Jane Mlambo|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ordered his cabinet ministers to each come up with “five quick and high impact projects” as he looks to make a quick impression after his disputed election in July.

The president chaired his first meeting with the 20-member cabinet on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s opening of the 9th Parliament and State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In a statement released after the meeting ministers, particularly the new ones, should adopt the 100-day cycle of doing business introduced when he first assumed power last November.

“Going forward we should continue to apply the 100 Day Cycles as a way of doing business in government supported by the monitoring of performance outcomes using the Executive Electronic dashboard,” he said.

“Each portfolio Minister should identify a minimum of five quick-win and high impact projects in order that work on them commences in earnest; where appropriate it is permissible to go beyond the five subject to approval by the Cabinet.”

And to encourage transparency, Mnangagwa said; “The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services will issue a press statement (after cabinet) in the presence of the Chief Secretary and implementing Ministers.

“This will help us entrench transparency and a culture of responsiveness, as we seek to transform the quality of life of our people.”

Mnangagwa is under pressure to deliver after first taking over power through last November’s military coup which ended the four-decade rule of his mentor Robert Mugabe.

The subsequent July 30 elections have been disputed by the opposition which accuses the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of manipulating the results in Mnangagwa’s favour.
-newzimbabwe.com

Correspondent|Ishmael Maukazuva, an MDC Alliance councillor has complained against Chikomba District Administrator Michael Mariga who he accuses of forcing him to swear by the Bible during last week’s swearing in ceremony at the council offices.

Maukazuva who is an electrician with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is a Moslem and had made prior request for the Koran to be provided for him during the swearing in ceremony.

Zanu PF councillors called for his immediate recall when he refused to hold the Bible.

Maukazuva was then ordered by Mariga to take the oath while holding a bible. He gave in but murmured his pledges in disappointment.

Mariga said, “I did not force him to swear by the Bible, he did it willingly,” when asked for a comment.
He later on called The Mirror and changed his statement saying that the acting CEO was handling the swearing in and he was a mere observer before accusing The Mirror of trying to tarnish his image.

Maukazuva who is a councillor for the first time said that he held the Bible because he didn’t want to be at war with the DA. He said that he was however very hurt and felt abused.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe allows for freedom of worship and it is therefore illegal for anyone to force someone to join a religion against his or her wish.
“I am not a Christian. I am a Moslem who is loyal to my religion. I gave in to the demands of the DA just for the sake of the electorate, whom I didn’t want to upset. I will however perform a cleansing ritual on myself after this incident,” said Maukazuva.

Constitutional lawyer Tawanda Kanengoni said ”Forcing the councillor to take the oath in a way which is against his religion was a deprivation of his freedom of worship inshrined in the constitution.”

Section 60 (2) of the Zimbabwean Constitution states that ‘No person may be compelled to take an oath contrary to their religion or belief or to take an oath in a manner that is contrary to their religion or belief’.

Meanwhile, Ward 17 Councillor Israel Dhikinya of Zanu PF was unanimously elected Chikomba RDC chairperson after another nominee, Learnmore Mufamba withdrew from contesting.

Masvingo Mirror

Jane Mlambo| A Harare magistrate yesterday issued a warrant of arrest to businessman Genius Kadungure, popularly known as Ginimbi, who is accused of swindling Zanu PF member of Parliament Dexter Nduna of R1 581 890 in a botched mining deal.

Kadungure, who is jointly charged with Wicknell Chivayo, was supposed to appear for trial before magistrate Morgen Nemadire yesterday but failed to do so, leading to the warrant for arrest being issued.

His lawyer Jonathan Samkange asked the court to issue his client with an administrative warrant of arrest saying his client was out of the country and the State consented to postpone the matter to October 9.

Chivayo, who is represented by Advocate Lewis Uriri instructed by Wilson Manase was also advised to appear on the same date.

Allegations are that Kadungure swindled Nduna’s construction firm, Badon Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, and a Kadoma-based miner only identified as Gatawa of R1 581 890.

Sometime in November 2012, Kadungure and Chivayo allegedly connived with unknown accomplices and created a fictitious company, Transco Civil Engineering, purportedly based in South Africa and opened a company account with Absa bank.

The State alleges the pair created an e-mail account pretending to be legitimate representatives of Marange Resources. It is alleged Kadungure then contacted the complainant and misrepresented himself as Marange Resources chief buyer and said he was looking for mining pumps at competitive prices.

The State alleges Kadungure referred Nduna to his bogus company, Transco Civil Engineering, in South Africa, on the pretext that it was a recommended supplier. On December 4, 2013, Gatawa sent his brother Enock to South Africa to purchase the pumps.

He was ordered to deposit R1 046 890 for the purchase of 10 flight pumps into the Absa account. After the transfer, Enock was told by Transco Civil Engineering that they would send the pumps via DHL after three days.

It is alleged on December 12, Gatawa went to DHL’s airport branch, to collect the pumps and was shocked to receive a parcel with mobile phone chargers.

That is when he realised that he had been duped, the court heard.
-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| Former cabinet minister, Savior Kasukuwere is today expected to appear at the Harare Magistrates Court for yet to be confirmed charges.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that Kasukuwere is being charged over a land issue while another source said it is in connection with the Bulawayo bombing incident.

Kasukuwere who previously appeared in court on charges of border jumping is part of a clique of former ruling party members who were fired following a military coup that displaced Mr Robert Mugabe.

More details to follow….

THE police blitz on vendors in major towns has spread to Masvingo, with soldiers and the police clearing the city at the weekend as government responds to the outbreak of cholera that has claimed 30 lives so far and left thousands infected.

Riot police and the soldiers took the vendors by surprise on Sunday in Masvingo town and Zaka and forced them off the streets.

By yesterday morning, Masvingo city had been cleared of vendors, but some defiantly trooped back as the day progressed.

“We were beaten and told not to return.

Some lost their wares and others got injured in the process,” a vendor from Zaka Growth Point told NewsDay over the phone yesterday.

Another vendor in Masvingo City said they did not resist the order and just ran away for fear of being assaulted.

“They did not give us a warning. They just came and ordered us off the streets.

We did not resist for fear of being beaten because they were armed to the tooth,” she said.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Charity Mazula did not respond when contacted for comment yesterday.

Masvingo has so far recorded one cholera death which health officials traced to Harare.

Government has declared the disaster a state of emergency.

Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation director Wadzai Mangoma said: “We are against the move by the government.

It’s illegal! Vending has always been there.

We call upon the government and all its agencies to stop the evictions now and deal with the issue of provision of clean and potable water and collection of garbage.

Vendors are trying to survive in these harsh economic circumstances.”

Newsday

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s appointment of a seven-member commission of inquiry into the post-election violence that led to the killing of seven civilians in Harare by members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) on August 1, 2018 has been challenged.

On August 29, Mnangagwa appointed a commission, led by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, a Briton, a Tanzanian and Nigerian to work with three locals, Lovemore Madhuku, Charity Manyeruke and Vimbai Nyemba.

But one of the victims’ relatives has taken Mnangagwa to court, challenging the appointment which he claims is illegal, unreasonable and irrational.

Alison Charles, whose brother Gavin Dean Charles was shot and killed on the day in question, has, in conjunction with the Counselling Service Unit, petitioned the High Court to declare as unconstitutional the appointment of the commission.

“I respectfully contend that the decision by the first respondent (Mnangagwa) to appoint a commission of inquiry is reviewable on the basis that it is grossly unreasonable on at least two separate grounds and or interlinking bases,” Alison said in his founding affidavit.

“It is submitted that the decision of the first respondent is unlawful in that; it violates the principle of legality and/or it is irrational.”

Charles, through his lawyers, Atherstone and Cook Alison said Mnangagwa’s commission would not deliver as it comprised of biased commissioners such as Manyeruke and Madhuku.

“On August 29, 2018, Mnangagwa ‘purportedly’ acting in terms of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, appointed a seven-member commission of inquiry into what he termed “post-election violence on August 1, 2018,” he said.

“The postulated commission consists of local, regional and international members.

The first respondent has not yet gazetted the commission of inquiry as required of him by the Commissions of Inquiry Act.”

Charles said Mnangagwa appointed the commission before he appointed his Cabinet, making it illegal, according to section 88 (2) and section 105(1) of the Constitution.

He said it was “a notorious fact” that Manyeruke was a staunch Zanu PF supporter and thus it was not rational to appoint her into the commission.

He said Madhuku’s mind was soiled having made pronouncements on the matter.

In the alternative, Charles urged the court to declare the appointment of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission or the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission as the appropriate body to investigate the killings.

“Alternatively, the first respondent’s decision in appointing the following commissioners be and is hereby set aside; (1) Professor Charity Manyeruke (2) Professor Lovemore Madhuku,” he said, adding in the alternative the commission of inquiry’s terms of reference must be replaced.

He added that he was also not happy with the manner the police have so far handled the issue of his brother’s death, accusing the law enforcement agents of refusing to allow the family access to the post-mortem report.

NewsDay

Jane Mlambo| War veterans in Manicaland are up in arms against the Zanu PF provincial leadership, accusing the executive of making party leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa unpopular in the province.
Already daggers have been drawn between the Mike Madiro-led executive and other provincial leaders over the state of the party in the province that culminated in Mnangagwa’s poor showing in the July 30 harmonised elections.

The warring parties have refused to let go of the election results feud, but instead the situation has created a platform for the beginning of new fights in the province.

A letter directed to both Zanu PF national leadership and war veterans leadership from Makoni district points to an impending explosion, less than a year after Zanu PF purportedly renewed itself.

War veterans secretary-general Victor Matemadanda said he was yet to be briefed on the situation.

“They haven’t invited me yet (war veterans from Manicaland) and if they have a plan to invite me, I am still to receive their invitation. I cannot comment on that issue because I have not received anything,” Matemadanda said.

Part of the letter dated September 14 read: “The results of the 2018 harmonised election were to us most embarrassing in the sense that after a resounding meeting addressed by His Excellency the President at Mutare Aerodrome, we were left with a very clear impression that the President was certainly going to be the victor.

“Our shock came when the results placed out President in the second best position, a thoroughly degrading result to Manicaland province. We, as war veterans in Manicaland do not know who (sic) to apologise for that disastrous result.”

“The question then arises as to who then has to be apportioned the blame for that humiliating result.

We believe this arose from the acts of the provincial chairman,” the letter added.
In that same letter, the war veterans chronicled how certain people such as Joseph Mujati, Oliver Mandipaka and Brighton Muchuwo, who vehemently fought the G40 group were being sidelined while those reportedly aligned to that same deposed faction were being accommodated.
-Newsday

THE Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has petitioned the court seeking to compel former Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi to settle a $327 481 debt incurred at his Ulva Farm.

Through its lawyers Chihambakwe, Mutizwa and Partners, the power utility issued the summons to the former minister on September 13, 2018 but he did not respond to the litigation.

In its declaration, the power utility said Sekeramayi had refused and or neglected to settle the electricity bill despite numerous requests to do so prompting the firm to approach the court for recourse.

“The defendant (Sekeramayi) is indebted or liable to the plaintiff (ZETDC) as at August 31, 2018 in the sum of $327 481,92 being charges in respect of electricity supplied by the plaintiff to the defendant at the latter’s special request and instance in terms of the running electricity supply contract between the two,” the power utility said.

“The defendant has failed, neglected or refused to pay the above amount despite written demand. By reason of the said failure, neglect or refusal to pay the above amount, the defendant is obliged to pay the same with interest thereon at the prescribed rate which is currently 5%.

“Wherefore, the plaintiff herein claims a payment of $327 481,92, interest at the prescribed rate of interest from the date of the issue of summons to date of payment in full both date inclusive and cost of suit on a legal practitioner client scale.”

NewsDay

Jane Mlambo| The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) is currently reviewing all government-funded programmes to identify possible cases of corruption, an official said yesterday.

Munyaradzi Magiga, a systems and processes review manager at the anti-graft body last week told a Transparency International Zimbabwe roundtable discussion on improving transparency and accountability that Zacc was working together with the Finance ministry to look at all government programmes to see how they were administered.

“You will see a lot of public and private sector companies being visited as the commission prepares to combat corruption this year,” Magiga said.

“We are now working closely with the Finance ministry to look at all funded programmes and amounts paid for projects that have stalled since the 1990s so that we investigate them for possible corruption,” he said.

Zacc commissioner in charge of investigations Goodson Nguni told the same forum that more arrests were likely, adding that more than 20 individuals have been arrested for corruption this
month.
-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| The election of an MDC Alliance councillor and an independent as chairman and deputy chair of Chiredzi Town Council has left the ruling Zanu PF party deeply divided.

Zanu PF won resoundingly all four constituencies in Chiredzi but lost the town’s chairmanship to the MDC Alliance despite having four councillors to the opposition party’s three. The town also has one independent councillor, who was elected deputy chairperson.

Ward 1 councillor, Gibson Hwende, pipped Zanu PF’s ward 5 councillor Blessing Mazinyani to the post, garnering five votes against the latter’s three, while Independent ward 3 councillor, Ropafadzo Makumire, beat ward 4 council Liberty Macharaga of Zanu PF by the same margin to land the vice-chair post.

Zanu PF MP for Chiredzi West, Farai Musikavanhu told party supporters in a ruling party’s WhatsApp group that he was going to raise the issue with the district and provincial leadership.

Part of the post read: “I and the district leadership have to meet today to take a position for recommendation to the provincial chairman/Res Minister Hon (Ezra) Chadzamira following the mess at the Chiredzi Town Council on Monday.

“May I, therefore, request that we now leave this topic until we give you feedback. I would, however, like to give you a challenge which is informed by a conclusion that I made: We need to start identifying now suitable candidates that will be groomed in party ideology for them to assume positions of councillors in 2023.

“These comrades must be loyal party cadres who are also adequately educated to effectively administer council business.
Whether we like it or not this is what the electorate did on their own in the elections we held on 30 July 2018.

“The electorate disregarded party boundaries and went to pick the most suitable candidates in their communities.
In future we must never allow this critical selection of suitable candidates to occur without the party being in control.”

Sources close to the matter revealed that the recommendations were to recall two councillors accused of selling out, adding a letter had already been written to the provincial chair.

However, some party members who spoke on condition of anonymity said grooming new leadership while there are still sitting councillors was tantamount to creating parallel structures.

Musikavanhu maintained that there was nothing wrong with grooming young people for future leadership positions.

“Creating parallel structures how…? This is called talent scouting and forward planning; any team that is serious about staying relevant does that.

I don’t know where the definition of parallel structures is coming from… All I am advocating for is the identification of talent to be groomed for future deployment by the party.

“I take my duties very seriously as a loyal Zanu PF member who would like to promote talent identification and grooming in my party to serve our country Zimbabwe to the best of our ability,” he said.

Zanu PF Masvingo provincial spokesperson, Ronald Ndava accused Musikavanhu of making his own personal opinions.

“That is not the party position,” said Ndava.
Provincial commissar, Jevas Masosota said there was nothing wrong with councillors exercising their constitutional rights to vote a chairperson of their choice to lead council business.
-Newsday

Emmerson Mnangagwa is today expected to deliver his first State of the National Address (SONA) and officially open the first session of the Ninth Parliament during which he will set the legislative agenda.

Mnangagwa will this morning address a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate.

Preparations for the event were in place yesterday, while a number of roads around Parliament Building will be closed to motorists during the proceedings.

Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said everything was in place for today’s event.

“Everything is in place and we are looking forward to the event,” he said.

The legislative agenda is expected to be dominated by laws that enhance the country’s attractiveness to investors and streamline investment laws to smoothen the ease of doing business.

The Ninth Parliament is expected to be seized with amending Chapter 14 of the Constitution to streamline the structure of Provincial and Metropolitan Councils as part of the devolution being advocated by Mnangagwa and his Government.

Mnangagwa has already indicated that Government’s thrust is to consolidate economic reforms that started with the coming in of the new dispensation.

During his inauguration speech, he reiterated that the focus of his administration was on the economy. Parliamentarians have also embraced the policy direction given by the President and pledged to speed up the passage of laws in the august house.

Parliament is dominated by zanu-pf which retained its two-thirds majority in the just-ended harmonised elections.

Before addressing the legislators, the President is expected to inspect a guard of honour mounted by members of the Zimbabwe National Army while there will be a flypast by the Air Force of Zimbabwe as per tradition.

Following the President’s address, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing will host the traditional luncheon for legislators.

Roads that will be closed today are Nelson Mandela Avenue at Sam Nujoma to Simon Muzenda streets, Third Street at Jason Moyo Avenue, George Silundika Avenue at Third Street, St Mary’s Lane and Nelson Mandela Avenue, Kwame Nkrumah from Sam Nujoma to Simon Muzenda streets and Samora Machel Avenue and and Sam Nujoma Street.

The roads will be closed from 6am to 3pm.

State Media

Government will not allow vending at undesignated areas and sites without toilets and other requisite infrastructure as this is contributing to the spread of diseases such as cholera, which have claimed many lives, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni has said.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives of vendors’ organisations at her Kaguvi Offices in Harare yesterday, Minister Nyoni said her ministry will collaborate with other ministries to create conducive areas for trade.

Minister Nyoni’s statement comes as small groups of illegal vendors yesterday continued to engage in running battles with the police as they refused to leave the streets.

“Nobody will be allowed to vend anywhere anymore especially where there is no water and toilets because that is a health hazard. We are hoping that we will work together with the Ministries of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Health and Child Care and other ministries to make sure that you are allowed to do your business in healthy and more conducive areas,” she said.

“We are facing a crisis of cholera and a lot of you have been affected by this. I wanted to consult you so that we map a way forward so that we avoid the old mistakes. When we parted ways a few months ago you were beginning to rise as the informal sector.”

“Let me be very blunt. We are no longer going to have vending anywhere, everywhere. Let us be as organised as we had started to be. So those are the points of my agenda that I would like us to discuss.” She urged vendors to cooperate with Government to prevent and eliminate cholera and any related diseases.

Minister Nyoni said there were some vendors cooking everywhere and selling vegetables outside the designated areas, risking spreading diseases.

“If retail is your gift I would like you to grow from a vendor to a tuck shop, to a small shop and to a supermarket. If you are part of this ministry I would like you to vend with a bigger aim and we will classify you appropriately as vendors with an aim and vendors who just want to make money and go,” she said.

“We will create weekend vending sites like we are doing in Bulawayo for those who want to make quick money and send children to school.”

Zimbabwe Informal Traders chairperson Mr Arthur Muromba blamed Harare City Council for not attending to sewer bursts across the city.

“Council needs to attend to areas like Mbare Musika and inspect fruits, which are being brought to the market. They also need to upgrade the place because it is in a deplorable state. Whenever there is an outbreak vendors are the first to be blamed. We, however, encourage vendors to practice highest standards of hygiene,” he said.

Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation executive director Mr Samuel Wadzai said it was not time for blame game, but to find solutions.

“We are ready to play our part. It is more to do with water. It is our responsibility as leaders to tell our vendors to operate in clean areas. We are, however, against any intervention implemented without vendors. We believe the evictions are too early,” he said.

He said informal traders should be able to contribute to the economy.

State Media

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is today expected to deliver his first State of the National Address (SONA) and officially open the first session of the Ninth Parliament during which he will set the legislative agenda.

The President will this morning address a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate.

Preparations for the event were in place yesterday, while a number of roads around Parliament Building will be closed to motorists during the proceedings.

Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said everything was in place for today’s event.

“Everything is in place and we are looking forward to the event,” he said.

The legislative agenda is expected to be dominated by laws that enhance the country’s attractiveness to investors and streamline investment laws to smoothen the ease of doing business.

The Ninth Parliament is expected to be seized with amending Chapter 14 of the Constitution to streamline the structure of Provincial and Metropolitan Councils as part of the devolution being advocated by President Mnangagwa and his Government.

President Mnangagwa has already indicated that Government’s thrust is to consolidate economic reforms that started with the coming in of the new dispensation.

During his inauguration speech, he reiterated that the focus of his administration was on the economy. Parliamentarians have also embraced the policy direction given by the President and pledged to speed up the passage of laws in the august house.

Parliament is dominated by zanu-pf which retained its two-thirds majority in the just-ended harmonised elections.

Before addressing the legislators, the President is expected to inspect a guard of honour mounted by members of the Zimbabwe National Army while there will be a flypast by the Air Force of Zimbabwe as per tradition.

Following the President’s address, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing will host the traditional luncheon for legislators.

Roads that will be closed today are Nelson Mandela Avenue at Sam Nujoma to Simon Muzenda streets, Third Street at Jason Moyo Avenue, George Silundika Avenue at Third Street, St Mary’s Lane and Nelson Mandela Avenue, Kwame Nkrumah from Sam Nujoma to Simon Muzenda streets and Samora Machel Avenue and and Sam Nujoma Street.

The roads will be closed from 6am to 3pm.

State Media

ZIMBABWE has secured a US$250 million line of credit from Gemcorp Capital, an international independent investment management firm focused on emerging markets, for the importation of essential commodities.

In a joint statement, the central bank, the Treasury and Gemcorp said the five-year loan facility would enable the importation of essential and intermediate goods to support the economy.

The facility comes at a time when the country is facing serious foreign currency shortages, largely resulting from poor exports and subdued foreign direct investments.

Zimbabwe also saw its foreign currency requirements increasing since the beginning of the year, largely attributed to improved economic performance, but with no corresponding generation of the hard currency.

This is, however, expected in the short term.

In the long term – when productive capacities are fully utilised – the country is expected to export more and the trend will be reversed.

“The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Gemcorp Group are pleased to announce that they have signed a $250 million commercial loan facility.

“This five-year facility will enable the importation of essential and intermediate goods to support the Zimbabwean economy,” reads part of the statement.

Minister of Finance and Economic Development Prof Mthuli Ncube welcomed the development saying “granting of the facility by Gemcorp is a strong signal by foreign investors of their growing confidence in Zimbabwe. I expect more investors to follow suit”.

RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya said the line of credit came at an appropriate time to shore up foreign currency liquidity after the end of the tobacco selling season.

“This, together with other facilities that we have secured, should go a long way to meet the import requirements for essential products and services for the national economy,” he said.

Commenting on the investment, Atanas Bostandjiev, founder and chief executive of Gemcorp Group, said, “with this facility, we are financing and coordinating the delivery of essential goods to help support the Zimbabwean economy. The trade finance gap in Africa remains significant and is an enduring constraint to economic development. The Gemcorp Group remains focused on working with local partners and borrowers across Africa and the rest of the emerging markets to provide creative funding solutions and foster trade and investment in the region”.

The Gemcorp Group comprises a London-based fund manager (Gemcorp Capital LLP) and a physical commodities trader (Gemcorp Commodities Trading). It focuses on emerging markets with a special interest in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe where the group has established itself as a reliable long-term partner for sovereigns and growth focused private companies.

State Media

Staff Reporter|The infamous Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) are back on the road after being kicked out at the change of hands between former President Robert Mugabe’s regime to the so called new dispensation under President Emmerson Mnangagwa through a soft coup in November last year.

The removal of the heavy handed police was met by wild celebrations with people believing that indeed the Mnangagwa era was coming up with fresh governance after police on the road made life extremely difficult for Zimbabweans through wanton ticketing and bribes.

News that police have relaunched a countrywide blitz on the roads under the pretext that it’s an operation targeting unregistered vehicles and motorists who are flouting traffic regulations have brought gloom to motorists and ordinary citizens who are quite aware of what the return of the police means.

Police claim that the mass return of roadblocks is to fish out unregistered vehicles in the wake of a spate of armed robberies countrywide as criminals are using such vehicles to evade arrest.

Although police could not avail statistics of vehicles they had impounded so far, some roadblocks have been mounted in and around the city centres targeting such vehicles.

Police indicated that they will only release the impounded vehicles once the owners have registered them. Some of the vehicles will also undergo vetting to ascertain whether they had also been used in the commission of crime or not.

State media reports that on Monday a large number of cars were being impounded at the City centre roadblocks, while detectives were also moving around the city looking for unlicensed vehicles.

The development comes after Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga recently said the force will launch a massive crackdown targeting unlicensed drivers and unregistered vehicles in a nationwide blitz that will signal the return of roadblocks.

Comm-Gen Matanga made the announcement at this year’s World First Aid Day commemorations held at Morris Depot, Harare.

He said the days for those driving without licences and those driving unregistered vehicles were now over.

“By the powers vested in me by the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa), I would like to warn members of the public that starting on Monday, police will launch a massive operation to get rid of unlicensed drivers and unregistered vehicles,” Matanga said.

“Those caught on the wrong side of the law will have their cars impounded, while the law will take its course on unlicensed drivers.”

In October last year, Government warned that it would impound vehicles that had no number plates, while offenders would either be imprisoned or fined.

By Paul Nyathi|State media reports that government has launched an appeal for $57 million to contain the cholera outbreak at a time when 30 lives have already been lost and many more still coming what with at least 5 000 people seeking treatment.

The cholera outbreak certainly did not hit Zimbabwe by surprise especially Harare as all the warning shots of the impending epidemic were seen as far backbas 1990 but nothing was done to prevent the outbreak.

The development comes against the backdrop of Emmerson Mnangagwa’a office ordering the Zimbabwe electricity supply authority, ZESA to dish out $52 million to convicted fraudster Wicknel Chivayo (in addition to an earlier $7 million).

Besides the warning shots, government never committed to improving the health budget to prevent the cholera outbreak despite the hard lessons from the 2008 outbreak that killed thousands of people throughout the country. What happened to the adage that “prevention is better than cure?”

No investments were made into the decaying water and sanitation infrastructure that was evidently a time bomb for a cholera and typhoid outbreak in most major urban centres with the capital city top on the list.

Officially launching the appeal in Harare yesterday, chairperson of the inter-ministerial committee on cholera July Moyo said the health sector requires at least $51 million to assist about 50 000 patients.

Moyo said the City of Harare requires as a matter of urgency, at least $6 million to revamp sewer and water reticulation infrastructure in the hotspots of Glen View and Budiriro something that was known over the last ten years.

“The health sector had put in a budget of $63 million, but some monies have since come in from other partners, leaving a gap of $51 million.

“The immediate requirement for infrastructure for Harare was $12 million, but we have also since received about $6,2 million from Government but gaps still exist. This ($12 million) will enable water to start flowing in the hotspot areas.”

The minister said local authorities were faced with a number of challenges, which include, “illegal” settlements, where provision of services such as potable water and garbage collection is limited.

He said the areas also had contaminated water sources i.e boreholes, old sewer and water reticulation systems and rampant food vending.

Minister Moyo said Government has however, put in place a number of initiatives to respond to these challenges.

These measures, according to Minister Moyo, include infrastructure maintenance, intensification of health education, setting up of cholera treatment camps and dealing with vendors.

“My appeal is in two forms, material and financial support to plug the gaps we have.

“We need assistance to cover the gap that is there in upgrading the sewer and water system. We also need assistance on refuse collection and solid waste management,” said Minister Moyo.

Speaking at the same occasion, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said the current cholera outbreak was becoming difficult to contain because of the dual existence of bacteria that causes typhoid and that which causes cholera, coupled with increased cases of drug-resistant cholera and typhoid.

“The emergency of antimicrobial resistance has been threatening current efforts to contain both typhoid and cholera outbreaks, Alternative antibiotics are expensive and not easily available. The situation has been further complicated by some patients affected by both vibrio (bacteria that causes cholera) and salmonella (bacteria that causes typhoid) as well as E coli (another bacteria).

“This could have contributed to the increased deaths at the onset of the outbreak,” said Dr Moyo.

Dr Moyo said a number of organisations, corporates and even Zimbabweans living in the diaspora had since availed their assistance in the fight against cholera and typhoid.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, as of Monday, 30 people had died of cholera while 5 836 others were treated of suspected cholera.

Of the 30 people who died, 20 died within a health facility. Although suspected cases have since spread to other parts of the country such as Chitungwiza, Buhera, Gokwe, Shamva, Masvingo and Bulawayo, the epicentre remained Glen View and Budiriro.

On typhoid, 11 deaths and 6 675 cases were recorded in Harare and Gweru.

Typhoid and cholera are both water and food borne diseases, which are caused by consuming food or water contaminated with feacal matter. Both diseases are highly infectious and can pass on from one person to the other, if proper hygienic practices are not adhered to.

At least $10m has been set aside for the establishment of Zimbabwe’s first ever medicinal cannabis production facility in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central.

Operating under the firm, NIRCAN ZW Ltd, a subsidiary of the NIRCOM A.S.I.G, the consortium has already applied to Government for a Medical Cannabis Cultivation and Growing Licence for Export.

Government in April this year announced that individuals and businesses could apply for licences to cultivate cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes.
According to sources, former Health and Child Welfare Dr David Parirenyatwa had, in principle, agreed to the application by NIRCAN ZW Ltd.

Issuance of the licence will lead to the establishment of the Medical Cannabis and Growing Centre in Mazowe.
According to documents gleaned by The Herald recently, NIRCAN ZW Ltd has set aside $10m for the project’s first stage.

The budget includes $4m for the basic assumption, which includes cultivation and growing centre with a gross size of 50 000 square metres.
This would also include the establishment of one Greenhouse growing unit and an outdoor growing unit.

The budget also includes working capital of $4,5 million for the first year and $1m set aside for miscellaneous expenses.

State Media

A man (52) from Mangwe District in Matabeleland South has been admitted to hospital in critical condition after a 21 year old man brutally attacked him over radio volume during a beer drink.

Mthokozisi Sibanda of Lydedard Farm Compound allegedly struck Sithembiso Sibanda with an unidentified object and he sustained several body injuries.
Mthokozisi wanted the volume of the radio to be turned louder while the elderly Sithembiso said it was already too loud.

The incident occurred at around 8PM on Saturday at their farm compound.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said the suspect was arrested while the injured is battling for life in hospital.

“We are investigating a case of attempted murder of a man who was hit several times with an unknown object and he sustained severe body injuries. He was rushed to Plumtree District Hospital but due to his serious condition, was further transferred to Bulawayo for further management.

“The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was arrested. He is in custody and will appear in court soon,” he said.

Chief Insp Ndebele appealed to the public to desist from violence which has resulted in endless cases of murder and serious injuries.

“We warn members of the public to desist from violence. Some matters just need talking rather than fighting. We encourage people to engage third parties when in disputes instead of fighting. Youths are warned to refrain from drug and alcohol abuse because no-one in his proper senses can attack anyone over radio volume.

“Recently, we received cases of murder and attempted murder over petty issues, things which are not at all worth losing lives over, such as murder over bath soap, a dog, a shovel, a knife, $1 and beer. Surely we can’t continue to lose lives or people getting injured over such petty issues, matters that can be resolved with the word of mouth,” he said.- state media

President Mnangagwa yesterday chaired the first Cabinet meeting under the Second Republic where he introduced a new approach on the conduct of Government business and tasked the new Ministers to identify at least five quick-win and high impact projects that improve the livelihoods of the people.

Under the new approach, ministers are expected to make presentations during the course of a Cabinet meeting while decisions will be communicated to the nation every Wednesday to ensure transparency.
All the projects will be strictly monitored and implemented under 100-day programme cycles. Giving his opening remarks during the meeting, President Mnangagwa said the new Ministers—a blend of new talent and experience—should lead the transformation process.

“You should be aware of the mammoth task before us, that is, to lead the transformation process, on our trajectory to become a middle income economy by 2030, characterised by job-rich economic growth and a globally competitive society,” he said.

“Each portfolio should now identify a minimum of five quick-win and high impact projects in order that work on them commences in earnest. Where appropriate, it is permissible to go beyond the five, subject to approval by Cabinet.”

President Mnangagwa said Ministers were expected to speak with one voice. “Our approach will entail four or five Ministers making presentations during the course of a Cabinet meeting like this one until the 100-day cycle ends,” he said.

“The decision taken by Cabinet will be communicated to the nation every Wednesday after we have met. Thus, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services (Monica Mutsvangwa), will issue a press statement in the presence of the Chief Secretary (to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda) and the implementing ministers. This will help us entrench transparency and a culture of responsiveness as we seek to transform the quality of life of our people.”

President Mnangagwa said the 100-day cycles would continue and new ministers should embrace them as the norm of doing business in Cabinet.

“Since the advent of the new dispensation on the 24th of November, 2017, we adopted a new methodology of ensuring that Government Ministries and agencies deliver quality services to the people through the Integrated Results Based Management System with its accompanying Rapid Results Approach,” he said.

“We also adopted the 100-day programme cycle as a new model of doing business to support our drive to attain Vision 2030. The 100-day programme cycle helped us to accentuate the rapid and efficient implementation of priority projects with an immediate impact on the livelihoods of our people. Going forward, we should continue to apply the 100-day cycles as a way of doing business in Government supported by the monitoring of performance outcomes using the Executive Electronic Dashboard. This means that, at the click of a button, projects performance tracking has been made easy across Cabinet, Ministries and parastatals.”

He said workshops would be held to enable Ministers to familiarise themselves with the 100-day cycle.

“In the coming week, while I will be away on international business at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly meeting, half-day workshops will be organised to enable all Ministers to adequately acquaint themselves with the essential components of the 100-day cycle, the Integrated Results Based Management System, The Results Rapid Approach and the Executive Dashboard. A similar exercise will be conducted for permanent secretaries and other senior Government officials.”

The Cabinet now has new faces after President Mnangagwa dropped several big names from previous administrations.

Mnangagwa’s dream team is expected to address a host of challenges, from persistent fiscal and balance of payments deficits to infrastructural and social decay accruing from the previous administration.

Government is currently seized with overcoming the cholera outbreak which has so far claimed 30 lives.- state media

Lab tests have ruled out cholera in 10 of the 12 people from Bulawayo who had been admitted to hospital on fears that they had contracted the disease.

Bulawayo City Council director of Health Services Dr Edwin Sibanda yesterday said the local authority was awaiting lab results for two more people who were admitted to Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital yesterday but 10 have been discharged.

“For the specimens that were sent to the laboratory; we have at least 5 negative Rapid Diagnostic Tests and we have at least 3 negative culture for vibrio cholerae, salmonella typhi and shigella. This simply means that there is no evidence that the admitted patients have cholera or typhoid,” said Dr Sibanda.

He said council was still in contact with the discharged patients as they will still be monitored.
“Residents are reminded that cholera is an individualistic disease as it is highly dependent on one’s hygiene. They should continue practising hygiene and ensure they wash and eat properly cooked food,” added Dr Sibanda.

Meanwhile, a teacher at a school in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North is suspected to have contracted cholera after visiting Harare amid reports that four cases have been reported in the province.

In an interview yesterday, Matabeleland North Provincial Medical Director Dr Alfred Muchara said
three of the cases were not linked to the cholera epicentre in Harare while the fourth one involved a teacher who had recently visited the capital.

“We have so far recorded four suspected cases, two in Hwange district, and one from Umguza and today we had the fourth one from Tsholotsho District,” said Dr Muchara.

“The two cases we had in Victoria Falls and Umguza have no links to Harare but the most recent one in Tsholotsho there is a link with Harare. The patient travelled to Harare.”
The PMD said parents and guardians should not worry about the suspected infected teacher as she has been quarantined.

In 2008, about 4 288 people died from cholera in Zimbabwe.
The recent outbreak which has killed about 30 people in Harare has also forced two schools in Gwanda in Matabeleland South to shut down as learners do not have a safe water source after a community borehole they relied on broke down.

Learners and teachers at Mkwidzi Primary and Secondary Schools in Shake Ward were collecting water from a dirty stream which they shared with livestock.
The school closed on Thursday last week following a meeting between parents and community leadership.

The councillor of the ward, Nobukhosi Malila said efforts to repair the borehole were underway.
Government has since set up a cholera treatment centre in Gweru as part of its preparedness to fight the water borne disease which has been recorded in Harare and Gokwe North.

Midlands provincial medical director Dr Simon Nyadundu refuted claims that suspected cholera cases have been detected in Gweru.

“No cholera case has been detected in Gweru as of now. We have just set up a cholera treatment centre at an infectious disease hospital in Ascot as part of preparedness for cholera,” he said.
Dr Nyadundu who is also the coordinator for the Gweru typhoid outbreak committee said city of Gweru is still fighting typhoid outbreak which was declared last month.

Typhoid left about 2000 residents requiring treatment and eight dead. “There has been a general steady decrease in new typhoid cases in Gweru and we are now prepared for any suspected cases of cholera,” he said.

Gweru town clerk, Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza, said her local authority will just be on the lookout for any suspected cholera cases.

Masvingo Provincial Medical Director, Dr Amadeaus Shamu, yesterday confirmed that one case suspected to be coming from Harare had been recorded in the province.

“I can confirm that we received one case of suspected cholera. The victim is receiving treatment at Masvingo General Hospital and was coming from Harare’s Glen View suburb on his way to South Africa,” said Dr Shamu.

He said that people travelling from the cholera affected areas like Harare were supposed to be disinfected first before travelling to reduce the transmission of the disease.- state media

The government has intensified the fight against cholera and typhoid in Harare, and enforced the ban on all illegal vending activities in the central business district (CBD).

There was heavy police presence in Harare’s CBD yesterday, with vending activities minimal.

Harare City Council Spokesperson, Mr Michael Chideme said citizens must make use of legal vending sites in their respective residential areas and decongest the central business district.

Failure by the local authority to collect garbage in the CBD has however been cited as another challenge that requires urgent attention.

The council is already working on repairing toilets and ensuring safe water provisions so that Harare soon returns its Sunshine City status.

Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Spokesperson, Mr Rambwai Mapako said more still needs to be done by stakeholders and the citizens at large who must adopt a new culture of keeping the environment clean.

At busy bus termini like Simon Muzenda and Copa Cabana and Market Square, there was a semblance of sanity as only registered companies for food and drink were in operation.

Apart from fighting the epidemic, the exercise will guarantee cleanliness in the CBD. – State Media

Staff Correspondent|Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Chamunorwa Mangwiro has commended the hard work being done by doctors, nurses, health workers and the nation at large in trying to contain cholera outbreak in the country.

“I am happy with the progress that I have seen at this hospital it shows that everyone is working hard so as to end cholera in the country. There is need for correction of the problem other than just crying,” he said.

Dr Mangwiro said this yesterday when visited all the cholera camps in the Harare to asses and monitor the situation.

Dr Mangwiro first visited Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital (BRIDH) where he managed to speak to all the patients who had come to get treatment and those few who were admitted at the institution’s camp site.

At BRIDH most of the patients were males and children and were stable responding well to treatment and most of them were already at point of discharge. There were also some few patients who were waiting to be transferred to other hospitals as they had been tested negative to cholera but had come with fear of the worst in mind.

He said it was his duty as a deputy Minister and as a doctor to see to it that cholera is contained. He also encouraged all the patients to take their medication as advised by their health care providers so that they recover quickly.

Dr Mangwiro also managed to examine other patients as well as talking to the nurses and doctors on duty on the progress of containing the outbreak.
Deputy Minister was later joined by the town clerk Mr Hosiah Chisango at Glenview Poly Clinic. They managed to tour the camp together, only a few patients were admitted and a few suspected cases tested positive to cholera.

The team consisting of the Deputy Minister and town clerk proceeded to Tichagarika shopping centre. There were no food vendors operating at the area they all had complied to the Ministry of Health ‘s call for them to stop cooking and selling food at the shops in order to stop the spread of cholera.
They had to look at the area were pipes had burst leading to the outbreak, they had been repaired.

Mr Chisango promised to have continuous monitoring and maintenance of the pipes to avoid unnecessary blockages in the future.

At Budiriro Clinic there were only two female patients admitted and the sister in charge said they were happy with the progress made so far in trying to contain the outbreak before it became a disaster.

Dr Mangwiro urged all doctors and nurses not to do things casually, but always do the correct thing in their work in order to contain situations like outbreaks and avoiding the spread of diseases.
So far 30 people have died since the cholera outbreak.

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing July Moyo says government, together with the Harare City Council, has scaled up their rapid response in curbing the spread of cholera in the Harare Metropolitan province.

In a statement released this afternoon updating the nation on the progress made so far, Minister Moyo said his ministry, together with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, has engaged private partners to supply affected areas with clean water, assist in refuse collection and mend burst sewer pipes.

He added that the government has since released $6.7 million for urgent health related needs with the portion of the amount set to assist the city council in maintaining infrastructural requirements.

On improving sanitation in the capital, Moyo highlighted that government has also released $500 million to kick-start clean-up campaigns while insisting that vendors would not be allowed to operate in the central business district until the outbreak has been contained.

“It has become imperative that all types of vending be banned with immediate effect. The joint operation system has since been activated to assist in the removal of the vending public. May I also take this opportunity to urge a few way ward vendors who are playing hide and seek with the law enforcement agents to comply. I am aware that there are some vendors who were operating with permits from the City of Harare. I direct that the law enforcement agents should amicably dismantle the stalls they are operating from,” said Minister Moyo.

The Minister also indicated that a directive has been given to all Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs to closely and continuously monitor and assist local authorities in addressing some of the key drivers of the outbreak.

“As a way of unlocking more assistance from local and international organisations, the government of Zimbabwe will be making its appeal on 17 September 2018 at the National Sports Stadium VIP lounge at 15:00 hours,” he said.

Moyo said the compilation of a consolidated cholera outbreak response plan has made it possible to highlight sustainable immediate, medium and long-term solutions to such outbreaks.

Jane Mlambo| Opposition legislator and deputy chairperson of the MDC, Tendai Biti has lashed at the President Emmerson Mnangagwa government saying the spike in prices proves that without structural reforms, Zimbabwe will enter another meltdown.

“The spike in prices with bread rising to $1.10 and cooking fat to US$, evident that unless structural reforms are undertaken Zim enters another meltdown. Budget deficit at center of meltdown and requires boldness to deal with the same. Sadly there can never be reform without reformers,” tweeted Biti.

Biti said the budget deficit that is at the center of the meltdown requires boldness to deal with it which he says can never be without reforms.

Jane Mlambo| THE Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has established a cholera and typhoid response fund to deal with the outbreak of the twin waterborne diseases that have claimed 28 lives in Harare and affected thousands others.

The outbreak has spread to other cities, with Bulawayo recording its first cholera case on Friday.

This is the first time in over a decade for Bulawayo to record a cholera or typhoid outbreak despite erratic water supplies in the country’s second largest city.

The ZCC said it was seized with the matter and was establishing a cholera and typhoid response fund to deal with the outbreak and prevent its further spread.

“Throughout the state of emergency on cholera and typhoid, the ZCC will rally its member churches in efforts to prevent deaths, ameliorate the suffering and contribute towards lasting solutions to address the root cause of recurrent outbreaks,” the ZCC said in a statement yesterday.

“In particular, the ZCC will participate in stakeholder consultations in order to contribute to a collective way forward, provide pastoral resources to help pastors to be relevant as they minister in affected areas, medical institutions and bereaved families, establish a cholera reporting centre to collect and share information from churches in affected areas, establish a cholera/typhoid response fund to assist the affected families and communities.”

Government last week declared a state of emergency following the cholera outbreak and on Thursday released $1 million to fight cholera, while also launching an international appeal for funding towards the pandemic.

There have been counter accusations on who was to blame for the latest cholera outbreak.
The opposition – that runs several councils and municipalities across the country – blames central government for frustrating efforts to ensure resources are channelled to addressing sewer and reticulation challenges – a major source of the outbreak.

Others, however, blame the opposition for incapacity, thus resulting in recurrent cholera and typhoid cases.

“The church would wish to state that this is not a time for finger-pointing or political point-scoring; it is a time to unite. It is a time to do our utmost to meet the needs of families and communities who have been affected or are at risk of the outbreak. What affected families and communities need now is a united and well-coordinated national effort to decisively address this national emergency,” ZCC added.

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| The ruling Zanu PF has castigated MDC President Nelson Chamisa over his refusal to accept the 2018 election result saying the 40-year old is not a “custodian of legitimacy”.

Mnangagwa appointed his cabinet last week with Chamisa calling for a dialogue amid economic turmoil that has raised fears of return to the 2008 hyper-inflationary situation.

In a telephone interview with 263Chat on the back of Chamisa’s call for a dialogue, Zanu PF Secretary for Legal Affairs, Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana was adamant that legitimacy to rule the country lies with the citizens of Zimbabwe through an electoral process.

“Legitimacy comes from the people of Zimbabwe through an electoral process. It does not come from Chamisa. Mnangagwa’s legitimacy came from the Constitutional Court,” he said.

“You don’t go to an election to rule with an opposition. You go to an election so that people make a choice as to who do they want to lead the country. The people of Zimbabwe gave President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF that mandate.

“Zanu PF has more than two thirds majority, so it does not need anyone else to rule the country because it got the mandate from the people”

Mangwana added that Chamisa was not the referee in the July 30 elections and should abide by the declarations made by the referee charging that he should not give himself more significance than he deserves.

“Chamisa was not the referee in the election, there is a referee called ZEC and Chamisa being a lawyer need to understand that and should abide with its declarations.

“We don’t need Chamisa to move the country forward. We need to implement President Mnangagwa’s economic policies together with his cabinet.”

Chamisa tried in vain to challenge Mnangagwa victory in the constitutional court last month with the highest legal institution in the country ruling in favor of Mnangagwa saying the applicant failed to provide primary evidence to back his claims.

The electoral process was marred by irregularities with the electoral mother body being caught offside as it changed presidential results more than twice leaving the electorate with many questions than answers.

Protest broke out in Harare central business district claiming at least six lives after the military used live ammunition to disperse civilians a development that left Mnangagwa with many questions at the international stage.

However, posting on his micro blog twitter today, Chamisa’s spokesperson Dr Nkululeko Sibanda urged President Mnangagwa to address legitimacy issues in order for the country’s economy to return to its feet.

“The one thing that anyone who is interested in the Zimbabwe economy must address is the illegitimacy of the current government. Illegitimate President Mr @edmnangagwa must address the shame of his ZEC and ConCourt appointed leadership,” he said.

The opposition party insists the election was stolen thereby throwing Mnangagwa’s legitimacy under the bus something that the 75 year old leader aggressively sought in order to lure foreign direct investment.

Over the weekend, the city fathers in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) resumed their cat mouse fight with the vendors’ with the latter having their wares being confiscated.
-263Chat

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed delight at presiding over the first cabinet meeting saying he is gettin to work to overcome the cholera outbreak.

In a Twitter post soon after his first cabinet meeting since assuming a new mandate following the June 30 harmonised elections, Mnangagwa said he is getting straight to work and fighting the cholera outbreak.

Delighted to preside over the 1st meeting of our new cabinet this morning. We are getting straight to work in addressing the challenges we face, including overcoming the cholera outbreak. Let’s all have an effective & productive week building our new Zimbabwe, one brick at a time

— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) September 17, 2018

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent cabinet and party appointments featured curious inclusions and exclusions.

After taking over power late last year following a military backed intervention Mnangagwa retained most of the individuals who formed former President Robert Mugabe’s administration for the past 37 years.

And in what was interpreted as rewarding loyalty, Mnangagwa dished top government posts to cronies regardless of competency.
One of the most curious such appointments was the elevation of Gokwe-Kana legislator Owen Ncube to Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister.

Mudha, as Ncube is widely known in his Kwekwe home town, replaced then provincial affairs minister Jason Machaya who is currently answering abuse of public office charges in the courts.

At every opportunity Ncube always indicated his appointment was down to loyalty to the Mnangagwa family.

“I was appointed to the position of Minister by President Mnangagwa and you cannot be appointed if you are not loyal,” Ncube said in April.

However, when Mnangagwa appointed his new ministerial after the disputed July 30 elections, Ncube found himself being axed from government.

Some of the big names to miss out on cabinet were accommodated at the Zanu PF headquarters but not Ncube.

Mnangagwa appointed Larry Mavhima – another key ally – as the new Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister.

“I appointed a diverse, dynamic, youthful and streamlined cabinet, with the skills and experience required for achieving our goals.
“Now it is time to get to work,” Mnangagwa said of his appointments.

There is speculation however that Ncube may be considered for an ambassadorial role.
-Newzimbabwe.com

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s anti-corruption unit has reportedly opened investigations into former President Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law, Simba Chikore’s involvement in the botched ZimAirways deal, NewsDay can reveal.

Highly-placed sources told NewsDay last week that Chikore, married to Mugabe’s daughter, Bona, is the subject of an investigation over his involvement in the purchase of aircraft under a ZimAirways deal.

“He (Chikore) is being investigated for his role in the deal, but it seems the whole issue could suck in Mugabe himself or better still, his wife (former First Lady Grace). Chikore is said to have been engaged as a consultant in the ZimAirways deal at a time he was employed as Air Zimbabwe’s chief operating officer.

“You will remember that deal was supposed to be part of the resuscitation of the national airline, but it was later revealed that ZimAirways was part of a private company owned by individuals. It is an intricate web that we are trying to understand,” the source close to the investigation said.

Thabani Mpofu, who heads Mnangagwa’s anti-graft unit, was not available for comment.

Transport ministry secretary George Mlilo referred questions to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc).

“Zacc have all the information. Talk to them. But I can confirm that we are aware that the planes are owned by the government,” he said.

ZACC commissioner in charge of investigations Goodson Nguni confirmed the anti-graft body has a report on the matter.

“Indeed, we have received a complaint regarding that issue and we are investigating it. I cannot say much at the moment suffice to say it is alleged he employed people without permits and that he (Chikore) has been purporting to work for the government of Zimbabwe, but does not have a contract yet he exercised executive power at ZimAirways,” Nguni said, adding information available showed that the shadowy airline is a government entity.

Former Transport minister Joram Gumbo early this year confirmed that Chikore was a consultant at ZimAirways, but indicated that the latter only got involved after he resigned from Air Zimbabwe.

Information gathered shows that Chikore negotiated on behalf of the local company in the deal that involved the purchase of aircraft from Malaysia.

The Malaysian government had reportedly grounded the MH series after two major incidents in 2014.

Zimbabwe, looking to jump-start a struggling national flag carrier, offered to buy the planes, triggering a scandal that might have prejudiced the country of millions of dollars.

“From what has been gathered thus far, the government on behalf of a private entity the Zimbabwe Aviation Leasing Company, paid about $110 million, but only $50 million was received by the Malay authorities,” another source said.

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| The trial of MDC vice president Morgen Komichi’s on charges of violating the country’s electoral laws is set to commence early next month.

Komichi was hauled before the courts after he allegedly interrupted the 2018 election results announcement by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

The opposition politician is being represented by Jeremiah Bamu and Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

Prosecutors say he illegally stormed the ZEC Command Centre in Harare and declared that the results being announced by the elections agency were fake.

Komichi is denying the allegations.
He recently appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa who indicated that the trial would start on October 3.
-Newzimbabwe.com

Jane Mlambo| Mvurwi residents have engaged in a campaign code named #OperationVhuraMvura to force the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to reconnect residents to water supply following what they described as a spate of arbitrary disconnections in the town.

In a statement released today, Combined Mvurwi Residents Association (COMRA) said they are calling for a national moratorium against arbitrary water disconnections to contain the current cholera outbreak that has so far claimed 30 lives.

“Majority of shop owners and households had their water arbitrarily disconnected by ZINWA officials in Mvurwi.

“The move to reconnect water has enjoyed huge support from the local councillor who accompanied Combined Mvurwi Residents Association (COMRA) to ZINWA offices,” said COMRA official Mr Kambala.

According to COMRA, ZINWA officials in Mvurwi arbitrarily disconnected water at the market place opposite the beer hall, 6 months ago leaving residents with nowhere to get water since the nearby borehole has been condemned.

Community Water Alliance which advocates for citizen’s right to water, lambasted ZINWA for using illegal means to force payment.
The water movement insisted that ZINWA should confine itself to raw water issues and leave Local Authorities with the responsibility of potable water supply.

“Community Water Alliance is calling for a national moratorium against arbitrary water disconnections in response to cholera outbreaks,” said CWA.

Mvurwi residents have opted to engage the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights for legal advice and representation against arbitrary water disconnections in their town.

Jane Mlambo| Information deputy minister, Energy Mutodi who yesterday scoffed at MDC President Nelson Chamisa’s demand for dialogue could be misfiring as the state of affairs in the country needs collective effort to take the country forward.

Mutodi who spoke to a local publication said, “The country does not move on the basis of dialogue between winners and losers, rather it moves because the institutions of the State are in place. I can tell you these are already in place and working. The President recently appointed his Cabinet that will help him formulate and implement government policy over the next five years.

“He doesn’t need legitimacy from a losing presidential candidate. Chamisa is only one of 22 candidates who lost in the election. He is desperate for a Government of National Unity (GNU) kind of arrangement, but the President is on record saying it is not necessary at the moment. President Mnangagwa is busy running the country, he has respect for the opposition, but honestly, he has no time to waste,” Mutodi said.
Mutodi said Chamisa should use his party’s legislative representation to push for reforms.

The Donald Trump-led United States government enacted Zidera in 2003 to force then President Robert Mugabe to reform and respect human rights.

A few months ago, the law was amended to add signposts that Mnangagwa’s administration must meet before the sanctions are removed.

Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo last week indicated the amendment was a “step in the right direction” and Zimbabwe will continue to engage the US in order to have the restrictive measures removed.

Chamisa called for help at home and abroad to bring the political protagonists to the negotiating table.

“I am calling on the international community and the church to help resolve the political crisis. I am not saying Mnangagwa must hand over power to me right away, but I am saying he cannot ignore a party that has 112 representatives in the legislature, controls 81% of all urban local authorities, challenging the result of the presidential election as well as the two-thirds majority claimed by Zanu PF,” the opposition leader said, arguing talk of a GNU was premature.
“There has to be a discussion on the fundamental issues affecting Zimbabwe. The idea of a Government of National Unity should be a result of dialogue. Any talk of this now will be a case of putting the cart before the horse.”

Zimbabwe’s economic and social problems seem to have deepened after the disputed election exacerbated by a devastating cholera outbreak.

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| The arrest of former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s elder sister, Shuvai Junior Gumbochuma last Friday, was not without drama as police had to engage in a 24km high-speed chase with her son, Moses, behind the wheel as he allegedly tried to whisk her away from the law enforcement agents.

The 36-year-old lad was finally arrested together with his mother after police summoned reinforcements and blocked their getaway car. While his mother was promptly brought to court that same day on fraud charges and granted $500 bail, Moses had to endure a night in police cells, only to be brought to court on Saturday, charged with obstructing the course of justice.

Harare magistrate Tilda Mazhande granted him $50 bail and remanded the matter to September 28. Prosecutor Linda Gadzikwa told the court that on September 14 this year, a team of detectives met Gumbochuma at an undisclosed place outside Harare and introduced themselves.

Gumbochuma was informed of the land-related fraud charges she was facing and the detectives told her that she was under arrest, but she declined to be led to Harare Central Police Station.

The State alleges Gumbochuma got into her vehicle, which was driven by her son and drove towards Harare. The detectives allegedly followed behind the vehicle and summoned a reinforcement team comprising of more than five detectives to intercept the accused’s vehicle.

They were stopped at the 24km-peg toll gate along the Harare-Masvingo Highway, where Gumbochuma was ordered to disembark, but she allegedly refused to comply as her son also defied orders to switch off the vehicle engine.

Moses allegedly tried to drive off, but was blocked by the detectives. It is alleged Moses started shouting that her mother was not going anywhere and that he would not leave his mother.

-Newsday

By Paul Nyathi|Tsvangirai’s daughter MP Vimbayi Tsvangirai has come under fire following allegations that her company was awarded a $10 million water treatment tender and they failed to fulfill their obligations.

This follows the cholera epidemic outbreak which has gone rampant in her Glen View constituency and has claimed several lives thus far.

Vimbayi however slammed the allegations on Twitter

“What Tender, Were? Tender is given by the Tender Procurement Board. So what Tender did they give me? Why are some Zimbabweans so blind to cheap counter intellingence. Do you think Mr Chombo and Cde Mugabe would give a 10million dollars Tender to a Tsvangirai child? If the propagandists get us our missing 15 billion cholera would be history. ” she tweeted

Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has insisted that his party will roll out a programme of peaceful protests as part of efforts to force Zanu PF to the negotiating table.

In an interview with a local publication yesterday, Chamisa, who came close to upstaging Mnangagwa in presidential elections two months ago, losing by just over 6% of the total votes after the Zanu PF leader was declared winner with a slim 50, 67%, said while his party was girding for “peaceful protests”, he still believes his nemesis should engage him to avert a national crisis.

“You have heard that we are consulting our supporters in order to roll out a programme of peaceful protests as part of efforts to nudge Zanu PF towards the negotiating table, but we believe this is a very unnecessary exercise,” he said.

“We have a wounded nation. We are leading a divided nation, a people divided in every facet of life from the church to family. Our country needs healing and President Mnangagwa must understand that the idea of a political zero-sum game will not help anyone. Our country needs dialogue,” Chamisa said.

The youthful opposition leader challenged Mnangagwa’s victory at the Constitutional Court, arguing that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission had connived with the ruling party to rig the July 30 poll in the Zanu PF leader’s favour, but the country’s highest court threw out his petition for lack of merit.

However, Chamisa has insisted he won the presidential election and has challenged dozens of results won by Zanu PF in the legislative polls. Yesterday the MDC leader said he was ready to talk and had five points of departure.

“Dialogue is a national necessity. I must warn Zanu PF and Mnangagwa that the zero-sum game will not work. Our country needs legitimacy, we need time-bound comprehensive reforms, peace building, nation building and national healing around human rights, international engagement to rid ourselves of the pariah tag, as well as an emergency economic rescue package.

“Our people are suffering and once we are agreed on all this, we can take this to the international community and say this is what we are going to do as Zimbabweans. This could help open up lines of credit, increase international confidence in the country and allow for the removal of such things as Zidera (the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act),” Chamisa said.
-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| Harare lawyer Phillipa Philips, who has represented Former President Robert Mugabe’s son in law, Simba Chikore in the past said she had since stopped doing so over what she said were integrity issues.

In an interview with a local newspaper, Philips said Chikore was an imposter who has never presented his papers to prove he is a captain.

“I have heard he is being investigated, but I no longer represent him,” Philips said.

Asked to elaborate on why their relationship broke down, Philips suggested Chikore was an “imposter.”

“He keeps insisting he is a captain, but has never shown or proven that he is one. Those that worked with him at Air Zimbabwe and Qatar Airways say he never qualified. These issues of integrity, I value very much and he seems to think he can do anything because he is politically connected,” the lawyer said.

Despite government’s frantic efforts to recruit a hangman, Zimbabweans have frowned upon the job offer even though unemployment is above 90 percent.

In this Question & Answer with the Daily News’ Tendayi Madhomu, the minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi (pictured) speaks on this and other issues.

Q: How far is the Constitution alignment process from completion?
A: We have some outstanding Acts and the Attorney General is coordinating the process.
Home Affairs have not aligned any Acts in the past five years; the Citizens Act, the Immigration Act all need to be aligned with the new Constitution.

The ministry of Information also has some outstanding Acts, like Aippa.
This ninth Parliament will have to do a clean-up of the work that is remaining.
We have our vision that we need to follow; of improved governance and respect for human and property rights.

The Marriage Act also needs to be amended. The Constitution says one may get married at the age of 18, but other laws are saying 16 years; the marriages Acts need to be revamped.

Q: What improved measure has your ministry taken in the fight against corruption at the courts?

A: The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has moved magistrates to alternative stations as a way of curbing corruption. Magistrates have also been trained to deal with corruption cases comprehensively.

It is part of our Vision 2030 to be able to fight corruption with a strong arm. We want to adopt an electronic management system to track processes; this makes it easy to fight corruption.

In fact, we want this system to be adopted in all sectors of the economy, so that we are able to meet the 2030 vision of becoming a middle-income economy.

Q: The ministry has been recruiting magistrates, court interpreters etc this year; has this improved the efficiency in your ministry?

A: Yes, we have been recruiting since January this year, after being granted permission by treasury. Of course we haven’t reached the numbers we had wished for, due to budget limitations but right now the JSC has finished training of new magistrates.

Q: President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently signed a Prisoners Exchange Programme deal with President Xi Ping of China, what does it entail?

A: I will not say much about this, since the Commissioner-General of prisons, Major General Paradzai Zimondi is still in China. When he comes back he will be able to answer all your questions.

Q: Have we had such programmes before? A: It is not new, we have such a programme already running with Botswana, and we hope to have the same with all our surrounding countries.

Q: How many Zimbabwean prisoners do we have in China?
A: I don’t have the exact numbers, but we do have our prisoners in China and we also have Chinese in the local prisons.

Q: Does such a programme not infringe on the rights of prisoners?
A: No, it does not infringe on prisoners’ rights, it simply involves exchange or movement of imprisoned nationals to their countries of origin.

Q: Turning to the issue of the death penalty, how many inmates are currently awaiting the hangman’s noose?

A: I don’t have the exact number of inmates awaiting execution. We have not been executing for a while. Under section 48 – Right to life, our Constitution does allow for the death penalty, depending on the circumstances.

A court may permit the death penalty to be imposed only on a person convicted of murder in aggravated circumstances. Of course, the sentence cannot be imposed on women, persons who are aged less than 21 or older than 70 years.

Q: But the president strongly despises the death sentence?
A: The death penalty stands, as long as it is in the Zimbabwean Constitution, despite our president’s feelings towards this.

Q: Does the country have a hang man at present?

A: The hangman has not been found. No one has appetite for the job.

Daily News

The arrest of former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s elder sister, Shuvai Junior Gumbochuma last Friday, was not without drama as police had to engage in a 24km high-speed chase with her son, Moses, behind the wheel as he allegedly tried to whisk her away from the law enforcement agents.

The 36-year-old lad was finally arrested together with his mother after police summoned reinforcements and blocked their getaway car. While his mother was promptly brought to court that same day on fraud charges and granted $500 bail, Moses had to endure a night in police cells, only to be brought to court on Saturday, charged with obstructing the course of justice.

Harare magistrate Tilda Mazhande granted him $50 bail and remanded the matter to September 28. Prosecutor Linda Gadzikwa told the court that on September 14 this year, a team of detectives met Gumbochuma at an undisclosed place outside Harare and introduced themselves.

Gumbochuma was informed of the land-related fraud charges she was facing and the detectives told her that she was under arrest, but she declined to be led to Harare Central Police Station.

The State alleges Gumbochuma got into her vehicle, which was driven by her son and drove towards Harare. The detectives allegedly followed behind the vehicle and summoned a reinforcement team comprising of more than five detectives to intercept the accused’s vehicle.

They were stopped at the 24km-peg toll gate along the Harare-Masvingo Highway, where Gumbochuma was ordered to disembark, but she allegedly refused to comply as her son also defied orders to switch off the vehicle engine.

Moses allegedly tried to drive off, but was blocked by the detectives. It is alleged Moses started shouting that her mother was not going anywhere and that he would not leave his mother.

This led to their arrest.

Zim metro

By A Correspondent|AN attempt by a 26-year-old Kadoma man to quench his sexual appetite on a female stranger in a bread queue on Saturday last week backfired on him after he was arrested for indecent assault.

Samsom Madhuri (26) appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts on Saturday facing allegations of rubbing his manhood on a woman’s backside while queuing for bread in the city centre.

According to the State, Madhuri, who is not known to the complainant, was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Tilda Mazhande who remanded him to today for bail application.

It is the State’s case that on September 14, the complainant, who was not named to protect her identity, was queuing for bread at a bakery along Bank Street and Madhuri was behind her.

The State alleges Madhuri rubbed his manhood on the complainant’s backside and messed her up.

She immediately screamed and alerted other people in the queue who apprehend Madhuri and handed him to police.

Linda Gadzikwa appeared for the State.

FORMER vice-president of the Joice Mujuru-led National People’s Party Samuel Sipepa Nkomo says his political career, spanning nearly six decades, had so many ups and downs, but the lowest dip was when he, together with other former MDC-T ‘rebels’ led by then secretary-general Tendai Biti, walked out on party founder, the late Morgan Tsvangirai in 2014, accusing him of being a dictator and failing to dislodge then President Robert Mugabe in three successive polls.

Sipepa Nkomo and his colleagues were eventually recalled from Parliament before their eventual split, which saw him joining Mujuru’s NPP. Last week, the former Water and Climate minister in the 2009-2013 unity government severed ties with Mujuru after the opposition party’s poor showing in the July 30 poll and also announced that he was quitting active party politics to concentrate on church activities.

Southern Eye reporter Silas Nkala (SE) on Wednesday had an interview with Sipepa Nkomo (SSPN), where he outlined his future plans after quitting politics.

Below are excerpts of the interview.

SE: Now that you are retired from politics, what would you say is the decision you regret most in your political career?

SSPN: I think the biggest mistake that I did was to leave the MDC-T with Biti, resulting in our being expelled from Parliament. To me, that is the biggest mistake that ever happened, but otherwise, my thinking was that we were right.

SE: You do not regret being part of NPP?

SSPN: No, I do not regret being in NPP, but I regret my association with other legislators in the MDC-T which led to our expulsion from Parliament and from MDC-T. That is what I regret. Now that the People’s Democratic Party that we had formed has disintegrated, I do not regret being in the NPP. I think it had a lot of opportunities and if we had done things properly, it would have done well.

SE: Many people have blamed Zanu-PF infiltrators for causing most splits in opposition parties, do you subscribe to that?

SSPN: I think it’s correct. Do not play with the Central Intelligence Organisation. (Former President Robert) Mugabe created that for a purpose, that is why at the start of a campaign period for an election, there is mushrooming of political parties and as soon as the elections are over, they disappear. I believe some of these parties are sponsored by the regime (Zanu-PF). Infiltration has happened, even in NPP, and MDC. It has happened in all political parties; it has happened. This I think they copied from Russia. Even looking at some of them, we can tell that so and so might be a CIO operative.

SE: Do you think the opposition has any chance of winning the polls as long as Zanu-PF is still active?

SSPN: My honest opinion is that the progressive opposition political parties, need to come together inspite of infiltration. Because if all political parties you know — there were 22 political parties who claimed to be opposition — so if all of them came together and selected one presidential candidate, they would have won against Zanu-PF. Can you see Chamisa had two million voters and Mnangagwa had just over two million votes, so if all had come together, the opposition would have won.

SE: Now you have retired from politics, what are your future plans?

SSPN: First of all, I think I also regret my involvement in politics. It made me neglect some of my church duties, because I would not be involved in my church duties as politics would take me all over. Secondly, I am going to be writing a book of the 58 years I was in politics, 14 years in prison. No one has written anything about what was happening inside prisons and detention at that time. So I intend to write a book. This book will include my 58 years in politics. I obtained my first degree in prison. I will do two things, my duties at church, the Seventh Day Adventist and writing a book.

SE: Most of the politicians, when they retire from politics, say they will be going into farming and I thought you will be doing the same thing. Do you have a farm?

SSPN: I do not have a farm.

SE: Why don’t you have one?

SSPN: I was not Zanu-PF, I have never been Zanu-PF in my life and even if I wanted to have the farm, I did not want a situation where a farm is taken from someone and given to me. I did not want that. So I cannot be involved in something like that. They were taking these farms from whites.

Southern Eye

THE Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has established a cholera and typhoid response fund to deal with the outbreak of the twin waterborne diseases that have claimed 30 lives in Harare and affected thousands others.

The outbreak has spread to other cities, with Bulawayo recording its first cholera case on Friday.

This is the first time in over a decade for Bulawayo to record a cholera or typhoid outbreak despite erratic water supplies in the country’s second largest city.

The ZCC said it was seized with the matter and was establishing a cholera and typhoid response fund to deal with the outbreak and prevent its further spread.

“Throughout the state of emergency on cholera and typhoid, the ZCC will rally its member churches in efforts to prevent deaths, ameliorate the suffering and contribute towards lasting solutions to address the root cause of recurrent outbreaks,” the ZCC said in a statement yesterday.

“In particular, the ZCC will participate in stakeholder consultations in order to contribute to a collective way forward, provide pastoral resources to help pastors to be relevant as they minister in affected areas, medical institutions and bereaved families, establish a cholera reporting centre to collect and share information from churches in affected areas, establish a cholera/typhoid response fund to assist the affected families and communities.”

Government last week declared a state of emergency following the cholera outbreak and on Thursday released $1 million to fight cholera, while also launching an international appeal for funding towards the pandemic.

There have been counter accusations on who was to blame for the latest cholera outbreak.

The opposition – that runs several councils and municipalities across the country – blames central government for frustrating efforts to ensure resources are channelled to addressing sewer and reticulation challenges – a major source of the outbreak.

Others, however, blame the opposition for incapacity, thus resulting in recurrent cholera and typhoid cases.

“The church would wish to state that this is not a time for finger-pointing or political point-scoring; it is a time to unite. It is a time to do our utmost to meet the needs of families and communities who have been affected or are at risk of the outbreak. What affected families and communities need now is a united and well-coordinated national effort to decisively address this national emergency,” ZCC added.

OPPOSITION MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to “come to the negotiating table” or face the real prospect of driving the country down the abyss.

In an interview with NewsDay yesterday, Chamisa, who came close to upstaging Mnangagwa in presidential elections two months ago, losing by just over 6% of the total votes after the Zanu PF leader was declared winner with a slim 50,67%, said while his party was girding for “peaceful protests”, he still believes his nemesis should engage him to avert a national crisis.

“You have heard that we are consulting our supporters in order to roll out a programme of peaceful protests as part of efforts to nudge Zanu PF towards the negotiating table, but we believe this is a very unnecessary exercise,” he said.

“We have a wounded nation. We are leading a divided nation, a people divided in every facet of life from the church to family. Our country needs healing and President Mnangagwa must understand that the idea of a political zero-sum game will not help anyone. Our country needs dialogue,” Chamisa said.

The youthful opposition leader challenged Mnangagwa’s victory at the Constitutional Court, arguing that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission had connived with the ruling party to rig the July 30 poll in the Zanu PF leader’s favour, but the country’s highest court threw out his petition for lack of merit.

However, Chamisa has insisted he won the presidential election and has challenged dozens of results won by Zanu PF in the legislative polls. Yesterday the MDC leader said he was ready to talk and had five points of departure.

“Dialogue is a national necessity. I must warn Zanu PF and Mnangagwa that the zero-sum game will not work. Our country needs legitimacy, we need time-bound comprehensive reforms, peace building, nation building and national healing around human rights, international engagement to rid ourselves of the pariah tag, as well as an emergency economic rescue package.

“Our people are suffering and once we are agreed on all this, we can take this to the international community and say this is what we are going to do as Zimbabweans. This could help open up lines of credit, increase international confidence in the country and allow for the removal of such things as Zidera (the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act),” Chamisa said.

But the government yesterday scoffed at Chamisa’s proposal, with Information deputy minister Energy Mutodi saying Mnangagwa will not “waste time” negotiating with the opposition.

“The country does not move on the basis of dialogue between winners and losers, rather it moves because the institutions of the State are in place. I can tell you these are already in place and working. The President recently appointed his Cabinet that will help him formulate and implement government policy over the next five years.

“He doesn’t need legitimacy from a losing presidential candidate. Chamisa is only one of 22 candidates who lost in the election. He is desperate for a Government of National Unity (GNU) kind of arrangement, but the President is on record saying it is not necessary at the moment. President Mnangagwa is busy running the country, he has respect for the opposition, but honestly, he has no time to waste,” Mutodi said.

Mutodi said Chamisa should use his party’s legislative representation to push for reforms.

A few months ago, the law was amended to add signposts that Mnangagwa’s administration must meet before the sanctions are removed.

Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo last week indicated the amendment was a “step in the right direction” and Zimbabwe will continue to engage the US in order to have the restrictive measures removed.

Chamisa called for help at home and abroad to bring the political protagonists to the negotiating table.

“I am calling on the international community and the church to help resolve the political crisis. I am not saying Mnangagwa must hand over power to me right away, but I am saying he cannot ignore a party that has 112 representatives in the legislature, controls 81% of all urban local authorities, challenging the result of the presidential election as well as the two-thirds majority claimed by Zanu PF,” the opposition leader said, arguing talk of a GNU was premature.

“There has to be a discussion on the fundamental issues affecting Zimbabwe. The idea of a Government of National Unity should be a result of dialogue. Any talk of this now will be a case of putting the cart before the horse.”

Zimbabwe’s economic and social problems seem to have deepened after the disputed election exacerbated by a devastating cholera outbreak.

Newsday

A PRIVATE company, Tatipano Properties, which has been linked to former Information Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira, has been taken to court for allegedly using fraudulent documents to buy Village Inn Hotel in Nyanga from a judicial manager.

In their High Court application, the hotel’s proprietors, Edward and Fanuel Buwu, cited Village Inn, judicial manager Shepherd Chimutanda, Tatipano Properties and the Chief Registrar of Deeds as defendants in the case.

Buwu is seeking the High Court to cancel the agreement of sale entered between Tatipano Properties and Chimutanda, arguing the judicial manager acted unilaterally without the consent of the hotel’s shareholders.

In a police report, Buwu claimed he was surprised by the hostile takeover when summons had already been served on one Munemo, “who had signed the ‘purported’ agreement of sale as a representative of Tatipano Properties (Private) Limited and the Honourable Supa Mandiwanzira, to try to stop the transfer of the hotel in the former minister’s company”.

Buwu claimed he reported the matter to the police on September 3 after he met Tatipano Properties representatives led by one R Mandiwanzira (former hotel manager), who is said to be the elder brother to the Nyanga MP and a woman whose identity was not made known to the complainant.

According to the summons dated August 23, 2018, Buwu said Chimutanda admitted to flouting the rules of judicial management, but allegedly claimed that it was too late to reverse the sale.

Buwu said Tatipano Properties was advised of the alleged illegal transaction, but ignored the advice.

He further said that Tatipano Properties had since paid $850 000 to Chimutanda without the consent of the hotel’s board members.

They hotel owners also want the court to stop the parties from transferring the property into Tatipano Properties’ name, insisting that Chimutanda had lodged fraudulent documents at the Chief Registrar of Companies’ office.

Newsday

By Paul Nyathi|Local Government Minister July Moyo has defended President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s unconstitutional appointment of Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs.

Moyo whose Ministry is tasked with the formulation of local government legislation that will guide operations of the devolution of power constitutional provisions battled to explain in an interview with state media over the weekend how the ministers will fit into the operations of the provincial councils.

Moyo, like his collegue the Minister of
Justice tried hard to dispel a conflict of operation between Provincial Councils and Provincial Ministers of State.

“The Provincial Minister is a minister appointed by the President in terms of the constitution in terms of what mandate they are given. They are part of the executive of the National Government.

“They are de-concentrated to the provinces through the decentralisation principle so that at least there is Government near the people. So that is the minister.

“He is an executive of Central Government. He is appointed in the same manner as a minister who is running a ministry. He is appointed in the same manner as a Minister of State in the Office of Vice President (Kembo) Mohadi’s office or (Constantino) Chiwenga’s. He is appointed in the same manner deputy ministers are appointed,” said Moyo.

“The President is given powers to appoint his executive and that’s what he has done. The provincial council becomes the Parliament of that area in our view. It has powers to legislate certain aspects that are particular to that area and the constitution also allows them in some cases to look after tourism, planning and co-ordination.

“But that co-ordination requires that they look at Bulawayo as a unique place but if you are in Matabeleland North you have local authorities such as Victoria Falls, Lupane, Nkayi, Umguza, Binga, Bubi and Hwange. Those need to be co-ordinated by these provincial councils because there are certain services that are going to cut across the boundaries of these authorities so co-ordination and planning is necessary and that is what the provincial councils are called upon to do.”

According to the constitution, provincial councils will elect their own chairpersons who will be approved by the President and will carry out exactly the same tasks that the minister has alluded to the Minister of State.

IT is all systems go for the official opening of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament and State of the Nation Address by President Mnangagwa on Tuesday, Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda has said.

