IS THIS NECESSARY? – The late Joshua Nkomo’s properties were taken by the state way back in 1983 and under false charges. The late Ndabaningi Sithole’s assets were also grabbed from the owner way back in the 90s on mere political reasons. White farmers who had full title deeds purchased way after independence also lost millions of their investments back in the 2000s. Scores of other business people have lost their investments when the government made a decision on the whim. Why is it then difficult to take away hundreds of millions in contracts given to notorious criminals the likes of Wicknel Chivayo?
State Media- Government has begun crafting a law to provide a legal standing to probe and seize wealth from individuals suspected to have clandestinely accumulated riches.
Last year, Emmerson Mnangagwa gazetted the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Amendment of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act and Exchange Control Act) Regulations which empowers Government to seize unexplained wealth.
The development later saw Finance and Economic Development Minister Prof Mthuli Ncube incorporate the measures in his 2019 budget, before legislators sought the matter be treated differently since it was not a finance issue.
The Sunday Mail says it has established that a Bill is now being developed to deal with ‘unexplained wealth’ and is expected to be introduced in Parliament soon.
In an interview recently, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said legal experts were working on the piece of legislation to be brought before the august House within the next two months.
“When you invoke Presidential Powers Temporary Measures, they last for six months. The Bill has to be brought to Parliament within six months. By March or early April the legislation should be in place,” he said.
“We removed the section on Presidential Powers Temporary Measures Act on unexplained wealth (from the Finance Bill) because it’s not a finance matter per se, it would complicate issues… For the sake of progress, we just had to draft a separate Bill,”
Minister Ziyambi said the Finance and Economic Development Ministry would over-see the crafting of the legislation.
He said the legislation would incorporate a number of issues other than those that were initially targeted.
The minister said when Mnangagwa promulgated Statutory Instrument 246 on the unexplained wealth, Government wanted to curb issues of suspicious money transfers.
“We were saying that if you get $100 000 deposited in your account and you are known to earn, for instance, $500 then that is a suspicious transaction,” said Minister Ziyambi.
“If the bank is satisfied then that is okay. If the bank is not satisfied with your explanation they are obliged to report it to the police for further investigations.
“The mischief that we wanted to cure was that of people having huge transfers when they are not known to be in any productive sector and that was the conduit of these illegal foreign currency dealings.”
The new legislation will authorise the High Court to issue an unexplained wealth order on properties of individuals.
The country has witnessed a surge in individuals who accumulate wealth overnight amid concern over high corruption activities. -state media
A family from Gutu, Masvingo, is still mourning the death of their first born son, Farai Nyamadzawo, a 22-year-old that reportedly bled to death after he was cut in his underarm when a crowd of looters that he was allegedly a part of caused a melee as they stampeded into a store in Tshabalala, Bulawayo during the violent protests that rocked the country last month.
Although it is unclear how he got involved in the looting spree, those in Tshabalala who claim to have seen him before he was fatally cut suggest that the late Nyamadzawo had been in the forefront when protests turned violent and decided to break into Chicken Corner in Tshabalala Extension.
According to community members who spoke to Sunday News, Nyamadzawo had been pushed against the store’s glass doors when those at the tail of the marauding looters started pushing to get in. However, a childhood friend that he was staying with at the time of his death said no one knew for certain how Nyamadzawo had got injured.
“To tell you the truth no one really knows how he died. I would be lying if I said there is someone that actually has proper details of how he died. No one is saying they saw how it happened. I didn’t see where he was injured but I was told that he had got his hands injured,” said his friend who only identified himself as Roddy.
According to Roddy, the late Nyamadzawo had been an honest young man who had made the trek from Masvingo, where they befriended each other as schoolboys, to Bulawayo in search of greener pastures.
After finding work at a local lodge, he had been recently laid off and had found himself without a place to stay in Bulawayo before his old friend bailed him out and gave him shelter.
“He was someone that came to Bulawayo to work. So when he lost his job, he did not have anywhere else to stay. That’s when my roommate suggested that he comes to stay with us while he was looking for a job. That’s how he found himself staying with us,” he said.
Roddy said his late friend had earlier on indicated that he wanted to stay indoors when the violence erupted and was still confused about what had prompted him to venture outside when it was clear that the situation was tense.
“He was a very good person and I even remember the morning that he died. On that morning when the violence was about to get serious my roommate told both of us to sit down and relax because the situation was tense and if we go out we might get injured. I remember him saying that even if he was a builder or doing any kind of job he would not go to work in a situation like that even though it might cost him money.
Even now I don’t understand what possessed him to go out that day. It was a shock an hour later to hear that he had passed on,” he said.
Almost a month since his friend passed on in such an unlikely and painful manner, Roddy said he was still finding it hard to come to terms with his demise. Nyamadzawo’s father, Mr Saruro Nyamadzawo said he was told that his son had bled to death after failing to get medical treatment on time.
He said when he was injured, he was initially discovered in Tshabalala by his uncle, Mr Rodrick Makoni, who was told that Nyamadzawo was in a ditch somewhere in the high density suburb and had to frantically start searching for him. In the end his rescue attempts had been a little too late and Mr Nyamadzawo revealed that a post-mortem had revealed that his son had been pierced by a sharp object below his armpit.
As a result of his untimely passing the family who had no money at that time had to mobilise resources from as far as South Africa from other family members to assist in his burial. Nyamadzawo was buried in Gutu on 19 January.
“Due to his untimely death we had to seek assistance from our relatives as far as South Africa who chipped in financially to help to ferry the body of to his resting place in Masvingo. As the father to the late I am also pained by the loss of my son at such a tender age. It’s even more painful when you consider that he was the first born,” said Mr Nyamadzawo.
Another death reported in Bulawayo was of a police officer who was attacked by rioters, and arrests have been made in connection with the murder case.-state media
Military Generals allegedly looted the Reserve Bank Of Zimbabwe soon after removing former president Robert Mugabe, the below character says in a series of tweets below: (more to follow)
By Patrick Guramatunhu| “It is my singular honour and privilege to be with you at this timely breakfast prayer for our nation, even as the Bible exhorts us in Thessalonians 5 verse 17 to pray without ceasing. Constant interactions and prayer of this nature are positive and will help foster continued dialogue between Government, the church and all stakeholders. Such platforms under this anointing also help in uniting us as one people towards a common vision and shared national destiny,” said Mnangagwa at the recent church and political leaders’ prayer meeting.
“Let us therefore, continue to collectively work together towards uniting Zimbabwe for peace, love, harmony and prosperity to prevail in our nation. This platform further affords us the opportunity to brief each other on pertinent national developmental issues and nurture a common understanding of where we ought to go as a country and the steps we must take to get there.”
This is utterly hopeless! He is a man who can quote chapter and verse of some of the less significant doctrines in the Bible but completely ignores one of the pillars – rule of law – repeated over and again in all the books of the Old and New Testament.
The Lord God instructed Moses that when the children of Israel walked out of their slavery, freeman and a free nation, they were to go to Mount Sinai where the Lord God were to give them laws, the Ten Commandments, by which they were to live.
When Jesus was asked which was the greatest Commandment. He replied “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 37 – 40.
Where is the loving of thou neighbour when those in positions of power and authority abuse their power and turn lose their security forces on innocent and defenceless people like wolves in penned sheep?
Zanu PF has systematically denied the people justice, their basic freedoms and rights including the right to a meaningful vote and even the right to life itself.
No one who fears God would take the Bible in their right hand and swear last July’s elections were free, fair and credible. The authorities failed to release something as basic as a verified voters’ roll although this is a requirement stipulated in our own constitution.
The barbaric violence by the security forces of 1st August 2018 and the two starting 14 January 2019 were meant to cow the people into subservient silence. Zanu PF is silencing people protesting the rigged elections, the worsening economic situation due to decades of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption by the regime.
