Farai Dziva | Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers insists that he won’t have any incentive to beat Manchester City and subsequently do his former side Liverpool favour when the two sides clash on Monday.
Liverpool trail Manchester City by a single point with two rounds of fixtures remaining in the Premier League and need the Pep Guardiola-coached side to drop points in any of the last games and hope that they themselves beat Newcastle and Wolves.
Asked yesterday at the press conference ahead of the City game whether it would be an incentive to win and help Liverpool, Rodgers denied it.
“Not really. I am employed by Leicester. My focus is on Leicester City,” he said.
“Our only concern is ourselves. We have to concentrate on our own performance enough to get some good results in these remaining games. It then gives us a great springboard to finish the season, then has a really good pre-season to get ready for next year.” added Rogers.
Farai Dziva |Willard Katsande has revealed that coming from a poor background has inspired him to exploit his chances in life.
The 33-year old midfielder is one of the longest-serving players in the current Kaizer Chiefs squad and has been there for eight years.
Speaking about his lengthy stay at Chiefs, Katsande became a little emotional as he narrated how his humble beginning drove him to achieve more in his life.
“This is my eighth season here… I think my background drives me,” said Katsande according to The Citizen, a South African newspaper.
“I grew up under challenging circumstances. When I get a job, I always try to give my best so I can provide for my family.
“I don’t only provide for my family but my extended family as well.”
Katsande recalled the time he worked as a herd boy and how football changed his life.
“They always tell me ‘this is your job, so work hard at all times and keep your job safe’. Growing up, I used to work as a herd boy. I had to wake up at 2 am to work in the fields. Sometimes I laugh when people say ‘Katsande is hard worker’. I don’t really have to work hard because I am now doing something that I love,” he added.
The former Warriors captain burst into the scene at Gunners before moving to South Africa in 2010 to join Ajax Cape Town. He only spent one season at the Urban Warriors and signed for Chiefs where he is the current vice-captain.
Farai Dziva|Social commentator Antony Taruvinga has claimed Douglas Mwonzora’ s political career is over.
Taruvinga added Mwonzora would fall at the coming MDC A Congress.
” The pattern in the nomination process indicates that the priority is on loyalty.
The MDC is a party that, in the past, suffered numerous setbacks in form of Zanu PF assisted breakaways.
This has to be cured, once and for all. The Big names who have been trouble causers will fall by wayside. One in Mwonzora has already fallen. The guy sabotaged Chamisa’s campaign programme in an effort to depopularise him. But what I know for certain, is that these leaders, Morgen Komichi, Lilian Timveos, Happymore Chidziva, Tapiwa Mashakada have stood with the president times of need,” said Taruvinga.
Correspondent|Nandos restaurant is well known for its cutting edge adverts which are up to date with the latest trends and current affairs and they have recently capitalised on the ‘it will work, no it will not work’ gaffe by Vice-president Constantino Chiwenga that has taken the internet by storm.
The video of VP Chiwenga making confusing remarks which he claimed to be simple, has been making rounds on social media.
The Vice-president made the remarks at the 13th Zimbabwe International Business Conference in Bulawayo, whilst he was giving a chilling warning to businesses that are wantonly increasing prices of basic commodities.
Own Correspondent|POLICE say they have arrested nine people, five of them teenagers, in Harare who were found stealing National Railway of Zimbabwe (NRZ) wagon wheels on workers day.
The nine were caught loading NRZ wagon wheels and couples into a lorry at Workington marshalling yard in Harare at 02.30 AM a police statement revealed.
“At the time of their arrest, the nine suspects had already loaded 13 wagon wheels and a coupler into a Volvo lorry which they were using.
According to current statutes set up during the colonial era anyone found tampering with railway equipment is liable to life imprisonment.
The section reads: “Contravening section 38 of the Railway Act with intend to obstruct, upset, overthrow, injure or destroy any locomotive, rolling stock or other vehicle using a railway or to endanger the safety of any person travelling or being upon a railway, takes up, removes or displaces any rail, sleeper or other matter or thing shall be guilty of an offence and liable to be sentenced to imprisonment for life.”
The gang was remanded in custody to the 9th of April.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is congratulated by the late MDC T president Morgan Tsvangirai after his inauguration at the National Stadium in Harare
President Mnangagwa has once again come to the aid of the family of former Prime Minister and the late MDC-T founding leader, Morgan Tsvangirai by providing financial and logistical support to the memorial service of the former opposition leader to be held in Buhera tomorrow.
Government today dispatched two graders to clear the road linking Murambinda road to Tsvangirai’s homestead and will provide food for more than 5 000 people expected to throng Humanikwa village, in Buhera where the memorial service will be held.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the assistance Government was providing to the Tsvangirai family was consistent with President Mnangagwa’s commitment to unity and peace in the country.
“I do not have the actual detail of what has been given to the Tsvangirai family but what is critical is that President Mnangagwa will continue supporting the family because Mr Tsvangirai worked well with us as Government when he was Prime Minister during the inclusive government. It is also in the spirit of oneness that President Mnangagwa is showing this gesture. You might also need to know that the Tsvangirai family invited President Mnangagwa to the memorial service and obviously he will respond appropriately just as he did during the funeral wake when he sent me and Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri to represent him,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Farai Dziva|The MDC A will lead proceedings at the memorial service for the party’s founding president Morgan Tsvangirai.
According Mbizo legislator Settlement Chikwinya the MDC shall lead the Tsvangirai memorial service.
This might spark tension between the party and the Tsvangirai family.
“We have been invited to headline the vigil where we will be singing party songs and dancing in celebration of the life of the late icon.
He is the man who was the face of the MDC and led the party and became the man he was because of his position in the party. It will be, therefore, amiss not to recognise his work because he is dead.”
Chikwinya also claimed that the daughter of the late former trade unionist, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java had advised the party to come in their regalia and honour the late MDC legendary leader.
Farai Dziva|After pulling out of the MDC A, Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume has urged his supporters not to attend the Nelson Chamisa led party’s May Congress.
Ngarivhume said his party would pursue its own vision.
“The idea was that if the alliance succeeded in dislodging (Zanu PF), the parties would form a coalition government in terms of the agreed criteria; if it did not succeed, the parties would engage to agree on the way forward,” Transform Zimbabwe said in a statement.
“It is common cause that the alliance did not succeed to dislodge the military-backed Zanu PF government and by operation of law, the alliance was dissolved, with each party reverting to its position prior to August 5, 2017.”
“Negotiations were opened for the amalgamation of the alliance partners into one political formation. This would entail the alliance partners dissolving their party structures and joining into one party under the name and style of MDC.”
“The Transform Zimbabwe national executive committee met to consider the various options and resolved not to participate in the amalgamation process. It was resolved that the party pursues its founding vision and continues to champion the cause of democratisation of Zimbabwe outside the MDC formation.”
Farai Dziva| Auxillia Mnangagwa has accused NatPharm of stealing essential drugs.
Auxillia Mnangagwa has criticised the decision by the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) to withhold medicines whilst clinics around the country are said to be out of stock.
After touring NatPharm on Thursday (today), she said:
“We have had of a leakage medicines, how did that happen? Why are there such leakages? Are you aware that people are suffering out there?
Why is it that clinics are complaining that there is no medicine yet you have boxes piled here, what are the donors going to say, why are all these boxes stocked? I went to Mashonaland Central and found some pharmacies empty. The situation on the ground is untenable and I want to understand where medicines are going, it is theft…”
Farai Dziva|MDC A president Nelson Chamisa has responded to claims by Zanu PF that he is a careless leader.
Chamisa has hit back at the ruling ZANU PF party for suggesting that he was “careless” during his Workers’ Day address.
Writing on his Twitter handle on Friday morning, Chamisa rhetorically asked ZANU PF to prove his carelessness.
“How is giving kind advice and wise counsel on the need to resolve people ‘bread and butter’ survival issues through genuine and credible dialogue a careless gesture?
What is carelessness is failing to take caution when one is being given fair advice on how to save a country!”
By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidency is hanging by the thread amid indications that China has dropped him as their political point man in Zimbabwe preferring to deal directly with the military brass, a local publication has revealed.
According to high level diplomatic sources in the country and officials close to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) citing a plethora of reasons, Beijing has reportedly resorted to silently deal directly with the country’s top military brass and leadership instead, as the Asian economic powerhouse moves ahead to prepare for an aftermath administration in Harare, as the ruling Zanu PF party’s first secretary’s reign is now hanging by a thread.
This publication reported last week that, militaristic vice president, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga, has become the country’s de facto head of state, after Mnangagwa was allegedly stripped off of significant executive powers and functions by the army, thus effectively becoming a leader in name only pending his imminent departure from office.
We also revealed in March, that Mnangagwa’s days as president are numbered, following a meeting which a special delegation of senior military officials are said to have held with Chinese generals behind closed doors, a few days before former leader Robert Mugabe was ousted from office in a coup in November 2017, where it was indicated that Mnangagwa’s reign will expire in 2020.
The officials close to OPC said their boss will soon be out of power because for some unclear reasons and disagreement, China has decided not to give Mnangagwa a multi-billion economic bailout package he had hoped to use in turning the economy around, when he stealthily took over from Mugabe.
Mnangagwa had high hopes of securing an initial US$2 billion bailout from President Xi Jinping in September 2018, soon after controversially winning presidential elections a month earlier, when he visited China, to attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) summit, but nothing significant and tangible came out of the trip.
Finance and central bank officials have for some time been negotiating for a loan in vain, from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and the Export-Import Bank of China, without any breakthrough.
“China was supposed to have assisted his (Mnangagwa) presidency with an economic package of up to US$10 billion,” the OPC officials said. “This is one of the major reasons the new dispensation has failed to fix the economy. The money they expected has not come, and it has to do with dynamic power play in government, as the military now has oversight over the president.
A little bird has told us that elements in security establishment are the ones who prevented the bailout from coming through, because it was likely going to buy Mnangagwa a full two term mandate. China is now dealing directly with the military on Zimbabwe’s affairs. It is the military which has a better chance of securing the bailout package in question, but first they have to name a new leader to takeover.”
However diplomatic contacts in Harare said apart from the economic bailout, which has not been granted by Jinping’s government, China was angry with the levels of corruption in Mnangagwa’s government and that he had named China as responsible for looting cash in Zimbabwe, including the externalisation of funds by her companies, therefore: “They have since dropped him as their political point man in Zimbabwe, in favour of the Joint Operations Command or military leadership.”
Chinese nationals, retail and mining companies dominated a list of alleged cash looters released by Mnangagwa a few months after the November 2017 coup, who externalised over $1,3 billion during Mugabe’s era, and it did not go down well with Beijing.
Following the expiry of a 104-day moratorium then, Mnangagwa said the bulk of the money was externalised through non-repatriation of export proceeds, payment for goods not received in Zimbabwe or funds externalised to foreign banks in cash or under spurious transactions.
As if to admit the scourge of graft in his own administration, and confirming China’s position, Mnangagwa last month said that the Chinese leader told him about corrupt activities in Zimbabwe that he was personally not aware of, during a special Independence Day interview with the state braodcaster ZBC.
Mnangagwa said money from China was corruptly spent at the Harare City Council and that Jinping had told him about it.
“We had a loan extended to Harare City Council by the Chinese for sanitation and water reticulation. That money was then used to buy cars and other luxuries. It didn’t address the issues for which the money had been given. So when I met my brother and colleague President Xi Jinping and discussed about this loan, I wasn’t aware that had happened and so I said, ‘Mr President, the loan was fully disbursed’, and he said, ‘my brother, the money was not used for what we had given you for.’ I was not aware people bought cars, some having workshops which had nothing to do with sanitation. Those who spent the money are not in office anymore, but they are likely to be followed.”
Another envoy who just returned to Zimbabwe, after visiting his country on official duty said at the heart of Mnangagwa’s falling with China was his government’s growing relations and proximty to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and campaign to mend ties with the U.S at Beijing’s economic expense.
“Zimbabwe is a big diplomatic prize for all of us,” he said. “There are many competing interests in this country between foreign nations, which I believe you already know are playing out in the mining sector. China is not comfortable with your president’s proximity to the IMF where they have recently cleared outstanding debts, with the view of applying for fresh loans. Re-engagement with the U.S is also naturally a threat to their interest in this country.”
Meanwhile, intelligence information provided to us last night, suggests that the military does not want to remove Mnangagwa from power through another coup, and will force him to resign as president whether he likes it or not.-SpotLight Zimbabwe
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has renewed the employment contract of Reserve Bank governor John Mangudya.
The announcement was made by the Chief Secretary to the president and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda.
Sibanda announced the extension which is with effect from the 1st of May. The new contract means that Mangudya shall be the governor for the next five years. Below is the full text:
– Zimbabwe will receive $75 million for social welfare programmes for cyclone victims.
– Mozambique will use the funds to rebuild water supply systems and damaged public infrastructure, among other things.
The World Bank will extend more than half-a-billion dollars in grants for cyclone-ravaged southern African countries, its chief announced Friday as he concluded a visit to Mozambique, the worst affected country.
A total of up to $545 million (just over R7.8 billion) will be disbursed to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi – the three countries hit by Cyclone Idai in March.
“Cyclone Idai caused catastrophic damage earlier this year that affected millions of people,” the Bank’s group president, David Malpass, said after he visited the central city of Beira.
“And this tragedy has been compounded by Cyclone Kenneth,” another cyclone that hit Mozambique six weeks later.
Cyclone Idai devastated the port city of Beira and its surrounding areas when it hit on March 14, causing huge floods and killing more than 600 people.
Weeks later a fresh massive storm, Cyclone Kenneth, lashed the northern coastal regions of Mozambique, 1,000 kilometres from Beira, and killed 41 people.
Mozambique, which received $350 million of the grant, will use the funds to rebuild water supply systems and damaged public infrastructure, among other things.
Part of the funds will also go towards disease prevention programmes in affected areas in and around Beira, where nearly 5,000 people have been infected with cholera, resulting in four deaths.
Malawi, which suffered floods before the storm made landfall, will get $120 million for agriculture and infrastructure.
Zimbabwe will receive $75 million for social welfare programmes for cyclone victims.
By Own Correspondent- Zanu Pf Secretary for Youth Lewis Matutu has warned economic saboteurs whom he accuses of holding the country captive while enriching themselves.
Recently Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said business people who are increasing prices are economic “terrorists” warning them that government would come after them as a move aimed at protecting consumers and ordinary citizens.
