By Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ZEC has warned that it will thoroughly investigate incidents of all people who registered more than once during the voter registration process.

Issuing a statement to the media on the progress the commission has made in the production of the voters roll, Commissioner Qhubani Moyo said that the commission will investigate each case on its individual nor merit and determine what the motive behind the double voting was.

“It is an offence to register twice as a voter and we are going to get to the bottom of each person who registered more than once to establish what the motive of the double registration was,” he said.

“Anyone found wanting will be dealt with within the provisions of the law,” said Moyo.

The commission is completing the production of the voters roll for the national elections set for July or August this year.

This year Zimbabwe adopted the electronic Biometric Voter Registration where the de-duplication process revealed that a huge number of people had taken chances and registered twice.

The initial output of the voters roll is expected out by the 19th of May when the voters roll inspection exercise will kick off for ten days.

Below are some of the responses by Zimbabweans to Chamisa’s BBC HARDTALK Interview which is set to be aired tonight by the ZBC at 1930 hours.

On Friday @BBCHARDtalk screens at 05:30 (BST) the delayed interview with @nelsonchamisa. The interview's declared but untested, unfounded & shameful bias of @stephensackur & @BBCHARDtalk is that "the man in power, and favourite to retain it, is ZanuPF veteran Emmerson Mnangagwa". pic.twitter.com/MXSeuxtDaZ

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) May 10, 2018

Media and Communication Specialist: Maggie Mzumara says: “I don’t think the interview was badly done.
Actually I think Advocate Chamisa held his own. Quite well.

Composed till the end, and he stayed on message (what folks are calling repeating himself, it’s called ‘staying on message’.) He demonstrated great interviewee etiquette, didn’t flinch, not once. Didn’t speak over or above the interviewer; wasn’t argumentative; did not betray any emotion.

Did not insult; Did not retaliate or give back the aggression he was getting from an aggressive interviewer. If he took offence he didn’t show it or let that take him over.

Scored key points of his own, some even good enough to make soundbites of note. What’s more -The queen’s language did not desert him in his hour of need in that hot seat..

HardTalk is exactly that – hard talk – and it can unnerve even the best of us. And he, MDC Alliance President, survived it without any visible sweat or stammering.

Of course, the “lies” – the “LIES” – are regrettable and they are always going to come back to haunt him. Those Trump, US$15 billion promises, whatnot… very regrettable.

The “lies” and half truths and less-than-truths and misrepresentations of facts he said before, during or after the interview – are always going to dog him. Very regrettable.

Beyond giving himself a pat on the back for an interview, otherwise well handled (technique wise) there are some take-homes here.

Before I get to those it is would be helpful to point out that in an interview as in any communication transaction there is the content dimension and technique/process dimension. On technique the Advocate did well, it’s on content that he may need further work. To ensure he eliminates “lies”, half truths and misrepresentations of the facts in his deliveries.

The take-home here includes, but it not limited to this: that the Advocate would do well to know and remember always that when you speak at the level he is speaking – at rallies whatnot – you do not speak into a vacuum. You speak to real people, most of them adults who hear you and have the mental capacity and presence of mind to analyse and evaluate the content of what you say. These people hear, they remember and they can critique and question you long after your-heat-of-the-moment political whims and banter.

So best think twice before speaking. You cannot afford to be taken over by/at the spur of the moment. It can come back to haunt you.

The Miranda rights apply here: Whatever you say can and shall be used against you.
If you have nothing truthful to say about certain aspects/issues, be silent on those. You do have a right to remain silent on what you are not sure of, what you do not have an answer or strategy for yet. Speak only on that which is truthful, factual, which you know is practical and practicable, keep away from the Wonderland, you are not Alice and this is not a fairy tale, it’s the real world.

After all is said and done though, beyond interview deliveries and whatnot, Advocate Chamisa and his team need to have some real answers to the people’s challenges beyond the rhetoric. Craft some serious strategies and have policy positions. Takazoti ideology yavo chii as MDC or as MDC Alliance? That needs to come out strong. And of course messaging – the broader messaging – needs to improve. It should.

(Disclaimer: Am not a member of the MDC, neither do I belong to Zanu-PF or any other party. I write as a journalist, a blogger and a political commentator & analyst. Simply stating it as I see it, regardless of who subject is.)
Am also an active and discerning citizen who is also a registered voter still deciding where to put my X.

Of course! https://t.co/22LdZ0QtMH

— Trudy Stevenson ?? (@ambatrud) May 11, 2018

#BBCHARDTALK Judging Mnangagwa as Wise, mature and responsible based on what Mnangagwa has SAID and not what he has DONE is nonsensical! Keeps saying but ED? said! Hearing #StephenSuckur throw the words nonsense, silly and other condescending words at #Chamisa is nauseating!

— Thandekile Moyo (@Mamoxn) May 11, 2018

My take on the #Chamisa #BBCHARDTalk interview – #Zimbabweans, and justifiably so, are tired of having their story told and broadcast from air conditioned studios somewhere in #London. Half the things @stephensackur makes reference to are non existent!

— Darlington Tshuma (@D_Tshuma1) May 11, 2018

Stephen Sackur exposes Chamisa's lies

some of the words he used- pathetic, silly..

Mr Bullet train caugh out. not everyone is praising his rallies of lies and feeding the gullible with unrealistic promises.

Cde Cheuka#EDhasmyVote#EDpfee#BBChardtalk

— farai cheuka (@farywekwacheuka) May 11, 2018

Larry Magede on facebook says “You can’t do that to Malema!… shuwa kuti “mhinduro yako is absolute nonsense,rubbish!”…. Juju anokuudza kuti chizvipindura wega zvaunoti zvinemsoro?”

Tariro Daphne says: Watched the BBC HardTalk interview.To be fair Chamisa did hold his own.He was firm despite the sometimes biased hostile badgering.

Abraham Nyon: “For a first timer it wasn’t bad. But let’s not be engulfed by the spirit of hero worshipping. We are bound to create a dictator. The journo only helped in opening up on some utterances that are supposed to be avoided. NC need strong PR team perhaps coz some of the speeches just like the Gen sound rushed.”

William Noko: Chamisa should have good advisors who knows politics. He has a long way to go. Hard talk will never be for the weak!!

Admire Makuzva “Its called hardtalk my dear, they are not there to sing praises to anyone but to grill people”.

Tate Wamabo Maphosa says “the interviewee saying yu gonna lose election what kind of journalism is that!!!!!”

Richard Runyararo Mahomva :”Imagine Cde Guvheya on BBC Hard Talk”

Chrisy Mahachi : “Intelligent Mugabe almost slapped the interviewer tho chakambomira mira nehasha Musharraf reminded the interviewer that he was the President of Pakistan, Obasanjo walked out, Odinga became silent and Hillary Clinton became violent….. HardTalk is hard. Chamisa did well and he gets a 7/10.”

 

 

By Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Friday that pensions and allowances for veterans of Zimbabwe’s independence war would be increased.consoderably days after government announced a paltry 10% increase in salaries for all public sector workers including teachers.

