38 years and he never thought of rocking up to a fast food counter. The other day wife was buying tomatoes roadside with running ZBC commentary. Elections do teach humility shem

— Mduduzi Mathuthu (@Mathuthu) June 17, 2018

#AfricanLivesMatter There are many multi-millionaires who made their wealth mysteriously whilst serving in Mugabe's 38 year rule . Now they want us to believe that we share some struggles? Go to same food shops ,clinics&do same ordinary things?Please be real , you're super elite

— Brian Tamuka Kagoro (@TamukaKagoro77) June 17, 2018

Terrence Mawawa

The country’ s main opposition party, MDC has maintained Zanu PF is in the process of rigging the July 31 elections despite claims by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that the polls will be free, fair and credible.

In a message posted on the MDC Facebook Page under the name Nelson Chamisa For President, the party said:

“Exposing Zimbabwe Election Rigging 2018!

ATTENTION ZIMBABWEANS,DON’T LISTEN TO LIES
FROM CIO AGENT PRISCILLA
CHIGUMBA -THE COMPLETE AUDITED VOTERS
ROLL IS WITH ZANU PF NOW,THAT ONE IS FOR
RIGGING.

Do not listen to Chigumba’ s lies.
There is a plan to manipulate results
using the BVR server and this will be combined with inflated
figures.Let us say no to rigging!”

Terrence Mawawa

Masvingo City Council has rejected a proposal from an MDC council to name a street in Masvingo after the late iconic MDC Morgan Tsvangirai.

Council sources last week said the proposal made by ward 4 councillor Godfrey Kurauone to name one street after Tsvangirai was flatly rejected by the local authority’ s top management.

The majority of senior officials at the Civic Centre, the city council headquarters, are declared Zanu PF sympathisers.

“The council management has rejected Councillor Kurauone’ s proposal to name a street in Masvingo after Tsvangirai arguing there is no genuine need to do so,” council sources said.

The city council has further pointed out that the renaming of streets must be approved by Central Government.

Terrence Mawawa

Controversial war veterans leader Victor Mademadanda has described the country’ s main opposition party, MDC as an extension of western imperialists.

Matemadanda is the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association.

Matemadanda told a State run weekly paper on Saturday, war veterans would not work with the MDC because of the party’ s sinister political objectives.

“No war veteran in his or her right sense can go to bed with MDC because of ideological differences,” said Matemadanda.

“To be frank we will never have a political link with MDC because we cannot associate ourselves with imperialists.

By the way we are not a mercenary force, so how can we work with MDC? We are living in different hemispheres,” added Matemadanda.

Terrence Mawawa

A senior Zanu PF official has conceded that factional divisions have weakened the ruling party.

Speaking in Masvingo at the weekend Zanu PF Provincial Chairperson Ezra Chadzamira said the ruling party had lost key members due to factional battles.

Chadzamira cited veteran politician Dzikamai Mavhaire, former Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi and former Governor Kudakwashe Bhasikiti as some of the senior party members who were driven out of the party as a result of relentless factional battles.

“We have been affected by factional battles as a province.Some senior party members were driven out of the party because of infighting and bickering.

However we are rebuilding our structures in preparation for the coming elections,” said Chadzamira.

“It is not good for us to lose key members and we hope to avoid such situations before the elections,” said Chadzamira.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has released guidelines to be followed when one requires the Voters roll.

ZEC Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said the voter’s roll cannot be sold like bread in a supermarket but there are specific procedures to be followed which are stipulated within the law.

Below is the Full text of the ZEC Weekly Update issued by the elections body Chairperson Justice Chigumba today (Monday) at the organisation’s offices in Harare.

Chaos at Beitbridge border Post as truck drivers protests against being delayed. It’s taking 14hrs for a truck to move a distance of about 400 metres.

By Paul Nyathi|Two Veritas special court cases on elections are to be heard on Monday 18th June in the High Court in Harare.

On Monday, 18th June, the High Court is to hear two cases brought by Veritas to improve the conduct of the coming general election.

Both cases raise constitutional issues affecting the Electoral Act and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission [ZEC]’s functions under the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

1st Case 10 am

Restricted Voter Education vs. Freedom of Expression.

Veritas v ZEC, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Attorney-General.

As explained in Election Watch 15/2018 of 25th May, Veritas is bringing the case as a public interest case. Although the case was filed last year, Veritas had to make an urgent application to have it heard as a matter of urgency.

Time is running short before these elections. But there is still a great deal of voter education to be done now – and if the case is won it will benefit later elections too.

This application was explained in Election Watch 15/2018 of 25th May [link]. It seeks an order declaring section 40C of the Electoral Act in part unconstitutional on the ground that it is inconsistent with the freedom of expression to which all Zimbabweans are entitled under the Constitution [this includes freedom “to seek, receive and communicate ideas and other information”].

It also cites unfair discrimination and infringement of political rights.
Section 40C gives ZEC a virtual monopoly over all voter education by subjecting everyone else, except political parties, to unduly stringent conditions, including but not limited to:

• · the requirement that it must be in accordance with a course or programme approved by ZEC
• · can only be done by an organisation having voter education as its mandate in the organisations constitution.
• · the documents and other materials used to provide voter education must be given to ZEC for its scrutiny at least 28 days before they are used, together with the names, addresses and citizenship of the people who are to give it and details of the sources of funding for its provision.

Veritas contends that, bearing in mind that there are penalties written into the Electoral Act for distributing inaccurate information, that taken as a whole, the restrictions are not fair, reasonable, necessary and justifiable in an open and democratic society based on openness, justice, equality and freedom. Under section 86 of the Constitution they are, therefore, unconstitutional.

Also, on a practical level ZEC does not have the resources to educate the whole population about the election process and unless churches, businesses, colleges, other organisations and interested citizens are allowed to disseminate information on elections many people will be ill-informed.

