By Talent Gondo| MDC Alliance  President, Nelson Chamisa has revealed that he will today attend Independence Day Commemorations.

Chamisa revealed this in his Independence message posted on his Facebook page.

“At a personal level, I will today attend the national event and the national commemorations of this great event,” said Chamisa.

He said because independence was a great day whose meaning and significance goes beyond the narrow strictures and confines of political party affiliation, his party and those in the Alliance would attend the commemorations nationally.

“All the leaders and members of the MDC-T will be attending today’s independence celebrations in the various areas where they will be taking place,” said Chamisa.

“In my case, I will be joining other national leaders in giving this day its true meaning and value. It is a great day that deserves to be commemorated by all of us.”

Zanu Pf Spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo is on record extending an invitation to all Zimbabweans regardless of their political affiliation to attend Independence day.

“This year’s commemorations are unique because we are in the new dispensation,” said Khaya Moyo.

The Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Mirriam Chikukwa also appealed to all Zimbabweans including opposition political party supporters and leaders to attend this year’s commemorations arguing that independence was a national event and not a political affair.

Chamisa said there is need for Zimbabweans to restore the full meaning of Independence Day.

“We must restore the meaning of this great day whose appeal must go to Zimbabweans of all shades and political colours,” said Chamisa.

“It is belittling of this great day to give the impression that our liberation was fought for a single political party.”

“It was a truly national liberation that must appeal to the kaleidoscopic and full variety of our political milieu!” he said.

Below is MDC Alliance President full Independence Message.

President Adv. Nelson Chamisa’s Independence Day message to the people of Zimbabwe

Introduction| Zimbabwe did not come cheap. It took a protracted and grueling struggle to liberate the country from the shackles of colonial bondage. The patriotic sons and daughters of this land died while some were raped or maimed in the selfless national duty to liberate this country.Today, we remember them.

Today, we salute the heroic struggle of the people of Zimbabwe in consigning that dark epoch to the dustbins of history.

Today, we mark the advent of our political independence and the stoic gallantry that it took to restore the dignity of the black Zimbabwean.

Today, we stand with pride as a heroic people who took up arms to fight oppression. Indeed, we are a nation of heroes.

Our mission: Completing the unfinished business

As a new generation and as a post-liberation political formation, our mandate and our mission is to be the compass of that struggle by ensuring that the people‘s aspirations are fulfilled.

We so much cherish the aspirational and inspirational values of the liberation struggle to the extent that we take great exception if those sacred values are betrayed or dismembered. At the core of that liberation was the legitimate demand for one-man-one vote and that is why we are pressing for the sovereign expression of the will of the people through a free, fair and credible election.

Our call for electoral reforms is very much attached to the core value of the liberation struggle which was the right to vote.

One cannot cherish the liberation struggle but negate in every way the people’s right to free expression through a credible election. That is tantamount to a betrayal of the liberation struggle whose meaning and import we cherish and remember on this very day.

I wish to restate that our generation’s struggle for democracy stands on the shoulders of the earlier struggle of liberation. As a nation, we liberated ourselves so that we could truly be free in every respect. Therefore our democratic struggle represents our avowed wish to complete the agenda of the liberation struggle and not to negate it!

We only wish to complete the unfinished business of that sacred struggle that we commemorate on this Independence Day. So great was the meaning of that expression that we feel a day is not enough for a nation’s full expression. That is why as a party we in the MDC-T have declared this April to be an independence month. A day’s celebration is an understatement of the significance of independence in our nation’s history.

In the truly new dispensation that begins after the next election; we will remain committed to an Independence month and not a mere independence day. We will commit a whole month to the truly convivial and carnival celebration of the heroism of the people of this land in fighting tyranny and oppression.

Independence: a personal eulogy

At a personal level, I will today attend the national event and the national commemorations of this great event.

Independence is a great day whose meaning and significance go beyond the narrow strictures and confines of political party affiliation. We must restore the full meaning of our independence into a great day whose appeal must go to Zimbabweans of all shades and political colours.

It is belittling of this great day to give the impression that our liberation was fought for a single political party. It was a truly national liberation that must appeal to the kaleidoscopic and full variety of our political milieu!

All the leaders and members of the MDC-T will be attending today’s independence celebrations in the various areas where they will be taking place. In my case, I will be joining other national leaders in giving this day its true meaning and value. It is a great day that deserves to be commemorated by all of us.

A tribute to the people of Zimbabwe

I would want to use this public holiday to pay tribute to the honest and hard working people of Zimbabwe who are slugging it out under very difficult circumstances.

The totality of Zimbabweans must be respected and thanked because it is them who fought the liberation struggle. All Zimbabweans deserve respect, including war veterans, dead and alive, war collaborators, ex-detainees and those who were in their fathers’ loins and in their mothers’ wombs.

We pay tribute to SMEs for sustaining Zimbabweans in the face of brutal mismanagement of the country. We say thank you to the nurses, doctors, teachers, and all civil servants, those serving in defence, in the police, intelligence and in correctional services. Thank you for working under very difficult circumstances.

We say thank you to all those in the diplomatic corps, in the various government ministries and to all Zimbabwean students in and outside the country.

We want to call for discipline, accountability, transparency and uprightness.

We want to thank all religious leaders and congregants for sustaining the moral fabric and dignity of the people. Thank you to all Diasporans, to small scale entrepreneurs, petrol attendants, gardeners, commuter omnibus drivers and their assistants all of whom are often forgotten about.

Soon—and very soon–we will be unveiling a robust policy programme that will address all the challenges that you face.

Happy Independence anniversary Zimbabwe!

 

By Paul Nyathi|Faction leading former MDC-T Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe has challenged her dismissal from parliament by the Nelson Chamisa faction in the Constitutional Court.

Khupe filed an urgent application at the Court in Harare on Wednesday seeking reinstatement into the August house.

Khuphe through her lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku is also challenging what she terms Parliaments’ failure to fulfil its constitutional obligation to protect the security of her seat as a duly elected MP and the leader of opposition.

In the application, Dr Khuphe and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) are cited as the applicants while the Parliament of Zimbabwe , Speaker of Parliament and MDC-T national deputy chairperson Mr Morgen Komichi are cited as the first , second and third respondents.