Veterans play a key role in the ruling Zanu-PF party’s election machinery and have in the past been at the forefront of mobilizing party supporters. They have also been accused, however, of unleashing violent attacks on the opposition.

The country is due to hold elections in July, although Mnangagwa has not yet set the date.

The extra money for the more than 30,000 veterans comes at a time when the government is hard pressed for cash and has already faced strikes by nurses and doctors.

Critics may see the move as a reward from Mnangagwa after the veterans last year openly resisted the elevation of former leader Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace to the presidency and backed Mnangagwa to take over from the 94-year-old.

“My government has already made a decision to increase the allowances and pensions for all veterans and put in place the requisite safety nets to cushion you with regard to your daily needs,” Mnangagwa told thousands of war veterans who met in Harare to discuss their welfare.

He did not give details on the scale of the increase. The government also pays school fees and provides funeral cover for veterans, whose current monthly pension and allowance comes to around $200.

Former combatants often complain that they are sidelined from assuming senior posts in government.

War veterans in November 1999 forced Mugabe to give them unbudgeted payouts after they marched to his State House offices resulting in the Zimbabwe dollar plunging 71% in value on a day that came to be known as “Black Friday.”

By Paul Nyathi|The Chief Justice Justice Luke Malaba has granted an order for the urgent hearing of the MDC vs Khupe matter on the leadership of the party.

The matter has been set down for hearing before the Supreme Court on the 22nd of May 2018.

Advocate Thabani Mpofu appeared for the MDC and Professor Lovemore Madhuku for Khupe.

The two politicians both claim to be bona fide leaders of the opposition party following the death of founding President Morgan Tsvangirai.

The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) says the Health Services Board (HSB) has been “criminally” deducting its members’ call allowances and using them to pay their own staff. Below is their appeal to the government:

“The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association would like to expose the unilateral and criminal slashing of our members’ well deserved on call allowances that were awarded to us in April 2018. According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement 2 (CBA 2) of March 30th 2018, the government agreed to give us a slight raise in on call allowances, and this was paid in April.

However to our dismay, the Health Services Board (HSB) has unilaterally imposed a slash on these, thereby violating that agreement. This is a direct effort meant to sabotage health care and criminally award themselves a new allowance, known as SPECIAL MEDICAL ALLOWANCE.

This allowance has been put at par with our on call allowance and is being awarded to non-clinical staff in the HSB secretariat, who have office day jobs and work eight (8) hours a day. The funds to pay this allowance have been deducted from doctors, nurses and other clinical staff nationwide. Morever, this special medical allowance is being deemed to be medical, yet there are no medical qualifications required for one to be in the HSB secretariat. There is complete disregard of the clinical staff who directly handle patients and their surroundings, i.e doctors, nurses etc.

We call upon the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and other responsible authorities to scrutinize this act and respond accordingly. HSB has oppressed our members for too long and this time we say NO, WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH. 
MAY THE GOVERNMENT ACT SWIFTLY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN INDUSTRIAL HARMONY. 
In the meantime, we continue discharging our services to our valued patients

ZHDA INFORMATION DESK”

By Talent Gondo| Former Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) boss, Happyton Bonyongwe has been summoned to parliament over the organisation’s involvement in diamond mining as the hunt for the missing US$15 billion continues.

Bonyongwe will appear together with representatives from the Minerals and Border Control Unit, diamond polishing houses and the Zimbabwe Prospectors Association to give oral evidence on the diamond sector to the Mines and Energy Portfolio Committee on Monday May 14 2018.

“CIO  and Kusena, especially former Director General Retired Major General Bonyongwe have been invited to come and give oral evidence on diamond mining,” read the notice.

The Mines and Energy Portfolio chaired by Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa has revealed that former president Robert Mugabe will also appear before them to give oral evidence on the US$15 billion missing diamond revenue.

“There is no sacred cow and we will get to the bottom of the matter,” Mliswa is on record saying.

Please note that ZimEye will be live streaming proceedings as they happen on our Facebook Page: Follow and Like Us on: https://www.facebook.com/ZimEye/

 

 

Press Statement By The MDC|The MDC is concerned by revelations made by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) recently that Braille ballot papers are not likely to be available for visually impaired voters in the forthcoming elections.

Accorring to media reports, ZEC Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba has admitted that the electoral body has not bothered to do a survey to determine the number of voters who read Braille and would require special ballot papers. The admission is quite shocking, coming a few months away from the polls.

We ask, from the last election (2013) was the commission not aware that a significant part of the electorate constitutes visually impaired voters and would require such material? Is this a deliberate ploy to sideline one voting block? Zec is disenfranchising the visually impaired electorate which in no doubt is eager and willing to vote for real change in the upcoming elections.

Failure to introduce disability friendly voting material is not in line with free and fair electoral practice. Our reading into this is that, ZEC is not adequately prepared to run the polls.

Granted, in the absence of Braille ballot papers, the electoral law has provisions for the blind to be assisted to vote by officers presiding over polling stations in the presence of a police officer and agents of contesting political parties, however this is not adequate or safe.

MDC implores ZEC to introduce disability friendly voting material, which allows the visually impaired, the deaf and dumb as well as the wheelchair bound to cast their votes without much assistance from the able-bodied as this at times compromises their constitutional right to secret voting.

Is there a guarantee that at polling stations, ZEC will deploy officers who can use sign language and ramps erected for voters on wheelchairs?

As MDC, we call on ZEC to urgently address this matter to guard against a repeat of 2013 polls which saw a large number of votes stolen through the so called ‘assisted votes’.

Kurauone Chihwayi
MDC National Spokesperson

This “year will be crucial for relations between Zimbabwe and intl. community, including the EU,” said the EU ambassador Jean Claude Van Damme today.

He continued saying, “Peaceful, inclusive, credible and transparent elections are an essential step toward full normalisation of our relations. EU will send observers for the elections.”

This was during the EU Day celebrations in Harare.

Shortly after his address, the Zim government represented by amb Joey Bimha promised there will be free and fair elections this year.

Follow the LIVE UPDATES below….

Tweets by euinzim

By Paul Nyathi|Judgment has been reserved in the case against the granting of diplomatic immunity to former Zimbabwean first lady, Grace Mugabe.

South African opposition party the Democratic Alliance and pressure group AfriForum are asking the court to set aside government’s decision.

Mugabe is accused of assaulting Gabriella Engels and hotel staff in Johannesburg last year.

Government is arguing it didn’t grant her immunity.

It says it only recognised Mugabe’s existing diplomatic standing.

By Talent Gondo| Founding President and leader of a political party,  the Zimbabwe Democratic Change (ZDC) which was supposed to be launched today (Friday) has died.

The President of ZDC (name withheld) died in a car accident in South Africa on his way to Zimbabwe, according to unconfirmed reports.

The Vice President of ZDC, only identified as Mr Sibanda could not confirm or deny the death saying as a party, they were still investigating the issue.

