Farai Dziva|Church leaders in the city of Masvingo have castigated Emmerson Mnangagwa for making blasphemous utterances.

Yesterday Mnangagwa equated himself to God and castigated the opposition.

Mnangagwa said even in Heaven God had problems with the devil but He still remained the Creator. He said this while responding questions from journalists during a news conference held at the conclusion of the third session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission Summit in the capital, Harare.

“It is our view that we don’t need to commit the mistakes of those who have gone ahead of us. We need to leap frog in terms of our development to catch up with other developing countries but to do so, we need their hands like what South Africa is doing – holding our hand, moving with us and then other countries. That’s what we are doing.

We will not be swayed by negative forces because even the Lord upstairs was not able to keep his house in order — he had Satan. So, these things happen but He still remains there as the Creator,” said Mnangagwa.

Church leaders in the ancient have declared that Mnangagwa should retract his utterances as a matter of urgency.

Farai Dziva|Unruly Zanu PF MPs verbally insulted MDC Harare West legislator, Joanna Mamombe in Parliament on Tuesday.

Mamombe was a target of sexual harassment and suggestive utterances from Zanu PF legislators when she appeared in Parliament after her arrest on treason charges.

The ZANU PF legislators called her hur* (prostitute) on her return to Parliament.

Mamombe was arrested in Nyanga more than a week ago soon after attending a Parliament workshop.
The 25-year-old MP was subsequently charged with treason in relation to the fuel riots that broke out in January this year.

Farai Dziva|Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has justified the arrest and detention of opposition MDC A members.

Ziyambi was grilled in Parliament over the harassment and detention of MDC A MPs.

Ziyambi was responding to questions from MDC A MPs Amos Chibaya and Innocent about the detention of opposition members.

Ziyambi has indicated that according to the laws of the Republic of Zimbabwe arresting of suspects is a way of ensuring that accused persons will assist the state with useful information.

“For your own information people are are arrested because they are expected to furnish the State with relevant information. We cannot just arrest someone without a genuine reason for doing so,” claimed Ziyambi.

Chibaya and Gonese accused government agents of exercising their duties in a biased manner.

Paul Nyathi| Ideal Zimbabwe president Tinashe Jonasi who took all and sundry by surprise when he said he was going to arrest President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his two deputies has been himself arrested and charged for undermining the authority of the President.

Court records indicate that, Jonasi 42, is charged from an incident which occurred sometime in 2018 not on his latest stant.

The court claims that in 2018 Jonasi appeared on South African DSTV Channel 405 whilst being interviewed and he insulted President Mnangagwa.

Jonasi allegedly said it was on record that the President had killed more than 30 000 people and he went on to say he was warning the President and Vice President Retired General Constantino Chiwenga to resign within 6 months or he would face them in the sea or in the mountains and they would both regret among other utterances.

Jonasi is appearing before Magistrate Mrs Rumbidzayi Mugwagwa.

By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa has called on governments and women in leadership positions to take all the existing opportunities to address gender disparity.

Mnangagwa said the total emancipation of women required support from those in leadership positions.

Her call comes as the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres reaffirmed his commitment to addressing gender imbalances, while addressing a high level meeting  at the ongoing Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) conference in New York.

She said:

“Women in leadership positions should take every opportunity to address gender imbalances in all spheres of life. My participation at this women’s conference has given me an opportunity to exchange notes with other influential women across the globe and a fresh impetus to work towards women empowerment.”

UN Secretary General Guterres affirmed his commitment to the provision of equal opportunities for women, saying there are qualified women with requisite skills that can be tapped into to change the narrative and develop nations.

UN Women Executive Director, Pumzile Mlambo Nquka gave a global perspective on the exclusion of women in leadership positions.

She said about 75 percent of law makers in the world are men, an indication that gender imbalances exist in most nations.

It has been established that gender parity is not debatable and can be achieved in the male dominated societies if women support each other.

The First Lady has been working with marginalised communities in Zimbabwe with a view to uplift women from the grassroots level.

Her activities are in line with the goals of the Commission on the Status of Women.

The meeting saw the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres reaffirming his commitment to the provision of equal opportunities for women.

He said there are qualified women with requisite skills that can be tapped into in order to change the narrative and develop nations.

UN Women Executive Director, Pumzile Mlambo Nquka gave a global perspective on the exclusion of women in leadership positions.

She said about 75 percent of law makers in the world are men and she called on women to uplift each other when they are in position of authority.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo and senior doctors and consultants are currently holding a meeting in the capital Harare aimed at mapping the way forward following doctors’ threats to go on industrial action.

Senior doctors have threatened to strike citing lack of medicines and other sundries in hospitals a situation which they say is making operating conditions difficult.

The senior doctors and consultants say they are not on strike but are frustrated with working conditions.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.

The opposition MDC has harshly responded to remarks by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that Nelson Chamisa is a rebel saying the real stan is the one with blood in his hands.

Addressing journalists at the close of the Bi-National meeting with South Africa, Mnangagwa said, “We will not be swayed by negative forces because even the Lord upstairs was not able to keep his house in order; he had Satan. These things happen. He still remains there.”

But reached for a comment by the Newsday, Chamisa spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda said Mnangagwa had blood in his hands hence he is the real satan.

“I think the real Satan is the one who has blood in his hands, the blood of more than 20 000 people in Matabeleland, the blood of people in DRC [the Democratic Republic of Congo],” he said.

“But president Chamisa would not want to engage himself in this kind of politics. We hope that Mnangagwa will grow up one day and show maturity. He must be a Statesman and show maturity and not this kind of insults and demeaning statements. It is unfortunate,” said Sibanda

— NewsDay

By Own Correspondent- Failed economic policies and not sanctions are behind Zimbabwe’s failed economy, the US Embassy in Harare has revealed.

In a tweet issued on their page, the UK said the country’s economic recovery depended on promised political and economic reforms and not sanctions removal.

Said the US Embassy Harare:

“Truth: Zimbabwe’s economic recovery depends on its ability to deliver on promised political and economic reforms. Failed economic policies not sanctions hinders Zimbabwe’s economic growth.”

#Truth: Zimbabwe’s economic recovery depends on its ability to deliver on promised political and economic reforms. Failed economic policies, not sanctions, hinders Zimbabwe’s economic growth. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 12, 2019

By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwean Pilot Merna Cremer tweeted her delight about her maiden flight with Emirates into the country. :

She said:

“My first flight with Emirates into my beautiful country Zimbabwe I felt like the happiest girl alive when we crossed into Zimbabwean airspace. The Captain gave me the flight and I landed the Boeing777 for the first time into Harare dream come true.

… The passengers knew it was a Zimbabwean First Officer flying them and some waved to me from the airbridge with big smiles as they disembarked. So heart warming and the most memorable flight of my career.”

Merna is the wife to former Chevrons skipper Graeme Cremer.

She also flew the Zimbabwe national cricket team from Harare to Bulawayo for the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifiers to be played between March 4-25.

Before the flight to Bulawayo on which her husband was a passenger, Merner tweeted:

“So great to have the coach, captain, team on board, delivering them safely to the City of Kings. All the very best, this is our soil, this is our home. Do your country proud.”

My first flight with Emirates into my beautiful country #zimbabwe I felt like the happiest girl alive when we crossed into #zimbabwean airspace. The Captain gave me the flight and I landed the #Boeing777 for the first time into #harare dream come true ?♥️✈️ pic.twitter.com/MBKv5E5sYa

— Merna Cremer (@MernaCremer767) March 11, 2019

By Own Correspondent- MDC president Nelson Chamisa’s spokesperson Dr Nkululeko Sibanda has hit back at President Emmerson Mnangagwa who on Tuesday likened his opponents to the evil one saying such statements reflected that the country’s current leader was not a statesman.

While addressing the media at the closing ceremony of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission Summit attended by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Harare, Mnangagwa said that he will not be moved by his opponents.

Said Mnangagwa:

“We will not be swayed by negative forces because even the Lord upstairs was not able to keep his house in order; he had Satan. These things happen. He still remains there.”

In an interview with Newsday on Tuesday, Sibanda responded in kind.

He said:

“I think the real Satan is the one who has blood in his hands, the blood of more than 20 000 people in Matabeleland, the blood of people in DRC [the Democratic Republic of Congo].

But president Chamisa would not want to engage himself in this kind of politics. We hope that Mnangagwa will grow up one day and show maturity. He must be a Statesman and show maturity and not this kind of insults and demeaning statements. It is unfortunate.”

By Own Correspondent- A Bulawayo woman allegedly killed her 4-year-old dumb daughter after she gave her a herb to help her gain speech.

The girl’s father Mbuso Ncube, reported his wife, Lindiwe Ncube of Mzilikazi suburb, to the police leading to her arrest.

Ncube got the herbal concoction from a traditional healer based in Makokoba, suburb, Senzeni Jiyane (59), popularly known as Gogo Majiyane, who specialises in children’s illnesses.

The little girl complained of severe stomach pains after ingesting the “medicine” and was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where she passed away a few hours after admission.

Police confirmed the incident. Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said:

“I can confirm that we are investigating a murder case where a four-year-old girl died after drinking a traditional concoction. The woman who supplied the concoction (Jiyane) is in police custody and is assisting with investigations.”

Lindiwe Ncube and Senzeni Jiyane face a murder charges.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has revealed that a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) last month cancelled their programming following threats by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that government would go after NGOs who organised the January protests.

In a report, ZPP said programming of many NGOs was disturbed following Mnangagwa’s statements.

Said ZPP:

“Following the utterances of the President, NGOs have been forced by circumstances to cancel some of their programming, as a result, the operating space has become volatile and unsafe for most programming. ZPP is concerned about the continued blame game targeting civic society organisations (CSOs) that have been described as regime change agents by the government, in the aftermath of the violent protests as this tarnishes the role and efforts made by CSOs in supporting engagements towards building lasting peace in Zimbabwe.”

With calls to extend the life of Proportional Representation to beyond 10 years, as is being proposed by Mangwe legislator Obedingwa Mguni, female legislators appear to be failing to justify the need for more women, especially in the National Assembly.

Proportional Representation was birthed with a view to capacitate women so that they can be able to stand on their own after the expiry of the tenure and to also help champion women causes in Parliament.

However, women have been missing in action with most of them just retreating to being bench-warmers, cheer-leaders and at times silent spectators as national issues are being discussed or debated.

Today, (Tuesday 12 March 2019) only five female legislators excluding the Deputy Speaker officially spoke (debating, raising a point of order, a point of privilege, seconding motions or even seeking clarifications) in the National Assembly compared to 20 male legislators.

The female legislators who spoke are Honourable Marian Chombo (Zvimba North), Ruth Labode (Proportional Representation, Lynette Karenyi (Proportional Representation), Rossy Mpofu (Proportional Representation) and Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (Proportional Representation).

The lack of participation by female legislators came even after Honourable Misihairabwi-Mushonga had pleaded with the Deputy Speaker Tsitsi Gezi to deliberately favour women related motions or motions raised by women as a way of commemorating the month of March which is generally regarded as the women’s month owing to Women’s Day.

Honourable Misihairabwi said “my second motion is related to the issue that again, because it is women’s month Madam Speaker, I would want to ask you to perhaps make a ruling that because it is our month, motions that are to do with women and girls or that are moved by women in this House, do take precedence Madam Speaker; and, that as we go on to Wednesday tomorrow on question time, that you take a deliberate action to recognise the women that stand up in recognition of the issue that it is women’s month,” she said.

