VICE President Kembo Mohadi has dismissed recent media reports claiming that President Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa are indirectly engaging each other in talks for a Government of National Unity (GNU).

According to reports by some sections of the media, quoting unnamed sources within Zanu-PF, the ruling party is allegedly already pushing to have opposition figure, Mr Tendai Biti, in Government “because of his links with the West and the United States in particular.”

In an interview with the Chronicle yesterday, VP Mohadi dismissed the reports, saying Zanu-PF was not interested in any coalition talks with the opposition as the ruling party has total control of Parliament.

“We haven’t heard anything of that sort or any approach from those that would want a government of national unity with us, but if they want to discuss with us they can come but certainly not on a GNU because we have got the mandate emanating from the two thirds majority in Parliament. We can do it alone unlike in 2008 where we had a sort of hung Parliament. This time there isn’t going to be that kind of arrangement,” he said.

VP Mohadi, however, said the Government was keen on ensuring that there is unity and peace in the country.

“We want unity, which is one of our mandates to get the people of Zimbabwe together and speak with one voice, work and progress together and this is important. In fact, we want them (opposition parties) to be part of Zimbabwe. We don’t want them to be left out,” he said.

The Vice President said the MDC Alliance must recognise Mnangagwa as the country’s President.

“You might have heard what happened in Parliament recently when the opposition MPs did not want to recognise the President and they did not even want to stand up for him.

“We want all this to be a thing of the past because he is the President of Zimbabwe not of Zanu-PF when it comes to Government.

“He is a President of everyone even his enemies must recognise that he is their President too,” he said.

“We want them to recognise that he is the President of Zimbabwe. They can treat him differently as the leader of Zanu-PF but not when it comes to the country and we will not allow that”.

Zanu-PF Bulawayo province last week also resolved that the party should not engage in any talks of a GNU with the MDC Alliance and endorsed President Mnangagwa as the party’s sole presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.

The resolutions, which were unanimously adopted by the party’s Bulawayo Provincial Co-ordinating Committee, will be taken aboard when various thematic committees discuss a range of issues at the National People’s Conference which kicks off this week in Esigodini.

State Media

WITH the majority of the citizenry getting poorer by the day owing to the biting economic crisis, the cash-strapped government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa has splurged over $2 million on top-of-the-range Land Rover Discovery vehicles for Cabinet ministers, the ‘Daily News on Sunday’ has reported.

These fuel-guzzlers were acquired at an estimated cost of $107 000 each, translating to a combined total of over $2,14 million for the 20 full Cabinet ministers handpicked by Mnangagwa in September this year.

Dubbed in motoring circles as a monster car, the new Land Rover Discovery has many exclusive signature features that make it a preserve for the rich.

A check on the Land Rover website indicates that the car offers a wide range of optional extras that take personalisation further and is fitted with a suite of intuitive technologies such as adaptive dynamics that constantly monitors its movement, reacting accordingly to minimise body roll and give the driver exclusive comfort.

Other fitted technologies include the surrounding digital camera system, a premium audio system that delivers perfectly optimised sound quality and permanent four wheel drive. It also has a 20-inch five split-spoke ‘Style 502’ alloy wheels, semi aniline leather seats, front climate seats, heated rear seats, with 20-way driver/20-way front passenger seats and driver and passenger seat memory as well as xenon headlamps with signature lighting (includes headlamp power-wash and a choice of either fixed or sliding panoramic roof (including power blinds).

Deputy Information minister Energy Mutodi confirmed the development but said the vehicles were purchased after the seismic power shift in government and not after the July 30 polls.

“The vehicles you are referring to — that the ministers were given — are those that had not been allocated to anyone from the last Cabinet; so they have been there, parked,” he said.

“They are not newly-acquired as Treasury has made it clear that it will purchase new vehicles for ministers in the first quarter of 2019,” added Mutodi.

After taking-over from former president Robert Mugabe in November last year, Mnangagwa constituted a new Cabinet that was heavily criticised for recycling the deadwood from his predecessor’s failed regime.

Most of the ministers were to fall by the wayside after Mnangagwa secured his first five-year term in the July 30 harmonised polls, with some of those who could not make the grade being shunted to the Zanu PF headquarters where they are now working for the party on a full time basis.

While Mutodi claims that the vehicles had not been allocated to anyone from the previous Cabinet, the development still points to systematic self-aggrandisement and patronage by the current government.

It also flies in the face of an announcement by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube who claimed in September this year that he had suspended plans to buy vehicles for new Cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament.

This, Ncube said, had been necessitated by the need to channel the money towards fighting a cholera epidemic, which claimed over 50 lives and infected over 7 000 people in and outside Harare.

During a pre-budget workshop for MPs in Bulawayo last month, Ncube was quoted promising the 350 legislators in Parliament that government will allocate funds for their vehicles in what could see Treasury shelling out over $20 million.

The latest development is therefore being viewed as serious extravagance and gross insensitivity by a financially struggling government that is currently in sixes and sevens as to where it will source money to avert a fuel crisis that has also led to price increases in every facet of the economy.

Government is currently struggling to bankroll a string of critical services, including funding the deteriorating health care system and paying an increasingly restive and bloated civil service that is gobbling more than 80 percent of its national budget.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a severe liquidity crisis, with service delivery remaining either poor or non-existent, while schools and hospitals as well as other public amenities remain grossly underfunded.

At the time of going to print, it was not clear whether Treasury would also acquire new vehicles for the 10 Provincial Affairs ministers, deputy ministers and two ministers of State in the offices of vice presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi.

In the past, Provincial Affairs ministers qualified for the same benefits as full Cabinet ministers, including making a choice between top-of-the-range Mercedes-Benz sedans, Range Rovers and Toyota Land Cruisers. Deputy ministers are normally availed Mazda BT50s and Mercedes-Benz sedans.

— Daily News

A former Zimbabwe National Army officer joined the program on ZimEye on Sunday to spill the beans about activities by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission using soldiers during elections. (WATCH FROM TIMELINE 01:04:50)

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By Own Correspondent| The leadership of the party and the entire MDC family has been saddened by the untimely death of Councillor Happison Ncube.

Said the MDC Spokesperson Jacob Mafume:

The party and its entire leadership is saddened by the untimely death of councillor Happison Ncube.

Ncube was a promising young man who raised his hand to serve the people of Bulawayo’s ward 28, Cowdry Park in Luveve and help transform in areas of service delivery.

He was a cadre who served in various capacities in the MDC Youth Assembly.

A fearless activist who steered social movement activity in Matebeland when it was not fashionable to do so.

Like many he was in turmoil and tenacity. Arrested and brutalised but never relenting.

The MDC conveys it’s condolences to his family and the people of Bulawayo.

We however celebrate a life of service, sacrifice and commitment.

Rest in Power Councillor Happison Ncube.

Jacob Mafume
MDC National Spokesperson

By Own Correspondent| Citizens here are now resorting to seeking medical care from traditional leaders and herbalists due to the current harsh economic situation which has seen health institutions and pharmacis charging forex.

Some pharmacies in the country are now demanding foreign currency from customers, a situation that has forced some patients with chronic illnesses to forego medication.

The rise in the cost of drugs has forced people to seek alternative remedies. An alternative medicines practitioner Godfrey Mwerenga, who runs the Modern Drugs and Cosmetics Clinic said:

“… we are … saying let us package our traditional medicine so that they can easily be accessed on the counter just like modern medicine so that we remove the stigma associated with our own medicine.

Medical practitioners admit that alternative medicine often seems to do a better job of healing patients and at a much lower cost than mainstream care and they are learning from it.

