By A Correspondent| ZANU PF members are fuming over plans to officially announce party president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s neice, Lydia Heather Mudhari as the Zimbabwe consul to Scotland.

Sources inside ZANU PF UK confirmed the development to ZimEye as some threatened to “pour jecha” on Mnangagwa’s niece.

Zimbabwe is opening the consulate at a time when it is closing numerous embassies across the world, where is the logic?, ZANU PF sources fumed speaking to ZimEye.

“Mudhari has been assigned the post, and it now awaits public announcement,” an impeccable source told ZimEye.

Heather Mudhari’s appointment was also confirmed by senior sources in ZANU PF. Although a government announcement was unavailable, the local ZANU PF leader, Marshall Gore was already referring Scotland based Zimbabweans to Miss Mudhari for assistance with passport documents, however saying the official setup is yet to be done.

For a person to be appointed an ambassador, they need to have first undergone special training for over a year and sources questioned why Heather Mudhari has been rushed to the post without the requisite training.

Our undercover investigations involved a test using a real case of a Glasgow based woman desperate for an ETD to travel for her mother’s funeral in Harare.

ZimEye believes the consulate service was now already functioning by Monday morning and the official position was only twisted after senior ZANU PF officials noticed that ZimEye has opened an investigation.

“Where and when did she do training for the post?,” a top ZANU PF member questioned.

Mudhari was contacted and she her tone of voice sounded “street level, rough” while responding.

She did not deny that she now carries the title, “ambassador.”

“Can you call the embassy in London” she said in response after answering to the salutation which was repeated thrice to her ears.

She then abruplty dropped the phone while the client was still speaking. – THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY –

The planned office address for the embassy could not be established at the time of writing.

By Own Correspondent- An 18 year old Filabusi man allegedly fatally struck his 18 year old neighbour with a brick on the head following a misunderstanding over his 13 year old girlfriend.

Carlson Ndlovu (18) of Zamanjalo Village found Mbongiseni Sibanda (18) at his girlfriend’s home on Friday last week and questioned him on his intentions.

A fight allegedly broke out and the two traded heavy blows.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said Sibanda was arrested and was assisting police with investigations. 

He said:

“I can confirm that we recorded a murder case which occurred in Filabusi area on Friday.

Mbongiseni Sibanda went to Carlson Ndlovu’s girlfriend aged 13-years at around 2PM and borrowed a cell phone and promised to return it. At around 7PM, Sibanda went back to the juvenile’s home to return the cell phone and while he was there Ndlovu arrived and found them talking.

Ndlovu confronted Sibanda demanding to know what he was doing at his girlfriend’s home which resulted in a misunderstanding. Sibanda fled from the homestead and Ndlovu pursued him.

This forced Sibanda to retaliate and he picked up a brick and struck Ndlovu on the back of his head.”

Chief Insp Ndebele said Ndlovu died on the spot as a result of the heavy blow.

He said police were called to attend the scene and Sibanda was arrested while Ndlovu’s body was taken to Filabusi District Hospital Mortuary.

Chief Insp Ndebele said it remained a cause for concern that murder cases were being recorded over trivial issues. He urged members of the public to desist from resorting to violence to resolve disputes.

He said:

“It’s alarming that we continue to record murder cases over trivial issues. Like in this case these youngsters had a fight which resulted in loss of life just because one was speaking to the other’s girlfriend. When people are faced with disputes they should resolve them amicably and not resort to violence.”

By Own Correspondent- Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa and President Emmerson Mnangagwa are likely to meet at the memorial service for the late Morgan Richard Tsvangirai set for May 4 in Buhera.

Tsvangirai, who succumbed to cancer of the colon on February 14 2018 is set to be remembered at his rural home in Buhera early next month.

Family spokesperson, Manase Tsvangirai said preparations were at an advanced stage for the memorial and invitations had been sent to many individuals and institutions.

Despite having dedicated his life to fighting Zanu-PF, Tsvangirai’s family said they would like everyone including Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF to attend.

The family of the late MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai revealed that they had invited both government and Zanu-PF party to the former Prime Minister’s memorial.

“This is not a closed session,” Manase said.

“This memorial is open to everyone be it political parties, churches, individuals or other organisations, everybody is being invited. The reason is that Morgan made friends with everyone during the Government of National Unity, so we cannot be found singling out some people that they must not attend. Even Zanu-PF is invited. We have send invitations through the right protocol channels.”

Manase added: “We also invited President Emmerson Mnangagwa, we sent through the invitation and an accompanying letter. Morgan was a former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and not of a party and because of that there is no way we can have selected people to attend.

“Morgan worked for Zimbabwe and we are saying everyone, be it the President, government officials and war veterans and other political parties are invited. This is going to be a very big function.”

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 Zimbabwe Electoral Commissioner has started warming up for the 2023 harmonised elections by convening a national multi-stakeholder conference aimed at reflecting at the July 30, 2018 general polls with a view to draw lessons on how to improve the coming plebcite.

Recently, the election management body invited stakeholders from within the country, the Sadc region and others from Nigeria to brainstorm how to conduct a flawless 2023 harmonised elections.

It was a no holds barred meeting with virtually every person or organisation with a say, in elections being taken on board in order to tap wisdom from their experience.

Notable entities present were political parties, civil society organisations, women organisations, law enforcement agencies, legal experts, representatives of disabled persons, political scientists, media representatives and traditional leaders among others.

Topical issues that came up for discussion were lessons from Bio-metric registration, voter education, vote counting, tabulation and transmission and election legal framework.

Others were reflections on the regional, continental and international standards for democratic elections, election dispute resolution mechanisms and role of the media as well as that of traditional leaders among other several issues.

The thrust of the conference was to reflect on the just ended elections focusing on what went right and what was it that went wrong before proffering suggestions for improvement.

Some of the political parties that attended the indaba were Zanu-PF and MDC-T led by Dr Thokozani Khupe with the MDC-Alliance conspicuous by its absence despite the fact that its secretary general, Mr Douglas Mwonzora was earmarked to deliver a speech.

Major issues about political parties were the need to register them during elections coming from Sadc Parliamentary Forum representative Mr Sheunesu Kurasha.

The need to enhance internal party democracy also took centre stage with Zanu-PF Secretary for Legal Affairs Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana calling for external independent bodies to superintend primary elections to enhance democracy.

“I think it is an issue we will discuss during national inter-party dialogue. A lot of undemocratic processes are taking place within political parties and we do not talk about it. In other countries they allow the national electoral body to manage internal party process. I am speaking as an individual. I believe personally that let us also subject our internal party processes to scrutiny by independent bodies,” said Cde Mangwana.

People representing visually impaired persons said they were averse to assisted voting saying it undermined their right to secrecy of the vote.

They proposed that there be use of braille ballot papers to accommodate them.

But Zec commissioner, Mrs Sibongile Ndlovu called for further interrogation to the braille proposal saying it had the possible effect of undermining other rights.

“Zec is very much concerned about the secrecy of the vote. From the suggestions, it has side effects. Imagine in a constituency where you have one blind person and we have this ballot paper in braille. Are we not going to have these people afraid to come forth because they would be saying people would know who I would have voted for. So that is one crucial matter we have to consider I think moving forward we should come together and modify these suggestions in order to maintain the secrecy of the voter,” said Mrs Ndlovu.

Zec chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba assured participants that the election management body would treat contributions from the conference with the seriousness it deserved.

She said producing a free, fair and credible election was not the sole responsibility of Zec alone.

“We are all accountable for the credibility of the electoral process. So the lessons that will emerge from this process will assist not only Zec as the election administrators but all election stakeholders in contributing towards the attainment of credible and acceptable electoral processes,” said Justice Chigumba.

Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner, Erasmus Makodza said most offences that took place in the previous elections were mainly intra-party violence from major political players Zanu-PF and MDC Alliance.

On bio-metric registration, it was noted that despite some few challenges, ZEC had acquitted itself well in registering voters using the new system.

A voter registration expert from Zambia, Mr Fredrick Lemisa and Zimbabwe Election Support Network representative, Ms Ellen Dingane commented ZEC for their use of the BVR.

“A lot of things in the BVR worked well. It was a confidence booster. It passed several tests. The use of SMS (short messages services) was highly commendable,” said Ms Dingane.

Mr Lemisa implored ZEC to procure BVR kits on time so that there was adequate lead time for aggrieved parties to challenge the process without disrupting the election calendar.

A media representative Blessed Mhlanga implored ZEC to have a responsive Public Relations directorate that disposes inquiries from the media on time.

Given the conference in Nyanga, Zimbabwe is set to revolutionise its electoral system by moving a gear up given the enthusiasm demonstrated by participants.

