Part of the crowd attending Mukupe’s rally in Harare East.
By Paul Nyathi|Suddenly very controversial ZANU PF primary elections candidate for Harare East Terrence Mukupe has challenged MDC-T President Nelson Chamisa claiming that he draws bigger crowds than the MDC Alliance coalition presidential candidate.
Mukupe who was elected as member of parliament for the constituency in a by-election held in 2015 after the recall of Tendai Biti by the MDC-T, threw the challenge at Chamisa in a Facebook post on Thursday evening.
The young politician who is also the Deputy Minister of Finance posted photos of a well attended ZANU PF rally for the Harare East Constituency he held on Thursday.
“My branch meeting today. Just showing you I draw more crowds than Chamisa!!!,” he wrote.
Mukupe is facing an uphill task at the ZANU PF primaries when he squares off with bitter rival Mavis Gumbo daughter to Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joram Gumbo.
He is already crying foul over tje primary elections claiming that he had been betrayed by the party as he would face opponents who were fighting against him during Zanu PF factional fights last year.
“Betrayed, wasting resources to fight the same G40 functionary that got me expelled from Zanu PF,” Mukupe wrote on Twitter last week.
Gumbo, before the military take-over last November, was allegedly linked to the G40 faction which backed former First Lady Grace Mugabe and was opposed to then Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Attempts to get her out of Zanu PF structures failed after the women’s league said Gumbo was on an assignment as she was said to be a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation, hence, her association with G40.
In the build-up to the 2015 by-elections, self-exiled ex-Zanu PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere backed Mukupe ahead of Gumbo, who had the support of then party secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo.
The relationship between Kasukuwere and Mukupe turned sour due to a failed land deal and he became one of his political adversaries – baying for the former minister’s head.
Zimbabwean match officials will take charge of the
CAF Confederation Cup tie between Asec Mimosa of
Ivory Coast and Ghanaian side Aduana Stars.
Norman Matemera together with assistant referees
Brighton Nyika and Salani Ncube will officiate during the
match- which is scheduled for 6 May.
Nomore Musundire has been named as the 4th
official.
Also on duty will be Referees Committee Vice Chair
Gladmore Muzambi who will be the Match
Commissioner in a Confederation Cup match
between Uniao Desportiva do Songo (Mozambique)
& Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (Morocco) on 16
May.
Zanu Pf continues rocking controversy amid revelations that another aspiring candidate for the party’s primary elections for the National Assembly seat for Mazowe North, Campion Takura Mugweni (34), served 66 months for fraud in USA.
Mugweni, was in 2008 sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade to 66 months (five and one-half years) in prison announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas.
Mugweni was ordered by Judge Kinkeade to pay $1,965,637 in restitution.
He was also ordered to forefeit $40,000 in funds seized during an execution of a search warrant in April 2007 and funds IRS-CI seized from his bank accounts.
The US Government also seized two vehicles belonging to Mugweni, a 2005 Hummer H2 and a 2006 Land Rover.
He revealed his citizenship status in a motion for downward departure and was later deported after serving his sentence.
Mugweni is set to battle it out in Zanu Pf primaries this weekend with the current legislator for Mazowe North, Martin Dinha, retired army officer Cairo Mhandu, Simbarashe Nyamayaro and former Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officer Cleopas Nyangani.
Social media analyst Antony Taruvinga has said former MDC vice president Thokozani Khupe remains fired from the opposition party despite the recent court ruling.
“How can a judge in his 5 senses
equate Khupe to Chamisa? How can Chamisa be described as a factional leader ?
The latter was elected by a properly
constituted National Council therefore Khupe remains fired
from the MDC-T and has since formed a new
party with no name,” wrote Taruvinga on Facebook.
Former Vice President Joice Mujuru, whose rivalry with President Emmerson Mnangagwa dates back to 2004, has boldly declared that the Zanu PF leader will be voted out of office this year.
The National People’s Party leader told her supporters in Buhera last week Mnangagwa and his cronies would lose the elections because of their dismal failure to transform the country’s economy.
“We know that Zanu PF is planning to subvert the will of the people but this time it will not work.
“The people of Zimbabwe have suffered for too long.
We will certainly remove Mnangagwa and his ilk,” said Mujuru.
Controversial Masvingo State Minister Josaya Dunira Hungwe has revealed the reason for the withdrawal of Geiger International’ s Road Dualisation Tender.
Hungwe told reporters in Masvingo on Monday the company was deeply reluctant to allow the government to monitor its programmes – including financial records.
“We had serious problems with the Austrian company Geiger International- we were not allowed to monitor their programmes,” said Hungwe.
He added: “There were delays in the implementation of the project because we were not given time and space to monitor the company’ s activities.
We will not allow that to happen again. How can we work with people who are not at liberty to disclose their programmes and plans?”
A Zanu PF councillor perceived to be a member of the G-40 faction has lambasted Provincial Chairperson Ezra Chadzamira for what he described as overt bias towards the Lacoste camp.
Ward 10 Masvingo Urban Constituency councillor Lovemore Mufamba has not taken his disqualification from contesting in the party primary elections lightly.
Mufamba claimed Chadzamira’ s decision to bar him from contesting in the primary elections was null and void as he would not stop campaigning.
“Let me remind Chadzamira that Zanu PF is a revolutionary party.He does not own the party and the fact that he is the Provincial Chairperson does not give him the mandate to abuse those around him,” fumed Mufamba.
Chadzamira said he would not be moved by Mufamba’ s rants.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa flew off to Bulawayo Thursday afternoon.
Mnangagwa jetted into the city for the official opening of this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) slated for tomorrow.
Mnangagwa was accompanied by the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and president of the Chief’s Council Chief Fortune Charumbira.
He was given a hero’s welcome by a small crowd of party supporters as soon as he touched down at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
He was welcomed by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial Minister of State Affairs Senator Angeline Masuku, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Midlands Province Owen Muda Ncube, Home Affairs Minister Dr Obert Mpofu, Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Retired Air Chief Marshall Perrence Shiri, Special Adviser to the President on disability issues Joshua Malinga and service chiefs.
Also present to receive the President were Politburo members Absolom Sikhosana and Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial chairman Professor Calistus Ndlovu and some top government and party officials.
Before departing, Mnangagwa and the First Lady took time to greet the multitudes of their supporters who seemed not to have enough of them. – state media
The newly elected Spokesperson for the MDC T led by Dr Thozani Khupe, Linda Masarira has issued her first press statement revealing that her faction was in the process of reclaiming the funds allocated to the Nelson Chamisa led MDC T under the Political Parties Finance Act.
Aspiring Harare Central MP Linda Masarira
In a statement issued today (Thursday), Masarira applauded the High Court ruling by Justice Francis Bere and said her party acknowledge the net effects of the ruling as an indication that her faction was the legitimate MDC T.
She said her party had since written to the Justice Ministry in a move aimed at ensuring that the Chamisa led MDC T refunds all the money allocated to them under the Political Parties Finance Act.
“In light of the High Court judgment, our party has written to the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs as we lay claim to our potion of the government disbursements to political parties which had been improperly allocated to the Chamisa group,” said Masarira.
Below is the full text of Masarira’s Press Statement .
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDCT) wishes to applaud the decision by the High Court, whose net effect is that we are a legitimate body with full rights and responsibilities as an entity under the name, logos and symbols that we present ourselves with.
In light of the High Court judgment, our party has written to the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs as we lay claim to our potion of the government disbursements to political parties which had been improperly allocated to the Chamisa group.
We had advised this Ministry of the possibility of the dilemma they have gotten themselves into in our letter of the 16th of April 2018.
High Court Judge, Honourable Justice Francis Bere, made a pronouncement on three consecutive applications which had been thrown at us by our erstwhile colleagues from the runaway bandwagon led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
Firstly, they challenged our use of the MDC-T name, logos and symbols. They were unsuccessful and were ordered to pay us the costs for their challenge.
Secondly, they desperately tried to stop the extra ordinary congress from taking place and their court application was rejected for lack of merit.
Thirdly, they sought to blow holes into our response to their case through an ex parte court application which was based on our constitutional court challenge evidence. Again this application was thrown out for lacking proper legal feet to stand on.
Our erstwhile colleagues have reacted badly to these three consecutive losses on the cases they had initiated themselves at the High Court.
They have not only officially bad mouthed the Honourable Justice Francis Bere, but have labeled us with all sorts of unprintable words and created conspiracy theories plucked from thin air.
What we find very revealing about their immature back lash on the outcome of a court case which they initiated, is that they are sore losers who harbor questionable motives on why they went to the courts in the first place.
Theirs is a case of sour grapes which goes further to reveal that our erstwhile colleagues prefer mobocracy over legality and would not hesitate to pour scorn on any legal and constitutional settlement of disputes.
They are definitely not to be trusted with more power if their reaction to these three cases is anything to go by. They have shown themselves to have absolutely no appetite for any outcome from any legitimate, constitutional, and democratic institution.
They are as afraid of legality and constitutionalism as much as they are afraid of congress and democracy.
As the legitimate and constitutionally standing leadership and people of the Movement for democratic Change, we wish to make it known that we will continue to sanitise our party in order to restore it to the original great and glorious movement they have come to love and support, whose legacy boarders around constitutionalism, democracy, and non-violence as the pivots for creating a thriving developmental state for Zimbabwean citizens.
It is on these pivots that we are in this election to win it for a better life for all the people of Zimbabwe, with The Honourable Dr. Thokozani Khupe as President of Zimbabwe.
Linda Tsungirirai Masarira
MDCT National Spokesperson
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga won a reprieve early Thursday morning when nurses withdrew their case against the ex-military general.
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) revealed it has pulled out its case at the High Court against Chiwenga, Health Minister David Parirenyatwa and the Health Services Board.
Already, the nurses have cited that they have been threatened with violence.
In their application, the practitioners were challenging the decision by Chiwenga to summarily fire them.
Thousands were sent home in a military style summary dismissal. This was punishment for going on strike. In their application, ZINA demanded that Chiwenga’s decision be declared null and void. They argued that the Vice President does not have the legal authority to fire them.
The matter was expected to be heard today before High Court judge Justice Amy Tsanga. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY – refresh this page for more –
By A Correspondent| With the Zimbabwean economy opening up and new possibilities for trade emerging, Zimnat has established a specialist division offering trade credit insurance to cover the risk of payment default that a trader supplying goods on credit faces.
The new stand-alone division, which is located at 71 Mull Road in Harare’s Belvedere suburb, also offers surety bonds and guarantees.
Trade credit insurance protects traders who supply goods or services on credit against the risk of payment default. Zimnat’s trade credit insurance is available to protect against such default in respect of both local and foreign trade.
The General Manager of Zimnat’s Trade Credit, Bonds and Guarantees Division, Mr Shepherd Tembo, said the division hoped to facilitate exports through the trade credit insurance it offered.
“The division expects to promote and facilitate international trade through export trade credit insurance, which will give local companies the confidence to export to different international markets, knowing that the risk of non-payment is offset by the insurance cover they have.
“Because Zimnat will be taking over that risk, it obviously has to undertake due diligence and thoroughly vet the companies that are being supplied with goods on credit.
“That means that the company taking out the insurance policy has the added benefit of a free vetting service. Often such vetting, particularly when it is of a company abroad, is costly,” he said.
He added that the insurance would also be useful to exporters seeking a bank loan to finance their exports. Where a bank loan was involved, the insurance provided the bank too with some protection.
One of the barriers there had been to the growth of companies’ operations and the country’s economic development had been lack of access to credit, he pointed out.
Companies taking out trade credit insurance did not have to worry about debt collection, in the event of default, as Zimnat would take care of recovering the money from the debtor, he said.
Mr Tembo said the new division, which is staffed by experienced trade credit insurance and surety bonds and guarantees experts, intended to remodel the way trade credit insurance and suretyship are transacted in Zimbabwe through tailoring what otherwise would be generic products to suit particular circumstances in order to facilitate trade and unlock value.
Domestic Credit Insurance is available to local suppliers to cover the risk of non-payment when they offer trade credit to local companies.
Export Credit Insurance covers the risk of non-payment when exporters offer trade credit to foreign buyers.
MORE…
CREDINSURE TWO LAST
Zimnat offers Supply Chain Finance Credit Insurance, also knowns as Reverse Factoring, to trade finance companies or the trade and finance department of a bank that is willing to settle supplier invoices in advance before the invoice payment due date.
“In this way the insurance provides suppliers with access to advantageous financing facilities by leveraging on the buyer’s stronger credit rating,” Mr Tembo said.
Zimnat also offers Services Credit Insurance against the risk of payment default by a service provider’s customers.
It offers Receivable Purchaser of Trade Finance Credit Insurance to trade financers and banks when they provide invoice discounting and debt factoring services. This covers the risk of payment default posed by the underlying debtors on factored or discounted invoices.
Zimnat’s Trade Credit, Bonds and Guarantees Division also offers Salary Based Loans Insurance to financial institutions providing consumer finance to salaried individuals and Lease Finance Insurance to leasing institutions and banks providing asset finance and leasing services.
The division offers trade facilitation bonds as well. These are bonds and guarantees requested by suppliers of goods and commodities when they extend deferred payment terms to traders under a trade-related contract or by purchasers who advance payments to suppliers under a supply contract.
These Performance or Advance Payment Bonds guarantee the successful execution of the underlying trade contracts by the traders or suppliers.
The division also offers Surety Bonds and Guarantees to assist prospective clients within the construction, shipping and freight forwarding sectors as well as estate executors and administrators in conducting their business, by providing the necessary bonds and guarantees required by those engaging or considering contracting them.
By Own Correspondent| The UK based Zimbabwean man, Rutendo Mwarewangepo who last week claimed he had taken down rat poison, was truly hospitalised.
ZimEye has been told by close sources the man is however now in perfect state having been served in a London hospital.
ZimEye has managed to track Rutendo to Bristol where is spending time with a cousin sister.
The man last week shot a video from inside his car as he announced that he is in the process of killing himself over struggles with his wife. He claimed that he has been framed by the woman over an act of alleged violence.
He then announced that he had already swallowed the rat poison and was leaving a suicide note.
But ZimEye contributor, Audrey Charowa rubbished the claim of suicide saying the man was not telling the truth. A week later, it has turned out she was right. Rutendo is clearly in Bristol. SEE LIVE MAP BELOW. It has turned out that Mr Mwarewangepo’s wife was assaulted and there is insurmountable evidence of the attack. ZimEye will carry out a LIVE review today, Friday. SEE THE OLD PROGRAM BELOW-
By Own Correspondent|ANALYSIS| There was drama when the now MDC leader Nelson Chamisa was defeated by Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora at the polls (read full story after the video at the bottom of article).
