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LATEST – Chigumba Used A Wrong And Corrupted Voters Roll, It Emerges

By Own Correspondent| The voters’ roll given to stakeholders by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission today is not the one that was used at polling stations today, it has emerged.

 

The Election Resource Centre reports that: “the roll used today was printed on 4 July, having been finalized on 1 June. This explains why a significant number of potential voters were also turned away.” FULL TEXT:

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Zanu Pf Presidential Candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa Speaks On Elections: Urges Citizens To Let ZEC Announce Results

Emmerson Mnangagwa

By Own Correspondent| Zanu Pf Presidential candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged Zimbabweans across the political divide to exercise restraint and wait for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to exercise its constitutional mandate and announce election results.

Mnangagwa said this on his facebook page and said:

“Today, Zimbabwe experienced a beautiful expression of freedom and democracy. In our millions, we went out to vote in the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and peace.

As we wait for the results to come in, let us remember that only ZEC is constitutionally mandated to announce any form of results.

I urge all citizens and candidates alike to exercise responsibility and restraint by patiently waiting for ZEC to declare the official outcome.

Let us remember that no matter which way we voted, we are all brothers and sisters, and this land belongs to us all.”

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Voting Officially Closes At 7 Pm In Chitungwiza

By Own Correspondent| Voting officially closed at 7 pm at most polling centres in Chitungwiza.

At Zengeza 8 Primary School, there were 6 polling stations.

At Polling station BB, a total of 226 men and 206 women had voted by 2pm while 24 men and 22 women had been redirected to other polling stations at the same centre. The presiding election agent indicated that voting was going on smoothly with 7 people 3 of whom were men and 4 female being assisted to vote the majority of whom indicated poor eyesight while others said they were illiterate.

At Polling station .CA primary, 485 people had voted by 4 pm 212 of whom were men and 273 women. Only 1 person had been turned away for coming to vote with a drivers licence while 6 men and 6 women had been assisted to vote.

At C primary, 574 people had cast their vote by 4 pm 300 of whom were women and 274 men. However 41 female and 22 males had been redirected to search for their names at the other polling stations at the same voting centre while 6 people had been assisted to vote.

At AB, by 4pm a total of 622 people had cast their vote 371 of whom were women and 251 men. However 58 males and 48 females were turned away and redirected at other polling centres at the same polling centre while 10 people were assisted voters.

By 4pm at AA polling station, 584 people had voted 306 of whom were women and 278 male. No one was turned away while 4 men and 5 women had been assisted to vote.

At Seke 7 Polling Station A in Zengeza East constituency by 5 pm, 743 people had cast their vote while 13 prospective voters had bèen turned away and 13 assisted to vote. At Seke 7 Polling Station B, 284 people had voted by 5 pm 137 of whom were men 147 women. A total of 6 prospective voters had bèen turned away while 2 women had been assisted to vote.

 

 

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Mugabe Draws Public Sympathy Again

Terrence Mawawa

Former President Robert Mugabe has yet again emerged as the darling of the people of Zimbabwe following his hard- hitting news conference yesterday.

Ecstatic Highfield residents surrounded the veteran leader’ s motorcade at Mhofu Primary School chanting ‘Gushungo!’Mugabe and his family voted at Mhofu Primary School today.

Below are comments on Mugabe’ s news conference:
Tafie Zhuwao:
Mugabe never fails, what more can you guys say when
you just participate in politics for your own benefit. Stop
saying Mugabe this Mugabe that and focus on own problems.I Am not being rude.

Big Brother Tawez:Mugabe has all but ruined Mnangagwa’ s plans, bravo our old man!

Tatenda :Mugabe has managed to redeem himself despite his chequered political record.

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BREAKING- Voting Stopped In Norton As Fire Breaks Out

By Own Correspondent| Voting at Donnington Farm in Norton had to be temporarily suspended following a fire outbreak.

The fire which started just before midday disrupted the voting process as Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) officials and police officers battled to douse it.

The ZEC officials and the police officers were however assisted by farm workers.

It however could not be immediately established what caused the fire by the time of going to print.

Norton Constituency is where the former legislator Temba Mliswa and special adviser to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Christopher Mutsvangwa are battling it out for the National Assembly seat.

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Massive Rigging In Mberengwa?

Terrence Mawawa

MDC aspiring MP for Mberengwa North, Dr Takavafira Zhou has alleged there is massive rigging in the constituency.

Below is his statement:
A ZEC official known as Mutsikiwa is moving from station to station in Mberengwa North giving what he calls an exclusion list.

Such people do not have photos and cannot be verified as authentic, let alone be considered as a voters’ roll.

This is the latest rigging method as it is meant to accommodate a number of people of no fixed abode (makorokosa) in Mberengwa North. Worse still Zec has not even bothered to engage MDC- Alliance on this latest move. We urge our agents to reject such lists and report such machinations to us. We cannot accept this day light robbery.

We understand several polling stations in the resettlement areas of Mberengwa North have received the exclusion list. We are forwarding this latest rigging method to the party and observers.

Until the legality of these exclusion lists is confirmed we will not accept it and our agents must take note of such cases.

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Zanu PF Apologist Slams Mugabe

Former President Robert Mugabe

Terrence Mawawa

A Zanu PF youth league member Brian Mudumi has described former President Robert Mugabe as an arrogant and power hungry old man.

“We supported Mugabe during his time, we believed
in him to drive to the ideology of the party torwards the
national direction, but I see the man misquoted our
party ideological loyalty and he saw himself as the
ideology himself, then the party constitutionally
relieved him of his duties as the party first Secretary.

The will of the people of Zimbabwe is
always the will of God , thus we saw his fall ,”from
Grace”.

He still believes in Chipanga’s fake
multitudes hahahaha …at least he now has a
feel of how it is to be jobless.
Our youth have been
jobless since 1980,” wrote Mudumi on Facebook.

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Latest On Elections

 

Terrence Mawawa

Below is an update from NANGO on the voting process in Masvingo Province:

Rujeko Primary School Polling
Station,2051 males and 2207 females have voted,10 males and 18 females assisted ,10 males and
16 females visually challenged .22 males and 27 females were turned away because their names were
not found in voters’ roll.

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Zanu PF Official Says Voting Is Progressing At Snail Slow Pace

Terrence Mawawa

Aspiring Zanu PF Councillor for ward 7 Masvingo Urban Constituency Talent Majoni has said voting is progressing at a snail slow pace.

