Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa is set to attend the Workers Day commemorations set for today at Dzivarasekwa Stadium.

The event organised by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is an annual gathering that brings together workers union from across the country.

ZimEye will broadcast the event live on Facebook. Follow us for live updates…..

President Mnangagwa has implored employers to review salaries and conditions of service for their workers to improve their living standards.

Addressing the nation on the eve of 2019 Workers’ Day celebrations last night, the President paid tribute to workers for their role in building the national economy and sustaining families.

Government, he said, was aware of the plight of the workers and challenged employers to look into the issue of remuneration.

“My Government is fully aware of the challenges facing the labour sector,” he said.

“As we continue on the path of development and progress, I challenge employers to use this day as an opportunity to reflect and evaluate the welfare, remuneration, conditions of service, safety and state of workers, among other issues.”

President Mnangagwa saluted workers for their contribution in building the nation, saying they were an essential component in Government’s drive towards the attainment of Vision 2030.

“You are a sector that we are giving due attention in the Second Republic,” he said. “We know that with you as partners, we will realise the modernisation, industrialisation, growth and prosperity of our economy.”

President Mnangagwa reiterated Government’s commitment to restore the purchasing power of workers.

In addition, the President said his administration was committed to restore the decency and dignity of all workers.

He expressed disquiet over the counter-productive machinations by irresponsible and unpatriotic members of industry and businesses who continue to frustrate and undermine the economic, modernisation and industrialisation agenda.

“The wanton, unjustified increases in prices are unpalatable and may point to some other sinister motives,” said President Mnangagwa. “This conduct must stop forthwith. My Government will not stand by and leave workers and the generality of our people at the mercy of a small group with rent seeking and profiteering tendencies.”

-State Media

Jane Mlambo|Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has blasted the ruling Zanu PF for seeking to eliminate its enemies through pushing everyone outside of the constitutional bounds, a trap the Nelson Chamisa led movement said they will not fall into.

Addressing journalists at the party headquarters yesterday, party spokesperson Jacob Mafume called for an urgent solution to the economic crisis as well as opening dialogue avenues with the opposition.

“They actually want the country to degenerate into chaos so that they can eliminate everyone they perceive an enemy, they are pushing everyone outside of bounds of the constitution,”

Jane Mlambo| The opposition MDC has refuted claims by deputy information minister Energy Mutodi that its councillor in Domboshava sold a mountain to a Chinese firm.

Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, party spokesperson Jacob Mafume said no mining activity can take place without a license from the ministry of mines hence the claims that an MDC councillor is the culprit in the Domboshava eviction case was unfounded.

“We want to respond to unfounded allegations that an MDC councillor sold a mountain to a Chinese firm. The allegations are unfounded and baseless.

“No mining can take place e without a license from the Ministry of Mines, allocation of mining areas has never been in the hands of a councillor.

“Energy Mutodi is the centre of the confusion and we all know that Zanu PF is always at the centre of illegal eviction of residents for profit and patronage,” said Mafume.

By Pupurayi Togarepi|ON Monday the Zanu PF Youth League management committee met at the Revolutionary Party Headquarters and discussed a number of issues, notably the state of the economy, business arbitrage, and the threat posed by regime change purveyors under the guise of opposition.

Of major concern to us as the Vanguard of the governing party is the economic sabotage that businesses are practising, needlessly profiteering at the expense of the broad masses and increasing prices willy-nilly.

The price increases are unjustified and speculative and uncalled for. We hope that business will do the right thing and stop the madness before we descend on errant companies that are behaving like the terrorists, hurting the economy and blunting the country’s economic revival efforts.

We resolved, at our management committee meeting, that we need to cleanse the country of all systems that are in the habit of sucking our people and deal decisively with mafia business organisations that are syphoning and mopping foreign currency.

The Zanu PF Youth League is well aware that there is a cartel of foreigners working with some locals are pouring money to money changers and distort the exchange rate, these unscrupulous businesses then externalise the foreign currency to their home countries, we have their names and soon we are going to send our teams to checkmate them and end this madness.

Businesses should shape up or ship out and allow humane organisations to set base in the country. The economy is going through a revival phase but that should never be punitive to the consumer.

In a way, the price madness is yet another ploy to trigger demonstrations and we are aware of the actors behind these nefarious exercises.

Soon we are going to dispatch our monitors to check on compliance with our laws on the part of the companies and also call upon relevant authorities to crack the whip and break monopolies and cartels that are now holding the nation to ransom.

While we embrace austerity for prosperity and have tightened our belts to adjust to the situation which requires us to do so, we would the ministries of Finance and Industry to be sensitive to the plight of the masses and ensure that there is a balance between theory and practice.

Soon we are going to call for the total boycott of certain shops that are causing artificial shortages so as to justify price increases and if that route fails we will mobilise to shut down such enterprises that thrive on unjustified and terrorist actions.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has ordered a Chinese company to stop its planned quarry mining activities in Domboshava, following an outcry by over 20 000 villagers who had already been ordered to vacate the area and pave way for mining operations.

Information deputy minister and local MP, Energy Mutodi confirmed the development yesterday, saying Mnangagwa had declared the area a tourism resort, where mining activities were prohibited.

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come to the rescue of Domboshava villagers, who were facing eviction by a Chinese quarry mining firm, Aihua Jianye. The President has ordered that the firm stops mining activities in the area known for its rock art and as a tourist attraction,” Mutodi said.

The Chinese company was reportedly planning to evict 20 000 people from their land after it was granted mining rights to extract quarry stones from a hill in the area.

On Saturday, Mutodi met with the affected villagers and they resolved to resist the order and accused an MDC councillor identified as Tapiwa Murima and the district administrator, Prisca Dube of illegally allowing the Chinese firm to mine at Garimo Hill.

Aihua Jianye sought to mine quarry near Mverechena Shopping Centre and this would have seen people who are located within the five-kilometre radius being removed to create space for the project.

This comes as communities in Mutoko in Mashonaland East province and other parts of the country where mining operations take place often cry foul over the manner in which investors treat locals and the environment without compensation.

In Mutoko, where there is heavy mining of black granite, villagers are said to be impoverished with no jobs and their environment ravaged, yet the mining firms pocket huge profits.

According to the Environmental Management Act, before a mining operation commences, it has to get an environmental impact assessment (EIA) certificate which details how nature and its inhabitants would be protected by the firm.

The Domboshava villagers are questioning how the firm got the licence and right to establish the concern without an EIA certificate.

-Newsday

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has implored employers to review salaries and conditions of service for their workers to improve their living standards.

 Addressing the nation on the eve of the 2019 Workers Day Celebrations last night, President Mnangagwa paid tribute to the workers for their role in building the national economy and sustaining families.

Government, he said, was aware of the plight of the workers and challenged employers to look into the workers’ remuneration.

“My Government is fully aware of the challenges facing the labour sector,” he said.

“As we continue on the path of development and progress, I challenge employers to use this day as an opportunity to reflect and evaluate the welfare, remuneration, conditions of service, safety and state of workers, among other issues.”

President Mnangagwa saluted the workers for their contribution in building the nation, saying they were an essential component in Government’s drive towards the attainment of vision 2030. 

“You are a sector that we are giving due attention in the Second Republic,” he said.

“We know that with you as partners, we will realise the modernisation, industrialisation, growth and prosperity of our economy.”

President Mnangagwa reiterated Government’s commitment to restore the purchasing power of workers.

 In addition, the President said his administration was committed to restore the decency and dignity of all workers. 

 He expressed disquiet over the counter-productive machinations by irresponsible and unpatriotic members of industry and businesses who continue to frustrate and undermine the economic, modernisation and industrialisation agenda.

“The wanton, unjustified increases in prices are unpalatable and may point to some other sinister motives,” said President Mnangagwa.

“This conduct must stop forthwith. My Government will not stand by and leave workers and the generality of our people at the mercy of a small group with rent seeking and profiteering tendencies.” 

 President Mnangagwa assured workers that Government would continue to protect them and to be the guarantor to their constitutionally enshrined rights.

 He said the transport system should be viable, while housing delivery, clean water, sanitation and energy should also be adequate and affordable.

 President Mnangagwa recently unveiled a fleet of ZUPCO buses which will ease the transport costs in both urban and rural areas.

“The comprehensive housing delivery programme and the smart cities concept will see better living conditions for our workers,” he said.

