SADC has once again failed Zimbabweans at a crucial point in history, at a time the country is about to explode, with the region suffering the consequences of internal strife.
State media reports that an attempt by opposition political parties and their appendages in civil society to smuggle Zimbabwe onto the Sadc Summit agenda this week failed dismally, with analysts saying the opposing forces had displayed “sterility” on how the regional bloc works.
Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T, Dr Joice Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First and other parties under the banner of National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera) wanted regional leaders to discuss minor cases of violence that occurred last week.
Opposition elements were behind the violence which saw them looting shops, burning vehicles and attacking innocent people.
They were supported in their quest to put the country on the agenda by a group calling itself “Elders” comprising Mr Kofi Annan, Bishop Desmond Tutu and Mrs Graca Machel.
The trio last week wrote to Sadc calling on them to “support an inclusive transition in Zimbabwe” on the back of violent opposition demonstrations.
The 36th Sadc Summit of Heads of States and Government in Swaziland on Tuesday and Wednesday found the issue frivolous and concentrated on their agenda that focused on regional industrialisation.
Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Joey Bimha yesterday said the regional body followed procedures and would never waste time on items brought irrationally.
“The agenda of Sadc is formulated by the (Sadc) chair in consultation with the secretariat,” he said.
“It is decided well before the summit. Items do not just find themselves on the agenda. It’s impossible. The agenda will consist mostly of the implementation of decisions that were made by summit.”
Ambassador Bimha added: “Like in this (Swaziland) case, the summit met and made decisions and the duty of the executive secretary between now and the next summit is to see the implementation of those decisions. A good part of the next summit will be devoted to seeing whether those decisions were implemented. If there are any new issues they are also down and brought by the chair in consultation with the executive secretary, that is the procedure.”

Swaziland’s King Mswati III now chairs the rotational Sadc chairmanship after taking over from Botswana President Ian Khama.
President Mugabe, who set the regional industrialisation agenda the bloc is now seized with, was chairperson between August 2014 and August 2015.
Political analyst Professor Sheunesu Mupepereki said it was clear opposition forces had run out of ideas.
“Their current efforts reflect sterility of ideas on the part of the opposition,” he said.
“They have run out of ideas. The opposition is irrelevant to our current situation especially in terms of addressing matters of the economy. They are simply looking for ways to become relevant but what they are doing is not in sync with the situation that we have. All Zimbabweans should be seized with finding best ways of improving our economy but if you look at the whole idea that people go and demonstrate against an elected Government, it’s a non-starter. When you promote thuggish behaviour as a political process, then you are bound to fail.”
He went on: “There is no cause. It does not address anything and police must move in and ensure there is law and order. The country is faced with economic and political challenges which are generated by the same Western countries who are sponsoring them. This is why Sadc leaders are ignoring them.”
The opposition elements are also angling for a buy-in from the African Union and the United Nations, plans which analysts said would be futile again.
Said another political analyst Mr Goodwine Mureriwa: “Sadc is a region that is devoid of unconstitutional means of removing Governments. The reality is that Sadc does not condone violence and has never accepted even military coups. Southern Africa is perhaps the most peaceful region in Africa.
“Regional countries, especially South Africa, have been firm that they do not want to interfere in Zimbabwe because the country had elections in 2013 and the outcome was convincing to all. It was free and fair and President now has a mandate to rule until 2018. White people’s interests in Southern African countries are very apparent and liberation movements in the region have always have had meetings on a yearly basis because they know that governments in Europe want to remove them and have access to resources.” state media

Harare City Council will shut down Morton Jaffray Water Treatment plant over the weekend to allow for final refurbishment before the onset of the rainy season.
This is set to be the last shutdown of the water treatment plant before the onset of the rains.
In a statement yesterday, council spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme said the shutdown would allow the final stages of the refurbishment of Morton Jaffray to be completed before the beginning of the rain season.
“Harare City Council advises its esteemed water customers of the last complete shutdown of the Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant before the onset of the rain season on Saturday 3 September to Sunday 4 September, 2016,” said Mr Chideme.

He further advised residents to store enough water for use during the dry weekend.
“Seventy percent of the installations currently underway at Morton Jaffray Water Plant have already been completed.
“We expect to complete the on-going installation of new plant and equipment under the Morton Jaffray renewal programme during the shutdown.
“The main aim of the renewal programme underway at Morton Jaffray is to improve water delivery and availability in the city.”
Morton Jaffray Water Plant supplies and delivers water to the greater part of Harare whilst other parts of the city rely on Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant.
The city, however, recently expressed concern over the shrinking supply of water in Harare with the dam supplying Prince Edward reported to be almost dry.
Mr Chideme recently confirmed that despite the inroads being made at Morton Jaffray with the current refurbishment of the water treatment plant, the city might still not be able to supply a continuously growing Harare. state media

The High Court in Bulawayo has ordered Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri to reinstate 13 Zvishavane cops fired for unspecified acts of misconduct. The ruling by Justice Maxwell Takuva follows an urgent chamber application filed by the 13 police officers from the Minerals and Border Control Unit challenging their dismissal.The aggrieved cops, who were fired on different occasions, appealed to the Police Service Commission in terms of Section 51 of the Police Act between February and April, but their boss allegedly refused to reinstate them.
In papers before the court, the fired police officers cited Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo and Comm-Gen Chihuri as respondents.
Justice Takuva ruled that Comm-Gen Chihuri’s refusal to reinstate the applicants after they had noted an appeal was unlawful.
“In casu, the Commissioner-General exercised his powers in terms of the Police Act and discharged the applicants, who then appealed against the order in terms of Section 51 of the Police Act, whose effect is that an appeal automatically by operation of the law suspends the decision appealed against,” said the judge.

Justice Takuva directed the police chief not to execute his order until the Police Service Commission has given its decision.
“In the circumstance, the Commissioner-General cannot claim to have powers to discharge and not to reinstate.
“In my view, to argue that it is the Police Service Commission that should reinstate amounts to requiring the applicants to apply for stay of execution in circumstances where that relief has already been granted by the law,” said the judge.
“In the circumstances, it is ordered that, pending confirmation of the provisional order, an interim relief is granted ordering the first respondent to reinstate the 13 applicants into the Police Service forthwith,” ruled Justice Takuva.
The cops, led by one Constable Mutimusakwa, recently filed the application following their dismissal.
The police officers through their lawyer, Mr Norman Mugiya, sought an order directing their boss to reinstate them into the police service pending the finalisation of the matter.
Mr Mugiya argued that his clients were supposed to be reinstated as soon as their appeals were received.
Comm-Gen Chihuri, through the Civil Division in the Attorney-General’s Office, said it was improper to bunch all the applicants in one application, arguing that they had different scenarios.
The Civil Division in the AG’s Office argued that the Comm-Gen of the Police is not an employer and has no power to compel the Police Service Commission to reinstate the applicants. state media

The Mike Campbell Foundation has defended the white commercial farmer Geofrey Kelly McKinnon (66) after state media accused him of keeping firearms at his farm.
According to the foundation, the accused “Mark McKinnon recently represented Zimbabwe in the World Championships with his shotgun and the Zimbabwean team ranked 19th out of 42 nations.
“Sadly he had to withdraw from the recent Rio Olympics because of the jambanja (violent farm eviction) situation he was having to deal with.”
Read full Facebook post below:
And from the State newspaper the Herald, who in their delight at discovering a bullet making making machine and a number of rounds at the home of the evicted McKinnon family immediately pronounced it a ‘British’ arms cache (the Australian flag has a Union Jack in its left corner).
This ‘British’ remark was soon removed from the report after the unidentified “crime reporter” received a roasting on social media, however it seems he is still unable to identify the nationality of the offending ‘sponsors’.
The truth behind the bullet machine and the rifles is going to leave this ‘crime reporter’ with his foot in his mouth however. Just rewards for disinformation..
Today’s story in the Herald vilifying the McKinnon’s after their eviction on Tuesday the 30th of August was false and mischievous. The Herald made out that the McKinnons had illegal arms of war and were manufacturing ammunition illegally.
Mark McKinnon recently represented Zimbabwe in the World Championships with his shotgun and the Zimbabwean team ranked 19th out of 42 nations. Sadly he had to withdraw from the recent Rio Olympics because of the jambanja (violent farm eviction) situation he was having to deal with.
All his weapons were licensed as well as his reloading machine for his ammunition.
Their eviction case is on appeal before the High Court and as such any orders from the magistrate’s court are suspended until such time as the High Court hears the appeal and gives judgement.
 

Disgruntled war veterans have warned President Robert Mugabe of worsening civil unrest in the country if Zanu PF bigwigs continue with their mindless bloodletting, as well as their current crackdown on dissenting voices, including former freedom fighters.
Reacting yesterday to what he called the continued “persecution” of his family — as well as growing personal attacks on former Vice President Joice Mujuru — the secretary-general of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), Victor Matemadanda, also told the Daily News that Mugabe had “failed the nation”.
Matemadanda spoke in the wake of the invasion of his Karoi farm by Zanu PF youths linked to the ruling party faction going by the moniker Generation 40 (G40), observing ruefully that ever since war veterans had started criticising the former liberation movement and its leaders, they and their families had not known peace.
Matemadanda, along with four other ZNLWVA leaders, were also recently arrested on charges of undermining the authority of Mugabe, and are currently out on bail.
However, he said yesterday, his family continued to be harassed by “vindictive” authorities.
“The continued harassment of my son who is a teacher at Kasimhure Secondary School in Karoi is a huge cause for concern. They want to mobilise people to demonstrate against him and hound him out of his job even though he has all the educational qualifications to be a teacher.
“However, these people (who allegedly include Zanu PF women’s league secretary for finance Sarah Mahoka) should know that I can retaliate. Mahoka is just a civilian and I am a trained soldier. They should not cry foul or arrest us when we fight back. We are going to defend ourselves and there will be bloodshed,” he warned.
His warning also followed Mugabe’s fierce attack on war veterans in June — when he threatened to deal severely with the disenchanted ex-combatants who stand accused of plotting to stampede the increasingly frail nonagenarian out of power and working to elevate embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the highest political office in the land.
On their part, the angry war veterans, who are led by former Cabinet minister Chris Mutsvangwa, have since gone on to dump Zanu PF as well and are now fraternising with anti-Mugabe groups such as Tajamuka/Sesijikile, as well as opposition parties, including the MDC and Zimbabwe People First (ZPF).
Matemadanda warned yesterday that Zanu PF “should not attempt to stop” these budding alliances or move to crush demonstrations by the populace as this would backfire.
He also said it was wrong that Mugabe and Zanu PF were “hell bent on rewriting history” and sidelining war veterans such as Mujuru and Mnangagwa who had played key roles during the country’s liberation war.
“We are going to go around the country to tell the people about our history. Mugabe wants to remove the people he met during the war and there are a lot of machinations to get rid of everyone who has something to do with the country’s liberation struggle.
“It is very unfortunate that we have a government packed with Mugabe’s relatives who are trying to run this country from their backyard. They are abusing everyone. This should not happen in the country. A family should not run the entire affairs of the country.
“Can Mugabe fire his nephew even when he is not competent? We also demand an apology regarding the vilification of female war veterans. How can one claim that people like (Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister) Mandi Chimene is better than Mujuru?
“Can a child who is 17 years old refuse the orders of a commander? And how can such a woman be abused on different fronts, by her own and the enemy? We also want this government to tell us if the children from the war that we have were a result of consensual sex,” Matemadanda thundered.
Turning to George Rutanhire, the man who recently tore into Mujuru and accused her of having caused the death of some combatants during the war, he said those “with logs in their eyes should not lose sleep about the speck in other people’s eyes”.
“Can he tell us how many people he abused during the liberation struggle? We have five female comrades who are telling us that he sexually abused them. We want an apology from this person.
“We saying Mugabe is old. Everyone is seeing that. How can he also go for 34 years with Joice and allow people to abuse her now?” Matemadanda asked further.
Apart from facing rising anger from the opposition, Mugabe is also facing the biggest challenge of his political career as his ambitious underlings brawl about succeeding him, with some of them now standing accused of aiding the wave of protests ravaging the country.
Matemadanda said Mugabe had himself to blame for the current chaos as those people whom he had been sidelining would regroup and challenge him in future elections.
“She (Mujuru) was expelled from Zanu PF but because she is a politician, she formed her own party. She tried to complain and they did not listen. They must realise that there is life after Zanu PF. It is not her choice that she formed her own party but Mugabe’s.
“When Morgan Tsvangirai was the leader of ZCTU (Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions) he was told you are talking politics, so form your own party and he did that. Now he is being labelled an agent of the West. But the truth is that Robert Mugabe is the real agent of the West.
“He (Mugabe) is the agent because he is fighting everyone. There is no rehabilitation in Zanu PF. He is the only one who will not go astray, is that normal?” he queried further.
In the meantime, riot police were awash in urban areas yesterday, including the capital Harare, after panicking authorities vowed to prevent further protests against the government.
While traffic was thin in Bulawayo, most towns around the country were open for business despite the call for a shutdown. Daily news

Staff Reporter |Over 53 000 families in Chiredzi are in dire need of food assistance as hunger intensifies in the sugarcane production province, with the  United Nations calling for urgent intervention before the situation gets out of hand.
Out of the 53 000 starving families at least 22, 179 households are receiving food aid from the United Nations donor agencies.
UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Bishow Parajuli who is on a three day field mission to drought affected rural wards in Chiredzi district, on Thursday said their efforts to assist the starving villagers need to be increased.
In rural like Chikovo, irrigation scheme in Magogogwe,  Panganayi  in Chiredzi the donor community is  transferring cash through Ecocash to the starving population as a way of assisting them.
“These efforts have to be scaled up to reach more people in need and commended donors for their support,”said Parajuli.
Nationwide, as the result of the drought, some 4.1 million rural people need food aid.
Government has appealed for $360 million to cover the period of April 2016 – March 2017 and at the moment nearly $190 million has been committed by several donors.
 
