A 39-year-old Bulawayo woman was jailed for 25 years on Friday over the murder of Thulisile Dube, who vanished after a night out with friends before being found dead in an abandoned car in August last year.

Musawenkosi Hara denied murder but was convicted after a full trial at the Bulawayo High Court.

Hara wore a blank stare and appeared not bothered as Justice Christopher Dube-Banda handed down the 25-year jail sentence.

Dube’s family welcomed the sentence.

Farai Michael Mutasa, who allegedly strangled Dube, 36, in the backseat of a car, committed suicide days after the brutal murder.

The court heard that Hara and Mutasa believed that Dube, who lived in South Africa and was visiting family in Bulawayo, had up to R2 million from an undisclosed deal she concluded in the neighbouring country. Dube had allegedly intimated to Hara about her financial windfall, and Hara in turn informed her boyfriend Mutasa.

The duo joined Dube and three other friends on a drinking bender at several nightclubs on August 20, ending at Stunts in the city centre at around 4AM the next day.

Dube took the wheel as they dropped off their friends in Nkulumane, Luveve and Cowdray Park before remaining in the car with Hara and Mutasa.

In her defence, Hara sought to blame the murder on Mutasa, insisting she took no part. In testimony which the judge said was “not consistent and contained poor evidence,” Hara claimed that sometime after leaving the last of their friends, Dube stopped the car to relieve herself and Mutasa followed her out of the car.

Hara said Mutasa picked up a stone and hit Dube on the head but she did not die. She said the scuffle was quickly resolved and they continued driving towards the Cowdray Park railway line where Mutasa, who was now driving, parked the vehicle and jumped onto the back seat where he strangled Dube.

Tinashe Sambiri

Masvingo City Mayor, His Worship Councillor Aleck Tabe, has unveiled a Facebook page and an account on X for convenience.

In a statement on Friday, Mayor Tabe spoke about the importance of interactive communication.

“We are living in a digital world and the internet has become an effective tool for interaction.

We need to interact with residents and stakeholders consistently, smoothly and effectively,” said Mayor Tabe.

In a statement on X the Office of the Mayor Masvingo said :

We invite all residents of @MasvingoCity to like this official handle from the office of the Mayor.

We shall be interacting and posting real time updates from the office, issues which requires clarification among other things @MasvingoMedia @TellZimbabwe @TheMirrorMsv

Tinashe Sambiri

Masvingo City Mayor, His Worship Councillor Aleck Tabe, has unveiled a Facebook page and an account on X for convenience.

In a statement on Friday, Mayor Tabe spoke about the importance of interactive communication.

“We are living in a digital world and the internet has become an effective tool for interaction.

We need to interact with residents and stakeholders consistently, smoothly and effectively,” said Mayor Tabe.

In a statement on X the Office of the Mayor Masvingo said :

We invite all residents of @MasvingoCity to like this official handle from the office of the Mayor.

We shall be interacting and posting real time updates from the office, issues which requires clarification among other things @MasvingoMedia @TellZimbabwe @TheMirrorMsv

By-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has endorsed the rebel CCC member calling himself the party’s interim secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu, by proclaiming another by-election date for CCC MPs Tshabangu recalled illegally.

Mnangagwa declared Saturday, 03 February 2024 as the date for by-elections for six National Assembly constituencies that fell vacant following the illegal recall of incumbent MPs on 10 November this year.

The lawmakers, who were all elected on 23 August 2023 on a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) ticket, were recalled by the party’s self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu who claimed they had ceased to be members of the opposition party.

The recalled MPs are Siziba Gift Ostallos, Chatiza Stephen, Madzimbamuto Tapfumanei Willard, Chivero Admore, Mutasa Oliver and Chibaya Amos who represented Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North, respectively.

Statutory Instrument 235 of 2023, Proclamation 10 of 2023, read:

HIS EXCELLENCY, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of Zimbabwe, DR. EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA.

WHEREAS, in terms of section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the seats of members of Parliament for Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North have become vacant by reason of ceasing to be members of CCC of Siziba Gift Ostallos, Chatiza Stephen, Madzimbamuto Tapfumanei Willard, Chivero Admore, Mutasa Oliver and Chibaya Amos on 10 November, 2023, who were the elected members of Parliament for the respective constituencies;

AND WHEREAS it is provided by section 39(2) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], that after the President has been notified in terms of the said section of vacancies in the membership of Parliament, he shall issue a proclamation ordering a new election to fill the vacancies in the same manner, mutatis mutandis, as is provided in section 38 of the said Act in regard to a general election;

AND WHEREAS, the Speaker of Parliament has notified me on 15 November, 2023, in writing, of vacancies for the afore-mentioned constituencies:

NOW, THEREFORE, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as afore-said, I do, by this proclamation-

(a) order new elections for the constituencies of Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North; and

(b) fix Monday the 18th day of December 2023, as the date on which the nomination court shall sit, commencing at 10 o’clock in the morning, at-

(i) the Magistrate Court, Tredgold Building, Leopold Takawira Avenue, Bulawayo, for the purpose of receiving nomination of candidates for election as a member of National Assembly Constituency of Pelandaba;

(ii) the Magistrates Court, Ruzawi Road, Marondera, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Goromonzi South and Seke;

(iii) the Magistrates Court, Gerrard Drive, Chinhoyi, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Chegutu West and Zvimba East;

and

(iv) the Magistrates Court, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Street, Gweru, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of the National Assembly Constituency of Mkoba North;

and

(c) fix Saturday 03 February, 2024, as the day on which a poll shall be taken if a poll becomes necessary in terms of section 46(17)(c) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13].

Given under my hand and the Public Seal of Zimbabwe at Harare, this 23rd day of November in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-three.

Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Grade Seven results released yesterday have a 45,5 pass rate, significantly up from 40,7 last year, with girls on average doing better than boys with a 49,56 percent pass rate compared to 41,21.

Zimsec attributed the increased pass rate to the resumption of normal classes learning after the Covid-19 era, along with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s continuing improvements, ensuring more pupils received better teaching.

The Grade 7 online results were expected to be open on the Zimsec portal as of yesterday, starting at 3pm with heads of schools able to collect the printed results from their Zimsec regional offices on Monday.

