By Paul Nyathi|Chief Fortune Charumbira has been elected as the SADC candidate in the next Pan African Parliament presidency elections.

Charumbira a self confessed die hard ZANU PF loyalist is the chairman of the Zimbabwe Chiefs Council and leads traditional leaders in the Senate House.

The PAP elections are due next year and SADC is pushing for rotational leadership in line with the AU principles.

Charumbira was officially unveiled as the candidate of the region at a short ceremony in Harare on Monday morning attended by African diplomats accredited to Harare.

By Paul Nyathi|Chimurenga music guru Dr Thomas Mapfumo on Sunday caught residents of Bulawayo’s old suburb of Mzilikazi by surprise when he visited his in laws in the township.

The highly followed legendary musician nearly caused a stampede in the township and the Bulawayo city centre when he visited his in-laws to express his condolences following the death of his mother-in-law last month.

He was accompanied by his wife, Verna (nee Dangarembga), children and his publicist, Blessing Vava.

The family first stopped at the Bulawayo City Hall along Fife Street where they bought flowers to take to Athlone Cemetery where their mother was buried.

Speaking in a snap interview with journalists, Mukanya, as he is affectionately known, said that he fled the country unceremoniously two decades ago due to persecutions from then President Robert Mugabe.

He said that he would not have returned to Zimbabwe if Mugabe’s administration was still in power.

“I was accused of crimes that I did not commit because of my candidness. I was speaking the truth but most people did not want to hear the truth. Those who want to develop the country should listen to the truth. If you listen to lies, it’s not good. We only came back home after the removal from office of this old man (President Mugabe). If he was still in office we wouldn’t be here,” he said.

Mapfumo said that while he was away on exile he greatly missed Zimbabwe, especially his friends, relatives and Zimbabwean food.

“I missed my relatives and friends greatly. I missed them a lot. As you know it’s been long since I was last here. I spent many years away. We couldn’t come back because of the previous administration. It was difficult for us,” he said.

“I missed sadza a lot, you know sadza shapes us as a people. Our beef tastes so good because its organic food unlike the stuff we eat in the USA. In America they mostly eat junk food. Even my kids were missing home greatly. They are so happy. One of them is now 21 years old. She was only two years when we left Zimbabwe, hence she cannot speak Shona. She can understand the language though. But it should not be like that, a child of our clan failing to speak our language,” he said.

Mapfumo will hold his first music concert at the Glamis Arena in Harare on Saturday. He promised his fans fireworks at the show. Fans will also get time to sample Mukanya’s forthcoming 10-track album Chauya chauya.

The Chimurenga music guru expressed regret that he won’t be able to play for his fans in other cities due to time constraints.

He, however, assured fans that he will make amends in his next trips as it was now easy for him to visit the country regularly after President Emmerson Mnangagwa came into office.

Press Statement|Fellow Zimbabweans and to particularly the activists and women that I am an affiliate to in the struggle against gross violation of human rights and oppression of women, all Retrenched and Terminated Employees and to all my brothers and sisters graduating in to the streets, I greet you all in the name of land of a good life that we are marching towards. Yesterday I made a bold step to become part of a movement whose vision and mission is compatible with my desires as a woman in Zimbabwe. My desire is to see the absence of people seated before a round table, u shaped or in any form, discussing the issues of women emancipation or gender discrimination. In the 21st Century these shouldn’t be discussed at all. It should just be automatic that women have an equal and important role in the decision making processes of a nation. My vision is to see us women equally yoked to our God given partners, who are none other than menfolk in pursuit of prosperity in our nation.

Religious personnel would agree with me that God himself could not allow a world of men but a world of both men and women, because of that women were created as the rightful, fitting and important human capital to assist men in partnering with them in all spheres of life. And not only to be co- partners but even to excel and lead from the front. Reading in history we have many examples who did well and notably well. Their lives give us women faith today that we can rise up and ensure that there is real change that we desire for ourselves and more importantly for our children’s children.

I am coming from a background of labour. I spent most of my working adult life in the NRZ where i was at the forefront of leading protests and strikes in the endeavour to uphold and defend the rights and interests of workers. My last occupation was a job that was strictly considered men’s job. While in that occupation I drew inspiration that nothing that men can do may not be done by women.

After the termination of my employment through the infamous Supreme Court ruling dubbed Zuva Judgement I moved into activism. I shall not dwell much on that since the internet is awash with all the activities that I was part of from 2015 to date including my unjust incarceration by the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Having mingled and networked with so many people who were fighting for and continue to fight for socio political development and socio economic stabilisation, I declared my interest to represent the people of Harare Central as an independent candidate. That decision was informed by many things. I didn’t want to tow any party line that didn’t subscribe to fundamental labour and human rights nor to follow personalities. I value principles. However, there are issues that are beyond the constituency. National issues that I cannot push alone eg. labour rights, Socioeconomic justice and equality. These issues go beyond my constituency and have been troubling me for a while. For that reason i began the search for political institutions that I could become part of, it is unfortunate that at that time there was none that impressed me.

I believe corporate bodies must have institutional intelligence and a clear vision that is owned by the people and that is not personallised. A question can then be asked, have I found one!

In studying the life of Dr Thokhozani Khupe, there are certain weaknesses that I found at first. Not only at first sight but over a period of time. In the process of time, I saw her weaknesses being turned into courage, boldness and a fearlessness coupled to a woman of vision. Her vision and Team vision are compatible. They dovetail with the purpose for which I exist. My desires – emancipation of women and creation of prosperity in a society where women are not only equal to men, but both make use of, and create opportunities to excel above the men not just from competition but from merit and virtue. At this stage the life of Dr Thokhozani Khupe could be said it is headed for the direction where she has become a capable, intelligent and virtous woman, a patriotic military advisor like Deborah, a woman of constancy like Ruth, the ideal mother like Hannah, hospitable as the Shunamite, a revealor of secrets to National leaders like Huldah and even more than Queen Esther the woman who risked sacrificing her life for her people. This excellence has been seen in her commitment to fight breast cancer, and practical life devoted to the cause of women emancipation and to confront patriarchal dominance peacefully and insisting on what rightfully belongs to her which those that scoff at the guiding constitutions and tenets of life wanted to wrest from her. It is because of that practical devotion that permeated all relationships in her life that I am here today.

Indeed I have found a political home with the MDCT led by Thokozani Khupe.

#TogetherWeCan #ChinjaMaitiro

I thank you

Linda Tsungirirai Masarira

By Paul Nyathi|Just when Zimbabweans were thinking that the message from nurses and doctors will sink into the spendthrift ZANU PF government, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has purchased hundreds of motorbikes for his election campaign.

The motorbikes all clearly marked with the ZANU PF election campaign messages, come shortly after the ruling party purchased hundreds of latest model 4X4 vehicles for the campaigns.

Doctors and nurses at governmemt hospitals recently went on a very crippling job action demanding government to equip hospitals and improve their working conditions.

The job action left scores of people dead at the hospitals.

Zimbabweans throughout the country took swipe at the government for failing to prioritise its expenditure by failing to fund the health sector while millions of dollars are splashed into the ZANU PF campaign programmes.

The implementation of mega deals signed between Zimbabwe and China during President Mnangagwa’s recent visit to Beijing, China, received a boost yesterday with the arrival of a high-powered delegation from China’s National Reform and Development Commission to train locals in the requisite skills to execute them.

The team is led by Madam Song Gongmei, who is the deputy director-general of the International Centre of the National Reform and Development Commission.

Yesterday, the team met Vice President Constantino Chiwenga at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare before later signing an agreement with the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda on the skills capacitation programme.
The training of Government officials starts today.

Speaking to journalists after the signing ceremony, Dr Sibanda said: “We have just received a high-powered delegation from the People’s Republic of China from an institution called the National Reform and Development Commission of China which is a think tank responsible for the dynamic and far reaching reforms in China since 40 years ago.

“They have come to us following an earlier agreement we signed with them in 2015 as we were conceptualising the establishment of special economic zones and other areas which could fast track our development programmes. They are coming now on the heels of His Excellency President Mnangagwa’s successful State visit to China. They have been mandated by their Government to follow up and try to actualise those deals that have been signed by proffering the necessary capacitation in terms of skills. That is the essence of the agreement we signed. They will be training us in various areas so that we move forward in in terms of implementation and that is why you saw quite a number of colleagues from ministries and officials from State enterprises.”

