Tinashe Sambiri|Addressing thousands of citizens at Muchakata Business Centre, Masvingo Central Constituency on Monday, CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa took a swipe at Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa for ruining the country’s glamour.

President Chamisa also slammed Mr Mnangagwa’s spooks posing as FAZ.

FAZ, traditional leaders and Zanu PF hooligans are intimidating rural citizens across the country.

Below is a list of President Chamisa’s key points…

-Zim schools need new learning curriculum

-We will do away with CALA

• Economic development

-development of infrastructure

• State of the art roads and hospitals

By A Correspondent- A High Court Judge Justice Neville Wamambo will on Thursday deliver a ruling on opposition Citizens Coalition for Change double candidates.

The alleged 17 CCC “bogus” candidates allegedly forged signatures of senior party leaders and they filed their nomination papers to represent the opposition party on the pretext that they had been given the green light to contest the forthcoming polls on August 23.

The CCC has however approached the courts for reprieve seeking the nullification of the nomination of the 17 candidates.

Reported a local publication:

CCC lawyer advocate Thabani Mpofu told the court that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) registered the candidates under the party despite forging signatures of officials who were mandated to sign for candidates.

Mpofu also said their candidates had an original pre-prepared photo of the party’s logo while the bogus candidates had photocopies.

The lawyer submitted Fadzayi Mahere’s form and that of the “bogus” CCC candidate Freddy Masarirevhu as evidence and highlighted the discrepancies on the forged form.

“The first are the nomination forms for Fadzayi Mahere. The second is a document for Freddy Michael Masarirevhu. On our case Mahere is the legitimate candidate and Masarirevhu is the bogus candidate.

“The political party is required to place its symbol and place it before Zec. On the form for Mahere there is an original pre-prepared photo of the logo and on the one for Masarirevhu there is a photocopy.

“On page 5, there is the signature for Farirai Gobvu. On the Mahere documents, the signature is smooth and on the Masarirevhu paper is trembling.” Advocate Mpofu told the court.

“People who clearly do not have a logo are being declared the candidates for that party. You have a completely unnecessary man,” he said.

Mpofu said the nomination court officer was given documents in advance.

“The reason why we give specimen signatures is because the law requires that the nomination officer must conduct verification by his or her naked eye.

“The nomination officer must compare it with any nomination paper that has been filed. The law also says you may also entertain a doubt. The nomination officer has all the contact details. It is true that he cannot get involved in the internal squabbles of political parties,” Mpofu averred.

However, Zec lawyer Advocate Tawanda Kanengoni argued that prior to elections there was no letter that provides a specimen logo.

“The one that is described as bogus and the logo that is there, it satisfies that description. It is a white background, with Nelson Chamisa’s face and a black box written CCC.

“There was no reasonable suspicion that the nomination officer would suspect that this is not the CCC logo. The signatures, I don’t know what aspects of that signature the appellant has made.

“When you look at those signatures, there is no real basis where you can say they are different. They are substantially similar.

“Any nomination officer who looks at the specimens and the nomination papers would not say they look different. None of us are experts in that,” Kanengoni argued.

-Newsday

The European Union will on Wednesday deploy 46 observers ahead of the forthcoming August 23 harmonised elections.

Said the EU in a media advisory

Press Point:

Deployment of EU EOM Long-Term Observers

Date:                     Wednesday 26 July 2023

Time:                     08.45 am

Location:              Holiday Inn, Harare, Parking Lot

Dear Sir or Madam

You are kindly invited to attend the press point of the European Union Election Observation Mission to the Republic of Zimbabwe at the occasion of the deployment of the EU EOM long-term observers.

Deputy Chief Observer, Dr. Beata Martin-Rozumiłowicz will address the 46 observers and will be available for questions.

Observers will be present in the EU EOM mission outfit with the EU EOM logo and will be leaving in a convoy from the Holiday Inn Hotel.

By- The government has announced that 1 753 pupils from Matabeleland South dropped out of secondary school during the second quarter of the year for several reasons, including teenage pregnancies.