The next election to be held in 2023 might appear to be far but Zec have set the tone for credible election through conducting preparatory work when it engaged stakeholders.

State Media

THE BULAWAYO MDC provincial leadership is mobilising members to close ranks and focus on rebuilding the party’s structures following last week’s divisive congress.

Divisions rocked the opposition party at the election of a new executive last week, which some party members claimed was mainly on tribal grounds.

Provincial chairman, James Sithole, who is also the party’s legislator for Makokoba confirmed to the Southern Eye the party was left divided after the provincial congress, but pleaded with rival camps to “shun tribalism and close ranks for the good of the party”.

“The party constitution is clear on issues to do with tribalism. The party is against tribalism. We need each other regardless of what tribe or race one belongs to. I am going to work with everyone to ensure the party remains united. My immediate task is to unite and rebuild the party by bringing everyone together,” Sithole said.

Tribalism has remained a thorn in the flesh of the MDC Bulawayo structures. In November 2018, deputy mayor Tinashe Kambarami survived an ouster on grounds that he was an “outsider”.

At last week’s provincial congress, Kambarami grabbed the provincial youth chair post ahead of the incumbent Mlandu Ncube, who was being pushed to assume the post of deputy mayor.

“It is natural that those who were not successful feel aggrieved. It is also normal that ahead of any competition for positions, and in this case, the provincial congress, you find camps or divisions. It, however, does not mean we will remain divided. Instead, we remain one solid party,” Sithole said.

He added: “There are no winners or losers after the congress. The winner is the party, though it is obvious that those who were not successful may not feel good, but they will heal and come around. We will work together, and my main responsibility is to unite and rebuild the party.”

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa recently slammed Bulawayo provincial structures for indiscipline, tribalism, factionalism and violence, among others, during an urgent provincial assembly meeting held at its city’s offices.

Chamisa blamed this state of affairs for the party’s poor showing in a recent Cowdray Park local government by-election won by Zanu PF.

Zanu PF’s Kidwell Mujuru won the by-election contested by 17 other contestants, among them two from the MDC as a result of factionalism.

Southern Eye

By Own Correspondent- Chimanimani District Administrator, Lloyd Kasima reportedly threatened to have Free Zim Congress leader Joseph Busha arrested  for distributing food aid to Cyclone Idai survivors without following due procedure.

Busha, had donated 2 000kgs of mealie meal to Chimanimani cyclone survivors without first seeking permission from the DA’s office.

A 263Chat source said:

“When Busha arrived, he was asked why he had handed over mealie meal without  consulting the DA’s office. Busha urged that he had  he had done so on  humanitarian grounds and had considered that not all  areas where accessible  due to damaged road network.

The DA then said if Busha had been caught in the act (of distributing the food items) he would have been  arrested as he was undermining  protocol. He said Busha would have been in big trouble if he had been caught.

Busha later said protocol must not be important in times of need. He said:

This is a Zanu-PF way of doing things and it scares away those who want to help. This is also an infringement of the right of movement for people as those in need should be allowed to get food assistance from whoever wants to help them.

Why should we go through protocol when we want to help, this opens up chances of politicization of relief aid.

The biggest challenge about relief aid is there is a lot manipulation. There are people who benefit and are not supposed to benefit and officials don’t really care.

THE family of the late MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai said they have invited both President Emmerson 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.

Family spokesperson, Manase Tsvangirai said preparations were at an advanced stage and invitations had been sent to many individuals and institutions.

Despite having dedicated his life to fighting Zanu PF, Tsvangirai’s family said they would like Mnangagwa and Zanu PF to attend.

“This is not a closed session,” Masase said.

“This memorial is open to everyone be it political parties, churches, individuals or other organisations, everybody is being invited. The reason is that Morgan made friends with everyone during the Government of National Unity, so we cannot be found singling out some people that they must not attend. Even Zanu PF is invited. We have send invitations through the right protocol channels.”

Manase added: “We also invited President Emmerson Mnangagwa, we sent through the invitation and an accompanying letter. Morgan was a former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and not of a party and because of that there is no way we can have selected people to attend.

“Morgan worked for Zimbabwe and we are saying everyone, be it the President, government officials and war veterans and other political parties are invited. This is going to be a very big function.”

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.

NewsDay

THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority has surpassed its revenue target for the first quarter of the year collecting over $2 billion which is 41,5 percent above its set target of $1,4 billion.

The statistics were released by Zimra chairman Dr Callisto Jokonya in his revenue performance report for the quarter ended March 31.

“Revenue performance for the first quarter pf 2019 surpassed the set target in both gross and net terms. During the quarter, gross collections amounted to $2,059 billion, which was 41,5 percent against the set target of $1,455 billion .

“After deducting refunds of $114, 98 million, net collections were $1,944 billion. This translates to a positive variance of 33,62 percent above the target of $1,455 billion,” Dr Jokonya said.

He said the figures of the first quarter had grew by 85,13 percent from the $1,112 billion collected in the same period last year while the net collections grew by 83,82 percent from the $1,057 billion collected last year.

“Positive performance is attributed to the significant contributions from the Intermediate Money Transfer Tax, corporate income tax and excise duty.

“This is buttressed by the Authority’s revenue enhancement measures and strategies aimed at promoting voluntary compliance,” he added.

In his analysis of specific revenue heads Dr Jokonya said individual income tax was $235,91 million against a target of $235,21.

He attributed the marginal rise in beating the target due to salary adjustments made and cushioning allowances made to employees in the period.

Corporate Income Tax collected was $242,08 million against a target $172 million translating to a positive variance of 40,74 percent.

“Gross VAT on local sales amounted to $336,7 million up from the $265,699 million collected in Q1 of 2018. This translates to a positive variance of 9,28 percent above the set target of $308,1 million and a growth factor of 26,7 percent.

“After factoring VAT refunds of $114, 35 million, net collections of $222,35 million were 27,83 below target. However, when compared to the first quarter in 2018, net collections grew by 5,15 percent from 211,45 million. The revenue head contributed 11,43 of the total net collections during the quarter under review,” Dr Jokonya added.

In the period under review Dr Jokonya said VAT on imports was $127,27 million and 8,23 percent above the set target of $117,6 million.

Customs duty was $91,52 billion which was below the set target of $110,78 million.

“Excise duty collections amounted to $565,65 million against a target of $242,19 million. This translates to a positive variance of 133,5 percent. Excise duty collections increased by 142,44 percent from 4233,32 million realised in the first quarter of 2018. The revenue head contributed 27,47 percent to total net collections during the first quarter of 2019.

“The performance of the revenue head is attributed to increase in the demands of diesel and petrol,” he said.

The IMTT collected was $282,84 million against a target of $150 million.

Dr Jokonya said the revenue targets were expected to continue on a positive trajectory going into the second quarter.

“Despite the challenges the economy is facing, revenue performance is anticipated to maintain a positive trajectory. The fiscal and monetary policies announced by Government give us assurances that the economy is on a recovery path,” he said.

He added that the Authority would continue implementing strategies that would enhance with tax compliance and expanding the tax base.

State Media

THE 60th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) opens in Bulawayo today, with record-breaking subscription at 532 direct local exhibitors and 16 countries participating.

The figure compares favourably with 491 direct local exhibitors recorded in last year’s edition, showing growing positive business sentiment and a strong desire to increase trade.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is scheduled to officially open the five-day prime trade showcase on Friday, seen as the biggest ever after exhibition space, for the first time in years, was sold out.

The event runs under the theme, “Propagating Industrial Growth through Trade and Investment”.

Briefing journalists in Bulawayo yesterday, ZITF Company board chairperson Ms Ruth Ncube said most exhibitors arrived over the long Easter holiday period and were putting final touches to their stands.

“Participation figures for the exhibition are quite pleasing. Our targeted 2019 available space was taken up at 100 percent.

“Further to that, we availed five percent additional space (2 648 square metres) to accommodate the overflow. Five-hundred-and-thirty-two direct local exhibitors have booked, compared with 491 last year,” said Ms Ncube.

The space being made available for sale, she said, rose from a low of 47 612 square metres in 2016 to a high of 57 732 square metres this year.

She said of the 532 direct local exhibitors, 16 percent were first timers displaying a wide range of products and services.

In terms of geographical mix, 55 percent of confirmed local exhibitors were from Harare, 25 percent from Bulawayo, 15 percent (other towns) and five percent from the international sector. Foreign nations participating at this year’s ZITF include Belarus, which will be participating at the trade showcase for the first time, the United States of America which is making a return after a three-year hiatus, Botswana, Ethiopia, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates among others.

Some of the major highlights of this year’s trade fair include the ZITF International Business Conference tomorrow, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI)/ZITF Buyer-Seller Platform Breakfast on Thursday as well as the Zimbabwe-Belarus Business Forum on the same day.

