By Own Correspondent- Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya said shortages of fuel being witnessed in the country is a result of a growing economy..

Mangudya attributed the fuel shortages to the expanding economy promising that the fuel situation in Zimbabwe will improve before end of this month.

Said Mangudya:

“The demand for fuel in Zimbabwe has increased because the economy has been expanding. So, an expanding economy requires more fuel. Let us look at the other side of the story, the other side of the story is that the economy has been expanding and that is why the demand (for fuel) has been going up. We used to spend about US$60 million or so per month to US$80 million per month, but now we are on US$90 million to US$100 million per month. So, where is all this fuel going to? The fuel is going into the economy, and this economy is expanding.”-StateMedia

POPULAR Bulawayo-based dancehall chanter, Njanji, real name Noah Wambe (30) has been linked to armed robberies targeting illegal foreign currency dealers in the city.

A gang armed with guns, machetes and iron bars that allegedly worked with Njanji, trailed osiphatheleni to their homes and robbed them of household property that includes television sets, cellphones and cash.

One of the gang members was arrested last Tuesdy at fast food outlet in the city.

The suspect implicated Njanji and police have allegedly recovered some of the stolen property from the dancehall chanter while some people who were arrested with some of the goods claimed that they bought them from him.

The heavily built Njanji yesterday denied masterminding the gang.“I don’t know what you are talking about, I don’t know anything,” he said.

Diners at Chicken Inn drive-through in Famona suburb narrated a hair-raising scene when six heavily armed detectives arrested Adonai Mashonga (32) at around 4PM on Tuesday. “He’s a regular at the joint. He always tells people he is a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative. We were shocked when he was suddenly surrounded and whisked away by armed police,” said a source who asked not to be named.

Mashonga, a police source said, fingered Njanji and named six other accomplices who are still at large.

Mashonga was found with housebreaking implements and has since made indications at six houses in Pumula, Nketa, Cowdray Park and Emganwini suburbs where he said his gang robbed people.

Two Bulawayo residents who were arrested while using cellphones that had been stolen from one of the osiphatheleni, told police they bought them from Njanji.

The musician indicated that he bought the cellphones from Mashonga who was in the company of Zibusiso alias Zikhewu.

Mashonga’s gang is suspected to have raided Mr George Dennise’s home in Pumula East around 8PM on 24 November and ordered everyone to lie on the ground at gun point and demanded cash which was in the house.

Mr Dennise led them to his bedroom where he gave them R4 000, $470 Bond notes and USD $55.

“The robbers ransacked the house and took away four cellphones,” said a source close to the incident.

About five hours later, the gang went to Mr Ishmael Chikarakara’s home in Nketa 9, armed with a pistol, two machetes, an axe and iron bars.

“They forced open the door and ordered Mr Chikarakara to lie down but he resisted. He grappled with one of the robbers and a gang member struck him with a machete on the forehead leaving a deep gash. Following further strikes with the machete on his left hand and right thigh, he relented and lay down facing downwards,” said a source.

The armed robbers took US$200, R2 000, a 52 inch LG plasma TV set, an HP Laptop, a Samsung double sim cellphone, a Samsung Tablet, a Samsung Galaxy series cellphone, Huawei cellphone, soft drink cans, five dressed chickens and two sets of car keys for a Mercedes Benz and a Nissan X-Trail.

One of the suspects ordered Mr Chikarakara’s wife to strip intending to rape her.

The other gang members allegedly dissuaded him from raping her.

They tied up Mr Chikarakara and his wife using the hem of a blanket before fleeing from the scene.

The detectives said the stolen property is yet to be fully recovered as the accused alleges that the bulk of the stolen property has since been sold to some buyers only known by his accomplices who are still at large. Njanji is among the first Zimdancehall artistes to promote road safety.

State Media

Correspondent|ZIMBABWE is not even among the 10 strongest military forces in Africa, as it ranks 13th on the continent and 83rd when it comes to the rest of the world.

This is according to the 2019 Military Strength Ranking compiled by Globalfire Power, which is the trusted source of military rankings worldwide.

The ranking uses 55 different factors including the number and diversity of weapons. Other factors which are considered included: location, natural resources, local industry. financial stability, but not the current political leadership.

Nuclear weapons and stockpiles are not taken directly into account, but receive indirect scores. Nato (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allies get a boost, because they share military resources.

The ranking notes that it is not the number of weapons that carries weight, but the diversity of available weapons. Further, landlocked countries are not penalized for having no naval forces in the final computation of the rankings. 

However, a nation’s financial stability is taken into consideration, but the current political/military leaders are not factored in.

The top 15 armies in Africa are (bracket value is world ranking):

1) Egypt (12);

2) Algeria (27);

3) South Africa (32);

4) Nigeria (44);

5) Ethiopia (47);

6) Angola (57);

7) Morocco (60);

8) Sudan (69);

9) DR Congo (72);

10) Libya (77);

11) Zambia (78);

12) Tunisia (80);

13) Zimbabwe (83);

14) Kenya (86); and

15) Uganda (93).

The top 10 armies in the world are:

1) United States;

2) Russia;

3) China;

4) India;

5) France;

6) Japan;

7) South Korea;

8) United Kingdom;

9) Turkey; and

10) Germany.

The weakest 10 in the world are;

128) Gabon;

129) Mauritania;

130) Somalia;

131) El Salvador;

132) Central African Republic;

133) Panama;

134) Sierra Leone;

135) Suriname;

136) Liberia; and

137) Bhutan.

South Africa was ranked the third strongest military in Africa behind Egypt (12th) and Algeria (27th).

According to the ranking Zimbabwe has:

• 30 000 active personnel;
• 0 reserve personnel;
• 5 584 086 manpower at its disposal;
• 3 182 989 people fit-for-service;
• 308 744 citizens reach the eligible age to serve annually;
• 10 aircraft fighters;
• 7 attack aircraft;
• 14 transport aircraft;
• 46 trainer aircraft;
• 42 combat tanks;
• 300 fighting armoured vehicles;
• 0 self-propelled artillery;
• 65 towed artillery;
• 22 rocket projectors;
• 0 frigates;
• 0 submarines;
• 0 patrol vessels; and
• 0 mine warfare vessels.

One final point to note is that Zimbabwe’s military ranking has dropped from its position last year.

By Own Correspondent- A Commissioner at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has revealed that the body was overwhelmed by the high number of candidates in last year’s elections that the collation process saw election results being mixed up.

Zec commissioner Qhubani Moyo told a post-election workshop organised by the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (Zesn) in Bulawayo last week that the candidates worsened the situation by distributing unverified results on social media.

Said Moyo:

“In as much as Zec adopted two transmission routes, the collation itself was overwhelmed by the number of candidates in the tripartite election.

There was an overwhelming amount of contesting candidates in some urban constituencies, for instance, in Pumula constituency, there were 21 MP contestants, 17 councillor contestants in one ward and 23 presidential contestants.”

Zec announced a first set of results which was contested by MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa at the Constitutional Court and the electoral management board later revised the results to correct the mistake.

Moyo said the commission was rushed by politicians who were circulating fake V11 forms and inciting the public to riot.

He said Zec was forced to release results before all processes were complete.

“The overwhelming pressure that the commission met, clearly there was lots of pressure, there was pressure in terms of the compilation process of the results.

There were some politicians who ran a racket and syndicate of what they called the V11 forms, that put lots of pressure on the public, put lots of pressure on us and the pressure also went on to influence people on the streets, leading to some protests that we all know led to the unfortunate deaths of a number of our citizens.”

Zec has been accused of lacking independence with the MDC Alliance accusing the commission of manipulating results in favour of the ruling Zanu PF party.

Renowned lawyer and researcher Derek Matzysk said while Zec was listed as an independent commission, it was appointed by political players through the parliamentary Standing Orders Committee.

The huge demand for fuel, which has caused supply challenges and spawned fuel queues across the country, is testimony that economic activity has expanded significantly over the past year or so, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Dr John Mangudya said last week.

Dr Mangudya, however, allayed fears of continued widespread fuel shortages in the country saying the situation should start improving before end of this month on the back of interventions the bank and Government had put in place.

The Reserve Bank, Dr Mangudya said, had released funding for fuel imports through letters of credit over the last two months, which are enough to import required amounts of fuel into Zimbabwe. He said the fuel shortages reflected time lags between bank processes and actual deliveries.

This is because the process of establishing a letter of credit (LC) with a local bank, getting confirmation from the international bank (Afreximbank, which guarantees LCs) through to getting confirmation from the foreign bank, which advises the fuel supplier up until the supplier gives notification for release of fuel, takes two weeks on average.

The fuel is usually already in the country at NOIC’s Msasa storage facilities, but needs to be paid for first prior to release.

All fuel imports into Zimbabwe are now paid for through LCs, which are financial instruments used to securitise and finance imports, due to challenges around hard currency.

LCs need to be guaranteed by an international bank to be acceptable as value for money and in Zimbabwe’s case this is done by Afreximbank.

The central bank chief made the comments when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy and Power on Thursday last week, which is chaired by Uzumba Member of Parliament Simbaneuta Mudarikwa.

Responding to an enquiry by Magwegwe MP, Anele Ndebele, on whether Zimbabwe was now in a lurch regarding the fuel situation, Dr Mangudya dismissed the notion that the country was between “a rock and a hard surface”.

Dr Mangudya said shortages of fuel being witnessed in the country — driven by increased demand due to the growing economy — were only transitory and not due to shortage of foreign currency needed to import the precious commodity.

“The demand for fuel in Zimbabwe has increased because the economy has been expanding.

“So, an expanding economy requires more fuel.

“Let us look at the other side of the story, the other side of the story is that the economy has been expanding and that is why the demand (for fuel) has been going up,” he said.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said in his Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) policy blue print (2019-2020) that Zimbabwe could soon be joining the six fastest growing economies in the world (from 2020), which are all in Africa.

Last year, the Treasury chief said Zimbabwe was much bigger than “we think” and re-based (establish a new base level) the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) from US$18 billion to US$25,8 billion.

“We used to spend about US$60 million or so per month to US$80 million per month, but now we are on US$90 million to US$100 million per month. So, where is all this fuel going to? The fuel is going into the economy, and this economy is expanding,” Dr Mangudya said.

Dr Mangudya said most of the firms that were closed prior to 2016 had reopened, activity in town was high and “you can even see it by these traffic jams, which were never there at some point in Zimbabwe”.

This justifies the high demand for fuel in Zimbabwe.

“So the evidence on the ground suggests to us that the demand is genuine and it’s fair to say that the economy has expanded and all we are saying is that let us not lose hope because of what we are seeing on the ground,” he said.

Dr Mangudya said the shortage of fuel was a transitory issue the apex bank and other arms of Government were working on to resolve, adding he expects “the fuel situation to improve starting this month”.

“We are going to make sure that we improve the lag between payment and supply; we are promising that we will do all we can so that we go into a better season. We need to clear the fuel queues in our country.”

The RBZ governor said while the bank had spent a cumulative US$170 million to import fuel amounting to 285 million litres in January and February, only 208 million had been released into the market while some of the balance was starting to be released now.

Consumption of fuel in Zimbabwe has, however, decline due to prize elasticity, from about between 160 million litres and 165 million per month in December last year to between 120 million litres and 120 million litres per month after the recent price hike.

Zimbabwe’s economy is estimated to have grown by 4 percent last year while finance and economic development Minister Mthuli Ncube projected in his 2019 national budget that the economy will grow by 3,1 percent this year.

Zimbabwe registered faster economic growth in 2018 compared to the average growth for the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, despite battling a myriad of challenges besetting the economy, chief among them critical shortage of foreign currency.

While the domestic economy is expected to have grown by 4 percent last year the average annual economic growth for the rest of the sub-region, generally considered to have relatively more stable economic jurisdictions, came in at an average 3,2 percent.

State Media

Former president Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law, Mr Simba Chikore used his family ties to manipulate processes, corrupt people and enter into shady deals involving several stakeholders during his time at the national airliner, Air Zimbabwe, The Herald reveals today.

Mr Chikore, married to Bona Mugabe, was chief operating officer of the flag carrier between October 2016 and November 2017.

During the time, Mr Chikore controversially incorporated Zimbabwe Airways as an alternative, debt-free entity funded by Treasury. The new airline would be owned by an outfit known as Aeronautics Africa Trust registered on November 13, 2017.

The controversial new airline project was consummated by the undertaking to purchase four Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from the Malaysian government and six Embraer-145 aircraft from the United States of America but was saddled from the start with regulatory and technical issues that have seen the planes not flying the country’s flag aloft to this day, with efforts presently underway to salvage the situation.

Operationalisation of Zimbabwe Airways was equally murky, with millions being splurged to conduct daily business, including hiring of staff, without due process while service providers were engaged without going to tender.

The Herald is in possession of unimpeachable evidence of the rot at the national airline in the period between 2016 and 2017 with Mr Chikore, who was the de facto chief executive officer of the new airline.

Throughout his ill-fated tenure, Mr Chikore misrepresented himself as a captain while he was a first officer, which disqualified him from flying, which he did.

He resigned as the Chief Operating Officer following Operation Restore Legacy that swept aside his father-in-law’s lengthy rule.

Sources close to the developments catalogued the malfeasance and how Mr Chikore could have been involved in criminal enterprise. It has also emerged that he, in fact, did not have a contract with Zimbabwe Airways despite the fact that he called himself Chief Executive Officer.

Uncannily, he did not draw a salary from the entity.

“On the 17th of August 2017, Zimbabwe Airways received $1 million from the RBZ (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) which, according to the business plan prepared by Baker, Tilly Chartered Accountants, was supposed to help set up the business for six months after which we were to start flying commercially and earning our revenue and the amount of $1 million would be paid back to the RBZ,” said one source.

