Most ordinary houses in low residential areas and medium density areas in Zimbabwe are, on average, worth 100 000USD and that will mean every person owning a house will be compelled to lay this so called wealth tax.

The proposed wealth/mansion tax should be reviewed to 250 000USD so that ordinary Zimbabweans are not choked by these unending taxes.

If this amount is not reviewed upwards, the burden of the wealth tax is going to be pushed to the tenants of those houses thereby rentals will increase whilst salaries remain stagnant. Rentals will become unaffordable to the middle class.

The middle class will move to the high density areas and offer to pay slightly higher rentals, pushing out those dwelling in high density areas, and a housing crisis will evolve. Tenants are already struggling with the ever skyrocketing rentals, and the introduction of such a tax is just knsenstive to the plight of ordinary Zimbabweans struggling to make ends meet.

We would have expected to see a review of the land tax. We have many wealthy people with vast lands who are not paying a dune in taxes. Thus, every farm above 100 hectares should pay a certain amount of land tax. This would deal with issues of productivity and multiple farm ownership very quickly.

This budget will further sink Zimbabwe into deeper murky waters of quagmire. A budget must be production driven, not tax driven.

In conclusion, this budget is antipeople and should be rejected.

Most ordinary houses in low residential areas and medium density areas in Zimbabwe are, on average, worth 100 000USD and that will mean every person owning a house will be compelled to lay this so called wealth tax. The proposed wealth/mansion tax should be reviewed to 250 000USD… https://t.co/RnhXCugBcS

— Linda Tsungirirai Masarira (@lilomatic) December 1, 2023

By A Correspondent- The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe leader bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa says he will retire in December of next year, in accordance with an approved roadmap for his retirement.

Two church members Mr Peter Musuka of the Chisipite circuit in Harare East and Mr Kelvin Chitowo of the Chinzanga circuit in the Mutoko – Mudzi District filed a High Court application, through their lawyers Hofisi & Partners Commercial Attorneys on November 10, 2023, seeking the mandatory retirement of the bishop who is over 68 years in terms of the church’s Book of Discipline.

They are seeking the High Court to declare that local churches vote and decide on disaffiliation by December 31, 2023, if they do not agree with the church’s position on homosexuality. In addition, they want bishop Nhiwatiwa barred from interfering with the right to disaffiliation.

Bishop Nhiwatiwa filed his Notice of Opposition on November 24, 2023, through his lawyers Chihambakwe, Mutizwa and Partners. His opposing affidavit was deposed to by Theophilus Pharoah Gambe, through special powers of attorneys granted to him by the church leader on November 21, 2023.

Bishop Nhiwatiwa argued that had it not been for COVID-19, the elections would have been held in 2020.

“But the Central Conferences whereat election of the bishop take place have been postponed beyond the respondent’s (the bishop) control. The elections for the succession of the respondent is now set for 5 to 9 December 2024 in Maputo, Mozambique. The Central Conference which comprises of a number of countries sets its own calendar and the respondent is not the one who conducts his own succession process.

Thus, it is now known to the church that in October 2024 the annual conference in Zimbabwe will convene to nominate the candidates for the office of the bishop to succeed the incumbent; the top three to emerge from the nomination conference will then participate in the election to be conducted in 2024 in Maputo, Mozambique.”

On homosexuality, he denied supporting the practice.

“For the record and avoidance of doubt, the respondent in his personal capacity and the Bishop does not and has never supported homosexuality. The respondent during his tenure has led the Zimbabwean church to vote against the petitions seeking to amend the Book of Discipline to allow same-sex marriages at the General Conference,” he argued.

He added that the United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers the practice incompatible with Christian teaching. He claimed that the prevailing position is that the church does not condone homosexuality as it regards it to be incompatible with scripture. He submitted that in Zimbabwe, the laws of the land do not accept same-sex marriages.

The subject of homosexuality is taboo to the membership of the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.

On the alleged violation of the congregants’ right to disaffiliation, he denied preventing any local church from holding a church conference. He argued that the right under paragraph 2553 (disaffiliation) is accorded to collective congregants of a local church not to a single individual.

According to him, no local church in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area has sought disaffiliation and applicants have not exhibited any mandate to approach the court to seek the relief being sought on disaffiliation.

He also raised several technical issues in his opposition. For example, he pointed out that the congregants should have enjoined or cited the church as a party to the court case. He alleges that the applicants have not exhausted internal remedies provided in the Book of Discipline.

He argued that the two applicants lack locus standi, that is, the right to make the court application for the remedies sought. He pointed out that the application for an order on disaffiliation was “moot” as by the time the matter will be heard in court it will be after 31 December 2023.

-The Herald

Over 500 dog bite cases have been reported in Zimbabwe with most bites being from dogs of unknown status.

According to a weekly update by the Ministry of Health and Childcare, Manicaland Province with 83 bites had the highest followed by Mashonaland East with 75.

“Weekly Disease Surveillance Report for the Week Ending 19 November 2023. 546 dog bite cases and zero deaths were reported this week, Of these cases, 129 (23.6 percent) were bitten by vaccinated dogs, 125 (23 percent) by unvaccinated dogs and 292 (53.4 percent) by dogs of unknown status.

“The highest number of dog bite cases reported this week were from Manicaland Province (83) and Mashonaland East Province (75). The cumulative figures for dog bites are 10 872 cases and 3 deaths,” read the update. The Chronicle

By A Correspondent- Treasury allocated the security cluster ZWL2,3 trillion more than the health and childcare, giving it instead 11,68% of the 2024 national budget well short of the Abuja Declaration.

In the 2024 national budget presentation on Thursday, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion minister Mthuli Ncube said ZWL$8,6 trillion had been allocated towards the national security cluster and ZWL6,3 trillion to the Ministry of Health and Childcare.

This comes despite the country signing onto the Abuja Declaration wherein African Union countries set a target of allocating at least 15% of their budget each year to the health sector.

“The 2024 National Budget seeks to consolidate recovery of public health sector services, across all levels of health care, through provision of the requisite tools of trade such as adequate working space, manpower, drugs and medical supplies across the value chain,” Ncube said.

“In this regard, an amount of Z$6,3 trillion has been allocated towards the Ministry of Health and Child Care.”

The security cluster is the total budget allocated to the Ministry of Defence, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Prisons and Correctional Service, as well as Special Services.

This will be directed towards meeting the security cluster’s remuneration, food rations, operational equipment and the necessary infrastructure.

Ncube justified the allocation to the security cluster as the country needing to secure “peace”, months after the general elections were disputed.

Yet, the healthcare industry is facing depreciating and dilapidated infrastructure as well as a brain drain on qualified staff.

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health chairperson Daniel Mokolele expressed concern over the current situation of the Zimbabwean health sector in the pre-budget meeting hosted by Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) earlier this month.

He stated that Zimbabwe’s heavy reliance on external funding for its health sector was another cause for concern looking at the budget to healthcare.

-NewsDay

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has raised tax and bonus tax-free thresholds in a bid to provide much-needed relief to ordinary Zimbabweans whose incomes have been eroded by inflation.

Unveiling the 2024 National Budget that largely reflects the Government’s commitment to fostering a more equitable society at the new Parliament today, Minister Ncube proposed the new tax thresholds would be effective from January 1, 2024, while the bonus tax-free threshold would take effect from November 1, 2023.

The 2024 Budget, themed “Consolidating Economic Transformation,” builds on socio-economic achievements that have been made over the past five years and seeks to place the country on a solid foundation for further development and growth.

Under the proposed changes, the monthly tax-free threshold would be increased from $500 000 to $750 000, resulting in an annual tax-free threshold of $9 million.

Minister Ncube also proposed to adjust the tax bands, with the highest tax rate of 40 percent applicable to annual income exceeding $270 million. Regarding the local currency bonus tax-free threshold, he proposed to increase it from $500 000 to $7,5 million. The Herald

A Mutare man has suffered a double loss after he was denied access to his bride, while his application for a lobola refund was dismissed by the courts.

Mr Eddington Machingauta had dragged his in-laws, Mr Godwin Madenga and Ms Betty Gombarume, as well as his estranged flame, Ms Patricia Chantelle Madenga to Mutare Magistrates Civil Court, demanding restitution of US$4 240 which he paid as bride price.

Mr Machingauta was represented by Makuwaza & Magogo Attorneys, while the defendants were represented by Mr Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners.

However, Mr Madenga dismissed the claim that Mr Machingauta paid US$4 240 as bride price.

He said Mr Machingauta only paid US$500 towards lobola, with the other payments “not constituting lobola perse”.

Presiding magistrate, Ms Priscilla Gumbo dismissed Mr Machingauta’s application saying his motives were not clear.

“It is still unclear why you decided to lay dormant after paying lobola and only decided to resurface demanding a refund of the lobola.

“This raises questions on whether the applicant wanted his wife or if it was all a sham. My belief is the applicant would have taken the necessary actions to have his wife back if he truly wanted the marriage to subsist.”

Ms Gumbo ruled that Mr Machingauta is not entitled to a refund since the marriage was never dissolved as he did not offer his wife a divorce token ‘gupuro’.
Because of that, the court ruled that the two are only on separation.

The court heard that on August 9, Mr Machingauta visited his in-laws at their Pegasus house in Dangamvura in the company of his family to set a date for lobola payment and was given a bride price list with a total of US$11 240.

Mr Machingauta only managed to pay US$3 690 and groceries worth US$550, making it a total of US$4 240.

After receiving the lobola, the bride’s parents refused to hand over their daughter to Mr Machingauta as they insisted that he needed to top up the money.

As a result, Mr Machingauta and Ms Madenga’s relationship turned sour between August and October, thereby prompting the woman to change her mind and opt out of the marriage.

Mr Machingauta says he tried to negotiate with his in-laws so that they could either restitute his money and groceries or give him his wife, all to no avail.

However, Mr Madenga said Mr Machingauta was called to come and take his wife, but he refused to do so.

The defendants’ attorney, Mr Ndlovu, argued that lobola is a customary law practice and tradition, but the complainant had sued his clients under general law and not under customary law.

He said Mr Machingauta should go through proper channels to solve the matter.

Mr Ndlovu also said lobola is a transaction between a son-in-law and his father-in-law, hence Mr Machingauta cannot sue his mother-in-law and his estranged wife.

He added that Mr Madenga cannot force his daughter to become Mr Machingauta’s wife, adding that this was an issue that could only be solved by the two parties. –
The Manica Post

Posted Walter Mzembi: Yesterday, @MthuliNcube fielded some ingratiating interview where he sought to credit his Boss @edmnangagwa as some super thinker and the owner of the Budget.

In his own words ” In fact it’s his Budget , he knows everything I am going to present.”

He even suggested that he had some setbacks and recalibrations from their several discussions outside Cabinet.

So, after the Budget Presentation yesterday and the public verdict on it as anti people usurious tax budget, I am now even more curious to see the original draft budget proposal .

It will help in many ways to establish what really is ” Mthulinomics ” and what kind of lording ED did on this Budget. That said the revelation that it is the President ‘ s Budget creates a collateral problem for @edmnangagwa himself, who has his son as a Deputy Minister of Finance, leading many to wonder whose budget this really is?

Chancellors of Exchequers & Ministers of Finance keep a significant surprise element of the Budget as part of their originality.

Mugabe guided the Minister of Finance through National Economic Councils a conclave of the economic cluster &RBZ, and left the rest to the Minister, of course he would be briefed but he would be favoured with the final copy on Budget day.

My issue here is over supervision in the Budget formulation process may kill a Minister ‘ s innovation, and Mthuli let the cat out of the bag on this one.

It explains the difference between Mthuli at Davos , the impressive economist lobbying for a job in 2018 and the politically battered one from Cowdray Park electoral defeat.

The technocrat is no more !

By A Correspondent- An elderly woman (63) allegedly teamed up with her 16-year-old granddaughter to beat her husband to death with a log and a cooking stick.

In a statement on X, police said Mavis Murungwa hada domestic dispute with Tinaye Goka (63) after he destroyed kitchen utensils and a goat pen.

The incident occurred on 26 November 2023 at Mabhiza Village, Chireya, Gokwe, leading to the suspect’s arrest.

Murungwa’s body was found near a borehole a day after the incident occurred.

“Police in Gokwe have arrested Mavis Murungwa (63) in connection with a case of murder which occurred at Mabhiza village, Chireya on 26/11/23 in which her husband, Tinaye Goka (63) died.”

“The suspect and her granddaughter (16) took turns to hit the victim with a log and cooking stick indiscriminately all over the body after a domestic dispute.

The victim had destroyed kitchen utensils and a goat pen built by the suspect. The victim was found dead near a borehole on 27/11/23,” reads the statement.

-The Chronicle

By A Correspondent- A 25 year old Harare man was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife by his colleague who had accused him of not buying beer.

The incident occurred in Dzivarasekwa on Sunday night after the suspect confronted the victim and asked why he was no longer buying beer.

Police have since arrested Tapiwa Nyahumbane (23) in connection with the murder case.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“Police in Harare have arrested Tapiwa Nyahumbane aged 23 in connection with a case of murder which occurred on Sunday at around 2330 hours at the intersection of 7th and 4th Street in Dzivarasekwa.

“The victim, Clayton Nyamupenzi aged 25 died after being stabbed with a kitchen knife on the chest and palms following a scuffle. The suspect had demanded to know the reason why the victim was no longer buying him beer,” he said.

Murder cases have been on the increase countrywide and police have been urging the public not to solve disputes through violent ways.

On Monday, a 16-year-old boy was arrested on allegations of fatally stabbing a man following a misunderstanding over a girlfriend at a house in Ruwa, while a 63-year-old woman was arrested for killing her husband in Gokwe after a domestic dispute.

The teenager stabbed Theionvus Mhungira (19) once in the neck with a kitchen knife and he died on the spot, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.

The stabbing occurred at a house in Solomio Park, Ruwa on Monday.

In another case, police in Gokwe arrested Mavis Murungwa (63) on allegations of killing her husband Tinaye Goka (63) at Mabhiza Village, Chireya, on Sunday.

The woman and her granddaughter aged 16 took turns hitting the victim with a log and cooking stick indiscriminately all over the body following a domestic dispute after he had destroyed kitchen utensils and a goat pen built by the suspect.

The victim was found dead near a borehole, Asst Comm Nyathi said.

In Bulawayo, a 46-year-old man died on Sunday after he was stabbed with a nail cutter knife following a misunderstanding during a beer-drinking spree.

Police have since arrested Mbalehle Ncube aged 22, Hlonipani Sibanda aged 26 and Themba Moyo aged 26.

The attack occurred at a house in Emthunzini, Bulawayo where Fios Sibanda aged 46 died after being attacked by the suspects following an argument during a beer-drinking spree. The Herald

By A Correspondent- Four fuel tankers and a bus were burnt to shells at a garage that was being used for illegal fuel dealings.

In a statement on X, police said the fire broke out when the fuel dealers were siphoning fuel from one of the tankers around 7pm on 28 November 2023.

The incident occurred at Matozi garage along 344 Budgetway Close, Willowvale in Harare.

“Police in Harare are investigating a fire incident in which four fuel tankers and a bus were burnt to shells at Matozi Garage along 344 Budgetway Close, Willowvale on 28/11/23 at around 1900 hours.”

“lnvestigations carried out so far by the Police have established that the garage was being used for illegal fuel dealings. It is suspected that the fire broke out while the fuel dealers were siphoning fuel from one of the tankers,” reads the statement. The Chronicle

By A Correspondent-A 20 year old woman is wanted by the police on allegations of sexually abusing a boy in Chivhu sometime in September this year.

The woman, Diana Nyanyaza, is alleged to have sexually abused the victim several times before disappearing.

Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect whose whereabouts are still not known.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were appealing to anyone with information that might lead to the arrest of the suspect to contact any nearest police station.

“The ZRP is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Diana Nyanyaza aged 20, who is being sought in connection with a case of Aggravated Indecent Assault for sexually abusing a male juvenile aged nine in September 2023, in Chivhu.

“The suspect’s last known address is 1678 Westwood, Chivhu. Anyone with information to contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station,” he said.

-The Herald

By A Correspondent- Opposition legislators yesterday accused Finance minister, Mthuli Ncube, of condemning millions of citizens to a life of misery with an anti-people budget containing a basket of tax increases beginning January.

Ncube presented a ZWL$58,2 trillion 2024 budget at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden saying the domestic economy is projected to grow by 3,5% next year.

The budget blueprint has a raft of new taxes and increases on fuel and a sugar levy, tollgate, vehicle registration and passport fees, mansion tax and a surcharge for vehicle imports, among others.

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators said the budget was uninspiring and anti-people as it increased the cost of doing business and living at a time when millions were failing to make ends meet.

Marondera Central legislator, Caston Matewu, said this was the worst budget ever presented.

“This is a very anti-people budget,” Matewu said.

“This budget has various taxes on everything that push up the cost of services and goods. This government wants to get money by stealing from the people. We will oppose this budget when we start debating it next week.”

Dzivarasekwa legislator Edwin Mushoriwa said the budget was punitive.

“This budget punishes the poor people. If you look at the budget deficit, the minister has failed to come up with progress(ive) steps of raising revenue in a proper manner and this is not right,” Mushoriwa said.

Ncube also announced a ZWL$2,4 trillion budget for social safety programmes targeting the poor, but CCC legislators said this was not enough when the majority were failing to afford basics.

Ncube also reviewed the tax-free threshold on incomes to ZWL$750 000 from ZWL$500 000.

However, inflation has rendered the move mute because of the rising cost of living.

CCC chief whip, Clifford Hlatwayo, said the poor would become poorer with the raft of new taxes.

“This is a zero budget. Ncube did not include or consider the plight of the poor.”

Zanu-PF legislators, however, defended the budget saying Ncube had no option but to put in place tough measures to reduce the budget deficit and restore fiscal discipline.

Zanu-PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi said:” The budget is so inclusive of everyone, especially on taxes. Everyone has to pay tax; the wealthy are going to pay tax as well. It’s a budget that has everything that we want as Zimbabweans.”

Economic analysts criticised the budget saying it does not address Zimbabwe’s never-ending socio-economic crisis.

Analyst Tafadzwa Bvunzawabaya said the budget would not help to reduce the budget deficit or stimulate economic growth.

“The budget is based on unrealistic assumptions about economic growth and revenue collection,” Bvunzawabaya said.

“The government is simply borrowing more money to finance its spending, which is unsustainable in the long term.”

Ncube has also introduced a new wealth tax to ensure that high-income earners pay taxes.

“In order to ensure that every person contributes to the fiscus in line with their levels of income, I propose to introduce a wealth tax levied at a rate of 1% of market values of residential properties with a minimum value of US$100 000,” the minister said.

The new tax triggered debate on social media yesterday, but Information permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana said it was long overdue.

“It’s a recognition of the fact that there are people with high value properties who have not paid any tax on the income from which they  bought or built such mansions,” Mangwana argued on X.

“In Zimbabwe, there are many such people. A variant mansion tax has been proposed in Zimbabwe. We are not alone in this. Many states in America charge for having a high value home.

“This will catch many and hence many are going to express opposition to it. But it’s natural for people to resist and try to avoid taxation. And its natural for government to insist and enforce.”

The United Kingdom has granted 20 000 work visas to Zimbabwean emigrants in the health and care sector as of June this year, the British government has revealed.

The figure represents a whopping 372% increase from 2022 as locals continue to flee the country in search of a better life abroad.

In its national statistics report titled: “Why do people come to the UK? To work” dated November 14, the UK government reported that in the year ended June 2023, 20 152 health and care worker visas were granted to Zimbabweans.

The figure rose from 4 270 emigrants in June 2020.

In terms of countries to be granted health and care worker visas, Zimbabwe ranked third after India with 33 669 and Nigeria at 22 278, respectively.

“Those immigrating long-term on work-related visas (main applicants and dependants) made up 33% of non-EU long-term immigration in the YE (year ended) June 2023, with an estimated 322 000 arrivals. This is compared with 198 000 in YE June 2022. This is split fairly evenly between main  applicants (169 000) and dependants (154 000),” the UK Office of National Statistics said.

“The Home Office’s statistics report, ‘Why do people come to the UK to work?’, shows growth in long-term sponsored work visas following the introduction of the ‘Skilled Worker’ and ‘Skilled Worker — Health and Care’ visas in 2020′,” the UK government said.

It said health and care work visas were the most sought-after work visas.

“Home Office data show that Indian nationals represented 38% of all dependants issued a work visa alongside main applicants, followed by Nigerian and Zimbabwean nationals (17% and 9%, respectively),” the office added.

This shows that most worker visas issued to immigrants in the UK, from Zimbabwe, went to those who were bringing in family members.

 “In the year ending June 2023 there were 217 786 grants to dependants of people who had been granted a work visa. This was almost double (+99%) the number of grants compared to the year ending June 2022.”

“Worker visas granted to main applicants have increased by 78% in the year ending June 2023 compared with the previous year, primarily due to a large increase in ‘Skilled Worker — Health and Care’ visas granted,” the report read.

The UK office reported that people initially arriving long-term on work-related visas made up 22% of non-EU long-term emigration as of June 2023, with an estimated 45 000 leaving.

 “This is driven by both main applicants and dependants.

“Our provisional estimates indicate that we have seen an increase in the net migration of people for work reasons (from 168 000 in the YE June 2022 to 278 000 in YE June 2023),” the UK office said.

“This means the net migration for work makes up a larger proportion in the YE June 2023 (36%) compared with the YE June 2022 (23%).”

The USD88million funded Mbudzi roundabout appears as if collapsing halfway through completion. VIDEO

MBUDZI ROUNDABOUT ALREADY COLLAPSING WHILE UNDER CONSTRUCTION? https://t.co/jTdGzzNYTl

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 1, 2023

By James Gwati- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sacked the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Roy Bhila.

A statement by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya Thursday reads:
“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa has, in terms of Section 108(1a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, removed Hon.Roy Bhila from the Office of Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce with immediate effect”.

No reasons were cited for Bhila’s dismissal, which came barely three months after he was sworn into office. However, close sources say the government official was closely linked to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

Chiwenga and Mnangagwa are at loggerheads over the succession issue.

” Chiwenga is building his own alliance in preparation for taking over from Mnangagwa, and there are a number of ministers who are backing him in this succession battle,” said the source.

” Most of these ministers and government officials are afraid of coming out publicly because they are not yet sure about the Chiwenga’s chances, which is the reason why they are on the fence, ” he added.

By-Zan PF has deployed war veterans and collaborators in Mabvuku to campaign for their candidate, Scott Sakupwanya, during the upcoming by-elections on December 9.

Sakupwanya, an ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, previously contested the seat but lost to Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi from the Citizens Coalitions for Change (CCC) party in the disputed August 23 elections.

Godwills Masimirembwa, the ZANU PF Harare provincial chairperson who is leading the campaign, stated that campaigning is in full swing. He told NewsDay:

We have deployed 1 200 party members who are all over the ground campaigning for our Mabvuku-Tafara candidate Scott.

Everyone has been put on board to campaign for our candidate — central committee members, district members, politburo members, war veterans and collaborators are also part of the campaign team and everyone is free to come and campaign but should follow party protocol.

We as a province are geared to win the constituency. We are doing everything possible to assist our candidate.

War veterans have historically played a significant role in ZANU PF campaigns, often involved in violent attacks against opposition parties. The lead-up to the by-elections has been marred by the kidnapping and murder of a CCC activist, Tapfumaneyi Masaya, who was abducted while campaigning for Kufahakutizwi.

Some ZANU PF activists have expressed concerns about the party’s campaign strategy, but Masimirembwa dismissed their complaints, attributing them to attempts to cause confusion within the party. The campaign team also includes shadowy groups and the youth league, with the involvement of politburo members Charles Tawengwa, Douglas Mahiya, Tendai Chirau, and Andy Mhlanga.

The by-election is taking place because Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi, who won the seat in the previous elections held on August 23-24, 2023, was recalled, allegedly for ceasing to belong to the CCC party. The recall was initiated by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the interim Secretary-General of the CCC party. However, some officials from the CCC party dispute Tshabangu’s membership and believe that he is being used by ZANU PF as part of their plan to secure a two-thirds majority in parliament. Tshabangu has recalled scores of CCC Parliamentarians and councillors.

By-Zan PF has enlisted the support of war veterans and collaborators to campaign for their candidate, Scott Sakupwanya, to secure victory in the Mabvuku-Tafara constituency during the upcoming by-elections on December 9.

Sakupwanya, an ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, previously contested the seat but lost to Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi from the Citizens Coalitions for Change (CCC) party in the disputed August 23 elections.

Godwills Masimirembwa, the ZANU PF Harare provincial chairperson who is leading the campaign, stated that campaigning is in full swing. He told NewsDay:

We have deployed 1 200 party members who are all over the ground campaigning for our Mabvuku-Tafara candidate Scott.

Everyone has been put on board to campaign for our candidate — central committee members, district members, politburo members, war veterans and collaborators are also part of the campaign team and everyone is free to come and campaign but should follow party protocol.

We as a province are geared to win the constituency. We are doing everything possible to assist our candidate.

War veterans have historically played a significant role in ZANU PF campaigns, often involved in violent attacks against opposition parties. The lead-up to the by-elections has been marred by the kidnapping and murder of a CCC activist, Tapfumaneyi Masaya, who was abducted while campaigning for Kufahakutizwi.

Some ZANU PF activists have expressed concerns about the party’s campaign strategy, but Masimirembwa dismissed their complaints, attributing them to attempts to cause confusion within the party. The campaign team also includes shadowy groups and the youth league, with the involvement of politburo members Charles Tawengwa, Douglas Mahiya, Tendai Chirau, and Andy Mhlanga.

The by-election is taking place because Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi, who won the seat in the previous elections held on August 23-24, 2023, was recalled, allegedly for ceasing to belong to the CCC party. The recall was initiated by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the interim Secretary-General of the CCC party. However, some officials from the CCC party dispute Tshabangu’s membership and believe that he is being used by ZANU PF as part of their plan to secure a two-thirds majority in parliament. Tshabangu has recalled scores of CCC Parliamentarians and councillors.

By-Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who was instrumental in the liberation of Southern Rhodesia to become Zimbabwe has died.

He was 100.

Kissinger served as America’s top diplomat and national security adviser during the Nixon and Ford administrations.

His company, Kissinger Associates, a political consulting firm he founded, announced that the German-born former diplomat died at his home in Connecticut.

Probably a few know of his role in facilitating black majority rule in Southern Rhodesia, which later became Zimbabwe.
In 1976, US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger became involved in negotiations to address the growing crisis in Southern Africa.

The white Rhodesian leader, Ian Smith, was resisting black majority rule, which threatened to escalate into a regional conflict involving other African states and apartheid South Africa. Kissinger was concerned that this conflict could become another front in the Cold War. He decided to intervene and seek a negotiated solution to end minority rule peacefully.

Kissinger conducted a series of talks with Smith, and South African Prime Minister B.J. Vorster also joined the discussions. The goal was to establish political and economic stability in Rhodesia that could withstand communist influence.

Smith eventually accepted the principle of majority rule, but no concrete results were achieved. Smith announced that his government had accepted Kissinger’s proposal for a black majority government within two years, but the war in Rhodesia continued.

The black movements in Rhodesia and the neighbouring frontline states (Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, and Botswana) insisted on a settlement based on their terms, while Smith refused to make further concessions.

The conflict persisted, with freedom fighters attacking on the front and retaliatory raids by Rhodesian forces on bases in neighbouring countries.

Finally, in March 1978, an agreement was reached that led to a transitional government. South African Prime Minister Vorster expressed willingness to cooperate with the new government on a neighbourly basis.

The negotiations led by Kissinger set the stage for the subsequent Lancaster House negotiations, which eventually resulted in the transition to black majority rule in Rhodesia. Robert Mugabe was the founding leader of Zimbabwe.

Tinashe Sambiri

Charismatic cleric, Bishop Ancelimo Magaya, has challenged the church to speak out against the callous murder of CCC activist Tapfumanei Masaya.

Bishop Masaya was brutally murdered by Zanu PF agents in Mabvuku two weeks ago.

In a brief statement on X, Bishop Magaya urged the church to denounce hooliganism.

“If churches in Zim went about business as usual, preaching and liturging on a Sunday following the burial of Tapfumanei Masaya, then our crisis is deeper than what meets the eye.

God hates all such
“solemn” gatherings-void of public condemnation of injustices. (Amos 5:21 -24).

The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe leader, bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, says he will retire in December of next year after the church complained about his stance on same-sex marriages.

Two church members, Mr Peter Musuka of the Chisipite circuit in Harare East and Mr Kelvin Chitowo of the Chinzanga circuit in the Mutoko – Mudzi District, filed a High Court application through their lawyers Hofisi & Partners Commercial Attorneys on November 10, 2023, seeking the mandatory retirement of the bishop who is over 68 years in terms of the church’s Book of Discipline.

They are seeking the High Court to declare that local churches vote and decide on disaffiliation by December 31, 2023, if they do not agree with the church’s position on homosexuality.

In addition, they want bishop Nhiwatiwa barred from interfering with the right to disaffiliation.
Bishop Nhiwatiwa filed his Notice of Opposition on November 24, 2023, through his lawyers Chihambakwe, Mutizwa and Partners. His opposing affidavit was deposed to by Theophilus Pharoah Gambe, through special powers of attorneys granted to him by the church leader on November 21, 2023.
Bishop Nhiwatiwa argued that had it not been for COVID-19, the elections would have been held in 2020.
“But the Central Conferences whereat election of the bishop take place have been postponed beyond the respondent’s (the bishop) control. The elections for the succession of the respondent is now set for 5 to 9 December 2024 in Maputo, Mozambique. The Central Conference which comprises of a number of countries sets its own calendar and the respondent is not the one who conducts his own succession process. Thus, it is now known to the church that in October 2024 the annual conference in Zimbabwe will convene to nominate the candidates for the office of the bishop to succeed the incumbent; the top three to emerge from the nomination conference will then participate in the election to be conducted in 2024 in Maputo, Mozambique.”
On homosexuality, he denied supporting the practice.
“For the record and avoidance of doubt, the respondent in his personal capacity and the Bishop does not and has never supported homosexuality. The respondent during his tenure has led the Zimbabwean church to vote against the petitions seeking to amend the Book of Discipline to allow same-sex marriages at the General Conference,” he argued.
He added that the United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers the practice incompatible with Christian teaching. He claimed that the prevailing position is that the church does not condone homosexuality as it regards it to be incompatible with scripture. He submitted that in Zimbabwe, the laws of the land do not accept same-sex marriages.
The subject of homosexuality is taboo to the membership of the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.
On the alleged violation of the congregants’ right to disaffiliation, he denied preventing any local church from holding a church conference. He argued that the right under paragraph 2553 (disaffiliation) is accorded to collective congregants of a local church not to a single individual. According to him, no local church in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area has sought disaffiliation and applicants have not exhibited any mandate to approach the court to seek the relief being sought on disaffiliation.
He also raised several technical issues in his opposition. For example, he pointed out that the congregants should have enjoined or cited the church as a party to the court case. He alleges that the applicants have not exhausted internal remedies provided in the Book of Discipline. He argued that the two applicants lack locus standi, that is, the right to make the court application for the remedies sought. He pointed out that the application for an order on disaffiliation was “moot” as by the time the matter will be heard in court it will be after 31 December 2023.
-Herald

President Emmerson Mnangagwa Monday swore one of his friends and homeboy, Larry Mavhima, to the Public Service Commissioner post.

Mavhima, a former Midlands provincial minister, was sworn in along with John Paradza, the new deputy Environment Minister.

The swearing-in ceremony happened Monday at the state house, with the two taking their oaths as they both assumed new roles.

Commissioner Mavhima believes it is key for the commission to ensure civil servants are well equipped and trained to ensure each sector delivers, emphasising the need to prioritise improving conditions of service for public servants.
He said, “I would like to thank His Excellency for appointing me to the Public Service Commission where I can use my vast experience not only from the private sector but public sector so that we deliver to the people of Zimbabwe so that we get to 2030 in a seamless way. We need to make sure our people are well equipped and well-trained so that they are fit for purpose.”
“There are a lot of plans on board and one of these is to make people realise that they need to work to get results. If we all copied the way the President works, it would take us far. We are looking into the welfare of civil servants. If employees are not happy, they will not deliver. We are currently looking at the service for our people. We do not want to train people who will leave for other countries,” he added.
The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife covers several areas including issues of climate change. Paradza expressed readiness to play his part, “The vision is already there as put by the President. This appointment gives hope to the youths that leadership is recognising the young generation.”
Paradza, who is also the Zanu PF Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs, recently won the Gutu West by-election.
The elections were delayed after one of the candidates, Mr Christopher Mutonhori died before the August 23 General Elections.
Mr Mavhima has served under various portfolios in government, including being the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in the Midlands Province.
-ZBC

By- The Zimbabwe Republic Police have arrested 844 bus drivers in one month on various road traffic offences, including speeding.

