By Paul Nyathi|Opposition MDCT Alliance has lost a tricky case at the courts over the imposition of a parliamentary candidate.

Blessing Nhende a member of the party youth wing took the party to court for imposing a candidate in a Ward previously declare as reserved for youths in Mabvuku.

The MDCT had imposed Barnabas Ndira who is over the age of thirty five being the cut off age for the youth to be candidate for ward 21 in Mabvuku after previously declaring it reserved for the youth.

The court ruled that the MDC-T should hold a primary election in the ward urgently before the 14th of June to get a youth candidate for the ward.

The ruling is likely to cause a mayhem in the party where several similar concerns were raised.

By Paul Nyathi|The ZANU PF Matabeleland South Provincial Coordinating Committee has outright rejected Minister of State for the Province Abednico Ncube contest as the party candidate for Gwanda South.

The PCC met in Gwanda on Monday and rejected a list sent to the province by the party commissariate with names of candidates who lost primary elections being squeezed in as candidates.

Ncube lost the primary elections to ZBC staff member Ompile Marupi in the primary elections but was brought back to contest the seat by the national commissariat who disqualified Marupi with no explaination given.

Addressing the PCC members, Zanu PF provincial chairman Rabelani Choene distanced himself from the list produced by the national commissariat saying it had a number of irregularities.

He said some losing candidates had been clandestinely allocated posts in districts where they do not come from, while in some cases losing candidates had been declared winners.

“Please note that I have nothing to do with this list, this document came from the national commissariat. If you have any concerns do not direct them at me but to Harare,” said Choene.

PCC members immediately rejected the document and drafted the final list of winners for the national assembly, women’s quarter, senate and provincial council candidates.

“Chairman, we will not accept anything that is not endorsed by this PCC, let us come up with our final list that we will send to Harare. We say no to imposition of candidates,” they said.

Speaking soon after emerging from a closed door meeting with the provincial leadership, Vice President Mohadi commended the province for ensuring transparency and fairness prevails, saying the focus should now be on winning the elections.

He reminded party cadres that there was no winner or loser in the intra-party polls, adding if there are any concerns by any individual they should be raised after the elections.

“The PCC is the authentic body so they have the right to come out with the finalist of their candidates. Those who are grumbling, there is nothing to grumble about, we are Zanu PF, we are not voting for individuals but the party. So your little battles are over,” he said.

Other changes that were made to the previous list saw Rabelani Choene becoming the Beitbridge senatorial candidate instead of Tambudzani Mohadi.

Alma Mkwebu will no longer be the senate candidate for Gwanda after Rennie Kibi was declared the winner.

MBUSO Fuzwayo, secretary-general of civil rights group Ibhetshu LikaZulu, has filed robbery charges against a suspected Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative who allegedly confiscated his mobile phone on Saturday after finding the activists constructing a memorial plaque at a Gukurahundi mass grave at Bhalagwe, Kezi district.

Fuzwayo yesterday told Southern Eye that the incident occurred while they were erecting a memorial plaque at the mass grave site, together with villagers from Kezi.

He said four CIO operatives arrived in a white Nissan twin cab at the site and allegedly identified themselves as police officers.

“I introduced myself to them and asked them who were they since I had told them who I am. They told us that they were police officers. They started taking pictures of us at work and I also took their pictures as well,” Fuzwayo said.

“That is when an argument arose over why I was taking their pictures and I also asked why they were also taking pictures of us. They then took my mobile phone, forced us to throw away the mortar we were using, before they drove away. They later came back in the company of three uniformed police officers and two others in civilian clothes.”

Fuzwayo said the CIO operatives accused him of constructing the plaque without engaging local traditional leaders.

He said the operatives ordered them to stop the programme.

“I reported the matter to the police in Kezi on Saturday under case number 1606/2018 – RRB 3102163. That is when I was given back my mobile phone,” Fuzwayo, who claimed that he reported the matter at Kezi Police Station in the company of his lawyer, Nqobani Sithole, said.

Sithole said they were now waiting for the police to advise them on the court date.

“Fuzwayo approached us saying he was robbed of his mobile phone by the police and the CIOs and we went to Kezi to recover the phone,” Sithole said.

“When we arrived there the police officers denied the accusations and it only emerged that the person who took the mobile phone was a CIO operative only identified as Kudakwashe. So we filed robbery charges against him. We are waiting for the police to advise us on the court date. However, the police gave us the phone.”

Newsday

THE July 30 election campaign trail has claimed the life of a two-year-old who was reportedly abducted and brutally killed by suspected Zanu PF activists at the weekend after his father Rambai Lumbe defected to the opposition National People’s Party (NPP) where he is Mazowe North parliamentary candidate, NewsDay has learnt.

Addressing mourners at his Sunridge Farm in Glendale yesterday, the distraught Lumbe, said he was finding it difficult to stomach the death of his son, Professor, whose heavily bruised body was recovered about two kilometres from the family home on Sunday.

The incident has raised fears of a repeat of the bloody 2008 presidential run-off election where over 300 opposition MDC-T supporters were killed and thousands others internally displaced by suspected State security agents and Zanu PF militia.

Lumbe, who defected from Zanu PF in 2014 to join former Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s ZimPF and later NPP where he is Mashonaland Central provincial secretary, said prior to the incident some local ruling party activists had visited his home and warned him to leave opposition politics or risk losing his family.