 

Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) leader Joice Mujuru has urged police to refrain from attacking protestors warning that brutalising them is self-defeating because the current protests are also meant to improve the livelihoods of impoverished police officers across the country.
Mujuru made this appeal as opposition political parties prepare to demonstrate in Harare tomorrow against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) and delayed electoral reforms.
“With respect, we urge the police to note that the people they are brutalising are also fighting for their cause,” Mujuru said yesterday in a statement.
“The police are also affected by late payment of their meagre salaries. The police need decent transport and accommodation facilities. The police also need to eat and pay school
fees for their children.
“The police stay with people; and they are also human beings. They also need to pay their rentals in time,” she added.
Last Friday, police bludgeoned hundreds of protesters who had gathered in Harare under the auspices of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera), a grouping of 18 opposition political parties that had planned to demonstrate against the Zec secretariat on outstanding electoral reforms.
Even after the High Court had ruled that the protest march could go ahead, riot police — backed by armoured trucks and water cannons — indiscriminately fired volleys of teargas at all and sundry, battering and chasing groups of determined opposition supporters.
Mujuru yesterday said the parties will go ahead with the demonstration, warning President Robert Mugabe that no amount of repression would stop people from fighting for their rights.
“Zimbabweans demand electoral reforms and hence the need for an even electoral play field. Zimbabweans demand the removal of SI 64 that is impacting negatively on their livelihoods. Zimbabweans say no to the introduction of bond notes that seek to completely erode our dignity and integrity as a people,” said Mujuru.
“We urge Zimbabweans to remain resolute for their noble cause. We urge our supporters to remain calm and exercise maximum restraint in the face of provocation, coercion and brutality.
“We urge all peace loving Zimbabweans to respect other people’s rights and properties as we march through this difficult journey to liberate ourselves, and for together another Zimbabwe is possible,” added Mujuru.
Last Friday’s protest march, which the opposition wanted to use to press for much-needed electoral reforms ahead of Zimbabwe’s eagerly-anticipated 2018 national elections, prompted nervous authorities to place the entire capital city under a virtual lockdown.
Many people going about their daily chores, including journalists covering the chaos and children who were going to the nearby Harare Agricultural Show, were caught up in the resultant mayhem, as the mad-as-hell riot police pursued and savaged anything and everything on two legs.
Mugabe in power since 1980, is facing the biggest challenge to his rule as the economic meltdown and corruption have given rise to dissent.
In July riots also broke out in the border town of Beitbridge when angry traders protested against the government’s ill-advised decision to ban the importation of basic consumer goods.
More than 70 people were arrested in the aftermath of those riots which destroyed property worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, including the burning of a warehouse belonging to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
The riots later spread to Harare where police once again used force to break a demonstration called by commuter omnibus drivers and touts to protest too many police roadblocks on the roads which they said had become extortionate. daily news

Staff Reporter |Police in Gwanda have refused to sanction the Matabeleland South NERA mega demonstration scheduled for Gwanda tomorrow.
Sources close to the organisers of the demonstration told ZimEye.com that police sent correspondence to them late Thursday evening declaring that the demonstration has not been sanctioned and will not be allowed to go ahead.
Following the correspondence, the police took to the streets in a public address warning residents not to take part in the demonstration.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports claim that leaders of NERA have called on the provinces to suspend the demonstrations tomorrow until further notice amidst rumours that government has declared a state of emergency.

Staff Reporter | Government has declared a state of emergency over Harare city, unilaterally banning all public demonstrations from the 2nd to the 16th of September.
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Government officials have hinted over the past days that the continued protests against his authority would lead to the declaration of a state of emergency.
Robert Mugabe’s close aide for many years George Charamba, writing as Nathaniel Manheru, is the author of a weekly column in the government controlled Herald newspaper in which the implied threat of a state of emergency was made last Saturday.
He said recent events have brought Zimbabwe to a critical point and implied government would take a tough stance against perceived enemies while damning the international community.
Below is the full statement issued by government:
Govt bans public demos within Harare CBD:
The government has, with effect from this Friday, the 2nd of September, 2016, banned all public demonstrations in and around the Harare central business district.
The ban will be in place until the 16th of this month.
The ban is in line with Statutory Instrument 101 A of 2016 issued in an Extra-Ordinary Government Gazette this Thursday.
The statutory instrument stipulates that the regulating authority, Harare
Central Police District, Chief Superintendent Newbert Saunyama has banned public demonstrations on reasonable grounds that the powers conferred by Section 26 of the Public Order and Security Act Chapter 11:17 will not be sufficient to prevent public disorder.
ZRP national spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba says any person who organises, assists in organising, takes part in or attends any procession of public demonstration starting tomorrow (Friday) shall be guilty of an offence.
Police have also banned the carrying of dangerous weapons as the law enforcement agents move in to curb the destruction of property and violent protests being perpetrated by MDC-T hooligans.
The ZRP regulating authority of Harare issued a prohibition order on the carrying in public places of dangerous weapons for a period of three months up to the 2nd of December 2016.
The police noted that the prohibition order has been issued in terms of Section 14 (1) of Public Order and Security Act Chapter 11:17.

The ZANU-PF Youth League will set the ball rolling tomorrow when it convenes its first National Youth Assembly meeting at the party’s headquarters in Harare – the first such indaba since its national executive was ushered into office in 2014.

Press Statement | The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) expresses serious concern over the continued harassment and intimidation of Journalists and media workers by security forces.
These concerns arise from the continuing and escalating arrests, assaults, intimidation and harassment of journalists by police, while in the line of duty. The latest episode concerns the arrest of Bulawayo based freelance photojournalist, Crispen Ndlovu, by police in Bulawayo on Wednesday this week while covering a demonstration that had been cleared by police.
The VMCZ is mindful of the prevailing unrest in the country and the role the security forces have to play in maintaining law and order in the country.
However, the VMCZ reminds the police of the constitutional rights of journalists in carrying their duties to inform the public of developments in the country and therefore urges police and all members of society to allow journalists to freely execute their duties without hindrance.
Ndlovu’s arrest comes against the background of previous similar incidents against journalists in the last few months. These include the assault of freelance journalist Lucy Yasini while covering demonstrations in Harare while several journalists, including Albert Masaka, Obey Manayit, Robert Tapfumaneyi and Paidamoyo Muzulu were also either assaulted or detained by the police while on assignment.
Freelance journalist James Jemwa is still in police detention after he was arrested last week in Harare while covering a demonstration.
The VMCZ emphasises that journalists have a constitutional right to a safe and secure working environment and strongly condemns any acts that hinder or interfere with their constitutional mandate to inform the public.
These attacks, particularly on journalists who will be lawfully conducting their business, is a serious threat to the profession, safety and security of journalists and has implications on the media’s capacity to inform the citizenry.
VMCZ takes this opportunity to urge the police to protect members of the media and not use heavy handed techniques against members of the press.
 
In addition, VMCZ strongly believes in an ethical, accountable and professional media and these three important tenets cannot be achieved if media continue to operate under threat and constant fear from law enforcement agents.
The VMCZ urges the police to engage with media houses and media organisations to find a lasting solution on how members of the media covering volatile situations can be protected by the police and law enforcement agents.
The VMCZ firmly believes that while the police have a role to protect the public they also have a role to especially protect defenceless members of the press, whose sole mandate is to inform all in society.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has cancelled the NERA demo previously slated for tomorrow Friday.
Tsvangirai in an official party statement said: Please be informed that the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) Mega Demonstration that had previously been scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, 02 September 2016) has been postponed to Friday 16 September 2016.”
The reasons for the shifting was not clear at the time of writing.

An annular solar eclipse passing through African regions has got superstitious Zimbabweans running wild claiming it is the gods announcing the death of President Robert Mugabe.
The eclipse which was not foretold by the local media caught many Zimbabweans unaware raising questions such as “what could be happening in the heavens?”
The eclipse which came coincidentally with reports claiming that President Mugabe gave in mid air on his way to his hospital in Singapore last night, got Zimbabweans confirming the rumour of the President’s supposed death.
Today 1, September, 2016 from 09:03 AM to 12:36PM areas around much of equatorial and Southern Africa including Zimbabwe experience a partial Eclipse of the sun.
The moon will pass in front of the sun, creating a ring of fire and viewers will be able to see the moon across the sun.
Specialists warn that looking directly at the sun during an Annular Eclipse can lead to blindness and permanent eye damage if one views the eclipse not wearing proper eye protection gadgets.
To safely view the Annular Eclipse one needs special protective eye wear or Eclipse glasses.
Basic glasses even those with UV protection will not be sufficient to protect one’s eyes.

THE Government has dismissed as baseless claims that there is discrimination of former Zipra forces in Government.
The Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, said both Zipra and Zanla combatants received the same treatment at Independence.
He told the House of Assembly last week that it was now irrelevant to talk about the former freedom fighting units as they were integrated at Independence in 1980.
Rtd Col Dube was responding to a question by Magwegwe Member of Parliament, Mr Anele Ndebele (MDC-T), who had accused the Government of denigrating and undermining the exploits of Zipra forces during the liberation struggle.
“The truth is that we no longer have Zipra Forces, we have former Zipra and former Zanla Forces. To be open with you, I was one of those who were in charge of integrating these forces in 1980. So, to now talk of Zipra Forces is not relevant,” said Rtd Col Dube.
“There is no discrimination whatsoever between former Zipra and former Zanla Forces. They have all been integrated into the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). Those who were not integrated, some of them are war veterans and are treated the same.”
He said the challenge is with war veterans who did not register and are not receiving benefits from Government.

“The problem that we usually face is that some comrades did not register for vetting when they were called to do so. Those who did not go for vetting, it means they were not registered as war veterans and as a result they remain outside the benefits of the war veterans,” said Rtd Col Dube.
“However, all those who were vetted and found to be true veterans of the liberation war have no reason to think that they are segregated in any way because they get their pensions and constitutional rights according to the law. So, it is not true that any group can be segregated in any way”.
Rtd Col Dube said vetting was still in progress and any war veteran who had not been vetted could go to the former freedom fighters’ offices dotted around the country with the necessary requirements.
He said his ministry was working hard to secure the welfare of groups that took part in the liberation struggle.
“Sometimes, resources are not readily available, but we are doing everything possible to do what we are supposed to do.
“For instance, we talk of fees for their dependants. This has not been done on time sometimes, but all the same whenever resources get available we dispatch them accordingly,” said Rtd Col Dube.
Last week, Rtd Col Dube said his ministry was awaiting payment from Treasury to settle school fees for the country’s liberators’ children.
He added that his ministry has devised a mechanism to avoid fraudulent school fee claims by beneficiaries through paying directly to schools and colleges. state media
 

Terrence Mawawa, Gweru | In a tragic incident that has shaken the Ascot community in Gweru, a man who resides in the suburb killed himself after testing HIV positive.
Despite the fact that many people are living with HIV, the man, Leeroy Zviti(36) killed himself after testing HIV positive . Zviti was found hanging from a tree at Senga Nehosho roundabout along the Gweru-Shurugwi Highway last Wednesday. His body was identified by a passerby who said Zviti was his friend. He then assisted the police with the late Zviti’s details.The friend also told the police Zviti had tested HIV positive a few weeks before his death and could not accept it. A hospital card was also found in Zviti’s pockets. A medical expert who spoke to ZimEye.com said Zviti’s failure to accept the test results was sad and worrying.
“We always urge people to go for testing and counselling. It is unfortunate Zviti could not accept the results. Let me stress the fact that a person can lead a normal life even after testing HIV positive.Whether one is negative or positive, it has to be known that we are all HIV equal so there was no need for the man to kill himself. This means we have a lot work in terms of counselling people who test HIV positive,”said the Gweru based medical expert.

OFFICIALS at the Bulawayo Regional court were left in shock recently after a pregnant 12 year-old from Plumtree confidently defended her brother, who impregnated her, saying she did not want him jailed.
The court officials learnt that the pair had been engaging in an incestual relationship since December 2015. The minor’s brother (18) had been arrested for seven counts of rape.
His younger sister, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, allegedly became sexually active when she was 10 years old.
She attracted the attention of a state media news crew on Thursday last week as she boldly told officials at the set-down office that she was prepared to look after the baby with her brother.
“I am prepared to have this child. I love my boyfriend, we have discussed this and we agreed that we are going to look after our child. If you people send him to jail who is going to fend for my child?” she asked.
The girl’s elder sister wailed as she narrated to the court officials that she was having disciplinary problems with the victim.

“We don’t know what to do with her anymore. She started being wild at the age of 10. Sometimes she would sleep at bars and parties. My sister needs help please help her,” pleaded the older sister.
The pregnant girl was referred to victim friendly unit for counselling.
According to the State papers, on the first count of rape the accused met the victim on her way from gathering firewood.
“Accused tripped complainant and he raped her once. Complainant told her mother about the incident. On the second occasion complainant met accused on her way from fetching water.”
“Accused took away her bucket so that they could have sex but she ran away. Accused later went to complainant’s house and lured her to his homestead claiming that he wanted to give her money. They had sex four times during the night and accused accompanied complainant back home at dawn,” read the papers.
On another occasion, the papers further read, accused gave the victim R5 before he took her to his homestead overnight.
“On another occasion, accused gave complainant P100 after having sex with her. They later met at a party where they had sexual intercourse again before proceeding to the complainant’s house for the rest of the night.”
The papers read that complainant’s mother noticed changes in her daughter and she took her to Plumtree District Hospital where her pregnancy was confirmed. state media

Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission investigations manager Ms Sukai Tongogara has been reassigned to a new post of general manager external relations and international conventions in the commission. Mr Savious Kufandada is tipped to take over as general manager investigations and prosecutions.Ms Tongogara was cleared of charges of misconduct following a disciplinary hearing last month.
She was facing two counts of misconduct. She was accused of being part of the secretariat that formed a private company called Private Mortgage Company (PMC) without the knowledge or resolution of the commission.
It was further alleged that Ms Tongogara and three others diverted $1,7 million from Treasury to buy individual shares in a private company. This was said to be tantamount to theft of public funds and making improper use of public funds. Ms Tongogara denied both allegations against her.
Through her lawyer, Mr Joel Mambara, Ms Tongogara was cleared of both counts after a fully contested disciplinary hearing. Ms Loice Mukunyadzi chaired the disciplinary committee which ruled in favour of Ms Tongogara.
“After assessing all evidence placed before this committee there is nothing to show that respondent participated in the whole scheme,” said Ms Mukunyadza.
“It cannot be ruled out that her name was fraudulently put on CR/14.”
She said at the time the corrupt activities were happening at ZACC, she was not even at work. Ms Mukunyadza also noted that the committee went through the minutes of meetings which were held by PMC directors, and discovered that Ms Tongogara never participated in the meetings.

“It will be improper of this committee to find the respondent guilty of the misconduct charges since there is nothing to suggest that she participated in the whole scheme,” she said.
Ms Tongogara was charged together with three others — Mr Christopher Chisango (general manager finance, administration and human resources), Mr Edwin Mubataripi (general manager, prevention and advocacy) and Mr Gibson Mangwiro — who was the chief accountant/finance manager.
The three managers were convicted of engaging in corrupt activities that involved the former Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chief executive Ngonidzashe Gumbo.
Gumbo, a former Senior Assistant Commissioner in the Zimbabwe Republic Police, was jailed for two years last year for defrauding the commission of $435 000.
He bought offices to be used by the commission in Mt Pleasant, Harare, using Government funds, but registered the property in the name of a company he jointly owned with the three.
The State proved that in 2010, ZACC approached the Home Affairs Ministry seeking alternative accommodation when their landlords were about to evict them.
The ministry instructed Gumbo to look for alternative property and he identified 872 Betterment Close in Mt Pleasant that belonged to Diane Spalletah. Gumbo then requested $1 680 000 from the ministry to buy the property and Government deposited $1,7 million into a ZACC account.
He instructed his subordinates Mubataripi, Chisango and Mangwiro to form a shelf company called Property Mortgage where they became directors with equal shares. herald

A whizz-kid from Murambinda B Secondary School in Buhera, Prudence Zvikomborero Mavura, has raised the country’s flag high after scooping the prestigious Sadc secondary schools essay writing award. Mavura was handed over the award by Sadc outgoing chairman President Ian Khama of Botswana during the 36th Sadc Heads of State and Government Summit in Swaziland.She beat 44 other contestants drawn from Sadc member states.
The second prize went to another Zimbabwean pupil, Rehlutsi Victoria Magabo from Mosi-a-Tunya High School in Victoria Falls.

Speaking to The Herald yesterday, an elated Mavura said: “We are happy and proud for winning top prizes in this competition. This is the first time in the history of this competition that top two positions go to participants from the same country.”
Mavura encouraged other pupils to take part in the competitions and aim high in their studies: “I want to show the nation that no matter where you come from, you just have to be self-driven and inspirational,” she said.
“You can never know what you can do unless you try.”
She paid tribute to her schoolteacher and mentor Mr Joseph Kufa for supporting and encouraging her.
Mavura said Mr Kufa assisted her to do research on the proposed Sadc topic.
Mr Kufa who was accompanying her said: “I am happy for her co-operation and these are her individual efforts through research.
“We have an essay club at our school where we nurture our kids in essay writing. This is not the first time that Prudence has done us proud. Last year she got the second prize in the same competition in Botswana.
“Locally, she has received several awards in essay writing and I urge her to continue working hard. She has proved that she can do wonders for our country and despite that she is coming from a small school in the rural areas she has managed to conquer the region.”
For coming first in the competition, Mavura received a laptop, tablet and a cash prize of $1 500.
Magabo from Mosi-a-Tunya High School also walked away with a laptop, smartphone and a cash prize of $1 000.
The essays topic was derived from themes which are discussed when summits are held and the topic was: “Accelerating industrialisation in Sadc Economies Through Transformation of Natural Endowment and Improved Human Capital.”
Students are provided with six guiding questions which help them come up with an essay. – state media

Staff Reporter | Former Intelligence guru and war lord Didymus Mutasa, who now plays a prominent role as the National Electoral Reforms Agenda (NERA) face and spokesperson is a liar and election thief, together with his boss Joice Mujuru, Zimbabweans have said.
Zimbabweans have reacted angrily to recent revelations by Mutasa that veteran opposition politician Morgan Tsvangirai won the crucial 2008 by 74 percent. At the time not only were Zimbabweans robbed of their future and still suffering to this day, Mutasa and Mujuru benefited from the status quo back then, and even took part in the traumatic bloodletting that ensued in the run off elections which gave President Mugabe victory. The two until they were chased like thieves out of Zanu PF, have silently watched while Tsvangirai who they now assert lacks boldness, was in the trenches fighting tooth and nail for democracy. Consequently, they become complicit, not just in violence, election theft, murders, but as agents who willingly and knowingly gave a new lease of life to Mugabe.
A human rights lawyer told ZimEye when it comes to matters of accountability, criminal offences dating back even to the Ian Smith regime will be considered, meaning the likes of Mujuru and Mutasa will not easily run under the cover of opposition politics to avoid scrutiny.
“Why didn’t he come out with the truth then? Is he trying to buy trust from us? Well its not for sale you earn it by your reputation?” asked one Zimbabwean.
Another wrote, “Mutasa is also an election thief. He was involved in this and is now coming out at a late date to say otherwise. Mutasa and Mujuru must explain themselves; tell us the role they played in all this mess. Our country is at crossroads over the situation they created whilst in Zanu.”
Mutasa’s attempts of buying a new life as an opposition figure might not be as easy as he thinks.
Speaking to journalists, Mutasa said Tsvangirai was just not bold enough to demand what was rightly his so Mugabe took advantage of this to continue as President of Zimbabwe illegally. Mutasa said this when journalists asked him in his current capacity as the spokesperson of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) if he thought Mugabe would buckle to pressure from the protesters.
“One thing you don’t know is that Mugabe is a hopeless coward… when Tsvangirai won the 2008 election by 73,8% he wanted to run away… he wanted to flee from Zimbabwe and it only took Chiwenga and others to claim him as work on rigging the results started… he was not sure that it would work and he started panicking more when the rigging process appeared to be going on for ever… he feared the people would pour out in the streets. “If we put enough pressure on him, he will buckle in… if you ask those of us who know him better.
If he was such a hard nut to crack, do you think some of us would be into this thing in the first place… we are doing it because we know our target very well.” In 2008, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission withheld the results of the Presidential vote for a record five weeks, after which they showed that Tsvangirai won 47,9% of the vote and Mugabe 43,2%, necessitating a run-off, which Tsvangirai pull out of citing widespread violence against his party’s members and supporter.

The government is at it again blaming innocent citizens for its failure to implement viable projects the country can benefit from. Instead of dealing with land allocation in urban areas in a transparent manner, Zanu PF’s factional fights have compromised the process, causing untold suffering to whole families.
State media reports that the construction of the Olympafrica Centre in Epworth is once again likely to be delayed as the land that the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee was offered by the Epworth Local Board is still occupied by illegal settlers. The project is funded by the Olympafrica Foundation which supports projects in Africa and focuses on disadvantaged communities.It will be managed by ZOC and supported by the relevant local authorities.
ZOC and the Epworth Local Board signed an agreement in 2014 that was to see the National Olympic Committee building a multi-purpose centre in the area.
According to the agreement, the local board would provide land while ZOC secured the funding.
But the project might collapse as the Olympiafrica Foundation are reported to be concerned about the delay in getting it off the ground and might withdraw their funds amid reports that the Epworth Local Board are facing problems in trying to relocate the illegal settlers who are currently occupying the piece of land that they allocated to ZOC for the centre.
The Herald also understands that some officials of the Epworth Local Board “corruptly” parcelled out some stands to the illegal settlers that are currently occupying the piece of land that was earmarked for the construction of the Olympicafrica Centre.
And when contacted yesterday, the Epworth Local Board chairman, Tafireyi Murambidzi, said they are in the process of moving the illegal settlers to an alternative land.
“It’s true people had allocated themselves the place on their own. We are in a process of removing them. We could not just remove them without alternative structures . . . We need to give them temporary shelters. Right now we are looking for funds to put structures for them, we cannot just move them.

“They had taken close to three hectares out of the total five hectares. As council, it’s our mandate to remove them but when things are being planned they go through certain procedures. I can’t give the exact time when the process will be completed because of finance,” said Murambidzi.
There were similar problems last year, delaying the commencement of the project but the dispute over the land was resolved before a ground-breaking ceremony was held in April this year.
After the ceremony, indications were that work would begin in the a month later but the project has suffered a still birth. The project is expected to cost over $500 000 and would be completed in the next five years.
The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Saviour Kasukuwere, who was the guest of honour at the ground-breaking ceremony in April, yesterday pledged to look into the issue.
“I am going to get involved in the matter. I will go to Epworth and see what’s happening,” said Kasukuwere.
ZOC chief executive, Anna Mguni, said the status of the project will be determined this week and she dismissed reports that the Olympafrica Foundation was contemplating withdrawing the funds.
“The reports are not substantiated. The current status of the Olympafrica Epworth Centre project will be determined this week through local meetings due to be held. Thereafter an update report will be forwarded to the Olympafrica Foundation Board who are meeting in October whereupon the requisite decisions will be made regarding the project.
“ZOC remains optimistic that there is room for resolution and progress, given that the project represents a pivotal development for the community and a positive legacy for sport,” said Mguni. The centre will comprise a basic athletics track, a football pitch, multi-purpose court as well as a changing-room block.
It will also have a cultural component including offices for the director and volunteer staff, a youth foyer, a multi-purpose room to host conferences, concerts and shows, a library and works for practical work.

Staff Reporter | A Picture of two minor kids wearing assumed Zimbabwe Republic Police helmets, holding baton sticks and tear gas canisters has gone viral. While the origins of the picture were still not clear at the time of going to press, there was an overwhelming expression of outrage, given the nasty reputation ZRP cops have in violating citizens rights. ZimEye is investigating the origins of the picture and will value all contributions to this regard.
 

ZimEye published an article on a MASVINGO-based Miracle Healing and Deliverance (MHD) founder Prophet Isaac Makomichi (21) who advised opposition parties not to expend their energies on fighting President Robert Mugabe as he will win the 2018 elections. The young prophet claims that he saw Mugabe still in office after the crucial 2018 elections in dreams.
Read article here
An alert member of the ZimEye community wrote in response, exposing this prophet;
I know this guy I once attended one of his service, he is a trickster akaunza munhu wake from mutoko obva aita fake miracle yandinoziva munhu wacho akauya nekanhu kakasonerwa mucheka kari mubag akati kumukomana uya unechikwambo ndoda kuchidana chiuye pano saka ini ndakabva ndaziva kuti ifake chikabuda mubag make zvikaita saizvozvo vanhu vose vakatya but I told some of them right there kuti ifake I know this. that guy from that day I started to doubt his claims of being a God sent prophet. I think he has gone too far in using God’s name to gain favour from Zanu pf and maybe pocket some dollars. I personally challenge that prophecy I was shocked that day on how gullible his followers were after the incident.

An interview with Bishop Dr. Sebastian Bakare currently in New Jersey, USA. Rt. Reverend Bakare is a retired former Bishop of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) dioceses of Harare and Manicaland.
Bakare an iconic figure in Zimbabwe is the convenor of the National Convergence Platform, brainchild behind the formation of the United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust ( UMMRT) where he is the current chairman and is a board member of many organizations.
An acclaimed author and academic, he still gets time to mentor several clergymen pursuing advanced university studies. He has also played a pivotal role with other bishops in facilitating that the last Government of National Unity (GNU) sees the light of day.
Bishop Bakare gives us a ‘Theological, Contextual Reflection on the current developments in Zimbabwe.
Sydney Barson caught up with Bishop Bakare and filed this interview.
SB: Good evening, we want you to give us theological reflection of the current realities in Zimbabwe, as a point of departure, we are in this crisis that seems unending, what is the church called to do in a crisis?
Bishop Bakare: The church can’t do much because it has been reacting all the time to events instead of being proactive
SB: What is the way to go Bishop, where do we place our hope, if not the church?
Bishop Bakare: The church has to rediscover its mission. In our case the church has missed a golden opportunity by being hesitant to speak on behalf of the people. Our hope is that what is happening now will lead us to where Zimbabwe ought to be going but of course without the church in the forefront.
SB: One of our many contemporary prophets recently said ‘anyone rejecting bond notes is rejecting God’s blessings’ What’s your take on these prophesies?
Bishop Bakare: I think that kind of a statement with the contempt it deserves. It has nothing to do with the gospel of Christ.
Bishop Bakare: It is a kind of church if one can call it that which one foot in mammon and the other in God. The two dont go together
SB: Last week we witnessed violent skirmishes in Harare during demonstrations organized by the MDC led by Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai and the crashing of the high court approved mega demo organized by NERA. In all incidences the police have been blamed for provoking peaceful protests, what can be done in this context? What options do citizens have?
Bishop Bakare: I think citizens have suffered long enough and have no option but to express themselves the way they are doing fully aware the police will always support the powers that —-. Of course Christians will always uphold the need for peaceful protest.
SB: You are a brainchild behind the National Convergence Platform, can you briefly unpack NCP?
Bishop Bakare: NCP is a non partisan all inclusive gathering of concerned Zimbabweans for consensus building and fostering solutions for national development
SB: Given our current scenario how do we tap into NCP or stand to benefit from it to address continued suffering of the masses?
Bishop Bakare: NCP is not a qick fix but invites concerned citizens of all walks of life regardless of social status to come together to forge a way forward in order to achieve positive sustainable solutions and develop democratic structures where everybody counts where there are no chefs and no povo but members of one family.
Bishop Bakare: This will create space for national dialogue and inclusive negotiations
SB: To what extent should the church be involved in politics?
Bishop Bakare: The church has nothing to do with party politics. But where church leaders have identified themselves with a particular party they have nothing to offer and have lost their prophetic voice. Peace and justice are central values of the gospel. The prophets of the old testament are our best examples and condemned the rulers of the day who were oppressive
SB: How should the church proceed from now to help rescue the country from further damage?
Dr. Bakare: The church should sit down and ask itself the best way to proclaim the gospel that brings about possibilities for nation building which may not be condoned by some politicians who are only there to serve themselves.
SB: Does the opposition have the stamina to change our situation or the civil society?
Bishop Bakare: This should be a combined effort because civil society and members of opposition parties are sharing similar concerns and would like to see a Zimbabwe where everyone lives a decent life.
SB :: It was my pleasure hosting you tonight Bishop, May God bless you I hope the diaspora are doing their part in the struggle for a better Zimbabwe. Thank you so much.
Bishop Bakare: Welcome. Please keep at it. You are on the commendable right track.
ENDS.

FOUR Harare men have been arraigned at the Western Commonage Courts after being found with 17 National Identity Cards that they could not account for.
Orphan Rwanza (39) of New Mabvuku, Admire Mhungu (32) of Budiriro 4, Denford Shereni (28) also of Budiriro 4 and Kurauone Chirume (32) of Budiriro 2 appeared before magistrate Ms Nyaradzo Ringisai yesterday facing 17 counts of being found in possession of identity documents belonging to another person.
The four who are all unemployed pleaded not guilty and were remanded to today.
They claimed to have picked the IDs and were on their way to surrendering them to a police station.
Prosecuting, Mr Tony Kamudyariwa said the four were busted by CID officers on patrol.
“At the time of arrest the four accused persons were travelling in a white Honda Fit vehicle that was being driven by Mhungu,” said Mr Kamudyariwa.
“On August 26, 2016 at around 10am, the four accused persons were stopped at Tagarira Shopping Centre in New Magwegwe suburb, by police officers who were on patrol.
“Their vehicle was searched and 17 national identity cards were recovered.
“They had no right to possess identity documents belonging to other persons,” said the prosecutor.
The following are the Identity cards recovered by officers from the four men.
The following are the Identity cards recovered by officers from the four men.

Ngoni Daniel Mukavarara      70-200583-X-24
Hepson Mugande                     06-055035-J-06
Lifa Ncube                                 08-870798-W53

— state media
 

THE national shut-down that had been called for Wednesday by anti-government activists , including #ThisFlag Pastor Evan Mawarire turned a big flop after the larger majority of Zimbabweans reported for work at their different work places.
Mawarire made a passionate plea hours before the event for Zimbabweans to stay home, however, several dynamics at play saw his calls bear no fruit.
Watch here as Mawarire makes plea for Zimbabweans to stay home
Harare, which last week witnessed wild protests which resulted in the burning of two trucks belonging to ZBC and the police, was normal with most shop owners operating.
There was a conspicuous police presence in the CBD with water cannon trucks on standby to deal with any disturbances.
It was also business as usual in Bulawayo as many supermarkets and government institutions were open.
Just like in Harare, there was heavy police presence in the CBD.
One shop owner who spoke to journalists said he chose to open for business as he tried to close during the last shutdown call only to find people never heeded the call.
“We made loss while others profit,” he told our reporter Dumisani Nyoni on condition of anonymity.
In Mutare, RadioVOP’s Kenneth Matimaire said the situation was also normal with all government departments, health facilities and supermarkets operating at full capacity.
Informal traders at Sakubva Flea Market, which sells second hand clothing, was also fully operational while Chidzere Bar, another popular vending site in the CBD was fully operational.
Most informal traders who spoke to RadioVOP said they could not heed the stay-away call as they had financial commitments to attend to.
“Things are tight my brother, for me and everyone here. In as much as I would have wanted to join in the stay away, I have a landlord who needs his rent, I have children who need food at home. So I have no choice but to be here at work,” said Prosper Rangana, who operates from the Sakubva market.
However, other traders indicated that they were threatened with eviction from their trading places by suspected Zanu PF supporters if they heeded any other stay away calls from anti-government forces.
Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said there was general peace and tranquillity in the city at the moment.
In Gweru, Sydney Gokomere reports nearly all shops and places where people conduct their informal trade were open.
There were no visible deployments of anti-riot police in the streets of Gweru excdpt for the few police officers who usually make patrols.
Most people who spoke to RadioVOP said they were aware of the call for shutdown but questioned its effectiveness saying most people were not formally employed and stood to lose their earnings if they stayed at home.
“I am a vendor and it wouldn’t make sense for me to continue participating in these shutdowns,” Tendai Chiradzo said.
“The last time I participated in the first national shutdown but then to expect me to repeat the same thing with the nature of my survival would be asking too much.”
A flea market trader, James Mavhuza said the timing of the shutdown was a bit problematic since it fell on a month-end when he was busy looking for money to settle bills and rentals.
“The problem is that people think that shutdowns and other protests are done in Harare and since demonstrations started, there has been little participation from Gweru,” said James Chiseko, a self-employed motor mechanic.
In Karoi, Nhau Mangirai said the shutdown remained a pipeline dream for organisers as small towns in Mashonaland West remained opened during the day.
The resort town of Kariba and Magunje areas also had normal working days.
Although some said they were concerned about their security, those who are mostly vendors saw no reason to miss a single dollar during month end.
“Of course some have remained opened out of fear of state security agents but the reality is that the majority of us are vendors and you get paid by displaying your products in the streets and not at home. We have families to feed at the end of the day,’’ said Tobias Magara, a local mobile vendor in Karoi central business center.
Karoi hospital and other Government departments were also opened while the local second hand clothing market was a hive of activity as both locals and Zambians traders mingled with customers.
However, Karoi based human rights defender Godwin Gutsa said civic organisations and government should educate citizens on their basic rights.
“We are calling upon civic societies to gear up their campaign on basic human rights issue.
“Although the police brutality is on top of agenda by those calling for shutdown, is everyone getting clean water? Are we getting required medication in public hospitals? How about those starving without food as basic right and high unemployment? Why is the Government failing to deliver on those rights and who can stand up on your behalf as these are enshrined in the constitution,” said Gutsa.
The August 31 national shutdown has remained without a leader although the firebrand activist group, #Tajamuka/Sesijikile was doing much of the advocacy.
Other groups that has been agitating for a stayaway Pastor Evan Mawarire’s #ThisFlag campaign and the #ThisFlower campaign leader Stern Zvorwadza. Radio Vop

Staff Reporter | The normally perceived as quiet Gwanda town is gearing to make their voices heard when residents take to the streets on Friday to demonstrate in demand for electoral reforms.
The demonstration under the auspices of the National Electoral Reform Agenda NERA is being organised combined by all political parties and civic society organisations in the town.
Sources within the organisers of the demonstration told ZimEye.com that provincial leaders from MDCT, MDC N, Zimbabwe People First and the People’s Democratic Party and some prominent civil society leaders have been attending meetings to prepare and mobilise for the demonstration.
According to sources, police in Gwanda were served with the notice for the intention to demonstrate early in the week and at the time of going to press no correspondence had been received from the police opposing the notice.
The organisers claim that invitations have been sent to the business community in the town and transport operators to join the demonstration which will shut down operations in the town.
Opposition political parties have come together to demand reforms to the electoral act ahead of the 2018 elections.
Demonstrations by the opposition parties to present petitions to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission with the demands have been squashed by police in Harare resulting in the demonstrations turning violent.

Terrence Mawawa | Bikita | A local man stabbed his girlfriend after catching her red-handed with a boyfriend.
Obey Madzinga of Makumbe Village, in a fit of rage, stabbed his girlfriend when he found her with another lover. Madzinga appeared before Bikita Resident Magistrate, Caroline Tafira last week. Madzinga visited Pamela Mutingwende who resides at Mutendi Complex at Nyika Growth Point and found her with a boyfriend.
There was a scuffle between the two and Madzinga produced a knife and stabbed Mutingwende on the left leg. Although Mutingwende tried to withdraw the case the State insisted that the matter be heard because of the type of weapon used. The Magistrate indicated there was a high possibility Madzinga could be a potential murderer in future. Magistrate Tafira instructed Madzinga to pay $50 fine or serve an alternative two months in prison.
Eyewitnesses told ZimEye.com Mutingwende’s boyfriend fled from the house when Madzinga confronted him over the issue. “We tried to stop the two from fighting. The boyfriend who was caught red-handed fled from the house and Madzinga then confronted Mutingwende and there was a fierce scuffle. The incident happened on August 13 and Mutingwende later attempted to withdraw the case,”said an eyewitness. It is also understood Mutingwende initially refused to go to hospital fearing Madzinga would be arrested after the compilation of the medical report.

ZimEye is receiving reports of a family the Mackinnons who have been violently evicted from their farm. Implicated in the violent eviction is Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo. See report below;

Mike Campbell Foundation wrote;

The Mackinnons from Harare were yesterday illegally evicted from their home by a group of thugs. They escaped with only the clothes they had on. Thugs threw out all their belongings, smashing furniture and scattering papers and photographs.
Their farm falls within the new Harare peri-urban precincts. They have already endured arrests and jail on 3 occasions – and been subjected to court prosecutions for remaining in their home; but the courts have not found them guilty and they are by rights able to stay in their home and continue farming. It is believed that the thugs evicting them were acting for Minister Chombo. The MacKinnons left behind a flourishing cropping farm as well as a wildlife sanctuary with various African plains game species.

Riot police in Bulawayo today are reported to have savagely attacked an unidentified defenseless disabled female vendor at the Large City Hall gate.
Protesters had gathered ready to roll out #ZimShutdown protests.
She was selling her wares at the entrance and was not part of the demonstrators, reports say. This is not the first time overzealous riot police have attacked defenseless citizens, Lilian Chinyerere Shumba was brutally assaulted by the police as she sat outside the Harare Magistrates’ Court last Friday.
She told MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai during a surprise visit to her home that, up to now, she was still trying to come to terms with the motive behind her attack.
“The young boy (police officer) kicked me three times and I was hit three times by a baton for nothing, just because I was wearing red clothes. It’s very unfortunate that the young cops thought they were going to silence me, I will not be,” she said.
As earlier reported, freelance photographer Crispen Ndlovu was arrested with Alfred Dzirutwe, Lwandlelubanzi Ndebele, Plaxedis Denge, Hampton Maphosa, Lenny Kuzwarira and Mthokozisi Ncube.
Ndlovu was arrested while taking photos of the police assaulting Dzirutwe.
According to reports, about 15 riot police surrounded and clobbered Dzirutwe and assaulting the unidentified woman with batons.
Dzirutwe suffered two deep cuts on his head while the disabled woman who has previously suffered a stroke, was assaulted on her affected right hand.

LOCAL Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday said government will not pay attention to protesters, vowing Zanu PF has no plans to implement the electoral reforms demanded by opposition parties.
Kasukuwere – the Zanu PF national commissar – said both the government and the ruling party would not be moved by anti-government protests.
“How can Didymus Mutasa and Joice Mujuru (ZimPF leaders), failed politicians, who were enjoying power just yesterday under these electoral laws, call for reforms now? They are doing so because they have no capacity to win elections,” he said.
Kasukuwere said the government would only listen to debates on electoral reforms if they came through Parliament and not “street protests”.
“You want us to listen to people wearing gowns and playing street soccer at Copacabana? That will not happen. If they want to change the government, they should come for elections,” he charged.
Kasukuwere also threatened to come down hard on Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association secretary-general Victor Matemadanda for allegedly threatening President Robert Mugabe’s family.
“Who is Matemadanda and where does he get the power to issue threats against the First Family? We want to tell him that we will hold him accountable if anything happens to them,” he said.
Matemadanda, a former Zanu PF central committee member, on Monday called on Mugabe to protect his family by heeding the call by Zimbabweans to step down. newsday

MASVINGO-based Miracle Healing and Deliverance (MHD) founder Prophet Isaac Makomichi (21) has advised opposition parties not to expend their energies on fighting President Robert Mugabe as he will win the 2018 elections.
Prophet Makomichi says he has on several occasions been shown in his dreams that President Mugabe will still be at the helm after the 2018 general elections.
Prophet Makomichi told state media on Wednesday that President Mugabe is the God chosen leader for Zimbabwe.
He said the President is an anointed leader, adding that even a coalition of opposition parties will fail to unseat him.
The young prophet said the blunder that local opposition parties made is working with the country’s detractors that include Britain and the United States of America (USA), whose main objective is to replace the present government with a puppet regime.
“I was given this dream and the country had passed the voting period in 2018. It was after 2018 plebiscite and President Mugabe was still in power. A voice resonated saying that only God will remove President Mugabe from his position,” said Prophet Makomichi.

He said President Mugabe is a man on a mission and when the mission is achieved, a new leader will come from Zanu PF.
Prophet Makomichi warned opposition parties against inciting violence.
Zimbabwe, said Prophet Makomichi, is alien to violence and God does not want bloodshed.
He also predicted good rains this farming season adding that the obtaining hardships will soon come to pass with the economy experiencing a rebound.
‘’I have a vision of a prosperous Zimbabwe with adequate food and abundant rains. The drought and economic woes presently bedevilling the country will soon come to an end,” said the prophet.
“Violence begets suffering. Opposition parties should stop this madness forthwith as God is against bloodshed.”
The MHD founder made headlines in Masvingo early this year through his healing prowess.
His church members say he has miraculously healed the physically challenged and casts out demons.
Early this year, Prophet Makomichi  revealed that he was seeing PHD Ministry founder Prophet Magaya in his sleep and recently stirred controversy when some of his congregates were quoted in the media saying they had been seen him flying into the sky like an angel, during a prayer vigil.
His prophesy comes in the wake of similar predictions by the Zimbabwe Indigenous Church Leaders Association (Zila) recently.
Speaking during the installation of Zion Christian Church Bishop Jaison Chisemo at Dare Primary School in Chivi over the weekend, Zila president Bishop Lyphet Matenda said the President is invincible.
‘’President Mugabe’s invincibility is an anointment from God and no one will ever unseat him unless he leaves at his own volition. He was given a task to do for the Zimbabweans by God Himself and He still wants him.
“I am told there is coalition of opposition parties, these political outfits are wasting their time because the parties are not united for common purpose. I have received a voice telling me that President Mugabe will still be the president, come 2018 after the elections,” said Bishop Matenda. state media
 

Movement For Democratic Change | Eight-year old Bridget Mandimutsira, a multiple skin cancer patient, is in dire need of assistance to access specialist treatment.
Last Thursday, Bridget woke up in a critical condition. Her parents, George and Benedict Mandimutsira on Friday contacted Mrs Elizabeth Tsvangirai, who for the past three years has been assisting the family in meeting the medical expenses for Bridget.
The two are not employed are struggling to meet the demands of Bridget’s medical expenses. On Friday, while the police were bludgeoning people and causing chaos in the city, Bridget’s parents were trying to negotiate their way in the melee to get immediate medical reprieve for their ailing daughter.
Amai Tsvangirai assisted them to get interim treatment for their lovely daughter at a Harare private hospital on Friday evening.
Amai Tsvangirai, who has been assisting the family, said there was need for urgent specialist treatment and it would help if people chipped in at this dire moment.
“She now needs specialist treatment. The family and I are now appealing for any assistance to enable Bridget to get specialist treatment abroad,” Amai Tsvangirai said at the Harare infirmary where she had assisted the family to take Bridget for temporary medical reprieve.
The local doctors are now saying she needs specialist treatment abroad.
Those wishing to assist can contact Bridget’s father, George Mandimutsira on 0774 327 867, which is also an Ecocash line or can deposit their financial assistance in his Steward Bank account number 1002220632.
Attached to this email is Bridget’s photograph.

A man from Tsholotsho who killed his neighbour’s son by hitting him on the head with a hammer before ripping his stomach open with a knife was treated for a mental problem by Tsholotsho South MP Cde Zenzo Sibanda, who is a traditional healer.
Lizwe Ncube callously bludgeoned six year old Obvious Mkhwananzi to death with a hammer on Saturday.
He tied the Grade One pupil’s body to a bicycle frame and ripped open his stomach.
After slaughtering the child, Ncube allegedly guarded the mutilated body.
It has emerged that Ncube a mental patient was for almost a year treated for his condition by Tsholotsho South legislator Cde Sibanda.
Cde Sibanda who is also Tsholotsho District Zanu-PF chairperson is a renowned traditional healer in the area.
On Wednesday, he confirmed having treated Ncube.
“He came from South Africa suffering from mental illness.  I stayed with him close to a year attending to him. I think it was eight months between 2011 and 2012,” said Cde Sibanda.

He said he surrendered Ncube to his relatives after being convinced that he was cured.
Cde Sibanda said Ncube’s mental problem could have been worsened by substance abuse.
He said he was dazed to learn that Ncube had committed the heinous crime, saying he knew him as a non violent person.
“This is a sad incident. I was shocked to learn that it was Lizwe who had done this.  His relatives should have taken him for treatment if they saw signs that he was losing his mind again,” he said.
Cde Sibanda urged relatives living with mental patients to take them to institutions that professionally look after them.
Tsholotsho police arrested Ncube amid calls that mental patients should be confined to mental institutions.
The incident comes at a time when the biggest mental hospital in Matabeleland, Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo is facing a critical shortage of medicines for both its in and out of hospital patients.
Three nurses have been attacked by patients this year as patients go without sedatives.
Officials at Ingutsheni Central Hospital say the drug shortage has resulted in unsustainable cases of outpatients relapsing and needing re- admission at the crowded institution. Chronicle

Staff Reporter | Police in Bulawayo intensified their crackdown against innocent citizens arresting a journalist and scores of activists.
Peoples Democratic Party Secretary for Finance and Economic Affairs Vince Musewe tweeted a picture of three youths saying, “Arrested in Byo today for fighting for our freedom”.
They also arrested freelance journalist Crispen Ndlovhu for allegedly staging or attempting to stage a demonstration in the country’s second largest city.
Among those arrested include Alfred Dzirutwi, Mthokozisi Ncube, Plaxedis Denge, Lwandlolubanzi Ndebele, Hampton Maphosa and Lenny Kuzwarira, who are reportedly affiliated to the Bulawayo Youths Arise. Bulawayo Youth Arise had notified the Zimbabwe Republic Police about the protest on 23 August 2016. However, ZRP officers did not make any formal response to their notification.
At their rescue were Zimbabwe Lawyers fro Human Rights (ZLHR), led by Lison Ncube.
 
 

George Charamba, President Robert Mugabe’s spokesperson, has laughed off reports that the long-time leader abandoned the Southern African Developmental Community summit in Swaziland due to ill health.

There are reports on Wednesday that the 92-year-old veteran leader’s health deteriorated, forcing him to abandon the summit.

A government official in Harare was quoted as saying that Mugabe was rushed to Singapore for treatment for an illness that was connected to his long-term battle with prostate cancer.

“He came back today because of health issues. It has to do with prostate cancer and is due to fly out early on Wednesday to Dubai,” the source was quoted as saying.

“My laughter should be enough to answer these reports. Just because it is reported, it does not make them true and I have no further comment on these stories,” Charamba said.

He went on to criticise the use of the word “abandoned” in the report, questioning whether the reporter understood the meaning of the word.
Mugabe has had a much publicised battle with prostate cancer and has had to travel regularly to the far east for treatment, although his handlers claim the trips were just for eye surgery. – News24

Staff Reporter | There is heavy police presence in central Harare with law enforcement agents marauding around the area.
The police descent is a response to the Shutdown calls made by #Tajamuka social movement and civil society organizations on Tuesday.
Business is however normal as vendors could be seen selling their wares along the streets.
Banks and supermarkets too, are open with people carrying on with business as usual.
Be that it may, the atmosphere is however tense as exhibited by the convoys of police water cannons roving the streets to instill fear in the public.
Last week the police fired tear gas on peaceful opposition supporters who had gathered at Freedom Square near Rainbow Towers hotel to protest against President Robert Mugabe.
The protest turned violent after the police’s attacks on the unarmed civilians and resulted in the burning of shops, market stalls and looting of supermarkets.
Government has threatened to order the police to shoot and kill anyone protesting.
 

Staff Reporter | The trial of the 85 activists arrested in July after the first #ShutDown led by now exiled Pastor Mawarire has failed to take of again. The Bulawayo based Abammeli Human Rights Lawyers, made the following report; 

 

Dear Editor.
An accident has just occurred this morning in which scores of people are feared dead after a commuter omnibus travelling from Harare to Chitungwiza collided with a lorry near Irvines Chicken along Glen Norah-Chitungwiza roads. The accident location is at Irvines Chickens near Mbudzi round about along Chitungwiza road. Details to follow…

 
 
 

ZIMBABWE People First (ZimPF) has apologised to Zapu after one of its members reportedly made a snide remark about the re-election of Dumiso Dabengwa as the president of the party.
ZimPF Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Geniva Sibanda allegedly sent a WhatsApp message saying Zapu had “recycled deadwood”.
Sibanda’s remarks were leaked to Zapu deputy spokesperson Iphithule Maphosa who immediately raised the red flag, saying the utterances were likely to scupper opposition parties’ negotiations towards forming a coalition.

Yesterday, ZimPF’s spokesperson Methuseli Moyo apologised to Zapu and said Sibanda’s remarks were not sanctioned by the party.
“For the record, Sibanda’ statement was unsanctioned by ZimPF,” he said.
“In as much as Sibanda is free to hold personal opinions, it has been brought to his attention that his conduct in this instance was unbecoming of a leader and must never be repeated.
“ZimPF has tasked the local party leadership to personally convey our unreserved apology to Zapu and Dabengwa, who we regard highly for his service to this nation for the past five decades.”
Moyo described Dabengwa as an undisputed liberation war icon.
“ZimPF takes this opportunity to reaffirm our support and congratulates Zapu, the founder and authentic liberation movement of Zimbabwe, for a successful, peaceful and exemplary congress and wish to assure them of our commitment in working side by side with other opposition forces to deliver a prosperous, just and democratic Zimbabwe at the next elections,” he said.
Sibanda reportedly made the statements last Friday, following Dabengwa’s re-election as the party leader.
He is said to have likened Dabengwa’s recent re-election as Zapu leader to “galvanising old re-treaded tyres”, suggesting that the former Zipra intelligence supremo had outlived his political usefulness. newsday

Riot police officers beat up an apologetic elderly woman at the main entrance to the Harare Magistrates’ Court building last week

THE European Union delegation and EU heads of mission in Zimbabwe yesterday condemned police for the way they have violently crushed recent demonstrations, saying this was an affront to the Constitution, which guarantees various freedoms including the right to protest.

“The freedom to demonstrate and present petitions is enshrined in the Zimbabwean Constitution, along with other fundamental human rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, assembly and association.

“These rights must be exercised peacefully and fully respected by the authorities. Any form of violence, including incitement to violence and advocacy of hatred or hate speech, must be condemned by all parties in the strongest possible way.”
The EU said it was the duty of the police to uphold the Constitution and allow citizens to freely and peacefully express themselves.
“Police have a duty to facilitate the conduct of undisturbed peaceful demonstrations and petitions. Use of force should only be considered as a last resort and always be proportionate,” the statement said.
“Furthermore, the constitutional right of arrested and detained persons should be fully upheld in all circumstances and the independence of the judiciary respected.
“The EU fully associates itself with the statement of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission on public protests and police conduct and joins its call for the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of human rights violations are prosecuted.”
The EU appealed to demonstrators and police to avoid violent confrontations.
“The EU calls for calm, mutual respect and dialogue by all parties, as well as full respect for the Constitution and the rule of law.”
The statement, however, is likely to draw the ire of Zimbabwean authorities, who accuse the West of interfering in the country’s affairs.
Already, authorities claim the US has provided uniforms to people who are not police officers and they were responsible for the violence, not ZRP. newsday

Four people from Gweru, Summerset Farm appeared in court for fatally assaulting a 27 –year- old suspected thief.
It is reported that Trymore Khumalo (25), Herbert Chivasa (31), Knowledge Dube (30) Sikhalaliwe Mlalazi (24), allegedly teamed up and killed a man Isheunesu Gobore of  Missouri farm on the outskirts of Gweru. Reason Ndlovu (45) an alleged accomplice is on the run.
The four appeared before Gweru magistrate, Mr Tendai Madanhire facing murder charges.They were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody.
Mr Madanhire advised them to apply to the High Court for bail.
Prosecutor, Miss Helen Khosa said on August 26 the four as well as Ndlovu allegedly suspected that Gobore had entered into their kitchen hut and fowl run that night and left unnoticed.
The court heard, the next morning, they followed Gobore to his homestead, but it was not stated if anything had been stolen from the kitchen hut and fowl run.
Miss Khosa said they tied Gobore to a wooden pole before assaulting him all over the body. In the process, the court heard Gobore, sustained head injuries and died on the scene.
“The five accused persons teamed up, tied the deceased with a rope to a wooden pole and took turns to assault him with open hands, a sjambok, a machete and a log all over the body,” she said.
“The accused except for Ndlovu were apprehended by fellow villagers who witnessed them assaulting Gobore.”- State Media

In a move to curb corruption, the government has redeployed staff from two parastatals, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) across the country.

Oficials tried to play down the matter saying the reshuffle was a directive to transfer those who stayed at one station for more than five years, but insiders alleged that the Government was not happy with high reported corruption cases.
It is reported that Zimra redeployed 200 officers, and VID also moved 46 officers countrywide.
A letter from the VID head office addressed to all depot managers, stated the transfers were with immediate effect.
The memo entitled; ‘Transfer of depot managers and staff for balancing manning levels, image building, multi-skilling and reposition for operational efficiency’ reads: “Our principals are concerned about the continuous bad perception and have directed the need to reposition VID and restore confidence of the motoring public. This requires espousing Business Processing Pre-Engineering (BPR) through rebranding the inspectorate culture of doing business.
“The BPR among other processes requires that staff be repositioned strategically, so as to unlock the full potential and benchmarking with the best practice, to achieve operation efficiency.”
Several Zimra officers stationed at Beitbridge said they had been called one after the other by officials from the human resources department and informed of their transfers.
Zimra’s board secretary and director for legal and corporate services, Ms Florence Jambwa, could neither confirm nor deny these transfers yesterday.
“The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) transfers its staff frequently to meet the needs and requirements of the authority’s mandate and as part of skills development. These transfers are done at the discretion of management, taking into consideration staff developmental aspects as well as strategic needs of the authority.
“Transfers are done inclusive of all stations and in accordance with Zimra’s transfer policy,” she said.
Ms Jambwa said that they periodically conducted lifestyle audits countrywide on a continuous basis as a way of establishing unjust enrichment.
“Zimra appeals to members of the public to report any specific information related to tax and duty corruption using the toll-free anti-corruption hotlines. The contact details are as follows: Toll Free, (Econet) 0808 190 and (Telecel) 0732 880 880, WhatsApp, 0772 135 690 and e-mail: [email protected],’’ said Ms Jambwa.
Recently, the Government redeployed 500 police officers that were deployed at Beitbridge to various stations across the country, while the Judicial Service Commission has also initiated the process.- State Media

BAIL HEARING FOR 68 ACTIVISTS ROLLED OVER TO 31 AUGUST 2016.
On Tuesday 30 August the Magistrate Court rolled over the bail hearing of 68 activists who were arrested over the demonstrations on Friday last week to 31 August 2016.
The 68 who include freelance journalist James Jemwa are being charged with Public Violence in contravention of Section 36 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
Bail for Kerina Gweshe and 3 others was also denied when they appeared before the Magistrates Court yesterday.
On Monday 29 August, the Court also denied Promise Mkwananzi, #Tajamuka’s national spokesperson and Brian Usviso bail after the Court indicated that they were facing serious charges and were likely to abscond.
The other 13 people rounded up during the demonstration led by MDC youths on Wednesday 24 August 2016 were remanded to 13 September 2016.
The protesters are being represented by ZLHR lawyers Harrison Nkomo, Jeremiah Bamu, Trust Maanda , Marufu and Josiahs Mandevere, Sharon Hofisi, Dorcas Chitiyo and Tinashe Mundawarara.

The disciplinary hearing to determine suspended Prosecutor-General (PG) Johannes Tomana’s suitability to continue holding the esteemed office started yesterday. Mr Tomana pleaded not guilty to all the eight counts of improper conduct when the disciplinary hearing commenced before a three-member tribunal.Retired High Court judge Justice Moses Chinhengo is chairing the tribunal with two other members, University of Zimbabwe Dean of Law Mr Emmanuel Magade and lawyer, Ms Melina Matshiya.
The tribunal hearing against Mr Tomana comes after he was charged with eight counts of criminal abuse of office.
His criminal trial was deferred this week. Harare lawyer Mr Andrew Mugandiwa is prosecuting in the tribunal case while Advocate Thabani Mpofu is acting for Mr Tomana.
According to reliable sources, a Transparent International Zimbabwe representative testified in the probe. The anti-corruption body compiled a report on the alleged corruption activities the office of the then Attorney-General committed during Mr Tomana’s reign.
However, the hearing was deferred to tomorrow for continuation.
Mr Tomana is being probed for things he is alleged to have done when he was still the Attorney-General. He is alleged to have refused to prosecute the traffic case of Bright Matonga which resulted in the death of a woman he ran over with his vehicle.
He is also accused of rubber-stamping the acquittal of former Zupco board chairman Professor Charles Nherera, when he took over as the then AG.
Prof Nherera had been convicted of corruption. Nherera, who had served a two-year prison term, was acquitted by the High Court barely a year after Mr Tomana was appointed to the post of AG.
Following his acquittal, Prof Nherera sued businessman Mr Jayesh Shah for malicious prosecution and demanded damages to the tune of $400 000.
Mr Tomana is alleged to have invoked provisions of Section 35 of the High Court Act to quash Prof Nherera’s conviction.
Under the Act, the quashing of an appeal is made upon the prosecution consenting to the appeal.
The court noted that Mr Tomana was the legal advisor to zupco, which was involved in the criminal prosecution of Prof Nherera at the time, as well as his legal representative in addition to being a board member of zupco.
The other charges arise from his refusal to comply with court orders. He was in October last year slapped with a 30-day jail term for contempt of court after he defied court orders to issue certificates for the private prosecution of former Bikita West legislator Munyaradzi Kereke and Telecel shareholder Dr Jane Mutasa.
The sentence was wholly set aside on condition that he complied with the court orders and issued private prosecution certificates to Mr Francis Maramwidze and Telecel within 10 days, or he would be barred from practising as a lawyer in Zimbabwe.
Kereke has since been jailed an effective 10 years for raping an 11-year-old relative while Mutasa’s charges of swindling the company of airtime recharge cards worth millions of dollars were dropped.
President Mugabe set up the tribunal following recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission in accordance with Section 187(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
JSC made recommendations to the President in May this year for the establishment of a tribunal to investigate and assess whether Mr Tomana is still fit to hold his office.-state media

OPPOSITION parties under the banner of National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) on Tuesday vowed they were going to hold a massive demonstration in Bulawayo on Friday to demand electoral reforms from the Zanu PF led government.
Speaking at a press briefing under their umbrella association in Bulawayo on Tuesday, the leaders said they were demanding electoral reforms in Zimbabwe ahead of the elections in 2018.
“The demonstration is going to take place on Friday from 10am,” said Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) provincial co-ordinator Esnath Bulayani who delivered the statement on behalf of the group.
Responding to questions from journalists, ZAPU regional coordinator, Mark Mbayiwa said police had not yet responded to a notice the parties had sent advising them about their intentions to march.
“Application has been made and we hope by the end of day today (Tuesday), we will be having the reply. However, the law says we must notify the police; hence we have just done that. We are not seeking permission from them,” he said.
The press conference was attended by MDC-T, ZimPF and ZAPU officials.
Another march has also been planned for Harare by the same opposition parties.
The country has seen a wave of recent protests against the government of President Robert Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980.
Eighteen opposition parties under NERA have announced plans to roll out mass anti-government demonstrations to other provinces on Friday, as pressure mounts on President Mugabe’s government to give in to opposition and civic demands for electoral reforms.
This comes after co-ordinators of the #Tajamuka/Sesijikile campaign on Monday vowed to forge ahead with their planned national shutdown on Tuesday, despite threats by Zanu PF youths and State security agents to deal with those agitating for the work boycott.
Hardlife Mudzingwa, one of the pressure group’s leaders, told journalists in the capital that Wednesday’s shutdown was part of their sustained campaign to force Mugabe to relinquish power over his failure to solve political and socio-economic crises besetting the country.
#ThisFlower campaign leader Stern Zvorwadza also said they will continue piling pressure on the Zanu PF government.

30 students who have been selected to study in China under the Presidential Scholarship Programme have left the country for Qindao Province this Tuesday,  were sent off by the Executive Director of the Presidential Scholarship Programme, Dr Christopher Mushohwe.
20 other students are expected to leave tomorrow.

Terrence Mawawa Masvingo | Overzealous police officers yesterday violently disrupted the launch of the #Tasvinura campaign in Masvingo as protests at President Robert Mugabe’s government continue across the country.
At least seven pro-democracy activists were arrested during the launch of the #Tasvinura Campaign, meant to push Mugabe to step down. #Tasvinura is a campaign programme synonymous with the #Tajamuka Campaign. Heavily armed police details stormed the Civic Centre and disrupted the peaceful programme. The anti-Mugabe protests have been triggered by rampant corruption,economic hardships and tyranny. Millions of suffering Zimbabweans are calling on the 92-year-old Mugabe to step down. Notable among the human rights activists who were arrested yesterday were Prosper Tiringindi of Masvingo Residents Trust, Brighton Ramusi of Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development and Hardlife Tangai of Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Association. The seven human rights activists were taken to Masvingo Central Police Station where they were detained for several hours before being released. “The brutal nature of the country’s police force was reflected again yesterday.The actions by the partisan officers reflect desperate measures on the part of the regime.Mugabe has no solution to the current problems so he is using the police in a bid to thwart the will of the people.We are fed up with the tyranny in the country,”said one of the human rights activists who spoke to ZimEye.com. ZimEye.com is reliably informed anti-Mugabe protests have spread to the rural areas of Zimbabwe.

Staff Reporter | Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri , has fired the Bulawayo Provincial Police Officer Commanding, Assistant commissioner Steven Mutamba, for failing to remit funds raised from roadblocks.
Mutamba has been transferred to the ZRP Criminal Investigations Department headquarters in Harare where he will not be dealing with any cash.
He has since been replaced by one, Assistant Commissioner Gora, on an acting capacity until a substantive office bearer is appointed.
“It is believed that Police General Headquarters decided to transfer him because Bulawayo of late has not been remitting retention fund like other provinces. Assistant commissioner Mutamba has been urging his junior officers not to provoke riots but demanding spot fines from motorists,” ZimEye.com learnt from sources at ZRP Police General Headquarters in Harare.
“Recently, assistant commissioner Mutamba was at loggerheads with police general headquarters over his failure to meet retention targets,” they said.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is mounting roadblocks everywhere in the country’s highways and streets in towns and cities where they are demanding spot fines from motorists for silly offences like failing to carry a spare wheel when driving.
The notorious police have also gone to the extent of impounding vehicles from their owners who would have failed to raise the spot fines.
The fines collected from the angry motorists is however not remitted to the Treasury but is rather sent to the Police General Headquarters for use by Chihuri.

Staff Reporter | The #TotalShutDown planned for tomorrow received a major boost Tuesday evening from the Harare Commuter Omnibus Transporters Association “HACOTA” who a day before it starts, have already advised their members to park all vehicles. ALSO READ – Mawarire Shutting Down Zimbabwe Tomorrow.
Below was their statement:
NOTICE!!
30 August 2016
From :Harare Commuter Omnibus Transporters Association “HACOTA”
Dear Members
Following on our meeting today at Cleveland Dam in Harare, we have evaluated the environment and find it not conducive for our drivers and conductors to work on Wednesday 31 August 2016. We therefore advise all commuters to park their vehicles on this day. Please note insurance companies are refusing to pay for damages incurred during demonstrations or politically motivated violence.
Normal services will resume on Thursday 1st September.
Secretary General Philip Chideme
Harare Commuter Omnibus Transport Association.

TENSION has gripped Mashonaland Central ahead of former Vice-President and Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) leader Joice Mujuru’s star rally at Aerodrome Shopping Centre in Bindura on Saturday.
ZimPF interim provincial chairman Godfrey Chimombe yesterday confirmed Mujuru’s planned visit, which came as several party members have had their houses torched by suspected Zanu PF supporters.
“There is tension this side, but we are ready for the rally. Zanu PF supporters are instilling fear and intimidating our party supporters in a bid to bar them from attending our rallies. People are having their houses burnt,” Chimombe said.
“Last Thursday, ZimPF Bindura North ward 20 secretary Tope Tope had his house burnt at around midnight. Our provincial secretary for mobilisation, Musvauki, in Guruve South, also had his kitchen razed down. But we are not moved by that. We have been holding mini-rallies to mobilise our supporters to travel to Bindura for the rally.

“We are employing a number of strategies to deliver the message to the people that we are tired of this (Zanu PF) system and that they should not fear to come and be addressed by party leaders. Mashonaland Central used to be a Zanu PF stronghold, but it no longer is, Mujuru commands a huge following here.”
However, Zanu PF provincial leaders have distanced themselves and party members from the alleged arson attacks.
Mujuru hails from Dotito in Mashonaland Central and the rally could be used to measure how much support she has in her home province following her decision to enter the opposition fray after she was expelled from Zanu PF in 2014.
The former Vice-President is currently on a nationwide tour, meeting supporters ahead of the party’s elective convention to be held next month in Harare.
ZimPF rallies have been facing disruptions from Zanu PF youths and police, forcing Mujuru to seek recourse at the courts.newsday

Staff Reporter | Zanu PF leadership in Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe is victimizing locals who attended a meeting which was organized by the Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (RTUZ) at Mutawatawa business Centre.
RTUZ called for a meeting with locals including teachers on the 19 August, where they planned for the over 200 Km march from Mashonaland East province to Harare in protest of poor working conditions for teachers.
The protest march was aborted in Mrewa after the police arrested leaders of the protest who were walking from Uzumba to Harare.
Heal Zimbabwe trust, a peace promotion lobby NGO, this week reported that Zanu PF Uzumba ward 6 chairman, Godfrey Chikono was moving in the ward tracking down people who attended the protest planning meeting.
“During the exercise, Chikono is telling villagers that if they continue to attend meetings which are not sanctioned by the Zanu PF leadership, they run the risk of being evicted from the area,” said Heal Zimbabwe.
Heal Zimbabwe also said that Zanu PF officials in the same area had started threatening people to vote for them in the forth coming elections.
“ Zanu PF held a meeting on 21 August  in Hukuimwe village which was addressed by the party’s district  Chairman, Cleopas Kufuka where he  told villagers that all known opposition supporters in the area, will be “eliminated” before the 2018 elections.
“When asked by one villager what he meant, Kufuka only said that people should never forget the 2008 violence,” said Heal Zimbabwe.
 

A female protester who is among the sixty-eight Zimbabwean protesters at court in Harare to apply for bail following their arrest during last Friday’s demonstration has fainted.
The court proceedings were interrupted when one female prisoner fainted and later confesses that she had not eaten since morning.
State prosecutors said the charge faced by the activists was serious and is punishable by a sentence of not less that 10 years.
The protesters could face a lengthy remand jail time after the state today spiritedly opposed bail for the activists arguing that they will cause more disturbances if granted.
The state  said the accused who include journalists are members of #Tajamuka and that they burnt a Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) vehicle and stoned a police vehicle.

CHURCH and traditional leaders have warned State security agents that they risk being tormented by avenging spirits of thousands of citizens they were tormenting under the guise of enforcing law and order.
The warning came following the publication of gory pictures and videos showing riot police officers ruthlessly crushing dissent in the just-ended anti-government protests.
Zimbabwe Christian Alliance director Useni Sibanda said police officers who brutalised peaceful demonstrators must understand that such violence would have a psychological impact on them as well.
“It will affect them mentally and in some cases we have been counselling perpetrators of violence who need their memories to be healed of the heinous acts they would have committed,” he said.
Reports say several soldiers developed mental problems following their participation in the Gukurahundi massacres where over 20 000 people in Matabeleland and Midlands regions were reportedly killed by 5 Brigade at the height of the dissident insurgency in the 1980s.
“The fact that families and people are aggrieved is a curse on that person and his family. God will judge that person for those acts because God defends the powerless and weak,” Sibanda said.
Mthwakazi kaMzilikazi Cultural Association member Nhlanhla Khumalo said: “In our culture, love and respect are very important values of the society. If you pretend to be clever and kill someone, the spirit of the dead person will always follow you wherever you are. It might not be now, but it will surely happen.”
“Those who can be sent by anyone to kill must know that it’s not those who sent them who suffer spiritual attack, but those who participate in the killing of innocent people. The one you are killing sees you and not the one who sent you hence you become that person’s target,” he added.
Ibhetshu Likazulu activist Mbuso Fuzwayo also issued similar warnings.
Zapu deputy spokesperson Iphithule Maphosa said it is a known fact that avenging spirits do exist and were known to cause long-term harm on perpetrators’ surviving family members.
“The police and military officers, while they carry out orders to brutalise citizens, should remember that they will face the consequences alone with their families. Those issuing the orders will still be enjoying their luxurious good lives free of the backlash from avenging spirits,” Maphosa said.
“Besides fear of avenging spirits, police and the military must respect both human life and human rights. People of this country have a constitutional right to display dissatisfaction and displeasure with the regime through demonstrations and nobody should take that right away through brutality.” – Newsday

A grouping of political parties coalescing under the banner National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera) have approached the High Court to formally advise that their sanctioned demonstration last week failed to take off owing to police interference.
This comes after law enforcement agents brutally crashed a demonstration organised by the grouping to press for comprehensive electoral reforms ahead of the much-anticipated 2018 elections.
But Nera spokesperson Didymus Mutasa said in a statement yesterday the political parties had rescheduled the demonstration that they are tipping to be of colossal proportions to this Friday.
Mutasa added that the Nera will also be staging demonstrations countrywide on the same day.
“To this end, Nera will tomorrow formally advise the court that the sanctioned demonstration never took place as the police, in a brazen act of contempt of court, violently stopped citizens from marching on the sanctioned route,” Mutasa said on Sunday.
The former State Security minister, now a member of the Joice Mujuru-led opposition Zimbabwe People First party said it will be up to the judiciary to determine the fate of Home Affairs minister and the ZRP over their contempt case.
The court order that Nera obtained after police refused to clear them for the demonstration specifically barred them from obstructing or interfering with the march.
He emphasised that political parties under Nera were organisations of peace-loving Zimbabweans, saying “we mean no harm to anyone”.
“We demand nothing more than being allowed our constitutional right to march and to hand over a petition to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) so that they begin to put in place mechanisms for a truly free, fair and credible electoral process ahead of the next election.
“We also further advise that apart from the protest march in Harare, Nera structures in all provinces, cities and towns will be informing the place of similar marches in their areas on the same day.
“Zimbabweans are under no illusion that we are where we are because of the crisis of legitimacy. On Friday, the whole nation wishes to speak with one voice by peacefully demanding that the next election be truly free, fair and credible,” the statement reads further.
Describing the behaviour of the police in crashing their demonstration as callous, the Nera parties argued that Zimbabweans have previously protested without incidents of violence.
“As Nera, we are heartened that the world is watching and that the United Nations has come out to say it is disturbed by the brutality of the Zimbabwe police on innocent citizens.
“The onus is on the State to exercise restraint and allow Zimbabweans to exercise their constitutional rights,” the parties said.
In the aftermath of last week’s crashed demonstration, police launched a crackdown during the night, firing teargas at people walking in town with unconfirmed reports that they went around beating people in bars in the city centre.
The genesis of the socio-economic and political crises the country is grappling with, the Nera parties say, was the disputed 2013 elections “that bred a government with no local and international confidence”.
They argued that disputed elections remained the pressing national concern hence their demand for Zec to listen to them “so that we cure this recurring disease of illegitimacy arising out of contentious elections that breed disputed outcomes”. daily news

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai at the weekend met with estranged war veterans led by their secretary-general Victor Matemadanda in a bid to find a solution to the economic and political crisis bedevilling Zimbabwe.
The meeting, which according to insiders was held at an unspecified location, centred on finding a solution to the myriad of challenges Zimbabwe faces.
Although Luke Tamborinyoka, Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, could neither confirm nor deny the meeting, insiders told NewsDay that the two sides met and a wide range of issues were discussed.

Insiders said the two politicians discussed areas of mutual co-operation “to end brutality and misrule in Zimbabwe”, which they both accuse President Robert Mugabe of being the mastermind of.
“The meeting was about strengthening relations between the two institutions (war veterans and MDC-T), as well as discussing ways to end Zanu PF rule,” an insider said.
Attempts to get a comment from Matemadanda were fruitless, as his mobile phone went unanswered, while Douglas Mahiya, the war veterans’ association’s spokesperson, said he had no knowledge of the said meeting.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I have no information on the supposed meeting,” he said.
Matemadanda and other war veterans’ leaders, who include their chairman, Christopher Mutsvangwa, were recently expelled from Zanu PF on allegations of being rebellious.
The ex-freedom fighters were accused of plotting to overthrow Mugabe and replace him with his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Last month, Matemadanda fired a salvo at Zanu PF’s G40 faction, describing it as being a worse devil than Tsvangirai.
Zanu PF accuses Tsvangirai of being a puppet of Western countries that imposed sanctions on government officials, including Mugabe and his wife, First Lady Grace Mugabe. Newsday

DIVISIONS have reportedly rocked the Zanu PF women’s league over the choice of a candidate to stand as Vice-President in the event the party agrees to their demands to reinstate a constitutional clause stipulating that one of the party’s deputies be a woman.
However, the campaign seems to have hit a snag amid reports top women’s league members were now fighting each other after they failed to agree on First Lady Grace Mugabe’s candidature.
“There were chaotic scenes during the women’s league national executive meeting held in Mazowe last week. Sarah Mahoka (Hurungwe East MP) initially complained about plots to expel her from the party and constituency, but the First Lady said her problems were self-inflicted. This angered Mahoka, resulting in an angry exchange between the two,” a source said.
“The First Lady accused Mahoka and others in the G40 faction of using her name. Mahoka had to be shouted down by other women, including some from the G40 faction, but she insisted the First Lady had used her.”
In February, Mahoka publicly humiliated Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, challenging him to openly declare his presidential ambitions.
Sources said Grace’s anger also emanated from information she gathered that three names had emerged as contenders for the position — her deputy Eunice Sandi-Moyo, Senate President Edna Madzongwe and Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Mandiitawepi Chimene.
“Grace was angry because she thought it was a no-contest for her. Now she realises Mahoka and others have been using her all along,” the insider said.
Insiders said Grace and Mahoka were drifting apart.
“Grace is now relying on (director of State Residences, Innocent) Tizora and building her own power base around him outside the G40. Mahoka and others have found it hard to see her. Grace has even snubbed the rallies and events that they have arranged for her to speak,” another close source claimed, adding Mahoka had also accused Tizora and Zanu PF secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo of trying to orchestrate her expulsion.
Mahoka who is the women’s league secretary for finance, however, poured cold water on the claims, but seemed to rule out Madzongwe.
“You know my relationship with the First Lady; we are very close and we would never do that. Madzongwe and the First Lady are from the same province. Madzongwe is also related to the President, it would not be proper for her to be in the presidium,” she said when contacted for comment.
Mahoka said Grace had an “excellent working relationship” with everyone in the executive.
“Those are all lies because the First Lady has a very good working relationship with all members of her executive, including Sandi-Moyo. She would not have a problem with any of us and there was no such thing as an angry exchange,” she said.
“We never discussed such things and, in any case, we cannot keep discussing the same thing we have passed a resolution on. We have done our part and we are now waiting for (Zanu PF legal secretary Patrick) Chinamasa to make sure it is in the party constitution.”
The clause was strategically removed ahead of the ruling party’s December 2014 congress as a way to get rid of former Vice-President Joice Mujuru.
Following Mujuru’s expulsion from both Zanu PF and government and the subsequent appointment of Vice-Presidents Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, the women’s league felt hard done and has since been pushing to have one of the deputies coming from their ranks.
They launched a fresh campaign this month to have the clause reinstated, amid claims this was part of an elaborate plot to have Mnangagwa axed on allegations of plotting Mugabe’s downfall.newsday

A ZIMBABWE Electoral Commission (Zec) officer has been arrested for allegedly canvassing votes for an independent candidate during a council by-election held in Gweru last month.
Ephraim Hodzi (37) appeared before Midlands Provincial magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa facing one count of canvassing for votes.
Hodzi through his lawyer Mr Brian Dube pleaded not guilty to the charge. He is out free on bail. Hodzi applied for discharge at the close of the state’s case and the ruling would be made on Thursday.
Prosecutor, Mr Andrew Marimo said on July 23, Mrs Maria Dzamira was the presiding officer at Mambo Secondary School in Gweru during the Ward 7 poll.
“The accused was one of the polling officers who were vetting voters at the entrance before entering the room to cast their votes.
“On the same date there was Chemedzai Maburo in the queue waiting for her turn to cast her vote,” said the prosecutor.

The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) will not accept payments through point of sale machines at tollgates as this can cause congestion and delays at tolling points, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Instead, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Joram Gumbo encouraged motorists to embrace the prepaid tollgate fee system.
He was responding to a question in Parliament by Buhera South legislator Cde Joseph Chinotimba on Wednesday on why Zinara was not embracing the use of plastic money at tollgates.
“At tollgates, we may not be able to use the POS machines because we will spend a lot of time but I am advising motorists to use prepaid facilities. If we are to allow you to use the POS machines at the tollgates, it may take a long time and the queues can be so long that you will end up getting bored,” said Minister Gumbo.
He said as an alternative, Zinara had a new policy for a pre-paid system which is more efficient and convenient.
“We now have a policy which allows you to make a pre-payment where you get your ticket in advance. The pre-paid system is also used for Zinara payments at tollgates,” said Minister Gumbo.
He said the pre-paid system was mostly used by companies and institutions who bought tickets in advance.

Gweru City Council commissioner, Mark Choga was on Monday convicted by a local magistrate’s court for assaulting a resident during a meeting which had been called this year for residents by the caretaker administration.
This is after Choga, who is Commissioner in charge of finance, had assaulted Frank Muzorera all over the body resulting in the latter sustaining injuries on the neck and shoulder.
The assault emanated from a disagreement between the two over the implementation of a government audit report and allowances paid to commissioners who were imposed on residents at the expense of the MDC-T led elected council by Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere.
The court heard that on February 18 this year, Muzorera and Choga attended a meeting between residents and commissioners at the mayor’s parlour.
“During the course of the meeting the complainant asked the accused person how much they (commissioners) earn as their allowances and whythey were not implementing the outcome of the audit report,” according to state papers.
“The accused person refused to answer the questions posed by the complainant and a misunderstanding arose and the accused proceeded to where the complainant was and hit him from behind once on the shoulder and neck.”
The court further heard that Muzorera fell down and Choga kicked him all over the body with booted foot.
Residents and municipal police however restrained Choga from further assaulting Muzorera.
A report was made to the police leading to Choga’s arrest.
For the offence, Gweru magistrate Florence Nago fined Choga $150 or a three month in jail term if he defaulted on paying the amount.
Nago said Choga was a first offender and needed to be given a chance to reform without necessarily getting a custodial sentence.
As Choga heard his fate, a group of residents demonstrated outside the courts after Choga was convicted.
They said they did not want boxers for city fathers. Radio Vop

Terrence Mawawa | Zaka |Local villagers have been stunned by an incident in which a local boy impregnated his half sister, following a long period of sexual encounters between the two orphaned siblings.
The boy aged 18 and the girl(17) from Svovonho Village, under Chief Nyakunhuhwa ,Zaka, stay with their grandfather following the passing on of their father. It is understood the two maintained a suspiciously tight relationship. A close relative told ZimEye.com the matter came to light when the girl fell pregnant in April this year.
“At first we thought it was just a friendship since they were orphans but we were told by other villagers the two had a sexual relationship.They were spotted having sex in the nearby bushes.The girl then indicated her half brother was responsible.When the grandfather learnt of the pregnancy he also tried to conceal the issue,”said a relative who declined to be named. Sources further disclosed the grandfather proceeded to give the two a kitchen to sleep in after discovering the girl was pregnant. A police source last week said:”The whole issue is complicated ,incest is not only a cultural taboo but illegal in Zimbabwe.It can be punishable by a jail sentence.We are carrying out investigations on the matter.We will be able to take action after getting all the details we need.”

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we write this joint statement to all the victims of police brutality and unlawful arrests by law enforcement agents following our peaceful demonstration that was violently thwarted by members of the ZRP. What we set to carry out on the Friday 26th of August was a peaceful demonstration and handing over of our petition on electoral reforms as NERA to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commision. Little did we know that ZRP would react as violently as it did when it fired teargas, sprayed with water canons and brutalised with baton sticks our unarmed members.Sadly though because the cause we are standing up for is a cause that affects even our fellow brothers in the security forces and the very demonstrators they brutalize are their kith and kin.
We apologise and sympathise with all our members who were injured and/or arrested during these skirmishes and we want to assure you that we are with you all the way. So far over 100 youths were either arrested and have since been denied bail or abducted and others are still missing. However we will not be deterred by this police brutality and will continue to push for reforms and exercise our democratic right to demonstrate as enshrined in our nation’s constitution in Section 59. We also want to appeal to the ZRP not to be used as a tool of repression and not to be contemptuous of the High Court that ruled in favor of us exercising the right to demonstrate and petition.
We are also aware that some Police Officers may have orders to shoot and kill the leaders . We are not criminals, you can kill us but you can’t kill or stop the revolution. Let us stand as one nation tolerant of divergent views. We should never allow a difference in opinion to create enmity betweeen us . Lets respect the sanctity of life .
We will be leading from the front once again together with our principals demanding reforms in a peaceful manner this Friday the 2nd of September and we invite every citizen who wants to experience free and fair elections during this lifetime to come and take part and be part of the history making process. We stand united and guided by the laws of the land as prescribed in the constitution of Zimbabwe and encourage the ruling party and security sector to embrace constitutionalism by allowing the citizens to enjoy their rights.
#strongertogether
#togetherstronger
#enoughisenough

Terrence Mawawa |Masvingo | Tongaat Hulett, the country’s largest sugar producing company faces closure following the invasion of productive land by Zanu PF supporters and senior government officials.
The land grab exercise has triggered massive job losses and further economic demise. Zanu PF supporters, senior police officers and CIO bosses took over Tongaat productive land in a controversial manner two months ago.
Sources told ZimEye.com 5000 workers casual were likely to lose their jobs following the land grab programme. Zimbabwe Sugar Milling and Industry Workers Union president Freedom Madungwe last week said he was concerned about the drastic reduction in the production of sugar at Tongaat Hulett.
“Initially it was reported that the controversial land invasion programme would affect 2000 workers. The truth is that it will affect about 5000 workers.3000 workers have already lost their jobs and the situation is very unfortunate,”said Madungwe.
Economic experts have warned Tongaat would crumble like other large companies in the country.
It is understood machinery is no longer regulary maintained because of the uncertain future the company faces.
Iron and steel giants like Zisco and asbestos producers Shabanie and Mashava mines shut down as a result of President Robert Mugabe’s harsh economic policies. The 92-year-old President is largely blamed for the current economic quagmire the nation is experiencing.His supporters also took over productive farms at the turn of the millennium, thereby crippling the country’s economy.

MANICALAND Provincial Affairs minister, Mandiitawei Chimene, has bragged that she has landed a ministerial post despite her being a Form Three dropout.
Speaking at the official opening of the Jibilika Dance Festival in Mutare on Friday, Chimene said: “I am here because I knew and pursued what or where I am best at. I went to Zamula for my primary and went to St Josephs for my secondary education up to Form Three, but I am now a Minister of State.”
She, however, could not disclose how she rose up the political ladder ahead of the academically gifted party members, but her critics claim it was through President Robert Mugabe and his wife First Lady Grace’s patronage system.
“Don’t condemn yourself. You can be a star from wherever you are. Just know what you are good at and work on it,” she said.
Chimene condemned the abuse of drugs saying it destroyed lives of youth and most abusers of dagger, cocaine and broncleer ended up in prison or mentally deranged. I know you have read in newspapers that I smoke dagga. Well, I am always high on it. Even by the time I wake up, I will be high, but not with the dagga that you guys smoke, mine is in the head,” she said.
Chimene becomes the third top Zanu PF official to reveal their inferior academic qualifications after Kwekwe Central MP Masango Matambanadzo and Hurungwe East legislator Sarah Mahoka, both Grade Two dropouts. Newsday

Spokesperson for Tajamuka/Sesjikile Campaign, Promise Mkwananzi was denied bail when he appeared before a HarareMagistrate today. He was remanded to 12 September.
The Magistrate ruled that Mkwananzi and Kudakwashe Pate were not suitable for bail they’re likely to interfere and that it was not in the interest of justice to grand the accused bail.
Mkwananzi was arrested after he had gone to Harare Central for his routine report as per bail conditions granted to him on the 7th June 2016 following the Shutdown organised together with Pastor Evan Mawarire of #ThisFlag Campaign. He was arrested at 7:30AM upon his report at Harare Central. He is facing charges of inciting public violence ahead of the call for Shutdown 3.0 scheduled for 31 August 2016.
Police assert that he connived with members of Tajamuka to burn a police car and a ZBC car notwithstanding the defence on his warned and cautioned statement that he was at a conference hosted by SAPES Trust on the day in question.

Staff Reporter | Riot police on Monday morning continued with their widely condemned aggressive behavior as they attacked and barred MDC-T vice Presidents Elias Mudzuri and Nelson Chamisa from entering Harare magistrate’s courts.
The two MDC-T senior officials had gone to attend the trial of 74 activists who were arrested in connection with the last Friday civil unrest that rocked central Harare.
Riot police blocked the court entrance and caused a stampede as people forced themselves into the court.
Meanwhile three activists have been arrested for demonstrating outside the Harare Magistrate’s courts.
The three, Pride Mukono, Makomborero Haruzivishe, Methluli Dube have been taken to a police base which is at the Harare magistrate’s court.

By Morgan Tsvangirai | Reports in the Sunday Mail edition of August 28, 2016 portraying the MDC as a terrorist organisation are extremely disturbing, grossly offensive and patently untrue.

The fact of the matter is that the MDC is not training any terror squads allegedly to destabilize Zimbabwe. For the record, the MDC is a lawful and peace-loving social democratic political party that was formed in September,1999. False reports to the effect that the MDC has been training its youth wing in para-military tactics and urban violence should. therefore, be dismissed with the utter contempt and disdain that they rightfully deserve.

If anything, it is the MDC, over the years, that has been the victim of relentless and sustained State-sponsored violence, thuggery and banditry. Zimbabweans still vividly remember how President Morgan Tsvangirai and other top opposition politicians were brutally assaulted by some rogue Police officers and CIO agents in Harare in March, 2007. So thuggish and brutal was the assault that it eventually forced SADC to urgently intervene in order to resolve the Zimbabwean political crisis and impasse.

President Robert Mugabe recently said that there shall be no Arab Spring in Zimbabwe. We totally agree with him. It is not the intention of the MDC and its leader, President Morgan Tsvangirai, to violently and unconstitutionally overthrow the Zanu PF regime. Of late, it is the Zanu PF regime itself that has been unleashing wanton violence and brutal physical force on peaceful demonstrators. On Wednesday, August 25, 2016, the Zimbabwe Republic Police embarked on an orgy of violence in downtown Harare ; beating up and vandalizing innocent and peaceful demonstrators who had been embarking on a lawful march led by the MDC Youth Assembly.

In the process, some Zanu PF thugs and CIO agents set alight two motor vehicles belonging to the ZRP and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. These Zanu PF thugs also looted several city shops, including Choppies supermarket that is partly owned by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko.

The MDC, together with seventeen (17) other opposition political parties under the NERA platform, also embarked on a peaceful demonstration, calling for electoral reforms, on Friday, August 26, 2016. This demonstration had been sanctioned and authorized by a court order that was granted by Justice Hlekani Mwayera. In flagrant violation and disobedience of Justice Mwayera’s court order, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, once again, unleashed wanton violence and thuggery on peaceful demonstrators.

Tear gas canisters were randomly thrown at peaceful demonstrators and in the process, hundreds of innocent demonstrators were injured and maimed as the ZRP indiscriminately beat up the demonstrators. This clearly proves and shows that the Zanu PF regime has gone rogue and that they are even prepared to disregard and disobey lawful court orders. Both the Commissioner – General of the ZRP, Augustine Chihuri and Home Affairs Minister, Ignatious Chombo, should be held personally responsible for the mayhem and barbarism that was caused by the Police in Harare on Friday, August 26, 2016.These two key Zanu PF regime operatives should also be charged and prosecuted for contempt of court. We cannot allow a situation whereby lawful orders issued by our courts of law are arrogantly and flagrantly disobeyed as what happened last Friday. Heads must certainly roll.

The MDC would like to call upon the Zanu PF – controlled media to immediately desist from peddling lies and falsehoods that are wickedly meant to portray the MDC as a violent, terrorist organization. As the fourth estate, the media should, at all times, report facts and desist from fabricating malicious, false and defamatory stories against President Morgan Tsvangirai in particular and other opposition political leaders in general. The people of Zimbabwe are watching. One of these fine days, all these evil men and women who are violating and thrashing the people’s constitutional rights shall be brought to book. That’s for sure.

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday blasted “spineless” opposition party leaders for covertly abusing youths to commit criminal acts under the cover of street protests.
His remarks follow last week’s orgy of violence in Harare unleashed by opposition parties under the banner, National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera). The opposition parties’ thugs also stoned police officers and deflated a police vehicle.
Vice President Mphoko said the youths who are being used by craven opposition parties to commit acts of criminality were mainly targeting the ordinary citizenry.
“At times people do unimaginable things under the cover of so-called peaceful demonstrations. People who are mostly being attacked by these rowdy youths during these violent protests are ordinary men and women selling tomatoes in the streets,” he said.
The Vice President questioned the rationale behind shop lootings and acts of violence, yet the organisers of the demonstrations claimed the protests were peaceful.