VIDEO LOADING BELOW

Own Correspondent|MDC–Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa yesterday made a moving personal confessed that the country’s woes are caused by the country’s political forces more than any other factors.

Chamisa made the confession in Harare on Friday where he was part of political, church and civil society leaders who attended the National Leaders Breakfast Prayer Meeting held at the Harare International Conference Centre.

The meeting was organised by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches.

A highly moved Chamisa who is also an ordained pastor said the challenges facing the country could not be solved without repentance.

“There is no reconciliation and dialogue which can ever take place if there is no confession,” he said.

“I realise that President Mnangagwa is not here, I would have wanted to say what I want to say while he is around, but I will say my piece,” he said.

“We, the politicians are the source of agonies in our country,” he said. “I am ready right now to meet President Mnangagwa so that we can dialogue and solve the crisis this country is facing.

“There can never be a confession without revelation, and there can never be revelation without humility, so I must confess that as politicians we are the source of the agonies of our land.”

Chamisa said as political leaders there was need for them to repent from their wicked ways.

“As a people we have not reached the stage of humility. It should not be difficult for me to see (President) Mnangagwa and we dialogue.”

By Own Correspondent| Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Ndlovu said that the government met with bakers and discussed that the price of bread be reduced.

Ndlovu said that he is not aware of the current bread price but said that his Ministry and bakers are discussing the issue.

In a brief interview with the State Media Ndlovu said:

We met with bakers and they agreed that bread sells at $1,80 but I don’t know what the price is now. We met and we are discussing those issues.

We only try and intervene to minimise the effect on the people. On cost issues, National Foods and Innscor can help with that.

Bread remains in short supply on the market though, in small convenient shops in Harare, a loaf is being sold at $2.25 while other shops in most urban areas are selling it between $2.00 and $2.50.

Own Correspondent|Lorraine Guyo, who featured herself in the widely circulated “ndinyengei” social media video has been reinstated at her work after the company she worked for dismissed her last week over the video.

The company housed at the Meikles Hotel in Harare dismissed the woman who also suffered online abuse for putting the name of the company into disrepute.

After interventions from social media critics who felt the company was being too harsh on her, the management of the company reinstated her without conditions according to sources close to her.

Following social comments that linked Guyo to the five star Hotel, the Meikles Hotel issued a statement disowning the young Harare lady whose social media comic moment was blown out of proportion.

Correspondent|THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has issued a statement saying that Zimbabwe Defence Forces Inspector-General, Major-General Douglas Nyikayaramba was misquoted by journalists and politicians with ulterior motives of creating despondency and insecurity in the country.

In the statement, the army says: “At no point during the press conference did the Major-General make reference to ZDF armouries being run over or raided by civilians.”

ZNA indicated that the police stations and some officers were the ones that were attacked and the military came in with reinforcements.

“During the unrests in the country that occurred from January 14 to 16, the protesters targeted police stations and members of that force on whom they vented their anger. This resulted in the ZRP calling for assistance from the ZDF to quell the rowdy elements in the streets.

“It has been reported countless times that the protesters attacked and killed a police officer at ZRP Southlea Park in Harare. She was eventually stripped naked in broad daylight.

“Similarly, these protesters also overran several ZRP establishments, in the process, raiding and burning down sensitive points of that organisation. These included armouries and records offices in Chitungwiza, Southlea Park and Dombotombo in Marondera,” reads the statement.

The incidents, the ZNA said, were the ones that were being referred to by the Major-General during the press conference.

“These are the places and occurrences that Major-General Nyikayaramba made reference to. One would struggle to ascertain where and when the same press conference made reference to the army and ZDF armouries being raided,” it reads.

Correspondent|of Zimbabwe Divine Destiny church and prominent human rights defender, Bishop Ancelimo Magaya, has told President Mnangagwa that God is not happy with the way he has been running the country.

Speaking in an interview with local media over the weekend, Magaya said that it was not the will of God for Zimbabweans to suffer in a country rich with so much minerals and other resources, warning that the President will face the wrath of God.

“It is not the will of God that Zimbabweans suffer this much in a land with natural resources… We have started to witness a new wave in price increases of every commodity including basics such as bread, mealie-meal, cooking oil etc.

“How do you expect families to survive? First, you outprice other motorists by making it unaffordable, you now want to outprice people from their basic food,” said

Magaya urged President Mnangagwa to pay attention to the people’s struggles or risk facing the wrath of God.

He said the church will not keep quiet over “such inhumane and ungodly behavior by leadership that purport to identify with the suffering masses, except in lip service.”

Magaya said Mnangagwa should brace for more protests as people are being pushed to the limits by the socio-economic challenges they face.

Since assuming office, Mnangagwa’s administration has been plagued by a number of challenges ranging from doctors’ strike, inflation, cash and fuel shortages, drug shortages, to name but a few.

He has also been faced with a huge doubt in his pledge to bring in a new dispensation which is different from his predecessor, Robert Mugabe.

In recent weeks, there has been a gross violation of human rights instigated by the army which has seen more than 16 people die from massive brutality.

This has further dented Mnangagwa’s re-engagement ambitions with Britain recently announcing that it is mulling imposing more sanctions on the troubled country’s leaders.

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Vehicle Inspection Department are carrying out a joint operation to weed out unregistered and unroadworthy vehicles on the roads in and around Harare.

A shortage of number plates has prompted to allow vehicle importers to obtain Temporary Identification Cards (TICs) for indefinite use as it works on addressing the matter.

Normally, TICs have a 14-day lifespan.

In a statement issued on Monday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza said:

Any newly imported vehicles may not be driven on our public roads until and unless they have some form of acceptable and displayed identification documents such as Temporary Identification Cards (TICs).

The validity period of Temporary Identification Cards has with immediate effect, and in consultation with the Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, been relaxed to run for an indefinite period from the date of issue, and until further notice from the statutory standard 14 days.

Chief police spokesperson Commissioner Charity Charamba said that unregistered vehicles are a cause for concern as some of them are used by criminals and when involved in accidents, they speed off.-StateMedia

THE price of bread has gone down to $1,90 per loaf from $2,50 but shortages remain.

The Chronicle yesterday observed that in Bulawayo supermarkets and Baker’s Inn outlets, bread was selling at $1,90.

A few outlets were selling a loaf at $1,80.

The price of bread from small bakeries remained unchanged at $2.

In a brief interview, Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Ndlovu said Government met bakers and they agreed to lower the price.

“We met with bakers and they agreed that bread sells at $1,80 but I don’t know what the price is now. We met and we are discussing those issues,” said Minister Ndlovu.

He said Government only intervenes when prices hurt ordinary people.

“We only try and intervene to minimise the effect on the people. On cost issues, National Foods and Innscor can help with that,” the Minister said.

National Bakers’ Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Ngoni Mazango said he could not immediately comment on the matter as he was in a meeting.

Earlier this week when the price of bread went up, Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) media and public relations manager, Mr Garikai Chaunza said even though an increase had been effected, the price of flour has remained unchanged.

He said flour supply to bakers has remained low due to the non-availability of foreign currency to bring in imported wheat which is still held up in Beira, Mozambique.

Addressing a Zanu-PF Thank-You Rally in Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central last week, Vice President Kembo Mohadi said the Government would take care of its citizens.

“Basic commodities like cooking oil, sugar, salt, rice, mealie-meal, milk and flour; the prices are being looked into so that they become affordable to the generality of the public.

“Government is equally putting in place loan facilities for retailers who will maintain cheap prices. These will be supported by Government to make sure that their prices remain low,” said VP Mohadi.

“As Government, we are engaged with industry for a more stable price regime. We are seized with this matter”.

-State Media

A MAN from Gwanda who murdered a mentally-ill, homeless man and decapitated his head before cutting off his testicles for suspected ritual purposes, has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Honest Moyo (24) of Mawane area in Guyu committed the crime in Colleen Bawn two years ago and had intended to smuggle the body parts to South Africa where he expected US$25 000 in payment.

Honest was convicted of murder with actual intent by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese yesterday.

In passing sentence, Justice Makonese condemned his conduct, saying he was driven by greed to commit the heinous crime.

-State Media

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson yesterday said the leader of the mainstream opposition MDC Nelson Chamisa “risked missing the bus” if he failed to pitch up for talks.

This comes as under-fire Mnangagwa is breaking new ground in his response to the worsening crisis in Zimbabwe by opening talks with opposition groups, as authorities begin to show more urgency about ending Zimbabwe’s decades-long political and economic mess.

