Correspondent|Independent Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has urged Finance Minister not to continue withholding funding for vehicles of members of Parliament, saying that vechicles are a critical resource for the legislators to perform their duties. Hon. Mliswa has also said the opposition MPs should be given first priority since ZANU-PF MPs already have vehicles given to them by their party during the campaign period.

“Regarding cars for government Ministers and MPs, it’s important for (Finance Minister ) Mthuli Ncube to understand that cars are a critical resource for enabling MPs to work in their constituencies,” Mliswa said.

In September, Government announced it had suspended the purchase of vehicles for Ministers and Members of Parliaments to make sure that available funds were directed towards the outbreak of cholera which was threatening to engulf the whole country. While the cholera has largely been contained, the treasury has been hesitant to splurge on government vehidcle at a time austerity measures announced by the Finance Minister are hurting and angering a wide cross-section of the citizenry.

“With the 15.7 million that the government has pledged towards the out break of cholera,we suspended things like purchase of vehicles for Ministers and Members of Parliament to make sure that we deal with this out break immediately,” Mthuli Ncube said at the time.

Mliswa thinks the cars for MPs must be procured still, beginning with those of opposition MPs who could not get vehicles from their party.

Hon. Mliswa said: “As ZANUPF MPs were given cars during campaigning, I urge Mthuli Ncube to stagger disbursement of vehicles and give cars to opposition MPs first.”

He said while government extravagance should be discouraged, the smooth functioning of the legislature should not be compromised.

“I’m against Govt extravagance but I’m also against compromising MPs and making them desperate. Let’s rather start with cutting down in the Executive which is over staffed anyway. The subsequent reduction in associated costs will see expenditure reduced significantly.”

Correspondent|The Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN), a local election monitoring board, has urged government to implement comprehensive electoral reforms to enhance the credibility of Zimbabwe’s electoral processes.

In its final report, ZESN noted improvements in law and practice during the electoral circle for the 2018 harmonised elections. The board also commended improved quality of voter education, peaceful campaigning season and provision of voting material.

In the report ZESN also noted the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)’s improved engagement with stakeholders as compared with the 2013 elections.

ZESN also stated that “the ZEC Presidential Results for the 10,984 polling stations had some errors albeit marginal to the extent of not affecting the outcome. An analysis of the results for the parliamentary elections and the presidential elections does not show significant discrepancies between the two.”

Among its recommendations ZESN urged government to ratify and domesticate international legal frameworks that relate to electoral processes, enforce punitive measures for those who contravene the electoral code of conduct and implement laws that ensure that the right to vote is extended to all citizens, including those in Prisons and in the Diaspora.

Before elections the Constitutional Court, on May 30, barred millions of Zimbabweans based in the diaspora from voting after it dismissed an application for amendment of provisions of the Electoral Act to allow them to vote from their bases.

ZESN was the largest domestic observer group in the just-ended harmonised elections whose separate election results tallied with those announced by the country’s official electoral body disproving rigging claims by MDC-Alliance.

As part of its comprehensive effort to observe the 2018 harmonised elections, ZESN trained and deployed over 7,200 observers to every ward, constituency, district and province of the country. Out of these, 750 were sample-based observers (SBO).

The SBO is an advanced Election Day observation methodology which allows ZESN to independently verify of the presidential results as announced by the ZEC and confidently comment on the voting and results tabulation processes.

Terrence Mawawa|The Zanu PF Youth League has vowed to expose the culprits behind “black market shenanigans.”

In a statement last week, Zanu-PF Youth League secretary Pupurai Togarepi told The Daily News they
were compiling a list of people behind money changers whom they would soon name, and shame.

Togarepi said the Youth League would petition Parliament to improve current legislation.

“We hope the monetary authorities
will use present legislation to cause the arrest of these fat cats or where such laws are absent or weak bring such (statutes) to Parliament for
improvement and enactment.

We have watched in horror and dismay the so-called money changers holding this nation to ransom, and we cannot continue to let these greedy and corrupt individuals continue to bleed this great nation, which is on an economic rebound and new political
trajectory… just to line their pockets.
Let those behind these crooks…
hoarding our monies know that we
have the means to smoke them out…

The youth league… will not tolerate this nonsense any further and… we will descend on the robbers who are
masquerading as money changers,” said Togarepi.

Terrence Mawawa| Former National People’s Party spokesperson Jeffryson Chitando has categorically described those who claim the shortage of basic commodities is a result of panic buying as “stupid and stubborn” elements.

“Stupid and only stupid people claim the shortage of goods in Zimbabwe is due to “panic buying”.

This is called “Lack of confidence
in Mnangagwa’s government,” said Chitando in a statement yesterday.

Government sympathisers have embarked on a massive campaign to sweep under the carpet ruling party officials’ glaring errors in a desperate bid to shift the blame for the economic woes to imaginary economic saboteurs.

Beverages manufacturer Delta says foreign currency challenges coupled with hoarding of soft drinks witnessed in the past few weeks is to blame for the short supply of the commodity on the market.

The company’s corporate affairs director Mr Alex Makamure said foreign currency shortages which heightened at the beginning of the month have resulted in production bottlenecks.

“We get the concentrates to make soft drinks from Swaziland but owing to forex challenges we can’t manufacture these. Normally there is a steady supply but the hoarding caused by panic buying worsened the situation,” he said.

Most shops visited by the ZBC did not have soft drinks in stock but lovers of alcohol need not to worry about availability and pricing as alcoholic beverages produced by the local manufacturers are not affected because the raw materials are locally produced.

“You don’t need a lot of forex to make beer because barley, maize and malt are locally produced that is why there is a steady supply of alcoholic drinks,” added Mr Makamure.

The company is producing only bottled drinks and has suspended canned drinks at one of their production factories.

The beverage company requires at least $US5 million monthly to import critical ingredients for soft drinks manufacturing as well as for other services.

The RBZ is overwhelmed by requests of foreign currency for imports and the onus rests on the country to prioritise local production to supply the market.

-State Media

The Electoral Court has dismissed with costs the electoral petition lodged by MDC Alliance candidate, Gift Konjana, for the Chegutu West constituency national assembly seat in the 2018 harmonised polls.