Announcing the results and the 5,48 percent improvement in the pass rate, Zimsec board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje said: “The increase in pass rate could be attributed to the return to the normal school calendar after the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and also the interventions by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in terms of teaching and learning,” he said.

Girls not only on average did better than boys, but more of them sat the examination to start with. Prof Mwenje said of the 372 603 candidates who sat for the 2023 Grade 7 examination, 193 520 were girls while 179 083 were boys.

A total of 357 special needs candidates sat for five or six subjects. “Of these 194 wrote six subjects and 113 with hard of hearing sat for five subjects yielding an overall average pass rate of 42,99 percent for all learners with special needs compared to 29,8 percent in 2022,” he said, a huge jump in teaching quality for these children with special needs whose pass rates are now exceptional close to those of the overall average.

Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Mr Moses Mhike who was present during the announcement of the results thanked district inspectors, teachers and parents for a pivotal role they played in improving this year’s pass rate.

Mr Mhike took the opportunity to stress that the Grade seven results were the only tests for high school entrance and private tests were illegal. “The correct position for the entrance test is that they are not legal, they are actually illegal,” he said. The ministry would also review next year’s fees proposals by schools in relation to affordability of parents.

“Every increase of fees must be approved by the ministry; the approving committee goes through every request put by all schools. We look at affordability from parents mainly focusing on civil servants pay checks and we act without compromising the education system in terms of its quality,” he said.

The online platform e-map, said Mr Mhike, is now fully functional with the grade seven results on e-map from Monday so secondary heads could start doing their selection of candidates.

He also said there was much work to be done in order to increase the pass rate in future.

“As ministry, we have a lot of work in terms of our infrastructural development, although other stakeholders like UNICEF are helping,” he said

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has dismissed claims that a payment of US$22 million will be made to businessman Wicknell Chivayo following his victory at the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court on Thursday threw out an appeal by the ZPC against a High Court decision which had found that the Contract for the development of the 100MW Gwanda Solar Project was still valid.

The power utility’s appeal was dismissed after a hearing before Justices Chiweshe, Makoni and Musakwa.

The developments saw speculation that effectively, ZPC will be obliged to pay Chivayo the US$22 million damages.

But in a statement, ZPC dismissed the claims instead arguing that the court order upholds the contract’s validity.

“The Supreme Court judgement has the effect of upholding the High Court judgement granted by Honourable Justice Msithu in January 2023, in which the Gwanda EPC Contract was found to be still valid and binding on both ZPC and Intratrek Zimbabwe (Private) Limited – (“Intratrek”).

“For the avoidance of doubt, the High Court judgment did not award Intratrek damages of US$22 Million as alleged by some online publications or any other sum in damages for that matter,” ZPC said.

To the contrary, said ZPC, the High Court only granted an order for specific performance, which in simple terms requires parties to perform their respective obligations under the EPC Contract.

“Considering that the Supreme Court is the final Court of Appeal in this instance, the legal implication of today’s judgment is that ZPC and Intratrek will revert to the position that they were before the 23rd April 2018 when the EPC Contract was cancelled,” said ZPC.

The power company said it is equally important to highlight that the judgment does not create any further liability on ZPC outside that which is contained in the EPC Contract signed with Intratrek on 23 October 2015.

Consequently, Intratrek is still required to satisfy all conditions precedent to the commencement of the project, which it had failed to achieve as of 23 April 2018.

“In abiding by the Supreme Court judgement, Intratrek is now required under the reinstated EPC Contract to facilitate the financing of the US$172 million contract within the contractual timeframe as the requirement of financial closure is key for the project to commence.

“Should such financing be raised, the borrowing instruments must be approved by the Government before implementation of the Project,” added ZPC.

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared Saturday, 03 February 2024 as the date for by-elections for six National Assembly constituencies that fell vacant following the recall of incumbent MPs on 10 November this year.

The lawmakers, who were all elected on 23 August 2023 on a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) ticket, were recalled by the party’s self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu who claimed they had ceased to be members of the opposition party.

The recalled MPs are Siziba Gift Ostallos, Chatiza Stephen, Madzimbamuto Tapfumanei Willard, Chivero Admore, Mutasa Oliver and Chibaya Amos who represented Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North, respectively.

Statutory Instrument 235 of 2023, Proclamation 10 of 2023, read:

HIS EXCELLENCY, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of Zimbabwe, DR. EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA.

WHEREAS, in terms of section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the seats of members of Parliament for Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North have become vacant by reason of ceasing to be members of CCC of Siziba Gift Ostallos, Chatiza Stephen, Madzimbamuto Tapfumanei Willard, Chivero Admore, Mutasa Oliver and Chibaya Amos on the 10th of November, 2023, who were the elected members of Parliament for the respective constituencies;

AND WHEREAS it is provided by section 39(2) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], that after the President has been notified in terms of the said section of vacancies in the membership of Parliament, he shall issue a proclamation ordering a new election to fill the vacancies in the same manner, mutatis mutandis, as is provided in section 38 of the said Act in regard to a general election;

AND WHEREAS, the Speaker of Parliament has notified me on the 15th of November, 2023, in writing, of vacancies for the afore-mentioned constituencies:

NOW, THEREFORE, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as afore-said, I do, by this proclamation-

(a) order new elections for the constituencies of Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North; and

(b) fix Monday the 18th day of December 2023, as the date on which the nomination court shall sit, commencing at 10 o’clock in the morning, at-

(i) the Magistrate Court, Tredgold Building, Leopold Takawira Avenue, Bulawayo, for the purpose of receiving nomination of candidates for election as a member of National Assembly Constituency of Pelandaba;

(ii) the Magistrates Court, Ruzawi Road, Marondera, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Goromonzi South and Seke;

(iii) the Magistrates Court, Gerrard Drive, Chinhoyi, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Chegutu West and Zvimba East;

and

(iv) the Magistrates Court, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Street, Gweru, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of the National Assembly Constituency of Mkoba North;

and

(c) fix Saturday the 3rd of February, 2024, as the day on which a poll shall be taken if a poll becomes necessary in terms of section 46(17)(c) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13].

Given under my hand and the Public Seal of Zimbabwe at Harare, this 23rd day of November in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-three.

