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

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

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

Sources told ZimEye:

“He has been quiet and more indoors lately.”

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

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

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

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

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

He however said regarding the National Dialogue launch:

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

Watch the live video below for this and more..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read messages below.

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

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

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

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

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

VIDEO LOADING BELOW..

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

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) May 17, 2019

FULL VIDEO BELOW….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VIEW PICTURES BELOW….

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

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

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

He however said regarding the National Dialogue launch:

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

Watch the live video below for this and more..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The matter came to light at the Bulawayo magistrates court.

She said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video loading below…

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

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

Said Mnangagwa:

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

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

Said Mnanngagwa:

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

Video loading below…

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

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

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

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

He added:

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

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

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

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

Said Nare:

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

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

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

Farai Dziva|Bryn Mteki has praised Emmerson Mnangagwa for inviting opposition parties to the national dialogue process.

Mteki made the remarks at the launch of the National Dialogue at the HICC in Harare.

“Your Excellency we salute you for inviting us to this noble discussion platform.

We have to bury our differences and move the nation forward.Let us digress from lady politics to national politics,” said Mteki.

“We believe this is the right platform for us to lay the foundation for building our nation,” added Mteki.

By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa is attending the Political Parties Dialogue Launch at the Harare International Conference Centre.

ZimEye will be livestreaming the event.

Refresh this page for latest updates.

Farai Dziva|Former MDC official Lucia Matibenga has attacked MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa for snubbing the Zanu PF initiated National Dialogue.

Speaking at the launch of the National Dialogue in the capital today Matibenga said:”If you are a Zimbabwean and if you are patriotic then you have to be part of this dialogue.

That is why I am part of the dialogue.If you choose to stay away from this key national process then you are unpatriotic,” said Matibenga.

Chamisa argues the national dialogue process is meant to legitimize and authenticate Mnangagwa’s controversial victory in the 2018 polls.

Analysts say Mnangagwa is using the dialogue process to coax the restive Zimbabwean population.

Farai Dziva|Former MDC member Lucia Matibenga has said Emmerson Mnangagwa was given the mandate to rule the country during last year’s elections.

Matibenga urged the opposition to accept the outcome of the 2018 polls to enable the nation building process to commence.

“There is no need to argue about the outcome of the 2018 polls because we are all aware of the fact that a winner was officially announced.

Our focus should be on how to develop our nation,” said Matibenga.

By Own Correspondent| Controversial businessman who has in the past hogged the lime light for allegedly duping the country’s power utility ZESA of millions of dollars has responded to the newly appointed minister’s statement instructing ZESA to recover the money lost to him.

Wicknell Chivhayo, whose statement reflected that he appeared unfazed by the threats showered praises on the newly appointed Energy Minister Fortune Chasi describing him as a level headed politician who would act accordingly once properly briefed of the correct facts of the Gwanda solar project.

Said Chivhayo:

Hon Minister Chibabest is not only a very Senior Advocate but a seasoned level headed politician of unquestionable integrity. When he’s fully briefed of the correct facts on the ground I’m optimistic and confident he will come up with a different conclusion based on an informed position. I can only but celebrate that with a pragmatic Minister like him “against all odds” success of the project is inevitable…???…???…???…?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️…???

By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said Government is committed to sustainable growth of the tourism sector through the implementation of various initiatives.

He said this during a cocktail he hosted for a visiting 343-member Chinese tourist delegation at State House last night.

The delegation comprising tourists, buyers and journalists, is part of a tourism project organised by Touchroad International Holdings Group dubbed “Tour Africa — The New Horizon”.

Said Mnangagwa:

My Government has adopted various strategies to ensure sustainable long-term growth of the tourism sector.

These include increasing tourist arrivals and promoting investment in tourism-related infrastructure. We therefore continue to encourage investment in infrastructure such as hotels and other facilities that will widen our tourism products.

The introduction of a number of incentives will further help promote investments into the sector. These include the declaration of a Tourism Special Economic Zone, which covers Victoria Falls, Binga and Kariba tourism corridor, among others.”

President Mnangagwa added that duty exemptions were also available for the importation of tourism capital goods and safari vehicles.

“Government is also scaling up efforts to rehabilitate and modernise airport infrastructure as well as road networks connecting tourist resorts. To this end, the Belt and Road Initiative spearheaded by His Excellency Xi Xinping will go a long way in enhancing interconnectivity with countries to facilitate not only trade but also tourism and people to people exchanges. Hence tourists can use Zimbabwe as a gateway to other tourist destinations in the Southern African region.

“Our country’s tourism sector has received international recognition and endorsements which saw us being nominated as the 3rd Best in Travel in the World, and we are among the top 10 ‘must visit’ destinations and chosen the Sustainable Destination of the Year during the recent ITB Berlin Travel Show.

This commitment of monthly tourist delegations by Touchroad International Holdings Group is yet another welcome endorsement and recognition of Zimbabwe as a safe and must-visit destination.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- A group of shady organisations from Zimbabwe with links to the opposition MDC-Alliance has in recent months been hard at work laying the groundwork for civil unrest set to be unleashed next month, a report by The Herald has alleged.