 Through the ease of doing business reforms, President Mnangagwa said Government would continue to encourage and facilitate more exports across all sectors, which should translate to improved business performance and ultimately better conditions of service for the workers.

State Media

By Own Correspondent- Seed Co has issued a stern warning to farmers encouraging them to be wary of buying fake seed, which results in below average yields.

Fake maize seeds are mostly sold on the streets and by uncertified dealers. This was said by Seed Co southern region manager, Charles Munyoro.

He said:

“There has been a high influx of fake seeds in the market, which is being sold by some unscrupulous individuals.

These fake seeds usually result in low yields most of the time. Most fake seeds have a poor germination rate and by buying such seeds, farmers risk making losses.

As farmers prepare for the winter farming season, we urge them to desist from buying seeds from unregistered and uncertified dealers. There are a lot of registered seed processors in the country and farmers are encouraged to make use of them.

Seed Co has been promoting higher maize yields by farmers through its Eleven Tonne Plus Club Promotion.

In 2018 over 50 farmers from the Southern region entered the promotion and all the farmers achieved between 11 and 22 tonnes of maize per hectare.-StateMedia

Farai Dziva|Well placed sources in the Home Affairs Ministry have claimed Minister Cain Mathema will release the names of those plotting to overthrow Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

An official in the Home Affairs Ministry has said Mathema is in possession of documented information about the alleged plot to remove Mnangagwa.

“The Minister cannot disclose the information about the plot to overthrow the government at this juncture as doing so will compromise intelligence operations,” claimed the official.

On Monday Mathema claimed:“We have the names of the organisations and the names of the people who want to organise the demonstrations. At an opportune time, we will share their names.”

By Farai D Hove| ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa has threatened private businesses over the issue of overpricing.

Mnangagwa made his announcement as his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga labelled businesses “financial terrorists.”

The two’s verbal attacks came at a time when the government’s own parastatal NetOne was the first to increase data costs by 1,300%.

Delivering his May day message, Mnangagwa said: “The wanton, unjustified increases in prices are unpalatable and may point to some other sinister motives. This conduct must stop forthwith. My Government will not stand by and leave workers and the generality of our people at the mercy of a small group with rent seeking and profiteering tendencies.

“I urge you the workers of Zimbabwe, to remain resilient, hopeful and focused as we accelerate our determination and resolve to build the Zimbabwe we all want. I call for the protection of women against all forms of violence and abuse in the workplace. Let us also desist from child labour; foster fair and equal treatment; provide equal employment opportunities to all, including people living with disabilities.

“Grievances and differences must be settled through the correct procedures. As is the culture of the 2nd Republic, dialogue is key, hard honest work is fundamental and corruption of any kind must be exposed and reported.”

Farai Dziva|The MDC A has dismissed Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema’s claims that civic organisations are plotting to topple Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Addressing the media on Monday Mathema claimed the government had discovered a plot to unseat the President.

Accoording to Mathema a workshop has been organised by foreign nationals working with civic organisations- aimed at planning demonstrations meant to overthrowing the Zanu PF government.

Responding to Mathema’s utterances at a news conference in Harare today MDC A spokesperson Jacob Mafume said:” This is yet another desperate attempt by the regime to denigrate democratic groups.

Minister Mathema’s utterances are dangerous and reckless and his sentiments reflect the position of a cornered regime that is prepared to do anything to remain in power,” said Mafume.

By Own Correspondent- An aircraft belonging to the national airliner, Air Zimbabwe, Embraer ERJ145 purchased from the United States of America has arrived.

The aircraft is expected to undergo inspections before it starts servicing some of the airline routes.

In a statement Air Zimbabwe head of public relations, Firstme Vitori said:

“The 50-seater jet is expected to go through the local registration process as well as all mandatory checks, tests and certification before it enters into service within the next 21 days.

All crew and engineers licensed for the aircraft have been drawn from within the current human capital pool, a sign of the high level of competent skills available in Zimbabwe.”

Air Zimbabwe intends to service its debt by disposing redundant and obsolete equipment which includes aircrafts and spare parts for equipment which is no longer in service.

Recently, there were reports in the media suggesting that the airline was left with only one plane servicing many routes.-StateMedia

Farai Dziva|A social media platform for political analysis and reconciliation matters has challenged Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema to name individuals and institutions he claims are plotting to topple Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In a statement on Twitter RealVoiceOfZimbabwe challenged Mathema to reveal the names of such individuals and organisations.

“Please name the people/entities who want to unseat Mnangagwa so that other Zimbabweans can get in touch with them to help them in such a beautiful and progressive endeavor.

Zimbabweans want the current Gvt gone, its the best thing that can ever happen to them! (BREAD – $3.50),” RealVoiceOfZimbabwe tweeted.

By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appreciated the role played by Zimbabwean workers in the diaspora whose contribution to the economy through remittances he said is benefitting the country.

Mnangagwa applauded their efforts, hard work and sacrifices expressing optimism that the country will realise modernisation, industrialisation and economic growth.

In his press statement on the occasion of Workers Day celebrations issued Tuesday night, Mnangagwa said:

“Allow me to also acknowledge the role being played by Zimbabwean workers in the Diaspora. We recognise the contribution you continue to make to our motherland through your remittances and the sustenance of your families. We applaud your efforts, hard work and sacrifices.

As workers, you are an integral cog as we drive towards the attainment of vision 2030. We appreciate and salute the contributions and hard work and sacrifice that you continue to make in building our great nation.

You are a sector that we are going to give due attention in the 2nd republic. We know that with you as partners, we will realise the modernisation, industrialisation, growth and prosperity of our economy. Working together, Zimbabwe shall surely rise.”

By Own Correspondent- Speaker of parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda has said Zimbabwe is a constitutional democracy founded on principles of political pluralism and diversity as opposed to political monism.

Said Mudenda:

“Party pluralism has been a defining feature of our democracy since independence in 1980. That is why section 3(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe emphatically states that: “The principles of good governance, which bind the State and all institutions and agencies of Government at every level include a multi-party democratic political system, an electoral system based on universal adult suffrage and equality of votes, free, fair and regular elections and adequate representation of the electorate.

“Flowing from the above constitutional provisions and pursuant to the need to enhance and expand the democratic dispensation in Zimbabwe, Parliament is currently seized with the alignment of laws to the Constitution, the Ease of Doing Business Laws and the Electoral Law reforms.

“These are meant to ensure the 2023 harmonised elections are free, fair, transparent and credible to the extent that they reflect the true democratic will of the people of Zimbabwe apart from creating a positive environment to attract both domestic and foreign investors.”-State Media

By Own Correspondent- Unconfirmed reports suggest that Cyclone Kenneth death toll has risen to 38 amid worsening conditions in some parts of Mozambique where heavy rains and likely flooding is expected on Tuesday (today).

Infrastructures including roads and bridges have been lost so far leaving some areas inaccessible and with power.

The cyclone is also reported to have destroyed and or damaged about 30,000 houses, 193 classrooms and 14 health units.

It is believed that Kenneth is the strongest hurricane to have made landfall on mainland Africa and a first for Mozambique.

The devastation comes barely a month after another cyclone ravaged the African country.

Tropical Cyclone Idai left a trail of disaster in Mozambique including parts of Zimbabwe in Chipinge and Chimanimani.

By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed optimism that the country will realise modernisation, industrialisation, growth and economic growth.

In his press statement on the occasion of Workers Day celebrations issued Tuesday night, Mnangagwa said:

“As workers, you are an integral cog as we drive towards the attainment of vision 2030. We appreciate and salute the contributions and hard work and sacrifice that you continue to make in building our great nation.

You are a sector that we are going to give due attention in the 2nd republic. We know that with you as partners, we will realise the modernisation, industrialisation, growth and prosperity of our economy. Working together, Zimbabwe shall surely rise.”

By Own Correspondent- Philip Muswere, a clan member of the Makoni chieftainship, has dragged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the High court accusing him of neglecting his constitutional duties of resolving a wrangle amongst his clan members.

Muswere argues that according to customs and practices of Makoni people, a member of the Muswere clan was supposed to be appointed chief Makoni following the death of Naboth Nyakurerwa Gandanzara.

However, Gwasira was appointed instead.

Muswere said:

“In terms of the customs and practices of the Makoni people, a substantive chief was supposed to be appointed by the family of Mukuwapasi in consultation with the spirit mediums.

The Mukuwapasi(s) in consultation with the spirit mediums nominated the Muswere clan as next in line of succession to provide a candidate for appointment to chieftainship.”

