VICE President Constantino Chiwenga is in the Indian capital of New Delhi, where he is receiving treatment for an abdominal ailment, a government official revealed yesterday.

Information deputy minister Energy Mutodi posted on his Twitter account that the 61-year-old politician had successfully undergone surgery and was on the mend at an Indian hospital.

“The Hon. Vice President CDN Chiwenga is recovering well from some minor abdominal ailment in Delhi, India,” Mutodi wrote on Twitter.

His tweet was ridiculed by citizens in a country where government officials routinely seek medical help abroad while the public health system has collapsed with hospitals struggling to provide medicines to patients.

Chiwenga was last seen in public on Tuesday last week when he appeared on national television while attending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Tuesday Cabinet meeting.

On the same day, he pooh-poohed reports that he had been airlifted to neighbouring South Africa for treatment, blaming the social media for wishing him ill.

“There are determined to hear that I am sick, they want me dead, but that cannot be, I am very fine and well, I am actually doing my job as a politician,” he was quoted saying.

While Mutodi did not reveal when the former commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) travelled to India, the Daily News is reliably informed that Chiwenga was flown to New Delhi on Thursday night.

The same sources said Chiwenga is suffering from gastro-intestinal infection, a condition caused by “viral, bacterial or parasitic infections”.

According to the Medical Journal, the condition is also known as stomach flu.

Sources said the vice president has been suffering from the ailment for some time now, prompting him to seek surgery in India.

“We expect him back this week because his condition is not serious,” said the government official who asked not to be named.

Chiwenga joins the list of foreigners trooping to India for private health care.

India has become popular because of its advanced healthcare system, drawing foreigners from Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, for complex paediatric cardiac surgery or liver transplants – caprocedures that are not done in their home countries.

They also come from the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America for quick, efficient, and cheap coronary bypasses or orthopaedic procedures.

India ranks among the top 20 of the world’s countries in its private spending, at 4,2 percent of Gross Domestic Product.

In October last year, deputy chief secretary to the President and Cabinet George Charamba disclosed that Chiwenga was on special diet because of the delicacy of his intestines which had been affected by acids.

“Apparently, you have to give it time to allow internal body tissues to heal both large and small intestines were attacked. But he must also remain calm and rested to ensure that there is no relapse into excessive secretion of acids in the body. He is on a special diet because of the delicacy in his stomach,” Charamba was quoted as saying.

Since leading the coup that toppled former president Robert Mugabe in November 2018, Chiwenga has become a larger-than-life character the country’s politics.

Despite his domineering political profile which is loved and hated in equal measure, his health has been a source of bother.

The former ZDF commander early last year traced his health woes to the days when he orchestrated Mugabe’s fall.

He claimed that he was suffering from “nhuta,” something he claimed caused his skin to lighten and triggered speculation that he was bleaching his skin.

“It was during that time that I fell ill. I had this skin sickness (nhuta) that affected my whole body from beneath my feet to my back and the journalists started saying I was using skin lightening creams, but that was not the case.

“I was sick. I have decided to talk about it because that is what you see, but you should know that everything that happens comes with a price. We then sent everything to South Africa to find out what was causing the sickness, but they failed to treat it.

“It was then that my (late) sister Margaret approached Sister Redemptor (Roman Catholic nun) and was given herbs that I began taking until I was healed. But before I took the medication they also prayed for me,” Chiwenga said at the burial of his sister Margaret.

The 61 year-old ex-soldier has appeared in public with swollen hands and in some instances with a cannula on his hand, and has also shown signs of irritation in public, further fanning speculation that he is not fit for office. — DailyNews

By Own Correspondent|A Gweru Provincial magistrate today acquitted opposition National Youth Chairman, Happymore Chidziva on charges of inciting public violence.

Chidziva was arrested during the police and army crackdown in the aftermaths of the January 14 2019 fuel protests.

Said the MDC Information Department:

National Youth Chairperson Happymore Chidziva was today acquitted by a Gweru magistrate over charges of inciting public violence in relation to the 1st of August murder of 7 civilians by men in army uniform.

Meanwhile, in the case of the MDC Deputy Chief of Staff, Zvavamwe David Shambare and 37 others who were being charged for causing public violence in the 1st of August attack on civilians by men in army uniforms, all bail conditions have been relaxed. Shambare and 37 others will appear before the magistrate on the 27th of March for routine remand.

In the case of the ZCTU stay away, ward 16 Councillor Denford Ngadziore’s bail application will be heard on Wednesday at the magistrate’s court.

ZIMBABWE could run out of bread in a week after flour stocks dwindled due to the country’s failure to pay for imported wheat, according to a confidential letter written to bakers by the country’s grain millers’ group on Monday.

The southern African nation is in the grip of a severe shortage of U.S. dollars that has sapped supplies of fuel and drugs, as President Emmerson Mnangagwa struggles to live up to pre-election promises to quickly revive the troubled economy.

Zimbabwe imports wheat, which it blends with its local crop to make flour for bread, the country’s second major staple after maize meal.

The Grain Millers Association (GMAZ) general manager Lynette Veremu wrote to the National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) to tell them the country not pay for 55,000 tonnes of wheat in bonded warehouses in Mozambique and Harare.

“We regret to advise that the current stocks for foreign wheat for bread flour have depleted to 5,800 tonnes and … we are left with less than eight days of national bread flour supplies,” the letter said.

GMAZ spokesman Garikai Chaunza confirmed the letter, saying “this is the situation we are faced with”.

Ngoni Mazango, the president of the bakers’ group, was not immediately available to comment.

The central bank lists wheat among priority imports like fuel and drugs, but has struggled to pay suppliers in the past.

GMAZ said in December it owed foreign suppliers $80 million for past wheat imports.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya did not answer calls to his mobile phone. — Reuters

Latest reports indicate that the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe General Manager David Chawota has been arrested on suspected corruption charges.

A source with the National Prosecution Authority confirmed that Chawota is facing a number of corruption allegations from radar, labour abuses to resurrecting contracts from 20 years ago that cost the Authority $ 450 000.

ZimEye.com is also told that the other case involves the the awarding of a 28 million euro (US$33,3 million) tender to Indra Sistemas and Homt Espana SA for the finance, supply and installation of an airspace management system without going to tender.

More to follow:

A Harare Magistrate’s Court took time to visit Zimbabwe Airways offices in-loco to verify testimony issued by state witness against former Zim Airways boss Simba Chikore.

Chikore who is son in law to former President Robert Mugabe, is facing kidnap charges after a former employee of the airways, Bertha Zakeyo, alleged that he locked her up in the offices against her will after the two quarrelled over termination of her employment contract.

Witness Simon Masakasa who at the court’s last hearing provided uncoordinated evidence forced Chikore’s lawyer Jonathan Samukange to ask the court to visit the offices in-loco to prove that Masakasa was an unreliable witness.

Masakasa also a former employee at the airways had alleged that he had seen what transpired when Zakeyo was being detained from his compartment at the building.

After the visit to the offices, it turned out that Musaka had lied in his testimony as the arrangement in the office and the distances he mentioned would not tie up.

The distance that he had described and the setup was incorrect and hence he could not have given his testimony as an eye witness as is required by law.

After an intense cross-examination by Samukange, Masakasa admitted that he had made stories against Chikore out of bitterness for his impromptu termination of contract with the airline. He further told the court that he was angry for being fired from his position.

Chikore is jointly charged with Safeguard security guard Simbarashe Mutimbe. The two are out on $30 bail each.

Correspondent|The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya will on Wednesday announce the Monetary Policy Statement and one of the major focal point will be introduction of a new exchange rate of the United States Dollar and Bond note.

The rate is likely to be pegged at 1:3.

Sources within the Central Bank said that the fuel price hike was pegged at a 1:3 rate.

“Everyone knows that 1:1 exchange rate is not viable, do you remember when the President announced the prices of fuel it was a well calculated move and it is paying dividends,” said the source.

Bond notes were introduced in 2016 and there were pegged at one is to one with US Dollars.

When Finance minister Mthuli Ncube presented the National budget in December 2018, he insisted that the bond note was equivalent to US dollars but created separate accounts with some only meant for bond notes and RTGS while others were Foreign Currency Accounts (FCA).

 Defiant Matabeleland chiefs Vezi Maduna and Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni have escalated their row with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government — this time demanding the appointment of an independent probe into the Gukurahundi atrocities of the early 1980s, the Daily News can report.