Foreign organisations are coordinating workshops and training in Zimbabwe, the region and overseas to effect illegal regime change.

Also in the mix are individuals that security services in Zimbabwe have been watching.

According to information at hand, the organisations are seeking to unleash a wave of violent demonstrations beginning next month, with ring leaders of civil unrest having received training in the Czech Republic and the Maldives

Further, The Herald has been told that after the training, the groups briefed MDC-Alliance president Mr Nelson Chamisa.

Currently, there is a group training in the Maldives, which began on Tuesday and ends on Sunday and is being conducted by Center for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies (CANVAS), a Serbian organisation which trained MDC activists who were involved in the coordination of the January 14 to 16 violent protests.

Eight local activists, including a multimedia journalist from NewsDay, are attending the programme and will be instrumental in training and instigating mayhem to be rolled out in June.

The eight are drawn from civic organisations which include Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellency, Centre for Community Development, Trust Africa, Rozaria Memorial Trust, and Community Tolerance and Reconciliation Trust.

CANVAS was founded in 2003 by Serbian nationals Srdja Popovic and Ivan Morovic and has been involved in the training of anti-government activists in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Iran, Lebanon, Tibet, Ukraine and Venezuela.

MDC activists who attended the training in the Czech Republic were sponsored by Trust Africa (Zimbabwe) which is headed by Mr Briggs Bomba, who also heads Zimbabwe Alliance, a donor collaborative sponsoring regime change efforts in the country.

According to documents leaked from Mr Chamisa’s office, the MDC and Trust Africa seconded six members to the workshop, which was held in Prague, from May 6 to 10.

The purpose of the workshop was to share plot to unleash violent protests unearthed transitional experiences of countries such as Argentina, Georgia, Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic, among others. The workshop was funded by National Endowment for democracy (NED), an American private and non-profit organisation which focuses on “strengthening democratic institutions”.

Although Mr Bomba did not return calls as promised by his office, a source at Morgan Tsvangirai House – the MDC headquarters – confirmed details of the workshop held at CEVRO Institute, a private university in Prague, owned by a civic organization with the same name.

According to the CEVRO website, the organization was established in 1999 in Prague, as a non-profit organization “seeking to support democratic development home and abroad”.

“The workshop was held at CEVRO Institute, Jungmannova 17, 111000 Prague 1, Room Number 218. The workshop topics focused on dismantling of the State Security apparatus and the investigation and prosecution of the crimes of the regime, among others.

“Case studies on the transition experiences were drawn from Georgia, Estonia, Argentina, Poland and Czech Republic. The activists also toured the Chamber of Deputies and Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

“The workshop follows efforts to push for the formation of a transitional authority in Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the 2018 harmonised elections,” the source said.

The workshop was also attended by activists from Vietnam, Armenia, Azerbaijah, Bolivia, Burma, Burundi, North Korea, Uganda and Venezuela.

According to the training programme, topics were based on the Georgian, Estonian, German, Polish, Russian and Czech experiences and centered on the dismantling of state security apparatus, prosecution of regime crimes and transformation of political system.

Presenters included CEVRO director Jiri Kozak; Anton Vacharadze, direction head at the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information; Gabriela Ippolito-O´Donnell, director of the School of Politics at the University of El Salvador; and Franciszek D?browski, a lecturer at the Academy of Warfare in Warsaw.

“The workshop focused on how to unseat authoritarian regimes using peaceful means. Modus operandi for the unseating would include massive demonstrations, sit-ins, student protests, civil disobedience and online activism.

“What we want to do is to pressurise the regime into concessions with protestors. The most powerful tool to be used is grassroots mobilization and use of the internet for sharing information. This is exactly what we did during the January protests, we used the internet,” the MDC source said.

“We have been told that the security sector’s top hierarchy is disgruntled with the current regime and is willing to work with Nelson Chamisa but are fearful of their future in the aftermath of regime change. We have suggested that Chamisa should approach the security sector’s top hierarchy and assure them of no reprisals if the MDC wins.”

The MDC has previously denied instigating and coordinating public violence, especially on August 1, 2018 and January 14 to 16 this year.

The August 1 post-election violence left six people dead and property worth millions of dollars was destroyed in Harare.

Prior to the election, Mr Chamisa has threatened that he would make Zimbabwe ungovernable if he did not win.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa is under increasing pressure from Western countries to implement security sector reforms, a report claims.

In recent months, Mnangagwa has retired several senior military figures who perpetuated “toxic politics”, some of whom will be deployed to diplomatic missions.

Some of the retired commanders are Major-General Anselem Sanyatwe, who was the commander of the Presidential Guard; former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) chief-of-staff (administration) Douglas Nyikayaramba, chief-of-staff responsible for service personnel and logistics, Major-General Martin Chedondo, and Air Vice-Marshal Sheba Shumbayawonda.