“With the funds the company purchased furniture and office supplies, desktops, laptops, printers and televisions. The company also used the funds to pay salaries, rentals, security, construction of the airport offices as well as other operational costs. None of the services we engaged went to tender,” the source said.

According to information available, Zimbabwe Airways hired personnel and engaged service providers in the industry outside of Zimbabwe. Some of these service providers were Seabury Solutions Systems (a software company), SITA (a ticketing system vendor), Sigma Aviation Recruitment (to recruit expatriate post holders), Evers Consulting (to do the manuals required to apply for the Air Operators Certificate [AOC]).

Under unclear circumstances, Mr Chikore failed to register the airline for the AOC, which is conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, and the failure resulted in future losses as the airline was barred from flying to China and India where it had cargo.

“As the months went on, and we had hired personnel and expatriates, we still did not engage in the process of getting the AOC from the Civil Aviation Authority. The application process has five phases, and phase one states that the entity was to provide the name and credentials of the accountable officer.

“Simba was reluctant to do this. Firstly, he did not have a contract of employment from the company, and, secondly, his credentials stated that he was a first officer, not a captain as he had led all and sundry to believe. Therefore, months went by and he would not initiate the AOC application process.”

According to the source, when Zimbabwe Airways engaged airline insurer Gulf Regent for aircraft handling, health insurance and loss of licence insurance, he allegedly instructed the insurer to open an offshore account, in his name, for him in which any excess amounts would be paid into.

However, the company did not render the services, says their source.

“The employees never received health insurance despite the RBZ paying around $157 000 per quarter for health.

“In addition, the company did not employ any pilots so the Loss of Licence Insurance paid by the RBZ was merely another way in which Simba was externalising Government funds.”

The acquisition and subsequent return of the Malaysian planes underlines everything that was wrong with Mr Chikore’s mis-captaining of the airline as Zimbabwe simply did not have the resources, skills and other necessary infrastructure to operate the B777.

Zimbabwe lacked the necessary capabilities, namely trained engineers to maintain the 777, tooling, spares, hangar space and, of course, the Air Operator’s Certificate required to operate commercially.

Additionally, the 777 needed to have 100 hours of flying time a month to stay maintained, and also that it need to fly every seven days if it wasn’t operating, to keep up with its maintenance. A number of problems presented themselves.

Our sources said: “Zimbabwe did not have any engineers trained to maintain the 777, which meant that we would need to import engineers for this were the aircraft to be delivered to Zimbabwe.

“We did not have any trained pilots to fly the 777 in Zimbabwe, which would mean that we need to import pilots rated on the 777 to fly the aircraft every seven days.

“We did not have any hangar space, the only hangar that would fit the 777 was occupied by Air Zimbabwe’s 767 which is currently undergoing its C-check (a specialised maintenance system).

“We did not have any tools or spares for the 777 (and) we did not have an AOC that would allow for the requirement of the 100 hours a month of flight time required to keep the 777 in good condition.”

However, Mr Chikore reportedly disregarded wise counsel from engineers and, in fact, had not made enough preparations to receive the planes from Malaysia.

Eventually, a decision was made to return the aircraft following consultations between the Ministry of Transport and its legal team, CAAZ and Zimbabwe Airways.

“The minister conceded that he had been ill-advised regarding the aircraft and agreed that we return Z-RGM. The aircraft was returned on May 25,” said the source, adding that Mr Chikore was not consulted as he had travelled abroad.

Repeated efforts to get a comment from Mr Chikore were fruitless by last night.

Government is in the process of cleaning up the mess of Mr Chikore’s controversial tenure and has since disbanded Zim Airways.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joel Biggie Matiza last night confirmed that Government was regularising acquisition of the planes.

“The Embrear is on its way, as we speak and will arrive in the next two weeks,” he said.

“Government has also authorised payments of the outstanding amounts,” he added.

Last month, Cabinet approved the regularisation of the acquisition of aircraft bought from Malaysia and make outstanding payments for the Embrear planes acquired in the US are brought to Zimbabwe.

State Media

Correspondent|NYARADZO group chief executive officer, Philip Mataranyika recently sparked controversy when he personally drove and offered services at the late music icon and national hero, Oliver Mtukudzi’s funeral, with some accusing him of wanting to steal the limelight.

He even had a heated argument with staff from Doves as well as a senior government official who had clarified to him that it was Doves that was supposed to handle the funeral.

Mataranyika explains: “It was Maiguru Daisy [the late Mtukudzi’s wife] and the Mtukudzi family that chose Willowvale service centre as the venue of his chapel service ahead of our Hebert Chitepo Avenue branch due to its location, a stone’s throw away from Highfield where he was born and bred.

“Thirty-nine years after our independence, in his death, Mukoma Tuku becomes the first national hero to be laid to rest with full services provided by Nyaradzo Funeral Services.

“Given the many years of our friendship and brotherhood in which I was privileged to tap into his wisdom, inspiration and rare talent, I could not delegate the undertaking duties to our staff. For me personally, it was time to honour another of the unwritten contracts between brothers.

“Tuku had a unique relationship with Nyaradzo, built on our firm foundation of friendship, brotherly love and mutual respect dating back to our days as boys dzeku Fiyo. I have done this countless times, though. Some notable funerals where I personally offered services include Tobias Musariri, Paul Chingoka and Charles Mungoshi, among others.

“Even to date, I still go to our 120 Herbert Chitepo branch and they give me overnight assignments in any part of the country,” said Mataranyika in an interview with NewsDay.

Mtukudzi had a policy with Nyaradzo Funeral Services, which upon his death quickly moved in to prepare the body for its final journey.

However, the moment Dr Mtukudzi was declared a National Hero, the highest honour that can be conferred on an individual in Zimbabwe, it meant that certain protocol had to be followed.

Without wasting time, Government activated its systems through the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. The funeral services company which has a contract for burial of national heroes in Zimbabwe is Doves.

As is the norm, Doves instituted proceedings for a handover-takeover with Nyaradzo.

According to stipulations regulating burial of National Heroes, the company that handles the body of a hero needs its staff to have security clearance and for everyone to be bound by a non-disclosure agreement.

Phone calls were made between the two companies, times were agreed and a meeting place for the handover-takeover set. However, all hell broke loose when staff from Doves arrived at Nyaradzo’s Willowvale morgue to collect the body of Mtukudzi.

According to an eye witness, tempers flared as Philip Mataranyika, the chief executive officer of the Nyaradzo Group of Companies blocked the process, telling hapless Doves’ staff that there was no way they would pick up the body from Nyaradzo.

Even the arrival of the Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs Melusi Matshiya did not help matters as Mataranyika remained defiant.

The insistence by Nyaradzo Funeral Services to continue handling the body without being compliant with the above-mentioned prerequisites was somewhat in contravention of the venerated treatment associated with the burial of National Heroes or Heroines.

“There was a heated exchange between Mataranyika and the Perm Sec (Matshiya). The Government official tried to explain to Mataranyika that once a person has been declared a National Hero — it meant that the State was taking over but he wouldn’t listen,” said our source, who witnessed the drama.

“There is now a spin that Mataranyika drove that hearse out of respect for Tuku but the truth is that he was actually guarding the body of the singer. He took it upon himself to be the driver, guard and undertaker. He even threatened to take legal action over the matter. It is a good thing that Government, to avoid further drama, gave in and let Nyaradzo bury Mtukudzi,” The Sunday Mail reported a few weeks ago.

The issue did not, however, end there. Throughout the funeral proceedings, especially in Harare, Doves continued to shadow Nyaradzo just in case the company was asked by the Government to take over the funeral at the last minute.

The convoy even had two caskets, one with the body inside a Nyaradzo hearse and another carried by a Doves vehicle.

There was even confusion at the National Sports Stadium as to which car actually carried the body of the late national hero.

Philip Mataranyika the owner of Nyaradzo Funeral Services honoured Mtukudzi by personally driving the hearse with the national hero’s coffin.

According to an official from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, the position of Government was that Doves understands the protocol and they meet all the requirements for such high profile burials.

Negotiations are said to have continued behind the scenes as Government officials hoped to convince Mataranyika to handover the body to avoid logistical nightmares and protocol breakdown. These yielded nothing.

Mataranyika also took the NewsDay interview opportunity to explain how he started the company that is now a household name throughout Zimbabwe and beyond.

“On March 1, 2001, with only 10 of us, we followed our dreams and opened our hearts and doors to the public as Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance Company. A few years later in 2003, Eureka Insurance Brokers was born.

“Old Mutual, where I had worked for 15 years, were generous to provide us with office accommodation on the ninth and tenth floor of one of their prestigious properties in Harare. Eighteen years later, we have grown into a sizeable organisation with a staff complement of over 1 500 and more than 42 service centres and branches countrywide, many of which we built from the ground.

“We now have a regional presence in Randburg, South Africa and soon we will have a global presence in England.”

Correspondent|NORTON legislator Temba Mliswa (Independent) says he is baffled whenever he hears claims that the Zimbabwe army removed Mugabe.

Mliswa says the army tried to force Mugabe to resign but the old man remained stubborn and only surrendered because of pressure of impeachment by all MPS who had ganged up against him at a Harare hotel, including opposition MPS.

Mliswa made the remarks during an all-stakeholders post-election workshop hosted by the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (Zesn) in Bulawayo last week.

“I want to address the issue that the army was part of the process of ensuring that there was a second republic so were all of us,” he said.

Mliswa said he was baffled by claims that the military and Zanu PF were the only ones who forced Mugabe out, indicating that had it not been for all parliamentarians and citizens who participated in demonstrations and impeachment process, Mugabe would not have been moved an inch.

Mugabe was kicked out of power in November 2017 in a coup, eventually endorsed by the courts and African leaders.

He had, however, stubbornly refused to step down carrying on with presidential duties such as attending a Zimbabwe Open University graduation ceremony and even called for Cabinet while army tanks were on the streets.

Mliswa said only the people and parliamentarians managed to push the former President into resignation.

“Then there was the people’s march, the people’s revolutions, led by the war veterans and everybody involved. It was the first time to see Members of Parliament coming together. … the issue of impeachment was first started by James Maridadi (MDC-T) and I seconded it, when the army failed to remove the former President, and I say this for the first time; they failed. He [Mugabe] refused to go, that was when there was an impeachment process,” he said.

He accused the army and Zanu PF of lying that it was them who removed Mugabe from power.

“To lie everyday yet there’s evidence when army wanted to remove Mugabe, did he go? Let’s be honest. That is why I get too emotional at Parliament, it’s because of lies,” he said.

Mliswa said the whole scenario in Zanu PF was confusing at the time because the same people (Zanu PF) who had pushed for now President Emmerson Mnangagwa to be ousted, were the same people who overwhelmingly endorsed him to replace Mugabe both in government and the party.

Mliswa said such behaviour shows that there is a lot of lies being peddled over the Mugabe’s resignation and the military action, among others.

A law student at Georgetown University was one of the 157 people who perished in the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight this weekend.

Cedric Asiavugwa, a third-year student at Georgetown Law, was on his way home to Nairobi, Kenya, following the death of his fiance’s mother, the university explained in a statement to students.

“With a heavy heart, we write to share the terrible news that Cedric Asiavugwa … died in the tragic crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 302 near Addis Ababa,” the letter stated. “With his passing, the Georgetown family has lost a stellar student, a great friend to many, and a dedicated champion for social justice across East Africa and the world.”

Asiavugwa was among 32 Kenyans who were killed, along with 18 Canadians, nine Ethiopians, and eight Americans. A number of United Nations staff were also among the victims. The state-run Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation said the flight that went down near the city of Bishoftu carried passengers from at least 33 countries.

Born and raised in Mombasa, Asiavugwa graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, with highest honors, the university stated.

“His commitment to issues of social justice, especially serving refugees and other marginalized groups, led him to Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania before coming to Georgetown. Among his many accomplishments, he helped found a community-based organization that addresses the protection of vulnerable women and children fleeing the war in Somalia, researched issues ranging from international conflicts to food security across East Africa, served as the Editor-in-Chief of the philosophy journal Chiedza, and directed a television series on peace and reconciliation.”

Asiavugwa spent eight years in the U.S. and Africa as a Jesuit Scholastic, Georgetown reported. He was “a beloved member of Georgetown’s Campus Ministry offices, tending to a group of first-year undergraduates for the last three years as a residential minister” and “consistently dedicated to the underprivileged in his home country, Cedric also served as the Assistant Director of Advancement for St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School, a free high school for orphans with HIV/AIDS in Nairobi.”

Asiavugwa was studying toward a joint degree in international business and economic law. In a law clinic, he assisted refugee clients seeking asylum in the United States. Last year, he participated in the International Women’s Human Rights Clinic, his goal, the university said, was to return to Kenya after his studies to pursue a career promoting the rights of refugees in East Africa and beyond, the university stated.

“Beyond his many commitments and contributions, Cedric’s friends and faculty in this community remember him as a kind, compassionate and gentle soul, known for his beautifully warm and infectious smile. This is a tragic loss for Cedric’s family and loved ones, for Georgetown and for the broader social justice community that benefited every day from his passion, compassion and dedication.”

VOA

By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwe has been ranked number 83 in the world according to the 2019 Military Strength Ranking compiled by Global fire Power, which is the trusted source of military rankings worldwide.

Zimbabwe ranks 13th on the African continent in terms of the military mighty, behind countries such as South Africa, Angola and Zambia.

The ranking uses 55 different factors including the number and diversity of weapons.