“At Shakashe Polling Station in Ward 7 Masvingo Urban the voting process is very slow, forcing voters to leave without casting their votes,” said Majoni.

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ZEC Battles To Resolve Anomalies

Terrence Mawawa

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission(ZEC) is battling to resolve voting discrepancies in Masvingo Urban Constituency as scores of voters are being turned away following glaring voters’ roll anomalies.

Scores of voters in ward 7 and ward 4 Masvingo Urban Constituency have been turned away because their names are not appearing in the voters’ roll.

However ZEC presiding officers at the respective polling station have dismissed claims that the voting process is chaotic, indicating alarmists are trying to discredit the polls.

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LIVE BLOG Voting Update In Chitungwiza

By 11 am at Chitungwiza hospital Tent A
Total voters 250 (Females 131, Males 119)
Turned away 14 (reasons: wrong polling station referred elsewhere)
Assisted voters 6 (all females) Authorities here said everything is going on well.The voting process is peaceful and everything going according to plan.

Chitungwiza Hospital Tent B By 11 am
Total voters 240 (Female 121, Males 119)
Turned away 12 (6 females, 6 males)
Assisted voters 8 (7 females and 1 male)

By 12 pm at Zengeza 4 Open Space Tent A
Total voters 284 (140 Female, 144 male)
Turned away 24 (11 males, 13 females) reasons not on voters roll, some brought drivers licence while others came to the wrong polling station.

Tent B Zengeza 4 Open Space
Total Voters 250 (126 Female, 124 males)
Turned away 15 (9 women, 6 men)
Assisted voters 2

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Gogo Screams Out: “Ndavhotera Chamisa!, Ndavhotera Chamisa!”

An elderly mother came out of a polling station screaming out somewhat in excitement, “ndavhotera Chamisa!”

After saying it once, she proceeded to repeat the same screaming declaration, “ndavhotera Chamisa!,” as if saying ‘here me all of you once again, I voted Chamisa!’

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“We Will Cross The GNU Bridge When We get There,” Mwonzora.

A GOVERNMENT of national unity (GNU) could be determined by margins of the win in today’s elections, MDC Alliance secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora has said.

Mwonzora, who was responding to senior project leader in the Justice and Peace-building programme to explain if his party would accept a GNU, said it will be determined by whether it is of strategic value to Zimbabwe.

Speaking during a Mass Public Opinion Institute discussion at a Harare hotel last Thursday, which discussed today’s elections, Mwonzora said Zimbabweans must be positive that opposition parties could bring forth more development to the country.

“On the issue of a GNU, I would like to say that we will cross the bridge when we get there because a lot of factors will have to be considered like the margin of the win and the strategic value of the GNU,” Mwonzora said.

“Of course, you are right that overwhelmingly Zimbabweans want a GNU, and they reason using empirical evidence, whereby the GNU was the only government they experienced which brought positive things.

“So Zimbabweans will think about the Rhodesian Ian Smith government, the Zanu PF government under former President Robert Mugabe and President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the GNU which they know as the best government after independence,” he said.

However, Mwonzora said there could be a better government after the GNU because no other political party, other than Zanu PF has ever been in government.

“People do not know that there could be a better government run by people with new ideas, new credibility – and maybe that government will be far much better than the GNU. We are going to consider what will be in the best interest of our nation and our country,” he said.

“If it is necessary to co-opt with Zanu PF in government, then we will do that if it is in the best interests of our country.”

Newsday

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Zanu PF Activists Threaten ZEC Officials

Terrence Mawawa

Sensing the possibility of a humiliating defeat in today’s election, Zanu PF activists have accused Zimbabwe Electoral Commission(ZEC) officials of influencing residents of Rujeko Suburb, ward 7, Masvingo Urban Constituency to vote for the opposition.

Zanu PF is in panic mode following former President Robert Mugabe’ s news conference yesterday.

At Rujeko Admin Polling Station, Zanu PF officials today confronted ZEC officials and accused them of influencing the electorate to vote against the ruling party.

“We are carrying out our duties according to specifications in our code of conduct. Therefore we will not be swayed by politicians to depart from our ethics,” said a ZEC official.

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South Africa High Court Suddenly Reverses Grace Mugabe’s Immunity From Prosecution for Assaulting Gabriella

The South Gauteng High Court has overturned the verdict granting diplomatic immunity to former first lady Grace Mugabe.

South Africa High Court ruled that the decision to grant former Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity is “inconsistent with the constitution”, the South Gauteng High Court found on Monday.

Rights group AfriForum and the DA went to court challenging the original decision by the government department.

Judge Bashier Vally set aside the decision by former international relations and cooperation minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. Vally said Nkoana-Mashabane’s decision had been inconsistent with provisions in the constitution.

The ministry has also been ordered to pay the costs of the application‚ brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA).

The wife of former president Robert Mugabe was accused of assaulting South African model Gabriella Engels at a Johannesburg hotel‚ where Mugabe’s two sons were staying.

Engels sustained deep cuts to her forehead and the back of her head and registered a case with the police the next day. But the state granted Mugabe immunity‚ saying it was imperative to maintain good intergovernmental relations within the region‚ and in particular‚ between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The DA and AfriForum approached the courts to set the decision aside soon after. – Timeslive/eNCA

– REFRESH THIS PAGE FOR MORE DETAILS –

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Mujuru Cast Her Vote

People’s Rainbow Coalition president, Joice Mujuru casts her vote at Oriel Girls High School in Harare.

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Mnangagwa Casts Vote In ZANU PF Regalia

Out going President Emmerson Mnagwagwa has cast his vote at Sherwood Primary School in Kwekwe.

Mnangagwa cast his vote clad in his famous ZANU PF associated scarf. The Zimbabwean Electoral Law forbids voters from wearing party regalia at polling stations during polling.

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Victory Is Certain, Says Nelson Chamisa As He Casts Vote

By Paul Nyathi|MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa woke up early to join thousands that got the Zimbabwe election going in the capital Harare on Monday morning.

The MDC Alliance leader was mobbed by supporters shortly after casting his vote in the Harare township of Kuwadzana.

“We are certain of victory if the vote is not manipulated and it is a great feeling to vote,” said Chamisa after casting his vote.