In an article on April 28, Mnangagwa’s blue-eyed boy, Nick Mangwana said that the changes were part of the security sector reforms.

Mangwana’s sentiments are considered to be those of Mnangagwa.

Said Mangwana:

President Mnangagwa has redeployed those members of the security services who have served their country with distinction to other areas of the establishment to strengthen Zimbabwe’s democracy.

These include General Constantino Chiwenga (Rtd), who is now Vice President, Major-General Sibusiso Moyo (Rtd), who is now Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and a host of other eminent sons who have been redeployed to the party and diplomatic service.

He has also permanently retired those members who perpetuated toxic politics of yesteryear and appointed and elevated other patriotic cadres to replace them.

However, a retired army commander who spoke to the Zimbabwe Independent said that it was not possible to drive out the military from politics completely as Mnangagwa lacks popular political support having initially risen at the behest of a military coup. The retired commander is quoted as saying:

It is an implausible scenario to say Mnangagwa is undertaking security sector reform as Mangwana claims.

What Mnangagwa is doing is changing faces within the command element to consolidate power and protect himself from possible removal by the same military.

In the first place, Mnangagwa and his military allies, before the new splits, thwarted security sector reform under Mugabe because of militarised politics and the succession battle.

So they won’t embrace it now because the military is the foundation of his administration; overhauling it means he will be left exposed and won’t survive politically.

Remember he has no popular electoral support and this was demonstrated during last year’s general elections.

He relied on the military to assume power, he depended on it to controversially win the election and still relies on it to remain in power.

What he has done and is still doing is merely replacing commanders he doesn’t want or those he doesn’t trust with those who are loyal to him.

The military infrastructure remains the same because he is aware that he can’t institute genuine security sector reforms without collapsing his rule.

By Own Correspondent- Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube reportedly clashed with ZANU PF MPs on Wednesday morning over a number of issues.

The MPs were summoned for a caucus before they went to Parliament where Ncube was expected to make a presentation.

The party had gathered intelligence that the MPs intended to grill Ncube over the deteriorating economy as well as their welfare.

As a result, the party pre-empted an ugly clash between Ncube and the MPs.

Reports indicate that the angry MPs accused Ncube of sabotaging the party through his damaging policies.

The Zimbabwe Independent spoke to a number of MPs who attended the caucus who revealed that the irate legislators took  Ncube to task over his austerity measures.

One of the MPs who spoke to the publication had this to say about Ncube:

The meeting turned chaotic as MPs confronted Ncube.

Some accused him of being a sellout and a traitor who had introduced policies that will cost the party in the next elections. He didn’t take that particular criticism lightly.

Instead of retreating, he stood up and launched counter-accusations against MPs and started banging tables in a fit of rage.

He insisted that the policies would work if they had the support of the party.

This further infuriated the MPs and the scene became dramatic as some started walking out, while others kept on locked in heated exchanges him.

In the end, Togarepi calmed down the situation and ended the meeting.

By Own Correspondent- Cash-strapped Chitungwiza Municipality owes former and current workers close to $29 million in salary arrears and terminal benefits.

A recent council report reveals that current employees are owed over $16 million while the human resources department could not ascertain the arrears for March.

“The balance of salary arrears stood at $28 843 892 of this $16 854 762 is for current employees. All former employees are owed a total of $4 634 762,” reads the report.

“We could not establish a reasonable basis for March 2019 employment costs because of increased difficulties associated with estimating salaries for one payroll because the human resources department inherited a payroll which was behind by seven months in September 2018.

Mrs Mary Mukonyora, the human resources director, said the continued failure to meet monthly obligations could result in litigation.

“There is a monthly obligation of $88 000 that should be paid to former workers. Challenges facing the department are the late payment of salaries.

“Whilst council has enjoyed a stay in terms of labour related issues due to payment plans and deeds of settlement, council is struggling to fulfil its obligation which may result in resurgence of court cases,” she said.

“There were 89 cumulative labour cases recorded during the month under review from the previous 88 cases recorded the previous the month.

“Of these 89 cases, 45 are being handled by human resources whilst council lawyers are handling 44 cases.” -StateMedia

TENSIONS boiled over at a Zanu PF parliamentary caucus meeting on Wednesday morning as MPs confronted Finance minister Mthuli Ncube over the parlous state of the economy and their welfare issues.

This comes as MPs are also calling for a 250% increase in Constituency Development Fund allocations, saying the RTGS$50 000 which they are receiving each was insufficient to allow them to undertake development projects in their constituencies.

Ahead of Ncube’s Wednesday address to parliament on the economy, Zanu PF summoned its MPs to a caucus meeting at the party headquarters in Harare to whip them into line after it reportedly gathered information that they intended to tackle him head-on over the spiralling economy and their welfare before the nation.

Ncube’s presentation in parliament was broadcast live on state television, ZBC.

In the tense caucus meeting, agitated parliamentarians accused Ncube of sabotaging the party through his damaging policies and not taking their welfare issues seriously.