Chamisa snubbed Mnangagwa’s talks-about-talks gathering at State House on Wednesday because he preferred the much-talked about national dialogue to be held under the guidance of an impartial convener. The dramatic development came after Mnangagwa had invited many of the country’s well-known opposition figures, including those who contested him in last year’s hotly-disputed presidential election.

Among the notable opposition politicians who attended Wednesday’s indaba were Thokozani Khupe, Nkosana Moyo, Lovemore Madhuku, Daniel Shumba, Elton Mangoma, Ambrose Mutinhiri and Bryn Mteki. In an exclusive interview with the Daily News yesterday, Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba urged Chamisa to drop his opposition to the talks saying he “risked missing the bus altogether if he insisted on pre-conditions that have either been met or are beyond the Executive.”

Charamba, who also doubles up as the deputy chief secretary to the President and Cabinet, alleged Chamisa’s decision to skip the meeting was “self-defeating” and claimed it was a sign that the he has “foreigners whispering to him.”

“As far as we are concerned, the question to us is, firstly, was that decision taken by Chamisa thoughtful and secondly whether it was independent? I would say it was thoughtless, the dialogue will proceed with or without him, except we don’t shut doors, we don’t shut windows, whenever he feels he wants to join, he will still be welcome, except he cannot hold the nation to ransom because he is not the summation of the nation.

“If he is having difficulties with his external constituency, which as of yesterday (Wednesday) had not given him the nod to participate, that is a matter for him and his donors to deal with. He should never globalise his predicament because the economy has to move on,” said Charamba.

In his letter to the chief secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda, Chamisa’s chief of staff, Sesel Zvidzai, said the MDC’s position is that the dialogue process must be convened by an independent mediator and not one of the disputants.

“In this respect, the MDC believes that genuine dialogue can only take place if regionally facilitated and mediated by Sadc and guaranteed by the AU and the UN,” the MDC letter to Mnangagwa said.

Charamba said dialogue does not mean assimilation of the opposition by Zanu PF but rather will enhance cooperation among parties.

“I am raising this issue because I notice Chamisa has raised it, there is no implication at all that the President is the convener, no he isn’t or that Justice Sello Nare, head of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission is or isn’t the convener, we don’t know yet.

It is a matter that has to be resolved by the political parties, but the key issue is that they have put up mechanisms for resolving that issue,” he said.

Charamba said the ongoing talks among political parties should be managed locally, and ruled out any prospects of engaging foreigners to mediate the talks. Chamisa yesterday also exhorted the Church to mediate in the talks at a prayer meeting convened by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches held at a Harare hotel.

“Firstly, there was unanimity that national dialogue was important, so the principle of national dialogue was embraced; this is a national dialogue which should be a local affair under local management.

“Secondly, there was another decision that was reached to say that the dialogue must take the form and format of inter-State forum, there is a principle of parity which was embraced at yesterday’s (Wednesday) meeting, so they will meet as equals, whether you have structures or are the ruling party.”

Chamisa also spelt out 10 issues that Mnangagwa needed to meet before any meaningful dialogue could take place — including a requirement that all “prisoners of conscience” be freed, and that there be an immediate return to the barracks by the military.

Jane Mlambo| The President Emmerson Mnangagwa has justified the unleashing of violent militia to quell protests that broke out a few weeks ago.

In a government brief which is in the possession of the Daily News, the Mnangagwa said while they regretted the loss of life last month, the intervention of the security forces had been necessary to deal “decisively with the extreme provocation” by protesters.

“The security forces’ response was proportional to the threat posed. Unfortunately, some lives were lost, including that of a police officer, who was stoned to death.

“The provocation was extreme, and the officers had a constitutional duty to prevent further loss of lives, including their own. However, some misguided elements within the system and security forces committed excesses and the law is taking its course.

JITTERY authorities are bracing for another mega protest by angry labour unions and the opposition — who fear that authorities are planning to tighten the country’s repressive laws to stop a repeat of last month’s violent mass actions which left at least 12 people dead and hundreds others seriously wounded.

This comes as President Emmerson Mnangagwa has given the green light to the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) to spearhead talks aimed at resolving the country’s deepening political and economic crises.

The NPRC has already invited the opposition, Zanu PF, the church and other key stakeholders to submit their proposals which will guide the much-awaited national dialogue. This comes after Zimbabwe was plunged into a ginormous crisis two weeks ago, when angry protesters clashed with security forces during a stay-away which was organised by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, in protest against sharp fuel price hikes which had been announced by Mnangagwa.

But despite the withering local and international criticism that has been directed at the government regarding the ongoing crackdown against dissenting voices by the country’s military, authorities have remained defiant —and are girding themselves for an even bigger confrontation with their critics, documents in the possession of the Daily News show.

“Police deployments remain on the ground in order to reassure the citizens of their security. This is particularly so, given the fact that the MDC and other local merchants of regime change are planning to carry out further protests under the so-called National Shutdown II.

“It is pertinent to note that efforts are underway to align Posa with the 2013 Constitution. In addition, government is also alive to the constitutional rights of the citizenry, including the right to protest, as enshrined under section 59 of the Constitution.

“The above notwithstanding, the rights can be constitutionally derogated from a citizen on the basis of Article 86 of the Constitution which provides for limitations on rights and freedom for the public good,” the government says in the documents.

A fortnight ago, police and soldiers were engaged in running battles with protesters who flooded the streets of Harare, Bulawayo and other towns — to demonstrate against the steep fuel price hikes which were announced by the president ahead of his tour of Eastern Europe.

Property worth millions of dollars was also destroyed and looted in the mayhem which ensued, after thousands of workers heeded the ZCTU’s three-day stay-away call. At the same time, security forces unleashed a brutal crackdown against the protesters, the opposition and civil society leaders — in a move which received wide condemnation in the country and around the world.

At least 12 people died, while 78 others were treated for serious gunshot wounds, according to rights groups and medical doctors. Rights groups also continue to report human rights abuses by security forces — including galling allegations that soldiers had raped women and girls during their much-condemned crackdown against innocent civilians.

This prompted Mnangagwa to announce that he would probe the accusations, vowing that heads would roll if his government established that the abuses had indeed taken place.

The under-pressure 76-year-old Zanu PF leader made the announcement soon after he returned to the country, after cancelling his scheduled trip to Switzerland where he was due to attend this year’s meeting of the World Economic Forum (Wef).

“One week ago, I announced measures to stabilise our nation’s crucial fuel supply. I was aware that these measures may not be popular, and this was not a decision we took lightly. But it was the right thing to do.

“What followed was regrettable and tragic. Everyone has the right to protest, but this was not a peaceful protest.

“Wanton violence and cynical destruction; looting police stations, stealing guns and uniforms; incitement and threats of violence. This is not the Zimbabwean way,” Mnangagwa said on social media.

“Likewise, violence or misconduct by our security forces is unacceptable and a betrayal of the new Zimbabwe. Chaos and insubordination will not be tolerated. Misconduct will be investigated. If required, heads will roll.

“I invite leaders of all political parties as well as religious and civil leaders to set aside our differences and come together.

“What unites us is stronger than what could ever divide us. Let’s begin a national dialogue. Let’s put the economy first. Let’s put the people first,” Mnangagwa added.

In the government brief which is in the possession of the Daily News, authorities say while they regret the loss of life last month, the intervention of the security forces had been necessary to deal “decisively with the extreme provocation” by protesters.

“The security forces’ response was proportional to the threat posed. Unfortunately, some lives were lost, including that of a police officer, who was stoned to death. “The provocation was extreme, and the officers had a constitutional duty to prevent further loss of lives, including their own. However, some misguided elements within the system and security forces committed excesses and the law is taking its course.

-Daily News

Mthwakazi Republic Party activists have been arrested an hour ago by Bulawayo Police at Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo. The activists thronged the Hotel after getting information on the exportation of Labour from Harare for the renovation of the Hotel.

The exported labour came today, in two buses from Harare. It is so sad that companies continue to sideline the people of Bulawayo when it comes to employment but utilize them as consumers. Rainbow Hotel has started a war with the people of Bulawayo. We demand those buses and their occupants to go back to Harare right now and we vow that they will not operate in Bulawayo with a tribal and hegemonic system.