The plaintiff accuses Mnangagwa, Local Government minister July Moyo and the Provincial Assembly of Chiefs for Manicaland Province for neglecting their responsibilities associated with the matter.

The failure by the first, second and third respondents to solve the chieftainship, was wrongful and unlawful. Plaintiff now seeks a declaratory order compelling the first, second and third defendants to solve the Makoni chieftainship dispute.

By Own Correspondent- Zanu PF’s Mashonaland East political commissar and Mutoko South legislator Hebert Shumbamhini has revealed that a mining company identified as Reds or Sidingo sealed boreholes it had drilled in when it was leaving the area.

Shumbamhini was reporting during a provincial coordinating committee meeting held in Marondera on Sunday.

The company is also reported to have refused to renovate the houses of villagers that developed cracks as a result of the miner’s blasting.

Shumbamhini reported:

“We have a mining company that wound up its operations in Mutoko district. They had sunk boreholes in the area, but when they left, they sealed all the boreholes that were benefiting villagers. We tried to engage them to renovate villagers’ houses that cracked during the time they were operating as a result of blasting as well as repairing bridges, but (it was) in vain. We kindly ask the authorities to assist on these matters.”

It is reported that miners of the black stone is Mutoko also do less to the community which remains amongst the poorest despite producing about 75% of Zimbabwe’s black granite. Statistics suggest that at least 98% of black granite extracted from Mutoko is exported to Germany, Spain and Italy.- Newsday

By Own Correspondent- First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has donated an assortment of foodstuffs, blankets and clothes worth thousands of dollars to disadvantaged children and other vulnerable members of society in Harare.

She made the donations to seven children and old people’s homes through her charity organisation, Angel of Hope Foundation.

The homes that received donations were Bako Redonhodzo Old People’s Home, Chinyaradzo Children’s Home, SOS Children’s Home, Shungu Dzevana, Braeside Old People’s Home, St Joseph Home for Boys and Danai Children’s Home.-StateMedia

HIGHLANDERS Football Club executive has decided against renewing chief executive officer Nhlanhla Dube’s contract which ended today.

Dube was given a two year contract, taking over from veteran administrator Ndumiso Gumede and indications were that his tenure would be extended but the executive thought otherwise.

More to follow…

The South African government has pledged to rebuild three bridges in areas ravaged by Cyclone Idai in March this year where more than 250 people perished in the national disaster.

South African International Relations and Co-operation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu made the announcement in her remarks on the Occasion of the Department of International relations and Co-operation Month Media Briefing in Pretoria, South Africa yesterday.

She also paid tribute to South African citizens who responded to a request for donations for the affected peoples of Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.

More details to follow…

State Media

The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitariran Affairs and Emergency Relief has in a statement disclosed that Malawi and Zimbabwe are also expected to experience heavy rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Kenneth. The Statement reads:

United Nations Nations Unies

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY RELIEF COORDINATOR MARK LOWCOCK

Statement on the impact of Cyclone Kenneth

I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Kenneth which first hit the Union of Comoros two days ago before making landfall as a category 4 storm last night in the Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique on the border with Tanzania.

With maximum sustained wind speed of 225 km/hour and gusts that reached 270km/hour, the storm ripped roofs off of homes and continues to generate heavy rainfall resulting in massive flooding as it moves across Mozambique.

The disaster comes only six weeks after Cyclone Idai devastated central Mozambique, killing more than 600 people, unleashing a cholera epidemic, wiping out crops in the country’s breadbasket, forcing a million people to rely on food assistance to survive, and causing massive destruction of homes, schools and infrastructure in one of the world’s poorest countries.

The UN and partners continue to support the Government-led humanitarian responses to Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Cyclone Kenneth marks the first time two cyclones have made landfall in Mozambique during the same season, further stressing the Government’s limited resources. Malawi and Zimbabwe are also expected to experience heavy rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Kenneth.

Prior to the storm making landfall in Mozambique, the Government and Red Cross volunteers alerted communities in areas at high risk of flooding, erosion and landslides, and relocated residents most at risk. The UN and its partners pre-positioned supplies and put teams on stand-by to deploy if required.

Today, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is redeploying its leadership and additional staff in Mozambique to Pemba to help coordinate the Government-led response and manage information. Shelter, clean water, sanitation and hygiene kits, food and non-food items, power generation and telecommunication equipment are urgently needed, while the areas impacted by the storm are difficult to access.

Cyclone Kenneth may require a major new humanitarian operation at the same time that the ongoing Cyclone Idai response targeting 3 million people in three countries remains critically underfunded. The families whose lives have been turned upside down by these climate-related disasters urgently need the generosity of the international community to survive over the coming months.

Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, 26 April 2019

For more information, please contact: Russell Geekie, OCHA New York, [email protected], +1 212 963 8340 Jens Laerke, OCHA Geneva, [email protected],+41 79 472 9750 OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org or www.reliefweb.int

By Farai D Hove| The Information Ministry was mocked Tuesday after complaining about sanctions for Parirenyatwa Hospital’s failure to pay $53,000 for the repair of radiotherapy machines.

The announcement which was made on Twitter read as follows:

“Govt has noted reports that Parirenyatwa & Mpilo Hospitals are failing to repair broken down radiotherapy machines due to forex challenges. The US$53 000 needed was availed last week, but the hospitals are failing to transact owing to sanctions restrictions on the banks they use.”

BELOW WERE SOME REACTIONS:

Air Zimbabwe has purchased a new plane, an Embraer ERJ-145, bringing the  number of planes owned by the company to two.

The Post Cabinet briefing on Tuesday reported that Zimbabwe has taken note of the delivery of an Embraer plane, which landed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Tuesday.

The acquisition of the plane is part of efforts to revive the national airline, Air Zimbabwe, Cabinet said.

Air Zimbabwe was put under construction in 2018 after it was diagnosed to be a failing parastatal.

The new plane is branded Zimbabwe Airways which is the name of a failed airline that was fronted by Simba Chikore.
Aviation expert Jerry Haas said, “The Embraer E145 will be branded to Air Zimbabwe in the coming days and registered with CAAZ.  Air Zimbabwe trained 8 pilots in South Africa for the E145 rating. It’s expected to be in service for mid to end of May.”

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has dismissed an instruction by the late Veteran Politician Morgan Richard Tsvangirai’s family that those who will attend his memorial service must not wear political party regalia.

Speaking during a press statement on Tuesday Party Spokesperson Jacob Mafume said, “We will attend the memorial service of our late icon in full force. We are going to be wearing whatever we want whether it is party regalia or not.

“As you remember Morgan Tsvangirai was the Founder of MDC. He is red inside his blood, inside his grave and in heaven where he is.”

When asked about the instruction from the Tsvangirai family Mafume said, “We are the family of Morgan Richard Tsvangirai. The family of Tsvangirai is the MDC. They were beaten with him, they died with him and lived with him. Some of us are carrying scars of being part of Tsvangirai’s family.”

On Monday the Tsvangirai family spokesperson Manase Tsvangirai told private media that, “The other thing we would like to highlight is that, we hope and believe that people who are coming for this memorial, should not be seen wearing any political parties’ regalia. Instead we expect people to be wearing the regalia of the late Morgan Tsvangirai.”

Manase added that the family was hoping Zimbabweans would respect their wish.

“This is a memorial and we expect people to respect this family decision by putting branded t-shirts with his face only. This is our wish as a family as a measure of respect to the late Tsvangirai whom everybody called their icon,” said Tsvangirai’s brother.

Farai Dziva|Well placed sources in the Home Affairs Ministry have claimed Minister Cain Mathema will release the names of those plotting to overthrow Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

An official in the Home Affairs Ministry has said Mathema is in possession of documented information about the alleged plot to remove Mnangagwa.

“The Minister cannot disclose the information about the plot to overthrow the government at this juncture as doing so will compromise intelligence operations,” claimed the official.

On Monday Mathema claimed:“We have the names of the organisations and the names of the people who want to organise the demonstrations. At an opportune time, we will share their names.”

A clan member of the Makoni chieftainship, Philip Muswere has dragged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the High court accusing him of neglecting his constitutional duties of resolving a wrangle amongst clan members.

Muswere argues that according to customs and practices of Makoni people, a member of the Muswere clan was supposed to be appointed chief Makoni following the death of Naboth Nyakurerwa Gandanzara. However, Gwasira was appointed instead. Muswere said:
“In terms of the customs and practices of the Makoni people, a substantive chief was supposed to be appointed by the family of Mukuwapasi in consultation with the spirit mediums.