Ncube was also asked to field questions to MPs in the meeting, but left early leaving Zanu PF deputy chief whip Obedingwa Mguni on the firing line.

Zanu PF MPs who spoke to the Zimbabwe Independent in off-the-record briefings this week said there was a tense atmosphere in the caucus meeting as MPs attacked Ncube and openly denounced him.

Sources said the meeting started with the Zanu PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi, MP for Gutu South, outlining the agenda — which was to discuss how they should conduct themselves during the state-of-the-economy address.

Ncube was then invited to speak to the MPs, they said.

In his address, which was repeatedly interrupted as he was also later in the day in parliament, Ncube said government did not have the means to fund MPs’ lavish lifestyles.

“Basically, we zeroed in on our welfare issues; for instance we were previously promised Toyota Landcruiser vehicles, but Ncube told us that government for now can only afford Toyota Hilux trucks. Alternatively he offered us vehicle loans amounting to RTGS$40 000.

“In the last parliament, we got US$35 000 and the MPs felt that Ncube was being dismissive. What sort of a car can you buy now with RTGS$40 000? We demanded that he should at least raise it to at least RTGS$200 000, but he refused.

So people started making all sorts of accusations and hurling insults at him,” one of the MPs who attended the meeting said.

“There was also the issue of our sitting allowances. As you may be aware, we get RTGS$100 per sitting, which is now very insignificant. So the MPs put it to him that since he is the one who devalued the currency, he should own up and make sure our allowances are reviewed upwards. Again he did not budge. This greatly angered some of us.”

Another source said: “The meeting turned chaotic as MPs confronted Ncube.

Some accused him of being a sellout and a traitor who had introduced policies that will cost the party in the next elections. He didn’t take that particular criticism lightly.”

According to sources, chaos intensified when Ncube stood up and put on a brave face as he took the marauding MPs head-on.

“Instead of retreating, he stood up and launched counter-accusations against MPs and started banging tables in a fit of rage. He insisted that the policies would work if they had the support of the party.

“This further infuriated the MPs and the scene became dramatic as some started walking out, while others kept on locked in heated exchanges him. In the end, Togarepi calmed down the situation and ended the meeting,” the source said.

Later in the day, Ncube kept the National Assembly in wait for about half an hour, raising fears that he might have developed cold feet to avoid facing the combined wrath of Zanu PF and opposition parties.

But when he finally made his way into the House, Zanu PF MPs maintained their cool throughout his presentation, which had to be cut midway through in accordance with the Standing Rules and Orders which prohibit parliament business from proceeding beyond 7:55pm unless prior special leave is sought.

Togarepi yesterday declined to comment on the issue.

“Parliament’s administration is dealing with those issues through the Ministry of Finance. Both parties are guided by decisions already made on the adjustments to their allowance,” he said.

Ncube could not be reached for comment as his mobile number went unanswered. — Independent

By Own Correspondent | A United Kingdom based woman poured “jecha” on her husband’s marriage to his Zimbabwean based sweetheart after she successfully approached the High Court seeking the nullification of their secret wedding arguing that she was still customarily married to him.

Dorothy Mtetwa, dragged her husband Lesley Amos and his newly found love Mavis Sibanda who secretly tied the knot last year, to court where her plea to have the duo’s union nullified was later granted.

In an exclusive interview with ZimEye, Thursday night, Mtetwa narrated how her cheating husband left the UK clandestinely to marry his “sweetheart” secretly.

“He was just saying all sorts of things about me including that I was cheating on him, which really on the contrary was not true because it was him who would spend two weeks without coming home. He made his plans and did not tell me about his trip despite that I am the one that was very instrumental in him getting his documents in order both here in the UK and back home(sic).

Mtetwa revealed how she got wind that Amos had paid lobola for Sibanda and how he was planning to wed, through her husband’s relative.

Amos, who is related to prominent politician Margaret Dongo, initially claimed that Dongo knew about his marriage to Sibanda before back-tracking and revealing that she was never a part of it.

Said Mtetwa;

‘My husband’s sister told me that she knew this woman as her brother’s girlfriend but did not think that their relationship was that serious.”

Amos had only disclosed to a chosen few that he had paid dowry for Sibanda, which his UK based first wife Mtetwa found out.

“My advice to women who will be put in the same situation like mine is that stand up for your rights. If you are violated approach the courts for redress. In Zimbabwe, it is not too expensive. Sue them.

Even when you are married customarily, you also have rights and the law recognises that marriage so sue your husband and his mistress until they know that it’s wrong.”

Mtetwa however said before taking the bold step of nullifying the duo’s marriage which she believe was done in order to facilitate for Sibanda’s entry into the UK since she is a qualified nurse, she tried to engage her husband’s concubine to advise her that Amos was married.

“She (Sibanda) would not listen and she told me hurting words. I even advised her that she should seek other ways of coming to the UK instead of destroying my marriage but she remained adamant.”

