ZIMBABWEAN authorities have arrested two MDC Alliance party members taking the number of people arrested for allegedly participating in protests staged in Harare early this month over delays in announcing the results of harmonised elections to 31.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers arrested Last Vambe on Saturday 11 August 2018 and Jeff Chaitezvi on Monday 13 August 2018 and charged them with public violence as defined in section 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutors accused Vambe and Chaitezvi, who appeared at Harare Magistrates Court on Monday 13 August 2018, of participating in a demonstration held on 01 August 2018 in Harare to protest the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s management of the harmonised elections held on 30 July 2018, which reportedly resulted in the destruction of property and left six people dead after they were shot by some members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
Vambe and Chaitezvi, who were represented by Gift Mtisi and Kossam Ncube of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights were granted $50 bail by Harare Magistrate Francis Mapfumo, who ordered them to report once a week at Law and Order Section at Harare Central Police Station, reside at their given residential addresses and not to interfere with state witnesses.
The arrest of Vambe and Chaitezvi brings the number of people arrested in connection with the elections protest to 31 including Tendai Biti, one of the MDC Alliance party leaders, David Zvavamwe Shambare, Shadreck Mashayamombe, Tapiwa Joni, Ngonidzashe Makazhu, Michael Mheta, Simbarashe Mujeye, Judith Chacha, Lilian Mahosi, Anna Chezhira, Angeline Mukoki, Agatha Mubaiwa, Chancellor Nyamande, Livenice Kachana, Tichaona Daniel, Farai Nyamhunga, Mercy Mataramvura, Munyaradzi Chibanda, Samson Nerwande, Raymond Machakaire, Tapiwa Naume Khamu, Tendai Torerwa, Christopher Nikisi, Tonderai Chakona, Justin Mugashu, Simbarashe Zvobgo, Trymore Mubaiwa, Searchmore Mutegude and Kudakwashe Katunhu, who are all out of custody on bail.
By Own Correspondent| Failure by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to apologise for the deaths of at least 6 civilians after soldiers used live bullets on civilians and bystanders while dispersing opposition supporters who were protesting reflects that he is irresponsible and untruthful, MDC Alliance spokesperson Welshman Ncube has said.
Ncube dismissed Mnangagwa’s claims that the opposition was reaponaible for the deaths of the 6 people adding that the Alliance never pulled the trigger neither did it kill anyone.
Said Ncube,
“Even in war-torn countries like Syria or Israel, nothing like that happens. How does he blame the MDC Alliance when we did not kill anyone? Did we shoot at anyone?
Do we have an army to kill? He is being irresponsible and untruthful. It is utter nonsense.
Even in war countries like Syria, that does not happen.
We expected him to apologise at least and do so unreservedly.”
Gweru Residents Forum Statement|The Gweru Residents Forum notes with concern the outbreak of typhoid in some of areas of high density of Mkoba which has claimed over 9 lives so far and over 300 have received medical attention .In this context the outbreak has been experienced in areas of Mkoba 13, 15, 18, 19 and 20. Reports emanating from Gweru City town house points to the notion that the source of the Typhoid outbreak cannot be clearly pointed out. However some unconfirmed reports from the Town house suggest that there was contamination of one of the council pumped water pipes in Mkoba which mixed with raw sewerage and hence people drank that sewerage and the water which was now fed with excess chlorine which has led to the current state of affairs that we are currently grappling with in Gweru.
They are high expectations that in the typhoid crisis that we are currently experiencing there be a coordinated approach towards addressing the problem between Gweru City council(GCC), Ministry of Health and child welfare(MOHCW) ,technical partners ,residents’ associations and the communities. What we are witnessing now is the issue of finger pointing and blame game between the council and the government (Ministry of Health) which is worrisome considering the magnitude of the problem beforehand. The public service delivery infrastructure including water roads, sewerage and refuse collection that Gweru City council is using cannot cope with the urban housing expansion that has been witnessed over the last five years. Equally state land that have been parceled out by land hawks for expansion purposes without the involvement of Gweru City as land sale revenue has greatly contributed to the crisis .This has led to the failure by Gweru City Council to cope with the demand for public services because the resources to expand the service delivery infrastructure was not availed to the local authority .The GRF is of the conviction that there was need for central government to parcel out the land to Gweru City Council for proper planning and investment in public services infrastructure to avoid such challenges and to expand the public service infrastructure in line with the population and housing development within Gweru City.
The GRF urges the central government through the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and Gweru City council and all stakeholders to find common ground and tackle the typhoid crisis head on and desists from accusations and counter accusations on the responsibility of the current situation that we find ourselves as residents. This should be done in line with the provisions in Part II, III, V, VI of the Public Health Act Chapter 15:09
The GRF reiterates the position of the general citizens of Gweru that:
– No to prepaid water meters
– No to arbitrary water disconnections by council employees
– Increase public health awareness programs in partnership with residents associations in sensitizing the residents on the typhoid outbreak.
– Improve public engagement forums to disseminate accurate information to residents rather than the speculation on vital health information that is currently being experienced.
By Own Correspondent| Trouble is brewing in the MDC T faction led by Dr Thokozani Khupe following revelations by the national chairperson Abednico Bhebhe which portrayed the just ended polls as far from free and fair.
In an interview with a local online publication, Bhebhe differed with his party president’s view that the elections were free and fair saying the elections were rigged in Nkayi South where he lost his bid to retain his seat to Zanu-PF’s Stars Mathe.
Bhebhe also complained about vote buying and abuse of food aid by Zanu PF.
Said Bhebhe:
“In Nkayi South, we witnessed covert and very sophisticated rigging machinery. For example, there were a lot of people who voted whom we did not know where they had come from.
Social welfare food was used to buy votes for Zanu PF. Food manipulation played a very important role in Zanu PF’s victory in this election.”-NewZimbabwe.
A recent research has revealed that aspirin could significantly reduce inflammation associated with contracting HIV.
The pilot study, which was conducted by researchers from Manitoba, Waterloo and Nairobi universities, in addition to the Public Health Agency of Canada said, however, that it would take further studies and research to prove that aspirin, a cheap and widely used drug, was another effective tool for HIV prevention.
They warned that they were not yet suggesting that taking aspirin would prevent transmission of the disease until further research was carried out.
Since the early 1990s, researchers have been aware that HIV infection was associated with excessive inflammation.
Some researchers suspected that HIV-related inflammation weakened the immune system in particular and the body in general. One known drug that can partially reduce inflammation is aspirin.
For six weeks, the women were given either aspirin or hydroxychloroquine, another anti-inflammatory drug. The low dosage of aspirin was similar to the amount commonly used for long-term prevention of cardiovascular disease.
At no point in the study were the women exposed to HIV. Instead, researchers wanted to look at whether taking either of the drugs could lower the number of HIV target cells in the women’s female genital tracts.
The researchers’ hypothesis was that, by lowering activated immune cells – the cells proven to be more at risk of HIV infection – they could potentially lower the risk of the infection.
After six weeks on the drugs, researchers found that women who took aspirin saw those HIV target cells drop by 35%. Those taking hydroxychloroquine also saw a significant drop.
The findings were particularly promising, researchers said, because the number of HIV target cells among women who took aspirin were close to the number of HIV target cells among a unique group of Kenyan sex workers who, despite being regularly exposed to HIV, remain uninfected.
The study’s lead author Keith Fowke, head of the University of Manitoba’s department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, said further research was needed to determine whether aspirin’s level of target cell reduction may actually prevent HIV infections.
“We just need to have the evidence that tells people that in addition to taking other HIV prevention measures, you could add onto that using aspirin,” Fowke said.
Kenneth Omollo, a PhD student with the University of Nairobi, who worked on the study, said the promising findings could make a major difference in his home country.
“It is a huge concern and there is a lot of efforts being put to towards halting new infections and getting those who are already infected on treatment,” he said.
FORMER Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko is yet to receive his pension, despite government undertaking to settle it four months ago.
Mphoko’s lawyer Welshman Ncube said his client, who still has his State security aides and government vehicles, has not yet been paid his monthly benefits, despite the State acknowledging that it was obliged to pay him.
“The irony of this issue is that what they had agreed to pay; they are not paying, but what they had refused to take responsibility for, they are doing it. I am talking about security details and the likes and yet they are still to pay him his pension, which is equivalent to a salary of a sitting Vice-President. We will take up the matter once these election issues are over,” Ncube said.
Mphoko lost his post last November after the military deposed former President Robert Mugabe and since then, his lawyers have been fighting to get the State to pay his pension.
Section 102 of the Zimbabwe Constitution stipulates that: “A person who has ceased to be President or Vice-President is entitled to receive a pension equivalent to the salary of a sitting President or Vice-President, as the case may be; and such allowances and other benefits as may be prescribed under an Act of Parliament.”
Section 103 adds that: “The President and Vice-Presidents, and any former President or Vice-President, must not, directly or indirectly, hold any other public office or be employed by anyone else while they are in office or are receiving a pension from the State as former President or Vice-President, as the case may be.”
Besides his fat monthly pension payout, Mphoko is entitled to State security, an office and a government vehicle.
His former boss, Mugabe, has been given his constitutional benefits, but the latter claims that his pension benefits were far below expectation.
Former Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Jason Machaya has been further remanded to August 27 for the setting of his trial date on allegations which include abuse of office.
He appeared before Gweru magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa on Friday last week.
Machaya is on $1 000 bail.
The State’s case is that Machaya, who was employed as the Minister of Provincial Affairs for Midlands Province by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, thus being a public officer, did and inconsistent with his duties intentionally allocated State land totalling 17 799 stands to land developers. This was despite the fact that he did not have any lawful responsibility to allocate State land to the developers in question, which is the sole responsibility of the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
Machaya, the court heard, further received 1 791 commonage stands from the land developers which constituted 18 percent of the total stands on the allocated State land.
It is further alleged that he did and inconsistent with his duties, disposed of 1 185 of the commonage stands, which could only be allocated and distributed by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
Machaya allegedly further allocated 192 commonage stands to the Apostolic Christian Church of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) when he did not have the power to do so.
Mr Andrew Marimo appeared for the State.
Appearing before the same court were the now Mashonaland West provincial administrator, Cecilia Chitiyo, who was Midlands provincial administrator, Gweru district administrator and five other senior Government officials from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for Midlands province facing charges of criminal abuse of office.
Chitiyo (50) is being accused together with Matilda Manhambo (59), Sherpard Marweyi (48), Sifelani Moyo (59), Ethel Mlalazi (65), Chisainyerwa Chibhururu (47) and Everest Nyamadzawo (33).
The seven, who are all on $200 bail each, have applied to be removed from remand.
Ms Maphosa deferred the case to Wednesday for judgment.
It is the State’s case that Chitiyo allegedly intentionally allocated State land totalling 4 469 stands to land developers by co-signing the offer letters for the transaction.
Manhambo, who is employed as the provincial projects officer by the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for Midlands province, also allegedly intentionally allocated 2 000 stands to land developers.
Similarly, Marweyi, who is the district administrator for Gweru, allegedly intentionally allocated 5 199 stands to land developers. – State Media
Brazilian Student Danielle Breene is auctioning her virginity online to the highest bidder in order to pay her debts and buy a house for her mother and younger sister.
The 22-year-old student has revealed she is hoping to make £750K from selling her virginity online to the highest bidder despite being ‘very shy’, and never having been on a date.
Danielle was inspired to take extreme measures to tackle her growing debts after reading about other girls who have done the same.
Although completely confident she’s making the right decision, Danielle – who is concealing her face to protect her family – told Femail: ‘I’m a little anxious, and I’m nervous about how things are going to be, after all, it’s my first time.
‘I’ve never dated and I’m very shy. I hope the winner be a kind and polite person, a gentleman.’
Danielle hasn’t told her family what she’s doing and is obscuring her face to protect them. Only her best friend knows about the auction, and will be her point of contact on the day to make sure she’s safe
Danielle revealed her main motivation behind the drastic step is financial security.
‘I study and work part time. The money that I make doesn’t cover the expenses and the cost of living in my country is very difficult. I have debts that only grow,’ she explained.
‘I will use the money to buy a home to live with my mom and my little sister, pay our debts and also pay my student loans that I would probably take a lot of years to pay.
‘I also want to invest in my career building my own business, to secure my future. I hope with this I’ll be able to provide a life without financial difficulties for my family.’
The student has never dated and describes herself as ‘very shy’ but is confident that auctioning her virginity online to the highest bidder is the right decision for her.
The student has never dated and describes herself as ‘very shy’ but is confident that auctioning her virginity online to the highest bidder is the right decision for her.
Since setting up her website in June, Danielle has received two serious bids, the highest being for £220,000.