Said Matutu:
“We must free ourselves from economic saboteurs who are enriching themselves at the expense of the suffering Zimbabwean people. It is the people who are made to endure harsh economic conditions whilst a few are enjoying and this must come to an end. It’s time to look each other in the eyes for the good of our great nation.”
The Youth leader appealed to anyone with information about corrupt activities to send him the information.
“If you have any information about any corrupt behavior please expose it regardless of who is involved.”
On Thursday the Zimbabwe Republic Police said, “it wishes to express its utmost appreciation and sincere gratitude to members of the public who are supplying information on criminal movements, abuse of office by errant government officials and also the recovery of stolen property in the last three weeks.”
By Own Correspondent- A man from Mapani area in Zezani, Beitbridge almost lost his manhood after his wife bit off a chunk of it during a fight.
According to a source, Sibangilizwe Ngamula’s marriage was always on the rocks.
At one point his wife deserted him and went to her parents’ home only to return two weeks ago to talk things over with her husband who had just returned from South Africa where he works.
But her hope turned into despair as things took a nasty turn.
“The couple had been having problems over infidelity. Ngamula used to accuse his wife of seeing other men in the area while he was in South Africa. Last week an argument arose over house keys,” said a family insider.
The source went on to say at the height of the argument his wife punched him on the face, grabbed his genitals and twisted them.
“She grabbed his genitals and twisted them. He fell down wailing in agony but there was no one to help him,” he said.
She sunk her teeth into the private parts.
“She bit off the penis’ forehead and a large portion of foreskin got removed. He was rushed to Beitbridge hospital where he’s receiving treatment,” said the source.
A nurse who requested strict anonymity said some veins were partially damaged. But the nurse assured he would not have an erectile dysfunction.-B-Metro
By Own Correspondent- An enraged Racia Zenda from Bulawayo’s Njube suburb dumped her live-in boyfriend Mandla Nyoni accusing him of being a “diseases’ willing transporter” because of his constant flirting with hordes of women from the suburb.
Besides being a diseases’ willing transporter, who was also sexually attracted to different women from the suburb, Zenda claimed Nyoni was also an irresponsible man who was failing to look after his children.
She said for the past three years they had been staying together, she gave him the best years of her life and had been with him through thick and thin.
“I had been co-habiting with Mandla Nyoni for four years and for those years he had been abusive. I was solely taking care of him and his two children since he is unemployed. He is really an irresponsible and ungrateful man and has many children all over the suburb.
“He is going around sleeping with a lot of women thereby putting my life at the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. I have since decided to take my property and move out of the house because of his behaviour of sleeping around the suburb,” said Zenda.
Zenda was responding to Nyoni’s accusations that she was constantly harassing him.
This was after Nyoni in his application for a protection order claimed Zenda once threatened to chop off his head with a hoe if she found him with another woman.
“I was customarily married to (Racia Zenda) from 2014 and we separated in December 2018. This was after she unceremoniously dumped me after I had gone to my rural home in Nkayi. During my absence she took her belongings. When I came back she told me that she was now looking for another husband and I told her that I was also looking for another wife.
“Sometime in January, she came back to my house and found me with my new girlfriend and she threatened to chop off my head with an axe before she hangs herself. She also shouted at my girlfriend and as a result I am longer living in peace because she comes to my house at any time and without my consent,” complained Nyoni.
He further said following a misunderstanding, Zenda threatened to beat him up before she ordered him to send a message to his new girlfriend saying he no longer loved her.
In a bid to maintain peace between the two parties, in her ruling the presiding magistrate Rachael Mukanga ordered them not to verbally, physically and emotionally abuse or threaten each other in any way.
By Own Correspondent- A woman from Bulawayo has appeared in court for stealing Sta-Soft worth nearly $120 from a local supermarket.
Memory Dube (30) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Franklin Mkhwananzi facing theft charges and it remains to be seen if the court will go soft on her.
She pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody to May 3 for sentence.
The complainant in the matter was Greens Supermarket represented by Tenson Chikumbo (34) employed as a security guard at the supermarket.
Dube told the court that she was very sorry for stealing the Sta-Soft that was recovered.
“I am sorry for what l did. l admit to all the charges, I had no lawful right to do so,” said Dube.
Prosecutor, Mufaro Mageza said that on April 27, Dube went into the supermarket at around 7.55pm and stole (12) 500ml of Sta-Soft. She put the Sta-Soft inside her handbag and proceeded to the shop exit without paying for the fabric softener.
The court heard that the security guard searched Dube by the exit and recovered the stolen goods. This led to her arrest.
She was spotted by another customer who alerted the guard.
The total value of the Sta-Soft was $118,20 and it was recovered
By Own Correspondent- A Harare and married woman, Shorai Jaricha, 22, appeared before the Harare Magistrate, Rumbidzai Mugwagwa yesterday for allegedly intentionally infecting a minor with a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI).
It is alleged that the accused unlawfully and intentionally infected Tashinga Runganga, 17, with an STI in 2018.
It is also alleged that Runganga used to visit the accused at her house to talk. One day, when the husband of the accused was not around, the accused is alleged to have seduced the minor and they had sexual intercourse. This became a norm from that day forward for as long the accused’s husband was not around.
The minor is believed to have started discharging whitish fluids in January this year. He took medication, but, when he stopped, the issue reappeared. He then informed his mother and the matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of Jaricha.-DailyNews
By Own Correspondent- War veterans have expressed their displeasure over ‘selectively targeted’ land dispossession which the government is currently undertaking.
Speaking to the Daily News, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) spokesperson Douglas Mahiya said:
It was agreed that land which was given to war veterans must not be taken by anyone. It’s Constitutional.
There are some individuals in government who are undermining war veterans and we are not happy they are taking land which belongs to them. This is political mischief and we are not going to allow that. We are going to take action which might be unpopular because our members are suffering.
There are also some people in the party who are trying to undermine war veterans. We heard the incident which happened in Mashonaland central and other provinces during the recent independence celebrations. War veterans were badly treated, we are not happy. Like in Mashonaland central there are some people who are being used by the G40 (former Zanu PF faction) and G40 is very active in Mashonaland Central. These people must not regret in future if we take action against them.
It is reported that war veterans in Mashonaland Central Province recently wrote to the Minister of State for Mashonaland Central, Monica Mavhunga, complaining about land seizures. The letter warned of impending civil unrest if land grabs continued.
War veterans said that their anger is worsened by allegations that senior government officials are the ones taking these lands.-DailyNews
By Own Correspondent- Former Grain Marketing Board (GMB) workers are angry with Munyaradzi Gwisai for allegedly hiding a Court ruling that was in their favor.
The workers had approached Gwisai seeking to recover outstanding salaries, pension, housing, funeral, and medical aid contributions.
About 477 GMB workers were dismissed following the infamous Supreme Court Zuva case.
GMB former employees believe that they won the case but Gwisai hid court ruling papers from them.
One former GMB employe said:
After the Zuva judgment, we were given three months’ notices. We then challenged the dismissal and we won, but I believe Gwisai and GMB lawyers hid the judgment from us.
As per a NewsDay article, there are papers from the labour officer which ordered GMB to pay the claimants a minimum retrenchment package of one month’s salary for every two years worked as compensation for loss of employment. The payment was never made and Gwisai was supposed to make follow-ups.
Speaking to the NewsDay, Gwisai said that GMB paid the workers. He also said that the ruling in question was a draft order which is supposed to be confirmed by the Labour Court. Gwisai further said that the follow-up was no longer possible following mutual separation agreement because workers had already been paid.
By Own Correspondent- Martin Zimani, former Chegutu mayor and Zanu-PF’s Mashonaland West provincial member has died.
Without disclosing the cause of death, Zimani’s son Victor said that the former mayor died yesterday.
The former mayor won the mayoral role post from the MDC IN 2006.
Incumbent mayor, Councillor Henry Muchatibaya expressed his condolences. Muchatibaya said:
During his tenure as the mayor, he proved to be a very good man who was welcoming regardless of political affiliation. As Chegutu Municipality we will provide him with a grave and water bowser while we have availed transport to be used for his final resting place.
By Own Correspondent- Exiled Professor Jonathan Moyo says Zanu Pf is bleeding from inside hence it is panicking and warning, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa from engaging in violent demonstrations.
Said Moyo:
“Deja vu. Bogeyman politics. When Zanu-PF is internally bleeding from the wounds of its internal wars, as it internally bled last January after Mnangagwa’s suicidal fuel price hikes, it always invents an external enemy whom it accuses of plotting demonstrations to incite violence.”
Some Twitter users put the Professor to the task and accused him of being the author of the Zanu Pf political manual.
Moyo refuted the allegations and said he was always a junior minister in the government of President Robert Mugabe.
He said:
“I’m not a Zanu-PF stockholder. From 2000 to 2004, I was derided as a junior minister and a mafikizolo. And from 2013 to 2017 I was labelled a devil incarnate, war deserter and CIA spy on a mission to destroy Zanu-PF from within. I know their book because I’m a student of politics.”
ZANU PF has Chamisa over his utterances and asked him to explain why the country must be closed.
“Now tell us. If you were to shut down the country, what benefits accrue to the ordinary Zimbabwean? (Well besides your political expediency) we mean real benefits to the citizens. “Help us with sensible answers. Maybe we may be convinced and shut it down together.”
By Own Correspondent- Six notorious armed robbers masquerading as soldiers allegedly broke into a shop in Harare and escaped with goods worth over US$19 000.
The daring suspected robbers who were clad in Zimbabwe National Army uniforms allegedly broke into number 5 Ultra Bliss and stole blazers, chinos pair of trousers, jackets and US$2 955 cash among other things.
One of the suspects, Nelson Ngwarati, appeared before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa on Thursday for robbery.
Allegations are that on April 20, 2019 at around 0205 hours, the accused person in the company of his accomplices already arrested namely Webster Musarurwa, Givemore Nyarugwe and Tendai Magauze and two others, Trustme Kauzani and Ostern who are still at large, went to number 5 Ultra Bliss in a commuter omnibus.
Dressed in Zimbabwe National Army uniforms and armed with rifles, they allegedly approached two security guards who were guarding the shop. It is the State’s case that they threatened the security guards, threatening to shoot them with their rifles if they did not run away. The security guards allegedly ran away leaving the accused at the shop.
It is alleged that the accused persons then smashed the display glasses of the shop with an object likely to be an iron bar and gained entry into the shop. While inside the shop the court heard that they allegedly damaged CCTV cameras before stealing goods worth US$19 575.
The accused persons allegedly loaded the loot into their getaway car, a commuter omnibus which was parked outside and sped off. On April 29 detectives from CID homicide in Harare reportedly arrested Ngwarati at Artillery Brigade in Domboshava.
Ngwarati led the detectives to the recovery of some stolen goods from his sister’s place in Waterfalls. The other stolen property was recovered from a man who had bought them from the accused persons.
Yesterday we officially dedicated our new embassy in Harare. The proud occasion was shared with invited guests and friends from both the U.S. and Zimbabwe.#WeStandWithZimpic.twitter.com/FQ5q61rnYC
As a display of our enduring friendship, U.S. Ambassador Brian A. Nichols, and Director of the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Tad Davis, with local officials, dedicated the new U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe today.
Yesterday we officially dedicated our new embassy in Harare. The proud occasion was shared with invited guests and friends from both the U.S. and Zimbabwe.#WeStandWithZimpic.twitter.com/FQ5q61rnYC
By Own Correspondent- Urban grooves singer Nox has apologized for the viral video in which he features which is currently circulating on the social media.
Nox’s apology follows a video by the artist where he allegedly filmed himself m@sturbat!ng on a video call with a girl only identified as Mabrijo.
His PR team took to Facebook with an apology:
PRESS RELEASE. Our client admits that he did wrong and has no justification for what happened. He apologizes to the family members, friends and fans and mostly to his wife. We, however as the lawyers to our client will make sure this is dealt with and we are making sure that the justice system takes its course.
Kind Regards Nox Legal Team
This scandal follows barely a month after the musician got engaged to his UK based fiancee Tadzo.
By Own Correspondent- A 48-year-old man died after he plunged down the Redwing Mine main shaft believed to me 1 000 metres deep as he was trying to steal gold ore while in the company of his four friends.
“Njabulo Ncube fell into the mine on April 24 and was retrieved from the shaft by a rescue team from the mine and the police. He was found on April 27,” said the police.
Redwing Mine manager Stanford Magomo refused to comment referring The Manica Post to the Ministry of Mines.
“I am not supposed to be talking to you. I think you have to get the information from the head office in Harare or the Ministry of Mines. They have offices in town (Mutare). They have all the information,” he said. Sources at the mine said Ncube was in the company of four other men and were trying to steal gold ore from the mine.
“The main shaft is about 1 000 metres deep and we suspect that these people have been doing it before this incident. The mine closed its operations a few months ago and they decided to take advantage of the absence of people around the mine.
“Considering the way the shaft is positioned, we suspect that the man who fell into the shaft is a former worker who is familiar with the shaft’s settings. There is no way an ordinary person can think of going down the shaft in search of gold ore,” said the source.
Mutasa South legislator Regai Tsunga described the incident as results of unpaid wages and retrenchments without being given benefits. “Spent time with the Penhalonga community consoling the family of one Ncube who fell to his death into the main mine shaft at Redwing Mine…catastrophic results of unpaid wages, retrenchment without benefits and a deteriorating economy,” he said on his Facebook page.
By Own Correspondent- A self-styled Chipinge traditional healer is lucky to be alive after being given a thorough hiding by a male neighbour whose pregnant wife he allegedly snatched and tried to terminate the pregnancy.
The matter was remanded to May 8 after Moyokudu requested for the services of a lawyer. Moyokudu pleaded not guilty, arguing that the traditional healer Enoch Mabure (55), eloped with his wife and children.
“I assaulted him (traditional healer) after he ran away with my wife. She was pregnant and he wanted to help her abort. I do not have my wife at home; she ditched me together with my minor children for him,’’ he said.
Prosecutor Shamiso Ncube told the court that on November 21, 2018, Moyokudu’s wife went to the traditional healer’s homestead seeking his services since she was unwell. The two are close neighbours.
“Mabure told the woman that he could not help her in the absence of her husband, and she return home intending to return with Moyokudu. The woman did not return to the traditional healer place since Moyokudu had refused to accompany her.