Ms Ncube said the ZITF International Business Conference is arguably the largest business meeting in the country with this year’s high-level symposium that will run under the theme, “Industrial Growth as an Anchor for Achieving Vision 2030,” expected to attract more than 800 delegates.

“They include the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, CZI president Mr Sifelani Jabangwe, ZimTrade chief executive officer Mr Allan Majuru as well as One-Stop Investment Services Centre chairman Dr Washington Mbizvo, among other prominent speakers,” she said.

Vice President Retired General Constantino Chiwenga will deliver the key note address at the event. Ms Ncube said continuing the industrialisation focus of the business exhibition, the CZI/ZITF Buyer-Seller Platform Breakfast will also present an opportunity for business-to-business engagement between industrialists and suppliers of production equipment and technologies.

“Other speakers include Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu, Export Credit Guarantee Corporation head of operations Mr Andrew Mafukidze and the CZI Matabeleland chamber president Mr Joseph Gunda.

“A business delegation from Botswana will also be in attendance to discuss opportunities for the promotion of bilateral trade between Zimbabwe and Botswana. The event will be capped by business-to-business matchmaking meetings between local and international buyers and sellers of goods and services,” said Ms Ncube.

State Media

Below is a video skit of the phone call that changed everything between the Limpopo and the Zambezi river. The date is 7th November 2017. In the skit vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa receives a telephone call from the then commander of the defence forces Constantino Chiwenga. FULL VIDEO:

Farai Dziva|Opposition leader, Joseph Busha has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa to tell the what he has achieved since he assumed power.

Busha is the leader of Freezim Congress.He was speaking to NewsDay in Mutare on Friday after donating groceries to Clyclone Idai victims in Chimanimani.

“I want Emmerson Mnangagwa to prove that he is leading the best government, he should show us why he is the best; he should show us how many jobs he has created; he should show us by building hospitals and clinics; and he should show us by helping improve the living conditions of Zimbabweans.

My view at the moment is that this government is not different from the old one of Robert Mugabe. I believe that nothing is going to change in terms of economy, as long as Zanu PF is leading our country,” said Busha.

Farai Dziva|War veterans have blasted some unscrupulous businesspeople who are sabotaging economic revival efforts in a bid to soil Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s image.

Douglas Mahiya has described the hiking of prices as pure sabotage.

“The unjustified bread price increase is clearly a political weapon by the baking cartel. This is clearly a calculated move meant to anger the public and make them to revolt against the constitutionally elected Government.”

“The move is also meant to sabotage President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 and as war veterans we will stand to defend the economic programmes by our President.”

“We strongly condemn this profiteering habit by bakers and we urge them to desist from the habit of making unjustified profits at the expense of the poor.”

Mahiya said ZNLWVA will stand with the people and make sure the unjustified profiteering will not succeed.

“We will make sure this cartel bites the dust,” he said. “This is to ensure that the Zimbabwe revolution we fought heroically as young people thrives and succeeds. The Vision 2030 and goal of a middle income economy will be pursued with unremitting vigour.”

Mahiya called on Government to take stern measures to ensure the protection of citizens.

“We call upon the Ministers of Industry, Finance and Justice to take drastic and decisive measures to deal with these cartels. All initiatives must be put in place to ensure that all basics are affordable to everyone,” he said.

Chimanimani District Administrator, Lloyd Kasima on Friday threatened to arrest Free Zim Congress leader and businessman, Joseph Busha over what he termed “unsanctioned distribution of food aid” to Cyclone Idai survivors, 263Chat has learnt.

Busha, one of the 23 presidential candidates in the July 2018 elections, had visited the cyclone ravaged community of Chimanimani to donate 400 bags of 5kgs mealie meal.

The South African based businessman initially donated more than 50 bags of mealie meal to the Tiya village before proceeding to Ngangu Township.

Upon arrival at Ngangu Township, Busha according to a source proceeded to meet the DA and Chimanimani East Member of Parliament, Joshua Sacco and other district members.

Kusema questioned Busha over his donation which he said had been done without the involvement of government.

“When Busha arrived, he was asked why he had handed over the mealie meal without making consultations with the DA’s office. Busha then said he had done so as a humanitarian and had considered that not all areas could be accessed as there bad roads.

“The DA then said if Busha had been caught in the act (of distributing the food items) he would be arrested as he was breaking protocol. He said Busha would be in a lot of trouble if he had been caught.

“It is then that Busha told the DA that food should not be banned from reaching to the people on need,” the source said.
The DA is alleged to have told Busha that next time he should come through the provincial offices which will direct him to the DA’s office.

Contacted for comment, Busha said his donation was not a political distribution but a humanitarian one.

He condemned the confrontational approach saying it intimidates people who wants to help in the future.

“This is a Zanu-PF way of doing things and it scares away those who want to help. This is also an infringement of the right of movement for people as those in need should be allowed to get food assistance from whoever wants to help them.

“Why should we go through protocol when we want to help, this opens up chances of politicization of relief aid, ” Busha said.

“The biggest challenge about relief aid is there is a lot manipulation. There are people who people who benefit and are not supposed to benefit and officials don’t really care.

“Myself as an individual and as a representative of people, certainly I was very touched hence we were not doing on a political or bipartisan basis that’s why we took the donations to the people and the district’s offices to make sure that we put into their hands and they donate to those in great need,” said Busha.

Among those that received the aid in Tiya village were people clad in Zanu-PF regalia.

Sacco told 263Chat that the new dispensation led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa is tolerant enough and will continue to accept goods from anyone regardless of political affiliation.

“Under the new dispensation, the political space has been opened up and Zimbabwe is a free country. It actually shows that this would never happen under the old era, this is the new dispensation for you,” he said.

Tiya village headman, SaTiya paid homage to Busha over the donations saying despite being one of the affected people, they have only received aid once.

“We are hungry and suffering, we are told that people are donating but that food is not getting to us, we have only received aid once and this is the second time. Our people really need this food and we appeal for more,” he said.

There has been a lot of concern over the distribution of food items and relief aid as allegations of manipulation have surfaced.

263 chat

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is hopeful that the comatose economy taking a beating from rising inflation, shortage of critical foreign currency, collapsing public services and disgruntled labour will resurrect in the same manner Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

Mnangagwa in his Easter holiday message posted on his official Twitter account said the current hardships Zimbabwe is facing were coming from forces of darkness.

“In Zimbabwe, we are currently undergoing our own struggle of light over darkness. As we walk the road of transformation and reform, we are guided by our Lord Jesus Christ’s teachings of forgiveness, peace, love and take comfort from his victory,” Mnangagwa said.

The general populace is struggling to eke a living following a sharp increase in prices of basic commodities, including bread, mealie-meal and fuel against a diminishing disposable income.

Government has warned business that action will soon be taken against them for wanton price increases described by the President as “cruel and inhumane”.

Mnangawa said all this was just a passing phase, which will be overcome as his government implements the Transitional Stabilisation Programme.

“For a while the challenges we face are significant, we are resolute in our faith that with hard work, sacrifice and unity we too will triumph. May the

Almighty protect and bless our land,” Mnangagwa said.

Opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa, who took to his rural home in Masvingo for the Easter holidays, said it was time to reflect and forgive.

“Easter is about forgiveness, sacrifice, hope and triumph on the cross. Jesus Christ died for us to enjoy the fruits of salvation; his death, burial and resurrection mean that we have a hope of heaven and life eternal. Zimbabwe shall be saved,”

Opposition parties have called on Mnangagwa to allow for open and genuine political dialogue and discuss his legitimacy, while implementing genuine legislative reforms as the only way to end economic collapse in the country.

Chamisa has snubbed dialogue between Mnangagwa and all presidential candidates in last year’s elections, arguing he would only be part of a dialogue process mediated by a neutral mediator and on neutral ground.

The youthful opposition leader said unless the underlying problems, which he said includes disputed elections, reform of the security sector and respect for human rights are dealt with, the economic woes would continue.

“They are bringing artificial answers to the deep-seated problems, they are not attacking the problem, the issue is about consistence of policy, confidence in the market, predictability, dealing with political and economic noise,” he said.

By Own Correspondent| Fearless Matabeleland traditional leader, Chief Nhlanhla Felix Ndiweni, has come to the defence of white commercial farmers and photographic safari operators, the Parsons/ Davies family.

The farmers have been evicted from Chief’s Lodge on Ntabazinduna Mountain in Matabeleland, which is considered sacred by the local people. In a letter to Pindula News, Glyn Hunter wrote:

In a very interesting new development in Zimbabwe, Chief Nhlanhla Felix Ndiweni, Paramount Chief of the Ndiweni people, and the College of Amakhosi (chiefs) have thrown their very considerable weight behind white commercial farmers and photographic safari operators, the Parsons/Davies family, who have been evicted from Chief’s Lodge on Ntabazinduna Mountain in Matabeleland, a mountain that is sacred to the Ndebele people.