“Today, the church must remain the voice that inculcates peace, building a better society, uniting families, tribes and races. The church must forever be ‘the salt of the earth and the light of the world’. Yes, as the word of God says in Matthew 5 verse 13 to 16; “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” continued Mnangagwa.
“It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
If the truth be said, after 38 years of corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF rule; the party has lost its saltiness and should have been thrown out decades again if the regime had not usurped the people’s free vote.
Zanu PF rigged last July’s elections to stay in power and the party is now using brutal force to subdue a people desperate for meaningful change and a competent government. After 38 years of criminal waste of human and material resources through gross mismanagement and rampant corruption, there can be no doubt that Zanu PF is corrupt and incompetent.
What Zimbabwe needs and has been dying for, for decades, is rule of law; more specifically, free, fair and credible elections so the people can finally boot out the incompetent and corrupt Zanu PF regime and replace it with an accountable one. We need rule of law not endless dialogue and much less praying without ceasing.
God helps those who help themselves; God has already gifted Zimbabwe with the land and climate to grow crops and farm animals and with a great abundance of flora and fauna and mineral wealth. What exactly will we be praying ceaseless for? Zimbabwe’s curse is one of bad governance and all we need to cure that is the enforcement of the rule of law and that no one is above the law.
Zanu PF rigged last July’s elections, the party has no mandate to rule and therefore must step down. Why we need to talk about it much less pray ceaseless smacks of a nation that would do anything under than just to avoid dealing with the elephant in the room. After 38 years of Zanu PF corrupt and tyrannical rule and with the nation now standing on the very edge of the abyss Zimbabwe cannot afford to waste one more day of this misrule. Zanu PF must step down now!
By Patrick Guramatunhu| “It is my singular honour and privilege to be with you at this timely breakfast prayer for our nation, even as the Bible exhorts us in Thessalonians 5 verse 17 to pray without ceasing. Constant interactions and prayer of this nature are positive and will help foster continued dialogue between Government, the church and all stakeholders. Such platforms under this anointing also help in uniting us as one people towards a common vision and shared national destiny,” said Mnangagwa at the recent church and political leaders’ prayer meeting.
“Let us therefore, continue to collectively work together towards uniting Zimbabwe for peace, love, harmony and prosperity to prevail in our nation. This platform further affords us the opportunity to brief each other on pertinent national developmental issues and nurture a common understanding of where we ought to go as a country and the steps we must take to get there.”
This is utterly hopeless! He is a man who can quote chapter and verse of some of the less significant doctrines in the Bible but completely ignores one of the pillars – rule of law – repeated over and again in all the books of the Old and New Testament.
The Lord God instructed Moses that when the children of Israel walked out of their slavery, freeman and a free nation, they were to go to Mount Sinai where the Lord God were to give them laws, the Ten Commandments, by which they were to live.
When Jesus was asked which was the greatest Commandment. He replied “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 37 – 40.
Where is the loving of thou neighbour when those in positions of power and authority abuse their power and turn lose their security forces on innocent and defenceless people like wolves in penned sheep?
Zanu PF has systematically denied the people justice, their basic freedoms and rights including the right to a meaningful vote and even the right to life itself.
No one who fears God would take the Bible in their right hand and swear last July’s elections were free, fair and credible. The authorities failed to release something as basic as a verified voters’ roll although this is a requirement stipulated in our own constitution.
The barbaric violence by the security forces of 1st August 2018 and the two starting 14 January 2019 were meant to cow the people into subservient silence. Zanu PF is silencing people protesting the rigged elections, the worsening economic situation due to decades of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption by the regime.
“Today, the church must remain the voice that inculcates peace, building a better society, uniting families, tribes and races. The church must forever be ‘the salt of the earth and the light of the world’. Yes, as the word of God says in Matthew 5 verse 13 to 16; “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” continued Mnangagwa.
“It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
If the truth be said, after 38 years of corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF rule; the party has lost its saltiness and should have been thrown out decades again if the regime had not usurped the people’s free vote.
Zanu PF rigged last July’s elections to stay in power and the party is now using brutal force to subdue a people desperate for meaningful change and a competent government. After 38 years of criminal waste of human and material resources through gross mismanagement and rampant corruption, there can be no doubt that Zanu PF is corrupt and incompetent.
What Zimbabwe needs and has been dying for, for decades, is rule of law; more specifically, free, fair and credible elections so the people can finally boot out the incompetent and corrupt Zanu PF regime and replace it with an accountable one. We need rule of law not endless dialogue and much less praying without ceasing.
God helps those who help themselves; God has already gifted Zimbabwe with the land and climate to grow crops and farm animals and with a great abundance of flora and fauna and mineral wealth. What exactly will we be praying ceaseless for? Zimbabwe’s curse is one of bad governance and all we need to cure that is the enforcement of the rule of law and that no one is above the law.
Zanu PF rigged last July’s elections, the party has no mandate to rule and therefore must step down. Why we need to talk about it much less pray ceaseless smacks of a nation that would do anything under than just to avoid dealing with the elephant in the room. After 38 years of Zanu PF corrupt and tyrannical rule and with the nation now standing on the very edge of the abyss Zimbabwe cannot afford to waste one more day of this misrule. Zanu PF must step down now!
After 3 Whole Weeks Of Raping Women, Killing Civilians, Military Suddenly Bans Soldiers Camouflage Outside Barracks | WHAT'S THIS: GOOD THING or JUST LIPSTICK ON A HYENA?
The opposition MDC Deputy Treasurer, Charlton Hwende has threatened to sue Zimpapers over a story that appears in one of the state weekly newspaper his lawyers described as a malicious and defamatory to the person of their client.
Hwende has through his lawyers, Atherstone and Cook Legal Practitioners served Zimpapers with a legal letter dated 7 February 2018 in which he is giving the state owned newspaper ten days to retract malicious description of the Kuwadzana East lawmaker.
“We will therefore desist from issuing court process against Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Limited / The Sunday Mail Newspapers provided within the 10 (ten) days of your receipt of this letter. The Editor/Publisher / Management of The Sunday Mail.
“Publishes an unconditional retraction in respect of its subject attack on Honorable Hwende, and removes the article in its entirety from the Sunday Mail’s website and issues an apology and affirmation that the allegation referred to herein above are false and defamatory. In doing so, The Sunday Mail will ensure that apology and affirmation are published in each of the fora that have given or could give reason for our client’s complaint and promise to actively monitor and delete from its online platforms any newly published defamatory content relating to our client which might arise out of your recent publication of the article under discussion,” reads the letter
Hwende ‘s lawyers argued that the Sunday Mail on the 3rd of February 2019 published an article in which they described Hwende as a ‘garrulous parliamentarian’ and also that Hwende was referred to as a ‘ known sponsor of the notorious Vanguard –the MDC’s military wing’.
Hwende’s lawyers further argued that the article violated the law in that it has resulted in the malicious and injury to the legislator’s reputation and dignity.
By Own Correspondent| Presidential spokesperson George Charamba has told opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to make up his mind on dialogue and stop globalising his decisions since the country’s economy has to move on.
Charamba’s statements come in the wake of failure by Chamisa to attend the President Emmerson Mnangagwa initiated pre dialogue discussion on Wednesday last week at State House.
Mnangagwa on the other hand also snubbed the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) dialogue prayer meeting which was held the following day (Thursday) and instead sent the Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri to read a speech on his behalf.
Deputy Information minister Energy Mutodi hinted to the media that Mnangagwa’s absence was deliberate. He said his boss did not attend the breakfast prayer meeting as payback to Chamisa for snubbing “his” pre dialogue meeting which was attended by over 15 presidential aspirants who contested the 2018 harmonised elections.
However Charamba accused Chamisa of failing to attend the Mnangagwa initiated pre dialogue meeting because he had not been given the go ahead by his “western handlers”.
Said Charamba:
“If he (Chamisa) 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.”
After 3 Whole Weeks Of Raping Women, Killing Civilians, Military Suddenly Bans Soldiers Camouflage Outside Barracks | WHAT'S THIS: GOOD THING or JUST LIPSTICK ON A HYENA?
The Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General Edzai Chimonyo has reportedly banned all soldiers from wearing their camouflage uniforms outside the military barracks. BELOW WAS THE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General Edzai Chimonyo has reportedly banned all soldiers from wearing their camouflage uniforms outside the military barracks. BELOW WAS THE ANNOUNCEMENT
Mnangagwa has once again demonstrated his lack of care for the mounting economic woes in Zimbabwe.
He once again flew in a hired Swiss Dreamliner which will cost the fiscus millions. When flying business class, it would have cost less than $30 000.
He flies out in the middle of a crisis, teachers are on strike and the government has failed to even communicate a plan to both the civil servants and concerned parents.
Broadly, the economy continues to ail, fuel queues have resurfaced, there are serious bread and cooking oil shortages while the prices continue to spike.
These shortages are attributed to the unavailability of foreign currency much needed for the imports yet Mnangagwa always has the cash to fly in and out.
He sometimes visits Zimbabwe. A clear failure to break from the past.
On the other hand, his Deputies are interchangeably going out for treatment. While we wish them well we are concerned by the selfish abuse of taxpayers’ money.
The taxpayer, in turn, is exposed to death traps mistaken for hospitals.
The money should be used to improve local facilities and the public health delivery system in its holistic sense.
The money used by the current government on foreign health seeking trips could have built a new top of the range health facility.
Gold mines are closing because they are not receiving the forex they earn, yet that money is squandered in funding elite lifestyles and none capital ventures.
Zimbabwe needs leadership which places the citizen at the centre of government programs.
The abuse of public funds must stop.
Hon Bekithemba Mpofu
MDC Deputy National Spokesperson
Own Correspondent|South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has proclaimed 8 May as the date for the country’s 2019 elections.
He made the announcement during his 2019 State of the Nation Address before Parliament on Thursday.
“In a few months time, South Africans will go to the polls for the sixth time in our democracy to vote for national and provincial governments,” he said.
“This is an opportunity for our people to exercise their hard-won right to determine the direction of this country.
“I have engaged with the Independent Electoral Commission and also with the Premiers of all provinces, and intend to proclaim the 8th of May 2019 as the date of the election.
“We wish to remind all eligible South Africans who have not yet registered as voters that they still have until the proclamation of the election date to register.”
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) officially launched the polls in Midrand on Thursday. The commission said at the time that it had hoped the president would announce the date for the 2019 elections before the end of January.
Over 280 political parties have registered to contest the provincial and national elections.
Below is the full text of the state media article on an offer they celebrated Saturday afternoon.
Mnangagwa after holding his discussions with the Ehtiopians
The biggest airline in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines has offered Air Zimbabwe a lucrative partnership deal that will see the airline bringing planes, train pilots and also assist the national airliner to become an aircraft maintenance hub in SADC region.
This was revealed when Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Tewolde Gebremarian when he paid a courtesy call on Emmerson Mnangagwa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this Saturday (today).
Ethiopian Airlines is the biggest airline in Africa and it won the best African airline last year.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Retired Lieutenant General Dr Sibusiso Moyo told journalists after the meeting that Ethiopian Airlines which is already flying into Zimbabwe is eager to get into a partnership deal with the national carrier Air Zimbabwe.
“They are also prepared to support the organization for maintenance so that Zimbabwe becomes a hub of maintenance of aircraft just like Addis is. They would do that together with maintenance people of Air Zimbabwe and so that we can get a clear partnership which would then fly the Air Zimbabwe routes in code, sharing with Air Zimbabwe colours and they will fly all over the world using that particular agreement,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet – Presidential Communications Mr George Charamba, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and permanent representative to the AU Ambassador Albert Chimbindi and other senior government officials were part of the meeting between Mnangagwa and Mr Gebremarian.
Ethiopian Airlines have about $18 million hanging in its Zimbabwean account and Mnangagwa and Mr Gebremarian discussed the issue.
“They touched on that and that it is worth about $18 million which is stuck in Zimbabwe but that was not so much of an issue because they believe that if they establish a partnership with Air Zimbabwe they will be able to get that money without any problems and in a very short space of time. His Excellency has also promised that my counterpart the Minister of Finance is going to take a serious position in terms of reducing that debt,” said Minister Moyo.
Meanwhile, Norway Prime Minister Ms Erna Solberg also paid a courtesy call on Mnangagwa to have an understanding of the processes of investing in Zimbabwe and how both public and private owned organisations in Norway can participate in Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa told the premier the environment for investment in Zimbabwe is conducive and peaceful except for a few isolated events.
Norway is seeking a seat in the United Nations Security Council and the premier appealed to Zimbabwe to support them in their bid.
The UN Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Mr Never Mimica and UNDP Administrator Mr Achim Steiner also held bilateral talks with Mnangagwa.
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.”
“RADIO in the morning will not be the same”, this is what most Skyz Metro FM listeners are saying after the announcement on Thursday that one of the radio station’s personalities, Babongile Sikhonjwa, will be leaving the station at the end of this month.
Sikhonjwa had brought a breath of fresh air on radio with his wit and humour on the Vuka Vuka Breakfast Show.
The programme had become the radio station’s flagship show as it covered a lot of topics and even pranked some people. A memorable prank was in 2017 when Sikhonjwa allegedly phoned the South African Home Affairs Department asking for them to return former Studio 263 actress Anne Nhira back home. She was plying her trade in the neighbouring country through cameo roles in soapies. This was during the time that Nhira had successfully got Zodwa Wabantu banned from the Harare International Carnival. The exchange between Sikhonjwa and the supposed Home Affairs official was hilarious.
Another unforgettable moment was when Sikhonjwa passed out in the studio in 2017 after celebrating, as did the whole nation, the resignation of former President Mugabe at his bar Red Café until the wee hours of the morning. This led to his suspension for a month.
From Thursday when the news of his departure was shared by the radio station, people have been expressing their sadness that Sikhonjwa is leaving. One Thandiwe Tanewe said her mornings will never be the same as she would miss Sikhonjwa’s humour.
“Eish my mornings won’t be the same again. Great laughter brought by Babongile was what started my day off and made a huge difference. Vuka Vuka will never be the same. Will miss you mhani.”
Others in saying goodbye to Sikhonjwa requested a farewell gig for him in his honour.
“Ayi Thixooo!!! I don’t get it, but Skyz Metro FM bengicela lisizame ngomcimbi wokuvalelisa uSk wenziwe emini lisiphe itwo hours zokuthath’ ama selfie lo Sk.
Siyacela, thina abanye sesikhala vele (please, may Skyz Metro organise a farewell gig for Sikhonjwa in the afternoon and give us two hours to take selfies with him),” posted Pretty Lue.
Thandeka Ncube said it’s always great that people take different paths in life and wished Sikhonjwa all the best.
“In life, we all take different paths, but no matter where we go, we take a little bit of each other. All the best in your entertainment business. You’ll truly be missed Sk. Uhleko lwakho especially, kkkkik.”
Others such as Bryn Sibanda were grateful that Sikhonjwa and Skyz Metro FM gave airplay to artistes from the city and moulded them to be national stars.
“Thank you for setting the bar high from a city that was looked down upon by many people. You’ve brought up many artistes through your stature and innovative ideas.
“One of Bulawayo’s icons, long live bro and all the best in all your endeavours. Salute.”
During his time at Skyz Metro FM, Sikhonjwa had three presenters he co-hosted the Vuka Vuka Breakfast show with. At first it was Khaya Drastic and the duo made radio interesting.
When Khaya Drastic left, Sikhonjwa was paired with Donna Nc and for the better part of last year, they were a great tag team. In this new season, Sikhonjwa was paired with TKP and barley a month after they started their journey, Sikhonjwa is leaving.