“The following day Mabure visited Moyokudu’s homestead asking why he had not accompanied his wife as he had instructed. A misunderstanding ensued where Mabure produced a sjambok and demanded to see the woman.
“However, Moyokudu disarmed Mabure and went on to whip him using the sjambok. Mabure escaped and made a police report at Chibuwe police station, leading to the arrest of Moyokudu,” she said.
By Own Correspondent- A day before the country remembers one of its most iconic sons, the late Morgan Tsvangirai, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is yet to decide on whether or not he is set to attend the memorial service for the late opposition leader who died on February 14 2018.
The family of the late MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai invited both President Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu-PF party to the former Prime Minister’s memorial.
Tsvangirai succumbed to cancer of the colon last year and his memorial is finally going to be held in his rural home on May 4 in Buhera where he was buried.
Despite having dedicated his life to fighting Zanu-PF, Tsvangirai’s family said they would like Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF to attend.
Before his death, Mnangagwa and other senior government officials paid a courtesy call on Tsvangirai at his house in Harare.
He was also given a State assisted funeral.
MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume said the party has no problem with Zanu-PF or any other person attending the memorial of their founding leader.
The Tsvangirai family said it will not allow wearing of party regalia at the memorial service for the former Prime Minister in Buhera at the weekend.
“The emphasis is that we have invited everyone; this is not a partisan thing and on top of that we expect people to come putting what reminds us of Morgan Tsvangirai,” Manase said while addressing journalists at Tsvangirai’s Strathaven house in Harare.
“There is no any other regalia that should be put on except that of Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai. This is a memorial (and) we expect the event to be peaceful in Buhera.
“We are expecting different people from the State departments, different political parties and different people from other institutions,” he said.
The family said they expect the event to be peaceful and open to everyone because Tsvangirai worked with almost everyone, including former President Robert Mugabe, who was his main rival during his long political career.
Manase said the family will be leading the proceedings, hence their wishes, especially on regalia, must be respected.
“I think people should actually respect the Tsvangirai family and we are saying it’s better you put Morgan Tsvangirai regalia because we are remembering him as a person who has gone before us.
“To the family, I think it will be like an insult to try and put on something that doesn’t resemble him. We will encourage people to put on something about Morgan Tsvangirai for those few hours,” he said.
Manase said there was no bad blood between the family and the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC leadership.
By Own Correspondent- In its Workers’ Day statement, ZELA said most mine workers were at risk of fatal accidents, citing the recent Battlefields mine disaster, where over 20 artisanal miners died in a mineshaft.
The environmental lawyers also cited cases of child labour, saying they were rampant in the farming sector.
Most mining and agriculture sector workers are among the least-paid despite working under hazardous conditions that threaten their lives and health, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (Zela) has said.
Recently, companies like Anglo Platinum, Impala Platinum and Caledonia Mining Corporation awarded an 80% wage increase to their workers, which saw their salaries rising from a minimum wage of ZWL$262,32 to ZWL$468,58.
“Zela particularly bemoans the state of workers in the mining and agriculture sectors, which are our programming areas. Despite having one of the best Constitutions, the state of workers in Zimbabwe is disheartening and workers in the mining industry are currently the lowest paid despite the fact that this is an industry that is labour intensive and is highly risky and hazardous to health,” Zela said.
“It is a fact that most of these workers are being paid paltry salaries which have remained stagnant despite the price of most basic commodities have gone up more than 200% since January 2019. Several mining and agriculture industry workers are, therefore, living below the poverty datum line, which flies in the face of United Nations principles.”
Zela said some of the challenges that the mining and agriculture sector workers faced included non-payment of salaries, underpayment and unlawful dismissals.
“The Battlefields mine disaster is still fresh in the minds of many. The fatal disaster speaks volumes about the state of disaster preparedness in the country and safety and health of mine workers in the industry,” the environmental lawyers noted.
“Furthermore, Zela is concerned about child labour practices in the country, especially in the mining and agriculture industry. This situation should not be allowed to prevail because our Constitution provides for the protection of children’s rights and particularly condemns child labour.”
The government should implement and enforce labour laws to improve the rights of all workers, as well as to put in place legislative, judiciary and administrative and policy measures, Zela further noted.
Meanwhile, the Chinhoyi Municipality on Wednesday came under heavy criticism for allegedly blocking the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) from using Chinhoyi Stadium for the Workers’ Day commemorations.
ZCTU northern region secretary David Malunga told NewsDay that the council said the proposed venue for the Workers’ Day event was undergoing renovations, despite the fact that the same facility had previously been used for a Division Two league football match pitting council-run Chinhoyi Stars against Magunje Bombers, a Zimbabwe National Army side.
Malunga said the ZCTU applied to the local authority well on time, but were denied use of the venue on the pretext it was under refurbishment.
“The application was tendered through the housing directorate headed by Timothy Maregere, who told us in no uncertain terms that we could not use the stadium. He said the facility was under renovations, but the same was recently used for the Independence Day celebrations and a Zesa fire drill. Today (Wednesday) it was being used to host a football match. What we believe now is that the council has been captured. It is under Zanu PF command despite having MDC dominance,” he said.
For the past eight years, ZCTU has held the May Day event at Alaska, 20km outside Chinhoyi.
When the working class from all walks of life, celebrate the opportunities it has been afforded by its respective governments to put food on the table, Mthwakazi working classing is living in serious poverty without jobs and or any form of income generating source.
Thousands risk their lives through the crocodile infected into South Africa each day for them to provide for their families because the colonial government of Zimbabwe deprives them of any employment opportunities back home. In Bulawayo alone, the unemployment rate is well above 65%, with over 25% of those working being the people from Mashonaland.
It is disheartening to note that while Mthwakazi is the richest region of binary Zimbabwe, all the resources that it has, are plucked to benefit the people from other regions.
Over 2million tourists (for example) from all over the world descend on the Mighty Victoria Fall per year which should create employment opportunities for thousands of local people but only to find out that only people from Mashonaland are employed by the Tourism Industry in the resort town.
The same goes with Beitbridge, the busiest border post in Southern Africa. Even the beggars are all Shona / Zimbabweans while Mthwakazi cannot make ends meet in their land. Today, we are reminded of the Haymarket riot, or Haymarket Square riot) of May 4, 1886, at Haymarket Square in the USA where workers took to the streets demanding 8hours of work per day.
As MLF we extend an invitation to all Mthwakazi workers to the formation of Mthwakazi Congress Of Trade Unions to fight for the rights of Mthwakazi workers. This is the time that all organs of our Society, identify and brand themselves with Mthwakazi incriptions, colours, emblems and names to show our intentions clearly. We urge Unity among our workers in order to succeed in our quest to liberate our Country and our workers therein.
Interested in the formation of the Mthwakazi Congress of Trade Union, call; +27 73 648 9454.
Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) stands for economic, cultural and political independence of the Republic of Mthwakazi and the restoration of Mthwakazi independence that existed prior to colonization
By Own Correspondent- A day before the country remembers one of its most iconic sons, the late Morgan Tsvangirai, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is yet to decide on whether or not he is set to attend the memorial service for the late opposition leader who died on February 14 2018.
The family of the late MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai invited both President Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu-PF party to the former Prime Minister’s memorial.
Tsvangirai succumbed to cancer of the colon last year and his memorial is finally going to be held in his rural home on May 4 in Buhera where he was buried.
Despite having dedicated his life to fighting Zanu-PF, Tsvangirai’s family said they would like Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF to attend.
Before his death, Mnangagwa and other senior government officials paid a courtesy call on Tsvangirai at his house in Harare.
He was also given a State assisted funeral.
MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume said the party has no problem with Zanu-PF or any other person attending the memorial of their founding leader.
The Tsvangirai family said it will not allow wearing of party regalia at the memorial service for the former Prime Minister in Buhera at the weekend.
“The emphasis is that we have invited everyone; this is not a partisan thing and on top of that we expect people to come putting what reminds us of Morgan Tsvangirai,” Manase said while addressing journalists at Tsvangirai’s Strathaven house in Harare.
“There is no any other regalia that should be put on except that of Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai. This is a memorial (and) we expect the event to be peaceful in Buhera.
“We are expecting different people from the State departments, different political parties and different people from other institutions,” he said.
The family said they expect the event to be peaceful and open to everyone because Tsvangirai worked with almost everyone, including former President Robert Mugabe, who was his main rival during his long political career.
Manase said the family will be leading the proceedings, hence their wishes, especially on regalia, must be respected.
“I think people should actually respect the Tsvangirai family and we are saying it’s better you put Morgan Tsvangirai regalia because we are remembering him as a person who has gone before us.
“To the family, I think it will be like an insult to try and put on something that doesn’t resemble him. We will encourage people to put on something about Morgan Tsvangirai for those few hours,” he said.
Manase said there was no bad blood between the family and the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC leadership.
By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday promised the people of Manicaland that government would not leave the area until there has been restoration of all destroyed infrastructure.
President Mnangagwa said this in an address to a crowd of villagers who were gathered at Ngaone High School in Chipinge soon after meeting 13 chiefs from the district as well as Chimanimani.
He said:
My ministers are not going to leave this place until all the roads are rehabilitated.
We are not talking of repairing only those that were washed away but upgrading the whole network. Those that need to be tarred will be tarred for sure.
We received enough medication for various ailments. I want to praise doctors here for making personal sacrifices to assist affected communities. They are doing a great job.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- Kaizer Chiefs’ Khama Billiat has won the PSL Goal of the Month award, the Premier Soccer League has confirmed.
The Zimbabwean forward’s strike against SuperSport United has been voted as the best for the month.
“Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs’ Khama Billiat took home the Absa Premiership Goal of the Month award for March. The Zimbabwean attacker scored a curling scintillating goal from 25-yards to equalise for Amakhosi in their 1-1 draw against SuperSport United in early March. He also takes home R5, 000 for his effort,” confirmed the PSL in a statement.
“The goal by Billiat was voted for by fans who picked their favourite via the Premier Soccer League (PSL) website. Each Absa Premiership Goal of the month will be on the list of goals that fans can vote for as the Absolutely Awesome Goal of the Season at the end of the season awards. Voting for the Goal of the Month for April opened on Monday 29 April, on the PSL website and will close at midnight on Wednesday, 8 May,” the league confirmed.
By Own Correspondent- Following a tip off that her husband was tying the knot with his concubine, a woman from Bulawayo stormed ‘her husband’s secret wedding reception in the company of her sisters, causing a huge scene.
The newlyweds fled to the police station.
Nhora Konyane (47), together with her younger sisters got a tip-off, that Pearson Moyo (48), was getting married to another woman, Silibaziso Sibanda in Cowdary Park in Bulawayo.
However, they arrived a little too late as Moyo had already tied the knot at the Civil Court. Konyane went to sit at the bridal table and gave a speech to the crowd. When the newly-weds also got a tip-off about the fire waiting for them at home; they quickly turned their convoy and headed to the police station.
Konyane and her siblings were arrested. They were then detained for more than three hours. ‘’I was shocked to hear that my husband was getting married to another woman. I couldn’t understand why he could betray me like this. We have been married for 17 years and lived together in Old Pumula suburb,’’ Konyane told B Metro.
‘‘If it wasn’t for the tip-off I wouldn’t have known this whole shenanigan, I am very disappointed and seek justice to this whole situation,’’ she said.
Konyane had been living in South Africa for two years while her husband Moyo was in the country.
‘’She is a liar, she had been separated with Moyo for more two years now. She mistreated him and treated him like a dog. I took care of him and gave him love which she had failed to do for years,’’ Sibanda, the love rival said.
Moyo said he broke up with Konyane in 2016 after she chased him out of the house and took everything from him.
“She caused chaos for nothing, we broke up in 2016 after she chased me out of the house, she then went to South Africa leaving me without a home. I stayed in four different places before I settled in Nkulumane suburb,’’ said Moyo.
‘’She lied about everything. I am not her husband. I am happily married to Sibanda who is a loving and caring wife who has never mistreated me. I am glad I married her. Konyane is disturbing my peace, I wish she could stay away from me and my wife,” he said.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume has opted out of the coalition of political parties under the banner MDC Alliance.
Ngarivhume, who joined the political marriage after he was enticed into the 2018 pre-election political arrangement by the late MDC founding President Morgan Tsvangirai in 2017, pulled out of the Alliance after he failed to make it into the party’s nominations ahead of the forthcoming congress.
Ngarivhume who was not remembered at all in the just ended MDC nomination congresses confirmed that his party had decided to pull out of the Alliance.
“We are leaving the alliance. We met as the executive and decided to make this decision.
“Transform Zimbabwe executive felt we can add more value as TZ to the democratic movement. We want to build more our organization and then work with the alliance in 2023,” said Ngarivhume.
The other members of the coalition included factions of former MDC Secretary Generals, Tendai Biti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Welshman Ncube’s MDC, who have both been successfully integrated into the new MDC set up.
The other partners who have also been ignored in the building of the new MDC were Zanu Ndonga led by Denford Musiyarira, Multi-Racial Christian Democratic Party and Zimbabwe People First fronted by Agrippa Mutambara.
Ncube is now Chamisa’s deputy while Biti currently serves as vice national chairperson. The two have been nominated to contest to be vice presidents at the upcoming congress set for this month.
The Transform Zimbabwe leader, however, said his party could still go into another pre-election coalition with the MDC in the next election.
“Transform Zimbabwe executive felt we can add more value as TZ to the democratic movement. We want to build more our organisation and then work with the alliance in 2023,” he said.
Analysts have since indicated that the alliance was more of a reunion of the MDC which has seen those that have never been connected to the party sidelined.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- The Cabinet has approved the principles of a Bill which will force all magistrates to take an oath of office before the Chief Justice.
The Magistrates’ Court Amendment Bill was presented to Cabinet by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi.
Speaking during a routine post-cabinet media briefing in the capital Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said:
The principles seek to align the Act with the Zimbabwe Constitution.
The amendments seek, inter alia; to provide that all magistrates take oath of office before the Chief Justice or any other person duly delegated by the Chief Justice; to provide for the right of a litigant to be represented by a legal practitioner of their choice; the inclusion of procedures for the enforcement of the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons and to provide for the composition of magistrates court to adjudicate on criminal and civil matters.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi told the state media that it is too early to talk about the provisions of the Bill since they have not yet been drafted. He said:
What was approved by Cabinet are the principles that will then guide the Attorney-General’s Office when drafting the Bill.
