under Rhodesia.-DailyNews

By Own Correspondent| Zanu PF National Youth League has condemned unjustifiable price increases of basic commodities across the market saying the sabotage behaviour
undermines efforts by President Emmerson Mnangagwa of stabilising the economy and the attainment of vision 2030.

Prices of basic commodities such as
cooking oil and sugar in supermarkets
and other retail outlets continue to
shoot almost on a daily basis making it
difficult for ordinary citizens to access them.

Against such background, the Zanu PF
National Youth League executive is
conducting nationwide awareness
campaigns aimed at condemning these
illicit behaviours.

Addressing youths gathered at Chipinge
Country Club, National Youth
Commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu
and Secretary for Finance Getrude
Mutandi attacked those who are
deliberately causing price instabilities in
the market taking advantage of the free
reign market economy opened by
President Mnangagwa.

He said:

“President Mnangagwa will not impose
prices or price control measures but
businesses should not take advantage
of his stance.

If we continue to increase prices ourselves, it’s only us who suffer in the end. President Mnangagwa is building the economy but some are deliberately fighting his vision and we totally condemn such.”

The vouth leaque also addressed vouths
at Nhedziwa in Chimanimani with the
same agenda of raising awareness on
the causes and how they as a party cain
counter unjustifiable price increases by
businesses.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| A report in the Sunday Mail says that arranged marriages are on the increase at Zimbabwe’s Pentecostal churches.

The report says sometimes couples meet for the first time at lobola negotiations as they would have trusted church elders to select the right spouse for them.

An excerpt from the report:

ARRANGED consensual marriages are an interesting culture that seem to have gained traction in church set-ups over the years.

In pentecostal churches, young people are invited ‘kumasofa’ for such deliberations. Initiators are usually men who identify women they like in the church.

While arranged marriages seem to be a trend in pentecostal religious circles, traditional churches have on the other hand taken a subtle route where strategic social and networking events are lined up for the singles to mix and mingle. In both circumstances, the ultimate goal is marriage.

Though difficult to believe, there are people who met their spouses for the first time on the very day of the wedding or lobola payment. They would have put their trust in the church elders

Zanu PF National Youth League has condemned unjustifiable price increases of basic commodities across the market saying the sabotage behaviour undermines efforts by President Emmerson Mnangagwa of stabilising the economy and the attainment of vision 2030.

Prices of basic commodities such as cooking oil and sugar in supermarkets and other retail outlets continue to shoot almost on a daily basis making it difficult for ordinary citizens.

Against such background, the Zanu PF National Youth League executive is conducting nationwide awareness campaigns aimed at condemning these illicit behaviours.

Addressing youths gathered at Chipinge Country Club, National Youth Commissar Cde Godfrey Tsenengamu and Secretary for Finance Getrude Mutandi attacked those who are deliberately causing price instabilities in the market taking advantage of the free reign market economy opened by President Mnangagwa.

“President Mnangagwa will not impose prices or price control measures but businesses should not take advantage of his stance,” he said.

“If we continue to increase prices ourselves, it’s only us who suffer in the end. President Mnangagwa is building the economy but some are deliberately fighting his vision and we totally condemn such,” said Cde Mutandi.

The youth league also addressed youths at Nhedziwa in Chimanimani with the same agenda of raising awareness on the causes and how they as a party can counter unjustifiable price increases by businesses.

-State Media

By Own Correspondent| A 14 year old girl from Tsholotsho is lucky to be alive after she was savagely attacked with an axe in the stomach and left with intestines protruding by one of her boyfriends in a suspected love triangle.

The incident happened at Akhona Business Centre in Tsholotsho on Independence Day and the suspect appeared in court last week and was remanded in custody to Tuesday.

Ntuthuko Sibanda (22) appeared before Tsholotsho magistrate Mr Victor Mpofu facing a charge of attempted murder.

Sibanda is said to have fought with three other men over the juvenile where he later turned his anger on the girl, axing her in the stomach leaving her intestines protruding.

Tajamuka/Sesjikile Campaign

19/05/19

Tajamuka Supports President Ramaphosas Call for Genuine National Dialogue 19/05/19 Tajamuka supports President Ramaphosas call for a genuine, participatory and all-inclusive national dialogue that will open the way for real national transformation and pave the path towards national development and prosperity for all our people.
After the 2018 disputed elections, we stated categorically clear that the electoral process and its outcome fell abysmally short of a truly free and fair election. As a result, the outcome of the election would be disputed and thus undermine the efficacy of Mnangagwas claim to legitimacy. Since the disputed elections we made several appeals to Mnangagwa’s ill-fated government to find an amicable way to resolve the election dispute, ensure and guarantee that the credibility of future elections would not be disputed. Although another election would be the most ideal, it seemed impractical given the economic conditions in the country and the toxicity that elections in Zimbabwe come with. It was therefore our considered view and our clarion call after the January 2019 national protests that Mnangagwa needed to immediately convene a genuine, participatory and all-inclusive national dialogue facilitated by a neutral international mediator and underwritten by SADC and the AU. After our call for national dialogue, we then set the preconditions to and the demands from the dialogue. We restate those preconditions and demands here: Preconditions to dialogue: As it is obvious that these demands are largely emanating from the pro-democracy movement, in particular Zimbabwes largest social movement Tajamuka, other parties including ZANU PF are free to state their own preconditions and debate the ones we have proposed here.The dialogue must be a national not political dialogue. A national dialogue is all inclusive. It transcends political parties and involves all the major actors in the country from political parties, social movements, civil society, business, churches, women, youth, informal sector and many other sub-sectors.

Tajamuka/Sesjikile Campaign

19/05/19

Tajamuka Supports President Ramaphosas Call for Genuine National Dialogue 19/05/19 Tajamuka supports President Ramaphosas call for a genuine, participatory and all-inclusive national dialogue that will open the way for real national transformation and pave the path towards national development and prosperity for all our people.
After the 2018 disputed elections, we stated categorically clear that the electoral process and its outcome fell abysmally short of a truly free and fair election. As a result, the outcome of the election would be disputed and thus undermine the efficacy of Mnangagwas claim to legitimacy. Since the disputed elections we made several appeals to Mnangagwa’s ill-fated government to find an amicable way to resolve the election dispute, ensure and guarantee that the credibility of future elections would not be disputed. Although another election would be the most ideal, it seemed impractical given the economic conditions in the country and the toxicity that elections in Zimbabwe come with. It was therefore our considered view and our clarion call after the January 2019 national protests that Mnangagwa needed to immediately convene a genuine, participatory and all-inclusive national dialogue facilitated by a neutral international mediator and underwritten by SADC and the AU. After our call for national dialogue, we then set the preconditions to and the demands from the dialogue. We restate those preconditions and demands here: Preconditions to dialogue: As it is obvious that these demands are largely emanating from the pro-democracy movement, in particular Zimbabwes largest social movement Tajamuka, other parties including ZANU PF are free to state their own preconditions and debate the ones we have proposed here.

