Those in the Diaspora can buy medication for their loved ones back home at the click of a button

HARARE, August 17, 2023 – MedOrange Pharmacies, the leading health, wellness and beauty centre in Zimbabwe, has launched a mobile application, MedOrange Mobile App, which offers online prescription services.

The app offers online prescription services, allowing users to order medication for loved ones online for delivery to the doorsteps of beneficiaries in Zimbabwe. The app will benefit people on chronic medication who need regular prescriptions for their treatment. Via the MedOrange app, patients can also consult with doctors directly and get access to a wide catalogue of health, beauty and wellness products digitally. The MedOrange mobile app is the first such platform in Zimbabwe.

Also available are features such as reminders on when to take your medication, pre-ordering of medication, purchasing common health and beauty products and booking an appointment with a doctor. The new app helps Zimbabweans feel confident in managing their medicines and those of their loved ones since it has the option to add dependents.

“Our new app is akin to having a pharmacy right in your pocket. It enables our customers to upload prescriptions, access all their medical records and order health, beauty and wellness products in one place at the same time as well. A unique offering is that customers are able to use the app to set up appointments with our partner doctors, be it a virtual meeting, home visit or a walk-in appointment. This reduces the stress of first having to make a trip to the doctor’s office for a check-up,” said Wayne Chidakwa, Platform Support Lead at MedOrange Pharmacies.

Diana Hore, Managing Director at MedOrange Pharmacies, commented: “We are excited about how the app will benefit our customers. We are particularly delighted for Zimbabweans in the Diaspora. In our interaction with them, they told us that they want to have meds delivered directly to their loved ones in Zimbabwe, especially those on regular treatment for chronic conditions. This app responds to their needs.”

This eliminates the hassle of patients trying to remember when to take their medication and when to refill their prescriptions.

Yolandah Sibanda, eStore Manager at MedOrange Pharmacies, added: “The app is more than just a repeat reminder service. It gives our customers trusted care and advice at their fingertips since they can chat with a pharmacist on the platform.”

The MedOrange Mobile app is now available to download via the Apple and Google Play store and supports all payment methods, from Visa cards to EcoCash.  You can also visit your local MedOrange Pharmacy for help getting set up on the app.

About MedOrange Pharmacies

MedOrange Pharmacies is the fastest growing pharmacy Group. We are not just a Pharmacy but a platform providing convenience for health, beauty and wellness solutions. Robust online and physical presence, offering last-mile delivery, and offering the diaspora services.

We at MedOrange value people’s health and wellness and we can track parameters that give an indication of health using special Integrated Health Examination Kiosks. The parameters that are measured by these kiosks include; blood pressure, height, weight, blood oxygen, body fat, body composition, body temperature and body mass index (BMI). The numbers from these parameters can indicate risk for certain diseases and conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity and other non-communicable diseases. With the use of these parameters, expert advice may be provided to improve health.

We provide first aid kits as they are essential for emergencies as they reduce the risk of minor injuries from worsening. It is important to own at least two first aid kits; one for home and the other to keep in your car or at your workplace. We, as MedOrange Pharmacies, can provide first aid kits to fit any organisation’s needs.

We can partner up with firms for any awareness events such as marathons, walkathons, etc. We assist with advertisement and any other necessary services.

For further information please visit our website: https://www.medorange.com or download our new mobile app

By Dorrothy Moyo | In a powerful and impassioned address at the Mutoko Rally, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa outlined an ambitious vision for the future of Mutoko, captivating the crowd with his promises for economic transformation and equitable development. Speaking before an engaged audience, Chamisa laid out a comprehensive plan to uplift the region and address key concerns voiced by the local populace.

Chamisa began by highlighting the importance of Mutoko’s granite minerals, pledging that under his leadership, no granite minerals would leave the region without undergoing thorough value addition and beneficiation processes. This commitment, he argued, would not only ensure that the local resources contribute significantly to the region’s economy but also create more job opportunities for the community.

One of the key focal points of Chamisa’s speech was the revitalization of market gardening in Mutoko. He emphasized his dedication to promoting and supporting local market gardening endeavors, and his plan to establish industries that process the region’s agricultural products, including prized crops like tomatoes. This approach, Chamisa explained, would not only bolster the local economy but also provide a foundation for sustainable growth.

Touching on the contentious issue of mineral discovery and its potential impact on communities, Chamisa vowed to prevent any illegal displacement of people from their ancestral lands due to such discoveries. He expressed a strong commitment to consulting with landowners in areas where mineral deposits are found and ensuring fair compensation for those affected.

In a move to restore the dignity of traditional leaders, Chamisa promised to prohibit the political installation of Chiefs, asserting that such decisions should be made by the clan. He also underscored the importance of fair allocation of vending markets, free from political influence, and pledged to create additional vending markets to bolster local businesses.

The MATURA initiative, which Chamisa outlined, aims to uplift rural Mutoko through comprehensive economic and social strategies. The leader urged locals to vote for his party, the CCC, as the driving force behind the transformation he envisions. With a resounding call for economic change that benefits all, Chamisa concluded his speech by invoking a vision of Mutoko that is prosperous, inclusive, and stands as a testament to the power of unified action and collective progress.

By Farai D Hove | Is it laziness, or ignorance, or both? The musician Holy Ten perhaps displayed his levels yesterday when he advertised the Emmerson Mnangagwa biography that exposes the ZANU PF leader as a Rhodesian Spy who never fought in the Chimurenga war, did not bomb any train, and there’s not even a bird of the forest that he shot down against the Ian Smith regime.

Holy Ten while campaigning for the ZANU PF coup leader over the upcoming 2023 elections may have been unaware that the biography he is showing off, is the most authoritative revelation to date that Mnangagwa is a fake comrade of the nation’s black people’s fight for liberation.

Emmerson Mnangagwa’s publicist, and authorised biographer, Eddie Cross exposed the ZANU PF coup leader for falsifying that he was sentenced to death for bombing a Rhodesian train, revelations which correlate with others by senior veterans who showcase how Mnangagwa is in the class of the gun totting former British South Africa Police reserve cop Phillip Chiyangwa.

I've never done any work in my life since 1962, my career's only confined to politics, says Emmerson Mnangagwa, somewhat confirming @ProfJNMoyo's statement that Mnangagwa has no work experience in law. In other footage, war vet, Karen Kazingizi says ED was recruited at the end… https://t.co/TrjkAs61rQ pic.twitter.com/mrG5yVP3zF

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 19, 2023

Cross reveals with impecable evidence that Mnangagwa did not bomb any property, and he was spared the death penalty because his crime was not that serious, Oxford academic, Miles Tendi breaks this down.

Cross’ biography corrects falsifications of significant episodes in Mnangagwa’s life story, writes Tendi.

He continues saying: One example will suffice. Mnangagwa, in The Sunday Mail of 22 February 2015, narrated that he was spared the death penalty in 1965 for using explosives to cause damage to a railway engine, as part of early liberation struggle sabotage campaigns. According to Mnangagwa in 2015: “the age of majority then was 21. I was below 21, so I escaped the noose. My colleagues were, however, hanged”.

Cross corrects this account by reproducing the High Court of Rhodesia’s 1965 sentence in the biography.

