2012 could be Zimbabwe’s most controversial year in the nation’s history. In this article we feature some of the controversies and interesting news leads the nation and its peoples experienced.”
ZIMBABWE: Remembering 2012
ZimEye Special Highlights for 2012.
International Politics

• President Barak Obama won in the USA
• President Sata made headlines through his out of taste jokes at the SADC as he “kissed” Mugabe whom he called sekuru while ridiculing other Zimbabwe GPA leaders like Ncube and Tsvangirai
• President Zuma won in South Africa
• Julius Malema continued with controversy and his relations with Jacob Zuma reached the lowest ebb as Malema fought hard to discredit Zuma’s presidency using youth platforms. He also made various visits to Zimbabwe to garner support and solidarity. In the U.K he was not able to travel because of visa restrictions, and when he was later allowed entry, his glorious fame was shortlived. He attempted to orchestrate  Zuma’s downfall through a mass campaign which however turned bitter resulting in criminal investigations being opened. As Zuma won re-election, the loquacious Malema repented and sought re-entry into the ANC youth leadership as a reformed person.

Zimbabwe Politics
Arthur Mutambara
He continued to seek political relevance after parting ways with Welshman Ncube through an election in party structures. His Deputy PM role was heavily challenged and questioned by the public especially as he appeared to be “protected” by President Mugabe in major meetings and appearances. Welshman Ncube continued to fight using diplomatic channels, the courts and press as he saw no need for Mutambara to be in the GNU tripartite when he had no electoral mandate to be there. At a SADC meeting in Maputo, even President Mugabe who wanted to defend Mutambara’s status had his ego pruned as the SADC leaders failed to notice the continued relevance of Mutambara after the re-defined political structures in MDC-N. Ncube continued to assert that Mutambara had lost an in-house election for leadership, had acknowledged it and therefore had no standing as an MDC-N leader before the GNU.
 
Morgan Tsvangirai
His presence and struggle to rule Zimbabwe took a more defined shape as he used internet technology to reach out to diverse folks. He continued to be relevant and conspicuous in Zimbabwe politics as the only possible major threat to Zanu PF. Despite his intermittent vacillations, he still remained the best opposition party on site and had the potential to rule Zimbabwe. The PM drew considerable controversy with the Leocadia Karimatsenga “marriage” and the subsequent divorce. After that he went on to marry Elizabeth Macheka and the wedding was melodramatic as it had objections that roped in the High Court and many public interest groups. Finally the issue was settled out of court in the last quarter of the year and the PM went back to his political business.
 
Welshman Ncube
His MDC-N had a fair share of praises especially after it penetrated some remote Matabeleland areas and donated some agriculture inputs and blankets. The gesture Ncube did irked other political leaders who were left with no option but to criticize him and then start doing the same project a few months later to win the hearts of the electorate. Along the way he was accused of improperly awarding a tender for the operations at ZISCO but those pointing at him quickly had their allegations fizzled out as they later learnt that the tender procedure had gone through parliament for approval. The Ncube-led MDC continued to fight for the Deputy PM seat with Arthur Mutambara after Mutambara lost an in-house election. Surprisingly, President Mugabe continued to gang up with Tsvangirai of the MDC-T to frustrate Ncube’s bid into the DPM seat.
 
Mthwakazi Freedom Liberation Platform
This political group continued to assert its need to break away for independence from the Zimbabwe territory as it claimed that it had been left out in the quay as progress and development was benefitting Mashonaland under Mugabe and his cronies at the expense of Matabeleland. Acting through Paul Siwela as the Secretary General and other leaders, Mthwakazi continued to air its concerns, grievances and the need to pursue the cessationist agenda. In December 2012, Mthwakazi revealed its flag and the symbol of the flag colors. By December the party had some internal squabbles leading to splinter groups attributed to alleged infiltration by the CIO agents.
 
Job Sikhala
He continued to issue controversial statements and making fun of ZANU PF leadership as well as the MDC T that he saw as an emerging duplicate of ZANU PF. He kept arguing that he had better solutions for the economy than any other leader on the election menu. President Mugabe acknowledged Sikhala as one of those lost sons who could be forgiven and empathized with for his wayward thoughts. Some critics viewed him as a vibrant student leader who needed more time to earn credit to lead national politics.
 
Simba Makoni
He went on with his agenda to salvage the situation in Zimbabwe as he held meetings in the UK and in Zimbabwe. While many perceived him as a potentially great leader, some critics demanded that he be a bit more serious through public outreach programs so that he could be more visible. Some suggested that his party focuses more on all political parties on the field rather than dedicate the MKD energy against the MDC-T.
 
Commerce

• TN Holdings led by Tawanda Nyambira acquired Oliver Chidhawu’s Pelhams Furniture stores.
• Out of the diamond exports of US$563 million by October, only US$43 million had been remitted to treasury and the government was slow in designing the Diamond Legal Framework.Zimbabwe became the state with the lowest inflation rate in SADC at 2,99%.  This could be triggered by a laid back industry.

 

• Indigenisation continued to take strides as more companies complied with the ownership ratios.

 

• As an unprecedented gesture of appreciation by Zanu PF after countless complaints by the Korekore for being taken for a ride by the party, the indigenization program arranged by word of mouth for PPC’s subsidiary Portland Holdings to invest at least US$200 million towards construction of a new cement plant in Rushinga, Mashonaland Central. This was the first ever in 32 years to have something feasible come on paper to the down-trodden Korekore folks in the region from Zanu PF. 2013 would be a test phase to see if this could actually happen.
• Former Murray & Roberts (M&R) Zimbabwe CEO Canada Malunga, Paddy Zhanda, a South African executive Sam Sithole, and Michael McCulloch acquirde M&R Zimbabwe through Zumbani Capital hat bought a 47% stake.

 

• The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe raised minimum capital requirements for banks to US$100 million as a security measure to protect depositors’ funds

 

• Tawanda Nyambirai relinquished his chairmanship of Econet Holdings and his bank was merged into Econet.

Social
PM Morgan Tsvangirai married his sweetheart Elizabeth Macheka amid controversy that saw them in and out of courts as Leocardia Karimatsenga sought to block the marriage proceedings from being consummated.
Munyaradzi Kereke, RBZ governor Gideon Gono’s adviser, is fired from the central bank and made loud noise to and from town alleging that he helped Dr. Gideon Gono in writing assignments for Gono’s PhD program as he threatened to call for the nullification of his credentials.
Obituaries

• Businessman Sam Levy of the Sam Levy Village died at 82
• Minister Stan Mudenge
• Adam “Adamski” Ndlovu
• Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sesio Moyo died of heart attack

Accolades
1. Outstanding Reader/Independent Commentator: Bla Miki, Tete Vane Shanje Havakuri & Jumpdaki
2. Outstanding Free Lance Contributors: Herbet Mugwagwa and Farai Mamina
3. Most controversial subscriber: Tendai Tagarira
4. The best Breaking News Issue: The Prince Edward Form One Pupil’s Death
5. Successful Investigations: Aon Zimbabwe Insurance Issue
6. Story of the Year: PM/ Leocardia Karimatsenga Marriage Scandal
7. Political Commentary of the Year: COPAC wikileaks issues and blame games
8. National Scandal of the Year:  The ZIFA Soccer Scandal
9. Most controversial freelance contributor: Fanuel Nsingo
 
Personal Shout Outs
· Fungwa Mawarire…exposed for defrauding folks shipping goods to Zimbabwe from the U.K
· Derrick Chisora Mayhem at Macheso
Controversial Issues

• Indigenization and Empowerment Debates
• Chiyadzwa Diamond Issues…blessings or a curse?
• Sanctions Issues and their impact on Zimbabwean economy
• The Wedza Political Party Leader Mr. Dzinemunhenzva
• The MDC 29 facing murder allegations
• Chipangano violence issues and related public outcry

Most Covered/ Controversial Cabinet Ministers
Saviour Kasukuwere: Indigenization garnered more controversy and analysis as various interpretations of the word came under review. The same theme became Zanu PF’s trump card at the December Conference. The issue was interesting in that at times folks at times had faith in the program but at times became skeptical as enough was not being done to empower people at grassroots levels. Some viewed indigenization as a Zanu PF program to weaken existing industries and fatten Zanu PF top brass as the perishable crumbs of the deal were distributed to gullible grassroots folks.
Ignatius Chombo : Drew much controversy over allegations of excessive interference in the administration of urban councils.
David Coltart: Won considerable accolades for his e-learning programs across the nation as well as his countless efforts to secure more academic materials for school pupils.
Obert Mpofu : He drew considerable controversy as Minister of Mines. After allegations that he bought a bank and also owned some considerable part of Victoria Falls, his name made headlines in various channels. He also was vocal in finding diamond markets as he had a hard time explaining the alleged disappearance of the $2 billion diamond revenue. Finally he simply challenged anyone to prove the funds went missing.
Jonathan Moyo: 2012 could have been the most silent year of this normally vocal MP. His 2012 efforts focused more on writing articles that analyzed and caricatured the conduct of PM Morgan Tsvangirai. By doing so, he shared the platform with George Charamba as they hit a common target to their pleasure and satisfaction.
Emmerson Mnangagwa: He invoked controversy when he sued a publication over allegations that he was aspiring to be the President of Zimbabwe. 2012 was a year that saw him intermittently refute his dire political ambitions for Presidency as he alluded to the in-house ranks to determine the next one in line for leadership roles.
Page Turners

• Madzore  was released and vowed to keep fighting
• Anglican-Kunonga Supreme Court case gave a ruling unpalatable to Kunonga
• Manhood Sangoma Fraudsters in Botswana were arrested and dragged to court

UK Showbiz Visiting Stars

• Tuku
• Macheso
• Tembalami
• Mukanya

International
London Olympics brought glamor and fun to the UK
Prince William Wedding was everything
Queen Elizabeth celebrated her Diamond Jubilee and Prince Charles delivered a great speech
Prince Harry was video-taped in a birthday suit in Las Vegas
Whitney Houston Died in a hotel. The death came 24 hours before her return performance at a pre-Grammy gala and Tyler Perry assisted with funeral arrangements. Many celebrities thronged the New Jersey funeral that Bobby Brown failed to witness as he came with more guests than could be accommodated on the seats in the church service and he left in protest. Some took it for a publicity stunt.
Lindsey Lohan charge with theft in LA and assault in New York
Jennifer Lopez “J Lo” joined the American Idol
Apple came up with the iPhone 5 and more than 5 million phones were sold in 3 days from September 21-24.
Kim Kardashian became the most searched celebrity after her short marriage with Kris Humphreys of New Jersey Nets
President Obama was –re-elected into office for the second term amid one of the most interesting elections in the USA
Video of the Year:
Gangnam Style made history as it became the world’s most searched and popular video sang in a non-English language.
Social Buzz
Philip Chiyangwa
He drew attention after he pledged millions of dollars at the University of Zimbabwe to re-boost the ailing institution but ironically faced considerable embarrassment as his workforce complained of non-payment of wages in the heat of that pledge. He also lost the capacity to be a ZANU PF leader in Mashonaland West  where he hoped to get back to his old leadership role. He wound up with a controversial honorary Doctorate  conferred to him by St Linus International University headquartered in the Dominican Republic.
 
Zimbabwe Dress Code
For the first time, the dress code of Zimbabwe was put on a spotlight. The picture on which Elizabeth Macheka was putting on a Sari as Minister Biti was putting on a Nigerian hat drew global laughter and mockery as Zimbabwe commentators pointed to Zimbabwe having issues with defining a cultural dress code and a fixed direction. After the commentaries, Elizabeth Macheka was never seen again in the sari, neither was Minister Biti even seen in the media with the Nigerian attire. Later in November, PM Tsvangirai’s Tommy Hilfiger long-sleeve shirt (blue, red and white) was at times confused with the British or US flag and some concerned observers or fashion police questioned too as to why he could dress on the national flag colors of a different sovereignty when he had his own. Unfortunately, no one brought that to his attention and many chose to wait for 2013.
 
Hooker Disappears with Govt. Documents
A headmaster lost public exam papers to a hooker after failing to pay her overnight dues. While the headmaster had entrusted the papers at the front desk of a motel, the disgruntled hooker crooked the front desk person to release the documents and she escaped with them to offset non-payment for overnight sexual favors tendered to the headmaster. The case drew lots of interest and scrutiny but died a natural death after the court system took over.
 
Derrick Chisora
This Zimbabwean boxer fared well on the international scene as he participated in crowd-pulling matches. His only weakness that drew negative publicity was his public misconduct. His last tantrum was at the museve star, Alick Macheso concert where he appeared drunk and caused mayhem on the stage. At the same event he also collected gate-takings before proper accounting procedures were done. As one of the sponsors to the show, Chisora drew sobering public scorn that triggered his team to threaten a journalist to pull down a You Tube video pertaining to his hooligan-style dispositions.
 
Dr. Munyaradzi Kereke
He drew controversy over allegations that he wrote a PhD thesis for Gideon Gono the Reserve bank Governor. After that he kept on trading brick bats with Gono and a lot of other issues arose as he complained of being denied a license to operate a medical Clinic in Mt. Pleasant. He also traded insults with various other folks including Minister Tendai Biti. Finally one of his team members faced forgery allegations over a medical report produced from Parirenyatwa Hospital and was found guilty. Kereke then ran a hoax as he alleged that his family had gone missing and could have been kidnapped.  The issue had a lid over it when Zimbabweans made a public outcry that “loquacious” Kereke should check his mental capacity with psychiatrists because he seemed to be fighting against too many people.
 
 
Car Prices in Zimbabwe
Many commentators continued to question the out-of-this-world values placed on cars when bought on government tenders in Zimbabwe. Any car price was quoted at three times the real price for a brand new one and many readers commented as they were left wondering as to whether the exorbitance could be a sign of greed or a justification of public fraud in inflating prices to enable pocket of the residue.
 
Fraudsters Exposed
The exercise to expose fraudsters hit an all-time high mark when a shipping service fraudster was exposed through complaints of goods paid for but never delivered in Zimbabwe. Many shared similar sentiments and concerns and the man was never heard of again in the business circles.
 Other Interesting Events

• The rare Zimbabwe National Bird flew to Chiweshe
• Mai Chisamba disputed an alleged affair with Archbishop Kunonga
• The Bulawayo water project was obstructed by mermaids
• Kunonga men had sex in church buildings
• Lady Gaga was blocked from performing in South Africa as folks protested her alleged satanism and weird conduct
• John Nkomo death rumors swept through online publications and were quickly withdrawn with countless apologies.
• Bill Gates visited Zimbabwe to do safari hunting
• Tsvangirai travelled to the DNC Convention in the USA and to Kenya to address a convetion for Odinga’s party
• Mudede accused NGOs of planting ghost voters on the roll
• More people continued to be arrested for insulting President Mugabe
• Zimbabwe lost 20 000 teachers through brain drain triggered by low pay and poor conditions of service
• Dhewa’s son Peter Moyo faced theft charges
• Bill Wharton from Texas became the new US Envoy to Zimbabwe to replace Charles Ray
• Deportations of UK based Zimbabweans escalated in 2012
• The UK-based ZimVigil Continued to hold protests in conjunction with the ROHR

 
Religious
Archbishop Nolbert Kunonga
He had a “noisy” year with the media and the Anglican people of Zimbabwe. Having ran a reign of terror that was marked by covetousness and greed on church properties, the Supreme Court toned down his ego when it announced in November 2012 that Kunonga should leave Anglican properties and surrender all assets to the church because he had become a dissident. Some sources alleged that President Mugabe had prescribed Kunonga’s downfall because when Kunonga failed to appeal to the church to rally behind ZANU PF using a polished and civilized manner, Kunonga became wild and pursued personal interests as he ruined the image of ZANU PF. His downfall could have been the most embarrassing incident in 2012. To further decimate Kunonga’s remaining pride, by December, one of his followers, one Kunyongana, broke away from the Kunonga faction as interests differed.
 

We at ZimEye wish you all a booming 2013.

Special thanks to our loyal followers, readers and supporters. We have managed to get this far because of the wide readership that we have enjoyed. In this milestone, we must acknowledge the relevance of you, our stakeholders, including those who have endorsed, sponsored and supported us with independent contributions, news alerts, opinions, analyses, advertisements, press releases, and tips. We must also acknowledge that the political situation in Zimbabwe has kept the citizenry and the political leaders on their toes as hot debates and emotional brickbats have been traded through reader comments. In that exchange of ideas, ZimEye has enjoyed an informed platform where the truth has at times hit home. At times innuendos of truth have been spiced up with sarcasm, satire and humor. All that blend of information has kept our readers fired up and keen to read more. We thank you.
 

Mthwakazi National Party (MNP) information secretary, Mr. Velempini Ndlovu speaks to ZimEye
Velempini Ndlovu is MNP’s Secretary for Information And Publicity.
 
INTERVIEW:
Q1.Who is MNP?
NDLOVU:Mthwakazi National Party (MNP) is a social democratic revolutionary political party in Mthwakazi (modern day Matabeleland and Midlands regions of Zimbabwe) which peacefully and democratically campaigns for the independence of Mthwakazi from Zimbabwe. The broad mission of Mthwakazi National Party (MNP)is to make the restoration of the sovereignty of the state of Mthwakazi a reality through democratic and non-violent means. We want Mthwakazi to reclaim her status as a sovereign and independent state among the international family of nations.
At MNP we also believe that Mthwakazi’s quest for independence must be underpinned by a deliberate programme of action that will ensure that Mthwakazi’s political, economic, social and cultural space is occupied and controlled by the Mthwakazi people themselves through pro-Mthwakazi independence institutions. It was founded in early 2012.
Our top party leadership includes the President Mrs Patricia Ncube Tshabalala, Vice President Dzikamani Mncendisi T. Hou, Secretary General Mr Ngqabutho Dhlamini, National Chairperson Mr Mduduzi Khaye, Treasurer General Mr Khumbulani Ngwenya, Deputy Secretary General Mr Ndawo Khumalo, Deputy National Chairperson Ms. Jinesi Thoko Fatch_Ngubo , Deputy Treasurer-Gener­­al Mr Partson Moyo, National Organising Secretary Mr Cainos Kainos Nkolomi, Womens’s Wing President Ms Siphathisiwe Ndlovu, Youth Wing President Mr Thandolwenkosi Dube, myself and many others.
Q2 Is MNP a party or a mere pressure group?
NDLOVU: As I said before, MNP is a lawful democratic party which actively campaigns for Mthwakazi independence through the redemption of Mthwakazi’s political , economic , social and cultural space.
Q3 How well and represented is MNP membership?

NDLOVU: MNP has a growing and diverse membership throughout Mthwakazi (Matabeland a& Midlands) and in the diaspora. This is fact that is even apparent from the numbers of people who attend our public meetings all over Mthwakazi. The people of Mthwakazi are now alive to the historic need to recover the political , economic and cultural space they lost to the discriminatory Zimbabwean system thanks to the imperfection decolonization of Matabeleland at Lancaster House in 1979, the Gukurahundi Genocide, the treacherous Unity Accord between ZANU PF and PF ZAPU of 1987, relentless economic marginalization­­ and looting of their resources, and cultural terrorism , and ultimately independence. The people of Mthwakazi now understand that they have a right to make their own decisions over their own affairs and resources , and determine their collective destiny under the leadership and guidance of MNP. Gone are the days when people would fall prey to the cheap ZANU PF propaganda that the people of Mthwakazi of Mthwakazi are Zimbabweans. Mthwakazi people are not and will never be Zimbabweans and Mthwakazi will never be Zimbabwe.
Q4 – Do you also blame CIO that they were responsible for the splits in
the MLF movement. Do you suppose Paul Siwela (leader of MLO) has been
influenced by the CIO? In your view could he also be aligned to the CIO?
NDLOVU: MNP is a new party that was formed in early 2012. Contrary to a myth that has been widely peddled in the media I must state clearly and for the record that we did not split from any party.
Of course when our party was formed it did attract a lot of people from all walks of life including from other political parties.
On the issue of the allegations that the CIOs were responsible for the splits in MLF I must profess ignorance. We can neither speak on behalf of MLF or the CIO as we are not privy to their internal issues or modus operandi. Perhaps you must contact these two groups and find out more about the allegations.
Of course I have known Mr Paul Siwela as a giant of the various struggles that the people of Mthwakazi are engaged in against the oppressive Zimbabwean regime and I therefore find any suggestion that he is aligned to the CIO not only weird but childish.
Q5 – Next year are you uniting with and supporting Welshman Ncube?
NDLOVU: No , we are not uniting with Ncube’s MDC. We are going to contest local government, parliamentary and Senatorial seats in Mthwakazi as MNP. For the record there is nothing common between us and Welshman Ncube’s MDC that can necessitate the need for such unity. We are a Mthwakazi nationalist party and they are Zimbabwe nationalists; we are engaged on a campaign for Mthwakazi independence and they want Mthwakazi to remain a mere region under Zimbabwe. That’s too wide an ideological gap to even warrant any suggestion of a pact between MNP and the MDC.
Q6 – Why do you not support:
– Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC?
NDLOVU: Why should we? We are a pro-Mthwakazi independence political party that looks out for the interests of Mthwakazi people and as such we have only support ourselves and not rival parties like the MDC-T. More importantly I must remind you of the fact that MNP and the MDC-T have nothing in common. We are a proudly Mthwakazi political party that seeks to attain the ideal of the right to self-determinat­­ion through Mthwakazi independence and they are a Zimbabwe nationalist political party that is opposed to the view that Mthwakazi independence will be the ultimate guarantee to the Mthwakazi people’s right to self-determinat­­ion. Surely , to align ourselves to a political party that does not believe that the Mthwakazi people’s right to self-determinat­­ion is an essential ingredient to the principles of democracy will be a great betrayal to the people of Mthwakazi and to what departed heroes like Mkwati Ncube, Prince Nyamande KaLobhengula, Chief Khayisa Ndiweni, Mgandane Dlodlo Queen Lozikeyi Dlodlo and many others stood for.
Q7 – Why do you not support:
– Dumiso Dabengwa’s ZAPU?
NDLOVU: Dumiso Dabengwa’s party is a Zimbabwe nationalist party that opposes Mthwakazi independence and MNP is a Mthwakazi nationalist party that campaigns for Mthwakazi independence. That makes the two like oil and water and as such there is no ideological , strategic or moral justification for any alliance with ZAPU[subscribe2]

The Kenyan government is currently under fire from human rights activists for its role in the events leading to the death of a Zimbabwean woman Agnes Nemakonde who passed away after Kenyan immigration officials received her from United Kingdom Border Agency officials at Nairobi international airport in February.
 
Nemakonde spent several months sleeping in toilets, and other places, deported by five different countries the UK, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and South Africa and later returning to Kenya she subsequently died while incarcerated in a Kenyan prison.
 
On Saturday, diasporans in London launched a campaign against the British and Kenyan governments for their alleged role in the events which led to Nemakonde’s death.
 
Zimbabwean activists coordinated by members of the protest organisation Zim Vigil, and Martin Chinyanga’s ‘Diaspora Feels It’ group descended on the Zimbabwean embassy to lay flowers together with their protest cards following Nemakonde’s death.
 

“We need answers as to why Agnes Nemakonde was accepted to land in Kenya without proved documents and why you did not deport her back to Britain. As a result Agnes later died in your ruthless handling of foreign citizens,” Chinyanga wrote to the UK government.

A statement from Amnesty International’s  Kenya wing is expected in the upcoming few days after an official said the powerful group would look into the matter.

Photos:

“All Mugabe wants from the British is respect.”

ZIMBABWE’s President Robert Mugabe has a deep love for the British people, and all he has wanted from them is respect says the late author and legendary journalist Heidi Holland.

In what could be a revealing interview, the Holland who was the last white journalist to hold an exclusive interview with Robert Mugabe, suggests that Mugabe’s relationship with the British government was only sustained by what she calls ‘respect’.

She even appears to suggest that Mugabe held the British royal family like his own family.

Says Holland,

“…its a fascinating insight that all this goodness was possible from this same man because he felt reassured and he felt respected and if you look at Mugabe today what he is howling up for all the time for years now is for British respect; that’s what he wants.