1. The dialogue must be a national not political dialogue. A national dialogue is all inclusive. It transcends political parties and involves all the major actors in the country from political parties, social movements, civil society, business, churches, women, youth, informal sector and many other sub-sectors.
2. Mnangagwa and his disputed government must guarantee peace, security and safety of all citizens particularly those who have been vehemently opposed to his contested occupancy of the presidency and the government that he has since constituted.
3. The immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners currently under political detention and the dropping of all politically motivated cases against democracy and human rights activists that are presently before the courts.
4. An underwritten commitment to the dialogue by all parties that includes the rules and framework of the dialogue and clearly stated objectives and intended outcomes for the benefit of the country and all its people.
5. The appointment and agreement of a neutral international facilitator acceptable to all parties and with the backing of SADC and the AU.

Demands from the Dialogue:
The demands are obviously going to be the core-subject of debate should a genuine dialogue become a reality but we felt that it is important to pre-state the key issues that the people of Zimbabwe would want to see resolved. This will give other stakeholders something to reflect upon and weigh the sensibility or otherwise of these demands prior to the actual dialogue.

1. Political Reform and Return to Legitimacy
2. Constitutional and Electoral Reforms
3. Economic Reforms and Shared National Prosperity
4. Transitional Justice, National Healing
5. Social Reform and Cohesion
6. National Stability and International Credibility

Conclusion
These otherwise self-explanatory demands are elaborated upon on the Tajamuka position paper of January 2019 and is available on the website, Facebook page and by email on request. Tajamuka continues to intently mobilise citizens towards renewed protests until and unless Mnangagwa convenes genuine dialogue to resolve the economic and political crisis in the country and bring an end to the untold suffering and abject poverty currently obtaining. If Mnangagwa does not convene genuine dialogue in the next three weeks, its dog eat dog until final victory for the people of Zimbabwe!

Tajamuka/Sesjikile Campaign

Mnangagwa and his disputed government must guarantee peace, security and safety of all citizens particularly those who have been vehemently opposed to his contested occupancy of the presidency and the government that he has since constituted.

The immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners currently under political detention and the dropping of all politically motivated cases against democracy and human rights activists that are presently before the courts.

An underwritten commitment to the dialogue by all parties that includes the rules and framework of the dialogue and clearly stated objectives and intended outcomes for the benefit of the country and all its people.

The appointment and agreement of a neutral international facilitator acceptable to all parties and with the backing of SADC and the AU.

Demands from the Dialogue:
The demands are obviously going to be the core-subject of debate should a genuine dialogue become a reality but we felt that it is important to pre-state the key issues that the people of Zimbabwe would want to see resolved. This will give other stakeholders something to reflect upon and weigh the sensibility or otherwise of these demands prior to the actual dialogue. Political Reform and Return to Legitimacy

Constitutional and Electoral Reforms

Economic Reforms and Shared National Prosperity

Transitional Justice, National Healing

Social Reform and Cohesion

National Stability and International Credibility

Conclusion
These otherwise self-explanatory demands are elaborated upon on the Tajamuka position paper of January 2019 and is available on the website, Facebook page and by email on request. Tajamuka continues to intently mobilise citizens towards renewed protests until and unless Mnangagwa convenes genuine dialogue to resolve the economic and political crisis in the country and bring an end to the untold suffering and abject poverty currently obtaining. If Mnangagwa does not convene genuine dialogue in the next three weeks, its dog eat dog until final victory for the people of Zimbabwe!

Tajamuka/Sesjikile Campaign

Who is Dr Bekithemba Ndlovu?

Dr Mpofu is a Senator and founding member of the MDC, he was a one of the brave young men who saved in the MDC interim National Youth Executive lead by Learnmore Jongwe (with President Chamisa as National Coordinator) in 1999, after several years as a student leader.

He was then elected the first Youth Assembly Secretary General at the party’s inaugural Congress in January 2000. He has been nominated for National Party Chairperson and is seeking election at the MDC Congress end of May 2019.

Tell us more about your experience?

Senator Mpofu’s recently a Member of the Party Standing Committee and its Deputy Spokesperson. His experiences, persona and acquired skills will be best used in the National Chairperson position. In particular (but not limited to these);

1) As a Deputy Dean in a University, he was involved in overseeing conflict avoidance, management and resolution of conflicts and disputes between and amongst students, academics and administrative staff which experience and acquired skills will help the party, its structures and/or organs.

2) Dr Mpofu is a founding party member and the inaugural party National Youth Secretary General. While in post, he oversaw the general health and state of the Assembly.

Also as a Youth Assembly Chief Administrator, Dr Mpofu monitored, supervised and oversaw that all elections in the assembly, external or otherwise were properly conducted in order to ensure that due process was followed in terms of the constitution and that each election met the standards expected of the values and principles of the Youth Assembly.

It was the office of the Youth SG that also responded to any disputes that arose from election and he was able to resolve them with speed and satisfaction of aggrieved parties, a key attribute required for the position of the National Chairperson. So the skills attained in this position and other management experiences will undoubtedly come in handy for the office of the National Chairperson of the party especially at a time when the party is under heavy criticism for double candidates and election disputes.

3) Senator Mpofu has worked as the Chairperson of University-wide disciplinary Committee for several years, where he reviewed over 50 cases of academic misconduct.

Such cases needed skill, attention to detail and research which experience will strengthen the position of the National Chair who is expected to Chair the National Disciplinary Committee. In addition, Senator Mpofu is currently the Deputy Spokesperson of the party a position that requires a good communicator that he has proved to be. As a Deputy Spokesperson he has used his skills as a good listener and these skills will enable me to be a good judge of character and cases that will be brought to him as the party National Chairperson.

4) In addition to the aforementioned, he has participated and chaired several committees and boards in business, academia and politics. The skills and experiences obtained thereof will not make him an alien to the Nation Chairperson’s remit as the chair of the Congress, the National Conference and the National Council.

Finally, Senator Mpofu is a committed founding member of the party who will serve his position with the greatest level of integrity, honesty and distinction while upholding and respecting the party constitution.

By Own Correspondent- A local publication today carried an interview with Hwange Central MP and MDC senior member Fortune Daniel Molokele.