Other factors which are considered included: location, natural resources, local industry. financial stability, but not the current political leadership.

According to the report, Zimbabwe’s firepower is structured as follows:

• 30 000 active personnel;
• 0 reserve personnel;
• 5 584 086 manpower at its disposal;
• 3 182 989 people fit-for-service;
• 308 744 citizens reach the eligible age to serve annually;
• 10 aircraft fighters;
• 7 attack aircraft;
• 14 transport aircraft;
• 46 trainer aircraft;
• 42 combat tanks;
• 300 fighting armoured vehicles;
• 0 self-propelled artillery;
• 65 towed artillery;
• 22 rocket projectors;
• 0 frigates;
• 0 submarines;
• 0 patrol vessels; and
• 0 mine warfare vessels.

The top 15 armies in Africa are (bracket value is world ranking):

1) Egypt (12);

2) Algeria (27);

3) South Africa (32);

4) Nigeria (44);

5) Ethiopia (47);

6) Angola (57);

7) Morocco (60);

8) Sudan (69);

9) DR Congo (72);

10) Libya (77);

11) Zambia (78);

12) Tunisia (80);

13) Zimbabwe (83);

14) Kenya (86); and

15) Uganda (93).

Farai Dziva|In an interview with CNBC Africa, former deputy prime minister Arthur Mutambara described Emmerson Mnangagwa as a wicked man.

Mutambara believes Mnangagwa is worse than his predecessor Robert Mugabe.

He was responding to a question on whether Mnangagwa is truly fighting corruption. He said Mnangagwa had done nothing to fight corruption.

Said Mutambara:
“They have done nothing. In fact they are worse than Mugabe on every front. Chiwenga and Mnangagwa were the enforcers of Robert Mugabe’s rule.

Chiwenga and Mnangagwa were the front henchmen, were the runners of the system that Mugabe created. So you don’t expect any difference between the behaviour of Mnangagwa and the behaviour of Robert Mugabe.

What’s disturbing is that in fact in terms brutality, in terms of corruption, in terms of misgovernance, Mnangagwa is worse than Mugabe. What a tragedy.”

Farai Dziva|Political analyst has sensationally postulated that supporting Zanu PF – especially when is a youth is tantamount to foolishness.

“If you are young especially born after 1980 and you support ZANU PF, you are the most foolish person in Africa South of the Sahara,” declared Dr Ruhanya.

“ZANU PF is not Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is not ZANU PF. We love Zimbabwe but can’t love criminals and rapists who use our country to steal, arrest and engage in corruption. Opposing ZANU PF is a PATRIOTIC NATIONAL DUTY.”

ZANU-PF wants Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi to initiate another constitutional amendment, but this time, to ensure that the provision which saw 60 women getting into Parliament on free seats continues beyond 2023.

The first constitutional amendment was Constitution Amendment No. 1, which gave the president powers to appoint the chief justice, deputy chief justice and judge president of his choice.

Zanu-PF deputy chief whip Obedingwa Mguni has already given notice in the National Assembly that he will introduce the motion to ensure it is debated in Parliament so that the processes to amend the constitution can begin.

The proportional representation (PR) quota under section 120(2) (a) of the constitution provides for the election of senators under a party system of proportional representation, in which male and female candidates are listed alternatively, with females heading the list, while section 124(1) (b) provides for seats (60) to be reserved for women. The PR quota will expire in 2023.

The motion to amend the constitution is likely to be supported by legislators across the political divide as female MPs from the MDC Alliance applauded as Mguni made Zanu-PF intentions known

“Section 124 (1) (b) of the constitution provides that in the first 10 years there must be additional 60 seats for women as part of efforts to enhance women participation, and section 122 (b) of the constitution provides for senators to be elected in a proportional representation party list system, in which the party list should have male and female candidates,” Mguni said.

“The Sadc Parliamentary Forum applauded Zimbabwe for taking such an initiative to empower women in Parliament after representation increased from 18, 2% in 2008 to 31% in 2018.”

He said given that the number of female MPs had gone down marginally compared to the figure during the Eight Parliament, there were fears that if the proportional representation quota expires in 2023, there would be less women in future parliaments.

“Realising that this achievement came through constitutional provisions, which are likely to be reversed considering the political terrain which is highly uneven, I call upon the Ministry of Justice to initiate constitutional amendments to remove the 10-year cap for women so that Zimbabwe becomes a leader in promoting women in Sadc,” Mguni said.

In the current Ninth Parliament, the National Assembly has 31% female representation, a drop from 35% in the previous Parliament.

Senate representation is better although it comes short of the 50/50 gender parity representation with only 35 out of 80 senators being women, constituting 43,75%.

The constitutional amendment motion is likely to be debated soon in Parliament.

— Standard

Former Midlands province-based leader of the Zanu PF-aligned band, Chimurenga IV, John Mutemeri, who ditched the ruling party to join the opposition MDC Alliance, has received threats over the defection.

Mutemeri’s band was influential during former president Robert Mugabe’s era where it headlined perfomances at major party events like inter-face rallies, annual conferences and elective congresses.

Under Mutemeri, the band had two fully-fledged albums, Go Goi Zimbabwe produced in 2011 and Zimbabwe Yangu, which was dropped two years later.

The group went on to produce a DVD, which merged hits from the two projects whose tracks praised the ruling party and its fallen leader Mugabe.

However, Mutemeri a fortnight ago appeared at the MDC Alliance feedback meeting in Mkoba convened by legislator Amos Chibaya, where he openly revealed that he had abandoned the band and Zanu PF to join the opposition.

“Trouble started when my move was published in the media. At first, a group of Zanu PF youths approached me in town and labelled me a traitor and sell-out. They harassed me, but I just kept my cool. I thought it was nothing, but events that have followed show my life is in danger,” Mutemeri said.

He revealed last week that he was summoned by a top army official at Six Maint military bar where he was hanging out with a colleague and told he had been barred from the joint.

“The top military chef just told me point-blank that I had been banned from Six Maint because of the article, which announced my defection from Zanu PF. However, several Zanu activists still go there and I wonder whether it’s a crime to be a member of MDC,” he said.

The visibly-shaken artiste also revealed that his home had been visited by unknown people suspected to be state security agents.

“My younger brother, who is in Kwekwe, also called me to say he had been warned by unidentified people that I might simply be killed or have my children abducted because of pledging to sing MDC songs. I am in great fear for my life,” he said.

The Gweru musician will now join the likes of Paul Madzore, who have been pivotal in orchestrating hit songs for the opposition party. — Standard

Former Movement for Democratic Change senator David Coltart says he backs Nelson Chamisa for president of the main opposition but secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora has the right to contest any position.

Coltart said he knew Mwonzora and he was definitely not ZANU-PF.

He said this was a problem with the opposition because every time someone rose above the parapet he was accused of being ZANU-PF.

Coltart said that he backed Chamisa because he had done a lot in rebuilding the party and had a lot of grassroots support.

The MDC is going to congress from May 24-26 and Mwonzora and vice-president Elias Mudzuri are tipped to challenge Chamisa whose supporters are threatening anyone intending to challenge him.

Yesterday Chamisa had to protect Mwonzora after party supporters booed him at a Thank You rally in Mutare.

Chamisa said he would walk out of the rally if they continued with this kind of behaviour.

There has been a lot of jostling within the MDC since the party announced its congress dates with one group claiming to stand for founding president Morgan Tsvangirai’s legacy saying Chamisa is no longer leader of the party as his mandate expired on 14 February.

The group also says those who broke away from the MDC but are members of the Alliance are not allowed con contest for posts at the coming congress.

These include Welshman Ncube who is one of the three vice-presidents and Tendai Biti who was appointed vice-chairman.

Chamisa says he was left the mantle to lead the party by Tsvangirai and should be allowed to fulfill his mandate.

Correspondent|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa could miss the chance of presiding over proper political dialogue that may bring solutions to Zimbabwe’s decades long crisis, opposition MDC Nelson Chamisa said.

Chamisa was addressing women supporters at an International Women’s Day commemorations in Chitungwiza on Friday.

“We are saying there should be dialogue in this country. Threats will not work. Soldiers and police (must) follow the Constitution and respect people.

“No dictator can ever remain in power. That is why I am asking this man to come forward for these talks,” said Chamisa.

Despite his claims of having won the elections last year, Chamisa failed in his bid to overturn Mnangagwa’s disputed victory at the Constitutional Court after his case was thrown out.

However the opposition leader insists Zimbabwe’s problems are more political than legal and wants Mnangagwa to hand over power.

On the other hand Mnangagwa has called all losing candidates to two meetings to craft a framework for possible talks. Chamisa snubbed the meetings only attended by fringe political party leaders some of whom have since walked away citing lack of seriousness.

This has left Mnangagwa’s attempts to unlock the political logjam facing legitimacy issues.

Chamisa, Friday said the chance for dialogue will not last forever.

“There shall come a time when we will not tolerate his behaviour. How will I do that?

“I can easily pray until nothing moves on for him. In this country everything is malfunctioning and he cannot even apologise for failure. A country with no fuel, transport, bad roads and no water but, one not even humble himself,” the MDC leader said.

Previously Chamisa has threatened rolling mass actions to “make the country ungovernable” in what he has colloquially called “putting sand in the food” using vernacular.

The youthful opposition leader said Zimbabweans are tired of Zanu PF corruption.

“Give us the vehicle and let us drive it,” said Chamisa in a statement which loosely translated means “allow me to govern.”

Two weeks ago Chamisa suggested he and Mnangagwa could alternate in leading the country in two year cycles until Zimbabwe was out of the woods.

Correspondent|Chief Albert Zwelibanzi Gumede the induna/traditional leader of Ndebeles in South Africa passed on in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a short illness is expected to be buries in that country.

According to an invite circulating on social media, Chief Gumede’s funeral service will be held on Thursday at the Hillbrow Recreation centre starting from 16:00 hours. He will then be laid to rest on Saturday 16 March 2019 It is not yet known as to which cemetery he will be laid.

Chief Gumede Funeral service on Thursday
Venue: Recreation centre
Time: 16:00
Burial day: Saturday 16 March 2019
Place of Burial: JHB

Gumede who was a man whose philanthropic inclinations died due to high blood pressure.

Gumede was controversially crowned chief of the Ndebele people living in South Africa on the 22nd of March 2014. He has been part of the chiefs that have been calling for the restoration of the king of the Ndebele people in Zimbabwe.

Ahead of the MDC Alliance’s 5th congress, the party’s president Nelson Chamisa has sensationally claimed that Zanu-PF is working around the clock to ensure that the country’s biggest opposition movement splits into two.

This comes as senior officials in Zanu-PF have openly declared interest in the opposition party’s impending congress to be held later next month. Chamisa is likely to face his secretary general Douglas Mwonzora at the congress.

Mwonzora has openly declared that he has rights, including contesting the sitting leader since he is a “full member of the MDC.”

Zanu-PF politburo members Victor Matemadanda and Lewis Matutu have publicly stated their preference of the candidature of Mwonzora ahead of Chamisa, the 41-year-old who the ruling party regard as immature.

As a result, Chamisa’s backers have come out guns blazing threatening to mercilessly descend on anyone who will challenge the incumbent.

Tempers are flaring in the MDC, with fault lines now emerging between those who back Chamisa and Mwonzora, amid growing fears that the party could split again as happened in the past.

Since its formation in 1999, the MDC has split three times, first in 2005 after disagreements over participation in the Senatorial elections.

The second split came in 2014 after the party’s dismal showing in the elections where former president Robert Mugabe thumped the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai by a wide margin.

The MDC also split last year following a vicious and acrimonious battle to succeed Tsvangirai after his death. Although former officials who had walked away from the Tsvangirai led MDC are now back in the broader MDC Alliance, there are several individuals who are dissatisfied with the leadership of Chamisa who came to power through an internal coup.

In a thinly veiled attack on Zanu-PF, Chamisa said non MDC members cannot dictate what happens in their movement.

The MDC leader said he is aware that their foes are working through the witching hours and burning the midnight oil to see the upcoming congress in disarray and to destroy the movement and throw it into jeopardy.

“The MDC will never split for it is the people’s project. The people cannot split. The people’s project will never be split by selfish motives. Individuals may from time to time elect and choose to get lost but along the way, often sooner, they will either find themselves or be found,” said Chamisa.

Last week, government was forced to deny that it was interfering with the MDC impending congress saying it had bigger fish to fry.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services deputy minister Energy Mutodi dismissed talk that government was making arrangements to use security agents to weaken the opposition.

“Government is not worried who emerges the winner at the MDC congress, be it Chamisa or Mwonzora. None of the two is capable of overcoming our 2023 Zanu-PF candidate…Mnangagwa. We have started reviving the economy and the gains are open for everyone to see,” Mutodi said.

But the MDC youth assembly is adamant that the ruling party wants a “weaker candidate” to emerge as the party’s leader in May “for obvious reasons” — vowing that this would not happen.

“It is saddening that Zanu-PF wants to give us a leader and we know why. We are, however, clear as youths and other organs of the party that we have Chamisa as our leader and the decision is ours not Zanu-PF’s,” said Lovemore Chinoputsa, the MDC youth assembly secretary-general.

MDC vice chairperson Tendai Biti has angrily reacted to the suggestions that Mwonzora was likely to emerge as the new party leader after the May congress.

He said the party would not accept to be led by “a ruling party chosen half-wit”.

“We will reject any nincompoop given to us by Zanu-PF. We already have a candidate in … Chamisa. So, we will not tolerate that.

“Our duty is to protect the legacy of our dear leader Morgan Tsvangirai and we know with Chamisa we will be able to do that,” Biti thundered.

