Paul NyathiPresident Emmerson Mnangagwa has given the Zimbabwean ‘A’ level student who scooped the 2nd prize in the SADC essay competition an additional US$2000 on top of the US$1000 that she was awarded by the regional block.

Primrose Thandeka Tshuma, an Upper 6 student at John Tallach High School in Matabeleland province, was handed over the money in cash by President Mnangagwa at State House this Monday morning.

Handing over the monetary prize, President Mnangagwa commended Primrose for raising the country’s flag high.

Mnangagwa expressed pride at the young girl’s achievement. Said Mnangagwa on his official Facebook page:

“Today, I congratulated Zimbabwean pupil, Primrose Thandeka Tshuma of John Tallach High School in Matabeleland North, who won second prize in the SADC Essay Competition. I personally had the pleasure to honour her with a presidential gift for her efforts.

We are all proud of you Primrose!”

Primrose was accompanied to the presentation by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Professor Paul Mavhima, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Mrs Sylvia Utete Masango and her teacher Mrs Thabani Mabhena.

Vice President Retired General Constantino Chiwenga also attended the ceremony.

MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has rejected Zanu-PF’s suggestion for a vote recount saying the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has tempered with the ballot boxes.

This comes after Zanu-PF secretary for legal affairs Paul Mangwana and head of the party’s legal team said the petition filed by the MDC Alliance lacked merit because they failed to ask for a recount in time.

“It is based on some theoretical calculations by some statistician whose qualification we doubt a lot. The elections are not won in court but in the ballot. They have not even asked for the ballot boxes to be re-opened and recounted. The election material is there for everyone to see,” Mangwana said last week.

In his answering affidavit, Chamisa said there was interference with the ballot box and the V11 forms.

“For reasons that are not difficult to understand, first respondent would rather I asked for a recount. I do not need a recount and cannot ask for one. I cannot drink from a poisoned chalice.

“I have placed before the court evidence which has not been refuted showing interference with both the ballot box and the V11 forms. In characteristic fashion, first respondent chooses not to deal with such evidence.”

According to section 67 A (1) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) “(1) Within forty-eight hours after a constituency elections officer has declared a candidate to be duly-elected in terms of Section 66 (1), any political party or candidate that contested the election in the ward or constituency concerned may request the Commission to conduct a recount of votes in one or more of the polling stations in the ward or constituency.”

Chamisa claimed to have won the election with 60 percent and that Mnangagwa failed to garner enough votes for him to be declared the winner.

He is seeking an order for him to be declared the winner of the July 30 presidential election, failure of which he is seeking an alternative order for a fresh election to be conducted.

Mnangagwa on the other hand is claiming that he won the election and that Zec was correct in declaring him the winner. Mnangagwa asked for the Con-Court to dismiss Chamisa’s application with costs.

But Chamisa, through his legal team headed by Thabani Mpofu, said the evidence is too overwhelming for the court to ignore his arguments.

Daily News

MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to accept defeat in the just ended harmonised elections.

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Chamisa, who is challenging the Presidential election results in the Constitutional Court, claims the election was rigged in favour of Mnangagwa who was declared the winner by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

Addressing the media Chamisa said he is ready to assume the Presidential office as soon as the matter is settled.

“People voted, they overwhelmingly voted for change, they voted for this candidate and this candidate is ready to assume office at the appropriate time.

“Mr Mnangagwa (Emmerson) was defeated and as I will indicate we urge him to accept that defeat and to be honourable enough, patriotic enough, humble enough, revolutionary enough, to accept the will of the people,” he said.

Chamisa added that they have overwhelming evidence to show that the election was rigged courtesy of their anti-rigging unit that was employed during the election.

“We had the safeguard that is why we want the court to declare, we have the evidence we did put in place the anti-rigging unit that is why we know the actual results and that’s why we know where they have cheated.

“And that is why Chigumba is in sixes and sevens on this issue, that is why they continue to revise Mr Mnangagwa’s figures downwards and we don’t know where they are going to stop.

“So we won this election, it’s not an easy thing for us to garner the millions of votes that we have garnered. And Mr Mnangagwa’s millions are actually fiction, some are engineered, some produced on his behalf, declared on his behalf, some are forced in terms of assisted voters, some are command votes where they had to commandeer people to vote for them and some they have multiplied,” he said.

The Constitutional Court is scheduled to sit this coming Wednesday (22 August) to hear the Chamisa’s petition in a case that is also going to put the independence of the judiciary system to test.

Chamisa’s legal team which he has branded the A-legal team is composed of both locals and regional legal minds, including those used by the late South African iconic President Nelson Mandela.

Open Parly

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has been further exposed for not conducting a verification process. ZEC instead issued an “invitation to witness the verification by ZEC itself!,” says Build Zimbabwe Alliance’s Noah Manyika.

“The impression created by ZEC was that each presidential candidate or his representative would verify the results. Please note that the invitation was not to verify, but to witness the verification by ZEC itself! There is a world of difference between the two, ” adds Manyika

FULL STATEMENT:

After announcing the results of the parliamentary elections, the ZEC Chair Priscilla Chigumba told the nation that she had come ready to also announce the presidential results but had been alerted by a colleague that there was a legal requirement for all the presidential candidates or their agents to verify them before they were announced. The impression created was that it was the candidates or their reps who were holding up the announcement. The second impression was that when she would eventually announce the results, every candidate would have verified them as being true and accurate. Note the following: the invitation in the letter dated August 1 was not to verify, but to witness the verification by ZEC itself! There is a world of difference between the two. No candidate or rep was invited to verify, so no verification occurred. Upon arrival at the HICC, our own reps were told that they had misunderstood the Chair, and that the results were in fact still coming in, and that they were just being invited to see that there were people in the collation room working on them.

Statement by MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa on the upcoming Presidential election petition hearing

Fellow Zimbabweans, I am deeply touched and encouraged by the tremendous support we continue to receive from the four corners of the country, the continent and the world at large.

I fully understand the anxiety of the nation around the upcoming Court Case where we are challenging the subversion of the will of the people by ZEC in cahoots with some rogue elements in our state institutions.

I would like to guarantee you that we have put up a very strong case to overturn the electoral fraud.

I have put together an A-team of experienced, tried and tested legal experts drawn from the best minds in the region and in the country. These are led by our finest and very best legal minds. This team has been working tirelessly to protect your victory. I have confidence in them and in their assurances.

We will together as a nation agree on a working programme for the total fulfilment of our vote.

We should not allow ourselves to be intimidated by anyone from anywhere. We are the masters of our own destiny. We are our own liberators.

Without change we will fall back again into intolerable poverty and suffering for the next five years. Even in that case, if we don’t do it now, there is no guarantee that if we win again in 2023 those that are seeking to subvert your will are not planning to do it again.
In the interest of our country, its people and the economy, ZEC must accept that it has played a divisive role in our politics. What was a clear and unambiguous victory has been muddied by partisan individuals in ZEC. I say to those in ZEC who were used as trojan horses, your country is aware of the pressure you were put under. You now have to help our country move beyond the crisis caused by the current leadership’s connivance with Zanu PF elements.