The MDC leader took a swipe at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) that has said his Press conference held on Sunday was illegal.

ZEC have even gone as far as reporting Chamisa to the police for what they term flouting of the electoral law.

“They (ZEC) do not know the law. They will be taught the law and are just doing the bidding on behalf of Mr Mnangagwa. I am not even going to entertain their tomfoolery,” said Chamisa.

He accused ZEC of political mischief and said his press conference was no different from that the Zanu PF leader held on Sunday night.

Still, the election fever has gripped Zimbabwe with queues getting longer at polling stations around the country.

About 5.7 million people are expected to cast their votes in the harmonised elections to choose a new President, Members of Parliament and councillors.

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Mnangagwa’s Spokesman Says Chamisa Is A Chief Suspect In White City Bombing | IS HE TELLING THE TRUTH?

 

George Charamba

By Own Correspondent |President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman, George Charamba has announced claiming that the MDC Alliance leader,  Nelson Chamisa is a chief suspect in the White City bombing attack which happened last month.

He claimed that Nelson Chamisa and former First Lady, Grace Mugabe are chief suspects in the investigation. He was writing on Monday while explaining is justification for snooping into a telephone call he claims was of Grace Mugabe and Chamisa last night at just after 8pm.

The development comes against the backdrop of expert testimonials by CIO and military service veterans that show that the people capable of carrying out the “clearly close range bombing attack” were security personnel insiders.

Wrote Charamba:

“The two individuals in question are chief suspects in the ongoing investigations of the White City Stadium double murder and assassination attempt. Therefore Intelligence Officers have every right to intercept their communications for evidence.”

Last night Charamba wrote saying, “Tonight’s chilling phone conversation between Chamisa & Grace Mugabe was intercepted at 20:13hrs. It’s being forensically studied b4 release for public consumption.

Zimbabweans will not allow Grace to resurface as the country’s VP. Let’s show these 2 the exit door tomorrow!”

https://twitter.com/GeorgeCharamba/status/1023795316372451328?s=19

 

https://twitter.com/GeorgeCharamba/status/1023662186458177536?s=19

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LIVE PICTURES LIVE BLOG #ZimElections2018 #ElectionsZW

Seke 7 Primary School, Ward 16 Polling Station A in Chitungwiza.

Seke 7 Primary School Ward 16 Polling Station B in Chitungwiza.

Voters who did not get messages from the ZEC on whether they are voting at Polling station A or B are joining the wrong queues.

The voting process is going on well and by 8:00 am at Seke 7 Polling Station A, a total of 70 people had voted, 40 females and 30 males with noone being turned away.

At Seke 7 B polling station, a total of 53 people had cast their vote by 8:00 am 17 of whom are females and 36 males. A total of 7 people had been turned away mostly because they had joined polling station B queue because it was shorter.

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Tsvangirai Family Urges Zimbabweans To Back Chamisa

THE late MDC-T and MDC Alliance leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s family has endorsed the party’s presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa’s candidature in today’s polls, saying the youthful opposition leader had the capacity to carry forward his predecessor’s legacy.

Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai, told thousands of party supporters at a campaign rally in Harare on Saturday that Chamisa had proved beyond doubt that he captured the late trade unionist’s vision.

“When I arrived here (Freedom Square), my mind travelled back to February when we brought Tsvangirai’s body here before burial in Buhera. My arrival here brought back those sad memories but I said to myself everything has its time.

“July 30 (today) is about Tsvangirai’s legacy. Zimbabweans have said enough is enough. We are tired of hunger and this election is about Tsvangirai’s legacy. The time for slogans is over now we have to do the real thing, vote on July 30 and make sure Chamisa carries forward Tsvangirai’s legacy,” Vimbai said.

Tsvangirai died on Valentine’s Day, after a two year battle with colon cancer before Chamisa took over the leadership of the party but after a bruising fight with Thokozani Khupe who later moved on to form a breakaway faction of the MDC-T.

Chamisa’s biggest rival in the election, Zanu PF leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa came to power last November on the back of a military intervention that forced then President Robert Mugabe to resign amid countrywide protests from ordinary citizens.

The military intervention, code-named Operation Restore Legacy, came at a time when the power struggle inside Zanu PF had reached alarming levels with fears of civil strife.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga who was at the time of the intervention Defence Forces Commander, has declared that Operation Restore Legacy will only conclude after Mnangagwa’s election for a full five-year mandate.

Chamisa has on the other hand said victory was certain given the support he had received countrywide.

Newsday

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Zimbabwe Elections LIVE Blog #ElectionsZW #ZimElections2018 #ZimDecides2018 #Zimbabwe

07am Polling stations opened across Zimbabwe.

 

………….

………….

 

https://twitter.com/johndculley/status/1023754795885187072

5:00 am. In Kuwadzana Harare, a voter at a polling station woke up early in the morning to beat the queue, found a queue of hundreds already in line. He alleged he was given number 279.
Below are pictures of people queuing to cast their ballot as early as 4 am.
 At Seke 7 Primary School Ward 16 in Chitungwiza, there is a long queue at Polling station A while at Polling station B there is a shorter queue.
Prospective voters are joining the wrong queue especially those who did not get the messages on whether they are voting at Polling station A or B.
By 8 am, 70 people had voted at Polling station A and 53 at Polling station B. None had been turned away at Polling station A while 7 were turned away at Polling station B, the major reason being that they were not sure whether they were voting at Polling station A or B but had joined the queue to B because it was shorter.
Refresh the page for updates.
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Soul Jah Love Collapses In South Africa

Soul Musaka, the Dancehall superstar’s health has sadly taken a dip once again.

This comes after the notorious preacher Walter Magaya had used the singer for a stage managed healing.

Last year, Magaya forced the struggling musician to fake up that he had been healed by the preacher, Magaya.

Jah Love would later tell ZimEye that he will not speak any further, “it’s my private life.”

This is after he collapsed in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday evening after making an effort to fulfil a show that had been organised for him in Sandton. He is however said to be in a stable condition.

Earlier on, Soul Jah Love had been released from hospital in Harare where he had been admitted.

He had also missed several bookings last week. SEE VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/pI6kmG2Kux0

His management team Rokafellaz Promotions said: “We would like to announce that Soul Jah Love is unwell. The artiste, a diabetic patient, has for the last week been struggling to get on with his normal day to day life as the condition has got the better of him.

