By Own Correspondent- Spokesperson for Zanu Pf Simon Khaya Moyo has challenged former President Robert Mugabe to respond to allegations that he is bankrolling MDC president Nelson Chamisa in his quest to retain the party presidency at the elective Congress set to be held between the 24th and 26th of May.

Speaking to the media about Mugabe’s alleged funding of Chamisa after the party’s politburo meeting on Wednesday, Khaya Moyo said:

“I have not heard any response from the former President about that, whether it is true or not true.

It is just rumours going around. But I am saying, if I were the former President, I would have responded to the allegations by now.”

Khaya Moyo, however, betrayed his party’s keen interest in what is happening in the Chamisa-led MDC.

He said:

“Our congress is in 2023, that is when we have a candidate and we know the candidate. How can we have a candidate for a party that is not ours? We don’t pick the candidate for other parties.

They are at each other’s throats, so where do we come in? We hear that some say the constitution says only four positions shall be contested at the Congress, and then others say, no, no, no, it is all positions.

Even their vice-president Elias Mudzuri has said we don’t think this Congress will come out well, the party might split. So where do we come in? Where does Zanu PF come in? We are very busy with our problems of fulfilling vision 2030.”-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- The United Nations Human Rights Council will dispatch special rapporteurs to Zimbabwe to investigate and assess allegations of human rights abuses by State security agents, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary James Manzou revealed.

He said in terms of human rights violations, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration had nothing to hide considering that the country was on a new trajectory which was different from the old order under the leadership of former president Robert Mugabe.

Manzou said this while appearing before the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs to appraise parliament on progress made in the re- engagement efforts made so far by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

He told parliament that Mnangagwa has already given the Council the nod to come to Zimbabwe because the government had nothing to hide.

“In terms of human rights, Zimbabwe and the President have nothing to hide. The Human Rights Council in Geneva wants to send special rapporteurs to Zimbabwe and the President has said let them come.”

President Mnangagwa yesterday held his inaugural meeting with members of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) and exhorted them to quickly give impetus to the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) by proffering advice and assisting in the formulation of key economic strategies that advance Vision 2030.

The Head of State and Government said to propel development and improve people’s livelihoods, the PAC members should expend more energy towards supporting the TSP and policy pronouncements made under the Second Republic.

TSP is the Government’s economic blue print covering the period 2018 to 2020.

“The Transitional Stabilisation Programme and the various policy pronouncements made under the Second Republic should be a beacon through which we must unleash our full potential towards the attainment of Vision 2030,” President Mnangagwa said.

“We must therefore proffer our views, recommendations and solutions alive to the interests of the majority. Let us give due regard to the undeniable need to uplift the quality of life of the millions of our people throughout the country. As the Presidential Advisory Council your work programme should be informed by the immense opportunities in every sector in our nation and the various strategies we need to grow and develop our economy. The present challenges must never obscure or limit what we can become or what we should do, now and in the future. I challenge you to be informed by the hope of a better and more prosperous tomorrow.”

The advisory council comprises experts and leaders drawn from diverse sectors such as business, health and social protection, agriculture, governance and human rights, faith-based organisations, tourism, education, minorities, ICT, civic society, communication and media management.

All its 26 members attended yesterday’s meeting at State House save for three who were away on business.

Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, Cabinet ministers and senior Government officials were also part of the proceedings.

President Mnangagwa said the “Zimbabwe we want” will only be built through a collective, patriotic approach and singleness of purpose.

“That is the reason we gather today, with the overriding objective of working together towards attainment of an ambitious and yet achievable shared vision of becoming a middle income (economy) by 2030,” he said.

“Furthermore, we realise that nations, the world over, have to operate within a more interconnected and complex policy environment. This has given rise to the need for a greater involvement of private sector players in the governance and policy discourse. It is against this background that I saw it fit to constitute a Presidential Advisory Council. You are a team of experts and leaders from across a broad spectrum of professional skills to proffer strategic advice, guidance, information and recommendations on policies that support key goals under Vision 2030.”

President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe continued to suffer from the deleterious effects of illegal sanctions imposed by the West hence the need for it to leapfrog development, modernisation and industrialisation of every facet of its economy to catch up with other countries.

“Going forward, there is also need for us to harness our potential in the various spheres of the economy through leveraging on our geo-strategic location to attract investment and facilitate trade across the region,” he said.

“To this end, we are convinced that the rapid development and transformation strategies for economic development adopted by my administration will yield desired successes. Meanwhile, the engagement and re-engagement policy, stabilisation of the macroeconomic environment, zero tolerance to corruption, observance of rule of law and entrenchment of democratic values as well as the implementation of devolution and decentralisation of economic activity to provinces and local authorities for social equity should result in the marked improvement of the socio-economic landscape of our country. Let us build on this broad foundation and give impetus and momentum towards full economic recovery, development and prosperity for all our people.”

President Mnangagwa said interaction between him, Government officials and PAC members should be flexible and responsive while hinged on patriotism, trust, candidness and confidentiality.

“Allow me to assure you that members of my administration, at every level, will be receptive to your ideas, which must be informed and guided by national interests all the time,” he said.

“A collective approach implies collective responsibility with regards agreed and adopted positions. This is a fundamental principle. We must therefore seek to proffer strategies on how to develop, modernise and industrialise every part of our country, improve our infrastructure, speed up the development of rural industry systems as well as increase our overall productivity and exports to effectively enter and participate in the global value chains. Let us harness our collective capacities to create conditions where peace, unity and development can flourish in our country. Guided by our mantra ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’ our actions should never lag behind global developments and expectations. Together let us sharpen our focus and make solid footsteps as we define and walk the road towards delivering the Zimbabwe we want.”

The PAC members, whose contribution is voluntary, will hold office for the duration of the President’s tenure of office.

-State Media

By Own Correspondent- Constitutional experts have said MDC Alliance partners Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti cannot be appointed or elected to any post ahead of the party’s National Elective Congress since they have not been MDC members for at least five successive years.

A report by a local publication quotes a legal expert Advocate Samuel Chadenga confirming the development.

Chadenga said according to Section 5 of the MDC constitution, Biti and Ncube are not eligible to run for office.

He said:

“If the MDC want to go the constitutional way then Biti and Welshman are not eligible to run for any office ,they should wait for five years or two years if they want to be in the district council.”

Political analyst John Muchenje said  the MDC has no respect for their constitution an assertion which was denied by MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume.

Mafume said his party’s National Elective Congress is guided by a template from the National Executive Council.

He refuted claims that the party has a different copy of the constitution.-MorningPost

By Own Correspondent- Permanent secretary in the Information and Publicity ministry Nick Mangwana has claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has taken action against the military as he promised following the January 14 fuel riots.

Responding to Bloomberg, Mangwana said:

When the president said ‘heads will roll’ he meant every word. We have seen the immediate retirement of senior commanders since that promise. We have seen soldiers convicted and imprisoned. What we witnessed is heads rolling.

Politicians should put the country first ahead of their personal interests and intensify national dialogue aimed at finding solutions to the country’s challenges, Presidential Advisory Council facilitator Mr Joe Mutizwa has said.

Mr Mutizwa said this yesterday at State House during the council’s inaugural meeting convened by President Mnangagwa.

He said the work of the recently established council would be greatly enhanced if Zimbabweans are united, dovetailing into President Mnangagwa’s push for a broad-based national dialogue that has involved major key stakeholders in the country, including the church, students, civil society and business.

“Your Excellency, this appeal is made having cognisance of the calamities that face our country in the form of economic hardships compounded by the severe drought and the onslaught of international sanctions,” he said.

Mr Mutizwa said it was important that leaders at all levels realised that turning around the fortunes of Zimbabwe required sacrifice from top to bottom.

“There may be quick wins but there will be no silver bullets or magic wands nor will there be miracle resurrections. There will be pain and suffering but it must be shared equitably across all levels of society,” said Mr Mutizwa.

Speaking at the same occasion, Alpha Media Holdings chairman Mr Trevor Ncube said there was need to put political differences aside and work towards building the country.

Mr Ncube said he would work towards ending polarisation in the media.

“Within that crisis of expectation, our country is polarised and we cannot build when we are divided, as somebody who is coming from the media I see the polarisation and division in our society projected in our media,” he said.

“I am hoping that my role in the PAC would be in nurturing and helping to build a media that contributes to national unity. Democracy can be ugly and messy, we do have different views but we only have one country, our role is to work towards the upliftment of that country.

“We cannot work and build in this toxic environment, the public and private media should stop being activist and work towards uniting our country.”

Another member, Ms Elisa Ravengai, said she will represent the interests of people with disabilities whom she said wanted empowerment.

“In Zimbabwe and the world over, disability has been treated as a charity issue where persons with disabilities are relegated to perpetual objects of pity. The medical approach sees rehabilitation as an end in itself although social welfare and medical interventions are very important,”

She called for alignment of laws to do with disabilities.

Industrialist Mr Busisa Moyo said there was need to for new technology for industry to flourish.

“The flow of information is still a big challenge in our country and so we will need to look into that,” said Mr Moyo.

Renowned banker Mr Zondo Sakala said it was important to realise that most projects had long gestation periods and required discipline and patience.

Others who addressed the gathering were Dr Nobert Mugwagwa and agriculturalist Dr Lindiwe Sibanda.

The advisory council comprises experts and leaders drawn from diverse sectors like business, health and social protection, agriculture, governance and human rights, faith-based organisations, tourism, education, minorities, ICT, civic society, communication and media management.

Other members Sakunda Holdings chief executive Mr Kudakwashe Tagwirei and Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) president Divine Ndhlukula (business); Agribank chief executive Mr Somkhosi Malaba and Africa Next chief executive Mr Lewis Musasike (financial services); Dr Godfrey Sikipa (health and social protection); Remigius Makumbe, Simbarashe Mangwende (infrastructure).

Other members are Natalie Jabangwe (ICT); Mr Aenias Chuma, seasoned lawyer Mr Edwin Manikai (governance and human rights); Professors Kuzvinetsa Dzvimbo and Robson Mafoti (education), Mr Herbert Nkala, Dr Shingi Munyeza (both from tourism) and Janah Ncube (civic society).

The minorities will be represented by CABS managing director Mr Simmon Hammond and Zimbabwe Investment Authority chairman Mr Richard Wilde.

Senators have called for the amendment of the Traditional leaders Act to give chiefs more power in their areas of jurisdiction.

Addressing Senate, Tuesday, Senator Watson Khupe, Tuesday, said there is a lack of respect for traditional leaders hence the need to align the act.

“I hope the new Act that will be established will give traditional leaders the power they deserve,” said Senator Khupe.