The 20 male legislators who participated are Jonathan Samukange (Mudzi South), Pupurai Togarepi (Gutu South), Tapiwa Mashakada (Hatfield), Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo), Kucaca Phulu (Nkulumane), Willias Madzimure (Kambuzuma), Temba Mliswa (Norton), Joseph Chinotimba (Buhera south), Masango Matambanadzo (Kwekwe Central), Dought Ndiweni (Hurungwe Central), Regai Tsunga (Mutasa South), Marko Raidza (Mberengwa East), Muchineripi Chinyanganya (Kadoma Central), David Musabayana (Wedza North), Prosper Mutseyami (Dangamvura-Chikanga), Charles Moyo (Pelandaba-Mpopoma), Obedingwa Mguni (Mangwe), Dexter Nduna (Chegutu West), Prince Dubeko Sibanda (Binga North) and Cecil Kashiri (Magunje).

This means only 25 legislators out of a possible 270 earned their sitting $75 allowances today the rest who were present were paid for coming sitting.

Despite the calls to extend the tenure of the Proportional Representation clause, some are of the view that Parliament is too bloated and needs to be trimmed down.

Women are the majority in Zimbabwe in terms of population statistics but have been less represented in Parliament with their figures actually going down compared to previous Parliaments.

The Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda is on record saying that if political parties do not make deliberate efforts to amend their party constitutions to put women quotas, the number of female legislators is like to further go down.

THE Zimbabwe Peace Project, a human rights monitoring group led by former ZBC journalist Jestina Mukoko, has claimed that a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) last month cancelled their programming for fear of victimisation following threats by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that his government would go after NGOs who organised the January protests.

In January, residents in many parts of the country participated in a national demonstration against the rising cost of living and a 150% fuel price hike.

The State deployed soldiers to quell the riots. Government was rapped for the indiscriminate assault and harassment of civilians by State security agents.

Following the riots, Mnangagwa said his government would weed out organisations that reportedly encouraged people to riot, among them doctors and lawyers.

ZPP said programming of many NGOs was disturbed following Mnangagwa’s statements.

“Following the utterances of the President, NGOs have been forced by circumstances to cancel some of their programming, as a result, the operating space has become volatile and unsafe for most programming,” ZPP said in a report.

“ZPP is concerned about the continued blame game targeting civic society organisations (CSOs) that have been described as regime change agents by the government, in the aftermath of the violent protests as this tarnishes the role and efforts made by CSOs in supporting engagements towards building lasting peace in Zimbabwe,” the report added.

The report further noted a decreased number of human rights violations between January and February.

Paul Nyathi|The Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Obadiah Moyo is currently involved in a tense urgent meeting with senior doctors and consultants after the health practitioners downed tools this morning.

The meeting is seeking to try and end the strike action which will definitely cripple the health delivery system in the country.

The doctors downed tools citing lack of medicines and other sundries in hospitals which is making operating conditions very difficult.

While the Minister is in closed doors with the few doctors who are in the meeting, reports indicate that the rest of the Harare based doctors are busy picketing outside Parirenyatwa Hospital.

Pictures of Dr Moyo in the meeting with the doctors.

By Own Correspondent- A serial killer dubbed the “Underwear Robber” for stealing his victims’ clothes and forcing them to walk naked was yesterday handed a death as well as a life sentence for killing three people and robbing them of their cellphones and money.

Birthwell Sibanda (25) of Pumula South in Bulawayo is already serving a 25-year jail term for 10 counts of armed robbery following his conviction by the regional magistrate, Trynos Utahwashe, in February 2015.

Sibanda had also been charged with three counts of rape, but they were dropped after the magistrate ruled that the evidence against him was weak.
During his reign of terror around the city, Sibanda and his accomplices, who are still at large, robbed victims of their cellphones, clothing, including underwear, and then made them walk away stark naked.

Sibanda was initially facing four counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Henry Moyo (21), Mfundisi Makhalima (23), Mthabisi Dube (20) and his girlfriend Lokukhanya Ncube (19) between April and May 2014, one count of attempted murder and another of robbery.

However, the murder charge in connection with the death of Moyo was withdrawn before plea after the State failed to locate one of its key witnesses.

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese convicted Sibanda of three counts of murder with actual intent, attempted murder and robbery.

He was sentenced to death for robbing and murdering Mthabisi and Lokukhanya Ncube and life imprisonment for killing Makhalima and attempting to kill Makhalima’s friend Cephas Chirongoma during a scuffle.

In his judgment, Justice Makonese ruled that the murders were committed in aggravating circumstances.

“The first two murders were committed in a callous and spine chilling manner. He demonstrated an inherent wickedness by tying legs and hands of both victims before indiscriminately stabbing them in a brutal manner and dumping the two bodies in a drainage trench. What is aggravating is that the murders were committed during the course of robbery and it was a double murder preceded by torture,” said Justice Makonese.

He said those who disregard other people’s lives deserve to be permanently removed from society.

“The court failed to come up with any other appropriate sentence other than capital punishment. Accordingly, the sentence of this court is that you be returned to custody and that the sentence of death executed upon you according to the law,” ruled Justice Makonese.

On being asked why a death penalty should not be imposed on him, Sibanda pleaded for lenience, saying he was of ill health and on medication.

Justice Makonese reminded Sibanda of his automatic right of appeal against both conviction and sentence at the Supreme Court.

Prosecuting, Khumbulani Ndlovu said on April 20, 2014, Mthabisi visited his girlfriend Lokukhanya at her place of residence in Nkulumane 12 suburb. On the same day at around 8PM, Mthabisi decided to leave and Lokukhanya walked him out of the house.

“Lokukhanya accompanied her boyfriend to the bus stop where he intended to board a lift to his home in Rangemore,” said Ndlovu.

The court heard that when Lokukhanya and Mthabisi approached an intersection between Rangemore and Intemba roads, Sibanda, who was in the company of his accomplices, Thabani Lunga and Webster Ndlovu, confronted the two lovers.

“Acting in common purpose, Sibanda and his accomplices accosted the two deceased persons. They removed Mthabisi’s shoe laces and tied his hands and legs. They ordered Lokukhanya to remove her clothes and used them to tie her,” said Ndlovu.

He said the accused person and his accomplices stabbed the two lovers several times all over their bodies before robbing them of Nokia cellphones. They dumped the two bodies in a drainage trench and fled.

The couple’s bodies were found in an advanced state of decomposition in a grass-filled trench at the corner of Intemba and Rangemore roads in Nkulumane 12.

Three weeks later, Sibanda and accomplices spotted Makhalima and his friends Sympathy Siziba and Chirongoma waiting for a lift along Hyde Park Road at around midnight. The accused persons, who were travelling in a Honda Ballade, offered them a lift.

When Siziba got into the car and sat at the back seat, Makhalima tried to pull her out during which he was indiscriminately stabbed by the accused person.

Chirongoma tried to intervene and he was also stabbed on the shoulders before he managed to escape leaving Makhalima at the mercy of his assailants. Chirongoma suffered life threatening injuries and had to be hospitalised at Mpilo Central Hospital for two weeks.

After committing the offence, Sibanda and his accomplices drove off leaving Makhalima lying in a pool of blood. Makhalima’s body was discovered on the following morning.

A report was made leading to the arrest of Sibanda. Mehluli Dube of Dube, Mguni and Dube Legal Practitioners represented Sibanda

TROPICAL Cyclone Idai, which is brewing in Mozambique, is expected to hit Zimbabwe over the weekend with strong winds and thunderstorms likely to leave a trail of destruction in Manicaland, Masvingo and Matabeleland, the Meteorological Service Department has said.

Reports say the cyclone, which will hit the coast of Mozambique on Thursday, will become a category three cyclone as it moves inland and would downgrade to category one.

Meteorological Service Department head of forecasting, Tich Zinyemba yesterday confirmed that the cyclone was headed for Zimbabwe.

“Idai, the tropical cyclone is currently positioned in central Mozambique channels and is slowly progressing towards the Mozambique coast. It is expected to make a landfall most probably on Friday or Saturday. Its leading edge is likely to be felt on Friday or Saturday in Manicaland. We are constantly monitoring its (path) and will issue an advisory today (Tuesday) given the unpredictable nature of these systems,” he said.

In 2017, Cyclone Dineo caused widespread destruction in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces, leaving one person dead, hundreds homeless and marooned because some of the areas were inaccessible to rescue missions.

Tsholotsho district – a low-lying area in Matabeleland North – bore the brunt of the driving rain that lashed Bulawayo, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and South for a week.

The Civil Protection Unit evacuated more than 700 people who were marooned by floods in the district.

The entire district was virtually inaccessible by road. The Air Force of Zimbabwe had to airlift people from 10 affected villages to Sipepa Secondary School and Sipepa Hospital.

The affected villages included Mahlosi, Mahlaba, Thamuhla, Mbamba, Mele, Lutshome, Maphili and Mbanyana.

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- The South Africa government has extended 55 million rands to the Zimbabwean government to be channelled “towards police training and protective gear” saying that the police are “busy”.

South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Transport, Lindiwe Sisulu handed over the donation to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo at the South African Embassy yesterday.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Sisulu expressed hope that the donation would be on an ongoing basis.

She said:

“The package that comes from myself is to assist through you minister in the training of the police and in making sure that they have the necessary protective gear to make sure they are equipped. We have realised they are very busy.

We therefore decided to donate this for the time being. We are hoping this would be on an ongoing basis. The necessary resources for their training and the necessary resources for the equipment that they will need for their training whatever else that goes with it.

The initial sum that we could find from our reserves is $55 million rand which we are now signing off. We are hoping that we can continue in this relationship and we are glad that you reached out to us.”

Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs minister thanked South Africa for the gesture.

Said Moyo:

“The fulcrum of any economic development between two nations especially and the success of the Bi-National Commission is centred on stability and effective and acceptable means of ensuring and enforcing law and order within any country so that business can flourish and the economic emancipation of people can then be realised and ultimately this is what we are aiming to do.

In accepting this particular support of 55 million Rand I would like to state that this is quite a clear testimony of what our brothers and sisters in South Africa can do in order to enhance the capacity of areas and gaps which could have been identified.

When a neighbour’s house catches you don’t ask who caused it. You just go and extinguish the fire and later on you can then investigate who exactly did it when it has been extinguished.”

By Own Correspondent- Civilian president, Tinashe Jonas, whose intention to arrest President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his two vice presidents Kembo Mohadi and Constantino Chiwenga on Monday hit a snag after he was arrested before carrying out his arrest is set to appear in court today.

Jonasi, was nabbed by police details in civilian clothes a few minutes before he embarked on his lone walk to Munhumutapa building where he intended to effect his arrest on the country’s presidium.

While ZimEye has it on good authority that Jonas was arrested, efforts to confirm his arrest at the police were futile as Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not give details regarding the matter.

“I am in a bank, please call me after 30 minutes,” said Nyathi.

His mobile phone was not available thereafter.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest details.

Jane Mlambo| Some senior officials from Harare accused MDC President Nelson Chamisa’s backers for causing the skirmishes witnessed at the Mutare Thank you rally in which Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora was booed off the stage.

In an interview with the Newsday, MDC Manicaland Provincial chairperson, David Chimhini accused Zengeza East legislator, Goodrich Chimbaira for bussing the hecklers from Chitungwiza.

“The reason why Mwonzora and Chimhini remained defiant when heckled is that they knew the crowd was bussed. They even had placards, but they failed to lift them.

“Before the rally, there was a provincial assembly meeting at Beit Hall, which was graced by standing committee members and it went on well without incidences.

“When standing committee members, including Mwonzora, were introduced, there was no booing.

“When Mwonzora was about to speak, the trigger was then pulled and people started booing. This was to give a false narrative that Chamisa rescued Mwonzora.
“This must be investigated and anyone found guilty must be disciplined,” a senior official in Harare said.