Today Mr Lesley Amos, speaks on ZimEye.com

Meanwhile, last night Mr Amos appeared via phone to respond to his ex wife’s allegations that he was a cheat who took advantage of his spouse to use her for immigration papers only to desert her for a Harare based nurse after 25 years. FULL VIDEO BELOW – 

A comment from the small house was not possible at the time of writing.

VIDEOS LOADING BELOW…

The Movement for Democratic Change Alliance has been invited to the launch of the Political Actors Dialogue at the Harare International Conference Centre set for today, one of the conveners Justice Selo Nare said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to officially launch the dialogue.

Leaders of at least 17 political parties are taking part in the national dialogue which MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has boycotted because he argues that Mnangagwa cannot convene any dialogue since he is one of the disputants.

The national dialogue is being convened by Nare and Zimbabwe Gender Commission Chair Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe.

Chamisa preferred the dialogue to be convened by someone from outside Zimbabwe or a local church leader but United Nations representative to Zimbabwe Bishow Parajuli said that locally initiated dialogue usually provided a lasting solution.

Chamisa does not recognise Mnangagwa as President of the country because he argues that he won last year’s presidential elections though he failed to prove so in court.

WIFE IN CELEBRATION:

HUSBAND’S RESPONSE:

Own Correspondent|Zimbabwe’s former deputy minister of finance, Terrence Mukupe, is facing jail over a $24,237 debt after Quality Insurance Company approached the high court seeking an order to have him caged.

Mukupe is yet to respond after the insurance company issued the summons for civil imprisonment against him at the High Court in Harare, NewsDay reported on Thursday. The debt was incurred in 2012

Quality Insurance asserts that the former minister is required to pay the claimed sum by virtue of a judgement against him in 2017, adding that he was also ordered to pay charges relating to the judgement. Should he renege he will be forced to appear before a judge to explain further as to why he shouldn’t be imprisoned.

Mukupe was further advised to bring evidence supporting his financial position in regard to evidence of income as well as expenses and liabilities.‌

Last year Trust Bank applied for him to be imprisoned over a $32,593 debt. The bank alleges Mukupe defied a 2013 court order from High Court judge Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo compelling him to clear his debt.

Controversial businessman, Wicknell Chivayo has responded to newly appointed Minister of Energy and Power Development Fortune Chasi’s demands for him to return the US$5 million that he was advanced by the Zimbabwe Power Company.

Chivayo’s company, Intratek Zimbabwe was awarded the US$200 million tender by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) for the construction of the Gwanda Solar Power Project but meaningful progress is yet to made on the project almost three years later despite the fact that Chivayo received an advance of US$5 million from Zesa in irregular circumstances.

Due to the lack of progress, the government tried to prosecute Chivayo but were defeated at the courts with the judges ruling that the businessman had committed no crimes.

However, soon after his appointment, Chasi went on the attack and called on Chivayo to return all the that he had received from Zesa.

The Minister’s demands did not seem to trouble Chivayo who told Zimlive,

“All I can say is that against all odds, success of the project is inevitable. The minister is a very senior advocate and level-headed politician of unquestionable integrity. When he’s fully briefed of the facts on the ground, he will come up with a conclusion based on an informed position,” he said.

State Media|Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) secretary, Nora Tsitsi Tsomondo has been acquitted of charges of concealing a transaction from her principals in a botched $1 billion Hwange tender.

In her ruling Harare regional magistrate Ms Lucy Mugwari said there was no evidence linking Tsomondo to the offence.

“Through the evidence of all the witnesses there was no evidence to prove the accused acted in a corrupt manner,” she said.

Ms Mugwari also said that the State had failed to prove a prima facie case and the two men who were her principals had indicated that they were not deceived.

Allegations were that between 2011 and 2018, ZPC undertook an engineering procurement and construction contract for the expansion of Hwange 7 and 8 power stations.

The tender project was awarded to Chinese company SinoHydro Corporation at a contract price of $1,1 billion.

It is alleged in order to access funds, Government represented by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development entered into a preferential buyer credit loan agreement with China-Exim Bank.

This prompted the need for notarial security cession agreement for the project which was in favour of China-Exim Bank in the sum of $4 501 166.

The State alleges on May 14, 2014, Tsomondo was requested by financial director, Hubert Chiwara, to register the notarial security cession agreement with the Registrar of Companies. Tsomondo advised Chiwara that the cost of registration would not exceed $100 000.

It was the State’s case that on the same day, Tsomondo wrote to Sheilla Mugugu Law Chambers requesting a quotation for legal fees for drafting, preparation for filing, lodging with the Registrar of Companies and the notarial deed of the security cession. Mugugu allegedly charged two percent of the $1,1 billion contract which was $5 001 166.

Tsomondo allegedly negotiated for a reduction which resulted in Mugugu invoicing $4 501 166.

It is alleged on May 17 this year, Tsomondo went on to engage Mugugu for the registration without advising her principals that $100 000 was changed to $4 501 166.

The State alleged, by so doing Tsomondo corruptly concealed a transaction which has an actual financial prejudice to ZPC of $4 501 166.