The arrested are Thembisani Mfulongashi Mpofu, Rodney Ncube, Sthe Nyoni, Marshal Sibanda, Elington Nkomo, Lucky Maphosa, Nkosinathi Ncube, Kilion Masuku, Mthabisi Tomas, Mqondisi Sibanda and Iphithule Malahleka.

Bulawayo people matter too. Rainbow Hotel owners will rather take their hotel and relocate it to Harare. We are prepared to fill the horrible prisons of this country to defend the future of the people of Matabeleland.

We urge all our people to come in full force and defend and support these brave men and women. Let’s us all inform the world of this abuse and economic genocide which is an extension of Gukurahundi.

-MRP Information and Publicity Department

Suspected state agents yesterday, February 8, 2019 attempted to invade Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) offices around 1600 hours.

At the time they arrived, the secretariat was not at the office.

According to eyewitnesses, 4 men and 2 women clad in civilian clothes came and enquired the whereabouts of the secretariat (whom they labelled as criminals) from neighbours who professed ignorance over the matter.

They then proceeded to take pictures and videos at the premises after which they left promising to come back.

The recent event follows threats by a shadowy organization, the Citizen Forum which has threatened to besiege CiZC offices on the grounds that the pro-democracy group is allegedly pushing a regime change agenda. At a press briefing, the group alleges that it submitted petitions to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights on why they are representing people accused of participating in protests between 14 and 16 January 2019.

We suspect that the citizen forum is a surrogate formation of the ruling elite which was established to push the government’s agenda to clampdown on civic society in the country.

-Crisis Information

Jane Mlambo| Presidential spokesperson, George Charamba has told the Daily News that opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa’s decision to snub an invitation for dialogue at the State House was thoughtless.

Charamba said dialogue will process with or without Chamisa who made his position clear on why he will not be shepherded into negotiations before resolving legitimacy issues.

“As far as we are concerned, the question to us is, firstly, was that decision taken by Chamisa thoughtful and secondly whether it was independent? I would say it was thoughtless, the dialogue will proceed with or without him, except we don’t shut doors, we don’t shut windows, whenever he feels he wants to join, he will still be welcome, except he cannot hold the nation to ransom because he is not the summation of the nation.

“If he is having difficulties with his external constituency, which as of yesterday (Wednesday) had not given him the nod to participate, that is a matter for him and his donors to deal with. He should never globalise his predicament because the economy has to move on,” said Charamba.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson yesterday said the leader of the mainstream opposition MDC Nelson Chamisa “risked missing the bus” if he failed to pitch up for talks.

This comes as under-fire Mnangagwa is breaking new ground in his response to the worsening crisis in Zimbabwe by opening talks with opposition groups, as authorities begin to show more urgency about ending Zimbabwe’s decades-long political and economic mess.

Chamisa snubbed Mnangagwa’s talks-about-talks gathering at State House on Wednesday because he preferred the much-talked about national dialogue to be held under the guidance of an impartial convener. The dramatic development came after Mnangagwa had invited many of the country’s well-known opposition figures, including those who contested him in last year’s hotly-disputed presidential election.

Among the notable opposition politicians who attended Wednesday’s indaba were Thokozani Khupe, Nkosana Moyo, Lovemore Madhuku, Daniel Shumba, Elton Mangoma, Ambrose Mutinhiri and Bryn Mteki. In an exclusive interview with the Daily News yesterday, Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba urged Chamisa to drop his opposition to the talks saying he “risked missing the bus altogether if he insisted on pre-conditions that have either been met or are beyond the Executive.”

Charamba, who also doubles up as the deputy chief secretary to the President and Cabinet, alleged Chamisa’s decision to skip the meeting was “self-defeating” and claimed it was a sign that the he has “foreigners whispering to him.”

“As far as we are concerned, the question to us is, firstly, was that decision taken by Chamisa thoughtful and secondly whether it was independent? I would say it was thoughtless, the dialogue will proceed with or without him, except we don’t shut doors, we don’t shut windows, whenever he feels he wants to join, he will still be welcome, except he cannot hold the nation to ransom because he is not the summation of the nation.

“If he is having difficulties with his external constituency, which as of yesterday (Wednesday) had not given him the nod to participate, that is a matter for him and his donors to deal with. He should never globalise his predicament because the economy has to move on,” said Charamba.

In his letter to the chief secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda, Chamisa’s chief of staff, Sesel Zvidzai, said the MDC’s position is that the dialogue process must be convened by an independent mediator and not one of the disputants.

“In this respect, the MDC believes that genuine dialogue can only take place if regionally facilitated and mediated by Sadc and guaranteed by the AU and the UN,” the MDC letter to Mnangagwa said.

Charamba said dialogue does not mean assimilation of the opposition by Zanu PF but rather will enhance cooperation among parties.

“I am raising this issue because I notice Chamisa has raised it, there is no implication at all that the President is the convener, no he isn’t or that Justice Sello Nare, head of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission is or isn’t the convener, we don’t know yet.

It is a matter that has to be resolved by the political parties, but the key issue is that they have put up mechanisms for resolving that issue,” he said.

Charamba said the ongoing talks among political parties should be managed locally, and ruled out any prospects of engaging foreigners to mediate the talks. Chamisa yesterday also exhorted the Church to mediate in the talks at a prayer meeting convened by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches held at a Harare hotel.

“Firstly, there was unanimity that national dialogue was important, so the principle of national dialogue was embraced; this is a national dialogue which should be a local affair under local management.

“Secondly, there was another decision that was reached to say that the dialogue must take the form and format of inter-State forum, there is a principle of parity which was embraced at yesterday’s (Wednesday) meeting, so they will meet as equals, whether you have structures or are the ruling party.”

Chamisa also spelt out 10 issues that Mnangagwa needed to meet before any meaningful dialogue could take place — including a requirement that all “prisoners of conscience” be freed, and that there be an immediate return to the barracks by the military.

-Daily News

Jane Mlambo| International human rights group, Amnesty International has urged the global community to censor President Emmerson Mnangagwa following his recent crackdown on opposition supporters and general civilians.

Following violent shutdown protests that Mnangagwa’s administration unleashed soldiers and police who descended heavily on protesters beating and killing up to 12 people.

In a statement released yesterday, Amnesty International said it launched its own investigation and unearthed massive rights abuses against civilians by security forces.

“The Zimbabwean authorities will never be able to convince anyone that the country is open for business if they continue to crackdown on anyone who dares to criticize them.

“People must be allowed to peacefully express their opinions, even if the government doesn’t like them.”

By Own Correspondent| A residents association in Chitungwiza, Chitrest has raised the flag over the town’s clerk Dr George Makunde’s work ethics alleging that he attends work only once a week.

Said Chitrest Board Secretary Tinashe Kazuru:

At Chitrest we are worried by how Dr Makunde the Town Clerk of Chitungwiza operates. Over a very long period of time it has become very fashionable for him to come to work at most once a week. He rotates his Directors to act as Town Clerk weekly during his absence. To us this strongly suggest Dr Makunde is not dedicated to the development of Chitungwiza. Hoping our Councillors will pick this up and put in place corrective measures.

Efforts to get a comment from Makunde were futile as his mobile phone was not available.

By Own Correspondent| A medical student Keith Ndlovu has drawn a portrait of the late hero and musician Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi.

Ndlovu, who said it took him 44 hours to draw the portrait said he was selling the portrait to the highest bidder.

He said he would donate 40 percent of proceeds from the sale to Pakare Paye Arts Centre.

By Own Correspondent| According to a report by Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), some Zimbabwean families are now having only one meal a day due to the harsh macro economic environment which has seen an increase in the prices of basic commodities.

The poor start to the 2018/19 rainfall season has made matters worse as rural households had their food security negatively impacted.

The report reads in part:

Some households are only consuming one meal a day and this is being supplemented with wild and other less preferred foods.

The national prevalence of acute malnutrition is expected to remain low, below 5% though it is expected to increase from the current levels.

The increase is likely to be influenced by increasing economic challenges, limited livelihood options and below average incomes which will affect households’ ability to access food and non-food needs.

Hence the level of acute malnutrition is likely to worsen due to the deteriorating food access situation.

By Own Correspondent| Acting President Kembo Mohadi is suing Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa over his alleged defamatory tweet.

Mohadi is demanding compensation in the region of $10 million.