The High Court’s sentence reads: the court accepts “the fact that you are 18 years and seven months old. That being so, in terms of this section of the Law and Order (Maintenance) Act, the court has a discretion as to whether to impose upon you the death penalty or to send you to prison for a period up to a maximum of 20 years. Generally speaking, it seems to me that where the Court has a discretion in dealing with an offender under the age of 19, the death penalty is appropriate for the worst type of case where, for example, petrol bombs have been cold-bloodedly and deliberately thrown into residential buildings occupied by persons causing them misery and suffering. This is not such a case, although it is a serious crime according to law. I do not therefore propose to sentence you to death in this case”.

Thus, contrary to Mnangagwa’s longstanding claim he was spared death because he was underage, Mnangagwa was in fact not sentenced to death in 1965 because his crime was considered by the judge as not grave enough to warrant hanging. Cross deserves commendation for setting the historical record straight in this instance.

FULL TEXT:

This authorised biography tells the life history of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, from childhood to presidency. The biography is 153 pages long. It consists of a foreword, an editor’s note by Rachel Jambaya, 30 brief chapters, and a conclusion.

The biographer, Eddie Graham Cross, is an economist, a regular commentator on public affairs and former Secretary for Economic Affairs in the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), a party he left in 2018 after 19 years of serving in a range of executive positions at national level. Cross drew on personal interviews with Mnangagwa in order to complete the biography.

Cross has written a controversial biography of Mnangagwa.

The biography depicts vice president Constantino Chiwenga, the former general who helped bring Mnangagwa to power in a military coup in 2017, in an unfavourable light. It is also replete with conspicuous historical distortions and silences. Nonetheless, the biography does have some strengths, such as its presentation of the true version of certain important events in Mnangagwa’s life.

Cross’s corrections bring to light Mnangagwa’s mythomania. Mnangagwa penned the biography’s foreword, graced its official presentation on 5 August 2021, delightedly signed copies of the book at the launch and he did not publicly rebut any of the biography’s contents. Consequently, it is fair to conclude that Mnangagwa wholly endorses his biographer’s work.

‘Military figures’

Cross writes that following Mnangagwa’s inauguration as president of Zimbabwe on 24 November 2017, “he set about selecting a new cabinet and senior staff in the president’s office. This was complicated by the demands being made by the senior military officers who had carried out what became known as the military assisted transition (military coup). Chief among these was the commander of the armed forces, General Chiwenga”.

Cross adds that Mnangagwa’s first cabinet “received mixed reviews” partly because it contained “too many military figures”.

Elsewhere in the biography, Cross states Mnangagwa “replaced General Chiwenga with General Philip Sibanda” as commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and he avers that Sibanda is “possibly the best soldier in southern Africa and a man that was deeply respected in the army. Mnangagwa’s actions drew little attention but what the president was doing was closing the door on any possibility of the military assisted transition (military coup) being repeated. He needed to know that the security services were led by men in whom he had confidence as professionals”.

Additionally, Cross maintains that when violence and looting occurred in January 2019, the acting President Chiwenga “demanded that a state of emergency be declared and martial law be introduced. This would have effectively meant that the armed forces took over the administration of the state”. However, Cross continues, “General Sibanda refused. He said his orders from the President were clear. What had happened was that the President had stamped his personal authority on the state. He would not tolerate any challenge”.

‘Hardliners’

Cross makes reference to “hardliners” (Chiwenga ostensibly) who, before the July 2018 election, “argued that reforms to the electoral system and any relaxation of controls over the media and civil society would have serious impact on the ability of ZANU PF to win the election.

Moreover, Cross contends that a grenade thrown at Mnangagwa on 23 June 2018 during a ZANU PF rally at White City stadium in Bulawayo “was of Chinese origin and in use by the Zimbabwe National Army”.

Chiwenga was present at the White City rally and his wife Marry sustained injuries from the blast but Cross, curiously, does not mention this. Of the two vice presidents, only Kembo Mohadi is identified as present at the rally and as having sustained injuries along with 47 others.

From the foregoing, Cross appears to be casting aspersions on Chiwenga as a political operator. His biography suggests that Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are ill at ease with each other. Cross typecasts Chiwenga as obstructing political and economic reforms and as in favour of repressive and militarised state responses such as martial law. He intimates that Sibanda is a more “professional” soldier than Chiwenga who Mnangagwa trusts will not carry out a coup – a contentious assertion, given that Sibanda participated in the 2017 coup.

Corrections

Let me now turn to some of the ways in which the biography corrects falsifications of significant episodes in Mnangagwa’s life story. One example will suffice. Mnangagwa, in The Sunday Mail of 22 February 2015, narrated that he was spared the death penalty in 1965 for using explosives to cause damage to a railway engine, as part of early liberation struggle sabotage campaigns. According to Mnangagwa in 2015: “the age of majority then was 21. I was below 21, so I escaped the noose. My colleagues were, however, hanged”.

Cross corrects this account by reproducing the High Court of Rhodesia’s 1965 sentence in the biography.

The High Court’s sentence reads: the court accepts “the fact that you are 18 years and seven months old. That being so, in terms of this section of the Law and Order (Maintenance) Act, the court has a discretion as to whether to impose upon you the death penalty or to send you to prison for a period up to a maximum of 20 years. Generally speaking, it seems to me that where the Court has a discretion in dealing with an offender under the age of 19, the death penalty is appropriate for the worst type of case where, for example, petrol bombs have been cold-bloodedly and deliberately thrown into residential buildings occupied by persons causing them misery and suffering. This is not such a case, although it is a serious crime according to law. I do not therefore propose to sentence you to death in this case”.

Thus, contrary to Mnangagwa’s longstanding claim he was spared death because he was underage, Mnangagwa was in fact not sentenced to death in 1965 because his crime was considered by the judge as not grave enough to warrant hanging. Cross deserves commendation for setting the historical record straight in this instance.

Cross-checking

Although Cross debunks some of Mnangagwa’s mythomania, he too is a mythomaniac. For example, Cross writes that Mnangagwa “was designated as one of the leaders” of the crocodile gang in the 1960s and insinuates that Mnangagwa was involved in the killing of Pieter Oberholzer in Chimanimani in 1964. Mnangagwa was, of course, not a member of the crocodile gang and he was not implicated in Oberholzer’s killings, as scholarly works by Baxter Tavuyanago and Terence Ranger show.

Cross’s expertise as an economist encumbered his ability to generate a credible biography of Mnangagwa. Trained economists should probably stick to writing about economics, not liberation, military and political histories, which are beyond their knowledge.  

For instance, Cross refers to the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) as the ‘Zimbabwe Independent People’s Revolutionary Army’.

In 1978, ZIPRA shot down two Rhodesian Viscount planes but Cross writes that the downing occurred in 1962 and, erroneously, uses it as an example of how the “guerrilla war was gaining momentum”.

Furthermore, according to Cross, in 1975 Herbert Chitepo was “assassinated in what is suspected as inter party violence and conflict”. This is a bizarre contention since the competing views on Chitepo’s assassination are that it was the result of an intra ZANU conflict or that the Rhodesian security forces carried out the hit. Is Cross suggesting, through the statement ‘inter party conflict’, that ZAPU assassinated Chitepo?

What is the evidence for this?

Zimbabwe entered the second Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) war to assist Laurent Kabila to fend off a rebel insurgency in 1998, but Cross, incorrectly, writes that Zimbabwe intervened “to support the campaign by Laurent Desire Kabila to take power from the long standing dictator Mobutu Sese Seko”.

