By Own Correspondent| United Democracy Movement (UDM) President who is one of Zimbabwe’s 23 aspiring presidential candidates for the upcoming harmonised polls has revealed that once elected into office, she will solve the country’s cash challenges within three weeks.

In an exclusive interview with ZimEye, Mariyacha who is one of the three female candidates vying for the highest political office said once elected into power, she will address the country’s liquidity challenges and provide free education, health care while at the same time creating employment for the majority of youths.

WATCH- LIVE as Mariyacha shares her vision for the post July 30 Zimbabwe.

Terrence Mawawa

Two Zanu PF activists from Bikita District are battling for their lives after being brutally attacked by a group of rowdy MDC youths.

The two Zanu PF activists were attacked by the unruly MDC youths for wearing ruling party regalia last week.

According to information obtained from Zanu PF Provincial offices in Masvingo, James Musukutwa and Daniel Museve from Chirorwe Village sustained multiple injuries after being assaulted by the MDC youths.

“Two Zanu PF activists are battling for their lives at Silveira Mission Hospital in Bikita following the brutal attack.

Local villagers tried to restrain the hooligans from assaulting our members but their efforts were in vain,” Zanu PF sources said yesterday.

Terrence Mawawa

The mayor of the City of Harare, councillor Bernard Manyenyeni has said the woes bedevilling the city of Harare are beyond his control and his efforts to rectify the problems have not materialised due to political consequences.

Below is Manyenyeni’ s statement:
I call Harare City Council a billion dollar tragedy
because:

1. The current Council started on over $300m written
off for political mileage a few days before the July
2013 elections.

2. That figure written off is two years’ worth of
revenue which means Council was only resourced to
serve residents for only 3 years out of its 5-year term
in office.

3. The ratepayers buoyed by that “debt-write-off”
mentality and a collapsed economy have avoided
paying rates.

We are now sitting on $750m debtors book.
We collect around half of the bills every month.
4. The salary and benefits levels granted by the
former Minister in 2013 just before this current
council came into office have choked council
beyond delivery.

5. Every job in council is over-paid by 2 to 3 times
compared to similar jobs out of Council.

Municipal earnings should be half-way between
government and private sector levels. But currently
the levels are way above even the private sector pay
packets.

6. The additional costs (ie overpayment) is between
$180m and $420m in a 5-year mandate.

7. After shouting at the mayor against salary right-
sizing for a long time the former Minister had finally
accepted that the HR was unsustainable right
towards his exit from office.

8. The party in council majority and the government
ruling party have deep-rooted relations with labour:
therefore the right-sizing discussion is most
unwelcome.

9. The city owes the Local Authorities Pension Fund
over $200m – to such an extent that the Fund has
become technically a collapsed money scheme.

Former workers and survivors of late former workers
are going for years without getting any payment.
10. We are perennially in salary arrears and very few
people appreciate the link between this high level of
remuneration and the inability to pay on time – let
alone the impact on service delivery.

Those seeking to serve in the next council need
billion dollar decision-making and political capacity.
With power, willpower, priority and focus Harare City
Council can be fixed in 6 months.
The lack of legal and political power to effect tough
unavoidable decisions will continue haunt.

11. Please ignore loud voices from high offices about
service delivery failure. Tell them to box smart…
we know whose mess this is!
12. Council business is serious boardroom business
and it is informed purely by facts and figures not
sentiment, politics, emotions, expectations and
assumptions.

Terrence Mawawa

Traditional leaders in Zaka District are openly chanting Zanu PF maxims and forcing villagers to attend ruling party meetings.

Villagers in Zaka West Constituency have expressed concern at the rampant intimidation of the electorate by kraal heads and Zanu PF activists.

The traditional leaders are also instructing villagers to vote for President Emerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF candidates in the July 30 elections.

According to Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) peace committee members in Zaka District, ward 33 traditional leaders last week forced villagers to attend Mnangagwa’ s rally in Masvingo.

In a statement released yesterday COTRAD urged traditional leaders to desist from exercising their duties in a partisan manner.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to guard against the culture of violence so that Zimbabwe remains a peaceful country.

We condemn the partisan involvement of traditional leaders in active politics because it is unconstitutional, dangerous and detrimental to democratic processes.

Section 281(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe clearly states, that traditional leaders must not participate in partisan politics.

Political party members should mobilize their members in a peaceful manner,” read the statement.

Terrence Mawawa

Youthful MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa will this weekend unroll a rigorous campaign programme as he prepares for the no holds barred plebiscite pitting a record 23 Presidential candidates.

Chamisa, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and former Vice President Joice Mujuru(although she is regarded as a dark horse) are the leading contenders in the July 30 polls, according to political observers.

Below is the schedule for Chamisa’ s rallies:

MDC ALLIANCE WEEKEND RALLIES

Thursday
Sanyati – 12.00PM Nembudziya – 2:00PM

Friday
Chitekete – 12:00PM Gokwe centre – 2:00PM

Saturday
Silobela – 12:00PM
Redcliff – 2:00PM

Sunday
Kadoma – 1:00PM.

A video showing a man making a plea to Harare City Council police officers to stop demolishing his house.

By Paul Nyathi|Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa has hit the headlines after he was caught on camera commissioning a garbage bin in Rusape over the weekend.

Chinamasa took time to officially commission the bins after officially opening the revived VENGERE MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS COURT in the town.

Chinamasa commissioned 3 skip bins, 2 at Main Bus Terminus and 1 at Evergreen Market.

The Town Council said in a statement that the new skip bins will help improve waste disposal and management in the town.

By Dorrothy Moyo| MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa’s plan to change the capital city to Gweru is in sync with international trends.

A recent Telegraph report shows that many nations that have changed capital cities have developed well in nation building. Below (pictured) is one such city change, hailed as a success.

The MDC Alliance strategist David Coltart yesterday replied a critic saying:

I respectfully disagree – many nations have moved their capitals to put them in areas which are more central and inclusive. Malawi did it, as did the USA and Australia. This is not just about regenerating towns but more of nation building…. https://t.co/thvIf1s0Wj

— David Coltart (@DavidColtart) June 18, 2018

Upon its establishment as Brazil’s capital, Brasilia experienced very rapid growth. Brazil’s capital change was considered a success, and many countries have been inspired by Brazil’s capital relocation achievement.

Nigeria

In 1991 the capital of Nigeria, Africa’s most populated country, was moved from Lagos because of overcrowding.

Abuja, a planned city in central Nigeria, was deemed to be a more neutral for Nigeria’s many ethnic and religious groups.

Kazakhstan

Almaty, in southern Kazakhstan, was the Kazakh capital when the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Government leaders moved the capital to the northern city of Astana in December 1997. Almaty had little room to expand, could experience an earthquake, and was very close to other newly-independent countries which could experience political turbulence.

Belize

In 1961, Hurricane Hattie badly damaged Belize City, the former capital of Belize.

In 1970 Belmopan, an inland city, became the new capital of Belize to protect the government’s operations, documents, and people – in case of another hurricane.

Tanzania

In the 1970s, Tanzania’s capital began the move from coastal Dar es Salaam to centrally-located Dodoma. But even after many decades, the move is not complete.

Cote d’Ivoire

In 1983, Yamoussoukro became the capital of Cote d’Ivoire.

This new capital was the hometown of the President of Cote d’Ivoire, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who wanted to spur development in the central region of Cote d’Ivoire.

However, many government offices and embassies remain in the former capital, Abidjan.

Burma

Burma’s capital was formerly Rangoon.

In November 2005, government workers were suddenly told by the military junta to move to the more northern city of Naypyidaw, which had been constructed since 2002 but whose existence not publicised. There is still no clear explanation why Burma’s capital was relocated.

LIVEBLAST – refresh to watch

By Lionel Saungweme | There was drama when three women arrested a man who allegedly stole a cellphone from them over three days before. VIDEO:

After grabbing the smartphone from the woman in black, the man is alleged to have quickly sold the cellphone to an unsuspecting third party. A day after, luck ran out when his female victim spotted him near Bulawayo Service Station in the city centre. Fearing mob justice, the man acquiesced after his victim and two other young women arrested him.

As the women dragged their suspect, the man kept begging for time to return his “loot.” The women, who would have none of his pleas, kept marching towards the nearby police station in Bulawayo.

“Ngiyakubisela ifoni yakho (I will return your phone) please,” begged the man. The woman dressed in black replied saying, “Wawuvele ucabangani utshontsha (What were you thinking about when you stole )?”

The man’s pleas fell on deaf ears as the angry women continued their march.

The embarrassed man was then pushed into the Bulawayo Central Police station, and a loud crowd demanding justice following behind.

“Kabotshwe, kabotshwe (Arrest him, arrest him),” shouted the mob.

After arrival at Bulawayo Central Police Station, police dispersed the crowd. – ZimEye

By Redley Mugabe| The Zimbabwe Republic police wants to arrest MDC Alliance candidate for Mutare North constituency Godfrey Munyamana.

Munyamana was cited in the state media on the claims that he is on the run after he was issued with a warrant of arrest last week when he failed to appear in court in a case in which he is facing $380 000 fraud charges.

The state broadsheet reported that he was scheduled to appear before Harare magistrate Mr Elisha Singano on June 14 for trial continuation but failed to do so. Munyamana, who is being represented by Mr Rungano Mahuni, is alleged to have defrauded Frank Humbe in a botched house deal. When the trial commenced, Munyamana had pleaded not guilty to fraud with his lawyer challenging the prosecution saying his client had agreed to an out-of-court settlement.

The State dismissed this challenge arguing that Humbe should testify in court. Humbe paid Munyamana $380 000 towards the purchase of a house Manyamana had advertised for sale. Humbe also told the court that when he paid Munyamana the money, he was supposed to look for alternative accommodation so that Humbe could move into his new property. Humbe said Munyamnane became non-committal to the arrangement as he failed to move out of the house, leading to the loss of Humbe’s money which was never recovered.

ACADEMIC PORTFOLIO AND EXPERIENCE MIX (CURICULA VITAE-RESUME) FOR TENDAI PETER MUNYANDURI

Date of Birth:01/REDACTED.

Cellphone number +263-REDACTED

Cellphone number :+263*********

Telephone: 068-REDACTED

Email address [email protected] or [email protected]

Education

Master of Science In Electrical Power Engineering(U.Z.)-UPPER Second class 2.1(merit) grade-University Of Zimbabwe(U.Z.)

Masters Of Science In Strategic Management specializing in marketing(CUT) pass

Masters In Business Administration specializing in Finance(U.Z.) pass

BSc In Electrical & Electronic Engineering(U.Z.) 2.1 Upper Second class grade.

Diploma In Marketing (I.M.M. –S.A)

Diploma In Management (I.S.M. –U.K)

12 years at Senior Management level-District Manager (8 years), Engineering & Marketing Manager(4 years)

132 kv, 33 kv and 11 kv ZESA Switching Senior Authorized.

Corporate member of the Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers/member Engineering Council Of Zimbabwe.

More than 10 years commercial experience in the energy and power sector-knowledge and experience with power stations e.g. hydro, solar generating stations, thermal, wind fields

More than 5 years experience in service and product pricing

More than 3 years in substation construction and maintenance upto 132/33 kv substations(breakdown maintenance, scheduled annual/ periodic maintenance, condition based maintenance methods and predictive maintenance methods)

More than 7 years in power system planning

Practical hands on skills in cellphone repair, computer and radio repair with electronic wiring diagrams including installation of satellite dishes.

Witnessed construction of several base stations, Glen Norah, Kadoma and Cold Stream Chinhoyi (transmission tower, remote radio unit(rru), antennas, dish, generator cubicle, automatic transfer switch, base station wiring of power and communication circuits,, battery bank).Configuring of radio to make it join the system using a laptop.