“Over the last week, the artiste has missed shows because of the harsh and unpleasant condition.”

“We sincerely apologise to all promoters that the artiste has defaulted in the last week as well as the promoter of the Sandton gig.”

The SA show promoter and organiser of the 263 Nights events Batsirai Masvinge said, “It was rather disappointing not to have Soul Jah love at 263 Nights.

We tried our best for him to come through to the point of booking flights twice yesterday so as to make it up to our fans”.

“We’d like to thank our loyal 263 Nights fans who understood and still made the show go on. In the end we had a good show with about 400 revellers.”

Soul Jah Love’s management said they were now worried about the artiste’s health condition and failure to fulfil booked events as it is now causing unrest among promoters and fans.

They have also asked Zimbabweans to pray for the speedy recovery of Chibaba, as the artiste is affectionately known.

In January last year, Soul Jah Love fell ill during a tour of UK forcing him to perform sitting on a wheelchair and later abandoning the show. On his return home, he sought spiritual assistance from Prophetic Healing and Deliverance’s leader Prophet Walter Magaya and had a miraculous healing after he nearly lost his leg. – Zimbo Jam

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Herald Says Mnangagwa Is Winning Resoundingly | ARE THEY TELLING THE TRUTH?

The ZANU PF broadsheet, The Herald has published an editorial claiming that the incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa is going to win resoundingly.

The thickly opinionated article was published as a news piece.

It was written by a faceless, nameless journalist, and titled under the byline, “Midlands Correspondent.”

Are they telling the truth?

 

Below was the full text:

 

Zanu-PF and President Mnangagwa are set for a resounding victory in the harmonised elections, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Dr Sibusiso Moyo has said.

In an interview on the side-lines of the Kwekwe July Festival that took place in Redcliff last week, Dr Moyo said they had covered enough ground to ensure that President Mnangagwa gets nothing short of a victory.

He said President Mnangagwa was a man of action who managed to turn around the fortunes of the country in a short space of time.

“When His Excellency took over office in November last year, the country was grappling with challenges,” said Dr Moyo. “It took a lot of hard work, with experience, clean vision backed up with a plan and a strong personality and compassionate to bring stability to the country’s economy.

“That is the same man we expect to lead the country after winning the election.”

Dr Moyo said President Mnangagwa was a man of action not promises, as evidenced by what he has achieved so far in the six months that he had been in office.

“He is focusing on the people who are going to vote not being selective on party lines or racial background or creed or colour or age, he is delivering to all,” he said. “You have seen transformations in the education sector, public transport, housing, social services.

“You have seen the commissioning of the Kariba Power station which has injected 300 megawatts of power into the national grid, Hwange Power Station very soon worth $1,5 billion, what else can a normal person call for.”

Dr Moyo said more mega deals were in the pipeline as a result of the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra being spearheaded by President Mnangagwa which has attracted both foreign direct investment and domestic investment.

“We have $20 billion worth of deals waiting to be commissioned,” he said. “We have our Batoka solar project where serious American investors are in waiting. We have tourism deals that will see airports being refurbished and expanded, accommodation, infrastructure and so forth.

“So, I hope Zimbabweans are not blind to see the effort being put by the President.” Dr Moyo said Zimbabwe was a country of the future, and not history. “Gone are the days when we focus much on history instead of the future,” he said.

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ZEC To Report Mnangagwa Over Campaigning On The Eve Of Election Day?

By Own Correspondent| Zanu-PF presidential candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa has on the eve of election day urged Zimbabweans not to vote for MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa arguing that his endorsement by former president Robert Mugabe was a reflection that he does not want to rebuild Zimbabwe.

Mnangagwa’s statement was a response to Mugabe’s utterances made today (Sunday) at his blue roof residence to journalists where he vowed that he would never vote for Zanu Pf.

In a video uploaded on his official Facebook page, Mnangagwa calls on Zimbabweans not to vote for Chamisa alleging that he had forged a deal with Mugabe hence he had no capacity to rebuild Zimbabwe.

Watch the full video here:

Below is the Electoral law which forbids any form of campaigning two days before the election:

“For the whole of today, Sunday 29th July, and tomorrow Monday 30th July until polling stations close, all political parties and candidates must stop the following campaign activities:

  •  convening or holding public gatherings
  • publishing advertisements or statements promoting or opposing a particular party or candidate
  • campaigning or displaying campaign material within 300 metres of a polling station or counting centre.

“All this is laid down in paragraph 7 of the Electoral Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates and Other Stakeholders [in the Fourth Schedule to the Electoral Act. The current code was composed by the major political parties and incorporated in the Electoral Act by the recent Electoral Amendment Act, 2018.

“All candidates taking part in the elections had to submit a signed copy of this Electoral Code of Conduct when lodging their nomination papers. Parties and candidates cannot, therefore, plead ignorance of the Code’s contents as a defence to alleged breaches.”

Instead of reporting Mnangagwa to the police, the country’s elections body, ZEC reported the MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa to the police for violating the law after his lawyer held a press conference at Meikles hotel.

Chamisa’s lawyer Thabani Moyo told journalists that the MDC Alliance was not happy with the ZEC conduct since the elections body had broken the law on many fronts making it difficult for the upcoming election to be free and fair.

It was because of that meeting that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) reported Chamisa to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for electoral crime.

Meanwhile, in Mnangagwa’s attack on Chamisa, the incumbent also reacted to his former boss Robert Mugabe’s endorsement of Chamisa saying it is clear the MDC Alliance Presidential candidate does not want to transform Zimbabwe.

 

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Drama As Mnangagwa Sends Emissaries To Blue Roof Seeking Mugabe’s Endorsement, But Bob Chooses Chamisa Instead – COMMENT

Below is Dr. Victor Chimhutu’s narration of the chilling events leading up to today. ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa sent many emissaries seeking his former boss, Robert Mugabe’s endorsement, but all to no avail. Mugabe has since chosen to back MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa instead. FULL TEXT:

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Charamba Bounces Back, Announces “Secret PhoneCall Between Chamisa And Grace Mugabe”

By Own Correspondent| Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman, George Charamba, has bounced back on micro blogging website, Twitter.

Charamba as he made his comeback, announced that he has intercepted a secret recording of former First lady Grace Mugabe and MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.

