Violence reared its ugly head on Monday morning when students at Nyanyadzi High School in Manicaland heavily assaulted a female teacher whom they accused of initiating them into Satanism.
police called to school…ZRP cops with puma lorry
Anti-riot police details from Birchenough Bridge had to be called in to restore order at the school after parents and personnel at Nyanyadzi police station failed to contain the rebellious students.
After the melee, authorities at the school were forced to send all the students home as normal lessons could not proceed following the nasty incident.
Cases of suspected satanism continue to wreck havoc at the school after similar skirmishes were witnessed mid last year.
TWO more Filabusi family members have died due to mushroom poisoning, bringing the death toll of people who have lost their lives after consuming the deadly fungus to 15.
They ate the poisonous mushrooms on Saturday, leading to the death of one person on Tuesday and another on Wednesday. Yesterday’s death brought the Filabusi family death toll to four at a time when four others are admitted in hospital. Three are admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital while one is at Filabusi District Hospital.
The death brings to 15 the number of people who have died so far due to mushroom poisoning.
Eleven others are members of different Mberengwa families who consumed the toxic mushrooms last week.
Mpilo Central Hospital clinical director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya confirmed the two latest deaths from the same Filabusi family.
He said four members were still hospitalised and one is said to be in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
“I received a call yesterday at around 2AM confirming that two members who were admitted at Filabusi District Hospital had been rushed to Mpilo as their health was deteriorating. Unfortunately one of the children died on admission and the second one died at around 4PM,” said Dr Ngwenya.
“Currently we have three members admitted, two are stable and one of them is critical in the intensive care unit. We gathered that these seven children were given mushrooms by their grandmother who is admitted at Filabusi District Hospital.”
Insiza District Medical Officer Dr Mandlenkosi Nkala said the family members, all from Thandanani Village under Chief Ndube in Mahole, Filabusi, were rushed to Filabusi District Hospital on Monday evening after consuming the poisonous mushrooms on Saturday.
“The children’s ages range between three and nine years and they stay with the grandmother. They say the incident took place on Saturday evening. One child, a girl who is in Grade Seven is the one who picked the mushrooms and brought them home for granny to cook,” said Dr Nkala.
He said the grandmother inspected the mushrooms and said they were edible.
“In total the grandmother stays with 10 children and out of those, seven consumed the mushrooms. Three were known not to eat mushrooms,” he said.
“They came to Filabusi Hospital and were admitted on Monday evening. On admission they looked stable but their conditions deteriorated all of a sudden and we realised that it was getting dangerous. We sent three to Mpilo Central Hospital on Tuesday and four on Wednesday.”
In an interview from Mpilo Central Hospital where they were collecting the body of the eighth deceased member yesterday, a relative Ms Patty Mahlangu said her family has so far lost eight family members.
She clarified that three other people who had died of mushroom poisoning from Mberengwa did not belong to her family, as previously reported. Ms Mahlangu said the three were only ferried to Mpilo Hospital together with her family members. “All in all we have lost eight members of our family,” she said.
Ms Mahlangu said they didn’t suspect foul play or witchcraft. She said seven of the deceased were buried on Wednesday and they were planning to bury the remaining one. “The mushrooms were picked up by children therefore we think they might have confused the poisonous mushrooms and the edible ones. There was no adult person to supervise them so we think they couldn’t tell the
difference,” said Ms Mahlangu.
She said they have accepted the untimely deaths of the eight. “As a family we have accepted the tragic deaths of the children but the incident will remain etched in our minds. We have accepted it as it is part of God’s plan. We are at Mpilo Central Hospital collecting the body of the other family member whom we are going to bury tomorrow in Mberengwa,” she said.
According to police, Mr Tenious Shoko (45) from Mberengwa sent his 16-year-old daughter to pick some mushrooms for relish on Tuesday last week.
The 16-year-old prepared the mushrooms which were consumed by the whole family leading to the death of eight of Ms Mahlangu’s relatives. – state media
The former Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe who was removed from power after a military intervention in November 2017 has bounced back to the political spectrum. He has been linked to a major military faction and a newly formed party, NPF. He has been spotted in the economy class travelling to the neighboring South African state. This is the first time the veteran leader has travelled in the lower class cabin since his rise to power. This according to Mr. Godfrey Hausin, a political analyst at the University of Johannesburg is a political tactic meant to expose the military government. ” Mugabe’s latest move of travelling in the poor man’s cabin is ironic and an action meant to sent a message to the SADC, AU and the international communities” he said. In a recent interview by the BBC, the former Head of State revealed how he had been unfairly and unconstitutionally removed from power. Weeks later, his close ally and former Cabinet Minister, Ambrose Mutinhiri was spotted at Mugabe’s Blue Roof mansion before launching their political party dubbed the National Patriotic Front (NPF).
It has been revealed that the Party is a mask of the former G40 faction in Zimbabwe.
Mugabe who is now 94, is working closely with the former CIO bosses and ZNA Commanders to oust the Military government. It has been established that Mnangagwa who is facing a sharp election contest with the young Advocate Nelson Chamisa of MDCT, is standing on the edge. This comes as the current president is likely to lose his Mashonaland Provinces and Consituences to MDC Alliance and the National People’s Party.
In a recent development, Mugabe has in turn been attacked by President Mnangagwa who threatened to confisticate the 40 farms that belonged to the former head of state. The former president is said to be plotting what has been revealed as 1980/18, has been working closely with his former cabinet ministers who are in exile to bring an end to President Mnangagwa’s military rule. The names of former CIO Bosse’s and ZNA Generals who are backing the former President have been exposed as follows:
Former CIO Bosses
Richard Muchawaya 51
Disrael Kakwesi 45
Emilda kamuri 44
Michael Zvita 33
Reginald Mimbumu 32
Carol Masawi 50
George Banda 48
Tafadzwa Sasa 53
Peter J Mukosi 40
Arnold Chirinha 45
Danai Matonhodze 33
Rameck Ndlovhu 30
Isaac Moyo 47
Tinotenda Gande 46
Rosemary Kugakureva 60
According to Erick Juston, University Of South Wales political commentator, “The latest political developments in Zimbabwe are set to trigger turmoil and citizens are set to experience a melt down of two Military Factions one backing the Former President and the other backing Mugabe. The scenario …read more www.wikileaks.co.uk
Whitlaw Mugwinji | Mukoma Alex Magaisa in his blog post titled The day after Tsvangirai rightly pointed out, that what is currently obtaining in the MDCT is purely politics. I too share the same view. I believe these MDCT succession wrangles are an example of politics 101. People must not expect the MDCT to behave like a church. It is a political party. And by nature, power within political parties is contested.
The Political Debate
Most people will agree that Chamisa has won the political debate on this MDCT succession wrangle. Firstly, because he has managed to secure the backing of the National Council. Which is the highest decision making body outside congress. Secondly, because he seems to have the support of the party structures across the country. Thirdly, although this might seem trivial to some, Chamisa controls Harvest House. In power struggles, the control of the party headquarters and party machinery is quite significant.
It is difficult to fathom how Dr Khupe plans to wrestle power from Chamisa when she is not participating in party functions. In my view, her failure to attend party meetings was a big blunder. Now, I agree with Eddie Cross when he said commenting in the daily news, ‘she is fighting a lost battle’. She must bear in mind that even her supporters have self-interest too. With the general elections pending, many of her supporters will stick with Chamisa because he controls the keys to parliament and council.
The Legal Debate
With the political battle seemingly concluded, the new battle frontier is the debate on the legality of Chamisa’s appointment. Interestingly, both parties are using the party constitution, one to question and the other to defend his appointment. It is therefore imperative for us to take a look at the MDCT constitution.
Article 9.21.1 of the MDCT constitution reads and I quote, ‘The Deputy President assumes the role of Acting President, pending the holding of an Extraordinary Congress which must be held within a year of the death or resignation of the President’. Here the party constitution is not clear on who should take over, since the party has three Deputy Presidents. Any debate on this point, is frivolous and a sheer waste of time.
Article 16.1 reads and I quote, ‘The NC not withstanding anything contained herein shall have absolute discretion of determining the manner and process of any selection and including the power and making any appointment for any position’. The NC armed with article 16.1 cleared the ambiguity arising from article 9.21.1. Thus, anyone claiming that the party acted against its own constitution is not only trying to mislead but is attempting to discredit Chamisa’s appointment. And that my friends is an exercise in futility.
Moral arguments
It is hard to envisage, how else this MDCT succession wrangle could have been ironed out, at least in the short term. Khupe is now left with only but moral arguments. Unfortunately, as strong as they maybe, they are not strong enough to tilt power in her favour.
Truth be said, I really like her moral arguments. Surely, no one can dispute that she is an elected official whereas Chamisa and Mudzuri are mere appointees. If natural justice was the arbiter, I am sure, she would be acting president as we speak..
Unfortunately this is politics and natural is no arbiter She must realise that her argument has been overtaken by events. If she has serious ambitions, then she must develop real political strategy. I do feel her frustrations though. Last year, I even penned an article decrying her side-lining within the MDCT. But whining and complaining will only earn her our sympathies. This MDCT succession wrangle is not a moral contest and the sooner she understands this the better for her.
Her second moral argument is quite interesting and perhaps even more persuasive. She argues that the succession debate must be resolved by a special elective congress. Some of my friends have ventured to ask even further, ‘if Chamisa is as popular as many want us to believe, why not settle the matter at congress’?
Let us remember that during the last MDCT congress Chamisa was endorsed by all MDCT provinces except one but he still went on to lose the Secretary General post. I am not saying there is a disconnect between the provincial leadership across the country endorsing Chamisa and the party branches. But, I am saying there is a legitimate claim for the party to hold a special elective congress.
Special Elective Congress
However that said, I strongly believe that it would be unwise to hold a special elective congress, and here is why I believe so. To begin with, I am sure this is public knowledge that the MDCT is financially broke. Do not be fooled by Obert Gutu when he says the party can easily raise money to hold a special elective congress. If that is so, why was the party unable to raise the money to pay its own workers last year? Under such financial handicap, I strongly believe that it would be erroneous to focus the scarce resources internally rather than on campaigning in the forthcoming elections.
Furthermore, the party and the alliance have less than six months to prepare for the forthcoming national elections. I am not sure if the party has enough time to hold a credible elective congress and still have enough time to campaign effectively. We must bear in mind that a congress can be quite divisive. Will the party be able to heal and come together before the general election? In my humble view the risks are just too much. The party cannot place the interest of those seeking office above the collective interest.
To the MDCT family
In that regard, it is therefore important for all members, to abide by the collective party decisions. No party can survive without discipline. As Hegel says in his anti-individualist theory, ‘everything must depend upon the unity of the universal and the particular. Individual interest must play a subordinate role to the collective interest.
I am happy that the party chose engagement rather than confrontation. But in as much as we appreciate engagement and persuasion, this matter must be brought to finality sooner rather than later. The longer this matter drags on, the more the party will witness embarrassing incidents like the recent violence in Bulawayo. Violence is evidence by itself that the relationship has broken.
Whether the relationship has broken beyond repair or not, only mama Khupe and company can answer that. In my humble view, it is not yet too late reconsider the path they have chosen. Yes, they feel aggrieved but confrontation, indiscipline and anarchy at this juncture, is no-brainer. Chamisa has both control of the party machinery and the support of the party structures. If she was a good general, she would retreat because all good generals know when to retreat. By the way retreat does not mean surrender. If she wills, she can mobilise and contest Chamisa at next year’s congress.
In closing, my advice to her is that, with or without her the red army will march forward, the choice is hers.
Arsenal twitterdom has found an innovative way to call for an end to Arsene Wenger’s 21-year tenure as manager: by comparing him to former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.
Comparisons between the two men have been the basis for jokes all season long, but the meme really took off after Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton over the weekend. And the heat on Wenger has only continued in advance of Thursday’s Europa League match against AC Milan.
Thousands chimed in.
After 37 years in power, Mugabe yielded to pressure to resign as president of Zimbabwe in November last year. Some fans carried the comparisons with notorious rulers even further:
The manager’s controversial reign has been the subject of social media debates for years – including constant duelling under the hashtags #WengerIn/#WengerOut. Arsenal has recently lost four games in succession; it’s the second time that has happened under Wenger.
Wenger/Mugabe origins
The comparison between Arsenal’s manager and Zimbabwe’s ex-president seems to have originated as far back as 2016, in a sweary YouTube video posted by ArsenalFanTV – a channel unaffiliated with the club but run by Gunners supporters.
In the video, an unnamed Arsenal fan goes on a rant to the amusement of a small crowd of supporters.
But the comparison seems to have reverberated far beyond north London – for instance, last year an attendee at an anti-Mugabe rally were spotted with a “Wenger Out” placard.
With nearly 22 years under his belt as Arsenal manager, Wenger is often referred to as the most successful manager in the club’s history. But, like Mugabe, is his time up? – BBC
By Davison Todson Gomo |The recent decision by Donald Trump to slap sanctions on Mnangagwa confirms beyond doubt that American Foreign policy has lost touch with the aspirations of the majority of the people in the world. Given that most of the countries in the southern hemisphere have been denied an opportunity to develop in their own way albeit in the context of the global economic framework of the world, and as such, have continued to wallow in the depths of economic margins of the global economy that is essentially designed to deliver progress to the US and its traditional allies. It comes as no surprise to us that despite the appearance of a new political order in Zimbabwe, the US through its narrow-minded President should think that the new order poses a threat to US Foreign Policy.
We are told that because of a breakdown in the rule of law in Zimbabwe characterized by political and economic instability and of course the manufactured allegation suggesting the existence of political motivated violence and intimidation in the country, the US President found it necessary to impose sanctions as a way to create and force to come into being an environment that surrenders power to the US anointed political parties.
We are fully aware that certain individuals were summoned to the US recently to update their friends on the situation in Zimbabwe after Operation Restore Legacy and we know that the actions taken by Trump are partly a response to an impassioned plea by those individuals for the need to stop the process of change and radical transformation of the political and socio -economic space in Zimbabwe.
Rest assured that Zimbabweans can no longer live in the shadow of a bully that pretends to act in the interest of the people of Zimbabwe when their ulterior motives are centuries old. Donald Trump’s attempts to thwart Zimbabwe’s transformation from one system to another under the leadership of ED Mnangagwa is obviously based on unmitigated ignorance to distinguish between a historical watershed in the Zimbabwean politics and the illusionary convulsive political desire for change that is driven by inherently and irredeemably defective local interests that have always been allied to US interests.
Trump’s decision is not new and novel because it is a mere reappearance of US international relations behavior and Zimbabweans must not accept to have their sovereign right to determine their own future to be frustrated by a mere Executive Order issued by a President whose primary concern is far removed from the current challenges to transform the Zimbabwean economy through building its own industrial entrepreneurial base that responds to the country’s economic development. Zimbabwe is talking to the whole world and has invited them to come and see what is emerging in the country since the new political dispensation and ironically the US has an Embassy in Harare that has capacity to see events on the ground first hand.
This clouding of facts and the reality of events in Zimbabwe is partly ignorance of the US law makers and of course, we are tempted to conclude that its also an outcome arising from the consumption of propaganda that is fed into their system by their local allies whose political Agenda has been rendered impotent by the new order and the approach of the new President.
The world cannot and should not always be defined in the context of the US interests. This approach has been counterproductive and has largely destabilized rather than stabilize the world.
The idea that the US must be the ruler and we must be the ruled is no longer tenable in the twenty first century political configuration. Zimbabweans are better off with the rest of the world that are happy to work with us. The government must not continue to invest a lot of energy in building political bridges that the US is unwilling to use.
The process of change that has started in Zimbabwe must be encouraged and supported and certainly despite the concerns of legality of the origins of the new order and those who feel that the pace change of is slow, the overall consideration should be the commitment by the new order to create conditions for long – term sustainable transformation and development.