This is despite the fact that Mnangagwa has since operationalised the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), to lead consultations with chiefs from the Matabeleland region about the emotive matter.

This comes after the outspoken traditional leaders paid a courtesy call on opposition leader Nelson Chamisa in Harare last week, days after Maduna had raised fears over his safety following his claims of being trailed by suspected State security agents.

In a letter addressed to Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Maduna and Ndiweni have now, not only taken aim at Mnangagwa again, but also demand the appointment of an independent commission to probe all Gukurahundi deaths.

“The letter serves to inform you as the national chairperson of the ruling party Zanu PF that on behalf of the … genocide victims of 1981-87, we the Ndebele chiefs have written to the United Nations (UN) secretary- general to set up an independent commission of inquiry to investigate this genocide and to bring perpetrators of it to book.

“As you are aware, the genocide was well planned and implemented by government, so we cannot expect the same government to investigate itself,” Maduna and Ndiweni said in their letter.

“There is still a window of opportunity to this issue. However, silence and inaction by the government and your Zanu PF will not stop the actions that have been initiated in the international arena,” the chiefs added.

Maduna recently threw the cat among the pigeons when he wrote an earlier letter to the UN, appealing for the powerful global body to get involved in the emotive Gukurahundi issue.

The outspoken chief later got support from his counterpart Ndiweni, who has also consistently attacked the government over the unresolved Gukurahundi issue.

“We write requesting an independent commission of inquiry be set up to investigate atrocities which occurred in Matabeleland and Midlands in Zimbabwe … between 1981 and 1987 … after the country gained independence from Britain.

“The atrocities escalated into genocide occasioned by an ethnic cleansing agenda targeting the Ndebele people in the western and central parts of the country,” Maduna said in his earlier letter to UN secretary- general Antonio Guterres.

The letter was also copied to Amnesty International, the African Union, Sadc and the European Union (EU) Parliament, among others.

An estimated 20 000 people are said to have been killed in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces when the government deployed the North Korea-trained Fifth Brigade to the two regions, to fight an insurrection.

Unity Day was subsequently set up to commemorate the Unity Accord which was later signed between Zapu and Zanu on December 22, 1987, and which ended hostilities between the two parties.

Mnangagwa, who served as ousted former president Robert Mugabe’s right-hand man for nearly 54 years, last year operationalised the NPRC as part of his efforts to address unresolved national issues such as the Gukurahundi atrocities.

During his maiden appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last year, Mnangagwa said the government was keen to address the atrocities.

“What can we do about the past? We have put up a commission (NPRC) to deal with that issue (Gukurahundi), that should not stop us from having a better future where all the communities should be united, should co-operate, should love each other, should work together.

“This is the message which we have. We are more worried now about how in the future we should have a united Zimbabwe.

“Let me assure you that just recently I had a meeting with chiefs from Matabeleland, discussing with them, because I feel there is that bad patch in our history and we would want to correct it.

“We would want to say whatever wrong was committed we must say, the government of the day must apologise,” Mnangagwa said.

-Daily News

Paul Nyathi|The city of Bulawayo is relatively quite with no signs that a person declared a national hero passed on in the city.

ZANU PF Bulawayo Province chairman Callistus Ndlovu passed on in South Africa last week and was declared a national hero.

Social Media critics in the city have come hard on the ZANU PF leader accusing him of selling out on the people of the region during the dreadful Gukurahundi atrocities of the mid eighties.

Ndlovu is very notorious in the city and the region for his statement that the Joshua Nkomo led PF ZAPU was a dead donkey at the peak of the Gukurahundi era.

He had unceremoniously dumped PF ZAPU at the time and joined the Gukurahundi attributed ZANU under Robert Mugabe leadership.

Since that time, the people of Matabeleland who supported ZAPU and Nkomo religiously never forgave him for his utterances.

Critics have actually accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa for rewarding Ndlovu on his selling out on the people of the region by giving him a national hero status.

Meanwhile, body of the late national hero Ndlovu who passed away in South Africa arrived in Bulawayo on Tuesday afternoon aboard a South African Airlink jet.

Prof Ndlovu’s body arrived at 12 noon at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo airport and was welcomed by Bulawayo provincial Minister Cde Judith Ncube, Government officials and some cheering ZANU-PF members.

The date of his burial has not yet been confirmed.

Farai Dziva|MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa, who is also an ordained pastor has appealed to the people of Zimbabwe to have faith in God as he will soon deliver the nation from political captivity.

Chamisa said the MDC A was chosen by God to lead the people to the promised land.

“CANAAN IS ON THE HORIZON!We’re at Rephidim and the Amalekites are here. So Moses must go up the mountain with the staff of the Lord to pray with the aid of Aaron and Hur.Joshua goes into the battlefront to fight the opponent.History books being written as we plant new memorials,Ex 17,” wrote Chamisa on Twitter.

“Oh yes the signs are there and the evidence is upon us.We are almost there. All the sorrows of today we shall forget.
See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp with many teeth..You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff!

There is a plan.God has a plan.We are that plan!”

By Own Correspondent- The recently appointed Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) members reportedly clashed with Presidential Spokesperson George Charamba when they met for the first time last week Friday, a report by a local publication has claimed.

Charamba apparently wanted the PAC to focus only on international re-engagement, which the PAC disagreed with.

Revealed Patriotic Front Spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire:

“The Presidential Advisory Council met and its members were unhappy with George Charamba trying to lecture them on what they were supposed to do, limiting their terms of reference to international re-engagement. Apparently, UNDP is funding the group.

The PAC members who attended the meeting resisted Charamba’s bossy attempts to confine them to international reengagement and instead organised themselves in clusters according to areas of expertise, e. g health, and insisted they would only advise in areas of expertise.

Members of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) met for the first time yesterday (Friday) afternoon for a briefing session with Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet. The session was a prelude to an inaugural meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa soon.”

PAC members are non-partisan professionals with distinguished achievements in the private sector, public sector and international organisations. PAC members receive no remuneration or perks from the government. They volunteer their time for the benefit of the nation.

Zimbabwe’s tourism receipts have breached the US$1 billion mark as the sector continues to register strong growth with expectations that the country will achieve its goal of generating at least US$7 billion in earnings by 2030.

Buoyed by the renewed confidence in the destination and positive image, the country’s tourism industry is not showing any signs of slowing down with earnings and arrivals continuing on the upward trajectory.

After closing 2017 at US$917 million in earnings, the sector managed to rack in a total of US$1.050 billion in 2018.

Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Cde Priscah Mupfumira said the sector can still do more and challenged the industry players to double efforts as the country seeks to achieve the US$7 billion earning target under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme.

“We are excited as an industry for having breached the US$1 billion mark and I must congratulate you all for your efforts,” said Cde Mupfumira.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Acting Chief Executive Mrs Rita Likukuma stressed the need for players to invest in sprucing up their facilities as the sector seeks to increase its contribution to the economy.

“We need to invest more in sprucing up our facilities if we are to meet our revenue and arrivals targets,” Mrs Likukuma said.

The growth of the local tourism industry comes at a time the global travel and tourism sector continues to enjoy record numbers with global international tourist arrivals surging by a remarkable 6 percent in 2018 to reach a total of 1.4 billion.

-State Media

Correspondent|POLITICAL parties represented in Parliament met in Bulawayo over the weekend to set the tone for the proposed national dialogue, despite their party principals’ hardline stance on talks seen as critical to stop Zimbabwe’s political and economic crisis.

MPs drawn from Zanu-PF, MDC Alliance, MDC-T and the National Patriotic Front NPF held a two-day conference in Bulawayo, which they hope would set a base for further dialogue.

Although some of the members were unwilling to disclose details of the meeting, Zanu-PF secretary for legal affairs Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana said the event was meant to enable parties to draw up ways to solve the country’s problems.

“We agreed to meet as political parties and try to resolve whatever challenges that the country is facing,” Mangwana said.

“This is a forum only for political parties represented in Parliament and that is Zanu-PF, MDC Alliance, MDC-T and NPF. We actually held a workshop on how we should engage.
Basically, there were some experts who had been recruited by the Zimbabwe Institute (a political think-tank), who are co-ordinating this inter-party dialogue process, who took us through on how we should handle the dialogue.”

A fortnight ago, Mnangagwa invited presidential candidates in last year’s elections to State House to lay the framework for dialogue following nationwide protests over fuel price hikes and the deteriorating economic situation, which resulted in 17 deaths and destruction of property worth millions of dollars.