“For example, I have seen in many cases where a traditional leader is approached by a citizen in a local area. The traditional leader makes a judgement and somebody just stands up to say ah, ndine marights angu chief, ngilamarights ami chief, meaning that I also have my rights, you appear to be oppressing me telling the chief. Really this thing has to stop.”

He said traditional leaders are undermined in their communities.

“I think the majority will agree that traditional leaders in our country are now not being taken seriously. They are not given the respect which is due to them. Everyone takes a traditional leader like a small boy or an equal boy to anybody.”

Historian Pathisa Nyathi said chiefs are being disrespected because of the transition from the monarchy state to a democratic state.

He said leadership is now democratic unlike in the old days when it was hereditary.

“We are operating in a system where leaders are being elected which is regarded as democratic. More attention is given to modernity, not traditional ways of doing things,” he said.

“Long back chiefs used to be respected because they worked directly from the king, who was respected. There are no kings nowadays.”

According to Veritas Zimbabwe, the Traditional Leaders Act, Chapter 29:17, must be amended to bring it into line with sections 283 and 284 of the Constitution, and to provide for provincial assemblies (rather than councils) of chiefs.

It should also provide for the Integrity and Ethics Committee referred to in section 287 of the Constitution.

CITE

SCORES of junior police officers were allegedly prejudiced in excess of US$4 million by their superiors in a botched housing scheme bankrolled by CABS under a 10-year mortgage arrangement, the Zimbabwe Independent can report.

ZRP was allocated land in Hatcliff in Harare by the Ministry of Local Government for the development of a title-holding individual home ownership scheme for police officers. A total of 900 housing stands were developed next to ZRP High School, but only two showhouses have been constructed since 2011. Junior officers have received no further communication on the progress of the project.

The police officers have engaged lawyers for a round table meeting in a bid to compel their employer to give them housing stands on which they can build on their own. Documents obtained from aggrieved officers show that instead of giving answers on the state of the housing scheme, senior police officers in charge of the project have told their subordinates to claim refunds.

Junior police officers, however, feel they have been disadvantaged because they made payments in United States dollars, but police bosses insist claims can only be settled in RTGS dollars.

An offer letter seen by the Independent says the ZRP engaged “a local” building society to service the stands and build four-roomed houses under a 10-year mortgage facility.

Initial costs of servicing and building four rooms were done by both the ZRP and the building society. “Stand sizes range between 250 to 500 square metres. Once the mortgage terms and other preliminaries are concluded, beneficiaries will be asked to sign mortgage documentation. Cost details: US$17 623, 98. Total deposit US$4 473,00 and monthly instalments for 10 years of US$202,00. The amount paid as deposit will have a bearing on the level of instalments to be paid,” a copy of the offer letter reads.

Some of the affected officers said engagements with the two superintendents in charge of the project have so face failed to yield a positive result as they are told to await for a response to a letter that was sent to former ZRP commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri.

The initial arrangement was that a beneficiary would get an offer letter upon payment of
US$4 500 through CABS, after which they would be entitled to a four-roomed cottage. Further developments would be at the individual owner’s expense.

“The problem is we are now getting refunds in bond notes. We won’t be able to buy anything with the money. They are no longer communicating with us and the same response we have been getting since 2011 that a letter was sent to the commissioner on the status of the project is the same answer we are getting eight years down the line. Obviously something is not right and the fact that they now want to refund our money is suspicious as they may now want to resell the stands since the money has lost value,” said one source.

Coincidentally, the source said, the senior officers have their own project in the plush Harare suburb of Gletwin which has been completed although it commenced at the same time as the Hatcliff one. CABS chief executive Simon Hammond acknowledged being involved in the housing scheme, but said he would not comment further as the bank was in a closed period.

“Sure, I’m aware of that project, but you would want to appreciate that we are in a closed period at the moment, so I won’t be able to respond to your questions,” he said.

Superintendent Leaphy Marapira, who was in charge of the project from the outset, said she would not comment on the phone and requested a formal meeting. However, she turned down several requests for an appointment, saying she was not authorised to talk to the press. “I don’t talk to the media, please go through the PGHQ [Police General Headquarters] press office,” she said.

Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi did not reply to questions sent to him despite promising to do so. — Independent

Zimbabwe’s permanent secretary in the ministry of information Nick Mangwana has defended the US$500,000 deal with a United States-based lobby firm canvassing for the removal of targeted sanctions imposed on top Zanu PF officials to be removed by Washington. Mangwana said Zimbabwe will do everything it can do to have the sanctions lifted.

But human activists have criticized the deal as a waste of scarce resources in a country where more than 5 million people are food insecure.

Zimbabwe has engaged a man regarded as the most powerful lobbyist in Washington, Brian Ballard, linked to President Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign and the president’s 2020 re-election bid. His mission is to have targeted sanctions on 141 individuals and entities in Zimbabwe removed.

Mangwana told VOA Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that Zimbabwe prioritizes international engagement. “The current illegal sanctions regime loses Zimbabwe a lot of business, retards development and also comes with other social costs … We will do everything in our power to have them removed.”

U.S-based newspaper Politico reports that former State Department official in the Bill Clinton administration, James Rubin, will be the lead lobbyist for Zimbabwe.

Director of Vanguard Africa Jeff Smith criticized the deal saying it shows everything that is wrong about Washington DC.

This is not the first time Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has tried to lobby President Trump to lift sanctions and try to normalize ties with Washington.

In 2018, speaking on the sidelines of his inaugural address to the United Nations in New York, Mnangagwa said he had offered land to President Trump to build a golf course in a national park teeming with wildlife – the resort town of Victoria Falls, on the border with Zambia.

Mnangagwa told journalists that he made the offer to President Trump’s staffers at the 2018 World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump owns about 17 golf courses in America and abroad.

“I had offered President Trump ground to build a state-of-the-art golf course so that as he plays he can be able to see the big five,” Zimbabwe’s president said. Zimbabwe is home to the so-called big five animals namely lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo and leopard.

Politico describes Ballard as,“closer to the president than perhaps any other lobbyist in town.” It adds, “He’s parlayed that relationship into a booming business helping clients get their way with the Trump administration — and his clients and even some of his rivals say his firm has a better grasp of what’s going on in the West Wing than almost anyone else on K Street.

Ballard was one of the top fundraisers in the country for Trump’s campaign and continues to raise millions for his reelection campaign.

AFRICAN CLIENTS

Ballard has also represented Moise Katumbi, the opposition leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo who feared being jailed by former President Joseph Kabila and went into exile in 2016. Katumbi was last year barred from returning to contest the country’s December presidential election. Katumbi is the president of the Congolese soccer outfit, TP Mazembe, the first African side to play in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2010.

The U.S firm also represents Nigerian opposition People’s Democratic Party leader Atiku Abubakar who had previously been barred from traveling to Washington before engaging Ballard and Partners. Atiku allegedly demanded a bribe from former Louisiana Representative, Willian Jefferson.

Jefferson was in 2005 caught in an FBI corruption sting operation and was recorded on wire saying he needed to give Abubakar, then Nigerian vice president a bribe to obtain contracts for iGate and Mody’s company in Nigeria.

In another incident, U.S senate investigators alleged that one of Atiku’s four wives helped him transfer more than $40 million in “suspect funds” into the United States from offshore shell companies.

US CLIENTS

Politico reports that other Ballard clients include financial giants, Amazon, Dish Network, Uber, Pernod Ricard (the makers of Jameson whiskey and Absolut vodka) and Trulieve (a Florida-based medical marijuana company). Efforts to get in touch with Ballard were futile as he was said to be travelling to Florida.

2019 MDC TEMPLATE FOR THE CONGRESS

INTRODUCTION
The 2019 congress comes on the backdrop of an undesirable stage of our struggle after the death of Dr M.R Tsvangirai on the 14th of February 2018. It is a sad moment for the struggle and for us as a movement however it gives us an opportunity to revitalise, rejuvenate and redirect our struggle.

This is an opportunity to set on course the rebirth of the revolutionary spirit and to make sure we have fully constituted dynamic structures with adequate political education to be real agents and catalysts of change in Zimbabwe. It gives us the desire to continue with the struggle for a new Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVES

• Ensure that we have a full structure compliment at all levels.
• Entrench our internal participatory democracy in order to build a transparent and accountable leadership based on constitutionalism and the rule of law.
• To have a credible, just, free and fair process
  Emerge with a stronger, more united and coercive party.
• Guard against infiltration and entrench a culture of service and sacrifice.
• Revitalise the vibrancy of the party.
• To rebuild the party.

CONSIDERATIONS

• Constitutional provisions on the conduct of Congress.
• National Council resolutions.
• Loyalty to Party Ideology and values.
• Guard against infiltration
  Promotion and preservation of party image.
• Cultivation of internal democracy.
• Membership status
  having served the required minimum number of years.
• Gender parity 50-50.

PROCESS TIMELINES:

BRANCHES – 10-17 March 2019.

WARD FORMATION AND CONGRESSES – 22-24 March 2019.

DISTRICT FORMATION AND CONGRESSES – 29-31 March 2019.

PROVINCIAL CONGRESSES – 5-27 April 2019.

CAMPAIGNING ( PROVINCIAL CAUCASES)-
EXTERNAL ASSEMBLIES –  April 2019

STUDENTS’ COUNCIL – April 2019.

External Assemblies and students’ council branches will be done in April 2019, Youth and Women Assemblies’ congresses will be done a day before the main wing at all levels.

The Youth and Women congresses 22-24 May 2019

National Congress 24-26 May 2019

PRESIDING AND SUPERVISORY STRUCTURE:

Branch: WardDistrict organiser

Ward: District Organiser. Provincial Executive

District: Province National Organising Committee.

 Province: National Organising Committee

National Executive: External AssembliesNational Organising CommitteeNational Chairman’s office

 Students’ CouncilYouth National Organising CommitteeYouth National Executive
 Youth and WomenIndependent CommissionNational Executive

A command centre will be established at National and Provincial level to ensure the smooth running of the process when it kicks off the ground.

The provincial command centre shall be headed by the National Organising Committee assisted by the Provincial Executive

The presiding and supervising teams must have representation from all the party’s three wings; i.e. all the teams whether presiding or supervising must have a member from the Main, Women and Youth wings.
The guardian council shall have observer role.

ACCREDITATION
The presiding team shall be responsible for the accreditation of delegates supervised by the National Organising Committee.

VENUES
The venue must be central
The venue must be accessible

The venues for the lower level assemblies must be agreed upon by the organising committee and the executive, the presiding team and the organ convening the assembly. The venue must meet certain standards such as being central and accessible.

TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS

At the instruction of the Treasurer General, fundraising shall be done by the provinces for all its delegates.

CONDUCT OF THE PROCESS
Quorum
The quorum at all levels shall be at least two thirds of the eligible delegates

ELECTROL COLLEGE
It shall be constituted as per constitutional provisions on the delegates to the various assemblies.