Chamisa has, however, been at pains preaching peace.

“Therefore, when we speak of unity in the MDC, we refer to the united action of the people through the concert of a festival of ideas, as they put aside their racial, tribal, gender and class differences to map out a common national development trajectory. The people shall govern! We must not be extremists causing hatred. We must be measured in our language and tone.

“What makes the MDC great is the celebration of dissent and diversity. The MDC is intact and growing bigger into a post-independence liberation force, democratization catalyst and transformation agent in Zimbabwe.

“Nonetheless, we will be vigilant and guard against infiltration and violence from without. Non-members cannot manage internal affairs,”

In a conciliatory message, Chamisa said the party is determined to add instead of subtracting and will try everything possible to ensure that it remains united.

“We want to grow the base. As I always say, we grow by adding, where necessary by multiplying and never by dividing or subtracting. To add is to strengthen and to subtract is to weaken. We must remain focused on the goal. That which unites us far exceeds whatever might separate us. Together we shine, asunder we are all dust,” said Chamisa. — DailyNews

It now sounds like a broken record. (By the way for our generation Z readers: a broken vinyl record would repeat the same part of the song over and over. This is what we used to have before cassettes, CDs, memory sticks, memory cards or spotify). So yes, it’s now a broken record that EcoCash is down.

This time it’s worse because sometimes your transaction can go through for example to pay a merchant. However, the merchant may not get a notification that you have actually paid or worse be told that your payment did not go through.

Be careful with transactions till this is resolved. You may find yourself in a dispute with merchants on whether you paid or not and it will take quite the effort to get some of these issues resolved.

Typical broken record: we will update you when the problem is resolved.

Techzim

OVER 50 companies have been liquidated since President Emmerson Mnangagwa came to power in November 2017, throwing thousands of people out of employment.

Documents obtained by Standardbusiness from the Master of High Court’s office showed that 55 companies were granted a provisional order to be liquidated from November 2017 to December 2018.

Between January and October 2017, 49 other companies were granted provisional orders to be liquidated.

Theresa Grimmel, who oversees some of the liquidated firms through her company Trivade (Private) Limited, told this publication that stringent loan collateral requirements as well as unreliable power suppliers were to blame for the company closures.

“The cost of borrowing money and the punitive interest and short-term on loans; the stringent security requirements for loans; the instability of the electricity network; frequent power outages can cause machinery to fail — very expensively, and the interruption to the manufacturing makes it difficult to continue,” said Grimmel, in emailed responses to Standardbusiness.

“Management is tired — every day there is the need to ‘make a new plan’, the machinery is old, the skills have left the country. Artisans are in very short supply.

“The constant changing of the goal posts — refer to the recent overnight change in the duty rates, this makes business very hard.”

Some of the companies, which Grimmel oversees as a liquidator include Cheney Pelmets (Private) Limited, Laputa Trading (Private) Limited, Tadnet Investments (Private) Limited, Riverside Funeral Services (Private) Limited, and Retnim Pumps Importers & Maintenance (Private) Limited.

Cheney Pelmets manufactured pelmets, blinds and other curtain tracks, but the company closed due to lack of security, electricity challenges and cheap imports.

“It was a long established company and closed because the facility from, which it operated in Chitungwiza was rented and part of a large complex. When there was no electricity to enable Cheney to operate its machinery, the company had to close,” Grimmel said. “It was also facing competition from cheap Chinese imports.”

On Laputa Trading, Grimmel said: “It was a farm, which operated on a rental agreement from a new owner.

“The new owner decided to take back large portions of the farm, despite the lease agreement, and the company was reduced to farming small portions of the land available.

“Coupled with a bad agricultural season and the fact that the new owner then held on to all the machinery, the company closed.”

Laputa Trading was granted a provisional order to liquidate on December 7, 2018, a year after the current government took office.
Other companies on the list of liquidated firms from 2018 include GT Tavarura Bus Services, Oil Seed Processing (Pvt) Ltd, Gramlex Investments P/L, Bush Mills, Chegutu Canners (Pvt) Ltd, Zimbabwe Oil Soap Manufacturing, Malacoe Investments and BCL Ltd.

Others are Notofy Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, Kingmaker Corporate Resources, Heritage Printing (Pvt) Ltd, Better Agriculture (Pvt) Lt and Grafax Cotton (Pvt) Ltd, among others.

The closure of these companies is a reflection of serious economic challenges and is an indictment on Mnangagwa’s “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra, observers said.

“For the past 20 or so years we have not found adequate investment to retool,” said Charles Nhemo, a liquidator.

“Our companies are competing with global entities, which are using modern technology.

“You talk of a company using equipment, machinery bought with the latest we have in most companies being in the 80s going back and you are competing with modern technology, which produces products with less labour.”

He said Chinese and South African industries, which were using modern technology, had a competitive advantage as they were in a better position to churn out improved products.

“The major issue is the economic environment,” Nhemo said.

“When we changed from the Zimbabwe dollar to US dollars, there was no investment into new equipment and almost every company’s capital was wiped away because you had no exchange of the Zimbabwe dollar into the US dollar.

“So whatever you had in your bank was wiped away and companies are undercapitalised across the sectors.”

Lawyer Tawanda Chiurayi, who handles company liquidations, said the recent monetary policy changes would make the environment even more difficult for local firms.

“The question really is looking at the effect of moving from the one-to-one to the RTGS dollar will have on what people owe,” he said.

“Statutory Instrument 33 of 2019 said whatever amount or liabilities people have will be converted to RTGS dollars, which in essence suggests amounts have been discounted by about 2,5, which is the official rate.

“So companies that are heavily indebted and have access to forex will find that as a benefit, but those who do not have access to forex will remain in the same position.

“The question would then be: are companies going to be able to improve production and so forth?

“So, really, it is a question of performance. If they owe money, then effectively what it means is that they may still be in a very difficult position.”

A number of companies have been struggling to operate due to foreign currency shortages that have forced them to either suspend or shut down some production lines.

Standard

A Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) commissioner has claimed that the body was overwhelmed by the high number of candidates in last year’s elections so much that it ended up mixing up some results.

Zec commissioner Qhubani Moyo told a post-elections workshop organised by the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (Zesn) in Bulawayo last week that the candidates worsened the situation by distributing unverified results on social media.

“In as much as Zec adopted two transmission routes, the collation itself was overwhelmed by the number of candidates in the tripartite election.

There was an overwhelming amount of contesting candidates in some urban constituencies, for instance, in Pumula constituency, there were 21 MP contestants, 17 councillor contestants in one ward and 23 presidential contestants,” he said.

Zec announced a first set of results which was contested by MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa at the Constitutional Court and the electoral management board later revised the results to correct the mistake.

Moyo said the commission was rushed by politicians who were circulating fake V11 forms and inciting the public to riot. He said Zec was forced to release results before all processes were complete.

“The overwhelming pressure that the commission met, clearly there was lots of pressure, there was pressure in terms of the compilation process of the results,” he said.

“There were some politicians who ran a racket and syndicate of what they called the V11 forms, that put lots of pressure on the public, put lots of pressure on us and the pressure also went on to influence people on the streets, leading to some protests that we all know led to the unfortunate deaths of a number of our citizens.”

Zec has been accused of lacking independence with the MDC Alliance accusing the commission of manipulating results in favour of the ruling Zanu PF party.

Renowned lawyer and researcher Derek Matzysk said while Zec was listed as an independent commission, it was appointed by political players through the parliamentary Standing Orders Committee.

Standard

By Paul Nyathi|President of Ideal Zimbabwe Tinashe Jonasi who on Saturday morning confirmed that he was on his way to Munhumutapa building to arrest President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi has not been heard of since his social media post.

His last poster on Twitter on Saturday morning read:

#WALK OF SACRIFICE@On ma way to start the revolutionary walk

I LOVE ZIMBABWEANS AND ZIMBABWE.
God i need a hug. pic.twitter.com/x6y1Nh8yjy

— Prof Tinashe JONAS (@tinashe_jonas) March 9, 2019

Announcing his plan Jonas said he was arresting Mnangagwa and Chiwenga because they are criminals oppressing Zimbabweans.

“I am arresting the above criminals on behalf of a fearful, oppressed, impoverished, over-fooled Zimbabweans and in honour of Military rule victims. Restoration of democracy, constitutionalism, and human rights.”

Jonas calls himself the Civilian President of Zimbabwe.

Many Zimbabweans warned him not to engage in the act because it might be suicidal.

Chimurenga music maestro Thomas ‘Mukanya’ Mapfumo has urged local musicians to rise up and speak the truth to those in power so as to rescue the country from further collapse. 

The ‘Corruption’ hit-maker told the Daily News on Sunday this week that the country has been reduced to ashes because people fear questioning decisions made by those in government.

Famed for his forthright songs like “Matsotsi” and “Mamvemve”, the United States-based singer who is set to return to his base soon said musicians are the voice of the voiceless in any democratic society. 

“Zimbabwean musicians should therefore live up to this important responsibility because there is no freedom that comes on a silver platter. Freedom comes with some sacrifices,” said the Chimurenga music guru.

He, however, conceded that musicians that criticise government run the risk of being ostracised.  

 “There is no freedom of expression in Zimbabwe which we can talk about. Musicians who criticise leaders and the government in general are deemed enemies of the State and they risk victimisation. 

“Our government has a tendency to victimise people with opposing views. But be that as it may, our musicians should not shy away from the truth for the good of this country,” said the 73-year-old music veteran.

Mukanya added that victimisation comes in different ways.

“I learnt that Winky D is being denied awards because of his music which ruffles government feathers. That is very bad. We need freedom of expression. Some musicians were blackmailed while others’ voices were suppressed in the media and on air waves for questioning the governance system. A few vocal Zimbabwean artistes have been mistreated this way.

“In developed countries, presidents such as Donald Trump of America and Theresa May of the United Kingdom are criticised publicly but they do not wage war against musicians and the general public. In Africa, telling the truth is an offence and once you do that you will pay the price,” he said.

Before independence, Mukanya was framed as an enemy of the State and was detained for three months for supporting the black movement through music. 

The dreadlocked superstar said he used to perform copyrights music, mainly from western countries, but he dumped copyrights after a white guy shouted at him “shut up kaffir” while he was on stage.

“That was the time I realised that I had to reinvent my music career on Zimbabwean culture. I switched from English songs to mbira music. 

“I also made a commitment there and then that I would always stand with the marginalised and down-trodden people,” he said.  

During the Rhodesian era, Mukanya composed songs that angered the white regime while at the same time giving hope and encouragement to the black majority. 

His music was laden with messages that focused on the hardships faced by the blacks in rural areas; their dedication, commitment and focus to the war of liberation.

After independence, he appeared to support the government of former President Robert Mugabe but fell-out with it after it started abusing its people.

This forced Mukanya to go into exile in the United States where he has been living for the past 14 years. He only returned to Zimbabwe to hold concerts after Mugabe had been booted out in a military intervention in 2017.

“It is a pity because even the new government does not seem to like people who speak truth. When I came back last year for my Peace Concert, I later discovered that there was an invisible hand working to sabotage my tour. 

“Those people were after putting my reputation and brand into disrepute following the success of my first concert held in April.

“Recently I bumped into one sitting Zanu PF legislator in the capital and the MP told me that ‘I am now selling out yet I used to support them.’ That was queer because my music is pro-poor and I will never hide away from the truth. That is what I am,” said Mapfumo.

Mukanya told this publication that the ideals of arduous liberation struggle have been thrown down the drain.

“We all fought the war together. Some of us were detained for months in prisons fighting for our freedom but what is happening right now is the opposite of what we fought for. Imagine the music industry was flourishing during the Smith regime but now the current government is failing to address piracy in the industry.

“Recording labels are dead. One of the leading recording companies failed to pay me just $250 because of piracy. 

“What makes the situation more distressing is the fact that our leaders, who we have elected into power, are the ones who are fanning piracy,” Mukanya said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has come under fire from Matabeleland activists for declaring the late Emilio Munemo a national hero despite his links to the Fifth Brigade, which is blamed for the deaths of over 20 000 people soon after independence.

Munemo (64), a brigadier general, died last Sunday and was buried at the National Heroes Acre yesterday.

At the time of his death he was director general of civil military relations in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

Former president Robert Mugabe deployed the North Korean-trained army unit in the Midlands and Matabeleland province to fight the so-called dissidents, but researchers say it was a plot to crush support for the late vice-president Joshua Nkomo and his Zapu party.

According to an interview with a researcher, Munemo, who was one of the top Fifth Brigade commanders, said the soldiers targeted Ndebele speakers for torture and even for killings.

Activists said honouring Munemo showed that Mnangagwa’s government was insensitive and did not care about the victims of Gukurahundi.

“This is a slap in the face of thousands of his victims. Zanu PF has the audacity to send Kembo Mohadi, himself a former Zipra/Zapu cadre, to deliver the shocking message that Munemo is a national hero,” said Artwell Sibanda, the spokesperson for United Movement for Development Party led by former speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo.

Zapu supporters and members of Zipra — a military wing of the party during the war — bore the brunt of the brutal crackdown by the Fifth Brigade.

“The harrowing acts of unchecked barbarism and pillage cannot be rewarded with a hero status,” Sibanda added.

Munemo commanded one of the Fifth Brigade battalions and was later promoted from battalion commander to deputy commander before he later became commander of the Fifth Brigade, succeeding former Airforce commander and current Agriculture minister Perance Shiri.

“The hero status is a monumental and evil insult on the collective conscience of Zimbabweans and another clear indication that this government is not committed to national healing and reconciliation,” commented analyst Effie Ncube.

“This government proudly trafficks in corruption, hate, genocide and crimes against humanity.