She’s hoping to attract an offer of £750 000, and says she won’t agree to anything unless she feels assured of her safety.
‘The auction is something I’ve been thinking about for several months, I’ve done a lot of research and I’m taking everything very carefully.
‘I expect to reach £750,000. It would be the best thing that could happen to me. Let’s see how it flows.
‘For the day of the meeting, I’m going to have a bodyguard. Security is very important to me, and I’m taking all the necessary precautions for this.
Danielle intends to hire security on the day she meets the winning bidder to have sex for the first time and insists that staying safe is her top priority.
“I also have my trustworthy person, and I will periodically report that I am well, where I am and with whom I am.
‘Being secure is a worry, so I put rules on the site that favour my security, and the bidder’s as well. Nothing will happen until everything is in order.’
Danielle’s family don’t know about the auction, but she has confided in her best friend.
‘She was a little nervous when I told her because she cares about my safety,’ she said.
‘I have explained to her all the precautions I will take to make everything happen safely and to I won’t be duped. She gives me support when I need to talk about it. She is my trustworthy person.’
Danielle says she has no qualms about negative comments about her decision and says that people’s opinions aren’t going to pay her bills.
One thing Danielle isn’t concerned about is the potential impact on future relationships.
‘I do not have to tell anyway, I can either make up a story or just tell the truth, and if he does not like it, he’s just not the guy for me,’ she explained.
‘I also do not care what people are going to say. The only thing I care about is my family reaction.
‘The mean comments I receive are not going to pay my bills and solve my problems. I don’t regret this decision and I’m fine with it.’
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa reneged on his earlier pledge to attend all State functions, and chose to stay away from both the Heroes’ Day and Defence Forces Day commemorations in the past two days, saying he was “mourning” alleged theft of his election victory.
Chamisa, who took over from Tsvangirai, announced that they would be attending State functions, a complete shift of policy from his predecessor, the now late Morgan Tsvangirai who accused Zanu PF of conflating State events to Zanu PF functions.
Chamisa went on to attend the Independence Day celebrations at the National Sports Stadium in April this year and also encouraged his supporters countrywide to also attend national events. However, after the July 30 harmonised elections, Chamisa boycotted the Heroes’ Day and the Defence Forces Day celebrations.
Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda said the current situation, emanating from the disputed elections, had made them shelve their policy for now.
“We are in the middle of a disputed election and, as such, the things we can do are conditioned by that, our context. When conditions allow, the president will maintain his decision. We are monitoring the environment and it doesn’t allow for that,” he said.
Zimbabwean former president Robert Mugabe’s late wife Sally and his sister Sabina’s graves were reportedly “abandoned” after “no single relative appeared to have turned up to visit them” on Monday during the country’s Heroes Day celebrations.
The two graves used to be the “centre of attraction” during the annual National Heroes’ Day commemorations presided over by the now ousted leader.
Thousands of Zimbabweans gathered at the country’s national shrine the Heroes Acre in Harare on Monday, as they celebrated the men and women who fought for the liberation of Zimbabwe, SABC reported.
The all-important day for the southern African country was the first not to be presided over by Mugabe, and took place after Zimbabwe’s historic 2018 elections.
The former ruler’s absence at the event was visibly seen, as the grave of his late wife Sally – who died in 1992 – was among the deserted ones.
In previous years, Sally and Sabina’s graves were at the centre of the country’s Heroes Day commemoration as the Mugabes would take time to visit and lay huge bouquets of flowers while his aides cheered.
It remained unclear whether the Mugabes would chose a different day to honour their loved ones as the former leader had made it clear that he was unhappy with the country’s new leadership.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa was the main speaker at this year’s commemorations.
Mnangagwa called on the country to move on from its disputed election, despite his victory being challenged in court over alleged fraud and his inauguration delayed.
“It’s now time to put the election period behind us and embrace the future,” the president-elect said.
“The task facing us today is a great one,” he added.
Zanu PF Marondera Central losing parliamentary candidate Cleopas Kundiona yesterday stunned residents and motorists as he went around mounting fresh campaign banners for President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa along the Harare-Mutare Road, saying they should remain visible long after the July 30 polls.
The educationist-cum-politician moved around town with some youths and erected canvas banners inscribed ED Pfee and #EDHasMyVote along the highway and on the way to Rudhaka Stadium where people gathered for the Defence Forces Day commemorations.
Kundiona, who lost to opposition MDC Alliance’s Caston Matewo, said he would continue marketing Mnangagwa even after the polls.
“This is about the Heroes Day holidays, ED (Mnangagwa) is the leader, and he is the President. The ED Pfee juggernaut is not going to stop, it is here to stay, it is moving,” he said.
Kundiona and Zanu PF’s Goromonzi South candidate Petronella Kagonye, were the only ruling party candidates who lost the election in Mashonaland East province, where the party won 23 constituencies.
The late former Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Thokozile Mathuthu’s burial is set for Sunday at the National Heroes Acre.
According to a provisional programme availed to the media, the body of the late Mathuthu is expected to arrive at the Colliery Stadium from the capital on Thursday, then to her Hwange house in Mpumalanga Township of Hwange where it will lie in state ahead of a church service and body viewing scheduled for Bulawayo on Friday.
The body will then be flown back to Harare ahead of its burial on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Matabeleland North Province has welcomed the national heroine status accorded to the late former Minister of State as a befitting honour for her immense contribution to the province and entire country during the war of liberation and after independence.
Speaking at the Defence Forces Day celebrations at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane today, Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ambassador Cain Mathema said the province feels honoured by the conferment of the national heroine status to the late Mathuthu and pledged the province’s commitment in ensuring that her dreams about the community will be achieved.
“Our former governor our former deputy minister, member of the Central Committee is no more. She has been declared a national heroine by His Excellency. We are together with the Mathuthu family and will forever be with family because she is one of the heroines of the liberation struggle,” he said.
Other government officials and senior Zanu PF party members said the country has been robbed of a patriotic, hardworking and unwavering cadre who spearheaded several developmental projects in the province.
Mathuthu died on Monday the 13th of August, after a long battle with cancer.
Opinion By Discent Bajila|The game is getting tricky. You see, Parliament and Local Authorities may not be sworn in before the President is sworn in.
So the EDiots have come up with plan B. Their plan is to pretend to be worried about the leadership vacuum at Local Government level and invoke Ministerial powers so that the Minister of Local Government, appoints Commissions to run local authorities in the interim. These Commissions are very expensive and unelected bodies.
The current ones being set up are primarily in areas where MDC ALLIANCE won the majority of councillors. The strategy is to create a fight between MDC Alliance councillors and their National Leadership, particularly the Presidential Candidate. Once these Commissions are in place the public will want to know why there are Commissions when they voted for councillors. The answer will be that “the Alliance leadership is delaying the swearing in of MPs and Councillors by persuing that court case. Government has thus taken measures to put in place people who will be in office in the interim so that services can be delivered”.
To spite the Alliance further, they have carefully chosen controversial people as Commissioners. For example in Chitungwiza Municipality Commission they have chosen Mr Macheka, the father in law of the late Morgan Tsvangirai as Commission Chair. Having Elizabeth Macheka-Tsvangirai’s father usurp the powers of duly elected MDC Alliance councillors fits into a dangerous narrative that if handled carelessly has the potential of being a fault line in the Alliance. I posit that the choice of Mr Macheka was a careful one and is designed not for the purposes of service delivery but to spite the alliance leadership, feed into a divisive narrative and above all put pressure on the alliance with respect to the pace of the Concourt case.
In Gwanda, they have appointed the ZANU PF District Executive as the Commission and made former Mayor Rido Mpofu to chair it.
In other cities, they are choosing losing ZANU PF candidates and former Councillors as Commissioners.
In Bulawayo, they are likely to appoint a Commission made up of Ndebele speaking civil servants chaired by a woman. This will again have nothing to do with service delivery but to fit into a cocktail of Khuphe-MRP narrative.
They can fool some people some times but they cannot fool all people all the times.
Discent Bajila is the opposition MDC Youth Secretary General.
Churches in Zimbabwe should continue praying for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was chosen by God to lead the people of Zimbabwe. This was said by leader of the Apostolic Faith Church of Portland Oregon in Southern Africa, Reverend Richard Sibanda during a crusaders camp meeting in Bulawayo.
Rev Sibanda said Christians were not supposed to question God’s choice of a leader, but pray for Him to help their leader.
“Our duty is not to question God’s will,” he said. “Let us pray for our President Emmerson Mnangagwa so that the Lord can open his eyes and help him through the way. We know he is going through a tough time and as Christians, our duty is to support him with prayer.”
Rev Sibanda said President Mnangagwa was chosen by God and no man could fight God, adding that all the battles that President Mnangagwa was going through were minor before God.
“In the Bible we have so many examples of people who wanted to fight the men of God, but they fell by the wayside the moment God intervened,” he said. “President Mnangagwa was chosen by God to steer the Zimbabwean ship forward, let us support God’s will with prayer.”
Rev Sibanda said only Zimbabweans could determine their future through prayer.
“What Zimbabwe needs is prayer and nothing else,” he said. “We can try all we can but nothing beats prayer. No matter what challenges we face, let us unite as a country and pray and things will work out for the good.”
The call comes at a time when opposition leader Mr Nelson Chamisa has filed a court application challenging the results of the Presidential election, which Mnangagwa was declared to have won with 50,8 percent of the total votes against Chamisa’s 44,3 percent.
The MDC-Alliance leader alleges that the elections were rigged and the application has temporarily stalled President Mnangagwa’s inauguration.
The divorce of VP Constantino Chiwenga and former wife Jocelyn which turned nasty in 2014 was handled by Advocate Thabani Mpofu with him being on the side of the wife in question. This is the same advocate Mpofu who is now leading the MDC Alliance case in the Electoral court…
Constantino Chiwenga lost that case of divorce to the wife. The coincidence is that Chiwenga would want to kill Advocate Mpofu as the advocate proclaimed… Bad history between the two in my view… But that’s just my opinion…
DIVISIONS have reportedly rocked President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa’s legal team after it emerged that some of his lead lawyers gave him a wrong interpretation of the operations of the law regarding MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s Constitutional Court (ConCourt) presidential election challenge.
Highly-placed sources in the legal fraternity told independent run Newsday newspaper on Tuesday that Mnangagwa had pencilled his inauguration on August 12, following advice from one of his lead counsels and was now seeking to argue before the courts that Chamisa’s petition was filed out of time.
“These arguments are embarrassing to the legal team, clear misreading of the law and misinformation being given to the President as advice is now frustrating other members of the team,” the source said.
The discrepancies were highlighted in a 17-page document prepared for Mnangagwa by Lewis Uriri, titled Ex Parte: Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, in which he urged his client to disregard findings by the instructing lawyers.
“Whether my instructing attorneys are correct in their interpretation that in view of rule 3 of the ConCourt Rules (2016), the last day of filing of a petition challenges, my consultant’s election as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe is the 16th August 2018,” Uriri wrote.
He added: “Whether my instructing attorneys are correct in their view that no election petition is filed, inauguration day would be Monday the 20th August 2018.
“My opinion and advice: A petition challenging my consultant’s election as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe has the effect of delaying his inauguration up until the 25th of August 2018. He must, in any event, be sworn in no later than the 26th of August 2018”.
The memo showed that the initial advice was that Mnangagwa’s inauguration could only take place on August 20 and the technicality issue being raised by Zanu PF legal affairs secretary Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana that the court papers were filed out of time was reportedly based on Uriri’s interpretation.
Uriri told Mnangagwa that his inauguration date was supposed to be August 12, while Chamisa’s deadline for filing the challenge was August 10, instead of August 16.
“The time for any challenge to my consultant’s election as the President of Zimbabwe lapses at midnight on 10 August 2018. Inauguration day, in the event that no petition is filed, is Sunday the 12th of August 2018,” Uriri said in his advisory note to Mnangagwa.
His legal opinion, which informed the decision by the Zanu PF legal team to present itself at the Constitutional Court on Monday, a public holiday, was that section 93 of the Constitution did not relate to week days.
“Section 93 of the Constitution does not relate to seven week days, it relates to seven days. If the intention was to exclude Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, the legislature would have said so by using appropriate language. The simple reference to seven days is a reference to calendar days and includes weekends and public holidays,” Uriri said.
Contacted for comment on his advisory note yesterday, Uriri said he was not at liberty to discuss his client’s confidential matters with the Press.
“I note you have attached what purports to be an opinion allegedly given by me to Messrs Mutumbwa, Mugabe and Partners. I neither confirm nor deny that the said lawyers sought my opinion. My relationship with my clients is strictly privileged. I do not and will not discuss their affairs with unauthorised third parties, and certainly not with the Press,” he said.