Wrote Charamba, “Tonight’s chilling phone conversation between Chamisa & Grace Mugabe was intercepted at 20:13hrs. It’s being forensically studied before release for public consumption. Zimbabweans will not allow Grace to resurface as the country’s VP. Let’s show these 2 the exit door tomorrow”

– REFRESH THIS PAGE TO WATCH AND LISTEN-

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ZEC BOOB: Mnangagwa Broke The Law And ZEC Rushed To Report Chamisa To The Police

Analysis| The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission watched as presidential candidate, Emmerson Mnangagwa broke the law – published a full video de-campaigning another candidate, Nelson Chamisa.

Instead of reporting Mnangagwa to the police, ZEC went on to report MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa.

Earlier in the day, Chamisa’s lawyer met at a coffee outpost in a Harare hotel, Meikles where he announced a complaint saying ZEC has broken the law on many fronts making it difficult for the upcoming election to be free and fair.

It was because of that meeting that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) reported Chamisa to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for electoral crime.

Meanwhile, in Mnangagwa’s attack on Chamisa, the incumbent also reacted to his former boss Robert Mugabe’s endorsement of Chamisa saying it is clear the MDC Alliance Presidential candidate does not want to transform Zimbabwe.

Below is an extract from what the Electoral Amendment Law states about holding press campaigns, and publishing statements 24 hours before elections. It states that:

“For the whole of today, Sunday 29th July, and tomorrow Monday 30th July until polling stations close, all political parties and candidates must stop the following campaign activities:

  •  convening or holding public gatherings
  • publishing advertisements or statements promoting or opposing a particular party or candidate
  • campaigning or displaying campaign material within 300 metres of a polling station or counting centre.

“All this is laid down in paragraph 7 of the Electoral Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates and Other Stakeholders [in the Fourth Schedule to the Electoral Act. The current code was composed by the major political parties and incorporated in the Electoral Act by the recent Electoral Amendment Act, 2018.

“All candidates taking part in the elections had to submit a signed copy of this Electoral Code of Conduct when lodging their nomination papers. Parties and candidates cannot, therefore, plead ignorance of the Code’s contents as a defence to alleged breaches.”

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Mugabe Is A Voter And Chamisa The Candidate, The Voter Choses The Candidate Not Vice Versa

Robert Mugabe and wife Grace

Former president Robert Mugabe has as much political choice as any of us and people must remember that he is now just a voter and MDC Alliance President Nelaon Chamisa is a candidate writes Trevor Maisiri.

Below is the full text of his opinion piece:

I have now listened to both Chamisa and Mugabe pressers. Looks like there are so many respectable people out there whose hatred for Mugabe runs so deep that they wish to desperately ultra-dissociate with anything that identifies with Mugabe.

By Mugabe simply proffering Chamisa as the most viable candidate, these dissonant persons feel they need to pluck themselves from also supporting Chamisa.

Their vitriol is based on simply feeling that on issues of electoral choice, Mugabe cannot exist in the same choice box as they do. Fundamentally, such thinking simply fails to appreciate what democracy is all about despite claims to be fighting for it. Mugabe has much liberty to political choice as any of us.

If by design or coincidence, Mugabe’s candidate of choice falls to be the same as some of us, this must not disparage us to the extent of contemplating to switch candidate camps.

Instead it must lead us to drill deeper into reflections of the astuteness and uniqueness of an election candidate who is able to draw the diverse nature of political identities into the same camp.

The depth of a candidate who is able to attract the attention of former foes. A candidate who gives us the confidence that, should he be elected, even those who are currently in leadership of the post-coup ZANU-PF will one day have the opportunity that Mugabe has had, of turning from their political taints to then believe in his leadership.

Unfortunately democracy doesn’t bring us what we want, it brings us what we and society both want. The moment the needs of society are tangential to ours, we are still given opportunity to pursue the dictates of democracy by aligning our needs with that of society and finding that convergence that brings the optimal for both society and our individuality.

The Mugabe factor is a test case for democracy, and when the current post-coup ZANU-PF disparage Mugabe to the extent that he deserves no choice, we must not be tempted to be the same.

Then where Mugabe’s candidate choice coincides with ours, we must accept that he has now become an ordinary citizen who is now facing the brutality of subjectivism from a system he created, and only feels salvation from it lies not from those who co-created the system with him….but from the democracy-ladden, prosperity-propelling and society-unifying leadership ethos of *Nelson Chamisa*.

So we must separate issues. Mugabe is now part of the *VOTERS*  and Chamisa is a *CANDIDATE*. The *VOTER* choses the *CANDIDATE* and not _vice versa_. *Where we find ourselves as part of the VOTERS and in the same camp if candidate choice with those we dislike, we must realize that these are the hard realities of a democracy which has evaded Zimbabwe for 38 years!*

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BREAKING NEWS- Govt Suddenly Withdraws Soldiers Guarding Mugabe’s Blue Roof Residence | WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW?

By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Government has just pulled out soldiers guarding former President Robert Mugabe’s Blue Roof house in Harare.

The soldiers have been guarding Mugabe’s premises since November last year when he resigned.

Government’s action comes within hours of Mugabe declaring that he would vote for MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa.

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

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LATEST – ZEC Reports Chamisa To Police, WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW?

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has reported MDC Alliance president, Nelson Chamisa for conducting an unlawful press conference on the eve of tomorrow’s harmonised elections.

Chamisa and his legal advisor, Advocate Thabani Mpofu today briefed the media at a local hotel in Harare, declaring that any result not in favour of the Alliance would be fictitious.

ZEC Acting Chief Elections Officer, Mr Utoile Silaigwana condemned Chamisa’s utterances, saying they have since reported him to the police to take appropriate action.

“The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has noted with concern the violation of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13] by one of the candidates contesting in the 2018 Harmonised Elections. Clause 7 (1)(b) of the Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates and other stakeholders provides as follows: (1) No political party or candidate may, from midnight 24 hours before polling day in any election or referendum until polling stations are closed on that day publish, or cause or permit the publication, of any advertisement or statement promoting or opposing a particular party or candidate. It has come to the knowledge of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that one of the Presidential candidates today, the 29th of July 2018 held a press conference at Meikles Hotel, in direct contravention of the provisions of the Electoral Act Fourth Schedule (Section 160A, Clause 7(1)(B). This matter has been reported to the police for investigation on possible infraction of the electoral law,” said Mr Silaigwana.