“Honouring corrupt officials who destroy the country has become a culture of the leadership of the Zimbabwe.”

The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) that has been vocal about Gukurahundi weighed in saying “honouring Munemo is an entrenchment and confirmation of Gukurahundi as a government ideology”.

“What hero status when the people of Matabeleland are still searching for answers and justice for his actions? It is a shame and contradiction to logic, having him to share the same honour with such men like Joshua Nkomo,” said Njabulo Ngwenya, the party’s spokesperson.

Mnangagwa has faced protests from activists and Gukurahundi victims in Pretoria, South Africa, and at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo in 2017 over his lack of action in dealing with the emotive issue.

Last year while in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum, Mnangagwa was questioned over his role during Gukurahundi, and whether he was prepared to apologise.

He did not apologise, but has indicated that he is prepared to apologise if recommended by the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.

“Victims want redress yet perpetrators are awarded and made heroes. It is contradicting the spirit of reconciliation,” commented Ekem Moyo, the chairperson of the Concerned Freedom Fighters group.

Gwanda-based commentator Bekezela Maduma Fuzwayo said Munemo’s hero status showed that the government did not regret the Gukurahundi atrocities.

“It just goes to show that Mnangagwa is far from regretting Gukurahundi and he keeps rewarding Gukurahundi perpetrators with heroism,” he said.

“It’s more saddening that Mnangagwa even showers him with praises and says his ‘good deeds have followed him’.

“This kind of behaviour never erases Gukurahundi anger in the people of Matabeleland.”

Mnangagwa showered praises on the late general in his condolence message to the Munemo family.

“This is testimony that Zanu PF isn’t worried about Gukurahundi victims who are still reeling in poverty and lack official documents like birth certificates and national registration cards,” said Felix Magalela Mafa-Sibanda, the chairperson of the Post-Independence Survivors Trust that represents Gukurahundi victims.

Matabeleland chiefs have also upped pressure on government to address the emotive issue, forcing an angry reaction from government.

In January, Chiefs Vezi Maduna and Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Khayisa Ndiweni wrote to the South African parliament requesting permission to be allowed to present “facts” about the 1980s mass killings in Matabeleland and Midlands to lobby the regional powerhouse to push for an independent investigation into the atrocities.

In November 2018, they petitioned the United Nations seeking the setting-up of an independent inquiry into the Gukurahundi massacres, attracting an angry government response.

Mbuso Fuzwayo, the coordinator of pressure group Ibhetshu LikaZulu, said the passing away of commanders of the Fifth Brigade was regrettable but defeats the efforts of truth-telling as “perpetrators take the truth to their graves”.

“Ibhetshu is concerned that the lack of urgency to address the Gukurahundi genocide will deny the nation the entire truth from those that implemented this callous act thus, deprive the nation of true healing,” Fuzwayo said, adding: “Any delay in addressing this is an act of selfishness and will deny this country proper and true integration.”

Standard

PRESS RELEASE

Accident Bulletin no. 1
Issued on March 10, 2019, at 11:00 am
Accident to Ethiopian Airlines flight number ET 302

Ethiopian Airlines regrets to confirm that its flight ET 302/10 March in schedule service from Addis Ababa to Nairobi was involved in an accident today around Bishoftu (Debre Zeit).

The aircraft B-737-800MAX with registration number ET- AVJ took off at 08:38 am local time from Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport and lost contact at 08:44am. At this time search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible causalities. Ethiopian Airlines staff will be sent to the accident scene and will do everything possible to assist the emergency services.

It is believed that there were 149 passengers and 8 crew onboard the flight but we are currently confirming the details of the passenger manifest for the flight.

Ethiopian Airlines is establishing a passenger information center and telephone number will be available shortly for family or friends of those who may have been on flight ET 302/10 March.

Ethiopian Airlines will release further information as soon as it is available. Updated information will also be on Ethiopian Airlines website at www.ethiopianairlines.com

By Own Correspondent- The feud between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is reportedly escalating following the dissolution of the party’s Harare and Bulawayo provincial structures by Mnangagwa.

According to a local weekly publication, the appointment of Oliver Chidawu as Harare Provincial Affairs minister by Mnangagwa is one of the moves exposing the factional feud.

Sources told The Standard that:

“There have been allegations that the party’s provincial executive in Harare was controlled by soldiers through retired Major General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe. Chiwenga is to lead the restructuring of the Harare structures and the appointment of Oliver Chidawu as Provincial Affairs minister is to whittle his influence.

The military side had too much control in Harare and that is why President Mnangagwa had to dissolve it. Bulawayo was just collateral damage.”

By Own Correspondent- The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has sworn in two more magistrates at the Harare Magistrates Court.

The development follows government’s uplifting of the recruitment freeze following the approval from treasury.

Addressing members of the press soon after the swearing in ceremony, Prosecutor General, Kumbirai Hodzi said the JSC had long been hard hit by the critical shortage of magistrates following high demand of services.

Acting Chief Magistrate, Munamato Mutevedzi weighed in saying the two sworn in magistrates will complement the required number needed by government.

The sworn in magistrates are Michelle Dorcas Tinotenda Mutasa and Notebulgarh Muchineripi, both holders of law degrees.

Dear Editor|As a concerned, patriotic citizen sikaMthwakazi, I believe it is my duty to help people open their eyes with the way Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Khayisa of Ntabazinduna has managed to destroy efforts to safeguard Mthwakazi.

Khayisa is a selfish attention seeker who has always used Mthwakazi sensitive issues in media to push his attention seeking agenda. The naive Mthwakazi politicians and some members of society have blindly followed his preachings that in most cases end after his public speeches. Mthwakazi people are so easy to manipulate, you just pretend as if you represent them and the next thing they will believe you and protect you from all your selfish planning, thereby destroying them.

During the election season, Khayisa teamed up with the vocal MRP through treaties and so on. MRP thought that it had found a saviour and never questioned Khayisa’s public political involvement through chieftaincy. A man who could silence a Mthwakazi political watchdog like MRP can get away with anything.

When MRP had thought that Khayisa was on their side, he changed the goalposts and was seen in photos with opposition party leader Nelson Chamisa. This was because he had seen that MRP had lost elections and could no longer be a vehicle to achieve attention seeking. Any MRP member can see that he had downplayed them and has got away with it.

As the Mthwakazi kingship was gaining momentum, Mthwakazi Chiefs regrouped through the RCC (Royal Crown Council). Our Chiefs could now work as a team under the hierarchy of RCC.  This did not go well with the attention seeking Khayisa because the hierarchy structure did not put him as the head of the RCC, which also acted upon decisions taken by majority Chiefs and not one individual. It was a matter of time before Khayisa would find loopholes and try to destroy the RCC efforts.

He started by announcing during the Mzilikazi Day Commemoration in September 2018 that Bulelani has been privately crowned as King. People believed him because they thought that he was speaking on behalf of RCC. Other Chiefs could not publicly humiliate him for the protection of Mthwakazi cause. He saw that as a weakness and he continued with his solo moves.

He then went to SABC with Bulelani and made people believe that he was speaking on behalf of chiefs. People were so happy to see both men in SABC live news and failed to realise that the whole move undermined, isolated other chiefs and gave Bulelani power to reign without proper procedure. Bulelani thanked Khayisa by making him his indunankulu (Chief of Chiefs), meaning that Khayisa would not listen to anything from RCC since he saw himself as ndunankulu.

RCC apponted Chief Fuyane to be Mthwakazi Chief in South Africa, this was a threat to Khayisa who had made many solo trips to South Africa and staging publicity stunts to gain attention. Khayisa’s post as a ndunankulu of the uncrowned Bulelani has made him to undermine Fuyane’s South African jurisdiction by calling a Mthwakazi meeting on the 9th of March 2019 in Berea without the official knowledge of Fuyane and RCC. This time he has even manipulated the ailing Chief Maduna to come with him. He knows that people love Chief Maduna. His meeting will also be about Gukurahundi, a very sensitive issue that may draw attention of people and nothing to be done after.

In the whole process, Khayisa will be the winner and he will continue doing anything to put him on spotlight, even if that thing divides and destroys Mthwakazi.

I urge all patriotic Mthwakazians to look into this matter seriously because more and more people are leaving Bulelani camp because of Khayisa’s tendercies. Something must be done otherwise Khayisa will achieve what ZANU has failed to achieve: to totally wipe Mthwakazi progressive efforts.

Concerned Mthwakazi Citizen

Scenes at the heroes acre sitting arragement for Emmerson Mnangagwa’s front stand suggest that the ZANU PF leader has elevated his nemesis Sydney Sekeramayi.

Sekeramayi was former President Robert Mugabe’s preferred successor

During the burial of national hero the late Brigadier-General Emilio Munemo on Saturday, delegates were met with shock when Sekeramayi was found sitting aside Mnangagwa and his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga.

Chiwenga was next Emmerson Mnangagwa’s immediate right while close to him was Sidney Sekeramayi.

Sekeramayi was before the military coup in November 2017 revealed to be Mugabe’s preferred successor. The development was first filmed on zimeye.com.

Since the coup, Sekeramayi was not named in Mnangagwa’s two successive Cabinets even though he was a mainstay in Mugabe’s administration.

AS the curtain comes down on Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya’s five-year term of office, speculation has been rife on whether he will be handed another contract or not.

Mangudya came into office at a very interesting time, as from the outset, he had his work cut out for him given that the country was still in a stupor following years of economic meltdown.

The then Finance minister, Patrick Chinamasa, in May 2014 pointed out that the governor was coming into office at a time the “power and influence of the central have been diminished”.

This was so because Zimbabwe had just dumped its own currency, which had been rendered worthless by record-setting hyperinflation, and adapted a basket of currencies anchored by the US dollar.

So in the absence of a local currency, the bank did not have much control over monetary supply.

Hyperinflation had been tamed, but the stress of using a strong currency in the greenback were starting to show as liquidity became tight, marking the genesis of today’s pressing bank note shortage.

The central bank was effectively broke and could not play its role as lender of last resort.

Mangudya’s predecessor, Gideon Gono, had bankrupted the central bank, leaving it with more than a billion dollars in debt.

Gono had gone on a wild escapade using bank funds to finance Robert Mugabe’s government.

The bank would pay for everything from basic commodities, which were in short supply as the country’s manufacturing sector was as good as non-existent, to diesel and agriculture implements, which were then used to oil Mugabe’s system of patronage in return for safeguarding his protracted stay in power.

A year after his appointment, Mangudya pushed for the state to take over the bank’s $1,3 billion debt, shifting the burden of Gono’s reckless spending onto the taxpayer.

He argued the move would allow the RBZ to start on a clean slate and allow it capacity to be the lender of last resort.

Around the same time Mangudya was also setting up a vehicle to buy bad debts from the local banks, which were facing excessive levels of non-performing loans of over 20%, way above the international standard of below 5%.

Being a former president of the Bankers’ Association of Zimbabwe, the governor had intricate and intimate knowledge of the country’s banking industry, hence his keenness to set up the Zimbabwe Asset Management Company (Zamco) and save the banks from collapse was only natural.

By 2018, Zamco had taken up $1,13 billion in bad loans.

Commenting on Zamco, Newswire had this to say: “Zamco has indeed successfully given companies and banks a clean slate.

“What is needed, equally, is a clean slate on disclosure and accountability. It must start now, with full publishing of a list of defaulters.

“Taxpayers have paid bills for companies and the greedy elite for too long. They deserve to know whose bills they have been paying for.”

Just like with the RBZ debt, Mangudya has refused to disclose the names of those that defaulted on the loans, which were taken over by the state through Zamco.

The lack of transparency has been a key feature, which has characterised Mangudya’s tenure of office.

Mangudya spent some years at Africa Export and Import Bank (Afrexim bank) working his way to become regional manager in charge of southern Africa.

As governor, he would go on to use his relationship with the regional lender to secure numerous credit lines at a time the rest of the entire ecosystem of international financial institutions had shut their doors on Zimbabwe because of its history of not paying back debts.

Afreximbank has doled out facility after another to Harare be it to finance the procurement of fuel, to stabilise nostro balances, or to support local companies — the bank has always had some extra cash to throw at Mangudya.

Ordinarily, borrowing is not a bad thing at all, every other country relies on borrowing.

While Mangudya would want to be praised for securing these crucial loans, what makes this relationship questionable is again the lack of disclosure surrounding the engagement — detail on all these facilities is always known only to Mangudya.

The bank, on the other hand, never seems bothered to make disclosures on its dealings with Zimbabwe, which is so uncharacteristic of a bank of its stature.

It was Afreximbank which reportedly bankrolled the introduction of bond coins ($50 million) and the subsequent $200 million facility that we were told was backing bond notes.

Despite numerous assurances, the story that the bond note would maintain its value, pegged at par to the greenback, never gained any currency as Mangudya had a difficult time in calming a spooked market.

A number of poorly done public relations stunts, including the framing of the bond notes as an export incentive scheme to promote exports, failed to stave off fears that the bond note would see the return of the dreaded local currency.

The people’s confidence and trust in the central bank was eroded and Mangudya certainly was not the person who would bring it back.

It was only last year after Finance minister Mthuli Ncube’s appointment that the world got to know of the excessive levels of debt that government was in as details emerged that the overdraft with the central bank stood at $2,3 billion, as at end of August 2018, well above the statutory limit of $762,8 million.

The stock of Treasury Bill issuances had also gone unchecked, increasing from $2,1 billion in 2016 to a cumulative $7,6 billion, by end of August 2018.

Mangudya had been facilitating government’s unchecked spending, a concern which he would always dismiss suggesting that the he was supporting a form of quantitative easing (QE) that had helped take the country out of deflation.