Dr Sibanda said it was no longer business as usual in Government as efforts were being intensified to achieve the President’s vision to make Zimbabwe a middle income economy by 2030.

“As said by the President, it’s business unusual. We managed to call people on a Sunday for this occasion. That signifies the importance of this phase in terms of fast-tracking our development to achieve the goals of middle income vision as enunciated by His Excellency the President.”

During President Mnangagwa’s visit to China, the two countries signed various agreements.
Finance and Economic Development Minister, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, signed agreements on economic and technical co-operation between the Chinese government and Zimbabwe.

He also signed more agreements on food assistance, the supply of high performance computers Phase 2, availability of experts from China in various fields and the drilling of an additional 500 boreholes to Zimbabwe.

A similar number have already been drilled with assistance from China.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister General Sibusiso Moyo (Retired) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on human resources development on behalf of the Public Service Commission in the presence of President Mnangagwa and his host President Xi Jinping.

Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri signed an MOU for the construction of Kunzvi Dam while Ministry of Local Government principal director Colonel Joseph Mhakayakora (Retired) also signed an MOU on the rehabilitation and expansion of Harare waterworks.- state media

A CHIVI serial rapist serving an effective 72 years in jail for eight counts of rape said he hid in a mountain, large sums of money that he found in his house every day after he was initiated into satanism.
Charles Matanga Magombedze alias Gora (32) of Chikova Village under headman Madzivire was recently convicted of several counts of rape by Masvingo regional magistrate Mrs Dudzai Malunga.

She sentenced him to 76 years in prison and suspended four years on condition of good behaviour.

The convict stunned the court when he pleaded with the magistrate to sentence him to death saying he was being tormented by evil spirits after being initiated into satanism.

Magombedze was back in court last Thursday facing another 11 counts of attempted rape, attempted murder and murder in connection with the death of one of his victims.

Appearing before Masvingo provincial magistrate Mr Langton Ndokera, on Thursday Magombedze pleaded guilty to all the charges. He said he had a bag containing some juju that helped him evade police.
Magombedze narrated to the court, how he was initiated into satanism by an unnamed church.
“I hid large sums of money in a mountain and I would want to ask permission from the court, to go and take that money. I am afraid, it can be destroyed by termites,” said Magombedze.

“I was initiated into satanism when I was in South Africa way back in 2009. I was given a clay pot containing some concoctions which I was supposed to keep in my room while pouring some milk in it every day. I would do that every morning and would find the pot full of wads of rand notes.

“A prophet from this church (name supplied) who had given me the pot had advised me against engaging in sex with any woman, for a period of six months but I could not religiously follow this.”

Magombedze said it was when he violated the “commandments” that he was instructed, by the same prophet, to have sex with 500 women and suck blood from all his victims so as to retain his “wealth”.
Prosecutor, Mr Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa said between December 2017 and February this year, Magombedze allegedly attempted to rape 11 of his victims that included a 14-year-old juvenile, in Chivi and Masvingo districts. -state media

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has pledged leadership by consensus as he works to transform Zimbabwe’s economy. In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, the President hailed Zimbabweans for their resilience, saying their commitment and talent were bigger than minerals sought by investors in the country.

President Mnangagwa said his Government wants citizens to enjoy their rights, with individuals free to speak their mind.

“Our country needs leadership by consensus. Our leaders must listen to the people and heed their advice and listen to their voices, the voices of a liberated, unified and free people. I am honoured to be your servant as together we lead our nation, liberate ourselves and those around us anew and restore the legacy of our great nation,” he said.

The President said in engaging international investors pursuing interests in the country, he was proud to talk about Zimbabweans.

“When I travel abroad and greet foreign guests in Zimbabwe, many want to talk about our natural resources and potential for investment. I tell them that our greatest natural resource is our hardworking and talented people,” he said.

“I tell them that if they join me in having faith and investing in our people they will reap the greatest of dividends. I tell them Zimbabwe is a rich nation with enormous and untapped potential.

“Not because of the lithium under our ground or the soil beneath our feet, but in our minds and imagination as we develop our ICT industry, in our hands as we craft and manufacture, and in our hearts as we push harder to complete the task facing us.”

President Mnangagwa said despite going through various challenges in the country, Zimbabweans had never lost hope or become exhausted in dealing with their circumstances. He said Operation Restore Legacy proved that Zimbabwe could move forward from difficult times without bloodshed, acrimony or revenge.

The President said every Zimbabwean should feel obliged to build the country by leading by example in everything they do. “It is our task now to lead our nation forward to a new and exciting chapter, but we must do it carefully, constructively and with deep compassion,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said it was encouraging that citizens had a renewed optimism about the country’s future. “Now that we have taken back our future, we look at our children and grandchildren with renewed hope and energy. The sparkle of optimism for our nation has returned to our eyes and theirs,” said the President.

“This will be the legacy we leave to our children and future generations.” – state mediaa

It looks like the President’s recent visit to  China is proving to be bearing some fruits as yesterday a high powered delegation from  China’s National Reform and Development Commission to train locals in the required skills arrived in the country.

Madam Song Gongmei, who is the deputy director-general of the International Centre of the National Reform and Development Commission is leading the team.

On arrival yesterday, the team met Vice President Constantino Chiwenga at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare before later signing an agreement with the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda on the skills capacitation programme.

The training of Government officials starts today.

Speaking to journalists after the signing ceremony, Dr Sibanda said: “We have just received a high-powered delegation from the People’s Republic of China from an institution called the National Reform and Development Commission of China which is a think tank responsible for the dynamic and far reaching reforms in China since 40 years ago.

“They have come to us following an earlier agreement we signed with them in 2015 as we were conceptualising the establishment of special economic zones and other areas which could fast track our development programmes. They are coming now on the heels of His Excellency President Mnangagwa’s successful State visit to China. They have been mandated by their Government to follow up and try to actualise those deals that have been signed by proffering the necessary capacitation in terms of skills. That is the essence of the agreement we signed. They will be training us in various areas so that we move forward in in terms of implementation and that is why you saw quite a number of colleagues from ministries and officials from State enterprises.”

Dr Sibanda said it was no longer business as usual in Government as efforts were being intensified to achieve the President’s vision to make Zimbabwe a middle income economy by 2030.

“As said by the President, it’s business unusual. We managed to call people on a Sunday for this occasion. That signifies the importance of this phase in terms of fast-tracking our development to achieve the goals of middle income vision as enunciated by His Excellency the President.”

During President Mnangagwa’s visit to China, the two countries signed various agreements.

Finance and Economic Development Minister, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, signed agreements on economic and technical co-operation between the Chinese government and Zimbabwe.

He also signed more agreements on food assistance, the supply of high performance computers Phase 2, availability of experts from China in various fields and the drilling of an additional 500 boreholes to Zimbabwe.

A similar number have already been drilled with assistance from China.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister General Sibusiso Moyo (Retired) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on human resources development on behalf of the Public Service Commission in the presence of President Mnangagwa and his host President Xi Jinping.

Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri signed an MOU for the construction of Kunzvi Dam while Ministry of Local Government principal director Colonel Joseph Mhakayakora (Retired) also signed an MOU on the rehabilitation and expansion of Harare waterworks. – state media

On his Facebook page on Saturday President Mnangagwa praised Zimbabweans for their resilience saying their talents were bigger than minerals sought by investors in the country.

The President has pledged leadership by consensus as he works to transform Zimbabwe’s economy. He said his Government wants citizens to enjoy their rights, with individuals free to speak their mind.

“Our country needs leadership by consensus. Our leaders must listen to the people and heed their advice and listen to their voices, the voices of a liberated, unified and free people. I am honoured to be your servant as together we lead our nation, liberate ourselves and those around us anew and restore the legacy of our great nation,” he said.

The President said in engaging international investors pursuing interests in the country, he was proud to talk about Zimbabweans

“When I travel abroad and greet foreign guests in Zimbabwe, many want to talk about our natural resources and potential for investment. I tell them that our greatest natural resource is our hardworking and talented people,” he said.