The prospect of Sikhonjwa leaving saddened TKP yesterday as she was heard sobbing during the show. She said she was emotional as he was leaving her at the beginning of their partnership. She had to take a brief moment to compose herself on radio.
The question now remains. Who will take over Sikhonjwa’s Vuka Vuka slot? People like BKay and Mjox are the front runners.
Social media posts and reports dating back to 2013 have used the name Chipiliro Gama.
Popular Twitter parody account Man’s Not Barry Roux (@AdvBarryRoux) divided its followers on Wednesday revealing what most Malawians may have already known – Shepherd Bushiri’s apparent real name.
The parody account said an invoice mistakenly sent to Baloyi Attorneys did not use the popular name, and instead called him Chipiliro Gama.
Though some on social media said it was bizarre that his followers did not know his apparent real name, most of them said there was nothing untoward about changing a name, and used Saul, whose name changed to Paul in the Bible after he saw the light.
“When Saul was recruited by God himself to do the work of leading people to light … he was given a new name and thus changed to Paulos. When Jacob was also chosen by god his name changed to Israel. So there’s nothing that should surprise you by a change of name of our Papa,” said Ncumisa Garishe, while Prudence ZeeLady Mudau said there was nothing wrong with giving yourself other names. “What if your mother gives you the name that you hate? You just change it sana. How many people are using unreal names even on social media?”
These were some of the other comments on social media:
Addressing congregants following his release yesterday, Bushiri revealed that his wife was “poisoned to within an inch of her life” in the past five months when protestors were demanding that he leave the country.
He thanked President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office, and the leadership of the EFF and BLF who had stood by him “in the past five weeks that we experienced situations after situations, starting with organised protests, to demands that I leave the country for which I am a permanent resident, to demands that the Pretoria branch be closed, my wife being poisoned to within an inch of her life, all the way to our incarceration”.
Bushiri’s bad publicity was accelerated by a stampede at his church that left three women dead.
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.
By Own Correspondent| Caps United FC club president Farai Jere said that his club will register 25 players for the 2019 season instead of the usual 30.
He said the club’s technical team realised that the club needed about 20 players to be able to compete in a full season. Said, Jere:
We conducted research and realised that our technical team only needs 20 players to compete in a season; not the 30 we have always been registering.
So as Caps United, we will be registering 20 senior players this season and five junior players as is required by the premier soccer league to make a squad of 25.
We realised that our technical team’s starting 11 rarely changes hence the 20 players; it is only when you are in the champions’ league that we feel a coach might need a squad of up to 30 players.
Jere said this while addressing representatives of newly promoted clubs in his capacity as premiership chairman at an induction workshop held in Harare Friday.
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.
The Chief Justice’s Theme for the 2019 Legal Year:
“Consolidation of the Rule of Law”
There has been much talk recently about the need to strengthen the rule of law which has prompted Veritas to summarise the Chief Justice’s speech at the opening of the 2019 legal year – “Consolidation of the Rule of Law”. [The full text is available on the Veritas website [link]].
The Chief Justice’s starting-point was that:
“The rule of law is the foundation of any democratic society and is essential to the cohesion of a community. … In its elementary sense, the rule oflaw simply implies that no-one is above the law and that all existing laws must be respected by everyone. Individuals, corporate entities, the Stateand all its organs are subject to the law and are all equal before the law. The concept provides a framework for the orderly and objective relationshipbetween citizens and the State and among the citizens themselves”.
Respect for Court Decisions Essential to the Rule of Law
While acknowledging the existence of other role players in upholding the rule of law, the Chief Justice identified the courts as:
“ … the last line of defence to the concept of the rule of law. They are the final arbiters and the vanguard that holds together the system of justice. The courts must therefore always take the lead inupholding the rule of law. Put simply, the Judiciary is the sine qua non of the concept of the rule of law.”
The courts are obliged to ensure both procedural and substantive fairness to both sides in cases before them, to make a finding as to the facts and to apply the law to those facts in reasoned judgments. In the circumstances, the Chief Justice said:
“The rule of law demands in the circumstances that the decision of the court be respected. A party does not have to agree with the decision. He or she or it does not have to denigrate the person of the judicial officer.”
Instead of resorting to insulting and denigration of judicial officers, unsuccessful litigants should, he said, make use of the rule of law’s “inbuilt self-correcting mechanisms”, which allow anyone who is aggrieved with the decision of a court to take it on appeal or review:
“Court decisions may only be challenged by following proper legal processes such as appeal or review. This is the bedrock of the concept of the rule of law. … Court decisions may only be challenged by following proper legal processes such as appeal or review. This is the bedrock of the concept of the rule of law.”
But judges not immune from criticism Respect for judges’ decisions, the Chief Justice continued, did not mean that their decisions are immune from criticism. The rule of law concept encourages scrutiny, comment and even criticism – as long it remains “professional, impersonal and constructive” and is made without being “scurrilous” about the judicial officer: “Comments which degenerate into confrontational or personal insults on judicial officers have no place in this jurisdiction.”
Fighting Corruption
Starting with the proposition that “corruption is the antithesis of the rule of law”, the Chief Justice said the Judicial Service Commission and the judiciary were playing their part in the fight against corruption.
Specialised anti-corruption courts During 2018 specialised anti-corruption courts, staffed by a specially trained group of magistrates, had been opened in Harare and Bulawayo as pilot projects. The aim was to ensure the opening of further such courts in Masvingo, Mutare and Gweru during 2019.
Streamlining corruption-related offences from the normal run of cases had been considered necessary because they are usually complicated crimes, perpetrated by sophisticated and well-resourced individuals. But, said the Chief Justice, this did not imply “trampling upon the rights of those accused of corruption” to fair hearings.
“It simply requires lawyers, judges and magistrates to take cognisance of the harmful effects of the scourge of corruption on the livelihoods of all Zimbabweans. If we do not coalesce around this scourge, we all stand to be doomed as a nation.”
New Rules of Court
Decades-old and sometimes obsolete rules of court had been reviewed and replaced under the stewardship of the Judicial Service Commission – for example, the new Labour Court Rules and Supreme Court Rules had been gazetted.
New Magistrates Court Rules would be gazetted in time to come into force on 1st February 2019.
Note: the Magistrates Court Rules were gazetted on 25th January in Statutory Instrument 11/2019 and are available on the Veritas website [link].
Replacement of the High Court Rules of 1971 had already been extensively debated by stakeholders. During the first half of 2019 the new rules would go to the Attorney-General’s Office to be finalised.
Access to Justice: New Courts, Court Rooms, More Magistrates
High Court The new Mutare High Court had been opened in May 2018 and would operate with two resident judges from January 2019. Three new courtrooms had been commissioned at the Bulawayo High Court, which would improve the turnaround of cases and enable increasing the number of judges in Bulawayo in due course.
Magistrates Courts New magistrates courthouses were scheduled for completion in Mount Darwin and Lupane by June 2019.
New magistrates and supporting staff Following a reversal of the freeze on recruitment, 233 new officers had been recruited from July to November of 2018. 60 of them were magistrates, 57 of whom had already been deployed to various stations across the country, where they had alleviated shortages.
Regional courtsThe number of regional magistrates had been increased and Chipinge, Plumtree, Karoi, Beitbridge and Guruve had been raised to regional status.
Resident magistrates The courts at Mutasa and Concession had been upgraded to resident magistrates courts.
Gender Balance
The Chief Justice confirmed that:
a “huge portion” of the recently recruited officers had been female;
· the ratio of females to males in the JSC now stood at 53.6% to 46.4%;
· of the 64 judges in the country, 30 are women: 46.9%.
· women account for 128 of the 249 magistrates: 51.4%.
Note: The 64 judges referred are the judges of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts, the High Court, the Labour Court and the Administrative Court.
Performance of the courts
All judicial officers, the Chief Justice said, had performed “pleasingly” in 2018. There had been good performance in all courts and an overall reduction in backlogs of cases.