“You don’t need a secretary-general who is fast in speech but one who stands with your president (Tsvangirai) and who respects him,” Mwonzora shouted to supporters speaking in reference to Chamisa.
That was in November 2014. Now the same man has said the opposition also rigs elections the same way ZANU PF does.
Mwonzora was speaking during a parliamentary hearing on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs two months ago. He said, “and I want to say madam Chairperson of ZEC and chairperson of the portfolio committee, I want to say to everyone who is here, I know this is multiparty: Gone are the days when we thought it was only the ruling party which is capable of rigging elections. We saw in Malawi, in Nigeria that the opposition can also cheat in elections. So here we are, we in the opposition are capable of cheating, you in the ruling party are capable of cheating, so let’s make rules so that we don’t cheat each other.”
Mwonzora also fingered ZANU PF which he said has engineered the printing of ballot papers from KGVI barracks. VIDEO (SEE TIMELINE MARKER 32:20) :
The Financial Gazette summaries the drama that ensued when Chamisa was defeated:
Out of the 12 party provinces, Mwonzora pitched up at congress with just a single nomination against Chamisa’s formidable 11. At one point he had contemplated withdrawing his candidature, seeing how his rival was sweeping through the provinces during the nomination process before assertively staging a gripping conquest. How on earth did the tables turn?
Although some were quick to allege party president, Morgan Tsvangirai’s involvement as having played a significant role, any alert observer who was on the ground throughout the two-day congress would be convinced that this was a fair defeat, the first electoral defeat Chamisa has ever suffered in his stellar political career, which peaked when he was appointed a minister during the inclusive government.
One year after his tenure as a government minister, Chamisa, in just a night, had fallen to an ordinary card-carrying member. The greatest question that has been lingering since then is how on earth a man with just a single nomination upstaged the one 11 times better by 2 464 votes to 1 756 votes?
Many delegates at the congress said Chamisa was the author of his own demise. The genesis of Chamisa’s fall was when he was roundly blamed for the party’s humiliating loss in last year’s general elections. Party members said the youthful politician did not handle the party’s structures professionally. The party’s primary elections were marred by severe irregularities with Chamisa being blamed for imposing candidates who were not at home with the people.
And when the party was forced to have an early congress following the departure early this year of former secretary-general, Tendai Biti and others, Chamisa faced the same criticisms of rigging and imposing his friends into positions, particularly during the reformation of the lower structures, the branches and the provinces that feed congress delegates.
Party members who spoke to the Financial Gazette on the eve on the elections vowed to vote Chamisa out, alleging that the process of reforming the structures had been hugely compromised as the organising department which Chamisa headed was manipulating structures by imposing candidates into positions. “I am definitely going to vote for Mwonzora. After what Chamisa did to us, we cannot trust him with such a big position,” said a former member of the Masvingo provincial executive who was booted out during the provincial congresses.
“Chamisa has that problem of interfering with structures. You do not do that in a democratic party. You must allow people to elect their own representatives. If you show that you cannot practice democracy, the people will throw you out as you shall discover tomorrow,” said another MDC-T official from Midlands South province.
Throughout the congress, sporadic chants of slogans denouncing Chamisa while propping Mwonzora could be heard after every few minutes. A group of frenzied Mwonzora fans would burst into songs like “hapana chandichambogarira pano, kufamba naChamisa kwaramba (We need to move on, Chamisa has failed us)” from time to time racing around the City Sports Centre.
They also developed a coded whistle in support of Mwonzora which punctuated the mix of noises that characterised the campaign. A senior MDC-T member said another major undoing on Chamisa’s part was when he confronted and reportedly finger-pointed Tsvangirai during a national council meeting soon after the disputed Manicaland provincial congress which nominated Mwonzora for the position. He said Mwonzora had capitalised on that to denigrate Chamisa.
This reporter witnessed Mwonzora himself addressing a group of noisy fans outside the stadium. “You don’t need a secretary-general who is fast in speech but one who stands with your president (Tsvangirai) and who respects him,” Mwonzora shouted to the supporters.
Tacit confirmation that even Chamisa himself had lost confidence in the elections came on Saturday afternoon when there was chaos during the process of accrediting voters. There were widespread reports of people in parallel structures attempting to gatecrash the congress and sway the vote. The issue of parallel structures caused mayhem and delayed voting by eight hours as it started at 8pm instead of the scheduled 11am of Saturday, forcing the delegates to vote overnight.
As the situation grew tense, Tsvangirai is said to have instructed Chamisa to go out and address the crowds and restore order at about 3pm but the Kuwadzana MP refused, telling him that he was afraid of being heckled by the delegates. In the end, it was Tsvangirai who had to come out and talk to the people with Chamisa flanking him.
When Tsvangirai finished his address, someone was heard shouting from the crowd: “Save tinomira nemi asi Cobra hailumi “We support you Tsvangirai but the Cobra (Chamisa’s nickname) will not win,” drawing cheers from the crowd.
Save is Tsvangirai’s totem while Chamisa was christened after the menacing serpent for his cunning modus operandi. Some of the delegates alleged that Chamisa had lost trust of the MDC-T family because he had business interests with ZANU-PF officials.
Whether or not this is true, it had a crashing effect on Chamisa’s bid. While Chamisa ran with a seven page manifesto, Mwonzora had huge posters bearing his picture and party colours. Both men chose to use loyalty to Tsvangirai as the avenue to success. Chamisa branded himself “the loyal one”, while Mwonzora called himself “humble and loyal to the president (of the party).”
A visibly nervous Chamisa refused to talk to the press throughout the congress and boycotted the final session which included the announcement of election results and swearing in of new office bearers, with sources saying he drove home in the early hours of Sunday when defeat was apparent.
A University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Political Science student, Kudakwashe Guta who was recently acquitted of public violence charges by Harare Magistrate, Victoria Mashamba has been summoned to appear before a disciplinary hearing at the institution.
Guta, is set to appear before the UZ’s disciplinary committee (Friday) to answer to charges of misconduct in connection with a demonstration held at the institution last year.
He is represented by Denford Halimani and Kuzivakwashe Ngodza of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
He will appear before the UZ’s Student Disciplinary Committee to answer to charges of breaching the university’s rules of conduct.
“UZ authorities alleged that Guta, a political science student at the university, participated in a demonstration held on 26 June 2017 led by some medical students, who protested against the arbitrary hiking of fees,” said the ZLHR in a statement.
According to the UZ authorities, Guta allegedly incited violence on university premises by urging fellow students to insult and physically attack security personnel.
“The UZ authorities said Guta’s alleged conduct was in breach of some sections of Ordinance 30 as he had no right to do so,” said the ZLHR.
However, the UZ authorities’ decision to haul Guta before a disciplinary hearing comes at a time when he was recently acquitted by Magistrate Mashamba.
Guta had been on trial on charges of public violence as defined in section 36(1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act following his arrest by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers in June 2017 following the UZ protest.
By Dorrothy Moyo| Harare Municipality is set to lease land in Philadelphia to FBC Building Society For $58 (fifty-eight dollars) per month for 10 years.
Philadelphia is next Borrowdale Brooke.
The council has since invited residents to register their yays or nays before the 24th of May 2018.
The full notice reads:
“CITY OF HARARE
PROPOSED PROPOSED LEASE OF MUNICIPAL LAND IN HARARE
NOTICE is hereby given in terms of Section 152 of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15] that the City of Harare intends to:-
(i) Lease Stand 385 Philadelphia Township to FBC Building Society for an initial period of ten years at a monthly rental of $58.00 for commercial purposes.
Copies of the Municipal resolutions and the detailed terms and conditions of the proposal will be open for an inspection during normal business hours at the office of the City Valuer and Estates Manager, 1st Floor, Rowan Martin Building, Pennefeather Road, Harare until 24 May 2018.
Any persons who wish to object to the above proposal may lodge his/her objections in writing with the Town Clerk at
Town House P.O. Box 990 Harare
on or before 24 May 2018.
ENG. HOSIAH. A. CHISANGO ACTING TOWN CLERK HARARE”
By Farai D Hove| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he has pulled in $11 billion in investment commitments. He made the announcement to vapositori yesterday.
Mnangagwa with vapositori
Said Mnangagwa, “yesterday, I was honoured to visit Mashonaland Central to speak with Johane Masowe YeChishanu Vadzidzi VaJesu Church pilgrims from all across Africa.
“I told them how we are opening our doors to old and new friends in our drive to build a better life for all Zimbabweans, and how in just four months, we have attracted investment commitments of $11bn.
“Most of all, I emphasised the need for peace and unity, telling them, “We should speak with one voice… We should all preach unity, love and peace.”
By Paul Nyathi|A predatory crocodile on Monday tore a Binga fisherman into two parts fleeing with the lower part of the body to devour it in underwater.
The remains of the man’s lower body were recovered from inside the crocodile’s belly by villagers after a chase if the reptile. The upper body was retrieved from inside the river.
The late Passmore Phiri was whisked into the might waters of the Zambezi River while fishing in the company of Magwiro Ncube (49) and sixteen year old Last Sibanda.
Eye witnesses reported that the trio proceeded to the ZINWA Harbour along the Zambezi River where they used a canoe to row to an island, about 200 metres from the river bank where they were attacked by the crocodile.
Matabeleland North acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Eglon Nkala confirmed the incident.
“We continue to warn fishermen to be careful and alert when near water bodies. If possible, they should avoid croc-infested areas along the Zambezi River,” he said.
Former Zanu Pf heavyweight, Didymus Mutasa, who was booted out of Zanu PF in 2014 alongside former Vice-President Joice Mujuru and over 100 other top officials on allegations of plotting to topple former President Robert Mugabe from power will this weekend have his property auctioned over failure to pay $26 900 Nyakutombwa Mugabe Legal Counsel legal fees.
A default judgment issued by the High Court resulted in Mutasa’s property being attached by the Sheriff and the former Zanu Pf heavyweight will on Saturday lose household goods including a fridge, a set of sofas and television among others.
Below is the notice advertising the public auction of Mutasa’ s property which appeared in a local publication.
Mutasa, who was Zimbabwe’s first Speaker of the National Assembly, before holding many Cabinet posts before he was fired from Zanu PF has hit hard times as he is struggling to send his children to school and servicing huge debts including a ZESA bill amounting US$70 000.
By Farai D Hove| When Gen SB Moyo on November 15th 2017 announced that the military is targeting criminals around the President as the reason for the November coup, it was not known that the nation would get to where it is right now.
A Zimbabwean convicted and imprisoned for serious fraud for nearly 6 years in the US, Campion Takura Mugweni, wants to represent President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s party. Coincidentally, this will be in Grace Mugabe’s Mazowe area.
Below is the full text from US state justice records on Mr Mugwemi:

U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA INQUIRIES: KATHY COLVIN
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2008
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/TXN
PHONE: (214)659-8600
FAX: (214) 767-2898
MAN SENTENCED TO 66 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR
CREATING AND FILING FRAUDULENT INCOME TAX RETURNS
TO APPLY FOR AND OBTAIN REFUND ANTICIPATION LOANS FROM BANKS
DALLAS — A man who pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims, Campion Takura Mugweni, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade to 66 months (five and one-half years), announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. In addition, Judge Kinkeade ordered that Mugweni pay $1,965,637 in restitution. Mugweni, who stated in a motion for downward departure that he was a citizen of Zimbabwe, will be deported after serving his sentence.
In addition, as part of the Government’s agreement with Mugweni, he must forfeit the more than $40,000 in funds seized during an execution of a search warrant in April 2007 and funds IRS-CI seized from his bank accounts. In addition, the Government has begun legal proceedings seeking the forfeiture of Mugweni’s 2005 Hummer H2 vehicle and his 2006 Land Rover Range Rover vehicle. Mugweni has been in custody since his arrest in April 2007.
According to the factual resume filed in the case, Mugweni admitted that from October 2006 until April 2007 that he schemed with others to prepare and electronically file fraudulent income tax returns by using personal identification information without authorization, and then used those fraudulent tax returns, which showed that refunds were owed to the taxpayers, as a basis for obtaining fraudulent refund anticipation loans from banks.
“Identity theft is a serious crime with serious consequences. CI will continue to aggressively pursue those who file false tax returns with stolen identities to claim refunds to which they are not entitled,” said Michael Lahey, IRS Special Agent in Charge for the Dallas Field Office.”
An Electronic Filer Identification Number (EFIN) is needed to electronically file tax returns, and the IRS maintains records of all tax returns filed under a specific EFIN. Mugweni persuaded a person to apply for an EFIN in her name with the agreement that he would pay her for it. He ultimately paid her $11,000 for it.
1 Court documents further state that beginning in January 2007, Mugweni and his coconspirators prepared and began filing the fraudulent returns and then used the fraudulent returns as a basis for obtaining refund anticipation loans from federally insured banks, including HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, a subsidiary of Pacific Capital Bank, N.A. Mugweni gave the checks to coconspirators who cashed the checks in Fort Worth. Mugweni shared in the cash proceeds and other proceeds of his scheme and admitted that he personally received at least $40,000 in cash as a result of his fraudulent scheme.
When agents with IRS-CI executed a search warrant at Mugweni’s apartment on April 10, 2007, they discovered, in a shoe box in his bedroom closet, 27 empty “stored value cards,” (debit cards), which were provided by the banks to store the proceeds of the refund application loans. He also had in his apartment credit applications for numerous persons who had not given him permission to possess their personal identification information such as their Social Security numbers.
U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of IRS-CI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Penley prosecuted the case.
Own Correspondent| The NPF party leader Ambrose Mutinhiri has not at all resigned, ZimEye can reveal.
The party has issued the below announcement:
NPF Statement on upsurge of fake news about the party and its President Harare-25 April 2018, The National Patriotic Front (NPF) wishes to advise the media and members of the public about the sudden upturn in fake news articles generated in the name of, and about NPF and its leadership. Our President, not Brig Gen Ambrose Mutinhiri has not resigned and is not under any pressure to quit. NPF is phenomenally growing and is engaging supporters on the need to end military rule and return the country to civilian governance. Our pro-people policies on land reform, indigenization and economic empowerment of the black populace are endearing as to the electorate.
Our people are aware of the destabilising effects of the November 15 2017 coup and have seen, in NPF, the only viable political organisation to return the country to constitutionalism. The people have refused the political and economic apostasy of the regime which is rooted in the reversal of the gains we had made through the land reform, resource value addition and beneficiation. The regime is aware NPF has endeared itself to the electorate hence the desperate disinformation moves.
