THE family of Zimbabwe’s former Ambassador to Senegal, Mrs Trudy Stevenson, yesterday announced she will be cremated next Friday.

In an announcement on her Twitter handle, the family said: “The funeral will be held at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, Harare, on Friday 7 September at 10am. Light refreshments will be served afterwards, followed by a private cremation.”

Ambassador Stevenson was a founding member of the MDC.

She was appointed ambassador to Senegal and the Gambia in 2009 during the Government of National Unity as a deployee of MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube.

Ambassador Stevenson was found dead at her residence in Dakar last week.

She was 73.

A former Member of Parliament for Harare North (2000-2008), she continued to serve as ambassador after the collapse of the unity government.

State Media

AN ailing Kwekwe-based explosives manufacturer could have compromised national security because of poor security and failure to follow laid down procedures at its plant, workers have alleged.

In a stinging letter, accompanied by a petition to the inspector of mines, workers at GML Explosives (formerly known as Dyno Nobel) made startling allegations against the company, including security and legal breaches.

“We note with great concern that the company was not observing rules and regulations pertaining to the sale of explosives. The company is selling explosives to customers without permits and in cases of customers with permits, their permits are not endorsed as required by law.

“We suspect the company is not keeping proper and accurate records of explosives sold and this compromises national security,” the workers alleged.

Mines principal director Charles Tahwa confirmed receipt of the letter, but referred questions to Mines secretary Munesu Munodawafa.

“Yes, but talk to the permanent secretary,” Tahwa said.

Earlier, Tahwa had requested time to consult with the inspector responsible for explosives, who he said was in charge of such cases.

Munodawafa said he was tied up with the Harare Agricultural Show Society business and could not talk.

The employees have demanded that the company be placed under liquidation because it had not been operating and that it owed them in excess of $1 million in salary arrears.

Two people died while dozens including Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, were left with injuries after an explosion rocked White City Stadium as President Emmerson Mnangagwa left the podium after a Zanu PF campaign rally in June.

The August 17 letter, which shows it was received at the Mines ministry four days later, said GML Explosives had also failed to follow procedure in the disposal of defective explosives.

“The company is not reporting bad/reject/defective explosives to the inspector. A lot of poorly manufactured boxes of defective explosives were returned by customers late last year and early this year, but these were never reported to the inspector of mines in terms of the law and there is no evidence to show how they were disposed of,” the letter said.

Owned by Croinvest (Pvt), the company, formerly Dyno Nobel, has been struggling to survive for years. The workers claim that security at the premises in the Midlands city is compromised and was in breach of the Explosives Act.

Early this week, seven GMB workers died while one is still missing in Chinhoyi after an explosion, suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault, left scores injured.

“Sir, we are sitting on a time bomb, which can explode anytime. Regular inspections of lightning conductors are not being done. Lightning conductors are not maintained yearly and no certificates of good order, after mandatory inspections, have been obtained by the company as required by law. In other words, buildings, metal walls, roof and all plant machines are not efficiently earthed,” the letter also said.

NewsDay

Newly-elected National Assembly members and senators will take oaths of office on Wednesday next week, Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda has said.

After taking the oaths, the National Assembly members will elect the Speaker of the National Assembly and his or her deputy and senators will also elect their president and his or her deputy.

According to a notice published in an Extraordinary Government Gazette yesterday, Mr Chokuda said MPs will be sworn in the morning and senators in the afternoon.

He said the notice of oath of Members of Parliament is done in terms of the provisions of Section 128(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 20 of 2013.

“It is hereby notified that, in terms of Section 128 (1) of the Constitution the day and time for members of Parliament to make and subscribe the oath of a Member of Parliament before the Clerk of Parliament in the form set out in the Third Schedule to the Constitution shall be:

(a) ten o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 5th of September, 2018, for Members of the National Assembly; and

(b) half past two o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 5th of September, 2018, for Members of the Senate; at Parliament Building, Harare.”

The swearing in of the legislators followed the July 30 harmonised elections in which 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 one seat.

Independent candidate Mr Temba Mliswa won the Norton National Assembly 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.

Some of the laws that were passed during the Eighth Parliament were Local Government Amendment Act, Public Finance and Management Act, Special Economic Zones Act, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences Act and Gwanda State University Act, The Trafficking in Persons Act, The Public Accountants and Auditors Amendment Act and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Debt Assumption and Public Debt Management Act.

State Media

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

State Media – PROPERTY worth more than $300 000 was destroyed when a huge fire gutted Bulawayo’s biggest flea market, Unity Village.

The flea market, which is located at the corner of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street and 6th Avenue, saw about 37 stalls that were stocked with a variety of goods being destroyed by the fire which broke out at around 9PM on Thursday.

Some traders cried uncontrollably while others fainted as they arrived to the grim scene at the market yesterday morning.

Traders said they lost their stock ranging from clothes, footware, cell phones and laptops.
Bulawayo Fire Brigade Senior Divisional officer Mr Edward Mpofu said preliminary indications point to an electrical fault as the cause of the fire.

He said they were however, still investigating before making a final conclusion.
Mr Mpofu they were called at 9.44PM and arrived at the scene at 9.49PM.

“When the brigade arrived about five minutes after receiving the first call for help, the fire was found well alight and involving about 37 stalls that were well stocked with a variety of goods.
“The brigade observed that the fire burnt with a lot of intensity as most of the structures were deformed. The electrical wiring was also severely affected. The circuit breaker supplying the affected area had three breakers that tripped,” he said.

Mr Mpofu said the premises’ security guards unsuccessfully used a fire extinguisher to deal with the fire before calling the Fire Brigade.

“Investigations reveal that the fire originated from any of stalls 11, 16 or 42 and that most likely as a result of an electrical gadget like a kettle left ‘on’ or due to an electrical fault,” he said.

When The Chronicle visited the flea market yesterday morning, a committee member at the flea market, Mrs Siphokuhle Sibanda, said they lost goods worth over $300 000.

“The brigade arrived on time but they had challenges locating the fire hydrant we have inside, so they had to connect at Joshua Mqabuko and 6th Avenue which increased the damage since most of our goods are flammable. Everything we have worked for was burnt to ashes. Maybe we will end up seeking loans to restock and rebuild the structures. We are starting from scratch,” she said.
Speaking between sobs, one stand owner who preferred anonymity said it felt like she was bereaved.