For peace and progress in our region, I would like to encourage outgoing President Mnangagwa to note that the ZEC-led rigging scheme has failed. It is now imperative on him to take this opportunity and act as a Stateman. He needs to accept electoral defeat, concede and allow our country to move forward.

This idea that African strongman never want to leave power after an election must stop. President Mnangagwa will join a growing but still small number of African politicians who put their country ahead of power. He must take this opportunity to negotiate a respectable exit and leave peacefully. An unnecessary and protracted battle will not benefit Zanu PF in the medium to long term.

To the international community, the road to the future of Zimbabwe, the rule of law, good governance and observance of human rights passes through a fresh pair of hands and genuinely alternative politics.

To SADC our regional guarantor of peace, prosperity and progress, it is important to build towards a peaceful Zimbabwe.

To all the hopeful Zimbabweans, I say to you, the future is yours and you must always be mindful that no amount of intimidation or harassment must be given a chance to stop democracy. Zimbabweans are a heroic people, we have overcome many trials and tribulations. We will not be defeated by enemies of progress. This country is far too important to give up on. Our future depends on us and the choices we make at this time.

Do not be discouraged by naysayers. Change is indeed coming and stay ready to celebrate. Yes it has taken too long and the process has been frustrating for you, but we must remain strong and focused on our victory.

Above all we must commit our nation and this whole week to God the Almighty in prayer.

I thank you

Harare Polytechnic is expected to start offering a Mass Communication and Media Technologies degree soon, with college principal Dr Engineer Tafadzwa Mudondo confirming the development last week.

In an interview with state media, Eng Mudondo said they had been working hard to ensure the polytechnic college offered the degree.

“We have been working behind the scenes,” he said. “In my past three graduation reports, I have been talking about mass communication.

“We finally got a reprieve from ZIMCHE (Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education). We now have an authority from them to run Mass Communication and Media Technologies.”

Eng Mudondo said the institution was now waiting for approval from relevant authorities.

“What is only left, which we were given as a condition, was to employ two or three specialised lecturers which I have since submitted to our head office that we need to employ these lecturers so that we can kick-start the programme,” he said.

“But anytime from now, the moment we get the green light to employ, then it means that the programme is going to start.”

Eng Mudondo said he was happy that the polytechnic had been successfully running a Bachelor of Technology (Honours) in Applied Chemical Technology degree since 2005.

As part of its expansion plans the institution intends to add other programmes like Irrigation Engineering.

“There are other programmes which we would also like to run like Irrigation Engineering. We are still discussing the regulation, the curriculum. We are hoping that very soon we will be able to conclude and be granted those programmes,” said Eng Mudondo.

Harare Polytechnic was established in 1919 with a single department and now boasts 15 departments.

State Media

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POLICE in Matabeleland South have arrested a suspect who broke into a 98-year-old granny’s bedroom hut and raped her in Kezi.

Police said the suspect aged 24, whose name has been withdrawn to protect the identity of the old woman as they are related, broke into the victim’s bedroom hut at around midnight last week on Monday and threatened to kill her before raping her once and fleeing into darkness.

The old woman and suspect lived alone at the homestead.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said they had arrested the suspect.

“Yes, the suspected has been arrested and has appeared in court so I can’t comment further,” he said.

Chief Nyangazonke said last week on Wednesday he held a meeting over the matter.

“I held a traditional court on Wednesday for this case and I was most disappointed to discover that family had known who the suspect was from day one but had decided to conceal the matter. Gone are the days of protecting criminals simply because they are family. I want justice to take its course,” he said.

“During the hearing, it was then revealed that the suspect, who is in police custody, wore plastic bags on his feet before he crawled into the old woman’s bedroom hut, as a way to hide foot prints. He had it all planned and seemingly had his whole time to prepare to commit the crime.”

Chief Nyangazonke blamed drug and alcohol abuse for the increase in cases of youths raping women, especially relatives.

“Parents open doors as late as midnight for their children who are youths who will be coming from beer drinking and expect them to respect them. I urge parents and guardians to revert to old cultural values in raising children and teach them to respect their elders,” he said.

The chief also urged members of the public never to conceal crime or to protect criminals in their communities.

“We also advise people never to let elderly people stay alone, especially at that age. The elderly are as good as children who need to be looked after and certainly letting a 98-year-old person stay alone is putting them at risk as they have no strength to fight and protect themselves,” he said.

State media

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa told the Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders that he was “elected cleanly” in the recently ended elections.

Mnangagwa said this during his address to Heads of State and Government at the 38th SADC summit meeting in Windhoek, Namibia last week.

“All political parties were free to campaign in all parts of the country however they saw fit.

“This saw an unprecedented number of people freely exercising their democratic right to elect leaders of their choice in the spirit of transparency and openness.

“Our elections were held in the full glare of a broader spectrum of international observers and global media,” Mnangagwa said.

Mnangagwa said this as the Constitutional Court was considering an appeal by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party alleging that the election was rigged in favour of him.

The MDC has accused the ruling Zanu-PF and the election commission of ballot fraud in the July 30 vote, Zimbabwe’s first poll since the ousting of Robert Mugabe in November, said an AFP report.

Mnangagwa narrowly won the presidential race with 50.8% of the vote – just enough to avoid a run-off against the MDC’s Nelson Chamisa, who scored 44.3%.

The state-owned Herald newspaper on Saturday quoted Mnangagwa as telling the SADC summit that the elections represented “maturing entrenchment of democratic traditions and values in Zimbabwe”.

Mnangagwa said the focus was now on revamping the economy and uplifting the people’s standard of life.

Mnangagwa said he was humbled by the support Zimbabweans entrusted in him through the ballot.

“I am deeply humbled and honoured by the show of confidence in me and the mandate conferred on my party Zanu-PF,” he was quoted as saying.

News24

Parties to the election petition by MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa will today meet at the Constitutional Court Registry office to consolidate the record in preparation for the hearing of the challenge on Wednesday.

Chamisa, claims the election was rigged.

He accuses the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of conniving with Zanu-PF to rig the election in favour of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa was declared winner of the election with 50,8 percent of the total vote against Mr Chamisa who got 44,3 percent.

The meeting will be held in compliance with an order issued last week by Chief Justice Luke Malaba at a case management meeting held in his chambers.

Part of the court order reads:

“By consent, it is ordered that consolidation of the record is to be attended to by the Registrar at 11am on Monday 20 August, 2018.

“All parties are expected to attend.”

Today’s meeting will be held after the filing of all the necessary court papers for the challenge to ensure the record will be in order.

In terms of the Chief Justice’s order of last week, Mnangagwa must file his head today at 10am.

Chamisa filed his heads of argument and answering affidavit on Saturday beating the court’s noon deadline.

In the petition, Chamisa alleges electoral fraud and malpractices during the elections in which Zanu-pf romped to victory, claiming two-thirds parliamentary majority, with President Mnangagwa taking a 6,5 percent lead.

Mnangagwa along with the other 21 losing presidential candidates and ZEC were all cited as respondents in the high-profile petition. In his response filed last Wednesday, President Mnangagwa argued that there was no valid election petition challenging his victory. He raised several preliminary objections to the petition.

State Media

OPPOSITION MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday ordered his political nemesis President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa to do the “most gracious and revolutionary thing” by conceding defeat and start negotiating his retirement package before Wednesday to avoid humiliation at the Constitutional Court (ConCourt).

Chamisa said that it was clear from responses by Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) that their defence was weak, adding that he was confident the ConCourt would rule in his favour when the matter goes for hearing on Wednesday.

“In fact, the people have spoken and it is only counter revolutionary to disregard the will of the people,” Chamisa said.

“He knows he lost and he should do the honourable thing; concede defeat. He and (Vice-President Constantino) Chiwenga should start negotiating their retirement packages and allow the people to move on.”

But Justice minister and Mnangagwa’s chief election agent, Ziyambi Ziyambi, challenged the youthful opposition eader to “keep his confidence for Wednesday”.

“The matter is going to court. Do you need comment from outside the court? Chamisa should keep his confidence for Wednesday,” he said.

Chamisa is challenging Mnangagwa’s slim 50,8% win in the July 30 polls, where he garnered 44,3% of the vote in initial results declared by Zec before slashing the Zanu PF leader’s margin to 58,6% following the opposition party’s petition.

The ConCourt will on Wednesday hear the matter in which Chamisa is seeking to overturn Mnangagwa’s electoral victory in the watershed July 30 polls.

The case will, for the first time in the history of Zimbabwe, be televised live.

In his heads of argument filed on Saturday, Chamisa said Zec had failed to explain Mnangagwa’s vote tally, claiming the Zanu PF leader was a beneficiary of 70 000 illegal votes “engineered” by Zec to avoid a run-off election.

He claimed the number of votes cast in the presidential election did not square up with the voter turnout claimed by the Zec.

He said the number of votes cast for the presidential election exceeded the number of votes cast for each parliamentary election, according to Zec’s figures and the discrepancy was not explained.

Chamisa, whose legal team is led by Advocate Thabani Mpofu and also includes South Africa’s advocates Dali Mpofu and Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, also claimed some polling stations had more votes recorded than the registered voters, while at others, the voters exceeded the threshold of 1 000 and again there was no explanation by Zec.

Mnangagwa is due to file his heads of argument today.

The Zanu PF leader has insisted he won in a free and fair poll and accused his rival of political grandstanding.

Mnangagwa claims Chamisa’s court case is flimsy.

Advocate Lewis Uriri leads Mnangagwa’s defence team made up of a dozen lawyers, who include Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa and party legal secretary Paul Mangwana.

Chamisa said he had noted the caution and circumspect position taken by Sadc in its communique of the just-ended Summit when it congratulated Angolan President João Lourenço on his victory in the August 23, 2017 elections, but withheld congratulations on Mnangagwa.

“Sadc congratulated Angola’s President and withheld congratulating Zanu PF and Mnangagwa because they know very well that he did not win,” he said.

“They knew he was defeated and that is why they encouraged Zimbabwe to complete the court process.”

Chamisa said it was also a fallacy that Zanu PF garnered a two-thirds parliamentary majority because most seats were being challenged, especially in rural areas where alleged electoral malpractices, including voter intimidation and fictitious assisted voters, were rampant.

NewsDay

High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese has blocked Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and a Chief Superintendent Nyapfuri from setting a board of inquiry to probe a junior cop, Vusumuzi Ncube, facing charges of fraud and misconduct.

Ncube had filed an urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court on August 18, citing Matanga and Nyapfuri as respondents seeking to bar them from conducting the inquiry.

In his founding affidavit Ncube, who has been with the police for four years, submitted that on March 17, 2017 he appeared before a police disciplinary hearing officer, one Superintendent Musemwa of ZRP Hwange station, charged with contravening paragraph 34 of the schedule to the Police Act Chapter 11:10.

“I was duly convicted on May 11 2017 and was fined $10. I filed an appeal with the 1st respondent (Matanga). First respondent set aside my conviction and acquitted me on September 13, 2017 being the convening order,” part of Ncube’s paper read.

“However, on May 2, 2018 I was convicted by the magistrates’ court sitting at Hwange of contravening 136 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23 based on the same circumstances.

“I filed my notice of appeal with the court and the appeal is pending — being the notice and grounds of appeal.”

Ncube said he had been served with a notice to appear before a board of inquiry based on his conviction in the magistrates’ court set for August 15, 2018 — having been postponed from the initial date of July 19, 2018 notwithstanding that his appeal at the High Court is still pending.

“Should the board of inquiry proceed, which as stated is unlawful, I may be irreparably prejudiced as I might lose my job,” he submitted.

“Wherefore I pray for an interdict, interdicting the second respondent from convening a board of inquiry on suitability before my appeal is heard.”

In his ruling, Justice Makonese said: “The 1st respondent (Matanga) be and is hereby interdicted from convening a board of inquiry in respect of the suitability of the applicant pending finalisation of applicant’s appeal under case number HCA59/18.”

At the magistrate’s court, Ncube was accused of fraud in which it is alleged that on March 13, 2017, together with his six accomplices deployed at Cross Mabale along Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road for traffic enforcement duties, a member of the team arrested Soren Lindstrom, a tourist at Hwange National Park Lodge who was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser with Botswana number plates, whom they charged for having no lock nuts.

They allegedly charged him $40, but receipted only $10 on the top copy they retained as proof of payment. Lindstrom was later tipped by an official at a lodge that the fine of $40 was illegal and he confronted the police officers, who in turn asked for the copy they gave him before one of them chewed it to destroy the evidence.

A report made to police, led to Ncube’s arrest.

NewsDay

Media Statement|The Zimbabwean judiciary must swear in Nelson Chamisa as President of Zimbabwe with immediate effect or call for peaceful, free, fair, credible and international conducted re-run of the Presidential election.

The alteration of figures by ZEC reveal that the Presidential figures were tempered with in favour of the outgoing President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

We are not going to accept Mnangagwa as Zimbabwe’s President because it is clear that he didn’t win the elections.

It is therefore prudent to declare and swear in Nelson Chamisa as Zimbabwe’s legitimate leader. The second option is to set aside the fraudulent result and re-run the Presidential election altogether.

We urge the people of Zimbabwe to remain on high alert as we move to defend the people’s choice.

Do not be intimidated. They will not dare shoot anyone again. They are hoping to rely on the fear they instilled when they shot ten people dead on the 1st of August 2018.

We are winning already. They’re exposing themselves and their lies and pilfrage are falling apart. We all need to play our part as citizens and as a movement.

We are the custodian of our own votes. We are our own voices. We together and collectively have the power to take our Mnangagwa and his gang of criminals.

They’re in the minority. They don’t control the army. They’re actually more scared of us than we know it, hence the shootings. They’re weak and defeated. They’re actually praying that we don’t do anything. The moment we start to act together as citizens in pursuit of our vote they will only have but only one option-to run, and run they will!

We are going to keep you updated on a daily basis. We are winning we are winning we are winning. Let us not give up or yield of to their empty threats. The real Zimbabwe National Army is not on their side NOT to mention the police, CIO and other security organs. They’re all on the side of the people. They waiting counting and hoping on you and me to take the first step. Let us remain vigilant and mobilised. We shall be informing you of the next course of action.

Mnangagwa lost the Presidential election. He must concede and step down. If not there must be re-run of the Presidential elections that is peaceful, free, fair, credible and internationally supervised.

#tajamuka

A nineteen year old teenager from Cowdray Park suburb in Bulawayo has been arrested for allegedly killing his mother and keeping the body in the house for two days after she failed to repay 50 cents he had given her.

Tinashe Tidziwani attacked his mother Regina Tidziwani (59) and when he discovered that she had died he locked the house and went away.

The young man, who lived at home with his mother went to his uncle’s home the following day after committing the murder and informed him that he had injured his mother but did not say she had died.

The uncle sent the woman’s daughter-in-law to go and check her on Friday, only for her to discover that she was dead.

Police said the body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for post mortem there were signs that the deceased bled from the mouth and nose after being attacked at around 8PM last Wednesday.

Bulawayo Metropolitan Province acting police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the man was arrested on Friday after the discovery of the body.

“I can confirm we received a report of a 19-year- old man from Bulawayo who allegedly assaulted his mother, resulting in her death. He attacked her with fists and kicked her several times until a neighbour came to her rescue.

“We suspect she may have died on the very night and the body showed she bled from the mouth and nose. The now deceased’s daughter-in-law who had come to visit discovered the body in her bedroom and she informed neighbours who told her about the attack two days earlier,” he said.

Inspector Ncube said police launched a manhunt for the suspect who was not home when the body was discovered and arrested him.

“He is in custody and is assisting police with investigations. He will appear in court soon,” said the police spokesperson.

“We also warn youths to refrain from drug and alcohol abuse because no-one in his proper senseS can attack anyone over 50 cents.”

A neighbour who preferred anonymity said it was not the first time that Tinashe had attacked his mother.

The neighbour said when he fatally attacked his mother, the man was drunk.

“It’s not the first time the young man attacked his mother but we never expected it to result in death. Last Wednesday, one neighbour rushed to her rescue after hearing her screams for help.

“The neighbour said Tinashe beat his mother like he was possessed, punching and kicking her as she groaned in pain on the floor in her bedroom.

“He stormed out of the house and probably went to his favourite spot at the local shopping centre. We think the woman bled to death that very night but Tinashe decided to keep it secret until luckily the now deceased’s daughter in-law came,” said the neighbour.

State media

Chamisa’s detractors claimed Cross was just one of many veterans disillusioned by the 40-year-old MDC Alliance presidential election candidate’s leadership style.

However, the former Bulawayo South MP was singing a different tune in an exclusive interview with The Standard.

Cross (EC) told Standard senior reporter Veneranda Langa (VL), he remained a member of the MDC-T after relinquishing his several positions.

He described Chamisa as a “brilliant young man” and believes Zimbabwe’s future lies in young people. Below are excerpts from the interview.

VL: In your blog on August 3 you said any legal challenge to the July 30 presidential elections would be “shortlived”. Do you believe President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa won the election against Nelson Chamisa?

EC: Well, I cannot say that because I think the Constitutional Court will make a ruling in that respect.

VL: The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has said the elections were compromised by a partisan state-controlled media, use of food aid to influence the vote and traditional leaders who mobilised for Zanu PF. How do you reconcile that with your assertion that it was the most free and fair election since 1980?

EC: What I can only say is that there is nothing new in what the ZHRC said in their report.

Everyone knows that Zanu PF has been doing that since the 2000 elections.

However, this time around, there was some improvement in terms of how the elections were run, and for the first time we had independent newspapers writing what they wanted.

There is no doubt in my mind that the 2018 elections were the most free and fair elections.

Previously, it was not so free at all, and I think the international community will also classify this election as reasonable.

There is no doubt that the election campaign period was much better than before.

VL: According to some MDC-T officials, you resigned from the party recently. If true, why did you resign?

EC: I have not resigned from the party as an individual member. I just resigned from positions which I held in the party, for instance, being a member of the national executive, a member of the national organising committee, and as a member of the elections directorate, but I am still a member of the party.

VL: What are your thoughts on Nelson Chamisa’s credentials as a party leader and aspiring president of Zimbabwe?

EC: I think Chamisa is a brilliant young man. He had a fantastic campaign and he did represent the next generation well.

There is no doubt in my mind that Chamisa is a good leader.

He played the political game well, he is a tough guy and he managed to exercise his authority in the party very quickly and that is a sign of good leadership.

We had our issues, but I am from the old generation, and now I believe that we should give a chance to the new, younger generation.

VL: Do you think former president Robert Mugabe’s endorsement of Chamisa on the eve of the election had an effect on the outcome?

EC: Yes, I think Mugabe’s statements were very detrimental to Chamisa’s campaign.

Mugabe is a hated individual and that is why there was an uprising in November 2017 to remove him from power.

People hated him and for Mugabe to endorse Chamisa was very detrimental to the MDC Alliance campaign.

VL: You are one of the few opposition MPs that seemed to endorse Mnangagwa after the coup. Do you see him as any different from Mugabe and why?

EC: We (Zimbabweans) worked with Mugabe for more than 40 years, and that is a very long time with one leader. When Mnangagwa came, I thought that the country would support him, but he has a lot to do.

VL: The July 30 election results show that Bulawayo, which includes your former constituency, rejected Mnangagwa. Do you think they made a mistake by not endorsing his leadership?

EC: I do not think that there is anything peculiar about that because Bulawayo has always been anti-Zanu PF.

Chamisa got more than 80% margins, and there is no change because it is an MDC Alliance stronghold. They have always rejected Zanu PF.

VL: What is your view on assertions that Mnangagwa is equally guilty of all the sins associated with Mugabe such as corruption, torture, financial indiscipline and killing of Zanu PF opponents?

EC: He (Mnangagwa) being in Zanu PF carries the same burden as Mugabe and I think as a party, they will have to live with that, and also that Mnangagwa is in the same position as Mugabe.

It means that he will have to try and deal with it. However, I believe that people can change, and even the Bible says that you will know a tree by its fruits.

There are past atrocities like Gukurahundi, but what can he do? That was a long time ago, and now we need to put the ghosts of the past away and work towards national healing.

We need to fix all human rights abuses, including those of Operation Murambatsvina, the 2008 electoral violence and even the crimes that happened during the liberation war.

VL: Do you think the opposition, including the MDC, in its current form has any chance of upstaging Zanu PF through elections?

EC: They can, but I think they need to look at past mistakes and change the manner in which they fight elections.

VL: What do you consider to be the biggest challenges you faced as opposition MP and any regrets?

EC: I cannot talk about regrets, but what I can say is that the most exciting moments of my time as a legislator and politician was representing the poor. No regrets at all. – Standard

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As the day of Nelson Chamisa’s court case against Emmerson Mnangagwa approached, one of the judges on the bench to hear the case’s family (Justice Bharatkumar Patel)  has reportedly fled into US embassy protection after an assassination attempt.

The report was however still unverified at the time of publishing. ZimEye was at the time of writing still without a reply from the US embassy.

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THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY – REFRESH THIS PAGE FOR THE UPDATES.

By Paul Nyathi|A 47 Year old malawian woman has married her biological son who is aged 30 all because she spent alot of money on his education.

Memory Njemani says another woman can not come in to be married to her son after her hard work in educating the son.

She says it is high time she enjoys herself with her son because they both worked hard.

“I invested alot of money in the education of my son. Why should another woman be married to him and enjoy my hard work I invested in him? That will not happen. I’m marrying my son so that we don’t empower other women who have been aborting ” she lamented.

Meanwhile society is rebuking the move charging that the woman is a witch and must be burnt to ashes.

The public says she bewitched her son to marry her not the claims she is making.

The two have since married and are staying together.

Zanu PF Politburo members and the women’s league executive have described the late national heroine, Thokozile Mathuthu as an unassuming and hardworking cadre who served the nation with distinction.

Speaking at the National Heroes Acre where they bid farewell to their colleague, the ZANU PF Politburo and Women’s League members also thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Zanu PF leadership for according Mathuthu the national heroine status.

Zanu PF National Chairperson Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri said Zimbabwe is poorer without Mathuthu, whom she described as a well organised administrator, adding that her impact was felt at all levels of leadership she assumed.

Zanu PF Secretary for Women Affairs, Mabel Chinomona hailed Mathuthu’s work ethic and thanked President Mnangagwa for recognising the work of women in the party and the nation at large.

Zanu PF National Secretary for Information and Publicity, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo and Politburo member, Joshua Malinga commended Mathuthu for being an unassuming leader, who remained humble despite holding high offices throughout her political career.

Relatives and the Zanu PF Matabeleland North leadership also spoke glowingly about the late national heroine.

A humble family person, an accomplished businesswoman and a unifying politician, were some of the words Mathuthu’s relative, Mr S.J Gumbo used to describe the national heroine, adding the Gumbo and Mathuthu families appreciate the status bestowed on their relative.

Senator Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu said the province learnt a lot from the late national heroine, while Zanu PF Matabeleland North Women’s Quota legislator, Elizabeth Masuku said Mathuthu left behind a legacy of humility, hardwork and dedication.

Zanu PF Secretary for Finance in Matabeleland North Province, Stars Mathe said they got inspiration from the leadership style of Mathuthu, who valued unity more than any other values.

Mathuthu held various positions in government and the ruling party throughout her illustrious career.

She is the former Minister of State for Matabeleland North Province and once served as the Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.

At party level, she served as the Deputy Secretary for Women Affairs and was once the Secretary for Transport and Welfare in the Politburo.

Zbc News Online

As ZimEye exclusively revealed on Tuesday, the re-elected Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba created drama at the Buhera District Heroes’ Acre in Murambwi under Chief Nyashanu on Monday when he chased away six war veterans for being sell-outs.

The war veterans had to run for dear life after Chinotimba declared that anyone who supported an independent candidate was a sell-out and therefore did not deserve to be present at a function led by Zanu-PF.

ZimEye was first to reveal how Chief Chamutsa from Buhera South was chased away from the District Heroes Celebration centre.

The fracas happened in ward 28 near Murambwi river in the afternoon.

Ironically Heroes’ Day events are for all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation, reports the Masvingo Mirror.

The ‘sell-outs’ were pursued by the youth. The war veterans were attacked for supporting an independent Ngonidzashe Mudekunye who stood against Chinotimba in the national elections on July 30 2018.

Moffart Gondowe is one of the war veterans who ran for dear life.

“MuZanu-PF hatidi vatengesi nevapanduki even war veterans who go against the party are sell-outs and should be treated as such. People like Gondowe should not be seen on events like these because they support opposition,” said Chinotimba.

Chinotimba also instructed the youths to attack Chief Chamutsa and they almost took away his chieftainship badge and tried to block him from attending the Heroes’ Day celebrations.

The function was also marred by low turnout.

Zambia Social Forum, a movement of civil society organisations, last week petition President Edgar Lungu highlighting the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe following the disputed July 30 harmonised elections.

The civil society organisations, through a statement issued by their national coordinator Gershom Kabaso, say they are concerned with the deployment of the military in the towns such as Harare and Bulawayo.

“The Zambia Social Forum, a social movement working with civil society organisations, community groupings and individuals, condemns in the strongest terms the reported human rights violations on our sisters and brothers in Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the July 30 harmonised elections.

“As a movement we are deeply concerned with the use of brute force on unarmed citizens by the military which even lead to the death of some people in Harare. We would like to call upon the leadership in Zimbabwe to respect the citizen’s rights and de-militaries the major cities. The military should be confined to the Barracks so that citizens can freely enjoy their freedoms.

“We call upon President Edgar Lungu as the incoming Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to take a keen interest in the rights violation of citizens in Zimbabwe. We are equally concerned that the Government of President Emerson Mnangagwa is now targeting opposition figures.

“The stability of Zimbabwe is not only important for the citizens of that country but for the region as a whole. It is in the best interest of Zambia to support peace initiatives in Zimbabwe as the socio-economic effects will also negatively impact all its neighbors.

“As a social forum we will petition President Lungu and the other Heads of State in the SADC region to ensure that people’s rights are respected in Zimbabwe. Never again should SADC and indeed Africa tolerate any form of dictatorship that abuses citizen’s human rights,” the statements reads.

Zambia has come under severe criticism for defying a court order and deporting MDC Alliance principal and newly-elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Harare East, Tendai Biti, back to Zimbabwe.

tellzim

Former MDC-T policy advisor Eddie Cross recently resigned from active leadership positions in the Nelson Chamisa-led opposition party amid claims the veteran politician was turning his back on politics.

Chamisa’s detractors claimed Cross was just one of many veterans disillusioned by the 40-year-old MDC Alliance presidential election candidate’s leadership style.

However, the former Bulawayo South MP was singing a different tune in an exclusive interview with The Standard.

Cross (EC) told our senior reporter Veneranda Langa (VL), he remained a member of the MDC-T after relinquishing his several positions.

He described Chamisa as a “brilliant young man” and believes Zimbabwe’s future lies in young people. Below are excerpts from the interview.

VL: In your blog on August 3 you said any legal challenge to the July 30 presidential elections would be “shortlived”. Do you believe President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa won the election against Nelson Chamisa?

EC: Well, I cannot say that because I think the Constitutional Court will make a ruling in that respect.

VL: The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has said the elections were compromised by a partisan state-controlled media, use of food aid to influence the vote and traditional leaders who mobilised for Zanu PF. How do you reconcile that with your assertion that it was the most free and fair election since 1980?

EC: What I can only say is that there is nothing new in what the ZHRC said in their report.

Everyone knows that Zanu PF has been doing that since the 2000 elections.

However, this time around, there was some improvement in terms of how the elections were run, and for the first time we had independent newspapers writing what they wanted.

There is no doubt in my mind that the 2018 elections were the most free and fair elections.

Previously, it was not so free at all, and I think the international community will also classify this election as reasonable.

There is no doubt that the election campaign period was much better than before.

VL: According to some MDC-T officials, you resigned from the party recently. If true, why did you resign?

EC: I have not resigned from the party as an individual member. I just resigned from positions which I held in the party, for instance, being a member of the national executive, a member of the national organising committee, and as a member of the elections directorate, but I am still a member of the party.

VL: What are your thoughts on Nelson Chamisa’s credentials as a party leader and aspiring president of Zimbabwe?

EC: I think Chamisa is a brilliant young man. He had a fantastic campaign and he did represent the next generation well.

There is no doubt in my mind that Chamisa is a good leader.

He played the political game well, he is a tough guy and he managed to exercise his authority in the party very quickly and that is a sign of good leadership.

We had our issues, but I am from the old generation, and now I believe that we should give a chance to the new, younger generation.

VL: Do you think former president Robert Mugabe’s endorsement of Chamisa on the eve of the election had an effect on the outcome?

EC: Yes, I think Mugabe’s statements were very detrimental to Chamisa’s campaign.

Mugabe is a hated individual and that is why there was an uprising in November 2017 to remove him from power.

People hated him and for Mugabe to endorse Chamisa was very detrimental to the MDC Alliance campaign.

VL: You are one of the few opposition MPs that seemed to endorse Mnangagwa after the coup. Do you see him as any different from Mugabe and why?

EC: We (Zimbabweans) worked with Mugabe for more than 40 years, and that is a very long time with one leader. When Mnangagwa came, I thought that the country would support him, but he has a lot to do.

VL: The July 30 election results show that Bulawayo, which includes your former constituency, rejected Mnangagwa. Do you think they made a mistake by not endorsing his leadership?

EC: I do not think that there is anything peculiar about that because Bulawayo has always been anti-Zanu PF.

Chamisa got more than 80% margins, and there is no change because it is an MDC Alliance stronghold. They have always rejected Zanu PF.

VL: What is your view on assertions that Mnangagwa is equally guilty of all the sins associated with Mugabe such as corruption, torture, financial indiscipline and killing of Zanu PF opponents?

EC: He (Mnangagwa) being in Zanu PF carries the same burden as Mugabe and I think as a party, they will have to live with that, and also that Mnangagwa is in the same position as Mugabe.

It means that he will have to try and deal with it. However, I believe that people can change, and even the Bible says that you will know a tree by its fruits.

There are past atrocities like Gukurahundi, but what can he do? That was a long time ago, and now we need to put the ghosts of the past away and work towards national healing.

We need to fix all human rights abuses, including those of Operation Murambatsvina, the 2008 electoral violence and even the crimes that happened during the liberation war.

VL: Do you think the opposition, including the MDC, in its current form has any chance of upstaging Zanu PF through elections?

EC: They can, but I think they need to look at past mistakes and change the manner in which they fight elections.

VL: What do you consider to be the biggest challenges you faced as opposition MP and any regrets?

EC: I cannot talk about regrets, but what I can say is that the most exciting moments of my time as a legislator and politician was representing the poor. No regrets at all.

Standard

The ZESN board wishes to categorically refute false claims that it has called for an urgent meeting, at ZESN offices on the 23rd of August 2018 at 0900 hours.

ZESN advises stakeholders and the general public that contrary to the circular on social media, it has not called for a meeting on 23 August. The claims in the fictitious circular are malicious and bent on tarnishing the image of the National Director and the Network hence should be treated with the contempt it deserves.

On behalf of the board, ZESN Board Chairperson, Andrew. Makoni wishes to advise that the circulating notice issued through the press is fake and has neither been issued by the board nor “the board of trustees”.

In the discharge of its mandate, ZESN maintains independence, impartiality and objectivity as key values.

ZESN remains committed to promoting democratic electoral processes in Zimbabwe and is unmoved by the attacks on the integrity of the Network.

Official ZESN communication including statements, reports and updates are issued through the Network’s official media and communication channels. //Ends/

Paul Nyathi|The MDC Alliance has declared Tuesday this week as a day of prayer and fasting for the court outcome on an election challenge filed by Nelson Chamisa at the Constitutional Court.

In a message circulating on social media platforms the party invited all its supporters to join in the prayer session.

“We have set aside Tuesday as our Alliance day of fasting to all peace loving Zimbabweans. Gets ready for this program, who knows your prayer can make a change . Wednesday is also our second day for fasting to those who are strong. The time is now to make noise unto the Lord in prayer and fasting. Don’t just watch change coming but be part of it,” the party said.

“KJV Isaiah 43– The Lord Comforts with His Promises 1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.”

“4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west.We shall make use of Isaiah 43 as our theme verse until this case is finalised.Get out of you comfort zone start praying for our beloved country Zimbabwe. Pray for the judges, pray for our MDC lawyers.”

By Own Correspondent| Two people were seriously injured when two commuter omnibuses were involved in an accident near Zindoga shopping centre along Beatrice road in Harare.

Details of the accident, which occurred near Prophet Walter Magaya’s PHD ministries were still sketchy with sources claiming that no-one died on the spot.

Below are pictures of the two vehicles:

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.

The State has revived a case in which controversial businessmen Wicknell Chivayo and Genius Kadungure are being charged for allegedly defrauding two local businessmen about six years ago.

Police only brought Chivayo to court yesterday and no indications were made as to when Kadungure would appear before the same court.

He was given bail on the same terms as those imposed on his previous case in which he is being accused of defrauding the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC).

The State is alleging that sometime in November 2012, Chivayo connived with Kadungure to create a fictitious company named Transco Civil Engineering, purportedly based in neighbouring South Africa.

It is being alleged that they proceeded to open an ABSA bank account. The State claims that they also opened an e-mail account [email protected] purporting to be doing business for Marange Diamonds, which is one of the companies that used to operate in Chiadzwa, in Marange.

It is said that they rented space at Hetzner (Private) Limited in South Africa.

Chivayo and Kadungure then contacted the complainant, whose name was not revealed in court, pretending to be the chief buyers at Marange Resources, looking for mining pumps.

They reportedly gave the complainant an order to supply 10 T-90 Transco-Flo Helical Rotor pumps and referred him to Transco knowing that it was a fictitious company.

The complainant then sent his brother, Enock Gatawa and ZAR446 900 was deposited into Transco’s ABSA account and a further ZAR300 000 later that day.

After transferring the money, Gatawa contacted Transco and was told to go back to Zimbabwe and wait for delivery of the pumps from DHL in three days.

To his surprise, Gatawa got a parcel that had cell-phone chargers and realised that they had been swindled.

Kadungure used ZAR500 000 to buy gas and another ZAR500 000 was transferred into the account of Edward Teka. Chivayo and Kadungure converted ZAR1 046 890 to their own use. The complainant in the second case is Dexter Nduna, the Member of Parliament for Chegutu West constituency.

Using the same modus operandi, it is alleged by the State that Kadungure and Chivayo opened an ABSA bank account under the name Always on Pumps (Private) Limited.

They then approached Nduna claiming they were looking for mining pumps. Nduna was given an order for 20 T-90 Transco-Flo Helical Rotor pumps before being referred to Always on Pumps, which was purported to be a reputable supplier.

He lost ZAR535 000 in the deal as Chivayo and Kadungure became evasive. Meanwhile, Chivayo was on Friday accused of flouting his bail conditions by not reporting to the police as ordered by the court in a pending fraud case involving $5 million allegedly swindled from ZPC.

Detective sergeant Enock Tapasi told the court Chivayo was ordered by the court to report every Monday and Friday at CID Commercials Crimes Unit but did not do so last Monday. Tapasi said his bail should be revoked as a result.

Chivayo responded that he was turned away by an unidentified female police officer who told him that there was no one at the station because it was Heroes Day.

However, the State argued that Chivayo was not being honest because other people reported to the police that same day. The court’s ruling will be passed on Monday.

DailyNews

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has adjusted its presidential election results by slightly reducing incumbent president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s win by over 4,000 votes.

In opposing papers filed at the Constitutional Court to challenge a petition submitted by the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance seeking invalidate Mnangagwa’s victory, ZEC reduced the figures by 0.1 percent.

ZEC reduced Mnangagwa’s win from 50.8 percent to 50.6 percent, noting that some polling stations were counted twice due to a data capture error.

“After the correction of the observed errors … Nelson Chamisa gained 4,483 votes representing a change of 0.1 percent of the announced results whilst Emmerson Mnangagwa’s votes reduced by 4,453 votes representing a 0.8 percent of the announced results.”

“Overall the final computations do not alter significantly the announced 2018 presidential results.”

The corrected figures altered Chamisa’s final results to 44.39 instead of the 44.3 announced by ZEC a few days after the July 30 presidential poll.

Chamisa claims that he garnered 60 percent of the votes cast and Mnangagwa had less than the required 50 plus one vote.

He is challenging the results in court hoping that the Constitutional Court will declare him the winner of the poll, declare Mnangagwa unduly elected and nullify the results of the election.

The court may make any decision it sees fit as prescribed in Zimbabwe’s constitution, including ordering a re-run.

ZEC, which is among several entities and individuals cited as respondents in the MDC Alliance court petition, said even with the mistake, the president-elect has met the fifty-percent plus threshold required to win the poll.

The ruling Zanu PF party has filed opposing papers, arguing that the case should be thrown out of the Constitutional Court as it was allegedly submitted outside the time frame stipulated in Zimbabwe’s constitution.

Twenty-two people contested the presidential poll, which the MDC Alliance claims was fraught with irregularities, including vote rigging in favor of Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF party.

VOA

Peta Thornycroft recently interviewed Zimbabwean President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House in Harare. Below is an extract of the hard hitting interview.

PT: Who gave the army the order to go into the city on August 1?

EM: I consulted the commissioner-general of police and he indicated to me that in terms of the law, the commissioner of police can contact his counterpart who commands the local unit to give him immediate support while the process is ongoing.

The entire country was in a jovial mood. No-one expected the violence that happened so suddenly. The police were taken by surprise. They were deployed country-wide, covering the election process, so suddenly the small unit (left in Harare) could not control what was happening: In terms of the law, police are allowed to summon assistance to bring order.

We regret what happened thereafter and since then. This should not happen again. We are instituting a commission of inquiry and to give it more flavour and transparency we are bringing people in from abroad.

I have one name from SA, one from the UK to consider with three names to join us to look at the matter. The inquiry will begin immediately after the inauguration.

PT: You have made such an effort to rebuild the party and now this tragedy after peaceful elections.

EM: Fortunately I am not doing it alone, I am doing it with my team, we all agree that Zimbabwe must change. We must have a different image from the isolationist posture of the past. Zimbabwe must embrace the international community totally and we are doing everything possible for political reform. For us again to relate and to cooperate with the international community and international business.

PT: There is one photograph shown in the media of a soldier shooting and another soldier stepping forward and stopping him on August 1. What are your views on that?

EM: I have not seen that picture.

PT: It’s a shocking picture. Why hasn’t he been arrested?

EM: Orders have been given about all those people who took the law into their own hands, whether it was police or others who take the law into their own hands. I also don’t want to pre-empt the outcomes of the commission I am instituting.

PT: Human rights groups say there are 150 cases of unconstitutional violence since August 1. Do you agree?

EM: Let me assure you, the best thing to do is get the list of 150 cases and pass it onto us. This is fake news and it’s flying left right and centre.

We were told (of these cases) by Philippe van Damme, the EU ambassador here, and we took him to task and said let’s go around all the hospitals in Harare and see if there is any record of people in hospitals. He had to later apologise as this was not true.

PT: Human rights groups have details of those cases.

EM: Be wary of Zimbabwe human rights groups. They have an agenda. They have always been against the government. They have not changed their minds, they have not shifted their mindset to become democratic but that will take time.

We must deal with facts and not any speculation. Whatever you hear try to check and I think the police will be able to assist you in checking.

PT: Human rights people are desperately looking for the Commissioner of Police.

EM: So why would they come to you – the journalists? Let them go to the commissioner, he is in the country, he is in town…before they make such statements, let them verify these issues with the right authorities. That’s what should be done.

PT: MDC Alliance MP Tendai Biti fled the country and went to Zambia. There was a warrant for his arrest.

EM: What I saw on TV, was that statement issued by the police, that they wanted him to come to Harare Central Police station to clarify certain issues. This has been on the radio. If he was really innocent and had not done anything, he should have quickly gone to Harare police station and stated the issues he wanted to clear. Why did he skip the country?

We’ve also had some discussion with some of the observers. We had set up a call centre where they allegedly received calls from people saying they were threatened here and there. We asked for the addresses of those people threatened in order to investigate.

PT: But many people are fearful nowadays… especially when they see people in uniform.

EM: I have not received information from my party or from the general public or from any citizen saying I am fearful. Never, never.

You will see the police walking in uniform. It is legitimate, it’s allowed by the law. You will see soldiers in their trucks. They are not on a mission to intimidate.

Our police and our army they are very friendly, we have defence forces week, where they go around building clinics. building schools to show the army and the public are in good relations.

So this fake news about our people..that they are afraid of the army.

PT: How will Zimbabwe now move along after these terrible turn of events?

EM: We will continue preaching peace, peace, unity, unity, love, love to our people, it is a culture and we want its roots to go deeper and deeper.

The good will always prevail over evil. Yes, we have people who peddle evil, but what is correct will prevail.

PT: Were you surprised at the election results only .8 percent above 50 percent. (To avoid a run off the winner must have 50% +1.)

EM: We have 133 political parties. Of the 133, 54 political parties were participating in the elections and 22 were bidding for the office of president…all 22 were fighting me, and I am so proud that I beat not only the 22 but the entire 54.

And I got 2.4 million votes against 2,1 million….. 22 political parties and I beat them all.

PT: The MDC Alliance has gone to court to challenge your victory. What are your views?

EM: I am not privy to their thinking.

As a government we have not interfered with the process of the ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission), we are staying aloof, we allow the law to take its course. This is my attitude.

And we are already moving the trajectory of growth, so what will happen will be the continuation of the trajectory of growth, we are going to be out there with more focus, more energy, to make sure that in the course of business, Zimbabwe needs to become more competitive, so that we can again catch up with the rest of the developing countries ahead of us.

PT: Will the Mugabe family have some of their many farms taken away?

EM: It’s not a question of voluntary giving up, but about complying with the policy.

I am still receiving evidence of what the (former) first family had. When that process is complete they will select one farm and the rest will be given elsewhere.

We have the land commission, and this is one of the matters they are seized with attending to.

It’s not on the basis of the family, (one family, one farm). It is on the basis of government policy. There are so many others families who have more than one farm. It must all be governed by the size of the farm.

PT: Is there anything you regret in your life?

EM: I don’t think I regret anything. I have no other life I know except politics from when I was 17. I never worked for anyone but the people and the party. I don’t regret I chose that life. At the end of the day, I did what I did for my country.

PT: Will the new truth commission you signed into law, to deal with thousands of murders of opposition supporters from the 80s, get enough money to operate properly?

EM: When they (commission officials) want money, they don’t go to journalists… let them come to me. You must first ask them, did you go to the president?

PT: What do you say about those massacres, known as Gukuruhundi, following independence?

EM: Well, our former President (Mugabe) described it and said it was a ‘moment of madness’.

That’s how he described that event. I have said we can’t live in the past, and that should never again happen in our country. Let us be a family and forge ahead, whatever wrongs we regret and they should never again visit our country. I second the position taken by our former president – a moment of madness.

PT: In Mugabe’s statements to the press before the elections, he said he never trusted you.

EM: I trusted him to the end and it’s only now that I’ve learnt he doesn’t trust me. We shared the deepest issues together.

PT: Mugabe has talked about you and Dan Stannard, the former Rhodesian head of security who later became head of Zimbabwe’s security about some of the activities you got up to. What is your thought on this?

EM: During the era of independence some South Africans and Selous Scouts (Rhodesian soldiers) were going to blow up heads of state and Prince Charles, Indira Gandhi, at Rufaro Stadium.

They brought in some Sam 7 missiles, and the person who alerted us was Dan Stannard. We removed them. Even Claymore Mines were put in Rufaro grounds and this is why Stannard got an award. I think it is his (Mugabe’s) old age, that he has forgotten.

He said I was a Rhodesian spy? Old age is bad if his mind twists that way.

Why would he work with me for 54 years if I was a Rhodesian spy? Rubbish and nonsense this is.

PT: What about the immediate post-independence period of instability in the country.

EM: I should give credit for how we handled matters post-independence. The president, prime minister (Mugabe) back then espoused national reconciliation.

We had some whites who went out to reverse our gains but we were able to outmanoeuvre them and establish peace.

At the time there were a lot of bandits and dissidents killing people in Matabeleland North, the Midlands. I am happy that at the end of the day reconciliation won because it was not an easy task to marry three armies which had different orientations.

PT: What about violence against the MDC post-2000? Many were killed and jailed and none have been prosecuted for those crimes.

EM: You can go back to the police and find out who was not charged. Go to the police and ask what happened to those cases.

Anyone who committed a crime the police would have had a duty to arrest, them.

PT: What about the G40 faction within Zanu PF that has been loyal to Mugabe… what happened to them?

EM: I have never been a member of G40. I don’t know what they are planning or not planning. I hear from security that they continuously tweet. They continuously make statements.

To me. I am looking forward to the future. There is no reason for living in the past. We must all preach peace and unite our people even those who were antagonistic. We are Zimbabweans and come together.

PT: Returning to the shooting in Harare on August 1. Who gave the order to the army because General Valerio Sibanda says he did not give the order?

EM: I have replied to this. You are so repetitive…

This is typical like Mugabe.

We walked together for 54 years and he didn’t trust me.

No one gave orders …there is this perception and it is disjointed. I explained, the army has a strict command structure, I am the commander-in-chief and matters are handled according to the process.

Independent Foreign Service

Paul Nyathi|Lawyers representing MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa on Saturday managed to meet the court deadline to file answering affidavits and heads of arguments at the Constitutional Court on the challenge against Emmerson Mnangagwa’s election victory.

The President-elect’s lawyers will also file their final papers on Monday ahead of a sitting of the full nine-judge Constitutional Court bench on Wednesday.

Speaking to journalists after filing the papers, MDC Alliance legal representative Sylvester Hashiti said:

“We have filed our detailed heads of arguments addressing all points of all that they (Mnangagwa’s legal team) raised. We have also filed replying affidavits to reply to what their purported experts have said.”

Zanu-PF Secretary for Legal Affairs Paul Mangwana said they would file their opposing papers on Monday as instructed by the Constitutional Court.

“Our main line of argument is that their application is attempting to substitute votes that were cast through a scientific formula which they are positing. Elections are won and lost on the basis of votes. You don’t determine an electoral output through some scientific formulas. At law we have the best evidence and in this case, the best evidence in this case comes from the ballots.”

Mangwana said they would also argue for the case to be dismissed on a technicality over late submissions, before the merits of the case are heard. He said the MDC-Alliance failed to serve President Mnangagwa on time, something Hashiti disputes.

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By Paul Nyathi|MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has mourned the sudden death of former UN General Secretary Kofi Annan.

Chamisa expresses deep sadness at the death of Annan who was in the country just a few days ago to mediate on the impasse in the aftermath of the national elections held at the end of last month.

Wrote Chamisa on his Twitter account:

Deeply saddened by the sudden passing of the iconic Kofi Annan whom I met a few days ago. A rare breed of diplomat; soft spoken but unshakeably firm. He had great love for world peace & democracy. A believer in Zimbabwe & its people. Go well son of Africa, Champion of the world!

“In terms of the Law the fake result 50.8% announced by Chigumba is final. Now that she has revised her result twice where is the ZRP?,” asks the MP for Kuwadzana Chalton Hwende.

In terms of the Law the fake result 50.8% announced by Chigumba is final. Now that she has revised her result twice where is the ZRP pic.twitter.com/NuvssyeXhI

— Chalton Hwende (@hwende) August 18, 2018

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Press Statement|It is with immense sadness that the Annan family and the Kofi Annan Foundation announce that Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness. His wife Nane and their children Ama, Kojo and Nina were by his side during his last days.

Kofi Annan was a global statesman and a deeply committed internationalist who fought throughout his life for a fairer and more peaceful world. During his distinguished career and leadership of the United Nations he was an ardent champion of peace, sustainable development, human rights and the rule of law.

After stepping down from the United Nations, he continued to work tirelessly in the cause of peace through his chairmanship of the Kofi Annan Foundation and as chair of The Elders, the group founded by Nelson Mandela. He was an inspiration to young and old alike.

Kofi Annan was a son of Ghana and felt a special responsibility towards Africa. He was particularly committed to African development and deeply engaged in many initiatives, including his chairmanship of the Africa Progress Panel and his early leadership of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

Wherever there was suffering or need, he reached out and touched many people with his deep compassion and empathy. He selflessly placed others first, radiating genuine kindness, warmth and brilliance in all he did. He will be greatly missed by so many around the world, as well as his staff at the Foundation and his many former colleagues in the United Nations system. He will remain in our hearts forever.

The family kindly requests privacy at this time of mourning. Arrangements to celebrate his remarkable life will be announced later.