Constitutional Court The number of cases filed had dropped from 70 in 2017 to 59 in 2018. The Chief Justice commented that “the number of cases received are still far higher than expected in an apex court”. The backlog of cases had been reduced from 68 in 2017 to 42 by the end of 2018.
Note: the Chief Justice did not give figures of the number of outstanding judgments yet to be delivered and the average delay in delivering them.
Professional Development of Judicial Officers
Calling on all judicial officers to ensure that “quality justice” prevails in the courts, Chief Justice Malaba reminded judges of all superior courts of their constitutional “responsibility to model the country’s jurisprudence by developing the common law for the sustenance of the rule of law”. During the year 2019, all judicial officers would be exposed to various forms of training within and outside Zimbabwe. Some Zimbabwean judges would join other judges from SADC countries for a training session in Victoria Falls in the first week of February.
Other Plans for the Future
Labour Court The court would move into a new more spacious building once it had been renovated and customised to the court’s needs.
Commercial Division of the High Court The establishment of the court would be a priority for 2019. It would operate from the former premises of the Labour Court once the building had been customised into its special needs. The aim was to have a paperless state-of-the-art court with an Integrated Electronic Cases Management System. The court would be capable of dealing with commercial disputes expeditiously as part of Zimbabwe’s efforts to open the country for business by re-opening factories and inviting foreign direct investment.
Separation of Constitutional Court and Supreme Court Plans had already been laid for the separation of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court. This will occur, in terms of the Constitution, on 22nd May 2020. The old Supreme Court building would house the separate Supreme Court. Some Supreme Court judges were already using the old building. More Supreme Court judges would be needed and the JSC would shortly start the process for recruiting them.
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”.
A 34-YEAR-OLD man from Pumula East suburb in Bulawayo allegedly ganged up with his friend to rape his landlord’s two minor children aged 12 and 15-years-old.
The accused has been arrested while his accomplice is on the run.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango yesterday confirmed the arrest of the man in connection with the case which occurred on Wednesday.
She said the two men allegedly committed the offence after the girls’ parents travelled overnight and left them in his company.
“The accused who is a tenant at a house in Pumula East suburb is said to have invited his friend to the house. The two took advantage of the absence of the children’s guardians to sexually assault them,” she said.
“The two are said to have followed the 15-year-old, who is a Form Three Pupil at a local school, while the other took the 12-year-old, who is in Grade Seven at a local school, into the bedroom. One of them is said to have remained with the older child in the bedroom while the other took the younger one to the lounge where he raped her once.”
Chief Insp Simango said the tenant was arrested on Thursday after the minor reported the case.
She expressed concern over an increase in rape cases in residential homes.
Chief Insp Simango challenged parents and guardians to desist from leaving their children in company of male adults.
Meanwhile, police in Matabeleland North have embarked on a manhunt for a 19-year-old man from Hwange who allegedly repeatedly raped his eight-year-old niece.
Wisdom Tshuma of Lubimbi village under Chief Kavhula is suspected to have committed the crime last Saturday afternoon.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese confirmed the incident revealing that the matter came to light after relatives saw the minor struggling to walk.
“We are hunting for an alleged rape suspect who repeatedly raped an eight-year-old child. The suspect, Wisdom Tshuma of Lubimbi village, called the victim who was at their homestead – about 50 metres away from the mill – to bring a five litre container to the grinding mill,” said Chief Insp Makonese.
“Upon arrival at the mill, he allegedly grabbed her by the hand and dragged her into a storeroom where he is alleged to have raped her once. He is said to have threatened to assault her if she told anyone about the matter.
“Later on that evening, when the victim was sent to serve supper to the suspect who was in his bedroom, he allegedly raped her once more.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1/3 I have just completed this drawing of the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi. I am a Zimbabwean medical student and pencil artist from Harare. Please like and RT one more time in celebration of the legacy of this great icon!
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.
By A Correspondent| Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) has renewed its partnership with WorldRemit for its 2019 South Africa edition. WorldRemit will join ZAA in recognising the diverse achievements of Zimbabweans following the recent launch of its digital money transfer service from South Africa to around 150 countries worldwide, including Zimbabwe.
Andrew Stewart, the Managing Director for Middle East and Africa
To celebrate the partnership, WorldRemit is also offering new customers sending from South Africa zero fees on their first transfer if they use the promo code ZAAFREE when making payment. Click here for full Ts&Cs:
ZAA highlights the successes and achievements of Zimbabweans and brings together business leaders and innovators from all sectors to celebrate, empower and network.
WorldRemit is a long-standing supporter of ZAA, having sponsored the UK, South Africa, USA and Australia editions last year. ZAA International Chairman, Conrad Mwanza, welcomed the partnership and said he was pleased to be working with the company again to bring another fantastic awards event to South Africa in April. “Zimbabwe Achievers has always been committed to strengthening Zimbabwean communities around the world and, together with WorldRemit, we are looking to further develop relations internationally and create a stronger network in Africa,” Mwanza said.
Using the WorldRemit app or website, Zimbabweans living in South Africa can send money home at any time with a few taps from their phones. WorldRemit’s low fees and exchange rates are shown up-front and senders can choose from a wide variety of convenient payout options including bank transfer, cash pick up and mobile money. The company offers instant cash pickup at over 250 locations in rural and urban areas of Zimbabwe – more than any other remittance service.
Andrew Stewart, the Managing Director for Middle East and Africa at WorldRemit said, “We are proud to continue our support of Zimbabwe Achievers, and celebrate the diverse contributions of Zimbabwean businesses, communities and individuals. “WorldRemit and Zimbabwe Achievers both strongly believe in the importance of community and diversity. Our convenient and fast online money transfer service enables the Zimbabwean diaspora and their recipients to connect more easily and spend more time on their passions and enterprises at home and abroad.”
Nominations and ticket sales Nominations for the fifth edition of the South African edition have closed and the shortlist will be announced on 8 February. The event is scheduled for 6 April and will return to the prestigious Hilton hotel in Sandton where the fourth edition was held earlier this year.
Tickets are now on sale, with limited early bird tickets available for R750 and standard tickets available for R1000. The Zimbabwe Achievers Awards is held annually in four countries, including the UK, USA and Australia. Canada will also be joining the fold soon, with an announcement set for June.
UK Edition
The UK edition is back for its ninth year. The public have until 28 February to nominate individuals and businesses they believe have made exceptional achievements in the last year. The shortlist will be announced on 8 March in London, at a venue to be announced in due course. ENDS
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.
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, LET THEM BE STRIPPED OF THEIR HERITAGE(ASSETS) GIVEN THEM BY JEHOVAH, THEY MUST BE VIOLENTLY BASHED – NGAVAROBWE!
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| Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigowe said that the club is moving ahead with preparations for the upcoming 2019 soccer season amid expectations that the club will sign up players from Ghana and Cameroon.
Chigowe said the club had already trimmed the squad to the required level.
In an interview with the State Media, Chigowe said:
We have reduced the numbers, we are left with most of our juniors and a few players fighting to fill the remaining slots.
We can safely say that we are nearly done. I think we will finalise when we play our preparatory match on Saturday (tomorrow) but we have a rough idea of where we are going.
We are expecting one other striker from Cameroon and the other from Ivory Coast and even if they arrive, it will be a bonus. Otherwise, I think we are comfortable with what we have.
Last week we had two Ghanaians. One of them is here and the other one I think is now training at CAPS United. We will retain the midfielder, we are impressed with his qualities.
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
There was renewed hope for change when Emmerson Mnangagwa was ushered in following a military takeover in November 2017 and subsequently, elected as President in August 2018. This hope has been dashed in recent months, with the human rights situation in the country deteriorating further, especially since the government’s brutal crackdown in January 2019 after a national stay-away action in protest to what many people considered to be massive fuel hikes.
The authorities’ response to protests including lethal and excessive use of force, mass arbitrary arrests, torture and arbitrary restrictions on access to internet to suppress protests and the continued impunity for possible crimes committed by security forces including torture as well as rape has demonstrated deep rooted
intolerance to dissenting views.
The Zimbabwean government has obligations to respect, promote and protect the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly as guaranteed under international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)1 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
2. Domestically, Section 58(1) of the Constitution states that “every
person has a right to freedom of assembly, and the right not to assemble or associate with others”.
3. Section 59 further guarantees everyone the right to demonstrate and present petitions. Zimbabwe is not a party to the Convention Against Torture (CAT) which prohibits torture in all cases, but section 53 of its constitution prohibits torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Despite these clear obligations, Amnesty International has documented gross human rights violations committed in the context of the government crackdown on protests in January.
This briefing analyses events and the context, and documents key human rights concerns in months prior to, during and following the national stay-away protests which started on 14 January 2019 and ended on 16 January 2019. The findings are based on interviews with witnesses, victims, victims’ families, human rights
defenders and activists, journalists, lawyers and Zimbabwean non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as desk-based research.
1. BACKGROUND
Emmerson Mnangagwa was inaugurated as President on 26 August 2018, following a highly contested election in which opposition Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC) petitioned the outcome of the July 30, 2018 poll.5 On 24 August, the Constitutional Court declared that MDC had failed to prove allegations
of fraud and declared Mnangagwa the duly elected winner.
6. Political tensions between MDC and Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF)
heightened following the poll and on 1 August, protests erupted in the capital Harare over delays in releasing
election results.
7 Authorities deployed armed police and military personnel to stop the protests. Armed police
and military personnel used live ammunition and beat up protestors, using batons, boots and sjamboks
8. leaving six people dead and 35 others badly injured.
9 On 2 August, international election observers released a statement in which they denounced the excessive use of force to quell protests and urged the police and
army to exercise restraint.
10. In the euphoria that followed his ascension to power as president in 2017, President Mnangagwa promised a
new Zimbabwe in which everyone was “free to campaign, speak their mind and to express themselves however they choose.”
11 He further implored his supporters to “Let the people see a new face of our party through our good deeds, language and positive energy as we inspire them towards a better tomorrow, towards the Zimbabwe they want.”
12 But despite these lofty promises, Zimbabweans have witnessed a rise in human rights violations and the 1 August 2018 excessive and deadly response to protests was a precursor of worse things to come.
The recent human rights violations observed in the context of the January protests are rooted in Zimbabwe’s
protracted economic problems which have grown critical in recent times. Zimbabwe appears to have reached unsustainable levels of debt.
On 22 November 2018, the Minister of Finance and Economic
Development, Mthuli Ncube said the public debt statutory limit of 70 percent was likely to be breached by the end of 2018.
13. As of August 2018, Zimbabwe’s debt stock stood at 17.6 Billion with over USD 8 billion of this owed to external creditors.
14. Local analysis explains that low levels of production and productivity across
5 On 10 August, Nelson Chamisa filed a petition before the Constitutional Court to challenge the election that gave Mnangagwa 50.8 percent and Chamisa 44.3 of the election result, citing fraud and electoral malpractice
6 Constitutional Court
7 Widely reported across domestic and international news media
8 A Sjambok is a long stiff whip usually made of animal hide
9 Amnesty International documented the events and issued a statement condemning the violence on 1 August 2018
10 Joint Statement by International election observation missions to Zimbabwe’s harmonised election 30 July, signed by the African Union,
Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), SADC, Parliamentary Forum, Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries, The Commonwealth Observer Group, European Mission Election Observation Mission, Zimbabwe, 2018, Carter Centre, National Democratic
Institute.
11. Address to the ZANU-PF Central Committee in Harare on 8, June 2018 as reported by the News Day,
https://www.newsday.co.zw/2018/06/lets-break-from-the-past-mnangagwa/
12 Ibid
13 He said this when he delivered his 2019 Budget Statement in Parliament on 22 November 2018
14 Budget Statement by Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mthuli Ncube, delivered to Parliament on 22 November 2018.
(USD9, 544.2 Billion in domestic debt and 8, 141.6 in external debt) Many analysts that we spoke to point to the government’s opaque borrowing practice. Amnesty International cannot confirm if the government’s debt acquisition was conducted in a transparent and
participatory way as required by the country’s own procedures and in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Foreign Debt and Human Rights. In terms of the Guidelines, whose aim is not to supplant but supplement the provisions of the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights….
By Learnmore Dzvairo| Where are women of this city
That in stark nudity
Yawns still?
Where are those frilly garments
Under clothes that on windowsills
(like half smoked biltong)
eternally hung?
Where are men of this City
Zealots who heroically
And with stubborn stoicism
Built these archaic structures?
What with near- eternal abandon,
It’s walls crumble and fracture
Like sandcastles.
Where are children of this city
Kids who graciously
And in near-eternal nudity
flew anaemic kites to rooftops
Innocently and ingloriously
hurling stones on stubborn whore houses
scaring into scurrilous flight
wicked husbandmen.
Where are cops of this city
Sons who with grandeur and chivalry
Hoofed it on sacrilegious pavements
And like soldiers behind battlements,
Bravely pounded doors
waking inanimate Robinhoods
Whistling brave chases in streets.
Where are elders of this city
the wizened city father’s
Who through rotten teeth
Smoked favoured shamrock pipes
And with borrowed hype,
Struggle with futilities;
Reminisces of past ages
And long lost virility.
Where are we then
Neighbours of yon Citadel
While vandals within and without
Seize,plunder and pillage
Ceaselessly with thunder and outrage
Drugging themselves senselessly
in political cocaine?
Elders have passed
Men their homes abandon
Mother birds to virile neighbours have but fled
While ducklings into foreign homes have chameleoned,
As cops have but
joined Robin Hood’s band.
Who has the strength
Who has the zeal
Who has the confidence
And,
Who has the attitude
To build crumbling Jericho?
is Nehemiah in captivity?
By Farai D Hove| Zimbabwe’s longest serving political prisoner since Ian Smith days, the man who was jailed for 7 years in the Chikurubi maximum prison between 2007 and 2014, without a conviction, Captain Albert Matapo, yesterday joined in to commiserate with a female victim of police brutality – a mother who was assaulted while with her child on her back.
Captain Matapo is the man Zimbabweans were expecting to be backing Emmerson Mnangagwa since he was back in 2007 jailed for allegedly plotting to carry out a coup for his benefit. But as Mnangagwa enters his second year after removing former president Robert Mugabe, Captain Matapo has continued in his firmness against Mnangagwa.
Rio Tinto Forced To Stop Operations Months After RBZ Allowed A Kenyan Crook To Swindle Zimbabwe's Last Remaining Forex Reserves… (This is the same well known convicted crook who grounded Kenya's economy in the 1990s) – FULL STORY ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0apic.twitter.com/XSqTlZkkFG
ZIMEYE this weekend reveals how Zimbabwe has been swindled of forex by a well known convicted Kenyan crook, Kamlesh Pattni. Pattni is the same man who brought down the Kenyan economy in the 1990s selling fake minerals to that government.
This matter, exclusively exposed by ZimEye in November last year, involves Pattni, several Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials, Fidelity Printers officers and several bank employees.
Responding to the allegations, the Reserve Bank governor, John Mangudya said:
“I am not privy to the fake gold transaction(s) that you referred to. The Reserve Bank sets the policy for trade in gold.
“The current policy is that funds to buy gold are brought into the country in advance before shipment of gold. If it’s cash, the funds are checked at the point of entry in Zimbabwe by ZIMRA where a Form 47 – which evidence inflow of foreign currency into Zimbabwe – is issued to the buyer.
“The funds are checked for legitimacy by RBZ and the funds are then used by Fidelity to buy gold from artisanal miners who are paid 70% in cash and 30% in RTGS. Gold is then exported to the buyer by Fidelity Printers and Refiners……Kindly forward the evidence so that we can investigate.”
In July 2018, police in Harare arrested 5 suspected illegal gold traders following a tip off from an anonymous source.