“My son, Professor went missing on Saturday afternoon, but was only found dead by some kids harvesting soya beans on Sunday. This came as no surprise considering that we are living in a politically-charged environment where I receive a number of threats on my family,” Lumbe said.

“There are a number of cases where Zanu PF activists came and threatened me saying I was not a member of Zanu PF anymore, so I didn’t deserve to stay on the land that I was given by Zanu PF. I was told clearly that my involvement in opposition politics endangers my family.

“I started receiving threats in 2014 when I joined the then ZimPF (Mujuru’s first opposition party). At one point, Zanu PF youths came to my plot and tried partitioning it amongst themselves claiming since I was in opposition politics, I was supposed to leave. Their warning was straight-forward that I was putting my family in danger and I was supposed to make a choice.”

His wife, Nomatter Midzi said it was unfortunate that her son died under unclear circumstances although she suspects that their political rivals who always subjected them to all sorts of intimidation were responsible.

“I am convinced that my son was murdered because for some time, Zanu PF people were telling us that my husband’s political activism will endanger my family at some point. They failed to destroy him and then chose to attack my son aged two years, seven months,” she said.

She added: “I am convinced it’s Zanu PF people because in many cases, since we stay close to the road, they would pass through shouting that if my husband continues with opposition politics, then they will not spare us.”

She, however, said it was unfortunate that political differences would get to this level.

Like her husband, Nomatter said everyone should be allowed to express their political views without any form of intimidation.

Mourners gathered at the funeral said it was deplorable that people could attack each other over political differences. They said since the national political leadership, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa were preaching the gospel of peace, it was only prudent to follow his wise counsel.

Contacted for comment, Zanu PF Mashonaland provincial chairman Kazembe Kazembe dismissed the allegations as “false”.

“I don’t know about that. I even don’t know NPP candidates. To be honest, I have never heard about that kind of intimidation. People must appreciate the message from our President and all of us we don’t condone violence at all. However, I have no idea of such an incident,” Kazembe said.

NPP national standing committee member and People’s Rainbow Coalition provincial elections director Julius Musevenzi condemned the intimidation and physical violence against the opposition by suspected ruling party activists.

“Whilst ED and Zanu PF are talking about free and fair elections, for us this has just become a talk of the day and artificial. The reality is that people on the ground particularly in the farming community of newly resettled areas suffer a lot of intimidation from Zanu PF. This means any former Zanu PF member who joins another party becomes an enemy,” Musevenzi said.

“These people are a threat to Zanu PF and they have a huge following. As PRC, we do condemn such kind of violence.”

Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Petros Masikati said although police were investigating a case of suspected murder, he had no knowledge of the involvement of any political party.

Newsday

By Paul Nyathi|MDC-T Masvingo provincial chairperson James Gumbi has resigned from his position, very reliable sources within the party in Masvingo have told ZimEye.com.

Gumbi is reported to have submitted his resignation letter to the party provincial Secretary on Tuesday morning after he saw his efforts to impose his own choice of candidates in the province go up in smoke.

Earlier this year Gumbi had vowed that he was going to have the final say on who was going to be the candidates for the opposition paying no regard to the MDC Alliance coalition agreements.

Gumbi, who claimed that he influenced the late MDC-T founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai to appoint Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as vice presidents in 2016, always indicated that there was no one within the party and Alliance qualified enough to tell him what to do when it comes to the selection of candidates to represent the party in the province in the upcoming elections.

Addressing aspiring MPs and councillors at party provincial offices in Rhodene in March Gumbi said the buck stopped with him. His antics took a drastic direction when he refused to present the MDC Alliance candidate for Chivi North to the MDC-T Vice President Mudzuri last week claiming that the candidate was not favoured in the electorate.

“I have the final say; I’m the one who put the final signature and no one even from national can tell me what to do,” Gumbi was quoted telling the MDC Alliance structures.

The sources indicated that Gumbi seemed to have this courage from the claims he made that he footed the late Tsvangirai’s medical bills as well as influencing the appointment of Chamisa and Mudzuri as VPs.

Gumbi’s moves threatened to shake the grass root support base of the party, leading to loyal party members turning against him in numbers resulting in his resignation from the chairman’s position in frustration.

ZimEye.com efforts to get a comment on the resignation from the MDC-T Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora were not successful at the time of writing though party sources in Masvingo insisted that Gumbi had resigned. Gumbi could also not be reached on his mobile phone which was continuously unreachable.

By Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Election Support Network an electoral process watchdog has questioned the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, ZEC’s, silence on the printing of the ballot papers in its election roadmap released last week.

ZESN released the following statement in reaction to the roadmap published by the commission last week.

ZESN STATEMENT ON THE 2018 ELECTION ROADMAP RELEASED BY ZEC

ZESN remains committed to the promotion of democratic elections in Zimbabwe.

By Paul Nyathi|Zimbabweans will know their new leader by 4 August according to the elections roadmap released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

The roadmap says it will take the commission five days to collate and announce the results of the elections which will be held on 30 July. Below is their officially published schedule:

By Paul Nyathi|Former cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere has appeared in court on charges of flouting the country’ immigration laws.

The former ZANU PF commissar pleaded not guilty to the charges of violating the country’s immigration law by unlawfully leaving Zimbabwe using an undesignated port.

Kasukuwere skipped the country’s borders in November last year when the army executed a coup on former President Robert Mugabe. He took refuge in South Africa for six months before returning home.