The amendments that we are making are minor and seek to align the Act with the Constitution by, for example including provisions that will ensure everyone has access to justice.
However, it is too early to talk about the provisions of the Bill because we do not have that at the moment.
MISA Zimbabwe is sharing its recommendations for improving media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information in Zimbabwe to commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2019.
LAWS AND REGULATIONS Repeal of AIPPA and BSA
Maintain momentum and pressure for the repeal of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), which is used to license and regulate the media, as well as the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA). #AIPPAMustFall! #BSAMustFall! #MediaReformsNow!
MEDIA INDEPENDENCE Transform ZBC into a truly independent broadcaster
Increase and maintain pressure on the urgent need for transformation of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) into a truly independent public broadcaster.
DIGITAL MIGRATION Push for government transparency around digital migration
Press the government of Zimbabwe to be transparent on the digital migration process and allocation of resources under this exercise.
SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS Ensure a safe working environment for journalists
ADVERTISEMENT
Put pressure on the government and its security arms, as well as politicians, to ensure a safe working environment for journalists. State organs and political parties still perpetrate the majority of crimes against media professionals in Zimbabwe.
Investigate and prosecute crimes against journalists
Demand police investigations of assaults, and other violence, against media professionals and an end to impunity on crimes against journalists.
Demand an investigation into attacks on journalists during the 1st August 2018 demonstrations
Journalists were assaulted and injured while covering the events of 1st August 2018 when the armed services shot at demonstrators in central Harare. The government must investigate this violence against the media.
Continue to implement the police-media action plan
Maintain the relationship and engage with the Zimbabwe Republic Police to continue the implementation of the December 2017 media-police resolutions.
MEDIA TRAINING Encourage journalism schools to address media sector needs
Urge media training institutions to fine-tune and modernise their curriculums to better suit industry and market needs. Newsrooms are often having to retrain university journalism graduates as they lack the fundaments of contemporary journalism practice.
MEDIA and GENDER Promote more women to management
The media industry needs to promote the participation of women in decision-making positions by appointing more women on merit into top management positions. The sector should also ensure that they are paid on the same scale as their male counterparts.
Please be advised that the initially planned and declared day of prayer by the Chaplain’s Office on the 3rd of May 2019 for our university has been postponed to a yet to be advised date.
The sole reason for the postponement is due to a clash in dates of yet another important activity of NUST. There is an ORIENTATION DAY on the same date for the May 2019/2020 first year intake.
Due to this development, the University Prayer day has been postponed to another date. Watch this space for your information.
By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday promised the people of Manicaland that the rehabilitation of infrastructure destroyed by Cyclone Idai-induced floods will continue until everything has been restored.
President Mnangagwa said this in an address to a crowd of villagers who were gathered at Ngaone High School in Chipinge soon after meeting 13 chiefs from the district as well as Chimanimani.
He said:
“My ministers are not going to leave this place until all the roads are rehabilitated.
We are not talking of repairing only those that were washed away but upgrading the whole network. Those that need to be tarred will be tarred for sure.
We received enough medication for various ailments. I want to praise doctors here for making personal sacrifices to assist affected communities. They are doing a great job.”-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- MDC president, Nelson Chamisa, has respondent to statements by Zanu Pf stalwarts describing his statements on “Workers’ Day” as careless.
Reacting to the statement by Zanu Pf, Chamisa rhetorically asked the ruling party to prove his carelessness arguing that his statements on May Day was sound advise on how the current leadership can save a country. :
Said Chamisa:
How is giving kind advice and wise counsel on the need to resolve people ‘bread and butter’ survival issues through genuine and credible dialogue a careless gesture?
What is carelessness is failing to take caution when one is being given fair advice on how to save a country!
Nelson Chamisa addressing the ZCTU Workers Day gathering in Harare.
Media Statement|Media reports of the 2nd of May 2019 carried a story on Nelson Chamisa’s indication and willingness to assist Emmerson Mnangagwa to apologize to the people of Zimbabwe on Gukurahundi.
Chamisa made that pledge while addressing workers at a ZCTU May 1 celebration in Harare.
The first anomaly is Chamisa’s deliberate omission of Matebeleland people as the victims, who deserve such an apology. He insinuates that Gukurahundi was an atrocity that was inflicted on the generality of Zimbabweans, while deliberately skating around the FACT that it was an ethnic onslaught.
It has always been a taboo for MDC members to condemn Zanu PF on Gukurahundi, because it has borrowed the same tribal lea from it. Chamisa perceives Gukurahundi as an impediment to political stability and progress, rather than a dillema and life hurdle for the victims. Any honest leader in Zimbabwe will appreciate that Gukurahundi did not affect the people of Zimbabwe, but the people of Matebeleland and part of the Midlands.
Chamisa is where he is today as a direct beneficiary of Gukurahundi. Mashonaland is where it is today as a result of Gukurahundi. Schools are a few kilometres apart in Mashonaland as a result of Gukurahundi. The civil service in Matebeleland employs people from only the Shona tribes, as a result of Gukurahundi. In a nutshell service delivery is tilted towards Mashonaland, as a result of Gukurahundi, hence Chamisa’s failure to identify Gukurahundi with Matebeleland people is shocking. Chamisa’s predecessor Morgan Tsvangirai, also bargained for power from Robert Mugabe by promising to forgive him on Gukurahundi on the event of him relinquishing power. All MDC leaders, including Chamisa must know that Gukurahundi is a genocide. The MDC attitude of turning a blind eye to issues of human rights and Justice is very regrettable.
In the elections of the 30th of July 2018, Chamisa shocked Bulawayo by pushing council and mayoral candidates of Shona ethnicity. Those who had been doubting the Code XXX as an MDC version of the tribal grand plan, were jolted to reality.
It is quite disturbing that Chamisa and his party never uttered even one word on Gukurahundi during their co-reign in the Government of National Unity, but only to bolt from the blue now with the offer of assisting Mnangagwa to apologize to the people of Zimbabwe. When will Chamisa and his party ever demand justice for the people of Matebeleland? Your theatrics of trying to trivialize and nationalise Gukurahundi for your political expediency will backfire on you. Please stop playing with Gukurahundi victims.
Matebeleland, until recently has always been a strong support base for the MDC party, it is hence worrying when Chamisa positions himself to assisting Mnangagwa instead of the victims of Gukurahundi. Nelson Chamisa, as a law graduate knows that apology is not JUSTICE. Anyone who undermines the intelligence of the people of Matebeleland, does that in his own peril.
The truth is that Gukurahundi was and still is an ethnic genocide.
We are watching you Chamisa. Every dog has its day.
I put it to you Nelson Chamisa that you are born of a gukurahundist and you are just shedding crocodile tears on our innocent Mthwakazi people.
While proceedings were on-going, a group of ZANU PF supporters was busy demonstrating against US sanctions on Zimbabwe.
The United States of America opened its US$292 million embassy compound in Harare.
US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols said the new embassy symbolised the United States’ ongoing and durable commitment to the people of Zimbabwe.
He said the US would build relations.
“In addition to structures, we built relationships across a network of service providers,” he said. “We look forward to deepening those relationships. The United States aspires to strengthen its partnership with Zimbabwe and to expand trade and investment between our countries. Embracing political and economic reform is the key to achieving these goals.
“We are pleased the Government is moving toward repealing legislation that fails to align with Zimbabwe’s 2013 constitution. The right of Zimbabweans to express their views peacefully, to collectively bargain, and to choose their leaders via free and fair elections should never be infringed,” he said.
Ambassador Nichols called for a national dialogue on political, social and economic reforms to build confidence in a new Zimbabwe.
He said the new embassy was inspired by the architecture used in the construction of the Great Zimbabwe.
“Senior great architecture enriches the people and society around it. The proud people of this land knew this truth a millennia ago when they laid the foundations of Great Zimbabwe, the land of kings, nearly 300 kilometres from here. And Great Zimbabwe served as the inspiration for this beautiful building.
“Our campus evokes Zimbabwe’s geography. The country’s wide open rural plains, known as the “veld” are distinguished by their gently sloping terrain, vast grasslands and tree cover. The canopy over the main entrance that draws its inspiration from the mbira dzavadzimu, or “voice of the ancestors,” a musical instrument that the people of Zimbabwe have played for thousands of years,” he said.
An American artist Yael Kanarek created the hanging art with the words ‘Night’ and ‘Day’ in 19 languages spoken in Zimbabwe.
Ambassador Nichols expressed his appreciation to Government and the City of Harare for their support and co-operation during the construction of the structure.
Ambassador Mathema congratulated US President Donald Trump and the people of America and said the construction of the new complex in Zimbabwe was a sign of a beautiful future between the two countries.
“The construction of this building shows what good relations we have and what beautiful thoughts we have about each other.
“We hope for the best all the time. It is a good sign and shows the US is going to be here forever,” he said.
United States director, bureau of overseas buildings operations, Mr Tad Davis said he was proud of this new embassy’s eco-friendly features which pursue resiliency, energy savings and sustainability goals, that aim to reduce the overall environmental impact, while optimizing building performance, to enhance the self sufficiency of the campus.
“This embassy not only demonstrates our long term commitment to partnership with the people of Zimbabwe but enables us to advance prosperity, security and stability as mutual goals in line with our Africa Strategy. May this occasion serve as a platform to further enhance and strengthen the co-operation between the United States of America and Zimbabwe,” he said.
Jane Mlambo| Former President Robert Mugabe’s spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire has told First lady Auxillia Mnangagwa that civil servants do not report to her and it was unacceptable that she moves around demanding to see government documents.
Yesterday Auxillia appeared on ZBC-TV demanding answers from Natpharm workers over the supply of medical drugs to public heath centres.
Posting on Twitter yesterday, Mawarire said it was unacceptable that Auxillia who is not a government official was going to parastatals asking for official documents.
“Zimboz, tell me which legal instrument empowers First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa to investigate NatFam drug dispensary. She isn’t a govt official yet she goes to parastatals asking for official documents. That’s totally unacceptable. Civil servants don’t report to a First Lady,” said Mawarire.
By Chief Tawanda Svosve| Falsehood flies and the Truth comes limping after it,” Jonathan Swift once wrote.
It is important to call out politicians for being deceitful and lying , and it is important to fight and correct the falsehoods and publicize the truth and ensure that people have access to true information.
Mr Simon Khaya Moyo, ZANU-PF Spokesperson, claims that President Chamisa’s speech marking May Day promised mayhem and anarchy. MDC-North America Province states that it is mischievous of Mr. Moyo and irrefutably folly to attribute such a statement to our Presiden Nelson Chamisa. We all listened to President Chamisa’s speech and nothing he said was subversive. President Chamisa commiserates with the suffering masses of Zimbabwe and has stood with them while ED continues to lease expensive private jets while hospitals have no money. MDC, instead, is critical of the illegality of ED as a president and the suffering ZANU-PF policies have perpetrated on the Zimbabwean people. MDC-NPA will stand by our president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa as he is guided by the constitution in his efforts to remove the people of Zimbabwe from ZANU-PF bondage.
The MDC diaspora community will always be in solidarity with the long-suffering Zimbabweans, continue to support the struggle to bring democratic change that delivers and to fight the corrupt ZANU-PF government that continues to strip off the civil liberties and dignity of Zimbabwean citizens.
Mr. Moyo, you as ZANU-PF National spokesperson, must be aware of how the diaspora has been very critical to the Zimbabwean struggle , yet your government decided on the disenfranchisement of the diaspora. It is un-refutable that Diaspora remittances to Zimbabwe have kept the comatose country with at least a heartbeat. However, Mr. Spokesperson, the diaspora remittances that have sustained the Zimbabwe economy since about 2004 will go dry very soon if the persecution of our political and labor union members continues. As Diasporans we will keep telling the world the truth about how Zanu Pf has destroyed every little hope Zimbabweans had.
Once again we reiterate that President Chamisa’s speech did not contain even an ounce of hatred, violence or instigation to violent behavior, but hope, inspiration, and peace for the Zimbabwean people.
Chief Tawanda Svosve
MDC-NAP Chairman
Falsehood flies and the Truth comes limping after it,” Jonathan Swift once wrote.
It is important to call out politicians for being deceitful and lying , and it is important to fight and correct the falsehoods and publicize the truth and ensure that people have access to true information.
Mr Simon Khaya Moyo, ZANU-PF Spokesperson, claims that President Chamisa’s speech marking May Day promised mayhem and anarchy. MDC-North America Province states that it is mischievous of Mr. Moyo and irrefutably folly to attribute such a statement to our Presiden Nelson Chamisa. We all listened to President Chamisa’s speech and nothing he said was subversive. President Chamisa commiserates with the suffering masses of Zimbabwe and has stood with them while ED continues to lease expensive private jets while hospitals have no money. MDC, instead, is critical of the illegality of ED as a president and the suffering ZANU-PF policies have perpetrated on the Zimbabwean people. MDC-NPA will stand by our president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa as he is guided by the constitution in his efforts to remove the people of Zimbabwe from ZANU-PF bondage.
The MDC diaspora community will always be in solidarity with the long-suffering Zimbabweans, continue to support the struggle to bring democratic change that delivers and to fight the corrupt ZANU-PF government that continues to strip off the civil liberties and dignity of Zimbabwean citizens.
Mr. Moyo, you as ZANU-PF National spokesperson, must be aware of how the diaspora has been very critical to the Zimbabwean struggle , yet your government decided on the disenfranchisement of the diaspora. It is un-refutable that Diaspora remittances to Zimbabwe have kept the comatose country with at least a heartbeat. However, Mr. Spokesperson, the diaspora remittances that have sustained the Zimbabwe economy since about 2004 will go dry very soon if the persecution of our political and labor union members continues. As Diasporans we will keep telling the world the truth about how Zanu Pf has destroyed every little hope Zimbabweans had.
Once again we reiterate that President Chamisa’s speech did not contain even an ounce of hatred, violence or instigation to violent behavior, but hope, inspiration, and peace for the Zimbabwean people.
Jane Mlambo| First lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s investigation into the supply of medical drugs from Natpharm to public heath centres has been questioned by Jealousy Mawarire who demanded to know the legal instrument she is using to demand answers from government institutions.
Posting on Twitter yesterday, Mawarire said it was unacceptable that Auxillia who is not a government official was going to parastatals asking for official documents.