But law lecturer Valentine Mutatu said if the interpretation by Uriri and Mangwana was correct, they should have filed their responses by August 13.
“If Mangwana and company are correct in their counting of days, if the application was served on Friday the 10th, then the last day of filing opposing papers was the 13th, but that cannot be because the courts, which don’t count the weekends and holidays, are closed. The court can, therefore, not count a day in which it is not possible for you to file papers,” Mutatu said.
Chamisa filed his court application on August 10 and managed to serve Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) on the same day, according to his chief election agent Jameson Timba.
A lawyer, who refused to be named for professional reasons, said Mnangagwa risked being misled by his legal team.
“It’s clear that the President is being misled by his legal team. He needs to replace them, especially (his point persons). If you look at the history of some of them, besides the case where they are a litigant, you won’t find any case they argued and won that’s worth nothing. The one time they attempted to go to the ConCourt recently ended in a disaster. They misfired procedure,” the lawyer said.
Mangwana approached the ConCourt in case 02/14 representing Boas Mapuva and Zishe Chizani, which case was dismissed on a technicality in judgment CCZ 6/2015.
The court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza, admonished Mangwana for failing to follow proper procedure by bringing the matter in an improper manner.
ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa is guilty of murder, Bishop Ancelimo Magaya has said.
Writing directly to Mnangagwa, Bishop Magaya said “on 1 August 2018… It was clear from eye witnesses that your soldiers were under orders to kill. Under the law – and protocol in Zimbabwe – it is only you that could have ordered the soldiers to kill innocent and unarmed civilians. ”
BELOW WAS THE FULL TEXT
Dear President Mnangagwa,
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
All of us in Zimbabwe and elsewhere are desperately sad at the gunning down of innocent and unarmed civilians in the streets of Harare by your soldiers on 1 August 2018. It was clear from eye witnesses that your soldiers were under orders to kill. Under the law – and protocol in Zimbabwe – it is only you that could have ordered the soldiers to kill innocent and unarmed civilians. Under command responsibility it is you that has to be considered jointly responsible for these murders. We understand that you profess to be a follower of Christ Jesus. Under Gods law, there has been the murder of innocent people at your hands.
We were so hoping that there was going to be a change, and that you would have heralded this change and gone down in history as being the agent of change for a just and righteous and Godly leadership.
I believe God is calling on you to do all that you can to publicly repent before God of these murders; and do all that you can to repair what you have done before the hurting loved ones of the murdered and before the people of Zimbabwe. The bible says ‘Thus says the Lord God: you have gone too far O princes of Israel [6] Put away violence and oppression, and execute justice and righteousness. Cease your evictions of my people, declares the Lord God. [ Ezekiel 45 vs9], “The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” [Psalm 5 vs 6].
I also want to appeal to your conscience to repent before God for having taken part in the massacres in Matabeleland during mid 80s, maiming’s, tortures, abductions and killings that have become a part of a government that you have been part of for the past 38 years. On the basis of the prophetic mandate endued on the church, i warn that God’s judgement is imminent if you will not repent. Also, be reminded of the word of God which says that he will punish the children because of the sins of their fathers down to the third and fourth generations (Exodus 20 verse 5b). I pray that your children will come to the knowledge of the Lord so that they escape from the curse associated with your sins.
Sincerely in his service
Bishop Ancelimo Magaya
Director Zimbabwe Divine Destiny
By Dorrothy Moyo| Thokozani Khupe’s deputy, Obert Gutu has said ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa is moving on and those opposing him are still dreaming.
When they wake up, they will find that Zimbabwe is now on another level, he said. FULL TWEET:
water bodies on the Crocodile Farm in Dalat. VietnamA 14–year-old Redcliff boy was killed by crocodiles while swimming in Kwekwe River in Torwood.
Ali Phiri, a Form One pupil at Batanayi High School in Redcliff, was snatched from the jaws of the daring crocodiles by community members, but it was too late as he was already dead.
Ali’s three friends escaped with minor injuries.
The disturbing incident took place on Sunday afternoon. Family spokesperson, Mr Munyaradzi Munikwa who is also newly elected ward 2 councillor confirmed Ali’s tragic death.
“He was swimming in Kwekwe River together with his three friends. We then saw the other two boys coming in a huff informing us about the reptiles having attacked Ali,” narrated Mr Munikwa.
“We had no option but to jump into the water to rescue the hapless boy from the crocodiles which were by now drawing the body into the water.”
The family was still at pains, he said, to learn of the tragic death of the boy who had a promising career in football.
“As a family we are still trying to come to terms with the incident. We are still shocked because Ali died a painful death which was not at all expected,” he said.
About six crocodiles are said to have been spotted in the river and to date they are said to have claimed more than six lives.
“We are calling upon the Parks and Wildlife Department to intervene and do something about these crocodiles before they claim more lives,” Mr Munikwa said.
Burial arrangements were still to be announced . Midlands Provincial Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mkwende said she was yet to receive a report on the matter.-state media
A 43-year-old Barclays Bank employee appeared in court facing two counts of forgery and two counts of fraud after he allegedly transferred money from a client’s account into his family’s in order to convert it to personal use.
The complainant in the matter is Barclays Bank.
Cuthbert Kumire appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Milton Serima last week, charged with forgery and fraud. He was ordered to pay $100 as bail and was remanded to August 21.
Prosecuting, Ms Ropafadzo Bosch alleged that on July 25, Kumire, who was on duty at Barclays Bank Msasa forged an inter-account funds transfer document in Yunus Ebrahim Omerjee’s name.
Kumire then allegedly transferred $7 500 from Omerjee’s account number into the one for his cousin, Brighton Moyo’s. From July 26 to July 31, Kumire allegedly transferred the money from Moyo’s account into Agnes Kumire and Gift Chitiyo’s accounts.
On August 1, Kumire allegedly forged another inter-account fund transfer document in Omerjee’s name.
He allegedly transferred $12 500 from Omerjee’s account into Moyo’s account.
From August 2 to 5, Kumire allegedly transferred more money from Moyo’s account into Agnes and Chitiyo’s accounts. – state media
By Local ZimEye Correspondent| There was drama when 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.
During the meeting, Chinotimba caused a stir when he rapturously rose from nowhere and began screaming before the crowd of onlookers.
He then accused Chief Chamutsa and other men present of being sellouts.
Chinotimba publicly announced that all who were supporting independent candidates be chased away. The elder Chamutsa was humiliated by Chinoz as he was swiftly whisked away by gun wielding police officers.
Among those singled by Chinos were the Chairman of War Veterans in Buhera Cde Mahamba who is from Murambinda, and Cde Chapeyama who is from Mutiusinazita.
The event turned up to be a Zanu PF function as no other parties were allowed there.
Things only calmed down when Chief Nyashanu rose up to condem Chinoz.
While giving his vote of thanks, Chief Nyashanu said, “we strongly condemn Cde Chinotimba’s behaviour as it incites public violence during this period.”
Rugby World Cup’ African Qualifiers: Watch the final games Live on YouTube on Saturday 18 August
Namibia vs Kenya, Uganda vs Zimbabwe and Tunisia vs Morocco will be live Saturday on YouTube
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 14, 2018/ — The final games of the Rugby World Cup’ African Qualifiers, the Rugby Africa Gold Cup, will be played on Saturday 18th August
Watch the Rugby Africa Gold Cup Live on YouTube on Saturday 18 August:
By Patrick Guramatunhu | Tyrannical regimes are hard to change because they not only brainwash the populous, they brainwash themselves – they start to believe their own lies and propaganda.
“Our country has since independence remained as one of the most peaceful and politically stable countries in the region,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Today’s celebrations come just two weeks after the country’s crucial harmonised general elections. These were held in a peaceful environment where our citizens were able to exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation.
“Allow me to extent my sincere appreciation to the whole of Zimbabwe for observing peace before, during and after the harmonised election. This has made us a proud nation.”
Until a few years ago, the regime was still boasting of Zimbabwe being the “most prosperous” country in the region. With the country now confirmed as the poorest nation in Africa the regime has quietly dropped all reference to the country’s economic performance.
Still with unemployment soaring to dizzying heights of 90% and 75% of the population now living on US$1.00 or less a day it is not surprising that many Zimbabweans have left the country. At least 30% of the country’s population are political and/or economic refugees or illegal migrants, who will be shocked to hear Zimbabwe is the most stable country in the region.
On the political front, Zimbabwe has never ever held free, fair and credible elections. President Mnangagwa has been at the head of Zanu PF’s culture of political violence; the intimidation, harassment, beatings, rape and even cold blooded murder of political opponents. Yes, compared to 2008 and 2013 elections, these elections were peaceful.
It is interesting to note that until a few weeks before voting day 30 July 2018, President Mnangagwa had insisted these elections would be “peaceful, free, fair and credible.” He has since dropped everything else only to focus on peaceful.
He knows that no one in their right mind would ever judge elections in which there was no free public media, no verified voters’ roll, were Zanu PF robbed the nation blind to bankroll its vote rigging schemes, etc. free, fair and credible. Of course, Zanu PF rigged the elections.
President Mnangagwa, by rigging these elections you have just confirmed that Zimbabwe is still the pariah state of the Mugabe era, you have been trying hard to distance yourself since last November’s coup. You have just dashed all the hopes of the desperately needed economic recovery because no investors want to do business with vote-rigging thugs.
As the reality of very little inward investment and worsen economic situation sink in there will be a new wave of Zimbabweans leaving the country and it will be just a matter of time before those remaining go on the street to protest the inhuman economic hardship they are facing.
Zimbabwe is the most unstable country in SADC and its continued instability is now a serious threat to the development and stability of the whole region. What is there for you, President Mnangagwa, and us, the people of Zimbabwe, to be proud of in being one of the “shit-hole” of Africa, as US President Donald Trump would put it! – SOURCE: zsdemocrats.blogspot.co.uk
By A Correspondent| Bailed alleged “fraudsters” who are still on the dock for a brazen attempt to defraud a local Chinese national of land and other assets, have shown no regards of the law, defiantly interfering with the complainant’s business and the property in question.
Earlier in May, Frera Washington(38), Tom-Baris Vincent(57) and Ngoshi Norman(42) were arraigned before Magistrate Ms Tilda Mazhande on allegation of faking agreement of sale papers, Company registration documents and a non-existent mine claim in bid to defraud of Ms Yan Yu of her and late husband’s company Shomet Industrial Holdings (Private) Limited and its assets. They are on bail with weekly signing at the CID Harare, among other stringent conditions.
The trio are alleged to have filed a fraudulent Change of Directors with the Company Registrar’s office sometime after the death of Zhaosheng Wu, resigning the other Directors without resolution and or their knowledge and authority in bid to take over ownership of Shomet Industrial Holdings (Private) Limited.
The trio, now with the assistance of one Mr Blesert Tawodzera, a briefcase land developer and Witness J Zamanga aka Thumelo who owns Hayes Constructions and alleged to have had been awarded the development contract at the time the trio hatched a plan to defraud Ms Yan Yu despite being on bail for the fraud and with all evidence stacked against them continue to interfere with Shomet Industrial business and brazenly used the same forged documents to try to convince Waterfalls ZRP Police they are the owners of one of Shomet’s properties.
A white Toyota Hilux Double cab belonging to Tawodzera has frequented the site and he alongside Zamanga and the accused trio made numerous threats to Shomet Industrial Holdings (Private) Limited’s handyman at the Prospect property.
Tawodzera and Zamanga have been linked in numerous foiled projects in the past, including a land development project in Norton where
they committed a landowner to a development contract when they neither had nor could prove capacity to meet the contract resulting in them losing the contract through a court nullification. In mitigation, Shomet has approached the Commercial Crime CID who are liaising with the
Prosecutor General on merits of having the criminals’ bail conditions reconsidered. A cautionary Notice has been issued to the public who may have any dealings with the above individuals to report to the Harare CID Police immediately.
Emmerson MnangagwaBy Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa| Distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen;I am humbled to address you today, on this important day and gathering in the history of Zimbabwe where we celebrate the works of our Defence Forces.
The entire nation joins our illustrious sons and daughters in the military to celebrate this 38th Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day.
This day was set aside by the Government at independence, in 1980, to recognize and appreciate the critical role played by our Defence Forces in maintaining peace and tranquillity, as well as in safeguarding national security and territorial integrity.
Our country has, since Independence, remained as one of the most peaceful and politically stable countries in the region. Today’s celebrations come just two weeks after the country’s crucial Harmonized General Elections.
These were held in a peaceful environment where citizens were able to exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation. Allow me, to extend my sincere appreciation to the whole nation for observing peace, before, during, and after these harmonized elections. This has made us proud as a nation. I am however deeply concerned with the incidents of violence that rocked the streets of Harare at the instigation of some members of the MDC Alliance leadership, which subsequently resulted in the regrettable loss of lives, injury to persons and damage to property.