The Mukuwapasi(s) in consultation with the spirit mediums nominated the Muswere clan as next in line of succession to provide a candidate for appointment to chieftainship.”

The plaintiff accuses Mnangagwa, Local Government minister July Moyo and the Provincial Assembly of Chiefs for Manicaland Province for neglecticting their responsibilities associated with the matter.
The failure by the first, second and third respondents to solve the chieftainship, was wrongful and unlawful. Plaintiff now seeks a declaratory order compelling the first, second and third defendants to solve the Makoni chieftainship dispute.

He is now seeking the issue to be resolved within 60 days from the date of the court order if the court rules in his favour, failure of which he said Gwasira’s appointment must be nullified. Daily News

By Own Correspondent| Harare’s Ward 43 residents in Budiriro 5A’s High Density area are up in arms against a land baron from an upmarket suburb, Grange who is planning to construct a double storey Pre – School building on a wetland.

The residents, have vowed to disrupt and stop any construction work on the site.

The developer, from an affluent suburb in Harare however maintains there is a lease agreement obtained more than five years ago from the City Authorities. But the residents and environment activists argue that a lease agreement is a temporary document that does not allow one to carry out any construction work on a site.

Councillor for Ward 43 in Budiriro 5A High Density Area Norman Makondo refused to meet residents Sunday afternoon. This was despite the residents informing him that they had summoned the developer and the area’s leadership to get clarification over the issue.

Legislator for the area Costa Machingauta attended the meeting and promised residents he was going to look into the matter.

Farai Dziva|The MDC A has dismissed Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema’s claims that civic organisations are plotting to topple Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Addressing the media on Monday Mathema claimed the government had discovered a plot to unseat the President.

Accoording to Mathema a workshop has been organised by foreign nationals working with civic organisations- aimed at planning demonstrations meant to overthrowing the Zanu PF government.

Responding to Mathema’s utterances at a news conference in Harare today MDC A spokesperson Jacob Mafume said:” This is yet another desperate attempt by the regime to denigrate democratic groups.

Minister Mathema’s utterances are dangerous and reckless and his sentiments reflect the position of a cornered regime that is prepared to do anything to remain in power,” said Mafume.

Farai Dziva|A social media platform for political analysis and reconciliation matters has challenged Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema to name individuals and institutions he claims are plotting to topple Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In a statement on Twitter RealVoiceOfZimbabwe challenged Mathema to reveal the names of such individuals and organisations.

“Please name the people/entities who want to unseat Mnangagwa so that other Zimbabweans can get in touch with them to help them in such a beautiful and progressive endeavor.

Zimbabweans want the current Gvt gone, its the best thing that can ever happen to them! (BREAD – $3.50),” RealVoiceOfZimbabwe tweeted.

A TEENAGE girl is lucky to be alive after she was left clutching her intestines when she was stabbed for turning down a neighbour’s love proposal.

This was heard when Blessing Masukume of London Farm in Gweru appeared before Gweru regional magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa facing one count of attempted murder.

Masukume (21) allegedly stabbed Ms Rebecca Ndlovu on the stomach leaving her intestines protruding after she turned down his love proposal.
He was convicted on his own plea and was remanded in custody to Wednesday for sentencing.State media

Farai Dziva|Nurses and other staff members at Chiredzi Hospital, who are selling home browed maheu to patients, have vowed to continue doing so as they are receiving paltry salaries.

Nurses who spoke to ZimEye.com last week said the escalating prices of basic commodities forced them to resort to alternative measures to raise extra income.

A nurse at the hospital fumed:”We are selling various food items to patients as a way of beating the escalating prices of basic goods.How do you expect us to survive in this harsh economic environment?”

The nurses are selling maheu and uncertified frozen water to patients at the government hospital.

The issue came under the spotlight when a Chiredzi resident wrote a letter to the hospital matron, raising concerns about possible health risks for patients.

Farai Dziva|Zimbabweans have expressed shock at the hiking of data bundles tariffs by Econet Wireless.

Responding to the hiking of tariffs by Econet Donald Mzondo said:”
ED Pfeee, the major postive is that these increases affect us all including the ZANU PF supporters. We suffer together, ED is not discriminating anyone in his make Zimbabweans suffer agenda, he is including his own supporters and that betrayal is real.”

Geor Gore commented:”
This will not work…”

Lovejoy Masuku argued:”
Strategising for 2023 elections- nobody must afford the exorbitant charges.”

Econet data tariffs as from 30April are as follows:

WHATSAPP WEEKLY $3
FACEBOOK $3
INSTAGRAM $3
TWITTER $3
WHATSAPP MONTHLY $8
FACEBOOK $8
INSTAGRAM $8
TWITTER $8
Daily data =$1 =40mb Daily data $2.50 =250mb

By Own Correspondent- Two sisters were reportedly nabbed after they were caught at a cemetery exhuming the remains of their mother, Gogo Mukatshelwa Mudau who died two months ago and was buried at the local South African cemetery.

The two claimed they had obtained a court order granting them the right to exhume the body of their 93-year-old mother.

But then the police and their other siblings arrived. They demanded to see the court order, but the sisters could not produce it.

The gogo’s two daughters Livhuwani and Vivian Mudau, said it was their mum’s wish to be buried in Nngwekhulu, Vuwani, in Limpopo with her other relatives.

But she was buried at the cemetery in Mulenzhe, Limpopo.

Livhuwani told Daily Sun the family is torn in two because the other siblings refuse to follow her mother’s last wishes.

“Many years ago one of our brothers chased our mother from her home. She bought another house which was also taken away,” she said.

“My mother suffered for the rest of her life. When she died our brothers said they did not have the money to bury her and would wait for us to prepare her burial at Nngwekhulu.

“But then they stopped us from burying her with a court order.”

She said that’s why they got a lawyer to help them to re-bury her at the place of her choosing.

The sisters said they had followed all the protocols but were stopped from exhuming her body by the same people who prevented them from burying her.

She added that they will not rest until their mother is buried at Nngwekhulu, where she wished to be buried.

Representing the other group, which is against the reburial, Solomon Mamphwe said they had followed all the legal demands and will wait for the law to protect the old woman and allow her to rest in peace.

“We are not fighting anybody, as you can see here. We will wait and let the law take its course,” he said at the cemetery.

No case was opened with the police.

Farai Dziva|MDC T deputy president Obert Chaurura Gutu has claimed he is now a changed person and he will never support those who call for the imposition of “sanctions” against Harare .

In an opinion piece he recently penned, Guttu claimed that at one point he supported the sanctions “naively” believing that they would lead to the full democratisation of Zimbabwe.

See part of Gutu’s epistle below:
Where the overall interests of Zimbabwe supersede and overtake my own private and personal interests, I don’t hesitate to sacrifice my personal interests for the common good of my beloved country and continent.

Here and now, I will fully admit that at one time, I was thoroughly misguided in actively supporting and actually calling for the imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe.

At that juncture, I rather stupidly and naively believed that the imposition of sanctions would naturally lead to the full and total democratisation of Zimbabwe. I was wrong; totally wrong.

The reality is that sanctions actually cause more harm, political suffering and socio-economic agony to the majority of innocent Zimbabweans, most of whom are not even political activists.

Thus, I’m unashamedly and passionately calling for the lifting of all forms of sanctions that were imposed against Zimbabwe by the major Western powers such as the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

Jane Mlambo| The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has blasted government over its recent threats to crush anti-government protests saying their failure to arrest the collapsing economy is a scheme to lead the country to total chaos so that they can eliminate peceived enemies.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters today, Spokesperson Jacob Mafume accused Zanu PF of suffocating the nation and lacking care for the ordinary people who continue to endure hard times.

“The people who are responsible for the suffering of the population and economic decay are ZANU PF. They lack care for the ordinary person, they fly Swiss jets, they are corrupt and have resisted the moves and offers for dialogue,” said Mafume.

“They actually want the country to degenerate into chaos so that they eliminate everyone they perceive an enemy, they are pushing everyone outside of bounds of the constitution. the MDC will not be tempted into such a trap, it is not our way of doing business,” added Mafume.

After a failed attempt to back MDC Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora as their preferred candidate to topple incumbent Nelson Chamisa, Zanu PF has moved a gear up and is now believed to be leaving no stone unturned in their bid to destabilize the opposition movement ahead of the 2023 elections.

