By Farai D Hove| MDC member Yvonne Musarurwa had her moment of relief today as she went out of prison for the first time. She had been serving a 20 year sentence on trumped up charges of killing a police officer in Glen View in 2011. She was jailed together with Last Maengahama, and Tungamirai Madzokere, for killing Police Inspector Petros Mutedzi. The three were convicted of murder on the basis of the doctrine of common purpose with actual intent, and the judge used his discretion to spare Madzokere and Maengahama the hang man’s noose. She has been released as part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s special amnesty which should have really excluded her since she was on a murder charge, perhaps a sign that the new Head Of State is different from his predecessor Robert Mugabe. PICTURE CAPTION: Yvonne, is the one at the back (right).

By Paul Nyathi

Perrenially corrupt Municipality of Gwanda councillor for Ward 9 Councillor Thulani Moyo has yet again found himself embroiled in a scam involving illegal sale of stands.

A report to the Town Clerk of Gwanda produced by the Gwanda Residents Association and made available to ZimEye.com, indicates that the councillor who is chairman of the council Housing Committee connived with a representative of a land developer to swindle four women of a total of $14 000.

According to the report the councillor and Alpha Construction, falsified council records to accord the company four stands allegedly belonging to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and sold them outside council regulations to the four unsuspecting women.

Throughout the dealings on the stands, the report indicates that the council Housing and Community Services Department was deliberately and carefully avoided so that the scam would not be detected.

The woman were allegedly made to pay land development fees of a further $1 300 directly to the council Treasury Department in a carefully executed move under the instructions of Alpha Construction who owned thirty six other stands in the same area.

Alpha Construction is owned by aspiring ZANU PF candidate for Chivi South Constituency Jonathan Gapare who owns land in several towns and also runs a hotel in the constituency.

The residents rights group states that it has evidence of at least $7 000 which was transferred between a representative of Alpha Construction and the councillor immediately after the stands were paid for.

In an attempt to cover the matter, the report indicates that Gapare had offered the women alternative stands in Beitbridge, some 200kms away from Gwanda.

Commenting on the matter, councillor Moyo said that the allegations against him are false and attempts at smearing him ahead of the harmonised elections as he is seeking re-election.

“I don’t know how I am said to be involved in this issue,” said councillor Moyo.

“What I know is that I referred one of the ladies to the Housing and Community Services Department more than five times when she came to me looking for a stand after they had sold a family house to build seperate new houses,” he said.

“Alpha Construction are the ones who called me to say they had stands for sale and looking for buyers to which I referred the lady and showed her the area where the stands were.”

“I met with the lady later and she told me she had got the stands from Alpha and they had paid council for the land value before even paying the service fees to Alpha,” he added.

“I don’t see where my name is being brought in on this matter, its just cheap politics meant to tarnish my name because I never received a cent on the deal. I was only helping the ladies to get stands,” said councillor Moyo.

Moyo has on two previous occasions been brought to courts on similar charges after he sold stands to two different people and failed to reimburse them their monies.

Before being a councillor, he served a prison term on other dishonesty cases involving his previous employer.

Shortly after the 2013 elections he was involved in another squabble with Minister Obert Mpofu when he swindled him of thousands of dollars also in property dealings involving commercial stands in Gwanda.

Mayor of Gwanda Councillor Knowledge Ndlovu confirmed the matter and said the issue is in the hands of the police.

“We have done our part as council the case is with the police we hope they will do their part so that everyone is happy at the end of the day,” said Ndlovu.

Gwanda Residents Association Secretary General Bekezela Fuzwayo said that his Association had completed its investigations and handed the matter over to council for actioning.

“We have gathered overwhelming evidence of massive corruption and fraud involving the councillor and probable other council officials and handed this over to the Mayor for action,” he said.

“If council decides to sit on the matter we will certainly take it up with the Minister of Local Government,” he said.

“Our evidence shows that its definitely not only those four stands but a lot more stands that appear to have been illegally sold while they remain hidden in the name of the Defence Forces in council records,” he added.

President Chamisa Hails Establishment Of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA).

I hail the signing of the Kigali Declaration on the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area at the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the Assembly of the African Union in Kigali, Rwanda.

This is a progressive way forward. We cannot allow colonial boundaries and prejudices to keep us apart anymore. It is a generational mandate that we shake off the yoke of colonialism and imperialism, and start to do business on our own, in our own terms.

Gone are the days that Africa is a source of raw materials but fails to process and manufacture its own goods.

The one remaining challenge on our continent is to do with disputed elections, neglected citizens, conflict and violence.

I do hope and pray that the spirit of unity and progress exhibited by our leaders, will be reinforced in individual nations, where communities are broken and hurt. You cannot unite a continent made up of broken countries.

Let us work for the healing and unity of our nations, together we can build a prosperous, border free continent, with one currency, in which no citizen will feel like a stranger.

I salute President Paul Kagame for a job well done, in hosting the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the Assembly of the African Union. Rwanda one of the last borns of Africa, who suffered so much pain and tears, is not known or characterised by what she suffered, rather, she is hailed as a trailblazer in leadership, excellence of organisation and role model on the continent.

The historic signing of the Continental Free Trade Area agreement confirms Africa’s time is now. Without doubt this epic development will help catapult and boost trade within the continent and beyond.

Indeed this is the time for Africa!

God bless Africa

Nelson Chamisa
President
Movement For Democratic Change

Dear Editor,

The Herald Editor must have been excited thinking that he was exposing former President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Comrade Robert Mugabe and former First Lady Grace Mugabe with the story titled “Mugabe admits to externalising funds” published in the 22 February 2018 issue of the newspaper.

While that exposure is useful information, it is an exposure of the personality of Emmerson Mnangagwa, who left out some names from the list whose publication he caused recently. The world will now be asking “who else was left out”?

Importantly, how does Emmerson Mnangagwa hope to fight corruption when he has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he protects the corrupt? Shall we believe anything he has said before as he sought to win the hearts of Zimbabweans? Who is Emmerson Mnangagwa trying to fool?

I have said it a few times that this Emmerson Mnangagwa is dull, and the people of Zimbabwe, irrespective of political affiliation, must show him we have been fooled well enough, and cannot be fooled anymore by Zanu PF leaders. Even Zanu PF members themselves must realise that their leader is a scam and consider replacing him as their Presidential candidate. In developed countries, such cover up for corruption is something that would cause a President to resign, but knowing as we do that Comrade Mnangagwa will not do that, let us help him by voting him out in the coming elections. He is too old to manage the affairs of the country. People are forced to retire at 65 years because their capacity is failing and they need a break, so why should there be an exception for Comrade Mnangagwa.

After publication of the admission by the Mugabes, we want the Herald to publish more names of the Zanu PF heavyweights who externalised funds.

Kennedy Kaitano

By Paul Nyathi

The Mayor of Harare Councillor Ben Manyenyeni has challenged young aspiring leaders not only to use their age cry to remove the older leaders but to come in and be able to carry out the responsibilities.

In a sensational Facebook post on Thursday morning, Manyenyeni called on political parties to choose the best young leaders to contest the elections.

The Mayor’s full post reads as follows:

I would say 20% youth quota is fine but my plea being the youth are earning this quota not just by virtue of delayed arrival on mother earth.

There is a failed job to be rescued – a country to be salvaged and a whole new future to be secured – competence and capacity will be required – critically.

The pressure on the youth should really be how do they get their quotas filled by an able and competent younger generation.

It would be a betrayal of the quota mandate if this is used just to escape the poverty datum line without delivering a NEW Zimbabwe through competent leadership.

My message to my younger compatriots replacing some of us in stations of service (not of power) be sure you are good at it and if at all possible you are the best there is for MP or for Councillor.

It’s about US not you.

It’s about what NEEDS to be done not who WANTS to be it.

It is NOT your quota to “eat”.

I would love to say this one more time before the parties and individuals make their decisions on candidates for our forthcoming elections.

Good luck fellows.

By Paul Nyathi

The Minister Of Health And Child Care Doctor David Parirenyatwa on Wednesday snubbed parliament question time leaving Members of the House of Assembly angry at his behaviour.

The Minister made a brief appearance in the house and reportedly went out “to see somebody” and never returned.

Parliamentarians were eager to interrogate the minister on the on going doctors strike and the dire situation at government run health centres.

MDC-T Member of Parliament for Bulawayo Central Honourable Dorcas Sibanda sort from the Acting Speaker of the National Assembly why the Minister had walked in and immediately out well knowing that the house had issues with him.

“The Hon. Minister of Health and Child Welfare was here briefly and vanished.  Maybe you highlight on where he has gone to because we still have questions for him,” Honourable Sibanda quizzed.

“The Minister of Health and Child Welfare came to me and indicated that he was just walking out and he is coming back. He has gone out to see somebody. In any case, he is coming to make a Ministerial Statement,” the Acting Speaker ruled.

Besides his commitment to come back in time, the Minister failed to turn up as scheduled only to return to parliament when the house was adjourning after it had lost a quorum some three hours later.

His promised ministerial statement was not issued.

The country’s doctors have been on strike since the beginning of the month protesting mainly on the lack of resources at the government hospitals.

Thousands of patients have been dying at the hospitals due to the unavailability of the doctors.

Nurses also temporarily engaged in the strike but quickly returned to work after they agreed to do it for the sake of the patients.

Government hospitals are suffering from a serious lack of medical equipment and drugs causing huge deaths at the hospitals.

Calls for Dr Parirenyatwa to resign have been made by various sectors in the country. The Minister has arrogantly ignored the calls rather claiming that the hospitals are not being adequately funded by treasury and not accepting the blame on him.

By Paul Nyathi

A Gweru man has been arrested after a gruesome murder of his aunt who called him a homosexual.

The 34 year old man struck his 53 year old aunt several times on the head and body with the axe and left her dead near the Apostolic Faith Mission church in Southdowns suburb in the Midlands capital.

Midlands acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the gruesome murder.

Family members told that Chona Fernandos had an argument with her aunt, Julie Davidets, over the volume of a television set resulting in her calling him a jail bird who was exposed to homosexuality while in prison.

Speaking to news reporters at the family home, Chona’s mother and sister to Julie, Ms Elizabeth Davidets said her son and younger sister had a long history of fighting even over petty issues.