By A Correspondent- Three people were killed while four were injured when a Madza 5 vehicle veered off the road.

In a statement police said the incident occured around 12:30pm on 27 November 2023 at the 105km peg along the Bulawayo-Maphisa Road .

The vehicle veered off the road before hitting a tree and landing on it’s roof.

The bodies of the deceased were taken for post mortem to Maphisa District Hospital while the injured were admitted to the same hospital.

“The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 105 kilometre peg along Bulawayo-Maphisa Road on 27/11/23 at around 1230 hours in which three people were killed whilst four others were injured when a Mazda 5 vehicle veered off the road before hitting a tree and landing on its roof. Bodies of the victims were taken to Maphisa District Hospital for post mortem whilst the injured are admitted at the same hospital,” reads the statement.

Speaking during World Aids Day commemorations at Chinotimba Stadium in Victoria Falls yesterday, United Nations resident and humanitarian co-ordinator Edward Kallon said the impact on women is particularly significant, as women make up 61% of the 1,2 million adults living with HIV.

More than 20 000 people in Zimbabwe died of Aids-related diseases last year alone with more than 50% being women.

Speaking during World Aids Day commemorations at Chinotimba Stadium in Victoria Falls yesterday, United Nations resident and humanitarian co-ordinator Edward Kallon said the impact on women is particularly significant, as women make up 61% of the 1,2 million adults living with HIV.

Kallon said there is need to scale up HIV prevention and treatment programmes to cover all sub-population groups with a particular focus on adolescent girls and young women.

Speaking at the same event, US embassy charge d’affairs Elaine French said America donated US$208m this year alone to Zimbabwe to help in the fight against HIV and Aids.

World Aids Day commemorations were held under the theme Let Communities Lead and the guest of honour was First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.

A sex starved 27-year-old Chiredzi man has appeared in court for attempting to rape his 46-year-old step-mother while they were fetching firewood in a bush.

The young man literally begged for sex from the step-mother (his father’s other wife), asking her “muchembere ndipeiwo (mother please can I have it)?”

The step mother’s seven-year-old grandson arrived at the scene to find his grandmother lying on the ground with her legs up and Nelson Chuma(27) of Velemu Village, Chingwizi in Mwenezi on top with the panty and skin tight already pulled off on one leg.

Chuma appeared before Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu this week facing attempted rape charges.

On Monday last week, Chuma, his stepmother and the grandson were fetching firewood in the bush and loading it into a scotch cart.

While they were loading, they realised that the scotch cart had developed a flat tyre. The complainant sent the grandson home to get a pressure pump.

After the boy left, Chuma advanced towards the stepmother and said “muchembere ndipeiwo” (please mum may I have).

Allegedly puzzled, the stepmother asked what it is he was asking for and Chuma added “ndipeiwo ndiwane kurarama” (please let me have, I am starving) but the stepmother refused.

Chuma then grabbed the stepmother by the waist and tried to push her to the ground but she clutched to a tree and screamed and no one heard her.

He then managed to remove her skintight and pant from one leg before pushing her to the ground where she fell facing upwards.

The grandson arrived just as Chuma was about to rape the woman.

He was remanded in custody to December 5, 2023. Ronald Kwangwari appeared for the State.

By A Correspondent- A funding appeal has been launched to help return to Zimbabwe for burial the body of a man who died in Australia.

Nkosilathi Ncube died suddenly last Sunday, leaving behind his wife Sakhile Manikela, daughter Owami Shabalala (15) and son Lwazilwethu (10).

The family had only recently relocated to Australia.

“It is with sadness that Nkosilathi Ncube was suddenly taken from his family on the 24th Nov 2023,” reads a statement supporting the funding appeal.

“(Ncube) recently relocated from Zimbabwe with his family on a Temporary Residency Status with hopes of settling in Australia and making a better life for his family.

“Both children have settled into their new schools in Melbourne’s west.”

The GoFundMe appeal seeks to raise A$80,000 to facilitate Ncube’s repatriation.

“His (Ncube’s) sudden loss has put a financial burden on the family for the repatriation of Nkosilathi back to his family in Zimbabwe for his funeral and burial in his hometown Bulawayo, to be near his Parents, Siblings, and Friends.

“Your kind donations to assist with this are very much appreciated by his family and friends.”

About A$13,000 had been raised by this Friday afternoon.

By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), a civil society organisation that monitors elections in the country, has refuted allegations levelled against it by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) on collaborations with Team Pachedu, a social media group, on collating and tabulating election results for purposes of prematurely announcing election results.

The allegations were made in the ZHRC Report on 2023 Harmonised Elections, which claimed that the commission “took note of the arrest of thirty-nine CSO members from ZESN, ERC and Team Pachedu who were suspected of collating and tabulating election results for purposes of prematurely announcing election results.”

ZESN, however, issued a statement on Friday, December 1, 2023, to categorically state that it does not and has never worked closely or collaborated with Team Pachedu to collate and tabulate results. ZESN said it partnered with the Election Resource Centre (ERC), another civil society organisation, as part of its mandate to promote democratic elections in Zimbabwe through domestic oversight on all electoral processes.

ZESN also cited the confirmation of the Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who addressed a press conference in Harare on August 24, 2023, and said that the arrested CSO members were from ERC and ZESN, and not Team Pachedu. ZESN said this was a sure sign that the latter was never a part of the observation team working on independently verifying results.

ZESN further stated that it has always shared its observation reports with all key electoral stakeholders, including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), as required by the Electoral Act. ZESN said it follows the constitutional dictates, the Electoral Act, the ZEC Code of Conduct for Observers, and its own values and principles as an independent and non-partisan organisation. ZESN also said it observes and is guided by the SADC Principles and Guidelines on the Conduct of Democratic Elections and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), which Zimbabwe is signatory to.

Moreover, ZESN said it is a law-abiding organisation that seeks to promote the conduct of peaceful democratic elections in Zimbabwe, and that it had no intention to go before a constitutionally mandated body to announce results, as it stands guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act on results announcement, which gives ZEC the sole mandate to declare election results.

ZESN urged the ZHRC to retract the allegations and correct the factual inaccuracies in its report, as they have the potential to tarnish the reputation and credibility of ZESN and its partners. ZESN also called for the respect and protection of the rights of election observers, as they play a crucial role in enhancing the transparency and accountability of the electoral process.