Presenting a health and social services sub-committee second quarter report during the Matabeleland South Provincial Development Committee meeting yesterday, provincial social welfare officer, Mr Criswell Nyakudya said this figure is worrying given that the country is working towards achieving quality, equitable and inclusive education at all levels.
The drop-outs were also attributed to teenage pregnancies and lack of interest in school among others.
Mr Nyakudya said the province has made significant progress in ensuring access to universal primary education. “The province has made significant strides in achieving universal primary education, a key challenge remains in the access to quality, equitable and inclusive education across education levels.
“During the second quarter of the year, there has been an increase in access to education at the primary level due to the contribution of private players especially at the ECD level,” he said.
“A gap still remains at the secondary level. The provincial enrolment during the second quarter went down by 3,1 percent.
This means that 1 753 pupils dropped out of secondary school during the period under review.”
Mr Nyakudya said the province recorded an improvement in non-formal education as 5 369 pupils enrolled surpassing the set target of 4 800. He said 3 577 pupils were enrolled in vocational training centres in the province.
Mr Nyakudya said a number of schools in the province are running viable commercial ventures such as goat-rearing, poultry, piggery, cattle ranching, horticulture and fishery.
He said the issue of child protection remains a major concern in the province with a number of children being abused within their home set up.
“A total of 136 children were placed under residential care during the second quarter. This means that these children were removed from the communities where they were staying because they were not being properly taken care of, some were being ill-treated, abandoned or their guardians were no longer in a position to look after them,” said Mr Nyakudya.
“These children were then removed from society and placed in institutions. Effective social protection and safety nets, policies, systems, and programmes play a major role in reducing poverty and vulnerability, redressing inequality, and promoting inclusive growth and development of human capital.”
Mr Nyakudya said it is important for all members of the community to take child protection issues seriously. He said 30 children were placed under foster care during the same period. “Guardians in the province were now forthcoming to foster children. A total of 39 children with disabilities were assisted with rights-based services while 317 children were assisted on drug and substance abuse-related services,” said Mr Nyakudya. Chronicle

By- Zanu PF is using members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) to distribute its campaign regalia at rallies.

According to The Standard, soldiers last week dished out President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s campaign rally in Centenary, Mashonaland Central, on Saturday.
Soldiers in uniform were seen distributing ZANU PF caps and t-shirts some 2km away from the rally venue.

In his address at the rally, Mnangagwa said no party could remove ZANU PF from power. He said:

We are aware of other political parties here in Zimbabwe. They are allowed to realise their desires to rule this country, but I can tell you that it is not easy when ZANU PF is in power.

You are children of freedom fighters, who suffered during the liberation war and we know when we come here you will defend the country’s heritage and retain ZANU PF when we go to the elections on August 23.

If you are paid to cause violence just spend the money quietly because if we know about it, we will deal with you.

ZANU PF reportedly bussed thousands of supporters to the venue, as has been its custom during previous rallies.

Some of the villagers, who failed to get the free fried chicken and chips, hampers, party regalia and other goodies promised by ZANU PF, were left disgruntled.

At the rally, Mnangagwa received former MDC-T spokesperson, Witness Dube and other MPs who left MDC-T to join ZANU PF.

By-The leader of the opposition CCC Nelson Chamisa said his party had covered all loopholes used by Zanu PF to rig elections in the past.

Addressing thousands of CCC supporters at a campaign rally at Dulibadzimu Stadium in Beitbridge on Sunday, Chamisa said the opposition party should win the 23 August 2023 elections by a huge margin. He said:
When ED grabbed power from Mugabe, he was given two years to finish Mugabe’s term but nothing worked. I warned my brother (Mnangagwa) about the repercussions of grabbing power.
I told him what you have done, you have committed a crime in heaven and on earth. He grabbed another five years from me in 2018.
This time we know he is thinking of employing dirty tactics but all corners are covered because we know what he uses to steal elections.
We want to see when election results are being announced, the gap must be huge.
Chamisa castigated the ZANU PF-led government for bragging about implementing development projects that are not benefiting people. He said:
If they build a road, they come back to you and boast, yet it’s their duty. They even inflate the (cost). Look at Zimborders which has plunged people into suffering.
People living in Beitbridge depend on cross-border trade but they have been impoverished by high charges when using the upgraded border so who does it help?
So what development is that? My government will exempt locals or seek reversal of the deals which make people suffer.
The upgrading of the Beitbridge border cost a staggering US$300 million and the company that manages the facility levies charges of US$27, US$80 and US$200 for private cars, buses and heavy trucks, respectively.
This has resulted in regional travellers shunning Beitbridge for other routes while locals no longer drive to South Africa.
Chamisa also said most people in the country including civil servants, and the security sector want a new government.

By- The opposition CCC party’s candidate for the Lobengula-Magwegwe National Assembly constituency in the upcoming general elections, Ereck Gono, is asking for funds from the party’s supporters for his campaign.

Gono has set up an online campaign https://ko-fi.com/lobengulamagwegwempto solicit funds from well-wishers to purchase campaign material. 

In an interview with an online portal, Gono said candidates have been raising their own funds due to financial challenges in the party. He said;

Because of financial challenges caused by the failed regime, we must self-fund the campaign for change.

Whilst we have a few resources that we set aside all along, it’s not enough to sustain the whole campaign.

We need money for t-shirts, flyers, banners, and to sustain our campaign teams and also get polling agents at stations.