However, Chimbaira distanced himself from the issue, saying he was not at the rally.

“It’s all lies,” he said while dismissing rumours that he was campaigning for the Harare chairmanship post.

“I don’t have a position that I am earmarking (at congress), but if I am nominated I will consider it.”

MDC Manicaland provincial chairman David Chimhini has come out guns blazing, accusing bussed supporters for causing disruptions at the party’s weekend thank-you rally in Mutare, saying the actions dented the reputation of party leader Nelson Chamisa.

During the rally in Sakubva, Chimhini and party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora had to endure booing by a group of party supporters, who were said to be unhappy with reports that the pair was drumming up support to challenge Chamisa at the forthcoming congress.

It was Chamisa who saved Mwonzora from further embarrassment.

However, Chimhini did not mince his words, claiming the supporters were a hired crowd from outside the province.

“This didn’t tarnish my image, what it did was to tarnish the image of the president and the party because how are we viewed by the international community when we have a whole president standing up to tell people to listen to their elected secretary-general?” Chimhini said.

“There are a lot of undercurrents which have become unfortunate, but we are not deterred. People of Manicaland are very cultured and don’t behave in that manner. When you have people coming from outside, then you know that there was a bigger agenda.”

Before the rally, Chimhini said they held a provincial council meeting and there was no evidence of disgruntlement in the province.

“All of a sudden, you get to the rally and there are pockets, two of them sitting on the front, doing those things. I also hear that there were some people distributing money, some $2 notes, given to the few who went on to behave disorderly,” Chimhini said.

He said Manicaland garnered the biggest number of rural votes for Chamisa and there was no way things could just change because of the congress.

After the rally, Chimhini said he received solidarity messages and sympathies from people who felt the disturbances were choreographed.

Some senior officials from Harare accused Chamisa’s backers for the skirmishes while others accused Zengeza East legislator, Goodrich Chimbaira for bussing the hecklers from Chitungwiza.

“The reason why Mwonzora and Chimhini remained defiant when heckled is that they knew the crowd was bussed. They even had placards, but they failed to lift them.

“Before the rally, there was a provincial assembly meeting at Beit Hall, which was graced by standing committee members and it went on well without incidences.
When standing committee members, including Mwonzora, were introduced, there was no booing.

“When Mwonzora was about to speak, the trigger was then pulled and people started booing. This was to give a false narrative that Chamisa rescued Mwonzora.
This must be investigated and anyone found guilty must be disciplined,” a senior official in Harare said.

However, Chimbaira distanced himself from the issue, saying he was not at the rally.

“It’s all lies,” he said while dismissing rumours that he was campaigning for the Harare chairmanship post.

“I don’t have a position that I am earmarking (at congress), but if I am nominated I will consider it.”

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- Trevor Ncube, the owner of Alpha Media Holdings (AMH), the company that publishes Newsday, The Standard and Zimbabwe Independent newspapers has apologised for a story carried in one of his publications saying such reportage has left him “embarrassed”.

The Newsday of Tuesday, March 12, 2019, had a headline which reads: “RTGS To Devalue Further: RBZ”.

Ncube said he is “heartbroken by the bias shown in the story.

Writting on twitter, Ncube said:

“My heart breaks that Newsday Zimbabwe got this story so wrong. This is an example of our blind spots/biases colouring our world view contributing to polarisation. While l maintain my newspapers are not me/l am not my newspapers – I am embarrassed. Sincere apologies to Zimbabwe.”

By Own Correspondent- A former freedom fighter has come out guns blazing against war veterans leader Victor Matemadanda for making reckless utterances while “forgetting that he was a mere taxi driver during the liberation struggle.”

The former freedom fighter described Matemadanda as a greedy and selfish individual.

In an opinion piece published by a daily publication the disgruntled war veteran wrote:

“The reality is : Matemadanda and many others of his ilk just want to benefit – themselves and they don’t even give a hoot about what their fellow comrades are going through.

Many of the real sons of the soil are either licking their wounds in the rural areas, while the former taxi driver (Matemadanda) is enjoying life at the high table.

Recently in Bulawayo, he said war veterans were suffering and then got out of track when he mentioned that war veterans should only support Zanu PF, a statement which contradicts what the real sons and daughters of the soil fought for, which among them is freedom of expression and association.

We need real war veterans who take care of former freedom fighters’ needs and not public speakers who do not put their words into action.”

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) has resolved to embark on fresh protests at Public Service Commission district offices to push for the reversal of deductions made on leave days for its members who participated in a recent job action.

The resolution was arrived at the union’s national executive council (Nec) meeting held in Chitungwiza at the weekend.

Artuz president Obert Masaraure said the protests have been necessitated by the failure by the PSC to meet the March 4 deadline to reverse the government position on deducting leave days for 10 200 teachers who participated in past job strikes to push for better wages and working conditions.

“We agreed with the PSC to have the position on leave days that were deducted on 10 200 teachers, who participated in our past job action, to be reversed by March 4. Now that the PSC has failed to meet that deadline, we are going to protest at their district offices countrywide, starting on a date to be advised very soon. That was the resolution made at the March 10 Nec meeting of Artuz,” he said.

Part of the minutes of the union’s executive meeting also indicate that there was growing concern over the deteriorating living conditions of teachers due to the worsening economic situation.

“Teachers’ salaries have been heavily eroded and the majority of them are now trapped in debt. The government is using the “no work no pay principle” to instil fear among teachers and avert future job actions,” read the minutes.

The Artuz leadership also bemoaned the State’s heavy-handedness when dealing with labour issues of teachers in rural areas.

“The State is determined to annihilate Artuz through the use of propaganda and force. Teachers are panicking after a wave of gross human rights violations including abductions, torture, unlawful arrests, displacement, militarisation of schools and the ongoing deduction of leave days. Democratic space is being closed in Zimbabwe by the current government.”

Masaraure said the Artuz leadership had made a number of resolutions at the meeting to address challenges being faced by the rural teachers. The union also wants its members to decide on the recently announced Teaching Professional Council largely seen as a move to gag them.

“The Nec, therefore, resolved to ensure that the ongoing sit-in by teachers be sustained until we receive a living wage. The union will build momentum towards a crippling job action to demand a living wage.

“Again Artuz will conduct a referendum on the Teaching Professional Council in which teachers will vote for or against the TPC. The TPC should be a democratic institution for the teachers by the teachers,” Masaraure said.

Education minister Paul Mavima was unreachable when sought for comment, but he has previously indicated that government was serious in its drive to address all grievances put forward by teachers.

NewsDay

Correspondent|THE Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting Services Energy Mutodi has said it is only “slow learners” who thought President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s God-Satan analogy was blasphemous.

President Mnangagwa, while fielding questions from journalists during a press conference held at the conclusion of the third session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission Summit in Harare yesterday, drew an analogy saying even in Heaven God had problems with the devil but He still remained the Creator.

Mutodi said: “Some slow learners struggled to understand what President ED Mnangagwa meant when he said even God could not keep his house in order he had Satan.

“That wasn’t blasphemous he simply meant that we as a country are not amused by efforts of detractors to derail our progress.”

Some slow learners struggled to understand what President ED Mnangagwa meant when he said even God could not keep his house in order he had Satan. That wasn’t blasphemous he simply meant that we as a country are not amused by efforts of detractors to derail our progress.

— Dr Energy Mutodi (@energymutodi) March 13, 2019

Paul Nyathi|In an extremely unwarranted moment of madness, ZANU PF Members of Parliament on Tuesday stood up and shouted “Hure” (prostitute) to young MDC Harare West Member of Parliament Joanah Mamombe as she entered parliament in the middle of a debate.

As the ZANU PF parliamentarians jeered and sexually victimised Mamombe, her MDC collegues stood up and gave her a resounding applaud welcoming her back in the August house.

Mamombe was attending parliament for the first time after being released from custody on bail on treason charges.

She was arrested in Nyanga two weeks ago while attending parliamentary business and was incarcerated at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

Independent MP for Norton, Temba Mliswa did not take kindly to the behaviour of the ZANU PF parliamentarians.

Speaking on a point of order, Mliswa accused the ruling party legislators of being inhumane because of their behaviour towards Mamombe and for wantonly arresting innocent opposition politicians.

“Thank you Madam Speaker,” said Mliswa. “It is important for us to have human face and I think lack of human face talks about our inhumane attributes in us.  I think the issue of one having been incarcerated and being freed is something that I think is human.” 

“For some of you, you are the ones who incarcerate, so we also understand.  Some of us have been incarcerated. So when you see them heckling, they are the biggest human rights violators.”

No comment has yet been received from both ZANU PF and MDC leaders in parliament on the unfortunate sexual harassment incident on Mamombe.

        

Harare Magistrates court has spared a minor from serving jail time after he suspended passing on sentence on him after he was convicted for committing public violence during an anti-government protest held in January over the country’s worsening economic crisis.

The 16 year-old juvenile was arrested in January and charged with public violence as defined in section 36 of the Criminal Law
(Codification and Reform) Act.

Prosecutors alleged that the minor, who resides in Mbare, one of Harare’s oldest high-density suburbs, committed public violence when he allegedly participated in a demonstration in which some disgruntled people protested against the arbitrary hiking of fuel prices and the worsening living and economic conditions in Zimbabwe.

Mbare Magistrate Kudzai Zihove, who early this month convicted the juvenile, on Monday 11 March 2019 suspended passing on sentence against the Mbare resident on condition that the juvenile represented by lawyers from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights ZLHR, will not be convicted of public violence charges for the next five years.

At Harare, Magistrates Court, Magistrate Victoria Mashamba on Monday 11 March 2019 set free six Harare residents, who were arrested in January and accused of burning a bus belonging to the state-run Zimbabwe United Passenger Company during an anti-government protest.

The residents, who were charged with committing public violence in contravention of section 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and
Reform) Act, were set free after their lawyer Paidamoyo Saurombe of ZLHR challenged their continued placement on remand without being put on trial and yet the State witness had not been attending court proceedings.

Magistrate Mashamba advised the State to summon the residents to stand trial if at any time it intends to prosecute them.

ZIMBABWE is ready to transition to Teno-Lamuvudine Dolutegrevir (TLD), an Anti-retro Viral (ARV) drug with less side effects, moving away from the Teno-Lamivudine-Efavirenz (TLE) a three in one drug that is taken once a day, a top health official has said

The development comes barely a year after government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) deferred rolling out of the Dolutegrevir drug following indications that it posed a great risk to women of child bearing age and adolescent girls which might lead to women giving birth to deformed babies in future.

The transition will be happening in May and will see People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and on Anti-Retro Viral Treatment (ART) as well as those newly initiated on ART switching to the new drug which contains both Tenofovia Lamivudine and Delutegrevir.

In an exclusive interview with HealthTimes, Director Tuberculosis(TB) and HIV in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr Owen Mgurungi said the plan is to transition to the TLD drug by May and plans to ensure this occurs are being put in place.

“We will start transitioning by May yes and the TLD drug is actually a daily dose. The only thing is when you move from Efavirenz to Delutegrevir, Delutegrevir has less side effects than Efavirenz.

“Remember in these medicines, they take one tablet which has three drugs. Because it TLE now which is TDF or Tenofovia plus Lamivudine Efavirenz that’s what they are taking now a tabeltthat has three drugs which is taken once a day. So from May, we want to switch over to a drug that will contain tenofovir lamividine and delutegravir,” said Dr Mgurungi.

The transition according to Dr Mgurungi is going to happen for everyone and will take a period of six to nine months.

“We will be moving away from Efavirens to Delutogravir and that is going to happen for everyone and neither is it going to happen overnight but is going to happen over a period of about six to nine months depending on how the stocks are.

“Apart from the other challenges that we have we should be ok and ready to go by May,” added Dr Mgurungi.

In 2018, the ministry of health which was headed by Dr David Parirenyatwa deferred rolling out this citing safety issues and said they would only embrace the drug after the issues would have been rectified.

TLD is a single dose formulation of tenofovir lamivudine and dolutegravir which is taken once a day for HIV treatment and is a superior drug compared to the current formula of tenofovir lamivudine efavirenz.

— Healthtimes

A University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturer, Shakespear Hamauswa, has petitioned the High Court seeking a court order to declare unconstitutional the Presidential (Temporary Measures) Act, which President Emmerson Mnangagwa evoked as legal basis to introduce the RTGS$.

Hamauswa also said he was seeking another court order declaring null and void the Presidential (Temporal Measures) Act, amendment of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Act (SI33/2019), through which the RTGS$ was issued.

“In the regulations, gazetted on February 22, 2019, the first respondent (Mnangagwa) purported to amend section 44 of the RBZ Act, by addition of a new section 44 (c) that had the effect of the following; allowing and authorising the RBZ to use electronic cards, recognising that the RBZ had with effect from the effective date that is February 22, 2019 issued an electronic currency called RTGS$, that people’s existing balances in their banks held the RTGS system as well as bond notes and were now to constitute a new currency known as the RTGS,” Hamauswa said.

In his court application, Hamauswa cited, in their official capacities, Mnangagwa, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mthuli Ncube and RBZ governor John Mangudya as respondents.

“It is my respectful contention that the Act, that is the Presidential (Temporal Measures) Act, is unconstitutional. This Act gives the sweeping powers to the President of making laws virtually on every subject….what this means is that the President has sweeping powers to make laws that are above even laws that have been made by Parliament,” he said.

“For the purpose of this case, it is disheartening that the President has in fact amended the Act of Parliament; namely the RBZ Act. Surely that on its own is a breach of section 134 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

“The Presidential Powers (Temporal Measures) Act is ultra vires the Constitution. The subsidiary legislation envisaged in section 134 cannot be delegated to President whose functions are defined in section 110 alone and in any event, the President acting in terms of the Act or any other law, does not have the power to override Parliament, through a legislative amendment or the making of a law that overrides existing law. I thus seek declarations to this effect.”

The businessman said to buttress his statement of May 4, 2016, Mangudya, on May 5, 2016, issued ECOGAD8 of 2016 (exchange guidelines), which was revolving, adding by that date the RBZ knew it had a Ponzi currency called RTGS.

“It (RBZ) knew that people’s US$ balances accumulated from time of dollarisation in 2009 were no longer in existence. Quite clearly, we have been taken for a ride, the respondents through and among other things deficit financing exhausted our US$ balances. To monetise the “theft” the third respondent created the RTGS account and later bond note,” Hamauswa said.

“In fact, as ECOGAD8 shows, the RTGS$ has been with us since May 2016. That the first respondent (Mnangagwa) now calls it a RTGS$ does not detract from the fact that de facto, and despite the vigorous denials by the third respondent (RBZ) in many court actions brought before this court, the RTGS$ and the bond note were a currency.

“That currency had an exchange rate. So the creation of the RTGS$ was not a national urgency. Equally the partial floating of the action was also not urgent. This could have easily been done by an amendment of the exchange control regulations.”

The UZ lecturer further said indeed, one notes that in the same extra-ordinary government gazette, in respect of which the regulations were passed, Mnangagwa amended the Exchange Control Regulations of 1996 by Statutory Instrument 32, 2019.

“By issuing bond notes and RTGS currency at par with the US$ and then devaluing the same on February 20, 2019 the respondent has robbed us. Section 71 does not permit expropriation of people’s property,” he said.

“The net effect is that the third respondent and indeed the first respondent have devalued the RTGS$ balances by 2,5. The RTGS$ must, therefore, be set aside on the basis that it is an infringement of section 71 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.”

The matter is pending. — NewsDay

Paul Nyathi|Out of all critical issues hitting the country, South Africa has seen it fit to extend 55 million rand to Zimbabwe to be channelled “towards police training and protective gear possibly to deal with sporadic citizen protests.”

South African Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation and Transport, Lindiwe Sisulu handed over the donation to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo at the South African Embassy yesterday.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Minister Sisulu expressed hope that the donation would be on an ongoing basis.

“The package that comes from myself is to assist through you minister in the training of the police and in making sure that they have the necessary protective gear to make sure they are equipped. We have realised they are very busy,” she said.

“We therefore decided to donate this for the time being. We are hoping this would be on an ongoing basis. The necessary resources for their training and the necessary resources for the equipment that they will need for their training whatever else that goes with it.”

“The initial sum that we could find from our reserves is $55 million rand which we are now signing off. We are hoping that we can continue in this relationship and we are glad that you reached out to us.”

Dr Moyo thanked South Africa for the gesture.

“The fulcrum of any economic development between two nations especially and the success of the Bi-National Commission is centred on stability and effective and acceptable means of ensuring and enforcing law and order within any country so that business can flourish and the economic emancipation of people can then be realised and ultimately this is what we are aiming to do,” he said.

“In accepting this particular support of 55 million Rand I would like to state that this is quite a clear testimony of what our brothers and sisters in South Africa can do in order to enhance the capacity of areas and gaps which could have been identified.

“When a neighbour’s house catches you don’t ask who caused it. You just go and extinguish the fire and later on you can then investigate who exactly did it when it has been extinguished.”

TROPICAL Cyclone Idai, which is brewing in Mozambique, is expected to hit Zimbabwe over the weekend with strong winds and thunderstorms likely to leave a trail of destruction in Manicaland, Masvingo and Matabeleland, the Meteorological Service Department has said.

Reports say the cyclone, which will hit the coast of Mozambique on Thursday, will become a category three cyclone as it moves inland and would downgrade to category one.

Meteorological Service Department head of forecasting, Tich Zinyemba yesterday confirmed that the cyclone was headed for Zimbabwe.

“Idai, the tropical cyclone is currently positioned in central Mozambique channels and is slowly progressing towards the Mozambique coast. It is expected to make a landfall most probably on Friday or Saturday. Its leading edge is likely to be felt on Friday or Saturday in Manicaland. We are constantly monitoring its (path) and will issue an advisory today (Tuesday) given the unpredictable nature of these systems,” he said.

In 2017, Cyclone Dineo caused widespread destruction in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces, leaving one person dead, hundreds homeless and marooned because some of the areas were inaccessible to rescue missions.

Tsholotsho district – a low-lying area in Matabeleland North – bore the brunt of the driving rain that lashed Bulawayo, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and South for a week.

The Civil Protection Unit evacuated more than 700 people who were marooned by floods in the district.

The entire district was virtually inaccessible by road. The Air Force of Zimbabwe had to airlift people from 10 affected villages to Sipepa Secondary School and Sipepa Hospital.

The affected villages included Mahlosi, Mahlaba, Thamuhla, Mbamba, Mele, Lutshome, Maphili and Mbanyana.

NewsDay

MDC Manicaland provincial chairman David Chimhini has come out guns blazing, accusing bussed supporters for causing disruptions at the party’s weekend thank-you rally in Mutare, saying the actions dented the reputation of party leader Nelson Chamisa.

During the rally in Sakubva, Chimhini and party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora had to endure booing by a group of party supporters, who were said to be unhappy with reports that the pair was drumming up support to challenge Chamisa at the forthcoming congress.

It was Chamisa who saved Mwonzora from further embarrassment.

However, Chimhini did not mince his words, claiming the supporters were a hired crowd from outside the province.

“This didn’t tarnish my image, what it did was to tarnish the image of the president and the party because how are we viewed by the international community when we have a whole president standing up to tell people to listen to their elected secretary-general?” Chimhini said.

“There are a lot of undercurrents which have become unfortunate, but we are not deterred. People of Manicaland are very cultured and don’t behave in that manner. When you have people coming from outside, then you know that there was a bigger agenda.”

Before the rally, Chimhini said they held a provincial council meeting and there was no evidence of disgruntlement in the province.

“All of a sudden, you get to the rally and there are pockets, two of them sitting on the front, doing those things. I also hear that there were some people distributing money, some $2 notes, given to the few who went on to behave disorderly,” Chimhini said.

He said Manicaland garnered the biggest number of rural votes for Chamisa and there was no way things could just change because of the congress.

After the rally, Chimhini said he received solidarity messages and sympathies from people who felt the disturbances were choreographed.

Some senior officials from Harare accused Chamisa’s backers for the skirmishes while others accused Zengeza East legislator, Goodrich Chimbaira for bussing the hecklers from Chitungwiza.

“The reason why Mwonzora and Chimhini remained defiant when heckled is that they knew the crowd was bussed. They even had placards, but they failed to lift them.

“Before the rally, there was a provincial assembly meeting at Beit Hall, which was graced by standing committee members and it went on well without incidences.
When standing committee members, including Mwonzora, were introduced, there was no booing.

“When Mwonzora was about to speak, the trigger was then pulled and people started booing. This was to give a false narrative that Chamisa rescued Mwonzora.
This must be investigated and anyone found guilty must be disciplined,” a senior official in Harare said.

However, Chimbaira distanced himself from the issue, saying he was not at the rally.

“It’s all lies,” he said while dismissing rumours that he was campaigning for the Harare chairmanship post.

“I don’t have a position that I am earmarking (at congress), but if I am nominated I will consider it.”

NewsDay

The ruling ZANU-PF yesterday said the dissolution of the factional fighting infested party’s structures in Bulawayo and Harare is aimed at addressing problems that have resulted in the party perennially losing elections in the two metropolitan provinces.

Last week, Zanu-PF First Secretary Emmerson Mnangagwa dissolved all the party’s structures in Bulawayo and Harare as the factional fights in the two provinces escalated.

In an interview with state media yesterday, the party’s Secretary for Administration, Obert Mpofu, said Vice President Constantino Chiwenga will superintend finding solutions the party’s affairs in Harare while Vice President Kembo Mohadi has been assigned to oversee structures in Bulawayo.

He said Mnangagwa’s deployment of his two deputies shows the party’s seriousness in rebuilding structures. Party members have previously complained to Mnangagwa that there are still some G40 sympathisers within the party provincial structures and accused them of sabotaging the party by working with the opposition MDC.

“The party has always performed badly in Bulawayo and Harare in national elections. That is why we have one or two seats in the two provinces. The party is looking at all the operations in all provinces with a view to strengthening them. That’s why you have these initiatives headed by the Vice Presidents. It shows the seriousness with which the party considers structures throughout the country,” Mpofu said.

In the harmonised elections held last year, Zanu-PF only claimed a seat each in both Bulawayo and Harare.

Mpofu said he cannot comment on the assignments of Dr Chiwenga and Mohadi in the provinces.

Prior to dissolving structures in Bulawayo, Mpofu was assigned to address problems affecting the province.

He said money, lies and gossip were weakening the party’s structures in the province.

Mpofu had to censure party members who were angling for the Bulawayo provincial chairman’s post following the death of provincial chairman Callistus Ndlovu.

Zanu-PF is set to roll out a nationwide restructuring exercise to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures.

Source State Media

SOUTH Africa is considering more loans to Zimbabwe, including state-guaranteed funding from banks to support its northern neighbor’s cash-strapped private sector.

The facility is among a range of options the two nations’ presidents discussed at a bilateral meeting Tuesday in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, Foreign Minister Sibusiso Busi Moyo said.

The talks come almost three months after South Africa rejected Zimbabwe’s request to borrow $1.2 billion.

The leaders agreed to “consider options for expanding the standing facility arrangement between the respective central banks,” Moyo said.

“Other financing options beyond this are also being explored, for example a facility from South African private banks to the Zimbabwe private sector and guaranteed by the South African government with an appropriate counter-guarantee from the Zimbabwe government.”

Zimbabwe is struggling to revive an economy hobbled by decades of mismanagement under former President Robert Mugabe, with a shortage of foreign exchange causing shortages of food and fuel spawning the highest inflation rate in a decade. The government is unable to borrow from foreign creditors because it’s yet to clear arrears on debt to lenders including the African Development Bank and the World Bank.

The two nations also agreed to:Expand trade and investment, co-operate on helping Zimbabwe re-engage with international creditors, reiterate their calls for foreign sanctions on Zimbabwe to be removed.

— Fin24

TREASURY expects to collect at least US$600 million through the two percent tax that Government imposed on all electronic transactions late last year.

In the latest progress report on the implementation of policy reforms under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said the new tax was proving to be an effective revenue stream for the fiscus.

“Already, US$52,5 was raised in November and US$103,8 in December 2018 giving a total of US$166,2 million for 2018. 

“By January 2019, the Electronic Transactions Tax raised US$98,5 million and it is anticipated that US$600 million will be raised during 2019,” he said.

Government last October introduced the two cents tax per every dollar transacted as part of measures to widen the revenue base.

The new tax replaced the previous tax of five cents per transaction. Prof Ncube has said the bulk of the revenue from this tax head was being used to finance critical infrastructure projects such as roads.

To improve on revenue administration, Government has also appointed a new Zimra board led by renowned industrialist, Callisto Jokonya, which is expected to spearhead the recovery of outstanding debts estimated at above $4 billion and other strategic interventions to improve efficiency of the authority. 

Owing to enhanced expenditure management and revenue enhancing measures, the report shows that monthly budget deficits for Government declined from US$651,2 million in August 2018 to US$39,8 million in September and US$242,1 million in November. Indications point to a surplus of US$732,7 million in December 2018. 

“With regards to January 2019 preliminary figures, revenue of US$508,5 million was realised against disbursements or commitments of US$395,5 million, indicating a surplus of about US$113 million,” said Prof Ncube. 

He said Government was forging ahead with implementation of fiscal and monetary reforms to consolidate gains achieved so far.

This includes taming distortions that promoted the parallel market to thrive leading to run away exchange rate premiums of as high as US$1:4 bond note and even higher in some cases, which in turn pushed up prices beyond the reach of the majority. 

“The New Monetary Policy, therefore, sets a robust market based framework for determination of the exchange rate, that way, facilitating financial sector stability, containment of inflationary pressures and building of confidence,” said the minister. 

State Media

THE Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) is organising a nationwide march to the United States Embassy in Harare against illegal sanctions that were imposed on the nation by Western countries.

Speaking during a meeting with the war veterans’ association leadership from Matabeleland South Province at the Gwanda District Club yesterday, Deputy Minister for Defence and War Veterans Affairs Victor Matemadanda, said the date of the march would be announced in due course, but all Zimbabweans were encouraged to attend.

He said the illegal sanctions were behind economic challenges faced by the nation and it was high time people demanded to have them removed.

Matemadanda said the march would be held under the theme, “Zimbabwe United Against Sanctions”.
“The purpose of my visit here is to tell you about the march we are organising. Every Zimbabwean has been affected by sanctions and we have to march to the American Embassy in Harare where we will not ask, but tell them to remove the sanctions. This event will be the mother of all marches. It’s not only for the Zanu-PF party, but it’s for all Zimbabweans.

“We want all unemployed graduates to come in their gowns, artisanal miners, the ill people who can’t afford to buy medicine, grandmothers who are looking after orphans, doctors who are demanding a raise, various political parties and everyone who is affected by the state of our economy which is caused by illegal sanctions to march to the American Embassy and state their case. Right now we are conscientising people so that when the date is announced people will be ready,” he said.State media

Farai Dziva|
The MDC Alliance official who hanged himself in Chikomba District had a heated dispute with his wife, local villagers have said.

The MDC A official,Stan Ndanga (42) ,hanged himself last Thursday.

According to the police Ndanga was found hanging from a tree near his homestead in Chivhu.

However police are still investigating the circumstances that led to Ndanga’ s death.

Villagers in Chikomba area have expressed shock at Ndanga’ s untimely death.

DEMOCRATIC Alliance (DA) MP Sandy Kalyan says President Cyril Ramaphosa should not make any financial commitments to Zimbabwe because of what she calls the country’s continued campaign of political repression as well as South Africa’s escalating debt burden.

Ramaphosa arrived in Zimbabwe on Monday night to co-chair the Bi-National Commission (BNC) with his Zimbabwean counterpart President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Relations between the two countries are conducted through the BNC which was established in 2015. South African exports to Zimbabwe totalled R30.8bn while imports from Zimbabwe amounted to R3.6bn in 2018.

Kalyan said Ramaphosa could not continue funding a country that oppresses dissenting voices while also compounding South Africa’s fiscus.

“South Africa cannot afford to compound our own fiscal problems by draining our fiscus to prop up the state repression in Zimbabwe. Economic prosperity in Zimbabwe depends on a solid foundation of good governance in the country, and the Ramaphosa administration must therefore support efforts to strengthen democracy in that country,” said Kalyan.

“Ramaphosa must use the current bilateral talks to reinforce pressure on the country to cease its repression of dissenting voices and political opposition.

“The lives and the freedom of a nation hang in the balance. The DA stands firmly behind the people of Zimbabwe and supports the continuation of sanctions against members of the brutal military regime until democracy is restored in Zimbabwe and its people are freed from state violence and political repression,” added Kalyan.

Ramaphosa’s delegation includes the ministers of finance – Tito Mboweni; home affairs – Siyabonga Cwele; deputy minister of social development – Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu and defence and military veterans – Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.

According to Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Khusela Diko, South Africa and Zimbabwe are signatories to 45 agreements which include trade and investment, labour, migration, defence, water and the environment.

— News24

Unusually high temperatures, on top of a lack of rainfall, are hitting crops and livestock, officials say.

Despite a dry year, Sazini Moyo’s maize crop had been pushing up tassels and she anticipated a decent harvest – until her farm outside Bulawayo sweltered through a record five-day heatwave in late February and early March.

Now she fears almost her entire parched crop is a write-off.

“I’m very disappointed, I have lost a lot of money buying expensive seed and fertilisers. All my energy used in tilling the land has gone to waste,” the 40-year-old farmer in Matabeleland South province told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

According to the Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department, the province this month suffered five consecutive days of temperatures on average 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above the normal March high of 32 degrees.

In low-lying Beitbridge, near the border with South Africa, the high temperature hit 38.7 degrees (101 degrees Fahrenheit), the met office said.

The heat, which made already dry conditions worse, has hit both crops and livestock, said Obey Chaputsira, the administrator for Matobo District, a drought-prone, low-lying area of Matabeleland South.

“The crop situation currently is very bad,” he said, with grazing areas and water supplies for livestock also affected.

Since last year, his area has seen 200 livestock deaths linked to drought, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

This month, the United Nations launched an international appeal for $234 million in emergency aid for Zimbabwe, where drought is expected to affect a third of the country’s crop and leave 5.3 million people needing assistance.

Zimbabwe’s annual maize consumption is 1.8 million tonnes but farmer groups said this year’s drought-hit harvest may be less than 1 million tonnes.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said the country had 500,000 tonnes of the grain in strategic reserves.

Joseph Gondo, principal director of the Department of Crop and Livestock, confirmed that the country’s harvests are expected to suffer as a result of the unusual heat.

“Crops that are on the tasseling stages are the most affected by the heatwave. We encourage farmers not to apply fertilisers at this moment,” he said.

Gondo said other districts across the country also are struggling with dry conditions.

“Some farmers have already lost their crops while others continue hoping it rains because their crops still have a chance,” he told Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Food insecurity in both rural and urban areas has increased across Zimbabwe this year, with Matabeleland North and Matabeleleland South provinces hardest hit, according to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee’s (ZimVac) lean season monitoring report for 2019.

Agritex agronomist Kennedy Mabehla said crop assessments across Zimbabwe were underway, with a report on expected yields for the year due out after April.

The dryer and hotter conditions are in line with predictions from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which has said rising emissions could lead to more frequent droughts, hotter conditions and more extreme weather across southern Africa.

Across the globe, the years 2015-2018 have been the hottest four years ever recorded, meteorologists said.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday South Africa was ready to help Zimbabwe revive its economy, but within its means, while the two neighbours consider options that could see Harare receiving some financial assistance.

A dearth of US dollars in Zimbabwe has fanned shortages of fuel, drugs and food, choking an economy yet to recover from the disastrous rule of Robert Mugabe, who was removed in a coup in 2017.

South Africa said in January that it had turned down a request in December from its southern African neighbour for a $1.2 billion loan.

But in a joint communique issued after a meeting between Rampahosa and Zimbabwe’s president Emmerson Mnangagwa and officials, the two countries said they were looking at increasing a standing credit facility between central banks of the two nations.

Under the facility, Zimbabwe can access 100 million rand from South Africa’s central bank.

“Other financing options beyond this are also being explored, for example, a facility from South African private banks to the Zimbabwean private sector and guaranteed by the South African government with an appropriate counter-guarantee from the Zimbabwean government,” the communique read.

Ramaphosa had earlier told the meeting that Zimbabwe, which also faces a severe drought this year, deserved support from the rest of the world to help reboot its economy.

He repeated his previous call for sanctions against Zimbabwe to be lifted.

Zimbabwe says US sanctions, which were extended by another year by President Donald Trump last week, throttle its ability to access funding from lenders like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank and raise its political risk profile.

“South Africa, Mr President, stands ready to render support to Zimbabwe within our means in your quest for economic renewal,” Ramaphosa said, without giving details on whether this would entail financial help.

“We want to see meaningful support being given by international development partners to Zimbabwe because Zimbabwe does deserve the support that the world can give.”

South Africa is Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner and home to millions of Zimbabweans who flocked to the country amid an economic meltdown during Mugabe’s rule.

Mnangagwa pledged to protect South African businesses operating in Zimbabwe, which range from mining to manufacturing to construction.

— Reuters

Human Rights Watch (HRW) says Zimbabwe’s security forces used excessive lethal force to crush nationwide protests in mid-January this year following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s announcement of fuel price increase of up to 150 percent.

In its latest report, HRW said the crackdown against protesters is continuing in the country despite national and international calls for Mnangagwa’s government to halt the arbitrary arrests.

“Zimbabwe security forces carried out killings, rape, torture, and other grave abuses during and since the January protests,” said Dewa Mavinga, Southern Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

Mavhinga noted that “the authorities should arrest and prosecute those responsible for abuses and send a strong message that crimes by the security forces won’t be tolerated.”

He said while the protests have ended, the crackdown continues mainly in Harare. “The government’s failure to address the issues underlying the protests, including the hike in fuel prices, means the situation could deteriorate further.”

Human Rights Watch’s findings are based on interviews with 45 victims of abuses and their family members, witnesses, activists, medical personnel, lawyers, police officers, and others during a research trip to Harare, Epworth, and Chitungwiza in February, and phone interviews since January.

The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) told Human Rights Watch that they provided emergency medical services to 81 people with gunshot injuries in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Karoi, Chinhoyi, Chitungwiza, Kadoma, and Mutare between January 14 and January 29. Among those killed was 22-year-old footballer Kelvin Tinashe Choto, whom police shot in the head during protests in Chitungwiza on January 14.

In Mbare, a suburb of Harare, witnesses told Human Rights Watch that police and soldiers fatally shot in the neck Tony Nyapokoto, a 36-year-old driver, in front of his house on January 15. Patricia Kamuriwo, 36, said she was shot in the thighs as she crossed the road to look for her child when security forces fired on protesters on January 14, in Epworth, near Harare.

“Security forces appeared to use the crackdown to commit numerous cases of rape.” Eight women from Hopley, Southlea Park, and Epworth in Harare province told Human Rights Watch in separate interviews that they were raped by uniformed and armed soldiers and police, some concealing their identities with masks.

“A 46-year-old woman said that nine armed men, six in army uniform, came to her house in Epworth on January 15 at about 9 p.m. Two soldiers raped her without condoms in front of her teenage son. At the local police station, the police refused to record her complaint, telling her, ‘these things happen, these things are happening all over the country, so we cannot receive your report or open a police case docket’.”

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) reported that police and army personnel carried out apparently indiscriminate door-to-door raids, forcibly entering homes by breaking doors and windows, in some Harare suburbs including Mabvuku, Dzivarasekwa, Warren Park, and Kuwadzana between January 14 and January 29.

Human Rights Watch found that the security forces rounded up and detained hundreds of people, many of whom were brought before the courts on charges of public violence and criminal nuisance, most of whom remain in detention.

“The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials provide that whenever the lawful use of force is unavoidable, security forces need to use restraint and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense. Law enforcement officials should not use firearms against people except to protect against the imminent threat of death or serious injury.”

Some protesters burned cars at a police station in Chitungwiza, barricaded roads, burned tires on roads to stop police vehicles from patrolling, assaulted people on the streets, and looted shops in Harare, Kadoma, and Bulawayo, according to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.

In a January 28 report, the commission found that law enforcement agents seemed to “resort to use of brute, excessive and disproportionate force in most circumstances thereby causing avoidable loss of life and also worsening the situation.”

On January 20, army and police officials jointly addressed the media and denied responsibility for abuses during the protests, blaming the violence on protesters who allegedly stole their uniforms and acted as “rogue cops and soldiers.”

Two days later, Mnangagwa tweeted that “violence or misconduct by our security forces is unacceptable and a betrayal of the new Zimbabwe. Chaos and insubordination will not be tolerated. Misconduct will be investigated. If required, heads will roll.”

Human Rights Watch stressed that leaders in southern Africa should impress upon Mnangagwa the need for prompt, impartial, and effective investigations into the violence.

On February 11, the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Namibian President Hage Geingob, blamed demonstrators for the violence. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who met with Mnangagwa in Harare on Tuesday, has not in recent public statements on Zimbabwe even mentioned the human rights situation in the country.

Mavhinga said, “Southern Africa leaders should press Mnangagwa to put an end to security force abuses and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. Instead of burying his head in the sand when it comes to human rights, President Ramaphosa should publicly urge his Zimbabwean counterpart to deliver on his promise to get to the bottom of these allegations and hold perpetrators to account.”

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba was unavailable for comment.

— VOA

ALPHA Media Holdings (AMH) chairman Trevor Ncube, wo is the owner of daily newspaper NewsDay, has apologized for what he called biased reporting by the daily after bit published an article headlined RTGS Dollar to Devalue Further: RBZ.

Ncube, who is one of President Mnangagwa’s advisors, says he was heartbroken by the bias in the report which he said contributes to polarization.

“My heart breaks that @NewsDayZimbabwe got this story so wrong. This is example of our blind spots/biases colouring our world view contributing to polarisation. While l maintain my newspapers are not me/l am not my newspapers – I am embarrassed. Sincere apologies to Zimbabwe,” Nceube said in a tweet.

Last week while speaking at the inaugural meeting of President Mnangagwa and the 26 members of the Presidential Advisory Council at State House, Ncube pledged to play a critical role to ensure that the media is objective and works towards a positive goal for the benefit of everyone, especially in this “toxic environment.

My heart breaks that @NewsDayZimbabwe got this story so wrong. This is example of our blind spots/biases colouring our world view contributing to polarisation. While l maintain my newspapers are not me/l am not my newspapers – I am embarrassed. Sincere apologies to Zimbabwe ?? pic.twitter.com/7Llb7h4ezu

— Trevor Ncube (@TrevorNcube) March 12, 2019

My heart breaks that @NewsDayZimbabwe got this story so wrong. This is example of our blind spots/biases colouring our world view contributing to polarisation. While l maintain my newspapers are not me/l am not my newspapers – I am embarrassed. Sincere apologies to Zimbabwe.

Ncube also made a passionate plea for unity, urging citizens to put away polarisation and work towards a common goal that will see Zimbabwe flourish again.

AMH are the publishers of NewsDay, Zimbabwe Independent and The Standard.

Ncube also said the country was going through a painful period and that polarisation should be put aside for the sake of progress.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, nicknamed The Crocodile has shed tears for the late ZBC News reporter Judith Makwanya.

Deputy Chief Secretary, Presidential Communications George Charamba issued the statement on behalf of the President. Full statement below:

Condolence Message following the sudden death of Judith Tendesai Makwanya, 12th March 2019

On behalf of his Excellency the President, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, I wish to express my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Makwanya Family on the passing on of Judith.

A seasoned and committed journalist, the late Cde Makwanya leaves behind a hard-to-fill gap in the Broadcast sub-sector of our media industry.

Many will remember her strident and passionate reports inspired by a deep love for her profession, country and her people.

It was this love and principled stance in defence of the National Interest which earned her the wrath of the West by way of punitive sanctions imposed on her.

As we mourn her sad and untimely departure, we are all challenged to harness our communication skills in defence of our Nation and its interests.

We will miss her so sorely.

May her soul rest in Eternal Peace.

George Charamba
Deputy Chief Secretary, Presidential Communications
Office of the President and CABINET

FINANCE and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has said the possibility of Zimbabwe either adopting the SA rand as its main currency of trade – alongside its local unit, the RTGS dollar – or joining the rand monetary union was “not under consideration”.

Ncube told media on the sidelines of the third session of the bi-national commission between South Africa and Zimbabwe on Tuesday in Harare that the country had “completed its currency changes” and the adoption of the rand was unnecessary.

One of the key requirements of the monetary union is that member states have a local currency of their own. The current members of the union are Swaziland, Lesotho and Namibia.

After a decade without a currency of its own, last month monetary authorities in Zimbabwe introduced a domestic currency. The RTGS dollar is a fusion of electronic bank balances, bond notes and bond coins. 

The new currency is officially trading at 2.5 to the US dollar, according to the interbank market rate. On the black market, however, it is much weaker and trades at about 3.6 to the dollar.

“We have completed the currency changes and we want to continue now on the path of fiscal reforms. We need to be competitive and a local currency is necessary. The rand, just like the US dollar, is foreign currency,” said Ncube, adding that joining the rand monetary union “is not under consideration as we have a domestic currency”.

As Zimbabwe’s economic meltdown takes its toll, various industries in the country have recently expressed a desire for the rand to be used, given the close ties between SA and Zimbabwe. Experts have also frowned on the continued use of the US dollar as it is too strong for Zimbabwe’s economy, a situation that has made local goods uncompetitive. 

Ncube said the bi-national commission had also focused on money owed to SA firms in revenue and dividend payments that are currently “stuck” in the country . “We will accommodate South African companies and continue to work at ensuring their funds are repatriated,” he said.

South African Airways is among the SA companies most affected by Zimbabwe’s forex crunch, with an estimated R1bn in revenues stuck in the country. 

Cyril Ramaphosa and Emmerson Mnangagwa look on as ministers Lindiwe Sisulu and Perence Shiri sign on behalf of their countries in Harare on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the commission, which has tabled 45 agreements between the two countries, did not agree on any financial package being extended by SA to Zimbabwe.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the issue of a bailout was discussed with a view to finding lasting solutions to the problems faced by the two countries. “Our discussions have covered a wide range of issues – investment, trade, mining … We did not focus on one issue. We will have continued dialogue, investment and financial co-operation as we traverse the challenges faced,” he said.

Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa said the economic prosperity of the two countries were closely linked and any economic regression by one country would have “a pull-down effect” on the other.

Zimbabwe’s foreign affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo, who read the joint communiqué of the commission, said “a facility for Zimbabwe was being explored” that would encourage co-operation in the private sector.

— TimesLIVE

SENIOR medical practitioners in Zimbabwe today held a meeting at Parirenyatwa Hospital where they resolved to go on strike over a number of grievances.

The doctors say they will only be working on emergency cases.

At the same meeting, consultants in surgery and anaesthetics resolved to preserve sundries for emergencies and to demonstrate tomorrow citing working conditions and lack of surgical sundries.

Part of their statement read:

“As consultants, our hearts bleed because of what is prevailing and feels that if we continue pretending we can offer full services we would be complicit in the deaths of our patients.”

“We have decided to rationalize use of the limited and very finite resources that are currently available.

We are now forced with immediate effect to further scale down the services which we are offering, to deal with dire emergencies only until the situation normalizes.”

See more:

SA President Cyril Ramaphosa concluded a much-anticipated visit to Zimbabwe on Tuesday, commending the new administration of Emmerson Mnangagwa for its bid to revive the economy and promised to explore a number of options of financial help.

But otherwise he made no concrete offer of help, voicing a “commitment to work with Zimbabwe in addressing the socio-economic challenges”.

“South Africa stands ready to render support to Zimbabwe within our means in your quest for economic renewal,” he said, during the talks held at a Harare hotel.

Last year Zimbabwe requested $1.2 billion in emergency credit from South Africa, but Pretoria indicated it did not have the funds.

In a joint statement issued after the 24-hour visit, the two governments said they were exploring ways to help Zimbabwe financially.

One of them would be a loan facility from South African private banks to the Zimbabwe private businesses.

The loans will be guaranteed “by the South African government with an appropriate counter-guarantee from the Zimbabwe government,” said the statement.

An almost similar deal was struck last month with the diamond-rich Botswana, involving a $100-million credit from private banks in both countries but available to Botswana private companies doing business in Zimbabwe.

“We’re not giving them a single loan,” President Mokgweetsi Masisi said in Gaborone after a visit to Harare, dismissing media reports that the credit was being made available by the state.

Mnangagwa took over after long time ruler Robert Mugabe was forced to resign in 2017, but is struggling to solve Zimbabwe’s economic crisis.

In January this year, crowds took to the streets to protest after Mnangagwa more than doubled fuel prices.

The military and police quelled the demonstrations, leaving at least 17 people dead and hundreds wounded.

South Africa has borne the brunt of economic and political troubles in Zimbabwe. Millions of Zimbabweans have fled to South Africa following decades of economic turmoil.

“What affects one, affects the other. Economic prosperity in one country has a stimulus effect on the other. Likewise economic regression has a pull down effect on the other,” said Mnangagwa.

Ramaphosa has led calls by African leaders for the lifting of years-long sanctions imposed by Western powers over rights abuse under Mugabe’s regime.

“We have been calling for those sanctions to be removed immediately because they impede the growth of the Zimbabwean economy and they also are having an adverse effect on the ordinary people of Zimbabwe,” Ramaphosa reiterated on Tuesday. — AFP

Farai Dziva|
An MDC Alliance official hanged herself in mysterious circumstances last week.

Stan Ndanga (42) hanged herself in unclear circumstances last Thursday.

According to the police Ndanga was found hanging from a tree near his homestead in Chivhu.

Police are still investigating the circumstances that led to Ndanga’ s death.

Villagers in Chikomba area have expressed shock at Ndanga’ s untimely death.The villagers would not disclose why Ndanga took his own life.

ZIMBABWEAN authorities have arrested and charged a man with
undermining authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa
after he allegedly stated that he disliked him for mismanaging the
country’s economy.

32 year-old Farai Gwaza of Dindi village in Pfungwe, Mashonaland East
province was arrested early this month and charged with undermining
authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa as defined in section 33
of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

ZRP officers who arrested Gwaza, who is represented by Tinomuda Shoko
of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) claimed that he pointed a
finger at a colleague wearing a ZANU PF party T-shirt and said; “I
like the colour of the T-shirt but I don’t like the picture of the
person on it because he is making people suffer yet enriching
himself”.

For allegedly uttering that statement, Gwaze was detained in police
cells for two nights before he was released.

Meanwhile, in Harare, Magistrate Francis Mapfumo recently acquitted a
Harare woman, who had been on trial on charges of disorderly conduct
after she was arrested for allegedly insulting some police officers by
labelling them as President Mnangagwa’s lackeys.

31 year-old Prisca Dausi of Epworth, who was represented by Idirashe
Chikomba of ZLHR, had been on trial at Harare Magistrates Court after
she was arrested in September 2018 by ZRP officers who charged her
with disorderly conduct as defined in section 41 of the Criminal Law
(Codification and Reform) Act.

During trial, prosecutors charged that Dausi uttered some abusive
words to the effect that the law enforcement agents, who intended to
demolish her brother’s cabin which he uses as a barber shop as they
were under the impression that it belonged to some unidentified men
whom they had reportedly arrested in connection with drug use, were
minions.

However, Magistrate Mapfumo discharged Dausi at the close of the
prosecution case after ruling that the state witnesses who testified
during her trial gave contradictory evidence thereby rendering the
state case unreliable.

Farai Dziva| Ruling party Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo is unhappy with the fact that MDC A president Nelson Chamisa has not called for the removal of sanctions.

According to Khaya Moyo Chamisa has direct communication with United States President Donald Trump.

In an interview with This Morning Post on Monday, Khaya Moyo declared: “
What is stopping him from calling the US about sanctions? Sanctions are illegal and they should be removed as a matter of emergency.”

Moyo further claimed Chamisa had openly indicated he was in a position to communicate with Trump without going through bottlenecks.

By Own Correspondent- The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) is set to host a Water Dialogue Forum tomorrow

The meeting, set to be addressed by Harare Mayor Councillor Hebert Gomba and other senior Harare City Council officials is set to be held at New Ambassador Hotel.

Said CHRA in a statement:

“In view of the water challenges bedeviling Harare,CHRA will be hosting a Water Dialogue Forum tomorrow 13 March 2019 at the New Ambassadors Hotel from 5pm-7:30pm.

Key Speakers who have confirmed attendance to the Forum are ; 
-His Worship the Mayor ,Councilor Herbert Gomba,
-The Director of Water in the Ministry of Agriculture,Lands Climate and Water
-CEO Upper Manyame Sub Catchment Council 
-Mr H.Mudzingwa Community Water Alliance 
-Mr S.Chari Harare Wetlands Trust,
-Harare Water Director Engineer Mabhena Moyo.

This important Forum come at time when the City of Harare has introduced a Water Rationing Program as a measure to deal with water demand management,in view of the poor raw water quality , quantity at Lake Chivero and shortage of water treatment chemicals

By Own Correspondent- The youth wing in the MDC has called on the Emmerson Mnangagwa led administration to stop harrassing the youths in their quest for a more democratic Zimbabwe.

Addressing the media at Morgan Tsvangirai House in Harare, Tuesday, chairperson of the MDC Youth Assembly, Happymore “Bvondo” Chidziva said:

“….the crisis at hand is a crisis of leadership, the crisis of governance, the crisis of political legitimacy. We believe that the current government has no political or moral rights to be leading. We acknowledge that the current regime has failed to address the economy, health, educational and social challenges affecting the nation.

……… the military establishment in the country continues to interfere in the running of the country in violation of rights and freedoms of the ordinary people in Zimbabwe. There is continued abuse of opposition and civic society representatives in Zimbabwe… The youths note the continued persecution of young people through state sponsored violence especially following the January 14 violence. We are concerned by the targeting of youth activists. since we believe this is meant to disable, disenfranchise young people. We call upon an end to the harrassment of the youths.”

The MDC regrets the unconstitutional appointment of Oliver Chidawu as Minister responsible for Harare metropolitan province by Emmerson Mnagagwa.

The constitution stipulates that affairs of Harare Metropolitan Province are managed by the Harare Metropolitan Council led by the Mayor of Harare and deputized by the Mayor of the second largest city in the province, which is Chitungwiza. Section 270 of the constitution provides for the roles and functions of Provincial and Metropolitan Councils as follows;

a) Planning and implementing social and economic developments in its province

b) Coordinating and implementing governmental programmes in its province.

c) Planning and implementing measures for conservation, improvement and management of natural resources in its province

d) Promoting tourism in its province and developing facilities for that purpose

e) Monitoring and evaluating the use of resources in its province and

f) Exercising any other functions…..

These constitutional provisions together with the clearly defined functions of local authorities’ leaves Provincial Governors now christened Provincial Ministers with no role to play except to interfere with the smooth running of local authorities on behalf of Zanu PF whose track record in mis-governance is known.

The MDC calls upon government to quickly promulgate the laws to operationalise devolution. All laws whose provisions are now unconstitutional like the Urban Councils Act, the Provincial Councils and Administration Act, the traditional leaders act to mention a few should be repealed with immediate effect.

Government should begin to allocate at 5% of the budget to local government as stipulated by the supreme law. The grants will go a long way in improving service delivery, which is hamstrung by the economic meltdown.

The constitution has created a 3 tier government system, giving the provincial and metropolitan council and local government specific mandates.

S. Zvidzai
Secretary for Local Government and Devolution
Movement For Democratic Change

By Own Correspondent- Former Zimbabwe National Road Administration executive board chairman, Albert Mugabe, has appeared in court charged with criminal abuse of office involving $300 000.

Mugabe was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro.

He was released on $500 bail and ordered to report every Friday at ZRP Highlands. He was also ordered not to interfere with State witnesses, to surrender his travel documents and reside at his given address.

Mugabe was represented by a top Harare lawyer, Admire Rubaya.

The State led by Sabastian Mutizirwa told the court that on March 30 in 2017, ZINARA human resources committee deliberated through a round-robin resolution the acquisition of a mortgage loan from CBZ bank in respect of ZINARA CEO Nancy Chamisa Masiyiwa.

The six-member Human Resources Committee unanimously resolved to commend the ZINARA board for approval to secure a mortgage loan scheme not exceeding $300 000 for that purpose.

On April 5 that year, Mugabe wrote a letter of undertaking for the mortgage loan in respect of Masiyiwa to CBZ ill-advising that the ZINARA board had authorised her to enter a housing scheme and if her contract was to expire, the board would still pay for it.

On April 11, it is alleged that Mugabe wrote another letter to CBZ lying that the board had agreed to set off the full amount in the event that Masiyiwa accrued arrears and termination of her contract knowing full well that the board had not authorised such a decision.

The loan was later released on the belief of the false letters written by Mugabe in contrast to his duties as a public officer.

The matter was remanded to April 11.

So, what really killed Makwanya, a lethal injection, or mere shock from verbal attacks for criticising Mnangagwa?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 12, 2019

By Farai D Hove| ZBC’s diplomatic correspondent, Judith Makwanya who was reported dead today, was linked to leaked (January) ZBC WhatsApp chats which became topical in the last two weeks. This was all the more due to the repeated justification by the government to use military force on anyone criticizing Emmerson Mnangagwa’s January fuel price hikes. The leaked ZBC WhatsApp chats over the January fuel price increases have been linked (by the public) to the death of the veteran journalist following Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi’s speech shocker to the UN on the 27th Feb when he boldly said the army was justified to move in and kill anyone involved in a revolt against the ZANU PF President’s new fuel prices in January. WATCH VIDEO BELOW: (STORY CONTINUES)

This was so despite the fact that Mnangagwa’s fuel price increase was widely and heavily criticised even by the Russian government as cruel and unjustified. Zimbabwe now has the most expensive fuel in the world, and as soon as Mnangagwa landed in Moscow, Russia’s prime minister while refusing to fund Mnangagwa, said the Russian government does not want to be associated with unjustified fuel price hikes. Ziyambi justified the mass murder of civilians who have been criticising Mnangagwa’s fuel price hike saying it is necessary to avert a government take over.

Ziyambi told the UN on 27th February, “it is important to note that these protests were premeditated, pre-planned, masterminded and sponsored by external forces and local NGOs who were working with some civil society organisations and some workers unions, to make the country ungovernable and to effect regime change.

“Government consequently deployed law enforcement agents to quell these protests and avert further loss of life and destruction of property.

“It is a pity that the same groups have continued to propagate biased and misleading reports that are aimed at tarnishing the image of Zimbabwe yet they continue to get favourable attention.

“This happens even when in cases where they are alleged to have incited the commission of crimes and violations of the rights of other citizens.”

So, what really killed Makwanya, a lethal injection, or mere shock from verbal attacks for criticising Mnangagwa?

Makwanya, who has been at the ZBC for over two decades, was diagnosed with high blood pressure last Thursday.

Unconfirmed reports allege that Makwanya became stressed after a Whatsapp chat where the state broadcaster employees were reportedly hurling insults at the current leadership leaked.

So, what really killed Makwanya, a lethal injection, or mere shock from verbal attacks for criticising Mnangagwa?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 12, 2019

ZimEye has it on good authority that the late Makwanya was summoned by a senior government official over the leaked whatsapp chat. Details of the meeting had not been made public at the time of writing.

Her condition reportedly deteriorated on Monday evening when she suffered a stroke, and she died at around 11:00pm at the West End Clinic in Harare.

The government on Tuesday described Makwanya as a patriotic media personality who “served her country with distinction”.

HAVE YOUR SAY…

So, what really killed Makwanya, a lethal injection, or mere shock from verbal attacks for criticising Mnangagwa?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 12, 2019

ZimEye will be livestreaming an MDC Youth Assembly Presser at 2:30 pm Zimbabwean time set to be held at Morgan Tsvangirai House in Harare.

Refresh this page for latest updates.

By Own Correspondent- ZBC’s diplomatic correspondent Judith Makwanya has died. She was 56.

Makwanya, who has been at the ZBC for over two decades, was diagnosed with high blood pressure last Thursday.

Unconfirmed reports allege that Makwanya became stressed after a whatsapp chat where the state broadcaster employees were reportedly hurling insults at the current leadership leaked.

ZimEye has it on good authority that the late Makwanya was summoned by a senior government official over the leaked whatsapp chat.

Her condition reportedly deteriorated on Monday evening when she suffered a stroke, and she died at around 11:00pm at the West End Clinic in Harare.

The government has described Makwanya as a patriotic media personality who “served her country with distinction”.

ZIMBABWE ELECTION SUPPORT NETWORK

12 March 2019 – BULAWAYO – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) held a post-2018 harmonised election conference on 7 and 8 March 2019 in Bulawayo. The overall objective of the Conference was to review the conduct of the 2018 harmonised elections focusing on the legislative and administrative framework, the political environment, role of observers, electoral reform process, and recommendations by election observer missions among other pertinent factors.

In attendance were representatives of the Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, members of the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Portfolio Committee, development partners, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, political party officials and representatives, academia, media and local and regional civic society organisations.

The conference highlighted positive and negative issues that characterized the July 30 harmonized elections and identified key electoral reform issues for future elections. The electoral environment in the run up to the election was noted to be a significant improvement from previous elections with political parties able to freely campaign and canvass support. In addition, other processes such as voter education and voter mobilisation by ZEC and civic society organisations were much improved. Improvements were also highlighted in the voter registration and the resultant voters roll.

Some of the challenges identified by the speakers include; the inaccessibility of the voters’ roll to political parties on time, inequitable coverage of elections by the media, absence of accountability and transparency in political parties finance, misuse of state resources, absence of transparency in the design and printing of ballot papers, low representation of women and persons with disability, partisan involvement of traditional leaders in politics, under registration in urban areas, and high candidates’ nomination fees among other issues.

The Conference drew insights from presenters from the SADC region and East Africa who shared their experiences in relation to electoral processes in their countries. The role of SADC and AU in the Zimbabwe elections was interrogated as regards their assessment of the electoral outcome and participants urged the SADC and AU to publicize their election reports on time so that they can influence the electoral reform agenda.

With the understanding that elections are a process, it was agreed that the electoral reform agenda must begin forthwith starting with the implementation of recommendations by the international, regional and local observer missions to the 2018 harmonised elections.

The Conference proffered the following recommendations based on the deliberations that took place:
1. There is need to craft a new comprehensive Electoral Act that fully aligns with the Constitution.
2. The government must put in place measures to enhance the independence of ZEC, other Chapter 12 Commissions as well as the Judiciary.
3. Parliament should consider delinking delimitation and census to facilitate timely adjustment of boundaries.
4. ZEC should ensure adequate stakeholder involvement in the implementation of the delimitation exercise. 
5. There is need for a law compelling equal representation of women and men as candidates.
6. There is need for media law reform to ensure media plurality, diversity and equitable coverage of political parties and candidates during elections.
7. Civil society organisations should collaborate more in the implementation of activities to ensure message discipline and wider reach. 
8. There is need for further discussion on the role of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission in monitoring and observation of human rights violations during electoral periods.
9. There is need to revise and strengthen election dispute resolution mechanisms as well as introduce punitive measures against electoral offenders.
10. It is imperative to explore alternative dispute resolution mechanisms including strengthening the role of traditional leaders in dealing with disputes and conflicts at a local level.
11. Electoral stakeholders must ensure that there is sustainable dialogue on key electoral reforms ahead of the 2023 elections.
12. There is need to strengthen intraparty democracy as a way of deepening the culture of democracy and tolerance in the broader society.
13. SADC and AU should make their election reports public and avail them on time so that they can influence the electoral reform agenda. 
ZESN believes that the pathway to the next election should be defined by a comprehensive electoral and political reforms process that guarantees the holding of free, fair and credible elections.

ZESN remains committed to the promotion of democratic electoral processes in Zimbabwe.

By Own Correspondent- MDC co-deputy president Elias Mudzuri said that he will only contest for presidency if he is nominated.

Mudzuri said people should not be sidetracked by the upcoming MDC elective Congress set for the 24th to 26th of May but focus should be on reviving the economy and alleviating the suffering of the masses.

Said Mudzuri in an interview:

“…….I will wait for nominations But I really want us to talk about the economic situation, we want the government to account. People are struggling. I am moving around and people cannot afford [basics]. They don’t have the money and there are no jobs.

There are fuel queues everywhere and people are talking about the ease of doing business. That must be the debate because this country is not going to work with political arguments alone.

At the end of the day, this country belongs to all of us and if we are not careful and concentrate on political personalities, we will not find a solution.

… Look at Syria, it has been 10 years with civil war and if we are not serious, we will find ourselves in that situation. Even if we don’t agree, we must find a common vision. We can talk at an individual level.

Right now, we have a dead economy and people are too poor. We have a drought and it is real. We must seek solutions and we are a family as Zimbabweans. There is a need to remove the them-against-us mentality. We are one.”

By Own Correspondent- Veteran broadcaster Judith Makwanya has died. She was 56. Makwanya was diagnosed with high blood pressure last Thursday.

Her condition worsened on Monday evening when she suffered a stroke. She died at around 11 PM at the West End Clinic in Harare.

Here is how Zimbabweans on Twitter reacted to the news of Makwanya’s death:

Zenzele Ndebele
Sad to hear about the passing on of Judith Makwanya. She was someone who was very open minded and friendly.

Professor Jonathan Moyo
Tragic news about Judith Makwanya. She was a committed media practitioner and an inspiring voice who challenged crude gender barriers in Zimbabwe’s fledgling broadcasting industry.

Mduduzi Mathuthu
Judith Makwanya was actually very nice, and kind. Unfortunately in our polarised political existence, every human relationship is looked at from a political perspective. So sorry to learn of her death, my heart goes out to her grieving family and colleagues. R.I.P my sister.

Fungai Machirori
I knew her personally. I agree. Once I asked to interview her for Her Zimbabwe. And she said, “but you know where I work.” I got the message. This is really sad stuff.

Kudzai Mtisi (Chief Murakashi)
ZBC Diplomatic Correspondent Judith Makwanya has passed away. She was a star. The neocolonial thugs at @usembassyharare placed her under sanctions. What’s the rationale of placing a female journalist under sanctions? That’s the cruelty of these Americans. Rest in Peace Judith.

Caesar Zvayi
R.I.P to a friend & colleague … the inimitable Judith Makwanya. GUTTED.

Raj Modi
Rest in peace Judith Makwanya. Broadcast news has lost a patriotic voice.

The Masterclass ZW
The staff, management and students at the Radio Presenter Masterclass would like to extend heartfelt condolences to the @ZBCNewsonline & the Makwanya families on the passing of veteran broadcaster Judith Makwanya. The next generation of broadcasters stand on your shoulders. RIP

ZANU PF patriots
We have lost one fine reporter. Judith Makwanya you left too soon. Rest strong Cde..

Hopewell Chin’ono
Sad to hear the passing of ZBC diplomatic correspondent and journalist Judith Makwanya.

Whenever I met her she took my teasing in her stride and just like Reuben Barwe, she was willing to engage with respect those who were opposed to views.

Power FM Zimbabwe
Veteran ZBC reporter Judith Makwanya has died.

She served her country with distinction and was one of the journalists placed on the sanctions list which became a Roll of Honour for Patriots.

263Chat
We have learnt with great sadness the passing on of @ZBCNewsonline Diplomatic Corresponded @JudithMakwanya . Our heartfelt condolences to her family. May her soul rest in peace #263Chat.

Jealousy Mawarire
Am heartbroken to learn of the sudden passing on of veteran broadcaster Judith Makwanya, I affectionately called her Tete Judie. She was one of the few ZBC journalists who wasn’t afraid to be seen in public chatting to me. May your dear soul rest in peace Tete Judie.

#MHSRIP

May her soul Rest In Peace.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya yesterday clashed with the Public Accounts and Finance Committee over the definition of quasi-fiscal activities carried by the Central Bank.

Mangudya appeared before a joint meeting of Public Accounts and the Finance committees to discuss the legal basis for the RBZ undertaking quasi-fiscal activities and how the amounts were used in financing fuel procurement and other commodities.

He told the legislators that they, along with Ncube, do not understand the term “quasi-fiscal activities” and that they need a workshop to unpack it.

Bikita West MP Elias Musakwa (Zanu PF) asked Mangudya to explain how the RBZ acquired loans amounting to almost $1 billion and how much money was channelled to public sector investment programmes, recurrent expenditure and stimulus programmes.

“I do not think your question is relevant at this moment because those are not quasi-fiscal activities,” Mangudya said, adding that the apex bank had not carried any quasi-fiscal activities since 2014.

“Quasi-fiscal activities at the RBZ do not exist and it is important for Zimbabweans to know the truth, and what RBZ used to do when we bought tractors, generators and baccossi – those were quasi-fiscal activities and so do not confuse those with what is happening now and people should not abuse the RBZ by confusing those with what is happening now. They were taken over by the RBZ Debt Assumption Act.”

Tendai Biti (MDC Alliance), however, pressed Mangudya further by rephrasing Musakwa’s question saying: “In your Monetary Policy Statement of February, you said there were certain things that were going to carry on using the old system, and you said the bank, through the foreign currency committee will continue to supply foreign currency for fuel, wheat and 14 other products, and in our definition these fall under quasi-fiscal activities.”

Biti pointed out that the RBZ has no mandate to give money to fuel players, Zesa and others because these were essentially activities of central government; and also in terms of section 6 of the RBZ Act the bank’s functions were only to regulate the country’s monetary system, achieve and maintain the stability of the Zimbabwe dollar, and to act as banker and financial adviser to government and economic stability, among others.

But Mangudya insisted that the MPs had a wrong definition of quasi-fiscal activities.

“It is a wrong definition. Quasi-fiscal activities are activities done by the central bank and any other bank at below the market price. We need to use an international definition so that Parliament does not have its own definition. This economy is going through difficult times. There is no one in this country who can borrow funds to help Zimbabwe. So these are just foreign names. Zimbabwe is a step child in a family of nations and it is difficult to deal with a step child so that it does not have kwashiorkor and die.

“My core business is in section 49 of the RBZ Act, to ensure there is foreign currency. When I give money for fuel, it is only called a foreign allocation. I think as MPs you need a workshop with RBZ on what are quasi-fiscal activities,” Mangudya said.

Biti then asked him to explain why Ncube, in his 2019 budget statement mentioned that the RBZ was engaging in quasi-fiscal activities and was going to ensure that they are liquidated.

“I think Ncube was misinformed on that point because I asked him to give me three or one quasi-fiscal activity I was engaging in and he could not. That’s a wrong definition that the minister was using and he also needs a workshop on that. Do not use Zimbabwean language on that,” Mangudya said. Biti then ordered Mangudya to give Parliament a document detailing how much he paid in what he termed “foreign allocations” and not quasi-fiscal activities.

-Newsday

By Paul Nyathi|Veteran ZBC News reporter Judith Makwanya died this morning at a Harare hospital just hours after being admitted with an emergency medical condition, according to a notice from the Ministry of Information.

Her death has raised major eyebrows as it comes shortly after a social media WhatsApp chat group discussion amongst the state broadcaster news men was leaked.

In the leaked chat an official identified as Judith and highly suspected to have been Makwanya wrote “hatiende kunoita zvisina basa zvematuzvi. Havana dhiri, plus he is rocked with scandals” (We are not going to a worthless event. These people are useless).

Then another official by the name Merit, suspected to be news reporter Merit Munzwembiri responded saying: “ED anyura, zvatopera apa hachapabudi” (Ed is finished, he will not get out of this).

The same Merit is quoted as having criticized the move by the Mnangagwa administration to increase fuel prices saying “dai vari VaMugabe havaimbodaro and this government has failed” (Mugabe would not have done that).

Then another official by the name Josh Mutali asked: “Ko muchaita sei vanhu venyu zvavave kudzingwa” (What will you do now that your people are being fired).

The chats further accused the ZBC chief executive officer Patrick Mavhura of having been working for the ousted G40 faction by giving instructions to reporters.

Zimbabweans have received news of Makwanya’s death as a shock and social media critics have quickly blamed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s security system for her death.

By Own Correspondent- A Zanu PF apologist on social media has deliberately stoked tribal tensions by suggesting that people from Matabeleland hate school and should not be aggrieved when they get non-Ndebele speaking teachers.

Writing on microblogging site Twitter, the “Murakashi” said:

“If you belong to a tribe that hates going to school and becoming teachers, please don’t blame anyone when your kids are being taught by teachers from other tribes.”

The remarks came as there has been anger and consternation in Bulawayo and Matabeleland where concerned parents have expressed unhappiness over the deployment of teachers to the region who have Shona surnames.