The main reason why we have so much confidence in herbal treatment is that Africa is the cradle of mankind with rich biological diversity in healing powers.

Africa is located within the tropical and subtropical climate and it is a known fact that plants accumulate important secondary metabolites through evolution as a means of surviving in a hostile environment. Because of this, African plants accumulate chemo-preventive substances more than plants from the northern hemisphere.

There is also a need to make sure that the traditional knowledge systems are not eradicated because, with each passing generation, valuable knowledge is lost. So there is a need for documentation of these knowledge systems so that they are preserved for future use.”- DailyNews

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs secretary Virginia Mabhiza revealed to the ‘Daily News on Sunday’ that government has put everyone within the judiciary under the spotlight by launching internal investigations aimed at flushing out corrupt judicial officers.
The investigations are going beyond any position, and will include the entire gamut, from prosecutors to judges.

“Everyone should be careful, because we are all being investigated and anyone caught on the wrong side of the law will face the full wrath of the law,” Mabhiza said. Each year, corruption is draining billions of dollars from the State in rackets involving government officials and business people.

When he came into power after the July 30 presidential election, Mnangagwa promised to stop the rot although critics say he has been targeting only his perceived enemies.

Zimbabwe was last year ranked 157th out of 175 countries on the Transparency International index, which measures public perceptions of corruption in public institutions.
This comes amid fears shortcomings in the judicial system, including bribable judges and prosecutors, could undermine even the strongest of cases.

With poor remuneration being one of the major causes of corruption by judicial officers, Mabhiza said government was seriously looking into the issue.
A shortage of staff and poor pay is regularly cited as a major problem.

Some public officials are tempted to accept bribes in order to supplement their salaries as the economy continues on a downward spiral.

Zimbabwe has over the years suffered a serious economic meltdown that people also attributed to corruption by senior government officials and ordinary citizens.

“We are also alive to the issue of the conditions of service of judicial officers and these conditions of service are being reviewed,” she said.

In 2015, the Judicial Services Commission together with other stakeholders such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Law Society of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services and members of the public, launched a campaign to end corruption, dubbed Against Corruption Together (Act).

During the launch, the issue of remuneration also popped up as one of the major causes of corruption by judicial officers.
Mabhiza said this campaign did not yield the desired results.

“There wasn’t much ground that was gained through this campaign. We suspected there was a cartel that was involved in corrupt activities and that is what the government is now trying to contain through other mechanisms,” she said, adding that the new department under the Office of the President and Cabinet was also aimed at boosting the fight against corruption within the judiciary and all sectors in general.

She also said the government had taken a wholesome approach in dealing with corruption within the judiciary through the deliberate transfer of magistrates and prosecutors across the country.

“The transfer of officers within the two sectors is also aimed at weeding out corruption,” she said. Further confirming the severity of the issue, Mabhiza said there will be no sacred cows. She said no one will be spared in the investigations, including commissioners.

Corruption in Zimbabwe has reached alarming levels, which has infiltrated several public and private institutions.

Over the years, there has been a growing concern over the government’s failure to bring bigwigs to book, as they are cited as the main culprits in corruption activities.

Corruption in Zimbabwe has become a cancerous scourge that has left the majority of Zimbabweans living in abject poverty while the high-wheeled ones live lavishly.
Over the years, government has been glaringly ignoring adverse reports by the country’s auditor-general on abuse of public sector funds.

In previous reports, the auditor-general has been unearthing massive abuse of funds in different ministries through flouting tender procedures and disobeying government rules, but nothing has been done to address that.

The country has been losing significant potential revenue due to corruption, which in turn is playing a part in bleeding the country’s economy. Daily News

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Dorrothy Moyo| The general who assisted Emmerson Mnangagwa get the presidency via a military coup last November, Constantino Chiwenga now feels betrayed by him, a report says.

The report by a weekly ties in well with an investigative that reveals former president, Robert Mugabe’s catholic priest, Fidelis Mukonori has stepped in to mediate.

The Standard report comes against the backdrop of the ZimEye article. Already, ZimEye sources have revealed that Chiwenga has flown Emmerson Mnangagwa to an area reserved only for “holy” nuns and priests – a monastery where he had (while alone) gone just before the Murombedzi rally.

It was after that meeting that Chiwenga suddenly manifested “an obedient son” type of loyalty for his boss, Mnangagwa during the Murombedzi rally and Chiwenga would declare support for him saying Mnangagwa can rule until whenever he decides to step down.

“The monastery is not a hospital, hapasi panorapwa apa, so we wonder why they traveled there,” one of the sources told ZimEye.

“Even Robert Mugabe would not tread there,” they added.

Meanwhile, the Standard report says: In public, they might want to give the impression that they are united, but a lot of things are happening in the background.

Mnangagwa’s backers are making sure that Chiwenga’s influence in both government and party is whittled down.

This is why there is a rush to endorse the president as the party’s presidential candidate in 2023 only three months after the elections. This is being done to ensure Chiwenga will not have any chance.

Chiwenga’s supporters are now feeling betrayed. They think Mnangagwa would not have been president without the retired general.

They are bitter that Chiwenga and most of those loyal to him are being sidelined by a clique close to Mnangagwa led by his relatives and allies.

They also think Mnangagwa has been captured and is betraying some of the agreements made when he was made the leader.

They are bitter that the security establishments are now led by people from mostly Midlands, the army and Central Intelligence Organisation, and there are plots to have one from Masvingo to take over the police force.

Own Correspondent|Social media reports indicate that another bus has crashed on the notorious Masvingo – Beitbridge Highway.

The Mzansi Express bus is reported to have over turned on its way from Johannesburg to Harare.

No details of how many people were injured or casualties have been provided.

More details to follow.

Own Correspondent|News just received indicate that the MDC Councillor for Bulawayo’s Ward 28, Cowdry Park high density suburb Happyson Nyasha Ncube has died.

Ncube died in the early hours of Sunday morning at a city hospital after being ill since he was elected as councillor in July this year.

Details are still coming through. Mourners have begun gathering at his family home 3285 Cowdray Park in Bulawayo.

By Own Correspondent| Clergyman, Madzibaba Mutumwa has revealed plans to go on a whirlwind tour of the country’s cities as he prays against what he calls the spirit of accidents ravaging the country.

Mutumwa attributed the spate of accidents in the country to satanism saying the country needs cleansing hence the ceremonies which have already started in Bulawayo.

The country has experienced deadly accidents in the past few months involving public transport, especially buses.

There are concerns that accidents usually spike during the approaching festive season.

In an interview with the Sunday News, Madzibaba Mutumwa said:

“Satanists are in full force causing accidents as they want blood for their satanism purposes.

As a church, we have started the tour of cities, the first being Bulawayo where we had a prayer at our Mganwini shrine.

We are yet to release dates when we will be in Harare, before moving to Masvingo, Zvishavane and Mutare among others. I strongly believe that by the time we finish God would have intervened.”-StateMedia

May I take this opportunity to invite transport operators to attend these tours so that they will be prayed for, therefore be protected by the blood of Jesus. Members of the public have to attend as well.

Is this ED’s new hideout?

By Staff Correspondent|  ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga have reportedly secretly flown into Monte Cassino, Macheke for secret meetings.

Sources close to the two tell ZimEye.com 3 weeks ago, Chiwenga first flew into the area reserved only for “holy” nuns and priests. Chiwenga spent a long 2 nights at the monastery and this was just before the Murombedzi rally, a source told ZimEye.