Congress process

Vetting of all candidates using section 10 of this template. Only approved candidates are allowed to go to consensus process
Consensus first
If consensus fails the approved candidates will go for elections.

The congress shall respect the secret ballot.
Voting materials, printed ballots and boxes shall be prepared, provided and secured for all electoral processes by the presiding and supervising teams

A. QUALIFICATION TO HOLD OFFICE

The table below shows the minimum number of years that one is required to have served in the party before they can qualify to hold office in that organ.

ORGAN and MINIMUM NUMBER OF YEARS

• Branch 2
• Ward 5
• District 5
• Province 5
• National 5

For one to be eligible to be elected into a particular organ they must have served in a leadership position in the immediate lower organ or that organ for a minimum number of years as prescribed in the table above.

B. Disqualification
The under listed circumstances will lead to automatic disqualification:

If for any reason one stood as an independent candidates they are automatically disqualified from contesting and participating in the congress processes.
A person who is VIOLENT or associated with VIOLENCE will be automatically disqualified
A member who take bribes or give bribes.
Candidates will be disqualified if they promote factionalism or if they campaign as a slate
Malicious gossiping is strictly prohibited
Campaigning outside template provisions

APPEALS STRUCTURE
All appeals shall be made and concluded within one week.

All candidates have a right to appeal against the outcome of the process and the appeals shall be made to the following organs/committees:

Branches, Wards and Districts shall appeal to the National Organising Committee
Province and above shall appeal to the National Executive Committee

ELECTABLE POSITIONS.  
Branch to Province
Chairperson
Deputy chairperson
Secretary
Vice Secretary
Treasurer
Deputy Treasurer
Organising secretary
Deputy Secretary
Secretary for information and publicity
Deputy secretary for information and publicity

The above positions also apply to Women and Youth Assemblies up to the National level

NOMINATION AND VETTING
There shall be a nomination form for those who seek to hold and be elected for Provincial and National positions.

Provincial Nomination: Nominations for provincial executive positions shall be done after every district assembly and shall be done by the district council it shall be conducted by the National Executive members.

National Nomination
Nominations for national positions shall be done after every provincial assembly and shall be done by the provincial council and shall be presided over by the National Executive members.

iii. Youth and women Nominations

For the Women and Youth assemblies, one must have at least ONE (1) nomination for the positions of Chairperson and Deputy and at least ONE (1) nomination for the rest of the positions.           

National Nomination Procedure

The Nomination process for National positions shall be presided over by an Independent Board appointed by National Executive.

For one to be elected he /she must have at least have one nomination from Province to National.

According to the constitution there are 13 provinces in the party, 10 in Zimbabwe and 3 outside Zimbabwe. The following provinces will nominate Harare, Bulawayo, Mash East, Mash West, Mash Central, Mat North, Mat South, Midlands, Masvingo and Manicaland.  External Provinces, UK, USA and South Africa.

Vetting

Vetting shall be done by the Security Department working closely with the National Organising Department

CAMPAIGNING

No candidate is allowed to congregate structures outside the process outlined in this template.
No one is allowed to campaign in a province where they do not come from except for national positions.
All candidates shall be given a formal platform ( caucuses) at various levels to present their credentials and programs as justification for election.

A MEMBER of Professor Lovemore Madhuku’s National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) collapsed and died yesterday at a Bulawayo hotel while attending a Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) organised workshop.

The name of the deceased has been withheld because his next of kin may not have been informed.

The NCA member, who is suspected to have been diabetic, is said to have collapsed at about 2PM and rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

ZESN executive director, Ms Rindai Vava, declined to officially confirm the tragedy.

“We are following the right protocols before we go public. And I think it won’t be fair for the family to see it coming from us. But he collapsed and he was picked by the doctors who took him to the hospital,” said Ms Vava.

“We are still to get the official report from the hospital. We are not able to speak officially on those issues; we are still waiting for the right protocols to be followed. We are going to issue a statement by tomorrow and we need to get the permission of the family if we are to speak about what happened.”

She said Prof Madhuku was the right man to comment about the issue.

“He belongs to the National Constitutional Assembly and the best person to speak on this is Professor Madhuku. He was seconded by Prof Madhuku so we can’t speak on participants who were seconded by organisations. He is the right person to be quoted on this,” she said.

“He is not a member of my family. These are sensitive issues if you are asking about the conference I was going to respond.”

Prof Madhuku could not be reached for comment on his cellphone.

Sources said the death came as a shock to most participants at the workshop.

“Actually some of us did not see anything and we can’t even put a face to the name. It happened during the lunch break so most of us were not in the building when he collapsed,” said a source.

State Media

“Your good works will always follow you,”

Mnangagwa described the commander of the Gukurahundi killer soldiers.

Paul Nyathi|resident Emmerson Mnangagwa Mnangagwa has described the late Brigadier-General Emilio Munemo notorious for leading the Gukurahundi atrocities that killed over 20 000 people in Matabeleland and Midlands North as a great teacher who educated people on politics, revolution, and the Zanu-PF ideology.

Brig-Gen Munemo passed away on Sunday at the age of 64 and was rewarded with a national hero status for the work he did. He will be buried tomorrow at the National Heroes Acre.

Deliberately avoiding talking about his role in the Gukurahundi massacres, Mnangagwa told mourners at the Munemo family home in Harare yesterday, that the nation had lost a fountain of knowledge whose educational legacy was traceable to the liberation struggle.

“Cde Munemo left behind a legacy of education. He was a talented teacher who taught politics, history of the country and the ideology of the ruling party.

“He was a great teacher, very humble, but rich in mind. He appeared simple, but the moment he stood up to give a lecture, the audience would then realise his talent. He was a fountain of knowledge and his teaching prowess will always be remembered,” said Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa said hard work and loyalty which obviously included his role in leading the Gukurahundi took him up the ladder in the military ranks.

“Cde Munemo was a dedicated and hardworking cadre. He was so respectful and loyal to the leadership. That is why he rose through the ranks, after joining the army as a lieutenant-colonel,” he said.

Brig-Gen Munemo was one of the founders of Zanu-PF’s Chitepo School of Ideology which is slowly being generated into a weapon of indoctrination as the ruling party intends to force civil servants heads of departments to go through its trainings.

Mnangagwa said when the party leadership resolved to form the Chitepo School, Munemo’s name was quickly suggested as a great teacher who had the capacity to impart knowledge on the party members.

“When I, and the former president mooted the idea of establishing Chitepo School, we identified the names of those who had deep knowledge of the party ideology and history.

“Cde Munemo’s name was among the first names to be suggested. We felt being a mere card-carrying member without knowledge of the party ideology was not sufficient.

“We identified great teachers who imparted the relevant knowledge on to others,” he said.

Mnangagwa further said the Politburo unanimously declared him a national hero within a few minutes of the discussion.

“When the Politburo sat to deliberate on Cde Munemo’s hero status, a unanimous decision was made within two minutes. We all agreed to confer him with the hero status.

“Your good works will always follow you,” he said.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, on behalf of those who worked with Munemo in the army, friends and relatives, thanked the President for according the selfless liberator, national hero status.

“We want to thank our President for honouring us by declaring our colleague a national hero. He will now be laid to rest together with the rest of other fallen heroes.

“We feel honoured,” said VP Chiwenga.

Source: State Media

Correspondent|FIRST Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa will spend close to three weeks in New York on taxpayer’s money after she left one week in advance of a UN gender summit.

Online reports say that Mrs. Mnangagwa, who is increasingly taking over government roles, flew for New York on Monday for a summit which runs from 11 to 22 March. She left with her delegation on Monday and will clock close to three weeks in New York, the reports say.

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the United Nations’ largest gathering on gender equality and women’s rights and is the single largest forum for UN Member States, civil society organizations, and other international actors to build consensus and commitment on policy actions on this issue.

The 63rd session of the Commission, from 11 to 22 March 2019, focuses on the following themes:

Priority theme: Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls
Review theme: Women’s empowerment and the link to sustainable development (agreed conclusions of the sixtieth session)
Mrs. Auxillia Mnangagwa relinquished her Chirumanzu-Zibagwe National Assembly seat in February 2018 “to concentrate on her national duties as First Lady,” but she has of late encroached into government roles, with the latest New York jaunt as proof she might be aiming a return to government role.

President Mnangagwa at the time praised his wife for relinquishing the seat, saying: “Manga muna mai venyu, Mai Mnangagwa, muchifamba navo, vachifamba nemi vari MP wenyu. Ndazodzoka kuborder jumper, ivo (amai) havana kuinda neni, vakasara vakachengeta mhuri. Vakaona matambudziko akawanda, asi vakaramba vakangotsunga, vakangotsunga.

“Vakati zvino baba zvamava President, ini ndaFirst Lady, ndandafunga kuti handisungirwe kuti ndingoita Amai Mnangagwa veChirumanzu-Zibagwe (chete). Chiregayi ndiite mai venyika. Ndikati hallelujah! Hallelujah!”

Correspondent|RETIRED U.S. Foreign Service Officer and former U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr. Bruce Wharton has described the Zimbabwe Government’s hiring of an anti sanctions lobbyist as a tragic waste of public funds.

President Mnangagwa’s administration hired Donald Trump’s fundraiser Brian Ballard. Zimbabwe’s Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo signed a contract with Ballard Partners to represent Zimbabwe in Washington, making it the first firm to lobby on the country’s behalf in more than a decade.

The contract entails $150,000 quarterly installments through February 2020.

Writing on Twitter, Wharton said there will be no change in United States policy towards Zimbabwe.

Said Wharton: “Tragic waste of public funds. The return of investment here is likely a negative–no change in U.S. policy (presumably what they hope to buy) and a further decline in the Government of Zimbabwe/ZANU-PF’s credibility on real reform.”

Other analysts have also warned that even Mugabe paid US$3 million to lobbysts a decade ago but without the necessary reforms in the Zimbabwean political landscape, the sanctions have remained in force.

Wharton in 2014 when he was US Ambassador to Zimbabwe infamously said that the problems Zimbabwe is facing have nothing to do with “sanctions”, a position that his government has always maintained.

“Zimbabwe’s economy is in the hands of Zimbabweans. While businesses, labour unions, trade associations, courts and schools all have important roles, economic destiny starts with decisions made by the Government of Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabwe’s economy has been through dramatic ups and downs in the last 15 years. You all know that better than I do. But the idea that targeted U.S. sanctions have caused Zimbabwe’s economic woes simply does not hold up to critical analysis,” Mr Wharton said at the time, while addressing the SAPES Trust Policy Dialogue.

Farai Dziva|MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa has said factionalism is Zanu PF’ s religion.