The offence came to light when Tsomondo tendered an invoice of $4 500 000 from Mugugu to Chiwara for payment instructions.

HEALTH and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo has defended the First Lady, Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa’s interference in government affairs, saying she is assisting the health sector.

Dr Moyo said the First Lady has managed to mobilise resources for hospitals and clinics which the Ministry would not have ordinarily managed to procure.

The Minister was responding to legislators’ questions during the National Assembly’s Question and Answer session on Wednesday afternoon.

Dr Moyo said Amai Mnangagwa, through her charity organisation, Angel of Hope Foundation, has gone out of her way to assist the health sector.

Legislators had quizzed the Minister if the First Lady was not interfering with Government operations following her recent visit to the National Pharmaceutical Company (Natpharm).

“The First Lady’s work is philanthropic. She is the Ambassador for Health and Child Care. She was always the Ambassador for Maternal and Child Care. She has done a tremendous amount of work for the country,” said Dr Moyo.

“Without any doubt, the First Lady has managed to acquire equipment on behalf of the Ministry and on behalf of all of us. She has managed to acquire equipment which we could have never been able to acquire. She has worked right through. She is a hard worker who cannot be stopped. In actual fact, as the Minister of Health and Child Care, I do encourage her to continue assisting us as much as possible.”

He said while Government is grappling with foreign currency shortages, the First Lady has managed to source health equipment from overseas.

“There is no foreign currency but she manages through her foundation to gather equipment for us from America, Europe and Japan. What more do you want? She is there for us as a mother who is looking after the whole family and making sure that the health of Zimbabweans is well looked after and in a much better position. There is no need to condemn the First Lady for her good works,” Dr Moyo said.

By A Correspondent| The government of Zimbabwe has subtly announced plans to repeat the military violence of August 2018 and January 2019, next month.

Zimbabwe has been set for another round of military attacks.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Has Zimbabwe returned to where it was a week before President Mugabe's removal?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) May 17, 2019

Zimbabwe has returned to where it was early Nov 2017 just before Robert Mugabe's removal? pic.twitter.com/me3P7qdOwp

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) May 17, 2019

The loud statement was published over a state media broadsheet summing up a propaganda pullover similar to the August 2018 and the January 2019 preparations. The pointers are contained in the below state “news” article whose pivot is a worry that members olof the public are disgruntled over the 2018 election rigging and the questionable constitutional court verdict by Chief Justice Luke Malaba whose writ is still to be produced. Already, state economists say the first round of state terror attacks (August 2018) cost Zimbabwe over $16 billion, in what has caused a sudden flight of capital and great economic uncertainty.

The below state media article seeks to draw Emmerson Mnangagwa’s nemesis, Nelson Chamisa to the fore of allegations. It was printed with Nelson Chamisa’s face albeit with neither comment nor constultation with the accused.

WILL THE TERROR ATTACKS WORK THIS TIME?

Below is the state media article:

Herald Article: A group of shady organisations from Zimbabwe with links to the opposition MDC-Alliance has in recent months been hard at work laying groundwork for civil unrest set to be unleashed next month, according to our Harare Bureau.

Foreign organisations are coordinating workshops and training in Zimbabwe, the region and overseas to effect regime change in the country.

Also in the mix are individuals that security services in Zimbabwe have been watching.

According to information at hand, the organisations are seeking to unleash a massive wave of violent demonstrations beginning next month, with ring leaders of civil unrest having received training in the Czech Republic and the Maldives

Further, our Harare Bureau has been told that after the trainings, the groups came and gave briefings to MDC-Alliance president, Mr Nelson Chamisa.

There is a group undergoing training in the Maldives, which started on Tuesday and ends on Sunday and is being conducted by Centre for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies (CANVAS), a Serbian organisation which trained MDC activists involved in the coordination of the January 14 to 16 violent protests.

Eight local activists, including a multimedia journalist from NewsDay, are attending the programme and will be instrumental in training and instigating mayhem to be rolled out in June.

The eight are drawn from various civic organisations which include Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellency, Centre for Community Development, Trust Africa, Rozaria Memorial Trust and Community Tolerance and Reconciliation Trust.

CANVAS was founded in 2003 by Serbian nationals Srdja Popovic and Ivan Morovic and has been involved in the training of anti-government activists in Azerbajan, Belarus, Georgia, Iran, Lebanon, Tibet, Ukraine and Venezuela.

MDC activists who attended the training in the Czech Republic were sponsored by Trust Africa (Zimbabwe) which is headed by Mr Briggs Bomba, who also heads Zimbabwe Alliance, a donor collaborative sponsoring regime change efforts in the country.

According to documents leaked from Mr Chamisa’s office, the MDC and Trust Africa seconded six members to the workshop, which was held in Prague, from May 6 to 10.

The purpose of the workshop was to share transitional experiences of countries such as Argentina, Georgia, Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic, among others. The workshop was funded by National Endowment for democracy (NED), an American private and non-profit organisation which focuses on “strengthening democratic institutions”.

