ELIZABETH Macheka, widow of the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, yesterday poured her heart out, sharing intricate details of the couple’s psychologically-draining journey from the day the former Prime Minister was diagnosed with cancer of the colon to the moment he breathed his last.

Tsvangirai succumbed to cancer on February 14 last year after a two-year-battle with the disease.

Speaking at a well-attended memorial service of the late Tsvangirai at the Harare Exhibition Park, Elizabeth said: “He was a very brave man, very courageous and he was just a hero. He was a patient man that at times you would wonder whether he was angry or not. When you expected him to be angry, he would maintain his cool.

“We went to the doctor and all tests were done, so we were waiting for the results for about two hours. I could see that his body was not well, but he put on a brave face and insisted that he was OK.”

“After two hours, the doctor came and he said ‘unfortunately, I don’t have good news for you’. This doctor is a white Zimbabwean working from South Africa. He looked at Tsvangirai and did not know where to start from,” she said.

“Then he looked at me. I was shaking. I could see that he was trying to console me. We were given the results. The doctor was crying, and he said we have less than 24 hours to go for operation because the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. I was in tears. The doctor was crying, but instead of him (Tsvangirai) being worried, he was busy consoling me and the doctor. That’s how strong he was.”

She said well-wishers assembled a team of medical experts from different countries to try and save Tsvangirai’s life.

“During his last months, we went to East Africa. We had doctors from France, the United States and India who came to try and find if they could help him. A lot of people knew Tsvangirai, he was just a hero and he was loved,” Elizabeth said.

She also opened up on how Tsvangirai was duped into believing that Zanu PF was ready to form a transitional government with the MDC to ensure implementation of political reforms before going for polls.

“Tsvangirai supported the new dispensation whole-heatedly thinking it was a new dispensation because he thought it would open a new page that would allow Zimbabweans to work together and chart a new narrative for the people,” she said.

Speaking at the same occasion, Tsvangirai’s successor Nelson Chamisa also said Zanu PF had in 2018 promised a transitional government and reforms, before making a U-turn and pushed for elections held on July 30.

He said Tsvangirai died a bitter man after being betrayed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

— NewsDay

Emmerson Mnangagwa|Today, I met with the honourable members of the diplomatic corps here in Harare. I told them that in order to succeed we need unity, and for the world, once again, to believe in the new Zimbabwe.

Only in unity can we make it through this period of austerity, because tough decisions hurt. But just as tough medicine has short-term side effects; the long-term result is to cure the patient.

We continue to restructure our economy, and these economic measures will continue to be complemented by political reforms. We are proud of the strides we have already undertaken to fully entrench democratic values and constitutionalism in the country.

I emphasised once again that violence has no place in our midst; indeed, it is a betrayal of the new Zimbabwe and must be criticised by all parties. The implementation of the recommendations of the “Motlante Commission Report” into the August 1st Post Election Violence, is progressing well. Sadly, however, we witnessed once again the ugly flare of premeditated violence on the country’s urban centres on 14th January in the disguise of mass protests and demonstrations.

I reiterated today that in the new Zimbabwe, everyone has the right to protest; peacefully. Everyone has the right to voice their opinions, peacefully. And everyone has the right to criticise me and the government; peacefully. The riots were neither civil nor peaceful and were bent on effecting a regime change.

Following the vandalism, violence, and associated looting, the security forces had to step in. And what followed is still being investigated. However, it must be clear to all that the army and the police are here to serve the people of Zimbabwe, to protect the people of Zimbabwe, to uphold and enforce the law of Zimbabwe.

Any evidence of rogue police officers or soldiers taking the law into their own hands will be dealt with and they will face the full force of the law.

On 6th February, I thus. invited the leaders of all political parties and former Presidential aspirants in the 2018 elections to an unconditional national dialogue. I once again called on those who refuse to take part in the national dialogue to stop grand standing and playing games with the lives of the people of Zimbabwe. Let us join together and work for a prosperous and united Zimbabwe.

I concluded by urging the nations of the world to give the new Zimbabwe a chance. Stand with us. Stand with us as we toil to chart a new course for our nation, for the people of Zimbabwe. We are open and transparent; we have nothing to hide.

I will remain a listening President. My arms are outstretched, and my door is open. We hear your criticisms and when it is fair the insights are noted and implemented. But we are in the process of restructuring, reforming and rebuilding an entire system, an entire nation. Rome was not built in a day.

As we battle through these growing pains, I urge you all, to be our partners in building a better tomorrow for our people. With your help and support we will build a new Zimbabwe.

Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has consoled the families of the 23 miners trapped in a mine in Kwekwe.

Chamisa described as disturbing the situation regarding the casualties of the Battlefield Mine disaster.

Posting on Twitter, Chamisa said;

Extremely concerned …the situation regarding casualties in the Battlefields mine disaster near Kadoma which could rise from the initial 23 reported yesterday is very disturbing. Our prayers are with all the affected and their families.

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) February 15, 2019

Vice president, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga, is suspected of suffering from the lethal polonium- 210 poisoning, and is reportedly admitted at an undisclosed Indian military hospital.

High level sources in the defence ministry this week disclosed that Chiwenga was rushed to India aboard a private plane through the Manyame air base in the capital, for “urgent treatment” and “tests of any possible unidentifiable poisons” as military intelligence officials suspect the former Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) boss, could have ingested the poison administered using food by his political enemies.

Chiwenga’s medical rescue efforts are said to have involved top officials from India’s armed forces and the Zimbabwe army, and that India’s president, Ram Nath Kovind, had called the VP to check on his progress in treatment and health.

Chiwenga paid Kovind a visit last year in March, as a special envoy of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to explain the regime’s new dispensation policy following the overthrow of former leader, Robert Mugabe, in a military coup in November 2017.

“Number 2 (Chiwenga) was rushed to an Indian military hospital following suspicion that he could have been poisoned with some kind of dose of a lethal poison or military grade nerve agent during the November coup period,” said the sources. “Military intelligence officials are not taking any chances. The fact that medical doctors in Zimbabwe and South Africa have failed to explain his exact ailment, made them to believe that he could have been made to ingest polonium -210 using food by his enemies, which is very difficult to trace in the human body and only nuclear scientists have the expertise needed to trace it.”

Polonium-210 is a rare radioactive metal discovered by Marie Curie in the late 19th century. While radioactive, it emits a high-energy form of radiation, but the particles do not travel far and it decays relatively quickly. Curie named the chemical element after her country, Poland.

Polonium-210 is also a known carcinogen (substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue). When inhaled, it causes lung cancer, and if swallowed, it becomes concentrated in red blood cells, before spreading to the liver, kidneys, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and the testicles or ovaries, according to medicalnewstoday.

The deadly poison was infamously used to kill the former Russian spy, Alexander Litvinenko, in London in 2006. He died of radiation sickness. Litvinenko is alleged to have swallowed a fatal dose of Po-210 by drinking tea at a business meeting with two other Russians. Both were charged with his murder.

Last year opposition politician and activist, Elliot Pfebve, made stunning revelations that, the late prime minister and MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, may have been poisoned using a poisonous metal isotopy allegedly bought by the ruling Zanu PF party from Russia, which is similar to polonium-210, to eradicate the opposition leadership. “Tsvangirai may have been poisoned, in the same way Mnangagwa was poisoned. In 2014, I received a tip-off that Zanu PF bought a poisonous metal isotopy from Russia destined to eradicate opposition leadership. It is similar to Polonium 210 which killed Alexander Litvinenko in London but a slow reactive poison than Polonium 210 that takes time to kill its victim by inducing cancer. This may have explained why recently Mnagagwa came out open on what doctors told him, of a poisonous metal found in his body, which can only be found from 2 military governments of the world, Russia and Israeli,” Pfebve said.

Ironically it is Chiwenga who reacted with speed to Mnangagwa’s alleged poisoning, by sending a helicopter to airlift him from a party rally in Gwanda, and then further to South Africa for emergency attendance.

Mnangagwa is thought to have survived the poisoning, through the skin of the teeth, as he received early medical treatment and because the poisonous metal found in his system was quickly removed.

Local online media and the mainstream reported this week that Chiwenga was in India for treatment, with confirmation from the information ministry, which described his ailment as a “minor abdominal ailment”. Another online publication, ZimLive, said the second in charge had reportedly undergone esophageal manometry, “used to measure the strength and muscle coordination of one’s esophagus when they swallow”.

There has also been speculation of witchcraft claims as the source of Chiwenga’s affliction, while other reports have linked his medical woes to skin cancer. Chiwenga has been in and out of hospital in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Only last week the VP was at Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital.

Another high profile world leader, thought to have succumbed to polonium-210 is the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, according to a Swiss forensic report obtained by Al-Jazeera.

Arafat’s official medical records say he died in 2004 from a stroke resulting from a blood disorder. But his body was exhumed in 2012 amid continuing claims he was murdered.

The Swiss report said tests on the body showed “unexpected high activity” of polonium, which “moderately” supported the poisoning theory.

Source: Byo 24

By Own Correspondent| Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi on Thursday came to the rescue of Chegutu West MP Dexter Nduna (ZANU PF) when quizzed by senators to explain the death threats issued by the latter.

Nduna ‘confessed’ to killing a countless number of people, some of whom he did not even know when he clashed with Norton MP Temba Mliswa on Tuesday.

While responding to a question from Matabeleland South Senator Meliwe Phuthi (MDC Alliance) on the government’s policy on MPs who confess that they have committed murders, Ziyambi said:

The Shona language is rich and ambiguous, and one can use the word ‘murder’ (kuwuraya) saying that you have killed me with jokes, or that you have killed me with too much food.

When someone refers to the word ‘murder’ in Shona, it needs to be qualified what they mean.

That is why I said in Shona the word murder is ambiguous. If we take that word as meaning to kill someone, then we need to know who has been killed.

If you have information about someone that was murdered, then bring it so that it can be investigated because murder can be investigated even 20 years after it was committed.

By Own Correspondent| Government has started preparing performance contracts for its senior officials such as permanent secretaries and directorates and parastatals, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.