The lawsuit is in response to Mliswa’s tweet earlier this week where he said:

This is a move in the right direction of Emerson Mnangagwa. Goodbye Goodson Nguni. It’s now time for you to move to the corrupt ministers in Cabinet beginning with Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, judging from the evidence I will produce, it appears the level of corruption in the South is unprecedented.

Through his lawyers Mugiya and Macharaga Law Chambers, Mohadi issued a summons at the High Court on Thursday and served them to Mliswa on the same day.

Mohadi said:

Defendant (Mliswa) shall pay the plaintiff (Mohadi) the sum of $10 million as damages together with interest at the prescribed rate calculated from the date of initial publication to date of full payment. Both dates inclusive.

The said words are in their entirety false, wrongful and defamatory per se of and concerning plaintiff; were meant to imply, did imply and were construed and understood by the ordinary reader to imply that plaintiff is corrupt, criminal, unethical and unfit to hold any public office, especially that of Vice-President of the nation

By Own Correspondent| Opposition MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora on Thursday said that ordinary Zimbabweans felt abandoned by the international community over their muted outrage as state security agents killed and terrorised citizens during the January protests.

Mwonzora said that civilians felt abandoned by the international community while bearing the brunt of gross human rights violations at the hands of state security agents who killed and terrorised innocent civilians during and after the January protests.

He said this while addressing a Sapes Trust policy dialogue meeting in Harare on Thursday.

Said Mwonzora:

What is wrong is wrong, what the Americans did when they bombed Aljazeera (Baghdad 2003) is wrong. You do not go and bomb Alpha Media Holdings because America bombed Aljazeera. Where is the connection?

You are violating the rights of your people. If the American government would have shot people like what our government is doing, I am sure you would imagine the amount of outrage.

In order to suppress an insurrection you may need force, but that force has to be proportionate and reasonable. The people who were being harassed in videos that we are seeing were not in demonstrations, they were in their homes and they were being beaten by soldiers in their homes.

There is nothing that is being suppressed there because the demonstration is over. The people who are being raped showed there is no suppression of anything that is happening, this is sadistic and this is barbaric.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Ndavaningi Mwangwana, however, said that the level of force used was proportionate. He alleged that he received threats against his family from people he suspects to be opposition activists.-Newsday

By Own Correspondent| A South Africa church has discouraged those intending to drag President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his government to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over human rights violations arguing that such a stance will make things worse.

The Dutch Reformed Church said this in a position paper that the church officials Braam Hanekom and Llewellyn MacMaster released.

The church said there should be a win-win approach rather than the traditional opposition politics.

The paper reads in part:

Amnesty and assurance that the International Criminal Court will not strike out at senior government officials are important. Otherwise, a ‘fight-to-the-end’ scenario is definitely on the table. Traditional opposition politics will not function now.

Pressure alone, however, won’t work because you are dealing with a military situation that only knows one form of action. What is required is influenced by people who do not necessarily want to overthrow a government, but are level-headed and creating a win-win situation.

At this stage, we are pleading for intervention from institutions like the office of the Archbishop in Cape Town, the South African Council of Churches, the National Church Leaders Consultation, the South African and international governments.

South African opposition party, the Democratic Alliance recently threatened to take the Zimbabwe issue to the United Nations and the ICC.-Newsday

VICE-PRESIDENT Kembo Mohadi is demanding $10 million compensation from Norton MP Temba Mliswa (independent) for alleged defamation.

Through his lawyers Mugiya and Macharaga Law Chambers, Mohadi issued summons at the High Court on Thursday and served them on the Norton legislator the same day.

In his declaration, Mohadi said through his Twitter handle @TembaMliswa and in reaction to the announcement that all commissioners of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) had resigned en masse, Mliswa tweeted that the VP was corrupt.

“This is a move in the right direction Emerson Mnangagwa. Goodbye Goodson Nguni. It’s now time for you to move to the corrupt ministers in Cabinet beginning with Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, judging from the evidence I will produce, it appears the level of corruption in the South is unprecedented,” Mliswa tweeted.

Mohadi said as a result of Mliswa’s tweet, the allegations received widespread publicity.

“Defendant (Mliswa) shall pay plaintiff (Mohadi) the sum of $10 million as damages together with interest at the prescribed rate calculated from the date of initial publication to date of full payment. Both dates inclusive,” the VP said.

“The said words are in their entirety false, wrongful and defamatory per se of and concerning plaintiff; were meant to imply, did imply and were construed and understood by the ordinary reader to imply that plaintiff is corrupt, criminal, unethical and unfit to hold any public office, especially that of Vice-President of the nation.”

Mohadi said besides being VP, he was a businessman and a well-known person in Zimbabwe and abroad by virtue of his political and business positions.

He said despite courteous invitation to retract, Mliswa stubbornly refused.

“As a result of the publication of the said matter, plaintiff was damaged in his reputation, dignity and esteem in the eyes of his family, friends, political followers and associates, the citizenry of Zimbabwe in its entirety, his business partners and the global community,” he said.

The matter is pending.

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent| Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa poured his heart out Thursday at the breakfast meeting organised for the national leaders of Zimbabwe by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches.

The MDC leader attributed Zimbabwe’s challenges to politicians whom he said were behind the current economic mess.

Said Chamisa as he spoke before the country’s national leaders from all political parties, the clergy, civil society organisations, the international community, diplomats, security sector, the judiciary, women and youths among other representatives:

It is unfortunate that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is not here, I would have wanted to say what i am saying in his presence. But because he is not here, I will say what i will say in honor of the bishops here present, the seers, the diplomats and everyone else gathered here.

I will have to say my piece. This meeting is God sent. Allow me to thank the business community for without the business there is no politics, without politics there is no givernment, i honor you business people. I honor everyone here present, I honor those from the security sector.

Let me start by saying politicians are the problem, we are the trouble causers. There can never be repentance without confession, there can never be humility without acknowledgement. We as politicians are the source of agonies of our land. Why do i say so, it should not be difficult for me to sit and meet with Mnangagwa, he is president of his organisation and i am president of mine…..

There are issues of legitimacy that we should discuss and until that issue is resolved it becomes difficult for us to move things forward. I would i have been ready yesterday, today or tomorrow, if there is a room at this hotel for me to sit and talk with Mnangagwa i am ready…..any minute longer is a time wasted. We need healing, peace and unity and the coming together. For that to happen, there is need for me and Mnangagwa to dialogue.

Right now, i am a leader to members of parliament who can’t even sleep in their homes on account of just belonging to opposition. I come here as a leader of a people who have been brutalised for no apparent reason…..I inherited from the icon of peace, the late Morgan Richard Tsvangirai and you (Mnangagwa) inherited from the former president Robert Mugabe.

I am saying because we are both new players, lets have new politics. This country is far more important than all of us. If we are to dialogue, we need an independent convenor. There can be dialogue with all other political parties but the dialogue will not change much because those leaders are not the ones challenging the result. This is an electoral result that was disputed ,,, i do not respresent myself, i am carrying 2.6 million voices but some will say but Chamisa you got 2.1 million votes according to ZEC but again that is disputed.

……I told you that we need is dialogue. When the foundations are shaken what shall the righteous do? Our justice system is shaken… the water is sour… seek ye first the kingdom of God..

All we want is to unite our nation. Let us create that environment because we can’t have dialogue when people are imprisoned on account of politics. We love our army, yes but we cannot have our army in our homes. We are ready to dialogue anytime. Yes to a genuine, credible and inclusive dialogue. The reason why we are in this mess is because we are hiding the answer.I am not saying i am a saint, i need prayers too.

We have a conflict of what was declared by the court and what the people voted for.

By Own Correspondent| The Electoral Court has pjt to rest rigging allegations raised by opposition MDC Alliance confirming Philip Chiyangwa as the legitimate legislator for Zvimba South.

Justice Joseph Musakwa dismissed with costs an election petition by losing MDC-A candidate Nkosilathi Alloys Nyamadzawo, who accused Chiyangwa and his election agents of manipulating the July 30 harmonised elections declaring Chiyangwa as the winner.

In August, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced Chiyangwa’s victory with 11 819 votes.

He beat former Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa, who was runner- up, with 4 856. MDC Alliance’s Nyamadzawo was also one of the losing candidates with 3 978 votes.

In September 2018, Nyamadzawo filed the petition challenging Chiyangwa’s victory.
In his application, Nyamadzawo sought an order nullifying the declaration of Chiyangwa as the duly elected Member of the National Assembly for Zvimba South.

