Presidential spokesman George Charamba has poked fun at his long time former boss, Robert Mugabe telling him to go to court if he has issues President Mnangagwa’s government.

Mr Charamba tells the state media that it was absurd for Mr Mugabe to place himself above the entire State and polity, and arrogate power to bestow legitimacy.

In addition, legal experts also trashed Mr Mugabe’s claims that he was removed via a military coup last November, pointing out that he had signed his own resignation letter. This comes as more details emerge about Mr Mugabe’s last days, what prompted the military to effect “Operation Restore Legacy”, and what convinced the former President to call it quits.

Yesterday Mr Charamba said, “The former President has asked for a meeting with President ED to cleanse what he calls an unconstitutional order.

“Well, far be it from me to prevent any meeting between the President and any Zimbabwean, least of all his former boss.

“However, looking at it from a commonsensical point of view, I can’t see how an order which is allegedly unconstitutional gets cleansed by a meeting of two individuals over a cup of coffee.

“That is to assume that the two, in the sum, constitute the State and the two define constitutionalism. Is this not really an issue that he (Mr Mugabe) should take to the courts for them to determine? But as I said, this is just me.”

Lawyers who spoke to The Sunday Mail said Mr Mugabe’s departure from office was wholly legal.

Law Society of Zimbabwe president Mr Misheck Hogwe said, “Mugabe’s statements have no legal basis. He does not supersede the Constitution.

“The old man resigned and according to the laws of the country, the ruling party has to replace the President as we witnessed by the elevation of President Mnangagwa.

“The fact that President Mnangagwa was sworn in by the Chief Justice, who was appointed by Mugabe himself, makes the former President’s statements worthless.

“His statements are coming from a disgruntled person who should not be taken seriously. There is no other way the President can be legitimised other than by what happened.”

Continued Mr Hogwe; “I don’t know why he wants to engage with the President because the President is legitimate according to the laws of the country and he has been accepted both locally and internationally.”

Lawyer and Zanu-PF Secretary for Legal Affairs Mr Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana weighed in: “Due to old age, the former President might have forgotten that the national Constitution he signed has a provision for impeachment of a President.

“That process was underway when he finally tendered his resignation and the pressure of the constitutional process forced him to resign.

“Zimbabweans must forgive the old man. Maybe due to his advanced age he has forgotten that he willingly tendered his resignation to the Speaker of Parliament.

“History has to be written correctly; all due constitutional process was followed. After Congress recalled him as First Secretary and President of Zanu-PF, the same party initiated impeachment processes through party Chief Whip Cde Lovemore Matuke.”

Another lawyer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said “a coup by definition is a sudden and violent takeover of Government and that did not happen as all systems of Government remained functional”.

“Section 212 of the Constitution provides that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces are the last line defence of the Constitution,” he added.

“And where there is a dispute over legality, isn’t the cure approaching the courts? He should approach the Constitutional Court if he has a legitimate claim of a coup. Right now he is implying that a bilateral meeting is larger and above an election or a court.”

A source close to what was happening as Mr Mugabe’s regime crumbled said the Command Element of the ZDF had to the very end placed the Constitution at the centre of all its decision-making.
This included rejecting a bizarre request Mr Mugabe said for then ZDF Commander, General Constantino Chiwenga, to succeed him as President of Zimbabwe.

“Mugabe and Grace were following proceedings on TV, seeing the huge crowds in the streets that were demanding he step down immediately, and his wife in particular was afraid that (Ambassador Christopher) Mutsvangwa and incensed university students would soon storm Blue Roof (the Mugabes’ residence).

“Zanu-PF had started a process to recall Mugabe and there was bipartisan support in Parliament for impeachment.

“There was real panic at Blue Roof, and Mugabe sent an emissary (name withheld) to General Chiwenga with two strange requests. The first was that Mugabe wanted Chiwenga to be President, and the second was that when he dies, he does not want to be buried at the Heroes Acre.

“General Chiwenga told (the envoy) that the leadership question was for political parties to decide and his concern was the Constitution and national security.

“He said ‘changu kupfeka makwapamakwapa’ (‘I am a uniformed soldier’). As for where you bury each other, that has nothing to do with the military.”

The insider said the military’s respect for constitutional order was also apparent at the November 16, 2017 meeting between Mr Mugabe and a South African delegation sent by then President Jacob Zuma.

“Mugabe invited General Chiwenga to that meeting, and he came with VaElson Moyo (then Air Vice-Marshal, now Air Marshal). Also present were South Africa’s Minister of Defence (Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula), their State Security Minister (Bongani Bongo), and others from both countries.

“As soon as General Chiwenga stepped in, he walked directly to Mugabe and saluted him before taking his seat. Is that how a coup happens? That single gesture moved the lady (Minister Mapisa-Nqakula) so much.

“She almost cried at the level of respect, even in such tense times and said from the way people were talking, she never expected to see the general respecting Mugabe like that. She said it means Zimbabwe has many lessons to teach Sadc.

“Right up to the day Mugabe resigned, the commanders maintained respect for their then Commander-in-Chief even as he tried to protect a criminal cabal.”

He said a mediation team – comprising Roman Catholic cleric Father Fidelis Mukonori, Central Intelligence Organisation Deputy Director Mr Aaron Nhepera, and Mr Charamba – pleaded with Mr Mugabe to accept that he had lost long lost control and that the popular uprising could descend into chaos if he remained recalcitrant.

“Two messages were conveyed to Mugabe. One was that the street demonstrations were escalating and people were mobilising themselves to go to Blue Roof. The ZDF made it clear that if that happened, they were not prepared to order troops to open fire on civilians. In fact, a disgruntled State House worker had led a group right up to the final (security) checkpoint before Blue Roof and the military moved quickly to convince people to keep their demonstrations away from that house.

“The second message was that the ZDF would not in any way interfere with an impeachment process because that would be in breach of the Constitution.

“Mugabe said, ‘So it means they (the military) are no longer ready to defend me? They are opening the floodgates.’ Even as Mugabe vainly sent (name withheld) to try and divide MPs and the Speaker of the House to stop them from impeaching him, he was raging at (then State Security Minister Kembo) Mohadi and (then Defence Minister Dr Sydney) Sekeramayi for not using State apparatus to quell the uprising.

“It took him a while to appreciate that this was very much a social revolution and that the national security organs would not act unconstitutionally just to protect his position as Head of State. He came around slowly, which is why you hear in his ‘asante sana’ speech the concession that while he did not agree with the military action, there certainly were national grievances demanding rectification.

“He eventually signed a resignation letter, which was drafted by the Attorney-General (Mr Prince Machaya) in the presence of (then Justice Minister Happyton) Bonyongwe. So tell me, is that a coup? Does a coup incorporate impeachment? Does it enlist the Central Committee of the party that has provided the President who people want out? Does it involve a demonstrations by people from across the political divide?” Sunday Mail

After claiming to have made a phone call to Heaven which became the talk of the town, Pastor Sanyangore is back with a new television programme on Just Net TV which is set to inspire non-believers.

Dubbed Heaven Online the programme was influenced by the phone call that the self proclaimed prophet did a few months back which left a lot of people shocked by the fact that one can possess the ability to “make a phone call” to Heaven.

“People should not be shocked by the fact that I made a call to Heaven and this programme seeks to show the world God’s availability to human kind. So in ‘Heaven Online’ we are saying Heaven is available to answer and help us, God does not go offline, he is always available as the Bible says he neither sleeps nor slumbers,” Sanyangore said.

Sanyangore said the programme has given him the opportunity to create belief to non-believers and show them what God can do in people’s lives.

“The programme gives me the opportunity to reach out to the world with the message of Jesus Christ and to demonstrate to people the power of God, in the end more souls are won into the Kingdom of Christ,” he said.

“I believe that this is for a good cause as it will definitely change people’s lives, even the non-believers because they will be seeing what God can do in other people’s lives which creates belief in the non-believers,” he added.

Sanyangore said people should not look forward to more miracles from him but from God as he is only but a vessel of God.

“I urge people to look forward to more miracles from God, not from me, if they look forward to more from me they will be disappointed as it is God’s business to perform miracles, as he has been doing since the beginning of the world and he won’t stop,” Sanyangore said.

The self proclaimed prophet has received a lot of criticism on miracles that he has done but that has not let the man of God stop doing the assignment that God assigned him.

“I have received a lot of criticism from people saying I perform fake miracles and I use juju and stuff like that, but these things don’t move me because the same was done to Jesus Christ, they even got to the level of calling him Beelzebub but Jesus did not stop but continued with his mission,” he said.

Asked if he really talked to God on the phone, he said the phone call to Heaven was not only a miracle but a prophetic message to the world which people should believe.

“It surprises me that people doubt that God can speak through a phone which was made for communication yet they believe that he spoke to Moses through a bush fire. Who is better me or Moses?” he said.- State Media

ZimEye will be LIVE in Gweru from 11am covering the MDC Alliance rally – refresh this page to watch below:

Today the MDC Alliance held powerful rally in Kwekwe where thousands of people attended. The rally was part of the nation wide rallies which the MDC Alliance is doing across the country in preparation of the 2018 elections.

In an interview on the sidelines, the TZ president Jacob Ngarivhume highlighted that the MDC Alliance rallies are a good step in restoring legitimacy to Zimbabwe. “The Mnangagwa regime is an illegitimate regime which usurped power through a coup. Though the coup may have been a popular one, it does not make it legitimate. Zimbabwe is a democratic nation and the only leadership we will recognise is one which is elected by the people, which is exactly what we believe we will get come August this year.