On behalf of Government, and indeed on my own behalf, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and relatives of the victims of the politically motivated violence. We strongly condemn these barbaric acts of violence. Let me once again state that violence and intolerance have no place in the new Zimbabwe, in our Second Republic.
We continue to call for restraint, peace and more peace throughout the country. The new dispensation has opened up the country’s democratic and economic space and demonstrated that Zimbabwe’s democracy has matured. This, however, should never be abused. Let us bury our political differences and focus on rebuilding a prosperous Zimbabwe as one family.
Distinguished guests, comrades and friends; as Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, I am honoured to share this joyous day with you our Defence Forces. You have indeed remained a source of inspiration and national pride throughout the thirty-eight years of existence and operations. While you have maintained peace and security in this country, at the same time you have contributed to global peace, security and harmony through your involvement in regional and international peace-keeping missions.
As part of the constitutionally enshrined mandate outlined in Section 212 of our Constitution, the Defence Forces will continue to protect Zimbabwe, its people, its national security, interests and territorial integrity. Furthermore, our Defence Forces have supported other sister security forces like the Zimbabwe Republic Police, in curbing the economic haemorrhaging
Distinguished guests; comrades and friends; we applaud the Defence Forces for the various corporate social responsibility activities and programmes which has seen the ZDF providing civil assistance to ministries in all the country’s ten provinces, as well as various community projects. These projects included construction of school classroom blocks, clinics, hospitals and bridges, among other infrastructure developments. In addition, our Zimbabwe Defence Forces, in conjunction with the Civil Protection Unit, also offered aid by providing logistical, food and medical assistance to victims of natural disasters especially in the country’s flood-prone low lying areas.To this end, our Forces continue to showcase that they are a people’s force and committed to serve the nation.
In fulfilment of their obligations, various training anddevelopment programmes are being conducted for ZDF members at various training institutions around the country. Only on Friday, I officiated at the ZimbabweNational Defence University’s Sixth Graduation Ceremony of the National Defence Course 06/2017 which saw students graduating after acquiring requisite tools to address today’s contemporary national defence and security strategic challenges and opportunities.
To widen the scope of ZDF competencies, officershave continued to undertake training programmes offered by other countries. This accounts for severalZDF officers presently attending regional courses inBotswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia as well as others carried out in China, Russia, Greece, India, Malaysia and Pakistan.
This has significantly transformed our forces as majorcontributors to international peace and stability. In thisregard, our officers have earned excellent international reputation, goodwill and confidence throughout theworld. Several officers are currently deployed in Ethiopia, Lesotho, Somalia, South Sudan, and at the UN Headquarters. We are indeed proud that our Forcescontinue to raise the Zimbabwean flag high throughdemonstration of professionalism, intelligence and diligence, wherever, they are deployed.
Furthermore, the ZDF currently has a contingent ofofficers and men participating in the Russian InternationalMilitary Games, which are being hosted by the Russian Federation,Kazakhstan,ChinaandBelarus. International military interactions of this nature, are critical in improving the operational capabilities of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces as well as its image at the world stage. Most importantly, participation of our Forces at that level helps to sharpen their skills, while at the same time improving their professional conduct and preparedness to defend Zimbabwe. This is over and above the obvious benefit of improving bilateral and diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and other participating countries.
Back home, my administration is committed to progressively and comprehensively addressing the Conditions of Service of our Defence Forces, inclusive of their housing needs, as the economy improves. In addition, my administration will also pay attention to the re-equipping of our Forces, whose equipment in some instances dates back to 30 years.
Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends; in conclusion, allow me to commend Commanders of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for their astute leadership and guidance to our Defence Forces. To all our officers, men and women of the ZDF, I encourage you to remain resolute, and to diligently and professionally execute your mandate to protect Zimbabwe, its people, its national security, interests and territorial integrity.
Allow me to take this opportunity to thank our visitors, the members of the Malawian Defence Forces Football Team, for their presence to play against our ZDF select team, as part of our entertainment today.
With these remarks, I wish the ZDF Family and the entire nation, a memorable Defence Forces Day celebrations.
Brazilian legend Ronaldo is in intensive care with pneumonia in Ibiza, a Spanish island, it has emerged.
The 41-year-old Brazilian is said to have been diagnosed with the illness after being rushed to Can Misses Hospital on Friday.
According to the newspaper, Diario de Ibiza, Ronaldo asked for a transfer to a private hospital called Clinica Nuestra Señora del Rosario just before midnight the same day.He is making positive progress, according to the newspaper.
The Brazilian, regarded as one of the world’s best-ever players, owns a house in Ibiza and is a regular visitor to the island.
He is believed to have arrived in Ibiza for a summer break a few days ago.
Zambian soccer legend Kalusha ‘King Kalu’ Bwalya has been banned for two years by world governing body FIFA.
The former African Footballer of the Year was suspended for two years from all football-related activities.
Fifa had been investigating the 54-year-old Zambian since February 2017 following his links with banned Qatari official Bin Hammam.
Hammam was banned for life from football by FIFA in 2011 for his part in a cash-for-votes scandal.
FIFA said in a statement that the adjudicatory chamber found Bwalya guilty of having violated article 16 and article 20 (offering and article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care has advised the Sports and Recreation Commission to suspend the National Youth and Paralympic Games indefinitely due to the
typhoid outbreak in Gweru.
Health and Child Care permanent
secretary, Gerald Gwinji, recommended the cancellation of the games.
“At the moment, the outbreak is not yet under control as cases are on the rise.
On that note, the Ministry suggests two options regarding the proposed youth games to be conducted in Gweru City.
The first option is to suspend the Youth Games until the city is declared free from the disease outbreak and the second option is to change the province the youth are going to converge for the games. The decision is made in order to reduce the risk of exposure to the officials and sports
teams and avoid spreading the
outbreak to other areas,” the Ministry said in a statement.
By Own Correspondent| The just ended harmonised elections were held in a condusive environment which was free from intimidation and violence, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.
Addressing hundreds of people who thronged the National Sports Stadium for the Defence Forces commemorations in Harare Tuesday, Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans should be commended for upholding peace before, during and after the just ended harmonised elections.
Mnangagwa’s statements however come following post election violence which rocked Harare on August 1 2018 which left 6 people dead and several others injured when soldiers fired live ammunition at civilians including MDC Alliance supporters in the central business district who were protesting over the announcement of presidential election results.
Said Mnangagwa:
“Our country has since independence remained as one of the most peaceful and politically stable countries in the region.
Today’s celebrations come just two weeks after the country’s crucial harmonised general elections.
These were held in a peaceful environment where our citizens were able to exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation.
Allow me to extent my sincere appreciation to the whole of Zimbabwe for observing peace before, during and after the harmonised election. This has made us a proud nation.”
Bishop Ancelimo Magaya has just sent this forthright letter to President Emmerson Mnangagwa:
Dear President Mnangagwa,
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
All of us in Zimbabwe and elsewhere are desperately sad at the gunning down of innocent and unarmed civilians in the streets of Harare by your soldiers on 1 August 2018. It was clear from eye witnesses that your soldiers were under orders to kill. Under the law – and protocol in Zimbabwe – it is only you that could have ordered the soldiers to kill innocent and unarmed civilians. Under command responsibility it is you that has to be considered jointly responsible for these murders. We understand that you profess to be a follower of Christ Jesus. Under Gods law, there has been the murder of innocent people at your hands.
We were so hoping that there was going to be a change, and that you would have heralded this change and gone down in history as being the agent of change for a just and righteous and Godly leadership.
I believe God is calling on you to do all that you can to publicly repent before God of these murders; and do all that you can to repair what you have done before the hurting loved ones of the murdered and before the people of Zimbabwe. The bible says ‘Thus says the Lord God: you have gone too far O princes of Israel [Zimbabwe] Put away violence and oppression, and execute justice and righteousness. Cease your evictions of my people, declares the Lord God. [ Ezekiel 45 vs9], “The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” [Psalm 5 vs 6].
I also want to appeal to your conscience to repent before God for having taken part in the massacres in Matabeleland during mid 80s, maiming’s, tortures, abductions and killings that have become a part of a government that you have been part of for the past 38 years. On the basis of the prophetic mandate endued on the church, i warn that God’s judgement is imminent if you will not repent. Also, be reminded of the word of God which says that he will punish the children because of the sins of their fathers down to the third and fourth generations (Exodus 20 verse 5b). I pray that your children will come to the knowledge of the Lord so that they escape from the curse associated with your sins.
Sincerely in his service
Bishop Ancelimo Magaya
Director Zimbabwe Divine Destiny
By Terrence Mawawa| A section of members of the apostolic sect aligned to Zanu PF has implored MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa to withdraw his election results challenge for the sake of progress.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
Addressing the media in Harare yesterday, the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Churches Council
(ZACC) said that the election result challenge by MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa had already created
a stalemate.
The organisation urged Chamisa to “put the country first” by dropping the challenge.
“As the Church in Zimbabwe,
representing apostolic sects in the
land, we prayed for peace and we
observed that the elections were held in a free and fair environment…
However, we are now surprised that
Chamisa, who claims to be a pastor
wants to foment chaos and suffering
among Zimbabweans. It is trite that
Zimbabweans are peace loving and
God fearing people and do not want to be abused by political leaders who are more concerned with attaining their
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has urged the people of Zimbabwe to remain positive as they anxiously await the Constitutional Court ruling on the disputed July 30 polls.
The MDC Alliance last week filed papers at the Constitutional Court challenging Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s controversial win.
“I am so humbled by your messages of support, solidarity and encouragement to fix the national
question and election stalemate.
I am so moved by the prayers and supportive mood across the whole country.We won the elections
and celebrations are coming,” said Chamisa yesterday.
Outspoken MDC Alliance official Charlton Hwende has exposed gross anomalies in the voting process.
Below is Hwende’s statement:
The 38 000 (0.8%) votes Mnangagwa gained via rigging:
1. Votes counted twice : 7 703
2. Polling stations counted twice : 9 035
3. Extra votes for ED gained from discrepancies between ZEC TV announcement and CD results : 4 904.
4. Ghost polling stations : 5 396
5. Unaccounted ballot papers : 40 717
6. Votes ED gained from polling stations missing from ZEC vote tally : 853.
The total is 68 608.
The real votes:Nelson Chamisa 2 674 032,
By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa today commended citizens for exercising their democratic right to vote peacefully in a free and fair environment and upholding peace before during and after the elections.
Speaking at the Defence Forces Day commemorations in Harare today, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe should be hailed for being one of the most peaceful and politically stable countries in the region.
Said Mnangagwa:
“Our country has since independence remained as one of the most peaceful and politically stable countries in the region.
Today’s celebrations come just two weeks after the country’s crucial harmonised general elections.
These were held in a peaceful environment where our citizens were able to exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation.
Allow me to extent my sincere appreciation to the whole of Zimbabwe for observing peace before, during and after the harmonised election. This has made us a proud nation.”
By Own Correspondent| Authorities here have arrested two more MDC Alliance party members bringing to 31, the number of people arrested for allegedly participating in protests staged in Harare early this month over delays in announcing the results of harmonised elections.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers arrested Last Vambe on Saturday 11 August 2018 and Jeff Chaitezvi on Monday 13 August 2018 and charged them with public violence as defined in section 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The State accused Vambe and Chaitezvi, who appeared at Harare Magistrates Court on Monday 13 August 2018, of participating in a demonstration held on 01 August 2018 in Harare to protest the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s management of the harmonised elections held on 30 July 2018.
The protests turned violent resulted in the destruction of property and left six people dead after they were shot by members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
Vambe and Chaitezvi, who were represented by Gift Mtisi and Kossam Ncube of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights were granted $50 bail by Harare Magistrate Francis Mapfumo, who ordered them to report once a week at Law and Order Section at Harare Central Police Station.
The duo were also ordered to reside at their given residential addresses and not to interfere with state witnesses.
The arrest of Vambe and Chaitezvi brings the number of people arrested in connection with the elections protest to 31 including Tendai Biti, one of the MDC Alliance party leaders, David Zvavamwe Shambare, Shadreck Mashayamombe, Tapiwa Joni, Ngonidzashe Makazhu, Michael Mheta, Simbarashe Mujeye, Judith Chacha, Lilian Mahosi, Anna Chezhira, Angeline Mukoki, Agatha Mubaiwa, Chancellor Nyamande, Livenice Kachana, Tichaona Daniel, Farai Nyamhunga, Mercy Mataramvura, Munyaradzi Chibanda, Samson Nerwande, Raymond Machakaire, Tapiwa Naume Khamu, Tendai Torerwa, Christopher Nikisi, Tonderai Chakona, Justin Mugashu, Simbarashe Zvobgo, Trymore Mubaiwa, Searchmore Mutegude and Kudakwashe Katunhu, who are all out of custody on bail.
