THE High Court has struck off the roll expelled Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) vice-president Elias Mudzuri’s urgent application challenging his recall from the Senate by party president Douglas Mwonzora. The matter was stuck off the roll of urgent matters.
In his application, Mudzuri had the MDC-T party, Mwonzora, Morgen Komichi, Paurina Mupariwa-Gwanyanya and Parliament as the first to fifth respondents.
Expelled from MDC-T on February 6, 2023, the former MDC-T vice-president wanted the court to prohibit Mwonzora and the MDC-T party from recalling him from Parliament.
But the respondents responded by saying the application suffered from self-created urgency and what the applicant sought to interdict had already taken place.
The respondents further submitted that by filing his application on February 14, 2023, it showed that his application was not urgent.
Justice David Mangota then struck the matter off the roll of urgent matters.
He ruled: “All other requirements for an interdict will only be considered after the existence of the right has been established. Whereas in the case, no such right exists, the application for an interdict fails.
“The applicant, in short, did not treat his application with the urgency that the same deserved when he applied through the urgent chamber book on February 14, 2023 instead of him having done so on 8 February 2023. If the submissions of the respondents centred only on the issue of urgency or lack thereof, I would have been persuaded to overlook the fact that the application was filed six days from the date that it should have been filed and would, all things being equal, have considered the case in favour of the applicant.
“The applicant failed to prove, on a balance of probabilities, the existence of any right which he enjoys in the first respondent (MDC-T). The preliminary issues which the respondents raised are not without merit. They are upheld. The application is struck off the roll of urgent matters with costs.”
“It can only succeed after the right which he used to have before his expulsion from the first respondent (MDC-T) returns to him following the hearing and determination of his applications for review and/or declarator.”
-Newsday
Tinashe Sambiri|Angry citizens in the United Kingdom took to the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe on Saturday to protest at the prolonged detention of Hon Job Sikhala.
Hon Sikhala was arrested in June last year for denouncing the brutal murder of CCC activist Moreblessing Ali.
See below CCC UK and Ireland statement:
Solidarity protest for CCC Hon Job Sikhala, Sat 23 Feb at Zimbabwe Embassy, London…
Today, Zimbabweans, activists and sympathisers stood in solidarity protesting the continued incarceration of Hon Sikhala who has been in prison for 256 days without bail. The protestors were demanding the release of Hon Sikhala #FreeWiwa
Protestors were told of the importance of speaking up, calling out persecution, human rights abuses and were encouraged to continue to protest demanding the Zimbabwe regime to be held accountable for the atrocities they perpetrate against CCC champions and other human rights activists.
Tinashe Sambiri Hard-hitting CCC youth taskforce spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma has challenged citizens to assume a common garb in fighting for the release of jailed politician Hon Job Sikhala.
Hon Sikhala was arrested in June last year for speaking on behalf of Moreblessing Ali’s family.
Sarkozy described the incarceration of Hon Sikhala as horrible and unacceptable.
“Sometimes we simply have to stand up.
The abuse of @JobSikhala1 is horrible and unacceptable,” Sarkozy wrote on Twitter.
The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has given its doctors a pay rise as the state-owned entity moves to stop the brain drain.
NSSA acting general manager Charles Shava said NSSA has not been spared by the brain drain as its medical staff continue to seek greener pastures.
The increment is with effect from January 1.
“The NSSA board has with effect from 1 January increased the allowances it gives to its doctors,” Shava said.
“It has been difficult for NSSA to retain its medical staff due to poor remuneration and allowances.
“The increases will help curb the perennial loss of medical staff to other local employers who pay occupational health doctors more money.”
He added: “NSSA doctors are qualified in occupational health and they are, therefore, in high demand across industries especially the mining sector.
“They are responsible for treating injured workers in industry as well as adjudicating on all medical matters under its two schemes.
“They also determine the level of injuries and applicable compensation for all injured workers.
“These are specialised trainings that NSSA invests in its doctors and therefore we can’t afford to train and lose so easily.”
Shava said NSSA will now be looking to review conditions of service for all its critical staff who include engineers, lawyers, accountants, actuaries, investment specialists, social security specialists and occupational health staff among others.
“The number one resource for NSSA is all its staff and, therefore, we will do everything within the law to improve their welfare,” he added.
“The welfare of NSSA staff is critical to the board as NSSA staff are invested with looking after millions of dollars of public funds.
“The retention of key staff is, therefore, at the top of our priorities. “
The country continues to lose thousands of healthcare workers to greener pastures.
Estimates say the country has lost over 3 000 health workers in the past two years.-Stamdard
Early results have started to arrive from Nigeria’s tightest election since the end of military rule in 1999.
Official results from the south-western Ekiti state show a clear victory for ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu in one of his strongholds.
Further results will not be formally announced until 10:00 GMT on Monday.
Following widespread delays and attacks on some polling stations on Saturday, voting was postponed until Sunday in parts of the country.
Voting continued through the night in some areas.
Turnout appears to be high, especially among young people who make up about a third of the 87 million eligible voters.
This makes it the biggest democratic exercise in Africa.
The election has seen an unprecedented challenge to the two-party system that has dominated Nigeria for 24 years.
Peter Obi from the previously little known Labour Party, Mr Tinubu from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are all seen as potential winners. There are 15 other presidential candidates.
A candidate needs to have the most votes and 25% of ballots cast in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states to be declared the winner.
Otherwise, there will be a run-off within 21 days – a first in Nigeria’s history.
Saturday’s voting was marred by long delays at polling stations, as well as scattered reports of ballot-box snatching and attacks by armed men, especially in southern areas, where Mr Obi has strong backing.
Dr Nkem Okoli was just about to vote in the Lekki district of the biggest city Lagos when masked men attacked the polling station.
“There was pandemonium. There were bottles flying everywhere,” she told the BBC. “They broke [the ballot box]. They stole the phones of the officials. Now we can’t vote.”
In some areas, voting did not begin until around 18:00 local time – three-and-a-half hours after polls were due to close.
First-time voter Susan Ekpoh told the BBC that she spent 13 hours at her polling station in the capital, Abuja, only leaving at midnight.
She said when it got dark, election officials said they needed light to see what they were doing, so she and others used their car headlights to illuminate proceedings.
The southern Bayelsa state was among those areas where voting was delayed until Sunday – it is not clear how many parts of the country saw voting postponed. -BBC
A Zimbabwean man who is accused of defilement is accusing the Investigating Officer (IO) of xenophobia.
Edward Dube, from Gokwe in Zimbabwe made the claim Tuesday when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Thapelo Buang for arraignment.
According to the charge sheet, Dube allegedly defiled the complainant between July 2017 and September 30, 2021 at Maipaafeka location in Francistown.
Dube told the court that the reason why he was being denied bail was because the IO was exhibiting xenophobic tendencies towards him.
“I am in jail and being denied bail simply because I am a Zimbabwean,” said Dube.
Asked by Buang to clarify if he was saying that the court is xenophobic and if he (Dube) has got xenophobic tendencies in his mind, Dube said: “No I am not saying that this court is xenophobic. I am saying that the IO is denying that I should be granted bail simply because I come from Zimbabwe.”
Dube has previously told the court that the IO is aware that he was granted bail by the then Magistrate Goodwill Makofi, who is now a judge, but is now denying that assertion.
After carefully perusing the case record, Buang told Dube that there is nowhere in the record which reflects that Dube was indeed granted bail by Makofi.
Buang then asked Dube if he had any documents validating his stay in Botswana and that if the court was minded to grant him bail, where would he stay. In response, Dube agreed with the magistrate and prosecution that he did not have any documents authenticating his stay in Botswana, adding: “The police know where I stay at Maipaafela where they arrested me. I will stay where I was arrested.”
However, Buang denied Dube bail because he was a flight risk.
Dube had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of entering Botswana illegally.
He is due in court on March 1 for facts reading, mitigation and sentence in relation to entering Botswana using an ungazetted point of entry. He is also awaiting DNA results in relation to ‘defilement’ -Mmegi
Chelsea coach Graham Potter has revealed that he has received death threats from the club’s fans.
Potter is under mounting pressure at Stamford Bridge following last Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to the Premier League’s bottom side Southampton.
The Blues have just one win all calendar year and the team is currently on a run of just two wins in 14 games across all competitions.
They sit in tenth place on the EPL table with 31 points from twenty-three games.