Konjana was seeking the invalidation of Dexter Nduna’s victory in the 2018 polls.
In the ruling of the Electoral Court handed down by Justice Mary Zimba Dube, the petition lodged by Konjana did not meet the rules governing election petitions.

The petitioner sought an order setting aside the declaration by the Constituency Elections Officer of Dexter Nduna as the duly elected member of the national assembly for Chegutu West constituency in the harmonised elections held on 30 July 2018.

Additionally, the petitioner sought an order of the court declaring him the duly elected member of the national assembly for Chegutu West constituency.

Konjana also sought the Registrar of the Electoral Court to be directed to serve a copy of the order nullifying Nduna’s victory to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the Clerk of Parliament of Zimbabwe and finally he sought for the respondents to bear the costs of the suit.

In her order, Justice Dube found the petition fatally defective in that it did not comply with the requirements of Rule 21.

She registered her misgivings at the failure by the applicant’s lawyers to follow the rules of practice.

She added that the arrangement of the petition failed to meet the strict rules of procedure and therefore the court was left with no option but to dismiss the matter before delving into its merits as the court’s residual power to condone infractions in electoral matters is curtailed.

The court dismissed the petition with costs and ordered the Registrar of the Electoral Court to serve a copy of the court order on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and Clerk of the Parliament of Zimbabwe.

-State Media

Jane Mlambo| A 25-year-old man will stand trial in November after Harare Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa granted his application for change of plea from guilty to not guilty.

Night Tawona Shadaya, who was convicted for criminal insult on 3 October 2018, for allegedly retweeting a message from a ghost account in the name of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba will now stand trial on Monday 05 November 2018 after his lawyers Noble Chinhanu and Idirashe Chikomba of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights filed an application for change of plea from guilty to not guilty.

Shadaya was arrested on Friday 07 September 2018 and charged with criminal insult for allegedly impairing the dignity of Justice Chigumba after he allegedly posted an offensive message on Twitter, denigrating the ZEC Chairperson.

Prosecutors alleged that Shadaya created a twitter account in the name of Justice Chigumba in August 2018, just after the country’s harmonised elections and tweeted a message which reads; “I can’t wait for the election fiasco to come to an end. I could do with a holiday and some good sex. My body needs a break.”

In doing this, prosecutors charged that Shadaya contravened section 95 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

The State alleged that Shadaya retweeted the same message in the month of August and his conduct had the effect of causing criminal insult to Justice Chigumba and “seriously impaired the dignity” of the leader of the country’s elections management body.
Shadaya becomes the latest Zimbabwean to be hauled before the courts on charges emanating from using social media platforms.

In November 2017, Zimbabwe Republic Police officers arrested Martha O’Donovan, an American citizen and charged her with subverting a constitutional government after claiming that she undermined authority of or insulted Robert Mugabe, the country’s former leader through posting a message on social media.

But O’Donovan was set free by Harare Magistrate Nomsa Sabarauta after her lawyers successfully challenged the continued placement of the American citizen on remand without being given a trial date.
In May, John Mahlabera, a 36 year-old prison officer was arrested and charged with undermining President Emmerson Mnangagwa through posting some political comments on social media. However, his employers, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, later dropped the charges.

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Jane Mlambo| A 25-year-old man will stand trial in November after Harare Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa granted his application for change of plea from guilty to not guilty.

Night Tawona Shadaya, who was convicted for criminal insult on 3 October 2018, for allegedly retweeting a message from a ghost account in the name of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba will now stand trial on Monday 05 November 2018 after his lawyers Noble Chinhanu and Idirashe Chikomba of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights filed an application for change of plea from guilty to not guilty.

Shadaya was arrested on Friday 07 September 2018 and charged with criminal insult for allegedly impairing the dignity of Justice Chigumba after he allegedly posted an offensive message on Twitter, denigrating the ZEC Chairperson.

Prosecutors alleged that Shadaya created a twitter account in the name of Justice Chigumba in August 2018, just after the country’s harmonised elections and tweeted a message which reads; “I can’t wait for the election fiasco to come to an end. I could do with a holiday and some good sex. My body needs a break.”

In doing this, prosecutors charged that Shadaya contravened section 95 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

The State alleged that Shadaya retweeted the same message in the month of August and his conduct had the effect of causing criminal insult to Justice Chigumba and “seriously impaired the dignity” of the leader of the country’s elections management body.
Shadaya becomes the latest Zimbabwean to be hauled before the courts on charges emanating from using social media platforms.

In November 2017, Zimbabwe Republic Police officers arrested Martha O’Donovan, an American citizen and charged her with subverting a constitutional government after claiming that she undermined authority of or insulted Robert Mugabe, the country’s former leader through posting a message on social media.

But O’Donovan was set free by Harare Magistrate Nomsa Sabarauta after her lawyers successfully challenged the continued placement of the American citizen on remand without being given a trial date.
In May, John Mahlabera, a 36 year-old prison officer was arrested and charged with undermining President Emmerson

Mnangagwa through posting some political comments on social media. However, his employers, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, later dropped the charges.

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THE Kgalema Motlanthe-led Commission of Inquiry into the August 1 killings of innocent civilians by the military must be driven by the need to gather as much information as possible so that they can reconstruct the events of the day to get to the bottom of the matter.

But what is more worrisome at the moment is that out of the 11 people that had testified by end of day on Wednesday, eight were either Zanu PF supporters, employees or linked to the ruling party when a more broad-based and inclusive approach, including the shooting victims and opposition supporters, would have been more ideal.

If the Zanu PF narrative becomes too dominant in the commission, the risk of having compromised political players dominating the proceedings will be high, rendering coming up with an impartial judgment difficult.

The families of those that lost their lives needlessly need to know what exactly transpired beyond politicking, so that they can be able to deal with their loss and find closure.

It would be tragic if the predominantly Zanu PF discourse is allowed to play out during the hearing because this may taint the final outcome. Ideally, the commissioners should take note of the need to be as broad as possible through expanding their net to include testimonies from families of the victims.

Zanu PF, and even the MDC itself, should not be allowed to be the major players in the hearings as ordinary citizens would most likely give credible evidence not tainted with some form of political bias.

From the proceedings since Tuesday, one can see that Zanu PF official Peter Zimowa was already playing the blame game, pointing his finger at the MDC for allegedly fanning violence, instead of simply recounting what happened on the day in question.

Given that the police and the military were also in the thick of things on the day in question, they must also be given an opportunity to speak so that the commissioners can canvass as much evidence as possible from different witnesses before they can make a well-considered opinion.

Given the emotions swirling around this issue, it is not going to be an easy job for the commissioners, who must be alive to the significance of the subject, especially because it involved the loss of seven human lives and probably left some families with no breadwinners.

Done judiciously and with utmost care, the inquiry should be able to bring this matter to rest and allow the nation to heal and move forward.

-Newsday

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Jane Mlambo| THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has declined to prosecute Magamba Cultural Activist Network Trust for allegedly externalising foreign currency without authority from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).

Magamba Cultural Activist Network Trust, represented by Sam Monro, the organisation’s creative director, had been charged with externalisation after it allegedly transferred $10 450 from its local bank in Zimbabwe in 2014 to an international account without seeking
authorisation from the RBZ.

But Prosecutor Francesca Mukumbiri of the NPA on Wednesday 17 October 2018 declined to prosecute Magamba Cultural Activist Network Trust, represented by Harrison Nkomo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, when trial was supposed to commence on the basis that the state had no witnesses to lead evidence in the matter.

Correspondent|MIDLANDS Provincial Affairs Minister Larry Mavhima has blamed unemployment cause by the President Emmerson Mnangagwa led government for fuelling the massive machete wars by artisanal miners across the province and spreading to the whole country.

Speaking to the media in Kwekwe, Mavhima said government is concerned with the deadly machete wars which have claimed many lives in the province.

The security services are however seized with the matter, the minister added.

“In our provincial Joint Operations Command (JOC) meetings where I am the chairperson the issue of machetes in the province has always cropped up.

“The security sector is currently gripped with the matter as we cannot allow such a scourge to continue.”

Highlighting the major driver of the crisis, the minister said; “The fundamental problem is that youths are unemployed.

“As government we need to introduce programs to take youths from this quick money. Youths have been driven by desperation and lack of guidance.

“It is disturbing that our youths are no longer respecting life.”

He continued; “We are extremely worried about this banditry and lawlessness as a result of disputes occurring amongst artisanal miners.

“We resolved as JOC that we are not going to tolerate the situation. One death is too many.

“We cannot tolerate a situation where artisanal miners are using guns, and homemade weapons in their wars.

“It is saddening that our youths are butchering each other for the sake of a mere $200 which they might have made.

“It is regrettable that our people deteriorate to such predatory animal behaviour. We cannot allow this to continue.”

Government, Mavhima said, has identified some hot-spots were machete wars were rampant, one of them being Kwekwe-based Gaika.

The closure of Gaika Mine, Mavhima explained is not an isolated incident but a national programme to sanitise the country.

“I can confirm that Gaika Mine is one of the mines listed to be addressed from a national point of view. It is not an isolated case.

“There is a whole list of mines which we said must be dealt with,” he said.

ZoomZim

A HARARE magistrate yesterday changed the plea of a 25-year-old Chitungwiza man who is accused of re-tweeting a message from a spoof account named after Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba after she had already convicted him of the crime.

Night Tawona Shadaya, who is represented by Noble Chinhanu from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, successfully applied for change of plea before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa, saying he had mistakenly pleaded guilty to the charge due to a misunderstanding of the essential elements of the offence.

In her ruling, Mugwagwa said it was clear from the record that the essential elements of the matter were not clearly stated and that there was a possibility that the accused thought the Twitter account belonged to Chigumba.

Shadaya’s lawyer had submitted that his client had wrongly and mistakenly pleaded guilty after having had an incorrect understanding of the essential elements of the charge.

Chinhanu said the accused never had intention to commit the offence and was not afforded the chance to defend himself. The accused was not made to enquire if the Twitter account was genuine and retweeted from the account which he believed was Chigumba’s.

The State, represented by Francisca Mukumbiri, had opposed the application, saying the court is only waiting for Shadaya to proffer special circumstances of the matter, as he was already convicted.

Mugwagwa postponed the matter to November 5 for trial.

It is alleged that sometime in August this year, an unknown person created a Twitter account in the name of Chigumba and tweeted a message which read: “I can’t wait for the elections fiasco to come to an end. I could do with a holiday and some good sex. My body needs a break.”

The State alleges that the tweet seriously impaired Chigumba’s dignity.
NewsDay

Beverages manufacturer Delta says foreign currency challenges coupled with hoarding of soft drinks witnessed in the past few weeks is to blame for the short supply of the commodity on the market.

The company’s corporate affairs director Mr Alex Makamure said foreign currency shortages which heightened at the beginning of the month have resulted in production bottlenecks.

“We get the concentrates to make soft drinks from Swaziland but owing to forex challenges we can’t manufacture these. Normally there is a steady supply but the hoarding caused by panic buying worsened the situation,” he said.

Most shops in Harare did not have soft drinks in stock on Thursday but lovers of alcohol need not to worry about availability and pricing as alcoholic beverages produced by the local manufacturers are not affected because the raw materials are locally produced.

“You don’t need a lot of forex to make beer because barley, maize and malt are locally produced that is why there is a steady supply of alcoholic drinks,” added Mr Makamure.

The company is producing only bottled drinks and has suspended canned drinks at one of their production factories.

The beverage company requires at least $US5 million monthly to import critical ingredients for soft drinks manufacturing as well as for other services.

The RBZ is overwhelmed by requests of foreign currency for imports and the onus rests on the country to prioritise local production to supply the market.

Zbc News

At least 27 791 adults and 2 751 children in Hurungwe District are living with HIV, a record in the province.
However, according to the National Aids Council in Mashonaland West, the HIV prevalence rates in the province were on the decline.

In an interview, the NAC Mashonaland West provincial manager Mr Agrippa Zizhou said people should not relax.

“The HIV prevalence in the province is gradually decreasing, but that does not mean we should relax because areas like Hurungwe and Zvimba are still demanding extra attention because generally the districts had the highest population of people living with HIV as compared to other districts in the province,” he said.