“I tell them that if they join me in having faith and investing in our people they will reap the greatest of dividends. I tell them Zimbabwe is a rich nation with enormous and untapped potential.

“Not because of the lithium under our ground or the soil beneath our feet, but in our minds and imagination as we develop our ICT industry, in our hands as we craft and manufacture, and in our hearts as we push harder to complete the task facing us.”

President Mnangagwa said despite going through various challenges in the country, Zimbabweans had never lost hope or become exhausted in dealing with their circumstances. He said Operation Restore Legacy proved that Zimbabwe could move forward from difficult times without bloodshed, acrimony or revenge.

The President said every Zimbabwean should feel obliged to build the country by leading by example in everything they do. “It is our task now to lead our nation forward to a new and exciting chapter, but we must do it carefully, constructively and with deep compassion,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said it was encouraging that citizens had a renewed optimism about the country’s future. “Now that we have taken back our future, we look at our children and grandchildren with renewed hope and energy. The sparkle of optimism for our nation has returned to our eyes and theirs,” said the President.

“This will be the legacy we leave to our children and future generations.”- state media.

 

Terrence Mawawa

MDC Deputy Treasurer General Charlton Hwende has described ousted vice president Thokozani Khupe as a daydreamer.

Below is Hwende’ s statement:
The purported MDC-T Congress held today(yesterday) by the expelled former MDC vice president Thokozani Khupe has demonstrated that whilst Khupe talks about Constitutionalism daily she has today willingly to violated every clause in the MDC T Constitution in a futile attempt to install herself as the party president.

The so called Congress was not properly convened as provided for and the National Council did not meet to either authorize the Congress or approve the agenda.

Hundreds of people were bussed from Harare, Masvingo and Bulawayo and were given free T shirts and money to pose as Congress Delegates.

As a result some of the people elected into her Standing Committee are not even members of the MDC-T.

It is abundantly clear that Khupe and Group have formed a new party.

The party constitution clearly spells out who attends our congress.

Article 6.2 The Congress

6.2.1 The Congress shall be the supreme organ of the Party and shall be composed as follows:

(a)All members of the National Council, (b) All members of the National Executive of Women; (c) All members of the National Executive of Youth and 30 members of the Students’ Council. (d) All members of the Provincial Executive Committee. (e) The Chairperson, Secretary, Organising Secretary and Treasurer from each District Executive Committee, (f)The Chairperson, Secretary , Treasurer and Organising Secretary at Provincial and District levels of the National Assemblies of Women and Youth. (g) The Chairperson of each Ward Executive Committee. (h) All the party’s elected members of the House of Assembly , Mayors and Chairperson of each Ward Executive Committee.

These are the people and structures required to attend a congress in terms of our constitution.

Another violation of the Constitution was in convening the so Called Congress

6.2.5 An extra-ordinary Congress may be called:

(a) By a simple majority vote of the National Council or two thirds of the National Executive which vote shall be conducted by a secret ballot. The National Council or National Executive never met simply because the Khupe group controls less than 3% of the members (b) Upon the written request received from at least one-third of the members entitled to attend the Congress submitted to the Secretary- General No Such request was ever received by the SG or his Deputy. The SG was in Kotwa today addressing a rally on behalf of President Chamisa (c)Upon the written request received from at least two-thirds of the Provincial Councils submitted to the Secretary-General Again no request was received because Khupe has no control of a single Province including the Bulawayo Provincial Executive Council led by Chairman Banda

6.2.6 A notice convening an Extra-Ordinary Congress Shall be sent to all members entitled to attend and to each branch by the National Council at least one month before the date of the meeting. No such Notice was ever received by any of the bona Fide Congress Delegates

6.2.7 The quorum of the Congress shall be two-thirds of the members entitled to attend, provided that if one hour after the stipulated time for commencement a quorum is not reached, the meeting will proceed subject to decisions thereat being approved by an Extra-Ordinary Congress called by the National Council six months of the date of the inqourate Congress. Clearly there was no Quorum even of the bussed non MDC Members as clearly less than 1000 people were in attendance. The MDC Congress Full Complement is 5400 Delegates

Chalton Hwende

MDC Deputy Treasurer General

By Paul Nyathi|Underfire Dynamos Football Club coach Lloyd Mutasa has told the multitude of Dynamos fans calling on him to step to go and hang.

Mutasa’s comments were revealed by Dynamos social media fan page Dembare dotcom in a post shortly after the team went down by a goal to nil to bitter rivals CAPS United on Sunday afternoon.

“News we have just received is that under fire Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa has refused to step down, and instead he blasted the fans calling for his dismissal, telling them to go hang,” said the highly reliable social media page.

Mutasa is quoted saying, “I’m not a player, do you expect me to get in the field and score goals? Those fans should go hang I was not appointed by them.”

The Glamour Boys are experiencing their worst ever start to the premiership lying second from the bottom of the log with no win after seven games.

Dynamos has lost to both their traditional rivals Highlanders and CAPS United a fit that never settles well with their millions of fans.

The fans have been involved in mini skirmishes with the police after almost all their home games this season as they bay for the head of coach Lloyd Mutasa.

Across the borders in South Africa, Kaizer Chiefs fans on Saturday set on fire a section of Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban damaging property worth over R5 Million and injured scores of people as they protested their team’s poor results demanding coach Steve Khompela to resign.

The Dynamos executive committee would not comment on the matter and Mutasa’s future in the club.

Terrence Mawawa

The usually calm and composed Health Minister David Parirenyatwa has blamed MDC leader Nelson Chamisa for politicising the Nurses’ industrial action.

Parirenyatwa slammed opposition politicians’ use of hospitals as campaigning venues.

Parirenyatwa made the remarks after MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, yesterday choreographed a visit to public hospitals to “push his political agenda,” according to The Sunday Mail.

The Health Minister said: “I am very much against those who come to health institutions and use the hospitals to drive their political motives because a hospital is a high security area and the patients should be well protected at all costs.

“The hospital is also an area of confidentiality and therefore one cannot just come and invade the privacy of patients like that.

Lastly, the hospital is a sacred place where people are treated and where some die and therefore not a political play ground. That must come to an end.”

Terrence Mawawa

MDC supporters have defended cornered Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora whose daughter Isabel is an integral member of the Thokozani Khupe camp.

Yesterday Mwonzora was attacked for letting her daughter “rebel against the main camp.”

However Mwonzora vehemently argued that he did not have the mandate to control the political activities of his daughter.

MDC stalwarts are not happy with the fact that Mwonzora’ s daughter is aligned to the Khupe camp.

Charlie Jones yesterday wrote on Twitter: “Leave Mwonzora alone, everyone of us has relatives in Zanu PF and other parties.”

“Stop besmirching Mwonzora what has he done?” wrote Leader Chinja on Facebook.

Terrence Mawawa

An official in the MDC faction led by Thokozani Khupe has sensationally claimed that Nelson Chamisa who leads the movement’ s main faction is being used by Zanu PF to destroy the opposition party.

Patson Murimoga, the Youth Organising Secretary yesterday said: ” MDC T has held a successful congress. MDC T has called for an important congress to elect a new leadership after the sad loss of our founding president Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

It has been a tough moment where greedy elements eyeing the party leadership position have introduced violence and unconstitutionalism in our democratic institution. The same elements are 100℅ percent Zanu PF.

May I first salute all the delegates who attended the event.”

He added :” This gesture reflects a national representation which is in solidarity with the party and our leader president Dr Thokozani Khupe.

May I take this opportunity to thank the people of Zimbabwe in MDC T for the trust they have shown in me by electing me to the position National Youth Organising Secretary.

The cabal is in panic mode.
Zimbabwe is going to enjoy the return of democratic leadership where elections will determine political leaders not imposition and violence.

By introducing violence into a democratic institution like MDC T the cabal has shown serious disrespect of the founding principles.

As a youth organiser I shall run across the nation educating our electorate about the importance of wise participation in this election.”

By Paul Nyathi| As the debate continues on the controversial purchasing of disused and decommissioned passenger jets from Malaysia, former President Robert Mugabe’s son- in-law Simba Chikore has said he is doing a service to the country on the Zimbabwe Airways project and is not on a self-enrichment exercise.