She said on the day the two had a heated argument on the volume of the television before Chona threatened Julie with an axe.

“These two have a long history of fighting everyday and always over minor things. On Tuesday afternoon, Chona was watching TV and Julie complained that the volume was very high. Julie went on to reduce the volume while Chona was watching a programme resulting in a serious argument and they started swearing at each other,” she said.

“Julie called Chona a jail bird and accused him of being a homosexual since he had served some time in jail. That angered Chona and he took an axe and attempted to strike Julie with it. Chona accused her of treating him differently from the other children,” she said.

Ms Davidets said she managed to stop the fight before Julie left the house threatening to report Chona to the police. Chona followed her and killed her in the bushy area before she reached the police station.

“While l was still at home, my neighbour Ruth called me and said something bad had happened. She took me to the scene and l saw Julie lying in a pool of blood. She was already dead and my son was nowhere to be found,” she said.

Ms Davidets said the matter was reported to the police leading to her son’s arrest.

I hail the signing of the Kigali Declaration on the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area at the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the Assembly of the African Union in Kigali, Rwanda.

This is a progressive way forward. We cannot allow colonial boundaries and prejudices keep us apart anymore. It is a generational mandate that we shake of the yoke of colonialism and imperialism, and start to do business on our own in our own terms. Gone are the days that Africa is a source of raw materials but fails to process and manufacture its own goods.

The remaining challenge on our continent is to do with disputed elections, neglected citizens, conflict and violence. I do hope and pray that the spirit of unity and progress exhibited by our leaders, will be reinforced in individual nations, where communities are broken and hurt. You cannot unite a continent made up of broken countries.

Let us work for the healing and unity of our nations, together we can build a prosperous, border free continent, with one currency, in which no citizens will feel like a stranger.

I salute President Paul Kagame for a job well done, in hosting the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the Assembly of the African Union. Rwanda the last born of Africa, who suffered so much pain and tears, is not known or characterised by what she suffered, rather, she is hailed as a trailblazer in leadership, excellence of organisation and role model on the continent.

The historic signing of the Continental Free Trade Area agreement confirms Africa’s time is now. Without doubt this moment development will help catapult and boost trade within the continent and beyond.

Indeed this is the time for Africa!

Mayibuye Africa !!!

God bless Africa.God bless you.

Nelson Chamisa
MDCT President

Doctors and other medical practitioners who continue participating in the ongoing industrial action risk losing their salaries and allowances, a senior official has said. 

In a statement, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Retired Major General Dr Gerald Gwinji said heads of department should freeze salaries for those who are not at work.

The industrial action entered day 22 today. “The withdrawal of services by some doctors entered its 20th day on Tuesday. Heads of institutions are duly reminded of the provisions of the PSC Circular number 18 of 2000 referenced C/269 which states that all heads of offices, heads of department and heads of ministries are directed to cease salary and allowances for members who absent themselves from duty without authorised leave of absence,” he said in a letter addressed to hospital chief executive officers and provincial medical directors.

“The salary and allowances should be ceased immediately on the 14 day continuous absence of duty by advising the Salary Service Bureau directly,” said Dr Gwinji.

In response, Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association Dr Mxolisi Ngwenya said the threat was tantamount to sabotage of the health sector and the Government as a whole. “It is a worker’s right to go on industrial action and the Ministry needs to respect that. Furthermore, we informed them of our intent to strike 21 days in advance. Their failure to resolve our genuine issues has frustrated the Ministry to resort to a scorched earth policy of threats and trying to divide ZHDA members” said Dr Ngwenya. “We will see if threats will treat patients or put medicines in hospitals. The ministry should wake up and fix the root issues instead of resorting to threats.”

Doctors downed tools on March 1 after petitioning Government to address their issues which include allowance payments and provisions of medicine and equipment.

Government on Tuesday announced it had reviewed allowances for the health sector and established a vehicle loan scheme. “We appreciate continued service provision under difficult circumstances by all health workers. We therefore expect all doctors who have withdrawn their services to report for duty with immediate effect,” read the statement. “On-call allowances have been reviewed upwards by 50 percent and locum payment of all outstanding locum claims commenced in February 2018.”

“A vehicle loan scheme for all health workers has been established and furthermore, Government in December 2017 disbursed $22 million from the Health Levy Fund to support the procurement of medicines, hospital sundries and equipment. Government continues to accord the health sector priority status in foreign currency allocations for the procurement of medicines, medical sundries and equipment,” it said. – state media

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

Controversial Masvingo State Minister Josaya Dunira Hungwe has indicated that he will not recommend sellouts for employment at Steelmakers Private Limited.

Steelmakers will reopen its doors after shutting down operations for the past five years.

Addressing stakeholders in Masvingo yesterday, Hungwe boasted that “his government” was responsible for facilitating the reopening of Steelmakers.

“This is happening as a result of my government’ s unwavering commitment.

Above all I will not allow unpatriotic elements to get jobs at the company. Yes, we want those who are loyal to their leaders,” said Hungwe.

Two envoys from the United Kingdom (UK) Security and Justice Scoping Mission met with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda this Tuesday morning at Parliament Building where they held closed door deliberations on various security related issues.

Mr Andrew McLean, a security and justice advisor, and Mr Mark White’s mission organisation, the United Kingdom (UK) Security and Justice Scoping Mission, deals with security, conflict and governance.

Advocate Mudenda said they held discussions on the electoral and constitutional framework which deals with electoral disputes as well as mechanisms in place from conflict resolution among other issues.

“We had fruitful deliberations, the envoys were interested in understanding the constitutional framework to deal with disputes during the pending election and I made it known that the Electoral Act is now undergoing the second reading and the amendments sought will guarantee a smooth process,” said Advocate Mudenda.

He added that in the case of excitable people who may engage in violence, there is an effective security sector and a judiciary to deal with such cases.

“It is import that the election passes the credibility test and that can only be achieved in the absence of violence,” he said.

A number of foreign delegates and envoys are jetting into the country to assess the mechanisms in place to ensure a credible and transparent election is held this July.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| Controversial Masvingo State Minister Josaya Dunira Hungwe has indicated that he will not recommend sellouts for employment at Steelmakers Private Limited.

Steelmakers will reopen its doors after shutting down operations for the past five years.

Addressing stakeholders in Masvingo yesterday, Hungwe boasted that “his government” was responsible for facilitating the reopening of Steelmakers.

“This is happening as a result of my government’ s unwavering commitment.

Above all I will not allow unpatriotic elements to get jobs at the company. Yes, we want those who are loyal to their leaders,” said Hungwe.

Terrence Mawawa

MDC supporters have implored party president Nelson Chamisa to be wary of Zanu PF’ s political shenanigans ahead of the coming elections.

The supporters of the country’ s largest opposition party are demanding electoral reforms before the much anticipated polls.

“We need to inspect the voters roll and we also want to know where the ballots
are printed,” wrote James Musa on Facebook.

Eugene Mapfumo wrote:
“Please please Chamisa impress upon these people that
Zimbabweans need a free,fair and credible
election.

There is a lot of suffering in Zimbabwe and
the people want to vote freely.”

Kelvin Tapera
Deal Breaker commented :” The material for ballot papers should be tested by all
contestants.”

Taruvinga Shortie Musiyiwa posted:”
No reforms, no elections.”

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) today met the European Union (EU) exploratory team to discuss issues on the Zimbabwean pre-election environment.

The discussions touched on preparations, voter education, funding, electoral reforms, conflict management and media monitoring, among other issues.

ZEC Acting Chairperson, Commissioner Emmanuel Magade informed the team that the commission is in the process of compiling a new voters’ roll, which shall be made available within a reasonable time and in the format prescribed by the law.

He also spoke on conflict resolution.

“We are prepared to set up multi-party liaison committees in various constituencies and wards for the purpose of dealing with electoral disputes that may arise during the electoral process. Media monitoring will be conducted through committees to ensure that all political parties are given access to media to explain their political manifestos,” said Commissioner Magade.

President Emmerson Mnangawa has insisted that the country is going to have free, fair and credible elections and has invited local and international observers to monitor the elections.- state media

Statement |ZLHR Breaking News; Zim High Court Judge Justice Mary Zimba-Dube orders Home Affairs Minister, ZRP Commissioner-General and the Prosecutor-General’s Office to pay damages amounting to $17 075 to pro-democracy campaigner Cynthia Manjoro, represented by ZLHR lawyers Jeremiah Mutongi Bamu and Fiona Iliff, as compensation for wrongful arrest, detention and malicious prosecution over claims she participated in the murder of a ZRP officer in 2011.

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo| Opposition parties are unhappy with the list of the so called culprits in the externalisation of foreign currency.

“The government has backtracked on its initial intention to expose individuals involved in real illicit financial outflows.

By publishing a list dominated by companies, government is simply posturing and actually
camouflaging and protecting real culprits who are the big wigs in Zanu PF.

We reject the so-called list with the contempt it deserves. We want to see the real list not a list of companies that have not availed the export forms to the RBZ.

After raising the hopes of citizens government chickened out and decided to
publish an official list of bona fide exporters.

This is not acceptable.

As MDC we demand full accountability and transparency.

The list is meant to protect looters. We are waiting for the real list of individuals who
privately externalized funds.

On top of the list should be those who externalized $15 billion. All in all the published list is just but a public relations exercise,” the MDC Masvingo Provincial leadership said in a statement yesterday.

President ED Mnangagwa has granted amnesty to 3000 inmates.

The move is aimed at decongesting the country’s prisons which currently exceed their carrying capacity.

Those qualifying are:
-female prisoners irrespective of offenses committed save for those sentenced to death.
-juveniles below 18
-those sentenced to 36 months & below.
-All terminally ill
-serving terms at the Open Prison.

Sixty years & above & those who had saved a third of their sentence by March 19th 2018
All serving prison sentence for Stock theft.
Sentenced to Life in prison.
All those who have been on the death roll for 10 years & above.
All disabled prisoners.- agencies

Terrence Mawawa |There is no doubt that  President Emmerson Mnangagwa has a lot of respect for his former boss and political mentor, Robert Mugabe.

It has emerged both men, Mugabe and Mnangagwa are itching to bury the hatchet but the latter’ s advisors are against the reconciliation.