By- In a move that appears to be a concerted effort by Zanu PF to eliminate the country’s main opposition CCC, the Supreme Court Friday dismissed an appeal by Chamisa’s Members of Parliament (MPs) recalled in October by the party’s self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu.

This means that the 09 December 2023 by-elections will go ahead as scheduled.

Tshabangu recalled the legislators saying they had ceased to be CCC members. The lawmakers then approached the High Court to have their recalls reversed but the court dismissed their application.

The High Court ruled that the lawmakers had failed to prove that they were still CCC members, prompting the recalled lawmakers to note an appeal at the Supreme Court.

However, their case could not be heard after the court ruled that respondents were wrongly cited.

A bench chaired by Justice Joseph Musakwa found that the appeal was incorrectly filed because other critical parties were not cited. Justice Mutsakwa ruled:

It is common cause that the court aquo handed down a unitary judgement. Parties before the court aquo were supposed to be the same before this court as such the court agrees with Mr Uriri.

The court is of the view that the notices of appeal are fatally defective. Consequently, there is no appeal before this court.

NewZimbabwe.com reports that the MPs and senators had filed separate appeals before the Supreme Court despite that a unitary ruling was handed down by the High Court.

On one hand, the MPs did not cite the senators in their application and on the other hand, the latter did not cite the MPs.

Advocate Lewis Uriri argued that this was a fatal technical error, an argument which was upheld by the court. He said:

At a case management meeting, all the parties consented to the consolidation of the applicants because the relief sought was similar.

The effect is that the two matters became one so when judgement is rendered one may not undo the consolidation and appeal as if they are two different matters which is what the appellants have done.

Advocate Thabani Mpofu who was representing the MPs argued that “There is no rule of the court that is offended by the non-joinder of senators.”

Amanda Ndlovu representing the senators said that for the sake of hearing, the two cases were put together.

She added that they still have an opportunity to refile the appeal. She said:

What that means is to say go and correct that and the appellants still have an opportunity to refile their appeal in a manner which complies with the rules of this court.

Therefore, the case was dismissed on technicalities and the judge did not look into the arguments. The case was thrown out because the senators and MPs filed the papers separately.

By- The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Members of Parliament (MPs) recalled in October by the party’s self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu.

This means that the 09 December 2023 by-elections will go ahead as scheduled.

Tshabangu recalled the legislators saying they had ceased to be CCC members. The lawmakers then approached the High Court to have their recalls reversed but the court dismissed their application.

The High Court ruled that the lawmakers had failed to prove that they were still CCC members, prompting the recalled lawmakers to note an appeal at the Supreme Court.

However, their case could not be heard after the court ruled that respondents were wrongly cited.

A bench chaired by Justice Joseph Musakwa found that the appeal was incorrectly filed because other critical parties were not cited. Justice Mutsakwa ruled:

It is common cause that the court aquo handed down a unitary judgement. Parties before the court aquo were supposed to be the same before this court as such the court agrees with Mr Uriri.

The court is of the view that the notices of appeal are fatally defective. Consequently, there is no appeal before this court.

NewZimbabwe.com reports that the MPs and senators had filed separate appeals before the Supreme Court despite that a unitary ruling was handed down by the High Court.

On one hand, the MPs did not cite the senators in their application and on the other hand, the latter did not cite the MPs.

Advocate Lewis Uriri argued that this was a fatal technical error, an argument which was upheld by the court. He said:

At a case management meeting, all the parties consented to the consolidation of the applicants because the relief sought was similar.

The effect is that the two matters became one so when judgement is rendered one may not undo the consolidation and appeal as if they are two different matters which is what the appellants have done.

Advocate Thabani Mpofu who was representing the MPs argued that “There is no rule of the court that is offended by the non-joinder of senators.”

Amanda Ndlovu representing the senators said that for the sake of hearing, the two cases were put together.

She added that they still have an opportunity to refile the appeal. She said:

What that means is to say go and correct that and the appellants still have an opportunity to refile their appeal in a manner which complies with the rules of this court.

Therefore, the case was dismissed on technicalities and the judge did not look into the arguments. The case was thrown out because the senators and MPs filed the papers separately.

By- South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced the extension of special permits for Zimbabweans and Basotho living in South Africa for another two years until November 2025.
Motsoaledi announced this at a media briefing in Pretoria today.
The ZSP which is held by just over 178 000 Zimbabweans was due to expire in June 2023 following a number of extensions, but its termination was scrapped in the courts, which ruled that ending the permit would be unconstitutional.
The Department is currently appealing the High Court decision in the Supreme Court of Appeals.
-SABC

Most ordinary houses in low residential areas and medium density areas in Zimbabwe are, on average, worth 100 000USD and that will mean every person owning a house will be compelled to lay this so called wealth tax.

The proposed wealth/mansion tax should be reviewed to 250 000USD so that ordinary Zimbabweans are not choked by these unending taxes.

If this amount is not reviewed upwards, the burden of the wealth tax is going to be pushed to the tenants of those houses thereby rentals will increase whilst salaries remain stagnant. Rentals will become unaffordable to the middle class.

The middle class will move to the high density areas and offer to pay slightly higher rentals, pushing out those dwelling in high density areas, and a housing crisis will evolve. Tenants are already struggling with the ever skyrocketing rentals, and the introduction of such a tax is just knsenstive to the plight of ordinary Zimbabweans struggling to make ends meet.

We would have expected to see a review of the land tax. We have many wealthy people with vast lands who are not paying a dune in taxes. Thus, every farm above 100 hectares should pay a certain amount of land tax. This would deal with issues of productivity and multiple farm ownership very quickly.

This budget will further sink Zimbabwe into deeper murky waters of quagmire. A budget must be production driven, not tax driven.

In conclusion, this budget is antipeople and should be rejected.

By A Correspondent- The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe leader bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa says he will retire in December of next year, in accordance with an approved roadmap for his retirement.

Two church members Mr Peter Musuka of the Chisipite circuit in Harare East and Mr Kelvin Chitowo of the Chinzanga circuit in the Mutoko – Mudzi District filed a High Court application, through their lawyers Hofisi & Partners Commercial Attorneys on November 10, 2023, seeking the mandatory retirement of the bishop who is over 68 years in terms of the church’s Book of Discipline.