Because of these poor results, Potter received vicious abuse wishing him and his family dead.
The gaffer told a press conference on Friday: “As much as I’ve had support I’ve had some not very nice emails that have come through that want me to die and want my kids to die, so obviously that’s not pleasant to receive.
“The challenge for me is, ‘OK, how do I conduct myself?’ That’s what I always turn round to. The higher you go, the more pressure you have on how you are as a person. I want to succeed here. There is this nonsense that I don’t care. Where does that come from? Where’s your evidence on that?
“If you go to work and somebody’s swearing abuse at you, it’s not going to be pleasant. You can answer it two ways. I could say I don’t care, but you know I’m lying. Everyone cares what people think, because we’re hardwired to be socially connected.
“Ask my family how life has been for me and for them. It’s been not pleasant at all.
I understand supporters go home and they’re annoyed because the team aren’t winning but, I assure you, my life for the last three, four months has been fairly average, apart from the fact I’m really grateful for this experience.”- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
High Court Judge Justice Sunsley Zisengwe has defended the delict of adultery and said it must remain in the statutes to protect the institution of marriage.
He said this when he handed down probably the heaviest damages for adultery since the High Court in Masvingo was established in 2016, when he ordered Provincial Medical Director, Dr Amadeus Shamu’s mistress Ancercaria Taderera to pay US$13 000 to his wife Tatyana Shamu.
Justice Zisengwe said that Tatyana who broke down in court as she narrated how her husband built a house for the mistress when she as a wife didn’t have any was traumatized by the adulterous relationship. The Judge said he even felt pity for Tatyana as she was on the witness stand and recounting her experience.
“The plaintiff cast a sorrowful and pitiful sight on the witness stand as she recounted the humiliation, pain and indignity she had to endure on account of the adulterous relationship. As a consequence, she lapsed into a depression necessitating medical intervention,” said Justice Zisengwe.
Tatyana was represented by Grace Bwanya of Chihambakwe and Partners while Taderera was represented by Pauline Chimwanda of Nyavo, Ruzive Attorneys
Justice Zisengwe warned that the introduction of civil partnerships under the new Marriage Act, Chapter 5:15 last year does not remove the delict of adultery but was only introduced to deal with sharing of properties where a relationship had existed. The existence of civil partnerships in the Marriage Act does not therefore, remove adultery as it serves a different purpose, he said.
Analysts who commented to The Mirror after the ruling said there were a lot of misconceptions over civil partnerships introduced into the Marriage Act with many people relapsing into believing that adultery is no longer an issue.
Justice Zisengwe further said that the delict of adultery was important in the laws to serve two purposes; as a deterrent to would be transgressors and therefore preserve the sanctity and protect marriages. Damages from adultery give solace for the innocent spouse who is affected, said the Judge.
He disagreed with the defendant’s lawyer that adultery in the statutes was unconstitutional and he dismissed an appeal for the Judge to make such a declaration.
Chimwanda, on behalf of her client also said in her closing submissions that extramarital relationships have become so common and acceptable in contemporary Zimbabwe society that adultery in the statutes was no longer relevant and served no purpose. She said adultery was between two consenting adults and the law had no business policing social morals.
Justice Zisengwe agreed with Chimwanda that today’s society is more tolerant towards adultery but he said there are more factors that support the retention of the adultery delict. He said the steady flow of adultery cases into the courts means that a lot of people still frown at adultery. He called for more evidence to support Chimwanda’s position including the necessity of a referendum.
The relationship which resulted in two children started in 2011 and Tatyana discovered it in 2019. There was an out of court settlement in which Taderera paid US$5 000 compensation for monies and other favours that she had received from Dr Shamu. After the settlement there was an agreement that Taderera would stop the adulterous relationship.
However, Tatyana decided to sue for US$50 000 after realizing that the two continued with their relationship. Her evidence that the relationship still subsisted was that Dr Shamu and Taderera continued to communicate clandestinely mostly at midnight when she was asleep. She said that the tone of their communication was cordial and romantic. Tatyana said that Dr Shamu would abruptly end Ancercaria’s conversations whenever she entered his room.
More painful to Tatyana is that Taderera was a family friend who worked at Dr Shamu’s surgery. She said that Dr Shamu pampered his girlfriend with gifts that she never received herself as a wife.
She said that Dr Shamu bought Taderera a car and built her a house, something that he could not do for her as a wife. She also said that the two no longer share the same bedroom as a result of the illicit affair.
The damages claimed for by Tatyana were for contumelia and loss of consortium. Contumelia is the injury, insult and indignity suffered by the plaintiff as a result of adultery while consortium relates to the loss of comfort society and service of the wife of husband as the case maybe.
Justice Zisengwe granted Tatyana US$5 000 for contumelia and noted that Taderera’s case was worsened by her lack of contrition to the extent that she said in court that Tatyana’s depression was not caused by the illicit relationship but by the war in Ukraine because she is a Ukrainian.
For contumelia, Justice Zisengwe granted Tatyana US$8 000 because her marriage had all but collapsed with the couple using separate bedrooms and living as strangers. –Masvingo Mirror
Kaizer Chiefs forward Keagan Dolly has claimed that the absence of Khama Billiat has negatively affected his performance.
Dolly has struggled for consistency this season, making twenty-four appearances in all competitions for Chiefs with four goals and four assists.
The forward is often played alongside Billiat upfront but that pairing has not existed in recent games due to the latter’s injury.
The Zimbabwean is out of action for the rest of the campaign after undergoing surgery to treat a groin issue.
Speaking to iDiski Times, Dolly has admitted that Khama’s absence has negatively impacted his contribution to the team.
“I miss playing with Khama, we all know what he can bring on the day, his experience, his quality, and just our understanding you know,” Dolly said when asked by the publication if he’s been affected by Billiat’s absence this season
“But it’s part of the game, he’s out, and there are other players who can come in and do the job, it’s just for us to start understanding each other, and I think that’s been the main problem in our inconsistencies of trying to get combinations right.
“One player gets injured, and another player comes in, you know? I think Christian came into the squad, he’s a new player still trying to adapt to the way we play – so it’s progress for us, we need to keep on working on it until we get it right again.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
It is preventable and curable.
In 2021, there were an estimated 247 million cases of malaria worldwide. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 619 000 in 2021. The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2021, the region was home to 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths. Children under 5 accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region. Overview
Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat. P. falciparum is the deadliest malaria parasite and the most prevalent on the African continent. P. vivax is the dominant malaria parasite in most countries outside of sub-Saharan Africa.
The first symptoms – fever, headache and chills – usually appear 10–15 days after the infective mosquito bite and may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria. Left untreated, P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness and death within a period of 24 hours.
In 2021, nearly half of the world’s population was at risk of malaria. Some population groups are at considerably higher risk of contracting malaria and developing severe disease: infants, children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and patients with HIV/AIDS, as well as people with low immunity moving to areas with intense malaria transmission such as migrant workers, mobile populations and travellers.
Disease burden According to the latest World malaria report, there were 247 million cases of malaria in 2021 compared to 245 million cases in 2020. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 619 000 in 2021 compared to 625 000 in 2020.
Over the 2 peak years of the pandemic (2020–2021), COVID-related disruptions led to about 13 million more malaria cases and 63 000 more malaria deaths.
The WHO African Region continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2021 the Region was home to about 95% of all malaria cases and 96% of deaths. Children under 5 years of age accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region.
Four African countries accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide: Nigeria (31.3%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.6%), United Republic of Tanzania (4.1%) and Niger (3.9%).
Prevention Over the last 2 decades, expanded access to WHO-recommended malaria prevention tools and strategies – including effective vector control and the use of preventive antimalarial drugs – has had a major impact in reducing the global burden of this disease.
Vector control Vector control is a vital component of malaria control and elimination strategies as it is highly effective in preventing infection and reducing disease transmission. The 2 core interventions are insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS).
Progress in global malaria control is threatened by emerging resistance to insecticides among Anopheles mosquitoes. As described in the latest World malaria report, other threats to ITNs include insufficient access, loss of nets due to the stresses of day-to-day life outpacing replacement, and changing behaviour of mosquitoes, which appear to be biting early before people go to bed and resting outdoors, thereby evading exposure to insecticides.