A Masvingo based Zanu PF Central Committee member told ZimEye.com yesterday Mnangagwa was eager to visit Mugabe but party stalwarts were against the intended move.

“Let me tell you what is happening- Mnangagwa is the eager to meet with Mugabe for a heart to heart discussion.

However his advisors are against the idea.As we speak right now he is split for choice.

The likes of Chris Mutsvangwa and Victor Matemadanda are totally against the anticipated meeting between the two,” said the Zanu PF official who was not at liberty to be named.

A 30-year-old Masvingo man, who carjacked a taxi driver in Beitbridge and butchered him in a callous manner, was on Wednesday sentenced to death by hanging.

Emmanuel Mapfumo of Stand No 4 Thornhill Extension in Gutu zapped Cliff Chioza – the taxi driver – with an electroshock weapon and stabbed him twice on the right side of the chest on October 3 last year

The incident occurred near the Mfelandawonye area in Beitbridge.

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Francis Bere convicted Mapfumo of robbery and murder with actual intent.- state media

Advocate Hon. Nelson Chamisa | Zimbabwe stands on the cusp of a watershed election in 2018. A crucial election that should mark a complete and irreversible path towards legitimacy, democracy and prosperity in the country.

It is in that context that it becomes imperative to hold a truly free, fair and credible election not only in line with SADC and AU guidelines but also in line with international best practice.

Zimbabwe’s current toxic politics and negative socio-economic indicators are nothing but symptoms of a debilitating crisis of legitimacy stemming from a series of flawed and disputed elections since 2000.

We should move beyond the symptoms to address the real issue—which is lack of confidence stemming from the doubted legitimacy of government.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa seems to be aware of the serious doubts about this crisis of legitimacy which is why he has been harping on the rhetoric that Zimbabwe will hold free, fair and credible elections.

We laud the President for that promise but his rhetoric is empty outside substantive practical steps to ensure that we truly achieve a free, fair and credible election.
In is in that context that we gather here today to launch the document that enshrines the specific demands that the people of Zimbabwe are making ahead of this watershed election to be held in a few months time.

There is no short-cut to legitimacy. The only way to acquire legitimacy is through the sanctity of people’s will as expressed in a truly free, fair and credible election.

The reforms the people demand include—but are not limited to— the following issues:

1.Environment Issues
Given the violence that has characterized our elections; the electoral environment remains a key matter ahead of the next election.

Zimbabweans want assurance that they will be able to express themselves in a PEACEful environment in which neither fear nor coercion are factors.

Since 2000, Zimbabweans have needlessly lost their lives on account of their political preferences and this has been acknowledged by various observer missions, including SADC and the report of the military generals from South Africa that has since been made public.

This is the irony of our situation that State-sponsored violence during elections has remained endemic, regardless of the fact that one of the reasons we waged a a protracted liberation struggle against white colonialists was to secure that right.

Indeed, the clarion call for “one-man-one-vote” was at the epicenter of the liberation struggle in Zimbabwe. It is ironic that coercion, fear, and outright violence continue to punctuate our elections as the State seeks to undermine the very right that we waged a protracted and brutal struggle as a nation.

It is important that the electoral environment be conducive to the free expression of the people in a free, fair and credible plebiscite.

2.The Voters Roll and Ballot Issues
The country last year held a biometric voter registration exercise which saw over 5 million Zimbabweans on the voters roll, according to the figures officials released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

As stakeholders in the next election, we hope that we will be allowed to audit the voters roll to ensure that there is no pre-loading or post-loading of voters, among other shenanigans.

We need to assure ourselves well before the election that we have a credible register of voters. It is pertinent to note that in the last election in 2013, we were not even favoured with the voters roll and even some observer missions observed and noted this serious anomaly.

On the ballots, we believe that all stakeholders must agree on the identity of the company that will print the ballot as well as audit the quality of the ballot itself. We have seen in some instances suspiciously far much higher number of ballot papers being printed compared to the number of registered voters.

For example, the AU observer mission report noted in the last election in Zimbabwe in 2013:

The AUEOM noted that the number of ballot papers printed (8.7 million), corresponding to 35% above the number of registered voters, was significantly higher than international best practices (5-10%) and raised concerns of accountability of unused ballots. The AUEOM hopes that ZEC will account for the ballots to the satisfaction of stakeholders and all interested parties.

As stakeholders, we do not wish to travel the same road again. It is therefore prudent that we be allowed not only to audit the voters roll but also the ballot papers and to investigate the quality of the same.

3.Media Reforms
Section 61 of the Zimbabwe Constitution calls for presentation of divergent political views while both SADC and AU guidelines make it clear that all contesting parties to an election should be accorded fair and equal coverage.

The signs so far, just as in previous elections, have not been encouraging as the ZBC and other State media outlets have continued to parrot mainly the views of one political party.

Again, the AU observer mission commented on the overt bias by the ZBC in its coverage of the last election. The AUEOM report read in part:

48. The AUEOM’s emphasis, however, was on the function of the public broadcaster which has a central role in elections, in terms of the AU Charter (2007), to provide a platform for airing political messages or news coverage emanating from all political contestants. Further, the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides fair opportunity for the presentation of divergent views and opinions. In this regard, the AUEOM noted that the national broadcaster tended to provide live and in-depth coverage largely to a single political party.

We therefore call upon the public media to grant equal coverage to all political parties as we are already in the election season.

In this regard, there is urgent need for the public media to be called upon to adhere to the dictates not only of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, but also of the SADC and AU guidelines on the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

4.Abuse of traditional Leaders
The traditional leaders, particularly the chiefs and village heads, have been abused to do the bidding of a political party ahead of Zimbabwe’s elections.

In the run-up to this election, some of the traditional leaders have been abused by Zanu PF to demand serial numbers of voter registration slips in an overt attempt to intimidate the electorate.

In some instances, village heads have been conscripted into the Zanu PF call structure in violation of the county’s Constitution.

We call upon the government of Zimbabwe, SADC, The AU and the broader international community to ensure that the high status of our traditional leaders is not abused and belittled for cheap political ends.

5. ZEC autonomy and the ZEC secretariat
The Constitution of Zimbabwe makes it clear that ZEC is an independent institution wholly autonomous from government.

However, we note with the concern the high number of former officers from our military who are part of the ZEC secretariat.

For the record, e have high regard for our military but we believe that they must not partake in civilian processes such as elections. ZEC has said that these are retired officers but it is particularly chilling to the voter to have our esteemed members of the military being conscripted into what should be an independent body.

It is our unstinting belief that the ZEC secretariat must be pruned of all suspicious characters.

In this regard, we note that one former major of the Zimbabwe national Army was recently promoted to the position of chief elections officer.

In other development that raises serious doubts about the independence and integrity of ZEC, we have seen a spate of resignations by its senior officials.

We have also seen the ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba in the company of members of a political party in a recent trip to observe Russia’s elections. This does not bode well for the integrity of ZEC, particularly on the eve of a watershed election.

Conclusion
Zimbabweans want a true return to legitimacy through a free and fair election.
I have written to President Mnangagwa detailing our expectation as an Alliance on the reforms we want to see ahead of this year’s plebiscite. The country needs a break from the cycle of disputed elections.

Today, as an Alliance, we launch our PEACE document as part of our humble effort and contribution to the holding of a truly free, fair and credible plebiscite in our country.
It is my pleasure to declare the MDC Alliance’s PEACE document officially launched.

I Thank You

African Union chairman Rwandan President Paul Kagame has described the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) launch as a major step towards African unity and integration.

He was speaking at the launching ceremony at Kigali Convention Centre today.

He paid tribute to leaders and forerunners of the concept of the free trade area.

The launching ceremony began with a speech by President Kagame welcoming South African President Cyril Ramaphosa who was appearing at the AU as head of state for the first time.

President Kagame also paid tribute to regional economic blocs in laying the foundation of the tree trade area.

He said Africa is prioritising the trade of value added goods and outlined the advantages of an African free trade area.

African Union Commission Chairperson Mr Mussa Faki said Africa cannot develop if the continent remains divided.

“Despite challenges continental integration is a must as it will lift economic barriers and provide opportunities for the continent,” said Mr Faki.

Mr Faki said each member state has a lot to benefit from the establishment of the free trade area, adding that there is no need to hesitate on the matter.

 

He implored member states to sign and ratify the agreement quickly to ensure it is effected before the end of the year.

The AU Commission Chairperson implored those who have not joined the treaty on air transport and other agreements on the free movement of goods and services to do so, recalling some of the speeches of founding fathers like Ahmed Ben Bella, Kwame Nkrumah and others on the importance of the African economic free trade area.

President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou said the creation of the AfCFTA means a single market from Cape to Cairo.

“The AfCFTA would also help curb brain drain to countries of the north and creates opportunities on the continent,” said Mr Issoufou .

He said Africa is in the process of creating a seamless and borderless community in the economic sphere.

Mr Issoufou urged member states to ratify the agreement with speed.

Fifty-five African heads of state and government put pen to paper making the first steps towards an economically competitive Africa through creation of a single market in which goods and services move freely.

First to append his signature to the protocols was the President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou, followed by host President and AU current chair Mr Paul Kagame, then former AU chair and President of Chad.

History has been made as Zimbabwe joined other AU member states in the signing of the AfCFTA Agreement in Kigali today.

The leaders appended their signatures to three documents during the signing ceremony namely the AfCFTA Agreement, the Protocol on Free Movement and the Kigali Protocol.

By Paul Nyathi

Opposition MDC-T has called on its supporters to respect President Emerson Mnangagwa as he is an important person in the country.

Announcing the party’s campaign method for the 2018 elections, the party Deputy Treasurer Chalton Hwende said that the party has adopted a new campaign strategy that desist from insulting rival contestants.

Hwende said that the strategy will involve seeing the party speak only on its own policies and not denigrating other parties.

“Our Campaign this year for President Nelson Chamisa will be characterized by a new approach of concentrating only on policy alternatives for our country,” he said.

Hwende urged the party members not to involve themselves in smear campaigns and name calling.

He told the party supporters to desist from ushering insults at President Emerson Mnangagwa as he is an important person and liberation icon.

“We urge our supporters to desist from negative campaigning and name calling,” he said.

Mnangagwa is a Zimbabwean, an important citizen who is also a liberation Icon he is entitled to seek an electoral mandate let’s not insult him but objectively criticize his policy proposals,” said Hwende.

Hwende also revealed that party President Nelson Chamisa revealed that the MDC-T will be attending all government run national events beginning with the country’s 38th independence celebrations in April.

“President Nelson Chamisa recently announced that the MDC with immediate effect will be attending all National events starting with this year’s Independence celebrations,” he said.

“This is a good move that will certainly entrench our oneness as Zimbabweans.”

ZANU PF is known for always hijacking these events and turning them into their political rallies and platforms to denigrate the opposition.

Former First Lady Grace Mugabe     Is slowly gaining ground in her PHD saga case as it crumbles.

The local Newsday reports that the High Court has, for the second time this year, declined to grant the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission (Zacc) an order to search the University of Zimbabwe (UZ)’s offices with a view to seize documents and information pertaining to Mugabe’s PhD degree.

Early last month, Zacc obtained a warrant of search and seizure from the magistrates’ court after which it proceeded to the tertiary institution with a view to conduct the search, but the UZ approached the court challenging Zacc’s conduct and the warrant was then nullified by Justice Lavender Makoni on February 16.

Undeterred, Zacc last week obtained yet another warrant of search and seizure, claiming it had properly obtained the same, but the UZ, through its registrar, Noah Ariel Mutongoreni, approached the High Court challenging the new warrant.

On March 12, High Court judge Justice Alpheus Chitakunye ruled in favour of the UZ.
“The warrant of search and seizure issued to the first and second respondents [Zacc and investigating officer Detective Sergeant Richard Machinya] by the third respondent [Harare magistrate] be and is, hereby, set aside for being null and void and of no force and effect,” Justice Chitakunye said, adding “the first and second respondents shall pay applicant’s (UZ) costs of suit on the ordinary scale.”

In his affidavit deposed on behalf of the tertiary institution, Mutongoreni said he had once again approached the court seeking an order declaring the new warrant of search and seizure null and void, adding it had been illegally obtained.

However, in response to the application, Zacc secretary Silence Pondo said the search and seizure warrant which had been granted by a Harare magistrate was valid and fully compliant with the provisions of the law, which position was again not upheld by the court.

Machinya had also deposed to his affidavit, saying the matter, which is under investigation, related to the names, Ntombizodwa Grace Mugabe and Ntombizodwa Grace Marufu, hence, the reason why the anti-graft body was seeking the warrant of search and seizure to get to the bottom of the matter. Newsday

A “perverted” father who allegedly raped his two young daughters and sodomised his son appeared in court yesterday over the horrific sexual abuse.

The 37-year-old, who cannot be named to protect his children, started abusing the sisters who are six and nine years old. He is being charged with two counts of rape and another for aggravated indecent assault for sexually abusing the boy.

The six-year-old girl narrated how he ruthlessly exploited her before regional magistrate Bianca Makawande.

Testifying in camera, the minor said: “He took me from the sofa where I was sleeping and went to his bedroom. He put his privates into my mouth and I cried because of pain. He laid me on the bed and undressed before taking off my underwear and spread my legs apart.

“I asked him what he was doing and he used a damp towel to cover my mouth and threatened to assault me if I disclosed the ordeal. He raped me.”

She claimed to have been sodomised on other occasions and demonstrated how it happened using a female and male doll that are kept in the Victims Friendly Unit. The witness was cross-examined by her father’s lawyer but consistently repeated how the incidents had occurred.

The matter will be back in court tomorrow. Prosecutor Ressie Nyamombe alleged that sometime in October last year, the man’s seven-year-old son was at home with his siblings.

It was alleged that the father took his soon into the bedroom and undressed him before making the boy bend down.

He allegedly sodomised him, holding his mouth tightly to stop the boy from screaming.
After the act, he dressed the boy up and left the room, a court heard.

On February 4, the man’s nine-year-old daughter got into his bedroom to collect her younger sister’s uniform.

It was alleged that the father then locked the door from inside and pulled a towel that he used to gag the girl. He undressed his daughter and raped her.
Later that day, the man took his six-year-old daughter and locked her in his bedroom before raping the child again.

She opened up to her mother and the matter was reported to the police, leading to the father’s arrest.
While at the police station, her siblings began opening up on how they had also been sexually assaulted by their father.

In his defence, the man claims his wife influenced the children to fabricate the rape allegations against him after she found out about an affair he was having with a woman in his neighbourhood. Daily News

ZAPU president Dumiso Dabengwa has claimed that the number of people killed during the Gukurahundi atrocities is over 100 000 — dismissing the official figures of 20 000 which was compiled by a local rights group — which government has also doubted.

This comes as rights and civic groups have been left fuming by former president Robert Mugabe’s claims that Zapu and Zipra were also responsible for the atrocities.

“He (Mugabe) remains the same unrepentant blood-dripping monster who hid behind a thin finger of madness when he killed hundreds of thousands during Gukurahundi, blaming everyone except himself.

“His denial of the 20 000 deaths shows he really is mindful and aware of the magnitude of his madness. Mugabe is fully aware that these 20 000 are direct deaths at the hands of the Fifth Brigade.
“The number does not include curfew-induced deaths of children, the elderly and the sick from malnutrition, hunger and disease and (these) were never accounted for.

“He fully knows that Gukurahundi deaths run into hundreds of thousands, hence his refusal to acknowledge the mere 20 000 that was given by the CCJP, whose incomprehensive survey or investigations only covered Matobo and Tsholotsho districts,” Dabengwa told Southern News.
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJP) compiled a report on Gukurahundi atrocities in Matabeleland and the Midlands during the period 1982-1988 titled
“Breaking the Silence, Building True Peace”.

According to the CCJP, an estimated 20 000 people were slain by the North Korea-trained Fifth Brigade in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces, during a government operation it said was aimed at fighting insurrection in those regions.

Last week, Mugabe refused to accept blame for the dark chapter in the history of Zimbabwe when he told the media that Zapu and Zipra were culpable.

“Zapu and Zipra are also to blame,” he said. “I doubt the number (of those killed), but well it would be because you get some people with guns behaving recklessly.”
This, however, forced Zapu president Dabengwa to hit back.

Zapu has also suggested that the CCJP was trivialising the Gukurahundi genocide.
“There are so many conspiracies around this subject, with the CCJP joining the fray. After voluntarily embarking on their investigations, we expected them to make it as comprehensive as the extent of the genocide itself.

“The whole of Matabeleland provinces and north of Midlands were affected by the barbarism, yet we find CCJP conducting investigations in only two districts of Tsholotsho and Matobo.
“To make matters worse, after compiling their findings, they hid the disclaimer pertaining the extent of their investigations right at the bottom of the report, making the atrocities as trivial as mere 20 000 deaths,” said Zapu spokesperson, Iphithule Maphosa.

Maphosa said it was unfortunate that this has led the nation and world being fed incorrect information about Gukurahundi yet over a hundred thousand could have died.

“We then wonder as to the extent of sincerity of those who carried out the investigations. The way the investigations were carried out and how the report was released casts so much doubt as to whether it was meant to expose the truth or was meant to protect Mugabe, a Jesuit and Catholic believer from accounting and justice.

“As much as we appreciate their (CCJP) effort to expose the number of deaths, the way they handled the whole process of investigating the matter and releasing the matter raises a lot of questions.
“Therefore, we are suggesting that a fresh and comprehensive investigation should be instituted, comprising people not attached to the perpetrating government.

“Here we are talking of people who don’t have any interests in the matter, the aim being giving closure to the atrocities and delivering justice, healing and nation building through reconciliation,” Maphosa added.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who served as Mugabe’s right-hand man for nearly 54 years, in January signed into law the National Reconciliation Bill, which seeks to address outstanding issues from previous conflicts — Gukurahundi included.

Early this month, he appointed a former High Court judge Selo Nare to head the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), two years after the death it’s former chair, Cyril Ndebele.
Since the fall of Mugabe and Mnangagwa’s rise as the country’s new president, rights and civic society groups have stepped up pressure on the new government to deal with outstanding issues emanating from previous violent conflicts.

Topping the issues that civic groups want Mnangagwa and his government to dispense with is the emotive Gukurahundi issue.

During his maiden appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January, Mnangagwa said government was keen to address Gukurahundi atrocities.

“We are not saying the past must be thrown away from history, it has happened — it is there. Just a week ago, I signed a Bill — the National Healing and Reconciliation Bill — into an Act and have assigned one of my vice presidents to deal with that one so that the communities that were affected can air their grievances and challenges with recommendations from that commission we should be able to address those issues,” Mnangagwa said.

The Gukurahundi massacres have been a thorn in the flesh for Mnangagwa before and after he came to power.

In December, there were demonstrations by Matabeleland-based human rights groups over his role in the massacres which occurred between 1982 and 1987 when government unleashed the Fifth Brigade, to crush insurrection in Matabeleland and Midlands regions. Daily News

By Paul Nyathi

The Welshman Ncube led MDC has pegged a non refundable application fee of up to $500 on members aspiring to be considered as House Of Assmbly candidates representing the party in the thirty two seats allocated to it under the MDC Alliance agreement.

An aspiring candidate within the party revealed to ZimEye.com that the party has pegged an application administration fee of $200 on all prospective candidates plus a requirement to have party members pay up their party subscription fees for the last two years.

“We have been advised by the Secretary General that we must pay a non refundable application fee of $200 plus the monthly subscriptions for the last two years in order to be considered as candidates,” said the source.

“Further to that, the eventual candidates will be required to fully finance their own campaign as both the party and the MDC Alliance coalition do not have money set aside for the campaigns,” he added.

According to the source, members of the party who sit in the National Management Committee of the party will be required to pay at least $520 including the two year subscriptions and the application fee.

According to a subscriptions table provided to ZimEye.com by the sources, Ordinary card carrying members of the party most of whom will be considering applying to contest as councillors will be expected to pay at least $226 just to submit their applications.

“As a member of the Provincial Executive Committee I am expected to pay $264 to just to submit my application,” said the source.

“It is more deterring because even if it’s more than one of us applying to contest the seat we all have to pay the full non refundable application fee whether one succeeds as a final candidate or not,” yelled the source.

Quizzed on whether the arrangement has always been in place in the party, the source who indicated that he was one of the party candidates in the 2013 elections claimed that this is the first time the party is putting up the requirement.

“In the last election we were not asked to pay anything towards the application to be candidates though we paid our own nomination court fees,” he said.

“Even in the campaigns though the party didn’t have so much resources they chipped in by helping to provide a few posters and financing of campaign rallies where as this time we have been told that the party will not be putting anything into the campaign,” said the source.

Party Spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi would not confirm the alleged fees promising that he will verify the figures and come back to ZimEye.com.

The People’s Rainbow Coalition (PRC) led by Dr Joice Mujuru’ s covenant with the people of Zimbabwe in its First 100 Days in Government consists of 10 Pledges summarized as follows:

Pledge 1 Cabinet Composition:

PRC will establish a leaner, more productive, gender and age sensitive cabinet characterised by skills mix, experience, technical astuteness and national integration.

Pledge 2 Consummate Devolution

The PRC Government will implement the devolution provisions of the Constitution including swearing-in of all Provincial MPs and setting up of the Provincial Councils all provinces of Zimbabwe.

Pledge 3 Repeal of Repressive Legislation

The PRC Government will immediately repeal the Indigenization and Empowerment Act, POSA and AIPPA.

Pledge 4 International Investment and Trade Conference:

The PRC Government will convene an international conference aimed at creating confidence and attracting foreign and domestic investment back into the mainstream economy thereby setting the stage for economic recovery and job creation programme.

Pledge 5 Re-join Commonwealth

The PRC Government will urgently take steps to rejoin the Commonwealth and seek to remove all impediments including ZIDERA that have been inhibiting Zimbabwe from enjoying investment, development finance and trade relations with the rest of the world.

Pledge 6 Join the Common Monetary Area (CMA)/Rand Monetary Union

The PRC Government will urgently take steps to join the CMA in order to address the current liquidity crunch and cash crisis. The details of this randisation policy are captured in our Election Manifesto to be released in due course

Pledge 7 Free Primary Education

The PRC Government will ensure that every child will get free access to primary education. And long term concessional loans will be extended to students in colleges, universities and tertiary institutions.

Pledge 8 Agriculture and Food Security

The PRC government will issue bankable Title Deeds to A1 and A2 farmers. Former commercial farmers will receive their compensation as per the provisions of the Constitution.

Pledge 9 Judiciary Inquiries

The PRC government will institute 2 judiciary inquiries on disappearances. One on missing persons such Itai Dzamara and Paul Chizuze and others. And another on the missing USD 15 bn and other illicit financial flows.

Pledge 10 Launch a War Against Corruption

The PRC government will fight and uproot corruption, bribery, fraud and theft wherever it might be found. A lifestyle audit on public officials will be carried out at the very outset of the Mujuru-Administration.

NB. The details of the PRC’s Inclusive Developmental Agenda (IDEA) are contained in the Manifesto that will be launched in due course.

From the Office of the Secretary General
Dr Gorden Moyo
21 March 2018

By Paul Nyathi

Opposition MDC-T has introduced a hooping $1000 non refundable application fee for one to be considered as a candidate in the upcoming elections.

Members of the party who spoke to ZimEye.com described the move as a deliberate ploy to eliminate some prospective candidates from contesting primary elections against the elite and sitting parliamentarians.

The members claimed that the party opened for applications from prospective party members on the 15th of March however insisting that sitting parliamentarians or councillors should not be challenged.

The directive was heavily opposed by the party members promoting the party to put up the $1000 application fee on anyone wishing to be considered for parliamentary seats currently being held by the party.

An aspiring MDC-T MP, who spoke to weekend newspapers in anonymity for fear of victimisation, said, “The race to represent the party in elections must be open to everyone who wants to contest. Why should Chamisa protect the sitting legislators? There must be a sinister agenda.”

Those angling for constituencies not presently held by MDC-T are reportedly being asked to pay a paltry US$150 each as application fees to be considered as candidates.

Prospective urban councilors have to pay US$50 and those going for rural council seats fork out US$10 each.

“This is also a move trying to close doors for some people who may not be able to pay the application fees. The MDC-T is a democratic party so why come up with strategies to protect certain politicians; it’s for whose benefit?” queried the aspiring legislator.

Party sources indicate that Chamisa was uncomfortable with primary elections in fear of infiltration by rival Thokozani Khuphe faction members.

By Paul Nyathi

A community from Ndwande Village under Chief Mabhikwa in Lupane is in shock after a nine year old girl teamed up with her Grade One neighbour and tied her four year old sister’s hands and legs before beating her to death with a stick on Monday.

The two children allegedly committed the murder at around 3pm on Monday and hid the body in the bush.

Village sources indicated that the community was given an SOS message by the deceased’s family when the ECD child did not return from school.

The village went out on a huge search for the child until the younger boy opened up on what they had done.

Speaking to state media, the grand mother said both girls had missed lessons on Monday as she had travelled to Lupane Centre for some business.

“As soon as I arrived home around 6PM I noticed that the younger girl was missing and I asked her sister of her whereabouts.

“She said she didn’t know where her sister was. I relaxed a bit thinking she was at one of our neighbours’ homes.

“As it became darker I got worried and started looking for her at our neighbours’. The Grade One boy eventually revealed they had left her sleeping in the bush,” said the elderly woman.

She said the four-year-old girl had recently been sent home from South Africa while she had lived with the elder one since she was a baby.

“I returned home and questioned the elder sister about her sibling’s whereabouts. She fled from the house. We discovered her sleeping in the pig sty early this morning,” said the old woman.

“My husband and I interrogated the Grade One boy. He told us the elder girl tied her sister’s hands and legs together and they beat her up until she looked dead. He directed us to the scene where we found her lifeless body,” she said.

The body was eventually found at about midnight.

Villagers said the elder sister often told her friends she hated her younger sibling because she pretended to be better than everyone else, simply because she had come from South Africa.

The siblings’ parents are both based in South Africa.

The police Victim Friendly Unit took the two children to Lupane Police Station.

By Paul Nyathi

Four Bulawayo men all based in South Africa who were part of an organised syndicate of armed robbers were on Tuesday sentenced to a combined 120 years jail term by the Bulawayo Regional Court.

The four who were under the leadership of notorious Mqondisi Moyo (34), were convicted on their own guilty pleas by regional magistrate Sibongile Marondeze.

Moyo with collegues Ndabezinhle Ndlovu (24), Zenzo Sibanda (34) and Nkosiwonke Ncube (28) all based in South Africa adopted a habit of sneaking in and out of the country to carry out their ills, raided shops in Bulawayo and terrorised residents, seizing about $7 200 in cash and 18 grammes of gold.

Court records indicate that the gun-toting quartet was involved in a spate of armed robberies around Bulawayo targeting homes and shops.

They teamed up with suspects who are still at large and raided TM Pick ‘n’ Pay Supermarket in Northend, Morningside Supermarket and Choppies Supermarket in Pumula South suburb where they got away with varying amounts of money, groceries and an assortment of whiskey brands between March 4 and March 16 this year.

In passing the sentences, Mrs Marondedze who presided over the cases divided into four records ruled that the four men were a danger to society and deserved lengthy prison terms.

“In assessing the sentence, the court took into account both mitigatory and aggravating circumstances. Robbery is a serious offence which is prevalent these days and therefore calls for a deterrent sentence. What is aggravating is that the accused persons armed themselves with a firearm and crossed the border with the sole purpose of causing havoc and terror in Bulawayo and instilling fear in residents,” she said.

“The accused persons robbed the complainants in a movie style, which could be a clear indication that they first watched an action packed movie before engaging in this spate of armed robberies.”

Moyo and Ndlovu, the masterminds of the gang who took part in all the crimes, were incarcerated for a combined effective 64 years.

The other members of the gang, Sibanda and Ncube were jailed for a combined effective 32 years.

The four men, in mitigation, told the court that poverty drove them to use an illegally acquired firearm smuggled from South Africa to instil fear in their victims before robbing them.

They were each sentenced to 10 years in jail for each count of which two years were suspended in each count for five years on condition that they do not within that period commit similar offences.

On March 18, acting on a tip-off, detectives arrested the accused persons while they were drinking beer at Highlanders Clubhouse. A gun shoot out ensued on their arrest leaving two of them injured.

By Tanaka Chitoro| Panic has gripped members of the G40 appointed directors at Gweru City Council after High Court judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi last week overturned the fired Town Clerk Daniel Matawu’s dismissal by caretaker commission appointed by former minister Saviour Kasukuwere to run the affairs of the city.

 

Daniel Matawu through his lawyer Advocate Reginald Chidawanyika of Chitere Chidawanyika and Partners made an application to the High Court challenging his dismissal by the three member commission led by Tsungai Mhangami which Justice Mathonsi nullified Matawu’s suspension and dismissal saying the appointment of the tribunal which tried him was an act of illegality and ordered his reinstatement to his previous position.

 

The Mhangami commission with blessings of Kasukuwere despite the pending court challenge by Matawu, went on to appoint its close G40 allys Elizabeth Gwatipedza as Town Clerk, Sam Sekenhamo as Director of health, Chamber Secretary Vakai Chikwekwe and Engineer Mwanetsa a Director of Engineering Services.

The directors scored low marks during interviews but Kasukuwere went
on to appoint them to the posts.

 

Last Sunday, Mhangani was spotted at Pangolin lodge a hideout place about 15km outside Gweru accompanied by Town Clerk Elizabeth Gwatipedza, Sam Sekenhamo and Chikwekwe, going through what appeared to be court papers and strategizing the way forward.

Sources close to the goings on at Town House, said the Kasukuwere appointed directors were panicking and fearing that their appointments may be declared null and void by the new Munagagwa administration.

“The Town Clerk and his directors are now pinning their hopes on the
remaining G40 ally at the local government ministry, principal director Erica Jones to push for an appeal to buy time. We as council workers welcome the decision by the high court as the directors are milking council of thousands of dollars through travel allowance.

Gwatipedza and team are always attending workshops out of town and rarely spend 7 days per month in the office,” said a workers representative who requested not to be named.

Former Minister Kasukuwere before he was disposed is said to have
appointed his allys to key positions in most local authorities and
still has influence through the principal director in the ministry.
When contacted for comment Chidawanyika said, “My client is going back
to work on Wednesday and hope no one will stand in his way,”

A woman is languishing in remand prison for allegedly spreading HIV to her husband.

The woman who cannot be named, as the case is still before the courts, has been charged with wilful or deliberate transmission of HIV.

She is 28 years old.

She has also been charged for theft of her husband, Lungile Ncube’s medical cards.

The husband alleges that she stole his medical cards in an act of cruelty and selfishness on the 5th March this year.

The magistrate’s court heard that the arrested wife, knew that she was HIV positive but went ahead to have unprotected intimacy with her husband and also without alerting or notifying him.

The original incident allegedly happened in January this year.

“Sometime during the same month the two started to engage in unprotected sexual intercourse as husband and wife but the complainant did not know that the accused person was on HIV treatment,
the husband then fell sick in November last year and his wife accompanied him to the clinic,” said the prosecutor Ms Memory Ndlovu.

She continued saying, “the husband discovered upon interviews done by clinic staff that his wife was HIV positive and was coming regularly for treatment at that clinic. He was tested and results showed that he was HIV positive.”

He was remanded in police custody to the 2nd of April 2018.

Terrence Mawawa

Embattled former MDC vice president Thokozani Khupe’s hopes of taking full control of the opposition party have been deflated by the defection of her two key allies to the MDC

” Two MPs Hon Lwazi Sibanda and Dorothy Bhebhe aka Gonyeti have dumped the former MDC T VP Khupe and they have since rejoined the MDC Party.

They met the People’s President Advocate Nelson Chamisa at Morgan Tsvangirai House this afternoon.

Only two MPs Hon Bhebhe and Nomvula are still backing Khupe,” said an MDC official.

On Rwandans not getting visas to South Africa, President #Ramaphosa says: Consider it as a matter that is solved. We are working with President #Kagame to put relations between #Rwanda and #SouthAfrica on a much better footing #AfCFTA2018 pic.twitter.com/o0lGYbdea1

— The New Times (Rwanda) (@NewTimesRwanda) March 20, 2018

Former president Robert Mugabe continues to defy age, telling a British journalist, who is decades younger, that he (Mugabe) looks younger.

Mugabe boasted of his “youthfulness” this during an interview with ITV News Africa correspondent John Ray at his Blue Roof mansion, where he opened up for the first time since his removal from office through a “coup” in November last year.

Mugabe has always been rubbing it in people’s faces that he was way too fit for his age, even sharing his fitness regimen that has seen him live a long life.

“Do you think you could be the president again?” Ray asked Mugabe as they sat across each other.

“No, the last part no, I don’t want to be the president . . . of course I am now 94, you see, I perhaps look younger than yourself, but age wise now I’m 94,” he said while letting out a chuckle.

He said his disgruntlement was in the way he was removed from power and not that he wanted to be president again.

“I would have wanted to support Emmerson’s bid but through the party system,” he said.

Mugabe is famous for his statement that he felt so strong like he is in a race to get to 100.

“I feel like I’m running a race, do you know a race to get where? To a 100,” he said in a birthday interview last year after being asked how he was feeling.

Mugabe has previously laughed off death reports, claiming that he was still as fit as a fiddle in his old age.

“I thank God for having lived to this day. I thank God for the good life. I have an ailment here and there (but) my organs . . . my heart and liver are very firm.
Recently, doctors were actually surprised by the strength of my bones,” Mugabe said in earlier interviews.

“The day will come when I will become sick.”

“I have died many times,” he said.

“That’s where I have beaten Christ. Christ died once and resurrected once. I have died and resurrected and I don’t know how many times I will die and resurrect.”

The 94-year-old has followed a strict exercise and diet routine since the his time in prison in the 70s.- daily news

 

Terrence Mawawa

Below are points that have been raised by social media analyst Antony Taruvinga pertaining to the hullabaloo in the MDC:

1. Fire Thokozani Khupe from party.
2. Recall her from Parliament
3. Ring fence the name MDC-T- abuse of the name
highly probable.

4. Ban Thokozani Khupe and cabal from using party
properties, vehicles and offices.

5. Prepare for a looming but easy legal battle.

Thokozani Khupe left the party the day Morgan
Tsvangirai formed the MDC Alliance.

She loathes
Welshman Ncube.

Morgan Tsvangirai had lost confidence in his top
liuetenants and knew that Khupe was no longer
serving the interests of the party.

This prompted him
to add two more VPs to dilute her influence.

The coverage she is getting from the state media
is a clear sign that she has been co-opted into Zanu PF
to cause unrest in the MDC-T.

Terrence Mawawa

Fiery Zanu PF critic and political analyst Antony Taruvinga has accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of attempting to hoodwink the entire nation by purporting to expose corrupt individuals and institutions.

“Sorry for using heavy words but this clearly shows
Mnangagwa is a sheer idiot.

Who does he think he is
fooling here? Diamonds
were smuggled out of the country by people who were not mentioned.

He is taking the suffering people for some bumpy
ride. The list that does not include Mnangagwa himself,
Mugabe and his former VPs, Grace Mugabe Obert Mpofu, Ignatius
Chombo, Saviour Kasukuwere, all Ministers and former Ministers.

The fake list compiled by Emmerson
Dambudzo is a pure insult that shouldn’t be
tolerated at all.

The old and hopeless man needs
to be voted out of office,” wrote Taruvinga on Facebook.

Terrence Mawawa

MDC supporters have vowed that they will not repeat the 2013 blunder when they allowed Zanu PF to subvert the will of the people by rigging the polls.

Reacting to MDC Director of Information and presidential spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka’ s comments on the party’ s preparations for the coming elections, supporters of the popular movement said they were ready to thwart the ruling party’ s rigging tactics.

“The future is here, behold the new…”wrote Tamborinyoka on Facebook.

In response, Seka Phanankosi wrote:
“Luke what is the MDC doing about electoral theft? This is not
right for us. We do not want a repeat of the 2013 elections.”

“No room for rigging this time around, Mnangagwa, we will expose you!” commented Nancy, a staunch MDC supporter.

The MDC led by advocate Nelson   Chamisa has new offices in Zvimba former President Robert Mugabe’s rural home.

Terrence Mawawa

National People’s Party (NPP) spokesperson, Jeffryson Chitando has described President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a clueless politician who has run out of strategies to turnaround the country’s economy.

Chitando said Mnangagwa’ s clownish rants would not solve the glaring shortage of cash in the country.

“The fact that nurses and doctors are on strike indicates that Mnangagwa has totally failed to usher in the much anticipated era of economic turnaround.

Very soon teachers will embark on industrial action to express their grievances,”said Chitando.

Terrence Mawawa

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s government to review teachers’ salaries as a matter of urgency.

PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou has said teachers will take take appropriate action if the government fails to address the matter.

“All teachers’ unions are calling for a review of salaries, transport and housing allowances as well as the reconstitution of vacation leave.

Unless the government meets this minimum threshold teachers have agreed to embark on industrial action with effect from second term,” said Zhou in a statement.

“A notice of industrial action will be handed to the government on the 27th of March 2018.

We have nothing to fear except fear itself. We therefore call upon all teachers to brace for a protracted entrenchment in the event that our employer fails to consider our legitimate demands.”

Former President Robert Mugabe’s confidante and ex-pilot, Robert Mhlanga, has accused the deposed Zanu PF leader of conning Grandwell Holdings chairperson David Kassel of his multi-million-dollar investment in Chiadzwa.

Mhlanga, who used to chair Mbada Diamonds Company, made the disclosure yesterday when he and Kassel appeared before the Temba Mliswa-led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee and narrated how their firms were elbowed out of Chiadzwa in 2016 mafia style by heavily-armed police officers.

Mhlanga’s statement also came as former Zimbabwe Mining Development Company (ZMDC) chairperson Goodwills Masimirembwa rubbished Mugabe’s claims that $15 billion worth of diamonds went missing from Chiadzwa.

Kassel told the committee that Mugabe initially allowed him to mine in Chiadzwa in 2009 and later unilaterally cancelled his contract in 2016.

Kassel and Mhlanga said diamonds worth millions of carats went missing when they were forced out.

“When we signed the contract we were told that Grandwell was to mine in perpetuity and that Marange Resources was to pay for everything and ensure that the licences were made available, but that did not come to pass. Mugabe gave us a guarantee that no one would touch our investment, but Kassel was conned by ZMDC and by the Head of State,” Mhlanga said.

Kassel said they invested $50 million in mining equipment and spent an additional $40 million on exploration.

“Then in February 2016, without our knowledge police arrived at the mine, abused people, acted like cowboys, opened our diamond vaults, broke fences and put our people in a room as if we were criminals. It was an unruly process. They broke our safes and took whatever diamonds there were and our containers,” he said.

Mbada Diamond’s chief security officer Jabulani Mukoko said the 200 armed police officers ordered security personnel to shut down the CCTV and vacate the area.

Mukoko said on February 24, 2016, he sealed the diamond vaults and recorded their serial numbers before leaving and on the 27th, some of the vaults had been tampered with and diamonds went missing. The vaults were later welded by the police, but they were empty.

He said consolidation was used as a Trojan horse for looting and to bring in individuals with ulterior motives.

Masimirembwa told the committee that the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s company Gye Nyame was in a joint venture with a Ghanaian company, Bill Minerals.
He, however, denied claims that $15 billion worth of diamond revenue went missing under his watch.

“I want to emphasise that there is no way we as Zimbabwe sold $15 billion. People went to Marange for alluvial diamonds and there was no scientific or geological survey, and when the alluvial diamonds were depleting, we got into panic mode and gave all sorts of figures.”

He also told the committee that before ZMDC took over, there was chaos in Chiadzwa and some Lebanese and Mozambicans were camped there looting. Newsday

By Snodia Mawupeni, Kariba | Zimbabweans have the political responsibility of changing the landscape where leadership takes time for door to door campaigns to hear issues affecting people from different backgrounds.

Alliance for Peoples’ Agenda (APA) president Nkosana Moyo, told Kariba residents here that it is good for political leadership to understand what is affecting voters as political rallies misinform leadership.

The MDC Alliance led by advocate Nelson Chamisa has had big rallies in past weeks drawing thousands of followers, with Moyo’s sentiments likely to be construed as an attack on the growing momentum.

‘I have been to Mutare and their issues about how Chinese and Government abused Chiadzwa diamond mining areas. It’s a different song for those in Kariba who have issues with Chinese on poor working conditions following the Kariba South Power station project. Public rallies will never give leadership real challenges and we need to have a new mind-set as politicians and voters. Leadershio has to be accountable to the citizens and with big rallies we are not learning anything at all. It is the same old story,’ he said.

Moyo who has never attempted to be part of any political alliance believes APA is every concerned citizen responsibility.

“In South Africa Jacob Zuma continued to destroy the country until the time that African National Congress, (ANC) saw that it will never go anywhere with him as ship captain and they removed him. As for Zimbabwe we are not going anywhere with the same captains who have failed us as a nation for the past years. Until the time Zimbabwe changes the captain, we are doomed as a nation. We must change the leadership to have better results. APA is not about Nkosana Moyo but for everyone to share our vision of a better nation.”

He called on Zimbabweans to vote for individuals who will deliver than political parties.

‘I urge my fellow citizens not to vote political parties but individuals who can make a difference. As APA we aim to engage with lowest members of the society and hear their issues and how they can be addressed. If am at a rally I will be in charge and no one will have a chance to ask questions and how issues can be addressed. At a rally no one will have chance to ask and get to learn. Leaders must not create bearers about their issues. We are making a difference through lower level campaign approach as a party’ he said.

He added that the project is about every Zimbabweans who will pass on information about how the new country without political rallies.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has met the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board Clare Akamanzi which is in charge of fast tracking economic development in Rwanda by enabling the private sector.

It is responsible for business reforms to improve business climate, registering investments, packaging investment opportunities and marketing Rwanda as well advocating for the private sector.

Akamanzi was accompanied by operating officer Mr Emmanuel Hategeka.

The board has been instrumental in improving the ease of doing business in Rwanda.

Rwanda currently ranks the second easiest place of doing business in Africa after Mauritius and 41st in the world according to the World Bank Doing Business Index.

It takes 6 hours to register a business in Rwanda and within 6 hours one has their registration certificate and it can be done online as well.

The board was established in 2008 by bringing together eight different institutions that affected business under one roof.- state media

 

The High Court has reserved its ruling on the case in which Vice President Retired General Constantino Chiwenga is seeking to lodge defamation charges against Professor Jonathan Moyo for insinuating that he did not earn academic qualification and that some people authored his doctorate degree with the University of Kwazulu-Natal.

Advocate Brian Hungwe told the ZBC News that the court deliberated on whether the statement attributed to Professor Moyo were defamatory at all,  the answer to which could determine whether the case could proceed on merit or not.

“The court heard arguments on whether the statements attributed to the defendant in this case Professor Jonathan Moyo were defamatory at all or not,” said Advocate Hungwe.

Professor Moyo issued a press statement last year insinuating that VP Chiwenga did not earn his Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Kwazulu Natal.

He alleged that someone other than the VP authored the thesis on his behalf.- state media

Parliament yesterday heard how heavily armed police officers numbering about 200, in mafia style, stormed the Mbada Diamond fields in Marange and looted gems worth millions of dollars before they broke television monitors and equipment in a raid which left workers fearing for their lives.

The raid happened in 2016 as former president Robert Mugabe’s government prepared to take over full mining of the diamonds in the gem-rich Chiadzwa, through the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), after government did not renew licences of private companies that were extracting the diamonds in the area.

Appearing before the parliamentary committee on Mines and Energy yesterday, Grandwell Holdings’ chairperson David Kassel, a company which owns 50 percent shareholding in Mbada Diamonds (Mbada), told the Temba Mliswa-led committee that police looted diamonds during their unexpected raid.

“Police arrived at the mine armed, abused our people, ransacked the place, operated like cowboys, broke our company safes, destroyed our equipment, broke our fence and all cellphones were taken into a room like they were criminals. They broke our safes, took our diamonds,” Kassel said.

Mbada Diamond’s chief security officer Jabulani Mkoko, corroborated Kassel’s evidence, and told the committee of their harrowing experience at the hands of police whom he said stormed the mine in a convoy of many cars and buses.

“On February 22, 2016 around 12pm, I received a phone call from our main gate which was the first gate when you get to the mine. The phone call was to the effect that there was a convoy of police and mines officials demanding entry; procedurally we clear everyone who comes to the mine.  I then decided to drive to the gate but before I reached halfway I met the convoy because they had overpowered the guards at the gate.

“I stopped in front of the approaching convoy. The armed police officers jumped off the truck. There were trucks and buses, and there were about 200 armed police officers. I approached them, surprisingly some had their weapons directed at me.

“I was searched physically with all weapons directed at me. I asked what was happening, I was told by one of the persons who identified himself as the mine official, his name was Benaya Mavodza and I then realised that the most senior rank on the side of the police was the superintendent, I asked the senior lady who was there and she just said the police are under instructions from the ministry of Mines and all questions must be directed to the ministry.

“I said, can I see your documents, they said we don’t have. We were told to switch off the CCTV, switch off the communication system, to hand over the keys to them, and remove all the Mbada personnel from the mine. I said look, this is a big concession, there are millions of dollars and equipment in this concession but the answer was that we have taken over and the security issue is not your baby,” Mkoko narrated the incident to the committee.

“The police rushed into the control room and switched off the CCTV and the communication systems. When I realised that we are not making any headway, I said before I remove any of our workers, can we go to all the vaults then I can show what is there, literally they refused a handover-takeover in written form,” he added.

Mkoko said he then locked all the vaults with Mbada serial numbers and then assigned the police officers that were assigned to guard the vaults.

At the same time, villagers and artisanal miners seized the moment the police stormed the mine to swamp the Mbada Diamonds’ fields where they vandalised equipment such as solar panels.

“On the 24th (February), I heard a delegation was coming from Harare compromising the (then) minister (Walter Chidhakwa),” Mkoko said, adding that he was however, barred from meeting the delegation.

He told the committee that when he left Marange for the capital, he was told by one of the workers who had been left behind, that a box of diamonds had been stolen.

“One of the guys we had left there phoned me that, ‘they attended a briefing but we did not attend the whole briefing because the  police and mining officers did not want us to hear the whole briefing but they told me that they heard that a box of diamond was stolen’.

“I then drove back to Marange police station to officially make a report on what I had witnessed stolen and vandalised…there was resistance from the Marange police station, they said that they were told not to entertain us. I phoned our Harare office that then intervened by phoning the police general headquarters who then phoned the local police station to take our report.

“After about a month when the ministry indicated to us that they were opening a window period for us to remove goods and as soon as I went into the vault, there was an empty box.  I discovered the breaking in…yet police were deployed to guard the vaults,” Mkoko said.

The Marange diamond fields in Manicaland province, which are located a few kilometres outside Mutare, are considered to be one of the world’s biggest deposits of diamonds.

At the height of the mining of diamonds in Marange, Mbada Diamonds, Marange Resources, Anjin Investments, Diamond Mining Company, Kusena and Gye Nyame were some of the companies which were involved in the extraction of the gems in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC).

The mining companies were expelled from Chiadzwa after Mugabe made the startling claim that his government had lost a jaw-dropping $15 billion to alleged nefarious activities by some of the diamond mining firms.

In a controversial move, the government subsequently fired and replaced the mining companies with the State-owned ZCDC which now exclusively carries out all the mining in the area.

In 2012, long before Mugabe alleged that the $15 billion had been spirited away, a watchdog group campaigning against “blood” diamonds had also released a damning report in which it alleged that more than $2 billion worth of diamonds had been stolen from the Marange fields.

It also claimed that Mugabe’s inner circle, together with some international dealers and a large network of criminals had connived in “the biggest single plunder of diamonds the world has seen since Cecil Rhodes”.

“Marange’s potential has been overshadowed by violence, smuggling, corruption and most of all, lost opportunity.

“The scale of illegality is mind-blowing” and has spread to compromise most of the diamond markets of the world,” Partnership Africa Canada (PAC) alleged in its report that was titled: Reap What You Sow — Greed and Corruption in Zimbabwe’s Marange Diamond Fields.- Daily News

By Don Chigumba | From my ordinary level science background, the scientists educated us about animal and plant parasites. This piece seeks to expose the emergence of a ‘human parasite’ in the form of Shepherd Mutamba feeding on human (Oliver Mtukudzi’s) blood. There is no doubt that Mutamba has adopted the role of a gobbling (Tokoloshi), now feeding (earning a living) from assassinating the image/personality of Tuku.

I am therefore encouraging Tuku to look for Tsikamutanda to resolve the matter or opt for the courts of law because there is evidence in this piece to support the view that Mutamba did not only violate research ethics but also the media laws of Zimbabwe.
It is not a crime to write a biography of anyone without consent and therefore, Mutamba was not wrong by writing ‘TUKU Backstage’ without consent from Oliver Mtukudzi. However, it is a crime to violet research ethics governing the writing of biographies and the media laws (a position which I have demonstrated in this piece).
As I told you before, I am a competent mixed methods research specialist and an expert in research ethics. Mutamba used a research design popularly known as biography to write his book ‘TUKU Backstage’. Biography is among the BIG FIVE qualitative traditions which include ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory and case study. Biography is always twofold, the first kind of biography is the one written by a person about him or herself and is sometimes called auto-biography. Morgan Tsvangirai and Barrack Obama wrote auto-biographies about themselves.

The second type of biography is the one written on/about someone by another person just like what Mutamba did on Oliver Mtukudzi. It is sometimes called biographic studies and good because of its objectivity (Creswell, 2012). Auto-biographies are said to be subjective because it is difficult for one to write his or her bad side of the story. This is testified by Tsvangirai and Obama biographies, they never wrote anything bad about themselves.
Shepherd Mutamba violated several research ethics when writing ‘TUKU Backstage’. First, there is enough evidence to suggest that Mutamba played a role of a spy. According to the dictates of research ethics, spying is not allowed and can affect the credibility of the outcome Mutamba’s book. Mutamba worked for Mtukudzi for a period of five years and his role was to gather information behind Tuku’s back while pretending to be a loyal worker. There is no doubt that Mutamba played a role of a spy, he knew what he was doing but today, ‘zvake zvaita’.