MDC Alliance presidential candidate, and Mnangagwa’s main contender, Nelson Chamisa, snubbed the meeting, describing it as a farce.

Chamisa said he would not attend a negotiation platform chaired by an interested party.

Mnangagwa is, however, insisting that Chamisa should recognise him as President first, before the two can dialogue, creating a stalemate.

Mangwana said the weekend’s inter-party dialogue was different from the national dialogue because it only accommodated parties represented in Parliament, adding the training was necessary because there were new players who had just come on board.

The Zanu-PF legal affairs secretary said nothing had been agreed on yet because they focused more on training.

He also said there was no conflict between the two processes as discussions come at different levels.

“We are talking at the level of political parties represented in Parliament and we set our different agenda which might be different to the other agenda,” he said.

Other members from Zanu-PF included Transport deputy minister Fortune Chasi and Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister Appolonia Munzverengi.

The MDC, which was previously represented by its secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, had a five-member team led by Senator Gideon Shoko.

Mutare Central MP Innocent Gonese, Phyllis Ndlovu and Kucaca Pulu also represented the opposition party.

Shoko said the meeting was meant to train members on how to handle the dialogue.

“We talked about a lot of things. One thing that I remember that came out openly is that if we are to dialogue, we need only parties with representation in Parliament,” he said.

MDC-T representative Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga refused to entertain questions.

“The position is this: We can’t talk to the Press. I can confirm that there was a meeting, but there was an agreed position that we are not talking to the Press,” she said.

By Own Correspondent- Two anti-Gukurahundi chiefs from Matabeleland South province, chiefs Vezi Maduna and Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni have demanded the creation of an independent probe into the atrocities of the early 1980s including Gukurahundi.

The two chiefs wrote a letter to the ZANU PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, demanding that the United Nations (UN) should be involved in the Gukurahundi probe.

The letter reads in part:

The letter serves to inform you as the national chairperson of the ruling party Zanu PF that on behalf of the … genocide victims of 1981-87, we the Ndebele chiefs have written to the United Nations (UN) secretary- general to set up an independent commission of inquiry to investigate this genocide and to bring perpetrators of it to book.

As you are aware, the genocide was well planned and implemented by the government, so we cannot expect the same government to investigate itself.

There is still a window of opportunity for this issue. However, silence and inaction by the government and your Zanu PF will not stop the actions that have been initiated in the international arena.-DailyNews

By Own Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance national organising secretary Amos Chibaya has warned party stalwarts with presidential ambitions and wishing to challenge Nelson Chamisa that they risk plunging themselves into the political dustbin.

Chibaya said this while addressing a feedback meeting in his Mkoba constituency in Gweru on Saturday. He also dismissed In Defense of Morgan Tsvangirai Legacy (DTML)’s claim that Chamisa’s term as interim president had expired and that a new leader must be appointed.

He said:

“We saw on ZBC-TV someone saying MDC must now immediately go for congress and sensationally claiming that Chamisa’s term has expired. That is cheap propaganda and dirty political grandstanding. I am the owner of all party structures as the organiser. The party president’s term is still on. Chamisa was born in 1978. That is the same year that Morgan Tsvangirai’s first born, Edwin, was born. So, in short, Chamisa is Tsvangirai’s first born left to lead the family of the MDC. In short, once you begin to think that Chamisa must be removed from the helm at the congress, you should realise that your ancestors have forsaken you and you have lost your senses. Chamisa is the man of the moment from the grassroots going up and anyone wishing to challenge him will just be throwing themselves in the political dustbin.”

By Own Correspondent- The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) Chairperson, Chris Mutsvangwa has implored opposition leader leader Nelson Chamisa “to come of age and join the dialogue initiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa”.

Mutsvangwa urged Chamisa to emulate the war veterans who sacrificed themselves for the love of the country.

He said:

“We also urge Chamisa and his MDC-Alliance to finally come of age and join the National Dialogue process in an honest and constructive manner. He should take a leaf from our generation of supreme sacrifice which never slight personalised power and self-enrichment beyond the love of the motherland.”-StateMedia

The government has released 24 names of the miners who died in Battlefields on Tuesday last week following the flooding of two mines.

The state media reported that the names of the deceased are as follows:

Thulani Sibanda (18) of Mbizo, Kwekwe, John Mufakose (29) of Gore village, Gokwe, Norman Billion (39) of Kadoma, Andrew Mharadze (26) of Mharadze village, Gokwe, Tinashe Shanda (22) of Mashinyira village, Gokwe, Givemore Munyengeri (42) of Plot 22 Silvermoon, Battlefields.

Trynos Zindonye (31) of Hamandishe village, Gokwe, Clever Takaendesa (47) of Shurugwi, Tafadzwa Mubaiwa (22) Gonde village, Gokwe, Tinei Tembo (31) Plot 47 Silvermoon, Battlefields, Charles Jacob (25) of Jacopo village, Murehwa and David Martin (38) of Kadoma.

Jabulani Moyo of Village 12A Donnain, Battlefields, Josias Muzadzi (45) of village, Zhombe, Liberty Koke (26) of Village 9A, Gokwe, Augustine Chindoza (39) Chizembo Village, Bikita, Wellington Kwari of Whaley Range Etina Mine, Kadoma, Takanda Mushore (27), Kwekwe.

Tobias Takaendesa, Kadoma, Winston Muziribo (22) of Makombe Village, Gokwe, Mayana Bvunzawabaya (27) Gore Village, Gokwe, Misheck Ncube (30) Kapoto Village, Mudzi, Keith Muderedzi (31) Village 10, Kadoma and Eborn Kaseke (24) Matarutse of Marondera.

ZUPCO buses reportedly disappeared from the road in Bulawayo and some parts of Harare on Tuesday rendering commuters stranded.

ZUPCO buses were introduced by government under  a special facility to subsidize citixzens who were complaining of the escalating prices charged by kombis.

Journalist Zenzele Ndebele said, “There is a fuel problem in Bulawayo today. Many people are stranded in the western suburbs and there are no kombis because they have no fuel.”

A huge crowd was reportedly gathered at Cowdray Park Signpost waiting for kombis to ferry them to town and kombis were charging $1.50 and some $2 to town while buses were nowhere to be seen.

One Princess from Harare also said there are facing the same problem in Harare South.

“We have the same problem in Ushewekunze and ours is worse no kombi’s in the roads. Our Member of Parliament Tongai Mathuthu  does not even care how people from his constituency are doing.”

The crisis resurfaces after government assured the nation that the ZUPCO facility has been going smoothly and there are 2300 more buses from local and foreign players who have showed interest in joining the scheme.

However, some bus operators who spoke to the media said the scheme is not working for them as the government is reneging on its part and they have not been paying them the agreed amount. The players indicated that they will be pulling out their services on Monday if the issue is not corrected.

Correspondent|MDC Youth Assembly National Chairperson Happymore Chidziva says Nelson Chamisa is not the Acting President of MDC but a substantive President who was elected by the National Council at the directive of the district chairpersons after the passing away of veteran opposition leader Dr. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.Chidziva was reacting to statements by an MDC pressure group which has threatened to file an urgent high court application barring Chamisa from acting as MDC President claiming that his tenure expired on February 14 according to Party constitution.

Find the full statement below:

I am forced to tell the nation how it all happened.

B4 the death of our founding President Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai the MDC-T party called for a national council that was to decide who shall be the acting President as our dear President was seriously ill. The night before the meeting the President passed away. We were left with no option but to continue with the meeting in that meeting Advocate Nelson Chamisa was unanimously elected acting President. After the burial of the Founding President, we meet with District chairpersons of all wings to consult on way forward who then directed national Council to go and elect a President to replace President Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

The council was called and President Advocate Nelson Chamisa was elected as the President of the party that’s why He is not acting President but The actual President of the MDC. We went into an election under MDC alliance as the electoral identity. Khupe participated under MDC-T with a few members who have lost in party primary elections like Chinyadza.

After the elections, we then fulfilled the dream of Baba Morgan Tsvangirai of forming one formidable force to fight the ZANU PF regime and we are MDC as led by advocate Nelson Chamisa. Which will then renew re organise modernise the party as per Constitution and in line with the direction of the party organs at the end of the 4th Congress term.

The MDC will not be directed by ZANU PF factions to do internal processes. We will define our own ways and have already defined. I explained this such that people don’t get lost Advocate Nelson Chamisa is not an acting President he is substantive President of the movement. we are not obsessed with elections at this Congress but to shape the politics of the country by defining correct politics and giving the alternative idea.