Chikore, has been at the forefront of setting up Zim Airways, an airline the government claims was being established to complement the struggling Air Zimbabwe.

Transport minister Jorum Gumbo and Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa have failed to explain the rationale behind the setting-up of the airline amid speculation it was a Mugabe family venture.

However, Chikore is quoted by the weekly Standard on Saturday saying Mugabe was not involved in the setting-up of the airline and that he was only providing technical expertise.

“That’s the extent to which we can say the former president was involved. When you talk about me, I am a professional and I am not going to go around trying to defend myself, people will know the truth and people are smart enough,” he said.

“If people are interested they can go to the registrar of companies to see who owns the company, they’ll see the CR40, they’ll see the CR6, they will see the stakeholder, and my name is not there.

“The company itself belongs to the government of Zimbabwe, the proof is there and it’s public knowledge.

“I don’t have to go loud and say they are not my planes. In fact, where would I get that kind of money to buy the aircraft?”, he reportedly said.

His comments come amid complaints that the government of Zimbabwe wasted over 40 million dollars buying the passenger aircraft, without adequate research and consultation on the usability thereof. The revelations will now bring to the fore questions on who exactly was behind the dodgy deal.

By Paul Nyathi|A young female security guard is battling for her life in hospital after she was badly beaten and abused by rioting South African football giants Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday night at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

A teenage ball boy and scores of other innocent spectators were also injured while over R5 million of property was also damaged in the process as the angry Kaizer Chiefs fans rioted at the end of the club’s loss in the Nedbank Cup semifinal to Free State Stars.

The security guard, who was set upon by a group of hooligans on the pitch at the end of the game, was severely hurt, hit about the head by objects in full view of helpless stadium security personnel.

Paramedics treated several other injuries amid the lawless carnage as fans set fire to an SABC camera and damaged several others belonging to host broadcaster SuperSport.

Technicians maning the equipment claim that there was at least R2-million’s worth of damage to their equipment, with several items stolen.

A further estimated R3-million of damage was done to audio equipment used for the match entertainment. Speakers around the field were kicked to pieces.

Police and stadium security were overrun as fans invaded the pitch at the end of the game, heading directly for embattled Chiefs coach Steve Komphela, who quit immediately after the game.

Seats and advertising hoardings were ripped out and a fire started on the eastern side of the stadium.

Two cars in the parking lot behind the stadium were also damaged, one belonging to a photographer, Anesh Debiky.

Police fired teargas into the crowd at one stage in an effort to quell the violence.

A small band of Free State Stars supporters were also attacked but got to safety as their club’s general manager Rantsi Mokoena went to their rescue.

At least two hours after the final whistle the pitch was littered with debris as the two teams delayed their departure from the venue until the majority of spectators had been cleared from precinct.

PSL spokesman Lux September condemned the “lawless violence” but a full statement from the league is expected later.

Coach Steve Khompela immediately resigned saying that he is doing so for the good of the game and security of fans.

“We have to cut this culture of ill-discipline and delinquency. I have to be responsible and protect the players and administration, and set an example that this must stop,” said Komphela.

“If it has to stop with me, then it must be so … I am effectively saying to you that I consider it my responsibility to protect everybody at stake.”

The club’s football manager, Bobby Motaung, added: “There has to be a reality check. We are not safe. We must take responsibility and own up and accept the facts. We have always honoured [our] obligations.

“Steve has done a great job for Kaizer Chiefs but unfortunately if it is not meant to be, it is not meant to be. The results are not happening. As a coach he knows we are faced with a serious challenge.

“We have had discussions with the coach and said, let’s do the honourable thing. The coach is stepping down with immediate effect.”

Komphela said football was about results and he was confident he was leaving Chiefs with a framework for the future.

By Paul Nyathi|MDC-T National Executive Committee member Job Sikhala has written a sensational letter to ousted mdct faction leader Thokozani Khuphe requesting her to disband her faction party and return to the mainstream party.

Full letter by Sikhala reads as follows:

Letter to Mama Thokozani Khupe.

I find it difficult to accept the ZANU PF notion that if someone has been overwhelmed by ambition and chose his or her own path you suddenly turn villain. You remain the hero of the modern struggle against the hegemony of ZANU PF rule in our country since your days in the trade union up to the formation of the movement in 1999. We were together on the path to fight for a just society. You still retain my respect and the respect of all those who worked with you on this difficult and audious journey. Let me reassure you that President Nelson Chamisa does not have any hard feelings against you at all. He neither hates you. He is rather dispaired by the path you decided to take

We are all despaired by the path you have taken because we all love you. We know you are one of us and have braved the brutality of this regime. I know that disappointments through the dreams that might not manifest the way we hoped for would end up having people taking decisions through anger. Anger is the greatest weakness of humankind. It’s normal because we did not create anger. The creator of anger knows why he created it. I used to be one of those who could be provoked into raging anger at the twinkle of slightest provocation. I think you know it. Along the path of growth as a human being I decided to divorce myself from anger as it can only bear frustrations and arrogant decisions. The moment when I allow ego to reign supreme against logic I have lost it. The consequences of decisions made out of ego tramples against fate and destiny.

You agree with me and I think if you are honest about it, yesterday’s events at Stanley Square was not an extra ordinary congress as prescribed by Article 6.2.5 of our constitution. It was a gathering of angry people whom we don’t how they thought such a gathering could be a solution to the national cause. We once travelled the same path as you know after we all became angry about the Senate decision in 2005. We were not happy about the attempt to overturn the decision of the National Council that voted to fight against ZANU PF in the newly created Senate then. We allowed anger to reign supreme than let it pass and wait for another day. You know that President Tsvangirai after his Huruyadzo Rally on the midst of rebellion by Renewalists came to my house and asked me to pluck out any anger I had against him and think like a leader and advance the cause of the people of Zimbabwe. This is the day we reconciled and agree to move forward together once more again. Even before his unfortunate demise our great leader Morgan Tsvangirai worked round the clock to reunify the party to its 1999 original. Despite having had differences with Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube you know well he personal approached them and talked the differences out. We are now one happy family back together once more again. On the midst of such joy the actions of yesterday are a huge disappointment to the people of Zimbabwe at large. There are better methods to solve grievances and differences than the path you took yesterday. The path you decided to take yesterday made me return huge respect for Nelson Chamisa. Despite being young he made several attempts to reconcile with you. I know personally that he tried to call you several times on your mobile and you were not picking your phone. I know he made the best effort when he travelled all the way to Bulawayo to come and engage with you. Despite spitting him, he visited you at your Bulawayo residence and asked for your consideration to think big about the bigger picture. We all prayed you would see logic on the attempt to smoke the peace pipe but you spanned it. It is not true that there is tribalism in developments that took place in the party recently. People just chose Chamisa for his appeal only. Nothing more than that. If tribalism truly manifested itself in what was happening I would not have supported it as you know that I am so intolerant and abhor such political disposition.

Zimbabweans are tired for continued suffering on the hands of the ZANU PF regime. They just want to be given a fighting chance against 4 decades of ZANU PF hegemony and dictatorship. It is my humble request and submission that you take a decision bordering on the interests of the people of Zimbabwe and disband whatever happened at Stanley Square yesterday. It’s never too late.
I thank you.

Job Wiwa Sikhala

By Talent Gondo

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association  (ZINA) Bulawayo Province Chapter has appealed to government not to victimize striking nurses in the province indicating willingness to comply with the government directive to go back to work while dialogue continues between the employer and the association.

In a statement issued 21 April 2018 and addressed to all Chief Executive Officers in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, ZINA revealed that the organisation had accepted the proposed US $17,1 million from government  adding that nurses had resolved to return to work with immediate effect.

“As Bulawayo provincial committee, after consultations with our provincial membership at Ingutsheni Hospital on 21 April, the members have agreed to resume duties with immediate effect,” said the ZINA Bulawayo Province.

According to the statement, the Bulawayo chapter reached a consensus that although there are anomalies with allowances, registration system and shortage of resources, we do understand government position, the plight of our nation and patients.

“We therefore accept the offer given by government. We have agreed to resume our duties while negotiations are taking place.

“We however appeal to the government not to victimize our members in the province in their resumption of duty,” said the statement.

