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

By Paul Nyathi|Former Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, will not be spared time to appear before parliament to explain how the Zimbabwe Republic Police got to be involved in diamonds mining in Chiyadzwa.

Chihuri failed to attend hearings before the Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Mining Development last week after he wrote a letter to the committee saying that he was unable to attend the hearings as he was receiving medical treatment outside the country.

Committee Chairman Temba Mliswa told journalists that the committee would reschedule Dr Chihuri’s hearing. 

“The former Commissioner-General of Police has written to Parliament to say he is not feeling well and that he is out of the country,” he said. “He expressed his readiness to come, so we will have to determine when he can come.”

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) allegedly partnered a private firm, Gye Nyame, to extract diamonds in Chiadzwa.

A fortnight ago, Dr Chihuri’s former deputies — Godwin Matanga, who is now ZRP Commissioner-General, and Deputy Commissioner-General Innocent Matibiri — told the committee that they were not aware that the law enforcement agency was extracting diamonds in Chiadzwa.

Former Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo and his former secretary, Mr Melusi Matshiya, told the same committee that they were also not aware that the police were involved in diamond mining.

By Paul Nyathi|The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development on Thursday officially summoned former President Robert Mugabe to appear before it to explain his claim that $15 Billion vanished from the country’s diamond revenue.

Mugabe hit headlines in 2016 when he made sensational claims that over $15 billion disappeared in the diamonds revenue in Chiyadzwa through possible corruption and looting scandals.

Committee chairman, Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa said his committee resolved to call Mugabe to explain where he got the claims of the $15 Billion losses.

“We met today as a committee and resolved that we invite former President Mr Mugabe to our committee to explain the disappearance of the $15 billion worth of diamonds,” he said. “We have set May 9 as the date on which he will give evidence.

“It is a resolution that we made long ago, but we first wanted to receive evidence from other State institutions to determine whether it is necessary or not to invite him. After gathering all evidence, it was the committee’s view that we call the former Head of State and Government,” he said.

The committee also invi-ted former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru to explain reports linking her to diamond mining in the area.

During her time as Vice President, Mujuru was rumoured to have had strong links to looting of diamonds to an extent that a section of the mines in Chiyadzwa was allegedly reserved for her and her mining friends.

The designated area was nicknamed “Chiuru Cha Mujuru” which means Mujuru’s reserved little hill.

By Own Correspondent| MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has received support from the Gwanda community.

Writing on Thursday afternoon, the Gwanda Residents’ Association leader, Bekezela Fuzwayo said he would vote for Chamisa without thinking.

While it was not fully clear how far reaching Fuzwayo’s comment is in the entire community, many noted how his personal sentiments have in the past borne the wind of opinion in Gwanda and beyond.

“It is not a secret that for President I will vote for Advocate Nelson Chamisa without thinking or listening to any considerations,” Fuzwayo said.

Commenting on others, he continued saying, “as for my councillor and MP one has to prove that they have Gwanda at heart and prove what it is that they have done for us as Gwanda before we elect them and what they will do for us when we elect them to the higher responsibility. No compromise on that.

“We are not going to allow the scenario where an MP wins elections in Gwanda and holds his victory celebrations in Mberengwa as was done by our outgoing MP.

By Dorrothy Moyo| Former MDC-T Vice President Thokozani Khupe, currently battling a court application for legitimacy has once again cancelled her congress. 

Her spokesman Obert Gutu made the announcement late Friday. Below was Gutu’s full text: 

The legitimate Acting President of the MDCT Dr. Thokozani Khupe has cancelled the Congress of the party slated for Saturday, 21 April 2018 at Stanley Square in Bulawayo.

The cancellation comes as a result of the court ruling in the party’s challenge to firing of its legitimate President by Parliament after the Tsvangirai faction under Nelson Chamisa convinced Parliament that they are the real MDCT.

The Concourt has since ruled in our favour that the matter of the president Khupe’s dismissal is urgent and will be heard on 30 May 2018.

In light of this the party has postponed the Congress to 2 June 2018. Logistical arrangements have thus been cancelled all delegates will reached out to via usual channels.

