KEN Vincent Grant-Cocker, a British investor who was deported in May this year for not regularising his stay in Zimbabwe, has appealed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to help him return to the southern African country.

The Briton, who claims he wanted to bring multi-billion dollar infrastructure development investments into Zimbabwe before he was ejected, said he resorted to engaging the leader after failing to get responses from various ministers.

“Over the past four months, I have written, in some detail, to the Minister of Home Affairs regarding the matter. I wrote to the minister on the 26th of May, the 30th of May, 6th of June and finally on August 28 2018. To date, I have not had a response or even the courtesy of an acknowledgment. According to my information, no action has been taken against the officers and directors of the cartel that runs the immigration department for its personal benefit,” he said in a September 2018 letter addressed to Mnangagwa and seen by The Financial Gazette.

“In addition to writing to the minister, I previously, some six months ago, contacted the Zimbabwe anti-corruption office regarding these officials and again to date nothing appears to have happened, despite repeated reminders via WhatsApp messages,” he added.

The latest development comes at a time United Kingdom-based investment firm 360° Time World Development has indicated to government that it would halt its intended project in Zimbabwe, if its point man — Grant-Coker — is not allowed to return to Zimbabwe.

360° Time World Development, through its subsidiary 55°Time, is on a mission to position and develop 24 Timepiece Ultra Luxury Towers in 24 leading cities of the world.

The company plans to construct an iconic Tower plaza, a new tourist city in Victoria Falls, an offshore financial centre and a new all-purpose marina on Lake Kariba and “these, together with ancillary infrastructure developments, will bring massive investment into Zimbabwe that will exceed $100 billion over the next 5-7 years”.

Grant-Coker said arising out of the proposals for Victoria Falls were proposals for the revamping of waste management in Zimbabwe which involved a major international company responsible for 40 percent of the waste management in the United Kingdom.

“Their representative visited Chinhoyi, Chitungwiza and Harare sewage facilities. Following these visits, I wrote to the various councils and to Minister (July) Moyo at local government. Needless to say, I got no response or even acknowledgment.

“The irony of all these proposals is that the billions of inward investment generated would have cost Zimbabwe nothing; they were self-financing vehicles, which would have no effect on Zimbabwe’s integrity or indebtness, which is quite the opposite of what is currently happening in Zambia and its problems with the Chinese taking over its infrastructure,” he said in the missive.

He added that the draft contract for the Victoria Falls development submitted to the Tourism ministry included specific stipulations by investors that corruption would not be tolerated.
“The waste management proposals have been highlighted by the current cholera epidemic, the current sewage system leaves much to be desired. It suffers from lack of management and is starved of investment and modern technology which will do much to alleviate the problems. The plants we inspected were just not running, their equipment lying idle and in the case of Crowborough, sewage being barely treated before being distributed on the council farms.

“I would respectfully request and urge you/and your office investigate this matter as a matter of some urgency and ensure that immediate and necessary action is taken to clear out the cancer of corruption in the immigration dept and that the officers concerned are stripped of all benefits, convicted and imprisoned for their crimes. This would be a clear sign to potential investors that action is being taken and that corruption will not be tolerated at any level,” the Briton said.

“I… respectively ask that my illegal prohibition order be immediately lifted in order that I can return to my family. Everything I have is in Zimbabwe, I cannot access my assets or even draw money,” Grant-Coker said.

Fingaz

ZIMBABWEAN scientists working in collaboration with their counterparts at the University of Edinburgh (UK) have discovered a rare disease – systematic lupus erythematosus – that affects mainly black people.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs, including the skin, joints, hematopoietic system, kidneys, lungs and the central nervous system.

Previous studies report differences in the prevalence and severity of SLE in different ethnic groups.

SLE-associated mortality in Black American patients is 24 percent, compared with five percent among Asians with comparable demographic and clinical features.

SLE diagnosis in Africa remains challenging and true disease and mortality rates are unknown.

Treatment is often complicated by side effects, so accurate, and early diagnosis (which can be facilitated by characterising autoantibody reactivity) is key to successful disease management.

In a statement to our Harare Bureau, the scientists said the discovery of lupus could help manage the disease in African patients.

Professor Francisca Mutapi of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Biological Sciences, a Zimbabwean who led the study, said: “For the first time, we have highlighted the importance of two variants of systemic lupus that affect black Africans, including one which was previously not defined in detail.

“Thanks to our research, we also have the means to diagnose and distinguish them.”

Professor Elopy Sibanda, of the Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe, who led the clinical aspects of the study, said: “These findings will be valuable in diagnosing SLE in affected patients. It is currently difficult to diagnose lupus erythematosus, as many symptoms overlap with those of other locally prevalent conditions, including HIV.”

State Media

A BULAWAYO businesswoman, who had been on the police wanted list for allegedly externalising more than $6 million to Botswana, appeared in court yesterday.

Delny Deanna Ashley Davies (41) of Morningside suburb appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Trynos Utawashe facing charges of contravening the Exchange Control Act or alternatively Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime, Chapter 9:24 after allegedly externalising $6 314 006, R500 100 and 39 500 Euros.

She was remanded out of custody to October 24 on $2 500 bail.

Prosecuting, Ms Caroline Matanga said between January 14 and April 9 this year, Davies, who is a holder of a foreign currency bank account at Stanbic Bank in Botswana, allegedly crossed into the neighbouring country through Plumtree Border Post in her personal capacity and through other couriers who are all Zimbabwean passport holders with large amounts of cash.

She allegedly deposited a total of $6 314 006, R500 100, EUR39 500 into her three foreign accounts in Botswana.

“On all these occasions, the accused person and her couriers did not declare the money at Plumtree Border Post. They would however, declare the cash at Ramokgwebana Border Post in Botswana,” said Ms Matanga.

The court heard that Davies deposited all the money into her foreign bank accounts namely Stanbic Bank (South African rand) account number 9060001687994, Stanbic Bank (Euro) account number 9060002320067 and Stanbic Bank (United States dollar) account number 9060001680000 and 9060002620435. Investigations by police established that the exportation of the foreign currency to Botswana by Davies was done without the approval of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

The money was not repatriated.

Davies together with Farid Shahadat (45) and Ryan Gregory Joseph (29) were on the police wanted list and the country had to activate Interpol in its quest to locate the trio.

During the period between February 23 and April 11 this year, Shahadat, who is the director of a gold mining and milling company, Yakuts Marketing (Pvt) Ltd in Bulawayo, with the help of other couriers, crossed into Botswana and deposited a total of $1 197 080.

On April 12 and 13, Joseph deposited a total of $331 700 into his personal foreign Stanbic Bank Account.

Davies is being represented by a team of lawyers comprising Messrs Admire Rubaya of Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, Tanaka Muganyi, Maclean Mahaso and Tinashe Runyanya all from Tanaka Law Chambers.

In July, police raided a Harare property and recovered US$4 million in cash and 98 kilogrammes of gold that was stashed in suitcases.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year gave an ultimatum to those who externalised funds and assets to repatriate them within three months. The ultimatum expired in February and a list of those who defied returning the funds and assets was published. At least $850 million of the looted $1,4 billion had since been returned to the country.

A BULAWAYO businessman has appeared in court for discharging a firearm in a public place for no apparent reason.

Job Mushunje- popularly known as ‘Cash only’ due to his penchant for paying cash for everything- and is the owner of Foundation Engineering and Sales (Pvt) Ltd in Thorngrove appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Adelaide Mbeure who remanded him out of custody on free bail to October 22.

He was not asked to plead as he failed to talk and looked traumatised in the dock.

Mushunje resides in Northend suburb.

He is being charged with knowingly and without lawful cause discharging a fire arm in a public place.

Prosecuting, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo said: “On September 23 at around 3:30PM Mushunje in the company of three unnamed companions at Thorngrove produced his pistol loaded with one round and fired in the air once.”

“Mushunje apologised to his friends for shooting when they approached him saying he didn’t know the gun was loaded,” said Mr Dlodlo.

The court heard Mushunje took his pistol from his waist and fired a single shot into the air through his car window and later apologised for his actions, although threatening to fire more shots.

“The gun was for protecting his company money,” said Mr Dlodlo.

The court heard Mushunje drew the ire of his companions who disarmed and reported the matter to the police leading to his arrest.

Government has received 500 000 doses of cholera vaccines and will start vaccinations next week, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro has said.

“We received 500 000 doses of the cholera vaccine yesterday (Wednesday) and preparations are at an advanced stage to initiate vaccination in the next week,” he said.

“In the short-term, the rapid response activity is to vaccinate at risk populations in Glen View, Budiriro, Glen Norah and Mbare suburbs.”

Dr Mangwiro was speaking during a handover of donations by Stanbic Bank and Potraz towards the cholera outbreak at the Beatrice Infectious Disease Hospital in Harare.

He said all provinces and city health departments were on high alert and had activated their rapid response teams to deal with any outbreak.

“We hope we will be able to mobilise more vaccine before the end of the year to reach a larger part of the vulnerable populations,” said Dr Mangwiro.
Government has applauded the efforts made by Potraz, Stanbic Bank, Food World and the Iranian Embassy towards containing cholera.

“Today (yesterday) we are accepting more from Potraz, Stanbic Bank, Food World and the Iranian Embassy,” said Dr Mangwiro. “We are very grateful for your gesture, I assure you that these donations will be used appropriately for the purpose of cholera control.”

Speaking at the same occasion, Stanbic Bank head of marketing and communications Mr Palmer Mugavha said they were joining the fight against cholera.

“As we join hands to restore the well-being of those who have unfortunately contracted the disease and assist in preventing further infection, we have come here today with our contribution of 5 000 litres of IV fluids, 10 000 plastics aprons for the health care workers, 50 000 face masks, latex gloves, 100 pairs of gumboots and 5 000 containers,” he said.

“We are also in the process of importing water treatment tablets, which we expect to arrive by Wednesday next week and we will hand them over to the Ministry for distribution as soon as they arrive.”

Potraz donated $200 000.

FOLLOWING a week of fierce debate and a lawsuit threat to the school caused by the disclosure of his sexual orientation to pupils
at an assembly, St John’s College deputy head (sixth form) Dr Neal Hovelmeier yesterday resigned from his post.

The educator, who last week revealed that he was gay in a bid to pre-empt a newspaper article, released an apologetic statement
announcing his departure.
“I have to fully accept that I had no idea of the force of anger and resentment such a declaration would make, but I would like it known that I am a man who has the utmost
respect for people who hold strong views along the lines of custom, tradition, religion and other values.
“I am deeply apologetic for any distress I have caused and the manner in which I acted on Friday. I ask for forgiveness and understanding for the magnitude of this insult,” said Dr Hovelmeier.

Dr Hovelmeier, who had been with the affluent boys’ college dubbed “The Green Blazer” for a decade-and-a-half, claimed he was living in danger since he made his sexual
orientation known.

“In the past few days, I have unfortunately come under vitriolic attack from various quarters. I have been in receipt of death threats as well as threats of physical danger
to myself and my pets,” he said.State media

Shop owners in Harare’s central
business district (CBD) have
welcomed the joint exercise by the
Harare City Council and Zimbabwe
Republic Police to transfer vendors to designated vending sites.

The record number of illegal vendors
who had occupied the CBD of Harare
had not only made the streets
impassable but were unfairly eating
into the market of properly registered
business located.

Business owners who spoke to the
ZBC News applauded the joint
exercise not only as fair but provides
a conducive and orderly trading
environment.
“These streets were an eyesore, we
are not able to offload our stocks
and sales had gone down. Some of
the people were taking advantage of
the situation by stealing from our
shops and we lost due to this.
Those vendors selling clothes like us
were making a killing as they were
less than us because they do not
pay rent, salaries, taxes and the
like,” said some shop owners.

The authorities have not only
removed the vendors but have
identified sites where there is proper
infrastructure to conduct their
business legally- state media.

They arrived in a convoy of 10 vehicles, a bus and a South African traffic police escort.

The victims, among them a one-year-and-three-months-old baby, were killed when the driver of an Inter Cape bus they were travelling in lost control of the vehicle which veered off the road around the Westenburg area along the N1 Road, a few kilometres outside the City of Polokwane.

The bus was on its way from Harare to Johannesburg with 61 passengers.

Zimbabwe’s Consular-General to South Africa Mr Henry Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro said they had facilitated the repatriation process with the assistance of the host government.

“We are very grateful for the cooperation and assistance we received from various stakeholders during our darkest hour,” he said.

“The South African government through the Road Accident Fund paid for funeral services and the caskets while Inter Cape catered for transport costs for the relatives. Our Government through the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) provided other monetary and material support from Beitbridge Border Post until they got to their final resting places.”

The deceased are Memory Masara (25), Tafadzwa Nyatsine (22), Nokuthula Tiny Maarah (22), Tanaka Nhundu (22), Asichile Liwawanya (38) and Anenyasha Choga (a one-year-and-three-months-old baby girl), Peter Sithole (48), Joyce Chapingidza (58) and Aloise Tapiwa Chani (18).

The convoy arrived at the border post around 3pm accompanied by relatives and was welcomed by the Civil Protection Unit committee led by Beitbridge District Administrator Mrs Kiliboni Ndou-Mbedzi.

“Our hearts are heavy with sorrow and we would want to convey our heartfelt condolences to the beavered for their great loss,” said Mrs Ndou-Mbedzi.

National director of Civil Protection Unit Mr Nathan Nkomo described the accident as unfortunate.

He said Government will give each family $500 and 100kg of rice and other services.

“We have raised our assistance fund from $300 to $500 for each bereaved family and we will facilitate other necessary services so that they may bury our compatriots in dignity,” said Mr Nkomo.

The driver of the Inter Cape bus was on Monday morning arrested after he tried to skip the border to Zimbabwe. – state media

Harare City Council has locked out tenants at Matapi Hostel in a bid to recover rental arrears, amid reports that some of its occupants have “not paid a cent” since the 2013 debt write-offs.

Council officials from Matapi District Offices were locking houses at Block 4 and 5 Matapi Flats for tenants with rental arrears.

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) yesterday claimed that city officials were only allowing tenants back after payment of $20.

“Section 51 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe gives every citizen the right to human dignity, while Section 68 guarantees right to administrative justice that is reasonable, proportionate, impartial and both substantively and procedurally fair,” said CHRA in a statement.

“Residents claim that the authorities are ambushing tenants who are not at home and then add another lock in a bid to coerce tenants to service their debts with the local authority.”

The city’s corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme confirmed the development, saying the city was engaging the affected tenants.

“Residents whose apartments were locked this morning because of non-payment of municipal bills have honoured their part of the deal and the apartments have been opened,” he said. “The remaining few are making payment arrangements.”

Harare City Council is owed almost $800 million by various debtors who include residents, Government and business.

Recently, council offered a 50 percent discount to residents as an incentive for residents to pay their bills.

The city says service delivery will improve if it manages to collect $400 million from what it is owed rather than continue, saying it is owed about $800 million which the city will never be able to recover.

A default judgment was erroneously granted in favour of an independent losing candidate Mr Noah Mangondo after the High Court was made to believe that Minister Matiza had been duly served with court papers, but deliberately chose not to attend court.

The rescinded judgment barred him from making threats to Mr Mangondo and his campaign team, but there was no proof that there was such intimidation.

It also barred Minister Matiza from threatening to withhold presidential inputs as a way of coercing village heads and Mr Mangondo’s supporters to vote him into office.

However, the judgment was issued on mere claims without tangible proof that the minister was guilty of such infractions.

High Court judge Justice Charles Hungwe this week set aside the judgment following a successful application by Harare lawyer Mr Nickiel Mushangwe of Mushangwe and Partners.

In the rescission application, Mr Mushangwe argued that his client was not aware of the default judgment until he was served with an election petition in which Mr Mangondo was basing his electoral challenge on alleged intimidation and threats.

Mr Mangondo, in the pending election petition, cited the default judgment to support his claims.

Upon discovery of the existence of the default judgment, Minister Matiza’s lawyers then sought the setting aside of the erroneous decision.

Mr Mushangwe told the court that his client was not aware of the urgent chamber application that led to the granting of the default judgment.

Minister Matiza, he argued, was never served with any papers for the case in question, hence the judgment was granted in error.

The court also heard that the certificate of service filed of record was defective as it did not meet the requirements set out in the rules of the High Court.

The case will now be reopened, Minister Matiza getting an opportunity to outline his defence.

Meanwhile, the petition in which Mr Mangondo is contesting Minister Matiza’s victory is still pending at the Electoral Court. – state media

MDC-Alliance principal Tendai Biti’s application for a temporary release of his passport was yesterday dismissed by Harare magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo.

Magistrate Mapfumo said this is because he is a flight risk since he was arrested while attempting to flee the country.

Biti had applied for the temporary release of his passport to attend counselling sessions for post-traumatic disorder in South Africa and a conference organised by Pan-African lawyer’s Union in Tunisia.

Mr Mapfumo ruled that the release of Biti’s passport was too risky as the State was using it to ensure that he followed the court’s guidelines and appeared for his routine remand.

“The basis of the case lies on the fact that the accused was arrested while he was using the very passport he is asking to be released,” he said.

“He knew that he was wanted by the police and he chose to flee. If it was not for the Zambian government that returned him, he would have succeeded in fleeing.

“The passport is a way of ensuring that he shows his face before the court. Releasing it is too risky, therefore, the application is hereby dismissed.”

Biti was further remanded to October 3.

Through his lawyers — Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, Messrs Alec Muchadehama, Harrison Nkomo, Gift Mtisi and Denford Halimani — Biti made an application for the release of his passport from September 26 to October 23.

The State represented by Mr Michael Reza opposed the application, stating that there was no need for him to go for treatment in South Africa since he was invited for medical treatment, yet he had not indicated that he was not well.

Mr Reza argued that in the case of the conference in Tunisia, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights can nominate another lawyer to represent them.

Biti is facing charges of inciting violence and 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 in the presidential elections held on July 30.

Zimbabwe’s legislators across the political parties have said they are working under poor conditions and want an increase in their salaries, which is commensurate with their status.

The legislators poured their hearts out at an induction workshop on Monday saying they were living like paupers and beggars as they were not well- remunerated. MPs get around $1 500 a month.

Zanu PF legislator for Shamva North Oscar Goreno said they have to meet a number of financial demands from constituents with people seeking money on a daily basis.

“We are being asked to meet even the funeral costs of our party members, but we don’t have the money. We have become welfare officers in our constituencies and a laughing stock in constituencies that we don’t have the money,” he said.

“People in the constituencies don’t understand that we are poorly- paid. They still demand money from us, and we are asking government to increase our salaries, so we can be able to continue helping people who are always demanding money from us as their MPs.”

Norton legislator Temba Mliswa said lawmakers were sacrifising a lot of financial resources from their pockets in their constituencies without any help and needed more financial support from government to cater for their welfare.

He said the MPs were always queuing and scrambling to fuel coupons, which were in short supply to them.

“In Kenya, MPs are paid $15 000 per month and have been given land to build houses and vehicles have been bought for them. They also have constituency offices where they can do research with the assistance of 10 or more researchers, but in our country, constituency offices were closed long time ago,” Mliswa said.

Godfrey Sithole (MDC Alliance) said their conditions of service were poor and needed government’s intervention so that their social status can be upgraded.

Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda, said Parliament was seized with the matter and was going to write to government to avail more funds for lawmakers.

“We have communicated with government and have asked them to improve the welfare and service of conditions for the MPs.”

BusinessTimes

Walter Choga will not forget the accident which claimed his wife Asichile Liwawanya and their one year three months old daughter Anenyasha.

Last Thursday he was an excited husband and father waiting for his family to arrive from Harare.

However, it was not to be.

The two were on their way to Johannesburg when the Intercape Bus they were travelling on was involved in an accident which claimed 9 lives in Polokwane.

The South African and Zimbabwean governments worked together to facilitate the repatriation of the bodies.

Eight of the victims are from Harare while one is from Nyanga.

The families of the victims have received state assistance to give their loved ones decent burials.-state media

Paul Nyathi|Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to immediately remove the Bond Notes in order to rescue the ailing economy.

Chamisa wrote on his Twitter and Facebook pages after the US dollar rate to the Bond Notes shot up to more than 100%.

“CONCERNED by the dramatic drop of the RTGS & Bond Note against the USD in Zimbabwe.The fall to 110% as experienced earlier today points to serious trouble in the economy. Being the alternative, we insist, confidence must be restored by urgently removing the Bond and resolving the political problems & legitimacy crisis .#smarteconomics”

Terrence Mawawa| A farm employee has been arrested for bashing his wife and leaving her for dead after she had gone through his mobile phone messages.

Edson Maudzeni, a farm worker at Denolly Farm in Beatrice confronted his wife and severely bashed her for scrutinising his phone messages.

Beatrice Magistrate Yeukai Chigodora heard that on September 17, 2017, Maudzeni assaulted his wife with clenched fists all over her body for going through messages in his mobile phone.

“I assaulted her bacause she was influenced by her friends to go through my phone,” said Maudzeni.

He was fined $ 100 for the offence.

Terrence Mawawa| A senior member of the Muzenda Sports Foundation has expressed concern at the manner in which Zanu PF officials are falling over each other in a bid to seize the foundation.

The official who chose to remain anonymous said he was unhappy with the manner in which Zanu PF bigwigs, led by Masvingo Provincial State Minister Ezra Chadzamira, were meddling in the foundation’ s affairs.

“We are not happy with the Zanu PF officials’ interference in our programmes,” said the official.

Last week Chadzamira pledged to donate land to the foundation indicating there was need to amplify the foundation’ s activities.

The foundation was founded in honour of the late Vice President Simon Muzenda.

The MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has torn into President Emmerson Mnangagwa describing his address at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as a non event ‘full of nothing.’

President Mnangagwa addressed the UNGA yesterday evening where he continued with ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ mantra while committing to ensure that Harare attains middle income economy by 2030 among other issues.

Speaking to 263Chat in telephone interview today, Chamisa’s spokesperson, Dr Nkululeko Sibanda dismissed Mnangagwa’s address charging that he missed an opportunity to show the world how he wants the country to move towards complete legitimacy.

“What President Nelson Chamisa would have done is to show the world how he wants to move this country to full and complete legitimacy, not to try to carry out PR exercise but also to show case Zimbabwe as a country that has sufficient political stability to attract investment.

“He would have asked other countries to partner with this country to stabilize our economic situation so that Zimbabwe can graduate to the 21st century.

Sibanda added that Mnangagwa’s address was ‘cold’ and very thin on detail accusing his delegation made up of Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr John Mangudya and Finance Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube of sleeping on the job.

“Unfortunately, his economic advisers, including the Finance Minister and the governor of the Reserve Bank have also been doing a terrible job courtesy of UNGA.”

United Kingdom based lecturer and former Advisor to the late Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Morgan Tsvangirai during the inclusive government, Alex Magaisa had no kind words for the central bank boss after he struggled to explain himself in an interview with Bloomberg.

“It was a shoddy performance from the governor,” said Magaisa while posting on his micro blogging site Twitter today.

However, Zanu PF secretary for Information and Publicity Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo differed with Dr Sibanda saying President Mnangagwa’s speech at the 73rd UNGA was fantastic.

“It was a fantastic speech, very informative, very well tailored, very well presented and indeed articulated the vision of the second republic,” he said.

MDC-T Deputy President, Obert Gutu has also dashed to the defence of Mnangagwa’s speech at the UNGA saying it was a good address which confirms that Zimbabwe is in safe hands.

“Very good address by HE President Emmerson Mnangagwa @ UNGA 73rd Session yesterday.

“Zimbabwe is indeed in safe hands,” tweeted Gutu.

263chat

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Is Mnangagwa building the economy by lying to UN that 1 August is the only post election violence incident, ignoring the running military brutality in Kuwadzana, Chitungwiza, DZ, Muzarabani, Mutoko? @antonioguterres @nelsonchamisa @BitiTendai @DrNkuSibanda

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 27, 2018

Terrence Mawawa| A German woman was trampled to death by an elephant in a popular game reserve
in northern Zimbabwe as she tried to
photograph it, wildlife officials have revealed.

The attack happened on Wednesday at the Mana Pools Game Reserve after the woman(49) apparently left the protection of the vehicle she
had been travelling in.

“The information we have is that the tourists encountered a herd of elephants when they were entering the park and they started taking
pictures,” said Tinashe Farawo, spokesman of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
“We do not know what irritated the animals which resulted in the woman being attacked.She passed on last night (Wednesday) from injuries.”

The woman was not named by the officials.

By Paul Nyathi|The newly introduced Japanese luxury sedan the Toyota Wish is the new killer on Zimbabwe’s highways accounting for most of the fatal road accidents on the highways.

The family luxury vehicle designed to carry six people is being used as a public transport vehicle between most major cities carrying up to eleven passengers.

The rate at which the vehicle has been killing people on the roads has earned it the nickname Toyota Witch.

Scores of travelers who spoke to ZimEye.com indicted that the the vehicle must be banned from being used as a long distance public transport vehicle.

Jane Mlambo| Unconfirmed reports have indicated that the woman who was assaulted by riot police at Rotten Row Magistrates Court has received compensation of US13 500.

David Hofisi, one of the lawyers who handled her case posted the message below on his Facebook page:

When this image of the police assaulting an old woman at Rotten Raw Magistrates’ Court went viral, I tracked her down with the help of Fidelis Mudimu at CSU and Cde Patson Dzamara. I recall her unflinching dedication to the cause of democratic change and enjoyed preparing her papers right until the pre-trial conference stage (after which I left ZLHR). The police had argued that the images were either photo-shopped or depicted persons who were not in the employ of the ZRP. I was happy to learn today that the High Court granted judgment in her favour.

Jane Mlambo| Harare Magistrate Francis Mapfumo has ruled against an application by the opposition MDC Deputy Chairperson, Tendai Biti to temporarily get his passport in order to facilitate his trip to South Africa where he was invited for mental counselling.

Mapfumo said Biti was only in court following his deportation from Zambia where he had gone to seek political asylum adding that granting his application will jeopardize the interest of justice.

“Accused person is only in court because the Zambian authorities deported him from their country where he had flew to knowing that the police were looking for him,” said Mapfumo.

He also dismissed arguments by Biti’s lawyer, Harrison Nkomo that the accused should be granted his passport because has a lot of properties worth million dollars in the country, saying it is not convincing enough as he had earlier left the said properties and fled to Zambia.

Yesterday, Biti applied to temporarily have his passport to enable him to travel to South Africa and Tunisia.

He was arrested on charges of inciting public violence which resulted in the deaths of six civilians after soldiers opened live bullets against protestors.

MDC Alliance principal, Tendai Biti has written to the courts seeking his passport so that he can travel for counselling.

In his application, Biti presented the above document as evidence of his medical appointment in neighbouring  South Africa:

THE Kgalema Motlanthe-led commission of inquiry into the August 1 post-election violence has found its home at a Harare hotel, with permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice Virginia Mabiza serving as its secretary.

Through a notice, Mabiza invited members of the public with relevant information relating to the August 1 violence that left at least seven dead, to contact the commission at its offices or submit emails through a Gmail account.

“In order to assist the commission to make fair and appropriate findings, we hereby call upon members of the public with relevant information which may be of assistance to the Commission of Inquiry to submit written submissions with contact details to the secretariat at office number 136 Cresta Lodge, Samora Machel Avenue, Harare or email [email protected],” the notice read.

Mabiza said the submissions transmitted to the commission through her, would be protected and that the safety of witnesses would be guaranteed.

“The submissions to the commission will be protected by law and will be received on a ‘without prejudice’ basis. Necessary measures have been put in place to guarantee the safety and protection of potential witnesses,” she said.

A member of the commission, Lovemore Madhuku defended the location of the secretariat, saying this was the trend worldwide to operate from hotels as this was not a permanent commission.

He said Mabiza was appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in line with the law to run the secretariat.

“She was not appointed by the commission, but by the President in line with the law. It should be someone who can be able to provide secretariat services since this is being funded by the government,” Madhuku said.

Not sure if l should call you Captains of Industry because l am not sure if there is something to captain at the moment – Dairibord CEO Anthony Mandiwanza to other CEOs at #CZICongress18

— C.E Mambo ?? (@cemambo) September 27, 2018

MJane Mlambo| Movement for Democratic Change President Nelson Chamisa has called for the removal of bond notes, a move he said is important in restoring confidence in the economy.

Newly appointed Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube recently said bond notes were still a legal tender in Zimbabwe, urging the business community to accept the surrogate currency introduced in 2016 to alleviate cash crisis in the country.

Ncube said bond notes would only be scrapped after broader economic reforms have been put in place.

Posting on twitter, Chamisa said the rise in parallel foreign currency rates to 110% was indicative of the absence of confidence in bond notes.

CONCERNED by the dramatic drop of the RTGS & Bond Note against the USD in Zimbabwe.The fall to 110% as experienced earlier today points to serious trouble in the economy. Being the alternative, we insist, confidence must be restored by urgently removing the Bond .#smarteconomics

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) September 26, 2018

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa Wednesday took the occasion of his inaugural address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to regurgitate his predecessor Robert Mugabe’s anti-sanctions call.

“We call for their (sanctions) immediate and conditional removal…” Mnangagwa said in an address which ended moments before midnight, Zimbabwe time.

Washington in 2001 enacted the controversial Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act which blocks American firms and those with American interests from engaging in any form of trade with Zimbabwe while slapping a US travel ban and asset freeze on Mugabe and his inner circle.

The sanctions were imposed in an ostensible attempt by the super power to force the Zanu PF led regime to restore the country back to the observance of human rights and democracy following what critics alleged were stolen elections by Mugabe.

In his many appearances at the global event, Mugabe ranted about sanctions being illegal. His calls went largely ignored.
However, Mnangagwa Wednesday chose to walk in the all familiar path as he described the US sanctions as illegal and hence, should be removed unconditionally.

-Newzimbabwe.com

Jane Mlambo| Harare Magistrate Francis Mapfumo will today hand down a ruling on MDC deputy national chair and ex-cabinet minister, Tendai Biti application for temporary passport release to allow him to seek mental health services in South Africa.

Biti, who is being tried for allegedly violating the Electoral Act, appeared before Mapfumo applying for release of the travel document saying he required counselling services for the trauma he suffered during his foiled bid to skip the country last month.

According to a letter he tendered in court, Biti is supposed to go to a private counselling institution for therapy following the rough experiences he went through when he attempted to flee to Zambia to seek asylum soon after the 2018 presidential elections.

The institution is called The Center for the Study for Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), a non-profit organisation that offers mental health and psycho-social support to victims of violence.

“We have been following your situation since 8 August 2018. We hereby invite you to receive mental health services at our clinic,” read part of the letter.

The letter was written on September 14 this year and the organisation intends to take him through therapy sessions from September 18 until the 22nd of September.

The organisation also said, “It is not clinically indicated to have such a short period of treatment. Therefore, follow-up sessions will be scheduled.”

Prosecuting, Michael Reza challenged the application saying Biti’s claims were false.
“There is something fishy with the chronology of documents tendered by the defence counsel.

“The letter was written ‘organisation’, but the accused did not indicate he has a mental health problem. His application was triggered by the invitation he received from the South African organisation which an unusual way of doing business,” Reza added.

He also argued that Biti was determined to escape from the Zimbabwean court’s jurisdiction as he did when he tried to escape to Zambia in August when he was being sought by police.

In his application, Biti also said he intended to travel to Tunisia for a lawyer’s conference which will be held from September 26 to 30.
But Reza also challenged the request saying Biti’s bail conditions do not allow him to address any public gathering.
-Newzimbabwe.com

Jane Mlambo| Eminent persons observer mission under the Electoral Support Network of Southern Africa, have called on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to clean up the biometric voters’ roll (BVR) and improve the way it transmits results to improve transparency and credibility of elections.

ZEC was found wanting after releasing results that did not tally and in some instances, had glaring discrepancies, forcing the poll management body to change official results three times, one of the central complaints in MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s failed poll petition challenging President Emerson Mnangagwa’s victory in the July 30 elections.

On the BVR, the report noted that while it was an improvement from previous elections, it was not clean and caused some problems during the elections.

“Through briefings, the mission learnt that the 2018 voters’ roll is an improvement from the 2013 register, however there are anomalies and errors that require further cleaning up. The voters’ roll which was availed by the Zec after nomination was not the final one,” reads the final report on the July 30 harmonised elections by the eminent persons, who were drawn from nine Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) countries.

“The mode of transmission of results from the polling station to the national results centre should also be reviewed to speed up the release of election results to maintain credibility. The commission should consider establishing an electronic results transmission system to promote accuracy in the results announced and transparency.”

The group led by former secretary-general of the regional body, Tomaz Salomão, raised matters that needed to be attended to by Zec, especially the transmission of results which are now the centre of the July 30 disputed polls.

“Stakeholders continued to raise concerns with Zec concerning the quality of the voters’ roll and availing of a biometric voters’ roll. The Zec availed the final voters’ roll on July 25, 2018, a few days before the elections, making it difficult for any analysis and any cleaning. In the future, the voters’ roll should be availed in time to allow for analysis and further cleaning.”

The Sadc observers also noted that urban voters were supplied with fewer BVR kits when compared to their rural counterparts.
“During the BVR exercise, lesser kits were allocated to Harare and Bulawayo, and this could have had an impact on the number of registered voters. Other issues witnessed during BVR include intimidation of registrants through recording serial numbers on the voter registration slip, collection of slips,” the report reads.

The group noted that while the country passed an Electoral Amendment Act just before the elections, a number of gaps still needed to be addressed to ensure that the polls are smooth.

“Despite these (legal) improvements, the legal framework contains several gaps and has not been fully aligned to the Constitution, for example the right to vote, especially for Zimbabweans in the diaspora, and a framework to guide the operations and accreditation of long term observers,” the observers said.

“There is need to clarify the scope of the Electoral Court’s subject matter jurisdiction, whether the court will deal only with election petitions or any other election related matters whenever they arise at any period in the electoral cycle.”
-Newsday

HOME Affairs minister Cain Mathema has been sucked into the row about sexual abuse at the Department of Immigration which is now at the centre of investigations by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission.

The commission announced early this month that it was investigating reports of sexual abuse, with new Registrar-General Clemence Masango, who was in charge of the department before his latest appointment, also coming under the microscope.

One of the complainants, Fortunate Nyamuremba, told NewsDay that she had requested a meeting with Mathema over the issue but the minister’s response had left her stunned.

“The minister (Mathema) agreed to my request, but just dismissed me off-hand, arguing I should not have resigned because of ‘mere sexual abuse’. It seems the minister wanted me to suffer in silence. This is why women are suffering because we have leaders who are not empathetic to their cause,” Nyamuremba said accusing permanent secretary in the ministry, Melusi Matshiya, of protecting those accused of misdemeanours.

But Mathema claimed he had not met the woman or anyone from the Department of Immigration.

“I did not meet anyone from the Department of Immigration. I don’t know what you are talking about my brother,” Mathema said by telephone.

Nyamuremba resigned her job in June 2014 citing sexual harassment that she says threatened her marriage.

“At some point I was told in my face that I would not be promoted if I do not succumb to a manager’s (name withheld) sexual advances,” she said.

Matshiya said the public service has a grievance procedure that should be followed, which Nyamuremba had not complied with.

“She did not follow due procedure,” said Matshiya adding the issue was now under investigation by the gender commission. “We have made representations and the investigations continue.”

The victimised workers said they had approached Parliament, former First Lady Grace Mugabe and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) without success.

A dossier sent to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Labour and Social Welfare as well as Zacc, a copy of which NewsDay has in its possession, details allegations of favouritism, nepotism, sexual harassment including targeted abuse of workers that the department was internally referred as “Connemara” named after an open prison in Gweru the Midlands province.

Newsday

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW…

The opposition MDC Alliance’s United States branch is planning a demonstration against President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday at the United Nations headquarters in New York to press him to commit to key electoral reforms.

Mnangagwa is in the US for the UN General Assembly meeting.

In an interview yesterday, party organising secretary Murozvi Mada said they would seek to make the international community understand the situation in Zimbabwe.

“We are planning to stage a demonstration on September 29 and this is for the reason that we tell the international community that we had rigged elections in Zimbabwe. Our main objective is to show the people at home that we are together and that we make the international community aware of events back home,” Mada said.

The demonstration will be held well after Mnangagwa’s address, which was scheduled to begin at 9pm last night, but Mada said their target audience would still receive their message.

Mnangagwa has already met Zimbabweans in that country and asked that they contribute meaningfully to the rebirth of the country.

Mada said Mnangagwa’s meeting with Zimbabweans in the US would not pacify them.

Mnangagwa says he is trying to change from the governance style of his predecessor Robert Mugabe, who was also met with demonstrations in the US during his annual UN visits.

Tawanda Dzvokora, the acting chairperson for North Dakota and Minnesota, said their dates could not be moved as it was tradition that they demonstrate on Saturday to allow for Zimbabweans from all over the US to converge.

“All roads will be leading to New York, where the MDC is holding a demonstration against Mnangagwa. The purpose of the demonstration is to reiterate what the MDC president Nelson Chamisa has said before what other leaders have said that Mnangagwa didn’t win the 2018 elections and that he is not the legitimate President of Zimbabwe,” Dzvokora said.

“We will be telling the world that the person they are meeting in New York did not win the elections and that he will be faced with the legitimacy problems that faced Mugabe and the same problems that brought Zimbabwe to a halt. The issue of legitimacy has to be resolved.”

But Zanu PF’s secretary for legal affairs Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana described the planned demonstrations as “nonsensical”.

“I am not sure what they want to achieve. That is hell lot of nonsense and they just want to show off for nothing and that demonstration is meaningless as far as we are concerned,” Mangwana said.

“They know very well that these elections were endorsed by the courts. They can go and climb a tree, the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe ruled in the victory of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“No matter how much noise they make in the USA, Zimbabwe is not in the USA and we are not a colony of any country. They can try to show off, but that doesn’t change anything on the ground.”

Last year, MDC activists protesting against Mugabe’s continued rule and his plans to run in the 2018 elections at the UN clashed with pro-Zanu PF group — the December 12 Movement — which organised its own demos in solidarity with the ageing former leader.

Mugabe was forced to resign in a de facto coup in November last year, which catapulted Mnangagwa to power.

Newsday

A 37-YEAR-OLD Gweru miner has been slapped with an effective 30-year jail term for breaking into his estranged wife’s home and stabbing her multiple times with an Okapi knife leading to her death.

Teneyi Tshuma (37) of 625 Woodlands in Gweru appeared before Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Martin Makonese facing charges of unlawful entry and murder.

Mr Makonese convicted Tshuma despite his plea of not guilty and sentenced him to an effective 30 years in prison.

The judge said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to abusive men.

Justice Makonese said: “l cannot give you a capital sentence but we are going to give you a custodial sentence of 30 years imprisonment which will serve as a warning to all members of society not to resort to violence as a way to solve their marital problems as this may result in the death of a spouse”.

It is the State case that on 24 August 2018, Tshuma, who was having marital dispute with his wife Nester Dube, unlawfully broke into her homestead in Mberengwa at midnight.

According to the prosecutor, Mr Samuel Pedzisai, Tshuma allegedly entered Dube’s room and stabbed her several times on the chest.

Dube’s niece, Trinity, who was in the same room, screamed for help, thinking a thief was attacking his aunt.

Joseph, Dube’s brother, rushed to his sister’s aid and recognised Tshuma who fled from the scene.

It is alleged that Tshuma sought refuge at his brother’s friend’s house in Mberengwa.

State Media

THE Government will soon rectify the anomaly that saw President Mnangagwa appointing six non-constituency parliamentarians as ministers instead of the constitutionally stipulated five.

This was said by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi in the National Assembly while responding to concerns raised by Mutare Central legislator Mr Innocent Gonese that the President had breached the Constitution by appointing more than five non-constituency MPs as ministers.

Mr Gonese also said while Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Cde Obert Mpofu had made way for Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema in the Senate the development had not been gazetted as required by law.

In his response Minister Ziyambi acknowledged Mr Gonese’s concerns.

“I want to thank honourable Gonese for his concerns which are well acknowledged,” he said.

“The current administration is committed to constitutionalism and in no way will it wilfully violate the Constitution. His concerns have been noted and will be rectified.”

Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda also said Parliament would remind the President to expedite resolution of the matter. “The matter will be brought to the attention of His Excellency to expedite the process. The leader of Government business has noted and in this instance the member affected is honourable Mathema,” said Advocate Mudenda.

The other non-constituency MPs that were appointed into Cabinet include Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo, Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Amon Murwira, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo, Finance and Economic Development Minister Dr Mthuli Ncube and Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Kirsty Coventry.

State Media

A 29-YEAR-OLD woman was trampled to death by an elephant along the Zambezi River near Kariba while walking from a nightclub with her boyfriend.

The identity of the deceased is being withheld as her next of kin has not been advised.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) Public Relations Manager Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident which occurred last Friday at about 3AM.

He said a search team had been dispatched to hunt down the jumbo.

“We are currently looking for the problem animal with a view to putting it down,” Mr Farawo said.

He said the woman was walking with her partner from a local nightclub at around 3AM when they encountered the wild animal.

The man managed to escape but the woman was attacked. Sources said she called out to her partner for help but he continued running away.

In another incident, a six-year-old boy from Buhera was killed and devoured by a hyena when he hid in the animal’s den during a game of hide and seek with friends.

The boy, according to sources, allegedly hid in a hyena’s cave and was attacked by the carnivorous animal. Friends are said to have gone back home after they could not find him.

Mr Farawo said the boy was laid to rest yesterday.

“It is unfortunate that we encountered another sad incident in Buhera, Manicaland Province, where a boy was mauled by a hyena last Saturday while playing hide and seek with friends. We send our deepest condolences to the family and Zimparks officials attended the funeral yesterday.

The boy went missing for two days, with friends telling conflicting stories about his whereabouts. His father saw two hyenas near the homestead and a village search party went searching in the forest. It found the remains of the boy whose body had been dismembered by the animal.

Mr Farawo said Zimparks was looking for the animal with the aim of translocating it to a conservancy.

“Our rangers are tracking down the animal and it will be placed in a conservancy,” he said.

Mr Farawo urged villagers to stay away from wild animals and to alert Zimparks if wild animals are spotted near communal areas.

He said Zimparks was carrying out educational campaigns across the country on how communities can co-exist with wild animals.

“People must stay indoors at night when visibility is low and animals are most active. They must put black plastics around kraals so that wild animals such as lions cannot see what is inside, thereby protecting livestock,” said Mr Farawo.

“Villagers must also not provoke wild animals and must report to us if a dangerous wild animal is in their midst without trying to deal with it”.

State Media

Gokwe-Nembudziya Member of Parliament (MP) Justice Mayor Wadyajena has paid a moving tribute to Foreign Affairs and International Trade minister — Sibusiso Busi (SB) Moyo — who is currently recovering after undergoing surgery for a yet-to-be disclosed kidney ailment.

Moyo missed the on-going United Nations General Assembly meeting in the United States, where Zimbabwe is represented by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The retired lieutenant general became an instant celebrity when he announced live on State television last November’s military intervention which led to the popular ouster of long-ruling leader, Robert Mugabe.

This saw the affable and articulate former senior military officer earning the moniker “General Bae” among his admirers.

On Tuesday, the youthful Wadyajena used micro blogging site twitter to pay tribute to one of Mnangagwa’s highly-regarded ministers whom he said was sorely missed as he recuperated from his ailment.

“Sending prayers to Gen @MinisterSBMoyo. One of the sharpest minds we have & best Foreign minister to ever represent us.

“In Nembudziya this year I saw that he works with laser focus and is truly principled.

“He has no time for gossip & dubious intel from shady Cdes! Good morning Zimbabwe,” Wadyajena wrote on twitter.

Moyo was a guest of honour at Wadyajena’s rally in Nembudziya in the run up to the July 30 harmonised national elections.

The Foreign Affairs minister was taken ill last week at Avenues Clinic with a kidney complaint although other sources told the Daily News that Moyo — who apparently had been on dialysis for some time — had undergone emergency surgery which was likely to keep him at the Avenues Clinic for at least a week.

The deputy minister of Information Energy Mutodi later confirmed to the Daily News that Moyo was admitted at the hospital — adding that he was “recovering well from a minor illness.”

It was not clear whether Moyo had gone through a transplant, with insiders at Avenues Clinic saying the hospital had both the skills and the capacity to carry out such procedures.

Moyo, who retired from the military following his appointment as a minister by Mnangagwa, in the aftermath of last November’s military intervention, was born at Mnene Mission Hospital, in Mberengwa, in 1960.

He joined the liberation struggle as a teenager in 1977 — abandoning his Form 3 studies at the time.

Moyo announced on live television on November 15 last year the military’s intervention in the governance of the country.

The curtain later fell on Mugabe on November 21, when the nonagenarian resigned from his office moments after Parliament had started damaging proceedings to impeach him.

Daily News

Ethiopian authorities are in Zimbabwe to learn how best to conduct an election, according to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, which faced criticism over July’s disputed vote.

Like Zimbabwe, Ethiopia has a new leader promising reforms including a “free and fair election” in 2020.

Zimbabwe’s electoral commission says on Twitter the visit by National Electoral Board of Ethiopia members is “confirmation that ZEC’s conduct of the last general elections was impressive.”

Said ZEC in a statement: “A four member National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) delegation led by the Chairperson Samia Zekaria Gutu is visiting ZEC to learn about BVR and sound elections management practices – Confirmation that ZEC’s conduct of the last general elections was impressive.”

Zimbabwe’s main opposition unsuccessfully challenged the election in court, alleging manipulation. Some Western observer missions criticized the largely peaceful process.

Ethiopia’s former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn chaired the African Union’s election observer mission to Zimbabwe. The state-run Zimbabwe Herald quotes the chairwoman of Ethiopia’s elections body as saying he suggested this visit: “We really got a good impression about it.”

Full Speech of Mnangagwa’s address to the UN General Council:

Your Excellency, Ms María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly; Your Majesties, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government; Your Excellency, Mr António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.

It is my honour and pleasure to deliver my maiden statement in this august Assembly.

Allow me to congratulate you Madam President, on your election to preside over this 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

As only the fourth woman to hold this important position in the history of the United Nations, your election is indeed most appropriate in terms of addressing gender equality in our organisation.

The theme which you have chosen, “Making the UN relevant to all people: Global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies,” resonates well with the mantra of Agenda 2030, namely to leave no one behind.

The theme is a timely reminder for us to keep the momentum going three years after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Madam President, Also at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a promise to end all forms of poverty.

This shared vision and common destiny requires us to put all our hands on deck in order to meet the ambitious targets and create a better world.

For us, in the developing world, the eradication of poverty is at the top of our agenda priorities. Development must equally be placed at the centre of the work of the United Nations, as it plays an important role in preventing hunger, deprivation, food insecurity, disease and ultimately conflict.

The inclusion of the interests and views of women, the youth, children and vulnerable members of our societies should be integral and essential components in all our programmes.

Madam President, Distinguished Guests, I am pleased to report that Zimbabwe has made substantial progress in the implementation of some of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular with regards to ensuring food security.

Through our people-centred policies and planned programmes, complemented by private sector financing and investments; farmers receive inputs, equipment and technical support.

In a bid to improve nutrition and broaden income opportunities, we have also extended support to grow the livestock, fisheries and wildlife sectors. We are confident that these multi-pronged programmes will accelerate Zimbabwe’s re-entry into the global economy and associated value chains.

This is one example of innovation, creativity and home-grown solutions in addressing key developmental and economic challenges in spite of the continued illegal sanctions imposed on our country.

We call for their immediate and unconditional removal.

Meanwhile, we look forward to the first overall review of implementation of the SDGs to be held under the auspices of the General Assembly in 2019.

Madam President, Peace, security, stability, democracy and good governance are essential ingredients for sustainable development. In view of the fact that elections as an integral element of democracy, my country held the much anticipated Harmonised General Elections on the 30th July, 2018.

Following my deliberate and conscious decision to open up the democratic space and emphatic call for peace, unity and tolerance of divergent views amongst our people; political contestations, election campaigning, voting and counting processes were conducted freely, peacefully and transparently.

In the spirit of transparency and openness, a broader spectrum of international observers and global media houses were accredited to observe our elections.

The exceptionally peaceful pre and post electoral environment represented the maturing and entrenchment of democracy in Zimbabwe.

We are grateful to the UN and other Member States for sending Election Observer Missions and for the Technical Assistance received by our election management body.

The recommendations will be taken into account as we deepen our democratic and electoral processes.

We shall continue to entrench constitutionalism, democratic traditions and norms, peace unity and harmony; for it is indeed under such conditions that sustainable development, inclusive economic growth and prosperity can occur.

The isolated and unfortunate incident of the post-election violence that occurred on 1 August, 2018 is regrettable and most unacceptable.

The Commission of Inquiry comprising eminent persons of national, regional and international repute has now begun its work in earnest.

Their ultimate report and recommendations shall help us bring closure to the matter and assist in the improvement of our institutional governance.

Madam President, Distinguished Guests, Now that the elections are behind us, my country is now focusing on economic development as we seek to leapfrog the modernisation and industrialisation of our country.

The Land Reform Programme is behind us and is irreversible.

Emboldened by the dreams, hopes and aspirations of our people, and in tandem with the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the African Union Agenda 2063, we have outlined our vision to become a middle income economy with a per capita income of about US$3 500.

This will bring on board increased investment, decent jobs, broad-based empowerment and a society free from poverty and corruption by 2030.

Zimbabwe is open for business.

We are presently undertaking a raft of economic and political reforms to ensure an environment that facilitates inclusive and sustained economic growth.

We have put in place institutions and instruments that maximise land utilisation and increase agriculture productivity.

Equally, strategies are in place in the various sectors of our economy, to enable my country to enter the global value chains. The development and modernisation of our roads, railways, airports, energy and ICT infrastructure is being accelerated in line with our regional and continental quest for enhanced connectivity and integrated infrastructure.

Madam President, Zimbabwe looks forward to playing a positive and constructive role as a free, democratic, transparent, prosperous and responsible member of the family of nations.

We are committed to strengthening dialogue, co-operation and partnerships, underpinned by mutual respect, common values and shared principles.

The prevention of conflict must be a frontline strategy. My country remains committed to strengthening multilateralism and peaceful resolution of differences. In this regard, we should address the root causes of conflict which includes poverty, inequality, deprivation, disputes over land and resources, as well as struggles for self-determination.

Peace-making and peacekeeping must be complimented by peace-building efforts to prevent recurrence and relapse into conflict.

Zimbabwe continues to make its modest contributions through the deployment of its personnel to various United Nations peacekeeping and peace-building missions.

Madam President, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, the United Nations and its organs require to be democratised. We join the call for Africa to be represented in the permanent category and to have increased representation in the non-permanent category.

This position is indeed justified, in view of the need to correct the historical injustice which has left the African continent on the periphery of all major global decision-making processes.

We emphatically call for the review and reform of the Bretton Woods institutions and other international financial institutions.

Trade is an engine for development if conducted fairly and in accordance with agreed rules.

We therefore call for negotiations under the World Trade Organisation which foster inclusive and shared economic growth and further advances the global development agenda.

Madam President, In the spirit of leaving no one behind, our efforts to promote global partnership for peace and development would never be complete unless we address the plight of people living under occupation.

It is most saddening that some of us continue to turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people of Palestine.

It is high time the Security Council fulfilled its Charter obligations and duties by implementing all its Resolutions; including Resolution 181, 242, 338 and 2 334.

On the African continent, it is equally disheartening that the people of Western Sahara are yet to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.

We call on the Security Council to insist on the holding of an independent referendum for the Sahrawi people without delay, in compliance to the relevant decisions of the African Union and the resolutions of the United Nations.

Furthermore, it is imperative and urgent for the Council to work tirelessly to strengthen its cooperation with the African Union Peace and Security Council in the search for a just and fair solution to the issue of Western Sahara.

Madam President, Climate change presents a threat to all of humanity and its impact respects no borders. We therefore call for collective action and responsibility on the matter.

As a developing country, we seek support in the areas of adaptation, mitigation, technology, finance and capacity building as envisaged in the Paris Agreement.

In conclusion, I wish to reaffirm Zimbabwe’s commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and pledge to continue to work with other nations in promoting and strengthening multilateralism for the good of humanity.

Now more than ever before, the United Nations must stamp its authority and work harder for peace in a world where mighty is increasingly being regarded as right.

Let us work together in harmony to ensure that the United Nations and all its organs, truly serve the collective interests of all Member States.

As global leaders, we have a shared and onerous obligation to transform our societies and create a more peaceful and inclusive world, for present and future generations.

I thank you.

Correspondent|FORMER EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Phillipe Van Damme has waded into the ongoing uproar over a St John’s College deputy headmaster who last week torched a storm by revealing he was gay.

Posting on Twitter, Van Damme argued that some Zimbabweans’ argument that their culture did not allow them to accept homosexuals did not hold water as “culture is banal”.

“1. Homosexuality exists everywhere; not result of personal choice but fact 2. How society responds = culturally determined, but culture = dynamic &evolves 3. Non-discrimination = not cultural issue but #HumanRights principle 4.

He added, “Culture has2 evolve &recognize universal #HumanRights.”

The school official, Neal Hovelmeier is in the eye of the storm after most parents whose children attend the elite school have demanded his stepping down for fear he may try to impose his beliefs on their children.

Similarly, the school board is unhappy with its senior employee for unnecessarily putting the learning institution’s brand in the spotlight all for the wrong reasons through the controversial disclosure.

The under-fire school head has a few backers in a largely conservative country which has failed to tolerate gays and lesbians.

National Patriotic Front spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire was blunt in his detest for gays.

“I call upon every gay person following my TL (time line) to declare their homosexuality so I block them now; I am prepared to do it all day or better still just unfollow me, you are welcome.

“I don’t need any homosexual on my TL, to hell! Anyone who believes in some stupid, liberal nonsense about gay ‘rights’ njani njani should as well unfollow me, I don’t care,” said Mawarire.

However, Hovelmeier found one backer in the outspoken diplomat who is now EU senior advisor on EU-Africa relations.

While former President Robert Mugabe is a known critic for gays, current President Emmerson Mngangagwa has not publicly said anything on gays and lesbians.

FORMER Cabinet Minister, Dr Obert Mpofu, has resigned as Matabeleland North Senator and has notified the august House of his decision to leave the seat, Senate President Mabel Chinomona, has said.

Chinomona told Senate on Tuesday that she had received a resignation letter from Dr Mpofu and a vacancy had arisen in that province.

“I have to inform the House that I have received a resignation letter from Hon. Sen. Mpofu, Senator for Matabeleland North Province. Section 129 (1b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides as follows;

‘The seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant upon the member resigning his or her seat by written notice to the President of the Senate or to the Speaker as the case may be.’

Pursuant to the above, I do hereby inform this House that a vacancy has arisen by the operation of the law. The necessary administrative measures will be taken to inform His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of the existence of the vacancy in line with Section 39 (1) of the Electoral Act, Chapter 2:13 as amended,” said Chinomona.

Last week, Dr Mpofu told the media that he volunteered to relinquish his Senatorial position to pave way for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema to take his Parliamentary seat after it was noted that there were more than the constitutionally prescribed five Cabinet Ministers that President Mnangagwa had appointed outside Parliament.

Meanwhile, Matabeleland South Senator Simon Khaya-Moyo (Zanu-PF) has criticised the recent increase in prices of goods and services saying it was not justified.

Sen Khaya-Moyo said this in Senate on Tuesday while moving a motion to debate a speech delivered by President Mnangagwa when he officially opened the First Session of the Ninth Parliament last week.

“The recent increase in prices of goods and services including bread by retailers is cause for great concern. The appetite to profiteer at every turn, in unexplained circumstances has no justification whatsoever and the consumer deserves urgent protection. The Minister responsible has urged the retailers to reverse their prices. Let this happen with urgency or the law must take its full course,” said Khaya-Moyo, who is also Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity.

“The same applies to the shortage of fuel and the unwarranted pump price hikes in some areas leading to unacceptable queues and depressing inconvenience to the travelling public. Urgent solution is needed to avoid speculative conduct and illegal actors must face the full wrath of law.”

In seconding the motion, Midlands Senator Maybe Mbohwa (Zanu-PF) implored legislators to focus on nation building as the time for politics had gone as intimated by President Mnangagwa in his speech.

“It is pleasing because this is exactly what our country needs. We want to see our children enjoy a Zimbabwe of many opportunities. As he said, the election is behind us and we have to get out of election mode and start working. He mentioned that we have to be ‘servant leaders’, and we must work for the people that we represent. With this new dawn, Zimbabweans expect to see change in the Second Republic so we must do our part,” said Senator Mbohwa.

By Dr Nkululeko Sibanda​​​​| President Nelson Chamisa is very concerned and shocked to discover that the illegitimate President Mnangagwa’s unsophisticated, amateurish PR inspired and on-the-fly policyapproach is costing Zimbabwe’s economy at the worst time imaginable. The con-artist styled illegitimate President’s care free and mafia style approach to governance is proving to be dangerously costly.