Meanwhile, ZEC has confirmed that it is all systems go for tomorrow’s polls, urging the registered voters to exercise their right to vote between 0700hrs to 1900hrs.

ZEC Commissioner, Dr Qubani Moyo said all materials to be used in the polls have been distributed, while personnel to handle the elections has been deployed at various polling centers across the country. – state media

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Video Of Mnangagwa Responding To Mugabe’s Presser And Nelson Chamisa

Below is the video of the Zanu-PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa as he responded to his former boss, President Robert Mugabe’s endorsement of MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa.

Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans not to vote for Chamisa saying he has forged a deal with Robert Mugabe. He argued that because of that, Chamisa does not want to rebuild Zimbabwe.

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Mnangagwa Incapable Of Delivering Change – Analyst

Terrence Mawawa

A leading political analyst has said President Emmerson Mnangagwa will never deliver change to the people of Zimbabwe.

“Emmerson Mnangagwa is a direct product of Robert Mugabe’ s whims and no matter how hard he tries to portray himself as a saint, he will never deliver real change to the long suffering people of Zimbabwe.

Remember Mnangagwa has a well known record of violence and ruthlessness,” claimed Dr William Mpofu of Wits University Research Centre in an interview with SABC News.

“Mnangagwa has gone past his expiry date so how can we expect him to revive the economy. He cannot introduce sound policies that can transform the economy,” added Dr Mpofu.

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Leave Me Alone, Chamisa Tells Mnangagwa

Terrence Mawawa

Youthful MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has openly told President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop dragging him into Zanu PF internal disputes.

Said Chamisa at a news conference: “Please Mr Mnangagwa leave me alone, sort out your issues with the Mugabes.

Grace Mugabe has no place in my government, that’s all.You have disappointed the old man so please sort out your troubles.”

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Mugabe Throws ED Under The Bus A Day Before Election Day

Robert Mugabe and wife Grace

By Own Correspondent| Former President Robert Mugabe has hinted his preferred Presidential candidate out of the 23 contesting the forthcoming polls set for tomorrow arguing that he will never vote for Zanu Pf because it is being led by those who persecuted him.

Speaking at his blue roof mansion in Harare Sunday afternoon, a visibly bitter Mugabe told over 100 local and international journalists that the Zanu Pf presidential aspirant Emmerson Mnangagwa did not have his vote because he had removed him illegally from power.

“I was going to resign at the party’s elective congress and hand over power to someone else…..and that preferred candidate was Sydney Sekeramayi.

There are 23 candidates  and people ask me, what is your choice but no one has said what is not your choice.

I cannot vote for those who have tormented me. Looking at all of them, I have worked with Mai Mujuru, I have worked with Thokozani Khupe…..I do not see what they have to offer.

I have not met Nelson Chamisa but I have worked with his predecessor, Morgan Tsvangirai.

He (Chamisa) seems to be doing well. I hope the voting which will be done tomorrow…will reform, throw away this military form of government and bring us back to constitutionality.”

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I Attempted To Resign Five Times- Mugabe

 

Terrence Mawawa

Former liberation war icon Robert Mugabe has disclosed that he attempted to resign five times before his forced resignation last year.

According to SABC News Mugabe conceded that certain elements within the ruling party Zanu PF held him back.

Mugabe also revealed that he had planned to step down at the Zanu PF Congress.

However the former President would not reveal who actually blocked him from stepping down.

Speaking during today’ s news conference at the Blue Roof Mugabe said he wanted former Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi to succeed him.

Mugabe also said Sekerami had agreed to assume the party’ s leadership.

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‘Ignore Mugabe Turgid Talk’

Terrence Mawawa

A Bulawayo based technologist has called on the people of Zimbabwe to ignore former President Robert Mugabe’ s remarks.

The technologist, Sean Ndlovu has said Mugabe is desperate to draw public sympathy.

Ndlovu made the remarks during an interview with SABC News in Bulawayo this afternoon.

“Nobody should pay attention to Mugabe’ s comments. Remember he is an old man and the people of Zimbabwe must ignore his rantings.As far as I am concerned Mugabe’s views are utterances of an old man,” said Ndlovu.

However political analysts have said Mugabe’ s news conference could be the game changer in tomorrow’ s plebiscite.

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Mugabe Says Khupe, Mujuru Unlikely To Win Crucial Polls

Terrence Mawawa

Former President Robert Mugabe has said his former deputy Joice Mujuru and MDC T leader Thokozani Khupe do not have the capacity to win tomorrow’ s plebiscite, SABC has reported.

According to SABC News Mugabe has all but expressed his desire to support youthful MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.

Addressing a news conference at his Blue Roof Residence today Mugabe said he interacted with both Khupe and Mujuru and discussed the political situation in the country with them.

However Mugabe has pointed out he is sceptical of both women’ s chances of defeating President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

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ZESA Debt Balloons To $1,5 Billion

NATIONAL, BUSINESS, BREAKING

NATIONAL, BUSINESS, BREAKING

Terrence Mawawa

Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC)’ s debt has ballooned by 50 percent to $1,5 billion over the past six months as consumers continue to default on paying their rates, a business publication has revealed.

The enormous debt has all but crippled the company’ s operations, according to the publication.

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Mugabe Drops Bombshell At Eleventh Hour

Terrence Mawawa

Former President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe has said he will not vote for those who tormented him.

Mugabe who has been largely dormant since his ignominious resignation last year, has categorically stated that he will not support those who persecuted him.

Mugabe has made the remarks at a news conference at his Blue Roof mansion in Harare today.

“I have been longing for the election day and I will not vote for those who tormented me.

We want our people to vote freely.Let the people decide in a free and peaceful environment,” said Mugabe.

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LIVE – Mugabe Tells Herald: “Leave My Wife Alone!” | “I do not know why they attack my wife every day in the papers, especially @HeraldZimbabwe Please leave my wife alone. I want my Grace to remain my “grace”. Or they think by attacking her they will be attacking me,”

“I do not agree with the denunciation of my wife, that is going on every day… leave my wife alone I want Grace to remain my Grace…”

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NO UNDERWEAR: Priscilla Misihairabwi Reiterates Call To Remove Panties At Polling Stations

Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga at the nomination court
Outgoing MDC MP legislator, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga has repeated her declaration to go voting underwear-less tomorrow. Ho. Misihairabwi says this will help remind women to vote for female candidates only.