We understand the desperation within the military junta in light of the massive recruitment campaigns our party has been engaged in these past two months, hence the futile attempts at disinformation through fake news.
We, however, urge the media, and our supporters, to note the distinctive features of our official communication.
File picture of President Emmerson Mnangagwa being prayed for at a Masowe shrine.
By Paul Nyathi| Members of the Johane Masowe Vadzidzi VaJesu Church have vowed to back President Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU PF in the upcoming elections.
The twenty thousand pilgrims led by Mudzidzi Wimbo, made the vow when they met with the President in Madziva, Mashonaland Central on Wednesday.
The church described Mnangagwa as a listening President who was anointed by God to lead Zimbabwe compared to former President Robert Mugabe. The church’s anointed leader, Ishmael Magodi, said former President Robert Mugabe had never set foot at the shrine despite numerous invitations.
Most church members pledged to actively participate in Zanu-PF’s primary elections to be held on Sunday, as well as the forthcoming harmonised elections.
“It took us 37 years of pleading with the former President to grace our gathering, but the visit never materialised.
“President Mnangagwa was anointed by God to lead the country and that is the reason why he has visited this shrine twice after his installation as the President of Zimbabwe. President wekukorokoza akaenda, saka isu tese pano tichavhotera Zanu-PF nehuwandu hwedu,” said Magodi.
“We were supposed to break our Bhesinayi gathering on Sunday, but we are now breaking on Friday to allow our members to actively participate in Sunday’s primary elections,” said Magodi.
President Mnangagwa was accompanied by the ZANU PF national political commissar Engelbert Rugeje, provincial chairperson Raymond Kazembe and Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs, Advocate Martin Dinha.
By Paul Nyathi| Professor Lovemore Madhuku has warned that MDC-T President Nelson Chamisa can be arrested for contempt of court after the latter issued a statement castigating High Court judge Justice Francis Bere.
Madhukuu with Khupe outside court – FILE
Madhuku who represented Thokozani Khupe in a case against Chamisa’s MDC-T faction at the High Court on Monday said it was regrettable the party’s national executive chose to be contemptuous of the courts when it had approached the court in the first place.
“It is unfair to attribute improper motives to a judge who clearly applied an impartial mind to the matter before him,” said Prof Madhuku.
“A litigant who initiates legal proceedings cannot, after losing, choose to undermine the dignity of our courts.”
Chamisa sought to stop his rival Khupe from using the party’s name and logo, a matter which Justice Bere dismissed for lack of merit and ruled that Chamisa was an equal factional leader as khupe.
In scathing attack on the court, Chamisa’s spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka accused the judge of siding with Khupe in his judgement.
“The national executive took note of the decision of the High Court. It noted with concern the creeping of politics into law and remained concerned that a whole respectable court can choose to relate itself to the issue of the so-called factions which was not even before it,” said Tamborinyoka in a statement.
Law Society of Zimbabwe president Mr Misheck Hogwe said it was expected that the judges should be free to adjudicate over matters without fearing they would be accused of meddling in politics.
“The matter before the court was by any definition a political dispute,” he said.
“If the political parties believed that the court had jurisdiction to entertain the matter they ought to respect the ruling of the court.
“This is not to say the losing party necessarily has to agree with the ruling. Litigants should resist the temptation to be bad losers so that the integrity of our courts is maintained.”
Obert Gutu, deputy president of the MDC-T led by Khupe, said the Chamisa faction’s statement was tantamount to contempt of court.
“It is very unfortunate for some misguided and unscrupulous people to seek to malign and denigrate the integrity of the learned judge,” said Gutu to state media journalists.
He said an attack on the independence of the judiciary went to the root of national stability and constitutional democracy.
Opposition MDC-T says that judgement by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Francis Bere on their case against dismissed Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe is unfair and politically motivated.
The MDC-T Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Information Luke Tamborinyoka on Wednesday told journalists in a briefing that the party’s National Executive Committee met and resolved to appeal against the decision.
“The National Executive Committee expressed shock at the judgement by the High Court judge who opted to involve himself in political issues instead of considering the issue presented to the court,” said Tamborinyoka.
“The issue presented to the High Court was specifically about the court dealing with people we dismissed from the MDC-T and them using the party name and symbol after dismissal but the judge opted to make a judgement on non existent factionalism in the party,” he said.
Tamborinyoka said that the MDC-T will be appealing against the judgement at the supreme court.
“The NEC notes that the case is actually ZANU PF and Thokozani Khuphe versus MDC-T and the people of Zimbabwe,” he added.
Sitting in a urgent hearing on Monday, the Bulawayo High Court dismissed the MDC-T application seeking to block splinter MDC-T leader Thokozani Khuphe from using the party name and logo claiming that the party needs to first sort out its leadership issues before a determination can be made on who can use the name and symbol.
Justice Bere said that Khuphe who is running a seperate MDC-T party from the Nelson Chamisa led MDC-T has the right to continue using the party name as she claims to be equally entitled to the leadership of the party following the death of founding President Morgan Tsvangirai.
A woman 25 years old from Nkayi allegedly stabbed her one-year-old baby before she committed suicide by hanging herself at her home in-laws’s home over an infidelity dispute
Nkosilomusa Gumbo of Dandani area, under Chief Nkalakatha allegedly stabbed her child once on the abdomen on Monday morning, leaving her intestines hanging out.
The disembowelled baby’s life is said to be “hanging by a thread” in the Intensive Care Unit at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo.
After stabbing her daughter, Gumbo allegedly hanged herself on a tree within their yard.
There are, however, conflicting statements about how the baby was stabbed.
Some sources say Gumbo deliberately stabbed her daughter in attempt to kill her while others say the child was accidentally stabbed when the couple fought earlier that morning.
Gumbo’s husband, Nkosilathi Vundla allegedly fled from the scene after the discovery of his wife’s lifeless body and is still on the run.
Before hanging herself, Gumbo sent a WhatsApp message to her uncle Mr Mphathisi Moyo (47) stating that she wanted to commit suicide because her husband was cheating on her.
Moyo contacted Vundla who had gone to the Business Centre and together they rushed home where they found Gumbo dead.
000Matabeleland North acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector confirmed receiving a report of sudden death.
“I can confirm we received a report of sudden death of a 24-year-old woman who committed suicide following a dispute with her husband.
“The woman sent a suicide message to her relative via WhatsApp,” said Asst Insp Nkala. – state media
A junior police officer based in Bulawayo is suing his boss for $50 000 in damages for allegedly engaging in an adulterous relationship with his wife of 15 years.
It is alleged that the cop, Mr Taurai Tapedzanyika, is accusing his boss Mr Stanford Madzora of engaging in an adulterous relationship with his wife Siphiwe. Madzora, whose rank in the police force was not mentioned in court papers, is based at Ross Camp in Bulawayo.
Mr Tapedzanyika, through his lawyers Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, yesterday filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing Mr Madzora as the defendant.In papers before the court, Mr Tapedzanyika said his boss has been committing adultery with his wife for the past 10 years. Mr Tapedzanyika and his wife were married in terms of Chapter 5:11 of the Marriages Act in May 2003.The couple has four children. “Sometime between 2008 and 2010 to date, the defendant has been committing adultery with my wife. The defendant is and has been aware of my marriage to Siphiwe as he is my superior in the Zimbabwe Republic Police,” he said.
“On various occasions and at places which are unknown to me, the defendant and my wife committed adultery and still continue to do so.”
Mr Tapedzanyika said as a result of Mr Madzora’s actions, his marriage has irretrievably broken down.
He said he has suffered damages in the form of loss of consortium and contumelia.
“I have suffered injury, hurt, insult and indignity as a result of the adulterous relationship. I have also lost comfort and company which I used to enjoy from my wife,” said Mr Tapedzanyika.
He is seeking an order compelling his boss to pay him $50 000 calculated with an interest of five percent from the date of summons to the date of full and final payment. – state media.
Four people have died in a horrific accident involving a train and a commuter omnibus.
A goods train hit a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus at a railway level crossing near Windsor Park turnoff in Ruwa, injuring ten people and killing four.
National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi has issued a statement confirming the accident.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm the death of four people in a road accident at a railway level crossing line along Sansauce Road near Windsor Park turnoff in Harare on 24 April 2018 at around 19.30hours,” he said.
He said the Toyota Hiace was being driven by a 33-year-old man along Sansauce road with 16 passengers on board.- state media
The remains of a fisherman who was attacked by a crocodile last Monday were recovered in the reptile’s belly following the attack.
His upper body was retrieved from the river and the lower body was found inside the reptile. Passmore Phiri, who was in his mid-thirties, left his home for fishing at around 2PM on Monday and never returned.- state media.
By Talent Gondo| Zanu PF’s Mazowe west constituency youths have petitioned their party’s national political commissar Engelbert Rugeje over the alleged manipulation of the electorate by the co-opted Zanu PF Mashonaland Central chairman Kazembe Kazembe ahead of the house of assembly primary elections slated for this weekend.
Arts Sports and Recreation Minister Kazembe Kazembe.
Kazembe, who is also the Sports, Arts and Recreation minister is vying for Mazowe West constituency in the forthcoming elections.
He is contesting against six other party members in the primaries.
In a letter dated 24 April 2018 and directed to the Chairperson of Zanu PF’s Elections Commission, the youths appealed to the party’s National Political Commissar, Engelbert Rugeje to immediately intervene and stop Kazembe from manipulating the voters’ roll.
“We are appealing to the NPC to interdict this behaviour as it is likely to lead to violence,” said the youths in a letter in ZimEye’s possession.
Contacted for comment, minister Kazembe dismissed the allegations arguing that those raising these issues were pushing the agenda of those who were in the election race.
“Ane bhora ndiye anomakwa meaning the one with the ball is the one who is mostly tackled,” said Kazembe, adding that these unfounded allegations were being raised by those contending for the National Assembly seat in the primaries.
“The youths who are purporting to petition the NPC have been bought. I can not do what they are alleging, where do I get the time to do that? I was born and bred in Mazowe West and the people will speak and endorse the candidate of their choice,” said Kazembe.
In their petition, the youths alleged that Kazembe was giving orders to the party’s district officials and party employees so that they could all mobilise for him.
“Since Kazembe is now a candidate, he must cease during the course of this short campaign period to give orders to district officials and party employees.
“He is currently force marching entire party systems to work for him,” read the letter.
Kazembe’s henchman only identified as one Cde Muwandi was also reportedly intimidating other candidates in the constituency.
“Cde Muwandi and his militia are trailing other candidates as they move into the district on their campaigns instilling fear in the process,” alleged the youths.
The youths called on the party’s leadership to display cell sheets for their constituency citing gross manipulation of the voters’ roll for the upcoming primaries.
“The cell sheets must be laid for inspection by cell chairpersons so that all party members across the constituency ensure that their names are on the register before the elections,” said the youths.
The youths pleaded with the NPC to supervise the elections to ensure that the most popular candidate won.
“His Excellency, the president said that the voice of the people is the voice of God, we plead with you Cde NPC to come down and personally supervise this election so that the voice of the people of Mazowe West is heard as it will be the Voice of God,” read the letter.
Kazembe was elected into parliament in July 2013 to represent Mazowe west constituency in the National Assembly.
In the upcoming primary elections, he is set to battle it out with Anastencia Mazikana, Chrispen Makure, Richard Chirongwe, Constance Sabau, Tafadzwa Musarara and Christopher Makwezva.
During this time when Zanu-PF are supposed to be campaigning and preparing for the forth coming elections, are coming out of the cupboard as a smear campaign hits Zanu-PF Mazowe North constituency with some aspiring candidates plotting to sabotage the party if they lose the primaries ahead of the coming elections.
Apparently, the sitting Member of Parliament advocate Martin Dinha, who doubles as Minister of State for Mashonaland Central, is in panic mode after realising he has lost support. It is alleged that he approached state media provincial offices with a dossier of information to smear other aspiring candidates. Dinha is also accused of abusing his office and dating married women in party structures and giving fake promises in the name of ZANU PF.
Another aspiring Member of Parliament, Cleopas Nyangoni, who is a former member of Mugabe’s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), is accused of embezzling funds from the organisation’s finance department before going into hiding in neighbouring Botswana. He has apparently now resurfaced as an aspiring MP under the new dispensation.
The has been made aware of the allegation that Campion Mugweni (34), Dinha’s arch rival in the contest following a public altercation at their provincial offices during the submission of CV, was convicted for fraud during his stint in United States of America in 2007.
Another candidate, a retired army officer named Cairo Mhandu, who represented the constituency from 2008 – 2013 is being criticised by his competitors for running for office while afflicted by a liver ailment.
Mhandu is no stranger a controversy as he is alleged to have been the man behind the 2008 runoff electoral violence in his home area of Chiweshe where a number of people were killed.
Another aspiring candidate Simbarashe Nyamayaro has been labelled a womaniser who is incapable of holding public office.
Nyamayaro, a government employee and current ZANU PF district chairman, is believed to have impregnated a Mvurwi woman from Rusunguko Township but has reportedly refused to take responsibility.
However, it remains to be seen who will ride the storm and win the primaries slated for 5 May.- state media.
By Own Correspondent| Nelson Chamisa’s MDC-T party has announced it is soon to go to go for primaries. Tomorrow will be the day the preparations kick off with a workshop at the party’s headquarters.
The development has led to discussions on if the internal polls will be clean.
Already revelations from fully named impeccable sources inside show that there are moves to NIKUV competent MPs the likes of Jessie Majome and replace them with personal proxies of individuals in the party.
The MDC-T was noted by a British donor from Prime Minister Theresa May’s party for rigging its own elections. “All my life, I have never seen a party that cheats its own elections,” said Huddersfield businessman Alan Fish in reference to the last MDC-T internal elections conducted by top MDC-T official, Theresa Makone and the late Thamsanqa Mahlangu in the UK. Mr Fish has indicated he will soon once again speak out on his disgust.
Nelson Chamisa himself is a one time victim of party NIKUVING when he was humiliated by his then nemesis Douglas Mwonzora through ballot box tampering just after the 2013 elections.
A youth leader in Harare who was told by Majome he must further his education in order to become a councillor in Harare West is firmly behind the move to topple Majome having coordinated campaigns on behalf of the UK returnee 24 year old Joana Mamombe.
Joana Mamombe who herself told ZimEye she is no match for Majome publicly, has said she is confident of a win simply because of internal backers.