“At the core of this application is my contention that the first respondent, in arbitrarily announcing that I had lost my seat in circumstances where no reasonable Parliament could ever act in the same manner, failed to fulfil its constitutional obligation to protect the security of my seat as its duly elected member.

“I am approaching this Court in my own interests as a citizen of Zimbabwe, who was elected a Member of the National Assembly in the last general election held on 31 July, 2013. Notwithstanding the position taken by the first respondent, I believe that, at law, I am still a Member of Parliament,” read the application.

In her application Khuphe further claims that parliament erred in choosing to listen to our side of a party involved in factional fights without consulting the other side.

“From the foregoing, there is a failure by the first respondent in several respects. First, despite being put on notice by me in my capacity as a member and leader of the opposition in Parliament regarding the leadership wrangles triggered by the death of our president, the first respondent failed to fulfil the constitutional obligation of referring the issue to, or waiting for, a court of law before recognising the contents of the letter by the third respondent. Secondly, in the circumstances of this case, the first respondent acted irrationally in recognising the contents of the letter by the third respondent. I submit that no reasonable parliament could ever have recognised the contents of the third respondent’s purported written notice,” said Khuphe.

She said she believed that the matter was extremely urgent as parliament is currently discussing critical matters she wants to be involved in.

“I am the leader of a political party and my absence from Parliament seriously prejudices not only my political career but also the interests of my party and the electorate. Parliament is currently debating electoral reforms ahead of the next elections. I have an electoral mandate to be involved at this crucial period,” read the application.

Khuphe demands that the Chamisa led faction and the parliament bear the costs of her application.

‘That the Respondents (if they oppose this application) jointly and severally pay the costs of this application the one paying the others to be absolved,” read the draft order.

Terrence Mawawa

Political analyst and former Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition member, Joy Mabenge has described the decision by the government to fire nurses as ill-advised.

“No matter how bad the situation is, authorities in
Zim must desist from making knee-jerk and
emotional decisoins that will fast track the
collapse of an already under pressure public health
system.

The decision to fire all striking nurses,
more so through a press statement is by any and
all standards ill-advised.

Dialogue is the answer
not intimidation. Come now, and let us
reason together,” said Mabenge yesterday.

By Dorrothy Moyo| The verdict for the Chamisa versus Khupe case is due in 6 days time.

The case which was via an urgent High Court chamber application over the use of the MDC-T party symbol and name, will be finalised next Tuesday.

The two appeared before the Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Martin Makonese through their lawyers TJ Mabhikwa and Partners, and for Chamisa, Artherstone and Cook Legal Practitioners.

The lawsuit was filed by Nelson Chamisa and Khupe has to date opposed the application.

Chamisa is seeking an urgent chamber order to stop her and her colleagues, Mr Abednico Bhebhe and Obert Gutu, from “unlawfully exploiting and abusing its registered MDC-T trademark, symbols and signs.”

Chamisa says according to the parliament’s mandate, Khupe is not entitled to conduct a congress as she is expected to get clearance from the parliament’s secretariat. 

Arguing, Khupe’s lawyer, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, said Chamisa’s lawyers did not submit the MDC-T party’s constitution during the urgent application to the chamber.

He said this was because Chamisa knew that Khupe was the legitimate party leader.

By Farai D Hove| The Zimbabwean government has fired all striking nurses.

The announcement was made Tuesday evening that all striking nurses are with immediate effect no longer employed. The Ministry Of Health in their statement read out on the state media said, the nurses were fired after rejecting a $17,1 million offer.

Commenting on the development, MDC standing committee member Chalton Hwende told President Emmerson Mnangagwa, “Zimbabwe is now open for lunacy.”

Aspirant for Harare East MP seat, Linda Masarira lambasted Mnangagwa saying, “Firing striking nurses is not the solution to the health crisis in Zimbabwe. Shame on you @edmnangagwa @MoHCCZim Solve the crisis in the health sector and attend to the nurse’s grievances Labour injustice is a result of coup capitalists running the country,” she wrote on her Twitter portal.

– More on this following shortly LIVE on ZimEye.com – THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY

By Paul Nyathi| President Emmerson Mnangagwa finally made a public appearance without his infamous “Scarf Of Many Colours” after months of dragging the scarf with him everywhere he went.

Mnangagwa made the scarfless appearance at the City Sports Centre in Harare where he spent the day with thousands of children ahead of the country’s 38th Independence celebrations.

Mnangagwa hailed his meeting with the children claiming that the children motivated him to give hope to the country.

“This afternoon, ahead of Independence Day, I spent time with our beloved children from all over the country.

“I saw in their eyes the spark of hope. The spark that returned to our nation in November and grows brighter each day.

“It is all of our responsibilities to ensure that these eyes will shine with opportunity, aspiration and excitement for the future of our nation.

“With these sparks, we are creating a bright future for all in our new Zimbabwe – a free, proud and thriving middle income nation, characterised by decent jobs, sustainable income and free from corruption.

It is for these children that we must work together tirelessly to build and progress, not just for today or tomorrow, but for generations to come.

Let us
commemorate our Independence
Tomorrow is Independence Day and every patriotic
Zimbabwean must take time to reflect on the
supreme national sacrifice in which the sons and
daughters of this land paid the ultimate sacrifice
while some lost their limbs so that the whims of
future generations could walk again.
Some of us are proud of the liberation legacy and the
successful quest by Zimbabweans to reclaim their
dignity from a oppressive colonial regime.

Even as a post-liberation political formation, we
stand for the continuation and perpetuation and not
the negation or opposition of the liberation project.
We are proud and patriotic Zimbabweans and
tomorrow we will be joining the rest of the nation in
paying tribute to that invaluable chapter in our
national story.
Our only wish is to complete the outstanding
business of our independence so that political
independence would truly mean the advent of
freedoms and the proper respect for the right to vote
which was at the core of our protracted national
struggle. The land and the right to vote were at the
epicenter of the people’s struggle.
In many ways, the sanctity of our struggle has been
undermined, if not hijacked, by a selected few who
have betrayed the noble aspirations of Zimbabweans
when they waged that brutal struggle. As a post-
liberation political formation, we anchor our own
struggles on the liberation struggle, its values and
aspirations.
We truly honour the liberation effort.
Tomorrow, we will be joining the rest of the nation in
commemorating the heroic act of Zimbabweans in
consigning colonial oppression to the dustbins of
history. The only challenge is to finish the
outstanding business of that struggle for which so
many Zimbabweans died.
Going rural: Thank You Masvingo
True to our promise of going rural in this election
campaign, I had an eventful weekend in Masvingo,
starting with the chastening rally at Nyika growth
point in Bikita on Friday and then another huge-turn-
out at Jerera in Zaka the following day.
Elsewhere, the MDC-T and MDC Alliance leaders
were addressing huge crowds in the rural hinterland
from Nkayi in Matabeleland North, Mount Darwin in
Mashonaland central, Gokwe in the Midlands,
Hurungwe in Mashonaland West to Makoni in
Manicaland province. We have pledged to largely go
rural in this election and over the weekend, we were
doing precisely that by honouring our solemn pledge
to go rural in our campaign.
My visit and interactions with the people in Masvingo
brought a lot of issues to the fore.
The first was the hunger for change, which is now a
national chorus.
What was glaringly palpable was the self-evident
collapse of the national infrastructure and the
fracturing of our communities. I saw collapsed
services, poor roads and dilapidated hospitals.
I saw for myself the deadening poverty pervading our
rural areas and how Zimbabweans are struggling to
put food on the table.
I saw the marginalization of the people and the
abuse of our traditional leaders who are being used
to intimidate villagers by collecting serial numbers of
the voter registration slips.
I saw command politics at play, as evidenced by the
use of food as a political weapon in the rural
communities. Known and identified government
bureaucrats have been deployed to advance a
partisan agenda and to strike fear in the rural
communities.
Bikita in Context
On Friday, I was chastened by the huge turn-out at
Nyika growth point in Bikita. I had occasion to
engage the people and our message centred on the
need for electoral reforms as well as our policy
agenda that will be undergirded by the tripod pillars
of transformation, opportunity and prosperity.
After the rally at Nyika, I had occasion to visit
Silveira Mission hospital, where I was born some 40
years ago. It was a nostalgic moment and I saw for
myself how things are getting worse in our hospitals.
For example, there were three beds in the ward
where I was born but I realized on Friday that only
two were left as the third had since broken. Things
have taken a debilitating turn since I was born at
that hospital in rural Bikita, where my mother comes
from.
I saw 22 expecting women in the maternity ward,
who are being asked to pay $50 for the national
service of giving birth to the future leaders of this
country.
Our incoming government will ensure that we scrap
such fees charged on women for performing a
national service.
I took time to pray with a 9-year old Mercy
Chigwende, a young girl with the rare condition of
cancer of the blood. Her parents are finding it
difficult to meet the huge bills where she is being
charged $400 per week. I assisted with some
money but money alone is nothing. I had to summon
the providence of God to intervene to save the life of
the innocent girl.
On Saturday, I attended Holy Communion at the
church conference in Chatsworth, where I had
occasion to listen to a powerful word and found time
to pray with the church elders and pastors.
I would wish to restate my unstinting belief that
politics should not usurp church platforms to peddle
a partisan agenda. Church platforms must be
exclusively used for the word of God. Anything else
is tantamount to defiling the sacred and sanctified
holy places of worship.
In the afternoon I addressed a rally at Jerera Growth
Point in Zaka where again I had occasion to sum up
our promise to the people of Zimbabwe when we
form the next government in September. We pledge
to restore the dignity of Zimbabweans, to create jobs
but first of all to ensure that we create a proper
environment for the people to express their sovereign
will in a truly free, fair and credible election.
I also found time to lay wreath on the grave of Crison
Mbano, a political violence victim and one of our
party activists in Zaka who was killed in the
despicable Zanu PF-orchestrated violence of 2008 in
which so many Zimbabweans died. I saw some of
the survivors of the brutal violence in which Mbano
and others perished.
Indeed, I was sorely touched by their plight as well
as that of the many thousands of Zimbabweans
throughout the country who suffered a similar fate.
Going rural again
This coming weekend I will be interacting with the
people in yet another rural community but first, I
have to join my fellow citizens in the important duty
of commemorating our independence.
Indeed, we must spare a thought for the brutal but
heroic struggle that we waged against an oppressive
colonial system.
Happy independence month, Zimbabwe!

By Paul Nyathi|Students at the Zimbabwe School of Mines in Bulawayo disrupted operations at the institution as they engaged in a demonstration over alleged poor service delivery by the school administration.

A report by the state owned ZBC news indicates that picketing students cordoned off entrance to the administration offices while some boycotted learning and spent the day roaming around the school premises.

The students are reported to have raised a number of concerns from exorbitant fees, lack of understanding on the part of administrators when it came to payment deadlines and poor conditions they were being exposed to, among other issues.

While some accused their Student Representative Council (SRC) of working in cahoots with the school authorities, a member of the body, Mutsawashe Nemadire, denied the charge, indicating that they were trying everything to have the students’ concerns addressed.

 “We are working on them and we are pushing as well. We are talking to management. We are sorting out things but everything is going on well. That’s one thing I can promise,” Nemadire, told the ZBC.

After almost three hours of discussions between the school authorities and the students’ representatives, efforts to address the demonstrators yielded no joy as the students walked away arguing that the resolutions were not satisfactory.

The Chief Executive Officer of the institution Mr Dzingirai Tusai noted the students were not being sincere as most of the issues they were raising could be easily addressed differently.

 “There was no need for that type of voicing of their concerns because they were just simple concerns that could have gone through to administration and to the training and operations department on how they are affected in the institution,” Mr Tusai said.

With a stalemate declared, it appears the students will continue with their defiance and hopes are the impasse will soon be resolved to pave way for resumption of operations.

Source: ZBC news

Terrence Mawawa

A Zanu PF Youth League member who assaulted a human rights activist was slapped with a $ 1500 lawsuit last week.

The Zanu PF activist, Matora Masiiwa allegedly assaulted Abel Mauchi for disrupting ruling party programmes in Gutu District.

Mauchi is a member of the Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice.

In passing the sentence, Gutu Magistrate Edwin Marecha urged political activists to refrain from perpetrating acts of violence.

Magistrate Marecha also warned would be offenders the court would not be selective in applying the law.

The magistrate also ruled that Masiiwa acted in an overzealous manner.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| A Zimbabwe National Army soldier got the shock of a lifetime when he found his wife in a compromising position with his workmate.