She is campaigning for Thokozani Khupe.

She was addressing at a final “prayer rally” held at the Amphitheatre in Bulawayo for her boss Khupe. Misihairabwi-Mushonga, who is also Khupe’s campaign manager told the state media, “We are sometimes attacked by demons that make us forget that we are women when we see men. Women don’t wear panties on Monday when you get into the voting booth and you start getting confused by seeing pictures of male candidates that you think of voting for, if you do, just lift your dress and look between your legs.

“You will be reminded that you are a woman and then vote for a woman. When you see me on Monday just know Priscilla is also not wearing underwear because I am scared of that demon that can confuse me too.”

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Fugitive Zimbabwean Tube Driver Arrested For Faking Own Death

A tube driver who faked his own death to claim £150,000 has been jailed alongside his accomplice wife.

Clever Busumani, 53, had been working for Transport For London but returned to his native Zimbabwe in June 2011.

While he was there, his wife, Cynthia Chirairo, called up his employers to tell them that he was unwell.

She then called again to say that he was dead.

Chirairo presented TfL with a fake death certificate in order to claim a death in service payment of around £150,000, however the claim was unsuccessful.

Police received a tip-off from insurance investigators that Busumani was still alive, a warrant was issued and he was arrested at Heathrow Airport in 2015.

Both pleaded guilty to fraud offences on 27 May 2015, however Busumani fled the country before the conclusion of the sentencing hearings in July.

Busumani flew back to the UK earlier this month and was arrested on Thursday in Slough.

Defence counsel Michael Conning said: ‘He was suffering ill health and went to his home country of Zimbabwe and it looks like his wife entered a claim for his death.

‘He says that as a consequence of his arrest and plea of guilty his wife kicked him out of the house – he was homeless and she got a new partner.

Despite fleeing the country in 2015, Judge Peter Clarke QC only gave Busumani an extra two months for skipping bail.

He told Busumani: ‘You are now serving a 16 month sentence that I passed three years ago. Your total sentence is now one of 18 months.’

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LATEST – Did Mnangagwa Steal From Zambian President’s Podium?

Dear Editor.

Not sure if this helps, but EDs Facebook page looks suspiciously like he has someone doing it for him and I thought I would search for phrases used elsewhere. One phrase I see he just used was “There can be no glass ceilings for women in the new Zimbabwe, no opportunities can be denied to you and no aspect of life closed to you….” I searched for this and found that this appears to have been used by Zambian president Edgar Lunga on March 9th. “It is my firm belief that there should be no glass ceilings for women, no opportunities denied for them, and no aspect of life closed to them.”

So the question is “is there a professional political speech writer and ED is just pretending to run a Facebook page?” as this looks like it.

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Mnangagwa And Chamisa Wind Up Campaigns Waiting For Zimbabweans To Vote

President Emmerson Mnangagwa promised to build an “open” and “prosperous” Zimbabwe on the last day of election campaigning, just as his closest challenger Nelson Chamisa told supporters that “victory was certain”.

Zimbabweans will head to the polls on Monday in the first election in nearly four decades where the name of long-time leader Robert Mugabe will not be on the ballot form.

A total of 23 presidential hopefuls are vying for Zimbabwe’s top seat. The results are expected to be released by August 4. If no candidate wins 50 percent plus one of the votes, a runoff will be held on September 8.

As campaigning drew to a close on Saturday, Mnangagwa, of the ruling ZANU-PF party, and Chamisa, of the main opposition MDC alliance, held rival rallies in front of enthusiastic crowds in the capital, Harare.

Mnangagwa rally
Tens of thousands of ZANU-PF supporters gathered at the National Sports Stadium, with many arriving by bus from areas outside Harare.

At the venue’s gates, vendors were hard at work selling food and beverages, while supporters were given free t-shirts and caps bearing Mnangagwa’s image.

“We are in a new era and we are resolute in our endeavour to build a modernised Zimbabwe,” Mnangagwa told the crowd.

The 75-year-old became president in November 2017 after an intervention by the country’s military which led to the eventual resignation of 94-year-old Mugabe, who spent 37 years in office.

“We will build our new Zimbabwe on the basis of peace love and harmony,” said Mnangagwa. “We want peace unity and harmony among our people,” he added.


Chamisa rally
Meanwhile, on the other side of Harare, thousands of MDC supporters clad in the party’s red gathered at Robert Mugabe Square – referred to as Freedom Square by opposition supporters – to attend Chamisa’s final rally.

The crowd, mainly from Harare, was full of young people who often broke into dance and song. Unlike the ZANU-PF rally, there was no free merchandise, but that did not dampen the festive mood.

“Two days from now we are the next government,” 40-year-old Chamisa said, to a thunderous applause from his supporters.

“We are the winners. No doubt. There is no runoff in Zimbabwe. There is a run over Mnangagwa,” he added.

“People are voting for change, people are voting for the new, people are voting for the young, people are voting for a new Zimbabwe in authentic and genuine terms.”

Both Mnangagwa and Chamisa promised to their supporters that they will transform the country’s economy which has been in paralysis for two decades.

More than five million Zimbabweans have registered to take part in the elections. At least 60 percent of the registered voters are under 40.

Previous polls in the country of 16 million people were marred by violence and intimidation but campaigning has so far been relatively peaceful.

And for the first time since 2002 international observers have been invited to oversee the closely contested polls.

A recent survey of 2,400 people by research organisation Afrobarometer placed Mnangagwa on 40 percent and Chamisa on 37 percent, and 20 percent of those surveyed were undecided.

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Mnangagwa Grabs Stadium From Chamisa And Fails To Fill It Up

Mnangagwa’s supporters at the National Sports stadium
Nelson Chamisa’s Rally at the Freedom Square

The ruling ZANU PF used its powers over government to wrestle use of the giant Ministry Of Local Government owned National Sports Stadium from opposition MDC Alliance for its final rally ahead of the elections but failed to fill it up.

Contrary to the party’s wishes to bring in an oversubscribed 100 000 to the stadium, the 60,000-seat venue was about two-thirds full giving an estimated 40 000 people crowd for the president Emmerson Mnangagwa led party.

A few miles away, tens of thousands of enthusiastic Nelson Chassis led MDC supporters dressed in the party’s red T-shirts and caps converged at Freedom Square where ZimEye.com live drone pictures estimated the crowd to have been 65 000 which could have filled up the giant stadium.

