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Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF Is A Party Of Thugs

Wilbert Mukori | Zanu PF is a party of thugs and ever since the coup the party has been bending over backwards to portray itself has a transformed party keen to embrace the democratic values and even hold free, fair and credible elections next year. What the party members have been saying and doing, however, has revealed that bad habits die hard. And inbreed habits are impossible to forget, a thug will always be a thug.

“Your Defence and Security Services would like to remind all Zimbabweans to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious objects and individuals to law enforcement agents,” said Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General Phillip Valerio Sibanda.

“This is because some of the members of the G40 cabal that had surrounded the former Head of State are now bad mouthing the country from foreign lands where their intentions to harm the country have been pronounced.

“It is therefore the duty of every Zimbabwean to ensure that these malcontents and saboteurs and others of like mind are not allowed to succeed.”

A few days ago, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, the new Zanu PF chairperson shamelessly stood up to say “Pasi, pasi naJoice Mujuru!” (Death, death to Joice Mujuru!)

For the last 37 years the nation has been force fed the Zanu PF ethos that these with liberation war credentials are the only Zimbabweans worthy of the human freedoms, liberties, rights including the right to govern the nation and a lion’s share of the nation’s riches. The rest of us had no such freedoms and rights, not even the right to life. We must be content with whatever scraps the ruling elite throw at us. Now the ethos has been revised, all those expelled from Zanu PF have not just lost their membership of the party but worst of all they have been stripped of their humanity too.

The irony is that President Mnangagwa and many of those around him today were booted or were going to be booted out of Zanu PF themselves. They have had to resort to the desperate measure of staging a military coup otherwise it would be them and Jonathan Moyo, Kasukuwere and the rest in the G40 faction who will be on the run for dear life!

Whether Commander Sibanda, Oppah Muchinguri President Mnangagwa or anyone else in Zanu PF care to admit it or not; the fact of the matter is Mujuru and all the other former Zanu PF cadres and the rest of us povo are all Zimbabweans and, per se, have very right to all the freedoms and all the basic human rights the rest of the world take for granted. We claim the right to free, fair and credible elections as a right and not a privilege to be granted to some and denied others.

Commander Sibanda, it is not for you or the army to label Zanu PF’s political opponents “malcontents and saboteurs”. If you know of any crimes Moyo or Kasukuwere have committed then report the details to the appropriate authority for investigation. It is totally unacceptable for the army to be arresting and detaining anyone, as happened with Ignatius Chombo, much less making politically loaded threatening remarks.

If President Mnangagwa is serious about holding free and fair elections next year then why has he kept the obnoxious Ministry of Information whose sole purpose is to stifle freedom of expression and free media. He has not implemented even one democratic reform, he knows that with no meaningful reforms, it is impossible to have free and fair elections.

Zanu PF is a party of thugs and all efforts to present themselves as democrats is a waste of time because their thug persona comes out each time they open their mouth or do anything. You can soak the skunk in channel 5 but the minute it flicks its tail, there is no mistaking it for anything else!

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Letter to Mrs. Grace Mugabe: Ask the Universe for Forgiveness!

By Nomazulu Thata

Dear Mrs. Mugabe,

The agony you are now going through is just unimaginable, you are pained right in your heart, your soil, your bones and your very self. You wish dozen times that what you did should not have happen: how you wish those stage-managed interfaces did not take place in the first instance. I do not want to imagine your loss and pain on my own skin by any stretch of imagination because it is most unbearably painful. If I sit down and conjure your state of mind today at this moment, it compels me to write you this letter to give you some comfort; emotional comfort. It does not matter how big you have sinned to men/women and God, at the end of the day you are a Zimbabwean, a Zimbabwean mother, a daughter of this land called Zimbabwe.

The people out there are aggrieved about your behaviour towards other people in general: the very poor people who needed your assistance and guidance as the First Lady. You failed as a mother to understand and comprehend how a poor Zimbabwean mother feels despite the fact that you are a mother yourself. This is not the time to split you, judge you, insult you; we all know what you did, what you said all those are not new to Zimbabwe; home and abroad. What you did to Zimbabwean people, remember that anyone else in your position could have done it. It is very easy to do what you did to the Zimbabwean population if one had the leverage of power that you had by virtue of your marriage to President Robert Mugabe.

Mrs. Mugabe: When your mind sinks into regrets, burst into crying uncontrollably, regrets of what you have done and said, please remember that you are a victim yourself. You are equally a victim just like those families you ruthlessly removed from Manzoe farm because you wanted animals to dwell in that farm to attract tourists. Please remember this Mrs. Grace Mugabe that you are a classical example of an abused woman. We visibly see your abuse because you are in the limelight and we are not. Your abuse is all visible to all who can see and are able to determine what abuse on women means what it is all about. Abuse on women is sometimes not noticeable at all, but what they know and notice is how you kicked and screamed at people whom you thought were an obstacle to your assuming power from your husband: Robert Mugabe. One among many is how you treated Mrs. Joyce Mujuru: your fellow woman.

In your national rallies that were stage-managed by men in your social circle, most of the time these rallies were very insulting, sometimes very boastful, most of the times children were force-matched to those gatherings and interfaces were you uttered words that are unprintable: you exposed the school-children and robed their innocence. Children, school children should never be exposed to a language such as “bonde.” As a mother yourself, you should have known this that children must be

respected all the time. No political scoring, purging and insults should be done in their presence.

You were sometimes insensitive to tribal make-up of our great nation. Going to Mathebeleland and assume that all understood Shona was not only disrespectful but rude too. Somehow you failed to appreciate the reasons why the people of Mathebeleland relocated to South Africa looking for those jobs that were not available in Zimbabwe. Now to call men in Mathebeleland “lazy” and they just come to make babies and return to South Africa: they just buy bicycles and blankets: those were scatter-shots that were wholly insulting to the “other” tribe, knowing that there are serious ethnic tensions in Zimbabwe. Such accusations should have been avoided as they exacerbate un-necessary ethnic conflicts.

What is most disturbing is that we have always heard of UBUNTU and thought that our African-ness: Ubuntu has support structures that will look after their own in such situations like yours. Where was your sister, your brother, your aunties; all those people that support families so that you do not go astray as you did? Those support structures that did not come to your assistance and advice as such, failed you in every respect. Somebody in the family should have taken you by the side and told you that: your position as First Lady does not allow you to use those unprintable words to denigrate other people: be it Dr. Joyce Mujuru or Emmerson Mnangagwa or George Charamba, just to mention those few who are also in the limelight, was not the best way forward to assume power.

Firstly we see victimhood in you when you got married to then President of Zimbabwe: Robert Gabriel Mugabe when you were still nursing your divorce with your first husband. The President took advantage of your youthfulness and beauty. He wanted to have children because his mother yearned for grandchildren from Robert before she died. You are the woman who was supposed to fulfil that wish. Innocently you did fulfil the old woman’s wish. Senior Mrs Bona Mugabe happily died because you had given her three grandchildren with your second husband: Robert Mugabe.

We see victimhood in you when you were used by men, MEN in the party- G40 who were power-hungry themselves but were not able to get the presidency; they used you to do that job for them. Firstly you purged Mrs. Mujuru out of her Vice Presidency t pave way for Mnangagwa. That you successfully did with absolute cruelty. That capacity and crude language-use did not come from you at all, you were fed to say what you said by the men around you and your husband. It was painful to see such open abuse on a woman by another woman: we “from the aside” were able to see through where that courage you had came from.

Your dangling of diamond ring and rings in your hands gave pain to all those abject poor people who are suffering because of your husband’s mismanagement of government spending and excessive looting of the state treasury. Your unending

shopping sprees show an excessive desire to be unique from the rest of us. That one million dollar diamond ring was not necessary to spend on in a country where young pregnant women a denied to give birth in hospitals because they did not pay hospital fees. You had become removed from the very people you purported to be the mother of. You do not have any idea how dilapidated our country clinics and schools are out there. Our roads cause accidents daily; we are losing lives daily because of the run-down road infrastructure. We had perfect roads before your husband took over power in 1980. Because of the looting culture dating back in the early independence, there was ground-breaking infrastructure development that took place since 1980.

The looting of farms is another flake on your body and soul. There are millions of people who are landless in their own country, but you and your husband have 12 farms looted from the White Zimbabweans, citizens of Zimbabwe. You cannot possibly own Mazoe Dam. You tried to loot it too, claimed it was yours and nobody is supposed to use it. Mazoe Dam belongs to the nation and is supposed to benefit all catchment settlements within that radius and not you alone. When the settlers in Manzoe Farm were removed, they were just dropped like animals by the way side. There was no resettlement program to replace their livelihoods. It is without doubt that lives were lost in this exercise. Those victims: women, men and children prayed and cried to God for their loss of livelihoods, dear Mrs. Mugabe and it was a question of time, their prayers got answered. This pain and humiliation you are going through comes from those humble cries: “For he is a just God” But still I consider you a complete victim of circumstances.

What we see today is injustices against a woman by Lacoste and G40 equally: you the victim Mrs. Mugabe. The blame is put paid on you most, than your husband, the former President. I say this because all the blame is rubbed on you and not your husband, not Jonathan Moyo who used to feed you with all those larger than life utterances; not Kasukuwere, and not your Mzukuru: Patrick Zhuwao. The nation’s anger is put-paid on your body and soul to suffer it. Ever since your husband lost power, it appears as if he has been exonerated from all the crimes and genocidal intentions since early independence till he was pushed away from power by a coup. d’état. Of late MDC-T even suggested your husband should be honoured for good service as President for 37 years. All those crimes against humanity your husband committed have been forgotten, but nobody has forgotten your sins, serious mistakes, sometimes of criminal intentions. This to me is travesty of justice if the woman is made to suffer the crimes she committed more than men.

The very people who used to hero-worship, kneel before you, called you Dr. Amai, or Munhu wese kuna Amai not even four weeks ago, have gone live on social media denouncing you calling you a Whore, “Hure”. When you hear those insults and altercations about you and your previous behaviour: when people who paid reverence and absolute to you not even four weeks ago, they now call you all sorts of names: among those insults are that you are a prostitute, a whore and so forth it

goes on. It is certainly not that you are a prostitute, a whore; it is only that the word “whore” is the strongest term they can use to illustrate their detest for you as a person.

For goodness sake: who calls Jonathan Moyo a “Hure”, who calls Saviour Kasukuwere a “Hure.” Who calls Patrick Zhuwao a “Hure”. That insult curiously applies to you because you are a woman. This is how women are insulted: “Whores” if women crossed their demarcation lines of men’s bar measurement of morality. These are the very men who put you in serious trouble. Emotionally these men who were near you carry fewer burdens than you: you are the one who insulted Mnangagwa, it is not said or asked who fed Mrs. Mugabe those purging utterances to destroy Lacoste and Mnangagwa in those stage-managed rallies and youth interfaces. Evidently some of your utterances were fed in you to say what you said. The paint brush remains in you more than the G40 group, you were just fronted to do the dirty work for them and they remained at the background. You are now facing the music alone in Zimbabwe.

I am desperately trying to reach out to you out there and humbly advise what could assist you to come to terms with your very painful loss of Presidency and humiliating situation you find yourself in. Give back what does not belong to you? “Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Give back those farms and remain with one. Give back looted diamond revenues to the owners of the land, surrender that looted money to the country’s treasury. Write a letter to the nation and apologize to the nation that you did and said was out of realms of good practice. Give that “PHD” doctorate degree back, you know it was not your sweat, somebody wrote the theses for you. When you have done that you will have done your part so don’t wait for the nation to forgive you: Few women/men are capable of forgiveness is such like your situation at the present moment.

Knowing that man/woman is not capable of forgiveness: in a clear blue night: when the moon and stars are beautifully shining on you face: ask for forgiveness to the entire universe: to the moon, to the stars, to the empty space in the universe. The magic behind this is that you will get your peace you now need most. This will assist you to come to terms with your pain, loss and humiliation. The universe will forgive you irrevocably. You will find peace in your mind and body. Your husband is old and can go to his creator anytime now. You will remain alone and your children and grandchildren to face the inevitable. Do not ask for forgiveness to the universe: moon and the stars a thousand times, in so doing you will be saying even the universe cannot forgive me hence your continuous asking for forgiveness.

You are young; you are a mother of still very juvenile boys who are used to life of drugs, alcohol and sex: boys who still need guidance from you as their mother. You need that peace of mind to be able to face life without the husband: and life can be very long. There is some woman in USA who was about to face capital punishment: she said the something that still lingers in my mind to this day: she said human

beings do not forgive but she knew that by talking to God; only God forgave her the sin she had committed to get capital punishment and she was sure she was forgiven by God before she was executed.

Mrs Mugabe it will be asking too much to get in touch with Ntombi-Langa Charity organisation that hopes to assist women in emotional distress, I am lesser mortal and have no privilege to speak to you personally. This letter I hope will get you and hope it may help:

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ANC VOTE: Ramaphosa Wins | BREAKING NEWS

Cyril Ramaphosa has won the race to become the new ANC president.

The announcement was made just before 7pm after delays, a dramatic campaign season, and fears that the ANC’s elective conference would end in shambles.

Supporters cheered when the ANC electoral commission’s announcement was made, after waiting more than an hour for commission officials to arrive to declare the winners.

Ramaphosa won 2 440 votes to Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma’s 2 261.

The commission’s Bontle Mpakanyane said 4 708 votes were cast, of the 4 776 total number of credentials.

Speculation mounted during the day that Ramaphosa had taken the leadership, with Jackson Mthembu anticipating the result.

“We have looked at the numbers. CR17 campaign has not talked about numbers, but we know that we have more than 2 389 to win this conference if you include our PECs that are in Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Northern Cape,” Mthembu said.

Prior to the announcement, delegates sang songs in support of both Dlamini-Zuma and Ramaphosa. Up on stage, members of the party’s national executive committee shared hugs as they waited. In one moment, ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete became tearful.

The mood inside the Nasrec centre was rapturous for much of the proceedings, but those in Dlamini-Zuma’s camp, particularly supporters from KwaZulu-Natal, appeared disappointed.

The other top six positions are as follows:

Deputy President:

David Mabuza. Mabuza got 2 538 votes to Lindiwe Sisulu’s 2 159.

National Chairperson:

Gwede Mantashe.

With seven spilt ballots and 14 abstentions, Mantashe got 2 416 votes to Nathi Mthethwa’s 2 269.

Secretary General:

Ace Magashule.

With 4 spoilt ballots and 8 abstentions, Magashule got 2 360 votes to Senzo Mchunu’s 2 336.

Deputy secretary general: 

Jessie Duarte

With 4 spoilt ballots and 17 abstentions, Jessie Duarte got 2 474 votes to Zingiswa Losi’s 2 213.

Treasurer-general:

Paul Mashatile

With 6 spoilt ballots and 7 abstentions, Mashatile got 2517 votes to Maite Nkoana-Mashabane 2178

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Under Siege Chihuri Ordered To Give 3 Indian Cops Back Their Jobs

Police boss Augustine Chihuri has been accused of discriminately firing three Indian police officers without conducting any disciplinary action — a move which has been slammed by the High Court.

In an application seeking reversal of their job terminations Yakub, Imraan and Zunad Musa claimed their employer had embroiled himself in a family fight between them and another Indian family “Savannias” and arrived at the decision to fire them.

However, High Court judge justice Alphas Chitakunye has ordered that the respondents who are cited as Chihuri, Police Service Commission and Home Affairs ministry reverse the dismissal decision and return any confiscated items belonging to the Indian brothers.

“The summary dismissal of the applicants by the respondents communicated on September 23, 2016 received by applicants on October 3, be and is hereby set aside,” Chitakunye ordered.

“Applicants’ personal items confiscated pursuant to the dismissal are hereby restored.”
The brothers who have been in the police force since 1987 were served with a letter notifying them of termination of their employment on October 3.

The letter alleged they had put the Indian community under terror by engaging in criminal activities.

CID Homicide had repossessed police apparel that was being used by the trio in discharge of their duties including identification cards, radios, traffic beacons lights and firearms.
According to court papers no investigations were carried out by any police section to ascertain the allegation but they were subsequently dismissed from work. Daily News

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Mrs Mnangagwa Bemoans Wetlands Under Siege

The First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa says wetlands are a national economic asset that has the potential to transform livelihoods.

This came out at the national preservation of wetlands project where the First Lady planted a Mukute tree near the National Sports Stadium in Harare.

The continued land degradation is threatening the country’s wetlands, hence the need to preserve them.

The First Lady, who is also the Zanu PF Deputy Secretary for Environment and Tourism, said there is need to rescue wetlands which are under siege from cultivation and construction of houses.

The project was pioneered by an environmentalist 63 year old Mr Never Kasasa who applauded the First Lady for responding positively to addressing environment issues.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Oppah Muchinguri revealed that her ministry will distribute over 70 000 seedlings for planting across the country to compliment the command agriculture.

The country has approximately 1 117 wetlands covering about 793 348 hectares.
Sixty percent of these wetlands are in communal and resettlement areas and are mostly under threat from land degradation.- state media

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Gen. Valerio Sibanda Warns Moyo, Kasukuwere

Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General Phillip Valerio Sibanda has warned expelled G40 members of the ruling Zanu PF to desist from bad mouthing the country from foreign lands with intentions to harm peace and tranquility within the country, appealing to citizens to report any suspicious objects or individuals bent on destabilizing the country.

Addressing the media today (Monday) at the Josiah Tongogara barracks, Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army Leutenant General Phillip Valerio Sibanda said it is a duty of every Zimbabwean to ensure that malcontents and saboteurs and others of like mind are not allowed to succeed.

“Your Defence and Security Services would like to remind all Zimbabweans to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious objects and individuals to law enforcement agents.

“This is because some of the members of the G40 cabal that had surrounded the former Head of State are now bad mouthing the country from foreign lands where their intentions to harm the country have been pronounced.

“It is therefore the duty of every Zimbabwean to ensure that these malcontents and saboteurs and others of like mind are not allowed to succeed,” said Sibanda.

He called on Zimbabweans to maintain the spirit of peace and tranquility as the country prepares for the 2018 harmonized elections.

“As we prepare for elections in 2018,it is our wish that the campaigning and the voting it self on the day,takes place in an environment of peace and tranquility.

“And here again l want to quote the President where he said in his closing remarks to the ZANU PF Extra Ordinary Congress on 15 December 2017 as he also urged Zimbabweans to remain peaceful before and after elections whereby he said he do not condone any acts of violence,” added Sibanda.-263chat

 

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Tsvangirai Speaks On Latest Military Move

Obert Gutu | For a very long time now, the MDC has been calling for the return to their barracks of members of the military who had been deployed on the streets of various cities, towns and growth points. The MDC believes in the institution of a civilian as opposed to a military government to run all the operations of the State. Indeed, Section 212 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that the function of the Defence Forces is to protect Zimbabwe, its people, its national security and interests and its territorial integrity and to uphold the Constitution.

We appreciate the fact that our Defence Forces are disciplined and we trust that the other law enforcement agencies such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police will continue to effectively and competently discharge their constitutional mandate of maintaining law and order in our beloved motherland. More particularly, we call upon the Police force to be professional at all times and not to resort to intimidation, bribe – taking and all other forms of malfeasance.

Zimbabweans are a peace–loving people who shouldn’t be unnecessarily subjected to unjustified harassment by members of the law enforcement agencies. In similar measure, the MDC is convinced that the Defence Forces shall continue to defend Zimbabwe’s national security and national interests.

The perception that Zimbabwe is now being run by the military doesn’t augur well for our country’s political stability and socio – economic development. As such, recent utterances by Chris Mutsvangwa to the effect that the Defence Forces and traditional leaders will assist Zanu PF to campaign in the forth–coming elections are most unfortunate and thoroughly misplaced. Members of the security services are bound by the Constitution not to operate as political activists of any political party, including the ruling party. The MDC would be very pleased if the responsible authorities within our Defence Forces can categorically dissociate the security services from Mutsvangwa’s rather reckless and ill–thought out remarks.

In similar measure, the MDC reiterates our support and recognition of the institution of traditional leadership and we trust that all out traditional leaders shall maintain their constitutional mandate of being custodians of our cultural values and ethos without reducing themselves to becoming political activists. Put differently, our traditional leaders should be apolitical; as is provided for by the supreme law of the land.

The MDC would like to remind all eligible citizens of Zimbabwe to ensure that they register to vote under the on–going biometric voter registration exercise. It is indeed the patriotic duty of every eligible Zimbabweans to register to vote and also to cast their vote on polling day. The destiny of our beloved country is in our own hands and it is our sacrosanct patriotic obligation to establish a peaceful, stable and progressive nation state in Zimbabwe.

MDC: Equal Opportunities for All
Obert Chaurura Gutu
MDC National Spokesperson

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Mnangagwa Chases Jonathan Moyo

The net is fast closing in on former Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo who is accused of siphoning more than $400 000 from a State-owned enterprise — the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef), the pro President Emmerson Mnangagwa Daily News reports.

A week ago, government sent on forced leave Zimdef’s top executives to pave way for a forensic audit to be facilitated by the Auditor-General.

Zimdef’s chief executive officer Fredrick Mandizvidza; principal finance director and administrator Nicholas Mapute; human resources manager Ignatius Noah Kajengo; corporate legal secretary Servious Kufandada; chief accountant Ropafadzo Mukamba and senior revenue manager, James Gombarago have all been sent on forced leave.

For more details get today’s copy of the Daily News. Telling it like it is. Without fear. Without favour. _ Daily News

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MNANGAGWA LINE UP: Gen. Sibanda Replaces Chiwenga As New Army Boss | BREAKING NEWS

Farirai Madhumbe |Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda is the new Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces taking over from General Chiwenga, who is now set to deputise President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri has been retired as the police boss.

Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (CDF) General Constantino Chiwenga has retired from the military and he has been replaced as CDF by former Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, Phillip Valerio Sibanda.

Edzai Absolom Chimonyo becomes the new Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army. Former Air Vice Marshal Elson Moyo has been named as the new Air Force Commander.

Major-Generals Sibusiso Moyo and Engelbert Rugeje have received promotion upon retirement and retire as Lieutenant-Generals.

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Response To Muchinguri’s “Pasi Na Joice Mujuru” Slogan

Dear Editor | Response to Oppah Muchinguri’s pasi naJoyce Mujuru Slogan

Ko kumbotiwo pasi ne cash crisis ? Pasi ne unemployment ? Pasi nenhamo ? Pasi nembavha dzekuba $15 billion yenyika.

Ko kumbotiwo pamberi ne gutsa nyika? Pamberi ne development ? Pamberi nema basa?

Joice Mujuru ndiye cash crisis here?

Oppah Muchinguri is now as good as president. After all these years in politics and government , she still behaves like a silly over excited youth league member. Hamusi mava neva zukuru here nhai vice president Muchinguri?

Does Joice Mujuru need to be fixed so that people can live better lives or it’s the economy that needs to be fixed ? If it’s the economy that needs to be fixed then take your eyes off Joice Mujuru and look at the economy.

People want Jobs and you are busy looking at Joice Mujuru.

Kana muchiti pasi nemhandu, mhandu yacho ngaive cash crisis , ngaive unemployment , ngaive mbavha, kwete munhu akazvigarira kumba achidya hake sadza rake muchinyararire…. What a shame…

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ARMY GONE: Full Text, What Peter Godwin Told The US Senate

“Zimbabwe’s Future – the State of Governance after Military Intervention.”
Statement by Peter Godwin.

Just before dawn on November 14th, General Sibusiso Moyo of the Zimbabwe National Army went onto state television to announce that Robert Mugabe, was under house arrest. His 37-year reign, Zimbabwe’s only leader since independence in 1980, was over. Zimbabweans soon poured out into the streets to celebrate.