In a hard-hitting statement castigating President Mnangagwa’s regime and the former worker who has evicted them from their 21-hectare property, Chief Ndiweni has called the eviction unjust and an infringement of the rule of law.

He notes that the Parsons/Davies family is a part of the Ntabazinduna family and that an attack on this family is an attack upon the whole Ntabazinduna family.

He warns the Mnangagwa administration that the College of the Amakhosi (chiefs) is calling for the US government and the European Union to immediately increase and tighten all of the sanctions and targeted travel restrictions they have applied selectively against specific members of this administration.

He stresses that this eviction has impoverished the local Ndebele people for the sake of a corrupt few individuals and that the workers the Parsons/Davies family employed are all now destitute.

The employees and their families – more than 2,000 people in total – were all housed on the farm and game sanctuary before the properties were taken over and divided up into small, unproductive plots.

The Parsons/Davies family built a school for the employees’ children, which is still supported by the Davies family.

Chief Nhlanhla Felix Ndiweni succeeded his late father as Paramount Chief of Zimbabwe’s Ndiweni people in 2014.  He was sent to London in 1981 to study for a degree in engineering technology and mechanical engineering and lived in the UK for more than 20 years.

He also has degrees in management studies, specialising in local governance, and law. 

He is committed to bringing independence and an end to poverty to his people through individual property rights.

With kind regards

Glyn

Glyn Hunter (Mrs)

Mike Campbell Foundation | Public Relations | South Africa

Rule of law | Property rights | Human rights | Justice | Conservation Agriculture

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on Zimbabweans in the diaspora to return home and help in reviving the country’s economy.

Speaking during the Independence Day commemorations at the National Sports Stadium on April 18, Mnangagwa also reiterated his call for the unconditional removal of targeted measures imposed by Western countries.

Said Mnangagwa:

I am aware that a notable part of our citizens is currently spread across the Diaspora.

The raft of reforms we have started should enable some of them to return home and assist in building our nation.

On foreign relations, the engagement and re-engagement policy with all countries in the international community, based on mutual respect, is progressing well.

Various strategic engagements have resulted in the signing of numerous bilateral cooperation agreements and concrete investments.

We, however, call for the unconditional removal of the illegal and unjustified economic sanctions imposed on us so that our nation can realise its full developmental potential, free from any hindrances.

Meanwhile, former Finance Minister, Tendai Biti said that things will only get worse.

In an interview with a local publication last Wednesday, Biti said:

“I predict that by the end of June this year, it (the black market forex rate) will be 1:10 … in other words, people are becoming poorer and poorer.

Bad economic mismanagement is the theft of people’s savings and this has been created by Mthuli.”

Former ZANU PF spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo said former President Robert Mugabe treated him and other freedom fighters like dogs.

Gumbo was fired from ZANU PF in 2014 together with the then Vice President Joyce Mujuru and secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa among others.

In an interview with the Daily News , Gumbo revealed that at one point, he and his colleagues were thrown into dungeons in Mozambique after they quarrelled with Mugabe over the direction the war of independence was heading.

“We were treated like dogs. We spent at least three months detained in holes dug in an open place which were closed from the top at about 5 pm, only to be reopened the following morning.
The holes were six metres deep and four metres wide. It was hell on earth and we all thought we were going to die.

At one point the holes were filled with soil and only our heads were left protruding out. But we all survived the ordeal.
Gumbo was incarcerated alongside the likes of the late Henry Hamadziripi, former police commissioner general Augustine Chihuri, former ZBC chief executive Happison Muchechetere and Mukudzei Mudzi,” said Gumbo- Daily News

Farai Dziva|The wrangle between controversial Urban Grooves artist Stunner, real name Desmond Chideme and one Bla Jedza is intensifying with each passing day.

Stunner and Bla Jedza have taken their war of words to the Mvenge Mvenge social media platform where the latter is accusing the musician of not returning someone’s suit.

Bla Jedza claims Stunner does not have anything as he waits for ladies to look after him.See the chats below:

Life has become increasingly hard for most Zimbabweans as the price of basic commodities continue to soar.

However our main mission as humans is to survive. Here are some helpful tips on how you can survive in this harsh economic climate.

1) Talk to your family and let them know what the country is going through and that they should expect some changes in their lifestyles. Ask them to look at some of the things they can do without. They need to be properly motivated and to understand that it’s a time for sacrifice. They will be happy to be part of the process if you get them involved.

2) Buy basic commodities in bulk.Buy most of your monthly essentials in bulk quantities. Prices of basic good are changing within a short space of time. Buying in bulk allows you to beat these price increases.

3) Be creative around traditional and farm produce foods. Unprocessed food is cheaper than processed food. There are a lot of creative recipes for unprocessed foods that can substitute some processed foods like bread. Trying these is not only fun and cheap but also highly nutritional.
4) Avoid engaging loan sharks (Chimbadzo).Loan sharks enslave people. If you borrow money from a loan shark with a monthly interest rate of say 60%, when others are buying beer at $4 yours will be costing $6.40.

5) Carry a lunch box to work. Our fathers used to carry lunch boxes with food prepared at home to work. Not only did this cut costs but brought about a sense of purpose.

6) Increase your revenue streams. Find an extra income generating project. But make sure it is completely legal and does not compromise on your job.

7) Use public transport unless it inconveniences your time table.8)Pay school fees during holidays. 9)Dont buy cash unnecessarily .Use Swipe, Ecocash as first options.

(10)Be happy. Your mind is your greatest asset. Don’t lose it because of the economy. Source – Masvingo Business Forum

Farai Dziva|Former Vice President Joice Mujuru is still nursing a keen grudge against Emmerson Mnangagwa, it has emerged.

Impeccable sources have pointed out that Mujuru is still bitter because she understands Mnangagwa plotted her downfall as the Midlands godfather positioned himself to succeed Robert Mugabe.

Mujuru has indicated that she has never met with Mnangagwa to discuss her possible return to Zanu PF.

“No such visitation happened with him. It’s a lie,” Mujuru wrote on her Twitter account.

MDC A Mayor for the city of Kwekwe speaking under an umbrella bearing Emmerson Mnangagwa’s picture

Farai Dziva|Eleven people perished in a horrific accident on Monday, according to state media reports.

The eleven people died in a fatal crash involving a commuter omnibus and a Honda Fit vehicle in Headlands.

“The accident happened near Macheke GMB Depot in the early hours of Monday morning.All the five people in the the Honda Fit died on the spot while six people in the commuter omnibus perished.

I heard a deafening explosion and I found myself lying on the ground.

The commuter omnibus was carrying members apostolic church members from Uzumba who were travelling back home from a Passover feast in Manicaland,” said a survivor.

Farai Dziva|Contrary to state media reports that MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa has made a huge climbdown on his stance on dialogue, party spokesperson Jacob Mafume has said the opposition party has always been committed to genuine talks.

Mafume has said the MDC will engage with Mnangagwa to discuss several issues affecting the country, once modalities are put in place.

“In the current context we have proffered that as a solution, we need a one-on-one meeting underpinned by the five-point plan.

As a party, the president has been given the full mandate to engage in any process that will bring about an end to the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe and he is providing a framework to that,” said Mafume.

“We have put our position paper and it cannot be abandoned in the air. Anyone who is serious about dialogue also has to put forward his or her proposition and we will take it from there.”

By Own Correspondent| Independent legislator for Norton Temba Mliswa has implored government to engage the services of the military in price controls arguing that the wanton price increases by business people poses a security threat.

Mliswa said Zimbabwe needs the intervention of the Joint Operations Command (JOC).

The JOC comprises the commanders of the army, air force, police, prison and intelligence services and as in the past been chaired by State Security minister. The secretive JOC has played a major role in Zimbabwe’s politics from behind the scenes.

Writing on Monday, Mliswa said JOC must be allowed to control prices.

He said:

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s not about price controls but market forces. However above all the scourge of CORRUPTION but be dealt. Unscrupulous businesspeople must stop using any opportunity to fleece the already struggling masses.

“Why should talk be left to us, where are the responsible authorities? They must move in with a mechanism to address these issues even beginning with a stakeholder’s meeting which is key to understand everyone’s concerns. Mnangagwa is a listening President.

“Where are the Ministers in playing their role? Why isn’t Joint Operations Command (JOC) being given space to do its job or it’ll be redundant in government? Unjustified prices are a security threat. If JOC implement Cabinet decisions and those decisions are reversed then it becomes useless the market a free for all.”