The five suspects were arrested with $4m and 98kg of gold stashed in suitcases while trying to leave the country.
National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi who confirmed the arrests, told a local daily that the suspects were apprehended by police following a tip off.
Nyathi said the five suspects were believed to be illegally dealing in gold and were arrested at the leafy Harare suburb of Borrowdale.
Another local publication revealed that the cash and gold stock was confiscated and secured by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Fidelity Printers, as investigations continued.
However, it emerged that the $5 million gold and cash scandal involving the five Indian suspects were released along with their “loot”.
BELOW WAS CORRESPONDENCE SENT TO SEVERAL STOCKHOLDERS ON THE 4TH NOVEMBER 2018.
Open Letter to the RBZ, CIO, The Zimbabwe Defence Forces, and the State House, Harare:
Dear Sirs: Col Mugwisi, Dr John Mangudya, HON Isaac Moyo, Ministry Of Information Perm Sec,
I trust I find you well.
There is an urgent matter needing your attention in the utmost public interest and national security and for which I raise the below questions.
1. On what basis has your office, the entire Central Intelligence (CIO) and the ZDF for several years to date allowed a well known Kenyan Indian criminal, Mr Paul Kamlesh Pattni, the same man who grounded the Kenyan economy, to smuggle foreign gold into Zimbabwe and freely trade it with Fidelity Printers?
It is open public knowledge that Kenya will now take 90 years to recover, all because of this individual who also used to trade with Grace Mugabe and her husband, the former president.
2. How has Mr Kamlesh Pattni been allowed to smuggle out $59 million dollars hard currency stashed in suitcases in Feb to July this year alone?
I have all the records including bank statements, cash books and passport stamps.
3. What safeguards are there to ensure that this imported gold is authentic? Mr Paul Pattni is well known for previously trading in fake minerals and he once grounded the Kenyan economy doing this.
I briefly spoke with him last night at 9pm and he is safe and continues untouched in Zimbabwe. (The investigstion cas carried out LIVE on ZimEye.com)
My impeccable sources are willing to testify in court in Harare and we have piles of hard documentation to prove this investigation’s findings.
As this is a crucial matter of utmost national security I hope to hear from you at the earliest.
Meanwhile, please also see the below trail introducing the investigation covered so far:
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!
Former Zanu-PF Insiza South legislator, Malachi Nkomo, has appeared in court for allegedly fondling a neighbouring farmer’s breasts and stealing her SD memory card.
Nkomo (52) of Plot 2 Atherstone Farm in West Nicholson area yesterday pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent assault and theft when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Mrs Nomagugu Sibanda.
He was remanded out of custody to February 13 on his own cognisance. Prosecuting, Mr Takunda Mafudze said Nkomo committed the offence on 2 January 2017 at around 7AM.
“On 2 January 2017 at around 7AM, the complainant found Nkomo removing property from her worker’s room without her consent and she started filming him using a camera.
“This didn’t go down well with Nkomo and he grabbed the complainant by the neck in a bid to snatch the camera from her. During the process he fondled complainant’s breasts.
“Nkomo then surrendered the camera to the police at West Nicholson Police Station.
“The police further handed over the camera to the complainant who realised that her SD card was missing. The value of the SD card is $50,” he said.
In his defence, Nkomo denied fondling the complainant’s breasts or stealing her SD card.
He said he found the woman trespassing on his property and taking pictures.
The former legislator said he was forced to take the camera away from her when she attempted to take a close up picture of him.
Nkomo said when he went to the police station to report the woman for trespassing, he found that she had filed a false report of indecent assault and theft against him.
“I didn’t fondle the complainant’s breasts or steal her SD card as she has alleged. She is the one who came to my place and started taking pictures using a camera and I confronted her over the matter.
“She then drew closer and tried to take a close up shot of me and that’s when I took the camera.
“I took the camera to the police station and surrendered it there. I didn’t remove any SD card as I don’t know how to operate the camera.
“The complainant is fabricating these allegations just to tarnish my image. This is the third or fourth time that her family has fabricated allegations against me just to tarnish my image. They are fighting me over land,” he said.
In her statement in court, the woman said she received a phone call from her brother telling her that Nkomo had broken into their property at Atherstone Farm.
She said she proceeded to check and then took pictures as evidence. The woman said Nkomo then fondled her breasts and took her camera. -state media
State Media: The price of bread has gone down to $1,90 per loaf from $2,50 but shortages remain.
The state owned Chronicle says it 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 nurse stationed at Inyathi District Hospital in Bubi has been arrested for smashing the windows of a car belonging to his wife’s lover.
Chelesani Tshuma (30) had caught his wife Ms Sibonile Moyo (26) red handed while doing shopping with Mr Whatmore Makahamadze on Christmas Day last year.
In a fit of rage, Tshuma proceeded to Monde BH 10 to check if his wife had arrived at her mother’s place.
He destroyed some bricks at a house that was under construction. On the following morning Tshuma went to Mr Makahamadze’s place of residence in Mkhosana suburb and used a brick to smash the front and rear windscreen as well as a passenger side window of the man’s Ford Ranger vehicle.
Tshuma pleaded guilty to two counts of malicious damage to property when he appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate, Ms Rangarirai Gakanje.
The magistrate slapped him with nine months in jail for the two counts. Three months of the sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour while a further three months were commuted to 105 hours of community service at Tshabalala Police Station in Bulawayo.
The remaining three months were suspended on condition that Tshuma restitutes Mr Makahamadze of 7278 Mkhosana $120 which is balance of the cost of damage of the vehicle, and $265 for the damaged house.
In mitigation, Tshuma said he acted out of anger after his wife cheated on him. “I was angry and failed to control myself after I caught my wife with the complainant. They were carrying groceries going to her mother’s place yet I am the official son-in-law,” he said.
The couple has a child together and Ms Moyo was staying at her mother’s homestead in Monde while Tshuma was working in Inyathi.
Prosecuting Mr Onias Nyathi said: “On December 25 at 4PM and at Mkhosana Turn Off, the accused saw his wife with Whatmore Makahamadze who was driving a Ford Ranger. “This didn’t go down well with the accused. Around 7PM he went to BH10 to look for his wife at her mother Ms Thandiwe Gumbo’s homestead and after finding that she was not home, he turned violent and started hitting the walls of a house that was under construction using a piece of a log.”
The court heard an angry Tshuma went to Mr Makahamadze’s place on the following morning at 6.45AM and smashed the vehicle’s front and rear windscreen as well as a passenger door window using a concrete brick.
At his in-laws homestead, Tshuma destroyed property worth $265 while the value of damaged vehicle windows was $370.
Tshuma had paid $250 towards repair of the car when the case went to court. – state media
Rio Tinto Forced To Stop Operations Months After RBZ Allowed A Kenyan Crook To Swindle Zimbabwe's Last Remaining Forex Reserves… (This is the same well known convicted crook who grounded Kenya's economy in the 1990s) – FULL STORY ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0apic.twitter.com/XSqTlZkkFG
ZIMEYE this weekend reveals how Zimbabwe has been swindled of forex by a well known convicted Kenyan crook, Kamlesh Pattni. Pattni is the same man who brought down the Kenyan economy in the 1990s selling fake minerals to that government.
This matter, exclusively exposed by ZimEye in November last year, involves Pattni, several Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials, Fidelity Printers officers and several bank employees.
Responding to the allegations, the Reserve Bank governor, John Mangudya said:
“I am not privy to the fake gold transaction(s) that you referred to. The Reserve Bank sets the policy for trade in gold.
“The current policy is that funds to buy gold are brought into the country in advance before shipment of gold. If it’s cash, the funds are checked at the point of entry in Zimbabwe by ZIMRA where a Form 47 – which evidence inflow of foreign currency into Zimbabwe – is issued to the buyer.
“The funds are checked for legitimacy by RBZ and the funds are then used by Fidelity to buy gold from artisanal miners who are paid 70% in cash and 30% in RTGS. Gold is then exported to the buyer by Fidelity Printers and Refiners……Kindly forward the evidence so that we can investigate.”
In July 2018, police in Harare arrested 5 suspected illegal gold traders following a tip off from an anonymous source.
The five suspects were arrested with $4m and 98kg of gold stashed in suitcases while trying to leave the country.
National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi who confirmed the arrests, told a local daily that the suspects were apprehended by police following a tip off.
Nyathi said the five suspects were believed to be illegally dealing in gold and were arrested at the leafy Harare suburb of Borrowdale.
Another local publication revealed that the cash and gold stock was confiscated and secured by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Fidelity Printers, as investigations continued.
However, it emerged that the $5 million gold and cash scandal involving the five Indian suspects were released along with their “loot”.
BELOW WAS CORRESPONDENCE SENT TO SEVERAL STOCKHOLDERS ON THE 4TH NOVEMBER 2018.
Open Letter to the RBZ, CIO, The Zimbabwe Defence Forces, and the State House, Harare:
Dear Sirs: Col Mugwisi, Dr John Mangudya, HON Isaac Moyo, Ministry Of Information Perm Sec,
I trust I find you well.
There is an urgent matter needing your attention in the utmost public interest and national security and for which I raise the below questions.
1. On what basis has your office, the entire Central Intelligence (CIO) and the ZDF for several years to date allowed a well known Kenyan Indian criminal, Mr Paul Kamlesh Pattni, the same man who grounded the Kenyan economy, to smuggle foreign gold into Zimbabwe and freely trade it with Fidelity Printers?
It is open public knowledge that Kenya will now take 90 years to recover, all because of this individual who also used to trade with Grace Mugabe and her husband, the former president.
2. How has Mr Kamlesh Pattni been allowed to smuggle out $59 million dollars hard currency stashed in suitcases in Feb to July this year alone?
I have all the records including bank statements, cash books and passport stamps.
3. What safeguards are there to ensure that this imported gold is authentic? Mr Paul Pattni is well known for previously trading in fake minerals and he once grounded the Kenyan economy doing this.
I briefly spoke with him last night at 9pm and he is safe and continues untouched in Zimbabwe. (The investigstion cas carried out LIVE on ZimEye.com)
My impeccable sources are willing to testify in court in Harare and we have piles of hard documentation to prove this investigation’s findings.
As this is a crucial matter of utmost national security I hope to hear from you at the earliest.
Meanwhile, please also see the below trail introducing the investigation covered so far:
The Government is using various instruments to prevent unjustified fuel price hikes in Russia. But we never promised to make up for other countries' revenue shortfalls, even such close neighbours as Belarus
Below is Emmerson Mnangagwa’s statement (on video) as he revealed his official government culture.
The below 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!
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!
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.
Below is Emmerson Mnangagwa’s statement (on video) as he revealed his official government culture.
The below 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 AND TAKEN THE HERITAGE GIVEN THEM BY JEHOVAH, MUST BE VIOLENTLY BASHED – NGAVAROBWE!
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- 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.
FEBRUARY 23 1917 is a date that history will never forget. For on it, one of the world’s meanest dictators came face to face with the undiluted wrath of a people he had ill-treated for a long time.
Tsar
Nicholas the second had ruled Russia with an iron fist since his rise to the
helm of the eastern European nation.
Under
his leadership, poor Russians bore the brunt of callous political and economic
policies which led many to languish in poverty and squalor.
His
ill-advised decision to join the First World War with a poorly equipped army in
support of France backfired as the war proved to be a disaster.
The army
lost every battle it fought in with millions dying and others deserting.
Resultantly,
the war led to massive runaway inflation which wiped out people’s savings.
Food
shortages became a regular feature with women enduring long winding queues to
buy bread.
As
the situation deteriorated, the already strained relationship between Nicholas
and his people degenerated into a volatile situation and on February 23 1917, the
once submissive and docile Russians finally snapped.
With unadulterated fury they thronged the
streets of Petrograd, the country’s capital to parade their displeasure at the
king’s maladministration.
Soldiers
refused to descend on the protesters, choosing to side with them. A week of
relentless protests gripped and crippled the nation which led to the king capitulating.
The
ZANU-PF led government could face the same predicament if it continues to use
brute force to quell voices of dissent and calls by Zimbabweans for an improved
way of life.
A
few weeks ago, a disgruntled citizenry took their anger and displeasure at
government’s alleged misrule, economic collapse and tyrannical economic
policies to the streets in a bid to arm twist the rulers into addressing their
issues.
Unfortunately,
in a repeat of August 1, protesters were met by hostile anti-riot police and
military personnel who wantonly beat and shot them making a mockery of the
Mohlante commission of inquiry which openly rebuked the use of live ammunition
on civilians.
The
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) reports that its
doctors have attended to 172 victims of violence some of which are believed to
have been perpetrated by members of the security forces.
Of
these: “68 cases were gunshot wounds with affected individuals sustaining
severe injuries which required urgent surgery…”read part of a statement recently
released by ZADHR.
The
human rights watchdog also reported that the police unleashed vicious police
dogs on three people who were in police custody in Kadoma which is a serious constitutional
violation as section 53 of the national charter provides that no person may be
subjected to physical or psychological torture or to inhuman and degrading
punishment. Additionally, Section 50 (c) states that any arrested person: “Must
be treated humanely and with respect for their inherent dignity.”
History
has recorded with exactness, the same repressive tactics being used on
nationalists like the former president Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, James Chikerema and
others during their stints in prison but the more the Smith administration
intensified torture the more radical the veterans of the struggle became.
Police
brutality, the suppression of political activity, and the exploitation of black
labour convinced Nkomo of the need for a violent response.
Nkomo
was previously an idealist who believed Gandhi’s philosophy of non-aggression
but he soon changed and decided to fight the tyrannical regime head on because
of its attitude towards blacks.
Ian Smith’s
Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain in 1965 served to confirm
his conviction.
He wrote: “There was a lot of talk about
people, especially from the youth wing, being sent out of the country to
receive training in guerrilla warfare. I had already met some who had completed
their training in sabotage and the use of explosives. I liked this very much
because I had come to the conclusion that violence was the only language the
colonialists could understand. They had never listened when we had tried and
tried to talk to them.”
When
citizens witness death, sustain injuries for the sake of freedom they become
radical, fear paves way for bravery and revolutions take place.
Former
United States of America President John F. Kennedy aptly summed this up when he
said: “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution
inevitable.”
It
is high time the ZANU-PF led government turns its ear to the pleas of the people
and address the situation in the country before it spirals out of control.
President
Mnangagwa popularised the statement, “The voice of the people is the voice of
God” and that he is a listening president who is as soft as wool.
However,
the situation prevailing on the ground is different and can only be resolved by
providing a decent life to the people and not hurting them for expressing their
displeasure for this will exacerbate an already dire situation.
Violence
against civilians is not the answer but a spark to revolution.
Martin
Luther King and several other civil rights activists organised a protest in Birmingham,
Alabama in 1963.
Sheriff
Bull Connor in his intelligence or lack of it unleashed fire hoses and police
dogs on the marchers.
Images
of African Americans being brutalised by police with dogs and hoses as well as
Martin Luther King’s arrest served as a catalyst for the anti-racial movement.
In
1976, several African students in the South African township of Soweto
organised a peaceful protest to demonstrate against recent laws forcing them to
learn the language of their white and Dutch oppressors.
During
the protest, 20 000 students peacefully marched but 176 were killed by South
African police.
The remonstrations
and subsequent violence serve as an important historical turning point in the
fight against apartheid. While the white South Africans thought they were
quelling dissenting voices by killing civilians and their leaders like Steve
Bantu Biko, they were actually planting the seeds of rebellion among the
populace.
State Media: The price of bread has gone down to $1,90 per loaf from $2,50 but shortages remain.