OBERT GUTU Real MDCT Spokesperson
0772802255

By Talent Gondo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa who was surprisingly silent about the striking nurses in his Independence Day message has finally opened up on why government fired nurses to an audience in Chipinge claiming that the strike was politically motivated.

Mnangagwa told villagers at a field day in Chipinge that he was well briefed about the developments in the health sector and he had come to the conclusion that there was political interference pushing the nurses to strike.

“I was well briefed about their refusal to wait for just two days until we could pay them despite that they had waited for over 8 years following their 2010 agreement,” said Mnangagwa.

“We realised that there is a force behind this. How can one refuse to wait for 2 days until we finalise payment modalities when they have waited for 8 years, so we said fire them. Anyone who needs a job, go and apply,” said Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa justified government’s move to relieve the nurses of their duties adding that this was because  government prioritises it’s citizens’ health.

“We told them to go back to work but they refused.They indicated that they will only go to work if the US $17 million that had been allocated to them by treasury reflected in their individual accounts,” said Mnangagwa.

“We said two days is a long time and the nation cannot afford that. What if we lost a lot of lives during those two days? We value nurses but we also value citizens’ s health and life.”

Mnangagwa called on unemployed nurses to apply  for nursing positions adding that those fired could reapply

By Paul Nyathi|Striking nurses will on Friday hold public free clinics to help members of the public receive urgent medical assistance.

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association revealed in a statement on Thursday that the nurses will show their commitment to duty by running open air free clinics for members of the public in Bulawayo and Harare on Friday.

The clinics will be stationed at the Africa Unity Square in Harare and at The City Hall Car Park in Bulawayo.

According to the statement, the nurses will provide basic medical services that will include observations, consultation and counselling on members of the public requiring urgent medical help.

Sources within the nurses indicated that several pharmaceutical companies have promised to donate basic equipment and drugs for the nurses as a solidarity move.

“As nurses we are able and ready to provide care to Zimbabweans but we can not continue working under the current condition,” said the nurses in the statement.

Government through Vice President Constantino Chiwenga on Independence Day announced that it had dismissed all the striking nurses two days into their collective job action.

The nurses have since taken the matter to the High Court for a determination.

By Paul Nyathi|King Mswati III of Swaziland has announced an immediate change of the country’s name to Eswatini.

Mswati made the announcement on Thursday at a joint celebration of the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary and his own 50th Birthday held at Somhlolo Stadium in the second capital city Manzini.

Eswatini is a SiSwati word for Land of the Swazi people.

Unlike some countries, Swaziland did not change its name when it gained independence in 1968 after being a British protectorate for more than 60 years.

“I would like to announce that Swaziland will now revert to its original name,” said King Mswati amidst huge cheers from the crowd.

“African countries on getting independence reverted to their ancient names before they were colonised. So from now on the country will be officially be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini.”

The name does not come as a surprise as the general population in the country has been using the name more than Swaziland. The name Swaziland was not favoured by the citizens because of its Swazi and English mix.

The move has been mooted for several years, with lawmakers considering the issue in 2015. Mswati III himself has always referred to the country as Eswatini more times than Swaziland.

The name change will warrant that the country’s constitution be rewritten.

By Own Correspondent| Movement for Democratic Change supporter Stewart Rupiya went missing in Bindura yesterday after celebrating independence at Chipadze stadium.

The MDC-T claims that Rupiya was assaulted by Zimbabwe National Army officers before being taken away.

Their public notice says, ‘The ZNA officers assaulted and bundled Rupiya before throwing him into ZNA ambulance. They drove away at high speed.

‘All efforts have been made to find him to no avail’ says the public statement.

It further says a report was made to Chiwaridzo police station but the man has not been seen yet.

However, it is alleged that police appealed to MDC-T to assist in searching for him.

The police warned them not to dare visit army barracks.

A comment from the army was fruitless at the time of writing.

Zimbabwe national army top officials including Vice President Constantino Chiwenga took a leading role in a military coup in November last year that forced former president Robert Mugabe to resign. The coup was a consummation of succession battles between the G40 faction led by Grace Mugabe and the Lacoste led by then Vice president Emerson Mngagwagwa.