Farai Dziva|Opposition leader, Joseph Busha has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa to tell the what he has achieved since he assumed power.

Busha is the leader of Freezim Congress.He was speaking to NewsDay in Mutare on Friday after donating groceries to Clyclone Idai victims in Chimanimani.

“I want Emmerson Mnangagwa to prove that he is leading the best government, he should show us why he is the best; he should show us how many jobs he has created; he should show us by building hospitals and clinics; and he should show us by helping improve the living conditions of Zimbabweans.

My view at the moment is that this government is not different from the old one of Robert Mugabe. I believe that nothing is going to change in terms of economy, as long as Zanu PF is leading our country,” said Busha.

By Own Correspondent|Harare businessman Wicknell Chivayo has posted photos on social media of himself holding ‘US$1 million’ cash.

Chivayo extolled his virtues of hard work saying that it is the only way to achieving success.

He wrote:

ZIMBABWE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS…Just a cool 1 million dollars in CASH…There is no substitute for HARD WORK when it comes to achieving SUCCESS…Don’t ever listen or pay attention to what people say or think about you…WHEN YOU HAVE A POSITIVE MINDSET YOU CAN’T BE DEFEATED.

On Facebook, Chivayo wrote:

INDEED ZIMBABWE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS @39…Just out of courtesy this is what 1 million dollars in CASH looks like…???… Thank you YOUR EXCELLENCY for giving the BUSINESS COMMUNITY hope for a brighter future…Evidently with the recent IMF developments , we can all see that the phenomenal AUSTERITY FOR PROSPERITY fiscal measures outlined by your PRAGMATIC , INNOVATIVE and INGENIOUS Minister of Finance in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) are indeed yielding imminent positive results…??? AGAINST ALL ODDS please be rest assured i will never ever disappoint you on your vision to CREATE MORE BILLIONAIRES.

…I didn’t POWER through THE STRUGGLE just to let a little “TROUBLE ” knock me out of position and INTERRUPT THE VISION… LONG LIVE CDE RUKA CHIVENDE…??? PAMBERI NE ZANU PF…✊✊✊??????…We should all always remember that there is no SUBSTITUTE for HARD WORK when it comes to achieving SUCCESS and only and until you can IGNORE IGNORANCE , NEGLECT NEGATIVITY and DISREGARD DISRESPECT you are not ready for the NEXT level…SUCCESS ISN’T FOR THE WEAK… Don’t ever listen or pay attention to what people say or think about you

…WHEN YOU HAVE A POSITIVE MINDSET YOU CAN’T BE DEFEATED… Let the negative people live in their negative little world with their negative opinions and their negative bank accounts…Remain FOCUSED and determined to SECURE THE BAG at all times…???… It’s always the lack of FAITH that makes people afraid of meeting challenges so my greatest strength is I BELIEVE IN MYSELF…I will not wait for the world ? to recognize my GREATNESS , i will just live it and let you catch up later.

By Own Correspondent| Norton Member of Parliament, Temba Mliswa has come out guns blazing against unscrupulous business people accusing them of fleecing the struggling masses through unjustified price hikes.

Mliswa added that unjustified price hikes are a security threat and the Joint Operations Command (JOC) should be given a role to deal with the arbitrary and unjustified price hikes. 

JOC brings together state security arms, that is, the military, police and intelligence.

Said Mliswa:

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s not about price controls but market forces. However above all the scourge of CORRUPTION but be dealt.

Unscrupulous businesspeople must stop using any opportunity to fleece the already struggling masses.

Why should talk be left to us, where are the responsible authorities? They must move in with a mechanism to address these issues even beginning with a stakeholder’s meeting which is key to understand everyone’s concerns. Mnangagwa is a listening President.

Where are the Ministers in playing their role? Why isn’t Joint Operations Command (JOC) being given space to do its job or it’ll be redundant in government? Unjustified prices are a security threat. If JOC implement Cabinet decisions and those decisions are reversed then it becomes useless the market a free for all.”

Own Correspondent|11 people feared dead after a commuter omnibus coming from Mutare was involved in an accident with a Honda Fit in Headlands early this morning.

More details to follow……..

A comedian who is same age as MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has won the Ukrainian presidential election run-off, a result which was not expected by many political pundits in the eastern European country.

With nearly all ballots counted in the run-off vote, Volodymyr Zelensky (41) has garnered 73 per cent with the incumbent Petro Poroshenko trailing far behind on 24 per cent.

Ukraine was part of the now defunct Soviet Union dominated by Russia, the regional regional power.

A few years ago Russia annexed the Crimea, a part of Ukraine and has also deployed troops to support rebels in Eastern Ukraine after a quarrel between the two states.

Zelensky is considered a political novice, who is best known for starring in a satirical television series Servant of the People, in which his character accidentally becomes Ukrainian president.

Speaking to journalists soon after his victory became apparent, Zelensky vowed to restore peace in eastern Ukraine.

“I think that we will have personnel changes,” he said.

He added, “in any case, we will continue in the direction of the Minsk [peace] talks and head towards concluding a ceasefire.” – BBC

By Own Correspondent- Tendai Magaya, the wife of prominent religious leader and founder of PHD Ministries Prophet Walter Magaya, was a busy woman over the Easter holiday, dispensing the holy communion to followers.

The Church posted on their Facebook account:

Our loving, caring and affectionate Mother Mama Magaya participating as congregants partake in the Holy Communion – the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. As He resurrected, so should everyone else who partakes in the Holy Communion. We give all the glory to God. Mbiri kunaJesu.

By Own Correspondent- An event officiated by Masvingo Minister for Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira was poorly attended in Chiredzi town after the local authority failed to mobilise residents.

Chadzamira was leading a delegation of government officials and senior civil servants to commission West Road, a 2,4-kilometre road constructed at a cost of ZWL$510 000.

United Residents and Ratepayers Association (UCHIRRA) member, Constance Chukumbo highlighted the council’s failure to mobilise the residents. She said:

“It seems the central and local governments are always standing aloof and keep them (residents) at arm‘s length when it comes to their programmes; that is why residents treat these events indifferently.

This culture of giving residents a wide berth should be stopped forthwith and introduce a sense of ownership.

The same scenario was experienced during the national clean-up that was held early this month at Banana market.

The vendors went about their business while the minister and several other officials swept the area around the stall.

Meanwhile, Chiredzi Town Council chairperson, Gibson Hwende said the event was arranged post haste and did not have time to inform town dwellers. Said Hwende;

“Yes, I agree that the residents did not attend the event. It was due to the fact that not enough information was shared because we got the confirmation of the coming of the guest of honour a bit late, making it difficult to adequately inform the residents.

We got numerous calls from the residents asking why the information was not relayed to them.”-Newsday

Community Water Alliance ward 44 structure note with concern removal of water meters by council officials on more than 30 houses in Kuwadzana. The reason for removing meters in purported non-payment for water by residents. The non-payment is for a composite bill and not water alone. The archaic Government Notice 164 of 1913 clearly stipulates conditions under which a water meter can be removed. Residents in Kuwadzana particularly the affected houses have not tempered with water meters but officious and overbearing City of Harare officials are abusing their powers preying on ignorance of citizens.

Arbitrary water disconnections have also been effected in almost three quarters of Kuwadzana extension. Water disconnections are being effected without due processes of 24 hours notice provided for in the outdated Government Notice 164 of 1913. Disconnections are also effected even on premises where the amount claimed to be owed is disputed. This action is a serious violation of the obligation to respect the human right to water as reflected on Sections 44, 68 and 77(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 20 of 2013. The City of Harare is not providing alternative water source for affected citizens.

As the ward 44 committee of Community Water Alliance we call upon City Council authorities to abide by the law in their conduct as an administrative body. We further implore our councilors to review Government Notice 164 of 1913 so that it echoes provisions of the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe which we overwhelmingly voted for. Limitation of the human right to water should take into consideration the nature of the right concerned, the purpose of limitation, relationship between purpose and limitation as provided for on Section 86 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

Community Water Harare

By Own Correspondent- A report by a local publication has revealed that a 19 year old man Takudzwa Chindi of Sebanga Park suburb in Shurugwi stabbed his 16-year-old cousin Broklen Gumbo to death following a misunderstanding which has not been disclosed.

Chindi, a student at the Zimbabwe School of Mines is reported to have been arrested while attempting to flee to South Africa following the alleged murder of his cousin.

The state alleges that on 6 April around 1530hrs, the accused took a kitchen knife, entered Gumbo’s bedroom and stabbed him once on the neck.

The accused person was seen by his mother Angela Chindi and his younger brother Tapiwa Chindi carrying a blood-stained knife soon after committing the crime. He also threatened the two with murder before fleeing from the scene.