Preventive chemotherapies Preventive chemotherapy is the use of medicines, either alone or in combination, to prevent malaria infections and their consequences. It requires giving a full treatment course of an antimalarial medicine to vulnerable populations (generally infants, children under 5 years of age and pregnant women) at designated time points during the period of greatest malarial risk, regardless of whether the recipients are infected with malaria.
Preventive chemotherapy includes perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) and school-aged children (IPTsc), post-discharge malaria chemoprevention (PDMC) and mass drug administration (MDA).
These safe and cost-effective strategies are intended to complement ongoing malaria control activities, including vector control measures, prompt diagnosis of suspected malaria, and treatment of confirmed cases with antimalarial medicines.
Vaccine Since October 2021, WHO also recommends broad use of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine among children living in regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission.
The vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce malaria, and deadly severe malaria, among young children.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sons Collins and Sean are celebrating their birthday in lavish style to reflect their class.
Sean and Collins Mnangagwa are the identical twin sons of Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa. They turned 36 today and decided to celebrate with a regal photoshoot earlier.
Collins Mnangagwa posted the pictures on his Instagram account, which are an apt reflection of their style.
In the first picture, President Mnangagwa was sitting on a chair, and the twins were leaning on both ends as they all smiled warmly at the camera.
In another picture, the Mnangagwa twins removed their blazers and wore sunglasses as they puffed Cuban cigars. They were sitting in a darkly-furnished room enjoying a game of chess.
Collins Mnangagwa is an engineer by profession. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from the North China Electric Power University in Beijing, China, in 2012.
The younger of the twins, Sean Mnangagwa, is a member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).
Army Dismisses Reports That ED’s Son Sean Mnangagwa Was Promoted To Major Sean attained a Bachelor’s degree in Security and Business Management from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, China.
Last year, Sean Mnangagwa lost his 5-year-old son Yasha Mafidi Mnangagwa. Mafidi succumbed to pneumonia at a local hospital, which developed from respiratory complications after he took food down the wrong pipe.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sons Collins and Sean are celebrating their birthday in lavish style to reflect their class.
Sean and Collins Mnangagwa are the identical twin sons of Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa. They turned 36 today and decided to celebrate with a regal photoshoot earlier.
Collins Mnangagwa posted the pictures on his Instagram account, which are an apt reflection of their style.
In the first picture, President Mnangagwa was sitting on a chair, and the twins were leaning on both ends as they all smiled warmly at the camera.
In another picture, the Mnangagwa twins removed their blazers and wore sunglasses as they puffed Cuban cigars. They were sitting in a darkly-furnished room enjoying a game of chess.
Collins Mnangagwa is an engineer by profession. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from the North China Electric Power University in Beijing, China, in 2012.
The younger of the twins, Sean Mnangagwa, is a member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).
Army Dismisses Reports That ED’s Son Sean Mnangagwa Was Promoted To Major Sean attained a Bachelor’s degree in Security and Business Management from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, China.
Last year, Sean Mnangagwa lost his 5-year-old son Yasha Mafidi Mnangagwa. Mafidi succumbed to pneumonia at a local hospital, which developed from respiratory complications after he took food down the wrong pipe.
A democratic Zimbabwe cannot be built on undemocratic processes like violation of the constitution, continuation of Zanu PF poor policies, violence, lack of respect of the rule of law and abuse of human rights.
President Mnangagwa government’s must abide by the constitution and allow the opposition to campaign freely. Zimbabwe cannot afford to have another disputed 2023 election.
Our democracy can be richer and stronger if every political party in the country is given a fair access to the media allowing them to gather unhindered and unharmed.
In terms of political repression, arresting political opponents, poor governance, banning of NGOs, mutilation of the constitution the Zanu PF government under this new republic has broken the record.
In November 2017 President Emmerson Mnangagwa said “the voice of the people is the voice of GOD” literally meaning that whatever people cried for he is supposed to incline an ear. Today Mnangagwa has changed goal posts and has become another Idi Amin of Zimbabwe.
Currently the regime is using dirty tactics like using the Zimbabwe Republic Police to ban CCC campaigning rallies and meetings.
They always say Citizens Coalition of Change is a structureless party but they deploy armed riot police to block their rallies.
Zanu PF government knows that they have no political clout and have ran out of new ideas to lure the electorate.
By stopping Nelson Chamisa to hold rallies punishing his supporters through jailing them and weaponisation of the law, the regime is actually scoring own goals.
The willful violation of the constitution of Zimbabwe, manipulation of the voters roll is a cause of concern.
For the past twenty or so years, we seem determined to miss every opportunity to showcase what Zimbabwe would have been like had it not been for political bickering and resistance to change.
Regression after independence shouts from rooftops what no descendant of Africa wants to. What we are witnessing right now in the country are symptoms of a failed economy.
Its all cheap propaganda that Zanu PF government is signing mega deals, investors are flocking into the country and the mantra that the country is open for business.
The finance industry is now a pale shadow of what it used to be. What brought down the economy needs addressing. There is no country in the world that had managed to flourish uts economy when there is political instability. Where the opposition is treated like an enemy of the state.
Unfortunately, there is still finger pointing the culture strangling Zimbabwe is not far from being solved.
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has instituted an aggressive transfer of senior officers countrywide, raising eyebrows as this is coming ahead of elections later this year.
NewsDay Weekender learnt that police transferred at least 66 top officers from various provinces.
The affected officers are expected to report to their new stations by March 3.
A police internal communication seen by NewsDay Weekender showed that officers affected in the transfer were senior cops ranking from assistant inspector, superintendent, sergeant and constable among others.
“The following transfers have been approved and should be implemented accordingly …,” the memorandum read naming the transferred senior officers.
But national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said he was not aware of the memorandum.
“I am not aware of the memorandum. Can you send it to our WhatsApp number,” Nyathi said.
He had not yet responded by the time of going to print.
Last year, a Zanu PF central committee report disclosed that some police officers attended the ruling party’s Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology to “re-orient” them ahead of the watershed elections.
In separate interviews, political analysts said while police regularly transfer its officers, the timing raised eyebrows.
“Going into the elections, it is crucial that the police keep a distance between themselves and political parties and operate in terms of the Constitution. Otherwise, we are going to see the police acting as if they were party enforcers,” political analyst Effie Ncube said.
Ncube also said forcing police officers to attend Zanu PF’s Chitepo School of Ideology orientation was “completely unacceptable and a threat to democratic governance”.
“When applying the law in such a scenario, the police can only selectively do so and exempt the party they are affiliated to. This is what our Constitution sought to avoid,” Ncube said.
“Sadly, it is being ignored as if it does not matter. This has led to the deepening of the political and economic crises and further reduced chances for a free and fair election.”
Another political analyst Vivid Gwede said history shows that transfers in the police force have sometimes been done “in bad faith to punish or reward police officers”.
“However, having senior officers attending the Zanu PF ideological school is unconstitutional. It is also a threat to the rule of law and justice, which require impartiality by law enforcement institutions,” Gwede said.
The opposition has accused police of being biased towards the ruling party.
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has instituted an aggressive transfer of senior officers countrywide, raising eyebrows as this is coming ahead of elections later this year.
NewsDay Weekender learnt that police transferred at least 66 top officers from various provinces.
The affected officers are expected to report to their new stations by March 3.
A police internal communication seen by NewsDay Weekender showed that officers affected in the transfer were senior cops ranking from assistant inspector, superintendent, sergeant and constable among others.
“The following transfers have been approved and should be implemented accordingly …,” the memorandum read naming the transferred senior officers.
But national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said he was not aware of the memorandum.
“I am not aware of the memorandum. Can you send it to our WhatsApp number,” Nyathi said.
He had not yet responded by the time of going to print.
Last year, a Zanu PF central committee report disclosed that some police officers attended the ruling party’s Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology to “re-orient” them ahead of the watershed elections.
In separate interviews, political analysts said while police regularly transfer its officers, the timing raised eyebrows.
“Going into the elections, it is crucial that the police keep a distance between themselves and political parties and operate in terms of the Constitution. Otherwise, we are going to see the police acting as if they were party enforcers,” political analyst Effie Ncube said.
Ncube also said forcing police officers to attend Zanu PF’s Chitepo School of Ideology orientation was “completely unacceptable and a threat to democratic governance”.
“When applying the law in such a scenario, the police can only selectively do so and exempt the party they are affiliated to. This is what our Constitution sought to avoid,” Ncube said.
“Sadly, it is being ignored as if it does not matter. This has led to the deepening of the political and economic crises and further reduced chances for a free and fair election.”
Another political analyst Vivid Gwede said history shows that transfers in the police force have sometimes been done “in bad faith to punish or reward police officers”.
“However, having senior officers attending the Zanu PF ideological school is unconstitutional. It is also a threat to the rule of law and justice, which require impartiality by law enforcement institutions,” Gwede said.
The opposition has accused police of being biased towards the ruling party.
Zimbabwe's holds the world's largest number of assisted (disabled) voters (53%) despite being Africa's most literate nation by population percentage. How can the 2023 election be credible @ZECzim@mangwana_jasper ?
Zimbabwe's holds the world's largest number of assisted (disabled) voters (53%) despite being Africa's most literate nation by population percentage. How can the 2023 election be credible https://t.co/TIfgBAAvQU
Kaizer Chiefs forward Keagan Dolly has claimed that the absence of Khama Billiat has negatively affected his performance.
Dolly has struggled for consistency this season, making twenty-four appearances in all competitions for Chiefs with four goals and four assists.
The forward is often played alongside Billiat upfront but that pairing has not existed in recent games due to the latter’s injury.
The Zimbabwean is out of action for the rest of the campaign after undergoing surgery to treat a groin issue.
Speaking to iDiski Times, Dolly has admitted that Khama’s absence has negatively impacted his contribution to the team.
“I miss playing with Khama, we all know what he can bring on the day, his experience, his quality, and just our understanding you know,” Dolly said when asked by the publication if he’s been affected by Billiat’s absence this season
“But it’s part of the game, he’s out, and there are other players who can come in and do the job, it’s just for us to start understanding each other, and I think that’s been the main problem in our inconsistencies of trying to get combinations right.
“One player gets injured, and another player comes in, you know? I think Christian came into the squad, he’s a new player still trying to adapt to the way we play – so it’s progress for us, we need to keep on working on it until we get it right again.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Multiple murder suspect Jaison Muvevi, who was being investigated for killing up to 10 people, has been cleared of six charges following ballistic tests.
Muvevi hogged the limelight in January following the Hwedza shooting rampage that led to the death of three people while two others escaped death by a whisker, before he fled to Mozambique, where he was captured.
A former police detective, Muvevi was also linked to another suspected murder that took place in November 2022 in Eastlea, Harare.
Police were keen to investigate whether he was involved in six other unsolved murder cases that took place in Harare and Chitungwiza since 2020.
Muvevi’s suspected murder weapon was taken for ballistic tests about a month ago to try to link the forensic evidence to these six cold cases.
However, it has emerged that the ballistic tests did not match Muvevi’s murder weapon in the six cases.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed that the four alleged murder counts and two attempted murder charges are what remain on Muvevi’s charge sheet.
“I can confirm that on Muvevi’s charges, he remains facing four counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
A police source close to the investigations said: “The results from the forensic ballistic analysis did not match his weapon. So, automatically he was cleared of the six suspected murder cases.
“The situation is still the same in terms of his other charges. So, he is still facing four counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.”
The 42-year-old is presently before the courts after he allegedly gunned down three people — a senior police officer, a bartender and faith healer — in Hwedza on January 13.
Police believe Muvevi used the same weapon to fatally shoot Nyarai Round in Eastlea on November 19 in 2022.
His attempted murder charges arose after he also allegedly shot and injured a police officer during the Hwedza shootings, before he fired at another man in Mutare, whom he narrowly missed, while on the run.
On Monday, Muvevi appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi for routine remand and was further remanded in custody to March 6. -state media
Chelsea coach Graham Potter has revealed that he has received death threats from the club’s fans.
Potter is under mounting pressure at Stamford Bridge following last Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to the Premier League’s bottom side Southampton.
The Blues have just one win all calendar year and the team is currently on a run of just two wins in 14 games across all competitions.
They sit in tenth place on the EPL table with 31 points from twenty-three games.
Because of these poor results, Potter received vicious abuse wishing him and his family dead.
The gaffer told a press conference on Friday: “As much as I’ve had support I’ve had some not very nice emails that have come through that want me to die and want my kids to die, so obviously that’s not pleasant to receive.
“The challenge for me is, ‘OK, how do I conduct myself?’ That’s what I always turn round to. The higher you go, the more pressure you have on how you are as a person. I want to succeed here. There is this nonsense that I don’t care. Where does that come from? Where’s your evidence on that?
“If you go to work and somebody’s swearing abuse at you, it’s not going to be pleasant. You can answer it two ways. I could say I don’t care, but you know I’m lying. Everyone cares what people think, because we’re hardwired to be socially connected.
“Ask my family how life has been for me and for them. It’s been not pleasant at all.
I understand supporters go home and they’re annoyed because the team aren’t winning but, I assure you, my life for the last three, four months has been fairly average, apart from the fact I’m really grateful for this experience.”- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
By- Dancehall music star Winky D’s name was withdrawn from this year’s National Arts and Merit Awards NAMA.
This follows the release of his latest project on 31 January 2022, Eureka.
Gaffa President’s latest offering speaks truth to power and has annoyed the ruling Zanu PF party and its sympathisers, some still vowing for the musician’s head.
This could have also influenced the the organisers of the event National Arts Council, to withdraw Winky’s name from the nominations.
Below are the musicians who won the NAMA awards held this weekend in the capital.
Outstanding female musician winner: Dorcas Moyo.
Zimdancehall chanter, Energy Sylvester Chizanaga, better known as Freeman scooped two awards
5). Outstanding song winner: Fire Emoji by Tavonga Leo Magombedze.
Tinashe Sambiri|Angry citizens in the United Kingdom took to the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe on Saturday to protest at the prolonged detention of Hon Job Sikhala.
Hon Sikhala was arrested in June last year for denouncing the brutal murder of CCC activist Moreblessing Ali.
See below CCC UK and Ireland statement:
Solidarity protest for CCC Hon Job Sikhala, Sat 23 Feb at Zimbabwe Embassy, London…
Today, Zimbabweans, activists and sympathisers stood in solidarity protesting the continued incarceration of Hon Sikhala who has been in prison for 256 days without bail. The protestors were demanding the release of Hon Sikhala #FreeWiwa
Protestors were told of the importance of speaking up, calling out persecution, human rights abuses and were encouraged to continue to protest demanding the Zimbabwe regime to be held accountable for the atrocities they perpetrate against CCC champions and other human rights activists.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
It is preventable and curable.
In 2021, there were an estimated 247 million cases of malaria worldwide. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 619 000 in 2021. The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2021, the region was home to 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths. Children under 5 accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region. Overview
Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat. P. falciparum is the deadliest malaria parasite and the most prevalent on the African continent. P. vivax is the dominant malaria parasite in most countries outside of sub-Saharan Africa.
The first symptoms – fever, headache and chills – usually appear 10–15 days after the infective mosquito bite and may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria. Left untreated, P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness and death within a period of 24 hours.
In 2021, nearly half of the world’s population was at risk of malaria. Some population groups are at considerably higher risk of contracting malaria and developing severe disease: infants, children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and patients with HIV/AIDS, as well as people with low immunity moving to areas with intense malaria transmission such as migrant workers, mobile populations and travellers.
Disease burden According to the latest World malaria report, there were 247 million cases of malaria in 2021 compared to 245 million cases in 2020. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 619 000 in 2021 compared to 625 000 in 2020.
Over the 2 peak years of the pandemic (2020–2021), COVID-related disruptions led to about 13 million more malaria cases and 63 000 more malaria deaths.
The WHO African Region continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2021 the Region was home to about 95% of all malaria cases and 96% of deaths. Children under 5 years of age accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region.
Four African countries accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide: Nigeria (31.3%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.6%), United Republic of Tanzania (4.1%) and Niger (3.9%).
Prevention Over the last 2 decades, expanded access to WHO-recommended malaria prevention tools and strategies – including effective vector control and the use of preventive antimalarial drugs – has had a major impact in reducing the global burden of this disease.
Vector control Vector control is a vital component of malaria control and elimination strategies as it is highly effective in preventing infection and reducing disease transmission. The 2 core interventions are insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS).