Said Mutsvangwa:

Once this document is adopted it will trigger the formulation and signing of the Permanent Secretary’s contract. Once the Permanent Secretary has signed the performance contract, directorates and parastatals in the Ministry will commence the process of coming up with the Departments’ Integrated Performance Agreements, the Director’s or Chief Executive Officers Performance contract, departmental work and Performance Monitoring Plans from which individuals will draw their own work plans.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| Zanu-PF Youth League national political commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu has urged Zimbabweans to resist unjustified price hikes.

The youth league leader said citizens should exercise their rights as consumers to resist unjustified regime change-inspired price increases.

Tsenengamu said this while addressing a Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial youth inter-district conference in Chinhoyi on Wednesday.

He said:

Unscrupulous businesspeople held on to basic commodities and increased prices willy-nilly. We have to know as a nation that if we want prices to stabilise, it’s not going to take the President or Government. It takes us the people. We are the market.-StateMedia

Aljazeera journalist Haru Mutasa has been denied a visa to the United Kingdom, according to her Tweet yesterday.

Mutasa did not give much detail but said it is in connection with the feeling that she might not return back home upon visiting the Western super power.

Visa denied ….. coz they dont know “if i will come back home” to Africa…… wow …..

— harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) February 14, 2019

The Harare City Council which is dominated by the MDC Alliance has decided to invite first Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa for fundraising dinner Zim Morning Post has learnt.

This comes as the MDC Alliance is still disputing the 30 July 2018 election results and they have since refused to recognise the current government.

In an interview with this publication, the first lady Auxilia Mnangagwa said the function cuts across the political divide.

“This is no longer about Zanu PF or the MDC. I am the first lady to everyone and I have to be apolitical. The event has nothing to do with politics so I have been invited and I will attend for the good of this country,” she said.

The move by Harare City council is against the position of the MDC Alliance. In November 2018 MDC Vice President Engineer Elias Mudzuri visited State House on Senate business but later faced a serious backlash from the Nelson Chamisa supporters.

Mudzuri was filmed being interrogated by the MDC Deputy Treasurer General Charlton Hwende on why he attended the State House event.

Harare mayor Herbert Gomba said that the Dinner is being organised by the Harare Council Green Ambassador Dereck Mpofu and he directed all questions to him but confirmed that the first lady was invited.

“The event is being organised by our Green Ambassador Dereck Mpofu and he is the one in charge. If the First lady comes it will be good so that we attract the corporate world and raise enough resources to buy bins for the City,” said Gomba.

Political Analyst Tafadzwa Mugwadi said the move by the Harare Council was interesting.

“It is interesting because the council in Harare is controlled by the MDC which on one hand say they do not recognize President Mnangagwa but choose to invite the first lady when it is convenient. It shows that perhaps the MDC is mature at its lower structures and childish at the top,” said Mugwadi.

Morning post

Delta Corporation has announced that effective 14 February 2019 beer price will be sold in United States Dollars.

375ml of Brown bottles will be going for USD$1.50 while 340ml of Green bottles will be going for USD$2.00.

In January Delta Corporation has reversed a decision to sell its products in foreign currency after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)  assured the beverage manufacturer it would provide the forex required to fund its import requirements.

Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube is on record appealing for private firms to be patient while Government worked on fiscal consolidation.

“We are saying the private sector should wait for us to give policy. They should be patient and see how our fiscal policy is making progress. We are making good progress in fiscal consolidation and once we are ready, we will institute the requisite monetary reforms,” Ncube was quoted saying by state media last month.byo24

OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday said he would not be bulldozed into “a meaningless dialogue” with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, vowing that any talks with the Zanu PF leader to resolve the current political stand-off would only start after government has stopped the arbitrary arrests and persecution of his party members.

But Mnangagwa, addressing foreign diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe at State House yesterday, took a dig at the youthful opposition leader, accusing him of being “immature” and playing to the gallery by spurning his recent offer to kick-start the negotiations.

Speaking during a public lecture in Harare to celebrate the life of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai, Chamisa said he would also only agree to dialogue with Mnangagwa after identification of a neutral arbiter and venue.

Chamisa told the public lecture that his party was prepared to use its political muscle through demonstrations, where all its supporters countrywide would descend on Harare and demand dialogue to discuss Mnangagwa’s legitimacy and genuine electoral and political reforms.

“The dates of the demonstration will come, but we want this country to be peaceful and prosperous. But that has to be done on account of dialogue and we have said we need dialogue on these issues,” he said.

“If Mnangagwa is not willing to dialogue, we will have to invite him to dialogue through political pressure. In terms of the Constitution, we have a democratic right to demonstrate. We will have to bring everyone to Harare and this is the mother of all demonstrations. This country must be liberated.

“We continue on the same path led by Tsvangirai. I have refused to have my victory stolen by Mnangagwa. We are not going to stop, we are going after him until he lets go of what he stole. He has to return what is ours.”

But Mnangagwa, who last week held an indaba with a majority of last year’s presidential aspirants minus Chamisa, reiterated his call for dialogue among political players, adding that those refusing to co-operate were “playing with the people’s lives”.

“All the presidential candidates, who have the maturity and sense of leadership joined us. I call on those who refuse to take part in the national dialogue to stop grandstanding and playing games with the lives of the people of Zimbabwe,” Mnangagwa said.

“I will remain a listening President. My arms are outstretched and my door is open. We hear your criticism, and when it is fair, the insights are noted or implemented.”

Mnangagwa accused a hidden “foreign hand” of sponsoring last month’s violent protests, which broke out after he announced a 150% fuel price hike.

To quell the protests, which had turned into an orgy of arson and looting, government unleashed the military and police, who allegedly fatally shot at the protesters and left 17 people dead and dozens others injured.

Yesterday, Mnangagwa said he was still probing allegations that the military abused civilians.

“Any evidence of rogue police officers or soldiers taking the law into their own hands will be dealt with and they will face the full force of the law,” Mnangagwa said.

“The demonstrations were, therefore, neither civil nor peaceful and were bent on effecting a regime change. I urge you to give the new Zimbabwe a chance. Stand with us. Stand with us as we toil to chart a new course for our nation, for the people of Zimbabwe.”

This came as Chamisa threatened to unleash a humongous demonstration against the Zanu PF government, despite threats of another military crackdown.

“The ZCTU [Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions] is our mother. They called for a peaceful stayaway and when it was very successful, they blamed the sins of the mother on the child. You will see us when we call our own. Very soon, we are calling for one, we are going there,” he said.

Chamisa, who has refused to recognise Mnangagwa’s victory in last year’s presidential poll, said he would mobilise his supporters to march against gun-toting security forces.

“Are we afraid to die? We are not. We are already dead. Do we fear getting injured? We are already hurt. Are you afraid that these people will finish you? They can’t finish us, we are many. It’s us who will finish them,” he said.

Chamisa reaffirmed his desire to retain his post at the MDC elective congress slated for October.

The widow to the late opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, Elizabeth Macheka has made startling revelations that her husband supported the new dispensation led by Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This is despite the fact that Tsvangirai was the major critic of the ZANU PF administration.

Elizabeth made the revelations at the late Tsvangirai’s memorial lecture held in the capital Thursday.

“Morgan Tsvangirai supported the new dispensation, he said now Zimbabweans are free and we should let bygones be bygones,” she said.

Speculation has it that this could have been the major discussion when Mnangagwa and his deputy visited the ailing Tsvangirai at his Highlands home.

The sentiments were also echoed by the MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa who revealed that the late leader in fact sent him to attend Mnangagwa’s inauguration.

“President Tsvangirai called me when I was at court and asked me to attend the inauguration. I at first doubted the move but complied.

“I attended the inauguration because Tsvangirai had told me that he was promised a transitional government,” said Chamisa.

Tsvangirai died on February 14 2018 and Chamisa took over on the next day, in a development that caused a split in the opposition party.

Meanwhile, Macheka has also been implicated in a lot of drama with images of her in the company of unidentified man went viral on social media.

She has however distanced himself from the drama and ‘cyber-bullying.’

Meanwhile Mnangagwa joined thousands local and foreign dignitaries who paid tribute to the iconic pro-democracy proponent.

Writing on his microblogging site Twitter, Mnangagwa said: “One year after Morgan Tsvangirai left us, we remember his patriotism as well as his lifelong commitment to Zimbabwean unity and democracy. Now, more than ever, we need to work together as we build our new Zimbabwe.”

MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa will force the President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the negotiation table through demonstrations in a bid to pile political pressure on the ruling party.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the late Morgan Richard Tsvangirai memorial service Thursday, Chamisa said that dates will be announced in due course.

“The dates will come, we need dialogue, we have to invite Mnangagwa on the negotiation table through political pressure,” said Chamisa.

Chamisa said that they were planning a series of demonstrations. “We are coming from another stay away and very soon we are going to organise more, the one organised by the ZCTU was a success and we are going to organise the mother of all demonstrations,” he added.

Last week Mnangagwa invited all 2018 elections presidential candidates to state house where Chamisa snubbed the meeting and on the next day Mnangagwa also absconded a breakfast meeting organised by Chamisa, however, through Zimbabwe Council of Churches.

Mnangagwa dispatched Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri to represent him. Many critics have however warned that Chamisa’s move will cause more harm than good to innocent citizens who are likely to be restrained by security forces to restore peace and order.

ZANU PF youth league national secretary Pupurai Togarepi said Chamisa ‘must grow up’ and understand the difference between ‘dialogue and negotiation.’

“ZANU PF won elections and its time it sinks in Chamisa’s mind.

“Dialogue and negotiations are worlds apart. As people we can talk and lobby for dialogue but not negotiations to take away the mandate given to ZANU PF by the electorate. That is undemocratic. ZANU PF will not yield to child’s play and worse still unlawful activities such as the recent demonstrations,” said Togarepi.

Morning post

ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa has insinuated that MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa is ‘immature and has questionable leadership qualities’.

Mnangagwa insinuated that MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa is ‘immature and has questionable leadership qualities’.

Mnangagwa has for long avoided to attack the person of Chamisa but in his address to members of the diplomatic corps at State House on St Valentines Day , he made remarks that made apparent reference to the youthful MDC Alliance leader.

“On the 6th February 2019 I invited the leaders of all political parties and former Presidential aspirants in the 2018 presidential elections to an unconditional dialogue aimed at narrowing our political differences and drawing a common socio-economic future and political path for our country.

“All the Presidential candidates who have the maturity and sense of leadership joined us. I call on those who refuse to take part in the national dialogue to stop grandstanding and playing games with the lives of people of Zimbabwe.,” he said.

He urged citizens to be united and work together towards a better nation.

“Let us join together and work for a prosperous and united Zimbabwe.

Continuous dialogue within our nation in an exercise I am determined, as President, to see through. What unites the people of Zimbabwe is more than what could ever divide us,” he declared.

Chamisa did not attend the February 6 invitation where 22 representatives of the 2018 harmonised elections were in attendance.

He instead set conditions for dialogue and mocked those who attended stating that dialogue is supposed to be between only himself and Mnangagwa.

Meanwhile, at the same event Mnangagwa also assure diplomats that his government was against violence and will deal with rogue elements within the security forces.

He also reassured his commitment to the engagement and re-engagement with different nations as he believed it was the impetus to economic growth.

The occasion was a belated New Year celebration for members of the diplomatic corps and was held at State House.

The event was held late due to Mnangagwa’s pressing commitments bent towards nation building.

Morning post

A 42-year-old teacher stationed at Dzingire Primary School in Chimanimani has been hauled to court facing accusations of raping one of his pupils on two separate occasions after luring her with sachets of Jolly Juice powder on both incidents.

Warren Chikwewu, who was residing at the school, appeared at Chipinge Magistrates Court facing two counts of rape.

He was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before magistrate Mr Joshua Nembawire, who remanded him in custody to February 20, for trial.

Mr Nembawire advised Chikwewu to approach the High Court for bail application.

State Media

Casualties in the Battlefields mine disaster near Kadoma could rise to 50 from the initial 23 reported yesterday, amid indications that more bodies could have been washed down shafts and tunnels that were flooded on Tuesday night.

Various mining companies from Mashonaland West Province — including Zimplats, RioZim and small-scale miners — joined the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) in marshalling water pumping machinery to drain the flooded mines.

The victims are believed to be trapped in seven pits with depths of up to 100 metres and the tunnels have to be cleared of water before the recovery of bodies can begin.

Many illegal miners had reportedly entered the shafts at Cricket and Bazter mines on Tuesday night before the mines were flooded after rains that pounded the area.

Deputy chief mines inspector Mr Tapererwa Paskwavaviri said the commencement of the retrieval process depended on the size of pumps available.

“We were able to cover at least seven metres in 15 hours using the four pumps that we got from individual miners with a combined pumping capacity of 55 horsepower. The pumping was at a rate of about 30 cubic metres of water per second,” he said.

“That would have taken us about five days to draw water out of the pits but with the coming in of heavy equipment from Zimplats and RioZim, we expect the time to be significantly reduced.”

A supervisor at one of the pits at Cricket Mine, Mr Alex Mbudzi, said he recorded 23 people who entered the pit on the fateful night.

He, however, said more illegal miners entered the shafts without permission, raising fears that more people could have perished. Mr Mbudzi ruled out chances of people being found alive.

“There were heavy rains on Tuesday night from around 10pm. However, we did not expect anything bad to happen, but suddenly we found out that water was getting into our cabin while pits were submerged in water,” he said.

A worker at Baxter Mine, Mr Enock Madamombe, said he woke up to find himself immersed in water while sleeping in a cabin before he went to higher ground.

“We had not started work, but the four who entered the mine forced their way in. No one managed to come out of the pit.

“We had diverted water so that it does not affect our operations but the water was too powerful and destroyed the barriers we had put up,” he said.

Mrs Eunica Zvitiki, whose son Xavier Chitiki was trapped, had lost hope that her son would be found alive.

“I know people are saying there is hope that Xavier would be found alive but from what I am seeing and the level of water I saw, there is little chance of that happening. I am preparing for the worst,” she said.

State Media

Own Correspondent|Five people who were associated with a group of demonstrators who torched Southlea Park Police Station in Harare, two police vehicles and the Skyline tollgate during the citizen protests that rocked the country last month were each sentenced to an effective three years in jail after being found guilty of public violence on Wednesday.

Tawanda Sibanda (22), Tafadzwa Murape (20), Lorencia Kachidza (47), Vincent Jonasi (26) and Ronald Garanánga (21) were initially jailed for five years by Mbare magistrate Marwehwanazvo Gofa before he suspended two years from each sentence on condition of good behaviour.

Brighton Sabawo (22) was sentenced to perform 400 hours of community service at Southlea Park Primary School after the court ruled that he only bought looted goods.

In passing sentence, Gofa said the five were facing a serious offence which resulted in large-scale destruction of property.

He said it was not wrong to demonstrate, but people should learn to do so in a peaceful manner.

Gofa said a custodial sentence was appropriate to send a stern warning to would-be offenders.

Sabawo and Garanánga were later seen carrying solar panels stolen from the tollgate.

The other convicts were arrested following a tip-off.

Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday remembered with the rest of the nation the passing away of MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai passed away on February 14 2018, exactly a year ago today. He passed away in a South African hospital where he was being treated for cancer.

Writing on social media on Thursday afternoon, Mnangagwa said:

One year after Morgan Tsvangirai left us, we remember his patriotism as well as his lifelong commitment to Zimbabwean unity and democracy. Now, more than ever, we need to work together as we build our new Zimbabwe.

However, Mnangagwa’s message did not go down well with many of his Twitter followers. Below is a sample of some reactions to Mnangagwa’s message:Freeman‏ @freemanchari – Replying to @edmnangagwa

Aahhhh. When he was alive you tormented him. You prosecuted him. You charged him with treason. You beat him. You did all inhumane things to him. This guy was Speaker of Parliament when they haunted Bennet for being white & MDC. You @edmnangagwa are the worst thing to befall us!Debra‏ @DebraWakanakaReplying to @edmnangagwa

Mmm dai Dambudzo wanyarara zvako, please keep quiet. ZANUPF is full of Evil spirits. @BenevolenceMudeReplying to @edmnangagwa

Mnangagwa is incapable of uttering these “wise words” whoever is behind this twitter handle is doing him a disservice. @TGumunyuReplying to @edmnangagwa

I wish you had the same heart that Tsvangirai had, but you are not near our hero. You are totally the opposite of what Tsvangirai fought for.Baze‏ @btnyagumboReplying to @edmnangagwa

For you to talk about him shows us that created a good name for himself, whilst you still alive. Create a good name for yourself, zvekutipfura nemasoja enyu will never give you that respect. Tati tionesane, ndava tichafa tose one day.. Ndatenda hangu.Umzwangendaba‏ @GojiyasiKhumaloReplying to @edmnangagwa

Morgan. One of the few people who stood for the truth against powerful lies, kleptocracy and corruption when it was not fashionable ! He is up there with all the good men of this country.. Zanu Pf people, including you tata, shouldn’t take a leaf from him but the whole tree.kanotonga‏ @donaldmabhekaReplying to @edmnangagwa

Makuda kumuita gamba afa asi ari mupenyu zvainge zvakaoma kuti asununguke musadaro you once address kuti you where the champion pakurambira kuti aende ku state house madyiwa ukashevedzera rerun.My Majestic Zimbabwe‏ @mymamalandReplying to @edmnangagwa

The man you are talking of is indeed an Icon, a champion of Democracy, we will enter him in the history books of this country for good reasons, unlike you, you continue exhibiting traits of disloyalty to this Majestic nation, little probity in executing your duties, shame!

• Source: Pindula

The late MDC-Alliance leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, died almost a pauper but could have still died a billionaire if he had sold out the struggle for self-gain, the former Prime Minister’s aide has said.

MDC-T vice president Obert Gutu said Tsvangirai put the country first in every move he made.

However, after his death, Gutu says, Zanu PF’s former G40 faction, which was hounded out of both the ruling party and government following the November 2017 military intervention, has now taken over the MDC Alliance.

The party has, however, rejected Gutu’s claims, saying he is a “proxy”.

Tsvangirai succumbed to colon cancer on 14 February last year.

A memorial service has been set for 4 May in Humanikwa village, Buhera.

But Gutu insists: “Look at the polarisation in the country. If Morgan were alive he would put Zimbabwe first,” he told Business Times. “If he wanted to sell out, that man would have died a billionaire I tell you. He died almost a pauper because to him it was never about selling out.”

The former MDC-T spokesperson described Tsvangirai as a unique, charismatic leader who managed to change the complexion of Zimbabwean politics.

Tsvangirai led the MDC to a near Parliamentary majority in 2000 before narrowly winning against Zanu PF’s Robert Mugabe in 2008.

However, he missed State House because he had failed to amass the 50%+1 mandatory mark.

This forced a runoff which Tsvangirai later pulled out of, citing violence against opposition supporters.

Tsvangirai, however, became prime minister during the government of national unity that ruled from February 2009 to July 2013.

“If it was another person he could have given up,” Gutu claims. “Look at the party now without him.

“Look at the level of disintegration and internal fights. Under his leadership that would never have happened. If he had contested the 2018 elections, he would have won.

“Now we are looking at a party in internal disarray and taken over by a faction of Zanu PF. G40 is running that party now and if they think Gutu is lying, they can go to court and we will meet in court. Morgan would never have allowed that.”

Several former G40 proponents stood as MDC Alliance candidates in last year’s elections, with Mugabe openly coming out to support Nelson Chamisa, the MDC Alliance leader.

“Look at what is happening now. It is happening because of power,” Gutu says. “We won in 2008 by a wider margin but he climbed down to make Zimbabwe move forward.” Gutu joined forces with the MDCT stalwart, Thokozani Khupe, after Tsvangirai’s death as the fight to succeed him took centre stage.

Khupe now fronts the MDC formation under the banner MDC-T. — BusinessTimes

The body of Prosper Ndudzo, a Zimbabwean student who was stabbed in Annaba, Algeria has arrived at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport for burial in Headlands on Saturday.