“For many of us here right now, we feel like we have been robbed of a loved one. This was the bread basket for hundreds of us here with some people being the stand owners while the market has been a source of employment for hundreds as well.

“Being one of those whose stands were burnt down, we lost goods worth $5 000 and above each. Many people here order stock to last them over five months so that we don’t do frequent trips to neighbouring countries,” she said as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Another trader, Mr Zivanai Moyo, said he had also lost important documents that he kept at one of his stands, which include his identity particulars and a motor vehicle registration book.

“People here keep so many things in this market as they spend most of their time here and conduct many business transactions from their stands. Those with affected stands lost virtually everything and it is very sad,” said Mr Moyo.

A Bulawayo man pleaded with a magistrate to jail his 16-year-old son for allegedly stealing property worth $1 000.

The accused’s father told Bulawayo magistrate Ms Sithembiso Ndlovu that he would prefer to see his son behind bars because of his habit of stealing from home. The juvenile appeared in court facing a theft charge.

He was not asked to plead and was remanded out of custody on free bail to September 3.
“I’ve had enough of this boy. I would rather have you jail him. He has stolen a lot of property from me and our neighbours, where I am staying; they don’t want to see him.

“For a long time he has got away with it. He has to be taught a lesson so please send him to prison,” said the accused’s father. The magistrate said the boy could not be sent to prison.

“We cannot imprison him because he is a juvenile, he has a right to a lawyer which the State will provide,” said the magistrate. The boy’s father persisted with his plea.

“All I want is for him to be punished. He has to feel pain please,” he begged.
Ms Ndlovu told the father that they will deal with all that when the lawyer has attended to both of them as there is a process to go through first.

The court heard that the accused person stole money and a cellphone from the complainant.

Total value of stolen property is $1 000 and nothing was recovered. – state media

State Media – Government will only legalise production of industrial cannabis and will put in place regulations to control its production, President Mnangagwa has said.

He was speaking during a question and answer session at the sixth annual Agribusiness Conference held at the Exhibition Park on Wednesday.

President Mnangagwa said Government was working on separating medicinal cannabis from ordinary cannabis, which is popularly known as mbanje.

“We want to separate industrial cannabis from the ordinary cannabis (mbanje) and we have put it in legislation that is being championed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care,” he said.

“Wherever in the world where it has been allowed, there are strongest conditions for it to be grown. Under our Statutory Instrument we are regulating how it should be grown. It must have maximum security. That is why the security sector should be involved.”

President Mnangagwa said production of cannabis required capital outlays; it must be done scientifically. Most of it is done under green houses, where it is in open space it must be protected.”
Cannabis (mbanje) can be used for food, fuel, oil, animal feed, bedding paper, textiles and cosmetics, among others.

“You must get a licence for you to satisfy the requirements we made,” said President Mnangagwa. “For now it is a security restricted area.”

The legalisation was announced by Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa in a Government Gazette under Statutory Instrument 62 of 2018 (Dangerous Drugs – Production of Cannabis for Medicinal and Scientific Use Regulations).

Producers of mbanje will be licensed by the Minister. Some farmers bemoaned the high charges for the production licences.

They said the crop will end up being produced by corporates. The licence costs $50 000. – state media

ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday ordered the police to descend heavily on reckless drivers as he consoled families that lost relatives when a Chawasarira bus collided head-on with a commuter omnibus at the 152km peg along the Harare-Bulawayo highway on Thursday morning.

The accident killed 13 people on the spot and left 23 others injured.

Tragedy struck near Muzvezve River Bridge, about 10km outside Kadoma City at around 9am when the kombi, which was on its way from Empress Mine, encroached into the lane of the oncoming bus.

In a statement, Mnangagwa said: “The death of 13 commuters in a traffic accident near Kadoma yesterday has once again highlighted the needless loss of precious lives on our roads through negligent driving. That so many lives continue to be lost repeatedly suggests growing indiscipline on our roads.

“A robust response by way of enforcement of traffic rules is thus required. All transport operators must respect life and limb by ensuring that their vehicles are roadworthy and that their drivers exercise maximum caution on the road.”

Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to support and stand by the bereaved families.

He said Government will assist the families by meeting all funeral and burial expenses.

“On behalf of the party, zanu-pf, and Government and on my own behalf, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to families which have lost their loved ones in this bloody accident. In the same vein, I wish speedy recovery to all those injured in the same accident,” he said.

“While the exact circumstance of the accident are being investigated, Government will, with immediate effect, step in to assist bereaved families in ways set out in our policy on such disasters.”

Mnangagwa urged the police to be tough on negligent drivers.-state media

By Paul Nyathi| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sent a message of condolence to his predecessor former President Robert Mugabe on the death of his mother in law Idah Marufu.

In his message Mnangagwa took time to refer to Mugabe as his “Comrade” a salutation which ZANU PF has since withdrawn from the former President.

By Paul Nyathi|The MDC has accused rivals ZANU PF for authoring and circulating a letter purporting that Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora has been dismissed from the party.

Job Sikhala, the party Member of Parliament for Zengeza who is also a member of the National Executive Committee warned party members to ignore the letter.

Sikhala wrote in a statement:

To MDC Supporters throughout the world.

Be reassured our supporters that the unity in our party is unprecedented. We are in the process of integrating everyone into the party of the people, the party of excellence the MDC. The party has now become a formidable fortress that it is now impenetrable. These attempts to divide us will come to nothing.

By Paul Nyathi|Former President Robert Mugabe’s son Chatunga Bellarmine has mourned his late grand mother.

Former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s elderly mother, Idah Marafu, died on Friday morning at the Trauma Centre in the wealthy Harare suburb of Borrowdale.

Chatunga expressed his loss on his Facebook page on Friday afternoon.

“Rest In Peace Gogo ❤❤❤
Forever loved and We shall miss you,” he said.

Marafu was a resident at former president Robert Mugabe’s large Blue Roof property in the suburb.

While Kudzanayi Chipanga, a leader of the Zanu-PF faction dubbed “G40”, confirmed the death to ZimEye.com and said that Marafu was in her 90s, her exact age is not yet known. Critics have however claimed that gogo Marufu was actually younger than his son in law Robert Mugabe who is 94.

The change in government in Zimbabwe is inspiring hope among some white farmers, nearly two decades after the start of the sometimes-violent land reform programme, a news report says.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has ruled out reversing land reform, but has vowed to put an end to land invasions and to give white farmers 99-year leases like their black counterparts.