The interviewer asked Molokele to give a background of himself.

See below:

My name is Fortune Daniel Molokele, but a lot of people know me by my other name, which is Fortune Mguni. I am a former student leader and I was elected secretary-general at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) in 1995 in my first year at law school.

In 1996 I was elected vice-president (of the UZ students’ union) to the late Learnmore Jongwe, who was the president. In 1998 I was elected president of the UZ students’ union, but also in 1997 I had been elected vice-president of the Zimbabwe National Students’ Union with Learnmore Jongwe as the president of Zinasu, so in my four-year stay at UZ, I was a student leader.

After UZ I decided not to go into national politics even though I was one of the student leaders who were involved in the formation of organisations such as National Constitutional Assembly, the earlier build-up of the MDC. I felt that as a young man of 24 years I needed to grow and mature and have a life before coming back to join politics.

I worked for various civil society organisations and in 2004 I left Zimbabwe and was mostly in South Africa working with various international organisations such as Amnesty International and others. At one stage I was based in Geneva, Switzerland.

I only came back to Zimbabwe in 2017 when I was asked to come back and contest for Hwange Central constituency, which is the town of my birth. In 2018 I won the primary elections and in July I was elected MP.

Asked what he brings to MDC as he contests the position of Secretary-General at the May Congress, Molokele responded:

In September last year the president co-opted me into the national executive committee after considering the skills that I have. I have been nominated to be secretary-general because, according to section 9.4 of the constitution, the secretary-general should be the chief administrator of the party. He is someone who will be able to keep correspondence and records of the party, put records in place and administration systems in place and this is where I come in.

The secretary-general’s job is not just about popularity, it is also about technical capacity and in my 20 years since I left the UZ, I have had a lot of different jobs both in Bulawayo, South Africa and Switzerland and so on. Those appointments and jobs which I had enabled me to have a lot of experience in terms of setting up organisations and administering organisations and in terms of resource mobilisation.

I have also acquired qualifications that can enable me to fully qualify for a job like secretary-general. That will enable me to look at the MDC and find ways to commercialise it as a brand and take advantage of the brand value to create financial strength out of it through commercialisation of its regalia.

Molokele faces current SG Douglas Mwonzora and Charlton Hwende in the contest for the new SG of the MDC at the Congress this coming week.-The Standard

By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s new energy minister Fortune Chasi has said that the government needs to regulate how power and fuel used in the country. Chasi said that the regulatory authority will come up with voluntary guidelines for the use of power and fuel and that if this does not help, then news law will have to be put in place to police responsible use of electricity and fuel.

Chasi was speaking during an interview that was also attended by MDC vice chairman, Tendai Biti and CZI president, Sifelani Jabangwe.

There are things that are pretty obvious to me. We need to understand and interrogate the figures that we have bandied about as the costs of fuel. We need to understand which players in the economy are responsible for the greatest chunk of power usage, and are they in the productive sector. Or are they people who are living in 10 storey buildings with lights on as long as they want

So my mind says to that yes forex is definitely an issue but we need to understand whether the bill as we understand it actually reflects what we ought to be spending. So in my scheme of things, we need to address how we are using power and be responsible about it.

And this means that the regulatory authority must take charge and carry out its responsibilities as contemplated by the enabling act so that we can come up with I would say 2 strands of dealing with the situation; voluntary things that we can agree and say these are the steps that we should be taking, and if that doesn’t work, we have to rely on some piece of law.

So in my mind, we have to review the relevant regulatory framework and see whether it is in tandem with the challenges that we are facing. If it is not up to speed with what we need the law to be doing then we revise it with a view to enabling business to continue and also allowing people to have a dignified and easy life that we want everyone to experience.

By Own Correspondent- Zesa Holdings is acting group chief executive officer Patrick Chivaura has said that Zimbabwe is owed about $1.2 billion by its customers. Chivaura was speaking during a ZTN interview on the fuel and power crisis in Zimbabwe.

Chivaura was asked by Andy Hodges: How much is ZESA owed by the public? We hear stories about government ministries, individuals owing millions of dollars.

He responded:

Our Debtors book stands at $1.2 billion.

Asked how it hopes to recover the money,

Chivaura said:

“We have not been sitting on our laurels. We have been looking at strategies which can reclaim our monies, the indebtedness. We initiated the prepaid system, where customers pay in advance. And with that system, whenever you pay for your token, part of the money goes to clear the old debt. So we are recovering the old debt as well as the customer funding their requirements.

We are working on a strategy to migrate everyone to a prepaid platform so that we are able to manage the indebtedness with our customers. We will be installing smart meters which can talk to us at a central point where we can switch off and switch on customers.

Chivaura, however, said even if the 1.2 billion money is paid it does not mean that it will all go to purchasing power but also to clearing ZESA debts. He said ZESA owes other parties about $500 million. ZESA owes about $80 million in power imports from South Africa and Mozambique. Chivaura said that ZESA is in talks with South Africa to clear the debt so that supply can resume.

Zimbabwe is currently under severe load-shedding.

By Own Correspondent| Kudakwashe Mukudo, MDC District Youth Chair for Epworth was on Saturday allegedly attacked by suspected Zanu Pf activists.

This was revealed by a Harare councilor Denford Ngadziore.

Said Ngadziore:

Last night, Zanu Pf attacked Kudakwashe Mukudo, the MDC District Youth Chairperson for Epworth. This madness has to stop.”

The development comes a day after Zanu Pf’s leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the beginning of the National political parties dialogue with 17 opposition political party leaders excluding the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa.

Mnangagwa is on record saying the National Dialogue marked the beginning of the launch of the country’s economic turn around calling on all political leaders to disengage from the election mode.

Mnangagwa said because elections were over, political leaders must now move away from the election mood and put focus on improving people’s lives.

By Own Correspondent- A senior police officer Commanding Harare Central District reportedly indecently assaulted a female colleague in public, tearing her clothes and undergarments in the process.

Sources privy to developments alleged that the senior officer is set to appear in court tomorrow.

Revealed the source:

“Yes, the accused is an Officer Commanding Harare Central District.

He will appear in court on Monday for allegedly indecently assaulting, manhandling a female subordinate in public, tearing her underwear and skin tight in the process.”

Efforts to get a comment from the ZRP Spokesperson were however not successful by the time of publishing.

By Own Correspondent- A report by The Standard claims that it has discovered a link between a company accused of helping Zanu-PF rig 2013 elections and payments made by the government in 2014 and 2015.

The report claims that documents show that the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe was used to make the payments to companies linked to Nikuv.

The payments were made by the former Mines and Mining Development ministry permanent secretary Francis Gudyanga.