Zvimba District has an estimated population of 26 489 adults and 2 622 children living with HIV respectively while Kariba had the least number of 3 707 adults and 367 children.

Mr Zizhou said the estimated total number of adults living with HIV in Mashonaland West in 2017 was 135 252, a decrease from the 141 409 recorded in 2016.

He also attributed the decrease to various prevention and treatment programmes that included condom use, anti-retroviral therapy and the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission programmes.

“The decline in HIV prevalence rate can be attributed to increased campaign awarenesses where people were sensitised on condom use, advantages of abstaining from sexual intercourse and the implementation of PMCT programmes,” he said.

State Media

Correspondent|The trial for MDC-Alliance principal Tendai Biti, who is facing charges of inciting violence, is expected to start on November 12 before a Harare magistrates.

Biti through his lawyers, Beatrice Mtetwa, Alec Muchadehama, Harrison Nkomo, Gift Mtisi and Denford Halimani, has indicated that he wants to go to the High Court to challenge his arrest which says was not legal.

The trial comes at a time when Biti has been implicated in the August 1 violent clashes by a witness who testified before the commission of inquiry.

Testifying in the public hearings underway at a Harare Hotel, Stella Matsengarwodzi, a witness said she saw Biti addressing the youths who then started denouncing President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“Soon after Biti spoke his car sped off and the remaining mob started chanting Chamisa Chamisa is who we want not Mnangagwa,” she said.

Matsengarwodzi said it shortly was after this the demonstrators attacked the Zanu pf headquarters.

In court Biti, however, indicated that he would like to be tried after the High Court appeal. The trial is set for 12 November.

Biti was arrested at the Zambian border post after he tried to cross into the neighbouring country seeking asylum claiming he was running away from persecution by the state security.

Biti told the court that his mother, brother and nephew were harassed by unidentified men who went to his mother’s house looking for him. He claimed that gunshots were fired at his brother when he was on his way to Bindura in the company of his minor children.
Biti said on August 2, there was an attempt on his life by unidentified people driving unmarked vehicles.

He is out on $5 000 bail which was granted by Harare magistrate Francis Mapfumo.

Biti 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.

He is alleged to have unlawfully declared opposition party leader Mr Nelson Chamisa as the winner of the presidential elections on July 30.

The Zimbabwean law states that only the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairperson is empowered to declare the winner of an election.
Uladi is appearing for the State along with Mr Michael Reza, Chipo Muronda and Jonathan Murombedzi.

Correspondent|The ZANU PF supreme decision making body the politburo failed to accord the late Midlands Provincial vice chairman Goodwill Shiri a National Hero Status after the provincial executive had submitted an application for the honour.

Shiri has instead been declared a liberation war hero and will be buried at the Midlands provincial hero’s acre on Friday.

Shiri (61) was killed in a road accident on Monday evening after a bus, which was trying to avoid stray donkeys, landed on top of his car near Gwenoro Turn-off along the Gweru-Bulawayo Road.

Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairperson Engineer Daniel McKenzie Ncube said the Zanu-PF Politburo had declared Shiri a liberation war hero.

Eng Ncube said the liberation war hero status was most befitting considering Shiri’s rich political history and unquestionable war credentials.

“As a province we feel honoured that our late vice chairman Cde Shiri has been declared a liberation war hero. We will negotiate with the family and if all goes well Cde Shiri will be buried at the provincial heroes’ acre,” he said.

Shiri joined the liberation struggle in 1978.

At independence he joined the Ministry of Youths, Sports and Culture until 1989.

He was transferred to the Ministry of Political Affairs in 1990.

In 1999 Shiri was elected Zanu-PF Youths League National Political Commissar.

In 2004 he was elected into the Central Committee under Midlands Province. He retained the same position in 2014.

In 2017 Shiri was co-opted into the Midlands Provincial Executive as vice chairman a position he held until his time of death.

Shiri was involved in accident at 6.30PM on Monday while driving a branded party vehicle towards Bulawayo on the way to his farm.

He was in the company of a neighbour who also sustained serious injuries.

He is survived by his wife Sithembile and three daughters.

PRICES of contraceptives have gone up sharply and people have since been urged to seek services at public health institutions as they are available for free.

The price of some brands of condoms has increased from $3 to as much $12 a packet while the cheapest brand, Protector Plus which used to cost 20 cents, is now selling for $1 a packet.

The price of the emergency contraceptive pill has increased from $5 to $15 and is not available at many pharmacies.

Speaking during a sexual reproductive health rights media advocacy workshop in Mutare, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council executive director Dr Munyaradzi Murwira, said contraceptives are available at public health institutions for free.

“I think people should be aware that the largest provider of family planning services in the country is the public sector. People can seek services at government clinics and hospitals as well as councils’ health institutions.

“These health institutions provide contraceptives including condoms for free,” said Dr Murwira. He said only those who can afford to pay should seek such services from the private sector.

“Normally, those who go to the private sector are people who can afford the services and as such we urge most people to make use of the public facilities where all services are available for free or at a nominal cost,” said Dr Murwira

He dismissed fears that people may fail to access contraceptives saying public facilities have adequate stocks.

State Media

Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira has ordered a Dzivaresekwa-based brick manufacturing company Tiger Bricks to stop operating and start working on reclaiming all its disused pits and fencing off the active areas.

The directive, which will be enforced by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), follows the drowning of Tinashe Mlambo (16) in one of the open pits while swimming with friends.

Speaking during a tour of Tiger Bricks (Pvt) Ltd located at Rainharm Farm in Mount Hampden, Minister Mupfumira said the company has been breaching Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 (Environmental Impact Assessment and Ecosystems Protection Regulations).

The law states that commercial sand and clay excavations are done after the issuance of a licence by EMA, in consultation with the local authority.

“In the plan, the operator highlights the mitigating measures they will put in place for public safety and to ensure that their activities will cause minimum damage to the environment and economically viable and socially acceptable manner. Such measures include fencing off areas with open pits and reclaiming all disused pits for proper rehabilitation of degraded sites.

“Tiger bricks is holder of an excavation licence, implying they should have an excavation and rehabilitation plan.

“It is unfortunate they were not judicious in adhering to their plan on this particular incident resulting in the boys accessing the pits,” said Minister Mupfumira.

She said all brick moulding companies and operators in Rainham area have been issued with a 48-hour deadline from October 16, 2018 to submit short term action plans to rehabilitate the affected area and an inspection is to be done to see if they adhere to their plans.

“All companies concerned were told to start rehabilitation work immediately and an inspection is to be done on Tuesday October 23, 2018,” said Cde Mupfumira.

Speaking at the same occasion, Tiger Bricks environment officer Mr Silas Kambanje expressed the company’s deep condolences to the Mlambo family and said it was going to place security around the area while it fills up the open pits.

“The pits are going to be filled up within two weeks. We are going to continuously level the area,” said Mr Kambanje.

He said they had also contributed $6 000 to the deceased family to help with funeral arrangements.

EMA’s environmental management services director Mr Steady Kangata said the agency is going to enforce the law and impose stiffer penalties on companies breaching the law.

“As EMA we are very sad over the incident that happen here. Each time we look at the environment, it is supposed to give life and at no one point should it take away life.

“We want to urge all companies in the brick moulding companies and mining sector to abide by the provisions of Environmental Management Act,” said Mr Kangata.

State Media

Prices of contraceptives have gone up sharply and people have since been urged to seek services at public health institutions as they are available for free.

The price of some brands of condoms has increased from $3 to as much $12 a packet while the cheapest brand, Protector Plus which used to cost 20 cents, is now selling for $1 a packet.

The price of the emergency contraceptive pill has increased from $5 to $15 and is not available at many pharmacies.

Speaking during a sexual reproductive health rights media advocacy workshop in Mutare, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council executive director Dr Munyaradzi Murwira, said contraceptives are available at public health institutions for free.

“I think people should be aware that the largest provider of family planning services in the country is the public sector. People can seek services at government clinics and hospitals as well as councils’ health institutions.

“These health institutions provide contraceptives including condoms for free,” said Dr Murwira. He said only those who can afford to pay should seek such services from the private sector.

“Normally, those who go to the private sector are people who can afford the services and as such we urge most people to make use of the public facilities where all services are available for free or at a nominal cost,” said Dr Murwira

He dismissed fears that people may fail to access contraceptives saying public facilities have adequate stocks.- state media

Correspondent|It is alleged that Nyasha Zenda was approached and threatened at Joina City by MDC youths who accused him of testifying against them. He reported the matter to police.

It is alleged that Nyasha Zenda was approached and threatened at Joina City by MDC youths who accused him of testifying against them. He reported the matter to police.

Harare – MDC Alliance youths are threatening witnesses who are testifying at the ongoing August 1 shooting inquiry, Zanu-PF national secretary for administration Tendai Chirau has said.

Posting on his Facebook Chirau said a police reorted has been made against the MDC Alliance youths who threatened Nyasha Zenda.

“Some suspected MDC Alliance youths threatened Nyasha Zenda with some unspecified action. It is alleged that Nyasha Zenda was doing his daily chores at Joina City and was approached by some youths who accused him of testifying against them during a public inquiry held yesterday. A police report has since been made,” Chirau said.

Zenda, who was a Zanu- PF council candidate for ward 6 in the 2018 harmonised elections told the commission of inquiry that MDC Alliance members assaulted him, before burning his bus.

Zenda said he escaped from further harm by hiding in the boot of a vehicle.

The ongoing inquiry into the post-election violence that rocked Harare on August 1 will continue until Friday after a dramatic first day which saw witnesses nailing the opposition MDC Alliance protestors for triggering the chaos that left six people dead after a military intervention.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa set up a commission of inquiry which was sworn in on the 19th of September and is comprised of three Zimbabweans and four foreign nationals namely Vimbai Nyemba, Charity Manyeruke, Lovemore Madhuku ,Rodney Dixon (United Kingdom) Emeka Anyaoku (Nigeria) General Davis Mwamunyange (Tanzania) and Kgalema Motlanthe (South Africa).

Ever since the coup was carried out in November last year, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s own colleague in the presidium, Phelekezela Mphoko’s life has gone for worse, this time with his son being arrested and tried for stealing when the facts show that he borrowed money from his business. Mphoko is the one who exposed Mnangagwa’s blue ocean strategy in July last year.

State Media – The trial of ex-Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s daughter-in-law, Nomagugu (36) who is accused of “looting” cash and goods from Choppies outlets without board approval starts today.

Her husband, Siqokoqela will face similar charges when he appears in court from November 26 to November 30.

Siqokoqela’s trial was set to commence on Wednesday before Bulawayo magistrate Nyaradzo Ringisai but was postponed to November 26 after the State represented by Taurai Hondoyemoto indicated that they needed time to serve the accused’s lawyers with the State’s papers.

“Matter was confirmed for trial commencement today (Wednesday). The State, however, applies for a postponement so as to be able to serve the defence with the state papers. I liaised with my colleague and suggested that we shall dedicate the 26th up to the 30th of November 2018 for trial so that we would finish the matter,” the State’s submissions read in part.

Siqokoqela (40) who is a director of Nanavac Investments (Private) Limited, a local partner for the Botswana-registered Choppies Distribution Centre (Proprietary) Limited is facing 170 counts of fraud and theft involving more than $50 000.

Nomagugu is facing 49 counts of extortion after she allegedly ordered the supermarket managers to unlawfully dispense over $30 000 cash from their point of sale machines after threatening them with either deportation or dismissal.

The couple, of Hillside suburb, is out of custody on $200 bail each. As part of their bail conditions, the two were ordered not to interfere with State witnesses.

Siqokoqela is accused of abusing his power to “loot” cash realised from sales at different supermarkets and replacing it with transfers.

Allegations are that between July last year and June this year, Siqokoqela proceeded to various Choppies supermarkets where he allegedly demanded varying amounts of cash, goods and services for various purposes from the employees without approval from the board.

He allegedly deceived the employees into believing that he was the one at the helm of Choppies Zimbabwe and had authority to demand or collect anything he wanted from the business.
He also reportedly told the employees that he had the authority to collect goods on credit, which was a misrepresentation.

The court heard that on different occasions, Siqokoqela collected cash, groceries and an assortment of building material and ordered personnel from the finance department not to deduct money from his salary.