Brighton Tendaimambo of 4 Brigade, Masvingo could not contain himself when he caught his wife Khumbulani Mazorodze having sex with another soldier, Abel Chiwocha in his house.

An emotionally Tendaimambo told the court last week he could not bear the sight of finding his wife cuddling with another man.

In a fit of rage Tendaimambo assaulted Chiwocha with clenched fists.

He also headbutted Chiwocha several times, the court heard.

Chiwocha claimed Tendaimambo wanted to kill him.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

A Zimbabwe National Army soldier got the shock of a lifetime when he found his wife in a compromising position with his workmate.

Brighton Tendaimambo of 4 Brigade, Masvingo could not contain himself when he caught his wife Khumbulani Mazorodze having sex with another soldier, Abel Chiwocha in his house.

An emotionally Tendaimambo told the court last week he could not bear the sight of finding his wife cuddling with another man.

In a fit of rage Tendaimambo assaulted Chiwocha with clenched fists.

He also headbutted Chiwocha several times, the court heard.

Chiwocha claimed Tendaimambo wanted to kill him.

The Norton member of parliament, Temba Mliswa has alerted the police to speed up investigations on the case of a man who caused his girlfriend to commit suicide.

The man suspect was at the time of writing named as Terrence.

HON Mliswa told ZimEye he is firmly on the case and will ensure that justice is meted out.  – standby for the LIVE coverage on ZimEye.com  – refresh this page

 

Terrence Mawawa

The ruling party Zanu is demanding an office at the Chiredzi Town Council Premises, it has emerged.

Sources at Chiredzi Town Council yesterday claimed a letter had been written by the ruling party to the local authority instructing senior officials to make arrangements for the allocation of an office to the revolutionary party.

“Senior council officials are in a panic mode so they want the instruction to be followed with immediate effect.

A meeting was held at the council premises to deliberate on the matter last week,” a council sources told ZimEye.com.

“The matter has already been discussed and the ruling party is likely to be allocated an office by the end of the month,” added the source.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

Controversial Masvingo State Minister, Josaya Dunira Hungwe has promised to distribute residential stands to Zanu PF officials in a calculated move to drum up support for his cousin.

Hungwe’ s cousin Goddard Dunira is vying for the Masvingo Urban Parliamentary seat and he is facing stiff competition from Edison Zvobgo Junior who is also eyeing the same seat.

Impeccable sources told ZimEye.com Hungwe was determined to campaign for his cousin and had promised to parcel out 36 residential stands to senior party officials in the constituency.

Dunira however said the claims were unfounded and fictitious.

“There is nothing like that.The plans are implemented by senior government officials at national level,” said Dunira.

By A Correspondent| The latest in the case that saw three men dramatically die one after the other after stealing from the late Pastor Charles Chiriseri has seen the High Court ruling that the surviving police officer who has asked not to be disciplined being ordered to face the law.

The respected Senior High Court Judge, Justice Nicholas Mathonsi ruled that Tawanda Mawere (32), must face disciplinary proceedings as he stands accused of robbing Apostle Charles Chiriseri’s corpse of $200 following the fatal traffic accident which happened one an a half years ago.

In his ruling Justice Mathonsi said, “the position of our law at the moment clearly states that a police officer who has been prosecuted in the criminal court is still liable for disciplinary action in terms of the Police Act. The Police Act deals with the enforcement of discipline and the first respondent (Comm-Gen Matanga) has the administrative authority to arrest indiscipline within the police force…What this means, therefore, is that the applicant is standing on sinking ground and the application for an interdict must, therefore, fail as what is lawful cannot be interdicted.”

By Paul Nyathi|The Chitungwiza Magistrates courts on Monday issued a judgement blocking council from its persistent demolition of residents’ houses.

The court delivered a judgement in favour of residents under case number 70/18 where Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA) was representing some of the 110 residents whose houses were earmarked for demolition by the municipality.

This follows the 9th of February 2018 provisional order which was granted barring the municipality from evicting occupants and demolition of structures in Chitungwiza.

The Magistrate ordered that “Chitungwiza municipality must refrain and desist from destroying and or authorizing or causing the demolition and or destruction of applicants’ homes without a valid order to that effect from a competent court of law”.

The municipality was also instructed to bear the cost of the suit.

In a statement, Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA) applauded the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) for representing the residents of Chitungwiza in this case.

“This is a landmark ruling which affirms the supremacy of the constitution and promotes the upholding of the fundamental human rights and freedoms,” said the residents representatives.

FINANCE deputy minister Terence Mukupe was recently arrested and fined for assaulting his ministry’s finance director, 58-year-old Ignatius Mvere, for allegedly giving him a “paltry $910 travel allowance”.

The incident, according to police documents shown to NewsDay, happened on March 29 this year, shortly after Mukupe had returned from a three-day Sadc business trip to South Africa.

 

Upon his arrest, Mukupe paid an admission of guilt fine of $30 on April 10 at Harare Central Police Station and was issued with a ticket in the Z69J book number 1308983B.

The matter, which was recorded under CID Law and Order Harare Central CR 2321/03/18, happened at the New Government Complex when an angry
Mukupe stormed Mvere’s office, demanding an upward review of his
allowances against Treasury circular standing orders.

 

“On the day in question, the accused came to my office, complaining about insufficient funds allocated to him and ended up assaulting me,”

Mvere wrote in his affidavit to police.
“Prior to this incident on March 25, the accused travelled to South Africa on business attending Sadc meetings and returned on March 28. According to
our Treasury circular, I had given him $910, but he insisted I must give him more than that. I could not give him more money since he had no reasonable grounds or a letter from the Minister of Finance authorising me to pay him more than what us on the Treasury circular.”

It is also understood that the deputy minister hurled insults to Mvere, saying: “You are very stupid, why did you give me less money while travelling to South
Africa”, before getting closer and clasped his neck and pushed him against the computer table.

Mvere added: “I recall on March 29, 2018, at around 0745hrs, I reported for duty to my office as usual.

At around 1230hrs, while in the office together with Garikai Mukombero who is the human resources assistant in the ministry, the accused Terence
Mukupe, banged my door and entered into my office.

 

His face looked angry. I immediately stood up from my chair and greeted him, but he did not answer. He moved towards me and I tried to move back but there was no way out.”