Although Mr Bomba did not return calls as promised by his office, a source at Morgan Tsvangirai House – the MDC headquarters – confirmed details of the workshop held at CEVRO Institute, a private university in Prague, owned by a civic organisation with the same name.

According to the CEVRO website, the organisation was established in 1999 in Prague, as a non-profit organisation “seeking to support democratic development home and abroad”.

“The workshop was held at CEVRO Institute, Jungmannova 17, 111000 Prague 1, Room Number 218. The workshop topics focused on dismantling of the State Security apparatus and the investigation and prosecution of the crimes of the regime, among others.

“Case studies on the transition experiences were drawn from Georgia, Estonia, Argentina, Poland and Czech Republic. The activists also toured the Chamber of Deputies and Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

“The workshop follows efforts to push for the formation of a transitional authority in Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the 2018 harmonised elections,” the source said.

The workshop was also attended by activists from Vietnam, Armenia, Azerbaijah, Bolivia, Burma, Burundi, North Korea, Uganda and Venezuela.

According to the training programme, topics were based on the Georgian, Estonian, German, Polish, Russian and Czech experiences and centred on the dismantling of state security apparatus, prosecution of regime crimes and transformation of political system.

Presenters included CEVRO director Jiri Kozak; Anton Vacharadze, direction head at the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information; Gabriela Ippolito-O´Donnell, director of the School of Politics at the University of El Salvador; and Franciszek D’browski, a lecturer at the Academy of Warfare in Warsaw.

“The workshop focused on how to unseat authoritarian regimes using peaceful means. Modus operandi for the unseating would include massive demonstrations, sit-ins, student protests, civil disobedience and online activism. What we want to do is to pressurise the regime into concessions with protestors. The most powerful tool to be used is grassroots mobilisation and use of the internet for sharing information. This is exactly what we did during the January protests, we used the internet,” the MDC source said.

“We have been told that the security sector’s top hierarchy is disgruntled with the current regime and is willing to work with Nelson Chamisa but are fearful of their future in the aftermath of regime change. We have suggested that Chamisa should approach the security sector’s top hierarchy and assure them of no reprisals if the MDC wins.”

The MDC has previously denied instigating and coordinating public violence, especially on August 1, 2018 and January 14 to 16 this year.

The August 1 post-election violence left six people dead and property worth millions of dollars was destroyed in Harare.

Prior to the election, Mr Chamisa had threatened that he would make Zimbabwe ungovernable if he did not win.

By Own Correspondent-A concerned parent of a Form 2 pupil at Founder High School Etiwel Mutero has written to the Head of the school with shocking claims that a Form Two Maths teacher identified as Chivava has not been attending lessons for a full year.

Wrote the parent:

“This letter serves to complain over your Form Two Maths teacher Chivava. As I was going through my Form two child’s Maths Book this holiday I found out that her Maths book has not been marked since Form one. I interrogated her on why her book has never been marked ever since Form 1 and she said the teacher does not come to class. She said the teacher comes to class once in two weeks and that this is his habit since January 2018.”

He further revealed that there was another teacher who was offering extra lessons at the schools. “Secondly, she (daughter) told me there is a teacher by the name Mzizi who is giving extra mathematics lessons for money within the school premises.

“My questions are: were you aware that Chivava is not attending his lessons and that he is not marking our children’s work since January 2018? Do you check the pupils exercise books to see if teachers are doing their work properly as the school overall supervisor?

Is there no link between Chivava and Mzizi, since Chivava is not attending his form 1 and 2 lessons then assign Mzizi to give Maths lessons for money within the school premises. Is it legal for teachers to use school premises to make extra money?”

Parents who spoke to this publication said if the allegations are investigated and found to be true the said teachers should be suspended and forced to pay back al the money they have benefited from the pupils.

Farai Dziva|Zimbabweans have called on Emmerson Mnangagwa to reign in on war veterans leader Victor Matemadanda as he is a security risk.

Zimbabweans also condemned Zanu PF youths for threatening Chief Ndiweni.

Rangarirayi Mutukura said :The
Deputy Minister is a security threat.

Desmond Tinarwo commented:
This is the kind of reckless behaviour that can cause war!

Gilbert Makombora:
Must be arrested
That is unacceptable.

Andrew Marime:
Lawlessness nation, it’s sickening. Why can’t a person speak his mind and not be manhandled? His freedom of speech is guaranteed (whatever that means!)in the Zim Constitution.

If anything it’s the deputy minister who needs to be indicted for inciting violence.

Farai Dziva| Legendary musician Clive Malunga has disclosed that he last had sex in 2002 when he parted ways with his wife.

The Nesango hit-maker has also said he is committed to studies and he has no time for ladies.Malunga owns Jenaguru Culture Centre.

“I am currently doing my Masters in Business Administration (degree) with Great Zimbabwe University,” Malunga told H-Metro.

One of the country’s top musicians and music promoter, Malunga, has decided to go back to school.

“It is time for educating our minds than wasting time having sex.”