He argued in the papers that Chiyangwa was seen buying soft drinks and beer for voters who were on their way to the polling stations and that he also intercepted voters who were on their way to Mpumbu polling station.

He also alleged Chiyangwa stockpiled maize grain in classrooms at Chikambi Primary School, with a view to entice voters.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| State owned Zimpapers have announced new cover prices for all its publications with effect from Sunday 10 February.

In a statement, Zimpapers said:

Zimpapers would like to advise its valued customers of new cover prices for all its publications with effect from Sunday 10 February 2019. The increases come as a mitigatory measure in the face of increasing costs of production.

New prices are as follows:Herald                                2.00
Chronicle                            2.00
Sunday Mail                       3.00
Business Weekly                3.00
Sunday News                     3.00
H-Metro                             1.00
B-Metro                              1.00
Kwayedza                          1.00
UMthuywa                          1.00
Southern Times                  1.00
Manica Post                        1.5

By Own Correspondent| A Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services officer stationed at Khami Maximum Prison in Bulawayo is battling for life in hospital after he shot himself in an attempted suicide.

Ngonidzashe Mutoti (36) who is admitted at Mpilo Central Hospital shot himself once in the chest while he was on duty at the prison.

The incident occurred at around 1 PM on Wednesday.-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| The government is set to establish an emergency relief fund to assists businesses that were looted during the January riots.

In an interview after a tour of looted and burnt shops in Bulawayo, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube said:

This loss is devastating and families have been affected and so are jobs, so we are putting in place a special fund to assist the victims so we want them to compile their losses so that when we call for submissions they must be ready with details.

It is estimated that 181 shops were affected in the western suburbs of Bulawayo and to date, the assessment indicates over $30 million worth of losses were incurred including production losses although the process of collecting this information is continuing.-StateMedia

Below is Emmerson Mnangagwa’s statement (on video) as he revealed his official government policy. The below 2014 video is not the first and Mnangagwa has made such statements since 1983 which violent proclamations have scared investors and caused the economy to crash.

ZimEye reveals evidence showing how the economy has on several times crashed since 1980 as a direct result of Mnangagwa’s statements.

I CHOSE THE GOD OF VIOLENCE.

YOU SAY YOU WANT TO SEE A GOD OF PEACE.

BUT THERE ARE THOSE LIKE ME, WHO WANT THE GOD OF VIOLENCE.

HE IS A GOD OF VIOLENCE.

HE IS THE SAME GOD. SO FOR YOU WHO ARE BUSY PRAYING THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD WORK WELL, I SAY THOSE WHO HAVE MADE MISTAKES, LET THEM BE STRIPPED OF THEIR HERITAGE(ASSETS) GIVEN THEM BY JEHOVAH, THEY MUST BE VIOLENTLY BASHED – NGAVAROBWE!

VIDEO:

By Own Correspondent| Operations at three Zimbabwe gold mines owned by ZSE listed RioZim have been suspended as the company – which also runs the Murowa diamond mine – failed to get foreign currency earnings from gold sales through a unit of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

RioZim is among the biggest mining companies in Zimbabwe but has been struggling for viability.

The firm has failed to get gold sales proceeds, which is required to pay for imported equipment and production implements.

On Friday the company said it has been “forced to suspend operations across all three of its gold mines pending full payment of its foreign currency proceeds which is required in order to procure the necessary consumables needed to keep gold production” running.

Other gold producers in Zimbabwe that include Metallon have also been struggling, managers from some of its operations said. Falcon Gold has also been encountering foreign currency challenges and this week was suspended from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange for delaying its financials.

All this may affect Zimbabwe’s targeted gold production of 40 tonnes for 2018 after the country ramped up gold output to 33 tonnes in 2018.

RioZim added: “The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe undertook to allow all gold producers to maintain 55% of their export earnings in their foreign currency accounts and to increase export incentives on all minerals. The board of RioZim regrets to advise that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has been failing to meet these commitments.”

It further said the company has been experiencing “significant and persistent delays in payment of its foreign currency allocation for deliveries since December 2018” and that this has “severely affected the viability” of its operations

Below is Emmerson Mnangagwa’s policy statement (on video) on his leadership style. He said this while Vice President.

In this program furthermore, ZimEye reveals GDP statistics showing how the economy has on several times crashed since 1980 as a direct result of Mnangagwa’s statements. He said:

I CHOSE THE GOD OF VIOLENCE.

YOU SAY YOU WANT TO SEE A GOD OF PEACE.

BUT THERE ARE THOSE LIKE ME, WHO WANT THE GOD OF VIOLENCE.

HE IS A GOD OF VIOLENCE.

HE IS THE SAME GOD. SO FOR YOU WHO ARE BUSY PRAYING THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD WORK WELL, I SAY THOSE WHO HAVE MADE MISTAKES AND TAKEN THE HERITAGE GIVEN THEM BY JEHOVAH, MUST BE VIOLENTLY BASHED – NGAVAROBWE!

VIDEO:

By Don Chigumba| President ED Mnangagwa is not sincere about the dialogue

A serious dialogue starts in privacy and secrecy, citizens are in most cases alerted about the dialogue when it reaches an advanced state. Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga did the same, Kenyans were shocked with their unannounced ‘handshake’.

They reached to each other in darkness because they were serious about the progress of their country. It is quite shocking to learn that President ED never made an attempt to poke Nelson Chamisa for a dialogue discussion.

This piece seeks to support the view that the dialogue pioneered by ED was preplanned by some of his underground advisors and Hopewell Chin’ono should be quite aware of this, that is why he has been stage managing the role of a King-Maker.

On 6 February 2019 just some hours before the commencement of the so called dialogue at State House, Hopewell published an article titled, ‘The President’s Track Record is Getting in the Way of a Dialogue’.

In the piece, he exposed some of his ‘crocodile tears’ on Nelson Chamisa by blaming ED for treating the opposition leader like a ‘criminal or a political leper’ when attempted to block him from attending the funeral of the music icon Oliver Mutukudzi.

He was quite certain that Nkosana Moyo and Noel Manyika would attend the event but not certain with the attendance of Nelson Chamisa. He concluded that ED has to go on with the dialogue and that the absence or presence of Nelson Chamisa would be judged by history and political analysts.

On 7 February 2019 some hours after the false start of a ZANU PF sponsored dialogue at State House, Hopewell Chin’ono published another article titled, ‘Dialogue Should be About Resolving Zimbabwe’s political and Economic Crisis not Jobs’. In the piece,

Hopewell dictated with confidence just like a King-Maker that, dialogue should not be about inclusive government (not jobs), that the rest of 21 candidates are useless except Nkosana Moyo and Noah Manyika because of ‘their understanding of issues and the general respect that they have earned from the citizens’.

He also pointed out that the MDC-T leader Khupe should be accepted to be among the dialogue team because her party has one MP.

I am confident that, what Hopewell Chin’ono is dictating is what ED and ZANU PF are advocating for, they don’t want dialogue with Nelson Chamisa alone but with others like Noah Manyika, Nkosana Moyo and Thokozani Khupe so that they can neutralize Chamisa.

Just like other 21 candidates, Manyika and Nkosana Moyo have no MPs in the parliament, they have no constituents but President ED and Hopewell Chin’ono believe that they should be part of the dialogue because of their broad understating of issues and the respect they command.

We need a fair and objective reason for the possible inclusion of Manyika and Nkosana in the dialogue at the expense of the rest.
Hopewell Chi’ono as a King-Maker of the dialogue also dictates that dialogue should not about jobs/positions (inclusive government), this is a position which President ED is hanging on too but who is Hopewell to dictate the direction of the dialogue?. Is he a convener or mediator?

Something is not adding up here, the dialogue appears to be preplanned and some people are now trying to force Nelson Chamisa to tune to their underground plan.
Who is Hopewell to dictate the direction of the dialogue? Hopewell, is a CNN award winning journalist now claiming to be a King-Maker.

During the period leading to the 2018 elections, Hopewell was a strong critique of Nelson Chamisa and a supporter of ED. When Hopewell discovered that the killings of the innocent civilians were soiling the relationship between Zimbabwe and UK he changed his position on Nelson Chamisa.

There are allegations that Hopewell played a key role in bringing ED/UK together and his aim is to bring Nelson Chamisa on board so that he can rectify the broken relationship. Hopewell Chin’ono should be within the underground team of ED that is trying to manipulate the dialogue. The support of Hopewell on Nelson Chamisa is not genuine but short lived, he only want to deceive Chamisa to accept a ZANU PF skewed dialogue.

