MDC Alliance Spokesman and deputy president likely- Prof. Welshman Ncube yesterday said Zimbabwe will get spaghetti roads soon under an MDC run government.

He made these comments while speaking at the White City Stadium in Bulawayo. VIDEO:

By Dorrothy Moyo| The state owned Sunday Mail reports that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has returned home from China with a bag full of billions of dollars in sealed business deals.

The report published early Sunday morning, had a flashing headline with the text: ” ED RETURNS WITH A BAGFUL.”

The article speaks of for instance the US$1 billion Hwange Thermal Power Station deal which it says was finalised and funds to start work on units 7 and 8 of the plant will be released immediately.

The rest of the report reads: The Kunzvi Project reached financial closure, with Sino Hydro and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) committing to provide resources for a dam and water treatment plant, and to rollout installation of smart prepaid water meters.

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

Zimbabwe and China also signed a US$1 billion tourism memorandum of understanding.

President Xi Jinping’s government extended a special RMB1 billion (close to US$160 million) facility for Zimbabwe to draw down over three years, and US$20 million to assist President Mnangagwa’s administration.

Chinese investors offered to fund construction of roads and railways, while one wants to build a multi-million dollar five-star hotel in Victoria Falls.

Officials from Oriental State Chinese agreed to set up industrial parks in special economic zones.

On the diplomatic level, the two countries agreed to elevate relations to Strategic Partnership Status, the highest level of bilateral co-operation.

Soon after landing in Harare yesterday morning, President Mnangagwa said: “The trip was a huge, massive success. We have now escalated our relations from the all-weather friendship status to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Co-operation.

“This is the highest level which China has with other nations so Zimbabwe has been elevated to that status. When that is achieved it means that there would now be very comprehensive economic relations.

“In that regard, when we looked at our economic relations, there were some challenges facing Zimbabwe in relation to arrears of various loans or contracts or projects or agreements which had been entered into before.

“So we are able, through the wisdom of his Excellency President Xi Jinping, to de-link the past with the present.

“The present is now being opened from a new page where all the projects which we presented have been agreed to and are going to be financed; whilst the old commitments by Zimbabwe to previous projects will be worked on, but separately de-linked from the current process.”

Briefing journalists on the State Visit, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo said President Mnangagwa’s administration had registered huge successes in China.

He said there was “real chemistry” between Zimbabwe’s Head of State and President Xi.

“This, was in summary, what I would call a rejuvenated relation between two brother nations,” said Dr Moyo

“It has been action packed in as far as concretising the economic interest of both countries. The success story is that Zimbabwe was offered Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is higher level from the usual all-weather friendship which existed over the years.”

Dr Moyo also said China had agreed not to judge Zimbabwe on the failures of the previous administration.

“President Xi’s government accepted to de-link that whole process and gave a new blank check to Zimbabwe’s current administration.

“We pledged to be responsible for the legacy debt, but as far as those debts were going to be an impediment for us to implement the existing projects, at least that has been de-linked. Zimbabwe was given a new life line as far its economic trajectory is concerned.”

Dr Moyo said the visit had created space for major infrastructure investments.

“There were a number of memoranda of understanding that were signed to develop the road infrastructure in Zimbabwe, and these include possible roads like Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls, and also support was pledged to develop the road from Beitbridge to Harare and also to Chirundu, when certain aspects have been finalised.

“There have been issues around the construction and development of railway systems from Zimbabwe to a port in collaboration with Mozambican authorities, and these are infrastructure projects which are already in the pipeline and which are coming through. The success stories from China are numerous.”

Dr Moyo said Zimbabwe had been invited to be part of the Belt and Road Initiative, President Xi’s ambitious project to create a truly global economic village.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa said the objectives of the mission to China had been achieved.

“The funding of new projects had stopped because we were required to reach an agreement with China Eximbank and also Sinosure, which guarantees most of the investment signed in China,” he said.

“So, they had stopped disbursing, stopped funding new projects. As a result of this visit we were able to persuade the Chinese authorities that our failure to pay our loans was that these loan were legacy loans; these are legacy arrears and that we should be given time to undertake our reforms.

“The result was that the Chinese authorities have de-linked three specific projects, which could not take off. These had reached financial closure but could not take off.

“For Hwange 7 and 8, the disbursements will start immediately. The NetOne Phase 1 was also de-linked, and disbursement will start immediately. The same for Robert Mugabe International Airport.

“The important outcome was to de-link new things from old things. With respect to the old existing debts, we are taking discussions and the expectations is that the discussions will conclude soon.

“This included the Harare Morton Jaffrey Water Works (refurbishment) which stopped and disbursement stalled and we fell into arrears. The Sino Pharmacy debt, National Defence University debt and Sino cement debt are under discussion.”

Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development Minister Dr Mike Bimha said there was keen interest from Chinese investors to invest in special economic zones.

Dr Bimha said the representatives of 75 Zimbabwean private companies that went to China with President Mnangagwa also sealed deals.

“There is renewed interest in terms of special economic zones in terms of industrial parks; we have an investor who will soon be coming to Zimbabwe to establish an industrial park,” he said.

“We have an investor interested in special economic zones looking into textiles, looking into the whole value chain from cotton to textiles. There was also interest in tourism.”

On arrival in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa was received by Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Cabinet ministers and other senior Government officials, and service chiefs.

It’s no photoshop, @nelsonchamisa spent time at Joshua Nkomo Museum bf engaging probably his biggest crowd in Byo pic.twitter.com/hoJ7iVEd73

— MDC Alliance (@MDCAllianceZW) April 7, 2018

The net is closing in on former Cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo, pictured, who has now been indicted for trial next month over serious allegations of corruption which authorities say happened during his time in government.

However, it is not clear whether the garrulous Moyo — who has been living in self-imposed exile ever since long-ruling former president Robert Mugabe was ousted from power in November last year — will return to the country to face his accusers.

But the State says he will stand trial on May 21, together with his former deputy in the Higher Education ministry, Godfrey Gandawa, as well as three executives from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef).

Moyo is facing a slew of allegations relating to corruption which include serious fraud, money laundering and criminal abuse of office charges, as well as claims that he benefited from

Zimdef donations that involved the purchase of bicycles which he donated to his former Tsholotsho North constituency.

“… Moyo has been indicted and will face his day in court on May 21,” Prosecutor-General Ray Goba confirmed to the Daily News yesterday.

Apart from Gandawa, Moyo will be tried together with Shepherd Honzeri, suspended Zimdef chief executive officer Frederick Mandizvidza and its finance director Nicholus Mapute.

According to the State, Gandawa and Moyo recommended and approved a request for the purchase of 10 printers worth $95 800 and a computerised embroidery machine worth $16 000 on November 6, 2015.

It is also alleged that they awarded the contract to Wisebone Trading (Pvt) Ltd, a company that is said to be owned by Gandawa’s uncle — all this without going to tender as required by the law.

Moyo is alleged to have, from November to December 2015, instructed Honzeri to get quotations for tri-cycles for donation to his then Tshlolotsho North constituency, before instructing Gandawa to transfer $19 030 to HIB Rajput Ace Cycle.

The money was said to be the balance of the money from the printers purchased from Wisebone.

Moyo, Gandawa and Mapute, according to the State, also connived to transfer $27 550 from Fuzzy Technologies for the purchase of 10 three-wheeled motor cycles.

The State says Moyo and the officials were, all in all, involved in multiple corrupt activities which prejudiced Zimdef of $450 000.

On his part, Moyo has said that he is not corrupt, and since he fled the country, he has been working hard to discredit the government by repeatedly questioning the legitimacy of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration, which has, however, been accepted by Sadc, the African Union and key Western powers.

Moyo has also told international media that his life is allegedly in danger, and that he has no intentions of coming back home until there is what he terms a “return of constitutional government”.

“The military specifically targeted my house and myself with a clear intention to cause harm and that is why I am not in the country, although I left legally.

“I am not at liberty to disclose my whereabouts because they have shown a very clear and determined intention to find me and harm me wherever I am,” Moyo said in an interview with the BBC.

