Unconfirmed social media reports she has lost…Mwanawasa StaffReporter|There are unconfirmed reports that Zambia’s former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa has lost in her bid to be the next Executive Mayor of Lusaka. Substantive results are said to be out tomorrow with several announcements being pushed back because of counting glitches and irregularities which include missing ballot boxes among others.
While not confirming or denying her loss Mwanawasa wrote on social media this evening, “I hope the election observers have not left the country to see for themselves the deliberate delay in releasing results.”
Social media is awash with reports of Mwanawasa’s loss and some even being posted by her supporters. Mwanawasa had indicated upon her return to politics that her backing United Party for National Development President Hakainde Hichilema should not be taken lightly.
“I have stayed away from politics for six years and my coming back means business. I want to be one of the chief campaigners for UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema who I believe is the man to lead this country up to 2016 and beyond,” she told the media back in 2014.
The election in Zambia is a tight two-horse race between the ruling Patriotic Front and the opposition UPND. President Edgar Lungu and his main challenger Hakainde Hichilema are both anxious to avoid a run-off.
Several top members of PF have defected to UPND. They include former Vice President Guy Scott, former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa and Mulenga Sata, the son of late President Michael Sata. Scott and Sata senior were the founding members of the Patriotic Front, but Scott fell out with Lungu after Sata senior’s death.
I am not dying…Mugabe
President Robert Mugabe through his close kin(relative), Supa Mandiwanzira wants to arrest 16 million Zimbabweans (UN Official Figure) the Mugabe family says are “cyber criminals.” The Gushungo family plans on every Zimbabwean who airs their political views via the internet, to extradite them (over 5 million government critical citizens) now resident in foreign countries, while on the same day imprisoning the remaining 11 million who are in the country. Computer Crime and Cyber Crime Bill – an unjust Law in the making “An unjust law is no law at all” this is a quote from Saint Augustine, an early Christian theologian whose writings influenced the development of politics and law. This quote pretty much sums up the spirit to which the Computer Crime and Cyber Crime Bill being proposed by the Zimbabwe government is in its current format. Deep Legal Analyses….Lloyd Msipa This bill seeks to empower the Zimbabwe police to ‘intercept private communications, search and confiscate electronic gadgets’ used in what they deem to be ‘criminal activity’. The proposed law seeks to impose a five year mandatory sentence to would be ‘offenders’ who fail to legally use their phones, laptops and desktop computers. The proposed bill goes on further to say the violation of the proposed law and the attendant repercussions will reach out to offenders “globally” in as long as they are Zimbabweans. These ‘Zimbabweans’ will be extradited back to Zimbabwe under existing extradition laws, namely , The Extradition Act (Chapter 9.08) Part of the draft bill reads : if — “(a) committed in connection with or in furtherance of the commission or attempted commission of the crime of insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism, theft, unauthorised borrowing or use of property, extortion, fraud, forgery, malicious damage to property, damaging, destroying or prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft, concealing, disguising or enjoying the proceeds of the unlawful dealing in dangerous drugs, corruptly using false data or defeating or obstructing the course of justice; or “ (b) the computer, computer network, data, programme or system is owned by the State, a law enforcement agency, the Defence Forces, the Prison Service, a statutory corporation or a local or like authority; or (c) the crime occasions considerable material prejudice to the owner of the computer, computer network, data, programme or system; or (d) the crime disrupts or interferes with an essential service. Police, according to the Bill, are required to apply to a magistrate for permission to search and seize electronic gadgets and to intercept private communications to prove criminal cases. “ (1) If a magistrate is satisfied on the basis of an application by a police officer, supported by an affidavit, that there are reasonable grounds to suspect or believe that the content of electronic communications is reasonably required for the purposes of a criminal investigation, the magistrate may: a) order an Internet service provider whose service is available in Zimbabwe through application of technical means to collect or record or to permit or assist competent authorities with the collection or recording of content data associated with specified communications transmitted by means of a computer system; or (b) authorise a police officer to collect or record that data through application of technical means.” The Bill also says: “Any person, who unlawfully and intentionally generates, possesses and distributes an electronic communication with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, threaten, bully or cause emotional distress, degrade, humiliate or demean the person of another person, using a computer system or information system shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 10 or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both.” An addition to AIPPA and POSA Any reasonable person reading this draft bill is immediately gobsmacked by its content and its apparent intention to instil fear and control on a citizenry already living on the edge after being pummelled by the police for so long. This bill attempts to take away the only avenue left for Zimbabwe’s citizens have for free expression. This bill now waits in line to join other statutory provisions like the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and The Public Order and Security Act (POSA) both enacted in 2002. The former to “oversee” how the print and electronic media operate in Zimbabwe. Since its enactment it has banned foreign news organisations from reporting in Zimbabwe and indeed some of Zimbabwe’s newspapers have been obliterated. And the later gives greater control powers to the police and the act has helped Mugabe consolidate power by limiting the freedom of Association amongst citizens. In fact it is a requirement for any political or civic formation to seek police approval before holding any public meetings. So, Zimbabwe it is not rocket science to figure out where the government is going with this new proposed draft Computer Crime and Cyber Crime bill. One may be forgiven for seeing the parallels between North Korea and the fast developing trend in Zimbabwe were the government interfere to a point of being in the citizen’s personal lives. When a law seeks to take away an individual or a group’s freedom, it causes harm or basically just causes chaos; it is the opposite effect of what a law is put in place to do. In his 1963 letter from Birmingham city prison, Dr Martin Luther King lamented the effect of unjust laws. He speaks of the difference between a just law and an unjust law. “A just law is a man-made code that squares up with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law” St Thomas Aquinas a respected Italian Philosopher and theologian out it more succinctly, he says, “An unjust law is a human law that that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is a just law. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust”. So in essence an unjust law is morally wrong and can be disobeyed. Protesting is in essence disobedience against unjust laws. The purpose of protesting is mainly to publicise an unjust law or a just cause; to appeal to the conscience of the public; to force negotiation with recalcitrant public officials to “clog the machine” with political prisoners; to get into court where one can challenge the constitutionality of a law; to exculpate oneself, or to put an end to one’s personal complicity in the injustice which flows from obedience to unjust law. While protesting in a broad sense is as old as the Hebrew midwives’ defiance of Pharaoh the social media age brings it to another level. Panic, Power retention at all costs The Zimbabwe government is going to great lengths to try and market this new cyber bill as an enhancement of our laws by aligning it with the control of pornographic images and videos and terror as part of computer crimes being curtailed. But Zimbabweans are not naïve; the devil is in the detail. The appearance of a law may make it look just, but will be unjust in its application. The Public Order and Security Act (POSA) give powers to the police to control gatherings and issue permits for the same. But we all know that government protests are never accompanied by this requirement whilst opposition and civic groups are put through this audacious process and in most instances they are refused and they end up seeking relief from the courts. A law becomes unjust when those who are from the ruling party are never compelled to do the same. So the intentions of the Computer Crime and Cyber Crime bill are clear. Recent events have been instructive. Social media is the new political battleground. The Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) are now archaic. They do not offer sufficient control anymore. This is what this Cyber bill is about, control through instilling fear amongst the citizens of Zimbabwe. Here is the tragedy if the bill should it ever become law. Social media is not domiciled in Zimbabwe. Questions abound, how you seek to prosecute a person who is holding on their gadget a forwarded message. Furthermore, does Mugabe still think that after 36 years of persecution and repression Zimbabwean society has remained stagnant. Has the government of Zimbabwe factored in the possibility that most of its citizens are now citizens of other countries together with their children who by the way are now leading the onslaught for a democratic dispensation in their country of origin? Does the Zimbabwe government have the resources to pour into policing personal gadgets and information flow in the context of Zimbabwe? The government cannot even pay the current public servant. Can POTRAZ do this?
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) was established in terms of the Postal and Telecommunications Act [Chapter 12:05].Part of Section 4 defines its functions as
To ensure the provision of the sufficient domestic and international telecommunication and postal services throughout Zimbabwe on such terms and conditions as the Authority may see fit.(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), to ensure that any person by whom any telecommunications or postal services falls to be provide is able to provide these services at rates consistent with the provision of an efficient and continuous service and the necessity of maintaining independent financial viability;(c) To promote the development of postal and telecommunication systems and services in accordance with practicable recognised international standards and public demand; (d) To exercise licensing and regulatory functions in respect of postal and telecommunication systems and services in Zimbabwe, including the establishment of standards and codes relating to equipment attached to telecommunication systems; (e) To exercise licensing and regulatory functions in respect of the allocation and use of satellite orbits and the radio frequency spectrum in Zimbabwe for all purposes, including the establishment of standards and codes relating to any matter in connection therewith; etc.
They term is a “regulatory functions”, but Zimbabweans are not oblivious to the fact that POTRAZ has recently used its sweeping powers to order mobile service providers to suspend the various popular promotions they had on offer. Despite official denial by the same, whatsApp and Facebook activity has dropped sharply in the last few weeks. This part of the broader attempt by the Mugabe government to control social media.
ECONET/ TELECEL/ NETONE: Mobile Service Providers in Zimbabwe Mobile service providers are governed by both national law and International law. The reason for this is because mobile service is now global. Mobile service providers are also mandated under national and international law to respect the privacy of the service users. If a government makes a demand for information that is deemed “unreasonable”, the service provider can refuse to provide it and fall back on international provisions. Precedents abound: The Apple boss Tim Cook refused to cooperate with the American government’s request to unlock an iPhone belonging to Syed Farook, one of the alleged shooters in the San Bernardino attack. The service provider argued this was a defence of civil liberties despite the fact that a federal court in Riverside, California, granted the justice department the order. Apple refused to obey an unjust law. Without the consent of the service provider it is not possible for the government to read ones messages as WhatsApp messages have a secured end to end encryption, which means WhatsApp or third parties, cannot read your messages without physically getting hold of your phone. Computer Crime and Cyber Crime bill fallacy The long and short of this proposed draft bill, is that it will be impossible to police and enforce should it be railroaded into law. Firstly international law will not compliment laws in domestic jurisdictions that are on the face of it unjust. So an attempts to invoke the Extradition based on this type of law will be an own goal. It will simply reinforce the dictatorial nature of Mugabe’s government. Secondly this proposed unjust law will be resisted by all right thinking progressive Zimbabweans globally who want to take Zimbabwe forward and not backwards into the Stone Age. The internet is not restricted to the borders of Zimbabwe, but a global phenomenon, hence it cannot suffer violence and intimidation. Free expression is one of the cornerstones of the internet era. Zimbabweans are not stuck to the local service providers to access social media. In fact most in Zimbabwe are now using foreign sim cards (South African, Zambian and UK etc. etc.). Free expression in the internet era is exactly that- free. An attempt to legislate against free internet expression will be unjust and will fall flat on its face. Simple as. Lloyd Msipa is a Lawyer by profession and can be contacted at [email protected]. He writes in his personal capacity.
Out for the kill…Grace Mugabe
First Lady Grace Mugabe is going for the kill as she plots Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s final push out of Zanu PF.
ZANU PF’s youth and women’s leagues have stepped up their campaign to push out Mnangagwa and have him replaced by a female candidate, amid reports the two party structures were planning to hold crunch meetings next week to set the ball rolling for an extraordinary congress.
Party insiders told journalists that Mugabe and Senate President Edna Madzongwe’s names were being mentioned, as potentials to replace Mnangagwa under the guise of seeking gender parity.
Contacted for comment, Zanu PF commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday said the party would be guided by its constitution.
“We always follow the constitution of the party,” he said, without elaborating further.
Women’s league deputy secretary, Eunice Sandi-Moyo declined to comment on the matter, saying: “If your source told you that, then why are you asking me? You want me to confirm what your sources have told you? Why don’t you ask your sources to clarify?”
Knives have long been out for Mnangagwa, who is accused of leading Team Lacoste, a faction that is reportedly campaigning for him to replace President Robert Mugabe, an accusation the Vice-President has denied.
Mnangagwa landed the Vice-Presidency at the party’s 2014 congress. Zanu PF’s next congress is due in 2019, a year after the crunch 2018 elections, which Mugabe has already expressed interest to contest.
A source revealed calls for an extraordinary congress would soon be made by several provinces.
“The congress will be pushed by provinces, as provided for under article 26(1c) of the (Zanu PF) constitution,” the source said.
“The youth and women’s leagues are critical players in this strategy. Soon, they will be convening meetings at national level and afterwards their resolutions will cascade down to provincial structures. Their resolutions will be used to mobilise the lower structures in calling for an early congress.”
Quizzed over the feasibility of such a plot, a top Zanu PF official, who declined to be named for security reasons, said the resolutions will be coming as a directive and provincial executives will be forced to abide by the orders.
“That will be a directive and you know how we deal with directives in Zanu PF. The resolutions will be implemented as they are,” the official said.
“What we are only looking forward to, at the moment, is to first have a resolution, then buy-in will not be a problem.”
Section 26 of the Zanu PF constitution provides that an early congress may be convened “wherever it is deemed necessary and at the instance of: (a) the majority of the members of the central committee; or (b) the President and first secretary, at the instance of not less than one-third of members of the central committee; or (c) the President and first secretary, at the instance of at least five provincial executive councils by resolutions to that effect”.
Already, some youth leaders and war veterans have implored the party to call for a special congress that will decisively decimate Mnangagwa’s faction and his ambitions to succeed Mugabe.
Addressing war veterans recently at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare, Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Mandiitawepi Chimene said an early congress was the panacea to the Zanu PF succession wars.
She singled out Mnangagwa, as the source of problems rocking Zanu PF and cited a litany of allegations against him.
Another Zanu PF source said a motion for Mnangagwa’s ouster would be kickstarted in the coming weeks, so that all necessary procedures are met.
“Because section 28 gives a timeframe and circumstances for the holding of an extraordinary congress, it is prudent that the motion moves now so that by December, all procedures would have been met,” the source said.
“The President, after receiving the resolution, has to forward it to the secretary for administration (Ignatius Chombo), who has six weeks to give notice of the said session.”
The latest anti-Mnangagwa campaign comes after the women’s league failed last year to push through a resolution for the appointment of a female Vice-President.
Since his appointment as Vice-President in 2013, Mnangagwa has fought numerous internal battles to save his job, as senior party officials, including Grace, have publicly accused him of clandestinely plotting Mugabe’s ouster. Newsday
Calls on Mugabe to resign…Chipanga
Controversial Sungura musician Josiah Chipanga says President Robert Mugabe should cede power to a younger and energetic cadre even from his Zanu PF party.
Mugabe has ruled the country since independence in 1980 and has been at the helm of his Zanu PF party since 1975.
The veteran leader has never allowed succession debate in his party, and has eliminated those making such calls.
Chipanga who was performing at the Joice Mujuru led Zimbabwe People’s First political party rally in Chinhoyi, at the weekend, told Newsday at he was prepared to perform at Zanu PF rallies where he would challenge the aging leader to resign.
“Zanu PF needs to be reformed and should allow the younger generation to take over. The father should be led by the children when they are old enough,” he said.
Chipanga however said that in as much as he would want to perform at political rallies, he was discouraged by some of them who do not pay for the services.
“Very few people are attending live shows nowadays, mainly because of the harsh economic environment that has eroded people’s disposable incomes,” he said.
“I can sing for any party, including Zanu PF, as long as they pay me, but unfortunately some parties refuse to pay after the show.”
Of late, the musician alleged that national broadcaster; Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation had not been playing his music because he was critical of the administrative short-comings of President Robert Mugabe’s government.
Chipanga, who recently released a new album, Gamba, dedicated to the late decorated former Zimbabwe National Army commander, Solomon Mujuru, took a dig at Mugabe, whom he said should hand over power to a younger generation.
no longer fit to lead….Robert Mugabe
Wasteful President Robert Mugabe is reported to have flown in four doctors from Singapore to attend to him ahead of the Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day commemorations, it has emerged.
Zimbabweans in the united Kingdom last week handed a petition to the Singapore embassy to block Mugabe from undertaking the costly there trips at the expense of suffering citizens. (watch video here)
Mugabe (92) is among many conditions, battling prostate cancer and eye problems. He frequently travels to Singapore for treatment at the state-of-the-art Gleneagles Hospital.
Government sources said the doctors arrived last week and treated Mugabe ahead of his public appearance at the National Heroes Acre on Monday where he officiated on Heroes Day.
Mugabe also officiated at the Defence Forces Day commemorations at the National Sports Stadium on Tuesday.
“Mugabe’s health continues to be of concern and authorities felt he needed to be seen by his doctors before officiating at the Heroes and Defence Forces events,” a government official. “He is supposed to undergo a urinary tract surgical operation in Singapore soon.”
Mugabe last travelled to Singapore on June 2 after attending the 8th summit of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) in Papua New Guinea.
He also visited the Far East country after attending the Fort Hare University centenary celebrations on May 22.
Government sources also said that Mugabe was spending less time in the office due to the combination of old age and ill-health which has slowed him down over the years.
His diminishing health status was reflected by his dramatic fall at the Harare International Airport in January last year while returning from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he had taken over the rotational African Union chairmanship. He tumbled while getting off from a podium after addressing ministers, security service chiefs and Zanu PF supporters.
He also showed signs of worsening frailty when he stumbled backwards before being assisted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and aides to scale a small step while attending the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi, India, in October last year. The Independent
Tough decisions to make, after inspiring millions…Mawarire Staff Reporter When he started a solo #ThisFlag campaign taking short videos of himself, on message – what Zimbabweans wanted to hear and full of inspiration to awaken them out their deep political slumber into action, Evan Mawarire must have under estimated the task ahead.
His political eloquence and presentation set the whole nation on fire.
From the solo vidoe campaign to global #ThisFlag campaigns, expectations are high on the preacher, decisions he makes are no longer about him and his family alone but whole multitudes in a matter of months he inspired to dream again. #ThisFlag united Zimbabweans like no other campaign has ever done in recent years, from within the country into the vast Diaspora. Mawarire by choice or mere historical coincidence, perhaps fate has a life that will never be the same again. The toastmaster speaks with eloquence and much exhuberance to steer his audience into action.
Organisers of #ThisFlag campaign are in a hard place as they try to explain Mawarire’s move to the United States of America. Some feel he has sold out and should have stayed put like many before him. Morgan Tsvangirai stayed, Joice Mujuru is hanging on there, others are fighting from the belly of the beast in Zanu PF itself but they have not run.
The yet to be known organisers say the movement should continue in spite of its leader’s absence, as this was crucial in avoiding the cult of personality, which was responsible for the mess the country finds itself in.
“Every citizen is equally responsible for the rise and fall of this movement,” the movement said in a statement yesterday. “We must move away from the personality cult politics of our country that have got us to a place where we look to one man to be our Messiah.”
The campaign said Mawarire had an open-ended stay in the US, although it insisted #ThisFlag will continue in his absence, as “the citizens own the movement and will decide its future”.
This comes as the campaign has moved to formalise its structures to peacefully pressure President Robert Mugabe’s administration to address the prevailing socio-economic crisis in the country. “The Zimbabwe we want is a burden that rests squarely on all our shoulders,” the statement said.
“The civic duty to hold our government to account rests on all of us and not on Pastor Evan alone. He lit the fire and we cannot heap the survival and sustenance of the movement on him and his young family. The vision of a free and prosperous Zimbabwe should drive us, whilst the values of the movement remain the glue that binds us together.”
Mugabe has threatened unspecified action against Mawarire, who turned into a hero a few months ago, following his arrest on “trumped-up charges” of insulting the Zanu PF leader and seeking to unconstitutionally topple him.
When the courts acquitted him, Mawarire travelled to South Africa and later took his family to the US, where he is reportedly drumming up support for the movement.
The group said all its activities were being funded by Zimbabweans, both in and outside the country.
Zambians vote in key election Aljazeera |Zambians have voted in presidential and parliamentary elections which saw “a good turnout” and “a calm, peaceful” environment.
Ballot counting began on Thursday evening and the electoral commission said it would be hours before results started to trickle in. Final results are expected by Saturday night.
The top two presidential candidates, current President Edgar Lungu and opposition party leader Hakainde Hichilema, were both confident of victory.
Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF) was hit by splits and defections to Hichilema’s United Party for National Development (UPND) ahead of the vote.
About 6.7 million people were registered to vote and Lungu’s left-leaning PF faced a tough challenge from pro-business Hichilema’s UPND.
Lungu, 59, became president after narrowly-winning a January 2015 by-election after the death of his predecessor Michael Sata.
If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, a second round of voting between the top two candidates must be held within 37 days. Large turnout
The European Observer Mission, which fielded at least 120 monitors, commended Zambians on the large and peaceful turnout on Thursday.
Chief Observer Cecile Kyenge told reporters in Lusaka that at least half of the polling stations across the southern African nation had opened on time at 0600 hours while the rest opened less than an hour behind schedule.
“We are happy to see so many people coming to vote – it shows that Zambians understand the importance of elections and they value their democratic rights,” Kyenge said at Kalingalinga Middle School in eastern Lusaka.
Amos Chanda, special assistant and presidential spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that police had been deployed at strategic points across the country to minimize the risk of post-vote tensions.
Zambia witnessed a wave of pre-election violence in recent weeks, with fighting erupting between opposition and government supporters. Police have also broken up opposition campaigning.
According to the Zambian Elections Information Centre (ZEIC), at least three people have been killed and many injured during campaigning.
“Escalating levels of violence may have a negative impact on the elections and reduce voter turnout,” the ZEIC said in a pre-election report on Wednesday.
Hichilema told Al Jazeera that the ruling PF was trying to restrict the activities of its opponents.
“We demand a free, fair, transparent and credible election,” Hichilema said.
“Let the people of Zambia choose the leadership they want. We will do everything to maintain peace. We want our voters to turn out in large numbers and not fear being beaten by PF thugs out there.”
The opposition has accused the PF of not being able to contain a crisis created by falling prices of copper – the country’s main revenue earner – and drought-induced electricity shortages, which triggered a steep fall of the kwacha currency and spiralling inflation.
Both leaders said they were confident of outright victory, but if neither party can garner more than half of the vote as required by electoral law, a second round of voting would be triggered.
The opposition has said Lungu cannot win the elections without resorting to fraud. The president has threatened to mobilise the army if the opposition rejects the results of the vote.
cash missing…Minister Shuvai Mahofa
Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister, Shuvai Mahofa, on the Defence forces day failed to inspect a guard of honour mounted for her because of her deteriorating health.
Mahofa who attended the event at Mucheke stadium was rescued, by Psychomotor minister Josaya Hungwe who stood in for her and inspected the guard of honour.
This is not the first time Mahofa has failed to inspect the guard of honour as she did the same during Independence Day celebrations in April this year.
The ailing Mugabe minister later confirmed to Newsday that she was yet to recover.
Mahofa has been unwell since December last year soon after the Zanu PF conference held Victoria Falls, amid reports of suspected food poisoning.
She later spent almost three months admitted at a private hospital in South Africa, with close family members saying she had chronic heart and kidney problems.
The Zanu PF “Iron Lady” of Masvingo also missed Mugabe’s belated birthday celebrations held at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments in March, as she was bedridden.
Also nicknamed “Chikoforo” because of her hard-line character, Mahofa sent tongues wagging ahead of the party’s conference after she rejected First Lady Grace Mugabe’s presidential bid, saying she only recognised her as the women’s league chairperson and wife of the President.
Grace is locked in a bitter succession war with Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s faction — which Mahofa reportedly belongs to — to replace Mugabe, who is in his twilight years.
Both Grace and Mnangagwa have denied leading any factions.Newsday
Brigadier General Munemo’s son, Acie Lumumba has hinted on a prediction that President Robert Mugabe is set for a violent exit. “Dictators inevitably suffer the same fate, you live violently, you die violently,” says Lumumba in the below latest video:
Buyanga sues Chihuri
The Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner Dr Augustine Chihuri has been sued by businessman Frank Buyanga.
Buyanga has taken Chihuri and a retired judge to court in a case in which three suspected fraudsters and a city lawyer allegedly defrauded him of a house in Greendale, Harare, worth over $530 000.
According to Mr Buyanga’s application deposited at the High Court last Thursday to set aside an arbitral award, Comm-Gen Chihuri is cited as second respondent, while retired High Court judge Justice Moses Chinhengo is first respondent.Tawanda Jakachira is third respondent, his wife Winnie fourth, Simon Charewa fifth while lawyers Norman Mugiya and Zivanai Macharaga of Mugiya and Macharaga Law Chambers are cited as sixth respondents.
Mr Buyanga is being represented by Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners.
According to the application, Comm-Gen Chihuri is cited in his official capacity for purposes of informing the court, the status of the criminal fraud investigations against Tawanda and Winnie Jakachira and Charewa being conducted by the CID Serious Frauds Squad.
Recently, police launched investigations on Harare lawyer Tamuka Moyo of Tamuka Moyo Attorneys also linked to the couple Tawanda and Winnie, and Simon Charewa under case numbers CR No. Harare Central 2005/4/16 and DR No. Serious Frauds Squad Harare 16/5/16.
The probe comes after reports that Mr Buyanga had lost his Greendale house that was auctioned in a bid to recover $535 000 after “he failed to reimburse” a couple $132 000, following a botched deal.
Mr Buyanga then made an urgent chamber application at the High Court and a report to the CID Serious Frauds Section over the matter.
He said on February 2 2010, he signed an agreement of sale of shares as a representative of Rivin Venam Trading (Pvt) Limited, and not in his personal capacity, and the agreement was effectively about the sale of stand number 2038 Glen Lorne Township of Lot 40 A Glen Lorne, measuring 3 280 square metres and held under Deed of Transfer Number 2769/2003.
Mr Buyanga, who is the first applicant, said it was a “condition precedent” of the agreement of sale that payment of the purchase price had to be made to the second applicant (Rivin Venam Trading [Pvt] for the agreement to be binding between the parties.
“This meant that the failure to make payment would result in the agreement being null and void and of no force and effect. The third and fourth respondent (Jakachira couple) never made the mandatory payment of the purchase price, neither to the second applicant (Rivin Venam Trading [Pvt] Limited), nor to its directors.
“They effectively did not make any payment to myself as the representative of the second applicant at the time that the agreement was signed. If they paid, the third and fourth respondent are put to strict proof that payment was made, and they ought to produce the original proof of payment and/or any witnesses who physically saw me receiving the money in question,” he said.
Mr Buyanga said based on the agreement in question, the Jakachira couple caused the appointment of Rtd Justice Chinhengo as the arbitrator.
He said Rtd Justice Chinhengo was supposed to have been chosen by both parties to the agreement.
He said the appointment resulted in the pre-arbitration hearing being conducted in his absence, and he did not have the chance to present his case as an individual, or through any lawful representative.
Mr Buyanga reiterated that he never received the alleged $120 000 payment, and that if he did, then the Jakachira couple ought to produce “one and only genuine proof of payment if ever they have it” herald
summoned by police…Chidza
In a new twist to the controversial war vets communique saga, the police have summoned Newday’s senior reporter, Richard Chidza.
The journalist was yesterday summoned to Harare Central Police Station, where he was quizzed over the source of a damning communiqué issued by war veterans, which labelled President Robert Mugabe a dictator, and called on him to stand down.
Chidza, who was accompanied by Alpha Media Holdings legal assistant, Sifikile Thabete and lawyer, Harrison Nkomo, was summoned by Officer Commanding CID Law and Order Division, Assistant Commissioner, Crispen Makedenge.
Makedenge wanted Chidza to disclose, who gave him the communiqué, when he covered the war veterans’ indaba held in the capital last month.
They recorded a statement from Chidza before he was released without charge.
Media Institute of Southern Africa Zimbabwe chapter legal officer, Jacqueline Chikakano said, while police are allowed to pursue their investigations, it was important to respect the Constitution.
“It is important that they (police) remain seized with the fact that protection of the confidentiality of journalists’ sources of information is an integral component of freedom of the media, that is well guaranteed by our Constitution and any journalist, who refuses to divulge their source would be well within their rights,” she said.
Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe executive director, Loughty Dube said police should not even have summoned Chidza over the story.
“Police must cease this practice of enrolling journalists and to conduct their investigations into cases which seem politically motivated,” he said.
“Media practitioners are just messengers and they don’t deserve to be guests at police stations. Instead, they should be let to execute their professional duties of making sure that hard-pressed Zimbabweans access information and freely express themselves as provided for the Constitution.” Newsday
In a bizarre story a Pakistan couple whose three-year-old daughter was allegedly raped by their Zimbabwean driver has fled the country for fear of appearing in court which they said is against their religion.
The accused, Kudakwashe Mudede (26) was yesterday removed from remand after State indicated that the complainant had gone AWOL.The prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa told the court that the complainant cannot come to testify because the family fled to Pakistan after indicating that it was against their religion to come to court.
Allegations are that on July 2, this year around 8pm the toddler told her mother that she was feeling pain after urinating.
The mother checked her private parts and saw blood on her pant.
The court heard that the toddler opened up to her mother and said Mudede had raped her.
It is alleged the toddler indicated that Mudede threatened to throw her outside their precast wall and feed her to dogs if she disclosed the sexual assault.
The mother reported the matter to the police and Mudede was arrested.
The toddler was sent for medical examination and her medical report was kept as exhibit.
Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe presided over the matter.
Update Zimbabwe Olympics Committee : Amazing performance by the golden girl Kirsty….proceeding to the 200m backstroke finals tomorrow!!! Well done Kirsty
Kirsty Coventry, who was Zimbabwe’s flag bearer is best swimmer, has qualified for the semi-finals of the 200 meter backstroke competition as she came 9th in the second heat.
Soon after the event, Zimbabwe Olympics press officer, Merit Munzwembiri, told Studio 7 that Coventry is now set to compete in the semi-finals this evening.
“It’s exciting times … So, we will be back at the Olympics Aquatic Pool to see how she will perform. It’s very exciting, it has brought back the mood that we might finally indeed be able to have a podium finish at the 2016 Olympics.” he said.
Coventry recorded a swimming score of 2:08:91 in heat 2 of the 200 meter backstroke competition. VOA
Kuwait ring arrested…
Six more women who had been held hostage in Kuwait after being lured to the Middle East country on the pretext that they were going to be offered lucrative jobs by a local human trafficking syndicate, have been freed.
They arrived in the country yesterday.
This brings to 113 the number of women who have returned home from Kuwait.Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs chairperson Cde Kindness Paradza, yesterday said two more women were at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Kuwait and were expected in the country next week.
He said the committee was going to hold meetings with Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Cde Prisca Mupfumira, and Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni and other organisations to see how they could assist the victims to start small businesses.
Two people were killed on the spot yesterday, while 10 others were injured when three vehicles including an ambulance were involved in a pile up accident on the 37 kilometre peg along the Harare – Bindura Road.
According to witnesses, a Honda Fit that was travelling from Mazowe to Harare burst its front tyre and rammed into a road barricade at Mazowe Dam before swerving back onto the road where it collided with a Mazda 323 that failed to brake on time.At the same time an ambulance that was following behind ferrying patients from Madziva to Harare also rammed into the two vehicles.
It was not clear by late yesterday night whether the deceased were from the ambulance or the two vehicles.
Some of the injured were taken to Concession Hospital, while others were conveyed to Parirenyatwa Hospital.
Police Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi, confirmed the accident which occurred at Mazowe Dam.
“Although details are still sketchy at the moment, I can confirm that the accident occurred along the Harare-Bindura Road.
“Three vehicles were involved, a Honda Fit, a Mazda 323 and an ambulance. The condition of the injured are yet to be confirmed,” he said.
The accident comes after 13 people were killed, while 67 others were injured in 101 road traffic accidents that were recorded countrywide during the just-ended Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day Holidays.
Eight of the accidents were fatal.
During the corresponding period last year, 13 people were also killed, while 51 others were injured in 123 road accidents.
Undenge Ministry facilitated
Seven heart patients, coming from poor families, who successfully underwent cardiac operations in India with assistance from a parastatal in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development have returned home.
They were welcomed by Energy and Power Development Minister Dr Samuel Undenge, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa, officials from the two ministries and the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC).The patients, aged between four and 18 years went to India last month for the operation with some expenses paid for by NOIC.
The Rotarians club was responsible for seeking sponsorship and facilitation of travel documents among other administrative roles.
Addressing parents of the children who underwent the surgeries, patients and delegates who attended the ceremony in Harare yesterday, Dr Undenge said it was important for companies to observe with interest challenges faced by communities in which they operated.
“NOIC falls under my ministry and is normally responsible for fuel logistics. It, however, set out to make an impact in the lives of the ordinary man and woman on the street, which is quite commendable,” said Dr Undenge.
He said the children who travelled to India on July 11 and returned on 9 August, mostly came from poor families and would never have been able to afford to pay for the procedures conducted on them.
“After the heart procedures the children most of whom had been told that they had little time left to live, are now expected to live normal lives.”
“As a ministry, through NOIC, we will continue monitoring the progress of these children and we will assist them financially in as far as advancing their education is concerned,” said Dr Undenge.
Dr Parirenyatwa said the work done by the Ministry of Energy through NOIC was the beginning of a relationship that would possibly foster further financial assistance in the facilitation of open heart surgeries in the country and beyond its borders.
“NOIC in conjunction with the Rotarians have worked hard to ensure that ten of our children with acute heart conditions, which gave them a life span of not more than ten years are operated on albeit in India and they are all looking extremely healthy.
“As a ministry, we are grateful for the initiative,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.
He said Parirenyatwa Hospital was successfully performing open heart surgeries as previously announced although the procedure was still on a small scale.
“As a country we resumed open heart surgeries earlier this year but patients should still get assistance across the borders if they can because we are not yet able to perform the surgeries on a large scale.” State media
Sithokozile Chigiji
A jealous woman from Nketa 7 suburb in Bulawayo allegedly beat up her neighbour when she saw the woman walking with her husband.
Portia Mupfudze (37) allegedly also took Sithokozile Chigiji (40)’s shoe and said she would take it to Tanzania to bewitch her.
Mupfudze accused Chigiji of being her husband’s girlfriend and hit her several times with a stone.
She told a court that her husband, Mr Conwell Mubaiwa, disrespected her by having an extra marital affair with a woman who lives three houses away from their matrimonial home.
Mupfudze pleaded guilty to assault before Western Commonage Magistrate Miss Tancy Dube.
She was fined $50 or 20 days in jail.
Mupfudze pleaded with the court to give her time to raise the fine.
“Your Worship I only have $20 at the moment may you please give me more time to pay the outstanding amount,” she said.
Miss Dube gave her up to August 15 to pay the fine.
Prosecuting, Ms Magret Takawira said on August 1 at around 8:30PM, Mupfudze spotted her husband walking with Chigiji.
“Accused person fumed when she saw her husband in the company of another woman. She slapped the complainant and she fell. She picked a stone that she used to assault complainant,” said Ms Takawira.
She added: “Accused’s husband restrained her. Complainant fled the scene leaving one shoe behind. Accused picked the shoe and chased the complainant who found refuge at a house close by where she was rescued from being assaulted further.”
In her statement, Chigiji stated that she was having an affair with Mr Mubaiwa but only because he had told her that he was no longer married.
“I know the accused person as my boyfriend’s ex-wife. She vowed to go to jail for me, shouting that she wanted to kill me. She said she wanted to take my shoe with her to Tanzania to bewitch me,” read the statement. State Media
CSW Go For Chombo
Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo is under siege from Bulawayo Commercial Sex Workers for allegedly blocking their proposed protest march against discrimination and violence.
This follows a directive by the police officer commanding Bulawayo central district, Chief Superintendent Fungai Dengu, who barred members of the Sexual Rights Centre (SRC) from holding a protest march in the city, claiming the procession was illegal. Ignatious Chombo under fire from Commercial Sex Workers
Irked by the decision, SRC filed a High Court application, challenging the police’s action, citing Chombo, Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri and Dengu as respondents.
In the application, SRC director, Humphrey Melusi Ndondo argued sex workers had a constitutional right to demonstrate and petition, as enshrined in sections 58 and 59 of the Constitution.
“She (Dengu) has provided no law to substantiate this decision (to ban the protest) nor has she followed the procedure as set out in the Public Order and Security Act (Posa). In fact, we are not aware of any specific provisions in Zimbabwe, which explicitly provide that the act of exchanging sex for reward is illegal,” Ndondo said in his founding affidavit.
“We submit, with respect, that the first respondent’s decision to refuse our demonstration is based on misinterpretation and misapplication of the law of Zimbabwe and is, therefore, unlawful and irrational.”
Ndondo, who is represented by Matshobana Ncube, said they initially wanted to hold the march on December 17 last year, but their application was turned down on the grounds that prostitution is illegal.
Subsequent applications were also turned down on similar grounds, prompting the SRC to take the legal route.
“We submit that participating in a march that advocates for the rights and protection of sex workers against abuse and violence is not a crime nor unlawful. In any event, the first respondent’s refusal of our march is not based on the possibility that the procession would be cause of damage, violence or cause public disturbances, which are the criteria upon which a demonstration may be prohibited in terms of the Act.
“The first respondent failed to apply her mind to the requirement and procedure set out in Posa and her failure to do so unreasonably violates our constitutional rights to assemble, demonstrate and petition,” Ndondo said. Newsday
Sick and Tired Zimbos UKBusinessInsider |Back in 2008, Zimbabwe experienced an episode of horrific hyperinflation as a result of Robert Mugabe’s economic policies. Mugabe implemented price controls and the country’s central bank printed endless amounts of money in an effort to end its economic slump. Those policies caused Zimbabwe’s inflation rate to explode to a mind-boggling rate of 231,000,000% officially, while others have suggested the actual inflation rate was greater than 4,000,000,000%. “Where money for projects has not been found, we will print it,” Mugabe said. You do not want to experience hyperinflation like Zimbabwe saw in 2008. HSBC
Zimbabwe’s government responded by introducing the US dollar along with a combination of South African rand, and other foreign currencies. It even went as far as expunging the Zimbabwean dollar from its banking system back in June 2015. While those measures seceded in bringing Zimbabwe’s hyper-inflationary spell under control, it created a new problem, deflation, as the dollar became more widely used.
According to a note sent to clients in July from Exotix Partners’ Head of Equity Research Kato Mukuru, that dollarization of the Zimbabwe economy created two problems.
There has been too much reliance on the US dollar. The government moved away from the multi-currency regime and said it would conduct all of its transactions dollars. And since most of Zimbabwe’s trade is with South Africa, the strong dollar (compared to the rand) has made it more difficult for Zimbabwe to compete.
Zimbabwe has been running a current account deficit since 2009. Zimbabwe has been exporting more dollars than its been importing, causing a shortage of dollars in the system.These two things have made it more difficult for Zimbabwe to attract foreign capital into the country, and has created a wave of falling prices. Official government data from June showed consumer prices were down 1.37% in June, after falling as much as 7.5% in October 2015.Liquidity problems could cause the government to de-dollarize the economy sooner than expected, warns BMI Research, and that would send the country back into a cycle of rapid inflation. From BMI’s note””Adoption of a local currency would inevitably result in a rapid increase in the supply of broad money, as the central bank looked to inject enough liquidity into the economy to alleviate the ongoing cash shortage, caused by the current reliance on the US dollar. Without a simultaneous increase in real production, this would increase inflationary pressures.”
As for how high inflation would get, BMI believes that would “depend on the rate at which the RBZ printed the new currency,” but could easily surpass 30%.
That’s not as crazy as it got a few years ago, but it seems as though Zimbabwe finds itself in a Catch-22. Zimbabwe inflation projections
StaffReporter |Linda Masarira the pro democracy activist and mother of five will remain in jail after a further court trial date has been set for 25 August. At the time of writing Linda’s lawyers were still trying to get the mother of five out on bail. Linda is being held under the dubious charge of disturbing the free flow of traffic. Zimbabweans in the United Kingdom held a picket outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London. They demanded that President Robert Mugabe releases Linda, she has suffered enough.
Doing Zim proud Coventry
Kirsty Coventry, who was Zimbabwe’s flag bearer is best swimmer, has qualified for the semi-finals of the 200 meter backstroke competition as she came 9th in the second heat.
Soon after the event, Zimbabwe Olympics press officer, Merit Munzwembiri, told Studio 7 that Coventry is now set to compete in the semi-finals this evening.
“It’s exciting times … So, we will be back at the Olympics Aquatic Pool to see how she will perform. It’s very exciting, it has brought back the mood that we might finally indeed be able to have a podium finish at the 2016 Olympics.” he said.
Coventry recorded a swimming score of 2:08:91 in heat 2 of the 200 meter backstroke competition. VOA
Tight race for incumbent Edgar Lungu
Nigerian cleric TB Joshua founder of the renowned Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) is at the centre of controversy concerning Zambia’s election, where his church seems to have made another botch up.
He has refuted social media reports indicating that he made a prophecy concerning the outcome of today’s presidential elections. Much of last week, there were reports circulating on social media, in markets, taverns and bus stations that Prophet TB Joshua had prophesied that the opposition UPND would form a government after this week’s elections.
But responding to a press query from the Church Newspaper, SCOAN public relations department stated that the clergyman had not made any prophecy concerning today’s general elections in Zambia.
“Actually, whenever the man of God is spoken to by the Lord through a prophecy, we release such on our website. The fact that the prophecy you are referring to is not on our website means that the man of God never made such a prophecy. May we take this opportunity to advise people fond of accusing the man of God of making prophecies he never made to stop the habit as it always puts the man of God in bad repute to some people,” SCOAN advised.
“The Prophet is, however, wishing the people of Zambia well as they choose their leaders. We are remembering the country in our prayers so that all goes well. Zambia is a blessed country,” stated the SCOAN PR team.
It is expected to be a tight race between President Edgar Lungu’s governing PF party and the opposition UPND led by Hakainde Hichilema.
For the first time, a presidential candidate must win more than 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off. Mr Lungu narrowly won the last election with 48% of votes.
1.5 million Zimbabweans said to be in dire need of food aid TerrenceMawawaGutu An 88-year-old granny from Nyazvidzi village in Gutu starved to death after being denied access to food aid by Zanu PF activists, on the basis of her political allegiance to Morgan Tsvangirai.
Ndakaziva Mhizha, the elderly woman, died of malnutrition after being repeatedly denied food aid by Zanu PF activists in the area for supporting the MDC. Despite claims by President Robert Mugabe during his speech on Defence Forces Day that there is no politicisation of food in the country, thousands of opposition supporters and villagers are being denied access to food aid. Nyazvidzi East Farmers Association chairperson, Peter Clever Chidhanguro told ZimEye.com Mhizha was repeatedly denied food aid by known Zanu PF activists until she succumbed to malnutrition and died.
She died a week after a close relative took her to Bulawayo hoping she would get medical assistance. Zanu PF members in the area refused to assist her, claiming she was an MDC activist. Chidhanguro accused Zanu PF councillor for 10, Jadison Mushavira and ward chairperson Charles Gondongwe of distributing food on political lines. “Gondongwe and Mashavira are terrorising opposition supporters in ward 10. Social Welfare officials have also been threatened by Zanu PF activists. Food is distribution on political lines. Zanu PF activists have stated that opposition supporters will not get food aid,”said Chidhanguro.
The elderly people and special population members have also been denied food aid by Zanu PF activists. Gutu North MP Ticharwa Madondo claimed there was no politicisation of food aid in the area.
Forced to Stand At Attention TerrenceMawawa, Chiredzi| An overzealous Central Intelligence Organisation(CIO) operative shocked all and sundry when he bashed a senior court official for walking while the Zimbabwe national flag was being hoisted .
The incident happened last week, at NSSA Building-the CIO district offices, when Edmore Mbavarira, the posecutor-in-charge at Chiredzi Magistrate’s court was assaulted by Muyambo a known state security agent. The state security agents are tormenting residents and government workers in Chiredzi for failing to stop at attention during the hoisting of the flag.
The move is calculated to intimidate the suffering people of Zimbabwe following a series of anti-government protests, political analysts have said. Mbavarira has since reported the matter to the police but Muyambo is yet to be arrested. It is understood the police are wary of the political implications of the matter. Mbavarira confirmed the incident but was reluctant to narrate what transpired.
Sources at NSSA Building told ZimEye.com the state security agent assaulted Mbavarira with open hands and fists on his face. “The incident happened when the flag was being hoisted by security guards at NSSA House. Mbavarira was walking from the other side of the building and he was assaulted by an official from the President’s Office,”said a government official who works at NSSA House.
Legal practitioners here described the incident as barbaric and uncouth.
Launch of My Prayer Campaign, still to be tested for authenticity Staff Reporter |A section of Zimbabwe’s church community has launched a prayer campaign that critics view as a counter to efforts by other churches to address the root cause of Zimbabwe’s problems. It is not the first time that Zimbabwe’s church voice has been divided at crucial times when the nation needs it most.
Churches over the past months have magnified their voices in calling for political change in the country, some have even been fasting (see here too) boldly telling President Robert Mugabe to his face to go. Among them Pastor Evan Mawarire and #ThisFlag campaign which has gone viral globally, has for instance been challenging head-on the root cause of the country’s problems which include rampant corruption among many.
In response Mugabe has of recent been on a war path openly attacking the church and even naming leaders, for instance the now exiled Mawarire. “So beware these men of God, not all of them are true preachers of the bible. I don’t know whether they are serving God, well, we spell God, double G.O.D they spell in reverse, ” Mugabe warned.
State media reports rather suspiciously that several church groups gathered yesterday in Harare to launch this yet to be understood, government blessed campaign, the ‘My Zimbabwe Prayer Campaign,’ which founders claim is meant to unite people and pray for Zimbabwe’s continued development.
The pastors are reported to have partnered with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality industry under its Religious Desk, which is under Deputy Minister’s Ndhlovu’s purview.
The first meeting was apparently blessed by Minister Walter Mzembi himself, raising further questions on the purpose of the whole initiative.
The state media further reports that church groups mainly composed of youth, launched the campaign this Wednesday in Harare and organisers said they are now looking forward to take the initiative to all provinces throughout the country.
Co-chairs of the My Zimbabwe Prayer Campaign, Bishop Brian Mugabazi and Reverend Quinton Gwashavanhu called for all Zimbabweans to join the interdenominational prayer initiative.
Christians and some youths at the launch pointed out that the church has the role to mould and safeguard the future of generations to come.
One of the thrust of the prayer campaign is to improve the image and perception of the country in the eyes of the international community so that Zimbabwe is viewed as a safe tourism destination of choice.
Mawarire Charged Staff Reporter | Police in Harare have charged the Zimbabwe People First Spokesman, Jealous Mawarire, under Section 88 of The Criminal law Codification and Reform.
Mawarire handed himself to the police this morning, after they summoned him yesterday. (Read more here)
Mawarire has been released into the custody of his lawyer.
Joice Mujuru’s People First party is reported to be under siege from state security forces.
Mawarire a journalist by profession invited the anger of Zimbabweans when he filed a case with the Constitutional Court challenging President Mugabe to set dates for presidential and parliamentary elections by 29th June, 2013 arguing that the principals of the Government of National Unity risked violating the constitution.
Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, ruled in favour of Mawarire’s application and ruled that, it was legally impossible to hold elections by 29th June but said the elections should take place no later than 31st July 2013. Chidyausiku’s ruling was supported by six other judges. Mawarire re-emerged after the formation of Mujuru’s party People First, she formed when Zanu PF kicked her out, he is one of her right hand men. More to follow…
Police Boss…MP Mandipaka denying villagers food
Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Buhera West, Oliver Mandipaka, is instructing Zanu PF officials in the constituency to identify opposition party supporters who he says should be discriminated from accessing food aid.
Buhera is one of the areas which are severely affected by drought, with reports revealing that some villagers there are surviving on wild fruits as hunger bites.
According to villagers the local MP last week held a meeting at ward 5’s Chani business centre, where he gave the orders to the Zanu PF branch leadership.
“At the meeting he told them (Zanu PF branch leaders) that they should identify all Zanu PF supporters in their area and write down their names so that they receive government sponsored food aid,” said one of the villagers who attended the meeting.
The villager said the former policeman, also directed his supporters to warn all villagers against supporting any other political party which is not Zanu PF.
“At the meeting, he also tasked the leaders to go warn villagers that all those who choose to continue supporting opposition political parties will never benefit from any form of food assistance be it NGO or government sponsored,” she said.
Mandipaka could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was not reachable.
MDC and People First supporters unite against Mugabe
As part of a national convergence strategy pro democracy actors are joining forces to remove President Robert Mugabe from power.
Zimbabweans have suffered from decades of Mugabe’s misrule but have always been defeated because of scattered and uncoordinated efforts to remove him from power, even through the ballot box. Mugabe has also been a master at divide and rule, but this time round is faced with strong opposition from within Zanu PF and the nation at large. Fearless Tajamuka activists
Events are moving fast towards Mugabe’s end, after restless war veterans, who have been a key pillar of Mugabe and Zanu PF’s power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in April 1980, have signaled that they may now be ready to embrace the country’s much-maligned opposition, after meeting with leaders of radical pressure group Tajamuka/Sesijikile last week.
Well-placed sources within Tajamuka/Sesijikile and the leadership of the former freedom fighters confirmed to the Daily News yesterday that they had “happily” met for lunch last week, even as both parties also attempted to dampen expectations by claiming that this had all been “unplanned”.
The meeting comes as Tajamuka/Sesijikile has filed a lawsuit at the Constitutional Court, seeking to have Mugabe removed from office on charges of gross human rights violations.
While analysts who spoke to the Daily News last night said there was “nothing amiss” in the two parties meeting, they agreed that it would have been “unthinkable” just a few weeks ago that war veterans could meet with people seeking to end Mugabe’s long rule.
A cagey Tajamuka/Sesijikile spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi, said the lunch they had with the war veterans was “no big deal”.
“We don’t choose whom we meet with, as long as they are agreeable to the idea that Mugabe must resign urgently and immediately to give our country a new impetus.
“And yes, we have unprecedented developments with Zanu PF which is splitting, and war veterans are finally playing their custodian role, and the opposition forces seeming to be coming together again as well.
“Importantly, we have the steady rise of citizens’ movements and voices such as Tajamuka and others coming through,” Mkwananzi told the Daily News.
Tajamuka, apart from filing a constitutional application seeking to have Mugabe leave office immediately, are also planning fresh mass protests beginning September, if the nonagenarian does not step down by the end of August.
Last month, Tajamuka and activist cleric Evan Mawarire jointly organised a successful stay-away which was heeded by thousands of struggling workers who shut down the country in protest at Zimbabwe’s deepening economic rot, that is widely blamed on Mugabe and Zanu PF.
Mugabe and Zanu PF were last month stung by the war veterans who issued a stinging communiqué in which they ended their long relationship with the nonagenarian that stretches back to the days of the country’s liberation struggle.
Tellingly, the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA’) secretary-general, Victor Matemadanda, who was among those arrested in the aftermath of their fallout with Mugabe, defended the lunch with Tajamuka yesterday.
“We met and we had lunch with Promise from Tajamuka. There was no plan to meet though but it was good that we met. We discussed as vana veZimbabwe (children of Zimbabwe). We do not have a problem with the likes of Promise. You only get to know these people when you get close to them and we also agree with what they are fighting for,” he said.
“Zimbabwe needs this coming together of different forces and generations to deal with Mugabe and Zanu PF’s errant rule,” said civic leader McDonald Lewanika.
“This convergence is of paramount importance and will bode well for those opposed to Mugabe and especially for the war vets who need to re-establish themselves as the champions of freedom and a just and equitable Zimbabwe, in the same altruistic fashion that made them take up arms at the risk of death.
“So it is a positive development and one hopes the vets do not look back or succumb to Zanu PF co-option as happened in the past,” he added.
Civic society leaders, opposition parties, the church and Tajamuka turned out in big numbers during the bail hearings of the leadership of war veterans, including Matemadanda and ZNLWVA spokesperson Douglas Mahiya — when they appeared in court recently over charges of undermining and insulting Mugabe.
Political watchers said the budding solidarity between war vets and the opposition was significant and showed a convergence of ideas among all citizens.
War veterans have been one of Mugabe and Zanu PF’s strongest pillars of support over the past five decades, playing particularly significant roles to keep the nonagenarian in power in the hotly-disputed 2000 and 2008 elections which were both marred by serious violence and the murder of hundreds of opposition supporters.
But the ex-combatants served Mugabe with divorce papers last month after growing disillusioned with the country’s worsening rot.
Addressing a hastily-convened meeting of Zanu PF supporters at the ruling party’s Harare headquarters last month, Mugabe warned the disaffected war veterans that they would be dealt with severely, including through the use of extra-judicial suppression methods that his former liberation movement incorporated during the country’s independence war in the 1970s — such as incarcerating dissenters in inhuman dungeons where they were forced to live like caged rats.
After his address, police launched a crackdown against the war vets leadership and arrested five officials, including Matemadanda and Mahiya, both of whom are currently out on bail.
Matemadanda has also told the Daily News that his life may now be in danger as some people have been monitoring his movements, while some Zanu PF yobs have invaded his Karoi farm.
“My life is in danger; they have gone a gear up. They have deployed youths to my farm. I have made a police report but the police claim that they cannot remove the youths because they were told not to use force,” Matemadanda said.
Well-placed sources within the war veterans movement have also told the Daily News that preparations are already underway for a “one million-man march to show Mugabe that he cannot just wish us away and we have the capacity to mobilise”.
“We are going to organise a march that will show the world that we are the power of Zanu PF. We want to side with the people because they have suffered enough and are tired of what the leadership has been doing.
“Yes, we were part of the system for a long time but it is now time for us to stand with the people, just like everyone else we are suffering, our children are not going to work just like everyone else, so we are concerned too,” said a war veteran who asked not to be named. daily news
Pay allegiance to Mugabe…Zimbabwe’s chiefs at a meting …file Staff Reporter | Overzealous village head Cephas Maruza of Maruza Village in ward 3, Nyanga North has banned members of the Morgan Tsvangirai led Movement for Democratic Change, from conducting opposition party activities in the area.
The traditional leader last week summoned a local MDC-T activist Needy Kasekete, to a disciplinary hearing over his association with the opposition movement.
Traditional leaders have indicated open allegiance to Zanu PF, denying opposition supporters access to food aid. In some instances, the traditional leaders often chant Zanu PF slogans-contrary to the provisions of the country’s Constitution.
According to Heal Zimbabwe Trust, a civil society peace promoting NGO, headman Maruza set up a committee which would try Kasekete and any other villager who has links with the opposition.
“Kasekete is being accused of supporting MDC T by Village Head Cephas Maruza and his committee, a party which they say is “banned” in the area,” Heal Zimbabwe Trust said Thursday.
“Village head Maruza had set a date this month for the trial of Kasekete and the case is expected to be heard before Headman Dzenga at his kraal.“ It is understood Mr Kasekete has also been told to bring $50 as court expenses.
Heal Zimbabwe Trust said they contacted Headman Dzenga to inquire further about the case but he denied that the case was taking place.
“ He admitted that indeed the case was brought before his court and is yet to set the trial date,” said the NGO. In Masvingo Province Headman Makore of Gutu District banned MDC activities in his area -following a star rally addressed by former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in February this year.
StaffReporter | The Zimbabwe People First National Spokesperson, Jealous Mawarire has been arrested on yet to be disclosed charges.
Information made available to Zimeye.com by party officials in Harare indicates that Mawarire handed himself over to the police at Harare Central Police Station, this morning after being summoned to the notorious police’s law and order section.
He handed himself while in the company of his wife and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights lawyer, Dzimbabwe Chimbga.
Police have not been able to disclose what he has been arrested for. Mawarire joins scores of Zimbabweans being victimised by the state for their political views. President Robert Mugabe has threatened to deal harshly with those who challenge his tight grip on power. Among those arrested on trumped up charges include Mugabe’s former allies war veteran leaders, political activists, journalists and scores of ordinary Zimbabweans. Ironically top on Mugabe’s most wanted list is another Mawarire #ThisFlag pastor who was forced to flee Zimbabwe because of state harassment.
Mawarire is spokesperson of the Mujuru led party which in recent weeks has been under siege with reports of supporters homes being torched.
The soldiers take an oath or make an affirmation to protect, defend and uphold the constitution of the Republic Of Zimbabwe If there is an illegal rebellion or insurrection with the intention of bringing down the government. For instance through unconstitutional means, then the military will oppose such a rebellion or insurrection. Zimbabwe’s constitution does not allow the removal of a constitutionally elected government by force or coercion. So all the demonstrations and Mugabe must fall calls are unconstitutional and must be dealt with democratically. When they become violent surely the army cannot stand by. If the majority is not happy with the current government they can wait for the next elections. On the other hand, if the government becomes a tyrant and issues orders to the military contrary to the constitution, then the military would not (or should not) obey such orders.
If there is an illegal rebellion or insurrection with the intention of bringing down the government, i.e. undoing the constitution, then the military will oppose such a rebellion or insurrection. It is true that the Zimbabwean citizens have rights which the government does not acknowledge. With all due respect to Zimbabweans the National Army are citizens too, and they will not just recklessly kill their fellow citizens. If citizens become rebels they become rebels not citizens.
When Chihuri ordered the police to attack the war vets they were citizens who attacked Veterans and their families.
It’s happened before, it can happen again.
Quite simply, the vast majority of the members of the active army would support the government – not to mention veterans who would do everything within their capabilities to bring down the rebellion. This is called the call of duty.
If the hypothetical rebellion were to occur, if nothing else, would you go undercover within the rebellion and supply information of their criminal plans to the government forces?
The military of the Zimbabwe is made up of citizens. The idea of insurrection is almost ubsurd without massive support from the people and also the military in general. The army is well enough equipped to put down any camp that is causing trouble.
We haven’t seen a military response in any real sense
We just don’t see it happening Zimbabwe
In a protest no, unless it was a huge deadly war-zone type deal, the police should be able to handle it without the call on military coming in and shooting everything up. Protests by definition are peaceful so We assume soldiers mean riots, a couple of ZRP members have put down most of the bad riots Zimbabwe has ever faced. So the threat of the army coming in does not give Zimbabwe a good name. We do not need the army to handle a few riots or peaceful demonstrations.
In the case of mass civil disobedience, that is mainly a peaceful type of uprising so that does not really make it something the military would be involved in. We really cannot think of a situation where they would be disobeying a law in mass that would make them into the type of problem only the army can fix.
The really interesting question is what would happen during a rebellion. We are going to assume that by rebellion you mean A Revolution or Hunger Games style where all the patriots rise up and are fighting some terribly corrupt government that does not represent them anymore. In that case things are very complicated because it becomes an information war between the elites and the people.
Army would probably be the most loyal to whatever regime is in power and the military will initially fall in line with them thinking it is some anti-Zimbabwean uprising until they get on the ground and see what the people are fighting for.
Lets face it our military is comprised of patriotic red-blooded, freedom loving, beer drinking, meat eating Zimbabweans. Do you honestly believe that even 10% of the boots on the ground would be OK with the idea of fighting against an army of their own countrymen. Its obviously a no, as long as the soldiers know that the people they are being told to fight are not rebels or some bull like that they most definitely have more in common with the rebellion and join them instead.
The CIO would quickly become irrelevant as the internet becomes weaker and less accessible, the CIO would probably be heavily divided, the top officials would be most definitely be part of the totalitarian regime but the lowly field agents and analysts would probably turn in favor of the uprising and put the intelligence community into turmoil.
The black boots would probably be the least relevant part of the war along with the police They would join whatever faction they like.
It truly depends on what the military is being asked to do whether or not they will fight the people or join them against the government.
The reason is that state feels that such action is necessary to protect its stakeholders regionally or even its very existence.
Violence and threats being used to intimidate and coerce the Public for Political purposes.
The use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes is used more often in Zimbabwe.
The government has also been using violence and threats to intimidate and coerce the public for political purposes.
For example, the government is doing the following things to terrorize the public into docility and compliance:
Labeling peaceful protest as regime change agenda.
Using security laws to crush dissent.
Spying on all Zimbabweans.
Threatening to indefinitely detain citizens without cause and without any due process.
Even threatening to kill any citizen on a whim.
Constitutional law has taught for hundreds of years that chilling the exercise of our liberties is as dangerous to freedom than directly suppressing them.
The CIO would quickly become irrelevant as the internet becomes weaker and less accessible, the CIO would probably be heavily divided, the top officials would be most definitely be part of the totalitarian regime but the lowly field agents and analysts would probably turn in favor of the uprising and put the intelligence community into turmoil.
You can rock the boat, but you can never say that the entire ocean is in trouble …. You cannot say: By the way, there’s something wrong with our …. system.
Mainstream-media political journalism is in danger of becoming increasingly irrelevant, but not because of the Internet, or even Comedy Central. The threat comes from inside. It comes from journalists being afraid to do what journalists were put on this earth to do.
Peaceful protesters should not be treated as potential terrorists nor spied upon by government agents. Not only is this a misuse of public funds that could be used to find real terrorists, it chills free speech activities and inhibits the public debate on important issues.
The threat of being labeled a terrorist or a traitor certainly dissuades and chills our willingness to exercise our rights.
Especially when power has become so concentrated that the same agency which spies on all Zimbabweans also decides who should be arrested.
Postscript: fear of terror makes people docile and stupid … and the government has also intentionally whipped up an exaggerated hysteria of terror by “others” in order to scare the people. This is another form of terrorism.
Mujuru cancels key rally Staff Reporter |The Joice Mujuru led Zimbabwe People First party, has cancelled it’s Matabeleland South star rally scheduled for Gwanda on the 24th of August conceding defeat to a musical concert scheduled for the town on the same weekend.
Sources within the party’s secretariat confirmed to Zimeye.com that the rally in Gwanda could no longer go ahead as there will be a gospel music concert in the town on the same day featuring South African Gospel Music artists among them Rebecca Malope.
The sources indicated that they had to cancel the rally on fears that it would lose people to the music concert starting later in the same evening after the scheduled rally times.
“Our people in Gwanda feared that the mood in the town on the day might not be conducive for a political rally when people would be gearing up for a gospel show,” said the source.
“It’s unfortunate the rally has to be cancelled but we will make sure that the people of Matabeleland South get their opportunity to see the President and that will be done soon,” added the source.
The party has been holding star rallies throughout the provinces addressed by Mujuru leading to the official launch of the party scheduled for the 10th of September at the National Sports Centre in Harare.
With Mujuru visiting other provinces on a weekly basis until the party launch, Matabeleland South is bound to miss being addressed by Mujuru until after the launch of the party as she is on a full schedule until after the launch.
The cancellation of the rally has not gone down well with party members in the province who feel let down by the party.
This weekend Mujuru will be at Ascot Stadium in Gweru, before going to Lupane Stadium in Matabeleland North and completing her run of the provinces in Mashonaland Central a week before the official launch of the party.
Among province’s useless politicians….Mohadi Staff Reporter |Beitbridge based Matabeleland South ZANU PF senator Tapudzai Mohadi, has described all Members of Parliament in the province which includes her husband Kembo, as a useless bunch failing to represent the people from the province and the region.
Mohadi made the remarks while addressing attendants of a public consultative meeting held in Esigodini on Saturday.
The consultation came up following a number of issues raised to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development by ordinary people in Matabeleland South Province.
Senator Mohadi said there is a general under-representation at legislative level of the people of the region because parliamentarians from the region never present concerns of the province to parliament.
“Most of the issues raised by the Matabeleland South community during the parliamentary portfolio committee meetings could have been attended to if their parliamentary representatives were alert and paying attention to challenges affecting people,” she told the media on the sidelines of the meeting.
ZANU PF apparently won all the 13 parliamentary seats in Matabeleland South province in the 2013 elections.
Senator Mohadi’s husband Kembo Mohadi is also one of parliamentarians from the province representing Beitbridge East which on its own is arguably the poorest district in the province.
Hottest among the issues raised by members of the public was the bullying by land officials and senior ZANU PF and government officials in allocating land in the province.
Minister of Presidential Affairs in the province Abednico Ncube and Kembo Mohadi who is also Minister of State Security have appeared in court on several occasions to solve land disputes, in which they would have used their political power to out of procedure allocate themselves or their keens prime pieces of land around the province.
Meanwhile, urban local authorities in the province have appealed to the same parliamentary committee to facilitate legislation on the acquisition of land for urban expansion.
In their presentation during a public hearing, senior council officials led by the Mayor of Gwanda, Councillor Knowledge Ndlovu appealed to parliamentarians for the formalisation of the proposed setting aside of land within the 40 km radius of towns as urban expansion areas.
The local authorities said the current set-up where people have been resettled on farms that are adjacent to towns needs to be reconsidered and necessary adjustments done for proper planning purposes in line with current urban trends.
“Urban planning must account for developments that go beyond 50 years, hence the call to set aside land for expansion,” Ndlovu said.
Sally Mugabe… GhanaMedia |President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is expected in Ghana for a four-day state visit next week.
The Zimbabwean Ambassador to Ghana, Pavelyn Tendai Musaka who confirmed this to Joy FM said Mr Mugabe will be in Ghana from August 18 – 22 for a visit that is expected to open corporate Ghana to opportunities in Zimbabwe.
President John Mahama is expected to confer on Africa’s longest serving President, the Millennium Life Time Achievement award for his role in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle from British colonial rule. Mugabe and Sally wed in 1961
Ambassador Musaka said President Mugabe has “a special soft spot” for Ghana. His first wife Sarah Francesca (Hayfron) Mugabe was a Ghanaian who was much loved in Zimbabwe. She was the First Lady of Zimbabwe from 1987 until her death in 1992. She was popularly known as Amai (Mother).
The ambassador touched on the influential role that Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah played in shaping the minds of African political elite in the 60’s.
She said at the height of the Zimbabwean struggle “…what we held on to was the teaching of Kwame Nkrumah”.
The 92-year-old president will also meet with the Zimbabwean community in Ghana. President Robert Mugabe’s last visit to Ghana was in 2007.
Mugabe rose to prominence in the 1960s as the leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) during the conflict against the conservative white minority government of Rhodesia now Zimbabwe.
To be impeached…Robert Mugabe
The speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda confirmed yesterday that he was considering the impeachment of President Robert Mugabe.
This thickens the plot to push the 92 year old out of power, under fire in all areas of life, as ordinary Zimbabweans intensify protests for him to step down.
The opposition MDC-T has rekindled its impeachment motion in Parliament and wants the matter treated as urgent.
“My office is considering the motion of no confidence,” he said.
The impeachment route was ignited by MDC-T Mabvuku-Tafara lawmaker, James Maridadi in June this year, before his motion papers “mysteriously disappeared in Parliament”. Maridadi centre pushed motion for impeachment
In a letter dated July 27, Maridadi accused Mudenda of being reluctant to have the motion presented before a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate.
In the letter copied to Clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda and MDC-T chief whip, Innocent Gonese, Maridadi gave Mudenda a July 27 ultimatum, which has since expired.
“I note with concern that my no-confidence motion submitted to the papers office for processing has mysteriously gone missing somewhere in the system,” he wrote.
“I, therefore, resubmit sit for your kind consideration. Seeing as the motion is time-bound and also realising that I initially submitted it at the beginning of June 2016, I wish to request a response on this resubmitted motion by close of business today, July 27, 2016, failure to which, I will assume that Parliament is not keen to have the motion tabled. This will leave me with no option, but to seek legal recourse.”
In the proposed motion, Maridadi argues that Mugabe has illegally allowed his wife, First Lady Grace Mugabe, to usurp his constitutional powers.
“Disturbed by State capture by the President’s wife, who made public utterances that she is ruling the country; that the two Vice-Presidents consult her on State and government business. These utterances are an abrogation of the President’s constitutional mandate to a third party, which is a violation of the Constitution,” he continued.
Grace told supporters at a rally in Kadoma last year that Vice-Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko took instructions from her.
She also told another rally in Chiweshe that she was already in power and “ruling”.
Maridadi added: “Dismayed that, by his own admission, the President failed to account for $15 billion realised from the country’s diamond sector amid a shrinking economy, with more than three million Zimbabweans in need of emergency food aid.
“Startled that after announcing the disappearance of such a staggering amount, the President did not say how his government intends to either recover the money or bring to justice those who caused its disappearance.”
Early this year, Mugabe told a shocked nation that at least $15 billion in gem revenue could have been siphoned out of the country in underhand dealings.
Maridadi said Mugabe should also be removed from office because he had failed to act on rampant corruption and incompetent officials, including his nephew Patrick Zhuwao, the Indigenisation minister.
The MDC-T MP argued Zhuwao confessed to “misleading the nation for two years due to his failure to interpret a key economic enabling Act administered by his ministry”.
Also cited is Energy minister Samuel Undenge’s scandal at power utility Zesa, involving businessman, Wicknell Chivayo, who was reportedly paid $5 million without following procedure.
Maridadi said he was worried that Mugabe had shown lapses of concentration that were not consistent with his position as head of government.
“His ploughing through, for 30 minutes, of a wrong speech he had presented a few months earlier during the same joint sitting of Parliament. His tumbling at Harare International Airport in front of a capacity crowd (and) the President’s frequent absence from the country on account of his health check-ups abroad,” the lawmaker said were reasons enough to impeach the veteran leader.
The Mabvuku-Tafara legislator called on Parliament to set up a “joint committee comprising members of the Senate and the National Assembly” to investigate Mugabe and table findings for debate.
Maridadi told NewsDay he was confident that if a secret ballot were held, “Mugabe will lose”.
“If they think I am bluffing, I dare Mugabe to allow Parliament to go through this process. It is another way of reaffirming his popularity rather than a rally. I am now aware that we will not remove him through elections because he will always rig,” he said.
The move comes as civic society groups, churches and opposition parties continue piling pressure on Mugabe to step down, accusing him of gross economic mismanagement, incapacitation and failure to deal with rampant corruption within his Zanu PF government. Newsday
accidents continue to claim lives on Zim roads
Police report that three people died while more than 10 were injured when the vehicles they were travelling in crashed in two separate accidents along Masvingo-Beitbridge Road.
The accidents occured between Saturday and Monday.
A two-year-old girl and two drivers are among the dead. The bodies were taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital while the injured were rushed to the same hospital where their condition remains stable but critical.
Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula said in one of the accidents a Honda Fit had two passengers on board while the other vehicle, a Toyota Fun Cargo had 12 passengers when the tragedy struck.
She identified the deceased as Prichard Masango of AFM Church in Ngundu, Wilfred Jena (30) of Sewe -ZPS Masvingo and Shalon Muzandura (2) of Chikuhwa Village under Chief Charumbira
“We received two accident reports which claimed three people, one on the spot while two, including a two year-old girl died on their way to Masvingo Provincial Hospital. The injured were rushed to the same hospital where their condition is stable but critical,” said Insp Mazula.
She said in the first accident which occurred on Saturday the driver, Masango attempted to avoid a haulage truck carrying an abnormal load and his vehicle overturned killing him on the spot while injuring one passenger at the 90 km peg along Masvingo-Beitbridge Road.
Police said on Monday Jena was driving a Toyota Fun Cargo along Masvingo-Great Zimbabwe Road en-route Nemamwa growth point. At the 15 km peg his vehicle burst its left rear tyre and he lost control, veered off the road and it rolled twice before landing on its wheels.
“Nine passengers including Jena, the driver were injured. They were rushed to Masvingo General Hospital but Jena and Shalon died before arrival. The injured are still admitted to the same hospital where two passengers’ condition remains critical while others are stable,” she said. chronicle.
It never rains but pours for the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association’s secretary-general Victor Matemadanda, currently in hiding, whose farm has been invaded by Zanu PF.
Some youth believed to be suspected Zanu PF supporters have invaded Garowa Farm Number 8 in Tengwe, Mashonaland West province, owned by the war vets leader.
Matemadanda recently told ZimEye that he feared for his life as he was under close surveillance by suspected Central Intelligence Agents. (See interview here)
He was recently arrested for being part of a group of former freedom fighters that wrote a scathing communique after a meeting in Harare claiming that President Robert Mugabe is to blame for Zimbabwe’s current social, economic and political problems.
He said told Studio 7 that the 60 youth invaded the farm on Saturday allegedly under the instructions of Hurungwe North Zanu PF Member of Parliament, Sarah Mahoka, who has declared to clampdown on anyone that criticizes the president.
Mahoka and Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo were not available for comment as their mobile phones were unreachable.
Matemadanda confirmed that his farm has been raided by the youth though Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara could not shed light on the issue.
Matemadanda claimed that police have failed to deal with the invaders, adding that it is unfortunate that the farm is being used to settle personal and political scores.
He said what the youth are doing is an indication that the land reform programme is not for ordinary Zimbabweans but for Zanu PF members only.
Zanu PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere recently told a party meeting in Karoi that his party would take back farms of people who abandon the former liberation movement like recalled Zanu PF Hurungwe West Member of Parliament, Temba Mliswa.
Matemadanda and most of his colleagues that include war veterans spokesperson Douglas Mahiya are on $300 bail pending trial for undermining President Mugabe after they issued a communique calling the president to step down.
Most of the war veterans boycotted the main event to mark Heroes Day in Harare yesterday, which was addressed by President Mugabe.
TerrenceMawawaMwenezi Workers employed by Sabot, a prominent Mwenezi based crocodile breeding company have gone for eight months without receiving their salaries, causing untold suffering for the desperate employees.
It is understood the company has failed to pay its workers in the past eight months as a result of the deepening economic crisis in the country. Companies in Zimbabwe are struggling to pay their employees due to the worsening economic challenges. Economists blame President Robert Mugabe’s administration for implementing hostileand unfavourable policies.
Analysts say Mugabe’s policies have led to the rapid economomic demise in the country. The Sabot workers who spoke to ZimEye.com last week said the situation was unbearable and they were struggling to make ends meet.
“We have gone for eight months without receiving our salaries. We can no longer pay school fees for our children and we cannot pay our utility bills. Some of us no longer have access to medical services. Our children are not going to school because we cannot pay their their fees,” said one employee who declined to be named.
The company’s Human Resources Manager Tavonga Tavairai was not readily available for a comment. He could not be reached on his mobile phone as it went unanswere. A supervisor at the company said the matter was beyond his reach. “You can get in touch with my superiors for our position on the issue .The matter is beyond my reach,”he said.
StaffReporter| Soldiers yesterday pounced on AMH publisher Trevor Ncube’s house.
According to the man, army officers invaded his property in Harare and harassed workers there.
“Three men in National Army uniforms driving black Merc ,Reg No: BCB 7664 visited my home in Harare this morning and harassed my staff,” said Ncube.
Ncube went further to alert the public, “This visit follows a Saturday visit by two men in civilian clothes who asked my staff all sorts of nonsensical questions.”
State harassment and persecution against government critics has been intensified over the past weeks, many have been arrested and charged on spurious grounds.
Kadoma is desperate to raise $25m for water, sewer reticulation system overhaul, which is now obsolete and failing to meet growing demand.
City engineer, Bernatah Nhika this week said Kadoma needed a new water works plant and total upgrade of the obsolete water and sewer pipe works, which were making it twice more expensive to provide services in the city.
“We are conducting a hydrological survey at Claw Dam, so we can establish a new site for a new water treatment plant with the capacity to supply the needs of a growing Kadoma,” he said.
His comments come after Kadoma mayor, Muchineripi Chinyanganya said the council will have to drill boreholes to supply new suburbs like Victory Park Phase 1 and 2 with water. Nhika said the present waterworks would not be able to meet the needs of an expanding Kadoma, mainly because of the old equipment and aged pipes.
“Currently, we treat 28 to 30 megalitres of water a day, which is sufficient to cover our present needs. But with losses of nearly 40% of treated water, there is need to look at upgrading pipes and improve efficiency at the water treatment plant,” he said.
Most houses in Rimuka high-density suburb have defective billing systems, owing to faulty water meters and continually bursting water pipes.
Nhika said owing to these defects, council was losing nearly $100 000 a month worth of treated water. “We need about $25 million to ensure all these issues are addressed in the next five years, we have already started a metering project, which will cut our water losses, while we work on the infrastructure,” he said.
Chinyanganya said council was working to ensure that the water crisis, which hit Kadoma in 2007, would not be repeated.
“We were hit by cholera in 2008 owing to our poor water and sewer reticulation systems, therefore, our goal is to put in place systems, which prevent that from happening again,” he said.
ZHLR Lawyers Trust Maanda and Kudzai Kadzere waiting at the court this morning Staff Reporter |Human rights activist Linda Masarira appeared at Mbare Magistrate court earlier today, facing charges of obstructing the free flow of traffic, has been denied her freedom by the state.
Reports reaching ZimEye indicate that a further court trial date has been set for 25 August. At the time of writing Linda’s lawyers were still trying to get the mother of five out on bail.
Linda has spent weeks behind bars after the court refused to grant her bail at the last hearing late July.
Linda’s Constitutional Court Application was dismissed, on the grounds that there were no merits for success. Linda also had another outstanding matter in the courts in Mutare and her case is now being referred there. The magistrate will rule today on the application to refer the matter to Mutare.
A Zanu PF chef’s son has been found hanging.
The form three pupil at Mpopoma High School, son to Bulawayo’s Zanu-PF provincial secretary for information and publicity, allegedly committed suicide by hanging on Tuesday morning.
Christopher Sibanda’s son Eddie, was found hanging from a tree at his family’s residence in Njube suburb. It could not be immediately established what led him to take his life.
A Chronicle news crew visited the family’s home and spoke to Sibanda who described the incident as a disgrace.
“What will I benefit if you publicise this? Nothing except embarrassment! Lihlazo leli (It’s a disgrace). Everyone knows about it. If you wait for the funeral service you’ll see scores of people gathering here,” said Sibanda.
“So many people have come to pay their condolences. Many war veterans have come to console me. Already people know about ihlazo leli. Why do you want to publish this? How come so many people commit suicide here but we don’t read about them?” quizzed Sibanda.
He said the incident will crush his spirit if it gets published.
“There are a lot of things troubling me. They’re people bothering me and this has crushed me. If you publish it, it will cause me further pain. You can get the report from the police who were here and did their investigation leading to a logical conclusion of the incident. They’re the ones who took the body,” he said.
Sibanda said if the news crew wanted finer details about the event, they were free to cover the burial.
He did not disclose when his son would be laid to rest.
A Njube resident said people in the suburb were shocked to learn of the teenager’s death.
“We were shocked to hear that Eddie hanged himself. At his age what could have troubled him to the point of taking his own life?” asked a resident.
A comment could not be obtained from Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube. Herald
In a new twist three Harare man have appeared before the magistrates’ courts facing charges of assaulting a police officer during last week’s protests over the planned introduction of bond notes and government’s failure to create jobs.
Tinashe Wellington Macharika (33), Alick Nakomo (21) and Chaponda Ndlovu (36) appeared before magistrate, Jessie Kufa charged with resisting or assaulting law officers.
The trial, however, failed to start, as their lawyer, Jeremiah Bamu was only furnished with State papers yesterday.
Macharika and his alleged accomplices initially appeared before magistrate Tendai Mahwe last week and were released on $50 bail each.
Their matter was remanded to August 16 for trial commencement.
According to the State, the three committed the offence on August 3 along Nelson Mandela Avenue in Harare. The court heard the trio were part of the crowd that was dispersed by the police.
Allegations are that they saw the complainant, Charles Nemazvuru, who is attached to the police protectin unit, walking along Nelson Mandela Avenue, clad in uniform.
They then allegedly chased him before Macharika tried to trip him.
Prosecutors allege that Nakomo then picked a brick, which he threw at the officer, but missed him.
He allegedly picked another brick and hit the officer in the back.
The court heard Nemazvuru fell down. Macharika then took off Nemazvuru’s shoes and put it in his bag.
The cop crawled to safety at a nearby pharmacy and was later rescued by another police officer, Austin Chipere, who was leading the ZRP support unit, before arresting the three. Newsday
A 28-YEAR-OLD Chipinge man allegedly killed his girlfriend in a botched up abortion, incinerated her body in a bid to destroy the evidence.
Fashion Mupakati, who is self-employed as a carpenter, has now approached the High Court, seeking to be granted bail, pending trial on charges of murder and tampering with a dead body.
Allegations against Mupakati are that on July 31, 2014, he administered an unknown concoction to the now-deceased, Headgirl Mabvira, of Gwaradzimba village, Chief Nyashanu in Buhera.
The State alleges the incident occurred along Chedutu-Checheni Road in Bikita.
It is alleged, after taking the concoction, Mabvira died as a result of complications caused by the brew.
The State further alleges after realising Mabvira had died, Mupakati used his car to ferry and and dump the body near Village 29, along Chedutu-Checheni Road.
Mupakati then allegedly doused the body with an unknown substance and set it ablaze in a bid to conceal Mabvira’s identity.
However, prior to the incident, Mupakati was seen with his girlfriend in his car before she went missing.
In his affidavit, the investigating officer opposed bail, saying Mupakati had been on the run since the day Mabvira was last seen until his arrest last year.
The officer also said prior to Mabvira’s death, Mupakati had, at one point, attempted to terminate the pregnancy by giving her another concoction.
His lawyers, in his bail applicationt, said: “The truth of the matter is that there was never a point in time in his life that he administered a concoction to the deceased.
“Applicant (Mupakati) will vehemently deny that he murdered the now-deceased at all and avers that he is now suffering for an offence he did not commit. The allegations against him were made erroneously. The applicant is a man of good morals.”
Feeling vindicated and triumphant former freedom fighter and Home Affairs minister — Dumiso Dabengwa — has warned war veterans against taking sides with politicians at the expense of their values which he said have been demeaned.
Dabengwa was speaking at Lady Stanley Cemetery where he was a guest of honour at the tombstone unveiling of former freedom fighter Philemon Ncube Mabuza.
Mabuza was a Zapu activist who took part in the war operations of the 1960s.
“The year 2016 will be remembered as the year in which those who have ears to hear finally understand that a repressive political system is like a double-edged razor-blade that cuts in all directions,” Dabengwa told the gathering.
“It will cut even the most vicious eventually when they oppose aspects or specific practices of the ruling clique. Those who have been used to vilify their own comrades have been treated like used tissue paper that can be thrown away at will.
“I hope that these lessons are taken very seriously so that we can have a political order that does not seek to make and unmake people’s heroism at will. Liberation heroes should not accept to be moved back and forth from heroes to villains and vice versa,” he added.
Dabengwa spoke as President Robert Mugabe’s fall-out with the war veterans resulted in them boycotting this year’s Heroes Day celebrations across the country.
The former freedom fighters ended their long-time relationship with their patron after growing disillusioned.
Mugabe has not taken kindly their divorce and launched a brutal crackdown against the war veterans’ leadership.
Dabengwa paid tribute to Mabuza whom he said contributed immensely to the liberation struggle but was overlooked from being buried at the National Heroes Acre.
“The timing of today’s commemoration of … Mabuza is very symbolic because on this day (August 8) Zimbabwe is observing the national Heroes Day,” said Dabengwa.
“However, it is easy to devalue the true meaning of ‘heroes’ when the criteria for official designation as a hero are not uniformly applied.
“It is not a nice thing to disrespect the memory of those who may be wrongly designated for heroism they never showed or have not been convincingly documented to have.
“Worse still, when highly-deserving cases like Mabuza are omitted in the designation of ‘heroes’, it is difficult to avoid mentioning that there are many less-deserving cases that are today either at the National Heroes Acre or in the provincial resting places for heroes,” Dabengwa added.
The Zapu leader paid tribute to former freedom fighters whose remains are interred at Lady Stanley describing them as loyal cadres who gave everything for their country.
“In Lady Stanley today we are in the company of other heroes like Lookout Masuku, Richard ‘Gedi’ Dube, Amos ‘Jack’ Ngwenya, and others who could not pass the test of political correctness of the Zanu PF establishment who define heroism by loyalty to a current political leadership,” said Dabengwa.
“Others like Thenjiwe Lesabe are buried elsewhere but their memory is better kept clean than being tainted by vetting in the hands of undeserving judges of political worthiness.
“A ceremony like this gives us a chance to put a brick in the wall of remembrance to help keep sacred sacrifices that no political hanky-panky can permanently obscure.
“Dr Joshua Nkomo put it eloquently at the funeral of Lookout Masuku in this same ground in Lady Stanley when he pointed out that heroes are not made by declarations but their own deeds.” daily news
The Zimbabwe People First (ZimFirst) spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire, is today set to hand himself in at Harare Central Police Station’s law and order section after he was summoned for questioning, a local daily says. The paper reports that it is over an undisclosed matter involving Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo.
“I have been called in by Police Law and Order for questioning in connection with minister Jonathan Moyo. Not sure what the charges are,” Mawarire said yesterday.
“Am now going to hand in myself tomorrow (today) in the company of my lawyer at 10am,” he said, jokingly saying he could be “the first to be charged of cyber terrorism”. Newsday
Zimbabwe’s roads continued to needlessly claim lives over the just ended public holidays.
Thirteen people were killed, while 67 others were injured in 101 road traffic accidents that were recorded countrywide during the just-ended Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day holidays.
Eight of the accidents were fatal. During the period under review, police impounded 134 defective vehicles and issued 8 377 tickets to motorists for committing various offences.During the corresponding period last year, 13 people were killed, while 51 others were injured in 123 road accidents.
A total of 209 unroadworthy vehicles were impounded, while police issued 10 805 tickets to motorists last year.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba attributed this year’s accidents to speeding, lack of judgment, reversing errors and failure to give way.
“Motorists should be cautious when driving in built-up areas, especially residential, farming and major highways.
“Driving is an art and requires skills which should contribute towards safeguarding of lives on the roads. Of late, police have recorded cases of motorists speeding, where they end up losing control and killing pedestrians trying to cross the road or standing at bus stops.”
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said motorists were also failing to give way on approaching junctions or intersections.
“Police are urging drivers to be responsible and contribute towards the safety of all travellers on the road.
“The ZRP will ensure that the law takes its course on errant drivers who are recklessly causing road accidents,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.
Raped by mothers lover TerrenceMawawaChivhu A local man who sexually assaulted his lover’s three daughters for 12 years has been apprehended and charged after her death.
In a story full of intrigue and drama the daughters mustered the courage to report the matter to the police after their mother’s death.
It is for instance understood the woman witnessed some of the sexual acts but she ordered the girls not to disclose the matter.
Emmanuel Masikati(44) of Hugos Fontein, Chivhu appeared before Magistrate Dennis Mungoshi last week, facing rape charges. Mungoshi began to have sex with one of the daughters when she was doing grade seven. He raped her while she was herding cattle and continued to pleasure himself on the girl until her mother died this year.
The first complainant is now 26. Masikati used a knife to threaten the girl whenever she refused to have sex with him. The complainant did not tell anyone until her mother died. She told her aunt how her stepfather abused her for 12 years. Masikati also had sex with the complainant’s two twin sisters after threatening them with the same knife.
It is reported Masikati’s lover-the complainants’ mother ordered her children to remain mum about the rape incidents.The three only managed to report the cases after their mother’s death. Masikati was arrested after her three stepdaughters reported the incidents at Chivhu Police Station.
Leading animal rights activist Camille Labchuck demanded action by the Canadian Government claiming the current legislation gave a green light to individuals to use animals for their own sexual gratification
Dailymail.co.uk | The Canadian Supreme Court has ruled that sex acts with a pet are legal as long as the animal is not penetrated or suffers any form of injury.
The case involved a man who had been convicted of sexually abusing two of his step daughters, who had also been convicted of bestiality after he attempted to make the dog engage in sexual activities with one of the young girls.
A lower court convicted the man of bestiality after it heard he smeared peanut butter on the girl, who was 15 at the time of the abuse, to entice the dog to lick it off.
The lower court ruled the man was guilty of bestiality because he had received sexual gratification from the act.
However, the man, known only as D.L.W. successfully challenged the bestiality decision in the appeals court.
According to The Canadian Lawyer and Law Times, The higher court decided that a strict interpretation of the law, which dates from the English 1861 Offences Against the Person act, required penetration for a bestiality conviction.
Animal rights charity Animal Justice then challenged this decision to the Supreme Court, who ruled that when the Canadian parliament updated the criminal law relating to sexual offences it did not change the historically understood meaning of bestiality.
The Supreme Court said Parliament could have updated the interpretation of what constituted bestiality if it wished and claimed it was not the role of the courts to introduce new criminal offences.
According to the ruling: ‘Courts will only conclude that a new crime has been created if the words used to do so are certain and definitive. This approach not only reflects the appropriate respective roles of Parliament and the courts, but the fundamental requirement of the criminal law that people must know what constitutes punishable conduct and what does not, especially when their liberty is at stake.’
Joice Mujuru supporters being persecuted Staff Reporter |The Joice Mujuru led Zimbabwe People First party continues to face harassment and persecution, as it tries to establish itself as a formidable opposition party, that will remove President Robert Mugabe from power come 2018 presidential elections.
Mujuru who has benefited from Zanu PF’s largess as a senior politician in the ruling party, has now come face to face with the ruthlessness of the party she served for decades.
Zanu PF has unleashed its violence machinery on Mujuru’s campaigners in the Mashonaland East and Central provinces, places in which the most horrific terror against the opposition has been documented over the years. Heart wrenching stories of rape, murder, abductions, which to this day have not been fully investigated and perpetrators brought to book.
The former vice President’s campaign teams it is reported cannot even carry out door to door campaigns in peace without being harassed, by their former Zanu PF allies.
“At Mutawatawa Growth point, members of the police chased away Zimbabwe People First supporters who were distributing flyers,” reports Heal Zimbabwe Trust in its peace promotion monitoring report.
“Later in the day, Zanu PF ward 6 Councillor, Tichafunga Marekera moved in the ward with Zanu PF youths intimidating and harassing villagers warning them that all those who support opposition political parties in the area would be dealt with before end of the year”.
At the weekend there were reports that some members of the Mujuru’s party had their homes burnt down by suspected Zanu PF youths in the Mashonaland Central province.
Linda enters court room during her last court appearance
Linda Masarira who is on remand in custody will appear in court tomorrow. The single parent has spent weeks away from her children. Members of the Zimbabwe Activist Alliance, took time to visit Linda’s five children. Below are letters the little ones wrote to their mother, including a press release which gives an account of Linda’s history as an activist.
PressStatement |ZAA is concerned with the continued unfair and unlawful incarceration of Lynda Tsungirirai Masarira`s over clearly trumped up charges which consequently exhibited the state`s deliberate blind eye and utter negligence to the respect of human rights which the system has unashamedly pledged to uphold
The most intriguing reality which the state is consciously ignoring to accept is that the picture is clearly on the wall that what Linda is fighting for is not a personal agenda, but an inclusive fact that relates to everyone in the country who have been left in the scorching cold that no one can deny even the very kith and kin of the Zanu PF regime including the state security agencies currently topping human rights violations they are supposed to uphold. Lynnete Tendai Mudehwe with one of Linda’s little ones
What the public has been prejudiced of is the reality and the background of Linda`s current predicament, The untold story of Linda is the manifestation of a prolonged attempt by the state to silence the dissenting voice, no matter how justified.
Lynda`s has been forced to fight by circumstances neither beyond her or any other Zimbabwean `s control. Linda is the former government entity employee who has been unlawfully and wantonly fired from her job not because she has failed to perform beyond what she has been qualified to deliver, but simply because she chose not be selfish and set herself out to fight for the voiceless. Letter to Linda written by one of her children
After undergoing a gruel some fights with the National railways of Zimbabwe and being instrumental in conscientising fellow employees to stand up and demand their rights to get paid their due wages and salaries after struggling for a long time without getting paid, she was unfortunately unfairly fired. In an effort to fight not only for her five children, but for the whole population of Zimbabwe, she ironically faced state instituted brutality.
On 1 June, she and her friend Lynnette Tendayi Mudehwe embarked on a trip into the wilderness to continue fighting for the present and future of 7 children between them (Lynda and Lynnette) and all Zimbabwean children. For 16 Days and 16Nights, they were going to occupy Africa Unity Square and highlight the plight of Zimbabweans. In a calculated move, the GoZ saw another opportunity to deny Lynda’s children the care of their mother. She was arrested on trumped up charges which adds up to her current incarceration. Letter to Linda written by one of her children
Following the GOZ induced job losses, she was fired from NRZ, while she was the sole breadwinner had 5 mouths to feed, clothe and shelter. Lynda voiced her complains and championed the rights of the terminated employees and formed an associated retrenched and terminated employees of the NRZ to help fight for the rightful compensation, the state consorted to frivolous charges against Lynda that she had insulted the Head of State as she carried out her ARTE duties. For the past year she has in and out of Mutare Magistrates’ Courts. This has curtailed Lynda’s freedom and family time as she spends more time at court like a magistrate.
Lynda who is still to receive her benefits from NRZ and is embroiled in a legal wrangle for her dues from the state run company .She is still soldiering on to fight for her children’s welfare.
Zimbabwe Activist Alliance during one of their usual visit to Lynda`s place was humbled by how the children have been affected by their mothers unlawful incarceration. The children: Kuzivakwashe 16, Kupakwashe (girl )14 , Charlse 9, Mandipaishe 7 (girl) pleaded if they could write letters to their mpother and bellow are the pictures of the letters written to their mother.
DrBrightonChireka |WELCOME back to our health blog as we talk about cervical cancer this week. Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that develops in a womans cervix. The cervix is the entrance to the womb from the vagina. Worldwide cervical cancer is, after breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer in women causing over 270,000 deaths per year. Most of us know or have heard of someone who has or has had cancer. Cancer affects large numbers of people from all walks of life. This article should apply to all the people regardless of where they live. In most communities, diagnosis of cancer induces fear both in the individual and the immediate family and is viewed as a death sentence, which is wrong.
Its difficult to get correct figures in developing countries such as Zimbabwe and South Africa to name a few, because cancers are not captured by the routine National Health Information System due to patients not presenting for treatment or registering deaths. Research has shown that the five commonest cancers in Black Zimbabwean women are cervical cancer (33.9%), breast cancer (9.7%), Kaposi sarcoma (9.6%), eye (8.7%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (4.1%). It is also estimated that 3,700 women die per year of cervical cancer in South Africa. In Zimbabwe, HIV and AIDS contributed 60% of cancers in 2005 (Chokunonga et al, 2010).
Cancer begins in cells and cells are the bodys basic unit of life. Let me expand on what normally happens in our bodies and what can go wrong. The body is made up of many types of cells. These grow and divide in a controlled way to produce more cells that are needed to keep the body healthy. When cells become old or damaged, they die and are replaced with new ones. However, sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. The genetic material (DNA) of a cell can become damaged or changed, producing mutations that affect normal cell growth and division. When this happens, cells do not die when they should and new cells form when the body does not need them. The extra cells may form a mass of tissue called a tumour. These cancerous cells can invade organs such as the cervix and destroy surrounding healthy tissue as well spreading to other organs. The process of spreading is called metastasis.
Over the course of many years, the cells lining the surface of the cervix undergo a series of changes. In rare cases, these precancerous cells can become cancerous. However, cell changes in the cervix can be detected at a very early stage and treatment can reduce the risk of cervical cancer developing. That is the reason why women are encouraged to see their doctors early and also to go for routine screening.
Symptoms of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages and the effective way of preventing it is to go for screening regularly. If one has symptoms, the most common is unusual vaginal bleeding, which can occur after sex, in-between periods or after the menopause. Abnormal bleeding doesnt mean that one definitely has cervical cancer, but it should be investigated by own General Practitioner (GP) as soon as possible. In the UK, if ones GP suspects cervical cancer, he/she should refer the individual to see a specialist within two weeks.
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common virus thats often spread during sex. There are more than 100 different types of HPV, many of which are harmless. However, some types of HPV can disrupt the normal functioning of the cells of the cervix and can eventually trigger the onset of cancer. Two strains of the HPV virus called HPV 16 and HPV 18 are known to be responsible for 70% of all cases of cervical cancer. These types of HPV infection have no symptoms, so many women will not realise they have the infection. However, it is important to be aware that these infections are relatively common and most women who have them dont develop cervical cancer. Using condoms during sex offers some protection against HPV, but it cannot always prevent infection.
A lot of work is being done to stop the spread of HPV and I urge all the parents to make sure that their daughters are vaccinated before they become sexually active. Find out from your doctor about the local arrangements with regard to HPV vaccine. In the UK since 2008, an HPV vaccine has been routinely offered for free to girls between the ages of 12 and 13. I know that HPV vaccination is not fully functioning in some parts of Zimbabwe and in the absence of an HPV vaccine, cervical screening to detect and remove early, precancerous lesions is the most effective way to prevent the disease and the suffering it causes.
What should we do? The blame culture does not help. We have to take ownership of our health and play an active role in preventing unnecessary death from cervical cancer. Early detection of cancer remains the best strategy in reducing cancer deaths, hence my call to everyone reading this article, to make sure that they present early to their doctor. Do not leave it until its too late as the chance of surviving depend on the stage of cervical cancer.
The stage at which cervical cancer is diagnosed is an important factor in determining a womans outlook. The staging, given as a number from 1 to 4 indicates how far the cancer has spread. The chances of living for at least five years after being diagnosed with cervical cancer are: stage 1 80% to 99%, stage 2 60% to 90%, stage 3 30% to 50% and stage 4 20%. We can see from these figures that early presentation does help and should be encouraged.
Cancer mortality in Zimbabwe is still high mainly due to late presentation of disease, inter-current diseases including HIV and limited access to early detection and treatment services. Also most of the developing governments focus mainly on diseases like Cholera, HIV and AIDS and Malaria while non-communicable diseases like cancer are left with limited funding. However Cervical Cancer screening is supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Lets then play our part by making sure that we present early to our doctors and go for screening regularly.
In Zimbabwe there are only nine health centres offering cervical cancer screening using VIAC countrywide. VIAC is Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Cerviography. It is sometimes called screen and treat . This screen and treat program uses a simple, inexpensive and proven method to detect precancerous lesions on the cervix, and a relatively simple and proven technology to remove those lesions and thereby prevent the development of invasive cervical cancer, for which few treatment options exist in rural Zimbabwe.
These health centres are United Bulawayo Hospitals, Newlands Clinic, Edith Opperman Clinic in Mbare, Warren Park Polyclinic, Highfield Polyclinic, Masvingo Provincial Hospital, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council, Spilhaus and Cancer Association of Zimbabwe (CAZ). I am also reliably informed that more clinics are opening in Harare. However, all of these services are centralised in urban areas leaving women in rural areas uncovered.
The NHS, in the UK, offers a national screening programme open to all women from the age of 25. During screening, a small sample of cells is taken from the cervix and checked under a microscope for abnormalities. This test is commonly referred to as a cervical smear test. An abnormal smear test does not mean you definitely have cancer, as most abnormal results are caused by an infection or the presence of treatable precancerous cells rather than cancer itself.
It is recommended that women who are between the ages of 25 and 49 are screened every three years, and women between the ages of 50 and 64 are screened every five years. You should be sent a letter telling you when your screening appointment is due. Contact your GP if you think that you may be overdue for a screening appointment. Sadly some of the Zimbabwean women in the UK are not taking advantage of this free service but I hope this will change after reading this article.
If cervical cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, its usually possible to treat it using surgery. In some cases its possible to leave the womb in place, but it may need to be removed. The surgical procedure used to remove the womb is called a hysterectomy. Radiotherapy (using X-rays to treat) is an alternative to surgery for some women with early stage cervical cancer. In some cases it is used alongside surgery. More advanced cases of cervical cancer are usually treated using a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
We know that cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment pose great challenges particularly in resource constrained environments such as ours in Zimbabwe but there is evidence that raising awareness and encouraging people to change their lifestyles can prevent about a third of cancer. It is one of the reasons why this article has been compiled. Remember cervical cancer can be prevented and can also be cured if diagnosed and treated early.
This article was compiled by Dr Brighton Chireka, who is a GP and a Health Commissioner in South Kent Coast in the United Kingdom. You can contact him at: [email protected] and can read more of his work on his blog at DR CHIREKA’S BLOG
On Trial for his country.. Rudo Mudiwa | On the morning of 13 July 2016, I took a cab ride to Rotten Row Magistrate’s Court, the courthouse where Evan Mawarire, the young pastor who has become the figurehead of an emergent protest movement in Zimbabwe, was being arraigned on charges of ‘inciting public violence’. This was a transparently spurious charge meant to contain the influence of a charismatic figure who had captured public attention.
In videos that circulated on WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, Mawarire catalogued the grievances of many Zimbabweans against their government, among them corruption, reckless fiscal policies and the suppression of dissent. In a few months, his campaign’s hashtag, #ThisFlag, had come to serve as a rallying cry for the mostly urban citizens and diasporans frustrated with the problems wrought by Robert Mugabe’s 36-year rule.
The scene at Mawarire’s hearing had all the trappings of a media event. People had come draped in Zimbabwean flags. Photographers mingled with the crowd, small circles forming around those selected for on-camera interviews. The continuous production of selfies, tweets and Snapchat videos, an act marked by the smartphone being held at an angle above the documenter’s head, contributed to the feeling of being there for a historical event. In a country whose public sphere has been under consistent attack for the past few decades, protest was momentarily cool.
Vendors flitted through the crowd, selling drinks, naartjies, meat pies and the crucial accessory of the day: Zimbabwean flags. These cost $5 and came folded in a neat square, wrapped in clear plastic. Later that night, as the crowd dispersed, these wrappers could be seen strewn all over the courthouse grounds, sparkling in the light. Remarking on the overwhelmingly social vibe of the event, a male friend turned to me and said, “There are so many beautiful girls here, unotokanganwa kuti wawuyirei (you forget why you came).” An arrest foretold
News of Mawarire’s arrest, which had taken place the day before, had reached his followers through the release of an eerie pre-recorded video urging Zimbabweans to continue with the struggle should anything unfortunate, like an abduction or arrest, happen to him.
This was not an instance of dramatic flair. In March 2015, Itai Dzamara, an activist under the banner of the Occupy Africa Unity Square movement, was abducted after a visit to the barber near his home. (Africa Unity Square, a public park right in the middle of Harare’s CBD, is opposite the buildings of parliament.) He hadn’t been heard from since. In contrast to the relatively subdued protests that followed Dzamara’s abduction, Mawarire’s arrest (and his considerably greater social capital) had moved people to gather at the court that morning. Protestors would occupy the courthouse grounds for nearly 12 hours, singing, dancing and praying.
After a series of blunders by the prosecution, the magistrate dismissed the charges against Mawarire. At around 8pm, he emerged to a sea of people, marked in the dark by candles and smartphone lights. As the crowd chanted, “Pastor! Pastor!” someone reached up and draped a flag around his neck.
In April 2016, Trevor Ncube, a newspaper publisher with business interests in Zimbabwe and South Africa, argued that a ‘third way’ was the only solution to Zimbabwe’s problems. It was a repeat of an argument he had made a decade or so before. As he put it in the most recent iteration:
This is what Zimbabwe needs: a political collective with clean hands; people who subscribe to the principles of an inclusive society that serves the majority. On the sidelines of the universities, state institutions, the diaspora, and even within Zanu-PF, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) factions, the military, police and intelligence services, there are such people – decent people who want to work hard, educate their children, take care of their families and contribute to a vibrant society.
Although the political genealogy of the term goes unacknowledged in his piece, Ncube’s ‘third way’ is a reference to the centrist politics of Bill Clinton and Tony Blair in the 1990s, which attempted to straddle the divide between the right and the left. In Zimbabwe — where the categories ‘right’ and ‘left’ aren’t useful for analysing mainstream politics, at least for now — the ‘third way’ would function as an alternative to the two main political parties, ZANU-PF and MDC-T. (Former vice president Joyce Mujuru, who has left to form her own party, was once seen as the face of this coalition. Before her, Simba Makoni, a business-friendly bureaucrat, also played this role.) A decent person steps up
In the first #ThisFlag video, released the same month as Ncube’s article, Mawarire appeared to be exactly the kind of ‘decent’ person who could take up Ncube’s call. Hunched over a desk, the Zimbabwean flag wrapped around his shoulders, Mawarire engaged in a critical re-reading of the symbolism of the flag.
The basic structure of his argument was as follows: They tell us that the flag means one thing, but their actions betray us and the people who died to liberate this country from colonial rule. As he later stated, he was inspired to record the video after he sat at his desk late at night, wondering how he would pay his children’s school fees.
This anecdote became one of the key components of the subsequent media coverage of Mawarire, in keeping with Ncube’s prediction that the ‘third way’ would comprise ‘decent people who want to work hard, educate their children, take care of their families and contribute to a vibrant society’. Mawarire’s was a political message that disavowed the toxic partisanship that has dominated Zimbabwean politics for the past two decades. Coming from a man of the cloth, a young father, it seemed to shrewdly inoculate itself from many of the attacks that could come from either side. The ‘third way’ indeed.
In later videos, Mawarire’s delivery became sharper and more polished. The first video had been shot in a poorly lit room and weighed down by the insertion of melodramatic background music, while later instalments where shot in good natural light. Mawarire would record them while walking or in his car, which conveyed his energy and youthfulness. While the first video showed a man overwrought with emotion, subsequent videos depicted an angry but focused orator who pulled no punches. He dextrously switched between English and Shona, repeating each statement in both languages.
Mawarire also tested the political reach of his message. He initially called for Zimbabweans at home and abroad to carry the flag with them for seven days as a visible sign of protest. This call was later extended. Finally, Mawarire called for a stay-away — a labour strategy long used by the MDC and its progenitor, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)—on 6 July. This coincided with a planned stay-away by civil servants (over unpaid salaries) and demonstrations by commuter omnibus operators (protesting harassment by bribe-demanding traffic cops) in the country. Most of the major cities ground to a halt. In all, it was a victory for Mawarire and an embarrassment to the government. That night, someone said to me, “Well, he has tasted power. Now we’ll see what he’ll do with it.”
Mawarire’s basic profile — a charismatic young pastor battling state repression through non-violent means — has inevitably drawn comparisons to Martin Luther King Jr. This comparison, simplistic as it might be, points to the nature of movement building in a globalised media landscape. The ability to point to a singular visible leader, and to reproduce his/her image, distils into a simple narrative the complexities of social or political movements that are made up of contesting parties. Consequently, emergent movements are now often asked to produce their own Martin Luther King Jr, a figure whose voice and image can represent the cause.
In this case, this push to identify a discernable leader has been intensified by the Christian ideology driving Mawarire and his followers. Hours after his arrest, many of his followers circulated the Bible verse “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!” (Psalm 105:15) on social media platforms. The verse functioned to reassure people that as The Chosen One, divine protection encircled Mawarire. Of course, that the designated prophetic voice was a man’s is a continuity of a number of now intertwined histories: Christianity’s, patriarchy’s, and Zimbabwe’s. Under pressure to lead
Despite this anointing, Mawarire consistently rejected the notion that he was the primary actor in this saga. On the night he was released, he appeared before the excited crowd, visibly tired and overwhelmed by the day’s events, with a short message emphasising that the victory was not his alone. Instead, he insisted that “Zimbabwe yamurikuvaka ndeye vana venyu!” (The Zimbabwe you are building is for your children!) Still, this did not quell calls for him to assume a more visible, and even institutional, leadership. In the following weeks, some of his more fervent followers called on him to establish a political party that would contest the 2018 elections.
The pressure to anoint Mawarire as the leader of the protest movement in Zimbabwe plays into the regime’s successful strategy of containing and scapegoating a sole figure as the enemy of the people. This much was evident when Mugabe recently issued his verdict on Mawarire: “Those who believe in that way of living in our country are not part of us in thinking as we try to live together”. For questioning the government, Mawarire was declared ‘unZimbabwean’, an enemy of the people. Mugabe added: “If they don’t like to live with us, fine, let them go to those who are sponsoring them.” Mawarire had travelled to South Africa on 15 July, where he had been giving television interviews and public appearances. After Mugabe’s speech, he extended his stay indefinitely. The role of the lower middle class and the urban poor
What will happen in Mawarire’s absence, which comes just as certain segments of the population were beginning to coalesce around his leadership? One hopes that it will demystify the notion of Mawarire, a middle-class figure, as the trigger and driver of protests. This notion, especially popular in the international press, erases the labour performed by various working-class groups in sustaining pressure against the government.
What will happen in Mawarire’s absence, which comes just as certain segments of the population were beginning to coalesce around his leadership? One hopes that it will demystify the notion of Mawarire, a middle-class figure, as the trigger and driver of protests. This notion, especially popular in the international press, erases the labour performed by various working-class groups in sustaining pressure against the government.
Indeed, the mass showing on the day of Mawarire’s court appearance would have been impossible without the energy, organising capacity and resources of such groups. They include Tajamuka (Shona slang for “We have rebelled”), Occupy Africa Unity Square and the National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe – all groups that engage in radical action that actively seeks confrontation with the state. (For example, Tajamuka activists have made a name for themselves by delivering impromptu speeches, blaming the government for the country’s economic ills in addresses to customers waiting in the now ubiquitous bank queues across Harare.)
Given that Mawarire had been reluctant to embrace demonstrations as a tactic, crediting major protest actions to him was a mistake. Moreover, the focus on Mawarire also obscured the fact that the first stay-away was successful because informally organised segments of the lower middle class and urban poor drove it. In particular, it drew on the energy of an unprecedented and violent protest at the Beitbridge Border Post a week earlier. Traders responding to new import restrictions that threatened their businesses (importing groceries and other wares from South Africa) initiated this protest. In many ways, this protest reflected a key grievance that is constantly being expressed in Zimbabwe: We have an unthinking government that is bent on punishing its citizens’ resourcefulness in the midst of economic decline. Bearing the brunt of state violence
It is these same uncredited groups that faced the brunt of the violence meted out by police in retaliation for the stay-away. While Mawarire’s middle-class supporters were safely indoors in the northern and western suburbs, taking to social media to express their support, police moved in to attack protesters in poor neighbourhoods in the south and east of the city. Cell-phone images and video showed people being teargassed, beaten and dragged out of their homes on suspicion of supporting the protests. A month later, Linda Musarira, an activist with Occupy Africa Unity Square, remains imprisoned on the very same charge as the one that got Mawarire arrested. After she was denied bail at a hearing held on 26 July, one of her comrades urged the crowd outside to continue the struggle against tyranny “along class lines”. It remains to be seen whether this vital call for class struggle in an economically and spatially segregated Zimbabwe will permeate the public consciousness. What do we do with this moment?
The biggest question for Zimbabwean progressives and leftists, many of whom have withdrawn from ‘official’ politics is: What do we do with this moment? When the ‘third way’ has been a disaster for the left in the West, could it lead to the emergence of a different kind of politics in this country? Many people I have spoken to are hesitant to align themselves with an explicitly Christian movement, fearful that it will produce superficial neoliberal changes while further entrenching structures that will oppress the same ‘undesirables’ who have been targeted by ZANU-PF: women, gays and lesbians, and the rural and urban poor.
Others who might share these reservations nevertheless want to seize this opening — a timely flowering of protest and dissent — to create the kind of political culture they would like to see. These kinds of negotiations were visible at the courthouse, where socialists, NGO liberals, nominally apolitical citizens, atheists and evangelical Christians protested alongside each other in support of the principle of free expression. At times this produced the kind of awkward moment that is characteristic of such uneasy alliances. In the middle of the day, a group of pastors commanded the crowd to kneel down and pray, “to show that Zimbabweans are a humble people”. An insufficiently cowed group remained standing at the back. Similarly, when the more radical protesters began to sing explicitly political songs castigating the ruling party, those who wished to appear apolitical balked at their defiance.
Even as the notion of the ‘third way’ attempts to skirt political binary thinking, it is inescapably caught in it, imagining that politics operates in terms of clearly defined oppositional camps that must be reconciled. What is happening in Zimbabwe is much more complicated. It is an explosion of disparate protest movements that do not share a common ideology beyond their frustration with the government’s ineptitude. Every week seems to bring new protests and aggrieved constituencies: vendors and cross-border traders, mothers, evangelical Christians, war veterans and students. Unifying the resistance
At this moment, #ThisFlag has become the convenient and media-friendly term to capture this restless energy, but it is by no means the only game in town. The cab driver who took me to the courthouse that day insisted that something more explosive was emerging in Zimbabwe. But it wasn’t “zve social media izvi” (this social media stuff), he sniffed dismissively. “Muchangoona zvauya,” (You’ll see it when it comes), he told me more than once. As I got out of the cab, he promised me that by December, something big would have happened. I laughed and asked him if he could tell me what this event was or if he would be participating. He didn’t take the bait, but with the discretion of someone who knew more than I ever could, he simply told me to wait.
Sten Zvorwadza with Dzamara’s kids handing over flowers to the cops Staff Reporter |There was drama at the Africa Unity Square in Harare Wednesday when the police ran away from the Itai Dzamara family who were commemorating 17 months of the disappearance of the journalist –cum- human rights activist.
Itai Dzamara was abducted by suspected members of the Central Intelligence Organisation, CIO, in March 2015, for staging solo protests in the same square which has become symbolic of his steadfastness and resilience.
Since then, Africa Unit Square has become a symbolic place for activists who continue to protest as they revive Itai’s spirit for freedom.
The Dzamara family on Wednesday turned their anger into love as the activist’s children handed over to the armed police manning the park, some flowers and cakes.
Drama followed when the police somehow did not receive the love in fear of the Dzamara curse took to their heels heading for the Parliament building where their armoured car was parked.
This was unusual of the police, who have become notorious for harassing protesters at times brutally assaulting them.
No speeches were however delivered at today’s Itai Dzamara commemorations.
Prominent human rights activist Jestina Mukoko, National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe chairman Sten Zvorwadza, and former Zanu PF activist and leader of Viva Zimbabwe Acie Lumbumba attended the commemorations which lasted for an hour.
Good news for Zimbabweans after the South African government has given Zimbabwe the nod to deploy its officers to issue passports, birth certificates and national identity cards to locals residing in the neighbouring country. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Obedingwa Mguni said the documents would be issued from selected points in the neighbouring country as soon as South African authorities identify sites to conduct the exercise.He said his ministry would approach Botswana with the same request. Confirms passports and IDs will now be issued in SA…MGUNI
“We have approached the South African government seeking permission to issue passports, birth certificates and National IDs from their country and they have given us the go ahead.
“Our South African counterparts are now in the process of identifying places where we can conduct this exercise. When the locations have been submitted, we will immediately deploy our teams to the neighbouring country,” the deputy minister said.
Mguni said the exercise sought to ensure that Zimbabweans in the Diaspora were in possession of all valuable documents.
He said a number of Zimbabweans were accessing neighbouring countries through illegal points while some neither had birth certificates nor National IDs.
Mguni said his ministry was making efforts to reduce the time involved in processing passports.
He said passports were supposed to be processed and issued within a period of two weeks, but security checks involved were dragging the process.
“Passports should be issued within 14 days and ours are issued after two months. These are some of the anomalies that we want to address. We need to introduce quick coordinated security checks that will expedite the process.
“We recently acquired a highly efficient machine from Japan which processes passports but our pace does not complement the capacity of the machine because of these delays,” Mguni said.
He said Plumtree, Victoria Falls, Beitbridge, Chipinge and Chiredzi Towns would be the first to introduce passport issuing services at district registry offices.
Mguni said his Ministry had noted that these were the main entry points for people who were crossing into neighbouring countries illegally.
“My Ministry will be issuing out a tender very soon for companies that can provide us with the relevant machinery needed when capturing pictures among other equipment that will be used by the district offices.
“This machinery, however, has to be in line with United Nations standards. The details of the tender will be released as time goes on,” he said.
Mguni said they were also making efforts to improve features of the Emergency Travel Document so that they’re once again recognised as legal travelling documents in neighbouring countries. State media
What’s more terrifying for men than an alien wanting to prod and probe them? Anybody? You know the answer: A smart woman. Yes, science has finally confirmed what we’ve all long suspected: Men find intelligent women scary. Oh, wait there’s more! Science has also discovered that when a woman does something better than a man, his feelings of masculinity diminish.
A recent study called “(Psychological) Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” — carried out by Lora E. Park, Ariana F. Young, and Paul W. Eastwick — found that while men like the idea of dating a smart woman, when it comes to the reality of it, they’re not interested. And when a woman is better at a task then they are, they feel like less of a man.
In the preliminary survey of the study, 86 percent of men said that they would feel comfortable dating someone smarter than them. In the series of experiments that followed, the researchers tested the validity of those claims.
In the first version of the study, 105 undergraduate male participants read a hypothetical scenario about a woman who did better than they did on a test, and then the participants were asked to rate how romantically desirable the woman seemed. In the second version, the researchers had 151 male undergraduates take an intelligence test and then asked they if they were interested in meeting the woman down the hall, who had either scored higher or lower than them on the test. Both of these studies found that when men imagined a hypothetical woman who was smarter than them, or only knew of the woman in an abstract sense, they were interested in meeting or possibly dating her. Apparently, a smart woman is great in theory but not in practice.
In the next two versions of the study, the male participants came in contact with a woman (who was associated with the study) who either had done better or worse on an I.Q. test than they had. After the participants met the woman, took the test while seated next to her, and heard both their scores read aloud, the male participants were instructed to move their chairs across from the woman.
The participants were then instructed to take a survey about their first impressions of the other — specifically how attractive and desirable they found each other. The researchers were interested in the actual physical distance between the two chairs as the true measure of how attracted the man was to the woman. Not surprisingly, the men who were partnered with a woman who scored higher on the intelligence test felt the need to physically distance themselves from her when moving their chairs. They also tended to rate the woman as less attractive and dateable than the men who interacted with a woman and scored worse than they did.
The last two versions of the study (six all together) found that men were less interested in dating and interacting with a more intelligent woman when she was face-to-face with them.
However, in the fifth study, when she was psychologically distant (allegedly in the next room), there wasn’t any difference in the men’s inclination to date or interact with her, no matter how well she scored on the test compared to them. In fact, the men who never saw the woman showed a slight tendency to want to interact with a woman who was supposedly smarter.
The findings were summed up this way: “[The] six studies revealed that when evaluating psychologically distant targets, men showed greater attraction toward women who displayed more (vs. less) intelligence than themselves. In contrast, when targets were psychologically near, men showed less attraction toward women who outsmarted them.”
vehicle theft…CIO boss with Indian colleague walking to court room
A district intelligence officer, Mbereki Mbizo Nyathi, has been charged with theft together with an Indian national Abdul Ismael.
The two appeared in court yesterday.
The two suspects were not asked to plead when they appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe, who remanded them in custody to today for their bail application.
Allegations against the two are that sometime in January 2015, they acted in common purpose and connived to steal a BMW 320D vehicle in South Africa. They allegedly acted in cahoots with Hillary Nduna, who is still at large, and a syndicate based in South Africa.
The State alleges when the vehicle was stolen, Nyathi (44) and Ishmael (30) brought it to Zimbabwe, where the latter fraudulently obtained registration book with number ADU 6982, from the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR).
The State further alleges after fraudulently registering the motor vehicle, Ishmael took the car to Nyathi’s residence for safekeeping, taking advantage of his position as a senior State security agent.
After receiving the car, Nyathi allegedly started using it.
In the court papers submitted to the magistrate, the Prosecutor-General’s (PG) Office said: “The Central Vehicle Registry has confirmed that the registration of the motor vehicle was fraudulently done and obtained a registration book of a BMW 320D, which was stolen from South Africa in order to evade payment of duty to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra).”
And in its reasons for opposing bail, the PG’s Office said Ishmael was not gainfully employed and that he was likely to flee the jurisdiction of the courts if granted bail.
The State further said Nyathi was not a proper candidate for bail, since he was likely to interfere with evidence or witnesses because one witness was his best friend.
The State also said the two suspects are well-connected to the CVR, where they obtained the fraudulent vehicle registration book, and, if granted bail there was likelihood they would interfere with witnesses.
Senior prosecutor, Michael Reza appeared for the State, while Oliver Marwa represented the two suspects.
The harsh economic situation currently prevailing in Zimbabwe has resulted in most parents failing to pay school fees for their children, leaving many schools in dire straits.
In a bid to find a solution 14 headmasters from schools in Luveve, Gwabalanda and Cowdray Park suburbs in Bulawayo recently met to discuss the non-payment of fees at their schools.
The headmasters invited Luveve-Gwabalanda Member of Parliament, Ntando Mlilo, whose constituency also covers Cowdray Park suburb, to the meeting. The MP yesterday revealed that most school coffers have run dry due to failure by parents to pay fees, throwing schools into a crisis.
Mlilo said he was invited to the meeting that was held at Mafakela primary school in Luveve suburb last week on Tuesday by headmasters to discuss the non-payment of fees.
Headmasters resolved to hold meetings at affected schools with parents and School Development Committees over the problem.
“I was invited to a meeting by heads from all schools and they said they have no money in their coffers due to non-payment of fees by my most parents. It’s a pity that they (parents) want to abuse the Government policy at the same time crippling development in their own schools,” said Mlilo.
“Some of these parents spend a lot of money on other things like clothes and gadgets yet they fail to raise $40 for fees. We understand that we’re living in tough times as some have no jobs but we’re asking them to support the Government at least by making payment plans instead of totally abandoning payment of fees.”
Mlilo said money was needed to cover administrative costs, pay workers and for school development.
“We encourage our parents to partner with the Government because their attitude towards payment of fees determines the quality of pupils we produce. We too can improve our standards like our peers from the eastern suburbs by paying fees and engaging schools when we have genuine challenges,” he said.
Cde Mlilo also rubbished reports that he was organising a pupils’ demonstration against their parents as reported by some online media outlets.
“I’m aware that there is a malicious message circulating via social networks that I’m planning a massive demonstration. I’m a public official who was only invited to the meeting, I don’t have such powers to organise a demonstration,” he said. State media
Receiving end of political violence…Joice Mujuru
Zanu PF militia are alleged to have burnt down to ashes homes belonging to Joice Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) in the volatile Mashonaland Central province.
One of the victims, Passmore Simba (31), told journalists yesterday that the assailants were known Zanu PF youths, who had earlier issued threats of violence.
“It was around 2am last Saturday, when I suddenly woke up to a raging fire, which had engulfed our bedroom hut. I went outside the house and spotted two men (names withheld), whom I positively identified, as we live in the same village. I then went back into the hut and rescued my wife and two minor children,” he narrated.
No one was injured, but Simba lost maize, fertiliser, tobacco seed, clothes, household utensils and groceries in the blaze.
The family was now sleeping in a make-shift shelter and surviving on food handouts from well-wishers since the incident.
ZimPF spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire said Simba, who is the ward political commissar in Shamva North, had been a target to instil fear among opposition supporters ahead of party leader Joice Mujuru’s maiden rally in Bindura next month.
“He is not the only one who was attacked, we have seen an increase in the number of our supporters who are being attacked by Zanu PF people. But as ZimPF, we want to make it clear and known to Zanu PF and its thugs that the people of Zimbabwe are more resolute and determined to see this regime out of power. No amount of intimidation will work,” he said.
Mawarire said Simba, before the arson, had been warned of the impending attack by his political adversaries, who were said to have been miffed by his attendance of a leadership meeting recently in Bindura, which was addressed by Mujuru.
“We condemn those callous acts being perpetrated Zanu PF,” Mawarire said.
A report was made at Madziwa Police Station and investigations are reportedly in progress.
“The whole issue is to instil fear in our supporters so that they do not attend our star rally slated for September 3 in Bindura. As ZimPF, our message to our people is that let us intensify recruitment to ensure that by 2018, there will be no Zanu PF to talk about so that we end this barbaric act,” Mawarire said.
But Zanu PF provincial chairperson, Dickson Mafios said he was unaware of the incident, saying “some of these small parties cook up stories just to tarnish the image of Zanu PF”. Newsday
Mugabe out to appease the army
President Robert Mugabe has failed over the past months to pay increasingly restive uniformed forces their salaries on time, is now on a charm offensive to win them over.
Mugabe has moved swiftly to pacify the country’s soldiers by dangling several carrots in their faces, as public anger over his alleged misrule continues to swell.
Military officials have reportedly also been sent to camps “to check on morale” and Mugabe sought to show the soldiers he was aware of their poor conditions of service.
In his address at the Zimbabwe Defences Forces’ Day commemorations, Mugabe yesterday presented an uncharacteristically short speech — 14 minutes — where he pledged to improve soldiers’ working and living conditions to ensure they do not join the spontaneous anti-government protests that have rocked his regime over the past two months.
“In this regard, the defence forces recently acquired a fleet of troop-carrying vehicles, staff cars and buses to facilitate the movement of personnel to and from their respective work stations,” he said.
“In addition, efforts are still underway to provide decent accommodation to members of the defence forces, under the Public Sector Investment Programme and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Benefit Fund.”
Mugabe, in the past two days, steered clear of controversial issues rocking his administration, among them the decision by disgruntled war veterans to turn their backs on him last month at a time opposition and civil society groups were piling pressure on him to step down.
The political fissures come as Mugabe is battling to contain fierce factional fights within his ruling Zanu PF party, where two distinct factions — G40, said to be loyal to First Lady Grace Mugabe and Team Lacoste, which reportedly pays allegiance to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa — are publicly jostling to sponsor his successor.
Mugabe’s extension of an olive branch to the soldiers appears aimed at keeping their loyalty, amid allegations they were dabbling in party politics.
The President last year lashed out at the military for meddling in the internal fights for control in Zanu PF.
The veteran leader told the Zanu PF annual conference in Victoria Falls that there were elements within the country’s army, police and intelligence, who had been sucked into the brutal succession war currently engulfing the ruling party.
“The situation we have now is untenable because we now get information that some in the army, police and intelligence are involved in factionalism. They are moving around telling people their chosen candidates. Let us stop that — it’s ruining the party,” he said then. Newsday
“Wicknell the blesser” | FEATURE
Wicknell Chivayo the tenderprenuer who has won energy contracts worth half a billion US dollars in the last two years is also full time blesser of the 1% in Zimbabwe. A blesser is a slang term for a rich man who offers support (typically financial and material) to a younger female companion in exchange for sex or friendship. It is unknown if Wicknell has a physical relationship with these ladies but it’s now an open secret he spends big on some of Zimbabwe’s well known media personalities.
Lorraine Bgoya (Lochnation) is a former ZiFM Stereo DJ and now is the Community Manager at Motorepublik which is a co-working space for artists. Lochnation is engaged to hip-hop artist Tehn Diamond, son of former cabinet minister and Cottco boss Sylvester Nguni. Tehn, 31, has yet to release an album and is struggling to maintain the upkeep of the beautiful Tanzanian born Bgoya. Wicknell has been secretly buying gifts for the former Off The Wall host and this last weekend they took their relationship public.
The two were permanent features on his each other’s snapchats all weekend as Lochnation celebrated her 30th birthday. Wicknell also dedicated a birthday message on his Instagram where he emphatically said he “loves her forever”. They partied together at Maestro whilst rapper Nguni travelled by bus back from Bulawayo. Tehn whose father is a very successful businessman has shunned his daddy’s money, opting instead to go alone. A friend of Lorraine has said “Tehn doesn’t make enough money to support Lo. Lo likes nice things and even though she loves Tehn, Wicknell take cares of her financially”. Tehn Diamond is believed to be benefiting from his fiancés relationship with Wicknell because she uses that money to fund his music and Tisu Ngoda Dzacho apparel; this is why he has no problems with their special arrangement. Things are so bad for Tehn he failed to propose with an engagement ring. “It’s been well over a year, and Lorraine still has no ring, she tells friends it’s because they aren’t married yet, but everyone knows it’s because Tehn can’t afford one”, the same friend said. In 2012 she tweeted “How long is too long to be engaged?” and now her friends think she is running out of patience and Wicknell has sensed it.
Wicknell bankrolls Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa’s daughter, Gamu. Last year he paid for her and 6 of her friends to fly to Thailand where Gamu rang in her in 23rd birthday. Noxy Moyo, daughter to Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo was part of the gang that enjoyed a well-funded trip out East thanks to “Sir”. “Gamu told everyone that her Dad funded the lavish getaway, but Wicknell who was rumoured to be dating Gamu’s older sister at the time, splurged on Gamu”, an insider said. Gaga, as she is known works for the Herald and is a DJ on Power FM is the recipient of handbags, shoes and when she goes out to upscale bars in Harare, her table always has bottles of Jameson and Moet. “People think because her father is a Minister, he bank rolls her lifestyle, but it’s Wicknell”.
In March this year, Lorraine along with radio presenter Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa and Induna Magazine founder Zanele Mhlaba flew to South Africa for a weekend of booze, shopping and pampering courtesy of the ZIFA benefactor. “They flew business class to Joburg, stayed at the Da Vinci Hotel and dined at the exclusive restaurant Signature”, a friend said, but declined to be named. Wicknell who always stays at the Da Vinci in Sandton made sure to pull some last minute strings for the girls. TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 2
ZANU PF is often seen as an actor who abuses his powerful position to extort allegiance to supply members and followers with lucrative positions in the public sector, or to channel public resources into the hands of party leaders or supporters. Party corruption is especially problematic in Zimbabwe where political and economic institutions are not yet fixed. Now party corruption has undermined public trust and threaten the viability of democracy. Democratic parties in a competitive political framework, however, can perform valuable political and social functions as links between citizens and government, in voter representation and information, policy-making, and human development. The factionalism or the creation of it in ZANU PF exposes corruption in the context of political party activities. It unearth party corruption in the contexts of election campaigns, party activities in parliament And government , and party control over public assets and institutions. Opportunities for corruption are viable in ZANU PF WERE the corrupt ones have to make donations to the party and blame other party stalwarts in order to divert attention from their corrupt ways. Anti-corruption measures and strategies that affect the work and role of political parties are introduced but never applied. Laws are applied on Partisan premises. While campaign finance regulations and anti-corruption laws are important in the fight against corruption, they need to be embedded in a broader strategy that promotes intra-party democracy, party competition, transparency, and monitoring by a free press, an informed public and an active civil society. Alas in ZANU PF if one tries to invoke the laws is labelled a factionalism pig and corrupt one hides behind love for the president to avoid prosecution. Democratic ways in a competitive political framework, however, can perform valuable political and social functions as links between citizens and government, in voter representation and information, policy-making, and human development.
While corrupt cadres can thus stall or even destroy processes of democratization, members that are not distorted by corruption, but which are part of a well-institutionalized and competitive political framework can play a vital role in democracies and perform valuable political and social functions. UnFortunately such people are very few. Parties are supposed to provide a link between citizens and government. Parties should mobilize voters on behalf of certain goals and interests, select and train candidates for public office, organize election campaigns, send representatives to parliament, organize legislatures, formulate political agendas and policies, manage policy processes and steer or, monitor government activities. However in The current situation cadres have a core duty to please the leaders and to fleece the poor. They forget that they are supposed to provide voters with substantial information about current political issues, the general workings of government, and citizens’ democratic rights. They must actively contribute to voter education and human development, and should function as builders of national capital. This role of political parties can become even more important in in Zimbabwe which is in the process of defining and stabilizing the rules and institutions of democratic government and market economies. ZANU PF now wages wars against themselves and against the voters. People are threatened or even intimidated all this is not done for the parties interest but for the interest of the few corrupt ones who burry their corrupt activities in the name of the leaders.
To win a majority of seats and to thus control government, parties compete with each other for votes. In the struggle to win favours individual candidates often try to outspend each other, and under financial pressure, both candidates and party leaders might be willing to accept payoffs or illegal donations offered by wealthy donors in exchange for promises of future favors. In this way the wealth of the nation is plundered by those who donate to the party. Instead of competing against other parties they compete against each other and they actively divide the party to avoid attention on their corrupt dealings.
Politicians are therefore tempted to spend as much money as possible on their campaigns to be recognised. The idea behind is to make sure that they are favoured by the powers that be regardless of the effects of these actions to the party. In political systems with weak party competition, or in states with long-term one-party rule and party control over the public sector and society, parties also might be tempted to extort contributions from businesses.
Those who refused encountered problems when applying for government credit, licenses or business loans, and they also could expect regular tax audits by financial authorities whose personnel was often appointed on the basis of their party connections. Similarly, regular campaign contributors could expect lenient treatment and get awarded in a way which destroys the nation. To fill their pockets corrupt cadres not only accept donations from wealthy donors or extort them from the business community, but often also demand contributions from individual candidates and parliamentarians. Those who fail to oil the bearing of those powerful members they are categorised as factionalists. So factionalism is a way of stopping any one to talk against corruption of those in the strong positions. This does not only destroy the party but it destroys the nation. [email protected]
Introduction of new law has fueled smuggling of goods
The state media reports that the smuggling of commodities into the country has escalated following the implementation of Statutory Instrument (SI) 64 of 2016 with the Government losing millions of dollars every week in unpaid customs duty.
The instrument restricts the importation of some goods produced locally. But rampant smuggling activities are taking place at illegal crossing points dotted along the Limpopo River, The Chronicle can reveal.
The import restrictions which were introduced in June this year removed 42 products from the open general import licence, restricting their importation, as it was felt that local industry has capacity to produce them.
SI 64 of 2016 controls a wide array of products among them coffee creamers, camphor creams, white petroleum jellies, body lotions, builders’ ware such as wheelbarrows, structures and parts of structures of iron or steel, bridges and bridge sections, lock gates, lattice masts, roof, roof frameworks and doors.
A Chronicle news crew last week visited some of the undesignated entry points outside Beitbridge and established that a network of well-organised syndicates has invaded the spots. Investigations revealed that the smuggling syndicates work in cahoots with villagers living along the border to smuggle a wide range of goods from South Africa. The racketeering takes place at night under the nose of security details patrolling the borderline.
Beitbridge Border Post contributes 70 percent of all the customs duty collected in Zimbabwe and 30 percent of the country’s source of revenue comes from customs duty. At Nottingham Estate, about 40km west of the border town, the news crew observed a one tonne truck being loaded with smuggled goods shortly after 8PM.
The goods, which were concealed under a consignment of oranges, included alcoholic beverages and boxes of cooking oil. The smugglers are taking advantage of the dry Limpopo riverbed to cross the border using 4×4 vehicles.
“I get a number of people who approach me every week so that I help them to identify illegal crossing points to smuggle their goods from South Africa and that is how I make a living. They usually bring 4×4 vehicles to cross the dry riverbed and the goods that are being smuggled range from small grocery items to television sets, refrigerators, couches,” said a villager who declined to reveal his identity.
Another villager from Malale, who only identified himself as Maanda, said some of the smugglers bribed both South African and local police and soldiers patrolling the border on either side to facilitate their illegal activities.
The smugglers risk being attacked and robbed by criminals operating along the corridor with an estimated 200 illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River. Police patrolling the border told The Chronicle that hardly a week passes by without a smuggler or border jumper being reported to have been mugged or robbed by criminals.
The smuggling is fuelled by villagers who live within the border area.
“It doesn’t make sense for me to travel between 80km and 100km to Beitbridge Border Post to buy groceries when I can simply walk across the river for less than 10km and bring the items without the hassles of going through the rigorous customs and immigration processes,” said one villager.
Some of the homesteads at Dumba and Mawale villagers are being used as “warehouses” for smuggled goods. The goods are reportedly smuggled at night and temporarily kept at some homesteads as the owners monitored the situation.
A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) official who requested anonymity admitted that smuggling syndicates were dodging the border. “It’s difficult to monitor smuggling because there are so many crossing points along the Limpopo River,” he said. Beitbridge Border Post is the biggest port of entry in Sub-Saharan Africa linking Zimbabwe to South Africa.
Zimbabwe is sitting on a time bomb after the country’s largest center for mental health referral destination, Ingutsheni Hospital, ran out of vital medication as government ignored the looming disaster.
Ingutsheni Hospital which has a large number of dangerous convicts, is operating without essential medicines thus putting the public, and the nurses at risk of being harmed by patients as tranquilising meds run out.
Below were ZimEye source findings from an inspection carried out last week:
Khumalo Ward which is a male admission ward has a capacity of 95 patients but currently is overflowing to 126 male patients and without tranquilising medication. It puts nurses and paramedical staff at serious risk of assault and harm by these patients who are in the acute phase of illness.
Last week the acting principal nursing officer shocked all and sundry when she told the nurses that they knew and accepted the risks when they applied for the job. This was when she had received reports that nursing staff were afraid of being assaulted by a newly admitted patient who had gone berserk. She even reportedly threatened nurses in Khumalo ward with dismissal if they refused to put themselves in danger.
The essential drugs used in the management of mental illness are major tranquilisers such as chlorpromazine haloperidol; diazepam antiepileptic, phenobarbitone and carbamazepine, antidepressants the likes of immipramine. Most of these drugs are now out of stock.
The situation has worsened such that patients relapse while in hospitalisation. Ironically people are supposed to get better after being admitted and treated. But this has not been the case due to the shortages.
ZimEye has found that these patients are merely incarcerated, a clear infringement of the rights of patients, nurses and the general public. Staff at the institution revealed that the patients are allowed to travel back to their families when they can spend days away with no medication.
When contacted for a comment, the hospital’s nursing management were non -committal. The hospital’s chief executive officer, Noboth Chaibva is on record denying any drug shortage. More to follow…
Vapositori churches are known for encouraging and practically teaching Zimbabweans curious techniques of attacking ZRP cops.
Zimbabweans have in the last 24 months reveled under the theme Tsvimbo Yemupositori Kumapurisa- “the Vapositori’s long stick must be used tto bash ZRP cops.”
This development saw the church leader, Madzibaba Ishmea whose group brutally assaulted police officers two years ago, rise to the position of a community Robin Hood hero. The theme “beat up all ZRP cops” continued as Ishmea went underground and was missing for several days with both CIO and CID officers failing to trace his whereabouts. He was thus hailed as a near immortal when he resurfaced over a week later earning himself the title Madzibaba Ishmael (although his real name was Ishmea). That appearance fueled the fame while also fanning his flame as the only church leader whose church goes on record for physically withstanding against the police.
Zimbabweans this week however complained when they noticed a group of Bishops from the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) urging Zimbabweans to pray for the country’s leadership and stop resorting to violence to solve contradictions. ACCZ is an umbrella body representing apostolic and Zion churches in the country.
Speaking soon after arriving from a two-week tour of Israel, Bishop Noel Charuma said as churches, they would continue to rally behind President Mugabe as he was constitutionally elected by the people.“We are happy for our President and proud of him because when we were in Israel, people there considered him the African President”, he said.
“It is surprising that some churches are inciting violence at a time they should be praying for the leadership as required by the word of God. We encourage people to pray to God even when things are hard. We have to turn to God as a nation. That is the only way of finding solutions to our problems. Violence will never take us anywhere but will leave us worse off.”
Bishop Choruma added: “Our responsibility and aims as churches is to pray for our leaders and our Government so that God intervenes. We also pray for President Mugabe to continue leading us with knowledge and wisdom. We are against those churches that condemn the leadership.”
Head of delegation and ACCZ secretary general Reverend Matthias Tsine said people should respect any leader appointed by God.
“We as the ACCZ encourage Zimbabweans to respect our President and seek divine intervention rather than going against the President,” he said.
After a snap survey it emerged howevet the ACCZ leaders are the small number who have been used by Robert Mugabe to sing for him at airport jet’ins and other state functions.
The National Prosecuting Authority has insisted that suspended Prosecutor-General Johannes Tomana be called to court to personally respond to the application for legal costs incurred in the private prosecution of former Bikita West legislator Munyaradzi Kereke.
In a letter addressed to the court, Acting Prosecutor-General Advocate Ray Goba said Tomana, whose decision not to publicly prosecute Kereke is in question, should be given an opportunity to explain himself.“In order that the court may properly determine the question of costs, I respectfully submit that it is fair and reasonable that the then Attorney-General whose decision is impugned be afforded an opportunity to be heard in person,” he said.
“I further submit that an informed appraisal of the circumstances of that decision is only possible after giving him audience.”
Adv Goba said since the State was not part of the prosecution, the “audi alteram partem principle” (principle to natural justice) should be visited and State should be given an opportunity to be heard before a decision is made.
He, however, likened private prosecution to private litigation saying that in civil matters, the losing party bears costs.
“In any event, in the penultimate analysis and considering that a private prosecution is in the nature of ‘private litigation’, it stands to reason that like in civil matters, the burden of costs ought to fall on the unsuccessful party,” reads part of Adv Goba’s letter dated August 5.
Adv Goba further said that there has to be exceptional and compelling reasons for the State to be burdened by the costs other than the mere allegation that Tomana’s decision turned out to be wrong.
“If such were to be visited on the State then as the matter is one of statutory discretion, then such must be exercised judiciously and on exceptional grounds other than merely that the decision of the public prosecutor/AG turned out to have been wrong,” he said.
Principal Law Officer Mr Morgan Dube, who was in charge of set down office then, deposited an affidavit that was attached to the letter in which he narrated how Tomana declined to prosecute Kereke.
He said whatever he did on the case, he was working under Tomana’s instructions.
“On September 22 2011, the then AG instructed that prosecution be declined in the matter of State versus Munyaradzi Kereke who was facing rape and indecent assault charges indicating that there were inconsistencies in the evidence of witnesses,” he said.
“After a lapse of about a year, the complainant’s guardian continued to write letters seeking to know the position of the case, and I would each time brief the then AG. He later ordered me to recall the docket from the police and send it for prosecution.”
He said the matter was finally set down for trial on October 10, 2012 and the trial date was November 14 of the same year.
“The then AG Johannes Tomana then instructed me to halt the process of service of summons to the accused person pending a fresh recording of a witness statement from the rape victim. The complainant’s guardian refused to give another statement stating that he was satisfied with what was in the docket.
“Mr Tomana indicated that the decision to decline prosecution was to stand,” he said.
In a letter to private prosecutor Mr Charles Warara, regional magistrate Mr Noel Mupeiwa said: “As we agreed, the matter is set down for August 15. If Hon Johannes Tomana manages to avail himself on that day, then we will hear his submissions, but if he fails to avail himself, be prepared to answer to these submissions and the ruling will then follow.”
Mr Warara made the application for legal costs three weeks ago, in terms of Section 22 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.
In his application, he wants the court to consider the legal costs either against the PG’s Office or Kereke. -state media
Mandiwanzira strikes again, pictured here with Alfred Marisa
SUBSCRIBERS are set to lose following a directive by the Supa Mandiwanzira controlled Postal Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) to suspend data bundles promotions by mobile operators.
The directive by Potraz would alienate the regulator as the promotions have been embraced by subscribers as relief in the tough operating environment.
In a statement yesterday, NetOne Cellular said that the bundles reappear and data bundles reloaded have been suspended from 6pm on August 4 until further notice.
“You can still enjoy the most, with the One that gives you the lowest tariffs and fastest 4G browsing all around the country. Any inconveniences are sincerely regretted,” the company said in a statement.
NetOne acting CEO Brian Mutandiro said the company was complying with the directive and any further questions should be directed to Potraz.
“It’s a directive given by Potraz, its Potraz who can respond as to why they have issued that directive as NetOne we don’t have a problem but to comply with the directive,” Mutandiro said.
Econet on Sunday released a statement on the suspension of promotions which they said have not been approved to go beyond July 31 2016. The promotions that were suspended for Econet include 7x promotion and double data.
Econet executive assistant to the group chief executive officer Lovemore Nyatsine said: “The company is engaging with the regulator on the way forward and will update customers if and where there are material developments to report.”
Telecel Zimbabwe sent sms to customers informing them about the suspension of data bundles promotions.
“Dear customer due to a regulatory directive, we have stopped mega bonus and other promotions, until further notice. Apologies for the inconvenience caused,” Telecel said.
Telecommunications companies have been leveraging on data as subscribers have moved from voice calls.-newsday
Dear ZimEye,
Soon after his death, Vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa will be remembered for no more than the following 5 things:
1 – Insulting adults calling them his little kids. He labelled his predecessor, Joice Mujuru “Chanana Ichi” while also attacking President Robert Mugabe’s nephew, Patrick Zhuwao calling him this silly young boy, “Pwere Iyi.”
2. For allegedly calling the President’s Wife “A Prostitute”; Mnangagwa being labelled a Serial Womaniser by the First Lady Grace Mugabe, who also calls the President’s wife A Prostitute.
3. For allowing a Politburo member to call him(Mnangagwa) The Son Of God.
4. For being the only government official to be attacked by an asteroid from outer space, according to his secretary Mrs Magaya who gave an official report that a large rock fell from heaven and went straight for the desk Mnangagwa sits.
5. For telling people to brew beer to appease ancestral spirits if while asleep they see a vision of ZANU PF losing power.
TerrenceMawawaChivi A sex-obsessed local man severely assaulted his wife until she lost her left eye because she had refused to have sex with him.
In an incident that raised the ire of the local community and women’s rights groups, Tawedzerwa Gwarera(26) of Tavagadza Village, under Headman Mupindu in Chivi, nearly killed his wife after she refused to have sex with him. Gwarera ran amok, charged at his wife and thoroughly bashed her totally incensed by her refusal to have sex with him.
He appeared before Magistrate Bishard Chineka last week facing assault charges. Gwarera returned home at around 4am on the day and demanded to have sex with his wife, Portia Tavenyika but she refused. Angered by his wife’s refusal to have sex with him, Gwarera assaulted her with open hands and fists on her head. Tavenyika lost her left eye after being severely assaulted by Gwarera. Gwarera was remanded in custody to August 10 2016. Tavenyika’s relatives expressed shock at Gwarera’s reckless behaviour.
“We believe that whenever there are differences between married people, it is advisable to resort to dialogue.We do not know why Gwarera arrived home at such an odd hour. This could be the reason why Portia refused to have sex with her husband. She wanted to know where Gwarera was coming from at 4am,” said one of Tavenyika’s relatives.
Press Statement :Leonard Zhakata’s Harare and Kwekwe based fans have all the reason to smile as the Mugove hit maker takes his act to the respective cities this weekend. These are Zhataka’s first performances in the two cities since the official launch of his latest album Mutungadzese. Zhakata is billed to play at Destiny Night Club in Westlea on Friday 12 August before proceeding to Tropical Hotel in Kwekwe the following day. Zhakata has been touring since the release of his latest album. He has so far been to Banket, Beitbridge, Chegutu, Glendale, Guruve, Kadoma, Masvingo and Mt. Dawrin where mostly of the shows have attracted large crowds and fans, new and old, have fallen in love with the new offering. Some Harare-based die hard Zora fans have had to travel outside the city to see Zhakata and the Zimbabwe All Stars belt out live songs from the album. “It is our turn, and all Harare based fans should attend and enjoy the latest product, especially Madam boss which has sent many fans, new and old, crazy”, said a Zora addict Emmanuel Saruchera.
Meanwhile, the pre-Zora show atmosphere is electric in Kwekwe as the show at the Tropical Hotel has been heavily publicised as reported by Blessing Mtimati, a Kwekwe based Zora fan who posted on Zora Fans what’s up discussion group. ‘This is the first time I have seen so many Zora posters in Kwekwe since 2006 when I moved to Kwekwe, and I look forward to a great show”. Wrote Matimati
Zhakata’s latest album has evoked mixed feeling with some fans calling on him to revert to the old bit in songs such as Mugove which catapulted him to stardom. Regardless, fans attending shows are enjoying the new songs, and the song “Madam Boss” is causing havoc on radio stations and quickly rising on the radio top hits. Zhakata rose to prominence in the early 1990s when he was part of the Maungwe Brothers, working together with his late cousin, Thomas Makion. He is well known for hits such as Mugove which became a national anthem during its days and continues to be a favourite for his fans at shows to date.
The Local Government Board has approved the appointment of Mr Maxwell Kaitano as town clerk for Chinhoyi Municipality. He is set to start his duties on August 15, following the nod from the Local Government Board to end the marathon search for a town clerk. Mr Kaitano faces a mammoth task of turning around the town’s fortunes.Chinhoyi Mayor Mr Test Michaels confirmed the development adding that Mr Kaitano comes at a time when a lot needed to be addressed.
“I can confirm that Mr Maxwell Kaitano will be our town clerk starting from August 15. We received communication this week (last week) from the Local Government Board,” he said.
Mr Michaels said the new town clerk is coming to a town weighed by high expectations for turnaround of water supplies, increased revenue and clearance of salary arrears top on the priority list.
Chinhoyi Municipality is eight months behind in paying workers’ salaries, while it is only able to provide 55 percent of the town’s water requirements.
“We want to ease water challenges and improve supplies to around 100 percent from the current 55 percent so that we can provide water throughout the day,” he said.
Mr Kaitano takes over from Mr Mungororo Mazai, who resigned in a huff. – state media
Acting CEO Edmund Makona talks to Minister Joram Gumbo
The troubled airline, Air Zimbabwe which has been operating for years without a substantive boss will apparently get one soon.
The airline is almost through with the process of selecting a new chief executive officer who is expected to give the airline new wings, board chairperson Chipo Dyanda has said.
The airline has been operating without a substantive head since 2011 when Peter Chikumba failed to renew his contract.
Edmund Makona has been the acting CEO since 2013. Before him, Innocent Mavhunga had been heading the organisation in an acting capacity since 2011 before he was shipped out in 2013.
“We are almost done with the process,” Dyanda told NewsDay.
She could not say when the post would be filled as the matter was going through various processes.
In June, the Dyanda-led board intensified its search for a substantive head conducting interviews for the four shortlisted candidates. The candidates included among others Makona and former acting CEO Oscar Madombwe.
The interviews were conducted by the board and a human resources consultancy firm, Industrial Psychology Consultants. They were a follow up to the psychometric tests the quartet had earlier participated in.
In April, AirZim gave interested candidates up to May 6 to submit applications. The airline said it was looking for a visionary strategist and leader “who demonstrates a professional and flexible leadership style”.
The candidate, it said, should be able to develop, implement and evaluate turnaround strategies including managing workloads and resources and align organisational strategies, with stakeholder groups which include government and government institutions.
The ideal candidate should exhibit a good understanding of the airline industry, business operations, processes and systems, it said.
Once one of the best airlines in the region, the national carrier has fallen down the pecking order, weighed down by gross mismanagement, with a former minister describing it as a “museum of mismanagement”.
The new CEO was expected to stop financial bleeding of the airline amid revelations it was making monthly losses as it was generating an estimated revenue of $2,65 million against operational expenditure of $5,94 million, according to a report by the portfolio committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development. The report was presented in Parliament last week.-newsday
Brown “urine” belongs to Emmerson Mnangagwa’s faction….Moyo
The Minister for Higher Education Prof Jonathan Moyo has suggested that Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s faction is behind a suspicious ‘brown substance’ found in his office.
Some say the brown liquid was merely human urine, but Moyo says it was rather a dangerous chemical sprinkled onto his chair during the break in which occurred at the weekend.
In the interview with a local daily, Moyo insinuated that he is being persecuted for supporting President Robert Mugabe, “We will continue unfazed and with renewed determination to assist … Mugabe to discharge his electoral mandate,” he said cryptically. Mnangagwa’s supporters have made public statements calling on Mugabe to step down immediately for him to take over.
So bad have the renewed factional and succession wars been ravaging Zanu PF that Moyo said he and others in the party were being persecuted for rallying behind Mugabe in the former liberation movement’s ugly and seemingly unstoppable ructions.
A miffed Moyo told the Daily News yesterday the suspicious break-in, now being investigated by the police, was both “shocking and unprecedented”. He said, “this is shocking and unprecedented, although it’s no reason to fear anyone or anything.”
The weekend break in into Moyo’s office comes amidst reports that the Zanu PF faction rallying behind embattled Mnangagwa, which has been at the receiving end of savage mauling over the past few months by its avowed party foes, the Generation 40 (G40) group, is said to be fighting back with “malicious intent”.
Well-placed Zanu PF sources yesterday said that the feeling among many in the camp was that they now had “very little to lose anymore” after suffering serious setbacks since late last year, including having many of their kingpins unceremoniously chucked out of the warring ruling ground.
“After a lull in this mindless war, there are renewed fears within the party that we could soon witness blood on the shop floor, as the stakes are very high. Indeed, Team Lacoste is fighting back with malicious intent like cornered wild animals.
“They feel they have little to lose anymore, which is why you have since the beginning of this week even been seeing some of their big guns breathing fire in State media and threatening the G40 with all kinds of serious action.
“(Defence Forces Commander General Constantino) Chiwenga’s weekend interview did not help matters as well as it was interpreted in some party sections as a factional rant and threat,” a Zanu PF bigwig said.
Moyo’s comments came as “burglars” broke into his New Government Complex offices at the weekend, and sprinkled an unknown brown substance on his chair.
The G40 faction stands accused of being rabidly opposed to Mnangagwa ever taking over from Mugabe, with Moyo said to be the brains behind the group along with Zanu PF national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko among other senior party officials.
What makes the fears that the succession battle consuming Zanu PF could now turn bloody is the fact that the language being used by the combatants has taken a turn for the worse, amid an increased incidence of mysterious break-ins at the offices of senior government officials.
Since his appointment as one of Mugabe’s deputies in late 2014, Mnangagwa’s offices at the New Government Complex and at Zanu PF Headquarters have been broken into a record six times —with authorities vainly pledging to bring the culprits to book each time that this has happened.
Up to today, no one has been apprehended in connection with the vexing break-ins, leaving both observers and petrified Zanu PF members to speculate that all these “burglaries” are inside jobs related to the ruling party’s deadly succession wars.
This is said to be the case, more so after Mnangagwa’s secretary had to be hospitalised after being poisoned with suspected cyanide in one of these break-ins.
In January last year, “burglars” also broke into the offices of the then Transport minister, Obert Mpofu, with police saying nothing was stolen from the offices.
This was followed by another burglary at Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku’s Mashonganyika Building offices where the assailants stole a desktop computer and a television set.
A few days later, four judges also reported that they had lost keys to their offices, prompting
the Judicial Service Commission to urgently request police security at the Supreme and Constitutional courts.
Boost for sex workers on trade route Lilongwe — “God bless you mum” read the words on a piece of material with the picture of a woman with a baby on her back and a clay pot on her head. The fabric is stretched over an open window where a group of women dotes over a baby girl.
The women’s laughter is barely audible over the loud music coming from the bar on the other side of a crude log fence.
Inside the room, a middle-aged woman sits on a reed mat with her legs stretched out in front of her, leaning back against a stained white wall.
The three rooms at the back of this busy bar on the Malawian side of the border with Mozambique are a brothel owned by Fanny Malumbo and her sisters.
“In January, when we opened this business, people from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) came over and spoke to us about how to conduct our business more safely,” Malumbo said.
Initially the 40-year-old, who has been a sex worker for 20 years, was not paying attention to the workers from MSF. “I was thinking: ‘I have been doing sex work for many years and now they were coming here and telling us how to conduct our business.’”
But when they started listing some of the symptoms of sexually transmitted infections, she got worried.
“I realised that I was experiencing some of those symptoms. I was menstruating for several weeks by then,” she recalls. “The following day I went to the MSF office at Mwanza Hospital and told them what was happening.”
Malumbo was referred to a doctor at the hospital and was later diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Caused by the human papillomavirus, which is mainly transmitted through sex, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women living in less developed regions, according to the World Health Organisation.
“Luckily they caught it early so she was able to get treatment and now she’s fine,” said Bertha Nyerenda, the MSF worker who helped her.
Adds Malumbo: “Most of us (sex workers) actually don’t feel encouraged to go to clinics and hospitals. But because they come to us, we are able to get services we didn’t have access to before like HIV testing.”
The MSF office in Mwanza, where Nyerenda is based, is part of a project in which clinics provide healthcare along a busy trade route that is used to transport goods throughout Southern Africa.
The route is frequented by truck drivers who often have to stay overnight at the truck stops; this provides plenty of work for sex workers.
The project operates in border towns between Malawi and Mozambique and recently expanded to Zimbabwe.
According to a government report, there are an estimated 15 000 female sex workers in Malawi.
This is a fraction of the country’s population of more than 16‑million people. Sex work is illegal in Malawi.
The services are tailored for the specific healthcare needs of marginalised people, such as sex workers and migrant workers, who are at a higher risk of HIV infection than the general population.
She provides sex workers with sexual and reproductive health education, including HIV counselling and testing.
She also makes sure her clients can get hold of long-term contraception, as well as treatment for tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections, at a state clinic or hospital.
She explains: “We don’t treat the sex workers for illnesses, but we give them an entry point into the healthcare system.”
A few kilometres down the main road from Malumbo’s business, Melina Alan (not her real name) sits on a wooden bench in the courtyard of the compound she shares with her friends and colleagues.
The daughter of a church leader, she is a long way from home – 100km, to be precise.
“My mother doesn’t know what I’m doing here. When I left home I simply told her that I got a job in Mwanza,” the 23-year-old explains, fiddling with the cellphone in her hands.
Alan says she was forced into sex work last year when her relationship with the father of the youngest of her three children broke down.
“I don’t do this because I enjoy it; I do sex work out of desperation,” she said.
“My father passed away a long time ago so I have to take care of my mother and my children.
Without my boyfriend’s help, this is the only way I can take care of my family.”
It is lunchtime and several women sit in their doorways, squatting over makeshift braziers, stirring pots and speaking loudly over the banging music coming from beyond the compound walls.
“These women are from different places. They came here to work at a bottle store in the area but they end up doing sex work to supplement their income,” Nyerenda explains.
During their regular visits to the compound, MSF staff counsel and test the women, and provide them with free condoms and lubricant.
They recently referred Alan to the hospital to get emergency contraceptives after a condom broke while she was with a client.
A 2013 government survey estimates that more than 60% of female sex workers in Malawi are HIV positive. Alan is now one of them.
“I was very scared when the doctor diagnosed me with HIV. But he told me there is still hope for me to live a normal life and see my children grow up, as long as I take the medication he gave me,” she said.
Back at the Mozambique borderpost, more trucks pull up as the sun sets. Drivers file into the bar in front of Malumbo’s brothel while the sex workers she employs prepare for the evening’s work.
“After my experience, I keep a close eye on the new girls. If I see that they are doing things carelessly, I sit down with them and give them advice according to what I learned.”
Malumbo now makes sure that all her employees have enough condoms and lubricant and discourages them from having unprotected sex. She has even changed the way she conducts her own business as a sex worker.
“Before, I would do whatever the client requested. But now I do not have unprotected sex and I have reduced my sexual partners. I only provide services to certain clients.” Newsday
Silas Memory Madondo|The Zimbabweans should not take the attack on Vice President Mnangagwa by Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister Mandi Chimene lightly. Under normal circumstances, Mr. Mugabe should have used his powers to terminate Chimene on the same day of the attack. Media reports are that, Chimene could have been under the control of dhunhanga (marijuana) when she lambasted the Vice President.
The purpose of this article is to mobilize Zimbabweans across the political divide to call for the resignation of Chimene and to support the view that, Mr. Mugabe is the source of ALL confusion in ZANU PF. If the Vice President of the nation is embarrassed, it means that the citizens of that nation are also undressed.
In as much as I hate ZANU PF government to the bone, what Chimene did was unacceptable and it supports the view that, Mr. Mugabe is behind ALL the chaos in ZANU PF. How can a minister humiliate the Vice President of the nation under the watch of the President and the media? This is a clear indication that, ZANU PF government is relying on the rule of the jungle.
The attack on the Vice President did not start with Chimene, Sarah Mahoka Hurungwe East Member of Parliament also undressed the Vice President and the nation before Mr. Mugabe. Mr. Mugabe remained quiet as usual.
Chimene should know that, Vice President of the Republic is not the Vice President of ZANU PF. We feel embarrassed as Zimbabweans and let us all bury our political differences and condemn Chimene. We should take this as a serious national issue rather than political.
Who Gave Chimene Authority?
I am 152.99% that Mr. Mugabe gave Chimene authority to speak, how can a minister like Chimene attack the Vice President of a country before a ‘normal’ President? If Mr. Mugabe was not aware, Chimene could have been terminated by now.
The former ZANU PF youth leader Godfrey Tsenangamu is another living testimony. He told the world that, Joyce Mujuru’s downfall was stage managed by Mr. Mugabe and I am waiting for Mr. Mugabe to tell the Zimbabweans his position. We were also told that Joyce Mujuru wanted to kill the 92 year old President.
Massive arms cache were found in a farm owned by ZAPU company called Nitram (Pvt) Ltd and Mr. Mugabe was quoted on 7 February 1981 by Sunday Mail as blaming Joshua Nkomo for planning to overthrow the government, an accusation which Nkomo rejected. If we are to go by Godfrey Tsenangamu’s allegations, chances are that, ZANU PF and Mr. Mugabe were the ones who stage managed the event.
The rule of the jungle did not start today in ZANU PF government, soon after the exposition of arms cache at Ascot farm, the then State Security Minister Mnangagwa also behave like Chimene before Dr. Joshua Nkomo who was a coalition partner of Mr. Mugabe. Mr. Mnangagwa is said to have boarded the same plain with Mr. Nkomo to Bulawayo but never even bothered to tell Mr. Nkomo about his mission. Mr. Mnangawa later addressed the media at Ascot farm telling the world that, Mr. Nkomo was planning to overthrow the government.
The Days of Chimene & Mahoka Are Numbered
Chimene and Mahoka are still relying on outdated tricks of ZANU PF and they should know that, their days are numbered and Zimbabweans are not ignorant. ZANU PF is already out of active politics and it is therefore good for them to apologies before the Vice President and our Nation.
They should learn from Godfrey Tsenangamu, he spoke his mind and I personally accepted his forgiveness on behalf of Joyce Mujuru.
Chimene and Mahoka should be charged for treason, attacking the Vice President means attacking the nation of Zimbabwe. I felt embarrassed and Chimene should be accountable to her actions.
Conclusion
Zimbabweans should call for the resignation of Chimene as a minister and I am appealing to opposition forces and TAJAMUKA to pile pressure on MR. Mugabe and Chimene. I am also calling upon Mr. Mugabe to clear the air on Godfrey Tsenangamu saga. ZANU PF supporters including the War Vet should think outside the box and resist Mr. Mugabe’s outdated tricks.
Silas Memory Madondo is a lecturer and a Mixed Methods Researcher and can be conducted via [email protected]
War has broken out in the country as First Lady Grace Mugabe’s aides stitched up a draconian cyber-law bill to politically assassinate Vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa and anyone else standing in Grace’s way to her presidential ascendancy. In a backfiring horror that will see the architect, Communications Minister Supa Mandiwanzira himself jailed for 5 years with no optional sentence, the man has crafted a notorious piece of legislation for the purpose. Mandiwanzira, a Mugabe relative, is now to obtain super powers to seize all cellphones and computer gadgets from any Zimbabwean citizen the Mugabe controlled government believes is engaged in what it terms “cyber crime,” a smart description for all perceived anti Mugabe activities beginning with the calls for Mnangagwa to succeed the President.
This conflict has deep historical origins having begun in March 2013, with the launching of the notorious Mai Jukwa and Baba Jukwa Facebook pages to which the Mnangagwa faction supplied the two faceless characters with ZANU PF top secrets in a bid to destroy political rivals within; from Gideon Gono to Obert Mpofu and others. In a fiery scam which also roped in ZRP CID Inspector Chrispen Makedenge, the latter exposed himself by deleting his own Baba Jukwa emails after seizing control of the Baba Jukwa email account from the army early 2014.
Following that humiliating sequel after the two Facebook pages were eventually deactivated, Mrs Mugabe would soon come out threatening to “kick out” Mnangagwa from his job declaring, “I am the one who put you up there, I can take you out.”
The Mnangagwa camp is closely monitoring the development as it prepares classic ambush reprisals on Mandiwanzira, his accomplice Prof Jonathan Moyo, and others who have enjoyed years of digital attacks on the Vice President using social media to unconstitutionally ensure he (Mnangagwa) does not make it to succeed Mugabe.
CIO can never spy into WhatsApp.
The good news for phone internet users is that no spy agency in the world can spy into phone apps the likes of WhatsApp. WhatsApp has added end-to-end encryption to all of its messages – meaning that the company cannot give information to governments, even if it wanted to.
The latest version of the app uses special security technology that means that messages can’t be intercepted as they travel between devices. Encryption ensures that only a message’s sender and recipient can read messages, stopping them from being intercepted on their journey.
State Media Cyber Terrorists.
Meanwhile, Zimbabweans woke up to shocking state media reports Tuesday morning claiming that three men based in the Diaspora, Victor Dube (resident in South Africa), Jeff Judah Hosanna (South Africa) and Tapiwa Marimbe (Australia) are ‘cyber terrorists’.
Every dictator dislikes free media. Zimbabwe under the despotic rule of 92 year old Mugabe is no exception.
The weaponry used by dictators under siege and in panic include fear and more and more efforts to control the flow of information. Through propaganda and censorship, dictators want to control the lives of people, tell them what to think, how to think, what to do, when to do it. It is about absolute control. Nazi Germany had the infamous Minister of Information Joseph Goebbels who controlled all forms of communication in the country, newspapers, magazines, books, public meetings, and rallies, art, music, movies, and radio. It is reported that viewpoints in any way threatening to Nazi beliefs or to the regime, were censored and eliminated from all media.
In what analysts have termed to be suicidal, Minister Mandiwanzira, Zimbabwe’s own Goebbels is at the final stages of crafting the bill which will see those “who the state believes” are abusing social media to force for regime change, go for up to five years in jail without any optional sentence.
Incredibly draconian is the new law that once passed, it will allow Zimbabwe’s police to seize smartphones, laptops and other “gadgets” to prevent people from communicating via social media.
Over the years government through similar draconian legislation has sought to control the free flow of information within Zimbabwe. This time round however it has an uphill task as it battles against constitutional walls. During the first #ShutDown campaign, there were attempts by government agents to block communication through the Whatsapp network, but they were out smarted by technologically savvy Zimbabweans who were able to breakdown the CIO firewall. See the full story here.
Government analysts warn that the state will soon embarrass itself once again as it will firstly not have the adequate resources to chase millions of Zimbabweans most who are in the ruling party, who are disgusted with the status quo. Analysts go further to explain that in other African situations such as the Jasmine revolution in Tunisia, citizens still overcame harsher laws to effect change.
The state media reports that the probe into what the disillusioned government calls “cyber terrorism” has begun with preliminary investigations pointing to three Zimbabweans based outside the country as originators of so called subversive and inflammatory messages on social media. However the state faces bitter legal challenges with international legal experts scoffing at the bill as being legally defective from its inception.
No UK Bail out..Chinamasa and Laing
Zimbabwe’s worsening human rights record could be setting it on another warpath with the international community, frustrating earlier attempts to mend relations.
In this vein the United Kingdom has ruled out a $1,1 billion bailout for President Robert Mugabe’s government and instead warned recent incidents of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe could torpedo Harare’s re-engagement efforts with the international community.
Harare is presently grappling to secure outside funding to prop up an economy weighed down by decades of mismanagement.
The situation has been compounded by massive de-industrialisation which has seen the national cake shrink as desperate citizens resort to informal ways of survival.
As the situation gets dicey by the day, President Mugabe has turned to old allies in the UK for a financial bailout which saw finance minister Patrick Chinamasa fly to London last month while trying to negotiate lines of credit.
Zimbabwe’s colonial master has come under fire for allegedly ignoring gross rights violations and corruption under the Mugabe regime while granting audience to Harare which is seeking to unlock a 1, 1 billion pounds bailout.
Reports have been awash that former British business minister Peter Mendelsohn met Chinamasa in Harare five months ago before the investment bank where the Labour works sought to help the regime borrow $1,1 billion.
But Catriona Laing, the British ambassador to Zimbabwe who allegedly organised the controversial meeting has dismissed the reports of a clandestine bailout plan for beleaguered Mugabe regime saying more misunderstandings were circulating regarding the UK’S approach to Zimbabwe.
“There is no bail out,” Laing tweeted on Sunday, “Like all EU (European Union) (member states) we support international re-engagement if (there is) progress on human rights, rule of law.”
Instead, Laing said, recent human rights violations threatened the re-engagement efforts.
In recent weeks, Zimbabweans have taken to the streets in protest against general misrule and a harsh economic climate.
Police have been accused of brutalising peaceful demonstrators.
Last week, five journalists were battered by police in images which were captured on video.
Human rights defenders say more than 300 people have been arrested since Zimbabweans began their street protests some two months ago.
The British envoy also denied her country was funding a certain faction within Mugabe’s faction-riddled Zanu PF as was being alleged by the country’s opposition.
“We don’t keep any party in business and aren’t responsible how they behave. There is no bail out or UK money for government,” she said.
She was however quick to say the UK was disturbed by deterioration in human rights abuses, hinting it could scupper Harare’s re-engagement efforts with the international community, particularly the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Recently we see deterioration (in human rights). (It) will make it harder to get re-engagement international financial institutions.”
Political analyst, Ricky Mukonza, said it is politically damaging for the UK to be seen to be bailing out the Zimbabwe government.
“The Zimbabwe government is the same government which has been accused of gross human rights violations against its people and suffocating democracy. Bailing out this government will be tantamount to endorsing these internationally unacceptable practices.”
Mayor Fidze…attempts to spy on his meetings TerrenceMawawaMasvingo A female member of the Central Intelligence Organisation, recently boobed on the job while spying on the Masvingo City Council private meeting proceedings, leading to her public exposure and humiliation.
The female spy it is reported was last week ejected from the Masvingo City Council Chambers after she had schemed her way into the local authority’s private committee meeting.
Alert councillors and council officials threatened to boycott the meeting over the state security agent’s presence in the closed door meeting. Typical of members of the feared spy organisation, the female CIO (name withheld) operative from the Masvingo District section, initially refused to leave the chambers claiming she had the right to to attend any meeting-even in people’s bedrooms.
There was confusion as proceedings had to be briefly halted since local authority officials and some councillors indicated it was not safe to discuss council issues in the presence of the state security agent. The cheeky spy was later asked to leave the chambers by the council’s security personnel.
Mayor Hubert Fidze confirmed the pandemonium involving the operative but was quick to point out the matter was too sensitive to divulge more details. “It is true that there was mayhem as a result of the presence of an official from the President’s office. Very soon we will have a full account of who is allowed into meetings of such magnitude,”said Fidze.
Ward four councillor Godfrey Kurauone, said the council should not twist its regulations to accommodate members of the spy organisation. “Since I got into council, it has been a stipulated guideline that non-council officials are not allowed to attend committee meetings.”
Roads closed off – FILE
Activists successfully closed the Beitbridge border yesterday, with most companies and businesses heeding the call to shutdown.
It is reported that shipping and other cross-border activities at Beitbridge slumped as most people heeded the call to avoid Zimbabwe’s border posts. While in Musina 6 000 protesters were dispersed by police and army after gathering to hold demonstrations, other posts were deserted in the morning with Customs officials handling people that arrived late in the border post on Saturday with little activity on the commercial side of Customs.
A representative of the International Cross Border Associations who organised the demonstration, Dennis Juru said they were happy with the response from Zimbabweans.
“We are happy, South African shipping companies heeded our call, there were no buses from South Africa or Harare and limited activity in the commercial Customs offices of both countries,” said Juru.
He said police in South Africa dispersed more than 6 000 protesters in Musina but they later regrouped and held meetings to re-strategise their demonstrations.
Juru said the protests are to press the Zimbabwean government to revoke its recently introduced Statutory Instrument 64/2016 restricting importation of 121 types of goods deemed available in Zimbabwe.
He said SI 64 had pushed Zimbabweans deeper into poverty since most survived on buying and selling following the closure of industries in Zimbabwe.
“These disruptions will be intermittent, we will continue today and South Africans are ready to help us,” said Juru.
“We are having Tajamuka, Zimbabwe Exiles Forum, Africa Diaspora Workers Network and Zimbabwe Communist Group working in solidarity with us,” he said.
All shipping houses on the South African side of the border were closed with no haulage truck business being processed for Zimbabwe.
Shipping agents on the Zimbabwean side had skeletal staff as most people stayed at home.
There was a hive of activity for about two hours in the morning when thousands of pilgrimages from the Zionist Church of Christ (ZCC) returning from church meetings in Zimbabwe swarmed the border post.
Soon after their departure there was very little activity inside the border.
“There are very few people travelling, there is low movement,” a Zimbabwean immigration officer said.
“We briefly got busy when pilgrims from ZCC arrived but the border went quiet again,” added the officer.
Armed police and other security agents from both South Africa patrolled the old bridge linking the two countries where a handful of pedestrians moved between the two borders.
A transport broker at Beitbridge said most haulage truck operators were keen to have their vehicles leave the South African side of Beitbridge to Zimbabwe.
“They were afraid that the demonstration might be ugly and property destroyed,” said the transport broker.-Newsday
ZANU PF Commissar and Local Govt Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere says Robert Mugabe is “Our God,” a statement that has sparked a long standing community outrage.
“There is only one Zanu PF and it is the one which is led by our god, President Robert Mugabe,” he said while attacking opposition leader, Joice Mujuru.
“If they want their party, they should just go ahead and form it and give it a name which is not Zanu PF”, he continued.
Yesterday his counterpart, the Gukurahundi massacre CIO agent, Phelekezela Mphoko also voiced saying President Robert Mugabe is “God-Immortal”. caric
Mphoko said those praying for Mugabe’s death were wasting their time as Mugabe is a God-given leader who will step down or die only at God’s will.
Mphoko said he was shocked that there are people calling themselves Christians who have the audacity to pray for Mugabe to die.
“I hear that there are people who are fasting for 40 days, praying to God for the President to die. What these people don’t know is that President Mugabe was chosen by God before he was appointed by the people,” said Mphoko as he addressed residents of Njube suburb before handing over 2,500 day-old chicks as part of the poultry project he launched in June to help uplift the lives of ordinary citizens.
“I’m wondering what kind of churches and what kind of people would kneel down and pray for someone’s death. The President was created by God in your absence but you have the nerve to ask God to destroy that person yet God has a purpose for him. What has gotten into us?”
He said if such individuals knew their roles as Christians, they would be praying for peace, their leaders and even their enemies. “That’s what the Bible says – pray for peace, your leaders and even your enemies. When God brings us on earth, we all have prophecies attached to our lives.
“President Mugabe was born on the 21st and if you read Psalms 21 it says I’ll give you a crown of leadership and long life. That’s President Mugabe’s prophecy from God. Those who’re against the prophecy are wasting their time by fasting and praying for his death,” said Mphoko.
Mphoko said people must shun tribalism.
“I’ve told people before that the Constitution says this country was fought for by Zapu and Zanu. This therefore means that the President is not a MuZezuru but a leader of this country, Emmerson Mnangagwa is not a MuKaranga but a leader of this country and I’m not a Ndebele but a leader of this country. Let’s work in unity to bring development to this country,” said Mphoko.
He warned Zanu-PF members against fighting for leadership positions. He said party members should not lose focus by concentrating on the wrong things, but they must be content with their roles and work for the people that they serve.
“People get carried away and start thinking that they are better than others or they are above their leaders. Such thinking creates problems for us,” said Mphoko.
A POLICE base caught fire under unclear circumstances in Bulawayo’s Emakhandeni suburb yesterday. National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident but cautioned against hasty conclusions that the fire could have been caused by a petrol bomb. He said police were yet to conclude their investigations. No one was injured in the incident which is suspected to have occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning.
This follows two attacks on police bases in Bulawayo recently. Last month, a police base was petrol-bombed in Magwegwe suburb but the fire was extinguished before it could spread. In February, a group of five daring robbers struck at a police base near Amakhosi Cultural Centre where they attempted to sexually assault a female cop.
Yesterday, a state media news crew visited the Emakhandeni police base and observed some officers conducting investigations. They told the news crew that they could not comment on the matter, referring questions to the police’s public relations office. The news crew noted that the fire could have started from outside the caravan that is used as the base.
Chief Supt Nyathi said: “First, it’s premature to say the police base was petrol-bombed. We’re still conducting investigations but there’s a likelihood that our guys who were at the base could have used an electric heater which caused the fire. We implore you, the media, not to draw conclusions that it was petrol- bombed,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.
He issued a stern warning that police will stop at nothing to protect their members from attack. Chief Supt Nyathi said members of the public should know that police bases are there to provide law enforcement services closer to communities.
“Police bases are meant to bring police services in places where the actual police stations might be far away from the people. Members of the public only want police services when they have been robbed or attacked. But when they’re not in need they forget that they need us,” he said.
“I want to warn members of the public who might harbour any intentions of attacking police officers. We will not stand by and watch when misguided people want to injure or tamper with officers. I want to warn them against doing things that may cause alarm and despondency in the ZRP and other State entities.” -state media
Controversial Harare preacher Walter Magaya is under fire following the leaking of his multiple sex affairs to the public.
This came as another sex scandal hit the preacher as another of his trusted pastors deserted him last month (CLICK HERE TO READ M0RE)
After ZimEye.com released the first installments on the preacher’s shocking moral conduct, the public have begun to offload their outrage with one woman scoffing, “man of God my *utt hole… Magaya followers are so blind, these are the false prophets the bible talks about…people are so gullible… he’s so false, makes false prophecies all the time but people still follow him.”
Below was the first array of comments on the man of the cloth’s string of abuses of church women:
PART 1 –Following a recent ZimEye investigation, the majority of newsreaders have concluded that top businessman Peter Pamire was murdered by the CIO (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE). This came as the Zimbabwean government was challenged to conduct a public hearing or secondary postmortem over Pamire’s mysterious death which occurred in March 1997.
Below was the first batch of reader comments following the public probe as ZimEye now reaches out to Pamire’s UK based widow for her long awaited comments:
Rine manyanga • 6 days ago
“Rine manyanga hariputirwi. It is public knowledge that Grace airara naPamire and Pamire used to boast about it. Robert Junior is certainly Peter Pamire’s son. Poor Robert junior is saddled with Mugabe’s name and yet he is Pamire’s son. Dr Fugu hezvoka!! Tichazvinzwa zvese kuurayisa vana vevanhu. Chuhure chimurderer chidofo…”
Not responsible for your problems…Robert Mugabe
President Robert Mugabe on Monday rebuked hungry Zimbabweans, telling them not to blame the government for the current economic crisis and hunger that has rocked the country.
Addressing thousands gathered to commemorate the country’s National Heroes Day in Harare, Mugabe said sanctions and the El Niño-induced drought had caused havoc for the Southern African country.
“When we are in a crisis we should know this is our problem together, not for people to point fingers at the government. The government does not make rain. We have tried to improve the lives of our people but the El Niño-induced drought and continued sanctions have caused food shortages in the country,” Mugabe said.
Mugabe said no one in the country, regardless of political affiliation, would starve as the government would continue to import maize to feed the millions who face starvation. “If you have enough food, eat and grow pot bellies, but if you don’t get enough, don’t blame the government. We try to feed everyone, including those that are not Zanu PF, it is not our culture to discriminate along political lines,” Mugabe said in vernacular.
Mugabe defended the controversial Statutory Instrument 64 which restricts imports, saying it was meant to protect local industries.
“There is no country in the world that does not protect its local industries. We know that the rand is weak and people get things cheaper in South Africa, but that is dumping. We cannot allow dumping of cheap products because they will destroy our industry,” he said.
Mugabe also attacked the Chinese for bringing cheap clothes into the country, saying it did not help local clothing manufacturers grow.
The ageing president also attacked #This Flag Pastor, Evan Mawarire, saying he was after money and not the word of God.
“Some church leaders are now after money and are not seeking God. I did not know this Mawarire until he said people should not be treated like this. But this is our problem together and not a government problem,” he said. African News Agency
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces boss, General Constantino Nyikadzino Chiwenga has rubbished an Emmerson Mnangagwa Presidency.
He said he will never accept the rise of a Mugabe successor.
He said the forces will stand firm and unequivocal by President Mugabe who was duly and democratically elected by the people of Zimbabwe, Gen. Chiwenga has said.
Speaking at a Press conference to mark the 36th anniversary of the ZDF Day Commemorations, General Chiwenga said the ZDF has been watching events in the country which have a serious potential to disturb the peace.
“These have to stop and people must focus on developmental programmes. The history of this country cannot, and will never be rewritten. It was only done once by colonialists in the Berlin Treaty, who by act of conquest, declared that they had brought civilisation and religion into Africa including Zimbabwe, as though we did not have our own religions and civilisation.”
“The African proverb which says, ‘hakuna zuva rinobuda rimwe risati ranyura’ holds true, because no nation can ever have two leaders at any one time. Therefore, the ZDF will never accept any unconstitutional change of Government and we stand firm and unequivocal by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the ZDF, his Excellency Cde Mugabe,” he said.
“It follows that the ZDF, while remaining apolitical, would not tolerate or support any unconstitutional change of Government in the country, whether internally or externally induced”
Gen Chiwenga who was flanked by Air Force Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Philip Valerio Sibanda and six other generals said while potential threats to Zimbabwe’s security were many, the Zimbabweans should know that the country is under the threat of asymmetric warfare.
He said to date the threat has manifested itself by way of psychological warfare, intrusive political interference, diplomatic isolation and socio-cultural intrusion.
“Where contradictions exist, we must be able to dialogue, bearing in mind that we are one people. We should learn to synchronise our approaches and have a common vision where the nation thinks with one mind, hears with one ear, speaks with one voice and collectively pulls in one direction.”
“It is the ZDF’s hope, therefore, that the internal component of this asymmetric threat to the country will take heed and desist from these divisive activities for the betterment of the whole nation,” he said.
He said recent events in Zimbabwe clearly demonstrate that State institutions, socio-political systems and even territories can now equally be threatened by manipulation of ideas through the use of social media giving an example of a communiqué attributed to a clique of war veterans which he said was a clear illustration of social media by the fifth column and its quislings.
Gen Chiwenga said investigations were underway on the matter and culprits will face the full wrath of the law saying the ZDF will work with other security services to ensure that effects of certain information, ideas and concepts that infiltrate into the population depict what is in line with the preservation of Zimbabwe’s values, vision and culture.
The ZDF, he said, will take deliberate steps to ensure that the country’s Constitution in its entirety, is not only protected and defended but is also upheld, sustained and supported at all times.
Asked on media claims that he was supporting a faction allegedly led by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Gen Chiwenga said, “That is nonsense. Do you believe in that? People who peddle such kind of nonsense are not worth their soul.”
Gen Chiwenga congratulated President Mugabe, the nation and all members of the defence forces and their families on the 36th Anniversary of the ZDF. He said the celebrations will be held under the theme, “ZDF: Resolute in Defence of Constitution, National Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity and National Interests for Social and Economic Growth”. – state media
VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday said those praying for President Mugabe’s death were wasting their time as the President is a God-given leader who will step down or die only at God’s will, the state media reports.
Mphoko said he was shocked that there are people calling themselves Christians who have the audacity to pray for other people to die.
“I hear that there are people who are fasting for 40 days, praying to God for the President to die. What these people don’t know is that President Mugabe was chosen by God before he was appointed by the people,” said Mphoko as he addressed residents of Njube suburb before handing over 2,500 day-old chicks as part of the poultry project he launched in June to help uplift the lives of ordinary citizens.
“I’m wondering what kind of churches and what kind of people would kneel down and pray for someone’s death. The President was created by God in your absence but you have the nerve to ask God to destroy that person yet God has a purpose for him. What has gotten into us?”
He said if such individuals knew their roles as Christians, they would be praying for peace, their leaders and even their enemies. “That’s what the Bible says – pray for peace, your leaders and even your enemies. When God brings us on earth, we all have prophecies attached to our lives.
“President Mugabe was born on the 21st and if you read Psalms 21 it says I’ll give you a crown of leadership and long life. That’s President Mugabe’s prophecy from God. Those who’re against the prophecy are wasting their time by fasting and praying for his death,” said Mphoko.
Mphoko said people must shun tribalism.
“I’ve told people before that the Constitution says this country was fought for by Zapu and Zanu. This therefore means that the President is not a MuZezuru but a leader of this country, Emmerson Mnangagwa is not a MuKaranga but a leader of this country and I’m not a Ndebele but a leader of this country. Let’s work in unity to bring development to this country,” said Mphoko.
He warned Zanu-PF members against fighting for leadership positions. He said party members should not lose focus by concentrating on the wrong things, but they must be content with their roles and work for the people that they serve.
“People get carried away and start thinking that they are better than others or they are above their leaders. Such thinking creates problems for us,” said Mphoko.
TRAGEDY struck a wedding party in Bulawayo yesterday when three bridesmaids sustained injuries after a vehicle they were travelling in veered off the road and plunged into a ditch.
The bride, who was meant to be travelling in the same vehicle, was somehow persuaded not to board the ill-fated car at the last minute. A woman, who declined to talk to The Chronicle, cried uncontrollably at the accident scene.
The wedding was slated for today.
The three bridesmaids and a decorator were rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital with some injuries when the driver of a vehicle they were travelling in failed to negotiate a curve along Old Khami Road near Delta Beverages.
The name of the bride could not be immediately established. When The Chronicle arrived at the scene, ambulances had rushed the four accident victims to hospital for treatment. Scores of people disembarked from their vehicles to get a glimpse of the wreckage. On seeing the car, which was a write-off, some people said it was God’s mercy that the four had survived.
“Is there anyone in the car?” asked one woman before breaking down in tears. She was comforted by those who had accompanied her. A relative who spoke to The Chronicle but declined to be named said the bride was also supposed to have been in the car.
“She could have been in the car as well and we don’t know what we would be doing now. But we stopped her from boarding the vehicle saying umakoti wethu (our bride) stays with us today. They’re supposed to be getting married tomorrow,” said the relative.
He did not disclose whether the wedding would continue or not. “They are now in hospital but we’re hopeful that they will recover,” he said before dashing into a car. – @nqotshili
The four were said to have been on their way to Barham Green suburb for last minute preparations ahead of today’s wedding. It was not clear late yesterday if the wedding would go ahead as scheduled. State media
By Redley Mugabe | Speculation has hit the nation over President Robert Mugabe’s fast approaching expiration date.
A dark cloud of whispers hovered over the nation on Monday as people questioned Mugabe’s real age and health status. President Robert Mugabe’s body on Monday
Mugabe who of late has several times been captured on camera fast asleep during important meetings, has also tumbled down in public. The man who turns 100 years in 2k days from today, has dodged his own speech for the second time without noticing.
A helix of ideas torched the nation after a picture showing his said “dying hands” taken earlier today at the heroes acre, fueled wild speculation that he is now on his way out.
There have been rumours that Mugabe as part of his health treatment in countries the likes of Singapore and Malaysia, undergoes regular face-lifts to make him look younger. However young his face may appear, his hands today betrayed him, delivering the 92 year old man into the hands of critical inquisitive Zimbabweans. Not even oil can help Mr Mugabe’s dying frame, a health analyst said Monday. Why are they punishing this man instead of allowing him to rest?, wrote another.
By Dr. Masimba Mavaza | The future of the revolution looks bleak as weaknesses and divisions in the opposition reinforce the regime’s position.
Zimbabwe’s opposition is as miserable as the regime in Harare. Perhaps they are two sides of the same coin – both mirroring the country’s political failures.
One of the main reasons for the ruling regime’s inefficiency is the absence of a genuine opposition.
The 2013 elections, when ZANU PF was RE ELECTED succeeded because of divisions in the main political forces opposing it. The opposition is so terrified with itself and also to unite to an extend that forming a formidable force is a fallacy.
Before the elections there was space for political pluralism to flourish. Zimbabwe is now ruled by an authority, unopposed by an opposition that is outdated and divided. It has failed to unite despite countless opportunities, the latest being the formation of Zanu PF there has always been space for political pluralism to flourish in Zimbabwe but selfishness and intolerance has manifested itself in the opposition without shame. If we exclude civic groups that supported the status quo or stayed silent as the incumbent took control, only few groups are left to oppose the current regime and the tragedy is they can not unite.
First, the MDC and its fragmented supporters. This group is weak and lacks political vision. Despite carrying out daily demonstrations, the group has failed to make any tangible political achievements.
They have been an opposition for the past 18 years and now they are very comfortable as an official opposition. Any opposition which tries to raise its head is ruthlessly crushed by the MDC . This is all done in order to maintain the opposing position. Like a small child the opposition is silenced by sweets.
The second group is the remnants of revolutionary forces that sparked the 70’s revolution, which overthrew the people and socialist revolutionaries. They still raise their slogan of “dignity, freedom and social justice”. However, having failed to unite with a popular bloc or social movement, this group has had minimal impact on the balance of power. They become victims and are thrown out like used tissue paper. Now that they are in the cold the other opposing bullies want to have nothing to do with them.
The third group is composed of exiles attempting to undermine the regime remotely. In doing so, they are justifying the regime’s propaganda of a foreign conspiracy. They are not trusted by other revolutionary forces because they have tried to speak for them without coordination.
The fourth category is the groups that have taken up flags against the regime. They lack a popular support base, and the more violent they are, the closer people move to the regime. People yearn for a brave united force to stand in front of intimidation
All four groups are serving the regime’s interests. Their behaviour is consolidating its power, by validating the argument the opposition is chaotic and causing instability.
The Zimbabwean opposition mirrors the Syrian opposition, whose divisions have obstructed the Syrian revolution from its outset. This is not meant to be an attack, but an analysis of the miserable position of opposition forces in Zimbabwe as the 2018 elections gets closer.
Instead of speaking with one voice the opposition has let the populace down. Demonstrating in Masvingo will not shack the system. Opposition must grow and unite without that. There will be nothing.
Zimbabweans will dream on and the economy will dive. Masses will suffer. The opposition will always demonstrate and the chance to save Zimbabwe will elude us once more. [email protected]
By Staff Reporter| After a promising weekend and Heroes’ holiday, the Chiredzi community was yesterday plunged into mourning after two fatal accidents happened soon after an exciting soccer match between Triangle fc and Highlanders at Gibbo stadium.
Triangle beat Highlanders 2-1 and the win immediately threw wild celebrations among its supporters albeit being shot lived 30 minutes later. STORY CONTINUES BELOW…
A school headmaster at the only multi racial school in Chiredzi,South Eastern College, was involved in a fatal crash at ZSA,15 km from Gibbo stadium where he and his family were coming from. According to the police officers who attended the scene, Chimhamiwa tried to overtake a group of cars in front of him and was impeded by another vehicle which was part of the convoy which moved into his lane unexpectedly.
He tried to avoid the vehicle and swayed off road rolling several times. One of his children on board died on his way to hospital.
Thirty minutes later, another vehicle belonging to another businessman in Chiredzi was involved in a similar crash that claimed two lives. One of the passengers died on the spot. Names of the deceased were not released at the time of going to print since police insisted that they wanted to notify their next of kins.
However ZimEye.com managed to verify that the Toyota D4D which rolled several trips at Zaka turnoff belongs to Chiredzi business man, Obriel Ngwenya. The vehicle was being driven by Ngwenya’s brother in law and was coming from a funeral in Gweru.
The driver of the vehicle escaped unhurt.
These two horrific incidents have cast a dark cloud over Chiredzi residents – ZimEye
President Mugabe and First Lady Grace Mugabe are welcomed by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the Heroes Day Commemorations at National Heroes Acre in Harare.
StaffReporter |President Robert Mugabe launched another scathing attack on #ThisFlag Pastor Evan Mawarire who he once again blamed for the wave of protests that have hit the country.
Speaking during the Heroes day commemorations, Mugabe said; “But some like Mawarire, we do not know where he came from, latching on to it and inspiring protest. He urged people to go into the streets. They damaged property and threw stones at police. That is no good and will not be allowed.” Mugabe made this remark in apparent reference to the negative reaction that the introduction of Statutory Instrument 164 had invited. Under siege now exiled Pastor Mawarire
In his remarks Mugabe also made a veiled attack on the South African government for its protectionist tendencies,“If the South Africans feel aggrieved we should talk. The South Africans also cried foul over the medicines we were exporting to that country. They did not want us to transport those medicines by road, rather they wanted us to use air which would make them uneconomic on landing. So we must talk with our colleagues in South Africa.”
Angry Zimbabweans who are affected by SI 164 are mobilising to close all borders in a quest to force the government to reverse this policy.
This is not the first time Mugabe has attacked Mawarire pubicly, he also attacked him during the burial of his former aide Charles Utete, calling him a fluke. “So beware these men of cloth, not all of them are true preachers of the Bible,” said Mugabe.
He continued, “I don’t know whether they are serving God. They spell God in reverse.”
Turning to the Movement for Democratic Change’s President Morgan Tsvangirai, Mugabe said he had heard that the opposition leader was calling for a coalition, which he derided as another useless attempt to remove his government. Speaking in shona vernacular, Mugabe said, ” I heard Tsvangirai calling for a coalition as the only way to remove this government. This is it, you have failed to remove Zanu PF? It is a party with deep roots. These are the roots. These graves are not to be played around with.”
Mugabe repeated that Zimbabwe would never be a colony again.
pictures below
Dear ZimEye.
Two girls, Lorcadia and Lainess Macheka, were knocked down by a kombi at Chinhamo bus stop in Chief Marozva.
The kombi driver who was heading towards Mutare, lost control of the vehicle after he had dozed off while on the steering wheel.
This happened on Friday and the girls were buried yesterday. The Kombi belongs to Mr Mushumbi of Dangamvura in Mutare.
The accident happened in Chief Marozva’s principality in Bikita.
Who is after Prof. Jonathan Moyo, brown substance found on chair
The drama in Zanu PF continues as reports emerge of the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Professor Jonathan Moyo’s office being burgled and a suspicious ‘brown substance’ found on his chair.
The state media report that the burglary took place at the New Government Complex on Saturday night and police have launched investigations to ascertain the motive behind the incident. An unknown brown substance was sprinkled on Prof Moyo’s chair. The assailants also broke into seven offices belonging to the ministry’s principal directors and directors. They gained entry into all the offices after tampering with the ceiling panels.
Various electrical gadgets and two laptops were stolen from the offices. The ministry’s acting principal director for administration and finance, Mr John Dewah, last night confirmed the incident. He said they suspected that the break-ins could have occurred on Saturday night.
“I discovered in the afternoon that most of our offices including that of the minister had been broken into. I then made a report to police at the police post here (New Government Complex),” he said.
He said police and other security agents attended the scene and they were still compiling and checking the items and gadgets that were stolen. Mr Dewah lost a laptop that he had left in his office.
He said they had since beefed up security at their offices as police investigations continue. In January, there was a break-in at VP Mnangagwa’s office at New Government Complex and Government expressed concern at the continuous break-ins and pledged to bring the culprits to book.
This was the sixth time unidentified culprits had tampered with VP Mnangagwa’s Government offices and at the Zanu-PF headquarters. VP Mnangagwa’s offices have been broken into four times at the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and once at Defence House when he was Defence Minister.
His offices at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare were broken into by unknown elements in 2014 who laced his desk with cyanide, poisoning his secretary who had to be hospitalised. In the latest break-in at the Government Complex, the culprits drilled a ceiling panel to gain entry. There were no indications of anything stolen.
In January last year, burglars broke into the office of the then Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Dr Obert Mpofu, but police said nothing was stolen. Police said the motive of the break in could not be ascertained.
The burglar forced open three doors and tried to enter into Minister Mpofu’s office but failed. In August Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku’s Mashonganyika Building offices was broken into with the assailants stealing a desktop computer and a television set.
A few days after the break-in at the Supreme Court, four judges reportedly lost keys to their offices, a development that prompted the Judicial Service Commission to urgently request police security at Mashonganyika Building, which houses the Supreme and Constitutional courts. state media
Elias Musakwa , a musician-cum-businessman and politician TerrenceMawawaBikita | The war in the faction ridden Zanu PF continues to claim scalps, the latest victim being, musician -cum -politician Elias Musakwa. He has been kicked out of the fiercely contested race to represent the party in the Bikita West by-election.
Musakwa was kicked out of the race after the party’s provincial executive vetted him out because of his perceived association with the beleaguered Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The seat fell vacant after Munyaradzi Kereke was last month sentenced to 14 years in prison for raping a minor.
Party sources told ZimEye that Musakwa was disqualified on flimsy allegations. However, Zanu PF provincial chairman Amasa Nhenjana, a declared G-40 member claimed Musakwa was disqualified because of gross indiscipline. “Elias Musakwa, Everson Machaya, Wellington Mutisi and Tichaona Mandebvu were disqualified because they failed to meet the criteria.”
“Musakwa was disqualified on the grounds of indiscipline. He vanished with a party vehicle and to date we do not know where the car is. Musakwa had since distanced himself from party activities only to resurface because there is a by-election,” explained Nhenjana.
Although Nhenjana justified Musakwa’s disqualification party insiders maintained the Ngaavongwe Records founder was sacrificed because of his association with the Team Lacoste. Six candidates will battle it out in the Zanu PF primary elections in the Bikita constituency.The six are Gibson Mashingaidze, Beauty Chabaya, Joshua Dhewa, Jeffry Murire, Douglas Makuku and Simon Masosomere-ironically all are known G-40 members. The winner of the primary elections is likely to be elected uncontested since opposition parties have indicated that they will not participate in the polls because of lack of electoral reforms.
taste of freedom…Jenni Williams
Members of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise who were arrested, Saturday, at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo where the Zimbabwe and New Zealand match cricket was taking place, have been freed.
WOZA leader Jenni Williams and nine other WOZA members have been released on free bail after spending two nights in police detention following their arrest on Saturday for what the police have termed “criminal nuisance”.
The nine were taken to Nkulumane Police Station, while Williams was detained at Donnington police station.
Mapostori demand that war vets apologise to President Mugabe
The war veterans association and the members of the Vapostori are headed for a showdown after Zanu PF bootlicker, Johannes Ndanga, has called on underfire war veterans leader Christopher Mutsvangwa and his executive to seek audience with President Robert Mugabe and apologise for their “transgressions”.
Addressing thousands of congregants at The True Apostolic Faith Mission of the Whole World (TRUE) apostolic sect in Magunje on Saturday Ndanga, the president of the Zimbabwe Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe, blasted war veterans for severing ties with Mugabe, describing the move as an act of indiscipline.
Higher and Tertiary Education deputy minister, Godfrey Gandawa, and three local chiefs attended the event.
“There is confusion in all this. The war veterans are acting as if they liberated themselves only. What about the general populace? Those who they fought for are silent. What is this noise all about? I have an army background, and was taught of discipline. If these guys are true war veterans why are they not disciplined?” Ndanga asked.
“They should go back to their leaders, lest they will become paupers soon. They should apologise, sit down and end this confusion. The war veterans’ behaviour will result in the youths becoming rowdy, and some of them will have their farms taken over by the youths. We are praying for the nation and people should be calm, better days are coming.”
War veterans, long regarded as Mugabe’s last pillar of defence, recently severed ties with the Zanu PF strongman through a damning communiqué where they described him as a dictator.
But Ndanga said the move by Mutsvangwa’s executive was uncalled for and should be reversed. He also ruled out fears of civil unrest.
“People should be relaxed. There is no civil war. We prayed over it.
We saw it coming, but as apostolic sects we came together and prayed over it. People should remain calm and the economy will stabilise. We are just against the churches that emerge during times of crisis, and these churches should not be taken seriously. They have their headquarters in the Western countries. The government should work with the traditional churches like apostolic sects and all will be fine,” he said. Newsday
Mugabe tells those commemorating Heroes Day celebrations he cannot be removed 1244: “I will no-longer say it’s a day of mourning but a day of celebrating…we’re happy that you left us a legacy and with that we can proudly say as I say long live Zimbabwe, long live our freedom, long live our sovereignty, makorokoto, I thank you,” 1242: “Ndakanzwa VaTsvangirai vachiti ngatibatanei tiite coalition, ndiyo yega nzira yatingaita kuti hurumende iyi iende..ehe makatadza kuikurira ka Zanu-PF? Iparty ine midzi..ndiyo midzi yacho iripano iyi..makuva aya haasi ekutamba nawo….Zimbabwe will never be a colony again, ndoshoko ravari kutaura varume nemadzimai varipano avo,” 1238: “I call for peace and unity among Zimbavweans, let us remain united in defence of our sovereignty, in defence of what our national heroes fought for, we should remain united, remain cognisant fo the fact that without unity we cannot make much progress…that is why things like protests don’t pay because they usually end being violent protests, zvinobatsirei kuti muende mumigwagwa kuti muratidze kuti munogona kuposhera matommbo, kurova mapurisa nematombo..kashinji ndozvinoitika izvozvo se vanhu vasati vashanduka,” 1234: “We praise our security forces for the calm that has been, the peace that has been but we praise them also for international peace obligations..tine vanhu vanobva kumauto, vanobva kuchipurisa vanenge vachidiwa kunyika dziri kutsirwa ne United Nations…they continue to raise the flag of Zimbabwe very high, makororkoto,” 1229: “The rural electrification has seen 8 579 Government institutions being electrified but 3 580 institutions mainly primary schools are yet to be electrified countrywide. In terms of road infrastructure…meaningful strides have been made,” 1223: He says Government is working on a number of programmes aimed at improving arrivals in the tourism sector as well as promoting local tourism. 1221: “Government will also implement mining reforms which are targeted at plugging the leakages that have been hampering the mining sector….tundege tunenge tichiuya muma farms umu tuchitutu goridhe redu..izvozvo kubirana hatizvide,” 1219: “Kana ve South Africa vakachema..asi isuwo tine mishonga yatai producer wo asi vaiti hatidi kuti iuye by road ngaiuye nendege kuti isvike ikoko yakudhura..saka ndezvekutaurirana izvi nehama dzedu dzeku South Africa,” 1216: “Kuvabatsira ikoko, zvino yakava nyaya hoo hapana zvikabva zvapindirwawo…nevanonzi VaMawarire..ndivo vakabva vasvetukira nyaya yacho..zvikadaro hapana nyika pasi pano isingazvi dzivirire..ndoyatinoti dumping iyoyo…hamungade kuti mazitye apinde munyika,” 1213: “Murawo wakaitwa unokwaniswa kuitwa ne hurumende asi uchibvumirwa uri pasi pemwuwe murawo unenge wapasiswa ne Parliament, uyu wakaitwa kuti ubatsire nyika yedu, tibatsire vanhu vedu vanorima angave madomasi nezvimwe zvakadaro zvinotengeswa muno munyika zvanga zvakuora nekuti kune vamwe vanga vakuti aah zveku South Africa zvakachipa kudarika zvemuno,” 1210: President Mugabe says the recent gazetting of the SI64 is meant to protect local industry. 1208: “Usashore, usati aiwa chikafu chakupiwha veZanu chete hachizi chokwadi..handizvo zviri mutsika dzedu, mukubatira kwedu kwenyika…economic activity in the agriculture sector has remained subdued due to effect of the El Nino weather phenomenon..in view of this Government is committed in pursuing strategies that guarantee food security in rural and urban communities,” 1206: “Saka tichiti ngati rambei tiri mugwara irworo rakatarwa nevarume nemadzimai varipano vakazvipira vachibva kunzvimbo dzakasiyana siyana, tinge tichionana zvisinei nekuti unobva ku region iyi….kana tava nenjodzi ingati pinde, takaita njodzi yema sanctions yataramba tinayo, kuzoita njodzi yemvura inoita kuti zvokudya zvoshomeka…huremende haisiyo inonaisa mvura kwete, asika chionai zvadaro inozama painogona napo kuti mhuri irarame kwese kwese hazvinei kuti uyu ndewe party ipi kana ipi,”
1201: “Hongu pazuva ranhasi tininge tichiyeuka magamba edu tininege tichiyeuka zvikuru kuzvipira kwavakaita kuti zuva ranhasi rigovapo, kuti rusununguko rugovapo, tinenge tichiyeuka zvakare kuti mukurwira nyika iyi kwaisava nezvekuti ava vaiva kwavo ava vari kwavo, vaiva vakabatana,”
1159: President Mugabe says “today as per tradition we are gathered at the national shrine and various shrines across the country and neighbouring countries. We continue to honour our gallant sons and daughters,”
1154: President Mugabe is now on the podium.
1153: Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo is now addressing the gathering as the Master of Ceremony. He says though they lie silent their heroic deeds beckon the people to follow them. He invites President Mugabe to address the people.
1136: A pastor is currently preaching on the podium. He castigates pastors who talk of “potholes and the police” in church instead of praying for the leadership.
1128: Meanwhile, hundreds of people are gathered at the Mashonaland Central Heroes Acre in Bindura to commemorate the fallen heroes.
THE $600 000 security upgrade at Beitbridge Border Post is fast paying dividends with six corrupt Zimra, immigration and police officers having already been arrested after being caught on Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) collecting bribes. The Government secured the equipment, which also includes lie detector machines, to curb corruption at the border post and ensure maximum revenue collection.
The CCTV equipment was installed in July at points unknown to border personnel. Two immigration officers based at the country’s busiest border were arrested last week after they were allegedly caught on camera taking bribes of R300 each from travellers.
It is believed that the two were paid to tamper with stamps for two people who had overstayed in Zimbabwe. The two, Precious Ndomupei Dumbu and Tinashe Gotosa, will soon appear in court.
The arrest brings to six the number of border officials who have been arrested after the Government introduced secret cameras at Beitbridge Border Post with a view to reducing corruption. A border official close to the case said Dumbu and Gotosa were picked up by the Ferret squad soon after allegedly collecting the money from two travellers.
The Ferret squad is made up of various security agents at the border including Zimra and Immigration officials.
“We picked them up soon after receiving the money which was concealed in two passports. Investigations are still in progress and they will soon appear in court,” said the official.
A fortnight ago, two members of the police Support Unit were picked up by detectives from the Border Control Unit collecting money from illegal immigrants who were leaving and entering the country.
The official added that two Zimra officials had also fallen victim to the CCTVs when they were seen collecting money from smugglers. Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele said he was yet to get information on the arrest of the immigration officers.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo said during a recent visit to Beitbridge Border Post that the Government had secured $600,000 that would be used in mobilising resources to curb corruption at the port of entry.
He said corruption was affecting the Government’s revenue collection capacity. The Minister, who heads a Cabinet crack team set up to look into operations and reduce smuggling activities, said the country is losing a lot of potential revenue through underhand deals at the ports of entry.
Other members of the inter-ministerial team include the Ministers of Finance and Economic Development, Mines and Mining Development, Environment Water and Climate, Industry and Commerce, and Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development.
He said so far they had bought motorbikes and vehicles for patrols along the boundary line. “Lie detectors have also been acquired so that we curb corruption among border workers,” the Minister said.
Dr Chombo said they were working on setting up a new border perimeter fence to replace the one that was vandalised by criminals. “Mobile scanners and luggage scanners are now in use and we will do everything in our power in order to increase the revenue collection capacity.
“It’s sad that Zimra is collecting $800,000 against a daily average of $1,2 million,” he said. He said soon they will introduce polygraph machines that will see workers at the border being subjected to lie detector tests which is the norm internationally. State Media
co-working space for artists. Lochnation is engaged to hip-hop artist Tehn Diamond, son of former cabinet minister and Cottco boss Sylvester Nguni. Tehn, 31, has yet to release an album and is struggling to maintain the upkeep of the beautiful Tanzanian born Bgoya. Wicknell has been secretly buying gifts for the former Off The Wall host and this last weekend they took their relationship public.
Mandiwanzira, a Mugabe relative, is now to obtain super powers to seize all cellphones and computer gadgets from any Zimbabwean citizen the Mugabe controlled government believes is engaged in what it terms “cyber crime,” a smart description for all perceived anti Mugabe activities beginning with the calls for Mnangagwa to succeed the President.
A POLICE base caught fire under unclear circumstances in Bulawayo’s Emakhandeni suburb yesterday. National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident but cautioned against hasty conclusions that the fire could have been caused by a petrol bomb. He said police were yet to conclude their investigations. No one was injured in the incident which is suspected to have occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning.
By Dr. Masimba Mavaza | The future of the revolution looks bleak as weaknesses and divisions in the opposition reinforce the regime’s position.