Progress in global malaria control is threatened by emerging resistance to insecticides among Anopheles mosquitoes. As described in the latest World malaria report, other threats to ITNs include insufficient access, loss of nets due to the stresses of day-to-day life outpacing replacement, and changing behaviour of mosquitoes, which appear to be biting early before people go to bed and resting outdoors, thereby evading exposure to insecticides.
Preventive chemotherapies Preventive chemotherapy is the use of medicines, either alone or in combination, to prevent malaria infections and their consequences. It requires giving a full treatment course of an antimalarial medicine to vulnerable populations (generally infants, children under 5 years of age and pregnant women) at designated time points during the period of greatest malarial risk, regardless of whether the recipients are infected with malaria.
Preventive chemotherapy includes perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) and school-aged children (IPTsc), post-discharge malaria chemoprevention (PDMC) and mass drug administration (MDA).
These safe and cost-effective strategies are intended to complement ongoing malaria control activities, including vector control measures, prompt diagnosis of suspected malaria, and treatment of confirmed cases with antimalarial medicines.
Vaccine Since October 2021, WHO also recommends broad use of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine among children living in regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission.
The vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce malaria, and deadly severe malaria, among young children.
Business Correspondent| Two Zimbabwean companies have put in place a strategic partnership to foster proper investment in mining.
The companies, Inner Core Resources Private Limited and Three Wingers Enterprises, are keen to turn mining into a lucrative sector in Zimbabwe and beyond.
A representative of Inner Core Resources said on Monday:
“Anything related to mining we can assist. We have a team of experts in various departments and we deal with a variety of issues. Even those who seek to learn about mining and how to invest can contact us.”
“Any mining related baby (Issue), we can help…
Those who want to buy mining equipment and don’t know which ones to use, where to get the best equipment, we can assist.
Mining Equipment selling for those who want to set up milling plants,” said the official.
Inner Core Resources can be contacted through its partner Three Wingers Enterprises.
Tinashe Sambiri|Angry citizens in the United Kingdom took to the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe on Saturday to protest at the prolonged detention of Hon Job Sikhala.
Hon Sikhala was arrested in June last year for denouncing the brutal murder of CCC activist Moreblessing Ali.
See below CCC UK and Ireland statement:
Solidarity protest for CCC Hon Job Sikhala, Sat 23 Feb at Zimbabwe Embassy, London…
Today, Zimbabweans, activists and sympathisers stood in solidarity protesting the continued incarceration of Hon Sikhala who has been in prison for 256 days without bail. The protestors were demanding the release of Hon Sikhala #FreeWiwa
Protestors were told of the importance of speaking up, calling out persecution, human rights abuses and were encouraged to continue to protest demanding the Zimbabwe regime to be held accountable for the atrocities they perpetrate against CCC champions and other human rights activists.
Socialite, @Zuva52201710 says all Zimbabwe's drug problems are to be blamed on Emmerson Mnangagwa alone. Speaking in a live video, she says, Mnangagwa is either incompetent or guilty or both, before saying she can one day challenge him for the presidency. pic.twitter.com/AMpiTEftkH
Socialite, Zuva Habane says all Zimbabwe’s drug problems are to be blamed on Emmerson Mnangagwa alone. Speaking in a live video, she says, Mnangagwa is either incompetent or guilty or both, before saying she can one day challenge him for the presidency.
By-President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa (ED) has said Zimbabwe is now ready to reclaim its human resources scattered all over the world and take full responsibility for its citizens.
He made the remarks when the southern African nation is expecting more than 178 000 Zimbabweans from South Africa after the expiry of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits in June this year.
Writing in his weekly column published by The Sunday Mail, ED said a total of 178 412 nationals, including their families and dependents were expected home. He said:
Through our Embassy in South Africa, Government has availed a portal for them to register so their whereabouts and needs are known in anticipation of the repatriation exercise. Some have been away from home for quite a while and, until now, had set base in South Africa. The ZEP allowed Zimbabweans to lawfully remain in the sister Republic of South Africa in order to pursue their education, to work or set up businesses. With a strong educational foundation and largely highly skilled in different trades and disciplines, our nationals have been active across a wide spectrum of the South African economy. They will not be hard-pressed for options.
We are preparing for their return, and to warmly welcome them once they step on home soil. We will do so fully confident that their return and re-integration into their families and communities, and with relatives and friends will be smooth. Government will assist them as they prepare to resume a productive life as full citizens back in the land of their birth.
We thank all those countries which gave them shelter and more skills while we sorted out our affairs for recovery and growth. South Africa ranks foremost among those countries. With our economy now on an irreversible growth trajectory, the time has now come for our nation to claim back its own and to assume full responsibility for its citizens who may wish or need to come back home. They now have opportunities to contribute here at home. This is how my Government views this latest development.
He said a mopping team will leave for South Africa this week to ensure preparations are comprehensive and attend to every detail.
The team includes medical experts and officials from several ministries.
The President highlighted that he recently had a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and the director-general of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Professor Antonio Vitorino, to ensure a smooth return of Zimbabweans back home.
Some analysts are sceptical that Zimbabwe will be able to cater for the needs of those returning home as it is failing to meet the demands of the citizenry already in the country.
By-Renowed Sungura musician Alick Macheso said the Guruve man trending on social media with claims that he fathered him wants to use the musician’s name to gain fame.
The man, who identifies himself as Simbarashe Macheso, has given interviews on several social media portals, saying he was the Orchestra Mberikwazvo leader’s son.
In a recent interview, Simbarashe described himself as heir to the sungura king’s throne.
However, Macheso exclusively told H-Metro recently that Simbarashe might be one ‘fame-seeker.’ “I heard of these stories for some time now. I can’t speak much about social media stories, but the truth is he is one of those people who want to use celebrities to get the limelight,” said Macheso. “This is not new in this industry. “What I can say is vanhu vanotsvaga mbiri zvakasiyana. “I have been parading my children who are pursuing music to my fans for some time now. “On this one, it’s up to you (the media) to keep entertaining such things for likes and sales.” In one of the interviews, Simbarashe said: “I stay in Guruve, which is my mother’s rural home. My father (Alick) is ageing and he might retire anytime. “And, I’m there to keep the legacy alive. “We should let him rest and enjoy the fruits of his work. We should take care of him together with my siblings.” Macheso’s publicist, Tich Makahamadze, said he engaged his boss when the videos of Simbarashe started circulating on social media. Simbarashe Macheso “I have engaged Mopao (Macheso) and he distanced himself from the man. “That’s our position as management,” said Makahamadze. Makahamadze questioned Simbarashe’s move to go on social media instead of approaching Macheso, if indeed, he was his father. “Macheso loves his children and he has been parading them whenever he gets the chance. And, if his case is genuine, why not visit him at home? “We have been to Guruve and what stops him from visiting his father? “It’s sad that some of these so-called journalists are stating it as a fact without talking to Macheso,” said Makahamadze. Stories of people claiming to be sons or daughters of celebrities are not new, particularly in the local music industry. There has been an ongoing debate about musicians Chamu Boroma and Paddy Kamusakara who both claim to be the late Simon Chimbetu’s sons. Chimbetu’s brother, Allan, the father figure of the Chimbetu family, dismissed Boroma and Kamusakara’s claims. Meanwhile, Macheso is set to make a return to the ghetto when he performs at Werras Park in Glen View 1 this Saturday. He will be supported by chanter Kinnah, at a show that has been dubbed ‘Sungura meets Zimdancehall.’ “Our focus is on our weekend shows, including the one at Werras Park on Saturday. “Prior to that, we are in Norton at Pakare Paye on Friday night,” said Makahamadze. -H-Metro
By- A 25-year-old Tsholotsho man allegedly went berserk, strangled his 16-month-old baby, and hanged her body on the roof rafters of the house before devouring part of the baby’s face in the circumstances yet to be established.
It had to take neighbours to wrest the baby’s lifeless body from the blood-drooling father, who was biting off chunks of flesh from the face of the body and chewing them. He has since been arrested and speculation is rife that he has a mental condition. The man, Mongameli Nkomo, (25) from Masekela Line under Chief Gampu allegedly strangled the baby with his hands. Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed the incident saying the man was in police custody while investigations were underway. “I can confirm that a man from Tsholotsho killed his biological daughter over unclear circumstances. The man was arrested and investigations are still in progress. Nkomo is said to have arrived home at night on the day in question. He woke up his wife Nokulunga Mhlanga claiming that he was being chased by goblins. He started praying and told his wife to be strong. Nkomo later held his wife’s hand and bit her right finger and left arm. The wife jumped off the bed while holding their baby but Nkomo snatched the baby from her,” said Insp Banda. Police said Nkomo’s wife went outside the house screaming for help and that is when neighbours came to the scene. The neighbours proceeded into the house and found Nkomo having killed his daughter and bitten the body’s face, exposing the victim’s teeth. Neighbours had to use force to take away the deceased from Nkomo. They later subdued him and tied his hands. Insp Banda said the body of the baby was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for a post-mortem. Chief Gampu also confirmed the incident which he described as shocking. “I am pained by the incident. How can one kill his own child like that? What does a 16 month-old baby know and besides, no one deserves to be killed. I was called in the middle of the night and I went to attend to the matter only to find out that a man had killed his daughter and had already eaten part of the child’s chin. When I arrived at the scene I called the police who acted swiftly and arrested the father. He obviously has to be examined to check his mental state. He had never had any such problems before but I am tempted to think something went wrong with him mentally,” said the Chief. A villager Mr Edwin Ndlovu said they were still in shock over the incident. “It’s sad that an innocent soul has been lost just like that. The father never showed any signs of mental problems, he was a good man. I do not know what got into him which led him to kill his child. We heard noise, people screaming and I armed myself with a stick thinking that there was an invasion at my neighbours home only to hear that Nkomo had killed his child and eaten part of the chin, leaving the small teeth exposed,” said Mr Ndlovu. Sunday News
By-The month of February brings sad memories to the Zimdancehall fraternity and the local music industry, especially after the death of Soul Jah Love (real name Soul Musaka) on February 16, 2021. The gifted composer and singer succumbed to diabetes at Mbuya Dorcas Hospital in Harare at 31. He was declared a liberation hero for representing youths through music. Top Zimdancehall producer Michael Murumbi, better known as PTK, said the industry was no longer the same without “Sauro”. PTK was one of the first producers to work with Soul Jah Love. “I really miss Soul Jah Love. He was gifted and always gave life to Zimdancehall,” said the producer. Over the years, PTK has released several chart-topping riddims and is expected to drop another one soon. “I have finished working on ‘Body Slam Riddim 02’, which is now due for release. I wish Sauro was around to feature on the project. He would have added more weight to it,” he said. “I am the one who started recording Soul Jah Love, with the track ‘Ndini Uya Uya’ (2014), which proved to be one of his best songs. Together with the late, we did so many projects and he helped me become one of the revered producers in the country.” PTK’s new riddim features Ndunge Yut, Blot, Silent Killer, Hwinza, Bazooker, Lukko and Chipoko Chasauro, among other artistes. “We have some artistes who are trying to fit into the late singer’s shoes but the truth is Soul Jah Love was in a league of his own. It is going to be hard to find his replacement, if ever we are going to.” The music producer urged upcoming Zimdancehall artistes to work hard and be original, and not to lose focus. “Consistency and discipline are key to succeeding in the music industry.” Some of the upcoming Zimdancehall chanters who are trying to emulate Soul Jah Love are Lukko, Chipoko ChaSauro and Mbida Dee. “It is now two years since he (Soul Jah Love) passed away, but, as it stands, we do not have even a single person whom we feel can match or surpass his work. The late chanter worked hard when it came to his music and that is what these youngsters need to copy from him,” added PTK. “But these young musicians must desist from trying to compare themselves with the late chanter if they want to grow their brands.
By- A New York-based global ratings firm Fitch Solutions has predicted Zanu PF’s clean sweep in this year’s elections.
According to the state media, the organisation’s latest report titled “Zimbabwe Country Risk Report”, which includes a 10-year economic forecast, also praised Mnangagwa.
“At Fitch Solutions, we expect that real GDP (gross domestic product) in Zimbabwe will accelerate to 2,4 percent in 2023, from 2 percent in 2022,” reads part of the report. “The acceleration in growth in 2023 will be driven by a more expansionary fiscal policy in the run-up to the elections in the middle of the year and an easing of price pressures, which should provide further support to consumers. “However, we still expect that ZANU PF will win a comfortable majority in the parliamentary elections in July, with the ruling administration benefitting from a host of incumbency advantages.” ZANU PF, the report adds, would likely remain the dominant political force for the foreseeable future. “The ruling ZANU PF party looks to retain its dominance over the medium term . . .” It is believed the coalescing of forces around the ruling party also “lessens the likelihood of formal splits from the party”. In last year’s by-elections held in March, which were widely considered a mini general election, ZANU PF demonstrated its popularity when it wrested two parliamentary seats — Epworth and Mutasa South — from the opposition. The results were interpreted as a sign of the incremental gains being made by ZANU PF in opposition strongholds, driven by success in both stabilising and growing the economy. The United States-based Fitch Solutions also expects President Mnangagwa’s administration to continue its drive to grow the economy, attract investment and manage the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. “We expect inflation to remain elevated in 2022 before moderating subsequently and returning to single-digit levels (on an average annual basis) from 2024,” said the agency. “We expect inflation to return to single-digit levels (on an average annual basis) from 2025 and remain broadly contained over the period to 2031. “This is based on the expectation that improvement in agriculture and mining output, as well as domestic energy production, will lead to a rise in foreign exchange revenue, improving the RBZ’s ability to support the currency . . .” Political analyst Mr Naboth Paurosi Dzivaguru, who is the executive director of GlobalEconomics2020 Consultancy Group, said Fitch Solutions’ projections were spot on. “ZANU PF has fine-tuned laws and policies that are seen attracting investors into the country,” he said. “The economic landscape created under the Second Republic is unlike anything we have ever seen in the history of the country. “The party’s candidate, President Mnangagwa, has shown his mettle in leading the economy. “The President has improved transparency in how the country is governed. “So, this excites the voting population and will translate into votes.” The ruling party, he added, has managed to infuse older and younger generations in its ranks, a development that has strengthened its backbone. “This is what is called a generational super-mix. “It has structures which are intact, which gives the party a scientific insight of the expected results.” Fitch Solutions becomes the latest reputable body to forecast a ZANU PF victory in this year’s elections after Afrobarometer, a Pan-African survey research network, did so in its most recent survey. ZANU PF national spokesperson Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa said the report mirrors the reality on the ground. “ZANU-PF welcomes the more dispassionate and objective polls’ outcome from Fitch Solutions,” he said. “It actually mirrors the concrete realities arising from the ongoing ZANU PF cell building and verification process. “This concerted and ongoing exercise will lead to the party primary elections.” The party’s internal polls, he said, “mimic the impending and imminent” harmonised elections. “In short, ZANU-PF is in the mode of a dress rehearsal for the upcoming plebiscite,” he added. “The credible Fitch Solutions poll forecast is a far cry from the tainted and wishful prophecies of the Brenthurst Foundation . . . The parochial Brenthurst Foundation subsists on the malign traits of Nick Oppenheimer, the scion of a family that built Anglo American Corporation on the back of exploitation of indigene African majorities by minority, colonial, settler racist apartheid regimes . . . “We are even more enthused that the report comes from Fitch Solutions, headquartered in New York, the premier centre of global capital. It, thus, speaks to world-class players and interests that are aligned to the bountiful natural resources of endowed Zimbabwe.”
By- Dancehall music star Winky D’s name was withdrawn from this year’s National Arts and Merit Awards NAMA.
This follows the release of his latest project on 31 January 2022, Eureka.
Gaffa President’s latest offering speaks truth to power and has annoyed the ruling Zanu PF party and its sympathisers, some still vowing for the musician’s head.
This could have also influenced the the organisers of the event National Arts Council, to withdraw Winky’s name from the nominations.
Below are the musicians who won the NAMA awards held this weekend in the capital.
Outstanding female musician winner: Dorcas Moyo.
Zimdancehall chanter, Energy Sylvester Chizanaga, better known as Freeman scooped two awards
5). Outstanding song winner: Fire Emoji by Tavonga Leo Magombedze.
Tropical Storm Freddy will make landfall in Zimbabwe today following a prolonged delay off the Mozambican coast that caused it to weaken substantially.
About 10 districts are expected to receive rains accompanied by strong winds starting today.
This comes as the Department of Civil Protection has mobilised district civil protection committees countrywide to respond to any life-threatening weather hazards that could accompany the tropical storm.
The department has dispatched ZUPCO buses to some districts to help with evacuation efforts, while some traditional leaders have been allocated airtime to facilitate communication in the event of flooding.
The tropical storm is forecast to hit the south eastern parts of the country, dumping large amounts of rain in Chimanimani, Chipinge, Mwenezi, Beitbridge, Chivi, Masvingo, Zaka, Bikita, Gutu and Buhera districts.In a statement yesterday, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) said Tropical Cyclone Freddy had weakened.
According to the MSD, parts of Mashonaland East, Masvingo, southern parts of the Midlands and Matabeleland provinces will likely receive rains, while the rest of the country will have sunny weather.
Ministry of Local Government and Public Works communication and advocacy director, Mr Gabriel Masvora said Government had put in place measures to avert casualties when the tropical storm makes landfall.
Department of Civil Protection acting chief director Mr Nathan Nkomo said 24-hour command centres have been set up to help coordinate mitigation efforts in all districts likely to be affected.
Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has accepted an invitation for an interview by local radio station ZiFM Stereo.
ZiFM Stereo was the first privately-owned radio station to get a licence in Zimbabwe and is owned by Nyanga South MP, Supa Collins Mandiwanzira (ZANU PF) through his company African Business Communications (AB Communications).
Posting on Twitter, ZiFM Stereo said they were open to hosting Chamisa since he is “a key public figure.” The radio station said:
Advocate [Nelson Chamisa], here is an opportunity to speak to Zimbabwe.
We are kindly requesting an interview with you as a key public figure. Let us work on modalities to get you to engage with the people.
We are looking forward to a favorable response.
CCC Matabeleland North Chairman Prince Dubeko Sibanda rebuked the radio station saying they “are supposed to be a serious media house.” Added Sibanda:
Drop these antics of inviting the President through Twitter.
However, CCC deputy spokesperson Gift “Ostallos” Siziba welcome the invitation and promised to get in touch with ZiFM.
Chamisa said he was readily available and for the interview and directed the radio station to contact his media team. Said Chamisa:
I’ve heard you ZiFM. I’m ready when you are. We’re accessible, available and ready. Zimbabwe needs this kind of fairness, Get in touch with our media team. God bless you.
An armed robbery attempt was thwarted by Plumtree villagers who rushed to assist a shopkeeper at Kweneng Business centre on Tuesday after a man posing as a customer tried to rob her.
Matabeleland police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident and dismissed allegations that the incident might be linked to the recent case of school children who were shot in Empandeni.
“This person arrived at 8 pm. He took out a US$1 note saying he was hungry and wanted to buy a soft drink. The complainant went to open the shop, and he tried to push her inside, sensing danger the woman screamed attracting three people who were still outside the shops,” said Mangena.
“When interrogated, the suspect said he only wanted to buy a drink, he immediately left only to come back 40 minutes later and fired two shots in the direction of people who were still there, they ran away and hid in one of the homesteads close by. They locked themselves inside a house and he damaged four window panels,” said Inspector Mangena.
MASVINGO–A popular Mucheke Rank tout in Masvingo was found dead on the steps at the entrance to Farai Bar at 6 pm on Tuesday.
It is suspected that Farai Chirara who was popularly known as Doshto took an overdose of an illicit brew known as Chikozodo without taking food in the morning and went to Farai Bar in Mucheke.
He slept in the bar and some of his friends took him outside and left him at the steps of the bar where he was found dead by one of the bar ladies Raviro Madanhire (50). A report was made at Chikato Police Station. – Masvingo Mirror
Multiple murder suspect Jaison Muvevi, who was being investigated for killing up to 10 people, has been cleared of six charges following ballistic tests.
Muvevi hogged the limelight in January following the Hwedza shooting rampage that led to the death of three people while two others escaped death by a whisker, before he fled to Mozambique, where he was captured.
A former police detective, Muvevi was also linked to another suspected murder that took place in November 2022 in Eastlea, Harare.
Police were keen to investigate whether he was involved in six other unsolved murder cases that took place in Harare and Chitungwiza since 2020.
Muvevi’s suspected murder weapon was taken for ballistic tests about a month ago to try to link the forensic evidence to these six cold cases.
However, it has emerged that the ballistic tests did not match Muvevi’s murder weapon in the six cases.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed that the four alleged murder counts and two attempted murder charges are what remain on Muvevi’s charge sheet.
“I can confirm that on Muvevi’s charges, he remains facing four counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
A police source close to the investigations said: “The results from the forensic ballistic analysis did not match his weapon. So, automatically he was cleared of the six suspected murder cases.
“The situation is still the same in terms of his other charges. So, he is still facing four counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.”
The 42-year-old is presently before the courts after he allegedly gunned down three people — a senior police officer, a bartender and faith healer — in Hwedza on January 13.
Police believe Muvevi used the same weapon to fatally shoot Nyarai Round in Eastlea on November 19 in 2022.
His attempted murder charges arose after he also allegedly shot and injured a police officer during the Hwedza shootings, before he fired at another man in Mutare, whom he narrowly missed, while on the run.
On Monday, Muvevi appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi for routine remand and was further remanded in custody to March 6. -state media
ZRP cops in the Midlands Province have launched a manhunt for a Shurugwi man who allegedly teamed up with a girlfriend and fatally stabbed a 32-year-old rival suitor after they clashed at the girlfriend’s place.
The now deceased, Robson Goni (32), was stabbed by a yet to be identified man in a suspected love triangle in which the two-timing lady is alleged to have taken sides with the accused person.
Police spokesperson for Midlands Province Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident saying they have since launched a manhunt for the alleged killer and the woman in question who was only identified as Chiedza.
The murder case occurred at house number D15 Railway block in Shurugwi where Goni, who is believed to have been a boyfriend to Chiedza, decided to visit her unbeknown to him that she had another boyfriend who had also visited on the same day.
Tempers are said to have flared after the two men clashed and a fight ensued in which Chiedza is alleged to have teamed up with the other boyfriend to fight Goni which resulted in the boyfriend stabbing Goni to death.
After committing the offence, the two suspects left the scene for an unknown destination and are still on the run.
Insp Mahoko appealed for information that may help in the location and arrest of the two wanted persons.
“We received a report of murder that occurred in Shurugwi where an unknown suspect stabbed a rival suitor in a suspected love triangle. After committing the offence, the suspect and the girlfriend ran away and are still on the run. Investigations have been instituted but to date, the suspects have not been located. We call upon members of the public who may have information on the whereabouts of Chiedza and her boyfriend to pass it to any nearest police station,” he said.-state media
MASVINGO–A popular Mucheke Rank tout in Masvingo was found dead on the steps at the entrance to Farai Bar at 6 pm on Tuesday.
It is suspected that Farai Chirara who was popularly known as Doshto took an overdose of an illicit brew known as Chikozodo without taking food in the morning and went to Farai Bar in Mucheke.
He slept in the bar and some of his friends took him outside and left him at the steps of the bar where he was found dead by one of the bar ladies Raviro Madanhire (50). A report was made at Chikato Police Station. – Masvingo Mirror
More than 178 000 Zimbabweans are expected back home from South Arica after the expiry of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) in June this year.
The imminent return of Zimbabweans, who have been living in South Africa, comes after the neighbouring country announced last year that it will not renew special permits for Zimbabweans without critical skills.
Writing in his weekly column, which is published in this issue, ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa said a total of 178 412 nationals, including their families and dependents were expected home.
“Through our Embassy in South Africa, Government has availed a portal for them to register so their whereabouts and needs are known in anticipation of the repatriation exercise. Some have been away from home for quite a while and, until now, had set base in South Africa. The ZEP allowed Zimbabweans to lawfully remain in the sister Republic of South Africa in order to pursue their education, to work or set up businesses. With a strong educational foundation and largely highly skilled in different trades and disciplines, our nationals have been active across a wide spectrum of the South African economy. They will not be hard-pressed for options,” he said.
Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was ready to welcome its citizens back home and had put systems in place to make sure that returnees were fully integrated into the society and contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of the country.
“We are preparing for their return, and to warmly welcome them once they step on home soil. We will do so fully confident that their return and re-integration into their families and communities, and with relatives and friends will be smooth. Government will assist them as they prepare to resume a productive life as full citizens back in the land of their birth.”