Following his arrest, Chindi escaped from the cells, and was re-arrested a few hours latter while trying to flee to neighbouring South Africa where his father is based.

Chindi appeared before Shurugwi Magistrate Ms Sithabile Zungula facing one count of murder. He was denied bail and advised to apply at the High Court instead.-StateMedia

The late former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s eldest daughter, Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java yesterday said her father could be a “bitter man wherever he is” because Zimbabweans have plunged into deeper poverty — a major departure from a land of milk and honey he envisaged when he was still in government.

Tsvangirai-Java told NewsDay yesterday that her heart sinks each time she drives around the country and observes citizens struggling to eke a living although the country is endowed with huge mineral resources which could turn around the national economy if well managed.

The Glen View South MP (MDC Alliance), who was also nominated by three provinces for the post of secretary-general in the women’s assembly in the ongoing congress, said her father could be turning in his grave because what obtains in the country at the moment is not what he dreamt of.

“My father had a dream of a better Zimbabwe, his passion was to make sure that the lives of workers and the people in general improve,” Tsvangirai-Java said. She added: “He wanted to deal with unemployment and his politics was not about himself, but about the people. However, his wish is not what is happening in the country, the people are suffering.”

Tsvangirai succumbed to cancer of the colon last year after leading the MDC since its formation in 1999. Before his death, he had continually blamed top Zanu PF government officials of plundering the economy for personal benefit.

In recent weeks, the country has experienced a wave of price increases that have escalated the cost of living.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Finance minister Mthuli Ncube have pleaded for patience in the face of growing discontent over the way the government is managing the economy, arguing that the Transitional Stabilisation Programme would soon bear fruits.

The Zanu PF leader last week admitted to deep-seated corruption in both government and private sector, but has instead blamed the Western-imposed sanctions for the poor economic performance.

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has always accused Mnangagwa of being clueless.
But Tsvangirai-Java said: “Only an MDC government is able to make my father’s dream and vision be realised. Zanu PF has failed the people.”

“Everyday, we wake up to disturbing headlines of the deteriorating situation in the country, but more worrying is that government does not seem to have any clue of how to get the country out of this mess. There is completely no hope.”

NewsDay

By Own Correspondent- A former ZANU PF politburo member and cabinet minister Rugare Gumbo said that he is happy sitting on the sidelines of the political arena adding that he does not wish to rejoin the former liberation party.

Gumbo was sacked from Zanu Pf alongside Joice Mujuru, Didymus Mutasa, Ray Kaukonde among others in 2014.

They were shown the exit door after their Gamatox faction was accused of plotting to unseat the then President, Robert Mugabe.

In an interview with the Daily News over the weekend, Gumbo said:

“I am not concerned at all about re-joining Zanu PF. Some have gone back but mumwe nemumwe anoita zvaanoda (we all have the right to do as we please).

I am enjoying myself in the terraces, and I am quite comfortable. I am off politics and I will not apply to re-join a party that I suffered for since I was a kid.”

Gumbo reiterated the importance of independence to Zimbabweans, saying that the country lost more than 50 000 people during the liberation struggle. He said:

“Independence is very important for the people of Zimbabwe. It is now a critical moment for reflection of what we achieved and missed.

We lost a number of people during the liberation struggle. The estimates put the number at 50 000, but it could be higher than that.

There are a number of things that we need to ask ourselves as we celebrate Independence Day. The economy is in a quagmire, to begin with.

This means that we are not enjoying the fruits of independence, maybe because of commissions or omissions on our part as nationalists.

But there is no doubt that we have to take responsibility for our generational failure. We failed to mentor young people to take over.

We, nationalists, don’t accept that we are old and should pass on the leadership baton. Zimbabweans deserve better than what we are getting now.”-DailyNews

The price of bread almost doubled for Zimbabweans last week, as the inflation nightmare that marked the rule of long-time authoritarian leader Robert Mugabe returns to haunt his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa.

There have been warnings of the mental and physical toll the rampant price increases will have on Zimbabweans after the cost of a loaf of bread rose from $1.80 to $3.50, and a tub of butter shot up to $17 from $8.50.

Mnangagwa pledged to revive his country’s moribund economy when Mugabe was toppled in 2017 after 37 years in power. But after the central bank unveiled a new monetary policy in February, introducing a new local currency, prices of goods and services have skyrocketed at rates unseen in a decade.

The disparity between the official and parallel market exchange rates has been rapidly widening, triggering price hikes of up to 300%. The chief of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Japhet Moyo, recalls meeting a man who saw the price of medicine for his chronic illness rise so much in two months that it now costs almost his entire salary. In February, the man bought a month’s supply of the drugs for $95. This month he forked out $300. His monthly salary is $320.

“I asked him how he managed to meet the rest of his monthly expenses and he broke down weeping,” Moyo told AFP. Moyo is angry at the government for “putting on a brave face and giving the impression that the economy is on a rebound but on the ground things are going in the opposite direction“. The crisis has brought back memories of a decade ago when hyperinflation peaked at a grotesque 500 billion%, wiping out the Zimbabwean dollar.

“We are back to 2008,” said Tonderai Chitsvari, a resident in the Kuwadzana township of the capital Harare. “It’s a miracle how people are surviving“. A shortage of raw materials has caused huge difficulties for the country’s manufacturing sector. “Last year, we spent US$2.3 billion importing things like fruits and vegetables, soya beans, wheat… toothpaste and pharmaceuticals,” said Harare economist Gift Mugano. “This is a sign that we are not producing even the basics,” he added. “We are not talking about manufacturing an aeroplane here. We are talking about saving scarce foreign currency by growing wheat to bake our bread and soya beans to produce our own cooking oil.”

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries leader Sifelani Jabangwe said the government needs to channel scarce foreign currency to shore up distressed manufacturers. “We need to reduce… imports and promote local production,” he added. Formerly a regional breadbasket, Zimbabwe’s economy has been in a dire state for more than a decade, with the unemployment level soaring to more than 90%.

Many local companies have been forced to move abroad or shut up shop, while those that remained are operating below capacity due to the lack of foreign currency to import raw materials or upgrade machinery. Public anger over the economy contributed to the military intervention in November 2017 that finally brought down Mugabe, then 93.

Mnangagwa took over and went on to win disputed elections in July last year, vowing to turn Zimbabwe into a middle income economy by 2030. But less than three months after the vote, the economic turmoil of the Mugabe-era returned when a new two-percent tax on electronic transactions in October spawned shock price increases and fuel shortages. In January of this year the president imposed a more than 100-percent fuel price hike — purportedly to ease the shortages — but that sparked countrywide demonstrations that left at least 17 people dead when soldiers opened fire on the protesters.

Mnangagwa marked the country’s 39th independence anniversary on Thursday by slamming the new round of price hikes. “Government is alarmed by the recent, wanton and indiscriminate increases of prices which has brought about untold suffering to the people,” he said. It “is inhumane, unethical, unpatriotic and goes against the grain of economic dialogue which the second republic has espoused,” he told the crowd at a sports stadium in Harare.

Veteran independent economist John Robertson warned of the toll that the economic chaos was having on Zimbabweans. “Standards of living are going down” Robertson told AFP. “It’s going to affect their health, both mentally and physically, and reduce productivity.”

Moyo said people “are giving into stress. That’s why we are having so many cases of people said to have died after a short illness.” And the main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa warned in his independence day message on Twitter that “the stark reality is that most are reeling from abject poverty and frustrations. State decay, corruption & violence have shuttered the 1980 uhuru dream & ruined livelihoods“.

– Timeslive

Government has handed back ownership of the Zambezi Water Project to the Matabeleland Collective and its technical partner Matabeleland Zambezi Water Trust (MZWT).

The implementation of the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, which has been hampered by various challenges, seeks to end perennial water shortages in Bulawayo by drawing water from Zambezi River to the city.

Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Virginia Mabiza confirmed the development yesterday, saying she read out the implementation matrix to the Trust. She was representing the Office of the President and Cabinet.

“Yes, I can confirm the development but my task was simply to read out the implementation matrix of the project.”

In a statement, Matabeleland Collective said Eng Chitsiko handed the project back last Wednesday.

“The permanent secretary met with the Matabeleland Collective leadership on Wednesday as a follow up to President Mnangagwa’s instruction to Cabinet for implementation on the promises made to members after the March 21, engagement at State House in Bulawayo.

“Matabeleland Collective requested the return of the project as part of its Compensatory Development Devolution (CDD) Model, which is a unique and new approach that will be an important vehicle to bring the project alive in all its phases.”

Matabeleland Collective said phase one of the project, the building of the Gwayi- Shangani Dam, had slowed down and the completion date of December 2019 seemed unreachable due to lack of direct interest, local ownership and passion for the development.