The statement was signed by the organisation’s Bulawayo Provincial Chairperson and Secretary and Chairpersons of the ZINA’s Ingutsheni, Mpilo and United Bulawayo Hospitals branches.

 

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By Paul Nyathi|The bereaved family of the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai rushed rushed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday to seek assistance with the burial of the late opposition leader’s sister who died on Friday.

Family spokesperson Garikayi Tsvangirai, son to the late MDC-T leader, revealed to weekend state media that the family had visited President Mnangagwa in their bereavement time and he assisted them with fuel and money to assist bury Miriro Tsvangirai, sister to Morgan.

“We met His Excellency, the President, at his offices at Munhumutapa,” said Garikai Tsvangirai.

“We did not follow the party line on this one because we felt it was for us as children,” he said.

“We had gone there to convey our gratitude as children of the late Mr Tsvangirai. It was a fruitful meeting in which the President promised to own up to all his promises he made before and after our father’s death.

According to the media reports, Garikai Tsvangirai revealed that President Mnangagwa said he would assist the family get a farm through the Minister of Agriculture Lands and Rural Resettlement Perrence Shiri.

President Mnangagwa is reported to be also providing a full scholarship for Morgan Tsvangirai’s daughter, Millicent, through the Minister of State for Government Scholarships in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Christopher Mushohwe.

Morgan Tsvangirai succumbed to cancer of the colon in February in South Africa at age 65 and was buried at his rural home in Buhera through a state financed funeral.

By Talent Gondo

The late MDC T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai’s sister, Miriro (47) who died Friday had been discharged from Parirenyatwa Hospital due to the ongoing nurses’ strike, a development which could have contributed to her death.

According to her brother in an interview with a local publication, Miriro was asthmatic and had heart complications.

“She died at home on Friday after being discharged from Parirenyatwa Hospital due to the strike by nurses,” her brother Manasa told The Standard.

By Paul Nyathi|Human rights activist Linda Masarira caused a major storm in the newly established MDC-T splinter party led by dismissed Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe.

Masarira who is a well known leader of social media movement #tajamuka, was elected as the National Spokesperson for the party with massive resistance from some party members.

The MDC-T members claimed that Masarira was not eligible to contest the standing committee elections of the party as she has not been an active member of the party for the required five years as provided for in the constitution.

Party members who spoke to ZimEye.com on the sidelines of the special congress said that Masarira was imposed into the party by the party leader Khuphe.

“We were shocked to hear that Linda was nominated unopposed for the spokesperson position,” said a member.

“When we saw her in attendance we thought she was only attending in solidarity we didn’t know that she was a nominee for a top position as that of spokesperson,” he said.

Masarira has been a known vocal critic of all the top political parties in the country. She has been preparing to stand this year’s elections as an independent candidate in Harare Central Constituency.

The President of Zimbabwe Mr Mnangagwa has come to the aid of the family of late MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai in the time of difficulties following the opposition leader’s death.

Mr Morgan Tsvangirai who lost the battle  to cancer of the colon passed on at the age of 65  last February in South.

President Mnangagwa met the family at his Munhumutapa offices yesterday, and also pledged to assist them following the death of Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s sister on Friday.

“We met His Excellency, the President, at his offices at Munhumutapa,” said Mr Garikai Tsvangirai.
“We had gone there to convey our gratitude as children of the late Mr Tsvangirai. It was a fruitful meeting in which the President promised to own up to all his promises he made before and after our father’s death.

“We did not follow the party line on this one because we felt it was for us as children,” he said.
The President donated fuel and money for use at the funeral of Mr Garikai Tsvangirai’s aunt.

Mr Garikai Tsvangirai said Agriculture, Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri was handling that matter. President Mnangagwa is providing a full scholarship for Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s daughter, Millicent, and Minister of State for Government Scholarships in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Christopher Mushohwe, is dealing with this issue

The Zimbabwe voters roll has been a controversial issue throughout the rule of  the former president Mugabe, but has been cleaned by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

If indeed it has been cleaned this is paving way for public inspection. 

Further more, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mr Ziyambi Ziyambi says President Emmerson Mnangagwa will proclaim an election date once the final voters roll is ready.

ZEC has a duty to first go on an intensive voter education to help prospective voters with what the inspection process entails.
After the inspection, ZEC will issue a final voters roll and President Mnangagwa will proclaim an election date.

Speaking to the media, Zec Chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said cleaning of data captured during biometric voter registration was complete.

“We are now starting to do the test runs of printing the provisional voters roll. Once we are done with the printing, we will avail the provisional voters roll to the public so that they can inspect their details and make any corrections and raise any queries or objections,” she said.

Voter education would run for two weeks before issuing of the roll, said Justice Chigumba

If Zimbabwe decides to rejoin the  Commonwealth after 15 years when  former President Mugabe pulled out its membership, the UK will show their support.

In 2003 Zimbabwe left the Commonwealth  after the international body criticised the disputed elections and land seizures from white farmers. Speaking today, UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson also praised what he called “impressive progress” made by Mr Mugabe’s successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

However, he said that July’s elections will  give a direction of a new Zimbabwe.

“The Zimbabwe government must deliver the free and fair elections the people of Zimbabwe deserve and which it has promised,” he said.

The Zimbabwe’s new government has said it will invite Western powers to monitor the polls.

David Coltart, a former education minister and MP from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, said he was “appalled” by the Commonwealth’s change of tone towards Zimbabwe given the country’s media restrictions and the recent sacking of thousands of nurses. – state media.

Hloniphani Ncube who is a Mthwakazi activist has said Zanu PF and MDC Alliance among other Shona parties are feeling the pressure of Mthwakazi nationalism.

He went on to say Zanu PF has used the state media with pseudo analysts trying to discredit our nationalism but to NO avail,

They have also put in place CIOs who spend their time monitoring uncontrollable social media but that have not stopped our campaign. On the other hand MDC Alliance is using the same strategy of Zanu PF,” he said.

There is wide spread of rumours that  MDC Alliance judging by its controversial rally where Shonas were bussed to attend the rally. In social media there is this fellow tarnishing the name of Mzilikazi identified as INdebele likaMzilikazi who is trying by all means to force people to vote for the confused MDC Alliance but to no avail. Whatever strategy they might do sizolilwela izwe lethu ngenkani. – state media.

By Paul Nyathi|Human rights activist Linda Masarira caused a major storm in the newly established MDC-T splinter party led by dismissed Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe.

Masarira who is a well known leader of social media movement #tajamuka, was elected as the National Spokesperson for the party with massive resistance from some party members.

The MDC-T members claimed that Masarira was not eligible to contest the standing committee elections of the party as she has not been an active member of the party for the required five years as provided for in the constitution.

Party members who spoke to ZimEye.com on the sidelines of the special congress said that Masarira was imposed into the party by the party leader Khuphe.

“We were shocked to hear that Linda was nominated unopposed for the spokesperson position,” said a member.

“When we saw her in attendance we thought she was only attending in solidarity we didn’t know that she was a nominee for a top position as that of spokesperson,” he said.

Masarira has been a known vocal critic of all the top political parties in the country. She has been preparing to stand this year’s elections as an independent candidate in Harare Central Constituency.

By Talent Gondo

In a twist of events which is set to have adverse ripple effects on their demand for better remuneration and  working conditions, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has called off the ongoing strike by nurses calling on its membership to report for duty this Monday, April 23.

In a statement issued today, the ZINA said the ongoing strike had been highly politicised hence the need for the nurses to go back to work to pave way for the re opening of negotiations and protection of the workers.

“it is highly regretable that our cause for the collective job action has been highly politicised and this has portrayed us in bad light,” said the ZINA.

“To pave way for the re-opening of negotiations and protection of our workers we have decided to call off the industrial action.”

The labour body however indicated that government had not honoured its promise to pay US$17, 1 million to its membership as agreed in the 2010 negotiations adding that government had indicated that they could only pay those on duty.

“If you recall, government said it offered us US$17.1 million payable on 19 April but this promise never came into fruition because they cited that they can only pay those on duty.

Since the announcement summarily dismissing nurses, no negotiations have taken place with the employer because we are deemed dismissed,” read the ZINA statement.