They are seeking the High Court to declare that local churches vote and decide on disaffiliation by December 31, 2023, if they do not agree with the church’s position on homosexuality. In addition, they want bishop Nhiwatiwa barred from interfering with the right to disaffiliation.

Bishop Nhiwatiwa filed his Notice of Opposition on November 24, 2023, through his lawyers Chihambakwe, Mutizwa and Partners. His opposing affidavit was deposed to by Theophilus Pharoah Gambe, through special powers of attorneys granted to him by the church leader on November 21, 2023.

Bishop Nhiwatiwa argued that had it not been for COVID-19, the elections would have been held in 2020.

“But the Central Conferences whereat election of the bishop take place have been postponed beyond the respondent’s (the bishop) control. The elections for the succession of the respondent is now set for 5 to 9 December 2024 in Maputo, Mozambique. The Central Conference which comprises of a number of countries sets its own calendar and the respondent is not the one who conducts his own succession process.

Thus, it is now known to the church that in October 2024 the annual conference in Zimbabwe will convene to nominate the candidates for the office of the bishop to succeed the incumbent; the top three to emerge from the nomination conference will then participate in the election to be conducted in 2024 in Maputo, Mozambique.”

On homosexuality, he denied supporting the practice.

“For the record and avoidance of doubt, the respondent in his personal capacity and the Bishop does not and has never supported homosexuality. The respondent during his tenure has led the Zimbabwean church to vote against the petitions seeking to amend the Book of Discipline to allow same-sex marriages at the General Conference,” he argued.

He added that the United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers the practice incompatible with Christian teaching. He claimed that the prevailing position is that the church does not condone homosexuality as it regards it to be incompatible with scripture. He submitted that in Zimbabwe, the laws of the land do not accept same-sex marriages.

The subject of homosexuality is taboo to the membership of the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.

On the alleged violation of the congregants’ right to disaffiliation, he denied preventing any local church from holding a church conference. He argued that the right under paragraph 2553 (disaffiliation) is accorded to collective congregants of a local church not to a single individual.

According to him, no local church in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area has sought disaffiliation and applicants have not exhibited any mandate to approach the court to seek the relief being sought on disaffiliation.

He also raised several technical issues in his opposition. For example, he pointed out that the congregants should have enjoined or cited the church as a party to the court case. He alleges that the applicants have not exhausted internal remedies provided in the Book of Discipline.

He argued that the two applicants lack locus standi, that is, the right to make the court application for the remedies sought. He pointed out that the application for an order on disaffiliation was “moot” as by the time the matter will be heard in court it will be after 31 December 2023.

-The Herald

Over 500 dog bite cases have been reported in Zimbabwe with most bites being from dogs of unknown status.

According to a weekly update by the Ministry of Health and Childcare, Manicaland Province with 83 bites had the highest followed by Mashonaland East with 75.

“Weekly Disease Surveillance Report for the Week Ending 19 November 2023. 546 dog bite cases and zero deaths were reported this week, Of these cases, 129 (23.6 percent) were bitten by vaccinated dogs, 125 (23 percent) by unvaccinated dogs and 292 (53.4 percent) by dogs of unknown status.

“The highest number of dog bite cases reported this week were from Manicaland Province (83) and Mashonaland East Province (75). The cumulative figures for dog bites are 10 872 cases and 3 deaths,” read the update. The Chronicle

By A Correspondent- Treasury allocated the security cluster ZWL2,3 trillion more than the health and childcare, giving it instead 11,68% of the 2024 national budget well short of the Abuja Declaration.

In the 2024 national budget presentation on Thursday, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion minister Mthuli Ncube said ZWL$8,6 trillion had been allocated towards the national security cluster and ZWL6,3 trillion to the Ministry of Health and Childcare.

This comes despite the country signing onto the Abuja Declaration wherein African Union countries set a target of allocating at least 15% of their budget each year to the health sector.

“The 2024 National Budget seeks to consolidate recovery of public health sector services, across all levels of health care, through provision of the requisite tools of trade such as adequate working space, manpower, drugs and medical supplies across the value chain,” Ncube said.

“In this regard, an amount of Z$6,3 trillion has been allocated towards the Ministry of Health and Child Care.”

The security cluster is the total budget allocated to the Ministry of Defence, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Prisons and Correctional Service, as well as Special Services.

This will be directed towards meeting the security cluster’s remuneration, food rations, operational equipment and the necessary infrastructure.

Ncube justified the allocation to the security cluster as the country needing to secure “peace”, months after the general elections were disputed.

Yet, the healthcare industry is facing depreciating and dilapidated infrastructure as well as a brain drain on qualified staff.

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health chairperson Daniel Mokolele expressed concern over the current situation of the Zimbabwean health sector in the pre-budget meeting hosted by Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) earlier this month.

He stated that Zimbabwe’s heavy reliance on external funding for its health sector was another cause for concern looking at the budget to healthcare.

-NewsDay

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has raised tax and bonus tax-free thresholds in a bid to provide much-needed relief to ordinary Zimbabweans whose incomes have been eroded by inflation.

Unveiling the 2024 National Budget that largely reflects the Government’s commitment to fostering a more equitable society at the new Parliament today, Minister Ncube proposed the new tax thresholds would be effective from January 1, 2024, while the bonus tax-free threshold would take effect from November 1, 2023.

The 2024 Budget, themed “Consolidating Economic Transformation,” builds on socio-economic achievements that have been made over the past five years and seeks to place the country on a solid foundation for further development and growth.

Under the proposed changes, the monthly tax-free threshold would be increased from $500 000 to $750 000, resulting in an annual tax-free threshold of $9 million.

Minister Ncube also proposed to adjust the tax bands, with the highest tax rate of 40 percent applicable to annual income exceeding $270 million. Regarding the local currency bonus tax-free threshold, he proposed to increase it from $500 000 to $7,5 million. The Herald

A Mutare man has suffered a double loss after he was denied access to his bride, while his application for a lobola refund was dismissed by the courts.

