By A Correspondent- At least four vendors are feared dead while several others were injured after a Toyota Axio vehicle headed for

Shurugwi town veered off the road and ramped into the road side vendors selling “Mazhanje (sugar plum / loquat fruit)” at Gwenhoro turn off in Shurugwi this late afternoon.

When this reporter arrived at the scene, the police were busy ferrying the injured vendors to Shurugwi District Hospital.

Scored of Shurugwi residents and motorists had stopped to see what had transpired.

The suspected driver of the Toyota Axio had to be wisked away by the police as members of the public bayed for his blood. The Chronicle

By A Correspondent- Police in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West province, have launched a manhunt for 50-year-old Bwanali Bwanado who fatally stabbed his wife over infidelity allegations, and has gone into hiding.

In a bizarre turn of events that has taken social media by storm, Bwanado, now on the run, is said to have stabbed his wife Chioneso Ephraim with a kitchen knife after finding her with an unnamed male in their bedroom on Tuesday.

“Police in Chinhoyi are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Bwanali Bwanado (50) who is being sought in connection with a case of murder in which he stabbed his wife, Chioneso Ephraim (41), to death with an okapi knife after finding her sitting on their matrimonial bed with her boyfriend on 07/11/23 at a house in Gadzema. Anyone with information to report at any nearest Police Station,” the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) wrote in a statement. NewsDay

In a shocking display of heartlessness, a 37-year-old man battling lower bottom cancer has been abandoned by his own family at a local hospital for a staggering 13 months.

Admire Matetakufa, hailing from Mazowe, has been stranded in the hospital since August last year.

He revealed the devastating truth that his relatives have effectively left him to face his battle alone, with no support or care.

Initially brought to the hospital under the pretext of receiving medical attention, Admire soon realized that his family’s intentions were far from benevolent. It became painfully clear that they sought to rid themselves of him during his time of dire need.

Admire, who is undergoing treatment for cancer caused by sexually transmitted diseases, also shared the heartbreak of his wife abandoning him for another man. This abandonment left him responsible for their three children, all of whom are now under the care of social welfare.

Desperate for assistance, Admire is reaching out to the kindness of strangers. His plea is simple yet urgent: he needs food, shelter for himself and his children, and various other forms of support. Despite the emotional toll of being deserted by those closest to him, Admire remains hopeful, buoyed by the doctors’ assurance that they are doing everything possible to save him.

He says that his father’s relatives have disowned him during his illness, with some even cruelly stating that he emitted a bad odour due to cancer. Admire painfully recounted the hurtful words spoken by his own kin,

“Doctors have promised to do their best to save me. My relatives abandoned me after I fell ill, saying that I should go to my late mother’s relatives. My late father’s relatives deserted me saying that I was not their relative and I have a bad odour due to the cancer.”

With the expectation of eventually being discharged from the hospital, Admire is in dire need of a new place to call home, where he can rebuild his life alongside his children. iHarare

By A Correspondent- A driver with Munhenzva Bus Service has been fined US$400 for smuggling 200 rounds of live ammunition from South Africa into Zimbabwe.

Casper Ranganai Pakai (29), pleaded guilty when he appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba on Tuesday.

Pakai, of Glen View 1 Extension, Harare, and employed by Go Well Travellers Bus Company (also known as Munhenzva), was intercepted at the Bubi roadblock by security agents under the ‘No to Cross Border Crimes’ operation.

He had 200 rounds of 12-bore gauge calibre and 10 small boxes with 50x650mm round pellets each on the bus.

The bus had entered Zimbabwe through Beitbridge Border Post from Polokwane, South Africa, destined for Harare with 23 passengers on board.

The contraband was discovered when security agents conducted a routine search.

Pakai told the police the contraband belonged to one Lloyd Nyere. He, however, pleaded guilty to contravening the Firearms Act and was fined US$400 or, alternatively two months in jail. Ronald Mugwagwa appeared for the State. Southern Eye

A 40 year old man from Mbembesi’s Nqokola village in Matabeleland North province stormed into a local police station and destroyed a criminal record book kept in the charge office. The incident occurred on Sunday.

Pumulani Tshabalala, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to four months in prison when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Maxwell Ncube early this week.

It was the State’s case that a police officer, Kholekile Dlamini, was on duty on November 5 in the afternoon, when Tshabalala stormed into the charge office saying there were people pursuing him.

The court heard that Dlamini went outside to check for the pursuers but found no one and when he returned to the charge office, Tshabalala had disappeared.

The State said at 6pm when Dlamini was preparing to knock off, he discovered that one of the record books (RRB 04\23) was missing.

The court was told that while Dlamini was searching for the record book, one of his colleagues showed him torn pieces of paper from the record book.

A team of officers traced footprints and pieces of the book were recovered along a path used by Tshabalala when he left the police station.

Investigations led to Tshabalala’s arrest. Southern Eye

By A Correspondent- The speedy conclusion of high-profile cases appears to be the new norm under the country’s new Prosecutor-General, Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, who was appointed last month and promised to introduce “a culture of concluding cases”.

The conviction of high-profile cases including former Deputy Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe and Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya has since seen the National Prosecution Authority receiving plaudits from ordinary Zimbabweans.

Over the years, people said they were losing confidence in the NPA for taking forever to conclude high-profile cases.

This resulted in the public saying the NPA was engaging in a “catch and release” exercise, to “pacify those complaining of corruption in high places”.

However, that perception has changed dramatically in the last few days following the conviction of Rushwaya for attempting to smuggle gold to Dubai, through the VIP route at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport three years ago. The gold weighed 6kg and was valued at US$333 000.

Former Deputy Minister Mukupe was also convicted this week for importing more than 138 000 litres of diesel without paying duty.

Both are still to be sentenced, but generally sentence follows roughly a week after conviction, with the judge or magistrate having to preside over a sentence hearing that now incorporates factual evidence from the victim over what they lost, plus the normal argument in aggravation and mitigation.

The judge now has to apply the sentencing guidelines to the required degree, and produce a written sentencing judgment outlining their reasons for the sentence passed.

In separate interviews yesterday, Harare residents said the ongoing trend of prosecutions should be sustained to eradicate corruption in the country.

A resident of Old Tafara in Harare, Mr Tinashe Zisengwe, said the conviction of high-profile cases was commendable.

“The new Prosecutor-General (Justice Matanda-Moyo) is living true to her words that ‘the NPA needs to have a culture of hard work while concluding cases”, he said.

“We are glad to be witnessing that within her first month in office. It gives us confidence as citizens to see suspects being convicted of the crimes they committed”.