‘Right direction’

Farming couple John and Marie Osborne told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that they see a future for the first time in two decades.

“If the current president does half of what he says he’s going to do, then I think we’re going in the right direction,” John Osborne told ABC.

The Osbornes saw farmers beaten and killed during the land seizures launched by former President Robert Mugabe in 2000, and had their own farm reduced and parcelled out. But with the change in government, their Australian-based daughter and son-in-law are considering joining them in Zimbabwe.

“So now we’re in the very pleasant position of having our family start to come back and planning for a future,” John told ABC.

Violently evicted

Another Zimbabwean, Brian Pattison, said he returned to Zimbabwe from Australia to run a mixed-crop farm outside Harare.

He said his parents weren’t happy with the decision.

“They couldn’t believe that I was going back to Zimbabwe to farm after they had lost their farms,” he said.

But he added: “I’ve got my Aussie passport in my pocket in case I have to go back.”

Well-known farming family, Ian and Kerry Kay are not convinced though. The Kays were violently evicted from their farm, east of Harare, in 2002.

“With no property rights, why would anyone go back? It’d be crazy,” Kerry Kay said.

“You can change the driver but if all the passengers are the same, what difference is it going to make?”

‘We are one’

Ahead of the July 30 poll, Mnangagwa told a group of white voters in Harare that there was “no discrimination” under the “new dispensation”.

“A farmer – a black farmer, a white farmer – is a Zimbabwean farmer. We should look at it that way. We should begin to develop a culture among our people to accept that we are one,” he said, in comments carried by the state-run Sunday Mail.

News24

By Paul Nyathi|The MDC-T led by Nelson Chamisa has disputed social media rumours that the party has suspended Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora on charges of insubordination.

Presidential Spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda told the Voice Of America’s Studio Seven on Friday evening that a letter of suspension circulating on social media allegedly addressed to Mwonzora was not authentic and not from the party.

Social media was amass with news that Mwonzora is involved in a bitter wrangle for power in the opposition party with Nelson Chamisa.

Sibanda said that relations between Chamisa and Mwonzora were not at all strained as alleged by the social media reports.

“President Chamisa is not at all involved in any misunderstandings with Mwonzora, in fact they are working very well together to move the party forward after the stolen election,” said Sibanda.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent|A Masvingo taxi driver is battling for his life in hospital after a robber stabbed him several times, leaving his intestines dangling outside the stomach.

Tasara Mugwagwa (20) was attacked on the night of 25 August at the Renco Mine turn-off along the Masvingo-Chiredzi road. He also lost his car during the robbery.

Masvingo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakawashe Dhewa confirmed the incident adding that Mugwagwa’s attacker has since been arrested and was expected to appear in court soon.

“Tafadzwa Janyure has been arrested over the attempted murder and robbery charge which took place in Renco Mine and police also recovered Mugwagwa’s Toyota Fun Cargo vehicle in Bikita,” Asst Insp Dhewa said.

The police spokesperson said on the fateful day, Mugwagwa was driving to Renco Mine when Janyure (20) hired him intending to go to Pedzisai Village while claiming he was attending a funeral.

“Upon arrival, Janyure asked Mugwagwa to offload his luggage and as the driver was busy offloading the stuff, he was attacked with an okapi knife leaving him with protruding intestines.

“He had to seek assistance from a nearby homestead and was rushed to Renco Mine Clinic while Janyure fled away with the vehicle,” Dhewa said.

Investigations by the police led to the arrest of Janyure two days later while hiding in Bikita and the stolen vehicle was recovered.

Statement By The MDC Information Department:

1. The Zimbabwe constitution recognises the right to life, this includes the right to freedom from torture, intimidation and violence. The constitution is also very clear about the deployment of the military and the use of deadly force, under any circumstances. It also grants the right to freedom of association and expression and is the bases for the establishment and functions of both the military and the police.

2. Following the actions of the military on the 1st of August 2018 and the days that followed, which included leaving up to 11 people dead and a dozen others injured, a full, impartial and complete investigation of this case is a necessity. It must be remembered that hundreds were displaced, arrested and abused, due to the uncouth military action.

3. Whilst the appointment of this Commission is welcome in principle, this Commission does not meet basics of any of its kind. It is set up by and meant to benefit a political party and will report back to the person it has to investigate.

4. As it stands, the Commission requires changes both in its membership and its terms of reference. Its composition is clearly unbalanced and biased.

Charity Manyeruke is a well know Zanu PF cheerleader. The evidence is all over the public domain.

Lovemore Madhuku is an interested party as he was a presidential candidate and has already made comments detrimental to the MDC Alliance. He is not a neutral by-stander.

Vimbai Nyemba is a Mnangagwa favourite. She has already been appointed as Chairperson of the Procurement Regulatory Authority and is also a member of another Commission of Inquiry into the sale of State land. Is there shortage of suitable persons that one person has to hog multiple positions

5. That these three will ensure that the inquiry produces a predetermined script to smoke out targeted individuals is beyond doubt. The value of such an inquiry is doubtful given that we have had commission findings going back to the first years of independence that have never seen the light of day for 38 years. This is just a publicity stance and a public relations gimmick to bolster ED’s image, they know who ordered the army but choose a long-winded route to dupe the world.

6. The terms of reference are designed as a witch-hunt against perceived political threats and any credible opposition to ED’s illegitimacy. Everything points to a clear effort to pin blame on key figures in the opposition as a way to weaken opposition thereby threatening democracy in Zimbabwe.

7. In terms of the foreign members of the commission, we do not know the bases upon which they were selected and their relevant expertise and experiences. Because of this any comment would be immature. We are currently studying their individual profiles and will report back in due course.

8. We therefore demand that the appointing authority consider their own position as a potential subject of investigation as the deploying authority. This should be followed by the addition and refinement of the terms of reference to direct them more pointedly at the problem. The local members and/or the appointing authority should consider recusal from the Commission. Finally, we will make further recommendations, if need be on the individual foreign members.

MDC-T political bigwigs are on a renewed collision course over attempts to oust some senior party members critical of its president Nelson Chamisa’s leadership style after a heated National Council meeting on Wednesday failed to bring the matter to finality.