Ndudzo, 25, who was doing second year Masters in Electrical Engineering in Annaba was stabbed on the 6thof this month by three Algerian males while in the company of his friends on their way from a nearby shopping centre where they had gone to buy food.

Algerian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Nacerdine Sai who received the body refuted any claims of racial discrimination and xenophobic attack as claimed by some social media reports.

“We at the Algerian Embassy are urging Zimbabweans not to listen to social media which is claiming that Ndudzo’s killing involves racial discrimination,” he said.

Director Finance and Administration for Presidential and National Scholarships Mr Phineas Manyange said there are measures put in place to guarantee the safety of students studying in foreign countries.

A family representative Mr Amos Ndudzo said they have been robbed of a very young promising man.

Ndudzo was among the 44 Zimbabwean students studying in Algeria who are due to write their final exams in June this year.

He will be buried this Saturday in Headlands under Chief Makoni in Mashonaland East.

— state media

In every other nation of the world where governments have increased fuel prices, street protests have been the order of the day. But in Zimbabwe there were no street protests at all on the 14th of January 2019 (apart from military brutality which saw soldiers assaulting teachers forcing them to go onto the street) it was a mere stayaway recorded on video in various places. Civilians were used by soldiers forced onto the street to riot, and then abused, shot and killed by another group of soldiers.

2 pic.twitter.com/ogO8yQR4iI

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 10, 2019

Despite the fact that civilians were abused, ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa ( who on video denies that 17 people were killed) has a different story – he says there was a coup attempt. FULL TEXT:

By Emmerson Mnangagwa| Today, I met with the honourable members of the diplomatic corps here in Harare. I told them that in order to succeed we need unity, and for the world, once again, to believe in the new Zimbabwe.

Only in unity can we make it through this period of austerity, because tough decisions hurt. But just as tough medicine has short-term side effects; the long-term result is to cure the patient.

We continue to restructure our economy, and these economic measures will continue to be complemented by political reforms. We are proud of the strides we have already undertaken to fully entrench democratic values and constitutionalism in the country.

I emphasised once again that violence has no place in our midst; indeed, it is a betrayal of the new Zimbabwe and must be criticised by all parties. The implementation of the recommendations of the “Motlante Commission Report” into the August 1st Post Election Violence, is progressing well. Sadly, however, we witnessed once again the ugly flare of premeditated violence on the country’s urban centres on 14th January in the disguise of mass protests and demonstrations.

I reiterated today that in the new Zimbabwe, everyone has the right to protest; peacefully. Everyone has the right to voice their opinions, peacefully. And everyone has the right to criticise me and the government; peacefully. The riots were neither civil nor peaceful and were bent on effecting a regime change.

Following the vandalism, violence, and associated looting, the security forces had to step in. And what followed is still being investigated. However, it must be clear to all that the army and the police are here to serve the people of Zimbabwe, to protect the people of Zimbabwe, to uphold and enforce the law of Zimbabwe.

Any evidence of rogue police officers or soldiers taking the law into their own hands will be dealt with and they will face the full force of the law.

On 6th February, I thus. invited the leaders of all political parties and former Presidential aspirants in the 2018 elections to an unconditional national dialogue. I once again called on those who refuse to take part in the national dialogue to stop grand standing and playing games with the lives of the people of Zimbabwe. Let us join together and work for a prosperous and united Zimbabwe.

I concluded by urging the nations of the world to give the new Zimbabwe a chance. Stand with us. Stand with us as we toil to chart a new course for our nation, for the people of Zimbabwe. We are open and transparent; we have nothing to hide.

I will remain a listening President. My arms are outstretched, and my door is open. We hear your criticisms and when it is fair the insights are noted and implemented. But we are in the process of restructuring, reforming and rebuilding an entire system, an entire nation. Rome was not built in a day.

As we battle through these growing pains, I urge you all, to be our partners in building a better tomorrow for our people. With your help and support we will build a new Zimbabwe.

The late Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) President Morgan Tsvangirai died a bitter man after Zanu PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa dribbled him soon after the November 2017 military inspired power transition, his successor Nelson Chamisa has said.

Speaking during the Morgan Tsvangirai memorial lecture in Harare today, Chamisa said the former Premier supported the removal of former head of state Robert Mugabe amid pressure from Zimbabweans who invaded the streets of Harare on the eventful 17 November 2017.

“Mudhara Tsvangirai died a very disappointed man. Why was he disappointed, because he was betrayed by people who had agreed to have a transitional arrangement? They then went to elections without the reforms, without the transitional arrangement, this what our mother was saying,” he said.

Elizabeth Macheka, the former Premier’s wife echoed Chamisa’s sentiments saying her husband supported the new dispensation power transition because he thought it was the birth of a new political dawn in Zimbabwe.

“Morgan supported the new dispensation whole heartedly because he thought it was the beginning of a new era,” Macheka said.

Chamisa poured cold water on the opposition succession tussle that saw former Vice President Thokozani Khupe breaking away to form a splinter movement, saying Tsvangirai assigned him to unite the party.

To that effect Chamisa said Tsvangirai advised him to incorporate former Secretary Generals Tendai Biti and Welshaman Ncube back into the party.

Macheka called for unity as a sign of respect to the party’s founding father, describing her late husband as a brave man who soldiered onto the last day in his fight for democracy.

“VaTsvangirai was a very brave man, very courageous and very selfless. He was a patient man. He would not make decisions while he is angry…

“If we want to offer Tsvangirai respect, let’s remain united, lets remain steadfast. Let’s not forget our party; MDC. It has people who died for it. It has people who started it. It has people who sacrificed their lives for it,” Macheka said.

— 263Chat

Some senior players at CAPS United reportedly refused to train on Wednesday in protest over unpaid salaries.

According to H-Metro, new signings Gabriel Nyoni, Newman Sianchali and Phenias Bamusi along with the likes of Prosper Chigumba, Justice Jangano, Method Mwanjali and Dominic Mukandi did not attend the training session complaining of unpaid January salaries.

“The team is on strike. The senior players didn’t attend the training except for Hardlife Zvirekwi and Chris Mverechena,” an unnamed source told the newspaper.

The Green Machine is not the only club to be hit by player strikes of late. Last week Highlanders’ preparations to the new season had a false start after players walked out of the camp demanding the club pay them all outstanding dues.

Farai Dziva|In a desperate attempt to exonerate Chegutu West MP Dexter Nduna , Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has said killing people should not be taken in the literal sense as many are inferring.

Speaking in the Senate today, Ziyambi said in Shona killing does not necessarily mean committing murder.

Ziyambi was responding to questions from senators who wanted to know how his Ministry will handle the altercation between Nduna and Norton MP Temba Mliswa.

Ziyambi was evasive when he was asked about the course of that would be taken to resolve the matter.

“Let us not jump into conclusions because in Shona killing has several meanings. Why should we rush to make conclusions?

We can only take appropriate action as and when we are furnished with concrete evidence to prove that indeed there is a matter of concern,” said Ziyambi.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has been forced to intervene in a growing turf war between Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya and his boss Finance minister Mthuli Ncube on the path Zimbabwe will take to deal with a deepening currency crisis.

Well-placed sources say President Mnangagwa met Mangudya in a crucial meeting last night that would assist in shaping and finalising the much awaited Monetary Policy Statement (MPS).

The MPS was expected to have been delivered either in the last week of January or first week of February.

However, disagreements over proposed currency reforms has seen the MPS stall to a point that requires executive intervention. Several options to deal with the currency crisis include, redollarisation, reintroduction of the local currency, rand adoption, liberalisation of the RTGS and bond note as well as ringfencing deposits to mop up excess liquidity to lower the premium rates on the US dollar.

It is believed that while Mangudya and his team tabled local currency re-introduction as the most viable option under the current circumstances, Ncube is only prepared to go as far as liberalising the exchanging rate, an option preferred by the Bretton Woods Institutions. According to Ncube, a local currency can only be introduced within 12 – 18 months.

An International Monetary Fund technical team, which was in the country this week is said to have suggested floating the exchange rate but also warned of the implications this could have on the socio and political environment. This follows a similar push by the African Development Bank. The IMF team is also said to have forced some revisions on the draft MPS.

Sources said Mangudya was concerned that devaluation would result in the collapse of bank balance sheets as most banks were borrowing offshore for on-lending in RTGS. He is also opposed to the move on grounds this will destabilise the economy by putting wage pressure on companies, cause inflation and driving the cost of goods up.

Government was however forced to deny the re-introduction of the local currency this week based on comments on Twitter by former Finance minister Tendai Biti that the reintroduction was due this week although it would not be backed by any fundamentals.

The rand option is also being thrown around considering that this has been a consistent message from industry, which has South Africa as its trading partner but Government is not too keen on that position.

Contacted for comment, Mangudya said he was in a meeting. Later on, he was not picking up calls and a message sent had not been responded to by the time of going to press.

Ncube could not be reached for comment but early this week he told journalists that the MPS would be presented soon without revealing specific dates. Traditionally, the MPS is presented during the first week of February. Asked when the Monetary Policy Statement would be presented he said: “Let’s just say around this time.”

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba declined to comment saying any comment on monetary issues could destabilise the market.

The bond note was introduced in 2016 as an export incentive facility and guaranteed by the African Export-Import Bank. RBZ said it was at par to the dollar despite insistence by several sectors that the parity would not work warning that the surrogate currency would quickly lose value against the greenback.

Analysts expectations are not on devaluation nor the introduction of a local currency but rather that the RBZ mops up excess liquidity through a long dated bond to strengthen the RTGS rate, which is already the pseudo local currency while also introducing a foreign currency auction system.

In his last Monetary Policy Statement, Mangudya split bank accounts into nostro foreign currency accounts (FCAs) and RTGS (real time gross settlement) FCAs in what analysts say was an admission that the bond-dollar parity could not be sustained.

The currency crisis has given rise to price distortions particularly on consumer goods. Prices of some products in RTGS terms are cheaper if one converts using the parallel market rate than what is obtaining in the region while on the other hand, prices are beyond reach for the ordinary consumer whose salary has not changed and moreso for the tourists whose transactions on international cards are rated at 1:1 on the US dollar.

The President’s intervention, whose details were sketchy at the time of going to print, also comes as foreign diplomats accredited to Harare are piling on pressure for Zimbabwe to come up with an acceptable currency reform policy, cognisant of the fact that some of their nationals have technical fees, dividends and investment income which are still stuck in the country.

Business Times is reliably informed that the foreign diplomats, due to meet Mnangagwa today at State House, told Harare to shelve the introduction of a local currency until the right fundamentals are in place.

Information at hand suggests government has been in deliberations with diplomats whose countries are key trading partners with Zimbabwe. A top diplomat who requested not to be named said he met Mangudya recently to discuss a number of issues including the Monetary Policy Statement.

“Right now we have dividends stuck in Zimbabwe and nothing is moving. If you have an environment that makes one investor make a loss, then no one else will come and those that are here will close. Why would investors come when you change policies and start selling equipment of businesses that you licence to invest?”

The diplomat said while the Monetary Policy Statement was crucial, government needs to start making tough choices and to create a good environment for business.

“Government needs to start talking to business and foreign investors. They must listen and make changes that ensure investors make money because they come here for money and if they can’t make money then why do they stay?”

The diplomat also added that government and the generality of Zimbabweans should stop waiting for foreign bailouts to end the economic crisis. This comes as Ncube is on the hunt for credit lines. He is expected to visit China to discuss bailout options after his visit to the United States next month.

“The solution lies in foreign direct investment and domestic investment not bailouts. When you grow investments then you have jobs and a bigger tax base which needs to be preserved and allocated towards reinvestment not recurrent expenditure,” he said. — BusinessTimes

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The Standing Rules and Orders Committee of the Parliament of Zimbabwe is mandated in terms of sections 237 and 254 of the Constitution, to nominate candidates for appointment by his Excellency the President to serve as Commissioners on the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission provided for in Chapter 13 Part 1 of the Constitution.

Vacancies have arisen in the Zimbabwe Anti- Corruption Commission following the resignation of the Chairman and Commissioners of the Commission on the 31^st of January, 2019 before the expiry of their term of office.

Accordingly, the Standing Rules and Orders Committee is hereby calling on the Public to nominate persons to be considered for appointment to this Commission.

The functions of the Commission and the person specifications are given below.

Functions of Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission

 (Section 255 of the Constitution)

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has the following functions —

·         to investigate and expose cases of corruption in the public and private sectors;

·         to combat corruption, theft, misappropriation, abuse of power and other improper conduct in the public and private sectors;

·         to promote honesty, financial discipline and transparency in the public and private sectors;

·         to receive and consider complaints from the public and to take such action in regard to the complaints as the Commission considers appropriate;

·         to direct the Commissioner-General of Police to investigate cases of suspected corruption and to report to the Commission on the results of any such investigation;

·         to refer matters to the National Prosecuting Authority for prosecution;

·         to require assistance from members of the Police Service and other investigative agencies of the State; and

• to make recommendations to the Government and other persons on measures to enhance integrity and accountability and prevent improper conduct in the public and private sectors.

Person Specifications

Members of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission must be chosen for their integrity and their knowledge of and experience in administration or the prosecution or investigation of crime or for their general suitability for appointment, and —

• at least one must be qualified to practise as a legal practitioner in Zimbabwe, and have been so qualified for at least seven years;

• at least one must be qualified to practise as a public accountant or public auditor in Zimbabwe, and have been so qualified for at least seven years; and

• at least one must be a person with at least ten years’ experience in the investigation of crime.

Nomination material must consist of a typewritten submission of no more than two A4 pages long stating why the person nominated is a suitable candidate together with a completed nomination form which can be obtained at Parliament offices or download from the website: www.parlzim.gov.zw

Nominations must be addressed to the Clerk of Parliament in envelopes clearly marked with the name of the Commission and must either be posted, hand delivered or emailed to:

The Clerk of Parliament

Parliament of Zimbabwe

Parliament Building

Cnr. K. Nkurumah Avenue and Third Street

P.O. Box CY 298

Causeway

Harare

Email: [email protected]

Closing date of submission of nominations is end of day Friday 28^thFebruary 2019

Correspondent|The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has come under fire from Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) following the death of 23 artisanal miners who were trapped by water inside shafts.

The artisanal miners died after water from a collapsed dam wall flooded their shafts in Battlefields area, Mashonaland West Province.

CNRG sent their condolences and regret over the fatality.

Speaking through their communications officer Simiso Mlevu Thursday, CNRG said EMA has over the years been accused by communities and workers of working in cahoots with miners and as a result negating its constitutional mandate which is the protection of the environment among other responsibilities.

“There are a number of mines that are just abandoned in Zimbabwe when the mineral runs out and EMA has done nothing to hold the responsible parties to account. Section 114 of the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:17) subsection 3 (n) mandates the agency to issue an order in respect of the rehabilitation of a mining site.

“Environmental reclamation or rehabilitation once a mine is closed is adequately covered by the country’s statutes. However, EMA as a regulatory body is either sleeping on duty or is, for the reasons known to themselves, allowing impunity to continue at the expense of people’s lives and the environment.,” said Mlevu in a statement.

She added that EMA is supposed to carry out bi-annual environmental audits to ensure that all projects being implemented are in compliance with the regulations and the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment reports which miners develop prior to commencing their projects.

“Environmental Impact assessment is “an evaluation of a project to determine its impact on the environment and human health and to set out the required environmental monitoring and management procedures and plans”.

“An EIA thus ensures that environmental, economic and social pillars are mainstreamed into the projects. Had EMA been effectively monitoring the projects and undertaking audits, environmental damage would have been reduced,” she added.

CNRG called on the government of Zimbabwe to ensure statutory bodies stick to their mandate.

Farai Dziva|Information Deputy Minister Energy Mutodi and MDC T vice president, Obert Gutu have literally teamed up to wage a war of attrition against MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa.

The two took turns to attack Chamisa on twitter, accusing the youthful politician of being used by western countries to effect regime change in Zimbabwe.

“I totally agree with Obert Gutu views on Nelson Chamisa. Zimbabwe has its own Alfonso Dhlakamas Savimbis. They can confuse the international community, cause anarchy and call for more sanctions but they will never rule Zimbabwe. That’s the honest truth,” claimed Mutodi.

Gutu declared:”You may shout at and insult SADC and the AU say all you want but the fact is puppets have got
absolutely no traction whether it’s within Africa or beyond. Puppets never last the distance, do they? You remember a puppet called Jonas
Savimbi of Angola?”

MDC Organising Secretary Amos Chibaya has saluted the late party President Morgan Tsvangirai for giving him a chance to build party structures after he was elected Deputy Organising Secretary at the last congress.

Chibaya made the remarks while addressing party supporters at the Tsvangirai memorial lecture today

"Thank you @edmnangagwa for giving me an opportunity to recruit and create MDC structures in prison" Amos Chibaya pic.twitter.com/ZrwGrxZjsc

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 14, 2019

https://youtu.be/8N1Weq8OCk0

"Ndotenda chihurumemde chaMnangagwa chakandiendesa kuHwahwa kundoisa ma structures:
Chibaya LIVE https://t.co/eTOfpIvkbd pic.twitter.com/GZ3o6ljvkx

— Simba Chikanza (@schikanza) February 14, 2019

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

https://youtu.be/8N1Weq8OCk0

 

 

"Ndotenda chihurumemde chaMnangagwa chakandiendesa kuHwahwa kundoisa ma structures:
Chibaya LIVE https://t.co/eTOfpIvkbd pic.twitter.com/GZ3o6ljvkx

— Simba Chikanza (@schikanza) February 14, 2019

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa is reported to be unhappy that the family of the late Morgan Tsvangirai has invited President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the memorial service for the late founding leader of the MDC.

The memorial service had been initially scheduled for Thursday, the anniversary of Tsvangirai’s death, but has been moved to early May.

The opposition is unhappy that Mnangagwa has been invited at a time when government forces have been accused of perpetrating human rights violations against citizens following protests over the price of fuel.

Tsvangirai’s family insisted that everyone should come because Morgan Tsvangirai was a man of the people.

The former Prime Minister’s brother, Manase Tsvangirai told the Daily News,

“This was a man of the people and we cannot exclude anyone. Those who are able to come should. The net has been cast wide to enable everyone to come because he was a national leader.”

MDC Spokesperson Jacob Mafume said that it is “unthinkable that the likes of Mnangagwa whose government is killing Tsvangirai’s people” has been invited. Said Mafume,

“….Before the death of Tsvangirai, he went to a great extent trying to show that he understood what our leader stood for, but the events of the past weeks have turned such suggestions around.

“They (ED and the government) unleashed evil with hell proportions, where they have tortured, maimed and raped people. This is a betrayal and a negation of what Tsvangirai stood for.

Tsvangirai must be turning in his grave at the regression that has occurred in the past few weeks. We, however, remain committed to the path that he set and we sincerely hope that freedom shall take root in Zimbabwe, sooner rather than later.

Daily News

Jane Mlambo| Members of parliament were yesterday treated to free drama when Norton legislator Temba Mliswa and his Chegutu West counterpart Dexter Nduna resumed their fight that started on Tuesday during a transport committee meeting.

Mliswa who continued to hurl insults at Nduna did not spare the Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi whom he accused of killing the justice system by protecting murderers.

“You are killing the justice system. Ndimi murikuprotector ma murderer. Ziyambi futi une Human Rights Report unonzi unofanira kuinvestigetwa iwewe – We are intimidated every day.

“He is a useless Minister of Justice. Shumba, you are in Human Rights Commission to be investigated on Hurungwe issues. You know that. Ndinokuregerera. You are mentioned in the Human Rights Commission Report to be investigated as Minister of Justice. You are not exemplary.”

Mliswa was later chucked from the house for disorderly conduct.

Paul Nyathi|Commuters from Chitungwiza and some parts of Harare report that the popular government run ZUPCO buses did not service their areas as much as they have been doing raising fears that the service maybe on its way out.

Residents in Seke area of Chitungwiza claimed that only one or two of previously almost five buses serviced their area on Thursday morning leaving several of them stranded.

According to information from Kuwadzana residents, there were no buses in their area and kombis were charging $1.50 a trip into town compared to the $1 that the ZUPCO buses charge.

The newly appointed UN ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Bishow Parajuli has presented his credentials to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House in Harare this Thursday.

Mr Parajuli, who has been serving as the UNDP Resident Coordinator, has been elevated to become Resident Coordinator for all UN agencies working in Zimbabwe.

He was accompanied to State House for the presentation ceremony by several UN agencies representatives – UNPFPA representative Dr Esther Muia, ILO director Ms Hopolang Phororo, UNICEF representative Dr Mohamed Ayoya, World Food Programme country director and representative Mr Eddie Rowe, UNHCR representative Mr Robert Tibagwa, UNESCO Regional Director and Representative Professor Hubert Gijzen, WHO representative Dr Alex Gasasira and UN Women representative Ms Delphine Serumaga.       

The head of RCO Ms Kanako Mabuchi and the UK communications specialist in the Resident Coordinator’s Office Mr Sirak Gerehiwot were also present.

Mr Parajuli now reports directly to the UN Secretary General Mr Antonio Guterres following reforms in the world body.

His elevation was with effect from the first of January this year following exchange of letters between President Mnangagwa and the Secretary General.

The promotion means Mr Parajuli now has ambassadorial powers where he no longer presents credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs but to the head of state.

-State Media

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ELIZABETH TSVANGIRAI IN PICTURES

• 

• 

• 

38 artisanal miners are feared dead following flooding of shafts at two mines in Battlefields near Kadoma.

34 of the miners went underground at Silver Moon Mine and another four at Cricket Mine in Muzvezve constituency last night before the mines were flooded.

Police Spokesman for Mashonaland West Province, Inspector Clemence Mabweazara said civil protection teams are being activated with heavy duty pumps required to drain the water from the mines.

He also said water levels in the two mines shafts are still rising, raising fears the 38 miners could have drowned.

According to Mashonaland West Provincial Administrator, Cecilia Chitiyo, RioZim has provided one pump while a request has also been made with Zimplats to provide rescue services.

Ms Chitiyo said many pumps and generators are needed before operations to search for survivors and bodies may begin.

-State Media

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

PHARMACIES have come under fire for continuing to use a three-tier pricing system which has placed medicines beyond the reach of many people.

A short survey conducted by The Chronicle yesterday showed that some pharmacies demand forex or bond in cash only for certain medicines.

People with plastic money are made to pay more than those with bond and the prices are discounted for forex users.

Government has previously condemned the practice.

Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Ndlovu recently said: “We have noted with concern a proliferation in the number of companies and businesses engaging in preferential currency practices. This is not only against the spirit of fairness, but it is also an illegal practice.

Government is very clear that this practice is unacceptable and has to stop forthwith and if not, the law will take its course.”

Pharmaceutical Society of Zimbabwe president, Mr Portifa Mwendera, said members are charging in foreign currency because they are not getting adequate forex from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

He said 90 percent of all medication is imported.

Mr Mwendera said the remaining 10 percent of the medicines were being sourced locally but local manufacturers are also demanding forex saying they need it to buy inputs from outside the country.

“Our greatest challenge is that 90 percent of our products are imported and the locally produced medication has a forex component. We haven’t received any forex allocation from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe since October 23 last year when we received just a million dollars,” he said.

“This is in an environment where we need about $4 million weekly to be trading optimally so this means the industry is forced to raise USD through sales.”
Mr Mwendera said pharmaceuticals owe foreign suppliers about US$20 million for medicines that have already been delivered.

Contacted for comment, Community Working Group on Health director Mr Itai Rusike said the move by pharmacies was a violation of people’s right to health as enshrined in the Constitution.

“The few pharmacies that are still accepting bond notes or RTGS have since increased their prices which are beyond the reach of ordinary Zimbabweans. This comes at a time when 90 percent of Zimbabweans do not have medical aid insurance cover which means some with chronic illnesses have not been taking their medication since the introduction of the three tier pricing system due to the very high costs of medicines,” said Mr Rusike.

He said if the situation is not addressed, many people were at risk of developing serious health complications after failing to access medicines.

“Some patients are now resorting to taking cheaper alternative drugs from the unregulated black markets thereby risking their lives. Government should therefore prioritise allocation of foreign currency to the pharmaceutical companies to enable them to import the required medicines. In the medium to long-term, the Government needs to capacitate the local pharmaceutical manufacturing companies such as Caps, Varichem and Datlabs to make sure that the country does not rely on expensive imports,” said Mr Rusike.

State Media

To my dear husband Morgan

It’s been a year since God called you after a courageous 2-year cancer battle. Reliving this day brings grief and sorrow that I felt when you battled your last few months. We tried everything we could travel all over the world because I wanted you to be healthy again.

I thought we would spend the rest of our lives together and achieve our dreams together, but Heaven called you too soon. We sometimes encountered problems like every normal couple but making up and solving our issues was just magical.

To the world, you were a great politician and humanitarian but to me, you were more than that; you were my best friend. Being married to you was a privilege and I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to share your dreams, hopes, friendship, love and much more. You were the most patient person I have ever encountered. At times when I would get upset, you stayed calm when I got worried you always reaffirmed that things would be ok.

Your passion, thoughtfulness and love for others astounded me. You always put others’ needs and happiness above your own. Morgan, you were the most amazing generous selfless man I have ever known. You were a hero to everyone who knew you. You gave hope to many.

You were a man of the people. There aren’t enough words to fully paint a picture of how great of a person you were to me and the world but I believe your work and passion still remains a testament of your tireless devotion to a better nation and world for everyone.

I miss your voice, laughter and humour; but above all, I miss that well of wisdom, knowledge and love I continually drew from.

Today I smile because I know you loved me till the day you went away.

I miss you so much

Your loving wife Elizabeth

Rest In Peace until the resurrection of those who sleep in Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15).

By Own Correspondent- Speaking during a panel discussion at the 6th CEOs Africa Round Table meeting in Victoria Falls yesterday, Advocate Jacob Mudenda lamented the quality of the current crop of parliamentarians.

He was responding to concerns about lack of capacity by Parliament to address issues such as budget deficit.

Mudenda said in 2014 he produced a book on economic literacy for Members of Parliament and organised a training workshop which was adjourned prematurely after the majority of Parliamentarians failed to grasp issues.

Said Mudenda:

I’m worried about the level of politicians that come to Parliament. There are few who can articulate issues in Parliament. If you look at different portfolio committees we involve politicians from different political persuasions but sometimes we don’t have quality in terms of personnel and economic literacy in Parliament.

A Lupane based police officer, recently landed himself in trouble when he allegedly urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to hand over power to MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa.

The officer, Taison Hove, is said to have made the remarks on January 3, 2019 while drinking beer with other patrons at Countryside Bar in Lupane.

According to the court papers, Hove is alleged to have made the remarks when an unidentified man passed by the bar wearing a Zanu PF T Shirt with Mnangagwa’s picture.

It is the State’s allegation that Hove made a comment saying Zanu PF T Shirts must not be worn by people at business centres but only when going to the fields. Hove is also alleged to have further commented that Mnangagwa has failed the country and as such should hand over power to Chamisa.

Hove was later taken for disciplinary hearing by his employer but when he challenged his arrest through an application for referral of his matter to the Constitutional Court, his application was dismissed.

This prompted him to file a current application for review at the High Court challenging his employer’s disciplinary hearing.

-Agencies

Correspondent|SHARP divisions have emerged among rival teachers’ unions in Zimbabwe, amid accusations that the two largest teachers’ bodies which called off last week’s planned strike have sold out the labour struggle.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTRUZ) has accused the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) of selling out the labour struggle by buckling under pressure from the employer before their demands had been met.

In a statement released on Monday, ARTUZ said: “The wheels of inevitability have finally delivered the dreaded, but expected reality, sister unions have jumped ship. Our battle for a living wage, which we began in earnest with a 275km salary caravan from Mutare to Harare — followed up with a salary camp at (Finance) minister Mthuli [Ncube]’s office and capped with a historic job action have been compromised. The so-called big unions stepped in and gave false hope to the teachers, yet the intention was to rock the ship, which was gathering momentum.”
But PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said they called off the strike because thousands of their members, who had heeded the call and stayed away, would have lost their February salaries.

“The purpose of a trade union is to advance the interests of members and defend any gains made. Having advanced the interests of our members in a spirited two–days turn-up a week, one-day turn-up and four days stayaway, the employer targeted our entrenched hardcore fighters for decimation. The strategy was simply to withhold their February salaries.

“As much as we could have appealed to the courts against such a move, the wheels of justice do not turn so fast in Zimbabwe. One of the reasons for suspending the industrial action was in order to protect our hardcore members, who were in their trenches and were about to be sprayed with poison gas,” he said.

Zhou said another reason for calling off the strike was that members were being intimidated by State security agents and war veterans.

“Another reason for the suspension of the industrial action was the total invasion of schools by rogue youths, war veterans, security forces, councillors, among others, and the threats and systematic targets of teachers. This posed serious threats to educators in their residential areas outside schools. The decision to suspend the industrial action was painful, but worth taking to protect all members who heeded to the stayaway call,” he said.

The PTUZ leader also lamented the fact that some teachers did not heed the call to go on strike and continued reporting for duty, saying that weakened the industrial action.

“Such a protective measure (to call off the strike) would not have been important had all teachers given heed to the stayaway. Trade unionism is about collective security by acting as a group. I could personally not envision the enjoyment of cowards at the suffering of real cadres,” said Zhou.

Opposition MDC legislator and former Finance Minister Tendai Biti has assured Chief Executive Officers attending a CEO Africa Roundtable summit in Victoria Falls that a lot of things are happening behind closed doors with regards to the Zimbabwean crisis which he said is now a burden to other regional countries.

“I think that a lot of things are happening behind closed doors, that I can assure you, within SADC. I think that you should not be misled by prima facie appearances of condonation by the leadership of SADC,” said Biti.

“You must also remember that SADC member states have been bearing a lot of weight arising from Zimbabwe’s failure. You have a situation where you have three million Zimbabweans in South Africa as we speak, to a larger extent that South Africa has been subsidising Zimbabwe as we speak.”

Biti said the regional economy was suffering as a result of the presence of Zimbabweans fleeing a crisis at home.

He said countries such as South Africa were now faced with a strain on their social services as a result of Zimbabwean immigrants in that country.

“I think that out of their own selfish interests, they (SADC leaders) will move (to act) on Zimbabwe because the crisis is putting a premium on their country. South Africa has been doddering on a 1% gross domestic product (GDP) growth and I think after solving the Zimbabwean situation, South Africa’s economy could grow to about 2 or 3% of its GDP,” he said.

International pressure on Zimbabwe’s major political players, Zanu PF and MDC to urgently come to the negotiating table to unlock the political logjam continues to grow with the United States (US) adding its voice, saying the talks should be mediated by a neutral arbiter.

This comes amid reports that representatives of the two parties were already in Switzerland attending a peace-building workshop aimed at facilitating the dialogue process.

MDC’s chief of staff Sesil Zvidzai told NewsDay from Basel that the workshop was meant to enable them to share notes with representatives of other countries.

“We are looking at case studies in areas like Syria, the Tunisian situation and how it turned out after the Arab Spring and many other examples,” Zvidzai said.

“Although this is not specifically for Zimbabwe, the experience that we are getting here is helpful in the sense that people must dialogue. This is about what is good for us as a country.”

But Zanu PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said he was unaware of the workshop or any party representative seconded to that gathering.

Some of the delegates to the workshop, which started this week, were drawn from church, government and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC).

In a statement on Tuesday, US State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said only a national dialogue could solve problems bedevilling Zimbabwe.

“The US calls on all sides to come together immediately in a national dialogue process that must be credible, inclusive and mediated by a neutral third party,” Palladino said.

“In order for such a dialogue to succeed, the government of Zimbabwe should end its excessive violence and intimidation, immediately release the civil society activists, who have been arbitrarily detained and hold security force members responsible for human rights violations and abuses accountable.”

The US said the sanctions on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government would only be lifted after he has implemented significant political and economic reforms in line with his inauguration speech.

“We also reiterate our call for the government of Zimbabwe to enact promised political and economic reforms,” the statement read.

President Donald Trump’s government also blamed Mnangagwa for using excessive force on civilians.

“US remains seriously concerned about excessive force by the government of Zimbabwe security forces since January 14, which has resulted in at least 13 deaths, 600 victims of violence, torture or rape and more than 1 000 arrests,” the statement read.

Mnangagwa has since denied that his government was behind the killings and challenged affected families to provide evidence of the attrocities.

Recently, Mnangagwa invited to State House all the presidential candidates that participated in last year’s harmonised elections to map up the framework for the proposed dialogue.

Although MDC leader Nelson Chamisa boycotted Mnangagwa’s indaba, the opposition leader later attended a prayer breakfast meeting organised by the church, which was snubbed by the Zanu PF leader.

Zimbabwe Council of Churches secretary-general, Kenneth Mtata, said the Swiss workshop was part of capacity-building for different actors involved in the dialogue process.
He said after the prayer breakfast meeting held in Harare, they were confident of bringing the two protagonists together.

“The next steps would be to make a debriefing process with different key stakeholders, including the President who must get first-hand information of the whole process with whom we will share information of how the process must unfold going forward so that it is effective and inclusive to produce expected results that enhance national peace, justice and prosperity for all Zimbabweans,” Mtata said.

“After this, we will move on to define issues regarding mandate. There are many possibilities of convening national dialogue.”

He said they will likely have a broader consultative forum, which will lead them to a stage of finding suitable conveners of the dialogue.

Mtata also said they hope to have Parliament’s buy-in so as to have a legally binding mandate.

He said the convening process and convening team will then set up the framework for national dialogue with the scope of the dialogue and different levels of participation and the implementation plan.

“The national dialogue has begun, but has not yet been formalised. The President has launched the dialogue with political parties and we think that what is required now is to converge all the processes into the all-encompassing national dialogue,” he said.

Mtata said the process must have long-lasting solutions for the country, adding that they were not in any way discouraged by negativities.

“We are not discouraged by those who are trying to throw in spanners in the works. There are those with negative views of this whole process and, therefore, will invent some stories and work with some conspiracy theories,” he said.

-Newsday

FEAR of treason charges and a possible counter-coup that then Justice minister Happyton Bonyongwe tried to set up around now Agriculture minister Retired Chief Air Marshal Perrance Shiri spurred delicate negotiations following the military coup that toppled former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017.

Minutes that made up discussions in cliff-hanger meetings held between Mugabe, at the time under house arrest, and military generals led by then Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) commander General Constantino Chiwenga between November 15 and 16, 2017 expose the intricacies of the coup plot.

The coup came after then Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa had been summarily fired from both government and ruling Zanu PF party, prompting him to flee to South Africa for security reasons.

Mnangagwa had been sacked by Mugabe on November 6 as the situation in the country deteriorated, forcing Chiwenga out of the closet to declare that the military was ready to “step in” to restore sanity.

The then ZDF statement was made on November 13 before the coup moved into full swing late on the 14th.

The mediation team comprised of Roman Catholic cleric Father Fidelis Mukonori, Mugabe’s then spokesperson George Charamba, who acted as secretary during the negotiations as well as Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda.

The team also included then Public Service Commission chairperson Mariyawanda Nzuwa and former Foreign Affairs ministry secretary Joey Bimha as well as Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) deputy director-general Aaron Nhepera.

The minutes signed by Mukonori, Charamba and Nhepera, reveal that Mugabe could have been hoodwinked during the intricate negotiations. It is also revealed that Bonyongwe, who had just been appointed Justice minister by Mugabe tried to set up a counter-force to stop the coup.

“The President was informed about mounting tension and concern within the command element triggered by a mobile communication message attributed to the new Minister of Justice, and former director-general of the Central Intelligence Organisation, Rtd General Bonyongwe, to Air Marshall Perrance Shiri who is in Dubai on official business allegedly urging him to fly back to join in efforts towards a counter-operation whose backbone would be the police force commanded by Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri.

“It was drawn to the President’s attention that Commissioner Chihuri had not attended the inaugural Wednesday (November 15) meeting after which he did not turn up for the rest,” the minutes read in part. Chihuri has since then never made a public appearance, while Bonyongwe has since recoiled into private life.

It is revealed that in the subsequent meetings with Mugabe, basically a sitting duck following the bloodless military takeover, the then Zanu PF leader was told of anxiety over the actions of the police force.

“Instances of friction between the military and the Zimbabwe Republic Police were also drawn to the President’s attention, culminating in what appeared to be a withdrawal of the police force from policing duties at least in Harare.

“The President was informed that the command element had made it clear that a counter-force against their operation would constitute an escalation, which was bound to lead to a bloody outcome,” documents show. Bonyongwe, according to the minutes, was trying to craft a law that would have had Chiwenga and his co-conspirators charged with treason.

Since then the police have never recaptured public trust and the authority it commanded during Mugabe’s reign with the army a constant feature during operations. The growing influence of the military has raised fears among critics given the bloody shooting on August 1 last year last month — the two incidences which have left over 20 people dead and dozens with gunshot wounds.

While Mnangagwa, on his return, admitted that he had been in constant touch with the country’s security leadership, Mugabe was apparently told that reports that Chiwenga had met the then former Vice-President were fabricated.

“The mediation team was able to provide facts that dispelled claims that Chiwenga had made a diversion and stop-over in South Africa en-route to Zimbabwe from China in order to meet with dismissed former Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his team thought to include Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa and Zimbabwe’s ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Isaac Moyo.

“More importantly, the mediating team told the President that the operation by the command element was not calculated at top leadership change in the party and country, a process which had to be left to the party running in a fair, clean and just way and which had to be superintended by the President himself without undue influence,” the report shows.

Mutsvangwa, the chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association, a key figure in Mugabe’s fall, was to be appointed special adviser to Mnangagwa, while Moyo now heads the CIO. — NewsDay

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education chairperson, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga yesterday complained that MPs from across the political divide were abusing her and threatened to surrender the leadership of the committee if the situation does not change.

The committee has 18 members, all of them from Zanu PF after the MDC Alliance snubbed it.

“The MDC Alliance MPs shunned joining the Education Committee because of the differences over our party president Thokozani Khupe and their party president Nelson Chamisa, and so they snubbed the committee,” Misihairabwi-Mushonga said.

But, there were reports that Misihairabwi Mushonga was also a loner in her committee dominated by Zanu PF MPs, who, whenever there is a ruling party caucus meeting, the MPs prioritised their political party programmes.

For example, Zanu PF yesterday called for a party caucus meeting at 8.30 am when the Education Committee was supposed to meet at 9.00 am to receive oral evidence on education issues.

Misihairabwi-Mushonga said the abuse began when she insisted that some MPs from Zanu PF must be excused from the party caucus so that they could attend to Parliament business.

A heated argument over the issue ensued in the Education Committee’s social media WhatsApp group, resulting in Misihairabwi-Mushonga feeling abused.

“I did receive abusive messages, and some of them even suggested that I became chairperson through the benevolence of Zanu PF. I got the position through merit and not through the benevolence of Zanu PF. If they feel that it is Zanu PF’s position then they can take it back,” she said, adding that she will move a point of privilege with the Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda over the issue.

NewsDay

POLICE have arrested a group of 10 armed robbers who have been terrorizing citizens and targeting bus passengers across the country.

One suspect was shot in a shoot out between the law enforcement authority and the suspected armed robbers and 10 others were nabbed in Chinhoyi and Chegutu.

ZRP Chief Spokesperson, Commissioner Charity Charamba said they are still hunting for five other suspected armed robbers and assured Zimbabweans that all the criminals will be brought to book.

“The gang was using degrading and dehumanizing ways and they would undress victims and bundle them up before stashing them in their gate away vehicles,” said Commissioner Charamba.

She added that they are is still investigating the Brooklyn bus robbery case, which occurred along the Bulawayo – Beitbridge road and another robbery case of more than US$23 000 in Milton Park, Harare, among other cases.

The arrested suspects are believed to have kidnapped and robbed some police officers in Chegutu.

The court has issued a warrant of further detention for the suspects and they will appear in court on Friday.

— ZBC

Correspondent|Lawyers and rights campaigners say the UK government has been working with Zimbabwean authorities to deport asylum seekers who might be wanted back home for activism.

Asylum lawyers and charities told The Guardian on Tuesday that the Home Office (interior ministry) has accelerated deportation of Zimbabwean nationals since Emmerson Mnangagwa rose to power in the African country in November 2017.

They said the ministry had sought to accelerate removals process for refused asylum seekers, many of whom have been in the UK for over a decade.

Zimbabweans waiting for their asylum application to be processed in the UK have reportedly been invited for interviews in the Home Office over the past months only to encounter Zimbabwean government officials waiting to interview them.

A female asylum seeker said a Zimbabwean official who spoke her native language, Shona, had told her in the ministry that her name was on a list of thousands of Zimbabwean nationals that the UK government wanted to remove from the country.

Reports on Monday showed that police had detained two Zimbabwean asylum seekers before transferring them to a Home Office detention center.

They said authorities were preparing to deport the two individuals to Zimbabwe within days despite statements proving that they could face prosecution back home because of their anti-government activity.

One of the asylum seekers, identified as Victor Mujakachi, who has been in the UK since 2003 to complete his post-graduate education, is wanted back in Zimbabwe for making critical comments online about the government. UK authorities have turned down Mujakachi’s asylum application three times.

UK authorities have repeatedly been accused of ignoring the rights if asylum seekers amid reports that government is desperately seeking to reduce the number of migrants in the country.

Source:Guardian

HON. T. MLISWA:  I rise on a point of privilege Madam Speaker.  Madam Speaker, a very good afternoon to you.

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Good afternoon.

HON. MLISWA:  Madam Speaker, I rise to register my displeasure and to equally seek guidance from you as the Chair on how far Members of Parliament can go in enjoying the privileges and immunities that are there.  The reason why I am saying so is that I am under threat by Hon. Ndunaafter he confessed that he has killed many people – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.]  – whilst he has killed many people, he equally has threatened to kill me.  So, I want to understand whether this is how Parliament and Parliamentarians must act.  My life is under threat, not only is it under threat – [AN HON. MEMBER: Wawakatuka ndiani?] – [AN HON. MEMBER: Nyarara iwe.] – Madam Speaker, you know who is making noise, can you be firm…

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order, order!  Have you finished Hon. Mliswa?

HON. MLISWA: Madam Speaker – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections] – Muchataura zvenyu, nenyaya dzenyu dzekudanana nevakadzi vepa Parliament – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.]

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Hon. Mliswa, go ahead.  Order, Order, Hon. Mliswa, may you approach the Chair.

Hon. Mliswa approached the Chair.

HON. MLISWA: Thank you Madam Speaker.  The remarks by Hon. Nduna of killing people in a country which is under scrutiny for violence, especially allegations that there are ex-defence forces people who were in civilians who were armed who killed people. Is it not the likes of Hon. Nduna because the police and the army are exonerated – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]

HON. NDUNA: I object. Ndichitukwa here.

HON. T. MLISWA: The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Hon.  Emmerson Mnangagwa is busy going around the world defending these issues which have caused disharmony and disunity in the country and we have an Hon. Member – the police and the army has been accused yet the answer lies in Hon. Nduna who has said that he has killed people.

Madam Speaker Ma’am, we have had a lot of people killed in this country and the state security agents have been accused, yet the answer is very clear. Itai Dzamara is one of them who went missing and we now do not know whether he was killed by Hon. Nduna or not –[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]

THE HON DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, may you approach the Chair.

Hon. Mliswa having approached the Chair.

HON. T. MLISWA: Parliament of Zimbabwe is a sacred institution. Parliament of Zimbabwe cannot have murderers in it. It is important…

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa I have heard your concerns. May I make a ruling, please. You are now debating.

HON. T. MLISWA: I am talking about an issue which is of my concern and my family in terms of life. You have not been threatened. I have been threatened of being killed. I have been threatened of being killed by Hon. Nduna and I am worried looking at him that the danger that is on me is so much. This is not a joke. We cannot take it as a joke.  We come to Parliament to represent people and not to be threatened by people. We do not come here to be threatened by people. This is an issue you must take this seriously because it has a lot to do with the democracy of the people of Zimbabwe and freedom of association.  This is an issue that you must listen to and make a ruling in the end.

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, yesterday you were here but you did not state your case.

HON. T. MLISWA: I was not here yesterday. I can raise a point of privilege anytime.

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Is it because of the cameras?

HON. T. MLISWA: I am addressing the issue of being threatened, what more do you want me to address? It cannot be sensitive. This Parliament has nothing to do with Party. We do not want you, Madam Speaker to be supporting your Party members. We might as well turn it into a ZANU PF Parliament. Listen to me I have an issue which affected me and I must discuss it. I can raise an issue of privilege anytime. There must be a Privileges Committee set up to investigate that. The evidence is there, unlike our Committee where the evidence is in the paper. The evidence is on video – Hon Nduna said it. I want a Privileges Committee set up to investigate that for the integrity of Parliament.

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: May you approach the Chair.

HON. T. MLISWA: I have been approaching the Chair. You cannot whip me. You cannot keep whipping me. I have been approaching the Chair how many times Madam Speaker? Let me finish and then you can make a ruling. If you want to chuck me out, you can chuck me out but the issue will not end. I will limit myself to the issues. How many times have I been there? Our lives are under threat by that man. He is still in Parliament and you allow him to be in Parliament. He is a murderer. You kill people you do not know. Vave kukumukira manje vanhu vacho wakutaura chokwadi wega. Wazviona wave kurotomoka. Munhu haauraiwe, munhu haauraiwe. Wakupenga manje. Mari dzeZinara uchiba usingabhadhare.

Madam Speaker, you tell me the same thing when I come there that I must not talk about it. That is what you said to me. I must speak. These are serious issues. We are being threatened. He is constantly threatening anyone. Gun trotting in Chegutu, you also did the same with guns.

Hon. Nduna having stood up

Do not go away you murderer, you murderer come back, come back you murderer. You are a murderer come back. Self-confessed murderer

THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI):  I think you are now losing the plot. This is no longer an honourable House.

HON. T. MLISWA: You are killing the justice system. Ndimi murikuprotector ma murderer. Ziyambi futi une Human Rights Report unonzi unofanira kuinvestigetwa iwewe – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – We are intimidated every day. I need to finish. He is a useless Minister of Justice. Shumba, you are in Human Rights Commission to be investigated on Hurungwe issues. You know that. Ndinokuregerera. You are mentioned in the Human Rights Commission Report to be investigated as Minister of Justice. You are not exemplary.

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, leave the House.

HON. T. MLISWA: Uda kuita chii? – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –  Uku kuMash West hausi kutonga, unotonga chii?Iwe wakauraya Vanhu kuHurungwe – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –You are a useless Chairman – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave the House!

Hon. Mliswa was escorted out of the Chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order Hon. Members. Hon. Zwizwai, may you sit down. I have heard what Hon. Mliswa said. I will study the matter and make a ruling because the issues are in the courts as we speak – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – That is my ruling Hon. Gonese. Please, may you sit down?

HON. GONESE: Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of privilege which affects us as Members of Parliament. As Members of Parliament Madam Speaker, we have got a situation which occurred in the presence of Parliament. That situation affects all of us and we are very concerned because of what transpired. Fortunately, even those who were not there were able to see from a video which was circulating all the events. So, we are very clear in terms of what we heard and it is important for us to be made to understand because in your ruling if I understood you correctly, you have indicated that the matter is under the courts but I believe that is a different issue Madam Speaker. What has happened is that there was a summons which was issued seeking damages for defamation. That is not the subject matter which we are talking about. The subject matter which has been taken to court relates to a civil suit seeking damages. What we are concerned with is a situation where threats were made to a Member of Parliament …

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: This is why I said I am going to study the matter…

HON. GONESE: We just need clarity because it appears to me that the facts seem to be clear.

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Gonese, I am aware of what transpired and I am going to study the matter and make a ruling.

HON. GONESE: The reason why we got confused Madam Speaker is, you made reference to something under the courts …

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Please may you sit down, I am going to study the matter and make a ruling.

HON. GONESE: I am going to sit down but I just wanted you to have the import of what you are saying. Before I resume my sit Madam Speaker, I was going to suggest that a ruling be made to refer the matter to the Committee of Standing Rules and Orders. They need to study the matter because it is prima facie; it appears to be clear and my understanding is that when a matter is clear, it is referred to the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders. This is what I thought should be your course of action.

Zanu PF youth league national commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu has claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule was ordained by God a long time ago and that those harbouring ambitions of taking over should relax.

Addressing district youth chairpersons drawn from Mashonaland East province in Marondera on Tuesday, Tsenengamu said Mnangagwa’s ascendency to power was prophesied by the late apostolic sect leader, Aaron Mhukuta, popularly known as Mudzidzi Wimbo.

“To some of us, who belong to the apostolic sect, it was prophesied years ago by Majinesta (Wimbo) that Mnangagwa will lead this nation. It was said, the nation will be led by one with the name of an angel and after that someone by the name Dambudzo will rule this country. Leadership comes from God. If you want to rule, ask yourself if you are loved by God,” he said.

Former First Lady Grace Mugabe last year also described Mnangagwa as a God-given leader during the funeral of her mother Idah Marufu.

The youth league is currently organising a solidarity march for Mnangagwa earmarked for next week.

Speaking during the same meeting, Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial youth chairperson, Kelvin Mutsvairo, came out guns blazing, warning party legislators sabotaging youth meetings.

“We are aware of our MPs who are not supporting party programmes by the youths. They should know that they are in those positions because of us. We will make sure that these MPs, who are sabotaging party business, be recalled,” said Mutsvairo.

Zanu PF MPs in the province have been urged to secure buses in their constituencies to transport party youths to Harare for the solidarity march dubbed #EDWillNeverWalkAlone.

NewsDay