By Paul Nyathi|NewsDay reporter Blessed Mhlanga has officially been slapped with assault charges on Deputy Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe on an incident which occured almost two weeks ago.

Mukupe filed the assault charges against the journalist in Harare.

The scuffle between Mukupe and Mhlanga happened at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) SFM radio studio on the 24th of May.

Both the minister and the scribe were invited to discuss a headline story in the NewsDay written by reporter quoting Mukupe saying the military wouldn’t let Nelson Chamisa rule in the event that he won the forthcoming election.

Information available said it was Mukupe who stood up during a live radio programme accusing the journalist of intimidating him and grabbed him by his shoulders whilst one of his aides tried to restrain the minister.

It was during the scuffle that Mhlanga’s wife, Florence, whipped out her mobile phone to record the wrestling.

Mukupe then instructed his aides to seize the Samsung S7 phone from her and he (Mukupe) later pushed her into the corner.

Mhlanga is expected to appear in court soon on the charges.

MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa yesterday said if elected to power next month, he will only serve one term and pass on the baton.

“It is possible for us to change this economy, do not give me five years, in just three years, I will be announcing my retirement and it is you who will be forcing me, saying please hang in there, because life will be enjoyable,” he told thousands of party supporters at Mahusekwa Growth Point on the fourth leg of his campaign mission in Mashonaland East province.

Chamisa accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of mortgaging the country’s resources for political gain through his “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra.

He said Mnangagwa was wary of the challenge posed by the united opposition, hence, his decision to “sell the country” by exposing its resources to criminals.

“You heard my brother, Mnangagwa say Zimbabwe is open for business, I said my brother, do not use unnecessary English statements, you will sell this country in broad daylight. He is on the brink of selling this country. You cannot open business to everyone, you attract enemies. The mantra should be Zimbabwe is best for business, or safe for business,” Chamisa said.

He said MDC Alliance will not be hoodwinked into participating in flawed elections, hence, their demand for electoral reforms ahead of the polls.

“We are not going to allow rigging this time, we are closely monitoring the situation. There are no elections without reforms,” Chamisa said.

Newsday

Media Statement|As part of efforts to push for credible polls, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has intensified regional advocacy campaigns by engaging the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security to urgently look into the Zimbabwean crisis ahead of the 2018 elections.

On May 30, 2018, a CiZC delegation held a meeting with the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security at the SADC Headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana explaining the current Zimbabwean situation and its possible implications on the credibility of the 2018 polls set to be held on July 30, 2018.

The delegation also submitted a letter outlining civil society demands ahead of the 2018 polls to the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Director, Retired Lieutenant-Colonel Tanki Mothae.

In the letter, which was also copied to the SADC Executive Secretary, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, CiZC implored the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security to ensure the upcoming 2018 polls in Zimbabwe meet the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.

The submission by CiZC takes into consideration the fact that Zimbabwe has a history of sham polls and little has been done to avoid a repeat of yet another disputed election.

CiZC raised concern that various election observer missions, including the SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) to Zimbabwe’s July 2013 general elections, highlighted some shortcomings regarding Zimbabwe’s electoral processes yet some of these issues remain unresolved and unattended.

The letter explicitly stated that the current government in Zimbabwe, led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, lacks legitimacy as it came in through a military coup disguised as ‘Operation Restore Legacy’.

The letter stated that since the coming in of the new government, there has been increased militarization of state institutions including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) which has proved to be a captured institution that largely lacks the capability to run free, fair and credible polls.

Concern was also raised that ZEC was largely lacking in terms of transparency and accountability.

The letter noted several irregularities ahead of the elections and warned that unless these are addressed, Zimbabwe could be headed for yet another sham election.

“While Zimbabwe is set to hold elections during the second half of 2018 we raise key concerns around inadequacies on the part of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to administer a credible electoral process. The involvement of the military and traditional leaders in elections remains unaddressed.

“Based on pronouncements by the current government, there are valid fears that the 2018 elections will be highly militarized and traditional leaders are continuing on a partisan path to influence electoral outcomes in violation of Section 208 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which bars the former from engaging in partisan politics,” read part of the letter.

Regarding amendments to Zimbabwe’s Electoral Act, CiZC in its letter submitted that ‘the recent amendments to the Electoral Act do not represent the views espoused by citizens and civil society organizations as captured in previous documents submitted to ZEC and Parliament by civil society and that such amendments do not reflect the spirit and letter of genuine alignment of the Act with the Constitution’.

CiZC also submitted that the State media has largely been acting as a mouthpiece of the ruling party ahead of the 2018 elections and that law enforcement agents continue to use draconian legislation such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) to stifle fundamental freedoms.

In light of the challenges highlighted in the letter, CiZC made the following submissions to the SADC Organ on Defence and Security;

a) That the military must reassert its commitment to upholding and protecting the constitution with respect to elections and electoral processes.

b) That ZEC conducts itself in a transparent, accountable, professional, non-partisan and autonomous manner in all electoral processes. In this regard, civil society implores ZEC to publish names of its secretariat, their previous employers, experience and qualifications. This also includes publication of office bearers of the Elections Logistics Committee in the interest of transparency and accountability.

c) That ZEC and the government ensure there is fair and equal access to public media by all competing political parties and candidates while ensuring that media practitioners and journalists are allowed to operate freely as enshrined under Section 61 of our Constitution.

d) That ZEC, through its designated committees, and other concerned authorities, give unfettered access to key electoral processes to local, regional and international observers without undue restrictions such as imposition of prohibitive accreditation fees, criminalization of domestic observers, or cherry picking of regional and international ones.

e) That ZEC, in line with the law principally and expeditiously avails the bio-metric voters’ roll to all stakeholders particularly contesting political players and other election related bodies once it is ready and clear times for such provisions be shared and committed to

f) That ZEC urgently avails a clear and precise 2018 election road-map to all stakeholders in line with the principle of transparency and accountability

g) That voter preferences take place without cohesion, manipulation or intimidation and the insulation of this choice through effective secrecy of the ballot.

h) That the Police and prosecuting authorities allow civil society organizations and citizens to carry out their lawful activities without harassment, raids, restrictions and unwarranted arrests spurred more by political calculations than the dictates of the law.

Your input and suggestions are appreciated.

For and on Behalf of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition

Tabani Moyo

Spokesperson

By Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has hailed opposition MDC Alliance for holding a successful and peaceful demonstration on Tuesday.

In his official Facebook page Mnangagwa claimed that the demonstration was a sign of renewed democracy in the country.

Wrote President Mnangagwa:

Anyone who doubts the democracy at play in the new Zimbabwe only had to witness the scenes in Harare yesterday, where opposition supporters demonstrated freely, without fear or intimidation.

Let us on all sides allow our brothers and sisters to differ with us, but never resort to violence!

The President’s ruling ZANU PF will also hold a similar march in the capital on Wednesday.

By Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ZEC, has released requirements to be met by candidates intending to contest in this year’s harmonised elections.

The following are the requirements one has to meeet to register as an Independent or Party Candidate.

1. Presidential Candidate Qualifications
Be a citizen of Zimbabwe
Be a registered voter
Be 40 year or older
Be Nominated by not fewer than 10 voters who are on the voters roll in each Province (100)
$1000 is required at Nomination Court for registration ( subject to change)

2. National Assembly Candidate (Constituency) Qualifications
Be a citizen of Zimbabwe
Be a registered voter
Be 21 years or older
Be Nominated by not fewer than 5 voters who are on the voters roll of that Constituency
$50 is required at Nomination Court for registration (subject to change)

3. Councilor (Ward)
Qualifications
Be a citizen of Zimbabwe
Be a registered voter & you must be on the Ward voters roll for the council concerned.
Be 21 years or older
Be Nominated by not fewer than 5 voters who are on the voters’ roll of that Ward.
NO Nomination FEE is required for registration (subject to change)

4. Senator
Qualifications
Be a citizen of Zimbabwe
Be a registered voter
Be 40 years or older
5. National Assembly Part List Seat- Candidates Qualifications
The political party contesting in the National Assembly to submit a list of 6 Women Candidates.
Be a citizen of Zimbabwe
Be registered as a voter in the province in which that person is standing
Be 21 years or older

6. Provincial Council Party-List Seat
Candidate on Non-Metropolitan Provinces Qualifications
The political party contesting in the National Assembly to submit a list of 10 women candidates.
Be a citizen of Zimbabwe
Be registered as a voter in the province in which that person is standing
Be 21 years or older

Requirements
National Registration Certificate (National Identity)
Birth Certificate
Copies of National Registration Certificate & Birth Certificate
Married women to bring their Marriage Certificates
Two (2) passport size photographs
Two (2) copies of the code of conduct for political parties.
Nomination fees as already been stated.

NB IN ANY CASE, THE NOMINATION FORM SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE CANDIDATE OR HIS/HER CHIEF ELECTION AGENT OR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

ZimEye brings our valued readers and viewers LIVE updates from the ZANU PF rally march in Harare today.

– REFRESH THIS PAGE FOR THE LIVE VIDEO –

The event will be held at the Robert Mugabe Square.

The league’s national commissar,Godfrey Tsenengamu told the state media that all youths and the generality of peace-loving Zimbabweans should come and attend the event.

“We are inviting all youths and all progressive Zimbabweans to come and pray for peace in support of the call by President Mnangagwa that our coming elections should be peaceful and violence-free,” he said.

“We have organised the rally for all peace-loving Zimbabwe and we are working together with our youth league leadership in Harare.”

Police have cleared the event. In a letter dated June 5 2018, Officer Commanding Harare Central District Chief Superintendent Albert Ncube said: “Your notification letter to hold peaceful march on the 06th June 2018 at the Robert Mugabe Square from 10 00 hours to 15 00 hours in solidarity with the President’s call for peace before, during and after the 2018 harmonised elections has been noted.

“However, I regret to advise that you may not pass past Munhumutapa building for security reasons.”

Chief Spt Ncube said police would not hesitate to invoke relevant provisions of the law should the marchers violate conditions set by the police.

The march was initially set for Tuesday, but was moved to today after police said it would coincide with an MDC-Alliance demonstration on the same day.

In a message inviting youths to the event, Zanu-PF Harare provincial youth league secretary for administration Kudakwashe Masamvi said: “We are going to march in solidarity with the President’s call for peace before, during and after the harmonised elections.

“All affiliates of the party are invited and all peace-loving Zimbabweans are invited.”

HARARE City Council has approached the High Court, seeking an order to demolish hundreds of illegal structures built in Kuwadzana 3 by members of Sekusile Housing Co-operative, arguing the land in question belonged to a local financial institution.

Acting town clerk, Hosiah Chisango, filed an application at the High Court on May 31, seeking a spoliation order to interdict Sekusile Housing Co-operative members from occupying the land.

Chisango said the pieces of land known as stands number 21510 and 21511 Kuwadzana Township of Fontainebleau in Kuwadzana Phase 3 are supposed to be vacant and undeveloped, but have been occupied by illegal settlers.

“The applicant (City of Harare) had undisturbed peaceful possession at all material times of the land in que stion. The applicant has sold the land in question to FBC Building Society in terms of the agreement of sale attached hereto as Annexure A,” Chisango said in his affidavit.

“The applicant, upon making efforts to deliver the land in question to FBC Building Society on May 22, 2018, discovered that the respondent (Sekusile Housing Co-operative) and those claiming title under it are in unlawful occupation and despoiled the applicant of its peaceful possession.”

According to Chisango, Sekusile Housing Co-operative is not known to the council and was never at any stage granted the right to occupy or possess the land in question. The acting town clerk also said the co-operative members were wrongfully interfering with the council’s possession of the land.

“There is no doubt that there is irreparable injury being committed by the respondent. The applicant and a third party are suffering harm, which may result in consequences, as it may be found to be in breach of its agreement with FBC Building Society. The applicant may lose revenue that it has gained from the intrinsic value for the land that the FBC Building Society paid,” he said.

“There is no other competent remedy available to the applicant. The applicant has, therefore, been left with no other option, but to approach this honourable court for relief.” The matter is yet to be set down for hearing.

Newsday

Free,Fair and Credible Election peace march – Petition

5 JUNE 2018

THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER
ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs

RE: MINIMUM DEMANDS FOR CONDITIONS FOR FREE, FAIR AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS
We, the undersigned, being members of the MDC Alliance- a grouping of political Parties intending to participate in the 2018 Harmonised Elections- under the leadership of Advocate Nelson Chamisa, and the people of Zimbabwe, hereby present this petition on our redline demands for a free fair legitimate and credible election.

On the 30th of May 2018, President Emmerson Mnangagwa proclaimed the 30th of July 2018 as the date on which elections for the office of President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Members of Parliament of Zimbabwe, Senators and councillors will be conducted (‘harmonised elections’).

1. It is not the intent of this petition to exhaustively deal with the legal framework governing elections in Zimbabwe. It suffices, for present purposes, to state that the contemplated elections will be conducted under the 2013 Zimbabwe Constitution, the Electoral Act, and Chapter 2:13, as amended, as well as the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.

2. We contend that it is obligatory for this election to be held in full compliance of the Zimbabwean Constitution, the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13, the SADC principles and guidelines guiding democratic elections and the African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG).

3. We have made our demands for a free fair and credible election known in our document published in March 2018 known as PEACE

Despite these demands, despite the law, despite verbal commitments to a free, fair and credible election, it is self-evident that the Zimbabweans authorities and the ZEC lack the desire, ability and political will of conducting a free, fair credible election.

It is in this context that we are exercising our peaceful right defined in section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe by marching and presenting this petition on the following demands;

i) All parties, and candidates (and or their representatives) participating in the election, forthwith be furnished with an electronic copy of the provisional voters’ roll as is required by section 21 of the Electoral act Chapter 2:13.

ii) That ZEC, allows an inspection period of the voters’ roll pursuant to fresh registration during the voter inspection period 19 May to 29 May 2018.

iii) That an independent, external audit of the voters’ roll be commenced immediately after the inspection period mentioned above, with the auditors to be agreed by all stakeholders and shareholders.

iv) That there be full and proper agreement by all stakeholders on the procurement, security, quality and movement of all ballot material, in particular, the ballot paper.

v) That the ZEC immediately retires in its secretariat, any security personnel whether currently employed or formerly employed by the security services as defined in Chapter 11 of the Constitution.

vi) That ZEC immediately disbands the present national logistics committee and that there is agreement in the composition, recruitment, training and deployment of the new members of the national logistics committee.

vii) That the current accreditation committee be disbanded and that there is agreement on the recruitment, training and deployment of the new members of the accreditation committee.

viii) That there be full disclosure with regards to the custody and location of the BVR Servers and that all stakeholders be allowed access to validate the legitimacy of the data in those servers.

ix) That the additional 1500 newly created polling stations be and are hereby abandoned and that there be discussion and agreement on additional polling stations if need requires.

x) That all military personal currently deployed in the rural areas be and are hereby recalled and that there should be full and complete de-militarisation of the rural areas.

xi) That all international observers and monitors should now be allowed immediate access to Zimbabwe to monitor the election pursuant to the proclamation of the election on the 30th of May 2018.

xii) That forthwith, there must be equal access to and equal coverage of all political parties in the public media, in particular the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.

xiii) That there be a provision in terms section 67 of the Constitution to allow the Diaspora to vote even if it means voting only in the presidential election.

xiv) That there be cessation of the use of food and inputs as political weapons in this election

4. The holding of the 30th of July election is dependent on the conditions set out above

END

Constitutional law expert Professor Lovemore Madhuku says the demands made to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and government by the MDC Alliance are not legally enforceable as they fall foul of the Constitution.

Professor Madhuku said, the legal route is to seek an amendment to the Constitution and as it stands, now that a proclamation was made, a nomination court will seat within a week and elections will follow on the 30th of next month of which time is not sufficient for a constitutional amendment.

The MDC Alliance today marched in the capital and petitioned ZEC, and the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi demanding a number of reforms before the election date.

The Alliance demands include full disclosure with regards to the server containing information from the biometric voter registration, access to validate the legitimacy of data in the servers and access to the electronic copy of the provisional voter’s roll.

The demands also include an independent audit of the voters roll, an agreement by Alliance parties on the procurement, security, quality and movement of the ballot material, and the immediate disbanding of the present National Logistics Committee of ZEC.

The MDC Alliance is also demanding an equal access and fair coverage from the national broadcaster and threatened to bring the nation to a standstill with demonstrations.

Zbc news

The United States, Canada and Mexico who are jointly bidding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday met with the Zimbabwe government officials and Zimbabwe Football Association to canvas for support during the forthcoming FIFA congress in Russia where members will vote to decide the hosts of the 2026 World Cup.

In an unprecedented show of continental unity, the joint bid if successful, it would be the first finals held in North America since the US hosted the 1994 tournament.

The representative of the joint bid who arrived in the country on Monday were scheduled to meet Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Retired Lieutenant General Sibusiso Moyo and Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kazembe Kazembe.

ZIFA president Phillip Chiyangwa said the joint bid representatives were in the country to consult the government and ZIFA and canvass for support for their joint 2026 World Cup bid.

“They met foreign affairs and government of Zimbabwe officials who are happy to support the bid and share their views on the forthcoming FIFA congress and World Cup 2026 election by FIFA congress,” said Chiyangwa.

All three countries are members of the CONCACAF, US soccer the Canadian Soccer Association and the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol.

Speaking during a hastily arranged media conference in the capital the three countries’ representatives said they are confident that they will submit an exemplary bid worthy of bringing the FIFA World Cup back to North America.

All the three countries, United States, Mexico and Canada have individually demonstrated their exceptional abilities to host world-class events.

“When our nations come together as one, as we will for 2026, there is no question the United States, Mexico and Canada will deliver an experience that will celebrate the game and serve players, supporters and partners alike,”  said Jim Brown, the MD for the joint bid.

“For the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol, and the entire Mexican soccer family, it is a source of pride to be candidates, along with the United States and Canada, to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026,” said Decio de Maria, Mexican football association representative.

 “As such we are filled with pride and committed to make it the best ever. Mexico has been recognized for being a magnificent host of past FIFA events, such as the 1970 and 1986 World Cups, the 1999 Confederations Cup, the 2011 Under-17 World Cup, and most recently the 2016 FIFA congress. If we are selected to host, it will be an honour to welcome everyone with open arms,” added de Maria.

No rival bid has emerged for the 2026 tournament, which is due to be awarded by FIFA in 2020.

FIFA rules currently rule out bidders from Europe and Asia because Russia is staging the World Cup in 2018 and Qatar has the showpiece in 2022.

Organizers say 10 games would be played in Canada and the final will be in the US.

The 2018 men’s World Cup is set for Russia with the 2022 tournament headed to Qatar.

The 2026 tournament will be the first of the expanded format.

The FIFA council agreed in January to expand the current the 32-country tournament to 48 teams split into 16 groups of three.

The top two teams from each group will then advance to a 32-team knockout stage.

Canada is coming off hosting the 2015 Women’s World Cup, deemed a success on and off the field. It has also hosted the 2014 Under 20 Women’s World Cup, the 2007 Under 20 Men’s World Cup, and the 1997 Under 16 Men’s World Cup (now a Under 17 event).

If approved, it would be the First World Cup hosted by three nations and the first jointly hosted World Cup since Korea/Japan 2002.

It would also be the first finals held in North America since the US hosted the 1994 tournament.

Mexico would host matches for the first time since 1986 while it also hosted the 1970 world cup.  

Zbc news 

By Paul Nyathi|The former President Robert Mugabe backed National Patriotic Front opposition party has given MDC Alliance coalition Presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa a huge thumbs up ahead of the harmonised elections set for end of July this year.

Party spokesperson Jealous Mawarire revealed on Tuesday that the party which is a ruling ZANU PF splinter is giving full support to the young MDC Alliance leader to wrestle power from President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mawarire made the declaration on the sidelines of a hugely subscribed MDC Alliance organised electoral reforms demonstration held in Harare on Tuesday.

Mawarire hinted that his party will not be fielding a presidential candidate to contest against Chamisa.

“We are indeed backing Chamisa as a party because it is just the right thing to do,” said Mawarire.

Mawarire said that his party members joined the protest march as the party does not recognise the election proclamation made by President Mnangagwa.

“We were part of the protest march because we view Mnangagwa’s election proclaimation as illegal because he made the proclaimation before the voters roll was finalised,” said Mawarire.

Thousands of people took into the streets of Harare bringing to a standstill business in the Central Business District.

The march was a demand for President Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to effect several reforms on the just amended Electoral Act.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe however declares that once an election date has been proclaimed no amendments will be effected on the electoral regulations for that election.

Free,Fair and Credible Election peace march – Petition

5 JUNE 2018

THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER
ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs

RE: MINIMUM DEMANDS FOR CONDITIONS FOR FREE, FAIR AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS
We, the undersigned, being members of the MDC Alliance- a grouping of political Parties intending to participate in the 2018 Harmonised Elections- under the leadership of Advocate Nelson Chamisa, and the people of Zimbabwe, hereby present this petition on our redline demands for a free fair legitimate and credible election.

On the 30th of May 2018, President Emmerson Mnangagwa proclaimed the 30th of July 2018 as the date on which elections for the office of President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Members of Parliament of Zimbabwe, Senators and councillors will be conducted (‘harmonised elections’).

1. It is not the intent of this petition to exhaustively deal with the legal framework governing elections in Zimbabwe. It suffices, for present purposes, to state that the contemplated elections will be conducted under the 2013 Zimbabwe Constitution, the Electoral Act, and Chapter 2:13, as amended, as well as the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.

2. We contend that it is obligatory for this election to be held in full compliance of the Zimbabwean Constitution, the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13, the SADC principles and guidelines guiding democratic elections and the African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG).

3. We have made our demands for a free fair and credible election known in our document published in March 2018 known as PEACE

Despite these demands, despite the law, despite verbal commitments to a free, fair and credible election, it is self-evident that the Zimbabweans authorities and the ZEC lack the desire, ability and political will of conducting a free, fair credible election.

It is in this context that we are exercising our peaceful right defined in section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe by marching and presenting this petition on the following demands;

i) All parties, and candidates (and or their representatives) participating in the election, forthwith be furnished with an electronic copy of the provisional voters’ roll as is required by section 21 of the Electoral act Chapter 2:13.

ii) That ZEC, allows an inspection period of the voters’ roll pursuant to fresh registration during the voter inspection period 19 May to 29 May 2018.

iii) That an independent, external audit of the voters’ roll be commenced immediately after the inspection period mentioned above, with the auditors to be agreed by all stakeholders and shareholders.

iv) That there be full and proper agreement by all stakeholders on the procurement, security, quality and movement of all ballot material, in particular, the ballot paper.

v) That the ZEC immediately retires in its secretariat, any security personnel whether currently employed or formerly employed by the security services as defined in Chapter 11 of the Constitution.

vi) That ZEC immediately disbands the present national logistics committee and that there is agreement in the composition, recruitment, training and deployment of the new members of the national logistics committee.

vii) That the current accreditation committee be disbanded and that there is agreement on the recruitment, training and deployment of the new members of the accreditation committee.

viii) That there be full disclosure with regards to the custody and location of the BVR Servers and that all stakeholders be allowed access to validate the legitimacy of the data in those servers.

ix) That the additional 1500 newly created polling stations be and are hereby abandoned and that there be discussion and agreement on additional polling stations if need requires.

x) That all military personal currently deployed in the rural areas be and are hereby recalled and that there should be full and complete de-militarisation of the rural areas.

xi) That all international observers and monitors should now be allowed immediate access to Zimbabwe to monitor the election pursuant to the proclamation of the election on the 30th of May 2018.

xii) That forthwith, there must be equal access to and equal coverage of all political parties in the public media, in particular the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.

xiii) That there be a provision in terms section 67 of the Constitution to allow the Diaspora to vote even if it means voting only in the presidential election.

xiv) That there be cessation of the use of food and inputs as political weapons in this election

4. The holding of the 30th of July election is dependent on the conditions set out above

END

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By Paul Nyathi|MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa has officially taken over from his rival splinter MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe after he was confirmed as the leader of the opposition in the House of Assembly.

Chamisa was announced as taking over from Chamisa by the Speaker of Parliament last week. Chamisa’s appointment followed the expulsion from parliament of Khupe who was the Deputy President of the opposition party and leader of the opposition in the august house.

“I would like to inform this House that at its meeting held on 21stMay, 2018 the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders was advised by the MDC T that Hon. Advocate Nelson Chamisa is now the Leader of the opposition in Parliament,” Advocate Jacob Mudenda the Speaker announced in the house.  

Mufakose MP Paurina Mpariwa was also appointed to replace Khupe in the Committee on standing rules and orders.

“At the same meeting, Hon. Paurina Mpariwa was endorsed as a member of the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.  This followed the expulsion of Dr. Thokozani Khupe from Parliament in April, 2018,” said Mudenda.

By Paul Nyathi|MDC alliance spokesperson and coalition partner MDC leader, Welshman Ncube has told coalition members to stop fighting for positions and focus on drumming up support for the coalition’s presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa.

Ncube said this while addressing an MDC Alliance campaign rally in Nkayi North, on Sunday.

Ncube made the call in the wake of fierce clashes among MDC Alliance members over sharing of council and parliamentary seats with Chamisa’s MDC-T accused of trespassing into constituencies reserved for other alliance partners.

Ncube said since 2000, the main opposition MDC had many legislators, but lost the presidential bid.

He said winning parliamentary seats does not change anything in the governance system.

“We have had opposition members of Parliament for many years, but nothing has changed. However, there is only one issue that can change our lives and that’s removing Zanu PF government, a government that perpetuates hunger, poverty and endless troubles,” he told supporters.

“That’s the key issue. If we do not change the State House issue, that is the President, we won’t be doing ourselves any favours. This year is Nelson Chamisa’s time; he is the one to use to remove Zanu PF from State House. [The late MDC-T leader] Morgan Tsvangirai birthed the idea of an alliance and re-united the parties.”

“However, when we are in the process of re-uniting there some among us who are losing focus and direction, a woman says ‘I want to be the president’. We are not chasing after positions, we will look into that after we liberate ourselves, only what we are for is removing Zanu PF from power on July 30 and have a better life,” he said in an apparent jibe directed at breakaway MDC-T faction leader Thokozani Khupe.

Khupe severed ties with the Chamisa a few months ago following an ugly fight over the party presidency.

But, Ncube described her move as divisive and meant to weaken the opposition and advantage ruling Zanu PF presidential candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“This is not the time to be divided. Everywhere you go right now in Zimbabwe, the name Nelson Chamisa is abuzz. This is the opportunity not to miss. We should not be fooled by some people who will come to you saying ‘it’s my time to be president’.”

“Mnangagwa, who was a bus conductor, now says Zimbabwe is open for business, the key question is who had closed the country for business? We all know that he is incapable of doing that. He was Mugabe’s conductor for 38 years,” he said.

By Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has barred Mthwakazi Republic Party from using its symbol which features an elephant.

According to Zimbabwe’s political parties regulations an elephant is prohibited to be featured as a political party symbol.

The following is the list of items prohibited from being used in political parties symbols.

1. A lion.
2. A bird of prey.
3. A rhinoceros.
4. A laurel wreath.
5. A leopard.
6. A cheetah.
7. An owl.
8. A sword.
9. A griffon.
10. A cobra.
11. A secretary bird.
12. A flaming torch.
13. An axe.
14. An elephant.
15. A buffalo.
16. A flame lily.

The MRP in a statement however expressed outrage at the ZEC claiming that the commission was sabotaging its campaign programs by barring them from using the symbol.

“On behalf of the National Executive Committee of Mthwakazi Republic Party, I announce to the media, our electorate and the General public that the party has recently availed a new logo for this year’s elections,” said the party spokesperson Mbonisi Gumbo in a statement.

“The iconic and original MRP logo that bears an elephant will not be used as an election symbol, at the insistence of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

“ZEC disqualified our logo, allegedly on the dictates of the electoral act that prohibits the use of an elephant as a party election symbol. We have changed our symbol under protest though, because ZEC has failed to give us the exact statutory instrument that criminalizes the use of an elephant as a party symbol. In the spirit of urgency, we have removed the elephant and replaced it with ‘ihawu’ the shield.

“We suspect the underhand shenanigans of the Coup Cabal that has infested ZEC, in this whole development. We have unearthed that the Coup government is working tirelessly and clandestinely to thwart the ascendancy of power by MRP in Matabeleland and part of Midlands.

“We invite our members accross Mthwakazi to take note of this development and to embrace it. We will continue to use the elephant as our party symbol, save for election purposes.”

By Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has confirmed that 5.5 million people are in the voters roll to be used in this year’s elections.

The number increased after more than 200 000 new registrants were recorded during the voters’ roll inspection period, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) chairwoman, Justice Priscilla Chigumba, said.

“During the inspection period, we had 206 225 new registrants, with Midlands leading the pack with 39 079 people, followed by Harare which had 30 651,” Justice Chigumba said.

“Our number for registered voters is now slightly above 5,5 million from where we were. The total number of people who inspected the voters’ manually stands at 1 917 691. Those who inspected via bulk SMSs were above three million while those who used the USSD code *265# were in the region of 900 000. The platform which was not much active was the link to our website, which had about 50 000 people.”

Justice Chigumba said 46 377 people had transferred their polling stations.

“The number of people who registered afresh is about 8 684,” she said.

“Remember we had said our exclusion list had about 11 500 people and those who corrected their errors had to register afresh. Those turned away for various reasons were about 45 000. Some were turned away because they had no IDs, some had defaced IDs, some brought drivers’ licences, some had photocopies of IDs, some were under age while some were not citizens or residents of Zimbabwe.”

Inspection of the provisional voters’ roll ran from May 19 to 29 at 10 807 centres set up by Zec for the exercise.

Justice Chigumba said they were now focused on nomination courts which would sit on June 14.

“We are now going to the nomination courts and we are working on setting up those nomination courts,” she said. “We are working on training people who will man those nomination courts.”

On the final voters’ roll, she said; “Registration closed on June 1 and information is coming from provinces. After that we will correct the errors and finalise duplications and after that we will be able to avail the final voters’ roll.”

Zec is coming up with a new voters’ roll after taking over the process from the Registrar General’s office in line with the 2013 Constitution.

By Paul Nyathi|Former Welshman Ncube led MDC spokesperson Joshua Mhambi has announced his return to politics after a three year sabbatical with his own new political party.

Mhambi declared contesting this year’s elections with a new political brand the Zimbabwe Democratic Union.

With the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission last week announcing that it had received notices to contest elections from 102 political parties, Mhambi’s party becomes party number 103 if he has made his notice to contest to the ZEC.

Wrote Mhambi in his Facebook page:

August 18. 2015 I formally tendered my resignation as National Spokesperson from the MDC Green and and said I am taking a Sabbatical , for reasons that will be told in the fullness of time.

I said then, that one would come back in due course with the message “Thus sayeth the Lord…”

The time has finally come for me to return and I can only obey the call and make my humble contribution to the Spiritual, Social, Political, Cultural, Economic discourse and restoration my beloved country.

This, by availing my political services to the people of Zimbabwe in general and Bulawayo in particular by contesting in the forthcoming general election

In past twenty years of active political enterprise I have supported and been loyal to those whom I chose to assist in their aspirations to ascend to power. Now is the time for yours truly to move up and be of political service to the nation in the sincere belief that I have the Capacity, Character and Competence and anoiting for a time like this one.

Watch my space!

Transform Zimbabwe is fully behind the electoral reforms demonstration planned by the MDC Alliance. We fully believe that for us to have free, fair and credible elections, the issue of reforms should take centre stage.

In this respect, I urge all Zimbabweans to come out and show ZEC and the world that we are serious in demanding for reforms.

This demonstration must be held peacefully to demonstrate our tolerance and seriousness on issues.

I will be part of this march.

GOD bless you and GOD bless Zimbabwe

Jacob Ngarivhume
TZ President

A 52 year old prophet from Bulawayo has been arrested for allegedly raping his 19-year-old patient three times in one night after she had approached him seeking treatment.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim but is a faith healer from Robert Sinyoka near Old Pumula suburb, allegedly raped the woman, from Woollendale, Umguza district, on May 12.

The prophet initially prayed for the woman and she went back to her place of residence.

He allegedly made a follow up on May 12 at the woman’s place of residence where he prayed for her and was provided with a hut to sleep in only to sneak into the woman’s hut during the night and rape her.

The man appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube charged with rape.

He was not asked to plead and Mr Ncube remanded him in custody to June 18 for provision of a trial date at the Regional court.

Prosecuting, Mr Nathan Marime told the court that sometime in early May, the woman fell sick and with the assistance of her grandmother who stays in Robert Sinyoka, they approached the accused person for faith healing.

“The woman was assisted with prayers and she went back to her place of residence. On May 12 the prophet made a follow up at the woman’s place of residence,” said Mr Marime.

“He prayed for the woman and after prayers he was given a hut to sleep in. During the same night when other people went to sleep, the prophet sneaked into the complainant’s hut where she was sleeping and gave her some holy water to sprinkle.”

Mr Marime said the woman retired to bed and the prophet joined her and had unprotected sexual intercourse with her three times without her consent.

A police report was made leading to the man’s arrest.- state media

ZimEye.com today continues its investigations into the activities of a UK based funeral scheme running by the name Madzimai Akatendeka. This series of articles and programs will run for the next few weeks.

While the organisation has been praised by some in the Zimbabwean community, the Board Of Directors have been spotted on various occasions living a lavish lifestyle that has raised eyebrows.

All this also comes after the board leadership made fraudulent claims that the organisation is registered and regulated by the British Financial Conduct Authority.

Evidence at hand points that Madzimai Akatendeka is not at all FCA registered, let alone regulated by the FCA.

Contacted by ZimEye.com, the founding Director Fungai Maruta was asked- you claimed that you are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, are you truly registered with the FCA?

“Yes we are registered with the FCA,” she said.

When told that the FCA has revealed the organisation is not at all registered, she responded saying,”I don’t want to answer you now but you will see me in court if you want to find out that we are registered with the FCA.”

LIVEBLAST: refresh to watch

– THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY – visit ZimEye again for more

By Paul Nyathi|The ZANU PF Youth League has issued a statement disputing claims that it will be holding a demonstration along the sidelines of a similar MDC Alliance coalition march.

The statement issued by the Harare Provincial Secretary for Administration Kudakwashe Masamvi cancelled off an initial statement allegedly issued by the Chairman Simbarashe Godwin Gomwe.

The statement claims that the initial statement is not an official communication from the party but from unscrupulous social media persons.

The statement reads as follows:

This note serves to inform that there is no such a program called Solidrity March on Tuesday 5 June. This information is circulated by non party members without approval from the rightful authourities. Zanu PF is a party of peace and excellence.

As ZANU PF supporters and youth league, we dont make provocative and sensitive actions by confronting the opposition party”s programs. I urge you to wait for the official communication and adhere to our president’s call for peacefull election by not confronting a provocative march so called Solidarity March.

If such a program is planned to show solidarity with our president and passed, formal communication will be made and all supporters will be always required and kindly asked to show their numbers.

By

Harare Youth League Secretary for Administration

Cde Kudakwashe Masamvi

For further information contact the Youth league Chairman Cde Simbarashe Godwin Gomwe.

A Commonwealth Membership Assessment Mission is in the country as a first step out of four stages towards the country’s readmission into the group of former British colonies.

The mission met Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Retired Lieutenant General Sibusiso Moyo at Munhumutapa offices today and discussed about their current mission.

The mission is in response to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s application to the Secretary General Ms Patricia Scotland for readmission on the 9th last month.

The mission comprises Ms Yvonne Apea Mensah – Head of Africa, Governance and Peace Directorate, Mr Linford Andrews – Political adviser Africa, Governance and Peace Directorate, Ms Clara Cole – Political Advisor Electoral Support, Governance and Peace Directorate and Mrs Hilary McEwan – an archivist records officer.

The objective of the mission is to appreciate the functioning of democracy in Zimbabwe and the extent of alignment with the Commonwealth fundamental political values.

The mission will further make recommendations to the Secretary General on the deployment of a Commonwealth Observation Group to Zimbabwe’s forthcoming elections.

Minister Moyo attended this year’s Commonwealth heads of state and government meeting in London last month where most of the member countries welcomed prospects of Zimbabwe’s return to the grouping.

The mission will meet different stakeholders, including the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, during their 5-day stay in Zimbabwe.

Zbc News

By Paul Nyathi|The opposition MDC Alliance coalition is looking more certain to collapse than survive with just under two months to the election.

The Alliance which is backing MDC-T President Nelson Chamisa as the presidential candidate is failing to come up with agreements in most of the parliamentary constituencies amid reports that the MDC-T is challenging candidates put up by other coalition partners.

Reliable sources within the mdct indicated to ZimEye.com that some of the MDC-T members are actually calling on the party leadership to withdraw the party from the Alliance and go it alone.

The MDC-T members claim that most of the Alliance partners’ candidates are too weak to contest in place of potential MDC-T candidates and are likely to lose to the ruling ZANU PF candidates.

MDC-T National chairman Morgan Komichi who is charge of the party’s candidates identification process last week confirmed that his party was failing to handle the alliance rebelling party members as the figures are growing every day.

The party sources who spoke to ZimEye.com said that some of the alliance partners especially the Jacob Ngarivhume led Transform Zimbabwe are also beginning to want out of the Alliance due to the failing relations in the coalition.

What president @nelsonchamisa said & how he expressed it in the context of a broader national development plan hitched on leveraging on our resources to create wealth vs how Blessings Mashaya portrayed it in the @DailyNewsZim. @ZimMediaReview @MDCAllianceZW @OpenParlyZw @ZimEye pic.twitter.com/UuixFGMoGJ

— Makomborero Haruzivishe (@MakomboreroH) June 4, 2018

By Dorrothy Moyo| The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has made an announcement that people qualify for presidency must be 40 years and above.

The ZEC made the announcement in the below tweet:

“Nomination Court to sit on 14 June 2018. Presidential candidate must be a Zim citizen, registered voter, 40yrs and above, nominated by at least 10 reg voters from each of Zim’s 10 provinces. Venue High Court, Court A. Nomination Fee is $1000.”

Nomination Court to sit on 14 June 2018. Presidential candidate must be a Zim citizen, registered voter, 40yrs and above, nominated by at least 10 reg voters from each of Zim's 10 provinces. Venue High Court, Court A. Nomination Fee is $1000.

— Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (@ZECzim) June 4, 2018

EXILED former Zanu PF politburo member and Cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo is not yet on the International Criminal Police Organisation’s (Interpol) surveillance radar, with the organisation’s visiting secretary-general, Jürgen Stock, suggesting that local police had to meet certain stringent requirements before their requisition for the politician’s arrest and extradition could be entertained.

Addressing journalists in Harare during his tour of the Interpol regional headquarters on Saturday, Stock could not disclose whether the Zimbabwe Republic Police had met the requirements.

Stock said during his visit, he had fruitful discussions with police boss Godwin Matanga, especially on strengthening co-operation in the fight against organised crime and cybercrime.

“Interpol, of course, is providing services with regards to fugitive investigations that we are offering to all member countries in the legal framework of our statutes and constitution. So, we have specific rules that need to be applied and so all the requests need to be compliant with our Interpol system,” he said.

Last month, top officials at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) claimed that they had engaged Interpol to help in the search for Moyo, who is facing charges of defrauding the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) of close to $400 000.

Last December, President Emmerson Mnangagwa also claimed to have engaged Interpol to have Moyo brought back to Zimbabwe.

Stock said his organisation, which his a membership of 192 countries, will continue fighting the scourge of crime and terrorism, but declined to specifically comment on Moyo’s case.

“Arrests are taking place almost on a daily basis all around the world. We have to make sure there is no safe haven for criminals and terrorist, so this is a very effective system, but I ask for your understanding that I am not here discussing any individual cases,” he said.

Moyo’s name remains non-existent on Interpol’s wanted persons lists and the outspoken politician has remained defiant, downplaying the graft charges labelled against him as mere political persecution for his loyalty to former President Robert Mugabe.

Newsday

By Paul Nyathi|A Harare pastor has been dragged to court after he accused a congregant at his church of being a witch.

Noah Daka (54), from Deeper Life Bible Church, Dzivaresekwa, appeared in court on Friday facing charges of contravening the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Magistrate Edwin Marecha remanded Daka to June 12 for trial. Prosecutors said on February 24 at around 8pm Babra Samu was approached by Daka who accused her of being a witch.

He ordered her to leave the house where she was staying because she was allegedly bewitching other church members.

Samu reported the matter to the police, leading to Daka’s arrest.

The Standard

By Paul Nyathi|Minister for Provincial Affairs for Matabeleland South Abednico Ncube may have just found another lifeline after being brought back to contest as the ZANU PF candidate for Gwanda South constituency.

Reports from within the party in Gwanda indicate that Ncube has been brought back into the fray after his rivals in the primary elections held last month have been disqualified following submissions at the party head quarters.

Ncube last month dramatically collapsed and had to recover at the hospital after losing the party primary elections to radio personality Omphile Marupi who has since been disqualified after it emerged that he has not served the required five years in the party structures.

According to the party sources, Marupi somewhat escaped the original vetting process and should not have qualified to contest the primaries in the first place.

“We have got advice from the head office that Marupi should not have been allowed to contest the primary elections in the first place and so Minister Ncube could be the new candidate for Gwanda South,” said the source who asked not to be named.

“The party will be making an official statement on the matter soon as deliberations with Marupi and the district concerned are still being finalised,” said the source.

According to the source, the party head office has however, already submitted Ncube’s name in the list of names going for the nomination court set to sit on the the 14th of June.

Ncube has been making numerous shock political come backs after falling from grace. In 2008 he lost the Gwanda parliamentary seat before storming back in 2013 after five years in the political wilderness.

In October last year he was dumped by former President Robert Mugabe in a surprise cabinet reshuffle after enjoying running two Ministries at the same time. He was brought back to life when President Emmerson Mnangagwa took over from Mugabe a few weeks later.

Marupi could not immediately be reached for a comment.

By Paul Nyathi|Former Kwekwe Central legislator Masango Matambanadzo affectionately known as “Blackman” partly due to his dark complexion, says that he is more than happy to be dismissed from the ruling ZANU PF and subsequent ejection from Parliament.

Matambanadzo opened up to weekend media following his dismissal from the party through a politburo decision last week.

The Kwekwe strongman reportedly shook President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF by organising a massive rally for the former President Robert Mugabe backed National Patriotic Front (NPF) in his former constituency of Kwekwe Central.

Several thousands of people turned up for the opposition rally in Mnangagwa’s own backyard — thanks to Matambanadzo’s popularity in the city.

Matambanadzo said that he was very happy to be fired from Zanu PF because he had gone through a lot of hell in the years that he had been in the party.

“When I heard that the Zanu PF politburo had made the decision to fire me, I was very elated because I had been tormented by the party. I felt like someone that had been released from a filthy jail because they used to treat me as if I was a smelly person,” Matambanadzo said.

“Since 2013 when I was elected MP up to the time that I was fired, President Emmerson Mnangagwa made sure that I was removed from Zanu PF party structures until I became an ordinary card-carrying member. It got to the extent that recently during the primary elections, my curriculum vitae was removed so that I could not contest.

“During my tenure as MP, I suffered a lot and I was barred from attending some events in Midlands, and whenever Cabinet ministers came to Kwekwe to officiate at company occasions, I was ordered not to attend.”

Matambanadzo alleged Mnangagwa had always wanted his relative, Cornelius Mupereri, to be Kwekwe Central MP instead of him. And, when he beat Mupereri during the party primary elections years ago, Mnangagwa allegedly began to treat him badly.

“I was always victimised for that to the extent that I was even barred from conducting meetings with councillors in Kwekwe. It was so bad that I was often arraigned before the courts on spurious allegations like that I had insulted a top official. I would be jailed for five to six days, and with such situations, why shouldn’t I be happy for being fired from Zanu PF?”

Matambanadzo said due to his ill-treatment in Zanu PF, he had no choice but to make a decision to cross over to the National Patriotic Front (NPF) led by former Mashonaland East provincial affairs minister Ambrose Mutinhiri. NPF is strongly linked to Mugabe, who was ousted by the military in November last year.

He said due to the nasty ordeals he encountered with Mnangagwa while in Zanu PF, he had no reason to wish him well in the forthcoming elections.

“If Mugabe was not removed in an undignified manner like what happened, Zanu PF was going to win the elections, but now there are serious question marks about their victory. Given the rough treatment that I got in Zanu PF and the way they removed me, why should I wish for Mnangagwa to win? In fact,I learnt through the grapevine that Mnangagwa personally ordered that I be fired from the party,” he said.