Mr Eddington Machingauta had dragged his in-laws, Mr Godwin Madenga and Ms Betty Gombarume, as well as his estranged flame, Ms Patricia Chantelle Madenga to Mutare Magistrates Civil Court, demanding restitution of US$4 240 which he paid as bride price.

Mr Machingauta was represented by Makuwaza & Magogo Attorneys, while the defendants were represented by Mr Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners.

However, Mr Madenga dismissed the claim that Mr Machingauta paid US$4 240 as bride price.

He said Mr Machingauta only paid US$500 towards lobola, with the other payments “not constituting lobola perse”.

Presiding magistrate, Ms Priscilla Gumbo dismissed Mr Machingauta’s application saying his motives were not clear.

“It is still unclear why you decided to lay dormant after paying lobola and only decided to resurface demanding a refund of the lobola.

“This raises questions on whether the applicant wanted his wife or if it was all a sham. My belief is the applicant would have taken the necessary actions to have his wife back if he truly wanted the marriage to subsist.”

Ms Gumbo ruled that Mr Machingauta is not entitled to a refund since the marriage was never dissolved as he did not offer his wife a divorce token ‘gupuro’.
Because of that, the court ruled that the two are only on separation.

The court heard that on August 9, Mr Machingauta visited his in-laws at their Pegasus house in Dangamvura in the company of his family to set a date for lobola payment and was given a bride price list with a total of US$11 240.

Mr Machingauta only managed to pay US$3 690 and groceries worth US$550, making it a total of US$4 240.

After receiving the lobola, the bride’s parents refused to hand over their daughter to Mr Machingauta as they insisted that he needed to top up the money.

As a result, Mr Machingauta and Ms Madenga’s relationship turned sour between August and October, thereby prompting the woman to change her mind and opt out of the marriage.

Mr Machingauta says he tried to negotiate with his in-laws so that they could either restitute his money and groceries or give him his wife, all to no avail.

However, Mr Madenga said Mr Machingauta was called to come and take his wife, but he refused to do so.

The defendants’ attorney, Mr Ndlovu, argued that lobola is a customary law practice and tradition, but the complainant had sued his clients under general law and not under customary law.

He said Mr Machingauta should go through proper channels to solve the matter.

Mr Ndlovu also said lobola is a transaction between a son-in-law and his father-in-law, hence Mr Machingauta cannot sue his mother-in-law and his estranged wife.

He added that Mr Madenga cannot force his daughter to become Mr Machingauta’s wife, adding that this was an issue that could only be solved by the two parties. –
The Manica Post

Posted Walter Mzembi: Yesterday, @MthuliNcube fielded some ingratiating interview where he sought to credit his Boss @edmnangagwa as some super thinker and the owner of the Budget.

In his own words ” In fact it’s his Budget , he knows everything I am going to present.”

He even suggested that he had some setbacks and recalibrations from their several discussions outside Cabinet.

So, after the Budget Presentation yesterday and the public verdict on it as anti people usurious tax budget, I am now even more curious to see the original draft budget proposal .

It will help in many ways to establish what really is ” Mthulinomics ” and what kind of lording ED did on this Budget. That said the revelation that it is the President ‘ s Budget creates a collateral problem for @edmnangagwa himself, who has his son as a Deputy Minister of Finance, leading many to wonder whose budget this really is?

Chancellors of Exchequers & Ministers of Finance keep a significant surprise element of the Budget as part of their originality.

Mugabe guided the Minister of Finance through National Economic Councils a conclave of the economic cluster &RBZ, and left the rest to the Minister, of course he would be briefed but he would be favoured with the final copy on Budget day.

My issue here is over supervision in the Budget formulation process may kill a Minister ‘ s innovation, and Mthuli let the cat out of the bag on this one.

It explains the difference between Mthuli at Davos , the impressive economist lobbying for a job in 2018 and the politically battered one from Cowdray Park electoral defeat.

The technocrat is no more !

By A Correspondent- An elderly woman (63) allegedly teamed up with her 16-year-old granddaughter to beat her husband to death with a log and a cooking stick.

In a statement on X, police said Mavis Murungwa hada domestic dispute with Tinaye Goka (63) after he destroyed kitchen utensils and a goat pen.

The incident occurred on 26 November 2023 at Mabhiza Village, Chireya, Gokwe, leading to the suspect’s arrest.

Murungwa’s body was found near a borehole a day after the incident occurred.

“Police in Gokwe have arrested Mavis Murungwa (63) in connection with a case of murder which occurred at Mabhiza village, Chireya on 26/11/23 in which her husband, Tinaye Goka (63) died.”

“The suspect and her granddaughter (16) took turns to hit the victim with a log and cooking stick indiscriminately all over the body after a domestic dispute.

The victim had destroyed kitchen utensils and a goat pen built by the suspect. The victim was found dead near a borehole on 27/11/23,” reads the statement.

-The Chronicle

By A Correspondent- A 25 year old Harare man was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife by his colleague who had accused him of not buying beer.

The incident occurred in Dzivarasekwa on Sunday night after the suspect confronted the victim and asked why he was no longer buying beer.

Police have since arrested Tapiwa Nyahumbane (23) in connection with the murder case.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“Police in Harare have arrested Tapiwa Nyahumbane aged 23 in connection with a case of murder which occurred on Sunday at around 2330 hours at the intersection of 7th and 4th Street in Dzivarasekwa.

“The victim, Clayton Nyamupenzi aged 25 died after being stabbed with a kitchen knife on the chest and palms following a scuffle. The suspect had demanded to know the reason why the victim was no longer buying him beer,” he said.

Murder cases have been on the increase countrywide and police have been urging the public not to solve disputes through violent ways.

On Monday, a 16-year-old boy was arrested on allegations of fatally stabbing a man following a misunderstanding over a girlfriend at a house in Ruwa, while a 63-year-old woman was arrested for killing her husband in Gokwe after a domestic dispute.

The teenager stabbed Theionvus Mhungira (19) once in the neck with a kitchen knife and he died on the spot, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.

The stabbing occurred at a house in Solomio Park, Ruwa on Monday.

In another case, police in Gokwe arrested Mavis Murungwa (63) on allegations of killing her husband Tinaye Goka (63) at Mabhiza Village, Chireya, on Sunday.