Mangudya’s time has been tumultuous, full of deceit and costly communication blunders which could have easily been avoided. The fact that the governor himself is a poor orator who easily gets wound up when asked to explain his own policies did not help his cause, but in all fairness it was not as disastrous as his predecessor.

Standard

By Own Correspondent| Responding to remarks by political analyst and Advisor to MDC President Nelson Chamisa, Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya who said that dismissed possibility of young people born after independence to support the ruling Zanu PF Party, a President Emmerson Mnangagwa backer John Muchenje torn into the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute Director saying the ruling party has a lot to offer for youths than the popular opposition outfit.

Ruhanya angered Zanu PF supporters when he labeled all youthful people who support Mnangagwa as fools.

“If you are young especially born after 1980 and you support ZANU PF, you are the most foolish person in Africa South of the Sahara,” declared Dr Ruhanya.

However Muchenje hit back defending the Mnangagwa administration which he said has done a lot to attract youth support in the country.

“President Mnangagwa is doing everything under the harsh conditions of the Illegal sanctions imposed on us to bring better fortunes to our generation unlike the opposition which is only pouring sand (Kudira Jecha) in our economy,” said Muchenje.

Muchenje who himself is a farmer spoke highly of the government’s fromcommand Agriculture saying even young people have also benefited rom the controversial scheme rolled out to beef the country’s grain reserves.

“As young people we are benefiting from the inputs of command Agriculture and it is all because of the President and you hear a failed opposition advisors telling us that whoever supports President ED is a fool actually Ruhanya is the biggest fool,”

SECURICO chief executive officer Divine Ndhlukula has won the prestigious Forbes Africa Woman Businesswoman of the Year Award at a ceremony held in Durban, South Africa. She emerged victorious from a pool of hundreds other contenders from across the continent.

Dr Ndhlukula, who has grown her security business from five employees in 1998 to 4 000 presently, was commended for her entrepreneurship and efforts to empower other women through a number of initiatives she has launched over the years.

“It’s such an honour for me to receive the award on a special day like today (International Women’s Day). We are coming from very far as women in Africa. This award was totally unexpected. We don’t do what we do so that we are recognised, but there is indeed a reward for giving of ourselves and in doing what we do,” said an ecstatic Ndhlukula.

The businesswoman put Zimbabwe on the map yet again.

And the citation it all: “A locally and internationally respected role-role-player in security Simbi-Ndhlukula is also praised for her passion for female economic and social empowerment, founding the Mentorship In Practice Programme and Woman-Owned Brand Initiative.”

Securico was recently nominated on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) “list of companies to inspire Africa 2019”.

The nomination is compiled after the LSE Group collates companies nominated by its partners, development finance institutions, venture capitalists, private equity firms, impact investors and its research partner Asoko Insight.

Companies listed would have demonstrated growth over the past three years in terms of revenue, number of employees, operational output and geographical expansion.

Furthermore, the company’s revenue must not exceed $1 billion for the years 2015-2017 based on audited accounts and the firm’s auditability.

Dr Ndhlukula broke barriers in 1998 by entering into a previously male-dominated security sector. She also tagged along hundreds of women.

Today she employs about 800 women.

As a farmer, she has empowered hundreds others through her goat-breeding programmes and provides seed capital to budding entrepreneurs.

She recently secured funding to undertake an empowerment project for 11 000 women in Zimbabwe. — SundayMail

Re: CNN Christiane Amanpour’s Husband Hired By Mnangagwa To Help Remove Targeted Sanctions.

Dear Mr Euan Steedman (CNN Press Officer).

Please let me express my shock, and displeasure at a conflict of interest issue manifested through your bullying me as you have tried hard as CNN to hide ongoing crimes against humanity in Zimbabwe.

By virtue of your attempts to suppress facts, you are making CNN a participant in this scandal. This is unethical.

You telephoned me on Friday at around 1320h to bully me as you forced me to delete the mention of CNN in a headline. This is an attempt to hide ongoing crimes against humanity (in Zimbabwe) defined under US, and international law.

1. You began promoting these acts during a CNN Sept 2018 interview when CNN engaged a well known terrorist and dictator (Emmerson Mnangagwa) who has killed more blacks than apartheid South Africa. You avoided LIVE video broadcast (state media) evidence seen before the whole world showing in full colour the willful deployment of armed forces on innocent civilians for the singular declared purpose of changing 2018 election results, all announced on LIVE television 10 months before the CNN 21st Sept 2018 interview (on the 15th December 2017.) This evidence is in the public domain accessible with a single mouse click…

2. You did all this knowing clearly you were interviewing someone who is running a terrorist regime which is being sustained by only military terrorism.

3. During that interview, your anchor Christiane Amanpour employed obvious rehearsed questions on Mnangagwa.

4. She even visibly smiled and in an encouraging way while talking to this terrorist, in the very act of communicating utter falsehoods.

5. You telephoned me on Friday 8th March seeking the mere amending of a headline so that you would distance yourself (at a PR level) from this very same man who you have actively participated in promoting.

6. You have failed to demonstrate that your Sept 2018 interview was for journalism. You have shown that it was for public relations purposes than any journalism.

7. You called me on Friday 8th March to carry out your obsessive concern for what I show with evidence was a PR cover up for promoting this terrorist, as you try to distance yourselves from this same terrorist who you are promoting. You claimed that Mr James Rubin is not married to Christiane Amanpour.

8. At 1327h you promised to send evidence of her said divorce to James Rubin via email.

9. By end of day 8th March, there was no such evidence provided by you, and neither any to show that the two are now totally inseparable. Instead of providing the promised evidence, you sent an empty email with a bullyish statement which I also found to be abusive and condescending.

10. When I telephoned you back near the end of day, you kept talking over me while I was replying you to explain to you simple words, meanings and facts as they are in our Zimbabwean language for whom I publish, and you showed no interest in wishing to understand. I found your approach of making repeated demands while screaming at me and interrupting me, harassing and abusive.

11. You ignored my request to consider the comparison of favourable treatment of this terrorist Emmerson Mnangagwa, vis a vis your treatment of terrorist organisations such as Al Qaeda, or ISIS.

12. For example, you have continued to attack President Donald Trump for his statements on race and politics and yet you ignore a well known terrorist committing genocide against his own citizens.

13. I request that you cease your harassment of me and any other Zimbabwean journalist or member of our community, particularly as you continue promoting this terrorist (one man) who has killed more blacks than apartheid South Africa.

14. I request that you cease promoting these selective acts of conflict of interests. By aiding, abetting and lobbying work for persons committing crimes against humanity in Zimbabwe you compromise your public standing. Please stand firm and be consistent in what you stand for regardless of weather. I shall not bow to PR cover ups.

15. I state expressly state that it would be ideal for Christiane Amanpour to engage me in an interview or narration to state her direct version of events. Instead of CNN doing a generic PR or damage control task, a more direct statement from impacted party could help deal with the major issues or concerns.

16. Instead of bullying me, I hope you shall forward my request to her and set up an appointment to set the record straight, should you be truly interested in doing that.

I wish you take this matter with the seriousness it deserves.

Simbarashe Chikanza

Correspondent|OFFICERS from the Zimbabwe Republic Police on Saturday sealed off the Africa Unity Square in central Harare and stopped anyone passing through a Union Jack modeled park, known as Africa Unity Square after rumours human rights groups planned to picket in commemoration of disappeared journalist-cum-activist Itai Dzamara.

People who were relaxing on the park scurried in all directions for safety as heavily armed anti-riot police officers dispersed them amidst reports the Dzamara family was planning a night vigil in commemoration of the 4th anniversary since Itai Dzamara was abducted.

National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was not aware.

“When it comes to gathering they would have informed Harare province. You may want to check with the provincial spokesperson,” said Nyathi.

Efforts to get comment from police in Harare were fruitless.

Saturday 9th March marks 4 years since, Dzamara was abducted in Harare’s Glen View high density suburb and since then his whereabouts are unknown.

Dzamara had for month been agitating in a one man campaign demanding that then President Robert Mugabe should step down. The activist had used the park as the venue for his picketing and was towards the end joined by a few others forming a shadowy group that became known as Occupy Africa Unity Square campaign.

Two years ago, Mnangagwa then vice president and who oversaw the Justice Ministry while attending the Universal Periodic Review meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Switzerland appealed to members of the public to help him find the abducted activist and putting up a $10 000 bounty as reward for information on the man’s whereabouts.

Dzamara’s brother Patson confirmed the family had planned a commemoration and slammed the State’s heavy-handed response.

“This clearly shows this is the very same system that abducted Itai,” said Patson.

“Once again they betray their hypocrisy and insincerity. When their partisans protest against sanctions, they are allowed to go ahead.”

He added: “When we want to remember our hero, or in any way protest the oppression they visit on us, they respond with Rhodesian-era brutality.

“This is obviously despicable, unacceptable and a clear attestation of the fact that there is nothing new about the so called facade they erroneously call new dispensation.”

He added that Dzamara’s family would work to “finish what he started.”

“Inspired by Itai’s bold stand against oppression, we will not cower. We commit to finish what he started and getting this evil government to account for Itai,” said Patson.

Unsuspecting shoppers who entered the park using an unmanned entrance had to endure minutes of interrogation by police.

Harare City Council sweepers had to abandon their brooms as the nonsense anti-riot officers could not have none of it.

Also parked close to the Parliament Building was two ZRP trucks with dozens of officers for back up.

Dzamara’s wife Sheffra is on record saying that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is no different from Mugabe. Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo at the time claimed Dzamara could have slipped out of the country through “our porous borders.”

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has so far collected almost US$18,5 million in value-added tax (VAT) from retailers trading in foreign currency since November 2018, a senior official at the firm has revealed.

Zimra acting head of corporate communications Inzwirashe Muwonwa in an interview with the state media said Zimra was preparing guidelines and public notices for taxpayers.

Said Munyoro:

“Indeed, the traders are required to pay VAT in forex. We have held several meetings or seminars with the traders to remind them of the tax obligation.

After the announcement of the Monetary Policy Statement and the promulgation of the Finance Act Number 1 of 2019, we are preparing the guidelines and public notices for our taxpayers.

In addition, we carry out on a regular basis tax compliance enforcement measures, including tax audits.”

In November 2018, the government directed ZIMRA to collect VAT in foreign currency from companies that were charging their goods and services in hard currency.

A 51-YEAR-OLD teacher who smashed a Grade One pupil against a desk, inflicting a deep cut on the girl’s forehead was last week sentenced to two years in prison by a Kwekwe magistrate.

Mejulla Matina, a teacher at Amaveni Primary School in Kwekwe pleaded guilty to assault charges when she appeared yesterday before magistrate, Mr Tayengwa Sangster. Matina who was represented by Mr Colleen Maboka of Ruvengo Maboka and Company will, however, serve an effective one-year jail term after the other year was suspended on condition of good behaviour. In handing sentence, Mr Sangster said Matina abused her position of authority and attacked a minor without being provoked.

“This incident is disturbing to say the least. This is a five-year-old sent to school to learn under your care. You were in charge of the complainant and it was upon you to protect the complainant and the rights of the minor,” he said.

Mr Sangster added that corporal punishment was banned in schools and it was therefore against the law to beat up pupils as a way of disciplining them. He said assault was a serious offence on its own which should be treated as such, adding a custodial sentence would go a long way in sending a message to would-be offenders and paying a fine or community were not options.

“Sentence should be one that fits the offence that is justifiable by the court and the community at large. If prison is not the right sentence here, where then will it fit? We are looking at the extremes of the cases involved here. Certainly community service or a fine will only serve to trivialise the case at hand, you are therefore sentenced to a custodial sentence that is deterrent enough,” said Mr Sangster.

The State represented by prosecutor, Mr Devine Chakombera, proved that on 13 February at around 8am, the pupil failed to comply with given instructions during a Mathematics lesson. That did not go down well with Matina who held the complainant by the ear and pushed her towards the table. She then smashed the girl’s head against the desk resulting in her sustaining a deep cut on the forehead. She was rushed to hospital where she was stitched.

State Media

By Own Correspondent| More than 500 communal farmers in Mberengwa face a bleak future after the government ordered them off their land.

The farmers occupied Chivhunze farm under Chief Bvute’s jurisdiction in 2009 and paid US$20 to the local authority which issued them with permits under the settlement permits by-laws of 2006.

The concerned farmers have since petitioned Mberengwa North Member of Parliament, Tafanana Zhou to air out their grievances.

Said Zhou:

“The farmers approached me to register their grievances. They hold permits that they were issued with in 2009.

They have been at the farm for close to a decade now. They said they were being told to vacate the farm as they are being classified as illegal settlers.

So we have approached the Government and the party (Zanu-PF) leadership to assist these farmers because in my view they were legally settled and cannot be classified as illegal settlers.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent|Addressing mourners at the burial of the late hero Brigadier General Emilio Munemo (Saturday), President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was like a train motion which is unstoppable.

Mnangagwa said contrary to beliefs that the country’s developmental trajectory was set to fail, the country’s success and prosperity was inevitable.

He said:

“Zimbabwe is a train on the move. We cannot be derailed, we cannot be stopped. Let us march forward ever, backward never. Victory is certain, our prosperity is inevitable.

. . . I am aware that as I make this exhortation, the American government has renewed sanctions against us.

We call for the unconditional removal of the illegal, spiteful and completely unjustified sanctions on our country which continue to violate basic human rights of our people.

We fought for peace, we believe in peace and we do not pose any type of threat, to any country in the world.