“Zimboz, tell me which legal instrument empowers First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa to investigate NatFam drug dispensary. She isn’t a govt official yet she goes to parastatals asking for official documents. That’s totally unacceptable. Civil servants don’t report to a First Lady.”
Zimboz, tell me which legal instrument empowers First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa to investigate NatFam drug dispensary. She isn't a govt official yet she goes to parastatals asking for official documents. That's totally unacceptable. Civil servants don't report to a First Lady. pic.twitter.com/bdJY32APeT
— mawarire mbizvo jealousy (@mawarirej) May 2, 2019
Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon waves The Holy Bible at the UN Security Council as evidence of Jews title to land of Israel.
News Agents|Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon used the Bible to defend the Jewish people’s claim to the land of Israel during a special session at the United Nations Security Council on Monday.
Danon was tasked with the job of proving the case for Jews’ connection to the Holy Land during the session. He outlined four reasons, “the Bible, history, international law, and the pursuit of international peace and security.”
In a dramatic moment, Danon opened the Bible and read aloud God’s covenant with Abraham from Genesis 17: “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout the generations for an everlasting covenant. And I will give to you and your descendants after you all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession and I will be their God.”
Danon then raised up the Bible, turned to attendees and said, “This is the deed to our land.”
“From the book of Genesis to the Jews’ exodus, from Egypt to receiving the Torah on Mt. Sinai, and to the realization of God’s covenant in the holy land of Israel, the Bible paints a consistent picture. The entire history of our people and our connection to Eretz Israel begins right here,” he continued while lifting up the Bible once again.
Danon argued that all of the Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – affirm the Jewish people’s connection to Israel.
“The Qur’an itself accepts the divine deed of the Jewish people to the land of Israel,” he said.
Danon then told the group how the Jews were expelled from Israel.
“In 70 CE, Roman Emperor Titus destroyed our Second Temple, expelled the Jewish people, and renamed the land nestled between Egypt and Lebanon ‘Syria-Palestina, as a southern province of Syria. THAT is where the name Palestine comes from, though Jews still lived in Jerusalem,” he argued.
He also placed blame for the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the feet of Palestinian leaders.
Danon said in order for peace to be possible, four things must happen, starting with the Palestinians recognizing Israel’s right to exist.
Celebrating World Press Freedom Day 2019
MISA Zimbabwe is sharing its recommendations for improving media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information in Zimbabwe to commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2019.
LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Repeal of AIPPA and BSA
Maintain momentum and pressure for the repeal of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), which is used to license and regulate the media, as well as the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA). #AIPPAMustFall! #BSAMustFall! #MediaReformsNow!
MEDIA INDEPENDENCE
Transform ZBC into a truly independent broadcaster
Increase and maintain pressure on the urgent need for transformation of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) into a truly independent public broadcaster.
DIGITAL MIGRATION
Push for government transparency around digital migration
Press the government of Zimbabwe to be transparent on the digital migration process and allocation of resources under this exercise.
SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS
Ensure a safe working environment for journalists.
Put pressure on the government and its security arms, as well as politicians, to ensure a safe working environment for journalists. State organs and political parties still perpetrate the majority of crimes against media professionals in Zimbabwe.
Investigate and prosecute crimes against journalists
Demand police investigations of assaults, and other violence, against media professionals and an end to impunity on crimes against journalists.
Demand an investigation into attacks on journalists during the 1st August 2018 demonstrations
Journalists were assaulted and injured while covering the events of 1st August 2018 when the armed services shot at demonstrators in central Harare. The government must investigate this violence against the media.
Continue to implement the police-media action plan
Maintain the relationship and engage with the Zimbabwe Republic Police to continue the implementation of the December 2017 media-police resolutions.
MEDIA TRAINING
Encourage journalism schools to address media sector needs
Urge media training institutions to fine-tune and modernise their curriculums to better suit industry and market needs. Newsrooms are often having to retrain university journalism graduates as they lack the fundaments of contemporary journalism practice.
MEDIA and GENDER
Promote more women to management
The media industry needs to promote the participation of women in decision-making positions by appointing more women on merit into top management positions. The sector should also ensure that they are paid on the same scale as their male counterparts.
By Dorrothy Moyo| MDC President Nelson Chamisa has responded to allegations by ZANU PF that his MayDay speech was careless discourse.
ZANU PF in a statement yesterday, threatened to repeat the January 2019 military violence which saw the ZDF killing over 17 people. ZANU PF was criticising Chamisa’s Wednesday speech.
Writing on Friday morning, Chamisa said, “how is giving kind advice and wise counsel on the need to resolve people ‘bread and butter’ survival issues through genuine and credible dialogue a careless gesture?
“What is carelessness is failing to take caution when one is being given fair advice on how to save a country!”
Jacob Ngarivhume after signing the Alliance deal with Morgan Tsvangirai.
Own Correspondent|The MDC Alliance has suffered a blow after one of its partners, Transform Zimbabwe, has opted out of the political marriage.
T.Z, led by Jacob Ngarivhume was enticed into the 2018 pre-election political marriage of convenience by the late MDC founding President Morgan Tsvangirai in 2017.
Ngarivhume who was not remembered at all in the just ended MDC nomination congresses confirmed that his party had decided to pull out of the Alliance.
“We are leaving the alliance. We met as the executive and decided to make this decision.
“Transform Zimbabwe executive felt we can add more value as TZ to the democratic movement. We want to build more our organization and then work with the alliance in 2023,” said Ngarivhume.
The other members of the coalition included factions of former MDC Secretary Generals, Tendai Biti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Welshman Ncube’s MDC, who have both been successfully integrated into the new MDC set up.
The other partners who have also been ignored in the building of the new MDC were Zanu Ndonga led by Denford Musiyarira, Multi-Racial Christian Democratic Party and Zimbabwe People First fronted by Agrippa Mutambara.
Ncube is now Chamisa’s deputy while Biti currently serves as vice national chairperson. The two have been nominated to contest to be vice presidents at the upcoming congress set for this month.
The Transform Zimbabwe leader however said his party could still go into another pre-election coalition with the MDC in the next election.
“Transform Zimbabwe executive felt we can add more value as TZ to the democratic movement. We want to build more our organisation and then work with the alliance in 2023,” he said.
Analysts have since indicated that the alliance was more of a reunion of the MDC which has seen those that have never been connected to the party sidelined.
Manica Post|“IT WAS like a miracle, she was rescued from the epicentre of a whirlwind, which ushered her out of the flood waters. We had searched her for an hour without any clue of where she was alongside her two dead brothers. It was unbelievable to see her emerging from the whirlwind; that could only be God’s answer to me – the same manner he answered Job out of the whirlwind”.
These were the touching words of Emily Chingwashu (33) as she narrated the miraculous survival of her daughter Atidaishe Chingwaru (4), from the furious Cyclone Idai, which ravaged Chimanimani a month ago.
The little girl was rescued an hour after being swept away by flood waters that enveloped Ngangu Township. As houses were submerged in floods, people fought for dear lives and the search for relatives intensified.
The innocent Atidaishe was nowhere to be found.
It was only after about an hour that a strong whirlwind emerged, and miraculously, out of it emerged the little girl.
Atidaishe was seated at the epicentre of the miraculously whirlwind.
She was calm, relaxed and unhurt.
“It was like a miracle, I could not believe my eyes. We searched for Atidaishe and the other children, but failed to locate her before she appeared in a whirlwind.
“She went missing together with her brothers Adore (14) and Ashley Chingwaru (10), whom we all found dead. We never thought the little girl would survive.
“She was not even crying, though she looked confused, when she emerged from the whirlwind,” narrated Mrs Gloria Chirara, who took custody of the little girl when the storm subsidised.
While the incident appears stranger than fiction, most Ngangu residents, though shocked, confirmed it.
Mrs Chingwaru said the incident was a testimony of God’s all-conquering power.
“I never thought she was alive after realising that her brothers had died. I am grateful God kept her alive,” she said.
Apart from losing her two sons, Mrs Chingwaru lost all her valuables and livelihoods. Mrs Chingwaru is among the 12 families currently housed at Ngangu United Methodist Church building.
“Nothing was left, but a void in my heart. My house was swept away and the place I call a home now is the Ngangu United Methodist Church where I am residing with my daughter,” said Mrs Chingwaru.
Jane Mlambo| The contract of employment of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, John Mangudya, has expired rendering him jobless.
Contacted for a comment by Business Times, Mangudya could not shed light on the situation with regards to his contract.
“Unfortunately, I can’t discuss the specifics of my contract as it hangs within the appointing authority which is the government of Zimbabwe. I just continue to work as usual and as my superiors have told me. All the announcements will be done by the employers and I don’t know when and how…. Just watch the space and see how it goes.”
Mangudya was appointed RBZ governor after Gideon Gono who is generally considered to have led the central bank during its worst period since 1980. During Gono’s era, inflation hit a record 179.6 billion percent in mid-November 2008.
Mangudya’s known most for introducing the Bond Notes in 2016 and insisting that they were equivalent in value to the US dollars. he is also infamously known for promising that if the Bond Notes project failed, he would resign from his position. He did not resign, despite the Bond Notes’ 1:1 premise being dropped in February 2019 and later President Mnangagwa ridiculing the Bond Note’s successor RTGS$ currency.
Own Correspondent|OpenView has announced that it will be cancelling sports channel Trace Sports Stars as well as Afrikaans religious channel KruisKyk.
KruisKyk, which aired on channel 151, is being removed from the broadcaster’s catalog today, while Trace Sports Stars – which is found on channel 116 – will run until Tuesday 14 May.
“The decision to let go of both the KruisKyk and Trace Sports Stars channels from OpenView has been a challenging one,” said GM of group content services Ziyanda Mngomezulu.
OpenView said that since its inception in the South African market in 2013, it has invested extensively into the satellite platform and the bouquet strategies, which have been adapted and reshaped in response to market dynamics.
“We continue to place the needs of our viewers at the fore front of each decision that we implement and are committed to continuing to provide great entertainment value to our consumers.” said Mngomezulu.
OpenView is a free-to-air satellite television broadcaster which has a recommended once-off installation fee of R499.
Own Correspondent|The Namibian First Lady Monica Geingos has angrily reported that she will personally help a young Namibian student open a rape case against a Zimbabwean Student from the University of Namibia.
Mrs Geingos made her plea on her Twitter on workers day following reports on social media that a Zimbabwean student Kudakwashe Gonzo has been caught on a spree sexually abusing up to nine female students at the university.
I have an excellent team in my office who deal with sexual violence. They give free psychological and case management help. We will be supporting a brave young woman to open a case today. Please DM @FLON_Namibia if we can assist with psycho-social support or navigating “system”:
Mrs. Geingos, who is a lawyer by profession has pledged to help the victims get justice against the Zimbabwean student and heavily castigated men who abuse young women.
Reports from victims of Gonzo’s madness allege that he would force himself on the unsuspecting young girls whom he would force to have sexual encounters with him sometimes after drinking alcohol.
As most of the reports involve alcohol, the law is clear, drugs and alcohol affect consent. Someone who is drunk or high can’t give consent and this falls under “coercive circumstances.” Trying to shame, or judge, those who were drunk or “compromised” themselves is problematic.
In some instances, it is reported that Gonzo would fondle the girls’ private parts without their consent and he would proceed to force himself on the girls.
The matter came to light after one of his victims shared her experiences with her friends, which led to the expose’.
The victims have been coming out narrating their harrowing experiences with Kuda Gonzo
Several girls have come forward claiming that they were sexually assaulted by Gonzo.
THE late music superstar and national hero, Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi’s children may find it difficult to challenge his will and testament lodged with the Master of the High Court early this week, as there is no legal provision that entitles adult children to benefit from their father’s estate, NewsDay has established.
In the will, Tuku bequeathed his entire estate to his widow Daisy, leaving all his children — Selmor, Samantha, Sandra and Selby — and other relatives who were probably expecting to get something in the cold.
“I hereby bequeath all my properties, share and shares in any company or companies or entities to my wife, Daisy Kudzai Mtukudzi born on the second of February 1959,” reads the will.
Although Selmor and Sandra’s sympathisers felt the daughters could challenge the will and also get a share of their father’s wealth, a legal expert who deals with the administration of deceased estates yesterday said chances of such a legal challenge succeeding were virtually nil.
The expert — who declined to be named for professional reasons — said there was no legal provision that entitled adult children to their father’s wealth upon death.
“All adult children, even minors, can be part of the beneficiaries, but there is no provision in the law that they should benefit. But the advantage of minor children is that they can have recourse to the law if the deceased had the legal duty to provide for them,” he said.
“Selmor and others are self-supporting adults so the chances of successfully challenging the will are very remote, unless if there are allegations of some form of interference (in the drafting of the will), but they need to prove that,” he said.
The legal practitioner said while it was within anyone’s right to challenge a will, the doctrine of freedom of testation gave Tuku the liberty to draft his will as he saw fit.
He admitted that the will may not have been updated as it was drafted at a time when Tuku was at loggerheads with his daughters with former wife Melody Murape — Selmor and Sandra — after the former made damaging claims of neglect and ill-treatment against Tuku.
The legal expert said it would have been more prudent and responsible for Tuku to award something to his children because by default, Daisy’s children, Samantha and Faith, stand to be the biggest beneficiaries.
More in Home
Venezuela crisis: Dozens injured in clashes in Caracas
Thai King marries general days before his coronation
100 million people in path of India’s worst cyclone in five years
Uganda police clash with pop star Bobi Wine’s supporters
Reginald Mengi: Tanzania media mogul dies in Dubai
“That was not proper and progressive estate planning,” he said.
Immovable properties declared by Daisy in the inventory included several original deeds of transfer, offer letters for subdivision 5 of Bloemfontein, Mazowe, in favour of Oliver Mtukudzi, while movable properties included a Land Rover Discovery, Nissan NP200, Tata bus, Tata truck and a Challenger trailer.
Own Correspondent|The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has cautioned political parties against pre-empting election results and making uninformed announcements.
The warning was made during the launch of the results operation centre (ROC) in Pretoria on Tuesday.
IEC chair Glen Mashinini said transparency was the single most key factor in the commission’s election process. This enabled the commission to establish trust among voters and stakeholders, he added.
Addressing political parties in attendance, he said party agents from each of the 48 political parties contesting the elections would be involved in the rigorous counting process and would be allowed to sign off on each slip.