Malunga, however, urged men not to divorce their wives saying it was only him who was unlucky in marriage.

“I think I am unlucky in marriage. To all men, get me correctly here, I am not saying leave your wives, no, but I am just honestly telling you that I have a bad luck in marriage, hence decided to stay single for life with my children.”

“So inini handichada, I am now just staying and educating my children who are now respecting me more because they now know that our father is an organised parent and he is a father,” he said.

ZIMBABWE’s rate of inflation will remain high until October this year and is likely to go into the negative going into early next year, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said.

Latest figures released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) this week show that the country’s month-on-month inflation rate rose by 1,14 percentage points to 5,52 percent in April from 4,38 percent in March.

ZimStat also indicated that year-on-year inflation last month as measured by all items Consumer Price Index stood at 75,86 percent, while that of March was 66,80 percent.

This means that prices as measured by the all items Consumer Price Index increased by an average of 75,86 percent between April 2018 and April 2019.

Responding to questions in Parliament on Wednesday, Prof Ncube said:
“I will be on record to say that inflation will remain high until about October this year, that is our prognosis. After that, it is expected to fall right into early next year.
“Our reasons are as follows; the increase in inflation is also due to a technical factor in the sense that when the inflation picked up in October last year to about 16 percent just for that month alone, that shifted the index
to a higher level and the way inflation is measured you always compare the level of index from the previous year to the current year.”State media

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday said the country would not fully depend on hydro-electricity generation in view of the reality of climate change, which has forced a drastic drop in power generation at the giant Kariba Hydro-Power Station due to declining water levels.

Kariba Station is the major source of electricity in Zimbabwe following commissioning of Kariba South units last year, which were built at a cost of about $500 million.

However, declining water levels have seen local power generation reduced drastically at a time when thermal power generation is also weak due to ageing equipment. In view of this the power utility, Zesa, has resorted to massive load shedding which has seen some places experience power outages for more than 10 hours.

The situation has sparked public outcry with businesses also complaining that their operations are being negatively affected.

Addressing guests at the commissioning of the $62 million Unki Mines smelter plant in Shurugwi, President Mnangagwa said his Government was working on mechanisms to deal with the power supply issue and other utilities for the benefit of the economy and its populace.

“Measures to avail enablers and utilities such as electricity and adequate water supply are high on our priority list. Because of climate change we are fully aware that we cannot fully depend on hydro-electricity, we have to diversify,” he told the large gathering that attended the commissioning event at Impali Primary School.State media

CHIPINGE District Hospital was a few months ago rocked by allegations of theft of drugs by staff members which forced the district’s administration to institute investigations.

The allegations, which came before the devastating tropical cyclone hit the country and were exposed via social media, have also seen the Ministry of Health and Child Care dispatching an investigating team from Harare to look into the matter.

Chipinge District Hospital is one of the centres where Cyclone Idai victims have been receiving treatment and the referral institution serves other communities from as far as Mozambique.

Sources at the referral hospital, said vital medical drugs have been misappropriated with some of them finding their way to private institutions.

“The matter came to light through social media,” said the source.
“This was before the cyclone disaster and I am pretty sure the district administration was seized with the matter. I am also sure that an investigation into the matter was launched although we are not aware of the findings,” said the source.

Chipinge district administrator Mr William Mashava acknowledged that allegations of misappropriation of medical drugs were raised at the hospital.

He, however, said the allegations were being peddled by people involved in the institution’s internal politics after some staff members were disgruntled by manpower changes that were made at the hospital.

“Remember they came from social media and I am sure there was nothing serious as the allegations were more of clashes as a result of politics at the hospital,” he said.State media

Correspondent|Former tourism minister, Walter Mzembi has been placed on the South Africa wanted list as the State is making efforts to secure his attendance for trial.

Addressing the court, prosecutor Brian Vito said initial efforts to have Mzembi ‘informally’ returned to Zimbabwe had proven to be futile so they had now engaged Interpol for him to be formally on the wanted list.

Vito tendered the letter written by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to Interpol to ensure the deportation of Mzembi.

Responding to the application, defence counsel Farai Mushoriwa who is representing Mzembi’s accomplices Aaron Mushoriwa and Miriam Sangarwe opposed the umpteenth postponement that was being sought by the State.

“The document tendered is of no effect as it doesn’t constitute the requirements of the Extradition Act which requires the issuance of a warrant of arrest giving particulars of the offence, sworn statement of the investigating officer and an affidavit from the prosecutor general.

“The effect of the document placed before the court is that the court will be hamstrung for the next ten years as they have no idea of where Mzembi is so they should do the humane thing and remove the alleged accomplices from remand.

“The State wanted to unlawfully abduct Mzembi and violate his rights of movement which they found impossible due to the large population in South Africa,” said Mushoriwa.

Brian Vito made an undertaking to have charges withdrawn from Mzembi’s accomplices if he fails to have him extradited on the new trial date 30 July.

Regional magistrate Hosea Mujaya remanded the matter to July 30 for trial. H Metro