Note: Although the results of the April/May Afrobarometer survey came after Veritas took the case, it revealed that 72% of Zimbabweans think [incorrectly] that voters must show their BVR slips in order to vote.

The order that Veritas is seeking from the court is that:

“ … it is declared that section 40C(1)(g) and (h) and section 40C(2) of the Electoral Act are inconsistent with sections 56, 61 and 67 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and are hereby struck down”.

Reminder: section 40C of the Electoral Act narrowly restricts voter education; section 56 prohibits unfair discrimination, section 61 guarantees freedom of expression and section 67 guarantees every citizen’s political rights.

Please attend this court case if you can to support every citizens right to receive voter education
– most other countries do not restrict voter education.

2nd Case 2.30 pm

To Enforce ZEC’s Duty of Transparency

Veritas v ZEC and Attorney-General
Transparency means openly and without secrets

The Constitution does not define “transparency”. It is for the courts to decide what “transparency” means in the context of ZEC’s responsibility for conducting elections. In this case Veritas invites the court to give meaning to the concept of “transparency” to ensure that ZEC’s operations in the run-up to the coming elections are “done in an open way without secrets”.

The more ZEC carries out its functions in an open way without secrets the more likely it is to be able to deliver a credible election.

The court order Veritas asks for goes into great detail as to what ZEC’s duty of transparency means in relation to specific aspects of its responsibilities.

In essence the court is asked to declare that ZEC is legally obliged to make available for public scrutiny far more information about how it conducts its operations that it has been willing to do up to now.

Relevant provisions of Constitution and Electoral Act:

The application is founded on sections 3(2)(g), 156(a), 233(d) and 239(a) of the Constitution and section 3 of the Electoral Act.

Section 3(2)(g) lists “transparency, justice, accountability and responsiveness” as one of the principles of good governance that bind the State and all institutions, including ZEC; section 156(a) obliges ZEC to ensure that the method of voting is “simple, accurate, verifiable and transparent”; section 233(d) obliges all independent Commissions including ZEC, to “promote transparency and accountability in all public institutions”; and section 239(a) states one of ZEC’s functions is to ensure that all elections are conducted “efficiently, freely, fairly, transparently and in accordance with law”.

The order sought –
Note: Veritas had to seek an urgent hearing for this case. The delay in getting a hearing for this case means some of the deadlines sought by Veritas have already passed. So now there is all the more urgency for ZEC’s full disclosure of information immediately.
Veritas seeks an order compelling ZEC to comply with its constitutional duty to administer a transparent general election and to promote transparency in all its operations.

Specifically, Veritas requests that ZEC be declared to have a legal duty to:
1. Disclose all of its standard operating procedures, processes, policies and internal manuals which relate to the conduct of elections and make them available for public scrutiny at least three months before the election;

2. Publish in advance of the election the criteria for screening and selecting persons seconded to ZEC’s during an election, and for other electoral processes such as registration of voters;

3. Publish the names of persons seconded to ZEC as well as the designations or roles in the electoral process and the government departments from which they were seconded as soon as reasonably possible after any such secondment and in all circumstances in advance of the election;

4. Ensure that no members of the Security Services are seconded to it;

5. Publish the names, designations and government departments of any persons to whom ZEC delegates, directs, or asks to assume any voter registration functions;

6. Publish the names, designations and government departments of any persons to whom voter registration functions were not delegated to for the reason that the Civil Service Commission withheld its consent;

7. Retain direction and control over any member of the Civil Service to whom it delegates its voter registration functions;

8. Produce and publish a manual, in advance of the election, for any person who is to act as an election officer during an election to ensure that the election is conducted in an efficient and transparent manner;

9. Promptly publish the names of persons who have been removed from the voters roll and the reasons for such removal as soon as they have been removed as soon as reasonably possible after their removal from the voters roll and in all circumstances at least three weeks before an election;

10. Publish, in advance of the election, the standard operating procedures relating to compilation, collation and transmission of results from polling stations.

11. Publish, in advance of the election, the standard operating procedures relating to the sealing and storage of ballot boxes, voters rolls, ballot papers, tallies of votes and any other electoral papers, which must ensure all such electoral papers are sealed in such a way that they can be made available for the purpose of any electoral petition, in terms of the electoral law;

12. Publish information relating to its intended voter education exercise including a schedule of the date, time and location of where it will conduct voter education as well as the publication online of all voter education materials that the First Respondent intends to use for its voter education programs;

13. Ensure that election agents are identifiable on Election Day by way of providing lanyard identity (ID) cards to election agents to be worn on Election Day;

14. Publish the names of any person, body, organ, agency or institution, belonging to or employed by the State, who provides assistance to the Commission in order to protect its independence, integrity and dignity in terms of section 10A(3) of the Electoral Act as well as the precise nature of the assistance;

15. Not to delegate any of its functions regarding the logistics or any other aspect of its mandate to administer elections;

16. Not to delegate any of its mandate to the National Logistics Committee (NLC) unless all members of the NLC have been seconded to ZEC in terms of section 10 and are under its direction and control;

17. Publish in advance of the election the names, roles and government departments of all personnel that make up the NLC or any other State organ that provides any assistance to the Respondent and the nature of the assistance;

18. Publish in advance of the election a clear explanation of the legal and institutional mandate of the NLC including details about its role in every aspect of the administration of the election and how the First Respondent will maintain oversight, direction and control over the NLC;

19. Publish all standard operating procedures, processes, policies and internal manuals that relate to the NLC.

20. Produce and publish the First Respondent’s criteria and methodology for monitoring media houses as well as its standard operating procedures, processes, policies and internal manuals relating to the monitoring of media houses.

If this case succeeds:
· the general election will be more likely to be judged free fair and transparent.
· citizens will have greater trust in ZEC
· a Kenya situation in which the Supreme Court annulled the election as being not transparent as provided for by the Kenyan Constitution

A Bulawayo girl (13) who averted a train disaster in which about 300 passengers could have perished has been honoured by the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).

Nozipho Sibanda, a Form One pupil at Entumbane High School saw a broken railway line in Sawmills in September last year, an hour before a Bulawayo-bound train from Victoria falls was set to pass and rushed to inform the station manager at Sawmills railway station.
Sibanda was then a 12-year-old Grade Seven pupil at Sawmills Primary School.

In appreciation of her life saving act, last Friday the NRZ went to her school and committed to pay her school fees until she completes secondary school. The NRZ also guaranteed her a place at its training school in Bulawayo should she wish to be enrolled there. NRZ Regional Marketing Manager Mr Joseph Temai commended Nozipho for her sense of responsibility.

“She saved over 300 lives in a passenger train that was coming from Victoria Falls to Bulawayo. She did something that some adults may have failed to do. As part of our whistle blowers programme, we decided to give her a small token of appreciation as a gesture to show gratitude to her family and her school for cultivating such good habits in a child,” said Mr Temai.

“It was midweek in the morning and she was on her way to school. She noticed that part of the railway line was broken and she went to notify the station manager before going to school. It shows the kind of family and home that she was brought up in.”

The station manager stopped the train that was due to pass on that track within an hour.
Mr Temai said property worth millions of dollars was saved and the lives of about 300 passengers were spared.
“She helped to save the Government’s and taxpayer’s money. Another person may not see the value of this as one may not see themselves as a beneficiary of railway services. When one considers that our food is transported via rail, our coal for electricity is transported via rail and other goods and services, it is important to note that we are all beneficiaries,” he said.

Mr Temai urged the public to have a sense of responsibility in preserving national infrastructure and resources.

Nozipho, whose mother resides in South Africa, lives with her grandmother Mrs Eveline Sibanda.
Mrs Sibanda, who was also at Entumbane High School as her granddaughter was being handed a cheque for her bursary said she was proud of her granddaughter’s actions, which had brought good name to her family.

“I am very happy and I speak blessings upon her life. She has done me proud at a time when children do things that embarrass parents,” said Mrs Sibanda.

She said the first time she heard from NRZ that her granddaughter had done something good for the community, she did not realise the gravity and impact of her actions.

“I’m very grateful for this bursary and I hope she will make good use of this opportunity and study hard and excel and keep away from bad friends,” she said.

NRZ offered her a place at its training school after high school. “If she takes up an interest in engineering and the technical side of academics, then she has a place at our college ready for her as soon as she finishes school,” said Mr Temai.

NRZ Public Relations Manager Mr Nyasha Maravanyika said what the girl did shows that there is still hope for a community spirit and a positive attitude about the country and its resources.

“She was a mere primary pupil going about her business but she had the wisdom to realise that as she had seen the problem, she felt obliged to take it upon herself to report it to responsible authorities,” he said.

Nozipho, who appeared shy and quiet, said she was happy that she saved life and property. She said she was excited that her family will no longer have to pay fees.

“I was on my way to school last year in September and I saw that the railway line was broken. I knew that if a railway was broken, the train was going to have an accident and injure or kill people. I was in Sawmills so I knew that the train was going to pass soon so I went and told the manager at the station. He stopped all trains and the rail line was fixed,” said Nozipho.

“I am happy that I saved people’s lives and that I helped the Government save a lot of money. I’m happy also that I will no longer be sent home for not paying fees until I finish school.”
Her schoolmates gave a round of applause when Mr Maravanyika handed her a cheque worth $1 300. – state media

Rumours that the vice president Constantino Chiwenga is plotting to remove president Emmerson mnangagwa within two months from now have been dispelled.

The vice-president himself has indicated that everyone should rally behind the ZANU PF leader.

Sources close to the president were the last few months alleging that there is a plot to remove him before the end of August just after the 2018 elections.

But the contrary has appeared to be the truth, if the vice president’s statement is not a cover up. He announced at the weekend saying, “today, we want to remind each other that following events that took place in November under Operation Restore Legacy which saw the coming in of the new dispensation, the other leg is still hanging in the air…

“You came out in your numbers on November 18 demonstrating in peace and today we are saying in the same spirit, let’s rally behind President Mnangagwa and all Zanu-PF candidates vying for local authorities, Upper and Lower House of Assembly seats come July 30 so that we conclude Operation Restore Legacy.”

Chiwenga also likened President Mnangagwa to the biblical Joshua who led Israelites into Canaan, saying Zanu-PF with his leadership was poised for economic prosperity.

He called for unity among all Zimbabweans, as exhibited in the November 18 solidarity march, to rebuild Zimbabwe.

Former president Robert Mugabe is ready to endorse MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa ahead of the July 30 elections as prospects of him reconciling with his successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa continue to diminish, it has been revealed.

According to multiple sources, Mugabe recently sent emissaries to Chamisa seeking dialogue ahead of the polls and indicated that he was willing to back the leading opposition candidate because he was not happy with the treatment he was receiving from Mnangagwa’s government.

Mugabe revealed in March that he would back the National Patriotic Front (NPF), a party formed by former Zanu PF members who were not happy with the coup that toppled the 94-year-old ruler in November last year.

The NPF has been negotiating a coalition with the MDC Alliance, but the talks suffered a severe blow last week after the Chamisa- led group allegedly reneged on its promise to give the Mugabe-linked party a significant number of constituencies.

“Mugabe sent two prominent clerics with a message that he was willing to assist Chamisa gain an electoral advantage over Mnangagwa in the forthcoming elections. He says he is prepared to endorse Chamisa,” said a source. “He is mainly concerned about the future of his family and says he believes Chamisa has the potential to become the next president.”

Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda yesterday said he was not aware of Mugabe’s alleged overtures.

“If there are any such moves, I am sure (Chamisa) has not dealt with the matter,” he said. “He will consider the invitation to meet the former president on merit. He will not respond to the media before responding to the person who invited him.”

Mugabe’s alleged manoeuvres are said to have unsettled Zanu PF, which is said to have reached out to former South African president Jacob Zuma, who reportedly contacted Chamisa last week.

Zuma allegedly revealed that vice-president Constantino Chiwenga had indicated that Zanu PF was not happy about Mugabe and his wife Grace’s alleged support for the opposition.

Zuma’s alleged intervention is said to have led to the collapse of the coalition talks between the MDC Alliance and NPF, which happened on the eve of the sitting of the nomination court.

The call is alleged to have triggered the last-minute collapse of alliance negotiations between Mugabe’s outfit and the MDC Alliance.

One of the MDC Alliance principals, Welshman Ncube, yesterday said allegations that Zuma contacted the Alliance leaders were false. He said he was also not aware of reports that Mugabe had sent emissaries to Chamisa concerning the elections.

“It is completely false that President Zuma called,” he said. “I have no knowledge of Mugabe seeking a meeting.

“I was not involved in the talks nor was I briefed on the collapse (of the talks) between the NPF and MDC Alliance.”

Information minister Simon Khaya Moyo said he was not aware of any contact between Chiwenga and Zuma, but said the statements being attributed to the VP could not be true because he was “a man of integrity”.

Sibanda said he was not authorised to comment about any contact between Chamisa and Zuma if it happened.

“The president has not cleared anyone to discuss that. Those were high-level talks and they affect international relations and, therefore, only the president can comment on that,” he said.

Sibanda said there was never any talks between the MDC Alliance and the Mugabe-backed party.

“There were never talks with the NPF, contrary to suggestions by the NPF that there were some negotiations that collapsed. As far as the MDC Alliance is concerned, there were no negotiations at all,” he said.

“President Chamisa said such a coalition would not be in the best interest of the country. Major coalition partners never got to an agreement about an alliance with the NPF.”

However, NPF spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire insisted that there were negotiations between the two groups.

“Sibanda has been recently appointed Chamisa’s spokesperson, not the MDC’s spokesperson. He might not be aware that there have been some bilateral talks between the two parties,” he said.

“Those talks, as far as I know, centred on a pre and post-election pact and teams from both parties met in South Africa and in Zimbabwe. As we speak, there are still some ongoing consultations.”

Mnangagwa faces a stiff challenge from Chamisa in a poll that will be contested by a record 23 candidates. Standard

Terrence Mawawa| Presidential aspirant Bryn Taurai Mteki has literally snubbed a deal with his recording partner, rhumba maestro, Koffi Olomide as he eyes the Presidency.

Mteki told state run weekly paper, The Sunday Mail he was writing his inauguration speech as such he had decided to suspend a recording deal with Koffi Olomide.

Mteki said it would be embarrassing for him to perform on stage because he was upbeat about winning the elections.

“I have decided to cancel big deal because I want to focus on the polls,” said Mteki.

Terrence Mawawa

The death toll in the regalia stampede at the rally that was addressed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa has risen to three, party insiders have revealed.

A three- month- old baby was crushed to death as its mother was caught up in a stampede for ruling party regalia at Mucheke Stadium B Arena on Friday.

A pregnant woman was also crushed to death while a primary school pupil was rushed to Masvingo Provincial Hospital where he died on admission.

“The death toll has risen to three .A pregnant woman was also caught up in the stampede while a primary school pupil died after being rushed to Masvingo Provincial Hospital,” party sources told ZimEye.com.

Authorities at Masvingo Provincial Hospital declined to comment on the matter.

Terrence Mawawa

Independent aspiring MP for Masvingo Urban Constituency, Sam Chapfudza has said he is not intimidated by the big names he faces in the July 30 election.

Speaking in an interview with ZimEye.com yesterday, Chapfudza said he was ready to take on the so called favourites in the election.

“You see this election is about development of the city of Masvingo.

I am not the kind of politician who is alienated from the people. I understand the needs and concerns of the people in my community.

I will work with various stakeholders to implement self help projects for employment creation,” said Chapfudza.

“I am not going into the election just to make up the numbers as they say.I wish to urge all aspiring MPs to desist from using hate language,” added Chapfudza.

By Own Correspondent|  Vice President Kembo Mohadi has revealed that his party will ensure that all registered party members vote in the forthcoming elections through providing the logistical needs of those who would be having challenges accessing polling stations.

VP Mohadi said his party would ensure that all registered party supporters are transported to polling stations to ensure that they vote.

“I’m not speculating but I’m talking about the number of our party members who are registered to vote and come election time we will make sure that almost all of them vote even if it means transporting those who can’t make it to polling stations,” he said.

VP Mohadi said the participation of the over 100 political parties gives his party Zanu Pf a better chance of victory in the forthcoming elections since the many opposition political parties will split the vote in favour of Zanu Pf.

VP Mohadi said his party was prepared for the elections because Zanu Pf has a solid support base.

“Yes, MDC is doing whatever they are doing but there are more than 100 political parties that are registered and this will divide votes.

We are ready and for sure we will win. We expect a 70 per cent victory…There is no inter-party violence so far and campaigns are being held peacefully and this is the spirit that should prevail even during elections. If you have a solid support base there is no need to engage in violence,” said VP Mohadi.

Terrence Mawawa

Controversial Zanu PF official Killer Zivhu has introduced a new slogan for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s election campaign.

Zivhu launched the slogan codenamed One-is-Five for ED in Hwedza on Saturday, according to State media.

Party insiders have revealed Zivhu is eager to cleanse his name having been accused of sympathising with the G-40 faction. Zivhu is the chairperson of Chivi Rural District Council.

“In Chivi we have mooted what we call the One is Five for ED mantra.

What it basically implies is that each person should reach out to at least four people before the July 30 election,” said Zivhu.

Zivhu also donated 400 bags of cement towards the construction of a secondary school block in the area.

By Farai D Hove| The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission boss did not tell the truth when she said that the voters roll is now ready.

On Friday, Justice Chigumba said the voters roll is now out and there is no more need to provide a provisional voters roll. She said this as she dismissed demands by the MDC Alliance for it.

But two days later, it has emerged there is still no voters roll.

ThisFlag pastor Evan Mawarire said he was on Friday told the voters roll is not ready.

Said Mawarire, “today is Saturday 16th June, nezuro ndakaenda kuZEC kundokumbira voters roll, which is supposed to have been ready kudhara.

“Up to now it’s not ready. Yesterday they were announcing that the voters roll is now ready. Ndakandobvunza ndega I was it’s not available.”

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has received rare praise from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community for abandoning his predecessor Robert Mugabe’s politics of discrimination, hatred and intolerance.

Mugabe was a fervent critic of homosexuals, and was known for making homophobic statements over the years. He often described homosexuals as worse than pigs and dogs, with the LGBTI community also having its programmes disrupted by state security.

In a first, authorities allowed the LGBTI community and sex workers to exhibit at this year’s premier trade showcase, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), held in Bulawayo in April. Under Mugabe, this was unthinkable as they were often denied permission.

The LGBTI and sex workers exhibiting at the 2018 ZITF got support from organisations such as Women Against All Forms of Discrimination, Zimbabwe Aids Network, Sexual Rights Centre and the National Aids Council, among others.

“The operating environment under President Mugabe was quite restrictive in terms of what people could say or do. It was quite limiting in that we were also not able to meet with stakeholders that we thought could be important to facilitate dialogue.

“We think that the space was not conducive for people to meet and have conversations maybe as a result of the restrictive laws like Public Order and Security Act and AIPPA [Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act] and also that the general environment did not allow conversations to take place,” Chesterfield Sambo, the Gays and Lesbian Association of Zimbabwe director, said.

He was speaking in an interview during an LGBTI-organised multi-stakeholder dialogue meeting on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in Zimbabwean societies. It was held under the theme “creating understandings for diverse and inclusive societies”.

“But post-Mugabe we see that the current president, Mnangagwa, has tried to speak to issues towards creating spaces where people enjoy their freedoms, particularly that of expression and assembly. We note that people are now able to demonstrate and to meet freely without too many restrictions to express their views without fear to worry about what happens after you express yourself,” Sambo added.

“Post-Mugabe, we are now able to identify spaces that we think are now conducive for us to be present to create awareness of our issues. A platform like the ZITF, I think, is open to civic society to be able to come through to exhibit and reach out to communities although we have not explored that route yet.”

During Mugabe’s tenure, the LGBTI faced rights violations such as physical assault, hate speech, intimidation, torture and raids from both state and non-state actors.

In 2001, Mugabe’s bodyguards assaulted a gay rights activist, Peter Tatchell, after he tried to effect a citizen arrest on Mugabe over human rights abuses during an official visit to Brussels in Belgium. In 2013, Mugabe criticised South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu for supporting LGBTI rights saying: “Never, never, never will we support homosexuality in Zimbabwe.”

The Constitution guarantees rights such as equality and non-discrimination but is silent on specific rights for the LGBTI community. Zimbabwe criminalises same-sex relations.

The Standard.

By Dorrothy Moyo| A Zimbabwean woman has offered to give Thokozani Khupe’s party spokesperson, Linda Masarira her husband for one week if she wins the upcoming 2018 elections.

Writing on her (Masarira’s) portal, Irene Chamisa said, “if you win I will give you my husband for one week.” FULL TEXT:

A Bulawayo lawyer who was once employed at Webb, Low and Barry Legal Practitioners has appeared in court facing charges of allegedly defrauding more than $400 000 from 41 clients within a period of two years.

Leslie Bhekimpilo Sibanda appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza facing two counts of theft of Trust Property and contravening Section 136 of Criminal Law Codification Reform Act and two counts of fraud.

This was after the court grouped the cases into four categories. Count One involved 27 clients, count two nine, count three five and count four one. Sibanda pleaded not guilty to the four counts and the magistrate postponed the matter to 2 July for further continuation of the trial.

The court heard that Sibanda was employed as an attorney by Webb, Law and Barry incorporating Ben Baron and Legal Partners. The court heard that between 8 January 2014 to 1 July 2016, Sibanda was allegedly stealing and scamming clients money that add up to $404 367. Prosecutor Mr Tinashe Dzipe said that Sibanda would allegedly call for and withdraw money out of a client trust account.

He would pay part of the money to the client and pocket the difference or he would request for cash from the petty cash account alleging that it was money for transport or other ancillaries on behalf of a client when a client had not given him such instructions.

Mr Dzipe told the court that Sibanda would also transfer funds from one client account by means of a transfer journal into another client’s account when the client’s accounts were not related in any way. It is alleged that on one occasion he used the law firm as a security to guarantee payment for a loan he acquired from Wilsgroove Enterprise Private Limited.

Sibanda is said to have allegedly run out of luck when he moved money from the law firm’s account into a Mr Daemon’s account to settle a debt. Several lawyers have of late been dragged to court for swindling their clients of thousands of dollars leading to some being de-registered by the Law Society of Zimbabwe.- state media

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has committed to upholding a democratic process post elections with a promise to respect the outcome of the harmonised elections slated for the 30th of next month.

Since his inauguration on 24 November 2017, President Mnangagwa has committed to a free, fair and credible election, a message that has become a hallmark of his administration.

With 46 days to go before the country hold its harmonised elections, the President has upscaled his dedication to a democratic process with a promise to respect the election result.

A precept from an interview conducted by the Wall Street Journal with President Mnangagwa yesterday (June 15, 2018), quotes the President stating that he will respect the election result and rejecting threats that the military will intervene.

The quote reads…“The army is in the barracks. If any other party wins, we will support them as they will support me if I win”.

To date the mantra for a free, credible and transparent election has received support from both regional and international observer missions.

For the first time in 16 years, Zimbabwe has opened its doors for European observers to monitor its elections pointing to improving relations between the country and Western countries.

The presence of the European Union observer team to monitor the country’s elections is widely viewed as an important seal and acts as additional support to Zimbabwe’s democratisation process.

President Mnangagwa also hinted to a transformation of his cabinet post elections which will run with his outlined vision to grow the country into a middle income economy by 2030.

The Wall Street Journal quotes the President stating that, “It’s a process to change from one entrenched system to a new administration……you need to carry the majority of the nation with you. It’s not possible to just go with a couple of friends and say this is where we are”.

The efforts by the new administration to restore the country’s economic vibrancy have been notable posting impressive foreign direct investment interests at $17 billion within 8 months targeted across key economic sectors which economic analysts believe are a critical plinth to usher a new economic chapter if translated into tangible deals. – state media

By Own Correspondent| Aspiring independent MP for Masvingo Urban, Michael Taderera, on Thursday stole the limelight after he asked his rival and fellow party member Bernard Mazarire to lend him $50 nomination fees.

Taderera, who contested and lost to Mazarire during Zanu Pf primary elections had evidently failed to raise the required $50 fee in order to register his name as an aspiring legislator in the forthcoming polls.

He begged Mazarire at the Nomination court at Masvingo Magistrates’ Court in front of journalists.

“My brother, I know I’m contesting against you, but can you help me raise $50 nomination fees,” he said.

Mazarire, a successful businessman and retired army major responded that he did not have the money further bringing members of the Press into uncontrollable laughter.

Taderera raised the money at the 11th hour and successfully filed his papers as an independent candidate.

Queried whether he was indeed a serious candidate, Taderera said he was the right candidate to represent Masvingo urban but he did not have money.

“These are the challenges that I face. I don’t have the money. I, however, managed to raise the fees. But I am a serious contender,” he said.

Taderera  is one of the aspiring candidates who failed to raise nomination fees including several presidential aspirants who called it quits and did not file their nomination papers after failing to raise the required $1 000 fees.

This reduced the number of presidential candidates to 23 despite the country’s elections body, ZEC revealing that over 120 political parties had registered their interest to participate in the forthcoming polls slated for July 30.- Newsday

By A Correspondent| Lovemore Zigara who was a Zimpapers correspondent based in Gweru has died.

Zigara passed on in a car accident on Saturday afternoon.

Details of the accident were still sketchy at the time of writing but ZimEye can reveal the picture of his vehicle above.

Zigara was a sports, business and showbiz correspondent for The Chronicle based in Gweru and was covering several stories for the Mnangagwa controlled State media. In a condolence message, Henry Mhara The Standard sports editor said, ‘Sad news guys. Lovemore Zigara is no more. Died in car crash.’

His message was met with disbelief and shock from other journalists who described the late Zigara as a dedicated freelancer who was always happy among his colleagues in the media fraternity.

Tatenda Chitagu of Masvingo said, ‘Lovemore was supportive and very friendly
and I used to meet him in Gweru.’

The Mutare based freelance journalist Clayton Masekesa added that the late Zigara worked well with journalists from different stables.

‘I am shocked over Zigara’s sudden death,’ said Masekesa.

Several journalists including freelancers from the National Association of Freelance Journalists poured in condolence messages following Zigara’s death.

He won several media awards and in 2016 he won the Small Scale and Artisanal Mining Awards as well as in sports from Midlands province.

By Own Correspondent| Two soldiers who were part of a group of six men who attacked and humiliated Mutare journalist, Clayton Masekesa before posting their acts on social media will be punished accordingly, the army has said.

Captain Moreblessings Mugumbate, 3 Brigade public relations officer, said the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) is a professional organisation that does not condone criminality hence the duo will also be “disciplined internally”.

“Reference is made to your phone call question regarding the Mutare journalist who is alleged to have been subjected to a military-style punishment of being made to roll in the mud and being made to display condoms to the camera while being mocked for being a cheapskate.

In response we would like to state that the Zimbabwe National Army is a professional organisation that does not condone acts of indiscipline and criminality by its members.

“Any of its members caught on the wrong side of the law is subject to the country’s laws. Furthermore, internal disciplinary measures are also applied,” said the ZNA while responding to questions sent by a Mutare based publication..

“Their alleged involvement in such an ugly act wasn’t within the confines of operations of the ZNA neither were they acting under directives from anyone from within the organisation.

“They (suspects) were not in any way representing the organisation,” said Captain Mugumbate.

On Tuesday Saul Tomu (53), Penelock Majonhi (41), Everson Mark Marozva (33), Hope Mwaipa (33) Joachim Runyanga (35) and John Takaendesa (42) were remanded in custody when they appeared before magistrate, Ms Perserverance Makala, facing kidnapping and assault charges.

The six men were asked not to plead and denied bail pending their application for bail which they were told to submit at the High Court.

Mwaipa and Runyanga are soldiers while Majoni and Marozva are traffic police officers. Tomu and Takaendesa are Mutare municipal cops.- Manica Post.

By Own Correspondent| Failure by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to avail the voter’s roll before the sitting of the Nomination Court resulted in failure of 8 MDC T candidates to satisfy the requirements to contest the forthcoming polls, ZimEye has learnt.

Spokesperson of the MDC T led by Dr Thokozani Khupe, Linda Masarira said 8 candidates from her party were deprived of their political right to participate in the forthcoming elections after it emerged that the prospective voters who had nominated them were not on the voters roll.

“The unavailability of the copy of a provisional voters’ roll on the nomination day left most of the opposition party prospective candidates without any choice but denied their registration.

The absence of some registered voters on the voters roll affected most of our rural constituency candidates as they could not travel back to their homes to get other signatures. Our candidate from Mbire constituency Mr Marungisa is one of the affected persons and seven others in Mashonaland central,” said Masarira.

Below is the full text of the statement by the MDC T.

The High court order, ordering Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to provide ERC with a copy of the provisional voters roll came too late.

An election indicates the existence of democracy in any nation, the electoral process paves way for democracy and democracy is a baby of a clear electoral process and free and fair elections.

Failure of any during preparations of so called democratic elections might and definitely denigrate the real essence of the credibility of the anticipated democratic process.

The call for the aspiring candidates to the nomination court brought joy to so many of them just a day before as well as early hours of the day with aspiring candidates vividly waiting for the ,” dream-come-true” as preparation for 2018 elections is now at length with only a few weeks left.

However the jovial mood and great expectations as Dickens the great author would say, were turned into sorrow, disappointments as well as need for clarity if truly ZEC was and is really ready to bring about the electoral democratic processes into existence.

The unavailability of the copy of a provisional voters’ roll on the nomination day left most of the opposition party prospective candidates without any choice but denied their registration and leaving the whole process as some of the nominators were not appearing on the voters roll.

The absence of some registered voters on the voters roll affected most of our rural constituency candidates as they could not travel back to their homes to get other signatures. Our candidate from Mbire constituency Mr Marungisa is one of the affected persons and seven others in Mashonaland central.

If clarity has failed at this early stages of election, what guarantee do fellow Zimbabweans possess that there is likely to have a free and fair election.

The ground has already started developing some loopholes, cracks and the atmosphere that is disadvantaging other political parties and making it a clear indication that the election ground ahead of us is not level?

The release of the judgement a day after the nomination court simply implies that the judgement is merely meant for the future elections not the 2018 one.

Hence the position taken by the High Court judgement today, though positive but its validity has been diluted as it has released it after the sitting of the nomination court. So many candidates have been left disadvantaged and it is a clear indication of an uneven electoral field.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he was confident of being the country’s President in 2030, hence, the vision for the country’s economy by that year was not a coincidence.

Addressing captains of industry at the Buy Zimbabwe conference in Gweru on Thursday, Mnangagwa said his administration was working on ways to resuscitate the economy, saying he had broader plans to turn Zimbabwe into a cashless economy.

“I chose 2030 and it’s not a magic year, but I believe I will still be there,” he said.

“I would want to commend the Buy Zimbabwe team which has continued to work closely with both private and public sectors to drive the buy local message and encourage the purchase of local products and services so that local businesses can thrive, thereby, stimulating economic growth and creating decent jobs for us to be a middle income country by 2030.”

Mnangagwa said he had a vision to turn the economy into a cashless economy and urged Zimbabweans to embrace plastic money since this was the global trend.

“I know people are struggling to get cash, but our vision is to turn the economy into a cashless economy. Developed countries no longer use cash and we should move towards achieving that,” he said.

Mnangagwa appealed to people to vote for him so that he could achieve his vision for the country.

He said the government was in the process of crafting a template outlining the target economic growth for each province and how it could contribute towards national economic development.

The Zanu PF leader said provincial ministers would be appointed on their contribution to the country gross domestic product.

“We are crafting a template for all the 10 provinces so that we have competition among these provinces in terms of economic growth and the size of [gross domestic product] GDP,” he said.

“There is not a single province in this country that has peculiar advantages endowed to them and we need the leaders of those provinces to ensure they utilise the resources found in their provinces by competing with other provinces. This is now for provincial ministers because their security shall depend on the growth of GDP in their provinces.”

He said he was aware people were worried about cash, but urged the electorate to vote for him.-Newsday

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) has exposed details surrounding the death of the son of National Patriotic Front (NPF) aspiring candidate for Mazowe North, Professor Lumbe whose father Rambai claimed was politically motivated.

According to The Forum, the Notice of Death confirmed that Professor sustained several head injuries, a development which led to his death.

Below is the full text of the statement by the Human Rights (NGO) Forum.

The Human Rights (NGO) Forum expresses its condolences to the Lumbe family following the killing of their two-year old son, Professor Lumbe, who was found dead on the 10^th of June 2018 under unclear circumstances.

 Professor Lumbe went missing from home on the 9^th of June around 1400hours and was found dead in a soya beans field on the 10^th of June with physical injuries.

According to the Notice of Death issued on the 11^th June 2018 the child had several head injuries.

The parents believe that Professor Lumba’s killing was politically motivated. There is evidence of political rivalry and tensions involving the father and Zanu Pf supporters.

In 2014, Mr. Rambai Lumbe, the father of the deceased, defected from ZANU-PF to join the National Peoples’ Party (NPP) then the Zimbabwe Peoples’ First party led by Dr. Joice Mujuru. Mr. Lumbe is the Mazowe North parliamentary candidate for NPP in the 30 July 2018 harmonised elections.

Findings from an investigation carried out by the Forum on the 12^th of June at Sunridge Farm in Mazowe North where the family resides revealed the existence of longstanding political tensions between the family and some ZANU-PF supporters stretching back to 2014 when the family defected from ZANU-PF.

According to the family, in 2017 they received threats from four (4) ZANU PF activists namely Paradzai Zhiyamoto, Cephas Muzongondi, Watson Shereni and Elvis who warned the Lumbe family that“munopedza mhuri” (you risk having the whole family killed) for supporting NPP.

The matter was reported to Glendale Police Station only to be withdrawn when the four apologized to the family.  On another occasion, ZANU-PF members attempted to demarcate the Lumbe’s family piece of land citing the same reasons and were saved by the intervention of the police.

Given the existing political tensions and levels of intolerance existing between the Lumbe family and ZANU-PF supporters, the family strongly believes that their son was a victim of political violence as their rivals have often harassed and intimidated them.

While we acknowledge the swift action by the police in commencing an investigation, we must be mindful of the history of elections in Zimbabwe, which is littered, with episodes of political violence characterized by such heinous crimes as murder. In most cases, perpetrators have gone unpunished. Irrespective of any reason behind the gruesome killing of the two-year old, the needless loss of life is unacceptable.

As Zimbabwe approaches the 30 July 2018 watershed plebiscite, the police must prioritise the investigation and prosecution of all cases of political violence without fear or favour.

The President has been calling for free; fair, credible and violent-free elections and such actions fly past in the face of the President. As a nation, we must embrace the President’s calls for peace and non-violence and adopt a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to political violence be it intra or inter-party violence. All political parties must respect the constitution.

Elections come and go.  Hurts to families who lose their loved ones remain. The Forum condemns these barbaric acts of violence for political gain. Violence against children is utterly unjustifiable. Children pause no threat to anyone and such acts cause shock and horror in any civilized society. The police must move in quickly to ensure that justice is swift. Perpetrators must face justice and a strong message must be sent to everyone that these acts are unacceptable.

The Forum urges the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) to be seized with this matter and ensure access to remedies for the Lumbe family.

The Forum draws attention to the fact that life was lost, possibly due to political tensions that were left unaddressed. Zimbabwe has established the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) for purposes of early detection of conflict and violence prevention.

The Forum urges political actors and parties to take active steps to address any tensions that may result in violence and not wait until it is too late. The Forum also urges the NPRC to investigate political tensions in the area and assist in the resolution of any conflicts to avoid any further violence.

By Emmmerson Mnangagwa | The past few days have been a whirlwind of activity, as we work to build a new Zimbabwe we can all be proud of. During my travels, I have enjoyed speaking with, and listening to, so many of my fellow Zimbabweans from across the country.

Mnangagwa says: "I am delighted to see such a diverse range of opponents !"

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 16, 2018

Yesterday, I visited the ADMA Agrishow, before travelling to Gweru to open the 8th Buy Zimbabwe Summit. While there, I reiterated our government’s commitment to supporting local industry and facilitating an environment that encourages the growth of the private sector.

Today, I visited and met with management at the Cold Storage Company (CSC) unit in Masvingo and the defunct Mashava Mine, which by next year will again be operational. I then went on to the Masvingo Star Rally, where I was again moved by both the size and enthusiasm of the crowd!

In the midst of this, along with 22 other candidates, I filed my nomination papers for the upcoming elections. I am delighted to see such a diverse range of candidates, and look forward to a robust yet peaceful exchange of views on the campaign trail over the next six weeks.

Finally, I would like to wish Eid Mubarak to all Muslims in Zimbabwe and around the world.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

David Chaloma of Goodhope Village 2, Siganda, who is battling for life under police guard at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, allegedly decapitated Isabel Mpala (29).

He then allegedly cut himself on the throat with an Okapi knife.

On realising that it was not enough to end his life; he consumed an unknown amount of organophosphate poison and was discovered by his two children who are in Grade One and ECD.

The incident occurred at around 5PM on Wednesday.

Sources said Mpala’s head was crushed with both her eyes and some of her teeth having been picked up from the floor of the couple’s bedroom.

“It is alleged the couple had a long standing infidelity dispute, with Chaloma suspecting that his wife was having an affair with his cousin. On that fateful the two had fought over why Mpala wanted to stop using the contraceptive she was on,” said a source that preferred anonymity.

Inyathi District Medical Officer, Dr Tafadzwa Gwera, said they had attended to Chaloma but had referred him to Mpilo Central Hospital for further management. “We received a case of attempted suicide where a man tried to take his own life by cutting open his throat using a knife, before allegedly consuming organophosphate poison.

“After temporarily managing on the poison consumption, we transferred him to Mpilo Central Hospital for further management,” he said.
Matabeleland North acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Eglon Nkala confirmed the murder and suicide bid.

“I can confirm we received a report of a 31- year-old man who allegedly murdered his 29-year -old wife by axing her on the neck before he went on to try to kill himself by cutting his throat and taking poison. The man is hospitalised under police guard,” he said.

Chaloma was taking care of his relative, Mr Ngwenya’s homestead in Bubi where he allegedly committed the crime.

Mrs Ngwenya said she knew the couple as happily married and the incident had come as a great shock to her family.

A source close to the case said Chaloma had long suspected that his wife of having an affair with one of his cousins and had actually tried to talk to the two.

“He once involved family on the alleged affair. This week the two had been fighting over why she wanted to remove the Jadelle implant from her arm. After the incident, Chaloma, speaking in gasps, revealed that he had faked a trip to Bulawayo to trap the two love birds.

“Later during the day, he followed his wife to the hospital where she had said she would visit to remove that contraceptive. When he didn’t find her, he returned home and instead followed his wife’s shoe prints which later joined those of a man and the two walked deep into the bush,” said the source.

The source said Chaloma returned to his home and waited for his wife who arrived later and an argument arose over where she had been.

“This resulted in the killing and Chaloma said he had been angered by his wife’s behaviour,” said the source.

Last month, a 46-year-old man from Inyathi allegedly crushed his wife and cousin’s heads with a hammer before stabbing each of them with a spear more than seven times following a domestic misunderstanding. The suspect, who had fled, was apprehended in Masvingo and is in police custody.

Source State Media

— @winnie_masara