Speaking in Harare yesterday Chamisa said: We have said this Congress is about positions that are going to be availed. In terms of the actual positions to be contested, through an election and some to be appointed, is something to be determined by the national council at our last meeting before the Congress and that will guide the course.

In terms of our constitution, we are supposed to have the presidium being open to contestation and the chairperson’s position as well.

There is still debate on the secretary-general’s position being open but that is a product of our internal democratic processes. We will be very clear on which positions to be contested at the appropriate time.

The congress is important because we will have a full team of effective leadership to take over the government in a democratic and constitutional manner. It also gives us a chance to have a solid team of people of substance.

I know they may not have shown their interests because in our party it is not allowed by the constitution to show interest — you are deployed as a cadre.
People choose you to belong to a particular position, you do not just say you want. You have to be elected by the people. It is a process which is rigorous and very democratic where people are nominated by the lower structures to say who they want.

Chamisa is not the firstborn of this party and he’s also not the last born. There was Morgan Tsvangirai who groomed me, but he also did the same with a lot of you at the party and we know that this movement will be in safe and capable hands.

We have proved to Zanu PF that by killing Tsvangirai, they made a mistake. The party is going to new levels and we will not collapse.
The party is energising and recalibrating. We do not want to see tyranny and violence in our structures. Those are qualities we see next door.

We cannot be a carbon copy of Zanu PF where factionalism is a national religion and corruption is the DNA.

THE MDC Alliance should stop tarnishing the image of the country and call for the removal of sanctions if they love Zimbabwe and have the people’s interest at heart, Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans’ Affairs Victor Matemadanda has said.

Speaking during a meeting with war veterans in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Matemadanda said the country was under siege due to misdirected energy by opposition parties and their allies.

“Anyone who loves Zimbabwe should call for the removal of sanctions that were imposed on the country. We all know that our economic situation is not good but let’s give the country a chance to develop economically.

“MDC people are travelling all over the world calling for the extension of sanctions while people who liberated this country are languishing in poverty due to these illegal sanctions. They don’t care,” said Matemadanda.

He said when they go to Parliament opposition legislators ask him what the Government is doing to improve the welfare of war veterans yet they know there’s nothing that can be done because they called for sanctions.

“If the MDC is sincere and wants people to be empowered and free from poverty they should ask Britain and America to remove sanctions now. These sanctions are making the ordinary people suffer.

“The MDC is not fighting the President but the ordinary people in this country. It’s sad that countries such as the USA are supporting the MDC in destroying the country. Even former President Robert Mugabe is funding this nonsense and it’s unfair to the people,” said Matemadanda.State media

THE Meet the People Rally that was to be addressed by President Mnangagwa at Lupane, Matabeleland North, tomorrow has been postponed.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland North Provincial secretary for administration Cde Douglas Khoza said a new date will be confirmed in due course.

“The visit by His Excellency President Mnangagwa has been postponed because he is busy with other programmes. This also has given us time to mobilise resources for the much anticipated event and we will most likely get confirmation of a new date next week,” said Cde Khoza.

He, however, said the province is always ready to receive the President.

President Mnangagwa is meeting party members in the provinces to thank them for voting for him and the party’s candidates in last year’s harmonised elections that ushered in the Second Republic.

The rallies are also a platform for President Mnangagwa to outline Government’s programmes and for the party to send a clear message to detractors that President Mnangagwa’s support base is strong.

-State Media

A GWANDA based taxi driver fatally ran over a cop in a hit and run incident and allegedly hanged himself in a bush near the scene.

Nqobile Nkomo (26) of Phakama Suburb who was driving a Fun Cargo ran over Constable Blackson Muzamba who was stationed in Gwanda on Friday last week at around 8PM near Cinderella B Mine in Gwanda and fled from the scene.

Muzamba was referred to Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he died on Sunday while admitted. Nkomo who had been reported missing was found hanging from a tree on Tuesday at around 9AM near the accident scene.

More to follow…

As the build up to the MDC-A Congress slated for May 24-May 26 gathers momentum, constitutional experts have submitted that the two former secretary generals Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti cannot neither be appointed nor elected to nay office since the party’s constitution clearly states that a candidate must have been a member for at least five successive years.

“If the MDC want to go the constitutional way then Biti and Welshman are not eligible to run for any office ,they should wait for five years or two years if they want to be in the district council,” explained a legal expert Advocate Samuel Chadenga.

Ncube and Biti broke away from the MDC in 2005 and 2013 respectively.

Ncube went to lead a break away MDC which was later referred as MDC N and Biti went to lead the MDC Renewal .

Ncube and Biti were re-admitted in the main opposition party in 2018 after elections .

Sources close to the on goings in the MDC-A said Biti and Ncube are believed to be both vying for the Vice President’s post though they are aware of the constitution.

“TB (Tendai Biti) and Welsh (Welshman Ncube) are eying the VP post and they are aware of the constitution which clearly stipulates that they can not even hold a district post,they are both lawyers” said our source.

Political analyst John Muchenje said the MDC has no respect to their constitution .

“You must not be surprised to see Ncube and Biti in the MDC National Executive ,they have no respect for their own constitution ,look at the way Chamisa (Nelson) took power it explains how the MDC operates,“said Muchenje.

According to the MDC constitution section 5 states that

“A member shall have served five years before he or she is eligible to hold the position in the Province, National Executive and National Council,” reads the clause of reference.

However, the MDC-A spokesperson Jacob Mafume said their Congress is guided by a template from the National Council

“Our election at congress is guided by a template which would have been produced by the National Council,” said Mafume.

Mafume watered down claims that the MDC-A has a different copy of the constitution .

“We don’t have different constitutions but we have updated versions and the last updated version was signed by President (Morgan) Tsvangirai (late)between 2014 and 2015,”added Mafume

Morning Post

Losing MDC Alliance Bulawayo Municipality Ward 28 by-election aspiring candidate Nomagugu Mloyi has vowed to stand in the upcoming polls despite losing in the chaos-riddled primary elections held last week.

The move is likely to create confusion in the party as two candidates from the main opposition party will go head to head a situation which is likely to split votes and favour other candidates vying for the vacant post.

Mloyi lost in the party`s primary elections last week to former Councillor Alderman Collet Ndhlovu who is seeking a third term in office after previously serving as a councillor for 10 years.

There was an instruction from the party that the candidate who loses in the primary election would withdraw their candidature from the by-election set for March 30.

However, both candidates had already successfully filed their papers at the nomination court a fortnight ago.

Contacted for a comment Mloyi said she was going ahead with her campaigns and will not withdraw her candidature.

“I did not receive any instruction from the party to step down and I will continue with my campaign as I was put there by the party,” said a defiant Mloyi.

Mloyi said she lodged an appeal in writing to the party`s Chief of Staff Sesil Zvidzai on the outcome of the primary elections.

“I wrote a letter to Zvidzai after the primary elections to register my dissatisfaction in the way the primary elections were run and he responded noting that they received the letter,” she said.

“The election was not free and fair, there were lots of irregularities, my campaign team was displaced during the day of the election and we were supposed to use the ZEC voters roll as well as the 2014 congress party structures but that was changed at the last minutes”.

Mloyi also claimed that party members from other wards were allowed to vote during the primary elections.

According to party insiders, the matter was discussed at the National Standing Committee meeting held in Harare yesterday but it was stood down after the members failed to arrive at a conclusion on the matter.

Contacted for a comment Zvidzai said the party will ensure one candidate emerges before the by-election is held.

“There is still a possibility of us ending up with one candidate despite missing the window of opportunity to withdraw one of our candidates,” said Zvidzai.

“We will at the same time handle any complaints that come from either of the two candidates. We are confident that we will end up with one candidate and the other candidate will offer support to the one representing the party.

Mloyi also dismissed as propaganda a letter purportedly written by the party`s national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo expelling Mloyi from the party for defying a party directive by refusing to withdraw her candidature.

“I think the letter is fake, we spoke to the national chairperson (Thabitha Khumalo) and she said she did not write the letter”.

Khumalo said she was out of the country when sought for comment and referred the publication to “party officials on the ground”.

Mloyi added that she was being vilified by some party members “because I am a woman”.

Mloyi said she was confident of winning in the by-election as she had massive support from the electorate.

CITE

By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwean body builder, Regina Jonga has scooped gold in the Women’s Category of the WFF bodybuilding competition in China.

Jonga, was awarded with a pro card, making her a professional body builder.

She has in the past won the Winter Bodies competition and followed that up with winning the H&H classic in 2016.

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

JUST IN: Zimbabwean bodybuilder, Regina Jonga, has just scooped a gold medal in the Women Extreme category of the WFF Bodybuilding competition in China.

She has been awarded a pro card that makes her a professional bodybuilder. pic.twitter.com/0Ru5gX6d6k

— The Sports Queen (@thesportsqueen) March 7, 2019

Correspondent|ADVOCATE Fadzayi Mahere has said that the sanctions imposed by the United States of America are legal. American President Donald Trump this week renewed sanctions against Zimbabwe by at least a year.

“US sanctions against Zimbabwe aren’t illegal. They’re authorized by their legislature. They’re not forced by any domestic or international law to associate with Zimbabwe beyond what they’re comfortable with. Our opinions on this are irrelevant. If we want them lifted, must play ball,” Mahere said in a tweet which attracted both scorn and support in equal measure.

“If they’re (Zimbabwe government) serious about wanting the sanctions lifted, they must demonstrate serious commitment to meeting the stated conditions. The US has no qualms with imposing sanctions for decades (see Cuba). Unless there’s reform, we’ll be singing the same tired tune in 20 years time.”

With regards to calls by regional leaders including South African President Cyil Ramaphosa for the sanctions to be lifted, Mahere said the opinions of regional leaders were as irrelevant as ours. The only way out of the sanctions grip was a reform by the Zimbabwean government, she said.

“Please stop roping in countries like South Africa to call for the lifting of sanctions. Their opinions on the imposition of the sanctions are just as irrelevant as our own. We must reform. There are no shortcuts. African 2-faced diplomacy won’t rescue us or our economic woes.

“Calling the US names won’t help either. Diplomacy means we have to know whether we are buying or selling & exercise humility accordingly. If we weren’t affected by the sanctions, we wouldn’t be harping on about how terrible they are ad nauseam. Government needs to change strategy.

“Sanctions aside, the reform of the Zimbabwean state is a good thing for us all. It’s a pity that the people can’t compel Govt to change. We want reform regardless of whether sanctions have been imposed. The refusal to reform constitutes a sanction by the Government on the people,” said Mahere.

Correspondent|A-14-YEAR-Old juvenile from Binga who allegedly killed his six year old sister for speaking in IsiNdebele has been arrested.

The fugitive minor was allegedly hiding out in a cave near his home.