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa on Monday said President Emmerson Mnangagwa is “more rabid than Robert Mugabe at his worst.”

Chamisa spoke outside the Harare Magistrates Court where the MDC’s Harare East MP had had just avoided jail after a magistrate fined him $200 for “unofficial and false declaration of results” in July last year.

Biti had told a news conference on July 31, a day after voting, that the MDC had received results of the 2018 election and “the results show beyond reasonable doubt that we have won this election and that the next President of Zimbabwe is Advocate Nelson Chamisa.”

The MDC says Biti, who is appealing the conviction, is being persecuted by Mnangagwa’s government which the party maintains is illegitimate, claiming the last elections were rigged.

Chamisa said threats made by Mnangagwa at a rally in Mwenezi last Saturday, where he vowed to pursue lawyers who represented victims of an army crackdown that followed fuel protests last month showed the government’s disdain for justice.

“We’re excited to have here our pillar in the movement who is being targeted, persecuted on the simple account that he’s telling the truth about what happened on July 30,” Chamisa told reporters.

“We are also aware of the targeting of many of our leaders across the country, of lawyers and doctors which is quite disturbing because. Even Mugabe at his worst was not this rabid. We never saw attacks and persecution of lawyers and doctors.”

Biti, who will speak at a news conference on Thursday after a ban imposed at the start of his trial lapsed with the end of his trial, said he was “a symptom of a bigger challenges affecting the country.”
“It’s critical for president Chamisa and everyone in leadership to protect the people against Mnangagwa,” he said.

Chamisa said politics was “contaminating Zimbabwe’s justice system in a manner which is not consistent with a democratic society.”

The MDC leader called on SADC leaders to speak up against a breakdown of the rule of law in Zimbabwe. He said power was slipping from Mnangagwa, who took over from Mugabe in a November 2017 military coup, and the Zanu PF strongman had resorted to brutalising citizens.

“What you are seeing are telltale signs of the end. This is the end and centre can no longer hold. Mr Mnangagwa’s constellation is crumbling like a deck of cards. That’s why you see in their desperation they want to be at war with the citizens and with everyone including lawyers, vendors and doctors. They’re literally at war with every section of the society. That tells you the end is nigh,” Chamisa said.

He maintained that the MDC would not enter any dialogue with Zanu PF and Mnangagwa “that is conditional upon macho tactics, terror tactics and Stone Age tactics.”

“We don’t go into dialogue out of force. We go into dialogue out of conviction that we need to have peace in this country, progress and prosperity in this country. We have answers, they have the problems and we have said please let’s come together as a people to provide answers,” Chamisa said.

“People are suffering, they are jobless; the economy is not performing, prices are sky rocketing and challenges are rising by the day. We don’t want politics, we want answers to the people’s problems.”

The MDC snubbed an invitation extended by Mnangagwa on February 6 to attend talks at State House with all the other political parties and presidential candidates. The party wants the army withdrawn from the streets; its supporters held following last month’s fuel protests released and the talks mediated by an impartial third party.

Chamisa will address a rally in Gweru this weekend.

Zimlive

A Beitbridge family is living in fear after discovering a deep mine shaft under their house.

Stand number 3943 in Beitbridge is the house that the Mujuru family built in 2008.

Six years later, the ground started to give in, compelling an adventurous young Justin Chadzima to explore the hole that opened up under the concrete precast wall and garage.

Justin went underground and discovered a huge mining tunnel with three shafts going horizontally in different directions.

“It is very deep. There are three tunnels going in different directions,” he said.

The family sought an explanation from council only to hear that the house was built on a disused mine.

The tunnels belong to a former copper mine known as Pub and was discontinued many years ago.

However, help has not been forthcoming despite many years since its discovery and the Mujuru family and their neighbours are living in fear.

As the family complains of slow response from council and the red tape at the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s Gwanda offices, answers from the local authority are also not convincing.

The reply from the municipality only went as far as ‘We are aware of that issue.’

One wonders whether local authority waits for disaster to strike for them to take action.

Zbc News online

By A Correspondent| In a case of disturbing levels, one of President Emmmerson Mnangagwa’s ConCourt lawyers, caused a stir yesterday when he was reported for assaulting a human rights solicitor right inside the magistrates court precinct in Gweru.

The accused, Tinomuda Chinyoka, used to practice law in the UK before he was banned from practicing on British soil.

The development comes within 48 hours of Mnangagwa announcing that he is now violently pursuing doctors and human rights lawyers. 

Writing soon after the incident, Tinomudaishe Chinyoka said,

“I was arrested today. Brian Dube and Jeremiah Bamu concocted a false assault charge against me to secure my arrest and removal from Court.

“Instead of representing their client, they are busy lying and consorting with mobs to assault lawyers and witnesses. Hearing Friday maybe.”

Meanwhile, below was the report submitted to the Law Society in Zimbabwe yesterday:

To The Law Society Of Zimbabwe.

My name is Dube Brian a legal Practitioner with Gundu, Dube and Pamacheche Legal Practitioners in Gweru.

Today on the 18th February 2019 and at Gweru Magistrates Court and in Court number 3, whilst at the bar awaiting to represent a client in a trial, I was attacked by a person who I eventually got to know as Tinomudaishe Chinyoka, in the following manner:
1)He charged towards me from the back and assaulted me by pressing me hard on my right collar borne with force and I felt pain.
2)He proceed to threaten that he will deal with me with unspecified action for allegedly pissing him off.
3)When the court adjourned, the same Tinomudaishe Chinyoka approached me and continued with same threats bragging that he was powerful and connected and was going to deal with me.
4)The threats were reported to the Magistrate as well as a formal report at Gweru Central Police Station.
5)Through my investigations I have gathered that he is a Legal Practitioner and currently deployed to monitor on behalf of the Party to which he belongs the lawyers who are dealing with cases of the alleged National Shutdown.
6)The same person is cited in my client’s defence as the one coordinating and coaching witnesses in Midlands against opposition members.

I feel violated, and professionally interfered with. I am now working under fear and this seriously affects my independence in doing my professional work.

Regards

• THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY – REFRESH THIS PAGE FOR THE DEVELOPMENTS –

Government has released the names of the 24 miners who perished in the Battlefields disaster as search efforts continue to account for at least four others reportedly trapped in another shaft.

This comes as search teams have indicated that there may not be any more miners than the 32 already accounted for in the remaining shaft at Jongwe Cooperative Mine contrary to earlier estimates that put the number at over 50.

Police released the names of the deceased as Thulani Sibanda (18) of Mbizo, Kwekwe, John Mufakose (29) of Gore village, Gokwe, Norman Billion (39) of Kadoma, Andrew Mharadze (26) of Mharadze village, Gokwe, Tinashe Shanda (22) of Mashinyira village, Gokwe, Givemore Munyengeri (42) of Plot 22 Silvermoon, Battlefields, Trynos Zindonye (31) of Hamandishe village, Gokwe, Clever Takaendesa (47) of Shurugwi, Tafadzwa Mubaiwa (22) Gonde village, Gokwe, Tinei Tembo (31) Plot 47 Silvermoon, Battlefields, Charles Jacob (25) of Jacopo village, Murehwa and David Martin (38) of Kadoma.

Others include Jabulani Moyo of Village 12A Donnain, Battlefields, Josias Muzadzi (45) of village, Zhombe, Liberty Koke (26) of Village 9A, Gokwe, Augustine Chindoza (39) Chizembo Village, Bikita, Wellington Kwari of Whaley Range Etina Mine, Kadoma, Takanda Mushore (27), Kwekwe, Tobias Takaendesa, Kadoma, Winston Muziribo (22) of Makombe Village, Gokwe, Mayana Bvunzawabaya (27) Gore Village, Gokwe, Misheck Ncube (30) Kapoto Village, Mudzi, Keith Muderedzi (31) Village 10, Kadoma and Eborn Kaseke (24) Matarutse of Marondera.

The 24 were trapped when the shafts they were working were flooded by water following a heavy storm on Tuesday last week.

This comes as Government has indicated that it was winding up search operations at Jongwe Cooperative Mine in Battlefields where eight miners were found alive and 24 bodies were recovered.

Operations have been shifted to Cricket Number 3 Mine where water levels are still high and the shaft is reportedly deeper.