This has set the stage for a bruising turf war which is likely to culminate in a special congress to be held in February next year, it has been established. The tense meeting came up with a resolution to slap a 10-year suspension on every party member who stood as an independent candidate for legislative and municipal seats after losing primary elections for the July 30 polls.

The meeting, which took place at the Morgan Tsvangirai House party headquarters, formerly Harvest House in Harare, kicked off at 11:30am, with Chamisa threatening to expel party members opposed to his leadership. The meeting was held amid reports of widening fissures between Chamisa and MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora.

It is believed, Mwonzora, who trounced Chamisa in the race for the secretary-general position at the 2014 congress, harbours ambitions of wresting power from the 40-year-old leader who narrowly lost the recent presidential election to Zanu PF candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The factional fissures are also expected to dominate nationwide consultations to be held with party structures tomorrow.

Several senior MDC-T officials told the Zimbabwe Independent in off-the-record briefings that Chamisa read the riot act to those opposed to his leadership, warning them that they should leave the party on their own or risk humiliating expulsions.

Chamisa also sought permission from the council to engage Zanu PF for a possible truce following an emotional post-election period which saw violence erupting over a strongly disputed result.

Both Zanu PF and MDC-T blame each other for the violence, in which seven lives were lost when the military opened fire on protestors.

“The president (Chamisa) started by threatening that he will use his powers to suspend and cause people to be expelled from the party before inviting those opposed to his leadership to form their own parties and use their own names. After that, he immediately asked the council to be given the mandate to dialogue with Zanu PF to chart the way forward after the recent elections,” an MDC-T national council member said.

MDC-T deputy national treasurer Charlton Hwende, however, suggested that, instead, what the party needed was to hold a workshop to properly examine why it had lost the election.

But Chamisa, who has maintained he won the presidential election, which he says was rigged by Zanu PF, reportedly rebuked Hwende, saying he did not want any discussions that suggested the election was lost.

“There was a harsh rebuke from the president. The president didn’t want the narrative that we had lost the election,” the source said.

MDC-T vice-president Elias Mudzuri, who is also reported to be highly critical of Chamisa, immediately leapt to Hwende’s defence and asked Chamisa to let him finish his submission.

Chamisa then turned his guns towards him, revealed sources, who attended the meeting.

“He clearly vented his irritations. He shouted that people did not respect him as the leader of the party. He then reminded Mudzuri that he was the president of the party and the rightful chairman of the meeting. He rhetorically asked Mudzuri to go upfront and chair the meeting if he thought he was capable and when Mudzuri remained glued to his seat, he (Chamisa) reminded him that he chided him saying he needed to learn to raise his hand first if he wants to be given permission to the speak next time,” another source who attended the meeting said.

Things turned nasty when Mwonzora reportedly stood up and accused Chamisa of paying too much attention to gossip and misinformation from state security agents in a bid to expel him from the party ahead of the congress.

“Mwonzora was unusually forthright. He told the meeting that he had had enough. He accused Chamisa of sending people to harass him and he wasn’t going to take it anymore. At this point, Chamisa interjected saying Mwonzora was clearly working against him and he enjoyed support from Zanu PF since he was recently endorsed by (Zanu PF politburo member and war veterans leader Victor) Matemadanda at a press conference,” the source said.

At that point, sources said MDC-T secretary for home affairs Lillian Timveos moved a motion for the expulsion of Mwonzora and with the support of the party’s secretary for sport Clifford Hlatshwayo.

The motion was, however, immediately countered by committee members Ben Chiondegwa and James Makore, and was thus put before the council for debate, during which the majority of the people said the best way to solve the problems was to convene an elective congress.

“The matter was then put to vote and the overwhelming majority voted in favour of a congress. It was then decided that the congress must be held in six months, which means we shall have the congress in February next year,” a senior MDC official said.

When contacted for comment yesterday, Mwonzora said he was not at liberty to discuss internal party issues with the press.

“The national chairman (Morgen Komichi) has already given a statement on that and I don’t think there is anything else for me to add to that,” he said.

Chamisa’s spokesman Nkululeko Sibanda also refused to comment on the issues.

Independent

RAUNCHY dancer Beverly ‘Bev’ Sibanda has poured cold water on speculation that she is in a relationship with former President Robert Mugabe’s son, Robert Jnr in South Africa.

Pictures of the two together have gone viral on social media.

Bev said there is nothing to suggest anything between them, saying they are ‘just pictures’.

Speculation was rife that there could have been something inti_mate between her and Robert Jnr with one of the photos carrying a caption inscribed, “ndosaka amai vakanzi varikugwara, vangatadze kuita BP kana mwana achi sv*** Bev.”

Bev explained the pictures, “Those are just pictures, and everyone was having photos with him.”

She has been linked to several r0mantic relations but she says she is not in any relationship at the moment at home or in South Africa.

She is single.

“There is no one here or there, I don’t have a boyfriend,” she said.

Bev has been enjoying her stay in the neighbouring country, enjoying success on the dance floor. She is slowly establishing herself and getting shows week in week out.

— HMetro

By Paul Nyathi|Former Welshman Ncube led Secretary General Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga has evicted her former party from using her house in Hillside as its headquarters.

Sources within the party told ZimEye.com that the party ceases to use Mushonga’s house for its office on Friday.

Mushonga left the party early this year after the party refused to endorse her as one of its candidates in the July 30 elections.

The highly vocal politician later emerged in the Thokozani Khupe MDC-T where she was elected into parliament as the party women’s quota representative for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province.

According to the sources the house will immediately be turned into a Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T headquarters.

By Paul Nyathi|Newly elected Bulawayo Ward 24 Councillor Anorld Batirirai Dube left residents of Bulawayo and his fellow MDC Alliance members shell shocked when he attended the swearing in of the councillors drunk and bahaving disorderly.

Councillor Dube reported late for the ceremony and was visibly very drunk. He went on to refuse to be sworn in using English opting to recite the oath given to him in Shona.

ZimEye.com has not yet been able to get an official comment from the MDC Alliance leadership on the conduct of the councillor.

Statement of Solidarity with ZESN over Observation of Zimbabwe’s 2018
Harmonized Election

The Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM), a network of 251 citizen observer groups located in 89 countries, condemns attacks upon
its member organization the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) questioning ZESN’s independence and impartiality as well as the credibility of the sample based observation (SBO) methodology.

ZESN is an independent non-partisan network of citizen organizations that has been observing elections in Zimbabwe since 2000. It is a founding member of GNDEM and a signatory to “Declaration of Principles for Non-Partisan Election Observation and Monitoring by Citizen Organizations” as well as the “Code of Conduct for Non-Partisan Citizen Observers and Monitors.”

ZESN undertook a comprehensive effort to observe the 2018 harmonized elections and issued a number of statements on the conduct of the elections. These statements highlight both improvements and shortcomings in the electoral process. For example, ZESN long-term observers reported that all parties were able to campaign across the country, but also that intimidation of voters, particularly in rural areas, continued.
Similarly, computer analysis of the final voters roll showed both overall improvement over the 2013 preliminary voters roll and continued under registration in urban areas.

ZESN has come under particular criticism over the findings from its sample based
observation (SBO) – also known as a parallel vote tabulation (PVT) or quick count. SBO is a proven, advanced citizen observation methodology first developed by in 1986 in the Philippines by the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL).

The methodology has since been used by citizen observer groups around the world and across Africa – including Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, and Zambia.
The methodology provides the most precise and timely information on the conduct of voting and counting and independently verifies the accuracy of the official results. The SBO methodology involves deploying trained,
accredited observers to a representative random sample of polling stations determined by widely accepted statistical principles to ensure the findings are valid for all polling
stations (within a margin of error).
For the 2018 harmonized election, SBO observers were deployed to a representative random sample of 750 polling stations located in every corner of the country.

With regards to voting and counting, accounts from SBO observers showed overall the process went well, but observer reports also revealed shortcomings related to: potential
voters being turned away and not permitted to vote particularly in the capital; widespread assisted voting in a country with high levels of education; and the failure of election officials to immediately post presidential results at all polling stations.

The SBO also produced estimates for the national results for the presidential election based on official polling station results from the 750 sampled polling stations. As noted,
SBO observers witnessed the entire voting and counting processes and then reported the official results as announced by the polling officials. By 12 noon on Tuesday 31 July ZESN had received and verified complete observer reports from all 750 sampled polling
stations – including polling stations results. The results that have so far been announced by ZEC fall within the SBO estimated ranges. However, it is important to point out that these estimates could not definitively determine whether or not there
should be a runoff for the presidential election.

While the environment in Zimbabwe is highly polarized and the results of the
presidential election are contested, GNDEM stands in solidarity with ZESN and the SBO methodology. ZESN has provided independent and impartial information throughout the electoral process that has highlighted both strengths and weaknesses. Further, the SBO is a proven methodology widely employed around the world and across Africa. While the results announced by ZEC for the Zimbabwe 2018 presidential election fall within the SBO range, they also do not rule out the possibility of a runoff election.

GNDEM reminds all stakeholders that the role of citizen observers, like ZESN, is to provide independent impartial information on the conduct of elections based on reports from trained, accredited observers (regardless of the findings), but it is citizens, themselves, who will determine if an election meets their expectations and will ultimately decide if an election is credible.

MDC Alliance principals have welcomed the idea of transforming the loose electoral coalition into a political party going forward in order to build a formidable opposition against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF.

Zimbabwe has had more than 100 political parties, but the majority have remained insignificant and without basic support to pose a threat to the ruling party, save for the mainstream MDC-T then led by the late former premier, Morgan Tsvangirai.

This came after Nelson Chamisa’s MDC-T met in Harare on Wednesday and upheld the decision to morph into a party.

In separate interviews yesterday, leaders of the seven parties in the MDC Alliance indicated that they were willing to unite and have a single party.

MDC leader Welshman Ncube, who is also alliance spokesperson, said the issue was not about former MDC-T members re-joining the Chamisa-led party, but the integration of the whole alliance in the party.

“It is unfortunate that whoever prepared the statement after the MDC national council meeting misrepresented the whole issue.

It is not about former MDC members, it is about all alliance partners,” Ncube said.

“The correct sequence of events was that all the MDC Alliance principals met before the MDC council meeting and unanimously agreed to integrate.

All the seven political parties committed themselves to integrate.

“The MDC council meeting was simply considering the position of the principals of the MDC Alliance.”

The MDC Alliance, which comprises MDC-T, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF), Multiracial Christian Democrats (MCD), MDC, Zanu Ndonga and Transform Zimbabwe (TZ), was launched August 5, 2017 for purposes of the just-ended harmonised election.

Tendai Biti’s PDP said it was ready to the part of the arrangement.

“We are in total agreement in word and deed,” spokesperson Jacob Mafume said.

“We are one unit with one leader since the election.

We have won a huge victory for the people, which we need to reclaim together.

We cannot pretend to be separate when we are one.”

TZ leader Jacob Ngarivhume said his executive would meet next week to deliberate on the issue.

“Our executive will decide.

We are meeting as an executive to map the way forward,” he said.

ZimPF leader Agrippa Mutambara said there were many advantages to unity and said even though he was in total agreement with it, he would refer the issue to his executive to decide.

“We worked together during the election period as an alliance and we stood together even though we lost the Constitutional Court challenge.

I think the alliance was something very good and it is my belief that we must solidify ourselves and explore and develop it further,” Mutambara said.

“We haven’t agreed as yet, but we are considering it and there are many advantages to that, but we still have to take it to the party.”

Zanu Ndonga leader Aaron Sakuinje said the alliance was formed to stay forever and he believed that making it a one grand party would best serve the purpose, while MCD special presidential adviser Sabastian Mubvumbi said they were in agreement and would like a technical team to be set up to guide the whole process up to congress.

NewsDay

SENIOR Prisons and Correctional Services officers have been forced to go on early retirement as government restructures the country’s security services.

The changes have claimed the scalps of Prisons deputy commissioner general Agrey Huggins Machingauta who was forced into retirement, ZPCS spokesperson Elizabeth Karinda-Banda and Harare Remand Prisons officer-in-charge.

Efforts to get comment from Justice secretary Virginia Mabhiza were in vain.

Early last month, President Emerson Mnangagwa’s administration sacked senior intelligence officers linked to the old dispensation of former President Robert Mugabe as the new administration seeks to align the organisation into the current thinking.

No official reason was given for the firing of the top Central Intelligence Organisation directors, but close sources told the Business Times that the affected were close allies of Mugabe and former CIO Director General Happyton Bonyongwe.

Among the fired are director Counter Intelligence, Musafare Nyamudahondo, Director Technical Affairs Charles Hwekwete and Director Economics Jimias Madzingira.

Before that government also retired Zimbabwe Republic Police senior officers and made several appointments redundant.

BusinessTimes

Former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s son, Russell Goreraza, has been ordered to vacate his rented premises in Newlands, Harare over rental arrears amounting to $65 801.

High Court judge Justice David Mangota on Wednesday gave the order cancelling Goreraza’s lease agreement and his eviction from Number 4A Clarence Drive, Nikolas Point, Flat 3 Newlands.

The property is owned by the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council’s Pension Fund (ZNFPCP), while Goreraza is Grace’s son from a previous marriage.

The ZNFPCP lawyers Dube Manikai and Hwacha served the summons to Goreraza on June 8 this year and the latter did not file opposing papers.

In its declaration, the property owner said Goreraza had accumulated rental arrears from March 2015 to May 2018, culminating in the court case.

“In terms of clause 2.1 of the lease agreement, defendant (Goreraza) undertook to pay rentals on a quarterly basis at the rate of $6 600 per quarter. In addition to the rentals, the defendant also had an obligation to pay levies of $180 on a monthly basis,” the fund said.

“In breach of the terms of the agreement, the defendant failed to pay rentals from March 2015 to May 2018 in the sum of $65 801.

The defendant has remained in occupation of the property and may so remain until the determination of this claim by this court; consequently, arrear rental will further accumulate.”

ZNFPCP also said despite several demands seeking payment from Goreraza, the latter “failed, refused and/or neglected to pay the arrear rentals”, prompting the former to approach the court seeking his eviction from the property, which order was granted by the court.

“Wherefore plaintiff (ZNFPCP) prays for an order for, an order for cancellation of the lease agreement entered into between the plaintiff and the defendant for the property known as number 4A Clarence Drive, Nikolas Point, Flat 3 Newlands, Harare,” the fund said.

“The eviction of the defendant and all those claiming occupation through him from Number 4A Clarence Drive, Nikolas Point, Flat 3 Newlands, Harare and payment of the sum of $65 801 together with interest thereon calculated at the rate of 5% per annum reckoned from the date of issue of summons to the date of payment in full.”

Goreraza was also ordered to pay costs of suit.

NewsDay

By Paul Nyathi|Exiled former ZANU PF heavyweight Jonathan Moyo has ripped apart President Emmerson’s seven man commission to investigate the post election violence that took place in Harare on the 1st of August.

According to Moyo, Mnangagwa set up the commission first in order to eliminate his now biggest rival Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

“It’s very clear that one of Mnangagwa’s major reasons for rushing to appoint this Commission, without a Cabinet in place, is to fix Chiwenga, with the help of Catriona Laing,to weaken his hand in cabinet selection & to later oust him. Chiwenga is certainly on the ropes,” said Moyo.

“So the first fundamental wrong is that by acting like a King, Mnangagwa has violated s110(3) of the Constitution. He can’t appoint a Commission of this nature without the advice of Cabinet & without a responsible minister to oversee the Commission & facilitate its work!

It is fundamentally wrong for Mnangagwa to appoint such a Commission before appointing a Cabinet whose advice was necessary in terms of the Constitution. Mnangagwa, who stole the election, thinks he can do decrees like a King; just like that.”

Some of the extracts from the tweet read as follows:

“The first term of reference says “to inquire into the circumstances leading to the 1st of August, 2018 post-election violence”. How about the Harare Massacre & the subsequent 10 day siege of townships where residents were brutally tortured & some abducted by the Army? Smh!

The third thing that is fundamentally wrong with the Commission is that its terms of reference, whose authorship is unknown, are accusatory when they should be open ended for fact-finding purposes. This renders the terms of reference to be self-discrediting & thus political!

The second fundamentally wrong thing are the Commission’s terms of reference. Whose are they? Who drafted them? Mnangagwa?

When Theresa May praised Mnangagwa on the Commission in SA yesterday, did she know something that Zimbabweans did not know?

So Mnangagwa’s Commission is unconstitutional. It’s composition is a scratch-my-back I scratch-your-back affair. And its terms of reference are political & corrupt. In effect, the Commission is not designed to achieve justice; which is the cry of the victims & the people!

The fourth fundamentally wrong thing with the Commission is that its terms of reference do not address the loss of life in the Harare Massacre. Term of reference (f) refers to “extent of damage/injury”. This is outrageous. It’s criminal. Jesus Christ. Mnangagwa is mad!

It’s notable that while Mnangagwa’s chief election agent, Ziyambi Ziyambi, barred Adv Dali Mpofu and his colleagues from representing Nelson Chamisa in the ConCourt on xenophobic grounds that they are aliens, Mnangagwa has appointed a Commission whose majority are foreigners.

Skulls and other remains of massacred tribespeople used in colonial-era experiments to push claims of European racial superiority were handed over by Germany to Namibia at a church ceremony in Berlin on Wednesday.

In what historians call the first genocide of the 20th century, soldiers of German Kaiser Wilhelm slaughtered some 65 000 Herero and 10 000 Nama tribespeople in a 1904-1908 campaign in retaliation for a revolt against land seizures by German colonists.

Herero chief Vekuii Rukoro said the handover ceremony on Wednesday should have taken place not in a Berlin church, but a German government building.

He also accused Germany of taking too long to formally apologise for what is often called the first genocide of the 20th century.

“By trying not to acknowledge the past, the German government will continue to make serious mistakes as regards present and future policies,” Rukoro told the church audience, which included government officials from both countries.

“We are after all the direct descendants of these remains and we should not be ignored.”

A Namibian delegation formally received the remains, including 19 skulls, a scalp and bones, during the church ceremony.

Michelle Muentefering, a minister of state for international cultural policies in the German foreign ministry, asked “for forgiveness from the bottom of my heart” as she handed over the remains to Namibia’s culture minister.

Several Herero women in traditional, cow-horn shaped headdress wiped away tears during the at times emotional proceedings.

“May the remains of our ancestors finally go home to Namibia in peace. May they return to the dust from which they came. May justice be done and faith in humanity be restored,” said Johannes Isaack, Nama chief.

Outside the venue, some two dozen protesters held up signs that read: “Repatriation without an official apology?” and “Reparations Now!”.

The German government announced in 2016 that it planned to issue an official apology for the atrocities committed by German imperial troops. But it remains locked in talks with the Namibian government on a joint declaration on the massacres.

It has also refused to pay direct reparations, arguing instead that German development aid worth hundreds of millions of euros since Namibia’s independence from South Africa in 1990 was “for the benefit of all Namibians”.

Angered by Berlin’s stance, representatives of the Herero and Nama tribes have filed a class-action lawsuit in a US court demanding reparations.

They also want a seat at the table in the discussions between the German and Namibian governments.

“They are still negotiating on an appropriate text … for an apology. That’s a big joke,” Rukoro said during the service, wearing a red, military-style dress uniform.

He accused both countries of trying to sideline him and others in the handover proceedings, saying he had been told in advance “not to embarrass the two governments”.

Rukoro also blasted the decision to hold the ceremony at the French Church in Berlin.

— Al Jazeera.

MDC Alliance losing candidate for Kwekwe Central National Assembly seat, Blessing Chebundo, has approached the Electoral Court challenging MP-elect Masango “Blackman” Matambanadzo’s victory.

Chebundo,is the only person to have taken on Emmerson Mnangagwa and defeated him in the 2008 general elections for the same seat.

He is accusing Matambanadzo of the National Patriotic Front (NPF) of vote-buying and abusing the logo of the MDC Alliance to win the July 30 polls.

Matambanadzo, nicknamed Blackman, won the plebiscite after garnering 7 578 votes while Chebundo got 7 127 votes.

Chebundo, through his lawyers Chitere, Chidawanyika and Partners, filed an election petition at the Bulawayo High Court citing Matambanadzo as the respondent. He alleged that the polls were tainted with a lot of irregularities and electoral malpractices.

Chebundo is seeking a court order nullifying the results of the July 30 harmonised elections for Kwekwe Central constituency and declaring the National Assembly seat vacant to pave way for a by-election within 90 days.

In his founding affidavit, Chebundo said the grounds upon which the petition is based include alleged vote buying and exploitation of State resources by the respondent to further his campaign programmes.

Chebundo accused Matambanadzo of using an ambulance bought through the Constituency Development Fund during his tenure as Zanu-PF MP, to secure votes.

“The respondent engaged in massive vote buying in the Kwekwe Central constituency and this unduly influenced voters and had the effect of swaying the votes in his favour. He enticed the electorate by giving them money and handing out food hampers, which included rice and cooking oil, to ensure that they voted for him. This was rampant in Wards Six, Seven, Eight and Nine of Kwekwe Central constituency,” he said.

Chebundo said Matambanadzo fraudulently misrepresented himself to the electorate by constantly purporting to be working with MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa.

“He distributed Nelson Chamisa’s cards and insinuated that NPF was one of the seven political parties that formed the MDC Alliance. He misled the electorate by alleging that he was the MDC Alliance candidate for the National Assembly seat in Kwekwe Central whereas I was the party’s senatorial candidate,” he said.

Chebundo said his closest rival was unfairly declared a winner notwithstanding the electoral malpractices he allegedly engaged in during the period leading to the elections.

“The degree of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and the Electoral Code of Conduct did affect the outcome of the elections and for this reason the results must be set aside,” he said.

Chebundo said his rival violated the provisions of the Electoral Act by engaging in corrupt practices which included undue influence, bribery and impersonation.

“The irregularities and malpractices attributed to the respondent are extremely grave to be ignored by this honourable court as they seriously impacted on the outcome of the elections. The invariable consequence or inference is that the people of Kwekwe Central constituency never exercised their democratic and constitutionally protected rights to freely choose their representative in Parliament,” he said.

Chebundo argued that the failure by the respondent to observe the provisions of the law governing elections led to further violations of the general principles of democratic elections as enshrined in the constitution.

Another MDC Alliance candidate for Bulawayo South Muvirimi Francis Mangwendeza is also challenging the results of the recently-held elections in which he lost to Zanu-PF’s Rajesh Kumara Indukant Modi.

In his petition filed at the Bulawayo High Court, Mangwendeza, citing Modi and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) as respondents, alleges that the polls were tainted with a lot of irregularities.

He is also seeking a court order nullifying the results of the July 30 harmonised elections for Bulawayo South seat and declaring the seat vacant. The hearing dates for the two petitions have not yet been set.

State Media

Thirteen people died on the spot and 23 others were injured yesterday when a Chawasarira bus collided head-on with a commuter omnibus near the 152km peg just after Kadoma tollgate along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway.

The accident occurred near Muzvezve River Bridge, about 10km outside Kadoma City at around 9am when the kombi, which was coming from Empress Mine, encroached into the lane of the oncoming Chawasarira bus.

The bus had 31 passengers and dragged the kombi for about 75 metres, killing all its occupants. Some of the passengers who were in the kombi require DNA testing for them to be positively identified.

One of the passengers died on impact after being thrown out of the kombi.
The Civil Protection Unit has been activated and will provide funeral and logistical assistance to the affected families. A raft of measures to curb road accidents will soon be tabled once the new Cabinet is announced.

Officer commanding Kadoma district Chief Superintendent Garikai Gwangwava said preliminary investigations into the accident pointed to a combination of a mechanical fault and human error.

“A Chawasarira bus that was coming from Harare headed for Bulawayo was involved in a head-on collision with a commuter omnibus that was coming from Empress Mine, killing 13 people. The driver of the Chawasarira bus lost a limb,” said Chief Supt Gwangwava.

“The driver of the commuter omnibus allegedly made a sudden u-turn in front of the oncoming bus resulting in a head-on collision. The commuter omnibus was dragged underneath the bus for about 75 metres, trapping everyone onboard.”

Kadoma General Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Frankson Masiye said they had attended to 23 people and 22 were discharged.

The Chawasarira bus driver sustained serious injuries and was transferred to Harare Central Hospital.
“We attended to 23 patients but they have all been discharged except for the bus driver who has been transferred to Harare hospital,” he said.

The owner of the commuter omnibus, Mr Datsun Mapfumo, said the vehicle plies local routes and was coming from Donain, Venice, heading to Kadoma.

Moses Sibanda, who was near the accident scene, said they heard a loud bang and rushed to investigate only to find people trapped in the commuter omnibus under the Chawasarira bus.

“The driver of the bus suffered a broken leg. We realised that all the passengers in the bus had survived with minor injuries and well-wishers helped ferry the injured to Kadoma General Hospital,” he said.- state media

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent| Zimbabwe Republic Police officers have been caught with egg on face after denying MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa public meeting clearance.