The suspect from Mulindi village, under chief Dobola, whose name is withheld for ethical reasons, is suspected to have killed Senzeni Sibanda, Grade One pupil at Mulindi Primary School, last Tuesday.

He severely assaulted his sister and threw her into a river resulting in her drowning.

THE Embassy of the United States of America in Harare says the US sanctions on Zimbabwe are affecting only 84 individuals and 56 corporates. The embassy says the rest of the 16 million Zimbabweans are not affected in any way by the restrictions.

In a chain of tweets, the US Embassy says: “The U.S. does not maintain comprehensive sanctions against Zimbabwe. Suggestions that the U.S. intends to harm the Zimbabwean people with sanctions are false and misleading.

1/3 #Truth: The U.S. does not maintain comprehensive sanctions against Zimbabwe. Suggestions that the U.S. intends to harm the Zimbabwean people with sanctions are false and misleading. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 7, 2019

2/3 #Truth: U.S. targeted sanctions list: 84 individuals and 56 entities. People of Zimbabwe: 16 million +. Sanctions do not target the people of Zimbabwe. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 7, 2019

3/3 #Truth: U.S. targets sanctions on those who engage in corruption, violate human rights or undermine democratic institutions, not the people of Zimbabwe. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 7, 2019

“U.S. targeted sanctions list: 84 individuals and 56 entities. People of Zimbabwe: 16 million-plus. Sanctions do not target the people of Zimbabwe.

“U.S. targets sanctions on those who engage in corruption, violate human rights or undermine democratic institutions, not the people of Zimbabwe.”

Some queried why the truthfulness of the US statement, considering that the 56 entities affected employ thousands of people and have business that affects many other plays down the business chain. Besides, the political elites have still managed to grow even richer inspite of the sanctions.

Opposition leader Daniel Shumba, however, said he concurs with the US Embassy. “We studied the Sanctions issue, and agree that corruption, human rights violations, constitutionalism, and rule of law are the fundamental tenets being demanded. These are already espoused in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, and simply need compliance. To this extent the UDA agrees.”

His party, the United Democratic Alliance, recently pulled out of the dialogue process initiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, citing lack of sincerity and the absence of MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa as a handicap.

American President Donald Trump this week extended the sanctions on Zimbabwe by at least another year. In a letter to the US Senate, Mr. Trump said Zimbabwe remained a threat to US foreign policy.

He wrote in his letter: “While the election itself was an improvement over past elections, post-election violence, credible reports of intimidation and clear bias of the electoral commission kept it from being fully free and fair.

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has yet to implement the political and economic overhaul required to rebuild its reputation within the international community and dramatically improve its relationship with the United States.

“The actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or institutions continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.”

Farai Dziva|MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa has openly accused Zanu PF of killing the founding president of the opposition party Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

Speaking in Harare yesterday Chamisa said: We have said this Congress is about positions that are going to be availed. In terms of the actual positions to be contested, through an election and some to be appointed, is something to be determined by the national council at our last meeting before the Congress and that will guide the course.

In terms of our constitution, we are supposed to have the presidium being open to contestation and the chairperson’s position as well.

There is still debate on the secretary-general’s position being open but that is a product of our internal democratic processes. We will be very clear on which positions to be contested at the appropriate time.

The congress is important because we will have a full team of effective leadership to take over the government in a democratic and constitutional manner. It also gives us a chance to have a solid team of people of substance.

I know they may not have shown their interests because in our party it is not allowed by the constitution to show interest — you are deployed as a cadre.
People choose you to belong to a particular position, you do not just say you want. You have to be elected by the people. It is a process which is rigorous and very democratic where people are nominated by the lower structures to say who they want.

Chamisa is not the firstborn of this party and he’s also not the last born. There was Morgan Tsvangirai who groomed me, but he also did the same with a lot of you at the party and we know that this movement will be in safe and capable hands.

We have proved to Zanu PF that by killing Tsvangirai, they made a mistake. The party is going to new levels and we will not collapse.
The party is energising and recalibrating. We do not want to see tyranny and violence in our structures. Those are qualities we see next door.

We cannot be a carbon copy of Zanu PF where factionalism is a national religion and corruption is the DNA.

THE United Nations Human Rights Council will dispatch special rapporteurs to Zimbabwe to investigate allegations of human rights abuses by State security agents, Parliament has heard.

Appearing before the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs ministry secretary James Manzou said President Emmerson Mnangagwa has already given the greenlight for the Geneva-based body to visit the country because the government had nothing to hide.

He also said 12 people were killed during the protests against fuel price increases in January, which turned violent. Police have all along insisted that only three people, including a policeman died during the disturbances with human rights groups putting the death toll at 17.

“In terms of human rights, Zimbabwe and the President have nothing to hide. The Human Rights Council in Geneva wants to send special rapporteurs to Zimbabwe and the President has said let them come,” he said.

A report released by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum last month said 17 cases of extra-judicial killings allegedly committed by the army had been recorded since January 14 when the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and other social movements organised a nationwide stayaway to protest against a steep increase in fuel prices.

Local human rights groups said since January 14, they had documented at least 1 803 violations committed by the security forces across the country.

They include at least 17 cases of rape or other violations of a sexual nature, 26 abductions, 61 displacements, 81 assaults consistent with gunshot attacks, at least 586 assaults and torture, inhuman and degrading treatment including dog bites, 954 arrests and detention (including dragnet arrests), among other violations.

The Kindness Paradza-led committee asked the Foreign Affairs secretary to explain Zimbabwe’s tarnished image given the post-election killings on August 1 last year, which left six people dead and the January disturbances.

But Manzou painted a rosy picture of Zimbabwe’s human rights record and re-engagement efforts with the international community.

He said since the November 2017 coup when former President Robert Mugabe was removed from power, Mnangagwa had made great strides in re-engagement with the international community and promoting democracy.

Paradza said Manzou must explain to Parliament if the re-engagement efforts were succeeding, and whether the Foreign Affairs ministry was visible given that after the re-engagement processes the United States had renewed sanctions against government.

“Indeed, we are making progress and successes in terms of re-engagement, which is not a one-day affair, and on the renewal of Zidera (Zimbabwean Democracy and Economic Recovery Act) and European Union measures on Zimbabwe, there are various delegations that have visited and they want to open a new page and foreign policy re-engagement has been visible,” Manzou said.

“In the new dispensation, communication between the Foreign Affairs ministry and embassies has improved 100% and we speedily arranged meetings concerning the (Kgalema) Motlanthe (commission of inquiry) report and the January events with diplomats to indicate what was happening, and Zimbabwean ambassadors abroad were also under strict instruction to brief their host countries.

“President Mnangagwa also felt the need to brief his colleagues in the region in terms of what was happening in Zimbabwe and there is regular communication. The total number of people who died was 12.”

On re-entry to the Commonwealth, Manzou said during the first half of 2019 the grouping of former British colonies will visit Zimbabwe and thereafter there will be two other stages of engagement before the Zimbabwean issue goes to summit level.

“Our re-engagement efforts with the Commonwealth are on course, but there are steps to be taken before any conclusion can be made. The Commonwealth was here in July 2018 and they observed our elections and they gave us feedback which is under consideration by the Cabinet committee,” he said.

Manzou claimed that Mnangagwa had managed to open up the democratic space in Zimbabwe and that during the 2018 elections, the President invited the European and Commonwealth observers among others to observe Zimbabwe’s July 30 2018 elections.

Manzou said sanctions were hurting Zimbabwe by impeding investments and credit lines, as well as painting a bad image of the country. On the diaspora policy, Manzou said his ministry now had a broader database of diasporans and was considering having a diaspora conference once a year.

In a statement read on behalf, Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo said the country was on track in terms of foreign policy to promote the country’s political and economic interests as well as Zimbabwe’s international image. Moyo said this has been evidenced by Mnangagwa’s numerous visits to different countries in Eurasia, Asia and Africa to strengthen bilateral ties.

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- Two robbers reportedly pounced on two sisters at a house in South View Extension in Gweru on February 18, 2019 and raped them before getting away with cash and valuables.

The alleged rapists went away with 10 cellphones, $1 500 bond notes, US$2 200 and an HP Laptop.

Midlands Police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko could not confirm the incident, although a local publication has it on good authority that the case was recorded under RRB number 3719043 on February 18, 2019.

“We haven’t received that case as of now but l will check with other relevant departments and get back to you,” said Goko.

The report indicates that on February 18, 2019 at around 4am, two unknown accused persons broke the complainant’s window pane and gained entry into the house armed with a metal rod and a knobkerrie.

One of the accused proceeded to the first complainant’s room and demanded cash but the latter said she did not have any. The two searched the room and found $50 and a Samsung cellphone.

One of the accused removed the first complainant’s blankets and forced her to remove her night dress. He threatened to pull her legs apart using a metal rod and had unprotected sex with her once without her consent. This happened while his colleague was standing by the door.

After the act the accused persons covered the complainant with a blanket, switched off the lights and proceeded to the next girl’s room.

They woke the second complainant up and again demanded cash. One of the accused raped her after she said that she had no money.

The suspects then searched the whole house and took 10 cellphones, $1 500 bond notes, US$2200 which were in complainant number 2’s handbag and an HP Laptop.

The two accused persons left the house and went away unnoticed.-TheMirror

By Own Correspondent- A Gwanda based taxi driver who fatally ran over a cop in a hit and run incident has allegedly hanged himself in a bush near the accident scene.

Nqobile Nkomo (26) of Phakama Suburb who was driving a Fun Cargo ran over Constable Blackson Muzamba who was stationed in Gwanda on Friday last week at around 8PM near Cinderella B Mine in Gwanda. Following the accident, Nkomo reportedly fled from the scene.

Muzamba was referred to Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he died on Sunday while admitted.

Nkomo who had been reported missing by his next of kin was however found hanging from a tree on Tuesday at around 9AM near the accident scene.-StateMedia

Chief Justice Luke Malaba last year authorised the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to hire for its functions a Marquee owned by General Chiwenga for a whooping Usd150K per day. Previously the JSC had a contract with Rooneys who charged Usd13K per day for a similar Marquee! pic.twitter.com/ucnHvdVHTx

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) March 6, 2019

By Own Correspondent| The US embassy in Harare has clarified the assertion that the western power aims at harming Zimbabweans with sanctions.

Said the US in a series of tweets published below:

1/3 #Truth: The U.S. does not maintain comprehensive sanctions against Zimbabwe. Suggestions that the U.S. intends to harm the Zimbabwean people with sanctions are false and misleading. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 7, 2019

2/3 #Truth: U.S. targeted sanctions list: 84 individuals and 56 entities. People of Zimbabwe: 16 million +. Sanctions do not target the people of Zimbabwe. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 7, 2019

3/3 #Truth: U.S. targets sanctions on those who engage in corruption, violate human rights or undermine democratic institutions, not the people of Zimbabwe. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 7, 2019

By Own Correspondent| A High Court judge Justice Foroma has ordered the release of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Board Chairperson Rashid Mahiya.