The organisation revealed that a meeting scheduled with the minister did not take place although it did not indicate which minister was supposed to meet the organisation’s leadership.

“Our court application still remains on course and papers have been served to the defendant and we anticipate the court to sit soon to determine our case. We therefore encourage all our members to report for duty on Monday.” said the ZINA.

By Talent Gondo

Former MDC-T Vice President, Thokozani Khupe’s breakaway faction today (Saturday) held its inaugural extraordinary congress in Bulawayo where the party endorsed her candidature as the party’s president and elected the party’s leadership.

Khupe and several other party leaders who landed the posts within the breakaway faction were elected unopposed.

Below is the list of the faction’s leadership:

Thokozani Khupe- President

Obert Gutu – Vice President

Linda Masarira- National Chairperson for Information and Publicity/ Spokesperson

Yvonne Musarurwa- Organising Secretary

Alfred Ncube- Deputy Organising Secretary

Abednigo Bhebhe- National Chairperson

Isabel Mwonzora- Secretary for Youths

Lynette Mudehwe- Secretary General women’s assembly

Nickson Nyikadzino- Secretary General

Dr Samuel Hadebe- Deputy Security General

Chief Ndlovhu- Treasurer

LIVEBLAST – 15:10: Khupe’s aide Abednico Bhebhe has claimed that British and US embassy officials are in attendance. The two white men rose up to the stage and denied they are either British or American. They are rather from the Dutch embassy…

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By Paul Nyathi|The ruling ZANU PF party will today announce its final list of candidates to take part in the party primary elections next month.

The party Politburo on Friday approved a final list of aspiring candidates for the primary elections.

The primary elections are tentatively scheduled for May 5.

Zanu-PF national political commissar Lieutenant-General Engelbert Rugeje (Retired) will chair the Elections Commission that has been tasked to monitor the election process.

The party’s Secretary for Information and Publicity, Simon Khaya Moyo made the announcement on Friday after a politburo meeting.

“The chairperson of the Elections Commission, who is also the national political commissar, Lieutenant-General Engelbert Rugeje (Retired), gave a comprehensive report on the vetting exercise of candidates province by province,” he said.

“These covered senatorial, national assembly, women’s quota, provincial councils and local government councillors.

“The Politburo deliberated on all those disqualified by the vetting process. During the deliberations, some were given the green light to stand in the primaries while some had their disqualification confirmed. All in all, the exercise, though intricate, was a tremendous success.”

Khaya Moyo added:

“The chairman of the Elections Commission will issue a full list of all candidates approved to stand in the primaries tomorrow (today) and will call for a press conference. He will also announce the date for the primary elections.”

The approval of the aspiring candidates came after attempts by some provinces to disqualify thousands of aspiring candidates.

The party leadership then ordered provincial chairpersons to accept all CVs and only make recommendations on contentious candidates.

By Paul Nyathi|At least 15 people among them police officers, are feared dead after a tunnel of a disused mine collapsed on Thursday afternoon at Old Motapa Mine in Bubi District, Matabeleland North Province.

Highly reliable ZimEye.com sources at the mine indicated that five bodies were retrieved from the mine on Friday by fellow miners.

According to the sources at least two of the suspected fifteen people trapped underground could be police officers who had been sent to bring order at the rich mine but resorted to joining the illegal mining activity.

Mining activity at the disused mine intensified a few weeks ago after a 65 year old man hit huge gold harvests when he bravely started digging the mine alone.

Hundreds other illegal panners swarmed the mine after the man got over $30 000 in payouts for his gold. According to the sources the numbers doubled this week leading to fights and an imminent initial collapse of the mine which killed one person last week.

Police officers were dispatched to retain order at the mine but when the officers got there they joined the mining activity which saw the mine encounter the huge collapse on Thursday where at least 15 people are feared dead.

Bubi District Council chief executive, Mr Patson Mlilo told news reporters that a rescue team from How Mine in Esigodini was summoned and rescue operations started around 3PM on Friday.

He said all those trapped were feared dead as they have been lying under the collapsed mine for too long.

“The information we have is that 15 or more people could be trapped underground and our fears are that they could be dead by now. Four panners who were rescued told the police that they left 15 others underground.

Five bodies have been retrieved and we are seeing legs of panners trapped sticking out,” he said.

Mlilo could not confirm community rumours that part of the people trapped underground could have been police officers saying that rescuers from Isabella Mine and How Mine were working with the locals to retrieve the trapped bodies.

Zanu-PF councillor for Ward 8, Herbert Ngwendu confirmed that the police were called in to quell the running battles at the disused mine but surprisingly joined the mining and the situation is becoming worse.

The panners said the army should be called in to bring order at the disused mine before more lives are lost as a result of the dangerous mining activities.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson, Inspector Sipiwe Makonese on Thursday confirmed the death of one illegal miner.

She denied allegations by the villagers that police officers called in to maintain order, had joined the illegal mining.

Last year, 13 police officers were convicted under the Police Act for engaging in illegal gold mining in the same area.

Police prosecutors preferred charges ranging from criminal abuse of office, leaving their posts unattended and engaging in activities which violate the Police Act.

..this is why I am saying Africa should unite because we are Africans…

By Showbiz Reporter| The US fresh-music legend Thomas Mapfumo today sounded out what many interpreted as a GNU between MDC and ZANU PF.

Mapfumo announced that he is currently busy in the studio working on a new album called: “Chauya Chauya!”

Mkanya responding to another question on meeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa said, “I would love to meet him (Mnangagwa)…

“I would love to meet both leaders of the ruling party an the opposition. We are one, we are the same people. You know where we live, there are the democrats and Republicans. If you say bad things about one of them, they will turn against you…We have got to love one another, we are the same people…this is why I am saying Africa should unite because we are Africans…

“We should unite as Africans and build a good future for our children, but it seems most of our leadership they concentrate on stealing, that’s not good for our people.

When asked if you were to meet up Robert Mugabe today, what would you say to him?, Mapfumo said. “I would tell him that what you did you messed up.”

By Paul Nyath|A Bulawayo man has decided to take his life after failing to cope with the harsh economic conditions in the country.

44 year old Never Ndiweni was found hanging on a tree at Madamara Shopping Centre in Mzilikazi Suburb on Friday mid morning.

Family sources told ZimEye.com that the man committed suicide after failing to contain pressure from some members of the family over his failure to get a job and bring food home.

According to the family members this was not the first time that Ndiweni had attempted suicide.

“He has tried it on two previous incidents but all of them failed,” said the family member.

“At one time he tried to hang himself and on another consumed rat poison all of them failing but this time he was very lucky it succeeded,” he said.

Efforts to get a comment from nearby Barbourfields Police were unsuccessful.

Zimbabwe is currently wriggling in an economy with 95% unemployment with an average family surving on $1 per day.

Own Correspondent | A Kambuzuma young man was still hospitalised today in the Intensive Care Unit at Harare Hospital known as kugomo after taking a poisonus substance at home.

The incident happened on Wednesday afternoon.

“As we speak he is battling for his life on intensive care unit,” a source told ZimEye.

The source claimed that the lad have been abused at home.

The name of the poison could not be immediately ascertained at the time of writing.

By Talent Gondo| Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza has ruled that ousted former vice president of the MDC T, Thokozani Khupe’s Constitutional Court application challenging her dismissal from Parliament is urgent hence should be determined by the full bench of the Constitutional Court.

Justice Gwaunza, held the hearing today (Friday) in order to determine whether the matter should be heard on an urgent basis or not.

Obert Gutu, the spokesperson of Khupe’s faction revealed that Justice Gwaunza ruled that the matter was urgent and it should be argued before the full bench of the Constitutional Court.on the 30th of May, 2018.

“Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza has just ruled that Dr.Thokozani Khupe’s Constitutional Court application is urgent. The matter will be argued in open court before a full bench of the ConCourt on May 30, 2018,” said Gutu in a tweet.

The embattled former MDC T Spokesperson revealed that his faction would leave no stone unturned in order to seek justice over the illegal ouster of Khupe from parliament and her sympathisers from MDC T by the party’ s current leader, Nelson Chamisa loyalists.

“We will take this issue to the wire. Nothing will be left to chance.  We are taking absolutely no prisoners,” wrote Gutu.

Khupe, who was the MDC-T Proportional Representation Member of Parliament for Bulawayo was expelled from the National Assembly last week following communication to the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, by the party’s President, Chamisa claiming that she was no longer a member of the party.

In her application through her lawyer Lovemore Madhuku, Khupe challenged her dismissal from parliament accusing the Speaker of Parliament of taking sides and favouring the Chamisa led faction.

Khupe also argued that Parliament had failed to protect her tenure as a Member of Parliament as required by Sections 119(1) and 129 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, when it endorsed her expulsion from the National Assembly.

“My client is the one to first communicate to parliament that there are challenges within the party and it is not fair for parliament to expel her on the basis of a letter. Who wrote that letter? On whose authority was it written,” Khupe’s lawyer, Lovemore Madhuku is on record saying.

MDC-T president and MDC Alliance presidential candidate Adv. Nelson Chamisa this weekend heads for rural Manicaland as part of his thrust to prioritize rural areas in this year’s election campaign.

Tomorrow, the people’s president will address and interact with the people at Kondo business centre in deep rural Chipinge West in Manicaland province. On Sunday, he is off to Ruwangwe business centre in Nyanga North in the same province.

The people’s leader has said his campaign is going rural to enable him to interact with the majority of Zimbabweans who reside in the rural areas.

President Chamisa has addressed well-attended rallies throughout the country, the last ones having been held in Zaka and Bikita in rural Masvingo last week.

Zimbnabweans have largely warmed up to President Chamisa’s promise to bring positive change in the lives of the people. The MDC-T’s policy programme that his government will implement upon winning the next election is anchored on the tripod stands of Transformation, Opportunity and Prosperity.

Various MDC-T leaders and MDC Alliance principals will this weekend be addressing rallies in various rural areas throughout the country to sensitize the country of the imminent positive change that will engulf the country when president Chamisa wins the next election.

Behold the new.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications

Terrence Mawawa

A Beitbridge based teacher was shot by his brother who accused him of having a love affair with his wife.

According to the police in Beitbridge, Partwell Moyo, a teacher at Maladi Primary School in Beitbridge was shot seven times by his brother who accused him of having a sexual relationship with his wife.The incident happened last week.

“Moyo died on the way to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) after being shot seven times by his brother who accused him of having an adulterous affair with his wife.

Moyo’ s brother then fled to South Africa after the incident,” police in Beitbridge said.

By Paul Nyathi|Former South African President Jacob Zuma will be wedding wife number six with reports of him impregnating a twenty four year old lady.

His new bride is stunning Nonkanyiso Chonco.

Chonco confirmed to South African media that she and the elder statesman were set to wed.

“Yes‚ we are getting married‚ but that is all I can say. I need to consult before I give any interviews‚” she told journalists.

Chonco is a director of the Pietermaritzburg-based Nomkhubulwane Culture and Youth Development Organisation‚ aimed at protecting the cultural practices of Zulu maidens.

Reports indicate that Zuma and his family have apparently already paid lobola for her, and both families are understood to be happy with the union.

Zuma celebrated his 76th both day earlier this month.

The former president is also reported to have become a father again after reports indicated that a 24-year-old woman suspected to be Chonco gave birth to his child in a Durban hospital last week.

News24, a South African daily revealed that the child was born at the Busamed Hillcrest Private Hospital last Thursday – Zuma’s birthday.

Zuma is a polygamist who has fathered 22 known children from at least 11 women.

Three independent sources confirmed to News24 that Zuma came to visit his baby under strict security on Thursday night.

“They had to clear the maternity ward for other patients. Hospital staff made it clear that this was strictly confidential,” a source with direct knowledge of the birth told News24.

Ray Zuma, who is related to the former president, confirmed to the media that Zuma was going to wed a woman named Nonkanyiso Chonco.

When asked if Chonco was the same woman who had given birth to a baby earlier this month, Ray Zuma responded by saying: “So?”

“I can’t see why you are interested. When he was still the president, you [the media] were terrorising him, and now you are all of a sudden interested in him.”

When asked about the details of the wedding, he said he was not privy to the details.

“No date has been set yet. Both families must come together to decide on the date. We are still in the pre-nuptial phases of the process.”

Terrence Mawawa

A member of the Zanu PF Women’s League has been fingered in an alleged plot to kill controversial Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba.

There are serious intraparty battles in Buhera South Constituency ahead of the primary elections.

Garikai Muzerengwa a Zanu PF official in the area last week claimed one Kerenia Uta, a member of the ruling party Women’ s League, was given US $ 7000 by some Americans to kill Chinotimba.

Muzerengwa told the court when he appeared before Magistrate Denis Mangosi, he insulted Uta because she was involved in a plot to kill Chinotimba.

Uta filed a police report alleging Muzerengwa had insulted her using unprintable words.

On the other hand Muzerengwa insisted Uta was working with counter revolutionary elements to eliminate Chinotimba.

Trial will continue next week.

Terrence Mawawa

A member of the Zanu PF Women’s League has been fingered in an alleged plot to kill controversial Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba.

There are serious intraparty battles in Buhera South Constituency ahead of the primary elections.

Garikai Muzerengwa a Zanu PF official in the area last week claimed one Kerenia Uta, a member of the ruling party Women’ s League, was given US $ 7000 by some Americans to kill Chinotimba.

Muzerengwa told the court when he appeared before Magistrate Denis Mangosi, he insulted Uta because she was involved in a plot to kill Chinotimba.

Uta filed a police report alleging Muzerengwa had insulted her using unprintable words.

On the other hand Muzerengwa insisted Uta was working with counter revolutionary elements to eliminate Chinotimba.

Trial will continue next week.

Terrence Mawawa

A 29-year- old Gutu woman surprised all and sundry when she murdered her father-in-law following a dispute over an egg.

Police yesterday confirmed the death of an elderly in Mazuru Area, Gutu District following a heated argument that was triggered by the breaking of an egg.

The woman, Susan Gondo was harvesting ripe grain in her field when she heard a strange noise emanating from her hut and she asked her younger sister to check what was transpiring.

“The 81-year-old man entered the kitchen hoping to find something to eat.

He knocked down some plates breaking the egg that was on the shelve in the process.

Upon realising what had happened Gondo took a log and hit her father-in- law on the back of the head.

The elderly man was rushed to Gomba Clinic where she died on admission,” said Acting Masvingo Provincial Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) have warned Tawanda Nyambirai’s Arcturus Mine to stop forthwith his illegal attempt to evict Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) Secretary General, Robson Chere, from his school allocated house.

In an urgent letter addressed to TN Arcturus Gold Mine Chief Executive Officer, the human rights body pointed the fact that Mr Chere was a teacher and not a mine employee and was allocated the house due to that fact.

It is against this background that the purported notice of eviction which was delivered verbally by 3 armed security guards on 19 April 2018 was null and void.

ZLHR warned that any continued victimisation will be met with court action.

By Paul Nyathi|After all the hype by state media and government on the participation of Zimbabwe at the ongoing Commonwealth Heads Of State and Government summit taking place in London, it has emerged that the country will after all not be admitted into the summit in any capacity.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Sibusiso Busi Moyo who is in the United Kingdom representing the country will not be attending any of the summit events after Zimbabwe was denied observer status by the Commonwealth which said that such a status did not exist. 

State media and government had previously reported that Moyo would be attending the summit.

Moyo will however only take advantage of the summit to speak to delegates at the sidelines.

An official from the Brish Embassy in Harare told the weekly publication The Zimbabwe Independent,

“Zimbabwe does not have formal observer status at CHOGM and we understand will not be attending any Commonwealth events. However, Foreign Minister Moyo is welcome in London and we are delighted he will take advantage of the CHOGM to meet a number of key interlocutors in the margins,” said the official.

Zimbabwe left the Commonwealth in December 2003, after former President Robert Mugabe pulled the country out of the organisation when he refused to accept the decision made at the Abuja summit, to maintain Zimbabwe’s suspension indefinitely.

Zimbabwe had been suspended after the country’s 2001 elections were found to be flawed by electoral observers who alleged that there were high levels of politically motivated violence. 