“This transparency does come with a certain measure of responsibility, only the IEC can proclaim and announce the results, therefore, we appeal to stakeholders to respect this,” he added.
More than 22 000 voting stations will be opened across the country on May 8.
Chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo announced that the commission had trained and recruited more than 189 000 volunteers to conduct voting at those stations. The commission printed nearly 60 million ballot boxes and 45 000 voting compartments, he added.
Mamabolo explained that the commission had some challenges during the process. These included the collection of addresses for voters – almost 85% were successfully acquired from voters.
“A record number of political parties has also presented us with new challenges including longer ballot papers, more ballot boxes, higher transport and printing costs and more party agents at voting stations,” he said.
International Relations Minister Lindiwe Sisulu praised the IEC for its work saying that South Africa was an example to the world in its fair and transparent elections.
“I’m so proud to be a South African. I’m so proud to have this democracy. I don’t think any other country can compete with this kind of transparency and election work. We are a great country.
“The IEC has been the pillar of our democracy. It just works to incorporate everybody. When results are published, nobody will have any doubts,” Sisulu said.
State Media|MINISTER of Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Kirsty Coventry, says Zimbabwe will not be bullied into signing the guarantees to host the 2020 Cosafa after the regional bloc gave Zifa the condition as part of the remedies to avoid a ban.
Zifa were slapped with an effective US$50 000 fine and a conditional suspension from the tournament for their failure to honour an agreement to host this year’s edition.
They were given two months to pay the fine and also furnish the Cosafa office with fresh guarantees in order to be spared the axe.
The regional football mother body’s Disciplinary Committee also set aside an additional US$150 000 fine on condition the association meet the conditions within the next two months to host the 2020 edition.
Zimbabwe were found guilty of contract breach by the organisation’s Disciplinary Committee following a last-minute withdrawal from hosting this year’s edition.
However, Coventry, who is currently on leave, posted on her Twitter account that the country will not take up the challenge if they felt the deal was bad for the nation.
Coventry felt the judgment was meant to put undue pressure on the country without considering Zimbabwe’’s interests.
Earlier this year, Government ruled that hosting the 2019 edition was not a good deal for Zimbabwe.
“1. No guarantees were ever signed for 2019 or 2020.
“2. You cannot threaten an Association with a fine to force them to host an event. If #Cosafa Deal for 2020 is GOOD for Zim, we host. If BAD (like 2019), it won’t happen,” she tweeted.
The 2019 Cosafa tournament has since been moved to South Africa and Zimbabwe, who are the holders of the title, were also allowed to defend their crown.
The Zifa leadership have since said they needed to study the judgment and to engage the Government on the way forward. There are several considerations that are made before the Government issues guarantees and these includeds proper infrastructure, several logistical issues and financial resources which need wider consultations.
Zimbabwe withdrew from hosting the tournament after Government, through the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation indicated they had not been given enough time to produce the required guarantees for a successful tournament.
Zifa president, Felton Kamambo, said they will appeal against the decision to fine them.
“We will appeal and play while our case is being looked into,’’ he told our sister paper The Herald.
The Disciplinary Body, which comprised Antonio Caetano de Sousa, Adrian Kashala and Malawian football administrator Daud Suleman, punished Zimbabwe.
The MDC National Council met last week and reviewed the Congress progress.
The Council received a report from the Organising Department. The report included the completion of 11200 branch Congresses, 1958 Ward Congresses, 210 District Congresses and 13 Provincial Congresses.
All nominees have been given up to Tuesday to accept nominations or to withdraw. Where more than two candidates accept the nomination, they are encouraged to discuss in the spirit of consensus building. The Electoral Commission shall then produce ballots on every position where more than one candidate decide to contest. The positions to be contested include the President, Vice President, National Chairperson, Secretary General and Treasurer General.
Own Correspondent|In a shocking claim, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promised cyclone Idai destroyed rural Manicaland chiefs and their subjects that his government will construct rural based heavy industries for them.
While addressing thousands of villagers at Ngaone High School in Chipinge yesterday soon after he held a closed door meeting with the chiefs, Mnangagwa promised that meaningful reconstruction will only be achieved with the input and blessings of the traditional leaders.
The meeting was also attended by Vice President Kembo Mohadi as well as several Government ministers.
He said following the cyclone disaster, Government departments quickly embarked on a rescue mission and in the process, left out traditional leaders in the ensuing haste.
“We have asked for forgiveness and we have been forgiven. Our chiefs have registered a lot of grievances which we will act on in order to bring about rural industrialisation to the two districts,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said Government was not embarking on piece meal rehabilitation works in Chipinge and Chimanimani but implementing sweeping rural industrialisation development strategies.
He said the disastrous effects of Cyclone Idai were an eye opener.
“My ministers are not going to leave this place until all the roads are rehabilitated. We are not talking of repairing only those that were washed away but upgrading the whole network. Those that need to be tarred will be tarred for sure.
“We received enough medication for various ailments. I want to praise doctors here for making personal sacrifices to assist affected communities. They are doing a great job,” he said.
He singled out two junior doctors whom he said walked long distances to reach Chimanimani and help patients in Ngangu.
“I do not know what I am going to do for these two doctors but I am going to do something,” he said.
Turning to the exploration of various agricultural and mineral endowments in the districts as presented by the chiefs, President Mnangagwa said more needs to be done to promote tourism, horticulture as well as ensuring that diamonds that are being mined there benefit locals like what is happening in Chiadzwa.
ZANU-PF will send a delegation to South Africa to attend the African National Congress (ANC) “Siyanqoba” star rally at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday ahead of the country’s national elections next Wednesday.
Zanu-PF Secretary of Administration Dr Obert Mpofu said former Senate president Edna Madzongwe and little known Mail Nkomo will represent the party at the rally. “I was there two weeks ago to lend our support as a party but for the Sunday programme, the party has sent Cdes Madzongwe and Nkomo to represent us,” said Dr Mpofu.
“Our message to our fellow liberation movement that championed the liberation of South Africa is that we wish them success in the coming elections, we also wish that they conduct their elections in a free and fair environment.”
Other parties invited for the rally include the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), Basotho National Party (BNP) and All Basotho Convention (ABC) both from Lesotho, Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) from Tanzania, SWAPO from Namibia and the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO).
University of Zimbabwe students had an opportunity to grill Prophetic Healing and Deliverance founder, Prophet Walter Magaya in a question and answer session at the campus’ Great Hall on Tuesday.
Prophet Magaya was introduced to the sociology and political science students as “doctor and prophet” by Sociology lecturer, Dr Watch Ruparanganda Chinhenga.
Among the students’ burning questions were on the controversial Aguma drug, use of anointing oil, wearing of wrist bands and bracelets, prosperity gospel, emergence of self-styled prophets, one on one, sponsoring soccer and church position on political leaders.
Below are some of the exchanges during the question and answer sessions:
POLITICS
QUESTION: What is the church’s position especially prophets on political leaders given that people feel some are not from God and how do we know that they (politicians) are chosen by God considering that they are elected through votes.
ANSWER: It is the mandate of all church leaders to pray for leaders currently in positions. The Bible is clear on that issue and it does not say we have to pray and honour former leaders or aspiring leaders but those on positions.
Church leaders who encourage members to revolt against leaders in positions are not only causing people to suffer but fighting God, who allows anyone he or she wants to rule.
These leaders are chosen by God for a specific purpose. Each one is called to do a specific task and we have to respect that.
No matter elections are carried, some who may have a spirit against the one who is wanted by God fail to vote for various reasons to allow the one they do not want to win so the Holy Spirit helps much in controlling to fulfill God’s plan. That is why David refused to kill Soul.
All Prophets are different in their calling so political leaders are called to various tasks God wants that nation to be led so be guided accordingly and stop imposing leaders you think suit you or you think are the best to rule when their time has not arrived.
At the fullness of time God sent his son, so our God is of time and seasons. Those who are failing to move on with their business expecting to do it when the one they want is ruling will die before fending for their children and I urge pastors to teach people these things for the good of the nation and read on Romans chapter 13.
AGUMA
Q: Why did you think of using medicine when you introduced Aguma instead of laying hands on sick people since you are a prophet? Also, is this allowed by God and was this accepted internationally since you have a bigger following?
A: Christ Jesus used various ways in healing the sick and among them was his saliva in healing the blind, in the Old Testament Mwari akatoudza muporofita kuti ashandise muti kuisa pamamota munhu akatopora.
I am a human being and get tired that I cannot lay hands on everyone including those in various countries.
What we all agree is that people are sick and some are dying every day due to cancer or HIV and Aids that is why God showed me the plant to use medicine that reaches and be accepted in various countries.
To be sure with the medicine I engaged the learned in that area, who are doctors from India and they approved it. Only that it was unfortunate it was not accepted in my mother country but some of the countries are ever calling me to distribute it in their countries.
We urge people to visit medical doctors before and after visiting Prophets for healing and I want to believe this is what is being encouraged everywhere.
The use of anointing oil and water is not only done by us but Catholics, where I started, use them as well kune chizorwa chevarwere nemvura sande inoiswa pahuma paunopinda mukereke saka Mwari anotendera kuti miti, mvura nezvimwe zvaakasika zvishandiswe pakubatsira ruzhinji.
Mwari anoti ndichavawandichava so he uses anything anytime and instructs a Prophet to do anything depending on situation or people around to the glorification of His name.
Mwari mukuru kupfuura ruzivo rwemunhu uye hatimupedze kanakumuita wedu he is the mighty God who has no beginning or end and cannot be understood by our human minds.
I wish you students put your trust in Him first and add knowledge because you can be the best students before graduation if God does not allow you to live especially those who do not obey their parents.
SOCCER
Q: Why are you promoting soccer instead of concentrating on taking people to Christ and preach about heaven?
A: I do not promote soccer only but many sporting disciplines that includes rugby, volleyball, tennis and many more.
By promoting sport I fight the spirit yekuti kubhora kunoitwa zvemishonga saka ndinovavarira kubvisa vatambi vedu paneizvozvo vovimba nesimba raMwari through sport and with that I have a number of soccer players who turned to God and I have witnessed many attending various churches so we use all ways to win people to Christ.
Apart from sport I as well invite sungura and dancehall musicians at our services to perform for few minutes and other hours are for the gospel that deliver many including those abusing drugs to be transformed by hearing the word of life.
It is important for students to analyse everything before they are quick to give a judgment on anything since most students, who judge books by their covers, miss a lot in their studies.
Many who judge me are never at my services but are at the forefront to criticize us instead of visiting us and get the truth.
I do not go by or change my attitude or calling based on what people say because at the end of the day, they too, are judging me from their perspective.
I would rather by myself and let people accept me for what I am than be somebody who I am not, just because I want people’s approval.
PROSPERITY
Q: Why is it that most emerging prophets are teaching prosperity, do you personally believe in prosperity and how do I know true Prophets?
A: I personally believe in prosperity and some of the books I am donating to you today were bought by my 10-year old son.
At 10 he is already an entrepreneur and this is what I expect most of you to do as students with capabilities of being creative, masters of their destiny, think tanks of nation building and that alone is not done by someone who does not believe in prosperity.
God gave us resources to use and benefit other nations as well and if you are a University student who want to remain poor, you have no reason of wasting your parents’ money studying to keep them poor and wait to go to heaven.
If prophets are giving you ideas on how to prosper, they are teaching you good news because Jesus gave food to those who were hungry and gave clothes to the naked and we must allow you to drive good cars to reach far and that alone is not done by poor people.
Mentality of criticizing things that help you has failed many in their careers and Prophets who has no answers to people’s problems are not good.
Emerging prophets are an opportunity to many who hate Prophet Magaya and few others to choose the one they want to follow for the good of their souls and the nation at large.
As for true prophets, let me tell you that you must have a spirit of discerning or an instinct that tells you that you are being fooled but if you do not have this instinct it is more dangerous that there is need to check if you are not abusing drugs or being used by the devil in one way or the other.
Everyone can prophecy including women and they are called prophetess because of their ability to produce and multiply but prophesying does not make you a Prophet.
A Prophet and prophesying are different. You can be able to see where you are heading to and make plans and it is one reason you are studying sociology because you are aiming to fulfill your dreams or what you saw in spirit.
As for Prophets they are given to church by God under five-fold ministries that includes teachers, pastors, evangelists and apostles and their purpose is to equip members to the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of faith, knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man and the fullness of Christ.
People, who are against prosperity need to revisit their Bible Scriptures for correct interpretation because God gave us time on earth to live happily and it was Jesus’s wish to bring heaven on earth when he said let thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven and give us our daily bread.
You are at the UZ for daily bread so you need to be taught how to pray and shun teachings that want you to remain poor and wait for heaven.
We heal the sick to enjoy on earth not allow them to die to get to heaven quickly.
In her closing remarks, Tariro Gwangwaba who was representing the Sociology students hailed Prophet Magaya describing him as a man of wisdom and anointed to change people’s lives.
She presented a token of appreciation and the students pleaded with their lecturer to allow Prophet Magaya pronounce a blessing on their lives before leaving the Great Hall.
Prophet Magaya thanked the students for their questions saying it helped him know what people think about him and having an opportunity to meet people who challenges him openly.
“I want to thank the lecturer for according me an opportunity to meet people who does not feel threatened to ask me burning questions.
“I learnt a lot from what they were asking me and God gave me grace to answer their burning questions considering that many of the students who were asking are not from my ministry.
“It gave me a chance to know what people say about me and I want to urge many with burning questions to come and meet me other than criticizing me in corridors neavo vanowana mharidzo nezita rangu vachitadza kubatsira vanhu vanengevauya kwavari,” said Prophet Magaya urging church leaders and people in authority to seriously help various students for the good of the nation.
By Own Correspondent- Matabeleland livestock farmers have appealed for assistance following a severe drought that depleted their grazing areas this farming season.
Farmers report that their livestock is left with no grazing land following a very dry spell.
The situation has resulted in farmers resorting to pen fattening which has been made very expensive by transport costs.
Sedgwick Farm partner, Vengai Runyowa spoke to the state media and said:
“It has been a very difficult year. We have to date only received cumulatively about 84 – 86mm of rainfall. We are battling in terms of our grazing land and water tables of our boreholes. Our major challenge now is grazing pastures.”
Other farmers who spoke to ZBC News lamented the increase in prices of commodities such as diesel since it affects the rearing livestock. Some farmers are contemplating undertaking cross-breeding to produce hybrid livestock that is simultaneously good at the market and drought resistant.