His lawyer Mr Jonathan Samukange applied for discharge at the close of the state case arguing that his client’s life was under threat and he qualified for refugee status.

“When a person is under threat, his life is under threat; he can leave the country as a refugee. The refugee status starts from Zimbabwe; it does not start from the foreign country. The act is very clear on that point, so that’s why my client pleaded not guilty……when he left he was already a refugee…,” said Mr Samukange.

The court will hand down its ruling on the application for discharge at the close of the state case today (Tuesday) at 08:30 am.

By Paul Nyathi|Flamboyant ZANU PF Central Committee member and Zimbabwe Football Association chairman Philip Chiyangwa is demanding a whopping $1 million dollars for defamation of character from ZANU PF Harare Provincial Women’s League leader Ratizo Mukarati.

Chiyangwa is raising the claims on Mukarati who ZANU PF supporters are calling the “New Grace Mugabe” over utterances she made against him at a ZANU PF women’s interface rally with President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week.

Mukarati who sections of the ZANU PF supporters have accused of behaving like the former First Lady Grace Mugabe by attacking senior party members in public demanded that President Mnangagwa arrests Chiyangwa who she accused of being a land baron who symphonies money from fellow party supporters.

Mukarati claimed that Chiyangwa corruptly acquired land in Harare South and was selling it at exorbitant prices to party members.

Presenting a report to President Mnangagwa during the meeting in Harare last Thursday, Mukarati said Chiyangwa has brought untold suffering to party supporters in the Harare South constituency.

“In Harare South the issue of residential stands is a big issue because of Chiyangwa who claims to be one of us,” said Mukarati.

“Zanu PF political heavyweights like Chiyangwa, Mr President are abusing party supporters after he corruptly bought land which once belonged to the State.

“He (Chiyangawa) is now demanding more money from party supporters who have already bought those housing stands as cooperatives and those who can’t afford are being chased away with their houses and properties being destroyed.”

She added; “These people are now living in poverty and struggling with nowhere to live and these are the same people who voted for Zanu PF in 2013.”

Responding to the reports, Mnangagwa said he has commissioned a land inquiry, adding that once the report is out those found on the wrong side of the law will be prosecuted.

“This report will be made public and I can assure you even those that you have mentioned (Chiyangwa) here, if he is found to have corruptly acquired (land) he will be prosecuted.”

Writing through his lawyers Chiyangwa expressed ignorance and non involvement in the issues raised by Mukarati demanding that she makes a public apology and withdraw the statements against him within twenty four hours or face a million dollar lawsuit from him.

The deadline expired on Sunday and at the time of writing Mukarati had not yet given the public apology and withdrawal of her statements.

ZimEye.com efforts to get a comment from both Chiyangwa and Mukarati were not successful at the time of writing.

By Paul Nyathi|A Bulawayo man has appeared in court on murder charge after he allegedly kicked his wife several times on the face and chest until she lost consciousness and eventually died.

The 50 year old man, Ricardo Staddon was arrested for the murder of Kim Caterina who died five days after he brutally attacked for undisclosed reasons.

Staddon was not asked to plead on the murder charge before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Adelaide Mbeure who remanded him in custody to June 24 for further investigations.

Prosecuting, Mr Maclean Ndlovu alleged that Staddon severely assaulted his wife on May 19 at Gainsborough, Barham Green until she collapsed.

“Staddon slapped and kicked Caterina with booted feet on the face and chest until she lost consciousness. She was taken to UBH where she was admitted until she passed away on May 24 at around 8PM,” he said.

“A post mortem which was conducted on May 28 showed that the assault was the cause of death.”

By Paul Nyathi|Elections dark horse the Alliance for People’s Agenda, APA, led by Dr Nkosana Moyo will be launching its official manifesto on Wednesday next week, the party has revealed.

The manifesto called The People’s Agenda will be launched by the party’s presidential candidate Dr Moyo in a public event at the Rotary Club of Harare.

Dr Moyo has carried out the most unique campaign trail where he has refused to hold any public rallies but opted to go around the country meeting voters individually in the streets of nearly every village and centre in the country.

The very reserved former Minister of Industry and Trade has been subjected to huge ridicule for his very unique campaign strategy though he appears to have impacted heavily on the people he met as numbers following his party appear to be growing every day.

The party wrote in its official website:

After more than a year of getting into the people, meeting Zimbabweans from all walks of life, listening and learning the challenges they face everyday, and their call for a NEW political, social and economic narrative, I’m pleased to officially invite you all to the People’s Agenda manifesto launch by Alliance for the People’s Agenda – APA at the Rotary Club of Harare, The Bridge near Harare Gardens on 20 June 2018.

Event starts at 16:00 hrs sharp ending at 19:00 hrs. We have a few hard copies of the entire policy document for our early birds. The floor will be open for a round of questions from all attendees. Can’t wait to see you all there!

By Paul Nyathi|The state run Chronicle Newspaper reports that at least one million Zimbabwean men have been circumcised, in a development that will scale up the country’s progress towards reaching the global 2030 HIV targets.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, 1 144 061 men have undergone voluntary medical circumcision (VMMC) so far, a figure that is likely to go up by the end of 2018. The country missed its target to circumcise 1,3 million people by 2015 .

The Aids and TB Unit director in the ministry, Dr Owen Mugurungi, said efforts were still in place to get more men circumcised as figures show that only 21 percent of men have undergone the surgery that reduces chances of HIV infection by up to 60 percent.

“From programme inception in 2009 till December 2017, a total of 1 144 061 males have been circumcised in Zimbabwe. In 2017 alone, 301 366 men were circumcised across the 10 provinces in our country,” said Dr Mugurungi.

“The programme is now nearing attaining its initial target of 1,3 million men. However, when we reach this target sometime this year, we will not stop, but will continue providing this much needed service as we have come up with more targets until 2021 so that we ensure a good number of men are circumcised in Zimbabwe.”

He said the Ministry will continue providing services that will lead to the reduction of new infections.

“We continue to encourage men to seek more information regarding VMMC and make that important decision to get circumcised. It is still for free and is provided by trained doctors and nurses in many of our provincial, district and mission hospitals across the country, including some private clinics in Bulawayo and Harare,” added Dr Mugurungi.

Zimbabwe launched a Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision campaign in 2009, aiming to put 1,3 million men under the knife by 2015 after studies showed circumcision reduced the risk of contracting HIV by 60 percent.

By Paul Nyathi|As a matter of fact, the MDC Alliance manifesto provisions on state institutions were extracted from the Zimbabwean Constitution and not the South African constitution.

The closes in the Zimbabwean Constitution are word for word with the ones in the South African Constitution.

By Paul Nyathi|ZANU PF supporters on Sunday showed their usual violent character when they thoroughly beat each other up at Stodart Hall in Mbare during the body viewing at the burial of National Hero John Chingumba.

The fight ended with three supporters of the ruling party’s parliamentary candidate, Tendai Savanhu, severely injured and hospitalised.

The fracas was as a result of clashes between Savanhu’s supporters and rivals from losing primary election candidate Emmanuel Mahachi’s camp.

Witnesses said Mahachi’s allies stormed the hall and caused mayhem, accusing Savanhu and his supporters of using dirty tactics to win the party primary polls held last month.

The problem started when Zanu PF
provincial chairlady, Ratidzo Mukarati, complained over the poor turnout at the burial, where she was told Mahachi had threatened to unleash his supporters to disrupt the event.

The violence allegedly broke out when Mahachi showed up at the hall and received a hero’s welcome from his backers, before provincial chairman Godwills Masimirembwa openly reprimanded
him for fanning violence.

Masimirembwa was manhandled in the process, only to be rescued by a Zanu PF provincial deputy youth chair Samuel Chikukwa.

This, according to party sources, angered Mahachi’s supporters, who immediately charged toward Masimirembwa before turning to Savanhu’s followers and attacked them using various weapons.

“Mahachi’s so-called bodyguards started beating up youths and three were seriously injured. One of the bouncers, known as Yadda, had a steel rod and chain, which he used to beat up youths
from the rival camp,” one of the Zanu PF sources said.

The three injured youths were taken to Harare Central Hospital, where one was feared to have had a fractured arm and had eight stiches on the back of his head. The other had a broken leg.

Contacted for comment, Mahachi denied that his supporters were behind the violence.

“It has nothing to do with me, but Savanhu and the people of Mbare who do not like him. I heard there was some scuffle between the people and Savanhu’s backers who were blocking the people from boarding kombis to the National Heroes Acre,” he said.

His supporters claimed the clashes were between Savanhu and disgruntled Zanu PF supporters who were accusing him of rigging the primary elections.

Masimirembwa professed ignorance about the violence, but admitted that some unruly elements were at the hall to disrupt the proceedings.

He also admitted that he summoned and reprimanded Mahachi over his conduct.

“There were some unruly elements, but I don’t know if anyone was assaulted because I had gone to the National Heroes Acre,” Masimirembwa said.

“I talked to Mahachi to try to advise him to embrace each other for the good of the party because primary elections were concluded and Savanhu was confirmed as the winner.”

Police said they were yet to receive a report.

Newsday

A HARARE waitress, Debra, left many envious of her job yesterday after a receipt from new nightclub, Sankayi showed a bill of $8 862 with her tip being $805.

Over the years, waitresses have been looked down on especially considering that most get paid up to $150 a month. But this tip from one table — which is double the salary of most civil servants — has got people talking with some waitresses from as far off as Bulawayo saying they need to relocate to the capital.

Club Sankayi that is located in the Harare CBD and is run by pompous businessman — Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure — is certainly taking over from Pablo’z VIP Club that had positioned itself as the “big spenders” home in Harare.

Now, it seems the big spenders — most whom are Ginimbi’s friends — are now hanging out at Sankayi.

An interview with a patron who frequents the spot showed that a lot of women — especially strippers — were flocking to Sankayi in search of jobs.

“Sankayi is the place to be. Already, about two strippers from Private Lounge have left their trade to work as waitresses at Sankayi as they know the club attracts wealthy men. It seems to be paying off for them because Genius and his crew know how to party and spend money on women,” said the patron who requested anonymity.

On the receipt, Armand de Brignac champagne, Ace of Spades, which is sold for $1 200 per bottle at the club was the most expensive followed by other popular champagnes Veuve Clicquot Rich and Moet.

Club Sankayi, which is barely a month old, has already attracted big names such as DRC’s Fally Ipupa who was there two weeks ago.

The Chronicle.

By Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Sunday presided over the burial of national hero John Chimbandi with the nation taking very little concern on the burial. In fact much of the nation’s attention was taken away by a highly attended MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa rally which was being held at the same time in Chiredzi.

Chimbandi died at Arundel Clinic in Harare on June 2, after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and heart enlargement, which affected his breathing. He was declared a national hero by the ZANU PF politburo.

Celebrated as a workaholic who continued to serve the nation after suffering a stroke which partially paralysed the left side of his body, Chimbandi’s burial drew a low turnout of predominantly family members and ZANU PF supporters.

Proceedings began in the morning with people drawn from business, politics and academia thronging Stodart Hall in Mbare for a brief ceremony and body-viewing.

President Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa led the body-viewing session followed by Cabinet ministers, service chiefs and other dignitaries.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his wife Marry Chiwenga, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda, Deputy Speaker Mabel Chinomona, Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Home Affairs Minister Obert Mpofu, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs Miriam Chikukwa and ZANU PF Politburo member Sydney Sekeramayi, attended the ceremony.

Chimbandi’s body was ferried to its final resting place at the national shrine on a gun carriage.

His daughter Annah said her father was a humble man.

“He was a man of few words and a humble person. “He was a protective father and very generous.”

Chimbandi was born on October 01, 1950 to Anna and Martin Chimbandi in Hwedza’s Zviyambe area.

He attended St Annes Mission, Goto and Ranch House College in Harare for secondary education from 1964 to 1969. Chimbandi obtained a Bachelor of Political Science degree from the University of Botswana between 1969 and 1971.He received his military training in Tanzania after joining the liberation struggle in 1972.

At independence Chimbandi joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Assistant Secretary for Africa and the Middle East. He later served in various capacities in the diplomatic circles until his retirement last year.

By Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Electoral Commision has declared that no one, including the opposition MDC Alliance will be allowed to have access to the Biometric Voter Registration server.

In a statement responding to demands made by the opposition MDC Alliance through a petition last week, the ZEC chairperson Priscilla Chigumba said that the server which carries the voters roll is a state security item and will not be made accessible to anyone as is with all other national security items.

“The issue of access to the server is controlled in the same way as is the case with all institutions that keep custody of information of a security or confidential nature,” said Chigumba.

The opposition Alliance in its demands last week requested that ZEC allows a panel of experts from the party to inspect the server for any possible irregularities.

Justice Chigumba also dismissed demands by the MDC Alliance for it to be involved in the procurement and movement of the ballot paper.

“One of the issues raised in the petition had to do with the procurement and movement of the ballot paper and I would like to reinforce that such is the exclusive right of the commission in terms of Section 239 of the Constitution,” said Chigumba.

She added: “This is an administrative matter for which the commission is not subject to the direction or control of any person. However, as a consensus-building gesture in order to foster transparency, the commission has resolved to allow political parties and other stakeholders to observe the printing of the ballots when the time comes.”

Chigumba also said that her Commission does not have the mandate to call off an election once it has been proclaimed as was demanded by the opposition party.

“Our response to the conditions precedent for holding elections, our response would be the commission is bound by the Constitution to carry out its mandate. Once a proclamation has been issued it is required by law to proceed with preparations for elections and it can only be stopped by a court of law”.

By Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has written to Zimbabwe Media Commission demanding that all political parties taking part in this year’s elections be given equal coverage on state media including the ZBC.

Commission Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba indicated in a statement responding to a petition on electoral reforms presented to the Commision by the opposition MDC Alliance last week.

The Alliance had raised concern on equal access to the media by parties contesting the elections.

Justice Chigumba said: “The commission has written to the Zimbabwe Media Commission and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe in line with section 160 of the Electoral Act. The best time to ensure there is access to and equal coverage of all political parties by the media would be after June 14 when the commission knows who will be contesting.”

The ZBC has been accused of only covering the ruling ZANU PF election campaigns and ignoring other political parties. The issue was included in a host of electoral concerns raised by the opposition MDC Alliance when it held a demonstration which was attended by about 10 000 people in the capital last week.

Two days after the demonstration, the ZBC appeared to have reformed and went on to broadcast live the opposition MDC Alliance manifesto launch on both radio and television.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has repeatedly assured the world that this year’s elections will be free, fair and credible.

The Government has invited observers from all over the world to witness the election.

The 2018 COSAFA Cup champions, Zimbabwe’s Warriors arrived back home on Sunday evening from South Africa by road after conquering Southern Africa for a record 6th time.

The triumphant warriors were spotted by ZimEye.com readers in a long queue at Beitbrdge border post on Sunday afternoon waiting to do customs and immigration formalities.

The site of the warriors at the border travelling by road raised ire amongst the Zimbabwean football fans who questioned how the football mother body ZIFA failed to raise airfares for the team.

In an interview with the ZBC News upon their arrival from the successful outing, the Warriors trio of Khama Billiat, George Chigova and Tinotenda Kadewere expressed excitement in retaining the title which they won last year.

Coach, Sunday Chidzambwa said he is delighted to be crowned this year’s champions especially after tough matches.

The Warriors COSAFA campaign was characterised by mesmerising goalkeeping antics from George Chigova who managed to save 5 penalties in the quarter-final and semi-final matches against Botswana and Lesotho respectively.

In the final, the Warriors scored two goals in extra-time to beat Zambia 4-2 and lift the trophy.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has indicated that his long time “Tsholotsho Coup Ally”, Phillip Chiyangwa will be prosecuted if found guilty of corruption.

This was to do with the acquiring of property he allegedly did through the assistance of former G40 minister, Ignatius Chombo.

Mnangagwa was speaking during a Zanu-PF Women’s League meeting on Thursday.

Mnangagwa promised to rein in on Chiyangwa.

Mnangagwa said, “this report will be made public and I can assure you even those that you have mentioned (Chiyangwa) here, if he is found to have corruptly acquired (land) he will be prosecuted.”

He was referring to questions on a report presented by Zanu-PF Women’s League Harare provincial chairperson Ratidzo Mukarati which fingers Chiyangwa for acquiring land in Harare South. Mukarati said Chiyangwa is demanding more money from Zanu-PF supporters who bought those housing stands as cooperatives. She said those who cannot afford are being chased away with their houses and properties being destroyed. – state media

By Paul Nyathi|Firebrand MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa has promised that he will reinstate to his job a Zimbabwe Correctional Services Officer who was suspended from work for praising him at the expense of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Chamisa who paraded the man, John Mahlabera, in front of a packed Stadium in Chiredzi on Sunday assured him that he will get his job back on the 1st of August when he wins the presidential elections set for July 30.

Mahlabera who is a Senior Prison Officer based in Chiredzi was last week summoned to appear before the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services internal disciplinary hearing after he allegedly heaped praises on the main opposition MDC-T president Chamisa, allegedly describing him as “my president”.

In the summons (case number 2929948A,) Mahlabera is being charged with contravening section 3 (1) of the Prisons (Staff) Discipline Regulations 1984 of “using traitorous or disloyal words regarding the President or the government” or alternatively section 3 (46) of “being guilty of any other act, conduct, disorder or neglect of duty to the prejudice of good conduct or discipline”.

According to the charge sheet, on April 9 near Chiredzi Prison, Mahlabera “unlawfully” made political comments on his Twitter handle after an MDC-T rally held at Jerera Growth Point in Zaka, which was addressed by party president Chamisa.

Mahlabera, according to the charge sheet, wrote: “Come to Chiredzi my President” on his Twitter account, thus showing loyalty to the opposition party president, while exhibiting disloyalty and disgraceful contact (sic) to the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Head of State and Government and the Commander-in-chief-of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces or his office”.

The summons, on a prisons letterhead, were written by officer-in-charge of prisons police, one M Ferenando, and copied to the officer commanding prisons in Masvingo province.

Mahlabera’s lawyer, Collins Maboke, of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), said his client is set to appear before the disciplinary hearing on June 12 in Masvingo.

Maboke said the allegations infringe on his client’s freedom of expression

“First of all, they do not have evidence to the effect that the Twitter account belonged to my client. Secondly, how did they come to the conclusion that he was referring to the president of the MDC-T, Nelson Chamisa? What if he was referring to another president of an association or President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Again, the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression,” he said.

Mahlabera joins a long list of 200 other Zimbabweans-according to the ZLHR, who have been arrested and prosecuted in courts by the previous administration of ex-president Robert Mugabe for undermining the authority of and insulting the president.

By Paul Nyathi|Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors have failed to qualify for the 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) after this afternoon’s 2-1 loss at home to Zambia’s Shepolopolo.

The Mighty Warriors went into the match with an eye into the Ghana’s showpiece after winning 1-nil in the first leg but today’s second leg loss ensured that their rivals qualify on an away goals rule.

Zimbabwe opened the score sheet through Erina Jeke but the Zambians scored twice through Helen Chanda and Barbara Banda to cause an upset at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.

By Paul Nyathi| ZANU PF activists have claimed that a section of the MDC Alliance SMART electoral blue print was plagiarized word for word from a section of the South African constitution.

The party has attracted criticism from analysts and parties opposing the MDC Alliance.

Activist Patson Dzamara who sneaked his way into the party structures who sat down to formulate the document, has been known for similar acts before.

Below are the two sections:

ZimEye.com efforts to get a comment from the MDC Alliance on the issue have not been successful.

By Paul Nyathi|Under pressure President Emmerson Mnangagwa has produced a desperate pledge to Zimbabweans outlining his promises to Zimbabwe for the next five years.

President Mnangagwa released the pledge in his official Facebook page on Sunday in the background of a massive Nelson Chamisa led opposition MDC Alliance rally held in Chiredzi on the same day.

Chamisa has been attracting massive numbers at his rallies that have seen the ruling ZANU PF strike panic buttons.

Wrote Mnangagwa on his page:

MY PLEDGE TO YOU

Each card has my signature and should be considered a coupon for progress and a certificate of trust between me and you, the people of Zimbabwe. I invite everyone to keep hold of these cards and hold me accountable for these pledges.

By Paul Nyathi|Former Kwekwe Central Member of Parliament Masango “Blackman” Matambanadzo broke his numerous record making stunts when he addressed a campaign rally sitting on the shoulders of one if his personal bodyguards.

Matambanadzo who confesses to have dropped out of formal learning at grade 2 addressed his rally at Mbizo 4 Shopping Centre in kwekwe town for over thirty minutes sitting on his giant while sitting on his giant bodyguard on Saturday.

Matambanadzo was recently dismissed from ZANU PF and parliament after he confessed switching allegiance from the President Emmerson Mnangagwa led ruling party to join the former President Robert backed National Patriotic Front. Below was the video:

Masango “Blackman” Matambanadzo speaking while on top of his body guard.

Dear MDC-T Alliance Family.

I write to you after a long time from my Facebook page because of the overwhelming commitments I had despite our nation being confronted with an impending election. As you know, I contested in our party’s primary elections seeking the mandate from the people to represent them in the constituency of Zengeza West against the ZANU PF candidate. The internal party process to chose the candidate for Zengeza West took place weeks ago. I never minded to broadcast it to the world because it meant nothing to me.

I am not disparaging at all against those who took it upon themselves to announce it to the world that I have won the right to represent my party in Zengeza West because these are people who wished me well in my endeavours. Thanks to those comrades and friends. For me, I took it as a normal process which should be respected in an institution like ours. I would like to thank my party with the democratic and peaceful way they allowed the process to take place in Zengeza West. There weren’t been funnies. The party allowed the people of Zengeza West to express themselves. People should learn that in internal processes there is no winner or loser as long as the process is done freely and fairly. The winner must never and I emphasise, must never take himself and herself as the paragon of knowledge and wisdom. Rather it should humble every true leader that being elected by the people among a troop of contestants doesn’t mean to say that you are the wise men from the East. It is merely being bestowed with the responsibility to carry their voice. This must humble even the most arrogant in the village.

I have seen many people who misconstrued the responsibility thrust upon by the people as meaning being the wisest in the vicinity. It’s not true. I humbly thank you the people of Zengeza West for bestowing your confidence in me to be the midwife of the problems we face as a community.

This could not have been possible had it not been of unprecedented and overwhelming financial support I obtained from good and solid friends from across the world who teared when they head about my intention to stand in Zengeza West. Tafadzwa Musekiwa and his wife Tariro made the most contribution to this success. I wonder whether they spared any money for their food as they contributed almost half of the £30 000 I got from my genuine friends. My sibling Harry Sikhala, Memory Mucherahowa Mwendamberi, Nathaniel Mphisa, Brian Musekiwa, Charles Mutama, Arthur KD, Mirirai Bere, Thomas Maseko, Nqobile Ndlovu, Dewa Mavhinga, Moses Oburu, and many others. I was even surprised by your love and confidence in me. Thank you colleagues. You are true friends.

However, the main objective is to make sure that we create a dream Zimbabwe. To all members of the MDC T Alliance family primary elections come and go. The objective remains the same. We might all not been satisfied by how the process might have been handled in our constituency. No process is 100% perfect. We must not lose focus of the bigger picture. Nelson Chamisa needs to win. The passing on of our unifying icon leader must teach us the struggle for our freedom can only be obtained through unity. I am sorry and take this opportunity to apologise to anyone who might have been offended along the way in our internal process to elect our representatives. It is now time to congregate around the idea and our dream. Our dream and idea is around the policies which are being articulated by our President Nelson Chamisa around how we are going to extricate our country from the jaws of poverty.

Primary elections should not blind us from focusing on removing these pretenders who have been presiding over our nation for decades. There is no hope except despair if these people who came to power through a coup win the forthcoming elections. There will be loads of empty promises and hopelessness if tikaita chiramwa chegurwe. Unity in our ranks is our only hope. I am sorry to those who play factional politics in our family. We are one and nothing should divide us. Factionalism is the creation of a mindset. A mindset that is toxic and unproductive. Our factional focus should be around Chamisa to deliver victory for all of us. Lets be focused and finish the business we started years ago. It has taken long but the destination is near. Victory is ours and ours only to lose. I love you all. In in unison victory is attainable.

I thank you. Lets rally behind our president.

HOME Affairs minister Obert Mpofu has been accused by parliamentarians of neglecting a 94-year-old farm employee who is said to be taking care of an Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) estate that the minister is said to have run down.

Outgoing Mabvuku-Tafara MP James Maridadi raised the issue during a debate on Parliament’s public accounts committee (PAC) report on Arda in the National Assembly last week.

The report presented by PAC chairperson Paurina Mpariwa revealed that most Arda estates were under-utilised.

Maridadi seconded the motion and claimed that during a visit to the Arda estate run by Mpofu, they discovered that the government property was run down and the minister’s employee was being neglected.

“Mpofu is one of the individuals in ownership of one of Arda’s estates, and we went to visit the estate as a committee. “but I tell you if we were to show you the pictures of that estate, every one of you will be angry,” he said.

“The person who was said to be taking care of the estate is an old man around the age of 90 years [and] of foreign descent, and he told MPs that he was a security guard at the farm.”

Maridadi said the man looked very frail and ill, adding that it was evident that he needed urgent medical attention.

“I will not even be surprised if one day that old man is found dead, and what Mpofu is doing to him is gross violation of human rights — and for it to be done by a minister in government is immoral, inhumane and despicable,” he said.

Maridadi produced pictures of the man in Parliament.

“The old man cried and said he had not been paid for months, and it was evident to us that even if Mpofu were to give the guard $50, it would go a long way and would make him happy,” he said.

“It is sad that Mpofu is a man of means, but the house where the guard lives is fit for a dog, the blankets were not washed and there was a strong stench coming from the house.

“I would urge the Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda to send a delegation so that the old man can be assisted.

“If President Emmerson Mnangagwa were to see this old man, Mpofu would be out of his job.”

The Standard

By Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced that he has officially set up his own anti corruption prosecution unit.

Mnangagwa revealed that he set up a seven-member team of lawyers to constitute an Anti-Corruption Prosecution Unit in his office which he created recently in his efforts to intensify fights against graft.