Mahiya, who is also Heal Zimbabwe Executive Director was granted $1 000 bail and told to report twice at Harare Central police station.

Mahiya is facing treason charges following the January 14 fuel protests which rocked the country.

He is being accused of attempting to subvert a constitutionally elected government and he handed himself to the police last week after being on their wanted list for over a month.

Farai Dziva|MDC A president, Nelson Chamisa has postulated that war veterans leader Victor Matemadanda adores the opposition party in essence.

Chamisa yesterday responded to Matemadanda’s statement he about the youthful leader’ s lack of maturity.

Matemadanda declared that the war veterans preferred Douglas Mwonzora to Chamisa as the latter was immature.

“They want to try and divide us by thinking that they can choose one in our midst. This is not a Zanu PF congress. This is an MDC congress. Why are they showing preference of one candidate or the other? But I know that inside his heart Matemadanda adores the MDC A,” said Chamisa.

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appreciated the broad collection of minds and skills which makes up the newly established Presidential Advisory Council (PAC).

The PAC, which held its inaugural meeting today (Thursday) at State House comprises of 25 members including seasoned business executives, industrialists and academics.

The grouping – is expected to provide Mnangagwa and the government with well-canvassed ideas, proposals and strategies to realise government’s Vision 2030, which is predicated on attracting domestic and foreign investment and transforming Zimbabwe into a business-friendly investment destination.

Said Mnangagwa following the meeting:

“Today, we held the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council, a broad collection of minds and skills from the private sector brought in to contribute to policy discourse and governance.

Their skills, knowledge, expertise and networks will help the new Zimbabwe grasp the great opportunities that lie before us. It is through a collective, patriotic approach that we can together build the Zimbabwe we all want.”

By Own Correspondent| The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Welfare is reportedly pushing for the age of sexual consent to be reduced to 12 years.

Currently, the age of consent is 16 years, which is considered too low by social conservatives.

The issue of reducing the age of sexual consent was confirmed by the Assistant Clerk of Parliament Johane Gandiwa who said that the issue of reducing the age of sexual consent to 12 years was actually discussed by the Health and Child Welfare committee last week during a workshop.

In reaction to those sentiments, a lawyer and former MDC legislator and MP for Harare West Jessie Majome said:

“I remember how we fought so hard in the 8th Parliament with Innocent Gonese and Priscilla Misihairabwi in the Committee stage of the Criminal Codification Reform Amendment Bill to raise the consent age from 14 to 18 and got 16, now it can just blow away in 2 fell swoops!

…During the debate I advocated for a referendum on the age of consent as a way of resolving that critical national issue and pleaded that for once we hold a referendum on something that actually touches our lives in a direct way, not just politics.”

By Own Correspondent| Spokesperson for the MDC led by Dr Thokozani Khupe Linda Masarira has castigated President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration for its persecution on Harare West legislator Joanah Mamombe.

Masarira said she cannot sleep over the incarceration of Mamombe querying when there will be rule of law in the country.

She said:

“I can’t sleep thinking about Joanah. Political polarisation divided us. My heart is bleeding for Jojo (Joanah Mamombe). I am in tears. How long will it take for the rule of law to be observed. Bail is a right of every prisoner. Justice delayed is justice denied. #FreeJoanahMamombeNow!

By Own Correspondent- Former Cabinet minister Supa Mandiwanzira has revealed that he is being persecuted for being one of the best perfomers during his tenure as minister.

Mandiwanzira, who was the Information Communication Technology (ICT) minister sought referral of his case to the Constitutional Court and said he was being persecuted for following the law in his conduct as minister.

The development follows Harare Regional magistrate Elijah Makomo’s decision which trashed Mandiwanzira’s application against trial for criminal abuse of office charges.

Mandiwanzira allegedly caused NetOne to pay $5 million to Megawatt, a South African based company for a consultancy job.

“I was a deputy minister for only 11 months before I was upgraded to a full cabinet minister. This speaks volumes of my integrity and capacity to lead. My roles included superintending over the entire ministry and companies which fall under it.

It was a mandate from the cabinet and the President that we as ministers must involve ourselves in the entities to ensure its performance was not a drain to the fiscus and corruption free. As you know, shareholders have interests in growing their businesses…but I’m being dragged to court for doing the right thing. Having done good for the government, I get punished, all my efforts gone to waste. The charges just become nonsensical.”

That I made a personal benefit is a fiction. I feel this is not prosecution but persecution, for just being right. I acted in a fashion that is unheard-of as a public official. We were able to recover $30 million, documented, signed and agreed for. No one has ever done that and no one would have considered that I favoured the company.”

Mandiwanzira said the consultancy deal was never put to tender.

He said the company approached him and the job was done for free therefore he does not understand where the element of favour was coming from.

He said this was good for NetOne and the government.

Said Mandiwanzira over his prosecution, “I feel horrible that I am being criminalised for doing the right thing. I feel horrible and gutted that I may be sent to jail for up to 15 years for merely doing what was right in my job, that is to protect public interest in making sure those that had fleeced (NetOne) returned the money. What I did is what was and should be expected of a Minister. Where there was a loss to the taxpayer l recovered US$30 million. I really feel gutted.”

“I did not only use my personal discretion, I consulted my principals and they gave specific direction on how the work was to be handled. I did that through one-on-one meetings and there are records of those meetings. There is written documentation to that effect,” Mandiwanzira said.

By Own Correspondent- Former cabinet minister and G-40 kingpin Saviour Kasukuwere is set to lose his immovable property to the state after he failed to present himself for trial.

This was revealed by Presidential Anti-Corruption Unit special prosecutor Zivanai Macharaga in a notice to Kasukuwere’s lawyers.

Read the letter:

“We write to advise that on January 17, 2019, accused was issued with a warrant of arrest after he failed to appear for his trial. In terms of section 119 (1) and section 133 (a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, an order declaring any recognisance forfeited can be made.

The State, hereby, notifies the court that on March 6, 2019, it shall make an application to have an immovable property surrendered by the accused person as surety to be declared forfeited to the State, as referred to in the minute dated February 22, 2019.

The State will proceed to make such an application in view of the fact that the accused has clearly defaulted court and has no willingness to stand trial. The accused has no right of audience before the court of law in view of the fact that he is a fugitive.

The State will make the application as notified unless the accused appears in court in whatever condition be it sick or good health. If the State succeeds and has the immovable property forfeited such a property may be sold by public auction or the State may deal with it any other way allowed by the law and this will be done on the shortest possible time provided by the law.”

Ugly clashes ensued in the central business district of Harare between municipal police and vendors.

Municipal police have since last year continued with an operation to rid the CBD of vendors and today the informal traders retaliated forcing police to open teargas.

WATCH VIDEO…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZLrDE7Xb8E

By Own Correspondent- Vice President Kembo Mohadi’s son, Bruce has been arrested for armed robbery after a gun raid on a car sales in Eastlea, Harare, ZimEye has learnt.

However, details of the robbery and what exactly transpired were still sketchy by the time of writing.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates

By Own Correspondent- Police in Mutawatawa, Mashonaland East province, have arrested an elderly Pfungwe man for allegedly axing his wife, accusing her of recklessly using grocery without putting into consideration the current economic challenges.

Patricia Nyauziyo (41) of Siyakurima village, under Chief Chitsungo was rushed to Mutawatawa District Hospital by villagers after she was struck with an axe on the forehead by her husband Fanuel Madzonzoni following a dispute over sour milk.

Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident and said the suspect was charged with attempted murder.

“I confirm the incident of a Pfungwe man who struck his wife with an axe over a misunderstanding concerning groceries. Police would like to urge members of the public to desist from using violence as a way of solving disputes. It is imperative to use peaceful means such as the use of third parties to assist in resolving any misunderstandings,” he said.

According to police, on February 26, at around 8:45pm, the suspect and his wife were in their bedroom when a misunderstanding arose over groceries.

It is reported that Madzonzoni accused his wife of giving their 17-year-old daughter some sour milk meant for him.

The suspect allegedly became violent, dragged his wife outside the bedroom and struck her once on the forehead with an axe. Nyauziyo sustained a deep cut.

It is reported that the complainant escaped into the darkness and fell down about 50m from the homestead.

She was later assisted by her daughter and a fellow villager, who ferried her to Mutawatawa Hospital where she was admitted.- Newsday

Fire has destroyed a section of Kariba Hospital with firefighters now trying to contain the fire.

The fire reportedly started from the Pharmacy section early this morning and the cause is yet to be ascertained.

It has spread to the X-ray section and fire fighters from Kariba Municipality and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) are trying to put out the fire and restrain it from spreading to other sections of the hospital.

The fire started around 5am this morning.

-State Media

Girl Child Network founder Betty Makoni has condemned parliamentarians in the portfolio committee on child welfare and health over reports that they argued over waiving the age of consent for having sex from 16 to 12 saying they must all step down for such an abomination.

Posting on Twitter, Makoni said the committee should be added on the sanctions list and be barred from working with children as they may be plotting to rape children.

This committee must be added to targeted sanctions list. They must be barred from working with children. The committee must renamed Child Protection and Safeguarding with immediate effect. This is the most dangerous thing to happen to Zimbabwean children. Zero Tolerance to this

— Muzvare Shonga Betty Makoni (@MuzvareBetty) March 6, 2019

A liberation war veteran from Mutare has been charged with fraud after assisting a late war veterans daughter get her father’s pension before stealing the US$2 700 deposit from her Cabs account.

Echbel Mudadirwa (62) of 2290 Chikanga 2, Mutare denied the charges when he appeared before magistrate Prisca Manhibi.

He was remanded to March 14 for continuation of trial.

Prosecuting, Nyasha Mukonyora told the court that Mudadirwa who is employed as a war veterans officer based at the District Administrator, Mutare stole the late Washington Matunha’s US$2 707 pension on June 5, 2015.

Mudadirwa facilitated its pay out at the request of Matunha’s 26 year old daughter.

Mudadirwa had from the beginning asked the late fellow war veteran’s family to give him US$30 for transport so that he travels to Harare when he was engaged back in 2013.

Two years later he informed the daughter that everything was in place and the pension was ready.

He then asked the young lady to give him her Cabs bank card and pin number.

Mudadirwa upon noticing that the money had been deposited withdrew the entire pension for his personal use.

Sometime in July 2015 she then approached Mudadirwa requesting to have her bank card back but was received with threats. 

On June 3, 2016 she requested a bank statement for her account upon which she realised that US$2 707 had been deposited from the pensions office and withdrawn on June 5, 2015.