At a time when the constitutional court judgement on Chamisa’s election challenge has not yet been made public, ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa has made it clear that he preferred a mature leader to take over the MDC reigns.

Chamisa’s fiery spokesman, Dr Nkululeko Sibanda speaking to ZimEye.com reveals this plot.”It is very clear that the Malaba verdict which declared Mnangagwa the winner of the 2018 elections, has no figures to support it” and Justice Malaba even said so of the elections of which Mnangagwa deployed the army to shoot people in order to change election results as according to the full ZBC broadcast 8 months before (on the 15th Dec 2017.)

Earlier in April 2019, Mnangagwa possessed one window of opportunity, which was to sponsor someone inside the MDC party who can replace Chamisa. The only person back then was Chamisa’s long-time nemesis, MDC Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora.

But after all 13 provinces voted unanimously for Chamisa as evidenced at the weekend, there is still some window for Mnangagwa, which is to build a cloud of criticism that will result in the MDC splitting. The method to be deployed is that of aggressive subversion against Chamisa’s character, portray him as a dictator, and someone unsuitable for leadership office.It is hoped, this will serve the necessary bomb blast effect to de-legitimise Chamisa as the real elected MDC President.

As of yesterday, three groups had emerged, one led by former MDC councillor, Warship Dumba, another led by so called disgruntled MDC candidates for Bulawayo, and another operating on social networking, website, Twitter, labelling Chamisa a dictator. On Monday there was a hot volcanic build-up on social media against Nelson Chamisa’s character as a trusted leader.

He was criticized even for basics such as the powers the MDC constitution (left by the late leader Morgan Tsvangirai) give him. Instead of people attacking the Tsvangirai constitution, they were up in arms with the man who is still to be announced the elected MDC leader.Through all these events, Mnangagwa’s loud message to Chamisa is very clear, ” it’s not over until it is over.”WILL CHAMISA SURVIVE?

By Community Water Alliance|We caught red handed City of Harare water meter readers removing meters in Ward 44 Kuwadzana. Sometimes when we employ activists it’s important to inform them that work is executed in a professional manner not like a toyi toyi in the streets.

The reasons for removal of meters is purported non-payment for water. We are mounting a litigation case that will teach City of Harare a very big lesson that justice should be done always.

Some of the affected houses are No. 12917, 12906, 12909.

ZimEye will be livestreaming a press conference by opposition MDC.

Refresh this page for latest updates

By Own Correspondent| A High Court ruling by Justice Zhou granting NAYO the permission to demonstrate and file their petition at parliament has sent riot police back on the streets of Harare.

Several riot police officers were on Tuesday morning deployed at strategic points in the central business district of Harare.

Two riot police trucks full of police officers were parked at Africa Unity Square while several police details were all over Africa Unity Square possibly in preparation for the NAYO demonstration.

Justice Zhou last week overturned a police ban which stopped the NAYO from petitioning parliament over shrinking civil society space.

In his ruling, Justice Zhou said the police ban was wrong and should therefore be suspended.

VIEW PICTURES BELOW….

Air Zimbabwe has confirmed that one of the two engines on its Boeing plane caught fire during a flight from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Harare on Sunday evening after developing a fault.

In a statement, the airline admitted that its plane had experienced some glitch in South Africa as it was departing for Zimbabwe.

“Air Zimbabwe wishes to inform the public that their Boeing 767-200ER servicing flight UM462 experienced a malfunction in one of its engines, which caused a ‘brief’ tailpipe fire,” part of the statement read.

The carrier said the malfunction did not threaten the continuation of the flight or the safety of the crew and passengers on board, and that the aircraft landed safely in Harare at 8:35pm.

Air Zimbabwe confirmed that their engineers have started investigations into the incident.

“We regret to inform our valued passengers that this incident may result in a disruption of our normal schedule,” the statement continued.

This came barely a day after the same plane was involved in a bird strike incident after take-off at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo.

The plane, however, landed safely at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in the capital.

In March, the struggling national airline said it was using the aircraft, the only one in service, for all its routes.

-Newsday

Own Correspondent|Giant cellular phone network service provider Econet Wireless has apparently silently increased their data charges few days after other players took the unpopular move.

Below is a screen shot of the new daily data charges that the network has introduced:

Unlike the other players in the field, Econet Wireless appears not to have pre-warned its users of the tariff hikes.

This is a developing story. More details to follow.

Jane Mlambo| Zimbabwe’s largest mobile network provider by subscriber base, Econet Wireless has hiked data tariffs with the cheapest package of one dollar now giving users only 40 megabytes.

Other mobile network operators Netone and Telecel had already hiked their charges, with Zimbabwe now among countries with the most expensive internet data.

Below is Econet’s new tariff regime

Jane Mlambo| The family of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai has banned party regalia at the memorial service slated for this Saturday in Humanikwa village, Buhera.

Family spokesperson Manase Tsvangirai told a local online media organisation NewZimbabwe.com that the decision to ban party regalia was necessitated by the feeling that Tsvangirai was a unifier who also worked with those he did not agree with.

“This is not a political event but a memorial service for a politician who dedicated his life to bring democratic change in the country.

“Everyone is invited, we are not leaving anyone from across the political divide,” Manase was quoted.

“The other thing we would like to highlight is that, we hope and believe that people who are coming for this memorial, should not be seen wearing any political parties’ regalia. Instead we expect people to be wearing the regalia of the late Morgan Tsvangirai,” added Manase.

The late MDC leader succumbed to cancer of the colon in February last year and was buried at his rural home in Humanikwa village Buhera.

THE Registrar-General’s Office has started producing 8 000 passports daily with a view to clear the 280 000 backlog that has accumulated at the Passport Office, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Cain Mathema has said.

Addressing the media yesterday, Minister Mathema said passport fees remained at $53 and no increases had been effected.

“Government has not increased passport fees. There are no increases on fees for passports whatsoever. The situation remains the same and people must not panic. We will do the best we can and indeed we are doing that.

“The backlog is at around 280 000 and the machinery we have, has the capacity of producing 8 000 passports per day. Our aim is to produce as many as 8 000 passports per day in order to get rid of the backlog that has accumulated over the years.

“The public must not panic. We will provide the passports that are required by the people,” said Minister Mathema.

Minister Mathema said plans were underway to decentralise the Passport Office to ensure people in the rural communities have easy access to passports.

“We also want the Passport Office to be as near as possible to every community in Zimbabwe. Why should people from Tsholotsho come to Harare for passports? That was done in Rhodesia and not in Zimbabwe anymore,” he said.

Minister Mathema said the challenges that affected the production of passports last week were now history.

“The challenges that we faced last week are now a thing of the past. We are now working to reduce the queues at the passport offices,” he said.

-State Media

United Movement for Devolution Statement on the need for political collaboration in the region

29 April, 2019

The United Movement for Devolution (UMD) is a social democratic movement which is grounded in the principles and values of Devolution and Provincialism. UMD in its policy articulation advocates for strong provincial governments and participatory institutions and communities in the governance of the country.

Our main focus as UMD is to correct the past prejudices done against the Matabeleland region and its people. We speak of underdevelopment, marginalization, inequality and injustice perpetrated against our people by the heartless ZANU pf regime. It is in this regard that we express our belief in political collaboration with other like minded political players in the region. Our thrust as we grapple with these man made challenges is to work for the greater good of the people in order to preserve their dignity and achieve economic prosperity. UMD shall remain open for engagement and cooperation with those that share the same principles and values with us and have devolution at the core of the principles.

Furthermore, our quest for collaboration is informed by the fact that the unity is fundamental to the success and reconstruction program of Matabeleland. We do not believe in monopolizing the Matabeleland agenda. Accordingly, we stand ready to embrace anyone or organization which stands for the emancipation of the downtrodden, marginalized and economically deprived people of the region. However, it is imperative to hasten to say that the UMD reserves the right to remain true and loyal to its core founding principles and values.

The UMD embraces the call by our President Hon.Lovemore Moyo in his statement that called upon the people of Matabeleland to find each other and work together in order to achieve total freedom, equality and justice for the victims and ordinary people. We further applaud him for the bold call for us to forget that which divides us,and instead focus on what brings the people of Matabeleland together.

In this regard, the UMD has total confidence and trust in the leadership of Hon. Lovemore Moyo. His track record of putting the Matabeleland agenda on the national platform is unquestionable. His political history dates back to his participation in the war of liberation as a ZIPRA cadre in the 1970s. He is a founding member of Imbovane Yamahlabezulu. During his days at Imbovane Yamahlabezulu they organized the first public meeting that discussed about the Gukurahundi genocide which invited the late Vice President Joseph Msika and the late Enos Nkala at the Large City Hall in the 1990s to account for the atrocities of the 1980s.

Further,Lovemore Moyo went on to become a founding member of the Forum Party of Zimbabwe (FPZ). He became instrumental in the adoption of Devolution of Power as one of FPZ core policies and advocated for the inclusion of devolution in the Zimbabwean politics. He is also a founding member of the MDC and rose through the ranks to become its National Chairman until his resignation earl last year. He left the MDC upon the realization that the movement had departed and discarded its founding principles and values of non tribalism, non sexism and non violence. He presided over the National Elections Department for over a decade and delivered electoral victories for the MDC. His leadership skills saw him being elected the country’s first opposition Speaker of Parliament.

We are proud of his lasting legacy as the Speaker of Parliament in that he presided over the creation of COPAC that led to the writing of a new constitution of the country and the consummation of the Government of National Unity. His able leadership helped to navigate the raging waters of the constitution making processe. Consequently, the new constitution gave birth to Chapter 14 of the Zimbabwean constitution which provides for devolution of power. Under his leadership, Parliament of Zimbabwe became the only one in Africa to attain the ISO90002 certification which is indeed a milestone in the administration of Parliament. He was subsequently elected Chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum becoming the first Speaker IG Parliament from Zimbabwe to occupy such a prestigious position.

As UMD, in our view,we see Lovemore Moyo as a humble and principled leader,an affable fellow who is firm,forthright and very accessible to everyone and a committed devolutionist. We celebrate his leadership and value his ability to steer the region towards political and economic prosperity.

Devolution is an agenda whose time has come.

Amandla Ebantwini!
Power to the People!

Issued by;
Artwell Sibanda
Publicity and Information Secretary
[email protected]

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Victor Bhoroma| A change in the Zimbabwean government in November 2017 was somewhat a confidence booster in the economy as the new administration announced business oriented policies and went on an overdrive to re-engage the international community in a move aimed at opening new lines of credit, improve investor confidence and attract FDI Inflows.

Local investors and industry captains were equally optimistic that the economy would improve as implied by a positive year on year Business Confidence Index (BCI) of 20.9 in December 2017.

Barely before 2 years have lapsed, that confidence seems to be wearing thin and the economy is catching the cold. Growth prospects in the economy look gloomy under a cloud of currency uncertainty, political instability, foreign currency shortages and hyperinflation. Panic buying by the consumers and hoarding of scarce commodities such as fuel, bread, cooking oil and flour have characterized major policy announcements in the last 12 months.

As Zimbabwe’s economy wobbles on the brink of a recession, the cost of low confidence in the market is taking a huge toll on various policies to resuscitate the economy. Prices for most consumer food staffs, industrial products and services have been skyrocketing since the October 2018 Monitory Policy Statement (MPS) with official inflation rate eclipsing 66.80% in March 2019.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) directed local banks to separate RTGS (Local Currency) accounts and Foreign Currency Accounts (FCA) as an acknowledgement that the US Dollar was not on par with the RTGS, an assertion RBZ presented in November 2016 to introduce Bond Notes to the local market. The surrogate currency was introduced to ease cash shortages as virtual money in RTGS credits outpaced real US Dollar balances in the economy. Consumer confidence in the local banking sector remains very low due to the erosion of US Dollar denominated savings and various monitory and fiscal policy pronouncements.

Since October 2018, banks and other deposit taking institutions have been struggling to attract US dollar deposits, save for deposits in transit transactions such as salary payments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) project funds, imports Telegraphic Transfers (TTs) and local supply payments done in foreign currency.

The introduction of the interbank market and licensing of over 26 Bureau De Change houses in February 2019 has done little to attract foreign currency to the formal market as well. Memories of 2007/08 when the apex bank raided private FCA accounts for over US $400 million are still fresh in Zimbabwe.

Capital flight is still very high with most foreign owned businesses and local business people using every available channel to take their profits and savings out of the country. In January 2018, the RBZ highlighted that funds held by Zimbabweans in offshore banks rose by more than US $1 billion. Savings held by Zimbabweans in offshore banks and other foreign assets were estimated to be close to US$800 million upon dollarization in 2009.

When inflation rate dropped to an average of 1% between 2009 and 2012, Zimbabweans repatriated their savings back home as confidence was restored through economic and political stability. By December 2012, funds held in offshore accounts had dropped to less than US$300 million.

In 2018, Zimbabwe received close to $5.5 billion in foreign currency through trade, remittances, aid, credit lines and investments. However all signs are pointing to a persistent shortage of foreign currency on the formal market that has potential to weaken all pillars of the economy. Corporates and individuals with foreign currency are holding on to it as a high value commodity or selling it at the black market where exchange rates are higher than the interbank rates.

On the foreign investment front, Zimbabwe received an average of $350 million in FDI Inflows since 2015, making it one of the least attractive investment destinations in the SADC region.  Despite wholesale changes to the country’s Indigenization and Empowerment law a year ago, inward investments barely improved as investors signed a host of non-binding MOUs and commitments that largely hinge on economic stability in Zimbabwe.

Consumer confidence is a key economic indicator that measures the degree of optimism that consumers feel about the overall state of the economy and their personal financial situation as reflected by disposable income. When disposable incomes improve, consumers make more purchases and feel more confident.

Investor confidence measures investors’ willingness to engage in the investment opportunities and associated intermediation channels available to them based on their perception of country risk and return on their investments. It can be measured though investment enquiries and actual inflows of capital. Business confidence measures the amount of optimism or pessimism that business managers feel about the prospects of their companies based on their performance indicators such as revenue.

The three provide an overview of the state of any economy. Confidence is key in enticing domestic and foreign investments, attracting deposits in the formal banking system and building savings. It is also integral in the trading of money market securities locally and more importantly maintaining value of any fiat currency in the world.

A fiat currency is money (notes and coins) that a government has declared to be legal tender such as the Zimbabwean case of the RTGS Dollar, but it is not backed by any physical commodity in the form of Gold or Silver. Fiat currencies derive their value from market confidence based on perceived economic and political stability.

The government through the central bank can control economic activity through money printing. This function has been abused several times in the past 30 years and is blamed for the growth in virtual money balances (RTGS) since 2015. It is the main cause of current hyperinflation in Zimbabwe as broad money supply in the economy topped $9.5 billion by December 2018.

A severe confidence shortfall is costing Zimbabwe billions each year and restoring it in local institutions requires political commitment to fix what is broken. A confidence deficit in Zimbabwe has demonstrated that it has disastrous consequences to the economy just as a budget or trade deficit.

It will take real reforms in terms of governance to bring back lost confidence in the local economy. Bringing back confidence on the three key fronts (consumer, business and investor) can yield positive results for any policy pronouncement by the government and its departments. More importantly it will ensure that Vision 2030 is felt by the intended beneficiaries in the economy instead of being talked about in the media.

Victor Bhoroma is business and economic analyst. He is a marketer by profession and holds an MBA from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). For feedback, mail him on [email protected] or alternatively follow him on Twitter @VictorBhoroma1.

By Own Correspondent- The late national hero Oliver Mtukudzi’s Will and Testament was filed with the Master of High Court by a Harare law firm, four months after his death.

The one page Will shows that “Tuku” left all movable and immovable property to surviving spouse Daisy Kudzai Mtukudzi.

He left out all his children and family members.

The Will was filed on April 15 by Thoughts Deme Attorneys at Law. The Will and Testament read in part:

“I, Oliver Mtukudzi, born 22 September 1952, presently domiciled in Zimbabwe, hereby cancel and annul all former wills and cordials and declare this to be my last will and testament.

… I hereby bequeath all my properties, share and shares in any company or companies or entities to my wife, Daisy Kudzai Mtukudzi born on the second of February 1959.”

Since Mutukudzi’s death, daggers have been drawn among family members forcefully competing for his property.

Apparently, the family members were unaware of the existence of a will.- StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- Flamboyant businessman Ginimbi has replied to prophet Passion Java after the latter dissed where he stays asking social media followers not to compare him to the businessman.