As ZANU PF leader Emmmerson Mnangagwa read out his speech at a slow speed today, his personal bodyguards arrived at the stadium dressed in clear Nelson Chamisa colours. VIDEO LOADING BELOW –
All ED's Bodyguards Today Deliberately Wore Nelson Chamisa's Flashing Red Tie | WHAT'S GOING ON?
The ZANU PF broadcaster, ZBC, exposed vote rigging at a polling station in Norton. The polling station had only 611 registered voters but on the day, more than 900 people voted. VIDEO LOADING BELOW:
The MDC extends its commendations to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), in celebration of the 2018 edition of the Defence Forces Day.
A product of Zimbabwe’s heroic liberation struggle, the ZDF have since 1980 had illustrious moments that have done us proud as a nation. Nationally, these moments have included operations to rescue communities in harm’s way during cyclones and other natural disasters, initiatives to provide medical doctors, build schools, clinics, bridges and other social amenities, especially in marginalised communities across the country.
The ZDF have also contributed to peacekeeping missions under the banner of Sadc, African Union and the United Nations. It is a matter of national pride that the ZDF have discharged their responsibilities in these missions with highly regarded discipline and professionalism that is second to none.
In great part and thanks to the ZDF’s professional young men and women, our country has by and large remained a beacon of exemplary peace and stability. Our military is one of the finest on the continent, their readiness to make the ultimate sacrifice for our security cannot be overstated.
As we acknowledge and celebrate the ZDF’s accomplishments, we must also express the grave concerns that the country now has following deeply worrying developments in the context of our politics.
While our professional soldiers continue to work hard to earn their stars, our politicians have conducted themselves in ways that risk tarnishing the good reputation of the ZDF. Since 1980, politicians have tried to exploit our men and women in uniform, reducing them to pawns, to prop up their political ambitions.
This abuse weakens our military and arouses public resentment against the gallant sons and daughters who protect our country. This is why, as MDC Alliance, we make the commitment that under our new government this will never happen. The military must be allowed to pursue its constitutional mandate without interference from self-serving political actors.
The most successful countries in the world allow their military bases to be the hubs of innovation, ingenuity, human development and progressive societal renewal. It is in this connection that the internet we enjoy today is a product of military innovation. When our men and women are not serving abroad, they must be developing methods and tools to improve the lives of our people.
At no point should our military be weakened, balkanized and divided into units under the control of self-serving politicians with warlord mentalities.
On 15 November 2017 there was a facade of a change of guard. A new dispensation was promised. Zimbabweans welcomed the intervention and there was dancing in the streets. But the dancing was not to last. The people had been deceived. Those who had preached constitutionalism had done so not out of love for the people but out of love for themselves. They immediately took over power for themselves at the highest levels of government in cabinet, in the presidency and in Zanu PF.
On 1 August 2018 a unit of our armed forces were given an unlawful order; armed with live ammunition and bayonets, they confronted protestors and bystanders. At least six unarmed civilians were killed, some shot in the back as they fled. This happened in full view of rolling cameras. Subsequently, there was a well-documented week of intimidation and harassment of people in Harare’s residential areas.
It is appalling that, as the country marks Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day, there are grieving families in anguish, whose loved ones are no more, having been gunned down in cold blood by soldiers executing an unlawful directive. The politicians who gave this unlawful August 1 order have not been held to account. This is because impunity reigns in this outgoing government. Impunity has been the defining characteristic of this government.
According to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the function of the Defence Forces is to protect Zimbabwe, its people, its national security and interests and its territorial integrity and to uphold the Constitution. It is a national tragedy that this outgoing government has failed to fulfil this constitutional obligation.
Sadly, to many Zimbabweans today, ZDF now appears to be an offensive force due to the mischief of rogue and self-serving political elements who have tarnished an army whose majority members are loyal Zimbabweans who are professional soldiers.
It is opportune to use the Defence Forces Day to reflect on this tragedy to get rid of self-serving political elements and to find a lasting solution to get ZDF out of partisan politics and set it to professionally discharge its constitutional obligation to protect Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans.
Under our incoming new government the overarching goal of our military will always be to disrupt, dismantle, defeat and prevent anyone from building capacity to threaten Zimbabwe and our allies.
Our strategic goal will be to build respect and admiration for our army. We have a three-point plan for our military to be restored to its glory based on handsome remuneration, strategic patriotic reorientation and advanced technological capacitation.
Thank you,
God Bless you
God Bless ZDF
And God bless our Great Zimbabwe
By Own Correspondent| Citizens here have attributed the low turnout at yesterday’s Heroes Day commemorations to fears of a repeat of the White City Stadium bomb explosion which claimed two lives and injured dozens others.
Two people died in June 2018 at a Zanu Pf rally when a bomb exploded soon after President Emmerson Mnangagwa finiahed his address to party stalwarts in a development which left several senior paety stalwarts including Zanu Pf national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri and Vice President Kembo Mohadi seriously injured.
By Own Correspondent| MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa’s chief election agent Jameson Timba has warned MDC Alliance officials against posting insulting messages regarding judges presiding over the party’s poll petition warning that such conduct discredited the party.
The MDC Alliance last week (Friday) filed their poll petition challenging the presidential election results alleging that the country’s elections body ZEC manipulated the results in favour of Zanu Pf’s Presidential candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Timba said that insulting judges will be used against the MDC Alliance and will alienate them from the judiciary.
Said Timba:
“You are kindly requested to desist from commenting on the conduct of judges and or speculating about the conduct or character of a judge or how that judge is perceived by anyone or forwarding messages concerning the same.
Our duty is to communicate to our supporters about the strength of our case as filed. Such conduct will be used against us and will alienate us from the judiciary.”
One would need some degree of madness to believe what Zanu pf often tells the people of Zimbabwe. On Sunday during News Hour, ZTVnews announced the untimely death of Sithokozile Mathuthu at 50. To me, it mathematically became clear that she was born in 1968. This means that at Independence in 1980, she was just 12.
ZTVnews went on to describe the immense contributions this departed cadre made during the period 1975 to 1980 when she assisted the Liberation Fighters.
In 1975, Sithokozile was 7 and one would then wonder the immense contributions one could have made from the age of 7 to 12. Zanu pf, spare us please. Zimbabwe is tired of your rubbish.
By Own Correspondent| Vice President and Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga has urged MDC Alliance to accept the presidential election results adding that the Alliance should not be surprised by losing to Zanu Pf because “there are no miracles in an election”.
Chiwenga also urged Zimbabweans to shun anything that brings instability and problems into the country calling on citizens to be peaceful and hardworking.
Said Chiwenga:
“On the issue of elections, I think you have heard even his Excellency President Mnangagwa saying that elections are over and we want to go ahead with development.
If you go into a race, you must know that there are two things you are going to meet, either you win or you lose. You can go into a race knowing that you are going to lose because in an election there are no miracles. Don’t expect miracles and luck.
In a game of politics, it is the message you are giving to the electorate that matters. Does that message convince the electorate? What is it that you have done which you can say to the electorate vote me for the next five years?
Zimbabweans must rise to the occasion. We must negate anything which brings instability and problems into our country.
Be peaceful and hard-working and convince ourselves in our minds that no one will come and build this country, but ourselves.”
Zanu PF Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has said there are no miracles in elections.
Chiwenga urged the MDC Alliance to accept the controversial results of the June 30 polls.
The MDC Alliance last week filed papers at the Constitutional Court challenging the results of the controversial plebiscite.
Chiwenga told Chronicle the MDC Alliance should accept the presidential election results.
Chiwenga also accused the MDC Alliance of attempting to cause
instability in the country.
“On the issue of elections, I think you
have heard even His Excellency
President Mnangagwa saying that
elections are over and we want to go
ahead with development.
If you go into a race, you must know that there are two things you are going to meet, either you win or you lose. You can go into a race knowing that you are going to lose because in an election there are no miracles.
Don’t expect miracles and
luck. In a game of politics, it is the
message you are giving to the
electorate that matters. Does that
message convince the electorate?
What is it that you have done which
you can say to the electorate vote me
for the next five years?
Zimbabweans must rise to the occasion. We must negate anything that brings instability and problems into our country. Let us be
peaceful and hard-working and
convince ourselves in our minds that
no one will come and build this
country, but ourselves,” said Chiwenga.
By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) boss Philip Valerio Sibanda yesterday accused MDC Alliance for causing the deaths of six people shot by soldiers during post election violent protests in Harare over presidential election results announcement.
In an interview with a local publication ahead of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day today, ZDF Commander General Sibanda said six people would not have been killed had it not been for the opposition which incited violence.
Said General Sibanda:
“Zimbabwe remains secure despite the recent politically motivated violence that erupted a day after the harmonised elections on 30 July 2018.
That notwithstanding, the country has continued to enjoy peace, security and stability during the harmonised elections. Had it not been for evil intentions of some opposition political players who went on to 8incite violent protests, unnecessary loss of life of six people who were caught up in the unfortunate shooting incidents could have been avoided.
All the same, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces remain resolute in its support for the ZRP as they continue to fulfil their constitutional mandate of maintenance of law and order to ensure peace, security and stability in the country.
People are therefore, assured that they should feel free to go about their usual business.”
By Selby Dliwayo| After today, I have come to believe that it’s time we the Opposition Leaders specially MDCA should have a very serious second plan in case, in fact since I am sure ZANU PF is not going give up power regardless knowing they have lost the elections and the court case.
After Today, I Have Come To Believe That It's Time Chamisa Has A Very Serious 2nd Plan Set In Motion | IS THIS TRUE?
We have to already start the ball rolling on any eventuality, if they ZANU looses plan b will support the MDCA and become even stronger but being unprepared will be a disaster. We are desperate for change. PICTURES –
By Farai D Hove| President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday blamed the massacre of civilians in Harare (on the 2nd August) on MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa.
Mnangagwa was speaking at the national heroes acre while commemorating the Heroes Day.
Said Mnangagwa: “We however condemn the MDC Alliance inspired violence, post our free and fair elections, which resulted in the death of innocent citizens.
“May their souls in eternal peace. I have instructed a commission of enquiry to investigate the matter.
“It is now time to put the election period behind us and embrace the future…” WATCH THE LIVE VIDEO BELOW :
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
Zanu PF Politburo member Sydney Sekeramayi was literally roasted on twitter after attacking MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.
Sekeramayi yesterday castigated Chamisa for rejecting Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s victory in the July 30 plebiscite.
Below are responses from angry Zimbabweans: Patric Muchengi:
People are starving iwe uchidira upfu mumusoro … yomunhu.
I respected you until I saw this video clip, musoro wakazara mvura Sekuru, sure sorry henyu but musoro wenyu
wadhanganyika sekuru.
Bunda Stand: Chamisa must understand that there is a winner and
a loser in an election contest. If he doesn’t start correcting his mistakes now, same story will happen in 2023.
Lawrence Muziya: What do you expect honestly from a man who thinks that diesel oozes from a rock…ndidzo shasha dzeku
n’anga ka idzi.
James:
There is a difference between rigging and people’s choice.
Tay Nemara: To think we grew up respecting and being governed
by such people.He is right Mnangagwa must not change results
after losing forcing other candidates to go to court. Why does Zanu force itself on people?
EnCik Tedd Prince Mpd
Chihota: Politician for 70years as a minister not even a borehole kwaSamuriwo.
Prominent clergyman and perceived government backer, Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi has said people should not die for politics.
Bishop Mutendi, a declared government sympathiser and ally of Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa told a state run daily paper it was unfortunate and sad to note that people had lost their lives because of politics.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of the ZCC Defe Dopota Holy Land 42nd commemoration of the passing on of church founder Reverend Samuel Mutendi in Gokwe
North yesterday.
He said the current political situation over the July 30 harmonised elections outcome was only
delaying socio-economic growth.
“Yes, people died for this country
(during the liberation struggle) and it’s different from dying for a seat in
Parliament. That’s not a hero’s death.
As they say the politics is a dirty
game, let the politicians do their dirty
work. The Constitution is there, why
quarrel? Quarrelling delays progress,” said Mutendi.
The country’s state run companies owe ZIMRA over $491 million in
unpaid taxes.
At a time the country’ s economy is virtually grounded, state run companies have continued to default on the payment of tax, it has emerged.
The revenue authority disclosed the shocking deficit in its 2017 annual report.
“It is a black hole and for government
this highlights their dilemma, how do
we stop the public sector from bleeding government in this way?
Parastatals are using
Eddie Cross
resources, which would otherwise be
for key social services and health, I
mean that is nearly double the health
budget for the country,” Eddie Cross told a weekly publication.
That is why the worst human being to ever live in this country, Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, from the day he resigned, he became the most loved man around. He does not even need a bodyguard. People love him simply for stepping down before being embarrassed.
Emmerson Mnangagwa and Constantino Chiwenga resigning, they will be honoured greater than Robert Mugabe and Kenneth Kaunda. Anyone disputes that fact?
Join me as we together explore a Zimbabwe after the resignation of Emmerson Mnangagwa and Constantino Chiwenga. – This series of discussions will run for the next few days. – WATCH LIVE – VIDEO LOADING BELOW:
The exiled Prof Jonathan Moyo has indicated he is soon dropping a bombshel expose’ that shows that ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has tampered with judicial independence.
Wrote Moyo: “B.S.There’s no separation of powers PR they are selling here. It’s a disaster. Wait until you read a scandalous confidential opinion given to Mnangagwa by Lewis Uriri & which, because #godisinit, has found its way into the public domain. They have tied themselves up in knots!”
Below was his tweet:
B.S.There's no separation of powers PR they are selling here. It's a disaster. Wait until you read a scandalous confidential opinion given to Mnangagwa by Lewis Uriri & which, because #godisinit, has found its way into the public domain. They have tied themselves up in knots! https://t.co/PeqsIxlqgU
Convicted Fraudster Chivayo Gets $2,000 Bail While The Country's Best Barrister Biti Is Punished With $5,000 Bail For Petty Politics | WHAT'S THE LESSON HERE?
By Paul Nyathi|Government has appointed a three-member commission to preside over the affairs of Harare City Council before the swearing in of a new council. The caretaker commission was appointed in terms of section 80 of the Urban Councils Act.
The commission is chaired by Bella Manyakara. The other two members are Shingai Mutumbwa and one C Kampila.
“The commission will preside over Harare on an interim basis until the new council is sworn in. The commission will not make any far reaching decisions on behalf of council without consulting Government and shall not engage in land/ stands allocations,” Harare City Council said in a notice.
Pressure has eased on embattled businessman Wicknell Chivayo after High Court bail-judge Benjamin Chikowero observed that the state’s case “was weak”.
This followed a $5 million fraud charge against the Intratrek Zimbabwe (Intratrek) founder and related to his 100 megawatt Gwanda solar power project with the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC).
In granting Chivayo a $2 000 bail, Chikowero was certainly convinced by the accused’s lawyers – advocate Lewis Uriri and Wilson Manase – that the lower court had conceded “there was no misrepresentation because Intratrek had been freely awarded a tender by the State Procurement Board and subsequently signed a contract with ZPC”.
Even, though, the rotund businessman had been denied freedom by magistrate Elisha Singano on the basis that he was a flight risk, the defence team also vigorously pursued or advanced the viewpoint that “the essential elements of fraud and money laundering were non-existent as the source of the money was known”.
Uriri, it is said, argued that the Intratrek deal “was purely a business transaction based on contractual provisions and obligations”, and ZPC “could seek remedy and enforce the matter through civil proceedings”.
Crucially, the presumption of innocence must apply and work in Chivayo’s favour.
And as part of his bail conditions, the 39 year-old businessman was ordered to report twice weekly to the Criminal Investigations Department’s frauds squad and surrender title deeds to his Borrowdale house.
Today we as a nation commemorate our heroes. As I have observed on previous occasions, there is hardly any Zimbabwean family that did not participate in the effort for the liberation of our country. It follows, therefore, that this day, Heroes Day, is a day for ALL Zimbabweans.
Let us all, therefore, join in the commemorations, in our own way and in our own spaces, as we feel appropriate. Let us be cognisant that those lying at the Heroes Acre are but a representative sample of a lot more unsung heroes. We must salute them all on this day. To all those who paid the ultimate price for the liberation of our country, we will never forget your sacrifice.
May this day serve as a point of reflection by all who are living, as to whether we have stayed true to the cause for which they gave their lives.
ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s lawyers were today caught tight lipped when they left their work places on the sacred day to commemorate Zimbabwe’s National Heroes, to travel to the Constitutional Court to submit their challenge of MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa.
They can be seen in the below pictures smiling from tooth to tooth while on their journey to the embarrassment end.
HIP-hop mega star Prokid (real name Linda Mkhize) died in the arms of his girlfriend, Mandisa Mbanjwa, whom he has been seeing for almost a year behind his wife’s back.
Sunday World can reveal that Ayanda, Prokid’s wife, burst into tears and screamed when she saw the lifeless body of the Dankie San hit-maker on Mbanjwa’s bed in her flat in the Joburg CBD on Wednesday night.
Before his demise, Sunday World understands the rapper spent a week at the flat.
Ayanda grabbed Prokid’s clothes and stormed out of Mbanjwa’s flat after she, the artist’s father and two brothers authorised the removal of his corpse to the mortuary.
The explosive details were revealed by Mbanjwa in an exclusive interview with Sunday World at her flat on Friday.
Meanwhile, reports yesterday said Prokid was allegedly abusing drugs heavily before he died.
The late rapper’s mistress, however, has said he’d been suffering from ill health and depression, but said nothing about drugs.
Reports suggest that many saw him as a “troubled man” who was perhaps even using drugs to get through his days.
His family and friends have strongly denied the allegations, although insiders and neighbours told that the 37-year-old was deeply troubled. One called him a “walking junkie” who was barely recognisable towards the end.
He died at a block of flats in inner-city Joburg, where one neighbour said he’d lost a lot of weight before reportedly having his fatal seizure.
Mkhize’s manager dismissed the allegations, but industry insiders said Pro’s career was not going well and he wasn’t getting many bookings.
Mkhize’s wife was reportedly very emotional about having to authorise the removal of her husband’s corpse from the other woman’s flat after he had spent about a week there. Guards at the building said Prokid had been spending so much time there that they regarded him as a tenant. The two met 13 years ago, when ProKid was first exploding on to the music scene, his mistress said, and they only became romantic 12 years later. Mbanjwa described him as being sick, though “he was hiding it”. They were reportedly planning to have a child together. He already had a three-year-old daughter with his wife.
Mbanjwa said Mkhize had claimed to have ulcers and was suffering from depression due to alleged poor treatment from the music industry. Although he won many awards and many of his albums were very popular, he never scooped a Sama.
His family had earlier described Mkhize’s mistress’ apartment as the home of a “friend”. They will be laying him to rest next weekend – Sunday World/Citizen (SA).
MDC-Alliance member and outgoing Bulawayo South legislator Mr Eddie Cross says Mr Nelson Chamisa, who intends to challenge the Presidential election result, is wasting his time as the outcome of Monday’s harmonised election is a true reflection of the people’s will.
The July 30 elections, he said, were the most democratic elections ever held in the past 18 years.
The 78-year-old politician, who predicted Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa’s victory before the polls, said it is time the country gets down to business.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail yesterday, Mr Cross said he doubts the courts will overturn the election results if the MDC-Alliance goes ahead with its challenge.
“Let’s get down to business and start rebuilding Zimbabwe. We must work together and I have no doubt about the outcome. Zimbabwe has the potential to move forward and together in peace and unity, we can achieve that.
“I doubt that the courts will overturn the results. The people spoke and their will has to be respected. These were the most democratic elections since 2000,” said Mr Cross.
Mr Cross urged President Mnangagwa to put together a competent Cabinet to turn around the economy.
Last week, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network endorsed both Presidential and Parliamentary results and said that their figures where tallying with those released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
2018 Heroes Day Commemoration Statement By Advocate Nelson Chamisa
President of the MDC Alliance
Monday, August 13, 2018
LEST WE FORGET… ONE PERSON ONE VOTE IS OUR FOREBEARS’ LEGACY
On 13 August 2018, Zimbabwe once again pays tribute to its gallant sons and daughters, whose selfless and exemplary contribution during Zimbabwe’s protracted liberation struggle is the reason our country attained its Independence in 1980.
We are a nation of heroes and heroines. A nation of warriors. Warriors of peace.
The commemoration and celebration of our country’s heroes and heroines is a fitting time to take stock of how far we have gone as a country towards making the values and ideals of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle a living reality for our country and everyone who lives in it. What have we achieved? What is our deficit?
It is notable that we are commemorating this year’s edition of Heroes’ Day two weeks after holding a historic general election, whose national spirit is reminiscent of the 1980 election that founded our country’s First Republic under the Lancaster House Constitution as an expression of our country’s heroic liberation struggle.
The unsatisfactory, and in fact scandalous, way this election was conducted is an indictment of the ruling elite, who have monopolised state politics in our country for 38 years, and a betrayal of the heroes and heroines who made an independent Zimbabwe possible in 1980.
As in 1980, Zimbabwe today is on the brink of the end of an era; after 38 turbulent years of Independence during which the fundamental values and ideals for which our country’s heroes and heroine paid the ultimate price have remained elusive.
Section 3 of our new 2013 people-driven Constitution, which replaced the Lancaster Constitution, stipulates the founding values and principles of a new Zimbabwe, the Second Republic. One of the key founding values and principles of a new the Second Republic, is a multiparty democratic political system.
This system has eluded Zimbabwe for 38 years and yet it was one of the main grievances of the liberation struggle that our heroes and heroines fought for under the banner of “one person one vote”.
The time has come to commemorate and honour the heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle by defending the one ideal and value they selflessly fought for: one person one vote. This ideal is part of our Bill of Rights and which is a sine qua non of the multiparty democratic political system envisaged in Section 3(2)(a) of the Constitution. It is not possible to achieve this if we allow a militarised clique, that calls itself Zimbabwe’s stockholders, to unleash brute force against unarmed civilians in pursuit of electoral theft.
We must resolutely do everything in our power under our Constitution to say no to fraud and repression either in our electoral politics or our justice system. We must say no to the rule of men, in favour of the rule of law. The will of the people, expressed at the polls, must prevail in honour of our heroes and heroines.
This day, I call upon every Zimbabwean, local or abroad, to take a moment to observe and honour those who lost their lives for this beloved and beautiful country, Zimbabwe. My heart is with all the grieving families of the dear departed. My new Zimbabwe pledge is a people’s republic where everyone’s safety, security and happiness are guaranteed.
To move our country forward we need to be together on liberation values, we have a patriotic duty to ensure that our heroes and heroines did not die in vain. That cannot be read to mean vindictiveness. But those who have sinned against our people must commit to sin no more, this is the pathway to forgiveness. Our nation is broken. Our people are divided. Our society is tormented. Zimbabwe needs truth, healing and reconciliation.
Get ready to smile again, get ready to celebrate. Change is coming. God is in it.
2018 Heroes Day Commemoration Statement By Advocate Nelson Chamisa
President of the MDC Alliance
Monday, August 13, 2018
LEST WE FORGET… ONE PERSON ONE VOTE IS OUR FOREBEARS’ LEGACY
On 13 August 2018, Zimbabwe once again pays tribute to its gallant sons and daughters, whose selfless and exemplary contribution during Zimbabwe’s protracted liberation struggle is the reason our country attained its Independence in 1980.
We are a nation of heroes and heroines. A nation of warriors. Warriors of peace.
The commemoration and celebration of our country’s heroes and heroines is a fitting time to take stock of how far we have gone as a country towards making the values and ideals of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle a living reality for our country and everyone who lives in it. What have we achieved? What is our deficit?
It is notable that we are commemorating this year’s edition of Heroes’ Day two weeks after holding a historic general election, whose national spirit is reminiscent of the 1980 election that founded our country’s First Republic under the Lancaster House Constitution as an expression of our country’s heroic liberation struggle.
The unsatisfactory, and in fact scandalous, way this election was conducted is an indictment of the ruling elite, who have monopolised state politics in our country for 38 years, and a betrayal of the heroes and heroines who made an independent Zimbabwe possible in 1980.
As in 1980, Zimbabwe today is on the brink of the end of an era; after 38 turbulent years of Independence during which the fundamental values and ideals for which our country’s heroes and heroine paid the ultimate price have remained elusive.
Section 3 of our new 2013 people-driven Constitution, which replaced the Lancaster Constitution, stipulates the founding values and principles of a new Zimbabwe, the Second Republic. One of the key founding values and principles of a new the Second Republic, is a multiparty democratic political system. This system has eluded Zimbabwe for 38 years and yet it was one of the main grievances of the liberation struggle that our heroes and heroines fought for under the banner of “one person one vote”.
The time has come to commemorate and honour the heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle by defending the one ideal and value they selflessly fought for: one person one vote. This ideal is part of our Bill of Rights and which is a sine qua non of the multiparty democratic political system envisaged in Section 3(2)(a) of the Constitution. It is not possible to achieve this if we allow a militarised clique, that calls itself Zimbabwe’s stockholders, to unleash brute force against unarmed civilians in pursuit of electoral theft.
We must resolutely do everything in our power under our Constitution to say no to fraud and repression either in our electoral politics or our justice system. We must say no to the rule of men, in favour of the rule of law. The will of the people, expressed at the polls, must prevail in honour of our heroes and heroines.
This day, I call upon every Zimbabwean, local or abroad, to take a moment to observe and honour those who lost their lives for this beloved and beautiful country, Zimbabwe. My heart is with all the grieving families of the dear departed. My new Zimbabwe pledge is a people’s republic where everyone’s safety, security and happiness are guaranteed.
To move our country forward we need to be together on liberation values, we have a patriotic duty to ensure that our heroes and heroines did not die in vain. That cannot be read to mean vindictiveness. But those who have sinned against our people must commit to sin no more, this is the pathway to forgiveness. Our nation is broken. Our people are divided. Our society is tormented. Zimbabwe needs truth, healing and reconciliation.
Get ready to smile again, get ready to celebrate. Change is coming. God is in it.
God bless Zimbabwe. God bless you.
Advocate Nelson Chamisa President
MDC Alliance
OPPOSITION MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has claimed that thousands of registered voters sympathetic to him, among them over 40 000 teachers seconded to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) as polling officers, were disenfranchised and systematically denied their voting right while 21 polling stations went “missing” on polling day, two weeks ago.
In his petition filed at the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) on Friday, challenging President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa’s victory, Chamisa accused Zec of deliberately deploying teachers and other civil servants to polling stations far from areas they were registered to vote.
“I have established that some 40 000 teachers did not vote. A lot more other civil servants who were involved in the elections were similarly disenfranchised,” he submitted in his papers.
Chamisa said this was done despite the fact that there are clear legal provisions for civil servants on government business to exercise their right to vote and alleged this could have been a plan to steal his votes.
“There is no doubt that the attempt to disenfranchise them was meant to affect the opposition vote, otherwise they would have been allowed to vote. In this regard, I make reference to the affidavit filed herewith showing the actual numbers of State employees who were disenfranchised. I once again make the point that the numbers involved materially affect the outcome of the election,” Chamisa said.
The 40-year-old presidential contestant raised concern over how polling stations advertised by Zec just “disappeared” on election day, leaving several registered voters stranded.
“On voting day, 21 polling stations went missing. No explanation for this exists. Further, some polling stations were created in Hurungwe… these two were not part of the list of polling stations received from Zec,” Chamisa submitted.
Given that the maximum number of voters per polling station was 1 000, a total of 21 000 voters could have been denied their right to vote.
In Hurungwe, where the two polling stations were allegedly created, Mnangagwa garnered 5 396 votes while Chamisa got nothing.
“It is interesting to note that a total of 5 396 votes is said to have been garnered by first respondent (Mnangagwa) at the ghost polling station. The figures for the ghost polling station do not compare well with those he garnered at other polling stations. There is clear evidence with respect of manipulation,” he said.
He also raised a red flag over the huge number of assisted voters, citing Masvingo which had a record 65% of polling stations having assisted voters.
“A disconcerting aspect of this election is the number of assisted voters. At 46% of polling stations nationwide, more than 26 people were assisted to vote. In Masvingo at about 65% of polling stations 26 or more people were assisted to vote,” he said.
In these areas, Mnangagwa and Zanu PF won by wide margins against the opposition.
Chamisa accuses Zec of malpractices after the announcement of the results, saying they have been harassing polling officers and moving election residue in a bid to cover up their mistakes.
“Even after the declaration of the result, Zec has involved itself in malpractices which are meant to correct the glaring anomalies that I have referred to above. Polling agents are being forced to change V11 forms,” he said.
Chamisa has since presented before the court affidavits by some of the polling agents allegedly harassed by Zec to change V11 forms after the results were announced. He further alleged that his technical team had been harassed and that affected their preparation for the court challenge.
“My technical team is being harassed amidst so many threats of arrests over trumped-up charges. The environment has been heavily militarised and shows an administration which is afraid,” he said.
Chamisa challenged Mnangagwa to maintain composure if he was confident that he won the election.
“The question to ask is, why should first respondent behave in such a desperate manner if he won the election?” he submitted.
Chamisa presented evidence of votes being counted twice in some polling stations, resulting in Mnangagwa getting 7 703 more votes than was due to him.
“There is also evidence showing that Zec collated results at some polling stations twice, that is to say polling stations were counted twice. I refer the court to annexure L. This created an increase of 9 035 votes. Of those, first respondent was as is the case where all irregularities are apparent the beneficiary. The mathematics shows that he got 7 703, the 7 703 votes do not exist and must be subtracted from his total,” he submitted.
By Own Correspondent| Political analysts have dismissed as baseless claims that the government is captured by the military junta arguing that personnel with a military background have proven to be best performers in running State business globally.
According to a local publication, the opposition political parties in Zimbabwe’s claims that government is captured by the military are not only baseless but misinformed.
UK legislator Kate Hoey also recently tweeted that there should be no change of policy on Zimbabwe from the international community unless Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was “removed from his Vice Presidency and his control of the military”.
Speaking to a local publication Sunday, Harare-based political analyst Godwine Mureriwa said:
“Best performers across the world especially in the US are people with military background. Zimbabwe should not be an exception when it comes to exploitation of the rich experience brought by its own veterans in the running of its Government business.
The Bulawayo incident that almost wiped out the entire national leadership should be read in the context of terrorism and in such circumstances people with military background cannot be wished away in Government business.
It should also be remembered that Zanu-PF is a product of the military struggle brought about by Zanla and Zipra military wings and as the ruling party there is nothing amiss about having its leaders in Government.”
Another commentator, Tafadzwa Mugwadi said the appointment of decorated military personnel to government positions was a reflection of “statescraft”.
Said Mugwadi:
“Any reports or suggestions to the fact that the Zimbabwe Government is captured by the military are baseless to the extent that they are stupid. For the avoidance of doubt, Zimbabwe is a constitutional state where the role of State institutions and organs inclusive of the army are well defined and codified.
Any attempt therefore to smear the Government simply because there are decorated former military officers in Cabinet who were retired publicly is akin to lack of understanding of the art of statecraft.
In any case, until Donald Trump became the US president, it has been a cardinal but unwritten practice that distinguished former US Army commanders and others from their dreaded CIA contest for public office on retirement with a high chance of being victorious because they would have proved themselves in terms of their commitment to their country.
In light of this, how does it become an issue in Zimbabwe? This is nothing new but a continuation of calls by those with nefarious intentions who have historically and vindictively been calling for so-called security sector reforms agenda.”-State Media
Paul Nyathi|Ex-Minister, Thokozile Mathuthu has died in Harare, Zanu PF Mat North Provincial Chairperson, Richard Moyo confirmed to media on Monday morning.
Mathuthu died after a long battle with an undisclosed ailment.
A MINER in Fort Rixon, Matabeleland South died after a mining tunnel at a river bank collapsed on him.
Ndumiso Nkala (24) of Plot 10, Mayfair area died in Insiza River near Lancaster Bridge.
When the river bank tunnel collapsed on the now deceased, he was in the company of a friend Dumezweni Ndlovu (35) of Plot 1, Mayfair.
Ndlovu survived as he went out of the tunnel to collect a torch he had left in his bag outside, some minutes before the tunnel collapsed last week.
Matabeleland South Provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm the sudden death of a miner who died when sand on a river bank collapsed on him. His father and other villagers retrieved him but he was already dead,” he said.
Chief Insp Ndebele urged members of the public to desist from mining in unsecured shafts.
“In the past we have held campaigns to sensitise miners on the need to ensure their mining operations are safe but accidents continue. Uncertified tunnels or shafts are not advisable to mine on. We urge miners to ensure their mines are inspected regularly,” he said.
A source said Ndlovu had gone out of the tunnel to collect a torch that he had left in his bag when the incident occurred.
“Ndlovu got out of the tunnel to collect a torch from his bag and upon his return, he discovered that the tunnel had collapsed trapping Nkala. Ndlovu rushed back to the village to advise elders.
“He returned with Nkala’s father, Mr Aleck Nkala, among other villagers who retrieved the already lifeless body,” said a source that preferred anonymity.
The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and no foul play was suspected.
By Own Correspondent| MDC Alliance youth assembly and provincial leaders have claimed that unidentified men in plain clothes believed to be military personnel and Zanu Pf hit squads are conducting mid night raids on their homes.
Brian Dube, the Alliance’s youth assembly spokesperson on Sunday alleged that the harassment of the youth leaders which started in Harare had spread to other provinces.
The MDC Alliance raised the flag accusing military personnel of harrassment targeting the party’s leadership soon after the shootings that left seven people dead in Harare after the deployment of the military to crush MDC Alliance demonstrations against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) delays in announcing Presidential election results on August 1.
Said Dube:
“The harassment of our youth leaders has now spread all over the country.
It is no longer just happening in Harare. Families of our youth leaders in several districts are under siege.
Our youth leaders have called me to say our homes have been visited at midnight by strangers.
In Marondera, we recorded seven cases, in Bindura six, and here in Gweru quite a big number.
I also got a call from Bulawayo to say about nine of our leaders are under siege.”-Newsday.
TWO siblings from Gweru have been sentenced to a combined 110 years in jail by a Gweru Regional Magistrate for breaking into 92 houses and stealing goods worth about $50 000.
Appearing before Gweru Regional Magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa facing 92 counts of unlawful entry into premises and theft were brothers, Moses and Lucas Mushaninga Munemo of Gweru.
Moses (41) and Lucas (37) were convicted against their own plea of not guilty to 81 charges of unlawful entry into premises and theft.
The other 11 charges were withdrawn after complainants failed to testify for various reasons.
Mrs Msipa sentenced the two brothers to 55 years in jail each.
“In arriving at the sentence, I considered that you are first offenders and no one was injured when you were committing these offences. You were both facing 92 counts of unlawful entry and theft at the start of the trial but you were left with 81 counts after the others were withdrawn before plea. You broke windows, damaged doors and you pre-planned the offence and were determined and that aggravates the offence,” she said.
Mrs Msipa said property valued at $13 000 was not recovered.
“You are each sentenced to 55 years in prison of which 10 years each is suspended on condition of good behaviour and the other five years each is suspended on condition you restitute complainants $13 000. You will therefore each serve 40 years in prison each,” she said.
It was the State case that from 2016 and to this year in February, Moses and Lucas targeted houses in Gweru, forcibly opening windows or doors before stealing electrical goods and other household furniture.
The court heard that between 2016 and February this year, the pair broke into 92 houses and went away with refrigerators, television sets, radios and stoves among other goods with a value of $50 000.
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has a formidable case against his arch rival Zanu Pf’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was declared winner of the July 30 elections after he garnered 50.8 percent.
Politics aside, Chamisa’s election petition confirms his remarks earlier in which he declared that he had won the 2018 elections. Chamisa’s petition chronicles a litany of allegations of irregularities and blatant violations of the Constitution and the electoral Act by ZANU PF.
There are at least three killer punches in the petition which really would leave Mnangagwa scampering for cover.
First is the accusation in paragraph 4.5.14 against ZEC Chairperson Judge Priscilla Chigumba that after she was appointed Chairperson by President Mnangagwa on 1st February 2018, she celebrated the appointment on February 3 by accepting President Mnangagwa’s now typical insignia the scarf of the Zimbabwe flag which was Mnangagwa’s.
By wearing this scarf, Judge Chigumba was in breach of regulations prohibiting ZEC staff wearing materials associated with one of the candidates campaign material.
Second is allegation that Chamisa’s election agents were not called to sign the presidential results before they were announced as required by law.
Viewers who watched the ZEC announcements of the presidential results will recall the drama that took place shortly before the ZEC returned to the podium to announce the last outstanding results, Chamisa’s election agent also MDC Chairman took to the floor to announce that he had not signed the results.
In the petition, Chamisa avers that this was after the ZEC CEO promised to call the agent so that he can verify and sign the results before they were announced yet Judge Chigumba and her colleagues proceeded to announce the results ignoring the statutorily mandatory signatures only to ask for them after the announcements.
Third is the unbelievable allegation in paragraph 6.5.3 that even based on their own figures, the results they announced do not match.
Chamisa alleged ‘…..The evidence attached hereto and marked ‘1 Series’ shows that more people than were registered voted. ………..Further, there are polling stations where ZEC there was a plus 90% turnout. This is unimaginable. In those areas where there was a plus 90% turnout, first respondent (Mnangagwa) was given a total of 352 897 votes……….’. He attached ZEC’s own analysis sheet.