 

According to the police records, Mukupe grabbed his victim by the collar and banged his head on the computer desk before Mvere’s workmates, human
resources director, Stewart Jailos, Mukombero and his aide William Gondo intervened and stopped the
fight.

Jailos corroborated Mvere’s narrative in a separate affidavit, saying: “Mukombero appeared at my door
shouting in haste that the deputy minister was
choking and beating up Mvere in his office. I
immediately ran to Mvere’s office whereupon I saw
accused Mukupe’s hands clasped on Mvere’s neck
almost chocking him at the same time breathing a
barrage of threats while Mvere was also trying to
free himself.”
Mukupe reportedly only released his grip after Jailos
“moved forward to intervene physically” while a
crowd of workers, including the deputy minister’s
aide William Gondo, were gathered by the door at
Mvere’s office – Newsday

By Paul Nyathi|A select of locally-based Warriors will play against Botswana in the President’s Cup on 18 April at the National Sports Stadium as part of the 2018 Independence Day national celebrations.

In Bulawayo, a match between Highlanders and Bulawayo City will be played on the same day as part of the countrywide celebrations of Zimbabwe’s independence.

Below is the list of 21 players selected by the Warriors coaching department, headed by Sunday Chidzambga, to face the Zebras.

The team went into camp on Monday.

Squad
Goalkeepers

Takabva Mawaya (ZPC Kariba)
Bernard Donovan (Ngezi Platinum Stars)
Defenders

Peter Muduhwa (Highlanders)
Steven Makatuka (Caps United)
Kevin Moyo (FC Platinum)
Byron Madzokere (Yadah Stars)
Macclive Phiri (Highlanders)
Honest Moyo (Highlanders)
Devine Lunga (Chicken Inn)
Midfielders

Winston Mhango (FC Platinum)
Liberty Chakoroma (Ngezi Platinum Stars)
Innocent Mucheneka (Chicken Inn)
Michael Charamba (Ngezi Platinum Stars)
Ian Nyoni (Chapungu)
Ocean Mushure (Dynamos)
Raphael Manuvire (Dynamos)
Farai Madhanaga (FC Platinum)
Leeroy Mavhunga (Yadah Stars)
Strikers

Clive Augusto (Ngezi Platinum Stars)
Ishmael Wadi (Bulawayo City)
Terence Dzukamanja (Ngezi Platinum Stars)

A policeman lost a tooth and sustained
serious head injuries after being assaulted with a
fork and a cup as he sought to arrest a rowdy
teenager for domestic violence.

Thomas Phiri (55) was stabbed twice on the
forehead and bashed once on the mouth while
arresting 19-year-old Antony Muguti for assaulting
his wife, Faina Marufu (19).

Muguti of Eiffel Flats appeared before Kadoma
magistrate Mr Learnmore Mapiye last Wednesday
facing domestic violence and assault charges.

He pleaded guilty to both charges.
Mr Mapiye sentenced Muguti to 12 months in jail
for assaulting his wife, with six months suspended
on condition that he does not commit a similar
offence in the next five years.

He was also slapped with an effective 10-month jail
term for assaulting a police officer.
Prosecutor Mr Herbert Ngezimani said on the
evening of March 30 this year, Muguti assaulted his
wife Marufu after a dispute.

His sister, however, raised an alarm with a police
officer who lives in the same neighbourhood.

But the unfortunate cop was stabbed twice on the
forehead with a fork when he tried to intervene.
He was further bashed with a cup several times on
the head and once on the mouth.

Muguti was subsequently subdued- The Herald.

By Paul Nyathi|A Harare man was shot and killed by a stray bullet during the much talked about gun fire exchange between the police and a group of thugs last Friday.

Mr Muchesa Chatsama the Head – Organisational Development and Training at Head Hunters International Consulting Services is suspected to have been killed by the stray bullet while seated in his office after police exchanged gunfire with armed robbers in Malborough on Friday.

His body was discovered hours later in his office. 

The man’s brother Dzago Chatsama was lost of words on his brother’s tragic death.

“Feels so helpless watching your own brother covered in blood with a bullet in his body after a police and robbers shootout,” he said in a social media post.

“How reckless of the police. After exchanging fire with armed robbers in broad daylight in a neighbouhood like Malborough. In a public area like the area around Mandel Training Centre and not even bother to go around to check if they were any casualties,” mourned Chatsama.

“All the police did was to shoot, capture their thugs, make news and look like heroes,” he lamented.

“You kill the innocent ones like cattle on slaughter and yet the robbers you only wound, God help us,” were Chatsama’s words to the police.

Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed the death indicating that investigations on the matter are still underway.

“We are investigating the case. Police followed some suspected armed robbers from town to Marlborough where there was an exchange of gunfire between the police and the suspected robbers. Four of the five suspects were nabbed while escaping. Later on, there was a report that a man was found dead in his office and police are investigating the case,” he said.

By Paul Nyathi|Under pressure Minister of Health and Child Care Doctor David Parirenyatwa has threatened to dismiss all striking nurses if they do not report back for duty immediately.

In a statement issued through the ZBC news on Monday evening, Dr Parirenyatwa ordered all the striking nurses to return to work immediately as failure to do so warrants breach of contract.

Dr Parirenyatwa said government has since instructed Treasury to look into the financial implications of the nurses’ demands, with a view to resolving them amicably thereby rendering the industrial action by the nurses unnecessary.

“In the light of this major concession by government, which has been made against well-known economic challenges facing the nation, in the interest of patients, and in order to avert any loss of life through disruption of essential services, the reasons for calling for the industrial action no longer obtain,” said Parirenyatwa.

“It is therefore against this auspicious background that any nursing staff which does not respond and promptly report for duty as assigned will thus be deemed in breach of contract of employment, and thus deserving of appropriate disciplinary action,” threatened the Minister.

Dr Parirenyatwa said that his ministry is considering the representations by the nursing staff through the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA).

He said subsequent meetings between the association, the government and the Health Services Board, the authorities have acknowledged the nurses’ grievances as genuine and valid. 

In his statement Dr Parirenyatwa said the nurses’ grievances require urgent attention.

“The government is therefore appealing to the striking nurses to call off their actions to make way for harmonious industrial relations,” he said.

Minister Parirenyatwa said the calling off of the industrial action is even more urgent in view of the high mobility in the country related to the impending independence holiday period.