“In returning ownership of the project, Matabeleland Collective expects increased zeal and energy on the development in the region as power over this project has now devolved.

“Mr Chitsiko pledged that Government will continue to support all the efforts of Matabeleland Collective and its technical partners including continuing to source funding partners but that true ownership of the project is the communities resident in Matabeleland as was originally conceptualised by MZWT and residents of the provinces,” read the statement.

Matabeleland Collective also called for support for the project, saying it would now formalise the implementation in consultation with Zinwa and a also find funders.

“Matabeleland Collective is calling for the people of Matabeleland to participate in the envisioning process once again and call on interested stakeholders for support be it technically or with goods to speed up the project implementation towards the full realisation of the dream of a green Matabeleland.”

State Media

Zimbabwe celebrated its 39th independence last Thursday amid a deteriorating economic situation in the country that has seen prices of goods skyrocketing as people’s disposable incomes continue to shrink due to the collapse of the real time gross settlement systems (RTGS) dollar to the benchmark currency, United States dollar.

Zimbabwe had pinned its hopes for economic revival on its re-engagement with the international community, but the odds seem stacked against the country.

NewsDay (ND) senior reporter Obey Manayiti hooked up with Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo (SBM) for a chat during Independence Day celebrations at the National Sports Stadium and below are excerpts of the interview.

ND: We are celebrating 39 years of independence amid a lot of challenges that the country is facing. In brief what, can you say, is worth celebrating today?

SBM: First of all, we must unite as a people and have one identity as a people and it is high time that we draw a line between what we consider as political or tactical differences to the national interest, which is the national purpose of the identified people of Zimbabwe. This is because after 39 years we cannot continue to be seen to fail to have decent politics. We are the same people, therefore, the national interest is that this country must be peaceful. This country must be economically viable, it’s what all of us desire. Let’s differ on how to achieve that and we must unite as a people in that regard. My message to the people of Zimbabwe is that let us go above individual politics.

ND: What can you say have been our highs and lows in the past years?

SBM: What I can tell you is that since our independence in 1980, we went up as a nation and the economy developed, but one of the major causes of the armed struggle which was a bitter armed struggle was unfortunately the issue of land and that piece of our history had not been achieved. So it had to be achieved somehow. The kind of agreements which had been put together at Lancaster House and the kind of guarantees and promises which had been agreed upon unfortunately didn’t work, based on the willing seller and willing buyer concept and, unfortunately, we had to go through what we call land revolution. This had to complete some of the areas or the major causes of the armed struggle. Unfortunately, thereafter, we had our low end and that low end basically became the issues to do with sanctions.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have the same look and the same understanding when the land was taken. Some people thought it was wrong to get the land, while some people said the land must be taken, but we had to get it in a different way. The differences were supposed to be domestic differences, but whatever happened
some people then thought they should go and seek for sanctions, but we were supposed to look at the national interest first as a people who identify themselves as Zimbabweans then we sort out these differences. Foreign policy, which I lead is an extension of domestic policy, so unless internally here we have a comprehensive arrangement of our understanding, living and cooperation and unified kind of behaviour, then it will always be difficult.

ND: The generality of the people are complaining about the rising cost of living, all the accusations are coming out against the government for failure to provide an environment for decent lives…

SBM: But people forget that we are a country which is still under sanctions, we are a country which is facing difficulties in terms of having its own transactions. There is no freedom, we are still isolated and that is why the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) said let us pursue this issue of re-engagement and engagement and ensure that we have the freedom and be a State which joins the rest of the nations in the world and enjoys the freedom of co-operation. I can assure you that since the coming in of the Second Republic there have been serious issues which we are undertaking. Such issues include political reforms and I tell you that we have never had excellent elections like the elections that we had last year. Yes, they were tainted by the August 1 events, but I can assure you that everybody was allowed to campaign and anybody who wished to observe our elections was allowed to do so. Those are major reforms and many more which have been ushered by the Second Republic.

ND: Let’s talk about the current economic challenges that the country is experiencing that have pushed price increases.

SBM: I was just saying we have undertaken political reforms and also economic reforms and that is why the theme of the last budget is austerity for prosperity. We have to pass through this. This economy has been undergoing serious difficulties for the past two decades and to get out of that ditch, it is going to be painful. We cannot pretend that we will get on smoothly, but we have to get out of it so that we become a successful economy again. This is a very temporary phenomenon which we are going through and sometimes also they say in a democracy there must be discipline. We cannot separate democracy from discipline. If you lack discipline then what it means is that people will want to maximise on profits, but in reality profits are basically 10-15%. That is not exactly what is happening on the market. We are saying we must be united in achieving the specific national interest, but if we behave in an undisciplined manner, unfortunately it will pain a lot of people. We could have ameliorated that particular pain if we were disciplined as a society, as a business, as different sectors of the economy. Let me tell you that the process which we are going through at the moment, for example we have just been given a Staff-Monitored Programme, it means the world is saying we are approving you, we trust you with your economic programme which is progressive. The world is saying we can agree with you on what you are saying, but unfortunately if we don’t have discipline it will be hard to get out of this long ditch we have been for the past 20 years.

ND: Are you going to enforce discipline then?

SBM: Definitely, as government we are going to enforce discipline, but what we don’t want is to try and be hard-handed to our people, we want to talk to our people so that they understand that we are together and we are moving in a particular direction. We want to achieve the goal of 2030 because that is exactly the direction of where we are going and the Transitional Stabilisation Programme is only meant to last for two years. After that we are out of the ditch and we then move on and have the normal five-year development programmes which will now be deliberate.

ND: You are spearheading the engagement and re-engagement programme. How is it moving on?

SBM: It is moving on well and all I can assure you is that first there is now very good chemistry within the region. Remember our foreign policy follows the concentric paradigm that the regional, continental and international, and so at regional level that is why the President was going around each and every country so that at least there is chemistry among all the leaders in the region and there is the best chemistry ever.

ND: Are you saying they are copying from our President then?

SBM: It’s just a way of co-operating (laughs). The AU has been understanding on the situation in Zimbabwe and has walked together, for example, now we should utilise as a country the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. This is an agreement which gives us the markets within Africa. There is more than $3 trillion which is available within the continent for trade and we saying let us then identify these markets as a nation, but we can only do so when we are unified. At the international level, remember His Excellency’s target has been the issue to do with re-engagement with those nations who were our friends before and who had turned against us or engagement with those countries who have never been our friends or deepening our friendship with countries who have always stood by us, particularly the East.

NewsDay

OPPOSITION Freezim Congress leader Joseph Busha has challenged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to prove to the nation that he has the capacity to resolve the rising economic challenges facing the country.

Busha told NewsDay in Mutare on Friday after visiting Clyclone Idai victims in Chimanimani where he donated groceries worth thousands of dollars, that he doubted Mnangagwa’s pedigree.

“I want Emmerson Mnangagwa to prove that he is leading the best government, they should show why they are the best; they should show to us how many jobs they have created; they should show us by building hospitals and clinics; and they should show by helping improve the living conditions of the Zimbabweans,” Busha said.

“My view at the moment is that this government is not different from the old of Robert Mugabe. I believe that nothing is going to change in terms of economy, as long as we have this Zanu PF leading our country.”

Busha added: “There is no political will to solve the current crisis facing the country; investors and people do not trust this government.”

The opposition leader recently described the national dialogue initiated by Mnangagwa as a useless exercise which would not take the country forward.

Mnangagwa recently invited the 2018 losing presidential aspirants for talks to share ideas on how to move the nation out of the doldrums.

Although the majority of the losing candidates responded to Mnangagwa’s call, others including MDC leader Nelson Chamisa boycotted the process.

Busha said he was helping the people of Chimanimani on humanitarian grounds.

“We are not here to campaign, but I want to thank you for voting in the presidential election that was held last year in which I was also in the race,” Busha
said

“I should not wait until I get into power to give to people who are in need. What if I die today or tomorrow? I want to help people and I should do the best I can when I am still alive. This is also a way to thank God for giving me what I have. For me, this is humanity and that’s God-fearing. I want men and women who can be servants to the people and also God-fearing.”

The post Mnangagwa won’t take the country anywhere: Busha appeared first on NewsDay Zimbabwe.

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POACHERS cornered in a section of the vast Bubye Valley Conservancy in Beitbridge recently abandoned an AK-47 assault rifle traced back to the Zimbabwe National Army, police sources said at the weekend.

Beitbridge police sources close to the investigations told NewsDay that they were following up a case where poachers abandoned a military rifle and a bag with clothes.

“Game scouts had been following tracks until they caught up with two poachers who dumped an AK-47 rifle and a bag of clothes. The serial number of the gun has been traced to the Zimbabwe National Army,” the source said.