Joining of communication cables e.g. 1000 pair copper communication cables. Fibre optic with splicing machines including heat shrink technologies.

EXPERIENCE IN cellphone and computer repair including radios and TVs and touch screen Ipads(LCD –solar cells technology)

Experience in use of splicing machines in fibre-optic jointing

Jointing of upto 1500 pair communication cables

Specialist knowledge of distribution technology

Excellent management, analytical, communication and teamwork skills and ability to interpret financial ratios.

Good understanding of electricity sector reforms, particularly technical regulatory issues

More than three years in the design and management of electrical reticulations including construction of overhead lines and installation of cables upto 132 kV. Practically joined the first 33 Kv XLPE cables in Harare Region and switched most switchgears upto 132 KV.

About 8 years in District Management

5 years experience in installation of satellite dishes, management of cellphone and computer repair, joining of 200 core communication cables, 800 core communication cables, 300 core telecommunication cables using splicing machines, scotch-locks and sleeves for copper paper cables to jelly PVC cables and also of fibre optic cables with splicing machines using color coding for fibre identification and jointing, computer networking LAN, MAP, CISCO switches, routers and computer room management, wireless computer equipment,server management.

On and off-work experience in telecoms, computer sciences and marketing and ability to interpret market ratios as well as financial ratios in aiding management decisions.

Gained building construction and maintenance experience when working for the Ministry of Public Construction And National Housing and also as ZESA Senior Engineer(substations)

Well read on Personal information Machines(cellphones, laptops), exchanges(switch), mobile switching centres, base stations(BSs),Strowlger and digital Fetex Exchanges, Base Tranceiver Stations, cabinet and marshalling kiosks. Message attenuation, signal to noise ratio in decibels, time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, microwave and radio uplinks and down links

Witnessed installation of base station electronic security systems Glen Norah.

Vast experience in power system planning and load-forecasting

Vast knowledge in design and interpretation of engineering drawings, civil engineering drawings and layout plans, single line drawings, protection schematics, wiring drawings and wiring schedules.

Off work experience in marketing, slogan design, flyer design, creative message design, poster design, personal selling and flyer distribution, brand management, segmenting, targeting and positioning.

Television presentation experience and have wide publicity experience in National newspaper publicity. Video and audio control units, teleprompt and newsproduction room.

Experience in crafting network expansion/development plans

Part-time lecturing experience in mechatronics department(Power Electronics) -Chinhoyi University of Technology.

Skills

Technical knowledge related to Electricity and consumer services business

Strong administration skills and experience

Computer literate

Product pricing skills

Substation and line maintenance skills upto and including 132/33 kv substations and 132 kv lines

Good report writing and communication skills

Ability to manage the power industry business

Track record of outstanding leadership(As District Manager (Kadoma) my District was the best in Northern Region), strategic planning skills, organizing, management and strong visionary skills. Motor vehicle garage management skills.

Good communication and marketing skills

A passion for achievement, results oriented with high level of personal initiative

Good financial and business skills including customer handling skills

Focus on service excellence

A strong understanding of the energy sector(more than 10 years relevant experience) and technologies around the world(Was a subject at Masters level), have read various magazines on energy technologies including renewables and have towered various countries e.g. India, South Africa, Excellent presentation skills(Was part-time lecturer in Power Electronics ) at Chinhoyi University Of Technology.

Television presentation skills and a knowledge of broadcasting studios layout including microphones, digital cameras, teleprompts, video control units, audio control units, carrier signals, broadcasting frequency band and transmission

Knowledge of the photocopying business, computer, TV,radio and cellphone repair, book perfect binding and book writing industry.

Professional Membership

Corporate member Zimbabwe Institute Of Engineers/

Professional member -Engineering Council of Zimbabwe(ECZ)

Clean class 4 Zimbabwean Driver’s licence

EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW

Substation design including substation construction upto and including 132/33 Kv substations. Preparation of single line diagrams, protection schematics, wiring drawings and wiring schedules, including civil engineering drawings. System planning and demand forecasting. Project appraisals using payback period, discounted payback period, net present value e.t.c. Experience in breakdown maintenance, scheduled annual/periodic maintenance and condition based maintenance methods including predictive maintenance. Use of vibration monitoring, inspection, machine parameter and machine efficiency measurement, analytical ferrography or oil analysis. Preparation of system development plans. Customer services- face to face, telephonic and electronic service support. Overhead line and underground cable projects upto and including 132 KV .Fault-finding in electrical networks using fault locators and multimeters. Fault finding in telecommunication cables using cable haunts and other fault locaters. Eight(8) years District Management experience with a subordinate base of 305 multi-racial and multi-professional(Accounts, Administration, Loss Control, Engineering, Commercial, garage). Marketing and sales experience, managing electrical installations. Market segmentation, targeting and positioning of products and brands. Crafting strategic plans and strategy implementation, control and review. Maintenance of electro-mechanical systems. Stakeholder analysis and stakeholder mapping. Planning and design. Solar installation experience and skills(solar fields and wind fields).Strong theoretical and practical experience in product pricing(cost plus margin, penetrating pricing, scheming, time of use, psychological pricing methods and weather based tariffs). Experience in the use of Distribution and Transmission code .Knowledge about FACTS and HVDC. Knowledge in green generation methods e.g. solar generation, wind generation e.t.c.

Skills & Expertise Acquired

Solar installation skills, Substation design skills, electrical reticulation planning and design skills, substation and overhead line maintenance skills, power system modeling skills, demand forecasting skills, project management skills, people management skills, planning skills, load-flow studies skills, skills for crafting system development plans, marketing skills, customer care skills, communication skills, advertising skills, management skills, administration skills, financial analysis skills, maintenance management skills, persuasive skills, negotiation skills, strategic planning skills, tactical planning skills, stakeholder analysis and stakeholder mapping skills, engineering skills, commercial skills, garage management skills, human resources management skills, loss control skills, risk management skills, budgeting skills, strategic planning and implementation skills, preparation of wiring and schematic drawings skills, and effective stakeholder engagement skills, corporate governance skills, service excellence skills, effective fund management and utilization skills, innovation championing skills, performance management skills using the balanced score-card and results based management system(RBM), policy formulation skills, budgeting and cost management skills. product pricing skills(penetrating pricing, scheming pricing, cost plus margin pricing, psychological pricing )

Experience Mix

2009-Now-Senior Engineer (Planning)

Key responsibilities

System planning and design

Research in smart grids, renewables and network/grid intelligence

Crafting system expansion/development plans

Power system modeling and Load-flow studies

Load-forecasting

Stakeholder analysis and stakeholder-mapping

System development plans.

PSIP submissions.

Project appraisals

2004-2009-Engineering & Marketing Manager

Key responsibilities

Management of installations(electrical fittings and satellite dishes installation)

Management of repair of electric motors and computer hardware

Product and service pricing

Repair of computer and cellphone hardware

Computer networking use of CISCO switches and hubs

Marketing and sales management

Market segmentation and crafting strategic marketing plans

Segmenting, Targeting and positioning of markets and products

Strategy and policy formulation

Strategy implementation

1996-2004-ZESA District Manager (Kadoma)

Key Responsibilities

Coordinating and creating synergy among commercial, engineering, accounting, human resources and risk management sections

Strategy formulation, strategy implementation, control and review

Corporate policy and policy implementation

District management

Rural electrification

People management

Crafting of strategic and tactical plans

1993-1996-Senior Engineer(Substations)

Key responsibilities

Crafting of civil engineering drawings, single line diagrams protection schematics, wiring drawings and wiring schedules

Management of construction and maintenance of substations upto 132/33 kv

Substation commissioning

Maintaining a database of substation load readings

Budgeting and cost control during substation projects

1989-1993-Senior Engineer(Mains)

Key responsibilities

Commercial activities

Customer care

Planning & design

Load-forecasting

System planning diagrams

System development plans.

Crafting network expansion plans

Load-flow studies

PSIP submissions

Design of electrical reticulations of residential, commercial and industrial entities up-to and including 132 Kv

Fault finding in electrical networks

Customer management

Management of overhead-lines and underground cable projects

Processing customer application forms

Customer service

Management of subordinates in the section

Budgeting

TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXPERIENCE(Telone/Econet/Powertel)

Participated in joining 400 core communication cables outside Harare Telone Main Exchange. Have gathered that the biggest cable in Kadoma is 1 200 core. Inspected these cables(300 core, 400core, 800 core and

1 200 core in the main hole outside Kadoma Main Exchange and have seen these communication cables elsewhere. Witnessed connection of 300 core communication copper cables using splicing machine opposite ZETDC Kadoma District. Witnessed connection of telecommunication copper cables to paper Telone communication cables using sleeves and scotchlocks.

Worked and saw the Strowger Exchange in the then PTC Harare Main Exchange . Saw and inspected the Fetex Exchange Kadoma and Chinhoyi Exchange and the about 35 000 core or more are a total of cores entering an Exchange.

Witnessed and participated in the joining of fibre optic cables using a splicing machine along Parklane Street Harare. Have seen and visited

1.Harare Main Exchange

2.Kadoma Exchange

3.Chinhoyi Exchange

4.Avondale Exchange

Witnessed the building of Kadoma Base station on top of the mountain and realized the use of hollow cables in communication(conduit for fibre optics). Witnessed building of Waverly and Spaceman GlenNorah Base stations and telecommunications tower from scratch.

Method of research and Experience Acquisition

1.included sampling all off-cuts in terms of cables and excess material analysis and being a spectator during all the construction of Base Stations, Base Transceiver Stations and general work in the communication and telecommunication industry.

2.Being a voluntary worker during weekends and Holidays and 5 years I was employed with M.E. Electrical(2004-2009) for telecommunications companies Telone/Econet/Powertel/M.E. Electrical and also weekends when formally employed by ZESA.

3.Leaving employment contracts hanging with telecommunication companies(I offer and I accept concept).Maintaining clean employment contracts. This will help in protection design which is a telecommunication functionality in ZETDC.

4.Taking close interest and giving priority to staff construction base stations in Kadoma, Harare and Chinhoyi.

5.Managing customer-supplier relationship to acquire knowledge during all the time I was employed by ZESA/ZETDC.

6.Reading textbooks on telecommunications and digital signal processing.

7.Working with and watching television, radio, computer and cellphone repairers for 5 years(2004-2009) and upto now during spare time.

8.Working with satellite dish installers e.g. COSDISH and M.E. Electrical.

9.Digging and participating in repair of two wire black 48V-52v (if 0.63mm copper Imax=5 A)PTC/Telone communication cables.

10.Visiting Mobile/Main Switching Centres(MSC)

11.Research on base station design and telecommunication IN standard textbooks and internet.

12.Discussions with Chief Telephone Technicians and telephone technicians during field work.

13.Watching with keen interest telephone distribution installation in buildings e.g. Building near ZETDC Kadoma-Mutetwa building,ZETDC Northern Region.

14.Work in cabinets and distribution points, installation of telephone handsets and WI-FI.

15.Making friends with telephone industry experts

Fault-Finding in telecommunication underground cables using fault locators e.g. cable haunt/hunt. Distribution points.

TYPES OF LINKS IN THE TELECOMMUNICATION INDUSTRY

1.WIRE Links(48-52 V)-e.g. copper, fibre optic, paper copper cables, jelly pvc copper cables e.t.c.

2.Radio or wireless links(E.G. Base stations and cellphones)

3.Satellite links

Terminal equipment in telecommunications

1.Telephone handsets

2.Cellphones

3.Computers

4.Radios and televisions

5.Fax machines e.t.c.

6.Protection relays

7.antenna

Intermediate equipment in telecommunications

1.Splitter-filter

2.Modem/router

3.Exchange/Main Switching Centre

4.Pulse-code-modulators(PCM)

Main Points In The Telecommunication Industry

2 pair cable to telephone handset bandwidth=0.3-3.4 KHz which is utilized for voice and data. Lower side voice and upperside data which is achieved through a bandpass filter called a splitter

WIFI –MODEM/ROUTER Transmits WIFI signal to end user gadgets.

When joining copper paper cables we have to use sleeves to minimize width of cable.

Scotchlocks have to be used when joining jelly filled copper. The scotchlocks themselves are jelly filled

For fault-locating in telecommunication cables we use cable haunts, Time domain reflectometer(TDR) for faults on copper cables and Optical Time Domain Reflectometer(OTD) for fibre-optic

FETEX is a digital Exchange and Strowger an electro-mechanical switch

Hobbies

Reading literature on social sciences (Widely read on solar energy, Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, political science and social science)

Watching athletics

Watching TV

Marketing

Research and reading engineering and scientific journals.

Being a voluntary worker in engineering, telecommunication companies of interest during weekends and holidays and also whilst on official leave.

By Dorrothy Moyo| ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cousin, Obert Gutu has come out to defend himself.

Gutu who is Thokozani Khupe’s deputy, said his party is not at all working with Mnangagwa.

He made the announcement in the below video. Khupe’s party spokesperson Linda Masarira also quipped in saying, “Setting the record straight. We are not working with ZanuPF, we haven’t worked with ZanuPF and have no arrangement whatsoever with President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.” BELOW IS GUTU’S VIDEO:

By Farai D Hove| Contrary to complaints by opposition politicians, the British embassy in Harare says it has managed to obtain an electronic copy of the voters’ roll.

For the last 3 days, the opposition has complained that the voters’ roll is inaccessible. But the British embassy somewhat “proved” this to be untrue when they allegedly stood in the same queue for it and managed to even get a searchable electronic copy.

The embassy in statement said the move was easy. They said, “we were not the first in the queue this morning. Others joined us. We were not the first to get the roll. We understand that some candidates are also now in possession of the roll.” Below a series of their tweets late Monday:

Today we managed to access a copy of the voters’ roll from @ZECZim offices. Our official went there early this morning, queued, paid 20 US and came back with a copy.

— UKinZimbabwe ?? ?? (@UKinZimbabwe) June 18, 2018

We tweeted out about this because on Friday, our ambassador also
tweeted out our intense disappointment that the candidates spoken to had not been able to access the roll. We needed to see whether it was available (and not just to foreign embassies)

— UKinZimbabwe ?? ?? (@UKinZimbabwe) June 18, 2018

We were not the first in the queue this morning. Others joined us. We
were not the first to get the roll. We understand that some candidates are also
now in possession of the roll.

— UKinZimbabwe ?? ?? (@UKinZimbabwe) June 18, 2018

Some parties have not received a copy of the roll. If this is a deliberate
policy by ZEC this is unacceptable & we will continue to raise it. We met @nelsonchamisa last week & understood from him how crucial the voters roll is to all political parties. That's why we raise it.

— UKinZimbabwe ?? ?? (@UKinZimbabwe) June 18, 2018

Today’s tweet has nothing to do with whitewashing the election or jumping to declare it free and fair. This is about being an observer, and saying what we see. We were given a voters’ roll by @ZECZim and others have been issued with a copy.

— UKinZimbabwe ?? ?? (@UKinZimbabwe) June 18, 2018

We now eagerly await – as everyone will – the results of the independent audit of the voters' roll.

— UKinZimbabwe ?? ?? (@UKinZimbabwe) June 18, 2018

As we’ve said repeatedly, Zimbabweans must be free to choose the leader of their choice in a free and fair election. This country’s future depends on that – and that’s all we want to see.

@FCOHumanRights @foreignoffice

— UKinZimbabwe ?? ?? (@UKinZimbabwe) June 18, 2018

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.