What is more, the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) was created through the merger of three rival armies – the Rhodesian army, ZANLA and ZIPRA but Cross, speciously, writes that five armies merged to form the ZNA.

Silences

Then there are the biography’s historical silences.

Despite crediting Mnangagwa as having taken charge of operations during the late 1990s DRC war, Cross is silent about United Nations and non-governmental organisation reports about corruption during Zimbabwe’s involvement in the second DRC war.

Cross also seeks to downplay the role of Mnangagwa and the CIO in the 1980s Gukurahundi. Cross would have us believe that Mugabe’s instructions on Gukurahundi only went directly to "the 5th Brigade and to the Ministry Of Home Affairs and the Police on the ground" and excluded CIO, which fell under Mnangagwa’s Security Ministry. 

Yet, as the CCJPZ report Breaking The Silence: Report On The Disturbances in Matabeleland and Midlands discloses, CIO was in fact central to Gukurahundi operations and it functioned from within Mugabe’s office. Cross is also silent about Mnangagwa’s role in the strong March to June 2008 political violence.

Cross’s writing radiates colonial overtones.

The scholar Kristen Harkness points out that “British martial race doctrine, developed first in colonial India, stipulated that some ethnic groups were naturally more suited to combat and military discipline than others. Once groups were classified as martial they were preferentially recruited into the British colonial forces”.

It is precisely this colonial martial race doctrine that underlies Cross’s unevidenced contention that Mnangagwa was recruited in ZAPU in 1962 partly because of “his potential from a military point of view given his Karanga tribal background and physique” – the implication being that Karangas are “naturally more suited to combat”.

Indeed, Cross largely understands the politics and history of Africans through colonial tropes like “tribes” and “tribalism”. Never mind that the notion of “tribe” is, today, bereft of analytical purchase because it lacks a sense of social scale and complexity and it presupposes savagery, primitiveness, irrational violence and ancient hatreds in Africans.

A final important silence concerns Mnangagwa’s personal dimension. Bar his early family history, we get no real sense of who Mnangagwa is today, his actual character away from political performance and the composition of his immediate family, making for a rather impersonal biography.

The wives of politicians matter. Who is Auxillia Mnangagwa and how has she impacted Mnangagwa’s personal and political trajectories? What are the ideas, thinkers or books that have shaped Mnangagwa’s political outlooks?

Perhaps Cross will care to address these crucial questions and the aforementioned shortcomings in a second edition of his biography of Mnangagwa.

By-The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has said voters would be subjected to COVID-19 regulations at polling stations on election day.

Zec officials said this during the second briefing of local and foreign election observers in Harare.
About 4 099 local and foreign observers have been accredited to observe the August 23 elections.
Zec chief elections officer Utloile Silaigwana said: “As I indicated, from our logistics committee we have representatives from the Health ministry in this committee.
“There are no major health hazards but we need to take care. At the polling stations,you will be required to keep a safe distance, as usual, that’s basic.”
Zec chairperson Priscilla Chigumba added: “People will not be expected to wear masks but there will be provisions for people to sanitise their hands or even the ball point pens in polling stations.
“We have a COVID-19 handbook which was designed specifically for the electoral process by our commission which will be followed. Masks are no longer mandatory in Zimbabwe but there will be sanitisers for anyone who feels they want to.”
The Word Health Organisation has declared end of the COVID-19 pandemic
Meanwhile, a Southern African Development Community (Sadc) election observer mission head, Nevers Sekwila Mumba, has emphasised the need for the country to hold free, fair and credible elections.
Mumba, who arrived in the country with his team yesterday, told journalists that a free and fair election was key to regional stability.
“If you don’t have a free and fair election you are going to be subjected to insecurity for quite a while,” Mumba said.
“We come with a very clear mandate from the Sadc region; the mandate is to ensure that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters here in Zimbabwe, to elect a president of their choice. Our determination is to support every effort that is going to give us a free and fair election.” Newsday

By-Authorities in Mashonaland Central have barred CCC from holding cluster rallies at Kandeya Village business centre and Dotito in Mt Darwin.

CCC wanted to meet Mt Darwin supporters tomorrow August 18.

In a statement, CCC said the Police advised them that the rallies could not proceed because the venues had already been booked.

Reads the statement:
Our cluster rallies, which were scheduled to take place on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Kandeya Village business center and Dotito in Mt Darwin, have been denied by the [Zimbabwe Republic Police].
These denials come under controversial reasons, as they claim that the venues are already occupied on the same date.
It is evident that this is a systematic approach employed by the regime in Harare to prevent the Citizens movement and its President, Nelson Chamisa, from engaging with the people.
Sadly, these are just some of over 105 rallies and meetings that have been banned on false pretenses and yet we are in the election season.
ZANU PF is running scared and can never win a free and fair election in Zimbabwe.

By-The Police have barred CCC from holding cluster rallies at Kandeya Village business centre and Dotito in Mt Darwin.

CCC wanted to meet Mt Darwin supporters tomorrow, August 18.

In a statement, CCC said the Police advised them that the rallies could not proceed because the venues had already been booked.

Reads the statement:
Our cluster rallies, which were scheduled to take place on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Kandeya Village business center and Dotito in Mt Darwin, have been denied by the [Zimbabwe Republic Police].
These denials come under controversial reasons, as they claim that the venues are already occupied on the same date.
It is evident that this is a systematic approach employed by the regime in Harare to prevent the Citizens movement and its President, Nelson Chamisa, from engaging with the people.
Sadly, these are just some of over 105 rallies and meetings that have been banned on false pretenses and yet we are in the election season.
ZANU PF is running scared and can never win a free and fair election in Zimbabwe.

By A Correspondent- Nkayi Rural District Council (RDC) has approved a proposal to construct a clinic at Ngomami in ward 5 to ensure easy access to primary healthcare services.

The ward’s Mtshabi villagers are currently forced to walk long distances to access healthcare services.

The nearest clinic is in Nesigwe village, about 20km away.

Their plight was exposed during a sitting of the Nkayi Community Parliament (NCP), a replica of the country’s National Assembly, where the communities discuss issues affecting the district.

Nkayi RDC has since approved a proposal to construct a clinic in the ward, community chairperson Baron Ncube confirmed.

“I thank (NCP) Parliament for the good work and effort it made to assist ward 5 to have a clinic pegged,” Ncube said.

“As I speak, (Nkayi RDC chief executive officer Silibele)  Mpofu is from the Sibangilizwe community, where he pegged the clinic.”

In a statement, NCP speaker Nhlanhla Ncube also celebrated the latest developments.

“As NCP, we congratulate the community for its success in seeking to have a clinic in their local area,” he said.

“We thank the RDC and other local leaders for assisting the concerned villagers.”

Mpofu yesterday said: “The proposal went through committee and through council and it got approved.”

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association are campaigning for Zanu-PF and President Mnangagwa in next week’s harmonised elections.

The association’s national executive has since embarked on a nationwide tour, meeting provincial executives to drum up support for President Mnangagwa and all Zanu-PF candidates.

On Monday, the national executive led by political commissar Joel Mureremba met the Mashonaland East provincial executive at Murehwa Centre. Mureremba said they fully support President Mnangagwa because of his developmental policies and works that are transforming people’s lives.

“We are on a campaign programme across the country where we are calling on our members to be on the ground and mobilise people to go and vote on August 23,” he said.

“We are encouraging all cadres, all children of war veterans, war collaborators, detainees and their children, to vote for President Mnangagwa on voting day. President Mnangagwa is our patron. We want all Zanu-PF candidates to win. So, we are here together with all provincial chairpersons and others so that we drum up support for the ruling party.

“We are campaigning for Zanu-PF and President Mnangagwa. We support our patron and Zanu-PF and we encourage our members to vote for the ruling party.”

Mashonaland East provincial chairman, Daniel Sigauke, said it was important to vote for President Mnangagwa because he has done tremendous development in the last five years.

“Our main purpose for this meeting is to drum up support for the President and Zanu-PF. Our wish is for Zanu-PF to win in all seats across the country.  President Mnangagwa has done a lot in short space of time and we are sure that greater things are coming.

“On development, the President has done a lot in the past few years. He is a committed leader who is there to transform this nation and everyone’s livelihood. He needs that mandate going forward so that he keeps on developing this nation, leaving no one and no place behind.”

Sigauke said President Mnangagwa’s mantra of “leaving no one and no place behind” was being witnessed on the ground and they will support him for that.

“In this province, we have seen roads being constructed, dams and infrastructure. We have one of the biggest lithium processing plants and an iron and steel plant.

“We see every corner of the province is being developed and we are assured that better days are coming. So we are in support of President Mnangagwa,” said Sigauke.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- High Court judge Justice Never Katiyo has accused the opposition of endangering his life and that of his family members by publicly criticising him after he dismissed the party’s application for the release of an updated voters roll.

Katiyo on Monday dismissed the application as not urgent, sparking fury among the opposition camps.

Yesterday, he said his mobile number was posted on social media after the judgment.

“Let’s be guided by the court procedures. We should know what to say in public, especially since the matter is still before the court,” Katiyo said.

“For members of the public to be told that the ruling of the judge was incorrect, that the procedure was not good was not right. I’m quite aware that there are some court officials who made some comments. Let’s not be especially involved and incite members of the public.

“If such sentiments are to come where my number is publicised, it would be a matter of concern. It involves my family and my security and we should be responsible as court officials.”

He urged parties to find each other, saying if they fail to reach an agreement, the matter will be argued before him today.

“Honourable Katiyo felt that this was a matter capable of resolution if parties were to consider their respective conditions which position we equally agree with as parties,” said Obey Shava who is representing the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

Zec has been taken to court by opposition parties on several occasions for refusing to release the voters roll.

CCC secretary for elections Ian Makone filed the latest urgent High Court application seeking an order to compel Zec to provide an up-to-date copy of the voters roll.

Makone cited Zec, its chairperson Priscilla Chigumba and the chief elections officer Utloile Silaigwana as respondents.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga has said Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist, Tinashe Chitsunge who died following political violence in Glenview 7 recently, was run over by the party’s truck.

This is contrary to eyewitness reports who said Chitsunge was stoned to death by suspected Zanu-PF activists.

Matanga was addressing delegates on an election observer mission in Harare, Wednesday.

The police boss however said they are still waiting for the postmoterm report.

“On August 3 2023. We received a report of public violence in Glenview 7 in which a life was unfortunately lost. The deceased Tinashe Edson Chitsunge …was run over by a truck in the course of politically motivated violence.

“Currently we are waiting for a postmortem report to ascertain the cause of his death,” he said:

15 people have so far been arrested in connection with Chitsunge’s death and charged with a lesser charge of public violence.

The group was also freed on bail.

Matanga further assured delegates that their security is guaranteed during their stay.

He said their main mandate is to maintain peace throughout the election season also outlining measures that have been put in place to fulfill the wish adding that he will personally be in charge of Peace maintenance in the country.

According to Matanga, the police received 1 878 rally notifications from Zanu-PF and 1 691 were compliant.

CCC filed 627 notifications and 538 were compliant whilst 89 were turned down.

-NewZimbabwe

By A Correspondent- A 51 year old man from Kuwadzana high-density suburb appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi facing a fraud charge involving US$30 000.

Anthony Mubweza was remanded out of custody to September 9 on US$500 bail.

The complainant in the matter is Vincent Chisvo.

It is alleged that in 2019, Mubweza fraudulently changed ownership of his late sister Christine’s house in the Egypt section of Highfield, Harare, registered under deed of transfer number 1465/2012 to his name under deed of transfer number 4066/2019.

Prosecutor Zebediah Bofu told the court that on December 22, 2021, Mubweza sold the house to Chisvo who paid US$30 000, and an agreement of sale was signed between the two parties.

By A Correspondent- In a startling incident that has sent shockwaves through Plumtree, a member of the Zimbabwe National Army, Arnold Nyoni (29), stands accused of a daring robbery. The brazen act unfolded in the early hours of August 4, when Nyoni allegedly targeted an unsuspecting pedestrian, Alphonse Nkomo (35), walking along a quiet footpath.

According to the prosecution led by Arnold Mudekunye, the incident occurred on August 4 at approximately 4 am when Nyoni allegedly attacked Alphonse Nkomo (35). Despite Nkomo’s attempt to resist, Nyoni overpowered him and stole his wallet, which contained US$90.

Upon learning that the perpetrator was a soldier stationed at the 1.3 infantry battalion in Plumtree, Nyoni was identified by Nkomo when he visited the army base. Subsequently, Nkomo filed a police report, leading to Nyoni’s subsequent arrest.

By A Correspondent- An eight-man armed gang stormed Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Company (SZCC), 20 kilometres west of Lalapanzi in the Midlands province, and got away with a variety of mining equipment whose value could not be immediately ascertained.

Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Company is a joint business venture between a Chinese Foreign Direct Investment partner, China Building Material Corporation for Foreign Econo-Technical Co-operation (CBMC), and the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe Limited (IDC).

Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said on August 31 around 2AM, the eight-member gang armed with machetes and logs, pounced on the mine, where eight security guards were on duty.

“Four of the suspects shattered the windscreen of the security guards’ motor vehicle before manhandling two guards who were in the vehicle while the other four suspects went to the main plant where they also manhandled four security guards,” he said.

All the guards were tied with wire and ropes after which they were force-marched to a nearby bush where they were heavily assaulted with logs.

One of the robbers was left to keep an eye on the guards while the others went to the magazine site and stole 21 SB codes, 2121 rills of power codes and 76 boxes of Emex 29 x 270 explosives, and drove away in an unidentified truck.

Police attended the scene and instituted investigations.

In a separate incident, Insp Mahoko said a 29-year-old man was robbed of US$420 by a gang of four, comprising two women and two men, who gave him transport in an unregistered Honda Fit.

According to the police, on August 13, around 12 noon, the victim Simelukuthula Ncube of Fitchlea, Kwekwe, boarded an unregistered black Honda Fit at Senderai roundabout in the Central Business District going

to Sebakwe Block plots outside the town.

Ncube occupied the back seat in the vehicle, which had four men, the driver and three passengers, one man on the front seat and two females at the backseat.

“They drove in the Harare direction and upon reaching the 204 Km peg, near Sebakwe Bridge, the driver pulled the vehicle off-the road and parked,” said Insp Mahoko, adding that the male passenger got off the vehicle and opened the back passenger door from outside.

“He pointed the complainant with an unidentified pistol and ordered him to surrender all his belongings. The two women searched Ncube and took a wallet with cash amounting to US$420 and an Itel S18 Pro cellphone. They then pushed the complainant out of the vehicle and drove away.”

Insp Mahoko urged members of the public with information on both cases to report to the nearest police station.

By A Correspondent- The majority of Zion Christian Church Kumuka Kwavakafa Nhaudzashe (ZCCKK) members have reportedly rallied behind Bishop Lyphet Matenda Mugaviri who allegedly proposed love to his daughter-in-law.

There are fears that the church could be headed for an acrimonious split after some members pushed for Mugaviri’s ouster following the scandal.

The bulk of the church elders have reportedly backed Bishop Mugaviri to remain their leader although other members who wanted him disciplined have already left the church.

Church spokesperson, Mubhoyi Kufakunesu told H-Metro that mistakes happen but they were fully behind Bishop Mugaviri. He said:

All church branches are in support of our bishop and only one centre leader by the name Elder Jonathan decided to go his way.

We are moving forward as a church and we have managed to hold our ground-breaking ceremony for Canaan Junior School followed by celebrating the birthday anniversary of Bishop Nhaudzashe Matenda.

The church is working together with the community in uplifting their livelihoods.

The church is no longer going to lose focus or get distracted but we will continue to grow our church and shepherd the Lord’s flock.

We are grateful that we are guided by our constitution and led by the word of prophecy.

We acknowledge mistakes happen and we have corrective measures.

l can confirm to you that it was a long battle within the family and that matter was blown out of proportion.

That minor fraction had a selfish reason to tarnish the church.

Mubhoyi said, out of the 30 elders, only two decided to leave the church.

By- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has responded to postal vote rigging allegations.

ZEC confirmed that police officers had started voting before the 23 August 2023 elections.

A report by NewsDay on Wednesday quoted ZEC deputy chairperson Rodney Simukai Kiwa as saying they had only allowed police officers deployed outside their constituencies to participate in the postal ballot system. Said Kiwa:

Yes, they have been voting. We started sending out the postal ballots on Sunday and Monday.

CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere on Tuesday tweeted that police officers were voting in the absence of agents and independent observers.

However, Kiwa said postal voting was not subject to monitoring. He said:

There is no way postal votes can be monitored. Postal votes are not subject to monitoring.

So the opposition or whoever might want to monitor, it’s not possible. How can one tell whether there are postal votes? The law is very clear on that.

How can you deploy observers on postal votes, because the postal ballots are dispatched in various places, so operationally, and physically, it’s not possible.

ZEC recently gazetted Statutory Instrument 140, which amended section 75(1)(d) of the Electoral Act to allow the chief elections officer to receive postal votes not later than three days before the voting day instead of 14 days.

Zimbabwe holds three elections (local authority, parliamentary and presidential) on 23 August 2023.

By-Suspected Zanu PF hooligans have defaced two billboards promoting CCC presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa in Bulawayo.

The vandalism happened either on Monday night or in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

CITE reported that one of the vandalised billboards was on 15th Avenue, opposite the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre, while the other was in Queens Park East Suburb.

CCC official Swithern Chirowodza told CITE that the use of fire by the suspects should have attracted the attention of security services but that was not the case. He said:

The use of fires to destroy property would under normal circumstances have attracted the attention of police and the army but it has not.

We have been watching the situation since morning and there has been no reaction from the security sector. That on its own tells us a story.

The arson from our point of view, that is judging from the debris left on the crime scene, is a notch above ordinary civilian capability.

He said the opposition believes the destruction of their billboards was being done by people who have the backing of state security.

Recently, a senior police officer in Midlands province was berated by Deputy Minister of Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbara Rwodzi after a ZANU PF activist was arrested for allegedly destroying CCC posters.

By-THe relationship between the self-proclaimed prophet and Zanu PF sympathiser Passion Java and music producer and social media influencer DJ Towers has soared following the alleged robbery of the former by the latter.

H-Metro reports that Towers has publicly apologised to the controversial preacher for stealing money from him.

The apology came after Java took to his social media platforms to claim that DJ Towers was involved in a robbery a few weeks ago.

The publication reported that Java alleged that DJ Towers, whose real name is Tawanda Marimbe, tipped the robbers, resulting in the theft in which he lost valuable items.
In a video circulating on social media platforms, DJ Towers can be seen begging for forgiveness from Java.

By A Correspondent- Information ministry permanent secretary Nick Mangwana has warned voters against milling around polling stations after voting under the guise of defending the vote.

In a tweet, Mangwana said there is nothing called defending the voter, but those who would have voted should go home and wait for the announcement of results.

Said Mangwana:

“There is nothing called, “DEFENDING A VOTE”. That’s a threat to peace. After voting people should just go home and wait for the announcement of the results. Imagine a polling station with 2000 voters from different parties all milling around after voting now waiting to “defend their vote”! That’s a potentially explosive scenario. For the sake of peace, after voting just go home, to work to your business or whatever else that gives you a livelihood.”

There is nothing called, “DEFENDING A VOTE”. That’s a threat to peace. After voting people should just go home and wait for the announcement of the results. Imagine a polling station with 2000 voters from different parties all milling around after voting now waiting to “defend… pic.twitter.com/grsgICOhhf

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) August 15, 2023

In a dramatic statement, exiled former Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere has sounded the alarm, calling on election observers and the international community to closely monitor the surge in political violence during this year’s elections.

Kasukuwere, who was recently barred from running as an independent presidential candidate, expressed concern that the escalating violence could seriously undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

Kasukuwere’s plea comes amidst chilling incidents of brutality, with the latest tragedy involving the stoning to death of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporter Tinashe Chitsunge by suspected Zanu PF supporters in Glen View, Harare. The leader of CCC, Nelson Chamisa, also fell victim to an attack on his convoy on the same day. These sh0cking acts of violence have raised serious questions about the safety and fairness of the democratic process.

By A Correspondent- Tempers flared yesterday after it emerged that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) had “secretly” allowed police officers to vote ahead of the August 23 polls in the absence of political parties’ polling agents.

Zec deputy chairperson Rodney Simukai Kiwa confirmed the development yesterday, saying they had only allowed police officers deployed outside their constituencies to participate in the postal ballot system, adding “there is no way postal voting can be monitored”.

“Yes they have been voting,” Kiwa said.

“We started sending out the postal ballots on Sunday and Monday.”

Citizens Coalition for Change spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said political parties should have been allowed to deploy election agents to monitor the process.

ALERT: We’ve received reports from all provinces that members of @PoliceZimbabwe are today casting their postal votes. Our agents and independent observers have not been allowed to monitor the process. Where is the transparency @ZECzim? #ZECMustExplain,” Mahere tweeted.

But Kiwa said postal voting was not subject to monitoring.

“There is no way postal votes can be monitored,” Kiwa said.

“Postal votes are not subject to monitoring. So the opposition or whoever who might want to monitor, it’s not possible. How can one tell whether there are postal votes? The law is very clear on that. How can you deploy observers on postal votes, because the postal ballots are dispatched in various places, so operationally, physically, it’s not possible.”