Gudyanga is in court for a corruption case where he accused of misappropriating $1.6 million. The money was however paid to companies linked to Nikuv.

The Mines and Mining Development ministry apparently tried to keep the matter from public platforms such as courts. On 17 May 2017 then minister Walter Chidhakwa filed an affidavit which contained the following:

Discussions in the matter relating to payments made by the MMCZ to Pedstock at the instruction of the permanent secretary of the ministry, Professor Francis Gudyanga, affects the security of the State and disclosure of activities funded by this said payments prejudicially affects the security of the State.

By Own Correspondent- Treasury has given the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) the nod to begin recruiting staffers of the Constitutional Court next month, while the selection of judges will begin thereafter.

Currently, a single panel of judges has been superintending over both the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court.

Although Section 183 of the Constitution prohibits the appointment of judicial officers in more than one court, a seven-year transitional clause — through part 18(2) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution — was put in place to enable Supreme Court judges to serve in the Constitutional Court, which was borne out of the 2013 Constitution.

However, the clause lapses on May 22 next year.

JSC secretary Walter Chikwana told the state media that the separation of the two courts has already begun although the recruitment of judges will only commence once the JSC gets the greenlight from Government.

He said:

“We have already been given authority by Treasury to recruit staff for the Constitutional Court, and we will be starting in June because the staff we have at the moment is Supreme Court staff.

We have started on that process already so that when the two courts separate, we are going to have staff for both.In terms of Section 180 of the Constitution, whenever there is a vacancy, the JSC is required to declare it and advertise it and conduct public interviews. After they are done, the names are submitted to His Excellency (President Emmerson Mnangagwa) and he makes the necessary appointments.”

In essence, Section 166 of the Constitution stipulates that a total of seven judges – including the Chief Justice (Luke Malaba) and Deputy Chief Justice (Elizabeth Gwaunza) – shall sit in the Constitutional Court.

The Chief Justice may also appoint an acting judge if the services are required.

Qualifying judges to this superior court should necessarily be more than 40-years-old and have the relevant experience.

In fact, Section 177 of the Constitution stipulates that a candidate should have “been a judge of a court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil or criminal matters in the country in which the common law is Roman-Dutch or English, and English is an officially recognised language”.

They should also have practiced law for at least 12 years in Zimbabwe or any country in which the common law is Roman-Dutch law.-StateMedia

Jane Mlambo| Exiled cabinet minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has refuted claims that former police boss Augustine Chihuri is causing problems in neighbouring Malawi.

Posting on Twitter, Moyo dismissing the trending report that Chihuri was fingered in alleged acts of trying to rig elections in favour of the ruling party.

Moyo authoritatively said Chihuri was not in Malawi.

“This is a lie with no legs. It won’t go anywhere. I don’t know where former CGP Chihuri is, but I know where he isn’t. He’s not in Malawi,” said Moyo.

The new Minister of Energy and Power Development Fortune Chasi has got off at his new responsibility with a bang of controversial positions.

His first move on assuming office was to instruct power utility company ZPC to recover $5m advanced to Intratek Director Wicknell Chivayo for the Gwanda Solar project besides the courts ruling on favour of Chivayo.

In his latest stunt has told Zimbabweans who are failing to get fuel to purchase electric cars.

Speaking at a Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) ISO Certification event on Friday, Chasi said,

“May I challenge all present to seriously consider electric vehicles. I am happy ZERA has already made overtures in this regard.

“We also would expect the electric vehicles to be charged from renewable sources i.e. Solar Parks, solar radiation is a free resource, you only pay for the extraction and usage costs.”

The minister also said that the task of procuring fuel for the country was not solely for the government.

“I have seen some people dropping this task on my shoulders alone or on the shoulders of the government alone.”

“All of us here have a responsibility. Those that use fuel, those that import it, those of us who are in government, we all need to play a role in the coming up with a lasting solution to this problem so that we re-enact the dignity of our people who spend time in queues.”

“We don’t believe that it’s solely an issue of foreign currency. We also want to look on the other side as to what can be done, issues of solar need to come into play.”

By Own Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Land Commission (ZLC), which recently completed the first phase of the audit involving more than 18 000 farmers, has unearthed gross under funding of the agricultural sector and is now pushing for the establishment of a Land and Agricultural Bank to facilitate funding for resettled farmers.

It is also recommending an integrated Land Information Management System (LIMS) after investigations revealed widespread cases of fraudulent land allocations, rampant illegal leasing of land parcels and gross underutilisation, which is materially affecting agricultural output.

The first phase of the National Agricultural Land Audit — conducted in 10 districts across the country’s 10 provinces between October and November last year — only covers 6 percent of the targeted land.

Last year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa ordered an expeditious completion of the land audit, which is expected to rationalise ownership and farm sizes.

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri confirmed receiving the report, but referred further enquiries to ZLC chair Ms Tendai Bare.

Commissioner Bare told The Sunday Mail that some of the challenges in allocating land could be remedied by making the Ministry of Lands the sole issuing authority of tenure documents.

“Basically, it was established that the carrying capacity of subdivisions, particularly of A1 farmers, far exceeded the planned target due to the fact that there were multiple allocations by authorities who were not following laid-down procedures,” said Commissioner Bare.

“The level of investment was not to the expectation due to the fact that farmers had used all their initial savings and could not access new credit from financial institutions, and this accounts for low production levels and very little mechanisation.

“On issues of security of tenure, the tenure documents given to A1 farmers are shambolic because they came from different allocating authorities.

“This made it impossible to verify the legal status of genuine farm beneficiaries,” she said.

ZLC also established that crops were also being planted in a haphazard manner on some farms.

Further, some villagised schemes that have communal land were being subdivided and sold, “threatening the livelihood of farmers” in the process.

There were also challenges in change of ownership, especially in cases where farm beneficiaries died without leaving behind a will.

“Some of the farmers were also found to be leasing farms without authority from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement,” Commissioner Bare said.

In compiling the data, the ZLC interviewed 18 646 subdivision farm owners out of the 300 000 land parcels distributed to farmers.

It covered Lupane and Umguza districts (Matabeleland North); Mangwe and Beitbridge (Matabeleland South); Kwekwe (Midlands); Hurungwe (Mashonaland West); Muzarabani (Mashonaland Central) and Hwedza in Mashonaland East.

In Masvingo, only Gutu district was audited, while in Manicaland, farms in Makoni district were covered.

However, skyrocketing prices of goods and services in the latter part of last year affected the commission’s work.

The second phase would begin once Treasury provides funds for the exercise.