The President has since his inauguration last year pledged to fight corruption, which he singled out as stymieing economic growth and scaring foreign investors away.

President Mnangagwa said those engaging in corruption should be warned that the law will soon catch up with them.

Mnangagwa said this while addressing ZANU PF supporters at a rally at Chinzanga Primary School in Mtoko Mashonaland East Province on Saturday.

“This new dispensation says down with corruption, down with corruption, down with corruption. I hear that here, there are councils, rural district councils and urban councils that are corrupt,” said the President to thunderous cheers from the bumper crowd.

“Now, I want those who are engaging in corruption to listen. Today, before I came here, I had a meeting with seven lawyers, prosecutors.

“I have assembled a team of seven well experienced prosecutors. I have established the Anti-Corruption Prosecution Unit in the Office of the President to deal with corruption issues. So (those engaging in corruption) be warned.”

By Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reiterated his desire to meet opposition MDC-T President Nelson Chamisa.

Addressing multitudes of ZANU PF supporters at a rally at Chinzanga Primary School in Mtoko on Saturday, Mnangagwa said that he is still waiting for the opportunity to meet with leaders of all opposition parties to discuss the forthcoming harmonised elections.

The hugely attended rally was meant to drum support and unveil the ruling party’s candidates for Mashonaland East Province ahead of elections pencilled for 30 July.

President Mnangagwa said he was confident Zimbabwe will hold free, credible and violent-free elections.

“My leadership, my colleagues are very confident that we are capable of holding free and fair elections.”

“That is why I wanted to meet other leaders from contesting parties so that they commit themselves to ensure that we hold non-violent elections, but the meeting could not be held because I am told we now have so many political parties.

“So we need to wait until the nomination court sitting to know who will be contesting.

“I would want every leader, including myself, to commit to non-violence, to a clean campaign, a free election, a credible election. We must remain united, and the future of this country is bright. The new era is coming and together, let us enter Cannan while united.”

Government, he said, was informed by the stubborn belief in the country’s capacity to preside over a democratic plebiscite to invite several election observer and monitoring teams.

“We have elections that are coming in July. We have invited all Sadc countries, African Union, EU (European Union) the United Nations and even other countries in the East to observe our elections,” said the President.

“We have invited them because we do not want violence.”

“No violence, we want free, fair and credible elections. We have invited foreign election observers because I am very confident,” he said.

The MDC-T leader has also openly expressed his willingness to meet with Mnangagwa and wrote a letter to the President requesting for the meeting.

By Paul Nyathi|Leader of the MDC Professor Welshman Ncube has hit hard on MDC-T members who are denigrating on the MDC Alliance coalition agreement and presenting themselves as candidates in constituencies reserved for other coalition partners.

Addressing a hugely disappointing MDC Alliance rally at Nyangeni Business Centre in Gwanda North on Saturday Ncube blamed the MDC-T supporters for deliberately dividing the people of Zimbabwe in order to push their own selfish aspirations.

Ncube who is the spokesperson of the MDC Alliance narrated how the idea of the Alliance was muted by the late MDC-T founding President Morgan Tsvangirai calling on members of the Alliance partners to respect the wishes of the late opposition leader.

“President Tsvangirai took time to go around the country consulting everyone on what should be done to defeat ZANU PF and everyone asked that we reunite as the founding members of the MDC of 1999,” said Ncube.

“It was in that spirit that we agreed to formulate the MDC Alliance coalition beginning with uniting the three splinter parties the MDC, PDP and the MDC-T hence the name MDC Alliance.”

Ncube then went on to explain the highly contested allocation of parliamentary seats amongst the Alliance partners expressing disappointment at the MDC-T members who are bulldozing themselves into constituencies allocated to other partners.

“We set down with Tsvangirai and agreed that the MDC-T will provide the Alliance Presidential candidate which is why he was the candidate and Nelson Chamisa took over from him,” he said.

“When we came to the issue of parliamentary candidates we agreed that these will be allocated based on the 2008 election results where the MDC had seven seats here in Matabeleland South.”

“We however agreed as a party to cede three of those to the MDC-T leaving the MDC with four constituencies including this very one.”

Ncube’s outburst came after members of the MDC-T called for a counter rally at the same time with the Alliance rally within the same area and called on its members to ignore the candidate presented by the Ncube led MDC. The members declared their own candidate as the one contesting the constituency.

Ncube said that the issue of who the MDC Alliance candidates will be, will be finalised on Thursday at the nomination courts.

“The true final candidates of the MDC Alliance coalition will be known on Thursday at the nomination court,” he said.

“Those of us with selfish agendas that stand against the wishes of the people of Zimbabwe will be exposed on the day and we shall know them,” said Ncube.

The MDC-T structures in most parts of the country have been turning against the MDC Alliance coalition agreement fronting candidates in constituencies reserved for other coalition partners resulting in fears that the Alliance might collapse before the elections.

ZimEye.com efforts to get a comment from the MDC-T National Chairman Morgan Komichi who is in charge of the party candidates identification process were not successful at the time of writing.

pic.twitter.com/iNL05YqaRV

— PEE1 (@Tycoon1254) June 9, 2018

Below is the LIVE program (Saturday) on the investigative series on the dodgy businesswoman, Fungai Maruta who has defrauded many Zimbabwean women under then cover of funeral policy cover.