A 25-year-old Bulawayo woman who stabbed her husband following an adultery dispute says she kept the corpse for two days before dousing it with paraffin and burning it to conceal evidence as she was in shock.

The woman, Lakela Sweswe from Buena vista who was 23 years old when she committed the offence, said she was acting in self-defence from her abusive husband, the late Anofa Mlauzi who had initially wanted to stab her with the same knife.

Mlauzi had accused his wife of committing adultery. Appearing before High Court judge, Justice Martin Makonese, Sweswe told the court that she had no intention of stabbing her husband.

Sweswe said her husband came home at around 1AM in a drunken stupor and they had an altercation.

She said he assaulted her using fists and then dropped the knife which she said she believed he wanted to use to stab her before going outside.

“When he went out of the room, I thought he was going to arm himself so that he could beat me so I picked up the knife and hid behind the door and when he came in I stabbed him in the throat instead of the arm as I had intended.
“I did not want to stab him but I was overcome by anger, I was angered by his continued physical abuse,” said Sweswe. She said after stabbing him, she tried to help him get up but failed and she poured water on him so that he could regain consciousness before she retired to bed.
Sweswe said the abuse started in March 2013, a month after they got married.

She said she had on several occasions reported the abuse at Hillside Police Station but each time she reported, police only advised them to resolve their issues amicably.
Sweswe said at one time the matter went to court and she withdrew the case because she loved her husband.

Appearing for the state, Ms Nonhlanhla Ndlovu asked Sweswe why she did not report the matter to anyone if she had killed her husband in self-defence.

She also asked the accused why she lied when she was asked about her husband’s whereabouts.
“I admit I lied because I was scared and in a state of shock. The reason was that the act was haunting me and eventually I was going to disclose it to someone. I got scared when I saw the body because it was my first time seeing a body,” she said.

The court heard that after realising that her husband was dead, she dragged the body into a shed. Two days later she doused the body with paraffin and burnt it.

“I regret killing my husband because I loved him very much. I also realise that I did a bad thing by burning his body. It was a desperate attempt to conceal evidence as I thought the fire was going to reduce the body to ashes,” she said.

Ms Ndlovu said there were no independent witnesses to the murder and all the evidence the court was relying on was from the accused person.

“From her own version the accused person acted recklessly on the night in question. She did not make an effort to stop deceased person’s bleeding but instead retired to bed,” she said.

Ms Ndlovu said Sweswe’s actions were not consistent with that of a person who had erroneously killed someone. She said after realising that her husband was dead the following morning, she did not raise any alarm but kept the corpse and later burnt it to conceal evidence.

For the defence, Mr Kucaca Phulu and Ms Marygold Sibanda said their client had no evil desire to kill and cited a number of cases of battered women who behaved similarly under such circumstances.
They however conceded that Sweswe acted negligently in failing to get help for her bleeding husband.

Justice Martin Makonese sitting with assessors adjourned the court to today for judgement.

A 34-YEAR-OLD Masvingo man will spend the next four years in prison for having sex with his 14-year-old daughter after his uncle told him it would end poverty in his family.
The incestuous relationship spanned four months. The man from Ndiweni Village under Chief Mapanzure brought business at Masvingo criminal court to a halt when he suddenly broke into tears while defending himself before provincial magistrate, Mr Langton Ndokera yesterday.

The drama had started earlier when the victim who cannot be named because she is a minor, told the court that she had consented to sex with the father, as she also believed that it was the only way their poverty could end.

The man was convicted on his own plea of guilty to having sex with a minor and sentenced to five years in jail. Mr Ndokera suspended one year for five years on condition of good behaviour.

The accused wept uncontrollably saying he started having sex with his daughter when an unnamed uncle told him that it would end the family’s poverty.
“My uncle advised me that if I sleep with my daughter the poverty that is bedevilling our family will end,” said the man as he burst in tears.

Prosecutor Mr Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa told the court that the accused would take advantage of his wife’s absence to be intimate with his daughter in his bedroom hut. He said the man would call the juvenile to his bedroom hut and tell her that if they had sex, they would become rich.

“Between February and May this year accused person was left in custody of his child when his wife was going to nearby villages for some odd jobs. He called the girl to his bedroom where he lied that having sex would end their poverty.

“He said that was the only way he could be able to take care of her disabled sibling,” said Mr Nyamukondiwa.

He said the man would threaten his victim with unspecified actions; if she dared tell anyone about the abuse and the accused went on to have sex with her on several occasions.
However, the abuse came to light last week when an anonymus caller alerted the police at Ngomahuru base.

Police conducted investigations and arrested the accused. -state media

Media Statement

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) wishes to advise its stakeholders within and outside Zimbabwe that The Herald in its July 3, 2018 edition (front page) misled and tarnished the image of the organization through peddling speculative predispositions as facts.

The paper falsely states that the Coalition approached the USAID leading to investigations on its grantees. The state controlled publication is quoted as saying “…Sources said investigations were instituted after some board members and the management committee of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition raised concern on how the funds released under the US democracy and governance were being abused by some directors and their friends.”

The afore said statement, is not only misleading, but malicious in as far as it is aimed at tarnishing the name of the Coalition. The state-owned publication published the story without seeking the comment of the organization against such grave allegations. This is unethical journalism which is associated with captured institutions which are bent on furthering yet to be clear agendas.

For the record, CiZC never engaged in any of the issues/actions mentioned above and has no jurisdiction and power to influence USAID processes, systems, actions and decisions. We demand that the Herald retracts the overtones of this misleading statement, giving the retraction same prominence to the misleading allegations. In the same spirit we have also lodged a complaint with the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ).

Fellow Zimbabweans, I come before you to express my gratitude for the tremendous support, solidarity and kindness that you have shown to the cause, to us, particularly myself and my esteemed colleagues in the MDC Alliance.

I cannot thank you enough for the inspiring courage, bravery and commitment that you have demonstrated in the last few months, as we prepare for the forthcoming elections.

The spirit of freedom abounds across the land and I am humbled to be walking hand in hand with you to our inevitable final victory.

I also want take this opportunity to publicly welcome our guests, the regional and international observers who have come from around the world to bear witness to our historic election on 30 July 2018. This is the first post-Mugabe election. An opportunity to correct and undo past electoral misdemeanours and transgressions known by all of you.

They are here because they know an election is not an event which starts and ends in a single day. It is a process that begins well before polling day and continues well after it, until at least there is transfer of power, which we are confident will happen this year. It is necessary and long overdue.

Thank you for being here with us and I hope you will, during your time here, also enjoy our traditional Zimbabwean hospitality. Our people are kind and generous, please feel at home. And as you travel around our country, please take time to enjoy the gifts of nature that God, the Almighty has bestowed on this wonderful country.

Fellow Zimbabweans, the last few months have been truly phenomenal. As the MDC family, we rose from the depths of mourning and despair when, in February, we lost our icon and father of democracy, Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai to begin to dream and believe once again. His funeral became a seed to the renewal of the spirit of the struggle that he guided with impeccable and courageous leadership.

As I traverse the country, I see great hope and deep passion in the eyes of the people, the young and old, men and women, even boys and girls whose future is at stake in this election. We are a nation of kind and generous people with great courage, big hearts, resilience and creativity. These qualities have seen us through extremely tough times and we bank on them once again to see us through at this historic moment.

There can be no doubt that we stand at an important juncture in the history of our country. We can choose to be progressive, taking a path that is guided by inter-generational consensus or to look backwards and continue with the old politics and old economics that have left the nation broken, divided, impoverished and desperate beyond measure. The choice is ours and I know we will choose the correct path.

This country, Zimbabwe, attained its independence from the blood of revered and courageous brave men and women who fought and some died for the right of each and every one of us as citizens to have a right to vote for a leader of our choice in an inclusive, free, fair and credible election.

Our forefathers who staged the crusade for the liberation of all African countries and built, to the credit of their legacy, epic institutions such as the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as drivers of prosperity on the continent did so with the wisdom that democracy was the only way by which good governance would be assured.

The challenges of Zimbabwe are way bigger than party politics and go well beyond partisan politics – including my own.

A divided nation is even more destabilizing to a national vision because more important than the vision is ability to execute such vision.

It is clear to me that Zimbabwe is ready for the fulfilment of the message of change that the MDC has been preaching for a long time. There is no doubt in my mind that the people of Zimbabwe are ready to give us the mandate to lead the country to prosperity. We are ready and willing.

However, and regrettably, certain forces that are inimical to progress and reform are standing in the way of the people of this country. This is not new but it cannot be allowed to defeat the will of the people.

An inclusive, free, fair and credible election is the ONLY route to legitimacy, which Zimbabwe desperately needs. Without legitimacy and stability, there can be no economic recovery, let alone progress in this country. But, as I have already said, certain forces are threatening the attainment of that legitimacy and much required stability.

The fulcrum of a free, fair and credible election is the referee. Our referee is the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). The referee must not only be fair but it must be seen to be fair. We have serious concerns over the conduct of our referee which we believe is acting in a manner that is inconsistent with the standards of fair play.

The practice of democracy requires that citizens are afforded a free, fair, credible and legitimate process of electing their leaders Over the past two decades Zimbabwe has gone through a series of disputed elections that have plunged the country into a persistent crisis of legitimacy.

Our people are yearning for a fresh start, a new beginning and have a renewed hope and faith in the potential of their country. Zimbabweans want to move forward towards transformation, opportunities and prosperity.

We have come a long way to be here today. The current government which took over from former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017 did so under the pretext that it was going to ensure a free, fair and credible election in 2018.

What we are currently witnessing is a regime that simply talks but does not intend to hold credible elections. We are moving towards a violent free but illegitimate election.

The Zimbabwe constitution in s156 on the conduct of elections and referendums states that:

At every election and referendum, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must ensure that-

(a) whatever voting method is used, it is simple, accurate, verifiable, secure and transparent;
…
(c) appropriate systems and mechanisms are put in place-

(i) to eliminate electoral violence and other electoral malpractices; and

(ii) to ensure the safekeeping of electoral materials.

Our supreme law clearly envisages a verifiable, secure and transparent election. No one can therefore deny Zimbabweans this entrenched right.

Because of our history of manipulated elections in Zimbabwe, the crisis of credible elections is born out of the mistrust between the government and the people which can only be cured if ZEC and government conducts electoral processes in the utmost transparent manner.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission which is constitutionally charged with the administration of elections has shown that it is either incapable or unwilling to provide Zimbabweans with a verifiable, secure and transparent election as required by our law and international standards governing democratic elections.

There has been an insensitive disregard for the principles of transparency. Among other very pertinent issues;

1. ZEC has refused to provide stakeholders with a proper Voters’ Roll as compiled and required by the Electoral Act.

2. ZEC has refused parties an opportunity to observe the printing of ballot papers and proceeded to print without the knowledge and input of stakeholders.

3. ZEC has not put in place mechanisms for joint storage of the printed ballots in a secure manner.

4. ZEC has not put in place mechanisms of transparent distribution of printed ballot papers.

5.ZEC has allowed the state media to run a smear campaign against opposition candidates.

Our Constitution is very clear in section 155 that a candidate must “have reasonable access to all material and information necessary for them to participate effectively”. These materials include the voters roll in its final form and the process of printing ballot papers. ZEC has so far failed to meet these requirements.

Furthermore, section 156 makes it clear that ZEC must ensure that “whatever voting method is used, it is simple, accurate, verifiable, secure and transparent”. We do not believe ZEC has put in place measures to fulfil this obligation, particularly regarding verification, security and transparency of materials used in the election.

Our Constitution is clear. We are not demanding new rights or new laws. We are simply demanding that existing laws and rights be given full effect. That is not too much to ask. ZEC should be working hard to satisfy contestants, instead of ridiculing them by casting aspersions and suggesting that demands are trivial.

It is constitutional for any citizen or candidate to request any information. s62(1) of the constitution – everyone has a right to access information held by the state which information is needed for the exercise of a right

One great concern is over the state of the voters roll. The process of getting the voters roll as required by law has been as painful and excruciating as extracting a tooth. What we got, late and after pressure, was not consistent with the law.

When we push ZEC, it is not because we are being difficult, no. It is because there is a well-known record of non-compliance by ZEC and the State generally. Need we remind everyone that only 5 years ago, ZEC utterly failed to provide the voters roll. This time we have been vigilant and persistent and we will continue to do so.

But even what we got from ZEC falls short of a credible voters roll. We have said so before and repeat it today, with more emphasis. There are many problems with it, including multiple registrations, wrong names and addresses of voters and serious inconsistencies.
In our view, the voters roll is not fit for purpose. It is not legally compliant and cannot credibly be used as a record to conduct the voting process. It is the document which is used to determine who can or cannot vote and we are not convinced that in its current state it can fulfil that purpose and still lead to a legitimate outcome.