Terrence Mawawa

Zanu PF Matabeleland South Youth Leader, Washington Nkomo has slammed what he described as insatiable greed among party leaders.

Nkomo made the stunning remarks at a Zanu PF event that was held at Joshua Nkomo Polytechnic last week.

“We all know that our leaders are greedy and it is an open secret.

They always suppress and repress party youths. We are tired of being used by selfish
who occupy positions of influence,” said Nkomo.

“We will expose those who are oppressing members of the youth league,” added Nkomo.

Terrence Mawawa

A school head in Mvuma was arrested last week for allegedly killing his father in a nasty mobile phone brawl.

According to the police, the incident happened on March 29.

“According to the information we gathered last week, Chengwena Primary School head, Paul Musariri had an argument with his brother over a cellphone.

As the two exchanged harsh words, their father, Mabweazara Musariri tried to intervene in the ensuring brawl and Paul struck him with a metal object several times,”police in Mvuma said.

Mabweazara died a week later at Driefontein Mission Hospital, according to the police.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

Prominent politician and lawyer Douglas Mwonzora is entangled in a stormy maintenance row, according to court records.

According to records at Masvingo Civil Court, one Getrude Chuma filed papers last week demanding maintenance from the popular MDC Secretary General.

Mwonzora sired one child with the lady, according to court documents.

Chuma is demanding a total of $ 380 per month from Mwonzora.

“We have resorted to court action because Mwonzora is uncooperative.

For the record Mwonzora has never disputed the paternity of the child,” said Chuma.

Mwonzora is yet to respond to the claims.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

Prominent politician and lawyer Douglas Mwonzora is entangled in a stormy maintenance row, according to court records.

According to records at Masvingo Civil Court, one Getrude Chuma filed papers last week demanding maintenance from the popular MDC Secretary General.

Mwonzora sired one child with the lady, according to court documents.

Chuma is demanding a total of $ 380 per month from Mwonzora.

“We have resorted to court action because Mwonzora is uncooperative.

For the record Mwonzora has never disputed the paternity of the child,” said Chuma.

Mwonzora is yet to respond to the claims.

Terrence Mawawa

Prominent social humanity scientist Prosper Tiringindi has lambasted President Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s government for failing to address the genuine concerns of workers in the health sector.

“The Government of Zimbabwe has failed to respect workers in the health sector.

As citizens of Zimbabwe we have witnessed the shortages of drugs in hospitals and the environment for doctors and nurses is so poor while President Mangagwa’ s government is faiing to address the gross anomalies.

The Government must act in time to avert dire consequences,” said Tiringindi.

STATEMENT ON INDEPENDENCE DAY
18th April 2018

Today Zimbabwe is 38 years old. But how far have we really come?

It is to our shame that there has been no discernible improvement on the infrastructure left to us by the Rhodesians. In fact the rather old-fashioned infrastructure which we were left with in 1980 is now in tatters.

There has been no appreciable increase in electricity generation. We have the same thermal power stations that we had 38 years ago and some hydro-electricity coming from Victoria Falls and the Kariba Dam completed in 1959. The Dam has developed very serious cracks which have been visible for some years, but it is only recently that a French company has been contracted to repair it — and it is a matter of speculation as to whether or not they will be able to do it before it collapses entirely.

Our capital city, Harare and its satellite, Chitungwiza no longer have clean water. Water-borne disease outbreaks occur at frequent intervals.

The once excellent National Railways of Zimbabwe has become a mess. Gone are the days when one could book an overnight sleeper and be provided with clean sheets. The one attempt at improvement was in the 1980s, when, with the help of Canada, we started buying their diesel engines rather than manufacture our own steam locomotives. This in a country with no oil but abundant coal!

The health service has fallen apart.

The only noticeable development has been in education, schools and universities have been opened which have provided Zimbabwe with the world’s best educated street traders. Others, of course, have used their skills in other countries. This is clearly the result of having a school headmaster ruling the country for more than 37 years — a man who understood what happens in school very well but had no idea what happens to people after they have left school.

The indignity of being discriminated against by people who look different and come from a different continent is now over. But at least those people for all their humiliating racial attitudes generally paid workers on the agreed day. The new boss class have now developed an attitude and a culture of paying workers whenever they feel like it. This is true in both the public and the private sectors and councils under the control of the pro-imperialist opposition are no better at treating their workers.

People struggling to scratch a living by street trading are beaten and persecuted by police working for the interests of the petit-bourgeois élite who do not want to see their streets looking untidy. The majority of our people have become non-people — except when it comes to voting.

Zimbabweans, generally, are no longer discriminated against because of their colour. But they are discriminated against because of class.

And when we look at the history of our liberation struggle, what happened to those that lead our liberation armies — Josiah Tongogara, Lookout Masuku and Solomon Mujuru?

In 1980 all celebrated the new government and the new flag — even those who had backed ZAPU, the original liberation movement, rather than those who took power — ZANU.

Two years later, in 1982, an agreement was made with the apartheid government of South Africa to prevent Zimbabwe from being used as a rear base for the armed wing of the ANC of South Africa, Umkhonto we Sizwe, the ally of ZIPRA. Massacres followed in Matabeleland, Midlands and Mashonaland West. This has led to a huge rift, to deep bitterness between different ethnic groups. Although this has been the worst manifestation of tribalism, it is by no means the only one. Zimbabweans of Malawian, Mozambican or Zambian origin have been told that they are not Zimbabweans. This in a country whose leaders claim to be pan-Africanists!

The memory of the days of the late 1940s and early 1950s when Benjamin Burombo was able to lead the people of Bulawayo and Charles Mzingeli was able to lead the people in Salisbury have been buried by ethnic hatred.

Then came the big sell-out. Real economic independence ended in 1991 with ESAP. For all their racism, the Rhodesians had built up an economy autonomous from outside control. For the first 11 years of Independence at least 80% of what we bought in Zimbabwe was made in Zimbabwe. The bitter truth is that it was the African ‘nationalists’ and not the white settlers who bowed to the demands of the US/UK Axis when they accepted the terms of the IMF and the World Bank.

Worse, the working-class movement created originally in opposition to ESAP became its opposite. It came under the control of Rhodesians opposed to land reform who had now reconciled to the imperialist centre. The MDC became the greatest exponents of the neo-liberal ethos.

Recently we saw that with the overthrow of Robert Mugabe, the British Minister of State for African Affairs spent several days in Harare prior to Emmerson Mnangagwa becoming President.

And what did the MDC Alliance do when they found that they were not included in the new government?

They ran to Washington, the centre of world terrorism, to complain.

As Communists, we are very clear that in our country, Zimbabwe, it was the working-class which started the liberation struggle when trade unionists took over the Southern Rhodesian ANC in 1957. It was the working-class and the peasants who gave their blood for liberation from colonial oppression. But rule by the Rhodies has given way to rule by the chefs whom we are expected to respect.

We cannot respect those who steal our resources and do not respect us.

Therefore the Zimbabwe Communist Party calls on the working-class, the peasants and the poor to unite and regain the independence for which they and their forefathers gave their lives.

Forward to real Independence !!
Down with the chefs !!
Down with the imperialists and their stooges !!

Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena

General Secretary

On behalf of the National Steering Committee

Contacts ; +27 83 340 1000

Email : [email protected]

By Paul Nyathi|Chimurenga music guru Thomas Mapfumo nearly caused a stampede as hundreds of fans welcomed him at the Robert Mugabe International Airport on Independence Day.

Mukanya, as the musician is popularly called, landed in the country to a heroes welcome after 14 years in exile in the United States.

Zimbabweans from all walks of life thronged the airport to catch a glimpse of the musical icon’s historic return.

The media had to hackle for an interview in the midst of the ecstatic fans.

Mukanya said he is happy to be back home and to see his fellow friends still alive, adding that he was motivated to be back home after hearing that there has been a restoration of normalcy in the country.

He left the country in 2004 in a protest against then President Robert Mugabe’s leadership accusing Mugabe of gross human rights abuses.

Mapfumo is set to grace the stage with legendary musician Oliver Mtukudzi  and Jah Prayzah in a sold out concert in the capital on the 28th of April.

By Paul Nyathi|Striking nurses from government hospitals nationwide are pulling the state into court if Vice President Constantino Chiwenga does not reverse his statement firing the 20,000 health workers by end of day today.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association on Wednesday evening said that they have engaged their employer the Health Services Board to get an assurance that it will not effect the threat issued by the Vice President or they take the matter to the High Court.

“We have engaged the Health Services Board to confirm that it will not implement the directive issued by the Vice President by not later than 16:00hrs on 19 April 2018 failing which we will approach the High Court on an urgent basis to protect our right,” said the nurses.

The nurses indicated that as far as they are concerned they are engaged in a legal industrial action after notifying their employer of their intention to strike within the regulated two weeks.

The nurses representative body indicated that non of their members have received any letters of dismissal from their employer the Health Services Board and as far as they are concerned their contacts still hold while negotiations with their employer on their grievances are on going.

Chiwenga issued a statement dismissing all the nurses claimimg that government has resolved the nurses problems by committing to pay them over 17 million dollars.

The nurses however dismissed the 17 million dollar commitment as a solution to their grievances claiming that the money is only outstanding payments of allowances promised in 2010.

“The $17 144 446 in the Vice President’s statement relates to arrear allowances dating back to 2010 and has nothing to do with our current demands that triggered the collective action,” said the nurses.

ZINA further claims that non of their members have even received any payments of the promised money.

Meanwhile the government has stated rehiring nurses below the age of 70 to take up posts left by the fired nurses.

Speaking to the ZBC News in Harare over the weekend, the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa said the sacking of striking nurses has created a shortage of nurses in government’s health institutions, adding that the rehiring process presents an opportunity for all trained nurses to apply.

He also said those who were fired can also apply as new employees, adding that they can approach nearest central hospital, provincial hospital and provincial medical health directorate immediately.

 

Ousted MDC-T vice president Dr Thokozani
Khupe has accused Parliament of turning a
blind eye to its constitutional obligation to
protect her tenure as a Member of
Parliament when it endorsed her expulsion
from the august House.

Dr Khupe, who was
the opposition party’s Proportional
Representation Member of Parliament for
Bulawayo Metropolitan, is presently
challenging her expulsion from Parliament.

Last Thursday, MDC-T leader Mr Nelson
Chamisa wrote to Speaker of Parliament
Advocate Jacob Mudenda, claiming that Dr
Khupe no longer represented the party’s
interest.

The aggrieved politician yesterday filed her
challenge at the Constitutional Court citing
Parliament, Speaker of Parliament Advocate
Mudenda and MDC-T chairman Mr Morgan
Komichi as respondents.

Dr Khupe, through her lawyer Professor
Lovemore Madhuku, wants an order
declaring that Parliament failed to fulfil its
constitutional obligation to protect the
tenure of the seat of a Member of Parliament
as required by Sections 119(1) and 129 of the
Constitution.

She also wants the court to reinstate her as
Member of Parliament, including declaring
Mr Komichi’s letter to Parliament, which was
written in terms of Section 129(1)(k) of the
Constitution, null and void.

Section 129 (1) (k) of the Constitution of
Zimbabwe provides that: “A seat of a
Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the
member has ceased to belong to the political
party of which he or she was a member when
elected to Parliament.”

It is Dr Khupe’s contention that both Sections
119(1) and 129 of the Constitution impose a
duty on Parliament to subject every dispute
that impacts on the tenure of a seat of a
Member of Parliament to the courts for
determination before recognising and acting
on the remedy provided for through Section
129(1)(k).

“Section 129(1)(k) has no automatic effect,”
stated Dr Khupe in her papers.
“If there is a dispute between a member and
any group or association purporting to be the
‘political party concerned’ within the
meaning of that expression in Section 129(1)
(k), the first respondent (Parliament) has a
constitutional obligation to protect the
tenure of the seat of a member until the
dispute relating to the requirements in
Section 129(1)(k) has been authoritatively
resolved by the courts.”

She further argues that whenever Parliament
is put on notice by any of its members
regarding a potential dispute in respect of the
requirements of Section 129(1)(k), it has a
constitutional obligation to put into motion a
process akin to interpleader proceedings and
require a court of law to resolve the dispute.
An interpleader is a suit pleaded between
two parties to determine a matter of claim or
right to property held by a third party.
“It is for the first respondent itself to invite
a court to resolve the dispute given its
constitutional obligation to protect the
tenure of seats of its members,” she argues.

“I believe that the view that all that is
required for a vacancy to arise under Section
129(1)(k) is for the second respondent
(Speaker of National Assembly) to receive a
written notice from the political party
concerned is incorrect for the simple reason
that it does not take into account the
constitutional obligations I have outlined.”

Dr Khupe also argues that whenever
Parliament’s attention is drawn to a split or
potential split in a political party, it has a
constitutional obligation not to recognise a
written notice from one of the factions
without either taking the matter to court
under an interpleader of sorts or referring
the parties to a court for determination.

“There is another constitutional obligation
that the first respondent must act reasonably
in everything it does.
“Where it acts irrationally, it breaches its
constitutional obligations.”
Dr Khupe was elected Member of Parliament
under Section 124(1) (b) representing
Bulawayo Metropolitan Province.

The Chamisa-led MDC-T is yet to respond to
the Dr Khupe’s application, which she wants
to be treated with urgency.

Until her expulsion last week, Dr Khupe was
the leader of the opposition party in the
august House by virtue of her being the
party’s deputy president.

The opposition party has become increasingly
fractious, especially after the death of its
founding leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai on
February 14.
Dr Khupe was left the acting president of the
party when Mr Tsvangirai was confined to
his hospital bed in South Africa until his
death.

Mr Chamisa, who has had a nasty fallout with
Dr Khupe over the leadership of the
opposition party since then, last week
recalled Dr Khupe from Parliament after
MDC-T’s national council – regarded as the
opposition party’s supreme decision-making
organ in between congresses – unanimously
agreed to expel her from the party accusing
her of misconduct and intransigence- The Herald.

By Terrence Mawawa| In 2004, Daniel Shumba was fired from the revolutionary party Zanu PF for pushing for Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ascendancy.

Last year after being expelled from the ruling party Shumba decided to launch an opposition party, United Democratic Alliance(UDA).

” Dr Daniel Shumba’ s key attributes:
1.EDUCATION- he is a holder of an MBA and PhD in International Business Strategy.

2.PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Dr Daniel Shumba is a born again Christian who believes in Christ and has to be practical in National governance.

He is a sociable and likeable individual. His generosity is a sure testimony for all who interacted with him. He is a man of principles and he has a firm character
-yet so humorous.

Dr Shumba is a man of standards who considers best practices in everything as never to be an option but an inevitable human obligation,” UDA said in a statement.

By Paul Nyathi|Opposition MDCT leader Nelson Chamisa on Independence Day stood by his ealier word and attended the National Independence Celebrations at the National Sports Stadium.

The youthful leader shared the VVIP tent with rival President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In a rare political fit in the country, the two leaders shook hands and hugged in front of the thousands who packed the stadium to capacity.

Commenting on his attendance of the celebrations a move which most people in the opposition parties generally do not agree with, Chamisa said that national events like the Independence Day celebrations should unite Zimbabweans.

“Going forward, national events must unite us all as our source of collective national pride. Zimbabwe is for all of us together, BIG & BEST,” said Chamisa.

“With all unmet aspirations, debilitating challenges, neglected advantages & broken hopes being tormented and troubled a nation..Ours is still the ONE & ONLY BEAUTIFUL ZIMBABWE,” said the vibrant opposition leader.

WARNING- Some of the pictures are too gruesome and will need to be heavily edited before publication.

By Own Correspondent| 7 people are feared dead in an accident that occurred in the Harare- Mutare road.

The accident might be the most gruesome accidents to happen in the country this year so far.

Sources told ZimEye, the accident involving a truck and a Toyota Wish, had several alleged dead bodies seen at the roadside. True to their statements, impeccable picture evidence in ZimEye’s possession, shows several apparently lifeless bodies lying on the ground. A-team of  the fire brigade, was pictured attempting to assist some of those who remained trapped inside one of the vehicles. The other vehicle was cut in half, literally, and in a very distressing way.

Further details were sketchy at the time of writing and ZimEye will keep our valued readers and viewers updated.