“We are preparing to roll out the Comprehensive National Agricultural Land Audit phase 2 at the end of May, beginning of June 2019 in all the eight provinces,” said commissioner Bare.

It is believed that once the audit is concluded, it will help inform Government’s agricultural policies. In essence, the probe is also meant to ensure productivity, its contribution to social equity and environmental sustainability.

The scope of the investigations include multiple farm ownership, underutilisation of land, investments made on the parcel of land, skills and competencies of the land owners, recruitment of farm managers with an agriculture background, maintenance of farm records, business plans, level of investment including mechanisation, access to finances and markets and provision of social services.

Overall, the LIMS is envisaged to help Government review its policies on agriculture and aid the efficient administration and management of agricultural land.

Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union executive director Mr Paul Zakarayi said although Agribank was established to ostensibly serve this important sector, “having dedicated finance towards the agrarian economy is certainly positive”.

“There is definitely need to rally support towards agrarian issues,” said Mr Zakariya.

“What we will have to ensure, however, is that the funds are not abused so that the resources go to the right people.-StateMedia

A KAROI magistrate and clerk of court have appeared at the Chinhoyi Magistrate Court for allegedly accepting a $20 bribe in order to rule in favour of the defendant in a maintenance case. Amanda Muridzo (31), who is employed as Karoi magistrate and Shelter Kachirika, a clerk at the same court, are both facing charges of bribery as defined in section 170(1)(b)(ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9.23.

Acting Chinhoyi regional magistrate Mr Felix Mawadze granted the duo $50 bail and ordered them not to interfere with State witnesses.

Prosecutor Mrs Kessia Teveraishe told the court that last year in August, Sinafi Chidoko, who is David Mazowi’s ex-wife, filed maintenance papers at the Karoi Magistrate Court. She was claiming $250 for the upkeep of her two minor children.

The court heard that Mazowi and Chidoko appeared before Muridzo and Mazowi was ordered to pay $50 as maintenance every month.

Further, the court heard that Chidoko later applied for an upward variation to $100. It was this application that was then compromised due to the bribe.

“Muridzo and Kachirika, in connivance with Mazowi who is still at large, hatched a plan to influence the outcome of the variation. Mazowi transferred $20 from his ecocash account into Kachirika’s ecocash account,” the court heard.

“Muridzo presided over the maintenance hearing and granted an upward variation of $20 against $50, as was requested by the applicant, after she had been influenced by the bribe”.

The matter came to light when Chidoko received a tip-off from an anonymous caller who told her how the maintenance case had been handled.

-State Media

By Own Correspondent- Online money transfer company WorldRemit has renewed its sponsorship of the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (Z.A.A) UK and Canada editions for the fifth year running, following a successful partnership for the ZAA South Africa edition in April.

ZAA highlights the successes and achievements of Zimbabweans and brings together business leaders and innovators from all sectors to celebrate, empower and network. 

Using the WorldRemit app or website, the Zimbabwean diaspora living in over 50 countries, including the UK and Canada, can send money home in just a few taps from their smartphones.

The company offers a variety of convenient ways to receive money in Zimbabwe, including cash pickup in USD at over 250 locations across the country – the widest network of any other international remittance service.  

To celebrate its renewed partnership with ZAA, WorldRemit is offering new customers sending money from the UK or Canada to Zimbabwe zero fees on their first transfer if they use the code ZAAPROMO  when making payment. 

ZAA International Founder and Chairman, Conrad Mwanza said: “We are glad to announce a new partnership with WorldRemit for the UK and Canada editions and look forward to making these events even more successful than previous years.

“WorldRemit is a globally recognised brand that makes life easier for the Zimbabwean diaspora who send many home to support their families and communities.

“We are delighted to continue our work with the company to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the diaspora in the UK and Canada.” 

Nominees and tickets – UK edition

The UK edition is the flagship event in the ZimAchievers Awards series. The 2019 ceremony will be held on Saturday 25^th May at the Millennium Gloucester hotel in London and marks the awards’ ninth anniversary. The event will be hosted by Mako Ndlovu with explosive musical performances by the Noisettes frontwoman, Shingai. 

Nominees and tickets – Canada edition

The Canada edition of the ZAAs will be held on Saturday 29^th June at the Radisson Hotel in Edmonton. Voting for this year’s nominees will open on 5^th June 2019.

By Own Correspondent- First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has pledged to continue empowering women by sensitising them on inheritance laws and health issues.

Addressing multitudes of Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) congregates gathered for the Royal Queens Conference at the church’s headquarters in Chatsworth, Gutu, the First Lady, who attended the event at the invitation of the church, said there was still an information gap on inheritance and health issues that needs to be bridged.

She commended male congregants for allowing their spouses to attend the event.

The Master of High Court, Eldard Mutasa, who was accompanying the First Lady, took the gathering through the country’s inheritance laws and explained some potential areas of conflict that are likely to arise, especially in the event of their spouses’ demise.

Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira thanked the First Lady for her philanthropic works through Angel of Hope Foundation, which he said were likely to help further the country’s endeavour to create prosperous country within the next decade.

“Today’s visit is second time after another visit you paid to this congregation with the objective to deliver high quality medical and health services through your esteemed Angel of Hope Foundation.

“We are also humbled as a province that this is your third special successive visit in a space of 14 days, where you met victims of Cyclone Idai here in Gutu, and just yesterday (Friday), you officiated at the International Day of Midwife at Masvingo Provincial Hospital,” said Chadzamira.

“Through the Angel of Hope (Foundation), you are indeed complementing Government’s desire, under the leadership of His Excellency, the President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, of attaining a prosperous and upper middle-income economy by 2030,” he said.

Through her works, Chadzamira added, the First Lady was bringing “Government services closer to its people”.

Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, who also accompanied the First Lady, said her actions had ably transformed some communities.

“She has programmes for widows, chiefs’ wives.

‘‘(On the) international and national level, she has won many awards. Proverbs 29 verse 2 says when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice,” she said.

The AFM church — through the churches’ president’s wife, Chiyangwa — handed over kitchen utensils meant for Cyclone Idai victims to the First Lady.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- Mangwe-Plumtree Business Association chairperson Golden Dube said most grocery shops located close to neighbouring countries’ borders of Botswana and South Africa were refusing to accept payment in bond notes including mobile phone transactions, preferring to sell their products in foreign currency.

Communities in rural areas such as Bulilima and Mangwe districts of Matabeleland South Province are at the mercy of unscrupulous businesspeople who are refusing to accept RTGS dollars, demanding consumers to pay in foreign currency, notably the rand.