My advice to President ED and Nelson Chamisa (NC)? There is no doubt that the problems that we have in Zimbabwe were provoked by the presidential election dispute between ED and NC. Therefore, only ED and NC can solve this problem and not Hopewell King-Maker Chin’ono or the 21 presidential candidates.

The civic groups and civil servants are not supposed to be part of this political dialogue. They should dialogue with respective ministerial departments. It is on public domain the ED is blaming NC for all political and economic problems in Zimbabwe and not Nkosana, Khupe, Manyika or Hopewell Chin’ono.

ED and NC should avoid dialoguing on media. The dialogue should be done in secrecy, this should be done for the sake of smooth progress. The two should avoid listening to hardliners in their respective parties but the dialogue should be about the suffering Zimbabweans. I am against the idea of looking for a convener and a mediator but this can be done if the two fail to agree. Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga managed their dialogue alone. ED and NC may try the same before looking for external help. The future of Zimbabwe is in the hands of ED and NC.

Citizens/media should give them chance to locate each other. This dialogue should be about the legacy of ED, he should swallow his pride for the sake of progress in Zimbabwe. The two should be given space to resolve their problems. We need political analysts and not King-Makers, ED and NC are bigger than all of us.

By Own Correspondent– Chimurenga musician Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo has dismissed allegations that he is broke denying reports that he was evicted from a house that he was renting in Glen Lorne, Harare.

In an interview with a local publication, Mukanya expressed anger with the reports that he is $10 000 in the red, vowing to sue the paper that published the story.

Said Mukanya:

I was shocked to read in the press that I had been chucked out for failure to pay rent which is not true. The rent issue was between Max and the landlady who was owed US$1 600 by Max.

This accommodation was organised by Max and I was not involved. The police in Borrowdale convinced the landlady to unlock the door and we managed to take our clothes and moved to a new place that I was given by my younger brother Minister (Fortune) Chasi. We have been staying at his lodges and up to now, I am still there till I leave on Monday.

I am actually going to sue those people who are saying I am swimming in US$10 000 debt after my tour. I challenge the reporter to give me a list of the people I owe some money.

Today (yesterday), I actually called the writer of the story to tell me the people whom I owe money and they could not say anything. I even challenged the writer to accompany me to the lady who owns the Glen Lorne house to hear her side of the story, but he was not forthcoming.

As it stands, we are going to sue the paper because my image has been tarnished. It was nice for the writer to seek clarification with us before writing the story.

By Own Correspondent- National Association for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH) Director and Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) board member Tsarai Mungoni has died.

Details of his death were however still sketchy by the time of writing.

In a condolence message issued on their facebook page, ZESN said:

Condolence Message on the death of Tsarai Mungoni

The Board, Management, Staff and the entire membership of Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) join the Mungoni family, National Association for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH), the disability sector and other Civil Society Organisations in mourning the untimely death of Tsarai Mungoni. At the time of his death, Mr Mungoni was the Director of NASCOH and was also serving as a member of the ZESN Board.

Condolence Message on the death of Mr Tsarai Mungoni

The Board, Management, Staff and the entire membership of Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) join the Mungoni family, National Association for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH), the disability sector and other Civil Society Organisations in mourning the untimely death of Mr Tsarai Mungoni. At the time of his death, Mr Mungoni was the Director of NASCOH and was also serving as a member of the ZESN Board.

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

By Own Correspondent- A Golden Arrow Bus travelling from Harare caught fire in Khayelitsha, Somerset West on Friday morning, injuring two passengers.

The accident occurred at around 7 am in Main Road according to South Africa police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk.

Said van Wyk:

The police revealed that two passengers were injured while 66 others were escaped unharmed.

Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said they do not yet know what caused the fire and would launch an investigation.

According to  Dyke-Beyer,  there were seven injuries and all those who were affected received treatment.-News24

By Own Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa this afternoon left for Addis Ababa in Ethiopia where he is set to attend the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

Mnangagwa was seen off at the Robert Mugabe International Airport by senior government officials.

This year’s theme at the summit is “The year of refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons: Towards durable solutions to forced displacement in Africa.”

Zimbabwe is home to over 11000 registered refugees and asylum seekers. They comprise Congolese, Mozambicans, Rwandese, Burundians, Ethiopians, Malians, Ugandans and Somalis.

Besides the refugees and the internally displaced, the summit will appoint a new AU chair, who will succeed President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

Vice President Kembo Mohadi is the acting President

By Own Correspondent- A Gweru tsikamutanda who once hit the headlines after storming Gweru Magistrates’ Court in a bid to kill two magistrates and an interpreter has threatened to kill police officers who mocked him when he filed a theft report.

The traditional healer, revealed that he was angered when officers based at Nehanda Police Station in Gweru made fun out of him after he visited their station when he wanted to file a theft report.

The man said he would not rest until the police officers who mocked him were six feet underground.

“I went to the police station to report a case of theft. Instead of helping me, the cops said I should send my goblins to collect my phone from whoever stole it.”

He said he felt disrespected by the agents of the law.

“All the police officers who ridiculed me instead of helping me will be dead in less than a month. There is also a policeman who slapped me saying I wanted to waste their time and their resources.

That one, I will send thunder to strike him, he must die a painful death,” he said.

ZimEye will be livestreaming a press conference by Citizens’ Forum shortly.

Refresh this page for latest updates

By Own Correspondent- Deputy Minister for Defence and War Veterans Affairs Victor Matemadanda said that soldiers were this week deployed to protect school gates and ensure that thugs do not attack learners.

He said this in parliament while responding to Mashonaland East Senator Jane Chifamba who has asked why soldiers had been deployed at school gates.

Said Matemadanda:

Unlike the initial Lancaster House Constitution, which was written by people who represented the political opinion of a minority, the Constitution we have now was written by the people.

It says if police fail to control the security situation in the country, then they can request aid from the soldiers. So soldiers do not deploy themselves, they are deployed by the police at schools to remove thugs troubling school children where the police feel they cannot contain the situation.

The country has been experiencing uneasy normalcy after the government deployed troops in full force across the country to deal with violent protests that broke in January after a massive fuel price hike.

By Staff Reporter- Two opposition MDC legislators Settlement Chikwinya and Lloyd Mukapiko have been arrested on new charges.

This was after they had gone to report to police as part of their bail conditions.

Addressing the clergy and other national leaders at a breakfast meeting organised by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches on Thursday, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa implored the state to stop persecuting opposition leaders and their supporters on the basis of belonging to MDC.

Said Chamisa:

“…….We have MDC leaders who are not living in their homes because they are being persecuted not because they have committed any crime but simply because they belong to MDC.”

By Own Correspondent- Deputy minister of Information and Publicity Energy Mutodi has hinted that President Emmerson Mnangagwa could have deliberately ignored Thursday’s invitation to a churches dialogue prayer meeting in retaliation to MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s failure to attend the pre dialogue meeting he had organised on Wednesday.

The meeting, hosted by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, was a church initiative aimed at bringing together the country’s national leaders towards bringing consensus on dialogue.

Speaking after the breakfast prayer meeting, Mutodi lashed out at Chamisa and said he was playing difficult despite “knocking repeatedly on President Mnangagwa’s door”.

Said Mutodi:

“How can the President come when Chamisa also did not come to State House for the brainstorming of the negotiations?

We cannot always be the ones to come to the negotiation table when others do not. We cannot always come to the negotiation table on the terms and dictates of other people.

We have set up the platform for negotiation. We have called all political parties to State House. The State House belongs to government. So everyone was supposed to come.

We do not need that dialogue. We had not called for that dialogue in the first place . It was him (Chamisa) who has always been knocking on President Mnangagwa’s door for dialogue.”

Government has threatened to deduct salaries of civil servants who went on strike without the blessing of the Apex Council.

A majority of teachers across the country have not been reporting for duty since Tuesday, citing incapacitation due to high transport costs and poor salaries.

The striking teachers are demanding their salaries to be paid in United States dollars or a minimum of $1 700 in bond notes.

Public Service Commission (PSC) chairman Vincent Hungwe said discussions between government and the Apex Council on the improvement of conditions of service for civil servants were still continuing in the context of the National Joint Negotiating Council.