At least four miners are reportedly trapped underground in the shaft which was the first to be flooded before the seven other shafts.

Government has managed to match the names of 32 miners on the register and those rescued alive and bodies retrieved.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo toured Jongwe and Cricket Number 3 Cooperative mines where he gave Government’s assurance to relatives that effort would continue until every missing person has been accounted for.

“We are here to say to the relatives of the victims that do not lose hope because Government has committed itself through the declaration by President Mnangagwa of a State of Disaster and we will support the search effort to the end,” said Minister Moyo.

“We will continue to visit you. Tomorrow (today) we are going to brief the President at Cabinet and we want to do it from an informed position.”

Indications are that search teams have combed all work stations underground in the last shaft and have concluded that chances of finding more bodies were slim.

Minister Moyo dispelled claims that Government reacted slowly to manage the disaster saying such claims emanated from failure to understand the structure of Government.

“Whenever there is a disaster of this magnitude the President calls for a state of emergence or state of disaster.

“The arms of Government’s Civil Protection Unit led by the district administrator including the police at local level are activated. Government’s involvement does not start when the minister arrives at the scene,” said Minister Moyo.

“There are four bodies said to be trapped underground and we want to assure everyone that all Government departments will not leave until all bodies have been rescued or retrieved.”

He said Government’s disaster preparedness was high but they always came in different forms.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said an assessment of the mine would be made before operations could resume.

State Media

Government will review the Battlefields mining disaster with a view to effect a shift in mining policy and the implementation of a raft of measures to engender safety and the formalisation of artisanal mining operations, a Cabinet minister has said.

This comes as rescue efforts have led to eight people being rescued alive while 24 bodies have so far been retrieved from shafts.

In an interview during his visit to Cricket No. 3 and Jongwe Mining Cooperative mines in Mhondoro-Ngezi, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said the review process will begin after scrutinising findings from the Battlefields disaster.

“We are going to review mining practices and unfortunately about two weeks back the Environmental Management Agency visited the site and made certain recommendations and observations which unfortunately were not enforced,” he said.

“Obviously it is a learning point and we will as Government have a serious review of this incident and come up with a policy position.”

Observations by EMA recommended upgrading of safety aspects of the shaft which had not been implemented when the shafts were flooded by water.

Among measures to be considered is the formalisation of artisanal mining activities.

“Formalisation will assist in the sense that it will enable Government to focus on formalised activities rather than haphazard operations.

“This is one of the issues that when we have the review will be one of the action points,” he said.

There are about 500 000 informal miners across the country and there have been growing incidents of injuries and deaths owing to failure to observe safety issues.

Minister Chitando said Government will wait for the review process as provided for by legislation before taking a position.

This also includes reviewing the role of those who failed to implement the EMA recommendations.

“We need to come up with a clear position on the way forward including a proper brief. When we have an incident of this nature there is a process which is provided for by legislation to review what has happened and make people accountable,” he said.

This comes as Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Priscah Mupfumira announced a donation of $10 000 from EMA to assist the bereaved families.

At least 23 bodies have been positively identified and the relatives have since collected them for burial with the Government and funeral service providers such as Doves, FCG and Nyaradzo providing assitance.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Special Anti-Corruption Unit requested the 2016 Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) forensic audit which exposed massive rot in the country’s roads administration department amid reports that fresh corruption investigations are underway, the Zimbabwe Morning Post can exclusively reveal.

Highly placed sources also said the crack team has already summoned Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa, for an interview in connection with allegations he raised against a fellow legislator Dexterv Nduna which also implicated the speaker of parliament Jacob Mudenda.

“Last week the anti-corruption unit requested that the forensic report be handed to them as investigations are to be commenced,” said the source.

“The unit has also summoned Mliswa for questioning on allegations he raised last week.”

In an interview with this publication Mliswa could neither confirm nor deny that he was summoned for questioning by the Anti-corruption unit.

Mliswa said justice should take its course on those who misused Zinara funds.

“It is very clear that he (Hon Nduna) was given 13 million Rand and 8 million US dollars to fix various VID depots, Victoria Falls, Sanyati road and he didn’t do anything and the auditor general’s report is very clear that he should be investigated,” said Mliswa.

Investigations carried out by this publication in collaboration with the Centre For Investigative Journalism in Zimbabwe (CIJZ) established that there was a forensic audit that was conducted in 2016 and it emerged that there were a lot of irregularities in the awarding of tenders.

The scam implicates parliamentarian Nduna and former Central Intelligence Officer Jimias Madzingira.

Nduna is alleged to be part of the people who abused $11 million from the road administrator.

“The forensic audit results were swept under the carpet because it implicated big names who were abusing funds from ZINARA,” revealed our source.

The audit results established that Madzingira through his company Madz was awarded a contract to build the Plumtree-Mutare road without following the proper tender procedures.

It was also established that some companies linked to ZINARA executives were given advance payments and never fulfilled the jobs.

The beneficiaries of the illicit transactions include Fossils, Jepnik, Henan, Tencraft, Notify, Bermipools and Twalumba.

Morning Post

Paul Nyathi|Harare East MP and MDC Deputy National Chairperson Tendai Biti who on Monday was convicted of violating the Electoral Act by illegally announcing the July 30 presidential election results has indicated that he will be appealing against both the conviction and the sentence.

Harare magistrate Gloria Takundwa ordered Biti to pay a $200 fine, or face week-long imprisonment should he fail to pay the fine. She also slapped a six month jail term on the former finance minister, which is suspended for five years, provided he does not commit a similar offence.

Takundwa said the prosecution had proved that Biti declared and announced that MDC-Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa had won the election before the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission made an official announcement of the election results, violating Section 66A of the Electoral Act.

Biti stands at risk of losing his parliamentary seat after the conviction depending on how the authorities will interpret the constitutional provisions.

In terms of the Constitution if a parliamentarian is convicted in a court of law they risk being kicked out of Parliament.

According to Section 129 (1) (i)(i), a Member of Parliament’s seat becomes vacant if: the Member is convicted
(i) in Zimbabwe of an offence of which breach of trust, dishonesty or physical violence is an essential element; or

(ii) outside Zimbabwe of conduct which, if committed in Zimbabwe, would be an offence of which breach of trust, dishonesty or physical violence is an essential element; and sentenced to imprisonment for six months or more without the option of a fine or without the option of any other non-custodial punishment, unless on appeal the Member’s conviction is set aside or the sentence of imprisonment is reduced to less than six months or a punishment other than imprisonment is substituted.

Section 129 (1) (n), which deals specifically with electoral law violations, states:

“If the Member has been convicted of an offence under the Electoral Law and has been declared by the High Court to be disqualified for registration as a voter or from voting at any election.”

The supreme law also provides an appeal against any conviction by an MP extends their tenure in Parliament, until the finalisation of the appeal.

Section 129 (2) states: “A Member referred to in subsection (1)(i) who has noted an appeal against his or her conviction may continue, until the final determination of the appeal, to exercise his or her functions as a Member and to receive remuneration as a Member, unless a court has ordered that he or she should be detained in prison pending the outcome of the appeal.”

Correspondent|A regional magistrate has condemned the actions of members of the police who have a tendency of carrying out their investigations on public violence ‘protesters’ by jotting notes during trial while accused persons testified in court.

Regional Magistrate Hoseah Mujaya said this while passing judgement in a matter in which nine men stood accused of taking part in the violence that rocked the country in January.

“One of the accused persons had to be stopped from testifying because an officer of the intelligence organisation was busy taking notes while the accused led his evidence. The police had ample time to carry out their investigations instead of finalising their investigations in court, this is not a police court. The accused is supposed to feel safe and secure while testifying in court,” the court heard.

Of the nine accused persons, seven were found guilty and are yet to be sentenced. The seven are Simbarashe Nyamadzawo (22), Talent Mugadza (21), Gilbert Jasimoni (34), Abisha Musakanda (24), George Tomu (26), Danny Sere (27) and Brian Zuze (23) .

Takudzwa Mutupa (19) and Brian Nyamayara (19) were found not guilty and acquitted.

The State led by prosecutor Netsai Mushayabasa said on January 14 and around 0800 hours the minor together with 300 other accused persons who are still at large gathered at Kamunhu Shopping center in Mabvuku disturbed the public’s security.

The minor who was armed with catapults and other weapons of mass destruction barricaded roads at the shopping center, throwing missiles at Choppies Supermarket, forced open the doors before they looted groceries.

