AN acute shortage of Compound C — the only blend fertiliser recommended for tobacco production — is being exploited by some unscrupulous dealers to rip-off unsuspecting gold-leaf growers through repackaged, under weighed and overpriced fong-kong products.

The state media reports that the illegal practice, where some dealers are re-packaging either Urea or Compound D fertilisers in original Compound C bags, was rampant in Mutare and Rusape — which attract voluminous buyers as they are traditionally the tobacco growing hubs in Manicaland.

Tobacco Association of Zimbabwe (TAZ) president, Mr David Guy Mutasa said the fong-kong products were under weighed and overpriced with a 30kg, disguised as 50kg, selling at $36.

“They are ripping off farmers by selling the wrong consignments wrapped in proper Compound C bags at exorbitant prices. These dealers are selling fake Compound C to tobacco growers with a 30kg bag, disguised as a 50kg, going for $36.

Urea fertiliser is not ideal for tobacco, it damages the quality of tobacco because it has too much nitrogen. Due to the current shortages, many farmers are falling prey to these unscrupulous dealers and end up using the wrong fertiliser for their crop. I have come across a number of unscrupulous dealers selling these fake products in Rusape and Mutare,” said Mr Mutasa.

Mr Vekina Neru of Kelvin Farm in Headlands said he bought Compound C from the street only to discover that he had been duped.

“It was all fake. I bought two bags of what was sold as Compound C, only to discover that one bag had Compound D and the other had Urea. I bought it in Rusape after being referred there by several other farmers, which means those referees were also duped. As farmers we should stop buying fertilisers from dubious dealers because they are selfish and insincere,” said Mr Neru.

Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) spokesperson Mr Isheunesu Moyo warned growers that the use of fertiliser blends, other than those recommended by the Tobacco Research Board (TRB), compromise both quality and yields.

Mr Moyo said farmers should only buy fertiliser blends from recommended dealers.

“Blends that are not recommended by the Tobacco Research Board compromise both quality and yields. We recommend that farmers buy fertilisers blends that have been recommended by the Tobacco Research Board from recommended companies,” said Mr Moyo.

The fertiliser shortages are not only affected tobacco, but other crops, especially maize.

Foreign currency shortages blighting the country have been blamed for fertiliser companies’ inability to meet demand.

The shortages are posing a serious threat to the cereal crop production — amid revelations fertiliser firms’ capacity to meet demand under Command Agriculture and other private farmers due to lack of forex to import raw materials.

The piece-meal distribution of fertiliser under Command Agriculture has courted the wrath of farmers who argue that the noble programme was on verge of unintended consequences.

Fertiliser firms recently told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development that they could not meet demand due to lack of foreign currency to import raw materials.

Some companies have raw materials and fertiliser stocks in their warehouses, but cannot release them before paying their external suppliers as the contrabands are held under collateral management agreement.

For instance, the Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company (ZFC) has delivered only 20 000 tonnes of Compound D, which is half of its target under Command Agriculture while Omnia has supplied 5 000 tonnes out of target of 6 800t.

ZFC managing director, Dr Richard Dafana, said the company needed $6 million to fulfil its target under Command Agriculture.

“We are now producing from hand-to-mouth. Fertiliser companies should get the lion’s share on foreign currency especially now when we have an important cropping programme. It is best that priority is given to save the crop so that we do not end up importing food.

“We have high rainfall this year, which is favourable for crop production. We are afraid we may continue to produce the compound fertilisers when the nutrients will no longer be required by the crops,” said Dr Dafana.

Omia finance director, Mrs Anne Munetsi also cited the same challenge.

“We have been experiencing challenges to access foreign currency to buy raw materials. We also blend fertilisers, but production is being hampered by shortage of raw materials as a result of foreign currency challenges. Our bins, which are supposed to have raw materials, are empty now and normally during this time of the year they would be full,” said Mrs Munetsi. – State Media

Familiarity breeds contempt so goes the old adage.

Commercial sex workers who gathered at a Provincial Sex Workers Advocacy Group workshop at a Masvingo hotel last week made a clarion call for the rebranding of the Panther condoms which they said are being resisted by their clients.

The workshop was organised by Batanai HIV and Aids Services Organisation (Bhaso).
The Panther condoms are Public Sector condoms that are supplied for free and have been on the market for the past three or more decades.

The sex workers said at the two-day workshop that the Panther condoms were being resisted by their well-to-do clients who felt that they were of poor quality because of their lack of some of the characteristics of the condoms that are found on the market.

The commercial sex workers said that they sometimes end up having unprotected sex as clients shun the condoms. “The perception against the Panther is so bad that the sex workers sometimes lose clients who walk away when asked to use these Panther condoms,” said one of the sex workers.

The workshop heard that the Panther which is nicknamed maDembare because of the colour of the pack that is the same as that of the country’s top team Dynamos (Dembare) is also shunned by students at colleges and universities who regard them as cheap and of poor quality. Students are said to have complained against the smell of the condom.

The perception against the condoms, said the sex workers has been worsened by the poor performance of Dynamos this year and the clients would say that this was synonymous with the performance of the condoms.

“As sex workers we know that Panther condoms are as good as any but the perception out there is very bad as many people think that because the commodity has no sweet scent like others and is for free, it is also of poor quality,” another sex worker said.

The sex workers who said the Panther was convenient to them because others are expensive then appealed to organisations that were represented at the workshop that included Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) and the New Start Centre to appeal to the relevant authorities for the rebranding of the condom so that it has an appeal to the market.

Peter Vhoko, the provincial manager for ZNFPC acknowledged the perception problem but however, said the Panther was just as good as any other. He promised that the issue of rebranding will be attended to. The challenge however is that Panther condoms are not manufactured in Zimbabwe and the idea of rebranding would have to be taken to the manufacturers. There was also an acknowledgement at the workshop that the issue of rebranding had been on the agenda for the past five years.
The sex workers also proposed that the condoms should be accompanied by lubricants which makes the vagina wet. In addition to the rebranding of the condoms, the sex workers also called for the manufacturers to bring the condoms with extra jelly or lubricant which they would then use to keep their private parts wet to avoid the bursting of condoms.

The sex workers also demanded for the promulgation of a law that protects their profession and added that if that happens, they would be happy to pay taxes like any other Zimbabwean workers. They pleaded for an arrangement of a pension scheme.

Reproductive Health expert, Herbert Chikosi said the issue of the rebranding of the Panther is one that all players in the sector should be seized with. He also said the call by the sex workers for jelly to accompany the condoms was justified as the sex workers were using vaseline in their place which easily caused the bursting of condoms. – Masvingo Mirror

Zimbabwe People First leader Joice Mujuru has called on opposition parties to rally behind her party’s candidate for the Bikita West, Kudakwashe Gopo, in the 21 January by-elections.

Six candidates are contesting the seat which became vacant after the conviction of Munyaradzi Kereke of rape. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail.

The six candidates contesting are Gopo,  Beauty Chabaya of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, Madock Chivasa of the National Constitutional Assembly,  Terence Makumbo of the Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe, and Heya Shoko and Innocent Muzvimbiri who are both standing as independent candidates.

Mujuru said she supported the idea of a grant coalition but said it should not only quantify votes but should bring people together.

“It should be a process capable of fostering convergence and national healing. A process of such magnitude should be people-driven and guided by the need to build like-minded synergies among various stakeholders,” Mujuru said I her state of the nation address.

“We are of the idea that the process of building the coalition should be an all-inclusive process that is not only limited to political actors but one which would include private citizens, the churches, civic bodies, student movements and any other interested stakeholders genuinely committed to the democratisation of our politics and the holding of free and fair elections.

“We are currently working with other democratic forces in the Bikita West by-election where we fielded a candidate, Kudakwashe Gopo. We urge all democratic forces to rally behind him and vote overwhelming for change on 21 January 2017,” she said.

Mujuru who was Vice-President for 10 years castigated her former boss President Robert Mugabe for taking a holiday to the Far East at this particular time when most people could not access cash to go to their rural homes for Christmas. – The Insider

Former University of Zimbabwe SRC president Paul Chimhosva has died in South Africa.

Chimhosva who is survived by one child is reported to have collapsed this morning in his home in South-Africa and died on the way to hospital.

The student leader icon Chimhosva shot to prominence in 1990-1 after leading several demonstrations at the UZ that resulted in the university being closed for several months.

Social media is awash with condolence messages. More To Follow..

Job Sikhala| The year 2016 in review was the year that witnessed the emergency of citizen resistance against the imperial dictatorship of Robert Mugabe. Citizens coalesced around issues of common concern and took them to the doorsteps of the dictatorship. In our post independence history, only did we witnessed such citizen participation in their affairs of such magnitude since the 1987 to 1999 food riots in the country.

The modern struggle was no longer a class struggle like the one we witnessed in the late 1990s which was spearheaded by the working class and the students movement. The working class and the students movement were organised units that could call upon its constituency into action against the excesses of the state. The 2016 one was citizen driven. Even established political superstructures couldn’t have control over it. The message of coalesce was around issues to do with citizens.

The mass response to the leading actors in the call for citizen participation such as Evan Mawarire, Patson Dzamara, Lynda Tsungie Masarira, Fadzayi Mahere, Sten Zvorwadza, Promise Mkwananzi and others created a new class of social movement activists who have galvanised the national pyche into action. The momentum built in the consciousness of our people provoked astonishing response and support from every citizen of our country. The major impact being the selfless character of the protagonists. Theirs was a mission to alert the citizens to the quagmire of our problems and fate if action is not taken. That was a mark to reckon with in our history.

2017 I predict the worse. There will be more actors joining the citizen social activities. Political parties will also wake up from their deep slumber and become more proactive. There shall be more activity on the ground that the regime will be overwhelmed by multifaceted actions. I foresee the state failure to contain citizen anger. This will be exercebated by the serious fissures in hatred engrossed revolutionary movement. Open conflict will emerge in Mugabe’s personal fiefdom.

The Grace Mugabe fronted G40 will be so suppressed that it will suffocate to death. The Lacoste will be so ruthless against their internal nemesis while on the other hand project the picture of a progressive outfit both to the opposition and to the world. Douglas Mahiya and Matemadanda as megaphones of Chris Mutsvangwa will become more reckless in their pronouncements. New political players will emerge even those unexpected. MDC and People First will also be on the rush to consolidate their footing on the ground. It will be busy bodies everywhere.

Pretenders will also raise their heads to find political space in their various political organisations to strategically position self for the mega 2018 do or die elections. Talks and talks about the so called grand coalition will occupy acres of space both in our print and social media but nothing concrete will emerge until late 2017 or early 2018 after politicians have had enough of sizing up their egos. In the event of anything unforseen to Mugabe happening, ZANU PF will ruthlessly split into two hostile organisations that might lead to blood on the floor.

2017 is the year of defining Future Zimbabwe. Wait and see.

Former vice President Joice Mujuru, who now leads the opposition Zimbabwe People First (ZPF), says the country’s mooted grand coalition — which is set to be in place this year — will bring to an end President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF’s long rule.

In her State of the nation address on Friday, Mujuru also described 2016 as having been a “bleak” year, laying the blame for this squarely on Mugabe and his Zanu PF Cabinet team, which the Daily News on Sunday’s sister paper, the Daily News ranked last week as the worst ever in the country’s history.

Mujuru, who was ruthlessly purged from the warring Zanu PF in late 2014, together with her close allies who included liberation stalwarts such as Rugare Gumbo and Didymus Mutasa — on untested claims of plotting to oust and assassinate Mugabe — also assured Zimbabweans that the mooted opposition alliance would be in place by the end of 2017.

“My fellow citizens and countrymen, the Zanu PF government has failed. It has shown that it lacks the commitment to implement programmes that better the generality of our people.

“We agree with the sentiments which we gathered from the interactive discussions we had with the people during our nation-wide tour. Your message was loud and clear, that it’s time for Mugabe to leave office,” Mujuru said.

“We also take heed of your strong conviction for the need that opposition parties should form a grand coalition to effect change in the regime and bring about a new way that puts people first.

“As ZPF, we believe a grand coalition should not only quantify votes, but should bring our people together. It should be a process capable of fostering convergence and national healing. A process of such magnitude should also be people-driven and guided by the need to build like-minded synergies among various stakeholders,” she added.

Opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Mujuru have been working behind the scenes to form an electoral pact which includes some of the smaller political outfits.

Sources close to the ongoing coalition confirmed to the Daily News on Sunday yesterday that there was now “an agreement in principle” between Mujuru and Tsvangirai about the two working together — with talks with another opposition leader, Welshman Ncube apparently set to be concluded soon.

“We are of the idea that the process of building the coalition should be an all-inclusive process that is not only limited to political actors, but one which would include private citizens, the churches, civic bodies, student movements and any other interested stakeholders genuinely committed to the democratisation of our politics and the holding of free and fair elections.

“After touring the country’s 10 provinces, we are more than convinced that the people of this great nation want change and they are ready for it.

“The people in the Diaspora want change in order to come back home to their families and friends, and also to help their country.

“Fellow citizens, we need a renewal of our minds, a change, and a vast paradigm shift in the way we do things. In order for this change to be realised, we need a fresh leadership with the will to work for the betterment of our people.

“We need a leadership with the craft competency to effect a turnaround that we desire, a leadership with a clear vision of making our country a first world,” Mujuru said further in her Friday address.

Tsvangirai and Mujuru are part of the 18 opposition parties which have coalesced under the banner of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera), and which has recently scored a psychological victory by forcing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to include them in committees tasked with working on the 2018 election preparatory works.

Analysts have consistently said that a united opposition, fighting with one purpose, would bring to an end Mugabe’s long rule — especially at this time when the country’s economy is dying and the increasingly frail nonagenarian is battling to keep his warring Zanu PF united.

Since Mujuru joined hands with Tsvangirai and marched with him in the streets of Gweru in August last year — in a rare public display of unity among the opposition — there have been growing calls by fed up citizens for the formation of a grand opposition alliance. Daily News

Lazarus Dokora’s Ministry says the majority of schools in the country are less likely to increase school fees for the first term which begins next week as it has not received any application for the 2017 fees review yet.

Schools will open for the first term on 10 January. Stakeholders in the education sector have also said there was no justification in schools increasing fees as it would only serve to burden the parents.

According to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, no school had applied for authority to increase school fees, as at 30 December 2016.

The Government policy requires all schools to first seek authority from the parent ministry before making any school fee adjustments.

Normally schools announce fees increases at the close of each term for returning pupils, while new pupils get the fees structures upon being enrolled.

With no school yet to apply for permission to increase school fees, nine days before schools open, observers said it was an indication that there may be no school fees increases for the first term of 2017. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango confirmed that her office was yet to receive any application for fee increases from schools.

She, however, said it might still be premature to rule out fees increases, as some schools may still apply for authority to increase fees after the festive period.

“We haven’t received any applications yet. It may still be premature so say schools won’t apply. Maybe after the holidays the applications will start coming through.

“Some schools may have projects that they are pursuing and may thus need to adjust fees to fund those projects. The procedure is that they must give justification for the proposed increase and if we are satisfied we approve,” she said.

Zimbabwe Schools Development Associations/Committees secretary General Mr Everisto Jongwe said the fact that no application for fees increases had been made to the ministry yet was indication that there might be no fees increases going into the first term of the year. He said while schools were not coping and needed more funds, the prevailing economic conditions did not warrant any fees adjustment as it would further burden parents.

“I agree with the observation that there may not be any fees increases this coming term.

“It’s highly likely that schools will not increase fees, not because the school are coping themselves but the state of our economy does not warrant any fees increase,” he said.

Added Mr Jongwe, “Parents have not had any increases on their income and if anything their incomes are shrinking, thus no parent is likely to endorse any fees increase”.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said there should not be any fees increases in the coming term.

He, however, said if there were any schools that intend to increase fees, they should do so procedurally.

“Economic indications in 2016 are that people are finding it difficult to survive. So I believe that every aspect of the economy should be kept where it was, price wise, to avoid an upsurge of prices.

There is no justification to increase fees and I support a price freezes as the most tenable situation,” he said.

Mr Ndlovu added, “Schools should be sanctioned by Government first before they increase fees.

“There shouldn’t be anyone who increases fees against the law and we encourage our teachers to abide by the laws,” he said.

The Government has been on record warning schools against unilaterally increasing fees without being sanctioned by authorities.

It has also become a tradition that hordes of pupils lose valuable learning time at the start of each term after being turned away for non-payment of school fees, particularly those in private and boarding institutions.

The Government has also warned schools against turning away pupils for non-payment of school fees.- State Media

It’s commonly believed that men are more sexually active as compared to their female partner. But very often, they too encounter several fears related to their bedroom romp, which can in turn cause doldrums in their sexual relationship.

Fears related to their sexual performance, sex position, ejaculation period, a satisfying orgasm and wild acts in bed often end up killing their passion. With these fears running through their mind, men not only fail to satisfy their female partner, but are unable to enjoy the act themselves.

Chandigarh-based sexologist Dr. Deepak Arora explains, “Men always relate sex and sexuality with their egos and they never want to fail there. This is the biggest fear in them which converts to performance anxiety. This anxiety leads to a man failing to perform well in bed and if their female partner does not have the patience to bear with them, relationship goes for a toss easily.”

Get Over It : Dr. Arora elucidates, “Medically, if a man is able to hold his ejaculation for at least one minute, he is not a patient of premature ejaculation. But unfortunately very few people know this fact and they are being misguided with fake ads and while watching porn movies, which makes them think that they are unable to have sex for a longer period. This creates a feeling of insecurity about their female partner and the sexual stress mounts, which gets converted into performance anxiety. In most of the cases, the problem practically doesn’t exist, but the fear is creating it.”

Fear fright # 3: Not getting her pregnant

Though it’s not necessary that every sex session should be aimed at getting the woman pregnant, but still men do carry impotency fears in their minds. The continuous worry of not getting a woman pregnant puts men in a serious stigma, which adversely affects their sexual performance.

Get Over It : Dr. Arora says, “Having a child is related with both male and female health and destiny too. There are numerous cases where medically everything is normal, but the female is unable to conceive. You should try to have a healthy life style, a proper diet and a positive attitude about yourself. If there is any problem with your semen, it can be treated, so no point worrying about it. The first need is a good sex life, not having a child.”

Fear fright # 4: Lacking porn value

It’s a normal practice that men watch porn to learn certain sexual acts and then repeat them with their partner. In an attempt to try something new and opt for wild acts, men repeatedly indulge in bringing out the porn elements in their sex life. And many a times, if the female partner is not responding positively, men start feeling that they are lacking somewhere.

Get Over It : Dr. Gitanjali says, “Men often compare their sexual performance with porn scenes or with that of their female partner and the fear that they might be less experienced makes them panic. Men should understand that performing in bed has nothing to do with any experience. It’s the mental connection with the female partner which can exist even without taking any inspiration from the porn acts.”

Fear fright # 5: Masturbation done in the past

Several studies have claimed that masturbation done during one’s childhood or adolescent years doesn’t impact a person’s sex life in his later years. Yet there exists numerous fears attached to the same. Men often blame their masturbation habits for their weak bedroom performance and with this illogical apprehension; they fail to focus on their present sexual acts.

Get Over It : Dr. Arora advices, “Masturbation doesn’t harm much, but the guilt of masturbating is more harmful, and this is just due to lack of sex education. Every healthy male masturbates many times in his life in various stages of age, there is nothing to worry about.” – Online

A mentally challenged man from Chiredzi allegedly stabbed his four-year-old nephew with a knife he had taken from his mother saying he wanted to prepare meat for relish, police confirmed.

Nyasha Mutinhe (25) of Village 4 Musapasi Resettlement area, Mkwasine who has a history of mental illness since 2015 allegedly grabbed Jansen Gwinji by the right hand, slapped him on the face once before stabbing him on the abdomen with a knife leaving his intestines protruding.

Jansen’s grandmother who is also mother to Mutinhe, Ms Sekai Gwenzi (52) administered first aid on the boy before rushing him to Mkwasine clinic but he died before arrival.

Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula said the incident occurred on Wednesday at around 5PM.

She said the suspect fled the scene after committing the crime but was arrested the following day.

“We received a report of murder of a four-year-old boy from Chiredzi by his mentally challenged uncle. The man stabbed his victim on the abdomen with a knife leaving his intestines protruding. He had asked the knife from his mother under the guise of wanting to cut meat for the family’s relish,” said Insp Mazula.

Police said Ms Gwenzi allegedly handed over the knife to Mutinhe in good faith, but armed with the weapon he approached his nephew, Jansen who was playing in the homestead’s yard and forcibly grabbed his right hand.

When Ms Gwenzi observed that Mutinhe was no longer in his sober senses, she pleaded with him to stop holding the boy saying she wanted to bath him but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

Insp Mazula said in a moment of madness, Mutinhe slapped Jansen on the face and he fell down before stabbing him on the abdomen with the knife he was holding and fled the scene.

She said Ms Gwenzi lifted the profusely bleeding boy and rushed him to Mkwasine Clinic but he died on the way.

“A report was made at Mkwasine police who attended the scene and took the body to Chiredzi District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem. The suspect was arrested on Thursday while roaming in a nearby bush. He will appear in court soon facing murder charges,” said Insp Mazula.

Insp Mazula advised members of the pubic to ensure that their mentally challenged relatives take their medication when it was due. – State Media

Witnesses from the Beatrice road (Harare) accident yesterday say that the kombi driver who abruptly pulled into a big bus coming from the opposite direction was likely busy fiddling on WhatsApp on his phone handset while at the steering wheel.

5 people are feared dead from a horrific accident that occurred in Beatrice road Saturday afternoon.

Two people reportedly sustained deep cuts on their heads, while others came out miraculously.

The mishap happened when the kombi (traveling in the opposite direction) turned into an Eagle Liner bus and was crashed into. Several people were swiftly rescued and ZimEye.com releases the video of

…the rescue operation. ZimEye.com interviewed the driver of a vehicle that was behind the Eagle Liner bus, and he told our reporter that the kombi driver was most likely playing with his phone on WhatsApp when he abruptly turned into the Eagle Liner bus. “It was out of sheer luck that the bus driver was not speeding, otherwise passengers in the bus would have been killed”, he said.

More to follow as details unravel…

Police have launched an investigation into an armed robbery case where three suspects raided a broken down bus, assaulted passengers and got away with valuables worth thousands of dollars.

The incident occurred on Friday at the 81km peg along the Harare-Chirundu highway. A King Lion bus broke down in Banket during the night. Three armed men then appeared and threatened to kill the passengers if they resisted to surrender their valuables.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintended Paul Nyathi said the police are investigating the case.

“The ZRP is investigating a case of armed robbery which occurred at the 81km peg along Harare-Chirundu Highway, Banket.

“Circumstances are that on December 30, 2016; the bus was travelling from Chirundu to Harare when it broke down. The bus crew arranged alternative transport for the passengers and as they were waiting for assistance from Harare, at around 2200 hours, three unknown male adults forced the door open using an unknown object.

“One of the accused persons produced a pistol and threatened to kill two passengers while the other two accused assaulted a passenger with iron bars.

“They stole US$540, K4000, a Samsung cell phone, two 12v batteries, a car radio and a spare wheel; all valued at US$1740.”

The recovery team arrived during the robbery and was also attacked. Chief Sup Nyathi said the robbers smashed the recovery team’s vehicle windscreen with an unknown object before fleeing in a white Mazda truck.

In a separate incident that occurred on Thursday, two women travelling from Beitbridge to Masvingo lost valuables priced at ZAR3 900 to robbers.

The police have urged members of the public to use conventional transport when travelling. They have also expressed concern over the increase in armed robbery cases countrywide. – State Media

THE Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) will absorb more than 3000 employees of the now defunct diamond mining companies in Chiadzwa and the employees will undergo lie detector tests as part of interviews, a cabinet minister has said. Early last year, Government closed most diamond mining companies that were operating in Chiadzwa in an effort to improve accountability and transparency.

Only Marange Resources and Diamond Mining Cooperation (DMC) were left to mine while Mbada, Anjin, Jinan, Kusena, Gye Nyame as well as DTZ-OZGEO in Chimanimani were all ordered to shut down.

The diamond mining companies were later consolidated into one entity to form ZCDC, although some of the companies resisted the consolidation.

Thousands of the employees were rendered jobless. Mines and Mining Development Minister, Walter Chidhakwa recently told The Sunday Mail that the new entity would absorb the former employees subject to thorough vetting.

“ZCDC is obviously going to absorb those employees, but they have to go through lie detectors and a set of interviews before they are taken on board,” he said.

Minister Chidhakwa said the new entity was in need of skills and labour, therefore there was no need for the former employees of the defunct mining companies to panic.

“We need geologists, metallurgists and engineers, among other professions, to drive that company forward in the interests of the country,” he said.

The minister said the former employees of the closed mines cannot be paid when there is no production.

“We understand their plight but I can assure them that once everything is sorted, they will get first preference, but we need skills.

I think expecting to be paid when there is no production is expecting too much. We are doing everything in our powers to ensure that the new entity becomes operational as soon as possible,” he said.

Addressing the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, Zimbabwe Diamond Mining Workers Union secretary general, Justice Chinhema said it is important for Government to pronounce who is liable to pay the former employees’ outstanding salaries and benefits.

Minister Chidhakwa encouraged them to be patient until the ongoing court process is concluded. He however emphasized that the former employees would get a fair deal.

Government resolved to take over the 150 000 hectare diamond rich fields after companies failed to satisfactorily declare royalties and taxes for the five years they were operating.

Globally, diamond mining is a preserve of the State. Botswana is a success story of that approach. The Botswana multi-billion diamond mining industry employs thousands due to government’s intervention. – State Media

Staff Reporter | Memories still fresh on the bitter fight between government and villagers over Maleme Ranch in Matobo, government appears to be brewing another land war in the area.
Villagers are reportedly grouping up to resist the “Maleme way” a move by government to take over land being used by villagers to expand an ARDA irrigation farm recently taken over by Trek Petroleum.
Government is reportedly in the process of evicting villagers from four villages surrounding the huge Antelope Estate to expand the territory of the estate to some 1962 boundaries.
According to village head Mr Phanuel Ndlovu, ARDA and Government gave the estate to Trek Petroleum who engaged a South African investor Midnight Feast Properties to put funds into the expansion programme without consulting the investors.
Ndlovu claims that this is the third time that the villagers around the estate are being evicted from the land since the sixties.
The four villages affected are Mahetshe, Matankeni, Silawa and Zweyamba. The villagers have vowed not to go down without a fight in defending their land.
Last year villagers from Maleme Village in the same district heavily fought against government’s take over of Maleme Ranch until Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko intervened to block the take over giving villagers victory over state machinery.

Terrence Mawawa, Mwenezi | Desperate villagers here have resorted to baboon meat as the ruling party Zanu PF continues to distribute food aid on partisan basis.
Zanu PF politicians led by Mnanagwa aide Josaya Dunhira Hungwe have openly instructed local villagers to join the ruling party or face starvation.
Traditional leaders here are also working with Zanu PF members to deny villagers access to food aid.
Villagers in Mwenezi District, one of the areas severely affected by drought now survive on baboon meat.
An official in the Parks and Wildlife Department told ZimEye.com yesterday there was grave concern at the increase in the number of villagers killing baboons for meat over the past few months.
The official said the villagers were hunting baboons because they were easy to trap. He said the department was worried about the rapid decimation of the baboon population as a result of hunger.
“We are experiencing a rare form of poaching here as a result drought. This is our first time to realise that people eat baboon meat. This is happening because of drought. The people are doing so because they are facing starvation,” said the official.
Admire Mukono of Negari Village said the villagers were struggling to afford decent meals on a daily basis as a result of the politicisation of food aid by Zanu PF members.
“Our only option is to resort to baboon meat because we are being denied access to food aid by Zanu PF politicians,” he said.

THE Government is working to eliminate fraudulent claims and double dipping in school fees claims for children of war veterans with fresh statistics showing that there are over 14 000 fees claims for the second term.
The Minister of Welfare Services for War veterans, War Collaborators, Ex-political detainees and Restrictees, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, said his ministry had introduced a new mechanism to plug loopholes and avoid fraudulent claims.
Responding to a question in Parliament on Wednesday, Cde Dube said half of the applications for the second term had been processed already.
“I want to assure this august House that the Ministry only pays school fees when the money is availed.
From a managerial and administrative perspective, the Ministry is instituting concrete measures to eliminate fraudulent claims, double dipping and ghost beneficiaries,” he told Parliament.
“To this end, starting first term 2016, we introduced a new application form that requires, among other things, the school head to fill and sign a portion of the form dealing with the school fees”.
Cde Dube said all cash payments had been stopped and instead the Ministry now only transacts electronically into bank accounts of schools and colleges.
He said among the measures, his ministry was also monitoring progress of all children receiving Government support through checking the number of years in school or college.
“This means if a child is registered as being in primary school, we expect that child to complete Grade 7 and prove it at the end of seven years. The same goes for secondary, higher and tertiary education.

This eliminates the problem where in a few cases; a child would be receiving support for Form 4 for 14 years, for example. This intrusive management is intended to eliminate such cases and it is working,’” said Cde Dube.
Cde Dube added that the Ministry was working on reducing the school fees bill.
“Finally, the Ministry pays a maximum of $700 per child, per term or semester. We are in the process of consulting line ministries in the education sector to bring the upper limit down, in a graded way for primary and secondary education thus differentiating the two from the tertiary limit.
Through these measures, we are hoping to significantly reduce the school fees bill,” he said.
Cde Dube said his Ministry was waiting for funding to clear the school fees backlog.
“This year, Treasury availed $6 million on 5th of April, 2016, two days ahead of the meeting with the President.
“The Ministry was compelled to use part of this money to host the President’s meeting with the war veterans on the understanding, agreed beforehand with Treasury, that this would be reimbursed. This has not been done due to current economic challenges.
“The Ministry was therefore, able to pay two batches of school fees covering arrears for the First Term 2015. This left a third batch amounting to just over $1, 3 million which is ready for payment as soon as the money used for the meeting is reimbursed.”
“The august house may also be pleased to know that soon after the President’s meeting with war veterans, Treasury appropriated an additional $6 million towards second term school fees,” said Cde Dube.
“This appropriation is yet to be funded by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. The Ministry presently has received 14 500 applications for the second term school fees of which 7 000 have already been processed for payment but are awaiting funding.”

Mlungisi said Marvelous told the police that they attacked Godlove around 11PM on Wednesday as he was leaving Woodpecker night club.
He said Godlove and Marvelous had been involved in previous fights.
Ward 7 councillor Mr Ronald Sibanda said the community was tired of the territorial gang wars.
“These groups are always fighting. They go around carrying machetes and knives. We’re now afraid to send our children to the shops or anywhere unaccompanied,” he said.
Cde Rain Mathulisa, a community leader and a Central Committee member of Zanu-PF, accused the police of turning a blind eye to the crimes taking place in the area.
“When you call the police to clear your cattle they come quickly because they know they will get money. But when we report cases of violence perpetrated by the groups, they don’t come. We’re disappointed with these police officers,” he said.
A villager, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Godlove and Marvelous were bullies who had previous brushes with the law.
He said last week, Godlove had assaulted a fellow villager, adding that the community was shocked to see him roaming the area barely an hour after his arrest.
“You see, this area is close to Gweru River, it’s close to St Faith and Solomon areas where gold panning is rampant. So they carry their grudges from there and bring them home. These two belong to rival groups which are always fighting each other. They move around with machetes and knives saying they are for self defence,” said the villager.
According to court records, Godlove was once convicted of assault which left his victim with seven stitches on the head.
Godlove appeared before Gweru magistrate Mr Tayengwa Chibanda on May 24 facing one count of assault and was sentenced to perform 350 hours of community service which he completed.
On the other hand, Marvelous was in 2014 convicted of rape by Regional magistrate Mr Morgan Nemadire.
He was handed a three-year suspended sentence because he was said to have been under age. state media

Lynda Masarira won her remand release, but has remained Jailed. Below is a statement issued by Lawyers For Human Rights;

THE trial of Masarira and 10 others who were arrested over#SHUTDOWNZIM2016 on 6 July 2016 and are being charged with obstructing the free flow of traffic will continue on Tuesday 6 September 2016 at the Mbare Magistrates Court at 14.15hours.
Although Linda Masarira has been languishing in prison ever since her arrest on 6 July 2016, the other accused persons were remanded out of custody. The Trial of the 11 who are being represented by ZLHR member Kudzayi Kadzere began on the 25th of August 2016.
Meanwhile MDC-T Bulawayo Youth Secretary, Kunashe Muchemwa who was arrested last week and was charged with public violence over the demo on Wednesday 24 August 2016, will appear before a Harare Magistrate on Tuesday 6 September 2016 for bail application. He is being represented by ZLHR member Jeremiah Bamu.

The hearing of an urgent application by opposition parties and activists challenging the validity of the police ban on all demonstrations in the central business district has been deferred to tomorrow.
The ban is for two weeks, which expires on September 16.
Justice Priscilla Chigumba met both parties’ lawyers in her chambers yesterday and informed them that she would hear the matter tomorrow.
Harare lawyer Mr Tendai Biti. who is acting for the applicants — Democratic Restoration Assembly (Dare) leader Mr Gilbert Dzikiti representing opposition parties under the National Electoral Reform Agenda and residents represented by vendors’ leader, Mr Standrick Zvorwadza, confirmed the latest develop- ment.
“The court directed that the matter be heard in open court on Wednesday in the morning in view of various interested parties following the matter,” said Mr Biti.
The challenge on the validity of Statutory Instrument 101a of 2016 comes at a time President Robert Mugabe has slammed judges for sanctioning political demonstrations when there was clear evidence that the protests would spark violence.
Mugabe made the remarks at the weekend while addressing the ZANU-PF Youth League National Assembly at the party’s head- quarters.
This followed an opposition-led protest that occurred in the capital on August 26. The demonstrations left a trail of destruction in various parts of the city. The parties are arguing that the ban issued in terms of the Statutory Instrument 101a is unconstitutional.

Police, the parties say, have no authority to issue such a legal instrument. Harare central district police boss Chief Superintendent Newbert Saunyama and Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri are listed as respondents.
The ban was issued on Thursday last week and effectively stopped last Friday’s planned mega demonstration, where Nera was demanding urgent implementation of electoral reforms ahead of the 2018 elections.
In their application, the parties are seeking an order suspending the operation of SI 101a of 2016 and setting aside the two weeks’ prohibition as an interim measure.
They argue that SI 101a violates Section 134(b) and (f) of the Constitution. “Section 134(b) makes it clear that statutory instruments must not infringe or limit any of the rights and freedoms set out in the Declaration of Rights,” says Mr Dzikiti who deposed to an affidavit.
“At the second level, it is an order to declare unconstitutional Section 27 of (the Public Order and Security Act) Posa.”
Chief Supt Saunyama, argues Mr Dzikiti, had no authority to issue a statutory instrument, saying the only authorised persons were President Mugabe and Cabinet ministers.
“He (Chief Supt Saunyama) has committed certain constitutional breaches that demand that he bears personal responsibility,” he states. The parties also want Section 27(1) of Posa struck off the country’s statutes arguing it is “clearly unconstitutional and is not justifiable in a democratic society based on openness, justice, human dignity, equality and freedom”.
The section empowers the regulating authority to prohibit the holding of public demonstrations for a specified period in a given area.
The State is expected to file its response before the hearing tomorrow.  state media

Scores of Malawians were seriously injured when a Nyali Luxury Coaches bus they were travelling in side-swiped with a Mazda 323 some 20 kilometres outside Musina town in the early hours of today.
The incident occurred along the N1 highway, and the bus was reportedly travelling from Johannesburg to Malawi via Zimbabwe.
Witnesses said the incident occurred at around 2 am and that several passengers had broken limbs, including the bus driver.
“The injured have been taken to Musina hospital for treatment. We arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. No deaths were reported yet, though many passengers incurred serious injuries.
“Indications are that the bus trailer side-swiped with a small vehicle which was travelling in the opposite direction, and it veered off the road  and landed on its side partially blocking the road, ” said a witness Mr Cleto Zharare.
 
Mr Zharare said the bus was carrying mainly potatoes and over 60 car batteries.
He said they suspected the accident could have been a result of overloading.
Musina police spokesperson, Constable Dakalo Ramagweda confirmed the incident saying she was yet to get more details.
The N1 highway has become a death trap for many Zimbabweans and citizens from countries north of the Zambezi River.
Last year, over 30 Zimbabweans were killed in several road accidents along the same highway between Musina town and the city of Johannesburg.
Recently, 50 Zimbabweans were injured some of them seriously, when the driver of a Greyhound bus they were travelling in lost control and it overturned near Luis Trichardt town in South Africa’s Limpopo province.
The bus was travelling from Johannesburg to Bulawayo with 50 people on bound including the bus crew.
The N1 highway is one of the busiest roads in South Africa as it links that country to the rest of Africa, and it is the route which handles a lot of commercial cargo movement.-state media

An English teacher at Guinea Fowl High School in Gweru has been arraigned for ill treating a form two pupil.
Thandiwe Ncube (48) who resides at Guinea Fowl teacher’s cottages was not asked to plead when she appeared before Gweru Magistrate Mr Musaiona Shotgame. She was remanded out of custody to September 14 for trial.

Scores of Malawians were seriously injured when a Nyali Luxury Coaches bus they were travelling in side-swiped with a Mazda 323 some 20 kilometres outside Musina town in the early hours of today.
The incident occurred along the N1 highway, and the bus was reportedly travelling from Johannesburg to Malawi via Zimbabwe.
Witnesses said the incident occurred at around 2 am and that several passengers had broken limbs, including the bus driver.
“The injured have been taken to Musina hospital for treatment. We arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. No deaths were reported yet, though many passengers incurred serious injuries.

“Indications are that the bus trailer side-swiped with a small vehicle which was travelling in the opposite direction, and it veered off the road  and landed on its side partially blocking the road, ” said a witness Mr Cleto Zharare.
Scores of Malawians were seriously injured when a Nyali Luxury Coaches bus they were travelling in side-swiped with a Mazda 323 some 20 kilometres outside Musina town in the early hours of today.
The incident occurred along the N1 highway, and the bus was reportedly travelling from Johannesburg to Malawi via Zimbabwe.
Witnesses said the incident occurred at around 2 am and that several passengers had broken limbs, including the bus driver.
“The injured have been taken to Musina hospital for treatment. We arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. No deaths were reported yet, though many passengers incurred serious injuries.

“Indications are that the bus trailer side-swiped with a small vehicle which was travelling in the opposite direction, and it veered off the road  and landed on its side partially blocking the road, ” said a witness Mr Cleto Zharare. state media

Violet Gonda’s guest on the Hot Seat programme is eminent commentator Brian Kagoro, who says beyond being clear about why Mugabe must go, we need to be clear about what our future must look like. The country is reproducing the same politics that has manufactured gerontocracy and Kagoro explains why he believes Zimbabweans are again unwittingly being sent into a choreographed 2018 electoral dance. The constitutional lawyer has been invited to discussions on the setting up of a cooling off period through a National Transitional Authority. In an in-depth and candid interview, he talks about the weaknesses and strengths of this NTA initiative and dissects the current status of the political parties and emerging social movements in Zimbabwe? Below is a transcript of the interview;
Violet Gonda: Zimbabwe is on the brink of collapse. Running battles between anti Mugabe protesters and riot police are becoming regular and violent, including an unprecedented war of words between ZANU PF leaders and war veterans. My guest on the Hot Seat programme this week is human rights activist and constitutional lawyer Brian Kagoro who has always said ZANU PF’s biggest opposition is the economy. Now, given the fragile political landscape, how much time do we have as a country and what is the way forward?
Welcome on the programme Brian.
Brian: Thank you Violet.
Violet: I am sure you have seen that the mood in the country has totally changed over the last few weeks.  Can you define where we are right now?
Brian: I don’t think that this is the boiling point yet, but it’s a moment of great uncertainty, and this uncertainty in this moment arises out of three quick things.  Number one, people have been suffering for quite a long time now and the economy has been on life support for too long.  Number two, the ruling party; which has kept a false unity based on its vilification of the opposition and also this bogeyman of sanctions by the West. Well, the chickens have finally come home to roost within the ruling party because the veneer of unity has been wiped away and the real power disputes are coming to the fore. And the third and last thing is actually I think what has happened is that there has been an activation of a sector that for a long time had sub-let its entitlement to voice and place to the political parties – which is the citizen. So, the emergence of #ThisFlag, #Tajamuka and other movements indicate that there has been a re-activation of citizens outside of political parties occupying space and contending for their rights.
Violet: So are you seeing any similarities between what’s happening now and the historical struggles, especially the ones that you were involved with in the past?
Brian: Yes, I think this is essentially what happened in the late 1990’s and the contexts and circumstances were similar.  We saw in the 1990’s – because of the Economic Structural Adjustment Programmes and the internal repression – that several things happened to catalyse activism and discontent, namely: The cost of living had reached unsustainable levels and the State dealt with the discontent about poor service and rampant redundancies through force and violence. And the ruling party, which had factions emerging then, dealt with opposition through labelling.  What happened then is that labour organised itself as did the students and the women’s movements. And the coalescing or coming together of these entities led to what became in the  mid to late 90’s ,the constitutional moment or movement. And of course, predictably, the state responded first through violence and containment and then, second, when it realised that the tide couldn’t be contained ,the same State attempted to arrest the tide of change through different forms of accommodation, co-optation and diversion. What they tried to do was to hijack the process by engaging in their own constitutional reform process on their own terms.  Of course, it led to the referendum and the rest is history. When the state lost the referendum, its resort to violence was unprecedented in the history of independent Zimbabwe post-1988.  So we saw from the 4^th March, the death of Tichaona Chiminya ,Talent Mabika and many others and later on. This orgy of violence went all the way up to 2000, when we had the elections, various deaths, executions, and, post that date, abductions and human rights violations.
So, what we are seeing in response to these new protests is the Zimbabwean State doing what it knows best.  When it cannot reason with its citizens, when it cannot engage in transformative reform, it employs violence to manufacture coerced consent and silence.
Violet: But, are there any differences Brian?
Brian: There are differences and I think the differences are interesting. The differences are this, that the military and the war veterans and the ZANU PF youth historically always waded in on the side of Robert Gabriel Mugabe and there seemed to be an unbreakable bond of unity between and amongst the military bourgeoisie, the political bourgeoisie and the administrative bourgeoisie.
What we are seeing now are severe cracks within the upper echelons of the administration and civil service, those who have not been paid now for a long time, we are seeing open dissent from the loyalists.  Within the upper echelons of the coercive arms of the State, the Police, the Intelligence and the Army, we are seeing open dissent or the emergence of parallel structures of power diametrically opposed to the one centre of power and his kitchen cabinet. And within sections of the war veterans we are seeing that it’s no longer dissent but revolt, its outright revolt which even questions some of the collective lies that have been told repeatedly over the years about the history of the liberation struggle.  The country is no longer at ease and the centre is too old and divided to hold. And this component is so different from the situation in the 1990s and 2000s that it risks undermining the pro-democracy component /movement. Dissent from within the establishment against the High Priest of its politics is likely to get gullible admirers within the broader society that has become a prisoner of false hope. The danger is that the pro-democracy forces, who for long have had the removal of Robert Mugabe as one of their key objectives, might mistake the discontented ZANU PF elements as their genuine allies and therefore cede the space and hand-over the business of doing transformation to these forces. I personally don’t see these establishment rejects representing any meaningful transformation and I don’t think they themselves are transforming.
Violet:  This coalescing of opposition forces. Do you think there is a struggle for transformation there or it is a scramble for power? You have seen all these opposition political parties joining together and you also mentioned the Tajamuka and This Flag movements. Are they real alternatives?
Brian: No, if you were in ZANU PF you would be very happy with what #ThisFlag and #Tajamuka are doing. And what they are doing, although important for citizen agency, direct agency, is good for ZANU PF because what it does, it takes away real support and citizen confidence from the organised political parties that contest for the conquest of political power.  And, we have less than 19 months to the next election in 2018 and so in essence, the more you haveTajamuka and This Flag, because these are not going to contest for political power, and the more citizens are aligned to these, I think that if you were the ruling party or the incumbent, you would be happy to have the opposition not commandeering or commanding the collective support and trust of the masses. The fact that the opposition has been reluctant to associate with and reach out to or endorse these movements suggests that there are fault lines . These movements may actually shelter persons who have ambitions for power and thus will oppose the current opposition leadership. So that’s fine, there is nothing necessarily wrong with that in and of itself. But, when you bring together opposition political parties you have to be careful that you are not simply bringing together opposition political parties but you are bringing together a collective or collection of strengths, not weaknesses. At the moment, the articulation of what the developmental, or rather, what the economic alternative is, seems to me to be grossly dilated, if not diluted. I have keenly tried to read the substantive relevance or similarities of each opposition economic blue print and how it compares to the other and the obtaining situation on the ground. There is no consensus on economic matters; there is no consensus on the electoral either amongst the motley of opposition political parties. We have to make sure that the minimum programme of action does not represent a false alliance and false hope.
Violet: So you have mentioned the issue of war veterans, that they might not really be on the people’s side and that even if we have any change within ZANU PF, it’s not going to be transformative.  Did I get you right? That it will be change without transformation?
Brian:  You know what, war veterans may very well be on some people’s side. What I am arguing is that they are not necessarily on the side of human rights, not necessarily on the side of the sort of democracy that people of my generation and people in the late 1990’s into the 2000’s were fighting for. So, in essence, aligning with them means you have to negotiate away your struggle for accountability and end of impunity, because some of them were engaged in brutalising our people and violating human rights. Some people who have formed part of the grand coalition of opposition parties were responsible for the abduction and assassinations of some of my comrades. I am not so bling that I can not see the attempt to have me and my comrades suddenly develop political amnesia just because some of our comrades think that it is necessary for the purposes of negotiating their way into likelihood of power. These are fundamentals and they just can’t be negotiated away like that with absolutely no guarantees.
So the question we have to answer is do we ignore this very recent history of unpleasantness and move forward? How do we tell the children of Chiminya and may other citizens who were murdered in cold blood? How do we justify doing this? Do we use the exigencies of attaining political power? Do we use a broader normative framework? My sense is – I am very uncomfortable because there is not a discussion in the formation of this coalition as to what will happen to the historical accountability and this history is not a long history, it is a very recent history.
Violet: So what do you think the opposition should do in this case?
Brian: I’m not sure why they thought they needed to bring the expelled ZANU components –as important as they are as citizens.  I think the opposition has always lacked self-confidence and self-belief.  In 2008 when I interviewed with you I was clear that the opposition party was going to do much better in the rural areas and win the election. Most of the leadership of the opposition did not remotely believe in this possibility. The main opposition party was almost bankrupt and it had a skeletal election command centre.  It seemed that in 2008 we had a ruling party that was not prepared to lose and an opposition that wasn’t prepared to win. We again find ourselves in this instance in 2016 with much larger opposition which is using a traditional lens to view where citizen confidence is.  Who they should be wooing now are those citizens in Tajamuka, in This Flag movement by offering clear alternatives.  So that they are able to say: ‘as those progressive components in the opposition movement we are able to marshal sufficient support. We have assured our people that we have a people’s manifesto that they can endorse and in which they will see themselves, their futures and solutions to their present challenges. We-as the opposition- are offering them a truly alternative leadership, not just recycling the old core.’ The dearth of youth and scarcity of younger-tech savvy- political leaders is a by-product of a coalition of retirees. We are reproducing the same politics that has manufactured gerontocracy.
Violet: Are you surprised that even though the ZANU PF house is on fire – there is all this in-fighting we are hearing about – that ZANU PF still seems to be winning elections and even getting more members, as we saw in the last by-election where ZANU PF won with more than 12000 votes? Wouldn’t you think that with the current mood and the way people are so ‘anti the ruling party’; that not a lot of people will actually go out and vote for ZANU PF?
Brian: I think that over the years I have avoided engaging in false analysis.  There are some people who support ZANU PF and there are relatively many.  Whether they do it willingly or under coercion, is a discussion for another day, but there are many.  The 2000, 2005 ,2008 and 2013 elections prove this point. The reason for that support needs to be understood as it may be based on a lack of understanding of the political platforms and programmes of the opposition beyond the removal of Mugabe as President. Or it may pertain to wartime sentimentalities and the fact that Zimbabweans are politically polygamous by instinct.
I have suggested over the years that when you study the urban voter turn-out and in particular for the main opposition political party for the years 2000, 2005, 2008 and 2013 , you observe a progressive decline in that vote in terms of absolute numbers. When you look at the votes that David Coltart, Welshman Ncube, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, our brother in Mabvuku and so on and so forth, got in the first elections in 2000, and progressively what they got in the following elections, that vote, the winning margin, has declined by a threshold of between 10 to 19%, if not higher in some instances.  Whereas, on the other hand , what has happened is ZANU has created this impression of growing support for Mugabe and their MPs . Whether their figures are manufactured or they are real, it is a fact that Martin Dinha, was elected just two or three weeks ago with close to 12 600 votes and this is an increase from the threshold of votes in the same constituency before for ZANU PF.
So, in a sense, ZANU PF is a creature of power.  It is focused on telling a credible story about how it is likely to win 2018.  The more the opposition focus on all other side-shows, ZANU PF is focusing on power. So in every constituency that the opposition has boycotted, even the urban ones, the ZANU PF winning margin has not been the 3000 or 2000 that they got historically when those were contested constituencies, it has been a much higher threshold. And, I have kept on asking my friends in the alternative political movements, are we not being sent into a choreographed electoral dance, in the 2018 elections? Firstly, we have seen court judgements that essentially make you think that the courts are very impartial because ZANU PF stalwarts are being convicted in the courts – some who are serving legislators.  In a sense, for anyone to then wake up and say that the Zimbabwean courts are partial, it would be difficult to make that case, and equally so, for you to wake up and say ZANU PF does not have support when they have recorded in primaries, significant voter turn-outs in their favour, would be equally problematic, especially to an external audience. And, this is all choreographed for an external audience.  I get the impression that the opposition believes that Zanu PF has so failed and the economy is in such a parlous state that no sane Zimbabwe will vote for Zanu PF . That might be a great wish , but it doesn’t necessarily translate into a realistic strategic outcome without any real political work on the ground. The folk that attend rallies are already converted and their loyalties are clear. The silent majority that pitches up on voting day or decides not to pitch up needs to be fully understood and courted vigorously. This requires much more nuanced communication and engagement and not merely slogans and historical clichés about a failed regime.
My sense is that we still do need the visionaries within the opposition who concentrate on big rallies and mass mobilisation but you also need the nuts and bolts people who focus on strategy and on the minutiae detail of how to turn a supporter into a voter and a voter into an avid mobilizer of dozens of other voters.
At the moment I’m not seeing this division of labour. I only observe the palpable arrogance within certain corridors within the opposition each time someone questions their strategy, they dismiss the questioning as either academic or they say you are a diaspora hamburger-eater who does not know the practicalities of the local struggle. Labelling doesn’t answer repeated failure , reflection does. Any refusal to be reflective is political suicide or self-sabotage.
Violet: But you know Brian, speaking about visionaries, William Muchayi, a political analyst, actually wrote something quite interesting a couple of years ago.  He said that Zimbabwe is not short of political parties but has a severe drought of visionaries, like you have just pointed out, who can steer the boat in the right direction. But some go further and say people like you could have done much more but seem to have abandoned ship. How do you respond to this?
Brian: I live 50 percent in Zimbabwe. I keep hearing this nonsense of abandoning the ship. I live the other 50 percent in South Africa and this is purely because I run a private business and have to travel across the continent regularly and it is cheaper to do it out of either Nairobi, Johannesburg or Addis Ababa. I don’t work for anyone anymore, I work for myself. And for the 50 percent of the time when I am in my own country of birth , I do a lot, privately. I may not be in the press as much but do quite a lot to contribute to the democratisation of the country. I don’t think we have the luxury of saying let’s replace the cast of top opposition leaders that we have. We have 18 months and in 18 months we are not going to be able to do that and still hope to perform well at the election. It takes a whole lot to get ordinary masses to embrace a new face and be faithful to new leadership. The change management in this short-run to the next election would be messy. But we are able to put together winning teams to support what already exists. These are winning teams that focus on the technical aspects and clear political programmes… the think-tanks etcetera.  My sense is that we have concentrated too much on shaming and naming the regime for all its ills and forgotten that the morning after the regime has left – there is a country to govern and an economy to run or reconstruct. And unless we are clear about what that process of turning around the system is, we are going to have a lot of empty rhetoric and vision without transformation. And concentrate only the conquest of power and forget that the citizens’ discontent is not just about an individual and an institution but about failed policies and the crises of livelihoods that they experience. No sooner that the opposition would have come into government and that same frustration and anger will turn onto them and they better have clear solutions and not just hot air and insults for questioners. It is not enough to say we have our own blue print . This is the moment to ask citizens in a very sober and inclusive way what they want and for their ideas across a range of issues. This is how 1999 was started with the Godfrey Kanyenze, Rene and Kondo Raw Data Report. Raw Data Report was an objective assessment and consultation with citizens about what they wanted.
Violet: We will talk about the economy later but there is this talk about creating a Transitional Authority and you have been associated with it.  Press reports list a group of ‘concerned citizens’ who are said to be organising this. Names include Ibbo Mandaza, Trevor Ncube, Judith Todd. Can you tell us what you know about this?
Brian: Ok. I have not had the privilege of participating in the NTA discussions as yet. I was invited to the inception meeting, but was unable to attend. I have seen the documentation and raised a few questions privately to the group. The TNA mustn’t cause palpitations at all, it is not a new idea. You will recall that the crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition during mine and Brian Raftopoulos’s time had proposed a Transitional Authority at the time – when we thought the country was in crisis – that was around 2004/2005. The CPI, which did the Great Zimbabwe Scenarios, also proposed a Transitional Authority ahead of the GNU deal in 2008. So the idea itself is as old as the governance crisis in Zimbabwe. My understanding is very simple. You do not have consensus across the political divide. The primary focus for political actors is on the transfer of political power through an electoral process. At the rate at which we are going that is likely to be a fairly bloody and violent affair. In the meanwhile, the prolonged political bloodletting is not going to be kind on the economy . The economy is bleeding – if we, 19 months ahead of an election(in 2018) we have police officers not paid, soldiers not paid, CIOs not paid, civil servants not paid, ordinary vendors and cross border traders not able to do their trade – we have created a severe humanitarian crisis that will make the election year a highly emotive and polemic affair. So , as moderately reasonable people , we need to explore all possible options that will ensure that Zimbabwe remains stable and steers itself without external interference to stability and prosperity.
So the notion is. You do need a cooling off period and that cooling off period might be necessitated by several factors: An early step-down by Mugabe or an escalation of the sort of economic crisis and the political tensions within the country. And this requires that an expert group of people who are representative, technically competent help to stabilise things and steer the economy in the right direction. Whether this idea can and will fly in this context is immaterial, the nation needs to seriously discuss this and several other possibilities so that we are not hoodwinked into believing that everything stands or falls on the 2018 election.
Violet: But who picks the players? Is this by self selection?
Brian: There are several ways. The various ways in which the NTA is done is by expertise or  by  designation by parties. Parties do nominate folk for various commissions. Look, nothing is a likelihood in our country. I know a lot of people are critical of this idea as they are critical of many other ideas. Electoral reforms depend on Mugabe making the necessary concessions but the constitutional provisions requiring reforms must be adhered to. The NTA requires the subtle concessions across the political divide that this would be necessary. In any event ,the issue is that the country requires much more than one solution. The tragedy of our previous engagement is we have gone to the table with only one solution and when that solution fails we don’t have a Plan B or Plan C. I read the documents and they don’t seem cast in stone. The group insists that it is merely facilitating and not leading of predetermining a process that will  be shaped by robust national debate. The idea is not yet fully cooked and citizens must help add the necessary ingredients to ripen it. Those who dismiss the idea as pie in the sky must cast their imagination far and wide and see whether an election is possible in 2018 without the requisite reforms. If not , what will they do , should the reforms not come on time? What is plan B and C ?
Violet: But how would you entice the opposition political parties who seem to have rejected this and how can this be successful without ZANU PF who have also said no to this because of the GNU experience?
Brian: I am actually very surprised by that question Violet. You know when constitutional reform call(NCA), which we initiated with Tawanda Mutasah, Deprose Muchena, Everjoice Win, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, Perpetua Bwanya ,Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti and a few others – we were nobodies. And when we first put this idea on the table we were dismissed as idealistic, if not idiotic. In fact, that very year Emmerson Mnangagwa gave a speech at the Law School saying that they did not – as government – see the need for constitutional reform. In fact ,even some of our mentors told us that there was no way the idea of constitutional reform would see the light of day. This was our conversation in 1997. Barely two years later in 1999 ZANU PF was now discussing it at their Mutare Conference (or Congress) – and yet they had rejected the idea out-rightly. In 1998 we were not only discussing constitutional reform but we were moving towards a constitutional commission and the counter NCA position. The currency of ideas is not ended or founded on the acquiescence of political parties or political actors of the day. They are important, but not as important as they would like to believe. Transformative ideas are dependent on what citizens think is right for them. We have had an anomaly in Zimbabwe where we have mortgaged the future of the country to political parties and political actors who now assume the place of God in our lives and purport to think and speak on our behalf. This is an abomination. The future of the country remains in the hands of citizens and if there is a disagreement between the political parties and the citizens, the citizen always wins. Legitimacy of a political party is not in the fact that it exists, the legitimacy of a political party is in its ability to epitomise what we as citizens demand, desire and want. And at the moment, Zimbabwean citizens want a solution to their daily misery. Not to elect another dictator and not to have anybody who feels that they are entitled to leadership because they have suffered dictate what is and should be right for our nation. Kwete,No!  This is a make or break time for our nation and I think we need much more than just one idea on the table to discuss and we are not seeking for permission from anyone to discuss the myriad of alternatives at our disposal. As citizens we are entitled to determine the course of our own destiny, with or without organised political parties. They need voters and we need our voices and the spaces to take our rightful place as the legitimate employers of governments.
Violet: So who will provide the resources for this NTA?
Brian: Well let’s cross that bridge when we get there. I haven’t even been to a single meeting as yet. I am yet to be fully briefed about the initiative end of September. As I have said, it is an idea that was discussed in my absence. The documents have been shared with me. Despite my earlier criticisms, I will be happy to participate in the future discussions . All I am refusing is to accept that one idea-electoral reform- is more practical than the other. It all depends on whether you are trying to get a position in government and power or a long-lasting solution to our national condition. If you had asked most people, whether Morgan Tsvangirai should even be considered to lead our country in 99, they would have said that it was totally impractical. They would have told you – he doesn’t have the this and that qualification, he doesn’t have the national stature, no liberation credentials, no experience of State-Craft, and other such nonsense. Now that question is no longer on the table anymore. Everything that my generation has done in the pro-democracy movement in our country has been based on this idealism that says citizens are free and entitled to choose their leadership as well as ideas about development and the institutions that will shape that development. That discretion on the part of the citizens should not be constrained except by their own imagination and wishes. Let no one in the ruling party or opposition be foolish enough to believe that they have a monopoly or private keys to national legitimacy. Every citizen has a right to propose even the most foolish of ideas and to defend and propagate them , as long as they are not contrary to spirit of the constitution. The NTA isn’t at all , neither are the emerging national social movements.
Violet: Basically you are saying any pressure is good pressure … that pressure should not only come from political parties but also from the citizens and perhaps via this NTA initiative.
Brian: Yes. Look at this ridiculous thing happening in the USA. Donald Trump thought he had very clear ideas about immigration and now he has had to deal with citizens that are conscious and that have demands. Let the opposition political parties know that citizens are not guinea pigs. We don’t just chew what political parties tell us, especially if you are asking for votes in 2018. The thinking and self-acting citizen is the most dangerous weapon that has emerged in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa and Africa over the last decade. Social media has made these types of citizens to connect and learn from each other and dialogue daily to refine their ideas and broaden their platforms of engagement. We have since long passed 1999 and 2007 and this new day requires all of us to adjust to the new realities and the emerging new forms and types of leadership.
Violet: Critics of the NTA say there would have to be serious violence or civil unrest for such a platform to be created and for the international community to intervene or to support this call. Do you agree with this analysis that the time is not ripe enough for an NTA?
Brian: That is lazy analysis. It’s the laziest analysis I have ever heard. Every political power and actor within our country knows their weaknesses – whether they admit them in the media or they don’t. Everyone knows what ZANU PF is incapable of doing or marshalling now. The bravado and recalcitrance notwithstanding. Everybody knows what the opposition is incapable of doing now. The idea of an NTA has not been fully fleshed out. So when you start criticising and tearing into threads an idea that is still in evolution it just shows a debilitating and pathological immaturity on your part. Don’t get historical and hysterical when an idea you have not thought about is placed on the table, engage it. People have simply said – perhaps we need a Transitional Authority because if you do not have electoral reforms within the next six months its pointless doing electoral reforms with less than 8 months to go to an election and no money in the State coffers to give effect to such reforms. Because the institutions wont have taken root and the processes and mechanisms of the new electoral architecture will not be in place– if you look at how long it takes to set up a commission, to get the personnel, to get the internal procedure etc. etc. So you ask yourself, if the route of electoral reforms is this late in the day and we have an impending election, which the opposition is threatening to boycott in the absence of reforms, what do we do? Capitulate to an uncontested Robert Mugabe election in 2018? So a few people are asking the question – should we rather have another alternative on the table? That alternative may morph into different things as did the first NTA proposal which morphed into the GNU. Now although it was facilitated by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, it was not Mbeki’s decision or idea. It was the decision of the critical political actors at the time. And so it is useful for people not to um, adopt a politically monogamous approach to ideas. That only one idea is right – there are many potential solutions to the crisis we face in our country. Unfortunately,  if we do not think about the various possibilities we will be caught napping again, especially the academics in civil society. When a few of us were saying a negotiation was impending in 2008, you remember we were a few of us who were saying that negotiations were going to lead into a GNU.A lot of the people in the civil society and our super analysts did not see through the woods that these were political actors who were mainly concerned about retaining political power and they will negotiate based on what they see as the best possible option to get the most out of power or simply stay in power. People were in mourning when the opposition entered the marriage of inconvenience with Zanu PF and they were totally unprepared for that sort of political solution. It was a disaster in may respects , except its stabilisation of the economy, but all the same , it shows you that political actors will and can change their positions 360-degrees , if it suits their power objective.
 

Staff Reporter | Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) leader prophet Walter Magaya, who has been under the media spotlight over many issues to do with his conduct, including sexual escapades involving women in his church is under media spotlight again. This time pictures below of a guest house he is alleged to own doing the rounds, on online publications and social networks, with many asking the obvious question, “How has this been funded?”
Recently Zimbabwe’s state owned newspaper, The Herald reported that Magaya is going to build 46 000 houses countrywide with questions being raised again, how he acquired so many stands, at a time that ordinary Zimbabweans are threatened with ‘Operation Murambatsvina’ part 2 as government embarks on another cruel programme to demolish houses they have sweated for.
The preacher officially opened the guest house, in Waterfalls, with a capacity to accommodate 2 000, people which will be used by PHD visitors attending prayer sessions.
 

Magaya said after his arrest two weeks ago, he was now “energised” to fight harder, as he had realised he had many enemies and countable friends.
“My spirit was energised by the event that took place two weeks ago. They made a mistake. Now I am ready to show
them this: I am here to change your life. I will do this in a very short space of time and because of that, I will achieve it,” he said.
Magaya was two weeks ago arrested on rape allegations and is out on $2 000 bail with stringent reporting conditions.
The hotel project, he said, was completed within four months and cost “millions of dollars”.
It created more than 2 500 jobs on the construction site and will create 250 permanent jobs for workers, who attend to visitors.
“From now, my focus is building houses for my partners, people who have stood by me through thick and thin,” he told the crowd, which included Tourism deputy minister Anastacia Ndlovu and Indigenisation minister Patrick
Zhuwao, among other senior government officials.

WARNING – DISTRESSING PICTURES 

A fully developed baby was found thrown in the chamber in a public toilet near D square in Njube, Bulawayo yesterday afternoon.

A local Njube resident who discovered the baby alerted Njube Police who took it to United Bulawayo hospitals for a post mortem. This is the second case since ZimEye.com reported another one of a baby found dumped in a blair-toilet in Mvuma.
Meanwhile Njube Police have since launched a manhunt for the woman. ZRP cops are appealing to members of the public who may have information that can assist in locating the accused, to come forward. – ZimEye

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | The United Nations’ children body UNICEF has tacitly allowed ZANU PF to force kids into Robert Mugabe’s party structures.
In a latest of latests, the body has expressed neither remorse nor comment as it was announced that kids are to be forced into party rails.
Last month UNICEF attacked the family of abducted activist Itai Dzamara for the kids’ handing of flowers to ZRP cops in commemoration of their father’s disappearance. This month the body, said to be infiltrated by ZANU agents, watched as Mugabe’s party launched out to openly abuse school kids.
The desperate ruling party Zanu PF, in a panic mode, says school pupils will be forced to join party structures in a bid to promote patriotism. Hundreds of Zanu PF members and supporters have left the the troubled ruling party to join the Joice Mujuru led Zim People First. Addressing party supporters at a meeting in Chivi Central Constituency last week, Provincial Chairman Amasa Nhenjana said the party would recruit school children in order to revive its waning fortunes.
“We know the families that have a revolutionary background so we have to visit such households to recruit their children into party structures.If we do so,we will certainly sustain our legacy. Let’s go into schools and look for those who are mature and recruit them,”said Nhenjana. He said school heads who do not cooperate with the ruling party would be dealt with in a ruthless way. “We expect school heads to cooperate with us during the recruitment exercise.We will soon visit schools in Masvingo Province and those who do not cooperate will be dealt with accordingly.We also expect school pupils to boost our membership.We will therefore embark on a massive recruitment exercise next week.I urge you to approach all local schools.We want to promote patriotism among the school pupils,”said Nhenjana.

Schools open this week at a time Zimbabweans are faced with economic hardships, with many parents struggling to pay fees, and ironically many schools not able to provide quality services without demanding more cash from them. It is a “catch-22” situation for both parents and schools, as government warns that schools should not increase fees, saying those that do so without approval would be dealt with severely.
In an interview yesterday, the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Professor Paul Mavhima, said schools can only increase fees if they have been given the greenlight to do so by the Government.
“As schools open, no school is supposed to increase fees without getting approval from the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. Why would one want to increase fees when fully aware that the economy is tough for parents. Also they can’t just increase the fees without approval, that isn’t procedural,” he said.

Before increasing school fees, Prof Mavhima said, a school has to first explain to the Government why it intends to hike the fees.
“Basically, if they do it unprocedurally, they will be dealt with accordingly. In cases where schools increase the fees without following proper procedures, parents should approach the Primary and Secondary Education authorities at district level and just indicate that this is what is happening,” he said.
The Government has also said schools must not send pupils away for non-payment of fees, but should deal with parents.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora has previously said it is also illegal for schools to take parents who default paying school fees to debt collectors.
He said if schools decide to take the legal route to recover outstanding fees, they should approach the Small Claims Court, and not debt collectors.
Recently, 14 headmasters from schools in Bulawayo’s Luveve, Gwabalanda and Cowdray Park suburbs met to discuss the non-payment of fees at their schools.
During the meeting, it emerged that most schools were in a crisis as their coffers had run dry due to non-payment of fees, resulting in the institutions struggling to meet their obligations. state media

THE Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims who were resettled in Chingwizi resettlement area in Mwenezi have been left stranded and failing to get aid as a majority of them do not have National IDs while they are also failing to get birth certificates for their new born babies.
Most of the villagers claim that they lost their identity cards when their original homes were destroyed by floods in Masvingo South and Chivi communal lands and have been struggling to get new National IDs while most babies who were born at Chingwizi camp do not have birth certificates.
Approximately 3 000 families were forcibly evacuated from the soon-to-be-largest inland water reservoir’s flood basin and stayed for days in the open along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway before they were resettled in a part of the Nuanetsi Ranch.
According to villagers, some of the victims and their children have been failing to get adequate food aid because they would have failed to either identify themselves or their children.
One of the villagers who refused to be named said most villagers were failing to get support from different organisations because they do not have IDs.
The villager said most of them are failing to travel back to Chivi to get the documents because they do not have any source of income.
“We have a serious challenge here because we do not have IDs. Even if we try to look for employment we are required to produce the IDs. Social Welfare also requires IDs when they come with any form of assistance. This has left us stranded and the dire situation has been worsened by the fact that we are supposed to travel back to Chivi where our records are so that we can get new IDs. We are appealing to the Government to assist us get our IDs so that we will be able to access humanitarian aid,” said the villager.
Another villager said their children were also in the same predicament as they were required to produce birth certificates at school and if they were to sit for any examination or participate in any sporting activity.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Cde Obedingwa Mguni could neither deny nor confirm the issue but insisted that the Government had the capacity to assist the flood victims.
“I am not aware of that but what I can assure you is that we will definitely facilitate the process of issuing IDs to the villagers. I will have to engage the registrar’s offices who are responsible for the issuing of IDs,” he said. state media

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) says rationing of water to farmers in the lowveld is necessary in preserving levels in Lake Mutirikwi, which is less than 20 percent full.
Decreasing water levels have forced the reduction of water being pumped to the lowveld from 10 cubic meters to five cubic meters per second to save the precious commodity.

COTTCO has appointed Mr Pius Manamike as the new Acting Managing Director after the suspension of Engineer Chris Murove last week, a move which has riled some of the stakeholders in the cotton industry.
Mr Manamike’s appointment comes a day after the suspension of Engineer Murove over allegations of misappropriating US$40.

Zanu-PF Secretary for Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa told state media that many real electoral reforms had been instituted over the past eight years and talk of further changes was baseless. Statements that can lead to a serious showdown with agitated opposition groups.
Chinamasa – who is Finance Minister – is a former Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, and was Zanu-PF’s chief negotiator in the 2008 inter-party talks that ushered in the raft of electoral reforms.
He said most of the electoral reforms were at the instigation of the opposition, and those parties had failed to dislodge President Mugabe’s Zanu-PF under those new laws.
As such, he pointed out, calls for “electoral reforms” were not premised on tangible issues but indicated the opposition wanted Zanu-PF to simply hand over power via new laws compelling the electorate to only cast ballots in favour of the MDCs and their allies.
Chinamasa said parties had agreed on – among other areas – printing and distribution of ballot papers, manning of polling stations, how vote counting was to be done, the procedure for announcement and consolidation of results, voter registration, delimitation of constituencies, the composition and appointment of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, and proporational and women’s representation.
“ … the MDCs have no basis to demand any electoral reforms, and in fact as you are aware, they fear to lose elections. As you know, our Parliament from 2013 has thrown out members who were elected in 2013 and there have been numerous by-elections, almost to suggest another general election over the five-year term. And none of the splinter groups of MDC have participated for fear of losing those elections.
“You know there is now MDC-T, MDC-Biti, MDC-Mangoma, MDC-Welshman; and now more recently from our own party Zimbabwe People First – all of them are afraid of losing elections because they want to go into the 2018 elections lying to the people that they have the support of the generality of the population.
“So what we find now are false prophets peddling falsehoods about our electoral laws. The problem is not the Constitution, the problem is not the electoral laws; the problem is that none of these parties have viable alternative policies to those pronounced by Zanu-PF,” Cde Chinamasa said.
He went on: “The demand for President Mugabe to go is not a policy; and I think they should be told that it is for them to worry about their own leadership and not concern themselves with a leadership that is not leading their parties.
“It is for Zanu-PF to decide, and we have agreed that in order to win elections, we must have President Mugabe as our leader. They can’t tell us who should lead us. Their responsibility should be to find leaders who can stand against President Mugabe.
“So I want to emphasise that through the collaboration of Zanu-PF and all MDC formations – and before their own splintering and before Zimbabwe People First because that one was also part of us as we were negotiating levelling of the political ground – electoral reforms were done and there is no validity, no basis whatsoever to be demanding electoral reforms.”
Chinamasa also said, “What I understand they are saying, and which is not possible, is that we should put into the law that people should vote for them. It’s unheard of that we put in the electoral law and the Constitution that the opposition parties must win.
“For them to win, they must have the support of the people which they currently, and in the future, do not have because they have no policies about running the country. They have no policies about the economy and social development of Zimbabwe. And quite frankly we cannot make a law that people should support them and vote for them.” sunday mail

Staff Reporter | Under arrest #Tajamuka activists, who include Promise Mkwnanzi and Lynda Masarira have been tortured inside the notorious Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
The activists are being treated like dangerous criminals at the centre where they are being held and subjected to various forms of excruciating torture.

The citizen reps will appear in court 13 September and 15 September 2016.
They have been charged with public violence and other charges to do malicious damage of property in terms of section 140 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Excruciating conditions designed for convicted criminals such as murderers and rapists are being used on the activists. They are for instance only allowed one visit in two weeks and have been made to wear prison garb.
Only one person can bring food for them each day.
The United Nations’ Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners state that “Prisoners shall be allowed under necessary supervision to communicate with their family and reputable friends at regular intervals, both by correspondence and by receiving visits”.
Calls have since been made to raise funds to feed the activists as they are faced with the horrors. Individual Zimbabweans have been chipping in but inside sources say this is not enough.
A member of the ZimEye community wrote explaining once again for instance the dire situation Lynda Masarira’s five children are in, as they are being separated at times and moved from home to home. “Meanwhile her kids are being moved about because she is a single mum with 5 kids. One of them is due to write O’levels, Apa mari ye school fees [is needed]” they said.
Zimbabwe’s prison conditions have even been condemned by the United Nations which cited that they do not meet international standards.
Among the group is a pregnant woman, an old lady above 70 and an old man above 70.
Many were limping into court and had not eaten since yesterday.
A comment from the Prison’s Services’ Information Department was not possible at the time of writing.

Staff Reporter | In response to President Robert Mugabe’s attack on the country’s judiciary the ZLHR has issued the statement below. Addressing Zanu PF youths yesterday Mugabe warned judges who sanction demonstrations that enough is enough, “Our courts, our justice system, our judges should be the ones who understand even better than the ordinary citizens.”
UNWARRANTED ATTACKS ON THE JUDICIARY UNACCEPTABLE
ZIMBABWE Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) is deeply concerned by the recent attacks directed at the judiciary by the state-run Herald and Sunday Mail newspapers and identified public figures, which brazenly interferes with the independence and integrity of this arm of government.
In articles published in the Herald on Saturday 27 August 2016, titled “Time Zanu PF Used Its Two Thirds Majority” and on Monday 29 August 2016, titled “Whither Zimbabwe’s Judiciary?” as well as the Sunday Mail of Sunday 28 August 2016, titled “The duty of the four estates” – the state-controlled media has resumed its long-standing and relentless attacks on the judiciary.
The articles, amongst other things, unfairly and unlawfully criticise a recent court order handed down on Friday 26 August 2016 by a High Court judge who interdicted Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers from interfering with, obstructing or stopping a demonstration organised to demand significant electoral reforms by a coalition of legitimate political parties in the country in line with constitutionally guaranteed rights.
The comments and deliberate selection of words in these articles raise serious questions about the intentions of the media houses and those behind the writing and publication of the articles. Such statements are reckless and undermine the administration of justice and the independence and integrity of the judiciary. The pronouncements are inconsistent with the Constitution and cannot be said to be fair comment.
ZLHR considers such articles to be in contempt of court, unwarranted, calculated to bring the administration of justice into disrepute and designed to instill fear and reduce independence of mind and action of members of the judiciary.
Section 164 (1) of the Constitution provides that: “The courts are independent and are subject only to this Constitution and the law, which they must apply impartially, expeditiously and without fear, favour or prejudice”, while Section 164 (2) plainly provides that: “The independence, impartiality and effectiveness of the courts are central to the rule of law and democratic governance.”
As an organisation which strives to foster a culture of human rights and respect for constitutionalism, ZLHR:
1. Calls upon journalists and media houses to fairly and accurately report on judicial processes and refrain from incendiary and intimidating comment and/or opinion which is clearly calculated to interfere with the functions and independence of the judiciary and to intimidate judicial officers from executing their judicial duties without fear or favour;
2. Urges the government to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of judges and to respect and defend the independence of the judiciary; and
3. Calls upon the Judicial Service Commission to promptly take appropriate action and stern measures against the unrestrained and direct attack, intimidation and contempt of its judicial officers by members of the executive and legislature.
ENDS
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

Beitbridge senator Tambudzani Mohadi, Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairperson Rabelani Choeni and a few villagers last week, in defiance of presidential directives, allegedly invaded Double O Ranch in Beitbridge.
The property is the only farm in Matabeleland South with a successful banana and tomato cultivation project funded by a loan from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
Owner of the farm, George Watson (Jnr) confirmed that Mohadi, who is State Security minister Kembo Mohadi’s wife, Choeni, Amon Ndou and some villagers last Friday announced their takeover of the 2 000-hectare property.
“I was away in Chiredzi with my family when they came. My 70-year-old mother and some workers were at the farm,” said Watson.
“They physically pushed my mother aside and entered our house where they made a list of all our property. They instructed that nothing should be removed since everything now belonged to them.”
Mohadi and the invaders did not present an offer letter from the government.
The group, once stopped by Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko in 2014 after a similar raid, allegedly broke into the workshops before drawing a list of equipment and implements. They later declared that they were the new owners.
When contacted yesterday, Choeni said he does not speak to reporters he did not know.
“I don’t want to talk to you. What is your paper? I just don’t speak to any journalists,” he said.
Choeni has failed to develop a farm near Zhovhe Dam in Beitbridge that was allocated to him during the land reform programme.
Mohadi, who with her husband are not new to farm disputes, said she did not know anything about the invasion.
“Don’t you know that I have my own farm? I don’t know what you are talking about. Who is Watson? What are you talking about?” she asked.
The Mohadis, who own the Twin River Ranch lost a court battle to a relative Given Mbedzi from whom they tried to wrestle Zingwe Island, which is on Lot 9, Plot 1 of the Jompempi Block in Beitbridge.
Apart from a few cattle, there is no other meaningful production at Twin River Ranch, which has a failed citrus project.

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday lashed out at the country’s judges for allowing demonstrations against his government by opposition parties and pro-democracy groups, saying there was a broader plot to topple liberation movements in the region.
The 92-year-old leader spoke in the wake of intensifying protests against his rule and claimed the opposition had been given huge sums of money to destabilise his government.
Mugabe, fresh from a secretive trip to Dubai, was addressing Zanu PF youth league national assembly meeting in Harare where he issued a chilling warning against judges that allow citizens to exercise their rights to protest against the government.
Mugabe’s rant came two days after police banned all demonstrations in the capital through Statutory Instrument 101a of 2016 issued by officer commanding Harare central district chief superintendent Newbert Saunyama, which the opposition parties are now challenging in the courts.
“We are happy that you [Zanu PF youths] have managed to restrain yourselves in the face of real provocation by the so-called protesters who have committed acts of violence,” he said.
“We can’t allow that to continue unimpeded. Enough is enough.
“I would want to say, we all as people of Zimbabwe, have a duty and obligation to ensure that there is peace,” Mugabe added, warning protesters against destruction of property.
Mugabe then launched a tirade against judges for passing judgments that allow protesters to proceed with demonstrations in the face of sanctions.
“Our courts and judges should understand it even better. They dare not be negligent in their decisions as requests are made by people who would want to demonstrate.
“Surely, they can take note of the fact that the mission is clear and deliberate towards causing violence,” he said.
“Four or two days ago there was violence and to grant permissions again thereafter when there is a probability of violence, is to pay reckless regard to the tenet of peace in the country. We hope they have learnt their lesson.”
Mugabe added that the country’s opposition,using funds from Western governments, was on a “destabilisation mood”.
“They want to make the country ungovernable. They want to push their undemocratic agenda to remove a constitutionally elected government.
“They want elections now but what’s wrong with 2018 when they are due?
“Even if they were to be held now, would they win?” Mugabe.
The veteran ruler claimed there was a broad opposition agenda funded by the west to destabilise southern Africa, “especially countries governed by former liberation movements”.
“Their masters are providing huge sums of cash to provoke conflict and instability in the region,” he said.
“Their aim is to replace liberation movements with pliant puppet regimes that pander to their needs because they have realised our people-oriented policies are a threat to their economic interests.
“The Zanu PF government will not be derailed by sideshows being pushed by spineless opposition parties. They have failed in the past 36 years.”
Zanu PF Youth League National Commissar Innocent Hamandishe in his address to Mugabe as part of a thematic committee on the state of the country had indicated the ruling party would crush future demonstrations.
“We have noted with concern the recent demonstrations and want to tell you that no protests will succeed in removing you from power,” he said.
“We, as the youth league, are now on standby and next time there is any such demonstration, we will take the law into our own hands to defend the party.”
At the turn of the century when opposition to his rule grew and the country’s judges passed adverse rulings against his party, in particular, the violent land expropriation, Mugabe used the same tactic, including war veterans who stormed the courts.
The move caused chaos within the judiciary, leading to the resignation and forced removal of respected judges at the time. The Standard

Following a well written script which has seen the state unleash its terror on opposition leaders and their supporters, the ruling Zanu PF party has accused the main opposition party led by Morgan Tsvangirai the MDC, of training terrorists.
This is not the first time such charges have been made against opposition leaders, Tsvangirai himself escaped the guillotine narrowly after he had been charged with treason, standing accused of plotting to kill President Robert Mugabe. Other opponents to Mugabe’s regime who went through similar torrid times, include the late liberation icon Joshua Nkomo, opposition leader Ndabaningi Sithole and other opposition figures.
Consequently, it comes as no surprise that under pressure Mugabe’s regime which is faced with imminent collapse, now says it has proof Tsvangirai is training bandits, again giving it leeway to wantonly harass and persecute innocent opposition members.
The signs of a government in panic mode are clear after the gazetting of Statutory Instrument 101a of 2016, which effectively banned all demonstrations for two weeks, a move some groups which include #Tajamuka are set to defy.
The state media claims that the opposition MDC-T began plotting to destabilise Zimbabwe in July 2016 and had members of its youth wing trained in paramilitary tactics and urban violence outside the country. Further, authorities are compiling a database of “career demonstrators” involved in destabilisation efforts over the months and will either apprehend or rehabilitate them.
The government mouth piece goes further to claim that information gathered suggests senior MDC-T figures began plotting in July when shadowy elements, going by the hashtags “tajamuka” and “thisflag” sparked civil disturbances in Harare, Bulawayo and Beitbridge, threatening to make the opposition party a sideshow.
It is believed MDC-T hawks, faced with irrelevance and donor fatigue, started planning civil disobedience and sent youths for training in certain African countries (names supplied). These groups were deployed last week to unleash unprecedented violence in Harare’s central business district.
The weekend reports by the state media also claims that they witnessed how some of them hid bricks and stones in lunch boxes, milled around intersections “innocently” and then attacked unsuspecting police officers. The “protesters” also used catapults.
At First Street Police Post in Harare, officers had to retreat after an opposition activist tossed a teargas canister into their station. Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo told this paper that information at hand indicates the attackers had been trained.
“There is intelligence which we are gathering, and indications are that these people have been trained outside Zimbabwe to carry out these acts. In due time, we will expose what they have been doing behind the scenes leading up to these protests because a lot has been happening.
“As President Mugabe correctly alluded to in his speech on (Friday), these people are plotting an ‘Arab Spring’ strategy to remove the sitting Government of Zanu-PF. “They really think they have gone a gear up, but it will not work here. We are aware of these opposition leaders who are leading these acts and very soon, they are going to be made to account for their deeds.”
Last week, Home Affairs Deputy Minister Obedingwa Mguni told the National Assembly that culprits would be brought to book and then rehabilitated. He was responding to a question from Chegutu West MP Dexter Nduna (Zanu-PF).
Mguni said, “Unfortunately Honourable Nduna, we cannot fully reveal the steps that we are taking, but I will try to partially answer your question. We have a very strong intelligence section that is gathering all the data (of career demonstrators) that you are concerned about.
“We are now advanced because some people need rehabilitation. We are not only arresting people, but we have gone a step further and now go out to visit such people and rehabilitate them so that they fit well into the society. We do not want people who endanger other people’s lives.”
In an interview with The Sunday Mail afterwards, Deputy Minister Mguni said: “I cannot reveal details about our intelligence operations. But what we are doing is gathering information to bring these people who are organising these protests down.
“We have noticed over the week that these demonstrations have now turned criminal to the effect that they have become avenues for looting, arson and other criminal activities that are not related to peaceful demonstrations.
“So, what I told Parliament was we are using our intelligence infrastructure to detect people at the forefront of organising these activities and bring them to book.” And a Government official who preferred anonymity said the judiciary should be wary of elements who wanted to use the courts orders to unleash terror.
“Eyebrows are being raised over some of these judgments (allowing protests to go ahead), and there is serious worry that there could be something amiss in the Judiciary. “It does not make legal sense for the protesters to be granted the right to protest when there is clear evidence each time they have been granted that right, they have gone on to unleash violence. Corrective action will have to be taken.”
Another said, “On Wednesday, there was a lot of chaos and violence as the MDC-T youths ran riot in the CBD. Surely this should have informed the decision on the next application that the opposition would make for a ‘peaceful demonstration and march’.
“In my view, there were several compelling reasons to suspend the ‘protests’. There was the Agricultural Show where many people, including children, were gathered, and a very senior foreign dignitary was visiting the country and the Show. Children are on holiday, and there are queues at banks. So we have a lot of people in town. Most important was the precedent set on Wednesday when thugs burnt cars and raided retailers.”
Security sources told The Sunday Mail that the “protests” had been backed with Western money, some of which is being channeled to give free legal representation to those arrested.
The sources said the protests were tailored to portray Zimbabwe in bad light during the Ticad Summit in Kenya, this week’s Sadc Summit of Heads of State and Government in Swaziland and the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The United States and Canadian embassies in Harare blew their cover when they openly supported the riots, while so-called Group of Elders members Mr Kofi Annan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Ms Graca Machel called for a “transition in Zimbabwe”. Sunday Mail

THE Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority is dangling a discounted USc4 tariff for mining companies during off-peak periods to relieve pressure on the national grid and help miners increase production.
Mining firms, which are among the major consumers of electricity, have been pressuring the power utility to reduce tariffs as they struggle with low commodity prices on international markets.
The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe is lobbying for electricity charges levied on miners to be cut to USc7 per kilowatt hour from current USc9/kWh during peak periods.
But Zesa wants miners to take advantage of even lower off-peak rates. Demand for electricity usually peaks between 6am and 10am, and 5pm and 8pm.
Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira told The Sunday Mail Business that the USc4 tariff was targeted mainly at large-scale miners.
“Since December 2015, (the Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company, a unit of Zesa) has managed to stabilise power supplies in the national power grid to maximise production of miners. Coupled with steady supplies of imports, those consumers did not encounter inconveniences associated with loss of production time. ZETDC has also intensified demand side management and energy efficiency measures for farmers and miners to contain their tariffs.
“Large-scale miners having been given the option of time of use tariff where they are charged USc4 per kilowatt hour during off-peak times and all categories of miners are still at an average peak tariff of USc9,06 per kilowatt hour,” said Mr Gwasira.
Dedicated power supplies
Though the USc4 tariff is considered attractive, the Chamber of Mines says mines prefer expensive dedicated power lines — charged at US14c — since they are reliable.
Chamber of Mines economist Mr Pardon Chitsuro said last week dedicated lines effectively made mining houses immune to load shedding.
“Some large miners are using that rate of USc4 per kilowatt hour, which is very cheap and encouraging to boost their production levels. However, most mines usually prefer dedicated lines of power supply which are close to USc13 per kilowatt hour as they are always available.
“Dedicated lines are always preferred in the mining sector as far as power supply is concerned; even when there are power shortages they won’t suffer the effects load shedding as they are exempted due to the higher tariffs they pay,” explained Mr Chitsuro.
The mining sector requires about 120MW to operate viably. But should planned US$3,8 billion investment in mining be achieved by 2020, demand will soar to 210MW.
Power shortages have been weighing on production.
Metallon Corporation’s production update for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, showed that Zimbabwe’s biggest producer of the yellow metal lost 112 hours of production, which equates to 48kg of gold or 1 700 ounces.
The company reportedly lost more than 169kg of gold (5 975oz) in the first half of the year.
Lobbying for tariff reductions by mining companies is not peculiar to Zimbabwe and has become common in other resource-rich countries reeling from falling commodity prices.
The National Regulatory Authority of South Africa last year approved a 9,4 percent increase in tariffs for 2016 to 2017 despite spirited efforts by miners to discourage the move. On January 1, 2016, Zambia’s government increased tariffs for mining companies to USc10/kWh.
But increases for commercial and industrial customers were reversed on February 6. Zambia imports electricity at USc19/kWh.
Before the increase, Zambian mining companies had filed a lawsuit against the proposed increases and the case is before the Lusaka High Court.
Zambian mines consume about half of the country’s power output. The country has capacity to generate more than 2 200MW.
Like Zambia, Zimbabwe imports power to meet demand.
With a decline in output at Kariba South Hydro Power Station, which has for long been the country’s workhorse producing 750MW, the Zimbabwe Power Company, another Zesa unit, has been buying electricity from South Africa’s Eskom and Mozambique’s HCB.
Price headaches
Miners point to subdued commodity prices as their main reason for opposing tariff hikes.
The prices of many commodities bottomed out this year as growth in China, the world’s biggest consumer of minerals, slowed.
Market watchers are generally cautious of prices going forward.
But commodity prices are no longer moving in concert as most metal prices are now reacting differently to demand and supply forces. For example, platinum and gold prices have been showing signs of recovery relative to other minerals.
At the beginning of the year, the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe had projected mineral revenues would drop by US$50 million to US$1,8 billion in 2016 from US$1,85 billion realised in 2015.

Ponzi Scheme |How are you Editor, your article on thousands lose money to ponzi scheme is erroneous, misleading and a copy and paste from the Herald, which I think is unethical.
Pinda mutown izvozvi uone munhu aripamabanks izvozvi! What are they saying? At CABS just Opposite Herald yacho yesterday we were over 1000 and only 60 vanhu vakapiwa mari did they write anything about that???? Nhasi ndopavanoti MMM hee this and that ! Did they ever warn us that you it is now risk to work for the government cause you risk not get paid did they warn us that if we deposit our monies the bank will one day fail to give us our deposits which they promised to keep safe?.?? More so they are profit making entities unlike MMM❗Why mr Reporter are not telling people that banks have no money so that people dont waste the little they have comming to the empty banks❓???? Is it not news❓?????? Why Mr reporter are you so glad to report MMM now that it is facing a challenge where were you when people were being rewarded❓???? I would like to give🏨 Herald my petition that after 15 September it must report that MMM is now changing the world for Sure! ❗❗❗
[12:57 PM, 9/3/2016] +263 77 524 7140: WHEN THEY CALL IT A SCAM, SHARE THIS WITH THEM
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
Is MMM really a scam?
Is it a scam to have a system that brings a community of people together that financially help one another, willfully, without being forced?
Is it a scam to have a system that creates a platform for individuals to combat poverty at its core?
We always say fighting poverty is a collective effort; Now instead of people stealing, cheating or robbing they join their hands in good heart to provide financial help to one another, is that scamming really?
Is it a scam to see families that couldn’t afford to bring food on the table now able because of the financial help they have received from other nembers?
Is it a scam to see students who couldn’t afford to have pocket money and monthly allowances in tertiary institutions now able to afford because of MMM?
Is it a scam to see entrepreneurs rising from the capital money raised through MMM and in return they contribute to the economic growth of this country and create employment to thousands?
I will tell you what a scam is?
🔹A real scam is to hinder people to their financial freedom yet encourage them to keep borrowing from your system so that they work for you and pay the rest of their lives if they live that long…
🔹A real scam is to have someone work 40 years of his/her life and after retirement that person must take the fruit of his/her years of hard labour and pay the debts and bonds that refused to end because of ever increasing interest rates.
🔹A scam is when your bank sends you an sms alert to inform you that you have earned #0. 50 on your money, and later charge you #4. 00 on the sms alert. Your bank also charges you exorbitantly every month on something you know nothing about ; and there’s nothing you can do other than to keep quiet because you have no choice.
🔹A scam is when your mobile network provider charges you on the service you never make a request for (caller tunes, news updates, etc)
🔹Working for a government and being paid the same salary as when 1 Dollar was N165 till now is a scam.
🔹Working for government for years without promotion is a scam.
🔹Working for so long and just getting a sack letter or retiring broke and in debt is a scam.
🔹Serving your country for one year and crying to get a job is a scam.
🔹Not being paid salaries for 5 months or more is a SCAM.
🔹Not being able to transfer your job to your children is a SCAM.
🔹Spending 6 years in Primary school, 6 years in Secondary School, 4, 5, 6 years in Higher Institution, 1 year Internship (for some) 1year of NYSC and at the end you still roam about looking for non-existing job is the REAL Scam.
Meanwhile someone somewhere is enjoying financial freedom, making millions, driving brand new cars etc all in joining MMM without submitting CV, NYSC discharge Certificate etc….and people still say it’s a scam?
Is it therefore a scam to have a system that produces people that can afford to buy a house they could have paid for 20 years in cash had such a system not been introduced?
Is MMM a scam? You can make your own judgment as to who a real scammer is.
Please share this message everywhere, the world needs to hear it.
Together We Change our lives n Zimbabwe
Prepared by MMM 10+ guider Leadmore