Dr Parirenyatwa said as the  minister responsible, he is also urging the striking staff to go back to work without any further delay, to allow government, through its appropriate arms, to finalise decisions on the matter.

At the time of this report, the nurses had not paid hid to the Minister’s threats with the situation at the hospitals gradually turning dire.

The nurses strike enters its second day on Tuesday after a similar strike by doctors which ended a few days ago lasted thirty two days.

Scores of patients are needlessly dying at the government hospital due to lack of resources and an unhappy personnel.

A woman from Gweru allegedly stabbed a customer with a kitchen knife three times following a dispute about isitshwala which was poorly cooked.

Charity Kamungeremu (25) from Mkoba 3 in Gweru appeared before Magistrate Phathekile Msipa facing charges of assault, She pleaded not guilty to the charges saying she was defending herself against a gang, which had teamed up against her.

“I felt threatened your worship that’s why I ran to the counter to grab a knife. He had hit me with a bottle of water after he had missed me with the bottle of beer,” Kamungeremu said.

It is the State’s case that on March 31, the complainant Ashely Pellen, his family and friends went to Sachi shop which is located at Northlea  shopping centre to celebrate his birthday.

It is alleged that the crew bought meat to braai and a plate of isitshwala.

The court heard that a quarrel arose after Pullen and company complained that the isitshwala was not cooked properly and then went on to throw the isitshwala at the shop window.

Pullen’s friend Cliff Morgan was persisting with the issue and they all ended up exchanging vulgar words with the accused.

Pullen is alleged to have thrown a bottle of beer at Kamungeremu. It however, missed the target and he then struck her with a bottle of water. She then wielded a kitchen knife and stabbed Pullen thrice.

“If anyone was in my shoes I’m sure they would have done the same thing,” she said.

It is alleged that after the scuffle, some of Pullen’s friends ran away and his wife then drove to the police where a complaint was lodged. – State media

HARARE| A man from Harare is suspected to have been killed by a stray bullet in a crossfire between suspected armed robbers and police last Thursday in Marlborough.

Muchesa Chatsama was in his office  when he was hit and died from a stray bullet during the shooting, according to information gathered from several sources. Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi yesterday said they had received a case of a man who was found dead in his office in the proximity of the shooting incident.

“We are investigating the case.

“Police followed some suspected armed robbers from town to Marlborough where there was an exchange of gunfire between the police and the suspected robbers. Four of the five suspects were nabbed while one escaped.

“Later on there was a report that a man was found dead in his office and police are investigating the case,” said Chief Sup Nyathi.

Chatsama’s bother Dzago Chatsama blamed the police for not being tactful in apprehending the suspected armed robbers saying rather than being overzealous after the arrests, the police had to check for any casualties.

“Feels so helpless watching your own brother covered in blood with a bullet in his chest after a police vs robbers shootout. Munhu akazvigarira muoffice make nhai wongobatanidzirwa,” said Dzago.

“After exchanging fire with armed robbers in broad daylight in a neighborhood like Malborough.

“Shuwa shuwa pachena ipapo pane Mandel paya and not even going around checking if there are any casualties. Mongobata mbavha dzenyu mobuditsa news moenda and you look like heroes,” Dzago wrote on his Facebook Page.

He likened the killing of his brother to the slaughtering of cattle.

“Saka wasina mhosva ndovamunouraya ka kunge mombe and the robbers you only wound. God help us. Rest well mukoma Muchesa Chatsama. I will forever love you Boss,” wrote Dzago.

One of his friends in a WhatsApp group for Arsenal fans, Xave Muzhandu said postmortem would be held on tomorrow while burial arrangements are still not known.

“Postmortem is set for Tuesday and we will be notified of burial arrangements,” said Muzhandu. – state media.

A man from Chitungwiza appeared in court yesterday on allegations of stealing property worth $49 982 belonging to former President Robert Mugabe.

Mr Mugabe is being represented by Enoch Nyamurima (52), who was residing at Zimbabwe House where the crime was committed.

Pepukai Zvakavapano appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Josephine Sande facing charges of unlawful entry in aggravating circumstances.

He pleaded not guilty, claiming that he had been given the items by Mr Mugabe.

He was remanded to today for bail ruling.

The prosecutor Ms Francesca Mukumbiri alleged that sometime during the beginning of March, Zimbabwe House was supposed to be renovated.

Nyamurima was instructed to transfer Mr Mugabe’s household goods, computers, printers and computer accessories that were in the house to the former Pollo-Ground where five shipping containers had been placed for the purpose of securing the goods.

He carried out the instructions and securely locked all the containers.

The President has said this year’s Independence Day celebrations are historic as the country has entered a period of freedom, openness and opportunity.

President Mnangagwa said this in a message posted on his Facebook page and Twitter handle on Sunday.

Zimbabwe celebrates its 38th anniversary of Independence tomorrow, with the main celebrations slated for the National Sports Stadium in Harare.

The celebrations will be held under the theme, “Zimbabwe at 38: Social Economic Restoration and International Re-engagement”.

We look forward to a week during which we will celebrate our country’s independence,” President Mnangagwa said. “This year’s celebrations carry even greater resonance, as we have entered a new period in our history; a period of freedom, openness and opportunity.”

The President called for unity among Zimbabweans.

“In this new era, we must be liberated not only from without, but also from within, from hate, prejudice and discord.

“Let us always remain united, working together with our brothers and sisters to build a strong and open Zimbabwe for all.”

The new Government, which was borne out of Operation Restore Legacy that was launched by the military in November last year, has brought renewed hope for the country’s economic development following years of recession.

The operation resulted in the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe, who had been openly captured by a criminal cabal that surrounded him, resulting in loss of direction by both the ruling zanu-pf and Government.

President Mnangagwa has enunciated various policies to open up the country to investors.

Already, the country has received foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments worth over $7 billion.

Separately, zanu-pf deputy secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Lewis Matutu has urged youths to use the independence celebrations to reflect on how they could contribute to the country’s development.

“This year’s celebrations are different from all these years,” he said. “We are celebrating two things: the first one is that we are celebrating Zimbabwe’s independence, just taking it from 1980; and the other thing is that we are celebrating freedom from Mugabe.

“These two things are very important, so we are saying as young people who are going to experience these two freedoms we should rejoice, but let us think of what we can do to support our own country, what can we do as young people to support our economy and what can we do to support the efforts of our visionary leader, Cde Mnangagwa.”

Preparations for the main event at the National Sports Stadium were at an advanced stage yesterday.

Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs Miriam Chikukwa said transport to ferry people to the event will be available as usual.

“We have managed to secure transport for people coming to the National Sports Stadium,” she said. “There will be 30 buses for Harare province, five buses for Bulawayo and one for each of the remaining eight provinces.

“There would be entertainment galore, including mass displays and a soccer match, so we urge people to come in their thousands for the event.” state media.

Following President Mnangagwa’s state visit to China last month, a delegation of 11 members has been sent to Zimbabwe.

The delegation is exploring investment opportunities in various sectors in response to President Mnangagwa’s invitation and call that Zimbabwe is now open for business.

The Head of State and Government was in China two weeks ago where he sealed multiple business deals that will result in new projects, including giving traction to those that stalled under the previous political administration.

The latest Chinese delegation to arrive in the country on a week-long exploratory mission is led by China Trade Promotion Centre director Mr Tan Wenbao.

The organisation falls under China’s Ministry of Commerce.

The delegation includes managers from various companies interested in energy, agriculture, health and infrastructure development.

The group yesterday met Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) chief executive officer Mr Richard Mbaiwa before meeting Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) officials.

Mr Mbaiwa said the visit by the Chinese delegation was triggered by President Mnangagwa’s recent State visit to the Asian economic giant.

“Their arrival is in response to the invitation that has been made by President Mnangagwa through his message that Zimbabwe is open for business,” he said.

“We met some of the officials who came from China a few days ago and they indicated that they wanted to come and they have done so. When the President spoke and we interacted with them, we then cemented everything and from our discussions more delegations are headed for Zimbabwe.

“They are following up to look at potential areas of where they can invest. They have specific interest in the energy sector and they are going to Zera to be apprised of the regulatory framework in the energy sector. They have told us they have interest in hydro and solar power generation.

“In terms of infrastructure development, they are also meeting Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), which has a database of project seeking funding investments. In agriculture, they have interests and meetings have also been lined up.”

The Chinese delegation is meeting IDBZ officials today, while engagements with various ministries are expected on Thursday.

“They have just came on an exploratory mission, and this is the first step which we expect to produce results,” said Mr Mbaiwa. “We expect the meetings with the regulators and players to guide them in their determination.

“They also want to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with us, which outlines how we can cooperate in areas of trade and investment. They are sending it and we will look at it.”

During President Mnangagwa’s State visit, China and Zimbabwe agreed to elevate relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Status, the highest level of bilateral cooperation.

Among the deals sealed during the visit was the US$1 billion Hwange Thermal Power Station project, which had been floundering for three years.

Funds to start work on units 7 and 8 of the plant will be released immediately.

The Kunzvi Dam Project reached financial closure, with Sinohydro and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) committing to providing resources for the dam and water treatment plant, and to roll-out installation of smart prepaid water meters.

Other projects that will get immediate funding totalling about US$1 billion include Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport expansion, the new Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, NetOne’s expansion, refurbishment of Morton Jeffrey Water Treatment Plant and construction of a pharmaceutical factory.

Zimbabwe and China also signed a US$1 billion tourism Memorandum of Understanding. – state media.

Bulawayo|A leading meat processing company in Bulawayo says most animals from communal farmers are being condemned and destroyed at slaughter point as they are infected with measles due to poor hygiene and farmers are losing a lot of money.

A health environment remains critical in livestock farming and farmers have been reminded of the importance of a hygienic environment to prevent diseases such as measles in animals that has cost farmers thousands of dollars as more than 10 percent of animals that are sold as direct slaughter have been found to be infected with measles.

A leading meat processing firm in Bulawayo says most animals from communal farmers are being condemned and destroyed at slaughter point as they are infected with measles due to poor hygiene and farmers are losing a lot of money.

A health environment remains critical in livestock farming and farmers have been reminded of the importance of a hygienic environment to prevent diseases such as measles in animals that has cost farmers thousands of dollars as more than 10 percent of animals that are sold as direct slaughter have been found to be infected with measles. – state media.

Terrence Mawawa

A social media analyst has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop the rot and the rampant looting of public funds by members of his ruling party, Zanu PF.

In his Facebook message Antony Taruvinga blamed Zanu PF for looting public funds to purchase expensive vehicles.

“The tale of two different lifestyles in our great but
poorly run nation.

It’s survival of the powerful and
without power you will rot in abject poverty.

Where
does Zanu PF get all the money to buy
expensive branded cars?

The people
of Zimbabwe are footing the bill- sadly,” wrote Taruvinga.

Terrence Mawawa, Gutu

Local businesspeople were forced to make pledges towards the Zanu PF fundraising scheme at the weekend.

The ruling party held a fundraising programme at Mupandawana Town where local businesspeople were forced to make donations to bankroll the Zanu PF campaign programme.

“We were forced to attend the fundraising event during the weekend.

Senior Zanu PF officials demanded cash donations from local businesspeople,” said a retail operator.

“Zanu PF officials told us to comply with their directive and we told them it would not be easy to make donations towards their programmes,” fumed another business operator.

Terrence Mawawa

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has made an embarrassing gaffe, it has emerged.

Prominent political activist Maureen Kademaunga observed the gross error.

“ZEC has sent out a nomination requirements
document which erroneously states (on number (4)
that Provincial Council and National Assembly party
list for seats reserved for female candidates must
be 40 years and above.

The actual age requirement
is 21. We need to get them to correct this before
parties use it to marginalize youths,” wrote Kademaunga on her Facebook page.

Charity Ndebele

By Paul Nyathi|South African anti-apartheid fighter Nelson Mandela declared that there is never an easy walk to freedom.

A 34 year old Zimbabwean woman has taken the words to action and undertook a gruelling solo 40km walk for freedom against ZANU PF’s 38 year hold on power in Zimbabwe.

Charity Ndebele a member of the vibrant United Kingdom based human rights group Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) has embarked on a lone 40 mile walk to express her concern against the ruling party back home.

The walk will start from Aversely to Odiham finishing at Ellisfield on the first day – and Ellisfield to Winchester Castle on the second day.

According to a post on the organisation’s official website and Facebook page, Ndebele started the gruesome walk on Saturday and was due to finish it on Sunday evening.

“Charity embarked on her 40 mile journey yesterday (Saturday) morning and hopes to reach Winchester castle at the end of the day today (Sunday.)

“I hope to be walking 20 miles a day to raise awareness of the situation at home where the military in charge is expected to run a free and fair election which we know won’t happen – this is not only a farce but a slap in the faces of Zimbabweans who wish for a truly independent Zimbabwe,” said Ndebele before embarking on the walk.

The human rights group will also hold a 105km walk in August on the same plight. On Wednesday the group will also hold an anti independence day protest at the Zimbabwean Embassy in London.

“Everyone is welcome to join our Protest against Independence Day celebrations at the Zimbabwe Embassy on Wednesday – 18 April 2018,” said the rights group in a statement.

By Paul Nyathi|MDC Member of Parliament Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga has dared party leader professor Welshman Ncube over allegations that the party wants to purge her over her involvement with ousted MDC-T Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe.

Party sources within the MDC told ZimEye.com that the party leadership is not happy with Mushonga’s support for Khuphe who is against the MDC Alliance coalition which the MDC is a partner into.

The reaction by the party comes after Mushonga was part of a team that spearheaded a women’s gathering in Bulawayo to give solidarity to Khuphe after she was dismissed from the MDC-T.

The MDC-T is the major partner in the MDC Alliance coalition.

Speaking in a media interview last week, Mushonga said that she feels she did not do anything wrong by associating herself with Khuphe as she was giving moral support to a fellow woman.

“I am chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender and Youth Affairs and, therefore, cannot be persecuted for attending a solidarity tea for a woman who is basically under siege from male chauvinists. I am a women’s activist and that defines who Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga is, nobody will take that away from me and not even a party can do that,” she said.

“It would be a dereliction of duty on my part if I were to keep quiet while Khupe is bashed and violated in the name of politics.

“The MDC was formed on a set of values, which include gender equality, so for anyone to think I will keep quiet just to retain my position as a parliamentarian is the height of madness.”

Ncube, however, said while there was apparent anger within his party over Misihairabwi-Mushonga’s actions, it would be a futile exercise to recall her now.

“The life of this Parliament is basically coming to an end and an election is likely to be proclaimed in the next six weeks or so. This Parliament is left with at most four months, so it would be an exercise in futility to recall her,” he said.

“However, I am aware that there are people in the party who are upset with Misihairabwi-Mushonga’s involvement in the affairs of other parties, but, thus far, nobody has suggested that we exercise the right of recall.”

Misihairabwi-Mushonga said she was undeterred by the threats.

“I say bring it on, they can recall me or fire me if they so wish. If anything, they have been trying to do so since 2013. It’s nothing new,” the Matabeleland South proportional representation MP said.

“But if they think I will roll over and allow them free passage, then they have another thing coming. I am ready to fight them hard. If they want a political fight, they will get it, or better still, if they want a constitutional fight, they will find me in a corner and ready for the fight. The fact is I have not declared a political position, so if they want to fire me, they should find another reason. This will not fly.”

Source: Newsday

The British ambassador to Zimbabwe, Catriona Laing has spoken following criticism from the opposition party, MDC  -T.

Below was her full statement:

Elections aren’t far off in Zimbabwe – likely just three or four months away. The British embassy and its partners here in Zimbabwe have welcomed the commitments of the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa to ensure those elections are free, fair and violence-free.

But commitments must be translated into real change. We and our partners continue to urge President Mnangagwa to implement the reforms necessary so that free and fair polls can be held and Zimbabweans can enjoy the future the deserve. As the UK’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Catriona Laing says, a successful election will be a “key milestone” in allowing Zimbabwe to return to normal economic and political relations with the international community.
She added: “Going forward it will be very important that there is full transparency around the voters roll and the ballot papers and that the necessary legal frameworks are updated in line with the constitution. Ultimately it is for the people of Zimbabwe to feel confident that they can vote for the party and individuals of their choice without fear or intimidation.

Need for reforms, no to political violence
Embassy officials have been meeting representatives of all the main political parties here regularly (as is the job of any embassy) and we’ve delivered exactly the same message to each party. To the government of President Mnangagwa, the UK has highlighted at the highest level the need for reforms before the polls: our Foreign Minister Boris Johnson made that position clear when he met Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa in February as (a few weeks earlier) did our Minister for Africa Harriett when she visited Harare. This has been our message right from the start: that it is only free and fair elections that will open the door to full international re-engagement. We have urged the government to allow in international observers – and we’ve been encouraged by early indications this week that this may happen. As those who follow our social media accounts will know, we’ve encouraged the new administration to make sure ALL human rights violations are tackled decisively and transparently. We have and will take up any instances of political violence with the authorities, wherever in Zimbabwe these occur and whoever is behind the violence.

BVR and support to civil society
Because voter registration and the compiling of a voters’ roll is so crucial in the holding of free and fair polls, we’ve been monitoring the biometric voter registration process from when it began back in October last year. Our teams took the lead in travelling out to rural areas to see the reality of how the registration process was progressing far from the capital Harare. The teams gave feedback to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the minister of justice and to civil society organisations.
The UK and other donors work together to provide extensive financial and technical assistance to a wide range of civil society organisations in Zimbabwe. Our support enables and empowers these organisations to hold the state to account for its use of resources and its respect for human rights and democratic principles. Already our support for civil society is having an impact in improving access to media and information for Zimbabweans. UK support is key in promoting human rights and equality in Zimbabwe. Through it, we are improving access to justice for the marginalised – and we’re helping push for transparency and citizen engagement in the use of public resources.

Support for election litigation
As far as elections are concerned, support from the UK, and other donors, will allow domestic election bodies to carry out their critical work to provide oversight of the process and environment. Crucially, we’ve already supported a programme of litigation on local election issues – to make sure that electoral practice is in line with the constitution. Said Ambassador Laing: “Elections are of course just one part of the government’s constitutional commitments to good governance, human rights and rule of law. We look forward to seeing ongoing progress in all these areas as part of constructive dialogue with the government of Zimbabwe, its Commissions, opposition and civil society.”

(Pictures from the visit of the Foreign Office’s Africa director Neil Wigan who visited Harare on a joint mission with other EU heads of Africa departments this week)