“We have sent a delegation to the hospital where the body of the deceased is to establish whether it really is him or not,” he said.

ZDC shall hold a press conference at the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) Head Office on Saturday 10:15am.

 

MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa has apologised over his rally comment on giving his 18 year old sister to President Emmerson Mnangagwa should he manage to win a free and fair election.

Chamisa told the South Africa based News24.com, “if anyone felt hurt about the joke I am sorry. It was just a political banter that I used to illustrate that even if I promised to give him (Mnangagwa) my most prized position, he would still not be able to defeat us in a free and fair election.

“The joke should have been a non-issue because most Zimbabweans are worried about issues of survival. This is just a sideshow that is being used by irrelevant people to score cheap political points at my expense.”

By Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa is meeting war veterans in Harare on Friday to discuss welfare issues and how to strengthen Zanu-PF ahead of harmonised elections this year.

The meeting is pencilled for the City Sports Centre.

The liberation war fighters who have been the ruling party’s main campaign weapon in previous elections have been expressing discontent with the party and threatening to sabotage the party in this year’s election.

ZimEye.com will keep watch of the gathering and will provide details as they unfold.

By Paul Nyathi|Splinter MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe has been pinpointed in collapsing talks by Matabeleland opposition political parties towards a unified political front to contest the upcoming national elections.

The talks that began before Khupe split from the MDC-T included opposition political parties Zapu led by Dumiso Dabengwa, secessionist Mthwakazi Republic Party (Mqondisi Moyo), Lovemore Moyo’s United Movement for Devolution (UMD) and Moses Mzila Ndlovu’s Alliance for National Salvation (Ansa).

Insiders privy to the talks told ZimEye.com that the talks collapsed when Khupe insisted on her leading the grouping and keeping it under the MDC-T name.

Khupe is also reported to have insisted on the coalition relinquishing its regional bias to accommodate her structures based outside the region.

Moyo, who once served as Speaker of Parliament and MDC-T national chairman, confirmed that the talks had collapsed.

“We have been discussing as various political parties, in particular parties that are led by people from this region. We have been hoping to find each other and possibly find ways of co-operation, collaborating as we go for elections, but the talks have collapsed, for now,” the UMD leader said.

He, however, declined to be drawn into details of the negotiations and cause of the impasse.

Zapu national council, though in support of a coalition, was also against a regional-based pact, arguing it would be a betrayal of its members in other parts of the country.

The MRP, UMD and Ansa reportedly dug in their heels, insisting on the need for a regional coalition to contest seats only in Matabeleland since they were regionally-based.

All the opposition parties, except the Khupe-led MDC-T faction confirmed the developments.

Ansa’s Mzila-Ndlovu said: “As parties concerned with plight of the people of Matabeleland, we thought we will make a greater impact if we have a common front, but the talks collapsed over differences on the formation of the regional alliance.”

MRP leader Mqondisi Moyo blamed Zapu and Khupe for causing the talks to collapse.

“We have been having these meetings to try and build a regional alliance to defend the Matabeleland political space, but the talks never came to fruition because Khupe and Zapu said they were national parties, and hence difficult for them to sign a regional alliance agreement.

“As for the MRP, we are clear that we have no interest in what happens in other regions, but Matabeleland. We are clear that we cannot be in an alliance or political setup that defends national interests at the expense of the region.”

MRP, Ansa and UMD have declared interest to contest upcoming elections, but only in Midlands, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South.

Zapu chairperson Isaac Mabuka confirmed the party’s anti-regional alliance stance was to blame for the talks’ collapse.

“We are agreed that we can unite with other parties from the region, but what we find difficult is to form a regional alliance when we are a national party. We would have betrayed our members who come from other regions.

“Zapu, if you check our history, it has always been national and the late Joshua Nkomo would have risen from his grave if we were to sign a regional party alliance, however we are still open to work together on a cooperative basis as we go for elections,” he said.

Abednico Bhebhe, chairperson of Khupe’s MDC-T formation, however, denied reports that the party was involved in the unity talks although sources insisted that he was the party’s representative in the meetings

Khupe was also said to be in talks with People’s Rainbow Coalition presidential candidate Joice Mujuru.

Additions Source: Newsday

Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway Project

Mr. Speaker Sir, the Government awarded ZimHighways the tender for the Beitbridge-Harare Highway in 2005. In 2013, ZimHighways instituted legal proceedings against the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. The process of which continued until the matter was withdrawn through negotiations done by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development on behalf of the Government.

Geiger International

The project was granted to Geiger International and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) under Resolution PBR 1397E of 15th March, 2016 as one project. CHEC was to be the main contractor of the project while financing 20% of the Beitbridge-Harare section of the road.

Subsequently, the two parties re-engaged the Government through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development indicating that the Beitbridge-Harare section was a Public Private Partnership, while the Harare Chirundu section was to be financed through a loan – hence the project should be formally split. The request was submitted to the State Procurement Board which approved and reissued the project approval under PBR 1397F of 14 July, 2016.

The contract between Geiger International and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development was signed in November 2016 and to date the Government has not received any communication for the Financial Closure as required by the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contract. In turn, the Ministry, through its letter dated 15th March, 2018, has served a notice as provided for by the Concession Contract and such notice period is for 60 days within which the concessionaire may remedy the event by giving rise to the right of termination within the remedy period. Currently, the Government awaits a response from the concessionaire.

Mr. Speaker, this covers the request that was made for me to make a Ministerial Statement on those two projects by Hon. Maridadi on behalf of the Parliament of Zimbabwe.

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. GUMBO): Thank you Mr. Speaker. I wish to make a Ministerial Statement as has been requested by Hon. Members of Parliament through a request by Hon. Maridadi, on the Zimbabwe Airways issues and the Geiger International issue on the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Road.

1. Zimbabwe Airways (Pvt) Ltd

A. Background

Mr. Speaker Sir, at its meeting on 20th October 2011, Cabinet constituted an Ad hoc Cabinet Committee to look into the revitalisation of Air Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd. This decision was occasioned by the fact that operation had been halted. The Committee comprises of Ministers responsible for Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development, Finance and Economic Development, State Enterprises and Parastatals, Tourism and Hospitality, Environment and Natural Resources Management and Industry and Commerce.

Mr. Speaker Sir, on the 28th of February 2012, the Committee presented its recommendations and the Cabinet, among others, made the following decisions;

i. A new State owned company known as Zimbabwe Airways (Pvt) Ltd be formed;

ii. that an Interim Board of Directors be established; compromising of Senior Government officials, to manage the Airline’s affairs pending appointment of a substantive board by the responsible Minister; and

iii. an external/financial consultant be engaged to come up with a report bearing proposals on the business model and other issues pertinent to the successful turnaround of air Zimbabwe.

B. Implementation of Cabinet Decision

Mr. Speaker Sir, in implementing the Cabinet decision the then Minister of Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Goche:

i. established the new airline under the Companies Act [Chapter 24:03] which was registered as Zimbabwe Airways (Pvt) Ltd, registration number 3015/2012. This name was adopted because during name searching at the company Registration Office, it was noted that the name Air Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd was already registered. The new airline obtained an Air Service Act Number 13 of 2012 valid for the period April 2012 to April 2015. The First directors of the company as per the requirements of the Companies Act were Mr. Andrew Bvume from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and Ms. Angeline Karonga from the then Ministry of Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development. The Secretary was Mr. Luckson Madzinga from the then Ministry of Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development;

ii. established an interim board and the board was chaired by the then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development, Mr. Patson Mbiriri. Other Members of the Board were Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries of Finance and Economic Development, State Enterprises and Parastatals, Tourism and Hospitality, Environment and Natural Resources Management and Industry and Commerce; and

iii. authorised the engagement of Ernst and Young Zimbabwe on 14th May 2012. The consultants’ terms of reference, among other things included developing business model for the new airline, validation of the assets and liabilities, identification of potential strategic partners and evaluating the best approach in establishing the new airline.

C. Findings by the Consultants

The Consultants presented the Air Zimbabwe challenges which were mainly emanating from the following factors:

i. huge debt overhang which made the entity unattractive for strategic partnership. The debt rose from unpaid creditors and interest on debt which accrued every month. The debt then was sitting at US$282 million. Among the creditors were workers who were owed salaries and retrenchment packages;

ii. There was mismatch between the Airline’s fleet and its huge staff complement; and

iii. the airline possessed an old fleet that was expensive to operate, the new airline hence would only agree to render services to the new airline as a premium.

Following these recommendations, the Minister then shelved the operationalisation of the new airline while the Ministry engaged the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development on the debt issue.

D. Resuscitation of Zimbabwe Airways (Pvt) Ltd

Mr. Speaker Sir, between 2012 and 2017, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development sought authority from the Cabinet to seek for Strategic Partners for Air Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd.

At its meeting on the 10th of March, 2015, Cabinet resolved that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development submit to it the following:

i. a list of possible Strategic Technical Partners for Air Zimbabwe;

ii. strategy for engagement; and

iii. as proposed acceptable shareholding structure.

The Ministry was also tasked to benchmark the plan with international best practice, particularly with respect to the regional airlines that had undertaken similar projects.

Efforts to secure a strategic partner were hampered by two major issues, namely the debt situation which remained unresolved despite Cabinet approving its takeover and the non-availability of audited accounts in the airline since 2009. Matters came to a head in 2016 when the management at the Air Zimbabwe then, sought to re-launch the Harare-London route without consulting the Ministry and the CAAZ submitted their application to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). During the same period that the management made the application to EASA, they had received the results of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA audit, which results were not positive.

The Government of Zimbabwe as the State party to the international Civil Aviation Authority Organisation (ICAO), the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) as the aviation sector regulatory authority in Zimbabwe and Air Zimbabwe Limited as the national carrier and offending party, were summoned to appear before the European Union Air Safety Committee on 26th April, 2017 in Brussels, Belgium.

Subsequently, in May 2017, under references ARES (2017) 246318 Zimbabwe updated the community list of air carriers subject to an operating ban within the European Union in the framework of regulations (EC. Number 2111/2009), Air Zimbabwe was then banned from flying or over flying the European Union air space.

The Ministry, on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe, being desirous to continue air space operations through a national carrier then resuscitated the operationalisation of Zimbabwe Airways Private Limited in July 2017. The Ministry renewed the air service permit for Zimbabwe Airways and is valid until July 2020.

Purchase of aircraft

Mr. Speaker Sir, in October, 2016 Air Zimbabwe approached the State Procurement Board to seek authority for the purchase of four Boeing 777 second hand aircraft from Malaysia. SPB approved Air Zimbabwe’s request in November, 2016. Air Malaysia offered the Government the four aircraft for a purchase price of US$70 million in total. The Zimbabwe Aviation Leasing Company was then informed to ensure that the aircraft would not be attached by creditors who were after Air Zimbabwe property. To date, a payment of US$41 million has been made and the balance of US$29 million is outstanding. Government has since received delivery of the first aircraft on 11 April, 2018.This covers the issue of Zimbabwe Airways and its history to-date.

By Paul Nyathi|Former Police Commissioner-General Dr Augustine Chihuri has offered to pay only $37 a month as maintance for his out of wedlock child.

Chihuri and his his mistress Ms Sithulisiwe Mthimkhulu of Bulawayo failed to negotiate for an out of court maintenance settlement after Chihuri opted to go back to the courts.

Ms Mthimkhulu is demanding a $240 000 lump sum payment for the upkeep of the couple’s love child who is in Grade Four.

Dr Chihuri is offering $75 per month which he says they should share equally with Ms Mthimkhulu.

In papers before the court Dr Chihuri who is the respondent in this matter, through his lawyer Mr Arthur Marara of Mutamangira and Associates argued that the matter was supposed to be heard at the Harare Magistrates’ Court.

“It is respectfully submitted that this honourable court has no territorial jurisdiction to preside over the matter. The respondent is based in Harare while the complaint has been lodged in Bulawayo. The applicant is basing her case on a purported agreement that was prepared and signed in Harare and clearly the Harare magistrates’ court has jurisdiction over the matter,” he said.

Dr Chihuri suggested that maintenance is the responsibility of both parents and that it should be a shared responsibility.

“Monthly maintenance of $75 to be shared equally between parties,” he said.

In the papers Dr Chihuri highlights that school fees and school uniforms for the child is to be shared equally between parties.

Dr Chihuri states that his monthly pension is $2 668 and four children depend on him.

“Imagine every one of these children mounting a claim for $240 000. The applicant’s child is like any other child and clearly cannot enjoy any preferential treatment to the extent of being used to claim $240 000 which money the respondent does not even have,” he said.

Dr Chihuri said the court is obliged to look at the number of people who are to be supported.

Last month both parties agreed to go for an out of court settlement.

“By consent parties agreed to meet and do an out of court settlement and report back on May 14,” read the court papers.

The matter will be heard on May 14 before Bulawayo magistrate Miss Sharon Rosemani.

By Dorrothy Moyo| MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has assured Zimbabwean diasporans he will fight to ensure they vote in this year’s national elections.

Chamisa was speaking at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom. Said Chamisa: “the biggest logistical issue is the govt itself. The current mind in the current government is they want to treat their own citizens as foreigners. There is a constitutional challenge…we are going to fight…” VIDEO-

Former Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri has offered his former lover Ms Sithulisiwe Mthimkhulu $75 per month which he says they should contribute to equally. Mthimkhulu is demanding a $240 000 lump sum payment.

Chihuri and Mthimkhulu had agreed for an out of court settlement. The two seem not to have reached an agreement as the former police commissioner has filed notice of opposition papers at the Bulawayo Magistrates Court. Chihuri wants the matter to be heard at the Harare Magistrates’ Court. He wants school fees and school uniforms for the child to be a shared responsibility. He says his monthly pension is $2 668 and four children depend on him. The matter will be heard on May 14 before Bulawayo magistrate Miss Sharon Rosemani.

In papers before the court Dr Chihuri who is the respondent in this matter, through his lawyer Mr Arthur Marara of Mutamangira and Associates argued that the matter was supposed to be heard at the Harare Magistrates’ Court.

“It is respectfully submitted that this honourable court has no territorial jurisdiction to preside over the matter. The respondent is based in Harare while the complaint has been lodged in Bulawayo. The applicant is basing her case on a purported agreement that was prepared and signed in Harare and clearly the Harare magistrates’ court has jurisdiction over the matter,” he said.

Dr Chihuri suggested that maintenance is the responsibility of both parents and that it should be a shared responsibility.

“Monthly maintenance of $75 to be shared equally between parties,” he said.

In the papers Dr Chihuri highlights that school fees and school uniforms for the child is to be shared equally between parties.

Dr Chihuri states that his monthly pension is $2 668 and four children depend on him.

“Imagine every one of these children mounting a claim for $240 000. The applicant’s child is like any other child and clearly cannot enjoy any preferential treatment to the extent of being used to claim $240 000 which money the respondent does not even have,” he said.

Dr Chihuri said the court is obliged to look at the number of people who are to be supported.

Last month both parties agreed to go for an out of court settlement.

“By consent parties agreed to meet and do an out of court settlement and report back on May 14,” read the court papers.

The matter will be heard on May 14 before Bulawayo magistrate Miss Sharon Rosemani.- state media

By Paul Nyathi|MDC-T President Nelson Chamisa is set for a thunderous welcome at the Robert Mugabe International Airport on Friday.

The party supporters have been mobilising each other to gather at the airport in their thousands to Welcome Chamisa.

Former President Robert Mugabe used to be synonymous with gathering multitudes of ZANU PF supporters and officials whenever he arrived at the airport from an international visit.

His moves were always highly condemned by opposition parties.

The social media invite to the mdct supporters to welcome Chamisa at the airport reads as follows in full;

“Attention to Harare MDC Structures and Alliance Partners

The People’s President Advocate Nelson Chamisa will land at the Harare International Airport tomorrow. The
junta government is in panic mood therefore they have planned the unusual thing.

All Party structures and Alliance Partners are required to be at the Harare International Airport by 9am Tomorrow Friday 11 May 2018.

It shall be the duty of every member of the Youth Assembly and Party structures in Harare to be at the airport.

Denford Ngadziore
MDC Harare Province Youth Secretary

Zimbabwe Communist Party Comrade Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena condemned the move by the opposition party.

“If the MDC supporters are going to gather at the airport to welcome Adv Chamisa, then l give up,” he said.

By Talent Gondo| The South African model Gabriella Engels who was assaulted by Zimbabwe’s former first lady, Grace Mugabe said she hoped Mrs Mugabe will be brought back to  South Africa to face justice.

Engels, who opened assault charges against Mugabe in 2017, on Thursday said she was leaving everything in God’s hands.

“I hope she does come back to account,” said Engels.

“I leave everything now in God’s hands and I know that he will get us through everything.”

Gabriella said this while speaking to journalists as she walked into the packed courtroom at the High Court in Pretoria where Mugabe’s diplomatic immunity is being challenged.

Gabriella was accompanied by her mother Debbie Engels, who expressed optimism that justice would prevail.

“I’m very optimistic. Very, very optimistic. I’m happy that the ball has started rolling and we have a good legal team that is backing us, so we are optimistic that things will go well,” said Debbie.

AfriForum, a South Affican civil rights group is now representing Gabriella in her bid to revoke the diplomatic immunity granted to Zimbabwe’s former first lady.

Advocate Gerrie Nel, Head of AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, told African News Agency that his organisation was confident that the diplomatic immunity granted to Mrs Mugabe after she assaulted Engels would be set aside by the court.

“We are saying the granting of the diplomatic immunity happened as an afterthought since it was after the assault on our client Ms Gabriella Engels.

We want to ensure that there is equality before the law, that there are no selective prosecutions, and that people are not sheltered from prosecution because of an afterthought of granting diplomatic immunity,” said Nel.

He said he believed and was confident that the diplomatic immunity would be lifted.

“If that happens, then certainly the NPA must do their duty and that is to ensure that the accused is brought back into the country and that there is a prosecution,” he said adding that failure to lift the immunity left their organisation with no choice but to prosecute privately.

“Failure to bring her (Mrs Mugabe) back to South Africa for prosecution, we have said this before- we will privately prosecute,” said Gel.

 

 

 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=183847992954653&id=150154425045764

 

 

Zimbabwe National Chiefs Council (NCC) head Chief Fortune Charumbira has lost his bid to be the President of the Pan African Parliament.

This is a developing story coming out of South Africa where Charumbira lost to Cameroon’s Roger Nkodo Dang.

Norton MP, Temba Mliswa who is also attending the 6th ordinary session of the Pan African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, announced saying Roger Dang got 132 while Charumbira got 47 with Egyptian, Mustafa El-Gendy getting 43.

By Anonymous|From a true friend not a seasoned bootlicker

OPEN LETTER TO ADVOCATE CHAMISA (TSHAMISA IN NDEBELE)

You are in the limelight and I envy you. You are one of the presidential candidates and so you have a remote chance to be president of this country. I have a few things that I wish to tell you as a true friend. I am your true friend but I am not one of your fanatics who chant, “Chamisa chete!” at your rallies. In fact, I have not attended any of your rallies in person, and don’t think I ever will. This does not mean I do not listen to what you say. For example I just finished listening to your address at a rally in the UK and I was captivated by your grasp of issues. I was also saddened by other things you said. So listen to this:

1. WATCH YOUR MOUTH.
I can count three times where you said something and the people whom you quoted contradicted you. You said America had promised to pour in money into Zimbabwe once you were elected, and the Americans denied it. You said Nkomo’s family had given you intonga kaNkomo and the son categorically denied it. Then you said the Queen of England had invited you, and the British embassy official refuted it. Many people are saying you are a pathological liar. You lie out of impulse and unnecessarily. Do you need Nkomo’s intonga? I doubt it because you are already popular without it. Do you need to be in favor with the queen in order to be the next president? No. So most neutrals are wondering why you have the urge to lie when you don’t really need to.

Then you pledged your sister to ED in the event that he wins free and fair elections. You were making a point and I’m sure you did not really mean it, but why even make yourself a sitting duck to criticism? In case you haven’t noticed, women’s rights are a hot potato in Zimbabwe and many cultural practices which expose the girl child to abuse are under the microscope. You did not need to go that far, even in jest.

It is not too late to learn other Zimbabwean languages. Mugabe ruled for 37 years but all he could speak was Shona and English. It is always unnerving for you to address people in Shona assuming that they should understand it when you do not understand their own language. We have about 14 indigenous languages and as a national leader it is a good thing to be able to speak broken Venda, Sotho, Nambya or even Tonga. Shona is not superior to other languages by any standard.

2. WATCH YOUR FRIENDS
Many people are attracted to power and popularity. You have many friends right now but I will tell you from painful experience, many of those friends are not friends to you but to your popularity. You also do not need fanatics around you. A true friend will tell you when you need to fix your face, but a false friend will always tell you that you look great, you are handsome, the world is at your feet even when it is not true.

So surround yourself with frank people. Do not allow a flatterer anywhere near you. The difference between a fanatic and a true supporter is that a fanatic does not know why he likes you. Such a person can shift allegiance anytime. You get my drift. As it is, you have far too many fanatics around you and they are lying to you. This was the same problem Mugabe had. He loved to be lied to and one of his most trusted lieutenants toppled him….

3. WATCH YOUR HOPES
You have a hope that you will be president after the election, but you have not crossed that bridge. Hope all you like but do not be overconfident and behave as if you are now president of Zimbabwe. In reality, you are riding on the wave of Tsvangirai’s popularity.

You must remember one painful truth: Tsvangirai won the election in 2008 but he never got to be president. We mocked Mugabe when he said, “Zviroto zviroto…..” but that is what happened after all. The monster that prevented Tsvangirai from assuming leadership of the country is still here, and has tasted power. They are unlikely to hand over power in a silver platter. Do not trust the West or African groupings like SADC and AU. They let Tsvangirai down, and they are likely to let you down too.

4. WATCH YOUR PROPHECIES
From your speech recently, you appear to be a believer, but please keep your religious beliefs to yourself when it comes to political office. There is nothing as scary as a zealot who thinks he is God’s messenger. If you are regarded as a prophet at your church, it does not follow all your supporters subscribe to your religion. Please project yourself as a down-to-earth leader for all Zimbabweans, whether Muslims, spirit mediums, atheists, or even varoyi. Religious freedom is dear to some of us who have seen what happens when a leader mixes politics and religion.

5. WATCH YOUR HEALTH.
You are still young and energetic but you will not always be so. Do not just eat anything set at your table. Do not believe when they say prayer makes poison good food. Ask ED. Do not think he does not pray, but ice-cream almost killed him. Eat only the best that will sustain your health. Exercise. Sleep. Rest. Work hard.

6. WATCH YOUR STEP
You have entered a very dangerous territory and politics is not labeled a dirty game for no reason. Some of the dirty people are in very smart suits and wear fake smiles. Watch out for political prostitutes who are always repenting and leaving their political parties. Do not draw them too close to you before you really understand why they have joined your movement. Some of them are agents sent to poison you. And lastly,

7. WATCH YOUR WOMEN
You are aware that Save’s greatest undoing was in how he handled himself after the death of Susan. You also saw how the country deteriorated when Sally Mugabe died and a mistress took over. Watch your libido. Not many women will open their legs because they love you. They love success. They love money. And when thwarted, they can destroy. If you doubt it, ask Samson the mighty man. Or David the psalmist. Or even closer home, ask William Jefferson Clinton how carelessness with women can taint your life.

I am not saying all women are like that. I know many virtuous women out there and I hope your current wife supports your dreams.

I wish you the best and hope you will take time to read this.

Asante sana (whatever that means…..)

By Paul Nyathi|Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa claims that he has no knowledge of the women in Hwange who have been demonstrating for 101 days.

Responding to a question in parliament by MDC proportional representation member Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga, on why government has been quiet about the issue, Chinamasa said that the issue was not the responsibility of his Ministry and he knew nothing about the women.

“I think the question is misdirected to me.  The responsibility for the Hwange Colliery is the responsibility of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.  I am not even privy to the events that are being referred to,” said Chinamasa responding to the question.

Irked by Chinamasa’s response to the question, MDC-T parliamentarian James Maridadi accused the government of gross incompetence if the Minister of Finance who sits in the weekly cabinet is not aware of the matter.

“This problem has been there for 101 days.  That is more than three months and if Hon. Chinamasa, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning who sits in Cabinet every Tuesday professes ignorance, Mr. Speaker, that is dereliction of duty on the part of Government.  We need a response on this question.  We cannot have a Government that abdicates its responsibility,” he said.

Hundreds of people marched the streets of Harare on Thursday protesting governments’ silence on the issue.

Labour minister Petronella Kagonye told Parliament that the issue of wives of Hwange Colliery Company Limited employees picketing outside company premises was being fuelled by a political party, but she did not disclose the name of the party.

The women in Hwange have been camped at the company offices at the mine for 101 days demonstrating over non payment of salaries to their husbands by the mining company for the last five years.

By Dorrothy Moyo| Chiwenga has dismissed the bleaching reports saying that he has been suffering from a (blood cancer) skin disease.

“If nhuta caused Chiwenga’s bleached skin with reports of blood cancer, then it’s noted. Sorry.”

But Jonso then proceeded to blow fire by sa

ying questions still remain because there is no way his wife could have suffered the same disease at the same time. ” But it’s just incredulous that Chiwenga and Mary contracted nhuta at the same time!,” he wrote on Twitter. Pictures of the vice president wife expose how her skin colour is different at the face, the hands and most importantly the legs… see below:

 

By Talent Gondo| Grace Mugabe’s former husband, Stanley Goreraza has come out guns blazing against former Higher Education Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo describing him as “rude, unforgiving, vindictive, combative, bitter and a political war monger”.

Goreraza, took to facebook and said Professor Moyo despite being one of the sharpest minds to come out of Zimbabwe, was always at war with someone.

“One of the sharpest minds to come out of Zimbabwe is indeed Jonathan Moyo,” said Goreraza.

“He has a mind that can penetrate and drill almost any subject, to bring out various gems and nuggets. His mind could have been a human Chiadzwa.”

He however described Professor Moyo as a tornado or hurricane that is always ready to erupt.

“Moyo is like a tornado or a hurricane. Just read his tweets and you will know what I’m talking about.

He is like a storm, always mad and angry. There is never a day of peace and calm with him,” said Goreraza.

Below is the full text of the statement by Goreraza.

One of the sharpest thinkers to come out of Zimbabwe is indeed Jonathan Moyo. He has a mind that can penetrate and drill almost any subject, to bring out various gems and nuggets.

Jonathan Moyo’s mind could have been a human Chiadzwa. From it, could have come untold wealth, benefiting Zimbabwe. But just like the Chiadzwa we know, Jonathan Moyo’s mind was turned into a war zone by the same people who abused Chiadzwa and that would be Zanupf.

Jonathan Moyo is always at war. He declared war on Mr Mugabe, then he went after the opposition, then Mai Mujuru, then Mnangagwa and now he’s after Kasukuwere. A mind in a war state will produce nothing but war and war produces nothing but destruction.

Jonathan is always in a fight, always holding a sword, always striking someone. He is rude, unforgiving, vindictive, combative, bitter and a political war monger. Where ever he is there is no peace, agreement, harmony, trust and just basic humanity.

Wherever Jonathan goes and whomever he joins, war erupts. He seems to enjoy harming and hurting anyone in his way, anyway he can. He is like a tornado or a hurricane.

Just read his tweets and you will know what I’m talking about. He is like a storm, always mad and angry. There is never a day of peace and calm with him.

Zanupf has always used and probably abused Jonathan as a weapon of political war. Jonathan was weaponized by Zanupf.

This sword called Jonathan Moyo could have been beat into a ploughshare. Instead of being a spear it could have been a pruning hook. And it would have worked to produce all kinds of wonderful fruit. It would have been used to till, plant and harvest.

 

Press Statement By MDC-T|There is a plot to soil and malign the people’s leader, President Adv. Nelson Chamisa by circulating concocted flyers with his phone number on them and falsely purporting that there will be a demonstration this Friday, 11 May 2018.

For the record, President Chamisa has NOT called for any protest or demonstration this Friday. This is the work of people out to discredit him and to soil his reputation.
There are many issues that President Adv. Chamisa has publicly promised to mobilize the people of Zimbabwe to protest against, particularly issues to do with the lack of transparency over the printing of the ballot paper to be used in the next election. We strongly believe that all stakeholders must agree on the identity of the printer as well as audit the ballot paper and the voters roll in the spirit of openness and accountability and in the furtherance of the agenda to hold truly free, fair and credible elections in Zimbabwe.

But for now President Adv. Chamisa has NOT called for any such demonstrations and we wish to dissociate him from any flyer falsely purporting there will be nationwide protests on Friday, 11 May 2018.

If, and when he decides to call for any demonstrations, the MDC-T leader and MDC-T Alliance Presidential candidate will openly and publicly call for such protests giving the time, form and nature of any such protests using official party platforms. The flyers calling for a demonstration tomorrow are a hoax and their only intention is to soil and malign the good standing of the people’s President. Zimbabweans should not pay any attention to such mischievous flyers as their leader has NOT called for any form of protests.

We will not call for protests in such a clumsy and murky manner. We are sticklers to the law, to order and to Constitutionalism. We will go public about any protest that we call for, which protests will be peaceful and will comply with the law and the Constitutional provisions of the land.

For now, President Chamisa has NOT called for any such demonstrations and we wish to dismiss the flyers currently circulating with the contempt that they deserve.

Behold the new.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications

By Paul Nyathi|The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission has been urged to extend their mandate and come up with a list of all missing persons in the country.

Making the submission on behalf of civil society delegates to the Commission at the national convergence validation conference in Harare on Tuesday, the Secretary General of Gwanda Residents Association Bekezela Maduma Fuzwayo said that peace and reconciliation cannot be achieved in the country as long as there are people who disappeared and are still unaccounted for.

Fuzwayo said that even if the issue concerning missing persons is not specified in the terms of reference of the commission it needs to take it upon itself to make sure that the matter is addressed as a starting point to reconciliation.

“We implore the commission to extend its mandate and develop and inventory of all missing persons in the country as a starting point to bringing peace and reconciliation,” he said.

A huge number of people have gone missing in the country allegedly at the hands of state security agents and no track has been made on their whereabouts.

Top on the list of missing persons is activist Itai Dzamara who was abducted from a barbershop by suspected state security agents two years ago and has never been heard of.

In a speech read on his behalf at the same gathering, Vice President Kembo Mohadi said Government remains committed to upholding cultural practices that advance national peace, healing and reconciliation.

In the speech read by the permanent secretary in his office, Reverend Paul Damasane, VP Mohadi said cultural approaches were more restorative and less retributive, which encouraged peace and reconciliation.

He said the current focus of Government was to grow the economy, unite the populace through internal and external engagement to achieve cohesion and end isolation.

VP Mohadi, who is responsible for national healing and reconciliation, said healing and reconciliation help to relieve pain as well as emotional stress and to restore normalcy between involved parties.

“We see the need to strive for restoration of the nation, where those that could previously not speak to each other can now sit under the same tree and plan the future together without acrimony,” said Mohadi.

“People should have the sense of oneness before they start seeing themselves as individuals. We need to be at peace with each other. When this happens, Zimbabwe will be poised for national cohesion, transformation and sustainable socio-economic development,” he said.

He said the unifying role of faith-based organisations could not be ignored in peace building.

“Zimbabweans are largely a God-fearing people whose value for the integrity and dignity of the individual is anchored on man created in the image of God. Internal peace of an individual based on an active relationship with one’s maker results in a community at peace with itself,” he said.

“Government applauds the peace building initiatives of faith-based organisations. The role of civil society organisations in our various communities to advance peace is appreciated by Government. Peace healing and reconciliation requires a coordinated multi-stakeholder approach hence the significance of this gathering,” he said.

The conference was chaired by NPRC chairman Retired Justice Selo Masole Nare and attended by NPRC commissioners and United Nations Development Programme officials among other stakeholders.

The 40 year old lawyer and businessman, Farai Mutamangira has been warned he is risking his business empire by being named alongside former President Robert Mugabe and the opposition National Patriotic Front (NPF).

Latest reports strongly suggest that former President Robert Mugabe has met him and arranged to replace current NPF leader Ambrose Mutinhiri with Mutamangira.

The NPF has attempted to downplay the reports.

Economist John Robertson is quoted by the Financial Gazette saying, “he (Mutamangira) is certainly putting his business at risk by becoming a member of the opposition…and knowing Zimbabwean politics, his chances are slim.

Other analysts said, “he has also built quite an impressive portfolio across the chrome and stone-quarry mining sectors, concierge services, significant stake in one regional low-cost airline and policy-advisory contracts or deals with many public entities. However, he risks a reversal of that fortune owing to this (NPF) link and alleged political move because we know how Zimbabwe’s political economy operates.”

By Paul Nyathi|THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company board chairperson, Ms Ruth Ncube, has been taken to court by her husband who is demanding $3 800 monthly spousal maintenance.

Mr Wilson Sezi (53), who is the applicant in the matter, has filed summons at the Bulawayo magistrate’s court citing his wife Ms Ncube, as the respondent.

Mr Sezi said his monthly budget is $13 033 and seeks an order directing Ms Ncube to contribute $3 800 monthly towards his upkeep.

In papers before the court, the money that Mr Sezi wants is for groceries, transport, clothes, medication, rent, water and electricity.

Mr Sezi stated in court papers that he is not employed and wants Ms Ncube to take sole responsibility for his upkeep. Ms Ncube, through her lawyers Masiye-Moyo and Associates, has challenged the application.

In her opposing affidavit, Ms Ncube denied that she was the applicant’s spouse.

“Applicant was introduced to me sometime in January 2016 by a friend. Since I am a widow, I warmed up to the idea of having male companionship. I then met his sister and the applicant subsequently met my brother in May 2016,” she said.

Ms Ncube said Mr Sezi was asked to pay $800 to confer upon himself the status of being a customary law husband.

She said the applicant only paid $700 and undertook to settle the balance at a later date. Ms Ncube argued that culturally, Mr Sezi was not her customary husband because he did not finish paying lobola.

“In the absence of payment of the required amount in full, in our culture, there is no relationship of husband and wife that can be established. I have no legal obligation to maintain the applicant as I am not a spouse,” she said.