” I am only 24 years old and Jessie has been an MP and a minister for years. I am not active on Twitter, ” she said while asking me to delete a poll comparing her with Majome.
But she said, this battle will not held in public in the constituency, “it will be an internal party process and I guaranteed a win,” she said.
How does she know she is guaranteed a win? The technique involves systematic coordinating rowdy mjibha BorderGezi style youth agents from within. Some MDC leaders have deployed this method for years against personal enemies within the party having used it on Chamisa himself. PICTURES:
By Nomazulu Thata| There is this undercurrent of dislike and hatred of women in MDC-T Party. A powerful, intelligent, forceful woman will never find peace in this party. We had thought those were the traits of late Tsvangirai (MHSRIP) that dominated his leadership. But it seems Chamisa is not very comfortable with women who have eloquent leadership qualities, intelligent women, and professional women. It answers my questions about the absence of women in all these MDC-T rallies have held so far. MDC-T men-dominated party loathes women with evident and eloquent leadership abilities and capabilities. The leadership of the MDC-T Alliance is wholly masculine and misogynistic in character. This is evident with the obvious absence of those women who mean a lot in this party, they are just not seen or heard. We look for them in rallies and we don’t see them, we ask questions where are they?
I have never seen Jessie Majome personally but I have read about her intensively. I once communicated with her briefly in 2013 on very personal issues. Her input in parliament leaves us without the doubt that this is a woman of worth, a professional woman, a fearless woman, a woman who knows her work very well. Above all her constituency is happy about the work she has done for them. So all of a sudden she is told she must give up her constituency for a younger person: Ms Mamombe. Is that not the travesty of justice? Is Jessie Majome so old to be told she should move to a senator candidacy? Did the constituency agree to this arrangement? Such are the dictatorial tendencies we see in this party aptly being practised unchallenged. Why should President Chamisa dictate who should represent the constituency either than the residents in Harare West constituency?
This harassment of women as if they are mere subjects of men is galling and downright undemocratic. It shows immaturity and lack of foresight in the leadership. This party MDC-T should learn to listen to the residents in that constituency first and never a dictatorship from the top. This party should learn to respect women ever to win the coming elections. This party of MDC-T should not take women for granted. A Jessie Majome of shining leadership qualities and calibre should never get this treatment she is now subjected to.
Jessie deserves better than what she has to put up with. Jessie Majome never rebelled against the party each time the MDC Party split. She remained loyal to her party MDC-T, something we deeply respect. It is just inconceivable that those who left the MDC-T party for many reasons: Biti, Ncube are now the visible ones in all rallies and catapult to the top. Jessie is sidelined to the point of losing her parliamentary constituency because she is a threat to Chamisa, and Chamisa fears powerful women around him.
We see a Winnie Mandela in our Jessie Majome: we know too how the ANC treated during the South African independence negotiations in 1989 onwards. We know how Mandela was pressurised by the very party ANC to jettison Winnie Mandela in all groundbreaking events leading to the country’s independence. Today some of them who used and abused Winnie are mourning more than the bereaved. Much as Mandela would have liked to forgive Winnie his wife, Mandela was given a hard choice either his wife or the party ANC. We know all these traumatic stories about forceful, intelligent and powerful women whose fate had and has always been determined by some misogynistic men inside these parties. We know too how much fight we need to put to rid this masculine approach to women whom they perceive as a threat. We draw parallels between Jessie Majome and Winnie Mandela as victims of man chauvinism in their political parties.
Reading her career rise, Advocate Jessie Majome is a well-qualified woman in her right. Currently, she is a member of National Assembly of the Parliament of Zimbabwe since 2008: She is a Chairperson of its Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. She is a member of Parliamentary Legal Committee and the Portfolio Committee on Local Government Rural and Urban Development. Majome is founding Principal at Jessie Majome & co. Legal Practitioners. A former Zimbabwe Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and then later she was given a Deputy Minister for Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development.
Sure a woman with vast knowledge and experience, eloquently a professional: is she someone to mess around with the way her party MDC-T is subjecting her to? This woman is an inspiration to many women: young and old in this country. Her battle for human rights started early in her age. Sometimes was told she was a “bad girl.” This shaming championed her to fight gender inequalities, a passion she has carried through her life. Because of several portfolios, she has held in government, indeed she is a fountain of hope; she made that difference in government in parliament and in her community that gave her the mandate. Majome is above any tribal, political divide. not constrained by different views; she can work easily with other political parties with little or no friction at all. She says in one of the articles: The issues that concern women cut across all distinctions, political affiliations, class, race and social categories.
Her concern about gender-based violence in this country is a punctuation of her career life and as human rights advocate. The tangible positive changes she has made are deeply felt by her constituency she serves. She has improved education, health facilities and introduced an alternative water supply in Harare West. Majome has a vision: She says “I want Zimbabwe to be a place where each woman, man, girl, boy can be best that they can be.” This is our Jessie Majome: A woman of substance, a woman who is fearless, and a woman who loves to serve other people. Advocate Majome is our Winnie Mandela, our Michelle Obama, an epitome of wisdom already in her 40s, an embodiment of love and care for the people she serves; thy neighbour!
We warn the presidency of MDC-T to keep their hands off Advocate Jessie Majome. We want this woman to continue to serve her constituency according to the wishes of the residents of Harare West. Chamisa could be fearful of intelligent, forceful, powerful women hence he would frustrate the best women we have in our political landscape: one of them is indeed Advocate Jessie Majome. Chamisa should respect women for him to succeed in his political career in this great country. Women are the cornerstones of this nation: he can never run away from this fact. Chamisa should not fear empowered women but embrace them, achinje maitiro in him first and foremost. Jessie is still a young woman who has a lot to give in this country. She should never be pulled down by men who have an inherent fear of intelligent, forceful, professional women with vast knowledge and experience on her Curriculum Vitae.
On a personal level, I admire this woman because of her naturalness. She is a true daughter of this African continent. Her hairstyle and her natural blackness stand out and make me proud to be black. Jessie defines a Zimbabwean woman in as much as she represents the black people of this great continent of Africa. We would like to tell you that we are behind you emotionally in this trauma you have been subjected to by men who fear your unshakable inner strength, your professionalism, your success in your constituency, your vast experience in legal matters, your powerful input in parliament, and your advocacy in gender issues. For the work you have done in your constituency: in parliament, and in government, we say thank you Meme Africa!
The MDC Alliance led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa today revealed that the coalition will field candidates in all the 210 constituencies and 1 958 wards in the upcoming harmonised elections.
Below is the full text by Luke Tamborinyoka, MDC T Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications.
MDC-T President Adv. Nelson Chamisa today chaired the party’s National Executive Committee which met for seven hours at Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House to deliberate on the party’s preparedness for the elections, among other issues.
The Executive received reports from the provinces on the state and health of the party in terms of its preparedness for the next watershed elections due in a few months’ time.
The party and its Alliance partners will be fielding candidates in all the 210 constituencies and 1 958 wards.
The executive organ also adopted the campaign programme and restated that the party remain warm to the idea of convergence or a broad church of like-minded democratic institutions so as to liquidate tyranny, oppression and government ineptitude.
The National Executive took note of the decision of the High Court. It noted with concern the creeping of politics into law and remained concerned that a whole respectable court can choose to relate itself to the issue of the so-called factions which was not even before it. What was before the courts, the Executive noted, was the issue of expelled party members who were abusing the party’s name, trademark, logo and symbols.
The Executive noted that the court ruling was not going to affect the party’s momentum on the ground. The party is putting in place robust mechanisms to ensure that its revolutionary thrust will not be undermined or sidetracked by needless and unnecessary sideshows.
In short, the party will not lose focus.
The Executive noted that the issue was now a matter of the MDC-T and the people versus Dr Khupe and Zanu PF.
History has shown that the side of the people will always win.
Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications
By A Correspondent|MDC Alliance Spokesperson, Professor Welshman Ncube has implored Alliance partners to focus on landing the presidency and not to be distracted by minor operational glitches.
Addressing an Alliance meeting in Bulawayo, Professor Ncube reminded members that the late former MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai said landing the presidency was the most prized target.
Professor Ncube said in Bulawayo, since the formation of MDC in 2002, all parliamentary and local government seats have been won by MDC save only for Zanu PF getting seats in by-elections in 2015 which had not brought any significant progress in the governance of the country.
“However, we don’t have jobs simply because we are not at State House” said Professor Ncube.
“In September last year in Harare, our leader Morgan Tsvangirai said ‘members are still fighting to go to parliament but ordinary citizens are still suffering.
“Let’s stop the battle of eying those seats but exert more energy on the prime target, the presidency which will liberate us.
“If there is no change of occupants at State House, nothing would have changed. That’s critical” said Professor Ncube.
Professor Ncube told the meeting that Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South face the biggest task in the upcoming polls as compared to other Alliance provinces.
“This is because they (other provinces) are faced with Zanu PF only but we have several opponents emerging.
“However, we must be focused on the target and gun for victory”.
Professor Ncube urged Alliance partners to be aggressive in mobilizing and campaigning for candidates.
“My advice is we must market our candidates aggressively and stop talking about our opponents more often.
“We must mobilise people to vote for Advocate Nelson Chamisa. After mobilizing, we must be sure that we have more people than Zanu PF and devise anti-rigging strategies.
We should be very vigilant and in this upcoming election, we will not fail because we are committed. We have a task of retiring the Junta elements”.
The Dynamos Football Club management board has
given coach Lloyd Mutasa and his
technical team, a 3-match ultimatum to win or face
the ”exit door.”
This was said by Club President Kenny Mubaiwa
after a meeting with the technical team.
Mubaiwa said the management and the technical
team took the decision after a meeting to review the
Glamour Boys’performance this season adding that
it would not accept poor results from the
technical crew.
The Glamour Boys have not
won a match in seven starts.
Dembare lost
1-0 to Highlanders in the battle of Zimbabwe,
drew 3-3 with Shabanie after giving away a 3 goal
lead and lost 0-1 to Ngezi Platinum.
Dembare also lost 1-0 against bitter rivals Caps United in the Harare
derby on Sunday.
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza is back at work
after recovering from a back surgical treatment
following a freak gym incident.
According to The Herald, the gaffer reported for duty
yesterday. He is likely to be available on Saturday for
their league match against Mutare City.
“Norman is back at work in Zvishavane, his doctors
have given him the all-clear that he can now do his
job after his operation was a success,” club
spokesperson Chido Chizondo confirmed to the
newspaper.
Mapeza was initially expected to take about six
months on the sidelines, as he needed to undergo
some physiotherapy sessions.
He has only missed
the opening seven matches of the season.
PDP leader Tendai Biti has lambasted the ruling party Zanu PF for igniting the squabbles in the ruling party.
He made suggestions that ZANU PF party leader Emmerson Mnangagwa likely invented the Thokozani Khupe force so to fight the MDC Alliance party.
Biti tweeted :”There was no substantive judgment issued by the High Court yesterday.
There were no rights that were determined. The frenzy in the State media and other captured quarters clearly reflects that ZANU is a participant in this fight . What a shame !”
Mnangagwa had not responded at the time of writing.
A Bikita man stabbed his neighbour several times with a knife following an argument over traditional beer popularly known as ‘seven days’.
According to acting Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa, the two – Never Chokera and Chandipa Mabasa were drinking traditional beer at a homestead in Pedzai Village in Bikita on Saturday when an argument ensued.
The two argued over who should buy beer.
“There was a misunderstanding as the two were drinking beer.
Mabasa then stabbed Chokera several times in the stomach.Chokera was rushed to Mashoko Mission Hospital where he died a day after being admitted,” said Dehwa.
Mabasa is on the run and local villagers suspect he might have fled to South Africa.
Zimbabwean celebrity and Nigerian based media personality Vimbai Mutinhiri, has trashed the candidature of Zanu Pf’s Glorianne Francis to contest for the Harare Central National Assembly seat accusing her of having blood on her hands and lacking merit to lead the people.
Mutinhiri, who is also daughter to National People’s Front (NPF) Presidential candidate in the forthcoming harmonised polls, Ambrose Mutinhiri queried Francis’ political ambitions to represent the masses when she failed to communicate to the Mutinhiris what transpired when their daughter, Belinda died in a car crash in September 2016.
Francis, who is also known as Glo Diamond, was in the same car with Vimbai’s late sister Belinda, when their car crashed killing Belinda on the spot.
“I know Zanu Pf is trash but this is an all time low.
A lady who fled the scene of the accident where my sister died and then dodged every opportunity to answer questions refusing to tell us what transpired wants to be an MP?” tweeted Mutinhiri.
The late Belinda’s mother, Tracy Mutinhiri is on record revealing that she suspected foul play in her daughter’s death and was not happy with the circumstances surrounding the horrific accident which claimed Belinda’s life.
Tracy is also on record adding that Glorianne had deliberately avoided the family despite being the last person to be with Belinda on this fateful day.
“When we asked where Glorianne was, we were told that she was critical and she was admitted at the Avenues and when we sent someone there, we were told that she had been transferred to Parirenyatwa hospital.
“When we sent someone to Parirenyatwa hospital, she was said to have been transferred to the Avenues,” said Tracy.
She said the family’s efforts to locate Glorianne were in vain since she kept on changing hospitals before she left the country for London.
“She could have told us what happened because she was the last person who was with Belinda. She never phoned me or texted to say this is what happened,” said Tracy.
Vimbai said Francis had her sister’s blood on her hands since she fled the scene of the accident and could not come to terms with meeting the Mutinhiris to tell them what transpired when their daughter died.
“You ran away to London and started trying to use people to contact me to tell your story. If your story was straight forward, why couldn’t you come to our house and face our family instead of moving hospitals daily to avoid us. You have my sister’s blood on your hands sis,” tweeted Vimbai.
In typical military style, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has ordered the private sector to support government programmes as a way of reflecting patriotism.
“We want to work with the private
sector and we want it to happen now.
We accept the
suggestion to meet quarterly with the private sector.
We held one meeting in February when we had price hikes.
On our part we reduced tariffs. We want the ideas
from the private sector and we expect you to support our efforts,” said Chiwenga yesterday.
Own Correspondent| The NPF party leader Ambrose Mutinhiri has not at all resigned, ZimEye can reveal.
The party has issued the below announcement:
NPF Statement on upsurge of fake news about the party and its President Harare-25 April 2018, The National Patriotic Front (NPF) wishes to advise the media and members of the public about the sudden upturn in fake news articles generated in the name of, and about NPF and its leadership. Our President, not Brig Gen Ambrose Mutinhiri has not resigned and is not under any pressure to quit. NPF is phenomenally growing and is engaging supporters on the need to end military rule and return the country to civilian governance. Our pro-people policies on land reform, indigenization and economic empowerment of the black populace are endearing as to the electorate.
Our people are aware of the destabilising effects of the November 15 2017 coup and have seen, in NPF, the only viable political organisation to return the country to constitutionalism. The people have refused the political and economic apostasy of the regime which is rooted in the reversal of the gains we had made through the land reform, resource value addition and beneficiation. The regime is aware NPF has endeared itself to the electorate hence the desperate disinformation moves.
We understand the desperation within the military junta in light of the massive recruitment campaigns our party has been engaged in these past two months, hence the futile attempts at disinformation through fake news.
We, however, urge the media, and our supporters, to note the distinctive features of our official communication.
A plot to rig Zanu PF primary elections in ward 3, Masvingo Urban Constituency has been exposed, party insiders have revealed.
Ruling party sources told ZimEye.com yesterday ward 3 chairperson Getrude Mukokovondo was working with prominent Masvingo businessman Taurai ‘Bucho’ Mudzviti to rig the polls in the latter’s favour.
Mudzviti will battle it out with five other candidates in the ward 3 primary elections.
” Mukokovondo and Mudzviti have mooted a sinister manoeuvre to stuff the ballot boxes with fake papers in a bid to discredit Allen Sibanda, one of the aspiring candidates who is the favourite to win the elections scheduled for this weekend,” said a Zanu PF official.
He added: “Mukokovondo would then scream during the voting process under the guise of having discovered electoral fraud and rigging.This will then tarnish Sibanda’ s image in the process.
The two are also tampering with party structures ahead of the elections.
Intraparty violence erupted on Saturday during the cell verification day because of the two’ s shenanigans.”
A plot to rig Zanu PF primary elections in ward 3, Masvingo Urban Constituency has been exposed, party insiders have revealed.
Ruling party sources told ZimEye.com yesterday ward 3 chairperson Getrude Mukokovondo was working with prominent Masvingo businessman Taurai ‘Bucho’ Mudzviti to rig the polls in the latter’s favour.
Mudzviti will battle it out with five other candidates in the ward 3 primary elections.
” Mukokovondo and Mudzviti have mooted a sinister manoeuvre to stuff the ballot boxes with fake papers in a bid to discredit Allen Sibanda, one of the aspiring candidates who is the favourite to win the elections scheduled for this weekend,” said a Zanu PF official.
He added: “Mukokovondo would then scream during the voting process under the guise of having discovered electoral fraud and rigging.This will then tarnish Sibanda’ s image in the process.
The two are also tampering with party structures ahead of the elections.
Intraparty violence erupted on Saturday during the cell verification day because of the two’ s shenanigans.”
By Paul Nyathi|A Gwanda man has refused to pay maintenance for his one-year-old child saying that three other men have claimed paternity of the same child.
Appearing before magistrate Nomagugu Ncube, Mafios Mleya said that he could not continue funding the baby after two other men and Ms Terrence Sibanda’s ex-boyfriend were all claiming to be the father of the child.
Mleya, told the court that he wanted a paternity test before continuing paying maintenance.
“I was staying together with the applicant at the mine compound when she fell pregnant. Whilst the pregnancy was still in its early stages, she fell in love with a man who stays in the same compound. She left me and went and stayed with this man,” said Mleya.
“After she gave birth another man from the compound demanded the child from the man that she was staying with. As a result they separated with the man that she was staying with. There is another man who was calling the applicant demanding the same child and when I asked, she said the man was her ex-boyfriend.”
Mleya said these developments had left him confused on whether the child was his or Ms Sibanda had slept with other men while they were staying together resulting in the pregnancy.
“At this moment I’m not sure whether she was impregnated by me or by another man. We might have been staying together when she fell pregnant but she could have been sleeping with other men. I want a paternity test in order to pay maintenance because I don’t want to be cheated into raising a child who isn’t mine,” he said.
In response, Ms Sibanda denied the claims of infidelity.
She said she fell in love with Mleya in 2016 and never had sexual intercourse with another man until they separated.
Ms Sibanda said Mleya had never contributed towards the child’s upkeep since he was born and he was using the paternity test as an excuse to evade paying maintenance.
She begged the court to grant her $100 for maintenance for the upkeep of her child.
Giving judgement on the matter, Ms Ncube ordered Mleya to pay $45 in maintenance each month after he said he could not afford $100 as he had a family. She advised both parties to go for a paternity test on or before October 30.
The expelled former MDC-T party deputy president Thokozani Khupe today suffered a major loss in the court of public opinion when Nelson Chamisa slapped the door on her once again despite her court win yesterday.
Chamisa’s spokesman said Khupe remains expelled.
He also said yesterday’s court win was only cosmetic as it is merely temporary.
Below was Luke Tamboronyoka’s statement:
Court case changes nothing – MDC-T is on the roll
The High court judgement by Justice Francis Bere may have allowed expelled members of the MDC-T to continue to abuse the party’s name, logo, trademark and symbols but it does not in any way change the political reality on the ground.
The political reality is that Dr. Khupe and her cabal remain expelled from the party and recalled from Parliament by the legitimate organs of the party and that the party continues to be on the roll. The massive turn-out at President Adv. Nelson Chamisa’s rallies is testimony to the fact and the political reality obtaining on the ground.
As for Justice Bere’s judgement, we believe it is political, controversial, appealable and contestable.
In the court of public opinion, Zimbabweans are clear that the MDC-T and the MDC Alliance are the only games in town.
The party will do all in its power to stop the abuse of its name, logo, trademark and symbols in line with the resolution of the party’s national council.
On the ground, President Adv. Chamisa is continuing with his huge, popular and well-attended rallies in the country’s rural areas.
Behold the new!
Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications.
By Own Correspondent| The just appointed Thokozani Khupe party spokesperson, Linda Masarira has said she is plotting to replace her new boss.
Masarira was appointed to the position of party spokesperson at Khupe’s Congress at the weekend amid much controversy.
In a leaked sms WhatsApp conversation, Masarira two days ago told a well known UK activist and colleague, she is after replacing Khupe.
She even said she has already taken charge of Khupe’s party, barely 5 days into its formation. – LISTEN TO THE BELOW INTERVIEW –
ZimEye has verified the below chat as authentic and interviewed Miss Delina Mutyambizi, the recipient of the declaration. ZimEye also contacted Linda Masarira to respond on the matter.
She declared, “I am looking at the bigger picture sis Delina, of having a critical mass rallying behind me. I want to run for presidency in 2023 its a strategic move which I can’t openly speak about. It’s hard gathering the masses support as an independent. Zimbabwe hasn’t matured enough. There are a lot principle(s) and values that I have instilled in the rebranded MDC-T.”
By Talent Gondo| Government has issued an alert over a bird flu outbreak in South Africa urging its citizens not to import poultry products from the neighbouring country.
Livestock and Veterinary Services Deputy director in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Development, Josphat Nyika said South Africa’s veterinary officials confirmed the outbreak which has so far been confirmed in two districts in the North Western Province of the country.
“There is a bird flu outbreak in two districts in the North West Province in South Africa which is near Zimbabwe,” said Nyika.
He urged Zimbabweans not to import poultry and its products from South Africa adding that the ban on the importation of poultry was still standing considering that South Africa had not been declared free from bird flu.
“The public should not import poultry from South Africa. Citizens should also be aware that the import ban on poultry is still on,” he said.
Zimbabwe and South Africa lost over one million chickens to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) between May and August 2017.
Zimbabwe culled around 215 000 birds, a development which affected the availability of table eggs and other poultry products.
@DrThoko_Khupe ‘s lawyer, professor Lovemore Madhuku speaking on the court ruling. Nothing much to celebrate about though. No political gains for them at all. The ultimate judgement is the one that will be made in the ballot box by the people of Zimbabwe.#GenerationalConsensuspic.twitter.com/wEwqVkm7zN
— Makomborero Haruzivishe (@MakomboreroH) April 24, 2018
UPDATED – Thokozani Khupe’s new party spokesperson, Linda Masarira has said she has already taken charge of Thokozani Khupe’s party, barely 5 days into its formation. – LISTEN TO THE BELOW INTERVIEW –
By Own Correspondent| The just appointed Thokozani Khupe party spokesperson, Linda Masarira has said she is plotting to replace her new boss.
Masarira was appointed to the position of party spokesperson at Khupe’s Congress at the weekend amid much controversy.
In a leaked sms WhatsApp conversation, Masarira two days ago told a well known UK activist and colleague, she is after replacing Khupe.
She even said she has already taken charge of Khupe’s party, barely 5 days into its formation. – LISTEN TO THE BELOW INTERVIEW –
ZimEye has verified the below chat as authentic and interviewed Miss Delina Mutyambizi, the recipient of the declaration. ZimEye also contacted Linda Masarira to respond on the matter.
She declared, “I am looking at the bigger picture sis Delina, of having a critical mass rallying behind me. I want to run for presidency in 2023 its a strategic move which I can’t openly speak about. It’s hard gathering the masses support as an independent. Zimbabwe hasn’t matured enough. There are a lot principle(s) and values that I have instilled in the rebranded MDC-T.”
By Paul Nyathi|The High Court has accepted the Zimbabwe Nurses Association urgent court application against Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s summarily dismissal of its striking members.
Justice Amy Tsanga set the court to sit on Friday to consider the urgent chamber application filed by the nurses, who are seeking nullification of their summary dismissal by Vice-President Chiwenga following an industrial action last week.
On Friday last week, Zina approached the court for recourse, arguing that Chiwenga had no authority to terminate their employment contracts.
The nurses, who are represented by Kantor and Immerman, cited the Health Services Board, Health minister David Parirenyatwa and Chiwenga as respondents.
Julius Malema’s EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) party which in the last weeks has refused to comment on MDC Zimbabwe issues, has broken their latest silence by announcing a grand proposal that the Zimbabwean government must take away one Robert Mugabe’s farms and give it to the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s family.
EFF said they have identified a farm to make Agriculture Minister Perrance Shiri’s job easier. They said, “the country suffered under the monstrous rule of former president Robert Mugabe who segregated Zimbabweans and only rewarded those who worshipped him with the land which was fought for by our fathers. As a fast growing party we will continue calling for and fighting for one man, one farm policy unapologetically. As a party we have already identified one farm and made easier job for Lands Minister, he should just take one of Mugabe’s 21 farms and give it over to the late Tsvangirai.”
Tafadzwa Kachiko| Build Zimbabwe Alliance’s aspiring Member of Parliament for Chitungwiza South Chipo Mahamba has challenged the current legislator Christopher Chigumba (Zanu-PF) declaring that unlike the latter she is going to bring development.
She has launched a massive clean up campaign.
Mahamba, a nurse by profession, said her clean-up campaign was to improve her visibility in the constituency and challenge Chigumba.
“We are doing this not only to improve our visibility but we are also promoting cleanliness and sending a message to Chigumba that come September this constituency will be under BZA because people are hungry for development. Here we have cut grass, picked litter, cleaned restrooms and windows,” she said.
“Since Chigumba assumed office we haven’t seen tangible developments. The roads are in a sorry state and here (ward 18 or Seke L) we only get water on Fridays. I believe it’s high time to bring change in my constituency. I was born in ward 22 so I am destined to bring development.”
Mahamba who is a nurse by profession noted various projects she started which gave her confidence that she was going to win the electorate’s vote in the forthcoming harmonised elections.
“To address unemployment I started projects with youths and women. I started making juice with 15 women from ward 24 (Unit M) and 18 (Unit L). In ward 23 we are making detergents and candles. The LO-ladies from ward 18 and 23 are into cooking. This generates income and promotes networking,” she said.
“We also formed football and netball teams to empower the young people through sport and promote sports talent. I also have a support group called Mbuya Alice which consists people living with HIV/AIDS. I formed it to express our love and care to them.”
Mahamba who is the current School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson for Tafadzwa Primary School also noted the developments which brought since March.
“I helped in the refurbishment of restrooms at Tafadzwa Primary School as the current chair and we are working on the construction of a six-classroom block,” she said.
BZA ward 18 aspiring councillor Bernard Chiwandamira said he had been working with Mahamba in organising the clean-up campaign.
“I have been working with the Mahamba in organising this and my next programme is a drug awareness campaign that will take place at Unit L hall,” he said.
By Paul Nyathi|Prominent radio and television personality and losing MDC-T candidate for Vungu constituency in the Midlands, Ezra Tshisa Sibanda has challenged the MDC-T to unite with ousted former Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe.
In his call, Sibanda argues that there is more logic in the MDC-T uniting with Khuphe than being in the MDC Alliance coalition with parties that don’t bring value to the party.
In a post published on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Sibanda argues that Khuphe has more followers than all the six other partners to the MDC Alliance put together.
The submission to Chamisa by Sibanda reads as follows:
“Advocate Nelson Chamisa has been packing rallies, very clear in those rallies the colour is red and only in few areas of Matabeleland and Midlands where you see red and a few green colours. We are yet to see Tendai Biti and other 6 leaders supporters in those alliance rallies. Who are those gentlemen representing and where are their structures? Khupe has more supporters than those parties in the alliance put together therefore MDC T should simple unite and go for it alone.
I believe these other leaders in the MDC alliance are figure heads with no support riding on the popularity of MDC T. Can each of the other 6 parties hold their own rallies for their supporters so that we can judge their popularity? They won’t do because they have no people. I can safely conclude there is actually no alliance but individuals trying to resuscitate their fading political careers as they were now irrelevant as far as Zim politics is concerned. They were in the cold, they just want to become members of parliament once again and the only way they can do it is to use MDC T ticket in the name of MDC T Alliance.
I remember vividly what Biti said about Tsvangirai and remember well what Welshman also said. Both men said they will never work with Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC. They called him all sorts of names. The 2 gentlemen should simple rejoin MDC T because that’s where they came from.
In any political alliance you have to bring something to the table, show us your people, what are the other parties bringing into the table? Chamisa should simple unite MDC T and let the party go it alone against Zanu PF or make coalition with other opposition parties with followers. It’s still possible Khupe and Chamisa can unite and take the movement forward.
The African Diaspora Forum (ADF) is appalled by the latest killing of yet another migrant – Clement Ebuka Nwaogu, who was murdered in brutal circumstances in Rustenburg on April 22, 2018.
Mr. Nwaogu, a Nigerian national and furniture designer, was killed in barbaric circumstances – burnt to death by a mob, in apartheid-era methods that used to attract international condemnation.
Information made available to the ADF is that Mr. Nwaogu was approached by a mob of South African nationals, who easily identified him as a Nigerian and asked him, “Where are the drugs?” This was obviously drawn from stereotypes – some propagated by top government officials, that all Nigerians are in the business of peddling drugs.
When he told them that he was just a furniture shop owner, the mob descended on him like a common criminal, attacking him with any dangerous weapon they could lay their hands on before the watching of some members of the South African Police Service. His cries to the
police to save him fell on deaf ears, as the law-enforcement agents allegedly turned a blind eye, according to the onlookers.
The helpless man tried to run for his life, but his attackers chased him as if he was a scoundrel and they caught him again, they stoned him, stabbed him with sharp objects as if he was some of haunted beast.
Obviously not content with the pain they had already inflicted on a fellow human being, the attackers poured gasoline on him, set him ablaze and left him for dead. Some eye-witnesses called an ambulance, which took him to hospital, but he unfortunately did not make it, as he
died on Sunday morning at Job Shimankane Hospital in Rustenburg.
The deceased left behind his wife, Patricia Marivate Nwosu and his two children aged three and five years old. That this fatal savage attack came in the hands of people who were ostensibly demonstrating against alleged corruption by a top government official can only serve to prove the simmering hate that some South Africans still harbour against migrants, who have nothing to do with iniquities of the problems being caused by politicians and
public servants.
What appalls us more is that it has become a growing trend in South Africa that when citizens decide to protest, they turn on innocent migrants as their soft targets to vent their anger and frustrations.
For how long should fellow human beings continue to die – being clubbed or roasted to death, before the South African government heed calls for xenophobia to be declared a crime and deterrent punishment prescribed for it?
Rustenburg has apparently become a killing zone against migrants, with many of them having lost their lives there during the last few months.
Although its constitution says that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, migrants continue to be killed like beasts in this country, yet nothing is being done on the criminals who perform these dastardly acts.
From PhD students to shop owners, the killers have no remorse. Each time authorities announce in the media – and loudly so, that investigations are underway, but sadly no-one does a follow-up, or gives the findings of the ultimate outcome. Our findings are that most
investigations linked to the killing of migrants are hardly ever
concluded to reveal the true reasons.
Most of the times, high ranked authorities – including Ministers, rush to the scene just to help divert attention or hide investigations. It looks like migrants lives no longer have a meaning in South Africa.
Paradoxically, South African government officials keep singing to the international community a deceptive song about its willingness to ensure the integration of Africans and the continent, yet the situation on the ground paints a different picture of a serious lackadaisical failure.
In a wave of change three sitting Members of Parliament from Bulawayo have been disqualified from contesting in the Zanu-PF primary elections which will be held on Sunday.
Pumula representative in the National Assembly Mr Godfrey Malaba was disqualified at the weekend by the national commissariat, while Luveve MP Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo and Nkulumane MP Killian Sibanda were disqualified yesterday.
Announcing the developments yesterday, the party’s Bulawayo provincial chairman, Professor Callistus Ndlovu, said the three MPs are among eight candidates that were disqualified.
“The vetting was done at two levels. The first one was at provincial level while the second one was at national level. The decision to disqualify some of the candidates was done at a higher level.
“They looked at the list we supplied and took into account our comments and on the basis of other information they have, which we don’t have ourselves, involving security issues and others, they decided to drop some people and their decision is final,” said Prof Ndlovu.
He said in summary, the total number of aspiring House of Assembly candidates for the 12 constituencies in Bulawayo stands at 53 with a total of eight disqualified candidates.
“The candidates understand that the mmfinal decision is made at national level. The reasons were not given to us because they involve political security issues. I’m sure you realise that Zanu-PF had problems, some of which were related to the G40 cabal.
“That could be one of the reasons but the national commissariat didn’t mention that. Incumbent MPs are actually more exposed than aspiring MPs because people know what they did wrong. It could be political or incompetence,” said Prof Ndlovu.
He said the list of candidates that was published in the latest edition of our sister paper, The Sunday News, had errors which have since been rectified.
“Pursuant to the approved and published list of our primary election candidates, all aspiring House of Assembly candidates who had been erroneously put under the Senatorial constituencies have now been put back into their intended constituencies.
“For Bulawayo Central and Bulawayo East, the number of contesting candidates has increased to five and 10 respectively,” said Prof Ndlovu. As a result of the amendments, Cde Joshua Malinga of Kumalo Senatorial constituency and Prof Ndlovu of Mzilikazi Senatorial constituency are uncontested.
Prof Ndlovu added that Mr Sibanda’s disqualification leaves Mr David Ndlovu as the only candidate for the Nkulumane House of Assembly constituency.
“The omission of the entire list for the Luveve House of Assembly candidates has been rectified. Mr hMandla Ndlovu has also been included on the list of aspiring candidates for Magwegwe constituency.
“A total of seven aspiring candidates were approved for the women’s quota. The only contest will be between two candidates in Bulawayo East and Bulawayo Central constituencies,” said Prof Ndlovu.
All candidates, he added, who applied to contest in the local authority elections have been approved except for Mangwani Kudiwa from Nketa-Emganwini, who has been disqualified.
The candidates have been given the green light to start campaigning for the primaries, with those contesting for the same constituency expected to campaign together.- state media
The Intratrek Zimbabwe has completed clearing 75 hectares of the 200 hectares as part of the pre-commencement works for the Gwanda solar project, an official has said.
Apart from completing pre-commencement works, the company was contractually expected to have raised the funds needed for the 100 megawatt (MW) plant.
A senior ZPC official yesterday said they had begun evaluating progress made on clearing the site by Intratrek, which is fronted by businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo.
The company was paid $5 million for the pre-commencement works without a bank guarantee.
“The pre-commencement works should have been completed by 23 April and it means the contract for that particular work lapsed on Monday,” said the official.
“According to the contract, the company should have raised full funding, but we have nothing to date, except a letter they wrote this week saying they were covering the exposure.”
Mr Chivayo could not be reached for comment yesterday. Mines and Mining Development permanent secretary Mr Patson Mbiriri on Monday told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy chaired by Norton legislator Mr Temba Mliswa (independent) that Mr Chivayo — who had previously abandoned the site — was now back and had cleared 75 hectares of the 200 hectares designated for the solar plant.
Zesa Holdings group chief executive officer Engineer Josh Chifamba, who also appeared before the same committee on Monday, indicated that the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC)’s board was expected to meet on the same day to discuss the matter.
Our Harare Bureau has since gathered that the ZPC board failed to meet on Monday.
“A lot has been done to review the tender which was awarded to Intratrek, but it is a legal process,” he said. “The decision that you put forward as the committee is the same that was made by the ZPC board, but it is a legal process, it does not happen immediately.
“The contractor was not expelled from site. We thanked the noise that was done as it forced him to go and complete the work which we had already paid for.”
In March, Mr Mliswa’s parliamentary committee visited Gwanda and expressed disappointment with what it viewed as poor preparatory works at the site.
A student doing third year at Midlands State University (MSU) and on industrial attachment at the institution allegedly dropped out after a lecturer attempted to have sex with her.
The student (name withheld) allegedly informed her supervisor about the indecent and they chose to sweep the matter under the carpet. The matter however, came to light when an Agriculture lecturer at MSU, Julius Mukarati, who resides at 26 Smart Road in Athlone suburb, appeared before Gweru Magistrate Miss Mildred Matuvi allegedly facing one count of indecent assault.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded out of custody to April 30 on $50 bail.
It is the State case that on November 14 last year, Mukarati called the complainant to his office and asked her to assist him with typing.
He left her in his office for 10 minutes, and when he returned, he locked the door while the complainant was still inside. The student asked Mukarati what he was doing and his reply was “you know what l want to do to you.”
The court heard that the lecturer removed all his clothes, and started fondling the student’s breasts and buttocks. He also touched her private parts while she tried to stop him. The complainant allegedly screamed, causing Mukarati to immediately stop caressing her before putting on his clothes.
On November 15, the student told her supervisor Mrs Tendai Maparara about the incident but she did not take any action which caused the complainant to drop out from attachment.
The complainant’s parents asked their daughter why she did not finish her attachment and she narrated her ordeal to them, leading to Mukarati’s arrest. Miss Gracious Rongai prosecuted. – state media
By Dorrothy Moyo| The new-found-joy politician Linda Masarira has explained her u-turn to Khupe as a mere evolving of her politics.
Masarira was speaking during a ZIFM interview with Larry Kwirirayi.
She also said she has been an MDC-T member since 2000. She said,
“I joined the MDC in 2000 and I still have my card when I joined the party. When I decided to lie dormant there were issues that I was not subscribing to. That is Linda Masarira…”
On the sudden shift to becoming an MDC member, Masarira said,
“The aspect of my changing my mind from being an independent candidate to running on a party ticket, you should understand that politics evolves on a daily basis, politics is dynamic. Sometimes you have to make the best decision on our quest for having nation building and having a common national vision.”
The trial of ex-minister Dr Samuel Undenge failed to kick off at the Harare magistrates court today with the State applying for a postponement because its key witness Mr Noah Gwariro is reportedly sick and incapacitated.
Mr Undenge is facing criminal abuse of office charges for awarding a tender to Fruitful Communications without following procedure.
Mr Undenge, who is represented by Mr Alec Muchadehama, appeared before regional magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya.
The State, led by Mr Jonathan Murombedzi, indicated Mr Gwariro, Zimbabwe Power Company’s managing director, is sick hence his “situation is unforeseen”.
Mr Muchadehama argued that the State’s application was evidence that it was not prepared for trial hence infringing on the accused’s constitutional rights.
The defence however successfully applied for cancellation of Dr Undenge’s reporting conditions at Highlands Police Station. The trial has been postponed to May 15 by consent of the State and defence. – state media.
A woman died last year after under going a Caesarean allegedly perfomed by a drunk medical doctor.
It is alleged that a Gutu Mission Hospital medical doctor, Henry Harry Mushuku, performed a Caesarean operation while drunk resulting in the death of Locardia Mbinda last year and has been ordered to go to rehab.
The investigations has taken over a year and Mushuku was found guilty of negligence and working in theatre under the influence of alcohol.The Ministry of Health and Child Care has ordered him to go to Parirenyatwa Hospital for rehabilitation.
Masvingo Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Amadeus Shamu confirmed that judgement had been handed down but refused to shed light on the nature of the punishment.
“All I can say is proper punishment was given but I am not at liberty to tell you the nature of the punishment for publication,” said Shamu.
Close sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, however, said all the three people involved in the debacle were punished.
“Gutu District Medical Officer Dr Tapiwa Mupepe, Dr Mushuku and Pamunoda Muguti, the nurse who was on duty, were all found guilty. Dr Mupepe was given a warning, Mushuku was sent to rehab and Muguti is working under supervision,” said the source.
When asked for comment, Mupepe said he was charged for not being at work when the operation was done.
“My case was about absence from work for no reason. They said had I been there, the operation would not have been conducted. Everyone was found guilty as charged but I will appeal because I am not happy with the judgement,” said Mupepe.
After the botched operation, the now deceased was transferred to Masvingo Provincial Hospital where she died after a few hours but her child miraculously survived.- state media.
MDC ALLIANCE RESPONSE TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER’S CHATHAM HOUSE SPEECH
24 APRIL 2018
THE MDC Alliance welcomes the undertaking attributed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Retired Major General -Sibusiso Moyo which undertaking he is said to have made to a foreign audience at Chatham House in the United Kingdom, that President Emmerson Mnangagwa, if defeated at the forthcoming elections, will concede defeat and peacefully hand over power to the winner.
While we appreciate that this statement represents progress from a functionary of Zanu PF and a former military strongman who was the face of the military coup which overthrew former President Robert Mugabe, that undertaking is not adequate.
What is required and would be enough is a statement from the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Valerio Sibanda, made here in Zimbabwe and addressed to the citizens of Zimbabwe making an unequivocal and unconditional undertaking to the people that the military recognises and accepts the sovereignty of the people of Zimbabwe to freely choose their government and that once they have done so the armed forces will not only fully respect the decision of the people but will in fact defend and protect that decision.
Secondly, the Commander of the Defence Forces must immediately withdraw all army personnel that have been deployed among the people in rural areas as part of the Zanu PF election strategy.
Equally, President Mnangagwa in his capacity as President and First Secretary of Zanu PF must instruct all Zanu PF functionaries including traditional leaders to immediately stop demanding from voters voter registration slips and also stop the attendant intimidation thereof.
Professor Welshman Ncube
MDC Alliance Spokesperson
Ambitious PSL sides Highlanders and Ngezi FC will take aim at each other in a top of the table league encounter at the weekend at Baobab Stadium.
Bosso are hoping to win the league title this season following twelve years of misery while Ngezi are keen to win their maiden league championship.
CLPSL Match-day 8 Fixtures
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Mutare City vs FC Platinum (Vengere Stadium).
Black Rhinos vs Bulawayo Chiefs (Rufaro Stadium).
Herentals vs Harare City (NSS)
Nichrut vs CAPS United (Ascot Stadium)
Chicken Inn vs Yadah (Luveve Stadium)
Ngezi vs Highlanders (Baobab Stadium).
Shabanie Mine vs ZPC Kariba (Maglas Stadium)
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Dynamos vs Bulawayo City (Rufaro Stadium)
Triangle United vs Chapungu (Gibbo Stadium).
Referees Committee chairperson Gladmore Muzambi
has condemned Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas’
behaviour during a league clash against ZPC Kariba
at Nyamhunga stadium on Saturday.
Antipas allegedly bugged into the referees’ dressing
room during halftime and told Ruzive Ruzive who
was in charge of the game that his players would
not come out for the second half in protest at what
he said was poor officiating.
The Gamecocks were trailing 1-0 at the break but
levelled in the second half through substitute
Wellington Kamudyariwa to share the spoils.
“We don’t take such issues lightly, and surely that
coming from a senior coach like Antipas is very sad.
We expect coaches to behave responsibly,”
Muzambi told NewsDay.
However, Antipas said there was nothing malicious
about what he said and labelled it a joke.
“It was a serious joke meant to motivate my players
who had played badly in the first half. It was more to do
with mind-awareness nothing malicious about the
whole thing,” he said.
By Paul Nyathi|Residents of Cowdry Park in Bulawayo instilled instant justice on a promiscuous couple which neglected a three year old child while they enjoyed midday intercourse at the man’s house.
The neglected child walked into an open water drain and drowned while the two continued with their act without regard.
A neighbour who noticed the child fall into the drain from a distance rushed to try and save the baby but was too late. It was when she stormed into the house that she discovered that the couple was busy on nature pleasure.