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), which was repeatedly thwarted by Mugabe in its attempts to have Moyo arrested over the corruption allegations, said yesterday that it expected the former Tsholotsho North MP to turn up at court to clear his name.

“All the witnesses are there and all the evidence is now there for all to see. It’s now up to the judges to deal with the matter.

“As for his (Moyo’s) extradition, that is a matter for the National Prosecuting Authority,” the head of Zacc investigations committee, Goodson Nguni, said.

But well-placed sources to the Daily News last night that they “know” where Moyo was, and that in the event that he did not turn up for court, the government had numerous options at its disposal to deal with him — including activating extradition processes which would see an international arrest warrant being issued against him.

The omens have not been good for Moyo ever since the Constitutional Court (Con-Court) dismissed his application challenging Zacc’s arresting powers.

Sitting as a full bench, the Con-Court ruled in September last year that he had erred when he rushed to the apex court on the issue, when a magistrate could have dealt with the matter.

Moyo had gone to the Con-Court in a bid to stall Zacc, which had swooped on him in 2016. He had argued that he could not be arraigned before the magistrates’ courts on the basis that the anti-graft body had no powers to arrest and detain him.

The late retired Chief Justice, Godfrey Chidyausiku, had subsequently stayed Moyo’s prosecution — pending determination of whether or not his arrest was constitutional.

Moyo, who was bitterly opposed to Mnangagwa succeeding Mugabe, also accused the then VP and key players at Zacc of waging a factionally-driven war against him.- Daily News

A Congressional Delegation led by Senator Christopher Coons is in Zim 2 explore ways of strengthening the bilateral relationship. The five Senators met with President Mnangagwa, Members of the opposition and civil society, among others to discuss how best to work together. pic.twitter.com/YxUzdEzycP

— U.S. Embassy Harare (@usembassyharare) April 7, 2018

The People’s Rainbow Coalition (PRC) led by Dr. Joice Mujuru has castigated President Emmerson Mnangagwa for misrepresenting Memorandum of Understandings as closed business deals, to the people of Zimbabwe.

PRC spokesperson, Advocate Gift Nyandoro in a statement said, a memorandum of understanding is an intention of the need to work together between parties subject to execution of suggested requirements.

“PRC, being the government in waiting urges Zimbabweans not to be fooled and misled by the coup President ED Mnangagwa’s falsehoods and propaganda of having signed economic deals in China.

“The Kindergarten and exaggerated praises of ED’s China visits stands out as a classical demonstration of a military administration that lacks primary understanding of definition and meaning of what constitutes a memorandum of understanding.

“MoU is just a statement of wanting to work together between parties subject to fulfilling of suggested requirements. As such, it remains an intention and for a whole military cabal to celebrate the mere appending of a signature to a statement of intention to work together between China and Zimbabwe, would obviously be no different from allowing Satan to run away with a Christian bible from Christian pulpit,” said Advocate Nyandoro.

PRC advised the government to desist from celebrating futile mega deals, as there is nothing called ‘Free Lunch’ in this era.

He said,” ED needs to appreciate that, in this 21st century there is nothing called ‘Free Lunch’ and the military administration needs to desist from celebrating the so called mega deals, which are nothing but a desperate and hopeless walk into extreme borrowing without a backup plan of strategic retreat.”

“The so called China visit is a terrible tragic tale of a scarf man without a clue on how to rescue Zimbabwe from economic turmoil; to the extent that a coup President celebrates mentioning of remote possibilities, notwithstanding absence of tangible evidence to sustain such misplaced expectations for sudden economic recovery for our country.

“In the circumstances, ED and his military handlers need to understand that the country’s economic challenges are not resolved through a borrowing tendency without a backup plan to repay. That applies both to offshore and domestic date,” he added.

PRC said it is a shame that a country, which was once the bread basket of southern Africa, is now a basket case of non-mitigated begging of individual interests, and that citizens need to appreciate that the current military regime is completely clueless, on how to take the country forward.

Lately, Zimbabwe has been engaging the global community trying to lure investors, as the country has been shunned by investors, who since former President Robert Mugabe’s days, cited unpopular investment policies as the major reason for not fulfilling signed MoUs.

Zimbabwe and Belarus recently signed several deals worth millions of dollars across various economic sectors.www.statesman.co.zw

People start to gather for the MDC Alliance rally.

Former Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo and ex-Zanu-PF Youth League secretary Kudzanayi Chipanga yesterday appeared in court for their routine remand.

The duo, who appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Tilda Mazhande, was remanded to May 10. Chombo’s trial date could not be set as his docket is still pending at the Prosecutor-General’s Office.

The former senior Zanu-PF official is facing abuse of office charges from his time as Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

It the State’s case that Chombo allegedly connived with Psychology Chiwanga, Rejoice Pazvakavambwa, Iben Fransisco, James Chiyangwa, Theresa Chenjerayi, Elias Choto and Lazarus Chimba to forge documents used to transfer a Glen Lorne, Harare, property from the Harare City Council to Alois Chimeri.

The High Court granted Chombo $5 000 bail coupled with stringent conditions. Similarly, a trial date could also not be set for Chipanga, who is facing charges of making false statements and undermining public confidence in the military. He is on $500 bail.

Chombo and Chipanga are being represented by Professor Lovemore Madhuku.

MDC-T President Adv. Nelson Chamisa’s remarks to the press

Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House, Harare, 5 April 2018

1.Introduction

Almost two months after the untimely death of the national legend and founding leader, the iconic President Morgan Richard Tsvangirai. Notwithstanding the sad loss of our leader, whom the country continues to mourn to this very day, the party remains a strong and formidable unit ready for the watershed polls due in a few months time.

We are a solid family of democrats that is growing stronger every day. Our footprints in all that we do have shown that we are sticklers to constitutionalism and the rule of law. We are the game changers, the movers and shifters.

As a party, we are proud social democrats that eschew the values of empathy, solidarity, tolerance, freedom and justice.

On the national scale, I remain touched by the people’s sorry predicament. The cash shortages persist and citizens are finding it hard to access their hard-earned cash. Unemployment continues to be a huge challenge while the few that are employed are finding it hard to survive due to inadequate remuneration.

Civil servants, including our hard working doctors and nurses are struggling to survive. The paltry salaries of just over $300 do not befit the dignity and status of civil servants who expend sweat and tears to keep our country running.

The national crisis is crying out for a new government that will truly respond to the needs of the people.

2. Redefining the narrative—April is Independence month

Indeed, we are a proud pan-African political formation whose broad mandate is to complete the unfinished business of the liberation of struggle.

It is in line with our character as a proud-African movement and pan-liberation movement that we have declared April the independence month.

For us, as a day is not enough to accord the befitting veneration to our liberation struggle in which so many of our patriotic sons and daughters paid the ultimate price.

April is therefore an independence month in which we will take part in many activities to celebrate our liberation struggle; the bloody and intractable struggle in which we shed blood to rid the country of oppression, subjugation and racism.

It is in line with that redefinition and rebranding that as a party, we will seek to play a prominent role in all national events including the country’s national Independence Day activities.

National days must be inclusive and must not continue to be arrogated or dominated by a single political party. It is demeaning of our independence to ascribe it to the sole efforts of a political party. It was a struggle by all Zimbabweans that must be celebrated by all.

As I have already said, under our leadership, we will set aside the whole month of April—and not just a single day—to the celebration of our uhuru.
April will indeed be an Independence month.

3.Election Preparedness
Within the context of independence, it is important to restate that the party remains strong and ready to participate in the forthcoming polls. Our liberation struggle was mainly about one-man-one-vote and we stand ready to participate in a truly free, fair and credible plebiscite.

To attest to our readiness, the party’s Elections directorate has received CVs from aspiring candidates who wish to stand in the local government and parliamentary polls. We have received a total of 3 911 CVs from aspiring candidates and this attests to the willingness of Zimbabweans to represent the party at both parliamentary and local government level.

Our preparation is well on course and in the next few weeks, we will have a complete panel of candidates that will represent the party at all levels.