A Ruwa resident, Ms Rumbidzai Mawonde, said the speedy conclusion of cases was the way to go as justice delayed is usually justice denied.

“Some people were staying in remand prison for long while their cases were just dragging on. Others were walking scot-free in town as their cases took long to be concluded, leaving many people questioning the work ethic of the NPA and the courts.

“However, I am happy with the way cases are moving since the coming in of PG Matanda-Moyo.

“All that is needed is for the Government to support the new PG,” she said.

Mr Victor Dumba of Warren Park D, Harare, said: “We were used to the ‘catch and release syndrome’. Our only hope is that the current trend of prosecutions will continue”.

Mrs Annastancia Magorimbo said the fight against crime is the responsibility of every citizen.

“While I commend the new trend at the NPA, I still believe it is the duty of every Zimbabwean to combat crime,” she said.

PG Matanda-Moyo, who is the immediate-past chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, took her oath of office on October 10.

In her remarks, she bemoaned the slow pace of prosecution of cases.

“As I go into that office, we are definitely going to make some changes. We need a culture of hard work. We need a culture of concluding cases.

“Cases cannot proceed for a long time, cases must simply go into court while we are ready to prosecute and within the shortest period of time, cases must be concluded before the courts,” she said.

PG Matanda-Moyo said her job will be to institute and conduct criminal trials.

“So, I will be leading the team in the prosecution of criminal matters in Zimbabwe. I do understand that currently there is a backlog and our task is to clear that backlog,” she said. The Herald

-Emmerson Mnangagwa States Refusal to be Acknowledged as President of Zimbabwe-

By Farai D Hove | In an unexpected turn of events, Emmerson Mnangagwa, the leader of ZANU PF, made a startling announcement, declaring his disassociation from the title of President of Zimbabwe.

MNANGAGWA IN HIS OWN WORDS SAYING HE'S NOT PRESIDENTIAL MATERIAL https://t.co/NK5LsVRO1N

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 12, 2023

On the grand staircase of the recent SADC Extraordinary Summit in Luanda’s venue, a visibly tense Mnangagwa conversed rapidly with journalist Reuben Barwe, unveiling his declaration. Mnangagwa, while conversing with Barwe, emphatically expressed his flaws or sins make him too low to be equated among nation Presidents.

He further elaborated on his stance, asserting, he can never be a President like other real heads of states at the summit referred to as Priests.

This unprecedented declaration added intensity to the summit’s ongoing discussions, particularly surrounding the Zimbabwean election, an issue SADC had publicly confirmed as part of the extraordinary summit’s agenda.

In a brief exchange, Barwe, seeking clarity, inquired about potential challenges to the summit’s focus. Mnangagwa assured him, “No, these things happen in society. Not everybody is a Priest, so you find these things happen. We are so alert that we had gone to deal with the things that are relevant to the Summit.”

Despite the sensational declaration, Mnangagwa said that the summit primarily centered around issues concerning the Democratic Republic of Congo, as he tried to dispel revelations of disruption caused by Zimbabwe-related matters.

VIDEO

SADC publicly announced one very clear thing, that the Zimbabwe election was and is on the extraordinary summit agenda, and a visibly sweaty ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and his journalist, Reuben Barwe uttered 14 rapid statements convincing each other against the @SADC_News… https://t.co/DCoaAiSRvG pic.twitter.com/5jZkZQFwhD

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 5, 2023

The shocking revelation by Mnangagwa raises profound questions about the political landscape in Zimbabwe and casts uncertainty over the country’s leadership and future. As the summit continues, the repercussions and implications of this unexpected announcement remain a subject of great speculation and intrigue.

By James Gwati- Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-proclaimed CCC interim secretary general, has dealt a severe blow to the Ndebele tribe by recalling CCC spokesperson Senator Felix Magalela Mafa Sibanda from the Senate.

 Mafa Sibanda, a veteran politician and pro-democracy activist, has long been at the forefront of demanding accountability for the Gukurahundi atrocities that claimed over 20,000 lives in the early 1980s.

Tshabangu’s move is seen by many as a strategic manoeuvre aligned with President Emerson Mnangagwa’s agenda to silence Mafa Sibanda from pushing the Gukurahundi compensation discourse through parliament. Recently, Tshabangu distanced Mnangagwa from the Gukurahundi atrocities, attributing the heinous crimes to the late President Robert Mugabe.

The recall of CCC spokesperson Mafa Sibanda underscores Zanu PF’s intolerance of dissent and signals the government’s determination to crush any opposition, raising concerns about the state of democracy and freedom in Zimbabwe.

Felix Magalela Mafa Sibanda: A Stalwart for Democracy

Mafa Sibanda’s dedication to serving Zimbabwe spans decades. His political career began in the 1970s with Zapu, fighting against the Rhodesian regime. A key figure in organizing mass strikes against Mugabe’s government in the 1980s, Mafa Sibanda’s leadership in the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Union marked a turning point in challenging authoritarian rule.

Beyond his political activism, Mafa Sibanda is a successful businessman, the founder and CEO of Sibanda Holdings, with interests in mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Zanu PF Persecution and Sibanda’s Legacy

Mafa Sibanda’s commitment to democracy comes at a personal cost. Having lost a son to the Gukurahundi genocide, he faced persecution, with his house set on fire by ZANU-PF nationalists in 1990. Forced to flee Harare, he has since lived in Bulawayo.

Sengezo Tshabangu: A Controversial Figure

Tshabangu, a Zanu PF loyalist rumoured to be President Mnangagwa’s son, has a history of using violence and intimidation to silence opponents. In 2020, he was accused of assaulting an MDC member.

Implications for Democracy

Mafa Sibanda’s recall from the Senate is a profound setback for the people of Zimbabwe. However, his legacy as a true hero dedicated to social justice, accountability, and democracy remains unshakable. Tshabangu’s actions are viewed as a threat to democracy and freedom, yet they cannot erase Mafa Sibanda’s enduring inspiration for future generations of freedom fighters.

By A Correspondent- Citizens Coalition for Change legislator for Mount Pleasant Fadzayi Mahere yesterday blasted the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission for coming up with a shoddy report for 2022 as it has zero exposes on the corruption and illicit financial flows that are draining the country of US$2.8 million a year.

She said this during the debate on the 2022 ZACC report arguing that ZACC had clearly shown that it was captured as it was silent on serious corruption cases.

“Section 255 of the Constitution makes it abundantly clear; they have an obligation to investigate and expose corruption. When all is said and done, we saw zero exposé reported in the 2022 report. This is not withstanding a plethora of corruption incidents,” Mahere said.

“On some of the data that comes out in that report, you will see that only 147 cases were referred to the police. That is done in a country that is losing US2.8, almost US3 billion. What is ZACC doing? Why are they being funded if only 140 cases are referred to the police?……..

“What we see is that the sentiment exhibited by public that ZACC is actually captured right at the top and we are going to see that and when the 2023 report comes out, we expect ZACC to be attending to particular cases. We expect the 2023 report to cover the gold mafia scandal. They cannot shy away from important corruption cases that were exposed and reported by others because they are politically captured. So, we expect ZACC to do more. This report simply does not meet the constitutional standard,” she said.

Full contribution:

HON. MAHERE: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker, the report of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is of concern indeed, in light of the fact that Zimbabwe loses USD2.8 million to illicit financial flows and corruption every single year.

We would have expected to hear more from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission concerning what they are doing especially in light of their constitutional prerogative. Section 255 of the Constitution makes it abundantly clear; they have an obligation to investigate and expose corruption. When all is said and done, we saw zero exposé reported in the 2022 report. This is not withstanding a plethora of corruption incidents.

The Ministry of Finance Prof. M. Ncube even reported in the operative period that a US100 million was lost every single month to gold leakages. The report is silent on all that. We are aware of the COTTCO scandal involving a former Hon. Member from ZANU PF, Hon. Wadyajena, there is absolutely nothing said in the report about these key important cases.

What the Constitution requires in Section 257 is that this report should include particular matters relating to improper conduct in the public and private sectors. There is not a single particular matter that has been reported in this report. All we hear is engagement and networking. This report is not meant to be a window dressing or box ticking exercise.

We are supposed to ensure that they expose corruption. It cannot be the case that the incidence of corruption that are taking place in Zimbabwe should be investigated by ZEC, actually investigated by external investigators. We saw the same report in 2022 that went into detail around corruption and a number of other issues including an exposé on Kuda Tagwirei, we would have wanted to see some sort of exposé attempt by ZEC to do something.

The conduct we have seen on ZEC is that whenever corruption takes place at the high levels, they suddenly become incapacitated. They are making low level officials sign, that is what we hear in their report. They do not speak about the important corruption cases that are taking place and are robing this country of important funds.

On some of the data that comes out in that report, you will see that only 147 cases were referred to the police. That is done in a country that is losing US2.8, almost US3 billion. What is ZACC doing? Why are they being funded if only 140 cases are referred to the police?

If you remember yesterday, NPA Report, the prosecutor is saying all these economic crimes that come before them, they have only completed 38%, a low clearance rate together with the inactivity on the part of ZACC is what is costing corruption. So, we see that the report by ZACC proves the inefficiency in their failure to attend to their constitutional mandate yet it does not stop there. If you look at the majority of, I believe it is part 5 where they are dealing with combating corruption, you can see that ZACC sits back and expects corruption to be reported to it, they are waiting for complaints to come to them. However, section 255 of the Constitution says that they are meant to be proactive and go and investigate but they completely failed.

What we see is that the sentiment exhibited by public that ZACC is actually captured right at the top and we are going to see that and when the 2023 report comes out, we expect ZACC to be attending to particular cases.

We expect the 2023 report to cover the gold mafia scandal. They cannot shy away from important corruption cases that were exposed and reported by others because they are politically captured. So, we expect ZACC to do more. This report simply does not meet the constitutional standard.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Mahere but next time you should avoid mentioning the names of the people who are not here and who cannot defend themselves. The Insider

By A Correspondent- Several Zimbabwean truckers rushed to the Durban High Court this week seeking an urgent interdict to stop their employer terminating their employment on the grounds that they are illegal immigrants.

The respondents in the case are the employer, Image Freight Logistics, the ministers of Transport, Labour and Home Affairs, and the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI).

The case was brought by the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit Holders Association (Zepha) and 11 truck drivers who say their employer advised them by WhatsApp notice that they were illegal immigrants without the necessary permits to work in SA – despite the fact they are all ZEP holders.

Threat of prosecution

Zepha reports that several trucking companies have started purging their staff of Zimbabwean truck drivers, most of them ZEP holders, on false allegations that they are undocumented foreign nationals.

“All ZEP holders are documented and have a lawful right to live and work in South Africa,” says a statement from Zepha.

“The South African logistics companies that are letting go of Zimbabwean truck drivers are doing so under threat of criminal prosecution for hiring illegal migrants [by] the National Bargaining Council for Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI).”

The Zimbabwe Exemption Permit allows about 180 000 Zimbabweans and their dependents to live, work and study in SA.

The Department of Home Affairs was challenged in court earlier this year over its decision to terminate the permit system by June 2023, which would mean ZEP holders and their dependents would either have to apply for alternative visas or risk being deported.

The court heard evidence that this had the potential to create a humanitarian crisis across the region, and that few permit holders were likely to qualify for alternative visas based on Home Affairs’ Critical Skills List.

In a case brought by the Helen Suzman Foundation earlier this year, the Pretoria High Court declared that all ZEP permits were valid until June 2024. The court also declared invalid the decision by Home Affairs to terminate existing ZEPs in June 2023, and referred the matter back to the department for reconsideration, following a fair process.

Dismissal by WhatsApp

In court papers before the Durban High Court, the truckers say they were effectively fired by WhatsApp message based on the false claim that they do not have the correct work permits for employment in the trucking sector.

“Please note that you do not have a valid work permit. Therefore you are not legal to drive (sic) a South African truck.

“Take note, that if you are currently doing a trip, it will be your last one,” reads the WhatsApp message sent by the employer on 28 October.

Bargaining council circular

This follows a circular by the industry bargaining council on 24 October calling on employers to stop hiring foreign truck drivers because it is not a scarce skill, and would help to address unemployment and curb unrest.

The circular claims many in the industry have taken issue with companies employing foreign nationals as truckers rather than South Africans.

“The Parties are of the firm belief that if responsible companies refrain from this illegal act and prioritise employing South African truck drivers as professional truck driving is unfortunately not a scarce skill, these may help address unemployment within the sector and curb unrest.”

‘No authority’

Court papers read: “The irreparable harm, when ZEP holders have lost their jobs, as threatened by the employers, is that affected ZEP holders and their dependents would be left destitute and in dire straits.

“The industry bargaining council has no authority to enforce immigration laws or to assume the powers of the police,” says Advocate Simba Chitando, who is representing Zepha in court.

“Both the police and the Department of Home Affairs are independent and operate strictly within the parameters of applicable statutes, none of which delegate the NBCRFLI with any power. The courts have made it clear that ZEP holders are not undocumented migrants and have a lawful right to live and work in South Africa.” NewZimbabwe

TikTok is suspending its Creator Fund, a $1 billion allotment to pay the app’s users for creating successful content. The company is replacing the fund with another program that it said will pay creators more money.

The fund was rolled out in 2021, giving successful creators – people who make TikTok videos with at least 100k views – an opportunity to apply to make money off their videos.

TikTok, which launched the fund with $200 million in 2020, said at the time it would hit $1 billion in the U.S. in three years. CBS News has reached out to TikTok to confirm how much it paid out.

But some creators complained about how little they made from the fund. In January 2022, after creator Hank Green complained about TikTok’s Creator Fund in a YouTube video, some other prominent creators started sharing their earnings.

Green, who has 8 million followers and 599.7 million likes on TikTok, said in the 24-minute YouTube video titled “So… TikTok sucks” that he made about 2.5 cents per 1,000 views on TikTok.

Green mainly posts vlogs and op-ed style videos on YouTube, where he has 1.64 million subscribers. His video about TikTok has 1 million views.

He called the Creator Fund a “static pool,” saying the money TikTok pays creators doesn’t change – even if the app is making more money on content posted by creators. YouTube, however, pays a percentage of the ad money made on a video, Green said. The more views and ad money a YouTube video rakes in, the more money the creator can get. It is unclear what percentage the creator is awarded from YouTube.

A creator named SuperSaf, who has 652.5K followers and 10.4 million likes on TikTok, replied to Green on Twitter, the platform now known as X. He shared a screenshot that showed he had made about £112 – $137 U.S. dollars – in about 10 months on the Creator Fund.

“This is how much I’ve made from the TikTok Creator Fund since April 2021 with over 25 million views in that time,” the creator, who shares tech product reviews on TikTok, tweeted to Green.

Mr. Beast, who is popular across social media platforms and has a whopping 88.9 million followers and 882.1 million likes on TikTok, also replied. The creator, who shares prank and stunt videos as well as heartwarming videos, often handing out money to the unsuspecting, said he made about $14,910 in about 10 months on the fund.

Mr. Beast has 208 million subscribers on YouTube – more than double his following on TikTok. It is unclear how much he makes off that platform in one year, but Forbes listed Mr. Beast as its top content creator in 2023 and said he has earned $82 million through his YouTube channel and other business ventures.

As it phases out the Creator Fund, TikTok has launched a new offering. “The Creativity Program was developed based on the learnings and feedback we’ve gained from the previous Creator Fund,” a spokesperson for TikTok said in a statement to CBS News. “As we continue developing new ways to reward creators and enrich the TikTok experience, we value the feedback and direct insights from our community to help inform our decisions.”

The original Creator Fund will no longer be available to creators in the U.S., UK., Germany and France starting on Dec. 16, 2023, the spokesperson confirmed to CBS News via email. All creators currently enrolled in the Creator Fund can move to the new program.

The company says the new program, which is still in its beta phase according to TikTok’s website, will allow creators to earn up to 20 times more than they did on the Creator Fund. Any users 18 and older with at least 10,000 followers and at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days are eligible to sign up for the program in the app.

TikTok says the best format for posting content is sharing videos that are more than one minute long, in combination with short-form content. TikTok users spend 50% of their time on the app watching videos that are more than a minute long, they say. Users can upload videos up to 30 minutes long or film videos in the app that are up to 10 minutes long.

Creators in the app with large followings can also make money through brand partnerships – being paid by companies to post ads and promote products. Some successful creators who become well-known personalities even ink representation deals with talent agencies. Others can use the platform to promote their own businesses – like podcasts, comedy shows or online stores. CBS

By A Correspondent- Tawanda Kakora of Nyamaropa Village in Mt Darwin will spend the next nine years in jail after he was arrested while trying to sell a live pangolin.

Kakora (34) of Nyamaradzo Village under Chief Nembire was sentenced to a mandatory nine-year jail term after being convicted on charges of possession or selling a live pangolin.

In passing sentence, Bindura magistrate Mrs Nomgugu Sibanda said there were no special circumstances warranting the court to be lenient.

The prosecutor, Mr Carson Kundiona proved that on September 30, detectives from CID Bindura received information that Kakora was in possession of a live pangolin.

Masquerading as potential buyers, the detectives communicated with Kakora and they arranged to meet in Centenary.

Kakora pegged his price at US$5000 for the pangolin.

He then led the detectives to his residence where he brought out the live pangolin from one of his rooms.

Meanwhile, Douglas Chikandiwa (36) from Mbizo, Kwekwe is appearing at the same court on similar charges.

The prosecutor, Mrs Carol Mupazviriwo alleges that on October 14, Chikandiwa was arrested at Blue Ridge in Mazowe looking for prospective buyers of a live pangolin. The Herald

By A Correspondent- The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says it will continue to exert pressure on the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to address the ongoing election impasse in the country, after the bloc took note of its observer mission’s adverse report.

Sadc chair and President of Angola, João Lourenço this week congratulated the country for holding ‘peaceful’ polls despite the preliminary post-poll report by Sadc Observer Mission noting that they did not meet regional standards of a free and fair election.

The political situation in Zimbabwe has been further heightened by the recalls of 15 CCC Members of Parliament by Sengezo Tshabangu, who is claiming to be the party’s interim secretary-general.

Tshabangu is accused by CCC leadership of working with the ruling Zanu PF, and some disgruntled senior members of the opposition party.

High Court judge Justice Munacho Mutevedzi has since upheld the recall of CCC MPs.

CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi told the Independent that the party will continue to mobilise for “the restoration of legitimacy” in the country.

“We press on Sadc, which still has Zimbabwe on the agenda. We continue to mobilise for the restoration of legitimacy in Zimbabwe and for the return to constitutionality, rule of law, and order,” Mkwananzi said.

Legal expert Sharon Hofisi said the opposition needed to address the issue of Mnangagwa’s presidency using the current Sadc channels.

“CCC needs to address the issue of Mnangagwa’s inauguration and current presidency in simple terms to the general public,” Hofisi said.

“They (Zanu PF) might argue that the election was legitimate or that the irregularities were not significant enough to warrant a re-election (something they did not do, of course, during the hearing and might not have done). This could lead to political and legal disputes.

“The opposition CCC and its leader can refer to the Sadc Treaty and other relevant regional agreements and laws, which are hard laws that could bind the Zimbabwean government as contemplated by the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

“In particular, the Protocol on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation within Article 6 of the Sadc treaty outlines principles for democratic elections where Sadc institutions should be allowed to make their decisions, which could be cited to support their stronger case for a re-election,” Hofisi added.

He said critical points were Article 32 of the African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, as read with Article 52 of the same charter, which gives national and regional institutions the right to ensure multiparty political governance and free, credible, and fair elections.

Hofisi said in the event of resistance from Zanu PF, the CCC has recourse in other fora.

He said the Sadc extraordinary summit findings could be significant under international and regional law.

According to Hofisi, Sadc, like other regional organisations, has a role in promoting and upholding democratic norms.

The findings could be seen as reinforcing these norms, which are also reflected in international agreements, such as the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance.

The August 23 and 24 vote was the second election in Zimbabwe since long-time leader Robert Mugabe was deposed by the military in 2017.

Political analysts are, however, predicting a gloomy future for CCC if it fails to address its current internal troubles.

Before the dramatic political developments, analysts had already warned that the CCC was in danger of falling into Zanu PF’s trap.

Political analyst Eldred Masunungure said the CCC faced a real existential threat that could easily be counteracted by an astute leadership doing the right thing.

“The brutal reality is that the presently structureless CCC faces a real existential threat, but such a threat can easily be counteracted by an astute leadership doing the only right and prudent thing,” Masunungure said.

“Let its candidates, preferably the same MPs that had been redeployed to Parliament, register at the nomination court while simultaneously fortifying their positions through the regularisation of the political formation. Any other route is a cul-de-sac (course or route leading nowhere).

“The next credible destination for Nelson Chamisa and his party should be an emergency party congress. An emergency congress is not ideal under normal political conditions, but then the CCC is not operating in normal conditions.”

Masunungure said the CCC was facing extraordinary circumstances that, if mishandled, could easily culminate in the demise of the political formation.

Another political analyst, Rejoice Ngwenya said Chamisa and his CCC party needed to confront the ruling party and work out a new arrangement.

“What I believe is Nelson Chamisa and his team need to confront the regime directly. Burning tyres is old school; that to me, does not work,” he said.

“They need to bring the government to the table as an institution and give them an ultimatum. They should tell the ruling party that the reports were conclusive, therefore, the right thing must be done,” he said.

Tshabangu this week threatened legal action against recalled Chamisa-led CCC members, who successfully filed nomination papers ahead of the December 9 by-election, stating that they acted against the High Court ruling.

Both Chamisa and Tshabangu fielded candidates for the by-elections in constituencies including Nketa, Bulawayo South, Cowdry Park, Lobengula-Magwegwe, Beitbridge West and Mzilikazi-Mpopoma. Zimbabwe Independent

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), has announced that all prepaid meters will need to be upgraded to continue accepting tokens.

In a statement, the power utility stated that this process will be carried out in stages, starting from one area and then moving to the next. Read the statement:

Your Prepaid meter will require an upgrade

All prepaid meters will require upgrading in order for them to continue accepting tokens. Therefore all customers will be required to uprade their prepaid meters.

The exercise will be done in phases from one area to another and schedules will be communicated in due course.

To upgrade your meter, you will receive 3 sets of tokens when you purchase electricity. Upgrading is done by entering all the three sets of tokens in the order they are provided.

Make the smart move today.

The announcement about upgrading prepaid meters has received different responses. Some people question why it needs to be done in phases and suggest doing it when customers purchase tokens. Others express concerns about the need to prioritise power generation. Some individuals request that the upgrade process consider physical addresses for token distribution, as some homeowners have not updated their information. Others ask if there are alternative ways to upgrade, as they are often not at home. Some individuals express disappointment with the power utility’s service delivery and its handling of faults.

ZESA prepaid meters were introduced in the early 2000s in Zimbabwe. With these meters, customers can buy tokens and load them onto the meter to pay for electricity in advance. This system was put in place to improve billing accuracy and collect payments more efficiently. Over time, there have been updates and changes to the prepaid meter system, and now there is a requirement for all meters to be upgraded for token acceptance to continue. Pindula

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has announced the conditions governing the temporary importation of visitors’ vehicles.

In a statement, the authority said visitors to Zimbabwe bringing in a foreign registered private vehicle may be issued with a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) by ZIMRA upon entry into Zimbabwe. Read the statement:

Who is a visitor?

A visitor is any person who is not resident in Zimbabwe but travels to Zimbabwe for a specified period from their arrival. This includes Zimbabweans working or living in other countries and with valid residence or work permits of the respective countries.

Types of vehicles eligible for Temporary Import Permit (TIP)

• Passenger-type motor vehicles commonly known as saloon cars or sedans and station wagons

• Goods carrying motor- vehicles with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 5 tonnes such as pick-ups and double cabs

• Passenger carrying motor vehicles with a seating capacity not exceeding 15 people including the driver

• Trailers and caravans pulled by the above vehicles.

Any other vehicles which do not fit the above descriptions, for example a passenger carrying vehicle with seating capacity exceeding 15 people, would require a Commercial Temporary Import Permit (CTIP) covered by a Commercial Vehicle Guarantee obtainable from a Zimbabwean registered clearing agent with the relevant bond.

Conditions Governing the TIP

The vehicle should be for the personal use of the visitor

The driver should undertake to remove the vehicle from Zimbabwe at the expiry of the TIP or at the time they leave Zimbabwe, whichever occurs first

No visitor shall sell, offer, or display for sale, lease, hire, lend, pledge or dispose of the vehicle in any other manner to any resident in Zimbabwe without prior written authority of the Commissioner General of ZIMRA and payment of full duty applicable at the time the vehicle was imported into Zimbabwe

In the event of extended stay of the visitor, the TIP holder should approach the nearest ZIMRA office for extension of the TIP upon payment of Carbon Tax and insurance.

In the case of a breakdown or an accident, the holder of the TIP should report to the nearest ZIMRA office immediately over and above making a report to the Police.

Points to Note

• Drivers of the foreign registered vehicles should read and understand the declaration and undertaking at the bottom of the TIP before signing it and ensure all details entered are true and correct.

• Post-clearance checks may be done at any given time by ZIMRA Officials to check on compliance. These can be in the form of roadblocks and patrols.

• Any breach of the conditions governing the temporary importation of visitors’ vehicles will result in the vehicle being liable to seizure

• Beware of touts, seek the assistance of ZIMRA Officers at the points of entry. Pindula

Some civil servants who worked as election officers during the August 23 elections claim the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) still owes them money for services rendered.

The affected civil servants claimed ZEC only paid them 80 percent of what they were owed for their role in overseeing Zimbabwe’s elections.

Although ZEC is responsible for overseeing Zimbabwe’s elections, the commission usually outsources services or hires officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education including and other government agencies.

The disgruntled civil servants told CITE on condition of anonymity that their payments are uncertain because it is unclear how much they should receive.

“Presiding officers received their remaining balance of US$360 when initially they were paid US$320. We were told that only 20 percent is remaining, but to our surprise, the presiding officers received more than 20 percent so it is not clear how much we are supposed to be paid,” said one of the concerned teachers.

The civil servants noted that it was possible that ZEC would hire some of them to participate in the pending December 9 by-elections, following the Nomination Courts that sat in areas where MPs and councillors were recalled.

“We know colleagues in these affected areas will actively participate but we have not received all of our money for services provided in August,” civil servants said.

Contacted for comment, ZEC Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Utloile Silaigwana questioned why the affected individuals chose to go to the media rather than coming to their offices if they had genuine concerns.

“ I am not aware because they did not come to me claiming they were not paid and second, we have clear channels of communication where we communicate,” Silaigwana said claiming some of the sources could be peddling falsehoods.

“How do I know these people are genuine? What if these people just want to tarnish the image of ZEC? We normally engage people who are employed by the government and they know exactly that if they have issues they do not run to the press but inquire at our offices. Civil servants do not act like that.

Silaigwana claimed that the commission had not received any complaints from the affected workers.

“We always communicate with civil servants every time and those who we hired know the amount they should be paid. I cannot respond fully because I do not have enough information on who these people are. By right, we have to know the station they were deployed in and their EC numbers so that we can check. What if it’s someone from the streets who wants to tarnish ZEC’s image? How do I know?”

Silaigwana said ZEC had official lines of communication that were open to its staff they hired for elections and the same procedures would apply going into the December 9 by-election.

“The Public Service Commission will give us workers that we will be working with and those that we worked with before were paid because we communicate with them directly, not through the media,” he said. CITE

By A Correspondent- A 35 year old bus loader from Inyathi in Bubi district died after falling from the carrier of a moving bus.

Police confirmed the incident, which occurred on Sunday.

The bus loader, Trust Moyo, was working for Dubbies Bus Services, and the bus was travelling along the Lubu-Kariangwe road from Bulawayo to Muchesu in Binga.

Police said that Moyo was occasionally going onto the bus carrier to offload passengers’ luggage at respective bus stops. He then decided to remain on top of the bus, and as they approached Chilelema Business Centre, the conductor heard the sound of a falling object from the top of the bus.

Upon checking after the bus stopped, they discovered that Moyo had fallen off and his body was lifeless on the road. He sustained head injuries as a result of the fall.

The bus was taken to Kariyangwe police base en route to the Vehicle Inspection Department, while Moyo’s body was ferried to Binga District Mortuary.

This is not the first time that Dubbies Bus has come into the spotlight for safety concerns. Earlier this year, villagers in Binga sought intervention from authorities to caution the bus crew, as the bus was reportedly putting people’s lives in danger because of excessive speeding. CITE

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has noted that the persistent water shortages in the city have led to an increase in the number of diarrhoea cases recorded to date.

According to the latest council minutes, the month of September recorded over a thousand cases compared to two hundred in August.

The council’s health inspectorate report attributed the increase in diarrhoea cases to the shift in the water-shedding schedule from 48 hours to 72 hours a week. This has forced residents to resort to alternative water sources, which may be unsafe for drinking.

“The increase in Diarrhoea cases (1120) reported in September 2023 compared to the previous month (206) followed the routine implementation of water rationing measures (48-to-72-hour water shedding schedule) that resulted in communities resorting to alternative water sources which might be of unsafe quality. Some of these risk factors included low-risk perception, water scarcity, alternative water sources, poor personal hygiene, overcrowding, sewer chokes, malnutrition, and dumping of waste, among others,” the report reads.

The report also highlighted that mumps cases were more prevalent in 2023 than in 2022, with the highest number being recorded in the Emakhandeni district. However, there were no deaths recorded from the disease and the recovery rate was 96.6%.

The council noted that as a mitigation measure, it is important for residents to get vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). One dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, 78% effective against mumps, and 97% effective against rubella. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles and 88% effective against mumps.

The council also reported a decrease in acute malnutrition cases in September 2023, with only six cases reported compared to 18 in August. There were also no malaria cases reported in September 2023. However, there was an increase in dog bite cases, with 39 cases reported in September 2023 compared to 24 in August.

The council urged residents to take precautions to protect themselves from waterborne diseases and other health risks. This includes boiling water before drinking it, washing hands frequently, and getting vaccinated against preventable diseases. CITE

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has announced that only three election agents representing each political party will be allowed at polling stations for the December by-elections.

In a general notice, ZEC Chairperson Justice Prisca Chigumba said that one agent shall be present in the polling station, while the other two will be within the vicinity of the polling station.

The country is set to hold by-elections in December following the recalls made by Sengezo Tshabangu who claims to be Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) secretary general and the deaths of some representatives.

“It is hereby notified, in terms of section 95(5) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], that for the purposes of the 9 December 2023, By-elections, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has prescribed that in relation to candidates nominated by political parties, only three election agents representing each political party may be present within or in the immediate vicinity of each polling station,” said Justice Chigumba.

“And for that purpose any references to the chief election agent of the candidate making the appointments and notifications of election agents referred to in section 95(1) of the Act shall be substituted by references to the political party of the candidates competing in the elections concerned.” CITE

By Wilbert Mukori- Tendai Biti has come out fighting to clear his name!

“Zimbabwe is at a crossroads. The weight of a stolen election, unprecedented corruption and the looting of public assets sits heavy on the shoulders of Zimbabweans who want and deserve better,” he wrote in a recent statement in the media.

“The environment in the world right now is toxic. The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have pushed Zimbabwe to the bottom of the world’s attention calendar. This has allowed the vampire state here to carry out brazen election fraud. Not satisfied, the regime is now engaged in a malicious push to weaken our struggle, the progressive movement, through the illegal recall of elected public representatives.

“It is therefore shocking to hear, and read, a daily stream of abusive, malicious and defamatory claims that Professor Welshman Ncube and I are colluding with the regime and its proxies to append a struggle that has occupied and consumed all our adult lives.

“I don’t believe in recalls. I have never been part of recalls. I will never be part of recalls.”

Well in the absence of any other evidence to prove his connivence with Sengezo Tshabangu. I would give him the benefit of the doubt and say he is not involved. 

Tendai Biti should have stopped right there with, “I will never be part of recalls.” Alas! he got big headed in claiming he is a democrat who has never worked for Zanu PF. 

“I am a democrat who believes in constitutionalism, the rule of law, transparency, openness and collective leadership. I can never compromise on these core values. No dispute nor differences is ever sufficient to place one at the service of Zanu-PF,” continued Biti.

“Fellow Zimbabweans, all this chatter and actions by the illegitimate regime and its proxies are an engineered distraction from the main prize: to free ourselves from this rapacious dictatorship.

“It has been a long and tortuous road; and victory is closer than the distance

back to where we started.”

The truth is the fight to implement the democratic reforms to restore all the people’s freedoms and rights including the right to free, fair and credible elections and the right to life has lost direction during the 2008 to 2013 GNU and thereafter.  

Lest Mr Biti and his MDC/CCC colleagues should forget; the people of Zimbabwe have risked all from the wrath of Zanu PF to elect them into power for one primary purpose: to bring about the democratic changes, reforms, the nation was dying for. After 23 years, including 5 in the GNU, Tendai Biti and company have failed to implement even one token reform. Not even one!

It is no secret that the late dictator, Robert Mugabe, bribed the MDC leaders with the trappings of high office, the ministerial limos (Mr Biti was Minister of Finance in the GNU), the very generous salaries and allowances, a US$4 million mansion for Tsvangirai, etc. To show their appreciation the MDC leaders kicked the reforms out of the window. 

Mazivanhu eMDC adzidza kudya anyerere!” (MDC leaders have learned to enjoy the gravy train good-life; they will never rock the boat!) boasted Zanu PF cronies when asked why MDC leaders were not implementing any reforms during the GNU. 

Worse still, MDC/CCC have been participating in the flawed elections knowing fully well Zanu PF was rigging and that doing so would only help to give Zanu PF legitimacy. Mr Biti and a few other MDC leaders like David Coltart were aware of the sheer futility of participating in these flawed elections. 

“Look, you can’t keep on participating in flawed electoral processes that serve to give big benefits to dictators such as Robert Mugabe. Mugabe has perfected the art of winning elections. So it will be very foolish for the opposition to continue legitimising these sham elections which don’t deliver. 

“This country will go through a serious economic crisis in 2020 caused by Zanu PF. And yet, this is the only country where a government doesn’t perform, it is encouraged by a super majority in parliament,” you, Tendai Biti, told Isaac Mugabi in an interview in 2015.

“So you can’t continue subjecting Zimbabweans to processes where their hopes just get crushed.”

No doubt, you tried to talk your fellow MDC leaders into stop participating in flawed elections. When your arguments fell on deaf ears, you decided to join them for your share of the few gravy train seats Zanu PF was offering as bait. 

You knew participating crushed the nation’s hopes for democratic change, to end the curse of rigging elections, for good governance and, most notable of all, hope to end the tragic human suffering  brought on by the failed state. You knew all this and did not care as long as you secure for yourself one of the coveted gravy train seats.

How can you say you are a democrat when you have failed to implement even one token democratic reform to dismantle the dictatorship even when you have the golden opportunity to do so during the 2008 to 2013 GNU?

You say you have never working for Zanu PF. So whose interests do you think you served by selling out on reforms and by participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy. And what, if I may ask, do you think Zanu PF has been showering you and your MDC/CCC friends all these bribes for? 

Of course, you, Mr Tendai Biti, knew that CCC was not going to win big the 2023 elections. Chamisa’s claim of having plugged all the vote rigging loop-hole was just hot air to hide the real reasons why you lot were participating – greed and breath-taking incompetence.

“I am a democrat who has never sold out the struggle to Zanu-PF!” It is bad enough you are a sell out and has never owned up for your treasonous betrayals. Don’t dare insult our intelligence by masquerading a principled democrat, when you are clearly not! 

Mr Tendai Biti, you may have nothing to do with Sengezo Tshabangu and the string of CCC elected officials who have been recalled since the August 2023 elections. However, don’t deceive the nation; you are not a democrat and have sold out to Zanu PF by failing to implement the democratic change. 

I rest my case! 

By- A tout has fallen off a moving bus and died on the spot.

According to the police, the victim, Trust Moyo, aged 35, from Inyathi in Bubi District, fell from the carrier of a Dubbies Bus while it was travelling from Bulawayo to Muchesu in Binga.
Moyo, who was assisting with unloading passengers and luggage at bus stops, had apparently chosen to stay on top of the bus. The conductor, Mr Knowledge Moyo, heard a falling sound near Chilelema Business Centre and immediately alerted the driver, who stopped the bus. Upon investigation, they found Trust Moyo had fallen off and was lifeless on the road. The police were informed, and they observed that the deceased had sustained head injuries from the fall. The body was taken to Binga District Mortuary for a postmortem examination. The police are currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
Similar incidents have happened before. In 2011, a bus conductor fell from the top of the carrier while loading passengers’ luggage in Matopo District. Given Mpunzi, who worked for Majaha Bus Company, was busy loading luggage when the driver started the bus without realizing he was still on top. A passerby discovered his body along the road and reported it to the police.

By James Gwati-Self-CCC rebel and self-proclaimed interim secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu got fired after recalling top Harare councillors.

Tshabangu midweek ordered recalls on Harare mayor Ian Makone, his deputy Kudzai Kadzombe and seven other city councillors, saying they have “ceased to be members of the Citizens Coalition for Change”.

The councillors recalled by Tshabangu are Makone (Ward 18) Kadzombe (Ward 41), Denford Ngadziore (Ward 16), Lovejoy Chitegu (Ward 36) and Samuel Gwenzi (Ward 5), as well as PR Councillors Chido Hamauswa, Tariboyi Sabina, Florence Cheza and Fadzai Matimba.

But soon after this, the party’s interim national chairperson, Maxwell Omen Murindagomo, gave the rebel member some marching orders.

In a letter sent to Local Government Minister Winston Chitando, dated 06 November 2023, Murindagomo said CCC’s Citizens Assembly Meeting held in Bulawayo on Sunday resolved to suspend Tshabangu for unilaterally recalling party representatives.

He also said Zibusiso Tshongwe has been appointed as the party’s interim National Secretary General, taking over from Tshabangu. Reads the letter:

Kindly be advised that the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Political Party has fired its Interim Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu with immediate effect. The Citizens movement reached this decision at its Citizens Assembly Meeting held in Bulawayo on Sunday 05 November 2023.

The reason for the expulsion emanates from the unilateral decision by Sengezo Tshabangu that led to the recall of Citizens Coalition For Change CCC Councillors.

As of today, you’re advised not to entertain any letter or correspondence from Sengezo Tshabangu.

The same meeting has appointed Zibusiso Tshongwe as interim National Secretary General for Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC)

Kindly proceed in terms of the relevant provision of the Constitution of Zimbabwe to notify the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ZEC of our resolution.

By James Gwati-Self-styled CCC interim secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu has been booted out of the party’s .

This was announced by the party’s interim national chairperson Maxwell Omen Murindagomo.

In a letter sent to Local Government Minister Winston Chitando, dated 06 November 2023, Murindagomo said CCC’s Citizens Assembly Meeting held in Bulawayo on Sunday resolved to suspend Tshabangu for unilaterally recalling party representatives.

He also said Zibusiso Tshongwe has been appointed as the party’s interim National Secretary General, taking over from Tshabangu. Reads the letter:

Kindly be advised that the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Political Party has fired its Interim Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu with immediate effect. The Citizens movement reached this decision at its Citizens Assembly Meeting held in Bulawayo on Sunday 05 November 2023.

The reason for the expulsion emanates from the unilateral decision by Sengezo Tshabangu that led to the recall of Citizens Coalition For Change CCC Councillors.

As of today, you’re advised not to entertain any letter or correspondence from Sengezo Tshabangu.

The same meeting has appointed Zibusiso Tshongwe as interim National Secretary General for Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC)

Kindly proceed in terms of the relevant provision of the Constitution of Zimbabwe to notify the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ZEC of our resolution.

Meanwhile, on 07 November 2023, Tshabangu ordered recalls on Harare mayor Ian Makone, his deputy Kudzai Kadzombe and seven other city councillors, saying they have “ceased to be members of the Citizens Coalition for Change”.

The councillors recalled by Tshabangu are Makone (Ward 18) Kadzombe (Ward 41), Denford Ngadziore (Ward 16), Lovejoy Chitegu (Ward 36) and Samuel Gwenzi (Ward 5), as well as PR Councillors Chido Hamauswa, Tariboyi Sabina, Florence Cheza and Fadzai Matimba.

By James Gwati-CCC has booted out the party’s self-proclaimed acting secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu, from his position.

This was announced by the party’s interim national chairperson Maxwell Omen Murindagomo.

In a letter sent to Local Government Minister Winston Chitando, dated 06 November 2023, Murindagomo said CCC’s Citizens Assembly Meeting held in Bulawayo on Sunday resolved to suspend Tshabangu for unilaterally recalling party representatives.

He also said Zibusiso Tshongwe has been appointed as the party’s interim National Secretary General, taking over from Tshabangu. Reads the letter:

Kindly be advised that the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Political Party has fired its Interim Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu with immediate effect. The Citizens movement reached this decision at its Citizens Assembly Meeting held in Bulawayo on Sunday 05 November 2023.

The reason for the expulsion emanates from the unilateral decision by Sengezo Tshabangu that led to the recall of Citizens Coalition For Change CCC Councillors.

As of today, you’re advised not to entertain any letter or correspondence from Sengezo Tshabangu.

The same meeting has appointed Zibusiso Tshongwe as interim National Secretary General for Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC)

Kindly proceed in terms of the relevant provision of the Constitution of Zimbabwe to notify the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ZEC of our resolution.

Meanwhile, on 07 November 2023, Tshabangu ordered recalls on Harare mayor Ian Makone, his deputy Kudzai Kadzombe and seven other city councillors, saying they have “ceased to be members of the Citizens Coalition for Change”.

The councillors recalled by Tshabangu are Makone (Ward 18) Kadzombe (Ward 41), Denford Ngadziore (Ward 16), Lovejoy Chitegu (Ward 36) and Samuel Gwenzi (Ward 5), as well as PR Councillors Chido Hamauswa, Tariboyi Sabina, Florence Cheza and Fadzai Matimba.

By James Gwati-Self-styled Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim national chairperson Maxwell Omen Murindagomo claims the party’s self-proclaimed acting secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu has been suspended from his position with immediate effect.

In a letter sent to Local Government Minister Winston Chitando, dated 06 November 2023, Murindagomo said CCC’s Citizens Assembly Meeting held in Bulawayo on Sunday resolved to suspend Tshabangu for unilaterally recalling party representatives.

He also said Zibusiso Tshongwe has been appointed as the party’s interim National Secretary General, taking over from Tshabangu. Reads the letter:

Kindly be advised that the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Political Party has fired its Interim Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu with immediate effect. The Citizens movement reached this decision at its Citizens Assembly Meeting held in Bulawayo on Sunday 05 November 2023.

The reason for the expulsion emanates from the unilateral decision by Sengezo Tshabangu that led to the recall of Citizens Coalition For Change CCC Councillors.

As of today, you’re advised not to entertain any letter or correspondence from Sengezo Tshabangu.

The same meeting has appointed Zibusiso Tshongwe as interim National Secretary General for Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC)

Kindly proceed in terms of the relevant provision of the Constitution of Zimbabwe to notify the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ZEC of our resolution.

Meanwhile, on 07 November 2023, Tshabangu ordered recalls on Harare mayor Ian Makone, his deputy Kudzai Kadzombe and seven other city councillors, saying they have “ceased to be members of the Citizens Coalition for Change”.

The councillors recalled by Tshabangu are Makone (Ward 18) Kadzombe (Ward 41), Denford Ngadziore (Ward 16), Lovejoy Chitegu (Ward 36) and Samuel Gwenzi (Ward 5), as well as PR Councillors Chido Hamauswa, Tariboyi Sabina, Florence Cheza and Fadzai Matimba.

By A Correspondent- Zimbos took to social media to mock Zanu PF following the announcement that former Mudzi Zanu PF legislator, who was recently-installed Chief Mukota, Newton Kachepa died.

Kachepa died at Marondera Hospital from injuries sustained in a car accident in Murewa.

Said Thembo: At some point even with Ubuntu intact, we will run out of sympathy. May his family find comfort in the hope that there maybe no more bad omen coming thier way after this.

@BigBrother1984O: It should be an eyeopener to the rest of the country . If the government improves emergency services and the health services some deaths could be prevented. Unfortunately the chief couldn’t be airlifted to neighbouring countries for medical treatment.

The Lost Chief of Buhera: its sad to lose a life due to things that could have been addressed. accidents and death do happen but efforts must be seen to have been done exhaustively to avoid loss of life. iyavozve Chief- ZANUPF- MP zuro ndizuro Army Boss to ZANU PF. chinyi chaizvo?