PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES from Nelson Chamisa’s party previously deleted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission have been restored. Below is the ZEC statement

By Paul Nyathi|Thousands of Zimbabweans are going hungry after failing to pay for their groceries due to a technical problem with the country’s major mobile money service provider Ecocash.

ZimEye.com random checks around the country’s major supermarkets saw hips of groceries left behind in shops after buyers failed to execute their transactions.

Econet Wireless the company running Ecocash has assured their clients that the matter is being attended to.

PROPERTY worth thousands of dollars went up in flames on Monday after a fire razed down a NetOne shop in Marondera.

Residents watched helplessly as the fire engulfed the building, with the police blocking bystanders from looting mobile phones and recharge cards.

Mashonaland East acting police provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Tendai Mwanza said he was waiting for a report from police officers investigating the incident.

Efforts to get a comment from NetOne officials were fruitless, with a junior employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, saying the fire destroyed goods in the storeroom and kitchen.

“The destruction mainly occurred in the storeroom and kitchen. It is in the storeroom where there are machines that deal with network systems,” the employee said.

Newsday

ABOUT 7 200 people have applied for postal voting ahead of the July 30 elections, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has said.

Applications for postal voting for security officials and others that will be away on national duty on the day of voting closed last Thursday.

In a statement on Tuesday, Zec chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said applications for postal voting were being processed.

“The Commission has received about 7 200 postal vote applications and they are being processed. However, this does not mean that all applications will be considered as some of them may not be on the voters’ roll,” said Justice Chigumba.

In an interview, Zec acting Chief Elections Officer, Mr Utoile Silaigwana, said the majority of the applicants are diplomats who are deployed outside the country.

“We have received 7 200 people who applied, most of them diplomats as well as Zec officials but we are yet to verify some of those who applied,” said Mr Silaigwana.

The country will be holding a ward-based election on July 30.

According to the law, postal voting is only available to individuals who will be outside Zimbabwe on Government business on the polling day and their spouses.

Postal voting is also only open to such people who apply to do so within 14 days after the sitting of the Nomination Court.

The successful applicants will be furnished with the voting material in advance and will be required to send their votes in sealed packets to the Chief Elections Officer at Zec at least 14 days before the actual date of the poll.

The Chief Elections Officer will then distribute the postal votes to their respective constituencies in their sealed envelopes within seven days of the date of the actual poll.

The postal votes are further dispatched to their respective ward centres before the actual poll. They are only opened for counting at the ward centre at the time of counting the votes for the ordinary poll.

A Gweru man has been fined $200 after being convicted of pulling down MDC Alliance campaign posters.

Emmanuel Mangena (31) of Ridgemont suburb in Gweru appeared before Gweru provincial magistrate Mrs Phathekhile Msipa for contravening the Electoral Act by defacing or destroying campaign posters.

Mangena pleaded guilty and was fined $200 or two months in prison if he fails to pay the fine.

For the State, Ms Memory Chitsunge told the court that on July 1, Mangena removed and destroyed posters of MDC Alliance presidential and parliamentary candidates, which was in violation of the Electoral Act.

Ms Chitsunge said on the said date at around 1800hrs, Mangena was drinking beer at Northlea Shopping Centre in Gweru when he started defacing and destroying MDC Alliance campaign posters.

She said Mangena went around the shopping centre destroying the posters and pulling down some of them from street light poles.

The court heard that fellow patrons tried to stop him, but he threatened them with unspecified action.

Ms Chitsunge said the matter was reported to the police ,leading to his arrest. In mitigation, Mangena said he was drunk and was not in total control of his actions and pleaded with the court to be lenient.

An aspiring MDC Alliance Member of Parliament for Bulawayo South Mr Muvirimi Francis Mangwendeza is in limbo after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission yesterday published his name among a list of candidates who have withdrawn from the harmonised elections slated for July 30.

In a notice, Zec published a list of 48 candidates from both the National Assembly and the Local Authority who withdrew from contesting in the July 30 polls. Addressing a press conference in Bulawayo yesterday, Mr Mangwendeza said he had not withdrawn from the race.
“I note with concern that my name has been listed as a having withdrawn my candidature for the National Assembly seat in the Bulawayo South Constituency. Let me categorically state that I did not withdraw my candidature,” he said.

Mr Mangwendeza said the notice was likely to cause confusion among his supporters and derail his campaign programme.

“The Zec advertisement has the effect of causing consternation and confusion among the electorate and I have been inundated with calls seeking clarification. It is evident that this is the work of people who are trying to derail my campaign and cause confusion within the voting public,” he said.
Mr Mangwendeza said when he contacted Zec provincial offices in Bulawayo, there was no record of his withdrawal.

“I therefore request the immediate withdrawal of the Zec notice and its replacement with a notice clarifying my candidature in all media that carried the advert,” he said.

Zec acting chief elections officer Mr Utoile Silaigwana said the notice could be an error, adding that his organisation would look into the issue.

He however, said no political party has power to withdraw the candidature of an individual.

“It is only an individual who can withdraw his or her candidature not the party,” said Mr Silaigwana.

Zimbabwe is heading towards a July 30 plebiscite and President Mnangagwa has appealed to contesting candidates to ensure that the polls will be violence-free.

According to the list of names, one of the National Assembly candidates who withdrew their candidature was Zanu-PF’s Martin Dinha who had filed his nomination papers to contest in Mazowe North constituency, while eight candidates were from the MDC Alliance including Mr Mangwendeza.

Dinha withdrew his candidature from the Mazowe North National Assembly race, leaving Zanu-PF with Campion Mugweni.

A total of seven independent candidates and two MDC-T members also withdrew as well as two National Patriotic Front (NPF) members.

The People’s Progressive Party of Zimbabwe (PPPZ), the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) and Zapu had one member each withdrawing from contesting in the elections.
For the Local Authority candidates, 12 independent candidates withdrew, while three MDC-T members and two members of the MDC Alliance also withdrew.

Two NPF and two NCA candidates also withdrew their candidatures while United Republic Party (URP), People’s Rainbow Coalition of Opposition Political Parties (PRCOPP) and Build Zimbabwe Alliance (BZA) had one member each withdrawing.-state media

On June 23, a grenade that was targeted at President Mnangagwa went off at the stadium, causing pandemonium.
The President escaped unhurt but two aides to Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi sustained serious injuries and later died in hospital.

Addressing senior police officers during his first tour of Bulawayo province since his appointment as the police boss, Comm Gen Matanga said a joint investigative team would continue updating the nation on progress made in the bombing investigations.

He described the attempt on the President’s life as a “nefarious” and “horrendous” act but assured the nation that the perpetrators would be brought to book as police would leave no stone unturned.

“As the Zimbabwe Republic Police, we will never rest until all those behind this heinous act have been accounted for and have had their day in court. We will do whatever it takes within the precincts of the law to ensure that this objective is met. At the risk of over emphasising, I wish to reiterate that no stone will be left unturned,” Comm Gen Matanga said.

“To this end, I would like to applaud the level of co-operation and support that the joint investigation team has so far received culminating in two suspects being accounted for. We really appreciate this collaborative effort and continue to appeal for more information which may enable us to bring to book whoever had a hand in this nefarious act beyond the two suspects we have nabbed.”
He said they were closing in on those behind the assassination attempt.
“To the perpetrators of this callous act I say, be warned that we will certainly sniff you out from wherever you are hiding and you shall face the full wrath of the law,” said Comm Gen Matanga.
The Officer Commanding Bulawayo Province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Learn Ncube, vowed that his team would work tirelessly until the would-be-assassins were arrested.

“As a province we would like to assure you that we will leave no stone unturned to account for the assassins,” said Snr Asst Comm Ncube.

He said the province was fully behind the new dispensation and through police services, they will create an environment attractive for investors.

Among those injured in the attempt to assassinate President Mnangagwa were Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Zanu-PF national chairperson, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and national commissar, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Engelbert Rugeje.

President Mnangagwa described the bomb blast as an act of cowardice and it has been condemned globally.

Zanu-PF has said the terror attack was satanic.
Meanwhile, Comm Gen Matanga has said law enforcement agents are receiving training on Electoral laws so that they employ high levels of professionalism on Election Day.
He lauded various arms of Government for preaching peace ahead of the July 30 elections.

“As the ZRP, we heartily applaud the Government stance on zero tolerance to political violence and tirelessly preaching the need for the country to hold free, fair, credible and transparent elections,” he said.

“By equal measure, we also express our profound gratitude to the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) for their apparent effort towards promoting national peace by facilitating the presidential candidates to commit themselves and their respective political parties to a peaceful campaign ahead of the plebiscite through the signing of a high level peace pledge.”-state media

The plaintiff, Berry Mutimbe of Unit O Seke, Chitungwiza, wants Freddy to foot defamation damages of $100 000 because his community now sees him as an adulterer following the prophecy.
Mutimbe’s lawyers Bothwell Ndlovu Attorneys at Law filed the summons at the High Court yesterday leaving Freddy with 10 days to respond to the summons.

According to the summons, sometime last year Freddy, who is famed for introducing “spiritual spectacles” — uttered defamatory words and caused their publication through a local radio station and Internet via the YouTube platform.

Freddy allegedly said: “Ndirikuoneswa uine boyfriend inoshanda kuFire Brigade zita rake rinonzi Barry Mutimbe (I have been shown that you have a boyfriend who works at Fire Brigade called Barry Mutimbe) and as I am looking in the realm of the spirit ndirikuona akakutengera stand kuHopley, wakasvika ipapo ukaratidzwa stand pauri kutaura nyaya yako arikuti enda unogara ikoko (he bought you a residential stand and wants you to go and stay there).”

According to the summons, “the words were understood by the audience to mean Mutimbe had an extra marital affair with the person who was being given the prophecy.”

“It was further claimed that Mutimbe had a reckless character of being irresponsible and extravagant by buying Whisper Dzumbunu a residential stand at the expense of his economically suffering family.
“By so uttering and publishing such words Freddy demeaned Mutimbe as an adulterer who would break his good faith to his wife.

“He portrayed him as a ‘resource waster’ who could be so irresponsible to spoil a girlfriend with immovable property at the expense of his family.

“The defendant has despite being notified to stop uttering and publishing such demeaning statements continued to do so as he uses the clips to market his church on radio and the internet…further trampling plaintiff’s reputation by making him appear as an extortionist as appeared in the press.

“The plaintiff’s person has been demeaned as workmates, relatives, church mates and society at large now sees him as an irresponsible adulterer.”

It was also claimed that Freddy’s statements had torn apart Mutimbe’s family causing “the departure of his regard by others as a man devoid of real fatherhood principles in the eyes of society”. – Daily News

A delegation of Mthwakazi Republic Party, led by party President Mqondisi Moyo on Tuesday handed over a petition to the management of Pick n Pay in Johannesburg.

The delegation included, the national spokesperson Mbonisi Gumbo, national chairperson Mqondisi Ndebele, national organiser Malwande Nyathi, Foreign Affairs Secretary Njabulo Ngwenya and some S.A. executive members.

The Pick n Pay management has officially acknowledged receipt of the petition.

The petition reads as follows:

MTHWAKAZI REPUBLIC PARTY
National Executive Committee

Njabulo Ngwenya( MRP Foreign Affairs Secretary) for NEC

https://wwww.facebook.com/ZimEye/videos/1907755212619001

Rugby Africa and the Tunisia Rugby Union have apologised to the Zimbabwean national team after they were forced to sleep on the streets of the north African country.

Images have surfaced on social media of the Zimbabwe national team lying and sleeping on the streets in Tunisia, allegedly as a result of appalling accommodation and a lack of funds.

They are due to play Tunisia in a Rugby World Cup qualifier there this weekend.

In a statement released by Rugby Africa on Tuesday, the governing body apologised and said alternative accommodation had been arranged for Zimbabwe.

“We would like to reassure the Zimbabwean Ministry of Sports, Zimbabwe Rugby Union, and all partners and fans that the situation was addressed immediately, and an acceptable solution has been found this morning. Tunisia Rugby Union took the Sables management to visit another hotel which was accepted,” the statement read.

“Rugby Africa and Tunisia Rugby Union would like to express their sincere apologies to the Sables team and management for this unfortunate situation. This does not reflect the standards of the Rugby Africa Gold Cup competition and we sincerely regret any prejudice caused.”

Khaled Babbou, executive member of Rugby Africa, is currently on his way to Beja to inspect the facilities and meet with the Sables team.

He commented: “I apologise on behalf of Tunisia Rugby Union, we pride ourselves in hosting Rugby Africa tournaments every year and make every effort to meet the best international standards in terms of accommodation and other infrastructure.

“Something went wrong for which I am sorry, but this was corrected this morning in consultation with the Sables management team. I can assure you that there was absolutely no intention to destabilise our opponents and we will make every possible effort to ensure they have a good preparation ahead of Saturday’s match.”

The president of Rugby Africa, Abdelaziz Bougja, added: “Our hosting agreements are signed by the six participating unions in the Rugby Africa Gold Cup and are very clear and strict in terms of accommodation standards.

“We rely on our unions to make sure the requirements are met and it is unfortunate that it seemed not to be the case with this hotel in Tunisia. However, Tunisia Rugby Union has our trust, they are long term partners to Rugby Africa, hosting several matches and tournaments on our behalf every year.

“I know for a fact that hospitality matters to them and they have taken this issue very seriously and are rectifying it. Player welfare is at the heart of our preoccupations, so we are not taking this lightly. We wish both teams the best for Saturday’s game.”

Earlier, one of the Zimbabwe players, flank Takudzwa Mandiwanza, told Zimbabwean radio station Capitalk FM that the tour has been a “shambles”.

“We have not been paid our daily allowances for our duration in Kenya, including our match fees that we did not receive. Now we’re in Tunisia, we were detained at the airport for close to six hours, with no allowances given to us.”

He added that coach Peter de Villiers had bought the players sandwiches and drinks out of his own pocket.

“We’d be hungry right now. The situation is very frustrating and disheartening.”

Sport24

By Paul Chiwenga|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has disptached his two Vice Presidents to campaign for him in Matabeleland North region.

Leading the Vice Presidents delegation will be First Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who is not a favourable in the people of Matabeleland region because of his links to the Gukurahundi which killed thousands of people in the province in the mid eighties.

Chiwenga was at the time the commander of the army at One Commandor where the Gukurahundi soldiers did their training.

Second Vice President Kembo Mohadi is set to address two rallies while Chiwenga will address three rallies.

Chiwenga is expected to address a rally at Tsholotsho Centre on Wednesday morning before moving to Hwange to address another at the Colliery Stadium.

On Thursday morning VP Chiwenga is scheduled to address another rally at Binga Centre before addressing another in Nkayi in the afternoon.

VP Mohadi on the other hand will address a rally at St Paul’s in Lupane on Wednesday morning and another one at the Tatazela grounds in Bubi in the afternoon.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Richard Moyo yesterday confirmed the rallies saying the province was making final preparations to host the VPs.

“Everything is in place and we are happy to be receiving the VPs and the people eagerly wait for the messages,” he said.

Moyo said the province was confident of a Zanu-PF victory.

Statement by Jameson Timba MDC Alliance Presidential candidate Chief Election Agent:

We are disgusted and utterly dismayed by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s continued manipulation of the election in clear violation of the law, the constitution and complete disregard for transparency and fair play.

This morning, I met with the ZEC chairperson to raise import issues pertaining to the management of the election. She has failed to provide answers on the critical issues.
ZEC has in a space of a few days committed or omitted the following acts that go to the heart of transparency and ultimately the credibility of the election.

1.Despite assurances and announcing that ZEC was going to provide the true and accurate BVR Voters’ Roll as a pdf file, no such Roll is being provided. The real question is why is ZEC deliberately lying to the world or is ZEC actually lying or perhaps just handicapped to implement its own decision?

a. ZEC has refused to avail the Voter’s Roll as required by Law

b. ZEC has refused an independent audit of the Voter’s Roll because they know it is illegitimate

c. Our own random audit has unearthed scandalous and embarrassing details on the Voter’s Roll.

d. We have discovered some of the oldest people on our Voters’ Roll aged around 150 years old who don’t exist

e. We have discovered many houses that have tens of people registered but the houses do not exist

f. We have discovered many people with the same IDs

g. We have discovered many people with same IDs for different faces of people

2. Despite assurances that political parties were going to be allowed to observe the printing of ballot papers; ZEC invited parties to the printers three days after the printing had already commenced. Further no observation was allowed but instead parties were just pointed, at a distance, through glasses of the purported printing process i.e.

a. no printed ballot paper was inspected

b. the actual quality and features of the ballot paper are not known other than a blank sample.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa says a total of $850 million has been repatriated back in Zimbabwe through the measures put in place by the new political dispensation to fight corruption.

With only seven months since the advent of the new political dispensation in Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa has already demonstrated his commitment in fighting corruption through various strategies which began when he declared a three month moratorium to those involved in illicit financial transfers that have prejudiced the country of billions of United States dollars.

After the moratorium deadline expired another month was given to allow those who had faced challenges to comply, after which a name and shame list of companies and individuals who had not complied was published in the media.

Steps are now being taken to bring to book through the courts those who have failed to account for their illicit external financial transfers.

In his contribution to the 31st African Union (AU) Summit theme entitled, “Winning the Fight against Corruption-A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation” in Mauritania, President Mnangagwa said from Day 1 of the new dispensation in Zimbabwe, government prioritised the fight against corruption and established special anti-corruption courts and made it mandatory for ministers to declare their assets as well as establishing a new Anticorruption Prosecution Unit within his office and the enactment of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act.

Besides the new initiatives by the new dispensation, Zimbabwe adopted the convention on preventing and combating corruption which has been ratified by 40 countries.

Zimbabwe has also signed and domesticated SADC, AU and UN legal instruments meant to fight the scourge of corruption and it honours the reporting obligations including to the AU board on corruption.

President Mnangagwa said the country also has an anti-corruption commission which serves as a whistle blower highlighting and exposing cases of corruption, adding that corruption networks are becoming more and more complicated, hence the need to enhance information sharing amongst member states and their law enforcement agencies and related institutions on the continent and beyond.

He called on governments, the private sector and civil society to play their part in the fight against corruption saying that is a battle that African governments must win.

He paid tribute to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari for championing the AU theme – “Winning the Fight against Corruption-A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation”.

While most of the African countries spoke of the various constitutional bodies that they have put in place to fight corruption, it appears the cancer is on the increase with the illicit flows amounting to US$50 billion annually.

The speakers were the Presidents of Algeria, Mozambique, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Egypt, and Botswana among others.- state media

The driver of the other vehicle, a South African registered Toyota Hilux, identified as Collen Gift Nyathi (37) died on the spot following the horrific crash on Saturday just after midnight.

As traffic police officers attended the scene another vehicle rammed into Sikhosana’s Nissan NP300 vehicle and its driver, Mr Gerald Moyo (28) sustained serious injuries. Mr Moyo was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) where he is under intensive care.

Around 10pm and before the two incidents, Sikhosana had hit a push cart vendor with his vehicle before rushing him to Mpilo Central Hospital. Sikhosana was later rushed to the same hospital where he is still admitted.

The Chronicle yesterday caught up with the former Youth League boss who narrated how “an exciting day” turned out to be “near fatal” for him.

He said the day began well as he attended the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission meeting where July 30 elections’ candidates were urged to conduct themselves in a manner that promotes free and fair elections.

Sikhosana said he later attended Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube’s campaign launch in Makokoba before visiting victims of the recent White City Stadium bombing who are still admitted at Mpilo Central Hospital.

He said as he left the hospital a series of unfortunate incidents befell him, resulting in him returning to the same facility as a patient.

“When I left the hospital, I tried to evade traffic congestion by driving along Basch Street to connect to the city centre by driving past Manor Hotel.

However, near Manor Hotel a man pushing a push-cart swerved towards my car. I tried to avoid him but unfortunately I hit the push cart and it hit him and injured him in the process,” he said.

Sikhosana said he took the injured man to Mpilo Central Hospital where he left him being attended.

He said he took away his push cart so that he could leave it at the injured man’s home.

Sikhosana said while he was driving to the western suburbs along Old Khami Road, near Khami Cafe he was involved in the head-on collision that left the other driver dead.

“While driving along the dual carriage way on my side of the road, a car from the opposite direction suddenly jumped the road division and flew towards my car. I could not do anything to avoid a collision,” said Sikhosana.

He said he is not sure of what happened next, as he only remembered being assisted into an ambulance while some women were being pulled out of the other car.

Sikhosana said he later learnt that the driver of the other vehicle had died on the spot.

He said while at Mpilo Central Hospital where he had just got an X-ray examination, he was informed that another vehicle had rammed into his car as it was being towed away.

Prior to the accidents, ClSikhosana survived a bomb blast at White City Stadium on June 23 that was targeted at President Mnangangwa.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the accidents.

She urged motorists and the public to exercise caution on the roads. Meanwhile, police in the city are investigating two fatal hit-and-run accidents.

Insp Simango said the bodies are still unclaimed at UBH mortuary.

“The first accident occurred on June 22, at about 8PM along Khami Road opposite the Ministry of Transport Stores, Bulawayo.

“The now deceased is a male adult, light in complexion, approximately 25-years-old, 1,6 metres in height. He was wearing a black jacket written Creamy Inn on the front right breast, brown long sleeved shirt, navy blue trousers, black shoes and white socks, and a red hat written Telecel. He was carrying a black satchel containing a blue church crown with white belts,” she said.

The second accident happened along Intemba Road near Inzwananzi Primary School on June 25 at around 12AM.

“The now deceased is a male adult who could be between 26 and 35-years-old and 1,7 metres in height. He was wearing green trousers, grey jacket with green stripes, black T-shirt, brown shoes and grey jersey.

“He was carrying a white sack containing blue jeans, black cap, orange sun hat, black jacket written rugby on the left breast, black jacket written Nautica Competition and black plain jacket,” said Insp Simango.

“Anyone with information or missing relative with the above description should contact Bulawayo traffic west Inspector Mubwere on (09) 412953 or (09) 402551 or any nearest police station,” she said.- state media

Dr Chihuri consumed water at his Inyika Farm in Shamva, but failed to pay for it.

That prompted the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) to sue him at the High Court.

Zinwa is also claiming interest plus costs of the suit.

Chirenje Legal Practitioners are acting for Zinwa in the matter. Zinwa, a body empowered to administer all water in Zimbabwe, entered into an agreement with the ex-police boss to supply raw water at his farm for a fee.

Water was sold and delivered to Inyika Farm on the agreement that Dr Chihuri would pay for it monthly. “In breach of the agreement, the defendant failed and or neglected to make due and punctual payment for all monthly charges.

“The cumulative amount due to the plaintiff by the defendant for the water charges is the sum of $44 894,24, which amount is due and payable,” reads the plaintiff’s declaration.
The breach of agreement, according to the water authority, attracts an order for costs at a punitive scale.

“The defendant’s breach had unnecessarily caused the plaintiff to incur legal costs to recover the amount owing. The defendant must, therefore, pay the plaintiff’s costs of suit on an attorney-and-client scale,” reads the declaration.

Dr Chihuri is yet to respond to the civil claim at the High Court.- state media

By Paul Nyathi|Trust Bank a registered financial institution has applied for the High Court to inflict civil imprisonment on Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development Terrence Mukupe.

According to a court roll, Mukupe is set to appear in the court soon over an undisclosed outstanding amount.

Civil imprisonment is when a person fails to pay their debts and have nothing of value that can be recovered to offset the debt, either because they have hidden their assets or they have nothing to attach.

Trust Bank joins a host of other institutions that have gone to the courts to recover their debts from the deputy minister. Steward Bank recently applied for a similar civil imprisonment claim against Mukupe over a debt of $100 000.

Opposition parties have continuously questioned how Mukupe has managed to remain in the Ministry of Finance when he is failing to manage his personal finances.

The two men accused of bombing ZANU PF leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa two weeks ago, have been released.

The two, John Zulu and Douglas Musekiwa, were held on terrorism charges over the June 23 bomb blast at White City stadium in Bulawayo.

They were on Monday afternoon released without charge.

Police had since Saturday fought to keep the two in detention. But since no charges were laid, the two had to be released. – MORE TO FOLLOW…

Splinter Dr Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T Deputy President Obert Gutu reports that the mainstream MDC-T led by advocate Nelson Chamisa has withdrawn from the High Court roll the matter against leaders of the splinter group on the use of the MDC-T name.

According to Gutu, the withdrawal makes the Khupe led splinter the genuine MDC-T which Chamisa was contesting.

Gutu wrote on his Facebook page on Monday shortly after the court sitting.

Our erstwhile comrades,h ave this morning i.e.Monday.July 02,2018, applied to have their matter against Thokozani Khupe, Obert Gutu and Abednico Bhebhe removed from the High Court roll. The matter was heard before Honourable Justice Dube in chambers.

What this essentially means is that the MDC-T led by Hon.Dr.Thokozani Khupe continues as the legitimate and lawful MDC-T.

Three chiefs here have been granted a peace order against Home Affairs minister Obert Mpofu and nine others they accuse of unleashing a reign of terror against them.

The trio — Felix Nhlanhla Ndiweni, Neville Ndondo and Deli Asher Mabhena — allege the minister was throwing spanners into their work and social life.

Some of the respondents cited as respondents by the traditional leaders include Zanu PF provincial chair who is also the Umguza aspiring MP Richard Moyo, David Moyo, Moses Siphuma, Jonathan Sibanda, Remigious Kombani, and Beverly Sibanda, among others.

Yesterday, magistrate Adelaide Mbeure ruled in favour of the chiefs, immediately stopping Mpofu from interfering with their works.

“I hereby order that the respondents should cease to threaten the applicants in any way and not communicate in any way that is threatening abusive and vulgar. Respondents should hold their peace towards the applicants,” Mbeure ruled.

In their court application, the chiefs — represented by lawyer Dumisani Dube of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers — accused Mpofu of targeting them.

“The first respondent ‘Mpofu’ who is local member of Parliament and minister of Home affairs has abused his office and authority by constantly throwing spanners into the chiefs’ work using his agents and thugs who include the second to the tenth respondents,” Ndiweni said.

“He has verbally attacked the applicants in various political and social fora at York House in Bulawayo and in Umguza District. Sometime back he sent bandits of thugs and hoodlums to harass and torment the applicants and villagers who refuse to dabble in his succession politics,” he said.

Ndiweni further noted that through his direct control of 17 out of the 19 wards in Umguza District, Mpofu intimidated and harassed the applicants through “derogatory insults, threat of violence, abduction and extermination as he is a feared and very powerful politician”.

He also indicated that attempts to report the minister to police had yielded nothing “as police officers are afraid of the politics”.

Ndiweni concluded: “I accordingly, implore this court to order the respondents to stop threats against our lives or being abusive to us. Respondents must also stop using vulgar language towards us or inciting threats death or harm to us.”

Daily News

By Paul Nyathi|President Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu-PF have told the High Court that the Nelson Chamisa led MDC-T has no legal right to challenge the electoral processes as the party is not taking part in the elections.

The party said this responding to an MDC court application seeking to compel the ruling party from alleged interferrence with the independence of traditional leaders ahead of the harmonised election.

Advocate Lewis Uriri of the Temple Bar (Inns of court) instructed by Mr Aston Musunga are representing the President and the ruling party in the matter.

The lawyers argued that the Chamisa-led MDC party had no locus standi to file the election-related challenge because it did not register to participate in the forthcoming election. Only the MDC-T led by Dr Thokozani Khupe and the MDC Alliance led by Chamisa are participants in the elections.

“The fact is that, for purposes of the election in issue, it (MDC) has not registered its intention to participate,” the lawyers said.

“Only two parties with the prefix “MDC” have indicated their participation. These are the MDC-T led by Dr Khupe and MDC Alliance led by Mr Chamisa.

“The applicant (MDC) is neither of these. It clearly has no interest in the election in its capacity as a participant.”

The respondents further argued that the MDC just filed a frivolous application to lay the basis for filing of petitions after the elections.

“The second object is to create one of several intended bases for election petitions after the applicant’s demise at the forthcoming polls,” reads the response.

An order has since been issued against Chief Fortune Charumbira and the Chief’s Council in another High Court matter, to stop meddling in politics, but the MDC last week filed a fresh application seeking almost the same order.

The Chamisa-led MDC party argued that President Mnangagwa had early last month urged his party’s candidates in the harmonised elections scheduled for July 30, to offer trinkets to chiefs and traditional leaders to procure their support in the elections.

The opposition party argued that President Mnangagwa’s utterances, which were made on June 9, 2018 to Zanu-PF party supporters in Mutoko in Mashonaland East province, motivated some ruling party members to engage in corrupt practices for the purposes of vote buying ahead of the elections.

TWO pupils from Inyanda Secondary School in Bulawayo’s Gwabalanda suburb are in trouble after a steamy video with sexual acts that was seemingly recorded behind classroom blocks at the school leaked and has gone viral.

Bulawayo Provincial Education Director Mrs Olicah Kaira said she saw the video and they were investigating the matter.

“I can confirm that there is video of two pupils suspected to be from one of our schools. We are investigating the matter and will be able to give more details once we conclude the investigations,” she said.

Mrs Kaira decried moral decadence among young people as pupils across the country have recently made news for immoral behaviour.

“I don’t know what is wrong with our children nowadays. We are having a serious case of some pupils showcasing behaviours that are not synonymous with childhood and it becomes a challenge when we think of what kind of disciplinary measures we need to take on the pupils as we need to address the root cause. Some of these children may be in need of counselling,” said Mrs Kaira.

She described the video as gross, highly immoral and appalling.

“I saw the video myself. The acts of the pupils are highly immoral, despicable and cannot be associated with Ordinary Level pupils. They are very embarrassing and such public indecency is just unacceptable, especially in our schools. We just cannot have such happening,” said Mrs Kaira.

Media is in possession of the video in which two pupils, a boy and girl, whose names have been withheld as they are both minors, are seen touching each other’s genitals in a sexually explicit manner. The boy is fondling the girl’s breasts and buttocks and she is making “sexual” sounds while another pupil can be heard cheering them on in the background.

Residents who spoke to the media after seeing the video said the girl stayed with a close relative who operates a shebeen at her home near the school.

Neighbours alleged that the shebeen queen often forced the girl to engage in sex with her patrons in exchange for money, but that could not be verified immediately.

A neighbour whose name has been withheld for fear of victimisation said the shebeen queen is often raided by police but the woman is defiant as she continues to sell beer from home.

“The shebeen is just a cover up for prostitution that takes place at the residence. It is so bad because she is exposing her own child to sexual abuse as she is only interested in money,” said the neighbour.

State Media

By Paul Nyathi|Buoyant Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T Deputy President Obert Gutu says that the Nelson Chamisa led MDC-T is chickening out of the court case over the use of the name MDC-T and the party symbol.

Writing in his Facebook page over the weekend, Gutu said that the Chamisa led faction is developing cold feet on the case as they realise that they can not win the case.

Wrote Gutu:

Our erstwhile comrades,have,once again,developed cold feet.Their lawyer,Advocate Thabani Mpofu,is not at all keen to represent them in the High Court trial since he seems to appreciate that his clients have got a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the case.Accordingly,our erstwhile comrades are virtually chickening out of the High Court legal battle.

In the meantime,we are urging all the MDC-T candidates and party cadres to continue with their campaigns peacefully and without any stress.We have now entered the homestretch.

President Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu-PF have described as mere political grandstanding, an application by the MDC seeking to compel the ruling party from alleged interferrence with the independence of traditional leaders ahead of the harmonised election.

An order has since been issued against Chief Fortune Charumbira and the Chief’s Council in another High Court matter, to stop meddling in politics, but the MDC last week filed a fresh application seeking almost the same order.

The Chamisa-led MDC party argued that President Mnangagwa had early last month urged his party’s candidates in the harmonised elections scheduled for July 30, to offer trinkets to chiefs and traditional leaders to procure their support in the elections.

The opposition party argued that President Mnangagwa’s utterances, which were made on June 9, 2018 to Zanu-PF party supporters in Mutoko in Mashonaland East province, motivated some ruling party members to engage in corrupt practices for the purposes of vote buying ahead of the elections.
Responding to the urgent chamber application, President Mnangagwa, through Zanu-PF’s secretary for legal affairs Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana, urged the Electoral Court to dismiss the application.

He said it was a way of undermining the elections before they were even held.

“It is pure grandstanding,” said Mangwana. “It does not have, as its object, a judicial pronouncement in the interest of the democratic process. It is meant to make a political statement for the benefit of external forces thought to have an impact in the conduct of international relations, bearing in mind that international relations are based primarily on the principle of recognition.

“The object of this application is to find a basis for undermining the recognition of the Government of the people that will be elected on July 30.”
Advocate Lewis Uriri of the Temple Bar (Inns of court) instructed by Mr Aston Musunga are representing the President and the ruling party in the matter, while Mr Alec Muchadehama is acting for MDC.

The respondents further argued that the MDC just filed a frivolous application to lay the basis for filing of petitions after the elections.

“The second object is to create one of several intended bases for election petitions after the applicant’s demise at the forthcoming polls,” reads the response.

The lawyers also argued that the Chamisa-led MDC party had no locus standi to file the election-related challenge because it did not register to participate in the forthcoming election. Only the MDC-T led by Dr Thokozani Khupe and the MDC Alliance led by Mr Chamisa are participants in the elections.

“The fact is that, for purposes of the election in issue, it (MDC) has not registered its intention to participate,” the lawyers said.

“Only two parties with the prefix “MDC” have indicated their participation. These are the MDC-T led by Dr Khupe and MDC Alliance led by Mr Chamisa.

“The applicant (MDC) is neither of these. It clearly has no interest in the election in its capacity as a participant.”

Mangwana urged the court to dismiss the application with costs on a higher scale.

The respondents also argued that the law did not allow a sitting President to be sued in his personal capacity in matters of that nature and that the court should simply refuse to hear the matter.

They argued that the MDC-T leadership wrangle was still pending before the High Court and that Mr Chamisa and his faction cannot be allowed to hold themselves out as the legitimate MDC before determination of matter.

“The Chamisa faction cannot seek to undermine the pending litigation by holding itself out in these proceedings as the legitimate MDC,” the respondents argued.

On the merits, President Mnangagwa denied ever encouraging candidates to bribe traditional leaders.

“By the applicant’s own admission, the first respondent does not state that aspiring candidates must proceed to bribe traditional leaders,” reads the papers before the court. “He does not make that encouragement. He does not direct traditional leaders to take bribes nor does he threaten them. The words attributed to him must be understood in their everyday grammatical sense.” – state media