We are determined to meet the 50 percent threshold for women and the 20 percent youth quota in line with the constitution and the resolutions of the supreme organs of the party.

3.1 Electoral reforms
Last month, we launched our Plan and Environment for a Credible Election (PEACE). That document has 10 key demands of what we want addressed if we are to have an undisputed election.

We will do all that is possible to ensure that Zimbabweans are given a chance to freely express their sovereign will in fair and credible poll.

Our 10 demands include, but are not limited to:

1.Independence of the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission (ZEC), including the independence and professionalization of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Secretariat.

2.The creation of an authentic biometric voters’ roll properly audited and signed off by all stakeholders.

3.Full disclosure and transparency around the ballot paper, its technical status, its printing and its distribution thereof.

4.The complete de-securitisation of election institutions and the electoral process, incorporating the exclusion of Zimbabwe’s security sector from managing the incumbent ZANU PF’s election campaign.

5.Provision for Zimbabweans residing in the Diaspora to vote in the election.

6.Media reforms allowing for equal access to public media by all contenders in the election.

7.The enactment of major amendments to the Electoral Law and the repealing of restrictive laws such as: the Public Order Security Act (POSA); Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA); and the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA).

8.Allowing entry of international monitors and supervisors at least 3 months before the 2018 election and provision for the United Nations to supervise the poll.

9.Absence of violence and intimidation before, during and after the election.

10. Political impartiality of traditional leaders, including abolition of politicized food aid in election campaigns.

Conclusion: The road to Victory (R2V)

As a party, we are ready to roll. We are fine-tuning our policy programme and our people’s manifesto that will truly respond to the challenges facing the despondent citizens of this nation.

We have rebranded and revamped this movement and in the next few weeks, we will be unveiling the detailed policy programmes of how we will rescue this country from the abyss.

We have done it before and we will do it again. Zimbabweans are under no illusion about the MDC’s capacity to govern, given our record during our stint of delivery between 20019 and 2013.

With our competent hands on the wheel of government, the future can only be bright for the people of Zimbabwe.

The party is ready; Zimbabweans are ready and they continue to show their confidence judging by their participation in the party’s activities. The region and the world are anxious for a truly new dispensation that delivers to the people.

We are truly on the road to victory.

I Thank You.

By Paul Nyathi

Young talented television and radio personality Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa has landed a top Zimpapers group position.

In a statement released on Friday, the Zimpapers spokesperson Ms Beatrice Tonhodzayi announced the appointment of Parirenyatwa to the post of Projects Manager for the Radio Broadcasting Division.

The group also put Simon Mapuranga to the post of general manager for Bold Ads.

Under the new portfolio, Ms Ruvheneko will be overseeing projects for the division’s radio stations, namely Star FM and Diamond FM.

Due to the management agreement between Kingston’s Holdings and Zimpapers, which has seen the latter managing Nyaminyami FM in Kariba and Capitalk FM in Harare on behalf of Kingston’s, Parirenyatwa will also be overseeing projects at the two stations.

“We are expecting to see exciting things happening both at the Radio Division and at Bold Ads,” said Ms Tonhodzayi.

“Zimpapers is a business that does not believe in complacency. The company’s leadership is constantly thinking of new ideas and strategies to keep the business relevant and profitable, hence new skills, faces and changes are something that we shall be seeing a lot more as we move on.”

Parirenyatwa daughter to Health and Child Care Minister David Parirenyatwa, studied journalism at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

She hosts her talk show “Ruvheneko” on Star FM Zimbabwe on Mondays at 7pm, Capitalk 100.4 FM on Wednesdays at 7pm and on her online TV platform every Thursday at 7pm.

A former programming manager of ZiFM Stereo, also worked for the African Leadership Network in Johannesburg and GQ Magazine in Cape Town.

By Paul Nyathi

An overly excited Joice Mujuru led National People’s Party provincial chairman has come trailblazing on youthful MDC-T President Nelson Chamisa describing him as a political toddler who will not be voted for.

Speaking to a handful of his party members in Bindura over the Easter weekend, the Mashonaland Central chairman of the party Godwin Chimombe described Chamisa as a political toddler, who can not be compared to Mujuru.

“You can not compare Chamisa to Mujuru, he is still a political toddler who even failed to respect the constitution of his party and rushed himself to the leadership of the MDC-T,” said Chimombe.

Speaking in the presence of his party leader, Mujuru and other senior party leaders, Chimombe said Zimbabweans should not entrust Chamisa with the running of the country as he will disregard the country’s constitution.

He further castigated the young MDC-T leader claiming that young people can not be trusted to lead the country as they are intoxicated in drugs.

“How do you expect him to follow the Constitution of the country?” he said.

“He thinks the election can be won by youths, but the youths are intoxicated by dagga. Our election will be won by women.”

Chimombe is himself a former MDC-T youth leader. He left the MDC-T to join Mujuru’s party at its formation in 2015.

Mujuru has also previously castigated Chamisa also describing him as very immature and not a befitting replacement of the late MDC-T founding President Morgan Tsvangirai.

CHIEF Nyangazonke of Maphisa in Kezi, Matobo District has warned people who are descending on his area in search of amacimbi to stay away or risk being charged at his court for looting a resource that belongs to locals.

Speaking in a telephone interview with the state owned Chronicle newspaper on Thursday, the chief said the mopani worm harvesters were also bathing and relieving themselves in or near rivers.

He said amacimbi are meant to augment locals’ food supply and to be sold to help communities pay for children’s school fees, among others.

“If there is anyone who is still in my area harvesting amacimbi and does not belong here, they should leave with immediate effect. If they cannot abide by our community rules, then they face arrest. Non-locals who are coming Nicodemously for our natural resource are not welcome. This is a natural resource that should be benefiting the community as a whole, especially in these tough economic times,” said the chief.

“Locals should harvest them in abundance and raise money for school fees, and for barter trade with other basic commodities. Most people in my community have serious challenges in paying fees and providing for their families. It is our gift from Mother Nature and locals should benefit. We never go to other areas for their gold or diamonds or whatever natural resource that they have, they should leave us alone with our food.”

The chief said the mopani worm harvesters were living in makeshift camps under squalid conditions that could prove to be a breeding ground for diseases.

“These people who have come to squat in our area are posing a major health risk to the community and livestock. They are defecating in the open, littering the bush with plastics and this is not good for our livestock. Our cattle now eat faeces and plastic and get sick and we have to foot the bills for veterinary treatment. They are bathing upstream in the rivers that we drink from,” he said.

Matobo District Administrator Mr Robert Muzezewa shared the chief’s sentiments.

He said the campers were cutting down trees indiscriminately, leading to massive deforestation in some parts of Matobo.

“People come to harvest worms and wild fruits and they don’t do it while considering conservation methods that the locals do. They just destroy and go because it is not their place. A lot of umnyi trees have been cut down by urbanites who do not consider that next year that tree would have borne more fruit.

They are also cutting down mopane trees for the worms that would be in higher branches; it’s just bad for the environment and is unfair to locals,” he said.

Source: The Chronicle

State Media- A man from Bulawayo committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a pistol for yet unclear reasons.

Mr Dominic Magava (59), a divorcee who lived with his elderly mother in Woodville suburb, was found dead inside his car yesterday morning.

Relatives suspect he shot himself on Thursday at around 8PM. Mr Magava’s younger brother discovered the body and alerted the police.

He allegedly shot himself under the chin and the bullet went through his head, damaging the skull in the process.

Bulawayo Metropolitan province police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm that we received a report of sudden death by shooting of a 59-year-old man. The deceased was seen by his younger brother seated on the driver’s side of his car and there was a revolver in between his thighs.

“The deceased had gunshot wounds on the chin and head and as police we are still investigating so that we are able to establish circumstances leading to his death,” she said.

The revolver believed to have been used in committing the alleged suicide was registered under Mr Magava’s name.

Insp Simango said the body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for a postmortem.

By Talent Gondo | A 46 year old man has died from cholera in Stoneridge, Harare, the Harare City Council (HCC) ZimEye can reveal.

Michael Chideme, Harare City Council Corporate Communications Manager confirmed the death adding that the local authority was making frantic efforts to curb the spread of the disease.

“A 46 year old man died in Stoneridge but we are making frantic efforts to trace all those whom we think may have been in contact with the deceased,” said Chideme.

He revealed that council had deployed water bousers to Stoneridge while at the same time setting up emergency mobile clinics so that residents have easy and quick access to health services.

“We have set up emergency tents so that anyone with suspected cholera symptoms can be screened,” said Chideme.

Commenting about the cholera death on their website, HCC said Stoneridge is an illegal settlement.

“Council has been making frantic efforts to bring sanity in the area without much success because illegal settlers there have been resisting,” said the HCC.

“Council has always argued against illegal settlement because of the problems they present such as the spread of diseases.”

Caused by the bacterium called vibrio cholerae, the disease leads to dehydration and even death if untreated.

It is spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the cholera bacterium.

Namibia has described the political transition in Zimbabwe as the best in SADC and beyond.

This comes as more countries are coming to partner Zimbabwe in various economic activities.

The new government of Zimbabwe has opened doors to other countries willing to invest in the country, a development which has opened the floodgates of potential investors.

The development has given hope to Zimbabweans whose policies over the years have been scaring away potential investors.

After paying a courtesy call on Acting President Retired General Constantino Chiwenga, the Namibian representative in Zimbabwe Ambassador Balbina Daes Pienaar revealed that her country is happy with the developments in Zimbabwe and is willing to strengthen the already existing relations.

Ambassador Pienaar said Zimbabwe and Namibia can further explore bilateral relations in agriculture, education, mining and tourism among other areas.- state media

Staff Reporter | Lawyer Job Wiwa Sikhala has secured the release of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), District Youth Chairman Victory Mufambirwi, from St. Marys Police station after he was arrested earlier this afternoon.

The vocal lawyer and MDC politician said Mufambirwi and others were arrested after riot police came to Zengeza 2 Shops this afternoon,” looking for MDC people accusing them of having taken part in the Chitrest demonstration that took place few days ago.”

“They have however refused to release the trio of Bonanza, Julius Marambakutongwa and Serio Billiard,” explained Sikhala while still at St Marys police station.

Sikhala also explained that, “Some culprits at Zengeza 2 started to identify our party cadres who were going about their business at Zengeza 2 and rounded them off accusing them of having been the ones who participated in the demonstration.”

Terrence Mawawa, Gutu | A senior government official severely assaulted his wife for refusing to have unprotected sexual intercourse with him last Friday.

According to court records, Memory Potera is a Provincial Veterinary Officer based in Gwanda and his wife, Letween Chimbi, is a teacher at Mupandawana High School in Gutu.

“Potera wanted to have unprotected sexual intercourse with his wife but the latter declined.

This angered Potera who assaulted his wife with clenched fists,” read the State outline.

However, Potera claimed a strange man knocked at the house and vanished when he realised that Chimbi’ s husband was around.

Gutu Magistrate Edwin Marecha sentenced Potera to three months in prison with the option of paying $ 150 fine.

Terrence Mawawa

Villagers in Gwanda have expressed dismay at the influx of outsiders who are flocking to the area to harvest Mopane worms, it has emerged.

Local villagers are unhappy with the fact that hundreds of people from different parts of the country have literally camped in the area to collect Mopane Worms.

Truckloads of Mopane Worms have been spotted in the area and local villagers feel they are no longer direct beneficiaries of their natural resources.

“I will approach the Forestry Commission very soon because our people are longer benefitting from the natural resources in the area.

People from Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Masvingo have flooded our area so we will impose some regulations very soon,” said Village Mandla Khumalo.

By Talent Gondo

A Harare Magistrate, Lanzini Ncube has ordered the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to provide escort and security to participants of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) peaceful demonstration for electoral reforms.

Magistrate Ncube, set aside a prohibition order which had been issued by ZRP stopping CiZC from holding a public procession in Harare to demand the implementation of electoral reforms and issue petitions to both government and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

In a press statement issued today by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the court ordered CiCZ to go ahead with their public procession on Wednesday 11 April 2018.

“The ZRP should provide escort and security to participants of the public procession and members of the general public,” ordered the court.

“The ZRP should also ensure free movement of human and vehicular traffic.”

The ruling follows a ZLHR challenge over the ZRP’S prohibition of CiCZ’s public procession to demand implementation of electoral reforms.

Through the ZLHR, the CiZC hauled the ZRP to court seeking an order to stop the law enforcement agency from interfering with a demonstration which was held on Thursday 05 April 2018.

The ZRP, through Chief Superintendent Ncube, the Officer Commanding Harare Central District, barred CiZC from marching from the central business district to the offices of the ZEC, where the coalition intended to hand over a petition to the election management body and to Parliament, demanding the speedy implementation of electoral reforms.

In a letter written to CiZC Acting Director Thulani Mswelanto, Chief Superintendent Ncube said CiZC should shelve the march because “violations of other road users’ freedoms are highly likely during the march” and that the flow of traffic along the proposed route will be “highly disturbed”.

Chief Superintendent Ncube said CiZC could only gather at Africa Unity Square from 1000hrs to 1200hrs from where the civil society organisation could then hand over its petition to Parliament.

This prompted CiZC to engage the ZLHR who filed an exparte application at Harare Magistrates Court, which was heard early on Thursday 05 April 2018.

In the application filed on Wednesday 04 April 2018, human rights lawyer Noble Chinhanu of ZLHR, argued that the conditions and amendments set by Chief Superintendent Ncube of confining the protesters to Africa Unity Square only, takes away the right of CiZC to hold a procession.

Chinhanu argued that the decision by Chief Superintendent Ncube was made without inviting CiZC representatives to a consultative meeting to explore options to prevent any threat if any and to allow the coalition to proceed with its march.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

A local magistrate has dismissed claims by a Zaka man that he sells mbanje to raise money to support vulnerable children.

Taruvinga Chavingira(68) of Chapfuwa Village in Zaka appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Peter Madiba on Wednesday facing charges of growing and selling the dangerous drug.

Chavingira pleaded guilty to the charges and asked for clemency from the court.

“My Lord I grow and sell mbanje to raise money to take care of orphans and vulnerable children in my home area,” said Chavingira in mitigation.

Magistrate Madiba however dismissed Chavingira’ s argument and sentenced him to three years in prison.

“Not only are you growing a dangerous drug but the plant is not under the Command Agriculture Programme as well,” said Magistrate Madiba.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | Zanu PF fat cats are alleged to be dangling cash in a bid to buy loyalty ahead of the party’s primary polls.

Party insiders disclosed that the primary elections, set for May 5, would be characterised by the battle of the pockets.

Business tycoon and former Confederation of Zimbabwe Industry (CZI) president Calisto Jokonya will take on Jonathan Wutawawunashe in the battle to represent the party in Gutu South Constituency.

Higher Education Minister, Amon Murwira is eyeing Gutu North Constituency while former Mimosa Mining Company boss Winston Chitando is hoping to land the Gutu District Senatorial Post.

Masvingo State Minister Josaya Hungwe’ s stranglehold on the Chivi Mwenezi Senatorial Seat is likely to come to an end as he faces stiff competition from a businesswoman in the same area.

“We are in the process of collecting CVs from aspiring candidates and we will then proceed to the next stage, ” said Zanu PF Provincial Chairperson Ezra Chadzamira.

– As splinter ZimFirst distances itself from CODE launch

By Talent Gondo | ZimFirst President, Doctor Maxwell Shumba has threatened to take the Coalition of Democrats (CODE) leader to court over the continued use of his party’s name in CODE activities.

Dr Shumba, who also distanced ZimFirst from the planned CODE launch set for April 14 2018 at the Freedom Square in Harare said CODE President, Elton Mangoma should stop soiling his party’s name by communicating falsehoods and portraying ZimFirst as one of the parties within his coalition.

Dr Shumba, who fell out from the Mangoma led coalition which now has only 4 political parties revealed that he will soon take CODE to court over the continued use and association of his party’s name in CODE activities and as a member of the coalition.

“We will be taking Mangoma to court for his continued soiling of our name,” said Dr Shumba.

“ZimFirst is not party to the April 14 CODE Rally and any mention of ZimFirst name on any CODE flier is a fraud and is the reason why we are taking CODE and Mangoma to court.”

Efforts to get a comment from CODE President or it’s spokesperson, Mjobisa Noko were futile.

CODE is however set to launch its coalition and election campaign on April 14 2018 at the Freedom Square in Harare.

The parties set to participate at this launch are the Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) led by Mangoma, Derek Lupemba’s (ZimFirst), Marceline Chikasha’s African Democratic Party, Dumiso Dabengwa’s ZAPU and the Simba Makoni led Mavambo Kusile Dawn.

Statement | People’s Rainbow Coalition (PRC) led by Dr J. R. Mujuru notes with serious concern that despite writing to Mr E. D. Mnangagwa a plea for political and electoral reforms on the 23rd of February 2018, and which correspondence was also copied to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission on the same day; PRC’s plea has neither been responded to or acknowledged by Mr E. D. Mnangagwa’s office. Further, there is nothing on the horizon of Zimbabwe’s political landscape to demonstrate that the current military regime has the will power to ensure that electoral reforms are done besides globe trotting and misrepresenting to the world that Zimbabweans are now in a new era. Yes the regime could be given the benefit of doubt that Zimbabweans are now in a new era of worse of dictatorship. PRC, as the government in waiting, insists that electoral and political reforms are a must; should the country hope for a free, fair and credible elections.

To that end, PRC now puts the regime on notice that should key reforms be ignored for the holding of free, fair and credible elections, then PRC as the government in waiting is going to take every constitutional means available in order to protect the Zimbabwean democratic vote. PRC hereunder reminds the military regime of its unwavering demand for reforms as follows;

Preamble
The People’s Rainbow Coalition (PRC) consisting of the Democratic Assembly for Restoration and Empowerment (DARE), National People’s Party (PDP) and Zimbabweans United for Democracy (ZUNDE).

Concerned with the military activities of 13, 14 and 15 November 2017 which reproduced a crisis of legitimacy through an unconstitutional change of Government of Zimbabwe

Believing that any election that takes place in a context that is poisoned by military diffusion into the political arena can neither be free, fair or credible;

Noting that elections should be held within the next six months;

Concerned with political violence against members of the opposition including the brutal attack on the PRC Presidential Candidate Dr Joice Mujuru on the 1st of February in Glen View Harare; and

Desiring to restore constitutional order and legitimacy of Government in Zimbabwe.

Hereby demand that the following key Political and Electoral Reforms be urgently implemented ahead of the forthcoming Elections in Zimbabwe.

Electoral Integrity
PRC calls upon SADC, AU Commission and UN to assist Zimbabwe with maintenance of purity and transparency of the 2018 election process. We implore these supranational bodies to ensure that the forthcoming elections are conducted in line with the SADC Principles and Guidelines governing elections as well as the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance among other regional and international instruments which guarantee the integrity of elections.

Traditional leadership authority
PRC calls for the immediate depoliticisation of the fetishised institution of the traditional leadership authority. Section 281 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe stipulates that traditional leaders including chiefs, headmen/women and village heads must remain apolitical, impartial, fair and inclusive in their communities. Like the colonial regime before it, ZANU PF has usurped the institution of the traditional leadership authority and made it an extension of itself and this must be stopped immediately to allow rural voters to freely exercise their right to elect a government of their choice without fear and intimidation.

Demilitarization of the electoral process
PRC calls for the demilitarization of the electoral process. All members of the security forces, in adherence to the Constitution must first and foremost protect the Zimbabwean citizens despite their political affiliation. ZANU PF Commissariat and government have deployed an estimated 3000 military officials in civilian clothes into both urban and rural communities to campaign for ZANU PF ahead of the elections. These and other security personnel deployed in various institutions including Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) should be weeded out urgently. They have no role in an election except maintaining peace and security for all. Above everything else; PRC demands the military should make a public declaration of non-interference with electoral processes before the elections of 2018 are held.

Political violence and intimidation
One of the defining epithets of elections in Zimbabwe is political violence. Widespread intimidation of voter persists and organized ZANU PF thugs spread fear across communities in the build up to the 2018 elections as witnesses on the 1st of February 2018 against the PRC Presidential Candidate Dr Joice Mujuru and her supporters. ZANU PF party officials are also going around the communities recording serial numbers of Voters Registration Slips as an election intimidation tactic. PRC therefore demands an end to the recording of serial numbers of potential voters. PRC also demand that the electoral environment must be free from political violence, selective prosecution and suppression of political campaigns, repressive laws and practices and protection of electoral criminals.

Media reforms
PRC believes that the media plays a pivotal role in elections and therefore reiterates its call for substantial and urgent equal access to the State Media both print and electronic. All political parties have the right to have their content aired on State Television and Radio Stations. PRC further demands that State Newspapers and Reporters report news in a professional and impartial manner. Further, the public must not be used to promote hate speech against sections and views of those opposed to the ruling party.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
PRC demands the immediate dissolution of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the creation of New Electoral Management Body that should be negotiated by all political parties in an inclusive platform. The current ZEC in not independent, and has been at the centre of all the flawed electoral process in Zimbabwe.

Diaspora vote
Despite the clear directions of the Constitution on the rights of all Zimbabwean citizens to vote, ZEC is yet to make arrangements to enable the Diaspora to exercise this right. Section 67 of the Constitution provides that every Zimbabwean citizen has the right to vote in all elections and referenda. We demand that Zimbabwean Diaspora should be allowed to vote in the next general elections wherever they are. Arrangements should be made for the Diaspora population to register to vote wherever they are and cast their votes in the 2018 elections.

Voters roll
PRC demands that the voters roll must be published on website and be advertised electronically and be given to any Zimbabwean upon request.

Election materials
PRC demands that all electoral stakeholders, including Political parties, be part of the decision making of the procurement, storage, counting, dispatch and use of all election material which include, ballot papers, ballot boxes, indelible ink, voting pens and al polling station material, at any and all stages of the election.

Independent election material audit
PRC demands that there be independent election material auditors at each stage that involves election material, procurement, storage, counting, dispatch and use, right up to after the announcement of the election results to ensure that every piece of material particularly the ballot papers, are counted for and their use verified by an independent body.

Election observation ad monitoring
PRC demands that all the processes of the forthcoming elections be observed by accredited observers and monitors from civic society and regional and international community. The Regional and International bodies are urged to urgently deploy their teams in all parts of the country and particularly in remote areas.

Independent electoral courts
PRC calls for the creation of wholly independent, impartial accountable and fair electoral courts with at least one such court in each and every province in the country. Their scope, independence and impartiality must be enshrined in the Electoral Act.

Independent mechanism for receiving complaints
PRC calls for the establishment of an independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complains from the members of the public about the misconduct on the part of members of security services and for remedying and harm caused by such misconduct as defines by Section 210 of the Constitution.

Election stakeholders
PRC demands that all interested political parties must be consulted on all issues pertaining to the forthcoming elections as opposed to the current situation where only parties that are represented in Parliament are consulted. The 2018 election will be a new election with new players whose input is crucial if Zimbabwe is to ensure electoral integrity. The guarantee of independence of ZEC depends a great deal on the trust nd credibility it enjoys with all political parties, media and ivil society.

Electoral roadmap
The issue of when the elections are due and how they will be administered must be outlined as a matter of urgency. The roadmap should include the critical elements such as the reforms outlined above, printing of ballot papers, nominations, campaigning and regulations that will guide these elections.

Conclusion
In conclusion, PRC believes that only a firm political will and commitment to reform, with support from citizens, media, SADC, AU, and UN can enable the country to put in place the political and electoral reforms that can truly provide a level playing field to all and fulfill the criteria of free, fair and credible elections in Zimbabwe.

# Mother Zimbabwe for President 2018

# My Joice My choice My vote My voice

#Dr JTR Mujuru has my vote 2018

Adv Gift Nyandoro
PRC Spokesperson

By Talent Gondo | Harare’s Third Street will soon be renamed after the late Movement for Democratic Change founder and President, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

Harare Mayor, Bernard Manyenyeni confirmed the development saying the renaming of Third street was a council resolution from yesterday’s full council meeting.

Manyenyeni however said, while council had endorsed the proposal, the process of renaming Third Street after Tsvangirai would have to go through cabinet.

“Yes, council resolved to rename Third Street after the late Tsvangirai,” said Manyenyeni.

He however said the resolution would soon be tabled before cabinet for approval before it is implemented.

“It has to go through cabinet and that is due process,” said Manyenyeni.

Following the death of the opposition icon on February 14 2018, councillors within the MDC T dominated Harare City Council began tabling the proposal to name one of the streets in the central business district (CBD) after their late leader.

Tsvangirai, succumbed to colon cancer aged 65.

The late opposition leader is credited for changing the face of Zimbabwean politics after winning against former President, Robert Mugabe in the 2008 harmonised elections.

Rugare councillor, Peter Moyo moved the motion to have one of the roads named after Tsvangirai during a full council meeting in March 2018.
Moyo argued that since the late opposition leader had not been accorded hero’s status by the Zanu Pf led government, there was need to rename one of the streets in the CBD after Tsvangirai as a way of honouring and remembering his contribution towards democracy in Zimbabwe.

All Roads lead to Bulawayo

As we count down to a sure to come new Zimbabwe this July, all roads lead to Bulawayo when MDC-T President Adv. Nelson Chamisa and his MDC Alliance juggernaut roll into the country’s second largest city with a rally at the White City Stadium tomorrow.

The people’s President and his MDC Alliance partners have so far addressed huge and buoyant crowds in Manicaland, Chitungwiza, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands North, Midlands South, Masvingo, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central provinces.

The momentum for real change and transformation has truly gripped the country.
Zimbabweans have given huge thumbs up to President Adv. Chamisa’s vision of a new Zimbabwe anchored on the tripod pillars Transformation, Opportunity and Prosperity.

Before addressing tomorrow’s rally in Bulawayo, President Chamisa, whose whirlwind campaign has left the nation in awe, will engage business leaders, pastors, civil servants, war veterans, cultural icons and other stakeholders to receive their input into his vision for a new Zimbabwe.

Everyone in Bulawayo is welcome to attend tomorrow’s historic rally.

Behold the New!

Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications

A 58 year old man from Bulawayo allegedly beat his 35-year-old son to death after accusing him of stealing his cellphone. 

Temba Mliswa press conference on ZimCricket’s decision to fire Chevrons head coach, Heath.

Former MDC youth leader, academic Bekithemba Mpofu has bounced back to the political arena and is reported to be eyeing the Vice President post which was previously held by Thokozani Khupe.

Mpofu, a senior academic at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, took to social media to announce his come back. He talks to the local Newsday.

NN: Who is Dr Mpofu?
BM: I consider myself as one of the true Matabeleland South sons of the soil. With origins in Mtshabezi, I was born at Mpilo Central Hospital in 1973 and l did most of my primary and secondary education in about five schools in the province (Matabeleland South): Fairbridge Primary, Bezha Primary, Beitbridge Primary, Beitbridge Mission Primary and Mzingwane High School. Like most kids those days, I spent most of my holidays in the village herding cattle, in the fields and/or playing football. My political interests started at the University of Zimbabwe, where l held various positions including being a member of the Student Representative Council. I then joined the MDC as a member of its interim leadership led by the late Learnmore Jongwe. At the inaugural congress, I was elected as the first secretary general of the youth assembly of the party under the leadership of our president, Nelson Chamisa. Wonderful years we had as we worked so well together, complementing each other.
Apart from political interests, I am a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI) and a Certified Member of the British Institute of Facilities Management (CBIFM). I obtained a PhD in Financial Economics (Econometrics) from the University of St Andrews and an MSc in International Finance from Westminster University on a Chevening Scholarship as well as hold a professional real estate qualification from the Real Estate Institute of Zimbabwe, a BSc (Hons) in Urban Studies, and a Master of Business Administration, both from University of Zimbabwe.

I started my career in the real estate sector in 1995 as a university intern, then took up another internship (as a junior project quantity surveyor) with FMI Costain, and later became property investment portfolio manager at a Financial Holdings company. I then joined a building society as a senior bank executive, with remit for mortgage valuations, housing development projects, administration and banking premises facilities management. Prior to taking up a Chevening scholarship, and then St Andrews scholarship to study for an MSc in International Finance and PhD, l was the principal and shareholder in a property consultancy firm. I have also worked as an associate dean in a university in the United Kingdom and a senior academic at a South African university.

NN: What has made you pack your bags from UK and seek political office?
BM: I, like many concerned Zimbabweans, have felt hopeless and helpless watching the Zanu PF government run down Zimbabwe to its current, unacceptable state. So last year I relocated so that I can offer my experience and knowledge to the struggle by availing myself as a candidate for public office. A few of my friends felt and still feel my decision is irrational because they think nothing can change given that some believe Zanu PF will not step aside even when they lose an election and they correctly cite the 2008 election. Personally, I believe in fate, and when the opportunity to relocate presented itself I knew this year is our election, it is the year the new generation ushers a new path for Zimbabwe. I firmly believe that in Nelson Chamisa we have a leader whose vision for Zimbabwe has been clear since our youth leadership days.

Now back to your question, why seek political office: I have worked in the private and education sectors since graduating from the University of Zimbabwe in 1998 and the experience I have gained from the different senior positions has improved my own ability to lead teams in developing solutions for complex issues. I believe Zimbabwean problems require practical solutions; thinking outside the box; a modern approach/outlook to these challenges, and this is what I know I can offer in public office. Moreso having worked as the secretary-general of the youth assembly, I know how these experiences can be applied to a political environment with appropriate care and consideration.

NN: Is it true that you are eyeing the vacant MDC-T deputy presidency post?
BM: Like any dedicated party member, I am committed to the idea of being deployed to any position our members believe can best serve the interest of the party. If that position is VP then I will be honoured.

NN: Why do you think you deserve the VP post?
BM: The word deserve is not only inappropriate, but irrelevant in this case or in the political environment. For a start, there are a number of deserving party leaders, second leaders are elected to lead in positions the party members believe best serve the party and personally, the notion that one deserves a particular post is incongruous with the politics I believe in unfortunately.

NN: What is the nature of your relationship with Chamisa and other MDC-T members in Matabeleland, for example Tabitha Khumalo, who is said to be eyeing the VP post?
BM: President Chamisa is my friend, we have worked together for an number of years (since 1999) within and outside party structures. We chat here and there about issues and how Zimbabwe can be transformed into a better society. One thing I like about him is that he is a good listener and takes constructive advice seriously.

I am not aware of anyone currently eyeing the VP position, but I work well with party members in
Matabeleland. At the weekend, I was chatting to Mxolisi Ndlovu the acting chair of Matabeleland
North about this weekend rally, and this morning I have been chatting to my provincial chair and provincial secretary separately. So I consider my relationship with party leaders very good as we need each other to turn the 2013 tables in this year’s elections. Newsday

By Paul Nyathi

Leader of the People’s Rainbow Coalition Dr Joice Mujuru has legally challenged the electoral reforms agreement entered into between the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and three political parties currently represented in parliament.

In a letter to ZEC from her party’s lawyers Hamutendi and Nyandoro legal practitioners, Mujuru challenged ZEC to immediately cancel the agreement because it did not include her political outfit.

According to Mujuru, ZEC erred in only engaging the three political parties ignoring all other opposition parties in coming up with the agreement.

The letter by the lawyers claims that ZEC promised that it will involve the PRC in all its engagements when it registered the party in it’s data base in January which makes the reforms agreement invalid as it excluded her party.

The three political parties represented in Parliament, ZANU PF, MDC-T and MDC on Tuesday agreed on electoral reforms that have since been submitted to the Ministry of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration.

Parliament is in the process of amending the Electoral Act ahead of the country’s elections to be held by August this year.

Zanu-PF, MDC-T and the Professor Welshman Ncube led MDC, the only parties whose members are legislators, have been working on an electoral code of conduct that they want to be part of the Electoral Act.

The political parties tentatively agreed on a roadmap that will provide tolerant and violent free elections. The parties agreed to disclose to the public details of the agreement when the agreement is crafted into law through parliament.

“We have submitted our agreement to the Ministry of Justice. We want the code of conduct to be made part of our electoral laws. There is an amendment before Parliament and we are hoping that the electoral code will be included in the electoral law amendment,” said ZANU PF Secretary for legal affairs Paul Mangwana in an interview after the meeting.

“We resolved that there should not be any political violence during our elections, that there should be peaceful campaigns and that the political parties undertake to respect one another,” Mangwana said.

MDC secretary general Ms Miriam Mushayi said the Ministry of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs guaranteed them that their submissions would be taken on board.

“We are happy with the code that we have produced but remember these documents are living documents and are determined by the current context, current political environment. We’re cognisant of the fact that documents of this nature will always remain living documents to an extent that there is a need to have a relook at them. But at the moment we’re really happy with contributions that we have made,” said Ms Mushayi.

She said the code of conduct calls for equal access to the media for political parties as well as objective reporting on elections.

Ms Mushayi said as political parties they recommended that the electoral code should also govern other institutions including traditional leaders and civic society organisations as they are actively involved in political processes.

Mujuru has given ZEC a week to reverse the agreement or risks having the issue taken to court.

By Paul Nyathi

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced that his government has resolved to start afresh the tendering process on the dualisation of the accident prone Beitbridge Harare Highway.

Mnangagwa revealed this in China to Chinese engineers on Thursday announcing the withdrawal of the tender awarded to Austrian firm, Geiger in May 2016.

Briefing the Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation (AFECC) Mnangagwa said Government had become impatient with lack of construction activity on the very busy highway whose condition has deteriorated badly leading to massive deaths caused by accidents on the very bad road.

“In the area of infrastructure development, we need bidders for the dualisation and widening of the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway,” he said.

“For two years we have had problems with Geiger, so Cabinet has taken a decision to institute a legal process to terminate the deal as a result of non-performance.”

Mnangagwa who obviously looked kin to engage the Chinese company take over the road works told AFECC executives that there was room for the firm to take up some of the oppportunities presented in infrastructure development in the country.

He commended AFECC for investing in Zimbabwe.

“We are very grateful to AFECC for taking the risk to invest in Zimbabwe at that time during which only very few companies could do so,” said President Mnangagwa.

AFECC has so far constructed the Zimbabwe National Defence College in Harare, Longchen Plaza also in Harare and the Golden Peacock Hotel in Mutare, and intends to put up a hotel and conference centre in Victoria Falls.

The company worked with the Chinese companies that looted diamonds revenue in the Chiadzwa Diamond fields during former President Robert Mugabe’s government.

Former vice president and National People’s Party (NPP) leader Joice Mujuru (pictured) has been dragged to the High Court for failing to pay $387 000 in a tractors deal.

Peppy Motors (Private) Limited, trading as Agritech, Sabrina Sarpo and Tony Sarpo are the complainants, while Mujuru, Ruzirun Investments (Private) Limited and a bank (name withheld) are cited as respondents.

The court heard that Agritech entered into a loan facility agreement with the bank in 2012, in which it demanded $350 000 for the purchase of various tractors. According to court papers, the maturity date for the loan facility was July 31, 2013 and the Sarpos bound themselves as sureties to the facility.

“On July 25, the tractors which were purchased by the first plaintiff (Agritech) using the loan facility were in turn sold and bought from the first plaintiff by the second defendant (Ruzirun Investments) represented by the first defendant (Mujuru) in terms of which the final payment to the first plaintiff would be due by April 2015 and in terms of which there remained an outstanding balance of $226 000 upon which an agreed monthly interest charge of 23 percent per annum would be charged,” the court heard.

According to court papers, Mujuru paid  $10 000 to the bank and did not make any further payments.

The Sarpos are now seeking an order for them to be replaced by Mujuru and her company as debtors to the bank and pay the outstanding $387 583, 22.

In the alternative, the Sarpos are seeking “an order that first and second defendants, jointly and severally pay to the first plaintiff as represented by the second and third plaintiffs the capital sum of $226 000 due in terms of an agreement of sale between the parties dated 25th July 2014.

“An order that first and second defendants, jointly and severally pay to the first plaintiff as represented by the second and third  plaintiffs interest in the amount of $169 821, 77 due in terms of an agreement of sale between the parties dated 25th July, 2014.”

Mujuru has not yet respondent to the application.- Daily News

By Paul Nyathi

Hundreds of civil society members on Thursday defied a blockage by heavily armed anti riot police to continue with a scheduled demonstration for electoral reforms in the streets of Harare.

About five hundred members of civil society organisations affiliated to the Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition assembled at the Africa Unity Square in the capital mid morning preparing to march into the city before police details attempted to block them.

Holding onto a police notice from Harare central police clearing the demonstration, the marchers took to the streets and proceeded to deliver a petition at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission offices in the city before proceeding to drop similar demands at the Ministry of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

The march ended at the Parliament of Zimbabwe where another petition signed by 162 civil society organisations was delivered for the Speaker of Parliament.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the march, the Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition director Thulani Mswelanto took swipe at the police for attempting to disrupt the march.

“Its unfortunate that police attempted to deny people of their constitutional right to demonstrate and petition,” said Mswelanto.

Mswelanto said that the demands from civil society were genuine demands for a free and fair election which they have been raising with government for the last three years with no joy from the government.

“We are demanding for the implementation of the electoral reforms presented to government in a petition by the Election Resource Centre in a petition three years ago,” he said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been going around promising that his governement will this year thrive to present a credible, free and fair election.

Government has however deliberately continued to ignore implementing the reforms with just under five months to the next election.

University of Zimbabwe vice chancellor Levi Nyagura, who is accused of corruptly awarding a PhD to former first lady Grace Mugabe, has approached the High Court seeking to stop his trial before the Harare Magistrates’ Court.

In the urgent chamber application, he cited Harare magistrate Tilda Mazhande and the State as respondents.

“This is an urgent chamber application to stay criminal proceedings being presided by the first respondent (Mazhande) under CRB 2287/18 pending the determination of an application for review currently pending in this court under case No.HC2653/18,” Nyagura said.

He applied for review after Mazhande ruled that he must stand trial over the allegations of criminally abusing his office.

“I have an inalienable right not to be deprived of my liberty arbitrarily or without just cause by virtue of Section 49 (1) (b) of the Constitution and by virtue of Section 50 (1) (e). I am entitled to challenge the lawfulness of my arrest before a court. These are the rights I seek to enforce under case No. 2653/18, which is pending before this honourable court. I aver that those rights are clearly established.

“If the interim interdict I herein seek is not granted, I fear that I will suffer irreparable prejudice. The Constitution authorises deprivation of my personal liberty where there is reasonable suspicion of my having committed a criminal offence. Without a reasonable suspicion my remand is unconstitutional,” he said.

He said if criminal proceedings against him before the Harare Magistrates’ Court are not stopped and the process is quashed on review, he would suffer prejudice, through waste of time and resources.
He further said there were high chances that his charges would be quashed through his application for review.

“I had given notice that I intended to challenge my placement on remand. I requested, before formally making the application, that the investigating officer be present so that a factual inquiry can be conducted. The first respondent directs me to put my request in writing. I do so, and also outlines the procedure to be followed where existence of a reasonable suspicion and the lawfulness of an arrest are put in issue.

“The first respondent hands down a ruling which dismisses the application I intended to make, before I have made it. The effect of the ruling is to close the doors for me to make the application on the same grounds in the future, for they now stand determined.

“The effect of the ruling is to deny me my right to challenge my placement on remand in what I consider the best way to do so.

“Therein lies the gross irregularity justifying interference in pending proceedings. Therein lies the grave injustice to the applicant,” Nyagura said. The High Court is yet to make a determination in the matter.

Allegations against Nyagura are that sometime in 2011, he single-handedly accepted and approved Grace’s application to study for a PhD in Sociology without the knowledge of the Department Board and Faculty of Higher Degrees Committee.

The court heard that Nyagura then appointed two professors to supervise Grace’s thesis without the board’s approval.

Nyagura is further accused of usurping the powers of the UZ senate by single-handedly appointing examiners for Mugabe’s research in violation of the UZ Act chapter 25:16 and Ordinance 1998/99.
Sometime in 2014, Nyagura allegedly led supervisors and examiners to Grace’s Mazowe Estate where the defence oral examination was purportedly done without knowledge and approval of the academic committee.

According to State papers the oral examination is supposed to be done on UZ premises. Daily News

By Paul Nyathi

Two innocent women, a mother and daughter were brutally attacked by a lone thug in Gwanda town on their way to joining a bank queue for cash in the early hours of Thursday morning.

A relative close to the pair told ZimEye.com that the two were attacked by a knife branding male thug at around 3am when they were on their way to join a bank queue at a bank in the town centre.

The two women who were identified to ZimEye.com by the relative were each stabbed numerous times all over their bodies by the thug after they failed to comply to his demand for cash and any valuables on them.

The two were assisted by a security guard at premises about 200 metres away from the scene after the younger woman managed to walk the distance to seek for help.

An ambulance was called and took the two to Gwanda Provincial Hospital where the mother was immediately transferred to the United Bulawayo Hospital in a critical condition.

Sources at the hospital confirmed that the younger woman is still admitted in Gwanda and in a stable condition.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been insisting that the cash crisis in the country has stabilised and people no longer need to spend nights at the bank.

The situation on the ground however remains dire and desperate as banks are failing to provide the cash needed by the population especially those from rural areas who have limited access to other methods of payments.

The rural populace, especially pensioners, are having to spend days up to a week sleeping outside banks that give them a maximum $20 withdrawal a day.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | Embattled MDC vice president Thokhozani Khupe is targeting areas perceived to be MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’ s strongholds.

Well placed sources told ZimEye.com yesterday Khupe has deployed her team to Masvingo Province in a bid to unsettle her rival.

“We are likely to witness a raging battle between Chamisa and Khupe.

Khupe’ s team is in Masvingo Province on a fact finding mission.

Their objective is very clear – they want to destabilise Chamisa’ s campaign programme,” an MDC official said yesterday.

Masvingo based political writer Batsiranayi Ngugama yesterday described the leadership crisis in the MDC as a jigsaw puzzle that would impact negatively on the party’ s hopes of winning the coming elections.

Terrence Mawawa

Iconic Zimbabwean business tycoon Strive Masiyiwa has described the late Winnie Madikizela Mandela as a true champion of the struggle for economic emancipation in Africa.

Below is Masiyiwa’ s statement on Winnie Madikizela Mandela’ s death:

The day Winnie Madikizela-Mandela came to
visit me.

“She is here! It’s her, and she is sitting waiting for
you in our board room!” said my PA, barely able to
contain herself with excitement.

“Who?!” I asked.
“She told me not to tell you, because it’s a surprise.”

So I followed her, not knowing who she was talking
about.

“My boy! My son!” she shouted gleefully as she
rushed from her seat, and with those words she
enveloped me with the huge hug of an African
mother!

She was bubbling with joy as she greeted me.
I can still see her now, in this amazing headwear
that only she could wear with such abandoned
elegance.

It was Winnie Mandela!
We had never actually met, but it didn’t seem like
that. It was as though I had known her all my life!
Which in a way was true.

As I was growing up in Zambia (amongst the exile
communities from Zimbabwe and South Africa)
Winnie Mandela’s life and travails were daily fare for
us.

We may not have had social media platforms
like Facebook and Twitter, but we all “followed” her
like any celebrity today.

She was our celebrity, our heroine, our symbol of
defiance with courage and dignity.
My mother had two older sisters (both now late) and
their own husbands were in political detention in the
then Rhodesia.

One served 11 years, whilst the other
collectively did more than 20 years. The pain in the
lives of those two women was like the life of Winnie
Mandela without the fame. And even though my
mother never met Winnie Mandela, to her she was
the public face of her struggling sisters.

In those days, when pictures of the beautiful Jackie
Kennedy would appear in magazines, my mother and
her friends would just scoff and say, “She is not as
beautiful as Winnie Mandela!”

Now she was in my office, looking like she had
walked off a movie set!
That evening I called my mother.
“Guess who came to my office, Mama… Winnie
Mandela!”

“Shuwa! Shuwa!”
“Shuwa, Mama!”
“Ah!Ah!” she exclaimed. “So how was she dressed?”
“Like a queen Mama! Even Jackie Kennedy could
not dress like that!”

“Then you have met my Winnie!
Winnie Mandela had heard that I was being
persecuted back home in Zimbabwe, and wanted to
make me welcome in South Africa.

She told me she
would fight for me “if Thabo Mbeki tries to send you
back to Mugabe”!
I assured her I didn’t think it would come to that. We
then chatted over a cup of tea about charity work,
and she told me about her non-political interests.

Then she was gone like a fragrant gust of wind. I
was not sure what to make of it, but I appreciated it.

That was nearly 17 years ago.
I did not see her again, except at occasional public
events, but if she spotted me, she would always
come over and ask how I was doing. I appreciated
it.
Like everyone else, I have read a few things about
her, both good, bad and sometimes also
disappointing.

I will leave that all to the great Judge
Himself now.
Today I thought to just share this little memory to
celebrate her life.
That day when she came to visit me at my office, is
my own memory of her captured and stored forever.

My deepest condolences to her family, and the
people of Africa who saw her as a mother in the
struggle for Africa’s dignity.

May God strengthen you with peace.

Terrence Mawawa

Gone are the days when news reporters used to be crammed in urban areas.

Media Centre and its partners invaded Mashonaland East Province previously regarded as a no go area for Non Governmental Organisations and successfully held a training programme for citizen journalists on Tuesday.

“We carried out a Citizen Journalism Training Programme in
Mash East Province where community members
from Mudzi, Murehwa, Mutoko and UMP were
trained on how to become effective and authentic news reporters.

This was a move necessitated by the need to
involve the citizens in spearheading the advocacy for
pro-development initiatives within their communities
and also as way of demanding accountability and
transparency from their local and national leaders.

We also incorporated BVR_Education , emphasising
the need for those not registered to visit their
nearest ZEC District offices as a matter of urgency.

We also emphasized the
need for the participants expose perpetrators of violence during and after the polls,” said Media Centre Director Earnest Mudzengi in a statement posted on Facebook.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

Embattled MDC vice president Thokhozani Khupe is targeting areas perceived to be MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’ s strongholds.

Well placed sources told ZimEye.com yesterday Khupe deployed her team to Masvingo Province in a bid to unsettle her rival.

“We are likely to witness a raging battle between Chamisa and Khupe.

Khupe’ s team is in Masvingo Province on a fact finding mission.

Their objective is very clear – they want to destabilise Chamisa’ s campaign programme,” an MDC official said yesterday.

Masvingo based political writer Batsiranayi Ngugama yesterday described the leadership crisis in the MDC as a jigsaw puzzle that would impact negatively on the party’ s hopes of winning the coming elections.

Terrence Mawawa | Fiery Zanu PF critic and social media analyst Antony Taruvinga has urged all progressive Zimbabweans to support MDC Alliance Presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa saying the youthful leader will lead the nation out of the current economic mess.

“Let us shelve our political differences for the sake of nation building.

It is happening in Kenya imwi veZanu PF muchingoti its
impossible.

I know Zanu PF knows change is inevitable but
the ruling party has no capacity to transform the economy.

ZANU PF is full of certified
looters.

Nelson Chamisa deserves a chance to make
Zimbabwe a better place for all.

A New
Zimbabwe with equal opportunities and shared
prosperity,” wrote Taruvinga on Facebook.