As it was during the days of the liberation struggle, many discouragements and misfortunes will befall us. Back then we remained focused on our task to liberate our motherland. Today, let us not be deterred from the course we have begun.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said that she plans to deal decisively with the harassment of female journalists and interns at media houses.

Mutsvangwa said this while speaking to The Herald on International Women’s Day.

She said:

“One of the first issues I attended to when I assumed office as Minister of Information was to meet with media organisations and the media houses to tackle various challenges affecting journalists, and abuse of female journalists and interns is one issue I have spoken about at length at each of these engagements.

I also plan to take it a step further and meet with deans at universities and colleges in order to hammer the point home that abuse will not be tolerated not just in the workplace, but even in the learning institutions.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| The Cold Storage Commission (CSC) has received a major boost after a United Kingdom headquartered firm Boustead Beef invested US$400 million into the parastatal.

Boustead Beef Zimbabwe managing director Nick Havercroft said his company has entered into an agreement with the Government to buy into CSC

Said Havercroft:.

He however said the capital injection will be spread over five years.

“We were focused on US$130 million but we have secured more markets and we are focusing way over US$400 million over the next five years, a lot of that is obviously for securing the beef.

We have very good finance, very good off takes for the beef export orders. Our focus is going to be higher than what we had actually planned so our investment is going to be bigger than what we had anticipated.”

The company said that it has already procured machinery worth about US$16 million and will be delivered to its headquarters in Bulawayo.

CSC director of marketing Isaiah Machingura revealed last week that the investor has already started paying full salaries to employees.

He said:

“Wages are being paid as of February onwards and there won’t be any stopover. More people are going to be employed for all the CSC branches.

In operations, we will be talking of slaughtering about 500 to 600 animals a day.

It really needs a command of labour. We are talking of a lot of by-products that are going to be produced here, for instance, we have tallow, which will benefit local soap manufacturers instead of them importing.”-StateMedia

In an interview with CNBC Africa, former deputy prime minister Arthur Mutambara said President Emmerson Mnangagwa is worse than his predecessor Robert Mugabe.

He was responding to a question on whether Mnangagwa is truly fighting corruption. He said Mnangagwa had done nothing to fight corruption.

Said Mutambara:
“They have done nothing. In fact they are worse than Mugabe on every front. Chiwenga and Mnangagwa were the enforcers of Robert Mugabe’s rule.

Chiwenga and Mnangagwa were the front henchmen, were the runners of the system that Mugabe created. So you don’t expect any difference between the behaviour of Mnangagwa and the behaviour of Robert Mugabe.

What’s disturbing is that in fact in terms brutality, in terms of corruption, in terms of misgovernance, Mnangagwa is worse than Mugabe. What a tragedy.”

Farai Dziva| MORE than 500 communal farmers from Chivhunze Farm under Chief Bvute in Mberengwa, say they were used and dumped by the ruling party Zanu PF.

According to state media reports the farmers have been served with eviction notices.

The farmers were settled at the farm in 2009 and paid US$20 to the local authority which issued them with permits under the settlement permits by-laws of 2006, according to a weekly state run publication.

However, the settlers have been given less than a month to vacate the area by Government through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement.

The farmers last week petitioned Mberengwa North Member of Parliament, Tafanana Zhou, and other Government officials to air out their grievances.

“The farmers approached me to register their grievances. They hold permits that they were issued with in 2009. They have been at the farm for close to a decade now. They said they were being told to vacate the farm as they are being classified as illegal settlers. So we have approached Government and the party (Zanu-PF) leadership to assist these farmers because in my view they were legally settled and cannot be classified as illegal settlers,”Zhou told The Sunday News.

Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairperson, Daniel McKenzie Ncube confirmed receiving the report saying the party will deliberate on the matter and approach the responsible Ministry to assist the farmers.

By Own Correspondent- Government is set to put up a teacher training college in Matabeleland North, a senior government official has revealed.

Higher and Tertiary Education minister,Professor Amon Murwira said government was in the process of establishing a teacher training centre in Matabeleland.

Said Prof Murwira:

“……what we are talking about when we are training people at state institutions as Zimbabweans and we will locate our institutions in different places of the country, including that fact that we are going to put a teacher training college as we speak in Matabeleland North this year.  It is just a continuous process but our institutions are national in nature.”

The newly appointed Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province Oliver Chidawu is a Zimbabwean entrepreneur, Chartered Engineer and Chairman of African Banking Corporation Zimbabwe.

Chidawu is also a Non-executive chairman of Manders Group and founder of Kuchi Group of Companies. He is also a major shareholder in Bitumen Construction.

He was also founding shareholder and director of Heritage Investment Bank that merged with First Merchant Bank in 1997. Chidawu is also on the board of Bindura Nickel Corp. Ltd.

In his past career, he was Director at Star Africa Corp., Chairman at Pelhams Ltd., Chairman at Zimplow Ltd. and Group Chairman at ABC Holdings Ltd.

h 2019, Chidawu was appointed Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Harare Metropolitan Province, filling a position left vacant when Mnangagwa named his Cabinet in September 2018.

Chidawu also became mayor of Harare at age 29 becoming the youngest mayor in the History of Harare in 1984.

By Own Correspondent- A legislator her has implored government to seriously consider the establishment of a law school in Matabeleland considering that learners wishing to study law are restricted to other provinces.

Magwegwe constituency member of parliament Anele Ndebele told parliament that graduates from his constituency perform better in the arts subjects hence the need to establish a law school in Matabeleland.

Said Ndebele:

“I raised the issue of a law school in Matabeleland is because if you look at the Advanced level results, we are the worst in terms of science passes.  We do not have laboratories.  Therefore, those who can be lawyers are those that we are producing in large numbers – the arts students.  That is why I raised the question of law.  That is how it comes in this discussion of STEM.  I understand the University of Zimbabwe is national but my question was, we were the first to get a high court before Masvingo and the Midlands but they are offering degrees in law. This is why I brought it in.”

By Own Correspondent| Former Deputy Prime Minister during the Inclusive government Professsor Arthur Mutambara has said ousted leader Robert Mugabe was better than his predecessor President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Prof Mutambara said this in an interview with CNBC Africa while responding to a question on whether Mnangagwa is truly fighting corruption.

He said Mnangagwa had done nothing in fighting corruption.

Said Mutambara:

“They have done nothing. In fact they are worse than Mugabe on every front. Chiwenga and Mnangagwa were the enforcers of Robert Mugabe. Chiwenga and Mnangagwa were the front henchmen, were the runners of the system that Mugabe created. So you don’t expect any different between the behaviour of Mnangagwa and the behaviour of Robert Mugabe. What’s disturbing is that in fact in terms brutality, in terms of corruption, in terms of misgovernance, Mnangagwa is worse than Mugabe. What a tragedy.”

Re: CNN Christiane Amanpour’s Husband Hired By Mnangagwa To Help Remove Targeted Sanctions.

Dear Mr Euan Steedman (CNN Press Officer).

Please let me express my shock, and displeasure at a conflict of interest issue manifested through your bullying me as you have tried hard as CNN to hide ongoing crimes against humanity in Zimbabwe.

By virtue of your attempts to suppress facts, you are making CNN a participant in this scandal. This is unethical.

You telephoned me on Friday at around 1320h to bully me as you forced me to delete the mention of CNN in a headline. This is an attempt to hide ongoing crimes against humanity (in Zimbabwe) defined under US, and international law.

1. You began promoting these acts during a CNN Sept 2018 interview when CNN engaged a well known terrorist and dictator (Emmerson Mnangagwa) who has killed more blacks than apartheid South Africa. You avoided LIVE video broadcast (state media) evidence seen before the whole world showing in full colour the willful deployment of armed forces on innocent civilians for the singular declared purpose of changing 2018 election results, all announced on LIVE television 10 months before the CNN 21st Sept 2018 interview (on the 15th December 2017.) This evidence is in the public domain accessible with a single mouse click…

2. You did all this knowing clearly you were interviewing someone who is running a terrorist regime which is being sustained by only military terrorism.

3. During that interview, your anchor Christiane Amanpour employed obvious rehearsed questions on Mnangagwa.

4. She even visibly smiled and in an encouraging way while talking to this terrorist, in the very act of communicating utter falsehoods.

5. You telephoned me on Friday 8th March seeking the mere amending of a headline so that you would distance yourself (at a PR level) from this very same man who you have actively participated in promoting.

6. You have failed to demonstrate that your Sept 2018 interview was for journalism. You have shown that it was for public relations purposes than any journalism.

7. You called me on Friday 8th March to carry out your obsessive concern for what I show with evidence was a PR cover up for promoting this terrorist, as you try to distance yourselves from this same terrorist who you are promoting. You claimed that Mr James Rubin is not married to Christiane Amanpour.

8. At 1327h you promised to send evidence of her said divorce to James Rubin via email.

9. By end of day 8th March, there was no such evidence provided by you, and neither any to show that the two are now totally inseparable. Instead of providing the promised evidence, you sent an empty email with a bullyish statement which I also found to be abusive and condescending.

10. When I telephoned you back near the end of day, you kept talking over me while I was replying you to explain to you simple words, meanings and facts as they are in our Zimbabwean language for whom I publish, and you showed no interest in wishing to understand. I found your approach of making repeated demands while screaming at me and interrupting me, harassing and abusive.

11. You ignored my request to consider the comparison of favourable treatment of this terrorist Emmerson Mnangagwa, vis a vis your treatment of terrorist organisations such as Al Qaeda, or ISIS.

12. For example, you have continued to attack President Donald Trump for his statements on race and politics and yet you ignore a well known terrorist committing genocide against his own citizens.

13. I request that you cease your harassment of me and any other Zimbabwean journalist or member of our community, particularly as you continue promoting this terrorist (one man) who has killed more blacks than apartheid South Africa.

14. I request that you cease promoting these selective acts of conflict of interests. By aiding, abetting and lobbying work for persons committing crimes against humanity in Zimbabwe you compromise your public standing. Please stand firm and be consistent in what you stand for regardless of weather. I shall not bow to PR cover ups.

15. I state expressly state that it would be ideal for Christiane Amanpour to engage me in an interview or narration to state her direct version of events. Instead of CNN doing a generic PR or damage control task, a more direct statement from impacted party could help deal with the major issues or concerns.

16. Instead of bullying me, I hope you shall forward my request to her and set up an appointment to set the record straight, should you be truly interested in doing that.

I wish you take this matter with the seriousness it deserves.

Simbarashe Chikanza

tTHE MDC Alliance has reportedly expelled Cowdray Park aspiring councillor Ms Nomagugu Mloyi after she refused to withdraw from contesting in the Ward 28 by-election slated for March 30 but a defiant Ms Mloyi rubbished the purported expulsion, describing it as “fake”.

She said on Thursday she would go ahead with her campaign and no one could stop her. 

“I’ve seen the letter (expulsion) on social media but I think it is fake. No one has officially informed me that I’ve been fired from the party. I’m still contesting the Cowdray Park ward because if I withdraw I would have hurt a lot of people who want me to represent them. I’m still contesting as an MDC Alliance candidate because I was cheated in the primary election,” said Ms Mloyi.

Even if Ms Mloyi is fired from the party, she can still contest as an MDC Alliance candidate. 

The party’s national chairperson, Ms Thabitha Khumalo, wrote to inform Ms Mloyi of her expulsion from the party.

MDC Alliance sources said yesterday the letter was leaked on social media before it could be handed to Ms Mloyi. 

Ms Mloyi was fired for insisting on contesting the Ward 28 post despite losing to Alderman Collet Ndlovu in the party’s primary elections held on Thursday last week.

Ald Ndlovu is seeking a third term as Ward 28 councillor while Ms Mloyi is a first time contender. 

The ward fell vacant following the death of MDC Alliance councillor Hapson Ncube in December.

In the letter, Ms Khumalo said Ms Mloyi had been fired for being rebellious. 

“Following your decision to uphold your local government candidature for Ward 28, Cowdray Park by-election after having lost the party’s primary election to Mr Collet Ndlovu on 28 February 2019, you have automatically expelled yourself from the party,” read Ms Khumalo’s letter. 

“Mr Collet Ndlovu is the official and sole candidate and representative of the MDC Alliance in the Ward 28 by-election due on the 30th of March after having won the primary election in which you contested.”

She added: “The affidavit you signed to withdraw your nomination as a candidate from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission in the event that you were going to lose the primary election is there as evidence. 

“After losing the said primary election you reneged on your earlier agreed position. I also note that you continue to campaign as a candidate with your campaign teams fully on the ground in contravention of the party’s position.” 

Ms Khumalo said Ms Mloyi violated the MDC Alliance constitution hence the party’s decision to expel her from the party.

“Accordingly, you are therefore hereby expelled from the party with immediate effect. You are being ordered to surrender all party property in your possession to the party. You are also hereby instructed to stop using anything to do with the MDC Alliance i.e logo, picture, structures, persons, colour and names of the president in your posters and campaign materials,” she said.

Ms Khumalo could not be reached for comment on her cellphone.

However, party sources confirmed the development.

“The letter was supposed to be handed to her on Saturday during the provincial inter-district meeting but some people just decided to leak it on social media. But she has been fired. She could have been used as a pawn in factional fights and has been sacrificed as senior party officials battle it out for the party’s control ahead of congress,” said the official. 

Ald Ndlovu recently told The Chronicle that he had incomplete projects he wants to finish in Cowdray Park hence his decision to contest the ward election again.

State Media

Claims by a Gweru farmer that he could produce a standard loaf of bread using 100 percent local wheat have been discredited by industry experts.

The farmer, Douglas Kwande had told cabinet that he managed to produce 500 loaves a day with locally-produced wheat without having to blend it with imported wheat.