“Most of the shops in rural areas are no longer accepting bond notes as payment. Most of the shops are owned by South Africa-based Zimbabwean businesspersons and these instruct their employees not to accept the local currency and only sell products in rand, pula or the US (United States dollar). This has left communities in a predicament as foreign currency is very difficult to source,” he said.

Dube said the situation has exacerbated to the extent that communal farmers are now demanding to be paid in foreign currency for their livestock.

Dube said there was a need for the Government to expedite the re-introduction of a local currency to curb a growing mismatch between cash dollars and RTGS dollars. Meanwhile the Plumtree business community donated three tonnes of mealie-meal, 100 blankets and clothes to Cyclone Idai victims in Chimanimani two weeks ago.

NEAL Hovelmeier, a former St John’s College deputy headmaster in Harare, who acrimoniously parted ways with the school after admitting that he was gay, has been nominated as one of the 2019-2020 Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study Fellows at Harvard University.

According to the institute, Hovelmeier will pursue an individual project in a community dedicated to exploration and inquiry at Harvard’s institute for advanced study.

The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study is regarded one of the foremost academic institutions in the world. Started in 1999, the institute has hosted about 900 fellows.

Radcliffe Institute dean Tomiko Brown-Nagin said: “Radcliffe’s Fellowship Programme — a microcosm of the Institute — is a laboratory of ideas where scholars, artists, scientists, and practitioners draw insights from one another and generate new knowledge that spans disciplinary boundaries. I am extraordinarily excited to see what emerges from this incredible group of individuals in the year ahead.”

An educationist, Hovelmeier is also an internationally published author of three highly-acclaimed novels, as well as numerous short writing, articles, academia and plays.

His unceremonious departure from St John’s College, one of the elite schools in Harare, was met with mixed reactions with some saying he was supposed to stay at the school while others said homosexuality was unacceptable in some quarters, hence they feared he was going to influence the students.

After the announcement was made that he would be going to the US as part of the fellowship, some parentsbemoaned his departure as a loss to the school.

They described the former deputy head as a highly esteemed teacher hounded out of a job he had held for 15 years with the highest professionalism and integrity.

They said his sexual orientation must remain his private affair which must not be used as a form of abuse and discrimination.

“There is still a large group of people who are trying to convince St John’s to re-employ this man simply on the grounds that this country desperately needs to have excellent teachers working in our schools, not sidelined or forced to find work elsewhere because of the prejudice which exists in society (one I am deeply respectful of as a Shona myself, but one which I also feel needs to be taken into careful context when we consider how devastating discrimination can be of any kind),” said one parent, Francis Mpofu.

The Radcliffe Institute fosters innovative research collaborations and offers hundreds of public lectures, exhibitions, performances, conferences, and other events annually.  

-The Standard

By Own Correspondent- South Africa-based self-proclaimed Congolese pastor — Alph Lukau has yet again found himself at the centre of controversy, after delivering what has been deemed to be a fake prophecy.

Pastor Lukau, who is the founder and leader of Alleluia Ministries International, located in South Africa’s upmarket town of Sandton, was early this year accused of stage managing a resurrection miracle, which led to the questioning of his authenticity as a ‘‘man of the cloth’’.

He has, however, denied the claims.

In a recently published video, Lukau supposedly receives a ‘‘prophecy’’, where he then calls out a man among his thousands of followers to deliver the prophecy. In the video Lukau claims to have received a prophecy, where he picks out a man from his multitude of congregants and tells him he once served in the Zimbabwe National Army and was being haunted by ghosts from his past.

The man, Tawanda Zinyemba — who Sunday News has established to be from Bulawayo’s Gwabalanda suburb, acknowledges the prophecy but however, it raises a stink from people who know him, as well as some of the historical information he provides.

Zinyemba claims, in the video, to have served in the army and was deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 1996 to 2003. Factually the Zimbabwe army was only deployed in DRC from 1998.

Sunday News took the liberty of investigating Zinyemba’s history, where it was discovered that his closest to serving in any form of security service was in the Zimbabwe Prison Correctional Services (ZPCS) in Manicaland.

“This guy was paid, according to people who know him in South Africa. He was paid R5 000 for the fake prophecy. He claimed to have served in the army and was deployed to battle in the second Congo war. He confessed to lies, claiming to have committed crimes of war that include murdering and raping civilians,” claimed a man who preferred anonymity.

The man went on to add: “Zinyemba was never a soldier, in 1996 and if you know our history with DRC, Zimbabwe only got involved in 1998, not 1996. In 1996 he was waiting for his O-level results. He is such a gullible person to agree to be used by a man whom the world believes to be a charlatan.”

Load-shedding is hitting hard on businesses and livelihoods as many areas are going for up to eight hours without power in most parts of the country.

Zesa recently rolled out a load-shedding schedule which appears to be far more severe than was experienced in the past nine years. Industries and households are going without electricity for as long as 10 hours daily.

Affected businesses and households alike have nowhere to run as they cannot turn to generators because of the scarcity and cost of fuel in the country.

John Kamhungira, who operates a business at the Glen View Area 8 complex, said his operating costs had shot up due to power outages.

“We are experiencing power cuts for the most part of the day here in Glen View and that is a big blow to our businesses. Power supply is an absolute necessity in the carpentry business since most of our tools of trade are powered by electricity,” he said.

“At least some big industries can turn to generators, but as for us, we are still small, so we cannot afford to use generators, especially considering there is a shortage of fuel. We can only find it on the black market where it is going for RTGS$25 per five litres. That is a lot of money.”

Raymond Ganza of Crowborough said preparing a meal was now a challenge.

“LP gas is expensive and since it is harvesting time, many of us have turned to maize stalks as a source of energy for cooking,” he said.

Amanda Makombe from Chitungwiza also said gas was now too expensive forcing her family to wait until power supplies are restored and would therefore cook around 10pm daily.

“They cut supplies in the afternoon and restore it late at night every day. It is sad that we would not have power supplies during the evening hours of which such time is critical because that is when we are supposed to be preparing dinner. We cannot opt for gas because it has become expensive,” she said.

Sharon Museta, also from Chitungwiza, said power outages would affect her performance in the coming examinations. She is a candidate sitting for Ordinary Level examinations in June.

“At times we experience power outages during the night, yet it is the time I am supposed to be studying. June is around the corner, but I am losing valuable time due to blackouts,” she said.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Sifelani Jabangwe yesterday said there was need to ration electricity to ensure there was production in companies.

“With regards to power, I think the power utility has tried to spare most business operations and most of our members are not affected although we do have some that have been affected,” Jabangwe said.

“So, what we need to do is that if there is inadequate power, it is better to ration the domestic consumer rather than the productive consumer because if we do not do that, the country will eventually not be able to pay for power because they would not have any earnings.”

Spokesperson of the power utility Fullard Gwasira said load-shedding was chiefly being caused by low water levels currently at Lake Kariba.

“This is because of the lowering levels of the water which has forced us to reduce generation from a possible 1050mw (megawatt) to an average of 350mw,” he said.

Gwasira said the normal situation could have been maintained if there was enough foreign currency to import power from other countries on the continent.

“This loss could have easily been covered by power imports if resources in foreign currency were availed to import power from the region,” Gwasira said.

“Generation is also compromised at all our thermal plants which are now unreliable due to age, leading to frequent plant failure,” he said.

-The Standard

MDC Secretary General aspirant at the forthcoming congress Charlton Hwende has taken a dig at the past holders of the powerful position for creating centres of power instead of centres of administration something he says he will correct if elected to the position this coming weekend.

Asked by The Standard why previous Secretary Generals Professor Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti and Douglas Mwonzora- all ended up either leaving the party or clashing with their Presidents, Hwende said the problem was their refusal to acknowledge the constitutional reality that they were surbodinates to the President.

Below is Hwende’s response;

NEWSDAY: The position of the secretary-general is one of the most powerful ones in the party. Historically some secretary-generals have ended up in problems with the rest of the leadership. Would you know why this is the case and what can you do to stop this?

CHARLTON HWENDE: One of the most urgent things during my tenure will be to reform the secretary-general’s office and to transform this crucial department from being a centre of power to a centre of administration. In terms of the MDC constitution, the secretary-general is not the leader of the party. The leader of the party is the president of the party. The secretary-general is a subordinate of the president. Unfortunately, successive secretaries general of the MDC have refused to acknowledge this constitutional reality and it has caused major conflicts and divisions in the party. Under my stewardship, the office of the secretary-general will not compete with the office of the president because it is not only wrong, but also retrogressive. The secretary-general should complement and not compete with the president of the party. Unbridled ambition and disloyalty have also been a source of conflict in the party. The MDC splits in 2005 and 2014 were spearheaded by sitting secretaries general of the time. This will not happen during my tenure. I am a loyal cadre of the party and I will not invest my energy into any agenda that has the potential to derail the movement. I will be loyal to president Nelson Chamisa and his shared vision of a new Zimbabwe.

POLICE detectives in Rusape are investigating a murder case in which a sex worker was robbed and killed by a client whom she had hooked up for a one night stand.

Deputy Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxon Chananda confirmed the murder which occurred last Friday night. He said 20-year-old Takudzwa Mugocha, of NE133, Vengere in Rusape met a client who later killed her in cold-blood.

“The man who hired and went home with the deceased is not known and we are appealing to anyone who might have information on this matter to call or report to the nearest police station,” said Ass Insp Chananda.

He said on May 10, the deceased and her younger sister, Tatenda went to a night club together. At around 7pm the deceased was seen going home with the suspect who was putting on a tracksuit, dark spectacles and a cap.

When the young sister came back home, she slept in another room and did not check on her sister since she thought she was with a client.

The following morning the deceased was found dead, lying naked on the bed.

Homicide detectives attended the scene.

Missing in the deceased’s room were a 32inch Ecco television, two Phillips DVD players and some Hifi speakers.

-Manica Post

Three MDC legislators have approached the Civil Court demanding $27 000 from government as compensation for violation of their fundamental rights by police officers who assaulted them in Parliament in November 2018.

Lynette Karenyi (Proportional Representation), Thabitha Khumalo (PR) and Amos Chibaya, who represents Mkoba constituency, claim they were manhandled and assaulted by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers who invaded Parliament to eject them, following an instruction by Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda.

The trio was accused of having refused to stand to attention when Zanu PF secretary, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, entered Parliament for the 2019 national budget presentation. They were protesting against his claim to victory in the July 2018 harmonised elections.

In summons filed by the legislators’ lawyer, Tinomuda Shoko, of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZHLR), the lawmakers cited ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage minister Cain Mathema as respondents.

In their individual declarations, the legislators said some members of the ZRP physically manhandled them using fists and open hands and during the commotion their clothes were torn.

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

Karenyi, who fell down as she was forcefully grabbed by three police officers, said she suffered injuries on her right arm as a result of the assault for which she is now demanding compensation in the sum of $9 000 to cater for the shock, pain, suffering and past and future medical expenses.

Chibaya said he is demanding $9 000 being damages for pain, suffering and medical bills he incurred for treatment, while Khumalo, who is asthmatic and lost her breath during the scuffle, said she is also claiming $9 000 for shock, pain and suffering and for past and future medical expenses. The matter is pending.

By Farai D Hove| A respected former cabinet minister, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti has said the visit by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wife, Auxillia, which saw her being booed down, marks the beginning of the end.

ALSO WATCH VIDEO BELOW –

Writing on Sunday, Hon. Bhasikiti said, if Great Zimbabwe rejects you the same way it did former First Lady, Grace Mugabe, you are gone – “Zvino kana kumuzinda we Great Zimbabwe varamba,zvakona saGrace.Masvingo was the first to booe down Grace.I was Minister then,I then went and told RGM, the visit by amai marks the beginning of an end.History repeats&doesn’t lie.”

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

LOCAL BUSINESSES SALUTE CHAMISA AS PRESIDENT, BUT WHY IS ED DISMISSED BY THE ECONOMY WHEN YET HE WAS DECLARED WINNER BY MALABA?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) May 19, 2019

Standard|NEAL Hovelmeier, a former St John’s College deputy headmaster in Harare, who acrimoniously parted ways with the school after admitting that he was gay, has been nominated as one of the 2019-2020 Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study Fellows at Harvard University.

According to the institute, Hovelmeier will pursue an individual project in a community dedicated to exploration and inquiry at Harvard’s institute for advanced study.

The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study is regarded one of the foremost academic institutions in the world. Started in 1999, the institute has hosted about 900 fellows.

Radcliffe Institute dean Tomiko Brown-Nagin said: “Radcliffe’s Fellowship Programme — a microcosm of the Institute — is a laboratory of ideas where scholars, artists, scientists, and practitioners draw insights from one another and generate new knowledge that spans disciplinary boundaries. I am extraordinarily excited to see what emerges from this incredible group of individuals in the year ahead.”

An educationist, Hovelmeier is also an internationally published author of three highly-acclaimed novels, as well as numerous short writing, articles, academia and plays.

His unceremonious departure from St John’s College, one of the elite schools in Harare, was met with mixed reactions with some saying he was supposed to stay at the school while others said homosexuality was unacceptable in some quarters, hence they feared he was going to influence the students.

After the announcement was made that he would be going to the US as part of the fellowship, some parentsbemoaned his departure as a loss to the school.

They described the former deputy head as a highly esteemed teacher hounded out of a job he had held for 15 years with the highest professionalism and integrity.

They said his sexual orientation must remain his private affair which must not be used as a form of abuse and discrimination.

“There is still a large group of people who are trying to convince St John’s to re-employ this man simply on the grounds that this country desperately needs to have excellent teachers working in our schools, not sidelined or forced to find work elsewhere because of the prejudice which exists in society (one I am deeply respectful of as a Shona myself, but one which I also feel needs to be taken into careful context when we consider how devastating discrimination can be of any kind),” said one parent, Francis Mpofu.

The Radcliffe Institute fosters innovative research collaborations and offers hundreds of public lectures, exhibitions, performances, conferences, and other events annually.

Own Correspondent|In a move induced by the spiralling black market rate of the United States Dollar, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has announced that it will be drawing US$500 million on Monday to supply the interbank forex market.

The interbank market has for the past few weeks not been all that active as firms found it difficult to access hard cash from the banks.

The move has had negative implications on the ability of several firms to stabilise prices on the back of soaring parallel market rates.

RBZ Governor, Dr John Mangudya revealed in an official Twitter statement on Saturday that US$ 500 million forex package for the interbank will be availed on Monday.

According to the central bank, commodities such as gold, platinum, chrome, diamonds and nickel account for more than 60 percent of foreign exchange inflows against an excess demand of forex by industries and firms.

Own Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa completely ignored speaking to the on-going saga around Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna in Matabeleland North when he presided over the official launch of the national culture week in Harare on Saturday.

Presented with an opportunity to publicly address the matter and possibly ease tensions in Bulawayo and Matabeleland region, Mnangagwa completely evaded the subject.

Instead, he took time to shower praises on China which he said has done well to preserve its culture over centuries and spent much of his address talking about his somewhat worthless Political Parties Dialogue.

Chief Ndiweni torched a storm few days ago when he bluntly said western powers were justified in extending sanctions against the Zanu PF led administration whose acts of commission and omission have worsened the plight of suffering locals.

The outspoken traditional leader’s comments invited both verbal and physical attacks by individuals linked to Zanu PF with the chief at one time accosted by some Zanu PF youths in Bulawayo’s CBD.

Mnangagwa hailed the ongoing dialogue with political parties that participated in last year’s Presidential elections under the auspices of the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) saying it was part of a deliberate effort to entrench the spirit of unity.

“One of the major priorities of my Government is to cultivate a culture of peace, tranquillity and tolerance. The respect we have for each other as people coming from different cultural backgrounds is what makes us a nation that is resilient, friendly and hospitable,” he said.

“It is part of who we are as African people, as encapsulated in the spirit of hunhu/ubuntu. I urge each one of us to value and maintain the peace that we are enjoying as it is the bedrock upon which our cultural and national identity are derived . . . Violence is not part of our culture and its proponents must be condemned and rejected. The culture of dialogue is embedded in our traditions, which should be preserved and entrenched. It is upon this background that yesterday (Friday) I launched the Political Actors Dialogue.”

The President urged communities to freely participate in commemorating Culture Week — a seven-day event that celebrates the country’s cultural diversity — as it is a key building block of “a peaceful, loving, united, harmonious and prosperous society”.

Government, he added, was committed to facilitating the growth of the arts, culture and heritage sector, including harnessing it as a tool for economic development. President Mnangagwa said piracy, which essentially violates intellectual property rights and copyright laws, has to be condemned by both producers and consumers.

“I encourage the Ministry (of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation) to continue to facilitate the necessary environment that is needed by artistes to produce, package and distribute their goods and services in a manner that enriches all, without prejudicing their creative impulses and energies. The practice of piracy should be condemned and stopped by producers and consumers of all creative arts. Let us work in unison, respecting each other’s ideas intellectual property and copyrights for a viable and profitable sector.”

He said Government will also prioritise the development of facilities for artistes to showcase their work. The new political administration is committed to grow the arts and culture sub-sectors into successful ventures that are able to generate employment and decent livelihoods for communities, he said.

The week-long Culture Week is celebrated through various cultural and artistic expressions. It is commemorated as part of the universal declaration on cultural diversity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

A string of cultural events have been lined up across the country through to May 25 under the theme “The African Royalty — Our Heritage.”

State Media|THE Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) has engaged the World Bank to come up with a model aimed at ensuring policyholders and pensioners who paid premiums and contributions from 2009 to February this year are paid in United States dollars or the equivalent at prevailing market rates, an official has said.

IPEC public relations manager Mr Lloyd Gumbo revealed this while responding to questions at a workshop on insurance and pensions in Bulawayo last Wednesday.

Mr Gumbo said the World Bank was already working on the indexation model to be used as the benchmark for contributions made in United States dollars since 2009, before the introduction of the floating of the RTGS dollar through the Monetary Policy Statement in February this year.

“The World Bank is helping us with technical assistance to provide guidance on how policyholders and pensioners who were paying premiums and contributing from 2009 to 2019 will be compensated. The model will assist us in solving the issue of policyholders and pensioners who contributed in US dollars since 2009 and bank transfers following the introduction of bond notes and coins in 2016,” said Mr Gumbo.

Mr Gumbo added that the regulator was working on decentralising its services including opening satellite offices across the country with the first one being in Bulawayo in the near future.

Mr Gumbo, speaking at another workshop in Kwekwe said pensioners should be patient while the framework to compensate contributions were being finalised.

He said IPEC has already appraised the Parliamentary Portfolio Commission on Budget, Finance and Economic Development of their concerns on the envisaged compensation law. For that reason, Mr Gumbo said, they expect the matter to be expedited once tabled in parliament because the portfolio committee also wanted closure on the issue.

“The issue of contribution arrears is a major concern to us as a Commission because it means you may not get benefits that are due to you. Even now, there are some companies that are deducting contributions but not remitting to pension funds. Contribution arrears stood at about $600 million as at 31 December 2018 with local authorities owing about $200 million.”

He said IPEC had proposed amendments to the Pension and Provident Funds Act that will see decision-makers at companies that deduct but do not remit contributions being held accountable at law.

By A Correspondent| Former Deputy Finance Minister Terence Mukupe has indicated he could fix the economy if he is elected ZANU PF Chairman.

This is however ZANU Chairmanship for Harare Province.

He said this using a 1970s picture of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Below was his tweet Sunday evening: