By Paul Nyathi|Highlanders will host Dynamos this afternoon in a rescheduled Battle of Zimbabwe set for Barbourfields Stadium.

The league encounter was postponed twice but the two teams clashed against each other two weeks ago in the President’s cup where Dembare won 2-0.

Both sides have not been performing at their best in recent games, and as for Bosso, they have gone for three matches without a win and are currently sitting in the 6th place. Dembare, on the other hand, are in 12th place.

The Bulawayo side have only lost once to Dynamos in the league since 2015 and a win for them today will see them complete a double, a rare feat in recent years they have only achieved in 2016 under Dutch coach Erol Akbay.

Meanwhile, the Harare Giants will be without coach Lloyd Mutasa, who is on national duty but new signing Kingston Nkhatha is available for selection and could make his debut today.

Vice-captain Marshal Machazani is serving a red card suspension while defender Godfrey Mukambi makes a return to the squad after missing the previous round due to suspension.

Highlanders will be missing the likes of Tafadzwa Sibanda, Tinashe Makanda, and Thabo Lunga, among others on the injury list.

Kick-off time is at 3 pm.

After the match the two teams will meet with their fans at the Highlanders Club House in a gesture that the two teams want to use to promote the end to violence at soccer matches campaign.

ZANU-PF Secretary for Administration and former Home Affairs and Culture Minister Dr Obert Mpofu has hailed President Mnangagwa for appointing a youthful Cabinet.

Dr Mpofu was among a number of ministers that were dropped when President Mnangagwa announced a 20-member cabinet on Friday.

Some of the ministers that were dropped include Cde Patrick Chinamasa (Finance and Economic Development), Cde Simon Khaya-Moyo (Energy and Power Development), Cde Supa Mandiwanzira (Information Communication Technology and Cyber Security), Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi (State for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring of Government Programmes), Dr Mike Bimha (Industry and Commerce) and Dr David Parirenyatwa (Health and Child Care) and a number of Provincial State Ministers.

Speaking during a victory celebration rally held at Massland farm in Umguza by the newly appointed Minister of State for Matabeleland North province Cde Richard Moyo, Cde Mpofu said beefing the Cabinet by young people was a way of empowering the youth.

“Ubaba uPresident Mnangagwa did a very wonderful job in nominating a youthful Cabinet. This is a very good example towards youth empowerment, he is not just preaching it, rather he is walking the talk,” he said.

He said appointing young people in Government guarantees the country a better future.

“We need to teach amajongosi and amathokazi on how to lead the country, that way we will know that even if we die the country is in safe hands. If you are a good teacher you need to teach students and make sure they become successful instead of competing with them,” said Dr Mpofu.

He added that even the party its self has to go under such a renewal process of power.

“It is also upon the party to go under such a renewal process making sure that people do not hold on to positions but rather give way for new and future leaders,” Cde Mpofu said.

Speaking on the sideline of the celebrations, Cde Moyo, who also won the MP contest, said the celebrations were meant to thank Umguza people for voting him and to assure them that he is going to fulfil his promises

“It is very common that when people have been voted in they disappear from the face of the earth and re-appear when they want to be voted in again, so the main purpose of this gathering is to thank the people of Umguza for the votes and to assure them that I will deliver my promises.”

Zanu-PF supports from as far as Tsholothso and Nkayi also attended the celebrations.

State Media

Zimbabwe should not heed any dictation by foreign institutions on how best to address outstanding issues to the land question, but should deal with the matter in terms of its Constitution, an outgoing Cabinet Minister has advised.

Former Finance and Economic Planning Minister Patrick Chinamasa has said that Government should fairly compensate for all acquired resettlement land in terms of Zimbabwe’s Constitutional provisions.

He also said while Zimbabwe was already instituting economic reforms, as demanded by the US through its latest sanctions, reforms should be a process rather than an event aimed at solely benefiting Zimbabweans.

The US has demanded, as part of conditions to lift sanctions, economic reforms to promote growth, address unemployment and underdevelopment, restore livelihoods and make progress on monetary reforms.

He said Zimbabwe should engage the US Government to highlight issues that needs to be ironed out.

This include conditions set by ZIDERA such as that the US would consider lifting the two decades long economic embargo, among other conditions, if Zimbabwe and Sadc enforces the Sadc Tribunal rulings on land.

These include disputes involving employment, commercial and human rights cases surrounding disposed Zimbabwean white former commercial farmers and agricultural companies that operated in the country.

On the land question, the outgoing minister said evaluation of farms compulsorily acquired for redistribution to the landless majority is underway and should be followed by quantification and mobilization of compensation funding.

He said the land compensation for both BIPPA and non-BIPPA acquired farms should be paid over a period of time.

Mr Chinamasa said besides compensating white former commercial farmers whose land Government acquired for resettlement, Government should also give title to beneficiaries of the land reform.

However, he said Government should deal with all the issues regarding the land reform programme in terms of the country’s laws, as provided for in Zimbabwe’s Constitution and not any other external authority.

The land reform was designed to redress skewed land ownership, which had seen just 4 000 white farmers owning most of the productive land in the country while the black majority toiled on barren unproductive land.

“As far as the Zimbabwe Government is concerned, we should abide by our Constitutional provisions in dealing with the land question in terms of payment of compensation. Zimbabwe should not recognize any other institution outside its judiciary with respect to any dispute that may arise over the issue of land acquisition or compensation.

“To the extent possible, Zimbabwe must engage the United States authority and convey the correct legal position to them,” Mr Chinamasa said.

He stressed that as provided for in the Constitution, Government should pay for land and improvements on the farms protected under Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPAs).

In terms of land compulsorily acquired by Government for resettlement, but not covered by BIPPAs, Government should only pay for improvements given the Constitutional position that all land belongs to the State.

“Zimbabwe must address the issue according to Constitutional provisions which require us to pay compensation. In appropriate cases, land protected under BIPPA, we have a Constitutional obligation to pay for both land improvements, but any land outside BIPPA, we only pay compensation for improvements,” he said.

The outgoing minister also said most of the conditions raised by the US regarding pre-election conditions had been satisfied, among them the conduct of ZEC in administering the polls, its independence in electoral processes, army’s detachment in participating in election campaigns and the need to respect human rights.

Washington also demanded that Harare must allow international observers from the US, AU, SADC, EU to observe electoral processes and analyse vote tallying, tabulation, transmission and content of voting results. It also demanded that candidates in the elections be allowed access to all forms of the public media.

All these conditions were met.

Through ZIDERA, the US introduced new and expanded certification requirements for Zimbabwe to receive funding assistance from multi-lateral lenders such as the Bretton Woods institutions and the Paris Club.

But Mr Chinamasa does not agree to certain aspects of the US demands, including demands that Government must acknowledge alleged past human rights abuses and order inquiries into the disappearance of human rights activists.

“We cannot acknowledge something that we are not responsible for and in this regard, the Zimbabwean Government must engage the US authorities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the outgoing minister acknowledged the commitment made by the US to support Zimbabwe’s debt arrears clearance, which Harare kicked off by paying its dues to the International Monetary Fund.

Zimbabwe mail

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) will from Monday launch a massive crackdown targeting unlicensed drivers and unregistered vehicles in a nationwide blitz that will signal the return of roadblocks, Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga has said.

Matanga made the announcement on Saturday 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 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.”

Traffic police disappeared from the roads during the military takeover of government institutions that resulted in former president Robert Mugabe’s ouster in November last year.

In recent months, the police have been slowly returning to man roadblocks, but their visibility has remained very low resulting in serious traffic jams in cities such as Harare.

Meanwhile, Matanga said first aid was a necessary tool for law enforcement agents as they were the first responders during emergencies and disasters.

“Barely a day passes without police being called to protect human life during a road accident and other emergencies and national disasters,” he said.

“We deeply cherish and value the priceless first aid training services which from time immemorial have been extended to us by the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society [ZRCS] and has no doubt enabled the ZRP to save lives.”

Matanga said this year’s commemorations had come against the backdrop of the high number of deaths and injuries due to road traffic accidents worldwide.

According to the police boss, a total of 38 620 accidents were recorded in 2016 in Zimbabwe, with 1 291 being fatal, while last year 42 430 accidents occurred and 1 838 people lost their lives from the accidents.

ZRCS president Edson Mlambo said his organisation valued the importance of first aid, hence the need for locals to prepare for emergencies and disasters through sound first aid training.

“Our national statistics indicate a surge in the number of people trained from the mining sector, private companies, schools and as well as the uniformed forces as represented by the ZRP,” he said.

Standard

VICE-President Kembo Mohadi’s estranged wife Tambudzani has been ordered by the courts to stop sending her husband threatening messages.

Mohadi was granted a protection order against his politician wife by a Harare Civil Court magistrate, but details have been kept confidential.

Tambudzani and her children were also barred from selling the couple’s matrimonial property before the finalisation of their divorce case by the High Court.

According to Mohadi’s lawyer, Norman Mugiya, the ex-parte application for a protection order filed by the VP on August 10 was determined by a magistrate in his chambers yesterday afternoon.

Initially the matter had been set down to be heard in an open court at 11:15am, but was later moved to an undisclosed magistrate’s chambers and dealt with in the afternoon.