“The Apex Council has neither declared a strike nor declared deadlock in the negotiations. The commission has since been made aware of the isolated cases of abscontment by a minority of teachers at specific schools across some districts and provinces in the country,” Hungwe said in a statement.

“Accordingly and in keeping with applicable regulations, the commission advises members that unauthorised non-attendance at workstations will result in corresponding deductions from the salaries of the offending individuals on the basis of the principle of “no work no payment’.”

The commission said some sections of the civil society continued to report at their workstations in the interest of the public, who are entitled to their uninterrupted service.

Hungwe said incidents of intimidation or coercion to withdraw labour should be reported to law enforcement agents and the Primary and Secondary Education ministry and PSC inspectorate agency was to continue monitoring attendance and take action to contain instances of abscondment in all schools.

Yesterday, many pupils in some parts on Harare were sent home after most teachers did not report for work.

The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) and the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) said about 80% of their members have heeded the call to withdraw labour since Tuesday and they were calling all of their members to go on strike.

“The government has not positively responded to our call for an improvement into our working conditions and remuneration. The industrial action intensifies tomorrow and we call upon all our members not to set foot at schools,” Zimta and PTUZ said in a joint statement.

-Newsday

Norton member of parliament, Temba Mliswa has accepted to step down from his position as the Mines Committee chairperson to allow for investigation into his alleged bribery case.

According to the Herald, Mliswa abused his position as Mines Committee chairperson to solicit a $400 000 bribe from investor James Ross Goddard of JRG Contracting (Pvt) Ltd.

“I want to support what you have ruled and by so doing, I am a person of integrity and honour and I, therefore, step down as Mines Committee chairperson until the investigations are done. I am innocent until proven guilty and I uphold my integrity,” Mliswa said.

By Own Correspondent- Addressing a dialogue meeting for national leaders, Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi has urged MDC leader Nelson Chamisa and ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa to emulate the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and former president Robert Mugabe and dialogue for the benefit of the nation.

The former leaders agreed to dialogue under the mediation of the Southern African Development Community 2008.

Said Mutendi:

We must follow the examples of our predecessors. During the difficult period in our country, Dr Joshua Nkomo sought peace and our Former President Robert Mugabe sat down with Nkomo and they talked peace.

Tsvangirai made peace with Mugabe and he did not consider it humiliation but he did it for peace. When Mugabe made peace President Mnangagwa was his right-hand man when Tsvangirai made peace Chamisa was his right-hand man so why can’t it happen now?

By Own Correspondent- National Constitutional Assembly leader Professor Lovemore Madhuku said opposition parties have a contribution to make in issues of governance.

Professor Madhuku said this soon after meeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House at a pre- dialogue meeting which was attended by over 20 presidential aspirants who contested last year’s July 30 harmonised polls.

Said Madhuku:

The purpose of today’s meeting was really to find each other. We are Zimbabweans and as Zimbabweans there can be no harm in meeting from time to time discussing issues we face as a country. The most important issue is to raise the standard of living of our people. As opposition political parties we have a contribution to make as Government has also a contribution to make.

Jane Mlambo| Church leaders have defended President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s no-show at yesterday’s prayer meeting saying his letter indicated that he will send a representative should he fail to make it.

Zimbabwe  Council Of Churches (ZCC) secretary general Reverend Kenneth Mtata said Mnangagwa had indicated that he will attend the indaba but included a line that said a delegate will stand for him should he fail to come.

“We did not receive a formal communication on why the President didn’t come but it was clearly stated in the letter which we received from the President’s office which said that if he fails to come he will send a delegate to represent him,” said Mtata in an exclusive interview with The Zim Morning Post.

Yesterday, opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa blasted Mnangagwa over his no-show at what he described as a neutral platform.

Chamisa had earlier bunked a meeting at State House which was attended by 21 losing Presidential candidates citing the venue and a host of conditions that he said should be met to allow proper dialogue to proceed.

By Own Correspondent- Zanu Pf’s Generation 40 (G40) has been resuscitated by a new crop of party stalwarts amid indications that youths are demanding their space in the Youth League.

In a tweet posted Thursday on its official page @zanupf-patriots, the youths notified those above 40 years that their time at the helm of the Youth League was up.

Said the youths:

To cdes above 40 years who still want to be in the youth league.

Our party membership starts at 16 years so if you are more than 40 years and still want to remain in the youth league it means you are not progressive, Sure you want to spend more than 24 years running with the youths. No.

The tweet follows revelations by Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Energy Mutodi that he is ready to become Politiburo Secretary for Youth if President Emmerson Mnangagwa appoints him to that position.

“I am ready to serve as the ZANU PF Secretary for the Youth League if President ED Mnangagwa chooses me,” said Mutodi.

“I am committed to the establishment of an informed, vibrant, vigilant and empowered youth league for the good of our party ZANU PF and for the greater good of Zimbabwe.”

Last week, the ZANU PF Youth league passed a vote of no confidence on its 51 year old Secretary for Youth Pupurai Togarepi and four other members of the Youth League.

The five were accused of treachery and failing to defend President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the party and also diverting party funds.

In a media briefing at the ZANU PF headquarters in Harare yesterday, ZANU PF youth league national political commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu, said the vote of no-confidence was moved and supported by two-thirds majority of the national youth league executive council.

“Cde Togarepi and Cde Matutu converted and diverted resources meant for the youth league for personal use or for use without the resolution of the youth league national executive council,” Tsenengamu said.

By Own Correspondent– Leader of the splinter faction of the MDC T Dr Thokozani Khupe has urged political leaders to embrace unity regardless of their political beliefs.

Khupe said this after attending a meeting presided by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the state house to discuss the framework for dialogue and interaction.

Said Khupe:

We must pride ourselves as a country because of the fact that we have managed to come together as opposition parties and the ruling party to chat the way forward with regards to our country and our economy. We are saying we must put our differences aside as political parties and come together so that we talk about moving our country forward. We want a better life for every Zimbabwean. The people of Zimbabwe want food on their tables, they want jobs, they want houses and they want good health and education. We agreed as political parties that we are going to dialogue as political parties around these issues so that we find permanent solutions to the problems bedevilling our country.-StateMedia

Finance minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube posted about his meeting with the United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols and how as government they are focused on the reform agenda.

Soon after his post, Mthuli got a brutal response from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) who told him that his policies had worsened the country’s economic and political situation.

Below is what Mthuli Ncube said and the response he got.

” I met with the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe to discuss Zimbabwe’s reform agenda. As government we are focussed on the reform agenda,” said Mthuli Ncube.

In response, ZCTU said

You are responsible for the human rights violations we are facing. It is your policies that are hurting citizens and which your Government is protecting by brutalising citizens. All respect is lost.

A PARLIAMENTARY probe team will be set up to look into allegations that Mines Portfolio Committee chairperson, Temba Mliswa, and three other MPs demanded a $400 000 bribe while carrying out an inquiry into Hwange Colliery Company’s operations.

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda announced the decision yesterday after Makoni South MP Misheck Mataranyika (Zanu PF) moved a motion of privilege in response to reports which alleged that Mliswa together with Magwegwe MP Anele Ndebele (MDC Alliance), Binga North MP Prince Dubeko Sibanda (MDC Alliance), and Gokwe Kabuyuni MP Leonard Chikomba (Zanu PF) solicited a bribe from businessman James Goddard so that they could facilitate him to secure a contract with Hwange Colliery Company.

“During the period that the four MPs allegedly met Goddard, the Mines Committee was doing an enquiry into the operations of Hwange Colliery,” Mataranyika said.

“The allegations are very serious and injurious to the reputation of the MPs, the committee and Parliament, and in that regard, the allegations made constitute breach and contempt of Parliament. However, in raising this matter, I am not saying that the MPs are guilty, but simply to provide the MPs with an opportunity to clear their names and protect their integrity and that of Parliament.”

Mudenda said section 194 (1) (a) of the Constitution states that a high standard of professionalism and ethics must be promoted and maintained as one of the basic values and principles guiding public administration.

“To that extent Parliament must be seen to abide by this provision among others. Having listened to the report by the MP, indeed, the allegations are serious and have the potential to damage the integrity of Parliament, the Mines Committee and MPs,” he said.

After Mudenda had ruled that a Privileges Committee to look into the matter be set up, Mliswa and the quartet seemed unfazed and were even supporting the
motion.

“I want to support what you have ruled and by so doing, I am a person of integrity and honour and I, therefore, step down as Mines Committee chairperson until the investigations are done. I am innocent until proven guilty and I uphold my integrity,” Mliswa said.

Mudenda agreed that Mliswa steps down until the matter was investigated and concluded.

In an unrelated matter, Mudenda announced that Chegutu West MP Dextor Nduna (Zanu PF) will now chair the Transport Portfolio Committee instead of Murewa North MP Daniel Garwe.

Meanwhile, Energy minister Joram Gumbo also told the Senate that fuel queues were being caused by motorists still clearing their coupons purchased before the fuel price increases.

He said the central bank had procured 24 months’ worth of fuel, adding that the queues were also caused by hoax social media messages of another looming fuel price hike.

-Newsday

BITTER political rivals, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC’s Nelson Chamisa, again failed to meet face to face at a strategic national dialogue meeting convened by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches in Harare yesterday as the two leaders adopted hardline positions to talks.

Zimbabwe churches are seeking to broker talks between Mnangagwa and the MDC leader which would lay the basis for the recovery of an economy struggling from shortages of cash, fuel, medicine and some basic commodities including bread.

Disputed elections last year deepened the economic malaise, while a security crackdown on post-election protests in August and another ruthless suppression of demonstrations against fuel price increases of 150% last month drew comparisons with the dark days of former President Robert Mugabe’s regime.

Mnangagwa skipped yesterday’s prayer meeting after initially indicating that he would attend. He was instead represented by Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri.

Chamisa, who snubbed a meeting called by Mnangagwa at State House on Wednesday to discuss an agenda for talks aimed at tackling Zimbabwe’s crisis, attended and told the gathering that any talks without the MDC Alliance, would not solve the political crisis, which he said was at the centre of the current economic meltdown.

“I can assure you that there can be dialogue by any other party, but that dialogue will not resolve our issues because it’s a matter of what is the dispute. The dispute is a matter of the electoral result that was disputed. That electoral result that was disputed was not disputed by some of the political parties that are in agreement with President Mnangagwa. I disagreed with President Mnangagwa,” Chamisa said.

He told church leaders that he snubbed Wednesday’s talks because the convenor was not independent.

“Some would say, but Chamisa why didn’t you go to State House yesterday (Wednesday)? For a good reason, if we have to dialogue, we need an independent, respected and credible mediator between us. The church in this case is an appropriate convener,” Chamisa said to applause.

The MDC has maintained that unity and political stability will not be resolved unless the issue of Mnangagwa’s legitimacy is resolved. Chamisa’s dispute of the July 30 2018 electoral results has been backed by the European Union and Commonwealth elections observer reports which said the results were not traceable or verifiable.

“It should not be difficult for me to sit and meet with President Mnangagwa, and I am saying President not because our dispute has been resolved. He is president of his organisation, I am president of my organisation, so until that issue is resolved it becomes difficult for us to move things forward,” Chamisa said.

“I would have wanted him to be here. I have been ready yesterday, last year, I am ready today, tomorrow, the next hour if there is a room even at this hotel to meet with President Mnangagwa to resolve the issues affecting the people of Zimbabwe, because any minute longer is a life wasted, it’s time wasted.”

He added: “The bishops have acknowledged the source of the problem. The fundamental problem is that we need healing, we need peace, we need unity. We need to have a coming together of people and for that to happen, there has to be President Mnangagwa and myself.”

Mnangagwa, who was supposed to attend the prayer meeting, was represented by Muchinguri, who delivered a speech on his behalf.

The Zanu PF leader did not acknowledge the role of the church in leading the dialogue, but instead said the church should pray for peace and leadership in the country. Mnangagwa, in his speech, said the turbulence “was only temporary”.

“Therefore, the starting point and exception is that we must love ourselves, and our God-given country as a united people with a common destiny, government further perceives the church as the light that never wants, that guides our nation towards hope, optimism and a positive expectation,” he said.

Both Mnangagwa and Chamisa quoted from the same scripture as they concluded their speeches, calling on each other to repent from their wickedness.

“The healing of our nation rests in the prayers and supplications of the church for 2 Chronicles 2 verse 14 says: ‘if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land’,” Mnangagwa’s speech read.

Speaking after the meeting, Information deputy minister Energy Mutodi said Zanu PF and Mnangagwa did not need the current talks because they won the elections, but had only convened dialogue at the behest of Chamisa and his party.

“We don’t need that dialogue, we have not called for that dialogue in the first place, the opposition MDC is the one that has been petitioning the President to call all political parties for dialogue and this is the call that the President has replied,” he said.

Zion Christian Church leader Nehemiah Mutendi called on Chamisa and Mnangagwa to put aside their egos and put the nation forward.

He said they should take a leaf from Mugabe and the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai who despite massive differences met and found a solution following a disputed 2008 poll, culminating in the formation of a unity government.

Meanwhile, political leaders who attended Wednesday’s meeting of presidential candidates who ran in the July 30 harmonised elections last year reportedly left the preparatory meeting more confused than they arrived with no binding decisions having been made.

Political leaders including Daniel Shumba, Divine Mhambi Hove of National Alliance of Patriotic and Democratic Republicans said the meeting was a shambles, did not have an agenda and left more questions unanswered and with a way forward generally unclear.

Shumba, a former Mnangagwa close ally and ex-Zanu PF parliamentarian, had no kind words for the meeting, saying he had no confidence in what had appeared to be a door into closing political instability in the country.

“A disappointingly unstructured discussion, which had no agenda nor outline. The moderator, Retired Justice Selo Nare (National Healing and Reconciliation Commission chairperson) was out of his depth as he failed to grasp issues and was not in control,” Shumba said.

“I have never seen so many cheerleaders with the exception of Nkosana Moyo, Noah Manyika and myself who spoke to the issues well, the issues which include human rights violations, the role of the military in civilian life and the electoral process. In short, I have no confidence in the process.”

Hove said the meeting was a platform for opposition leaders who cheered on the government with the exception of Shumba and Moyo.

“I must say Thokozani Khupe, Lovemore Madhuku were the first speakers on the panel and they came in with a tone of really forging forward with dialogue,” he said.

“Then came Shumba with strong words, talking about dissatisfaction and how people had to be genuine if talks are to work and how the army is ravaging the community.”

In the back and forth that characterised the meeting, Hove said there was agreement for need to dialogue, but the objectives and targets of what needed to be discussed remained elusive.

Build Zimbabwe Alliance leader Noah Manyika said the meeting was successful only in the sense that he was able to tell Mnangagwa directly what he thinks.

Mutodi said the talks were mainly to discuss the economic fortunes of the country, how sanctions can be dealt with and how Zimbabwe can get back on its feet.

He added that the Zanu PF government will not tolerate any talks about the legitimacy of Mnangagwa’s victory nor would they seek to revisit an issue closed by the ruling of the Constitutional Court.

“We are not going to have negotiations to determine the outcome of the elections. We are not going to have negotiations to determine who is legitimate and who is not legitimate, the issue of legitimacy has been solved by the people through the ballot,” he said.

-Newsday

The amount of foreign currency held by the banking sector jumped 38% between September and November 2018, reaching near two-year highs following a central bank directive to separate forex accounts from bond note and electronic deposits, official data shows.

Banks held US$84.6 million at the close of November, up from US$61.5 million at the end of September, just before the central bank announced the ring-fencing of forex deposits.

Banks’ forex holdings have plummeted since 2015, and current stocks are still way below the monthly average of US$200 million before the crisis set in during the last quarter of that year.

The introduction of tight exchange controls in May 2016, which saw the Reserve Bank taking control of foreign currency allocations to key economic sectors, as well as the introduction of a parallel ‘bond note’ quasi-currency later that year, worsened the country’s forex crisis.

The authorities have said the separation of foreign currency accounts from bond notes and electronic deposits, which stood at just under $10 billion at the end of November, was the first step towards reforms that will culminate in the re-introduction of a local currency.

The second step was the setting up of a platform to allow local electronic transfers of foreign currency.

The central bank is expected to float the bond notes and electronic deposits, which are currently pegged at parity to the United States dollar. The currency peg proved punitive to exporters and it has created pricing distortions that are hurting business.

Most exporters, including gold and tobacco producers, surrender significant amounts of their earnings to the central bank, in exchange for over-valued electronic deposits and bond notes.

The production of gold, Zimbabwe’s top export, collapsed 59% percent September and November 2018, as a result of the foreign currency crisis.

-Newzwire