She immediately alerted other neighbours who thronged the house to execute justice on the couple in anger.
Alert members of the police not too far from the scene rescued the couple from the hands of the crowd.
Respected political analyst and Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe leader, Takavafira Zhou has urged MDC supporters to remain calm following the court ruling on the protracted battle between Nelson Chamisa and Thokozani Khupe.
Below is Zhou’ s statement on the ruling:
MDCT had applied for an interdict that was to stop Khupe from using the party logo and trademark.
It was not about who should lead the party.
So the judge is simply saying the issue of the logo is not the key factor.
The issue is who leads the party- which the court must settle.
Technically both Chamisa and Khupe have been given an open cheque to fight for the name.
However, with Zanu PF anything can happen.
We can either:
-revert to the original name MDC
-Use MDC Alliance
– Fight in the courts over the issue of who leads MDCT and use the name after victory.
To the best of my knowledge and in line with the MDCT constitution, a leader cannot self impose her/himself. So the legal contest between Chamisa and Khupe can be won by who ever has the majority in the National Council, standing committee, youths and women wings.
By Own Correspondent| Thokozani Khupe’s lawyer, Lovemore Madhuku exploded in joy after winning two court cases in which Khupe was both a Respondent and an Appellant against her former boss Nelson Chamisa. For the full story, click here.
Expelled MPs Hon Lwazi Sibanda, Hon Nomvula Mguni, Professor Lovemore Madhuku and Sengezo Tshabangu
Zanu PF Provincial Chairperson Ezra Chadzamira has thwarted attempts by ruling party bigwigs to block G-40 from participating in the primary elections.
Despite relentless pressure from ruling party mandarins to force Chadzamira to bar known G-40 members from contesting in the primary elections, the Zanu PF Chairperson has declared all party members have the right to participate in the polls.
“We held a Provincial meeting at the weekend and we discussed pressing issues- including the primary elections.
I stressed the need for unity and I also made it clear that nobody should be stopped from contesting in the primary elections.
The supporters have the final say so there is no need for unnecessary backbiting,” said Chadzamira.
By Lionel Saungweme| Bulawayo – In a decision that is set to confuse Zimbabwe’s voting public, High Court Judge Francis Bere has dismissed the urgent application in which Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) sought to interdict Dr Thokozani Khupe, Obert Gutu and Abednigo Bhebhe from using the name, logo and symbol of the party.
The need to interdict Dr Khupe and two others, according to the MDC-T, led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa, became urgent when the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) wrote to say that they will not take sides in the MDC-T leadership dispute. ZEC also put it formally that Dr Khupe had “registered as MDC-T” ahead of the forthcoming elections.
In dismissing the case, cited as Movement for Democratic Change v Thokozani Khupe, Obert Gutu and Abednigo Bhebhe HC1051/18, Justice Bere declared that “there is absolutely no urgency in the matter” and that “the application will not go beyond the preliminary points.”
He also mentioned that after the death of “founding MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai on 14 February 2018, a “conflict for leadership within the party arose as a leadership vacuum ensued.” This conflict “manifested itself in two factions one led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa and the other by Thokozani Khupe.”
Justice Bere mentioned that there was need for the MDC-T to solve this problem through independent arbitration before one party to the dispute sought to interdict another from using the name, logo and symbol of the party.
“You cannot make a claim to urgency if the issue of legitimacy to leadership has not been confirmed,” declared Justice Bere. The learned judge also urged applicant to approach an independent, impartial and competent court of law to determine the leadership contest of the MDC.
“Issues of legitimacy in the MDC-T cannot be determined on the altar of popularity. The dispute must simply be put for adjudication before a proper forum,” declared Bere.
The judge further noted that “Section 72 Chapter 26.04 of the Trademarks Act” on which the applicant had brought the action, “had not been fully complied with.”
In another matter also decided by Justice Bere, the urgent application brought by the MDC-T, on Friday 21 April 2018, was dismissed for “lack of merit.” The applicants intended to interdict Dr Khupe and her supporters from holding their congress on Saturday 22 April 2018.
Fiery Zanu PF critic Antony Taruvinga has sensationally accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga of looting diamonds.
Taruvinga called on both Mnangagwa and Chiwenga to be sincere in their conduct.
“Despite the presence of armed soldiers, the people of
Marange – where diamonds were
stolen by
Mnangagwa and Chiwenga – marched demanding transparency in the mining of the precious stones.
We are in solidarity with the disgruntled villagers, Zanu PF does not deserve even a single vote.
Let’s unite and vote them out of power,” charged Taruvinga.
By Talent Gondo|Justice Francis Bere has dismissed with costs, the High Court challenge on the use of the party name and logo, MDC T by the faction led by ousted former Vice President of the party, Thokozani Khupe and her allies Abednico Bhebhe and Obert Gutu.
Gutu, the newly elected Vice President of the MDC T led by Thokozani Khupe celebrated the win on the application launched by Morgen Komichi, from the Nelson Chamisa led MDC T was dismissed with costs.
“Justice Bere has dismissed with costs the High Court application that was launched by Morgen Komichi et al against myself, Hon Dr Thokozani Khupe and Hon Abednico Bhebhe. We are on a roll,” wrote Gutu on Twitter.
By Talent Gondo| Businessman James Makamba who has been in self imposed exile for the past 12 years is set to battle it out in Zanu Pf primary elections for Mt Darwin South next weekend, ZimEye has learnt.
Makamba revealed this on twitter dismissing social media rumours which said the businessman had been disqualified over the leaked audio where he was plotting to bring down ICT minister, Supa Mandiwanzira.
“I would like to share with you that I have been approved as one of the 20 Candidates that will contest the #ZanuPF Primary Elections in Mt Darwin South Constituency on the 29th of April as announced by the politburo. New Dispensation -Jobs, Jobs, Jobs! #ZimbabweIsOpenForBusiness”, wrote Makamba on Twitter.
The businessman also took to Facebook and clarified that he was still in the election race.
Below is the full text of his Facebook message:
“Hello, my friends! Like most world democracies its election season in Zimbabwe.
President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has announced that general elections will be held sometime in July or August of this year.
There is a hive of activity with each and every political party identifying candidates who are electable to deliver victory in the various constituencies.
Likewise, our party’s hierarchy, the Zanu PF politburo has finalised preparations for conducting primary elections countrywide.
President Mnangagwa has repeatedly made it very clear that the people will choose and must choose their own representatives to represent them in the different forum of governance, be it councillors, members of parliament, and members of the Senate.
These must all come from the people through primary elections.
Vote for Development. Vote for Unity. Vote for Prosperity. Vote for rebuilding and making Zanu-Pf stronger. Vote for jobs in Mount Darwin South Constituency. Vote for James Makamba. #Resilience”.
Campaign Gogogoi Tisvikewo, Ekuhle — Wisdom from the East.
MDC Alliance President, Nelson Chamisa
I had enriching engagements over the weekend in rural Manicaland where I interacted with ordinary Zimbabweans from Chipinge to Nyanga as we up the ante in our rural campaign ahead of this year’s watershed plebiscite.
I drank deep from the wise people from the East as both the old and the young told me of their daily hardships and tribulations and how they wish to consign their poverty by voting for transformation, opportunity and prosperity in the forthcoming election.
In Chipinge, I also took time to pay my last respects to one of our late old cadres James Wizen Dhliwayo, who passed on. As I paid my respects at the homestead, I had the opportunity to interact with traditional leaders. Tradition and culture play an important pivotal role in our society.
My first port of call was Kondo business centre in Chipinge West on Saturday where I interacted with Zimbabweans in this marginalized part of our country. The people told me of their grinding poverty amid the plenty of diamonds and the Chisumbanje ethanol plant in their area whose profits have been spirited away by the well-heeled political and business elite.
In the searing heat and the dry soils of Chipinge, I saw dilapidated infrastructure and a people desperate to have their sense of hope renewed by a truly caring government. I felt touched by their persistent optimism even amid the grinding poverty so palpable all around them.
It was heartening that at least, hope continues to spring among the despondent people of Chipinge.
At the well attended rally at Kondo, I took the opportunity to pay tribute to the gallant sons and daughters of Chipinge who have faithfully served this nation with unbridled patriotism.
Indeed, this is the home of the iconic Ndabaningi Sithole, former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Kombo Moyana Godwin Matanga, Happyton Bonyongwe and the Zamchiyas who have all left their own unique footprints on the sands of this country’s history.
Indeed, Chipinge will always be a community for change, as has always been reflected by her people’s voting pattern since the country’s political independence in 1980. Like Binga, Matabeleland and Mola, Chipinge has been a notable outpost of underdevelopment despite the galaxy of its prominent sons and daughters who have consistently and patriotically served this country.
At the Kondo rally, I articulated our vision for the new Zimbabwe and walked them through our seven hubs of civilization as well as our detailed transformation agenda in the spheres of governance, the economy, social services, infrastructure rehabilitation and international re-engagement.
I spoke about spatial devolution, the need for devolution as well as the imperative of growing new cities and new nodal points around the economic activities that are particular to certain areas.
I told them of our vision to uplift rural areas by ensuring that they have modern homes and access to electricity. It is possible to generate power by harnessing sunshine that is so abundant in Africa.
I spoke about the imperative of growing our economy by growing cash crops such as coffee and tea. The Tanganda tea estate in Chipinge has lots of potential for growth and can become a key nodal point for development and revenue generation both for the community and the country.
Given the crippling but legitimate strike by the country’s hard working nurses and doctors, I reminded the people of Chipinge of the fallacy by the current government that Zimbabwe is open for business when it is not open for health.
Our new incoming government will spare a thought for the desperate cries coming from throughout the country—especially this barren and desolate land of Chipinge that is crying out for attention from those occupying the lofty citadel of government.
We pledge that we will not fail them; that we will attend to the legitimate concerns of these underdeveloped communities.
Remembering the Lord in whatever we do
On Sunday, I left Mutare for Ruwangwe in Nyanga North near the border with Mozambique. It is my maxim that whatever we do in politics or whichever vocation, we must never forget to serve and plead with our Lord in Heaven.
Before I left Mutare, I had the occasion to go church, where I joined other Zimbabweans in prayer.
Indeed, whatever our circumstances or social station in life, the Lord we serve is a God of eternal goodness and mercy.I saw the Lord’s grace at the church Mutare and had occasion to see His power at work.
Great and blessed things await this great country.
Rural Ruwangwe—an outpost and leeway to liberation
At Ruwangwe business centre in the mountains of Nyanga North on the border with Mozambique, I had occasion to interact with yet another teeming crowd exuding hope and unbridled optimism.
The people told me of their harassment by some traditional leaders who continued to demand the serial numbers of their voter registration slips. They told of dilapidated infrastructure, of the now impassable Bhinya road that links the area with Mayo, Murehwa and Mutoko. They recounted the sad story of how Nyanga, a once-thriving tourist destination, has become of shell of its former self owing to collapsed infrastructure and the poisoned politics that persists in the country despite the much-vaunted fallacy that Zimbabwe is now open for business.
The people of Nyanga of North said they were ready for a truly new dispensation that will be ushered in by the next election. They said all who must lead this country have to first pass through their area as Robert Mugabe and Edgar Tekere did way back in the 1970s when they passed through this area into Mozambique. Ruwangwe, they said, had always been a gateway to liberation and transformation icons and it was in that spirit that they were receiving me and other leaders.
They said they were heartened that I had also passed through their area to interact and share with them our policy ideas. This, they said, was ominous of the good times ahead for the country.
I felt humbled.
As we drove out of the picturesque surroundings of scenic Nyanga, I felt pained at how as a country we were failing to harness the huge potential tourism. In our policy document document to be unveiled in the coming weeks, tourism was a major hub that could be a source of massive revenue generation for our nation.
Indeed, as the scriptures say, where there is no vision, people perish. And Zimbabwe is on the verge of perishing because of a clueless leadership.
Going rural—our new thrust
While I addressed the people rural Manicaland from Chipinge to Nyanga, several MDC-T leaders and MDC Alliance partners were strewn across the rural countryside; spreading the same message of transformation, opportunity and prosperity.
There is massive support for the party and the Alliance in the rural areas and all our leaders addressed equally huge crowds in Tsholotsho, Hurungwe, Gokwe and Mudzi, among other areas.
Next week, I will be in yet another rural area, interacting with the people and listening to their sordid tales of how they are grinding it out in these hard times.
Positive change is now imminent!
One Zimbabwe, one people.
One Zimbabwe, one future.
One Zimbabwe, one vision.
Behold the new.
God bless Zimbabwe.
God bless Africa
Adv. Nelson Chamisa is the MDC-T President and the MDC Alliance Presidential Candidate.
Opinion:|Strike at the so called Gwanda state University is still going on.
Poor service delivery at the institution due to mismanagement of funds is one of the major causes of the strike.
Students are demanding to go back to NUST since the weaning of this institution from NUST was done prematurely.
The administration is saying the ministry of higher and tertiary education gave them a charter and promised funds to run the instution.
Dr S B Mangena the director of the institution is not available since last week.
No clinic, no library, no lectures in other modules since opening but examination timetable is out, no practicals, poor diet but we are paying $1125. So where is our money going?
The ministry if possible must come and face all students not facing their colleagues running the institution.
We will continue the strike until they meet our wishes.
By Talent Gondo| THE MDC Alliance has called on the securocrats to publicly confirm the statement made by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Retired Major General -Sibusiso Moyo at Chatham House in London recently revealing that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will peacefully hand over power in the event that he lost the forthcoming harmonised polls.
MDC Alliance Spokesperson, Professor Welshman Ncube said while the Alliance welcomed minister Moyo’s statement, it was important for the Zimbabwe Defense Forces to reiterate what was said by Moyo to the foreign audience that President Mnangagwa, if defeated at the forthcoming elections, will concede defeat and peacefully hand over power to the winner.
“While we appreciate that this statement represents progress from a functionary of Zanu PF and a former military strongman who was the face of the military coup which overthrew former President Robert Mugabe, that undertaking is not adequate,” said Ncube.
“What is required and would be enough is a statement from the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Valerio Sibanda, made here in Zimbabwe and addressed to the citizens of Zimbabwe.
This statement should make an unequivocal and unconditional undertaking to the people that the military recognises and accepts the sovereignty of the people of Zimbabwe to freely choose their government and that once they have done so the armed forces will not only fully respect the decision of the people but will in fact defend and protect that decision,” he said.
He called on the army Commander to withdraw all army personnel that have been deployed within the country especially in rural areas as part of the Zanu PF election strategy.