The police said they are working with the Zimbabwe Public Transport Organisation (ZPTO) to implement the innovative speed tracking.
The police said this collaboration has so far seen 844 drivers arrested since last month.
Transport operators recently started fitting buses with speed tracking and limiting devices in line with Statutory Instrument 118 of 2023, which limits speed to 100km/h on the open road.
A monitoring centre has been set up at Harare Central Police Station.
Government recently ordered that all public service vehicles, including buses, be fitted with speed limiting and monitoring devices to ensure speeding by drivers is curbed, thereby saving lives.
Police will be capacitated to ensure compliance, following the gazetting of new regulations by Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona in June.
Yesterday, police held a preparatory meeting for the festive season campaign which was attended by transport operators and other stakeholders in Harare.
Speaking during the meeting, the Officer Commanding Operations in Harare province, Assistant Commissioner Taonei Nyazema, said the festive season was a time for joy and celebrations, but unfortunately, it was also a period marked by increased road carnage.
“We, as the law enforcement agents, operators and other stakeholders we share the same decisive actions to prevent road accidents, injuries, loss of lives and property destruction. We definitely should not allow the situation to get worse under our watch. Your presence at this important meeting is testimony of the value you are attaching to this meeting.
“Your dedication and commitment to this cause is therefore greatly appreciated. Together we can make a real difference and save lives during the impending festive season. Now, I must share with you the seriousness of the situation we are currently facing.
“From January to October 2023, Harare Province alone recorded a total of 25 409 accidents, compared to 24 010 accidents during the same period last year. This represents a 9.4 percent increase,” he said.
During the same period, 3 300 people were injured as compared to 3 025 in 2022.
Asst Comm Nyazema said the province also witnessed 316 deaths resulting from road accidents, compared to 366 in 2022.
“For the festive season, 15 December 2022 to 15 January 2023 we had a total of 2 945 accidents where 310 people were injured while 43 were killed. These statistics highlight the urgency and importance of this meeting.
“In light of this, I would like to express my appreciation to the Zimbabwe Public Transport Organisation (ZPTO) for their support in implementing the innovative speed tracking system. Since its launch, we have a cumulative arrest of 844 accused for speeding and revenue of $1 050 was realised through deposit fines.
“With the implementation of the speed tracking system, this year’s festive season should be an accident free period. No accidents should be recorded. I implore you all to urge all drivers to observe road rules and regulations,” Asst Comm Nyazema said.
He said they have also observed a significant reduction in accidents involving buses as a result of the enforcement of speed limits.
“This is indeed an encouraging development, and we hope that all bus operators will join this initiative before December 15, to ensure that the safety of our travelling publics is guaranteed. Apart from use of the speed tracking initiative, our Province has managed to do a total of 112 campaigns conscientising drivers and operators to avoid speeding.
“I also want to take this opportunity to reiterate that the Zimbabwe Republic Police is fully committed to maintaining law and order on the roads. We will not tolerate any form of lawlessness.
“Our duty is to enforce traffic regulations, hold accountable those who violate them, and ensure the safety of all road users. With the support of everyone gathered here, the objective of ensuring a bloodless festive season is within reach.
“However, it saddens me that there are still hosts of operators who are yet to join the programme. Some operators are even disabling the speed tracking devices, which undermines the purpose of our gathering. This behaviour is deeply troubling, and we must address it collectively,” Asst Comm Nyazema said.
ZPTO Chairman Dr Sam Nhanhanga said their organisation represents the interests of passenger transport operators who provide intercity, intra city and cross border transport service.
“Today the 29th of November 2023 we are here with law enforcers and insurers to give us their expectations as far as road usage is concerned and promote safety and reliability which is ZPTO’s mission of existence.
“We have realised compliance is being eroded day by day due to lack of communication among bus operators, bus crews and the law interpreters. Road carnage has become an enormous killer in this country because of accidents.
“According to the UN and reliable sources, Zimbabwean accidents cost 4 percent of our GDP. At the same time experts have predicted a 4 percent growth of GDP, meaning we are going nowhere.
“Fellow citizens, drivers, passengers and pedestrians lets join hands and fight road carnage. We have seen it worthwhile to come together during this period where Christians and non-Christians move from one place to the other in high volumes celebrating Christmas and New Year holidays. Drinking and over excitement are at their highest level,” he said.
“We need your word of wisdom to safeguard the lives of citizens and all trespassers. To my fellow bus operators and other road users it has been proved that human error is the main cause of accidents.”
Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) acting director Mr Martin Musengezi said they have put in place measures to ensure the safety of travellers.
“The VID and the police will be in full force throughout the festive season to ensure that there is full compliance and we are ready to maintain safety on our roads. We would like public transport operators to be cautious on the road.
“As VID we are very much concerned about the roadworthiness of vehicles with particular reference to the bus sector, kombi drivers, the public in general and private motor operators,” he said.
The meeting was attended by senior police officers and bus operators.

-Herald

By A Correspondent- Parirenyatwa group of Hospitals is now offering Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) services.

MRI services, refers to a scan that produces 3D detailed images of internal structures in the human body which is used for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring.

The hospital is committed to improving the women’s health clinic section with technological advancement.

According to a memo, the service is now being offered effective 27 September 2023.

Commented Dr Misheck Ruwende:

Improvement

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals now offering Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) services, a scan that produces 3D detailed images of internal structures in the human body, used for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring.

By- Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sworn in John Paradza as the Deputy Minister of Environment.

Paradza was sworn in along with Lawrence Mavhima, now the Public Service Commission commissioner.

The swearing-in ceremony happened Monday at the state house, with the two taking their oaths as they both assumed new roles.

Commissioner Mavhima believes it is key for the commission to ensure civil servants are well equipped and trained to ensure each sector delivers, emphasising the need to prioritise improving conditions of service for public servants.
He said, “I would like to thank His Excellency for appointing me to the Public Service Commission where I can use my vast experience not only from the private sector but public sector so that we deliver to the people of Zimbabwe so that we get to 2030 in a seamless way. We need to make sure our people are well equipped and well-trained so that they are fit for purpose.”
“There are a lot of plans on board and one of these is to make people realise that they need to work to get results. If we all copied the way the President works, it would take us far. We are looking into the welfare of civil servants. If employees are not happy, they will not deliver. We are currently looking at the service for our people. We do not want to train people who will leave for other countries,” he added.
The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife covers several areas including issues of climate change. Paradza expressed readiness to play his part, “The vision is already there as put by the President. This appointment gives hope to the youths that leadership is recognising the young generation.”
Paradza, who is also the Zanu PF Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs, recently won the Gutu West by-election.
The elections were delayed after one of the candidates, Mr Christopher Mutonhori died before the August 23 General Elections.
Mr Mavhima has served under various portfolios in government, including being the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in the Midlands Province.
-ZBC

By- The Zanu PF government has initiated fresh attacks on the jailed CCC senior official and former legislator, Job Sikhala.

These fresh attacks on Wiwa, became visible through an image of him ( Job) in leg irons on a hospital bed undergoing surgery.

 Many commentators have criticised the Zanu PF government, accusing it of being cruel.

Sikhala, a former Member of Parliament, was arrested and imprisoned in June 2022 for allegedly inciting public violence during the funeral wake of slain Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist, Moreblessing Ali. He has been held at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison together with convicted armed robbers and murderers since then.

Sikhala’s political party, the CCC, argues that he is a political prisoner who is being punished for challenging the government’s restrictions on democratic rights. Responding to the image, the party said:

The inhumane treatment of political prisoner and opposition member Job Sikhala by the regime in Harare is a matter that should be condemned by all concerned local, regional, and international authorities. Despite spending nearly two years in pre-trial detention for crimes he did not commit, the regime persists in treating him as a criminal. Shockingly, they even subject him to restraints, such as leg irons, even when he is in a hospital bed.

Self-exiled former Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who is nicknamed Tyson for his combative politics as a Young Turk in ZANU PF, said:

Highly despicable! What rank madness and cruelty is this?

Mount Pleasant MP, Fadzayi Mahere, called for the immediate release of Sikhala and also wished him speedy recovery. She said:

Here’s wishing @JobSikhala1 a speedy recovery as he undergoes surgery today. His continued incarceration despite his innocence is a dark stain on our sense of justice. Bail is a constitutional entitlement. Democracy, the rule of law and freedom of expression, association and conscience are all on trial. What an enormous, 520 day travesty of justice.

Some more people commented that political power is temporary and can change quickly. They questioned why Job Sikhala was made to wear leg irons and expressed their disapproval. Some people mentioned the concept of karma, highlighting that the mistreatment of Job Sikhala will eventually come back to haunt those who are responsible or their future generations. They believe that the actions of Sikhala’s assailants will have consequences and that they will face repercussions in the future.

By- The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamonds Company (ZCDC) owns Manica Diamonds Football Club, has neglected their football star Tawanda Macheke, who is now appealing for assistance to send his four-month-old son to India for an emergency heart operation.

ZCDC is in charge of diamond mining operations in Mutare’s Chiyadzwa area.

Macheke said he is facing a bill of US$ 20,000 and has raised about US$ 4,000 so far.

The $ 20,000 Macheka wants for his son to be treated is nothing, given the profits ZCDC makes in Chiyadzwa.

“My four-month-old son was diagnosed with a heart problem which needs urgent attention, in the next two months, in India.

“We need almost US$20 000 for his treatment and other logistics to travel for the operation… We only got to know about this last month and I have been running around to try and raise the required money.
“But getting such an amount in such a short space of time has been a huge challenge for me and my family. I believe we have done our best, but we are still falling short.
“So, I am appealing for assistance because we are running out of time. The doctors have advised that if he doesn’t get the corrective operation within the first six months of life then the complication could be irreversible. So, we have two months to get this done,” said Macheke.

The family can be contacted on 0716033830 and 0771064389 (WhatsApp).

-Herald

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa is heading to Madagascar for the inauguration of Andry Rajoelina, who was declared a winner in the elections boycotted by the opposition and other political players.

Indian Ocean island country sent a delegation to invite President Mnangagwa to grace Rajoelina’s inauguration.

The Sadc nation held its elections last weekend, with the electoral commission declaring president Rajoelina the winner after garnering 58,9 percent of the vote followed by Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, a lawmaker, who got 14,4 percent.
Sadc countries that held elections recently are Zimbabwe and Eswatini while DRC will conduct its own later this year.
Next year, countries to hold elections in the region are Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia and Mauritius.

“We have been sent by President Andry Rajoelina who has been elected in Madagascar. In a few weeks, there will be the inauguration ceremony. We have been sent as special envoys to see the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe to invite him to come to the ceremony and to strengthen the link between our two countries,” said the head of Rajoelina’s delegation sent to Mnangagwa.
Zanu-PF national spokesperson Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa, louded after the invitation.

“The President has indicated that he will be attending the investiture of his brother, President Rajoelina of Madagascar.
“So as fellow Sadc countries, we will be having that special occasion as we celebrate our elections, our democracy and celebrate our regional solidarity,” he said.

Heart rending picture of Job Sikhala undergoing surgery in leg irons. @amnesty pic.twitter.com/ESAziBaat1

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 29, 2023

By A Correspondent- Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, who uses the name Dhonzamusoro007 on twitter has taken to social media to boast of his latest asset, a 130 horsepower Belarusian tractor.

Charamba said:

A NEW BEAST IN THE FLEET:

The Farm has just acquired a 130-horsepower Belarusian Tractor whose awesome tractive power makes all our implements mere “babies”!

Because of this major acquisition, the first 60 hectares are already done and planted, anxiously awaiting for the rains.

Some 70 more hectares are being worked on so we do our bit as a farming unit.

Ikanaya chete tinobatsira kuzadza matura enyika!!!! #NyikaInorimirwaNeveneVayo!!!!!

By A Correspondent- Three people have appeared in court on allegations of extorting US$100 000 from a suspected thief as an inducement to stop them from reporting the theft to the police.

Elizabeth Nyamande (35), Evernice Nyamande (30) and Emmanuel Ngorima (38) were charged with extortion when they appeared before Harare Magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa who freed them on US$500 bail each.

It is the State’s case that the trio received information that the complainant (who is not named) was in possession of large sum of money she had stolen from an unknown person in South Africa.

The trio approached the complainant and demanded US$100 000 cash so that they would not report her to the police.

It is alleged that the complainant gave the trio the money, some of which they used to buy motor vehicles.

Officers from CID Homicide conducted investigations leading to the recovery of Mazda Attenza from Nyamande, Toyota Corolla Axio from Evernice Nyamande and Toyota Corolla together with US$2 000 from Ngorima. The Herald

By A Correspondent- Forever Associates Zimbabwe (Faz), a shadowy organisation linked to the country’s spy agency, has retraced its footsteps back into the political arena, this time campaigning for ruling party candidates vying for nine parliamentary seats which fell vacant following recalls by the self-imposed main opposition party secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu.

Vacancies were created when Tshabangu wrote to the clerk of Parliament, announcing that he had recalled 14 legislators drawn from Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Bulawayo provinces as well as Mabvuku-Tafara constituency in Harare.

Several opposition local authority councillors were also recalled. Now as the 9 December by-elections draw closer, Faz, which was at the centre of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s disputed electoral victory, is using both overt and covert tactics to win erstwhile opposition seats.

While some vacancies will be filled without going to polls through proportional representation, there will be by-elections in nine constituencies.

Gathered information indicates that Faz, which is headed by deputy director-general of the Central Intelligence Organisation Walter Tapfumanei, has therefore redeployed its officers in the constituencies where they are using various campaign strategies to help Zanu PF snatch seats from CCC and achieve its aim to have a two-thirds majority in Parliament that can enable the ruling party to tinker with the constitution.

In Lupane, where there is a by election, Faz is employing intimidation tactics by threatening villagers that they will be excluded from government food handouts and agricultural input programmes if they continued voting for the opposition.

In other areas, Faz members are carrying out door-to-door campaigns, with Zanu PF cell registers forcing residents to give out their personal details that the shadowy group will use on its exit poll survey desks.

Gift “Ostalos” Siziba, the CCC deputy spokesperson, in an interview, confirmed that Faz has gone back to the ground in its bid to push for Zanu PF victories in the campaigns albeit through undemocratic means.

“Faz is working in communities so that Zanu PF wins on the margin of terror. They are also coming into urban areas now and the case of slain Bishop Tapfumanei Masaya is the latest example.

“In a free and fair election, Zanu PF knows that it will never win a single seat in those by-elections. We have said that any elections without reforms is not about political choices but life and death. The elections are no longer about contestation of ideas but life and death,” he said.

Ezoic

Siziba revealed that the CCC has since de[1]vised ways to slow down Faz and push back on its nasty activities.

“We are deploying young people to defend the vote. We know they want to win through ballot stuffing. As a democratic party, we are also continuing to report cases to police even though they seem powerless to tackle Faz. We are saying police under all circumstances must perform their constitutional duties of protecting citizens,” said the deputy CCC spokesperson.

During the last elections, details of how the intelligence service through Faz was running the Zanu PF campaign as defined in its operating manual titled “Scope of Campaign Activities”.

Part of the document reads: “The mainstay of this campaign is door-to-door intimate voter contact. This allows the volunteer to move from house-to-house and workplace-to-workplace, talking to individual voters one at a time. This, in turn, enables the volunteer to know the problems voters face, gauge their level of support for party and candidate, and tailor massages and campaign activities to address their concerns. These visits must not be once-off, but must become regular to help the party to dominate and saturate the environment while denying the same to opponents.”

Faz also played a major role in destabilising the opposition at the candidate nomination exercise for the 23 August polls. The shadowy group planted double and sometimes triple parallel candidates to those genuinely put forward by the Nelson Chamisa-led party, in a well-orchestrated ploy to split the opposition vote.

The chicanery involved sponsoring the candidates to submit nomination papers to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) without the approval of the CCC and also forging the signatures and logo of the party. The trend was rampant in Harare’s peri-urban constituencies where Zanu PF was anxious to outfox the opposition.

Kudakwashe Chatambudza was the only candidate on the official CCC shortlist for Epworth South, but two names, Solomon Baramasimbe and Dydmus Bande, emerged on a Zec list, making a total of three CCC candidates vying for that constituency and the mess was engineered by Faz.

In Harare East, where Allan “Rusty” Markham and Tendai Biti made it to the final CCC short[1]list and Markham emerged as the preferred candidate but, shockingly, a strange individual Malvin Razaru, appeared on the Zec list as a CCC candidate.

Joana Mamombe was the CCC candidate for Harare West, but Faz pushed through Farai Michael Padzarondora to appear alongside her as a CCC candidate.

In St Mary’s (Chitungwiza), Freddy Michael Masarirevhu of the CCC was listed allegedly without his knowledge as another candidate after the party’s official candidate, Brighton Mazhindu.

Faz forged signatures as well as the party logo and proceeded to pay nomination fees for him. Harare South, a peri-urban area represented by Mnangagwa’s relative Tongai Mnangagwa on a Zanu PF ticket, ended up having three candidates for the CCC: George Magweta, Dorothy Musonza and Trouble Hasha after Faz interference.

While Agency Gumbo was the official candidate for the CCC in Hatcliffe, Faz added one more, Lloyd Sande, in a bid to split the opposition and harvest votes for Zanu PF.

Faz spread its operation to Hunyani constituency where Lovemore Chinoputsa, the official CCC candidate, appeared on the Zec list with another individual, Terrence Khumbula, using the opposition party name.

In Hatfield, the CCC’s Revai Nyamuronda again appeared on the Zec final list with another candidate pushed by Faz to contest using the same party name, Admire Griza. In Bulawayo, three constituencies had two CCC double candidates — Phelandaba-Tshabalala, Entumbane-Njube and Pumula.

CCC candidates Donald Mabutho and Bekithemba Nyathi both filed papers to contest in ward 9, again at the instigation of Faz.

Soon after the August 23 general elections, foreign election observer missions accredited to Zimbabwe flagged the involvement of Faz in manipulating voting preferences, predominantly in rural areas.

Faz has been accused of intimidating the rural electorate while mobilising support for Zanu PF as part of Mnangagwa’s power retention plan. NewsHawks

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service will be hosting a family week for all prisons from 4 to 10 December 2023.

In a statement, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) invited relatives and friends of inmates, Churches, Corporate Artists, and individuals to visit inmates across the country.

“Visitors should bring National ldentity cards” reads the statement. The Chronicle

By A Correspondent- The government has set up 46 cholera treatments in the country as it ups intervention measures curbing the spread of Cholera.

This comes as the nation recorded 1 744 new suspected cases of cholera last as compared to 1 259 in the previous week.

Addressing journalists during a post Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere revealed that Zvishavane and Mbire are the new districts that reported cases during this period.

“The highest number of cholera cases during this period were from Harare (705) and Chitungwiza (163). Cabinet advises that by 26 November, 2023 46 cholera treatment camps were set up. Oral rehydration points are being set up in communities to bring services closer to the people.

“Case management and rapid response team’s training sessions are ongoing using workstations, on the job and classroom methods to improve on disease management. Furthermore, health education on cholera preventation and control measures including hygiene promotion is ongoing in all provinces,” said Dr Muswere.

He noted that training of City Health promoters in Chitungwiza and Harare started this week targeting 300 community members who will spearhead door-to-door campaigns.

Community dialogues, inter faith discussions and sensitisation of key stakeholders on cholera are also planned for the coming week in high cholera incidence districts.

“Cabinet has reiterated that there is need to improve water, sanitation and hygiene in communities. To that end, Cabinet wishes to restate that where the Local Authorities are failing to provide infrastructure, Government will continue to strengthen interventions,” said the Minister.

He further revealed that specific interventions are being put in place to ensure the availability of safe water trucking in affected urban areas, continuation of drilling and rehabilitation of boreholes, monitoring water quality in all areas, provision of household water treatment technologies, repairing of burst sewer pipes and the regular refuse collection and removal of garbage.

He further noted that authorities will also be ensuring restrictions of gatherings in all cholera affected areas, supervision of all burials in all cholera affected areas, having functional public toilets in all public places by involvement of private sector in the installation of temporary toilets; and the installation hand washing and sanitation devices in all public places be expedited. Sunday News

By A Correspondent | An SABC branded video circulated suggesting that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has been demoted and replaced by Oppah Muchinguri, and also that the late President Robert Mugabe’s preferred successor Sydney Sekeramayi has bounced back into government.

“I hear from SABC news about the Zim new cabinet ministers 1.vice presidents Kembo Mohadi and Oppah Muchinguri also saying Chinamasa back to his old job finance minister. Anyone from home he can confirm that?,” wrote Radie Thabiso.

The ZANU PF Information Department has viciously dismissed the clip.

ZimEye reveals that the clip has its origins during the week just after the notorious military coup back in 2017. During that period there were many guesses and misses misleading broadcasters and publishers, and the clip was first cited on 26 Nov 2017.

VERDICT: No. Constantino Chiwehga has not been fired and there has not been any cabinet reshuffle this week.