In the process to admit Zimbabwe to the commonwealth, the British foreign minister Boris Johnson will meet Moyo and ministers from neighboring African states for talks on Friday expected to include Zimbabwe’s possible readmittance to the Commonwealth.

Friday’s talks will take place on the sidelines of the summit.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took over when Mugabe quit after nearly four decades in power following a de facto military coup last November, has said he wants Zimbabwe to rejoin the organization of 53 mostly former territories of the British Empire.

Johnson has previously said Zimbabwe’s Commonwealth readmittance would be a “fine and noble aspiration” for both parties, but that it must hold free and fair election first and also prove it meets the organization’s standards on the rule of law, democracy and human rights.

Speaking earlier this week, he praised the country’s progress under Mnangagwa but said there was still much to do.

Terrence Mawawa

Prominent social media analyst Antony Taruvinga yesterday said the dismissal of former MDC vice president Thokozani Khupe was constitutional and legal.

“The MDC-T Constitution as amended by the 2014
Congress gave the president the powers to fire and
hire members of the National Standing Committee.

Khupe was there when the amendment was made.

That amendment was used by Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai
with the support of the National Council to appoint
Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as VPs,” said Taruvinga.

“The National Council has wide powers to
make major and far reaching decisions in between
Congresses.

Those decisions start to operate as
soon as they are made but they need ratification or
nullification by Congress.

In short, National Council
can act on behalf of Congress or can sit as
Congress and make binding decisions.

So, the appointment of Chamisa and Mudzuri as VPs
was done in accordance with the dictates of the
Constitution.”

” Again the appointment of Nelson
Chamisa as substantive President of the MDC-T
was done by an organ of the party with the authority
to make such decisions.

The firing of Khupe was
done in line with the Constitution because the

president in consultation with the National Council
has the powers to hire or fire.

Khupe was no longer attending party meetings and
programs. She was no longer serving the party and
National Council had to act. She only resurfaced
after catching wind of the news of the demise of Dr.
Morgan Tsvangirai and started running around with
the coffin.

She blocked Tsvangirai’s phone number
to avoid communication. Not good at all.

The 210 District Chairpersons endorsed Chamisa as
president together with the 12 Provincial
Chairpersons.

For Khupe’ s Congress to be legal, it has
to be properly constituted otherwise it’s a bogus
Congress,” added Taruvinga.

By Paul Nyathi|Police in Inyathi have shocked the community in the area after officers dispersed to put order in a rich informal mine took over the mine and started mining it themselves.

Sources at the mine revealed that a 65-year-old man discovered the gold and mined it secretly for almost a month before villagers got wind of the mine leading to a gold rush that left one person dead.

“Panners in the area smelt a rat when the old man suddenly started flashing money. He would buy beer for everyone and on one occasion he brought a truckload of beer from Bulawayo — more than 75 kilometres away— which was delivered to his homestead,” said a source.

“Some panners followed him and saw him digging at the mine and word spread, resulting in this gold rush.”

The old man allegedly extracted about 60 grammes of gold every three days and earned more than $25 000 in one month.

More than 300 illegal panners had allegedly invaded Old Motapa Mine in Bubi District following the discovery of huge gold deposits.

Last week, the insecure mine collapsed due to the due to the over subscription killing one person in the process.

Phakamani Ncube (29) of Village 4, Lubanda area, under Chief Mtshana in Inyathi died while his three unidentified colleagues got buried up to their necks after the shaft collapsed when rival gangs invaded the mine on Wednesday last week.

Councillor for the area Herbert Ngwendu said knives are out after police called in to quell running battles among the panners started mining.

“It is disappointing that senior police officers continue to be behind rampant illegal gold mining activities in the district. When I informed them about the invasion last week, I expected them to come and maintain peace, law and order at the mine but instead, mining is continuing with panners informing me that police instructed them to work at night and they are allegedly sharing the proceeds. Mining at night in an unsecured shaft is even more risky and dangerous,” he said.

A number of illegal panners said the army should be called to the site before simmering tensions boil over.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson, Inspector Sipiwe Makonese confirmed the death of one illegal miner but denied that police were now extracting gold from the mine.

“I am not aware of any looting by police, and as far as we are concerned, a police team was deployed at the site to safeguard, monitor and ensure there is peace on site. Investigations will be made,” said Insp Makonese.

“One person died and three others were trapped for some hours. When police were patrolling the area, they discovered more than 200 people were working on the abandoned and disused mine shafts.”

Insp Makonese said the panners were heavily armed with machetes, axes, picks, shovels, hoes and spears.

Last year, 13 police officers were convicted under the Police Act for engaging in illegal gold mining in Inyathi, Bubi District.

Police prosecutors preferred charges ranging from criminal abuse of office, leaving their posts unattended and engaging in activities which violate the Police Act.

By a correspondent|Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) in conjunction with the Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ) on April 19, 2018 hosted a civic society and political parties interface meant to deliberate on progress towards amendments to the country’s Electoral Act.

The meeting, held in Harare, was attended by various civic society organizations and representatives from political parties.

It came out during the meeting that the piecemeal amendments to the Electoral Act as well as the lackadaisical approach by the ruling party, Zanu (PF) which has majority representation in Parliament, was taking away prospects of free, fair and credible polls set to be held between July and August 2018.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary affairs, Fortune Chasi who is also Zanu (PF) Member of Parliament for Mazowe South admitted that little has been done to amend the country’s Electoral Act so that it conforms to the constitution.

He said this was a subject of concern especially given the fact that the country is left with a few months before it holds elections.

“It is not proper that a few months before the elections, we are still squabbling about what the law is. Not only must the law be clear but it must also be in place on time. I would personally give ourselves as a country 1 mark out of 10,” said Chasi.

He also admitted that currently, there have not been efforts that have been made to increase the participation of people with disabilities in electoral processes.

MDC-T representative, Douglas Mwonzora said that currently, there are a number of issues which need urgent attention as they are taking away prospects of free, fair and credible polls.

“There are key things that have not been done and there are also key things that we do not see in the Electoral Act. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the government have refused an external audit of the voters’ roll and insisted on an internal audit but that is like marking your own exam paper.

“Although ZEC said that we will have a voters’ roll by the end of April (2018) it is clear that we will not be able to have one by that time,” said Mwonzora.

He also expressed concern over the government’s refusal to allow Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora the opportunity to cast their vote.

“On top of that, the State media is not being open to opposition parties and the government as also blocked the observation of the printing of ballot papers,” said Mwonzora.

He added that the continued involvement of the military in electoral issues casts doubt over the credibility, freeness and fairness of the 2018 polls.

“The military has intervened in elections over the past years and they will likely do the same in 2018,” said Mwonzora.

In light of the challenges, Harare West Member of Parliament, Jessie Majome who is also a member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice said there is need for strengthened advocacy to demand reforms to the country’s Electoral Act.

She said it was clear the ruling party; Zanu (PF) was against amendments to the Electoral Act.

“The attitude of the present government is that they don’t want electoral reforms. They don’t want amendments to the Electoral Act because it serves them as it is,” said Majome.

MDC-N Legislator, Priscilla Misihairambwi told the meeting that the impartiality and professionalism of ZEC was critical for free, far and credible polls adding that voter education ought to be gender sensitive.

“The amendments to the Electoral Act must seek to crate safe spaces for women as well as to address the issue of women representation in electoral processes,” said Misihairambwi.

She said that in as much as Zimbabweans have been made to believe that the country was in a new dispensation, the situation on the ground paints a different picture.

CCDZ Director, Dr. Philip Pasirayi expressed concern over draconian laws such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) which he said limit the capacity of civic society organizations to effectively access the pre-election environment.

Zimbabwe’s Parliament is set to debate the Electoral Amendment Bill on May 8, 2018 and there was consensus among parliamentarians and civic society organizations present during the meeting that there is need for intense lobbying before the parliamentary debate.

Action points agreed during the meeting included the need for civic society organizations to develop a position paper that will enable them to effectively contribute to the debate on electoral reforms.

Civic society organizations present at the meeting also agreed to continuously lobby election stakeholders while continuously petitioning stakeholders on the need for free, fair and credible polls.

There was also consensus that civic society organizations need to develop a checklist of the SADC guidelines on free, fair ad credible polls against the current Zimbabwean position.

Source CiZC Information Office