Java said in a video clip doing the rounds on social media:

“Ginimbi ndiani , munondifananidza nemunhu anogara KuDomboshava” (Who is Ginimbi. How dare you compare me to a person who stays in Domboshava).”

However Ginimbi responded and said life was not a competition and he was happy because of who he is and what he has.

Said Ginimbi:

“Life is not a competition, its about achieving your dreams, living your purpose and being happy… I live my life to the fullest and continue to thank God because i keep getting more and more.”

An MDC group vehemently opposed to Nelson Chamisa’s leadership has vowed to go the extra mile to dethrone the MDC leader whom they accuse of circumventing party processes to grab power.

The group, which calls itself Defense of Morgan Tsvangirai Legacy (DMTL), is fronted by former Harare councillor Warship Dumba.

Dumba and his social media comrades accuse Chamisa of grabbing power following the death of party founding leader, Tsvangirai February last year.

The group also accuses the 41-year-old politician of manipulating MDC internal election systems to emerge unopposed during the just ended party nomination processes.

Chamisa has been nominated by all the 13 provincial structures to remain and now awaits confirmation by the party’s elective congress set for May in Gweru.

Dumba, who is deputy spokesperson of the group, told reporters on Sunday the just ended MDC provincial congresses were stage managed to produce Chamisa victories.

“I said it before and I am saying it now, the nominations were designed to make sure that Chamisa wins uncontested and appear as if he was favourite among MDC supporters,” he said.

“We will not stop our restructuring exercise from Ward to Provincial levels in preparation of our end of year extra-ordinary congress likely in October.

“Then after that, we will give them instructions on what to do.

“At the same time, we are waiting for a High Court ruling where we are seeking an order to stop Chamisa’s congress as we move forward.”

Dumba said if the court rules in favour of Chamisa’s camp, it means practiocally, there is going to be yet another MDC formation.

“Yes if he wins the court case, it will be unfortunate, and eventually there will be two MDC political parties. But ours will be the legitimate one because we will never recognise him as the leader of the MDC.

“We will go ahead with our congress because its politics.”

The disgruntled activists have tried more than once to approach the court to stop the national congress arguing that the party must in fact go to an extra-ordinary congress to elect Tsvangirai’s successor end of the year as determined by the party’s constitution.

They are also against the recruitment of new members and the reintegration of party breakaway groups led by former secretary generals Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti whom the call “traitors”.

AllAfrica.com

The family of the late MDC founding President Morgan Tsvangirai says that it will not allow party regalia at his memorial service set for this Saturday at their family home in Buhera.

Family spokesperson Manase Tsvangirai told news reporters on Monday that the family agreed to depoliticise the gathering and make it open to anyone who wants to attend and not make it an exclusive MDC function.

“This is not a political event but a memorial service for a politician who dedicated his life to bring democratic change in the country.

“Everyone is invited, we are not leaving anyone from across the political divide,” Manase said.

“The other thing we would like to highlight is that, we hope and believe that people who are coming for this memorial, should not be seen wearing any political parties’ regalia. Instead we expect people to be wearing the regalia of the late Morgan Tsvangirai.”

Manase added that the family was hoping Zimbabweans would respect their wish.

“This is a memorial and we expect people to respect this family decision by putting branded t-shirts with his face only. This is our wish as a family as a measure of respect to the late Tsvangirai whom everybody called their icon,” said Tsvangirai’s brother.

Manase said security measures have been put in place to avoid unfortunate incidents of violent that happened at the funeral.

“The good thing is at the memorial you get to prepare compared to the funeral, so we expect people to respect the family and remember the late politician was a man who fought for every workers’ rights,” he said.

The rogue youths who were baying for the two’s blood almost torched the hut Mwonzora and Khupe were hiding in only to be saved by the rains.

According to Manase, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has also been invited officially to attend the memorial.

“President Mnangagwa has been invited in his personal capacity and on behalf of the government.

“And everyone is invited, as I said before Morgan worked within the government and with nearly everyone,” added Manase.

Government according to Manase is also assisting the family with the expenses towards the memorial.

The State yesterday closed its case in the matter in which Mt Pleasant legislator Samuel Banda (MDC Alliance) is being accused of contravening a section of the Electoral Act by allegedly falsifying his home address so that he could register to represent the constituency.

Banda (43), who is represented by Job Sikhala, yesterday told magistrate Learnmore Mapiye that the complainant and witnesses were aggrieved after he won a ticket to represent his party during the primary elections in which they all participated.

Banda told the court that the complainants, Warship Dumba and Isaac Chidavaenzi, had political scores to settle with him because they wanted his position.

Chidavaenzi lost the position to Banda for parliamentary elections, while Dumba wanted the position, but was relegated to council elections.

“The only truth is that both witnesses wanted to be MDC Alliance candidates. Dumba wanted to be a councillor, while Chidavaenzi wanted to be the MP, but they all lost,” Banda told the court.

“I’m (very) surprised that Chidavaenzi lied that I do not stay at his place of residence, yet I’m still staying at his house. I’m surprised that he lied that he learnt that I registered using his place of residence address on radio. It is so shameful. Even Jesus was disregarded by his fellows. That is why my fellow opposition members are fighting me. They have teamed up with my enemies to say that I lied about my address, which is untrue.”

Mapiye postponed the matter to Monday next week for ruling.

Allegations are that on December 28, 2017 last year during the national biometric voter registration exercise, Banda misrepresented to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that he was staying at number 34 Waller Avenue, Mt Pleasant, Harare, in order for him to register as a voter in that constituency, while in actual fact, he did not reside there.

The State alleges that Banda went on to depose an affidavit of residence for voter registration (Zec Form VR-9) to a Zec commissioner of oaths purporting to be residing at the house.

Through misrepresentation, the prosecution said, Banda was registered as a voter in Mt Pleasant constituency, where he contested for the House of Assembly seat and eventually won.

The State said the Zec forms VR1 and VR9 can be produced as an exhibit.

Peter Kachirika appeared for the State.

NewsDay

SOME foreign elements are plotting violent demonstrations in a bid to overthrow the Government and the police are ready to deal with the perpetrators in terms of the law, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema has said.

Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Minister Mathema said intelligence revealed a workshop to mobilise and capacitate the civic organisations had already been scheduled for an undisclosed date next month in Bulawayo.

“It is disturbing to note that ZRP and other security services have gathered intelligence to the effect that a group of foreign nationals wants to facilitate a three-day civic organisation workshop in Bulawayo in May 2019.

“The main agenda of the workshop is to mobilise and capacitate civic organisations and individuals to stage purported effective demonstrations and disturbances to overthrow the Zanu-PF Government,” he said.

Minister Mathema warned the people of Zimbabwe against joining the planned violent demonstrations.

The minister said the police were on high alert and measures have already been put in place to thwart the illegal plans.

“My ministry has since directed the Commissioner- General of Police to put in place adequate security measures. The police will thwart any civil disobedience or violent machinations by individuals, political parties and civic organisations under the guise of freedom of assembly and other hidden activities,” he said.

Government has urged people to ignore any demonstration calls.

“Members of the public are accordingly advised to ignore any incitement to violence or participating in unsanctioned gatherings that may cause instability in the country. Any acts of lawlessness should be reported to the nearest police station so that the law is applied without fear or favour,” said Minister Mathema.

Zimbabwe, the minister said, does not need any lecture on democracy and freedom of assembly from foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Minister Mathema said intelligence also show that there were plans to intensify the demonstrations after the MDC-Alliance’s congress.

“My ministry is also aware that there are plans to intensify violent demonstrations in the country after the forthcoming MDC-Alliance congress under the guise that there is economic collapse in Zimbabwe.”

Minister Mathema assured Zimbabweans and foreigners visiting the country or those doing business that their security was guaranteed.

“We have the names of the organisations and the names of the people who want to organise the demonstrations. At an opportune time, we will share their names,” he said.

Price increases and other economic challenges facing the country, Minister Mathema said, were being caused by the MDC-Alliance.

“It must be known that those economic challenges facing the country were brought about by the MDC. The sanctions were brought about by the MDC-Alliance, so it is laughable that we should be accused, as Government, of causing the economic challenges.

“We do not want price increases at all and the Government will do all it can to ensure prices stabilise,” he said.

State Media

The toxicity levels in Lake Chivero have reached alarming levels, twice the stipulated minimum, with Harare City Council spending US$3 million monthly on a cocktail of water treatment chemicals to remove these but which in themselves pose cancer risks to residents.