Let’s fight for change that we deserve and not changed that is brewed in other people’s pots and served on our political dinner table. We deserve better.
Davison Todson Gomo is a political and economic analyst and has interest in broad development issues and global political systems.
More details emerge on how Vice President Chiwenga yesterday for the second time in weeks fell and had to be hospitalised.
The local Daily News reports on how Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was yesterday rushed to hospital after suffering a dramatic fall at the Zanu PF headquarters — forcing him to cancel his politburo attendance.
This is the second time in two months the ex soldier has been rushed to hospital. Last time he collapsed while inside his office and was rushed to a nearby private hospital in Harare.
The 61-year-old tripped and fell and badly hurt his hand just after arriving for yesterday’s conclave, whose agenda included election preparations, mobilisation of voters, party regalia and the threat of defections ahead of the crucial mid-year general election.
The former commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces reportedly missed a step and slipped, before injuring his hand.
He sustained a mild sprain that could limit his function for a few days.
Chiwenga was mobbed by concerned staffers and colleagues at the Zanu PF headquarters foyer, who commiserated with him as he was being rushed to hospital.
He was whisked away in his Range Rover, escorted by the police.
“We were all worried when he slipped and hurt his hand but, as you saw, he is a fighter. He just had to be excused earlier to get his hand looked at,” said a staffer at the ruling party offices.
The politburo continued with its deliberations without Chiwenga who, along with Vice President Kembo Mohadi, regularly flank party leader and President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the top table.
Chiwenga is not the first high-profile official to fall in public under varying circumstances.
Former president Robert Mugabe became the butt of jokes and mimicry in February 2015 when he missed a step and tumbled off the podium at the then Harare International Airport moments after arriving from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The incident caused a witch-hunt within Mugabe’s inner circle, resulting in the removal of some of his close aides from the security team.
In May 2014, former police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri collapsed at a parade at Morris Depot soon after Mugabe had addressed graduates.
He was quickly wheeled off on a stretcher.
He later attributed his blackout to working long hours and a mix-up in the shoes he wore for the occasion.
“I have been working overnight for quite some time. The situation has been exacerbated or worsened by the fact that there was a mix-up of my shoes. The right shoe was mixed up with the left one. The right shoe is a bit small and it is an old shoe so my toes were burning because of the tightness of the shoe and there was no circulation (of blood) in that leg that caused me to be dizzy and then fell down.
“I had this small blackout because of what I have explained, lack of circulation but checked the blood pressure is ok you can ask Dr Mombeshora, he also checked the sugar levels, they are fine and that coupled with the heat and the type of clothing and what I also had inside because in the morning it was a bit chilly, so I had put on some T-shirt as you can see so that caused that (collapse),” he said.
Vimbai Mutinhiri | As I was growing up, my dad would always repeat one of his favourite quotes to me: ‘ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country — John F Kennedy’. Baba is passionate about service, and I have always been amazed at how he is always ready to report for duty. All those years were in preparation for this time, where God has summoned him to make himself available to serve in the highest office of our nation Zimbabwe. And with your passion to serve you responded just as Prophet Isaiah, ‘Here I am, Send me’! May God fill you with His glory for your obedience, may He fortify you, protect you and supply all your needs as you seek to lift up our nation in Jesus’ name. May your life be a testimony of the things that God and God alone can do for His people. I love you dearly. Iwe neni tine basa!.- Daily News
Ndaba Nhuku | 2018 elections are a brutal fight over youth partipation and their vote.
It would appear that Nelson Chamisa’s taking over the reigns at the MDCT and MDC Alliance has suddenly energised young people into politics. Even the Diaspora has begun to honestly engage in MDC T and MDC Alliance politics. Nonetheless, Chamisa’s taking over is without its ongoing drama.
Even though, the same drama has inevitably entrenched his popularity within the youth base without any shadow of doubt to any observer. On the other hand, it is also mostly young people especially those supporting Thoko Khuphe in the leadership wrangle, who are openly criticising Chamisa for taking over the party without going to Congress. This has highlighted how the youth have suddenly taken ownership of the party’s leadership debate. The wrangle is now spearheaded by young people in the two still uncompromising camps.
Not to be outdone, Zanu PF also unleashed its youths out into the social media battlefield not unexpectedly supporting Thoko Khuphe whilst attacking Chamisa. Zanu PF sees Khuphe as a weak candidate against Mnangagwa who has a wider tribal and establishment loyalty. While Chamisa challenges both the tribal loyalty whilst winning the youth appeal.
This Mnangagwa versus Chamisa contest is also inevitably a battle ferociously engaged in by youth. In his speech in the recently conducted Zanu PF Youth program, Mnangagwa was even compelled to acknowledge the power of social media which was in relation and recognition of how Zanu PF youths are fighting in his corner against a youthful and youth appealing Chamisa.
Mnangagwa seems to have even enlisted the help of people like Temba Mliswa whose rhetoric tends to appeal to young people to aid him counter the Chamisa appeal.
In agreement, someone noted, “The inaugural meeting of Mnangagwa and the Zanu youth is an indication that Mliswa is part and parcel of Zanu Pf as his advisor to put a gate in front of ED with the youth to protect him from Chamisa.”
Indeed that seems to be a strategy Zanu PF needs to cut off the youth from the MDC Alliance.
The unusual excitable involvement and participation of youths in the 2018 elections is therefore likely to be problematic with tempers rising as has already been noted in the few violent incidents that have so far taken place.
All parties seem to have suddenly realised the essential vote and campaign role of the youth vis-a-vis the now traditional habit of bribing of women with token food items. If the electoral battle is not fought in the streets by the excitable youth, the battle will be ugly in social media with fake news, misinformation and downright character assassinations.
It is highly commendable that young people seem at the forefront of the elections campaign. On that note let’s hope they themselves are registered and will indeed cast their votes to make a decision on the leadership they want to carry their aspirations and dreams to fruition.
One hopes it won’t come to what another cadre observed, “This election may be one of the most violent as the main parties go for the youth, in the process using the youth in violent clashes on the campaign trail”
The long wait for the commencement of the Harare- Beitbridge Road Dualisation Project is over.
Officials from Geiger International told reporters in Masvingo they were preparing to set up the company’s headquarters in Masvingo in preparation for the commencement of work.
Geiger International country representative, Cuthbert Mashanda said construction work was expected to commence this month.
“Work will start before the end of this month,” said Mashanda.
MDCT President Nelson Chamisa today met a delegation from the UNDP to exchange notes as the country inches towards the crucial harmonised elections this year.
As the young-president fever grips Zimbabwe, Nelson Chamisa age-mate and lookalike, Nefekare Nembaware is challenging the man and Emmerson Mnangagwa for the 2018 elections. PICTURES:
Left, Snap Tech Zimbabwe Country Director Dakarai Kuhlengisa, Right, Snap Tech CEO Guy Eastoe
By Talent Gondo
International Change Management Consultancy and training Firm, Snap Tech International, has launched a Harare office in a move aimed at complimenting government efforts to improve the business environment.
Snap Tech Country Director for Zimbabwe, Dakarai Kuhlengisa said Zimbabweans and their government should invest in project management skills for both public and private players in order for the country to derive tangible benefits from the new dispension mantra that ‘Zimbabwe is open for business.’
“Players in all the economic sectors should treat the change agenda as announced by the President ED Mnangagwa as a country-wide project in order to ensure success,” said Kuhlengisa.
He said his organization was heartened by President ED Mnangagwa’ s call for change under this new dispensation adding that the opening of the new office in Zimbabwe aimed at assisting willing organisations get training and expertise in project management.
“The call by our President for change and the declaration that Zimbabwe is open for business is a massive integrated project that requires the necessary project management skills in order to meet the objectives within the expected timeframes,” he said.
Guy Eastoe , Snap Tech CEO urged the country’ s leadership to adopt and encourage international best practices in project management to ensure the successful implementation and management of new business ventures and projects.
“Leadership should open their minds to good power of change management. However, they should not ignore good governance and sensible bureaucracy if these projects are to be successful,” he said.
SnapTech, which is headquartered in South Africa, is an international firm which has been operating for 27 years. The organisation is also present in Kenya, West Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Europe and Australia. However, the company which is run by Zimbabweans had not opened an office in this country.
Snap Tech (Pty) Ltd is an Accredited Consulting and Training company offering training in International Best Practice standards, frameworks and models in Project, Programme and Portfolio management.
The organisation also offers consulting and skills development services to individuals, companies and public sector personnel designed to transfer knowledge and pragmatic best practice experience through structured engagements.
Bulawayo Giants Highlanders FC have announced their final squad for the 2018 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Season.
The Bulawayo Giants retained some players from last season’ s squad.
Some of the retained players include Peter Muduhwa, Charlton Siamalonga, captain Honest Moyo, Adrian Silla, Godfrey Makarutse and goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.
The squad:
1. SIBANDA ARIEL
2. SIAMALONGA CHARLTON
3. MOYO HONEST
4. NCUBE BUKHOSI
5. MacCLIVE PHIRI
6. SILLA ADRIAN
7. GOMBANI ONWELL
8. BANDA BRIAN
9. ZIBANDE OZIAS
10. SIANCHALI NEWMAN
11. LUNGA RAY
12. MUSAKA BEN PATRICK
13. JARAVAZA BRIAN
14. MOYO EDMORE
15. MACHIMBIRIKE TALENT
16. MATUTU PROSPER
17. MAKARUSE GODREY
18. MBEBA ANDREW
19. NDLOVU TENDAI
20. LUNGA THABO
21. MUDHUWA PETER
22. NDLOVU MBONGENI
23. MOYO VINCENT
24. CHITAMBWE MUNYARADZI
25. ZIVAVE TIMOTHY
26. MAKUMBE NIGEL
27. NYONI GABRIEL
28. FAIRA ASHFORD
A traditional leader in Chikomba District has rubbished political threats made by Minister Bimha saying he does not take orders from the government official.
Bimha, who is also the MP for Chikomba West Constituency, has threatened to strip Headman Madamombe, real name, Simbarashe Nhopi of his title for allegedly refusing to campaign for the politician.
“I do not take instructions from Bimha and I will not let him manipulate local villagers for cheap political reasons,” said Nhopi.
Bimha is unhappy with the headman’ s refusal to campaign for the ruling party ahead of the 2018 elections, according to local villagers.
However Bimha told a weekly publication the headman was blowing matters out of proportion.
Terrence Mawawa
Former Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder
Tinashe ‘Father’ Nengomasha has set his sights on
becoming a coach after enrolling for the level one coaching
course.
Nengomasha who has been into the ambassadorial
job for brands like Coca-Cola and Castle Larger is
among a number of aspiring coaches who are
attending the level one course at Harare High School
this week.
The training course, which will be officially opened by
ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa on Wednesday, also
has a number of journalists from both electronic and
print media.
Top Zimbabwe wicket-keeper and batsman Brendan Taylor and Afghanistan’s 16-year-old spinner Mujeeb Rahman have als been sanctioned for separate incidents during the stormy ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier between the two sides at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday, according to The Herald.
Taylor was found to have breached Article 2.1.5, which deals with “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match”, while Mujeeb was found guilty of breaching Article 2.2.8, which relates to “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an international match”.
Taylor was fined 15 percent of his match fee and received one demerit point after pleading guilty to the charge, while Mujeeb was fined 50 percent of his match fee and got three demerit points following a hearing that took place yesterday after he had denied the offence and opted to contest the charge at a full hearing.
The incident involving Taylor happened during the closing stages of the match when the wicket-keeper showed dissent after umpire Chettithody Shamsuddin had turned down a leg before wicket appeal against Dawlat Zadran off the bowling of Blessing Muzarabani.
Mujeeb was charged and subsequently fined when, after fielding off his own bowling, the off-spinner threw the ball back at the batsman who had not left his crease. The on-field umpires deemed the throwing “in a dangerous manner” as it narrowly missed Brendan Taylor.
By Staff Reporter| A Zimbabwean student at Nottingham Trent University has exposed shocking racism on a LIVE video she shot as fellow students allegedly screamed behind her door saying they hate blacks.
yoo I’m fuming, the way people in the same uni halls as me are chanting “we hate the blacks” outside my bedroom door. Words cannot describe how sad this makes me feel, in this 2018 people think this is still acceptable? pic.twitter.com/XUiYqNIWQT
Rufaro Chisango’s expose has since led to two male colleagues being arrested.
Rufaro tweeted the video of the abuse which included “we hate the blacks” while locked in her room at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) halls of residence on Wednesday.
NTU has since suspended the “suspected perpetrators” pending inquiries, while the local police did their part in arresting them. Two 18-year-old men have been arrested on suspicion of committing racially aggravated public order offences.
She told the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme she “felt really shocked, isolated and uncomfortable” when she heard the “shouting outside my door”.
“It was a big impact obviously, when it happened. It shouldn’t be tolerated at all.”
Miss Chisango had reported the abuse to the university halls of residence reception on Tuesday, but the NTU was only informed on Wednesday.
She said: “It shouldn’t have [taken] such a long delay when I reported something like this.
“I just want the appropriate action to be taken.”
NTU said it was “shocked and appalled” to see the video and was investigating “as a matter of urgency”.
“We are also working with our accommodation partner to understand why the university was only alerted to this on Wednesday evening after this was reported to them in the very early hours of Tuesday.
Nottinghamshire Police said: “We treat hate crime as a priority.” – BBC/Additional Reporting
Chimurenga Music “Gandanga,” Thomas Mapfumo today makes a special video announcement following his upcoming trip back home for the first time where he will stage at Glamis Stadium alongside his colleague Oliver Mtukudzi. VIDEO:
By Paul Nyathi| Police in Bulawayo have refused to sanction a rally organised by beleaguered MDC-T Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe, ZimEye.com can reveal.
Highly placed sources close to the MDC-T leader told ZimEye Khuphe had planned to hold a rally at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre on Saturday, but police in Bulawayo would not sanction it as they raised fears of violence.
The sources indicated that the police claimed they do not have enough police details to man the rally which they suspected would turn violent as the police officers are occupied at the ongoing cricket World Cup qualifiers.
Last Sunday police in the City had a handful as they tried to control MDC-T internal violent clashes at the party’s offices as rival supporters engaged in a bloody fight.
Sixteen people were arrested and appeared in court on Wednesday.
An official with the Bulawayo City Council confirmed that the venue had been booked for an MDC-T rally for Saturday which has since been postponed to an unspecified date.
Khuphe claims to be the genuine leader of the MDC-T following the death of founding President Morgan Tsvangirai and has publicly declared that he does not recognise Nelson Chamisa as President after he was appointed ahead of her by the National Council of the party.
The sources indicate that Khuphe who was given a seven day ultimatum to accept Chamisa last week, was going to use the rally to announce that she was dismissing from the party Chamisa and several Standing Committee members for not following the party constitution.
With the rally now cancelled and her seven days ultimatum expired, Khuphe is at the risk of being dismissed from the party first before her intended move.
Efforts to get a comment from her were unsuccessful at the time of writing.
Who will fire who? Thokozani Khuphe and Nelson Chamisa
By Paul Nyathi
Police in Bulawayo have refused to sanction a rally organised by beleaguered MDC-T Deputy President Thokozani Khuphe, ZimEye.com can reveal.
Highly placed sources close to the MDC-T leader indicated that Khuphe was meant to hold a rally at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre on Saturday but police in Bulawayo would not sanction the rally raising fears of violence.
The sources indicated that the police claimed they do not have enough police details to man the rally which they suspected would turn violent as the police officers are occupied at the ongoing cricket World Cup qualifiers.
Last Sunday police in the City had a handful as they tried to control MDC-T internal violent clashes at the party’s offices as rival supporters engaged in a bloody fight.
Sixteen people were arrested and appeared in court on Wednesday.
An official with the Bulawayo City Council confirmed that the venue had been booked for an MDC-T rally for Saturday which has since been postponed to an unspecified date.
Khuphe claims to be the genuine leader of the MDC-T following the death of founding President Morgan Tsvangirai and has publicly declared that he does not recognise Nelson Chamisa as President after he was appointed ahead of her by the National Council of the party.
The sources indicate that Khuphe who was given a seven day ultimatum to accept Chamisa last week, was going to use the rally to announce that she was dismissing from the party Chamisa and several Standing Committee members for not following the party constitution.
With the rally now cancelled and her seven days ultimatum expired, Khuphe is at the risk of being dismissed from the party first before her intended move.
Efforts to get a comment from her were unsuccessful at the time of writing.
The humiliated controversial preacher Paul Sanyangore has responded to rumours that he attempted suicide.
Sanyangore 2 years ago gained notoriety after making claims that he has God’s cellphone number and that he speaks with the Creator from his mobile device.
He was later humiliated following reports from a close relative who said he was cheating on his wife.
The preacher has come out to dismiss reports that he attempted killing himself. He told the local tabloid, H Metro, “I’m alive. Some say I died by committing suicide while others say I skipped the border but here I am, talking to you. It’s normal though for people to say that. Even in football, the coaches at times take a sabbatical, just to refresh and rejuvenate. You come back mature, see things from a different angle. I’m now a changed man, bigger and stronger.
“I saw the mistakes I made and the things I did right. In short, you become a better pastor. I’m bigger, better, mature and different. The bible says faith has to be tested, go through trials and tribulations and this is what happened. We walk around telling people we are men of God and those statements have to be put to test. Now I know my real friends, people I can depend on, who to trust and who not to.
“We rebranded everything. Victory World ran its course and achieved its purpose, the battles we went through. The church is now Life Like Christ Church and we are in Mbare at the Netball Complex. We are doing it slowly unlike what we used to do that is why we have not been marketing or doing conferences. In churches these days there is no child spacing. One group has to grow before another can come in otherwise we will have half-baked congregants.”
By Farai D Hove| Zimbabwe most feared former army commander, Vice President Gen Constantino Chiwenga was yesterday rushed to hospital after falling down while walking.
This is the second time in two months the ex soldier has been rushed to hospital. Last time he collapsed while inside his office and was rushed to a nearby private hospital in Harare.
This time the 61 year old tripped, fell down and badly hurt his hand just after arriving at the Zanu PF headquarters.
He had reportedly missed a step and slipped before injuring his hand. He thus failed to attend the ZANU PF meeting where his boss Emmerson Mnangagwa was converging with party youths.
Reports indicate that he suffered a mild sprain that could limit his function for a few days.- more to follow…
By Paul Nyathi|Wide spread reports that University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Levi Nyagura is on suspension following allegations of him un-procedurally awarding former First Lady Grace Mugabe a doctorate, are untrue.
Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Prof. Amon Murwira revealed in the Senate House on Thursday.
Responding to a question from MDC-T Senator Siphiwe Ncube why the Vice Chancellor was still at work when he should be on suspension, the Minister said his office is not aware of the suspension.
“You are reading issues from the newspapers, as far as my office is concerned no official letter from the president who is the appointing authority has been written to the effect,” said the Minister.
Local media including state media has in the last week been running reports that Nyagura was suspended by the University Council to allow for investigations to be conducted on the PhD awarded to Mrs Mugabe without due process.
According to Minister Murwira only the President Emerson Mnangagwa has the authority to suspend or dismiss the Vice Chancellor and he has not done that.
However latest developments from the University indicate that the Council passed a resolution to suspend the Vice Chancellor but the Council Chairman
Buzwani Mothobi did not write the letter to Nyagura.
The council has since accused the chairman of insubordination to the council by failing to execute a council resolution.
Speaking to media on the issue at the University, Shingi Munyeza who is the chairperson of the risk and audit committee said that the chairman might be found guilty of subverting the council charter.
“When a board passes a resolution and such resolution is not implemented at the time agreed without any explanation is tantamount to subversion of the board charter and indeed good corporate governance,” he said.
Nyagura was briefly arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission last week on the same charges and was granted bail by the courts.
A Chinhoyi man today narrates that he was allegedly beaten up by soldiers accusing him of attending MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s weekend rally. (This is a developing story)
Zimbabwe National Army soldiers allegedly beat up Chinhoyi residents for attending #MDC Alliance rally held at the weekend
– MORE TO FOLLOW….
By Khulani Ndlovu| Revolutionary greetings comrades. Gone are the days when politicians lie to the masses to convince them to vote for them. Political blandishing is the outdated mode of fishing for voters. Politicians that are trapped in archiac politics are in most cases liquidators of the constitution. They believe they are above the constitution, they can break and mend it willy nilly. They engage more often in unscrupulous political manoevres. However, the modern electorate is politically informed, they can descern between constitutional delinqents and protectors of the constitution. Thus, they will punish in the ballot all those enemies of conatitutionalism and democracy.
Chamisa is an ill-tutored politician whose rise to power is unconstitutional just like the junta. He is moving from blunder to blunder as though led by blind fate. He is the black Hittler that hungers and thirsts for human blood. If you thought cannibalism is non-existent in Zimbabwe, then think twice. Chamisa and his thugs are cannibals who bay for the blood of their comrades who differ with them on the program of action. Above all he is a confirmed tribalist who sees other tribes as nothing better than instruments that he can use to achieve his short-sighted political dreams.
He believes Matebeleland people are politically dull hence he can use them like tissues when it best suits him. Loyalty of a certain section of the electorate doesnt mean it is politically dull. The voters can shift their loyalty to rival poltical organisation if they feel disrespected and used. Mr Chamisa, you dont own the voters, neither do you own MDC-T. You are nothing but a priviledged power hungry dreamer. Together wth your thugs, you have no respect for human life hence you shed blood anytime when you feel your shallow political dreams are threatened.
What is more disturbing is learning that an aspiring president has a bunch of thugs in his pocket, that live from his pocket. Hiring thugs to terrorise your opponents is unMDC. Mugabeism is very dangerous and contageous political sytem. Those that get in contact with the system, are transfugured into the likeness of Mugabe. They end up wholly subscribing to Mugabeism, believing thay violence is the panacea to any political problem. Violence in any sphere of our beloved country must be condemned with the contempt it deserves.
It is disturbing that such a king of violence dreams of becoming the president of Zimbabwe. Chamisa has a lot to learn and unlearn before thinking of becoming the president of the country. He must unlearn the politics of lies, violence and tribalism and learn being humble, accommodative, connecting with the people, working for the people and being an honest servant. There is no place in our modern politics for authoritarians. He should have learnt this from the downfall of his idol, Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe.
Ideologically bankrupt leaders hide behind violence. They use violence as a weapon of consolidating their power and elongating their stay in power. As NPP we condemn violence and believe the perpetrators must belong behind the bars. We further condemn violence precipitated on women. If Chamisa can not protect women, what gospel is he preaching as man of God? Is he not one of the last days prophets of doom the holy bible is warning us agaisnt? Dear Zimbabweans let us chose our leaders wisely. Only those who preach love and unity are worth our votes. 2018 is the year of great change, a year for the coronation of Dr Mujuru as the state President. Let us make history by making her the first female president in Zimbabwe.
Victory is certain, alluta continua.
Khulani David Ndhlovu
After a protracted battle with students and parliament over the issue of students paying university tuition fees while on attachments, the government has finally conceded.
In a statement made on Thursday, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development announced that it was cutting the fees down by 40% with immediate effect.
In the brief statement, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry Desire Sibanda announced that the government had listened to the pleas of the students and considered their socio economic situations and agreed to cut the fees.
Sibanda said that the 60% that remains will be used for administration and supervisory costs of the students work while they are on attachment.
Member of Parliament for Mutasa South Honourable Irene Zindi has been pushing the issue in parliament to the Ministry in a bid to have the fees cancelled out altogether.
Her latest push on the matter was at the Wednesday Question and Answer session in the House of Assembly where she questioned Minister when government was going to review the policy.
Honourable Zindi argued that it was not fair for government to levy the students full fees when the Ministry only visits the students for assessment at most twice throughout the attachment period.
“Hon. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development and this is to do with the policy direction in relation to students having to pay full tuition fees when they are on attachments and yet perhaps, they have only two monitoring visits by the lecturers,” she said.
“What is the policy direction in as far as full tuition payment is concerned looking at the economic hardships most parents are experiencing?”
Sibanda said that the latest statement cancels Statutory Instrument 6 of 1997 that compelled learners to pay fees while they are on attachments.
By Staff Reporter| The visiting Russian Foreign Affairs Minister, Sergey Lavrov speaking at a press conference at the government’s Munhumutapa offices, was today asked on whether the Russian Federation is assisting ZANU PF in elections, and to what extent Russia is assisting Zimbabwe in the upcoming elections.
Russia has been accused of meddling in for instance the last US election in what later saw the bosses of social media companies being hauled before the US Congress following evidence that posts and advert campaigns were run to confuse the US vote.
The development also comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa this week assigned cyber agents to conduct warfare on social media websites.
But Minister Lavrov replied saying, “we never meddle within the domestic affairs of any country, even though we hear allegations within the country on a daily basis, from Washington and some other western capitals…so far no one has been able to bring evidence to support their allegations.”
He also continued alleging, “recently I think it was the New York Times which published a big piece recounting decades and decades of interference by the United States within the domestic affairs the elections of dozens of countries…”
“And when this thing came up, and a discussion unfolded within the America media about all this interference I heard something incredible statements that yes they are doing this, but they are doing this for the good of these countries because together with the interference what they bring is democracy and liberty.
“We do not share this philosophy at all, we believe these approaches are imperialistic and we are never going to do anything like that.
“It is up to the people of Zimbabwe as well as to the people of other nations…to decide their own future and I believe this is what the people of Zimbabwe are going to do, they are going to do during the elections they are going to express their opinion.”
By Paul Nyathi| Members of Parliament have declared that they can not account for Constituency Development Funds handed them by parliament as they are not trained as accountants.
Opposition MDC-T Vice President Engineer Ellias Mudzurwi led the debate denouncing speaker of parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda’s announcement for members to provide an account for the funds.
“On the CDF Mr. Speaker Sir, on the accounting manual and on the process of running this account there is no room for employing an accounting officer. You will find out that the Member of Parliament becomes the accounting officer. It is very difficult for non-accounting officers to be able to do it,” said Mudzuri.
Advocate Mudenda had ordered for the parliamentarians to produce records showing how they have used the $50 000 advanced to them by parliament to carry out development projects in their constituencies.
“I have to inform the House that Hon. Members who have received CDF Funds for Constituency projects are reminded to submit their monthly, quarterly and annual returns to Parliament Management Committee in terms of Article 524 of the Accounting Officers Instructions,” said Mudenda.
“The documents to be submitted include but are not limited to:-
a) returns of expenditure;
b) returns of bank reconciliation statements;
c) returns of assets purchased; and
d) project job cards,” implored the speaker.
Mudzuri challenged the Speaker not to expect the reports as the CDF does not provide for the employment of an accounting officer to do the records.
“On the CDF Mr. Speaker Sir, on the accounting manual and on the process of running this account there is no room for employing an accounting officer. You will find out that the Member of Parliament becomes the accounting officer,” said Mudzuri.
“There must be that allowance where you have to allow for employment of somebody who runs the accounts,” he added.
Mudzurwi’s sentiments were echoed by youthful ZANU PF parliamentarian Joseph Matangira.
Matangira said that the engagement of personnel to do the accounts records will cost $50 000 which will wipe out the entire fund before the projects are done.
“What it means is, you will have to engage people who will do the job. It will cost more than the $50 000 that we are getting as a development fund,” said Matangira.
Over the years very few parliamentarians have been able account for the funds raising a huge uproar amongst members of the public accusing the legislators for abusing public funds.
Several commentators have been calling on parliament to abolish the fund which the MPs tend to use as funds for their campaigns instead of development.
The fund consumes over $10 million during the parliament term.
The fund was first introduced by former finance minister, Tendai Biti, during the Unity Government in 2010.
A year after it was unveiled, the fund collapsed due to budgetary constraints and the absence of a legal framework to govern it.
At the time, a number of Members of Parliament were accused of dipping their fingers into the fund, with many of the lawmakers failing the transparency and accountability test.
About four legislators were arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission, and appeared in court facing charges of abusing the fund.
The cases later fizzled out because there was no proper legal framework to successfully prosecute the culprits.
Government reintroduce the fund through the Constituency Development Fund Bill which is meant to curtail abuse of the facility.
By Staff Reporter| The visiting Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov at Munhumutapa, says his delegation will discuss military cooperation with Zimbabwe. Aside this matter, Russia is signing 3 agreements. (CONTINUE READING BELOW)
The signing ceremony took place at the Munhumutapa offices in Harare where the visiting Russian Foreign Minister Mr Sergey Lavrov met President Emmerson Mnangagwa aside his deputy Constantino Chiwenga.
Also in attendance were Ministers Winston Chitando, Chris Mushohwe, Mike Bimha, Retired Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri, Special Advisor to the President Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo, senior government officials and the Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Mikail Bogdanov.
The first MOU signed is on mutual cooperation in the field of industry signed between the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development Dr Mike Bimha and Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade.
It was followed by another one on the implementation of the project on the establishment of the Russian Industrial Zone in Zimbabwe.
The third MOU relates to the modernisation of Zimbabwe’s agricultural industry which was signed between Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Minister Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mr Georgy Kalamanov.
While President ED Mnangagwa yesterday launched a cyber war against his opponents where he encouraged Zanu Pf youths to ‘thrash’ those of divergent views, #Remembering2008 has exposed Zanu Pf as a violent and brutal party that killed and maimed opposition MDC T supporters pre and post 2008.
Zimbabweans took to Twitter recalling their 2008 experiences under the brutal leadership of Zanu Pf, whose ultimate grip on power resulted in the killing, maiming and disappearance of hundreds of opposition party supporters including other civilians who did not belong to the party.
Horrendous pictures and different accounts augmenting Zanu Pf brutality continue pouring in on social media, exposing President Mnangagwa’ s insincerity regarding being knowleadgeable about the atrocities committed by his party in 2008.
“I remember in our rural area in Binga when Jabulani Sibanda came and everyone with MDC campaign posters was forced to hand them over and they were set on fire. People were then forced to roll themselves in that fire,” said Likwa.
“At Ruvhizha secondary school in Gutu, Chamba and Mahana were abducted in broad daylight during assembly and trounced all night. Pupils discovered Chamba’s corpse in the morning while Mahana sustained serious injuries and later died in 2009,” added another contributor.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights’ Irene Petras recalled how even lawyers who were trying to access the High Court for election related hearings were threatened that they were going to be shot by soldiers.
“Lawyers went into hiding in and outside Zimbabwe.Those who stayed were left wondering if they would make it through the night,” said Petras.
Others told of how they watched their relatives and friends being butchered by Zanu Pf youths including Chipangano, a terror group which operated especially in urban areas and targeted MDC T stalwarts.
The issuet of “Zanu Pf bases,” came to the fore, with citizens narrating how these torture bases were used by Zanu Pf youths to beat up people.
“My pregnant neighbour was forced to run 13 kilometers and she developed swollen feet,” added another contributor.
Citizens recalled how some of the victims of Zanu Pf brutality had their skeletons fished out of Wenimbi Dam among others.
#Remembering2008 also exposed President Mnangagwa’ s complacency towards initiating national healing and reconciliation through his failure to acknowledge past atrocities such as the violence of 2008 and Gukurahundi among others.
Analysts described President Mnangagwa’s statement as an indication that Zanu Pf is not ready for free and fair elections despite promising that the forthcoming polls will be credible.
President Mnangagwa professed ignorance of the heinous atrocities committed against members of the opposition party, MDC T before and after the 2008 elections in an interview with The Economist.
He said he was not aware that the 2008 polls were violent adding that they were free and fair since there was little or no evidence of the reported cases by victims of the violence.