Government agencies have been called upon to act towards preserving the livestock which is fundamental both at rural and national levels-StateMedia
An ANC Youth League (ANCYL) leader was shot dead on Tuesday night in front of his teenage son.
Dumisani Moyo, 35, had driven his vehicle into the yard of his family home in Shongweni when he came under fire from at least two gunmen.
He was shot seven times, and nothing was stolen.
In a statement yesterday, the ANCYL eThekwini region said it had learnt “with shock and sadness of the assassination of comrade Moyo”.
At the time of his death, Moyo was serving as the ANCYL chairperson of its branch in ward 7 (Shongweni).
His best friend and fellow ANCYL leader, Bonginkosi Cele, said while they did not want to speculate on the motive for the murder, it was not a robbery.
“The killers took nothing but his soul,” he said.
Cele said Moyo had not mentioned being threatened or harassed prior to his murder.
“At this point we do not know what could be behind the murder,” he said.
Cele added that Moyo had, earlier in the day, hosted a meeting with ANC volunteers who were part of the party’s election programme. He later went to fetch his son from a relative’s home and had just arrived home with him when he was killed.
“When they arrived home his son jumped out of the car to open the gate. As Moyo drove in, the assassins, who were already hiding inside the yard, emerged and opened fire. He did not even have a chance to get out of the car.
“He was driving an ANC-branded vehicle. Another vehicle parked in his yard that we use for elections was also damaged by bullets,” Cele said.
Cele added that Moyo’s teenage son had not been injured but had been left traumatised.
“He was still able to call us and tell us about the shooting, and they rushed Moyo to a clinic where he was declared dead on arrival.
“It seems that those who shot him had monitored him and decided to wait for him at his home,” he said.
Thinta Cibane, the ANCYL’s regional secretary, said Moyo’s death was a big loss.
“We know the contribution made by this young man to the emancipation of the community.”
Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said they were investigating a case of murder.
ZANU PF’s Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC’s Nelson Chamisa, Neutral mediator needed to bring the two leaders together.
The opposition MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, has said he is prepared to meet President Emmerson Mnangagwa provided a “mutually respected adjudicator, local or international, and preferable a former head of state” chairs the talks.
“I am ready to meet President Mnangagwa for a political dialogue that is needed in the country to help us to unlock the legitimacy crisis in the country, so that he can be accepted by everyone and the country can get the financial aid it needs,”Chamisa said.
“We need to sit down with President Mnangagwa representing Zanu PF and ourselves as MDC Alliance, and the meeting should be chaired by a mutually respected adjudicator, local or international, and preferable a former head of state.”
Chamisa said he was against the current scenario where “Mnangagwa is chairing the meeting and selecting the people he wants to discuss with”. This, he said, would not take the country forward.
President Mnangagwa briefed the leaders of the other political parties at the inaugural post-election dialogue in February on the need to work together for the betterment of the country.
“The talks that Mnangagwa is holding with the other 21 political parties is a ‘muppet show’ as the political parties don’t represent anyone,” Chamisa said.
“We need serious and genuine political talks with him. I represent a vibrant political party which has a high number of parliamentary seats, controlling many urban council seats, and our party had over 2.6 million votes in the July presidential election.”
In February, Chamisa snubbed the dialogue convened by Mnangagwa in the State House.
Zanu PF spokesperson, Simon Khaya- Moyo, said his party was ready to engage any political party to help move the country forward.
“The President is in a dialogue with other political parties and if the MDC Alliance has a change of heart, and wants to join the other political parties in the dialogue, it is acceptable as we have not refused to talk to them. But the MDC Alliance must not set terms and conditions for the discussions,” Moyo said.
Analysts say dialogue between the President and Chamisa will help address the deteriorating economic environment, which has seen prices of basic commodities trebling at a time when the salaries of the majority of workers in the country, especially those in the private sector, have not increased. — BusinessTimes
Statement By Mqondisi Moyo MRP President|Media reports of today the 2nd of May 2019 carried a story on Nelson Chamisa’s indication and willingness to assist Emmerson Mnangagwa to apologize to the people of Zimbabwe on Gukurahundi. Chamisa made that pledge while addressing a workers at a ZCTU May 1 celebration in Harare. The first anomaly is Chamisa’s deliberate omission of Matebeleland people as the victims, who deserve such an apology. He insinuates that Gukurahundi was an atrocity that was inflicted on the generality of Zimbabweans, while deliberately skating around the FACT that it was an ethnic onslaught.
It has always been a taboo for MDC members to condemn Zanu PF on Gukurahundi, because it has borrowed the same tribal lea from it. Chamisa perceives Gukurahundi as an impediment to political stability and progress, rather than a dillema and life hurdle for the victims. Any honest leader in Zimbabwe will appreciate that Gukurahundi did not affect the people of Zimbabwe, but the people of Matebeleland and part of the Midlands.
Chamisa is where he is today as a direct beneficiary of Gukurahundi. Mashonaland is where it is today as a result of Gukurahundi. Schools are a few kilometres apart in Mashonaland as a result of Gukurahundi. The civil service in Matebeleland employs people from only the Shona tribes, as a result of Gukurahundi. In a nutshell service delivery is tilted towards Mashonaland, as a result of Gukurahundi, hence Chamisa’s failure to identify Gukurahundi with Matebeleland people is shocking. Chamisa’s predecessor Morgan Tsvangirai, also bargained for power from Robert Mugabe by promising to forgive him on Gukurahundi on the event of him relinquishing power. All MDC leaders, including Chamisa must know that Gukurahundi is a genocide. The MDC attitude of turning a blind eye to issues of human rights and Justice is very regrettable.
In the elections of the 30th of July 2018, Chamisa shocked Bulawayo by pushing council and mayoral candidates of Shona ethnicity. Those who had been doubting the Code XXX as an MDC version of the tribal grand plan, were jolted to reality.
It is quite disturbing that Chamisa and his party never uttered even one word on Gukurahundi during their co-reign in the Government of National Unity, but only to bolt from the blue now with the offer of assisting Mnangagwa to apologize to the people of Zimbabwe. When will Chamisa and his party ever demand justice for the people of Matebeleland? Your theatrics of trying to trivialize and nationalise Gukurahundi for your political expediency will backfire on you. Please stop playing with Gukurahundi victims.
Matebeleland, until recently has always been a strong support base for the MDC party, it is hence worrying when Chamisa positions himself to assisting Mnangagwa instead of the victims of Gukurahundi. Nelson Chamisa, as a law graduate knows that apology is not JUSTICE. Anyone who undermines the intelligence of the people of Matebeleland, does that in his own peril.
The truth is that Gukurahundi was and still is an ethnic genocide.
We are watching you Chamisa. Every dog has its day.
I put it to you Nelson Chamisa that you are born of a gukurahundist and you are just shedding crocodile tears on our innocent Mthwakazi people.
By Own Correspondent- The Namibian First lady, Monica Geingos has intervened to resolve sexual abuse cases which implicate a Zimbabwean student, Kudakwashe Gonzo, studying at the University of Namibia (UNAM).
Gonzo is accused of having sexually abused up to nine female students at the institution.
It is alleged Gonzo would fondle the girls’ private parts without their consent and would proceed to force himself on them.
The abuses were disclosed after one of Gonzo’s victims shared her experiences with her friends. A series of WhatsApp and Instagram messages narrating the abuses were later leaked by other victims.
The Namibian first lady has since pledged to assist the victims to get justice.
Gonzo’s actions have also been castigated by the Student Representative Council at the Higher learning institution. The Council has also pledged to launch an investigation into the matter with the assistance of the Office of the Dean of Students.-263Chat
By Own Correspondent- Zanu-PF member and Manicaland provincial chairman Michael Madiro has said that party members were free to attend the Tsvangirai memorial service to be held in Buhera.
Madiro said that matters of culture transcend political party boundaries. He said:
Matters of culture and tradition cannot be politicised. This is not a matter which we can talk about on political party grounds. As Africans, as Zimbabweans, we are black people and according to our traditions, a memorial service can never be politicised.
I am of the view that anyone who is willing to attend the memorial service is free to go there, whether he is a Zanu-PF member or not. It cannot be said to be an institutional choice to go there, but it should be one’s choice to do so.
These sentiments are also shared by the Tsvangirai family which has indicated that it has since sent invitation letters to every stakeholder in spite of party affiliations.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- President Mnangagwa has revealed that the government will quickly resolve concerns and grievances raised by 13 chiefs in Chipinge and Chimanimani whose communities were ravaged by Cyclone Idai.
President Mnangagwa said that the need to address the needs of the people following cyclone Idai made the government to ‘jump’ traditional leaders. Mnangagwa said:
We have asked for forgiveness and we have been forgiven. Our chiefs have registered a lot of grievances which we will act on in order to bring about rural industrialisation to the two districts.
It is alleged that president Mnangagwa met the traditional leaders to persuade them on the intended eviction of residents following cyclone Idai. Reports suggest that residents are refusing to leave their traditional lands arguing that their ancestors are buried in the area. It is also believed that they are citing their farming lands as a major hindrance to the eviction.-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- Government is strengthening its policies and resource support through the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) to stabilise prices and cushion workers from businesses bent on profiteering, a Cabinet minister has said.
In a statement to mark Workers’ Day yesterday, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Sekai Nzenza said unjustified price hikes were hindering Zimbabwe’s transitional journey under the Second Republic.
Government, business and labour, she said, needed each other to solve economic challenges confronting the nation.
Minister Nzenza said the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) Bill, which seeks to provide a platform for consultations on socio-economic issues between the Government, business and labour, was now before Parliament.
The Bill is among laws enunciated by President Mnangagwa when he delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the official opening of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament last year.
On price hikes, Minister Nzenza said: “As we embark on this transitional journey, we call upon business to exercise restraint on raising prices. The price hikes are hurting. This is why the President has launched the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) which has five key pillars.
“No one wins as the workers revert back to business to ask for more and we eventually get locked in a vicious cycle of price and salary hikes. However, as tripartite partners, we believe that caring for our workers, treating them fairly and helping them to grow in their jobs is a productive arrangement given that there is evidence that caring for human capital drives enterprise and economic growth.
“On the part of Government, we will strengthen policy and resource support for prices stabilisation. In that regard, I wish to state that the mantra ‘Zimbabwe is open for business and the ease of doing business initiatives are underpinned by an unshakable resolve to ensure that decent work is attained in all the jobs that we envisage to create.”
Minister Nzenza said unity was key in finding solutions to challenges facing the country.
“The resolution of the socio-economic challenges we currently face require close cooperation as never before,” she said.
She said Zimbabwe remained committed to fulfilling, in practice and legislation, the principles of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) which it ratified.
As such, Minister Nzenza said, Government was working on the TNF.
“We believe that this social dialogue platform affords the social partners a genuine opportunity to exchange ideas that can facilitate the growth of the economy, through greater investment, productivity and innovation,” she said.
“I hope that the August House will pass the TNF Bill when it resumes its business this month. The Bill, which is before Parliament at the second reading stage, will provide the necessary legislative framework to ensure greater accountability effectiveness in the work of the TNF.
“Accordingly, the TNF will emerge as a strong and vibrant institution capable of greater contribution to the development of the country.”
The functions of the forum include consulting and negotiating over social and economic issues and submitting recommendations to Cabinet.
It will negotiate a social contract as and when necessary and foster cooperation of the tripartite constituents and consult other key stakeholders and contribute to the formulation and implementation of social and economic policies.
The TNF will also follow up and monitor the implementation of agreements.
Minister Nzenza said “We underline that our principal role as Government will remain that of creating an enabling policy and legal environment for social partners to enjoy their rights and establish sustainable enterprises.
“Government, therefore, remains committed to collaborating with business and labour to ensure that workers are protected and that business thrives.
“In recognition of the foregoing, Government remains seized with the goal of stabilising and growing our economy while also ensuring labour market stability in the country through continuous dialogue aimed at modernising and harmonising our labour laws so that they equitably respond to the needs of workers and employers.”-StateMedia
By Own Correspondent- Footballer Nyasha Mushekwi’s ex wife Luminitsa Dumbisa Jemwa has torched a social media storm after posting her latest photos showing off her curvy figure.
By Own Correspondent- The permanent secretary for Local Government Rural and Urban Development George Magosvongwe has thrown the GMB Pension Fund CEO Taona Munzvandi under the bus in an ongoing $2 million fraud trial saying that as the chief executive he was supposed to follow due process in the acquisition of Romany Farm.
Magosvongwe is the chairman of the GMB Pension Fund that Taona Munzvandi leads as CEO.
Munzvandi is being co-charged with Korbs Kobie Mutandiro and Basilio Sandamu of Romant Farm Pvt Ltd where it is alleged that the trio connived to defraud the GMB pension fund.
Prosecuting Micheal Reza is further alleging that Munzvandi and Mutandiro entered into an agreement-of-sale of the said farm to the GMB Pension Fund for $2.5 million knowing that the farm had been acquired by the State.
Magosvongwe told the court that sometime in 2013, he was notified by Munzvandi that Romany supposedly a private enterprise was on sale as they needed a farm for housing project for the fund’s employees.
“The pension fund was looking for land for a housing project for its employees and for general economic investment, we had bought Crowhill farm and Charlotte’s Brooke farm too so I advised him to formally approach the board and present the proposal of a purchase by the fund.
“He convened a legal meeting of the board for purposes of considering purchase and when the board was made aware, and against the backdrop of similar purchases, a resolution was passed for the CEO to pursue the possible investment.
“Due diligence was to be exercised, appropriate procedures known to him had to be followed and in any case, the board couldn’t authorise the transaction that was not procedural without conjecture, we stood to be advised by him because it was his job,” said Magosvongwe.
The perm sec further told the court that on April 30 2013, the same day the board met, Munzvandi and Mutandiro met and proceeded to sign an MOU and agreement of sale in which the purported offer and acceptance was concluded at $2.5 million.
“As a non-executive board, we didn’t pursue the transaction but I asked him to check with the deeds office for endorsements that may have affected Romany Farm and he said the deeds were clean so it was within his authority to proceed with the sale.
“After some time we inquired as to how the transaction has proceeded and he said there was a small technicality yet in actual fact he had failed to obtain a certificate of no present interest from the state, meaning the State owned the land so it couldn’t be sold as alleged,” said Magosvongwe.
He further told the court that Mutandiro received a deposit and became evasive.