Mnangagwa, 75, a former deputy president and spy chief, and Chamisa, a 40-year-old lawyer and church pastor, are the stand-out favorites among 22 candidates contesting the presidential race at the elections set for Monday.

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ZEC Says Bring Your Own Pen If You Cant Trust Theirs

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission,ZEC, says voters should have confidence in the commission and not be discouraged by false information circulating on social media that the election would be rigged, as there were inherent foolproof measures in place to avoid any rigging.

Social media has been awash with messages that ZEC is conniving with the ruling ZANU PF to rig the election using some very scientific methods such as using a ballot paper that can shift votes between candidates.

Critics are also circulating social media messages that the pens provided by ZEC also have a similar scientific effect that may affect opposition votes in favour of ZANU PF.

Zec chief elections officer Mr Utoile Silaigwana said, “If voters are in doubt of the provided pens, they are free to bring their own blue or black pens. The Commission will be providing ordinary pens for use in the polling booth.”

Zec said it had transported ballot papers and security materials in the presence of representatives of contesting parties.

Further, political party agents and observers will be allowed to verify serial numbers of ballot papers.

The Presidential ballot paper is blue, the National Assembly one is peach, while that for local authorities is yellow. Ballot boxes have corresponding colours.

A final batch of electoral officers finished training last Wednesday and were deployed to over 10 000 polling stations countrywide.

In all, there are 131 000 polling officers.

Voting material has been distributed to polling stations, and voting shall take place from 7am to 7pm tomorrow.

Voters in a queue by the cut-off time will be allowed to cast their ballots.

“The voting process has not changed from previous years. People will still vote in the same manner they have voted before in the forthcoming elections. The only difference is that the voters’ roll will have voters’ photographs and voters will be expected to vote at only their designated polling stations,” said Mr Silaigwana.

Counting will be done immediately after close of polling at polling stations.

The voting process and counting will happen in the presence of election agents, observers and/or the media. The results will be shared with election agents and posted outside polling stations.

According to the Electoral Act, Zec has the mandate to announce election results.

Mr Silaigwana encouraged citizens to observe peace during and after voting, with political parties advised to cease campaigning 24 hours before Election Day.

Zec expressed confidence that the elections would proceed without hitches.

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ZEC Releases Ballot Paper Figures, 8% Extra Ballots Printed

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has said Fidelity Printers and Refiners was contracted to print ballot papers for tomorrow’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, while Printflow was given the mandate to print ballot papers for local authority polls.

The announcement was in line with Section 52A of the Electoral Act.

A total 6 150 950 Presidential, 6 150 950 National Assembly and 5 036 250 local authority ballot papers were printed.

There is an eight percent contingency in line with international best practices.

The Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe gave Zec authority to contract the two companies through direct tender in order to guarantee the quality of the ballot paper and minimise security risks.

“Fidelity Printers and Refiners (Pvt) Ltd located at No 1 George Drive, Msasa, Harare was given the mandate to print ballot papers to be used for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“Printflow (Pvt) Ltd located at Corner George Silundika Avenue/Epton Street, Harare, was given the mandate to print ballot papers to be used for the local authority elections,” said Zec.

“The Commission has printed a total of 455 244 ballot papers more than the total number of registered voters for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, respectively, and 446 206 more ballot papers for the local authority elections. This represents a total contingency of eight percent,” the elections management body said.

Zec said there were comparatively less local authority ballots because of the number of unopposed candidates in that aspect of the harmonised elections.

In 46 wards, candidates are unopposed and thus there will be no local authority elections there, while a candidate in Chimanimani’s ward 31 passed away and thus a poll for that seat will now be held at a later date.

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Eddie Cross: I Never Said Mnangagwa Will Defeat Chamisa, State Media Has Been Trying To Get Me To Commit On That For Some Time

By Simba Chikanza| MDC Alliance senior politician, Eddie Cross has said that he never said that ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is going to win Monday’s elections.

Speaking to ZimEye yesterday, Hon Cross said he never backed or sounded out that Mnangagwa is winning.

“I never said that.”

“No no, no, the state media has been trying to get me to commit myself on that so sometime, and my position is every clear. I think the election is too close to call. I don’t think anybody, anybody could predict who is going to win this election. In fact I think Chamisa has narrowed the gap between himself and Mnangagwa dramatically in the last few weeks.”

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW BELOW:

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RBZ Imports More Cash, $150 million

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has increased monthly cash imports to US$150 million from US$100 million, as efforts to ease cash shortages in the country continue.

The central bank said it would continue to work on measures to improve the availability of cash, but emphasised the need for Zimbabweans to use plastic money when transacting. Last week, most banks were dispensing cash with some depositors managing to withdraw up to $300 in bond notes. RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya last week said the improvement in foreign currency was attributable to the support from Afreximbank; and exports of gold and tobacco.

“We are going to continue providing cash as well as promoting a cashless society. This week alone (last week) we injected US$25 million and next week (this week) we are putting US$30 million, so this month we are saying we have increased it from US$100 million to US$150 million. The Afreximbank has been very supportive, they approved disbursement of funds into the economy. There has also been the increase in gold and tobacco exports which have seen the increase in foreign currency in the country.”
According to the RBZ quarterly statement released in March, cumulative gold output stood at 7 741 kg, signifying a 53,5 percent from 5 044 kg produced in the comparable period in 2017. Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board released in the first week of July also show that the volume of tobacco sold so far is a 32 percent increase from 167,7 million kg worth $492,3 million traded during the comparable period last year.

In addition, out of the $3,5 billion in exports, $2,2 billion came from shipment of goods, $630 million from remittances and $588 million from loan proceeds. The RBZ has imported $600 million since the beginning of the year in order to ease cash shortages, as well as meet rising demand from recovering industries.

Afreximbank has been pivotal in supporting the local economy. Most notably, the bank’s president and board of directors’ chairperson, Dr Okey Oramah, met President Emmerson Mnangagwa 19 days after his inauguration and announced a $1,5 billion economic stabilisation package that was meant to revive the productive sectors of the economy.

President Mnangagwa has been employing various measures to increase cash circulation in the country. Recently Government put a $10 000 cap on cash holdings by individuals, as the new administration seeks to bolster deposits and clamp down on a thriving currency black market.-state media