The public should therefore be advised to treat Mutamba as a spy and therefore, they should question the credibility of his work because Mutamba is just a gold-digger trying to make a living out of TUKU’s personality. This man Mutamba should be demonized academically and traditionally as well. University students should take his book as a very good example of ethics violation ever happened since the ‘Syphilis Tuskegee Study’.
According to the publication made by Nehanda Radio, Mutamba claimed that the second edition of ‘TUKU Backstage’ has 188 photographs, with most of them being new and never seen and published before. This will lead us to the next violation of the research ethics, no one is allowed to publish photos of someone without consent. Mutamba should tell us whether Mtukudzi allowed him to published those photographs that he claimed were never seen before. Even the Zimbabwe media law support this ethic and Mtukudzi may use this as a basis to sue Mutamba.

There is no doubt that the privacy of Oliver Mtukudzi have been violated by publishing new photographs never seen before and Mutamba should explain. In conducting research, privacy of individuals should be protected, a position which Mutamba failed to do. He was supposed to protect the privacy of his subject and this may become a basis of suing Mutamba.

The main theme of ‘TUKU Backstage’ 2nd edition is that, Tuku was a puppet of ZANU PF and Mugabes, a position now overtaken by events. Tuku has a right to follow any political direction.

What Shepherd Mutamba did to Oliver Mtukudzi was not morally acceptable and he should apologize to Tuku and family as well as to researchers because no one is allowed to violate research ethics.
Miguna Miguna tried to write the same by writing via biographic design against Raila Odinga a prominent opposition leader of Kenya but the book died a natural death. Shepherd Mutamba should have learned from Miguna Miguna.
I therefore declare Mutamba’s book ‘TUKU Backstage’ NULL and VOID in the name of Jesus. Shepherd Mutamba should learn to struggle for his survival and not to suck other people’s blood.
Conclusion
When Judas Iscariot observed that he had betrayed Jesus, he committed suicide and I won’t be worried or shocked to hear that Shepherd Mutamba has committed suicide too. The researchers like Mutamba should avoid conducting researches in people’s bedrooms.
Don Chigumba is a mixed methods research specialist based in South Africa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is part of a plenary session currently underway in Kigali: Leveraging the power of business to drive Africa’s Intergration. Tomorrow he will sign on behalf of Zimbabwe with other heads of state AfCFTA

Own Correspondent|The Zanu PF regime is not showing any signs of change at all.

Zanu PF youths and State security agents are tormenting Unki Mine Workers Union chairperson Kudakwashe Nyome for blocking the party from forcing workers to fund its campaign programme.

Last week Zanu PF ordered Unki Mine workers to contribute cash to the party’s coffers.

Workers at the mine are resisting a directive by Zanu PF to force them to fund Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2018 Presidential campaign programme.

War veterans invaded Unki Mine ( Anglo American) and disrupted activities demanding cash.

Nyome was arrested on March 19 for allegedly mobilizing workers to disregard the Zanu PF directive.

He was accused of convening an illegal meeting- not cleared by the police.

“The arrest of Kudakwashe Nyome is illegal and political in nature.

This is a case of clear victimization. The Zimbabwe Republic Police should not take instructions from Zanu PF.

In the said case, police officers arrested Nyome after being instructed to do so by Zanu PF militia,” a human rights lawyer told ZimEye.com.

Nyome is also a member of the MDC Alliance led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

Kudakwashe Nyome

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By Paul Nyathi| In a very bold and long awaited move President Emmerson Mnangagwa has indicated he will be removing the inconveniencing 6pm to 6am ban on passing through Chancellor Avenue which passes through the State House and Zimbabwe House in Harare.

Speaking to journalists at a press conference in Victoria Falls last Thursday, President Mnangagwa said he was impressed by the level of tolerance and political maturity among Zimbabweans that make him believe that the State House may not be under any threats requiring the curfew.

The road has traffic signs informing motorists that it is closed between 6PM and 6AM.
The restriction of passage between 6PM and 6AM. The security measure was introduced on the road in the 1980s by former President Robert Mugabe after some people threw missiles at Zimbabwe House opposite the State House prompting government to tighten security.

Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans should be allowed to enjoy their freedom and he doubts that there could be a repeat of the missiles incident.

“It was in the 1980s when some people driving along Chancellor Road fired rockets onto Zimbabwe House. So we didn’t want that possibility of people using proximity to Zimbabwe House and we closed that road between 6PM and 6AM because the incident happened at night,” said President Mnangagwa.

“It is my belief that the possibility of such a thing is now very remote. I have no doubt and have confidence in our own people that they have respect for our own institutions,” the President said.

“It is my view that if we do well and if we are all united there is no need for firing rockets. We can’t force respect through such means so I am going to make sure that closing is removed because after all we have security patrolling so why not allow people freedom,” added President Mnangagwa.

The President said security personnel guarding the section of the road will remain in place.

By Paul Nyathi

In a horrific incident, an eight-months pregnant woman collapsed and died in the streets of Bulawayo city centre on Monday.

The woman who had just come out of a doctor’s surgery for routine checks died along Joshua Nkomo Street in the City Centre probable due to hypertension.

The woman from Queens Park suburb was in the company of her two siblings who watched her deteriorate and die as an ambulance with medical personnel could not get to the scene on time to resuscitate her.

One of the woman’s sisters, who was crying uncontrollably, told journalists on site that they had just walked out of a nearby surgery but her sister had not been treated as she had been referred to another doctor.

“We have just come out of this surgery where they said they couldn’t help her. She sometimes experiences difficulties in breathing.

“As we walked out of the surgery, she asked us to allow her to rest as she couldn’t breathe. She is getting worse and I am scared she can die here, she can’t leave us just like that,” said the woman who sobbed uncontrollably.

As passersby argued about what to do, the woman died.

“It was sad to watch someone die helplessly because it actually took more than 30 minutes for an ambulance to be called and arrive at the scene,” a witness said to the journalists.

By Paul Nyathi

Family members to an eight year old Bulawayo boy are in a state of shock following a bizarre death of their child over the weekend.

The little boy died when the perimeter wall of their Suburbs home collapsed on him while he was playing alone outside the house.

Nkosiphile Ncube, who was a Grade Two pupil at Indlovu Iyanyathela Primary School, died upon arrival at Mater Dei Hospital on Saturday.

The boy’s mother Ms Promise Ncube narrated how the incident happened.

“He was playing outside the house on Saturday and riding his bicycle. The perimeter wall just collapsed and fell on him,” she said.

“Unfortunately the wall was too heavy and when he was rescued from the rubble, he was failing to breathe. He was taken to Mater Dei where he was declared dead on arrival”.

Ms Ncube said the family was shattered and failing to come to terms with the tragedy.

“We are not sure what really caused the wall to collapse but since these structures are old, we have accepted that it was just a normal accident,” she said.

Ms Ncube said Nkosiphile would be buried in the city today.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident.

By Paul Nyathi

President Emerson Mnangagwa has conceded to pressure from the striking doctors and nurses and agreed to their demands.

Reliable ZimEye.com sources indicate that, government has offered to increase salaries for all Ministry of Health staff by 50% with effect from the 1st of April.

According to the sources, the offer by government which is yet to be tabled to the workers representatives includes access to motor vehicle loans and a fifty percent upwards review of night allowances for the health staff.

The reports also indicate that government has promised to urgently look into the supply of drugs and medical equipment at the hospitals to improve working conditions for the workers.

Government hospitals doctors have been on strike since the first of this month demanding for a review of their salaries and working conditions.

Nurses temporarily joined the strike last week but on agreement amongst themselves quickly resolved to go back to work for the sake of the patients who were dying in numbers at the hospitals due to lack of medical attention.

The industrial action by the doctors is the first major labour dispute under President Mnangagwa, who replaced Robert Mugabe in November.

Explaining their key demands to journalists when the strike started, Mxolisi Ngwenya
spokesman for the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA), which represents more than 1 000 members said that their action was for the good of the patients.

“The main issue we have raised currently is that it does not make sense for us to continue working in hospitals that do not have any drugs or sufficient equipment,” said Ngwenya,

The government had not, as agreed four years ago, increased on-call allowances for doctors to $10 an hour from the current $1.50, and had failed to fulfil other promises for better compensation and working conditions.

Junior doctors, have been earning a basic monthly salary of $329 before allowances and were yet to get duty-free vehicles as agreed previously with government.

By Paul Nyathi

MDC-T president Advocate Nelson Chamisa says that his estranged deputy, Dr Thokozani Khupe, is free to leave the party.

In an interview with state media on Monday, Chamisa’s spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka said the MDC-T will not stop Dr Khupe from leaving.

“We would have loved to work together but if she has taken a decision to walk away, then so be it. This is not a faction, this is the party,” he said.

Mr Tamborinyoka said Dr Khupe’s issue has nothing to do with Adv Chamisa but the party’s organs that elevated him to lead MDC-T.

“This is now not a bilateral issue between her and president Chamisa. It’s an issue between vice president Khupe and the organs of the party. The organs are the national council and the national executive and they have already taken a position regarding this issue. This is an issue between Madam Khupe and the party,” he said.

Tamborinyoka said Dr Khupe failed to heed the party’s calls to shape up in the stipulated seven day ultimatum.

“Now you are telling us that she says she is walking away. It’s up to the party but the party has already pronounced itself, it gave her seven days to shape up,” he said.

Dr Khupe leads a breakaway faction in the MDC-T consisting of the national organising secretary Mr Abednego Bhebhe and national spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu among other members.

Addressing a rally in Bulawayo on Sunday, Dr Khupe announced that she was parting ways with the Adv Chamisa faction but will retain the MDC-T name.

The split follows power struggles pitting Dr Khupe and Adv Chamisa that have rocked the MDC-T since the death of their founding president Mr Morgan Tsvangirai last month.

The differences have resulted in violent skirmishes and court challenges.

Dr Khupe said she can no longer be part of the Adv Chamisa-led MDC-T accusing the other faction of being violent.

In announcing her breakaway, Dr Khupe said she would soon join a coalition with like-minded political parties while Gutu said their outfit was going to join the Dr Joice Mujuru led People’s Rainbow Coalition.