It was after that meeting that Chiwenga suddenly manifested “an obedient son” type of loyalty for his boss, Mnangagwa during the Murombedzi rally and Chiwenga would declare support for him saying Mnangagwa can rule until whenever he decides to step down.

Reasons for the stay were not clear at the time of writing but ZimEye was told Chiwenga in the last week has since brought in his boss Mnangagwa. The two descended aboard a helicopter and the duration of the second meeting was not clear at the time of writing.

“The monastery is not a hospital, hapasi panorapwa apa, so we wonder why they traveled there,” one of the sources told ZimEye.

“Even Robert Mugabe would not tread there,” they added.

They also continued saying the only place best for such meetings is Chishawasha. Why is Mnangagwa going there, and is this their new religious hideout?

Sources allege that the Mugabe “coup priest,” Fidelis Mukonori is behind the meeting.

ZimEye has it on authority that the catholic priests are playing some sort of mediation role and the first achievement has seen Chiwenga suddenly withdrawing from his desire to remove his boss. Since early this year, the general who removed former President Robert Mugabe, Chiwenga has been Mnangagwa’s thorn in the flesh.

Are the Catholic priests also telling Mnangagwa to negotiate with MDC President Nelson Chamisa?

ZimEye today, Sunday explores the story. – REFRESH THIS PAGE TO WATCH –

By Own Correspondent| The Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has accused Finance Minoater Professor Mthuli Ncube of reducing their monthly salaries to a paltry $100 as the value of the local currencies (RTGS and Bond) has lost value against the United States dollar in the last two months.

The teachers body says that the parallel market rate has eroded the purchasing power of salaries earned by teachers in a development which has seen them sink deeper in poverty.

Speaking to a local publication,  ARTUZ said:

“The sad reality is that things have become worse in 2018. Our salaries have been stolen from us by the new hangman in town, Professor Mthuli Ncube.

We are now earning just US$120 from US$500 in January 2018. The teacher has sunk deeper on the poverty index.

We can no longer afford food, shelter, health care and all the basic needs apt for humans.

Our humanity has been stolen! We are treated worse than dogs and expected to work harder than horses.

The government has also imposed a brutal tax regime to further extort us of the little that remains of our pathetic salaries.

The 2% tax on all electronic transactions further reduces our salaries to just above US$100.

To rub salt to our injury (sic), Ncube slashed our annual bonus from an average of $500 to a pitiable $289. These people will not stop at anything, their agenda is to rob us of the little dignity we still have.

Austerity measures are not new to Zimbabwe; we are all conversant of (the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme) Esap, of the early 90s. Austerity did not work then and will not work now. The only thing, which was achieved by Esap was to deny citizens of basic social services.

The challenges confronting us are insurmountable, but we have demonstrated an unrivalled fighting spirit worth celebrating. Our resolve to fight injustice is unshaken.”-Standard

By Own Correspondent| Buhera South legislator, Joseph Chinotimba has called on Zimbabweans to resolve their differences within 24 hours as a way of putting an end to gender bases violence (GBV).

Chinotimba, who torched a storm in parliament (Wednesday) after he called opposition national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo “hure” meaning prostitute said GBV should end with parties resolving their differences amicably.

Said Chinotimba:

“We have 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.  So, we have demonstrated to you as Hon. Members that what happened between us yesterday should come to an end.

Even if we may scold each other, we must bury our differences……This should happen even within your own homes.  So, both of us wanted to show that gender-based violence between each other is not good…If you exchange bitter words in your homes, within a period of 24 hours, you should bury your differences as we have done here.”

By Own Correspondent| The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Publicity and Media Services has lamented the paltry budget allocation to the ministry of information adding that the amount availed to the ministry by treasury made it difficult to fully support digitalisation.

Reacting to Mthuli Ncube’s 2019 Budget statement (Thursday), Chairperson of the committee, Prince Dubeko Sibanda who was represented by Settlement Chikwinya said it is sad that the ministry got a paltry $38 million against the proposed $100 million.

Said Sibanda:

“The Ministry has the following Policy Priorities for 2019-2021, expediting the finalisation of the Digital Terrestrial Project which entails migration from analogue television broadcasting to digital.

On this regard when we went for the Pre Budget Seminar in Bulawayo, the Committee presented a budget bid of $100m. It is sad that we only got $38m towards that project.

The ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services was allocated $45 192 000, an increase from the 2018 allocation of $26 901 000. The overall Ministry’s Vote is 0.43% of the total National Budget. This is less than the previous year’s allocation which was 0.54 % of the budget.

The Committee acknowledges the allocation by Treasury of $45 192 million of which $38 330 million was allocated for the digitalization project which is now way behind schedule. This is 91% of the budget allocation and the remaining 9% is for recurrent expenditure.

This leaves the Ministry with less allocation for operations. Of the recurrent expenditure of $4.062 million, $2.262 million goes towards the salaries of both the parent ministry and grant aided institutions. It will be difficult for the Ministry to support the digitalization programme with such a small allocation for operations.

The Ministry has unavoidable functions which need to be funded from the budget such as State occasions and national commemorations like Independence Day celebrations, Heroes and Defence Forces days, among others.

However, within the issue of coverage it is a unanimous decision by the Committee that when it comes to political party coverage by ZBC, all political parties, moreso those represented in Parliament, must have equal coverage.

These national programmes are commemorated nationwide and this makes it difficult to support them from a budget of $220 000.”__

Seventy-four-year-old Elliot Moyo is a bitter man. He was hit by a car and suffered a broken leg, among other serious injuries, early last week.

Since then, he has been making several fruitless trips to Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare because doctors were not available to treat his injuries.

For three days in a row, he was being wheeled into the out-patients department at the country’s major referral hospital, but did not receive any help and now fears for his life.

Moyo is one of the many patients that have been caught in the crossfire following a stalemate between the government and doctors at public hospitals over salaries.

The doctors went on strike last Saturday demanding to be paid in foreign currency, among other things.

“My leg was broken in an accident and it gives me unbearable pain because no doctor has attended to me at all. I have been coming here for the past three days, but I have not been attended to,” Moyo said while grimacing in pain as he clutched his X-ray records in a big envelope. Like the rest of the other patients, Moyo continued to wait in a queue, unsure if at all he would get attention.

Moyo’s face was bathed in sweat and he struggled to breathe because of the pain ripping through his body. The heat further dampened the atmosphere as well as the rancid bodily odours in the overcrowded out-patients department.

“We just come and sit here, but they tell us the doctors are on strike and so there is little they can do. It is so painful to be in a place of healing and not be able to get help,” he said shifting slightly in the wheelchair.

Despite the strike by doctors, patients continued streaming to public hospitals in the hope that government would find a solution to the crippling strike.

The patients cannot afford private hospital fees that are now charged in United States dollars, whose value against the bond note has been surging since the introduction of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube two months ago.

This has crippled the health services in the country, three months into President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule after the July 30 elections.

Ironically, gigantic campaign billboards promising good health care if Mnangagwa won the controversial polls are still a common feature in most urban areas.

The Zanu PF leader’s rule has been hit by massive economic turbulence.

Long, winding fuel queues, pushing up prices of goods, shortage of foreign currency as well as the skyrocketing cost of living are some of the problems giving the government headaches.

Inflation has eroded civil servants’ salaries and doctors are now demanding salaries in foreign currency.

The doctors’ strike enters its eighth day today and patients continue to bear the brunt of the crisis at public hospitals.

“The government should give the doctors what they want so that they can come back and treat us. Just look at us, is this the Zimbabwe we want, people being denied healthcare?” retorted an elderly woman at Parirenyatwa Hospital on Thursday.