Ms Ncube said she parted ways with Mr Sezi after discovering that he was engaging in extramarital affairs. She said she has been battling to get Mr Sezi out of her life to an extent that she suffered severe trauma.

“Each time I told the applicant that I did not want him in my life, he would threaten to kill himself,” said Ms Ncube.

“Applicant’s monthly budget according to him is $13 033, which is what he consumes per month. Of this amount he wants me to contribute $3 800, which effectively means that he earns $9 233 per month from his own means. In terms of the law, a relief in the form of an order for maintenance is not a gateway ticket to luxurious means, but a relief to secure the basics of survival.”

Ms Ncube said she only regarded Mr Sezi as her former boyfriend. The matter will be heard on May 16 before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Sheunesu Matova.

Source: The Chronicle

By Paul Nyathi|ZANU PF will hold primary elections rerun on the 14th of May.

ZANU PF national commissar Englebert Rugeje made the announcements on Wednesday.

The height of the reruns will be the battle between Christopher Mutsvangwa and Langton Mutendereki in Norton constituency.

Mutendereki has previously hinted that he can beat Mutsvangwa even a hundred times.

The Zanu PF politburo ordered a rerun of primary elections in at least 10 constituencies where the process was marred by irregularities and allegations of vote-buying.

By Talent Gondo| Hwange Colliery workers’ wives whose strike today enters day 101 have alleged that they are being threatened with unspecified action by the military junta and other unidentified men to stop their protest.

 

The women said they are being visited at night by unknown men who are continuously threatening them to stop demanding their husbands’ salaries.

“Our husbands are being victimised and they can no longer ask for their salaries so this is why we are protesting,” said leader and chairperson of the protesters, Clarice Ngoma.

Watch the women speak about this and more on the link below.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1837016309692892&id=150154425045764

By Own Correspondent| MDC-T leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa today met (arguably) Britain’s most influencial politician next to Prime Minister Theresa May, Boris Johnson. Chamisa is this week concluding his UK visit. (Pictures below)

After the meeting Chamisa said, “I have just had a great meeting with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. Zim-UK relations on a fantastic path. The future is bright!”

By Talent Gondo| The on going strike by Hwange Colliery worker’s wives which today enters day 101 is no longer a labour issue but political, parliament has heard.

Responding to a question by MDC legislator for Matabeleland South  Misihairambwi Mushonga on what the government was doing to protect women and children who are currently camped in a tent at Hwange Colliery protesting over failure by the company to pay their husbands salaries for the past 5 years, the Labour and Social Welfare Minister revealed that the strike had been hijacked by politicians.

Minister Petronella Kagonye told parliament that she had personally talked to the women and resolved to give them maize, a pledge she had since fulfilled.

“I visited them at the tent where they are camping and heard their issues and we agreed that government would give them maize to avert hunger,” she said.

“However, after giving them the maize, they continued camping at the colliery despite agreeing that they would return to their homes.”

Minister Kagonye told parliament that she had gone a step further and re engaged the women, findings which confirmed a political agenda behind the strike.

“They told me that they were being funded by certain labour bodies and individuals who are pushing their political agendas and for the love of money, they are staying put at the Colliery,” she said.

The Labour and Social Welfare Minister however said she was ready to engage with the women  and map the way forward as the strike had negative consequences on both the women and children.

“I know that they no longer sleep there (in the tent pitched at the Colliery by a wellwisher) because they go to their homes at night and come back in the morning,” she said.

Minister Kagonye’s response follows a discussion held in Harare organised by Women and Law in Southern Africa (WILSA) where a representative of the striking women alleged that the Labour minister had visited them promising to come back with assistance but had never returned.

“Minister Kagonye came and pledged food assistance but to date she has not returned,” said Thobekile Shoko.

She called on government to consider the plight of the women and children saying failure by Hwange colliery to pay its workers was depriving their children access to education, health while at the same time exposing them to societal ills including prostitution.

“Families have disintegrated because 5 years without a salary is no joke,” she said, calling on the Junta led administration  to walk the talk on social protection and labour justice.

The Mines and Energy Portfolio Committee last Tuesday heard that Hwange Colliery owed its workers over US$70 million in salary arrears dating back to 2013.

Representatives of the Hwange Colliery board made a plea to government to intervene and assist the entity the same way they had bailed out Ziscosteel.

 

By Talent Gondo| Children under 18 years are engaging in prostitution for survival while many have dropped out of school over nonpayment of fees by their parents following failure by Hwange  Colliery to honor its obligation to pay workers’ salaries for the past 5 years.

This emerged at a discussion held at the Media Centre organised by the Women and Law in Southern Africa (WILSA) in Harare today where a representative of the protesting women narrated their challenges.

“Our children are bringing food obviously sourced through prostitution and some are suffering from syphilis,” said Thobekile Shoko, spokesperson of the striking women.

Shoko said the salaries impasse had also resulted in men failing to take charge of their responsibilities and families continued disintegrating since the workers had not been paid for the last 5 years.

“We are literally being pushed into prostitution to put food on the table and our husbands have no say because they also need to eat,” said Shoko.

Paurina Mpariwa, who chairs the Public Accounts Parliamentary Pottfolio Committees said it was heart rending to hear the challenges being experienced by the women and children adding that more needs to be done to address these challenges.

“There is need for solidarity with these women and children and as a country we need to ensure that our women and children are protected as enshrined in the Constitution,” said Mpariwa.

 

LIVEBLAST – refresh to watch

 

Zimbabwean Social Democrats founder, Wilbert Mukori has made claims to President Cyril Ramaphosa’ s administration that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will cheat the upcoming elections. ZimEye brings this EXCLUSIVE from the South African government’s embassy in  London. Session begins shortly…refresh to watch –

By Paul Nyathi|The High Court has ordered the Ministry of Local Government to effect immediate disciplinary measures on Chiefs Council President Chief Fortune Charumbira for his utterances calling on all chiefs to facilitates votes for ZANU PF.

The court further ordered Charumbira to issue a retraction statement on his utterances within seven days.

Charumbira was dragged to the High Court by the Election Resource Centre (ERC) demanding for him to retract the statement.

Charumbira, the National Council of Chiefs and Local Government minister July Moyo were cited as the respondents.

Trust Maanda, who is ERC’s chairperson of the board of trustees, in his affidavit had said that Charumbira’s statements demanding chiefs to support Zanu PF were unlawful and unconstitutional.

“The respondent (Charumbira) has acted unlawfully and moreover has failed in his constitutional duty to respect and uphold the Constitution of Zimbabwe by staying nonpartisan and away from party politics, to respect the institution of traditional leadership and not bring the institution into disrepute and to not infringe the rights and fundamental freedoms of people,” read his court submission.

The court ordered Charumbira to retract the statements he made by publishing a counter statement in a newspaper with national circulation, on national radio and on national television.

Fatal accident, at Southlea Park turn off, many children feared dead. – full text unrolling…