“Equally, President Mnangagwa in his capacity as President and First Secretary of Zanu PF must instruct all Zanu PF functionaries including traditional leaders to immediately stop demanding from voters voter registration slips and also stop the attendant intimidation thereof,” said Professor Ncube.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga threatened nurses with violence.
By Paul Nyathi|Dismissed government nurses have taken Vice President Contantino Chiwenga to the High Court seeking rervesal of his decision to summarily dismiss them from government employment.
In their application the nurses claim that the retired army general does not have the mandate to dismiss them from work in his capacity as Vice President.
Chiwenga last week issued an order dismissing the 16 000 nurses after they went on strike demanding for improved working conditions.
Though they chickened out of their job action on Saturday after the dismissal order, the nurses proceeded with their court action which was submitted to the High Court on Friday.
The court application was filed by Kantor and Immerman lawyers on behalf of the Zimbabwe Nurses’ Association (Zina), citing the Health Services Board, Health minister David Parirenyatwa and Chiwenga as respondents.
“On April 17, 2018, we met with the respondents (Health Services Board, Health and Child Care minister Parirenyatwa, and Chiwenga) at the third respondent’s (Chiwenga) offices. Instead of engaging us, the third respondent threatened the leadership of the first applicant (Zina) with violence and ejected the first applicant’s president and secretary-general from the meeting,” Zina’s secretary-general Enock Dongo said in the founding affidavit.
“. . . In terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the applicants have the right to be heard prior to an administrative decision affecting them being made,” Dongo said, adding “. . . the third respondent is not the applicant’s employer. He is not party to the employment relationship between the applicants and the first respondent. He does not have the power at law to hire or fire nurses.”
According to Dongo, prior to their “purported dismissal”, Zina had raised their grievances with the HSB.
“We lack the essential tools of trade and we are exposed to diseases. We also demanded payment of our arrear salaries which date back as far as 2010,” he said adding: “. . . he (Chiwenga) refused to listen to the applicant’s position and demanded that the applicants return to work. We failed to reach an agreement with the respondents.”
Dongo also said although they had not received termination letters from their employer, they knew that such letters had been prepared in terms of the Health Services Regulations, 2006, Statutory Instrument 117 of 2006, hence the decision to approach the court for recourse.
“In terms of the aforesaid regulations, the termination of employment is effective from the date a decision to terminate is made regardless of whether or not the affected employee has been served with such letter of termination.”
The nurses want the decision to be declared null and void. The nurses have also claimed that they were threatened with violence when they tried to engage the government on the matter.
By Talent Gondo| High Court Judge Justice Amy Tsanga will this Thursday 26 April 2018 preside over the urgent chamber application filed by the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZNA) seeking an order to restrain and interdict the Health Services Board (HSB), Health and Child Care Minister Hon. David Parirenyatwa and Vice-President Hon. Constantino Chiwenga from terminating the services of striking nurses and to stop the government from recruiting new staff to replace them.
ZNA filed an urgent chamber application in the High Court on Friday 20 April 2018 seeking an order to stop the HSB, Hon. Parirenyatwa and Vice-President Chiwenga from terminating the nurses’ services and to nullify the termination of their employment contracts.
The ZNA filed the urgent chamber application, arguing that the purported summary dismissal of some striking nurses was not justified.
“The conduct of the nurses was legal as they were exercising their labour rights,” said the ZNA, which is represented by Precious Chakasikwa and Bernard Chidziva of Kantor and Immerman Legal Practitioners.
The organisation argued that there is no justification by anyone to terminate the nurses’ contracts of employment as they had embarked on a lawful collective job action.
“ZNA wants the High Court to restrain and interdict the HSB, Hon. Parirenyatwa and Vice-President Chiwenga from terminating the services of nurses at state-run hospitals and in the event that the respondents proceed with the termination of the employment contracts, the termination be declared null and void,” said the ZNA.
In addition, the organisation wants the respondents to be barred from filling the employment positions for those who have been fired.
ZRP Spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, has confirmed that the ZRP had turned partisan during President Robert Mugabe’s era indicating that the organisation had however turned over a new leaf with the coming in of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his new administration.
Addressing the media in the capital Harare, Commissioner Charamba said it was no longer business as usual for the force since the current leadership was geared on executing Constitutional provisions accordingly.
“I am saying this time around, the leadership has made it very clear that it is no longer business as usual and all police commanders were addressed and people are working towards achieving results- to show that police will be conducting their business in a different way and I am sure you have not seen this before, showing that we are doing our business in a different way,” said Commissioner Charamba.
“All cases will be dealt with in a just and fair manner without any bias or discrimination to any political party.
“When I say all the cases, I mean all the cases irrespective of your political party, skin colour or gender,” she said.
Commissioner Charamba told journalists that the organisation had appointed an elections commander in a move aimed at ensuring that all election related issues are dealt with urgently and fairly without bias or discrimination.
Senior Assistant Commissioner, Erasmus Makodza is the ZRP 2018 Elections Commander and he pledged to effectively implement Constitutional provisions on elections adding that political parties should warn their members against any acts of violence as the country heads towards harmonised polls.
“Political parties and their members should desist from engaging in political violence as they hold their primary elections.
He said as the country heads for the 2018 elections, people should know that any acts of violence will be dealt with accordingly.
“Specialised courts have been set up by the responsible judiciary arms of government to deal with politically motivated crimes.
“We have also set up teams of experienced investigators in provinces to expedite the investigation and compilation of dockets for prosecution. This is in line with Section 133H of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13,” he said.
Ambrose Mtinhiri with former President Robert Mugabe
By Talent Gondo|National Patriotic Front’s 2018 Presidential candidate Ambrose Mutinhiri last week lost a campaign vehicle given to him in 2013 by Zanu Pf after two men from the Office of the President visited his home demanding that he hand back the vehicle.
The development, which left Mutinhiri and his party members baffled, occur at a time when his party is set to start campaigning for the 2018 harmonised elections.
Mutinhiri was given the Ford Everest during the 2013 campaign period when he was vying for the Marondera West parliamentary seat.
Zanu PF last week repossessed the campaign vehicle when officials who indicated that they were from the Office of the President made a surprise visit to his home and told him to hand over the car.
“It is true, the vehicle was taken and I do not know where it is right now. They arrived at my place and said they had come to collect the vehicle, saying it is needed by the government.
“The car is one of those we were given during Zanu PF campaigns some years back. Two guys from the President’s Office are the ones who took it,” said Mutinhiri.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that the car was briefly taken to Zanu Pf provincial offices in Marondera before being handed over to an official who is in the party’s provincial leadership.
Mutinhiri hit the headlines when he quit Zanu Pf citing unconstitutionalism.
He formed his own party NPF, where he will be running for presidency against his former colleague, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, Rainbow Coalition leader, Joice Mujuru, APA’s Nkosana Moyo, CODE’s Elton Mangoma and Noah Manyika among others.
By Talent Gondo|Social media reports indicating that Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Retired Lieutenant-General Sibusiso Busi Moyo announced 18 July 2018 as the election date are not true, ZimEye can confirm.
Minister Moyo is alleged to have made the pronouncement when he was speaking at Chatham House in London where he made a presentation on the government’s plans for re-engagement and renewal of Zimbabwe’s international economic relations.
According to an official tweet by Chatham House which went viral, Minister Moyo announced that Zimbabwe will hold its polls on 18 July 2018 pledging government commitment to an open and transparent democratic process which guarantees a credible, free and fair election.
Read the tweet, “HE Sibusiso Moyo – Elections on July 18, 2018, will reaffirm our commitment to openness & transparency.
The #Zimbabwe government will apply rules & standards for holding free and fair elections in a peaceful, violence-free environment. We welcome international observers #CHAfrica”.
Zimbabweans took to social media expressing their dismay at the announcement by the retired army General who is popular for announcing that the former President Robert Mugabe was safe during the military takeover in Zimbabwe which saw the ascendancy of President Emmerson Mnangagwa to power.
By Paul Nyathi|A 27 year old HIV ailing Bulawayo sex worker died at her regular client’s home in Barbourfields High Density Suburb on Monday morning after a night of joy with the client.
Police reports indicate that Hazel Sibanda fell very ill at Polite Ncube’s apartment at Mbuyazwe Flats and died before an ambulance crew summoned by Ncube arrived to rush her to hospital.
Bulawayo Metropolitan police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed receiving a report of a case of sudden death.
“We are investigating a case of sudden death of a woman who died in a house in Barbourfields suburb this morning. The man summoned an ambulance but the ambulance crew pronounced her dead on arrival at the scene,” she said.
Ncube said he was a regular client to Sibanda who he usually picked up along 13th Avenue where she paraded among other sex workers.
He said Sibanda had informed him that she was HIV positive but had since defaulted on her anti-retroviral treatment.
“We met in 2016 while she was on business but she moved to South Africa until her return recently. When I met her earlier this year she informed me that she was now HIV positive and would on some instances be down. Sometimes I even accommodated her for a day or two at the house which I’m taking care of.
“This morning she told me she was not feeling well. She asked me to get an ambulance for her. When I returned with the ambulance, the paramedics declared her dead,” said Ncube, who appeared to be in shock.
He said he did not know any of Sibanda’s relatives or where she lived in Bulawayo.
“I only remember that she once mentioned that her rural home was in Mbembesi.
“Two weeks ago I forced her to go to hospital after her body was swelling but unfortunately she was not attended to because she didn’t have any money on her,” he said.
By Dorrothy Moyo| Vice president Cosntantino Chiwenga has been sued by nurses who say he threatened violence o them.
They wrote in their court application on Friday.
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association said, “On April 17, 2018, we met with the respondents (Health Services Board, Health and Child Care minister Parirenyatwa, and Chiwenga) at the third respondent’s (Chiwenga) offices. Instead of engaging us, the third respondent threatened the leadership of the first applicant (Zina) with violence and ejected the first applicant’s president and secretary-general from the meeting. . . In terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the applicants have the right to be heard prior to an administrative decision affecting them being made…the third respondent is not the applicant’s employer. He is not party to the employment relationship between the applicants and the first respondent. He does not have the power at law to hire or fire nurses.”
Last week, Masvingo Provincial Medical Director (PMD), Amadeus Shamhu told a local community radio station the Ministry was in the process of recruiting new nurses to replace the fired ones.
“Those who took part in the industrial action were relieved of their duties.
We are now taking on board new nurses and I can say the response is overwhelming.
Some of the dismissed nurses are also coming back to apologise but it is too late to do so,” said Shamu.
By Paul Nyathi|Principled Zimbabwean soccer referee Norman Matemera rejected an offer of US$10 000 to throw a Confederation of African Football match on Independence Day.
Matemera would not be swayed to take the offer by Equatorial Guinea outfit Desportivo Niefang to influence the result of their Caf Confederation Cup play-off tie against Cote d’Ivoire’s Williamsville Athletic Club.
Matemera, handled the April 18 encounter between Desportivo Niefang and Williamsville Athletic Club in the Equatorial Guinea city of Bata which the hosts won 2-1 but still bowed out 3-2 on aggregate after having fallen 2-0 in the first leg in Cote d’Ivoire.
On the eve of the match Desportivo Niefang officials, working in cahoots with Togolose match commissioner Lawson Mahuwe as their emissary, tried to offer Matemera and his assistants Brighton Nyika, Salani Ncube and Philani Ncube a cash bribe of $10 000 to ensure the Equatorial Guinea side won the match to advance to the group stage of the competition.
Matemera, however, resisted those attempts and instead reported the incident to the Confederation of African Football.
Zifa Referees Committee vice-chairman, Gladmore Muzambi confirmed the incident.
“The referee reported the matter to Caf and I believe Caf are already seized with it. We believe Caf have adequate machinery to deal with such issues,’’ Muzambi said.
The veteran Zimbabwe referees’ administrator said he was also saddened to hear that Matemera and his assistants had been dumped by the Desportivo officials after the match, seemingly being punished for botching their bribery attempts.
“It is so sad that after the referees turned down their bribery offer, the club dumped them and they had to pay for their own meals at the hotel as well as transport to the airport’’.
The Togolese match commissioner also reportedly left for the Equatorial Guinea capital Malabo without further checking on the referees.
Matemera, handled the crunch tie between Dynamos and CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
By Simba Chikanza| Deputy Finance Minister, Terence Mukupe has said that Zimbabwe should open the Reserve Bank top job for foreigners.
Writing from London, Minister Mukupe suggested Zimbabwe should copy the British model where the central bank job is usually given to foreigners. The outgoing British governor is a foreigner from Canada.
“Bank of England is about to go to the market to select a new Central Bank Governor,” Mukupe said.
He continued saying, “what strikes me is that they are considering non British personnel to take over that position.
“They want the best technically in the world. As Zimbabwe we could learn something from that. Some key positions should be opened up to foreigners if we don’t have the necessary technical skills at a satisfactory level… We need to open up our parastatals to a system of global meritocracy,” he wrote.
MEDICS attend to a Highlanders fan who fell from the stands during a premiership match against Shabanie Mine FC at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday.
By Paul Nyathi|A Highlanders Football Club fan is battling for his life at Mpilo Hospital after falling from terraces at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Police identified the man as Prince Ncube whose address has not been established.
The police report that Ncube plugged about thirty metres down the terraces while in a drunken stupor from the rails at the top of the terraces.
He was rushed to nearby Mpilo Hospital where he has been in the ICU since Sunday.
Highlanders Fans are known for dangerously dangling on billboards and rails on the terraces while watching their team play.
Though police have ruled out any foul play, Highlanders fans have a history of throwing opposing fans out of the stadium over the terraces.
Police spokesperson Precious Simango appealed for Ncube’s relatives to come forward and provide more details about him.
“We need further details on the man whose name was only picked up from the national identity card he was carrying,” said Simango.
She further urged fans to desist from attending soccer matches while drunk and smuggling alcohol into the stadium.
“Fans must desist from going into the stadium drunk and sitting on undesignated sitting areas,” she added.
Highlanders Football Club is currently running a “Fiil Up BF” campaign which has seen huge crowds watch the team at Barbourfields Stadium.
On Sunday slightly over 12 000 fans were at the 15 000 capacity stadium in a match against lowly Shabanie Mine.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa flew off to Bulawayo Thursday afternoon.
Mawawa, Masvingo
Tafadzwa Kachiko| Build Zimbabwe Alliance’s aspiring Member of Parliament for Chitungwiza South Chipo Mahamba has challenged the current legislator Christopher Chigumba (Zanu-PF) declaring that unlike the latter she is going to bring development. 