Instead of undertaking to correct the numerous errors and inconsistencies in the voters roll, ZEC has chosen to adopt an arrogant and nonchalant approach which demonstrates that it takes Zimbabweans for granted. Instead of promising to correct problems in the voters roll before the election, the ZEC Chairperson sought to downplay the anomalies, as if it is not necessary to correct them. They were aware of the problems and tried to pre-empt challenges before the election.

Another critical issue of concern, and red line relates to ballot papers. We have long argued that there must be fairness and transparency over the printing and distribution of ballot papers. ZEC has again fallen short on this point, making it impossible to ensure there is fairness and transparency.

Fully cognisant of the fact that it is a function of ZEC to design, print and distribute ballot papers in terms of s239 (g) of the Constitution. That function must not be exercised to the negation and invalidation of the inherent fundamental rights of citizens and election candidates to be involved in a fair and transparent process. (see section 62(1); 67(1) & (3) (a); and (b);155 & 156 of the Constitution).

Their promises have been false, designed to cheat and deceive only to create a false impression of compliance when there is none. This practice of box-ticking is mere tokenism which hoodwinks no one if not only a few. Creating a facade of compliance cannot and will confer legitimacy on this election process.

The people at ZEC must know that the authority they exercise is borrowed from the people of Zimbabwe. The Constitution makes it clear that authority to govern comes from the people and those who exercise State functions are mere agents, not principals. The principals are the people. As principals, the people can withdraw that authority from those who abuse or take it for granted.

We want to make it clear that we will not stand in the way of the people should they seek to exercise their constitutional rights to withdraw that authority from those who fail to exercise it in accordance with the law.

We are embarking on a process of consulting stakeholders across the country and in the region to decide on the way forward in light of the intransigence we are facing from a stubborn, partisan and arrogant referee. We will listen to the genuine aspirations of the people because ultimately they are the repositories of all authority.

In 2013, after ZANU PF stole the election, the late icon, Dr Tsvangirai said the costs of electoral theft to the nation would be enormous. He was right as the evidence around the country shows. It is the ordinary men and women who have had to carry that cost, not the ZANU PF elites and their families and associates. Another illegitimate election in 2018 will simply add the amount of costs.

Unfortunately, ZEC and their associates are not doing enough to prevent illegitimacy. This is why we insist that they must change. We will not stand in the way of the people in their demand for peace, stability and legitimacy.

I have requested to meet with his Excellency the President of Zimbabwe over these issues.
Of course the stakes are huge.

So let’s engage on the very real discrepancies in question. This accomplishes the trust and builds the structures that are lacking in a transparent election. We will accept the victory of any other provided it is done freely and fairly. We simply request the same.

To the people of Zimbabwe, we are with you all the way. We will not allow your democratic will to be diluted or thwarted once again. Your courage in the face of obstacles is well known. Your desire for freedom and economic prosperity is common cause.

My team and I are ready to lead you to demand the legitimacy that is needed for this country to move forward. Freedom lies in our hearts, in our hands and in our legs. It is not going to be delivered on a silver platter. We have to demand it. We cannot allow the current charade to go on unchallenged.

Once again, we wish to impress upon our beloved neighbours under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and our dear brothers in the African Union (AU) to ensure that this election is truly free, fair and credible in terms of the standards guiding democratic elections.

For this election to pass the barest minimum standards of verifiability, security and transparency around the Voters’ Roll and ballot papers, ZEC must ensure that:

I.The full version of the Voters’ Roll is immediately provided to the parties and independently audited.

II. There is transparent printing of ballot papers and observation of the printing process by candidates.

III. The printed ballot papers are stored in a secure place where there is inclusive stakeholder participation and joint security.

IV. The distribution of ballot papers to the polling stations is done in an inclusive, transparent and traceable manner where stakeholders participate.

This election is crucial in allowing Zimbabweans to move forward. However, only a true and democratic election can afford the people of Zimbabwe opportunity to choose their own leaders.

We are not by any chance disillusioned in our demand for transparency. We are quite informed on the mechanisms used in the past to manipulate the vote using the Voters’ Roll, ballot papers and polling station deployments.

Our constitution guarantees us the right to access information held by the state and its organs. The vote must be secret but the election must not held in secrecy. Section 62(1) of the Constitution clearly states:

Every Zimbabwean citizen or permanent resident, including juristic persons and the Zimbabwean media, has the right of access to any information held by the State or by any institution or agency of government at every level, in so far as the information is required in the interests of public accountability.

We want to make it clear, that anything short of a free, fair and credible election as envisaged by our constitution will not be allowed to take place in Zimbabwe.

In the absence of procedural certainty, verifiability of the election will be put into question. If the content and process of this election does not pass these key requirements, then there will be no election.

In 2018, our country certainly does not afford yet another disputed election lest our people begin to lose hope in democracy as a system of governance. Our people are tired and cannot take it anymore. We are therefore prepared to defend our people’s right to a free, fair and credible election in Zimbabwe.

It is clear that we have an election process stalemate arising out of the ballot scandal and the Voters’ Roll inadequacies and omissions. This has culminated in an election crisis.

For the avoidance of doubt, we do not and will not accept the current ballot paper that has been printed without our participation.

As a way forward –

a. the unilateral, illegitimate and illegal ongoing printing of sham ballot papers must stop immediately.

b. An inclusive transparent process of designing, printing, storing and distributing of ballot papers must be agreed by all stakeholders.

c. There must be an emergency meeting with ZEC to resolve all these urgent issues.

d. An urgent meeting with President Mnangagwa in his capacity as the head of state and as a candidate.

e. Embarking on a nationwide stakeholder consultation on the correct path to resolve the impasse.

f. Dispatching special envoys and messages to SADC, AU and the international community.

g. Briefing all the international observers on the current electoral logjam.

We therefore call upon SADC, the AU and the international community to intervene and save a collapsing process and abate am imminent legitimacy crisis.

I thank you.

Zimbabwe Defence Forces Director Public Relations Colonel Overson Mugwisi addressing a media briefing on the role of the ZDF during the 2018 harmonised elections.

Below is a list of MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa’s rallies he has covered between the 21st January and the 4th July 2018 (51)

Epworth 21 January
Mutare 28 January

Chitungwiza 4 February
Masvingo 11 February

Chinhoyi 4 March
Cross Dete 10 March
Plumtree 11 March
Kwekwe 17 March
Gweru 18 March
Mrehwa 24 March
Umzingwane 24 March
Chiweshe 25 March

Bulawayo 7 April
Nyika Growth Point 13 April
Jerera Growth Point 14 April
Makoni 14 April
South Africa 15 April (diaspora)
Chipinge : 21 April
Ruwangwe Business Centre, Nyanga 22 April
Seke 28 April
Mhondoro 29 April

Harare South : 3 May
Chegutu 5 May
UK : 6 May (diaspora)
Murambinda 12 May
Makoni South 12 May
Marange : 13 May
Maboleni Business Centre, Vungu 17 May
Tongogara Business, Shurugwi South 18 May
Maphisa Business Centre, Matobo 24 MAY
Pelandaba Stadium, Gwanda 25 May
Dulibadzimu Stadium, Beitbridge 26 May
Mtoko : 31 May

Msasa Business Centre, Chikomba 1 June
St Mary’s, Hwedza : 2 June
Mahusekwa Business Centre, Chihota 3 June

8 June
Muchakata Business Centre, Masvingo

9 June
Chingwizi, Masvingo
Ngundu, Masvingo
Rutenga, Mwenezi

10 June
Tshovane Stadium, Chiredzi

16 June
Manjolo, Binga North
Lusulu, Binga

17 June
Chinotimba stadium, Victorial Falls
Hwange

21 June 2018
Sanyati, Kadoma
Nembudziya, Gokwe

22 June
Chitekete
Gokwe centre

23 June
Silobela
Redcliff

24 June
Kadoma

Areas still to be covered (24)
-Chivhu, Mvuma, Bindura, Guruve, Insiza, Mazowe, Mt Darwin, Mukumbura, Muzarabani, Shamva, Goromonzi, Mudzi, UMP, Rushinga, Mhangura, Hurungwe, Kariba, Makonde, Zvimba, Tsholotsho, Umguza, Bulilimamangwe & Chirumhanzu & Nkayi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Newsday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The petition reads as follows:

MTHWAKAZI REPUBLIC PARTY
National Executive Committee

Njabulo Ngwenya( MRP Foreign Affairs Secretary) for NEC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sport24

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

f. We have discovered many people with the same IDs

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

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

a. no printed ballot paper was inspected

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the accidents.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zinwa is also claiming interest plus costs of the suit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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