By Talent Gondo| Students on attachment are set to pay only 60 percent of their tuition fees as government has cut tuition fees by 40 percent.
Secretary in the Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Desire Sibanda said the development will see students on attachment paying 60 percent to cater for supervisory costs and use of college facilities.
“This move has been necessitated by the realisation that our students are having challenges ergonomically,” said Sibanda.
By Staff Reporter| President Emmerson Mnangagwa is in meeting with the visiting Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov at Munhumutapa
In attendance is Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, several Cabinet ministers and members of the Russian delegation. An hour ago the Russian Minister met his Zimbabwean counterpart, Gen Sibusiso Moyo. VIDEO ROLL:
The words that I stood up to say are in connection with the rights that are provided for in the Standing Orders.
I stood up to give strong words to you Mr. Speaker and also extend those words to the President of the nation.
I say these words concerning what befell us as a nation a few weeks ago after losing our former Prime Minister, Mr. Tsvangirai who was also the leader of the MDC-T.
Mr. Speaker, this was an event that befell us whilst we were unawares. So I stood up to say that as a party that is in this august House and well known in this august House which is the Movement for Democratic Change that I lead.
Mr. Speaker I wish to say these words expressing my gratitude especially to Parliament which is headed by you and also all the other parliamentarians. We saw us coming together to unite and go through the bereavement of Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai.
There was no partisanship in this event and you also said a lot Mr. Speaker when you attended the funeral. We know there are two parties MDC-T and ZANU PF in Parliament. We are two parties that are well known to be part of Government. We also want to thank His Excellency the President for the words that he gave.
It is important that we emulate this in Parliament because we are in Parliament. His Excellency the President came, the Hon. Vice President came and also Hon. S. K. Moyo even when the body of the late arrived, we realised that there is nothing that stops us from working as a team in Zimbabwe. I am sure this will be extended throughout the elections and we received a lot of assistance from the Government.
On behalf of the Movement for Democratic Change, I want to thank you. We hope that such events can unite the people.
As a leader who was given this position, I also hope that we will have a new dispensation that where we are heading, the way we are going to proceed should be to unite our nation. We might differ in terms of views and perspectives, but the country is the same. Where we are heading, we should not think that this person does not deserve this anymore.
We want our country to develop and not look at the issue of party; we should not be partisan in rebuilding our nation. I thank you.”
Aspiring Gwanda Central Constituency ZANU PF candidate Japhet Dube has got himself into a hot duel with members of his party’s youth league over a rich gold mine in the outskirts of the town.
Desperate to raise funds to finance his primary elections and probably national elections Dube a former senator in the area is reportedly kicking out youth mining the mine under the ZANU PF affiliated Youth In Mining project.
According to the youth Dube is working in cohorts with Abednico Ncube the Minister for Provincial Affairs Matabeleland South.
The two political heavyweights are reportedly trying to smear the youth off the mine by claiming that they are aligned to the ousted faction G40 which is reviving as National Patriotic Front.
According to the miners Dube has been sending thugs from his youth faction to attack them and they have since fled the mine and stopped mining due to the continuous attacks.
The mine, situated about 45 kilometres from Gwanda along the Beitbridge road, was awarded to the youths in October 2017 under former President Robert Mugabe’s youth empowerment programmes as a tribute from commercial mining company Farvic Consolidate Mine.
Chairperson of the Youth In Mining in the area Mpumelelo Nyoni narrated their ordeal at the hands of the senior politocians.
“In November last year, Dube approached us requesting that we accommodate him in our mining claim,” Nyoni said.
“We didn’t have any problem with that, we then agreed that he brings at least two people to work from here but he insisted that he wanted to bring a group of people, a suggestion we turned down,” he said.
Nyoni said two months later, Dube reportedly sent a mob of youths to demonstrate against them.
“They descended on the mine, carrying stones and various weapons. They switched off pumps and threw boulders and stones into the mine shaft.
“We reported the matter to the police and only two were arrested, fined and released. This has all been aimed at provoking us,” he said.
Nyoni said the demonstrators told them point blank that they had been sent by minister Ncube and Dube.
“We confronted minister Ncube over the matter and he said he was not involved but he said he knew Dube had interests.”
But Dube is not stopping in his pursuit to get the mine as he has reportedly approached Farvic with the intention of taking over.
Dube who is a very close ally to Minister Ncube is reportedly in a desperate drive to raise funds to finance his campaign. He is expected to go through a tough with gold miner Trainos Nkomo in the primaries.
Nkomo is reportedly more financially stable than Dube and is splashing heavily to ZANU PF members who will be voting in the primary elections getting Dube into a panic.
By Dorrothy Moyo| Zimbabweans likely blew millions of megabyte data this week while quarrelling about Nelson Chamisa’s bullet train concept announced at the MDC Alliance rally in Chinhoyi.
Below were complaints and comments by news readers on the matter:
By Dorrothy Moyo| News observers last night exclaimed how as they said, the 94 year old former president Robert Mugabe “looks 64 years old” as seen on his latest pictures taken at the weekend.
INSIDE BLUE ROOF: Below is the picture of National Patriotic Front Spokesman, Jealousy Mawarire inside Robert Mugabe’s blue roof residence at the weekend. He was flanked by ZANU PF’s latest quitter, Gen Ambrose Mutinhiri who has since joined the party following his resignation from Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ZANU PF party. Mawarire calls Mutinhiri, “Zimbabwe’s Incoming President”:
Zimbabwe’s top wicket-keeper and batsman Brendan Taylor and Afghanistan’s 16-year-old spinner Mujeeb Rahman have also been sanctioned for separate incidents during the stormy ICC Cricket World cup Qualifier between the two sides at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.
Taylor was found to have breached Article 2.1.5, which deals with “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match”, while Mujeeb was found guilty of breaching Article 2.2.8, which relates to “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an international match”.
Taylor was fined 15 per cent of his match fee and received one demerit point after pleading guilty to the charge, while Mujeeb was fined 50 per cent of his match fee and got three demerit points following a hearing that took place yesterday after he had denied the offence and opted to contest the charge at a full hearing.
The incident involving Taylor happened during the closing stages of the match when the wicket-keeper showed dissent after umpire Chettithody Shamsuddin had turned down a leg before appeal against Dawlat Zadran off the bowling of Blessing Muzarabani. Mujeeb was charged and subsequently fined when, after fielding off his own bowling, the off-spinner threw the ball back at the batsman who had not left his crease. The on-field umpires deemed the throwing “in a dangerous manner” as it narrowly missed Brendan Taylor.
The charges were laid by on-field umpires Chris Brown and Chettithody Shamsuddin and third umpire Paul Wilson. Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad has been suspended for his team’s upcoming two matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 after his accumulated demerit points reached four within a 24-month period.
This follows his latest breach of the ICC Code of Conduct for which he received a 15 per cent fine and one demerit point.
During a thrilling match against Zimbabwe at the Bulawayo Athletic Club on Tuesday, Shahzad was found guilty of breaching Article 2.1.8, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match”.
As Shahzad had been fined 100 per cent of his match fee and handed three demerit points in a Twenty20 International against the United Arab Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium on 12 December 2016, the addition of this one demerit point took him to the threshold of four demerit points, which, pursuant to article 7.6 of the Code, have now been converted into two suspension points**. — ICC
Below is the full text of the parliament delivery as MDC leader Nelson Chamisa thanks President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the state’s assistance in the burial of the late party leader Morgan Tsvangirai:
*HON. ADV. CHAMISA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. The words that I stood up to say are in connection with the rights that are provided for in the Standing Orders. I stood up to give strong words to you Mr. Speaker and also extend those words to the President of the nation. I say these words concerning what befell us as a nation a few weeks ago after losing our former Prime Minister, Mr. Tsvangirai who was also the leader of the MDC-T.
Mr. Speaker, this was an event that befell us whilst we were unawares. So I stood up to say that as a party that is in this august House and well known in this august House which is the Movement for Democratic Change that I lead. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
Mr. Speaker I wish to say these words expressing my gratitude especially to Parliament which is headed by you and also all the other parliamentarians. We saw us coming together to unite and go through the bereavement of Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai. There was no partisanship in this event and you also said a lot Mr. Speaker when you attended the funeral. We know there are two parties MDC-T and ZANU PF in Parliament. We are two parties that are well known to be part of Government. We also want to thank His Excellency the President for the words that he gave.
It is important that we emulate this in Parliament because we are in Parliament. His Excellency the President came, the Hon. Vice President came and also Hon. S. K. Moyo even when the body of the late arrived, we realised that there is nothing that stops us from working as a team in Zimbabwe. I am sure this will be extended throughout the elections and we received a lot of assistance from the Government. On behalf of the Movement for Democratic Change, I want to thank you. We hope that such events can unite the people.
As a leader who was given this position, I also hope that we will have a new dispensation that where we are heading, the way we are going to proceed should be to unite our nation. We might differ in terms of views and perspectives, but the country is the same. Where we are heading, we should not think that this person does not deserve this anymore. We want our country to develop and not look at the issue of party; we should not be partisan in rebuilding our nation. I thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order Hon. Members.
HON. CHASI: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Chamisa for the expression of gratitude to the leadership of Government and the treatment that was given to the late Mr. Tsvangirai on his bereavement. It is indeed gratifying that Government gave him such a treatment and I was personally and I think everyone in the country acknowledged that he was a leader of great note. But I think the story would not be complete without making reference to the violence that took place at that funeral. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
It would be extremely remiss of this House for it not to abhor the treatment that was given to some of the leaders of the opposition, in particular, Dr. Khupe. – [AN HON. MEMBER: Wanga uriko here iwe!] – I also want to make reference to the violence that took place in Bulawayo last week or so – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – We must, and I cannot be shut down – [AN HON. MEMER: Ngaataure nezve Gukurahundi!] – I need to be protected as I make reference to the violence that took place in Bulawayo last week when old people were assaulted with stones. This is pre-election violence and we must make reference to it and abhor it. It does not matter who it is that causes violence in this country. We are going towards a very important election and as in the past when violence has been condemned, the violence that took place in Bulawayo must similarly be condemned – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Our friends on the opposite side must not pretend that violence did not happen and I want to say that this House must condemn that violence. I thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! I thought we are here to build each other for a peaceful nation. I accept the expression of gratitude expressed by Hon. Adv. Chamisa and the observation by Hon. Chasi.
“Pull her up” is what Zimbabwe women leaders were saying today at the launch of the 50/50 Advocacy Campaign and Women’s Manifesto in Harare this morning. So great to be there! pic.twitter.com/Xsmbps3Bag
“Where is the evidence of rigging?” asked ED – Stop asking stupid questions and
answer: “Where is the evidence you implemented all the reforms?”
By Wilbert Mukori| “President Mnangagwa denies previous elections were unfair, especially in 2008, when NGOs reckoned that at least 270 activists of the MDC were killed,” reported the UK Economist.
“Where is the evidence for violence? Not a single case was taken to the police. There was no evidence,” he insisted.
indepth…Wilbert Mukori
That is a nonsensical argument, after the 2008 election not even the many Zanu PF minions and apologist would deny Zanu PF rigged the elections. Whilst they had accused the West of falsely accusing the regime of rigging elections because they had an axe to grind they could not say the say of SADC and the AU. The two African bodies had too condemned the elections as not being free and fair.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police had not only turned a blind eye to Zanu PF inspired political
violence, which was the norm, but that year they had gone beyond the pale. The Police, together with the Army and CIO, had orchestrated and even carried out some of the politically motived violence.
Although hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans were beaten and/or raped and 270 murdered only a few people were ever arrested, charged and convicted of committing these heinous crimes.
When those committing the crime are also responsible for enforcing the law; the criminal
activities are swept under the carpet and the evidence, even if someone took the initiative to collect it, is suppressed or lost. Before independence, Ian Smith was doing this all the time; of all people Mnangagwa knows this only too well.
If President Mnangagwa and Zanu PF thugs are denying they ever rigged elections, even the well documented cases like the 2008, what reason is there that they will not blatantly rig this year’s elections and flatly insist the elections were free and fair? This is exactly the reason why we must insist on agreed benchmarks Zanu PF must deliver on long before we look at what happens on the voting day itself. Fortunately, these benchmarks are already there.
After blatant cheating and wanton violence that marred the 2008 elections, SADC leaders forced Mugabe and his Zanu PF party to sign an agreement stipulating a raft of democratic reforms that were to be carried to stop the vote rigging. The agreement also called for the formation of the GNU which was then tasked to implement the reforms.
Sadly, not even one democratic reform was implemented throughout the five years of the GNU. It is another day’s tale as to why no reforms implemented; it will suffice for now to that Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends sold out on reforms.
SADC leaders appreciated the importance of implementing the reforms BEFORE holding
elections and so, they called for the 2013 elections must be postponed.
“In 2013 the Maputo Summit, in June 2013, before the elections, the Maputo Summit was all about having the elections postponed – the SADC summit,” Dr Ibbo Mandaza explained.
“I went there. I was there at the Summit and Mugabe pretended to agree to a postponement of the elections. If you recall, the postponement was based on the need to reform at least electoral laws.
“After that Summit, Morgan Tsvangirai, Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube, all of them were called to a separate meeting by the Heads of State of SADC in the absence of Mugabe, that same evening. And they were told; I was sitting there outside the room with Mac Maharaj; they were told ‘if you go into elections next month, you are going to lose; the elections are done’.”
Sadly, MDC leaders did not listen, incompetence and greed got the better of them; they took part in the flawed and illegal elections. Zanu PF went on to rig the elections as SADC leaders had foretold. How Zanu PF rigged the 2013 elections is also another tale for another day, it will suffice for now to say with no democratic reforms the sky is the limit to the vote rigging options open to the regime.
What must be made emphatically here is not for the election observers, foreign or local, to
supervise the Police, make sure they record and investigate cases of cheating and violence. Or to supervise ZEC, make sure the country has verified voters’ roll; etc. They task is to observe the election process, period.
President Mnangagwa and his government’s responsibility make sure the coming elections are free, fair and credible. As the State President, the bucks stops with him to ensure State
Institutions like the Police and ZEC are adequately resourced and empowered to delivery free, fair and credible elections.
If there should ever be any cause to doubt the nation’s ability to hold free and fair elections it is the duty of the relevant State Institution, be it the Police, ZEC or both, in the first instance, to thoroughly investigate the cause, put it right and punish those found guilty of causing the incident. They must also produce detailed report(s) giving recommendation to ensure a similar thing will never happen again. Government has the legal obligation to ensure the relevant authorities have carried out the statutory duties and confidence in the country’s ability to hold free, fair and credible elections is fully restored.
It is not for President Mnangagwa to ask us, the public; “Where is the evidence of Zanu PF
rigging elections in the past?” In 2008 SADC and AU did not force Zanu PF to sign the
agreement to implement the raft of democratic reforms on a whim, they had witness the blatant cheat and wanton violence that took place that year.
Of course, there is evidence that Zanu PF rigged the 2008 elections and many more beside. The line of questioning is the height of mischievous political arrogance; why ask the public for evidence you yourself has helped to bury for selfish reason of staying in power regardless of the public’s democratic wishes.
But even if SADC or anyone failed to produce even one shred of evidence of any election
irregularities much less the barbaric violence; the raft of democratic reforms we are demanding must be implemented before the coming elections will be guarantee the elections are free, fair and credible. Even if you, Mr President do not want the guarantee, we want it and demand it!
You see, Mr President Mnangagwa, the bottom line is; it is not for you to ask us, why we want guarantees to our basic freedoms and fundamental rights such as the right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country. We know you have been short changing us all these last 38 years.
You and the rest of your Junta friends are public servants; we the people are the public and you and your Junta friends are our servants. You lot are accountable to us the public. As long as you are able to rig elections, you short circuit our power to hold you lot to account, this is why we demand that all the democratic reforms are implemented without further ado BEFORE the elections.
Mr President, read my lips! It not for you to ask stupid questions but to answer: “Where is the evidence of implementing the democratic reforms?”
If the elections go ahead with no reforms in place, let me tell you here and now, the process will be declared null and void! – zsdemocrats.blogspot.co.uk
Burial of family members died after eating killer mushrooms
Two members of a Filabusi family in Matabeleland South province have died while six others have been hospitalised after consuming poisonous mushrooms bringing to 13 the number of mushroom deaths in just nine days.
Eleven of the dead are members of a Mberengwa family who consumed the poisonous mushrooms on Tuesday last week.
The 11th Mberengwa family member died yesterday afternoon at Mpilo Central Hospital.
Mpilo clinical director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya said yesterday that one adult and a toddler from a Filabusi family died while five others from the same family have been hospitalised after consuming poisonous mushrooms.
He said one of those hospitalised was toddler admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Mpilo while four other family members are being treated at Filabusi District Hospital.
“We now have another mushroom poisoning incident from Filabusi and this time seven family members consumed the poisonous mushrooms and two have died. One of them died while being transferred to this hospital while the other died after being admitted. We are attending to a toddler battling for life in the ICU,” said Dr Ngwenya.
He said the family was first taken to Filabusi District Hospital where four members are still admitted.
“What I gathered from the family is that they have always eaten the same mushrooms over the years. It is worrying that we continue to witness unnecessary loss of lives due to these mushrooms,” said Dr Ngwenya.
A vendor sorts out mushrooms for sale at a market in Bulawayo yesterday
He warned members of the public against eating or buying wild mushrooms as mushroom poisoning leads to liver, brain or kidney failure.
“People should only consume commercial mushrooms which are safe. We discourage people from picking and eating wild mushrooms as some of the musrooms are poisonous and can cause organ failure” he said.
Dr Ngwenya said two of the three Mberengwa family members who were still admitted at the hospital have since been discharged.
“We are now left with one child who is still under observation,” said Dr Ngwenya.
According to police, Mr Tenious Shoko (45) from Mberengwa sent his 16-year-old daughter to pick some mushrooms for relish on Tuesday last week.
The 16-year-old prepared the mushrooms which were consumed by the whole family leading to the death of 11 family members.- state media
South Africa yesterday repatriated eight undocumented Zimbabwean children who were in the hands of that country’s Department of Social Development for three months since they were smuggled through Beitbridge Border Post last year.
The children, aged between two and 12 years, were not allowed to see or speak to their parents while in the neighbouring country since November last year.
The eight were brought into the country through Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport aboard a South African Airways plane yesterday.
The latest development comes a day after a Pretoria-based North Gauteng High Court Judge Bill Prinsloo dismissed an urgent chamber application by the minors’ parents. Judge Prinsloo made his ruling after the parents of the children through their lawyer, Advocate Simba Chitando, filed an urgent chamber application trying to interdict the Department of Social Development from repatriating the minors.
The parents wanted their children to be released into their custody.
South Africa Social Development spokesperson Ms Lumka Oliphant yesterday confirmed the latest development.
“I can confirm that the eight Zimbabwean children were repatriated today (yesterday) aboard a South African Airways plane under the escort of South African police and officials from the departments of Social Development, Home Affairs and International Relations and Co-operation. They were handed over to officials from Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare,” she said.
The children were smuggled into the neighbouring country last year in November.
They were travelling in a truck to join their parents in Cape Town for the Christmas holiday. The truck was intercepted at a service station in Rustenburg after police received a tip-off from people who suspected that the minors were victims of human trafficking.
The children were kept at a safe house in Rustenburg.
“The alleged parents demanded that the children be released into their care but could not provide proof that they are indeed the children’s parents or primary caregivers,” said Ms Oliphant. “In terms of section 290 of the Children’s Act, there is a need to ascertain where the children will be released to. In this instance, the children will be released into the care and safety of the Government of Zimbabwe.” Ms Oliphant said the driver of the truck they were travelling in was in possession of 15 passports — none of which belonged to the minors in transit. Judge Prinsloo ruled that he could not fathom how parents could allow their children to travel with strangers, in a truck, from Beitbridge to Cape Town, saying he doubted that the parents acted in the best interests of the children.
In a statement, South Africa’s Minister of Social Development Ms Susan Shabangu welcomed the decision to repatriate the children to Zimbabwe.
“We believe that the South African Government, through the Department of Social Development, always acts in the best interest of the child. We want to thank the South African Police Service, the social workers, the office of the Family Advocate and all other officials who worked tirelessly to make sure that the children are protected,” she said.
The Office of the Consular-General of Zimbabwe has been highly involved. They conducted interviews, assessed and confirmed that the children were indeed of Zimbabwean nationality and they were issued with repatriation certificates. The Department of Social Development has a Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare on matters related to unaccompanied and undocumented minors. Despite stiff fines imposed by the South African Home Affairs stipulating that omalayitsha caught smuggling undocumented travellers or those with expired passports or no valid visas, into South Africa, are required fork out a fine of R15 000 per person, the smuggling of undocumented persons continues unabated.
Last year in December, more than 100 children without requisite travelling documents were repatriated back to Zimbabwe from South Africa after being smuggled by cross border drivers (omalayitsha) during the holiday. The Zimbabwe-South Africa Cross-Border Co-ordination Committee for Unaccompanied and Separated Migrant Children has on many occasions raised concern over the rampant smuggling of minors between the two countries’ borders. The committee is made up of officials from the two countries’ social service departments, immigration, police, and non-governmental organisations and human rights lawyers.- state media
Russian Foreign Minister Mr Sergey Lavrov arrived in the country last night to deliver a special message to President Mnangagwa from President Vladimir Putin.
Zimbabwe and Russia enjoy warm bilateral relations dating back to the days of the liberation struggle.
Mr Lavrov is expected to meet President Mnangagwa this morning and thereafter hold a meeting with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Lieutenant-General Dr Sibusiso Moyo (Retired).
He is also expected to sign a cooperative agreement and meet the business community in the country.
Mr Lavrov was welcomed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Minister Moyo and Foreign Affairs secretary Mr Joe Bimha, senior Government officials and Russian ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Sergey Bakharev.
His visit is expected to further cement the solid relations between Harare and Moscow.
Russia has stood by Zimbabwe when the West imposed illegal sanctions on Harare.
Announcing the visit of Mr Lavrov on Tuesday, Minister Moyo said: “The excellent political relations between the two countries have created grounds for expanded economic ties, trade, mining and cooperation in many areas such as agricultural mechanisation and manpower development.”
Mr Lavrov, who is President Putin’s confidante, is leading a high-powered delegation.
He last visited Zimbabwe in 2014 for the ground-breaking ceremony of the US$4 billion platinum mine in Darwendale, Mashonaland West province.
The Great Dyke platinum investment project, which is one of the biggest investments in the country since 1980, is poised to be jump-started by the visit, with renewed commitment made on the deal.
Mr Lavrov’s visit comes at a time when Government has opened doors for investors to explore opportunities in the country.
Zimbabwe is endowed with various minerals ranging from platinum, diamonds, lithium, coal, gold, asbestos to tin.
In 2008, Russia and China vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution sponsored by Britain and the United States seeking to impose punitive sanctions on Zimbabwe.- state media
INSIDE BLUE ROOF: Below is the picture of National Patriotic Front Spokesman, Jealousy Mawarire inside Robert Mugabe’s blue roof residence at the weekend. He was flanked by ZANU PF’s latest quitter, Gen Ambrose Mutinhiri who has since joined the party following his resignation from Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ZANU PF party. Mawarire calls Mutinhiri, “Zimbabwe’s Incoming President”:
Ray Nkosi | Former President Robert Mugabe has lost all privacy and perhaps even sense of dignity after a rough list of his travel entourage has been leaked to the press.
The list was leaked amidst other reports that his workers in Zimbabwe were being harrased by state operatives, putting Mugabe in a more vulnerable security situation. The list details the names of the officials who have travelled with Mugabe to South-Africa, in the past a well kept secret, as the world awaits to hear what the vocal former head of state has to say after weeks of silence under house arrest.
Farirai Madhumbe | Former Zanu PF National Commissar, exiled Savior Kasukuwere, has responded to reports that he is part of the New Patriotic Front leadership, which is fronted by former President Robert Mugabe.
Kasukuwere took to twitter to dismiss a leadership line up circulating on social media as “fake”.
In the line up former cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo and former First Lady Grace Mugabe are named as co-vice presidents, Kasukuwere is listed as the chairperson.
Responding to reports that Mugabe is part of the new political outfit, President Emmerson Mnangagwa told youths, “Currently, we see and hear various speculations and I have no doubt that very soon the facts and reality will be known. We will only take a position when the issues are known and are factual. But currently, we are not happy with what the media is saying. We are not sure whether it’s true or false, it’s an issue that we are examining.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa says he is not happy with claims in the media that former President Robert Mugabe had a direct hand in the formation of the new political outfit, the National Patriotic Front (NPF) fronted by former Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs, Retired Brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri.
Just a few days after quitting the ruling Zanu PF party, Mutinhiri was pictured with Ex-President Mugabe at his blue-roof house in Borrowdale, Harare, and the later reportedly endorsed the former before he announced his new party.
In response to that, President Mnangagwa, who has on several occasions hailed Cde Mugabe as his father, mentor and the country’s liberator, said if the reports are true, they are not amusing.
“Currently, we see and hear various speculations and I have no doubt that very soon the facts and reality will be known. We will only take a position when the issues are known and are factual. But currently, we are not happy with what the media is saying. We are not sure whether it’s true or false, it’s an issue that we are examining,” said Mnangagwa, while addressing the Zanu PF Youth League National Assembly in Harare today.
The President also reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption and multiple farm ownership.
“There are people of my grade, who have more than one farm. We are coming,” he said.
Mnangagwa told the youths never to forget or neglect the founding values upon which the party and the country were built and underscored the need for uttermost unity and discipline within the party’s youth league rank and file.
“As youths, you must shun immorality, corruption, tribalism, factionalism and regionalism. Let us as the youth leadership of the revolutionary party esteem transparency, accountability, honesty and integrity,” he said.
Mnangagwa also said he remains committed to addressing the challenges facing the country’s youths and to this end, the new government has prioritised economic resuscitation in view of employment creation and empowerment opportunities for the youth and the generality of the people of Zimbabwe.
As the country prepares for general elections, Mnangagwa reiterated that the polls will be peaceful, credible, free and fair.- state media
Embattled MDC- Tsvangirai former party spokesman Obert Gutu has claimed that he is receiving death threats. Gutu took to Twitter to explain the alleged threats against his life.
And now some thugs and hooligans are sending me threatening messages on WhatsApp.They think they can scare me,these cowards!
I will never,ever give in to thuggery,violence and intimidation.
Never!! Ever!!
The South African broadcaster, SABC is tonight carrying a news feature by its chief Correspondent, Sophie Mokoena. (To watch go to the SABC Channel) – REFRESH THIS PAGE FOR THE UPDATES.
The national broadcaster, ZBC has announced saying former Zanu PF Secretary for Youth Affairs, Kudzanai Chipanga is now fully behind Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The state report says Chipanga has dismissed claims by the Ambrose Mutinhiri led National Patriotic Front (NPF) that he is part of its leadership.
Chipanga who was expelled from Zanu PF together with a host of G40 members, said he has since applied for readmission into the ruling Zanu PF party.
“My heart is still with Zanu PF and whether I am re-admitted into the party or not, I will still vote for the revolutionary party and President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the upcoming elections,” Chipanga is quoted as saying.
Chipanga is one of the expelled Zanu PF members who has been linked by social media reports to the new Mutinhiri led political outfit as its Secretary for the Commissariat.
By A Correspondent| Former President Robert Mugabe flew out of Harare this morning a mere civilian, soon after endorsing the launch of a new political outfit The New Patriotic Front.
Mugabe left his workers at the mercy of soldiers being interrogated according to South African media reports. SEE BELOW:
Tension is mounting in Zimbabwe, as reports indicate that workers at former President Robert Mugabe’s residence in Harare were taken in for questioning by soldiers this morning.
The Premier Soccer League(PSL) has released the
fixtures for the 2018 Castle Lager Premiership
season.
The season will kick off on the 17th of this month.
The campaign was supposed to kick off this
weekend but it was delayed.
The fixtures:
Match Day 1
Nichrut FC v Mutare City FC
Chicken Inn FC v Dynamos FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Herentals FC
Highlanders FC v Black Rhinos FC
ZPC Kariba FC v FC Platinum
Yadah FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Caps United FC v Harare City FC
Bulawayo City FC v Chapungu FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Triangle FC
Match Day 2
Mutare City FC v Chapungu FC
Harare City FC v Bulawayo City FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Caps United FC
FC Platinum v Yadah FC
Black Rhinos FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Herentals FC v Highlanders FC
Dynamos FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Nichrut FC v Chicken Inn FC
Triangle FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Match Day 3
Chicken Inn FC v Mutare City FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Nichrut FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Dynamos FC
Highlanders FC v Triangle FC
Caps United FC v FC Platinum
Bulawayo City FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Chapungu FC v Harare City FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Herentals FC
Yadah FC v Black Rhinos FC
Match Day 4
Mutare City FC v Harare City FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Chapungu FC
FC Platinum v Bulawayo City FC
Black Rhinos FC v Caps United FC
Herrentals Fc v Yadah FC
Triangle FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Dynamos FC v Highlanders FC
Chicken Inn FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Nichrut FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Match Day 5
Shabanie Mine FC v Mutare City FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Chicken Inn FC
Highlanders FC v Nichrut FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Dynamos FC
Yadah FC v Triangle FC
Caps United FC v Herentals FC
Bulawayo City FC v Black Rhinos FC
Chapungu FC v FC Platinum
Harare City FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Match Day 6
Mutare City FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
FC Platinum v Harare City FC
Black Rhinos FC v Chapungu FC
Herentals FC v Bulawayo City FC
Triangle FC v Caps United FC
Dynamos FC v Yadah FC
Nichrut FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Chicken Inn FC v Highlanders FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Match Day 7
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Mutare City FC
Highlanders FC v Shabanie Mine FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Chicken Inn FC
Yadah FC v Nichrut FC
Caps United FC v Dynamos FC
Bulawayo City FC v Triangle FC
Chapungu FC v Herentals FC
Harare City FC v Black Rhinos FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v FC Platinum
Match Day 8
Mutare City FC Mutare City FC v FC Platinum
Black Rhinos FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Herentals FC v Harare City FC
Triangle FC v Chapungu FC
Dynamos FC v Bulawayo City FC
Nichrut FC v Caps United FC
Chicken Inn FC v Yadah FC
Shabanie Mine FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Highlanders FC
Match Day 9
Highlanders FC v Mutare City FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Yadah FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Caps United FC v Chicken Inn FC
Bulawayo City FC v Nichrut FC
Chapungu FC v Dynamos FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Herentals FC
FC Platinum v Black Rhinos FC
Harare City FC v Triangle FC
Match Day 10
Mutare City FC v Black Rhinos FC
Herentals FC v FC Platinum
Triangle FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Dynamos FC v Harare City FC
Nichrut FC v Chapungu FC
Chicken Inn FC v Bulawayo City FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Caps United FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Yadah FC
Highlanders FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Match Day 11
ZPC Kariba FC v Mutare City FC
Yadah FC v Highlanders FC
Caps United FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Bulawayo City FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Chapungu FC v Chicken Inn FC
Harare City FC v Nichrut FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Dynamos FC
FC Platinum v Triangle FC
Black Rhinos FC v Herentals FC
Match Day 12
Mutare City FC v Herentals FC
Triangle FC v Black Rhinos FC
Dynamos FC v FC Platinum
Nichrut FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Chicken Inn FC v Harare City FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Chapungu FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Bulawayo City FC
Highlanders FC v Caps United FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Yadah FC
Match Day 13
Yadah FC v Mutare City FC
Caps United FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Bulawayo City FC v Highlanders FC
Chapungu FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Harare City FC v Shabanie Mine FC
FC Platinum v Nichrut FC
Black Rhinos FC v Dynamos FC
Herentals FC v Triangle FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Chicken Inn FC
Match Day 14
Mutare City FC v Triangle FC
Dynamos FC v Herentals FC
Nichrut FC v Black Rhinos FC
Chicken Inn FC v FC Platinum
Shabanie Mine FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Highlanders FC v Chapungu FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Bulawayo City FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Harare City FC
Yadah FC v Caps United FC
Match Day 15
Caps United FC v Mutare City FC
Bulawayo City FC v Yadah FC
Chapungu FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Harare City FC v Highlanders FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Black Rhinos FC v Chicken Inn FC
Herentals FC v Nichrut FC
Triangle FC v Dynamos FC
FC Platinum v Shabanie Mine FC
Match Day 16
Mutare City FC v Dynamos FC
Nichrut FC v Triangle FC
Caps United FC v Bulawayo City FC
Chicken Inn FC v Herentals FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Black Rhinos FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v FC Platinum
Highlanders FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Harare City FC
Yadah FC v Chapungu FC
Match Day 17
Bulawayo City FC v Mutare City FC
Chapungu FC v Caps United FC
Harare City FC v Yadah FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v ZPC Kariba FC
FC Platinum v Highlanders FC
Black Rhinos FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Herentals FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Triangle FC v Chicken Inn FC
Dynamos FC v Nichrut FC
Match Day 18
Mutare City FC v Nichrut FC
Dynamos FC v Chicken Inn FC
Herentals FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Black Rhinos FC v Highlanders FC
FC Platinum v ZPC Kariba FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Yadah FC
Harare City FC v Caps United FC
Chapungu FC v Bulawayo City FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Triangle FC
Match Day 19
Chapungu FC v Mutare City FC
Bulawayo City v Harare City FC
Caps United v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Yadah FC v FC Platinum
Highlanders FC v Herentals FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Dynamos FC
Chicken Inn v Nichrut FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Triangle FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Black Rhinos FC
Match Day 20
Mutare City FC v Chicken Inn FC
Nichrut FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Harare City FC v Chapungu FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Bulawayo City FC
Dyanamos FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Triangle FC v Highlanders FC
Herentals FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Black Rhinos FC v Yadah FC
FC Platinum v Caps United FC
Match Day 21
Harare City FC v Mutare City FC
Chapungu FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Bulawayo City FC v FC Platinum
Caps United FC v Black Rhinos FC
Yadah FC v Herentals FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Triangle FC
Highlanders FC v Dynamos FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Chicken Inn FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Nichrut FC
Match Day 22
Mutare City FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Chicken Inn FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Nichrut FC v Highlanders FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Harare City FC
Dynamos FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Triangle FC v Yadah FC
Herentals FC v Caps United FC
Black Rhinos FC v Bulawayo City FC
FC Platinum v Chapungu FC
Match Day 23
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Mutare City FC
Harare City FC v FC Platinum
Chapungu FC v Black Rhinos FC
Bulawayo City FC v Herentals FC
Caps United FC v Triangle FC
Yadah FC v Dynamos FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Nichrut FC
Highlanders FC v Chicken Inn FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Match Day 24
Mutare City FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Highlanders FC
Chicken Inn FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Nichrut FC v Yadah FC
Dynamos FC v Caps United FC
Triangle FC v Bulawayo City FC
Herentals FC v Chapungu FC
Black Rhinos FC v Harare City FC
FC Platinum v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Match Day 25
FC Platinum v Mutare City FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Black Rhinos FC
Harare City FC v Herentals FC
Chapungu FC v Triangle FC
Bulawayo City FC v Dynamos FC
Caps United FC v Nichrut FC
Yadah FC v Chicken Inn FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Highlanders FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Match Day 26
Mutare City FC v Highlanders FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Triangle FC v Harare City FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Yadah FC
Black Rhinos FC v FC Platinum
Chicken Inn FC v Caps United FC
Nichrut FC v Bulawayo City FC
Herentals FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Dynamos FC v Chapungu FC
Match Day 27
Black Rhinos FC v Mutare City FC
FC Platinum v Herentals FC
Chapungu FC v Nichrut FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Triangle FC
Harare City FC v Dynamos FC
Bulawayo City FC v Chicken Inn FC
Caps United FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Yadah FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Highlanders FC
Match Day 28
Mutare City FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Highlanders FC v Yadah FC
Herentals FC v Black Rhinos FC
Triangle FC v FC Platinum
Dynamos FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Nichrut FC v Harare City FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Caps United FC
Chicken Inn FC v Chapungu FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Bulawayo City FC
Match Day 29
Herentals FC v Mutare City FC
Black Rhinos FC v Triangle FC
FC Platinum v Dynamos FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Nichrut FC
Harare City FC v Chicken Inn FC
Chapungu FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Bulawayo City FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Caps United FC v Highlanders FC
Yadah FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Match Day 30
Mutare City FC v Yadah FC
Chicken Inn FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Nichrut FC v FC Platinum
Triangle FC v Herentals FC
Dynamos FC v Black Rhinos FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Caps United FC
Shabanie Mine v Harare City FC
Highlanders FC v Bulawayo City FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Chapungu FC
Match Day 31
Triangle FC v Mutare City FC
Herentals FC v Dynamos FC
Black Rhinos v Nichrut FC
FC Platinum v Chicken Inn FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Chapungu FC v Highlanders FC
Bulawayo City FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Harare City FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Caps United v Yadah FC
Match Day 32
Mutare City v Caps United FC
Nichrut FC v Herentals FC
Dynamos FC v Triangle FC
Shabanie Mine FC v FC Platinum
Chicken Inn FC v Black Rhinos FC
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Yadah FC v Bulawayo City FC
ZPC Kariba FC v Chapungu FC
Highlanders FC v Harare City FC
Match Day 33
Dynamos FC v Mutare City FC
Triangle FC v Nichrut FC
Herentals FC v Chicken Inn FC
Black Rhinos FC v Shabanie Mine FC
Harare City FC v ZPC Kariba FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Highlanders FC
Chapungu FC v Yadah FC
FC Platinum v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Bulawayo City FC v Caps United FC
Match Day 34
Mutare City FC v Bulawayo City FC
Caps United FC v Chapungu FC
ZPC Kariba v Bulawayo Chiefs FC
Yadah FC v Harare City FC
Highlanders FC v FC Platinum
Ngezi PlatinumStars FC v Black Rhinos FC
Nichrut FC v Dynamos FC
Shabanie Mine FC v Herentals FC
Chicken Inn FC v Triangle FC
– Message now clear that Mugabe is going to be punished once proven to be dabbling in politics.
– Zanu Pf to decide on Mugabe’s fate as youths’ denounce him at Harare meeting.
By Talent Gondo|Zanu Pf youths from the country’s 10 provinces who gathered in Hararetoday for their election strategy meeting openly denounced the former President, Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace instead of the usual opposition parties especially the MDC-T and it’s leader, Nelson Chamisa.
The youths, comprising of the party’s provincial and national leadership are in Harare, where they are meeting to strategize on their election roadmap and also meet the party’s leadership including President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
However, in his address to the youths, President Mnangagwa, who announced that he is coming after multiple farm owners, a direct swipe at Robert Mugabe, said the party was not happy with media reports indicating that Mugabe had endorsed and was joining the National Patriotic Front (NPF) revealing that his party would decide on the issue when they have gathered the factual details regarding the alleged development.
“We, (Zanu Pf) will only take a position when issues are known and factual,” said President Mnangagwa.
“The party is however not happy with what we are hearing in the media.”
The youths, who are on record endorsing the candidature of the former first Secretary of their party, Mugabe in October 2017 denounced Mugabe equating him to an enemy of progress.
Zanu Pf youths in May 2016, also organised a million man march which aimed at showing their solidarity to Mugabe and his wife, besides endorsing him as their sole candidate for the 2018 harmonised polls.
“Pasi naMugabe. Ko ndozvavapozve meaning down with Mugabe because this is the situation that is here now,” said one speaker while doing introductions.
The youths, chanted anti Mugabe slogans often citing him and his wife Grace as ‘enermies’.
Speaker after speaker continued chanting the down with Mugabe and down with Grace mantra, dispelling rumors of the duo’s come back into the party.
Following today’s politburo meeting, Zanu Pf’s Spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo said that the former first lady, Mrs Mugabe remained expelled from the party for the next 5 years.
The development also follows revelations that the country’s former president was poised for a comeback into politics under the umbrella of the former Retired General Ambrose Mutinhiri led National Patriotic Front (NPF).
A fierce Zanu PF critic has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop hoodwinking the people of Zimbabwe.
Below is social media analyst Antony Taruvinga’ s statement:
“These trains are operating in the neighbouring South
Africa. People should not be brainwashed by Zanu PF to
the extent of thinking that good things will happen
in Zimbabwe under the current administration.
Our problems have always
emanated from the leadership crisis.
The current
government is corrupt, clueless outdated and
full of old people who can not adapt to the dynamic world.
What is needed in this age is a digital, techno
curious, innovative, goal oriented and corrupt free
leadership.
You know we have such a leader in
Nelson Chamisa.”
Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo
The government will not lift the ban on the importing of eggs despite the shortage that has hit the Zimbabwean market.
Officials in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce yesterday said the government would not lift the ban on the importing of eggs and other basic commodities as a way of protecting the local industry from foreign competition.
“We will not lift the ban on the importing of eggs. I do not think the ban will be lifted at this juncture,” said an official in the Ministry.The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has also placed stringent requirements for those wish to obtain import permits.
Bulawayo East legislator and acting MDC-T spokesperson, Thabitha Khumalo, has been admitted to Mater Dei Hospital following a recurrent asthma attack linked to the tear smoke she inhaled in July 2016, as police ruthlessly crushed anti-government demonstrations in Harare.
“I have always managed to control my allergies, but ever since I inhaled tear smoke in 2016, I am now failing to control my allergies, hence, I have been in out of hospital prior to my being admitted here,” she said, adding she was hospitalised on Sunday.
“There is no antidote for tear-smoke and the problem is that there is not enough research on the after-effects of teargas on people. The question that begs answers is how many were affected by tear smoke.”
The July 6, 2016 anti-government protests left a trail of destruction, with scores of protesters arrested and injured in the skirmishes.
The protests had been organised by various social movements such a #Tajamuka/Sesijikile and #ThisFlag led by cleric, Evan Mawarire, to force then President Robert Mugabe to step down over alleged maladministration and failing to reform the political playing field.
A Bulawayo family claimed that they lost their baby after being choked by tear smoke, which was allegedly indiscriminately thrown into Burombo flats in Nguboyenja, but anti-riot police have disputed the claims. Newsday
Police spokesperson Charity Cramba has so far survived the chop at the announcement of senior cops who have been reshuffled.
The state media reports that the Zimbabwe Republic Police has reshuffled 32 senior officers from the ranks between chief superintendent and commissioner as the transformation in the force continues.
This was revealed through a communique from the Police General Headquarters human resources department that was circulated last week.
The internal police communication says the commissioner who was responsible for Planning and Development at PGHQ, Comm Rabson Mpofu, has been moved to Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga’s office as the chief of staff.
Commissioner Nonkosi Ncube was transferred from human resources to administration.
Commissioner Olga Bungu was transferred from the Police Protection Unit to Police General Headquarters as Commissioner for Economic Surveillance while Senior Assistant Commissioner Martin Kwainona, who was former President Mugabe’s aide, was moved to the Economic Surveillance section at PGHQ from PPU.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has riled pressure groups and human rights activists after demanding evidence of election rigging and violence in 2008.
Mnangagwa recently claimed the 2008 elections were free and fair.
The President also said: “Where is the evidence? Show us the evidence.”
Responding to Mnangagwa’ s utterances, Doug Coltart wrote on Twitter:
“Mnangagwa said the 2008 election was very
fair and demanded to see the evidence of
violence.
The violence has been extensively
documented.”
Prominent human rights activist, Prosper Tiringindi also said Mnangagwa was out sync with the reality on the ground.
More is known about the substance used in the suspected poisoning of a former Russian double agent and his daughter, the home secretary has said.
Speaking after chairing a meeting of the government’s emergency committee Cobra, Amber Rudd said the police would be sharing details later on Wednesday.
Sergei and Yulia Skripal were found unconscious in Salisbury on Sunday afternoon and remain critically ill.
Police want to speak to anyone who was in the city centre around that time.
They are particularly keen to speak to people who ate at Zizzi or drank in The Bishop’s Mill pub.
Meanwhile, fire and ambulance crews have been called to an office next to the Zizzi restaurant in Salisbury, but police are refusing to say whether this is connected.
Mr Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter were found slumped on a bench outside the Maltings shopping centre.
Scientists at the UK’s military research facility at Porton Down have been examining a substance thought to be behind their collapse.
Media captionAmber Rudd provides an update on the substance that left a Russian man critically ill
Referring to what she called “the terrible events” in Salisbury, Ms Rudd said: “We need to keep a cool head and collect all the evidence we can.
“We need to make sure that we respond not to rumour but to all the evidence they collect and then we will have to decide what action to take.”
She said the police investigation was likely to be lengthy and it was important to make sure they had the space to continue their investigation.
Earlier, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, appealed for witnesses, saying: “Did you see anything out of the ordinary? It may be that at the time, nothing appeared out of place or untoward but with what you now know, you remember something that might be of significance…
“The weather was poor that day so there were not as many people out and about. Every statement we can take is important.”
Image copyrightPAImage captionPolice in protective equipment responded to the incident
Cordons have been erected in and around Salisbury. One, at a business park in Amesbury, a town about 10 miles away, has been removed.
Two police officers caught up in the suspected contamination were treated in hospital for minor symptoms – believed to be itchy eyes and wheezing – before they were given the all clear.
A third member of the emergency services remains in hospital.
Relatives of Colonel Skripal, who was convicted in Russia in 2006 of spying for Britain, have told the BBC Russian Service that he believed the country’s special services might come after him at any time.
It has been said his only friends in the UK are in the British intelligence services, but he has also joined his local railway club and given lectures at military academies.
His wife, elder brother and son have all died in recent years.
Media captionRussian spies and enemies of the state
Ms Skripal lives in Moscow and has visited her father in the UK regularly, especially during the past two years.
Family and friends say she did move to the UK but missed Russia so returned to Moscow where she has worked for multinationals, including Nike and PepsiCo.
It is thought her latest visit to the UK may have been timed to coincide with her late brother’s birthday.
Alexander Skripal died aged 43 last July in St Petersburg from liver failure in what relatives believe to have been suspicious circumstances.
He is buried in Salisbury close to his mother, Liudmila Skripal, who died from cancer in 2012.
The possibility of an unexplained substance being involved has drawn comparisons with the 2006 poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko – a public inquiry concludedthe killing of the Russian dissident was probably carried out with the approval of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
Former MI5 officer Annie Machon pointed out that the two cases were very different, however.
Mr Litvinenko was a whistleblower, dissident and consultant for MI6 actively at the time of his death, she said, whereas Mr Skripal has already been caught, convicted and pardoned and allowed to freely find safe haven in the UK.
“There’s no conceivable reason that I can see that the Russian state would have been targeting him at the moment,” she told BBC’s Breakfast. “That’s why we need to think about what else he might have been involved in.”
Media captionBBC Newsnight visits the graves of Liudmila Skripal and Alexander Skripal in Salisbury
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said: “These people have been used by the foreign media for an anti-Russian campaign.
“It’s a traditional campaign. The tradition is to make things up. We can only see it as a provocation.”
On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told MPs the UK would respond “robustly” to any evidence of Russian “state responsibility” in the case.
Russia has insisted it has “no information” about what could have led to the incident, and says it is open to co-operating with British police if requested.
The Russian embassy in London accused the media of creating “an impression of a planned operation by the Russian special services, which is completely untrue”.BBC
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife Mary has come out to blast former First Lady Grace Mugabe, singing praises of Mrs Auxillia Mnangagwa. Chiwenga attacks Grace for using politics to settle personal scores. Chiwenga interestingly refers to herself as Second Lady of Zimbabwe.
Chiwenga made the remarks at an event where she was donating groceries to different children’s homes at Magamba Hall in Warren Park, Harare.
She praises the first Lady, Auxilia Mnangangwa for being respectful and exhibiting ‘motherly care’,Chiwenga said she was charmed by her selfless character which allowed her to delegate duties to wives of vice Presidents including her.
“My presence here as the second lady of the republic of Zimbabwe has never happened before, at least as far as I know, Mai Mnangangwa has taught us good workmanship and team effort, proving that no matter how hard the work might be, there is someone to help.
“She is not a selfish first lady, she is someone who knows how to delegate, what she can’t do, she assign someone to do it on her behalfassava remit
“It is now different because we used to know that everything was entitled to one person, I would like to thank God for giving us Amai Mnangangwa, a mother who has dignity, a mother who respect her family
“Ever since she was called the first lady she has never used hash words against anyone, I have never heard her shouting ‘STOP IT’ to anyone,” said Chiwenga.
Chiwenga’s remarks come at a time when Grace’s alleged faction, the G40, has risen from the dead under the National Patriotic Front (NPF) party that will be led by Rtd Brigadier Ambrose Mutinhiri who broke away from the ruling party, ZanuPF last week.
The move is more likely to see the return of Grace in the political arena at a time the country is preparing for the 2018 elections.263chat
By Ndaba Nhuku| Yes, a bullet train is very possible and necessary in Zimbabwe.
We need them for transport between our towns and cities. What is impossible with a bullet train? Did we now have that electricity railway line that extends from Gweru to Harare? Don’t we have railway lines and systems that can be revived and electrified?
All it needs is funding just we need for Matabeleland Water Project! I really don’t see anything wrong with wanting a bullet train in this modern world.
Zimbabwe won’t succeed as long as we think our transport has to remain Museyamwa buses or second hand abused and redundant South Africa train coaches. We need young people with a vision who see possibilities in our economic systems. Just criticising without thinking is what makes us not grow. Come on, you are telling me all these many universities we have are producing people who can’t see the relevance of bullet trains in Zimbabwe?
By Farai D Hove| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has for the first time fired a direct threat at his former boss Robert Mugabe in what signalled the first ever public humiliation of the former Head Of State.
Speaking at the ZANU PF headquarters, Mnangagwa said he is personally coming out for those who own more than one farm.
Since his removal from power, Mugabe has not received his allowances, according to testimonials made through an African Union official.
Somewhat and as if adding salt to injury, Mugabe now faces another loss, that of his multiple farm properties. He reportedly owns 14farms.
“Those with more than one farm, Tirikuuya!,” Mnangagwa said to a round of applause.
Terrence Mawawa
A porn star has sensationally claimed she had sex with US
President Donald Trump.
The porn star, Stormy Daniels, filed a lawsuit on
Tuesday seeking to invalidate a
nondisclosure agreement that she signed
days before the 2016 presidential election,
which prevented her from discussing the
alleged sexual encounters.
The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County
Superior Court.
Adult film actress Daniels, real
name Stephanie Clifford, said she wanted to
go public with the details of her alleged sexual
relationship with Trump in the weeks
leading up to the election, according to the
lawsuit.
Clifford and Trump’s attorney Michael
Cohen signed the nondisclosure agreement on
October 28, 2016.
Clifford alleged that she began an “intimate
relationship” with Trump in 2006 and that it
continued “well into the year 2007,” according to
the lawsuit.
She said the relationship included
encounters in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and Beverly
Hills, California.
Trump married his current wife, Melania
Trump, in 2005.
Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo
The country’ s largest opposition party, MDC has nullified the primary elections that were held last Saturday, citing gross irregularities.
A senior party official who spoke to ZimEye. com yesterday said those who presided over the elections forgot to abide by the regulations stipulated in the party template.
The official said MDC Masvingo Provincial Chairperson James Gumbi announced the election results were null and void because of gross irregularities.
“The party template is clear on how elections should be held.
All primary elections are supervised by members of the National Executive, not district executive members,” said the official.
A new date for the primaries will be announced soon.
Zimbabwe Parliament in session. No translation devices on site.
By Paul Nyathi
Problems around the issue of languages exhibited its ugly head yet again in the National Assembly when Hwange Central Member of Parliament Brian Chuma was asked not to ask a question in Tonga during a question and answer session of the august house.
Chuma was directing his question to the leader of Government business in parliament Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi before the Deputy Speaker Honourable Mabel Chinomona blocked him.
Chinomona told the parliamentarian that parliament and the Minister were not understanding his language inviting him to change the language.
“Honourable member I implore that you change your language as most of us including the Minister do not understand the language you are using,” said Chinomona.
Honourable Chuma however refused to change his language imploring parliament to seek translators for all the country’s official languages.
“You go to the courts you find translators for all languages but here in parliament you want to force us to change languages, that is wrong,” said Chuma in his vernacular Tonga.
The situation was rescued when Chuma asked Binga South Member of Parliament Joel Gabuza to translate to the Minister.
This is not the first time that parliament has clashed over the use of alternative languages in the house.
In recent days, Umguza Member of Parliament Obert Mpofu refused to be moved not to speak in Ndebele in parliament for the same reasons.
From left to right Edith Moyo, Sibongubuhle Sibanda, Cllr Mlandu Ncube, Robson Tera and Takunda sit outside the Set Down Offices at Bulawayo’s Tredgold Magistrate’s Court
By Lionel Saungweme | Twelve Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) activists accused of formenting last Sunday’s intra-party violence at the MDC-T offices have been granted bail.
The group is charged with public violence, contravening section 36 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Cap 9.23. Bulawayo Magistrate Franklin Mkhwananzi gave the first, third up to twelfth accused bail at US$50, while second accused Gift Banda was released on US$200. Prosecutor Jeremiah Mutsindikwa did not oppose bail.
The twelve, namely Cllr Mlandu Ncube, Gift Banda, Michael Mabasa, Edith Moyo, Sibongubuhle Sibanda, Takunda Madzana, Robson Tera, Eric Gono, Donald Mabutho, Felix Mhaka, Raymond Gombedza and Kunashe Muchemwa were represented by nine lawyers. They were asked to report once a month to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Law & Order Department, not to interfere with state witnesses and not to engage in any unlawful acts of violence.
Defence for the accused argued that police acted partially when they failed to act upon their reports of violence. The lawyer argued that because police chose to arrest his clients when they were expected to investigate, he is therefore seeking an order compelling the police did not investigate but proceeded to arrest them
Former President Robert Mugabe today reportedly traveled as an ordinary citizen for the first time, going through security checks like everyone else. It is reported he was even made to remove his shoes at the security check point. – THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY – refresh this page for the update.
Terrence Mawawa
A porn star has sensationally claimed she had sex with US
President Donald Trump.
The porn star, Stormy Daniels, filed a lawsuit on
Tuesday seeking to invalidate a
nondisclosure agreement that she signed
days before the 2016 presidential election,
which prevented her from discussing the
alleged sexual encounters.
The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County
Superior Court.
Adult film actress Daniels, real
name Stephanie Clifford, said she wanted to
go public with the details of her alleged sexual
relationship with Trump in the weeks
leading up to the election, according to the
lawsuit.
Clifford and Trump’s attorney Michael
Cohen signed the nondisclosure agreement on
October 28, 2016.
Clifford alleged that she began an “intimate
relationship” with Trump in 2006 and that it
continued “well into the year 2007,” according to
the lawsuit.
She said the relationship included
encounters in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and Beverly
Hills, California.
Trump married his current wife, Melania
Trump, in 2005.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is meeting with Zanu-PF youths, with the slogan “Pasi naGrace Mugabe” already being chanted at the opening of the meeting. The meeting takes place just when General Ambrose Mutinhiri who leads the Mugabe backed New Patriotic Front has written to ZEC informing of the intention to contest in the forthcoming elections.
The youth National Assembly agenda is centred on issues regarding the economy and election preparedness writes the state media. Zanu PF’s youth official Godfrey Tsenegamu introduces Mnangagwa to the youth structures.
Former President Robert Mugabe initiated new opposition party the National Patriotic Front has officially availed itself as a formal party to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
In a letter dated the 6th of March, 2018, party President Retired Brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri proclaimed that the party is going to be contesting all elections in the country conducted by ZEC.
According to the letter the party was established on the 7th of December, 2017. The date shows that the party was established within less than a month after Mugabe was removed from power on the 14th of November.
According to Zimbabwean laws, political parties do not need to register as an organisation but just formulate themselves and only advise ZEC of their intentions to contest elections.
Statement by President Donald Tusk on the draft guidelines on the framework for the future relationship with the UK.
Good afternoon.
I am very happy to be back in Luxembourg. And very happy to be here with my colleague and good friend, Prime Minister Bettel, to discuss the agenda of the March European Council.
Two hours ago, I sent the EU27 Member States my draft guidelines for our relations with the UK after Brexit. I’m here in Luxembourg to consult the Prime Minister on these guidelines that I hope will be adopted at our European Council in March. It is not a coincidence that once again I start my consultations ahead of a European Council meeting here in Luxembourg with Prime Minister Bettel. I really value your advice – always very constructive and responsible.
My proposal shows that we doesn’t want to build a wall between the EU and Britain. On the contrary, the UK will be our closest neighbour and we want to remain friends and partners also after Brexit. Partners that are as close as possible, just like we have said from the very first day after the referendum.
And, in this spirit, I propose close cooperation within the following areas.
Firstly, as we are confronted with similar security threats, I propose that the EU and the UK continue our common fight against terrorism and international crime. The increasing global instability requires our uninterrupted cooperation in defence and foreign affairs. It is about the security of our citizens, which must be preserved beyond Brexit.
Secondly, we invite the UK to participate in EU programmes in the fields of research and innovation, as well as in education and culture. This is key to maintain mutually beneficial and enriching personal networks in these vital areas, and for our community of values to prosper also in future.
Thirdly, I am determined to avoid that particularly absurd consequence of Brexit that is the disruption of flights between the UK and the EU. To do so, we must start discussions on this issue as soon as possible.
Now, coming to the core of our future economic relationship. During my talks in London last Thursday, and in her speech last Friday, Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed that the UK will leave the Single Market, leave the customs union and leave the jurisdiction of the ECJ (European Court of Justice). Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the only remaining possible model is a free trade agreement. I hope that it will be ambitious and advanced – and we will do our best, as we did with other partners, such as Canada recently – but anyway it will only be a trade agreement.
I propose that we aim for a trade agreement covering all sectors and with zero tariffs on goods. Like other free trade agreements, it should address services. And in fisheries, reciprocal access to fishing waters and resources should be maintained.
This positive approach doesn’t change the simple fact that because of Brexit we will be drifting apart. In fact, this will be the first FTA in history that loosens economic ties, instead of strengthening them. Our agreement will not make trade between the UK and the EU frictionless or smoother. It will make it more complicated and costly than today, for all of us. This is the essence of Brexit.
To sum up, we will enter the negotiations of the future relations with the UK with an open, positive and constructive mind, but also with realism. From my point of view, the outcome of the negotiations must pass two key tests:
– the test of balance of rights and obligations. For example, the EU cannot agree to grant the UK the rights of Norway with the obligations of Canada;
– the test of integrity of the Single Market. No Member State is free to pick only those sectors of the Single Market it likes, nor to accept the role of the ECJ only when it suits their interest. By the same token, a pick-and-mix approach for a non-member state is out of the question. We are not going to sacrifice these principles. It’s simply not in our interest.
Finally, a few words about another topic of the March summit. Following the announcement of President Trump, there is a risk of a serious trade dispute between the United States and the rest of the world, including the EU. President Trump has recently said, and I quote: ‘trade wars are good, and easy to win’. But the truth is quite the opposite: trade wars are bad, and easy to lose. For this reason, I strongly believe that now is the time for politicians on both sides of the Atlantic to act responsibly.
Given that President Trump’s announcement may have repercussions for our citizens and European businesses, not to mention the global economy, I will propose that the EU leaders have an extraordinary trade debate at the upcoming summit. We should have a clear objective in mind: to keep world trade alive. And, if necessary, to protect Europeans against trade turbulence, including by proportionate responses in accordance with the WTO. Thank you.
The Zanu-PF Youth League has fired warning shots at former President Robert Mugabe after he endorsed the New Patriotic Front (NPF) party.
The party, which is a direct split from the ruling ZANU PF, is being led by Retired Brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri who was endorsed by Mugabe last week.
Pupurai Togarepi, the 54-year old leader of the Zanu-PF Youth League as well as a Politburo member warned Mugabe that the youth are not happy with his involvement in the opposition politics urging him to refrain from the political involvement.
“What Mugabe should know is … we respect him only if he respects us,” said Togarepi.
“If he decides to rock the boat and then his actions affect the stability of the party … he should be ready for the storm to come…we will not be soft with him,” said Togarepi.
The youth leader under played Mugabe’s newly initiated opposition party describing it as “child play of politicians who have lost political relevance”.
“As the youth league. we view this as child play and we are ready for them,” he said.
“To us, it’s a bunch of failures trying to come back into politics, but that they are failures is their problem, not ours.”
Members of the expelled G-40 faction including former First Lady Grace Mugabe can only rejoin Zanu-PF after five years.
“Confirmed by the extra ordinary Congress, (the G40 members) remain expelled and can only reapply if they wish to join the party after five years,” Zanu PF spokesman Simon Khaya Moyo reported back on the Politburo meeting. Former President Robert Mugabe recently reported to the African Union that since his ousting from power by the military last November Grace cries everyday.
Harare councilors today moved a motion to rename one road in the central business district , Harare after the late MDC T founding father and President, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.
The councillors, the majority of whom are from the opposition, Movement for Democratic Change said this motion was above board considering the important role played by the late Tsvangirai in the country’s politics.
Tsvangirai, 65, succumbed to colon cancer on February 14 2018 and was buried at his rural home in Humanikwa Village, Buhera.
The late opposition leader was offered a state assisted funeral despite calls for him to be buried at the national shrine.
He was however denied hero status and was not buried at the National Heroes Acre, a development which has over the years sparked outrage as heroes’ status is determined by Zanu Pf’ s highest decision making body, the politburo.
The motion to rename one road in Harare was moved by MDC-T councilor, Peter Moyo who represents Rugare.
Councilor Moyo proposed the motion suggesting that the country should not ignore the late MDC-T leader’s contribution to the development and democracy of Zimbabwe.
Last year, opposition parties reacted angrily to the renaming of Harare International Airport after President Robert Gabriel Mugabe in a process which gobbled over $500 000.
Obert Gutu, the party’s spokesperson is on record saying the party abhors and condemns “the personalisation and privatisation of national institutions.”
By Talent Gondo| Calls for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to walk the talk on transparency and accountability regarding externalised funds have intensified amid calls for him to encourage his predecessor Robert Mugabe to return externalised funds and property during the extension period which he offered last week.
Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa called on the Mugabes citing the former first lady Grace, to return “all she took” during the amnesty period.
“Robert Gabriel Mugabe must urge his wife to return all she took including properties in South Africa and Singapore,” said Mliswa on Twitter.
He said the return should be inclusive of the 21 farms which the former first family allegedly own.
“The law must take its course and assets should be accounted for to avoid a scenario where leaders do things with impunity expecting to be forgiven and treated with kids’ gloves,” tweeted Mliswa.
President Mnangagwa initially offered a three month moratorium to those who illegally externalised funds indicating that those who did not heed his call to return the funds would be arrested and prosecuted.
Last week, while speaking at the Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Conference, President Mnangagwa said those who illegally externalised money had been given another two weeks to comply with the moratorium whose deadline was now the 16th of March.
President Manangagwa however warned that on the 19th of March, a list of those who would have failed to comply with the directive will be published, before the law takes its course.
Giant government owned mobile phone service provider Netone has refunded over 180 000 subscribers data bundles that allegedly disappeared from their mobile phones unused.
The refunds follow a Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) directive to NetOne ordering the mobile network operator to refund subscriber’s funds which “disappeared” when using OneFusion in January and February this year.
The authority had reported that it had received numerous complaints from subscribers and decided to take action.
Netone is refunding 150 Megabytes data to all the 180 000 subscribers starting Wednesday morning.
We publish the authority’s letter which was sent to Netone in February in full below:
RE: BILLING COMPLAINTS ON NETONE DATA BUNDLES
We refer to the above matter.
The Authority has noted the billing challenges you are facing with the Onefusion product. We have also noted that you have sent a communication to your subscribers advising and admitting the same challenges. Given the extent and magnitude of complaints raised to the Regulator by the subscribers, we hereby direct you to compensate the affected consumers in accordance with the prejudice they endured. This is done in the spirit of promoting the consumers’ right to complain and redress.
Accordingly, you are further requested to provide the Authority with a database of affected subscribers that provides details of the subscriber including the name, number, and the extent to which each of them was affected in monetary terms and the compensation levels extended to the affected subscribers. The database will enable us to conduct an audit trail on whether all affected subscribers have been compensated accordingly. The database should be submitted to the Authority by 28 February 2018. You are also advised to furnish the authority with measures that you have put in place to ensure that challenges of this nature will not recur.
An Ordinary Session of the Zanu PF politburo is underway at the party headquarters in Harare this Wednesday morning.
Issues of major concern in the deliberations centre on preparations for the elections.
The meeting is tackling the party manifesto, regalia and party campaign and mobilisation activities.
The party guidelines and principles on primary elections are also on the agenda.
The session has also seen the coming on board of Kenneth Musanhu as a new member of the politburo.
Musanhu’s advent into the politburo follows the announcement made by President Emmerson Mnangagwa when he visited Mashonaland Central and told the people that he will add another politburo member from the province since Retired Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri was the only one in that organ from there at the time.
The late George Rutanhire who both hailed from that province had not been replaced. – state media
Gary Cohn, Donald Trump’s top economic adviser, has resigned after losing a heated White House battle over trade, dealing a major blow to administration officials and congressional Republicans seeking to rein in the president’s plan to impose harsh tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
In a statement on Tuesday, the White House said Mr Cohn, the former number two at Goldman Sachs who had served as head of Mr Trump’s National Economic Council since he took office in January 2017, would be leaving in the coming weeks.
“It has been an honour to serve my country and enact pro-growth economic policies to benefit the American people, in particular the passage of historic tax reform,” Mr Cohn said in a statement. “I am grateful to the president for giving me this opportunity and wish him and the administration great success in the future.”
Mr Trump said in statement: “Gary has been my chief economic adviser and did a superb job in driving our agenda, helping to deliver historic tax cuts and reforms and unleashing the American economy once again. He is a rare talent, and I thank him for his dedicated service to the American people.”
Earlier in the day, the president signalled changes were on the way in his White House staff. Disputing media reports of chaos within his administration, he said in a tweet: “I still have some people that I want to change (always seeking perfection)”.
Mr Cohn’s resignation came days after Mr Trump’s decision last week to ignore his advice and make an ad hoc announcement that he planned to impose tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium on imports from all countries.
His departure is one of several at the White House in recent weeks, including Hope Hicks, the communications director, and Rob Porter, the staff secretary. The White House said in December that Dina Powell, a deputy national security adviser and another Goldman veteran, would also be leaving the administration. – Agencies
Zimbabwean women have sent an ultimatum demanding urgent equalization with their male counterparts in the political adminstration of the country.
Hundreds of women drawn from across the country met in Harare on Tuesday where they demanded that government enforces the provisions of the Constitution and give 50 – 50 opportunities to women against males.
Convened by the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus, the women launchec a manifesto which they demanded that government adopts as a matter of urgency.
Part of the demands by the women was a call to amend the constitution to extend the term of the women’s quota representation in the National Assembly.
The women further called on political parties to stick to the constitutional provision to present half their party leadership to women.
Officially adopting the manifesto, speaker of parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda urged all political parties to align their constitutions with the constitution of the country to enable the realisation of the 50/50 gender representation in parliament or risk litigation.
The achievement of 50/50 gender equality across all sectors in line with the constitutional provisions on equality remains an illusion as most political parties have not adopted this in their constitutions.
Advocate Mudenda implored the women to challenge the status quo and fight hard for their constitutionally enshrined rights to equality.
“You must take up the matter with your political parties ahead of the election. The constitution is very clear that women should have equal representation in the socio – economic and political sphere in society,” he said.
Women parliamentarians from across the political divide converged and came up with a manifesto for the 2018 – 2023 period which sets the guidelines for them to be voted into political office.
ZWPC Chairperson, Cde Monica Mutsvagwa implored women to use the manifesto as their campaign guide.
“Let’s use this manifesto as our campaign guide and ensure that we get our space,” she said.
The women’s manifesto is a 30-paged document spearheaded by women parliamentarians from Zanu PF, MDC-T and MDC.
It lays out the basis for voting women into power, access to justice and equal benefit of the law and women and economic development, among other issues.
The women also came up with an elections charter for the 2018 harmonised polls.
Tafara Shumba, Whenever a leopard wants to eat its own kid, it first accuses it of smelling like a goat. Former Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial affairs, Retired Brigadier General, Ambrose Mutinhiri has lived up to this adage.
Mutinhiri resigned from both ZANU PF and House of Assembly where he was Marondera East legislator on ZANU PF ticket. He cited the way that former President Robert Mugabe and the G40 cabal were ousted from power in November last year. According to Mutinhiri, Cde Mugabe was dethroned through a coup d’état. Thus, in other words, his resignation was in solidarity with Cde Mugabe to whom he is eternally grateful for fishing him out of the political doldrums. Mutinhiri plunged into the political quagmire following a severing of relations with his erstwhile party, ZAPU.
During the accreditation process for ZANU PF extra-ordinary congress in December last year, yours truly met Mutinhiri at the Party’s headquarters in a jovial mood. A conversation with him showed that he was more than happy that Cde Mugabe had finally exited the State House. His glimmering face could betray his approval of what he is now calling ‘coup.’ Such two-facedness is not an attribute for presidential hopefuls. It’s unfortunate that Mutinhiri was probably in Marondera on the historic 18 November 2017 where Zimbabweans unanimously made a clear statement that it was time for Cde Mugabe to step down.
SADC, AU and other international bodies endorsed the new administration. Even the country’s former nemeses have expressed interest to re-engage Zimbabwe in its bid for economic regeneration. Who is Mutinhiri then to denounce what everybody else endorsed? He has, all of a sudden, started to see an underhand in the ascendance of President Emmerson Mnangagwa to power.
Without taking away his immense contributions during the liberation struggle for Zimbabwe and those that he made in the early post-independence era, Cde Mugabe had overstayed in power. His stay was no longer adding any value to this country. The economy was deteriorating by every passing day and the captive leader was fast destroying the revolutionary Party. The G40 cabal which was fronted by his wife, Grace Mugabe, stole the man’s legacy. Even those who pretended to love him, secretly wished he could step down for the amelioration of people’s lives. Mutinhiri should have watched Dr Sydney Sekeremayi getting down in jubilation upon news that Cde Mugabe had finally resigned.
Mutinhiri should have read the political temperature before accepting that punch bag-role. It shocks everybody that there are still some people dreaming of Cde Mugabe’s second coming. Only criminals, who have been taking advantage of the former leader’s senility to commit crimes with impunity, can be nostalgic of the former first family. Mutinhiri believes, wrongly so, that Cde Mugabe is still as popular as he used to be. He, therefore, feels greatly honoured to hobnob with him. Mutinhiri must yield the ghost he has for Cde Mugabe.
Reality must cross Mutinhiri’s mind that Cde Mugabe is no longer the head of State and will never be one again. He is now a former, a position that he will hold till his death. If Cde Mugabe was wise enough, he would thrive to preserve the remnant legacy that the new administration is trying hard to maintain. He is one of the luckiest former Head of State in the world, considering the way his captive administration messed up the country and persecuted innocent cadres. He must enjoy his pension in his twilight years. Probably history would judge him fairly one day. He fought a good fight but eventually allowed his legacy to be soiled by carpetbaggers. He must leave politics, lest he gets a treatment befitting an opposition politician bent on spoiling the ZANU PF vote.
As for the poor Mutinhiri, it appears the spirit of selling-out runs in the Mutinhiri family. His estranged wife, Tracy Mutinhiri is one of the first ZANU PF members to cross the floor to the MDC-T. She finally defected after years of clandestinely working at cross purpose with ZANU PF legislators in Parliament. At one time, she frustrated ZANU PF’s numerical advantage in Parliament by voting alongside the opposition for the election of former speaker, Lovemore Moyo. That’s the Mutinhiris for you. Ambrose will not surprise anyone.
What, however, surprises is his paucity for political judgement. The former soldier allowed himself to be used as a political pawn in advancing the interests of certain political has-beens. He should be schooled on what it means to be an interim leader. Those who are driving the project have already made it clear to him that he is just holding forte for them. With the level of his political immaturity, Mutinhiri is likely to be nowhere near the corridors of power in that party. It was not worth it for Mutinhiri to give up his Marondera East seat for some spurious position in the so-called New Patriotic Front.
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa will today make his inaugural address to Zanu-PF youths when he delivers a key note address during the Youth League’s national assembly in Harare. The Zanu-PF Politburo also meets today at the party’s headquarters.
Both meetings are expected to set the tone for the revolutionary party’s campaign for the harmonised elections later this year. Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday said: “The Zanu-PF secretary for administration Dr Obert Mpofu is advising that there will be a Politburo meeting tomorrow at 9AM at the party headquarters. All members are requested to be punctual.”
Cde Khaya Moyo did not reveal the Politburo agenda, but indications are that focus will be on election preparations, as well as economic issues.
Zanu-PF secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Pupurai Togarepi confirmed the wing’s national assembly meeting today.
The national assembly draws together all provincial members of the Youth League and is a party constitutional meeting that should be held twice a year.
“We are fulfilling a party constitutional requirement and we expect more than 400 youths from all the 10 provinces,” Cde Togarepi said. “This will be the party youths’ first meeting with the First Secretary and President Cde Mnangagwa in the new dispensation.
“We urge all provincial members to attend. We have high expectations as we continue laying the ground ahead of elections in a few months to come.”
The Youth League yesterday held a national executive meeting in preparation of today’s indaba.
Cde Togarepi said the youths would have an opportunity to present issues affecting them to the President.
“Since this is our first meeting, the youths have various issues across sectors and they will be presented tomorrow and unlike those Interface Rallies we expect the President to respond,” he said.
He said the Youth League was oiling its machine ahead of the elections with meetings being held across the country. “We are geared up and we are moving around the country conscientising the youths on our programmes, where we are coming from, where we are and where we are going,” Cde Togarepi said.
“This time we are even having meetings at district levels as we continue to capture the grassroots. We are moving with the ED Has My Vote hashtag and nothing will stop us from posting a resounding victory with the ground we have laid.
“A large number of people registered to vote in this year’s elections are the youths and it means they have a big role to play in deciding our destiny.
“First, we have been encouraging the youths to register and now its time for the final blow and we are urging them to vote for Zanu-PF as it is the only party, in the wake of the new dispensation, with capable leaders to deliver on their aspirations.”
Women and youths dominate the number of registered voters ahead of the polls.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) latest statistics show that from the 5,3 million people who registered to vote 54,5 percent of them are women and 45,5 percent are men.
The electoral commission statistics also show that youths between the ages of 18 to 34 constitute 43,5 percent of registered voters, followed by the 35 to 59 age group who make up 42,9 percent of registered voters.
Zec also revealed that those who are 60 years and above make up 13,6 percent of registered voters. Herald
By Robson Melassi | Do not waste your time thinking of what people think about you. They are also busy thinking of what you think about them. Remember there is a committee somewhere sitting discussing your future. Only that you are not invited. So why worry?
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising everytime we fall. When disaster strikes, search for the rainbows that are present in life. Its not all about how many times you fall, but how many times you rise when you fall. Be grateful for all your problems, after each one is overcame, you become stronger and more able to meet those that are still to come. You grow in all your difficulties. A challenge creates a champion,embrace it!
By Paul Nyathi| The Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association has warned former President Robert Mugabe to stop meddling in the current politics in the country.
In an interview with the privately owned Daily News, the war veterans leader Victor Matemadanda accused Mugabe of failing to appreciate the benevolence extended to him by the new President Emerson Mnangagwa government.
Matemadanda said this reacting to Mugabe’s reported links to a new opposition political party National Patriotic Front which is splitting from the ruling ZANU PF.
Mugabe is reportedly the brain child behind the new party in which he personally appointed Retired Brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri as interim leader.
Matemadanda said Mugabe will attract the wreath of the ruling party if he continues with his new political affiliation.
“Remember he walked away when he did not deserve to walk away a free man,” said Matemadanda.
“He was supposed to be sentenced to prison but the people of Zimbabwe forgave him but now we are seeing that he does not have a culture of appreciation,” he added.
Matemadanda further warned that if Mugabe does not stop his plans against the ruling party, they will be forced to take away some of the farms he grabbed during the fast trek land redistribution exercise.
Matemadanda claimed the Mugabe family had amassed 14 farms and that these could be seized as punishment for the disloyalty.
“He is the person who brought the policy – one family one farm – yet he has over 14 farms and he must lose those, and we are ready to take them as war veterans,” said Matemadanda.
just after being given a citizens arrest…murder suspect tied to a ropeEditor
It’s disheartening and bitter to swallow the fact that the police force Masvingo province are claiming that they reacted swiftly to the call by the public that the serial rapist had been apprehended by members of the public.
We want to set the record straight that it is the United people of Mutote who braved and sacrificed to wrestle a knife armed rapist who even tried to stab the guys who apprehended him. He was overpowered and bound using ropes. The police where nowhere to be found. He was handed over to the police who brought in guns to now guard an already disarmed dangerman for them to proceed with investigations.
While I don’t want to despise or take anything away from the police force, let’s shower praises where they are due, this world has eyes.
Dear Mr President | I think I speak for millions of Zimbabweans , when I say I was very impressed by the passionate promises that you made at the Chinhoyi MDC Alliance Rally over the weekend.
So before we make the same mistake of believing more lies, can you provide some comfort and show us this good track record of the change you promise the Country , by showing us what you have done for the people of Kuwadzana that have elected you as their MP for more than 15 years.
What did you do with the $50 000, USD constituency development fund (CDF) , given to MPs by Parliament so that they can develop thier constituencies.
Did you build a School Mr President ?
Did you build a Library Mr President ?
Did you refurbish a Clinic Mr President ?
Did you do any projects for the youths and elderly in your Constituency , Mr President ?
Did you create any jobs in Kuwadzana Mr President?
What have you done Mr President for your Constituency , that will show us that you are a real man of development and not a man of cheap politics.
*”whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much , and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much( Luke 16:10)*
The humiliated controversial preacher Paul Sanyangore has responded to rumours that he attempted suicide.
Below is the full text of the parliament delivery as MDC leader Nelson Chamisa thanks President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the state’s assistance in the burial of the late party leader Morgan Tsvangirai:
A fierce Zanu PF critic has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop hoodwinking the people of Zimbabwe.
resident Emmerson Mnangagwa has riled pressure groups and human rights activists after demanding evidence of election rigging and violence in 2008.