The woman and her granddaughter aged 16 took turns hitting the victim with a log and cooking stick indiscriminately all over the body following a domestic dispute after he had destroyed kitchen utensils and a goat pen built by the suspect.

The victim was found dead near a borehole, Asst Comm Nyathi said.

In Bulawayo, a 46-year-old man died on Sunday after he was stabbed with a nail cutter knife following a misunderstanding during a beer-drinking spree.

Police have since arrested Mbalehle Ncube aged 22, Hlonipani Sibanda aged 26 and Themba Moyo aged 26.

The attack occurred at a house in Emthunzini, Bulawayo where Fios Sibanda aged 46 died after being attacked by the suspects following an argument during a beer-drinking spree. The Herald

By A Correspondent- Four fuel tankers and a bus were burnt to shells at a garage that was being used for illegal fuel dealings.

In a statement on X, police said the fire broke out when the fuel dealers were siphoning fuel from one of the tankers around 7pm on 28 November 2023.

The incident occurred at Matozi garage along 344 Budgetway Close, Willowvale in Harare.

“Police in Harare are investigating a fire incident in which four fuel tankers and a bus were burnt to shells at Matozi Garage along 344 Budgetway Close, Willowvale on 28/11/23 at around 1900 hours.”

“lnvestigations carried out so far by the Police have established that the garage was being used for illegal fuel dealings. It is suspected that the fire broke out while the fuel dealers were siphoning fuel from one of the tankers,” reads the statement. The Chronicle

By A Correspondent-A 20 year old woman is wanted by the police on allegations of sexually abusing a boy in Chivhu sometime in September this year.

The woman, Diana Nyanyaza, is alleged to have sexually abused the victim several times before disappearing.

Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect whose whereabouts are still not known.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were appealing to anyone with information that might lead to the arrest of the suspect to contact any nearest police station.

“The ZRP is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Diana Nyanyaza aged 20, who is being sought in connection with a case of Aggravated Indecent Assault for sexually abusing a male juvenile aged nine in September 2023, in Chivhu.

“The suspect’s last known address is 1678 Westwood, Chivhu. Anyone with information to contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station,” he said.

-The Herald

By A Correspondent- Opposition legislators yesterday accused Finance minister, Mthuli Ncube, of condemning millions of citizens to a life of misery with an anti-people budget containing a basket of tax increases beginning January.

Ncube presented a ZWL$58,2 trillion 2024 budget at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden saying the domestic economy is projected to grow by 3,5% next year.

The budget blueprint has a raft of new taxes and increases on fuel and a sugar levy, tollgate, vehicle registration and passport fees, mansion tax and a surcharge for vehicle imports, among others.

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators said the budget was uninspiring and anti-people as it increased the cost of doing business and living at a time when millions were failing to make ends meet.

Marondera Central legislator, Caston Matewu, said this was the worst budget ever presented.

“This is a very anti-people budget,” Matewu said.

“This budget has various taxes on everything that push up the cost of services and goods. This government wants to get money by stealing from the people. We will oppose this budget when we start debating it next week.”

Dzivarasekwa legislator Edwin Mushoriwa said the budget was punitive.

“This budget punishes the poor people. If you look at the budget deficit, the minister has failed to come up with progress(ive) steps of raising revenue in a proper manner and this is not right,” Mushoriwa said.

Ncube also announced a ZWL$2,4 trillion budget for social safety programmes targeting the poor, but CCC legislators said this was not enough when the majority were failing to afford basics.

Ncube also reviewed the tax-free threshold on incomes to ZWL$750 000 from ZWL$500 000.

However, inflation has rendered the move mute because of the rising cost of living.

CCC chief whip, Clifford Hlatwayo, said the poor would become poorer with the raft of new taxes.

“This is a zero budget. Ncube did not include or consider the plight of the poor.”

Zanu-PF legislators, however, defended the budget saying Ncube had no option but to put in place tough measures to reduce the budget deficit and restore fiscal discipline.

Zanu-PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi said:” The budget is so inclusive of everyone, especially on taxes. Everyone has to pay tax; the wealthy are going to pay tax as well. It’s a budget that has everything that we want as Zimbabweans.”

Economic analysts criticised the budget saying it does not address Zimbabwe’s never-ending socio-economic crisis.

Analyst Tafadzwa Bvunzawabaya said the budget would not help to reduce the budget deficit or stimulate economic growth.

“The budget is based on unrealistic assumptions about economic growth and revenue collection,” Bvunzawabaya said.

“The government is simply borrowing more money to finance its spending, which is unsustainable in the long term.”

Ncube has also introduced a new wealth tax to ensure that high-income earners pay taxes.

“In order to ensure that every person contributes to the fiscus in line with their levels of income, I propose to introduce a wealth tax levied at a rate of 1% of market values of residential properties with a minimum value of US$100 000,” the minister said.

The new tax triggered debate on social media yesterday, but Information permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana said it was long overdue.

“It’s a recognition of the fact that there are people with high value properties who have not paid any tax on the income from which they  bought or built such mansions,” Mangwana argued on X.

“In Zimbabwe, there are many such people. A variant mansion tax has been proposed in Zimbabwe. We are not alone in this. Many states in America charge for having a high value home.

“This will catch many and hence many are going to express opposition to it. But it’s natural for people to resist and try to avoid taxation. And its natural for government to insist and enforce.”

The United Kingdom has granted 20 000 work visas to Zimbabwean emigrants in the health and care sector as of June this year, the British government has revealed.

The figure represents a whopping 372% increase from 2022 as locals continue to flee the country in search of a better life abroad.

In its national statistics report titled: “Why do people come to the UK? To work” dated November 14, the UK government reported that in the year ended June 2023, 20 152 health and care worker visas were granted to Zimbabweans.

The figure rose from 4 270 emigrants in June 2020.

In terms of countries to be granted health and care worker visas, Zimbabwe ranked third after India with 33 669 and Nigeria at 22 278, respectively.

“Those immigrating long-term on work-related visas (main applicants and dependants) made up 33% of non-EU long-term immigration in the YE (year ended) June 2023, with an estimated 322 000 arrivals. This is compared with 198 000 in YE June 2022. This is split fairly evenly between main  applicants (169 000) and dependants (154 000),” the UK Office of National Statistics said.

“The Home Office’s statistics report, ‘Why do people come to the UK to work?’, shows growth in long-term sponsored work visas following the introduction of the ‘Skilled Worker’ and ‘Skilled Worker — Health and Care’ visas in 2020′,” the UK government said.

It said health and care work visas were the most sought-after work visas.

“Home Office data show that Indian nationals represented 38% of all dependants issued a work visa alongside main applicants, followed by Nigerian and Zimbabwean nationals (17% and 9%, respectively),” the office added.

This shows that most worker visas issued to immigrants in the UK, from Zimbabwe, went to those who were bringing in family members.

 “In the year ending June 2023 there were 217 786 grants to dependants of people who had been granted a work visa. This was almost double (+99%) the number of grants compared to the year ending June 2022.”

“Worker visas granted to main applicants have increased by 78% in the year ending June 2023 compared with the previous year, primarily due to a large increase in ‘Skilled Worker — Health and Care’ visas granted,” the report read.

The UK office reported that people initially arriving long-term on work-related visas made up 22% of non-EU long-term emigration as of June 2023, with an estimated 45 000 leaving.

 “This is driven by both main applicants and dependants.

“Our provisional estimates indicate that we have seen an increase in the net migration of people for work reasons (from 168 000 in the YE June 2022 to 278 000 in YE June 2023),” the UK office said.

“This means the net migration for work makes up a larger proportion in the YE June 2023 (36%) compared with the YE June 2022 (23%).”

The USD88million funded Mbudzi roundabout appears as if collapsing halfway through completion. VIDEO

MBUDZI ROUNDABOUT ALREADY COLLAPSING WHILE UNDER CONSTRUCTION? https://t.co/jTdGzzNYTl

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 1, 2023

By James Gwati- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sacked the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Roy Bhila.

A statement by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya Thursday reads:
“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa has, in terms of Section 108(1a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, removed Hon.Roy Bhila from the Office of Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce with immediate effect”.

No reasons were cited for Bhila’s dismissal, which came barely three months after he was sworn into office. However, close sources say the government official was closely linked to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

Chiwenga and Mnangagwa are at loggerheads over the succession issue.

” Chiwenga is building his own alliance in preparation for taking over from Mnangagwa, and there are a number of ministers who are backing him in this succession battle,” said the source.

” Most of these ministers and government officials are afraid of coming out publicly because they are not yet sure about the Chiwenga’s chances, which is the reason why they are on the fence, ” he added.

By-Zan PF has deployed war veterans and collaborators in Mabvuku to campaign for their candidate, Scott Sakupwanya, during the upcoming by-elections on December 9.

Sakupwanya, an ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, previously contested the seat but lost to Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi from the Citizens Coalitions for Change (CCC) party in the disputed August 23 elections.

Godwills Masimirembwa, the ZANU PF Harare provincial chairperson who is leading the campaign, stated that campaigning is in full swing. He told NewsDay:

We have deployed 1 200 party members who are all over the ground campaigning for our Mabvuku-Tafara candidate Scott.

Everyone has been put on board to campaign for our candidate — central committee members, district members, politburo members, war veterans and collaborators are also part of the campaign team and everyone is free to come and campaign but should follow party protocol.

We as a province are geared to win the constituency. We are doing everything possible to assist our candidate.

War veterans have historically played a significant role in ZANU PF campaigns, often involved in violent attacks against opposition parties. The lead-up to the by-elections has been marred by the kidnapping and murder of a CCC activist, Tapfumaneyi Masaya, who was abducted while campaigning for Kufahakutizwi.

Some ZANU PF activists have expressed concerns about the party’s campaign strategy, but Masimirembwa dismissed their complaints, attributing them to attempts to cause confusion within the party. The campaign team also includes shadowy groups and the youth league, with the involvement of politburo members Charles Tawengwa, Douglas Mahiya, Tendai Chirau, and Andy Mhlanga.

The by-election is taking place because Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi, who won the seat in the previous elections held on August 23-24, 2023, was recalled, allegedly for ceasing to belong to the CCC party. The recall was initiated by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the interim Secretary-General of the CCC party. However, some officials from the CCC party dispute Tshabangu’s membership and believe that he is being used by ZANU PF as part of their plan to secure a two-thirds majority in parliament. Tshabangu has recalled scores of CCC Parliamentarians and councillors.

By-Zan PF has enlisted the support of war veterans and collaborators to campaign for their candidate, Scott Sakupwanya, to secure victory in the Mabvuku-Tafara constituency during the upcoming by-elections on December 9.

Sakupwanya, an ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, previously contested the seat but lost to Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi from the Citizens Coalitions for Change (CCC) party in the disputed August 23 elections.

Godwills Masimirembwa, the ZANU PF Harare provincial chairperson who is leading the campaign, stated that campaigning is in full swing. He told NewsDay:

We have deployed 1 200 party members who are all over the ground campaigning for our Mabvuku-Tafara candidate Scott.

Everyone has been put on board to campaign for our candidate — central committee members, district members, politburo members, war veterans and collaborators are also part of the campaign team and everyone is free to come and campaign but should follow party protocol.

We as a province are geared to win the constituency. We are doing everything possible to assist our candidate.

War veterans have historically played a significant role in ZANU PF campaigns, often involved in violent attacks against opposition parties. The lead-up to the by-elections has been marred by the kidnapping and murder of a CCC activist, Tapfumaneyi Masaya, who was abducted while campaigning for Kufahakutizwi.

Some ZANU PF activists have expressed concerns about the party’s campaign strategy, but Masimirembwa dismissed their complaints, attributing them to attempts to cause confusion within the party. The campaign team also includes shadowy groups and the youth league, with the involvement of politburo members Charles Tawengwa, Douglas Mahiya, Tendai Chirau, and Andy Mhlanga.

The by-election is taking place because Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi, who won the seat in the previous elections held on August 23-24, 2023, was recalled, allegedly for ceasing to belong to the CCC party. The recall was initiated by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the interim Secretary-General of the CCC party. However, some officials from the CCC party dispute Tshabangu’s membership and believe that he is being used by ZANU PF as part of their plan to secure a two-thirds majority in parliament. Tshabangu has recalled scores of CCC Parliamentarians and councillors.