The SONA will be the first by President Mnangagwa in his capacity as the Head of State and Government following his election into Office on July 30.

Both the official opening and the SONA will be done during a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate at Parliament Building in Harare.

In an interview on Sunday, Adv Mudenda said all was set for the two events.

“All systems are in place and we are looking forward to the event and it should move according to the schedule,” he said.

“The stakeholders particularly the judiciary have been invited and several other organisations from the civic society as well as representatives of constitutional commissions. We hope the honourable Members of Parliament will treat the occasion with the dignity it deserves.”

In his address, the President is expected to outline policy direction and the legislative agenda of the first session, which speaks to his vision of radical economic transformation.

President Mnangagwa’s policy objective is to enhance the country’s attractiveness to investors and streamline investment laws to reduce red tape.

Zanu-PF has a commanding two thirds majority in Parliament which helps it to enact laws that dovetails with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 that seeks to transform Zimbabwe into a middle income economy in the next twelve years. Zimbabwe has been lagging behind in terms of development compared to other countries in the region.

President Mnangagwa is on record saying in the Second Republic politics will take the back seat while economic development takes centre stage.

To ensure smooth flow of proceedings during the official opening of the Ninth Parliament, some access roads have been closed.

The closed roads are the stretch of Nelson Mandela Avenue between Sam Nujoma Street and Simon Muzenda Street, the corners of Third Street and Jason Moyo Avenue, George Silundika Avenue and Third Street, St Mary’s Lane and Nelson Mandela Avenue.

Judges, diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe, service chiefs and captains of industry are also expected to attend the event.

As per tradition during the official opening ceremony, President Mnangagwa, will inspect a guard of honour mounted by members of the Zimbabwe National Army before he delivers his address to outline the legislative agenda.

A fly past by the Air Force of Zimbabwe is also expected to coincide with the playing of the National Anthem.

Following the President’s address, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing will host the traditional luncheon for legislators.

State Media

At a time when the country should have had simple dam works way back in 1996, failure of which has opened the door for the scourge of cholera to hit the nation, more than 140 million dollars are being blown for the purpose of building a new Parliament Building. Hundreds of millions more have gone to purchasing brand new foreign made vehicles for Chiefs and Zanu PF officials.

Earlier in July, government revealed that they have sat on the crucial dam works for more than 22 years to date as they spend billions on luxuries.

To date more than 30 people have been killed by the cholera scourge and last week Friday a family victim declared that government is not telling the truth on the statistics.

While all this is taking place, government has gone ahead to, before all other things, construct a new Parliament building.

State Media FULL TEXT:

Construction of the new Parliament Building in Mt Hampden is expected to commence soon after China identified a contractor, Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda has said.

Adv Mudenda said construction would be completed between 18 and 24 months.

Addressing the media after a courtesy call by outgoing Chinese Ambassador Huang Ping last week, Advocate Mudenda said the infrastructure required to start the project was in place. Ambassador Huang paid the courtesy call to say goodbye to Parliament at the end of his term of office in Zimbabwe.

“More exciting for Parliament is the assurance by His Excellency the Ambassador that the contractor has been identified and approved by the government of China to come to Zimbabwe and construct the new Parliament of Zimbabwe at Mt Hampden,” said Adv Mudenda.

“As Government, we have completed the civil works and other infrastructure such as new roads, electricity supply and water reticulation. The infrastructure required to start the construction of the Parliament is in place.

“Knowing the work ethic of the Chinese in terms of completing their projects in record time, without compromising on quality, Parliament should be completed in a space of between 18 months to two years.”

Adv Mudenda said he was also excited that President Mnangagwa was addressing glitches that had been stalling the implementation of several other projects. He hoped Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube would find funds to pay debts Government owes the Chinese government to accelerate the implementation of mega projects.

Adv Mudenda thanked Ambassador Huang for the number of projects he was able to complete during his tenure.

“During his stay here, we witnessed a number of important projects that he was able to push in terms of implementation. One outstanding project that comes to mind is the Kariba South Power Station, which he advised me is now producing 300 megawatts of electricity. This will go a long way in ensuring that we do not experience blackouts in our towns, industry and homes.

“The other project that has been signed between our Government and the Chinese government is for improving the Hwange Stage 7 and 8 power generation. It was commissioned by His Excellency President Mnangagwa just before we went into our elections.

“We are excited, especially for the people of Matabeleland North as it will create about 3 000 jobs. Some houses for the workers will be constructed thereby contributing to the creation of jobs. President Mnangagwa is keen to see that as many jobs as possible are created around these major projects,” he said.

Ambassador Huang said he was hoping that more projects would be financed in Zimbabwe to realise President Mnangagwa’s vision of Zimbabwe becoming a middle income economy by 2030.
He congratulated Adv Mudenda on his re-election as the Speaker of Parliament.

“I am very happy with the results. Politically, our traditional good relationship has been upgraded to comprehensive strategic partnership and cooperation. This is the highest political positioning of China’s foreign relationship with Zimbabwe.

“Economically speaking, we have seen the increase in trade and investment especially in completion of big projects.”

The number of people who have died of cholera has risen from 28 to 30 as Government, Harare City Council, the police and other stakeholders continue to make concerted efforts to curb the spread of the disease amid calls to declare the pandemic a state of disaster.

Government has increased the supply of water, drugs and other non-food materials to affected areas. It is monitoring the situation. Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo yesterday confirmed the death of two more people. Recorded cases have reached 5 463.

“The total number of deaths has risen by two to 30 people who have died of cholera. Control measures remain in place.

“We are increasing water supplies and medication to the affected areas following assistance from various partners. We have also received drugs and protective clothing,” said Dr Moyo.
He commended the Harare City Council and the police for removing illegal food vendors from the streets.

Dr Moyo said development partners were assisting with provision of water bowsers, medical supplies and other non-food items. “The containment plan continues. Everything is in place and we continue to monitor the situation,” he said.

Government last week declared the cholera outbreak in Harare a state of emergency due to the rising number of people dying or falling sick from the bacterial infection.

In a statement yesterday, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Cde July Moyo said because of the magnitude of the public health emergency, a recommendation had been made to President Mnangagwa to declare the cholera menace a state of disaster.

“Subsection (1) of Section 27 of the Civil Protection Act Chapter 10:06 provides that if at any time it appears to the President that any disaster is of such a nature and extent that extraordinary measures are necessary to assist and protect the person affected or likely to be affected by the disaster in any area of the country, the President may in such a manner as he considers fit, declare that with effect from a date specified by him, a state of disaster exists within an area or areas specified by him in the declaration.

“The City of Harare is facing a plethora of challenges, notably insufficient safe water supplies, frequent sewer pipe bursts, uncollected refuse and rampant illegal vending. This has negatively impacted on public health in the city exposing residents to diarrhoeal disease outbreaks, an upsurge in typhoid fever cases and sporadic outbreaks of cholera,” he said.

Minister Moyo said there was need to put in place strategic measures to manage the drivers of these outbreaks, notably water supply situation, the dilapidated sewer systems, waste management and illegal vending challenges.

“Given the foregoing demonstration on the magnitude of the public health emergency a recommendation has been made to His Excellency, the President, that the cholera menace in Harare Metropolitan Province and any other parts of the country be declared a state of disaster,” he said.
The current cholera outbreak was first reported in Glen View and Budiriro.

Cases linked to the Harare outbreak have been reported in some parts of Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, the Midlands and Masvingo..- state media

A 33-year old Zvishavane sex worker has been dragged to court for allegedly forcing a 15-year-old boy to have sex with her and assaulting him for failing to pay $5 for services rendered.

Litah Chivovoro (33) of Council-park Zvishavane appeared before Regional Magistrate Morgan Nemadire facing charges of indecent assault and having sexual intercourse with a minor.
She pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody to September 28.

“I admit to the charges and I am sorry. I only needed money to take home. However, the boy had refused to pay me after I gave him the service. I got angry since I was drunk and failed to control myself hence I assaulted him.’’

The court heard that on August 27 at Mberengwa Business Centre, Chivovoro met the complainant and lured him from a motor vehicle he was seated in.

It is alleged that Chivovoro dragged him to her house and forcibly slept with him. She demanded money from him after the act. She went on to assault the boy until he paid up.

The case was reported to the police leading to her arrest.

Mrs Faith Mwale represented the State.

The number of people who have been quarantined for cholera in Bulawayo has risen to 10 from three on Friday amid revelations that the city’s infectious disease hospital — Thorngrove — can hold no more than 100 patients.

One more suspected case was recorded in Umguza, Matabeleland North which brings to 11 the number of feared cases in the region. The water borne disease, which broke out in Harare at the beginning of the month, has claimed at least 30 lives.

Bulawayo City Council director of health services Dr Edwin Sibanda yesterday said half of the quarantined people were probable cases of cholera awaiting lab results confirmation.
The results are expected today.

Speaking during an emergency meeting organised by Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Judith Ncube at Mhlahlandlela Government Complex yesterday, Dr Sibanda said the city last had a confirmed cholera case in 2008.

“So far we have 10 suspected cases, all of whom are at Thorngrove Hospital in an isolated ward. There is a mix of ages and patients are aged from 18 to 63,” he said. “Five of them are probable cases as they were in contact with affected areas and they have signs and symptoms that spell cholera.”
Dr Sibanda said the other five have profuse diarrhoea although they have not been out of Bulawayo.

“The province uses Thorngrove as a screening facility for infectious diseases although our lab facilities need boosting. As of today we did not have a confirmed case but we have put in place thematic committees to ensure we do not have an increase of these suspected cases,” he said.

The thematic committees will include Minister Ncube, representatives from BCC, Mpilo Central Hospital, United Bulawayo Hospitals and other stakeholders around the city. Dr Sibanda said the city does not have adequate science experts to ensure there are rapid tests which will help determine cholera infection.

Mpilo Central Hospital clinical director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya said cholera is deadly and members of the public should be aware that it can kill within hours.

“We want the people of Bulawayo to know that cholera is deadly and prevention is better than cure. They need to wash their hands and practise high levels of hygiene because we will not be able to contain an outbreak in the city. In our deliberations with the Minister, we made it clear that we need the Ministry of Health and Child Care to immediately unfreeze the hiring of scientists as it is crucial that we have them now,” he said

Dr Ngwenya said the media also had a role to disseminate information on hygiene.
“We also encourage people to rush to hospital whenever they suspect they may have cholera as taking home remedies may prove deadly,” he said.

Matabeleland North provincial medical director Dr Alfred Muchara said the Umguza patient was on treatment. “We have one suspected case in Umguza and we await lab test results to confirm if it is cholera. Measures are in place to ensure there is no spread of cholera in the communities,” he said.
Minister Ncube will today meet stakeholders including the business community to come up with strategies to avert cholera in Bulawayo. Cholera broke out in Harare on September 1 this year with 5 463 cases and 30 deaths having been recorded so far.

Members of the public are urged to wash hands before and after eating or using the toilet. They should also eat hot food and avoid eating at undesignated places. Breast feeding mothers are also encouraged to wash hands before and after feeding their babies.- state media

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