It is also alleged that there were occasions when he also misrepresented that he intended to replace the money through swiping from Point of Sale (POS) machines.

In papers before the court, Siqokoqela by virtue of being a non-executive director was entitled to a monthly gross salary of $10 000, company vehicle, fuel, telephone allowance and 3,53 percent of profit after tax as dividend at the end of each year.

Although he was not supposed to be directly involved in the day to day operations of the company, Siqokoqela allegedly masqueraded as the owner of the company in Zimbabwe and even threatened to either dismiss or deport employees of Indian origin for defying his orders.

The matter came to light in May 2018 when the Botswana-based Choppies group chief executive officer, Mr Ottapathu Ramachandran discovered that there were a series of financial imbalances while going through the company management accounting books.

It was discovered that the company was prejudiced of $51 945,53. The matter was reported to the police and investigations were conducted leading to Siqokoqela’s arrest and nothing was recovered.
Nomagugu allegedly bulldozed various Choppies outlets in Bulawayo and demanded cash. She allegedly ordered 15 Choppies Supermarket managers in Bulawayo to unlawfully dispense more than $30 000 cash from their POS machines.

The Mphokos are being represented by Professor Welshman Ncube of Mathonsi Law Chambers.- state media

Three suspected thieves stole nearly $90 000 from a Bulawayo woman whom they offered a lift only for them to take-off leaving her behind in Colleen Bawn after taking a recess.

The money $80 000 in bond notes and US$ 8 330 was in a suitcase.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred in Colleen Bawn along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road on Tuesday night.

He said Mrs Lindiwe Moyo lost her money after the vehicle which had three other people stopped for a recess in Colleen Bawn but then took off leaving her behind.

“I can confirm that we recorded a case of theft involving $88 330. The complainant, Mrs Lindiwe Moyo boarded a Toyota Wish vehicle from Bulawayo to Beitbridge and with her she had a suitcase containing $80 000 bond notes and US$ 8 330.

“The vehicle had three people on board – two men and a woman. They stopped in Colleen Bawn for a recess and they later went back into the car and drove off leaving Mrs Moyo behind. The matter was reported to the police and investigations are under way to arrest the suspects. We appeal to anyone with information that can assist us to visit any police station near them,” he said.

Chief Insp Ndebele said in another incident which occurred on Monday in Dulibadzimu Suburb, Beitbridge a man lost $1 500 which he had locked up in a safe in his house.

He said an unknown suspect broke a window and used a hook to retrieve the safe and left unnoticed.
He urged members of the public to desist from carrying and storing large sums of money as that could endanger their lives.

“As police we continue to urge people to desist from carrying around large sums of money or storing it on their properties. This woman who had her money stolen is lucky to be alive because she could
have been killed in the process,” said Chief Insp Ndebele.

“We also urge passengers to also be wary of vehicles they board especially if they are not public service vehicles especially at night. They should also take down registration numbers of the vehicles they board in order to make our investigations easier. In this case the vehicle registration number isn’t known.”- state media

• WATCH: The Commission of Inquiry to the August 1 post-election events conducting an inspection in-loco at the  ZANU PF Provincial Offices.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) collected $7, 5million in 12 days in car import duty at Beitbridge as vehicle dealers acted on rumours that Government intends to introduce duty in US dollars.

The dealers resorted to buying cars with bigger engines as a way of keeping their money on valuable properties.

Under normal circumstances Zimra collects an average of $8, 5 million monthly. However, as a result of the panic daily imports from the neighbouring country have increased to between 500 and 700 cars.

State Media

A fresh scandal is set to engulf the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) after its directors’ decision to purchase several top of the range luxury vehicles for themselves worth more than $2 million despite a clear directive by President Emmerson Mnangagwa for government and all parastatals to cut on spending.

Recently, Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications George Charamba said the country was seized with cutting recurrent expenditure, through a raft of measures including cutting benefits and growing revenue collections.

ZCDC’s multi-million dollar purchase, insiders say, was made using part of the $80 million Government investment which the company claimed it so desperately needed to build capacity and to enable the exploration and mining of conglomerates.

The $80 million came after the diamond producer benefited from a $35 million PTA Bank facility. Similar questionable moves around vehicle procurement and expenses have been made at the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development where at least $1,2 million is being blown on vehicle hiring annually for directors.

Information at hand shows the Ministry in 2017 bought brand new twin cabs for its directors. Six of the twin cabs have, according to a top ministry official, already been sold to the directors for $1 500 each. This is against the requirement that vehicles can only be sold to the users after five years.

“The six directors are PMD Mashonaland Central, PMD Mashonaland East, legal advisor, human resources director and ICT director,” reads part of a dossier gleaned by Business Times.

“Now the ministry is hiring vehicles for the six directors from CMED at a monthly cost of $30 000,” read the report. In total, the ministry has 20 hired vehicles.

Secretary for Mines and Mining Development Onesimo Moyo could not be drawn to comment. “I am in a meeting right now, we can talk maybe later when I finish but this meeting is to prepare for bigger meetings tomorrow,” he said in a telephone conversation.

Moyo listened to all the questions from this publication before he promised to call after his meeting.

Ministry of Mines finance director Morgan Makina could not be reached for comment as his mobile number was on voice mail.

A few weeks after taking oath, President Mnangagwa’s regime reviewed the vehicle scheme to allow permanent secretaries and equivalent grades, one personal issue vehicle while commissioners and equivalent grades would also get one vehicle.

Under the new rules, principal directors, directors and deputy directors and their equivalents get a vehicle loan scheme.

ZCDC CEO Moris Mpofu confirmed the developments saying the purchase of operational vehicles was done in July 2017, but delivery of those vehicles was delayed due to obtaining foreign currency challenges.

“The purchase of these vehicles was done in accordance with approved budgets and clearance from the board of directors, The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and the Office of the President and Cabinet together with the purchase of the conglomerate plant and complementary earth moving equipment and other operational assets.

(ZCDC has all correspondences to this effect). The types of operational vehicles purchased were benchmarked against local mining industry standards,” said Mpofu.

Out of the total capitalisation of $80 million, Mpofu said, less than $2 million was used to purchase vehicles required for the operation of the business.

“It is important to note that operational vehicles are a necessity in mining business, ZCDC is not an exception, while the greater part of the budget had to be expensed on essential production equipment and operational vehicles were required to support production.

“You would appreciate that management need to travel to and from the mine and the administrative functions of the business has to be capacitated to support operations. Surely you don’t expect support structures of the mine to use excavators and graders to go to strategic business assignments.

Mpofu said when ZCDC was formed in 2015, it did not have operational, production equipment and assets of its own; hence it relied on leasing some assets from Marange Resources.

An intelligence report earlier this year exposed a number of malpractices including diamond leakages. The reports raised a red flag amid serious allegations some top managers and politicians connived with buyers to manipulate prices. A diamond deal to process and market Zimbabweans stones in Botswana which was being pushed by ZCDC has also been at the centre of debate with information it was oversold and will benefit a few individuals.

The Botswana deal was allegedly structured with the heavy involvement of Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe’s Israeli consultant Raphael Bitterman and involves individual who are heavily conflicted.

ZCDC publicly dismissed the allegations as baseless. However, a leaked MMCZ internal report in our possession for the country’s January diamond tender has exposed variances averaging 319 percent and as much as 6 389 percent between the ZCDC reserve prices for its diamond parcels and the market bids.

This left questions around competence of ZCDC’s diamond valuators and added to indications of possible salting away of revenues at the diamond miner.

For the January/February 2018 tender, the MMDC report showed that ZCDC expected to fetch $54,4 million at an average reserve price of $85,61 per carat, but instead, the highest bids on all 11 parcels could amount to $17 million at an average price of $26,80 per carat.

Such questionable moves are expected to be addressed through a Diamond Policy – meant to regulate, guide operations and market the precious stones- which President Mnangagwa in June said would be unveiled August. The new policy, some close sources say, could reverse consolidation.

Meanwhile ZCDC is targeting diamond production of 10 million carats in the next five years. Last year, ZCDC produced 1,8 million carats of diamonds; and the target according to the company’s strategic plan is to produce 10 million carats by 2023. This would be increased to 12 million carats by the year 2025.

Earlier this month, the State-owned diamond mining company, announced plans to commission a $100 million conglomerate diamond plant by year end.

-Business Times

MDC Alliance chairperson Morgen Komichi has requested for V11 forms from nine constituencies from which the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) relied on when they announced the election results among other particulars for his trial to kickstart.

Komichi (54), who is represented by Obey Shava stands accused of attempting to disrupt the announcement of presidential election results.

Through his lawyer, Komichi has requested for police diaries and minutes from a meeting held on July 25.

“We are making an application for a court order directing the State to furnish us with the requested particulars and we will be filling our submissions on Thursday, October 25.”

The state led by Prosecutor Michael Reza told the court that they were opposed to the submissions indicating that they were irrelevant.

“The accused person should defend himself in line with the charge that he is facing and it has nothing to do with V11 forms.

“The State is ready for trial, we have a room set aside with all the necessary equipment for the viewing of a video footage in which the accused person interrupted the elections proceedings.”

Komichi appeared before Harare Magistrate Elisha Singano. He is charged under Section 186 of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2.13).

The State alleges that on August 2, Komichi was at a Harare Hotel where ZEC was announcing the July 30 presidential election results.

After a break, Komichi went to the podium reserved for commissioners, grabbed the microphone and announced that the MDC Alliance rejected the results.

Komichi said ZEC had not followed due process when announcing the results.

M&T

Correspondent|Mines and Energy portfolio committee chairperson Temba Mliswa has said Parliament will pressure the Zimbabwe Power Company to stop buying coal from Zanu PF administration secretary Obert Mpofu’s Makomo Resources.

Makomo Resources is the largest privately-owned coal producer in Zimbabwe and supplies power stations as well as industrial and agricultural sectors.

This comes after the burly former Home Affairs minister — who lost his ministerial post and has since been re-assigned to the Zanu PF headquarters — clashed in angry scenes with Mliswa during the 8th Parliament, and vowed never to appear before the portfolio committee to answer any questions relating to the missing $15 billion revenue from the gem-rich Chiadzwa diamond fields as long as Mliswa was presiding over the emotive issue — also suggesting damagingly that the garrulous Norton legislator had at some point sought a bribe from him.

Terrence Mawawa| MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Tendai Biti has urged the Commission of Inquiry into the shooting of at least six civilians on August 1 to unmask the individual(s) who ordered soldiers to open fire on innocent people.

“The real issue about 1 August is who gave the order to deploy the army and on what basis?

Who gave the order to shoot an unarmed civilian population.?We will therefore not accept ZANU’s diversionary attempts to create fake news and to defame victims We reject #StateCapture and lies,” tweeted Biti.

Correspondent|A form 1 pupil at Mkoba 3 High School has been dragged to court for sodomising three siblings and paying buying their silence by giving them some biscuits.

The teenager who cannot be named because of age appeared before Regional Magistrate Phathekile Msipa facing indecent assault charges He was sentenced to receive three strokes after pleading guilty.

It is the State case that sometime in November last year the teenager went to his neighbour’s house to watch cartoons.
Whilst watching the cartoons and playing with his neighbour’s kids the minor told the first complainant aged 9 that he wanted to have anal sex with him and his two little brothers aged 7 and 6 years respectively but the older brother refused.

The accused person seduced the complainant with biscuits and he later agreed to the request. From that day the convicted minor had anal sex with the 9 year-old brother on different occasions while the other two brothers were watching.

The minor also went on to sodomise two other young siblings.

The three siblings narrated what had been happening to them to their mother leading to the arrest of the minor.
In court the accused pleaded guilty to the charge.

Msipa said that aggravated indecent assault was a serious offense which calls for a stiff sentence but because the accused was still in school he will only be canned.

By Jacob Mafume| The MDC takes great exception the current proceedings of the so called commission of inquiry. The whole charade is nothing but a big sham. It is from this premise that the party will not participate and sanitize this farce which is nothing more than a cover up exercise.

The whole exercise is a choreographed event meant to provide a platform for Zanu PF supporters meant to shield the entire leadership of the illegitimate regime from the pulpable liability.

It is clear the sham commission of inquiry has narrowed down to investigate civilian activity when the actual issue is supposed to be on how soldiers ended up in the streets, firing live ammunition at unarmed civilians.

We restate the point that there was no need to set an inquiry into the contact of the military if the state had complied with section 210 of the constitution which provides for the establishment of an independent complains mechanism against members of the security forces.

The MDC however has substantial reservations against the commission as evidenced by how the commission has so far failed to show any intention to call the army men who killed innocent civilians or even the Generals or whoever gave the orders.

On the 29th of August, Emmerson Mnangagwa made a decision to appoint a Commission of inquiry on post-election violence and killings, this decision in our view was unlawful on the basis that he is expected at law to make such a decision in consultation with the cabinet. At the time no cabinet had been set up as provided for under section 88 (2) and section 110 of the Constitution.

Section 110(6) compels the president in carrying out an executive function or decision to consult cabinet.

It is a known fact that the shootout that took place on the 1st of August, was carried out by the military.

The constitutional authority to deploy the military for whatever reason is solely the purview of the President. Operational liability can therefore not be removed from the deploying authority.

Moreover the constitution is clear that he has to explain himself promptly, in appropriate detail to parliament the reason for deployment and the place of deployment. Deployment of military must have parliamentary approval. Therefore we have taken note of the following:

a) It is the President himself who deployed the military.

b) He has to explain why he deployed the soldiers.

c) He also has to explain the rationality behind such a decision.

d) Did he follow due process in coming up with that decision?

The MDC holds strongly that E.D Mnangagwa is a tainted person and cannot go on to set up a commission of inquiry over his own actions as though he is unaware of what his decision led to.

Furthermore the choice of commissioners leaves a lot to be desired, especially the local appointees.

Firstly, Professor Lovemore Madhuku participated in the very same elections as a presidential candidate. He therefore cannot investigate when he has presumptive liability. Most importantly Professor Madhuku already made pronouncements in public accusing the MDC Alliance and its leaders for being responsible. He already pre-emptied his mind to a subject he now investigates, bringing his impartiality into doubt.

Secondly, Professor Charity Manyeruke is a known staunch Zanu PF supporter who holds a senior position within Mashonaland East Zanu PF Structures and was an official mascot of Zanu PF starring on their campaign commercials singing praise and worship songs for Mnangagwa.

Zanu PF has a material interest over the outcome of this case.

In our view the police who have already said they are investigating the violence and have in any case arrested scores of people, were simply supposed to be empowered to investigate even the soldiers. They cannot do a worse job than the dog’s breakfast.

The terms of reference of the commission are wrong, misdirected and a wild goose chase sadly funded by tax taxpayer’s money.

The rightful terms of reference must hold accountable those behind the trigger, they must therefore read as follows:

1. Who deployed the military to the streets and residential areas of Harare on the 1st of August?

2. What was the legal basis for the deployment and nature of the assignment to be accomplished?

3. After the deployment, what was the full extent of the violations of human rights in the period stated?

4. Who were the actual individuals who perpetrated the violations?

5. To what extent was their conduct in line with the laws of Zimbabwe and the UN guiding principles on the use of force in controlling crowds? What was the chain of command leading to these violations?

6. What is the full extent of the harm of the actions by the perpetrators?

7. What assistance was due to each of the affected victims and how much of such was made available?

8. What form and amount of restitution is reasonable and just for each of the person affected.

9. What reforms must be put in place to rebuild the relationship between the people of Zimbabwe and the security services.

10. What measure must be put in place to ensure that never again will such an atrocity happen on Zimbabwean land?

One of the sons of former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe has allegedly been pressurising Gabriella Engels, the Johannesburg model who filed assault charges against Grace Mugabe, to drop the charges against his mother.

Civil rights group AfriForum represents Engels in the high profile case.

AfriForum’s CEO Kallie Kriel told journalists in Pretoria: “We’ve had a complaint, we were contacted by Gabriella Engels informing us that one of Mrs Mugabe’s sons in South Africa contacted her, and tried to convince her not to go ahead with the case. We have informed the police, that they should look at this because it is interference with the judicial process and we believe that is very unfortunate.

“That case, we believe will be going ahead [in courts].”

In July, the High Court in Johannesburg declared the South African government’s decision to grant Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity was unconstitutional and set it aside.

Mugabe allegedly assaulted model Gabriella Engels at a hotel in August last year but has claimed that she acted in self-defence.

On social media, Engels posted pictures of a gash on her forehead, allegedly sustained when Mugabe hit her with an electric extension cord.

Mugabe was accompanied by about 10 bodyguards and hotel security guards and was looking for her sons, Robert Jnr, 25, and Chatunga Bellarmine, 21.

The attack allegedly took place at Sandton’s The Capital 20 West hotel.

A waitress reportedly also suffered a miscarriage after she was pushed by Robert Mugabe jnr as he fled his mother who allegedly went on a violent attack at the Sandton hotel.

At the time, Robert Mugabe was still president of Zimbabwe, and his wife was allowed to leave the country without being prosecuted.

Afriforum and South Africa’s official opposition, the Democratic Alliance, challenged the government’s decision in court.

In May, South Africa’s department of international relations and cooperation argued in court that it did not grant Mugabe diplomatic immunity, but rather recognised it was applicable in terms of international law.

Judge Bashier Vally also ruled that the government department should pay the costs of the case.

On Thursday, AfriForum said it has written to the South African Police Service, seeking an update on the investigations into the August 2017 incident.

“We have written to the police to inquire how that investigation against Grace Mugabe is proceeding at the moment, and we await feedback from them. We still assist the Engels family,” said Kriel.

– Citizen

Jane Mlambo| Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers have arrested and charged a Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) member in Gweru in Midlands province for allegedly participating in a protest over government’s disastrous economic policies.

ZRP officers arrested Kudakwashe Munengiwa, the ZCTU Regional Chairperson for Midlands province, on Wednesday 17 October 2018 and charged him with participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry as defined in section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Munengiwa, who was detained at Gweru Central Police Station, was released into the custody of his lawyer Takashinga Pamacheche of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

The arrest of Munengiwa brings to 43 the number of ZCTU leaders and members arrested since Thursday 11 October 2018, when ZRP officers began a crackdown on the leaders of the country’s largest labour union.