The offer of land and space for the US President Donald Trump to try and sway US national policy is illegal under US and even Zimbabwean laws. Since the US is a law-abiding country, what the offer now means is that the US Presidentwill, as a result of Mr Mnangagwa’s ill-advised move, have to be extremely careful when making policy on Zimbabwe to prevent being construed as reacting positively because of a private business offer.

Unlike the targeted sanctions, this imposition by Mr Mnangagwa, places a hurdle on President Trump’s policy making processes where Zimbabwe is concerned, whereas targeted sanctions are limited to individuals.

We encourage the illegitimate President to note that, while he runs government business mafia-style, the rest of the world operates legally. Very few Presidents come to power through the capture of state and political institutions. All are inaugurated as a matter of votes received not as a matter of court facts.

Zimbabweans must be ashamed to have a self-imposed President who travels halfway across the globe to try and transport his corruption. What must further concern the people is that Mr Mnangagwa so believes in corruption, he actually has become blind to it, he goes and announces it on foreign television screens.

While Zimbabweans may have expected better, unfortunately, the illegitimate President’s first UN trip has turned out to be aregrettable frenzied announcement bonanza of one bribe attempt after the other. All these in desperate attempts to buy legitimacy on the parallel political market.

Zimbabwe must rid itself of this kind of leadership by returning to legitimacy and allowing the elected President, Advocate Chamisa to run a SMART government.

Jane Mlambo| Women’s rights groups and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) have expressed reservations over the appointment of Clemence Masango to the position of Registrar General calling on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to reverse his re-assignment until he is cleared of sexual abuse cases.

Former immigration department head Masango recently took over from long-serving registrar general Tobaiwa Mudede who was retired as part of a shake-up of the civil service by Mnangagwa.

ZCTU president Peter Mutasa, described the ex-police officer’s appointment to RG as unfair since sexual harassment allegations raised in his previous role as immigration head have yet to be resolved.

“We regard the appointment or reassignment as lack of judgment by the appointing authority,” said Mutasa.

“While we respect the fact that every accused person is innocent until proven guilty, the elevation is actually a direct interference with the Gender Commission’s investigation.”

Mutasa said Mnangagwa’s promotion of individual who headed an organisation under investigation undermines the Constitutional Commission’s work and trivialises the serious complaints raised by workers.

This risks frustrating efforts to deal with workplace sexual harassment driven by unions and other social movements.

“… as a result we are going to demand that the appointment be rescinded until investigations are concluded. We will also look at the legal options,” he added

Women’s rights activist Nokhlo Mhluzini said the appointment raises serious concerns.

“Chisango’s appointment as Registrar General raises many concerns and we cannot, with a clear conscience, welcome it as there are serious allegations that have been levelled against him and he has not been cleared by a court of law.

“The appointment is an insult to victims of sexual harassment as it reverses the strides made by women and other campaigners in fighting against all forms of abuse at the workplace,” she said.

Chisango is embroiled in a nasty fight with former Immigration Department employees who allege that he dismissed them from employment after they rebuffed his sexual advances.
-Newzimbabwe.com

By Dr Nkululeko Sibanda​​​​| President Nelson Chamisa is very concerned and shocked to discover that the illegitimate President Mnangagwa’s unsophisticated, amateurish PR inspired and on-the-fly policy approach is costing Zimbabwe’s economy at the worst time imaginable. The con-artist styled illegitimate President’s care free and mafia style approach to governance is proving to be dangerously costly.

The offer of land and space for the US President Donald Trump to try and sway US national policy is illegal under US and even Zimbabwean laws. Since the US is a law-abiding country, what the offer now means is that the US Presidentwill, as a result of Mr Mnangagwa’s ill-advised move, have to be extremely careful when making policy on Zimbabwe to prevent being construed as reacting positively because of a private business offer.

Unlike the targeted sanctions, this imposition by Mr Mnangagwa, places a hurdle on President Trump’s policy making processes where Zimbabwe is concerned, whereas targeted sanctions are limited to individuals.

We encourage the illegitimate President to note that, while he runs government business mafia-style, the rest of the world operates legally. Very few Presidents come to power through the capture of state and political institutions. All are inaugurated as a matter of votes received not as a matter of court facts.

Zimbabweans must be ashamed to have a self-imposed President who travels halfway across the globe to try and transport his corruption. What must further concern the people is that Mr Mnangagwa so believes in corruption, he actually has become blind to it, he goes and announces it on foreign television screens.

While Zimbabweans may have expected better, unfortunately, the illegitimate President’s first UN trip has turned out to be aregrettable frenzied announcement bonanza of one bribe attempt after the other. All these in desperate attempts to buy legitimacy on the parallel political market.

Zimbabwe must rid itself of this kind of leadership by returning to legitimacy and allowing the elected President, Advocate Chamisa to run a SMART government.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

The … also at the heart of the 2030 agenda of this agenda.. this shared Vision and common agenda for us in the developing world the eradication of poverty is at the top of our agenda of priorities. The development must be at the centre of the United Nations as it plays in the role of preventing hunger… videos the youth children and vulnerable members of our community should be included in all our programs

Madam president I am pleased to inform you that Zimbabwe has made substantial progress in attaining some developmental goals in regard to food security. …

This is one example of innovation activity and hope in Solutions in addressing developmental and challenges despite the continued illegal sanctions imposed on our country we call for the immediate and unconditional removal meanwhile will look forward to the review…

Madam president peace and security stability democracy and good governance are essential ingredients to sustainable growth in view of elections are Integra my country held elections on the 30th of July 2018 following my deliberate and conscious decision decision to open democratic space, call for peace …

the exceptionally peaceful pre and post election environment…

We shall continue to entrance constitutionalism democratic norms for it is indeed under such conditions that sustainable development inclusive….

The isolated and unfortunate Incident of the Post election environment that occurred on August second is deeply regrettable…

Madam president distinguished guests, now that elections are behind us, my country is now focusing on economic development as we seek to the modernisation and development of a country the land reform programme is irreversibly behind us…

Red Flags Over Security Sector Reforms
Jane Mlambo| Legislative watchdog, Veritas and the opposition have raised a red flag over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s lack of political will to institute security sector reforms after he failed to include them on the legislative agenda of the Ninth Parliament.

Mnangagwa, however, said re-alignment of some of the country’s laws to the Constitution “remains work in progress”.
Mnangagwa mentioned a number of Bills to be tabled in Parliament as he outlined the legislative agenda of the august House last week.

A number of Bills such as the Provincial and Metropolitan Council Bill are up for re-alignment.

The opposition has for years been calling for security sector reforms. A unity government agreement — which was brokered by Southern African Development Community (Sadc) after the violent 2008 elections — included proposals for security sector reforms, but there has been no movement in that direction.

The Global Political Agreement in Article XIII (13.10) states that organisations and institutions of which the army, police, prisons and the Central Intelligence Organisation are part of, do not belong to any political party and should be impartial in the discharge of their duties.

“Security legislation: No mention is made of the need to align the Defence Act, the Police Act and the Prisons and Correctional Services Act, all of which need further alignment.

The purely token changes that were made in by the General Laws Amendment Act passed by the last Parliament were not good enough,” Veritas said in a commentary.

“Freedom of speech, Press and assembly: There is no indication of an intention to change the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act, the Official Secrets Act, the Public Order and Security Act or the repressive provisions of the Criminal Law Code.”

Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri, however, last week told NewsDay that she would be looking at the reforms.

“I am looking forward also to conferring with the President looking at all these other challenges which you are raising and also if it means that the reforms that you are talking about will be necessary, because this has been an issue raised over and over again, but I am really looking forward to working with my colleagues who are still within the defence sector, and I am willing to learn as much as possible.

“You also need to know that our force is recognised the world over, you know they have served at United Nations level, at African Union level and with the challenges that you are raising I am sure to these agencies they don’t see any problems, but they see excellency in the work performed by our own forces,” she said.

MDC Alliance spokesperson Jacob Mafume and his Zapu counterpart Iphithule Maphosa said the opposition remains worried over lack of political will to institute security sector reforms.

“One of the reasons why we had a coup in 2017 is because of lack of security sector reforms.

We need to put a stop to that kind of military meddling in civilian affairs through security laws that stipulate the proper operations of the army,” Maphosa said.
“We are concerned by the lack of mention of critical reforms to the security sector in the legislative agenda.

The problems we faced in the recently held elections emanated from the lack of security sector reforms where everything is seen in security lenses and lack of accountability in the security sector.”
-Newsday

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— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 26, 2018