The gang went on to throw missiles at various shops which were opening and providing services forcing them to join in in the shut down campaign fueling the violence and making commuters stranded together with private vehicle owners.

The violence led to the distraction of several buildings. The police who reacted to the violence managed to disperse the disgruntled demonstrators.

Rescue efforts at the remaining shaft at Silver Moon Mine have been scaled down amid indications that there may not be any bodies remaining.

Machinery including heavy duty generators and pumps is being moved to Cricket No 3 Mine about 100 metres away where at least four people are believed to be trapped.

Deputy chief Mines Inspector Mr Tapererwa Paskwavaviri said they had managed to pump out water from the remaining shaft but preliminary indications were that there were no more bodies.

“We have managed to pump out water from most of the working areas underground but there is no sign of bodies,” he said.

Eng Paskwavaviri said they had scaled down operations with only a few pumps left to pump out the remaining water.

A rescuer Simbarashe Chidakwa said he believed there were no more bodies in the shafts.

“We are continuing with searches just to make sure there are no more bodies. I believe there are no more bodies because given the area that remains we should have picked the stench of decomposed bodies,” he said.

Pumping of water has been intensified at Cricket Mine amid indications that the process could take about a day before they could ascertain whether there are people alive or their remains.

State Media

By Own Correspondent| President Mnangagwa has appointed a board of trustees for the Development Trust of Zimbabwe (DTZ) and board of directors for Nuanetsi Ranch Limited.

The board of trustees for DTZ are former Mutare City Council Commissioner Henry Nemaire, who is also a financial director for Tanganda Private Limited; Gwanda-based businessman and former mayor for the town Rido Mpofu; chairman of Art Cooperation Franklin Mukarate, Tatenda Muchekesi, a businesswoman and human resource manager at St Anne’s Hospital Harare and Ailess Baloyi, a former chief executive officer for Chiredzi District Council.

Others are a lecturer at Lupane University Dr Sibonokuhle Ndlovu, Bulawayo Provincial Administrator Konzani Ncube, Kadoma- based businessman (mining and agriculture) Francis Khondanani; businesswoman Thandi Nkomo Ibraham; former Attorney General Sobuza Gula-Ndebele and Dr Themba Ndlovu, a principal director in the Office of the President and Cabinet.

Nuanetsi Ranch Limited board of directors are Zimbabwe Agriculture Society chief executive officer Dr Anxious Masuka, Felicity Sekai Gutu, a practitioner and specialist in development, education, information and communication, Kwekwe businessman Solomon Matsa, Bindura-based businesswoman Maidel Masawi, Herbert Nkala, who is chairman for several boards that include OK Zimbabwe, FBC Holdings and Homelink, and Cephas Hodzi, a principal director in Vice President Kembo Mohadi’s Office.  

Addressing a press conference in Harare yesterday, VP Mohadi who is also the chairperson for DTZ Board of Trustees, said President Mnangagwa had selected the DTZ board on basis of members’ business acumen, provincial representation and institutional memory and continuity.

Said Mohadi:

“The major task of these two boards is to resuscitate DTZ and its subsidiaries, making sure that the business entities are revived and run profitably.

Soon, the two boards will hold their first sittings where they will have to come up with their strategic plans to turn around DTZ and its business entities.”

VP Mohadi took the opportunity to dismiss inaccuracies being peddled by some people on DTZ and Nuanetsi Ranch.

These include claims that Nuanetsi Ranch was a personal asset of former Vice President Dr Joshua Nkomo and is part of the inheritance of the late VP’s family. 

VP Mohadi dismissed allegations that VP Nkomo left Nuanetsi to some founder members of staff at the ranch. He said Nuanetsi Ranch was not a Zanu-PF property.

“A brief background on DTZ and Nuanetsi Ranch will serve to dispel these distortions and misinformation,” said VP Mohadi.

“A comprehensive press statement will be posted in the major papers and it gives accurate information on DTZ and its subsidiaries where Nuanetsi Ranch is the major asset and flagship of DTZ”

The other assets include Zagrinda in Norton, Greencroft Coffee Estates in Eastern Highlands and Zimbabwe Bio Energy.“It is true that Nuanetsi Ranch was acquired by former Vice President Dr JM Nkomo.

He acquired it from the Imperial Cold Storage and Supply Company of South Africa to bequeath it as a national asset for the emancipation and empowerment of Zimbabweans. “Dr JMN Nkomo established the Development Trust of Zimbabwe (DTZ) on the foundation of Nuanetsi Ranch, having seen its massive economic potential.”

VP Mohadi quoted a letter written to then President Mr Robert Mugabe by VP Nkomo.

It reads:

“I would like to stress to you Comrade President as here under. 1. Nuanetsi Ranch is presently owned by a South African Public Company and it would be advantageous to localise the shareholding by taking over all shares. 2. Although the trust has its first object, the acquisition of Nuanetsi Ranch, nevertheless the objects, are so wide that they enable the Trustees and the management team to do almost anything within the law.”

VP Mohadi said DTZ was established to promote the interests, wellbeing, education and economic experience of Zimbabweans.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has said Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s hypocrisy has been exposed.

Addressing ruling party supporters in Mwenezi on Saturday, Mnangagwa declared that the government was ready to crush violent protests.

Responding to Mnangagwa’ s utterances Chamisa said:”If anyone ever doubted the source of the orgy of violence against Zimbabweans,this video is your answer. How can a party leader in a country take such sadistic pleasure in the beating up of his fellow countrymen – that he is supposed to be protecting? Is this the New Dispensation?”

Chamisa also commented on the alleged disregard of constitutionalism by the MDC A to consolidate his grip on power : “The period of 12 months is for an extraordinary congress.Why have an extraordinary congress when the ordinary congress is now due and preparations for it are at an advanced stage?We have a constitution and party organs resolutions.”

Command injustice was today displayed when the court convicted and sentenced MDC Deputy National Chairperson Hon Tendai Biti for ‘announcing results’.

This is despite the fact that the court itself confirmed that Hon. Biti had not referred specifically to any figures and that he had mentioned that he expected ZEC to make an official result which up to now has three sets of results.

No one to day knows the exact figures.

The military government is aware that the results announced by ZEC were not authentic, they are unreliable and untraceable. This is why the Zanu PF government is persecuting anyone who dares challenge the results.

More importantly it is in sync with Mnangagwa’s statements made in Rutenga over the weekend.
The weight of the statements he made are that the military State will go after everyone who stands for facts and for justice in its pursuit of command injustice.

Mnangagwa intends to persecute lawyers and doctors who assisted victims of state- sponsored violence and subsequent crackdown on known MDC activists.

The MDC is aware that this conviction is part of that plan.

In fact, the prosecutor stated before the court, on record, that they intended to use the sentence to scare “those who choose politics” as a way of life.

The arguments had nothing to do with the law or the pursuit of justice but a shocking attempt to take away political rights.

The MDC is concerned that Mnangagwa’s statements in effect suspends the constitution, the principles of independence of the judiciary, separation of powers and the right of citizens to legal representation and access to natural justice.

The deployment of military personnel in the National Prosecution Authority solely serves the purpose of command injustice, the military must not take over civilian institutions.

Civilian courts must never be turned into court martials.

Behold the New. Change that Delivers!

Hon Bekithemba Mpofu
MDC Deputy National Spokesperson

Farai Dziva|The Minister of State for Masvingo Province, Ezra Chadzamira has sparked a raging racial inferno after he publicly denigrated owners of conservancies in Masvingo.

Chadzamira made the derogatory remarks about white conservancies owners at the Thank You rally that was held in Mwenezi on Saturday.

Chadzamira accused the conservancy owners of failing to embrace the hand of reconciliation extended to them by Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“President, Sir the white people who are occupying conservancies in Masvingo Province are ungrateful.

We liberated this country but the whites are still enjoying themselves through exploitation of our resources. They are using our land to enrich themselves,” said Chadzamira.

“They are barricading roads and placing barriers to prevent our people from passing through the conservancies they are occupying- this unfair,” added Chadzamira.

In what appeared like a positive move, ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa took “convenience” in the absence of Vice President Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga to dump the Presidential guard and appoint the Airforce of Zimbabwe officials as his security.

The Presidential guard is reportedly aligned to Vice President Chiwenga, and it appeared as if Mnangagwa has demoted them; but the reality is that he has actually promoted them.

During the rally held on Saturday at Mwenenzi Mnangagwa was seen guarded by Airforce officers that the regular yellow beret Presidential guard.

On Monday Professor Jonathan Moyo took to Twitter to attempt to explain the changes that are happening in the military.

In a major shakeup, Mnangagwa has replaced his Army aide de-camp, Col Never Makuyana (right), with his security and Airforce officers (left). Mnangagwa is using the absence of Chiwenga, whose health has reportedly deteriorated, to ring out system-wide changes in the military!

Major General Sanyatwe, former PG commander and plotter in Nov 2017 coup and 1 Aug 2018 massacre, was sidelined under COMMAND AGRICULTURE; ahead of the release of the Motlanthe Report. Mnangagwa wants him away to Tanzania as Ambassador, but he’s resisting due to his poor English!

The incoming Commander of the notorious Presidential Guard (PG) is Brigadier General Fidelis Mhonda, whose brutal role in the 2008 Army atrocities drew widespread condemnation. He’s to be deputized by Col Makuyana, Mnangagwa’s ditched aide-de-camp!

Last year there were reports that the Zimbabwe Defense Forces was divided with the Zimbabwe National Army mainly supporting Mnangagwa along with the Airforce of Zimbabwe.

The Presidential guard and some barracks were seemingly pledging their loyalty to Chiwenga.

Source: Zimnews

Paul Nyathi|Government has claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa only retired and reassigned the four notorious senior military officers who were all somewhat fingured in the killings of citizens during protests in Harare.

Chief Secretary to the cabinet Misheck Sibanda rushed to issue a statement after an exposè by ZimEye.com that the four had unceremoniously been removed from the army exactly a month after being promoted.

According to an unconvincing statement by Sibanda the removal of the soldiers to the Diplomatic Service is in line with Government’s critical global engagement and re-engagement strategy.

Last month President Mnangagwa made a chilling declaration that some big heads were going to roll in the army after he cut short his visit oversees on reports that army officers were killing civilians.

Sibanda said Major Generals Martin Chedondo, Douglas Nyikayaramba, Anselem N Sanyatwe and Air Vice Marshal Shebba Shumbayawonda are set to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade pending finalisation of diplomatic consultations.

According to Sibanda the government will release accreditation details for each of the four senior officers once various bilateral consultations are concluded.

It remains to be seen which countries the four will be deployed to in the wake of known human rights abuses against them.

“His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces thanks the four officers for serving their country with honour and dedication in the Defence Forces, and wish the successful careers in the Diplomatic Service,” reads the statement.

By Own Correspondent| In a major shakeup, Emmerson Mnangagwa has replaced his Army aide-de-camp, Colonel Never Makuyana, with his security and Airforce officers.

Mnangagwa is using the absence of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, whose health has reportedly deteriorated, to ring out system-wide changes in the military.

Major General Ansalem Sanyatwe, former Presidential Guard commander and plotter in November 2017 coup and 1 August 2018 massacre, was sidelined under COMMAND AGRICULTURE; ahead of the release of the Motlanthe Report.

Mnangagwa wants him away to Tanzania as Ambassador, but he’s resisting due to his poor English.

The incoming Commander of the notorious Presidential Guard (PG) is Brigadier General Fidelis Mhonda, whose brutal role in the 2008 Army atrocities drew widespread condemnation.

He’s to be deputized by Colonel Makuyana, Mnangagwa’s ditched aide de-camp.

Brig Sanyatwe

By Farai D Hove| In a confirmation to an earlier ZimEye expose’ ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa has retired the notorious general who boasted saying one of his juniors fired shots towards civilians at a 45 degree angle on the 1st August 2018. (This was during the dark moments when the election results were delayed over a day after voting had ended.)

Major General Anselem Sanyatwe is one four top army generals and re-assigned them to diplomatic service.

But the move comes exactly 4 weeks after Sanyatwe was promoted to the rank of major general in terms of section 15 (1) (b) of the Zimbabwe Defence Act (Chapter 11:02).

The four are Major General Martin Chedondo, Major General Douglas Nyikayaramba, Major General Anselem Sanyatwe and Air Vice Marshall Sheba Shumbayawonda. – more to follow…

By Own Correspondent| Deputy national chairperson for the opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa, Tendai Biti who has been on trial for violating the Electoral Act has been found guilty and fined $200.

Biti, was hauled to court after he announced that Chamisa had won the 2018 harmonised polls beating Zanu Pf’s presidential candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa at a press conference at Morgan Tsvangirai House in Harare.

He however made the announcement at a time when the country’s electoral body the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had not yet announced the results of the presidential votes.

Biti is currently at court where he is yet to pay his fine.

This is a developing story. More details to follow.

Refresh this page for updates.

Tendai Biti has been fined $200 fine or 7 day’s imprisonment with a maximum custodial sentence of six months for the alleged two counts of premature results announcement and inciting public violence.

More to follow…

Below are arguments being presented by lawyers representing Tendai Biti.

Mitigating factors being presented by Mr Muchadehama. @BitiTendai is a father of four, a parliamentarian, senior member of the legal profession with 27 years experience, He is currently paying school fees for 20 children.

His contribution to legal reform cannot go unmentioned. He makes a valuable contribution to allieviating unemployment. He employes 5 lawyers at his firm and 15 support staff. He runs a piggery project that employs at least 15 people.

He is a legal scholar , who lectures part time at Cornell University.(Makwanyane Institute) He is a fellow for the Centre for Global Development.

The offence is not a serious offence as it attracts a level 5 fine. The court must make an imposition of a fine upto level 5. The offence is more texhinical and serves as a prevantative measurw but provides an exception under subsection (3).

Imprisonment is a rigorous form of punishment which must be considered as a last resort. S v Matsaura; S v Magwana; S v Shariwa; S v Never Moyo;

Below is Section 66A of the Electoral Act which specifically deals with the unofficial announcement of election results.

66A    Unofficial or false declaration of results prohibited

(1) Subject to subsection (3), any person who—

       (a)   purports to announce the result of an election as the true or official results;  or

       (b)   purports to declare any candidate to have been duly elected;

before an electoral officer, acting in accordance with this Act, has announced the result of that election or declared a candidate to have been duly elected in that election, as the case may be, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

Jane Mlambo| Following the conviction of Tendai Biti, the court has adjourned and will resume to allow the defense counsel to make mitigation before the sentence is passed.

Biti was found guilty of contravening the Electoral Act after he announced that his party Presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa had won the July 30 elections.

Section 66A of the Electoral Act which deals with unofficial announcement of results says “any person who purports to announce the result of an election as the true or official results;  or purports to declare any candidate to have been duly elected before an electoral officer, acting in accordance with this Act, has announced the result of that election or declared a candidate to have been duly elected in that election, as the case may be, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”

By Own Correspondent| UFIC leader Emmanuel Makandiwa, has warned of possible foreign intervention if the government attacks civilians again.

Makawandiwa was speaking to his congregants in a sermon on Sunday

Said Makandiwa:

If this happens for the third time, it will not be good. We don’t want anything that will provoke the bees (military) from outside. It won’t be our army against civilians. This time they will get an equal opponent, and it is going to be army against army. We don’t want that to happen because where we are now, there’s still a chance.-Techmag

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to appoint the Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan province this week.

Harare did not have a Minister of State since last year when President Mnangagwa appointed his new Cabinet.

Mirriam Chikukwa was the last Minister of State for Harare metropolitan province.-StateMedia

The Battlefields disaster, where close to 50 illegal miners could have died in flooded tunnels, may have been caused by mining activities along a water channel.

In an interview after visiting the site, Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura said preliminary assessments led to the conclusion which was against the law.

“These miners were operating along a water channel which is against the Mines and Minerals Act. They tried to block the water channel 300 metres away from where the shafts are but there was a flood,” he said.

He said there was need to capacitate provincial and regional offices to conduct inspections of operations across the country.

Meanwhile, efforts to drain water from the tunnels and shafts at Cricket No. 3 Mine and Baxter Mine are continuing as efforts continue to retrieve the bodies of the victims.

State Media

Harare Magistrate Gloria Takundwa has convicted human rights lawyer and MDC Alliance party Vice Chairperson Tendai Biti for allegedly violating some provisions of the Electoral Act.

Magistrate Takundwa said Biti’s address at the press conference constituted the official announcement of results.

Sentence yet to be passed as the court has adjourned for 20 minutes to hear mitigation from Biti’s lawyers Alec Muchadehama and Douglas Coltart.

More to follow…

Paul Nyathi|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has summoned controversial businessman Billy Rautenbach to answer to charges that he is denying thousands of Chingwizi villagers access to potable water after fencing off boreholes and grazing land in Nuanetsi Ranch.

Speaking at a thank you rally at Rutenga Primary School in Mwenezi on Saturday, Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Ezra Chadzamira said Rautenbach — who has a wildlife conservancy in the vast ranch close to where the 18 000 residents of Chingwizi were resettled — is ill-treating villagers who were displaced from the Tugwi-Mukosi Dam flood basin in 2014.

“We have some whites who have wildlife conservancies. They are enjoying selling trophies outside and slaughtering the wildlife for butcheries without doing corporate social responsibility programmes. They actually ill-treat the neigbouring communities like in Chingwizi where they established boom gates to give a curfew and fenced-off water sources and grazing lands for the villagers. He who does not respect people, therefore, has no place in the new dispensation,” Chadzamira said.

Mnangagwa said Chadzamira should bring Rautenbach to his office today (Monday) or Tuesday.

“There are some whites with big farms and yet deny people drinking water. Am told villagers get salty water and yet fresh water goes to animals. I say to Chadzamira, bring the culprit to me on Monday or Tuesday and repeat what you said while he is there and see how he leaves my office,” Mnangagwa said.

Rauntenbach, a close ally to former President Robert Mugabe, eyes setting up an ethanol plant in Nuanetsi Ranch, where the villagers are settled, is, however, believed to have strong business ties with top officials in Zanu PF.

The party treats him with kid gloves, hence he is among the few whites who were exempted from land takeovers by the ruling party since 2000 when the chaotic land reform programme started.

Lands and Agriculture minister Perrance Shiri in October offered 10 000 hectares of land to Rautenbach to expand his farming activities in Kanyemba, along the Zambezi River.

Shiri made the shocking offer at a stakeholder meeting with the Kanyemba villagers, where government was planning to set up a community irrigation scheme as well as a service centre for the long marginalised Doma people in Mashonaland Central province.

Rautenbach was part of the meeting, which was also attended by Local Government minister July Moyo, Tourism minister Priscah Mupfumira, Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza and ICT minister Kazembe Kazembe.

Shiri said Rautenbach, who already controls large tracts of land in Chisumbanje, under his Greenfuel company for the production of ethanol, has airways been impressing government through his many projects in the country including a gigantic project in Manicaland province.

“There is a lot of irrigation water from the Zambezi River.

We can offer you (Rautenbach) 10 000 hectares of land for your agricultural activities,” Shiri said.

The nation awaits with kin interests to see how Mnangagwa will handle the long protected farmer.

Source: NewsDay

Paul Nyathi|Opposition MDC Bulawayo province reports that staff at Mlondolozi Women Prison in Bulawayo on Saturday barred senior party members from visiting party members incarcerated in the prison.

According to the officials, party National Chairperson Thabitha Khumalo who visited the prison with relatives of the prisoners was refused entry by junior prison officers who told her that she had to seek permission from their bosses to get access into the premises.

Khumalo and the relatives had brought food and sanitary pads for the party members who were arrested following citizen protests in the city on January 14.

Khumalo confirmed the incident in an interview with the media on Sunday morning.

“On Saturday we visited our comrades at Mlondolozi with the intention of giving them pads and foods since the institution are failing to provide standard meals and pads to inmates,” said Khumalo.

“Prison guards there told us that we were not allowed to visit the inmates because they are not our relatives.

“When I pointed out to them that among us there were relatives of the incarcerated, they said the relatives were supposed to come alone without the company of party officials.”

“What ZPCS is doing in unfair and inhumane,” Khumalo added.

These people have not been convicted and they have the right to proper food and sanitary wear. Even if they are convicted, they still enjoy these basic rights.”

Efforts to get a comment from authorities at ZPCS offices in Bulawayo were not successful at the time of writing.

BULAWAYO artiste Njabulo “SizFire” Nyoni has lashed out at President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the song Cry of a Zimbabwean Child, blaming him for the current economic hardships and social unrest in the country.

In the song, SizFire chronicles the poor living conditions that have befallen the country and dares the leaders, who were voted into power in last year’s elections, to solve the problems.

“Blame it on our leaders, blame it on our politics, I curse the day we voted you in power Mr Mnangagwa because children are dying because of you,” he sings.

The musician told NewsDay Life & Style that it was his duty as an artiste to touch on social commentary affecting the nation without fear.

“As an artiste, I send my message through music and talk about what is affecting the people and also interrogating our leaders on how they are managing the country. As the electorate, we are the ones who put them in those positions and so they are answerable to us,” he said.

“We have a lot of serious issues that are affecting our country and, as youths, we should stand up and ask such questions and fix our nation, which has been reduced to nothing. Imagine a country which used to be the breadbasket of the region is now the second country in the world with the highest inflation rate and has no currency of its own for years.”

The 31-year-old musician has urged other artistes to have more commentary in their works.

“I urge other artistes to take the bull by its horns and sing for the nation, and not just come up with songs which don’t speak to the people,” he said.

“I have seen other artistes doing songs on how much money they have and how much fun they are having and you tend to ask yourself if they are doing it for the people or for the gratification of their egos.”

Born and bred in Binga, before moving to Bulawayo, SizFire said he was currently working on an afro-pop album set to be released later this year.

NewsDay

UFIC Leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa has warned Zanu Pf Government of an inevitable international army intervention over Zimbabwe’s soil should there be any bloodshed, like the past incident which recorded 17 citizens dead, arguing that only talks between the two main parties will rescue the situation.

Contrary to recent statements by President Mnangagwa that he will heavily pounce on the next protest, Makandiwa warned the move will heavily backfire.

In his sermon addressing thousands of congregates today, Makandiwa said seeing blood in the street should be sacred and death of a single person must disturb the whole nation as life is vital and only God should give it and take it away. He said already, what he had prophesied in 2010 is now coming to fulfillment.

“If this happens for the third time it will not be good. We don’t want anything that will provoke the bees ( military) from outside. It won’t be our army against civilians, this time they will get an equal opponent, it is going to be army against army. We don’t want that to happen because where we are now, there’s still a chance.”

Makandiwa also explained that in his 2010 prophecy where he said a soldier ran out of bullets while shooting civilians, the real interpretation to that was a national secret, where our armory reserves had actually depleted to low levels and the government was not even aware and not ready, should the international community be deployed against the country.

Makandiwa also stated that he did not have a close relationship with politicians since they turn to order around man of God at the time they are supposed to be asking for the word of God.

“If you had a relationship with the current system you would not come here and complain over issues. What makes the relationship absent isn’t that, neither they or I don’t want it, but it’s because I don’t want to be told around what to do. In the relationship I should be the one telling you because you’re the one who cannot hear from God. I can spend ten years with you and never tell you a word from God, as long as you like to talk.”

Makandiwa also sensitively noted that there was a third force which makes it very unsafe for those who think they are in power and safe.

Makandiwa said that he was not comfortable with such prophecies as they make him more powerful enemies, stating that also speaking positively about the current system makes you an enemy of those against it.

“If you’re an outsider its easy to give such a prophecy but when you’re here it’s different. And I once said this one who is loyal (VP Mnangagwa) will be poisoned. Ah! It’s not because you want any favour. Proof that it was a terrible prophecy, don’t go by what I said or how I said it. I’m talking about you say something that even the victim himself was afraid to admit publicly that he was truly poisoned.”

There are times when you clearly deserve to hear the heart of God, not in parables, this is not prophetic, its an advise, this is already in the public domain, the house of commons is discussing this alternative already.

The UFIC leader said that it was not too late for our politicians to make good and must take the opportunity to dialogue and sit down in the best interest of the nation if we are to move forward.

“Unity is recommended at all the times, it does not matter you call it dialogue, from the word go, working together has always been the best option and you need advise towards this. ”

Makandiwa also castigated the looting that saw goods worth thousands of dollars going up in smoke and stated that this discouraged investment and makes Zimbabwe a very bad country for any potential investor

You cannot be looting from your own neighbors and friends after they spent their hard earned money to stock, if you say the government is evil, how much more evil are you when you loot from your own, There is no serious investor coming into Zimbabwe with such an attitude. If you are here and want to do something for the nation in the future, when you get to the position, do it with all your best.”

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces was also advised to completely remove soldiers from the streets and rather equip the police force with all necessary tools to give a good national outlook.

NewsDay