Kwande’s proposition gave the government false hope that they had found a panacea to forex challenges they were facing as far as importing wheat was concerned.

A number of leading retail supermarkets in Gweru told NewsDay that they relied on the traditional suppliers.

“The local wheat flour is good, but it does not reach the desired quality. For example, it is dense. In other words it is heavy. Its own quality, therefore, must be improved by wheat from outside the country mostly countries in Europe like Lithuania which have high quality wheat,” said Hardlife Mamuse, a Gweru-based baker who has been in the trade for over 19 years.

A brands manager for a retail chain, Abel Chikanya, reiterated that it was impossible to produce quality standard bread using local wheat alone.

“We are not saying local wheat is sub-standard. However, it needs to be blended. Actually, at our internal bakery, we used to blend local wheat flour and imported one on a 50:50 scale during our peak. The bread will be high quality only when blending is done,” he said.

Newsday

MMDC Alliance secretary general Douglas Mwonzora and the opposition party’s Manicaland provincial chairman David Chimhini had a torrid time after they were jeered by supporters at a rally in the eastern border city, Saturday.

But a defiant Mwonzora took the chance to lay down the marker telling an angry crowd Chamisa has had his chance.

Before he could speak however, Mwonzora required intervention of party leader Nelson Chamisa and national organising secretary Amos Chibaya to pacify the agitated crowd and allow the two leaders to address the rally. Chamisa was forced to jump onto the podium to save Mwonzora from humiliation.

Reports say Mwonzora is set to challenge Chamisa for the party’s top job at the MDC’s upcoming congress scheduled for the end of May. The former Nyanga North lawmaker has publicly stated that he is eligible to contest but has declined to explicitly indicate his willingness to run for the presidency.

When Chimhini took to the podium, supporters started jeering at him drowning his voice while others started shouting “Chamisa chete chete”.

“I won’t stop talking,” Chimhini said, adding “…president (Chamisa) this is a hired crowd. People were hired to disrupt”.

Chibaya intervened urging the crowd to allow the provincial chairman time to deliver his speech.

“Please let the chairman speak,” said Chibaya in an attempt to calm down the restive supporters.

Chimhini only managed to say a few words before retreating to his seat: “I encourage you as party supporters to be united ahead of the congress.”

When Mwonzora took to the podium, the supporters broke into a song declaring only Chamisa should lead “Chamisa amai mwana, Chamisa chete chete” again drawing Mwonzora’s voice with jeers.

Chamisa had to threaten party supporters that he would not speak if Mwonzora was not allowed to address the gathering.

“If you continue disrupting the secretary general then I will rather not talk and go back,” Chamisa said.

He added: “The MDC is a party of disciplined cadres. Let’s do our things in peace. We are a democratic party.”

The supporters waved placards “Chamisa chete chete kuCongress”. 

“Please put down those placards and sit down,” Chamisa demanded.

After the crowd calmed, Mwonzora took to the stage and poured his heart out.

He boosted that Manicaland province was the only province were MDC Alliance won resoundingly against the ruling Zanu PF party. Mwonzora said the people of Manicaland province fought in the war of liberation but benefitted nothing from successive Zanu PF administrations. The MDC chief administrator took the chance to send his message telling the crowd openly Chamisa’s time is over.

“After independence the people of Manicaland were neglected by Zanu PF governments.

“We selected Chamisa to be our candidate in the elections (last year) but that is now in the past,” said Mwonzora.

Mwonzora told the crowd he wanted to make his closing remarks English drawing the ire of the supporters.

“I want to speak in English on this point. I want this MDC to be united party. I want this party to be a party that chooses its own leadership.

“I want this MDC to be a tolerant and democratic party. I want this MDC as its secretary general to be disciplined party. Thank you very much Mr president,” said Mwonzora.

Agencies

Own Correspondent|One more person has died following Friday morning’s accident in the Harare CBD which was witnessed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, bringing the death toll to four.

Three people died on the spot, and one of the four others injured died at Parirenyatwa hospital.

Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the dead are two males and two females.

The accident happened at corner 7th Street and Herbert Chitepo when a Honda Fit, travelling along 7th Street collided with a Honda Elysion, resulting in 3 people losing their lives on the spot.

Eyewitnesses say the Honda Fit proceeded against a red traffic light resulting in the collision.

Mnangagwa witnessed the accident when his motorcade passed through the intersection as the injured and dead were being removed from the wreckage.

The motorcade slowed down to a near halt as traffic congested at the scene giving the President a clear view of the accident. He has not commented on the incident yet.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

In an astounding case of child abuse, a 17-year-old boy from Buhera is under Police investigation for allegedly raping a three-year-old toddler whom he left with a fractured pelvis.

The rape was perpetrated in June 2018 in Nyanzira Village under Chief Nyashanu but sources said the case could not proceed beyond ZRP Police Station because an understanding was made by families to let the case die.

The mother of the child who cannot be named in order to protect the minor almost committed suicide when she saw her daughter failing to walk or stand because of the alleged abuse. The boy who allegedly raped the girl stayed with the toddler’s family.

The matter was reopened by Buhera Musasa Safe Shelter.

Musasa Shelter Administrator, Florence Chinanga confirmed the case to The Mirror and said her organisaion is doing everything possible to ensure that the accused is arrested. She also said that her organization is counseling the complainant’s mother and is assisting the abused child with medical help.

Musasa Shelter is an organisation for the protection of the girl child.

Chinanga said that although the case happened in June 2018, it was only brought to her organisation’s attention in February 2019.

The case is now being dealt with by Musasa Safe Shelter; Rujeko Home based Care and Buhera District Social Welfare and Women Affairs Buhera.

“We urge families not to hide away such cases where perpetrators destroy a child’s future because of selfish desires. We are going to make sure the culprit faces the wrath of the law and the child kept in a safe place where she is monitored.

Sources said that the matter came out when the mother saw her child failing to walk or stand on her own. The toddler told her what happened and the rape was confirmed at the hospital.

Mirror

Paul Nyathi|Zimbabweans just love Nelson Chamisa and he never disappoints them when he speaks to them. Thousands gathered at his Manicaland Thank You Rally in Mutare on Saturday.

Critics thought that Chamisa was headed for a major flop ahead of the rally held at possible party presidential election rival Douglas Mwonzora’s home territory. The crowd instead declared a clear message, Chamisa is their man.

Below are pictures of the thousands of people who congregated at the venue:

A 46-year-old Karoi farmer tried to commit suicide after raping and impregnating his 17-year-old stepdaughter as well as his 21-year-old niece.

The man, who cannot be identified to protect the victims’ identity, appeared in court last week facing two rape charges.

Prosecutors said the man raped the victims on several occasions at their home until they fell pregnant.

His daughter reported the abuse to her mother but she tried to sweep the matter under the carpet, until family members reported the matter to the police after the girls confided in them.

The man tried to kill himself by drinking poison on February 11, but survived and has been hospitalised since then. He was remanded out of custody until March 12.

Standard

A 31-YEAR-OLD Harare man was dragged to court last week by his girlfriend after he allegedly assaulted her over a plate of sadza.

Admire Gurupira (31) of Cranborne suburb pleaded not guilty to domestic violence against his girlfriend Monica Musikiwa (32) before Guruve magistrate Shingirai Mutiro.

Prosecutors said on November 23 last year, Gurupira visited his girlfriend’s home in Mvurwi around 9pm after a beer drink and demanded a plate of sadza.

His girlfriend could not provide the food and in a fit of rage, the accused took a laptop belonging to Agribank Mvurwi, where Musekiwa works, and smashed it on the floor before breaking three water glasses.

Gurupira then allegedly assaulted Musekiwa on the head using his mobile phone. He was remanded out of custody to March 15 for judgement.

Standard

By Own Correspondent| In an interview with CNBC Africa, former deputy prime minister Arthur Mutambara said President Emmerson Mnangagwa is worse than his predecessor Robert Mugabe.

He was responding to a question on whether Mnangagwa is truly fighting corruption.

He said Mnangagwa had done nothing in fighting corruption.

Said Mutambara:

“They have done nothing. In fact they are worse than Mugabe on every front. Chiwenga and Mnangagwa were the enforcers of Robert Mugabe. Chiwenga and Mnangagwa were the front henchmen, were the runners of the system that Mugabe created. So you don’t expect any different between the behaviour of Mnangagwa and the behaviour of Robert Mugabe. What’s disturbing is that in fact in terms brutality, in terms of corruption, in terms of misgovernance, Mnangagwa is worse than Mugabe. What a tragedy.”

We have noted with concerned deliberate misinformation of the Zimbabwean public on issues relating to sexual consent.

As the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health and Child Care, I wish to set the record straight with respect to the issues discussed in our session.

Firstly the Parliamentary Committee did not at any point make the suggestion to the effect of reducing the age of consent from 16 to 12.

In fact, the suggestion was that there be an increase from 16 to 18 in line with the definition of a child provided in section 81 of the Constitution.

However, in pursuit of the full realization of the right to health provided in section 76 of the supreme law, the members in the committee were of the view that the access to medical attention for sexually active minors be reduced from 16 to 12.

The intention is to allow access to sexual reproductive health to minors without the hindrance of the condition of being accompanied by an adult.

We want to assure the nation that discussions will always focus on methods of protecting children as opposed to exposing them.

We, however, note that communication of important discussions in Parliament is still distorted by the few who have access to it, we hope that there will be an investment in accessible media for the majority to watch first hand.

Hon Ruth Labode(MP)

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health and Child Care

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2′ 

FULL TEXT: Veritas Zimbabwe Celebrates International Women’s Day

LovemoreMarch 9, 2019

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights.

Apostle Dr Eunor Guti of ZAOGA has been sucked in her daughter’s marital wrangle that spilled to the courts.

The wife to ZAOGA Forward in Faith founder Eunor Guti has been sucked into her daughter Ethanim Nyajeka-Guti‘s marital wrangle which has spilled to the courts.

The court heard that Eunor intervened the impasse between her daughter Ethanim and her husband Lindsay when they fought for custody over their children last month.

It is alleged that on February 6, Ethanim successfully applied for a court order which granted her custody of their two children and only gave her erstwhile husband access on weekends.
On February 23, Lindsay received their two children from Takudzwa Guti, their uncle at Glen-Lorne shops as per mutual agreement.

The court heard that Lindsay was supposed to return the children to their mother on February 24 but did not comply citing that it was an exit weekend so he had travelled out of town and would return the children the following day.

Lindsay then called Tafadzwa, the children’s uncle, to come and collect the children.

Instead of coming alone, he came with a high powered delegation that included one Jewel Tokora and the grandmother Eunor Guti.

The children then screamed and shook their heads in protest refusing to leave their father, the court heard.

After realizing that the children were crying, Lindsay decided not to give them to his in-laws.

He had to return the children on February 26 via Highlands police.

Inspector Godobi supervised the return of the children as they were handed over to Eunor, the court heard.

The drama was revealed in the matter which Lindsay appeared before a Harare magistrate on Wednesday, facing fresh charges of contempt of court as a result of his actions of extending access to his two children.

The couple are no strangers to the court, Ethanim once dragged Lindsay to court on domestic violence, possession and use of a firearm, charges believed to have been perpetrated against her after she was accused of cheating with a fellow pastor in the church identified as Gilbery Chadyemhunga.

The matter, however, failed to see the light of day as the State is still to summon him to answer to the charges as the matter was removed from remand last year on the grounds that the docket had been taken to the National Prosecuting Authority for management.

In this latest charge, Lindsay was released on free bail and remanded to March 20 by Harare Magistrate Francis Mapfumo.

Morning Post

By Own Correspondent- Addressing mourners at the burial of the late Brigadier General Emilio Munemo at Heroes Acre in Harare Saturday afternoon, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said his door is wide open to those wishing to dialogue with him for whatever reason.

Mnangagwa implored Zimbabweans across all sectors that they were welcome to dialogue with him over anything that had an impact on the nation.

Said Mnangagwa:

“As we sing the national anthem may it be a recognition of the sacrifices made by cadres like the late Brigadier General Munemo. My doors remain open for dialogue for all people for whatever reason.

I challenge researchers to research on issues that will enhance our country’s capabilities in economics, politics, tourism…the late Brigadier General Munemo was one of the cadres who were instrumental in the establishment of the Chitepo School of Ideology,

As we mourn and draw lessons from the late Brigadier General Munemo, I challenge educators in the country to inculcate a new mindset in our learners…a mindset that’s patriotic.”

In line with his homeboy politics, which has become an embarrassment to close aides, Mnangagwa has appointeed his longtime crony Oliver Chidawu, as Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Harare Metropolitan Province. Apart from its cronyism the appointment violates devolution! pic.twitter.com/vC4Ju4tm7g

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) March 8, 2019

By Own Correspondent- A political analyst here Rashweat Mukundu has castigated the Zimbabwean government for unnecessarily spending money on international consultants arguing that the country does not need to hire a United States (US) firm to help in the removal of sanctions.

This comes after government engaged prominent public relations firm Ballard Partners in a $500 000 per year deal.

Mukundu said Zimbabwe needs to implement reforms clearly spelt out in the Zidera sanctions document for sanctions to be removed.

Said Mukundu:

“They include the respect for human rights, they include realignment of our laws with the Constitution, respecting the democratic norms, security sector reforms that remove the overbearing role of the military in our politics, which often results in our military clashing with civilians. So, for me these are actions that can easily be done without the need of hiring any company for so much money which we need in Zimbabwe for critical public services like hospitals, servicing our debt and in agriculture. So, essentially this is a waste of resources over something that the Zimbabwean government can easily do on its own. This is essentially kicking the can down the road.”