She made a police report leading to the arrest of the war veterans leader.
The state notes that the lady is not well equipped with the knowledge of bank cards, hence the advantage used by the accused to steal her money. 

-263Chat

The State intends to forfeit an immovable property belonging to former Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere, which he surrendered as part of his bail conditions after he allegedly fled the court’s jurisdiction.

Presidential Anti-Corruption Unit special prosecutor Zivanai Macharaga revealed this in a notice to Kasukuwere’s lawyers Charles Chinyama and Advocate Thembi Magwaliba dated February 27 and also addressed to the clerk of court.

The application was expected to be heard yesterday, but Macharaga and Chinyama agreed to have the matter postponed to March 14.

“We write to advise that on January 17, 2019 accused was issued with a warrant of arrest after he failed to appear for his trial. In terms of section 119 (1) and section 133 (a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act an order declaring any recognisance forfeited can be made,” the letter read.

“The State, hereby, notifies the court that on March 6, 2019, it shall make an application to have an immovable property surrendered by the accused person as surety to be declared forfeited to the State, as referred to in the minute dated February 22, 2019. The State will proceed to make such an application in view of the fact that accused has clearly defaulted court and has no willingness to stand trial. The accused has no right of audience before the court of law in view of the fact that he is a fugitive.”

Kasukuwere had applied for the release of his passport to enable him to seek medical attention in South Africa.

“The State will make the application as notified unless the accused appears in court in whatever condition be it sick or good health. If the State succeeds and has the immovable property forfeited such a property may be sold by public auction or the State may deal with it any other way allowed by the law and this will be done on the shortest possible time provided by the law,” the letter read.

But Magwaliba further challenged the purported notice of the State saying the section used to file the notice was defective.

“We further notice that your notice is purportedly predicted on section 199 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act and if the reading of the same section is correct, your notice is again defective since it is predicted on the wrong law. You may want to take this opportunity to visit the relevant section,” he said.

— NewsDay

Correspondent|MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa and his Secretary-General Douglas Mwonzora are embroiled in a new battle: how many positions are up for grabs at the party’s Congress set for 24 May.

Douglas Mwonzora says that all the 16 positions are up for contest according to the party’s constitution, but the Chamisa camp says only four positions are voted, with the rest being appointed by the incoming leadership.

A constitutional amendment that gave Tsvangirai power to appoint members who make it into the standing committee is what the Chamisa camp is basing on. High-level sources this week said the MDC was now grappling with the resolution amid indications it was never co-opted into the constitution proper.

“Mwonzora is arguing all positions should be contested while Chamisa wants to maintain the status quo. The secretary-general argued that the 2014 resolution is not law, but part of rules that can be chopped and changed before congress, depending on circumstances,” a source said.

In a bid to deal with what the party claimed were “two centres of power between the president and secretary-general”, Tsvangirai, at the close of the 2014 congress, pushed for changes to the party’s governance charter centralising power in his office and stripping the then powerful secretary-general of influence.

Described at the time as the “Zanufication of the MDC”, the changes were used by Tsvangirai to elevate Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri into the presidency as his two deputies, joining Thokozani Khupe, who had been elected at congress.

Chamisa was still licking his wounds after a loss to Mwonzora in the race for the coveted post of secretary-general.

The new secretary-general and Khupe were left seething with anger, but the die had been cast. Sources said the party’s standing committee would be the next battleground to determine how the congress will be run with a draft template set to be debated.

“Today (yesterday), the standing committee will meet and debate the draft rules for the congress that will come from the national organising department. It is a template that would need to be endorsed by the national council as well as congress. It is possible that all positions could be elected,” another source said. “The most difficult decision is on how to deal with the position of vice-president. We need to deal with how many will be elected. As things stand, none among the presidency (Chamisa) vice-presidents (Morgen Komichi, Welshman Ncube and Elias Mudzuri) are elected. The national chairperson and her deputy were appointed. It’s a mess.”

Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume, while confirming that the MDC standing committee was meeting, said he would give details after the indaba.

“Yes, the standing committee will meet today. We will consider the manner in which congress will be held. I, however, can’t give details now,” he said.

Tsvangirai moved to centralise power in an effort to stem the tide of consistent break-aways by party secretary-generals. It started with Ncube in 2005 following disagreements over participation in senatorial elections before Tendai Biti broke away from Tsvangirai in the aftermath of the 2013 electoral loss.

Both Biti and Ncube have since returned to the party now under Chamisa.

THE High Court has dismissed an application for a permanent stay of prosecution filed by former Finance minister Ignatius Chombo, who is facing several cases involving corruption, fraud and criminal nuisance.

The court said his abduction by members of the Zimbabwe National Army, during Operation Restore Legacy in November 2017, was not meant to extract a confession for criminal offences against him.

Following his arrest and his subsequent appearance in court on criminal charges, Chombo petitioned the High Court last year, seeking an order to compel the National Prosecuting Authority and its boss Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi to permanently suspend his prosecution alleging violation of his constitutional rights as enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

In his earlier application, the former minister said on November 15, 2017 at midnight, his premises were raided, commando style, by AK47 assault rifle-wielding soldiers who then forced entry into his main house where they pointed a gun to his head, handcuffed, chained and blindfolded him before whisking him away.

Chombo said on November 23, 2017, he was released by his abductors, but after being dropped at home, he was immediately arrested by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), who detained him and eventually took him to court.

“I have already found that the circumstances under which the applicant (Chombo) was raided, handcuffed, blindfolded and frog-marched to a vehicle which took him to an unknown place where he was held captive for almost nine days, have not been refuted in a meaningful way. I find that indeed that mistreatment occurred as a result of which there were infringements of the applicant’s constitutional rights as alleged. The question which arises, therefore, is whether the appropriate remedy should be an order for permanent stay of prosecution,” Justice Nicholas Mathonsi said in his judgment.

The violation of Chombo’s rights by the army appeared to have been undertaken for no discernible reason at all, the judge said, adding that excessive force and violence was used to capture him leaving a trail of destruction.

“He was then held for sometime in movie-style while nothing meaningful was happening except to keep him in isolation for a lengthy period while extraneous questions were routinely put to him for nothing, but the amusement of his interrogators. He was not subjected to physical assault and neither was there an attempt to extract evidence or a confession from him in respect of the offences he is now facing. It is quite strange indeed,” Justice Mathonsi said.

“I have no choice in the matter, but to apply the principle that where the torture or ill-treatment of an accused person prior to charges being preferred against him or her has not resulted in a confession or the extraction of evidence sought to be used by the prosecution at the criminal trial, but the prosecution is relying on other evidence not obtained illegally, the accused person is not entitled to an order of permanent stay of prosecution even though he or she was ill-treated or tortured.”

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa will today meet his Advisory Council for the first briefing at the State House today.

Mnangagwa appointed a 26 member Presidential Advisory Council a few weeks ago composed of experts in various fields.

Some of the key names in the council includes, Alpha Media Holdings owner, Trevor Ncube, Ecocash Chief Executive Officer, Natalie Jabangwe Morris and many others.

More details to follow…

By Own Correspondent| After twenty years of flying Zimbabwe’s flag in Europe, Luckson Chikutu popularly known as Manlukerz has finally got the recognition that has been elusive to him over the years- NAMA nomination.

Manlukerz will battle it out against Donel Mangena and Black Panther actress Danai Gurira in the special category of Artist in the Diaspora.

“It is humbling to be finally recognized home.  I want to thank Zimbabwe and Sweden journalists who have contributed more than the expected in spreading my work. And l also want to thank Zimbabweans, Swedes, other European countries and Also Africans in Europe in general for being very supportive in my work l have been sharing with them,” he said.

The NAMA nomination comes barely after the trailblazing cultural ambassador scooped the prestigious award from Al-TV network Sweden for his role in promoting African culture.

The award came at a time that the maverick singer is celebrating twenty years in Sweden.

Due to his studies in music business. Manluckerz have evolved from just being a musician to  
a Cultural Coordinator, Inter-Music Producer, Marketing Consultant, Artistic Director, Inter-Music Promoter, Inter-Artistic Advisory, Youths Coaching, Concept Development Event Management, Actor, Story Teller, Tourism and Cultural Author.

The singer who is celebrating 18 years in marriage is also the author of a cultural book called Flashback Identity.

“I managed to achieve my goals through focusing, determination, discipline and dedication. It is very important to plan in whatever you intend to do in life,” is Manluckerz’ advice to upcoming musicians.

He also reiterated the need for government to prioritize arts and culture.

Zimbabwe should put a budget for culture if the government is serious about promoting our tourism in other countries.  Culture should have a budget. I created ZIMFEBI to promote Zimbabwe culture and tourism but when I got involved in an accident, the idea fizzled with me,” he said.

 Chikutu is the man behind the annual Zimbabwe Music Festival Bira (ZIMFEB) was involved an accident that claimed two lives in 2015. He was in Zimbabwe for the festival.

Zimfeb was formed in April 2007.

Correspondent|Fuel mogul Kuda Tagwirei, who is one of the 26 members of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC), looks all happy and content at the State House meeting this morning.

Tagwirei, who was christianed “Queen Bee” by social media influencer Acie Lumumba because of the way all fuel money virtually ends up in his pocket, is the Chief Executive Officer and Director at Sakunda Holdings Group and a businessman with vast interests in the energy sector.

The PAC is having its inaugural meeting with President Mnangagwa at the State House this morning.

Members of Presidential Advisory Council

• Busisa Moyo
  Divine Ndhlukula
  Joe Mutizwa
  Zondo Sakala
  Lewis Maxwell Musasike
  Dr Norbert Mugwagwa
  Dr Godfrey Sikipa
  Remigius Makumbe
  Simbarashe Mangwengwende
  Dr Lindiwe Sibanda
  Aenias Chuma
  Edwin Manikai
  Sam Malaba
  Professor Kuzvinetsa Nzvimbo
  Natalie Jabangwe
  Trevor Ncube
  Janah Ncube
  Dr Shingi Munyeza
  Simon Hammond
  Richard Wilde
  Kudakwashe Tagwirei
  Prof. Robson Mafot
  Mfaro Moyo

PAC members were appointed by His Excellency the President based on experience, expertise, leadership, contacts and standing in society.

They should be non-partisan and will serve at the pleasure of the President. They draw no salary or allowance from the Treasury.

By Own Correspondent| Prominent Harare lawyer and politician Fadzayi Mahere has come out guns blazing blasting “fake moralists” who are on record going to town preaching the anti sanctions mantra but are mum on the atrocities committed by the state security agents against innocent citizens.

Mahere said the fake moralists are nauseating for their silence even after the murder, torture and rape of innocent civilians by soldiers arguing that the sanctions are legal.

Said Mahere:

“To the fake moralists who preach morality to the US about extending legal sanctions but are silent when soldiers shoot unarmed civilians, rape women and torture defenceless people- take your fake morality elsewhere. Imposters are nauseating. Reform or deal.”

To the fake moralists who preach morality to the US about extending legal sanctions but are silent when soldiers shoot unarmed civilians, rape women and torture defenceless people – take your fake morality elsewhere.

Impostors are nauseating. Reform or deal.??

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) March 6, 2019

By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwe is set to be hosting at least 350 Tourists from China starting this month, the ministry of Information and Publicity has revealed.

According to the ministry, the tourists visit has been facilitated by a Chinese company Touchroad International which is working in partnership with the Zhejiang Department of Culture and Tourism.

A monthly charter flight will bring the tourists.

Said the Information ministry:

Zimbabwe is going to be receiving 350 Chinese Tourists monthly starting this March from just one Chinese company, Touchroad International. The company is working with the Zhejiang Department of Culture & Tourism. A monthly charter flight will bring the tourists @METHI_Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/eq2s8Z0k7j

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) March 7, 2019

DISRUPTIONS to telecommunication networks will continue because operators owe millions of dollars to foreign firms for maintaining and upgrading their infrastructure due to the unavailability of forex to pay them timely, NewsDay has learnt.

The foreign firms owed the most by local telecommunication firms are Chinese telecom conglomerates Huawei Technologies Co. Limited and ZTE Corporation as well as Swedish firm, Ericsson.

Huawei, ZTE and Ericsson are owed millions of dollars for maintaining and upgrading the infrastructure of local telecoms firms. They have now suspended their services until they are either paid for services rendered or receive future payments upfront.

Delays in paying these foreign firms have led to the current telecommunication infrastructure failing to handle increased voice and data on the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data platform, leading to the network disruptions witnessed since Monday.

“I am not going to beat about the bush on these issues because it was Econet that was affected, so that is very correct that they must have had an overload on their systems and things like that. The fact that they are failing to pay, especially Ericsson. Concerning ZTE and Huawei, I think, they are negotiating with them. They really have serious problems with Ericsson…” said Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) director-general Gift Kallisto Machengete, told NewsDay yesterday.

“. . . because Ericsson would want them (Econet) to pay… They are supposed to pay Ericsson and they have got a debt which they have failed to service and now Ericsson is growing cold feet in terms of coming to assist them in the network. They (Ericsson) now want some upfront payment or some big deposit to be made, but as you know our foreign currency situation is not good, so they have not been able to get that foreign currency.”

He said Potraz had engaged Ericsson about the problem of not receiving its forex payments to encourage them to continue giving assistance despite non-payment of dues.

Econet Wireless is the largest telecommunication company in Zimbabwe which is why most of the country was affected by the network disruptions.

However, other platforms such TelOne and NetOne were also affected as they use technology from mostly Huawei who are owed money for maintenance and upgrades, according to sources.

“Not only on Econet are there issues. We have problems with TelOne on their debt and again we have been approaching the RBZ (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) who has been assisting in the best manner possible,” Machengete added.

“We have been doing everything to make sure the sector remains afloat . . . we know our operators are having forex problems, which are affecting the network and that we are aware. All of them (telecommunication firms) have these challenges.”

According to industry sources, having foreign currency would allow local telecommunication companies to pay licensing fees in regards to using their network which are serviced by these foreign firms.

It would also help paying for maintenance and upgrades to what are known as ‘switches’ at base stations that help in the calling process and transmission between base stations as well as paying for international internet bandwidth.

Local telecom firms Econet, NetOne, Telecel, Africom, Powertel and TelOne depend on such services with need growing over time due to the growth in internet penetration, fixed voice traffic, mobile voice traffic, mobile internet data, and international incoming internet bandwidth.

Due to this rise, telecommunication infrastructure need to be constantly maintained and upgraded to meet rising demand which requires forex.

Econet, in emailed responses to NewsDay confirmed that they were experiencing forex exchange challenges and an increase in network usage.

Compounding the situation is the recent introduction of the 2019 Monetary Policy that legalised local currency into official tender forcing telecom companies to seek a review on tariffs.

Industry sources said days after the release of the 2019 Monetary Policy, the telecoms sector wrote to Potraz requesting an upward review of tariffs.

Machengete said they were currently considering those proposals and would need at least 14 days to look into the matter.

NewsDay

CHIEF Justice Luke Malaba has thwarted a move by suspended University of Zimbabwe (UZ) vice-chancellor Levi Nyagura to directly approach the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) challenging his prosecution by a special anti-corruption unit set up by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Nyagura is facing charges of corruptly awarding a PhD to former First Lady, Grace Mugabe.

Justice Malaba deliberated on Nyagura’s application which was filed in October last year in his chambers, and yesterday made a determination upholding a decision by a Harare provincial magistrate Lazini Ncube, who had earlier dismissed the UZ boss’ bid to approach the highest court in the land.

In his application, Nyagura had cited Ncube, Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi and the anti-corruption unit’s prosecutors Tapiwa Fresh Godzi and Michael Chakandida, as respondents.

“There is discordance between what happened and the relief sought. The relief sought is based on the allegation that there was refusal by the court to refer the constitutional questions to the court. There was no refusal. There was a determination of the constitutional questions on merits,” Justice Malaba ruled in concurrence with other Constitutional Court judges, justices Tendai Uchena and Vernanda Makoni.

“The decision terminated the controversy between the parties on the question whether the authority to prosecute was lawfully given to the third and fourth respondents (Godzi and Chakandida), by giving victory to the Prosecutor-General. The applicant (Nyagura) was bound by the decision of the court and had to stand trial.”

Justice Malaba further said Nyagura invoked a wrong remedy in a bid to redress the magistrate’s court ruling, adding if he felt the ruling was wrong, he should have filed an appeal to redress the magistrate’s decision.

“A wrong judicial decision does not, however, give rise to a ground for an alleged violation of the right to equal protection of the law. No law provides protection to a litigant against the possibility of a judicial officer making a wrong decision. In the result, it is ordered as follows: the application be and is hereby dismissed, with no order as to costs,” Justice Malaba said.

In his application Nyagura had argued that according to Section 260 (1) of the Constitution a public prosecutor was supposed to be independent, impartial and not subject to the direction or control of anyone, adding anyone who assists the PG must be employed by a board of the National Prosecuting Authority.

Allegations against Nyagura are that sometime in 2011, he single-handedly accepted and approved Grace’s application to study for a PhD in Sociology without the knowledge of the Department Board and Faculty of Higher Degrees Committee.

The State alleges that Nyagura went on to appoint two professors to supervise Grace’s thesis without the board’s approval. Nyagura is also accused of usurping the powers of the UZ senate by single-handedly appointing examiners for Grace’s research in violation of the UZ Act, and Ordinance 1998/99.

— NewsDay

Correspondent|Senior government officials from South Africa arrived in the country yesterday for preparatory meetings of the third session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) amid indications that the $400 million National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) deal will be on the agenda.

The BNC, to be held next Tuesday, will be co-chaired by President Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, coming hard on the heels of a similar fixture between Zimbabwe and Botswana last week.

The two leaders, widely considered to be pro-business, are expected to take strong bilateral cooperation between the two neighbours a notch higher.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Mr Gideon Gapare yesterday said all was set for the BNC which is the highest bilateral framework of cooperation between the two countries.

“A team of senior officials is coming today (yesterday),” he said.

“There will be a preparatory meeting tomorrow to be attended by senior officials of both countries. Thereafter we will have a meeting of Ministers.”

Senior officials will meet today and tomorrow while a Ministerial meeting will be held on Monday.

Own Correspondent|A fire has destroyed a section of Kariba Hospital with firefighters from the Kariba Municipality and the Civil Aviation Authority now trying to contain the raging fire.

Eyewitnesses say the fire started from the Pharmacy section at around 5am this morning and spread to other sections.

The cause is yet to be ascertained.

It has spread to the X-ray section and fire fighters from Kariba Municipality and the Central Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) are trying to put out the fire and restrain it from spreading to other sections of the hospital.

This is a developing story…..

Former Police Commissioner General Dr Augustine Chihuri’s family has been hit hard by financial challenges to an extent of petitioning the High Court for permission to sell an agro-residential plot in Goromonzi to pay school fees for three minor children.

The plot measuring 3,5 hectares, was registered in the name of one of Dr Chihuri’s children, 20-year-old Miss Samantha Chihuri, but three other minor siblings have usufruct to the same property.

In terms of the law, one cannot sell a property in which minor children have personal interest without seeking permission from the High Court, which is the upper guardian of all children.

Dr Chihuri’s wife, Mrs Isabel Chihuri, this week filed a chamber application at the High Court seeking an order empowering her to sell the property to finance the children’s educational needs. The minor children are aged 16, 11 and nine.

In the application prepared by Zimbodza & Associates, Mrs Chihuri said her major Samantha wanted to finance her college fees and related needs.

The same money, according to Mrs Chihuri, will also be used to pay fees for the other three minor children.

“The three have personal rights, namely usufruct on a property belonging to and registered in the name of Samantha Chihuri, born the first of June 1999, my major daughter,” said Mrs Chihuri.

“The deed of transfer is attached hereto as Annexure D. Samantha intends to sell the property to finance her college tuition and college-related needs. It is also intended that the money from this sale will also finance the school fees and school-related needs of the minor children.”

Mrs Chihuri wants the court to appoint Harare lawyer Ms Shoorai Gutsa as curator to the three minor children and to manage and protect the interests of the minor children in the transaction.

“I have nominated Ms Shoorai Gutsa, a senior legal practitioner, notary public and conveyancer who has agreed to be a curator ad litem for the said minor children,” said Mrs Chihuri.

“She will be able to assess and ascertain what is in the best interest of the said minors prior to the sale and transfer of the property.”

Master of High Court Mr Eldard Mutasa, who was cited as the respondent in his official capacity, is yet to respond to the application.

State Media

By Own Correspondent- Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has revealed that he has no qualms congratulating anyone who emerges winner in the upcoming party’s National Elective Congress slated for May 24- 25.

Chamisa said contrary to circulating sentiments which are especially coming from Zanu Pf, the MDC is not heading for a split but the party is set to emerge stronger as it is going to democratically come up with fresh, renewed and competence leader.

Chamisa said this while addressing journalists at Morgan Tsvangirai House (Wednesday) shortly after holding the National Standing Committee meeting.

Said Chamisa:

“I will be the first one to congratulate anyone who emerges the winner in the upcoming congress…..The upcoming 5th Congress is a turning point for the MDC, we are moving to another level.

We have a platform to set a new culture, new infrastructure, new systems, new ideas, new tactics and strategies. While defining a new course for Zimbabwe!”