Asked to comment on whether the elections will be free and fair, Ngarivhume highlighted that BVR was a step in the right direction towards free and fair elections. “ZANU-PF used to rig in the past because of the previous voters role we had. Ghost voters always gave ZANU PF an advantage, but with the coming of BVR, we have managed to deal with this problem. We are still fighting for more reforms with one of the key ones being media access. The media plays a very critical role in shaping the politics of a nation and should be made accessible to all political players and not just the ruling party. However, as we continue to fight for these and other reforms, the public needs to be registered to vote so that they vote this year. Registration centers are still open so those who have not yet registered should take this opportunity to register.”

Lastly, we asked Mr Ngarivhume what they are offering to the people of Zimbabwe both as a party and as the MDC Alliance.” As a party, we believe the failure of Zimbabwe is the failure of leadership. In terms of natural resources, Zimbabwe is blessed more than any other country in Africa. Midlands on its own has resources that surpasses those of other nations, but Zimbabwe has remained poor because of the type of leaders we have. We need a new crop of leaders, leaders who fear God, leaders we can believe to Transform Zimbabwe. This is what we are offering to the people of Zimbabwe both as a party and in the Alliance.”

“In line with this vision, we will be holding our inaugural congress on the 23rd and 24th of March in Harare to select the leaders who will push our vision for the next 5 years,” concluded Ngarivhume.

The MDC Alliance is an amalgamation of seven political parties namely MDC-T led by Nelson Chamisa, Transform Zimbabwe led by Jacob Ngarivhume, MDC led by Welshman Ncube, PDP led by Tendai Biti, MCD led by Guchutu, Zanu Donga led by Sakwinji and the Zim PF led by Agrippa Mutambara. Today’s meeting was part of their two day tour of Midlands province which will end tomorrow with a rally in Gweru.

Former Energy minister Samuel Undenge has hit hard times, he told a court last week he could not afford transport fares to hearings and now there are reports his children have been thrown out of a South African university.

Undenge counted among Zanu PF’s rich elites was involved in multi million dollar deals, building himself mansions even as Zimbabweans suffered till he fell from grace with the demise of former president Robert Mugabe.

The local Daily News reports that Undenge has been dragged to the High Court by his daughters Bongai and Kumbirai, who are represented by their mother, seeking to force him to pay their school fees.

According to an urgent chamber application filed on Thursday, Undenge is in default of his obligations to pay fees for the children, who are both at Cape Town University in South Africa.

According to the children’s mother, Angeline, the children have been given notice to vacate the campus accommodation within 72 hours, as they are unable to register for the current semester because Undenge has not paid their fees.

“The respondent (Undenge) is neglecting his responsibility towards the applicants (Bongai and Kumbirai) without reasonable excuse.

“The maintenance court ordered and directed that he should maintain the applicants…,” she said adding that the court ordered him to pay for his children’s fees up to the age of 35.
She said Bongai is a third-year student and apart from her tuition, she requires accommodation, food and medical insurance.

“However, what is obtaining now is that she has not been able to register for the current semester (which has) just commenced because respondent has not paid, actually there is an outstanding balance which has been accruing interest.

“The balance due for payment for the last academic year is R144 261, 26…Because of respondent’s failure to pay the sum highlighted above, the college has now cancelled or withdrawn the housing offer and has now demanded that applicants move out of the college within 72 hours,” she said.
She also said Undenge has acted contemptuously considering that there is a court order demanding him to pay the fees.

“Unless this honourable court otherwise orders respondent to immediately pay, first respondent will suffer irreparable damage to her future. She faces the danger of failing to complete her studies, hence her future is in imminent danger,” she said.

Angeline also said that Undenge has an obligation to pay for Kumbirai’s school fees and other costs and said she had also given him the fees breakdown.

“Then respondent’s wife approached me with a security man threatening me saying she would not allow respondent to pay for foreign university fees for both applicants.

“Thereafter, I got a letter from respondent’s legal practitioners stating that respondent would pay the foreign fees for the first applicant only until she finished her studies but as for second applicant, it stated that he should enrol at any local universities affordable to him,” the court heard. She said Undenge’s wife later approached her again threatening her.

“She further said she would indeed achieve it (her demands) since she was connected to the most powerful woman in the country. In the course of time, I then received a letter dated 13th of December 2016…respondent was no longer willing to pay for the foreign fees for first applicant despite having undertaken to do so. He made it plainly clear that if he was to pay for second applicant’s fees, he would do so for a local university only since he had other children needing to be assisted when they enrolled into universities,” the court was told.

She said Undenge does not have any children with his fourth wife, whom he is staying with but is paying for his wife’s children from another marriage, one of which is at a European university.

“Thus respondent has the luxury to do the best for another man’s children while he is prescribing his own biological children to such colleges that offer the lowest fees because he suddenly professes that he has no money for them,” Angeline said.

Undenge has not yet responded to the application in the matter still pending before the High Court. Daily News

Contrary to social media speculation the MDC Alliance will not boycott elections.

We will not boycott the election but there will be no election without implementation of the Ten Point #PEACE demands. pic.twitter.com/btkOUJzmye

— TENDAI BITI (@BitiTendai) March 17, 2018

A man from Tshabalala suburb in Bulawayo cheated death in a double suicide attempt, leaving a knife lodged in his neck in a bid to evade responsibility after his girlfriend told him that she was pregnant.
Roy Masopo (29), who is still hospitalised, unsuccessfully tried to hang himself at the family house in Tshabalala last Sunday at around 10PM. After that he stabbed himself once in the neck with a knife, which was only removed after he was admitted to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).

His grandmother, only identified as Mrs Soko, said her grandson was alone in the room when he attempted to take his own life, but declined to say much about the hanging incident.

Mrs Soko said after the hanging attempt failed, her grandson went and sat outside the house. She said she was called by neighbours only to be told that Masopo had stabbed himself.

“Roy was in his room when he attempted to hang himself but failed. He then took a kitchen knife and stabbed himself once in the neck and the knife broke,” Mrs Soko said. Masopo was rushed to the UBH by his friends who were called by the family.
Mrs Soko said the knife was successfully removed from his neck and he is still admitted at the hospital.

She said her grandson had been told by his girlfriend that she was pregnant.
“Roy said that he’s stressed and poor and it was better for him to end his life,” said Mrs Soko.
A friend who spoke on condition of anonymity said they rushed him to the hospital after being called by Masopo’s family members.

“We were at Hlanganani cocktail bar when we received the news that Roy had stabbed himself.
We rushed to his place where the family was still waiting for the ambulance to ferry him to hospital but it was taking too long, that’s when we rushed him to UBH in a kombi,” said one of his friends. State Media

Dr Helen Godwin, mother to Peter and Georgina has died in London yesterday, March 16th 2018. She was 92.
The family announced that there will be memorials for her – in London and Harare – in a few months.

“She has lived a long and surprising life. As a girl in Kent, she watched the Battle of Britain in the skies overhead. As a rating in the Royal Navy, stationed in Dover, she was frequently under shellfire from the German “big guns” at Calais. As a doctor in Zimbabwe, she has run leper colonies and tuberculosis hospitals; she has vaccinated thousands, saved second twins, held the hands of patients dying of a new disease called AIDS, even as others shrank from them.
She has lived through a guerrilla war, seen her oldest daughter killed in it. In her old age, she has felt her heart break again. The health-care system she dedicated her life to building lies shattered. She has lost her house and her savings and her friends and her dogs. And she has watched her husband die a difficult death. Now she is determined that death will not cheat her.”

Excerpt From: Peter Godwin. “The Fear.”

“No young person is going to vote ZANU PF,” says Nelson Chamisa – WATCH LIVE

President ED Mnangagwa arrives at RG Mugabe Intl Airport to welcome his SA counterpart President C Ramaphosa. pic.twitter.com/sVVLf5SwOb

— Christine Lethokuhle (@Letty_Mabhena) March 17, 2018

refresh the page to watch –

Goromonzi district has run out of male condoms, putting many sexually active people at risk at a time when the local village health workers have upped the fight against new HIV infections.

This was revealed by Mwanza Health Centre committee chairperson Erica Nhapi during a media tour organised by the National Aids Council (NAC) of Mashonaland East.

Nhapi said the shortage of condoms has put most people at risk of HIV infections as well as sexually transmitted diseases. “We have a crisis. It’s now three months since we have had the shortage. It is putting our work under a tight situation. I don’t know how to solve this situation,” Nhapi said.

With funding from NAC and other health stakeholders, community health workers have embarked on various community initiatives aimed at improving accessibility of health services such as the door-to-do delivery of anti-retrovirial drugs to those who would have tested positive, as well as close monitoring of the same to ensure adherence to treatment.

“The problem of condoms has been on-going for three months and this definitely puts many at risk of STIs,” Nhapi said.

Through health workers’ initiatives, NAC and Africad Zvandiri, have also established groups that cater for adolescents who are HIV-positive, but would not have been initiated on treatment.

Zimbabwe has set 2030 as the target for an HIV and Aids-free generation and has lined up programmes which include protection, prevention, treatment and prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

In Mashonaland East, NAC has selected Marondera, Macheke and Murehwa rural as the hotspots and various projects have been initiated such as voluntary testing and male circumcision to prevent new infections.