The police source said in the recent past, another firearm traced back to the Bulawayo police armoury was recovered after a shoot-out with poachers in the same conservancy.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele yesterday said he was not aware of the latest report since he was in

Bulawayo for the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair preparations.

“I am in Bulawayo for the trade fair and I do not have that information, I am sorry,” Ndebele said.

The Bubye Valley Conservancy, which straddles the Matabeleland South, Midlands and Masvingo provinces has of late fallen prey to poachers hunting for blackrhinos.

In September last year, a 50-year-old suspected poacher who also worked as a teacher in Gwanda was shot dead in the conservancy while his alleged accomplice escaped.

In December the same year, poachers shot and killed two rhinos.

The black rhinos were translocated from the Hwange Game Reserve following a series of raids by poachers believed to be from neighbouring Zambia.

Unconfirmed reports have fingered some former workers at the conservancy as being involved in the poaching activities since they were familiar with the terrain, hence, the few arrests recorded in the area.

THE Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has condemned the unjustified increase in the prices of basic commodities and called on responsible authorities to take urgent measures to protect citizens.

In a statement, ZNLWVA national spokesperson Douglas Mahiya said the increase in bread price was a calculated move meant to dampen the independence celebrations and incite the public to revolt against the Government.

“The ZNLWVA notes with utter disgust the malevolent bread price increase by bakeries,” he said. “This cruel assault on the welfare of the poor and less privileged is an attempt to copy-cat the template of national disturbances that were witnessed in the Arab world.

“The unjustified bread price increase is clearly a political weapon by the baking cartel. This is clearly a calculated move meant to anger the public and make them to revolt against the constitutionally elected Government.

“The move is also meant to sabotage President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 and as war veterans we will stand to defend the economic programmes by our President.

“We strongly condemn this profiteering habit by bakers and we urge them to desist from the habit of making unjustified profits at the expense of the poor.”

CMahiya said ZNLWVA will stand with the people and make sure the unjustified profiteering will not succeed.

“We will make sure this cartel bites the dust,” he said. “This is to ensure that the Zimbabwe revolution we fought heroically as young people thrives and succeeds. The Vision 2030 and goal of a middle income economy will be pursued with unremitting vigour.”

Mahiya called on Government to take measures which ensured that citizens were protected.

“We call upon the Ministers of Industry, Finance and Justice to take drastic and decisive measures to deal with these cartels. All initiatives must be put in place to ensure that all basics are affordable to everyone,” he said.

Mahiya said the spirit of independence celebrations should not be dampened by bad apples in the economic body system.

Begining last week, a loaf of bread is being sold for $3,50. up from $2.

State Media

By A Correspondent|On Saturday afternoon ZimEye caught up with the late Crocodile Gang founder William Ndangana’s secretary, Patience Olivier.

She had flown all the way from France to Leeds for the People’s President Nelson Chamisa’s UK congress.

Patience Olivier is in her 70s and she became exiled when she was nearly killed for betraying ZANU PF by joining the MDC party.

Her comments combine with those of senior CIOs in Mwenezi who have dismissed a ZBC documentary that profiles Mnangagwa as not only a crocodile, but an elected aide to Robert Mugabe in the 1970s when the truth is he was simply and personally handpicked by Mugabe.

Below was the full interview.

Shamva Mine security guard Holy Zindi (42) is in hot soup after reportedly firing at and killing an artisanal miner who had trespassed into the mine in search of the precious mineral last week.

Zindi was arraigned before Bindura magistrate Madalitso Phiri for allegedly killing Granage Chere (32). He was not asked to plead to a murder charge and was remanded in custody to May 5.

The State alleges that on April 17, artisanal miners went on a rampage with explosives, assaulting and driving away miners at Shamva Gold Mine. The miners were overpowered and called for reinforcement from security guards, but the artisanal miners kept on charging, despite being warned by three gunshots fired into the air.

Zindi reportedly fired four shots on the now-deceased Chere and he died on the spot. Fearing for their lives, the other artisanal miners fled from the scene, leaving the body of their colleague lying motionless.

On Independence Day, chief security officer Moses Makonese was advised of the shooting by another guard Grain Phiri.

Makonese subsequently filed a police report at Shamva Police Station and Chere’s body was ferried to Shamva Hospital for a post-mortem. The police eventually arrested the suspect at his home around 5pm.

Samson Chamunorwa represented the State.

NewsDay

MDC president Nelson Chamisa has made a major climb-down on his stance against inter-party dialogue and called for an engagement between him and President Mnangagwa to tackle national challenges affecting the country.

Chamisa said he was willing for a direct engagement with President Mnangagwa to discuss political, economic and social issues affecting the country, while the party’s spokesperson Mr Jacob Mafume said they were willing to compromise on their previous demands.

Some of the demands by the MDC included the establishment of a Transitional Authority to run Government and opening up debate on President Mnangagwa’s legitimacy.

Chamisa posted a conciliatory message on his twitter account at the weekend where he called for people to rise above party politics.

“Where we are going now requires us to think and act like Zimbabweans. Our dire situation is no longer about MDC or Zanu-PF but about Zimbabwe. We have a nation to build and a generation to defend. We have power,” said Mr Chamisa in his message.

When contacted to unpack his message Mr Chamisa said his message was self-explanatory.

“We need to put an end to these economic problems for the sake of ourselves and our children. That is the import of the message I posted on my twitter account. It is very clear and self-explanatory. You can as well get hold of our party spokesperson,” said Chamisa.

MDC spokesperson, Jacob Mafume said they were keen to have a direct engagement with President Mnangagwa to discuss several issues affecting the country.

“In the current context we have proffered that as a solution, we need a one on one meeting underpinned by the five points plan. As a party, the president has been given the full mandate to engage in any process that will bring about an end to the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe and he is providing a framework to that,” said Mafume.

“We have put our position paper and it cannot be abandoned in the air. Anyone who is serious about dialogue also has to put forward their proposition and we take it from there.”

Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu said President Mnangagwa was on record saying he welcomed dialogue from all stakeholders.

“That is what our President has always been saying that he is ready for genuine and unconditional dialogue. He has always said his door is open and ready to engage political parties or anyone and build Zimbabwe,” said Dr Mpofu.

President Mnangagwa has also called for open dialogue aimed at discussing political disturbances that occurred in the eighties in Matabeleland provinces commonly known as Gukurahundi.

He said debate on the Gukurahundi issue should have started a long time ago and resolution of some of the issues finalised back then.

The Head of State challenged the nation to open up discussions on the subject, which was taboo in the previous era.

He said his recent engagement with the Matabeleland Collective, an umbrella body of civil society organisations from the region, was eye-opening regarding issues of neglect that the people in the south and south-western region felt so strongly about.

And the meeting, the first of its kind between the people and the Republican President, was instructive as it resulted in the creation of a matrix of implementation of issues raised by the people of Matabeleland.

The President made these remarks in an interview with the national broadcaster ZBC last week ahead of this year’s 39th Independence Day celebrations.

State Media

Farai Dziva|Zimbabweans have expressed mixed sentiments on Constantino Chiwenga’ s health condition.

Chiwenga has been in and out of the country over the past few months due to failing health.

While some Zimbabweans say it is immoral to celebrate one’s misery others think otherwise.

Eddie Nemukuyu said:”Guys it’s wicked to speculate on smbody’s life. “

Tarisai Muchenjeri argued:”Those who know how many times these reporters told us that Mugabe has died will believe with me.”

Asjane Ttembo said:”There is no judge who can judge someone’s life only God.”

Samilani Nyachopera:”Its better he can die now.” Saini Mateke commented:”Kkkkkk life is in the hands of God.”

Quinton Theophelus Joel:”I personally dont care ,he could be left with 2 hrs or 20 days ,he is wasting our precious oxygen for nothing anyway the sooner he meets his ancestors the better this world becomes.”

Farai Dziva|Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Ezra Chadzamira ordered state security agents to block the donation of an ambulance by an MDC A official to a hospital in Chiredzi last week, but pressure from stakeholders forced him to make an embarrassing climbdown.

MDC A losing candidate for Chiredzi West constituency during last year’s elections, John Manganye, donated an ambulance, 30 wheelchairs, three 5 000-litre water tanks, blood pressure testing machines, beds and various other items to Chiredzi Town Council-run polyclinic, sending shivers down ruling party honchos’ spines.

Manganye is also helping with the refurbishment of structures, including repainting of the polyclinic.

Government sources claimed Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister, Ezra Chadzamira initially blocked council officials from publicising Manganye’ s name.

“Chadzamira blocked council officials from mentioning Manganye’s name but he gave in due to incessant protests from angry stakeholders,” a government source claimed.