The local ZRP in Kwekwe claimed that all public meetings have been banned due to a typhoid outbreak. But the same police has cleared a host of several public gatherings which include Emmerson Mnangagwa meetings and also soccer matches where furthermore violence and commotion are a norm. (SEE BELOW) – CONTINUE READING…

At a time when ZANU PF meetings are allowed, police in Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Kwekwe area have blocked an MDC Alliance meeting slated for Saturday under a claim that all public gatherings are banned due to concerns over a typhoid outbreak. Below is one such refusal document issued this week:

Statement on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
– via Heal Zimbabwe Trust

Heal Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

This special day is commemorated annually on the 30th of August. The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances was passed under resolution 65/209 on 21 December 2010 which expressed great concern on the rising cases of involuntary disappearances.

This culminated into the adoption of the International Convention for the protection of all Persons of Enforced Disappearances where 30 August was declared as the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The Convention recognizes the right of victims and their families to know the truth regarding the circumstances and fate of the disappeared person.

The commemoration of this important day serves to remind states on the need to enact specific laws that protect citizens against the crime of enforced disappearance. This can only be achieved through investigating reports of enforced disappearance and bringing those responsible to justice. Other obligations are rather of a preventive nature, such as the obligation to detain persons only in officially approved and monitored institutions in which all prisoners are registered and the absolute right to legal services through which a prisoner can be released from unlawful detention.

Article 1 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance highlight that “no one shall be subjected to enforced disappearance”. Enforced Disappearances remain a crime that is not only degrading but generate insecurity among affected persons. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) (also known as the Banjul Charter), a regional human rights instrument is also an instrument intended to promote and protect human rights and basic freedoms on the African continent. Article 4 of the ACHPR highlight that “human rights are inviolable” hence every human being shall be entitled to respect for life and integrity. Further to this, Article 23 of the charter also highlight that “all people shall have the right to national and international peace and security”.

What is rather disturbing is that besides all these international and regional legal instruments that prohibit enforced disappearances, Zimbabwe as a nation with a long history of enforced disappearances has not ratified key conventions that speak to issues relating to state obligations in as far as prevention of enforced disappearance of citizens is concerned. Conventions that Zimbabwe is yet to ratify include the United Nations Convention against Torture or Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CAT), the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons against Enforced Disappearances as well as the Rome Stature among others.

To date, Pro Democracy activist, Itai Dzamara who was abducted on 9 March 2015, remains unaccounted for. The occasion of this year’s commemoration of this important day in Zimbabwe offers an opportunity for the Government to expedite the search for Missing persons particularly Itai Dzamara whose search was ordered by the High Court. Abductions remain a gross human rights violation that must be condemned as it is not only degrading but barbaric and a bad practice. Enforced disappearances remain a serious violation of human rights and a crime. Section 53 of the Constitution provides for Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Such fundamental human rights and freedoms are to be enjoyed by every citizen without selective application.

Source: Heal Zimbabwe

LONG-SERVING ZBC senior reporter, Judith Makwanya, dragged an alleged errant driver to court after a collision in the Central Business District.

Theophilus Damba pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Harare magistrate Nyasha Vhitorini faced negligent driving.

Prosecuting, Isheanesu Mhiti alleged that on July 23 at the intersection of Herbert Chitepo Avenue and Simon Vengai Muzenda Street, Damba drove his car negligently.

He failed to give way to traffic coming from the right and collided with a Ford Ranger that was being driven by Makwanya.

Damba failed to keep a proper lookout of the road ahead and he also failed to stop or act reasonably when a collision seemed imminent.

Damba denied the charges blaming Makwanya entirely for the accident basing his argument on the fact that Makwanya wears spectacles so she could not see properly causing her to bump into his car.

The matter was remanded to September 14.

H-Metro

By A Correspondent| At a time when ZANU PF meetings are allowed, police in Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Kwekwe area have blocked an MDC Alliacce meeting slated for Saturday under a claim that all public gatherings are banned due to concerns over a typhoid outbreak. Below is one such refusal document issued this week:

Outgoing Finance and Economic Development deputy minister, Terrence Mukupe, has petitioned the court seeking to overturn default judgments granted in favour of a local international school and a Chinese-owned construction company compelling him to pay a combined debtof $58 000.

In July this year, Mukupe was slapped with a $30 000 default judgement after the international school petitioned the High Court seeking an order to compel him to settle outstanding tuition fees for his three children.

During the same month, Mukupe was again slapped with yet another default judgment for $28 000 in a matter involving a Chinese company, China Industrial International Group (Pvt) Ltd which had built his property in Harare.

But, in his court applications filed on August 28, 2018, through his lawyers IEG Musimbe and Partners, Mukupe said he was asking the court to rescind the judgments because he settled the debts after being advised by his lawyers well before the default judgments were entered.

“It is my (Mukupe) averment that although summons were served upon me. I did not file an appearance to defend because I had already paid the amount claimed by the respondent (school) in June 2018 directly into respondent’s bank account when I saw a newspaper article about the respondent’s claim,” he said.

“It is my averment that I paid the respondent $30 000 in June 2018…therefore I had extinguished the amount being claimed by the respondent and there was therefore no reason to proceed with claim under case number HC5641/18.
“It is my averment that I have a good case and prospects of success if my side of the story is told, heard and listened to. In the circumstances fairness requires the rescission of the default judgment of July 25, 2018.”

In response to the Chinese-owned construction firm’s debt, Mukupe said he had equally settled the debt and there was no need for the firm to secure a default judgment.

“This is an application for rescission of a default judgment that was granted against the applicant (Mukupe) on July 4, 2018. I only became aware of the judgment on the day it was granted when my legal practitioners attended court to try and avoid default judgment being granted and postponing the matter after seeing a newspaper article as regards the matter,” he said.

The ex-deputy minister said he failed to enter appearance to defend since the said summons was not served on him because of bureaucracy of being moved from one office to another…”

“I submit that I was unable to make payment due to some financial constraints earlier on in the year, however, when I was advised by my legal practitioners of the balance being claimed I made a transfer of $14 000 through my legal practitioners of record to the respondent’s legal practitioners. Therefore, I submit that I have always been willing to pay as evidenced by the fact that I had already paid part of the balance and I intend to clear the balance as soon as possible,” he said.

The matters are still pending.

NewsDay