Even after treatment, Harare water falls short of World Health Organisation (WHO) standards which stipulate that water for consumption should be odourless and colourless.

It has also emerged that over the years, Harare has failed to implement recommendations to stop the deterioration of its water quality.

By contrast, according to an insider with knowledge on running affairs of the city, Bulawayo decommissioned its Khami Dam facility when it reached similar toxicity levels seven years ago.

WHO says the optimum pH (acidity level) varies in different supplies according to the composition of the water and the nature of construction materials used in the distribution system, but is often in the range 6,5 to 9,5.

In general, water with a pH lower than 7 is considered acidic, while that with a pH greater than 7 is considered basic.

Most industries have no pre-treatment plants and are draining toxic products, poisons, non-biodegradable substances and organic matter into the environment.

A recent study by City of Harare and EMA revealed that the main contaminants are sulphuric acid, caustic soda, ammonium salts, phosphates and sulphates among other organic substances. Additionally, the city pumps raw sewage into its main water source, Lake Chivero.

Asked what Harare was doing since it was disposing of raw sewerage in water sources, Mayor Herbert Gomba said: “We were supposed to rehabilitate our sewer works under the $144 million loan, but since we are still to get the remaining funds we currently considering alternative models like selling off our debts to banks so that we can attend to our dilapidated sewerage infrastructure.”

Water levels at Lake Chivero have also reduced by 10 metres from 28 metres deep due to siltation caused by urban agriculture, while algae has been clogging filters and affecting clarifiers.

Among other causes of the major pollution are stream-bank cultivation, effluent from industries and sewer bursts.

Harare is experiencing its worst water problems in years owing to low rainfall and the shortage of water chemicals.

Lake Chivero is downstream of the capital, while Chitungwiza is within the Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment Area such that most sewers discharge from Harare and Chitungwiza end up in the water sources.

The major settlements that have contributed to the pollution include Harare and the dormitory towns of Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Epworth.

The areas are densely populated and are prone to sewer bursts.

Mayor Gomba said the pollution has been caused by various factors, chief among them Harare’s disposal of untreated and raw sewage into Lake Chivero and urban agriculture.

“Fertilizers which are being applied by urban farmers are finding their way into the water source. The other cause being numerous constructions on wet lands and again the fact that EMA and Upper Manyame Catchment Area and City of Harare have not been working together to make sure that we prevent pollution of the streams that feed in to the water source,” he said.

“We have raised these issues with EMA. They promised that we will do a joint operation to make sure that we arrest that. Again as City of Harare we are looking at coming up with a policy to control urban agriculture because it has numerous consequences. We are looking at how best we can work with national parks to secure the facility, Chivero as a water source.”

He said council will engage its satellite towns to ensure that no raw sewerage is disposed into water bodies adding that Harare itself will also seek partners to rehabilitate its own sewerage treatment works.

WHO guidelines say water for human consumption should be free from chemical contamination. A heavy load for nitrates in water has been known to cause the blue baby syndrome in which young babies turn blue due to lack of oxygen.

Water that is heavily loaded by organic chemicals is also a fertile breeding ground for bacteriological contamination.

Bacteriological contamination of water needs the techniques of a specialist to detect in the form of bacteriological family known as Coli and Ecoli.

A recent study carried out at the University of Zimbabwe, Department of Animal Science, and University Lake Kariba Research Station titled, “A Comparative Evaluation of Carcass Quality, Nutritional Value, and Consumer Preference of Oreochromis niloticus from Two Impoundments with Different Pollution Levels in Zimbabwe” sampled fish from Lake Chivero and Lake Kariba.

Fish were sampled for proximate analysis, carcass quality, and sensory evaluation.

The study found out that fish from Lake Kariba had significantly higher condition factors and lower fillet yields, while fish of length 10-20 cm, from Lake Chivero had significantly more fat.

Lake Chivero fish were darker, greener, and less red while Lake Kariba fish are lighter, less green, and less red.

Raw fish from Lake Kariba were significantly firmer, are less green and redder, had a stronger typical fish odour, and were more acceptable than Lake Chivero fish.

Lake Chivero fish had a stronger foreign fish odour than their counterparts.

Former Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni during his tenure admitted that the water pumped by the city into residents’ homes may not be safe for human consumption, and advised consumers to exercise caution until such a time that total quality was assured.

The Environmental Management Agency which is the regulator for raw water could not be reached for comment.

State Media

LOSING MDC Alliance Bulawayo provincial executive aspirants have appealed against the way the party carried out the provincial congress which elected a new executive into office and also made nominations for the National Standing Committee members.

In a letter to the party’s national executive, 12 losing candidates blamed party President Nelson Chamisa and organising secretary Amos Chibaya for irregularities they claim besieged the congress.

The 12 losing candidates who include Mr Phelela Masuku, Mr Edious Shumba, Mr Charles Moyo, Mr Thamu Ncube, Ms Sinikiwe Mutanda, Ms Jasmine Toffa, Mr Dingilizwe Tshuma, Mr Edwin Ndlovu, Ms Stella Ndlovu, Mr Mbuso Siso and Mr Samuel Munsaka called for the nullification of the provincial congress results on the basis that it was rigged among other irregularities.

The party held a provincial congress on April 17 ahead of the national congress slated for next month.

Makokoba Member of Parliament Mr James Sithole won the provincial chairman’s post.

In the letter of appeal, the losing candidates argue that the interference by Chamisa and Chibaya benefitted Sithole’s camp.

“The directive given by the president Nelson Chamisa to National Organising secretary Chibaya, on being petitioned at the congress venue by disenfranchised delegates who were refused to participate, was only acceded to after the conclusion of both the youth and women processes effectively denying them the vote and creating complexities for main wing processes by introduction of non-eligible delegates.

“Mpopoma was effectively locked out of participation, and the caucus constituted by Chibaya to address the anomaly calculatedly and mischievously took forever resultantly acceding at the close of the voting process. The cabal of James Sithole and Helen Zviviri (Tsepiso-Mpofu) formed the think tank of the caucus,” reads part of the appeal letter.

They further argued that the provincial congress was illegal as it did not adhere to the party processes, conduct and procedures.

“Take notice that the undersigned Appellants hereby note an appeal on the process and conduct of the procedures employed at the Bulawayo Provincial Congress held at Stanley Square Makokoba, Bulawayo on 17/18th April 2019 pursuant to the provisions of Sections 9 (a); 9 (c (i; v and vi) section 2 (ii; iii; iv; v; and vi) and section 3 (a) and (f) And further take notice that the Appellants’ grounds of appeal are that:- 1. That the congress was not legally constituted for failure of a quorum notwithstanding the districts that were disenfranchised and refused to participate,” reads the letter.

In the Bulawayo congress, party vice president Professor Welshman Ncube was snubbed by the province which did not nominate him to retain the post at the national congress slated for next month.

Instead, the structures nominated Tendai Biti, Morgen Komichi and Ms Lillian Timveous for the vice presidency and nominated Prof Ncube for the secretary general’s position.

MDC-Alliance national spokesperson Mr Jacob Mafume was not available for comment.

Farai Dziva|A senior member of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association has called on Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa to resolve their political differences to save the nation from the current economic abyss.

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association political commissar, Francis Nhando told a daily paper dialogue between Mnangagwa and Chamisa would break the economic impasse.

“If there is any leader who thinks he or she can solve the problems we have without the help of others then that’s delusional.

Only a united front that involves all Zimbabweans including the opposition coming into government is the solution.

We have done it before and there was remarkable economic growth. Things only began to slide back to where they were before the inclusive government (when parties) decided that they wanted to go it alone and terminated the arrangement.

We simply need to work together not this blame game that we are seeing, blaming sanctions but all the sanctions were in place when the unity government worked magic on the economy,” said Nhando.

Farai Dziva|Former MDC A MP Eddie Cross has attacked the media for failing to recognise Emmerson Mnangagwa’s commitment to reforms, a South African paper has reported.

While in South Africa Cross chided the media for failing to appreciate Mnangagwa’s commitment to reforms.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Mnangagwa will take Zimbabwe down a different route.
And I think in the past nine months (since the election) he’s not received sufficient recognition from the international media for what he’s actually achieved.

… There would be no engagement from the international community if a political reform agenda is not adopted or followed.

In his (President Mnangwagwa’s) view, we had to have legitimacy recognised by the international community in order to put the country back on its feet. We were really quite surprised at the strength of his view,” Cross told The Sunday Times.