Our friends and relatives in the diaspora who want to donate can do so. It accommodates even those who might want to help our campaign but don’t have a lot of money.

Gono said people can donate as little as US$5. He said he has so far raised US$250 for his campaign.

 By- The Zanu PF government rewarded a High Court judge David Mangota with a house on the same day he was due to hear an application against independent candidate Saviour Kasukuwere’s nomination to run for the presidency.

In a High Court application filed on Friday last week, Kasukuwere said he wants Justice David Mangota’s ruling barring him from the election declared a nullity.

In his affidavit, KKasukuwere argued that the ruling was made by “a compromised judicial officer who had received a house from the state three working days before rendering his judgement.” He said:

I am advised that at law, a judgement given by a biased judicial officer must be treated as pro non scripto (as not written) and the same cannot be appealed against but rescinded at law as the same does not appear in the record.

Justice Mangota granted an order sought by Lovedale Mangwana who argued that Kasukuwere was legally ineligible to vote and run for public office as he had been out of the country for 12 months when he filed his nomination papers on 21 June 2023.

Kasukuwere has appealed the judgement at the Supreme Court and the matter is set to be heard on 27 July.

The former cabinet minister has filed the new High Court application in which he wants the court to rescind Justice Mangota’s judgement. He argued:

I was shocked to learn that Justice Mangota was given an immovable property by the state on July 7, 2023, the date upon which he heard the matter and reserved his judgement.

The judge signed the contract of sale for the house funded by the state just before he got into court to hear the matter.

I dare him to oppose this allegation and I will provide the answering affidavit with such agreement.

On the same day, the payment was done to the seller of the property by the national treasury.

Kasukuwere said he was aware of a scheme to give judges houses, but only Justice Mangota had received one so far.

He also said Justice Mangota was the permanent secretary in the justice ministry between 2002 and 2013 and was serving “directly under the command and instructions of Emmerson Mnangagwa who, at the time, was the minister of justice serving from 2000 to 2005.” Added Kasukuwere:

He thus could not competently deliver a judgement against his former boss who is on the list of presidential candidates.

Lovedale Mangwana, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the justice minister and Justice Mangota are cited as respondents.

-ZimLive

By A Correspondent- A Harare man is suing Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga over unlawful arrest after he was detained for two nights for buying whisky at a local supermarket.

According to the lawyers, sometime in April 2023, at around 4pm, their client went into a TM Pick n Pay supermarket at Joina City to buy liquor.

He went to the liquor section and bought a bottle of whisky.

However, a TM Pick n Pay security guard Stanford Nyamukoroso approached Chikawa and told him that he was not supposed to be in  the supermarket.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) who are representing the man said their client queried why he was not allowed, but Nyamukoroso said his decision could not be queried.

The cashier at the liquor store pleaded with Nyamukoroso to let Chikawa buy the whisky.

“Subsequently, the moment our client left the counter, Nyamukoroso grabbed our client by the waist holding him by his belt and pulled him into a private room where he handcuffed our client,” the ZLHR wrote to Matanga in their notice to sue for wrongful arrest.

“He subsequently advised our client that he was going to sleep in police cells that day because our client had bought from the TM Pick n Pay supermarket against Nyamukoroso’s will.

“Nyamukoroso took our client to Harare Central Police Station where our client was charged with disorderly conduct by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers.

Police at Harare Central Police Station ordered Chikawa to pay a fine for disorderly conduct, but he refused, protesting that he had not committed any offence.

“Our client was detained at Harare Central Police Station for two days and on the second day he was taken to court on charges of disorderly conduct,” the lawyers said.

“Suffice to mention that in May 2023, our client was acquitted of the charges of disorderly conduct by the Harare Magistrates Court. At all material times, the ZRP police officers at Harare Central Police Station, who charged our client with disorderly conduct and detained our client, were acting within the course and scope of their employment with you and as such you are vicariously liable to compensate our client.

“The arrest and subsequent detention of our client by ZRP officers is unlawful and wrongful in that there was no basis at all for entertaining a reasonable suspicion that our client had committed the offence of disorderly conduct at TM Pick n Pay Joina City branch.”

“Please be advised of our client’s intention to sue for damages in terms of the State Liabilities Act. Damages to be claimed include damages for unlawful arrest and detention. The quantum of the damages sought will be computed in due course and to be furnished in the summons commencing action,” wrote ZLHR.

The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) says it has suspended nine employees deployed at various tollgates for fraudulent activities.

In an internal communique from the risk and loss control unit to members of staff seen by this publication, the organisation said through a mix of risk and loss control operations, the unit picked suspicious conduct at some tolling sites.

Zinara’s head of corporate communication and marketing Tsungie Manyeza confirmed the development.