Patson Matanga said he felt helpless because his nine-year-old son required a plaster for his broken arm, but had not been attended to for two days.

His son sat on the cold, hard benches with his arm in a makeshift sling. His face mirrored the pain he felt and the confusion over why he was not being treated.

“What am I supposed to do with him? We came here, but there is no one to attend to him,” a frustrated Matanga lamented.

Jacob Cherera from Chitungwiza was also angry that the doctors’ grievances were not being addressed.

“I came with my elderly mother who is very sick, but we are not getting any help here,” he said.

“We understand the doctors’ concerns and we have no problems with them.

“The government has an obligation to ensure its employees are well-looked after. That is the only way we can also get help,” he said.

Cherera was cheered on by other patients who went on to demand an audience with Health and Child Care minister Obadiah Moyo, who was touring the hospital at the time.

Moyo said he hoped the impasse with doctors would be resolved soon so that the patients could be attended to.

“Our core concern is the patients and that is what we are working on to resolve this matter quickly,” he said.

The strike has crippled services, reducing public health facilities to mere shells.

It has affected all the country’s major referral hospitals, including Parirenyatwa and Chitungwiza central hospitals in Harare, United Bulawayo Hospitals, and Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo as well as Mutare General Hospital.

Junior doctors at public health facilities downed tools citing many challenges, which included poor working conditions and low salaries as well as lack of basic medicines and equipment.

Key among their concerns are acute shortages of vital medicines and basic theatre consumables. The doctors also said they were concerned about the fact that private pharmacies were demanding US dollar payments and rejecting medical aid from patients.

They are also not happy about long working hours, which they said left the healthcare workers overburdened and fatigued.

Most hospitals are understaffed and use obsolete equipment.

The medical professionals also want to be paid in foreign currency after the government started charging import duty for some goods, including cars, in foreign currency.

Doctors said their remuneration was too little and that their income was eroded by the devaluation of the local currency on the parallel foreign currency market.

“What we are appealing for is genuine. These are genuine concerns and there is no reason to persuade anyone to understand this,” the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association said in a statement last week.

In their first meeting last Wednesday, the doctors and the government failed to reach an agreement.

The doctors vowed to carry on with the industrial action until their demands are met.

As if that was not enough, the Zimbabwe Government Radiographers’ Association (ZiGRA) also joined the industrial action on Thursday.

“As the Zimbabwe Government Radiographer Association, we regret to inform you that we have reached a conclusion to engage in an industrial action with effect from the 6th of December 2018. We will not be discharging our services to the general public nationwide,” ZiGRA said in statement.

Moyo was criticised for failing to speedily deal with the issues raised by the striking doctors.

“It is shocking that Health minister Obadiah Moyo dwells on the legality of the job action than solutions as if he is reading from his predecessor’s script. No responsible and accountable minister or government would turn a blind eye to a crisis of this magnitude or wish it away.

“We are in this health crisis, minister, because your predecessor used to behave the same way: burying his head in the sand than tackling the issue head-on,” said Itai Rusike, the director of the Community Working Group on Health.

“We would like to remind the government that it has the national obligation to see that its citizens have access to quality and affordable health services as guaranteed in section 76 of the country’s constitution.

“And that responsibility can only be achieved when health personnel like doctors, physicians and nurses are working normally.”

In March, doctors embarked on a strike that lasted several weeks as they pressed on Mnangagwa’s government to improve their working conditions.

Strikes have become common in the health sector, which has suffered a severe brain drain and a shortage of drugs and equipment over the years.

Standard

The government is considering requests by players in the oil industry who are seeking authority to sell fuel in foreign currency, the industry regulator
Fuel shortages have intensified in recent weeks leading to debate over the sustainability of continuing to have the imported product sold in bond notes and the real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system or electronic dollars.

Officially bond notes are pegged at par with the greenback, but the reality on the ground is that the bond note trades at 3:1 to the US dollar.

The anomaly has resulted in operators failing to restock as foreign suppliers require payment in US dollars.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) acting CEO Eddington Mazambani disclosed that proposals had been made to the Energy ministry and were still under consideration.

Mazambani appeared before the Joel Gabbuza-led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy to speak about the fuel situation in the country.

He said the proposal to sell in US dollars had not yet been given a nod, adding however that it was not reasonable for ordinary Zimbabweans who earned their money in RTGS to buy fuel in forex.

“There has been a proposal that some fuel service stations should sell it in forex, and one of the major players in the oil industry, Zuva, has already piloted the project at two service stations (Zuva Victoria Falls and Zuva Groombridge),” Mazambani said.

“We have already sent a proposal to the Ministry of Energy to consider more players to sell fuel in foreign currency so that we ease the pressure on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) in terms of allocating foreign currency for the procurement of fuel.”

Mazambani said there was need to ensure that the fuel purchased from the RBZ facility was not abused to the extent it ended up being sold in US dollars.

“Selling fuel in forex is not sustainable. We have to take into account the vulnerable members of our society. I think the solution to this fuel issue is much bigger,” he said.

Kuwadzana East MP Chalton Hwende said designating fuel stations to sell in forex would have detrimental effects on the majority of the population, who earn salaries in RTGS.

Mazambani boss said the fuel sold in US dollars would be bought using foreign currency account swipe cards, and not cash in order to put reconciliatory mechanisms to differentiate between the fuel purchased through the RBZ facility from the fuel procured by the fuel companies.

MPs said customers were being short-changed at fuel stations where priority was being given to card holders, while those paying through electronic transactions were turned away.

“The cards are an internal arrangement whereby card holders would have paid in advance and garages would have taken people’s money upfront,” Mazambani said.

Godfrey Ncube, the Petrotrade chief executive, added: “We have a deliberate policy because we have customers who pay in advance, and we have a small percentage of residual fuel, which we leave in tanks for card and coupon customers.”

For support to farmers, Ncube said they had engaged Agribank and installed fuel tanks at some farms.

Chipinge South MP Enock Porusingazi suggested that given the serious fuel shortages in the country, consideration should be taken to go 100% ethanol to E100. Currently, the country is on E15. Countries like Brazil are on E100.

Mazambani said Zera at one time engaged Americans to do a study on whether the country could go E100.

“We got technical advice that of the fleet that we have in the country, we can only go to 10% of ethanol blend,” he said.

“There are very few vehicles in Zimbabwe that can take up to E80, and those are vehicles like the Jeep Cherokee.

“With all other cars, we will end up having very serious technical problems if we move to E100. We will have serious breakdowns.”

Standard

By Own Correspondent| Players in the oil industry have submitted requests to government seeking authority to sell fuel in foreign currency, the industry regulator has revealed.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) acting CEO Eddington Mazambani disclosed that proposals had been made to the Energy ministry but the requests were still under consideration.

Mazambani said this when he appeared before the Joel Gabbuza-led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy to speak about the fuel situation in the country.

He said the proposal to sell in US dollars had not yet been given a nod, adding however that it was not reasonable for ordinary Zimbabweans who earned their money in RTGS to buy fuel in forex.

Said Mazambani:

“There has been a proposal that some fuel service stations should sell it in forex, and one of the major players in the oil industry, Zuva, has already piloted the project at two service stations (Zuva Victoria Falls and Zuva Groombridge).

We have already sent a proposal to the Ministry of Energy to consider more players to sell fuel in foreign currency so that we ease the pressure on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) in terms of allocating foreign currency for the procurement of fuel.”-Standard

By Own Correspondent| National chairperson of Zanu Pf who doubles as the minister of Defence and War Veterans, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri has said opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s election victory in urban areas gave him the impetus to be “stubborn and mad” adding that he had to be stopped.

She said this at a provincial inter-district conference at Masvingo Polytechnic on Monday (December 3).

Muchinguri Kashiri said while her party won resoundingly in rural areas, Zanu Pf suffered humiliating defeat in urban areas and party stalwarts should work hard to reverse this trend.

She said:

“We won resoundingly in rural areas but we suffered heavy losses in all urban areas. Harare boosted Chamisa’s votes because he got over 500 000 and we got about 200 000. The same trend was seen in Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo, Gweru and pretty much all the urban centres.

We have a lot of work to do in all urban set ups. This is what is giving Chamisa all this madness and he has to be stopped. Chamisa has been so stubborn.

He has refused to accept the election results even though all other countries have endorsed them. We had free and fair elections and President Mnangagwa was declared the winner.

Chamisa refused and made a Constitutional Court (ConCourt) challenge where our President was again declared winner. Despite all this, Chamisa still remains adamant and is doing demonstrations.”

By Own Correspondent| National Patriotic Front (NPF) has endorsed the candidature of opposition leader Nelson Chamisa for presidency in the forthcoming 2023 harmonised elections.

Jelousy Mawarire, spokesperson of a splinter faction of NPF who is also the executive director and founding trustee for the Centre for Elections and Democracy in Southern Africa (CEDSA) said this in a tweet saying his party endorsed Chamisa’s presidential bid today, tomorrow and in 2023.

Wrote Mawarire:

Isu tiri veNPF, presidential candidate wedu nhasi, mangwana kana 2023 is Advocate @nelsonchamisa . https://t.co/LqNJDZeNK4

— mawarire mbizvo jealousy (@mawarirej) December 8, 2018

By Own Correspondent| The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) Salary Caravan commenced Sunday amid revelations that the teachers completed the first stretch of their journey and camped in Odzi, Manicaland overnight.

ARTUZ President Obert Masaraure told ZimEye that the teachers camped in Odzi readying to continue with their journey in the morning (Monday).

He however revealed that while over a hundred teachers had started the march, a handful had pulled out on day one of the protest.

“The march started well with over 100 participants.

Some of our cadres have however pulled out of the march and there are about 95 of us left. This is walking and some of the teachers could not handle it so they gave up.

We however put up in Odzi where we rested for the night and we will continue with the march this morning until we get to Harare on 19 December.”

The ARTUZ Salary Caravan is a protest march by teachers aimed at pushing government to pay teacher’s salaries in forex. The teachers are also demanding their bonuses in full among other grievances.

The teachers are walking from Mutare to Harare, which is 266 kilometres and expectations are that they will reach Harare on 19 December 2018.

The teachers have revealed that they will  camp at the fnance ministry until their grievances are heard.

Correspondent|KUWADZANA library, which has been under construction for more than two decades, has finally been completed. Harare City Council spokesperson Michael Chideme yesterday confirmed the latest development.

In March 2005, former Kuwadzana MP Nelson Chamisa said he had sourced funds amounting to ZW$2 billion from donors to complete the structure.

In July 2012, the then MDC-T national organising secretary Nelson Chamisa told party supporters he had procured material to complete the project initiated by the late Learnmore Jongwe:

“We have procured material to the tune of $25 000 through the money I sourced to deal with the defective roof and other structural defects, including replacing the vandalised material. We are injecting a further $30 000 for the remainder of the work to be done,” Chamisa said.

He said the library would be officially opened ‘soon’.

“There were challenges which we have now overcome so the challenges are now in the past and we are concentrating in the future which is the opening of the library sometime next week,” said Chideme last month.

He said the library will have internet connectivity and will be open to everyone.

“We are looking forward to the public enjoying the services of the library.

“The library will be connected to the internet, so we will have computers in the library so that people can actually do their research and we will always have E-books in the library,” Chideme said.

Chideme said the library has a children section, so that children in primary school can actually enjoy using the library.

“The library is for everybody, it’s a composed library to benefit the community and its part of our drive to decentralize services to the people, and we bring such facilities closer to the people so that people can enjoy different services to where they stay,” said Chideme.

He also confirmed that there was another library being constructed.

“There is another library being constructed in Glen Norah, and we are also looking at revamping the existing libraries so they match our world class vision by 2025,” said Chideme.

“We will be pioneering the e-library concept in high density locations and we will be providing free wifi to the students.”

Chideme said they were appealing for reading materials in their libraries so that they have up to date reading materials.

Eleven candidates went through public interviews to fill the position left vacant after Mr Ray Goba resigned while facing investigations into alleged abuse of office.

Mr Goba was accused of failing to prosecute high profile criminal cases, putting his office into disrepute and leaving the country without Cabinet authority.
Mr Kumbirai Hodzi is the acting PG. Those interviewed for the job on November 1 are Cheda Maphios, Chingeya Wendy Rowesai, Chinyoka Tinomudaishe, Nara Tavenga, Hodzi Kumbirai, Hogwe Misheck, Majome Fungayi Jessie, Mantsebo Calvin Tichaona, Marondedza Edios Edmund, Mashumba Norio and Ziyambi Florence.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said last week, “Following the interview, three names of the successful interview are brought to the attention of the President.

“The law says from those three names the President should select one name for the office.
“If he is satisfied with a name on that list he selects one and if he is unhappy he can communicate that new names be submitted.

“As of now we are await for the President to apply his mind to the names that were submitted to him before he makes the announcement.

“The Constitution does not give him a timeframe that the announcement should be made by such a time.”

JSC Secretary Mr Walter Chikwanha told The Sunday Mail that the names were submitted to the President in terms of the law.

“As the JSC we have done all that is required of us in terms of the Constitution which states that after the interview we submit three names to the President for him to consider before naming the Prosecutor General designate before swearing in.”

The appointment of a PG is done in terms of Section 259(3), as read with Section 180(2), of the Constitution.

Section 259(4) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that: “The Prosecutor-General must be qualified for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court.”

Section 178 says “(1) A person is qualified for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court if he or she is a Zimbabwean citizen and at least forty years old and, in addition —

“(a) is or has been a judge of a court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil or criminal matters in a country in which the common law is Roman-Dutch or English and English is an officially recognised language; or

“(b) for at least ten years, whether continuously or not, he or she has been qualified to practise as a legal practitioner —

“(i) in Zimbabwe; or (ii) in a country in which the common law is Roman-Dutch or English and English is an officially recognised language; and is currently so qualified to practise.

“(2) To be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court a person must be a fit and proper person to hold office as a judge.”

ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has blamed imports for the ongoing disturbing shortage of foreign currency.

He said Zimbabweans are spending a fortune in foreign currency by importing non-essential consumer goods, while importation of critical capital and intermediate goods remains depressed.

This, Emmerson Mnangagwa has said, is militating against quick economic recovery.

While forex receipts have gradually increased over the last 12 months, spending on consumer goods continues to compete with outlay on critical economic enablers.

In his weekly column in The Sunday Mail, Mnangagwa says foreign currency inflows grew by over 17 percent to US$5,6 billion between January and November compared to the same period last year.

He said the upsurge in forex receipts was a sign of embryonic export activity in the economy. However, the 76 year old politician notes, these gains are being undermined by unrestrained spending on consumer goods.

“The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe report on this year’s foreign currency supply and demand up to the week of 16th November, 2018, gives key indicative facts and figures. I will isolate just a few of these in order to raise a structural issue concerning our economy.

“The global foreign currency receipts from January to mid-November stood at US$5,661 billion, compared to US$4,822 billion received during the same period last year.

“This represents a 17,4 percent increase in receipts, much of it pointing to the growing export activity in the economy.”

Mnangagwa says the figures render false arguments by some prophets of doom that Zimbabwe is in a downward spiral.

“Also, during the same period under review, global foreign payments decreased by five percent to US$4,054 billion from the 2017 figure of US$4,264 billion,” he continues.

“We thus had a positive foreign currency net position of US$1,937 billion, compared to US$582,9 million for the same period in 2017. All these are positive trends.”

Mnangagwa says his administration will consolidate gains realised from increased forex receipts through resolute fiscal consolidation as announced in the 2019 Budget, to trigger quick economic recovery.

“But the report also gives facts and figures which made a worrisome impression on my mind. Our cash transactions on imported consumption goods for the same period stood at US$839,4 million. Although lower than the 2017 figure of US$1,055 billion, still this figure is too high.

“It gets worrisome when read against the figure of US$883,5 million which we spent on capital goods, and another of US$705,5 million which we spent on intermediate goods imports.

“Our spending on imported consumer goods should never come anywhere near our spending on capital and intermediate goods.

“I raise this worry because our economy grows on greater investments on capital goods and intermediate goods. It cannot grow on consumer imports.”

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube recently invoked the Customs and Exercise Act and imposed duty in foreign currency on an array of goods that include vehicles and meat to stem local appetite for imported consumer goods.

Goods listed for duty in forex include fresh cheese, grated or powdered cheese of all kinds, fresh grapes, ground nuts, margarine, selected meat products, poultry products, swine meat, preserved fish and salt water.

The other products on the list include eggs, sugar confectionery, chocolates, cereals, sweet biscuits, bread, tomatoes, potatoes, mushrooms, beans, grape juices, selected cigarettes, trunk suitcases, handbags and toilet linen.

According to a Statutory Instrument published in the Government Gazette in terms of Section 115 (3) of the Customs and Exercise Act (Chapter 23:02) the new regulations came into effect on November 23.

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Upgrading of the $1 billion Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway will take a phased approach through to 2022, with works having already started on some sections of the key road.

The highway is a major economic corridor, providing South Africa with a link to Africa’s interior through the continent’s busiest inland port of entry at Beitbridge via Zimbabwe.

The project is being financed with local resources after foreign contractors repeatedly failed to meet their obligations and secure funding.

At least nine companies have been tasked with upgrading specific sections. Government has also directed local authorities to dualise 10km stretches leading into their administrative centres.

To this end, works have started on the highway near Chivi and Beatrice, with other councils understood to be mobilising equipment to get on site soon.

The construction by local authorities is in line with Government’s ongoing Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme, and will be done to international standards and then consolidated into the overall project.

In an interview last week, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza said the highway had National Project Status and work on it should reflect such.

He said the Second Republic, under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, had committed itself to economic turnaround and infrastructure development.

Minister Matiza said: “The project was on the cards for a long time now and many suitors came on with nothing moving. We had Geiger expressing interest to do the road, but that one failed because there was no proof of funding.

“The New Dispensation and the President cancelled that project. President Emmerson Mnangagwa wants it done and his vision is to make that road workable.

“Government decided to localise the project with local expertise and players. We have seen, in the first phase, local authorities — and in this case Chivi and recently Beatrice — moving to rehabilitate 10 kilometres into their administrative centres.

“We will then award tenders to nine locals to then widen the rest of the road and eventually dualise. This will take about three-and-a-half years to complete.”

Minister Matiza said Government was organising equipment for contractors, who will purchase it through their contracts. He said the nine contracts should be awarded by February 2019.

Cabinet this year withdrew the tender awarded to Austrian firm Geiger for dualisation of the Harare-Beitbridge-Chirundu Highway, with President Mnangagwa saying Government had become impatient with lack of activity on the project. Geiger won the tender commissioned work in May 2016, but failed to move on-site.

Correspondent|FORMER Minister of Home Affairs Obert Mpofu’s building located at the corner of Herbert Chitepo Street and 8th Avenue in Bulawayo caught fire at its 4th floor on Saturday afternoon.

Fire fighters from the Bulawayo Fire Brigade were called in to put out the fire and had to use bolt cutters to access the building.

The side of the building facing Tredgold Magistrates’ Courts was damaged by the inferno.

The cause of the fire was unknown at the time of writing.

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Republic Police National Spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba told delegates at an indaba against gender-based violence organised by Plan International that they want to increase the visibility of police as a way of curbing sexual harrassment of women by touts in public places.

Charamba said this at an indaba held to commemorate 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), whose 2018 theme is “End Gender-Based Violence in the World of Work.”

This year’s goal is to continue to target the institutions in which gender-based violence is perpetuated and push for systemic change and accountability.

The campaign takes place every year between November 25 and December 10 and is run by over 6 000 organisations in 187 countries.

“The police are aware of random thefts, touting, uncouth conduct by commuter omnibus drivers that pose danger to the general public and affect women and children in particular, and we are conducting operations to curb such unruly behaviour,” Charamba told the indaba.

She spoke amid widespread concern of sexual harassment by kombi crews, which include among others, making sexually coloured jokes or remarks, unsolicited comments and advances, commenting on a person’s clothes or body structure, touching any part of a person’s body without consent as well as physical harassment.

Women who use public transport grimly accept harassment as part of their daily lives, facing it as soon as they are out of the house.

Charamba said the current thrust in the ZRP is to deploy more police officers for operational duties with a view to increase police visibility in communities.

“This will certainly go a long way in curbing some of these offences. We encourage anyone who is violated in public space to report so that some of these cases are on record,” she said.

Charamba said they are currently carrying out intensive anti-GBV awareness campaigns.

“The awareness campaigns are conducted at primary and secondary schools, institutions of tertiary education, church gatherings and other public fora.

“We also use the print and electronic media to disseminate messages to the public so that they are empowered on the nature of many aspects of GBV, where to report and how to report.

“We have also embraced social media as a vehicle of sharing information with the public.”

Speaking at the same event, Plan International country director Tendai Musonza said their organisation is advocating for safer cities where women can move around without fear.

“What we are advocating for is that we want safer cities. We want to make sure that women are given respect in public places. Violence in public places should not be normalised.”

By Own Correspondent| Former Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has warned that endorsing presidential candidates four years before elections causes coups.

Speaking on Twitter, Moyo said during former President Robert Mugabe’s days presidential candidate endorsements would be made days before an election.

Moyo was reacting to news that the Zanu-PF Women’s league had also endorsed President Mnangagwa as the sole 2023 Zanu-PF presidential candidate.

The party’s Youth League and the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) have also endorsed President Mnangagwa’s candidature for the 2023 presidential election as has almost every province.

Said Moyo:

“ZANUPF WOMEN’S LEAGUE ENDORSE MNANGAGWA AS SOLE CANDIDATE” “SOLE 2023 candidate”? In the Mugabe days such ENDORSEMENTS would be seen a year, not more than four years, before a poll. A new dispensation, this? Don’t people learn? Such things beget coups!”

Own Correspondent| ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa was found missing on Saturday morning during a state function.

Mnangagwa was supposed to attend the burial of the national hero – the founding Vice Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Professor Phineas Makhurane.

Prof Makhurane was laid to rest at his rural home in Gungwe, Gwanda South.

Details on why he bunked the burial were not clear at the time of printing, and efforts to obtain a comment from the information ministry were fruitless.

Professor Makhurane passed on last Saturday at Mater Dei Hospital and was declared a national hero.

The late national hero was described as an academic giant who has left a legacy of service to the nation.

ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa who was represented by the Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo paid tribute to Professor Makhurane for devoting his life towards the cause of education which went beyond the country’s borders.

He said it is Professor Makhurane’s wonderful works which saw the Politburo according him a national hero status making his burial the first state funeral in Matabeleland South Province.

Academics were urged to follow in Professor Makhurane’s footsteps through ploughing back to the nation.

Mnangagwa spoke for many when he thanked the family and community of Gungwe for producing a jewel whose legacy will forever be cherished.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Khaya Moyo who was accompanied by Evelyn Ndlovu, the Minister of State in Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga’s office, Zanu PF secretary for War Veterans and Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Victor Matemadanda and the ZANU-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Lewis Mathuthu led mourners in the body viewing ceremony.

Professor Makhurane’s son Lesedi described his father as a humble and simple man who championed for the education of the black majority while friends also spoke glowingly of Professor Makhurane saying his wisdom will be greatly missed.

Professor Makhurane who was born on the 13th of January 1939 in the Gungwe area of Gwanda, is survived by wife Lydia, a daughter and three sons.

By Own Correspondent| Chikomba West legislator who doubles as the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr John Mangwiro provided awards with a difference for Marondamashanu Secondary School Prize Giving Day.

Dr Mangwiro awarded excelling students hens and goats for their prizes saying that this was a worthwhile investment as hens and goats are going to multiply and be there for a long time if the winners look after them well.

He gave the prizes (Friday), at the school’s first ever prize giving day since its establishment in 1984.

Said Mangwiro:

“Education is the key to a better life so you must work hard in preparation for your future life. You must showcase the talents that you have, which can also change your lives.”

He also said the goats and hens would foster self-reliance amongst the pupils at a tender age.

“Goats and hens reproduce and the pupils can sell them to get money for school fees and other needs,” he said.

Present at the ceremony were Chief Nyoka, several heads and teachers from surrounding schools and Chivhu Police Station Officer in Charge Richard Masiiwa who is a former student.

Prominent local film ‘Wenera’ actors Zolile Makheleni (Tsotsi) and Tinashe Pundo (Gugu) were also present.-MasvingoMirror

Own Correspondent| ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa was found missing on Saturday morning during a state function.

Mnangagwa was supposed to attend the burial of the national hero – the founding Vice Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Professor Phineas Makhurane

Prof Makhurane was laid to rest at his rural home in Gungwe, Gwanda South.

Details on why he bunked the burial were not clear at the time of printing, and efforts to obtain a comment from the information ministry were fruitless.

Professor Makhurane passed on last Saturday at Mater Dei Hospital and was declared a national hero.

The late national hero was described as an academic giant who has left a legacy of service to the nation.

ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa who was represented by the Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo paid tribute to Professor Makhurane for devoting his life towards the cause of education which went beyond the country’s borders.

He said it is Professor Makhurane’s wonderful works which saw the Politburo according him a national hero status making his burial the first state funeral in Matabeleland South Province.

Academics were urged to follow in Professor Makhurane’s footsteps through ploughing back to the nation.

Mnangagwa spoke for many when he thanked the family and community of Gungwe for producing a jewel whose legacy will forever be cherished.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Khaya Moyo who was accompanied by Evelyn Ndlovu, the Minister of State in Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga’s office, Zanu PF secretary for War Veterans and Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Victor Matemadanda and the ZANU-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Lewis Mathuthu led mourners in the body viewing ceremony.

Professor Makhurane’s son Lesedi described his father as a humble and simple man who championed for the education of the black majority while friends also spoke glowingly of Professor Makhurane saying his wisdom will be greatly missed.

Professor Makhurane who was born on the 13th of January 1939 in the Gungwe area of Gwanda, is survived by wife Lydia, a daughter and three sons.

Own Correspondent|THE founding Vice Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Professor Phineas Makhurane has been laid to rest at his rural home in Gungwe, Gwanda South.

Professor Makhurane passed on last Saturday at Mater Dei Hospital and was declared a national hero.

The late national hero was described as an academic giant who has left a legacy of service to the nation.

ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa who was represented by the Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo paid tribute to Professor Makhurane for devoting his life towards the cause of education which went beyond the country’s borders.

He said it is Professor Makhurane’s wonderful works which saw the Politburo according him a national hero status making his burial the first state funeral in Matabeleland South Province.

Academics were urged to follow in Professor Makhurane’s footsteps through ploughing back to the nation.

Mnangagwa spoke for many when he thanked the family and community of Gungwe for producing a jewel whose legacy will forever be cherished.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Khaya Moyo who was accompanied by Evelyn Ndlovu, the Minister of State in Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga’s office, Zanu PF secretary for War Veterans and Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Victor Matemadanda and the ZANU-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Lewis Mathuthu led mourners in the body viewing ceremony.

Professor Makhurane’s son Lesedi described his father as a humble and simple man who championed for the education of the black majority while friends also spoke glowingly of Professor Makhurane saying his wisdom will be greatly missed.

Professor Makhurane who was born on the 13th of January 1939 in the Gungwe area of Gwanda, is survived by wife Lydia, a daughter and three sons.

Correspondent|MDC president Nelson Chamisa has denied that there are any talks that are taking place between himself and President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Chamisa was responding to screaming headlines that gripped the nation throughout the week insinuating that the two leaders were engaging in talks towards solving the national crisis.

“Newspaper headlines on dialogue are misleading. Whereas it is much desirable for Zimbabweans to find each other, there has been no contact between Mnangagwa and myself. Any suggested existence of talks is inaccurate, untrue and unsubstantiated,” Chamisa said.

The media had this week reported that the tentative dialogue had already resulted in Chamisa appointing a high-powered MDC team to negotiate with the ruling Zanu-PF to end the bad blood between the two parties.

It was also reported that respected clergyman and businessman, Shingi Munyeza, had made an impassioned plea to both men to put aside their differences and work together in the interests of the country.

The youthful opposition leader has been brawling with Mnangagwa ever since he narrowly lost the hotly-disputed July 30 presidential election, whose result he vigorously challenged at the Constitutional Court (Con-Court).

Chamisa went on to accuse the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) of manipulating the poll results in favour of the Zanu-PF leader.

But Mnangagwa’s victory was upheld by the Con-Court, which ruled that Chamisa had failed to provide evidence that he had won the election.

Last week, Chamisa held a massive demonstration in Harare – where he heaped pressure on Mnangagwa to act on the deteriorating political and economic situation in the country.

Addressing his supporters then, who were protesting the falling standards of living in the country and the government’s recent unpopular economic revival measures, Chamisa also said Zimbabwe could not afford “one day longer” without addressing the country’s worsening political and economic crisis.

ON August 1 2018, some so called protests took place in Harare and soldiers were sent to as claimed, suppress them.

The deployment of soldiers resulted in the shooting deaths of six civilians.

ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa instituted a Commission of Inquiry into the killings led by Former South Africa President Kgalema Motlanthe.

The commission is yet to table the report to the President.

We publish the full names of the victims below:

1. Sylvia Matambo: Sylvia was 52 years old. She was working at ZINWA. She was married to Robert Maphosa and is survived by three children and one grandchild;

2. Brian Zhuwawo: Brian was from Epworth. He was selling car chargers, phone pouches, airtime and small car accessories for a living. He was shot in the back;

3. Challenge Tauro: Challenge was 20 years old and worked at the Gulf complex in Harare CBD. He is survived by his wife;

4. Gavin Charles Dean: Gavin was 48 years old. He is survived by a 13-year-old daughter;

5. Ishamil Kumire: Ishamil was 41 years old. He was a fruit vendor in Harare and a sole breadwinner. He was married to Suspicious Ziyamba and is survived by four children;

6. Jealous Chakandira : He was a commuter omnibus driver who was shot on the chest while walking along Nelson Mandela and Julius Nyerere.

By Own Correspondent| Managing Consultant for JSM Strategic Pathways Joe Mutizwa has accused opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa of causing political polarisation which in turn has resulted in low investor confidence.

Mutizwa said this during a US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, on Thursday.

Said Mutizwa:

“The legal challenges against the election results at the Constitutional Court and the refusal by the main opposition to accept the legitimacy of President elect Emmerson Mnangagwa has resulted in deep political polarization which has severely dented business confidence for both foreign and domestic investors.

While the polarization is a reality it is also a fact that the ruling party emerged from the election with a two thirds majority in Parliament thus giving it a strong mandate to carry out the required legislative reforms particularly those needed to align existing laws to the 2013 constitution.”

LIVE: Does A Journalist Who Can Wipe ED’s Hands Of 1 Aug Innocent Human Blood Exist On Earth? https://t.co/da4r0NQNQG via @ZimEye

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 8, 2018

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By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have finally opened a docket for a 31 year old Harare woman who was assaulted by riot police in Epworth Harare on 2 December 2018.

The woman, who was assaulted while carrying a baby on her back said the baby fell to the ground during the assault in a development which has seen her baby being restless.

Said the woman in an interview with ZimEye:

“I got a phone call advising me to go to Central Police Station and open a docket against the police details who assaulted me with a baby on my back.

My challenge is i do not know whether i will be attended to at Parirenyatwa hospital because i understand the doctors are on strike.

However, my baby got an injection after a well wisher, donated $100 for medical attention at a private hospital after my story was published on ZimEye. I would like to thank Prisca for her donation.”

Watch the video below for this and more:

By Own Correspondent| Zanu Pf’s Women’s League has endorsed Emmerson Mnangagwa’s candidature for the 2023 presidential poll.

The party’s women chapter described their leader as a champion for women empowerment.

The development comes ahead of the ruling party’s People’s National Annual Conference slated for Matabeleland South Province next week.

The party’s Youth League and the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) have also endorsed President Mnangagwa’s candidature for the 2023 presidential election as has almost every province.

The league’s national assembly members hailed Mnangagwa for allocating 30 percent of Cabinet posts to women, despite only a small number of them managing to make it to Parliament in the July 30 harmonised elections.

Addressing the Women’s League national assembly meeting in Harare yesterday, the league’s secretary for Administration Monica Mutsvangwa announced the decision to endorse Mnangagwa’s candidature, among a host of other resolutions.

Said Mutsvangwa:”We are confident of President Mnangagwa’s hard work and dedication to duty  and we are optimistic that this will turn around the economy and bring an improved standard of living.

Women’s League supports President Mnangagwa and First Secretary of Zanu-PF Cde ED Mnangagwa ’s leadership and therefore endorses him as the sole candidate for the 2023 election.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| Presenting oral evidence before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy, Major Oil Companies Industry Forum representative and acting CEO for Petrotrade Godfrey Ncube called on Government to avail more foreign currency to cushion the country from worsening fuel shortages.

Ncube appealed to Government to supply them with two-week worth of foreign currency cover to ensure there are no gaps that worsen fuel shortages.

He said it is difficult to eradicate the long queues because of the gaps in supply.

The Major Oil Companies Industry Forum is constituted by companies including Total Zimbabwe, Engen, Petrotrade, Zuva Petroleum and Puma.

Said Ncube:

“As oil companies, we have a distribution structure designed to top up stocks in the service stations on our commercial customers.

Sometimes when the service stations run dry, it takes longer to completely eradicate the queues because each drop is wiped out within a few minutes. We then would require a bit of time.

Each one of us currently gets fuel at different times and we try and fill the gap. We suggest the Government to try and just have a two-week period to allocate most of the foreign currency to the fuel companies so that we make all service stations wet and then work on top-up basis.”-StateMedia

Correspondent|INFORMATION, Media and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Mr. Nick Mangwana has said government will not drop charges against MDC deputy chairman Tendai Biti just because the US said so. Mr Biti is facing charges of inciting post-election violence that led to the death of six people in Harare on August 1.

He is also facing charges of contravening Section 66A (1) of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13, which prohibits the unofficial or false declaration of election results as he unlawfully declared opposition party leader Mr Nelson Chamisa as the winner of the July 30 presidential elections.

“The Government cannot on one hand say no one is above the law and everyone should enjoy the benefit of due process as enshrined in our Constitution and statutes and on the other hand interfere with that due process,” Mr Mangwana said, who is also the Government spokesperson.

Mr Mangwana said under President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic, the country would respect its Constitution, particularly with regards to separation of powers between the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature.

The Government also slammed United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mr Matthew Harrington for claiming that Zimbabwe was harassing political opposition and that authorities should drop what he termed “spurious charges” against MDC-Alliance vice chairman Mr Tendai Biti.

During a US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, on Thursday, Mr Harrington suggested that there was “harassment of members of the political opposition” and said the Government of Zimbabwe “should drop spurious charges against former finance minister and prominent opposition figure Tendai Biti and all those who have been arbitrarily detained for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms”.

But Government yesterday pushed back strongly, slating the US for its interference and duplicity.

Mr Mangwana said in line with its diplomatic thrust of re-engaging with the international community, Zimbabwe was willing to make friends, but would not brook lectures on the conduct of its domestic affairs.

Said Mr Mangwana: “Government will continue to engage with those who we don’t necessarily agree with us on some matters in order to find common ground. However, that does not include directives from those friends or allies on who to prosecute and who not to prosecute, who to appoint to certain positions or not. That would be contrary to the ethos which informs our sovereignty and independence.”

By Own Correspondent| First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa has urged women in Zanu-PF to desist from gossiping saying this destroys the party.

Speaking at a Zanu-PF Women’s League national assembly meeting in Harare yesterday, the Mnangagwa said she had an open-door policy but she does not entertain gossipers.

Said Mnangagwa:

“I urge all women to shun gossiping. Gossip destroys the party. Let us respect each other, love each other and teach each other to do good for the development of the country.

Zanu-PF women must be known all over for good works and it will be easy to woo people to the party if we behave well out there. My door is always open for all of you, but do not come with gossip.

We should lead by example and stop the destructive tendency of speaking ill of others.”-StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| Speaking during the Zanu Pf Women’s League National Assembly meeting, national secretary for the Assembly, Marble Chinomona said President  Emmerson Mnangagwa had set up intelligence officers to spy on those conniving and holding secret meetings with G40 stalwarts.

Chinomona warned Zanu Pf members working in cahoots with G40 members that the Central Intelligence Organisation is watching their every move.

The Women  Assembly meeting was held ahead of ZANU PF’s National Conference to be held next week in Esigodini.

Warned Chinomona:

“We understand that there are some people who are holding meetings in hotels with some G40 members.

We all know what G40 had done to the party but you are busy conniving with them. That is uncalled for.

We have the CIO that was set up by President Mnangagwa and they are among us. If they catch you on the wrong side, you are in trouble, be warned.”

By Own Correspondent| Minister of Women and Youth Affairs who is also Nkayi North legislator, Sithembiso Nyoni has graduated with a doctorate

Said Dr Nyoni:

“Have graduated good people…its been a long journey…its now Dr. Sithembiso Nyoni!!!”

Citizens took to the social media to congratulate Dr Nyoni on her achievement.

Below are some of the reactions: