Bulawayo and Masvingo provinces have finished voting in the Zanu PF primary elections with other eight provinces in various stages of completing the voting process.

This was revealed by Zanu PF National Political Commissar Engelbert Rugeje on Monday morning.

Rugeje told ZBC News that there were a few challenges in Manicaland and Mashonaland provinces.

He said Gokwe has two districts left now in the voting process.

Meanwhile, at Stodart Hall polling station in Mbare, voting progressed well since Monday morning and by close of day Sunday about 723 people had cast their votes.

At Tembwe district office in Epworth constituency, voting started Monday and there are a number of people queuing to cast their vote.

A snap survey by the ZBC News indicates that logistical delays had affected progress for the Zanu PF primary elections in Harare South constituency.

Ballot papers were yet to be delivered way after 10 am in Ushewokunze and Hopley.

At some polling stations there were few people while at other points there were a number of voters waiting for ballot papers.

The general impression is that people are kin to participate in the electoral process.

In Hwange district , the Zanu PF primary elections commenced before midday in some centres while voting is expected to start soon in other centres across the district.

Voters from urban centres in Hwange and Victoria Falls started arriving at the polling stations as early as 7am.

There are 32 polling stations where voting is taking place in the three constituencies namely Hwange East, Hwange West and Hwange Central.

Teams with voting materials were deployed to the various centres in the morning.

Zanu PF primary elections coordinator for Hwange District, Patrick Utete saluted the party supporters for their patience adding that all arrangements were in place for the holding of a peaceful exercise.

The Hwange Central seat is tightly contested with 5 candidates vying to represent the party.

Incumbent Hwange West Zanu PF legislator Bekhitemba Mpofu will battle it out with Jiyani Nkosilathi and Bonface Sibanda.

Voting is set to be extended to 7pm to accommodate those who are currently at work.

Source ZBC news

The Zimbabwe Teachers Association has rubbished fears of an alleged Chiwenga threat previously fired on nurses two weeks ago and said its members will be on strike as planned.  The teachers said they will not be intimidated by government officials to stop them from exercising their Constitutional rights.  Below was their statement

1. The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) hereby categorically states that no amount of threats or illegal declarations from individuals in government will stop or intimidate teachers from exercising their Constitutional and legal right to participate in the industrial Job action.

2. For the avoidance of doubt, members must not be intimidated or threatened by service Ministers’ such as Professor Paul Mavima, whose Ministry has been on record as not having the mandate to address workers’ conditions of service because they are not the employer.

3. We also believe that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Minister also abide by the same Zimbabwean Constitution which teachers subscribe to, and which gives workers the right to withdraw their labour, wherever and whenever working conditions are nowhere near satisfactory.

4. Threats and allegations that link collective job action to political parties are just unfortunate and meant to strangle and suppress workers’ rights in a democratic country such as Zimbabwe.

5. ZIMTA wishes to remind the education Minister Professor Paul Mavima that Unions in education exist for the sole mandate of representing the welfare of members and are in no way; a rival to political parties or to him as a head of a service Ministry. Maybe (sic) guided accordingly.

30 APRIL 2018 
WE EDUCATE THE NATION

By Paul Nyathi|The Mayor of Gwanda councillor Knowledge Ndlovu was last week involved in a physical wrangle with a fellow ZANU PF member after the member challenged him to represent the party as councillor for ward 5 in Gwanda town.

Highly reliable sources within the party structures in Gwanda told ZimEye.com that Ndlovu went into physical fight with Minister Abednico Ncube’s son Emmanuel accusing him of bussing in people from outside the ward to come and vote for him at the primary elections.

According to the sources Ndlovu went wild on Ncube at the party candidates verification process which was held in Gwanda last week telling him to withdraw his application challenging him to the position.

The two are reported to have been dragged to the Gwanda police station by police details who were maning the verification process where the two were heavily reprimanded by the police.

Police in Gwanda would not be drawn to comment on the matter.

By Paul Nyathi|ZANU PF has gone to the mountains blaming government owned Jongwe Printers for causing the chaos witnessed in its primary elections that virtually failed to kick off on Sunday.

Though a few areas managed to go ahead with the voting where material arrived on time, in most areas voting was called off at sunset as voting material had not been delivered to the polling stations or was incorrect.

In an interview with journalists on Sunday evening, the ZANU PF’s National Elections Committee chairperson Engelbert Rugeje said an unanticipated breakdown at Jongwe Printers last Friday caused the glitch on the elections.

“We had been assured by Jongwe Printers that they would be through with printing by Friday. They eventually had technical problems with their machines, which broke down, but they took long to inform us hoping that they would be fixed on time. The problems have since been dealt with,” Rugeje.

He said logistical challenges that plagued the preparations were expected given the high number of people who have expressed an interest to represent the party.

“This election attracted interest from a lot of people and these problems are expected. Some of the problems were related to people whose names could not be found in the register. This is why we urge people to go and verify and inspect the register to avoid these problems,” he said.

He said voting will continue on Monday until every eligible member who intends to vote has done so.

However, exiled former party heavyweight Jonathan Moyo rubbished the excuse being given by the party claiming that the chaotic situation in the primaries is a deliberate move to rig the elections in favour of candidates close to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“If you honestly believe that the junta chaos, alleged Jongwe Press breakdowns, Army & Commissariat incompetence displayed by Rugeje and postponement of your primaries represents a new dispensation, then you are all mad,” said Moyo in a Twitter post.

Among the issues emanating from the elections was that some voters were not included in the voters roll compiled by the party cell leaders.

Allegations that the leaders deliberately excluded from the voters roll some people known to be favouring unwanted candidates were reported from most areas.

In some areas, some candidates were not appearing on the ballot papers.

By Paul Nyathi|The thousands of people who attended the Thomas Mapfumo concert on Saturday will take years to forget the experience they got on the night.

Playing in the country for the first time in fifteen years, Mukanya took to the stage for a tantalising four hours.

Mapfumo showed the crowd that he still has the energy of old singing and showcasing some dance styles as he took them down memory lane with some of his old popular hits.

He came on stage after Winky D had set the bar high for performers of the night.

Winky D is known for outclassing international acts because of his approach, but he failed to maintain the record against Mukanya.

Winky D played most of his hits and sent the crowd wild when Oliver Mtukudzi joined him on stage for the song “Panorwadza Moyo”. It was a rare occasion because they rarely perform the song live together.

Most people did not expect Mukanya to be on stage for four hours because of his age and apparent frailty. He defied everything and enjoyed the homecoming event. The way he sang and danced showed that he was happy to be back home. After the old and popular hits, he rounded up his performance by belting out the new song that can be roughly titled “Chauya Chauya”.

He reminded people of his old days when he would churn out hits until sunrise. It was indeed a memorable affair and many people are calling for his return to the stage.

By Paul Nyathi| ZANU PF sources have laid claim that preliminary yet to be confirmed reports from within ZANU PF primary elections show that Special Advisor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Christopher Mutsvangwa has lost the ZANU PF primary election in Norton.

Other sources say Mutsvangwa was sabotaged by the G40 agents.

Furthermore an impeccable NPF source on Saturday claimed that people like Mutsvangwa would see their fate as punishment for the November coup.

“They will not make it because NPF is everywhere inside there,” the source said.

This is a developing story and details are still coming through.

A 33-year-old soldier based in Masvingo broke into a police base and got away with a steaming pot containing chicken from a fire together with property worth a combined $570.

Emmanuel Mutandavari of KMP Runyararo South but stationed at 4.1 Infantry Battalion Brigade in Masvingo stole a three- legged pot containing chicken, cellphones, sleeping bag, kitchen utensils, among other items before disappearing.

Appearing before Masvingo magistrate Mr Takawira Mugabe facing four counts of unlawful entry and theft, Mutandavari was convicted on his own plea of guilty.

All the four counts were treated as one for the purposes of sentencing.

Mr Mugabe fined Mutandavari $300 or 30 days in prison. Delivering sentence, Mr Mugabe said he had considered that Mutandavari was still a serving member of the army and did not want him to lose his job.

“I have not given you a custodial sentence because I wanted to save your job since you are a serving member of the army. However, next time you will not get the same favour, you must stop going around committing crimes, taking other people’s property and stealing petty things like cooked chicken meat. You should feel ashamed,” said Mr Mugabe.

In mitigation, Mutandavari said he committed the offences under the influence of alcohol and pleaded with the court not to send him to jail.

Prosecutor Mr Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa said between March 17 and April 22, Mutandavari broke into Runyararo West police base, stole a three-legged pot with chicken meat valued at $140 and cellphones from one of the police officers’ car parked outside. He also stole handcuffs and a sleeping bag. “On March 17 at around 11pm, Mutandavari went to the police base and broke into Constable Davison Driver’s room after forcing open the door by breaking a padlock.

He stole a brown bed mattress, a green sleeping bag , frying pan, kitchen knife, cellphones; Nokia 535, Nokia 1208 and a pair of handcuffs all valued at $200 and went away. He also got away with kitchen utensils that include pots and groceries worth $355,” said Mr Nyamukondiwa.

He said on April 22 at around 5am, Mutandavari passed by Ms Auxilia Chiwawa’s house and found a pot of meat placed on a cooking stand and took it away.
When Ms Chiwawa went to check on her pot, she discovered that it was nowhere to be found but she had seen the accused passing by.

The complainant made a formal report to the police who, acting on a tip off, headed to Mutandavari’s house where they recovered the stolen property and arrested him.

Property lost was worth $569 and all was recovered, including a three legged pot, at the accused’s house.  – Chronicle

By Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has announced that it will soon be unveiling the initial biometric voters roll for inspection.

The electoral body announced through a statement on Sunday that the voters roll will be released to the public from the 19th to the 29th of May.

During this period, potential voters will be able to switch their voting stations if need be.

The voters roll inspection process is normally the last process before the President proclaims the election date.

By Paul Nyathi|The ruling ZANU PF party has failed to conduct its primary elections on Sunday as chaos and confusion dominated the polling.

ZANU PF commissar Englebert Rugeje announced on Sunday evening that elections in most areas will be taking place on Monday.

According to Rugeje most voting stations had not receive ballot papers deep into the night on Sunday forcing the postponement.

By Paul Nyathi|Reliable information coming through to ZimEye.com indicates that Daily News editor Gift Phiri was on Sunday arrested and charged with criminal trespass after he was spotted taking pictures of senior police officers briefing Zanu PF polling agents at Zvishavane police station.

ZimEye.com informants indicated that Phiri was made to pay a twenty dollar fine for the offence and released.

Details are still sketchy and efforts to get a comment from Phiri failed at the time of writing.

BULAWAYO councillors have given Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube a 30-day ultimatum to either implement resolutions that were passed by the councillors or face the axe, Sunday News has established.

The councillors have over the past few months accused Mr Dube of stalling development by failing to implement key council resolutions. Councillors had to summon Mr Dube and his directors on Thursday last week where they gave him 30 days to have implemented the resolutions or face the chop. The Mayor, Councillor Martin Moyo, confirmed the development saying it was in the councillors’ rights to demand answers when they felt management was stalling development in the city.

“Councillors are really concerned hence the decision to take this route. We cannot really be shooting ourselves in the foot because on one hand we declare that the city is open for business but it takes us 14 months to implement such key investment resolutions. What councillors are saying is that they will not accept any lethargy and negative attitudes that frustrate investment and I believe they were right in demanding answers and coming up with such a telling decision, we now will wait and see the progress within this set period,” said Clr Moyo.

According to a council confidential report the councillors accused council management, among other things, of shutting out investors and making potential investors lose confidence in the city’s call for investment.

“We have observed with great concern the gross inefficiency in council operations in view of the February 2017 investment prospectus and Harry Allen Golf Course town house development. Of particular concern is the unacceptable and anti-development pace with which various development opportunities have been handled.

“We lay this blame on the town clerk for failure to fulfil his functions as prescribed in the Urban Councils Act. Some of the negative effects of this inefficiency are, slowing down development of the city, shutting out investment, making potential investors lose confidence in the city’s call for investment, denies locals and ratepayers job opportunities and makes a mockery of councillors’ capacity to run the city and foster development,” reads the report.

The councillors further noted that Mr Dube’s inefficiency contradicts the Government’s push that Zimbabwe is open for business.

“It also denies the City of Bulawayo potential revenue which is critical at improving service delivery and exposes serious shortcomings in the council’s management and raises fears that this could be an act of sabotage against the city’s residents and Central Government,” reads the report.

Council sources who attended the Thursday special council meeting revealed that the meeting dragged from 2pm and ended after 9pm with councillors baying for Mr Dube’s blood.

“At the end of the meeting councillors resolved to give Mr Dube 30 days to have implemented council resolutions and further complete the process of land alienation in the city which does not require procurement but simply needs allocation,” said the source.

The town clerk was also reportedly ordered to convene special council meetings to seek guidance from the councillors in the 30-day ultimatum. Some of the projects that will be concluded within the 30-day period include the Ascot Race Course re-development, which according to the report, Mr Dube had initially said is a long term project. Others include community facilities in Cowdray Park, Pumula South, Emganwini, Magwegwe North Extension, Luveve Five Extension, Mahatshula, Emhlangeni, Mahatshula East, Woodville and Parklands Extension.

“It was agreed that most of the projects just needed co-ordination of departments hence the feeling that the town clerk was failing to supervise his team. What nearly angered the councillors during the meeting is when one of the directors claimed some of the projects they had advertised in the prospectus was just a means of testing the market but they were not ready to implement them,” said the source.

The city came up with the investment prospectus after the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing had noted that local authorities were inundated with unsolicited bids from local and foreign investors hence the order for the councils to advertise development, service delivery and partnership opportunities.

The Sunday News.

Teachers’ Industrial Machinery clanking into gear: We are our own liberators come second term

27 April 2018

In the history of humanity there comes a time when it is imperative to take a decision that is not necessarily popular but right. As such teachers of Zimbabwe have been forced by government to chose the root of industrial action as efforts to engage government have been ignored. It was our hope after our petition to Minister Mumbengegwi dated 27 March 2018, our reminder dated 9 April 2018 that the government would mellow down to a constructive approach and engage teachers. Sadly, the government has decided to pursue its usual bellicose homelitics, grandstanding scapegoatism and bullish monumental labour injustice and vandalism. Our demands were and are legitimate:
-a 100% salary increase more so taking into account the low salaries that were last reviewed in 2013.
-An increase of rural and hardship allowance by 75% of basic salary more so taking cognisance of the fact that the current $13 is an insult to teachers.
-Reinstitution of vacation leave that was unlawfully stopped by government in 2016 and successfully challenged in a labour court by Ptuz. Denying teachers vacation leave is not only discriminatory but also degrading and treating teachers in a servitude manner.
-Ensuring that schools are politics free zones and thus guarantee that they are terrains for effective teaching and learning processes.
– The establishment of collective bargaining as envisaged in section 65 of our Constitution.

Teachers across the country and across the Union divide have spoken and we can firmly confirm that we have served the gocernment with a notice to go on industrial action from the beginning of second term today. We cannot continue to accept cold and calculated educational vandalism. Neither can we trust the future of our children to poverty stricken and hungry teachers. While we are dedicated to serving the nation, we should remind the government that we are not slaves but workers who deserve better treatment from the employer in order to play our crucial role as the engines of National development. As teachers we cannot continue to watch a game we should be playing. The quest for better living and working conditions is our concern.

Even at this 11th hour we urge government to do the most honourable thing for the nation by engaging FOZEU leaders in order to address legitimate demands of teachers. At the same time we are aware that the government banks on intransigence, irresponsibility and threats, but we certain don’t eat threats. We have nothing to fear except fear itself. At any rate cowards die several deaths before their actual death. The history of Zimbabwe is pregnant with brave men and women as well as youths who were looked down upon but liberated many souls. Teacher’s are no exception as a critical national force. We urge teachers to sharpen their instruments of combat for a protracted showdown for a legitimate national cause. Let this cause not be misconstrued for anything other than a labour conflict. Perhaps the so few who always attack teachers for doing so much with so little will respect us.

Viva Ptuz Viva
Venceremos

Dr Takavafira Zhou (President)
Raymond Majongwe (SG)

By Paul Nyathi

Dynamos 2 (Marufu 71′ Moyo 77′)
Bulawayo City 1 (Ncube 73′)

Dynamos football club finally registered their first win of the season by beating Bulawayo City at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Three goals in a space of seven minutes were the only highlights of the otherwise very drab match.

Dynamos won possession in the center circle and Marufu released Makaha who swept past Hamfrey Ncube, Makaha then cut it back into the goal area where Marufu obliged with a first time grass cutter that Kumwala intelligently let go through his legs into the nets to put Dynamos ahead.

But the saying that a team is always vulnerable after scoring proved true when right from the resumption Mateyaunga was forced into a fine save but the rebound fell to Chrispen Ncube who had simple tap in. He however looked suspiciously offside when the initial shot come

Dynamos who were sensing blood kept probing and from a position he had banged his first Dembare goal Marufu was fouled by Mudzingwa.

Upstepped Blessing Moyo with a textbook freekick. Sasha simply passed it in with a curling shot.

This time once Dembare regained the lead their game management was better. They could have added another with a bit of precision.

Mutasa started with Man Of The Match Godfrey Mukambi in defense with Obey Mwerahari and Marshal Machazane completing a three man central defense.

Mandiranga and young Panashe played as wide wingers on either side of Dembare’s formation. Dhemere probed while Blessing Moyo and James Marufu fortified the midfield.

Quality who was a passenger partnered Kumwala.

By Paul Nyathi|The government has warned teachers of dismissal if they go ahead with their plans to go on strike when schools open next week.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavhima made the warning to the teachers in a statement on Saturday saying authorities will not allow the situation in the education sector to degenerate into chaos.

On Friday, the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Union resolved to withdraw its members from work on May 8 to push for a salary review and reinstatement of vacation leave.

Recently, public sector nurses went on a nationwide strike that crippled the country’s health delivery system and government responded by dismissing the striking nurses from employment and were all asked to reapply if they still wanted their jobs back.

Minister Mavhima said schools will open despite the threats of a strike by educators.

He said: “The pressure that these unions are attempting to put on Government should be viewed in the correct context; that of trying to follow the same route taken by doctors and, more recently, nurses.

“As Government we have always engaged unions when it comes to the issues of the welfare of teachers.

“As a matter of fact, we are sitting down with them on Wednesday as part of the ongoing engagement process.”

The minister said unions should understand that Government was working on reviving the economy which will translate to better conditions of service for its workers.

“The unions need to understand that this is a new administration focused on reviving the economy and every patriotic Zimbabwean should work with Government to help in the efforts to revive the economy,” he said.

“This is so because when the economy grows, the working conditions of all workers and not only teachers will gradually improve.

“However, from Government’s side there is little scope for improvement of remuneration because of the financial situation. The Ministry of Finance has no capacity at the moment to improve their salaries.

“The education sector employs the highest number of people in the civil service, which makes it difficult to have a wholesale review of their salaries given the financial problems we are facing.

“The education sector is an essential service such as the health sector, and according to the country’s laws, it is illegal to withdraw a service in that sector.

“This is the message I will tell them when we meet on Wednesday because they cannot hold the whole nation at ransom.

“There are those who are saying schools will not open, engaging in an industrial action and forcing schools to close are two different things.

“It is illegal to forcibly close schools.

“As Government we are giving an express assurance that schools will open.

“Government will take appropriate disciplinary measures against those who will partake in the illegal industrial action.”

However, some elements leading the teachers were adamant that they will embark on the proposed job action.

Terrence Mawawa,Masvingo| The ruling party Zanu PF has seized council properties to use them as polling centres during its primary elections, it has emerged.

Council sources have revealed the revolutionary party has not paid a single cent to use the properties.

” Zanu PF is using City Council properties for its primary elections and nothing has been paid to the local authority.

Political parties are supposed to hire council facilities like Mucheke Hall,Civic Centre Hall,Building Brigade and schools,” council sources said.

By Own Correspondent| A driver has been found dead in a disturbing accident while carrying a coffin from South Africa. The accident happened near Mvuma and the latest pictures ZimEye reveals below show the coffin split open without the body. The body was found cast out of the container. A comment from the police was not possible at the time of writing. PICTURES:

By Paul Nyathi|Vice President Constantino Chiwenga says that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is delaying the announcement of the election date.

Speaking in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the official opening of the just ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Friday, Chiwenga said that government and the party are ready for the elections.

” President Mnangagwa is ready for the elections and even ready to announce the election date but is being delayed by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission,” he said.

ZEC officers however say it is President Mnangagwa instead who must proclaim an election date.

“As soon as ZEC is done the president will announce the election date.”

ZEC is still invoiced in finalising the voters roll after undertaking an intensive voter registration exercise using the new biometric voter registration process.

According to the constitution, President Mnangagwa should have proclaimed the election date at least by the 28th of April.

Since the date has not yet been proclaimed, Mnangagwa now has the last thirty days within which he is expected proclaim the date.

Zimbabwe’s last election was held on the 31st of July 2018 with this election expected to be held by the 22nd of August at the latest.

By Paul Nyathi|Thousands of Zanu-PF supporters will on Sunday cast their votes at more than 3 000 polling stations across the country to elect candidates who will represent their party in the forthcoming harmonised elections in July.

A total of 3 250 polling stations have been set up for voting which is expected to start at 7am and end at 5.30 pm. Aspiring candidates yesterday held their last round of joint campaign rallies in different parts of the country, in line with the party’s new format for campaigns.

In a statement availed to our Harare Bureau yesterday, the party’s national political commissar Lieutenant General (Retired) Dr Englebert Rugeje said: “All polling stations are expected to open for business on Sunday 29 April 2018, commencing at 0700 hours and closing at 1730 hours. Counting and collation of results will start immediately after closure of voting and results will be announced to those present.

A copy of the results will be posted at the polling station. Polling station results will be forwarded to the Administrative Elections Management Centre where Parliamentary, Senatorial, Women’s Quota and Provincial Council results will be announced.”

“The results will be forwarded to the Provincial Elections Management Centre for onward transmission to the National Elections Management Centre at the party headquarters in Harare. Final results are expected to be announced by the national elections commission chairman on Monday 30 April at 1600 hours.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended the Auditor General Mildred Chiri’s tenure.

This was announced in a Government Gazette on Friday. Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa announced Mrs Chiri’s term of office has been extended to February 2023, after Parliament approved her nomination by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Chiri was last year briefly removed by President Mr Robert Mugabe who attempted to replace her with former Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) General manager Mr Mike Ndudzo. That move was rejected by Parliament and Chiri was soon reinstated.

The notice reads:

“It is hereby notified, in terms of section 310 (1) as read with section 340(1)(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) of 2013, that the President, with the approval of Parliament, has reappointed Mildred Chiri as Auditor-General with effect from 26th February, 2017, for a period of six (6) years ending 25th February 2023.”

By Farai D Hove| The convicted fraudster and ZESA cash swindler, Wicknell Chivayo has said he will be joining politics under ZANU PF.

Chivayo said he wants to contest for a parliamentary seat under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership.

He said this as he shared the below graphic. FULL TEXT: