Government has reduced student teachers’ allowances from $329 to $157.
Students yesterday told ZimEye.com presenting their printed evidence.
“I am also a student teacher at MKOBA Teacher’s College and I am on teaching practice,” they said.
They continued, “we were all caught by surprise this time since we have been receiving $190 into our accounts after the college had deducted $140 for tuition fee from the $329. But we only received $10 now into our accounts and we contacted our SRC president to confirm.
“She then told us that she was told of the matter by the Salary Service Bureau this night (Tuesday).
“Right now as I am talking have got a message $10 which I have just received,” they concluded. More to follow…
WATCH: Wedding Splash | Oluhle
Oluhle touches various aspects of successful wedding planning.
MUGABE CHAOS:Politburo Meets to Discuss
Robert Mugabe’s personally handpicked politburo members are on Wednesday meeting to discuss the President’s chaos caused through his personal utterances to commit violence on all people calling for him to step down.
Last week Mugabe violated the constitution when he threatened torture on every war veteran who votes to suggest that he steps down.
While the state media says that various issues affecting the party and general state of the economy would be handled, sources revealed the Mugabe discord with war veterans would take center stage.
“You know Zanu-PF and war veterans cannot be separated so it is important that the party establish the origins of that document disguised as a war veterans’ communiqué,” a source told the state media referring to the paper in which Mugabe is ordered to resign with immediate effect.
Mugabe last Wednesday attempted to out-do the war veteran’s communiqué as he tried out another so called war veterans’ meeting at the shake shake building. But a ZimEye.com investigation with Mugabe’s lieutenants unraveled the whole plot. People who gathered to pacify Mugabe were predominantly youths and post-war-born women. Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba also revealed to ZimEye he had no standard statistical evidence to support his claim that some war vets are in Mugabe’s support.
Party secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo confirmed the meeting. Although he did not divulge the agenda, the state media says latest political developments and the economy would be discussed. “Yes, we are meeting on Wednesday as Politburo,” Chombo said.
Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa is likely to also give an update on measures being implemented by Government to improve the economy.
Last month, Minister Chinamasa presented several intervention measures to the party’s Central Committee, which he said were at various stages of implementation.
Among the interventions, Chinamasa said Government had introduced cash withdrawal limits and had put in place mechanisms to ensure that companies, especially those in the retail sector bank their money.
The state media source added saying: “Another aspect that can be up for discussion is the issue of appeals that are still pending. Sydney Sekeramayi could also give a report on the current developments in the war veterans sector, where some few individuals are seeking to cause confusion in that critical arm. You know Zanu-PF and war veterans cannot be separated so it is important that the party establish the origins of that document disguised as a war veterans’ communiqué.”
The source continued: “A preparatory roadmap for the National People’s Conference to be held in Masvingo in December is also likely to be discussed. We need to set various committees to do the preparations of that conference,” they concluded.
Mutsvangwa Photo-Bombs Magistrates Court
War Veterans Chairman Christopher Mutsvangwa yesterday photo-bombed the Harare magistrates court at war vets icon, Douglas Mahiya’s hearing.
Mutsvangwa who was recently expelled from ZANU PF stood smiling several times as he lingered around the building.
People assembling for court were shocked to see Mutsvangwa confidently pacing into the building.
He was snapped with activists and lawyers. In the picture is Mutsvangwa with Crisis Coalition’s Mfundo Mlilo.
Beatrice Mtetwa Rescues Arrested War Vets Leaders
Prominent human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa has moved in to rescue the arrested leaders of the war veterans association, Victor Matemadanda and Francis Nhando.
Just as the war veterans spokesperson Douglas Mahiya obtained a taste of freedom, the state rushed in to arrest two more senior members of the association.
This happened as the spirit of Tongogara and other fallen heroes of justice and good leadership was evoked by an identified woman in an apparent trance before the full court this morning.
She lamented the injustice against the liberators and the oppressed children of Zimbabwe as something that went
against the ethos of the war they fought for.
President Robert Mugabe has publicly threatened a violent crackdown on those responsible for authoring a controversial communique which orders him to step down immediately and endorses his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa to take over power. Mnangagwa has distanced himself from both communique and its authors timidly ducking away while endorsing Mugabe’s moves to arrest them.
The police arrested the two at the Harare Magistrates Court where they joined scores of other liberation fighters in solidarity with Mahiya. Surprise attendances were made by other members of the association Dr Fay Chung and People First leader, Joice Mujuru.
The atmosphere was tense as defiant war vets especially women refused to be cowed down by the heavily armed riot police.
Mahiya Freed After Minister Chung Entrance Into Court
Another senior veteran of the liberation struggle, former cabinet minister, Dr Fay Chung this morning made a solidarity appearance at the war vets spokesperson, Douglas Mahiya’s bail hearing. Mahiya was soon freed after Chung’s entrance on USD 300, which his family is reported to have paid.
The court had been adjourned to 3pm after the Mugabe-controlled compromised state prosecutors fought against an earlier grant for bail.
Magistrate Chikwekwe had granted Mahiya the $300 bail in the morning, but the State invoked section 121 as amended by the 2016 Amendment to the criminal procedures and evidence act.
Chung joins other senior veterans of the liberation struggle, who have taken a stand against state harassment in the case of Mahiya. Former Vice-President Joice Mujuru was also in court this morning.
Chung’s Background :With the escalation of the guerrilla war inside Rhodesia, in 1973 Chung joined the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU). Her participation with a banned political organisation drove her into exile in Tanzania, and later Mozambique in the mid- and late-70s where she learnt to speak Shona fluently. Her initial role within ZANU was in the Information and Media Department; she subsequently became the senior official responsible for implementing the movement’s teacher training and curriculum development in refugee camps.
WATCH: Tongogara’s Fiery Spirit Rises from the Dead at Mahiya Court Hearing, Screams Aloud!
https://youtu.be/Q424M4SHwsI
BREAKING NEWS- “Spill Blood” at Mahiya Court as Matemadanda Is Arrested, But War Vets Defeat Police
LIVE REPORT: Hoardes of police officers at the Douglas Mahiya court hearing seeking to demoralise war veterans have been defeated by the liberation fighters, just as “Spill Blood,” Joice Mujuru fearlessly walked through the CIO infested courtroom.
Combatant war vets were at the time of writing singing revolutionary songs reminisce of the time when they defeated Ian Smith’s government. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW…
War vets exclusively told ZimEye.com [RECORDING BELOW], that they will never be cowed down or intimidated by Robert Mugabe’s threats to kill them Gukurahundi style.
Mahiya crushed Mugabe’s prosecutors winning his bail this morning. But as the war vets walked out of court, Secretary General, Victor Matemadanda was arrested.
Just as he was violently whisked away by the cops, the war vets began to protest.
Meanwhile below was the legal update from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. RECORDING LOADING… refresh page
Court has just adjourned till 3pm. Meanwhile Magistrate Chikwekwe had granted Mahiya $300 bail but the State invoked section 121 as amended by the 2016 Amendment to the criminal procedures and evidence act. Mahiya’s lawyer Nkomo argued that the section has been amended to the effect that the Pp or PG needs to make an application for suspension of bail before the magistrate
Taxi Driver Jumps Out of Moving Car To Fix ZRP Cop
A BULAWAYO pirate taxi driver allegedly jumped out of a moving vehicle to fix a police officer who had boarded it after arresting him.
The vehicle careened into a storm drain while the cop and a passenger screamed for help.
The driver, Japhet Nyathi (23), allegedly tried to jump over a precast wall as he escaped from the scene but it crumbled.
Nyathi pleaded guilty to a charge of malicious damage to property. Western commonage magistrate Mr Stephen Ndlovu remanded Nyathi out of custody to Wednesday.
Nyathi apologised to the court, saying that he had already started paying for the wall.
“I’m sorry your worship I really don’t know what had gotten into me. I’m in the process of paying the owner of the house,” said Nyathi.
Prosecuting, Mr Kenneth Shava told the court that on July 17 Nyathi passed a roadblock at Pumula more than eight times. He said one of the officers on duty suspected that he was pirating and decided to board his vehicle.
“Once inside the officer asked accused person to park his car by the roadside.
“Accused person accelerated. He suddenly jumped out of the car. He jumped over a precast wall causing it to fall. Total value of the demolished wall is $300,” said Mr Shava.
According to a statement made by the cop, Nyathi said he wanted to fix police officers for harassing pirating drivers.
“He said police officers would learn a lesson for harassing them. He refused to stop and increased speed. He even refused to drop one of his passengers in Pumula,” read the statement.
The police officer said Nyathi jumped out of his moving vehicle which then plunged into a trench.-state media
Army Begged To Block Mugabe
Esteemed war veterans of the liberation struggle have joined hands with millions of “born free” civilian Zimbabweans to beg the country’s military and security bosses to block President Robert Mugabe.
This is in the face of his threats to commit violence of Gukurahundi massacre levels (as analysts say), the first of their kind against loyal liberation fighters, the 92 year old said last week.
Under the constitution the army is under strict instruction by law to protect every Zim national in the face of threats to life within and outside Zimbabwe’s borders wherever and whenever the police and CIO are limited.
Mugabe last week violated the constitution when he threatened to violently deal with the war veterans who two weeks ago told him to resign in a historic paper submitted by a large crowd of his own cadres in Harare, lawyers say.
Mugabe on Wednesday announced he would torture the war vets: “Once we find out who wrote that statement, the party will punish them. “During the war we had rebels who we punished… some by detaining them underground, feeding them there,” he said pointing to the torture he exerted on those who disagree with him.
Mugabe also threatened protesters with jail, saying the country did not want violence.
Airing their views in writing at the weekend, Zimbabweans begged the army to deal with Mugabe. “Please don’t just bunk, you need to act, remember you created this on us, ” wrote one Harare resident.
As War Vets’ spokesperson, Douglas Mahiya, was arrested last week, scores of war veterans joined the chorus at the weekend, saying they would not be cowed down by one man, Mugabe. “We are prepared to die if he wants to kill us for speaking our views,” wrote one vet who asked not to be identified.
Will the army act? – DISCUSS
Chiwenga’s contract expires.
Meanwhile, it emerged that Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) commander General Constantine Chiwenga’s employment contract is about to expire amid indications President Robert Mugabe will not renew it. Military sources said should Mugabe decide not to extend Chiwenga’s contract, Zimbabwe National Army commander Lieutenant-General Philip Valerio Sibanda will take over.
Will the army act? – DISCUSS
FC Platinum Beats Caps United | PREMIER LEAGUE POINTS
Kwesesports – FC Platinum maintained their grip on top of the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League table while Caps United moved to second as they humbled Highlanders on matchday 16.
A second half strike from Dominic Chungwa ensured revenge for Makepekepe on their Bulawayo rivals on Sunday afternoon.
The home team created many chances which could have given them a cushion before the break. Chungwa was the man in the middle of those misses, including a free header which he floated over the bar in the final third of the first half.
The second half saw the Green Machine organised as before, but this time Chungwa was on target as his rebound found the back of the net in the 58th minute.
Highlanders were lucky to survive another chance after Ronald Pfumbidzai was denied by the upright in the late stages of the game.
In Bulawayo, Harare City succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Chicken Inn. An own goal from Munyaradzi Dironyenye put the champions in front close to the quarter hour mark.
Despite playing great football, the Sunshine Boys never had any shot on target until the 62nd minute.
The Gamecocks then created a few chances but it was not until five minutes from full-time when Clemence Matawu doubled the advantage after a defensive blunder from the visitors.
At Colliery, Tsholotsho FC failed to recover from an early blow when they went down 1-0 at the hands of Hwange Colliery.
Gift Mbwete’s solitary goal, four minutes into the game, separated the teams at full time.
Tonderai Ndiraya extended his unbeaten run to six when his charges managed a goalless draw against Triangle United in a match also played on the same afternoon.
Dynamos’ inability to score seemed to have re-emerged after a third consecutive goalless draw at Nyamhunga against ZPC Kariba on Saturday.
The hosts started the match with the intent to grab an early lead but Talent Chawapiwa’s first minute effort was stopped by goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva.
They went on to retain the majority of the ball possession with their congested midfield winning the loose balls and
later created some chances but could not find the goal.
The last 45 minutes also saw Dembare playing second fiddle to their opponents, again forcing Mukuruva into action on numerous occasions. The match ended with no goals scored.
At Barbourfields, visitors FC Platinum escaped with a late win over Bulawayo City.
Amakhosi dominated the game and at some point, they looked as favourites to take away three points.
However, Philani Ncube’s side survived a late scare when Marshal Mudehwe hit the upright in the 85th minute.
It was not too long after when Ian Nekuti’s cross found Rodwell Chingetere, who successfully executed with a header to seal a hard fought victory.
Border Strikers squeezed a point away at Luveve against How Mine. A first minute strike courtesy of Kudzanai Kwashi gave the away team a rare lead early on.
They soon adopted a defensive mindset to protect the goal but a penalty by Praise Tonha on the stroke of first halftime saw the game end in a stalemate.
Meanwhile Mutare City Rovers played to a goalless draw against Chapungu in a match played at Sakubva stadium.
MATCHDAY 16 RESULTS
Saturday July 30
How Mine 1-1 Border Strikers
Bulawayo City 0-1 FC Platinum
ZPC Kariba 0-0 Dynamos
Mutare City Rovers 0-0 Chapungu FC
Sunday July 31
Chicken Inn 2-0 Harare City
Caps United 1-0 Highlanders
Triangle United 0-0 Ngezi Platinum Stars
Hwange Colliery 1-0 Tsholotsho FC
Mufaro Machenjera, KweseSports
BLOODY ATTACK: Teacher Assaults Female Pupil
Terrence Mawawa, Zaka | Disgruntled students at the Roman Catholic run St Antonys’ (Musiso) High School are pushing for the immediate resignation or transfer of troubled head, Immaculate Tinago following the violent attacks on a pupil and also a string of alleged corruption and maladministration acts.
The pupils have organised themselves into a militant group named Santos Boko Haram to push for the head’s resignation or transfer.
Sources at the school told ZimEye.com that anonymous letters have been written to the head’s office indicating there would be widespread protests at the school.
An A Level student at the school Kundai Makado was severely beaten up by one of the teachers, (name withheld). She sustained serious bloody injuries as result of the assault .The and students at the school are irate with the fact that Tinago is protecting the teacher who bashed Makado.
“Tinago flouted tender procedures and she spends much of her time away from school. In addition, she did not take action against a teacher who bashed an A Level student. So we will not rest until she leaves the school,” said a source.
Tinago speaking in response, said she had reported the matter to the DEO and declined to divulge further details.
“The matter is being handled by the DEO so I cannot say much on the issue. You can go to the DEO for further clarity,” Tinago told ZimEye.
Masvingo Provincial Education Director Zedias Chitiga said he was waiting for an official report from the Zaka DEO. “I have received a report about the disturbances at Musiso but I am waiting for a detailed report from the DEO. We will act on the matter as soon as we get comprehensive details,” said Chitiga.
Mugabe Attacks France Again
President Robert Mugabe yesterday savaged France as well as local non-governmental organisations for what he claimed was their open campaigns to subvert African economies in pursuit of regime change.
Last month Mugabe began threatening France resulting in that nation’s ambassador responding…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
Mugabe said he urges African States to unite to resist the machinations of the West.
“There is a vicious and comprehensive national drive as well as regional and continental vicious campaign to subvert our economies, economies of Africa through a proliferation of what I call NGOs,” said Mugabe.
“In Africa, this is all over. There is no country without NGOs supported from outside.”
He made the remarks at the National Defence College where he was guest of honour at the presentation of a National Security Policy and Strategy paper by participants in the Course 4-2015.
The participants are drawn from across security institutions here and allied countries including Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Namibia and Zambia.
The NGOs, said Mugabe, had become the West’s weapon to subvert African economies.
He said when he was AU chairman, he visited several African countries where he was appraised of the phenomenal proliferation of NGOs with sinister motives of regime change.
“They (NGOs) have become pests on our continent,” said Mugabe.
These agents of external forces, he said, were also visible in the country’s opposition Press, which he said was leading the attack on Government on a daily basis.
“We know it is sponsored from outside and there is a drive and campaign, for a long time, for regime change,” he said.
“This can be handled by the State which has its own (legal) instruments at Government level.”
Mugabe also said Francophone countries were still reeling under the bondage of their former coloniser who dictates the affairs of their countries.
He cited examples of African countries that were dissuaded by France from coming to officiate at the annual Harare Agricultural Show.
He said they were told not to come to Zimbabwe.
“That is a form of instrument that the West is still using to undermine our independence and socio-economy,” he said.
Mugabe bemoaned the rush by many students at university level for business subjects while shunning sciences.
He said Bindura University of Science Education was established to cater for Science and Mathematics, but ended up taking students for business studies.
“Science and Mathematics is what it was established for, but the disease of business studies also afflicted them,” he said.
Mugabe queried why the country’s state universities were negating the call to look at the country’s socio-economic challenges.
“Look at the needs of Zimbabwe. Look at our agriculture, we need more engineers. Look at mining, we need more mining engineers, metallurgists. Look at our roads, we need engineers,” he said.
Mugabe urged professionals to take advantage of the country’s indigenisation and economic empowerment policies to form their own companies instead of seeking greener pastures abroad.
“We are educating experts… but it is true we may not give them higher salaries compared to other countries like South Africa, Namibia or Australia,” he said.
“But they don’t have the initiatives but to work for whites baas so, so, Rio Tinto and so on. But form your own Rio Tintos.”
Mugabe also warned farmers that are clandestinely partnering former white farmers on their farms. He said that was another way of bringing back expelled white farmers. He said a land audit would soon expose them.
These agents of external forces, he said, were also visible in the country’s opposition Press, which he said was leading the attack on Government on a daily basis.
“We know it is sponsored from outside and there is a drive and campaign, for a long time, for regime change,” he said.
“This can be handled by the State which has its own (legal) instruments at Government level.”
Mugabe also said Francophone countries were still reeling under the bondage of their former coloniser who dictates the affairs of their countries.
He cited examples of African countries that were dissuaded by France from coming to officiate at the annual Harare Agricultural Show.
He said they were told not to come to Zimbabwe.
“That is a form of instrument that the West is still using to undermine our independence and socio-economy,” he said.
Mugabe bemoaned the rush by many students at university level for business subjects while shunning sciences.
He said Bindura University of Science Education was established to cater for Science and Mathematics, but ended up taking students for business studies.
“Science and Mathematics is what it was established for, but the disease of business studies also afflicted them,” he said.
Mugabe queried why the country’s state universities were negating the call to look at the country’s socio-economic challenges.
“Look at the needs of Zimbabwe. Look at our agriculture, we need more engineers. Look at mining, we need more mining engineers, metallurgists. Look at our roads, we need engineers,” he said.
Mugabe urged professionals to take advantage of the country’s indigenisation and economic empowerment policies to form their own companies instead of seeking greener pastures abroad.
“We are educating experts… but it is true we may not give them higher salaries compared to other countries like South Africa, Namibia or Australia,” he said.
“But they don’t have the initiatives but to work for whites baas so, so, Rio Tinto and so on. But form your own Rio Tintos.”
Mugabe also warned farmers that are clandestinely partnering former white farmers on their farms. He said that was another way of bringing back expelled white farmers. He said a land audit would soon expose them.
Mphoko Attacks “Prostitute” Bulawayo Voters
The controversy prone Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday took a swipe at the Bulawayo electorate calling them prostitutes. He said they are gullible and prone to being swayed by political whirlwinds.
Mphoko made the remarks as he distributed an additional 2 500 chicks to the Njube community in Bulawayo.
He said fly-by-night political parties have turned the city into their launch pad, taking advantage of the credulity of residents.
“Any politician who wants to launch his or her political party has a tendency of coming to Bulawayo first. We’ve the likes of (Messrs) Simba Makoni, Tendai Biti, Morgan Tsvangirai, Acie Lumumba and others who have turned this city into their playground because they know you’re easily carried away. In fact, they think you cannot do anything on your own,” he said.
Mphoko warned Bulawayo residents against falling into a trap of political parties bent on reversing the gains of the liberation struggle.
“People of Bulawayo fall prey to anyone who comes here to deceive them. They forget that this is a royal city. Don’t be gullible to non-traceable parties,” he said.’Mphoko blasted political rivals querying his war credentials, saying their aim was to tarnish his image.
“I’m aware that there are some people who go around saying I didn’t participate in the liberation struggle. I left the country to join the liberation struggle on April 4, 1964, and returned on January 13, 1980, together with the late Vice-President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo. I worked alongside veterans such as Cde Ambrose Mutinhiri and we were Zipra commanders,” he said.
Mphoko urged Zimbabweans not to shun their country, saying such action was tantamount to undermining the sacrifices made by gallant sons and daughters who died to liberate the country from colonialism.
“We should work for this country instead of going to Europe and other neighbouring countries leaving Zimbabwe at the mercy of foreigners who come and do business here,” he said.
Mphoko said the on-going poultry programme was aimed at reducing poverty and bringing development to local communities.
“It’s our duty as leadership to make sure that communities are empowered. We’re donating these chicks because we want to economically empower our communities through this income-generating project. I’m not expecting to get commission from this project but we’re simply assisting our people to improve their livelihoods,” he said.
The chicks are part of the poultry project the VP unveiled last month. The programme which is anchored on the country’s economic blueprint, Zim-Asset, seeks to empower communities through utilising local resources.
Mphoko warned residents against unruly elements who he said were trying to sabotage the project. The project is set to spread to every part of the country.
Member of the House of Assembly for Lobengula constituency Maidei Mpala thanked the VP for empowering her constituency. She urged the residents to embrace the project and work hard.
“We should work for this country instead of going to Europe and other neighbouring countries leaving Zimbabwe at the mercy of foreigners who come and do business here,” he said.
Mphoko said the on-going poultry programme was aimed at reducing poverty and bringing development to local communities.
“It’s our duty as leadership to make sure that communities are empowered. We’re donating these chicks because we want to economically empower our communities through this income-generating project. I’m not expecting to get commission from this project but we’re simply assisting our people to improve their livelihoods,” he said.
The chicks are part of the poultry project the VP unveiled last month. The programme which is anchored on the country’s economic blueprint, Zim-Asset, seeks to empower communities through utilising local resources.
Mphoko warned residents against unruly elements who he said were trying to sabotage the project. The project is set to spread to every part of the country.
Member of the House of Assembly for Lobengula constituency Maidei Mpala thanked the VP for empowering her constituency. She urged the residents to embrace the project and work hard.
Mphoko will next Sunday donate another batch of chicks to residents in the same constituency. The chicks were sourced from commercial farmer Mr Peter Cunningham who owns Maleme Farm in Matobo.
Evan Mawarire : Leaving To Fight To The Bitter End
Edinah Masanga | The discontent and disappointment among Zimbabweans with Evan Mawarire, for choosing to remain in South Africa for his own safety, while understandable, it is also hypocritical. It is utmost hypocritical for us to expect Evan Mawarire to die for us while we have not shown that we are ready to die for ourselves. One dead man is a victory for Mugabe not for us.
I am aware that the arrest and sudden exile of Mawarire affected the morale of the movement and disrupted its momentum but, Zimbabwe, we have to be very real and realistic here, the man cannot take chances with this bloodthirsty regime. We know there are other activists in Zimbabwe who are seemingly not have been harmed ( the argument I battled with my friend while chatting last week), but the brutally honest truth is that Mawarire posed a credible, high-level threat to Mugabe’s rule, and history is there to show us what happens to people like that.
The late youthful firebrand Learnmore Jongwe supposedly died under unexplained circumstances while in the custody of the state, and we have speculated a lot about how the ‘suicide’ took place without the guards noticing either the poison or the fact that someone was dying. Feared army general Solomon Mujuru aka Rex Nhongo died in a mysterious fire and when fire engines arrived at the scene they had no water, clearly, someone wanted him to burn to ashes. His wife Joice Mujuru was later purged unceremoniously on accusations of wanting to overthrow Mugabe. Journalist turned activist Itai Dzamara disappeared without a trace after calling for Mugabe to step down. An almost forgotten woman, Rashiwe Guzha, disappeared without a trace after becoming privy to CIO secrets in the nineties, which secrets are alleged to have implicated the presidency.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture, in fact, you already know the picture; Mugabe’s left a trail of dead or disappeared people all of whom had either threatened his presidency or opposed it publicly. Young Mawarire, an emotional pastor with a lot of charisma, meaning he is not a battle-hardened politician, cannot stand idle and wait for the unknown to happen. He has an obligation to keep his family safe, his children did not make the choice to be part of this and they need a father. Let’s cut the man some slack.
Mawarire’s safety is of paramount importance but we must not forget that the regime is cognisant of the fact that harassing the movement’s leader into hiding is an effective way to posit him as a coward who has abandoned the people. Their objective being to dent the movement and instil fear into our hearts.
The fact is, Mawarire cannot be any stronger without us. The power is, and has always been, with us. It is us who are fighting this government and it is us who are being fought by this government.
Mawarire’s #ThisFlag movement can only be stronger, and effective if we all become active participants in it. If we shun calls for a stay away and go to work when we know that bond notes are coming to make our life hell, then what else can Mawarire do? Why do you want him to stay in Zimbabwe and get killed for nothing?
The point I am trying to make is that we have to be grateful for what Mawarire has steered up in us, and we must take it and run with it and make change for ourselves. For Mawarire’s vision to be successful, we have to be willing to die with him not for him to die for us.
Edinah Masanga is a Zimbabwean journalist and writer. You can contact her on Facebook or Twitter as @EdinahMasanga.
Man Kills Diner Over Sitting Position
A 36 year old Binga man, last Wednesday, allegedly fatally stabbed a diner over a sitting position at a restaurant.
Million Muleya of Kariangwe Area under Chief Siansali plunged a kitchen knife into Zibusiso Ndlovu’s chest.
Ndlovu was a data capture clerk at Kariangwe Mission Clinic.
The incident occurred at Kariangwe Business Centre at around 4PM. Members of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee, a witness said, handcuffed Muleya and handed him over to the police.
Matabeleland North acting police spokesperson, Sergeant Namatirai Mashona, yesterday said she had not heard of the incident.
“I’m out of the province and haven’t heard of the incident. I will refer you to someone who may assist you on that,” she said.
An eyewitness, Mr Frank Mudimba, said Ndlovu who died on arrival at Binga District Hospital, was stabbed once in the chest.
“Ndlovu and a friend arrived at the restaurant which is run by Chief Siansali and they bought food. In an attempt to find seats, Ndlovu’s colleague asked Muleya who was blocking their way, if they could pass. Muleya refused and after a brief exchange of harsh words, he left the restaurant. He returned minutes later armed with a knife.
“He headed straight to Ndlovu, and in the blink of an eye, he stabbed him once in the chest. The two had not fought and Ndlovu was not even the one who had talked to Muleya. We could actually say he died in cross fire,” said Mr Mudimba.
He said Ndlovu who was from Lukosi in Hwange, had been transferred from Lukosi Hospital to the clinic about three months ago.
“As a community we’re very shocked by the incident that befell the young man, whom we heard had recently graduated. He was in his 20s and was still new in our community,” said Mr Mudimba.
Some villagers said Muleya was Chief Siansali’s aide but the Chief denied this, saying Muleya was a homeless person that he helped from time to time.
“Muleya didn’t work for me but is actually a man that I would hire to do some piece jobs like sweeping the yard at my business premises,” he said.
Chief Siansali said the stabbing occurred when he was away and therefore did not have much detail on the incident.
Bizos Says Civil War Looms In Zimbabwe
South Africa’s veteran human rights lawyer George Bizos is worried about the possibility of civil war in Zimbabwe. He has just visited the country for the first time in 12 years.
Bizos said in an interview on Sunday that he was in Harare at the invitation of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, along with other legal practitioners from the region. They went to the magistrate’s court on Saturday when Douglas Mahiya, a veteran of Zimbabwe’s liberation war, was charged with insulting President Robert Mugabe.
Mahiya was not given the opportunity to apply for bail and will return to court for this on Monday. While Zimbabwe lawyers said they were “shocked” that he was not released on bail, Bizos said: “I don’t want to criticise the magistrate. He has a discretion, and it is not unusual for that sort of thing to happen.”
Mahiya was arrested last week in connection with an unsigned statement issued by the National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (NLWVA) criticising Mugabe’s leadership and calling on him to quit office.
Last week, Mugabe, in a furious reaction, told a meeting at the Zanu PF headquarters that the war veterans who wrote the statement would be found. Mahiya was arrested and detained in cells in a notorious police station previously declared unfit for human habitation.
“The things we heard from our colleagues in Zimbabwe are of great concern,” Bizos said. “There is no unity of purpose. They say the government isn’t really functioning. Some say they fear civil war may take place.” Bizos said he hoped there would be no civil war.
He said many legal practitioners he met said they were worried about their professional futures and their country. “They were quite pessimistic. There were rumours that police would prevent people entering the court, but that didn’t happen. There were policemen there and they behaved well.
“But the roads are full of holes. And the courtroom, it is not in good shape, tiles have been removed. It doesn’t look good. The poverty now is plain to see. The removal of rubbish is hardly taking place, and this is sad, for the people of Zimbabwe,” Bizos said.
Zimbabwe’s war veterans, for a long time Mugabe’s most loyal supporters, are now turning against him. They say they are under threat. They are seen as allies of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the succession battle inside Zanu PF.
But Mnangagwa issued a statement late on Saturday saying he remained loyal to Mugabe and any disputes within Zanu PF should be dealt with by the party.
War veterans played a key role in evicting white farmers, sometimes violently, from their land from 2000 onwards. Some of them also say they played a role in the violence against Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) opposition party after it seriously challenged Zanu PF at the polls.
Hundreds of MDC supporters and others were killed and many more arrested and chased from their homes, particularly ahead of elections since 2000.
Bizos was last in Zimbabwe 12 years ago when he successfully defended Tsvangirai, Welshman Ncube, and the late Renson Gasela, on treason charges.
The three were charged weeks before Tsvangirai was nominated, for the first time, to stand for election against Mugabe, becoming the first serious opposition challenger to Mugabe since 1980 independence.
“I was recognised by many of the lawyers I met in Harare, because I spent 10 months there and I got to know them then,” he said on Sunday. IOL
ZRP Boss Rapes Teenager, Tries To Bribe Her
Assistant Inspector Moffat Mugande is alleged to have raped a 16-year-old suspect, who was in police custody at Madlambuzi Police Station in Bulilima and tried to buy her silence with R50.
It is reported he further threatened the juvenile with life imprisonment if she reported the matter.
The teenager and her grandmother had been arrested in a case of food poisoning which resulted in their neighbours being rushed to hospital.
The police officer allegedly called the girl, who was being held with her 60-year-old grandmother at the charge office, in the middle of the night under the pretext of recording a statement.
Sources close to investigations said Mugande led the teen out of the police station to a secluded place where he raped her.
Mugande, the source added, was arrested on Friday last week and spent the weekend in cells at Plumtree Police Station.
“He was due to appear at the Plumtree Magistrate’s Court facing rape charges but the matter was placed on hold pending further investigations,” said the source.
The juvenile who cannot be named for ethical reasons but stays in Masendu area said Ass Insp Mugande raped her near a dam close to Madlambuzi Police Station.
“I was picked up along with my grandmother for questioning on June 29 in connection with a case of food poisoning which involved our neighbours. We slept at the police station and around 9PM Mugande woke us up and told us that he needed to record statements from us. We asked why since we had already given our statements and he said it was procedure.
“He first summoned my grandmother who returned shortly. He then escorted me out of the gate of the police station and led me to the dam and he raped me once and he gave me R50. The police officer told me that if I reported the matter I would rot in jail,” said the juvenile.
She said on the following morning she and her grandmother were released from police custody but she remained quiet about the matter.
The juvenile’s mother who also cannot be named for ethical reasons said the matter came to light after she found her daughter in possession of R50.
She said she inquired from her daughter where she had got the money .
“My daughter refused to tell me the truth at first as she said she picked up the money. She later told me that she was raped by a police officer whom she identified as Mugande and that he gave her the money in order to buy her silence.
“I immediately reported the matter at the police station. My daughter went for a medical examination at the Plumtree District Hospital and the results showed that she was indeed raped. It is a relief that she was not infected with HIV or impregnated during the process,” said the mother.
The juvenile and her grandmother were taken in for questioning in a case of food poisoning. A Bulilima granny and her four grandchildren were hospitalised after consuming food they prepared using baking powder which they had collected from the juvenile’s grandmother.
“He first summoned my grandmother who returned shortly. He then escorted me out of the gate of the police station and led me to the dam and he raped me once and he gave me R50. The police officer told me that if I reported the matter I would rot in jail,” said the juvenile.
She said on the following morning she and her grandmother were released from police custody but she remained quiet about the matter.
The juvenile’s mother who also cannot be named for ethical reasons said the matter came to light after she found her daughter in possession of R50.
She said she inquired from her daughter where she had got the money .
“My daughter refused to tell me the truth at first as she said she picked up the money. She later told me that she was raped by a police officer whom she identified as Mugande and that he gave her the money in order to buy her silence.
“I immediately reported the matter at the police station. My daughter went for a medical examination at the Plumtree District Hospital and the results showed that she was indeed raped. It is a relief that she was not infected with HIV or impregnated during the process,” said the mother.
The juvenile and her grandmother were taken in for questioning in a case of food poisoning. A Bulilima granny and her four grandchildren were hospitalised after consuming food they prepared using baking powder which they had collected from the juvenile’s grandmother.
Police Spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi yesterday said he was not aware of the matter. State media
Bullied Masvingo War Vets Dump Mnangagwa
Terrence Mawawa Masvingo| Some members of the war veterans association have distanced themselves from the embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in his supposed support stronghold the Masvingo Province.
In a dramatic turn of events the veterans of the liberation struggle have distanced themselves from Mngangagwa, who is currently engaged in a fatal no holds barred public spat with Manicaland State Minister Mandi Chimene.
The war veterans in Masvingo who a few months ago declared open allegiance to Mnangagwa castigating the First Lady Grace Mugabe, whom they likened to a stepmother, have made a sudden U-turn and distanced themselves from the under-fire Midlands Godfather.
Furthermore, in the past the liberation fighters from Masvingo also had the tenacity to pen a scathing letter to Mugabe, attacking him for neglecting them claiming he gave them paltry allowances.
Masvingo Provincial war veterans chairman Tendeukai Chinooneka who openly attacked Mrs Mugabe a few months ago, said the former freedom fighters did not have any association with the anti-Mugabe communique presented in Harare.
He vowed the war veterans in Masvingo were fully behind the octagenarian publicly viewed to be the party’s candidate for the 2018 presidential plebiscite. “We are soldiers of the revolution and we always take orders from our commander.”
“Soldiers will never disobey orders. Lately war veterans have come under the spotlight after the communique but as former freedom fighters here, we distance ourselves from the statement. I do not think the communique was written by genuine war veterans,” he said.
I did not attend the meeting in Harare but I am sure the communique was written by a few individuals,” said Chinooneka.
Although Chinooneka distanced himself from the Harare meeting, there was a wave of panic within the Zanu PF rank and file following the strong communique calling on the veteran ruler to step down and pave way for Mnangagwa.
Mahiya Jail: Rhodesia Relived It’s Aluta Continua
Douglas Mahiya |When his brother decided to go and fight for the liberation of his country, Zimbabwe, uncertain whether he would make it back from the war, whether he would ever see him again, my dad decided to name his son after his beloved brother and so I am Douglas Mahiya. At the peak of the war the Rhodesian forces came to our homestead looking for the rebel (‘Comrade Moto’). Hearing my name being called and the white man was convinced that I was the Douglas Mahiya aka Comrade Moto who had mysteriously turned into a child (‘gandanga yachinja kuita mwana mudiki’ he bellowed).
Separated from everyone guns pointed at me the soldiers were ready to fire at the ‘child rebel’. My entire family was helpless, desperate for some kind of divine intervention as the snotty little boy cried for help with absolutely no-one to help. This family was about to lose another son to the revolution for the liberation of the beloved country. What could they do? The state machinery and institutions were fully behind the cause of the Rhodesian forces – to protect the colonial master and continue suppressing the black majority.
Just as the soldiers were about to take it all out on me, pants drenched in fear induced urine, divine intervention came through a ‘traitor’. The black man who was fighting on the side of the oppressor intervened and explained what it meant in our culture – I was saved! This experience entrenched in me a strong resentment for any form of oppression especially spiritual oppression.
The past couple of days have evoked emotions of the experience of more than 36 years ago. Armed men stormed DK’s residence in the high density suburb of Chitungwiza and placed the occupants (my brothers and sister in law with two month old baby under ‘house arrest’ until DK had surrendered himself to the police. When I arrived home in Chitungwiza, it was déjà vu. My father DK in handcuffs, reduced to a 3 year old little boy, family helpless, about 15 men empowered by the state searching for ‘subversive material’.This time around it was not a white man, neither was there a ‘traitor’ to bring the much needed divine intervention to my father.
As he sits in remand prison awaiting bail hearing tomorrow (30 July 2016 at 0900 hours at the Magistrates’ court in Harare – his family is resolute and stands firmly with him. We are not without hope for our God is a God of TRUTH!
Our prayer is simple – “LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.” (2 Chronicles 14:11)
Just as the soldiers were about to take it all out on me, pants drenched in fear induced urine, divine intervention came through a ‘traitor’. The black man who was fighting on the side of the oppressor intervened and explained what it meant in our culture – I was saved! This experience entrenched in me a strong resentment for any form of oppression especially spiritual oppression.
The past couple of days have evoked emotions of the experience of more than 36 years ago. Armed men stormed DK’s residence in the high density suburb of Chitungwiza and placed the occupants (my brothers and sister in law with two month old baby under ‘house arrest’ until DK had surrendered himself to the police. When I arrived home in Chitungwiza, it was déjà vu. My father DK in handcuffs, reduced to a 3 year old little boy, family helpless, about 15 men empowered by the state searching for ‘subversive material’.This time around it was not a white man, neither was there a ‘traitor’ to bring the much needed divine intervention to my father.
As he sits in remand prison awaiting bail hearing tomorrow (30 July 2016 at 0900 hours at the Magistrates’ court in Harare – his family is resolute and stands firmly with him. We are not without hope for our God is a God of TRUTH!
Our prayer is simple – “LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.” (2 Chronicles 14:11)
HOT SEAT : Mawarire Tackles Homosexuality, Women’s Rights And Land
Journalist Violet Gonda brings you a new series of weekly Hot Seat interviews. Her first guest is Pastor Evan Mawarire, the founder of the #ThisFlag social justice movement that has taken Zimbabwe by storm. Has the momentum of the #ThisFlag social media campaign changed since he left for South Africa following a high-profile court case in Zimbabwe? How effective can he be from outside and does the Church in Zimbabwe have a clear vision for the country? In a wide ranging interview Pastor Mawarire gives us his views on the land issue, women’s and gay rights including safety concerns following reported attempted abductions. He also comments on recent remarks by President Robert Mugabe.
Full transcript: Hot Seat with Pastor Evan Mawarire
Violet Gonda: Hello and welcome to the program Hot Seat, my name is Violet Gonda. In our first episode of this new series we talk to Pastor Evan Mawarire, the founder of the This Flag campaign that has stirred the emotions of thousands and is credited for helping people to openly speak out about the state of affairs in Zimbabwe. How are you Pastor Mawarire?
Evan Mawarire: Thank you very much for having me on your show. In terms of how I am, I am doing much better now than I was doing before and I am thankful for that.
Gonda: What an incredible couple of weeks you have had. Can you describe how this experience has changed you?
Mawarire: It has definitely changed me. The wake up call for me is that I am part of a an amazing citizenry in Zimbabwe. These are people that most people in other nations had written off or had failed to understand. But that has been the greatest impact of the last couple of weeks – discovering that my fellow countrymen are a powerful people who desperately love their country.
Gonda: It’s reported that you actually fled to South Africa after your legal team found out you were going to be re-arrested on treason charges and that you were being monitored in Zimbabwe. Is this true?
Mawarire: Well it comes as no surprise that I was being monitored at a very, very high level. Leaving Zimbabwe for South Africa really was routine. I travel here regularly as I do to other parts of the world and because of the arrest my schedule of travel had actually been disturbed. So I needed to travel as quickly as I could. But let me also mention that it was important for me to travel after that experience – just to recuperate and rest but also to spend time with Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, particularly in South Africa where many of our brothers and sisters live. To encourage them and let them know that we are in a season of change in Zimbabwe. And to once again encourage them because these are people who over the years have been working here to support their families back home. For me personally I wanted to meet them to thank them and to encourage them.
Gonda: What went through your mind when President Mugabe publicly accused you of encouraging violence?
Mawarire: It really was an unfortunate moment. His comments are not well informed. I am not someone who had incited violence in any way, shape or form. But for him to suggest that I did not have a place in my own country is heartbreaking and for many Zimbabweans. Because what I have done is to represent the issues that are on the ground and his government has failed to respond to that. And so when you respond by threatening and intimidating people it further reaffirms that sense of being abandoned as a citizen of Zimbabwe.
Gonda: Are you worried for your safety and your family back home in Zimbabwe?
Mawarire: Oh yes, I am. This is a system and a government that has dealt with me quite ruthlessly … might I add that according to the magistrate – they dealt with me unlawfully. So they have no respect for the law, they have no respect for the constitutional rights of people. And that leads me to be concerned for my safety, the safety of my family as well and this is something that we had to rethink in terms of us.
But let me also say that the one thing I have learnt for the last couple of weeks is that my safety as much as other citizens’ safety as Zimbabweans is amongst the citizens. We are the ones that look out for each other. We are the ones that back each other up, we are the ones that check up on each other and make sure that we are ok. And that’s where my security lies within the citizenry of Zimbabwe.
Gonda: If that is the case, why did you leave the country? How do you respond to people who say you were the safest person in Zimbabwe because of this massive response from the people … in a way that support was your protection and that it would have been risky for ZPF to harm you. So you should have stayed in-country. How do you respond to that?
Mawarire: True. There is definitely that response and that focus continues to be my safety. But let’s understand that even the very next day after I had left there were groups of men that showed up at my house and at my office looking for me. They wouldn’t identify themselves. So already you can see that there is a ‘stopping at nothing’ attitude to either intimidate or frustrate people when they are trying to be good citizens. So even with the safety of the citizens there is still that risk.
Gonda: When you first started your campaign what did you think would happen?
Mawarire: When the campaign first started, and I must be honest, it was a campaign that I thought would run on social media and that a few of my friends would get involved because of their love for the country – and that it would kind of end there. But as we carried on with the campaigning in different forms it started to change and gain momentum through different ways. As that happened we began to see that the job here was no longer about just a social media protest but that there was a job to stem the wall of fear. So that became and still is the main focus of inviting Zimbabweans to no longer be afraid. And it’s a long journey. It’s not an easy one but it is one that must be walked and must be achieved.
Gonda: But you were on such a high though. Don’t you think the momentum was lost when you left immediately after a high profile court-case, and this massive support you had received at the magistrates court?
Mawarire: On the contrary. The momentum has not been lost. Just because we don’t have something that is happening on the ground today or yesterday doesn’t mean that the momentum has been lost. The thing with the campaign and This Flag is that it is a personal thing for every Zimbabwean, so one of the things we encouraged was for people to start having open conversations about the issues on the ground. About the government’s failures about policies and how they have failed and how they can be improved. And those discussion and conversations are happening right now in Zimbabwe. They are growing, they are vibrant and it’s calling for people to be ready for mass action that is non-violent, mass action that makes a statement to government. So at the momentum is still growing.
Gonda: The story is you will not be returning to Zimbabwe anytime soon especially after President Mugabe publicly denounced you. Are you thinking of staying away?
Mawarire: It is very wise for me to rethink how I am going to return to Zimbabwe but I am definitely returning home.
Gonda: How long will you stay in South Africa?
Mawarire: At this point it is indefinite. I am still doing my business, I am still meeting Zimbabweans and when that time comes, particularly the citizenry will know that it’s time for me to go back home.
Gonda: How effective can you be right now from outside?
Mawarire: Again I go back to the understanding that This Flag is not about one man. It is not about Evan Mawarire. It’s about citizens. It’s about what is in their hearts, it’s about the realities that they face. So the effectiveness of citizenry doesn’t lie in me. It lies in the hearts of the citizens. This is not the only movement taking place in Zimbabwe. There are many other movements and many other efforts that are channeling the same message and are continuing to give substance to the issues that the citizenry is raising. There are 13 million Zimbabweans that are in Zimbabwe right now who are ready and prepared to stand up and challenge the government. So the effectiveness has not been hampered at all.
Gonda: Many people support This Flag across the political divide. Why do you think you have been able to get everyone to support this movement?
Mawarire: I think the success of This Flag across the political divide is proof-positive of how the citizenry has gotten to a place where they are equipped with the politicking of or the theatrics of politicians. And so people have a vehicle that does not affiliate them to a particular political movement, so that they can be free in Zimbabwe. This Flag provides them with an opportunity for someone to be Zimbabwean first before they are anything else. I think that is the success of it and I feel that for the first time I am getting a chance to love Zimbabwe, with other Zimbabweans. To have no divisions between us and put our country first.
Gonda: Your critics say the 1st stay-away only worked because the civil servants went on strike and the second stay away was a flop because they had been given their salaries … and that the day was only saved when you were arrested resulting in your supporters staging a rally in and outside the magistrates’ court … do you agree with these observations?
Mawarire: There are a lot of dynamics that are at play. The first stay-away was definitely not inspired by my This Flag. There were a lot of dynamics at play. Definitely the teachers, doctors and nurses were on strike but those are citizens and we joined together with them. So there is no division between civil servants and citizens. We are one. We are the same people and in-fact one of the demands on the stay-away was that civil servants must be paid on time. These are police, teachers, doctors, nurses and soldiers. As citizens we realize how important it is for people that work for the government to be rewarded the way they should so that they are motivated to serve their country well.. So that was a combined effort between citizens, civil servants, private sector and so forth. And again this speaks to the unity of the country.
The next stay-away – of course I was arrested and a lot of fear had then been instilled in people. The government had issued a lot of statements that were constitutionally frightfully wrong in terms of instilling fear within the citizenry. The communications controller – POTRAZ – the communications regulator put out an advert that was in violation of freedom of expression literally by every word that they wrote. That’s wrong. So people were a little bit afraid. I was arrested during those two days and that also affected the level and quality of the stay-away. I think we need to understand what Zimbabweans are trying to communicate – whether we succeed or not – the fact is that the citizenry has a story. The citizenry is trying to get their government to respond to their demands and not to react.
Gonda: You continue to say hatichatya and hatidi violence. Why do you preach non-violence a lot?
Mawarire: When we deal with issues with violence, what we give birth to is more violence. Violence begets violence. As a Pastor I am reminded of the word that talks about the sword and how if you resolve matters with fighting what you end up with is fighting. In Zimbabwe we have had this culture and this era of violence and fighting. People being beaten up, incarcerated , people disappearing. So we have to start having a new narrative that we can achieve results without violence.
Gonda: What do you think of the other movements like Tajamuka who appear to encourage confrontation?
Mawarire: They represent what people are crying out for. It is important to understand who they are and what they stand for in terms of the message. I wouldn’t come out straight away and say they are definitely a violent group. I have not personally seen that they are a violent group or accused of being a violent group. What I love about them is that they have gotten to a place where they can now say ‘we are not afraid and we must confront our government.’
Gonda: Was it your group that threatened private schools and shop owners if they remained opened during the stay-away? Is it right to do that?
Mawarire: No definitely not. We did not threaten anyone at all. Again these are machinations of those that are trying to divide the citizens. People don’t have to be forced to understand that the issues we are all standing for as citizens are the same issues. There are people who stayed opened on that day because it was their right to do so . It is not our culture as Zimbabweans to intimidate each other and to threaten each other at all.
Gonda: You have been accused by the government of being a puppet of the west … or of being sponsored by the west to destabilise the country.
Mawarire: It’s not true. We have heard this rhetoric before. It’s not the first time. So we know it. The people know that this is a diversionary tactic. We are people who have enough sense to know that when we are failing to buy food, when we are failing to lead a normal life we can raise our own voices. We don’t need to be sponsored by anyone. We don’t need to be schooled by anyone concerning our difficulties because we live them first hand.
Gonda: So who is financing the This Flag campaign?
Mawarire: Again this is a mindset that people have to change. Not everything that is effective is being financed or being funded by something or by someone. When we started This Flag it was a matter of just recording a video, going live and encouraging people to share it. It hardly costs anything to do that. And this is the proof we have been able to show – that if people stand together the cost of bringing change is not as much as it is supposed to be. For example when we did the stay-away the people asked – so how we did get everyone to stay-away? It’s very simple, every Zimbabwean who stayed away on those days paid for that stay-away with their own salary for that day. They paid for the stay-away with what they would have earned that day.
Gonda: When you started you were a lone voice and there was no need for financing but surely with all that has happened in recent weeks, this campaign has now grown to a stage where it might need financing? So as a Pastor have you thought through about who you will accept money from as time goes on?
Mawarire: As time goes on it will be necessary for certain programmes to be funded. That thought is ongoing but we are very careful about that. We don’t just take money just because we have some interesting and exciting things happening. We’ve got to be careful about that. I want to go back to the question about – if I was to look for funding who would I ask? I would ask the citizens of Zimbabwe because this is a learning curve for us. No one will pay for our change except us as Zimbabweans. So that would be my first port of call – to go to my countrymen and say with what you have and where you are, contribute to bring change.
Gonda: As a man of the cloth, what conversations have you had with substantive churches?
Mawarire: Our conversations are around issues of justice, around the issues of standing for justices, standing for righteousness, standing in favour of building a nation that respects human rights issues. I think that is our standpoint. That we speak for those with no voice, the orphans and the widows who are actually being taken care of by the Church in Zimbabwe anyway.
Gonda: Do you think the church in Zimbabwe has a clear vision of what should happen in the country?
Mawarire: I think it’s beginning to happen now. It has taken a while but the church in Zimbabwe is an amazing stakeholder and they are now coming together. We see some of the comments that have been made publicly from respected men and women of God. I think the realization is there that the Church is going to play a key role as we go forward.
Gonda: In Zimbabwe the Pentecostal faith has been accused of being ambivalent in the past. That they have played a retrogressive role to democracy. Do you agree?
Mawarire: Well the Pentecostal Churches that I have been part of have certainly contributed to the conscientisation of citizens to be upright to be lawful citizens. Sometimes people expect the church to come out and say certain things that are political and the church has got to be careful that we represent the issues of justice, of peace, of righteousness and social. So I would not say they are not contributing or completely negative or not contributing towards positive change. They have a job to remain apolitical, they have a job to represent well without muddying the waters.
Gonda: Just a couple of quick question because I know you are very busy.
Mawarire: Yes, we have just arrived now for our next meeting.
Gonda: Yes, so I will be very quick…. You are carrying the national flag that represents many things. Can you tell us what you believe in when it comes to the rights of women?
Mawarire: You have touched on a nerve of the progress of our country that is vitally, vitally important and as a country we still have a lot of work to do in terms of opening doors for our women. Doors have been shut when it comes to women and leadership, when it comes to community development and all the things that have remained reserved for male players. There is a lot of leadership, a lot of passion in our women that needs, at this very moment, to be allowed to come to the forefront. It’s got to be encouraged. We must make way for this to happen because these are the people that underpin our families. These are the people who raise the generations. So if we take the next couple of steps in the next few months and perhaps the next few years going towards the next elections and we neglect that very important aspect of our community we are definitely headed for (inaudible)
Gonda: What about of gay rights in Zimbabwe?
Mawarire: On gay rights. In Zimbabwe we have a constitution and it is important that as a country we respect all the aspects of the constitution and not just choose and pick the ones that we want or the ones that suit us. It’s part of building a Zimbabwe that works. It’s part of building a Zimbabwe that everyone can be proud of. We can disagree on certain elements in terms of culture, in terms of lifestyle but that doesn’t mean we become divided or hostile towards people who don’t believe in the same things as we do.
Gonda: What about the land issue?
Mawarire: The land issue is an issue that, which ever way you look at it, needs to be addressed. It’s part of the Africans owning their own destiny. The problem with what took place in Zimbabwe of course is how the process played out. The whole of Africa uses Zimbabwe as a case study when it comes to the land issue. So whilst there must be equitable distribution of land, which I fully support as an African in Africa, there needs to be an understanding that this needs to be done without destroying the very people you are trying to empower. We have got to do it alongside a framework that empowers people to make that land productive. The problem in Zimbabwe is that we have ended up with land that is productive but is no longer producing anything.
Gonda: And finally Pastor Mawarire. There are allegations that your campaign is being exploited by politicians. Some say you are being exploited in the factional wars in ZANU PF. That you are being exploited for succession politics. While others say you are being used by the MDC to capitalize and push for the removal of ZANU PF. Then there are allegations that your campaign is being used to pave the way for the Third Way. What can you say about all these allegations?
Mawarire: Well these are conspiracy theories. In a nation where there are a lot of dynamics at play these kind of things are obviously expected. My encouragement is to say let’s remain true to the issues and what we are after. We are after a Zimbabwe that works. I am not backing a faction and am not leading a faction. I have not sat down with anyone from any of the ZANU PF factions and I am not sure who the players are. Neither have I been inspired by the MDC at all. Neither have I met them. All these are dynamics that have an interest in Zimbabwe. Anything that shakes up things politicians naturally gravitate towards that wanting a piece of the action. But this remains an organic, grassroots inspired and it will continue to grow as a grassroots movement.
Gonda: A final word
Mawarire: As Zimbabweans we will now no longer be divided by the politics of our country but united by the dreams of our children. What we see in the future is what we aspire to. We are keen to get moving on with Zimbabwe and I would like to encourage the citizens of Zimbabwe to continue to express themselves in their own way. Continue to bring out the Zimbabwe-ness in your own heart because we need you. It’s no use to leave it in your heart. Let it out. Speak out. Speak about what you want to see and the more we speak together and share about it the more we move with a stronger and bigger hope towards what is possible.
Gonda: Mazvita zvenyu. Thank you for joining us on the program Hot Seat Pastor Evan Mawarire
To contact this journalist email [email protected] or follow on twitter @violetgonda
MDC Attacked In Violent Clashes
Bloody clashes are being reported in Kambuzuma where the Movement For Democratic Change led by President Morgan Tsvangirai, was launching its #MyZimbabwe protest campaign.
Bloody pictures show injured party supporters, with further reports that attacks are continuing into the night – Zanu PF militia haunting out all those suspected to have been at the launch. The #MyZimbabwe campaign is a roll out protest campaign led by MDC youths similar to ongoing campaigns #ThisFlag and Tajamuka.
President Robert Mugabe has threatened to deal harshly with those who challenge his stranglehold on power, but at the launch of the campaign, MDC youths asserted that they are ready to die for Zimbabwe. More to follow
“Tsvangirai Chamisa Brisk” Story is True – Standard
By Lesley Nyagwama, Johannesburg | A hot story published by ZimEye that Morgan Tsvangirai was last Wednesday pushed to the edge to dethrone Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri from their Vice Presidency recently acquired positions is true, the Standard weekly paper reports. Tsvangirai, speaking directly to ZimEye on that day, dismissed the story as false. But the Standard paper reports the contrary.
In the ZimEye interview, Mr Tsvangirai said Chamisa and Mudzuri had been appointed by the party’s National Council, CLICK HERE TO READ. But the Standard reports that the National Council had and to this day, still has nothing to do with the sudden appointments, saying that they were direct personal picks by Mr. Tsvangirai himself.
Below is the full text:
The fallout over MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s controversial decision to elevate Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri to vice-presidents reached a head last week after the party’s leaders allegedly almost came to blows during a heated standing committee meeting.
Tsvangirai appointed Chamisa and Mudzuri, who joined elected vice-president Thokozani Khupe to ostensibly prepare the MDC-T for the crucial 2018 elections.
The MDC-T leader is battling cancer of the colon and has been flying in and out of the country to seek medical attention in neighbouring South Africa. He said the appointments were also meant to relieve him of pressure of running the party while undergoing treatment.
However, the move has backfired amid reports that divisions in the party’s top echelons have reached crisis levels.
According to impeccable sources, some of the MDC-T’s 11 standing committee members who attended the meeting in Harare on Wednesday exchanged harsh words over Tsvangirai’s decision to appoint Chamisa and Mudzuri.
Those opposed to the appointments reportedly argued that the decision was ultra vires the party’s constitution and should be reversed.
They started by quizzing Tsvangirai on why Chamisa and Mudzuri were sitting at the top table.
“Tsvangirai said he wanted them to familiarise with their new roles while he reports back to the national council of his appointments. This did not go down well with some members,” the senior official said.
“This forced Charlton Hwende to propose that those who opposed Tsvangirai’s appointments should be fired from the party.
“He even said there would be no harm if the party split. But Obert Gutu charged at him, telling him to shut up and called him an idiot.
“Hwende could not take it and there were some bitter exchanges in front of Tsvangirai.”
Those opposed to Tsvangirai’s appointments said the MDC-T leader violated the party’s constitution, which according to section 9(1)(2), he should uphold.
They also argued that according to section 6 of the party’s constitution, Tsvangirai could not appoint vice-presidents.
Instead, the vice-presidents should be appointed through congress, according to section 9(1)(2).
In the event that the national council gives Tsvangirai the power to make such appointments, it should be by way of a secret ballot and there should be consensus.
While Hwende was not reachable for comment yesterday, Gutu was evasive on the matter.
“There is nothing like that; our meetings are very private and confidential and very cordial. It was chaired by president Tsvangirai,” Gutu said.
Hwende is a staunch supporter of Chamisa in the MDC-T succession politics, while Gutu, Mwonzora and others are believed to be backing Khupe. They view Chamisa and Mudzuri’s appointments as a blow to Khupe’s ambitions to succeed Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai, who is said to have quilled the infighting, agreed to appoint a committee led by Mwonzora to regularise the appointments.
Mwonzora, who beat Chamisa to the post of secretary general before the charismatic Kuwadzana MP was catapulted to become his new boss, said Tsvangirai’s appointment of Mudzuri and his long-time political foe was above board.
“The committee is chaired by the secretary general and it has a few members of the executive who include former senators Morgan Femai and James Makore, among others. it is a constitutional committee which looks on whether the constitution complies with the resolutions of the council,” Mwonzora said.
“It has completed its work and is satisfied that the constitution complies with the decision of the council, but a report will be tabled before the national council touching on the constitution itself as well as the president’s appointments of his two additional deputies.”
He added: “The president of the party Mr Tsvangirai has directed that the national council be summoned to deal with his report on what he has done pursuant to the directive from the council that he appoints vice-presidents.
“He is going to advise the national council and introduce the vice-presidents formally, as well as explain the procedure that was taken.
“At the same time, that meeting for members of the council will go through the constitution to satisfy themselves that everything is above board. A committee has looked at the constitution of the party and is preparing a report to table before the council.
Mwonzora said MDC-T members who took Tsvangirai to court would be dismissed from the party, saying they had not exhausted internal remedies before their court action.
“The president was given a directive by the national council, he implemented it and anyone who does not believe in it should raise their issues when the president reports back to the same organ,” he said.
Mwonzora said he was happy with Tsvangirai’s appointments and pledged to work well with Chamisa, despite reports of a feud between the two.
“I work with the president, I work with vice-president Khupe, she is my superior just like the president, I work with both. I worked less with now vice-president Chamisa because the people we were servicing were our seniors, [but] now that he is my superior, I will now work with him frequently,” he said.
“I don’t feel hurt about it at all.previously Chamisa was my superior when he was the spokesperson and then he was the national organiser.
“I became his superior as a secretary general and he is now my superior again. I am not hurt at all, we have been working like that.”
There are fears the MDC-T will split on the eve of a crucial 2018 election if Tsvangirai does not handle the issue well. standard
Chimene: Mnangagwa Joins Mujuru
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has joined the Joice Mujuru queue of expulsions, his nemesis and Provincial Affairs minister Mandiitawepi Chimene says.
If plans by his enemies within Zanu PF come to pass Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, will be history by December in the party he has served for decades.
This is confirmed by weekend revelations made by Mandi Chimene that her unrestrained attacks on Mnangagwa were supported by Zanu PF senior leadership amid revelations that the ruling party’s structures is axing the veteran politician.
Chimene used a so-called solidarity march to show support for President Robert Mugabe after he was ditched by war veterans a fort night ago to launch a shocking attack on the VP, accusing him of plotting to topple Mugabe.
Mnangagwa yesterday called a hastily arranged press conference to deny allegations that he was leading a Zanu PF faction that wants to push Mugabe out of power.
“I don’t know what Team Lacoste is, who leads it, where it came from and where it is going. It is false that I lead Lacoste,” Mnangagwa said.
He said all disputes in Zanu PF should be resolved using the appropriate fora and not in public.
But Chimene told The Standard in an exclusive interview that Mnangagwa had chosen to finally speak after a lot of damage had already been done to Zanu PF.
“This [Wednesday] meeting was aimed at us as war veterans to show our solidarity and support to our comrade president, President Robert Mugabe and we had support from the youths and women in Zanu PF,” she said when asked who had sent her to attack Mnangagwa.
“After realising the level of factionalism and intimidation that has been going on in the party and plots to overthrow our president, I, as a war veteran, am duty bound to defend my leader. I decided to speak out and question those who are doing it,” the minister added.
Chimene suggested Mnangagwa’s denials were not genuine as he had not denounced those that claimed to be backing his faction in the past.
“This is unfortunate, he has only found his voice now because we expected him to respond when these things started,” she said.
“He should have told people like Matemadanda [Victor], Mahiya [Douglas] and those youths who have been doing this thing in his name that they are barking like dogs.
“Surely he can’t tell us that just because we have asked him to come out clean. He allowed his name to be used and abused I assume, going by what he said, and today he tells us we are barking. We will bark in support of our president, not rebels.
“When people were declaring him to be the next leader, he did not say they were barking, he remained quiet, now he is telling us we are barking, let him think so.”
A Zanu PF source said Mnangagwa’s rivals were already pushing for a special congress this year to push him out.
“The first and important issue will be to ensure all those who have been pushing for the VP agenda go,” a senior Zanu PF official revealed last night.
“Masvingo province will soon pass a vote of no confidence on Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Ben Mahofa and Psychomotor minister and politburo member Josiah Hungwe.” Hungwe who says Mnangagwa is the son of God.
“When the province re-calls them, it will be the end of ED [Mnangagwa] in Masvingo province. The same processes will be repeated in other provinces.
“People like Victor Matemadanda, July Moyo and others who have been holding secret meetings plotting the rise of the VP will be either suspended or expelled from the party,” the source added.
“As the extra ordinary congress nears, executive members from district level to provincial leadership aligned to the VP, will be removed so that only those who are attending are pro-the First family and G40.
“From now to December, there are two critical events that will set the tone for the eventual ouster of the VP.
“These include women’s, youth league and provincial conferences.
“At these conferences, the resolutions will be to the effect that the VP must go and that the December conference be turned into an extra-ordinary congress so that the party deals with the succession issue.”
Meanwhile, the VP for the first time yesterday attacked war veterans that authored the communiqué undressing Mugabe. He insisted that allegations he was plotting against Mugabe were untrue.
“I have recently witnessed a disturbing and alien trend whereby party cadres concoct unfounded, unproven, blatant lies and callous utterances and accusations against me with the ultimate objective of deprecating and maligning my person and standing,” he said.
“I have further observed with grave concern as members of the party at various levels exhibit untoward behaviour and make utterances contrary to the dictates of the party constitution and protocol.”
Mnangagwa said he had not responded to the allegations levelled against him by Chimene and Hurungwe East MP Sarah Mahoka because he respected Zanu PF principles.
The VP, however, said he was given authority by Mugabe to chair Cabinet sub-committees as he dismissed allegations he was running a parallel government.
WARNING DISTURBING PICTURES- Bus Accident In Gweru-Kwekwe Road
Dear ZimEye
A bus accident occurred this morning along Kwekwe Gweru road, at paZongororo(Mpasiri Stop for Harare road).
The accident happened around 0800hrs.
The bus locked a rear wheel and landed on the left side.
7 injured passengers were rescued and taken to Kwekwe Hosptal.
LIVE UPDATES: Kasukuwere’s Emergency Meeting
LIVE REPORT: ZimEye.com brings our valued readers and contributors live updates from Saviour Kasukuwere’s emergency meeting which the Local Government Minister arranged for in Chiredzi today Sunday.
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1600 – Here ends our live updates…
Highlights of the meeting: Francis Nhando, Aeiles Baloyi, Titus Maluleke and the entire War vet executive suspended, pending dismissal. Those who were said to have been fired organised a counter meeting at Chishamiso stadium which was attended by many pple than the one at Tshvovani stadium. Only two councillors out of 5 Zanu pf Councillors were confirmed to be still loyal to the party. These are Blesing Mazinyani(ward 5) and Tarusenga Makamba(ward 3). Chiredzi West MP Darlington Chiwa threatened to unleash youth to close war vet’s office in Chiredzi town which is his constituency. Also said they are going to evict farmers who were given sugar cane plots by Mahofa.Youth leader Ngaarombe said they are going to call Kasukuwere to give out stands. Provincial Chair Nenjana said all war vets who are against Mugabe must be arrested.Councillors who are against the party to be fired also……..END………..
1327: Late arrival Robert Mukwena, Chiredzi South introduced
1333: Titus Maluleke, central committee member snubbed from introductions
1337: Daniel Shumba Masvingo urban introduced instead
1325: Mps Gwanongodza Chivi central, Darlington Chiwa Chiredzi west, Denford Masiya -Chiredzi East and Calisto Gwanetsa -Chiredzi South introduced
1313: Meeting almost underway. Kasukuwere no show
1239: Jeppy Jaboon, ZANU PF Provincial Commissar takes to the podium for introductions
1229: National anthem in progress.
1215: Zanu pf demands a generator and cattle that were allegedly stolen by Maluleke when he was Governor Maluleke is sitting on VIP table while being lambasted
1127: Kasukuwere still missing. Rumour is that Kasukuwere might nt attend the meeting and is said to hve travelled to China
1117: MC jonathan Mpamombe takes to the podium.says Pasi na Nhando
1112: Chiredzi East Mp Denford Masiya arriving.more rural suoporters than urban
1113: Chiredzi west MP Darlington Chiwa arrives
1111: More rural folks pouring in
1103: Provincial Chairman Nenjana also arriving
1045: Supporters from Chieedzi rural constituency also arriving in hired trucks
1027: Former Masvingo Gorvenor Titus Maluleke and Provincial Chairlady Mai Makonese arriving
0937: Kasukuwere meeting about to start. Zanu pf cadres coming in at Tshovani stadium, Chiredzi.
Chiyangwa Rescues Econet’s Strive Masiyiwa | RECORD FILES
In Strive Masiyiwa’s own words, businessman Phillip Chiyangwa has played a huge role in the Econet boss’ struggle to his billionaire affluence.
Chiyangwa may have his boulder of controversies, but history records the ZANU PF businessman for personally and financially assisting in propping Masiyiwa to his present heights. Chiyangwa is a loud protagonist and financial sponsor of black empowerment, many Zimbabweans will soon discover.
In a lunch meeting, Strive Masiyiwa explains saying he was at the time when People First leader Joice Mujuru illegally blocked his company Econet’s licence, left stranded. With a huge salary bill and a burden of debts, he was left with no option but to sell off his posh Vainona house. No bank could lend him money as he was in the negative. Then Chiyangwa came to the rescue and generously dished out the full house price into Masiyiwa hands. Masiyiwa now had enough money to pay all his workers off and the rest to survive on.
A trusting Chiyangwa did not take the house, but simply held the debt in suspense.
“Chiyangwa did not set a foot into that house. I [soon] bought it back,” said Masiyiwa at the meeting attended by ZimEye.com.
Contacted for a comment last month, a somewhat humble Chiyangwa appeared to have totally forgotten his act of kindness. He told ZimEye, “I had no interest at all in Econet, I was actually a business rival as I was part of Telecel”.
But Masiyiwa’s rival had truly assisted his business-opposite strongly demonstrating how generous Chiyangwa was.
He minutes later remembered after ZimEye.com had vigorously forwarded references to the full details.
“Yes, yes I now remember, Strive had gone into trouble for his company Retrofit for which he was being chased by creditors!,” Chiyangwa jumped up aloud.
Strive Masiyiwa eventually received his license early 1998, the year he will forever remember and he gives the below final account:
How I finally obtained my license – Strive Masiyiwa
It was 30th December 1997, I had travelled with Pastor Tom Deuschle, and leaders of our church to Boston, in the United States, to try and raise money for a hospital.
Nearly 3 months had gone-by since our last court appearance. It had been a dramatic hearing. We had shown the judge, how the Technical Committee Chairman, had manipulated the tender results, using the evidence, we had got from the “ceased papers”.
Although it had been 9 months, since the intervention of Vice President Joshua Nkomo, no one had persecuted me:
There was now a new Minister in charge of telecommunications, and although the court battle had gone on, he was very friendly. He told me that government would accept whatever ruling came from the judicial review, if it was in my favour.
Several other leading political figures had now also expressed support for me publicly. A former Minister of Justice, and member of cabinet,Dr Edson Zvobgo had given a public lecture on the importance of the original Supreme Court ruling. No one knew, until today as I write, that he was the one who had tipped me off about the constitutional provision, that led me to court, in the first place. He was the man, I led to The Lord, just before he died of cancer, several years later.
Zimbabwe’s other Vice President, Simon Muzenda, sent me a wonderful message through a former freedom fighter, whom he knew prayed with us. He commended me for my faith, saying, it had “taught him something, about God”.
The night of 30th December 1997, in Boston, will forever be one of the most incredible spiritual experiences of my life:
As I slept, I had a dream, and in it, I saw a judge sitting down to read a ruling. It was so vivid, and one thing, I distinctly remembered was that the judge was white, and all our lawyers were there, as were the lawyers of the company that had been awarded the tender. The judge was very angry, and declared that the courts were upset that this case kept coming back to them. He then declared Econet licensed, and said it would never be overturned.
I woke up to find that it was about 2am. To be honest with you, I do not really care much for dreams, even today, and I always caution on taking dreams seriously, unless you have really prayed. After sometime of prayer, I called my colleague Zac Wazara in Harare, on the hotel phone. I asked him to enquire of our lawyers, if there had been any developments. He called back a few minutes later to say that Tawanda Nyambirai, had told him that the courts were closed for the holidays, until mid January.
After Zac’s call, I got dressed and then began to pray again, as I was now unable to sleep; about 30 mins, or so, later, the phone rang. It was Zac Wazara:
“Justice Sandura’s clerk has just summoned all the lawyers to court. Apparently, he has been promoted to the Supreme Court, from the High Court. He has been working during the holiday, to clear his High Court cases. He is about to hand down the ruling!”
Justice Sandura overturned the award of the license to the other company, and declared us, “duly licensed”. It was an emphatic court victory.
A few days later, the company, whose license had been canceled by Justice Sandura, made an urgent court application, seeking to set aside the ruling pending their appeal against it, to the Supreme Court. This would have to be heard urgently, by the “duty judge”, the following day:
Justice George Smith, was one of the few white judges in the country, and he was the duty judge…
He declared that the order given by Justice Sandura, was above appeal, as he was confirming an order already given by the Constitutional Court. There was no court in the land, that could overturn it!
The new Minister of Telecommunications called me, and congratulated me on the outcome. He said the Cabinet had given its support, and he was looking forward to working with us.
I briefed our Pastor, and he called other church leaders across the country. We agreed to have a special thanksgiving service. It would be attended, a few months later by virtually every single church leader. It was an amazing event.
On my arrival back in Zimbabwe, I went to Vice President Dr Joshua Nkomo. I went with several leaders of the church, including Pastor Franz, who prayed for him in flawless Shona!
Tawanda Nyambirai, was deeply affected by what we have come to know, as the “Boston vision”, as I described to him the details of the proceedings, I had seen on the phone before, they occurred. I like to think of it, as our Heavenly Father’s own way of “signing off”!
God bless you.
(Strive Masiyiwa is the Econet Wireless Chairman and Founder)
WATCH:Pastors Must Lead In Politics #ThisFlag
Pastors must lead in Zimbabwe’s politics: these views were aired on the ZimEye LIVE-REPORT program. Analysts and News readers said preachers must take the lead in national affairs and if necessary become Presidents as this is not a new phenomenon. All this was during the interview of the famous Kariba pastor Phillip Mugadza.
Below were the full-load of unedited comments on the matter:
Mr Vitabu: Pastors should lead in politics. David, Daniel, Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Amos, all were prophets and were involved in the politics of Israel. Paul, Peter, James and John were involved in New Testament politics. Read your Bible well. Let them serve the people.
TheWonderfulKushite: I’m sure that the West is backing this pastor in his treacherous behaviour against Mugabe. I hope Zimbabweans are smart enough to see through it all. It is this pastor who needs to take his foreign bs religion and get out of Afraka.
Ngonidzashe Mudede: It’s unfortunate most Christians think for GOD, you judge people and you make yourselves gods. Mugabe must fall period and we are asking GOD to humble him, 2008 people were killed in his name, gukurahundi genocide in his name, we live in fear everyday because of him, if you try to register your concerns. Do you think GOD wants Zimbabweans to suffer, do you think GOD wants Zimbabweans to lose $15 billion through corrupt leaders being protected by Mugabe at the expense of our lives. Zimbabweans look at it this way, pensions wiped out, life policies wiped out, currently streets full of young people of productive age with no medical aid, no formal job, no pension no values, no morals completely drugged and sex focused, who is going to take care of these guys when they grow up. This call to prayer is necessary Mugabe has to fall he is now a god to Zimbabweans. Remember these words from Grace, Mugabe is irreplaceable & he will rule from the grave, be silent about it and GOD will punish us for agreeing with the devil to rule us from the grave. #mugabemustfall. How on earth do we agree to replace GOD with mugabe, which country has been ruled from the grave tell me. Zimbabwe wake up.
Tuku, Macheso Venue In Flames, British Police Storm Crime Scene
The Oliver Mtukudzi and Alick Macheso show in Leicester was a success against odds after the venue the two were to stage yesterday, mysteriously went on fire, resulting in the venue being changed at the last minute to 97 Church Gate Leicester LE1 3AN.
British Police have since opened an investigation for arson amid belief suspected anti-ZANU PF activists might have in anger attacked the building in protest at the two musicians’ Zim show where they played at Robert Mugabe’s solidarity do in Harare.
One of the angry men who harassed Alick Macheso at the Leeds show, was caught at the scene by ZimEye.com and ended up apologising: “Sorry sorry, I am sorry”, the visibly drunk man whose name could not be obtained at the time of writing said to ZimEye. SEE VIDEO:
Promoters late Saturday made rushed moves to change the venue announcing “the original venue Corah Suite caught fire in the late afternoon.
“The good news promoters found an alternative state of the art venue just across. The address of the new venue is 97 Church Gate Leicester LE1 3AN”.
Several police officers were still at the scene last night conducting their investigations.
Many Zimbabweans in Leicester are known for acts of violence in this place where Jah Prayzah fans were once beaten up, SEE VIDEO BELOW:
The new Tuku-Cheso venue function was however an eventual success with over a thousand revelers storming the place. One of the promoters, Ezra Tshisa Sibanda said “people came in their numbers and shamed detractors.”
WATCH:Zimbabweans Storm Barack Obama’s House
WATCH:Mnangagwa Finally Speaks On Video
MP Demolishes People’s Houses
Eyestone settlers have accused Harare South MP and Zanu PF provincial political commissar Shadreck Mashayamombe of being behind the demolition of houses built by members of Mvurachenachena Housing Co-operative.
Municipal police accompanied by the riot police squad on Thursday moved in with bulldozers and demolished the houses without giving settlers time to remove their belongings.
“The MP (Mashayamombe) caused the problems we are having here and he is saying the land has been sold to council,”
Idah Sumburero said. “We came to these stands in 2000 and this was State land. Local Government officials have been here and they told us that the land was unsuitable for habitation because it was close to the airport. However, we were shocked when the municipal police said the land would be allocated to people who have money, not us the poor.”
Sumburero has four children with the youngest aged six and the eldest 20. She and hundreds other families were now living in the open.
However, Mashayamombe yesterday denied the allegations, saying Harare City Council was behind the demolitions.
“This is being done by the City of Harare. Where do I come in? In the past I have warned them not to build on that land,” Mashayamombe said.
All the affected families have remained in the open on their stands and some were still trying to recover their belongings from the rubble when the news crew arrived at the settlement.
Most of the families were bitter that their MP had not come to assess the situation or assist them in any way after the demolitions began.
City spokesperson Michael Chideme also said the land belonged to the council.
“It is municipal land and we want to do proper layout designs and plans for proper allocation. The current residents would be considered. We asked them to pave the way for proper planning so that they would be considered for allocation,” Chideme said.
Mujuru Attacks Mugabe Over Hate Speech
Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) leader Joice Mujuru, says she is perplexed by her former boss President Robert Mugabe’s continued use of inflammatory and hate language against his perceived opponents.
In a statement yesterday, Mujuru’s party said Mugabe’s reference to dungeons and mice as well as his genocidal talk was chilling and worrying.
“We are shocked as ZimPF by President Robert Mugabe’s rants against political opponents, especially his revelation that he used to throw political opponents from within his then Zanu into dungeons packed like mice.
“It is quite alarming that, of late, Mugabe has been using the spectre of macabre and grossly horrifying human rights abuses perpetrated by him, his government and his merchants of violence to ward off political opposition to his rule,” the opposition party said.
Mujuru said Mugabe in response to dissent from war veterans on June 9 had threated to unleash a “Gukurahundi-style orgy of violence”, adding it was careless talk about an episode that left 20 000 dead in Zimbabwe’s western provinces in the 1980s.
The statement added that Mugabe had also threatened activist and cleric Evan Mawarire, while addressing mourners gathered for the burial of former Cabinet secretary Charles Utete and lately on Wednesday when the Zanu PF leader indicated he was prepared to use “inhuman and extra-judicial incarceration in underground dungeons”.
“What is worrying, and equally chilling, is that Mugabe is Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces. He is the man with hands on the levers of coercive State apparatus and his word is command to the security sector.
“Such a man, therefore, should be measured in the way he speaks, the way he uses power, and should never resort to the use of brute force to deal with opposition to his incumbency,” the former Vice-President said.
“We are worried, as indeed we believe every Zimbabwean is, by Mugabe’s utterances, and his threats of unleashing violence on opponents to his regime that are raising their concerns within the provisions of the Constitution, the supreme law of the land.”
War veterans, in a damning communiqué last week, also warned Zimbabweans to be wary of Mugabe’s genocidal tendencies and vowed to withdraw support ahead of the 2018 general elections.
ZimPF said: “We believe that Mugabe’s threats are not hollow, or just the rants of an old, tired and desperate leader. We are fully aware that there are citizens who have disappeared and up to now there is no trace of where they are being held, if they are still alive”.
The party cited examples like Rashiwe Guzha and Itai Dzamara, who both disappeared without a trace after run-ins with Mugabe’s administration.
“After Mugabe’s boastful revelation at his party’s headquarters on July 27, the temptation that we now have is to believe that Mugabe’s revelation that he used to throw political opponents into some underground dungeons during the war explains even the disappearances that we witness today,” Mujuru said. Newsday
Manyenyeni Blocks Salaries Deal
HARARE Mayor Councillor Bernard Manyenyeni has told the media he is opposed to selling off council properties to pay workers salaries.
He has gone ahead and blocked a finance committee resolution to sell properties worth US$25 million to raise money for workers outstanding salaries.
The resolution was made by the finance committee in May where it was agreed that the local authority would sell some of its industrial, commercial and residential stands through a public tender.
Council owes its workers about US$8 million against monthly revenue collection of US$10 million. It has been committing US$275 000 daily to service the wage bill.
“I am not going to approve the sale of properties; it will be irresponsible for us to dispose capital assets to service recurrent expenditure,” he said.
Instead, Cllr Manyenyeni, said the council would explore other ways of servicing recurrent expenditure. “We have to improve our revenue collection and not dispose our assets; what’s next after we have sold everything and still have salary arrears,” he said.
Cllr Manyenyeni added, “I refused to sign the finance committee resolution because it was rushed for a transaction of its magnitude.
Instead I am recommending Full Council deliberation on the matter. We are disposing of capital assets to fund operational costs; we need to regain stakeholder trust after the Harare Gardens partial sale angered some residents.”
The mayor said it was prudent that the local authority sticks to a Government directive that 30 percent of revenue should go towards salaries while 70 percent is dedicated to capital projects.
However, Cllr Manyenyeni’s decision was likely to be resisted by some city fathers.
A senior council official said there was no way an individual could block a council resolution.
“What value do we get from undeveloped land? If the land is developed, it means we will get revenue through rates and rentals,” added the official.
Another council official said if the mayor was not in agreement with the resolution he should refer the matter back to the finance committee.
Town planner Mr Psychology Chiwanga backed the idea of selling land. “If those pieces of land are not developed why not dispose? It means council will be keeping them for speculative purposes but if the properties were developed it was wrong to dispose them,” he said. State media
Mphoko Must Be Brought To Order – Opinion
Obert Chaurura Gutu On July 13, 2016 at just after 18.00 hrs the Acting President of Zimbabwe, Phelekezela Mphoko, arrived unannounced at Avondale Police Station in Harare and demanded that “his boys” be released from the holding cells of the Station.
The Police Officers on duty protested that they would only take instruction from their seniors and when they refused to release the two accused, an officer was beaten and the remaining staff were forced to release the two men into the custody of the Acting President.
“His boys” were two senior Executives of the Zimbabwe National Road Authority which is responsible for the collection of funds for road construction and maintenance in Zimbabwe. They included the Acting Chief Executive and had been charged with corruption and were due to appear in Court the following day. The amount involved was $1,4 million.
On the 28th of July, Honorable Eddie Cross, Member of Parliament for Bulawayo South raised an urgent motion in the House of Assembly which stated:
“Motion of a matter of Urgent National Importance
28th July 2016
APPALLED at the behavior of the Vice President Mphoko when he forced the Police operating from Avondale Police Station in Harare to release two men arrested on serious fraud charges on the 13th July 2016:
CONCERNED that in the course of this incident he ordered his close security staff to assault a Police Officer who resisted his unlawful instructions: and
FURTHER CONCERNED that in forcing the release from custody of these two accused persons, he was violating his position as Acting President as well as the laws of Zimbabwe:
NOW THEREFORE calls on the National Assembly to condemn his behavior in the strongest terms, call on the National Prosecuting Authority to order the rearrest of the two suspects and their arraignment in Court on the charges that have been preferred against them.
FURTHERMORE the Vice President to be instructed by the President to apologize to the Police for his actions and to pay such compensation as is deemed reasonable, to the Officer whom his security details assaulted.”
After tabling the Motion the Speaker of the House, the Hon. Advocate Jacob Mudenda called for at least 25 Members to support the Motion and 37 Members of Parliament from the MDC did so. On this basis the motion was ruled as being valid and justified and an emergency debate and vote was announced for 17.15 hrs in the House of Assembly.
When the time came for the motion to be debated, the majority of Zanu PF Members left the Chamber and a senior Party Member rose to say that there was no quorum. Only 37 Members remained in the House and the debate was suspended and the House adjourned.
The tragedy of this situation is that the Vice President is clearly guilty of the abuse of his office, he clearly condoned serious corruption in a State institution, violated the Police Act. The National Prosecuting Authority and the Ant Corruption Commission. In addition the assault on a Police Officer of duty was totally uncalled for and disgraceful.
The MDC would have expected many, if not most of their Zanu PF colleagues in Parliament to have supported this important Motion and its recommendations. Instead, without exception, they chose to remain silent and complicit in this disgraceful incident. It will go down as one of the lowest periods in our Parliament. It also shows quite clearly that Zanu PF has no intention, whatsoever of tackling the many serious problems of Zimbabwe including widespread corruption.
MDC: Equal Opportunities For All
BREAKING NEWS : Mandela Lawyer Bizos Jets In for Mahiya
Legendary human rights lawyer and Nelson Mandela’s personal solicitor, George Bizos, made a surprise attendance at the bail hearing of war veterans leader Douglas Mahiya, a development that could raise the profile of the case.
Bizo’s legal career stretches over decades; includes the 1960’s famous Rivonia trial in which he was Mandela’s lawyer when Mandela was charged with treason by the apartheid regime. Bizos was also the lead defense lawyer in the case involving MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai and a suspected Israeli spy, Ari Ben Menashe, in which Tsvangirai was alleged to have connived with Menashe to kill President Robert Mugabe.
Bizos appearance at Mahiya’s case shows how seriously developments in Zimbabwe are being taken especially after Mugabe himself made it clear last week, that he would deal ruthlessly with all opposition against his rule.
Mahiya appeared in court this morning facing charges of undermining the authority of President Mugabe.
His bail hearing has been set for Monday morning at Rotten Row Magistrate’s court and he has been remanded in custody until then.
Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe presided over the matter.
Mahiya is being charged with undermining the authority of or insulting President Robert Mugabe in contravention of Section 33 (2) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
According to Lawyers for Human Rights, the State is opposing bail on the grounds that Mahiya’s release might present a danger to him and affect public security safety and order. They further argued the 61- year- old’s release might result in clashes between the accused person and security forces and this may undermine the security of the country.
Harrison Nkomo and Andrew Makoni who are representing the war veteran’s leader argue that their client must be released on bail in accordance with Section 50(1)(d) of the Constitution as there are no congent reasons accompanied by sufficient evidence to support that state’s assertion.
This comes after lawyers argued that the matter should not proceed as the prosecutor had failed to produce a certificate of prosecution signed by the Prosecutor General according to Section 34 of the Constitution. Magistrate Chikwekwe has since ordered the State to obtain a signed certificate by Monday 1 August 2016.
The State tried in vain to oppose the Defense’s submissions claiming that the certificate was not necessary as Mahiya was already on remand.
#ThisFlag Zimbabweans Besiege Obama’s White House Building
Washington – Zimbabweans in the United States on Saturday besieged President Barack Obama’s White House.
Clad in colourful national #Thisflag they freely marched around the area demanding an end to abuses in Zimbabwe.
Their protest which began first at the Zimbabwean embassy, was free of state harassment as they sang aloud revolutionary songs around Obama’s residence, something they can never do back home, where within seconds of encroaching Robert Mugabe’s State House they would be shot dead.
They chanted many revolutionary songs demanding Mugabe to leave office with immediate effect.
Macheso, Tuku In Massive Bira Bash In Leicester, UK Tonight, Saturday!
MAGAYA FRESH SEX TAPE: Secret Pastor Aide Exits | BREAKING NEWS
Prophetic Healing and Deliverance founder, Walter Magaya, is in trouble for another sex tape after a secret pastor and female colleague deserted him.
This follows the first sex tape two months ago which saw a woman taking the preacher to court for sinfully pleasuring himself on her.
The South Africa based “The HeadBoy” publication reports that Magaya has suffered another loss as one of the only two remaining founding leaders has called it quits on him.
The woman, Cathreen Nyangoni, who has been in the top 3 in Magaya’s elite executive resigned recently under unclear circumstances. The latest resignation comes only a few weeks after one of his Pastors (Seer Ismael) just left for South Africa without notice. ALSO WATCH VIDEO – Magaya Sex Tape 2:
Pastor Maxwell Tengwana the church’s founding deputy also resigned after bitter arguments with Magaya last year. ALSO LISTEN TO AUDIO/VIDEO – Magaya Fraud Scandal:
The HeadBoy News is reliably informed that Cathreen Nyangoni resigned via a text massage to Magaya who is said to have initially strongly refused to let her go and visited her house several times begging her not to leave but all his efforts were in vain as the adamant Nyangoni ended up threatening him never to set foot at her house. An insider confirmed that Magaya was stressed by Nyangoni’s departure as “she knows too much information” which can easily land the controversial preacher into trouble that will even see the closure of his ministry and possible imprisonment.
ALSO LISTEN TO AUDIO/VIDEO – Magaya Sex Tape 1:
The insider confirmed that one of the cases that Magaya fears is that of the late Chipo Chakanyuka who was found dead in a Botswana prison cell after she had travelled there on church business. Chipo had been having an affair with Magaya and she had threatened to expose Magaya to the public by releasing evidence of them being intimate because he was not fulfilling promises that had been agreed on . Accusations have suggested foul play around the death of said Magaya’s mistress. It is understood that Nyangoni was at the center of the whole plot to get Chipo arrested for possession of precious minerals ,a move that was meant to silence her.The deceased’s friends and relatives argued that she had never been known to be involved in such dealings.
“They can deny it but Nyangoni knows exactly what happened and she planned everything with Magaya , its only that our authorities are very corrupt otherwise Nyangoni should have had evidence squeezed out of her” said the informer. “The exodus is disturbing because it’s the ones that are very close to him that are leaving , I talk to all of them and they all share the same reason for leaving which is many acts of ungodliness in Magaya’s dealings” added the informer.
Magaya who is spiritually fathered by TB Joshua of Nigeria has also dragged his father into his scandals with one of them seeing a release of a shameful phone call conversation between TB Joshua and Magaya’s concubine early this year. – The Headboy
Mnangagwa Shoots At Chimene | BREAKING NEWS
Embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, this morning once again took a shot at First Lady Grace Mugabe’s aide, Manicaland Provincial Minister of State in the President’s office, Mandi Chimene.
Mnangagwa drew the red line on Chimene’s name threatening her with exposure soon.
“I chair more than five cabinet committees, this should never be construed as being tantamount to running a parallel government. These false, concocted, malicious and frivolous allegations will neither deter nor detract me from diligently and effectively executing my duties and responsibilities as assigned to me by the His Excellency, the President Mugabe,” he said, SEE PART OF THE VIDEO HERE:
Speaking in a rushed press conference from his Munhumutapa offices, Mnangagwa shoved through his second official response to attacks on him by ZANU PF officials aligned to the controversial First Lady.
“I have recently witnessed a disturbing and alien trend whereby party cadres concoct unfounded, unproven, blatant lies and callous utterances and accusations against me with the ultimate objective of deprecating and maligning my person and standing. I have further observed with grave concern as members of the party at various levels exhibit untoward behaviour and make utterances contrary to the dictates of the party constitution and protocol,” said Mnangagwa.
Addressing the closed door CIO monitored press conference at his Monomotapa offices in Harare, Mnangagwa said that he has remained quiet in the face of the vicious attacks because he respects President Robert Mugabe.
Mnangagwa said he is finally opening up to the public after getting authority to speak from the President following a barrage of personal attacks on him by Chimene.
However, as ZimEye.com reveals, Mnangagwa had to the contrary already offloaded insults at Chimene calling her a barking dog yesterday Friday.
In another shocking twist and turn, Mnangagwa today went on claiming he will not be responding to attacks as he considers himself, “a very principled man”, who does not listen to people who speak without thinking.
He had however already opened fire on Chimene, humiliating the First Lady’s personal aide, a development set to worsen already sour relations with Mugabe’s wife. Grace has before accused Mnangagwa of ill-treating and being a serial abuser of women.
A vacillating Mnangagwa humiliated himself by continuing to do exactly what he said he would not and all this in the very same public address. He opened his mouth denouncing the allegations leveled against him that he is leading a faction within the ruling party.
He said that he remains loyal to President Mugabe with whom he has worked for the last 54 years.
Mnangagwa went further to dissociate himself from the communique authored by war veterans which is demanding for Mugabe to step down and pave way for him. He said that government will deal harshly with his supporters who are fingered in the writing and distribution of the communique.
The embattled Vice President declared that he will never destroy ZANU PF nor ever undermine the authority of President Mugabe by splitting the party.
He said that all those spreading propaganda about him leading a faction are people who are out to destroy the party and he will fight to make sure that they are exposed and brought to book.
BREAKING NEWS- Kasukuwere Flees Mujuru Meeting
Controversial Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere escaped humiliation in Chiredzi this morning.
Kasukuwere who was scheduled to address a meeting to dish out free stands to ZANU PF youths, had to rush in and cancel the meeting after learning that former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s party was holding another meeting a kilometre’s radius away.
Kasukuwere’s meeting has since been re-scheduled for tomorrow to avoid a clash with the Zim People First meeting.
However, sources told ZimEye.com the proposed youth gala is still going on and youths were at the time of writing being mobilised to seize Francis Nhando’s farm and former Governor Maluleke’s cattle. More to follow…
HOW TO REMOVE A DICTATOR IN SECONDS!
By Melisa Jukwa | Overcoming a dictator requires a deep understanding of the role individuals play in keeping a dictator in power. I start off with this key bible verse, “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety,” (Proverbs 29:25).
The starting point is by expunging a foreign virus called “fear”. That nuisance is the cause of all the problems on planet earth today. Fear is foreign to humanity and stranger to the human body since it came via demons. Human beings were born with faith, courage and victory embedded inside their spirits and minds, power to crush everything and anything. Every human being is born to and have the power to conquer the whole world. History has many such examples. Remove fear from a person’s mind, and open riches, power, glory and relief to all mankind. Destroying fear on its own is removing a dictator’s stranglehold…
How do dictators such as Hitler, Stalin, Mugabe, and most recently Kim Jong-Un manage to stay in power? Dictators are cruel, selfish, greedy, and self serving. They amass a great deal of wealth for themselves, a few of their friends and their inner circle, while denying the general population basic human rights such as food, shelter and clothing. They use various tactics to maintain power:-
1. KLEPTOCRACY: Dictators create a system of government that is riddled with bureaucratic corruption. Public officials extend their personal wealth and power at the expense of the general public. In countries like Zimbabwe, the few ZANU PF elites who hold various public offices have looted public coffers and embezzled state funds in para-government organizations such as ZINARA, PSMAS, Air Zimbabwe and ZBC, just to mention a few. These individuals are above the law and despite blatant admission by the government itself of their misdeeds, they often go untouched. The likes of Cuthbert Ncube and ZINARA bosses often have the support of officials at the highest level of government, given that the looted funds are shared between members of the inner circle.
2. PROPAGANDA: Dictators are cunning charismatic leaders, who use their manipulative skills, to convince people to believe their self-serving agendas. They censor the flow of information and peddle various lies. In addition, they manufacture a third force from outside, that appears to be a threat to the wellbeing of the citizens, so that they appear as the people’s saviours. Hitler vilified the Jews and blamed them for Germany’s problems, as a way of justifying the Holocausts. Mugabe, especially through ZBC and Herald, blames the West for Zimbabwe’s economic problems and sells the idea that travel-ban (aka economic sanctions) as a justification for the government’s indifference to Zimbabwe’s economic bankruptcy. Journalists from independent newspapers such as ZimEye, Dailynews, and Nehanda, have often been met with hostility, while those that promote Mugabe’s agenda, such as Super Mandiwanzira, have been accelerated to high positions of power.
3. POLITICS OF FEAR: Dictators preach the gospel of fear. Even the language they use is fear based: …we know you, …we will come after you, …we have your names, …the full hand of the law will descend on you, …you are a sell out, …you want to destabilize the country, …your treasonous acts will not be tolerated, …you are an agent of the West, …we will deal with you. Such threats are good enough to send shivers down the spine of an ordinary, peace loving citizen since they are often followed by a few abductions, beatings, disappearances, staged accidents, and prosecutions, just to send a message to potential offenders. Dictators are not afraid to turn against their own inner circle, if they feel challenged. Kim Jong-un, executed General Pyon in January 2015 for failing to follow orders. General Solomon Mujuru (Rex Nhongo), was vocal and fearless when it came to challenging a dictator, consequently he died on the 15th August, 2011, in an inferno at a farm he previously invaded from a white farmer. Not long after that, his wife Joice Mujuru was fired, together with many other cronies. Donald Trump’s infamous “You are fired!,” has become a catch-phrase for Mugabe in his entire political lifetime.
4. DIVIDE AND CONQUER: Dictators use ethnic division, internal squabbles, and external fighting between opposition parties to stay in power. Mugabe, right from the beginning, created a division between the Shonas and Ndebeles that is difficult to mend up to today. The Ndebeles do not trust the Shonas, after the untold atrocities by the Fifth Brigade which was sanctioned by Mugabe and Mnangagwa. The internal squabbles in ZANU PF first associated with Mujuru and Mnangagwa, then between Mnangagwa and the G40, were all directly sanctioned by Mugabe himself. Only Mugabe benefits from playing the ethnic and faction card because he emerges as a unifier. This was recently seen by his utterances following Mandi Chimene’s blatant talk against the high ranking official Mnangagwa. In the past, the brutal CIO has even planted spies to destabilize opposition parties.
5. VIOLENCE, FORCE, COERCION, AND INTIMIDATION: Dictators thrive in chaos while tightening their grip on power. Elections are rigged and they maintain a huge army, police, secret service, and the biased justice system to force, coerce, and intimidate citizens into blind submission. Beside the police and justice system, Mugabe has also used the ruthless CIO, green-bombers, and in the past, war veterans, to unleash horror and untold suffering to citizens who dare cross his path. Some like Justina Mukoko were dealt a huge blow through the justice system. While others like Itai Dzamara and several MDC supports, met their fate because they dared to stand for justice and equality.
Yet the greatest irony of dictatorship is that THEY ARE KEPT IN POWER BY THE VERY PEOPLE THEY OPPRESS!!! Mugabe keeps saying as long as people want me, I will stay! He is right. Dictators will never give up power unless they are forced to give it up. They will remain in power until they die, are pushed out decisively, or by violent opposition. The truth is most people in ZANU PF, the army, and the police are no longer happy with Mugabe’s hold on power. Ironically, no one is brave enough to come out and say so. The likes of Mnangagwa, would rather suffer embarrassment after embarrassment than jump from a sinking ship to be on the right side of history. Chiwenga and Chihuru would rather withdraw and bury their heads in the sand than to come out and tell a dictator to go. FEAR, FEAR, FEAR. The opposition parties are too disjointed and busy riddled with internal squabbles for power, to even become a formidable power against a dictator. DIVISION, DIVISION, DIVISION. Powerful individuals like Sten Wadzora and Evan Mawarire have aroused a passion in an otherwise docile population. Unfortunately not all citizens are willing to engage in the struggle. DISENGAGED, DISENGAGED, DISENGAGED. For the most part, the majority of Zimbabwean citizens are willing to be pushed to attend rallies that they don’t want, while being threatened to stay away from rallies that they really want to attend. FEAR, FEAR, FEAR.
For those of you who look towards a dictator for empathy and suppport, I have bad news for you. Psychologically, dictators exhibit various traits of personality disorders, that include sadistic paranoia, antisocial behaviour, narcisss, schizotypal and psychosis. You’ll find no luck there.
There comes a defining moment in life when one has to make a crucial and critical decision. When one realizes that the personal is political, you say to yourself enough is enough, “everything I want is on the other side of fear” (by Jack Canfield) and “I want it more than I am afraid to get it” (by Bill Cosby).
Overcoming a dictator requires a deep understanding of the role individuals play in keeping a dictator in power. I leave you with this bible verse, “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety,” (Proverbs 29:25).
By: Melisa Jukwa
Melisa, an avid writer, pens her notes from her Harare CBD Mapondera Building location.
YARD POSITION ON THE RECENT ARREST OF WAR VETERANS
The Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy (YARD), unequivocally castigates and lambasts the overzealous and equally misinformed decision to arrest the War Veterans’ leadership, clumsily orchestrated by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) following a communique addressed to the ZANU PF leadership.
Both the Secretary General and the Spokesperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA), Cde Victor Matemadanda and Cde Douglas Mahiya respectively, were arrested by members of the ZRP Law and Order Divisions over trumped up treason allegations, after the alleged authoring of said communique that denounced the President and First Secretary of ZANU PF, Cde R.G. Mugabe.
This arrest stands out as a ridiculous and yet callous violation of human rights as well as the wanton abuse of a public institution to serve personal interests. As YARD we question the constitutionality of the arrests whilst fully cognisant of the fact that the communique is a document that was directed to the leadership of ZANU PF and therefore nothing more than an in-house matter. Surprisingly however, the ZRP moved in to take action in this particular party matter, party of which does not have a law enforcement agency and least of all the ZRP as part of its structures.
It is horrifying to note that the ZRP, as an apolitical institution seems to be employing double, partisan standards in its approach to this particular matter. This partisan approach subsequently has highly detrimental effects to the establishment of the rule of law in Zimbabwe.
As YARD, we remain consistent in our adherence to and observation of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the regional resolutions made by the African Union. The leadership of this country however seems to be exhibiting chameleon-like behaviour and desperately needs to work towards good governance and the creation of rule of law.
What is worse is the not so surreptitious creation and consolidation of a dictatorship in this once Republican Zimbabwe. The police force and the ruling party have taken a stance to criminalise opposition and any divergent opinions to the rulership of one man.
Regime change has become a testimony of imperialistic rhetoric. Democracy and democratic principles of the majority having their way while the minority has its say has been rendered alien to Zimbabwe by the President of the country.
The President, who used to be the voice of reason, has become the protagonist of retrogressive elements in Zimbabwe. In total contrast, the President is fuelling illegal arrests and issuing reckless statements against his former allies with impunity.
As the youth of Zimbabwe, we demand the immediate release of the incarcerated War Veterans. The sacrifices that these men made, can never be repaid by such levels of oppression and political repression. Such attacks on the War Veterans is an insult that smacks of disrespect and lack of appreciation of the highest order. Political rights and liberties have been trampled upon by this current regime and its upon these grounds that the calls for regime change from within become audible.
To all Zimbabweans, and all vibrant organisations such as the #thisflag and tajamuka movement, we call upon you to once again show your unity of purpose and work for the achievment of justice to these sons of the soil. We call upon the international community to act decisively against inhumanity and violation of human rights in Zimbabwe. The moment of truth has come for all Zimbabweans to show patriotism to the country and stand up for the leadership of the War Veterans. Let us show again the unity we saw with the good pastor as we defend the rights of these innocent War Veterans whose only “crime” is honest speech and a cry for justice to prevail. Let us show our solidarity with them and rally behind them as they appear in court tomorrow, Friday 29th July 2016. YARD encourages all citizens to stand up and be counted in their support for those who sacrificed for us to enjoy liberation from the oppressive white regime and are now standing up once again to defend us from the shackles of the current black regime. Let us turn up in our thousands!
Zimbabwe is living in momentous times and needs a united people against oppression of the highest order which is being orchestrated by this Government.
YARD NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON
TINOTENDA MHUNGU
28 July 2016
AUDIO: Mawarire Boasts Of Rigging Elections
The highly popular religious Christian zealot, Jelousy Mawarire who is Joice Mujuru’s personal spokesperson, has been recorded vocalising a boast on rigging national elections and killing people.
Speaking at a function in Harare on Thursday attended by MDC-T spokesman Obert Gutu and a host of other delegates and covered by ZimEye.com, Mawarire who worked for 92 year old Robert Mugabe and was singularly instrumental in sustaining Mugabe’s strangehold over Zimbabwe through the 2013 sham elections, said people must join his party because it is full of people who know how to rig national elections and they will utilise that technique to win.
Below were Mawarire’s words (ALSO CLICK THE BELOW FULL RECORDING)We have great experienced people in our camp, those who are good at overhauling things, and also those good at killing people, and those who used to steal elections. So now we say why don’t you come join us now so we work together as a mass force? So we work together, because we know how an election is won. The Obert Gutus ( Tsvangirai) had successfully won the elections. We will win.
Meanwhile someone here at one time asked a question saying : “how are you serious about effecting change? ” I say Baba, so you say former supremo Didymus Mutasa who was Minister of CIOs, he would fail to tell us how to play the game well? What will he be there for then? That is the reason why we are keeping him there. You could criticize him and say he did this and that but did he not ask for forgiveness? Even Joice Mujuru, both of them released two statements and said we messed up but please give us an opportunity. This to be more specific is the opportunity we are talking about here. Do not worry if you vote for us we know how power is taken. We have brigadier-generals on our side. You could attack them for what they did during the war and at other times. But when it comes to negotiating power because here people say the Soldiers are the ones who will give trouble. But we have our own soldiers. They will simply order their mates to retire to their homesteads. This is what People First is all about, that is why we are now the only game in town.
VIDEO:Police Harass Bankers in Harare
Rogue police officers yesterday harassed bankers at FBC in Harare. The officers had descended onto the bank’s precinct as people struggled to access their money. VIDEO:
Mugabe Attacks Graduates
We don’t produce graduates to look for jobs – Mugabe
President Robert Mugabe says that the country’s institutions of higher education do not produce graduates who will look for jobs after graduation but should be employers.
Mugabe said this at the National Defence College in Harare where he was receiving the national security policy and strategy paper from the defence forces yesterday.
The President said that it will be very sad for government to be producing graduates who will come back to government demanding for jobs instead of creating the jobs themselves.
Mugabe’s sentiments come in the wake of a planned demonstration by unemployed university graduates to demand for jobs. Police have since refused to sanction the demonstration.
A Harare unemployed university graduate this week also made international headlines when he went to his vending site in as university cap and gown to send a message that Zimbabwean graduates are resorting to vending due to lack of employment opportunities.
He was whisked away by the police and it’s still not clear where he was taken to as he has not appeared in any court in the country.
In its election manifesto in the run up to the 2013 elections, the ruling party promised to deliver 2.2 million jobs to young people in the country in the first three years of its five year term of office.
The three years end in two days time and millions of Zimbabweans have instead been retrenched from their jobs as companies scale down or close altogether due to the unfriendly investment and financial policies in the country.
Meanwhile the unemployed graduates in Harare have come up with a new form of protests after being refused to demonstrate – play football in the central business district.
Police said they will interrupt smooth flow of traffic if allowed to demonstrate. The refusal could have inspired street football games.
Army Generals Bunk Mugabe Meeting
Zimbabwe’s security commanders, majority who are war veterans, were conspicuous by their absence at Wednesday’s solidarity meeting which was addressed by President Robert Mugabe.
Analysts have been quick to say this was significant given the importance of the meeting to Mugabe who hastily arranged a meeting with a faction of the war veterans at the party’s headquarters in a bid to shore up his waning support.
Security commanders rarely attend party meetings but were heavily involved in the organisation and subsequent meeting of Mugabe and the larger group of war veterans in April at the City Sports Centre.
“Remember these are also war veterans. So for them to be absent at a meeting where their patron is addressing is a big deal let alone where the patron is Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces,” said political analyst Maxwell Saungweme.
Mugabe last week was denounced by the war veterans who announced they were ending their 41 year relationship after growing disillusioned by the nonagenarian.
The Zanu PF leader organised a solidarity meeting on Wednesday which was attended by war veterans opposed to the elected executive led by Christopher Mutsvangwa.
The security sector, just like any other department of government, is packed with war veterans who are members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans (ZNLWVA) which met in Masvingo in 2014 to elect Mutsvangwa and his executive.
Human Rights lawyer and analyst Dewa Mavhinga said the meeting between Mugabe and war veterans was nothing but a window dressing show that instead of healing a divided Zanu PF, actually worsened the fallout.
“It seems the views by war veterans that Mugabe should step down may be representative of the views of the army generals hence their absence from Mugabe’s meeting on Wednesday,” said Mavhinga.
On Wednesday, Mugabe railed against Mutsvangwa and his entire executive, accusing them of working to destabilise Zanu PF and government.
He vowed to punish them over their ‘ruinous’ communiqué which he said had been distributed internationally to sully his reputation and gift enemies of his government with an opportunity to effect regime change.
Hours after his address, police swooped on the leadership of the Mutsvangwa-led executive by storming the home of ZNLWVA spokesperson — Douglas Mahiya — where detectives allegedly imposed “a mini curfew” to the his family.
Mahiya, who was not at home that time, surrendered himself to the police after learning of the police presence at his residence.
Yesterday, ZNLWVA secretary-general Victor Matemadanda was also arrested when police descended on him home in Gokwe.
In both cases, police are yet to make public the charges the war veterans ’ leaders are facing. Daily News
Grace Mugabe Reveals Own Cancer Disease Again
As she celebrated her 51st birthday the First Lady, Grace Mugabe, touched on two controversial issues, her cancer and her daughter Bona’s miscarriage.
Speaking during her birthday celebrations Mugabe took a swipe at the private media, which she claimed peddled lies about her and her family. Interestingly however, Grace seemed to confirm reports she had cancer as she said; “Detractors peddle lies. They say I have cancer and am dying. Everyone gets sick at one point in time. I am also a human being. I will continue working hard and I will not be deterred or distracted because I have determination.”
On her daughter Bona’s miscarriage she said; “We were disheartened, but we continued to pray and now we have a grandson. It has always been my prayer and wish that President Mugabe sees his grandchildren.”
In order to stave off criticism over her lavish lifestyle Grace celebrated her 51st birthday celebrations at a handover ceremony of goods donated to various children’s homes at her Mazowe Children’s Home.
Mugabe donated foodstuffs that included maize-meal, cooking oil, beans, washing soap and salt to 50 children’s homes and cash amounting to $50 000.
Recipients included Harare Children’s Home, Kapota School of the Blind, Makumbi Children’s home, Hurungwe Children’s Home, Ekhaya Children’s Home and Blue Hills.
Grace said some media houses were in the habit of peddling falsehoods ignoring positive developments taking place in the country and said this scared away investors.
“Why can’t you speak of the good work I am doing? The media is awash with bad coverage day-in day-out. But I do not mind. We all have a role to sell our country and the way we brand Zimbabwe is very important.
“If you say Zimbabwe is a rogue state, you know what it means and what the negativism brings. It brings suffering. Always say positive things about your country. You will see also positive things shaping up. I do not understand sometimes the way we think. It does not matter who you are and whatever you are doing as long as you are a Zimbabwean, you remain Zimbabwean,” said Grace.
She said Zimbabweans should utilise their skills to build the nation.
“It is up to what we do with what we have. This is what we have, the beautiful Zimbabwe endowed with a lot of riches. What is it that we can do to improve our lives as Zimbabweans?” she asked.
“We should work and exploit what God has given us together as Zimbabweans. Chara chimwe hachitswanye inda. We must all make concerted efforts to work for Zimbabwe,” she said.
She said people had been talking of a good Zimbabwe and that this could be achieved if Zimbabweans worked together.
Grace said there were positive developments taking place in the country which were worth covering including her efforts in looking after children at Mazowe Children’s Home.
“Now I want to show people and invite people to see development in our country and in Mazowe. Media houses should do their job of selling Zimbabwe. Others especially ZBC and Judith Makwanya are doing that. We want to court investors to come and work with us here.
“How do we court them if we are posting negative things about Zimbabwe? Who is attracted to bad things? We are all attracted to things that make us happy, things that make us comfortable. And here, I am doing things that you can be proud of as Zimbabweans. You can tell others about what your First Lady is doing instead of just dwelling on things that bring disunity.
“United we stand, divided we fall. Some of the negative things we face as a nation such sanctions were called for by Zimbabweans and people are suffering because one of us called upon Western countries to impose sanctions upon Zimbabwe,” she said.
Grace said Western countries were not democratic as they imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe for no reason.
She applauded Zimbabweans for being resilient even under hard times.
“We continue to pray and all this will come to pass one day. I am very optimistic that God is on our side. We are suffering, but we are resilient. Let us not despair when times are hard. We should remain focused as a nation. One day we will prosper as a nation.
Grace said Zimbabwe had been under attack from the West, but the land reform was unavoidable and could not have been done any other way.
“There is no other better way we could have approached the land reform. It is not easy to take the land. There will be some resistance. We have the land and we are proud. The land gives us a sense of belonging.
“The land is our heritage and we should also reserve it for future generations. Everyone should thrive to have a piece of land. If you have land, you are your own boss. Our children and grandchildren should continue to benefit from the land,” she said.
Grace said establishing Mazowe Children’s Home was not rosy, but she had persevered. A high school is under construction that will have an intake of 1 000 students.
She encouraged men to be responsible and said it was because of irresponsibility that some children were at children’s homes.
Grace said her children’s home had always been her vision to assist the disadvantaged and applauded other children’s homes for their sterling job in looking after less fortunate children.
In attendance was her son-in-law Mr Simba Chikore and his wife Bona and their son Simbanashe.
Grace said it was unfortunate that after Bona got married, she had miscarried twins.
Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Minister Advocate Martin Dinha, Minister of Public Service and Social Welfare, Prisca Mupfumira, senior Government officials and children from the country’s 10 provinces attended the colourful occasion.
Fresh Charges For Mawarire
Zimbabwean police have instructed Pastor Evan Mawarire’s lawyer, to bring his client to Harare police station next Tuesday, amidst fears they have cooked up fresh charges against the now exiled #ThisFlag campaigner.
This is against a background of President Robert Mugabe not mincing his words about the persecution about to befall those who were challenging his regime.
Mugabe warned churches in apparent reference to the preacher to refrain from meddling in politics and causing disharmony among the people, saying the country has means to protect its hard won independence.
“They said they wanted him for an interview, but it looks like they want to charge him with subverting a constitutionally-elected government,” said Harrison Nkomo.
Nkomo successfully argued for Mawarire’s release from police custody earlier this month.
Mawarire, who started the This Flag protest movement, is in South Africa at the moment. He has indicated that he does not feel safe returning home.
Threats that President Robert Mugabe made during a speech to war veterans in Harare this week would not have made the 39-year-old father of two feel any safer. Mugabe said he and his party knew “how to deal with our enemies”.
Already the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association spokesperson Douglas Mahiya appeared in court facing charges of undermining the authority of the President.
Prosecutors tried to charge Mawarire with subverting the government earlier this month, but the case was thrown out after the magistrate ruled the pastor had been unlawfully charged.
The authorities maintain that Mawarire was inciting violence, a claim he has denied. News24
Corruption Investigators Axed For Corruption
A sign of how corruption is a cancer eating away at the heart of Zimbabwe’s society, the top body to deal with this vice has itself been found wanting, after 18 investigators have been suspended for corruption among other allegations.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday suspended 19 investigating officers for alleged corruption, insubordination and divulging the organisation’s secrets.The officers, who all face similar charges, were suspended for three months on full salary. The officers however, protested saying they were being victimised for pursuing a labour case in which they won an arbitral award of $1,5 million for outstanding allowances and benefits.
They also accused managers of attempting to block an investigation of high-profile cases. ZACC chairperson Dr Job Whabira yesterday sent letters to the 19 officers informing them of their suspension. He said the suspensions were done in terms of Section 14 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act (Chapter 9:22) as read with Statutory Instrument 12 of 2006.
“Please be advised that the reason for the suspension is to allow the commission to investigate allegations of fraud, corruption, insubordination, failure to obey lawful instructions, absence from duty without official authority, divulging commission information to outsiders in breach of the Official Secrecy Act, as well as giving false information to outsiders about the commission,” Dr Whabira said.
“Please note that these allegations have resulted in the relationship between the commission and yourself becoming untenable, hence the need for investigations to be carried out.”
The suspended officers are Mathew Sithole, Charles Sepe, Esnath Katsamba, George Murwisi, Rufaro Kunyenda, Soneni Chavizha, Berstern Matope, Antony Gonga, Masimba Victor, Ishmael Mukwasi, Sydney Ushe, Adamu Welemu and Augustine Mahwana.
The others are Emmanuel Mutunami, Francis Chuma, Forbes Mupotsa, Isaac Takawira, Cain Madiye and Charles Charuma. Dr Whabira said the suspended investigating officers should not leave the country without the permission of the commission and should advise it of any changes to their addresses.
“You shall not attend your place of work, carry out any duties or interfere with investigations,” he said. “You are to hand over all commission assets in your possession to the commission’s administration department by end of day today (yesterday). Please be advised that you will be notified of the outcome of the investigations in terms of Statutory Instrument 15 of 2016. ”
ZACC, Dr Whabira said, will not be liable for any transaction or business done by the suspended officers. The workers said it was surprising that the suspensions came two days after they signed letters confirming to management that they were pursuing the $1,5 million arbitral award they won at the Labour Court in 2014.
ZAAC acting secretary Silas Pondo, in a letter to the workers dated July 26, 2016, demanded that they indicate whether or not they would pursue the labour case. “It is deemed necessary that you indicate whether you indeed instructed the lawyers to write responding to the memo which was directed to yourself seeking to know your position regarding the matter,” read the letter.
“You are therefore still required to show your position on the items provided below and then sign on the space provided.” Six investigating officers who indicated that they were not pursuing the matter were spared while the 19 got suspended.
The suspended investigating officers’ lawyers, Joel Mambara and Partners had written to Mr Pondo telling him that the labour case could not be withdrawn. Said the lawyers: “We advise that our clients are still pursuing this matter. In fact we are awaiting a hearing date for the quantification application given that our efforts to engage you have been fruitless.
“We also note with concern that you have ejected our clients from their offices and withdrawn the vehicles they were using. Be rest assured that no threats or intimidation of any sort will deter our clients from pursuing what is lawfully theirs.”
The workers claimed they were being vicitimised and that the situation had been worsened by recent high profile cases they were handling.
ZAAC acting secretary Silas Pondo, in a letter to the workers dated July 26, 2016, demanded that they indicate whether or not they would pursue the labour case. “It is deemed necessary that you indicate whether you indeed instructed the lawyers to write responding to the memo which was directed to yourself seeking to know your position regarding the matter,” read the letter.
“You are therefore still required to show your position on the items provided below and then sign on the space provided.” Six investigating officers who indicated that they were not pursuing the matter were spared while the 19 got suspended.
The suspended investigating officers’ lawyers, Joel Mambara and Partners had written to Mr Pondo telling him that the labour case could not be withdrawn. Said the lawyers: “We advise that our clients are still pursuing this matter. In fact we are awaiting a hearing date for the quantification application given that our efforts to engage you have been fruitless.
“We also note with concern that you have ejected our clients from their offices and withdrawn the vehicles they were using. Be rest assured that no threats or intimidation of any sort will deter our clients from pursuing what is lawfully theirs.”
The workers claimed they were being vicitimised and that the situation had been worsened by recent high profile cases they were handling.
“We had the acting chief investigations officer Servious Kufandada on our side and he had engaged the commission for quantification. He made a sudden turn and withdrew himself from the quantification negotiations. We feel betrayed and recently the corruption cases we were handling brought a lot of pressure and interference. Some commissioners and managers were even demanding documents of cases we were dealing with and one wonders for what reason. This will not stop us from demanding our dues and those corruption cases they are trying cover up will never go down the drain,” said one of the officers.
Another Dry Weekend For Harare
Suburbs in Harare will run without water through out the weekend following a complete shutdown of Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant to allow for the installation of new equipment.
The city has urged residents to store bulk water for critical use in light of the scheduled shutdown. The shutdown will affect all Harare suburbs and Kuwadzana extension will be affected until August 7. Harare City Council acting corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme said bowsers would be deployed in Kuwadzana during this period.
“We are advising residents that there will be a complete shutdown of the Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant from Friday 29th of July at 2000 hrs to Monday, 1 August at 0800 hrs.
“The purpose of the shutdown is to allow the scheduled installation of new equipment at the water treatment plant under the ongoing rehabilitation project. Water interruptions are anticipated during the shutdown,” said Mr Chideme.
Mr Chideme said city engineers would also attend to major water leakages.
Major maintenance works have been in process as part of the city’s implementation of the Harare Water and Sanitation Rehabilitation Project under a $144 million Chinese loan facility. State media
“The purpose of the shutdown is to allow the scheduled installation of new equipment at the water treatment plant under the ongoing rehabilitation project. Water interruptions are anticipated during the shutdown,” said Mr Chideme.
Mr Chideme said city engineers would also attend to major water leakages.
Major maintenance works have been in process as part of the city’s implementation of the Harare Water and Sanitation Rehabilitation Project under a $144 million Chinese loan facility. State media
Father Rapes 3 Daughters
A 60-year-old man from Bulawayo allegedly raped his three daughters over a period of more than 12 years, his two daughters revealed in court.
This came out when the eldest daughter (28), who is a divorcee, told regional magistrate Mr Chrispen Mberewere that her father raped her in June this year and gave her $5.
The court heard that when the woman consulted her younger sister aged 21 about getting her father arrested, the sister agreed to testify, saying he had also raped her many times.
It emerged the man, who is a Bulawayo City Council security guard, had also habitually raped his youngest daughter, whose age was not given in court.
“My father raped me once when I was 16 and I didn’t tell anyone because I was unaware of the law and he was my provider. After I separated with my husband this year, I decided to go back home. One day my father came home late and asked me to wake him up at 5AM so he could get ready for work,” she said.
“At 5AM, I went to his room and found his bedroom door slightly open. I thought he was fast asleep as he didn’t respond to my knocks. I went into the room and shook him.”
She told the court that her father asked her to sit next to him and she refused. “As I retreated to our room, my father grabbed me and covered my mouth with one hand. He raped me once and put $5 in my skin tight asking me not to tell anyone,” she said.
She added that her father invited her to come back the following morning.
“After that I went back to our room and woke up my younger sister. I asked her how she would react if I got our father arrested. She said she would support me as he had raped her too.”
The court heard that the woman went to Pumula Police Station and made a report, leading to her father’s arrest.
“This is not the first time he has raped us as he raped my other younger sister who is staying in the rural areas,” said the woman.
Her 21-year-old sister, who is staying with the man, was the second State witness and she told the court that her father had raped her.
“When my sister asked if I would support her decision of getting my father arrested, I agreed. My father has raped me countless times so I agreed to let her make the report,” said the woman.
In defence, the man claimed that he loves his eldest daughter but she was failing to accept his new wife. “She has never liked my new wife and will do anything to break up our relationship. She is fabricating this story as I never did anything to her,” he said.
“After that I went back to our room and woke up my younger sister. I asked her how she would react if I got our father arrested. She said she would support me as he had raped her too.”
The court heard that the woman went to Pumula Police Station and made a report, leading to her father’s arrest.
“This is not the first time he has raped us as he raped my other younger sister who is staying in the rural areas,” said the woman.
Her 21-year-old sister, who is staying with the man, was the second State witness and she told the court that her father had raped her.
“When my sister asked if I would support her decision of getting my father arrested, I agreed. My father has raped me countless times so I agreed to let her make the report,” said the woman.
In defence, the man claimed that he loves his eldest daughter but she was failing to accept his new wife. “She has never liked my new wife and will do anything to break up our relationship. She is fabricating this story as I never did anything to her,” he said.
Mr Mberewere remanded the man out of custody to August 4. State Media
Khupe Salutes Historic Clinton Nomination
Hon. Thokozani Khupe |I wish to congratulate Hillary Clinton, for making history as the first major party candidate for president of the United States of America. This milestone is very important not only for the USA but for women of the world in general given that the USA is a country whose influence goes far beyond their borders. What her nomination as a presidential candidate for the USA means is that the glass barrier has been broken in the political and any other imaginable arena of leadership. Women everywhere have been motivated to push themselves even harder in order to tap into their God given abilities for the benefit of their families and communities. It also means that the pursuit of democracy must be every woman’s creed as only through it can the woman’s place be found alongside her male counterpart. In Zimbabwe so much remains to be done to improve the lot of women, but as Hillary Clinton aptly puts it in her campaign, we are “stronger together” as women and as citizens.
Whilst I wish both candidates well in the presidential election, my best of luck and prayers go to Hillary Clinton as she steps up the plate to hit a homer for the empowerment of women, children, families, for a safe world, environment, for stronger economies that sustain the hands that are put to work, and against the marginalization of women as well as the personification of all vices through the face of women.
Wathinta abafazi, wathinta imbokodo.
UK Women Pray For A Better Zimbabwe
Staff Reporter| The Ladies of UK carrying the burden of the suffering of people back home, will join hands with Zimbabweans in Diaspora, on the 6th of August and storm the throne room of heaven to seek divine intervention. The function is organised by the Zimbabweans In Diaspora Organisation in partnership with LUK.
The biggest award winning social media group of Zimbabwean women in United Kingdom, LUK has been pivotal in supporting women faced with all kinds of challenges in Great Britain. The group has also intervened in dire situations faced by women at home, and is currently on a 3 month support plan for human rights activist, Linda Masarira who is in Remand Prison awaiting court hearing on the 11th of August 2016.
The 3 month support plan includes making available supplies for Linda while in prison as well as food and grocery subsidies for her children.
LUK founder, Flossy Kandodo explained the purpose of this day in an interview with ZimEye as , “a day of praise and worship, a day to bring our nation to the Lord, to bring our leaders to the Lord, to bring our people to the Lord….we just want to cry out to Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah the provider.”
She further explains, “we want the Lord to bless our educational system, to bless our road networks which are claiming lives everyday, we want to pray for provision of clean water, for good health and better quality of life. We want a leadership that co-exists with other nations; a leadership that fear the Lord.”
Kandodo makes clear in the interview that LUK does not support any political party but rather is there for the nation Zimbabwe. “We need a new Zimbabwe enough is enough the suffering has been long and we cannot suffer any more. We want the Lord to touch our leaders we want our nation to be productive we want to be restored. We were the bread basket of Africa we want restoration.”
The prayer which is open to men and women will be held at the UK Carnival of Arts in Luton.
More details :LUK and ZIDO invites all Zimbabweans, all races and all ages to attend the prayer meeting on the 6th of August 2016 at the Centre for Carnival Arts in Luton. Admission is Free & ticket bookings can be done through this link https://goo.gl/9ISN9B or call numbers on flier
Grace Mugabe’s Youth Attack Mahofa
Terrence Mawawa| Chiredzi Youths aligned to First Lady Grace Mugabe, have threatened to beat up Masvingo State Minister, Shuvai Ben Mahofa.
In total defiance of her boss, President Robert Mugabe, Mahofa who is in the vortex of the raging factional storm, has ordered new farmers to remain in the Tongaat Hulett plots they invaded last month. Mugabe himself a few weeks ago made clear he was not happy with the way sugar plantations owned by white commercial farmers were being grabbed and distributed.
Youths loyal to Mrs Mugabe’s G-40 have warned the new farmers would be removed from the plots by force.
The youths met at Rufaro Hall in Chiredzi, where they denounced Mahofa and her Team Lacoste members.
Zanu PF Provincial Youth chairperson Nobert Ndaarombe, said Mahofa and her Team Lacoste members were deliberately attempting to disregard Mugabe’s directive.
“Be warned that the youths are the vanguard of the party. We will not allow those rebelling against the President to continue doing so. The new farmers who continue to occupy Tongaat land will be removed by force. What we are saying as youths is very clear -President Mugabe said people should move out of Tongaat land but we have learnt with utter amazement that some ministers are defying the President’s directive.”
“We will soon go and evict the new farmers by force. We will beat them up if they refuse to heed the President’s call,” said Ndaarombe.
In a rare show of courage Mahofa has insisted the farmers will remain on the plots, triggering a showdown with her boss Mugabe.
Chimene : ‘Druggie’ Reduced To Size By Mnangagwa – Opinion
DR MASIMBA MAVAZA |It is not a secret that in Zimbabwe all the serious opposition leaders come from Manicaland. These include Muzorewa, Tekere, Tsvangirai and Mutambara to mention but a few. There has never been any danger from any other region or province. Judging by history Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is not a threat and the alarm bell sounding from Manicaland’s less sober woman (Mandi Chimene) was not a coincidence. The event at the Zanu PF headquarters was so shocking in its lack of respect and foolishness. Any straight thinking cadre will know that serious decisions are not made at a rally. We can therefore safely conclude that Mnangagwa emerged as a hero because silence pays. He could not have descended to the level of a self confessed druggie.
What happened was a clear tale of two factions.
A faction is a consequence of subgroup formation and conflicting subgroup identities and/or conflicting interests. These internal actors have been labeled as currents, fractions, factions, cliques, conflict groups, wings, interest groups, tendencies or clientele groups.
Factions are considered as any intra-party grouping that competes with each other for the realization of their goals as a faction. They are defined as semi-visible, irregular and unstable pre-party entities that could evolve into political or leader- follower groups with well-defined roles: “followers give support to the leader in parliament and in intra-party struggle; the leader has the primary responsibility to provide positions, funds and other necessities of a good life including a promise of such. Factions are self-consciously organized as a body with a measure of discipline and cohesion that should be distinguished from tendencies defined as “a body of attitudes expressed in a party about a range of problems: the attitudes are held together by a more or less coherent political ideology.”
In politics you often hear the term “left-wing” and “right-wing” thrown around. For example; left-wing political ideas are usually big on community and believe that government should be involved in society. Taxes are collected and redistributed to support those who cannot look after themselves. In a country led by a factious party it is the people who suffer more. Instead of organising rallies to give food to the hungry the rallies of consolidating one’s position is wasteful and self destructive.
Political parties usually stick to the same side (left or right) but how close they get to the centre ground depends on who leads them. If the party disagrees with where the leader is taking them it can lead to a split. But if the party is afraid to break from itself or from the centre of power they form factions and try or pretend to be all serving the centre of power. This happens were the party evolves around one person. In this scenario people form factions in the name of the centre. They even destroy the party and its unity in the name of the centre of power.
Confused by all this “left-wing” “right wing” talk? Ask yourself why did the president completely ignore Mandie Chimene. Why did he not acknowledge what she said. The president instead turned the heat on Mawarire and embassies. As if saying shut up to Chimene he instead urged the party to unite.
Are we to believe that Mnangagwa is a coward who can not shout back. Is is he an idiot who can do nothing? Why did His Excellence not fire him or warn him. Would anyone have survived accusations ten times in a row how can that be that rally after rally he is attacked and embarrassed in silence. Whose leadership profile is built? Is public humiliation in the interest of the people?
Initially Mnangagwa was said to be unelectable. Now people think he is a cool calculative leader. Consequently, the childish excitable outbursts by minister Chimene, Mahoka and others only strengthen his resolve.
Only a fool could repeat the noise of the already silent. Minister Moyo went to Twitter with Mnangagwa now he is quiet. Sarah Mahoka did the same she is silent the list grows and they have all been silenced. The question is why?Don’t worry, we’ve got it covered in the Political Spectrum. Will this change or split the party?
The Party is at acrossroads. The original party was born out of love for the nation with a zeal to represent the working class and the people of all walks of life. It was a “left-wing” party.
Then Factions changed things, re-branding the party as partisan and moving the party more to the centre ground of politics. The party needs to choose; gossip or reality. Unfortunately if they can’t decide, it may lead to the party breaking up.
The gossip and partisan politics has weakened the party and we are losing support if we do not change fast. The idea of settling in-house matters at a rally is childish immature and stupid.
This allowed thugs more influence in politics and weakened the power of the people and the veterans of the party.
People are saying to ZANU PF
“We don’t like who you’ve become”
The party has been pulled too far to the right-wing of the political spectrum.
We must bring it back to the left and to regain some of the party’s traditional values. Which are fighting for the people creating jobs and making Zimbabwe a country again.
This week the president made a speech about the future of the party. Several comments could be interpreted as digs at leadership hopefuls.
“It’s not you, it’s your politics”
In fairness to the president he didn’t officially endorse any candidate and said the contest shouldn’t be about an individual, but about a political platform which works for the country. He did not condemn the one who was made a target he chose to go silent on the Mnangagwa issue. Why? The president is wise and very wise.
What His Excellence thinks about the circus in the party is anyone’s guess, though he gave plenty of clues. “When people say ‘well my heart says I should really be with that leader well, get a transplant.”
So for a better chance of remaining in some power, we must decide to team up.
No point sitting around gossiping get back out there and hook up with your party there is strength in numbers, and you’ll never get anything done in parliament unless you have support. The idea of firing people is not constructive. ZANU PF does not need any expulsions now. It instead needs a heavy recruitment drive. Stop the palace coups build the nation. ZANU PF is bigger than individuals careless talks are careless. Dutch courage leads to doom and any genuine complaint is swept in the tide of stupidity displayed by drunken statements.
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LATEST : Mahiya Bail Hearing Postponed
The bail hearing for the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association spokesperson, Douglas Mahiya, has been postponed to tomorrow.
The Court was earlier adjourned after his lawyer Harrison Nkomo exposed that the state does not have a certificate of prosecution signed by the Prosecutor General.
Police on Thursday 28 July 2016 charged Mahiya for allegedly undermining authority of or insulting President Robert Mugabe in contravention of Section 33 (2) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights reveal.
Diaspora Props Up Mugabe Regime
The Zimbabwe Diaspora does not like Robert Mugabe but has ironically become his main sponsors propping up his crumbling regime from total collapse.
Diasporans send money home to support relatives who are suffering under the despotic Mugabe’s regime which is struggling to pay civil servants and meet a whole lot of other national needs, such as proper health care and quality education. They have become the unwilling sponsors of a regime that sadly forced them out of the country in the first place.
Without the Diapora remittances Zimbabwe would be history.
DIASPORA remittances are now the second largest source of liquidity in the country after exports, reaching US$830 million in the first half of 2016.
In June, diaspora remittances were pegged at US$157 million and estimates are that they will reach US$1,5 billion by year-end. Given the significance of the diaspora remittances, government is now exploring the option of issuing diaspora bonds to entice the diaspora community to inject more money into the economy.
“From January to June we have received US$830 million diaspora remittances and this includes those coming through non-governmental organisations, which have contributed about US$440 million,” Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) deputy governor Kupukile Mlambo told the Zimbabwe Independent in an interview last week.
Official diaspora remittances have been growing from US$300 million in 2009 to more than US$800 million in 2014. In 2015 remittances from the diaspora were US$935 million, which is more than what the country gets through foreign direct investment (FDI).
FDI inflows tumbled from US$545 million in 2014 to US$421 million last year, which represents a 23% drop, as the country struggles to attract meaningful investment due to policy inconsistency surrounding the indigenisation policy and high levels of corruption among other bottle necks.
According to the Economic Development in Africa Report 2016, launched by Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion permanent secretary Desire Sibanda in the capital last Friday, the government will engage Zimbabweans living abroad to raise funds.
“The RBZ governor John Mangudya is set to meet with the diaspora community in the United Kingdom to explain and convince Zimbabweans in that country to invest in their country through diaspora bonds,” Sibanda said.
“Diaspora bonds are very important for our economy and we are very happy that the national diaspora policy pushed by our ministry was recently approved by cabinet so that we can engage our diaspora community.”
He said Mangudya’s trip will clarify further to the diaspora community that when they invest their money in foreign currency they will be paid back in foreign currency and not in bond notes.
“Engaging the diaspora community is meant to create confidence in Zimbabwe and assure those Zimbabweans out of the country that diaspora bonds will also work in their favour,” Sibanda said.
He said an estimated two million Zimbabweans are living abroad, with the majority in South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Sibanda said a large share of diaspora savings are held in bank deposits.
“Deposits held in host-country banks currently receive near-zero interest rates therefore migrant workers may find it attractive to invest their savings in other outlets or vehicles such as diaspora bonds,” he said. Independent
Chatunga Hit By Mystery Stomach Illness
As First Lady Grace Mugabe says someone wants to kill her son, Bellarmine Chatunga, her husband, Robert has revealed that the lad has fallen seriously sick, with the First Family apparently spending a sleepless night on Wednesday seeking medical attention for the gregarious 19-year-old.
In February this year, the First Lady said her son, Bellarmine Chatunga, had been marked for death by the Emmerson Mnangagwa faction.
The increasingly frail nonagenarian revealed this himself yesterday while he was officiating at a graduation parade of 615 officers at Morris Depot in Harare, where he arrived late because of Chatunga’s illness.
“I am sorry we started late. We didn’t have a good night at home. Our boy Bellarmine became ill at night and we had to rush about to see how we could handle his stomach ache.
“The boys eat… I don’t know what they eat. That’s why we could not make it on time. I’m sorry,” Mugabe said.
Last year, the 92-year-old, who is secretive about his own health, castigated his sons in public for loving restaurant food too much.
“The constant retreats to restaurants, refusing to eat at home should stop now,” he said then.
Speaking at a rally in Chiweshe, Mashonaland East, last year First Lady Grace Mugabe alleged that Chatunga had been marked for death by Zanu-PF members working to stampede Mugabe out of power.
She said the Zanu-PF bigwigs had allegedly roped in members of the military in this dastardly scheme, in their desperate bid to induce fear in Mugabe so that he would quit power.
“Imagine, it has got to a stage where they want to kill my son Bellarmine. Is it fair to expect me to smile at you? Aren’t you ashamed? Killing other people’s children when you’ve yours, all 20 000 of them? Mugabe only has the three.
“Spare us these pretences of loving the president. I can read through your lies and I know you’re lying,” she told her stunned audience.
Meanwhile, Mugabe advised the new police recruits yesterday to be on the alert for emerging crimes such as human trafficking, money laundering and terrorism.
“Without unnecessarily scaring them, graduands should be advised right on their day of graduation that a career in the police is not a bed of roses. I am sure that most of the senior police officers here will testify to that. We now live in a social environment which has ushered in novel and sophisticated crimes.
“Human trafficking, money laundering, terrorism are among the many other new crimes which a few years back were almost unknown to us. But today’s criminal syndicates are better organised, more prevalent, sophisticated and daring,” he said.
“Allow me to make special mention of female graduands who in this intake are almost equal in number to their counterparts. It is a joy that they will be grappling alongside their male colleagues in maintaining law and order in our country. Let’s keep up this gender equality. Let’s never forget the girl child is equal to the boy child,” he added.-DailyNews
Pastor Stripped By Judge
The High Court has ruled that Evangelical Church of Zimbabwe bishop Isaac Soda is not the legitimate leader of the church after it emerged in court that the institution’s constitution was flouted to benefit his ascension.
Soda had approached the court seeking to bar Simon Nota, Benson Makachi, Silas Gweshe, Gibson Mutsaka and another woman only identified as N Foya, from interfering with his duties as the church’s bishop.
However, High Court Judge David Mangota dismissed his application, after ruling that it lacked merit.
“The court has considered all the circumstances of this case. It was satisfied that the application could not and did not hold.
“It could not succeed. The application is, accordingly, dismissed with costs,” Mangota said.
The church members, however, claim since Mangota’s order in June this year, Soda has refused to vacate the church’s headquarters in Waterfalls, Harare.
In his ruling, Mangota said Soda’s case was “hopelessly beyond redemption”.
“He (Soda) could not, therefore, get the relief which he prayed for even if the first respondent (Evangelical Church of Zimbabwe)’s opposing papers were defective and, therefore, improperly before the court.
“He, out of zeal, bended the provisions of the Constitution to achieve what his heart desired most. A few of his colleagues assisted him in the process. The court could not sanction such conduct,” Mangota said.
Mangota further said that the church is a voluntary organisation, which is governed by its own constitution.
Soda argued in his court papers that he had been constitutionally elected and therefore properly elevated, while the other church members said he was not constitutionally elected.
They said they did not recognise him as their leader as a result of the circumstances under which he was elected.
“His (Soda) submissions were that the provisions of the constitution were strictly followed at his selection and election into the office of bishop.
“He insisted that he was properly and, therefore, validly elevated to the office.
“He, in that regard, described the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth (Nota, Makachi, Gweshe, Mutsaka and Foya) respondents as faction leaders whom he said were or are anti-authority,” the court noted.
However, the court observed that the church’s constitution was violated to catapult Soda to the position of bishop. – Daily news
BREAKING NEWS-Chaos as Mahiya Court Adjourned, Riot Police Barricade Judge
Staff Reporter | The Court hearing of war veterans spokesperson, Douglas Mahiya has been adjourned after his lawyer Harrison Nkomo exposed that the state does not have a certificate of prosecution signed by the Prosecutor General.
Riot police have barricaded the entrance to the court where the case is being heard, ZimEye.com can reveal.
Mahiya has been charged with the same allegation as 26 year old Viva Zimbabwe leader, Acie Lumumba.
Police on Thursday 28 July 2016 charged ZNLWVA spokesperson Douglas Mahiya for allegedly undermining authority of or insulting President Robert Mugabe in contravention of Section 33 (2) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights reveal.
More on the Court case to follow
LATEST POLICE CHARGES: Mahiya Joins Lumumba Slur
War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) spokesperson, Douglas Mahiya has been charged with the same allegation as 26 year old Viva Zimbabwe leader, Acie Lumumba.
Police on Thursday 28 July 2016 charged ZNLWVA spokesperson Douglas Mahiya for allegedly undermining authority of or insulting President Robert Mugabe in contravention of Section 33 (2) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights reveal.
Police officers claimed that Mahiya, who was arrested on Wednesday 27 July 2016 and detained at Matapi Police Station in Harare’s Mbare high-density suburb, produced in connivance with other high ranking national, provincial and district executive members of ZNLWVA, a document captioned “War Veterans Communiqué on the state of Zimbabwe’s economy, the ZANU PF party leadership and the way forward for the people of Zimbabwe,” between 07 April 2016 and 21 July 2016, which document was later published in local newspapers, South African newspapers and on the internet.
The document, the police charged, has contents that insults, undermine the authority of the president or are likely to engender feelings of hatred, contempt, or ridicule of the president whether in his person or in respect of the president’s office.
Mahiya, who is represented by Andrew Makoni and Harrison Nkomo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) joins a growing list of Zimbabweans who have been arrested and charged for allegedly insulting President Mugabe.
Since 2010, ZLHR has assisted over 150 people, who would have been arrested and charged with contravening Section 33 (2) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
“Tsvangirai Poisoned” | OPINION
Dear Editor.
Sounds like a joke but it’s so true. I write this letter while shaking in anger. I can now prove it I believe that MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai was poisoned by ZANU PF secret agents a few years ago resulting in him acquiring cancer from the poisonous sips they fed him. I can quote the very days when these events pointedly happened.
How Bob Marley Died!
How did Bob Marley die? I quote the following Herald article. Mugabe’s state media knows how so easily important people are killed, quietly: On May 11, 1981, the world was bombarded with the shocking news of Bob Marley’s death. At the time of his death, we were told that Marley had succumbed to cancer which had developed from his toe since 1976.
Thirty four years after his death, stories are beginning to emerge about how the reggae icon died. Now, Bunny Wailer with whom Bob Marley worked in the Wailers Band, maintains that Bob Marley was murdered by his wife, Rita Marley and his manager, Chris Blackwell who connived to steal $30 million from his royalties as well as the rights to his music.
That aside, many other conspiracy theories have emerged. It is claimed that a state agent artificially induced cancer into Bob Marley’s toe. Surviving a failed attempt on his life by a well-armed death squad at his 56 Hope Road home in Kingston, Jamaica, Bob was later given a ‘gift’ of a new pair of boots by Carl Colby, son of the late CIA director, William Colby. When the unsuspecting Marley put them on, something pricked his foot. He then reached into one of the boots and pulled out a piece of copper wire. Coincidentally, that same toe later became the source of malignant cancer that spread throughout his body, killing him.
Many of his closest friends suspected that the wire contained some carcinogenic substance, since Marley contracted cancer shortly thereafter.
From there it is a tiny leap of the imagination to think that if powerful people wanted someone dead, and they wanted the death to be completely deniable, they could give the person cancer, very specifically, and then assure that treatments would fail to cure the person of cancer. Eventually the person would die, a slow death full of suffering.
There has since been widespread belief that the CIA arranged the hit on Hope Road. According to reports, Marley was viewed by the CIA as the most dangerous Black man on earth because of the songs he wrote which were likely to incite the people.
Neville Garrick, a Marley insider and former art director of the Jamaican Daily News, had film of “suspicious characters” lurking near the house before the assassination attempt. The day of the shooting he had snapped some photos of Marley standing beside a Volkswagen in a pool of mango-tree shade. The strangers in the background made Marley nervous; he told Garrick that they appeared to be “scouting” the property. In the prints, however, their features were too blurred by the mango tree shadow to make out. After the concert, Garrick took the photographs and prints to Nassau. Sadly, while the Wailers and crew prepared to board a flight to London, he discovered that the film had been stolen.
However, on December 5, 1976, a week after the assault on Hope Road, the Wailers appeared at the Smile Jamaica festival, despite their wounds, to perform one long, defiant anthem of rage directed at the CIA — “War” — suggesting the Wailers’ own attitude toward the “Vampires” as they called the CIA.
As the whole world knows, Bob Marley followed an “ital” diet of primarily fruits and vegetables, and he loved to play soccer. Good diet and exercise. In his own words: “Ital is vital” So he was a healthy man in his prime. He was just very unlucky then, to get cancer in his toe?
Born on February 6, 1945, he died in 1981 at the age of 36, too young to even see Zimbabwe’s independence and the country to which he dedicated a song, come to fruition.
To our mind, it is absolutely plausible and extremely likely that cancer can be artificially induced on a specific target. Is that not how cancer ‘always’ develops? Something causes it. Either your genes; your diet; your failure to exercise or your failure to quit smoking. Certainly we must realise that the causes, the mechanism of how various pollutants cause cancer, has been studied and understood with some of the billions and billions of research monies devoted to cancer over the past hundred years? Good luck doing everything right and avoiding the invisible cancer-causing particles coating everything you touch and breathe. Sorry about those invisible particles. Unfortunately, that is nobody’s fault.
In fact many believe that is exactly how Bob Marley died. Cancer was inflicted through his toe. The only thing you have to entertain is whether you think it is possible; whether the technological understanding exists; whether the malice exists to give someone cancer and whether you think it was possible to do those things in the 1970s.
According to other sources, Bob himself felt that during his cancer treatment, a very ‘telling’ conversation took place when his doctor, Dr. Joseph Issels told Bob a story about a German friend who had advised Issels not to treat him, saying that Marley was the most dangerous black man on the planet. Joseph Issels was an officer in the SS a colleague of Joseph Mengele and had served a jail term for manslaughter. Mengele survived the war and enjoyed the protection and employment of the CIA. It is believed that Issels injected Marley with poison.
Frankly, we are not sure what part of that is not suspicious. We are not sure how Marley died either, but all we know is that he was a true revolutionary who taught the world many beautiful lessons through powerful songs such as “Get Up, Stand Up For Your Rights”, “A Blackman Redemption” to “Natural Mystic” and “Redemption Song”.
Back to Tsvangirai
Now lets go back to Tsvangirai – You remember for instance those many cups of tea, coffee with Robert Mugabe during the GNU? Look at Morgan now he is sick from slow poison which highly likely from that coffee he used to drink at Mugabe’s offices every Monday. It will not be difficult to prove my findings. Tsvangirai just needs to come to the US and we will organise him two appointments with forensic scientists. This has been done before even on corpses long dead years later. Murder most foul must be uncovered before these evil vampires egt a way with things.
– Vincent K, Washington
Flossy Kandodo | EXPLOSIVE ZIMBABWEAN LEGEND
An outstanding woman, a leader, a mentor, Flossy Kandodo is a household name in Zimbabwe’s Diaspora community; A woman who does what she loves most, serves with a passion, has built one of the most solid powerful networks of women in the Diaspora. ZimEye.com interviews another Zimbabwean Legend…
- Who is Flossy Kandodo?
Flossy Kandodo is a philanthropist, a positive influencial personality, a community champion, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Delaine Mukopfa Foundation (2015), Uhuru Workshop Facilitator (2014), Zimbabwe Achievers Award nominee (Personality, 2014), Founder of Ladies of UK, (2013), co founder of the Girl Child Network Trust (1998) and a Miss Malaika national finalist (2001).
With unquestionable levels of community involvement and interest, at the age of 18, Flossy was the youngest ever member of the National Gender Forum working alongside policy makers and government officials in facilitating gender development and equality in Zimbabwe.
A prize winning mountain biker and keen cyclist, Flossy cycled across the USA to raise money for victims of sexual and domestic abuse in Zimbabwe under Bike Aid 2000.
A mother of two, an MSc social work graduate, an academic and a wife, Florence dedicate her time to run Ladies of UK, a Facebook Group based on liberal feminism, women empowerment and community enterprise.
The group celebrates success and embraces aspiration and dignity, integrity and power while supporting Zimbabwean women in UK with immigration issues, social, socio-emotional issues, employment and training options. Ladies of UK has a vision of combating social exclusion, isolation, and reducing the effects of poverty, bereavement, ill health and isolation and offers emotional, practical and financial support accordingly.
Flossy took a leading role in the fundraising initiative for the housing of a homeless Mbare family of quads babies and is currently supporting human rights activist Linda Musarira and her family while she is in prison through Ladies of UK.
Most of her time is spent offering individual therapeutic, confidential interventions and counselling including signposting and offering step by step guide in supporting Zimbabwean families to thrive in a second home country. Flossy’s passions are endless and indeed, the sky is the limit.
2. Tell us about your journey. How did you get to the United Kingdom?
I came to UK to join my husband, so basically I am an import of passion, lol.
3. Women in the Diaspora face a plethora of challenges. Which ones would you identify as needing urgency in response?
British Immigration law, policies and delays in asylum decisions play a major role in problem creation for the Zimbabwean and migrant population in general. These include forced unemployment which leads to poverty and socioeconomic exclusion as well as family breakdown and deteriorating emotional and mental health. Alcohol and substance abuse among the migrant population is also linked to steep immigration rules combined with isolation is a root cause of most challenges. Isolation and social exclusion increases vulnerability. Upon reflection, men and women who are isolated are more likely to be vulnerable to alcohol and substance misuse, domestic abuse, emotional and mental health issues as well accidental and premature death. Since the establishment of Ladies Of UK, Zimbabwean women in UK have become more empowered, more knowledgeable, more confident and have formed a variety of support groups and affiliations that support women with common needs
4. There is one issue of domestic violence or passion killings, reported cases of the most vile murders of women by men they are in love with or married to. Why and how is this going on?
Zimbabwean migrants into the UK face a huge shift in cultural dynamics which conflict to those from the Bantu subcontinent. Traditionally, Zimbabwean men had to provide for the family while women look after the home. Contrary to life in UK where equality is the order of the day, women are able to seek work, skilled or unskilled, and make a living. Universities fund nursing and social work which are predominantly female carers, therefore women had a better start at employment. Also, unskilled jobs like caring and live-in care jobs favours women than men. Most care jobs have elderly female patients (who prefer female carers); therefore, employment in the care sector favours women, leaving migrant men economically excluded. This economic exclusion disempowers the men, thereby collapsing the patriarchal hierarchy and placing the matriarch on the top. The collapse of the patriarch and imminent replacement with hardworking patriarch creates a feral and territorial spirit, which, for some, stands to self-destruct or destroy anything that threatens the territory.
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Family and relationship breakdown is an area which Zimbabwean men since time immemorial have had the pleasure to be the proponents. The notion of ‘peka uende’ (pack and go) belongs to the men, it has always been a man’s decision to call off a marriage and stay in the matrimonial home and bring a new woman in. However, tables have turned and UK systems support the most vulnerable, women and children and as such, the men is the one who has to leave the home. Unlike in Zimbabwe where the aunts and ambuyas would gather and support their muzukurukadzi (niece) through a separation, UK men who have been served with the ‘peka uende’ notion do not know how to handle such situations. The culture has a missing chapter on how men should handle kurambwa, (separation and loss). The traditional ‘dare’ served to empower the men and rub their egos, preparing them for dominance and control; failure was never expected, men were warriors and meant to be tough. Our culture was never equipped for strong female bread winners and as such, the community need to come together and accept reversal of roles in supporting nurturing and loving marriages. Men lack support systems after family breakdown and they have their pride and temper and bruised egos to content with and from all that, massive aggression and loath builds up, leading to crimes of passion.
Tuku and Macheso In UK Today, Leeds, Leicester
By Ezra Tshisa Sibanda
Call this tour the clash of the titans, name it Zimbabwe’s Gallaticos or simply think of it as Home Away From Home, this is a tour dubbed Tuku-Macheso Reloaded. It’s not called Reloaded for nothing, it’s a packed fun filled joint.
UK revellers will welcome Oliver Mtukudzi and Alick Macheso in great anticipation of the launch of the most talked about hot sizzling albums by the two giants. Leicester on Saturday the 30th of July 2016 is the place to be and music fans can’t wait.
The two artists are also involved with a lot of humanitarian work, Mtukudzi is UNICEF Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa, focusing on young people’s development, and HIV and AIDS prevention while Alick Macheso is Humanitarian ambassador for Red Cross so it’s a privilege to have them performing together in UK.
The most sought after Zim artists are geared up to give UK fans some memorable performances, they always have the energy, full of life and both coordinate well with their vocals, guitarists and backing vocalists.
They have never disappointed and are always flawless.
Mtukudzi who is yet to launch his album after the scheduled Africa Day Launch has decided to launch his new album in Leicester, in front of his UK fans.
The album is titled “Ehe Nhai Yahwe” and has 10 tracks which will blow your mind out, it’s another smashing Tuku album. Singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, Oliver Mtukudzi is a maverick in the folk music world.
By turns, he picks his unmistakable acoustic guitar to accompany an ancient ballad, sings a witty song about modern life, plays a sweet African melody on guitar, swings a hot jazz number, and then reaches deep for a soulful expression of values in a troubled world. He tops it all with a fiddle tune or Tozeza Baba, a family song, all skilfully blended into a seamless flow.
One fan said last year when Tuku was here in UK “Its music from the heart that hits you right between the eyes.” The good news he is back again in UK for another tantalising performance with Macheso.
It’s hard to imagine another artist on the folk scene who combines the same concise, deceptively understated, lyrical insight and sometimes devastating wit with such world-class instrumental prowess. It’s not just a wealth of musical styles or his smooth and expressive voice that have made ‘’Watitsvata’’ hit maker such a fine artist.
His songs, which range from thoughtful to silly to poetic, show that he knows his way around the Zimbabwean and African culture just as well as he knows his way around a fretboard. Tuku who will perform in Finland on Friday 29 July 2016 before his joint show with Macheso in Leicester on Saturday said;
“It’s always a pleasure to perform with Alick Macheso who is currently on top of his game and UK fans are in for a great treat, “we will do what we always do, entertain them and we know most of these gigs are nostalgic to them’’. ‘
’l will take them down memory lane and also play songs from my latest Album which I will be launching on the same night’’. The launch will also see the album released on the same weekend in Zimbabwe while its launch in Zim is expected later in the year. Tuku went on to add ‘’to my fans, our bond is beyond politics and unhealthy rhetoric. I appreciate every single one of you and God bless you’’
Zimbabwe Sungura music guru Alick Macheso has once again sent the nation talking, proving that he is not a spent force after all with his fascinating new album. At one time his career had taken a deep plunge, but Macheso seems to have struck the right chord following the release of his album Tsoka Dzerwendo.
The six-track album, which was released early this year, has become a hit with most songs currently rocking national radio and booming in public transport, shops, bars and high-density suburbs. Tsoka Dzerwendo sold close to 100 000 copies on the first day of its release, which was followed by a massive album launch at Harare International Conference Centre four days later.
Since then, Macheso has regained his mojo, earning accolades as one of the most sought-after musicians. Orchestra Mberikwazvo members are now enjoying themselves with the rejuvenated Macheso getting their full salaries every week and smiling all the way to the bank.
Macheso’s live shows have been boosted by the return of lead guitarist Noel Nyazanda, chanter Jonas Kasamba and drummer Obert Gomba, who had moved away from Orchestra Mberikwazvo alongside dancer Franco “Slomo” Dhaka to form their own outfit Extra Kwazvose. Apart from the trio, Macheso also welcomed prodigal son Donald Gogo, who had walked out of Orchestra Mberikwazvo over a salary dispute.
In a telephone interview with Macheso live from his home town of Chitungizwa, the Sungura maestro said ‘’while l entertain people which is what I was born to do, l also help the needy by donating some of the proceeds I realise from gigs and album sales”. He went on to thank music fans from all over the world for the for the support they give him in appreciating his music.
He went on to say ‘’UK is like a home to me, the fans are absolutely amazing, they sing along to my music and it gives me so much strength to go crazy on stage, ‘’I am promising fireworks playing my new songs from my Album and some old classic hits, kana ndina Mudhara Tuku unoziva kunenge kwaipa” He confirmed they will also do duets together on stage.
A spokesperson for the promoters Icons of Africa and Phab Entertainment, Miss Yvonne Mashonganyika said ‘’ The new albums from the 2 Zim Icons will be available for sale during the tour and tickets for the Leicester Show are now out and available at the usual ticket outlets’’.
Mashonganyika also added “plenty of surprises on the night and some lucky fans will win cash or holiday vouchers courtesy of our sponsors”. Alick Macheso will perform a solo show in Leeds on Friday 29 July 2016 while Tuku will be performing in Finland on the same day before clashing on Saturday in Leicester for a mouth-watering gig which has all the ingredients of a thriller. Tickets now out; www.iconsafrica.com
Muchinguri Claims $9Billion Cash Ivory Hidden In Zimbabwe
Controversial Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri claims that Zimbabwe has a stash of $9Billion ivory cash lying hidden in the country.
Muchinguri is on record in the last few months claiming that Zimbabwe has too many elephants. At a time when Zimbabwe is being ravaged by mass poisoning of elephants, Muchinguri has encouraged poachers announcing that the country has too many elephants and the population needs to be reduced.
This week she came out saying Zimbabwe is sitting on more than $9 billion worth of ivory, an amount that could turnaround the fortunes of the country should a ban on ivory trade be lifted.
She told parliament Wednesday claiming SADC was determined to lobby for the ban imposed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, an environmental global movement, to be lifted so that the region could unlock value from its natural resources.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri was responding to a question in the National Assembly during a question and answer session. “We have 96 tonnes of ivory and if we sell it, we will realise about $9,1 billion,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She said the European Union had remained adamant in seeking to maintain the ban despite the fact that the Western bloc did not have ivory, but as a sadc region they would continue to lobby the lifting of the ban in their CITES meetings.
She implored fellow legislators to lobby for the lifting of the ban each time they attend international meetings. Responding to a related question, Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa said the $9 billion was able to liquidate the country’s debt and unlock several facilities.
“This is the paradox of Africa. There is a policy that did not come from Africa. This is food for thought for all of us because we are being stopped from disposing our ivory. “Africa is rich, but it has poor Africans. Our obligation as Africa is to interrogate why we are poor when we have these riches. I did not even know that we are sitting on $9 billion worth of ivory, even if it is $5 billion,” said Minister Chinamasa.
Responding to another question, Minister Chinamasa said the cash crisis that affected the country was a blessing in disguise in that it helped the Government to be innovative through use of plastic money.
“The cash crisis has been good in some respects. It was God-sent. It has given us an opportunity to move away from cash based situation. Even when a person wants to buy a house or a car he would move around with a briefcase with cash,” said Minister Chinamasa.
He said the $200 million facility from Afreximbank in which proposed bond notes would be introduced in October was not a loan, but a guarantee. Minister Chinamasa said Government would ensure that point of sale facilities were installed and activated in several businesses including Government ministries and departments.-state media
Mnangagwa Fires Back at Chimene, Calls Her “A Barking Dog”
As the ferocious rage between President Robert Mugabe and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa continues, Mnangagwa has fired back at Grace Mugabe aide Mandi Chimene calling her a dirty “barking dog.”
On Wednesday Chimene accused Mnangagwa of being the mastermind behind the current war veterans’ calls for President Robert Mugabe to step down. She mutilated Mnangagwa as President Robert Mugabe watched saying Mnangagwa is the core problem in ZANU PF.
But responding to the attacks yesterday, the VP had no kind words for Chimene calling her “a barking dog,” bent on hurling dirty claims.
Mnangagwa vowed to continue working for the nation despite the allegations. He dismissed allegations of factionalism and said the falsehoods would not distract him from carrying out his national duties.
Responding to questions from journalists on why he was acting normal when he has been attacked and accused of fanning factionalism, VP Mnangagwa said in politics people were bound to accuse each other and this should not distract one from performing his duties.
“Izvozvo ndizvo zvinondipa simba. Kana zvikashaikwa ndinotoshaya simba rekushanda.
“Ko ichokwadi here? Ko ndidzo politics ka dzaunenge uchingonenegwavo asi iwe uchingoinda. Uchingoinda chete vanovukura vachipa simba. Akange asisipo panenge pasisina simba,” he said. (Those false allegations will not deter me from performing my duties. Actually, it gives me strength. Are the allegations true? That is politics. People will accuse you, but you should continue with your work. People who bark like dogs will always be there but it will give strength.)
Mugabe Protests Continue
Some opposition parties and civic society groups are condemning President Robert Mugabe for threatening to crush any future protests saying such utterances are a direct attack on the country’s constitution that Mr. Mugabe is supposed to be its custodian.
Speaking at a meeting he held with some war veterans and Zanu PF supporters at the ruling party’s headquarters in Harare on Wednesday, President Mugabe warned protesters that his government would crush any form of protests against the government.
Mr. Mugabe said demonstrators would rot in jail if they were caught by authorities in the streets.
Former Energy Minister Elton Mangoma, leader of the opposition Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe party, castigated Mr. Mugabe for making these remarks saying such utterances are an affront to Zimbabwe’s constitution.
Former Finance Minister and leader of the Mavambo Kusile Dawn party, Simba Makoni, added that President Mugabe’s remarks were an indication that his government applies the law selectively.
Promise Mkwananzi, spokesperson of Tajamuka-Sesijikile Campaign, a coalition of youths in political parties and civic organisations, said his organization was determined to mobilize Zimbabweans to stage protests against Mr. Mugabe’s government.
He said no amount of threats would deter them from engaging in peaceful demonstrations against the deteriorating social and economic situation in the country.
Meanwhile, Kurauone Chihwayi, spokesperson of the MDC formation led by former Industry Minister Welshman Ncube, has urged the Southern African Development Community and the African Union to intervene in Zimbabwe, saying the security of the country’s citizens was now at risk.
Chihwayi’s sentiments were echoed by Movement For Democratic Change and Zunde political party leader, Gilbert Dzikiti, who said it was worrying that SADC and AU leaders are not engaging President Mugabe on human rights violations in his country.
Hundreds of demonstrators were arrested in recent weeks after staging anti-government protests in some parts of the country. MDC-T youths insist that they are going ahead with their plan to engage in sustained nationwide protests in August to press Mr. Mugabe to leave office for allegedly failing to run Zimbabwe. VOA
Mahofa Has Knitting Certificate Only, Fumes Grace Mugabe Chair
Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|As the raging inferno between Grace Mugabe’s G-40 and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Team Lacoste continues, Masvingo State Minister Shuvai Ben Mahofa has been savaged by the powerful First Lady’s apologists.
Mahofa, a declared member of the Team Lacoste camp that backs Mnangagwa, is fighting relentless battles with Mrs Mugabe’s supporters in the province.
Last Saturday Zanu PF Provincial chairman Amasa Nhenjana, who was handpicked by Mrs Mugabe and appointed to the powerful post, had no kind words for Mahofa describing her as a hopeless character with nothing but only a knitting certificate.
Nhenjana tore into Mahofa and her Team Lacoste members-including Josaya Hungwe, Titus Maluleke and Ailess Baloyi, saying they must immediately be dismissed from the ruling party.
“It is now time for confrontation and this is the only way we can expose these people who are against the President.
“Imagine Mahofa has a knitting certificate -how can she continue to lead the Province? After all she is battling to discredit the President. This Mahofa has become thick-headed, she is fighting the President who appointed her to the post she is holding.
“My message to Mahofa is very clear, I know all her farms -including those registered under pseudo names so she must shut up,” said a fuming Nhenjana.
The G-40 faction has vowed to push for Mahofa’s ouster. The controversial minister who openly attacked Mrs Mugabe before she became seriously ill has showed little remorse.
Zanu PF Forces Villagers To Fund Heroes Day Celebrations
Terrence Mawawa Zaka| As the Heroes Day celebrations draw closer, the ruling Zanu PF party is at it again, this time forcing hungry villagers to fund the celebrations.
Ironically the government is battling to pay it’s workers and the majority of the villagers benefit directly from government salaries.
Zanu PF wrote a circular copied to all the 34 wards in the Zaka district instructing that kraal heads must collect $5 each from their respective villages, adults must contribute$3, while every child should pay a dollar to fund the Heroes Day celebrations at ward level.
ZimEye.com is reliably informed that chiefs have been tasked to monitor the whole process.
“There are name lists being kept and we were told all those who do not contribute the said money will be dealt with accordingly. We do not have the money but we are very much afraid of the consequences. We are really confused,” said a villager who declined to be named.
Zaka District Administrator Tapson Chivanga confirmed notices for contributions were sent to the wards but he denied the ruling party forced villagers to make contributions.
“The Heroes Day celebrations are going to be held at various centres in all the wards and we expect villagers to help us in one way or another.”
“We do not have the money to fund the celebrations. We wish to appeal to companies and well wishers to come forward with donations towards the event,” said Chivanga.
Shona Man Stabbed to Death in Binga
Dear ZimEye,
A man who is a data capture clerk for Kariyangwe Mission Hospital was yesterday stabbed to
death in a suspected tribal attack.
Mr Zibusiso Ndlovu was attacked by chief Siansali’s Security personnel over a plate of sadza he had bought at the chief’s restaurant.
He was from Lukosi, Hwange. His body was taken to Binga hospital from Kariyangwe yesterday at dusk.
The chief who is also a Senator for Binga, is the owner of a restaurant called Smart Corner where the death occurred.
Chief Siansali is known for his tribal hatred for non-Tonga speaking people and at one point said “Shonas must go in front of the Education Minister Lazarus Dokora (sic)”.
More to follow…
BREAKING NEWS-Another War Vet Abducted, Disappears
War veterans Secretary General, Victor Matemadanda has been abducted.
Reports from impeccable sources reaching ZimEye.com say the war vets leader was on Thursday morning picked up by unknown five men in civilian clothes at his Gokwe rural home.
The men said they were taking him to Law and Order Section in Harare but up to this hour they have not arrived and it is not known where they have taken him to, a ZLHR (Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights) source told ZimEye in a report.
CLAMP DOWN ON WAR VETERANS COMMENCES
Meanwhile the ZLHR reported on the disappearance of the organisation’s Secretary for Information Douglas Mahiya saying: on the afternoon of 27 July 2016, the Secretary for Information and Publicity of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), Douglas Mahiya presented himself at Harare Central Police Station Law and Order section. He has been called in for questioning.
He was subsequently arrested and information presently at hand is that the police are charging him with violating section 22 – (subverting a constitutional government) and/or section 33 (insulting the office of the President) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
On the same evening, a group of about 13 men who identified themselves as police officers descended at his Chitungwiza home and proceeded to search the premises, purportedly in terms of a search warrant.
In the early hours of the morning of 28 July 2016, five individuals picked up the ZNLWVA Secretary General Victor Matemadanda from his home in Gokwe. They indicated that they were transporting him to Harare Central Law and Order section. His whereabouts are currently undetermined, as are the charges or allegations against him.
Further information will follow as developments arise.
Mnangagwa Blocked from Politburo Meeting – REPORT
ZimEye.com is receiving unconfirmed reports that Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been blocked from entering as claimed “a politburo meeting” in Harare today.
Mnangagwa has in the last 24 hours been told to his face he must be sacked. His future now dangles on President Robert Mugabe’s mercy string after Mugabe conjoined delegates who officially declared that Mnangagwa “is the singular problem and the reason why war veterans have revolted against the President”.
Sources in the party claimed to ZimEye.com Mnanagwa has been blocked. Telephone calls to the VP however to confirm the alleged blocking were fruitless at the time of writing.
Riotous youths hired by the G40 faction were however dispatched into the CBD area and on towards the ZANU PF building in what is said could be Mnangagwa’s last politburo moment. More to follow as the story develops….
Kasukuwere Slapped: No Land For Zanu PF Youths
In a desperate bid to drum up support and silence growing dissent, the ruling party promised youths residential stands in cities and towns across the country. The youths were bribed so that they can masquerade as war veterans at Robert Mugabe’s Harare meeting yesterday.
However Fidze has said the council has no land to spare for Zanu PF youths. He said ruling party youths were expected to follow the normal process of applying for stands.
Fidze said the council would not authenticate Zanu PF’s campaign gimmick. “Zanu PF youths have been promised land for residential stands across the country but in Masvingo we do not have land for the ruling party’s projects. We believe that land should not be distributed on partisan grounds. The waiting list is ballooning because we do not have land at the moment.Maybe Zanu PF has other means of getting land,” said Fidze.
On the contrary Zanu PF provincial youth boss Nobert Ndaarombe said the party had already identified land that would soon be developed into residential stands.
“We are going to launch the project soon because other provinces have already launched the programme.We are working with Local Government Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere in the whole process so there is nothing to worry about ,”said Ndaarombe.
Chinamasa Blames Technology for Poor Economy, Investment
The absence of technology focused companies on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange has made it unattractive to foreign investors, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa has said.
The ZSE has seen its stock plummeting since being ranked the top exchange in 2013, and was named Africa’s worst stock market early in 2015 by the African Development Bank.
It has 61 counters, four of which fall under the mining index, while the rest come under the main industrial index and has shed $900 million in the year to June.
On Tuesday, it registered trades of $105, the lowest value of shares traded since dollarisation.
Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa blamed the poor performance of the bourse on the absence of technology driven firms.
“The criticism I have always had from fund managers looking to invest in Zimbabwe is that our stock exchange does not have enough counters worthy of investment. The old counters take no account of the technological advancements happening every day,” he said.
“With respect to technological investments, the continent is still virgin territory and what we are looking for are more of these counters in order to attract the foreign direct investment we need.”
He was speaking at the launch of GetCash, formally Nettcash, a mobile money service which was acquired by Brainworks, a private equity and advisory firm, in a $1,3 million deal in June.
Apart from telecomms giant Econet, GetBucks a micro-financier — also owned by Brainworks — which debuted on the stock exchange in January is the only other counter which touts itself as technologically driven.
GetCash will compete with Econet’s Ecocash, the dominant player with 98 percent of mobile money market transactions in the country. In the full year to February 29, it moved transactions valued at $6,6 billion dollars, 20 percent higher that $5,5 million from the prior year’s $5,5 million.
Brainworks moved to scrap transaction charges on the GetCash mobile platform in a move designed to attract subscribers.- The Source
Lawyer Sues School Over Expensive Fees
PROMINENT Bulawayo lawyer Mr Ndabezinhle Mazibuko has taken Christian Brothers College (CBC) to the Supreme Court challenging its exorbitant fees and failure to provide textbooks and stationery to pupils.
Mr Mazibuko, who had a son doing A-Level at the affluent school in Bulawayo’s Matsheumhlope suburb, accused CBC of increasing fees willy-nilly without the approval of the National Incomes and Pricing Commission and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Mr Mazibuko’s appeal through his lawyers, Calderwood, Bryce Hendrie and Partners, followed the dismissal of his application by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese last year.
In his ruling, the judge said there was no good ground for the court to review the school’s long standing policies on school fees and its relationship with parents.
Justice Makonese argued that the court had no basis to interfere in cases involving private contractual relationships.
Mr Mazibuko sought an order compelling the school to provide pupils with textbooks to justify its “exorbitant” fees.
In his grounds of appeal citing CBC board of governors, the National Incomes and Pricing Commission and the Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education as respondents, Mr Mazibuko, said the lower court’s decision was misdirected.
“It is submitted that the court a quo dismissed the application on the sole basis that the appellant had signed a contract with the first respondent (CBC), which prevented the court from interfering with the contract. However, in terms of the sections 4 of Administrative Justice Act and the Consumer Contracts Act, the court is actually empowered at law to interfere in the contract and grant appropriate relief,” argued Mr Mazibuko.
He further argued that other prestigious schools in the city were providing textbooks from the money paid in fees and queried why CBC was the odd one out.
Mr Mazibuko claimed 80 percent of the school’s budget went towards paying teachers’ salaries and allowances at the expense of his son’s education, arguing that it was a violation of children’s right to education.
The lawyer said he was spending more than $400 on textbooks and stationery.
Mr Mazibuko claimed that he raised the issue in 2011 at a parents meeting when his other son was still at the school but nothing has been done, despite the majority of parents agreeing with him.
CBC through its lawyers, Webb, Low and Barry, argued that it was common cause that Mazibuko and the school were associated with each other voluntarily by a reason of a contract signed between the two parties.
“The appellant bound himself by signing the contract, to observe all rules put in place by the school or by a headmaster. Since CBC opened its doors in 1954, the school has a rule or settled practice that it will not provide textbooks for pupils enrolled, but will leave it to the parents to do so. The appellant therefore bound himself to this rule and accepted it for nine years,” said the CBC lawyers.
Supreme Court judge Justice Paddington Garwe sitting with Justices Ben Hlatshwayo and Annie Marie Gowora during a circuit in Bulawayo reserved judgment. state media
Woman Faces Divorce Over Lying About Qualifications
A HARARE woman has approached the Civil Court seeking a protection order against her husband, who is constantly harassing her after she lied about her qualifications to him when they met.
The two have been married for six years.
In her application, Vimbai Katano told magistrate Trevor Nyatsanza that Abel Kuziva had been insulting her for being uneducated. “He is in the habit of verbally abusing me, saying that he now wants an educated wife,” Katano said.
She further told the court Kuziva had a tendency of beating her and their children using any object he would lay his hands on. However, Kuziva opposed the application, saying he was bitter because Katano lied to him before he married her.
Kuziva told the court Katano had made him believe she had five Ordinary Level passes, but he then discovered otherwise when he wanted to send her to college.
“I wanted to enrol her at a college, but when we went to collect her O Level results from the high school she attended, I discovered that she had passed Shona only,” Kuziva said.
He went on to deny ever beating Katano and the children, saying she was misleading the court.
The presiding magistrate granted the protection order instructing Kuziva not to insult and assault Katano. Newsday
Makandiwa’s Diaspora Prophecy: Rotten Hand For Zimbabwe’s Opposition?
Sambulo Vuma| To the spiritually inclined, no offence intended here, who always hunker for miracles even where common sense ought to prevail and will regress to their respective religions when faced with supposedly insurmountable challenges, Emmanuel Makandiwa’s prophesy about a future opposition leader emerging not from the local circus but rather from the diaspora, could not have come at a more opportune time.
In a sermon, Makandiwa told his congregants that he was “seeing a person coming from outside, who was running towards the people of Zimbabwe. This person is running in the opposite direction to people, who are running towards him, I see a spider and this spider is following this person, who is the chosen one to lead the people,” he said adding that if that person was to join an opposition political party when he returns to Zimbabwe, he would be the country’s next leader.
Not so, however, for local opposition apparatchiks. Take for instance Morgan Tsvangirai. This is a man who has spent almost two decades of his life as an opposition leader, whose clutch at the national presidency has been so near his fingertips as to leave a lasting yearn for a full grasp and yet so far away as to be a mirage, and is the most likely not to take lightly this seemingly purposeless disparage. This explains his predictable retort when he said, ““I don’t know who goes to n’angas (traditional healers) and prophets, but I don’t rely on that. I have a responsibility. God has created me for a purpose and if that purpose is not to be president of the country, that’s fine. Whether there are prophecies, I think it’s immaterial, as far as I am concerned. Who knows, you can wake up one morning dead (sic), and you say, I prophesied that you won’t be president, when you are dead (sic),” said Tsvangirai.
This is not the first time he has scorned prophesies by, yes you guessed right, Makandiwa. In 2014, Tsvangirai vowed to press ahead with street protests to force ouster of ZANU PF and President Mugabe from power against the advice of the UFIC founder who had foreseen bloodshed. True to form, the protest was marred by anarchy as it was hijacked by vandals, thieves and political errants with criminal fantasies. “I am a Christian who respects men of God, but unfortunately, I do not make political judgements or decisions based on prophesy,” he said.
Moreover, Tsvangirai is not getting any younger and will feel hard done by his recent diagnosis with cancer of the colon at a time when young turks in the party are openly eyeing his post with the brutal frankness of vultures patiently bidding their time before a frenzied picking of the carcase of a fallen beast. His latest appointment, albeit illegally, of two vice presidents to deputise a vice president to a president have not endeared him to most within his party. To the unenlightened, this might appear like come uppance for commissions and omissions that have seen the party split not once or twice but more. However, to the discerning, the MDC-T leader is a hostage of his own ego and those around him have realised the uncertainty of their tenure, hence the deliberate pen that has been elaborately established to warehouse him pending the outcome of his chemotherapy treatment. Contrary to vultures in the opposition circles, it is a genuine hope that this is one battle that he has to fight and win! So much about the man.
As for Johnny come late Joice Mujuru, no comment. Seriously, barely three years compared with almost twenty years does not merit a comment. To Evan Mawarire who has conveniently sought refuge in Mzansi, most likely in an attempt to fulfil the prophesy, should just return home because if he makes a habit of eloping to neighbours’ homes each time the urge is irresistible, his wife will elope also.
Enter Tendai Biti, who has long viewed himself as deserving of the presidency, with his short stint in the unity government having massaged his ego so much that he split from the man that ushered him into opposition politics at the slightest of differences. Now that he has been invited by USA presidential hopeful to attend what has turned out to be a chaotic Democrats National Convention in that country, some may feel that the cat is out of the bag and the prophesy has become meaningless.
Hold your horses! Biti may have taken advantage of the invite to also have doctors attend to his medical condition which he is yet to disclose, unlike Tsvangirai. Moreover, some may argue that American political administrators have been known to bungle more often than not. Remember they dragged Britain to their Middle East war escapade on wrong information and now they are cherry-picking Biti as a future President? Not really because Messrs Biti was a ruse, an object of interest to amuse to delegates and ensure Zimbabwe was, for ulterior purposes, kept in the spotlight just as Donald Trump has done. The topical issue might have been with outgoing USA President Barak Obama and Strive Masiyiwa period.
On 20 July, Masiyiwa met Obama at the White House Summit on Global Development which supposedly brought together “top global experts to talk about the progress that President Obama and his Administration have made possible in energy, food security, global health, good governance, development partnerships and youth initiatives around the world.” Masiyiwa is a business mogul, whose vast empire stretches fat and wide just like a spider’s web in Makandiwa’s prophesy. His contacts that includes locals in the diaspora such as Drs Nkosana Moyo and Mthuli Ncube, among others seems to stand him in good stead as far as the prophesy is concerned.
Mind you, this is not the first time that Strive and Barak have met one-on-one as they did so ten years ago over lunch in Johannesburg, South Africa when Obama was still a Senator and Masiyiwa was part of a small group of African and global leaders who had been assembled by out-going UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to find solutions to address hunger, food security and nutrition in Africa.
Local opposition political parties and their leadership should not seek to delete the message and kill the messenger if it is written in the wind. This country being a democracy, common sense dictates that Zimbabweans are looking practical solutions to the country’s challenges and whoever articulates these convincingly, be they local or in the diaspora, could be the president.
Chimene Violently Invades Farm
The controversial Manicaland Provincial minister, Mandi Chimene who made a public confession to taking dagga at a war veterans meeting, is alleged to have violently invaded a farm in her province.
Chimene is alleged to have violently invaded the farm on Sunday before dumping the owners goods by the roadside.
Christine Murembwe, who owns Mona Farm, said Chimene had been targeting her farm for a long time, but previous attempts to eject her failed.
Chimene on Sunday reportedly ordered Zanu PF youths to break into the farmhouse and throw out Murembwe’s belongings despite a court order barring her from invading the farm.
Murembwe previously worked as an aide to former State Security minister Didymus Mutasa, now a founding elder of Zimbabwe People First.
She told the media yesterday that the farm was invaded while she was attending a church service.
“I was at church when it happened, but I hear they came to my farm with a lorry full of youths, commuter omnibuses and several other vehicles,” Murembwe said. “They broke the gate to gain entry and also vandalised the doors at my farmhouse before removing my property. At first, they put it in the yard, but I hear it has been taken to the roadside. I am in Harare at the moment.”
Murembwe said in spite of a High Court order barring Chimene from such conduct, the Provincial minister went ahead to occupy the farm.
She said such behaviour should be deplored and police must take action.
“I suppose they say they are untouchable by the law. She is saying I don’t deserve a farm with a better house than hers because she is a war veteran. But I also have relatives that went to war and some who died during that war,” Murembwe said. She said it was unfortunate that it was believed the farm was owned by Mutasa, as it was in her name and she was operating it.
Chimene yesterday insisted the farm was hers.
“They had fraudulently taken it with the help of Mutasa. I was given the offer letter to that farm and she was given a withdrawal letter too,” Chimene said.
“She must move out and we won’t allow what they were doing with Mutasa to continue. Newsday
Khupe Walks Out On Tsvangirai, Refuses To Endorse Chamisa
Staff Reporter |The drama surrounding MDC President, Morgan Tsvangirai’s controversial appointment of two more Vice Presidents, got more intricate earlier today after his deputy Thokozani Khupe and two other senior officials refused to endorse the appointments.
The two Vice Presidents are Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri.
Earlier yesterday ZimEye sources had told us that Tsvangirai had in the afternoon reversed the appointments citing flaws in the interpretation of the MDC constitution. However, after contacting the MDC leader directly at his Highlands home, he was adamant he had done the right thing and was not going back on the appointments.
So deep were hostilities in the troubled opposition party, at today’s meeting, that it did not last for more than 20 minutes, with some senior party members apparently urging Tsvangirai to split the party. It is unlikely that the MDC will survive a third split after the two previous ones left it weakened and unable to take Zanu PF and other emerging opposition parties on. Khupe and her backers are said to have walked out.
Tsvangirai is not well and has those close to his condition who sympathise with him, as he is under going chemotherapy, and has to travel to South Africa at regular intervals, at times dealing with the side effects of the medication. He seems temporarily incapacitated to deal with the deepening fissures within a movement he has led for almost two decades.
Reports say Khupe got the backing of top party members, national organising secretary Abednicho Bhebhe, secretary general Douglas Mwonzora, spokesperson Obert Gutu, Lovemore Moyo and Lynette Gore.
On the other hand Tsvangirai was supported by Thabitha Khumalo Charlton Hwende, Amos Chibaya, and Murisi Zvizvai.
Other committe members Theresa Makone and Happymore Chidziva absconded the meeting.
Mahiya Arrested, Home Ransacked – Report
War Veterans spokesperson Douglas Mahiya has been arrested and his home ransacked by suspected members of the CID crack team.
National police spokesperson, Charity Charamba confirmed Mahiya’s arrest saying “investigations” were continuing.
“Yes Mahiya has been arrested and investigations are going on and we will furnish you with more details later,” said Charamba.
This development comes hard on the heels of direct threats by President Robert Mugabe at a meeting this morning that he would deal with rogue elements in the war veterans association who authored the popular communique that ordered him to stand down last week.
Mugabe threatened that authors of the controversial communique calling on him to step down would be dealt with harshly as he reminded on how disputes were settled in China and during the liberation struggle.
“We shall keep together at the top, we shall remain united, we know that accusations will continue to be made, allegations naturally some true some false but Zanu-PF know how to settle its contradictions..takafunda tirikuhondo tichiongorora maitirwo aitiwa kuChina ichatungamirirwa nava Mao,” he said.
“That is how ma contradictions were settled in China and also in our camps kunze kwenyika..torega kurovana kwete..violence hatidi, tuma party tumwe utwu kana toda kuita ma demonstrations atwo ne hasha….mapurisa onai kuti twakandwa mumajeri twomboravira sadza remujeri,” he reiterated also threatening opposition protestors that they would be arrested and taste sadza in jail.
Mugabe who is the patron of the war veterans association unilaterally dissolved the body this morning in a charged address calling on those war vets loyal to him to elect new leaders, “Saka ma war vets ndoda kuti musangane mosarudza vatungamiriri vatsva….those who are acting let them act. Isuwo takasarudza vakuru muparty kuti chitsamba ichoci chakambobva kupi nevakazoipembedza kuti musangano uzovaranga ende kuranga kwe party kunenge kwakaoma,”
The communique, the most confrontational yet from the veterans, called Mugabe a despot and concluded that the body would not support him in future elections.
Zanu PF Internal Wars, Mujuru Laughs Last
FRANCIS MUFAMBI|She who laughs last, laughs best, it is deja vu once again in Zanu PF.
ZANU PF is more divided along ideological lines and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive than at any point in the last two decades. These trends manifest themselves in a myriad ways, both in politics and in everyday life.
Partisan animosity has increased substantially over the same period in ZANU PF, those with a highly negative view of opposing views have more than doubled, but with great consequences. Most of these intense partisans believe the opposing views are so misguided that they threaten the nation’s well-being.”
Beyond Dislike: Viewing the Other Party as a ‘Threat to the Nation’s Well-Being, a person who brings an opposing view is branded as treasonous and labelled a traitor a thief and a witch. The aims of ZANU PF were abandoned and the only thing left was hero worshiping of Mugabe and making sure no one will ever challenge him. The fear of Mugabe gripped the party to such an extent those who left his party could not freely talk. It needed a strong will and courage of a woman to rise above the fear and form an opposition party with the views of railing the country back on its tracks.
Mujurus formation of a party was not out of power hungry or greediness. She is entitled to presidential pecks and the same security she had before. The good life was open to her and still open to her. She had to put all that down and focus on mending and rebuilding the nation. There are men who were fired from ZANU PF and went home with their tails between their legs. Never lifted a finger. Some are begging to be recalled but Mujuru braved all and risked all for the sake of Zimbabwe.
“Ideological silos” are now common on both the left and right. People with down-the-line ideological positions – especially are more likely than others to say that most of their close friends share their political views but are afraid of Mugabe. They disagree over where they want to live, the kind of people they want to live around and even whom they would welcome into their families. But Mujuru defied all odds for Zimbabwe. Yes there are issues about her past but who could have risen above that past and steer the country towards second freedom. This should be applauded and indeed such bravery is her theme. Gandanga rine Chivindi.
And at a time of increasing gridlock in the State House many on both the left and the right think the outcome of political negotiations between Mugabe and his leaders should be that their side gets more of what it wants. But no Mugabe gets more stronger. If you can not see the torture Munangagwa is going through and he is a man you can not start to imagine what Mujuru went through as a woman and a lone descending voice.
These sentiments are not shared by all – or even most Zimbabweans. The majority do not have uniformly conservative or liberal views. Most do not see either party as a threat to the nation, while more believe their representatives in government should meet halfway to resolve contentious disputes rather than hold out for more of what they want.
Yet many of those in the center remain on the edges of the political playing field, relatively distant and disengaged, while the most ideologically oriented and politically rancorous Zimbabweans make their voices heard through greater participation in every stage of the political process to build the nation without fear of a single person. The most politically polarized are more actively involved in politics as builders amplifying the voices that are oppressed and covered in fear. A Rising Tide of Mutual Antipathy Among all Democrats, policies are viewed as a threat to the well-being of the country by those who are in ZANU PF. They think Democratic policies threaten the nation this tells only part of the story. A question to those who have a very unfavorable impression of the Builders, “Would you say the party’s policies are so misguided that they threaten the nation’s well-being, or wouldn’t you go that far?”
The answer lies in the fear of being replaced as official opposition. Mujuru is not interested in being opposition or taking an opposition lead. She is interested in removing the rot in the country and build a strong Zimbabwe. The fearful opposition can hold on to their opposition position.
Politics gets personal and personal attacks on Mujuru are expected but let’s not lose focus and aims. Opposition parties should share a passion for politics. They are far more likely than those with more mixed ideological views to discuss politics on a weekly or daily basis. But for many, particularly on the right, those conversations may not include much in the way of opposing opinions.
While few Zimbabweans overall go so far as to voice disappointment with mai Mujuru leading that sentiment is not uncommon in the people who are from a gruesome experience with Mugabe. The treatment of Ngwena must show you that it is not easy to oppose Mugabe. It needs a builder to build a very strong wall around the country.
To be sure, there are areas of consensus. Most Zimbabweans regardless of their ideological preferences, they have one goal in common, to remove Mugabe.
When they look at a political system in which little seems to get done, most Zimbabweans in the center of the electorate think that Mujuru and Opposition leaders should simply meet each other halfway in addressing the issues facing the nation and work as a team.
Compromise in the Eye of the Beholder.Regardless of Mujuru’s background the importance is her future plans and her motherly love for Zimbabwe.
I Smoke Mbanje – Grace Mugabe’s Chimene
Acting War Veterans chairperson and Grace Mugabe protégé, Mandi Chimene told party supporters at the Mugabe Meeting, she smokes dagga.
Speaking during the youth meeting Mugabe convened to attack war veterans, Chimene laid into Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“I’m accused of drinking alcohol and smoking dagga, even if I do smoke and it gives me energy to work then I smoke. Right now they are saying I’m high,” said Chimene who was unleashed onto Mnangagwa, the way Sarah Mahoko last year.
Chimene went out in full force attacking Mnangagwa’s aides and accusing them of running parallel structures, as she threatened to get rid of them, “Zanu pf now needs culling just like animals…crocodiles should go to the river, they cannot be in Zanu-PF because Zanu-PF is not a river..don’t be scared,” she said.
She took a swipe at Mnangagwa accusing him of fermenting factions in the party, “What was known as Tsholotsho was led by Cde Mnangagwa, this Lacoste is now led by Cde Mnangagwa..as you sit there you are now two Governments because some ministers are known to be supporters of Cde Mnangagwa.”
She continued saying, “they started way back when we heard of Tsholotsho….we have nurtured it..it’s now here again, if people are smart they create something that looks like his. The person who created Lacoste also created G40…I know of Lacoste and the leader. I’m accused of being a G40 member but I don’t know my leader.”
BREAKING NEWS- Mnangagwa Aide Kicked Out Of ZANU PF Meeting
“We belong to the party but we hear some belong to Garwe. Crocodiles should remain in the river. Outside, they will harm people.” – Mandi Chimene
Knives are out for Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his aides with Energy Mutodi being chased out of Robert Mugabe’s meeting this afternoon. Mugabe watched as the Mnangagwa protégé was humiliated and below was Mutodi’s written report following the incident:
G40 CHASES MUTODI AWAY FROM WAR VETS MEETING
ZANU PF members loyal to a G40 cabal have surprisingly asked Energy Mutodi to leave the gathering this afternoon at the party headquarters, accusing him of being sympathetic to deputy president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The situation is so tense here that there are fears that anyone accused of supporting Mnangagwa is hiding to avoid being spotted by ZANU PF Harare youths who are taking instructions from the province’s political commissar, Shadreck Mashayamombe to flush out anyone who is perceived to be a Mnangagwa ally.
Youth league members Tendai Wenyika, Cecilia Chikukwa who is daughter to Harare Provincial Affairs minister Miriam Chikukwa among other youths are allegedly fueling hate and division among ZANU PF members based on factions.
This is the second time Mutodi has been asked to leave a ZANU PF meeting after another incident at Chipadze in Bindura where the same youths who were heavily drunk behaved in a barbaric manner and demanded that Mutodi leaves before security officials intervened.
ZANU PF members are currently divided over who should take over from President Mugabe when he leaves office with Mutodi being accused of siding with the Mnangagwa faction against a G40 faction that would like to see First Lady Grace Mugabe taking over.
At today’s meeting, President Mugabe who has now arrived at the party headquarters is expected to hit hard at his deputy and his allies particularly a section of war veterans who have recently authored a communique demanding that he steps down and pave way for a successor, most likely Mnangagwa.
Harare youths are also reportedly asking for a special congress that will deal with the Mnangagwa faction once and for all.
(On the photograph, the ZANU PF Harare youths who are spearheading the hate campaign)
ZBC Boss Chivinge Suspended On Graft Allegations
THE Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has suspended acting head of radio services Chris Chivinge, on a raft of allegations which include graft that has paralysed the public broadcaster.
Chivinge is also accused of insubordination among others and is expected to appear before a disciplinary hearing this week to answer to the charges.
Although the media could not reach Chivinge on his mobile phone, sources at the State broadcaster said management was trying to nail him over the recent arrest of acting chief executive Patrick Mavhura and acting head of finance and administration Benania Shumba.
The two were arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission for criminal abuse of office after buying 35 vehicles from a different supplier they had been authorised to purchase from by government.
“He (Chivinge) is facing a lot of charges and clearly management wants him out. Some of the charges include insubordination in that he is alleged to have absented himself from work without permission and that he failed to log in the attendance register,” a source said.
“However, all these charges might have come out as management feels he is the one who caused Mavhura’s arrest. That is the source of the fallout and everyone is waiting to see how it goes,” the source added.
ZBC was reportedly planning a major shake-up of key positions amid allegations that those perceived to be critical of Mavhura would be reassigned to less influential positions.
Chivinge’s mobile phone was not reachable yesterday.
But Mavhura said the allegations were not true and referred the media to board chairman Gibson Munyoro.
Munyoro dismissed the allegations as political grandstanding.
“Those are just political statements. There are clear written charges against him (Chivinge) and hearing processes are being done according to procedure. Some of the issues against him date back to the time even before the arrests, some even dating back to last year,” Munyoro said.
Recently, ZBC head of television programming Josephine Zulu and head of engineering Samuel Magonde were also fired on various allegations. A procurement official, one Tsatsi, who reportedly warned Mavhura against buying unsanctioned vehicles was first demoted and reassigned to Gweru before being fired.
ZRP Cops Caught, Arrested, Kicked Into Court | BREAKING NEWS
LIVE REPORT: ZRP police officers who violently attacked Manzou villagers are in trouble.
As ZimEye.com today expands the LIVE DATABASE of all police abusers, the officers who stormed Anold Farm in Mazowe in 2015 and violently demolished houses and property will pay for the damages out of their pockets.
It is reported the police who burnt down the villagers’ homes without a court order under the pretext that they had an Executive Order from First Lady Grace Mugabe, will now pay out of their own pockets for the damage to property caused to the villagers.
“I am hopeful that, this case, in which I have been representing the villagers, will send a signal to all YOU POLICE OFFICERS to stop behaving like thugs in uniform!!!#stoppolicebrutality,” said top ZLHR lawyer Kennedy Masiye.
The villagers who include Aspinas Makufa, Daaisi Musekiwa, George Musa, Costa Chirimba, and Gift Chikowore charged in 2015 that the government officials were unquestionably guilty of contempt of court after intentionally disobeying a court order by demolishing their homes and attempting to evict them from Arnold Farm in Mazowe.
They villagers had been conducting farming operations for more than a decade.
In the application filed in the High Court on Friday 09 January 2015 by their lawyers Tonderai Bhatasara of Mupanga Bhatasara Attorneys and Gift Mtisi of Musendekwa Mtisi Legal Practitioners, who are all members of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the lawyers petitioned the High Court to order Minister Kembo Mohadi, Police boss Augustine Chihuri and Minister Sydney Mombeshora to stop government officials, agents, police officers or anyone acting on their instructions, from demolishing and evicting the villagers from Anold Farm.
As ZimEye.com today expands the LIVE DATABASE of all police abusers, the officers who stormed Anold Farm in Mazowe in 2015 and violently demolished houses and property will pay for the damages out of their pockets.
It is reported the police who burnt down the villagers’ homes without a court order under the pretext that they had an Executive Order from First Lady Grace Mugabe, will now pay out of their own pockets for the damage to property caused to the villagers.
“I am hopeful that, this case, in which I have been representing the villagers, will send a signal to all YOU POLICE OFFICERS to stop behaving like thugs in uniform!!!#stoppolicebrutality,” said top ZLHR lawyer Kennedy Masiye.
The villagers who include Aspinas Makufa, Daaisi Musekiwa, George Musa, Costa Chirimba, and Gift Chikowore charged in 2015 that the government officials were unquestionably guilty of contempt of court after intentionally disobeying a court order by demolishing their homes and attempting to evict them from Arnold Farm in Mazowe.
They villagers had been conducting farming operations for more than a decade.
In the application filed in the High Court on Friday 09 January 2015 by their lawyers Tonderai Bhatasara of Mupanga Bhatasara Attorneys and Gift Mtisi of Musendekwa Mtisi Legal Practitioners, who are all members of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the lawyers petitioned the High Court to order Minister Kembo Mohadi, Police boss Augustine Chihuri and Minister Sydney Mombeshora to stop government officials, agents, police officers or anyone acting on their instructions, from demolishing and evicting the villagers from Anold Farm.
According to the Mazowe families, Mohadi, Chihuri and Mombeshora’s conduct is reprehensible and a risk to the administration of justice while the deliberate disobedience of a court order by public officials undermines the authority and integrity of the judiciary.
The villagers said they are now exposed to the vagaries of weather conditions with their crops and source of livelihood being razed to the ground at a time when their children were attending school lessons.
The applicants argued that since the granting of the court order in August 2014 interdicting and stopping the respondents from demolishing homes and evicting them, police officers ceased destroying their property. But the law enforcement agents recently resumed the house demolitions in-spite of a court order granted by High Court Judge Justice Charles Hungwe in August 2014 interdicting the respondents from interfering with the Mazowe villagers’ farming activities on Anold Farm until they have been legally relocated to other lands with valid offer letters.
The villagers said they are now exposed to the vagaries of weather conditions with their crops and source of livelihood being razed to the ground at a time when their children were attending school lessons.
The applicants argued that since the granting of the court order in August 2014 interdicting and stopping the respondents from demolishing homes and evicting them, police officers ceased destroying their property. But the law enforcement agents recently resumed the house demolitions in-spite of a court order granted by High Court Judge Justice Charles Hungwe in August 2014 interdicting the respondents from interfering with the Mazowe villagers’ farming activities on Anold Farm until they have been legally relocated to other lands with valid offer letters.
DEAD END:Mugabe Hires Youths and Singing Women to Attack War Vets
In a dead end panic, President Robert Mugabe has hired youths and women to masquerade as war veterans and attack liberation fighters who last week told him to with immediate effect resign.
While it has always been the case since the Gukurahundi 1980s period that Mugabe pays lobbyists to support him, the latest development is classic in that the photo-staging people are visibly different from genuine war veterans. Pictures and videos published by the state media Wednesday morning, showed young unemployed teenage youths and hundreds of young women photo-bombing the ZANU PF headquarters while singing “Gushungo must continue as President.”
Two days ago former war veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba claimed to ZimEye.com that all war veterans in Zimbabwe will be having their meeting at the place to voice out support for Robert Mugabe.
He even went on to say 100% of war vets are on Mugabe’s side.
But it turned out Wednesday morning that the so called war vets meeting has been convened by President Mugabe himself who is surrounded by hundreds of unemployed youths lured using free property stand dish-outs.
As the meeting continued, analysts said the development signifies a dead end for Mugabe as the facts on the ground show he no longer has any support from his benefactors, the war vets. More to follow as the story develops…
Broke Govt Blotches Soldiers’ Salaries
Govt has once again blotched soldiers’ salaries.
For the second month in a row, the state only managed to pay July salaries on Monday.
In interviews, soldiers confirmed Government had finally honoured its second promise to pay them. “We received our salaries today and we are happy that the Government honoured its promise. We hope that efforts are being made to ensure that our salaries are paid on time every month,” said a soldier who requested anonymity.
The Government released the civil servants’ pay dates for July last week. Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira said the army and the Air Force of Zimbabwe would be paid yesterday followed by the health sector tomorrow.
She said the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services would be paid on July 29, followed by the education sector on August 2. The rest of the civil service, Minister Mupfumira said, would get their salaries on August 6 while the pensioners will be paid on August 12.
Government says workers at grant-aided institutions will receive their July salaries as well as their 2015 bonuses on August 16.
Lumumba Hires Chamisa
Lumumba, who was recently arrested after allegedly insulting Mugabe at the launch of his political party, is now being represented by Advocate Nelson Chamisa, the newly appointed MDC-T vice-president. He had been represented by Ashiel Mugiya.
Chamisa applied for postponement of the matter, saying he needed more time to go through Lumumba’s court documents in order to prepare a strong defence. “There are many issues surrounding this case so we seek postponement. The accused (Lumumba) has a right to choose a legal representative and this is what he has done and the new defence team would want to peruse the court documents,” Chamisa said.
“This is a serious case which requires a serious defence. We can’t risk having a microwave defence, so we need more time to prepare.”
Chamisa had suggested a two-week adjournment, but prosecutor Oscar Madhume opposed that arguing the period was just too long.
“The State finds no reason why defence suggests two weeks. Defence can peruse the documents in just 72 hours,” he said.
Harare provincial magistrate Vakai Chikwekwe then ruled that the trial would continue in seven days.
On his last appearance, Lumumba stunned the court with more insults at Mugabe and denied the allegations against him, arguing he had only expressed himself.
Lumumba also told the court he had the right to share his expressions with Mugabe as they were both political party leaders.
He applied that his case be referred to the Constitutional Court as his remarks were not criminal. The State is expected to respond to his application on the next date.-Newsday
Mugabe Removal: Chinotimba To The Rescue – BREAKING NEWS
President Robert Mugabe who has been ordered by his benefactors to leave office with immediate effect, is to be rescued by former war veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba today.
Chinotimba who this morning took off in speed to the ZANU PF Headquarters, told ZimEye.com in an exclusive interview he is convening a special emergency meeting in Harare to reverse the fiery war veterans statement issued last week.
In his rebuttal, Chinotimba said last week’s meeting is void because according to him only “two or three people” are demanding the president’s removal.
When questioned over the statistical representation of liberation fighters who are backing the president, Chinotimba replied saying they are one hundred percent.
He was further queried on any signed papers with traceable signatures to confirm his claims. He would not answer on that as he continued insisting they are 100%.
The new meeting being convened today Wednesday is beginning at 10 a.m. in the capital city. More to follow as the story develops…
Zimbos to be Executed In 2 Days In Indonesia
Authorities in Indonesia on Tuesday gave 72 hours’ notice that they will execute a group of drug convicts including foreigners, a diplomat said, despite protests from governments and rights groups.
Syed Zahid Raza, the deputy Pakistani ambassador in Jakarta, told AFP the convicts, who include a Pakistani, could face the firing squad around midnight on Friday after Tuesday’s meeting between Indonesian officials and diplomats to signal the start of the countdown.
Nationals from Pakistan, India, Nigeria and Zimbabwe are expected to be executed alongside Indonesians. Officials say no Europeans or Australians will be included in the third round of executions under President Joko Widodo.
Indonesia sparked international outrage with its last batch of executions in April last year when it put to death seven foreigners, including two Australians. But Widodo has insisted Jakarta is fighting a war against drugs and traffickers must be harshly punished.
Authorities have been stepping up preparations in recent days, with several death row drug convicts transferred to Nusakambangan prison island – where executions take place – and security strengthened in the area.
Fourteen prisoners have been placed in isolation cells on the island this week, state-run Antara news agency reported, a step normally taken ahead of executions.
Raza said Indonesian officials had given the notice period at a meeting in Cilacap, the town closest to the prison island, which included diplomats from several countries and lawyers.
He said officials did not mention a precise date or time for the executions but added: “It might be Friday at midnight.”
It is a legal requirement in Indonesia to give a minimum notice period of 72 hours before executions, and authorities typically put people to death just after midnight.
The attorney general’s office, which oversees executions, would not confirm any details but spokesman Mohammad Rum said: “The time is approaching because we are making progress day by day.”
Pakistan has raised concerns about the looming execution of its national, Zulfiqar Ali, saying he did not receive a fair trial. Rights groups have claimed Ali, sentenced to death in 2005 for heroin possession, was beaten into confessing.
There have also been concerns over the case of a female Indonesian drug convict, Merri Utami, who is among the group. Rights group the National Commission on Violence Against Women say the former domestic worker was tricked into trafficking heroin. AFP
Woman Disappears as Snow Hits South Africa
By News24| Winter has hit SA in all its fury, sending snow, rain and even a tornado across the country on Monday, 25 July.
While some parts of the Eastern Cape and Free State are a vision in white, extreme weather conditions in KwaZulu-Natal are wreaking havoc. Motorists have been urged to drive carefully in the stormy weather, as a woman has gone missing after her car was swept off a low-lying bridge in Silverglen in Chatsworth, the search has since been suspended.
A second woman has also been reported missing in KZN on Monday night, after her car was found washed from the roadway in Glen Anil.
The South African Weather Service has confirmed record rainfall over the last 24-hours in KZN, with an estimated 203mm in Margate, 99.6mm in Durban south, while in Virginia162mm has fallen, Mt Edgecombe has seen 142.4mm of rain and massive 266.4mm has fallen in Paddock.
An estimated 133.8mm of rain has fallen in and around King Shaka, with the airport advising passengers to arrive early in order to avoid any issues due to possible delays.
While the rain and snow dominates in the three biggest coastal provinces, extreme weather of a different kind hit the more northern parts of SA in the 
According to other residents in the area, including Katy van Wijk, the “tornado caused terrible damage”.
The extreme weather is expected to continue until Thursday, with an alert issued for severe thunderstorms with strong winds, heavy rains and possible large hail storms can also be expected over the central parts of the Free State, Gauteng as well as the central and eastern parts of the North West province.
The South African Weather Service says disruptive snowfalls are expected over the south-western and western high grounds of KwaZulu-Natal, the northern high ground of Eastern Cape and the eastern and southern parts of the Free State.
According to Garth Sampson for the SA Weather Service, the Eastern Cape has seen heavy rainfall during Monday night, 25 July. A whopping 52mm of downpour was measured in Barkley East at 08:00 on 26 July, while Grahamstown has had 54mm.
In Port Alfred along the Sunshine Coast, 58mm rainfall was recorded on Tuesday morning.
Along with the rain, snow has continued to fall in SA around the Drakensberg Mountains, as well as in Lesotho.
According to Lew Campbell at the Tiffindell Ski Resort in the Eastern Cape, the “big snow storm across the Drakensburg has piled 100cm snow on the slopes of Tiffindell. Roads in the area are currently closed and the ski lifts are snowed in!”
Prison Inmates To Be Paid
Reforms to the Prison Act will see prisoners being employed and paid in a move that will assist them to pick up the pieces when they leave jail.
ZPCS director legal services Senior Assistant Commissioner Spetosomusa Chinobva yesterday said the employment of prisoners is one of the major issues in the proposed Prisons and Correctional Services Bill.
She said all along they had been working on the rehabilitation of offenders but it was not legislated for, but the new Bill would address that.
“This will see inmates go and perform work and they will be remunerated for that work so that’s one of the major changes the Bill seeks to bring,” said Snr Asst Comm Chinobva.
The proposed Bill has also raised hopes of release to prisoners serving life sentences as it makes them eligible for parole in a historic move that reverses their condemnation for life.
The reforms are part of the Government’s efforts to realign the country’s laws with the Constitution.
On the issue of employment of inmates, Section 129 of the Bill empowers the Commissioner General of Prisons to enter into contracts for prisoners to do paid work.
“The Commissioner General may enter into a contract with any institution, person or body or persons for the employment and training of inmates who are under a sentence of imprisonment upon such terms and such conditions as may be determined, generally or specifically by the Commissioner General,” reads part of the Bill.
“For the purpose of encouraging inmates to participate in rehabilitation activities and work offered by the Service or providing financial assistance to inmates to facilitate their re-integration into society the Commissioner General may authorise the payment of gratuities to inmates.
“The gratuity referred shall be paid to inmates according to such conditions and such rates as the Commissioner General may from time to time determine”.
The Bill says all inmates may be made to work within or outside the precincts of any prison or correctional facility in any work or activity approved by the Ministry responsible for Prisons and Correctional Services.
It states that inmates deemed unfit to do any duties by a medical officer shall not be required to perform any work but may be given light work.
“The Commissioner General may enter into a contract with any institution, person or body or persons for the employment and training of inmates who are under a sentence of imprisonment upon such terms and such conditions as may be determined, generally or specifically by the Commissioner General,” reads part of the Bill.
“For the purpose of encouraging inmates to participate in rehabilitation activities and work offered by the Service or providing financial assistance to inmates to facilitate their re-integration into society the Commissioner General may authorise the payment of gratuities to inmates.
“The gratuity referred shall be paid to inmates according to such conditions and such rates as the Commissioner General may from time to time determine”.
The Bill says all inmates may be made to work within or outside the precincts of any prison or correctional facility in any work or activity approved by the Ministry responsible for Prisons and Correctional Services.
It states that inmates deemed unfit to do any duties by a medical officer shall not be required to perform any work but may be given light work.
It says female inmates cannot be employed outside a prison or correctional facility except on the recommendation of a medical officer.
Masvingo High Court Judges Appointed
With effect from September 1 the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has appointed Justices Joseph Mafusire and Garainesu Mawadze as resident judges at the recently commissioned Masvingo High Court.
This brings to an end the search for judges to man the first ever High Court to be opened in Masvingo in post-independence Zimbabwe.
Masvingo became the third city to house the High Court after Harare and Bulawayo and the newly-opened court was operating without judges since its official opening on May 30 by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who also oversees the Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
JSC secretary Justice Rita Makarau yesterday confirmed the appointment of two resident judges to man the new Masvingo High Court.
“We have nominated Justice Mafusire and Justice Mawadze to be resident judges at the Masvingo High Court and they will start work at their new station on September 1.
“We are busy looking at the issue of their accommodation right now. They will be starting work at the beginning of September when the third quarter of the High Court legal year starts,’’ she said.
Justice Makarau said since its opening, the Masvingo High Court was dealing with the registration of estates by the Master of the High Court’s office, which is already operational.
“So far, a few estates from people around Masvingo have been registered at the Masvingo High Court where the Master of High Court office is open,’’ she added.
The opening of the Masvingo High Court is expected to drastically reduce the runaway backlog of cases while improving justice delivery in the province and beyond.
The JSC upgraded the former Masvingo Civil Court into a permanent High Court station that will cater for Masvingo Province and parts of Matabeleland South and Manicaland provinces.
Masvingo High Court was the first to be opened in post-independence Zimbabwe with the last one having been last opened by white colonial settlers in Bulawayo in 1894.
The opening is part of the ongoing decentralisation of High Court services in Zimbabwe.
Justice Makarau revealed that plans were afoot to open a fourth High Court station in Mutare where the process to acquire a building to house the superior court were underway.
“Once the acquisition process is complete, we will begin renovations and we hope that the Mutare High Court will open its doors in the second quarter of next year,’’ said Justice Makarau.
Speaking at the official opening of the Masvingo High Court, Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku said many people from remote areas were abandoning their cases because of the challenges in accessing High Court services in Harare and Bulawayo.
“So far, a few estates from people around Masvingo have been registered at the Masvingo High Court where the Master of High Court office is open,’’ she added.
The opening of the Masvingo High Court is expected to drastically reduce the runaway backlog of cases while improving justice delivery in the province and beyond.
The JSC upgraded the former Masvingo Civil Court into a permanent High Court station that will cater for Masvingo Province and parts of Matabeleland South and Manicaland provinces.
Masvingo High Court was the first to be opened in post-independence Zimbabwe with the last one having been last opened by white colonial settlers in Bulawayo in 1894.
The opening is part of the ongoing decentralisation of High Court services in Zimbabwe.
Justice Makarau revealed that plans were afoot to open a fourth High Court station in Mutare where the process to acquire a building to house the superior court were underway.
“Once the acquisition process is complete, we will begin renovations and we hope that the Mutare High Court will open its doors in the second quarter of next year,’’ said Justice Makarau.
Speaking at the official opening of the Masvingo High Court, Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku said many people from remote areas were abandoning their cases because of the challenges in accessing High Court services in Harare and Bulawayo.
He said the opening of the new High Court station would reduce the costs of travelling for litigants from remote areas. Herald
Hillary Clinton Is Officially The Democratic Nominee For President
Huffington Post |Eight years ago, Hillary Clinton famously said her first White House bid had put“about 18 million cracks” in the glass ceiling, one for each voter who’d cast a ballot for her in the 2008 primary.
On Tuesday, that glass ceiling finally came down.
Clinton was formally named the Democratic nominee for president at her party’s convention in Philadelphia, making her the first woman ever to top a major party’s ticket for the White House.
More than 200 other women have sought the presidency since 1872, but none have come this far. The female Democratic leaders gathered in Philadelphia this week have waited their entire lives to see one of their own reach this point, just a step away from the Oval Office. To them, Clinton’s nomination represents the culmination of decades of work devoted to tearing down the barriers women have faced seeking high office in America.
“Yes, we do break barriers,” Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), who was the first woman to win a Senate seat not previously held by her husband, said in her nomination speech. “On behalf of all the women who’ve broken down barriers for others, and with an eye toward the barriers still ahead, I proudly place Hillary Clinton’s name in nomination to be the next president.”
The former senator and secretary of state locked up the necessary delegates to become the nominee in early June, and she has already plucked Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) as her running mate. But it wasn’t until Tuesday’s roll call vote by the party’s state delegations that her nomination against Republican Donald Trump became official and history was made.
“We tend to want to emulate what we can see,” Wendy Davis, the Texas Democrat, told The Huffington Post of the possibility of a woman president. “We need to see ourselves in office so we can aspire to those things. Having [Clinton] there, I think, is going to open up for little girls ― and not-so-young girls ― the aspirations that they may not have had for themselves previously.”
Clinton will not speak at the convention until Thursday, when she delivers perhaps the most anticipated speech of her political career. So far, all the speaking has been done by Democratic stars making the case for a Clinton presidency, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), first lady Michelle Obama, and Clinton’s primary foe, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, was slated to speak Tuesday after his wife’s nomination.
Democrats had hoped to roll into Philadelphia as a unified party prepared to draw a sharp distinction in tone and substance to Trump, who, at his party’s own convention in Cleveland last week, offered a bleak and frightening view of modern American life. But Democrats were knocked off message before their convention even began, with the hack and leak of embarrassing emails by staffers of the Democratic National Committee showing a bias against Sanders.
The stunning breach, which may have involved Russian intelligence agencies, quickly led to the resignation of the DNC’s chair, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.).
Democratic leaders have tried to put the turmoil behind them, aiming for full party unity behind Clinton by week’s end. Solidarity against Trump was one of the main themes of the primetime speech delivered by Sanders, who ran against the front-runner Clinton from the left in a surprisingly close primary. (Many Sanders backers literally booed the concept of unity at the start of the convention on Monday.)
The discord in Philadelphia, however, has so far failed to match the intra-party chaos in Cleveland, where one of the biggest Republican speakers refused to endorse Trump and a faction of anti-Trump delegates launched a last-minute unsuccessful coup to rob him of the nomination.
Many conservatives still cannot accept the brash real estate mogul ― who has fomented racism, misogyny and xenophobia throughout his yearlong campaign ― as the GOP’s standard-bearer. Others have quietly endorsed him but can barely manage to utter his name, except to say that he would be a better choice than the alternative.
Democrats’ goal this week is to convey a much more hopeful and forward-looking vision of the country than Clinton’s opponent. In his own acceptance speech, Trump misleadingly portrayed the U.S. as rife with criminals ― the violent crime rate has in fact continued to fall, in keeping with long-term trends ― and overrun by dangerous undocumented immigrants. Describing a nation in chaos, Trump declared himself the “law and order candidate” solely capable of restoring public safety.
At the convention so far, the best case against Trump has been made by the first lady, who delivered what’s already being called one of the best political speeches in recent years. In her remarks Monday night, Obama outlined a choice between divisiveness or unity, without even referring to Trump by name. America does not need to be made great again, she said in a swipe at Trump, because it is already “the greatest country on Earth.”
Historically speaking, Trump has had the highest unfavorability ratings of any modern presidential candidate. Unfortunately for Clinton, her polling does not fare much better, despite a long and accomplished career in public service. Her candidacy has been dogged by voters’ questions about her trustworthiness, made worse by recent findings by the FBI that her team mishandled classified information on a private server while she was secretary of state.
A formidable campaigner, Clinton has vastly out-raised the mostly self-funded Trump campaign so far in 2016. According to a recent analysis by Bloomberg, Clinton and her allied super PACs now have $86 million on hand, while the Trump campaign has $23 million. Overall, the Clinton camp has raised $386 million total versus Trump’s $94 million.
As HuffPost’s Paul Blumenthal previously reported, Clinton’s superior fundraising machine has given her a major advantage. Her campaign has established teams of hundreds of organizers in prime swing states and already made huge advertising purchases. Trump, meanwhile, only recently began establishing a ground game in key states.
Foiled $1.8 Million Gold Heist Gang Walks Free
The six men who were arrested after being alleged to have attempted to steal gold which was being taken to Fidelity Printers and Refineries in a delivery van on behalf of Vansburg Drumgold Enterprises, have walked free after a magistrate ruled that the State had failed to prove a prima facie case against them.
SIX men accused of attempting to rob a miner of 47kgs of gold worth over $1,8 million in Kwekwe.
Franco Celia Pullen, Chemist Sibanda, Munyaradzi Charakupa, Zadzisai Mutambi, Farai Sibanda, and Vengai Simari heaved a sigh of relief as Midlands Provincial Magistrate, Mrs Phathekile Msipa, dismissed the State’s application to have them put on remand.
Pullen (43) of Kwekwe, Charakupa (40) of Harare, Mutambi (34), Sibanda (43) Farai (21) and Simari (38) all of Kadoma, had pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted robbery through their legal representative, Mr Thomas Militao.
Mr Militao argued that Pullen was the rightful owner of the mining concession where the gold originated from and therefore he could not have sought to rob himself.
He said the accused had a prospecting licence from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and was therefore the rightful owner of the mine.
The lawyer said Pullen was a victim.
In her ruling, Mrs Msipa said the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development created the mess when it issued two licences to both parties.
“The State failed to place facts to justify that there were reasonable grounds that the accused persons had committed the offence. What we have here before the court is a scenario that has been caused by officials from the Mines and Mining Development who have issued two documents to two people. This has resulted in the dispute we have. The accused placed immutable evidence before the court to demolish facts placed by the State which was alleging that they committed the offence,” she said.
“The issue of ownership of this mine can’t be resolved now but can only be clarified by the Ministry of Mines. I find no bases to place the accused on remand because the State failed to discharge its duty whilst the accused has managed to do so, accordingly the State’s application is hereby dismissed.”
Prosecutor, Mr Emmanuel Mathose said the complainant is Vansburg Drumgold Enterprises led by Mr Armstrong Mapanga (44) of Kwekwe.
He said on July 12, the complainant through his company Vansburg Drumgold Enterprises was given a mining certificate to mine at Dandrum Mine North.
On July 17, Mr Mathose said, Vansburg Drumgold Enterprises started operations at the mine and extracted a substantial amount of gold ore which they took to Combustion Tech Company in Kwekwe for processing.
“On July 18 and at around 1PM, Vansburg Drumgold Enterprises being represented by Armstrong Mapanga finished processing the gold ore and produced 47,5kgs of gold which he then loaded into his Isuzu Twin Cab intending to transport it to Fidelity Printers and Refineries in Kwekwe,” he said.
Mr Mathose said Pullen waylaid the complainant along the way to Fidelity Printers and Refineries, Kwekwe.
“Accused number one then charged towards the complainant’s motor vehicle. Upon arrival he hit the complainant on the chest with a fist and tried to forcefully open the complainant’s car intending to take away the 47,5kg of gold bullion, but failed as Armstrong Mapanga locked the doors in the process,” he said.
The Prosecutor said the complainant quickly alerted the police.
“The issue of ownership of this mine can’t be resolved now but can only be clarified by the Ministry of Mines. I find no bases to place the accused on remand because the State failed to discharge its duty whilst the accused has managed to do so, accordingly the State’s application is hereby dismissed.”
Prosecutor, Mr Emmanuel Mathose said the complainant is Vansburg Drumgold Enterprises led by Mr Armstrong Mapanga (44) of Kwekwe.
He said on July 12, the complainant through his company Vansburg Drumgold Enterprises was given a mining certificate to mine at Dandrum Mine North.
On July 17, Mr Mathose said, Vansburg Drumgold Enterprises started operations at the mine and extracted a substantial amount of gold ore which they took to Combustion Tech Company in Kwekwe for processing.
“On July 18 and at around 1PM, Vansburg Drumgold Enterprises being represented by Armstrong Mapanga finished processing the gold ore and produced 47,5kgs of gold which he then loaded into his Isuzu Twin Cab intending to transport it to Fidelity Printers and Refineries in Kwekwe,” he said.
Mr Mathose said Pullen waylaid the complainant along the way to Fidelity Printers and Refineries, Kwekwe.
“Accused number one then charged towards the complainant’s motor vehicle. Upon arrival he hit the complainant on the chest with a fist and tried to forcefully open the complainant’s car intending to take away the 47,5kg of gold bullion, but failed as Armstrong Mapanga locked the doors in the process,” he said.
The Prosecutor said the complainant quickly alerted the police.
Zanu PF’s Disastrous Partisan Urban Land Distribution
BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA| Our partisan predispositions affect not just what we think about candidates, or about policy proposals, but how we think about the objective facts of the world,”.
Since we started parcelling out urban land to our party youth we; “have been telling [right-leaning citizens] that our freedom hangs by a thread.” To gain support by abusing our national resources is an insult to our party and a false hope that we have support yet we only have land grabbers and not genuine members. Despite our political beliefs land is supposed to be a national and not party assert. We will get more voters if we distribute land to all regardless of our political differences. When it comes to land every Zimbabwean must benefit not as reward but as a right.
The lack of meaningful change in the policy and system of campaigning causes the land distribution in an un planned manner and totally embarrassing.
The next time you get an urge to say that the country is gripped by a belief that government is dangerously out of control and that it’s threatening our freedom, remind yourself that the country is not in fact gripped by those beliefs. Cowards are gripped by those beliefs, and the fact that they’re yelling them very loudly doesn’t mean they’re shared by everyone else. So dishing the land out without proper planning is not a campaign strategy but a decampaigning way which serves to embarrass the party and its members.
It will not be long before we see a soar sight of shacks mushrooming in our towns. This is a future problem to deal with. It shows the lack of focus and total bankruptcy of ideas.
This is not fair at all. But it would be equally fair to note that people are “gripped” by similarly impugnable beliefs that land in a particular party in government now, as a matter of fact, less of a threat to Zimbabwean citizens? The president’s stance on land distribution amount to a vigorous affirmation of the very policies he openly implored during the war he has, for example, asserted the authority to order land distribution to all Zimbabweans. The slogan was Land for all not for supporters. The first lady even stated that food must be given to all regardless of their political affiliation.
It is correct to suggest that today’s Urban land bribing is a partisan phenomena.
Likewise, the overwhelming majority of the youth who are at ease with the state of land affairs are profoundly misguided; one wishes they had been roused from their oblivious slumber for better reasons.
The graph is truly troubling because it shows us that each party’s base of supporters is more or less blind to land abuse and do not wish to see the evil side when their favoured team is in power. Which is to say, their dogged partisan team-spiritedness keeps Zimbabweans from unifying to perceive and combat very real threats to their liberties and lives. It’s hard to imagine that People would not have done something by now to make government account for this land. The situation is threatening to citizens if not for the delusive complacency currently gripping the country.
There is no planning for shops schools recreation space all we do is give land. This is will come back to haunt us in the near future. The victims will be the poor youth who will have invested their hard earned coins to erects the illegal structures.
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Britain’s Outrageous Support For The Mugabe Regime
Ian Birrel |After almost four decades in power, Robert Mugabe’s vice-like grip on Zimbabwe seems to be slipping. There have been public sector strikes and street protests. The economy is shattered and the state coffers are empty, the government struggling to find funds even to pay security forces that shore up a calamitous regime. And the doddery 92-year-old despot is being deserted by key allies with calls for his departure amid a savage internal battle to succeed the President.
The latest sign of waning control came last week with a statement by war veterans attacking him as dictatorial and egocentric. For decades, these former comrades who led the disastrous seizure of white farms were the people so quick to defend Mugabe with violence. Now they claim they regret keeping quiet while citizens were abused, condemning suppression of free expression and accusing their President of corruption. “This rot needs to be uprooted, and right now,” they said.
Time to ask Boris: Why has Britain been supporting Mugabe’s regime?
For all the hypocrisy, few sane people would disagree. We can presume this includes the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, since last year he wrote a punchy article condemning Mugabe’s monstrous misrule. He accused the Zimbabwean leader of turning a prosperous nation into one of the poorest on the planet. So perhaps now he might like to ask his new officials why Britain has been leading international efforts to shore up this repressive regime?
For our government has been promoting a plan to refinance the debt-ridden Zanu-PF government, which would ensure it can borrow money again to fund its torturers and baton-wielding police forces. They have been pushing a package to pay off $1.8bn arrears to multilateral donors, which would allow Zimbabwe to take out emergency International Monetary Fund loans. So forget the savage brutality and billions stolen by senior figures: Britain is backing a bailout for Mugabe – and when he might finally be on the brink.
This shameful plan is led by British diplomats and officials in the department for international development chanting the tired old mantra of stability over respect for human rights or support for brave opposition figures fighting a brutal regime. “This is not a question of signing a blank cheque,” said one central figure involved. “They will be forced to impose monetary stability. The alternative is to say that we will walk away and watch as the whole place explodes.”
There are justified fears of implosion, which might impact on the wider region. The country has suffered drought, falling commodity prices and chronic cash shortages, leading to delays in payment of salaries to police, soldiers and teachers. There has been a “stay-away” general strike led by a churchman, the biggest act of public defiance against Mugabe in a decade, plus violent demonstrations. One group of protesters even stormed a plush hotel in fury at the vice president staying there since 2014, accusing a supposedly broke government of profligacy.
Yet the state’s failure is down to shocking mismanagement, with the future far from rosy under this regime. Just 700,000 people have formal jobs, fewer than at independence in 1980 when the population was half the size. Since Mugabe stole the 2013 election, enabling his party to regain full control after a four-year coalition, the state payroll has doubled to reward followers. An unsustainable 82 per cent of public spending now goes on public sector salaries while corruption remains rife.
With even war veterans turning against him, insiders say the increasingly frail President is feeling alarmed. “Mugabe is a very worried man,” disclosed one source, saying the President fears betrayal by long-term allies. “He has even told his aircraft engineers to make sure his plane is well serviced and ready to fly.”
So what a strange time for Britain to back up Mugabe. No doubt the aim is to regain influence in a former colony as China slows bankrolling of the regime. There are also local suspicions Britain is backing a faction led by Emmerson Mnangagwa, a bloodstained former spymaster nicknamed the Crocodile, in the three-way fight for succession against Mugabe’s wife and a former vice-president.
An infuriated Washington rightly fears a fresh injection of funds will only prop up Zanu-PF in power and help it to purloin the 2018 presidential ballot. “It seems strange London is doing this when Mugabe is on the ropes,” said one well-connected figure. Earlier this year Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, warned new lending to Zimbabwe could “entrench the very same individuals responsible for the country’s economic collapse and gross human rights violations”.
Britain remains far too ready to do deals with despots despite a torrent of smooth words about democracy, development and fighting corruption. You might have thought aiding Mugabe would be beyond the pale – but apparently not. “They are being so naive in playing the same game as always: stability at all costs, even if that means backing a dictatorship like the one we are suffering here,” said one human rights source in Harare.
Our blinkered diplomats ignore the likes of Tendai Biti, who salvaged the economy as coalition finance minister after the second-worst hyperinflation in world history. ‘Britain is selling the ordinary man and woman down the river by backing a regime that cost so many lives in Zimbabwe,’ he told me. ‘What the British are doing has no moral legitimacy – a Western government that thinks it knows best for Africans. It is appeasement. Shame on the British government.’ But does Boris still agree? Or has he suddenly changed his mind on Mugabe, a man he once called a tyrant? INEWS
War Vets Split, As Crackdown Looms
A crackdown against members of the war veterans association, who have been identified as the chief rubble rousers who authored the controversial communique calling on President Robert Mugabe to resign looms.
This comes at a time that another faction of the liberation fighters gears itself to contradict publicly the meeting held last week which endorsed Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa boldly telling Mugabe in his face he was a dictator and must resign.
In an exclusive interview with ZimEye, Joseph Chinotimba who is pro establishment, denounced the war veterans gathering last week which came out with the communique, asserting that it was not representative of the association.
Chinotimba instead claims in the interview with ZimEye (see link above) that a genuine meeting of authentic members of the association who have propped up the President Mugabe will be held tomorrow, Wednesday.
This drama in the association’s body is further compounded by reports that state agents will close in on instigators and authors of the controversial communique whose publication has been equated to an act of treason which carries a heavy prison sentence should one be found guilty.
The stunning fallout between Mugabe and war veterans is getting more ominous, amid revelations yesterday that law enforcement agents are close to arresting and throwing the kitchen sink at the hapless former freedom fighters who have been identified as the chief rubble-rousers.
Well-placed sources confirmed to the media last night that police were close to “finding” the people who were allegedly behind the scathing statement that was released to the media after the war veterans met in Harare last Thursday, that has been described by panicking authorities as “treasonous” for its acerbic criticism of Mugabe.
“Investigations are in progress and police are close to finding the people who were behind that document. Watch this space,” one of the impeccable sources said.
At the same time, the media was also reliably told that Zanu PF bigwigs had conducted a thorough analysis of video material that was taken when the war veterans gathered in the capital, with a view of “identifying and punishing” all the ex-combatants who may have said anything deemed to be offensive.
Contacted for comment yesterday, police spokesperson Charity Charamba said she was not at work and therefore could not assist with answers about the reported crackdown on ex-combatants.
The spokesperson of the under-siege Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), Douglas Mahiya, said he was in a meeting and could therefore not also comment.
However, it was evident yesterday that the usually garrulous former freedom fighters were under the cosh and desperately running away from the media spotlight that is currently trained on them, as the nervous Zanu PF government embarks on its massive witch-hunt to punish those vets who are now viewed as rebels.
In a revealing Press statement that insiders said showed the extent of Zanu PF’s fears, party provincial chairpersons yesterday called for stern action to be taken against war veterans who they said were stirring up problems in the country, as well as those people who were allegedly pulling the strings from behind the scenes to push the war veterans to take on Mugabe.
“We condemn in the strongest of terms the reckless (war veterans) statement, including those who authored this treasonous document. We recognise that this statement does not speak to all war veterans whom we respect, but a few malcontents bent on dividing the party.
“We call upon the party to immediately take decisive action against those implicated in the authoring and distribution of the communiqué, including those who sponsored the gathering with financial and other resources,” the party bigwigs said.
Curiously too, they went further to assert that the increasingly frail Mugabe would remain Zanu PF’s presidential candidate for the country’s eagerly-anticipated 2018 national elections.
Meanwhile, it has also emerged that top Cabinet ministers and high-ranking Zanu PF officials were apparently aware of the offending war veterans’ communiqué way ahead of its release last Thursday and had pored over it before the former freedom fighters had even gathered in Harare.
This raised questions yesterday as to why these bigwigs did not act ahead of the communique’s release, with one insider telling the Daily News last night that he was “smelling a rat”.
“If some of the comrades knew about this document well in advance, as is being said, why did they keep quiet?
“Given the things and the fights taking place in the party, I smell a rat,” the source said, without elaborating on his cryptic sentiments.
Contacted for comment, War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube claimed that the war veterans’ meeting had been unscheduled, meaning that no one could have known what was going to happen.
“I only came to know about the war veterans’ meeting much later as I was only aware of a meeting with ex-detainees and restrictess that we had scheduled and still hope to hold soon,” Dube said.
However, insiders insist that top government officials “knew everything” and that the furore that had ensued after last Thursday’s meeting merely manifested the succession wars and mindless bloodletting devouring Zanu PF. DailyNews
WOZA Protests Against Police Brutality
Jenny Williams led hundreds of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) members on Tuesday in a demonstration in central Bulawayo calling for an end to corruption, repression and police brutality.
The placard waving protestors – some of them waving the Zimbabwean flag -targeted key government institutions in the city centre, namely the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) offices, Bulawayo provincial police headquarters at Southampton building, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) offices and the Mhlahlandlela Government complex.
At the ZHRC offices, they called on the officers to investigate cases of human rights abuses. At the police headquarters they told police officers who were blocking the entrance to stop violating people’s rights and fulfil their constitutional mandate.
Passing through the ZIMRA offices, the protestors expressed their displeasure at the implementation of Statutory Instrument 64/2016 which bans the importation of particular items.
They also briefly stopped at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo statue erected in the heart of the city for a mini prayer calling on God to intervene in Zimbabwe’s situation.
Some of the placards that were been waved were inscribed, Repeal Statutory Instrument 64, Respect the Constitution, respect our rights, Fight injustice not people.
Addressing the protestors, Mahlangu said the police had no right to beat up citizens when they were failing to arrest those named in corruption cases.
“The police officers have double standards, President Mugabe spoke of 15 billion dollars diamond money that disappeared but we have not seen you arresting any of those implicated in the cases,” Mahlangu charged.
Williams said as a group they did not seek a police clearance to stage their demonstration as it is their right to do so as enshrined in the national constitution.
“We are demonstrating to expose the injustices and police brutality and demand the government to engage us and deal with the socio economic crises.
“There is no such thing as police clearance the constitution allows me to petition and protest,” she said.
The protestors failed to gain entry into the Mhlahlandlela Government building where they wanted to deliver a petition to Bulawayo provincial minister Sandi Moyo as they found the gates locked with anti-riot police manning the entrance. NewZim