Zec recently gazetted Statutory Instrument 140, which amended section 75(1)(d) of the Electoral Act to allow the chief elections officer to receive postal votes not later than three days of the voting day instead of 14 days.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has promoted 1 500 police officers countrywide in what has been viewed as a strategy to boost their morale and buy their loyalty ahead of the August 23 elections.

NewsDay is, however, reliably informed that there is disgruntlement among junior officers over the questionable promotions amid reports of nepotism and politicisation of the process since the criteria used was unclear.

In the past, police officers wrote examinations to be promoted.

Alternatively, for those who were not intellectually gifted, the force would invoke provisions of the Police Act to promote members of the force on account of good behaviour and hard work.

According to a memo written by Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to all stations, and seen by NewsDay, all promoted officers will be transferred from their stations after the election.

“The Commissioner-General of Police is pleased to announce the promotion of the following members with effect from 11/08/23 as shown in order of merit,” Matanga said.

“Conferment of badges of rank shall be conducted by respective officers commanding provinces (for all provinces/CID/SU) and CSO admin in respect of PGHQ [Police General Headquarters] on Friday August 18, 2023 at 1000 hours.

“All promoted members shall not put on the new badges of rank until after conferment. Staff officer ordnance shall start issuing out new badges of rank on Wednesday August 16.

“Promoted members are to remain in their current stations until after the 2023 harmonised elections.”

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the promotions.

He said: “It is not correct that the promotions are targeted at boosting the morale of police officers due to the pending general elections set for August 23, 2023. The Zimbabwe Republic Police has a promotional policy which guides the organisation on promotions as vacancies arise within the system due to natural manpower wastage such as retirement, death, resignation and those dismissed for various disciplinary reasons and criminal acts.”

He said Matanga had not received complaints from officers-in-charge about “the interference by some senior officers in order to promote their relatives or those close to the said senior officers”.

“In fact, the promotion exercise was conducted through boards of officers at station, district, provincial and national levels. These boards then submitted their recommendations to the Commissioner-General of Police,” Nyathi said.

“This was an open system which started at the station level based on merit. Above all, it is not possible for the ZRP to promote all police officers at one go. The Commissioner-General of Police is even happy to receive names of the said police officers who were promoted at the instigation or interference of some senior officers.”

However, NewsDay heard that there is disgruntlement over the criteria used to select officers deserving promotion amid claims of nepotism.

“The criteria used to come up with the promotions were not clear,” once police source confided in NewsDay yesterday.

“There are complaints of nepotism, where some officers known to be related to high ranking officials were promoted. Police officers used to write examinations for them to be promoted, so promotion was on merit.

“But now the officer-in-charge recommends the officer for promotion which has now been marred with various irregularities. This has caused serious divisions within the force as many junior cops are against this process.”

-newsday

By A Correspondent- In a distressing incident, a woman and her partner fell victim to a robbery and physical assault while searching for transportation in Kambuzuma.

Ndaizivei Sadowera (38) and her l0ver Denzel Dhlola were targeted by three unidentified assailants who forcibly took their belongings.

According to Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, the incident occurred near a Catholic Church in Kambuzuma Section 5 at approximately 4:45 am on Monday. The couple was approached by the suspects, who had pulled over in a vehicle. One of the assailants confronted the victims and demanded their valuables, while the other two individuals exited the vehicle.

The attackers proceeded to assault Ndaizivei and Denzel, repeatedly striking them with open hands. In fear for their safety, Ndaizivei was compelled to surrender her Huawei cellphone, a satchel containing various clothing items, a plastic dish, and a selection of groceries.

Inspector Chakanza confirmed the incident and urged anyone with information to come forward, as the police are actively investigating the robbery.

This unfortunate event serves as a reminder of the importance of personal safety and vigilance when seeking transportation, particularly during the early hours. Authorities are committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring the safety and security of the community.

Speaking out against these disturbing incidents, Kasukuwere condemned the attacks as an assault not only on the victims but also on the very foundations of democracy. He emphasized the need for observers and international bodies to play an active role in monitoring the voting process and ensuring that violence is curbed. Kasukuwere’s call for action reflects the growing concerns among Zimbabweans, as an Afrobarometer survey revealed that 70% of the population fears being caught up in violence surrounding the elections.

Demanding justice for victims and denouncing intimidation and harassment, Kasukuwere made it clear that no Zimbabwean should have to pay the price for exercising their democratic rights. He stressed that a nation governed by the principles of freedom, fairness, and equality should have no place for such violence.

While President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pledged to maintain peace before and after the polls, human rights watchdogs have pointed fingers at his ruling party, Zanu PF, as the main perpetrator of violence. However, the party vehemently denies these accusations.

As Zimbabwe braces for a highly contentious election, the world watches closely to see if the international community can help ensure a fair and peaceful democratic process. The fate of Zimbabwe’s credibility hangs in the balance as the nation grapples with the urgent need to address the alarming rise in political violence.

By A Correspondent- Information ministry permanent secretary Nick Mangwana has warned voters against milling around polling stations after voting under the guise of defending the vote.

In a tweet, Mangwana said there is nothing called defending the voter, but those who would have voted should go home and wait for the announcement of results.

Said Mangwana:

“There is nothing called, “DEFENDING A VOTE”. That’s a threat to peace. After voting people should just go home and wait for the announcement of the results. Imagine a polling station with 2000 voters from different parties all milling around after voting now waiting to “defend their vote”! That’s a potentially explosive scenario. For the sake of peace, after voting just go home, to work to your business or whatever else that gives you a livelihood.”

There is nothing called, “DEFENDING A VOTE”. That’s a threat to peace. After voting people should just go home and wait for the announcement of the results. Imagine a polling station with 2000 voters from different parties all milling around after voting now waiting to “defend… pic.twitter.com/grsgICOhhf

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) August 15, 2023

By Tafadzwa Muranganwa| Rising gospel diva Dorcas Moyo saluted St John Apostolic Church of the Whole World leader Bishop Dr Sydney Mabhiza for inviting her to a musical gala during ‘Mutumwa St John 2023 Declaration’ in Mhondoro on Saturday.

Addressing over 35 000 congregants who thronged the Mutumwa St John City before her scintillating act, the Bvudzi Rangu Ramera-hitmaker could not hide her appreciation of the gesture by the church’s founder and leader Bishop Dr Sydney Mabhiza inviting her to serenade the apostolic members.

“Can you join me in thanking Bishop Mabhiza for according me such a rare opportunity to perform our music ‘pasowe’ (holy ground).

” This is the first of its kind and for that I am grateful, “said the Mutare-based gospel artiste.

She later put up a memorable act with her catalogue of singalong songs including her duet with Alick Macheso ‘Mhanza Haisekwi’. It was during the performance of this duet that Gringoldinho(Taurai Boora) , son to the late actor Gringo spiced up the act with some pulsating dances that left the crowd clamouring for more.

Earlier on, Pastor Joseph Tivafire also proved his mettle in the gospel music industry as he gave a good account of himself. Another stand out performance  though brief was from husky-voiced King Solomon who came up immaculately dressed for the occasion. Mambo Dhuterere who was bestowed with an ambassadorial role in St John Apostolic Church of the Whole World  didn’t disappoint with his band putting up a stellar show. There were also performances from Vabati VaJehovha, Followers of Christ and Rudo Muchawaya.

The concert will remain etched in the memories of many as it  featured some upcoming artistes from the church including Booster, Craig Zonke Turbo and G-Smart.

Speaking to journalists after the ‘declaration’, the church’s Information Technology and Publicity (ITP) director Ngoni  Ray Mariga said the musical extravaganza was also mearnt  to celebrate talent in  the church.

“As a church, we value and appreciate talent so the musical show enabled some of our artistes to showcase their talents,”Mariga told journalists.

By A Correspondent- In a bizarre turn of events, three Zanu PF “double” candidates vying for local government seats in Karoi and Zvimba have left the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) scratching their heads.

After their withdrawal from the upcoming polls was announced last week, the candidates were reinstated this week, causing confusion and raising eyebrows.

Zec’s chief elections officer, Utloile Silaigwana, initially issued a notice stating that Gasho Kudzai, Zhanda Lameck, and Rutter Luke had withdrawn their candidature for the August 23 elections. These candidates had filed their nomination papers under Zanu PF, despite not receiving party endorsement. In response, Zanu PF had ordered them to withdraw or face sanctions, leading to a mix of compliance and defiance among the candidates.

However, in a sudden reversal, Silaigwana issued a follow-up notice this week, stating that the “double” candidates would remain on the ballot paper. This unexpected decision has left voters in a state of bewilderment, as they try to make sense of the ever-changing landscape of the upcoming elections.

Opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) claims that there are at least 20 cases of double candidacy, further fuelling the controversy. The CCC alleges that these “double” candidates were sponsored by Zanu PF, a claim vehemently denied by the ruling party. Zanu PF insists that the candidates were chosen by CCC supporters during the party’s candidate selection process.

With conflicting narratives and a lack of clarity, voters are left wondering about the integrity and fairness of the electoral process. The sudden reappearance of the withdrawn candidates has added a new layer of uncertainty to an already contentious election.

As the election date draws nearer, the spotlight intensifies on Zec and its decision-making processes. Voters, already grappling with a multitude of choices, now face the added challenge of navigating through the confusion surrounding these “double” candidates.

The drama surrounding the Zanu PF double trouble continues to unfold, leaving voters on edge and the political landscape in a state of uncertainty.

By Dorrothy Moyo | With Zimbabwe heading to harmonised elections in a week’s time, Sadc has already dispatched a team of observers led by former Zambian Vice President Nevers Sekwila Mumba.

Although Zimbabwe is not on the agenda, the country has been the talk of the town with observers commenting over ongoing violence and manipulation of the voters roll.

Yesterday, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who is the current chairperson of the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, announced the appointment of Mr Mumba. “As Chair of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, I am pleased to announce Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba as head of the Sadc Electoral Observation Mission for Zimbabwe’s elections. We’re optimistic of a peaceful and democratic process before, during and after elections in Zimbabwe,” President Hichilema wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.

There are also reports that soon after this summit, the Sadc executive secretary Dr Elias Magosi and his team will also head to Zimbabwe with the other Sadc team having arrived on August 10.

The 43rd Ordinary Summit of Sadc Heads of State and Government is themed “Human and financial capital: The key drivers for sustainable industrialisation of the Sadc Region”.

The Summit will be preceded by the Troika Summit of the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation on August 16, 2023.

President of Namibia Hage Geingob as the outgoing Chairperson of the Sadc Organ, will also attend the Troika Summit.

The Organ Troika Summit will discuss the political and security situation in the region with a particular focus on the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Mozambique (Sadc Mission in Mozambique) and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Organ Troika Summit will also reflect on the consolidation of democracy in Sadc and deliberate on the socio-economic outlook for the community.

Other activities of the summit include the announcement of the 2022 Sadc Secondary School Essay Competition, the Media Awards, and the presentation of the Medal of Honour to one of the Sadc Founders — the late and first President of the Republic of Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama.

The Summit was preceded by the Sadc Council of Ministers meeting on Monday. Today there is a Ministerial Committee meeting of the Organ where Zimbabwe is being represented by Industry and Commence Minister Sekai Nzenza, and Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Jorum Gumbo.

By Dorrothy Moyo | In a recent turn of events, revelations have emerged regarding a purported government plan to assassinate Vice President Constantino Chiwenga while he was receiving medical treatment in a South African hospital. These shocking claims, which Emmerson Mnangagwa is yet to comment on, have ignited a fervent debate among analysts and citizens alike about the potential ramifications and implications for Zimbabwe’s political landscape. Analyst Max Lion, a prominent voice in this discourse, asserts that this revelation presents General V.P. Chiwenga with an opportunity to correct the course of the nation, restoring it to a pre-2017 coup state.

Lion contends that the evidence produced during the trial raises questions about the integrity of some of the beneficiaries of the 2017 coup. The coup, which led to the removal of long-time President Robert Mugabe, initially promised a new era for Zimbabwe, but its aftermath was marred by political instability and economic turmoil. The fact that some individuals involved in the coup were allegedly willing to sacrifice the country’s stability for personal gain has left a stain on the coup’s legitimacy.
Chiwenga, a key player in the 2017 coup, holds a unique position to rectify the nation’s path. Lion argues that Chiwenga should acknowledge the errors of the coup and its negative consequences for the country. By publicly recognizing his role in the upheaval and the subsequent turmoil, Chiwenga could begin the process of restoring the nation’s trust and moving toward reconciliation.
Lion goes further to propose that Chiwenga could take a bold step by initiating a comprehensive restoration effort that brings Zimbabwe back to its pre-coup state. This would require a significant political, economic, and social transformation, potentially involving the establishment of a genuine republic with a focus on accountability and the separation of powers. This approach, aligned with the objectives of the liberation war struggle, could pave the way for a new era of ethical leadership and sustainable governance.
While Lion does not detail the specific methods for Chiwenga to achieve this ambitious goal, he acknowledges that the general is uniquely positioned to understand the internal dynamics and obstacles facing Zimbabwe. If Chiwenga orchestrated the 2017 coup, Lion suggests that he possesses the strategic acumen to engineer a reversal of the process, potentially leveraging both political and public sentiment in favor of restoration.
Lion believes that such an endeavor would not only be a patriotic duty but also a monumental opportunity for Chiwenga to cement his legacy in Zimbabwean history. By successfully orchestrating the reversal of the coup’s effects, Chiwenga could emerge as a transformational figure, revered for his contribution to the nation’s resurgence. This restoration could potentially override the negative perceptions and controversies surrounding the 2017 coup, positioning Chiwenga as a revered statesman for generations to come.
Lion’s proposal stems from his deep concern for Zimbabwe’s future. He argues that continuing down the path of instability and discord would be detrimental to the nation’s potential. The current political landscape, marked by unfair advantages in elections and leadership lacking ethical principles, only exacerbates the country’s challenges.
A South African medical doctor on Friday claimed that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s former wife Mary Mubaiwa told him that President Emmerson Mnangagwa tried to kill his deputy in 2018.
Willi Leo Sieling made the claims while testifying at the Harare magistrates court on Friday in a case where the former model faces a charge of attempting to murder Chiwenga, her ex-husband.
Sieling said Mubaiwa continued pestering him to inject Chiwenga with a dangerous drug known as pethidine to sedate him.
“On June 29, 2019, l was accosted by the suspect (Mubaiwa) who was unhappy that l had allowed a surgeon to place an intercostal drain without her consent,” Sieling told the court.
“She scolded me and shouted at me.
“Nurses reported to me that the suspect was interfering with and hindering the administration of drugs to the complainant.
“The suspect insisted that l had to start giving the complainant pethidine.
“However, it is a highly addictive narcotic analgesic, which l refused to do.”
Sieling added: “There were continuous calls, messages and persistent demands by the suspect for the discharge of the complainant.
“The suspect started from the beginning and consistently told me that his Excellency the President of Zimbabwe wanted to kill the complainant (Chiwenga) starting with the grenade attack.”
Chiwenga escaped unhurt after an explosion hit a tent at the end of a rally at White City Stadium that was addressed by Mnangagwa on the eve of the July 2018 elections.
Dozens of people including then vice president Kembo Mohadi and Defence minister and Zanu PF chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri, security aides, politicians and supporters suffered varying degrees of injuries from the blast.
Three security aides succumbed to the injuries.
Mnangagwa, who had just left the podium after addressing Zanu PF supporters when the explosion went off blowing off the staircase and leaving some people with broken limbs, escaped unhurt.
According to Sieling, sometime in December 2018, he was called by John Mangwiro, Health deputy minister, to attend to Chiwenga at Fire Ice hotel in Pretoria.
“I discussed extensively with the complainant in the suspect’s presence,” the medical doctor said.
“Just before they left, the suspect gave me US$1 900. l do not know what the money was for.
“I just thought it was a gift from the suspect as l had gone out of my way to assist.”
“On the second trip on June 23, 2019, Mangwiro called me saying the complainant was extremely ill and needed admission into at least the High Care unit at NetCare Pretoria Hospital.
“I made arrangements for the complainant’s admission.”
Sieling said he waited until 9.40pm on the day, but Chiwenga was not brought to the hospital forcing him to go to Sheraton Hotel where he was booked to investigate.
At the hotel, Mubaiwa allegedly introduced him to one Dr Bruce Peck.
“I told everyone that the complainant would be dead if he was not admitted at the hospital,” he told the court.
“Seven days before the complainant was discharged, l was in the complainant’s room and l was extremely puzzled because he was extremely sedated as he had been since he was discharged from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“I requested a urine specimen.”
Sieling said there was nothing wrong with the urine specimen.
However, a member of Chiwenga’s security team disclosed to him that the retired general was being administered with Pethidine, he said.
Sieling said he arranged that the specimen be extracted through a cystoscopy, and it was confirmed that Chiwenga was administered with Pethidine, but could not identify the person who administered it.
He said Mnangagwa requested a report on what was happening.
Chief secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda also visited South Africa to check on Chiwenga’s health.
The doctor said he suspected that a member of Chiwenga’s security team may have administered dangerous drugs on Chiwenga.
“I was extremely distressed because l knew that l would not be able to do anything further for the complainant and that he would need further therapy,” he said.
Harare magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka moved the case to August 28 for continuation of trial.
According to prosecutors, Mubaiwa intended to finish off Chiwenga when he lay fighting for his life in a Pretoria hospital.
It is alleged that Mubaiwa forced Chiwenga’s security details to leave his hospital room so she could find space to remove life support devices which were connected to the VP.
Chiwenga was later flown to China where he went through successful treatment.
In conclusion, Max Lion’s analysis presents an intriguing perspective on General V.P. Chiwenga’s potential to redeem himself and restore Zimbabwe’s trajectory. The proposal suggests that Chiwenga could capitalize on the opportunity presented by the revelations of the assassination plan to initiate a comprehensive transformation, repositioning Zimbabwe as a functional and prosperous nation. However, the success of such an endeavor would require careful planning, strategic execution, and the genuine commitment of key stakeholders. Only time will reveal whether Chiwenga will seize this chance to reshape his legacy and his nation’s fate. – Standard/ additional reporting

By-The leader of the opposition CCC, Nelson Chamisa, has predicted the downfall of hip-hop artist Holy Ten should he continue associating with the ruling party.

Chamisa said Holy Ten might lose the support of young people if he continues to endorse Zanu-PF. 

Chamisa’s comments follow Holy Ten’s endorsement of President Emmerson Mnangagwa ahead of the upcoming general elections.

In an interview with an online publication, Chamisa stated that Holy Ten’s association with Zanu-PF would not be advantageous for him. Chamisa questioned whether Holy Ten’s appeal to the youth would surpass that of the opposition, emphasising the importance of understanding the prevailing circumstances. He said:

You think Holy Ten would appeal to youths more than we have? If you believe that, you must be living on another planet, come to the earth and appreciate the circumstances.

Holy Ten must be holy, otherwise his unholy alliances are not going to benefit him, he will lose support because young people do not align with what he is supporting.

Young people do not want this kind of misery and darkness. Holy Ten please be Holy and support holiness.

According to Chamisa, young people desire a departure from the hardships and darkness they associate with the ruling party.

Meanwhile, Holy Ten has faced criticism after a video in which he praises Zanu-PF’s projects from the past five years went viral on social media. One of the people who criticised Holy Ten is journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who said while the musician has the right to support whomever he chooses, it is up to the people of Zimbabwe to decide if they want to continue supporting an artist who aligns with a regime that has imprisoned political opponents like Job Sikhala without conviction. 

Chitungwiza Ward 19 Incident Raises Concerns Ahead of 2023 Elections.

The attackers are reported to have also went on further and ransacked the house of Wendy chiriri and stole goods including $500 USD, a gas tank, grocery cartons of flour and sugar, IDs and passports pic.twitter.com/qrvPzuoRND

— Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitors Platform (@ProtectHRDs) August 13, 2023

By Dorrothy Moyo | Reports from Chitungwiza Ward 19 have sent shockwaves throughout the community as a group of Zanu-PF supporters reportedly attacked and severely injured the campaign team of Independent candidates Zambezi S. Ignatius and Wendy Chiriri. The attack occurred on Sunday while the candidates were distributing campaign fliers.

Eyewitnesses revealed that the attackers used logs, stones, and cables to assault the campaign team members. A woman identified as Mai Chipwai suffered particularly brutal treatment, sustaining broken fingers and extensive swelling from the assault. Witnesses expressed deep concern, stating that she was “almost killed” during the attack.

#Alert, we’re getting reports from Chitungwiza ward 19 that a group of Zanu-PF supports attacked, injured and almost killed the campaign team of Independent candidates ( Zambezi S. Ignatius & Wendy Chiriri), while distributing fliers. They were beaten with logs, stones and cables pic.twitter.com/BpOX3ZRRH5

— Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitors Platform (@ProtectHRDs) August 13, 2023

The alarming incident took a distressing turn when the attackers proceeded to ransack Wendy Chiriri’s residence. The assailants stole valuable items, including $500 USD, a gas tank, grocery cartons filled with flour and sugar, as well as IDs and passports. This escalation has raised concerns over the safety of political candidates and their supporters.

In a disconcerting twist, three individuals are now missing following the attack, prompting fears of possible abductions. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Platform has reported their disappearance, further adding to the gravity of the situation.

These events have unfolded less than 10 days before the scheduled 2023 elections, which are set to take place on the 23rd of August. The incident has ignited concerns about the security and fairness of the upcoming elections.

Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.