“I can confirm that honourable VP Mohadi is my client and the matter has been dealt with in the magistrate’s chambers,” Mugiya said.

“My client was granted the protection order in terms of the draft as we prayed for, but I am not at liberty to disclose the details of what transpired in chambers.”

He would not explain why the matter could not be heard in an open court.

“Lawyers do not ask magistrates or judges to identify themselves, but instead the opposite is true,” Mugiya said. “You can find out from the very court who the said magistrate was.”

Mohadi had asked the court to handle the case as an urgent matter, saying he feared for his life because Tambudzani had been calling on his mobile phone and threatening him.

Sometime in September last year, Mohadi, who was State Security minister then, approached the High Court in Bulawayo seeking a divorce, claiming their marriage had irretrievably broken down.

The matter is still pending.

However, on August 10 Mohadi petitioned the Civil Court in Harare seeking a protection order on the basis that violence against him had escalated to an unprecedented level.

The VP said this had occurred just after Tambudzani received summons seeking divorce against her.

According to Mohadi, he married his wife sometime in 1981 and during the time they lived together before separating in 1999.

He said since then, his life had been a “living hell”.

“The respondent is a very abusive person and / or a person of a violent disposition such that I am now leaving in fear of my life.” Mohadi said in the court papers.

Standard

By Paul Nyathi|There was a brief drama at the burial of former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s mother after a snake emerged from under the coffin causing a brief pandemonium as former President Robert Mugabe was addressing the mourners.

The snake emerged from beneath the carpet near the coffin forcing mourners to flee for their lives in different directions.

But the former leader remained calm with his son-in-law Simba Chikore and close aides standing near him while other men tried to kill the reptile.

Some mourners screamed as they ran away from the tent at the graveside.

After the snake was killed, Mugabe told mourners it was victory against the devil.

“In the Bible we are taught that a snake comes from God and it represents Satan,” he said.

“Satan has been killed here. It wanted to disturb our programme, so we say, down with you Satan, down with you snake.

“This is how the evil is destroyed in the same manner the snake was killed here.”

Former first lady Grace Mugabe has revealed how she struck an agreement with her husband to bury the hatchet with President Emmerson Mnangagwa after a bitter fallout last year.

Grace, who was accused of usurping former president Robert Mugabe’s powers, told thousands of mourners at the burial of her mother Idah Marufu in Chikomba yesterday that she had forgiven Mnangagwa.

She said they agreed with Mugabe to reconcile with Mnangagwa “for the good of the country”.

“We sat down with baba (Mugabe) and said as leaders, yes we might have had issues with him and what happened, but we have to show our people forgiveness,” she said.

On the eve of the July 30 elections, Mugabe vowed not to vote for Mnangagwa, describing him as his tormentor.

He went on to endorse MDC Alliance candidate Nelson Chamisa, saying the youthful opposition leader was the best among the 23 that were running for the presidency.

Grace said after the death of her mother last week, Mnangagwa wrote her a letter, fondly calling her his mother.

“The president wrote a letter to me and showed his love, he said I am his mother and he will never let me down’,” she said.

“I was touched by his kindness. I tell you today, he is a human being just like you and me here.”

The once powerful former first lady urged her followers who used to belong to a faction known as G40 to move on, saying she had decided to forgive the people who toppled her husband in a coup in November last year.

She described herself as the biggest victim of the military action, which its architects said was meant to remove criminals surrounding Mugabe at the time.

“Yes, what happened indeed happened. We must move on. We must learn to forgive each other. I have forgiven them,” Grace said.

“If the person who was affected most can forgive, how about you?

“I am talking to those who are busy attacking President Mnangagwa, let us move on and support him.

“Let us pray for him.

“I said we must pray for him, yes I meant it. Bishops here, let us pray for our leaders.”

Grace was at the forefront of calls to expel Mnangagwa from Zanu PF last year for allegedly plotting against Mugabe before the tables were turned against the Mugabes.

Yesterday she urged her supporters to stop attacking Mnangagwa, saying they would be left behind as the former first family’s relationship with the Zanu PF leader had been mended.

“I can tell you that we are safe under the leadership of President Mnangagwa,” she said.

“Yes, what happened is past, let us move on. Don’t be left behind when others are moving on.

“I hope those who are attacking the current leadership are hearing me.

“I can tell you here that every week Cde Mnangagwa sends people to our home to ask us what we want and how we are. He does so out of love, be assured we are taken care of.”

The military takeover saw a number of senior Zanu PF officials that were close to Mugabe fleeing the country fearing for their lives.

Former Higher Education, Science and Technology minister Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere (ex-Local Government) and Patrick Zhuwao (ex-Public Service) are still in exile.

Moyo has been vocal on social media, criticising Mnangagwa’s government and in some cases describing it as a junta.

The former Zanu PF women’s league boss said Mnangagwa would not repeat the mistakes he might have made in the past.

“Being a president is not an easy thing, he is a president of everyone,” Grace said.

“There are things which he now cannot do because of his post. Ask me, being a president is not an easy job, I used to cook for the president.

“I know what it takes to be the country’s leader. He needs our support.”

Grace said Mnangagwa had told them to “keep their little money” after they tried to bankroll her mother’s funeral.

“We tried to chip in with our money, we were told by Mnangagwa that ‘keep your little money, we shall help you,’ ” she said.

“We thank you, Cde Mugabe, for your son.

“Mnangagwa has really helped us.

“Indeed, we shall meet with him and offer our appreciation for what he has done.”

Grace’s mother died last week at a private clinic in Harare. She had been staying with the Mugabes at their Blue Roof mansion.

Mugabe, who arrived in the afternoon with a heavy police escort, while Grace was addressing mourners, said people should unite in times of sorrow.

The 94-year-old former president had stayed behind in Harare so that he could collect his two children, Robert Jnr and Chatunga, who are based in South Africa.

Mugabe thanked Mnangagwa for helping the family in their “hour of need”.

“This is what we expect from any government. We want peace, we want unity among our people,” he said.

“Even the opposition should be treated with respect. Let us differ in our political ideologies, but remain Zimbabweans.

“Yes, as you heard from Amai how we were assisted, we thank the government. We really thank them.

“I now hear that Chiwenga [Constantino] is related to the Marufus, well, he was not alone in rendering this support to us, he worked with President ED, we thank them very much.”

Veteran opposition kingpin Eddie Cross has challenged his former party boss Nelson Chamisa to accept President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the leader of the country.

“When you appreciate that the MDC Alliance won only 570 councillor seats out of nearly 2 000 (28,6 percent), you can understand why I think the MDC Alliance claim of a presidential victory with 2,6 million votes is most unlikely and not credible.

“Not one of these council elections have been challenged – and how can they? … That is why the Constitutional Court unanimously decided that Emmerson Mnangagwa was elected as president.

“It must also be understood that he (Mnangagwa) beat Nelson Chamisa by over 300 000 votes – nearly the same majority that Morgan Tsvangirai beat … Mugabe in 2002,” Cross wrote on his blog.

Writing in his latest instalment of his keenly-followed blog on national politics, Cross said, “Firstly, we have held another election, it was more open, democratic and acceptable than any other election I can recall, and I have been a player in all of them since 1980.

“Secondly, it is now clear that the international community has accepted the above outcome … Theresa May’s comments in South Africa that Emmerson Mnangagwa was elected as president and then the German minister of Development Cooperation announcing that their government was again open for business with Zimbabwe, sealed the issue.

“Thirdly, the new president, for the first time, is asking the whole country for help to secure the future and he has extended the hand of reconciliation to the opposition.

“I am deeply disappointed that the MDC Alliance seems to have turned its back on these initiatives and instead have continued to make the assertion that this was a ‘stolen’ election and that Chamisa is the legitimate president.

“Not only is this futile, but it also threatens further violence and instability when what we really need is national unity and an agreement to put our differences aside in a concerted effort to deal with the tough issues that confront us in the next five years,” Cross added.

Daily News

By Paul Nyathi|As it emerged that Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed a fake doctor with a fraudulent title to head the health ministry, opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has scoffed at the widely celebrated President Emmerson Mnangagwa cabinet announced on Friday.

In a Twitter post on Saturday, Chamisa implored that Mnangagwa’s cabinet remains equally illegitimate as is Mnangagwa’s presidency.

Chamisa remains adamant that Mnangagwa lost the presidential election to him and had to rig it to his favour to emerge winner with 50.65% of the votes.

In possible apparent reference to the celebrated appointment of swimmer Kirsty Coventry and economist Mthuli Ncube into cabinet, Chamisa said their inclusion does not make Mnangagwa’s cabinet any good.

“An ILLEGITIMATE PRESIDENT can’t possibly appoint a legitimate cabinet. Two fresh apples can not redeem a rotten basket!The REAL DEAL is COMING !!!!,” wrote Chamisa.

The death toll from the current cholera outbreak in Harare’s high-density suburbs of Glen View and Budiriro has risen to 10, with health officials tracing the source of the disease to a burst sewer pipe that was contaminating borehole water used by residents in the affected areas, the Harare City Council (HCC) said yesterday.

There are fears that the diarrhoeal disease, which has been confirmed in Glen View and Budiriro, could have spread to Glen Norah.
By end of day yesterday, 320 people had been hospitalised. Two hundred and twenty three patients are presently admitted in Glen View, while 100 are receiving treatment at Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital.

Boreholes in the afflicted areas have since been decommissioned. Further, cholera vaccines are set to be dispensed this week.

HCC health director Dr Clemence Duri said authorities continue to monitor the affected areas.
“The death toll has risen to 10 after five more people died today (yesterday) morning. Of the five, one was from Glen Norah, while the others are from Glen View,” he said.
“Although we are not yet sure of the cause of death of the one from Glen Norah, we are suspecting it is cholera.

“We have established that the outbreak was caused by a burst sewer pipe which contaminated borehole water. We have, however, rectified the situation and replaced the pipe.

“As of today (yesterday), 223 cases of cholera had been confirmed in Glen View, while about 100 cases had been confirmed at Beatrice Infectious Road Hospital. Some of the patients were being treated and discharged.

“We have since decommissioned two boreholes in Glen View and we will continue monitoring the area.”

Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Portia Manangazira said Government is now on high alert and will soon submit a proposal to introduce cholera vaccines in high-risk areas across the country.

“We realise that the cases are on the rise, thus we will be on high alert nationwide given the season that we are in and that the rain season is approaching,” she said.
“We are going to submit a proposal for cholera vaccines in some areas that we have mapped up as high risk areas for cholera.”

In August, seven people died after a typhoid outbreak in Gweru. The Ministry of Health and Child Care condemned Gweru City Council water as unsafe for human consumption.

It is suspected that the water was contaminated by sewage, which found its way into water pipes.
Most MDC-run councils have been criticised for failing to provide effective service delivery.

Water supplies in most urban areas such as Harare and Gweru have been intermittent, with residents resorting to unprotected water sources.- state media

The fight between Southlea Park Home Owners Association and businessman Philip Chiyangwa has resurfaced after the parties went back to the High Court on Thursday, seeking the court to make a determination of the Southlea Park land ownership.

This comes after the association filed an application in 2016, seeking an order setting aside the transfer of the remainder of Odar Farm from government to Chiyangwa’s company Sensene Investments (Private) Limited (Sensene).

In the application, the association is the applicant, while Sensene, Local Government minister July Moyo, (then)-Attorney General Prince Machaya and Odar Housing Development Consortium, are cited as respondents.

According to court papers, Odar Farm was originally owned by Zimbabwe Tobacco Association, a grouping of white farmers. The Zimbabwe Tobacco Association reportedly attempted to transfer the farm to one of its subsidiaries Sensene Investments after the enactment of the Land Acquisition Act (Chapter 20:10), but could not do so, because government had placed a caveat on the title deed, as the farm was listed for acquisition.

According to Nathan Nyambuya, who was cited in court papers, as the association’s president, the farm was acquired by government in 2006. Government is said to have entered into a joint venture agreement with Odar Housing Development Consortium for allocation of residential stands to the association’s members, whose membership created Southlea Park Home Owners Association. Government gave a directive for the farm not to be reallocated to another party unless Odar Housing Development Consortium breached the agreement.

Nyambuya said the land was acquired by government and remains on the list of gazetted lands.
He also said they were shocked in 2015 to learn of an agreement that was entered between the Local Government ministry and Sensene. In terms of the agreement, the land was returned to the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association, under claims that it belonged to Sensene.

“I submit with respect that a ministerial decision should be fair and reasonable as to have considered the interests of the fourth respondent (Odar Housing Development Consortium),” Nyambuya said.
After the consortium approached the courts challenging the development, Sensene is said to have raised criminal charges against its management committee, which was reportedly harassed to the extent of disowning the agreements that were signed with government.

Chiyangwa challenged the application, claiming the residents do not have locus standi to institute the court proceedings. He said it appears government had allocated the land to the consortium before the acquisition process, adding that the agreement between the two parties was null and void.

The politician, also said that when the land was acquired, the State could not pay him compensation for the land, which was the basis for a settlement. Daily News

The future is bright after the 2018 elections renewed the confidence of global powerhouses like China and the European Union in Zimbabwe, with the international community ready to assist the socio-economic transformation agenda, Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

Mnangagwa said this yesterday to hundreds of people gathered at his Mapanzure rural home to celebrate his Presidential “election victory”.

He said the endorsement of the elections by democratic institutions such as Sadc, the African Union and the EU was a milestone in Zimbabwe’s quest to engage and re-engage the international community, and opened avenues for economic co-operation.

Mnangagwa said, “We had our elections where we invited observers from Sadc, the AU, the EU and other countries. The observers have commended the manner we conducted our elections.
“France and Germany have sent ministers to congratulate us and they indicated that they want to work with us. This shows that where we are going, we will have a bright future as our country develops.”

The Head of State and Government also said: “After the inauguration we went to China with other African leaders for the Focac (Forum on China-Africa Co-operation) meeting.

“The Chinese gave Africa $60 billion meant for infrastructure development and we hope to benefit from that fund. I also had a meeting with Chinese President Xi Xinping and we agreed on a number of issues, but they are not for public consumption.”

Mnangagwa said the elections showed how much his administration had nurtured democratic space.
“Our elections were peaceful, everyone got the opportunity to campaign,” he said. “In the past we used to have four or five parties contesting, but because of the open democratic space, there were over 133 registered parties and 55 contested the elections, with 23 of those also contesting the Presidential election. And you elected me to be President for the next five years and I thank you for that.”

Mnangagwa reiterated his call for the country to remain peaceful and united, emphasising that this was necessary for development.

He said agricultural mechanisation and irrigation were key to food security; and that his Government was targeting gold production to rise from the anticipated record of 30 tonnes in 2018 to a new high of 100 tonnes in three years.

“What we are saying is that Zimbabwe should leapfrog and catch up with other developing countries but in doing so we don’t want corruption,” he said. “We will fight corruption without fear and favour; we will fight corruption wherever it rears its ugly head.”

Mnangagwa said following his announcement of his Cabinet line-up, he would next reassign some former ministers to the ruling Zanu-PF’s party headquarters.

“Some of you are asking what happened to the usual faces that you have been used to seeing in Cabinet,” said Mnangagwa. “We are going to explain this coming week how we are going to deploy those who did not make it Cabinet. We want some of them to work full-time for the party.”

He also said the Herbert Chitepo Ideological College, headed by Munyaradzi Machacha, would be enhanced by the appointment of a board.

“We want to strengthen the party so that it remains supreme and gives direction to Government,” he explained.

Mnangagwa scoffed at private media reports of bad blood between him and Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga.

“Those who say hatiwirirane misoro yavo. Ndozvavanoshuvira asi hakuna zvakadaro,” he said.

Meanwhile Mnangagwa donated an ambulance to Dambudzo Clinic.- state media

Zimbabwe is naturally endowed with beauty and brains. The Declared-President Mnangagwa cannot put lipstick on a pig and then declare it Miss Zimbabwe. An illegitimate President cannot put two fresh apples in a rotten basket and hope to produce clean basket. One wonders if ‘new-dispensation’ means that you can cook in a dirty pot and hope that using two cups of clean water will produce clean food. This cabinet suffers a lot of previous co-morbidities and dirty baggage.

The appointed of a couple of notable names is just but a cheap attempt to give gravitas to a weak president. President Mnangagwa’s inauguration ignited a catastrophic economic decline, like no other just after an election. A government is as strong as its leader and as economically capable as it is legitimate. Name bombing, by throwing into the basket Professor Ncube and Kirsty Coventry is an unsophisticated way of pampering a largely incontinent cabinet.

As Zimbabwe will already know President Mnangagwa has no respect for the constitution and the law but it is not anyone’s expectation that he would continue to subvert the law. His appointments are unconstitutional and against his stated objectives to implement devolution.

He has appointed ministers of state, who are unconstitutional in the first instance and a subversion of devolution. Provincial councils will have no role in circumstances where a province already has an executive minister. It is also a shame that the declared President has announced 43 ministers and deputies and lies that he appointed 20 ministers. Zimbabweans can see through the lie. Creating 20 ministries is not the same as appointing 20 ministers and this president knows that he is lying.

The appointment of a minister of local government is also a relic of an old habit that is unconstitutional. By creating local government and devolution the constitution intended to have people government their matters close to home. This ministry is no longer necessary and is intended to fight against devolution.

Notably this cabinet does not have sufficient representation of women, young people and war veterans, even by weak ZANU PF standards. We know that Zimbabweans know that any minister works as part of a cabinet. This means that it does not matter who is appointed into a weak government, led by an illegitimate president. A government is as strong as its weakest link and a raped election produced a raped economy.

The President Advocate Nelson Chamisa did set out, during his campaign and in his smart policy programme, a gold standard that this country could follow in the appointment of ministers, reducing them to no more than 15. This would guide his work in government. Owing it to the 2.6 million voters who delivered an electoral and numbers-based victory, Zimbabwe can expect that he is prepared to drive this economy forward. He has the right skills and the right teams to resuscitate this economy. By Nkululeko Sibanda, Chamisa Spokesperson

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Zimbabwe is naturally endowed with beauty and brains. The Declared-President Mnangagwa cannot put lipstick on a pig and then declare it Miss Zimbabwe. An illegitimate President cannot put two fresh apples in a rotten basket and hope to produce clean basket.

One wonders if ‘new-dispensation’ means that you can cook in a dirty pot and hope that using two cups of clean water will produce clean food. This cabinet suffers a lot of previous co-morbidities and dirty baggage.

The appointed of a couple of notable names is just but a cheap attempt to give gravitas to a weak president. President Mnangagwa’s inauguration ignited a catastrophic economic decline, like no other just after an election.

A government is as strong as its leader and as economically capable as it is legitimate. Name bombing, by throwing into the basket Professor Mthuli Ncube and Kirsty Coventry is an unsophisticated way of pampering a largely incontinent cabinet.

As Zimbabwe will already know President Mnangagwa has no respect for the constitution and the law but it is not anyone’s expectation that he would continue to subvert the law. His appointments are unconstitutional and against his stated objectives to implement devolution.

He has appointed ministers of state, who are unconstitutional in the first instance and a subversion of devolution. Provincial councils will have no role in circumstances where a province already has an executive minister. It is also a shame that the declared President has announced 43 ministers and deputies and lies that he appointed 20 ministers.

Zimbabweans can see through the lie. Creating 20 ministries is not the same as appointing 20 ministers and this president knows that he is lying.

The appointment of a minister of local government is also a relic of an old habit that is unconstitutional. By creating local government and devolution the constitution intended to have people government their matters close to home. This ministry is no longer necessary and is intended to fight against devolution.

Notably this cabinet does not have sufficient representation of women, young people and war veterans, even by weak ZANU PF standards. We know that Zimbabweans know that any minister works as part of a cabinet. This means that it does not matter who is appointed into a weak government, led by an illegitimate president. A government is as strong as its weakest link and a raped election produced a raped economy.

The President Advocate Nelson Chamisa did set out, during his campaign and in his smart policy programme, a gold standard that this country could follow in the appointment of ministers, reducing them to no more than 15. This would guide his work in government.

Owing it to the 2.6 million voters who delivered an electoral and numbers-based victory, Zimbabwe can expect that he is prepared to drive this economy forward. He has the right skills and the right teams to resuscitate this economy.

end

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MDC Alliance co-principal and ZimPF leader Agrippa Mutambara (pictured) yesterday called on fellow opposition leaders to shun being enticed into a coalition government with Zanu PF, but watch from the sidelines as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration struggles to restore economic stability.

Mutambara said there was no point in rescuing Zanu PF through a Government of National Unity.

“The Mnangagwa leadership has no clue to turn around the economy and doesn’t even have the confidence of the generality of our people,” he said.

“They don’t enjoy the confidence of the business people internationally and, therefore, it is very difficult for them to deliver. Already after the inauguration of Mnangagwa, prices have shot up and there is scarcity of basic commodities and even the people who voted for Mnangagwa are blaming themselves for doing so.”

Added Mutambara: “The position that I think we should adopt as an alliance is that if the government says it was elected by the people on the promises that he [Mnangagwa] gave, including turning around the economy, let us not interfere. Let them deliver what they promised and as the alliance we must not be lured to join the bandwagon of Zanu PF. Let them deliver what they promised.

“When we said we are capable of delivering, they said a lot of things, promising economic success to the people of Zimbabwe and let them show us now. There is no need for a GNU and if there is one, I will not be part of it.”

The MDC Alliance co-principal said the new government was not going to last, “not because of anything, but because they don’t know what to do with the economy”.

“We are going to urge our supporters that peacefully, we must air our views that what happened is not right,” he said.

“The leadership of Mnangagwa is not sustainable and in the first instance, the manner it came into power was irregular. They cheated to get into power and used methods that are not right to win the elections.”

NewsDay

By Paul Nyathi|Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has scoffed at the widely celebrated President Emmerson Mnangagwa cabinet announced on Friday.

In a Twitter post on Saturday, Chamisa implored that Mnangagwa’s cabinet remains equally illegitimate as is Mnangagwa’s presidency.

Chamisa remains adamant that Mnangagwa lost the presidential election to him and had to rig it to his favour to emerge winner with 50.65% of the votes.

In possible apparent reference to the celebrated appointment of swimmer Kirsty Coventry and economist Mthuli Ncube into cabinet, Chamisa said their inclusion does not make Mnangagwa’s cabinet any good.

“An ILLEGITIMATE PRESIDENT can’t possibly appoint a legitimate cabinet. Two fresh apples can not redeem a rotten basket!The REAL DEAL is COMING !!!!,” said Chamisa.

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MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday chided Bulawayo residents who recently protested against the election of Shona-speaking councillors, saying the country had moved away from the era of tribal politics.

In an interview, Chamisa said his executive would soon look into the matter critically and confront it head-on.

“The people of Bulawayo voted for the council and when they voted for their councillors they didn’t vote for a tribe, they didn’t vote for a class, race but voted for representatives in council,” he said.

“It is a pity that people want to introduce tribe on account of trying to cure their inadequacies or their incompleteness,u fees but their people have spoken. The people didn’t vote for a tribe, but for representatives who are Zimbabweans, who are residents of Bulawayo to represent them.”

Chamisa added: “This is one ghost that we must be able to exorcise as a nation to say we must deal with all the evils, racism, tribalism and build a national consensus around the national question of who accesses positions of leadership on the basis of merit, but also on the basis of competency without looking on the colour of one tribe, but that of one’s character, integrity and dignity. That is where we must go.”

He said those protesting in this regard represented the past.

“We can’t represent the past where tribalism was used as a card to either pull others down or push others forward. We know there are challenges in Bulawayo, but we are going to confront them head-on because obviously at the end of the day we represent the alternative,” Chamisa said.

He said the alliance was not going to brook any corruption within their councils.

Chamisa said they have told the mayors and the councillors that being in a position of leadership was not a ticket to amass wealth illegally.

“We told them that if you are going to go there, we are not going to have their hands in the cookie jar or people who are going there for themselves. You are not representing your stomach, but your people and residents,” he said.

“The citizens charter is something that we are going to take seriously and you will see that there is going to be zero tolerance to corruption.”

Chamisa also deplored the recurrence of cholera and typhoid in Harare and other parts of the country.

NewsDay

By Paul Nyathi|An ardent follower of Johanne Marange, Teedzai Percy Muchimwe drew attention in the august house when he was being sworn as Member of Parliament for Mutare West for being the only MP who had no tie according to the rules of Parliament.

The new parliamentarian vowed that he was never going to put on a tie due to his religious beliefs and will do everything possible to get parliament to accept him without the accessory.

“I am going to seek permission to be in Parliament without a tie,” said Hon Muchimwe.

Parliament demands that all male members were a neck tie when attending sessions in the August house.

OPPOSITION MDC Alliance Nelson Chamisa has vowed to cause sleepless nights to his political nemesis President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration after his party nearly made a clean sweep of all urban local authorities, where it now controls 81% of them.

In a memo recently sent to various party structures, Chamisa bragged that they now had sway in all key local authorities after winning 26 of the country’s 32 urban councils in the July 30 polls where the party also increased its presence in Parliament.

“From this election, we control over 26 urban councils out of 32 (81%) and we must be proud of that. We won 536 council seats. We control all the metropolitan cities and towns, including Harare and Bulawayo. Our support bases are the majority of active people and taxpayers who contribute about 80% of the taxes collected in the country,” he said.

The MDC Alliance also recorded a massive increase in Parliament, increasing its seats from 41 in 2013 to 88 inclusive of 24 women legislators elected on the proportional representative ticket which runs out in 2023.

Chamisa also clawed more votes than his now later predecessor, Morgan Tsvangirai who had 33,94%, translating to 1 172 349 votes against former President Robert Mugabe’s 61,09%, or 2 110 434 votes in 2013. The party lost control of urban councils in Kwekwe and Redcliff with both electing Zanu PF mayors, and councillors.

But, political analysts said Chamisa’s control of urban centres was insignificant as Zanu PF still had firm control of central governance where key decisions affecting councils were made.

“You need to know that Zimbabwe is a unitary State and those who control central government call the shots. So it may well be true that they control local government authorities which contribute a large chunk to the national fiscus, but that goes to the Treasury and the Treasury is controlled by central government which in turn is controlled by Zanu PF,” analyst Eldred Masunungure said.

“It depends on the circumstances, especially the relationship that the MDC Alliance happens to have with the central government,” he added.

Zanu PF has in the past been accused of frustrating opposition-led councils by suspending them or meddling in their affairs just to make it difficult for them to deliver.

Masunungure said the scenario was likely to continue unless government quickly devolves and give local authorities autonomy to run their own affairs.

Zanu PF legal affairs secretary, Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana said it was wrong for Chamisa to claim to be in control of government’s economic hubs – urban councils.

“The economy of this country is not in towns. The economy of this country is land and land is the economy,” Mangwana said.

“But we have not done any analysis of these figures, because it does not help anyone because Zanu PF is controlling two-thirds majority in Parliament. This is where you make your laws. It also controls the Presidency; urban councils simply serve the people who stay in town.”

NewsDay

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UNDERLYING tensions between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and one of his deputies, retired General Constantino Chiwenga, over power struggles, risks distracting the new administration from tackling a plethora of structural challenges besetting Zimbabwe’s frail economy.

Mnangagwa, whose poll victory was upheld by the Constitutional Court, has an uneasy relationship with Chiwenga whose political manoeuvres since last year’s military coup that toppled Zimbabwe’s long-time leader Robert Mugabe suggest he harbours presidential ambitions.

Commentators say the differences between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga may render government dysfunctional. It comes at a time Zimbabwe is battling an acute liquidity crisis, massive company closures, widening trade and budget deficit and a ballooning foreign debt overhang, which has shot up to US$1,2 billion, among other deep-seated economic challenges.

The southern African country is also reeling from the effects of dwindling investment in the aftermath of a disputed poll.

Key among Mnangagwa’s priorities would be tackling the debilitating liquidity crisis, which escalated when Mugabe introduced a surrogate currency supposedly trading at par with the US dollar. Now, barely two years after the central bank introduced bond notes, the fiat currency has lost more than half its value, heightening speculation and fears among the populace that Mnangagwa’s administration, riven by discord, could be sleep-walking the economy into hyperinflation last experienced in 2008.

The foreign currency shortages have resulted in massive arbitrage and rent-seeking behaviour as the US dollar now has multiple exchange rates in Zimbabwe.

Coupled to that, Mnangagwa will have to pull up his sleeves to deal with an external debt overhang of US$1,2 billion which is nearly 25% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). During Mugabe’s tenure, Zimbabwe abandoned the Lima Plan, which was crafted to help the southern African country extinguish its debt stock while paving way for fresh lines of credit.

International finance institutions have proposed a raft of structural reforms which Harare has to adopt to unlock fresh lines of credit critical towards stabilising the country’s fragile economy.

Mnangagwa — who was hoping to win a clean mandate in the July 30 elections but whose disputed victory has complicated matters — also faces the daunting task of arresting a widening budget deficit which stood at US$225 million during this year’s first quarter, triggered by government’s profligacy. According to a Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe 2018 first quarter report, government had cumulative revenue collections of about US$1,2 billion, against total expenditure outlays of US$1,4 billion, resulting in the yawning budget deficit.

The issuance of Treasury Bills (TBs), which government has largely relied upon to service an unsustainable budget deficit, has been cited by investment analysts as central to Zimbabwe’s economic problems. This has driven the demand for scarce foreign currency, as well as creation of excess money supply, which is largely in the form of Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and mobile balances.

Mnangagwa, widely regarded as a pro-business leader unlike his predecessor also has to plug the widening trade deficit, which peaked to nearly US$1 billion in the first four months of 2018, which is far higher than the same period last year when it stood at US$603,1 million. This means that the deficit has widened by 65,61% compared to the same period last year.

The central bank noted that the external sector position has remained considerably under pressure on account of deep-seated structural challenges of fiscal constraints, current account deficit, limited access to foreign finance, debt overhang, limited supply of ethanol for blending and, more recently, the jump in international fuel prices.

The galloping deficit provides ample evidence that Mnangagwa’s administration is yet to find the right medicine for the trade malady.

The grim statistics are a far cry from government’s repeated mantra that the economy is on the mend since Mnangagwa was first inaugurated in November last year following the millitary coup.

His administration, which has adopted the slogan “Zimbabwe is open for business”, has been at pains to report progress, but the characteristics of the economic crisis that permeated Mugabe’s catastrophic rule persist.

Commentators say Mnangagwa’s government, which is bound to gravitate towards factional lines characterising Mugabe’s ruinous 37-year rule, also faces the stern test of crafting a raft of measures to deal with socio-economic problems ranging from spiralling unemployment, deteriorating health and educational facilities and rising commodities prices on the domestic market among other challenges.

“Mnangagwa has a tough balancing act of competing political and economic priorities. On one hand, he has to ensure that he is solidly in power in spite of his deputy’s (Chiwenga) glaring ambition and mending the economy,” a government source said.

“We will see whether Mnangagwa will prioritise politics or address the structural problems haemorrhaging the economy.”

Financial analyst Persistence Gwanyanya, contends that Mnangagwa faces the unenviable task of implementing austerity measures if he has to revitalise the economy.

“Economic diagnosis has it that Zimbabwe today is faced with an unbalanced economy typified by low levels of production and exports, against disproportionately high levels of consumption, which has resulted in bloated import levels. This economic imbalance is largely seen as the source of all other economic problems, thus calling for concerted efforts to rebalance the economy through increase in production and exports, and a downward adjustment in consumption and imports. This adjustment process is not as simple as it appears and that is where the idea of reforms is necessary,”

Independent

MDC Alliance principals have called for a probe into how the seven-party coalition’s “anti-rigging” mechanisms failed when it mattered the most, allowing Zanu PF to “steal” the July 30 vote.

MDC Alliance spokesperson Welshman Ncube told the Zimbabwe Independent this week that the opposition outfit would investigate the electoral loss and how Zanu PF ran away with a disputed victory.

“In every organisation, whether you have won or lost, you have to do a post mortem. We will do a post-mortem on the things we did well and those things we didn’t do well,” Ncube said.

In the run-up to the elections, Nelson Chamisa’s lawyer, Thabani Mpofu, announced that the coalition had a “secret” weapon to defend millions of MDC Alliance votes. The anti-rigging mechanisms, which included a tight monitoring of counting and tabulation of results at polling stations, became the basis of Chamisa’s Constitutional Court (ConCourt) challenge where he claimed to have “overwhelming” evidence.

This comes a week after the Alliance’s presidential candidate, Chamisa reportedly shot down propositions by MDC-T deputy treasurer-general Chalton Hwende for a post mortem during the party’s national executive meeting last week. Chamisa maintains he won the July 30 polls.

Ncube said no one in the Alliance should resist a post mortem. “We need to look into how we allowed them (Zanu PF) to steal the election. We also set up anti-rigging mechanisms — how did they fail?” asked Ncube.

“No one can possibly resist a post mortem. Anybody who has common sense will do a post-mortem,” Ncube added.

Chamisa maintains he won the July 30 polls even after his election petition seeking to overturn President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s win was dismissed by the ConCourt a fortnight ago.

Chief Justice Luke Malaba argued that the MDC Alliance lacked primary evidence in the form of V11 and V23 forms.

Ncube said a thorough examination of how the election was lost would help strengthen the coalition, which is currently in the process of forming a single party and consolidate its structures. He said the MDC Alliance would soon convene a congress where the findings of the election post-mortem would be presented. He added that the exercise would not be a witch hunt but a mechanism to strengthen the coalition.

The MDC Alliance will soon transform into a political party with the seven principals expected to hold key positions after congress. Ncube admitted that problems associated with merging the parties were likely to arise, but the principals were already working on countering any eventualities. “We are working together; we campaigned together as an alliance so all we have to do is to integrate. We know there will be challenges but all we need are resolutions from the highest organs of the alliance partners. We are all democrats and we hope that we go to congress soon,” Ncube said.

Chamisa rejected the ConCourt ruling, insisting he won the presidential election with 2,6 million votes. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), however, announced that Mnangagwa won the election after garnering 50,8%, while Chamisa got 44,3%. Zec later reduced Mnangagwa’s margin to 50,67%.

The MDC Alliance also failed to garner a majority in parliament, only managing 63 out of the 210 electable National Assembly seats.

Independent

GOVERNMENT could abandon the controversial US$2,7 billion deal with Chinese firm Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group Limited (Afecc) for the dualisation of the Chirundu-Beitbridge highway after the company expressed concern over how it would recoup its investment, the Zimbabwe Independent can exclusively reveal.

Afecc, the second highest bidder when the tender was first publicised in 2016, was later awarded the contract after government in April this year terminated its earlier agreement with Austrian company Geiger International (Geiger) at Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s behest.

Government had expressed frustration at the endless delays in project implementation by Geiger, although it later emerged that the move was aimed at pacifying the Chinese government and Afecc after it was controversially stopped from mining diamonds in Chiadzwa two years ago.

The deal has, however, gone off the rails after Afecc financiers insisted they were not comfortable with the build, operate and transfer (BOT) arrangement, which they deemed to be unfeasible. Government, on its part, failed to convince the company on how it would realise the full benefits of the investment.

As such, the Independent has learnt, Afecc told government that it could only do the 133km stretch from Harare to Chivhu under the BOT plan.

Former Transport minister Joram Gumbo, who has been spearheading negotiations on behalf of government, confirmed the deal had run into problems.

“It may be that they are having difficulties with their financiers. Remember, it has been two years since they lost the tender and they could have put their money to other use. I think that is the major problem they are facing, but as government we had prepared a framework of agreement to guide us on the way forward,” Gumbo said.

He also said the document was ready to be presented to cabinet.

“If I get the chance to present it to cabinet, I will do so but, if not, someone else will do it,” Gumbo said.

Insiders said government is now considering raising funds through the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) to allow local companies to take over the project.

Government is also considering re-tendering the project.

This comes as it emerged that Afecc president Jiang Zhaoyao last week flew into Zimbabwe from his base in Hefei city, the capital of Anhui province of China, to try and salvage the deal, but there has been no headway.

Highly placed government and diplomatic sources told the Independent this week that the deal with Afecc had virtually collapsed after the Chinese firm indicated that it was only able to dualise the 133km stretch from Harare to Chivhu.

Government sources said meetings held between government and Afecc in the past two weeks could not produce results.

This is despite the fact that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development had already drafted a framework of agreement which was to be signed between the two parties.

However, Afecc could not commit itself to the agreement as it demanded full disclosure of how it would recoup its investment amid concerns government was not providing clear information. An official close to Afecc said the company had access to adequate funding. He said the decision of whether to award the tender to Afecc or not lies with the government.

“The Afecc boss was here now in Zimbabwe having discussions with the government but, so far, there is no deal. No decision has been made up to now,” the official said.

Zimbabwe Independent

President Emmerson Mnangagwa|September is the first month of spring in Zimbabwe. The jacaranda trees that line Harare’s avenues will soon flower into a sea of purple. Last November their blossom formed the backdrop to the people taking to the streets and demanding change. This year, following our democratic election in July, it shall welcome a new era in Zimbabwe.

Winter’s end marked the culmination of months of vigorous campaigning. Candidates were able to cross the country without fear of intimidation to pledge their vision for Zimbabwe like never before.

However, the blossom that signifies the changing seasons does not guarantee the jacaranda trees’ survival.

In fact, they are vulnerable species; they must be protected. This election — the freest and fairest in our history — similarly signifies change. But the democracy it heralds must be defended, for it too is fragile.

Sadly, the collective achievement of the election became a prelude to tragedy. Instead of waiting for the vote to be counted, the opposition leadership declared victory in the presidential race. Some of their supporters took to the streets in protest at the yet-to-be-announced result.

The situation turned violent. Six lives were lost.

People, rightly, want justice to be served — as do I. However, it is not within the president’s power to impulsively blame or punish those who might appear guilty. What is within my power is the establishment of an independent investigation to ascertain who bears responsibility.

The former president of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, will chair the seven-member team comprising both Zimbabwean nationals and international experts. They will be sworn in upon my return from China to begin their three months of work.

I shall fully implement the recommendations of this commission. This may not serve political expediency on either side of the divide, but in underpinning justice it serves the people of Zimbabwe’s interests.

This is the right action to take in line with the democratic journey we set out on last November. Along this route, I am certain that I have gained false friends whose interests favour the status quo. Yet we cannot let this minority hinder the nation’s progress, nor squander the opportunity that lies before us. Rather we must protect this free and fair election. We must cherish what the people of Zimbabwe have achieved.

I do not say this because it suits my favour. Though the opposition leader fell short of the presidency, through this democratic vote he too has been granted an important mandate: to lead scrutiny of the government’s work in parliament.

We must remember that elections are about more than who returns the most votes. For the free and fair Zimbabwe that this election augurs cannot succeed without the opposition holding those in power to account — launching criticism in parliament, not stones in the streets.

This is not to make less of what occurred following the protests.

However, for justice to function properly, it must be applied equally to all.

The opposition here too have a vital role: they must scrutinise the commission’s work at each step.

Although experts drawn from a range of opinion and backgrounds shall sit on the independent commission, we — both —government and opposition – must ensure there is no bias through observation and inquiry.

Indeed, the role of opposition leader is critical to democracy’s function. The incoming administration will be weaker if not held to the checks and balances that parliament provides. Were he to renege on this role, it will only sap the nascent democratic culture taking root.

Alleging fraud without substantiating it has a similar effect. In the absence of readily available evidence, it served only to polarise voters. Those who had believed the opposition leader’s claims had to do so in blind faith.

Without such faith, it is difficult to see where this fraud came from. The opposition, however, were fully within their rights to bring their case to court. In fact, it is encouraging to see that the democratic and judicial tools available to them were exercised. In full view of the evidence submitted, the courts found against their claim. Now we must come together to realise what the people of Zimbabwe call out for: prosperity, opportunity and accountability rooted in peace.

So when the jacaranda trees begin to bud, I hope to see the opposition leader criticising the government openly and transparently in parliament — as the people of Zimbabwe deserve. For then the purple blossom that signifies change will also represent health.

Source – The Guardian UK

A 49-year-old Gwanda driver has been fined $200 after he knocked down a four-year-old child at a pedestrian crossing leaving him injured.

Hlalani Tshabangu of Freda Mine was convicted on his own plea of guilty to charges of negligent driving by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Nomagugu Ncube. He was ordered to pay a $200 fine or 30 days imprisonment in case of default. In addition he was ordered to surrender his licence for endorsement.

A licence endorsement is a record of one’s conviction for a motoring offence and is marked “endorsed” by the courts and repeat offenders maybe banned from driving.

Prosecuting, Mr Takudzwa Mafudze said Tshabangu knocked down the boy who is an ECD A pupil at Mt Cazalet Primary School on March 23 while he was on his way from school with his friends.

“On 23 March at around 12 noon, Tshabangu was driving a Mazda B2500 along the Bulawayo- Gwanda Road with one passenger on board. Upon reaching the 128 kilometre peg, he came across a group of children that were crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing coming from school.

“Tshabangu failed to stop and hit one of the children. As a result, the child sustained some bruises and was taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he was treated and discharged. Tshabangu was arrested for the offence,” he said.

Mr Mafudze said Tshabangu failed to observe a zebra crossing, failed to stop or act reasonably when an accident seemed imminent and failed to keep a proper lookout. – state media

President Mnangagwa yesterday proclaimed September 25 as the day for the official opening of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe.

The President is expected to set the legislative agenda for the new session. The announcement was contained in a supplement to the Extraordinary Government Gazette dated August 29, 2018.

President Mnangagwa proclaimed the date in terms of Section 145 of the Constitution, which states that the first sitting of Parliament after a general election must take place at a time and date no later than 30 days after the President-elect assumes office.

“His Excellency, the Honourable Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, G.C.Z.M, President of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of Zimbabwe.

Whereas, it is provided by Section 145 of the Constitution that the first sitting of Parliament after a general election must take place at a time and date determined by the President, being a date no later than 30 days after the President-elect assumes office,” read the proclamation.

President Mnangagwa said the first sitting of the Ninth Parliament will be held at twelve o’clock.

“And whereas, the President-elect assumed office on the 26th day of August, 2018: Now therefore, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as aforesaid, I do, by this proclamation fix (a) Parliament Building, Harare, as the place at which the First Sitting of the Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe shall be held and (b) twelve o’clock on

Tuesday, the 25th of September, 2018 as the time and date on which the First Sitting of the Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe must take place,” he said.

The proclamation comes after at least 341 out of the 350 parliamentarians elected in the July 30 harmonised elections took their oaths of office at Parliament Building on Wednesday.
Zanu-PF retained its two thirds majority in the National Assembly after winning 145 out of the 210 contested constituencies.

The seven-party MDC Alliance managed only 63 seats, with the National Patriotic Front (NPF) winning just one seat.

Independent candidate Mr Temba Mliswa retained his Norton seat. In 2013, the ruling Zanu-PF won 160 seats to the then MDC-T’s 49, with one seat going to the MDC, then led by Professor Welshman Ncube, who is now an MDC Alliance principal. Following the swearing-in, the two Houses of Parliament will choose their presiding officers next Tuesday.

The National Assembly will elect the Speaker and his or her deputy, while the Senate will elect its president and his or her deputy. – state media

A maid who was traced through a fake Facebook account after disappearing with her employer’s property worth around $700 was yesterday fined $100.

Petronella Matsimbi (19) was employed at Ms Immaculate Gono (26)’s house at Emganwini suburb when she fled with a laptop, kitchenware and some clothes all amounting to $771.

Matsimbi was yesterday fined $100 or 90 days in jail. She told the court she stole from her employer because she had not been paid her salary.

In passing sentence, Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube considered that Ms Gono had recovered all her property.

The magistrate said Matsimbi’s behaviour was uncalled for and she should have confronted her employer about the money instead of stealing.

Mr Kenneth Shava prosecuted. He said Ms Gono created a fake Facebook account under the name Charles Todd and proposed love to the maid.

Matsimbi had stopped answering calls from Ms Gono. Under cross-examination in court on Thursday, Matsimbi claimed that she had not been paid and only took the property as compensation.

The court heard that on August 11, Ms Gono woke up to notice her bedroom windows open and decided to check if all the windows were closed.

“She noticed her maid was not around and thought she had sneaked out to her boyfriend,” said Mr Shava. In the morning, she checked on her maid again and realised that all her clothes were not there and she tried contacting her.”

Ms Gono later realised her kitchenware, a laptop and some clothes were missing.

On trying to contact her, Matsimbi would not answer her phone.

Ms Gono managed to locate Matsimbi through a fake Facebook account after luring her to meet in the Bulawayo city centre.

“Ms Gono arranged with the police to meet Matsimbi in town on September 3 and they apprehended her,” said Mr Shava.-state media

Staff Correspondent|The residents of Masvingo town urged the Masvingo City Council to resolve the water woes in the city to avert a looming health hazard.

The residents who spoke to Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) expressed dismay at the incessant shortage of water in the ancient city.

Local residents have gone for about three weeks without running water in the taps. Residents fear that there might be an outbreak of diseases such as cholera and typhoid as people are fetching water from boreholes and other unprotected sources.

Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) Action for Accountability Groups (AAGs) met with Masvingo City Council Commission chairperson Mr. Goddard Dunira who said the water crisis is caused by the malfunctioning of pumps at Bushmead Waterworks.”

“There are three pumps at the main water works and at any given time two pumps will be running while the other one will be on standby. Right now two pumps are down and we are pumping with one at below 50 percent capacity,” said Dunira. Local residents have wholly blamed the city council for dismally failing to prioritize water supply maintenance machinery.

COTRAD has also urged Masvingo City Council to resolve the water crisis as soon as possible. COTRAD will continue to engage the city council until the water crisis is rectified. Access to clean and safe water is a constitutional right as enshrined in section 77 that, every person has the right to clean and safe water.

COTRAD

A 15 year old form three student from Chinhoyi High School made history for her school after she obtained 7 ‘A’s during the June 2018 Zimsec examinations.

It’s yet another celebration scored by a girl child proving beyond reasonable doubt that gender does not define capacities.

Sifiso Ukaka obtained ‘A’ grades in 7 of the 8 subjects she wrote in June while she is still in form three and automatically skipped form four to Advanced Level.

Most of the subjects were arts and commercials plus mathematics and the 8th subject was Biology were she obtained a ‘C’ grade.

She has since been given the privilege by Zimsec to sit for the remaining science subjects like Chemistry and Physics this November as she had not initially registered for them in June because she was still in form three and needed more time for practicals.

Chinhoyi High School head Dr Sevious Mutopa said the achievement is a first for the school.

Sifiso’s mother Blantina Ukaka, a teacher at Chinhoyi High said her daughter has always displayed sheer determination to achieve set goals eversince she was young.

Just like her name Sifiso meaning of ‘wish or desire’, it is the 15 year old’s desire to rise beyond expectations and prove girls can do it better.

The wiz kid said she is yet to make a final decision on which career path to pursue subject to the outcome of the science subjects for which she will seat for this November.

Sifiso is currently undertaking commercial subjects at Advanced Level which she enrolled for this term.

ZBC News online

Staff Correspondent|Chegutu West Member of Parliament, Dexter Nduna whose victory was reported as having been overturned was on Thursday sworn in despite the matter pending in the courts.

Nduna of Zanu PF had initially announced as the winner with 10932 votes to MDC Alliance Gift Konjana’s 10828 but the latter was able to provide evidence of counting anomalies.

According to an announcement purportedly from ZEC, the discrepancy occurred due to transcription error from V23A to V23B at the constituency during data capturing.

The communication added that, “the transcription error resulted in Konjana Gift getting ten thousand eight hundred and twenty eight votes against Nduna’s ten thousand nine hundred and thirt two.

“if the error is corrected Konjana Gift’s result would be ten thousand nine hundred and forty eight (10948) votes against Nduna Dexter’s ten thousand nine hundred and thirty two (10932). This makes Konjana Goft the winner instead of Nduna.”

However Nduna has since taken oath of office and this will make it difficult for Konjana to find his way in parliament unless the court rules in his favor.

Konjana has since approached the court seeking nullification of the ZEC declaration of Nduna as the winner of Chegutu West constituency.

Kirsty Coventry, a former Olympic champion swimmer and a current member of the IOC’s executive board, has been appointed Minister of Sport in by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The 34-year-old Coventry was vice president of the Zimbabwe Olympic committee. She also chairs the IOC’s athletes’ commission.

She was appointed to Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cabinet as minister of youth, sports, art and recreation in a surprise move. Mnangagwa won elections in July after replacing longtime ruler Robert Mugabe last year when Mugabe stepped down.

Coventry won gold medals in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and also has four silvers and a bronze, the most Olympic medals by an African athlete. She shares the record of most individual medals by a female swimmer at the Olympics with Krisztina Egerszegi of Hungary.

Coventry retired after the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, her fifth Olympics, having won seven of Zimbabwe’s eight all-time medals. The other was gold by the women’s field hockey team at the boycotted 1980 Moscow Games.

She faces challenges in her new role with the governing bodies of Zimbabwe’s two most high-profile sports, soccer and cricket, in financial ruin after years of mismanagement and alleged corruption by politically connected administrators under Mugabe.

“She is a sportsperson and knows about sport, being a person who has been there and done it,” former Zimbabwe cricket captain Tatenda Taibu said. “I know her personally and I know that her heart is in the right place.”

Coventry is known as the country’s “golden girl” for her Olympic success and was given $100,000 by then-president Mugabe after winning four medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, a huge prize for a Zimbabwean athlete. She gave much of the money to charity.

MailOnLine

By Paul Nyathi|A brave President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dropped his fiery Vice President Constantino Chiwenga from holding a ministerial position.

Chiwenga is alleged to have bulldozed himself into being the Minister of Defence, Security and War Veterans after the November 17 coup which ousted former President Robert Mugabe.

Chiwenga held on to the Ministry despite calls by political analysts for him to drop off the Ministry as it was against the provisions of the Constitution.

Highly placed sources revealed last week that Chiwenga had presented a proposed cabinet list where he had retained himself as the Defence Minister. Mnangagwa has since declared that going forward the Ministry will be reserved for a woman.

Several other ZANU PF heavyweights who have been perennial faces in cabinet have also been shockingly excluded from the cabinet as Mnangagwa seeks to bring a new dimension into the governance of the country.

Here is a list of former ministers and deputy ministers who have been chopped from Mnangagwa’s Government

Patrick Chinamasa (Minister of Finance and Economic Development)

Constantino Chiwenga (Minister of Defence, Security and War Veterans)

David Parirenyatwa (Minister of Health and Child Care)

Terence Mukupe – (Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Development)

Pupurayi Togarepi – (Deputy Minister for Youth Affairs)

Mike Bimha- (Minister of Industry and Commerce)

Simon Khaya Moyo- (Minister of Energy and Power Development) he also acting
Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services

Supa Mandiwanzira- (Minister of Information Communication Technology and Cyber Security)

Obert Mpofu- (Minister of Home Affairs and Culture)

Petronella Kagonye- (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare)

Kembo Mohadi- (Minister of National Reconciliation)

Simbarashe Mumbengegwi- (Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring of Government Programmes)

Christopher Mushohwe- (Minister of State in the Presidents’ Office Responsible for National Scholarships)

Angeline Masuku- (Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province)

Miriam Chikukwa- (Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province)

David Musabayana- (Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province)

Webster Shamu- (Minister of State for Mashonaland West Province)

Owen Ncube- (Minister of State for Midlands Province)

Josiah Hungwe- (Minister of State for Masvingo Province)

THREE LOSERS standout from Mnangagwa's newly appointed Cabinet:

1. DEVOLUTION has lost out; appointment of 10 provincial ministers violates s268 of the Constitution.

2. CHIWENGA sidelined; with his picks left out.

3. TRIBAL BALANCE compromised; as Mnangagwa's cronies dominate! pic.twitter.com/YDqnexG919

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) September 7, 2018

By Paul Nyathi|That which the people of Bulawayo in particular Mthwakazi Republic Party activists did not want has happened, Councillor Tinashe Kambarami has won the Deputy Mayor election post.

Kambarami polled 16 votes against councillor Happy Ncube’s 13 in the 29 councillors council.

Councillor Solomon Madlala Mguni became the City’s Mayor polling 17 votes out of 12 against Norman Hlabano.

Kambarami’s victory is a defiance by the councillors of the MDC Alliance directive that they elect Ncube as the Deputy Mayor.

Residents of Bulawayo led by Mthwakazi activists have been high on social media calling on the council not to elect a Shona speaking person as Mayor or Deputy Mayor of the City.

On Wednesday, the residents thronged the Bulawayo City Hall in large numbers carrying placards denouncing the Shona speaking councillors demanding that they go and hold influencial positions in their home areas and not Bulawayo.

There are 17 councillors of Shona orientation in the council against 12 Ndebele ones.

By Paul Nyathi|The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, flanked by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, has announced the new cabinet at State House this afternoon.

The 20 cabinet Ministers are as follows:

1. Finance – Professor Mthuli Ncube

2. Defence – Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri

3. Local Government – July Moyo

4. Foreign Affairs – SB Moyo

5. Public Service – Sekesai Nzenza

6. Industry – Mangaliso Ndlovu

7. Home Affairs – Cain Mathema

8. Higher Education – Amon Murwira

9. Primary and Secondary Education – Paul Mavima

10. Lands, Agriculture – Perrance Shiri

11. Mines – Winston Chitando

12. Energy and Power Development – Joram Gumbo

13. Transport – Joel Biggie Matiza

14. Information – Monica Mutsvangwa

15. ICT – Kazembe Kazembe

16. Tourism – Prisca Mupfumira

17. Sport, Arts and Recreation – Kirsty Coventry

18. Health – Obadiah Moyo

19. Justice – Ziyambi Ziyambi

20. Women Affairs – Sithembiso Nyoni

Deputy Ministers:

1. Defence and War Veterans – Victor Matemadanda

2. Local Government, Public Works and National Housing – Jennifer Mhlanga

3. Public Service , Labour and Social Welfare – Lovemore Matuke

4. Industry and Commerce – Rajeshakumart Modi

5. Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage – Michael Madiro

6. Primary and Secondary Education – Edgar Moyo

7. Lands, Agriculture , Water, Culture and Rural Resettlement

Douglass Karoro
Vangelis Haritatos

8. Mines and Mining Development – Polite Kambamura

9. Energy and Power Development – Magna Mudyiwa

10. Transport and Infrastructural Development – Fortune Chasi

11. Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services – Energy Mutodi

12. ICT and Courier Services – Jerifan Muswere

13. Sport, Arts and Recreation – Yeukai Simbanegavi

Ministers of state in Vice President’s Office:

Hon. Vice President Rtd general C.G.D.N Chiwenga’s office –Hon Evelyn Ndlovu.

Hon. Vice President K.C.D Mohadi’s office – Hon Davis Marapira

Ministers of State for Provinces:

Harare……
Bulawayo – Hon Judith Ncube
Mashonaland West – Hon Mary Mliswa
Mashonaland East – Hon Apollonia Munzverengi
Mashonaland Central – Hon Monica Mavhunga
Manicaland –Hon Ellen Gwaradzimba
Midlands – Hon Larry Mavhima
Masvingo – Hon Ezra Chadzamira
Matabeleland South – Hon Abednico Ncube
Matabeleland North – Hon Richard Moyo

Meanwhile, the new cabinet ministers will be sworn-in on Monday 10 September at State House at 9am.

Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has described the late Vice President Dr Joshua Nkomo as a top liberator and a peacemaker whose ways must be honoured and emulated if the country is to be successful.

In giving his keynote address during a dinner organised to celebrate the formation of the Joshua Nkomo Legacy Foundation which coincided with the unveiling of the Joshua Nkomo Tourism Heritage Trail on the sidelines of the ongoing Sanganai/Hlanganani Tourism Expo, Vice President Chiwenga, spoke of the need to maintain peace in the country while noting that the example of the late Father Zimbabwe was the best to emulate.

“We have never stopped thinking on how to play a part to honour our great leader, Dr Nkomo. Therefore, we set out a path to participate and contribute to his legacy restoration programme. As you may recall, I delivered the Joshua Nkomo lecture at the UZ in June this year. There is still a vast untold story of Father Zimbabwe. As leadership, we have cautioned that peace will not come until together as people we recognize fully and acknowledge the role played by Father Zimbabwe and other heroes and heroines in liberating and developing this country,” said Vice President Chiwenga.

Vice President Chiwenga also said Dr Nkomo’s legacy was ever towards creating a better life for all and went on to call for the setting up of more sites to honour the country’s late liberation icon.

“We are committed to facilitating the growth of these celebrations and we would like to see a bigger historic site – perhaps the Joshua Nkomo Square to inspire the youth of our country. This would remand those of us who walked the road with Dr Nkomo for the deep footprints made on the African soil by this great man. We are committed to the Joshua Nkomo Legacy Restoration Programme starting with the erection of statues here in Bulawayo, Harare and many other significant sites. However, erection of the statues is just the beginning. We must always make sure their maintenance is top priority to facilitate enjoyment by both local and international tourists,” he added.

The Dr Joshua Nkomo Tourism Heritage Trail will see different sites such as his Matsheumhlope and Phelandaba homes, including the family homestead in Kezi being tourist centres where visitors can learn more about the life and works of Dr Joshua Nkomo.

ZBC news

THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has reprimanded its councillor who attended the swearing in ceremony of Bulawayo councillors in a suspected drunken stupor and engaged in a brawl with Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) activists.

The PDP fielded the councillor under the MDC Alliance ticket and he caused a stir following his behaviour after he attended the swearing in ceremony 45 minutes late and diverted from the norm by taking his oath of office in Shona.
Ward 24 councillor Arnold Batirai’s actions led to a backlash particularly from activists linked to MRP who charged towards him resulting in a nasty confrontational brawl.

In an interview, PDP deputy president Mr Kucaca Phulu described last Friday’s incident as unfortunate.
He said the party had cautioned Clr Batirai for his behaviour.
Mr Phulu, however, said the councillor should not shoulder the blame for the fracas on his own.

“If you take a closer look at that situation, there were people who had their political parties but no one seems to be paying attention if they conducted themselves properly,” said Mr Phulu.
“They wanted to hit that young man with a chair. He was badly insulted. But we have spoken to him and he understands how he should behave when being provoked.

Because clearly that was a case of provocation.”
He said the MDC Alliance partners have engaged Clr Batirai over allegations that he was drunk.

“We could not establish that he was drunk, it seems it was a case of provocation,” Mr Phulu said.
He said PDP and the MDC Alliance have listened to the concerns raised by Bulawayo residents.

“We have listened to what is being said by members of the public. He is a young man and we’re still nurturing his political career. We will reprimand and counsel him wherever necessary,” said Mr Phulu.

“Some of the issues will be dealt with internally but if we try to fix it across different political parties and pressure groups it will be difficult.”

State Media

By Paul Nyathi|The ten winning Municipality of Gwanda councillors have been sworn into office by the Town Clerk of Mrs Priscilla Nkala.

The council shifted hands from ZANU PF dominance to opposition MDC Alliance at the elections held in July. The Nelson Chamisa led party garnered six of the ten wards while ZANU PF got four.

Councillor Jastone Mazhale of ward 7 is expected to be elected as the Mayor of the town when the councillors meet on Monday to conduct their elections.

Nappy Moyo of ward 2 who is the only female councillor in the town is expected to be elected as the Deputy Mayor for gender balance as directed by the MDC Alliance head office in Harare.

Rumours from within the party however indicate that there is likely going to be a huge furore within the council as some of the MDC Alliance councillors are said to be vouching for councillor Phumulo Maphala a returning councillor to be the Deputy Mayor.

If the party proceeds to thw Monday election without resolving the matter, the council stands a huge risk of seeing a ZANU PF councillor landing the Deputy Mayor position through a split vote.

Former Mayor Knowledge Ndlovu of ZANU PF who retained his council seat as ward 3 councillor is set not to retain his mayoral office and will have to face the difficulty of accepting to be an ordinary councillor against his previous subordinates.

Former President Robert Mugabe yesterday implored the nation to rally behind President Mnangagwa, saying his election victory in the July 30 harmonised elections legitimised his leadership.

The remarks by the ex-president were buttressed by his wife, Grace, who said they would pray for President Mnangagwa as his leadership was God-given.

Mugabe and his wife said this last night while addressing mourners gathered at their Blue Roof mansion to pay their condolences following the death of Mbuya Idah Marufu, mother to the former First Lady.

Mugabe said it was time to put behind events of November last year in which he resigned just before the conclusion of his impeachment proceedings by Parliament.

He said people should work together for the good of the country.

“There was an election, Zanu-PF was represented by Emmerson Mnangagwa and (Nelson) Chamisa represented MDC-Alliance and results came out saying the person who won was Emmerson Mnangagwa and I said zvava mugwara zvino,” said Mugabe.

“Hazvicharambika. Tavapachokwadi. Zvanezuro zvakanga zvakanganiswa zvakapfuudzwa neelection results.

“We have accepted the result and we hope that we will continue respecting the will of the people. The gun does not and should not lead politics,” he said.

“All of us are now duty-bound to rally behind the Government. But we say those who want to contest should be allowed to do so and after every five years, but we say for now the person who won is Mnangagwa.”

Mugabe said it was never his intention to install his wife as President. He reiterated that he wanted former Cabinet Minister, Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, to take over from him at the 2017 Zanu-PF congress subject to endorsement by the party.

He said President Mnangagwa’s Government had returned to constitutionalism after the election.

Mugabe said he preferred Dr Sekeramayi because he had entered into politics ahead of President Mnangagwa.

He said his wife was not qualified to be Head of State and Government since she had never assumed any Government office either as a Cabinet Minister or Member of Parliament and never wanted her to assume the presidency.

“Ambition yekuti aaa ndoda kuzova President aaa vakomana,” he said. “KohuPresident hwacho usina kumboita huMinister zvako, unenge waujambira sei, zvinotoda gwara, wanga uri Minister kanaMember of Parliament. Zvino mudzimai wangu haanakumboita zvese…hazvaitika, wandakanga ndaita recommend ndiSekeramayi, takange tatombotaura naThabo Mbeki ndichiti apinde.”

Mugabe hailed President Mnangagwa for Government support at the funeral wake for his mother-in-law.

Mrs Mugabe commended President Mnangagwa for his leadership, saying it was God-given and pledged to pray for him.

She said President Mnangagwa had chartered a new aircraft to fly her back to Harare from Singapore where she was receiving medical treatment to mourn her mother.

Mrs Mugabe said this demonstrated President Mnangagwa’s kindness.

“We used to travel using commercial flights during our tenure as the First Family. That has changed,” she said. “President Mnangagwa charters a flight. It just takes us a phone call. It was a beautiful plane, a brand new Gulfstream 650 from Qatar.

“If I get rich I will buy such an aircraft. I have never boarded such a plane. The crew told me that I was the first person to board it. It is my dream plane. I felt comforted. VaMnangagwa comforted me. If it takes my mother’s death for us to restore our old friendship, then let it be.

“VaMnangagwa loves us. He knows we love him too. We pray for him because it is God’s will that he is President of the country. We pray that he be given the wisdom to lead the country.”

Mrs Mugabe said before leaving for Beijing, China last week, President Mnangagwa left a message assuring them that Government, through Vice President Constantine Chiwenga, would take care of their funeral expenses.

She dismissed media reports that they were placed under house arrest when Parliament instituted impeachment proceedings against Mr Mugabe in November last year.

State Media