Mugabe had been unseated by internal faction fighting within his ruling Zanu-PF party. It wasn’t primarily ideological or ethnic, it was a family feud on steroids, it pitted old against young. His wife Grace made a bid to succeed him. Forty-one years his junior – she was too young to have fought in the liberation war, hitherto a sine qua non for the leadership of southern African liberation parties. Her attempt to create a dynastic succession, a la Evita Peron, Imelda Marcos (with whom she shared a penchant for shoes, favouring Ferragamo because her feet were “too narrow for anything else”), or Madam Mao, proved premature, and it triggered her husband’s political demise.

Over those years Mugabe had hollowed out Zanu-PF, reducing it to a personality cult by getting rid of anyone who challenged his authority, until he was attended only by fawning party punkah wallahs, fanning his ego, prancing around in ludicrous regalia bearing his image, as though he were a religion.

Ultimately Grace over-reached when she persuaded her increasingly enfeebled husband to fire vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, her main rival. This was too much for the military leadership who had close ties to Mnangagwa, as he held defence and intelligence portfolios for much of his ministerial career.

I think you can expect Mnangagwa to be strongly in hock to the military who, after all, elevated him to the presidency. In the end, this was a ‘continuity coup’, to protect the power of the party’s old guard.

General Sibusiso Moyo, who announced the coup, is the new foreign minister, the country’s official interlocutor with the world. Air Marshal Perrance Shiri is elevated to the cabinet too. He was the officer commanding 5th Brigade at the time of the Matabeleland massacres, in the early 1980s. And it’s speculated that General Constantino Chiwenga, head of the Zimbabwe National Army, and architect of the coup, may be named vice president. Even if not, he will continue to be the power behind the throne, the king-maker.

The veterans of the Liberation war for independence are once again ascendant too. Their leader, Chris Mutsvangwa, has been named as special advisor to the new president. Last time the war vets made their weight felt, Mugabe had to buy them off with ex gratia payments. Unbudgeted for, these payments cascaded through the economy resulting in the highest hyperinflation the world has ever seen. By the end, the Zimbabwe dollar was almost halving in value every 24 hours.

What are we to make of the new President? You should expect Mnangagwa to entice his own people and the world with a ‘reformist stance’. He will try to rebrand the party, presenting it as Zanu-PF 2.0, Zanu-PF-lite, non-ideological, technocratic, managerial, open for business, safe once more for foreign investors. He has already mentioned a partial return of land to some white commercial farmers, he has embraced the rhetoric of anti-corruption, offering a three-month amnesty window to return ill-gotten gains.

But these promises don’t stand up to scrutiny.
What, for example, of his own corruption, and that of many of his new cabinet – 8 of the 22 are on US sanctions list – joined by bonds of massively corrupt self-enrichment, and repressive political violence? For them to put distance between who they now purport to be, and their nearly four-decade record in office, is preposterous. And for Zimbabweans both within the country and in the diaspora, as well as the international community, to believe this, is to fall for a Zanu-PF confidence trick, a survival bait-and-switch.

Zanu-PF has long been a vampiric entity, sucking the blood from the nation. Mnangagwa is 75 years-old. He is most unlikely undergo a benign metamorphosis. He has been at the very centre of Zanu-PF’s repressive security web, until recently Mugabe’s trusted consiglieri. He headed the feared Central Intelligence Organization, the CIO, at the time of the Matabeleland massacre, during which upwards of 20,000 civilians were killed. And he rolled out the terrible reprisal campaign during the post-election violence of 2008 when thousands of opposition supporters were badly tortured and more than 200 killed. All of these and more besides were carried out by this same political party, kleptocratic, violent, repressive.

What are the alternatives for Zimbabweans in the 2018 elections? You have before you today a senior member of the main opposition party, the MDC, so I will defer to him to summarize his own party’s current status. However, in general, Zimbabwe’s opposition is more divided than ever before. There are currently more than twenty separate parties, ten of them significant. And within the MDC, there are some tensions as its founding leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has been seriously ill, and there is some pressure on him to stand down.

This opposition fragmentation is enormously beneficial to Zanu-PF, allowing them a real possibility of winning at the polls even if opposition parties attract more votes among themselves. For the opposition, it is, therefore, imperative to unify or at least broker alliances or electoral pacts. It’s also crucial that the elections are free and fair, and perceived as such by the electorate. Zanu-PF has a long precedent of electoral foul play.
If this is to be avoided in 2018, external monitoring will be essential. It is quite inadequate for observers to parachute into Zimbabwe shortly before the poll (recent approval of the Kenya elections tell a cautionary tale in this regard.) There needs to be a persistent presence on the ground long, long before that, as registration procedures need to be scrutinized.

In conclusion, if we reward Mnangagwa’s ‘same as it ever was’ Zanu-PF for its internal coup, for example, by prematurely dropping individual sanctions, we would help cement the culture of impunity that already infects Zimbabwe, where the perpetrators never face the consequences of their actions, and where real freedom and reform remain elusive.

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ARMY GONE: Police Sign New Pledge

The Zimbabwe Defence and Security Services have officially ended Operation Restore Legacy, which was launched on the  13th of last month.

Commander Zimbabwe National Army Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda said the controversial operation has achieved its purpose to apprehend criminals around the former President Mugabe and there is now change of guard in the country’s leadership.

Lieutenant General Sibanda, who was flanked by other members of the security services, also revealed that police is back to its normal law enforcement duties since normalcy has returned to the country. A new pledge signed by the police will see radical changes in the execution of their duties a far cry from the previous road menace they had become.

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Bread Price Increases Reversed | BREAKING NEWS

Bakeries will with effect from tomorrow revert to the old price of bread, as the government takes further steps to halt the unjustified price increases in the economy.

Zimbabweans had this Sunday woken up to a new price of bread with a loaf now costing $1 from 90 cents, and from $1 to $1.10 respectively, hence the convening of an urgent meeting today organised by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Enterprises Development in response to the price increases.

Stakeholders who attended the meeting are: Confederations of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe, National Bakers Association, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ), Small Bakers Association of Zimbabwe, Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers and the Retailers Association of Zimbabwe.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Enterprises Development Dr Mike Bimha said bakeries and various players are engaged with the National Competitiveness Commission on challenges affecting firms.

He said constraints threatening viability of firms are also being taken into account to solve price increases.

More details to follow:

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Plot To Block Simba Chikore

Plans by local investors and Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law to set up a new airline in Zimbabwe appear to have suffered a set-back in the wake of last month’s military takeover, a newspaper reports.

‘Zimbabwe Airways’, linked to a group of local and foreign-based investors, was to take over from the struggling national airline Air Zimbabwe, reports said. Simba Chikore, the husband of Mugabe’s only daughter Bona and a former chief operating officer of Air Zimbabwe, was also allegedly in on the plan.

The new company had already acquired four Boeing 777s from Malaysia, the Zimbabwe Independent reports.

But the administration of new president Emmerson Mnangagwa is likely to block the new company from taking off.

“The deal is now being scrutinised and once that is completed, the president will be advised to block it,” an unnamed aviation source told the paper. The source told the paper that plans are actually underway to resuscitate Air Zimbabwe, which is struggling with a hugely-reduced fleet of planes and a debt of more than 300 million US dollars.

“The airline wants to lease new equipment and increase its frequency on lucrative domestic and international routes,” the source said.

Air Zimbabwe was once highly-regarded, flying its planes to several international destinations. But after years of mismanagement, which saw its planes frequently commandeered for Mugabe’s personal use, the airline is no longer viable. It has been hit hard by the emergence of low cost airlines serving local and regional routes.- News24

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Presidential Guard Nabbed In Armed Robbery Storm

Another Presidential Guard soldier has been nabbed for allegedly conniving with a gang of armed robbers that stormed into a Harare businessman’s premises and subdued him to surrender US$91 000 under the guise of Operation Restore Legacy, a court heard.

Nelson Mateyo was advised to apply for bail at the High Court when he appeared before Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba on Saturday.

He was remanded to December 28 when his workmate Elvis Machinga, 26, who is also attached to the Presidential Guard and co-accused Fortune Sibanda — a convicted cop who participated in the robbery will also be back in court.

Sibanda, 31, was jailed five years for robbery on September 18 this year but was released on bail pending appeal by the High Court.

At that time Sibanda who had served eight years in the police force had connived with another cop Kundai Mukwarimba, 35, Bekezela Masuku, 44, a police special constabulary, Dickson Morosi, 32, Chris Kadungure alias Butter Makiyi, 46, and Kelvin Makiyi, 26 and mounted a fake roadblock at Hudson Road in Belvedere and robbed an Indian investor of $56 800.

Soon after committing the latest robbery Sibanda reportedly bought an Isuzu Bighorn.

In the current matter, prosecutor Linda Gadzikwa alleged that on November 28 this year Sibanda in the company of Machinga, Mateyo, Vengai Shoko, Gift Chimuka, Banga, Matuke and others whose names are not yet known to the police hatched a plan to rob the complainant.

The court heard that Sibanda and his accomplices drove to 108 West Road, Avondale West, Harare in a white van and confronted the security guard who manned the offices pretending to be members of the Zimbabwe National Army military police looking for accommodation.

It was alleged that the gang suddenly produced pistols and ordered the security guard to surrender gate keys.

After gaining entry into the premises Sibanda lied that they were on a State-sanctioned operation and wanted to interview the complainant but later left after failing to locate him.

The court heard that when Sibanda returned to the premises on November 29, he reportedly stormed into complainant’s office and accused him of dealing with former ministers Ignatius Chombo and Saviour Kasukuwere.

They claimed that the complainant had been sponsoring a Zanu PF G40 faction in a conspiracy to assassinate President Emmerson Mnangagwa, money laundering and hoarding of cash among other allegations.

The complainant and his secretary Louise Smith were put under arrest and subdued.

Sibanda and his accomplices ransacked the premises and took $15 200, 410 Singapore dollars, 3 050 Dirhams, 16 000 Thai Bhat and 4 000 Hong Kong dollars.

Smith and her boss were dragged into a blue Hyundai Sonata before being driven to Rainbow Towers’ car park and further to the conference centre.

Five more accused persons emerged and threatened to detain the complainant and his secretary before forcibly taking $6 000 from his wallet.

They continued threatening to subject the complainant to thorough beating if he refused to disclose where he kept more money.

The complainant succumbed to the pressure and revealed that he was keeping money at his Gift Investments Company at number 9 Hood Road, Southerton in Harare.

Sibanda then ordered the complainant to summon his wife who had keys to those premises and one of the accused persons took control of her car and drove to Gift Investments.

The gang ransacked the premises and stole $70 000 from a safe before proceeding to his house at 15 Grasmere lane, Borrowdale, Harare and searched the place for more loot.

The court heard that Sibanda and his accomplices held the complainant, receptionist and his wife hostage while they went around town before giving him $4 500 and ordering him to leave the country immediately.

The victims were dropped off at an open space near Harare Show Grounds before Sibanda and his accomplices went away with the loot.

A total of US$90 832, 3 050 Dirhams, 16 000 Thai Bhat and 4 000 Hong Kong dollars was recovered. – Daily News

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Female Students Suffer Sexual Abuse In Silence

Every year, thousands of migrants risk their lives on a treacherous journey from their countries to Zimbabwe in search of educational opportunities at various tertiary institutions around the country.

Despite Zimbabweans being known for their warm reception to foreigners, the story is different for female students who are reportedly subjected to all forms of harassment including sexual.

Female Student Trust, Executive Director, Evernice Munando noted that sexual harassment is a common phenomenon globally especially among female students.

Mary (not her real name), an Equatorial Guinea female student who came to Zimbabwe in 2015 to pursue her tertiary education has had a difficult time with lecturers at her institution. She reckons that language barrier was at first her biggest obstacle as she failed to assert herself resulting in being subjected to abuse by her lecturers, other male students and the general public especially in the Central Business District.

“I came to Zimbabwe in 2015 and never thought I would go through such horrendous experiences, I had previously heard glorious stories of how Zimbabweans are warm and good people, but my own experience tells a different story.

“From the beginning, Zimbabwean men didn’t treat me fairly as a foreigner.

“It started when l arrived at Harare Polytechnic as a student, I wasn’t even able to speak a single English word, so most men would tease me in shona or english but i never got to understand it, It pissed me off because after they say something, they would burst into laughter while I stood there frozen.

” One of the most disturbing cases was when one of my lecturers offered me extra lessons for English language, It appeared like a noble gesture but it turned out the other way.

“When l got into his office, l found condoms on his table but l wasn’t able to ask, he then gave me a French movie translated to English and he told me to go and watch, so that l will be able to understand.

“When l was about to go, he grabbed my hand and kis_sed me, l ran out of his office, l did not tell this to anyone because i felt ashamed.

“Another problem came when l was looking for industrial attachment, men offered me all sorts of promises If I fall for them. To be frank, l fell in love with three men in the hope of getting a place for industrial attachment,” said Mary.

Other foreign students cited corruption as another problem they are facing in Zimbabwe especially from lecturers who demand them to pay in cash or kind for their course work to be considered.

“Being poor is a crime in Zimbabwe you can’t succeed in anything without paying for it, sometimes lecturers ask for payment from us for them to give us higher marks and considering that we always want to return to our home countries,sometimes we end up giving in to their demands as they willfully fail you,” said Leoma, another foreign student from Mozambique.

Meanwhile Secretary of labor and Social welfare, Ngoni Masoka called for a change of attitude towards migrants and refugees saying people need to move away from attitudes of defensiveness, fear and intolerance.

“It is time that we deploy our efforts in changing the migration narrative. We need to see migrants as our brothers and sisters in search of a better life, far away from poverty, hunger and the unjust distribution of the planet’s resources.

“A change of attitude towards migrants and refugees is needed on the part of everyone, moving away from attitudes of defensiveness, fear and intolerance,” said Masoka.

International Organization for Migration Chief of Mission Ms. Lily Sanya said challenges and difficulties of international migration require enhanced cooperation and collective action among countries.

“Migration draws increasing attention in the world nowadays.

“Mixed with elements of unforeseeability, emergency, and complexity, the challenges and difficulties of international migration require enhanced cooperation and collective action among countries and regions to maximize the positive impacts of migration while lessening the adverse impact.

“The United Nations is actively playing a catalyst role in this area, with the aim of creating more dialogues and interactions within countries and regions, as well as propelling experience exchange and collaboration opportunities,” said Sanya.

According to Human Rights Watch, migrants are facing violations including denied access to fundamental rights such as the right to education, work and health which is discriminatory especially to international female students.

UNESCO Good Policy and Practice in HIV & AIDS and education booklet, states that schools are not always aware of national policies established by education ministries.

There is often a gap between policy and practice, with good intentions hindered by lack of policies, failure to communicate departmental policy to schools, lack of guidelines for educators and learners, and lack of training for school governing bodies.

With Zimbabwe hosting students from Southern African countries such as Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi among others, a lot needs to be done to tighten screws and address legal gaps to end sexual harassment of foreign students in the country.

Source: 263Chat

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MNANGAGWA SECRET TALKS: Mukonori Wades In, Mutsvangwa Did Lie About Tsvangirai | OPINION

Kennedy Kaitano | Man of God, Father Fidelis Mukonori’s revelation that MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai made efforts to approach President Emmerson Mnangagwa to discuss a “way forward” for Zimbabwe after President Mugabe’s resignation, but was snubbed by Mnangagwa, proves beyond doubt that Morgan Tsvangirai is an honest man who does not want to negatively expose his rivals. Tsvangirai therefore was being honest to say Mnangagwa did reach out to the MDC-T, but he was polite enough not to embarrass the President by saying the President shunned him.

According to Father Mukonori’s expose, there was never a meeting, neither was there discussion between the two political opponents, giving credence to Tsvangirai’s denial that there had been no discussion whatsoever. Tsvangirai should be credited for doing what Zimbabweans expected, as the majority of Zimbabweans who celebrated expected some kind of working relationship between or among political parties in order to soft land the Zimbabwe crisis. Many people I spoke to said they were looking forward to a government of national unity to manage the country for a period of at least two years to stabilise the economy as happened during the Government of National Unity.

A Government of National Unity does not seem to have been in the interest of either Zanu PF or the MDC-T as Zanu PF sort to complete its term in power, which hopefully will be the last term because Zimbabwe needs a break from corruption. On the other hand, Morgan Tsvangirai wanted, as put by Father Mukonori, to discuss a “way forward”, and in his own explanation to Zimeye, the way forward he needed was a transitional mechanism – not a Government of National Unity – that would prepare the ground for a free and fair election. The transitional mechanism, as later explained by the MDC-T, was something outside Cabinet. I am glad the MDC Alliance still seems to be open to such a mechanism. It was then this transitional authority outside Cabinet that functionally illiterate Special Advisor to the President, Christopher Mutsvangwa, mistook for an intention by the MDC-T as a demand for a position by Morgan Tsvangirai. Mutsvangwa needs to re-school if he is to offer sound advice apart from advising on unconstitutional means of campaigning that involve the army.

Zanu PF mistook the happiness displayed by the people of Zimbabwe who, as correctly pointed out by Mutsvangwa, celebrated globally, as support for Zanu PF. People simply celebrated the removal of a dictator, and hoped for a Government of National Unity that would stabilise the economy and give them breathing space. With the false hope of support, Zanu PF then decided to go it alone, a position that was unwittingly revealed by Patrick Chinamasa and Joseph Chinotimba who were recorded in interviews saying this was a Zanu PF alone project, despite the massive support by Zimbabweans across the political divide.

Zanu PF is obviously hoping on delivering some quick gains and call for early elections while people still have the false hope that Mnangagwa’s government will improve the lives of Zimbabweans. However, revelations by Christopher Mutsvangwa and Josiah Hungwe that Zanu PF will use the army in its elections campaign, reiterated in front of media and foreign dignitaries at the just ended Zanu PF Congress, and a similarly ugly assertion by Fortune Charumbira that Zanu PF will once again abuse chiefs to campaign for Zanu PF, should send a clear message to Zimbabweans that Zanu PF has not changed from its violent and abusive past and has no concern for the people of Zimbabwe and want power at all cost. These revelations should also send a strong message to SADC countries, especially South Africa whose ANC sent representatives who read a solidarity statement at the Zanu PF Congress, that Zanu PF is not prepared to implement reforms that will result in credible elections which are not contested.

The time for Zimbabweans to act to free themselves is the 2018 elections, where Zanu PF must be buried once and for all. Those who have not registered to vote should do so.
The time for SADC, the African Union, and the United Nations to act to prevent another election fraud in Zimbabwe is now. Without these two things happening (massive votes against Zanu PF and international intervention to guarantee free and fair elections), all living Zimbabweans will suffer for the rest of their lives.
Those of us with access must dig out the dirty tricks being used in the rural areas, where people are being forced to show their voter registration slips to headmen and being told that they will be dealt with if they do not vote for Mnangagwa and Zanu PF. Such evidence must brought before Mnangagwa to deal with, and he should be exposed if he doesn’t deal with such cases.
Already, a few days after the Zanu PF, the public awaits to see if he will punish Christopher Mutsvangwa, Josiah Hungwe and Chief Fortune Fortune Charumbira who have told the world that Zanu PF will use the army and the chiefs as part of its campaign strategy, a practice that is unconstitutional and therefore criminal.
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5 Killed In Byo-Victoria Falls Road Accidents

Five people died and eight others were injured in three separate accidents that occurred along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway at the weekend.Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Siphiwe Makonese confirmed the accidents, which she blamed on speeding.

“The first accident happened at 82-kilometre peg at Insuza. The driver, Allen Mazhinji was driving a Honda Fit, carrying five passengers to Bulawayo. He was over-speeding and lost control,” she said.

“He veered off the road and hit two trees before overturning once. A female adult and a girl died on the spot, while the other four survived. According to our report, they sustained head and eye injuries, while one of them complained of chest pains. They are admitted at Mpilo Central Hospital.

“The second one happened on the same afternoon at Lupote in Dete. The driver was also speeding in his Mazda Attenza to Bulawayo. He lost control and overturned before landing on the driver’s side. He sustained serious head injuries and is still admitted at Hwange Colliery. The other passengers were also injured and are in hospital.”

Makonese said the third accident was reported along the Victoria Falls-Hwange road stretch near Matetsi area yesterday morning, killing three people on the spot, while the driver was said to be in a critical condition.

Police expressed concern over the increase in road accidents not withstanding that the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has rolled out massive road awareness campaigns throughout the country.- Newsday

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SHOCK PICTURES: Chaos At Beitbridge And Forbes – Hundreds of Trucks Stuck For Days Because of IT Mess Up

By Shiellah Sibanda| There has been chaos at the country’s two busiest borders Beitbridge and Forbes for nearly a week to date as hundreds of trucks remain stuck there. ZimEye was on Monday morning told this is due to an IT problem – the software used to process clearance data is said to be down. ZimEye has received several complaints for days to date and the below pictures were taken at Forbes Border post Monday morning. It was not clear at the time of writing when the situation will return to normal- SEE PICTURES.

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ARMY FULL TEXT: Generals’ Statement On Cancelling Operation Restore Order Originally Meant To Run Into 2018 Elections

Below is the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Lieutenant-General Phillip Valerio Sibanda’s full announcement on his ending of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces’ Operation Restore Legacy –

END OF OPERATION RESTORE LEGACY

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE COMMANDER ZIMBABWE NATIONAL ARMY: LIEUTENANT GENERAL PHILLIP VALERIO SIBANDA:

18 DECEMBER 2017

Good Morning Zimbabwe!!

The Defence and Security Services, come before you, once again, to pronounce the end of ‘Operation Restore Legacy’.

‘Operation Restore Legacy’ was launched on 13 November 2017 and its main objective was to remove criminals that had surrounded the former President resulting in anxiety and despondency amongst our people. While some of the individuals have been accounted for, others skipped the country. This notwithstanding, the objectives of the operation have to a large extent been achieved. Besides the above-mentioned objective, Operation Restore Legacy has had wider implications on the political, economic and social activities of our people. In this regard, a new political dispensation has been ushered-in to take Zimbabwe into its rightful place within the SADC and the world at large.

The nation will recall that before the statement that was issued by the Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga on 13 November 2017, many political economic and security events had taken place all of which had the effect of causing anxiety and despondency among the generality of our people, as well as destabilizing the Defence and Security Services of our country. The General’s statement was followed by a series of political events, the highlights of which were the resignation of the former President, Cde RG Mugabe, from the seat of power; followed by the inauguration of His Excellency, President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, as the second executive President and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces since the country’s Independence in 1980. Since then the appointment of a new cabinet on 30 November 2017, and the holding of the Extra-Ordinary Congress of the ruling ZANU-PF Party and many other events are now history which we have all been witnesses to. As a result of these political developments, normalcy has returned to our country. It is for this reason that as your Defence and Security Services we announce the end of ‘Operation Restore Legacy’ today, the 18th December 2017.

We want to take this opportunity to thank all Zimbabweans for their support, patience and understanding during the five weeks of ‘Operation Restore Legacy’. We understand and regret the inconvenience and anxiety that this operation might have caused in certain circles of our nation, but as most of our people would agree, this was all for the good of our nation.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the various Security Services who participated in the Operation for their diligence: courteousness when dealing with the public and commitment to duty. We also want to make special mention of the Veterans of our liberation struggle and former detainees and war collaborators for their mobilization efforts which resulted in the massive turnout by Zimbabweans for the solidarity march on 19 November 2017. This day was historic and will be remembered for generations to come.

As Operation Restore Legacy comes to an end, it is our hope as your Defence and Security Services that our people will remain united, shun corruption, be law abiding and focus on working hard for the development of our country. In this regard, we are all reminded by what the President said in his inaugural speech at the National Sports Stadium on 24 November 2017 and I quote “As we focus on recovering our economy, we must shed misbehaviours and acts of indiscipline which have characterised the past. Acts of corruption must stop forthwith. Where these occur swift justice must be served to show each and all that crime and other acts of economic sabotage can only guarantee ruin to perpetrators”

Furthermore, your Defence and Security Services would like to remind all Zimbabweans to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious objects and individuals to law enforcement agents. This is because some of the members of the G40 cabal that had surrounded the former Head of State are now bad-mouthing the country from foreign lands where their intentions to harm the peace and tranquility that exist in our country have been pronounced. It is, therefore, the duty of every Zimbabwean to ensure that these malcontents and saboteurs and others of like mind are not allowed to succeed.

Today as the Defence Forces handover all normal day to day policing duties to the Zimbabwe Republic Police we to urge all our citizens to allow for a smooth transition

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ARMY BREAKING NEWS – Military Calls Off Operation Restore Legacy, Hands Over Powers To Police

By Staff Reporter| The Zimbabwe National Army has called off its Operation Restore Legacy which ushered in the country’s new President Emmerson Mnangagwa into office. The Operation was originally meant to run for several months into elections according fully named police sources. Assistant Commissioner, Rangarirai Mushaurwa had yesterday said the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) would continue working side by side with the police into election time next year.

But that statement together with that of Presidential Advisor Chris Mutsvangwa’s on Friday saw bread and fuel prices shoot up in hours’ time.

Mutsvangwa on Friday announced that the army will assist President Emmerson Mnagagwa to win the elections.

Army General Sibanda who is believed to have acted in an attempt to mitigate the bad effects on the economy, Monday morning declared an end to Operation Restore Legacy claiming that: “Normalcy has now returned to the country.”

The development comes after UK based academic Dr Nkululeko Sibanda had on Sunday night warned that the government is coming down due to Mutsvangwa’s “reckless statements.”  – CONTINUE READING  –

“This day (start of operation) was historic and will be remembered by generations to come,” said Gen Sibanda.

He added saying,  “it is our wish that voting and campaigning takes place in peace…Let us now all work for a peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe.”

He however urged the police to be “professional.”

– THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY

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Gen. Chiwenga Calls Journalists For Press Conference But…

Staff Reporter| Defence Forces Commander Constantino Chiwenga called journalists to a special press conference at Josiah Magama Tongogara barracks slated for 9.30 am today, Monday.

It was still not clear at the time of writing what he is to publicly announce.

The meeting was scheduled to begin 50 minutes ago.

But by 9.50am the meeting was still to convene. The latest indication by 9.55am was that Chiwenga might not appear in person and his statement will likely be read by another officers –

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Ronald Pfumbidzai Shines For Bloemfontein Celtic Despite Heavy Loss To Sundowns

Ronald Pfumbidzai of Bloemfontein Celtic during the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup match between Zululand Eleven and Bloemfontein Celtic at the Ulundi Regional Stadium in Ulundi on 30 July 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Terrence Mawawa| Zimbabwe international star Ronald Pfumbidzai shone like a beacon despite his side Bloemfontein Celtic’ s loss to Tswane Giants Mamelodi Sundowns.

Celtic lost 1-4 to the Brazilians in a pulsating ABSA Premiership encounter yesterday.

The overlapping left back coolly slotted the ball to reduce the arrears for Bloemfontein Celtic who played second fiddle to their more illustrious opponents.

The talented former Caps United star played his heart out for Bloemfontein Celtic despite the heavy defeat.

“Ronald Pfumbidzai is a brilliant player.The Zimbabwean left back is immensely talented,” said a Supersport Commentator.

Pfumbidzai was the only Celtic player who refused to be overawed by the expensively assembled Sundowns team.

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Strive Masiyiwa Takes Over Local Football, TV Level

By Paul Nyathi| The writing is definitely on the wall that local Strive Masiyiwa’s new digital television Kwese TV will be taking over local football television rights.

This comes after the Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League part ways with South African digital television giants Multi – Choice Africa’s Supersport brand.

The Premier Soccer League resolved not to renew the broadcasting deal with SuperSport International after a five year deal which ends this December.

The decision was made during a board meeting held on Friday.

PSL announced the development in a statement:

“Following the completion of the 2017 season, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and SuperSport International (Pty) Ltd have mutually agreed to end the partnership entered into by both parties in 2012.

“The five year relationship has been mutually beneficial to the two organisations,” said the PSL statement.

The top flight football administrating body said that it will be opening up for other players to submit tenders to take over the television rights.

“We trust there will be opportunities to re-engage in future.
Meanwhile, we would like to advise our stakeholders that we will be inviting tenders for the PSL media rights,” said the PSL.

Kwese TV which is slowly becoming Multi – Choice’s biggest rival in Africa is definitely set to tender for the rights and scoop them.

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President Mnangagwa Will Be “Silly & Stupid” If He Continues Disrespecting Vendors, Analysts Say

By Simba Chikanza| Last week I took opportunity during a side interview on sanctions to grill the Deputy Minister Of Finance, Terrence Mukupe, on the way the government is treating vendors as part of the army’s Operation Restore Order.

The outcry from vendors is that they are neither criminals nor members of the G40 faction. In fact they comprise a swelling 7 million local citizens whose number is just about the entire electorate. With elections approaching in nearly 5 months’ time, any politician or national leader who abuses or is interpreted to be ill treating vendors, is “silly and stupid,” observers have said. The vendors are being abruptly and in many places, brutally removed from the vending areas where they are managing to make the few dollars a day in the current struggling economy.

To this however, Hon. Terrence Mukupe distanced the government from the ongoing attacks on vendors, saying the operation can only be blamed on the decision of local councils- (SEE VIDEO BELOW)-

https://youtu.be/e94H8w3oiZo?t=16m24s

 

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LATEST- WATCH LIVE: ANC ELECTION- Gwede Mantashe Addresses Journalists

Voting is almost done in the ANC’s elective conference and results are expected to be announced in the next few hours. Follow our LIVE UPDATES below –

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As Prices Shoot Up, Former Deputy Justice Minister Chasi Says: Trust Of Leaders Is Needed

By Farai D Hove| As the price of bread and now of fuel (Monday morning) shot up, the man who was Grace Mugabe’s first victim in government, former Deputy Justice Minister Fortune Chasi wrote out that trust of leadership is needed.

Without specifying the type leaders he was talking about, Advocate Chasi wrote, “trust is a key element of leadership.

“When the led trust their leaders this has serious transformational effects. Let’s not fool our selves -Leadership without trust is not leadership,” Advocate Chasi penned on his Twitter portal.

He continued stating that, “trust releases the inherent potential within the people, the organization & the country.”

On Friday the ZANU PF leadership fell low of trust when Presidential advisor Chris Mutsvangwa announced that the army is going to assist Emmerson Mnangagwa to win the upcoming elections. Mutsvangwa was criticised by many inside ZANU PF who include the party’s Legal Secretary, Paul Mangwana.

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Drama As ZRP Announces Army Will Work With Police For Several Months Into 2018 Elections

Drama upon drama has been the trend of events as the police yesterday appeared to  ignore the backlash arising from Presidential Advisor Chris Mutsvangwa’s Friday Army statements. The ZRP said they will allow the army to work with the force for several months running into the upcoming 2018 elections.

The announcement was made as analysts at the weekend warned that the development will disturb market confidence.

This was announced by the officer commanding police in Mashonaland West Province Senior Assistant Commissioner Rangarirai Mushaurwa who said the ZRP will work with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) throughout the holidays all the way into election time next year.

He said this will be to maintain law and order during the festive season and in the run up to the 2018 harmonised elections.  She announced saying this is in line with the ZRP theme for 2018: “ZRP promoting Gracious Peace and Economic Stability”.

Senior Asssistant Mushaurwa said, “it is in this spirit of promoting peace that you see us today, and in the future joining hands with other security organs in campaigns, patrols and other law enforcement activities.

“With the forthcoming harmonised elections due next year in 2018, this theme resonates very well with our constitutional mandate as espoused in section 219 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) that is preserving the internal security of Zimbabwe, among other functions.”

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ANC ELECTION RESULTS: Ramaphosa Winner So Far | SOUTH AFRICA LATEST

While Zimbabweans have predicted in a poll that Cyril Ramaphosa has been noted for leading in the race for South Africa’s ruling African National Congress’ leadership. 73% of placed their bets of Ramaphosa to win against Jacob Zuma’s ex wife, Nkosazana Zuma, while the Bloomberg website carried the below analysis –

The ANC completed the process of nominating new leaders on Sunday, with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, President Jacob Zuma’s ex-wife and favored successor, confirmed as the sole contenders for the top job.

Ramaphosa was nominated by five provinces while the remaining four backed Dlamini-Zuma, the electoral agency overseeing the vote announced at the party’s national elective conference in Johannesburg. While five other officials declared their candidature, none of them received nomination from the conference floor.

David Mabuza, the premier of the eastern Mpumalanga province, and Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu will square off in the contest for the ANC deputy presidency, while Gwede Mantashe, the party’s outgoing secretary-general, will vie for the post of chairman. Senzo Mchunu, the former premier of KwaZulu-Natal province, and Ace Magashule, the premier of the central Free State region, were nominated for secretary-general.

The election results are expected to be announced on Monday. The contest has divided the 105-year-old ANC, weighed on the rand and South Africa’s bonds and deterred foreign investment.

The rand gained 1.3 percent to 12.9281 per dollar by 10:55 p.m. in Johannesburg, the strongest level on a closing basis since Sept. 7. Against the euro, it strengthened 1.4 percent to 15.1757.

In a report delivered to the conference, Mantashe said the ANC was riven by factionalism, showing serious signs of decline and in danger of the losing the electoral majority it’s held since white majority rule ended in 1994. He said the party failed to respond adequately to criticism of Zuma and allegations that private companies wielded undue influence over the state, a phenomenon known in South Africa as state capture.

“Rebuilding the reputation and image of the movement should be a priority,” Mantashe said. “The risk of losing power is real.”

— With assistance by Paul Vecchiatto, and Michael Cohen/Bloomberg

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More Trouble As Axe Hangs Over City Directors

Harare City Council is set to hold a special council meeting this week in which the local authority intends to dismiss four directors using findings of a tribunal that was necessitated by a Government audit.

The report implicates the senior employees in financial irregularities. This comes after similar attempts flopped last week due to “political pressure”.

The city management views the whole exercise as a witch-hunt because the alleged defiance was done under the leadership of Dr Tendai Mahachi, who has since left council, and the salaries were allegedly approved by the Kurasha Commission.

Sources close to Town House said the directors were last week spared as the new Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo did not want to commence with a storm to deal with.

“Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni is in possession of a damning report against the directors,” said a source. “Last week, the special meeting was cancelled after engagements with the parent ministry. However, this week we have to do a special council and pay the tribunal guys before council shut-down for the Christmas break.

“The MDC-T party will not entertain any lobbying and will not sweep the matter under the carpet. Some councillors are camped in support of certain affected officials.”

The special council meeting, which was cancelled at the last minute last Tuesday, was supposed to present findings of the investigations it carried out.

Cllr Manyenyeni yesterday said, “I told you last week that we are doing further consultation.”

Efforts to contact Minister Moyo were fruitless.

According to sources at Town House, acting town clerk Mrs Josephine Ncube, short-listed town clerk candidate and human capital director Dr Cainos Chingombe, finance director Mr Tendai Kwenda and health services director Dr Prosper Chonzi are facing the chop.

Councillors are divided on who should be fired because suspending all those who received salaries that were over and above what was stipulated by the Government would cripple operations.

According to an audit report sanctioned by the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing ministry, seven executives continued to earn between $12 000 and $21 000 from October 2014 to June 2015, as opposed to $10 450 for the highest earner stipulated by Government.

This, the report indicated, prejudiced the city of over $550 000.

Council has since rescinded the decision by the Kurasha Commission of 2005 and 2008 that empowered the town clerk to review allowances for executive managers following the special audit report.- state media

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Gweru City Council Rolls Out Prepaid Metre Programme

Gweru City Council has stopped issuing summons to its debtors and will soon roll out the prepaid metre programme to recover debts, an official has said. The local authority, which is owed over $50 million by residents and industry, had started sending letters of demand in a bid to recover the money.

Council had given debtors up to the end of last month to come up with payment plans.

 Gweru Mayor Councillor Charles Chikozho said council was cognisant of the ratepayers’ plight, but needed them to pay for the services.

He said only 899 households out of the over 40 000 households visited Town House with payment plans.

“We have resolved that rolling out of prepaid metres was the way to go if council is to recover what it is owed by ratepayers,” said Clr Chikozho.

“We advertised that people should come up with payment plans and gave 31 November as the deadline and only 899 households responded.”

Clr Chikozho said even companies could not come up with payment plans within the stipulated period.

He said the council would deduct a certain percentage from what it was owed after the completion of the prepaid metre project.

“The council will deduct a certain percentage from the payment so as to recover debt, the way Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is doing,” said Clr Chikozho. “Prepaid metres are the only solution to the problem after all other avenues have failed.”- state media

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Ousted Zanu PF Youth Leadership Looted Funds | REPORT

The Zanu-PF Youth League had become dysfunctional as it was being controlled by the G40 cabal, with former executive members using it as a conduit to loot funds without carrying out any meaningful programmes to promote youth development.

This is contained in the Central Committee report presented to the Extraordinary Zanu-PF Congress last Friday. The exact amount of looted funds could not immediately be established amid reports that members of the G40 cabal operated in secrecy.

 Service providers that have come forward so far are claiming in excess of $350 000.

“It is disheartening to report that the department performed dismally during the period under review,” reads the report. Most of the department’s time and resources were used to propel the objectives of the cabal (G40).

Annastancia Ndhlovu

Annastancia Ndhlovu

“The expelled Kudzanai Chipanga, Innocent Hamandishe, Mpehlabayo Malinga, Tongai Kasukuwere, Xavier Kazizi and Annastancia Ndhlovu hijacked the management of affairs of the Youth League. They completely took over the administration of the organ, thereby becoming the voice and face of the Youth League, overshadowing critical sub-departments of the organ. All this was meant to loot and plunder the organ’s resources.”

The report also accused members of the G40 cabal in the Youth League of spreading hate speech and being divisive.

“Most, if not all, of the Youth League programmes were not being administered from the party headquarters,” reads the report.

“Most of the meetings were being held outside the party premises by the top six of the national executive. The cabal used the Youth League to spread divisive speeches which sowed disunity among the party membership, denigrated the uniformed forces with a view to cause despondency and pandemonium among the Zimbabwean citizenry.”

Current members of the Youth League also extended their apologies to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, war veterans, party leadership and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for the insults and vilification they were subjected to by the expelled G40 cabal members of the Youth League.

The report also revealed that the Youth League owes various services providers over $350 000.

“The debts are only some of the few that have approached the department since the expulsion of the cabal,” reads the report. “There was no proper administration of the department as business was being done clandestinely in order to bar the secretariat from noticing the cabal’s shenanigans.”

Meanwhile, our Bulawayo Bureau reports that the Zanu-PF Youth League has said it mistakenly announced that Cde Leslie Ncube had been elected as its new secretary for legal affairs.

The Youth League executive elected new office bearers at the weekend, to fill 10 posts that fell vacant following the expulsion of G40 cabal members.

The elections were held on Saturday, a day after the ruling party’s Extraordinary Congress.

The new secretary for administration Tendai Chirau told our Bulawayo Bureau that the announcement had a mistake.

He said Fuluphelile Mlea had since been elected to occupy the position of secretary for legal affairs, instead of Ncube as previously announced.

“I want to correct Ncube’s election as the secretary for legal affairs in the party’s National Youth League,” he said. “It was an anomaly. He’s not occupying the position, but Mlea from Matabeleland South province was elected to that position. I would like to apologise to Ncube for the inconveniences caused.”

Chirau was elected to his new position on Saturday, together with Getrude Mutandi (finance), Godfrey Tsenengamu (commissariat), Silas Chimbiro (security), Sibongile Sibanda (external relations), Elizabeth Masuku (transport), Yeukai Simbanegavi (information and publicity) and Tonderai Bosha (indigenisation).

The election results await Politburo ratification.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa re-instated former youth leader Pupurai Togarepi at the Zanu-PF’s Extraordinary Congress and tasked him to fill the vacant posts.

The elections were conducted via secret ballot at Zanu-PF headquarters, with  Lewis Matutu becoming Togarepi’s deputy, taking over from Mr Mpehlabayo Malinga.- state media

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We Can’t Run Tokwe Mukorsi Project, Says Hungwe

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | Masvingo State Minister Josaya Dunira Hungwe has said the government cannot run the Tokwe Mukorsi because of too much corruption and bureaucracy.

Hungwe said private organisations would run the project efficiently compared to government departments.

Speaking in Masvingo last week Hungwe said government officials were lazy, corrupt and ineffective.

“There is no doubt that Government will stifle progress at Tokwe Murkosi Dam because of corruption, greed and bureaucratic tendencies. As such we recommend that the project must be managed by a private agent,” said Hungwe.

“We have failed to run the project effectively in the past and we feel there is no change so we want a private agent to take over the management of Tokwe Mukorsi Dam,” said Hungwe.

He said a crucial meeting would be held next week to determine the way forward on the project.

There has been no progress at Tokwe Mukorsi Dam for the past few months because the inter- ministerial task force responsible for the management of the project is failing to implement proper decisions.

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Mujuru Funder Ditches Her, Forms Own Party

By Paul Nyathi | After months of a series of resignations, dismissals and counter accusations, Joice Mujuru’s National People’s Party has officially split yet again.

Former Mujuru funder South African based millionaire businessman and UN World Tourism Board Member Cuthbert Ncube has announced the formation of a splinter party the Zimbabwe Rainbow Party.

Speaking in an interview with ZimEye.com Ncube who earlier this year contested Vice President elections in the NPP said that his party is awaiting to be officially launched at a ceremony in the next few weeks.

“The party has been fully set up and busy recruiting membership throughout the country,” said Ncube who claims to be the interim leader of the party until congress is held.

Ncube said that his party is gearing to contest strongly in next year’s General Elections throughout the country.

“We will be contesting in all parliamentary seats, senate and council throughout the country and we have already started building structures in all the constituencies,” he said.

Ncube was Mujuru’s biggest behind the scenes funder since the NPP was formed under Zimbabwe People First party before it split.

He part ways with Mujuru after the NPP internal elections in March which he described as unconstitutional and unfortunate.

Other former members of the NPP believed to be part of the new party include dismissed Treasurer General Wilbert Mubaiwa and several members from the NPP provincial committees in Bulawayo and Harare.

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Drama As Woman Urinates Into In-law’ s Mouth At Graveside.

Terrence Mawawa, Mvuma | A local woman stunned mourners at her son’ s burial when she urinated into her father-in- law’ s mouth, claiming she wanted to appease the deceased’ s spirit.

The woman, Martha Mudzorwi, of Village 74, Huchu, Mvuma, whose late son was married to Kenneth Zwihoko’s daughter claimed that her son’ s spirit was restless because of the way he died.

Mudzorwi’ s son was hit by a car and died under mysterious circumstances.

Mudzorwi appeared before Magistrate Tayengwa Chibanda in Mvuma last Wednesday. She was charged with public indecency.

The court heard that Zwihoko collapsed soon after his son-in- law’ s burial.

Mudzorwi then went to the place where Zwihoko was lying and urinated into latter’ s mouth.

“Zwihoko died soon after the incident.

Mudzorwi collected a handful of soil from her son’ s grave and shoved it into a sprawling Zwihoko’ s mouth,” Prosecutor Michael Kazomba told the court.

Mudzorwi claimed that she urinated into her in-law’ s mouth to appease her son’ s spirit.

“I wanted to appease my son’ s spirit because he died under hazy circumstances,” said Mudzorwi.

“There were some disputes between my son and our in-laws and surprisingly he died when he had gone to South Africa with his wife,” Mudzorwi said.

Mudzorwi was however acquitted by Magistrate Chibanda.

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Mnangagwa’s Reality Shock As Basic Commodity Prices Shoot Up

By Paul Nyathi | Just when President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been making assurances to the nation that prices of basic commodities and most locally produced products will not be going up, Zimbabweans woke up to a shock weekend on Saturday when most of the basic commodities in the country shot up by between 10% and 15%.

The biggest shock to Zimbabweans was the increase of the price of bread from between 90 cents and $1 to up to $1.20 in some retail outlets.

Giant bread producers Baker’s Inn were the first to announce their price increases of up to 15% on Friday. All the big bakeries increased with the same margin on Saturday without engaging key stakeholders like the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe and the retailers bodies.

The ordinary loaf rose from $0.90c to a $1.00 and the premium loaf went up from $1.00 to anything between $1.10 to $1.20.

In A statement the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers blamed the price increase on raw material suppliers who increased their prices effectively affecting the end users.

“It is unfortunate that retailers bear the brunt of price increases yet most times we simply maintain the ordinary mark-ups after suppliers have raised prices,” the body said.

A snap survey carried out by ZimEye.com in Bulawayo on Sunday morning indicated that there was a somewhat deliberately created shortage of bread to instil the price increase.

Consumers interviewed by ZimEye.com claimed that the increases were a ploy to sabotage newly installed President Emerson Mnangagwa.

“Why are they increasing pieces just two weeks into Mnangagwa’s reign and a day after he warned business against unjustified price increases,” said a Bulawayo consumer.

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Shock As Man Caught Stark Naked Having Sex With Neighbour’ s Donkey

Terrence Mawawa | A man who was caught redhanded having sex with his neighbour’ s donkey pleaded guilty to bestiality charges on Friday.

The 23-year-old man, Malvern Ngwenya from Jambezi Area was arrested after he was caught stark naked – having sex with his neighbour’s donkey.

Ngwenya pleaded guilty to bestiality when he appeared before Magistrate Rangarirai Gakanje on Friday.

Ngwenya told the court he was influenced by demons to perform the shameful act.

The court heard that last Tuesday around 2000 hrs Ngwenya tiptoed into his neighbour Bernard Mlauzi’s livestock kraal.

He then undressed and started having sex with his neighbour’ s donkey.

“Mlauzi’s son, Sipho heard some movements in the kraal and went to investigate whereupon he found the naked Ngwenya on the back of the animal.

” The accused was caught red-handed having sexual intercourse with a donkey.

Upon realising that he had been caught, Ngwenya jumped off the back of the donkey and ran away leaving all his clothes behind,” the court heard.

Sipho then picked up the clothes and alerted some neighbours.

A report was made to the police leading to Ngwenya’ s arrest.

Ngwenya will be sentenced on Monday.

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Matabeleland In Unity Day Gukurahundi Defiance March

By Paul Nyathi | December 22 is meant to be National Unity Day but Matabeleland pressure groups and political parties are defying the day claiming that the day has never brought unity to the country.

Led by a Bulawayo cultural pressure group Ibhetshu Likazulu, hundreds of people from in and around Bulawayo are expected to take part in the march set for Unity Day to denounce the day which they claim is a celebration of the end of the Gukurahundi killings more than a national unity day.

On 22 December 1987, the then opposition party PF ZAPU led by the late Dr Joshua Nkomo signed a Unity Accord agreement with Robert Mugabe of ZANU to establish the current ruling ZANU PF party.

One of the conditions of the agreement was that Mugabe was to withdraw what has since turned out to have been his private army wing which was executing the Gukurahundi atrocities.

The soldiers had already encountered for officially recorded 20 000 deaths in the Matabeleland and Midlands region.

A group of about 60 former ZIPRA soldiers, an armed wing of PF ZAPU during the liberation war, who had deserted the National Army which was being formulated were given an amnesty to stop their bandit operations in exchange of the withdrawal of the 2000 soldiers from the 5th brigade army wing which executed the Gukurahundi killings.

Ibhetshu Likazulu in conjunction with several other Matabeleland pressure groups and civil society organisations have thus refused to recognise the holiday as National Unity Day but opting to call it a celebration for the end of the killing of the 20 000 people by the ZANU PF led government.

Since the signing of the unity accord, government and ZANU PF declared the agreement as a closure to the atrocities with former President Mugabe declaring the period of killings which lasted five years as a moment of madness.

Ibhetshu Likazulu is coordinating a march for the people of Matabeleland to demand that the government calls for a truth and reconciliation commission which will bring the perpetrators of the killings to public trial.

The march is scheduled to start from the Joshua Nkomo memorial statue in the CBD of Bulawayo to Makokoba township’s Stanley Hall where a memorial service for the victims of the atrocities will be held.

Police in Bulawayo could not commit to ZimEye.com if the march had been sanctioned by any of the police or the army.

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Tererai Mugwadi Guilty Of Culpable Homicide

Musician Tererai Mugwadi was on Thursday found guilty of culpable homicide charges after she was involved in an accident which claimed the life of Seremani Marvellous.

TERERAI MUGWADI IN CULPABLE HOMICIDE STORM

She was remanded to next Tuesday for sentencing. Mugwadi (32) of Mt Hampden, near Harare had maintained her innocence after her application for discharge was thrown out before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Oliver Mudzongachiso.

This follows her denial of the charges when her trial commenced, however, Mr Mudzongachiso said she had a case to answer. In his judgment, Mr Mudzongachiso said Mugwadi’s defence was a sign of desperation.

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“The accused was charged with the offence of culpable homicide,” said Mr Mudzongachiso.

“She pleaded not guilty and I say out of sheer arrogance she admitted being the driver, got dazzled after lights flashed her. Although witnesses testified, this is a matter which speaks on its own. She got dazzled and what was reasonable under the circumstances was to pull off the road and stop instead of continuing to drive as she did. In her defence outline she admitted being dazzled, why continue?”

Mr Mudzongachiso said it was this disregard of road rules that led to the accident.

“It is in the process of continuing to move that she hit the vehicle. Furthermore, she admits she could not see, so why continue driving, she is guilty as charged,” ruled Mr Mudzongachiso.

Prosecutor Mrs Itai Chikono proved that on June 23 this year at around 8.40pm, Mugwadi was driving a Toyota Rav4 along Seke Road under the influence of alcohol.

The court heard that Mugwadi failed to control her vehicle, swerved and encroached into a lane with oncoming traffic.

Mugwadi hit a Toyota Hiace truck, which was being driven by Tichaona Takaeneya and it overturned. The accident killed Seremani Marvellous, a passenger, who was sitting at the back of the vehicle.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Mugwadi’s arrest.- state media

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Sexy Angels Bev Wins Big Again

Controversial dancer Beverly “Bev” Sibanda on Thursday walked away with R50 000 and a trophy after beating 20 other dancers from several African countries at the Africa Storm Dancehall Queen hosted by Baseline Club in Johannesburg.

This is the second time Bev has won the Africa Storm Dancehall clash, a unique contest because the winner is determined by the crowd and not by a judging panel.

The S_exy Angels leader first won the competition two years ago. Bev’s manager, Harpers Mapimhidze, has described the dancer’s latest victory as yet another confirmation of the S_exy Angels leader’s exceptional talent.

“Bev has cemented his position as an outstanding dancer not only in Zimbabwe but in Africa at large. We are so happy to receive the award again this year.

We have already lined up a dance fiesta on Wednesday at City Sports Bar in Harare where we will also take the opportunity to celebrate this achievement,” Mapimhidze told Daily News.

According to Mapimhidze, celebratory dance fiesta, dubbed “Bye Bye 2017, Welcome 2018”, will feature Bev and the S_exy Angels, Zoey and the Red Angels, Wasu, Sarah Dee, Peter Kagomere, Pramastove, Fearless, Digital Queens, Unique Queens, Crazy Boys, Four Angels, Mageshi from Bulawayo, Pala Fala, Mandisa Queens, Zero Degrees, All Stars, Kalawa, Red Piston, Naked Weapon and Chocolate among others.

The victory in South Africa is yet another feather in the cap for Bev who recently featured on Congolese music star Koffi Olomide’s video.

Interestingly, Bev was invited to feature on the video after she impressed Koffi during the 2015 Carnival Rhumba night held at the Longcheng Plaza.

Koffi, who has built a faithful fan base internationally over the years, particularly on the continent and is credited for popularising the slower style of Soukous, is the third foreign artiste Bev has collaborated with after South African music star Freddy Gwala and Zimbabwe-based Congolese chanter Gift “Shiga Shiga” Katulika.

Bev, who is also into music, featured Gwala on her song Tshaingoma.

The controversial dancer announced her entry into Zimbabwean music five years ago when she released the album Tapinda which includes the hit Tshaingoma which claimed position number 27 in the 2013 edition of the National FM Top 50. Bev, a serial winner at the annual Dancers Association of Zimbabwe awards, has toured South Africa and United Kingdom.

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Reckless Pregnant HIV+ Mothers Face Up To 20 Years In Jail

Pregnant HIV-positive mothers who do not take precaution to prevent transmission of the virus to their unborn babies are liable for prosecution and face up to 20 years in prison under the country’s laws, a lawyer has noted.

Anyone living with the virus who has sexual intercourse with an HIV-negative partner using protection without disclosing their status may also be legally liable, even when transmission has not occurred, Mr Lizwe Jamela of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said.

In an interview on the sidelines of the just-ended International Conference of Aids and STIs in Africa (Icasa) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast Mr Jamela, who heads ZLHR in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces said the country’s laws on deliberate transmission of HIV were too broad and should be reviewed.

He said the broadness of the laws made almost everyone who is sexually active liable for prosecution, and thus called for the repealing of the legislation.

Under section 79 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9:23 deliberate transmission of HIV is a criminal offence which attracts a sentence of not more than 20 years.

“On the face of it the law talks about deliberate transmission of HIV but when you analyse it further you observe that almost everyone can face prosecution,” he said.

Section 79 (b) states that “Any person, realising that there is a real risk or possibility that he or she is infected with HIV; intentionally does anything or permits the doing of anything which he or she knows will infect, which he or she realises involves a real risk or possibility of infecting another person with HIV, shall be guilty of deliberate transmission of HIV, whether or not he or she is married to that other person, and shall be liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding twenty years”.

Mr Jamela said, “Anyone can fall into that category. There is just too much conjecture in that law.

“If a pregnant woman who is HIV-positive fails to undergo the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme she is liable for prosecution.

“Anyone who is HIV positive who has intercourse with someone who is negative and uses protection can still be prosecuted under this law because that person would have done something which involves a real risk of possibility of infecting another person with HIV.

“The fact that one used protection can only be used as mitigation but not to absolve anyone.”

He added, “So under this law, the criminal offence is not only about deliberate transmission but even exposure to risk of transmission, which in my view is very wide and broad.”

Mr Jamela said the law should either be amended to deal specifically with cases of deliberate transmission or be totally repealed.

“We don’t need a law that criminalises HIV. Instead we should be reinforcing the human rights response to HIV intervention by increasing issues of education and advocacy.

“We could limit the law to genuine cases of deliberate transmission,” he said.

Mr Jamela further argued that it was also humanly impossible to prove in a court of law who would have infected who between complainant and defendant in cases of deliberate transmission of HIV.

“Judiciary can’t deal with who infected who. There is no technology to generate evidence to prove that. So in most cases the person who would report first becomes the complainant. But what if the complainant is the one who infected defendant, how do you prove that?

“For a criminal conviction to happen someone should be guilty beyond reasonable doubt, but we have people being convicted of deliberate infection when that threshold has not been passed,” he said.

Head of the HIV and TB unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Owen Mugurungi described the enactment of the law as “a moment of madness”.

He said the law was counterproductive in the fight against stigma around HIV.

“It was a moment of madness. This is what happens when decisions are made based on emotions.

“The law attacks the basic rights of people living with HIV. It’s counter-productive to our interventions and defeats everything we are trying to do to fight the virus.

“That law causes people to go underground, it scares away people from getting tested because it stigmatises HIV,” he said.

Dr Mugurungi added that there was engagement between the National Aids Council and legislators to look into possible ways of repealing or amending the law so that it does not criminalise HIV.

Zimbabwe Network of People Living with HIV (ZNPP+) national chairperson Sebastian Chinhaire said the law countered the country’s efforts to end Aids by 2030 and should be done away with immediately.

“We should do away with that law. We will not end Aids by 2030 if we still have that law. All the gains recorded in the fight against HIV are being reversed by this law. It should go,” he said. state media

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Mugabes Gone And Zanu PF’s Political Prostitutes

While ladies of the night put on the right makeup, lashes, musk and dresses to entice clients, their counterparts in the political arena use words, and exaggerated loyalty to charm the mighty and powerful.

It sounds like fiction that at her peak, former first lady Grace Mugabe’s face was emblazoned on cars of adoring Zanu PF faithful and her word was almost the law.

Grace and her husband, former president Robert Mugabe attracted thousands to their rallies but now many, including those who once sang their praises, have like political turncoats abandoned them.

But crossing floors and denying allegiances did not start with the fall of Grace and her husband, it is as old as prostitution and in Zimbabwe the once runaway winner was former Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo.

“It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first,” former United States president Ronald Reagan once said in the 1980s.

And in Zimbabwe there is little difference between the two “professions”.

The fights in Zanu PF are as old as the political party itself formed in 1963 after splitting from Zapu.

Fast forward to 2014 when former vice president Joice Mujuru was pushed out from Zanu PF while some cheered, hundreds, tails between their legs left the ruling party crestfallen but determined never to rejoin the former revolutionary party.

Thousands of former Zanu PF officials peeved by Mujuru’s ouster, including some who even once vowed never to rejoin the party like Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, are knocking on the ruling party’s door, pleading for readmission.

The likes of Bhasikiti called Zanu PF by all sorts of names but today they are ready to go back to the ruling party and perhaps salvage a parliamentary seat, because the outside was never rosy.

Harare lawyer and aspiring Member of Parliament Fadzayi Mahere said principle is key in politics.

“If young politicians flip flop, take people’s trust and money for granted, then Zimbabwe’s future isn’t safe. Let’s do better. Principle is king,” she wrote on her Facebook page.

The culture of political flip-flopping has become engrained within the ruling party and extends beyond the party as those that had joined the opposition are also making a beeline back to the ruling party.

Some like Bhasikiti, were part of Mujuru’s initial political outfit Zimbabwe People First (ZPF).

The party later split, which resulted in Mujuru forming another party called the National People’s Party (NPP), while Bhasikiti remained with ZPF.

Bhasikiti recently wrote a letter to Zanu PF seeking to be re-admitted to the party.

He is not the only one of those people that purportedly left Zanu PF, who are now jostling to return to the party that has been in power for the past 37 years.

There is also Acie Lumumba, who left the party and formed his own Viva Zimbabwe in June 2016.

Two years down the line, the political leadership in Zanu PF has changed and he announced that he is back to the ruling party.

“The reasons for my resignation on May 29, 2016, no longer apply: the party has forcefully and credibly begun the process of reforming itself and the ruling party is now in the unique position to drive positive change in Zimbabwe, as enunciated by its new leader,” Lumumba said in his statement announcing his return to Zanu PF.

Zanu PF representative in the United Kingdom, Nick Mangwana, however, on Twitter said the flip flopping of the party members is proof that power rested in the leadership as opposed to the people.

“Zimbabwe needs to reform but it cannot reform unless Zanu PF reforms first. The flip flopping of its members & supporters was evidence that power did not rest in the people but leadership which used largesse and patronage to paralyse & control membership. That has to change,” Mangwana said.

Like Lumumba, another Zanu PF youth leader, who had officially broken ties with the ruling party and joined the Zimbabwe Partnership for Prosperity (Zipp) is Godfrey Tsenengamu.

Tsenengamu recently quit Zipp and went back to the ruling party.

Announcing his resignation from Zipp, Tsenengamu said: “I write to officially inform your honourable office of my resignation from Zipp with immediate effect.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the Zipp leadership as led by (Dr) Blessing Kasiyamhuru for the honour that it had bestowed on me to serve the partnership in various capacities. I am grateful.”

Another member to follow in his footsteps is former Zanu PF youth leader Jim Kunaka, who had joined Mujuru’s political outfit.

He later returned to Zanu PF.- Daily News

 

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UNITY ACCORD PACT: Who Will Mnangagwa Pick For VP?

The Unity Accord of 1987 is posing serious headaches for President Emmerson Mnangagwa who gave himself two days to handpick his two deputies.

This comes amid indications that Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander General Constantino Chiwenga could make history by becoming the first decorated soldier in post independent Zimbabwe to land one of the posts straight from the barracks.

Mnangagwa is required by the party’s constitution to pick the other deputies from a powerful cast of contenders in the former Zapu, which is proving to be a herculean task for him.

The list includes veterans of the liberation struggle who were in the Zipra High Command, among them retired colonel Tshinga Dube; lieutenant general Phillip Vallerio Sibanda; retired brigadier general Ambrose Mutinhiri (Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister) and Stanley Nleya, whose Chimurenga name was Elish Gagisa.

There are also dark horses in the form of Kembo Mohadi (Defence minister) and Jacob Mudenda, the current Speaker of Parliament.

Selecting the most deserving Zapu cadre from the cast is proving to be a difficult task for Mnangagwa because his choice must not just appeal to Zapu cadres but the military as well, which sees itself as the party’s stockholders.

His appointee must also not be out of step with Zanu PF’s core values of loyalty and tribal balancing — an art perfected by Mnangagwa’s predecessor, Robert Mugabe.

And more importantly, the appointee must bring about unity of purposes at the top, which cascades across party structures countrywide, especially as the country heads towards polls in 2018.

Signed on December 22, 1987 to end ethnic violence that had broke out in the Midlands and Matabeleland regions, the Unity Accord vests the power to appoint two vice presidents in Zanu PF’s first secretary and president.

The agreement makes the point that national unity, political stability and order, social and economic development can only be achieved to their fullest under conditions of peace and unity primarily of Zanu PF and PF Zapu — the signatories to the Unity Accord.

It has been the tradition in Zanu PF that whenever a vacancy arose on the Zapu side of the equation, former Zapu cadres would meet to make recommendations based on seniority.

When Joshua Nkomo died in July 1999, he was replaced by Joseph Msika, who was also replaced by John Landa Nkomo following his demise in August 2009.

The practice was abandoned in 2014 when then party president Robert Mugabe ignored submissions by Zapu cadres who met at the late Cephas Msipa’s residence in Gweru to deliberate on whom among them was to succeed John Nkomo, who had died in January 2013.

Breaking with protocol, Mugabe settled for Phelekezela Mphoko whom many thought was a rank-outsider.

Mphoko became the only VP on the Zapu side to leave office while still alive after he fell out with the military due to his closeness to Generation 40 functionaries, especially Mugabe’s wife, Grace.

The country has been without its two vice presidents since last month when Mnangagwa was fired from both government and Zanu PF.

After Mnangagwa and his Team Lacoste faction made a dramatic comeback last month — riding on the military’s intervention in Zanu PF’s internal politics — Mphoko, who was the other vice president, became part of the collateral damage targeting key members of the rival Generation 40 faction.

Whoever would have been appointed to the position of vice president and second secretary of Zanu PF would automatically become Mnangagwa’s deputy in government.

Zimbabweans were left in suspense on Friday after Mnangagwa delayed revealing the identity of his two deputies.

The conjecture has it that he is in a dilemma as he has too many constituencies to reward.

University of Zimbabwe political Science lecturer, Eldred Masunungure, told the Daily News on Sunday yesterday that despite his unenviable position, Mnangagwa would ensure that the military establishment is placated by elevating Chiwenga straight from the barracks.

He said while Mnangagwa has already appointed major general Sibusiso Moyo as Foreign Affairs minister, the real silver medal for the military was having their person in the presidium.

“If you checked carefully at the Zanu PF congress, Chiwenga appeared to be dressed in vice presidential attire. He did not pose as a military figure and it looks like he realises that time is ripe for him to land the top post and that he is within striking distance,” Masunungure said.

He said Mnangagwa might actually be worried about the choice of Chiwenga’s replacement as head of the ZDF, claiming the uniformed forces were not as united as they acted in pushing Mugabe out.

“Candidates such as Mohadi and (Simon Khaya) Moyo are real contenders with the former having been loyal to Mnangagwa for a long time and was even targeted for suspension by the G40. The same does not, however, apply to Moyo who has had links with (former vice president Joice) Mujuru, which saw him miss out narrowly in 2014.

“Tshinga Dube to me is a more serious contender because he is known to have stood by Mnangagwa’s faction even risking losing his job as he backed the Christopher Mutsvangwa-led war veterans against G40. He may actually have a better chance than the other two I have mentioned because he is a very solid war veteran with impeccable history.”

Contacted for comment, Dube told the Daily News on Sunday yesterday that while in the past the Zapu side of Zanu PF would be given an opportunity to meet and decide on who to second, according to their seniority, it was up to Mnangagwa to decide what criteria he will use.

“As it stands, I would say the most senior from our side is Mashonaland East Provincial minister Ambrose Mutinhiri although he is senior to me by a few months having trained together in 1963,” Dube said.

“The likes of Mohadi came in much later in the 1970s but what we used to do is to meet and decide. For example, when Joshua Nkomo died we decided that the national chairperson of the party Joseph Msika should be elevated and we did that gain with John Nkomo.

“However, this was dropped in 2004 when we sought to have Khaya-Moyo to replace Nkomo only to find … Mphoko’s name featuring. We did not know where that had come from because we had had a meeting that waschaired by … Msipa in Gweru that came up with a position. Now we know that the criteria used was that Mphoko was close to the (former) first lady, Grace Mugabe.

“We will follow the same process if we are given the chance but it is up to the appointing authority at the end of it all. – Daily News

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SHOCK PRICE HIKES: Bread, Mealie-Meal, Sugar No Longer Affordable

Prices of some basic commodities, including bread, sugar and mealie-meal, have gone up over the last month, marginally raising the cost of living for urban households.
Figures from the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe show minor increases in the cost of the family food basket, driven largely by hikes in prices of bread, mealie-meal, sugar, tea leaves, milk, rice and laundry bars.
These price movements, according to the consumer watchdog, are a result of fuel price fluctuations, multi-tier pricing and profiteering retailers.
The price of a standard loaf of bread went up yesterday from US$0,90 to US$1.
According to the CCZ’s December 2017 Report, the monthly food basket for a family of six increased by roughly US$4,50.
Reads the report in part: “The cost of living as measured by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe’s has gone up. The low-income urban earner monthly basket for a family of six increased from the end-October figure of US$593,55 to US$598,16 by end of November 2017, showing an increase of US$4,61 or 0,72 percent.
“As CCZ, we assume the increase in prices could be attributed to various factors, these include fluctuation of fuel price, multi-tier pricing by retailers: some supermarkets have taken advantage of these situations by increasing the prices of basic commodities by small amounts such as 1c, 2c, 3c to 40c and consumers are not able to notice the change.”
The report continues: “The increase in prices could also be attributed to the festive season where retailers take advantage of consumers having much to spend. The use of mobile money has also been noted as attributing to an increase in basic commodities, especially at retail shops that do not have merchant codes and charge an extra percentage on goods.
“(Because of) avian flu that has struck Zimbabwe’s poultry market and also the banning of poultry from South Africa because of the same, there has been a shortage of eggs on the market and some increase in poultry meat. We also assume that this has been the cause of the increase in prices of beef products.”
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Mr Denford Mutashu said yesterday’s bread price hike was arbitrary.
Mr Mutashu said, “It is true, the price of bread went up (yesterday morning). I have spoken to retail managers and they confirmed that but most of the stock that came in (yesterday) was at the old price.
“Bakers have increased the price of bread by about 10 percent, meaning a loaf that was selling at 90c is now US$1 and so on, because retailers put a mark-up of 10 percent.
“We have not been consulted on this and clearly, this is just an arbitrary move. From where we stand, we are also trying to know why they hiked the price.”- state media

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Botswana’s Khama And Mnangagwa Forge Ahead

Botswana’s government is reportedly set to “fix strained relations” with Zimbabwe once the current engagements between the two nations foreign affairs ministers are completed.
According to the state-owned Herald newspaper, the two countries were set to “sign various memoranda of understanding in the coming few months”.

This came as Botswana’s minister of international affairs and co-operation, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi”conveyed a congratulatory message” to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his official offices in Harare this week.

Venson-Moitoithat said that the two neighbouring countries were going to work together in areas of co-operation after years of strained relations under former president Robert Mugabe.
“…I will be discussing with my colleague the foreign affairs minister and we will be discussing a lot of memoranda of understanding between our two countries that we have to speed up and exchange in the next few months,” Venson-Moitoi was quoted as saying.
The two countries had had strained relations for years, with Botswana President Ian Khama said to be one of the loud critics of Mugabe.
Last year Khama made headlines after he called ageing Mugabe, who was still in power then, to step down.
“They [Zimbabweans] have got plenty of good people there who have got good leadership qualities who could take over,” Khama was quoted as saying at the time. – News24

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Grace Mugabe’s Hot Favourite Chipanga Replaced

Farirai Madhumbe | Former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s favourite Zanu PF youth leader Kudzanayi Chipanga has been replaced by Pupurai Togarepi.

Chipanga became the face of the highly charged Presidential Interface rallies at which Grace would spit venom against her perceived enemies in Zanu PF. Chipanga was subsequently arrested and humiliated after the coup and is facing charges of publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state as defined in Section 31 (a) (iii) of the Criminal (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9.23 or alternatively causing disaffection among the police force or defence forces as defined in section 30 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

The state media reports that Zanu-PF National Youth League Executive yesterday elected new office-bearers to fill 10 posts that fell vacant following expulsion of G40 cabal members.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa re-instated former leader Pupurai Togarepi at the Zanu-PF’s Extraordinary Congress in Harare last Friday and tasked him to fill vacant posts.
Elections were conducted via secret ballot at Zanu-PF headquarters, with Lewis Matutu becoming Togarepi’s deputy, taking over from Mr Mpehlabayo Malinga.

Other new secretaries are s Tendai Chirau (administration), Getrude Mutandi (finance), Godfrey Tsenengamu (commissariat), Silas Chimbiro (security), Sibongile Sibanda (external relations), Elizabeth Masuku (transport), Yeukai Simbanegavi (information and publicity), Leslie Ncube (legal affairs) and Tonderai Bosha (indigenisation).
The election results await Politburo ratification.
In an interview with our Harare Bureau, Togarepi said: “The main message is unity and forgiveness. We expect the youth to work together in harmony and no more purging of members. No more insults. We must respect our elders; war veterans, the army and the entire party leadership must be respected.
“Youths must mobilise for the ruling party. They are the future of Zimbabwe and their mobilisation should be exemplary. They should help in voter registration and everyone in the Youth League has a duty to explain where we are and where we are going.
“In addition, the youth should be peaceful; there’s no need for violence during election time. Zanu-PF has the support of the people, and I want to encourage young people to stand for election as councillors, Members of Parliament.”

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US SANCTIONS WAR: Boastful Chamisa, The Coup And Free And Fair Elections

Wilbert Mukori | Nelson Chamisa, MDC-T VP, is one individual who believes in rhetoric and has become so addicted to it he cannot change. “MDC is the party of excellency!” he used to boast. It took the disastrous performance of the party in the 2013 elections, which he and others were convinced was going to propel them into office, to shut Chamisa up. The party was deserted by its donors and SADC leaders alike for failing to implement even one democratic reforms during the GNU. The real Nelson Chamisa is back boastful as ever.

“I am so delighted to be on this hugely beneficial trip (to the USA to meet the Senate committee on foreign relations – the committee that will decide on whether to lift the targeted sanctions imposed on Zanu PF leaders for human rights violation including failing to hold free and fair elections). We are on this vital global advocacy and diplomatic engagement program to give Zimbabweans a fighting chance in the crucial and landmark 2018 general elections. This trip is about you and me and the future of our children and generations to come,” he wrote in a recent article in Nehanda Radio.

“As a people, we cannot afford to squander this merited goodwill through partisan and petty party political sandpit arguments, which have no material benefit to our people.”

The article continued on the same vein, full of the usual verbosity and drumming of the chest of the silver back. Let me just focus on one or two snippets.

“This trip comes as a continuation of diplomatic outreaches already under way focusing on SADC and the AU. Our overall persuasion and perspective is to state and restate our case for credible, free and fair elections in Zimbabwe, elections whose results are not contested,” he stated.

“I saw and read a false message that this trip was about sanctions. Far from it, the trip has all to do with our take on free and fair elections in Zimbabwe and our post-election reconstruction plan.”

This is really hopeless! No wonder the country is in a real mess, with the opposition politicians who are this incompetent, we have nowhere else to go.

This is just like the foolishness of General Chiwenga and his coup plotters who seized key state institutions, put then President Mugabe under house arrest, etc. and insisted it was NOT a coup! The West imposed sanctions on Zanu PF leaders because the regime had failed to hold free and fair elections. The Senate committee Chamisa and his friends met will decide on whether to lift the sanction or not on the basis of there being sufficient evidence next year’s elections will be free and fair. So, what is Chamisa wittering about the trip was not about sanctions!

Zimbabwe is in this economic and political mess because for the last 37 years the nation has been stuck with a corrupt and incompetent Zanu PF dictatorship. They  have failed to rid themselves of this regime because Mugabe and his cronies rigged the vote to stay in power. The nation had its best opportunity ever to finally get rid of the dictatorship during the GNU years but the chance was wasted because Chamisa and his MDC friends failed to implement the democratic reforms. If anyone thought the MDC leaders had learnt from the past, he or she was wrong because instead of finally focus on piling the pressure, maintaining the sanctions is one way, to force the implementation of the reforms MDC leaders are once again going off at a tangent.

SADC leaders pushed hard to have the reforms implemented during the GNU and it was none other than MDC leaders who did nothing. The American and the rest of the West imposed sanctions on Zanu PF to highlight the need for Mugabe to honour his legal obligation to hold free and fair elections. It is really frustrating that it is none other than the MDC again who failing to give the matter the seriousness it demands.

“MDC is a party of excellency!” Yeah right!

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Mnangagwa, Chiwenga VP Bind | FRESH DETAILS

Ray Nkosi | Fresh details have emerged on the ongoing tussle for the vacant VP posts between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and General Constantino Chiwenga, with the latter likely to get the post.

Mnangagwa has a hard choice to make against a background that the army must now go back to the barracks and public outrage at the appoint of senior military men in the top ranks of Zanu PF’s leadership. A particularly controversial appointment has been of General Engelbert Rugeje as Zanu PF’s Secretary For Commissariat.

If appointed VP Chiwenga also taking over confirms Christopher Mutsvangwa’s utterances that the military will play a major role in the 2018 election to give Mnangagwa victory.

The weekily Standard reports that, Mnangagwa deferred appointing the vice-presidents at the just-ended Zanu PF congress, saying he needed to wait for certain institutional processes.
Analysts said the statement showed Mugabe’s successor wanted to appoint  Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) commander General Constantino Chiwenga as one of his deputies.
Mnangagwa, the analysts said, was under pressure to appease the military.
“I don’t envy President Mnangagwa’s current position,” said UK based political analyst and former media lecturer, Reward Mushayabasa. “He seems to be in a very invidious position where he has to balance the competing interests of all the stakeholders who cleared the way for his ascendancy to power,” Mushayabasa said.
He said because Mnangagwa owed his current position to the military, it made him feel extremely beholden to them.
“We all know that Mnangagwa did not get into power through a credible democratic process. He came to power through a soft putsch staged by the army generals with the backing of the war veterans.”
“Against this murky political background, I am not surprised by the ever-increasing militarisation of his government.
Mnangagwa is just confirming what some of us suspected long ago. That he is a lame duck president.
“He is beholden to the military and the war veterans and cannot make his own independent decisions. Until he submits himself to a credible free and democratic general election, ‘the military influence’ in his government will continue to be his Achilles’ heel.”
A source within the ruling party who claimed to know “the plan with the VP appointments”, however, said Chiwenga and Defence minister Kembo Mohadi are tipped for appointment this week.
Mnangagwa was expected to announce his two VPs at the just-ended Zanu PF special congress but deferred it to this week to clear what he described as “institutional” requirements likely associated with the possible retirement of Chiwenga as commander of the defence forces.

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VIDEO: Mnangagwa Will Use Army To Win The 2018 Elections – Mutsvangwa, Hungwe

By Dorrothy Moyo| Below are direct official quotes of top government officials, Presidential advisor, Chris Mutsvangwa and Masvingo Provincial Minister Josiah Hungwe as they stated that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is going to use to army to win the upcoming 2018 elections.

Masvingo Provincial Affairs Josiah Hungwe last week told a Masvingo Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting that Zanu-PF will use the Zimbabwe Defence Forces when campaigning in next year’s harmonised elections.

He said: “In the Bible, the Kings ruled with the army on their side. Saka patinoenda ku2018 elections musasiya soja. (Zanu PF) Chairman, soja apa imi mberi. (When we campaign in 2018, do not leave the army. We will move side by side with the military),” he said.

Meanwhile Presidential advisor Chris Mutsvangwa speaking on Friday said, “We will win resoundingly, better than the 1980 elections and we will mobilise heavily working with the ZDF.” WATCH MUTSVANGWA IN THE VIDEO BELOW –

https://youtu.be/bgQ_Bfnh9k4

 

PLEASE NOTE: This afternoon at 5pm ZimEye explores the impact of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s advisor, Chris Mutsvangwa’s statement on the Zimbabwean economy. The development comes as the price of bread shot up yesterday. The program will be streamed LIVE. READ MORE ON CHRIS MUTSVANGWA’S STATEMENT – CLICK HERE

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Chamisa Speaks On Army “Attack” On Civilians in 2018 Elections As Revealed By Mutsvangwa

By Shiellah Sibanda|  MDC Deputy President Nelson Chamisa has expressed dismay at the announcements by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s advisor Chris Mutsvangwa that ZANU PF is going to use the army on civilians so to ensure it wins the upcoming 2018 elections.

The development has put to rest questions on why soldiers are still working on the streets like police officers four (4) weeks after last month’s coup was completed last month.

Writing on his portal Sunday morning, Chamisa said, “Mutsvangwa, Hungwe let the cat out of the bag saying army will be heavily involved in 2018 elections. (SEE VIDEO)

https://youtu.be/bgQ_Bfnh9k4

“Remember June 2008.To date, we’ve lost over 500 Zimbabweans to political violence & hundreds of thousands in hospitals & road accidents due to bad governance!”

Meanwhile, ZANU PF yesterday attempted at a softening of Chris Mutsvangwa’s statement with its Legal Secretary Paul Mangwana saying ZANU PF does not been the army since there is no opposition to talk about.

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US Senators Very Disappointed by Biti & Co Failure to Answer A Very Simple Question

US Govt official Stephanie Sullivan speaks just before Tendai Biti at the US Senate

By Wilbert Mukori| It was USA Ambassador to Zimbabwe who said, in a Wikileak, Tsvangirai was “a flawed and indecisive character”. The Ambassador singled out Tsvangirai as the leader of the MDC but he could have said the same of all the other opposition leaders. Last week the American Senators had first-hand experience of just how incompetent and indecisive Zimbabwe’s opposition can be.

 

The US Senate on foreign relations committee invited Peter Godwin, a Zimbabwean author and journalist, and a posse of MDC Alliance members to ask them a simple question: Should the US lift the targeted sanctions against the Zanu PF regime or not? The sanctions were imposed on targeted Zanu PF leaders in 2002 to force the regime to stop serious human rights violence including failure to hold free and fair elections.

 

Without exception, each Zimbabwean gave a factual account to show that nothing on the ground had changed to justify lifting the sanctions. Peter Godwin then gave the Senators an earful of feeble excuses why the sanctions should be lifted. At least Peter was decisive. Tendai Biti and his fellow MDC Alliance members could not be more ambivalent, they would not give a straight yes or no answer. They insisted, they were there “to re-engage”.

So, the Americans had gone to great expense both in treasure and their valuable time to get these Zimbabweans to Washington only to learn just how indecisive Zimbabwe’s opposition members are and thus confirm something Ambassador Dell had said back in 2004.

I have said it 1 000 times and know will say it 100 000 times again that Zimbabwe’s opposition politicians are breathtakingly corrupt and incompetent. Just to prove this point the opposition members who were not invited to go to Washington would too have shown just how confused and lost they are on the same subject of sanctions.

 

The US can’t reform our electoral system. The fight has to be taken to Parliament to ensure the Electoral Act is aligned to the Constitution. We need to enforce ZEC's obligation to make public the voters’ roll.

We need to monitor the voter registration voting process for irregularity," tweeted Fadzai Mahere, a prospective Mt Pleasant independent candidate for next year’s elections.

Ever since Mahere set her eyes on the parliamentary seat, her brain (assuming she had any to start with) has turned into mash. She has been told a million times that without implementing the democratic reforms first, there is no hope of next elections being free, fair and credible. She is paying lip service to calls for verified voters’ roll, for example. Even with the best will in the world, there is no way ZEC can register 7 million voters from scratch in four months and then produce a verified voters’ roll in the remaining four or less months.

 

Mahere, like the rest in the opposition camp, will contest next year’s elections even without
something as basic as a verified voters’ roll. After all she and the rest in the opposition are fight over the few gravy train seats they know Zanu PF will be giving away to entice them to contest the flawed elections. When it is the scraps you want, you do not care how they are served.

Yes, madam Mahere, the Americans are not going to reform Zimbabwe’s electoral system but how is a Zanu PF controlled parliament ever going to it? Zanu PF is going to rig next year’s elections to retain its dominance and, by participating in the flaw and illegal process, the opposition are foolishly giving the process credibility.

 

Hon Misihairambwi has moved a motion in Parliament which l have seconded to debate the
merits of a transitional government. This is where MDC should be concentrating their efforts in order to put their points across, not globetrotting. We look forward to the debate,  tweeted Mliswa.

The hon Misihairambwi was an MDC cabinet member is the last GNU in which the MDC had the majority in cabinet and in parliament and yet they failed to get even one democratic reform implemented in five years. If MDC failed to get any democratic reforms implemented during the GNU what hope is there of getting any now in a Zanu PF dominated arrangement!

 

Misihairambwi contested the 2013 elections with no reforms in place because, like everyone else in the opposition, she was confident of winning. This time the opposition camp has become very crowded and she knows that her hopes of winning any scraps this time are considerably reduced, especially someone like her with precious little to show for all her years in parliament. She is hoping another transition arrangement would postpone elections and extend she stay on the gravy train by another year or two!

 

President Mnangagwa was free to invite Misihairambwi or anyone else from the opposition he wished into his cabinet. What he could not do is use the coalition as an excuse for postponing next year’s elections.

 

Zanu PF must hold free and fair elections next year or set down. If the elections are not free and fair, all signs are that they will not, then the results will be judged null and void. The people of Zimbabwe; with the help of SADC, UN and the international community; will then decide what transition administration will be required to take the country forward. President Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies cannot be dictate what happens next or expect to play a leading role, if any at all, given they wasted the same opportunity during the last GNU.

 

As for the MDC opposition leaders had the golden opportunity to implement the democratic
reforms during the GNU; the nation would not be in this mess if they had not wasted it. The nation would be spare the agony of yet another utterly pointless because, with not reforms, Zanu PF will just rig the vote as before.

 

Zimbabwe has had the great misfortune to a corrupt and tyrannical ruling party like Zanu PF but having a corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless opposition has compounded the nation’s problems. There is no way Zanu PF would have remained in power for all these last 37 years dragging the nation this deep into this hell-on- earth if it was not for the fact that we have one of the most corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless opposition politicians in human history.

 

Only a Zimbabwean opposition posse would fly half-way round the world to “re-engage” and still fail to answer the simple question everyone knew they would be asked. Of course, the sanctions must remain in place. Zanu PF has stubbornly refused to implement even one democratic reform necessary for free, fair and credible. It is naïve, to even suggest the removal of Mugabe transformed the party into a democratic party.

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BREAKING NEWS – Drama As Another Gonyet Catches Fire, Driver Escapes Live Flames

LIVEVIDEO loading – refresh to watch

 

By Staff Reporter| A truck belonging to the JJ Zambia business went up in flames yesterday afternoon.

The accident happened at around 4pm at just before the Headlands urban centre. The gonyet was coming from Mozambique and driving towards Zambia past Headlands.

The driver was carrying 30 tonnes of fertilizer taking it to Zambia. Some of the fertilizer was burnt up while the rest was looted by villagers.

“The villagers had an early Christimas,” a source told ZimEye.com Sunday morning.

The driver can be seen in video footage being streamed by ZimEye.com struggling to come out of the vehicle. People passing then rush towards the truck and start shouting: Mudara iwe buda umo.” He struggles for a while but later on manages to escape.

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MNANGAGWA TO USE ARMY TO WIN ELECTIONS: ZANU PF Lawyer Opens Out More Worms, Denies While Saying, “Zanu PF Has Capacity to Win the Elections Without The Military”

denial…Paul Mangwana

Statements made by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s advisor Chris Mutsvangwa and also Masvingo Minister Josiah Hungwe, that ZANU PF is going to utilise the army to win the upcoming elections, have set tongues wagging amid denials by the party’s Legal Secretary Paul Mangwana who has since off opened up more worms.

“I personally don’t subscribe to that notion of having or using the military in the forthcoming elections. Zanu PF has the capacity to win the elections without the military,” Mangwana told the weekly The Standard paper.

The development comes after Mutsvangwa made the latest statement on Friday.

“…on a magnitude bigger than the one which we did in 1980…”

https://youtu.be/bgQ_Bfnh9k4

By Farai D Hove | The Special Advisor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Christopher Mutsvangwa yesterday spoke on how Zanu PF “will resoundingly win” the next elections in 2018.

Mutsvangwa’s revelation on Mnangagwa’s election strategy comes as the President himself told about 7000 delegates that there is no opposition in Zimbabwe. There is no opposition to talk about… ZANU PF must win all seat from Beitbridge to Chirundu, said Mnangagwa.

Mutsvangwa mentioned ZANU PF’s three pronged strategy which he detailed in the following list as ZimEye reveals on full video today:

  •  the chiefs.

  • the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (the best army in the world).

  • we shall work hard.

Speaking at the one day Zanu PF special congress, the first of its kind in many years, Mutsvangwa poured accolades on Mnangagwa’s leadership saying: “We are going to back to mazuva edu e-chimurenga where leadership and the cadreship were the same and we war vets are so happy that we are in this meeting. Together with the membership of the party, we were chastised; we were being removed from the party that we love, now we are feeling at home; Cde President we love you and we thank you.”

“I also want to mention the young man Jah Prayzah who became a victim of the G40 just an ordinary musician expressing his views in song; I salute him,” said Mutsvangwa referring to an incident in which Jah Prayzah was pelted with stones and chased away from a graveyard at the funeral of his former bodyguard, Chris Nyemba.

On elections Mutsvangwa said, “Cde President we are pledging to you our support for the 2018 elections that election, you shall win on a magnitude bigger than the one which we did in 1980; we are going to work hard with our chiefs, we are going to work hard with our illustrious ZDF, the best army in the world.”

He went further to praise General Constantino Chiwenga saying: “We want to salute our General Chiwenga who leads the most professional army in the world; we will work hard. They will remain in the barracks but we shall work hard to make sure that we win the election. We will run that election in a free and democratic manner which will impress the whole world, so that your victory will make Zimbabweans stand high among the nations of the world as a democratic country. We are the first ever liberation movement which decided to go into election in 1980; Others just walked into power by guns. We will keep that democratic tradition. It is a Zimbabwean tradition.”

Mutsvangwa also saluted youths in Bulawayo who were victim of what he called former President Robert Mugabe’s tantrums.

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PICTURES: Maybe We Should “Target Criminals” Around Gen Chiwenga’s Wife Who Are Letting Her Out Of The Home Dressed Like This

Maybe we should target criminals around Gen Chiwenga’s wife who are letting out of the house dressed like this, Zimbabweans continued complaining about Gen Constantino Chiwenga’s wife’s dressing which they say needs some serious up-ending. The comments follow another critique written by the UK based Kerina Mujati who said Mrs Mary Chiwenga should reconsider her attire choices particularly at official functions since she is the wife of Zimbabwe’s most senior army general.

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Rugare Gumbo Returning To ZANU PF – State Media

Rugare Gumbo spotted at ZANU PF Conference on Friday
The state media claims that former Zanu-PF spokesperson Mr Rugare Gumbo is set to make a sensational return to the party. The article comes after Gumbo was spotted at the ZANU Pf Conference on Friday.

While Gumbo had not made his motive known, the state media cast forth planks pointing to a literal return to ZANU PF. If it turns true, this will be three years after his expulsion for his association with former Vice-President Joice Mujuru.

Mr Gumbo has been spotted at several party and Government functions with the latest being the just- ended Zanu-PF Extraordinary Congress in Harare on Friday where he attended as a member of the war veterans association.

Speculation has thus been rife that Mr Gumbo, a renowned freedom fighter is contemplating rejoining the revolutionary party following the crumbling of Zimbabwe People First due to power struggles and divisions.
Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairperson Engineer Daniel McKenzie Ncube confirmed that Mr Gumbo had verbally expressed his willingness to rejoin the revolutionary party but was still to formalise his interests.

Eng Ncube said Mr Gumbo had expressed a lot of optimism in the new dispensation.
“I personally spoke to Cde Gumbo and he expressed a lot of optimism in the new leadership. He verbally expressed his interests to come back to the party. However, he is still to express his willingness formally. If he does so as a province we are going to take it up and the party will decide,” said Eng Ncube.

Contacted for comment, Mr Gumbo was diplomatic about it but hinted that there was a possibility of him rejoining Zanu-PF.

“I have been attending State functions of late and on Friday I attended the Zanu-PF Extraordinary Congress. I did so as a war veteran and as an observer so people mustn’t read too much into it. It (rejoining Zanu-PF) would be a good thing, however, provided that certain things are clarified.

“I am not a young person itching for positions, I am past that stage. All this I’m not doing it on my own, there are certain people who are supporting us and making suggestions,” he said. – state media

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Pregnant HIV+ Women Can Be Arrested

Pregnant HIV-positive mothers who do not take precaution to prevent transmission of the virus to their unborn babies are liable for prosecution and face up to 20 years in prison under the country’s laws, a lawyer has noted.

Anyone living with the virus who has sexual intercourse with an HIV-negative partner using protection without disclosing their status may also be legally liable, even when transmission has not occurred, Mr Lizwe Jamela of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said.

In an interview on the sidelines of the just-ended International Conference of Aids and STIs in Africa (Icasa) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast Mr Jamela, who heads ZLHR in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces said the country’s laws on deliberate transmission of HIV were too broad and should be
reviewed.

He said the broadness of the laws made almost everyone who is sexually active liable for prosecution, and thus called for the repealing of the legislation.

Under section 79 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9:23 deliberate transmission of HIV is a criminal offence which attracts a sentence of not more than 20 years.
“On the face of it the law talks about deliberate transmission of HIV but when you analyse it further you observe that almost everyone can face prosecution,” he said.

Section 79 (b) states that “Any person, realising that there is a real risk or possibility that he or she is infected with HIV; intentionally does anything or permits the doing of anything which he or she knows will infect, which he or she realises involves a real risk or possibility of infecting another person with HIV, shall be guilty of deliberate transmission of HIV, whether or not he or she is married to that other person, and shall be liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding twenty years”.

Mr Jamela said, “Anyone can fall into that category. There is just too much conjecture in that law.
“If a pregnant woman who is HIV-positive fails to undergo the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme she is liable for prosecution.

“Anyone who is HIV positive who has intercourse with someone who is negative and uses protection can still be prosecuted under this law because that person would have done something which involves a real risk of possibility of infecting another person with HIV.

“The fact that one used protection can only be used as mitigation but not to absolve anyone.”
He added, “So under this law, the criminal offence is not only about deliberate transmission but even exposure to risk of transmission, which in my view is very wide and broad.”

Mr Jamela said the law should either be amended to deal specifically with cases of deliberate transmission or be totally repealed.

“We don’t need a law that criminalises HIV. Instead we should be reinforcing the human rights response to HIV intervention by increasing issues of education and advocacy.
“We could limit the law to genuine cases of deliberate transmission,” he said.

Mr Jamela further argued that it was also humanly impossible to prove in a court of law who would have infected who between complainant and defendant in cases of deliberate transmission of HIV.

“Judiciary can’t deal with who infected who. There is no technology to generate evidence to prove that. So in most cases the person who would report first becomes the complainant. But what if the complainant is the one who infected defendant, how do you prove that?

“For a criminal conviction to happen someone should be guilty beyond reasonable doubt, but we have people being convicted of deliberate infection when that threshold has not been passed,” he said.

Head of the HIV and TB unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Owen Mugurungi described the enactment of the law as “a moment of madness”.

He said the law was counterproductive in the fight against stigma around HIV.
“It was a moment of madness. This is what happens when decisions are made based on emotions.
“The law attacks the basic rights of people living with HIV. It’s counter-productive to our interventions and defeats everything we are trying to do to fight the virus.

“That law causes people to go underground, it scares away people from getting tested because it stigmatises HIV,” he said. – state media

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ARMY OPERATION RESTORE ORDER PART 2: Mnangagwa Must Use Military To Carry Out Another Operation – To Arrest Everyone Wearing And Those Printing Those “Satanic” Lacoste and Mnangagwa Regalia

Lessons from the world’s largest economies.

By Simba Chikanza| If I was President Emmerson Mnangagwa I would today utilise the same brute force used to remove Robert Mugabe last month, to carry out “Operation Restore Order Part 2”, to arrest everyone who is printing Lacoste and Mnangagwa regalia with my (Mnangagwa’s) face on it – ban that Satanic outfit; and on that day I would become a true Revolutionary not of 1977, but of our time – 2017; for I would in that sense have demonstrated, real seriousness about creating a new earth and a new heavens over the nation of Zimbabwe after Mugabe’s removal. Look at the Chinese leadership, check videos of their own party congress and you will not find a single picture of President Xi Jinping’s on their clothes(see pictures below). Take a look at their just ended congress, and you will see they are all dressed in simple suits, no clown regalia with their leaders,’ not even their ancestors’ pictures printed thereon. – CONTINUE READING…

 

Restoring the economy – lessons from the world’s 2nd largest economy.

President Mnangagwa if you are serious about restoring the Zimbabwean economy, you are going to have to urgently copy what you can from powerful nations like Zimbabwe’s all weather friend, China, the world’s 2nd largest economy. SEE PICTURES OF THE LATEST CHINESE CONGRESS BELOW. I won’t include western nations lets I be suspected of being sponsored by western nations.

The problem with Gushungo style regalia is that they inspire mediocrity and stupidity – people stop thinking (cease being productive) and start wasting time competing to appease you Mr President. If you are going to be a real leader, you are going to have to learn to act differently – make yourself unnecessary, and I quote the late Myles Munroe:

“True leaders make themselves unnecessary.”

The problem with Zimbabwe was never Robert Mugabe, it was just “leadership”, the late Nelson Mandela said. For this reason President Mnangagwa you must demonstrate true leadership by acting differently.

(SEE VIDEO BELOW)

https://youtu.be/lUB7BuTZmog

 

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ARMY LATEST: Bread Prices Shoot Up

Prices of some basic commodities, including bread, sugar and mealie-meal, have gone up over the last month, marginally raising the cost of living for urban households.

 Figures from the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe show minor increases in the cost of the family food basket, driven largely by hikes in prices of bread, mealie-meal, sugar, tea leaves, milk, rice and laundry bars. These price movements, according to the consumer watchdog, are a result of fuel price fluctuations, multi-tier pricing and profiteering retailers.

The price of a standard loaf of bread went up yesterday from US$0,90 to US$1.

 According to the CCZ’s December 2017 Report, the monthly food basket for a family of six increased by roughly US$4,50.

Reads the report in part: “The cost of living as measured by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe’s has gone up. The low-income urban earner monthly basket for a family of six increased from the end-October figure of US$593,55 to US$598,16 by end of November 2017, showing an increase of US$4,61 or 0,72 percent.

“As CCZ, we assume the increase in prices could be attributed to various factors, these include fluctuation of fuel price, multi-tier pricing by retailers: some supermarkets have taken advantage of these situations by increasing the prices of basic commodities by small amounts such as 1c, 2c, 3c to 40c and consumers are not able to notice the change.”

The report continues: “The increase in prices could also be attributed to the festive season where retailers take advantage of consumers having much to spend. The use of mobile money has also been noted as attributing to an increase in basic commodities, especially at retail shops that do not have merchant codes and charge an extra percentage on goods.

“(Because of) avian flu that has struck Zimbabwe’s poultry market and also the banning of poultry from South Africa because of the same, there has been a shortage of eggs on the market and some increase in poultry meat. We also assume that this has been the cause of the increase in prices of beef products.”

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Mr Denford Mutashu said yesterday’s bread price hike was arbitrary.

 Mr Mutashu sai:, “It is true, the price of bread went up (yesterday morning). I have spoken to retail managers and they confirmed that but most of the stock that came in (yesterday) was at the old price.

“Bakers have increased the price of bread by about 10 percent, meaning a loaf that was selling at 90c is now US$1 and so on, because retailers put a mark-up of 10 percent.

“We have not been consulted on this and clearly, this is just an arbitrary move. From where we stand, we are also trying to know why they hiked the price.”

Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe chairperson Mr Tafadzwa Musarara added: “To us, it’s just outside economics. It could be politics at play or something like that. We don’t bake bread, but we are bakers’ biggest raw material supplier and need to acquit ourselves in that regard because flour prices have not gone up since 2008.

“The price of flour has remained at US$32 for 50kg, and if we have not increased our prices, what could have caused them to increase theirs? Wheat from Command Agriculture was being sold to millers at subsidised prices in order to manage the price of bread.”

National Bakers’ Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Ngoni Mazango could not be reached for comment.

At Zanu-PF’s Extraordinary Congress in Harare last Friday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa encouraged business to refrain from unjustified price reviews.

He said: “Meanwhile, I exhort all retailers and service providers to desist from wantonly increasing prices. I urge us to stop profiteering tendencies. Let us give our new economic era a chance. We can achieve this by working together and putting our nation first.” – state media

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Mnangagwa Says ” I’m President For Everyone”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa says he will represent cross-sectional interests, standing for the rights and aspirations of all Zimbabweans.

His remarks follow an edgy period in domestic politics that saw the highly divisive G40 cabal channel factionalism, regionalism and tribalism; in addition to fuelling cronyism that drove alleged criminal activity by a few elites.

 Mnangagwa, who was endorsed as Zanu-PF President and First Secretary and the party’s Presidential candidate for the 2018 harmonised elections, preached unity at his inauguration on November 24.

He continued on this note at Zanu-PF’s Extraordinary Congress in Harare last Friday, saying: “I urge the party to introspect and self-adjust in conformity with the principles, mores and genes of Zanu-PF.

“In this regard, Article 2 (Section 14) of our party’s constitution outlines the aims and objectives of our party as inter alia being ‘to oppose resolutely tribalism, regionalism, nepotism, corruption, racism, religious fanaticism, xenophobia and related intolerance, discrimination on the grounds of sex and all forms of exploitation of man by man in Zimbabwe’.

“In line with this instruction, therefore, my ascendance to the helm of the party must never be interpreted as a defeat of one faction and installation of another. My Presidency should not be perceived as a rise in the fortunes of a region, or a tribe or a totem, no. My Presidency is about a united Zanu-PF, a national party with a national outlook.”

The President said he would unite all Zimbabweans under the national flag and around the national anthem.

“I stand before you, therefore, as the President of a united, non-racial Zimbabwe, itself home to many tongues, dialects, cultures, colours, age groups.

“I am a President of women and men; the young and the old; the able-bodied and the physically-challenged; the rich and the poor; the well and the sick. I am an emissary of all the veterans and heroes, dead or alive, who through their blood sketched the cause and mission which my Presidency must promote, must actualise and advance.

“I am a President for Ndebeles, Shonas, Zezurus, Ndaus, Karangas, Manyikas, Vendas, the Chewas, Sothos. I am also the President for the Tongas, Tswanas, Xhosas, Khoisans, Shangaans, Kalangas, Nambyans and other races, all who are celebrated in our national Constitution. The role you have given me, and the Office you have inserted me into can never be partitioned to  anyone.”

Political scientist Professor Charity Manyeruke said President Mnangagwa’s national outlook reflected political maturity and statesmanship.

“It is a very important message coming from a national leader. It shows that President Mnangagwa has a vision in terms of nation-building and he is already taking practical steps to unite the people,” said Prof Manyeruke.

“It shows that unity will be a key factor under his administration where he is seeking to pull Zimbabweans in one direction, working in unison to develop the country.

“The message shows that he is not discriminatory and he is prepared to unite the people under the banner of one Zimbabwe. His message also shows that he is anti-racist.

“It is derived from the unity shown by the people of Zimbabwe during the solidarity march which was organised by the war veterans where Zimbabweans of all races, creed and political affiliation came together as one for a common cause.”

University of Pretoria PhD scholar and political commentator Mr Alban Gambe added: “After a period of political polarisation, it was important for the President to deliver a message of unity.
“He did just that by pledging to represent all Zimbabweans and not just those who support his political party or those who come from his province.

“It is critical at this juncture, especially when we are due to hold elections in a few months’ time. Given the history of political intolerance in some areas, it was important that President Mnangagwa assured all the people of Zimbabwe that they are well represented through his administration.” state media

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Gudyanga Remains In Remand Prison

Former Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Francis Gudyanga was yesterday sent to remand prison pending a bail hearing tomorrow.

Gudyanga was arrested on Friday for alleged corruption and abuse of public office, charges stemming from his stint as Secretary for Mines and Mining Development.

He appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Victoria Machaya and offered to surrender his passport, report to the police three times weekly and deposit US$200 bail. Ms Machaya scheduled the bail ruling for tomorrow.

The State says Gudyanga dissolved the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe board in December 2013 and was, subsequently, appointed the corporation’s chair from then until September 2016.

It is alleged he abused his office by corruptly claiming and receiving board fees and sitting allowances totalling US$28 910 in contravention of the MMCZ Act (Chapter 21:04), which says a board comprises at least six members and a maximum of 10.

MMCZ, according to the State, did not have a board at the time, meaning the money was not due to him and the corporation was prejudiced of US$28 910.

Gudyanga is on record telling a Harare magistrate during the trial of MMCZ bosses that he had paid himself board fees when there was no board at the parastatal. He said the money was not for sitting, but consultation and decision making. Gudyanga received US$875 monthly in board fees and sitting fees of US$460 for “sitting” 21 times.- state media

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Mnangagwa Moves To Arrest Mzembi And Chidhakwa

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating former Cabinet ministers Dr Walter Mzembi and Mr Walter Chidhakwa for corruption and abuse of office.

Zacc sources told The Sunday Mail that there was reasonable suspicion the two pampered themselves with money illegally acquired during their stints in Government. Anti-graft agents are also onto former Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Professor Francis Gudyanga for allegedly siphoning US$230 000 from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund.

Prof Gudyanga is already in remand prison on separate charges of corruption and abuse of office stemming from his time as Secretary for Mines and Mining Development. He allegedly dissolved the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe board in December 2013 and assumed the chairmanship until September 2016.

It is alleged he corruptly received board fees and sitting allowances totalling US$28 910 in contravention of the MMCZ Act (Chapter 21:04) which says a board comprises at least six members and a maximum of 10.

MMCZ, according to the State, did not have a board at the time, meaning the money was not due to him. The Sunday Mail understands investigators suspect Prof Gudyanga colluded with Mr Chidhakwa, who was Mines and Mining Development Minister at the time.

Zacc is reportedly also interested in a case in which Mr Chidhakwa allegedly used his influence to unlawfully grant tax exmeption to a mining firm, which then made a hefty payment to an organisation linked to the former minister.

Dr Mzembi’s alleged abuse of office relates to vehicles he got during the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly which Zimbabwe and Zambia co-hosted in 2013.

Dr Mzembi, who was Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister then, also allegedly awarded contracts to his wife, Barbara, without going to tender.

In his latest case, Prof Gudyanga is accused of routing US$230 000 from Zimdef to a teacher training college in Harare and then to Tsholotsho Rural District Council under dubious circumstances. Sources said the council rejected the money because it did not understand the legality of its origins.

Contacted for comment, Zacc principal public relations officer Ms Phyllis Chikandura said: “I am away on leave, so I’m not aware of anything like that.” However, our sources described the cases against the two ex-ministers as “solid”.

“Chidhakwa is suspected to have been complicit in allowing Prof Gudyanga to run a one-man MMCZ board for a considerable period . . . He also used his powers to offer tax exemption, which he is believed to have arranged with the company in question. The same company was also involved in suspicious projects that involved Chidhakwa.

“There are other charges of some dealings that were taking place at the Ministry of Mines, which Chidhakwa needs to answer to,” one source said.

Another added: “(In the Dr Mzembi) case, cars were purchased during the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly but were later converted to personal ownership. There were also contracts that did not go to tender and were given to Mzembi’s wife.

“And Zimdef is also being investigated for shelling out tens of thousands of dollars to Manicaland and Marondera state universities when the two institutions were, in fact, not in existence.”

Corruption is one of the negatives weighing down Zimbabwe’s economy, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed to crack down on it. Former Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo was recently arrested for corruption and abuse of office.

He allegedly connived with Psychology Chiwanga, R Pazvakavambwa, Iben Fransisco, James Chiyangwa, Theresa Chenjerayi, Elias Choto and L Chimimba to forge documents to transfer a Glen Lorne, Harare property from the Harare City Council to one Alois Chimeri.

He allegedly committed the offence during his stint as Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister. Chombo is also accused of using his influence as Local Government Minister to arm twist the Harare City Council to allocate him residential stand Number 61 Helensvale, Harare which measures 193 716 square metres.

It is alleged he developed cluster houses on the land. Initially, the City of Harare had asked Chombo to use the land for recreational purposes, but he allegedly took the land for himself through Harvest-Net Enterprises, a company he co-directed then. Chombo is out of custody on bail.- state media

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CHIWENGA LATEST: Generals Now Control Zanu PF

Serving and retired members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) were among the most notable winners at an extraordinary congress convened by Zanu PF in the capital yesterday as they emerged with influential party posts.

Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) top officer, major general Engelbert Rugeje landed the position of Zanu PF national political commissar while new Cabinet ministers, former Air Force of Zimbabwe commander Perrance Shiri and former ZNA chief of staff Subisiso Busi Moyo were roped in as committee members in the politburo.

Rugeje, a veteran of the 1970s liberation war, is widely known for his abrasive political approach in his home province of Masvingo.

He replaces exiled former office bearer Saviour Kasukuwere, whose expulsion from Zanu PF was endorsed by congress.

This was perhaps at the behest of members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (Znlwva) who have repeatedly been clamouring for one of them to be appointed to the influential post.

Rugeje, Shiri and Moyo played influential roles in the military intervention that ousted former president, Robert Mugabe, last month.

Also making it into the politburo was former ZNA colonel, Munyaradzi Machacha who was named principal of the Chitepo School of Ideology.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said he was adding this portfolio so that all party cadres are taught what he called the “correct party ideology”.

Analysts said the military cadres were probably being rewarded for their role in propelling Mnangagwa to the position of head of State and first secretary of Zanu PF.
To all intents and purposes, veterans of the liberation struggle that brought independence in 1980 are now calling the shots in Zanu PF.

Outspoken chairperson of the Znlwva, Christopher Mutsvangwa, who consistently battled against Mnangagwa’s bitter political enemies, was rewarded with the position of secretary for information, communication and technology.

He takes over from Jonathan Moyo who fled into exile at the height of Operation Restore Legacy.

Mnangagwa attracted wild acclamation from the delegates when he jokingly said he was giving the post to Moyo’s good friend.

Both gifted with oratory prowess, Moyo and Mutsvangwa freely entertained the public by engaging in extreme verbal exchanges through the press.
Znlwva secretary-general, Victor Matemadanda, himself a former soldier, was appointed to the politburo.

He replaces previous presidential hopeful, Sydney Sekeramayi, who completely missed out.
Another former freedom fighter, Marble Chinomona scooped the influential post of secretary for women’s affairs.

She interestingly replaces former first lady, Grace Mugabe, who had fired her from the women’s league shortly before the military intervention.

The powerful presidium position of Zanu PF national chairperson was resuscitated and given to Oppah Muchinguri-Kashir, another veteran of the liberation war.

The generals, whose involvement in the country’s political affairs has also raised some
eyebrows, sat in the front row and those who gave solidarity messages lined to shake their hands afterwards. Daily News

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Tsvangirai MDC Splits?

The opposition MDC is heading for an implosion that could seriously expose the party amid intense jostling for power as well as growing opposition to the MDC Alliance.

With MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s health failing him, party insiders told the Daily News that MDC vice president Thokozani Khupe and her allies are convinced that he wants to hand over power to one of his deputies Nelson Chamisa.

This was after Tsvangirai controversially appointed Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as his other deputies in a move that Khupe who is a product of congress views as meant to spite her.

MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu confirmed that all was not well in the party saying “of course, as a massive political party, there are bound to be differences here and there but this doesn’t mean that the partyis imploding”.

While Gutu sought to downplay the differences emanating also from the party’s decision to form the MDC Alliance saying the MDC had “developed the art of resolving whatever differences that we might have amicably and in a comradely manner” Khupe and her allies, the sources say, are fervently pushing for an extra ordinary congress to block Tsvangirai from cherry-picking Chamisa as his successor.

“Khupe and her team are convinced that Tsvangirai wants to hand over power to Chamisa owing to his failing health so they want to put him under pressure to declare that he is no longer fit to lead the organisation, hence there is need for an extra-ordinary congress,” a standing committee member who requested anonymity said.

“They are also not happy with the MDC Alliance so they have been frustrating it in Matabeleland provinces by refusing them use of MDC offices.

“They feel that Chamisa is using the MDC Alliance platform where he has been representing Tsvangirai since he was airlifted to South Africa. Chamisa is presenting himself to the party structures as the ‘chosen one’.”

With Khupe’s faction allegedly boasting of a number of top MDC officials including MDC secretary general Douglas Mwonzora, national chairperson Lovemore Moyo, organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe and Gutu, sources say they are now targeting Chamisa’s sympathisers in the party structures for purging.

“It looks like they are panicking because Tsvangirai seems to be backing Chamisa and this became clear to them when he vetoed Khupe’s decision to suspend Matabeleland South provincial chairperson Solani Moyo on allegations of disrespecting her.

Last week Tsvangirai and Khupe clashed for the second time in three months over allegations that the latter had unconstitutionally suspended Moyo who is a Chamisa ally.

In August Khupe fell out with Tsvangirai after she accused the former prime minister of being “unapproachable and unilaterally” signing the MDC Alliance deal, which allegedly gave him excessive powers.

In a bid to avoid another acrimonious MDC split reminiscent of the 2005 and 2014 fallout which severely weakened the party, Tsvangirai immediately reached out to his disaffected deputy to resolve differences related to key strategies ahead of the eagerly-anticipated 2018 national elections.
However, barely three months after the two smoked the peace pipe a political time bomb is ticking once again in the MDC with Khupe at the centre of it once more after she suspended Moyo on allegations that he “menacingly” charged at her with intention of assaulting her at a recent voter registration outreach programme.

The suspension raised the ire of Tsvangirai who immediately wrote to Khupe advising her that she was out of order and that he was “disturbed” by her conduct.

In a December 7, 2017 letter to Khupe, Tsvangirai said he was concerned that Khupe had made half-hearted attempts to engage him on the matter through a letter requesting permission to suspend Moyo but went on to act without getting his views.

“I am disturbed that before I even considered your request and the issues surrounding the same you have gone ahead to suspend the party’s chairperson in a matter in which you are a complainant and gone public about the same,” reads part of the letter.

“It is not my intention at this stage to go into the merits of the case or the constitutionality of the actions taken to date without a proper investigation by a competent authority.

“However for the sake of the good of the party and the respect for principles of natural justice, I am now referring the matter to the Arbiter General of the party for a full investigation in which he shall advise me the correct and constitutional process to follow and in the meantime, Moyo shall continue to perform his duties as our chairperson,” Tsvangirai directed.

Tsvangirai also revealed that Moyo had also sought his intervention after he raised complaints against Khupe’s conduct.

He directed Mwonzora to compile the MDC Arbiter Generals’ terms of reference for the investigation “taking into account your original submissions to me and the submissions made to be by Moyo on the same”.

Tsvangirai said he would immediately commission the investigation as soon as Mwonzora furnishes him with a draft copy of the terms of reference.

The development raised fears that the MDC could be headed for another split owing to the serious differences within its leadership.

This was after Tsvangirai had signed into life the MDC Alliance together with various other opposition parties at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield, Harare, on August 5.
Among the signatories to the pact are the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tendai Biti, the MDC led by Welshman Ncube, Transform Zimbabwe headed by Jacob Ngarivhume, Zanu Ndonga headed by Denford Masiyarira, and the Multi-Racial Christian Democrats led by Mathias
Guchutu.

Both Biti and Ncube are former secretaries-general of the main MDC formation led by Tsvangirai. Khupe, Bhebe and Moyo boycotted the launch of the MDC Alliance — instead holding their own meeting the following day in Bulawayo, and which gathering was cut short by violence by suspected party thugs.

The Matabeleland leadership, although not opposed to an opposition alliance per se, were not happy about the allocation of seats to other parties in the region — arguing that the MDC had been doing well in their provinces in previous elections without an alliance with other parties.

Matters were further complicated when Khupe and her colleagues in Bulawayo boycotted the second launch of the MDC Alliance which was later held in the second city — heightening fears of another damaging party split.

The MDC initially split in 2005 when Ncube walked out of the party, accusing Tsvangirai of taking unilateral decisions.

In 2014, the party split again, this time with Biti packing his bags after he also accused the popular Tsvangirai of allegedly having dictatorial tendencies. Daily News

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Chombo And Crew Granted Bail

Former Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo and former Zanu PF youth leaders Kudzanayi Chipanga and Innocent Hamandishe’s accomplice Mathew Mleya who has been on the run has appeared in court facing criminal nuisance charges.

Mleya appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Victoria Mashamba who granted him $200 bail and remanded him to 8 January for trial.

The court heard that Mleya connived with Chombo, Chipanga and Hamandishe to wear Zanu PF party regalia embezzled with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s initials.

They allegedly posed for photographs in that regalia despite being expelled members of the party.

Chombo, Chipanga and Hamandishe appeared in court on Friday (yesterday) facing the same charge with Mleya and were ordered to abide by the bail conditions imposed on other cases they are facing.- state media

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ANC CONGRESS : Zuma Goes On The Offensive

President Jacob Zuma has not shied away from rebuking those he feels were not amenable to his tenure as president of the ANC, including the media and his alliance partners.

Zuma opened the party’s national elective conference in Nasrec, Johannesburg, on Saturday with his political report.

The outgoing ANC president did not hold back from slamming multiple players he felt were actively working against the ANC, starting with the party’s Veteran’s League.

“It was never in the mind of the organisation that this could be a vehicle to be used to cause more problems in the ANC.

“I’m an outgoing president, and my major operations now will be, among others, with the veterans. I will remind my comrades that their main purpose is to help the movement.

“Not to be part of the helly-belly of the problems of the movement.”

Zuma described the Veteran’s League as a “crucial” structure that should provide rearguard support to the movement.

“So, when the bigger body has problems, they can refer the issues and say, ‘help us, we have a problem here’. We cannot be part of the problem.”

The Veteran’s League has been critical of Zuma, and has called on the National Executive Committee to recall him.

SACP, Cosatu

Next up were the ANC’s alliance partners, the SA Communist Party and the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions, which both publicly called for Zuma to resign earlier this year.

“Let me not forget Cosatu… The tensions that have built up over the years, at times as a result of dissatisfaction with the policy instruments adopted by the ANC and its government, have now come to a head.

“In an unprecedented move, we saw in the past few months our alliance partners marching side by side with right-wing forces who are historical opponents of our democratic revolution, calling on the president of the ANC to step down.”

He also bemoaned the decision taken by Cosatu to “bar the president of the ANC from attending or addressing any of their gatherings”, as well as the May Day rally, where he was booed by Cosatu members.

He was more conciliatory in tone towards the SACP, acknowledging that the party had resolved to contest elections on its own.

“Hardly three weeks ago, the SACP contested elections on its own, working against the ANC in the Metsimaholo Local Municipality in the Free State.

“This conference must discuss these new developments and provide direction, having given due regard to the proposals of the SACP around the reconfiguration of the alliance, in line with the new conditions of struggle.”

Civil society, private sector, media

The private sector, civil society and the media were not let off the hook either.

“We should also be mindful of the fact that media is an active participant, with vested interests, rather than impartial observers of the organisation,” he said.

“The mobilisation of the media against the ANC and the country, from Johannesburg to London to Washington DC, has gained momentum in recent months.

“We need to reflect on how to communicate with our people, in a climate where forces hostile to our organisation control the means.”

He also slammed those ANC members who had “actively used the media to fight personal battles against the ANC”, damaging the party in the process.

Zuma welcomed the role non-government organisations have played in the country, but claimed there was a sporadic “emergence” of NGOs which were hostile.

“Some NGOs appear to fight the ANC, and appear to be well resourced, and constantly take government to court to fight political battles.

‘I did my best’

“We have also seen unusual activism from the private sector lately, with the support of such formations and big business of taking the unusual step of encouraging workers to leave work with full pay and march against the government,” Zuma said.

“The same employers adopt a no-work, no-pay stance when the same employees demand higher wages.”

Other formations appeared to “exist to protect white privilege”, by pretending to protect the interests of the poor and working class.

At the end of his speech, however, Zuma declared that he bore “no grudge” against any member of the party that had called for him to go.

“I understand that this is politics, and you are entitled to your views,” he said.

“I tried my best.”

As he concluded, the delegates gave him a standing ovation, with some members chanting, “Zuma! Zuma! Zuma!”- News24

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Zvorwadza Remains In The Trenches

National Vendors Union leader Sten Zvorwadza has challenged his placement on remand in a case in which he is accused of undermining the authority of former president Robert Mugabe after he criticised him for removing vendors from the streets.

Zvorwadza’s lawyer Jeremiah Bamu said the State had failed to prove a basis for prosecuting his client under section 33(2) which criminalises undermining the authority of, or, insulting the president.

“It is submitted that insufficient facts have been alleged to enable the court to objectively find the existence of a reasonable suspicion of his/ her having committed, or being about to commit a criminal offence,” Bamu said.

“The facts alleged in the Form 242 do not disclose any offence. No allegation is made with regards to the falsity of the statement alleged.”

Bamu further said the statement made by Zvorwadza was actually backed by Zimbabweans during demonstrations that rocked the country for him to step down.

“…even if that allegation had been made, it could not have had been a sound allegation. It surely cannot be false that a 93 year old person is old. The statement could only have had been false if it alleged that a 93- year-old was “young”.- Daily News 

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SANCTIONS WAR: Jonathan Moyo Gives Thumbs Up To Tsvangirai Led Alliance

Farirai Madhumbe | Amidst social media reports of disgruntled Zanu PF supporters joining the opposition exiled Professor Jonathan Moyo has set the ball rolling by openly supporting MDC Alliance position on sanctions.

Disgruntled Zanu PF members from the Mashonaland Central, Mash East, Mash West, Manicaland and Matebeleland regions are expected to resign enmasse in protest over a “Super Karanga” agenda in the ruling party.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa failed to chair his first Politburo meeting last week after tribalism reared bits ugly head threatening yesterdays special congress, he then later delayed announcing his two VPs cautious over the highly sensitive matter and the tribal storm brewing in the ruling party.

Assurances by Mnangagwa that Zanu PF is for everyone seem to be futile after it has also emerged through other sources that he intends to remove General Constantino Chiwenga as ZDF boss and put there a more trusted Karanga ally. According to the proposal being resisted by some of Chowenga’s allies on social media, Chiwenga would then be appointed VP but with Mnangagwa still having the power to fire him at will.

Writes blogger Allan Wenyika, “Chiwenga, on the other hand, does not want to become VP. He wants to remain as Commander of the ZDF. It appears ED doesn’t feel safe with Chiwenga commanding the army anymore. Last night ED and Chiwenga had a bitter argument over the issue. The postponement today to appoint the two VPs is informed by the friction that now exists between ED and Chiwenga. Mugabe must be laughing now.”

It is not the first time that Zanu PF would have resigned enmasse to join the opposition they did so before in 1997 at the formation of the MDC with many structures resigning together to join the opposition.

The Daily News reports that Moyo quoting New York-based Human Rights Watch Southern Africa head Dewa Mavhinga’s submission presented before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee urging Washington to maintain its stance on Zimbabwe until reforms have been enacted, Moyo said no country should deal with Zimbabwe as it was an illegitimate administration.

“A military coup is a military coup and in terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe it can only beget nothing else but an unconstitutional government and thus an illegitimate dispensation! #CouptheCure @dewamavhinga,” Moyo said on his twitter account.

The former Zanu PF politburo member took another about turn as he supported the opposition’s call for the United Nations and other international election watchdogs to supervise the 2018 elections.

Zanu PF has always maintained that the elections will not be observed by the UN.

“Given what has happened since the coup d’état of 15 November 2017, the only way forward is for Sadc, AU and UN to cure the coup by restoring constitutional legitimacy through a civilian national transitional structure to oversee free, fair and credible elections! Cure the coup. To expect the same Junta and Mnangagwa who violently grabbed power through a coup d’état on 15 November to organise and oversee free, fair and credible elections is the same as expecting Satan the devil to organise and run the church of God on behalf of Christians! Cure the coup,” Moyo insisted.

He further called on the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), the African Union (AU) and UN to interrogate the deployment of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) on November 15 and the “alleged resignation of Mugabe on November 21. Firstly, was the ZDF deployment constitutional? Secondly did (former) president Mugabe voluntarily and freely resign?”

Moyo starkly warned: “The Junta will pay at the polls for humiliating …Mugabe!”

This week, Tendai Biti led an MDC Alliance delegation comprising Nelson Chamisa, activists Dewa Mavhinga and Peter Godwin to make presentations before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday where they urged Washington to maintain its current policy on Zimbabwe, which includes the sanctions.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade minister Sibusiso Moyo has responded by saying it was staggering that opposition expects Mnangagwa to undo the wrong committed over 37 years in just two weeks.

In the wake of an outcry from Zanu PF, Biti said the ruling party should stop “being cry-babies” and implement electoral reforms if at all it is sincere about creating a new political dispensation.

Moyo’s narrative on maintaining existing US policy towards Zimbabwe until the military removes itself from politics was in tandem with that of Biti who described the intervention by the army in the country’s political affairs as an illegal and illegitimate transfer of power from one faction of the ruling Zanu PF party to another.

Speaking after lobbying Washington as Zanu PF went into overdrive blaming the MDC Alliance for calling on sanctions to the detriment of ordinary Zimbabweans, Biti said:

“The goodwill we have witnessed as MDC Alliance on this trip, the doors that have been open for us here, some of the offices we have entered that are no normally not opened to anyone is telling, when we say we have the keys to unlock Zimbabwe it’s not a lie. It’s all shown us that we have the goodwill as the opposition. Our message has been that it’s time to build Zimbabwe that has been our message from the white house, national security department, Capitol Hill, it’s time to build Zimbabwe but Zimbabwe has to walk the talk. There has to be incentives for good behaviour. So the ball is in our court. Let us not cry sanction or no sanction lets walk the talk.”

In his welcome remarks to the Zanu PF central committee meeting on Thursday, Mnangagwa stressed that general elections will be held next year as scheduled, promising that unlike in previous seasons, this time around the outcome will not be disputed.

“As I have already announced, harmonised general elections will be held in 2018 — as scheduled. Government will do all its powers to ensure that these elections are credible, free and fair,” he said without elaborating.

It remains to be seen if Mnangagwa will stick to his word within the eight months preceding the elections that are expected in July next year.- Daily News

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MNANGAGWA IN: Price Hike Madness

In spite of the softening rates on the parallel market, prices have shot through the roof in the past few weeks with most basic products now beyond the reach of many.

A snap survey by the Daily News revealed that prices of basic commodities have gone up by between two and 125 percent within a month, dampening the pomp and fanfare that is normally associated with the festive season.

Basic goods such as cooking oil, sugar, rice, meat, flour and milk products are fetching much more than they used to last month, presenting major headaches to the authorities.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promised better prospects for the country’s economy since being sworn-in last month as Zimbabwe’s second executive president.

Within a month after assuming the reins of power on November 24, the 75-year-old ex-guerrilla leader has come face-to-face with rampant indiscipline and speculative behaviour buffeting the country’s economy.

The Daily News can report that some of the retailers are taking advantage of the seasonal demand associated with the festive season to hike prices and fatten their pockets.

A two kilogram packet of plain flour, which was trading at $1,70 a few weeks ago, is now selling for $1,99 – an increase of about 17 percent.

The same quantity of self raising flour, which used to retail at between $1,89 and $1,99 is now going for between $2, 07 and $2,29 in various retail outlets, translating to increases of nine and 15 percent respectively.

A 2kg packet of ordinary rice that was going for $2,85 by the end of October has gone up by 15 percent to fetch $3,29 while superior quality rice such as basmati and jasmine jumped from around $4 up to as much as $9 over the same period, signifying an increase of a whopping 125 percent.

The price of sugar has gone up marginally from $1, 95 to $1, 99 for a 2kg packet, while a 2 litre bottle of cooking oil is trading at between $4,35 and $4,90.

One litre low fat and full cream milk products that were priced at $1,19 are now going for $1, 49, while another brand that used to go for $1, 19 is now fetching $1, 35.

Meat prices have also rocketed, with commercial beef which cost $4,50/kg at the end of October now selling at between $7,50/kg and $9/kg.

The price of super fillet has risen to as much as $16/kg.

In addition to being in short supply due to the outbreak of avian flu, chicken prices have spiked from $3,50/kg to $7/kg.

The price of table eggs also surged from $5 per crate to $6, 40 per crate over the comparative period.

The margins are even worse for imported luxuries such as chocolates, lotions and sanitary wear products.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president, Denford Mutashu, said while the price hikes were largely a result of the prevailing foreign currency shortages, indiscipline has also set in the market resulting in profiteering.

Due to the scarcity of foreign currency, local companies are being forced to access expensive money on the parallel market with the additional cost being passed onto the consumer.

“Labour has not gone up, but the cost of production is going up. As we approach the festive season, our call is that players should desist from price increases based on profiteering,” said Mutashu.

Mutashu said CZR has noted instances whereby some registered and unregistered retailers are refusing to accept payments effected through mobile money.

He said: “Some claim not to have swipe facilities, while others are putting a cap on the amount of bond coins that could be used to effect payment. The rest has to be of higher denominations.”

The price increases are certain to add more fuel to the inflation fires.

This will put pressure on disposable incomes with workers likely to demand pay increases consistent with the breadline going into the New Year to compensate for the eroded salaries and wages.

According to the latest consumer price index data, inflation spiked the highest this year in October.

Inflation levels in many salient sub-indices remained stagnant during mid-2017, compelling government to introduce an additional $300 million worth of bond notes under a stand-by liquidity support facility in September — with the aim of stimulating foreign exchange liquidity.

Core inflation was 2, 24 percent in October, compared to the 0, 78 percent year-on-year reading the previous month.

Official inflation figures are now being questioned by independent economists with Steve Hanke, an economics professor at Johns Hopkins University in the United States, saying Zimbabwe’s real inflation rate as measured by purchasing power parity and taking into account its de facto exchange rate, was 313 percent a year and 112 percent on a monthly basis.

Hanke, who has written a book about the country’s 2008 crisis, dismissed official statistics that put year-on-year inflation at just 0.78 percent in September as a “truly fantastical piece of artwork”.

“Zimbabwe, welcome back to the record books! You have once again entered the inglorious world of hyperinflation. It is a world of economic chaos, wrenching poverty and death,” he said.

“Its purveyors should be incarcerated and the keys should be thrown away,” he concluded, taking a swipe at the then government of 93-year-old Robert Mugabe who was forced to resign last month.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president, Sifelani Jabangwe, told the Daily News this week that local manufacturers have not hiked prices that much.

He said the country’s largest industrial representative group was of the view that prices of imported goods were the ones that have significantly gone up with locally manufactured products remaining with a 20 percent increase margin from comparative prices last year.

“For the imported goods, it’s mainly driven by the shortage of currency. However, with locally produced good, you should look at it differently.

“Meat, on the other hand, is a different story. We are also trying to understand if the price has been affected by the new regulations for farmers. It could also be the issue whereby some farmers are now asking for half cash payment and half electronic payment, which could be driving up prices,” said Jabangwe.

Economic analysts are predicting doom and gloom for the consumer unless the authorities adopt stern measures to curb overpricing.

There are fears that Zimbabwe could easily slip into another hyperinflationary era reminiscent of the 2007/09 period when soaring inflation obliterated the Zimbabwe’s dollar along with its pensions and savings.

To escape hyperinflation which had topped out at 500 billion percent, the country was forced to adopted the United States dollar in 2009, along with Britain’s pound and the South African rand.

But the relative financial stability of the last eight years has unravelled in the last few months as acute foreign exchange shortages have led to sharp price increases.

Meanwhile money in banks is losing value fast.

University of Zimbabwe economics professor, Tony Hawkins, said blamed the foreign currency shortages for the price increases.

“Most of the goods manufactured in Zimbabwe have an imported component… If you look at money supply on the parallel market, it gives you a better picture of what we are going through,” he said.

Economist, Elliot Lumbe, parallel market cash traders must be eliminated if prices were to go down.

“Let’s get rid of money traders who include big guys in government because they are the ones that access large sums of cash in both United States dollars and bond notes,” he said.

“For goods that are produced locally, there is lack of discipline along the entire chain – from manufacturers down to retailers. Prices are pegged differently, depending on the mode of payment. For example, bond notes have their own commodity value and the US dollar has its own commodity value,” said Lumbe, referring to the existing three-tier pricing system.- Daily News

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Drama As Robbers Pounce On Forex Dealer

Three knife wielding robbers allegedly attacked a Beitbridge based forex dealer and stole $3 350 before dumping him in a bush.

 The suspects allegedly lied to the forex dealer that they wanted to conduct their deal in a car and after driving for some time they pounced on him and robbed him of the cash before dumping him.

Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident which occurred on Tuesday.

She said three suspects Sindiso Moyo (29), Gerald Labison (29) and Enault Ndebele (26) all from Insiza District have since been arrested.

“I can confirm that we recorded a robbery incident in Beitbridge at Engen Garage on Tuesday around 2PM. In this incident, a Beitbridge cash dealer was approached by Sindiso Moyo who wanted to exchange R30 000 for $4 000. Moyo connived with two other men and stole $3 350 and a cell phone from the cash dealer at knife point,” she said.

Ass Insp Mangena said the robbers left the cash dealer stranded about 100 metres from Lutumba tollgate and he reported the matter to police manning the tollage. She said the robbers were intercepted by police manning a roadblock in Bubi area resulting in their arrest and recovery of the stolen money.

A source said the forex dealer, Mr Liberty Masuku was attending to Moyo, one of the suspects, when a vehicle stopped close to them under the pretext of looking for passengers.

He said Moyo offered the driver $20 so they could do their cash transaction inside the vehicle. The source said the driver drove off and picked up the second suspect along the way leading to the robbery.

Meanwhile, Ass Insp Mangena said a couple was robbed when the man stopped the car following a tyre puncture.

“The second incident occurred on Wednesday at around 1AM at a railway crossing along Beitbridge- Masvingo Road. Itayi Taderera from Harare was travelling along that road with his wife in a Toyota Corolla when their vehicle had a tyre puncture about 100 metres from a railway crossing.

“While Mr Taderera was changing the tyre he was approached by two unidentified men who hurled stones at him and demanded money. They stole $1 200 and R500 cash, two cell phones and clothes valued at $1 970 and fled,” she said.

Ass Insp Mangena appealed to members of the public who may have information on the whereabouts of the two unidentified men to approach any nearest police station.

She urged members of the public to report cases early.

“We urge people to report cases early so that police can act swiftly and make arrests. We also urge people to be on the look out for criminals especailly at night along highways such as the Masvingo- Beitbridge road,” she said.

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Mary Chiwenga You’re Not Zodwa Wabantu Or Bev | OPINION

Kerina Mujati

Kerina Mujati | I understand you are a young woman Mary Chiwenga, but this is about self actualisation, self esteem and public perceptions. Your public dressing leaves a lot to be desired. Your husband, General Constantino Chiwenga is a well respected man yet your dressing is tatty and looks cheap denigrating him along the way.

I might not be the best dressed but I know how to differentiate CLASS from CRASS. Some of your public outfits are ATROCIOUS and sore to the eyes. Your cleavage should be for Mkanya not everyone to please their fetish egoes. Mai Mkanya respect our General and rudzi rwedu rwana Mkanya, why wear a net sleeveless top exposing your assets in public??? Are you on a ZIMASSET agenda?

There is a time for some of your outfits not for such grand occasions. Your husband’s status should guide you how well you carry yourself around. Your public appearance is bound to be scrutinised. You either take the criticism to be a better person or you risk being a laughing stalk in all places and lose respect from the nation as a result of your own doing.

If you have people you call friends and loved ones yet they leave you to go out dressed like this….goodness gracious me they are FAKES and you should be wary about their agenda around you. You do not need to like me as a person but my honesty will mould you into a fine woman not the way you are carrying yourself cheaply, you can do better you are a beautiful young woman. I can be your Personal shopper I have an eye for good and quality clothing I have references you can check out. Your outfit can only be forgiven if you were Zodwa or our very own Bev. I come in peace. Blessed weekend. Ichoo 

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SANCTIONS WAR: Mnangagwa Can Avoid Mugabe’s Ruinous Path

Kennedy Kaitano | It is very sad that progressive Zimbabweans are losing out on opportunities because of the path former President Robert Mugabe chose for the country, a path which Comrade Emmerson Mnangagwa has the opportunity avoid for the country, and we all hope that the new President will do all he can to ensure that Zimbabwe is accepted back into the international community.

Zimbabweans have lost on opportunities such as the Commonwealth Scholarship fund which many of our fellow African countries have benefited from since the Mugabe Government’s decision to pull out of the Commonwealth of Nations. There are man more opportunities that we continue to miss out on, and it is time the new President seriously addresses the situation.

 
A more recent sad case is the turning down of Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda’s nomination for the Cable News Network (CNN) Hero Award which, a competition in which citizens of voided countries are not eligible to participate as reported by The Herald of 15 December 2017.  CNN may determine in its sole discretion at any time during the awards programme that a country is avoided country, and that should send the signals to The President that he still has a long way to go in order to improve Zimbabwe’s image abroad.” 
 
But the recent utterances by himself and his colleagues at the just ended Zanu PF Congress proves we still have a long way to go before the country can be removed from the list of voided countries. Comrade President spoke with a forked tongue in respect of election violence, where he sent a message his supporters that they should worry about attacking the opposition when it is as weak as it is at the moment “President Mnangagwa says the party has been revived and the party faithful should desist from violence during the 2018 elections as there is no opposition to talk about”
 
His colleagues Christopher Mutsvangwa and Chief Fortune Charumbira declared that against provisions of the constitution, the army and chiefs will campaign for Zanu PF in elections planned for 2018. 
 
The country will continue to be classified as a voided country with such irresponsible statements and positions from the President and his aides.
 
It is unfortunate my sister Nyaradzai has been disqualified from the awards but hope Zimbabwe will soon return to legitimacy and she will have her turn. What I admire about her, as reported by the Herald, is that she said it is those responsible for countries being labelled as voided countries should be the one to be penalised  “I also felt angry that I was being penalised for crimes committed by others. Any call for sanctions must be restricted to ensure that sanctions are targeted and apply to those who abuse rights and should not extend to ordinary citizens”.
For sure, I support her call for sanctions to be restricted to those who cause them.
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Mnangagwa Ditches Sekeramayi

Farirai Madhumbe | President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ditched, Sydney Sekeramayi, from his leadership a man who had been set up by the G40 faction as his rival in the bitter Robert Mugabe succession war.

Sekeramayi lost his post in the Zanu PF party’s powerful Politburo and was not given any Cabinet post either, as Mnangagwa made changes to his leadership in preperation for the 2018 elections. Mnangagwa with the full backing of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, traditional leaders and war vets is anticipating a clean sweep in the crucial elections which might bury the country’s splintered opposition once and for all.

The state media reports that,Mnangagwa yesterday appointed Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri as the ruling party Zanu-PF’s national chairperson, further revealing that he will be naming his two deputies in the next few days.

President Mnangagwa also announced new members of the party’s politburo to fill in positions that had been left vacant following the expulsion of the holders.

Delivering his closing remarks at the Zanu-PF Extra-Ordinary congress that was held at the Robert Mugabe square in Harare, the President said the nation will have to wait a few more days for the announcement of the new Vice Presidents.

The Vice Presidents positions were left vacant after the elevation of President Mnangagwa and the expulsion of Mr Phelekezela Mphoko.

“I know that there are some positions that are vacant that have to be filled, chief among these being the two Vice Presidents. However I won’t be announcing the names of the two Vice Presidents today, I will make the appointments in the next few days.

“As for the post of national chairperson I am appointing Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri who was previously the secretary for welfare and transport,” said President Mnangagwa to cheers and applause from delegates attending the congress.

The President also elevated Dr Obert Mpofu who was the secretary for economic affairs, to the position of secretary for administration. Patrick Chinamasa takes over from Dr Obert Mpofu.  Chinamasa was previously the secretary for legal affairs.

Dr Mpofu replaces Dr Ignatius Chombo who was expelled from the party.
Mabel Chinomona was appointed the party’s secretary for Women’s League, Pupurai Togarepi was re-instated as the secretary for Youth Affairs while Major General Engelbert Rugeje was appointed secretary for the Commissariat.

Maj-Gen Rugeje took over from Mr Saviour Kasukuwere, Togarepi takes over from Mr Kudzanai Chipanga while Chinomona takes over from former First Lady Mrs Grace Mugabe. All three were expelled from the party.

War veterans’ leader, Christopher Mutsvangwa was appointed as the new secretary for Science and Technology with President Mnangagwa jokingly saying he was “replacing his friend Professor Jonathan Moyo”.

Prof Moyo like Mr Kasukuwere, Mrs Mugabe, Dr Chombo and Mr Chipanga was expelled from the party

Other major appointments made by the President include; Paul Mangwana (secretary for Legal Affairs), Fortune Chasi (deputy secretary for Legal Affairs), Victor Matemadanda (secretary for War Veterans, Detainees and Restrictees), July Moyo (Secretary for Transport), Lovemore Matuke (Secretary for Security), Munyaradzi Machacha becomes head of Chitepo Ideological College and will also sit in the Politburo.
Air Marshal Perence Shiri and Major General Sibusiso Moyo have both been appointed into the Politburo.

Speaking after her appointment as the party’s national chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri vowed to repay the confidence shown in her by the President by working hard to further uplift the ruling party.

“I am very humbled by the confidence which has been shown to me and I will repay this confidence by pledging my loyalty both to the President and the party. I will serve the party and I promise you that I will surpass the expectations,” said Muchinguri-Kashiri. Herald

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More Trouble As State Media Attacks Sulumani Chimbetu

HERALD | Sulumani Chimbetu is indeed a silly young adult. And that is putting it very leniently and lightly! Events of the past year are more than testament to that.

As a fact, no doubt. It is a painful realisation; the fact that while he is a very talented person, his star has failed to shine as bright as it could because of happenings outside of the studio where he is expected to give his best and please his haemorrhaging number of fans.

He is losing them by the bucketful. If he were to sit for the bar exam, that exam prospective lawyers take before they are allowed to practise, Sulumani would probably ace that exam and pass with flying colours.

By now, he must be a guru in all things law. He has been spending more time in the courts than he has been in the studio and must now know most tongue twisting judicial terms; locus standi, ab inito, res judicata, pro se, nolo contendere. Perhaps, one could argue with Sulu’s numerous court visits in mind, he knows these terms even more than people who have been on the bench for decades.

His protracted battles with his erstwhile wife Marygold Mutemasango have distracted him and they are over silly little things that he could and should have avoided before washing his ample dirty linen in public. So large was that consignment of dirty linen that he must have needed a whole lot of detergent. Yet a combination of boyish, impressionable oozing libido, a string of children, a unique breed of arrogance and big-headedness all came together to get him in this mess.

Singing with his hands in his pockets to irk Dunstable fans in the UK in 2012 right down to not reinventing himself; still using a blue-tooth phone earpiece in the modern age with many in the new generation actually thinking he wears a sixteen dollar wireless in-the-canal hearing aid and that he is hard of hearing shows that he needs reinvention and regrowth.

The frontman for Alpha-Omega ice-cream’s life is nowhere as sweet as a dairy product. It has soured. And while he was the poster child for good music with scorchers such as “Sean Timba”, “Nhambarakishoni”, “Njiva” and “Non Stop”, he has now been eclipsed by people with lesser song-writing skills including his erstwhile mate Jah Prayzah, with whom he now has a Cold War, albeit one they would be quick to deny exists.

Captain Sulu who had made every city and small town his hunting ground has stopped performing outside the capital, which could be a process of starting afresh. Dendera lovers from Karoi’s Dungane Farm could be the most hard done by Sulu’s hiatus, they are probably looking for him in the same manner they looked for Alice Mbewe’s daughter who got lost in the crowds in 2016.

Now, it is not Alice Mbewe’s child that is lost, but Sulu’s career that is lost in the courtrooms of Harare’s Maintenance Court circuit. Before he was in court he spent considerable time between the sheets, which is why alimony cases now stalk him. It is simple social mathematics; have a lot of children and you will have a lot of maintenance to pay.

Fortunately the magistrate has found to his favour that Zimbabwe is a tough economic environment and hence he had his alimony cut in half. Good for him! And also a good message to lazy bums like Marygold who think making babies with reasonably wealthy people is all one needs to do to get through this life; she has to pay for the kids as well because she has half the responsibilities of their raising on her shoulders.

Her surname may be Mutemasango, but Sulu is not a forest that she should cut to the ground simply because she is lazy to make a living for herself and her children. Marriage is not a diamond mine in Chiadzwa. Child bearing is a responsibility for two people! Hopefully she will start looking for a job and knows that following music shows, ‘maband’, spending maintenance money on booze and joy is not a profession!

Now Sulu can breathe and get back into the studio. The place where he belongs. And he should get down to writing and producing the great music that we know him for producing. And he needs good friends who should teach him to be humble and not big headed. If need be, the hydrocephalus equivalent of ego needs to be drained from his head to return it to its original size.

Death is an unfair thing, it robs us of amazing talent in music. But Sulu should never be let to make anything other than death steal him from us and the fans. He is an immensely gifted music god. He needs to write well again and go back into the pantheon of music gods and start pleasing the masses.

Already he has said he will not be releasing a Christmas album, pushing back the release of music that he had meant to release this year. No doubt his court appearances are responsible for a large chunk of him having to change the release dates. The hope is that soon; very soon, we will see the return of Sulumani the high riding airman. And we will see the last of Sulumani, the naughty knave who spends too much in the courtrooms!

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ALERT: Search For Missing 2 Year Old Chris Bere

Ray Nkosi | A Chipinge family is searching for two year old Chris Bere who went missing last Monday while in the care of his grandmother.

The family is concerned about Chris’s whereabouts further complicated by little cooperation from ZRP Chipinge.

According to family sources who have narrated the family ordeal to ZimEye.com, “So far it looks like Monday morning the child was left sleeping in a room while the grandparents and workers were working on a nearby field. The grandother walked back to check on him but before getting home met one of the farm workers who is said to have been coming from buying tobacco for himself. She asked him if the baby was awake, if he heard heard any cry, and he replied no, and that the child is asleep.”

After which the grandmother checked on her grandson again and found him gone, raising alarm and a search party got into motion.

The relative contiues to explain the unfolding events: “People from neighbouring villages helped but found nothing. A report was made to the Police, Chipinge Hospital and Social Welfare and still no trace. The police it is said did not come the day of the report and never brought tracer dogs which would have more likely traced the child’s movement from his bedroom to wherever he went or was taken.”

Ignoring the urgency of the matter Chipinge Police stood by what they say is their policy to wait 48 hours before accepting a missing person report. At the time of writing almost five days later no arrests have been made and noone has been taken in for questioning.

The family has resorted to posting appeal posters in the city centre and residential areas of Chipinge. They have also appealed for information on social media, radio, television as well as a local newspaper.

 

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Grace Mugabe’s ex-Hubby Goreraza Takes A Dig At Mnangagwa

Stanley Goreraza | Emmerson Mnangagwa keeps saying what needs to said but doesn’t do what needs to be done.  He talks about human rights, democracy, justice, free and fair elections.

After which his party gets 3 people arrested for wearing caps written “ED”.

My God, where have you ever heard of people being arrested for wearing caps except in North Korea or some backward middle eastern country? Next arrests will be made for coughing and farting ! We are now under some kind of Zanu PF Sharia law.

Looks like we went from the frying pan into the fire. Zanu PF is not getting any better. It is actually getting worse. General Chiwenga willfully violates the constitution by attending the Zanu PF Congress. Mutsvangwa and Hungwe openly boast of military and chiefs support for Zanu PF, again in flagrant violation of the constitution.

Zanu PF does not respect the constitution which means they do not respect the rule of law which means they have no intention of respecting the will of the people which means elections are not going to be free and fair.

The worst people in society always make it big in politics, finding their way to parliament, law enforcement, government and even the presidency. Their rottenness then spoils these noble institutions turning the country into garbage. The best people we have like Strive Masiyiwa refuse and shun politics and we end up with human scum leading us. We end up with rapists like Munyaradzi Kereke, looters, thieves, and murderers ruling the nation.

I don’t know which is worse, the opposition or the ruling party.

Musvinu chaiye hapana. Saka moti pane chisvinu chinobuda munyika?

At this rate this lot in Zanu PF will bring no development to Zimbabwe, but maybe another gukurahundi.

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SECRET TALKS: Tsvangirai Wanted To Meet Mnangagwa

Farirai Madhumbe | MDC leader wanted to meet and talk to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, before he announced his Cabinet, Catholic priest father Fidelis Mukonori has revealed.

Father Mukonori who was mediator between former President Robert Mugabe and the military told the Jesuit Review that Tsvangirai had approached him to facilitate a meeting with Mnangagwa to chat a “way forward.”

Revelations by Father Mukonori come against a background of the MDC making spirited denials of having wanted to make “a deal”  with Mnangagwa as exposed by War Vets leader Christopher Mutsvangwa.

Reports the Jesuit Review,“He (Mukonori) has been meeting with Morgan Tsvangirai, a former prime minister who had led the opposition to Mr Mugabe through the Movement for Democratic Change Zimbabwe.

“Father Mukonori says that Mr Tsvangirai wanted to discuss a way forward for the country with the new president. But on the day of their second meeting, the newly inaugurated president announced his cabinet.”

Tsvangirai’s wish, according to the magazine, quoting Mukonori, “would have been that they discussed the issue before the new president announced his new government.”

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Mugabe’s Shadow Haunts Mnangagwa Congress

Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe may have been deposed as president, but some of the ruling party’s senior officials are struggling to stop mentioning the man who dominated their country for 37 years.

Two government ministers were left embarrassed at a party congress on Friday when they used the name of the veteran leader when referring to the man who replaced him after last month’s de facto coup, new president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Energy Minister and ZANU-PF spokesman Simon Khaya-Moyo chanted “Forward with President Mugabe!” in the native Shona language before hastily correcting himself to “Forward with President ED Mnangagwa”.

Mnangagwa, who was sworn in as president of the southern African country on Nov. 24, initially sat stony-faced before breaking into a smile when another official whispered to him.

Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa also started referring to Mugabe as the party’s candidate for elections due in 2018 before correcting himself. Mnangagwa was endorsed as the ZANU-PF leader and candidate for the top job for the vote which he said on Thursday said could be sooner than expected.

Mugabe himself was out of the country. Sources said he visited a hospital in Singapore this week, apparently for medical checks.- Reuters

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Tsvangirai’s MDC Proposes Robert Mugabe Road Be Renamed After President Emmerson Mnangagwa

An MDC-T Harare City councillor has proposed that Robert Mugabe Road in the capital be renamed after President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Contributing to a debate on the naming of streets in new suburbs, Glen Norah councillor, Wellington Chikombo said since former president Mugabe had a street and an international airport named after him, it would be “fair if the street was to be named after President ED Mnangagwa”.

“Your worship, I think we need to be careful when it comes to naming streets or buildings after some people. We need to avoid over burdening one person by piling names on him.

“We have Robert Mugabe street named after him, we have Robert Mugabe International Airport and now informally though, we have the so called Robert Mugabe square. We risk confusing ourselves and our people. I was proposing that we could change the street and name after the new president ED Mnangagwa,” he said.

Chikombo did not find supporters to his initiative with mayor Bernard Manyenyeni saying the matter should be ventilated at committee levels and by-laws need to be changed to allow eminent personalities in society to be appreciated.

“I request that this matter be dealt with at committee level and that we get clarity on people who should be honoured,” Manyenyeni said.

Zanu PF calls the civic centre opposite the Rainbow Hotel as Robert Mugabe Square while the opposition call it Freedom Square and Manyenyeni said none of the two names were legitimate.

Council wants to name streets in new suburbs but the current by-laws prevent the use of people still alive with the exception of heads of states.

Meanwhile, chairperson of the Environmental committee Herbert Gomba said a number of Harare residents were failing to register to vote as some areas have nameless streets.

Council has also approved the closure of Zimbali Gardens — a popular joint which was being used to host weddings, parties and conferences.- Newsday

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ARMY LATEST: Grace Mugabe Refuses Security Personnel Cut

Government has made drastic cuts to former president Robert Mugabe’s travel expenditure after the ousted long-time leader and his family flew out of Harare to Singapore this week, nearly a month after his 37-year term came to a dramatic end following a soft military coup.

This comes as it emerged that Mugabe spent US$32,1 million on foreign trips between January and September this year against an annual budget of US$20,6 million. The Office of the President and Cabinet also spent US$1,1 million on domestic travel as of September against a budget of US$650 000.

Officials close to this situation also revealed the former leader’s security team at his Borrowdale “Blue Roof” mansion was also reduced from 85 to 20.

Sources familiar with developments at Mugabe’s mansion told the Zimbabwe Independent this week that the nonagenarian was granted the presidential Air Zimbabwe aircraft (AZW1) when his family and security team left the country on Monday evening. Former first lady Grace Mugabe, the sources said, took six security personnel after resisting efforts to reduce her security details to three.

 It is also understood the Police Protection Unit, which provides VIP protection, withdrew its team from Mugabe’s motorcade last Friday. Following last month’s military intervention, which brought a crashing end to Mugabe’s authoritarian rule, his family had been scattered across different countries before reuniting last week. It has also got together in Singapore.

According to figures obtained from the 2018 National Budget, the Office of the President and Cabinet spent US$32,1 million on foreign trips, although the trips have yielded little in tangible results for Zimbabweans. The expenditure came at a time Treasury is struggling to pay civil servants as well as finance capital projects and social service delivery.

In a massive decline from the previous years, Treasury allocated US$17 million to the Office of the President and Cabinet for foreign travel and US$700 000 for domestic travel in the 2018 budget.

Treasury figures show that the public sector wage bill currently accounts for 90% of government income, starving other critical sectors of funding.

Mugabe flew to Singapore, where his daughter Bona, son-in-law Simba Chikore and grandson Simbanashe have been stationed since the military take-over.

 Bona is expecting her second child.

Mugabe’s fun-loving sons Robert Junior and Bellarmine Chatunga were staying at their affluent Sandhurst mansion in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, until they came back last week to face reality.

“AZW1 departed at 2100hrs with 18 crew and 23 passengers on Monday night. Mugabe had to compromise by allowing a smaller contingency, as well as a smaller security team, so that Grace could be allowed to travel with a six-member security team for herself. He also reduced the security team accompanying him, although Grace refused to take three security people with her. In the past he would have taken over 80 people,” a source said.

“For Mugabe, he ended up flying out with three security people, although three others had already left before him. The former presidential limousine, the bullet-proof S-Class 600 Pullman, now has ordinary yellow plates and his departure was low-key given the cut in security.”

 The Independent also has it on good authority that Mugabe’s successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa has granted his former boss some wing at Zimbabwe House to use as his office during his retirement.

“He will use that wing to host visitors who may want to visit him during his retirement. He also has a library space that he may choose to use. Mnangagwa wants Mugabe to be as comfortable as possible during his retirement,” a security source said.

The Mugabe family has a multi-million-dollar empire built around numerous farms, prime real estate, various businesses and lucrative tenders which they wrested for self-aggrandisement.

The family also benefitted heavily, directly and indirectly, from public funds during Mugabe’s endless globe-trotting trips and salted away some of the money.

On some occasions, the family also used public funds to acquire private assets, but their empire is now facing collapse.

Zimbabwe

Don’t Deify Me, Says PresidentPresident Emmerson Mnangagwa has deplored the singing of songs that idolise him, saying he preferred that people sing… Read more »

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Tsvangirai Envoy Engages EU On Elections

Ray Nkosi | MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai’s EU Representative, Elliot Pfebve, has been on an engagement tour within the European Union to talk about next years watershed elections.

Pfebve who recently addressed the EU Parliament in Strasbourg told ZimEye.com : “I explained the current situation in Zimbabwe and how the international community can help. Current situation is both fragile and fluid. The Zimbabweans, the regional bodies and international community has a small window of opportunity to do the right thing; support Zimbabwe to return to rule of law, leverage to ensure electoral reforms are implemented toward a free and fair elections. The respect of human rights must be a priority as we hold the new administration to account on their promises to address politics of polarisation.”

The UK based politician went further to explain, ” We are also cognisant that the departure of Mugabe is no silver bullet to return to normalcy as the Zimbabwean crisis is beyond an individual but rather a system. While it is possible for the administration to show a new political paradigm shift, it is highly unlikely that an event of internal factionalism can liberate the masses of itself.” Warned Pfebve that Zanu PF factional politics were not likely to bring about the envisaged change.

 

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Mugabe Minister Booed At Congress

Harare Metropolitan Province minister Miriam Chikukwa was booed during the Zanu PF congress in Harare yesterday with party members demanding her ouster. Chikukwa was saved from further embarrassment by party spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo.
Members demanded that she be fired alongside other G40 members after she was invited to welcome guests as the host province.
The booing forced Moyo to intervene to control the situation.

“Harare province, you are the host. You will not help the situation if you behave in the manner you are doing,” Moyo shouted.

“You don’t behave like that in front of the President. You will embarrass yourself in front of the President.”

After Chikukwa’s address, acting secretary for administration Obert Mpofu said: “I am directed by the President. He said he does not entertain rowdiness. If you have frustrations, settle them at the province, this is a national congress.”- Newsday

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Mnangagwa Reluctant To Name Lacoste Funds Externalisers

Kennedy Kaitano  | On 14 December 2017, the Zanu PF mouthpiece, The Herald exposed The Commander-in-Chief and our dear President of the Republic of Zimbabwe when it reported that “President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday said he has a list of individuals and corporates that externalised money and the culprits will be dealt with if they fail to repatriate the money within the prescribed three months”. The statement was made when the Dear President was addressing the 107th Session of the Zanu-pf Central Committee meeting in Harare

I am not very familiar with the law around externalisation of money, but our dear President, being a lawyer, obviously knows better. He would not have taken the step to ask for individuals and corporates to return money they have externalised if there wasn’t a law around that.

What becomes very clear to suffering Zimbabweans and the world at large is that the majority of these funds externalizers are members of his Lacoste Function of Zanu PF, and he still needs them to campaign for them in the coming elections, regardless of how corrupt they are, so he cannot afford to embarrass them by getting them arrested the same way he arranged for G40 leader Ignatius Chombo to be arrested.

People of Zimbabwe, let us know that we are being taken for a ride by our Gukurahundist President Comrade Emmerson Mnangagwa. I appeal to all well meaning Zimbabweans, including those with a brain to think things through within Zanu PF, particularly the G40 members, to vote against Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2018 harmonised elections. Surely, how can a country succeed led by a President who discriminates even within his own party? Imagine if Chombo had externalized money and our Dear President has a list with all the names of the looters, he would have been answering to those charges in court right now. Unfortunately, the externalizers are the untouchable members of Team Lacoste who are his pillars of support. If you doubt that, just think of Magura Charumbira who has been extorting money from poor residents of Bulawayo, terrorising them at will, and he is still running free.

People of Zimbabwe, let us say enough is enough. Once beaten twice shy, let us not allow our lives to be ruined by pretend leaders who shade crocodile tears at our suffering like our Dear President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

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Shock As Granny Burns Girl (6) Private Parts With Nuts

A six year old girl is battling for her life at Mutare Provincial Hospital after her grandmother scorched her private parts and most of her lower body with hot roasted roundnuts as punishment. The 70-year-old granny, Julia Chishawaire of Mafararikwa Village under Chief Marange, was allegedly punishing the infant for being intimate with her five minor cousins.

Chishawaire did not show remorse over what she had done when she was arraigned before the courts on Wednesday, stating that the minor deserved it since she had to be disciplined for her wayward behaviour. She said what she did was not an act of cruelty, but that was how mischievous children were disciplined long back.

She appeared before senior Mutare magistrate Mr Innocent Bepura and pleaded guilty to the charges of physical abuse as outlined in Section 3 (1) (a) of the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 5:16. She was remanded out of custody to December 21 since the State is awaiting a medical record as the infant is admitted at Mutare Provincial Hospital. Prosecuting, Mr Fletcher Karombe said on December 9, Chishawaire accused the complainant of being intimate with her cousins.

“The accused decided to punish the infant using traditional methods, thereby pouring hot roasted roundnuts into her dress through the shoulders. When the infant fell down, Chishawaire dragged her by the feet and poured the remaining roundnuts between her legs,” said Mr Karombe. Asked on why she acted in the evil manner that she did, she responded: “It has been long since she started playing such dirty games with her cousins. I stay with seven grandchildren, all of whom are below 10 years of age. Since last year, this particular grandchild has been offering herself to her five cousins each time I leave them alone at home and indulging in the (dirty) games.

“I do not want her to be a sex worker when she grows up, that is the reason why I opted to use the traditional way to discipline her. That is what our parents used to do to us when we played such dirty games. I took hot roundnuts and put them in her dress so that she knows how painful it is to be sexually active at such a tender age,” said the old woman.

 

She claimed that she did not know that her actions were unlawful, but admitted that she was aware that her actions would cause bodily harm to the child. Manica Post

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Oppah Muchinguri Is Actually A Karanga Girl | REPORT

Ndaba Nhuku | So who is she? This over excitable Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri?

Does Oppa Machinguri represent Manicaland? The entire Zanu PF  leadership is now MaKaranga. Oppah comes from Manicabridge and her father was a Mudhumeni (Agritex Officer)? Her father was deployed in Manicaland and found a home there.

Did you know that she is another Karanga? Who is else is not a Karanga? You will be shocked. The Zezurus have been wiped from the party and replaced by Karangas scattered all over the country. The Ndebeles should not see a Moyo name and think it’s representative of them. The Zezurus and so called small tribes will never ever see power come their way again.
Stay tuned for next shocking drama. Where are Zezeru and MaNyika military and war veterans leaders? President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been busy tracing Karangas all over the country to ensure they all got promoted and supported him. Where the late Edson Zvobgo failed, he quietly succeeded. Dr StopIt, Prof Moyo and Kasukuwere were right. Muchavafunga. This is now modern Karangaland, maybe as it historically was.

SEE LEADERSHIP LIST BELOW

The Zezurus and Korekores have been wiped out from Zanu. Will they ever rule the country again? Look at MDC T leadership as well. Here is the proof in Zanu

Ladies and gentleemen, I present to you the ZANU PF-Karanga (Lacoste)
1. Emmerson Mnangagwa – President (Midlands, Karanga)
2. Vice President – vacant
3. Vice Presdient – vacant
4. National Chairperson – Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (Manicaland, Karanga)
5. Administration – Obert Mprofu (Matebeland North, Ndebele)
6. National Commissar – Rt. Maj. Gen. Engelbert Rugeje (Masvingo: Bikita, Karanga), deputised by Omega Hungwe (Karanga)
7. Finance – Patrick Chinamsa (Manicaland, Manyika)
8. Legal Affairs – Paul Mangwana (Masvingo, Karanga)
9. Women’s League – Mabel Chinomona (Mashonaland East, Zezuru)
10. Youth Affairs – Togarepi Pupurai (Karanga)
11. National Security – Lovemore Matuke (Masvingo: Gutu, Karanga)
12. Principal of the Chitepo Ideological College – Munyaradzi Machacha (Midlands: Zvishavane, Karanga)
13. External Affairs – Simbarashe Mumbengegwi (Karanga)
14. Information and Publicity – Simon Khaya Moyo (Matebeleland North, Ndebele)
15. Business Development and Liaison – Sithembiso Nyoni (Ndebele)
16. Economic Affairs – Mike Bimha (Mashonaland East, Zezuru)
17. Land and Resettlement – Cain Mathema (Ndebele)
18. Welfare of the Disabled and the Disadvantaged – Joshua Malinga (Ndebele)
19. Education – Jorum Gumbo (Karanga)
20. Environment – Prisca Mupfumira nee Chimukupete (Mashonaland West) deputised by Auxilia Mnangagwa (Mashonaland Central)
21. Cleveria Chizema (Karanga)
22. Josiah Hungwe (Karanga)
23. Rt. Air Marshal Perrance Shiri (Mashonaland East, Zezuru)
24. Rt. Major General Subusiso B. Moyo (Midlands, Karanga)

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Prof. Gudyanga Arrested

Former Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development permanent Secretary Professor Francis Gudyanga was yesterday arrested for corruption.

He was picked up by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and is now in custody at Rhodesville Police Station in Harare.

 He is expected to appear in court today.

ZACC spokesperson Ms Phylis Chikundura confirmed Prof Gudyanga’s arrest.

“We have arrested Gudyanga,” she said. “He is detained at Rhodesville Police Station and is appearing in court tomorrow.”

Our Harare Bureau is reliably informed that Prof Gudyanga was arrested for suspected cases of corruption he committed when he was permanent secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.

Prof Gudyanga who at the time chaired the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), never convened a meeting of the board, but claimed $28 000 in board sitting allowances. He was the only board member and allegedly never consulted the acting general-manager Richard Chingodza and the corporation’s secretary Nomsa Moyo, whom he was supposed to hold meetings with, according to the Company Act.

He is on record telling the Harare magistrates’ court during the trial of MMCZ bosses that he paid himself board fees when there was no board to talk of at the parastatal.

Prof Gudyanga told the court in March this year while testifying against the MMCZ bosses: “It is not just sitting, but decision making. No, it was not sitting fees, but boarding fees because we did not sit as a board. The board is not all about sitting, but consultation and decision making. It took most of my time.”

Prof Gudyanga received $875 monthly as board fees and $460 sitting fees for “sitting” 21 times, totalling $28 910.- state media

 

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BUSHIRI PROPHECY FULFILLED? – “Not At All, Prophecy Nonsense – It’s Been Full Public Knowledge Since 2009!”

By Dorrothy Moyo| Supporters of Malawian necromancer, Shepherd Bushiri yesterday leaped in celebration following indications that President Emmerson Mnangagwa could Analysisin the next 3 days appoint Bushiri’s church follower, Kembo Mohadi Vice President.

Bushiri in a declaration last year, claims to have accurately prophesied that Mohadi would soon “be given a crown.”

With a Vice Presidency set for Mohadi soon, many yesterday rushed to conclude that the preacher truly used divine powers to determine the future. But but beginning of 2016, it was now full public knowledge – Mohadi was already fully published as a Vice President likely from the year 2009. Reports in the public domain prove that Mohadi was outed for the VP post as far back as 2009.

Mnangagwa announced that all politburo members are retained, save for two who have lost their portfolios, and these are Sydney Sekeramayi and Kembo Mohadi. Mohadi is a war veteran from the ZIPRA side, while Sekeramayi is a liberation fighter from the ZANLA.

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Gen Chiwenga’s Wife Attacked, “She Wears Worse Than Grace Mugabe!,” Zimbabweans Say

But what’s wrong with this attire?

Mary Chiwenga criticised by Zimbbabweans online.

By Farai D Hove| Defence Forces Commander Gen Constantino Chiwenga’s wife was yesterday criticised by Zimbabweans many who claimed that her dressing attire is worse than her nemesis Grace Mugabe’s.

Others said when she turned up for the ZANU PF Congress she was dressed for a sports outing than a national party meeting.

“Dzidzisaiwo kupfeka zvine mwero to enderana nezvinenge zvakapfekawo Baba..izvo hazvidi paruzhinji. ..zvosvodesa tupendekete panze muzere vana Skr. haaibo,” wrote one commentator, Judith Pondamali. Mary Chiwenga arrived at the ZANU PF congress adorned in a sporty green top many said was too revealing as “a public woman is not supposed to expose her flesh like that”.

Others used unprintable words to describe Mrs Mary Chiwenga while some labelled her “Grace Mugabe’s young sister.”