“We have won the battle against discrimination and segregation and now we are dealing with adherence to treatment. The challenge has been men. Most of them are shy to get tested or they are shy to get treatment. So we have decided to remove barriers that scare away people from being tested,” Nhapi said.

In Marondera, the district Aids co-ordinator, Sabestian Manjengwa said through various initiatives, the HIV prevalence rate has dropped from 21,6% to 15,8% and cases of new HIV infections have dropped from 2 000 to 1 400 annually. – Newsday

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Friday that the country “has moved on” in response to claims by former president Robert Mugabe that he was ousted in an illegal “coup d’etat”.

Mnangwa added in a short statement that he “noted recent remarks made to the media” by Mugabe who spoke to foreign journalists at a location in Harare on Thursday. It was Mugabe’s first public statement since his resignation in November.

“I say it was a coup d’etat — some people have refused to call it a coup d’etat,” Mugabe told South Africa’s SABC broadcaster, referring to the brief army takeover which led to Mnangagwa assuming power after Mugabe’s resignation.

“We must undo this disgrace which we have imposed on ourselves, we don’t deserve it… Zimbabwe doesn’t deserve it.”

Mnangagwa’s brief response, posted on his official Twitter account and bearing the seal of the presidency, added that Mugabe “is entitled to express himself freely, as is the case for any private citizen”.

“The nation has moved on. Our focus at this time shall remain on preparing for free, fair and credible elections in 2018.”- AFP

Former Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara has branded President Emmerson Mnangagwa “careless and thoughtless” for asserting that Zimbabwe is going through a radical economic transformation the Zanu PF leader claimed will catapult the country to a middle-income economy (MIC) by 2030.

Mnangagwa has repeatedly said in the past few weeks Zimbabwe is open for business and could become an economic giant over a short period of time, if all Zimbabweans worked towards economic development.

But in a hard-hitting rebuttal, Mutambara, who attended the CEO Roundtable meeting at the resort town of Victoria Falls on Thursday, told NewsDay the Zanu PF leader’s much-trumpeted Vision 2030 is meaningless.

“In my view, it is neither sensible nor meaningful for Mnangagwa to posit that the shared vision for Zimbabwe is for us to be a middle-income country by 2030. This is careless and thoughtless talk,” charged Mutambara, who was Deputy Premier during the Government of National Unity between 2009 and 2013.

“What does that vision statement mean. What are the specific matrix? The MIC nomenclature is a World Bank analytical tool that refers to economies with the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of between $1 005 to $12 235. This is too broad a grouping.

“In any case our GDP per capita income is $977; hence jumping to $1 005 over 12 years is not sufficiently ambitious. More crucially, this definition of a share vision does not explicitly address the politics and society pillars. Neither does it speak to the issues of values and flagship (mega-impact) projects. Furthermore, where was the buy-in and ownership of that shared vision achieved? It is shared by whom?”

In his submissions to the CEO Roundtable meeting, Mutambara said there should be a collectively desired destination of the country in 2040 – the Share National Vision – and a shared competitive national identity – The National Brand.

“The vision has three pillars: politics, society and economy. Overarching issues are values and mega-impact projects. There is need for buy-in and ownership by all Zimbabweans, all sectors (industrial, business, social, academic) and all political parties,” he said.

“Differences should be on how to achieve the vision but a shared national vision requires new political, social and economic values across the nation which includes inclusiveness, tolerance, democracy, freedom, constitutionalism, integrity, meritocracy, equality, fairness, entrepreneurship, creativity, technology savvy, ubuntu, continuous learning and winning habits.”

Mutambara said a new dispensation is “not declared, but earned”. “We are not there yet.”- Newsday

Another shocking homosexual attack has been made against the G-40, this time by Obadiah Musindo.

The local Newsday reports that the Zanu PF-aligned cleric and Destiny for Afrika Network founder, Musindo has claimed that G40 members who had captured the State before the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe comprised of known homosexuals, whose agenda was to legalise the loathed practice in the country.

Addressing clerics who are set to benefit from his housing schemes ahead of this year’s election, Musindo claimed Operation Restore Legacy which ousted Mugabe, was sanctioned by God to save the nation from named homos_exuals who wanted to introduce the practice in the country.

“Operation Restore Legacy that was done by the soldiers helped us in one thing, because State House had been captured by ga_ys, not from opposition, but from Zanu PF.

“Temba Mliswa was clear on who these ga_ys are, so restore legacy saved us from the kingdom of ga_ys who had infiltrated State House.

“If these guys had managed to secure power (G40), it was (homos_exuality) going to be legalised. Some people really know that this one is this one’s wife. Right now you will have been doing all night prayers asking why God had done these things to you,” Musindo said amid applause from the congregation of pastors.

Musindo also warned the President Emmerson Mnangagwa administration against abusing power in the same manner Mugabe and G40 members did, as God will remove it because he only ordains leaders who were willing to serve his people.

“What Mugabe did was not good for the country, and if this leadership of Mnangagwa, (VP Kembo) Mohadi and (VP Constantino) Chiwenga forgets the people, I tell you that God shall remove them. If Mnangagwa is there to serve himself, then he has no business with God,” Musindo said.

ZANU-PF had to recall former President Mr Robert Mugabe from power as he was now failing to discharge his duties because of negative influence from his young wife, Grace, the party secretary for administration Dr Obert Mpofu, said yesterday.

Addressing thousands of party supporters at Nabushome Primary School in Hwange District during President Mnangagwa’s rally, Dr Mpofu, who is also Minister of Home Affairs and Umguza MP, said the intervention by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), which ushered in a new political dispensation last November, was timely.

“We had to recall former President Mugabe because he was failing to perform his duties. His source of downfall was his young wife (Grace). That’s why I always say danela esalukazini sakho ngoba uzathwala nzima (rather stick to your aged wife and avoid problems),” said Dr Mpofu, drawing laughter from the bumper crowd.

“Ungagijimisana laboMankhri bazakwenza ube lesiyezi (if you pursue young women, they will be your downfall). It was evident that the former President had become confused and he started persecuting Cde Mnangagwa for nothing.”He recalled how President Mnangagwa was humiliated and demonised by the former First Lady during the party’s provincial youth interface rallies before being fired unceremoniously from both his posts as Vice President of the country and Zanu-PF second secretary.

“But the people, the military and the party resisted that. Even Parliament stood up and reacted with a move to impeach the former President. The Zanu-PF central committee also took action and recalled Mugabe who, seeing he had nowhere to turn, tendered his resignation,” said Dr Mpofu.

He said Mr Mugabe demise was sweet news to the generality of Zimbabweans and the world at large.

“So, that is why we are in this new dispensation and those who are opposed to it are lost. The ZDF intervention was timely because this country was losing direction. All meetings were now being held to insult people,” said Dr Mpofu.

In his address President Mnangagwa jokingly referred to Dr Mpofu’s remarks saying the era of insults was over as the former First Lady was now confined to her home. The President said he remained calm despite repeated insults by Mrs Mugabe as he realised that shelacked wisdom.- state media

 

“Zanu-PF will win this election and continue to rule until eternity.”

President Mnangagwa has said his party is set to ” rule until eternity”.

Speaking Matabeleland North Province at Nabushome Primary school in Hwange district yesterday, Mnangagwa said the coming election, due in July this year, will be a defining moment for Zimbabwe’s democracy.

 

Mnangagwa spoke of  “unity, peace and love” to ensure this year’s plebiscite was free, fair and transparent.

“We are going to have elections in July this year. We are determined to have free, fair and transparent elections in Zimbabwe. There is no reason for anyone of us to resort to violence. People should choose and vote for whoever they like.

“”But people will vote for a party with a record of development, a party that liberated them and that party is Zanu-PF. I have no doubt Zanu-PF will win this election and continue to rule until eternity,” he said.

Mnangagwa also called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on the country due to historic happenings, saying Zimbabwe has already shown a new path. – Herald

Murder accused Rodney Tongai Jindu is living it up behind bars, B-Metro has learnt.
He is in remand prison, having failed on numerous occasions to get bail. He is facing two counts for the murder of his childhood friend Cyprian Kudzurunga (28) and neighbour Mboneli Joko Ncube (30) before burying them in shallow graves.

In refusing Jindu’s last get-out-of- jail bid, Bulawayo High Court Judge, Justice Nicholas Mathonsi said there was real danger the suspect could commit more murders.
As such, the suspect has one option, that’s to make jail life bearable considering that he could possibly be in longer.

A recently discharged inmate told B-Metro of Jindu’s lifestyle in the slammer.
“He’s very particular about what to eat. In most cases he resorts to eating isitshwala and tinned foods such as beef and baked beans. I rarely saw him eat boiled vegetables or sugar beans (staple food in jail),” said the former inmate.

Breakfast at the prison comes in form of white or sorghum porridge without sugar at 8am. Thereafter, inmates are served with quasi-lunch at 10.30 am before they go for an early supper at 2pm.

Since Jindu is not a convict but a remand inmate he is allowed daily visits on week days.
“At Khami Maximum Prison, convicted inmates are visited on Saturdays and Sundays between 9am to 3.30am and their family members are allowed to bring them tinned stuff.

“Remand inmates are visited by their family members from Monday to Friday (9am to 3.30pm) and their family members are also allowed to bring them tinned stuff that includes beans, fish and beef,” Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Bulawayo Metropolitan public relations officer, Principal Correctional Officer Garainashe Moyo said.
Jindu is also said to have brought into jail his elegant dress code.

