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

Tinashe Sambiri

CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa on Thursday stepped into the Zanu PF terror zone.

President Chamisa addressed thousands of CCC supporters at Mataga Growth Point in Mberengwa where he exhorted citizens to vote in numbers.

Despite rampant intimidation, Citizens are determined to fight for real change.

“AT MATAGA IN MBERENGWA.

There is hope written all over the faces of the citizens in this zone of terror and intimidation.

The Citizens government is a big win and victory #ForEveryone,” President Chamisa said in a statement on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- Independent presidential candidate Saviour Kasukuwere’s case where he is seeking the nullification of the High Court ruling that removed him from the ballot will now proceed after the Supreme Court ruled that the matter be heard on July 27.

Prior to the ruling by the Supreme Court, Kasukuwere had withdrawn his application that was challenging a motion by Lovedale Mangwana to have the matter of his candidature resolved urgently.

The court also ordered both Kasukuwere and Mangwana lawyers to submit their arguments on July 26.

“An order by consent was issued, you recall that Saviour Kasukuwere filed an appeal against the judgment of the High Court and Mangwana filed an urgent chamber application asking that the appeal be heard on an urgent basis,” Kasukuwere’s lawyer, Method Ndlovu said.

“We took instructions from our client who requested that we consent to that order being sought so we have agreed that the appeal will be heard on an urgent basis.”

Kasukuwere was recently blocked from contesting in the August 23 Presidential election by the High Court.

High Court judge Justice David Mangota nullified Kasukuwere’s nomination ruling that he should stop “masquerading as a candidate.”

This followed an application by Zanu-PF activist, Lovedale Mangwana who successfully argued that Kasukuwere had ceased to be a registered voter as he has been out of his constituency for over 18 consecutive months.

However, Kasukuwere was back on the ballot paper after his legal team successfully appealed the nullification of his nomination at the Supreme Court.

His appeal suspended the High Court order.

Kasukuwere’s case procession comes after United Zimbabwe Alliance leader Elizabeth Valerio was successfully added to the Presidential candidates list becoming the only woman to feature in this year’s presidential race

By A Correspondent- A member of the Zimbabwe National Army allegedly falsified documents to claim $23,160 quadrillion during the hyper-inflationary era for injuries sustained during the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) war.

Nason Mhlanga (47) yesterday appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi who granted him US$50 bail.

The complainant is the Public Service Commission Pension Agency being represented by pensions assistant Simbarashe Matengaifa.

Mhlanga is a beneficiary of medical assistance in terms of the State Service Disability Benefits Act after being injured during the war.

According to the State, Mhlanga manufactured fake quotations and receipts that he used to siphon cash from the pensions office. Following the misrepresentation, Mhlanga was paid a windfall.

The complainant later learnt that the quotations and receipts were fake and filed a police report, but Mhlanga went into hiding until he was arrested on Wednesday.

By- The UK government has opened another sector for foreigners to apply for and get work permits.

London has added Bricklayers, plasterers and other construction jobs to the government’s “shortage occupation list”, making it easier for foreign builders to come to Britain amid labour shortages partly caused by Brexit.

The UK government has relaxed visa restrictions for a number of sectors that face severe worker shortages, and has added bricklayers and masons; roofers, roof tilers and slaters; carpenters and joiners; plasterers and other construction workers to the list. Fishing jobs have also been added to the list.

The Home Office said that this would “aid the delivery of key national infrastructure and stimulate growth for related industries”.

Those working in a shortage occupation can be paid 80% of the job’s going rate and still get a skilled worker visa, and benefit from a lower application fee. Applicants need a sponsored job offer from an employer and must meet English language requirements.

The independent migration advisory committee recommended in March that construction workers be added to the shortage occupation list. The list already includes care workers, engineers, web designers and laboratory technicians, along with healthcare roles.

This allows employers to recruit staff from abroad on salaries as low as £14,880 for senior care workers and from £15,120 for lab technicians.

With the move, Rishi Sunak faces a further backlash from Conservative MPs, after making promises to reduce immigration. Conservative governments have promised since 2010 that they would cut net migration.

Overall migration into the UK reached a record of 606,000 last year, up 24% on the previous year, while the backlog of asylum cases is also at an all-time high.

Britain’s construction industry has long battled worker shortages, but Brexit has worsened the gaps as EU citizens can no longer come to work in the UK without visas as before. Many EU workers returned to their home countries during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Suzannah Nichol, the chief executive of Build UK, said: “It is vital that construction is able to fill vacancies and quickly address shortages around particular roles.

“So we welcome the news that five occupations will be added to the shortage occupations list, which will help the industry continue to deliver the schools, homes, hospitals and infrastructure that we need.”

However, Sir John Hayes, a former minister and ally of the home secretary, Suella Braverman, told the Daily Telegraph that the government should be “training up the British workforce” instead.

-The Guardian

By-The body of the founder of Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (Zaoga) Forward in Faith Ministries International, Ezekiel Guti, is still in South Africa and is expected to arrive in the country this weekend.

Guti died on July 5, after serving for 63 years since he founded ZAOGA FIF.
In the past fortnight, tributes have been pouring in from celebrities, politicians, business leaders, clergymen and other influential figures in Zimbabwe and the rest of the world.
In a letter addressed to Greater Harare, Norton and Chitungwiza leaders and saints, Secretary General of ZAOGA FIF Apostle Mishael Nyambo said: “We announce the homecoming of our Father, who is accompanied by our mother, Archbishop Prof Eunor Guti and the family this Saturday around noon.
“We therefore encourage Greater Harare, Norton, and Chitungwiza members to come in numbers and honour our Father at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Harare, on this historic day,” Apostle Nyambo said.
He also said mourners would line up along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Road from the airport roundabout to Braeside roundabout before the convoy proceeds to a funeral parlour.
The church had organised grand celebrations which everyone was free to attend. Those from outside Harare were encouraged to come for the grand celebrations scheduled for 3 – 6 August.
The late Ezekiel Guti has been described as a modern day Christian giant who dedicated his life to preaching the word of God.
In his condolence message, President Mnangagwa said the death of Prof Guti left him “deeply shattered and saddened”.
He said Guti’s works and footprints indelibly abounded across the length and breadth of the country, well beyond the vast, national movement of congregants and places of worship that he led.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga described the late clergyman as a towering figure in Zimbabwe’s Christian movement, nation building and preservation of the social fabric.
Over and above his religious calling, Guti also played a role in several other nation building initiatives including in the education and health sectors where he founded the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University and the Mbuya Dorcas Hospital in Harare.
-Herald

By- In a shocking development about the murder of Tapiwa Makore, there are fresh revelations that murderers boiled the boy’s head to contain the smell from its decomposing state before taking it to a traditional healer in Mozambique.

Tapiwa was murdered by Tafadzwa Shamba and his uncle and namesake Tapiwa Makore in 2020 in a ritual to boost the latter’s cabbage business.

Gaylord Shamba (59), who is the uncle of Tafadzwa, told the weekly publication Kwayedza that his nephew confessed that the boy’s head was taken to a Mozambican “n’anga” for ritual purposes. He said:

I once visited him when he was in the cells to find out what really transpired.

He confessed that he killed Tapiwa after slicing him into pieces and stashing the body parts into plastic papers, including the head, as per instructions.

He confessed there were others involved, including Tapiwa Senior, who took the head and left with it for Mozambique after it was cooked.

Tafadzwa made it clear that he doesn’t know where the head is.

He insists that the sangoma did not accept the head they took to Mozambique as the n’anga wanted a fresh and uncooked head, similar to a chicken head.

It is said the entourage dumped the head along the way, but he was not sure whether it was dumped on the Mozambican or Zimbabwean side.

Tapiwa Jr was buried several months after his death with his head still missing.

Shamba and Tapiwa Sr were recently sentenced to death by High Court Judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi.

By-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s gold smuggler and controversial preacher Uebert Angel has donated 5 600 bags of foodstuffs to Zanu PF supporters.

According to the Twitter handle @zanupf_patriots, Angel made the donation this Wednesday. Said Zanu PF.

Thank you, Ambassador Uebert Angel… Today Ambassador Angel donated 5 600 bags of food to families who had gathered in support of Cde ED and our party candidates.

Angel was appointed Presidential Envoy and Ambassador at Large for Europe and the Americas by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 17 March 2021.
He is also a self-proclaimed prophet and the founder and leader of Good News Church, formerly Spirit Embassy.
Angel claims God uses him to heal the sick and predict the outcomes of elections and football matches.
In early 2021, an Al Jazeera documentary called “Gold Mafia” alleged that Angel offered to use his status to assist Al Jazeera reporters who posed as Chinese nationals launder millions of dollars through a gold-smuggling scheme.
Angel claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was aware of his schemes. He said in one of the episodes:
I can call the president now, not tomorrow, now and put him on speaker, it’s not an issue. We are the government.
Despite being caught on camera bragging that he could use his diplomatic cover to carry large volumes of dirty cash into Zimbabwe as part of a laundering operation also involving gold smuggling, Angel was recently appointed as the African Union’s Pan African Parliament (PAP) Ambassador for Interfaith Dialogue and Humanitarian Affairs.

By A Correspondent- The Bulawayo High Court will this afternoon deliver a ruling on preliminary points raised in the case in which 12 registered Bulawayo voters are challenging the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s decision to accept nomination papers of Citizens Coalition for Change candidates arguing that they filed their papers after the 4pm deadline.

At the High Court in Bulawayo

CCC is being represented by Advocate Mpofu and Prof Welshman Ncube. The case is before Justice Bongani Ndlovu.

Proceedings at the High Court in Bulawayo

More details follow…

By A Correspondent- A family from Borrowdale, Harare, was robbed of a Mercedes Benz, gun and cash by robbers just before midnight.

ZRP spokesperson for Harare Province, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the robbery incident.

He said Paul Themba Munashe (50) and his family were subjected to emotional abuse by five robbers soon after arriving at their Brookview house from a church function. Said Insp Chakanza:

The complainant arrived home from a church function with his wife and their two minor children at around 11.30 PM driving a silver Mercedes Benz E280 registration number AEW 3882.

As they were entering the house, they were confronted by five men armed with unidentified pistols wearing face masks.

They forced the complainant and his family into the house and demanded cash from him.

The complainant took out an envelope from his pockets containing US$1 000 and handed it to them.

They demanded his firearm and also took a Dell laptop from the bedroom and tied the couple with shoelaces.

They drove away in his vehicle with a 5kg gas tank, gas heater and marriage certificate book.

Armed robberies have been on the increase in Zimbabwe in recent years as a lot of people now prefer storing value in US dollars often stocked away from formal banking institutions for fear of losing them.

According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, Zimbabwe recorded 1 120 armed robberies in 2021, compared with 931 in the previous year.

In 2022, in a bid to reduce robberies and rampant gun crime in Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa extended a gun amnesty that allowed Zimbabweans illegally in possession of firearms to surrender them to the police with no questions asked.

By A Correspondent- LEAD President Linda Masarira has called for dialogue and unity calling on fellow citizens to desist from using the social media to insult each other.

We publish below, Masarira’s full statement:

One thing I have done in my life is to believe in me. Even when some people tried to bury me because I didn’t believe in their normative leverage strategies, they failed because I am a seed. A seed does not die. It might germinate late, but it will germinate.

My life journey taught me to be bold, courageous, resilient, tenacious, and pragmatic. Even when all the odds have been against me for believing in realistic ways to reclaim our identity not only as Zimbabweans but also as Afrikan people,

I have continued to thrive in adversity. People without identity are future less as identity crisis will always stifle growth and prosperity. We are people who are trying to exist in a borrowed space with borrowed culture, borrowed systems, borrowed identity, borrowed lifestyles, and borrowed everything. In the midst of all these borrowed things, we have found ourselves in a gango of intolerance, toxicity, polarity, corruption, hate, greed, malice, etc.

Why do we even hate each other so much for just having different opinions? Why do some people even pride themselves in typing vulgar insults in social media spaces? If only the unity that leaders have at the top could cascade to the followers, we would definitely be in a better space politically.

As I gaze into the horizon awaiting my fate on 24 July 2023, I pray for unity of purpose, tolerance in our diversity, love for thy neighbour, and above all peace. Dialogue should always be our preferred conflict resolution method.

Even the worst wars ended with dialogue. Violence should be condemned by all Zimbabweans, and as we campaign, let us exercise restraint and let love lead.