The petition makes several other allegations including the biased role of the security forces which he accused of promoting the interests of only the ruling party. In particular, he mentions the deplorable event of Wednesday 1st August when the military opened live fire in Harare in response to unarmed MDC demonstrators who were calling for release of the results.
It is common knowledge that since independence ZANU PF has been using the army and other security forces to maintain their grip on power. This is what Chamisa is talking about when he complains about the role of the security forces during the elections.
Of course it was good for the army to step in as they did and remove Mugabe from power because without that act, Mugabe would still be in power. No one, not even Mnangagwa would have removed Mugabe from power had the army not done what it did. Everyone agrees that it was too much Mugabe had to go.
But removing Mugabe from decades in power is one thing and trying to illegally keep power under the facade of Mnangagwa or is it Chiwenga is quite another. There was absolutely no basis for the army to have used live ammunition on civilians on 1st August.
Besides the security forces, Chamisa makes several allegations against the conduct of state media which is another well known story of primitive bias. Just like in Zambia, state media in Zimbabwe have no clue the difference between ‘state media’ and ‘government media’. During elections, so-called ‘state media’ behaves like it is ‘government media’ openly biased in favour of government which is illegal.
Distribution of seed and other farming requests especially to people in rural areas is another serious allegation raised in the petition. He argues that distribution of farming inputs to people in rural areas under the facade of empowering rural people unduly advantaged the first respondent.
Anyone with basic knowledge of rural areas in Africa and particularly with massive poverty levels in these areas should easy understand the reason behind sudden ‘love liaisons’ between governments and people during elections. Coupled with strong relationships between chiefs and governments in these areas, and the influence chiefs exert on people in their areas, the story is complete.
Of course we are still to hear from Mnangagwa and ZEC their responses. The issue, however, is that based on previous election petition judgments, Chamisa no doubt has a edge over Mnangagwa.
In previous election petitions, judges in several jurisdictions have dismissed petitions challenging results of elections on the ground that while there were irregularities and even illegalities, overall the elections were substantially free and fair. What this means is that courts mean is that no election is free of irregularities and that courts are not there to nullify every election based on proof of any irregularity.
But this is different in the case of the Chamisa-Mnangagwa election. Mnangagwa’s win was only with the slightest of margins. In previous case law, courts have if the difference between the loser and the winner is very large, they will be reluctant to invalidate the election merely upon proof of an irregularity.
This is also in line with the decision of the George Bush versus Al Gower case in which the court seems to have suggested that election petitions in their nature are political.
But again, this case is different. It is not even the difference between Mnangagwa and Chamisa which is at issue but the .3% margin of victory Mnangagwa allegedly got over the 50% constitutional threshold to avoid a run-off which is the issue. Based on a litany of African cases such as from Shehu Shagary case in Nigeria, the 2001 Col.
Dr. Besigye Case in Uganda through to the first Raila Odinga versus Uhuru Kenyatta case, the principle has been the same, namely, that courts can interfere with the electoral body’s declaration in circumstances where there is proof or material irregularity which if it had not occurred, the result would be different.
Imagine if Chamisa manages to prove ay of the allegations he has made, namely, that it did occur and that it was material to the outcome which ZEC announced, obviously it could lead to a different result.
But of course there are other factors key among which is the judiciary and particularly how independent it is? We are victims of this in Zambia. The other is the elephant in the room i.e. the military. This makes the elections in Zimbabwe not just a simple case of elections.
But there is no doubt that this is a test case in Zimbabwe and looking at the issues the petition raises, a test case for the way in which elections should be conducted in Africa as a whole.-Newsday.
By Own Correspondent| A Bulawayo couple has hauled government and the Population Services International claiming $400 000 in damages for unlawfully circumcising their 10 year old minor without their consent.
Shooter Ngwenya and Thando Mukwevho filed their summons at the Bulawayo High Court on August 9 citing PSI and Parirenyatwa as respondents arguing that the procedure was not done with their blessing.
“The plaintiffs’ claim against the defendants is for payment of the sum of $400 000 due by the 1st and 2nd defendants to the plaintiff being damages arising from the defendants’ wrongful and unlawful conduct which resulted in plaintiffs’ minor child, who does not have legal capacity being circumcised without the consent of the plaintiffs, the biological parents,” read part of the summons.
The couple argued that because of the procedure, their child suffered long days and sleepless nights of excruciating pain.
“The experience has impacted negatively on the child as it has traumatised him,” said the couple, adding that the ritual was a taboo within the family hence it had brought sharp divisions within the family.
In their declaration of the claim, Mukwevho and Ngwenya submitted that on August 8, 2017, members of the staff from PSI Zimbabwe visited Mawaba Primary School on a circumcision exercise.
“They proceeded to circumcise the plaintiff’s minor child (name withheld), born on July 8, 2007, without the consent from the plaintiffs as his biological parents. The plaintiffs’ child being only 10-years-old was unable to consent to the circumcision at law unless with the consent of the biological parents. The father of the child in question is his natural legal guardian, hence for the circumcision to be lawful his consent was needed,” reads the declaration in part.
The couple also claimed that the circumcision had caused a permanent disability on their son, making him an outcast in his culture.
The couple said as a result, the family suffered general damages for pain and suffering discomfort, psychological trauma, disfigurement, stress, loss of enjoyment of amenities of life in the total sum of $400 000 which they prayed for an order to be paid to them.
The minister and PSI are yet to respond to the summons.-Newsday.
By Own Correspondent| A Zimbabwean youth has pledged to name his first child after MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa claiming that even if the child is a girl, he would honour his pledge.
By A Correspondent| The curse from the blood of scores of civilians killed by his soldiers appears to be pursuing Constantino Chiwenga closely; And also the curse from violating Russian contracts gets furious – the Vice President was totally ignored by President Vladimir Putin.
He was also brisked by the Russian Television station, RT.
Chiwenga had hoped to get a media moment with President Putin where he would present a special nation-to-nation message. There was also a claim in the ZANU-PF state media that Chiwenga would meet Russian investors.
But there was none at all visible, and furthermore no citing or media mention anywhere in Russia of Chiwenga. ZANU PF has gained a bad reputation in Russia of violating contracts granted to that country’s citizens. One of the contracts reneged by ZANU PF is a government to government mining business established in 1995 called DTZ.
Following the clear blackout, ZimEye.com on Sunday night had a conversation with one of the editors of the Russian television station, RT. The English speaking female was grilled on why Chiwenga’s visit was totally ignored by her station.
During the entire discourse, she refused to explain reasons why there was no mention of Chiwenga’s visit to that country.
“I am sorry but we can’t help you,” she said.
“I can’t help you,” she continued.
When pressed on why she could not explain or at least point to their failure to cover Chiwenga’s visit, she was non committal even to the point of refusing to reveal their running diary of President Putin’s itinerary.
Beyond RT, there was no visible citing or mention of Chiwenga in any of Russia’s media houses.
The only person Chiwenga met was Russia’s Defence Minister General Sergei Shoigu, at the 2018 edition of International Army Games. The two met just before they visited the Zimbabwean stand at the House of Friendship before they proceeded to the VIP pavilion to see the final event — the tank biathlon.
Russia won this year’s edition of the International Army Games, followed by China and Kazakhastan respectively. SEE SOME OF THE VIDEOS FROM THE GAMES BELOW:
By A Correspondent| National Vendors Of Zimbabwe leader, Sten Zvorwadza says MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa is lying that the 2018 elections were rigged.
Zvorwadza also alleges that Chamisa is attempting to stage “a violent, criminal and disruptive action that they then called a peaceful protest.”
Writes Zvorwadza on ZimEye, Monday morning:
“Nelson Chamisa and his cabal premeditated a strategy to discredit the Zimbabwe’s free, fair and credible 2018 elections by staging a violent, criminal and disruptive action that they then called a peaceful protest.
“Informal Economy Workers will continue to suffer if Nelson Chamisa and his cabal persist to partner with foreign countries failing to appreciate a milestone of great hope on our land beholding our future.
“It is a lie to say that the just ended elections were not credible. I personally witnessed ZANU PF and MDC Alliance members posing for photographs at various locations during campaigns.
“That was a sign of great peace in our dear country Zimbabwe. Nelson Chamisa and his retrogressive cabal must not be allowed to derail our future for their personal egos. We are counting down, our bright future is near… let’s all unite as Zimbabweans to rebuild our country and let’s wait for 2023 elections… 2018 elections akapera zvakanaka… Some won and some lost…”
Mabeleland South died after a mining tunnel at a river bank collapsed on him.
Ndumiso Nkala (24) of Plot 10, Mayfair area died in Insiza River near Lancaster Bridge.
When the river bank tunnel collapsed on the now deceased, he was in the company of a friend Dumezweni Ndlovu (35) of Plot 1, Mayfair.
Ndlovu survived as he went out of the tunnel to collect a torch he had left in his bag outside, some minutes before the tunnel collapsed last week.
Matabeleland South Provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm the sudden death of a miner who died when sand on a river bank collapsed on him. His father and other villagers retrieved him but he was already dead,” he said.
Chief Insp Ndebele urged members of the public to desist from mining in unsecured shafts.
“In the past we have held campaigns to sensitise miners on the need to ensure their mining operations are safe but accidents continue. Uncertified tunnels or shafts are not advisable to mine on. We urge miners to ensure their mines are inspected regularly,” he said.
A source said Ndlovu had gone out of the tunnel to collect a torch that he had left in his bag when the incident occurred.
“Ndlovu got out of the tunnel to collect a torch from his bag and upon his return, he discovered that the tunnel had collapsed trapping Nkala. Ndlovu rushed back to the village to advise elders.
“He returned with Nkala’s father, Mr Aleck Nkala, among other villagers who retrieved the already lifeless body,” said a source that preferred anonymity.
The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and no foul play was suspected.- state media
Paul MangwanaState Media – Mr Nelson Chamisa and his MDC-Alliance cannot prove to the Constitutional Court that presidential election results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) were wrong as they did not make use of a provision in the Electoral Act which allows for the recounting of votes within 48 hours, the Zanu-PF legal team has said.
Mr Chamisa last Friday filed his election petition at the Constitutional Court challenging President Mnangagwa’s victory in the July 30 harmonised elections.
Zanu-PF will this morning file opposing papers against the election petition. In an interview with The Herald yesterday, Zanu-PF secretary for Legal Affairs Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana queried the wisdom of claiming that the election results were wrong without requesting a recount as provided for by law.
Official results from ZEC indicate that President Mnangagwa won the elections with 50,8 percent of the votes cast, beating Mr Chamisa who got 44,3 percent.
In his appeal, Mr Chamisa claims to have won the majority of votes and that the results announced were manipulated.
He, however, did not demand a recount in any offending polling station within 48 hours of the final announcement on August 3, as he was entitled too, in order to prove that the results were wrong.
Section 67 A (1) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) that deals with Recounting of Votes states that: “(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.
“A request for a recount made in terms of subsection (1) shall:
a) be in writing, signed by an appropriate representative of the political party or candidate making their request; and
b)state specifically the number of votes believed to have been miscounted and, if possible, how the miscount may have occurred, and
c) state how the results of the election have been affected by the alleged miscount.”
Mangwana said if the MDC-Alliance was serious about having been robbed of an electoral victory, they would have made use of relevant legal provisions at their disposal.
“They did not make use of that provision. If they felt that the votes were not properly counted, they had the option to request a recount. They cannot prove before the court that the results were wrong as they do not have the correct results,” he said.
Mangwana told ZBC News yesterday that a 12-member legal team was ready for the responses to litigation by Mr Chamisa, with the opposing papers bearing testimony of the party’s commitment to safeguard the interest of the electorate.
“Indeed we shall be filing our opposing papers tomorrow (today) by 10am and we are ready for whatever they are arguing as we are really committed to the case,” he said.
In his much-hyped application, Mr Chamisa is challenging among other things the announcement process. He claims that the results are not credible simply because ZEC chair Justice Pricillah Chigumba delegated the announcement of provincial presidential results to fellow commissioners.
“By our law, results of a presidential election must be announced by the chairperson. In casu, the chairperson delegated, in her presence, the task to all the commissioners. This was in breach of mandatory statutory provisions. No explanation exists for this breach,” his lawyers wrote.
Other irregularities cited by Mr Chamisa’s lawyers include the announcement of results on a provincial basis instead of per constituency.
“In terms of the law, the results of a presidential election must be announced on a constituency by constituency basis. The results that are being challenged were for reasons that have not been stated and which are alien to law announced on a province by province basis,” the application reads.
As a result of the so-called breaches, Mr Chamisa is asking the Constitutional Court to declare him the winner of the presidential elections or alternatively to order a fresh poll.
exposure to the officials and sports
across the whole country.We won the elections
different from dying for a seat in
