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BREAKING- Professor Jonathan Moyo Exposes Details On Itai Dzamara Abductors

By Own Correspondent| Self exiled former higher and tertiary education minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has implicated the current Zimbabwean Ambassador to Russia Brigadier General Mike Sango to be the man who coordinated the disappearance of journalist and activist Itai Dzamara in 2015.

Dzamara, known in Zimbabwe mostly for his Occupy Africa Unity Square campaign against the then government of former President Robert Mugabe was abducted on  March 9 2015 at a barbershop in Glen Norah and to date, he has not been found.

Dzamara became famous through his hand-delivered petition to Mugabe where he called for his resignation.

Professor Moyo through a series of tweets alleged that Brigadier Sango oversaw the whole operation where Dzamara was abducted and subjected to extreme torture just like in the Gukurahundi and State of Emergency days.
“After the controversial dismissal of Emmerson Mnangagwa on 6 Nov 2017, a lot of credible informants came forward with tones of information implicating Mnangagwa and his cohorts in unspeakable atrocities. Really. This is a fact that not even an earthquake will ever destroy!”  said Professor Moyo.

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I Miss The Old Days When We Really Spoke to Girls and Told Them How Beautiful They Are

By Ndaba Nhuku| I miss the old days when we really spoke to girls and told them how beautiful they are

I really miss the Friday rituals of hunting for movies at the Blockbuster that was in my hood. By the time it shut doors and changed into a Charity organisation office some 3 years ago, l can’t remember where my kid had placed my treasured DVD player.

The speed at which technology is fast changing our lives, some people will soon be leaving their houses for their last journey on earth- burial. Every thing is now at the tip of ones fingers as they sit in their couch. Doctors and nurses treating you, and even talking to you via the phone in the comfort of your home. Medication ordered and delivered at home. The keyboard buttons now rule our lives. Even emakhaya wild animals and our mombes have not been spared. They are gradually having electronic tags to trade their whereabouts. Abafana benkoml will one day be a historic footnote. Isitshwala/ sadza being cooked by remote controlled machines in restaurants. The kitchen has long been taken over. My fridge plays has the whole screen bigger than my tablet, you can google, play music, watch movies, chat, Facebook, order your grocery, let it’s camera show you what’s inside whilst at work, you can phone from the fridge. The manual driven car is even fast disappearing in Zimbabwe at a speed UK can not match! Everything in the car is now controlled on the dashboard screen. Nomore winding down the window when kids let out that stinky smell! Even if you forget where you parked your car at some big busy car park, some button on your phone will point out for you.

Even robbing has become digital. It is only in poor South Africa and some other poor countries where bank and shop robbery is done via the barrel of a gun! These days it’s smartly done online. Whether you want to contact details bank or Ndaba Nhuku, it’s all painlessly done by remote and no life is lost.

I now for long old world that kept diabetes and obesity at a distance because we were physically doing things and chasing after real girls not these ones our kids now order online and deliver themselves on the couch.

Who remembers writing a letter proposing to a beautiful flame? These days you don’t even write “l love you!” Its sounds awful spending seconds let alone minutes writing words of affection!! You just send some crazy picture meant to tell that flame on Facebook you adore her or him, pronto she sends one back. All done!! You miss your folks, you go to Whatsapp, exchange a few gossips and photos, all done. Nomore going to the shops to buy those phone cards we once treasured as out link to relatives and friends. Has God been spared of the agony of technology! He has been hit the hardest! The Bible is online, the pastor’s are online daily screaming on social media. Even the tithes is now effectively collected in megabucks online. Marriages and Weddings conducted online. Funeral prayers delivered online.

When l pass by my tiny local library every day l imagine what is inside. Shelves of books? Journals? It’s all online! And most towns have sold all their library buildings because they became useless in this age of the Remote control.

Has the bedroom escaped technology? No ways! All these sex toys and dolls are almost human being in every aspect. The dolls can actually walk andhold a sweet romantic conversation! Women can carry their buddies in their expensive Gucci and Versace handbags! Just like week l was reading a medical journal stating that possibly in less than 20 or so years time, dying will be optional!! Religion and God will ha e been confined to history once human being start choosing when to die after all the fornication with sex toys and corruption and self destruct by pressing some electronic buttons. How l miss the once innocent but manual life that kept our blood and heart racing for survival.

Did l say the keyboard is now the king in our lives? Maybe! Your own sweet voice is the only thing that will remain important. My phone, TV and security systems in my house recognise only my voice to start operating. Whatever part of world l am in, l can see inside my house, I can open the door for the delivery man. And l can tell the burglar trying pry open my house’s door that the police are on their way after l have sent the local police station his photos and videos showing him attempting to make me find my house empty.

I am missing my Blockbuster shop and the old world it represented!! The new world is scary albeit it’s ever exciting new inventions.

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“Guarantee Secrecy Of Postal Voting”: ZESN

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has expressed concern over the chaotic start of the postal voting process across the country calling on the country’s elections body ZEC to guarantee the secrecy of the postal vote.

In a recently issued statement, ZESN said  reports emanating from Ross Camp in Bulawayo alleging that junior members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police  (ZRP) received their ballots from their superiors and voted in their presence were disturbing since they violated the Electoral Act.

“ZESN notes that these allegations are in violation of Section 75(1)(a) of the Electoral Act which guarantees the secrecy of the postal vote.

In the spirit of transparency and open data, ZESN is calling upon ZEC to publicize the  regulations and procedures for postal voting in order to diffuse the confusion and speculation around the process. In addition, the specific number of ballot papers dispatched to the diplomatic corps, uniformed forces and electoral officers must be made public,” said the elections watchdog.

ZESN said it was worrying that initially, there were conflicting statements issued by the ZEC and ZRP regarding the commencement of the postal voting yesterday.

“Whereas ZEC dismissed reports of the postal voting as “hogwash”, the ZRP confirmed that voting had indeed taken place in Bulawayo.

This has further fueled doubts on the credibility of the entire process,” said ZESN.

ZESN reiterated calls for ZEC to ensure that secrecy of the vote and freedom of choice are respected and upheld given that voting by members of the uniformed forces under postal and special voting has always been contentious.

“Traditionally, postal and special voting has been shrouded in secrecy amid allegations that junior members are commanded to vote in specific ways,” said the ZESN.

“ZEC should extend invitations to observers and political parties to observe the postal voting to enhance public confidence in the electoral process.

The organisation lamented the absence of proper observation of such key electoral processes adding that this fueled speculation and impacted negatively on the credibility of the polls.

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BREAKING- Three MDC Alliance Members Arrested

By Own Correspondent| Three MDC-Alliance members have been detained at Mutare Central police station without a charge hours after being taken in.

The three, Sam Chabuka, Godwin Sithole and Walter Mutwayo are currently being held at the Charge office after being picked by police from Mutare Main Camp.

MDC Alliance Manicaland Provincial Spokesperson, Trevor Saruwaka revealed that the trio were taken in after they had gone to the police camp in response to an alert that members of the police force were voting the Ross camp way.

Chabuka is the MDC Alliance local government candidate for Ward 12 where the Police station falls under.

The MDC-Alliance Mutare Central MP, Hon Innocent Gonese, is at Mutare Central Police station where the three are held to establish the charges and reasons for their arrest.

Said Saruwaka:

“Sadly, the arrests cast an even deeper aspersions to the credibility, fairness and even freeness of the electoral process.”

On Thursday, police officers at Ross camp in Bulawayo voted amid allegations that they cast their postal ballot under the watchful eyes of their superiors.

However, the ZRP has denied the allegations adding that the voting process was done procedurally and according to the law.

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Ziyambi Ziyambi Fingered In Prosecutor General Ray Goba’s Suspension

Ray Goba

By Own Correspondent| Suspended Prosecutor General Ray Goba has accused Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi for initiating his suspension adding that unlike as is being alleged, the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) did not initiate his suspension.

Goba denied reports that the JSC was the complainant arguing that Ziyambi was more privy and better positioned to confirm the reasons behind his suspension.

Said Goba:

“My comment is that I do not have a comment. The thing is that these are constitutional matters. So, the rightfulness or otherwise the legitimacy is not for me to decide upon.

I cannot pass judgement in a matter that concerns me. Ziyambi would confirm because he is the one who initiated it. He is the one who started it; he is the complainant.

The complainant is himself. It is not the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) as is being said.”

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WATCH- LIVE Video As Chamisa Brings Mutare To A Standstill

By Own Correspondent| MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa yesterday brought the city of Mutare to a standstill with citizens jostling to catch a glimpse of the youthful leader as he made his way from Edgars.

Chamisa, made a brief stop at Edgars Mutare where he wanted to do some shopping and on his way out, he was greeted by a crowd of people who had gathered to see, greet and cheer him.

Chamisa addressed a rally in Mutasa, Manicaland attended by thousands of party supporters where he promised a quick economic turnaround once elected into office.

 

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Tajamuka Leader Claims He Can Deliver Better Than Chamisa

Nelson Chamisa

ASPIRING legislator for Kuwadzana East, Ishmael Kauzani, claims if he wins the July 30 elections as an independent candidate, he will outperform the incumbent and MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa, who has been the area’s legislator for the past 15 years.

In an interview with Weekender media, Kauzani a former #tajamuka leader took a dig at Chamisa for promising the nation big projects if he wins the presidential race.

“Surprisingly, those who failed a small community are shouting and claiming to be the best candidates to lead our country. For Zimbabwe to move forward, it needs leaders who have the interest of the people at heart,” he said, pledging servant leadership

“It is high time we revisit our previous parliamentarian choices and scrutinise what they are offering against their background, with wisdom as well as their promises in relation to what they have delivered to the community.”

According to the aspiring MP, Kuwadzana was in a deplorable state synonymous with most high-density areas because the residents usually vote for political leaders who reside in leafy suburbs at the expense of locals.

“They (politicians) usually promise the community things they do not deliver because they come from other suburbs and only visit high-density suburbs to buy votes into the Parliament,” he claimed.

However, if given a chance, Kauzani promised to scale up projects already in progress, while adding new ones.

“Our main challenge is not giving food handouts, but creating sustenance to the local people in the long run and right now, we have started poultry projects for women, which they do in groups of 20, while men are engaged in security, where they provide day and overnight guarding services.”

Newsday

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“Police Officers Voted Secretly During Postal Voting”: ZRP

By Own Correspondent| No police officer was coerced to vote for any particular candidate neither did they vote in front of their seniors, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) commander for 2018 harmonised elections Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza has said.

Makodza revealed that it is not true that police officers who voted in Bulawayo on Thursday  did so in the presence of their supervisors.

Said Makodza:

“No member or officer was ever coerced to vote in front of any officer. The voting process went on very smoothly in Bulawayo Ross Camp but unfortunately the political parties were not privy to the Electoral Act.

Those political parties who came to Bulawayo yesterday some of them were demanding to have their election agents present, those demands and what the Act provides is totally different.”

 

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Kazembe Kazembe Allies In No Show For Judgement

By Own Correspondent| A Bindura Magistrate , Vongai Muchuchuti on  Friday postponen to Monday next week her judgement in a case where four allies of Zanu PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairman, Kazembe Kazembe are facing charges of hijacking a Harare businessman, Tafadzwa Musarara’s truck which had his election campaign material during the party’s primary elections.

The accused, Boyd Fungulani, Shingirai Chisango, Lens Faranando and Jonah Gwenya all of whom were part of Kazembe’s campaign team during the party’s primary elections allegedly committed the offence against Musarara, in a development which saw him lose over $12 000 worth of goods.

Magistrate Muchuchuti adjourned the court session twice after two of the accused persons Ngwenya and Faranando did not pitch up for the judgement.

The duo are Zanu PF secretaries for transport and youth in Mashonaland central province respectively.

Following their failure to present themselves at 8:00 am, the court session resumed at 10:00am and this time only Ngwenya showed up.

Through his Lawyer Zvidzai Kajokoto, Ngwenya pleaded with the court to be lenient with him since he was looking for his colleague (Ferenando) who had not responded when his name was called out three times by the court at 08:00am.

The state represented by Brighton Korera however argued that Ngwenya was lying as he had seen the two outside the court before the court session.

“The accused person is lying and is undermining the court because I personally saw him and his colleague outside the court as I was coming in at around 08:00 am. He is not telling the truth by saying that he was looking for his colleague when his name was called three times,” said Korera.

Magistrate Muchuchuti however cancelled the warrant of arrest she had against Ngwenya and reprimanded him against defaulting in future before postponing the judgement to Monday 16 July.

“I am postponing the case because i had combined the four of you in the judgement but now because that the fourth accused is in default, I have to separate him from this judgement meaning that I am now going to rewrite it,” she said.

Charges against the four are that on the eve of Zanu PF primaries held on 28 April at Dandamera shopping centre in Concession, and  the four accused persons pounced on a 30 tonne truck loaded with flour and mealie meal belonging to Musarara.

The state alleges that the quartet ordered the driver of the truck, Bachelor Mpalane to surrender the car keys to them before beating him up and looting food stuffs which included flour worth $12 000.

Only food stuffs worth $885 were recovered.

The case was reported at Concession police station who referred it to Bindura CID section leading to the arrest of the four.

However, an official who refused to be identified alleged that Zanu PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairman Kazembe Kazembe is trying to bribe the court officials who are presiding over this case.

“ He (Kazembe) is making concerted efforts of trying to influence the judgement through sending his people to look for the court officials whom they want to give money,” said a senior Bindura court official.

“We have refused to tolerate them because we feel they might be trying also to trap us, and turn the case to us that we were soliciting for bribe,” said the source.

Efforts to get a comment from Kazembe were futile.

 

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Demonstrations Will Not Yield Anything, Khupe

The MDC-T has admitted to sleeping on duty in Parliament instead of working on reforming the Electoral Act and attending to issues they are now raising on the eve of an election.

It admitted the reforms could not be addressed through demonstrations saying the only avenue is through Parliament.

MDC-T national secretary for information and publicity Ms Linda Masarira made the admission at a press conference in Harare yesterday.

“It is a clear position that the opposition slept on duty. We cannot try and protect ourselves because of the (predicament) we find ourselves in. From 2013 to 2018, honestly these issues to do with electoral reforms were supposed have been dealt with but the friction and the splits in the opposition actually caused us to be in the state we are in right now,” said Ms Masarira.

She said the situation was worsened by the decision by the MDC-T then under Mr Morgan Tsvangirai to dismiss some legislators from Parliament.

The legislators were recalled from Parliament for belonging to the Tendai Biti and Elton Mangoma- led MDC.

“When MPs were fired in 2015 it actually reduced the number of opposition representation in Parliament. That is why we still find ourselves in this state where we have failed to have electoral reforms because we did not have that vote in Parliament,” added Ms Masarira.

She said street demonstrations would not change anything.

“Electoral reforms are done by Parliament. We can march and do a whole lot of other things but the only thing that we can do now since the election date was already proclaimed is to push ZEC to act in a fair, transparent and free manner as we go into 2018 elections.

“What is important is as soon as Members of Parliament get into Parliament they are supposed to deal with electoral reforms so that we avoid this last-minute rush for the things that were supposed to be done in five years,” said Ms Masarira.

She said under the circumstances, reforming the Electoral Act was only possible in the next Parliament.

“I urge those who will make it into Parliament to address these issues so that by 2023 we will not be singing the same negative repetitive songs of crying foul and crying for reforms,” said Ms Masarira.

MDC-T secretary-general Mr Nickson Nyikadzino said the party was going to deal with the issue of electoral reforms democratically.

The MDC Alliance led by Mr Nelson Chamisa has been staging demonstrations in Harare demanding the so-called electoral reforms.

Herald

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ZEC Postal Voting Illegal

David Coltart

By David Coltart|I have noted how ZEC has tried to argue that the current system of postal voting is lawful. ZEC argues that there is nothing wrong with all police officers and soldiers having to vote collectively under the supervision of their commanding officers, never mind voting in front of their commanding officers.

The law is governed by sections 74 and 75 of the Electoral Act as read with section 155(1)(c) of the Constitution and 156(a) of the Constitution.

Sections 74(2) and (3) state that the postal ballot is to be delivered by “registered post’ or “courier” “to the applicant” i.e. the individual voter (in this case police officer or soldier). In other words this is a personal communication – the envelope enclosing the ballots is to be sent direct to the voter at his personal address used when he/she registered as a voter, not to his/her barracks or police station, and certainly not to his/her commanding officer.

Section 75(1)(a) states that when the voter receives the envelope with the ballot he/she shall vote “secretly”. There is nothing in the law which requires police officers or soldiers to vote collectively in the presence of their commanders. Indeed the clear meaning of the law is that once an officer or soldier has received the ballot envelope in the post he/she can decide when to vote and where. That is entirely within that person’s discretion. There is no provision in the law allowing any different procedure for the police or army. Indeed the law bars anything different to the procedure laid down.

Once the police officer or soldier has voted in secret, section 75(d) says that the voter shall “dispatch the covering envelope”. In other words that is done by the individual voter, not that person’s commanding officer. Accordingly the collection of the individual’s voting envelopes is itself in breach of the law. If the police officer or soldier wants to post the envelope that is his/her right and he/she cannot be compelled to allow his/her commanding office to post the envelope.

The principle behind these laws is that the casting of a postal vote is meant to be as secret and secure as any other person’s vote.

Section 155(1)(c) of the Constitution states that elections must be conducted by “secret ballot”. Section 156(a) says that ZEC has the duty to ensure that voting systems are “secure” and that ZEC has the responsibility to ensure that “appropriate systems” are put in place to “eliminate electoral malpractices”. In other words ZEC cannot defer to police or army rules – it has a duty to ensure that all votes are cast secretly and securely. This means that if practices are being employed by third parties such as the ZRP or ZNA, which breach the clear meaning of the Electoral Act, ZEC has a duty to intervene.

It is patently clear from yesterday’s scandal exposed at Ross Camp that police officers were being forced to vote in front of their commanding officers, who would then collect and return their ballots. This was initially exposed by police officers themselves who objected to the pressure being brought to bear against them.

The good Lord only knows what systems are being employed in military barracks. ZEC has not bothered to check what systems are being employed in barracks and observers and political parties have no idea what is happening there, in contravention of section 156(a) of the Constitution which compels ZEC to ensure that all “voting methods” must be “transparent”, including voting in barracks and police stations.

In short the entire practice of forcing police officers and soldiers to vote collectively in, at best, the presence of their commanding officers, and at worst openly in front of their commanding officers, is a shocking breach of sections 74 and 75 of the Electoral Act and sections 155 and 156 of the Constitution.

Once again ZEC has breached the law. That some of its Commissioners such as Moyo Qhubani should still be defending these illegalities is profoundly unprofessional.

Electoral Act

74 Issue of postal ballot papers

(1) If the Commission is satisfied, in regard to an application received not later than noon on the fourteenth day after nomination day in the election, that the applicant is entitled to a postal vote, the Chief Elections Officer shall issue a postal ballot paper to the applicant by placing in an envelope addressed to the applicant—
(a) the postal ballot paper; and
(b) a covering envelope addressed to Chief Elections Officer; and
(c) a smaller envelope marked “Ballot Paper Envelope” on the back of which shall be written the name of the voter, his or her voter registration number and the constituency and ward in which, and the address of the polling station at which, he or she is registered; and
[Paragraph amended by s. 42 of Act No. 3 of 2012]
(d) an unmarked envelope to be used n accordance with section 75(1)(b).
(2) Where more than one election is to be held concurrently in a constituency, the Chief Elections Officer may enclose in a single envelope all the postal ballot papers for which the applicant has applied together with the appropriate number of smaller envelopes referred to in subsection (1)(c) and (d)
(3) The Chief Elections Officer shall then effectively close the envelope addressed to the applicant and deliver it to—
(a) the nearest post office for registration and dispatch to the applicant by registered post; or
(b) a commercial courier service for delivery to the applicant.

75 Voting by post

(1) A person to whom a postal ballot has been sent shall—
(a) signify the candidate for whom he or she wishes to vote by secretly placing on the ballot paper a cross in accordance with section 57(c)(ii); and
(b) then place the marked ballot paper in the unmarked envelope referred to in section 74(1)(d), effectively close that envelope, and then place it in the envelope marked “Ballot Paper Envelope”, and effectively close that envelope; and
(c) then place the envelope marked “Ballot Paper Envelope” in the covering envelope addressed to the Chief Elections Officer; and
(d) then dispatch the covering envelope by registered post or by a commercial courier service or diplomatic courier so that it is received by the Chief Elections Officer not later than noon on the fourteenth day before polling day or the first polling day, as the case may be, in the election.

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Chamisa Loses $600k Labour Case

File picture of MDC-T property being taken away by the messenger of court.

THE Nelson Chamisa-led MDC-T could lose property worth over $665 000 after the Labour Court ruled that it unfairly dismissed 17 employees and must pay damages.

Labour Court judge Justice Betty Chidziva, with the concurrence of Justice Lawrence Murasi, this week struck off the roll a labour appeal by the MDC-T.

This exposes the opposition party ‘s property to execution.

MDC-T owes the ex-workers $665 000. Former MDC-T director-general Mr Toendepi Shonhe and 16 others were fired in 2014 on allegations that they were linked with Mr Tendai Biti’s Renewal Team. An independent arbitrator in 2015 ordered the reinstatement of the 17, but the opposition party found it impossible to rehire the employees.

The workers, through their lawyers, Matsikidze & Mucheche Legal Practitioners, claimed damages which were subsequently quantified. Each of the 17 were awarded damages ranging from $10 140 to $264 000.

An attempt by the 17 to attach and auction the party’s property was put on hold by the High Court pending determination of the Labour Court appeal. This week, Justice Chidziva ruled that the appeal was fatally defective before removing it from the court roll.

Justice Chidziva ordered MDC-T to pay legal costs associated with the matter.

“It is ordered that the appeal be and is hereby struck off the roll by reason of the notice of appeal being defective. Appellant to pay respondents’ costs,” reads the order of the Labour Court.

The group’s lawyer, Mr Caleb Mucheche, said his clients will now proceed with the attachment of the MDC-T property.

“The High Court had temporarily stayed execution pending determination of the Labour Court appeal. Now that the MDC-T appeal is now up in smoke, our clients can now proceed with execution,” he said.

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Chigumba Belittles MDC Alliance Demo Petition,

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa leading thousands of MDC supporters to the ZEC offices on Wednesday

ZEC Chairperson Priscilla Chigumba has confirmed receiving an MDC Alliance petition handed during its demonstration on Wednesday saying it is not different from the previous petition.

Justice Chigumba who sent a clerk to receive the petition from the opposition leader during a demonstrating with over 100 000 people said they were seized with the petition and would respond after studying the document.

“Our preliminary finding is that the petition is not substantially different from an earlier petition meaning the responses were likely to be the same,” said Justice Chigumba.

On the designing of ballot paper, Justice Chigumba said the proposed one column design would have resulted in a long ballot paper of A3 plus in size and required double the amount of paper.

“The cost benefit analysis revealed that the option would have required not only an increase in ballot paper but also an increase in production time. Thus the option had both financial and logistical implications on the commission’s preparations,” said Justice  Chigumba.

Justice Chigumba reiterated that there were not responsible for the distribution of mobile phone numbers of people to one political party which eventually sent text messages canvassing for support

“Our preliminary finding showed that some of the people who received the messages were not even on the voters roll,” said Justice Chigumba.

Zec deputy chairperson Mr Emmanuel Magade dismissed social media claims that the ballot paper was structured in a way that would result in one’s vote magically moving from one’s preferred candidate to another.

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Chigumba Wants Chamisa Arrested For Bombing Threats

Justice Priscilla Chigumba

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) says it is taking threats against its staff seriously and has since made reports to police to ensure their security.

Zec deputy chair Commissioner Emmanuel Magade revealed this yesterday during a briefing with election observers in Harare.

His comments follow pressure and acts of intimidation against Zec staff and property by opposition political parties demanding so-called electoral reforms, some of which have been described by Zec chair Justice Priscilla Chigumba as illegal.

The main opposition MDC Alliance, which held a demonstration on Wednesday and petitioned Zec with electoral demands, has been at the forefront of denouncing the elections body, with party officials and supporters making threats against senior Zec officials, including Justice Chigumba.

MDC Alliance leaders, including its presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa, stormed Zec offices in downtown Harare on Wednesday and demanded to see Zec chair and other senior officials, failure of which Mr Chamisa threatened to order a mob into the premises.

Another official captured on video threatened to hunt down Zec officials from their homes and harm them. “I can confirm that such threats have been issued,” said Commissioner Magade.

“Some unkind and uncharitable things have been said about us. We find it totally, totally despicable and unconscionable and deplorable. What we have done as law abiding citizens is to refer those threats to the police and other law enforcement agencies,” he said.

He said Zec was a neutral body playing the role of umpire. “Our wish and our ambition is that we should have an incident-free election. It is very regrettable that people like us who are supposed to be neutral umpires (are subjected to this).

“We are not in the hands of anybody. We are not in the pockets of anybody; we belong to the people of Zimbabwe. So please help us to make the process straightforward and something that we can all be proud of.

“Come July 30, we want to come up with a product that is fit for the purpose. These threats will not deter us in our endeavour to deliver free, verifiable and credible elections and once again I find the threats totally deplorable and in fact diabolical,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police, which also gave a briefing to the meeting, assured stakeholders involved in the election of safety as well as security of voting materials, which the police are charged with protecting.

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Mnagagwa Fires Prosecutor General Over Chombo Case

Ray Goba

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has with immediate effect suspended Prosecutor General (PG) Advocate Ray Goba pending an investigation into his fitness to continue holding office.

The PG’s suspension follows recommendations made by the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) to the President to set up a tribunal to investigate him for alleged misconduct.

Adv Goba is facing charges of failing to prosecute high profile corruption cases forwarded to his office by investigating agencies, sneaking out of the country without Cabinet authority, entering Namibia despite being a prohibited immigrant in that country and using abusive language as well as insulting lawyers.

Adv Goba has also been barred from accessing the National Prosecuting Authority Offices during the period of the suspension.

Advocate Goba confirmed his suspension.

“Some people came to serve me with the letter of suspension. They came in the morning today (yesterday) and they were from the President’s department,” he said.

According to the suspension letter, Adv Goba was suspended from office in terms of Section 187 of the Constitution.

“Please be advised that by virtue of provisions of Section 259 (7) as read with Section 187 (3) of the Constitution, His Excellency the President has appointed a tribunal to inquire into the question of removing you from office of Prosecutor General,” reads the letter.

“Accordingly you are suspended from office with immediate effect in terms of section 187(10) of the Constitution until the President on the recommendation of the tribunal either revokes the suspension or removes you from the office of the Prosecutor General.”

Reliable sources said JSC during its Extraordinary General Meeting held on July 12, noted that the allegations against Advocate Goba necessitated the need to do an inquiry into his suitability to continue holding the office of Prosecutor General.

Advocate Goba is alleged to have on more than one occasion travelled out of Zimbabwe to Namibia without obtaining the necessary Government approval.

He also on more than one occasion entered the Republic of Namibia despite him being a prohibited immigrant in that country.

The PG is alleged to have violated his constitutional obligation by refusing to prosecute corruption related cases initiated by investigating agencies.

He is alleged to have given various excuses for failing to prosecute the cases.

A source said among the high profile corruption cases Advocate Goba is alleged to have refused to prosecute is that of former Higher Education Deputy Minister, Dr Godfrey Gandawa and that of former Home Affairs and Finance Minister, Ignatius Chombo.

The dockets of the two accused are among many that were completed long back according to sources.

Advocate Goba was declared a prohibited immigrant in 2011 while working in Namibia as Deputy Prosecutor-General and legal services director in case number A118/2011 but was allegedly travelling to that country without Cabinet Authority.

The PG is also accused of putting his office into disrepute by trading insults with lawyers and there are claims that he allegedly insulted Prophet Walter Magaya’s lawyer Mr Nyikadzino Simango, Sources said the Tribunal is set to be sworn in on Tuesday.

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Mnangagwa’s Brilliant Idea To Produce Diesel From Coal Mine

By Farai D Hove| President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday promised to produce diesel from coal-mine methane.

Is it possible?

Mnangagwa was speaking in Lupane and he said, “Matabeleland North has many natural resources and has the largest reserves of coal-bed methane in southern Africa. Very soon we will be producing fertiliser and diesel from the resource,” he said.

 

Used in World War II

Coalbed methane is a form of natural gas extracted from coal beds. In recent decades it has become an important source of energy in United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.

The process is not new at all; it goes all the way back to World War 2 when coal-mine methane was used by the Germans to provide Synthetic Diesel fuel for their Panzer Tanks.

In recent years, Sasol Ltd. of South Africa and Haldor Topsoe AS of Lyngby, Denmark, have signed a technology cooperation agreement to promote Sasol’s Slurry Phase Distillate technology together with Topsoe’s natural gas conversion technology for the production of high quality diesel fuels from natural gas.

 

Does a croc have capacity to do it? 

 

But can Mnanggwa manage to do it? Can Mnangagwa act as a straight thinking business man Capacity could be a challenge for a leader of this man’s  nature and stature. His record over the last 38 years speaks volumes on his capabilities of performance. It is no secret that all government parastatals, handled directly by him are in shambles as we speak nearly 50 years later. Can such a man be able to handle methane gas and most importantly in a business venture? Time will tell.

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Mohadi Still Stuck Inside SA Hospital, As ZANU Omits the 47, Talks Only Of Oppah And Kembo

Why has ZANU PF gone quiet on the 47 innocent injured bombing victims hospitalised at Mpilo?

State Media – Vice President Kembo Mohadi who was injured in a bomb blast at White City Stadium last month is recovering and undergoing physiotherapy in a South African hospital.

VP Mohadi was among 49 victims who were injured during the “terrorist attack”, two of whom later died.

Addressing Zanu-PF supporters at Dingumuzi Stadium on Thursday, VP Chiwenga said VP Mohadi was in hospital but was recovering while Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri was recovering at home after treatment in South Africa.

“We all know the tragedy that occurred on June 23 in Bulawayo. These attackers wanted to kill the leadership, to destroy Zanu-PF. They wanted to destroy the leadership of the Government of Zimbabwe. But they ended up injuring 49 innocent people and we have lost two of them. In that process our Vice President, Cde Kembo Mohadi, and our national chairperson, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, were injured,” said VP Chiwenga.

“Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri is back home, she is recovering at her home in Harare while Cde Mohadi is still in hospital and we talk to him every day. He is much better and undergoing physiotherapy. We are looking forward to seeing him coming back to work soon.”

VP Chiwenga said after the misfortune, VP Mohadi’s brother was also hospitalised and later died.

“Why were these attackers paining people like this? What was their intention? What they wanted to achieve does not stop the election. It won’t deter us as bombs were our food when we were in the bush together with Cde SK Moyo. It will not stop the elections; instead it encourages you and the party and everyone who loves the country to work going forward,” said VP Chiwenga.

He urged party supporters to remain united to shame the detractors.

Meanwhile, VP Mohadi’s brother, Steven who has been declared liberation war hero, will be buried at his rural home in Mtetengwe, Beitbridge, today.

Mohadi (58), a war veteran and a former Zimbabwe National Army officer, died on Saturday at Trauma Centre Hospital in Borrowdale, Harare, after some illness. He is survived by his wife Emma, six children and five grandchildren.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa this week paid a visit to the late Steven Mohadi’s home in Greendale, Harare, to pay his respects.
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces consoled the family, encouraging them to be strong during their time of bereavement.

“I know you are going through a difficult time where you lost a family member at a time when VP Mohadi is in hospital.

“Some members are looking after VP Mohadi in South Africa while others are attending the funeral here. You have to be strong during these trying times. As comrades, we console each other. We assist each other in times of trouble.
“Therefore, we have offered to assist the family during the funeral and burial of Cde Mohadi,” he said.

He also offered to assist the family left behind.
President Mnangagwa encouraged the gathering to work hard and to live exemplary lives.
“No one knows the time death. I encourage you to work hard and to live exemplary lives,” he said

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Chigumba Clashes With Makarau, Says Diasporans Are Illegal Voters

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Chairperson Priscilla Chigumba has contradicted her predecessor, Rita Makarau on the thorny subject of the diaspora vote.

Chigumba is set for a clash with Makarau after declaring that diasporans are illegal voters. She said there is no provision in the law to allow diasporans voting rights.

She was writing in response to the head of the London based Zimbabwe Diaspora Focus Group, Ezra Sibanda on the matter.

She said, “we regret that we are unable to accede to your request for the reason that currently there is no enabling legislation for Zimbabweans in the diaspora to vote.”

But her predecessor Makarau weeks before leaving announced that diasporans can vote.

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Mnangagwa Says Mat North To Produce Diesel Under His Presidency

By Farai D Hove| President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday said under his presidency Matabeleland North is going to produce diesel.

Mnangagwa said the province is endowed with natural resources such as gold, coal, diamonds and lithium.

Mnangagwa was speaking in Lupane.

“Matabeleland North has many natural resources and has the largest reserves of coal-bed methane in southern Africa. Very soon we will be producing fertiliser and diesel from the resource,” he said.

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New ZBC Channel Goes On Air

ZBC has added another baby to its
list of radio channels, Central FM
radio -which went on air at mid-day
today, giving the residents of Gweru
and surrounding area a platform to
interact.

The two disc jockeys (DJs), The
Real Ngamla and Samaita oozing
with confidence rocked the airwaves
at exactly 11.am, officially taking the
radio station live on air.

Central Radio becomes the second
local commercial station for ZBC
after the Bulawayo based Khulumani
FM which went on air on the 2nd of
March this year.

Although a bit jittery and nervous 15
minutes before officially going on air,
the two DJs who will be in charge of
Good Morning Midlands, a breakfast
show for the radio, said they were
excited being on radio for the first
time and promised their listeners
many surprises.

Later, ZBC CEO, Mr Patrick Mavhura
walked into the studio and had a
brief interview articulating the vision
of the national broadcaster.

He said the new station is a platform
for the province to engage and
interact.
In a media briefing, Mr Mavhura
expressed confidence in the new
crop of presenters and commended
the Central FM team for completing
the project within the 100 day plan of
the government’s rapid results
initiative.

ZBC Acting Head Radio Services, Mr
Albert Chekayi and Gweru-based
reggae artist, Mr Tawanda Nhara
encouraged the Gweru community to
take advantage of the new platform
that has been created by the ZBC to
interact and discuss various issues
that can help develop the
community.

From the transmitter, Central FM
covers a radius of 130km and can
be accessed on 95.8 fm frequency in
the Midlands Province.
The commercial radio station will be
officially launched at a date yet to be
announced- ZBC News.

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FULL TEXT: Drama At Police Station Over Vote Rigging Complaints – NDEBELE TRANSLATED TO ENGLISH

By Oluhle Sibanda|  Below is the direct transcript (Ndebele to English) of the drama which happened yesterday at the ZRP Ross camp station: 

*Woman* : I respect you all but for today there’s nothing that you’re going to do and your plot won’t work. What are you doing? Who said you should go ahead with this election? Call your bosses and tell them that you are not going to work today and we are not going anywhere, we rather sleep here (Ross Camp) .
*Man1* :Elections are supposed to be free and fair. All of us are citizens
*Policeman* : They are free. Here they are (pointing at a group of police officers) ask them if they are not free.
*Man 2:* They are not free and we are instructed to vote ZANU PF.
Woman: first group, second group, third group
Policeman: Listen, wait a minute we have observers there and others in place.
*Woman* : Where are our polling agents? Did you tell them about this election?
*Man 2:* We still have grieviences on the ballot paper and you are voting? What is that?
*Policeman* : This is the wrong forum to present that.
*ALL of them:* No
Man 1: ZEC is not aware of what you are doing
*Man 2* : Mr Ncube is the one in charge of Bulawayo
*Policeman* : One person at a time, we can sing together not talk at the Same time.
*Man 1* : ZEC have no idea of what you are doing here.
*Policeman* : Received a phone call.
*Woman* : Am a polling agent and am supposed to check how many drop ballot papers are in the box

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MDC Alliance Dismisses Fake Letter

By Own Correspondent| The MDC Alliance has dismissed as false reports that the party had dismissed top party stalwarts Tendai Biti, Jameson Timba, James Maridadi and Grace Kwinjeh over their illegal and unauthorised meeting with representatives of the People’ s Rainbow Coalition.

Below is the letter doing the rounds purportedly from the MDC Alliance Presidential Spokesperson Dr Nkululeko Sibanda.

However Dr Sibanda said the above letter had been drafted by detractors of the “change agenda” who now realised that they were poised for a humiliating defeat at the hands of the MDC Alliance Presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa.

Said Sibanda:

“It is Zanu PF’s zero sum game. They see that they are losing and like a dying horse they are just kicking aimlessly.

That will not stop or bother President Nelson Chamisa, he continues to provide hope and talk to the intelligent people if Zimbabwe who can not be fooled by such cheap politics.

Fake news may work in other countries, Zimbabwe is far too educated for such nonsense.”

 

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NetOne Unveils Sponsorship Deal For Chapungu

Terrence Mawawa

Chapungu United have received a financial boost after NetOne unveiled a sponsorship package to the air force side.

United received a package worth $80 000 in a deal that will run until the end of this season.

The telecommunication giant also sponsors Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United.

The three Premiership heavyweights got US$350000 each in a one-year deal.

Meanwhile, NetOne is following in the footsteps of other networks around Africa like Vodacom, MTN and Orange. The company has sponsored the One Wallet Cup as well as bankrolling the Warriors.

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We Are Out Of PSL Title Race-Antipas

PSL log standings at week 16

Terrence Mawawa

Chicken Inn head coach Joey Antipas thinks the Castle Lager Premiership title race is now between FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum.

Pure Platinum Play are currently on top of the table with 44 points while Madamburo are on second with 38.

Triangle United are in third place, but 12 points behind the log leaders.

However, the top teams both suffered losses over the weekend.

“The two teams ( FC Platinum and Ngezi) will definitely start picking up maximum points soon, so we just have to play and enjoy our games and try and create pressure on them,” the coach told Daily News.

Meanwhile, Chicken Inn who are in the fourth position with 31 points missed the chance to close the gap on two platinum miners when they drew 1-1 against Dynamos.

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We Will Never Desert Mugabe- Mnangagwa

Terrence Mawawa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the ruling party Zanu PF will continue to respect liberation war hero Robert Mugabe despite his ignominious resignation.

Addressing party supporters at a rally in Lupane today, Mnangagwa said Mugabe and several liberation war icons played a traceable role in the struggle for independence.

“I have always said we will continue to honour the founding fathers of the revolution.

Father Zimbabwe , Joshua Nkomo and Cde Robert Mugabe were influential in the liberation struggle,” said Mnangagwa.

He also accused G-40 elements- Saviour Kasukuwere, Grace Mugabe, Patrick Zhuwawo, and Ignatius Chombo of capturing executive powers.

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Mnangagwa To Remain In Office After July 30 Polls- Chiwenga

Terrence Mawawa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa will remain in office after the July 30 elections, Vice President Constantino Chiwengwa has said.

Addressing thousands of party supporters at a rally in Lupane, Chiwenga said Mnangagwa would remain in force as victory was certain for him.

“Cde Mnangagwa is your President. He is your current President and he will remain in office after the July 30 elections.

Victory is certain for us and we do not have to worry about losing the coming elections,” said Chiwenga.

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Mnangagwa Bemoans Lack Of Development In Matabeleland

President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Terrence Mawawa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has bemoaned the centralisation of administrative power in the capital city Harare.

Mnangagwa has conceded the country’ s provinces have been crippled by the centralisation of decision making in the capital.

Speaking at a rally in Lupane today Mnangagwa said :

“There is need for devolution of power because each province must grow its economy.

That has not been happening because of centralisation of power. My government will introduce new policies after the July 30 elections.

There are abundant resources in all our 10 provinces and we want every area to benefit from its resources,” said Mnangagwa.

“Matabeleland North Province has a lot of resources and we will negotiate with potential investors for the development of this place,” added Mnangagwa.

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Let Them Demonstrate, We Do Not Care- Mnangagwa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Terrence Mawawa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he will not lose sleep over the demonstration held by thousands of MDC Alliance supporters in Harare on Wednesday.

Speaking at a rally in Lupane today, Mnangagwa mocked opposition supporters saying he would not be moved by their protests.

“We are not worried about their demonstrations.Let them demonstrate because even if they protest in numbers that does not mean they will win the elections.

Let us wait for election day and we will prove to the whole world that Zanu PF stands for the will of the people,” Mnangagwa said.

Thousands of disgruntled citizens of Zimbabwe marched along the streets of Harare on Wednesday as they protested at ZEC’ s ineptitude.

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OPINION – PRESIDENT EMMERSON MNANGAGWA NEVER EQUATED HIS GOVERNMENT TO GOD’S GOVERNMENT

BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA| As usual the social media was abuzz with a clip of ED and obviously some  mischievous elements interpreting to mean that the president was being blasphemous and disrespecting God. In the clip the president said His government is doing and there is no government like his even in Heaven. This statement reflects a confident Leader. He did not say God’s government is inferior to the Zimbabwean government, he simply said they are not the same. This statement is tru, the government we have in Zimbabwe is not the same as the one in heaven. It is sad that people wanted to create a sin out of the words of confidence. Every leader is appointed by God. ED is leading on the mandate of the Almighty. If you do not believe that you are not a Christian the bible said clearly that all governments and Rulers are appointed by God. This is found in Romans 13.1 let everyone be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. There are 12 verses in the bible which shows us that leaders are appointed by God. Genesis 9.5-6 Daniel 2v 21. It is God who appoints Kings and leaders. Daniel 2v 37 God establishes kingdoms and how they are governed. Daniel 4v 17 God bestows whom he wishes. John 19v 11 , 1 Peter 2v13, 1Timoth 2v2, 1Peter 2v14. The bible tells us clearly that God is in charge. So when ED makes a reference of his government set up by God not to be like the one in heaven he has not lied. He has not committed blasphemy. It is the evil thinkers who wish a dreadful sin to be put upon the president.
Many leaders are plagued by an inner voice that questions whether they feel the confidence to meet challenges head on. However, detractors failed to notice when our self-confidence flags. What they in fact are evaluating is what they see—behaviour ED exhibits—and this behaviour can suggest to them that we have a healthy kind of confidence. They are typically unaware of how confident ED is they mistake the confidence for blasphemy. And when it comes to getting things done, His perceptions are a lot more relevant than how certain we feel inside. Much has been written about confidence, and most of it focuses on feelings of self-efficacy, but ED likens his government to the perfection of the highest order. He is trying to reach that level. The confidence displayed by ED shows how keen he is to achieve the best government for Zimbabwe. We wonder: “Am I capable? Can I do this? What if I fail?” But ED said his government has done it. He is fully aware that he cannot rule like God and he will never equate himself to God. Those praise singers who equate him to Jesus are just lost souls. Their praise singing does not mean ED agrees to it. To be successful, it’s important to “focus less on the impression you’re making on others and more on the impression you’re making on yourself.” But is this true when it comes to leadership?. Many leaders who .are highly confident are still viewed as very confident and highly effective, this is the confidence which oozed from ED on this clip. People see them as risk takers, decision makers and people who work in a reasonable and thoughtful way to move things forward. ED has simply journeyed in that direction and the detractors called it blasphemy. .. ED’s speech has shown great Substance Cultivated qualities of mature leadership that inspire commitment, inform action, and lead to above-and-beyond effort. The leadership with reference to the best brings out communicative leadership that build motivation and that shape and sustain performance. Practical Wisdom Highly honed qualities of insight and judgment that gets to the heart of issues and produce prudent decisions was the quality ED has displayed. . . Integrity acting with fidelity to one’s values and beliefs, living up to high standards of morality, veracity, and promise keeping has defined ED all along. Then to say he was blasphemous because he is proud of his God’s government is mischief. He understands he was appointed by God and he is proud of being associated with God’s government. Confidence Self-assured in decision making and action; ready to accept the risk and responsibility for taking timely action is all what ED has been saying even in Heaven it cannot be found. This means Heaven has more than this and then nowhere in heaven can you compare the earthly things. ED never did that and blackmailing him into a confession is a forced confession coming under duress. ED Intentionality Clarifies direction and keeps actions aligned and on track, all without stifling dissent or neglecting needs to adjust course. Concern Demonstrating interest in others, encouraging adaptive development, and promoting a healthy sustainable culture. Composure Steady in a crisis, able to calm and focus others, and to bring objectivity and perspective to critical decisions. Inclusiveness actively involves others, welcomes diverse points of view, encourages ownership in mission, and empowers initiative. ED has simply been a leader who knows what he wants and what he is doing. He is not a coward and cannot be placed in the same basket as blasphemers. Despite the hullabaloo about his statement ED has shown Restraint and calm disposition, characterized by reasonableness, and by avoidance of emotional extremes or impulsiveness. Resonance Connecting with others; attentive, attuned, and responsive to feelings, motivations, and thoughts; deepens alignment. . ED was ready to accept the responsibility for siding with his father in heaven and taking timely action.”.
The opposition through social media wanted to project ED in the eyes of others through observable behaviour which is not what he is.. A high level of self-confidence doesn’t necessarily mean others evaluate us as leaders who are incapable, many reasonable people have understood the meaning of the statement by the president and the noise doing the rounds is laughable. . . .
ED “Even under pressure is able to weigh options and act in a timely manner” • “Willing to take on the difficult issues without delay or avoidance. ED as an innovative leader scored higher than his less innovative counterparts in the opposition camp. • “.
Looking at the whole speech on the round the President never at any time equates himself to God. He is wiser than that. He knows he was created in the image of God and indeed he is God’s son so are we all. He praises his father in any way he finds necessary and in any way which pleases his father.
Zimbabwe is a Christian nation it saw the plans of the opposition who tried to portray ED as a blasphemous person. This is not the right way to campaign. Even if you are a pastor Chamisa do not use the name of God in vain. Nobody judged Chamisa when he lied that God told him that he was now going to be a leader. Nobody judged him for turning a rally into a church service or a church service into a rally. God is for us all and God is for Zimbabwe God is for ED also.
[email protected]
.

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“ZEC Taking Zimbabwe Back To Mugabe Era”: Build Zimbabwe Alliance

Dr Noah Manyika

By Own Correspondent| Build Zimbabwe Alliance Presidential hopeful Dr Noah Manyika has accused the country’s elections body ZEC of dragging Zimbabwe back to the Robert Mugabe era by denying that police officers had voted when in fact they had as confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

Dr Manyika said failure by ZEC to acknowledge that police officers at Ross camp in Bulawayo had actually voted when the elections body is responsible for elections was reflective that nothing had changed in the country hence the mantra of being in a new dispensation was meaningless.

Below is the full statement by Dr Manyika:

The response from ZEC published in The Herald suggesting that those who are expressing their anger at the illegal voting by police at Ross Camp in Bulawayo were malcontents hell bent on causing alarm and despondency reminds us of the worst days of the Mugabe regime. During this era,  everything was blamed on enemies seeking to bring about regime change.

We were supposed to be past this now after November 2017, but clearly nothing has changed. Contrary to ZEC’s claims that nothing was going on, the police themselves have confirmed that they were actually voting.

If ZEC did not know that this was going on then there is something terribly wrong as they are the body responsible for the conduct of the elections, not the police. The people of Zimbabwe are not blind to this, and any person who genuinely loves our country and feels for what people are going through, including the international observers who are supposedly here to ensure that we have a free and fair plebiscite must roundly condemn this.

While they are at it, they must also ask why it is necessary to have the kind of police presence I witnessed in Lupane today where ED Mnangagwa is addressing a rally. November 2017 is supposed to have ended our days as a police state, but apparently the people of Matabeleland North need visible reminders that those days can return just like that.

What this country needs is irreversible change and we have a responsibility that it happens once and for all in this season.

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WATCH- LIVE Khupe’s MDC T Presser

Thokozani Khupe

The MDC T led by Thokozani Khupe will at 12 pm today issue a press statement at the party offices in Belvedere Harare.

ZimEye will live stream proceedings as they unfold on our Facebook Page.

Follow, Like Us and Invite friends to follow us.

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KUBIRA KWARO? – Another LIVE Video ZRP Cops Complaining About Secret Voting

 

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) yesterday refuted claims that members of the uniformed forces cast their votes during the day adding that the elections body is still processing postal vote applications.

ZEC Acting Chief Elections Officer, Utoile Silaigwana said social media claims that members of the ZRP voted were being circulated by malcontents bent on causing alarm and despondency ahead of the July 30 harmonised elections.

“This is hogwash and very stupid propaganda because in the first place they have photos of a police officer standing near a ballot box yet with postal voting a voter doesn’t use a ballot box,” he said.

“Postal voting is for individuals who apply for it and he or she is given a ballot paper in an envelope and returns it sealed. This is cheap propaganda without substance at all. This is coming from a person who doesn’t even understand the process. The pictures they put have nothing to do with postal vote and these people just want cause despondency in the country.”

The social media was awash with pictures of police officers casting their vote amid allegations that at Ross camp in Bulawayo, members of the force were voting in the presence of their superiors.

But to add to the pictures, impeccabke LIVE videos showed the police officers submitting their votes in the presence of superiors and the below footage is one of them:

Read one of the messages doing the rounds:

“Vari mu ground izvozvi they’re busy voting. Please send someone kuRose Camp mapurisa are busy voting vapihwa ma ballot papers avo nema superior avo vachivhoteswa pana Garwe it’s happening now.”

Translated, the message reads:

“They are on the ground now and they are busy voting. Please send someone to Rose Camp. The police are busy voting, they have been given their ballot papers by their superiors and they are voting for President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Its happening now.”

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KUBIRA KWARO, KUBIRA KWARO? – The Video That Embarrasses ZEC On Secret Voting Done Yesterday

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) yesterday refuted claims that members of the uniformed forces cast their votes during the day adding that the elections body is still processing postal vote applications.

ZEC Acting Chief Elections Officer, Utoile Silaigwana said social media claims that members of the ZRP voted were being circulated by malcontents bent on causing alarm and despondency ahead of the July 30 harmonised elections.

“This is hogwash and very stupid propaganda because in the first place they have photos of a police officer standing near a ballot box yet with postal voting a voter doesn’t use a ballot box,” he said.

“Postal voting is for individuals who apply for it and he or she is given a ballot paper in an envelope and returns it sealed. This is cheap propaganda without substance at all. This is coming from a person who doesn’t even understand the process. The pictures they put have nothing to do with postal vote and these people just want cause despondency in the country.”

The social media was awash with pictures of police officers casting their vote amid allegations that at Ross camp in Bulawayo, members of the force were voting in the presence of their superiors.

But to add to the pictures, impeccabke LIVE videos showed the police officers submitting their votes in the presence of superiors and the below footage is one of them:

Read one of the messages doing the rounds:

“Vari mu ground izvozvi they’re busy voting. Please send someone kuRose Camp mapurisa are busy voting vapihwa ma ballot papers avo nema superior avo vachivhoteswa pana Garwe it’s happening now.”

Translated, the message reads:

“They are on the ground now and they are busy voting. Please send someone to Rose Camp. The police are busy voting, they have been given their ballot papers by their superiors and they are voting for President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Its happening now.”

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Mugabe In Angry Outburst Over Escape Allegations

Former President Robert Mugabe

FORMER President Robert Mugabe reportedly flew into an angry outburst during inspection-in-loco at his former residence Zimbabwe House, protesting against allegations that he donated some of his computers to his aides to secure his “escape” during the military’s Operation Restore Legacy last November.

Allegations are that the former Head of State reacted angrily to suggestions that he wanted to escape the country.

Willard Madzimbamuto had told the former President that he donated the computers to Pepukai Zvakavapano to bribe him for a safe passage after his motorcade was blocked and searched by soldiers guarding the premises during the military operation.

“To escape, never use the word escape on us, we never tried to escape, why escaping? From who? Escaping from security forces that were looking after us, escape to go where?” Mugabe shot back.

Zvakavapano has denied the theft allegations, insisting the goods were donated to him by Grace Mugabe.

But, Mugabe shot down the suggestion saying his wife could not donate the computers without his consent. He also described Zvakavapano as a stranger to him.

Zimmetro

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ZANU PF Taken To Court Over Campaign SMS

A Masvingo lawyer has taken the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Zanu PF and its Gutu West candidate John Paradza as well as mobile telecommunications services provider Econet Wireless to court after his mobile number was released to the parliamentary aspirant who then sent him a message soliciting for his vote in the July 30 polls.

In an application for a declaratory order (case number HC305/18) filed at the High Court on Wednesday, Owen Mafa, the applicant, of Shumba and Mutendi law firm, who is being represented by Dereck Charamba of Ndhlovu and Hwacha legal practitioners, cites Econet and Zanu PF as first and second respondent respectively. Zec and Paradza are the third and fourth respondents respectively.

Mafa said he availed his contact details to Zec when he registered to vote in the July 30 polls, but was surprised to get a message from Zanu PF and Paradza.

The messages were sent to Mafa’s two mobile Econet numbers wherein Zanu PF and Paradza urged him to vote for them and their presidential candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mafa argued that he did not belong to any political outfit and never consented to Zanu PF and Paradza’s conduct, which he said contravened provisions of the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Regulatory Circular on Unsolicited Bulk SMS) Regulatory Circular number 2 of 2013 as read together with section 4 of the Postal and Telecommunications Act Chapter 122.05 of 2000.

“The purported conduct of first respondent infringes on my constitutional right to personal privacy in that 1st respondent had no mandate to provide subscriber databases to thirds parties (2 and 4th respondents) without my consent,” he said.

He said as a citizen, he was entitled to enjoy lawful personal privacy and protections against unauthorised use of personal information including the right not to be listed in a telephone directory or having his telephone number supplied to a third party.

“The conducts of the respondents was therefore unlawful and it should be declared as such,” Mafa said in his application and urged the court to bar Econet and Mafa from sending him unsolicited bulk SMS.

Newsday

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ZANU PF Linked Cult Prophet Dies

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga with Madzibaba Wimbo

JOHANE Masowe eChishanu Vadzidzi VaJesu Church founder, Aaron Mhukuta Gomo, commonly known as Madzibaba Wimbo, died yesterday morning at Arundel Hospital in Harare after succumbing to pneumonia.

He was 96.

Madzibaba Wimbo, also known as Mudzidzi Majinesta, was born on December 25, 1922.

Madzibaba Wimbo is famed for his 1957 prophecy where he predicted that a man with the name of an angel Gabriel would be independent Zimbabwe’s first leader, which came to pass in 1980.

Madzibaba Wimbo

Last year, Mnangagwa visited the same Wimbo at his shrine and got involved in a bizarre church rite, with the popular prophet telling the gathering that the then VP needed help if he were to ascend to the presidency. The army intervention was interpreted by many as the help that Wimbo had prophesied.

In March President Emmerson Mnangagwa donated over 200 laptops to Centre for Zimbabwe Africa school run by Madzibaba Wimbo. The computers were handed over to the school by ICT and Cyber Security Minister Supa Mandiwanzira.

Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs, Advocate Martin Dinha, Provincial Administrator, Mr Cosmos Chiringa and Zanu-PF candidate for Shamva South, Cde Oscar Gorerino visited the Centre Zimbabwe Africa headquarters and the family homestead in Goora area of Madziwa to pay their condolences yesterday.

“We have lost a strong man of God who supported the Government and Zanu-PF. African Independent Churches, especially Madzibaba Wimbo, fought colonialism and the Smith regime. They stood for black emancipation. During the liberation struggle he prophesied that former president Robert Mugabe would rule this country,” said Adv Dinha.

Madzibaba Wimbo’s son, Professor Gomo said they heard of the death from the grapevine.

“For three years we were not allowed to see our father. I hope we will be allowed to view his body. I stay 10 minutes away from the hospital where he died but I was not informed. I do not know how we will co-operate with such people. We appeal to Government to assist us,” he said.

He is survived by two wives, 18 children and several grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements will be advised in due course.

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White City Bombing: Muchinguri Back Home

VICE-President Kembo Mohadi is still hospitalised in South Africa, where he is undergoing physiotherapy, while Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchunguri is back in the country and is recovering from home following a grenade attack in Bulawayo last month, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga said yesterday.

Mohadi and Muchinguri were airlifted to the neighbouring country nursing injuries sustained from a “bomb” explosion at White City Stadium after President Emmerson Mnangagwa had addressed a Zanu PF rally.

Mnangagwa escaped unhurt, but two security aides succumbed to the injuries, while 47 others were left nursing wounds.

Chiwenga told ruling party supporters at a rally held at Dingumuzi Stadium in Plumtree, Matabeleland South, that the grenade attack was aimed at the party leadership to destabilise the former liberation movement.

“It was an attack on Zanu PF, to destabilise the party by killing the leadership of Zanu PF and government.

Unfortunately, the criminals ended up injuring innocent people. As we speak, Muchinguri is now back in the country, recovering from home, while Mohadi is still hospitalised,” he said.

“We speak to him on a daily basis. He is feeling much better and undergoing physiotherapy and we hope to see him soon assuming his official duties.”

The VP said the “criminal act” would not stop the elections and called for unity.

Several Bulawayo youths have been picked up for questioning following the incident, but released without charge. Two others were recently dragged to court facing banditry and terrorism charges.

During his address, Chiwenga laughed off MDC Alliance street protests aimed at piling pressure on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to conduct electoral processes in a transparent manner to ensure a credible harmonised election, saying the demonstrations betrayed the opposition fears of defeat.

MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa has also threatened daily street protests against Zec, arguing the electoral body’s secrecy surrounding the printing of ballot papers and the voters’ roll raised questions whether Zimbabwe would have a credible election.

Earlier, Chiwenga, during a debriefing session held at Maguta Hall before the rally, urged the party leadership and candidates to desist from hate slogans so as to promote peace and tolerance ahead of elections.

“In Zanu PF, our slogan must not be ‘down with so and so’, but ‘pasi nemhandu’ (down with enemies), as even the Constitution says down with enemies. Let’s desist from hate slogans, as in any case, why should one wish someone to be six feet under as suggested by the ‘down with so and so’ slogan?” Chiwenga queried.

Newsday

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Boxer Jailed For Assaulting Own Mother Over A Piece Of Chicken

A 20-YEAR-OLD boxer from Mtapa suburb in Gweru yesterday failed to sway a magistrate to give him a non-custodial sentence for assaulting his mother saying he wants to vote for the first time in the July 30 elections.

Provincial magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa slapped Joseph Simango, who has a certificate in boxing, with a six months jail term for assaulting his mother.

Mrs Msipa convicted Simango who was facing two counts of domestic violence against his plea of not guilty.

Simango is said to have assaulted his mother Ms Gladys Mpofu after she dished a chicken piece which he did not like.

He also damaged her microwave, plates and pots valued at $60.

In mitigation, Simango pleaded with the court for a non-custodial sentence saying he would miss an opportunity to vote for the first time in the forthcoming harmonised elections.

“I am sorry for assaulting my mother over a piece of chicken she had dished for me which I didn’t want. I plead for a non-custodial sentence because if I’m sent to prison I won’t be able to vote in the July 30 elections. I am a registered voter and was looking forward to exercising my Constitutional right,” pleaded Simango.

In passing sentence, Mrs Msipa said she had considered that it is culturally wrong for Simango or any other child to lay his or her hands on any of their parents.

“What the accused did is culturally wrong and is criminal. The accused has a boxing certificate and boxed his hapless mother. The accused has been tormenting his mother for a long time and abused his boxing talent on her, biting the hand that feeds him. The accused even told his mother that she was not his biological mother. He is sentenced to six months in prison,” she said.

It was the State’s case that on June 28 at around 8PM, Simango told his mother that he did not like a piece of chicken which was on his plate.

Simango then assaulted Ms Mpofu who sustained a cut on her left eye.

He also damaged her microwave, pots and plates which were in the kitchen.

A report was made to the police leading to his arrest.

Ms Memory Chitsunge appeared for the State.

State Media

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Chamisa’s Comment On ZEC Lies And Police Voting Drama

“ZEC not fit for purpose, is biased & not independent. ZEC is either unwilling or incompetent or both to hold a free & fair election. Too many pedestrian mistakes. We’re the contemporary embodiment of the values of ‘one man one vote’ being the continuation of what many died for.” – Nelson Chamisa, 13th July 2018.

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ZEC In Massive Boob, Performs U-turn On Police Secret Vote, Admits Postal Voting Ongoing

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) which earlier in the day attacked the MDC claiming that there is no postal voting at all being performed by police officers, have been forced to admit that the development is truly happening. (ALSO WATCH THE PROCEEDING VIDEO LEAK) – Below is a state media article on the expose’ :

Postal voting for the July 30 harmonised elections is underway around the country as the ZEC has dispatched ballots to all those eligible to vote under the system, the electoral body’s acting chief elections officer Mr Utoile Silaigwana said yesterday.

He said the absence of ZEC officials in places where postal voting was taking place was constitutional.

The Electoral Act states that postal voting is available to individuals and their spouses who are outside Zimbabwe on Government business on polling day.

Security and polling officers on duty on voting day are also eligible for postal voting.
“The postal vote process is underway,” said Mr Silaigwana.

“We have indeed dispatched some of the postal ballots not only to the police but all those who are eligible, including those in foreign missions. Since we have already dispatched some of the postal votes, we are expecting them to be casting their votes wherever they are and we are now waiting to receive back the postal votes so that we can take them to the respective polling stations.”

A ZEC schedule shows the postal vote ballots should be returned by July 16, 14 days before the polls as stipulated by the law.
Mr Silaigwana said people using postal vote also do so in secret.

MDC-Alliance Mr Tendai Biti yesterday rushed to convene a press conference after gathering that some members of the police who will be on duty on the polling day were voting in Bulawayo.
Meanwhile ZRP commander for this year’s harmonised elections Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza allayed fears of vote rigging by police officers saying only those on duty on voting day qualified for postal voting.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police wishes to set the record straight and allay fears of vote rigging by police officers as claimed in some social media messages which are circulating,” he said.
“The correct position is that some police officers will be performing security duties in other provinces which are not their normal work stations. Thus in terms of Section 72 of the Electoral Act, the concerned police officers will exercise their right to vote through a postal ballot system which is being administered by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.”

He said provinces like Bulawayo had excess manpower.

The excess staff would be deployed in Matabeleland North province.

“In fact the total number of police officers who applied for the postal ballot does not go beyond 4 000,” said Snr Ass Comm Makodza.
“The rest of police officers will actually cast their ballots on 30th July 2018 as earlier revealed by the ZRP Command and ZEC in numerous meetings and workshop briefings. The whole process is conducted according to Section 75 of the Electoral Act, Chapter 2:13.”

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MDC Expels Maridadi

Mabvuku Tafara Legislator James Maridadi
State Media -The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC has formally expelled members who defied the party’s directive by registering to stand as independent candidates in the July 30 polls.

Over 30 candidates are standing on the MDC Alliance ticket, despite losing the party’s primary elections held recently.

Consequently, these have been dismissed from the party, including outgoing member of Parliament for Mabvuku-Tafara, James Maridadi.

In the case of Maridadi, the party had tried to convince him to withdraw his candidature, but the former disc jockey has been digging in.

In a letter to one of the independent candidates, Chris Jamu, the MDC said it has been left with no option but to wield the axe on errant members.

“Your decision to stand as an independent candidate is a breach of the constitution…you are therefore specifically ordered to surrender all party property in your possession and you are also directly stopped from using the MDC Alliance logo and other campaign materials,” reads the letter, in part, signed by MDC chairperson, Morgen Komichi.

Komichi said the party was mulling approaching the High Court to stop those who are using the name of the alliance without its approval.

He railed at Maridadi for hoodwinking the party leadership into believing that he had withdrawn his candidature with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) when this was not the case.
Maridadi had been given up to July 9 to withdraw his candidature but he did not. The deadline was subsequently extended by a day of which there was no evidence of compliance at the time of going to print.

“I refer to my various discussions regarding the above matter. I specifically refer to the meeting that took place in the president’s office between yourself and senior leadership including the president, myself and the secretary-general,” Komichi wrote to Maridadi.

“At that meeting, you undertook to withdraw as a candidate and, in fact, signed a withdrawal letter. We now know that you went to Zec and uplifted your withdrawal letter, effectively restoring your candidature.

“These actions by yourself are serious, dishonourable and amount to insubordination.
“Accordingly, you are hereby given up (to) 10 July 2018, 11 am to re-file your withdrawal and serve a stamped letter to my office.

“Failure to do this means you would have automatically expelled yourself,” reads part of the letter.
Yesterday, Komichi warned MDC Alliance members who are supporting the independent candidates to desist from doing so.

Meanwhile, the MDC has sensationally claimed Zanu PF is causing confusion in the party by sponsoring the so-called “rebels” to stand as independent candidates.

Komichi claimed yesterday that they have evidence some of the independent candidates were working with Zanu PF.

“They have ignored the party in breach of our constitution something that means automatic dismissal….

“We know that they are being supported and sponsored by Zanu PF,” said Komichi.
Zanu PF national chairperson, Simon Khaya Moyo, was not immediately available for comment yesterday.

Following shambolic primary polls held by the MDC recently, the party has struggled to rein in members who are questioning its decisions and opting to stand as independent candidates at the forthcoming polls.

In some constituencies, the party has more than two candidates, including in Mabvuku-Tafara where Maridadi and James Chidhakwa are both contesting on the same ticket.

Yesterday, Komichi released the names of the MDC Alliance’s official candidates in contentious constituencies, namely , Kunashe Muchemwa (Bulawayo South); Chidhakwa (Mabvuku-Tafara); Shadreck Mashayamombe (Harare South); Gift Chimanikire (Mazowe South); Lauren Muchehwe (Mazowe West); Agreement Kagura (Muzarabani North); Luke Tamborinyoka (Goromonzi West); Stanley Manguma (Gutu West); Justin Makota (Masvingo South); Jesta Dumbu (Zaka West) and Thulani Ndlovu (Mazowe North). – Daily News

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Chiwenga Says Chamisa Is Scared Of Elections

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has hit out at MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa for tarnishing the reputation of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) by making unsubstantiated claims of impropriety against its members when he was an integral part of their selection into the electoral management body.

VP Chiwenga said laws are not promulgated on the streets and anyone with issues with any piece of legislation should use Parliament as it is the forum through which legislation is promulgated.
He said this while addressing a zanu-pf rally at Dingumuzi Stadium in Plumtree yesterday.
“Some are afraid of going to elections and now want to implement things they should have done while in Parliament. There is no law that is made on the streets; laws are made in Parliament,” VP Chiwenga said.

He said elections would not be stopped by demonstrations.

“If people have issues with any piece of legislation they do not like, they should ask the people to vote for them so that they can change the laws to suit their needs.
“Those who are attacking ZEC were part of the committee responsible for selection of ZEC members. They should know that when proclamation has been done there is no way elections can be stopped. They should wait for the next election,” the VP said.

He urged zanu-pf members to continue their peaceful campaigns ahead of the July 30 elections.
“You might have heard of the demonstrations in the streets (of Harare), but that will not work.
“The days of throwing mud against each other are long gone. As Zimbabweans we should not do that because this game of politics is for mature people and not kids. So let’s go and vote in a peaceful way and bring results that will build Zimbabwe; a Zimbabwe that will be appreciated by our descendants,” VP Chiwenga said.

Government, he said, was working on devolution which would see provinces benefitting from the wealth within them and also contributing to central Government.
He said in the new dispensation, provincial Ministers would no longer be responsible for politics and sloganeering but would be ministers for economic development.
“I think you heard the issue of devolution; it was a contentious issue during the constitution making process but ours is not about creating a separate state. Zimbabwe is a unitary state. It will remain united because from here in Plumtree to Mutare, from Victoria Falls to Chipinge, we are one people. We may differ on customs, cultures and languages,” the VP said.-state media

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ZRP Statement Exposes ZEC. What Else Is ZEC Hiding?

By Own Correspondent| The statement issued by the Commander ZRP 2018 Harmonised Elections Committee, Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza confirmed that members of the uniformed forces voted in Bulawayo yesterday (Thursday).

According to the statement, the country’s Constitution provides for members of the police to vote through postal voting.

However, in an earlier report in one of the local dailies, ZEC Commissioner who is the Acting Chief Elections Officer, Utoile Silaigwana dismissed as “hogwash and stupid propaganda” reports that voting took place in Bulawayo.

Said Commissioner Silaigwana:

“This is hogwash and very stupid propaganda because in the first place they have photos of a police officer standing near a ballot box yet with postal voting a voter doesn’t use a ballot box.

Postal voting is for individuals who apply for it and he or she is given a ballot paper in an envelope and returns it sealed. This is cheap propaganda without substance at all.

This is coming from a person who doesn’t even understand the process. The pictures they put have nothing to do with postal vote and these people just want cause despondency in the country.”

However, the ZRP statement did not deny that voting took place rather justifying that postal voting was provided for in the country’s supreme law, the Constitution.

Below is the full press statement issued by Senior Assistant Commissioner Makodza:

The Zimbabwe Republic Police wishes to set the record straight and allay fears of vote rigging by police officers as claimed in some social media messages which are circulating.

The correct position is that some police officers will be performing security duties in other provinces which are not their normal work stations.

Thus in terms of Section 72 of the Electoral Act, the concerned police officers will exercise their right to vote through the postal ballot system which is being administered by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

Some provinces like Bulawayo have excess manpower which is due for deployment in Matabeleland North province thus necessitating the postal vote for the affected members.

Infact the total number of police officers who applied for the postal ballot does not go beyond 4000. The rest of police officers will actually cast their ballots on 30th July 2018 as earlier revealed by the ZRP command and ZEC in numerous meetings and workshop briefings.

The whole process is conducted according to Section 75 of the Electoral Act, Chapter 2:13.

 

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ZEC In Desperate Bid To Justify Police Vote Rigging

ZEC Commissioner Qhubani Moyo

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has reacted to the unregulated postal voting which was done by members of the police at Ross Camp in Bulawayo on Thursday.

ZEC Commissioner Qhubani Moyo said in a statement late Thursday that the Commission tasked with administering all the country’s election processes is not involved in the postal voting process.

Hundreds of police officers were caught on camera red handed while casting their postal votes in a hidden process at the police camp.

The officers claimed that they were being forced to vote for the ruling ZANU PF by their superiors who conducted the voting with no officials from ZEC or election agents from any of the contesting candidates.

Caught red handed

When news of the voting taking place broke out, ZEC initially disputed the leak before evidence was provided that the voting was indeed interrupted by MDC Alliance officials following the tip off.

Senior police officers confirmed that the voting did indeed take place.

Commissioner Moyo wrote in his response saying:

After speaking to Senior Ass Commissioner Makodza, ZRP commander on 2018 elections about police postal votes, he says some police officers who applied for postal votes because they will be out of their stations on election day administered their postal ballots in secrecy in Bulawayo today.

The process will happen all over the country and in diplomatic missions but these ballots should be with at Zec HQ by 16 July 2018.

There is no requirement for Zec to be present when individuals vote, Zec meets their ballots when they courier them to the CEO who in turn sends them to respective polling stations where they are opened on election day and counted with the rest of ballots cast on that day!!7000 Zimbabweans qualified for postal votes for this election.

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Opposition Parties Challenge Petition On Voters’ Roll

Zimbabwean opposition political parties and some pro-democracy campaigners have teamed up to challenge a petition filed by a registered voter who is seeking to bar the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) from releasing a voters’ roll bearing prospective voters’ photographs as stipulated by the law.

In an urgent chamber application for joinder to an urgent chamber application filed by Ethel Mpezeni, a registered voter, the opposition political parties and the pro-democracy campaigners protested that they will be seriously prejudiced by the order sought by Mpezeni, who wants to bar ZEC from releasing a voters’ roll bearing voters’ photographs.

The opposition political parties and the pro-democracy campaigners, who include MDC Alliance, Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe, People’s Democratic Party, Coalition for Democrats, National Constitutional Assembly, Theresa Manase, Evan Mawarire, Harrison Nkomo, Jeremiah Bamu, Douglas Coltart and Warship Dumba, argued that the order sought by Mpezeni will have a negative implication on the credibility of the 30 July 2018 general elections, which in turn will adversely jeopardise the prospects of economic recovery in Zimbabwe, which is dependent on the outcome of the polls.

Mpezeni recently filed an urgent chamber application in the High Court seeking to stop ZEC from acceding to demands by various political parties for the electoral management body to provide them with a voters’ roll including her photograph or anyone else’s.

In her application, Mpezeni argued that the demands by the opposition political parties violated her constitutional right to privacy.

Several political parties have asked ZEC to furnish them with a voters’ roll with photographs in line with the provision of section 9(c) of the Electoral (Voter Registration) Regulations of 2017. The political parties argue that provision of the voters’ roll in this format would enhance the transparency of the voters’ roll, which has been a hotly contested issue in previous elections thereby undermining the credibility of the outcome of past elections.

In the urgent chamber application filed by Denford Halimani of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who cited Mpezeni, ZEC and Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi as respondents, the opposition political parties and some pro-democracy campaigners argued that it is in the public interest for ZEC to issue a voters’ roll with photographs to minimise areas of contestation after elections.

The applicants reasoned that the relief sought by Mpezeni is not in the public interest as it has the effect of undermining widespread calls for transparency and integrity of the electoral process.

The pro-democracy campaigners and the opposition political parties argued that every election process must be structured to ensure that only legitimately registered individuals who appear at the polls to vote are in fact who they claim to be.

This process, the applicants argued, helps to prevent electoral fraud because a photograph is a very useful tool to verify the accuracy of the voters list, to check impersonation and to detect and prevent multiple registration and curb presence of ghost voters.

Source: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

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“There Is No Vote Rigging, Only 4 000 Applied For Postal Voting”: ZRP

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a statement alleging fears of vote rigging through postal ballot by members of the force.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Commander ZRP 2018 Harmonised Elections Committee, Erasmus Makodza revealed that only 4 000 members of the force had applied for postal voting.

Below is the full text of the statement issued by the ZRP:

ZRP PRESS STATEMENT 12 JULY 2018
POSTAL VOTING BY POLICE OFFICERS

The Zimbabwe Republic Police wishes to set the record straight and allay fears of vote rigging by police officers as claimed in some social media messages which are circulating.

The correct position is that some police officers will be performing security duties in other provinces which are not their normal work stations. Thus in terms of Section 72 of the Electoral Act, the concerned police officers will exercise their right to vote through the postal ballot system which is being administered by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

Some provinces like Bulawayo have excess manpower which is due for deployment in Matabeleland North province thus necessitating the postal vote for the affected members.

Infact the total number of police officers who applied for the postal ballot does not go beyond 4000. The rest of police officers will actually cast their ballots on 30th July 2018 as earlier revealed by the ZRP command and ZEC in numerous meetings and workshop briefings.

The whole process is conducted according to Section 75 of the Electoral Act, Chapter 2:13.

 

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ZEC Denies ZRP Postal Voting Reports

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has refuted claims that members of the uniformed forces cast their votes today adding that the elections body is still processing postal vote applications.

ZEC Acting Chief Elections Officer, Utoile Silaigwana said social media claims that members of the ZRP voted were being circulated by malcontents bent on causing alarm and despondency ahead of the July 30 harmonised elections.

“This is hogwash and very stupid propaganda because in the first place they have photos of a police officer standing near a ballot box yet with postal voting a voter doesn’t use a ballot box,” he said.

“Postal voting is for individuals who apply for it and he or she is given a ballot paper in an envelope and returns it sealed. This is cheap propaganda without substance at all. This is coming from a person who doesn’t even understand the process. The pictures they put have nothing to do with postal vote and these people just want cause despondency in the country.”

The social media was today awash with pictures of police officers casting their vote amid allegations that at Ross camp in Bulawayo, members of the force were voting in the presence of their superiors.

Read one of the messages doing the rounds:

“Vari mu ground izvozvi they’re busy voting. Please send someone kuRose Camp mapurisa are busy voting vapihwa ma ballot papers avo nema superior avo vachivhoteswa pana Garwe it’s happening now.”

Translated, the message reads:

“They are on the ground now and they are busy voting. Please send someone to Rose Camp. The police are busy voting, they have been given their ballot papers by their superiors and they are voting for President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Its happening now.”

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Police Officers Found Casting Votes Before Election Date

Utloile Silaigwana

Police officers at Ross Camp police station in Bulawayo were on Thursday found already casting their votes ahead of scheduled election time.

The police officers who brought the matter to the public domain indicated that they were told to cast their votes under the postal votes.

The officers claimed that they were casting their votes under the supervision of their bosses and were being forced to vote for the ruling ZANU PF.

In an interview ZEC Bulawayo Provincial Elections Officer Innocent Ncube denied any knowledge of the postal vote taking place in the province.

“I am not aware of any postal votes taking place in Bulawayo,” said Ncube.

“The reason I am not aware of this is because I am not directly involved with the postal votes. I only get involved after the votes have been cast and brought to the wards concerned,” said Ncube.

MDC Alliance senate candidate Dorcas Sibanda confirmed that they were notified of the hidden postal voting and rushed to the scene where they found the voting taking place.

“There were no ZEC officials or election agents of any candidates represented at the voting,” said Sibanda.

ZEC Chief Elections Officer Utloile Silaigwana however confirmed that the postal voting was formally taking place at Ross Camp police station in Bulawayo.

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Arubi Joins Supersport United

Terrence Mawawa

SuperSport United has unveiled new signing Washington Arubi.

The goalkeeper joined the Pretoria-based side on a free transfer from NFD outfit Stellenbosch FC.

He was unveiled together with other two new players, Luke Fleurs and James Keene.

Arubi will play alongside fellow Zimbabweans Evans Rusike, Onismor Bhasera and Prince Dube while Kaitano Tembo will be part of the technical team.

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ZIFA Discriminates Against Herbert Chitepo’s grandson?

Join ZimEye at the football fields in Yorkshire And Humber where allegations have enflamed that the Philip Chiyangwa led ZIFA ( Zimbabwe Football Association) has discriminated against Herbert Chitepo’s grandson. The lad was due for recruitment into the national team under-17 crew, but was apparently dropped off at the last minute. ZimEye investigates these allegations LIVE… – refresh this page to watch on ZimEye.com.

The development comes against the backdrop of hard memories of the late national hero who was the leader of the Zanla forces.

About Herbert Chitepo– Chitepo was assassinated on the 18th March 1975 during the liberation struggle while in Zambia. The incident was blamed on the Rhodesian government but fresh information has alleged that the man was assassinated by his own colleagues.

– The program begins shortly –

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Zanu PF Supporters Vandalise Property At Government School

Terrence Mawawa

Sources at Liebenberg High School in Chivhu have alleged that authorities are unhappy with the vandalism of property during a Zanu PF rally at the school.

Staff members who declined to be named claimed Zanu PF demanded to use the school premises for its rally and used property without seeking permission from the development committee.

“We are concerned about the vandalism of school property by Zanu PF supporters.We are afraid of approaching the relevant offices to express our grievances,” sources at the school said.

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Mnangagwa Lied To Us- Zanu PF Supporters

Terrence Mawawa

Scores of angry Zanu PF supporters in Chivhu have accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of being dishonest following his failure to show up at a rally in the transit town.

Mnangagwa was expected to address party supporters at Liebenberg High School last Saturday.

The disgruntled supporters blamed Mnangagwa for failing to explain why he failed to address the rally.

“We are not happy because our leaders are simply taking us for granted.The organisers of the rally lied to us,” said a Zanu PF Youth League member.

“The President owes us an apology.We used our own resources to travel to and from Chivhu,” said another Zanu PF member.

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40 000 Expected At Chamisa Star Rally

Nelson Chamisa 

Terrence Mawawa

The MDC Alliance Provincial leadership has projected that 40 000 supporters will attend the coalition’ s star rally scheduled for Sunday at Mucheke Stadium.

MDC Alliance Masvingo Provincial Chairperson James Gumbi said: “I encourage all MDC Alliance members to mobilize 40 000 people to attend this cross over rally.

Masvingo must send a clear and loud message that we support President Chamisa and the MDC Alliance.

Our massive rally will send shock waves to Emmerson Mnangagwa and his members.”

Masvingo Urban District chairman Muranganwa Chanyau also said:”We are working tirelessly to mobilise people to attend the rally.”

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Can Chamisa Diminish Masvingo Storm?

Terrence Mawawa

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa will on Sunday step into the vortex of a raging storm in Masvingo Province following the imposition of candidates for both the National Assembly and local government.

Chamisa will address a star rally at Mucheke Stadium in the wake of simmering battles within the fragmented coalition.

The MDC Provincial leadership still cringing under the weight of its controversial imposition of unpopular candidates is desperate to use Chamisa’ s rally to restore public confidence.

There are clear indications that MDC Alliance candidates have all but failed to position themselves for victory in the July 30 polls and the rally will be used to shore up the coalition’ s waning support base in the province.

Despite the empty bravado from the alliance leaders in the province, party sources have revealed the coalition’ s frontrunners are quaking in their boots.

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WATCH-LIVE. MDC ALLIANCE PRESSER

WATCH LIVE PROCEEDINGS AT THE MDC ALLIANCE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE ADDRESSED BY TENDAI BITI.

Tendai Biti 

ZimEye will be live streaming the event on our Facebook Page.

Follow and Like Us there.

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ZEC Dragged To High Court Over Voters Roll

By Talent Gondo| Zimbabwean opposition political parties and some pro-democracy
campaigners have teamed up to challenge a petition filed by a registered voter who is seeking to bar the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission (ZEC) from releasing a voters’ roll bearing prospective voters’ photographs as stipulated by the law.

In an urgent chamber application for joinder to an urgent chamber application filed by Ethel Mpezeni, a registered voter, the opposition political parties and the pro-democracy campaigners protested that they will be seriously prejudiced by the order sought by Mpezeni, who wants to bar ZEC from releasing a voters’ roll bearing voters’ photographs.

The opposition political parties and the pro-democracy campaigners, who include MDC Alliance, Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe, People’s Democratic Party, Coalition for Democrats, National Constitutional Assembly, Theresa Manase, Evan Mawarire, Harrison Nkomo, Jeremiah Bamu, Douglas Coltart and Warship Dumba, argued that the order sought by Mpezeni will have a negative implication on the credibility of the 30 July 2018 general elections.

“Failure by ZEC to avail a voters roll with photographs will adversely jeopardise  the prospects of economic recovery in Zimbabwe, which is dependent on the outcome of the polls,” said the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) in a statement.

Mpezeni recently filed an urgent chamber application in the High Court seeking to stop ZEC from acceding to demands by various political parties for the electoral management body to provide them with a voters’ roll including her photograph or anyone else’s.

In her application, Mpezeni argued that the demands by the opposition political parties violated her constitutional right to privacy.

“Several political parties have asked ZEC to furnish them with a voters’ roll with photographs in line with the provision of section 9(c) of the Electoral (Voter Registration) Regulations of 2017.

The political parties argue that the provision of the voters’ roll in this format would enhance the transparency of the voters’ roll, which has been a hotly contested issue in previous elections thereby undermining the credibility of the outcome of past elections.”

In the urgent chamber application filed by Denford Halimani from the ZLHR, who cited Mpezeni, ZEC and Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi as respondents, the opposition political parties and some pro-democracy campaigners argued that it is in the public interest for ZEC to issue a voters’ roll with photographs to minimise areas of contestation after elections.

“The applicants reasoned that the relief sought by Mpezeni is not in the public interest as it has the effect of undermining widespread calls for transparency and integrity of the electoral process.

The pro-democracy campaigners and the opposition political parties argued that every election process must be structured to ensure that only legitimately registered individuals who appear at the polls to vote are in fact who they claim to be,” said the ZLHR.

This process, the applicants argued, helps to prevent electoral fraud because a photograph is a very useful tool to verify the accuracy of the voters list, to check impersonation and to detect and prevent multiple registration and curb presence of ghost voters.

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MDC ‘Hooligans’ Jailed For Assaulting Zanu PF Activist

 

In a ruling that is set to purge politically- motivated violence and intimidation, two MDC supporters have been slapped with a combined 24-month jail term for assaulting a Zanu PF sympathiser for wearing ruling party regalia.

The two brothers — Robert and Itai Kabvunza who reside in Mutasa Central — an opposition stronghold, were convicted after a full trial by
magistrate Tendai Mahwe who, however, set aside four months on condition of good behaviour from
each of their sentences.

They will serve an effective eight months each.Although no medical report was tendered in court, the two were handed the penalty as a deterrent to would-be-offenders as the country pushes to deliver free, fair and credible elections on July 30.

It was the State’s case that the duo approached Jairos Nyamururu who was wearing a Zanu PF T-shirt on July 4 and began quizzing him over why he was wearing it.

They were allegedly bitter over his decision to support the ruling party.
Robert then grabbed Nyamururu by the collar and Itai immediately started assaulting him with clenched fists.

Nyamururu managed to escape and he then filed an assault report at Mutasa Central Police Station, leading to the arrest of the brothers.
Fletcher Karombe was prosecuting- DailyNews