“And its such an irony because underneath this publicly expressed hatred of the British, is a deep love for the British. When I talked to him at state house he nearly cried when I mentioned the British royal family; he really got tears in his eyes and he talked about the Queen and how she had stayed with him at various times at state house and her sister had come, and her mother had come and her children had come.

“And he talked about them as a family that he was friendly with,” she says.

Heidi Holland’s interview clip is from the documentary film by Kevin Harris, titled: “Zimbabwe – Past the post … on a dark horse”.

Holland is author of the book, “My dinner with Mugabe” and in this interview segment talks about President Robert Mugabe’s relationship with Lord & Lady Soames, the Royal Family and his conflicted, torn & bitter yet ironically also sweet struggle with the British. Holland was a white Zimbabwean who grew up in the country went to Ellis Robins school in Mabelreign, Harare and then worked for Illustrated Life Rhodesia, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, International Herald Tribune, The New York Times and The Guardian. She was also the author of Dinner with Mugabe, an account of her meetings with Robert Mugabe stretching from Rhodesian times up to 2007 when she met him for the last time. Since that meeting with Mugabe in 2007, the president has not entertained any other white journalist at Zimbabwe’s state house to date.

VIDEO:

ZIMBABWE’s Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede has claimed that NGOs are tampering with the voters roll to create a picture that the document has been inflated by Mr. Mudede’s ZANU PF party.
Mudede (pictured-right) expressed ‘concern’ over the involvement of some human rights non-governmental organisations in the production of fake voter registration certificates. His statements came at a time when he also revealed a mysterious 300,000 voters had died since 2008, which figure is coincidentally the same as the one reported by the 2008 election judge, Justice George Chiweshe. The figure caused an election run off for the presidential poll which resulted in Mugabe contender Morgan Tsvangirai failing to secure a win.

The RG told journalists in Harare that the development is an attempt by some NGOs to discredit Zimbabwe’s voter’s roll and the country’s electoral system.

Since the year 2000, and several reports being published about mysterious ghost voters on the voters roll, which situation was verified as true, this is the first time in history that the Registrar General has pointed fingers at NGOs.
Mudede said such NGOs were aimed at creating political instability. The RG has in the past openly confessed his allegiance to President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF party.
“This will result in lack of faith by the public in the existing voters’ roll and electoral system”, he said.
“Worth noting is the fact that free and fair election is a much wider term in assessing elections. It covers a lot of issues, inter alia serious irregularities in the actual conduct of elections, voter registration and the voters’ roll itself.
“Anything that goes wrong will result in the losing parties or candidates taking political or legal action over the cited irregularities,” he added.
The RG said losing candidates and political parties would produce the counterfeit voter registration certificates to the international community as proof of alleged rigging.
“These counterfeits are a recipe for confusion to the voting public resulting in misinterpretation of the electoral process,” he said.
Mudede’s accusations come as four ZimRights officials were arrested on charges of allegedly manufacturing counterfeit copies of registration certificates. The community workers are yet to be tried for the alleged crime.
Soon after Mudede’s press statement, the state-owned media subsequently reported claiming that the AG had ‘revealed’ that the said NGOs are indeed tempering with the voters’ roll that they would have purchased from the RG’s office.
According to the law, anyone is allowed to request for a copy of the voters’ roll from the RG.
He said the detractors are also seeking to delay the holding of the forthcoming election by peddling falsehoods that there has to be a new voters’ roll and tarnishing the image of the RG with a view to have the voters’ roll done by themselves.
They allegedly tried to discredit the voters’ roll by manufacturing counterfeit copies of the certificate of registration as a voter which they would complete with false names of alleged registered voters. “Some NGOs have embarked on a campaign to deliberately discredit the national voters’ roll by abusing their access to the national voters’ roll,” said Mr Mudede.
“The law allows anyone to request for a copy of the voters roll and this provision in turn avails voters’ rolls to NGOs who in fact are conduits of external forces who have ulterior motives.”
“Some NGOs have embarked on a campaign to deliberately discredit the national voters’ roll by abusing their access to the national voters’ roll,” said Mr Mudede.
“The law allows anyone to request for a copy of the voters roll and this provision in turn avails voters’ rolls to NGOs who in fact are conduits of external forces who have ulterior motives,” he added.
The ZRP Officer Commanding Harare province, present at the press conference, Senior Assistant Commissioner Clement Munoriarwa said tampering with the voters roll has serious repercussions.
 
Different figures
The state media reported a different figure from what Mudede had stated at the press conference. The visual broadcaster, ZBC reported 5 500 355, while the Herald newspaper carried 89000 more reporting it as 5, 589 355. Mudede however officially announced the figure as 5, 589 355. It was not clear why ZBC had reported a different figure from what was stated by the AG.
 
Mysterious 300,000 voters die
5, 934 768 people voted in the 2008 general polls, but however the number has since dropped to slightly over 5, 5  million, Mr Mudede said yesterday. The difference which is 300, 000 conincidentally is the same figure which caused presidential contender Morgan Tsvangirai to fail to secure a win against Robert Mugabe following the 2008 presidential elections.

A separatist pressure group formed for the purpose of seceding as well as partitioning  Zimbabwe to form a second country under the name Mthwakazi, has been destroyed by bitter power struggles and in-house fighting.  Senior party members are accusing each other of having links to CIO attachments that have caused the decimation of a once-promising political entity.
ZimEye can reveal that even senior leader Paul Siwela who has been imprisoned and persecuted on several times by state agents for his views, has also been labelled a CIO agent by quarters within the group. Per his revelations to  ZimEye, he was told, ‘You are a CIO agent who influenced us to leave MLF and form MLO(Matebeleland Liberation Organisation).”
The Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) organisation which had backing across Matebeleland communities has now been disbanded and scattered with at least (3) three new splinter organisations having been formed after the internal squabbles. The three organisations formed from the fray are MNP, MLO, and the old MLF group.
The MLF’s spokesman David Magagula told ZimEye that CIO agents were responsible for its split.
 

Magagula even suggested that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T party is a CIO organization that strives to keep itself afloat by any means.
 
“The CIO were behind the split of MLF and responsible for the formation of these splinter movements. Members used do not necessarily have to be agents or members of CIO themselves. Most are ignorant that they are being used by the Zimbabwean CIO through deliberate acts of destabilization.
 
“MNP was specifically formed to derail the MDC led by W. Ncube in Mthwakazi. The plot is to confuse the Mthwakazi Electorate into believing that by voting MNP they would be voting for Mthwakazi.
 
“The result would be loss to MDC and maintain MDC-T in Mthwakazi and further entrench the suffering of masses through company and factory closures and continued denial of basic utilities and amenities such as water and electricity.
 
“Yet those Mthwakazians used are so oblivious of all these because they are blinded by sheer promises of luxury cars, money, diamonds and land. In the case of MLO and Mr Siwela in particular, the motivation into the game plan was steered by frustration and power hunger.
 
“When the Zimbabwe Intelligence picked that there was discontent and frustrations in the rank and file of MLF they hunted the disgruntled and those very hungry for power were used. There were created and fabricated stories about MLF leadership and those with a proven record of jumping from one political band wagon to the other were grouped together and sorted .The one with the most or who has changed parties was compromised,” Magagula said.
 
While MLO is led by Mr. Paul Siwela, it was not clear who is leading the third splinter formation, MNP. The senior executives who have remained under the old MLF were also not disclosed.
 
At the time of writing, a statement from MNP was awaited.

ZIMBABWE’S Minister of information and publicity Webster Shamu was yesterday humiliated by hundreds of music revellers at the Unity Gala held in Gokwe. That was after he made futile attempts to get them to chant Zanu PF-centric political slogans that would also denounce the MDC-T party.
The Unity Gala graced by several musicians including Sulumani Chimbetu, and Peter Moyo, was a celebration of the 1987 Unity Accord and stretched from Friday night up to the late hours of Sunday afternoon.
The fans booed the Zanu PF political commissar together with his entourage, and went to the point of switching off lights several times, after the ZANU PF party group arrived on the stage chanting their party slogans, much to the displeasure of music lovers.

Shamu had denounced the MDC-T party at the gala ironically set aside to celebrate the unity of Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation, the weekly Standard reports.
Only a few revellers that were near the stage exuberantly pumped their fists into the air while others, in open defiance, raised open palms in a gesture of their support for the MDC-T, according to the paper’s reporters Blessed Mhlanga and Tawanda Marwizi.
In order to reduce the bitter embarassment, Shamu then attempted a few slogans in support of Dynamos.
“Pamberi neDembare, neDembare yedu,” said Shamu as he attempted to calm away the jeers from fans.
In a face-saving attempt to avoid the brunt of the shame on the Information Minister, the event organiser Victor Mutambudzi blamed the switching off of lights on what he termed ‘a minor fault caused by lightning’. He also denied that the event was turned into a Zanu PF rally saying the people heartily welcomed all the officials in attendance of the event. (The Standard / Additional reporting ZimEye)

A leading UK based charity organisation, Pens for Kids UK has donated donated stationary items to underprivileged children in Zimbabwe.
At least 128 000 pens, pencils and other education items have already been boxed up waiting to be shipped to Zimbabwe for some of the country’s under- privileged school institutions.

Speaking on the occasion of the donation at the weekend, ROHR Zimbabwe UK coordinator Mr. Paradzai Mapfumo told ZimEye the items are destined for several institutions including Mbuya Nehanda Children’s Home, Chinamano Primary School and some schools in Glen View South.
“We are still identifying needy benefiaries in all provinces both Rural and Urban,” said Mapfumo.

 
 
 

THE ZIMBABWEAN government has claimed that a mermaid is blocking the completion of Bulawayo’s Mtshabezi Dam works which are needed for the city’s water supplies.
Technicians from South Africa and Zimbabwe working on the project at Mtshabezi dam are said to have technically failed to connect the generators to water pumps a situation that has led to local and national government officials suggesting a traditional ritual be performed to appease the mermaid and spirits.
It has been claimed the mermaid is stopping the connection of generators at the dam, thereby delaying the much needed supply of water to Bulawayo which should have commenced in October.
The Minister of Water Resources Management and Development, Dr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo has before (in Mutare and Gokwe) called upon witch doctors to perform rites at dams in Mashonaland in order to

These were circumstances in Mashonaland and until this month there had been no incidences requiring witch doctors in Matebeleland.
Sipepa Nkomo’s personal assistant, Mr Butholezwe Nyathi, on Monday said holding a traditional ceremony for the Mtshabezi Dam might be the only option left.
“We will not dismiss the councillors’ suggestion. If you remember, we had a similar problem at Gokwe Dam in the Midlands where the problem seemed technical but could not be solved. We had to brew beer to appease the spirits and it worked,” said Mr Nyathi.
He said experts from a South African company, FG Wilson, local technicians from AC Controls and an independent Zimbabwean expert were on site grappling with the problem of connecting the generators.
“The problem is in running the three generators concurrently in a synchronised manner. We thought water would be connected in October but now we are adopting a wait and see attitude. We are not promising anything at any date, but we will issue a statement when it is appropriate,” he said.
Initially, technicians tried to connect two generators to power pumps, but one of the generators would switch off when the pumps were started.
A bigger generator was brought to the site on 13 November and it also failed to do the job.
The generator was sent to South Africa for remodelling two weeks ago and it is still failing to power the pumps.

Technicians are now working at connecting all three generators.
Contacted for comment the president of the International Traditional Healers Association, who is also the vice-president of the Traditional Medical Practitioners Council (TMPC), Mr David Mhabinyana Ngwenya, said Mtshabezi water would never reach Bulawayo if the rites were not performed.
“There are people who died while the pipeline was being constructed. An appeasement ceremony should be organised by chiefs in the area before progress can be made,” said Mr Ngwenya.
He said elders should go to Dula, Maswabi, Jabu and Zhilo, traditional sites around the dam, to perform the rites, before going to Njelele Shrine in Matobo District to complete the ceremony.
He said a water guardian, in the form of a mermaid could also be the cause for the confusion among the experts.
“They should get old women in the area to perform some rites and give the guardian due respect for things to start moving,” he said.
Renowned historian Mr Pathisa Nyathi, said traditional rites were likely to assist in piping water to Bulawayo.
The late Cabinet Minister, Dr Herbert Ushewokunze, once suggested that the dam should be named Mwanakuridza, because he believed there was a mermaid in the water.
He said traditional rites should be performed at the site, but the idea was met with stiff resistance by people from the region, who believed the Mtshabezi project was a waste of time.
The people believed that the national Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, viewed as the permanent solution to Bulawayo’s water problems, should be pursued instead.
It would not be the first time the Ministry has performed traditional appeasement rites to complete a dam project, as it has been done in Gokwe, and at Osborne Dam in Mutare.
It was believed mermaids were preventing the connection of pumps and Dr Sipepa Nkomo told a Senate committee that traditional chiefs would perform rituals to appease mermaids believed to inhabit reservoirs.
Bulawayo’s water crisis continues to deepen as two of the five supply dams, Umzingwane and Upper Ncema have been decommissioned.
The decommissioning of two more, Inyankuni and Lower Ncema is imminent, which would leave the city relying on Insiza Dam and boreholes at Nyamandlovu Aquifer.
Mtshabezi Dam is expected to supply about 17 000 cubic metres of water to Bulawayo everyday and is expected to reduce water shedding by a day.
A water crisis committee meeting has been scheduled to discuss the water situation in the city today in the council chambers. ZimEye/ Chronicle

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T party has reacted with fury at a recent Herald news article claimed Tsvangirai conducted a meeting in Bindura at a time when the PM was out of the country visiting Kenya.
The Herald article published yesterday claimed that Tsvangirai had held a crisis meeting in Bindura where according to the Herald, ‘some MDC-T executive members, who were plotting unseat Mr Tsvangirai through the Constitution-making process, were irked by the involvement of the principals in the process. This prompted Mr Tsvangirai, through his spokesperson Mr William Bango, to tell his lieutenants that principals have always been part of the Constitution-making process through the management committee which is not a provision of the GPA,’ the article in yesterday’s Herald newspaper stated.
But the MDC-T party has issued a statement proving that Tsvangirai was not even in the country during the time of the said meeting.
The party castigated the Herald saying it is pursuing a mere ZANU PF agenda as it misinforms readers publishing falsehoods in order to tarnish the MDC-T party. It blasted the Herald for “blatant yellow journalism and gross misinformation.”
The statement read in part:
The MDC is appalled by the blatant yellow journalism and gross misinformation in the Herald of today (11/12/12) that the MDC National Executive met in Bindura at the weekend purportedly to clear internal problems over the role of principals in the Constitution making process.
For the record, no such meeting by the Executive took place in Bindura since the President was out of the country on a visit to Kenya on official business.
Secondly there has never been any internal problem regarding the issue alluded to in the Herald to warrant an Executive meeting.
The MDC implores the Zanu PF mouthpiece, the Herald and its journalists, to verify their stories first before publishing. The unprofessional conduct as exuded by the Herald is certainly not consistent with ethics guiding the conduct of journalists and is therefore unacceptable.
The good thing about the people of Zimbabwe is that they will never be swayed by Zanu PF or their propaganda mouthpieces into believing their lies. Zimbabweans have soared way above petty politicking and have diverted their attention to the real issues of pushing for a new constitution to be nationally adopted.
Tsvangirai was at the time of the said meeting visiting Kenya and decided to cut short his trip after hearing of news that Home Affairs Minister Theresa Makone’s daughter had died of suicide. It was only then that Tsvangirai returned

ZimEye Interviews Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) spokesman David Magagula on their organisation’s mission and strategies. Magagula who is based in South Africa currently serves as the Publicity Secretary for the organisation.
The MLF is seeking secession from Zimbabwe and to form its own nation.
________________________________________________________
Q1 (a)- Who is D Magagula? What is your significance or role in the MLF agenda?
MAGAGULA: David Magagula is a member of MLF and at the moment is the Information and Publicity Secretary who is the Spokesperson of the organisation. His significance is his membership just like any other member. In MLF the Organisation comes first and individuals later.In principle and policy there is no individual more significant than the organisation in MLF.Other wise D Magagula is just an ordinary poor and humble man.
(b) Is MLF a party or just a pressure group?
MAGAGULA: MLF is a Liberation movement just like MPLA; ANC;FRELIMO; ZAPU and ZANU during the time of struggles to liberate Angola ,South Africa,and Zimbabwe. MLF is fighting for the liberation of Mthwakazi.
(c) How many people subscribe to the MLF movement/party?
(d) Will MLF support a move to appoint VP Joice Mujuru as a new president of Zimbabwe assuming Robert Mugabe decides to hand over to her soon?
MAGAGULA:Everybody born in Mthwakazi subscribes to the idea of Mthwakazi Independence. The only variations are how,when and to whom one is speaking. Some Mthwakazians in the Zanupf politibereu support MLF but cannot afford to be openly heard saying so. In MDC-T Mthwakazians support MLF but because of the benefits of belonging to MDC-T they would rather be quite or rather denounce us for the benefits. The general population of today,s Midlands,Matabeleland South and North support MLF.Our Reseach Teams reveal that in places like Gwelu,Gokwe,Silobela,Zhombe,Kwekwe,Mbelengwa, Tshabane ,and sections of Masvingo people say they would rather live in Mthwakazi than Zimbabwe and are fully behind MLF. To this end MLF challenges anyone thinking otherwise to subject the so called ares to a referendum. d)MLF has no business with Zimbabwe. Whether Mrs Mujuru or Mrs Donkey is Vice President or President after Mugabe that has nothing to do with Mthwakazi. Actually MLF does not interfere in the internal matters of a neighbouring country-Zimbabwe is Mthwakazi neighbour to the North East. The only concern is that Zimbabwe gives us our Independence as she is the one currently colonizing and oppressing us(Mthwakazi).
 
Q2 – The USA might be disintegrating through secession soon after the opening of several petitions drafted against Barak Obama’s leadership. The same seems to be happening in neighbouring Zambia. Does your organisation support these motions?
MAGAGULA:Yes. MLF supports all secessionist movements globally. We believe Democracy is only achieved when a people decide to be part of another by their own choice and not by cohesion and or conquest as the case is with Mthwakazi and Zimbabwe.
Q3 – Who are these organisations MLF, MLO, MNP, and do you know who is representing them?
MAGAGULA:MLF is not in a position to explain other formations. MLF believe they have their own mechanisms to define and explain themselves and MLF does not need to do so for them or on their behalf. MLF’s objective is to liberate Mthwakazi and not to explain or define other organisations. Its mission is to separate Mthwakazi from Zimbabwe thereby affording Mthwakazi citizens to determine their Political, Economic and Social destiny.
Q4 – Which of these do you belong to?
MAGAGULA: I belong to MLF.
Q5 – You have said that the CIO are responsible for the splits in your MLF movement. Do you suppose Paul Siwela (leader of MLO) has been influenced by the CIO? In your view could he also be aligned to the CIO?
MAGAGULA:The CIO were behind the split of MLF and responsible for the formation of these splinter movements. Members used do not necessarily have to be agents or members of CIO themselves. Most are ignorant that they are being used by the Zimbabwean CIO. MNP was specifically formed to derail the MDC led by W. Ncube in Mthwakazi. The plot is to confuse the Mthwakazi Electorate into believing that by voting MNP they would be voting for Mthwakazi.The result would be loss to MDC and maintain MDC-T in Mthwakazi and further entrench the suffering of masses through company and factory closures and continued denial of basics such as water and electricity.Yet those Mthwakazians used are so oblivious of all these because they are blinde by sheer promises of luxury cars,money,diamonds and land. In the case of MLO and Mr Siwela in Particular,the game plan was based on frustration and power hunger. When the Zimbabwe Intelligence picked that there was discontent and frustrations in the rank and file of MLF they hunted the disgruntled and those very hungry for power and used them. There were created and fabricated stories about MLF leadership and those with a proven record of jumping from one political band wagon to the other were grouped together and sorted .The one with the most or who has changed the parties was maneuvered to the top leadership. What came first was the organisation and members followed later.
Q6 – Next year are you uniting with and supporting Welshman Ncube?
Q7 – Why do you not support:
– Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC?
MAGAGULA:MLF will not join MDC next year or any other time. MLF does not take part in elections let alone Zimbabwean elections. However MLF will stand guard that no Mthwakazian is forced or cohesed to vote for any party of no their choice. While MLF does not take part in Zimbabwean election it respects the democratic right of every Mthwakazian to choose whether to vote or not. 1)MLF does not support MDC-T for several reasons and chief among them being that it is viewed as an extension of Zanupf and it is foreign to Mthwakazi and as such does not have Mthwakazi issues at heart. 2)MLF was not formed to support other organisation but was formed to champion the struggle for Mthwakazi- a job being done exceptionally very well so far. 3)MLF views MDC-T in the same light with Zanupf and Tsvangirai as being worse than Mugabe because he has an added arsenal of sexually abusing women and should he not be contained Mthwakazi risks a generation of big headed children from this bull.
Q8 – Why do you not support:
– Dumiso Dabengwa’s ZAPU?
MAGAGULA:MLF has nothing against DD.(Dumiso Dabengwa. In fact Dabengwa is highly respected as a liberator and hero and avery important Mthwakazi leader. Zapu is not supported by MLF simply for their Devolution stance while MLF calls for total independence of Mthwakazi.I t is MLF’s sincere hope that Zapu and MDC find a working formula and subdue Zimbabwean Parties from Mthwakazi once and for all.

The Kenyan nation is holding national elections in March 2013, it has emerged.
Coincidentally March 2013 is President Robert Mugabe’s projection for Zimbabwe’s national elections as well, despite objections raised by the two MDC parties.
Kenya, like Zimbabwe has also been working on a new constitution which they finalised and canonised in 2010. The two countries also share similarities in that they have two main opposing parties headed by young revolutionaries who are contesting with die-hard elderly politicians.
General elections will be held in Kenya on 4 March 2013 and the polls will be conducted to elect the President, Senators, County Governors, Members of Parliament, Civic Wards and Women County Representatives.
These elections in Kenya would be the first elections held under the new constitution, which was passed during the 2010 referendum. They will also be the first general elections run by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
Due to the terms of the new constitution it could also be the first presidential election in Kenya where the candidates face a second round run-off between the first and the second if no-one achieves a stipulated majority in the first round or if the winner does not get 25% of the votes in at least half of the counties.

(Shropshire, UK)A 40-year-old Zimbabwean man who was part of a cheque scam described in court as sophisticated, has joined the roll of registered criminals in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Simba Lawrence, jailed for two years, was found guilty of ganging up with two friends in their 20s to take part in erasing the details on cheques allowing them to be rewritten for their own use.
Shrewsbury Crown Court Tuesday heard that Lawrence’s gang would then fill the cheques in with new details before withdrawing the money a few hours later.
Cheques totalling £5,332.37 were paid in by the gang on December 18, 2009.
The court heard that the gang began their activities across Shropshire in 2009 according to Mr Daniel White, who was prosecuting.
Police investigations found that the gang targeted Lloyds TSB banks since that bank unlike others, allows people to withdraw paid-in cheques on the same day, Mr White said.
Card readers and bank cards were found in the gang’s van, the court heard.
Lawrence’s solicitor said the Zimbabwean is no longer legally allowed to work in the UK and so was struggling financially. He said: “He’s embarked on this because of his issues.”
Lawrence has admitted four charges of converting criminal property conspiracy to convert criminal property, possessing 13 bank cards and possessing 24 bank cards.

(Bulawayo) A security guard was caught allegedly sexually pleasuring himself on a dog in Burnside suburb.
The guard, identified as Mr Fanuel Piki, was allegedly seen by a gardener on Wednesday having a nice time with the “big dog”.
The gardener, Mr Prince Moyo, allegedly alerted his employer, and a report was made at Hillside Police Station.
The incident was confirmed by deputy Bulawayo police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu last week Wednesday, according to the state media.
Sources close to the case alleged that it was not the first time Mr Piki had had sex with the dog.
“We heard rumours that he was doing it sometime in June. The rumours were difficult to believe, but with the latest development, it becomes credible that he has been doing it for some time. We heard that he would tie it up before having sex with it. We also heard that the gardener was attracted by the dog’s continuous howling when he stumbled on the incident,” said one of the sources.
Another source said Mr Piki had been suspended from work as the police and his employer carried out investigations into the incident.
However, in an interview, Mr Piki denied the allegations.
“These are all lies being spread by the gardener. I keep the clock in and out book at the premises and he is always late. He made up the story because I have given him several warnings and recently told him I would tell the boss that he is often late,” said Mr Piki.

He said the ploy to get him fired would not work as he is innocent.
Contacted for comment, his employer said he had nothing to say.
“That is a case for the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). I really have nothing to say about the matter, if it indeed happened. If you insist on a comment, I will ask someone to get in touch with you,” said the employer.
His human resources manager then called this reporter and said the matter was being handled by the police.
“It would be premature for me to say anything before police conclude their investigations,” said the manager.
“We are handling a case of alleged bestiality that happened in Burnside on 21 November,” he said.

Anglican worshippers who rebelled against the church to follow outcast Bishop Nolbert Kunonga are begging to be re-admitted into influential church positions, ZimEye can reveal.
ZimEye can reveal that several Anglican parishioners who fled with the violent Kunonga, have requested forgiveness, just as the legitimate Anglican church was seen successfully taking back properties Kunonga seized 5 years ago. This comes after the Supreme Court last week ordered Kunonga to hand over all church properties in his possession, ending a five-year fierce battle that began after Kunonga pulled out of the Church Province of Central Africa (CPCA) and formed his own church, the Church Province of Zimbabwe, but seized CPCA properties.
Former rebel believers in Harare have since developments last week asked to be re-admitted into the prestigious Vabvuwi group, a development which has led to loyal church folk voicing that they must go back to level zero and be taken as entire new converts for several years before they can be trusted.

“On the return from Exile Service for Vabvuwi in Harare, at St Michael’s Mbare, Reverend William Nyapokoto admitted into the Vabvuwi Guild, 32 new members. And in the morning today, Chairman Forbes Muganhu asked on the way forward in terms of re-admitting the Vabvuwi members who went out of the CPCA with the ex-communicated Dr Nolbert Kunonga. Vamwe vakati ngavapihwe mukana wekuteera kwe makore anoita maviri kana matatu vasati vagamuchirwa ngekuti they will be treated as new members who have to be ‘re-baptised and confirmed.’ What is the way to go in your own view in dealing with all those that were ex-communicated together with Kunonga?,” the CPCA announced in a statement.
A discussion opened by Mr. Titus Zvomuya on social networks was responded to by Mr. Suchmore Sambiri Mutete quoting from a parable of the lost son in the book Luke. Said Mr. Mutete:
“I feel when all is said and done lets read this Luke 15:11-32 New International Version (NIV) The Parable of the Lost Son vs . 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’Moral of this is kana mufudzi vemakwayi aka ona gwai  rake ranga rarasika (does he say haacharida nekuti it was lost NO he will take the found sheep with joy’
Another congregant, Mr. Archford Musodza, stated however that the required theological ramifications have to be fulfiled before the believers are re-admitted:
“The Diocesan leadership will have to discuss this and consider all theological ramifications towards readmission of those excommunicated and the time they have to take before such is done. The Church leadership has to come up with a standard both for laity as well as clergy who were excommunicated,” he said.
 
DISCUSSION:
One congregant Mr. Tatenda Chitofiri stated that the church should rather forgive the rebels: “As CPCA we should forgive them. Judgemnt ndeya Mwari(Judgement is God’s)”
But forgiveness can only come after repentence argues Mr Archford Musodza: “Forgiveness comes after repentance and within our church liturgy and laws, all that is provided for. However blanket forgiveness can drag the Diocese into serious problems in the future. God will judge them but our church should ensure that its not endangered by such people.”

Forgiveness but no post
A general consensus among believers is however to follow the guidance of Bishop Chad Gandiya who has said that those willing to come back are free to do so. However they do not occupy any influential post.
“Well, I think the issue of re-admission of these ladies and guys who had clinged onto the tail of Dr Kunonga, the Bishop ‘Chad’ soon after the determination by Supreme Court clearly stated that those willing to come back are free to do so. However they do not occupy any post and for the clergy they come in as ordinary persons. The issue of the sacraments i.e. Baptism and Confirmation he was also straight to the point. Members who received the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation before the Dr’s withdrawal from the Province they do not need to be baptised and confirmed again because they received legitimate sacraments. Those who received which ever sacrament thereafter is not recognised as genuine and legitimate sacraments, they need to gor through the whole process before they become full members again but without any portfolio,” stated a leading churchman.
 
Kunonga files Court Injuction
Meanwhile, as the discussion continued, Bishop Kunonga last week filed a court injunction to stop the eviction of his followers who have been occupying the properties he illegally seized and a decision is expected in the High Court today (Tuesday).

There was confusion in the Bishop Chad Gandiya led Anglican church on Sunday after Police at Bonda in Manicaland arrested CPCA Church wardens together with Reverend Mukome who are not aligned to the disgraced Bishop Nolbert Kunonga.
Following the Anglican CPCA church’s recent Supreme Court victory over Bishop Kunonga, and several peaceful and police assisted evictions, the CPCA issued a statement stating that local Bishop Julius Makoni was yesterday shocked to hear that legitimate wardens were arrested by the Police after entering the church premises.
The CPCA in November won a Supreme Court ruling which gave it powers to take back all properties seized by the ex-communicated Bishop Kunonga who had previously used his ZANU PF party to organise police and state powers against the church stating he was the legitimate leader after founding his own grouping named as the Anglican Church Province of Zimbabwe.
Following skirmishes in the past seven days in which Police were seen gladly assisting CPCA across the country to repossess the church properties, the church yesterday (Sunday) however reported the opposite:

“Police in Bonda today arrested Anglican Manicaland CPCA Church wardens and Reverend Mukome for allegedly illegally entering their Church building at Bonda Mission,” the CPCA reported ina  statement.
“Bishop Julius Makoni had held a very successful church service at Bonda, and at the time of the arrest, he had already left for Mutare. Bishop Makoni is unsure why the police have done this because last week in Mutare they had peaceful services in their church buildings at Mufudzi Wakanaka and St Agnes Chikanga.
May the Church continue to pray for a peaceful transition in the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland, where the ex-communicated Elson Jakazi, like Harare’s Dr Nolbert Kunonga, mounting serious obstacles in our way to freedom of worship, ” the statement read.

Artisan Studios caught in the fiery storm

Meanwhile, a local studio for musicians, ARTISAN Studios which was renting space in the prestigious CBD Harare cathedral, was last week in a limbo having been evicted by the CPCA.
Reports state that the development enforced by the police, will see several musicians billed for recordings being negatively affected by the eviction. The local paper, Newsday reported that the studio once regarded as the best venue for rehearsing by musicians from other stables, a reputation which saw Artisan Studios booking artistes for rehearsals, is now seeking alternative accomodation.
Allan Dzobo, the director of the studio, said they were yet to find alternative accommodation.
“We are in the process of finding a new place, but we still have to engage the authorities since we have leases.
“For the meantime, I cannot really say where we are going, but as we settle the matter we will be advising our clients of our new location,” he said.
 
Small disturbances in Harare
Despite the incidences in Manicaland, there weas however little resistance and less difficulty in the church’s Harare diocese. Bishop Chad Gandiya’s spokesperson, mr. Precious Shumba issued a statement that mass was conducted peacefully in several buildings across Harare apart from Glen View where riot police were called in to quell dissent against legitimate parisioners.
“This weekend we have not witnessed any cases of violence and church services were conducted peacefully. The evictions are also going on peacefully with people moving out without any resistance. Tomorrow (today) we will be looking at other areas where there is some resistance,” said Mr. Shumba.

The leader of the Matebeleland Liberation Organisation, Paul Siwela has been granted the famous Umhlalo Award in recognition for the work he has been leading, campaigning for a breakaway Matebeleland state.
He was handed an Warrior Award Certificate by the Umhlahlo weSizwe sika Mthwakazi, non- governmental organisation pushing for the independence of The Republic of Matabeleland since 2006.
The MLO leader was handed the award at a ceremony to mark the fierce battle of resistance against British colonial forces by Matebele warriors when they fiercely fought at Mbembesi on 3 November 1893.
Siwela who is campaigning for the independence of The Republic of Matebeleland by 2018, said secession was a common political reality in many countries across the world and so there is no reason why Matebeleland should not be granted its autonomy.

Said Siwela who in recent days has had charges of treason leveled against him because of these efforts:
Our secession agenda has been informed by our own experiences and desire to decolonise our territory from the colonial construct of Rhodesia the latter day Zimbabwe which has caused so much pain, humiliation and dehumanisation to the Ndebele nation through marginalisation and genocide. The Republic of Matebeleland ought to live side by side with the Republic of Zimbabwe in peace and co operate with one another when and where necessary and possible. Matebeleland can not afford to be in the horse and a rider relationship with Zimbabwe in this century thus The Republic of Matebeleland has to be a full independent and sovereign state by 2018 and join the family of nations and contribute to the development thereof. The Scots are breaking away from United Kingdom,while Flemish seek their autonomy from Belgium,and yet 40 states in United America intend to secede from the USA and so are the Catalonians inspired to have their autonomy. Self determination is a human right which is an inalinieable right to be exercised by any nation of this world at any time of their choosing. Any one who resist or denies others to enjoy this right is not fit or should not be entitled to this right to himself.
Recognition to other ethnic groups
Siwela added stating that there shall not be any discrimination in the Republic of Matebeleland.
“The Republic of Matebeleland constitution shall recognise the following ethnic and racial groups Asiatic people,Chewa, Dhombe, Lozi, Khalanga, Khoi San, Ndebele, Nambia, Sotho, Shona, Swati, Tswana, Tonga, Vhenda, Xhosa,White and Zulu and the Republic shall be home to all these groups and be equally before the Republic s constitution and enjoy equal opportunities,rights and duties. There would be zero tolerance to corruption and discrimination but greater freedoms to all the citizens of the Republic,” he said.

London(ZimEye)The widow of a former Air Zimbabwe engineer Mr. Simon Makombe has sent her heartfelt gratitude to fellow ZimEye readers who chipped in to assist financially for the burial of her husband.
Mr Makombe colapsed on a road in Grays and was taken to Basildon Hospital, where he died shortly, leaving his struggling wife with the common burden in July.
It was only after ZimEye readers coordinated and donated money that Mr Makombe was finally flown out the UK to Zimbabwe and safely buried.
“Nditotenda zvikurusa nebasa guru ramakaita. Vamakombe vakandovigwa kuZimbabwe zvakanaka nokuda kwenyu. Ndinotenda zvikurusa – I thank you very much for the great work you did, Mr Makombe was safely flown to Zimbabwe and buried with no problems at all,” she told ZimEye.
Special thanks is also conveyed to Manchester based internet protege Barbara Nyagomo for her efforts to campaign for the funds.

A UK journalist is living in fear after receiving several threats from British heavyweight boxer Derrick Chisora’s men over a video interview which showed the disgraced boxer behaving inappropriately in front of the King of Butter Grooves, Alick Macheso.
ZimEye can also exclusively reveal that Chisora has been telephoning journalists, trying to muzzle them from revealing his violent and uncouth behaviour which he displayed in Macheso’s  presence.
Journalist, Eugene Majuru who was interviewing Macheso when Chisora forced his way through and violently pushed away her video camera at the scene, has disclosed her ordeal after receiving threatening text messages.
“I am really scared about the next upcoming show I am attending as they obviously know I will be there. This man could easily attack me”, she told ZimEye.

Chisora ‘s spokesman, Bongani Ntibane, confirmed issuing these threats on the innocent journalist.
ZimEye has tracked several messages back to Chisora’s spokesman which Ntibane who is also known as Bongani Siziba, acknowledged.
One of the messages reads:
“Hi Eugene. I spoke to you on Monday about Chisora issue. He has just informed me that the video is on Youtube and wants it taken down immediately or edited so that he does not appear on it. He said you do not have his consent. Failure to do so will mean engaging our solicitors. I am available on this number as my battery is flat. Will call when I get home. Bongani,”
Another sms soon after this incident, stated:
“You have an hour to take it down or else you will deal with the law….”
Chisora’s spokesman also attempted to force ZimEye to remove an article which he falsely claimed was siting on our news resource server, also revealing that several journalists had been telephoned in the same manner in order to force them into submission so that favourable articles were published.
Ntibane who it is claimed, is also in the teaching profession, even threatened our editors at a point stating:
“If you just write something bad…”
When the incident in question took place, Chisora soon lied that he had granted the journalist permission to interview for ten minutes, but in the video recording he is seen stating never having granted permission for an interview.
 
Violent History
Although Chisora has achieved heights in British boxing, his violent and criminal past has tended to haunt him and his behaviour in Macheso’s presence has left a big dent on his reputation.
A blogger has narrated his history which is marred with various criminal charges:
During his amateur career Chisora had about 20 fights, winning a Four Nations gold and the 2006 ABA super heavyweight title, something we are all proud of.
Chisora turned professional on 17 February 2007, after recording a second round technical knock out against Istvan Kecskes.
Chisora’s controversy began in November 2010, when he was found guilty of assaulting his then-girlfriend after finding text messages on her phone from another man.
He narrowly escaped being sent to prison, when he was given a 2 year suspended prison sentence. He was also ordered to pay £1 500 in compensation and £500 costs and complete 150 hours community service.
The court was told that the fighter also had previous convictions for public order offences, assaulting a police officer and having in his possession an offensive weapon.

Additionally, he has been involved in several brawls and violent behaviour that has tarnished his reputation.

There was widespread outrage Tuesday night after the Anglican Church voted against a motion for the admitting of women to the powerful bishopric post.
 
It will only be in 2015 when the issue is debated again after members rejected the proposal. The House of Bishops voted 44 in favour, with three against and two recorded abstentions. In the House of Clergy, 148 voted in favour, 45 against and there were no abstentions. But in the House of Laity, which represents lay members in parishes around the country, 74 voted against, compared to 132 in favour with no abstentions.
 
Tears and anger
The result has left many supporters for women disappointed, others angry, and some even in tears according to reports.

 
Girl Child Network founder, Betty Makoni blasted the move, labelling it retrogression back to the stone age.
 
“Every institution should make sure that we lead by example. What the bishops did has taken people back to the stone age. Its going to create a lot of animosity in the church,” she said.
 
“its a big sham that the Anglican church authorities have decided to snub women at a time when the UK government promotes gender balance,” Makoni added.
 
“If women who are majority of church goers are not top leadership what does it mean. I got married in this church and saw patriarchy in the village where this church is. What a shame. We must all condemn this. These are institutions where gender activists fight lone battles …,” Makoni further wrote in protest on the social networking website Facebook.
 
One day door will open
The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, who had spoken passionately in favour of the change, said the vote would inhibit the Church’s work.
 
“The Church of England serves the nation by having parishes all across the country; and thousands of those parishes are led by women. Therefore, not to have women bishops does inhibit us on our mission. But we’re still hopeful that one day the door will finally open,” Rt Jones was quoted by the BBC.

THE EX-COMMUNICATED bishop Nolbert Kunonga faces imminent police action following the emerging of massive bills incurred by properties he seized since 2007.
Anglican Church’s Harare Diocese has said it will file a police report against Dr Nolbert Kunonga’s Province of Zimbabwe after an inventory indicated that a number of properties could have gone missing. The inventory began on Monday evening in all the 72 parishes in Harare, a few hours after the Church of the Province of Central Africa won the right to control the properties at the Supreme Court.
The properties had been under the control of Dr Kunonga’s Church of the Province of Zimbabwe since 2007.
Briefing journalists in Harare yesterday, CPCA Bishop Chad Gandiya said Dr Kunonga’s church would be made to pay outstanding utility bills running into thousands of dollars.
The bills were accrued by Dr Kunonga’s team which was in control of the properties over the past five years.
Bishop Gandiya said various parishes owed Harare City Council, Zesa Holdings and other service providers thousands of dollars that should be paid by Dr Kunonga’s team.
“Church leadership at parish level have been taking stock of everything at the church buildings, consolidating the inventories to ensure that every item that has ever belonged to the church is properly accounted for and documented,” said Bishop Gandiya.
“Items that are found missing will be recorded and police reports would be made to ensure accountability and transparency in all these processes of restoration and rebuilding.
“While the prospects of recovering the looted items might be remote, efforts would be made to ensure that those who illegally occupied our church buildings and caused Anglicans significant suffering are properly rehabilitated following an admission of their transgressions.”
Bishop Gandiya said the outstanding bills would be registered in the names of the responsible persons.
“Utility bills have not been paid,” he said. “As we repossess our assets, we shall be engaging with the local authorities to ensure that debts at these institutions are properly assigned to those responsible,” he said.
“The church cannot be asked to settle outstanding debts owed by illegal occupants, whose illegality has now been confirmed by the courts.”
The Herald understands that St Andrew’s Parish of Glen View, Harare, has an electricity bill of US$7 000, while the water bill was yet to be established.
Two other parishes owe council to the tune of US$5 000 and US$3 000 respectively. Dr Kunonga refused to comment yesterday.
Bishop Gandiya said colleges and crèches at most Anglican parishes that had been paying rentals to the Dr Kunonga-led church were illegal tenants and their eviction was imminent.

“We must acknowledge that the tenants are occupying the properties illegally,” he said.
“We are not going to continue with an illegality. They are abusing our church property and we will ask them to leave.”
Bishop Gandiya said they would not evict Parliament from Pax House as it was renting the property legally.
He said lawyers for the CPCA and those for Dr Kunonga were working together to conduct a smooth hand-over and take-over.
The church members who withdrew during the times of trouble to join other churches together with those aligned to Dr Kunonga were free to rejoin the Anglican Church, said Bishop Gandiya.
He said the church held no grudge against those who caused suffering to the church.
Bishop Gandiya said those who had been appointed priests by Dr Kunonga were also free to rejoin the CPCA, but they would not be considered for leadership.
“For the record, we are all humans prone to making mistakes in our lives. Those who wronged us are not our enemies because we all share in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.
“There are those who were made priests and served Dr Kunonga without receiving proper training, whose future is bleak and those who just followed their handlers out of the church, they are all welcome to worship with us.” – Herald

Hope for democracy, or is it just another dark phase on the African continent?  – the Nkosazana Zuma led continental authority, The African Union has launched a new website meant to monitor and report issues of peace and security on the African continent.
The website’s launching comes in sync with the appointment of Welshman Ncube’s inlaw relation Ms. Nkosazana Zuma who as she was sworn in this year pledged a new era to ensure peace and unity.
Announcing the site, the AU stated in a statement: “The site is complementary to the Commission’s main website and part of the Commission’s overall Communications Strategy aimed at increasing its visibility, accessibility and transparency as well as strengthening its relationship with all stakeholders. The new website is the Commission’s window to the world offering a one-stop-shop for African peace and security related knowledge and resources. It aims at promoting the Commission’s vision and its activities related to peace and security. The website offers an interactive platform for stakeholders to share knowledge and contribute to the AUC’s efforts in promoting peace and security in Africa.”
The website which is in French and English, www.peaceau.org, was launched by the AU’s Peace and Security Department of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Likely to end up elitist
London based lecturer Dr Vincent Magombe told ZimEye the website is likely going to end up as an elitist, pro-dictatorship portal.
“The AU Commission and its strategic organs, like the Peace and Security Department, have existed and continue to exist as mouth pieces for autocratic and anti-people rulers – the Musevenis, the Kagames, the Bashirs, etc. The People of Africa have not benefited sufficiently from the modernisation and advancement of the AU and its organs.
“The website is most likely going to end up as an elitist, pro-dictatorship and anti-people outfit. Just think about it – in most African countries, there is nothing interactive about the state or public communication and media institutions.
The public / state media in Africa is predominantly the tool for anti-people state propaganda.
“So how can we expect this Super-communication facility – the new website to serve and promote the interests of the African people? I can’t see it happening now. Perhaps later in the post-dictatorial era, when the current crop of African leaders is gone, and a new generation of pro-people, democratic leaders has arrived, shall we see a truly useful and interractive website,” Magombe said.
At present, people are urged to leave the feedback on the AU’s social networking pages – Facebook at http://goo.gl/G9ZI0 and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/africaforpeace

Residents in Harare of the Anglican denomination are on Sunday December the 16th gathering at Africa Unity Square to commemorate their court victory over the controversial Bishop Nolbert Kunonga who was wrestling control of the Diocese from the legitimate leaders.
Kunonga who was Monday ordered by the Supreme Court to surrender all properties, had caused havoc for over six years as he siezed several properties using the help of the police.
Announcing the special meeting, churchman who is also Harare Residents’ Trust leader, Precious Shumba said the event will mark the beginning of a new phase in the diocese.
“‎16 December 2012- All Anglicans are to gather at the Africa Unity Square from 9 a.m to mark our victory over evil, and mark the beginning of the phase of rebuilding the Anglican Diocese of Harare,” Shumba said.

Hundreds of worshippers are expected to throng the tiny island of the Unity Square which is just a few hundred metres from the former battleground – the Harare Supreme Court building.
The head of the Anglican church in Zimbabwe Monday urged local parishioners to renovate dozens of churches they had been chased from by a breakaway bishop loyal to president Robert Mugabe – after the supreme court ruled the rogue cleric and his followers had no right to use them.
Bishop Kunonga who is accused of preaching and practicing violence, was on the 19th November in a Supreme Court ruling, ordered to surrender all church properties he had seized from the leaders. Bishop Chad Gandiya the legitimate clergyman over the powerful diocese is now head of the church in the area.
 
Commentary by Rev Derrick Chisungo
The court victory of the Anglican Church against Nolbert Kunonga was welcome by many across the world as a victory against demonic powers that want to derail the Christian agenda. This was because Kunonga had terrorized the church, confiscating assets and spearheading a divisive agenda within the congregants and causing undue stress, suffering and anxiety especially among the church leadership and fellow congregants. Many watched from the terraces and wished God had timely intervened. Using political connections and other heavy-muscle selfish politicians, Kunonga had become a menace to the Christian society in Zimbabwe as he soiled religion by mixing it with politics. Such an independent judgment by the Supreme Court helped re-assure Zimbabweans that there was still rule of law in Zimbabwe. Many had remained pessimistic as they assumed that most likely Kunonga would influence the judiciary using his political connections, but nothing of the sort happened! To the pleasure of many, the judiciary acted professionally and served justice to the troubled congregants thereby marking the beginning of a new era in the depressed Anglican Church. The judgment dealt a big blow to a man who had come to play God, through evicting other church members from properties while using thugs and a surreal reign of terror that had no consequences before the eyes of the police. For once God was watching and his long hand intervened as judgment came from the ultimate court on the land. Without any recourse to any other appeal avenue, this landmark ruling has pruned and trimmed Kunonga’s blooming feathers. Now his options are closed before the courts of the land. Mr. Kunonga, this is a great lesson to you and your apologists (disciples), get down the high horse and live like a civilized man who once knew God. Do not be like Saul and never mess with the will of God. Persecuting Christians will never be tolerated by any progressive society that is God-fearing and any such conduct has regrettable consequences from the Almighty. Even in our culture, there is karma.  You have learnt your lessons Mr. Kunonga, time to repent and seek forgiveness! If you defy this court ruling and choose to take the law into your own hands then you are inviting more karma to follow you.

(Pretoria)South Africa’s ruling ANC party met today to vote on the proposed removal of President Jacob Zuma from Office.
The Caucus of the African National Congress in Parliament, which consists of 299 Members of Parliament from both Houses of Parliament met today and vigorously discussed the controversial motion which has been proposed by renegade expelled Youth League leader Julius Malema and a few other disgruntled ANC leaders.
There was however a unanimous agreement that this is a frivolous motion, which has nothing to do with Section 102 and Section 89 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which deals with the removal of the President from Office, an ANC press statement revealed.
The statement reads in part:
The Motion of the Opposition about the alleged violation of the Constitution by President JG Zuma is without foundation and cannot be supported by fact.

For example, the Supreme Court of Appeal of the Republic of South Africa did not issue an order against the President or the President’s Office for the handing over of tapes, as it was claimed. In terms of the judgement of the Supreme Court of Appeals in the DA vs. the National Director of Public Prosecutions case, the judicial order was directed at the “first respondent” – which is the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
If the people of South Africa, the majority of whom overwhelmingly mandate this President and the African National Congress to lead this country, were to learn that this august institution has entertained a Motion of no Confidence in the President on the basis of such frivolous allegations, their trust in the ANC and this Parliament would have been violated.
It is not the first time that the Opposition has tabled such a frivolous motion.
Problematic and frivolous as the 2010 Motion of No Confidence was, we agreed to it to prove and make a point to the skeptical detractors that we are committed to parliamentary democracy and that this movement never shies away from a debate. Indeed we emerged with flying colours from that debate and Parliament reaffirmed its confidence in the President.
However, it is a cause for grave concern that this institution should be abused with a flurry of frivolous motions which are motivated by nothing other than a desire for cheap publicity. It would be a complete travesty and an unsustainable precedent if we were to allow a frivolous motion, which is based solely on spurious allegations rather than facts, to be afforded the dignity of consideration and debate by Parliament.
The motion by these opposition parties, which they know as anyone else its chances of success are zero, seeks to try the President in a court of public opinion and tarnish his image and that of the ANC in the media.
If these opposition parties want a President of their choice, they should wait for the elections in 2014, we will be ready to contest them.
What we cannot allow though is turning this legislature into the only institution in the world in which a matter as serious as a Motion of No Confidence in the President is turned into a political football – in which desperate opposition parties tables such a motion at the slightest provocation. The electoral wishes of the people cannot be undermined and usurped at will.
Caucus has therefore unanimously decided to oppose the programming of this motion on the Order Paper of the National Assembly.

A drunken Zimbabwean male driver who drove the wrong way along a motorway has been jailed for killing a passenger in a car that he smashed into.
Wilfred Museka (31), of Powell Street, Clayton, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, fraud by false representation, driving without insurance and driving other than in accordance with a driving licence.
At Minshull Street Crown Court he was sentenced to eight years in prison.
On Sunday 16 September 2012, Museka, who was driving a black Renault Megane, joined the M62 by driving the wrong way along the exit slip road.

He continued to drive the wrong way along the eastbound carriageway for about half a mile.
Shortly before 3am he ploughed into a Chevrolet Matiz, killing 20-year-old passenger Rebecca Caine instantly.
Following his arrest for causing death by dangerous driving Museka failed a breath test. A blood test later revealed he was more than twice the drink drive limit.
Museka, who has a previous conviction for drink driving and other motoring offences, was also found not to have a full valid UK driving licence and in fact only had a provisional licence. He also obtained insurance for the vehicle he was driving fraudulently.
Senior Investigating Officer, Sergeant Lee Westhead, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “I would like to thank the Caine family for the dignity and patience they have shown during this terrible time.
“Their daughter was taken from them in a senseless and totally avoidable act by a selfish individual with no respect for other road users.
“Wilfred Museka thought nothing of consuming so much alcohol that he was over twice the legal limit and then went on to drive the wrong way down a motorway.
“It is clear to the investigation team that Rebecca was a wonderful individual who was loved by her family and had so much to offer the world.

“I hope today’s sentence goes some way to repairing the damage done by Wilfred Museka and offers some closure to the family. My thoughts are also with the three survivors from the vehicle Rebecca was travelling in. Their lives were put at risk and they are now coming to terms with the loss of their friend.
“Drivers should treat the people who share the roads with them with respect and any driver who fails to meet the required standards can expect to be investigated tirelessly and thoroughly.”

POLICE in Bulawayo on Monday arrested 79 women from the Women of Zimbabwe Arise who were demonstrating against the water shortages that have gripped the city over the last few months.
The women most of whom were holding placards denouncing the council were rounded off at the city council offices and detained at the Bulawayo Central Police.
Although police could not be readily comment on the event which was witnessed by ZimEye, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said it has already dispatched a team of lawyers to help the women.
“Police in Bulawayo have detained 79 Women of Zimbabwe Arise members, who were rounded up while staging a demonstration against water shortages at the Bulawayo City Council offices. ZLHR lawyers have been deployed to attend at Bulawayo Central Police Station where they are detained,” the association said.
Bulawayo is facing serious water shortages that have seen suburbs going for more 96 hours per week without water.
In some areas, residents have resorted to fetch water from unprotected sources such as streams and wells.
The city has decommissioned some of the supply dams due to dwindling water levels. Efforts to boost water supply to the city have been dragging as funding has been erratic to connect the city to Mtshabezi Dam which is seen as a temporary measure to alleviate the shortages.

ZIMBABWE’s Deputy Minister for Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development and MP for Harare West, Jessie Majome, has expressed concern at some of the modeling industry practices. This follows police investigations on a 25-year-old beauty queen, Gamuchirai Maziva, once described by a judge as a “woman of substance”, but now placed on a hanging career as she faces a criminal charge. The allegations before the court are that she allegedly aborted her child and burnt the foetus. If found guilty by the courts, such a crime could potentially attract an 18th month jail term.
Minister Majome’s comments emerged after the internet became blazed with the beauty queen news just as prosecutors hinted that she could be jailed way before the upcoming finals of the Face of Zimbabwe. On the same prong, organisers of the function have also reported the resignation of Maziva from the contest. Together with her boyfriend, an alleged accomplice, they have both been granted $100 bail as witnesses prepare their evidence linked to the pending court case.
As social networks were awash over the weekend on the matter, Minister Majome took a side to blast the ethics of the beauty and modelling industry:

“It spoils the sexuality of women, and puts women under pressure to look in a particular way, and act in a particular way, so that it’s actually saying to young women, that you know what, because of economic desperation…the most important asset to you is your body and how you look, you must look attractive to me. So you will find young women like her are under tremendous pressure because that’s the only thing that she can actually trade in order to survive….so that’s a problem in itself. Young women should not have to sell their bodies in order [to survive]…
“And then secondly our abortion laws, the Termination of pregnancy Act in Zimbabwe provides that it is lawful to terminate a pregnancy only in two circumstances, one if the pregnancy has been conceived as a result of unlawful sexual intercourse such as incest or rape, you can obtain a certificate from a magistrate, but the reality is different sometimes even from my experience as a lawyer I remember I was involved in two cases where I had to really fight tooth and nail to get a rape survivor to get an abortion … there are attitudes that are very anti abortion sometimes.
“And then secondly you can also get a lawful abortion if your pregnancy exposes you to risk, physical health risk, and there are no other grounds, and the reality is sadly a lot of women are caught outside that; women who conceive but they conceive in manners where they are incapable for one reason or the other because of their lifestyle they are unable to carry through the pregnancy and bear children, and they end up having very unsafe abortions,” Minister Majome said.
Minister Majome was speaking on the sidelines of a London meeting of the student alumni of Ellis Robins, Mabelreign Girls High school as she sought to engage former students and other interested stakeholders to spearhead practical means and ways to rescue the deteriorating conditions at the said schools.
Commentary: Zimbabwe has one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates in the world. More women die due to pregnancy complications and related issues. In that shocking mortality rate, abortions claim the biggest toll. With inhibiting conditions like being denied the capacity to pursue further studies if one gets pregnant, inability to contest in beauty pageants or fear of obtaining maternal leave soon after getting powerful jobs, women are treated as second citizens in their country of birth. It is also disturbing that once a woman becomes pregnant, society tends to disown them if there was no wedding or marital formalities and she is left out in the quay to sort out her mess. Many take women’s issues for granted but what the feminine gender goes through is a painful and humiliating solitary experience. It’s about time the legislature took a second look at the plight of women in their daily functions and efforts to survive and match the performance of men in business and social life categories, minister Majome argues. Be that as it may, the efforts made to date to curtail domestic violence is sincerely applauded – Editors

“We do not need any other person other than Mai Mujuru”
The ZANU PF Secretary for Administration, Didymus Mutasa has spoken out on speculative reports that claimed he unilaterally endorsed and declared that Joice Mujuru will succeed President Robert Mugabe.
A journalist, one Jeffrey Moyo had claimed that Mutasa had revealed that Mujuru will succeed Mugabe.
Mutasa is said to have made the revelation while responding to mounting reports that Simba Makoni, leader of Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn, was set to bounce back in Zanu (PF) as a possible replacement for Mugabe.
But Mr Mutasa on Thursday night told ZimEye  he has no authority to endorse or declare Mugabe’s successor as alluded, adding that there is no need for speculation or consultation since at present moment Joice Mujuru stands as the obvious successor to the President.
“Well, the young man who I was talking to had asked me a question which required that answer; Because I was simply telling him that we are not ourselves thinking about  who succeeds Comrade Mugabe and should that become necessary, we have our own Vice President Mai Mujuru and we do not need any other person,” he said.

When asked  by our reporter for further clarity on declaring  that Joice Mujuru should succeed President Mugabe Mr Mutasa replied:
“No I haven’t got that authority. I was simply stating that at the present moment, any thinking person should  not ask us who should succeed Cde Mugabe because the obvious answer is its Mai Mujuru because she is the Vice President,” he said.
 
According to an August 2011 Wikileaks item, Dumiso Dabengwa, a former senior Zanu (PF) member who now leads a revived Zapu party after briefly working with Makoni in MKD, indicated to the US Embassy in Harare that it was likely that the former Finance Minister would return to Zanu (PF).
But Mutasa dismissed the speculative reports, saying: “Leaders of Zanu (PF) are appointed by Zanu (PF) and Dabengwa is not a member of Zanu (PF).
“It is a figment of his imagination that Makoni would be invited to succeed Mugabe,” said Mutasa.
Unverified reports claim that President Robert Mugabe has indicated intentions to step down soon after next year’s elections which the party believes he will win, shortly before handing down power to a chosen future leader now believed to be Mujuru.
But there are other claims that Mugabe’s long time blue eyed boy Emmerson Mnangagwa who is currently Defence minister, is also leading a strong underground faction which stands to threaten Joice Mujuru’s chances to sit at the horns of power.
Both Didymus Mutasa and spokesman Rugare Gumbo have however in the past voiced that Mujuru was better positioned than Mnangagwa to succeed Mugabe because of hierarchy. The country’s current constitution stipulates that in the event that Mugabe dies in office or is incapacitated, Mujuru as the first Vice-President, assumes power for 90 days before elections are held.

Ex Ellis Robins Boys and Mabelreign Girls High school students are set for a special meeting with the legislator for Harare West, Jessie Majome in London’s borough of Barking on Saturday.
Jessie Majome who is visiting the UK this week, told ZimEye that she hopes to engage former students from the two schools in a way that could assist the improvement of service and educational conditions.
The meeting is set for The Thatched House pub in Ripple Road, IG11 9PG next to A13 in Barking at 1PM.
MP Majome’s visit comes amid concerns  raised on the condition of Harare’s Ellis Robins and Mabelreign Girls High schools with Ellis Robins once known as one Harare’s most prestigious government schools in particular being noted for poor educational facilities, dirty toilets, a school that has been reduced to a virtual grassland. (Photos below).
On the other hand Mabelreign Girls High has been noted for a number of issues including random dismissals of school children on petty charges.
-Photos by Ulanda Nkonjera-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTACTS:
Mike Mudyiwa – 07917288773
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(Harare)The long-awaited report from a police investigation on allegations of the murder of Munashe Banda, a 13 year old boy at Prince Edward High school, has been completed and is now under the scrutiny of Minister David Coltart and other senior officials.
13 year old Munashe Banda was found dead with his body floating in a swimming pool at Prince Edward School, one of Zimbabwe’s most prestigious government schools.
A senior staff member in Coltart’s office confirmed to ZimEye about the completion of the report adding that it would only be made avaliable to the public after the official review of the facts and police conclusions on what exactly transpired. In any case family members would have that option either to have the information shared with the nation or request a respect for their privacy.
According to Minister Coltart’s office, the Education ministry has to date received a number of complaints about Prince Edward School. “Some of these came through the radio,” the official said..
A separate investigation was at the time of writing being conducted by the police.
In brief, unconfirmed commentaries on this issue have pointed to bullying as the probable cause of the Munashe’s death. This assertion has however been dismissed by the School Headmaster, Mr. Agrippa Sora, see:  Headmaster dismisses murder rumours at Prince Edward High School. ZimEye will update readers when the report is finally released to the public.

A journalist and photographer working for the Daily News paper, who is known for photographing self-styled war veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba while in fluid dance moves, was arrested yesterday while covering a story on Monday.
Watson Ufumeli, was taken by the police law and order section while covering a raid by members of the police force on the offices of the Counselling Services Unit (CSU) in Harare.
Police officers had swooped into the officies of the CSU and arrested the workers.
The officers raided the offices in search of what they said was offensive and subversive material.
His arrest has been condemned by leading lawyers.
Prominent media lawyer, Alec Muchedehama, castigated Ufumeli’s arrest stating that “the laws in Zimbabwe are not friendly to the practice of journalism or the free flow of information.”
Ofumeli was taken to Harare Central Police station where he was briefly detained and only released after being forced to delete the pictures that he had taken. He was arrested together with five CSU members of staff, the media institute of Southern African, MISA said in a statement
Daily News group editor, Stanely Gama described Ofumeli’s arrest  as an assault on press freedom.

(Harare)Harare residents took to the streets today in protest at the Council’s ‘heavy hand’ as they petitioned a change of policies in which they demand an end to sewer bursts, no-refuse collection and other ills committed by the Harare city council.
This also comes after City Council recently began issuing final demands and eviction orders to residents in the face of dirty sewage contaminated drinking water together other abnormalities which have continued for years in Zimbabwe’s capital.
The demonstration which saw the handing over of a petition signed by 3 000 residents on these demands, began Tuesday morning at 9am as the Hararians demanded that “water should be made available to every citizen, not the current situation where most suburbs do not have any running water.”

Contrary to reports in the media at the weekend which claimed Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is on honeymoon in the United Kingdom, the PM has not been on any private visit to Europe as claimed, ZimEye has been told.
Last week senior aides told ZimEye early on Thursday the PM was travelling to the UK and Brussels for an official visit.
When contacted again Sunday one official who declined being identified asked, “Who on earth would go to a cold rough country for a honeymoon? There was no need for that to be raised and the journalist even reported that they were unverified rumours.”

Speculation against Tsvangirai reached another peak at the weekend because of the rumours as news readers accused Tsvangirai of insensitivity based on the news reports. This was following an accident in which Tsvangirai‘s spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka was involved in a near-fatal accident as he visited his rural home in Domboshawa. More

Exiled writer Tendai Frank Tagarira has won European recognition for his recent film “A Can Of Worms” which makes fun of President Robert Mugabe’s leadership.
Tagarira (pictured on stage-right) won a special jury prize award at the the prestigious French Nice Film Festival. for his anti-Mugabe animation clip A Can of Worms which as he states, “narrates a story of a boy resistance against an iron fist dictatorship and a delusional dictator, who seeks to suppress an imaginary rebellion by a bumble bee.”
At a ceremony in France attended largely by Europeans, Tagarira who had travelled from his home in Denmark, was surprised as his award was being announced to be greeted with a special birthday welcome as delegates suddenly began singing: “happy birthday happy birthday happy birthday”. He gave a short speech shortly after and then received a 1600Euros award.
He narrates his account:
“Suddenly, as I was walking up to the stage, the crowd began to sing ‘happy birthday’ for me. I was speechless. I had spoken to some French journalists earlier about the film and mentioned that it was actually my birthday on award night. The jury were not aware of this, but they also joined the crowd in wishing me happy birthday.

“So many emotions went through me as I gave a short acceptance speech, before turning over the microphone to my co-director, Vitor. Later the judges told us they rarely nominated animations but that the story and art in our film touched them deeply. They were honored that such an unlikely artistic collaboration and journey was participating in their esteemed festival.”
 
No Financial Assistance
Tagarira said his film was completed with no financial support whatsoever. He said shortly after the ceremony:
“We had no financial support at all to make the film. In both Denmark and Portugal (where the co- director, Vitor Lopes, comes from) we were denied cultural financial support for this film.
“But that did not stop us. Our passion to make the film and tell the story was greater. So we worked for the whole year of 2011 to make the 8 minutes of animation. It’s a difficult story to tell and if this film were screened in Zimbabwe, I would lose my head to those bent on suppressing freedom of speech due to the political satirical nature of the film,” he said.
Rejected in Africa
However Tagarira’s film is yet to enter the African’s TV markets and the Denmark based writer said a board in Zanzibar snubbed it on the grounds of its politically charged contents. Over a 9 month period to date, the film hit a record popularity mark of 1630 hits on the Google’s Youtube video service.

No hair cut until Mugabe is removed
In 2010 Tagarira vowed never to cut his hair until the day of Mugabe’s death and his film is believed to be an expression of his inner convictions.
TRAILER VIDEO:

(Harare)The Headmaster of Prince Edward High school in Harare has dismissed rumours which claim that a form one 13-year-old student Munashe Banda, who was the found drowned in a swimming pool, may have been murdered at the school last week.
His comments come after the police launched a murder investigation following the advice of a post mortem on the child’s body.
Mr Agrippa Sora told our reporter on Monday that he was a witness to the pathologist’s announcement of the findings which according to him do not point to murder but rather to an accident as the body was being dragged out of the pool.
“Yes I was there when the pathologist gave his findings; the relatives were there and the findings were he died of asphyxia caused by drowning,” he said.
About allegations of physical bodily harm on the student, Mr Sora said “It is not true that he (Banda) died of physical attack.”
“That’s not true,” he said.
“The pathologist indicated that there were bruises on the forehead, and on his back. These were bruises not a deep gash, as indicated by the media. These were bruises, and the pathologist just said the police should just investigate and see where the bruises came from. And our understanding is the body as it was being retrieved from the water, that may have caused the bruises. These were bruises not wounds, not gashes.”
A relative of Munashe who attended the funeral was however quoted stating, “We don’t think he drowned, but we suspected from the injuries he had on his body that he was assaulted before being thrown into the pool.”

Headmaster also denies bullying allegations
Mr Sora also rejected allegations that bullying increased at the school in recent months as alleged by an unnamed former student.
The state media at the weekend reported that a “concerned former PE pupil ‘Alex’ ” who reportedly raised his fears saying,”Having been an old boy of the school it pains me when I see things going haywire and disorderly at my school. Now, I had the priviledge of working with Mr Atkinson who is the headmaster and I know he has the school at heart but it is the parents that I am worried about and the children they are bringing.”
Mr Sora however said:
“That’s not true at all. Whatever incident is reported is taken quickly. And all these cases come to the attention of the headmaster. We are building a child friendly school. So there is no room for the bullying you are referring to because we are a child friendly school.”
 
Any other incidences of drowning in the past?
Asked if any other such incidences of drowing had occurred at the school in recent years, Mr Sora replied saying he only began work in September this year, therefore he would not know anything that transpired before his tenure as school head.

Harare(ZimEye)The dreaded violent Chipangano group leader Jimmy Kunaka is listed on the roll of special guests of Civic Society members at COPAC’s All Stakeholders Conference being held in Harare today, ZimEye can reveal.
ZimEye can reveal that Kunaka is listed delegate number 46 on the COPAC list of CSOs. The list which is not necessarily in numeric order places Kunaka together with another lady on a parallel column also number 46.
Kunaka who has not denied enginering the group has been the subject of several media reports as the ring leader of violent attacks on commuters in Mbare and the rest of Harare.
He travels with a bodyguard who will also require a seat at the special conference.
In a recent interview with the Fingaz, he at first denied links with the group but would before the end of the very same interview accept leading the group.

ZANU PF secretary Didymus Mutasa has been on record openly blasting Kunaka’s group and linking it with the party calling anyone who denied a liar.
“We hear that there are some people who are harassing commuters and  commuter  operators in the name of the party,” Mutasa said, admitting  the group was losing the party support in city. He told one Cde Midzi:
“Cde Midzi if you tell me that you don’t know that group, I will  tell you  that you are lying. Instead, I want to know what is not ending  it,” said Mutasa.
The All Stakeholders Conference begins today Monday and is part of COPAC’s constitution making process.
(ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

Q: For how many months have you been running this program?
Den Moyo: We have been running the campaign since Jan 2012.
Q: The name 21st February Movement, does it not conflict with the historic 21st February Movement which honours President Robert Mugabe’s birthday?
Den Moyo: The name 21st Movement is derived from the fact that we hold our protest demonstrations on the 21st of each month. It is also informed by the fact that we live in the 21st century. As for the name being somewhat similar to Bob’s movement is neither here nor there.
Q: Could this not be an open ridicule of Mugabe and ZANU PF?
Den Moyo: Yes it does, it is intended to highlight the duplicity in Zanu PF as regards to the implementation of the GPA.
Q: Are you not concerned how this movement could offend those MDC supporters(if any) who may still value President Mugabe’s contribution to the creation of the nation?
Den Moyo: Our struggle as I understand it is to bring change, democracy and liberty to Zimbabwe. Mugabe in my opinion is the Chief Propagator of all that’s evil in Zimbabwe. I do not.   ENDS
(ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

There was drama at the Civic Society Leaders’ indaba on the constitution when a prominent ZANU PF businessman, Danny Musukuma, was barred entry and denied registration for the All Stakeholders Conference whose preparations began at the luxurious Pandhari lodge meeting in Harare.
Musukuma who three days ago Wednesday sought an emergency interdict from the High Court to bar the holding of the conference demanding the release of the National Statistical Report, was told:
“haudiwe pano mudhara – you are not needed here,” according to witnesses of the incident at the Pandhari Lodge.
The drama was enhanced as Musukuma arrived strolling confidently just before it was revealed and confirmed that he had been sent by his ZANU PF party.
COPAC chair Paul Mangwana confirmed the turning away of Musukuma and that his party ZANU PF was behind the businessman’s stint.
“Yes I can certainly confirm Mr Musukuma arrived for accreditation after having been forwarded by the Harare province of my party. He felt that since he is suing Copac and fighting against the conference he can have his cake and eat it. I advised him to seek an order from the High Court because Copac could not accredit him to the same process he is fighting.
“The only logical thing was to stop and let him have his day in court. His court case is ill-conceived, mischievous and without merit,” said Mangwana.
“If every Tom, Dick and Harry is allowed to sue Copac, we are allowing Copac to have 13 million suits. We as managers of the process will not be disturbed by such mischief to distract us and we have assigned our lawyers (Dzimba, Jaravaza and Partners) to look into the matter as we move to the conference.”

“The problem we realised in the 1st ASC is that some civil society organisations were seemingly belonging to particular political parties. This is why we approached political parties to assist in identifying civil society across the political board. There is perception that we have not adhered to the 70-30 [representation stipulation] of which we did because 571 seats are to be civil society delegates and about 200 are political parties. We never promised to take all 300 organisations submitted, when the list was recieved from NANGO and Crisis we realised that 60 of these were already acreditted under other means of engagement. We have increased civil society seats from 571 to 671. For every 2 delegates submitted by NANGO and CRISIS only one will be acreditted,” he said.
The indaba was held between Thursday and Friday 18th- 19th October 2012 and carried the theme “Our Country, our input, our constitution.” It was convened to provide civil service organisations with a platform for analysis of the COPAC draft constitution against CSOs minimum demands on process and content; to facilitate CSOs consensus building on the COPAC draft constitution, and too identify key issues, strategies and areas of engagement with COPAC and the 2nd All Stakeholders Conference.
Several key community leaders spoke at the indaba who include among others, ROHR Zimbabwe chair Grace Mupfurutsa, and former Mavambo Kusile Dawn founding member Ibbo Mandaza. (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

(Harare)The case of missing exam papers being investigated by the ministry of Education and Sport together with the exam board Zimsec took a new twist on Thursday afternoon after a report narrated that a disgruntled prostitute snatched the important batch of papers from the named headmaster after he had allegedly failed to pay up for pleasuring himself on her.
The report published by a UK based paper written by one Zwanai Sithole quoted sources at the Ministry of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture provincial offices in Bulawayo, stating that Zimhuno lost the examination papers at a local lodge where he had booked with a lady of the night.
“What really happened is that after collecting the examinations papers from Zimsec, Zimhuno booked at a local lodge with a prostitute. He left the papers which were sealed in khaki paper at the lodge’s reception and the woman noticed this,” said a source at the provincial education offices.
The source according to the report says the following morning, the unidentified woman demanded her dues from Zimhuno but the headmaster allegedly reneged on his promise. Instead, he gave her half of the amount which they had earlier agreed on.
After that, the source said the woman left the room in a huff, leaving Zimhuno fast asleep. She reportedly went to the lodge’s reception and took the examination papers as compensation for the shortfall.
“When the headmaster woke up and became sober he went to reception and was told that the examination papers had been taken by the woman.
After realizing the gravity of his negligence, he cooked up the version that the papers were lost in a public transport” said another source.  The Zimbabwe School Examination Council (Zimsec) has already cancelled the affected papers and will have to reset the examinations at a cost of $850 000.

 
Zimsec has standard procedure
Meanwhile Zimsec has defended itself for the handling of the matter stating that they continue to upholding a standard procedure.
The exam body’s information and public relations manager Ezekiel Pasipamire told ZimEye:
“Yes, ZIMSEC has a standard procedure for sending out exam question papers. We have question paper collection points in each district where ZIMSEC hands over question papers to the Ministry Officials (headmasters).  This procedure is not new and it has been followed for years.”
 
The body however acknolwedged that they have stopped utilising registered secure postal services:
“No, we don’t use registered post for sending out examination question papers. We used to use action packs from ZIMPOST for the return of written scripts but we have since stopped,” she said.
She also added that it is normal for headmasters to collect the exam papers in person:
“It is very normal for a Headmaster to collect scripts on behalf of the school, after that it is not ZIMSEC’S policy to find or organise transport for the Heads to reach their schools. This is what all headmasters do and looking at all the 2 118 Ordinary Level centres it means 2 117 headmasters
managed to take their question papers to their respective schools as usual,” she said. (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

London(ZimEye)The head of the Matebeleland Liberation Organisation (MLO), Paul Siwela has thrown his weight into the 2013 elections subject triggered last week by Zimbabwe’s justice minister Patrick Chinamasa, by putting forward his proposition that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai cannot take over from Robert Mugabe without bloodshed.
Paul Siwela who was once incarcerated and falsely charged for treason for his views for a free Matebeleland, told ZimEye on Monday the only solution to bring out a free Zimbabwe is by creating a round table for the various political stakeholders.

“Morgan cannot take power without bloodshed; and blanket amnesty to Zanu PF would be a dangerous precedent not in Zimbabwe but (also) other third world countries; the solution (thus) lies in a round table between Zim and aggrieved parties that include Matebeles, white farmers, and so on,” he said.
Siwela went further to elaborate on the stakeholders he proposes should be involved:
“The players are Zanu PF on one side and the other are Matebeles, white farmers primarily, and then others are in Zanu PF and other political parties. Without a roundtable, apologies, reparations, forgiveness there would never be stability,” Siwela said.
Siwela suggestions come as a confirmation to recent open threats by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa who said that Tsvangirai is asking for trouble by going for elections with hopes of winning the ballot.
“He [Tsvangirai] cannot win. He has been campaigning and mobilising against the interests of Zimbabweans on many issues, whether talking about land, seeking to reverse the gains of the liberation struggle.
“And this is where the military comes in…. Young people participated in the liberation struggle to gain control over our resources. Many friends died and are buried in unmarked graves.
“Now if anyone is going to say: ‘When I come into power I’m going to reverse that,’ they [the military] have every right to say: ‘Please – you are asking for trouble. You will be asking for trouble.’
“He [Tsvangirai] will be asking for trouble to seek to reverse the land reform programme. There is no-one who is going to accept any enslavement.”

Zanu PF has long accused Tsvangirai of being a front for the interests of Western countries as well as white former commercial farmers still nursing a sense of grievance over the takeover of their farms for re-distribution to landless blacks.

“And if those countries impose for him to win, that result will not be acceptable. We will not accept it. We will just not accept it. Isn’t that clear?,” said Chinamasa.
(ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

It was all theatre and drama at the MDC-T’ party’s Harvest house offices in Harare after Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Tuesday suddenly fired senior aides of his MDC-T party.
Sources told ZimEye Tuesday afternoon:
“Hot development – Ian Makone has been demoted. James Maridadi and Muriritirwa cast onto the streets.
The commander in chief then in turn militantly brought to Harvest house Mudzingwa who was fighting with Makone.”
Speculation was rife that this development is a direct result of personal pressure from Tsvangirai’s new wife Elizabeth now popularly referred to as ‘Queen Elizabeth’.

 

 

 

When approached for a comment, Tsvangirai’s spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka simply replied:
“The Prime Minister reserves the right to reorganise his office staff, restructure cabinet deployments and as MDC leader can re-order party deployments. If what you are saying is true, then that means there will be a formal statement soon. That’s all we are saying for now.”

 

ZIMBABWE’s minister of energy Elton Mangoma has been arrested on charges that he allegedly insulted President Robert Mugabe at a rally more than seven months ago, in March.
Mangoma was whisked away while at work by several policemen at just after 3PM on Wednesday and he was immediately taken in for interrogation.
At the time of writing he was still in police custody and the duration he is to stay under the police was known.

An MDC-T employee who declined being named  told ZimEye the arrest was a shock but is not a surprise.
“This is certainly a shock but its not surprising considering this only 2 days after Minister Mangoma ordered that Chisumbanje villagers must be compensated for their losses.
ZANU PF are not happy with the strong stance that the honourable minister has stood for justice of the poor people,” he said.
It was also not clear (at the time of writing) which rally the police allege Mangoma uttered insults against the president.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights NGO have now appointed prominent lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa to represent the minister.
Mangoma’s popularity in Manicaland has risen sharply against President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF party in recent months after he led various successful community projects which benefit all political parties and these include mortuary, education and other key community accessories.

Harare(ZimEye)Former tertiary education minister who died suddenly last week, Stan Mudenge ‘s body has been taken to Harare where he is due to be laid rest at the National Heroes shrine in Warren Park, Harare.
The historian Minister Mudenge took his final journey on earth as his body was flown to Harare on an airforce helicopter on Sunday afternoon in preparation for a national burial at the ZANU PF controlled heroes shrine.
Government vehicles were lined up Monday morning to take his body past Belvedere and Meirick Park suburbs towards the heroes acre.
The body was taken to One Commando Barracks as is common with all state burial processions.

Meanwhile President Robert Mugabe spoke praises of Mudenge who has risen through the ranks first as a foreign secretary at independence before ascending to the post of a cabinet minister. Addressing mourners, Mugabe said Dr Mudenge will go down the history of Zimbabwe as one of the founding crop of bureaucrats, who despite little knowledge and exposure, took over the running of government ministries when the country attained independence in 1980.
“Dr Mudenge was one of the first leaders of independent Zimbabwe. He did a lot of work for the development of this country, especially in the education sector, where he excelled as a historian and educationist. He is well known in all countries he has visited both as a student and as a teacher,” Mugabe said while at the Mudenge family house in Harare.
Speaking soon before a Roman Catholic church mass at the family house Mugabe said Mudenge will be remembered for his outstanding work in the education and diplomatic sectors how Mudenge stood to defend Zimbabwe’s stance on the land reform program.

HARARE(ZimEye)Barely with six months after President Robert Mugabe’s motorcade killed two soldiers of his escort team in a road traffic accident another police officer reportedly died after crashing into a haulage truck on Wednesday morning at the Sam Levy’s village, a few kilometers from Mugabe’s house.
According to eyewitnesses the motorcycle collided with the truck and immediately caught fire, before being reduced to ashes with the outrider dying on the spot.
Speaking in a telephone interview the police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the incident to ZimEye but could not give further details as she said investigations were still underway to establish the number of casualties and the cause of the accident.
“Yes I can confirm that such an accident did occur involving the Presidential motorcade at around 10 today in the morning, investigations are still in progress to establish the cause and the number of casualties have not been disclosed yet,” said Ass Comm Charamba.

In June this year, Mugabe’s motorcade had three accidents in just about three weeks killing more than five people and injuring several others in a spate of accidents resulting in him having to buy a new fleet of cars for his escort.
Mugabe typically travels with an escort of more than 10 vehicles, including the presidential limousine, a Mercedes Benz, motorcycles, army vehicles and an ambulance that is specifically for him and not for other members of his escort.(ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

Harare (ZimEye) – The United States ambassador designate to Zimbabwe, David Bruce Wharton has said he is deeply honoured to be appointed to Zimbabwe by President Barack Obama and is very excited at the prospect of returning to a country where he and his family lived and worked a decade ago.
“My family and I lived, worked and learned in Zimbabwe a decade ago, and returning would be a new stage in our lives. We are excited with this opportunity to work with all of you again,” said United States Ambassador Designate to Zimbabwe, David Bruce Wharton in a message ahead of his arrival.
Ambassador Wharton was sworn in on September 10th and is expected in the country this week.
Wharton spoke of the common heritate shared between Zimbabwe and the US , ‘Americans and Zimbabweans have so much in common: family, faith, hard work and love of the land which sustains our countries’ shared agricultural roots’.

“We all deserve it (justice) and we all need strong institutions to defend and administer it.
“Nations prosper when all people are equal before the law. Zimbabweans and Americans have both fought for justice, know how important it is and know that it requires constant nurturing,” Wharton said in a recorded messages sent to reporters by the US Embassy in Harare.
Zimbabwe has a long history of gross human rights abuses sponsored by the state that stretches back to its pre-independence Rhodesian times. Selective application of the law has also been an issue over the past decade with the controlling party ZANU PF standing accused.
Wharton, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, was previously Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of African Affairs at the Department of State. He joined the Bureau of African Affairs in 2009 as Director of the Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, after a two-year assignment as Deputy Coordinator of the Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs.
Wharton says he is excited about the prospect of returning to Zimbabwe and looks forward to meeting, learning about and working with all sectors of Zimbabwean society.
“I will work to enable Zimbabwe to become a just, prosperous and democratic state that meets the needs of its people, contributes to development in the region, and plays an important role in world affairs.”
Wharton’s additional overseas assignments include posts in Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and South Africa.
VIDEO:

(ZimEye, Zimbabwe)

Oregon(ZimEye)A US tourist visiting Zimbabwe was arrested before he was to meet Vice President Joice Mujuru, then made to endure a gruelling four days in the Harare remand prison and later deported without a charge.
Paul Sivley, who is also a photographer, hoped to meet Joice Mujuru and other local women of repute, power and influence “in order to highlight accomplishments of Zimbabwean women.”
But after successful interviews with only 3 women, Sivley met the wrath of the CIO and senior law enforcement agents as he encountered unfair arrest, illegal detention, the denial of medication and other basic rights and finally deportation. He was kept in a room and interrogated for hours before they took all his belongings including his camera and laptop.
Joice Mujuru has in recent months come under watch of the CIO after top secret wikileaks cables revealed she went behind her boss Robert Mugabe and engaged in secret meetings with a top US envoy based in Harare. The US man says he was not aware that the CIOs were monitoring Joice Mujuru especially after reports of her leaking state secrets to a US envoy, so for an American citizen to meet her, it would be a serious security matter.
“Oh, boy, had no idea about that. My naivety and/or insufficient knowledge,” he told ZimEye.
Sivley says he failed to complete his interviews after being targeted and quizzed on why he wanted to specifically meet the HON VP Joice Mujuru.

 
“…they really focussed on why I wanted to meet the VP, and I said cause some consider her an inspirational woman!,” he said.
“Sad thing is that I couldn’t meet but 3 of the inspirational women I wanted to feature,” he told ZimEye.
The US citizen, a photographer who currently serves as vice-chair of a social empowerment organisation in Mutare planned to create a photographic story about inspirational women in the country who could serve as role models for younger women. In the past Sivley who carries a strong passion for photography, and specialises in portraits, architectural and travel/editorial imagery, has for years served the Zimbabwean community in Oregon.
 
Only white person at Heroes Acre
Sivley successfully attended the recent national heroes commemoration at the heroes acre in Harare in August without being victimised despite being the only white foreigner apart from foreign envoys present there. He revealed to ZimEye that it was only after he sought to see The HON Vice President Joice Mujuru that he was targeted, otherwise his colour of skin could not have affected the CIO agents.
“I can’t say I was targeted as white, but I was easy to pick out of all the people at the Heroes Day celebration since I was the only white in the audience beyond embassy officials.”
 
Police abuse
Soon after the heroes celebration, Sivley says he was subjected to 7-15 hour interrogations by various officers, including Commissioner Augustine Chihuri, spent four continuous nights in the remand prison and was shouted at and threatened with beatings by notorious police torturer, Henry Dowa of the CID Law and Order section.
“…Visa cancelled Aug 19, had to leave immediately. Despite the fact they couldn’t make any charges stick. Officer Dowa at CID Harare Central Station is someone who is on the edge,” he told ZimEye
He was cleared of charges before returning to the US.
“Immigration cleared me of charges before any court proceedings,” he said.
Sively adds that he was not only denied food and water, but he was also refused his heart medicine. Besides the physical abuse, he had his equipment and goods worth about USD20, 000 confiscated by the police and was neither given a copy of the inventory.
“At no time over the three days were we offered any breaks, water or food. I was never told the name of any police officers. I was never advised where we were going when we were in transit, with the exception of when two officers went with me to search my room,” he said.
“It was clear during the long interrogation that the officers were hunting for some charge they might be able to make stick – be it alleging I was a journalist, that I should have had a business visa, not a tourist visa, and various other lines of inquiry.
“I was subjected to questions ranging from my marital status, my religion, who I was working for, why I had picked women to focus on, and much more. Officers ridiculed my mention of a female farmer as the inspiration for this project, questioned why I had ‘a woman who did absolutely nothing of importance’. At about midnight on August 15, I was charged with the business/tourist visa matter,” he said.
 
No strip search
Sivley says that the police did not strip search him something he finds to be unusual since if the police were genuinely concerned about discovering more about him, they would have performed a more thorough search instead of just targeting his belongings.
“I’m just typing some trip notes and one thing I recall is that even though they searched me, my room, my backpack, etc, they never did a strip search. Is that normal? Seemed a shortfall from their perspective, frankly?,” he said.
  
Prisoners were happier than the prison-guards
Sivley has said that during his stay he found that prisoners were actually happier and in better spirits than the guards themselves.
“They tried to toss a bunch of phony charges at me, all cleared, but visa cancelled. 4 nights prison; they kept my equipment. But prison inmates had higher morals than the cops…,”  he said.
 
Caught lice and ringworm
“On my second night in remand, I caught lice from the wool blankets and ringworm from the showers, as verified by doctors in the US on my return. On August 18, at about 9am, I was escorted out of the cell to two waiting immigrations officer who, after some delay, said I had been cleared of the visa charge, but that my visa had been cancelled and they were taking me to the airport immediately.”
 “I stayed on the concrete floor with my head one foot from a concrete toilet and my feet at a drafty door,” he said. “One of the key observations I made was that there was absolutely no communication between CID, immigration or prison officials.
“Clearly, there are prisoners who merit different treatment after being convicted of serious crimes, but I was housed with non-convicted prisoners, many accused of minor crimes, who enjoyed no rights, procedures, information or basic health standards. I noticed that the absence of rules or procedures was even worse and more arbitrary in police cells than at remand.”
Sively has said he hopes to contact the Home Affairs Ministers Theresa Makone and Kembo Mohadi about his ordeal. His equipment has now been released, but the cost to ship it to America is very expensive. (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

Coventry(ZimEye)Restoration Of Human Rights organisation, ROHR, continues to roar and will be loaching an innovative IT communications project for human rights activists soon.
ROHR has announced venturing into a new Information Technology offensive which will engage the latest mobile communication technologies available.
Addressing a crowd at the group’s annual comemoration in a Saturday party function at Coventry, the organisation’s chair, Grace Mupfurutsa announced plans to use Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) systems.

“As we get towards elections, we intend to get activists on the ground communicating in the easiest and cheapest technologies possible. This will involve the latest 4G and 3G tech platforms, SMS, MMS, USSD, VoIP, and WAP ” she said.
Despite the organisation encountering problems with expelled fraudster Ephraim Tapa, none of the Tapa’s unscrupulous activities have affected the group’s growth. Members from various parts of the UK, southern, northern, and other remote locations of the country coverging at Coventry for their annivesary, heard of the NGO’s leap into technology. The party began from 2PM and stretched all the way into midnight. Photos:

The family of a young woman killed in a fatal road traffic collision on the M62 has paid tribute to her in a death that has been blamed on a Zimbabwean asylum seeker, Mr Wilfred Museka, aged 31, of Powell Street, Clayton.
Mr Museka driving a vehicle in the wrong direction on the motorway hit into a vehicle carrying Rebecca Caine, reports allege. Rebecca Caine, known as Becky, aged 20 from Leeds, died when the Chevrolet Matiz she was travelling in was involved in the head-on collision with Museka’s Renault Megane on the M62 eastbound near to junction 21.

Wilfred Museka, aged 31, of Powell Street, Clayton, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, fraud by false representation, driving without insurance and driving other than in accordance with a driving licence.
He is due to appear at Minshull Street Crown Court on 8 October 2012.
In a tribute from the family, they said: “As you can imagine our lives are shattered and our hearts are broken into pieces.
“She was a beautiful girl with her whole life ahead of her. She was embarking on a modelling career and would be finishing her final year of her business degree at Leeds University.
“Rebecca was a bright light that attracted everything to her with her infectious laugh and her beaming smile.
“She saw the best in everyone and was loved by hundreds of friends.
“The worst part is the emptiness and the total waste of a beautiful life. She was only 20 when she died.
“She was our little girl now she is our little angel. Something somewhere has failed us.
“We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the police and other services for helping us through this difficult time.”
The driver of the Matiz and two other passengers suffered minor injuries.
Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741.

London(ZimEye)Zimbabwe’s Paralympic team together with the support staff were made to endure a gruelling long 8 kilometre journey outside Central London after the Zim embassy decided to cancel their send off party-venue having learnt that Mavambo Kusile Dawn party leader Simba Makoni would be present at the function.
The party held last week ended up being abruptly shifted within less than 48 hours’ notice after embassy officials discovered that Simba Makoni had also been invited to the farewel function held for the sporting heroes. As a result of the embassy’s unexplained actions the function was poorly attended and venue facilities were not accomodative for disabled people.
A source told ZimEye soon after the party:
“The ambassador was afraid that if Simba was going to come to the embassy, it was going to be an issue(with Harare). The row was that Makoni is not in government but how come he has been suddenly invited to the function; That is the reason why the ambassador cancelled the venue.”

 
Ambassador snubbed meeting
Coincidentally, the ambassador was not seen at the function and when contacted on the day, embassy officials claimed that he had travelled for an urgent family meeting in Birmingham. At the previous function for the Olympians, the ambassador was however present including several government officials and the splash party was held at the posh embassy building at The Strand in Central London. But at the paralympians’ function only one official was present- a young Mr Donald Charumbira.
While the fundraiser for the Olympic team weeks before had over 250 people attend, this time around ZDOSN managed an audience of a paltry less than 70.
 
Envoy later escorted the team to airport
It turned out that the ambassador later escorted the paralympians to the airport.
“You will note that the ambassador later even decided to escort the paralympians to the airport on their way to Harare,” the official who declined to be named said.
No reason given for the cancellation
To date no valid reason has been provided for the cancellation and several calls to Mr Donald Charumbira the embassy official’s mobile phone, were neither answered nor returned.
“They just wrote to us that they were cancelling the function at the last minute , but did not explain the reasons for it. As a result we had to put in our own private money to hold the function,” one of the organisers told ZimEye in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.
 
Paralympians demand recognition
The venue being a 8kilometres stretch away was not suitable for disabled people and the choice of the stage was neither wheelchair accessible.
Lewis Garaba, the Chef de Mission for the Paralympians was later seen taking an indirect swipe at the organisers for the shocker. He joked stating that “maybe next time Zimbabwe Diaspora Olympic Support Network (ZDOSN) could include Paralympians to their organisation’s name?” Other issues raised were that the function was poorly attended with 14 tables but only 8 occupied. The low turn out meant that only £2700 was raised and the 2 Paralympians Nyasha Mharakurwa and Elliot Mujaji, are to receive only £400 each. The organisation may have  suffered a loss as overheads amounted to £1900, £100 short of the hall hire, £2000.
Efforts to obtain an additional comment from the ambassador were fruitless at the time of writing. (ZIMBABWE,ZimEye)

PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has proceeded with his wedding to Elizabeth Macheka on Saturday under customary laws, a day after a court cancelled his marriage licence.
Tsvangirai decided to circumvent the order by staging the wedding under the country’s customary law which allows a man to have as many wives as he wants.
“We respect the law; we don’t violate the law but there are other people who would like to abuse the law for their political ends.

More photos below…

“I think I will make it to the Guinness Book of Records as the first Zimbabwean to be denied the right to wed.”
Tsvangirai rubbished his critics saying despite the attacks on his character, he will die with Elizabeth: “Some have a chain of wives and some took other people’s spouses. So what is my issue?”
This one I hunted on my own and I shall die with her, he said
“Uyu ndakapfimba ndega, ndikaroora ndega and ndichafa naye. Zvichemo zvinoenda nekuna mai ava ndivo amai venyu.”
Below are some of the latest pictures coming out of the ceremony.

A magistrate has blocked Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s planned wedding meant for Saturday ruling that he was already married to a former lover under customary law.
Ms Locardia Tembo’s lawyer, Everson Samkange who announced the Court’s latest ruling said, ‘the marriage licence that had been issued to the premier has been cancelled.’
Morgan Tsvangirai has had a string of women claiming various forms of union with him ranging from mere intimacy, to the traditional customary lobola procedures, and the recent marriage licence for Elizabeth Guma whose planned marriage ceremony has been cancelled. Three women were claiming him – Locardia Karimatsenga Tembo, Elizabeth Guma, and a South African woman, Nosipho Regina Shulubane.
Had it not been for the ruling Tsvangirai would have been tying the knot with Ms Macheka Saturday at Rain­tree Gardens in Umwinsidale, Harare.
Lawyers for Tsvangirai, whose political reputation has been marred by the love wrangles however said they would appeal the ruling. At the time of writing, it was not clear how that appeal would be processed.

Harare(ZimEye)A South African woman filed papers with the Magistrates Court in Harare on Thursday seeking to stop Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s wedding a day after another local woman Locardia Kamutsenga had lost a bid to stop the same wedding in the High Court.
Nosipho Regina Shulubane says she met Tsvangirai in Singapore and they proceeded to have an affair.
She said Tsvangirai promised to marry her.

Shulubane says she has pictures of them spending time on the beach and the sort.
Tsvangirai has been linked with various women since the death of his wife Susan in a car accident a few years ago.
The details of the case read as follows:

• Shilubane filed the urgent application objecting to the pending wedding ceremony between Tsvangirai and Macheka in terms of Section 19 of the Marriages Act Chapter 5:11, through her lawyer Wellington Pasipanodya.
• Pasipanodya filed the papers before regional magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi
• Shikubane is aggrieved that Tsvangirai intends to marry without her knowledge and without finishing outstanding lobola negotiations with her family.
• Shilubane contends she was introduced to Tsvangirai by her pastor, Mr Lazurus Muriritirwa of the Gospel Assembly Church on the 5th of September 2009 in Johannesburg at Monte Casino shopping complex.
• Tsvangirai told Shilubane he was a widower who was looking for a bride to marry and the pastor had said she was a suitable candidate.
• Shilubane visited Zimbabwe between the 18th and 20 of September in 2009 staying at her pastor’s house in Borrowdale.
• Tsvangirai is said to have relocated Shilubane from Yeoville to an upmarket apartment near Sandton Buccleuh, following which they went for a holiday in the Seychelles between 28 of December and 10 January 2010.
• On the 19th of December, Shilubane alleges Tsvangirai asked her to follow him to Gaborone in Botswana, saying he was distressed. She followed and they stayed together in his hotel.
• On the 27th of December 2010, they went together for another love cruise holiday in Singapore for two weeks up to early 2011, on a yacht called the Legend of The Seas.
• In February, Tsvangirai is said to have proposed to marry Shilubane indicating he wanted the ceremony to be conducted in Zimbabwe and Shilubane accepted, advising him that he should first marry her traditionally according to her Tsonga custom.
• After the marriage dates were agreed upon, Shilubane alleges Tsvangirai would shift them saying government commitments were disturbing him.
• Throughout the relationship, the PM did not use condoms. He asked Shilubane to go ‘on the pill’.

_FINAL UPDATE: Tsvangirai wedding to go ahead after High Court ruling 

Harare (ZimEye) Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s supposed wedding with his newly found love Elizabeth Macheka hangs in the balance, after High Court Judge Guvava reserved the judgment on whether it will be a success or not to Wednesday.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s ex-lover Locadia Karimatsenga claims she is legally married to the Premier claiming that they were customarily married with the MDC leader having paid Lobola (dowry).
“Judgment has been reserved to tomorrow, that’s when the court is going to make a ruling. They argued their case and we argued ours as well since 1430hrs and the court resolved that it be rolled over to tomorrow,” said Advocate Innocent Chagonda who is representing Prime Minister Tsvangirai.
As part of his argument, Tsvangirai filed an opposing affidavit arguing that Karimatsenga does not fully understand the provisions of the marriages act.

“In my respectful view, it is very clear that the Applicant has not been properly advised. ……….I invite the Applicant and her advisors to acquaint themselves more fully with the provisions of the Act,” said Tsvangirai in his affidavit.
Tsvangirai further argues that the High Court has no jurisdiction over the case as the magistrate court had already issued a marriage licence.
“Upon receiving any objection, the magistrate who has issued a Marriage License or a Marriage Officer who intends to preside over the marriage is obliged at law to hold an inquiry into the grounds of the objection,” he said.
Tsvangirai attached a copy of the Marriage License issued by Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi on August 27 this year as provided for in the marriages act. The licence,  noteably, bears Tsvangirai’s state provided accommodation as the residential address of both the bride and the bridegroom.
Meanwhile the Premier has also attacked the media for reporting on his private life despite him acknowledging that he lives a public life by virtue of him being Prime Minister. He also rubbished the pictures published in several local papers of Locadia perfoming cultural rites in Buhera as choreographic.
“The cultural rites that took place (in Christon Bank) received wide, well arranged publicity clearly giving rise to a legitimate inquiry on the motive of this publicity, including the choreographed media capture of Ms Karimatsenga while she was supposedly in Buhera,” he said.
Zanu (PF)’s most political flip-floper Jonathan Moyo once referred to Tsvangirai as one who approaches life with ‘an open zip and shut mind policy’. However, Tsvangirai seems to have owned up to his mistakes where as part of his court papers he apologises to Zimbabweans for his actions.
“I apologise to every Zimbabwean for any discomfort caused by any of my actions,” read Tsvangirai’s affidavit.

_FINAL UPDATE: Tsvangirai wedding to go ahead after High Court ruling

-Court Update-  1900Hours  Tuesday 11th September 2012 – CLICK TO READ
-Court Update-  1805Hours   Tuesday 11th September 2012
The decision in the high court chamber application by Locardia Karimatsenga Tembo case versus Morgan Richard Tsvangirai is expected to be announced in the next three hours.
At the time of writing, people were still holed up in the court room. As is the nature of chamber applications, a decision can stretch beyond working hours.
The exact time the decision will be passed was not clear at the time of writing.

Please visit this page again for updates –CLICK TO READ UPDATE

Zimbabwe’s parampic team was treated to a reception by The Zimbabwe Diaspora Olympics Support Network [ZDOSN] at the Irish Centrein Camden town, London.
The 7 September Reception was an opportunity for the Zim community to show support for the two Paralympic athletes, Elliot Mujaji (100 metres) and Nyasha Mharakurwa (wheelchair tennis) who flew the flag for Zimbabwe at the Paralympic Games.
Present at the function were officials from the Zimbabwe National Paralympics Committee and the Zimbabwe Sports and Recreation Commission. There were also a number of former Zimbabwean Olympians, politicians, and also celebrity guests in attendance, including Mavambo Kusile Dawn president Dr Simba Makoni.
Of the paralympians, Elliot Mujaji was not present as he was still in hospital after suffering from an injury during his race.
PHOTOS

A 34 year old Zimbabwean man, Obert Ngwenya, has been arrested by Sussex Police after a woman suffered serious facial injuries in a violent attack in Hove, Sussex.
The attack described as “one of the worst cases of domestic violence” in the area happened at a care home in Hove, reports state.
Ngwenya was arrested on suspicion of kidnap, threats to kill and assault following the incident in New Church Road at around 01:00 on Sunday morning.
The man is also known by another name Obert Moyo.

Detective Inspector Mark Cullimore said: “I would like to thank the public for their assistance in our appeal yesterday which has resulted in the arrest today of a man in connection with the incident. “The victim of the attack continues to recover from the serious injuries she received.”
The man was still in custody at the time of writing. (UK,ZimEye)

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and leader of the MDC-T party has warned of a possible election disaster looming if regional leaders do fail to address the current national political deadlock to do with the draft constitution and deal with President Robert Mugabe and his ZANU PF party.
President Robert Mugabe recently rejected the draft constitution which his legal team approved and signed after a two and half year rigorous consultation process. Soon after the draft constitution was produced, Mugabe’s party then announced that they were not in agreement with its key components resulting in a deadlock.
The MDC leader has cautioned that tampering with the draft constitution could spell disaster for the elections. Tsvangirai has rejected President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party’s proposed amendments to the draft Constitution and is calling for the draft to the taken to the public.
“if this process is collapsed, it will spell doom to the prospects for a credible, free and fair election, ” said Tsvangirai in Harare on Tuesday.
He said the people of Zimbabwe are the real principals and final arbiters who should take the decision in a referendum to accept or throw away the Draft Constitution.
Below was the PM’s statementon the constitution:

—
“Perhaps the most important debate in the country is about the Constitution. I want to make it clear that neither the Principals nor the political parties have any veto power over the Constitution.
Article 6 of the GPA is clear that the Constitution-making process should be driven by Parliament. Some of us have no wish to revise that position and in any case, the Principals cannot renegotiate a document agreed by those with our delegated authority.
We cannot negotiate in perpetuity. This Constitution is a product of years of hard work which included sourcing the views of the people and negotiations between the political parties. So we say no to any attempts to dedicate more time in a process where the country has already committed huge resources and time.
It is time the people made a decision through a referendum and political parties should refrain from pretending to speak on behalf of the people when the people reserve the right to speak for themselves in a referendum.
This draft is a product of careful and painstaking negotiations on a give-and-take basis.
In this referendum, every party should reserve the right to campaign for or against this Constitution because it is high time we gave the people of Zimbabwe the right to make a determination on this important national process. The new draft by our friends in this government is not an amendment to the draft, but a completely new document which is at variance which what the people said. For example, the people were clear on the need for a devolved State but our friends have completely removed any mention of devolution in their new document.
So let’s take the draft Constitution to the people who are the real Principals in this matter. The Principals to the
GPA cannot substitute the sovereign people of Zimbabwe to determine how they should be governed. Let the people of Zimbabwe in a referendum be the final arbiters, not three individuals.
A new Constitution is central to elections and to the reform agenda in Zimbabwe and if this process is collapsed, it will spell doom to the prospects for a credible, free and fair election”
 
ZANU PF restored presidential powers.
Tsvangirai’s cautioning comes as Zanu PF at the weekend convened an emergency meeting where they forced 30 amendments to the document, saying the draft in its current state does not reflect the people’s views.
The Zanu PF draft strengthens presidential powers over parliament including in the right to declare war and explicitly outlaws homosexuality, same sex marriage and dual citizenship. It also scraps a proposed independent prosecuting authority, clauses giving more executive authority to provincial governments and gives complete immunity from prosecution to the president.
Meanwhile Sotuh Africa’s president Jacob Zuma’ currently the SADC appointed mediator arrived in Harare to attend the staelmate over the draft constitution.

In the coming few days ZimEye reveals exclusive secret documents from the CIO headquarters on how President Robert Mugabe’s intelligence organisation strategically planned and framed former ZANU Ndonga leader Ndabaningi Sithole leading to his imprisonment in the 1990s.
Sithole once Robert Mugabe’s boss, went into exile in fear for his life in 1983, and returned to Zimbabwe in 1991.
Soon upon his return he became a thorn in Robert Mugabe’s flesh as his ZANU Ndonga party grew and was elected to Parliament in 1995.
By this time, Mugabe’s government had become deeply unpopular and Sithole’s party proved a small but troublesome thorn in its side.
In 1997 he was swiftly charged, tried and convicted for conspiring to murder Mugabe and disqualified from attending the Harare parliament. His life was troublesome leading to his death in 2000.
ZimEye will offload every single detail letter by letter of how the CIO successfully brought down Robert Mugabe’s former boss, Sithole. (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

Harare(ZimEye)There was a crisis in Harare Monday afternoon after Professor Welshman Ncube was snubbed from the principals meeting yet attended by President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara.
This development goes against a resolution passed at the recent SADC summit which declared Welshman Ncube as the legitimate MDC principal and not Arthur Mutambara.
A furor was also sparked by Arthur Mutambara after he attacked and shouted at Jacob Zuma for snubbing him during a principal’s briefing last week.
The MDC deputy spokesman Kurauone Chihwayi told ZimEye:
“MDC president professor Welshman Ncube was not invited to the meeting of principals today. This did not come as a surprise to all green team members. We shall remain committed to the struggle of delivering a just and fair Zimbabwe. The MDC shall go on a collision course with Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara. We are ready for any storm with all the angels of Lucifer.”
It was not clear if Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was party to the plot to snub Ncube.
What was not also clear was what Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara were meeting for.
Meanwhile president Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba told state media that Prof Ncube’s recognition by SADC as leader of the MDC would not upgrade him to the status of Principal when it comes to Zimbabwe’s Government matters.
“The long and short of all this is that Prof Mutambara remains a Principal in the same way Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is and the same way President Mugabe is.
“He remains so in spite of the Sadc decision, which relates to political parties anyway.”
Mr Charamba said Sadc stressed that for the purposes of its mediation assignments in Zimbabwe, it would now be dealing with leaders of political parties.
(ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

The former US ambassador to Zimbabwe has resigned from government service and will now become a general citizen with everyone else.
Ray told friends from his home on Thursday night that he is changing professions and will now be a journalist.
“I am retiring effective Sep. 1. After that date, I am a private citizen and journalist, no longer a diplomat,” he said.
Ray also issued a statement on his blog stating that: “it is good to be home” in which he also announced that he can now get back to doing what he loves doing.
“I can now get back to doing what I love doing, when I’m not writing or some other activity, riding the Washington Metro Rail observing my fellow passengers. That’s right; like most writers, I am a notorious snoop and eavesdropper, and some of my best characters, plots, and descriptive have come from subway rides. In fact, the subway is probably one of the best places for a writer to observe the human condition. I’ve ridden subways in New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco (not to mention London, Paris, and Stockholm), and each of them has its own unique characteristics. But, for me, the Washington mass transit system has been a gold mine,” he wrote on his online portal.
Charles Ray struck history becoming the first foreign diplomat in Southern African history to engage at personal level local citizens on social communication websites Twitter and Facebook on a wide range of subjects covering various social issues.
Thousands of Zimbabweans began joining him particularly on the social networking website Facebook.
It was not immediately clear what influenced him into resigning at the time of writing. (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

Harare(ZimEye)-ZIMBABWE is set to deploy troops to war-torn Syria as part of a peace keeping mission following a request by the United Nations.
Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa said UN has requested Zimbabwean troops to Damascus.
“The request has come in two ways. First the UN requested us to shift our officers in other countries to Syria. The second request was for us to send another team to Syria which we have already approved,” he said.
He said Zimbabwe will continue to honour UN invitations to participate in peace-keeping mission. Zimbabwe has participated in other war-torn areas like Liberia, Angola and Sierra Leone.
However Mnangagwa did not clarify how the Zimbabwe troops will operate as it has become apparent that UN intervention in Syria was failing.
A special envoy to the UN, Koffi Annan has withdrawn from being the negotiator as rival parties in the country continue to engage in a bitter civil war.
Thousands of people have been killed while others have fled the country to seek refuge in other countries.
There has been suspicion from the warring parties that foreign troops and machinery was being used in by the fighters.(ZimEye, Zimbabwe)
Ends

Gweru(ZimEye)Two of the three Gweru women who last year made international headlines after being caught with 31 used condoms with semen at a road block have been acquitted by a Gweru court.
Rosemary Chakwizira and sisters Sophie and Natsai Nhokwara made headlines last year when they were arrested at a road block after police discovered them with 31 used condoms that had semen in the boot of their car.
This had followed a spate of incidences of men who had been raped along the country’s highways.  

The three were early this year acquitted for indecent assault of male hitch-hikers by a Harare magistrate.
But Rosemary and Sophie were back in the dock last week facing charges of prostitution.
Gweru magistrate Mildred Matuvi however acquitted the duo owing to lack of evidence.
Prosecutor Bonwell Balamanja had told the court that between January and October 2011 the two went to Tim Uptown night club in Gweru where they would solicit for prostitution.
He told the court that the two were arrested after they were found in possession of used condoms and some concoctions in their house in Gweru. (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

London(ZimEye)Barely two weeks after the death of MDC leader, prof Weshman Ncube’s son, tragedy has struck the MDC party again.
The MDC Treasurer General Cde Paul Themba Nyathi’s son has died in a suspected suicide incident, it was announced Tuesday morning.
Details were sketchy at the time of writing but the party’s deputy chairman in the United Kingdom, Langelihle Khoza told ZimEye:
“He is said to have passed away in a suspected suicide incident. Our thoughts are with the Nyathi family”, he said. More details to follow…

At least six priests in the oldest Christian organisation, the Roman Catholic church have in the past eight years alone been kicked out of holy service after being found guilty of sex affairs as was in the manner of the disgraceful exposure of his Grace the Most Reverend Dr. Pius Alick Mvundla Ncube in 2007.
This was revealed during an interview of the current Archibishop of Harare Robert Ndlovu.
Archbishop Ndlovu speaking to the weekly Standard paper’s deputy editor Walter Marwizi, would not disclose the full statistics raising belief that the number of ‘immoral’ priests may by far exceeds six.
“Well, I wouldn’t give you statistics but I know for instance since I came to Harare, I can say more or less with certainty five or six priests have been told to leave the priesthood,” he said.
Below is the Archbishop(ARN’s) short interview with Walter Marwizi(WM):
WM: What is the state of Roman Catholic Church in Zimbabwe: Is it growing or declining in terms of numbers?
ARN: Well, I would say it’s growing judging by the number of people and records that we have, of those that are being baptised, those that are being confirmed it’s grown, but there is an element that we have to look at. In the past few years, within the last 10 years or so, a good number of Catholics have gone to the diaspora and we can feel that in our parishes.  But otherwise in terms of growth, I can say it is balancing.
WM: There are critics who say the church is losing members especially the youth because it has remained too conservative on matters such as condoms and birth control. What is your comment?
ARN: We believe that sex is something sacred and it is to be used within a relationship, and therefore it’s an expression of love of two people and they realise in so doing they are co-operating with their creator. And that is God…So if it is morally wrong it does not become morally right because someone has invented a condom…
WM: Let’s turn to the problems in the priesthood. The church has been criticised for failing to rein in wayward priests. Is the church addressing these problems?

ARN: You always have problems and a rotten apple here and there because we are human beings and I think action is being taken, a good number of priests have been suspended once they were found out. A good number have just been told to leave the priesthood.
WM: Do you have numbers?
ARN: Well, I wouldn’t give you statistics but I know for instance since I came to Harare, I can say more or less with certainty five or six priests have been told to leave the priesthood. And I think two or three were sent on suspension because it depends on the gravity of the matter, some of them are not really (serious offences) but for discipline’s sake we have to do that… But also look at it from this point of view; we are recruiting from a society that we all know. I like to use the term a wounded society, so sometimes these temptations don’t stop because someone has become a priest…
WM: We have this case of former Archbishop Pius Ncube. Here is a head of the church who got involved with a woman, what do you think about his conduct?
ARN: Well, I get your point and I know the gravity of the situation especially as it was reported. But as I said there is a human side to all things and sometimes people can exploit that, I wouldn’t know the details of it, you know it was really a private life, how he came to be hooked into that situation, was it something set up, it is very difficult to get, he knows the rest but I always said, I look at myself and say it could happen to me, I am still a human being I can still get attracted to a person of the opposite sex …And we have to also realise that celibacy itself is not an easy life and I   think anyone who tells you it’s an easy life, will not be truthful. Celibacy is not an easy life but is a life that is worth living with the grace of God. It can be, it can be done.
WM: And what would you say is the damage that was caused by to the church by the Pius Ncube saga.
ARN: Well, as I said the issue of what happened to Archbishop Ncube has a lot of question marks that we still cannot answer. That is why I use the word, was he trapped into that… but you know it had also, some people will still think it had a political dimension, true or false I don’t know.
WM: But he confessed when he went to Vatican
ARN: Yah, but you see he confessed having, it’s not to deny that something happened that he had an affair with her but how it came about. This is what I don’t know and how do you get to that, he is the only one who knows what happened. How he met that woman and how he managed to reach that stage with a married woman for that matter, I don’t know what transpired there. But definitely I would be naïve about it, we have to accept that it scandalised the faithful.
 

An overzealous Policeman in Gutu has for the past 2 weeks struggled to get social scientist and business community leader, Phillip Bohwasi prosecuted.
It is two weeks now since the named cop arrested Mr Bohwasi claiming the crime committed was that of distributing party regalia.
After confining Mr Bohwasi overnight ina police cell, the cop went further to attempt to cast Bohwasi into court.
Bohwasi told ZimEye on Sunday he is still to hear the basis for the arrest effected on him two weeks later.
“An over)zealous policeman arrested me and began claiming that I was distributing party regalia(uniform)”, he said
But two weeks later the police have failed to find a legal basis for incarcerating the respectable social scientist exists.
Phillip Bohwasi commands respect in the business world and has held several senior posts in organisations nationwide.
He is a Founding Executive Director of Zimbabwe Opportunities Industrialisation Centres, which is responsible for the overall program planning, implementation, supervision and representation at various stakeholders meetings. He is also the former vice Chairman and founding Board Member of the Zimbabwe Micro Finance Institutions (ZAMFI) founded in 1998, and served on the Board for two three-year terms up to 2004. He has held several other top posts to date.

 

The MDC-T party’s Secretary General and Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Tendai Biti has said President Robert Mugabe can no longer unanimously deploy troops or declare war under the new constitution which vests those supreme powers in parliament adding that if the draft is endorsed Mugabe will also be liable for prosecution for offences he committed during or after his tenure of office.
“If he declares war yes, he can order soldiers to shoot back, but he has to go to parliament within seven sitting days and both houses must have two thirds saying yes we must go to war. Then the real power to declare war rests in parliament. I am told this is what ZANU (PF) does not want. On Wednesday they left that house (meeting) at around 12 in the morning and the other day they left at around 1 in the morning,” MDC-T Secretary General Tendai Biti told Reporters Friday in Harare.
Biti told the meeting organised by the Media Centre to make journalists get an appreciation of issues which ZANU (PF) is against in the draft constitution.
President Mugabe in 1998 deployed 11 000 troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to help in stopping a Tutsi-led rebellion, trained Interahamwe Hutu militias fighting Tutsis in the Great Lakes region.
But critics said the ZANU (PF) administration then did this without consulting citizens, arguing that the deployed soldiers were being paid by tax payers’ money, and up to now the amount which was used to pay the soldiers remain unknown.
Biti said if Mugabe is elected in office on the forthcoming elections under the new constitution he will be liable for prosecution for crimes he committed before, when and after his tenure of office.
“This constitution does not apply retrospectively that is why the two term office which we have done does not apply to prevent Mugabe from contesting for the next election. Suppose Zimbabweans are mad enough to vote for Mugabe it now mean that he is bound by the wide provisions of this constitution .So when he leaves office he will be prosecuted for Gukurahundi, Murambatsvina, because the constitution is now applying introspectively,”Biti added.
Currently ZANU (PF) is still debating the contents of the draft constitution with the aim of coming up with a common position.
The party met last week Friday and failed to reach a consensus. The party held another meeting Wednesday and again failed to agree on position.
Contacted for comment on the party’s Draft constitution through a telephone Friday ZANU (PF) spokesperson Rugare Gumbo said, “I cannot tell you until we have held another meeting next week.”
The two MDC formations in the inclusive government have already endorsed the draft constitution.
On Saturday the MDC-T party’s senior decision making body met and unanimously endorsed the draft constitution and below was their press statement:
 
MDC-T senior politburo adopts Draft Constitution.

After extensive deliberation, the National Council resolved to accept the Constitutional Draft. This is despite the fact that some aspects which the MDC would have wanted included in the Draft could not be incorporated.
It recommended Zimbabweans to vote ‘YES’ for the constitution in the referendum. Among other positives, the MDC is happy the Constitution has a very comprehensive bill of rights which include the first generation rights and socio-economic rights.
The constitution makes provisions for free and fair elections and sets definite time periods in which elections must be held.
The Party is also happy that the dream for a 50-50 representation in Parliament is becoming a reality. The acceptance of the Draft Constitution by the National Council follows a similar move by the Party’s National Executive Committee last week.
The MDC urges the Zimbabweans to ignore prophets of doom who have dismissed the constitution as they want to reverse the gains made by the people.   (Radiovop/ZimEye)

Oxford(ZimEye)The reported confusion at the Oxford MDC-T fundraising function on Saturday connected with the stripping down of the party’s foreign branches’ authority has been explained as having been caused by the UK leadership who allegedly failed to properly communicate directives from Harare.
It was also revealed that the visiting Harare delegate Thabitha Khumalo has nothing to do with the diaspora squabbles which are 15 months old to date.
The confusion arose over the contentious issue of whether the MDC-T UK and Ireland should continue as an external structure or reduced to an associate as stipulated in the latest MDC T constitution doctored from Harare.
One of the branch chairmen, Stanford Biti told ZimEye that the so called “demotion” is not a demotion at all and should have been communicated as re -organisation.
“It is mere “re-organisation” of the party it’s not a demotion,” he said.
Claims that Stanford Biti dismissed and doubted if “Tendai Biti had signed a letter which Samanyanga was reading to the media on the day”, have been disputed.
“I never challenged the authenticity of the letter ” said Biti.
“No. The only thing which I said is that “why should one person speak for the party?” We are now saying the secretary said this and that, (but) the secretary general is not the party.  Biti is not the MDC and Tsvangirai is not the MDC, we should say the party has said instead,” he said.
“I asked Tonderai  Samanyanga: are you operating as a provincial committee or as a coordinating committee, and he replied me saying he is operating as a coordinating committee.

“The only thing we should say is that the UK and Ireland should realise that they are far much better than any other province, and realise how powerful they are so they can unite to challenge Harare. And our potential actually means we can challenge Harare (on certain issues), he said.
Tonderai Samanyanga the man who was a year ago elected in provincial elections as UK and Ireland chairman, this week announced that his executive will be swiftly transformed into a coordinating committee as directed by the new constitution.
This was reportedly met with a diversity of views with Bristol branch MDC chairman Morgan Mutasa vehemently rejecting that the Samanyanga led executive should automatically transform to a coordinating committee.
“The new constitution states clearly that there should be only six members as in the coordinating committee and this would last up to 2016. We need to adhere to the constitution rather than misinterpret it ,”said Mutasa.

Harare(ZimEye)-The decade long exiled The Zimbabwean newspaper has been finally granted an operating licence.
The Zimbabwe Media Commission early this week announced the development.
The newspaper’s Editors Wilf Mbanga told Zimeye in an interview Wednesday that the development is going to see the paper striving for democratisation of the country.
“We will continue to build on our solid reputation for credibility and commitment to democracy, human rights and freedom of expression. Since the launch of our NEW LOOK at the beginning of the year we have implemented a new emphasis on analysis and interpretation of the news, more human interest stories, news about positive developments and success stories in every sphere. Our focus is to encourage dialogue between all Zimbabweans to foster nation-building, tolerance, diversity and reconciliation, ”Mbanga said.
Mbanga said National healing which the country desperately needs is going to be promoted by his weekly 32 paged publication which will be costing US$1 .
“Gender issues and national healing are high on our list of priorities, “he added.
John Makumbe the board chairperson of the publication says,
“We will now get all our reporters accredited so that we continue to provide the best news and information to the nation .We have a very competent team of reporters. Our thrust is going to be more analytical of local, regional and international events. It is also going to be focused on positive national development at the social, economic and political levels. With Zimbabwe now expecting to proceed to an All Stakeholders Conference on the Copac draft Constitution and the subsequent  referendum and elections, Zimbabweans deserve to know what will be happening in their country and what it will mean for the future of this good country,”he said.
This follows a Government directive for all foreign-based newspapers to register with the ZMC while their locally based journalists are accredited according to Zimbabwe’s laws.
ZMC chairperson Mr Godfrey Majonga confirmed to the state controlled daily Tuesday the registration of The Zimbabwean. “We have licenced one newspaper from the many that are currently operating outside the Zimbabwean law.
Mr Majonga said the ZMC was also checking on magazines operating in Zimbabwe.
“All those publications that have not done so are encouraged to come to our offices so that they operate within the law. If they continue with their illegal operations in the country we will act against them. We can ban the papers if they fail to comply with the requirements of the law.”(ZimEye,Zimbabwe)

Harare(ZimEye)Finance Minister Tendai Biti has said he has lost weight due to constant pressure from war veteran, civil servants and President Mugabe who are constantly at his office demanding money.
Biti said he has lost his social life because of sleepless nights he endures when dealing with the country’s treasury.
“Zimbabwe is the lowest on the happiness index, some of us, you can look at me, I have lost weight because every day I have war veterans, civil servants and Robert Mugabe and all kinds of nonsense that impinge on my right in pursuit of happiness,” said Biti jokingly told members of the civic society who were brain storming the constitutional draft on Wednesday.

“I used to play golf, I used to support Black Rhinos, I don’t know how all that ended. I don’t know the last time I have ever been to a night club. My right to pursue happiness has really been infringed. I used to phone girls but all that is gone and I don’t think it’s fair.”
Biti has been at the helm of the Finance Ministry since 2009 and has been blamed by many quarters who feel his policies have left them poor.
Civil servants have on numerous occasions threatened to go on strike to force Government to review their salaries. War veterans also want the Finance minister to review their gratuities.(ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

BRITISH DETECTIVES in West Midlands are investigating the murder of Zimbabwean teenager Ben Morutare who was found stabbed at his friend’s birthday party in Walsall, England

The 16-year-old had attended an 18th birthday party at the Smethwick Home Guard and Old Comrades Club in Smethwick on Friday evening (27 July).

At around 12.45am on Saturday (28 July), officers were called to a disturbance at the club.

When they arrived they were told by door staff that police were no longer needed as there were no signs of disorder.

A further emergency call was made just before 1.30am, when officers came across a large group of people in the street following a disturbance.

It is believed Ben was stabbed in the leg during that disturbance.

He was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where he later died.

A murder investigation was launched and the scene remains cordoned off as officers continue their investigations.

Detectives are following up a number of lines of enquiry today (30 July) as they attempt to piece together the turn of events that led to Ben’s death and are urging people who were at the party and who have not already spoken to by the police to contact them.

Detective Inspector Gary Plant, from Force CID, said: “We do not underestimate the devastating impact the death of this young man will have on his family and the local community.

“We will do everything within our power to establish how Ben died. Officers continue to conduct house to house enquiries and part of the area around the club is still currently cordoned off.

“I would like to thank the local community for their patience and support as we continue with our investigations and would urge anyone who can help us with any information to speak to us at their earliest opportunity.

“My officers and family liaison officers have been speaking to Ben’s family and continue to offer them support and our thoughts and condolences remain with them at this time.”

Anyone with information can contact Force CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.

Harare(ZimEye)Relations between Britain and Zimbabwe are strained, and President Robert Mugabe cannot set foot in London because of European Union imposed travel bans; Mr Mugabe blames Britain for retaliation following his seizure of white owned farms, and at a time when her own family members lost farmlands to Mugabe, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth is wishing to visit Zimbabwe.
The British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Deborah Bronnet in a speech yesterday revealed the Queen’s desire to travel to the former British colony:
“2012 is a special year in the United Kingdom. We have the Olympics, followed by the Paralympics. These two coincide with the celebrations of the Queen second Diamond. When I spoke to her last year (The Queen) she had full memories of visiting this country. I could see her love for the country in our conversation connected to my coming here as a representative. She was talking very fondly of Zimbabwe and her intentions to come here traveling around here and seeing people of Zimbabwe,” Bronnet said.
The last time Queen Elizabeth set foot in Zimbabwe was in October, 1991 when Zimbabwe was hosting the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Harare when she lodged at Robert Mugabe’s State House together with the president’s late wife, Sally.
 
Certainly against all conventions
Huddersfield University lecturer Nkululeko Sibanda told ZimEye of the development:
“It certainly goes against convention and expectation that the Queen will be expressing interest in terms of going to Zimbabwe at this time before the EU has made a decision to lift sanctions and before the Americans have done so but more importantly the EU. However I think what is important people have to understand is that the Queen is not necessarily a representative of the British state as it were; The Queen is a representative of British interest; and British interests can be found in countries that are both friendly and unfriendly to Britain or countries that politicians generally do not like. So from that strategic way of thinking you would see that the Queen would be willing to go to Zimbabwe. And if she does that is certainly to set the button for relations between Britain and Zimbabwe.
“Its certainly not the first time that Britain has had sterling relations with a Southern African country and especially with Robert Mugabe at a time when he is committing human rights abuses. This was the case in the 1980s and the excuse at that time was that Britain maintain relations as to see an end apartheid in South Africa.”
 
They have an excuse
Mr Sibanda continued saying the Queen will have a good explanation:
“So perhaps the Queen will have a good explanation to why she would be visiting Zimbabwe. I don’t see it happen immediately; I think the Foreign Office will act first by formalising relations first before the Queen can travel. If the foreign office can’t do that, then that may derail the Queen’s move. But the fact that this is being said, puts a lot of gravity to the matter in terms of letting sanctions lapse. And I think the Australians are going to follow suit. And they have an excuse since Morgan Tsvangirai has been traveling around the world campaigning for the lifting of sanctions. So they have an excuse but I must say its certainly not expected both from an academic and a political point of view.
 
Tears in Mugabe’s eyes
President Robert Mugabe’s close relationship with the Queen has been a major subject of discussion recently with some political commentators claiming she may be the only person able to convince Mugabe of anything.
Mugabe is reported narrating his relationship with the Queen with tears falling from his eyes and in a recent interview he told of their friendship: “And now, to this day, we treasure those moments, and we have nothing against the Royal Family,” he is quoted saying by South African author Heidi Holland.
 
Good relations until Tony Blair
Zimbabwe, a former British colony, was enjoying good relations with the former colonial power at the time the Queen traveled to Harare and President Robert Mugabe has hinted that problems with Britain began when the labour party’s Tony Blair took the Premiership in the late 1990s. The Conservative party who now hold power are known for their close traditional ties with the monarchy.
Ms Bronnet was guest speaker Friday at an event organised by Harare West legislator and the country’s Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Deputy Minister Jessie Majome to donate 1000 primary school reading books.
The Queen is the longest living monarch after having acceded to the throne in February 1952 on the death of her father George VI.

When her father, the King George VI passed on, the Queen, then princess, was on a honeymoon in another African country, Kenya. Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee this year was marked by several Zimbabwean women who marched exclusively singing in celebration of her. (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

Help is being sought for little two and a half year old Chantelle, from Zimunya village, in Mutare South.
“We are working hard to try and send Chantelle (2 and a half years old of 22 Mile Peg-Zimunya-Zimbabwe) for cleft-lip operation in Harare; She has developed a tooth just below her nose”, reveals Mr Henry Chitsenga of the Oxford based Sub Saharan Childrens Hope Trust.
ZimEye is informed Chantelle lives in Pararai Village (Zimunya, Mutare South, Manicaland) with her mother who is divorced. Her father is still alive. Her care giver is one Mrs Euphrasia Maraire.
The people who take care of Chantelle are subsistence farmers and her mother does some piece jobs around the village to earn a living.
Sometimes she gets help from her relatives but it is not consistent.

Chantelle was born on the 6th December 2009 (in a a family of four and she is the fourth born)
The first 3 siblings have their own father but he is late.
She was operated last year in June at Chitungwiza General Hospital
Those who wish to donate to Chantelle’s medical and operation expenses are asked to do so here
For more information on Sub Saharan Children’s Hope, click here
 
 

EDITOR – The recent Supreme Court ruling in which President Robert Mugabe was ordered to hold by elections in three Matebelend North constituencies should be treated with caution. The speed in which the Supreme Court ruling is nothing but a stage managed plot to trigger the holding of the next elections while the electoral environment remains in favour of Zanu (PF).
In 2002, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai petitioned the Supreme Court challenging the results of that year’s presidential election, which was open to abuse of human rights and serious electoral fraud. More than 10 years later, the ruling is yet to be done. Several political cases are being similarly delayed.
It was therefore strange that the Supreme Court has made such a quick decision. Our judges are compromised and we should view their recent judgment with suspicion. Time and again the judiciary has been used by Zanu (PF) to further its agenda. We know that they want to hold elections without going through a referendum for a new Constitution.
That is why they are using any tactics available to their favour including coercing the judiciary to come up with judgments that although not in their favour will at the end prove to their benefit. – Agrippa Zvomuya, Harare
-thezimbabwean

MDC supporter’s dead body found in Thames river

London(ZimEye)An MDC member in the United Kingdom has been found dead in the Thames river.
London Police recovered Mr Bernard Hukwa’s body in the Thames river early in July and an autopsy is yet to be announced.
Hukwa was known for several weekend protests at the Zimbabwean as well as the Swazi embassy.
He had been missing for several days and when diaspora community leader Mr Jeff Sango went to Stratford police he was later surprised after finding out that the police had information of his fate.
Reports obtained by ZimEye show that Hukwa’s body was discovered in the Thames on the 9th July.
Described as a gentle, thoughtful and caring person, Mr Hukwa, unemployed as he was still awaiting the processing of his asylum claim, was continuously worried that he was failing to provide for his family in Zimbabwe. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work and if found in employment, they risk imprisonment and subsequent deportation.
It was only last week Wednesday that friends found out from the police that he had died.

Vigil leaders have concurred in saying that what they found most distressing about Bernard’s death was that he did not talk about his problems to the organizations that could have supported him: Vigil, Zimbabwe Association, ROHR and MDC.
The Vigil issued a press release stating:
It is with great sadness that the Vigil reports the death of Bernard Hukwa, a faithful supporter who was also a member of our sister organization ROHR and the MDC. We were horrified to hear his body was found in the Thames. Bernard was a gentle, thoughtful and caring person and all who knew him are grieving at the loss of such a good friend. He was living on his own in accommodation provided by the Home Office while his asylum case was being processed and we know he was worried about being unable to support his family in Zimbabwe. We hope to have more information later but at the next Vigil we will take a collection towards the cost of repatriating his body to Zimbabwe.
It was important that people shared their difficulties with others before they became really desperate, the statement further stated. (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

Professor Arthur Mutambara who for more than a year has held onto the government post of deputy Prime Minister despite his ouster from party leadership early 2011, has failed to secure a share of the government allocated US$8 million which is set aside for political parties in the 2012 national budget.
 
Several frantic appeals by Mutambara have led to Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa outrightly denying Mutambara in a surprise rebuttal of Mutambara’s rebel MDC-M faction.
 
Mutambara has to date twice attempted appeal with Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, pleading that his party was entitled to the money proportionately shared between the parties according to the number of MPs they have in Parliament.
 
“I have written letters to the minister twice and he has not responded. He has probably decided that we are not a party but at least he should have responded to our letters,” the party’s secretary general Maxwell Zimuto was quoted by The Herald.
 
“Our argument is based on the premise that we have some MPs who have expressed allegiance to us in writing.
 
“No one can just dismiss us because we are a legitimate party entitled to anything that the MDC-M must get as a party that signed the Global Political Agreement.”
 
The development sees the latest moves by President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF party leaving Mutambara in the cold for the first time after more than a year of fighting and Mr Chinamasa replied Mutambara telling him that it was impossible to disburse funds to his rebel party. The High Court recently upheld Ncube’s election although Mutambara has to date appealed the decision at the Supreme Court.
 
“The (Political Parties Finance) Act provides that I should deal with secretaries-general or secretary for administration (with respect to Zanu PF),” Chinamasa said.
 

 
“We have therefore disbursed money to Welshman Ncube in the same account that we have deposited. Until there is a court order to the contrary, we will continue disbursing the funds in that manner.”
 
Ncube currently industry and commerce minister in the coalition government, replaced Mutambara as MDC leader at a party congress in 2010, prompting a legal challenge by the deputy premier.
Meanwhile when approached for a comment by ZimEye, Prof Arthur Mutambara shouted on our reporter vocalising unprintable words and then later only said people should approach his party’s information department for inquiries.
Mutambara launchedhis party after he last year refused to recognise Welshman Ncube as leader despite a legitimate internal election which he both participated and agreed to and refusing to abdicate from the position of Deputy Prime Minister he stated:
“I have no intention whatsoever to leave the position of the DPM. I will not abdicate from  my national responsibilities in order to satisfy narrow party-political aspirations…” (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

Bulawayo(ZimEye)PROSTITUTES in Bulawayo have come out in full force backing former MDC-T deputy spokesperson Thabita Khumalo who Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai demoted for calling for the legalisation of prostitution.
Several prostitutes in the city told ZimEye they are demanding Khumalo be reinstated and will forcefully vote her back into her position.
Khumalo who is the MP for Bulawayo East was demoted from the party early this month after she went on a crusade to ensure parliament come up with a law to legalise the “oldest profession”.
Among her demands, she was also challenging the use of the word prostitutes and wanted the name to be changed to ‘pleasure engineers’.
Prostitutes said silencing Khumalo through demotion from the party was unfair and was meant to dampen her spirits in the campaign which was also geared at fighting HIV/AIDS transmission as according to her arguments, the legalisation would mean prostitutes can get adequate medical support from government being at greater risk of contracting the disease.

“This is a blow to our quest. We know that in her we have a voice and we are clearly aware that the move to demote her is an attempt to dampen her spirits and we advice her to stand firm,” said a prostitute identified as Pinky.
Another prostitute who called herself ‘Vicky’ and who frequents a night club a stone throw from a flat where Khumalo resides said prostitutes wound continue to vote for her.
“Unless they bar us from voting, we want to assure her and warn her detractors that we are going to support her and she is going to get the position she is yearning for.”
Another prostitute at another city club known as Linda said they wanted Khumalo to be reinstated to her position.
“We want MaKhumalo back on top,” she said.
Khumalo has been calling for the legalisation of the profession arguing that it helps curb the spread of HIV and AIDS and will also help in harnessing taxi from the popular profession. (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

Coventry(ZimEye)A Zimbabwean male nurse, Bongani Nyathi, on trial by the Nursing council, NMC, for a number of sexual offence allegations which include asking for sex at work and also stroking a female colleague’s breasts, has denied the claims and accused the alleged victims of concorting the accusations.
Several female work collagues have accused Nyathi of a number of despicable advances which include showing a colleague  a picture of his genitals.
Nyathi however maintained his ground throughout the hearing and denying the claims he accused the alleged victims of concorting the accusations against him.
But speaking before an NMC tribunal, Mr Nyathi’s boss Noel Carroll, deputy manager of the Cow Lees Care Home in Bedworth, Warwickshire, however said that Nyathi had actually confessed to grabbing the care assistant’s breasts during an internal investigation.
 

“He didn’t deny it” – Boss
“He didn’t deny it, and the impression I got was he had a feeling he was about to lose his job,” Carroll told a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearing.

Frogs “taste like Chicken”

London(ZimEye)A Zimbabwean man based in the Netherlands has shocked the online Zim community as he confessed to eating frogs and enjoying it.
Mr K******* ******** said that no one forced or enticed him to eat the ‘delicacy’.
” l was all by myself and none had to convince or influence me and l just said why not try something new. It’s looks and sounds crazy or even nasty if you wanna call it,” he said.
 

There was pandemonium on social networking Facebook after Mr ******** in an open way graphically described his experience of eating frogs:

“Had my first frogs last Sat, surprisingly they taste like chicken. l was a bit hesitant at first then said why not?,” he said.
“l didn’t die”
Mr ******** hinted that he did not die after eating the water animal meat so there is “no big deal” in the eating of frogs.
“l had many other options but frog legs were my choice and by the way l didn’t die am still alive. No big deal out of it,” he said.
 
“Not my favourite dish though”
 ******** however said that although he would not mind eating frogs again, they are not his favourite dish.
“Do l wanna eat them again? Maybe yes but not my favourite dish though,” he said
A friend of ******** s then commented saying that he will now collect frogs for Muchemwa when next he visits. “Will start collecting frogs for the next time you come this side”, wrote a friend identified only as J Mutemutemwa.
Frog meat is common in eastern countries and a WordPress blogger has described the meat in exactly the same way ******** does:
“…After a while I had to ask what new treat she had prepared. “Ça c’était délicieux Malou. Qu’est-ce que vous faites? Du poulet, bien sûr?” (It was delicious Malou. What did you make ? It must have chicken.) She grinned and answered, “Non, c’est les cuisses de grenouille ! ” (No, it’s frog legs.),” writes the blogger.
(ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

The European Union’s announced plans to lift sanctions have been celebrated across the Zimbabwe political divide with MDC parties expressing hope that the development should pave way for free and fair elections.
Zanu PF had to date used the sanctions matter as both a tool to attack coalition partners in government and also as propaganda to garner support and tighten its grip on power.
Responding to the EU suspension of sanctions the MDC-T spokesman, Douglas Mwonzora, told ZimEye: “The sanctions have been removed to allow Zimbabwe to show whether it can reform. We hope Zanu PF will take this opportunity to allow peace in Zimbabwe.”
A UK based legal expert, Alex Magaisa has pointed out that the so called smart sanctions were bound to fail from the onset:
“Far from being a point of weakness, sanctions became a source of strength amongst the targeted. Notice how ZANU PF responded to calls for the implementation of the GPA with its own call for the removal of sanctions. The reluctance to remove the sanctions because an excuse for refusing to implement the GPA.
“Smart sanctions gave an excuse and opportunities for the state to intensify its grip on the citizens as the state played innocent victim and intensified measures under the auspices of protecting the country’s sovereignty….. Repressive laws like POSA were actually intensified and extended purportedly to maintain “public order and security” on the apparent claim that Zimbabwe was under siege from sanctions-imposing Western forces.”
On the other hand however, ZANU PF secretary general, Didymus Mutasa said the suspension of sanctions makes no difference to Zanu PF members in the sanction list as they have never been affected at all since the imposition.
“It makes no difference to me whatsoever,” he told The Telegraph.
“I won’t be going to London, it’s very cold and the people are very unfriendly – I would rather stay here.
“We have been telling the British for years that the people they targeted are not being adversely affected by sanctions at all. We are still receiving our salaries and the situation for us is exactly the same.
“The people who are being affected are those who benefited from the industries that could not function under sanctions. We are happy only that our people will be happier.”
The president of the other MDC faction, Welshman Ncube, said their suspension would promote a more open democracy.

While the effect of lifting of sanctions has little effect on individual Zanu PF officials, it is widely believed that it effectively disarms Zanu PF who have largely depended on them (sanctions) as an excuse to attack both MDC parties. (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

Harare(ZimEye)The local watchdog here, the Harare Residents Trust, has made a blunt criticism of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai who recently blamed the city’s women for blocking the water piping system.
In a statement on their online portal, the HRT threw daggers at PM Tsvangirai saying he should stop making uninformed statements for matters of environmental polution.
The statement read in full:
“Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai should desist from making uninformed comments on the causes of litter in the communities by simply blaming residents for the increasing environmental pollution. The HRT expects the Prime Minister to focus his energies on re-aligning environmental management policies of local authorities and allocation of financial resources for refuse trucks, waste management and ending rampant corruption in Harare City Council. Residents are concerned with the failure of Harare Water and Waste Management departments to timeously respond to reports of burst sewer and water pipes. The provided hotlines are not helping residents to assist the council monitor service provision”

 
The statement of protest by the HRT comes after the PM last week issued out criticism for the city’s environmental polution as he co-blamed female residents for the problems. Speaking at the recent launch of the Zero Litter Campaign and Water Conservation Strategies held in Harare’s high-density suburb of Budiriro last week, Tsvangirai said his visit to Firle sewage works on the outskirts of Glen View last week had revealed to him that sand was the main material that clogged the works.
“How can we clog our own system?” he asked.
“Last week I was at the Firle sewage plant. Women, you are clogging the system with sand. There are babies and even blankets found in the sewage works. So I am asking women to do their work in a way that ensures our sytems are not clogged. Why use sand when there is Vim and Harpic (cleaning detergents)?” he said.
The PM also attacked industries which he said were dumping toxic waste into rivers, saying they were contaminating drinking water, a practice that resulted in more money being needed to treat the water.
“We must give local authorities the mandate to arrest and fine companies that dump toxic waste into our water system. We must also find the most effective way of treating our water. Building of new dams like Kunzvi and Tokwe-Mukorsi will go a long way in alleviating water shortages.” (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

London(ZimEye)A man found with head injuries in a road in Essex on Saturday and died in hospital within hours of being discovered, has been identified as a former Air Zimbabwe engineer, one Mr Simon Makombe, ZimEye can exclusively reveal.
The local BBC news service had earlier reported that: a passerby discovered the man, aged in his 50s, in Wharf Road, Grays, at about 01:15 BST.
He was taken to Basildon Hospital, where he died shortly after 04:00 BST. He has been described by police as black and about 6ft (1.83m) tall.
In an update on Saturday afternoon, police said there were no suspicious circumstances.
They believe the man was in Grays town centre, near the railway and bus station in Crown Road, shortly before he was found.
“Medical evidence is consistent with witness statements that the events which led to his death are not suspicious,” a police spokesman said.
His identity at the time was still not known
ZimEye can now reliably inform our valued readers that the deceased man is Mr Simon Makombe.
Police managed to contact his wife by using document particulars which had her name in Makombe’s pockets leading to the final verification.
While the full official post mortem was not declared at the time of writing, his wife told ZimEye the man was suffering from stress and severe depression due to hardships he was experiencing from failing to obtain employment in his job of choice. The head injuries were caused by falling repeated down after a few drinks, ZimEye was told Monday afternoon.
 
Appeal for funds.
The late Simon Makombe’s widow told ZimEye his death has left a gap in the family being widowed with two children, she may struggle to send his body to Zimbabwe for burial.
“For me to understand where he was passing through actually , I cannot.
“He was just walking and collapsed on his own as he was struggling to walk,” she told ZimEye.
She also revealed that he died of internal bleeding.
“He died of internal bleeding,” she added.
Anyone wishing to donate to funeral expenses is requested to telephone Mrs Makombe at: 07729025723
 (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

London(ZimEye)A UK journalist, Mkhululi Mpofu, was physically dragged out of the just ended Mtukudzi-Macheso show in Leicester after allegedly invading Oliver Mtukudzi’s dressing room with a ‘smuggled camera’, according to function promoters.
Mpofu who has not denied entering the back stage area where Mtukudzi was resting, has defended himself saying the attack was unprovoked and also added that in front of onlookers, he was choked, kicked and punched in what he described as a brutal assault he even thought he had died.
ZimEye is reliably informed that Oliver Mtukudzi told Mr Mpofu to approach the singer’s manager first in order to obtain authorisation for an interview. Promoters state that even after this, Mpofu continued to film despite another call for him to stop doing so which resulted in a promoter resorting to force him out of the premises.
After his accused was taken in by the police for questioning, Mpofu on his news website soon published an article titled “Journalist assaulted at Tuku UK show,” a story he personally wrote in which he detailed his alleged ordeal prompting among others, negative reactions on the social networking website Facebook with some people criticizing stating that he should prove injuries.
 
A black guy with black skin – “no bruises”
What has been difficult for Mpofu has been to prove that he actually was assaulted with severity alleged, and he told ZimEye that the policeman handling investigations did not take the matter seriously because the cop being of white origin failed to notice bruises on a black man’s skin pigment, according to Mpofu.
“I am a black guy with black skin. Bruises are not seen the same way they are seen on a white person…”, he said.
 
Filming without permission.
Both Mtukudzi’s manager and the promoter who is alleged to have attacked Mpofu have told ZimEye Mr Mpofu was wrong to have been filming the function without obtaining permission.

The promoter told ZimEye:
“I am told some silly story is written about me. Its actually embarassing that the person who accuses me of assaulting him, writes a story. I was getting phone calls from people telling me, we hear you are in police cells… Actually no charges were laid. You can even contact Leicester police because no charges were laid against me. So, I am actually offended because I work with Oliver and Ezra. We told this man it doesn’t matter if you are member of the press, please stop filming; and then the guy tells me: ‘do you know who I am?’, and I didn’t know who he is.
“There is copyright infringement, and if he goes on Youtube, and publishes online, that is (actually) copyright infringement, and then he accuses me of assaulting him, its actually a joke.
“He then ended up approaching me aggressively wanting his camera, saying he had paid money, and then that’s when he was removed from the venue,” he said.
A female friend of Mr Mpofu who was with him at the time  has however given an almost contradictory version of events stating that  Mpofu was singled out from a group, questioned, and then taken out, a claim which coincides with Mpofu’s who also said that his attack was part of a conspiracy because he did not publicise a co-promoter and so was now being targetted:
“…yeah they did single him out cause I too was filming and taking photos and so were a few other people. With **** yes … But apparently the fight was with someone else but I didn’t see it … Just heard it happened, ” she said.
 
Below was Mkhululi Mpofu short account of what transpired, which report has been disputed by both function organisers and Oliver Mtukudzi’s team:
“ONE of the promoters of the Oliver Mtukudzi and Alick Macheso United Kingdom tour has been arrested by British police in Leicester after he brutally attacked me during the show last night for no apparent reason.
I was attacked in full view of co-promoters who never tried to rescue me from the monster.
The overzealous promoter was immediately arrested by police in the early hours of Sunday morning at the venue of the show, Leicester’s Athena. He was detained overnight and is still wallowing in the police cells.
The heavy built and weight-lifting promoter is being held at Mansfield House Police station, Leicester.
Police said they will interview my assailant this morning and he is expected to be formerly charged. I am pressing charges of assault and theft of my camera. I have already presented a full statement to the police.
Trouble started while Tuku and Macheso entertained the excited crowd when the chubby promoter approached me and started attacking me with blows. He then dragged me out of the venue despite having paid to enter the venue and continued attacking me.
He confiscated The ZimDiaspora camera and footage was lost during the process. Some equipment was also damaged during the fracas.
In a completely unprovoked attack, he grabbed me by my throat, squeezing and kicking me at the same time. It was the most savage attack I have ever experienced in my life.
As several other media personnel were filming what is rumoured to be Tuku’s last world tour, the notorious promoter was busy body-punching and choking me. After being dragged outside by the collar, he pushed me into a secluded ditch, pressed me down and continued kicking, punching and choking me to the extent that I thought I would die.
As I struggled for my breath, I tried ringing the emergency services, he then grabbed my mobile phone and flung it across the street, smashing the iPhone into smatterings.
It was only after a loud scream that a passerby came to my rescue and the police were immediately called who subsequently arrested the vicious promoter.
It is unfortunate that while most of Zimbabwean shows in the UK are very peaceful there are some people who still think that it is their privilege as promoters to go about assaulting and duping fans as they wish.
The behaviour of the promoter is unwarranted and risk tarnishing the image of one of Africa’s greatest musicians Oliver Mtukudzi“.

Harare(ZimEye)-Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka has rubbished false reports by the Zanu pf controlled Herald newspaper that the Prime Minister’s new wife, Elizabeth Macheka is on a week-long government sponsored shopping spree to South Africa and India.
Reports by the Herald claimed Ms Elizabeth Macheka Thursday left the country for a week-long private visit to South Africa and India ostensibly to buy for herself jewellery and paraphernalia related to the couple’s wedding set for September.
But Ms Macheka was today seen together with Tsvangirai at the launch of a Water, Anti-litter campaign in Budiriro contrary to claims by the Herald.
Disgusted spokeman Luke Tamborinyoka told ZimEye ,”It’s false. The same story appeared on front page today. But all journalists who came to Budiriro today where the PM was launching the water conservation campaign saw PM Tsvangirai with his wife when Herald was (yet)claiming she left for India yesterday.

“Progressive papers will expose the truth. The PM’s wife is in Harare.”
The paper accused Tsvangirai of drawing funds from the treasury to finance the trip and illegally engaging Macheka on government duties that are reserved for civil servants.
The Herald report titled: “Government footing Prime Minister’s wife’s jaunts” reads:
The PM’s Office applied for the funds from Treasury despite the fact that Ms Macheka and Ms Mungweni are not civil servants and are not entitled to such privileges.
PM Tsvangirai’s official duties are carried out by civil servants and not his wife.
“The PM’s spouse and a lady officer in his office left the country today (yesterday) for South Africa and are proceeding to India,” a source said.
“They are returning on July 12. The costs are fully borne by the Government of Zimbabwe after the two indicated that they were travelling on Honourable PM’s duties. This is despite the fact that the official duties of the PM are carried out by civil servants and not his wife.”
On her return on July 12, Ms Macheka will join the Prime Minister and his daughter Rumbidzai on a 12-day visit to Japan and Australia, with the costs again borne by the cash-strapped Government.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti has often raised concerns about expenditure on foreign trips by Government officials.
In his 2012 budget, Minister Biti revealed that over US$45 million has been blown on foreign trips by officials.
The Prime Minister’s Japanese and Australian trips are at the invitation of the two countries.
“The Prime Minister is leaving for Japan on July 15 and will stay there for six days. He is expected to leave Japan on July 21 for Australia where he will stay up to July 27,” the source said.
(ZimEye, Zimbabwe)
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Harare(ZimEye)THE attack by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono on Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere is personal and the latter has said he will not even bother to talk to the former on the issue as he is just a regulator of the financial sector not a shareholder.
Kasukuwere on Thursday said the law was for shareholders of banks and not Gono. This was after Gono issued a strong worded statement on Wednesday accusing Kasukuwere of being a failure who failed to run his own bank Genesis.
“The fact that the two main proponents of the recent illogical moves have presided over the failure of their two banks before, namely Unibank (David Chapfika) and Genesis (Kasukuwere), calls for Solomonic wisdom on the part of Zimbabwe’s population and leadership. Ordinarily, anyone who was near a failed bank is not a fit and proper person to deal with banking matters or to ever own, run or talk about the ownership of a bank again until cleared by the central bank; this is a universal practice,” said Gono adding that he would approach president Mugabe on the matter.

 
But as usual Kasukuwere said Gono has turned the whole matter into a personal attack:
“We are engaged with the shareholders not regulators. The two are very different, a regulator is not a shareholder.
“The law is for shareholders to comply and then we can discuss with others. I know some would have wanted to be doing this task, but let’s not turn it into unwarranted personal attacks,” said Kasukuwere.
He said discharging national responsibilities require maturity and sober reasoning adding that the attacks will not deter him from grabbing the banks.
“We will not fall for the attacks, but will continue to be guided by the rule of law and the necessary transformation of key institutions. The law is in place and it has to be implemented, come rain come sunshine.
“Shareholders have been in touch with us and we are pleased with the progress to date and we will continue with the respectful engagement. I am sure at the right time ,we will approach all other relevant authorities and get their views.”
The latest fight come after it emerged the Kasukuwere contributed to the collapse of Genesis Bank after he blocked FMB Malawi that wanted a 90 percent stake in the bank.
Kasukuwere has however denied the allegations saying he was no longer the shareholder of the bank by the time it went down.
Below is a statement by Gono on Kasukuwere
ALTHOUGH I’m on a business trip outside Zimbabwe and therefore have not familiarised myself with the full content of the Gazetted Notice in question, the Zimbabwean banking sector needs to be advised that there is no law that provides for arbitrariness on the part of anyone and/or expropriation of banking assets in Zimbabwe yesterday, today or tomorrow.
I will, as soon as I get back home, be consulting with and obtaining further guidance from H.E. the President Cde R.G. Mugabe on the latest moves by the Minister in relation to the sector that I superintend – the Banking Sector – and his instructions will be final in the manner in which we will proceed.
Until such guidance is received from H.E. The President, we regard the regulations as gazetted as devoid of detail and rationality as they are contradictory in many respects with existing laws in the country such as the Banking Act and the RBZ Act which stand at par with any other law in the country except the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Both the RBZ and the Banking Acts have not been amended to exclude the RBZ from final responsibility of running Zimbabwe’s financial sector, including determining and approving changes to the shareholdings of banks in order for such changes to be effective, the terms thereof in terms of capitalisations, compliance with the country’s exchange controls regulations, SADC central bank governors prescriptions for harmonising and integrating our regional economies as well as a host of other local subsidiary legislative requirements that deal with boards of directors, management appointments, internal bank policies and procedures for granting loans as well as a variety of other do’s and don’ts when it comes to dealing with depositors funds.
The fact that the two main proponents of the recent illogical moves have presided over the failure of their two banks before, namely Unibank and Genesis, calls for Solomonic wisdom on the part of Zimbabwe’s population and leadership. Ordinarily, anyone who was near a failed bank is not a fit and proper person to deal with banking matters or to ever own, run or talk about the ownership of a bank again until cleared by the central bank; this is a universal practice.
As the Reserve Bank, we repeat our earlier invitation to any Zimbabwean wishing to start a bank to come forward with their application and we will give them a licence to join the sector at 100 per cent ownership, rather than waste money taking over other people’s banks.
The example of Minister of Mines Dr Obert Mpofu who came forward with his money and sought permission to take over ZABG bank which was ailing then is a case in point. We gave him two years within which to regularise the ownership structure of that bank to a maximum of 25 per cent for any single shareholder which he committed to do but for the time being he has put in money and is a 99,9 per cent shareholder.
Furthermore, it must be realized that the money in all these banks belongs to depositors and not foreigners, except the equity components which, in most cases is less than 20 per cent of the banks’ balance sheets, and, in any case, that equity is tied up in operating capital assets such as furniture, fittings, land and buildings. The rest belongs to depositors and is not, as assumed by some, profit of the banks available for sharing the next day one becomes an owner.
In addition, last year alone (2011), the entire banking sector made total profits of $70 million of which $37 million belonged to international banks. Assuming a generous dividend pay-out of
30 per cent of net profits, this translates to $5,67 million ($37mil x 51% x 30%) payable annually to the 51 per cent shareholder. The question is one of materiality over substance … you do not need to be a rocket scientist to realise that someone is trying to take Zimbabweans for a ride!
The model that I have proposed gives Zimbabweans from all walks of life and across the breath and width of this country a share of $350-400 million per annum throughout the year in supply-based empowerment which will lead to indigenisation sooner rather than later. This is apart from the fact that the model I have presented attends to “bread and butter issues” of the people – school fees, medical fees, food, water, transport, rent, airtime, seeds and fertilizers – to many as opposed to an opaque few that we see clamouring to put their own proxies as beneficiaries under the disguise of indeginisation of the banking sector.
The question then is, do we just indigenise to empower our people or we empower our people to indigenise? As Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and a technocrat, with genuine hard-earned qualifications in banking, finance and development economics, I have presented to the nation and the ministry an empowerment model which has the potential to lead to the ultimate indigenisation of the financial sector as more people participate, but it seems people meant to be assisted through robust and not necessarily populist thinking do not either have the time to read the models or don’t understand them at all, hence going off at a tangent.
The Governor is happy and willing to share a platform anytime with anyone wishing to soberly debate sustainable models of development in Zimbabwe, including broad- based empowerment and indigenisation models for the financial sector that benefit many as opposed to a few. Having said that though, and for the time being, the financial sector will move as if no mistakes have been made and announced through the said Government Gazette which was also done without checking with monetary authorities in the country.
Again, it has falsely and mischievously been suggested in some quarters that as Governor, I am protecting the foreign banks because I owe them huge amounts in the firm of loans given to my family business entities. Well, for the record, my family and I have had business dealings with Barclays and Standard Bank dating back to 1977 (Barclays), 1980 (Standard Chartered), 1996 (Stanbic Bank). At present, I do not owe any of these banks a single penny by way of loans or facilities.
Indeed my family companies owe millions of dollars to regional and continental banks that have extended lines of credit to local banks and through them, to my family enterprises. A substantial component of these loans are all performing though a local bank is affected by curatorship, it follows that my family business loans, through these institutions also get affected, get called-up like those of any other borrowing entity operating in a difficult environment in Zimbabwe.
However, loans extended to the governor’s family businesses are treated as any other and governor does not run the companies directly nor does do I interfere with any legal processes that may correctly or incorrectly be taken against me as co- guarantor of loan facilities to the family enterprises. This must, therefore, dispel any notion that the governor gets feared or favoured by the banks or that I am protecting foreign-owned banks as a favour to them.
I am just as ordinary a family business person as anyone else; my family companies do try to stand on their own though without over-reliance on Gideon Gono, the Governor, for creditors. It is very tempting and exciting to sue the Governor when any of his family companies experience, like any other, difficulties to meet their commitments.
As a family we have been in business for the last 33 years and employ about 2000 people directly in sectors such as farming, agro-processing, horticulture, construction, real estate, publishing, transport, consultancy among others. We are now the third largest chicken-integrated farming operation in the country after Irvines and Cfi-Crest, all started from scratch over the last 33 years. Some people think that we own some banks around but nothing could be further from the truth!” (ZIMBABWE, ZimEye)

PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai who last week admitted fathering a child with Bulawayo 25 year-old Ms Loreta Nyathi, has requested public understanding over the matter.
Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesman at the weekend told ZimEye the PM was in Bulawayo on strict government duty and that people should consider the matter which has sparked international controversy a private matter he alone must be left to deal with.
 
“This so called son…”
Tamborinyoka referred to baby Ethan as  “this so called son” and appealed for privacy on the matter:
“The Prime Minister was in Bulawayo on a government program. The PM is happily married; And whatever is happening regarding his so called son Ethan is a private matter,” he said, before hanging the phone before our reporter.
Tsvangirai (60) who recently re-married following his wife’s death in 2009 fathered the 19 month old boy with Nyathi.
Last week there were internet-wide reports that claimed he was to date yet to see the child and was allegedly refusing to assist the mother obtain a birth certificate for the son.
 
“Personal life”
Tsvangirai at the weekend however told journalists that the reports were an invasion of his private life and were not true.
“I have my personal life and you have yours. I would prefer that we keep it like that. I am not refusing to assist him,” he said.
“Whatever the reports you have heard, I will take care of it and his mother knows the arrangement that we have. I have not refused my responsibility. “It is not true that I am refusing to have my son get a birth certificate. I am happily married.
Part of the controversy surrounding the PM’s love life are developments which resulted in him recently publicly divorcing a woman he had customarily married, one Locardia Karimatsenga Tembo around the same time he was also claiming to be a bachelor. Tembo Family members have claimed that their kinswoman suffered depression following the media barrage against her which culminated in her lover divorcing her in public.
 
UK would have fired Tsvangirai by now
Women’s activists have slammed Tsvangirai following the latest developments making apparent claim that the PM “does not respect women”.
An activist and founding member of the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe who declined being named told ZimEye that due to the latest developments, the Prime Minister would have been fired had he been doing politics in the UK.
“If this was in the UK, Tsvangirai would have been fired by now. We are dealing with vulnerable women…It is a very ironic situation where a woman although she may have made mistakes, but because there is a child, the PM should have done better than what we see. This shows on its own that Tsvangirai does not respect women. Why did people allow Tsvangirai to rule when he does not respect women?” she said.

Tsholotsho(ZimEye)-32 years after obtaining independence from Britain, Zimbabwe’s Local government Minister Ignatius Chombo, here has accused the former colonial masters of relegating rural communities during the pre-Independence (1980) era.
Chombo on the sidelines of a US$50 million launch for Rural Water and sanitation program in Tsholotsho on Thursday told UK Aid head Dave Fish in front of journalists and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, that Britain underdeveloped rural communities just before saying that sanctions worsened the situation.
“Whatever resources came out of the pre-independence economy was ear marked for the development of the few elite whites. Not in the urban areas only, even the blacks who were occupying fertile soils were removed and dumped in Gokwe and even here. In areas infested with Tsetse flies,” Chombo said.
He added:

“The development which was meant for blacks I have known none. I have been a Local Government Minister for more than 10 years, any developments, water, sanitation, schools; clinics only came to the people after independence. Those gains which we had after independence were reversed in 2000 when we had the land reform and the problems we had with our former colonial masters ending up in sanctions. All households had clean water, borehole, protected wells, and roads. There is nothing the former colonisers helped us with if you know one program during the colonial era tell me.”
UK Aid head in Zimbabwe Dave Fish had no kind response for Chombo .
“I suspect that Minister Chombo and I disagree on certain issue which happened during and after independence, and I am not here to apologise for certain historical issues raised here, but I think it’s important that this country looks forward, and does not blame current problems to history and look back. It is really encouraging to see Ministers from all parties to the inclusive government together here at this event. The international community, Britain included, wants to work with you and you should look forward rather than looking backwards, “he responded angrily.
UNICEF is going to be in charge of the WASH program which is going to benefit 2.5 million people from the country’s semi arid provinces.
Matebeleland North and South, Masvingo, Midlands and Mashonaland West are the five provinces which are going to benefit.
According to UNICEF results of the launch are going to be seen in the next 30 days as the development partners having already identified companies to drill and maintain bores in the area.
“Bringing safe water near homes will reduce time spent in collecting water and provides opportunities for poor families to engage in small-scale productive activities.It also reduces burdens which mount on women and girls in rural areas who are the main collectors of water,” UNICEF Country representative Dr Peter Salama said.
Blair toilets for most of the rural communities in the chosen provinces are also going to be constructed.(ZimEye, Zimbabwe)

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has denied reports that he is scheduled to perform a white wedding on the 15th Septermber.
Media houses have in the past week proliferated an alleged leak of information on Tsvangirai’s future plans with his current customary wife Elizabeth Macheka. It was reported that the PM will tie the knot with 35 year-old Ms Macheka on September 15th, at a ceremony in Harare.
But the PM’s spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka has denied reports of the premier’s imminent wedding stating that it is just mere media talk.
“Its media talk, media speculation, there is no truth in it at all” he told ZimEye on Tuesday.
 
Both Tsvangirai and Ms Macheka lost their spouses in tragic accidents. Tsvangirai lost his wife Susan in a March 2009 car crash along the Harare-Beitbridge highway, while Elizabeth lost her first husband, Mabasa Guma, in a separate car crash along the Harare-Bulawayo road in 2002.
 
Controversy has however surrounded the PM as he was slammed by supporters for dumping his former customary wife Locadia Tembo claiming that ZANU PF were behind his marriage to her. But the PM has now picked another ZANU PF family-aliged ‘s daughter whose father is a feared senior ZANU PF official at a time when many MDC-T activists are languishing in prison who include top party cadres such as Solomon Madzore amid concerns that the PM has betrayed the movement.

(London)The late Ret General Solomon Mujuru’s customary wife, Simbiso Chisirimunhu, has died in the United Kingdom.
She was 38.
Ms Chisirimunhu died on Tuesday evening after a long ilness although relatives reported she died of stress.
She was mother to Tawanda and Tsitsi Mujuru and her son, Tawanda, seen by ZimEye has a sharp facial resemblance of Zimbabwe’s most feared army general.
General Mujuru married the woman 18 years ago in Chikomba, Sadza district, witnesses claim. She was second wife customarily married to the general who until his death was legally married to Vice President Joice Mujuru.
Ms Chisirimunhu’s relatives Wednesday said that she died of stress. She succumbed to “mental health relapse as a result of stress,” a relative said.
Her brother, Christian Mahachi said “she died on Tuesday evening. We are still consulting as a family so that we can start working on burial arrangements,”
A friend of Simbiso who declined being named alleged to ZimEye that the deceased struggled and was once threatened by Vice president Joice Mujuru, which resulted in her opting to relocate to the United Kingdom”.

As the international community celebrated World refugee day Wednesday, the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) has claimed that Zimbabwe is generous to refugees as he commended the nation for accommodating several inflows from countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda and Sudan.
In a statement, the UNHCR expressed gratitude to Zimbabwe claiming that it is generous with refugees who continue to enter the country mostly through the northern Nyamapanda border post.
A statement read:
“UNHCR wishes to record its special thanks because despite the tremendous developmental and other challenges facing the country, the government and people of Zimbabwe have remained committed to preserving the institution of asylum, and tolerating the presence of refugees and other persons of concern on Zimbabwean territory,” said the UNHCR boss.
But the high commissioner was blasted by the Nottingham Zimbabwe community leader Regis Manyanya:
“Has the High Commissioner been to the refugee camp in Tongogara? I have been there. The conditions the refugees live in there is absolutely deplorable,” he said.
Manyanya said that animals in the bushes of Chiredzi are living better life than those in the refugee camps, ‘although the country does indeed allow entry of refugees from various countries’.
Several refugees of Ethiopian origin were also seen by ZimEye in the outskirts of Harare’s Waterfalls suburb, living in card box shelters in the bitter winter weather. ZimEye found that state media journalists had weeks before even photographed the destitute refugees, and with government well informed of their plight, they yet continued to languish in the outward dwellings.
Zimbabwe yesterday (Wednesday) joined the rest of the international community in commemorating the World Refugee Day – originally the African Refugee Day.
UNHCR’s 2011 Global statistical Trends Report show an increase in the number of refugees following a string of humanitarian crises that unraveled from late 2010 in Cote D’Ivoire, the Arab Spring in Libya, Yemen, Egypt and Tunisia. Other triggering events were those in the Sudan, and the now cyclic scenes of violence in Somalia.
At least 4.3 million people have to date been displaced worldwide, according to the report and out of this number, 800,000 sought refuge in other countries.
The international theme for this year’s commemorative events is “Dilemma” and the UN’s office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Zimbabwe has narrowed the dilemmas faced by refugees and other displaced people to two aspects: how to restore hope and ensure that refugee children have access to universal primary education. The theme speaks to the urgent need to address the increase in forced displacement across borders.

BULAWAYO (ZimEye)- A TOTAL of 13 people perished in a horrific accident while four were injured when an overloaded commuter omnibus veered off the road along the Mbembesi-Fort Rixon Road.
The commuter omnibus then crashed into Nonka River on Monday evening.The injured passengers are admitted at United Bulawayo Hospitals.
Police officer commanding traffic Senior Assistant Commissioner Martin Chari confirmed the accident, saying the omnibus was overloaded and speeding resulting in the driver losing control at about 9km off the Bulawayo-Gweru Road.
Chari attacked transporters for overloading and speeding which has resulted in unnecessary loss of life.
He said a raft of strategies have been crafted to force transporters to comply with the Road Traffic and Road Motor Transportation Acts.
The strategies include speed traps on main and feeder roads, checks on drivers’ worthiness to drive passenger vehicles as well as sobriety checks of drivers.
Overloaded and speeding commuter omnibus accidents have claimed a significant number of lives in recent months, a situation that Senior Assistant Commissioner Martin Chari said could have been avoided had the drivers not overloaded, and limited themselves to the speed limit of 80km/h.
(Zimbabwe, ZimEye)