“A sun hat is a must in his wardrobe. Not long ago he paid tailors (also prisoners) to make new outfits for him, “ added the former jail bird.

The medium of exchange behind bars is soap, cigarettes and other groceries that one receives from outside. However, he does not take part in public events at the prison.
“He usually keeps to himself reading magazines or chatting with a few elderly inmates,” said the source.

While other inmates will seek to kill time by playing football, chess and other social activities, Jindu is yet to develop a hobby.

“I never saw Jindu grace any of the football matches. Actually, there is an elected Khami Football Association board that runs both the Premier and Division One Leagues. Both leagues are made up of  – eight clubs each and matches are either played during the week or during weekend days,” said the source adding that Highlanders, Dynamos, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Medics are some the names that were accorded to clubs that make up Khami’s football family. – BMetro

Zanu PF legislator, Justice Mayor Wadyajena says former president Robert Mugabe is desperately trying to divide Zanu PF and must be ignored.

Addressing hundreds of party supporters yesterday in Gokwe Nembudziya, Wadyajena said Mugabe is supporting opposition political parties to dilute the party’s votes in the forthcoming elections.
He said that it is the responsibility of party members particularly the youths to be vanguards of the revolutionary party and be alert to any forms of diversion that may result from opposition political parties.
Wadyajena implored the electorate to vote for the party’s presidential candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The country is set to hold its elections this year with the clarion call by President Mnangagwa being for peaceful, free and fair elections.

Preparations for the elections have already been given thumbs up by various regional organs including SADC, and the African Union, with the latest greenlight coming from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP. -state media

Seemingly evasive gang of 10 notorious armed robbers, that pounced on several businesses in Mutare and stole thousands of dollars after blowing up safes, resurfaced on Tuesday morning and hit a Sakunda Service Station in the city using the same modus operandi.

A security guard and two attendants at the garage were assaulted and later had their hands tied by the cheeky criminals who went on to blow up a safe using dynamites.
They got away with cash amounting to $4 400, fuel coupons valued at more than $100 and an assortment of electrical gadgets that included laptops.

To cover their tracks, the criminals destroyed a CCTV system and took the main server. The incident happened at around 3am at the filling station situated at Corner C Avenue and Fourth Street.

A robbery docket has since been opened at Mutare Central Police Station under RRB 3461741. Manicaland police spokesman Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the robbery.

Circumstances were that the three complainants, Mary Marume (33) who is a fuel attendant, Happymore Chivorese (27) a security guard and Clariata Gedhe who is employed as a shop attendant were approached by two of the criminals who were armed with pistols.
The robbers searched the security guard to establish whether he had a firearm. They also took cell phones belonging to the three complainants and an eco agent cell phone for the service station registered in the name of Hlupekire Kandiero.

The two suspects then called their accomplices who were numbering up to six to join them. They were armed with picks and iron bars. One of the robbers forced marched Marume and Chivorese to the main office leaving Gedhe in the supermarket.

While in the main office they tied the two complainants using computer cables that had been disconnected from a computer. The other robber who remained in the shop with Gedhe demanded cash and she gave him $160.

After handing over the money she was also force-marched to join her workmates in the main office where she also had her hands tied.

The robbers then used picks to break five doors which led to different offices. In one of the offices the criminals destroyed a CCTV hard drive and went away with it.
They proceeded to the manager’s office and blew up a Geni money safe using dynamites. They took US$4 415 which was in the safe. The robbers also took two Lenovo laptops, fuel coupons valued at US$145, a CCTV hard drive server, a Nokia cell phone and a few grocery items from the shop and disappeared.

Moments later Gedhe managed to untie herself and she went on to untie her colleagues. A report was then made at Mutare Central Police Station.
Detectives quickly attended the scene and recovered a piece of the dynamite that was used to break open the safe.

They also found three cell phones belonging to the three workers that were later dumped by the robbers as they fled.

When The Manica Post visited the scene of the crime, one of the victims was at pains to explain to detectives the horror she experienced at the hands of the robbers.
She said as soon as the robbers got into the shop one of them snatched her jacket and also took a cap from the security guard and went outside at the forecourt.

“While outside, the robber who was now clad in our uniform, told off clients who wanted to buy fuel saying we had run empty. He did this to cover up the robbery, which was in progress inside the shop.

“They assaulted us and even made us to sing some songs. As they were about to go after collecting their loot, they ordered us to sing Jah Prayzah’s song “Kutonga Kwaro,” she said.

From analysing the way they are executing the robberies, detectives revealed that the same gang is responsible for the robberies that happened at a bus company in the city, a shop heist in Odzi and another service station robbery in Dangamvura. – Manica Post

Zimbabwe’s ousted president Robert Mugabe is of the view that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and South Africa in particular let him down when the army forced him into retirement in November last year.

Speaking to journalists for the first time since his removal in Harare on Thursday‚ Mugabe said a bad precedent has been set.

“In a way I feel betrayed‚ but you also have to look at their (neighboring countries’) conditions. Besides South Africa‚ most of them did not have the capacity to intervene. South Africa could have done more‚ but it didn’t. They set a bad precedent‚” Mugabe said. When Mugabe was holed at his private residence during the military operation‚ he spoke telephonically with then president Jacob Zuma who later sent a team of negotiators led by Minister of Defence and Military Veterans‚ Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula‚ and the Minister of State Security‚ Advocate Bongani Bongo.

At the time Emmerson Mnangagwa had fled to South Africa. He returned when Mugabe had been forced to resign.

But before returning home‚ Mnangagwa separately met with Zuma and his then deputy Cyril Ramaphosa.

Meanwhile‚ responding to interviews granted to international media houses by Mugabe‚ President Emmerson Mnangagwa said his former boss is free to do as he pleases since he resigned from office constitutionally.

“On 21 November 2017‚ former president Robert Mugabe tendered his resignation in terms of Section 96‚ subsection 1 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. He is entitled to express himself freely‚ as in the case of any private citizen‚” Mnangagwa said.- Timeslive

“Zanu-PF will win this election and continue to rule until eternity.”

President Mnangagwa says Zanu-PF has all the credentials to win the next election and would not resort to violence in order to get the mandate to govern.

He told a bumper crowd of party supporters in Matabeleland North Province at Nabushome Primary school in Hwange district today that the coming election, due in July this year, would be a defining moment for Zimbabwe’s democracy. The President urged all Zimbabweans to embrace unity, peace and love to ensure this year’s plebiscite was free, fair and transparent.

“We are going to have elections in July this year. We are determined to have free, fair and transparent elections in Zimbabwe. There is no reason for anyone of us to resort to violence. People should choose and vote for whoever they like.

“”But people will vote for a party with a record of development, a party that liberated them and that party is Zanu-PF. I have no doubt Zanu-PF will win this election and continue to rule until eternity.”

The President has also urged Zimbabweans to register in their large numbers to vote, saying he will soon proclaim an election date after which an aggressive campaign process will be rolled out.

He urged party members to maintain their calm ahead of primary polls and should choose leaders with quality credentials, who are honest and willing to serve the nation.

He reiterated the desire to transform the economy under the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra saying the new dispensation has generated a lot of investor confidence.
President Mnangagwa said the era of isolation of Zimbabwe in the international community is over as his administration is pursuing an aggressive re-engagement process.

He also called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on the country due to historic happenings, saying Zimbabwe has already shown a new path. – Herald

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

It seems the claims that reports of kidnapping and beheading of children have political connotations hold water after all.

While some alarmists strongly believe the reports are true, political analysts argue that Zanu PF has mooted a ploy to declare a state of emergency in the country – thereby suspending the holding of elections.

Speaking in an interview with ZimEye.com, Masvingo Centre for Research and Community Development (MACRAD) Director, Aleck Tabe said villagers were no longer participating in voter registration programmes as a result of social media reports about rapists and rituals murderers.

“Our programmes in Chivi District have been severely dented by the reports of kidnapping and beheading of children.

We are struggling to mobilise villagers to participate in our programmes because they are extremely afraid of the said rapists and ritual murderers.

We call on the police to get to the bottom of the matter as a matter of urgency,” said Tabe.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been named in an ugly court case in which prominent businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei accuses his former business partner, youthful legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena, of extortion — following an out-of-court agreement that has since turned sour.

Tagwirei is the proprietor of diversified conglomerate Sakunda Holdings which has vast interests in energy, mining, power and agriculture.

Wadyajena, the feisty MP for Gokwe-Nembudziya, and Tagwirei were once business partners before the latter turned to politics in the run-up to the 2013 harmonised elections.

In the papers filed at the High Court yesterday by Wadyajena — where he is seeking to have Tagwirei pay him an outstanding $2 million — Mnangagwa is said to have mediated between the two former business associates, leading to the withdrawal of Wadyajena’s $7 million lawsuit against Tagwirei that had been lodged at the Supreme Court as damages claims following a business disagreement.

In his summary of evidence that has now been filed before the High Court, Wadyajena said that he and Mnangagwa would give evidence in the case following the president’s prior involvement in the matter, as he seeks to end the ugly dispute with his former business partner.

“At the trial of this matter, plaintiffs will lead evidence from Justice Mayor Wadyajena and His Excellency, the president of the Republic of Zimbabwe Honourable Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa,” the court has been told.

The main civil case, according to the court papers, involved a matter in which Wadyajena initially demanded a total of $7 121 064,07 from Tagwirei in proceedings that went as far as the Supreme Court.

“Whilst this appeal was pending, third defendant (Tagwirei) approached the then vice president of Zimbabwe Honourable Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, requesting that the then honourable vice president mediate between the parties with a view to having the $7 121 064,07 claim pending in the Supreme Court withdrawn in favour of an out-of-court settlement.

“Following the mediation efforts by the then vice president as aforesaid, a verbal out-of-court settlement was ultimately reached between the parties in terms of which the Supreme Court appeal case was withdrawn by the mutual consent of the parties — on the condition, among other things, that defendant pays plaintiff $2,6 million,” the court was told.

The agreement was later put down formally in April last year, with Tagwirei subsequently paying Wadyajena $616 334. However, the former was now reneging on the outstanding $2 million, leading to the fresh suit, according to Wadyajena.

In response, Tagwirei claims that the agreement that the two had entered into after mediation had been premised on alleged “threats of extortion”.

“Whilst the fact of the purported agreement is conceded, defendants aver that the agreement was entered into as a direct result and only because of threats of extortion.
“The contract was illegal and void, or alternatively voidable — a product of extortion and or duress,” Tagwirei said, demanding the dismissal of Wadyajena’s claim.

But Wadyajena insists that the agreement was entered into by both parties freely and voluntarily.
“The defendants are put to the strictest proof of their claims of extortion and duress. In any event, the defendants have just made bold allegations of extortion and duress. The particulars of the alleged extortion and duress have not been pleaded.

“If there was any truth of their claims, defendants reasonably ought to have filed a police report, which was never done because the allegations are unfounded and are simply a reaction to plaintiff’s claim for specific performance,” he said.

Wadyajena asserted further that Tagwirei was never coerced or extorted into signing the agreement.
“After plaintiffs had duly and fully complied with the terms of the agreement, defendants paid three belated instalments totalling only $616 334.

“Thereafter, and despite demand and despite fervent promises by defendants’ legal practitioners that overdue payment would be made, defendants then completely stopped making any further payments,” the court was told.

Wadyajena said Tagwirei’s lawyers also sought ”indulgences and time extensions” concerning tender performances, in terms of the agreement.

The court papers say Mnangagwa is apparently willing to testify that he was approached by Tagwirei over the long-standing civil and criminal disputes between the two parties, including the claim of $7 121 064,07 which was pending before the Supreme Court.

Wadyajena also says Mnangagwa will come to court to give evidence to the effect that following his mediation, the parties ultimately came to a verbal agreement whose terms were as follows: that the Supreme Court appeal case be withdrawn by the mutual consent of first plaintiff and first defendant on condition that third defendant and/or any of his companies pays first plaintiff $2,5 million following such withdrawal.

“That third defendant and/or any of his companies immediately purchases a brand new motor vehicle for first plaintiff at a value of $100 000 so that first plaintiff would then vacate No. 152 Robert Mugabe Road (Tagwirei’s property he had occupied) and that the agreement relating to certain trucks be respected.” Daily News

17:07 – As we prepare for elections please vote for the people you want, please no imposition, you all have the right to chose your own leaders.

17:05 – Now turning to elections which will be held in July the time has come to show everyone that Zanu-PF is ours, we have to vote for our party so we continue ruling as we have been doing. Zanu-PF is the only party with a history of bringing our independence hence let us vote to ensure that we protect our independence.

 

17:02 – We must be a listening leadership, I am a listening President because our strength comes from the people not ourselves. After informing our chiefs we then called our Christian leaders so that we get the blessings of our Lord. We then moved to our captains of industry as we know they are the very people who run our economy. Now we will meet the youths and war vets and we will have finished.

 

17:00 – When we started our new government we called our traditional leaders to tell them that we now have a new government

16:58 – We have now moved on, we have a new government taking over. Even our former President Mugabe ran away when he saw what had happened was not right. But now the past is behind us we have to move forward and learn from the past. The most significant lesson is that our party has stood the test of time. We have managed to take back our land. We have managed to unite our people. We must however continue consolidating the spirit of unity. Of course as we go forward we will have sellouts that will fall by the wayside, like the G40 has fallen by the wayside. The true Zanu-PF will remain and go forward.

 

16:52 – President Mnangagwa now addressing the crowd…

“Dr Mpofu has related to you what happened to lead to the activities on 24 November 2017. We all saw the interface rallies, we all saw some big wigs being poisoned and we all saw some even becoming border jumpers.”

16:51 – “Today we have a real man, a man with no pride who is loving to all. He has time for everyone,”  Dr Mpofu ends his speech.

 

16:45 – “After independence he worked for the government where he worked in various Ministerial positions and held a number of positions within the party. He rose through the ranks until he became the country’s President.

“He worked hard but as we all know in everything that is beautiful there is something bad which crops up. There came the so-called interfaces, we were being called names, being told off by a woman. Our President was called all sorts of names but he never raised a finger, he instead smiled and clapped. President Mnangagwa was eventually fired from power. This is when people like General Chiwenga came in and even some of us rose and worked at reviving our party. We eventually called back our President and fired the very people who were causing havoc in our party.”

 

16:42 – Some might see this gentleman as someone without, guts but trust me he is one with guts. He is a man who was given a death penalty during the liberation struggle, he spent ten years in solitary confinement but he was only saved from the death penalty because he was under age. When he was released he went back to the liberation struggle where he trained as a lawyer. It is his experience as a lawyer which has made him well informed in terms of the law of the land which is why everything he does he ensures it is above the law – Dr Mpofu on ED.

16:38 – Dr Mpofu now introducing President Mnangagwa…

“The man we are here about is a loving man, a man of the people, a man who knows no race or tribe, a man who loves every Zimbabwean, a man who wants only to be identified as a Zimbabwean.”

16:35 – Next to be introduced is VP Chiwenga…

“This man is a man of principle, a man when he saw that things were not moving within Zanu-PF, stood up and made sure that he ushered the joy which we are experiencing today,” – Dr Mpofu says as he introduces VP Chiwenga

16:30 – “People from Matabeleland North you have surely made us proud, you have shown your love for President Mnangagwa. To the President I am promising you that in this area you already have two constituencies in the bag, here we do not play, we mean business,” Dr Mpofu says.

16:28 – Cde Moyo now invites Zanu-PF Secretary of administration Dr Mpofu to welcome the President and introduce those who accompanied the President Mnangagwa to the rally.

16:25 – President ED please do not be stressed by social media and TV interviews because as the people of Zimbabwe we are yours President as you see for yourself we are here in our numbers, we mean business, come election time we promise a resounding victory so much that those people who are busy making noise on twitter will be silenced – Cde Moyo

16:22 – Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo now chairing the rally.

16:19 – President Mnangagwa and his delegation now at  Lortondale Primary School where he is expected to address a rally. Proceedings start with Inyathi High School students leading in the singing of the national anthem.

“We are here in Matabeleland North to understand what is happening, your problems and how we can solve them. At the end of the day we are all Zanu-PF. We are preaching unity, unity and unity. There is no going back we are moving forward as a united force. I have always said Zimbabwe is open for business and my administration and myself are serious about this.

Zimbabwe has been under sanctions for the past 18 years because among other things the land reform but this is now behind us. We have to move forward and ensure we develop our nation. From the past we are taking only that is good, this issue of interfaces we are leaving. In July we are having elections and this is to cement our rule as Zanu-PF.”

15: 45 – Dr Mpofu now greeting delegates and apologises for the late commencement of the programme, saying that President Mnangagwa had to tour the Gwayi-Shangani dam site and meet chiefs before coming here.

“The President is here to view key projects and appreciate progress on the ground.”

15:50 – Minister Mpofu now inviting President ED to greet delegates and give a short speech at the dam site.

15:43 –  President Mnangagwa has arrived at the bridge site.

15: 40 – Vice President Chiwenga has arrived at Ingwingwizi Bridge. President Mnangagwa is expected to arrive shortly. Also present is Speaker of the House of Assembly Cde Jacob Mudenda.

The principals of the People’s Rainbow Coalition (PRC) this morning led a high-powered delegation of its Joint Steering Committee (JSC) and it’s secretariat to meet with the SADC Election Advisory Committe.

The meeting is part of the regional body’s assessment tools to measure Zimbabwe’s preparedness for the 2018 elections and the PRC was able to use this opportunity to appraise the SEAC on issues impinging on having a truly free, fair, credible and transparent election in 2018.

The PRC Presidential candidate, Dr. JTR Mujuru, was flanked by her peers PDP President Lucia Matibenga, Dr S Nkomo, ZUNDE President Farai Mbira led the briefing while the PRC Secretary General, Dr Gorden Moyo, gave an account of the PRC concerns based on highlights from the PRC’s document on Political and Electoral Reforms.

The PRC team advised SEAC that it was not possible to hold credible, free, fair and transparent elections in Zimbabwe under current conditions where the military (3000 soldiers) have gone back to the barracks after the November 2017 coup, removed their uniforms and redeployed into the community harassing and intimidating the electorate and coercing them to vote for Mnangagwa and ZANU PF in the forthcoming elections. Since the coup there has been a noticeable and deliberate redeployment of military personnel from the back office to the front office of operations both in the ZANU PF party and in government, as well as in important institutions of government such as ZEC.

PRC highlighted that its preferred position on the impeding elections would be for the Zimbabwean government to seek SADC’s help in running a free, fair, transparent and credible election that, among other things, allows opposition to equal access to the media, unrestricted access to the electorate, etc.. The following issues were also highlighted;
* Partisan traditional leadership – while the PRC respects traditional authority it was disturbed by utterances from some traditional leaders openly declaring their support for ZANU PF. They provide the leg work for the ruling party and are its ‘soft-power’ while the army provides the ruling party with ‘hard-power’.
*Violence – perpetrators of political violence are not brought to book, eg violence visited upon our members on 20/2/2018.
* Military meddling in politics – pronouncements by the military that they will not salute anyone without liberation war credentials are intimadatory to say the least. We wonder how the military will treat an electoral victory by the PRC because President Dr. JTR Mujuru is a decorated liberation war fighter. We wonder if a coup can be staged against a PRC government.
* Media – reforms are long overdue. ZANU PF continues to enjoy exposure on public airwaves and in the public print media at the expense of opposition parties.
*Political parties liaison committees – call by Mnangagwa to meet principals of opposition parties should be channeled through ZEC so that when principals meet, they meet as equals.
* Diaspora vote – constitution allows for all Zimbabwean’s, wherever they are, to exercise their right to vote.
* Law alignment – need to speed up the alignment of laws including the enactment of laws on Devolution.
* BVR – the exercise is secretive with stakeholders not made aware of how auditing of materials will be done. All BVR processes should be open to all political parties and other interested stakeholders.
* Observers – long-term observers should be already deployed in Zimbabwe in view of the November 2017 events. The security nature of Zimbabwe demands the immediate presence of long-term observers and their deployment especially in rural areas.
* Elections roadmap – ZEC has only been meeting those parties represented in parliament, leaving other opposition parties out. All opposition political parties must gbe included in the discussions with ZEC.

In closing, the PRC pointed out that issues were many and could take days to enunciate but the bottom line is that the electorate knows whom they would want to vote for and whom they would want to lead them in government if assured of an environment conducive for a free, fair, transparent and credible election in 2018.

From the office of the PRC Information department

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

The man who propagated Grace Mugabe’s so called philanthropic efforts last year, Killer Zivhu stunned Zanu PF supporters in Chivi when he castigated Mrs Mugabe and the G-40 cabal.

Zivhu, a sworn G-40 member, was one of Mrs Mugabe’s foot soldiers in Masvingo Province.

” I am a Zanu PF member and I have nothing to do with the G-40 and Mrs Mugabe, ” Zivhu told stunned Zanu PF supporters at his homestead in Chivi.

Zivhu is eyeing the Chivi South Parliamentary Seat.

Last year Zivhu donated several food items and second hand clothes on behalf of Mrs Mugabe.

Terrence Mawawa| A self declared war veteran, Obert Mpofu, who raped his wife’s younger sister, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Mpofu allegedly raped the 15- year- old girl after threatening to shoot her.

Mpofu raped the minor between May and October 2017.

Rusape Magistrate Livingstone Chipadza heard that Mpofu sneaked into the minor’s blankets, fondled her breasts and raped her.

Mpofu also raped the juvenile twice when his wife had gone to Gaza Business Centre for a church meeting.

Terrence Mawawa

A Gutu man died mysteriously on his way to the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’ s funeral.

Percy Gonese(34) of Basera Growth Point in Gutu left his home to attend Tsvangirai’ s burial but he never reached Humanikwa Village.

Gonese’ s decomposing body was found near Nyazvidzi River last week, according to the police.

“A man who wanted to cross Nyazvidzi river to attend Tsvangirai’ s funeral was found dead last week.

He was buried at his rural home last Saturday,” police in Gutu said.

Terrence Mawawa

A Gutu nurse has appeared in court for allegedly raping his own daughter(15).

Onias Shamu, a nurse at Chinyika Rural Hospital, appeared before Gutu Magistrate Edwin Marecha on Wednesday. He was charged with rape.

Facts were that on February 9 2016, Shamu was at home with his daughter and he took advantage of his wife’ s absence and raped the minor.

“The two slept in one room and during the night, Shamu got out the blankets and began to fondle his daughter’ s breasts. He also kissed her.

He inserted his fingers into the minor’ s private parts and raped her,” the court heard.

Shamu was remanded out of custody.

President Nelson Chamisa and fellow MDC Alliance principals will this weekend address huge rallies in Kwekwe and Gweru as part of the national effort to rally Zimbabweans to vote for transformation, opportunities and prosperity in the forthcoming elections.

The Midlands rallies kick off when President Chamisa and his allies address a rally at Mbizo 4 Grounds in Kwekwe.

On Sunday, the MDC alliance principals juggernaut rolls into Gweru where the leaders are set to address another huge rally at Mkoba Stadium in the Midlands provincial capital.

On the sidelines of the two rallies, President Chamisa will take the opportunity to engage students, informal traders, pastors and small scale miners (makorokoza), among other social groups.

The MDC Alliance presidential candidate and his team are moving around the country exhorting Zimbabweans to vote for change and unveiling a cogent policy programme that will bring positive change in the lives of the people. The policy programme is firmly anchored on the tripod, whose key pillars are Transformation, Opportunities and Prosperity (TOP).

Mammoth crowds continue to turn up at all MDC Alliance rallies and President Chamisa and his team will soon be moving to Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central provinces to drum up support in these mainly rural provinces.

Throughout the country, Zimbabweans across the spectrum have affirmed their support to President Chamisa and all the MDC Alliance candidates that will be fielded in the watershed plebiscite that is due in a few months time.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson and Director of Communications

Woes continue to mount for ex- deputy Finance minister and Zanu PF Mutoko South MP David Chapfika after he was dragged before the High Court for failing to pay $300 000 for electricity consumed at his farm.

According to the application filed by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (Private) Limited (ZETDC), the various amounts owed are in respect of Chapfika’s garden project and for different points at his Grove Farm.

The court was told that ZETDC’s sales manager Maxwell Kudinha will give evidence to the effect that the two parties entered into an agreement for the politician to be supplied with electricity.

“It was agreed that the defendant (Chapfika) would pay for the electricity supplied by the plaintiff and in the event of his failure to do so: the plaintiff (ZETDC) would be entitled to disconnect electricity supply, and/or take legal action against the defendant claiming the amount due.

“In breach of the said contract, the defendant, had not been paying for electricity consumed and as at September 21, 2016, he was owing the plaintiff a sum of $307 622, 37…,” the court heard.

The power company said that Chapfika has failed, neglected or refused to pay the money despite demand and having admitted his indebtedness on November 2, 2016.

According to court papers, he had agreed to make monthly payments of $17 090, 13, but nothing was paid, which culminated in the court application.

“Due to the nonpayment, the plaintiff, as it was entitled to do, disconnected the supply of electricity to the defendant and instituted this action claiming payment of the said sum of $307 622, 37 together with interest and legal costs. In the premises, judgment should be entered against the defendant in favour of the plaintiff as per summons and plaintiff’s declaration,” the power company said.

Chapfika, however, disputed the amount being claimed by the power company.

“Notwithstanding that I disputed the bills relating to my different accounts with the applicant I signed the acknowledgment on the basis that the applicant was going to continue supplying electricity to enable me to conduct my farming operations and pay the applicant in terms of the acknowledgment of debt and that the applicant will hold onto the summons.

“Barely less than 24 hours later, the applicant immediately issued summons and disconnected electricity in total disregard of the new agreement as captured in the acknowledgment of debt,” Chapfika said.

He said in the acknowledgment of debt, he never accepted that he owed $307 622, 37.

“If this application is granted, I will be forced to pay an exorbitant amount than what is actually due to the applicant also bearing in mind the breach by the applicant and this will not be in the interest of justice,” the court heard.

The power company later filed an application for summary judgment, as it sought a verdict without going to trial, which was, however, dismissed by the High Court.

The matter is yet to be heard on merits before the High Court.- Daily News

Although former president Robert Mugabe’s dramatic return to active politics has been dismissed by Zanu PF as inconsequential, some analysts are convinced that he could inflict significant damage on the ruling party in this year’s general elections — particularly in the three politically restive Mashonaland provinces.

His ties with the recently formed National Patriotic Front (NPF), an opposition party led by liberation struggle stalwart Ambrose Mutinhiri, have rattled President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cage, introducing a new dynamic that could shape Zimbabwean politics in profound ways.

Mugabe, whose 37-years in office ended in November 2017 following a military intervention that was widely supported by the generality of Zimbabweans, has derided the Mnangagwa administration as illegitimate and unconstitutional.

The former president’s perceived backing for the NPF is seen as a catalyst that could galvanise all ex-Zanu PF members who were unceremoniously booted out of the party at the height of factional wars.

Mugabe has expressed disquiet over how his erstwhile confidante, Mnangagwa, is trashing his “legacy”.

He has complained about how the current administration is allegedly stalling the release of his pension package.

Mugabe also says his wife Grace is constantly weeping due to the harassment his family is being subjected to.

While viciously clamping down on dissent at home, Mugabe spent the twilight years of his rule railing against Western governments and projecting himself as a fiery pan-Africanist.

His association with the NPF has drawn the attention of Mnangagwa, who has cautioned that Mugabe’s political manoeuvres will be closely monitored by his government to ensure that they do not cause destabilisation.

Mnangagwa reckons Mugabe’s ultimate strategy now could be centred on frustrating his political ambitions as part of a bigger scheme to destroy Zanu PF.

“The former president paita nyaya (there is an issue). Mnangagwa said last week, shortly after Mugabe had met Mutinhiri at his palatial “Blue Roof” mansion in Harare’s Borrowdale suburb.

Mutinhiri, who resigned from Zanu PF in protest against how Mugabe was pushed out of power, said the NPF would now work towards restoring democracy in Zimbabwe.

Political analysts contend that the NPF, largely a grouping of Mugabe loyalists who coalesced around the G40 faction during his rule, is to garner significant votes in the three Mashonaland provinces where Mnangagwa is perceived to be unpopular.

The three provinces include Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central.

During his rule, Mugabe predominantly held sway over the Mashonaland constituency, a Zanu PF stronghold and home to millions of Zezuru people. Mugabe is Zezuru while Mnangagwa is a Karanga.

The Karanga tribe is based mainly in the Midlands and Masvingo provinces.

In terms of political calculus, the NPF’s strategy to upstage Mnangagwa in the elections is also pivoted on the idea that he will fare badly in urban areas and Matabeleland provinces because of his instrumental role in the Gukurahundi massacres in the early years of independence.

Mnangagwa, who has tried to downplay his role during the Matabeleland atrocities that claimed an estimated 20 000 mostly Ndebele people, served as state security minister during the time of the mass killings.

Voting and political mobilisation in Zimbabwe have followed ethnic lines.

Mugabe has also met his former deputy Joice Mujuru at his Borrowdale home and might also be considering forging alliances with other opposition parties as part of his grand scheme to wrest power from Mnangagwa in the forthcoming polls.

Political analyst Ibbo Mandaza said the formation of the NPF and its association with Mugabe would further weaken Zanu PF ‑ which has been systematically disintegrating since 2015 when it expelled Mujuru.

“The impact of the NPF is to exacerbate the division of Zanu PF. It reflects the disintegration of Zanu PF.

“The disintegration began with the ousting of Joice Mujuru followed by the coup and now the formation of the NPF.

It has left Zanu PF in tatters,” Mandaza said, noting that the MDC-T, as the largest opposition party in Zimbabwe, would be the biggest beneficiaries at the polls as Zanu PF systematically implodes.

Mandaza said Mugabe, who has reportedly scoffed at any chances of working with Zanu PF under its current leadership, will do “anything” to derail Mnangagwa’s political ambition. Mnangagwa, he said, would not survive the NPF onslaught.

“Mugabe will do anything and everything to bring down ED (Mnangagwa). I do not think ED will survive,” Mandaza said.

However, political analyst Maxwell Saungweme contends that the NPF can only effectively compete with Zanu PF in Mashonaland East and West, with Mashonaland Central now under the control of Mujuru through her National People’s Party.

“It (NPF) has a huge influence on Mashonaland East and West. Mashonaland Central support is already taken by Mujuru.

“So whatever Zanu PF support remained in Mashonaland West and East will be shared between NPF and Zanu PF,” Saungweme said positing that some “disillusioned” voters in those provinces sympathetic to Mugabe would choose to vote for the opposition. Political analyst Muchesa Chatsama said the endorsement of the NPF by Mugabe, who still enjoys considerable support within Zanu PF, would scupper Mnangagwa’s chances at the polls this year.

Ultimately, Chatsama concurred with Mandaza that Mugabe’s aim was not to win power as such but to derail Mnangagwa’s electoral campaign.

“Gauging by the response of the public media you can tell how Zanu PF has been unsettled by NPF and Mugabe. As we speak right now, some people in those areas still think Mugabe is still president.

“These guys (NPF) may not really count their chances in this election. I think they just want to spoil the party for ED and company. Mugabe endorsing NPF is a big blow to Zanu PF,” he emphasised.

Mnangagwa, Chatsama said, could however counter the threat posed by the Mugabe-backed NPF, by coming up with an election manifesto that intends to address the myriad of challenges besetting the country’s fragile economy.

“But my strong advice to Zanu PF would be for them not to lose focus. They must not lose focus of critical things,” he cautioned.

“Instead of concentrating on pulling down NPF and Mugabe, they should rather work on removing bank queues, dealing with corruption and other macroeconomic fundamentals. People will judge them by their results.”- The Independent

Opposition National People’s Party (NPP) leader Joice Mujuru has dismissed speculative reports that she was in coalition talks with the newly-formed National Patriotic Front fronted by former resident minister Ambrose Mutinhiri.

Mujuru’s deputy, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo told NewsDay they would not enter into an alliance with a party associated with former President Robert Mugabe.

“I don’t think there is a possibility that we will work together. The first thing is Mutinhiri is said to be president of that party, but we are aware from our intelligence that the real powers behind that party are Mugabe and his wife. We don’t want to work with those people,” he said.

Mutinhiri, a former Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister was recently announced as NPF leader hours after meeting Mugabe at his private residence. He then claimed the former Zanu-PF leader had “promised to lend his full weight” behind the new political project viewed as a plot by an angry Mugabe still smarting from his inglorious exit from power last November at the hands of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his acolytes in the military.

Asked if Mugabe had brought up the issue of a possible coalition when he met Mujuru last month, Sipepa Nkomo said: “That did not arise at all. Mugabe and president Mujuru discussed outstanding issues from her expulsion from the party and government. They prayed and parted ways. I would have known if that had been discussed.”
But a source close to Mujuru insisted that she was warming up to the idea of joining hands with NPF.

NPF spokesperson Jealous Mawarire could not confirm nor deny the proposed coalition deal.

“We have formed a political party to contest elections and we are working on our structures. We are not looking at what others are doing.

“Be that as it may we are open to working with any Zimbabwean who wants to join us and that is not limited to Dr Mujuru. We welcome any Zimbabwean to our project regardless of political parties they are currently working with,” he said.

Mujuru was unceremoniously expelled from Zanu-PF and government in December 2014, as part of a brutal purge meant to stem factionalism in the party. Mugabe reportedly later apologised to Mujuru for the fiasco which he blamed on his wife, former First Lady Grace.

Mugabe is reportedly working on a plot to spoil Mnangagwa’s chances of winning the election by stitching up a coalition between Mujuru and Mutinhiri to dilute Zanu-PF’s support in Mashonaland East, West and Central in particular. The three provinces are considered Zanu-PF’s strongholds.

Mujuru currently leads a group of fringe political outfits under the banner of the People’s Rainbow Coalition where she is presidential candidate. Newsday

The below is an update on the verdict as ZimEye.com reveals, which was passed by Justice Maxwell Yakima as he ordered MDC Deputy President Thokozani Khupe to vacate the party’s offices at Stand 41A, Fort Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenue and surrender the same to (the party’s) Bulawayo Provincial Chairman Gift Banda.

In granting the writ of mandamus (spoliation order), Justice Yakima ruled that Banda was the “highest ranking official” in the province with full loci standi in judicio to sue for recovery of the premises. Justice also noted that Banda had “been in peaceful and undisturbed possession and occupation of the MDC-T Bulawayo Provincial offices.”  – CLICK HERE TO READ MORE 

By Staff Reporter| In  major setback against her, the High Court has ordered MDC Deputy President Thokozani Khupe to leave her office at the party headquarters.

The verdict was passed by Justice Maxwell Yakima who ordered her to vacate the party Stand 41A, Fort Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenue and surrender the same to (the party’s) Bulawayo Provincial Chairman Gift Banda.

In granting the writ of mandamus (spoliation order), Justice Yakima ruled that Banda was the “highest ranking official” in the province with full loci standi in judicio to sue for recovery of the premises. The judge also noted that Banda had “been in peaceful and undisturbed possession and occupation of the MDC-T Bulawayo Provincial offices.”

The development was hailed by her nemeses who exclaimed saying, “the High Court of Zimbabwe, sitting in Bulawayo today, the 16th of March 2018 has granted order of immediate eviction of Khupe cabal from the said authentic provincial offices.

“We are excited and applaud due process applied therein. We have been vindicated that the cabal has no legal bases to violently invade our offices. We appeal to our membership to follow due processes and retrain themselves when provoked by the same.

“We as MDC T party are none violent and adhere to legal and due processes by the competent Courts as it should,” the provincial spokesman FM Sibanda announced.

By Bulawayo Correspondent| Beleaguered MDC-T Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe appears to be getting unexpected endorsements from varied sectors within Matabeleland region amidst revelations that several Civil Society Organisations from the region have confirmed that they will be attending her rally in Bulawayo on Sunday.

Organisers of the rally indicated that at least thirty of the CSOs under the banner of Matabeleland CSO Collective have indicated that they will be attending the rally with a few of them allocated space to give solidarity messages.

“We enjoy a very cordial relationship with the regional CSOs who issued a statement condemning the attack on Dr Khuphe and others when she was nearly burnt alive in Buhera last month,” said one of the organisers.

“We have invited about thirty Civil Society representatives operating under the banner of the Matabeleland CSO Collective and they have indicated their willingness to grace the event,” he said.

“We will however not be able to give all of them a chance to give solidarity speeches but will pick a few to represent the different sectors of the society.”

National Organising Secretary for the MDC-T Abednico Bhebhe invited the CSOs in a letter sent on an official party letter head on Thursday.

Part of the invitation provided to ZimEye.com reads,

“On behalf of Hon. Dr Thokozani Khupe and on my own behalf may I express our profound appreciation for your public statement issued as the Matabeleland Region CSOs Collective following an unprecedented attack, hate speech and attempt on our lives in a funeral of our late dear leader in Buhera on 20/02/2018.

“I believe that all progressive people who still care about a democratic agenda for a future Zimbabwe free from all forms of discrimination, violence and underdevelopment would appreciate your collective stand against violence regardless of its source.

“We would like to reaffirm our commitment to social justice and a democratic country
which the majority of the impoverished and oppressed citizens aspire for.

“Inspite of the challenges and crisis in the democratic movement, especially on the political front we urge you to continue your vigilance and being the voice of the voiceless.

“It is in that spirit that I take this opportunity to invite you and your constituency to have an observatory role on our public meeting on 18th March 2018 at Bulawayo
Amphitheatre from 10am and give a five minute solidarity message.”

The sources who would not be named said that they are expecting civil society organisations from the women’s movements, the youth, church, vendors and residents movement within the region to be represented at the gathering.

Confirmed reports also indicate that some members of the radical Mthwakazi Kingdom restoration proponents have offered to attend the meeting “to give Khuphe the much needed support.”

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Thursday, Dr Khuphe’s personal assistant Witness Dube would not be drawn to disclose the agenda of the meeting only stating that it is one of Khuphe’s continued consultation meetings.

Lawyers for the Nelson Chamisa-led Bulawayo MDC executive have approached the High Court here to challenge their ban from using the opposition party’s provincial headquarters, hoping for a green light that will allow them to use the offices that have been seized by Thokozani Khupe.

In an urgent High Court chamber application filed this week, Bulawayo provincial chairperson Gift Banda appealed against their banishment from the office by Khupe, who is claiming to be the legitimate MDC leader.

The application for a spoliation order seeks to restore “Stand No 41A, Fort Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenue, Bulawayo” to Banda who was “in peaceful and undisturbed occupation and possession of the property in his capacity as the chairman of the Movement for Democratic Change- Tsvangirai (MDC-T) Bulawayo Province.”

Thokozani Khupe and her supporters namely Abednigo Bhebhe, Witness Dube, Artwell Sibanda, Gershom Zimba, Samson Mubhemi, Elliot Doctor Moyo, Mthokozisi Ncube and Mbuso Sibanda are all cited as respondents respectively.

Strangely, the 8th respondent cited is Mthokozisi Ncube, the Secretary General of the Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe (PDZ). Ncube allegedly participated in the violent takeover of the offices.

Court papers state that the MDC-T members are being “excluded from their offices during a crucial election period when they need their offices the most for use around election matters such as the processing of candidate coordination and administratively servicing their structures in preparation for an election to be held anytime between 22 July and 22 August this year.”

Failure to grant the spoliation order “might even encourage counter violence … as young members might feel that the law has been unable to come to their aid,” says the document.

Banda is praying that the High Court orders Khupe and eight other respondents “not to interfere with Applicant’s occupation,” that they are “prohibited from interfering with and/or disrupting any meetings, programmes and activities” or from “vandalising any property of the MDC-T.”

He is asking the court to direct the member-in-charge, Bulawayo Central Police Station or any of his details “to arrest and detain” Khupe or her agents if they refuse to comply with the spoliation order.

Through propaganda, such as flooding social media with third respondent, Witness Dube’s pictures, Khupe’s supporters portrayed themselves as victims while concealing the fact that they had violently seized the party offices, the application alleges.- Daily News

Flamboyant businessman and Zifa president Phillip Chiyangwa’s wife, Elizabeth (nee Jumah) has finally succeeded in nullifying the couple’s 30-year-old marriage after High Court Judge President Justice George Chiweshe granted the divorce order on Tuesday last week.

The nullification of the couple’s marriage followed an application by Elizabeth when she rekindled the litigation on January 11 this year after the initial application that had been filed in 2013, failed to materialise, following what appeared to have been efforts to amicably resolve the duo’s matrimonial impasse.

Elizabeth said she married the business mogul on November 11, 1988 in terms of the Marriage Act chapter 37 now Chapter 5:11, but had, however, lost love and affection for the Native Investments Africa Group founder over alleged infidelity.

Apparently, when the couple’s marriage hit hard surface, the pair, through their lawyers, drafted a consent agreement on the issue of property sharing, but the document was not made public.

In a court order dated March 6, 2018, Justice Chiweshe said: “Whereupon, after reading documents filed of record, examining the plaintiff (Elizabeth) and hearing counsel who applies for a decree of divorce and other relief on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown under the provisions of section 5 of the Matrimonial Causes Act (Chapter 5:13), it is ordered that a decree of divorce be and hereby granted.

“The consent paper signed by both parties shall regulate all issues relating to property matters of the parties to marriage. Defendant (Chiyangwa) to pay costs of suit.”

Chiyangwa and Elizabeth’s marriage deteriorated sometime in 2013 whereupon Elizabeth filed divorce papers claiming 85% of the couple’s wealth and $83 000 per month for 120 months as maintenance after the termination of the marriage.

However, a year later the businessman wrote to the High Court requesting that his divorce case be scrapped off the court roll, as the parties were reportedly locked in out-of-court negotiations to stop their acrimonious divorce.

In her declaration filed with the court then, Elizabeth said she was demanding a lion’s share of the family’s $230 million estate.

But, Chiyangwa objected to the divorce, accusing Elizabeth’s lawyers of incompetence for listing some properties that did not belong to him without verification.

Consequently, in January this year, Chiyangwa, through his lawyers Kantor and Immerman, filed an appearance to defend the divorce litigation.

But in her court papers through her lawyers, Zigomo Legal Practitioners, Elizabeth insisted she had since lost love and affection for Chiyangwa and both had a mutual wish to be divorced.

“The relationship between plaintiff and defendant has irretrievably broken down and there are no reasonable prospects for the restoration of a normal marriage relationship, more particularly in that; the parties have been living apart for a continuous period in excess of 12 months, since plaintiff moved out of the matrimonial home on September 18, 2016,” Elizabeth said.- Newsday

The three robbers who stormed a construction site in Umwinsidale, which is believed to belong to Ms Bona Chikore (nee Mugabe), were yesterday sentenced to an effective 18 months each in jail.
Robson Kandenga (45), Peter Mangwiro (40) and Brighton Chisiko (30) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Noel Mupeiwa and pleaded guilty to robbery.

Mr Mupeiwa slapped the trio with 30 months each in prison, but suspended 12 months for each sentence on condition of good behaviour.

When they initially appeared in court on Tuesday, the gang was being charged with armed robbery, but the charges were later altered to robbery as it is understood that no weapons were used when the crime was committed.

The court heard that on December 31 last year, Kandenga, Mangwiro and Chisiko approached the police officer, who was guarding the site and pretended to be asking for directions to an unnamed place.

The unsuspecting police officer then left his guardroom to assist them. He was suddenly disarmed of his AK47 service rifle before being punched and kicked all over the body.
His arms and legs were subsequently tied using a wire that had been retrieved from the site.

The trio proceeded to take the complainant’s personal items, including two phones, and 80 wooden construction boards, which all amounted to $4 800. – state media

Former Zimbabwe national football team coach Callisto Pasuwa was yesterday convicted and fined $150 by a Chitungwiza court for illegally occupying land in Rubatika Village, Seke.

Pasuwa pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Yeukai Chigodora, but was convicted because of the overwhelming evidence against him.
He now has to pay a $150 fine or spend 30 days in prison.

The gaffer claimed that he bought the land through a chief, but his name was not found in the council’s database.

Prosecutor Mr Norman Koropi proved that on November 8 last year, Manyame Rural District (RDC)’s security sergeant Mr Emmanuel Watyoka was conducting assessments in Rubatika Village, Seke communal lands, when he visited Pasuwa’s home.

He asked the former Dynamos coach to produce an allocation letter or any approval that justified his occupation of the land.

When Pasuwa failed to produce the documents, Mr Watyoka made a report at Dema Police Station, leading to the ex-footballer’s arrest.

Meanwhile, a Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) Radio Zimbabwe worker has appeared in court for maintenance arrears worth $10 600.

Jabulani Ncube (37) was dragged to court by his former wife, Pamela Maruta (35).
He appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mrs Blessing Murwisi for contravening Section 23(1) of the Maintenance Act.

Ncube pleaded not guilty and the case was postponed to March 23.
The prosecutor, Mr Tendai Katonha, alleged that on September 9, 2013, a Chitungwiza court ordered Ncube to pay $200 monthly towards the upkeep of his two minor children.
It is alleged that he never made any payments and his arrears ballooned to $10 600. – state media

ZANU PF’s new National Commissar, Gen Engelbert Rugeje has stopped aspiring ZANU PF candidates saying they must cease from campaigning activities until directives are issued.

Gen Rugeje reportedly said the aspiring candidates must wait until the allocated date and time;  they must cease from speaking to the electorate regarding what they have to offer in terms of service delivery to the people.

The comments were conveyed by the party’s secretary for information, Simon Khaya Moyo who said the time for campaigns has not started yet.

Khaya Moyo said, “the time for campaigns has not yet started. The National Political Commissar, Lieutenant-General Engelbert Rugeje (Retired), who is the chairman of the Elections Commission, will communicate to all the provinces when campaigns will start. Those who are already campaigning must cease such efforts forthwith.

“As regards to primary elections, those aspiring candidates in a given constituency will campaign together in all meetings and be allocated time to speak to the electorate regarding what they have to offer in terms of service delivery to the people.”  – state media