 “As a rejuvenating brand, the new Zinara is leaving no stone unturned in flushing out all forms of vices that negatively impact our revenue collection mandate. The strengthening of our controls is fast yielding results in plugging revenue leakages in our systems,” Manyeza said.

“We are taking a hardline stance against all forms of fraud and we have a robust procedure in place to close off the loopholes. Meanwhile, our partnership with Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission in the forming of the integrity committee has also yielded positive results whose rolehas gone a long way in plugging leakages.”

She encouraged stakeholders to assist in plugging revenue leakages and reporting suspicious transactions.

“We aim to improve customer experience at all levels of our operations and we always encourage customers to get receipts as proof of payment for all the transactions they do. We also encourage them to check that the motor vehicle details on their receipts are correct,” Manyeza said.

Zinara has been on an aggressive rebranding drive which has led to an improved corporate governance culture.

Last week, Zinara held its 6th annual general meeting where the Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Felix Mhona implored the agency to work with various stakeholders including the media to root out corruption. 

The organisation said transparency and accountability were part of its new culture.

By- Self-proclaimed prophet and Zanu PF apologist

Passion Java has been exposed for his fake post-Ezekiel Guti’ church leadership prophecy.

Born Panganayi Java, had predicted that the ZAOGA church would split following the death of its founder.

The widow of the late ZAOGA Forward In Faith, founder Eunor, Sartuday, announced that their son Joel was now the church’s new leader.

Eunor made this formally announced at the funeral of the Centurian in Harare.

Joe Guti, her eldest son, will take up the new role to lead the church, with two other apostles to assist him in carrying on his father’s legacy. In her announcement, she emphasized the importance of unity among the new leaders and the church. This announcement came following the arrival of Guti’s body in Harare. She said:

And you know he did not leave us, it’s organised, he organized everything…

Let’s see somebody says our Father is gone the church is going to die, the church is not going to die…. Let me say to each one of you, we all need to unite. We all need to love one another. In love everybody, with the love of Christ. The same love that was in our Father, the same love that he taught us and showed us…..

On July 5, 2023, the leader of the ZAOGA Forward in Faith (FIF) church passed away in South Africa, leading to discussions about succession. 

Guti’s body was transported back to Zimbabwe and received a warm welcome from the congregation upon arrival. Since the announcement of his passing, notable figures from various fields have come forward to pay their respects.

Despite the sombre mood of mourning, the church has made meticulous preparations to organise lavish celebrations that will honour and commemorate Guti’s remarkable life and enduring legacy. These festivities, scheduled to take place from August 3 to 6, are not limited to Harare alone and have been extended to welcome attendees from all corners of Zimbabwe and beyond.

By-The MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora has accused Zanu PF of bribing his senior party members to defect to the ruling party.

These utterances by Mwonzora come after the defection last week of his MDC’s national secretary for Information, Witness Dube, to Zanu PF.

Mwonzora told Studio 7 that Zanu PF offered vast sums of money and houses to the defecting opposition politicians.

He said most of the defecting MDC officials personally told the party that Zanu PF had bought them.

Crossing the floor to Zanu PF last week, Dube wrote to Mwonzora stating that he had found a new political home in the name of the Zanu PF party. Reads the letter:

Dear MDC President and the MDC family at large, please accept this letter as formal notification that I am resigning from my position as the party’s National Secretary for Information and Publicity with immediate effect. I also wish to terminate my membership of the party which I have held since 11 November 1999, also with immediate effect.

I am grateful for having been a member of the party from the lowest to its highest organ which opened my global view of the politics of service and sacrifice. My current portfolio taught me a lot about the Zimbabwean political leadership question, and the opportunities available for working for and supporting development in our country while insulating future generations from repeating our past mistakes and recycling our past pains.

I wish the party and it’s leadership well in their future endeavours. Regrettably there will be nothing more I can do to wrap up my duties as I will be joining a new political home which I am looking forward to instantly serving with the best and all of my abilities

Dube has been a member of the main opposition party since its formation in 1999 and has held various positions within the party. His resignation comes just a day after another opposition party member, Edmore Gomba, withdrew his candidacy for the August 23 harmonised elections and joined the ruling ZANU PF party.

By- The widow of the late ZAOGA Forward In Faith, founder Ezekiel Guti, Eunor, has announced that her husband’s grandson, Joel is the church’s new leader.

Eunor made this formally announced on Saturday at the funeral of the Centurian in Harare.

Joe Guti, the late’s grandson from another marriage, will take up the new role to lead the church, with two other apostles to assist him in carrying on his grandfather’s legacy. In her announcement, she emphasized the importance of unity among the new leaders and the church. This announcement came following the arrival of Guti’s body in Harare. She said:

And you know he did not leave us, it’s organised, he organized everything…

Let’s see somebody says our Father is gone the church is going to die, the church is not going to die…. Let me say to each one of you, we all need to unite. We all need to love one another. In love everybody, with the love of Christ. The same love that was in our Father, the same love that he taught us and showed us…..

On July 5, 2023, the leader of the ZAOGA Forward in Faith (FIF) church passed away in South Africa, leading to discussions about succession. 

Guti’s body was transported back to Zimbabwe and received a warm welcome from the congregation upon arrival. Since the announcement of his passing, notable figures from various fields have come forward to pay their respects.

Despite the sombre mood of mourning, the church has made meticulous preparations to organise lavish celebrations that will honour and commemorate Guti’s remarkable life and enduring legacy. These festivities, scheduled to take place from August 3 to 6, are not limited to Harare alone and have been extended to welcome attendees from all corners of Zimbabwe and beyond.

By-The MDC-led Douglas Mwonzora has suffered another blow as its national secretary for Information, Witness Dube, crosses the floor to Zanu PF.

In a letter addressed to the party president, Douglas Mwonzora, last week, Dube announced his resignation and termination of his membership, stating that he had found a new political home in the name of Zanu PF party. Reads the letter:

Dear MDC President and the MDC family at large, please accept this letter as formal notification that I am resigning from my position as the party’s National Secretary for Information and Publicity with immediate effect. I also wish to terminate my membership of the party which I have held since 11 November 1999, also with immediate effect.

I am grateful for having been a member of the party from the lowest to its highest organ which opened my global view of the politics of service and sacrifice. My current portfolio taught me a lot about the Zimbabwean political leadership question, and the opportunities available for working for and supporting development in our country while insulating future generations from repeating our past mistakes and recycling our past pains.

I wish the party and it’s leadership well in their future endeavours. Regrettably there will be nothing more I can do to wrap up my duties as I will be joining a new political home which I am looking forward to instantly serving with the best and all of my abilities

Dube has been a member of the main opposition party since its formation in 1999 and has held various positions within the party. His resignation comes just a day after another opposition party member, Edmore Gomba, withdrew his candidacy for the August 23 harmonised elections and joined the ruling ZANU PF party.

By Farai D Hove | Rutenga, – A peaceful gathering of thousands of citizens, who had assembled to hear the address of Citizens Coalition for Change Party leader Nelson Chamisa, turned into chaos as police tear-gassed and violently dispersed the crowd. The incident took place shortly after Chamisa concluded a meeting in Beitbridge, where he spoke for close to an hour. With the 2023 elections on the horizon, tensions are running high as Chamisa prepares to challenge President Emmerson Mnangagwa and ten other contestants in what is expected to be a highly contested race.

The crowds had gathered in Rutenga, eager to hear the opposition leader’s message and support his party’s campaign efforts. However, the atmosphere quickly shifted when riot police moved in to disperse the crowd, using tear gas and force to break up the assembly.

In response to the police action, the Citizens Party released an official statement denouncing the incident as “illegal” and condemning the heavy-handed tactics employed by the authorities. The party leaders expressed deep concern over the violation of their supporters’ right to peacefully assemble and voiced outrage at the use of tear gas to suppress their democratic rights.

Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos and confusion as the tear gas filled the air, causing panic among the crowd. Some citizens attempted to disperse peacefully, while others voiced their resistance to the police action. The attack by law enforcement agents on the gathering led to a tense and charged atmosphere in Rutenga.

With the 2023 elections just around the corner, this incident is likely to further intensify the political climate in Zimbabwe. Nelson Chamisa, known for his vocal stance on democratic reforms and social justice, has gained significant support across the nation. His campaign message resonates with many Zimbabweans who are hoping for change and progress.

As news of the clash spreads, citizens and human rights groups are calling for an immediate investigation into the actions of the police during the incident. Concerns about potential human rights abuses and electoral violence are being raised, placing the government under scrutiny to ensure a fair and peaceful electoral process.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has yet to respond to the incident, but the growing unrest and public discontent could pose challenges for his re-election bid.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with international organizations urging the authorities to uphold citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression. The upcoming 2023 elections will undoubtedly be a critical moment for Zimbabwe, and the events in Rutenga serve as a stark reminder of the importance of preserving democratic principles and respecting citizens’ voices in the political process.

As developments continue to unfold, the nation awaits further actions from both the government and the opposition, hoping for a peaceful resolution and a transparent electoral process on 23 August.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe has been listed among the world’s leading consumers of beef, coming second after Argentina.

According to data released by Visual Capitalists on Most Consumed Meat in the World, Zimbabweans consumed an average of 42,3 kilogrammes of beef per capita per person last year, while  Argentines consumed 46,6 kilogrammes per capita.

Argentina’s 46 million-strong population eats nearly 47kg of bovine meat per person annually, the most by any country in the United Nations’ database.

Other countries in the top five are the United States of America, Australia and Brazil.

Food scientist and culinary expert, Rumbidzai Zarima, said the survey highlights the significant role that beef plays in the daily lives and cultural fabric of Zimbabwean society.

“The love for beef in Zimbabwe can be traced back to history. Cattle rearing has been an integral part of Zimbabwean culture for centuries, with cattle being a symbol of wealth, status, and prosperity,” Zarima said.

“The tradition of cattle farming has been passed down through generations, and the importance of beef in local cuisine has remained steadfast.”

Zarima said the beef industry has also played a vital role in the country’s economy.

“The sector provides employment opportunities for thousands of people, from cattle farmers to abattoir workers and meat processors. Additionally, the export of beef products contributes to foreign exchange earnings, further bolstering the nation’s economy.”

Despite eating more seafood and poultry, Hong Kong leads the world in pork consumption per capita annually at 55kg.

Poland and Spain – who are also top pork producers – rank close behind Hong Kong with similar pork consumption numbers.

-Newsday

By-The Douglas Mwonzora has suffered another blow as its national secretary for Information, Witness Dube, resigns.

In a letter addressed to the party president, Douglas Mwonzora, Dube announced his resignation and termination of his membership, stating that he had found a new political party that he would be joining. Reads the letter:

Dear MDC President and the MDC family at large, please accept this letter as formal notification that I am resigning from my position as the party’s National Secretary for Information and Publicity with immediate effect. I also wish to terminate my membership of the party which I have held since 11 November 1999, also with immediate effect.

I am grateful for having been a member of the party from the lowest to its highest organ which opened my global view of the politics of service and sacrifice. My current portfolio taught me a lot about the Zimbabwean political leadership question, and the opportunities available for working for and supporting development in our country while insulating future generations from repeating our past mistakes and recycling our past pains.

I wish the party and it’s leadership well in their future endeavours. Regrettably there will be nothing more I can do to wrap up my duties as I will be joining a new political home which I am looking forward to instantly serving with the best and all of my abilities

Dube has been a member of the main opposition party since its formation in 1999 and has held various positions within the party. His resignation comes just a day after another opposition party member, Edmore Gomba, withdrew his candidacy for the August 23 harmonised elections and joined the ruling ZANU PF party.

By- The government has ordered the immediate removal of “unauthorised” posters and billboards.

The directive issued by the Office of the Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, and the City of Harare comes after former Zanu PF political commissar and independent Presidential candidate Savior Kasukuwere erected big campaign posters in Harare and other parts of the country.

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT ON IRREGULAR BILLBOARDS 21 July 2023

The Office of the Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the City of Harare have noted the rampant corruption and the mushrooming of both legal and illegal billboards including directional signage on State and Council road verges.

According to the Government Billboard Policy and the City of Harare (Control of Advertising Signs) By-Laws,1981, it is illegal to erect billboards or any structure within the City of Harare area of Jurisdiction and along all State roads without a valid permit and approved plans. Whilst those approved should respect the distances in between billboards and also positioning.

In this regard, all unlicensed operators are advised to remove the said illegal signage and billboards within 48 hours from the date of this notice. Failure to do so, the Municipality will promptly remove any illegal billboards identified within the City whilst the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development will remove all those along the State roads. The cost of removal will be borne by the owners of these billboards and signage. This also applies to illegal signage and posters on Council Streetlights and Street furniture.

Owners found to be in violation of the regulations will be subject to hefty fines and penalties as outlined in the City of Harare (Control of Advertising Signs) By-laws. Continued non-compliance may also prompt further legal action. Defying this notice, the City of Harare shall proceed to evoke the provisions of Section 20 as read with Section 29B of the aforementioned by law, that is to say City of Harare will remove the said illegal, billboards or wall murals and charge the removal cost incurred to the affected entities. 

Harare Metropolitan Province, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the City of Harare jointly herein place great importance on maintaining the safety and visual appeal of our cityscape for the benefit and enjoyment of all motorists, residents and visitors. We urge all billboard owners and commercial promoters to familiarize themselves with the applicable regulations and obtain the necessary permits to ensure compliance.

All existing billboards owners in the City of Harare are being requested to submit the following information to the Town Clerk and settle all outstanding payments by Tuesday the 25. of July 2023:

a) Valid Contract with the City of Harare or with the Ministry of Transport and infrastructural Development for the Billboard (s); 

b) Company Registration Documents; 

c) ZIMRA Tax Clearance; d) Proof of Payment; 

e) Certified Copies of Directors (Ds; 

f) Proof of Bank Account Activity; 

g) NSSA Compliance Certificate

Please note that all billboard companies that have applied for regularization will still be required to submit the above documentation whilst their issues are being investigated and considered.

All companies that have existing Street light pole advertising contracts have to ensure that the solar-installed streetlights on which they are advertising are in good working order as per agreement. The City of Harare is giving such companies 30 days notice to ensure that they repair and maintain all the solar streetlights. Failure to do so, these agreements will be immediately cancelled for breach.

For any queries related to billboard regulations, permits, or any other matter regarding this public notice, please contact the City of Harare, Town Clerk’s Office and the Provincial Roads Engineer for Harare Metropolitan Province.

Investigations are now underway for those who acquired permits corruptly, whilst the enforcement exercise will commence on the 26. of July 2023.

Mr. T. Muguti Secretary for Provincial Affairs & Devolution Harare Metropolitan Province 

Eng. T.K. Chinyanga Secretary for Transport & Infrastructural Development 

Eng. H Chisango Town Clerk City of Harare

By- Traditional chiefs are demanding diplomatic passports from the Government for what they call ease of travel across borders.

Chief Clemence Nembiri of Mt Darwin in Mashonaland Central province made the demand during a Civil Registry Department workshop on Wednesday.
The workshop with the national council of Chiefs on the implementation of active notification for community births and deaths was held at a local hotel.
Contributing during a question-and-answer session, Chief Nembiri said it was imperative that Government gives traditional leaders the special travel document since they were also leaders.
“There is a need for chiefs to be given diplomatic passports. At the moment you find that these documents are even given to people whose leadership position is never guaranteed but is at the mercy of either the appointing authority or the people who vote. Such people may be in power for just a few years yet they are quickly given diplomatic passports but a chief, whose title is neither by appointment nor through the ballot does not have that privilege. We are harassed at the borders despite the fact that we lead the masses too,” said Chief Nembiri.
In response, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Major General (Rtd) Dr Gerald Gwinji said issuing diplomatic passports was the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international relations.
“As a Ministry, we do not determine who gets a diplomatic passport and who does not. That is done by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations. Ours is only to process upon communication from Foreign Affairs that so and so must be a recipient of a diplomatic passport, however, I will engage and pass on the request and we will copy the president of the Chiefs Council as proof of that engagement,” said Maj Gen (Rtd) Gwinji. Herald

By-Two Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidates have won their appeals against the disqualification for local authority elections in Gwanda, Matabeleland South.
Joseph Khumalo of Ward 6 in Gwanda RDC had his papers rejected by the nomination court on June 21.
His appeal was heard by Justice Dube Banda of the Bulawayo High Court on Wednesday.
His lawyer Professor Welshman Ncube told ZimLive: “He was disqualified on the basis that his name did not appear on that ward’s voters roll.
“ZEC conceded that they made a mistake and that he was improperly disqualified, and we got a court order reinstating him as a candidate.”
The CCC failed, however, to have the disqualification of Mandlenkosi Moyo, its candidate for Ward 2 in Gwanda urban, overturned.
Ncube explained: “He was disqualified on the basis that he was not a registered voter in Ward 2. It was confirmed that the delimitation had removed him from Ward 2 and put him in Ward 7. We couldn’t get him instated because he is now outside the boundaries of Ward 2.
“The map was redrawn in such a way that his polling station and his physical address where he lives were all moved to Ward 7 out of Ward 2, so we conceded that he was properly disqualified because he is not a registered voter in Ward 2 but in Ward 7.”
A list gazetted by ZEC shortly after the sitting of the nomination court on June 21 showed Zanu PF had fielded all 1,974 candidates for local authority elections while the CCC had managed to field in 1,869 – 105 short of target.
The CCC has several appeals in court to overturn some of the disqualifications.
-ZimLive

By-The Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has won one of its two appeals against the disqualification of its candidates for local authority elections in Gwanda, Matabeleland South.
Joseph Khumalo of Ward 6 in Gwanda RDC had his papers rejected by the nomination court on June 21.
His appeal was heard by Justice Dube Banda of the Bulawayo High Court on Wednesday.
His lawyer Professor Welshman Ncube told ZimLive: “He was disqualified on the basis that his name did not appear on that ward’s voters roll.
“ZEC conceded that they made a mistake and that he was improperly disqualified, and we got a court order reinstating him as a candidate.”
The CCC failed, however, to have the disqualification of Mandlenkosi Moyo, its candidate for Ward 2 in Gwanda urban, overturned.
Ncube explained: “He was disqualified on the basis that he was not a registered voter in Ward 2. It was confirmed that the delimitation had removed him from Ward 2 and put him in Ward 7. We couldn’t get him instated because he is now outside the boundaries of Ward 2.
“The map was redrawn in such a way that his polling station and his physical address where he lives were all moved to Ward 7 out of Ward 2, so we conceded that he was properly disqualified because he is not a registered voter in Ward 2 but in Ward 7.”
A list gazetted by ZEC shortly after the sitting of the nomination court on June 21 showed Zanu PF had fielded all 1,974 candidates for local authority elections while the CCC had managed to field in 1,869 – 105 short of target.
The CCC has several appeals in court to overturn some of the disqualifications.
-ZimLive

By-The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says 80% of its leader Nelson Chamisa’s campaign rallies will be held in the rural areas, which is traditionally viewed as a Zanu PF stronghold.
CCC spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, said they had started implementing the strategy, with Chamisa addressing three rallies in Midlands province on Wednesday, starting with one at Chachacha business centre in Shurugwi.
By mid-day he was at Mhandamabwe business centre in Chivi before ending the day in Zvishavane.
“President Chamisa has been on a campaign trail non-stop. These rallies are going to be predominantly in the rural areas,” Mahere said.
“We know the people we are dealing with, so we are not going to give them a schedule right here right now. We know they are here and they are listening but rest assured that our bona fide media would be told.
“Sometimes for the protection of citizens in certain areas we have to do things and then report afterwards so that the citizens remain safe where they are.”
Zanu PF has maintained a footprint in the rural areas, but security reports from the ruling party reveal concerns over the way CCC is making inroads into its support base.
Chamisa has been having it rough in holding his campaign rallies, with police blocking most of the events citing various reasons.
Just yesterday, police barred CCC from holding roadshows in Beitbridge to drum up support for Chamisa’s Sunday rally in the border town.
The CCC took the matter to court, but Beitbridge magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba ruled in favour of the police.
Gwazemba said police’s claims that they had inadequate resources to provide escort during the roadshows were genuine.
Police have blocked several CCC rallies across the country including the party’s 2023 election campaign launch which was scheduled for Bindura.
Chamisa was only allowed to launch his election campaign in Gweru, Midlands province, on Sunday.
On rallies being banned, Mahere said: “The ban on CCC rallies has nothing to do with the law and everything to do with repression.
“In those instances where police say that we have not complied with the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (Mopa) they are unable to articulate which section would have been violated because there is simply no non-compliance.
“Our letters notifying the police are on a template. The police are not being honest.”
Analysts yesterday commended Chamisa for his deliberate strategy to target the rural vote.
“Rural areas are also where the democratic space is most constrained through a cocktail of measures that includes intimidation, violence, partisan traditional leadership and exclusionary welfare programmes,” political analyst Vivid Gwede said.
“Visibility by the opposition will break some of these barriers to its message being received by these communities.”
Another political commentator Effie Ncube said the rural vote could gift Chamisa the presidency.
“For the opposition the rural electorate has been its underbelly. It’s been underperforming otherwise it would have been in power,” Ncube said.
“Those are the people that have sustained Zanu PF’s stay in power, so if you want to undo Zanu PF’s stay in power you need to go into its base that is in the rural areas and get the votes there.”
Analyst Rashweat Mukundu weighed in saying: “Targeting rural communities gives such voting base assurance and confidence but also challenges Zanu PF more directly in an area it sees as its safe political turf.” Newsday

By- CCC President Nelson Chamisa was in the Bulilima and Mangwe Constituencies, where he addressed hundreds of people.

During his address, he made the following pledges when voted into office on August 23, 2023: – Free Primary Education for Every Child – Free Maternity Services for Every Pregnant Woman – Grants for Every University Student – Tarred Roads for Everyone – Free Healthcare for Every Senior Citizen – No Exam Fees for Every Student – Development for Everyone – Devolution of Authority

By-The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has released a fact sheet explaining how postal voting will work for the upcoming 2023 harmonized elections scheduled for August 23rd.

Postal voting is available for members of the disciplined force on duty, electoral officers deployed outside their polling areas, and diplomats and their spouses serving outside Zimbabwe on the election day.

ZEC said to apply for postal voting; eligible persons must submit an application to the ZEC Chief Elections Officer no later than noon on the 14th day after nomination day. Once approved, the applicant will receive three postal ballots: one for the Presidential, one for the National Assembly, and one for the local authority elections. After marking their chosen candidates in secret, they must place the ballots in envelopes, seal them, and return them to the Chief Elections Officer. Processing of postal votes is being done at the TelOne Centre in Belvedere, Harare.
There are no designated venues for postal voting, and voters who choose to vote by post will neither vote at polling stations nor in the presence of polling staff, observers, or election agents. However, members of the public may inspect the postal vote applications and the register of all applications for postal ballot papers at the postal vote processing centre.
The Commission’s policy is to allow electoral officers on duty to vote on a rotational basis without disrupting the polling process. ZEC said it is committed to ensuring that no eligible voters are disenfranchised, and electoral officers who feel that their participation may