By Own Correspondent- Auxillia Mnangagwa, the Zimbabwean first lady, has criticised the decision by the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) to withhold medicines whilst clinics around the country are said to be out of stock.
After touring NatPharm on Thursday (today), the first lady fumed:
We have had of a leakage medicines, how did that happen? Why are there such leakages? Are you aware that people are suffering out there? Why is it that clinics are complaining that there is no medicine yet you have boxes piled here, what are the donors going to say, why are all these boxes stocked? I went to Mashonaland Central and found some pharmacies empty. The situation on the ground is untenable and I want to understand where medicines are going, it is theft.
NatPharm is alleged to have said that it distributes medicine to clinics as per request. However, a ZBC News article reports that local clinics in Harare showed otherwise. It suggests that some clinics last received medicine from NatPharm in February.
ZBC News reports that some clinics visited were no longer with medicines against high demand from citizens
By Staff Reporter- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “soft coup” has reportedly backfired amid indications that all is not well within Zanu Pf’s backyard.
This follows traditional leaders indicating that the country’s current leader is not recognised in the spiritual realms of the country.
Mnangagwa, whose ascendancy to the presidency was through a “soft coup” is reportedly seeking “endorsement” from the traditional leaders including the country’s “svikiros” who are reportedly still recognising deposed leader Robert Mugabe as the country’s leader.
Mnangagwa Wednesday was in Chipinge where he met traditional leaders from Manicaland including the “svikiros”.
Insiders have told ZimEye Mnangagwa is meeting former president Mugabe’s top female n’anga who is revered since Chimurenga war times.
Addressing journalists during her Labour Day speech, Nzenza hinted on the development saying,
“I am on my way to Chipinge. We are going to be meeting with the chiefs tomorrow (today), so we will be meeting a number of people affected by the cyclone, and especially some of the most vulnerable who lost their parents during the cyclone.”
Sources inside government said she was not able to comment on this because there will be a religious backlash considering that the country is a Christian nation. “Hazvitaurike kuti leader wenyu arikuita zvechinyakarae zviri so open.”meaning it is something which can not be openly said that your leader is engaging in traditional rituals openly.
Chipinge is rife with superstition and recently a local nearby headman, speaking with ZimEye alleged that Christians were the ones who caused the cyclone Idai when they (according to his allegations), stole sacred pots belonging to his father.
Highlanders FC president Ndumiso Gumede has accused some executive committee members of indiscipline that he cited for the team’s appalling start to the season.
In a statement on Wednesday, Gumede said vice-chairman Modern Ngwenya and secretary-general Israeli Moyo had breached club protocol by “formally” terminating the contract of chief executive officer Nhlanhla Dube.
Dube’s contract expired on April 30, but according to Gumede, the matter was still receiving attention from club structures, which both Ngwenya and Moyo were aware of.
He said Ngwenya and Moyo will be summoned to a disciplinary committee hearing to “ventilate their side of the story”.
“Highlanders have in recent times been plagued by a host of problems from player revolt to executive committee indiscipline which may have indirectly affected the first team performance. The challenges bedevilling the club culminated in what the board viewed as a serious act of misconduct where a minority of executive committee members ignored protocol and proceeded to formally terminate the CEO’s contract of employment at a time the issue was still receiving attention by the club structures and was well known to those executive committee members,” Gumede’s statement read.
“It is against that background that the board saw it fit to suspend (the) executive secretary and vice-chairman pending disciplinary action. The two were served with letters of suspension to facilitate commencement of proceedings before a disciplinary tribunal constituted in terms of the club’s constitution where they shall be accorded their day to ventilate their own side of the story,” he wrote.
Gumede, who is a former Bosso chairman and chief executive officer, assured the club’s supporters, members and sponsors that the issue was receiving professional and impartial attention.
“I therefore appeal for calm while we painstakingly follow due process, whose outcome shall be communicated to all stakeholders.”
The turmoil at Bosso has most likely created a toxic environment whereby the current executive committee can no longer work together due to the suspicions created by the chaos.
Dube’s relationship with Ngwenya and Moyo also seems untenable and barring an urgent solution, Bosso fans can only watch while their beloved team continues on the path to implosion.- state media
At least 900 white former commercial farmers who lost land during the country’s agrarian reform have registered for compensation as Government intensifies efforts to pay them for improvements they made on the farms.
Government allocated $53 million in the National Budget to compensate the erstwhile farmers. The registration is being coordinated by the Commercial Farmers’ Union (CFU) and the Compensation Steering Committee (CSC) representing the former farm owners.
CFU director Mr Ben Gilpin yesterday said the registration was progressing smoothly. “We have about 900 farmers who have responded to the call and registered,” he said.
“We are now verifying with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement. Those people will be notified of the final outcome around the 10th of May and working with the ministry, payment modalities will be known.”
He said they were yet to face any challenges in registration. The compensation, only for improvements made on the land, is being done in accordance with the Constitution and Zimbabwe’s obligations under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPA). Section 72 of the Zimbabwe Constitution stipulates that where land is acquired for public purpose, “no compensation is payable in respect of its acquisition, except for improvements effected on it before its acquisition.”
Further, Section 295 states the only two circumstances where land is compensated for saying “any indigenous Zimbabwean whose agricultural land was acquired by the State before the effective date is entitled to compensation from the State for the land and any improvements that were on the land when it was acquired; 2. Any person whose agricultural land was acquired by the State before the effective date and whose property rights at that time were guaranteed or protected by an agreement concluded by the Government of Zimbabwe with the government of another country, is entitled to compensation from the State for the land and any improvements in accordance with that agreement.”
President Mnangagwa recently said land reform is irreversible and Government will uphold the Constitution by compensating white former commercial farmers. – state media
Farai Dziva|The MDC A has accused the Emmerson Mnangagwa administration of “taxing workers to death.”
In a statement released on Workers Day MDC A spokesperson Jacob Mafume said: ” We have witnessed a drastic shift to labour market flexibility.
A Labour Amendment Act was enacted and rendered the worker legally disposable.
Workers were retrenched without benefits, paid a paltry three months notice package plus two weeks wages for every year served.
Preceding that period, pensions to the tune of US$6 billion had been lost due to Zanu PF mismanagement of the economy, according to the Justice Commission report.
Workers have been declared enemies beyond reconciliation, the State has conflated with Capital. Labour rights are curtailed, unions are criminalised and their leaders are thrown in the same jail cells with bank robbers and rapists.
The cost of living has gone beyond the reach of the working people, they cannot buy bread, and wage value has been eroded. They are taxed to death.”
This Situation Report is produced by OCHA Regional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa in collaboration with humanitarian partners. The Situation Report builds on Flash Updates No. 4 and provides more detailed information on the situation and response. It covers the period from 23 April to 30 April 2019. The next Situation Report will be issued on or around 07 May.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Since the start of the response over 19,000 children aged 6 to 59 months have been screened for acute malnutrition and 91 severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and 156 moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) cases have been identified, which are now being treated.
• The Mi8 helicopter completed 46 rotations, transporting a total of 89.7mt of relief items on behalf of 8 partners. Helicopter cargo operations were discontinued on 27 April as all districts are now accessible by road again.
• All previously inaccessible schools, except one, are now accessible. Pre-positioned materials ready for distribution include 88 Temporary Learning Spaces to ensure that girls and boys have access to safe learning spaces where classrooms have been damaged or destroyed.
• The first round of the Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaign ended on 27 April in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, A total of 482 910 (102 per cent) individuals were vaccinated. A second round campaign is planned in June 2019.
• Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) continue to be a priority as the most prevalent health condition with 1,501 cases reported in the last two weeks. This is likely to increase as the winter season approaches.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
The humanitarian response to cyclone-affected districts in the eastern part of the country continues to gather pace as all wards are now accessible by road. Several clusters have completed in-depth assessments in all affected districts, providing a more refined analysis of the needs helping a more tailored humanitarian response in the short term. Further assessment will lay the foundation for the medium to long-term recovery plan, especially the re-settlement of displaced families.
The majority of those displaced are staying with host families and are expected to remain there until re-location or return is feasible. In the short-term the priority is to accommodate 500 families, currently residing in seven collective centres, and plans are at an advanced stage to prioritised the relocation of those families currently living in schools. Three sites are being prepared for serviced tented accommodation that meet international standards. The private sector is working with the with Government on the construction of some 500 new houses and the repair of a further 5,000 homes, which were damaged during the cyclone.
The HCT in Zimbabwe while focusing and prioritizing the humanitarian response to the Cyclone Idai affected areas, is becoming increasingly concerned about the food insecurity and the deteriorating economic situation as the below average rain performance and resulting poor harvest is progressively eroding copying capacity of the already vulnerable communities across the country
Farai Dziva|Opposition party LEAD president, Linda Masarira, has declared that Emmerson Mnangagwa must arrest Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Mangudya as a matter of urgency.
Masarira accused Mangudya of being corrupt.
“Why are rogue and corrupt elements like John Mangudya still walking scot-free yet they are feeding the black market with plenty of money that is non-existent?
Why is your government entertaining economic sabotage? Enough is enough!
Desperate situations call for drastic measures. OPC knows all government officials trading on the black market, who are making Zimbabweans miserable by pushing rates up willy nilly when they have targets to meet. There is no one more Zimbabwean than the other.
Failure to deal with all corrupt elements in your government will force us, citizens, to ensure justice for every Zimbabwean. We have been abused for too long and we are now tired. Zimbabwe comes first, now is the time to fix Zimbabwe. Totangira pakukanda mbavha mujeri,” declared Masarira.
Farai Dziva|Norton MP Temba Mliswa has vowed to “leave no stone unturned” in his quest to ensure there is justice for workers who are being exploited by a Chinese company.
“I’ll certainly write to @edmnangagwa highlighting the issues so that when he comes things must be in order.
Whilst I wasn’t there, my office bearers attended on my behalf and reported that the Govt wants to overprotect the Chinese at the expense of the people, NO WAY,” declared Mliswa.
“@edmnangagwa will hear the workers don’t have good working conditions, the Chinese have gone against everything as agreed
they’re engaging people out of Norton. Whilst the development looks good and is a great step for Norton, it mustn’t be at people’s expense,” he added.
Farai Dziva| A Zimbabwean opposition leader has indicated that a Government of National Unity is not conducive for the country.
United African National Council (UANC) Gwinyai Muzorewa has said an inclusive government will only authenticate the Emmerson Mnangagwa regime.
Gwinyai is the younger brother to the late nationalist Bishop Abel Tendekai Muzorewa.
” The State House dialogue initiated by Emmerson Mnangagwa is not a genuine exercise,” said Muzorewa.
“This national dialogue is not a genuine exercise. I called this a political filibuster because it is actually consistent with Mnangagwa’s “philosophy” that says munongovukura tichingotonga (you will continue barking while we rule you).
How can Zanu PF that created and continues to fuel the crisis preside over the dialogue? Zanu PF is the problem. The system does not have the moral capacity to moderate or host the dialogue.
As a party, we cannot participate in such an exercise because the government is merely using these men and women who wish they were ruling, but are not, to “pacify” the masses.
This crisis had been brewing for a couple of decades until Zanu PF staged a coup in November 2017. At that time, we should have had the dialogue. The generals would have said: “We have removed (former President Robert) Mugabe, now you the national leaders how shall we elect a good leader?” Of course, that did not happen,” Muzorewa told Newsday.
By Own Correspondent- In response to opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s promised series of vibrant demonstrations over the state of affairs, ZANU-PF party has issued a fierce warning indicating that they will unleash the military on civilians.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
ZANU-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya-Moyo warned that security services will be alert to deal with any mayhem and anarchy. He also attributed the current state of affairs to sanctions which he said were brought by the MDC.
Emmerson Mnanagwa’s wife, Auxillia, has attacked the government parastatal, the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) for allegedly withholding medicines while clinics around the country are out of stock.
Auxullia was touring NatPharm on Thursday (today), and she said, “We have had of a leakage medicines, how did that happen? Why are there such leakages? Are you aware that people are suffering out there? Why is it that clinics are complaining that there is no medicine yet you have boxes piled here, what are the donors going to say, why are all these boxes stocked? I went to Mashonaland Central and found some pharmacies empty. The situation on the ground is untenable and I want to understand where medicines are going, it is theft.”
The ZBC reports that local clinics in Harare showed Natpharm is withholding drugs from them. The investigation suggests that some clinics last received medicine from NatPharm in February.
ZBC News reported that some clinics visited were no longer with medicines despite high demand from citizens.
Standard Chartered has cut down 20 jobs in Zimbabwe.
Lillian Hapanyengwi, the head of corporate affairs at Standard Chartered Bank Zimbabwe Ltd has confirmed the reports that the Bank has started cutting some jobs as it is migrating some of its operations from Zimbabwe to China, India, and Malaysia.
It is reported that the Bank has already issued a circular that resulted in the cutting of 20 jobs at a Harare based unit.
Hapanyengwi opined that outsourcing some activities to the parent’s global business services division is aimed at trimming costs as more customers embrace digital banking. She also said that the Bank would “redeploy impacted staff wherever possible.”
Peter Mutasa, president of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, said that the Bank started last year retrenching people. He also said that the government must have policies that compel employees to take care of employees upon retrenchment.
Mutasa also revealed that there are other companies and mines which are halting operations due to the current economic crisis.
Chipinge People Greeted Mnangagwa With Kasukuwere’s Song | WHAT WERE THEY TELLING ED? The people meeting president Emmerson Mnangagwa in Chipinge today greeted him using former G40 kingpin Saviour Kasukuwere’s Song, “regai vatonge!”
The praise singers are seen in the below ZBC footage singing loudly as Mnangagwa enters a small building in Chipinge where he was meeting the area’s revered Svikiro who is reportedly former president Robert Mugabe’s ancestral priest.
Insider sources told ZimEye, the Svikiro is angry with Mnangagwa following the 1 August bloodshed and the January shootings which combined left over 23 innocent lives dead.
A source close to the development told ZimEye, “Mnangagwa arikutsvaka kucheneswa. Pahutongi hwake ihwohwo Mnangagwa pane zvisina kumira zvakanaka.
While fuller details of what was discussed inside were not clear, Mnangagwa can be seen on video apologising as if for the cyclone aid program. But insider sources insisted there is a deeper concern.
“There is serious disagreement between the Svikiro and Mnangagwa,” one of the sources said.