President Mnangagwa also thanked neighbouring countries that gave sanctuary to Zimbabweans while the country worked on its economic recovery.
“We thank all those countries which gave them shelter and more skills while we sorted out our affairs for recovery and growth. South Africa ranks foremost among those countries. With our economy now on an irreversible growth trajectory, the time has now come for our nation to claim back its own and to assume full responsibilities for its citizens who may wish or need to come back home. They now have opportunities to contribute here at home. This is how my Government views this latest development,” he said.
The President said a mopping team will leave for South Africa this week to ensure preparations are comprehensive and attend to every detail.
“The team comprises officials from many different Government departments to ensure preparations are comprehensive and attend to every detail.-state media
Tinashe Sambiri|CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa says he is ready to lead the nation.
President Chamisa believes he has attained the necessary experience and knowledge to lead the nation.
The CCC leader wrote on Twitter:
READY TO SERVE & LEAD…
Dear citizens, when you empower me as your President &Commander-in-chief. I will lead extraordinarily, with distinction.
I have served the Republic with patriotic passion and pride. I understand government,having been a Cabinet Minister & MP representing Zimbabwe at various levels SADC, AU, ITU,ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels & UN. #Ready
THE YOUNG CITIZEN ON THE MOVE..We must just fix this country for the sake of this generation.
This is what stirs up my passion for change! It’s an intergenerational consensus for change!
IN a blood curdling incident, a 25-year-old Tsholotsho man allegedly went berserk and strangled his 16-month-old baby, hanged her body on the roof rafters of the house before devouring part of the baby’s face in circumstances yet to be established.
It had to take neighbours to wrest the lifeless body of the baby from the blood-drooling father who was biting off chunks of flesh from the face of the body and chewing them. He has since been arrested and speculation is rife that he has a mental condition.
The man, Mongameli Nkomo, (25) from Masekela Line under Chief Gampu allegedly strangled the baby with his hands. Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed the incident saying the man was in police custody while investigations were underway.
“I can confirm that a man from Tsholotsho killed his biological daughter over unclear circumstances. The man was arrested and investigations are still in progress. Nkomo is said to have arrived home at night on the day in question.
He woke up his wife Nokulunga Mhlanga claiming that he was being chased by goblins. He started praying and told his wife to be strong. Nkomo later held his wife’s hand and bit her right finger and left arm. The wife jumped off the bed while holding their baby but Nkomo snatched the baby from her,” said Insp Banda.
Police said Nkomo’s wife went outside the house screaming for help and that is when neighbours came to the scene. The neighbours proceeded into the house and found Nkomo having killed his daughter and bitten the body’s face, exposing the victim’s teeth. Neighbours had to use force to take away the deceased from Nkomo.
They later subdued him and tied his hands. Insp Banda said the body of the baby was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for a post-mortem. Chief Gampu also confirmed the incident which he described as shocking.
“I am pained by the incident. How can one kill his own child like that? What does a 16 month-old baby know and besides, no one deserves to be killed. I was called in the middle of the night and I went to attend to the matter only to find out that a man had killed his daughter and had already eaten part of the child’s chin.
When I arrived at the scene I called the police who acted swiftly and arrested the father. He obviously has to be examined to check his mental state. He had never had any such problems before but I am tempted to think something went wrong with him mentally,” said the Chief.
A villager Mr Edwin Ndlovu said they were still in shock over the incident.
“It’s sad that an innocent soul has been lost just like that. The father never showed any signs of mental problems, he was a good man. I do not know what got into him which led him to kill his child.
We heard noise, people screaming and I armed myself with a stick thinking that there was an invasion at my neighbours home only to hear that Nkomo had killed his child and eaten part of the chin, leaving the small teeth exposed,” said Mr Ndlovu. – State Media
Tinashe Sambiri Hard-hitting CCC youth taskforce spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma has challenged citizens to assume a common garb in fighting for the release of jailed politician Hon Job Sikhala.
Hon Sikhala was arrested in June last year for speaking on behalf of Moreblessing Ali’s family.
Sarkozy described the incarceration of Hon Sikhala as horrible and unacceptable.
“Sometimes we simply have to stand up.
The abuse of @JobSikhala1 is horrible and unacceptable,” Sarkozy wrote on Twitter.
Chiredzi Town Council sold residential stands on wetlands since 2013
We are aware of the fact that there is corruption in the allocation of stands by the local authority.
But as CCC we don’t associate ourselves with such activities. The main actor being Francis Moyo who is well known for land grabbing and some dubious actitivies in Chiredzi District.
Last week there was an article which circulated around the about the land scams orchestrated by Zanu pf and MDC Alliance councilors.
The public must be informed that as CCC we don’t have any of our Councillors who is involved.
We don’t tolerate corruption in our party.We have a running system to make sure our deployees are not involved in corruption actitivies.Our party is citizen centered, we listen to the citizens and we protect the citizen’s interests.
We call upon ZACC to investigate the Chiredzi Town Council scandal.
Part 1 : Election Agents and the Security of the Vote
By Ignatious Sadziwa and Tinashe Gumbo
Background
The security of the ballot is a very important ingredient in the promotion of free and fair elections.
Dr. Tinashe Gumbo
It satisfies and guarantees electoral credibility and integrity. The role of election agents (also known as polling agents), is very key in any election. Election agents play a gatekeeping role in ensuring that the electorate’s vote is secured. In this article, we seek to discuss the role of election agents in Zimbabwe. Our focus is on the gaps that have manifested during the previous elections with regard to the effectiveness of election agents’ work in the promotion of credible polls. We then reiterate some already-known recommendations for consideration by political parties as they recruit, train and deploy election agents. This is the first of the ten-part series of articles that are meant to contribute to the deconstruction and demystification of fears associated with being an active citizen in electoral processes.
Legal Provisions for Election Agents.
Ignatius Sadziwa
Election candidates are mandated by law (Section 93A, Electoral Act, Chapter 2:13, As Amended up to 28 May 2018) to appoint election agents for a particular poll. This should be done before, on, or after nomination day, but not later than seven days before polling day. The political party that sponsors the candidate is involved (or is an interested party) in the appointment of the election agents. Chief Election Agents are appointed to coordinate other agents (based at polling stations or in constituencies and wards as roving agents). The election agents have to be accredited by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. Thus, it should be noted that they are legitimate stakeholders in elections and are guided by the prevailing laws of the country (Section 83, Electoral Act). Zimbabwe has 210 constituencies,1958 wards, and 10985 (at least in 2018) polling stations. A political party that is serious about challenging for power must aim at deploying election agents at all the stations.
The Role of an Election Agent.
Election agents are representatives of both the candidates and political parties taking part in an election contest and their designated area of work is the polling station in the case of polling agents while the Chief Election Agents may be mobile. Election agents “monitor” and ensure that the election is being conducted in a transparent manner that does not disadvantage their candidates and by extension their political party. They witness all aspects of the voting and counting processes. Thus, prior to the opening of the polls, election agents examine the voting equipment including ballot boxes to ensure that they are empty and inspect the voting booth to determine if there is nothing that may influence the voter. They should, thus, be present during the unveiling of the ballot paper, the voting process, counting, and the collation and tabulation of final results.
To an extent, election agents also play an observing role by checking if the prevailing environment is conducive to free and fair elections. They can also assist their candidates and party with parallel voter tabulation (PVT) as witnessed in jurisdictions like Malawi and Zambia during their latest Presidential plebiscites.
Notable Potholes in Previous Elections
The current authors, being active practitioners in the electoral processes in Zimbabwe, noted that election outcomes are always contested because of an axiomatic belief that they are rigged all the time. Without committed, vigilant, willing, and well-trained election agents, it is always difficult to confirm any alleged election rigging. Yet, we have observed some limitations that are associated with recruitment, training, deployment, and the work of election agents in Zimbabwe. The observations in this article were informed by our direct involvement in electoral work and a review of election observation reports by local civic and faith-based organizations. Media reports were also consulted. Below, we attempt to summarize some of the issues noted in previous elections.
1. While an election agent must be a bona fide, loyal, committed, and willing member of a political party, it has emerged that in most cases, parties hastily recruit agents at the very last minute, thereby targeting the “wrong” agents for the task. This explains cases where some election agents went “AWOL” on election day thereby compromising the security of the people’s vote. Others were “bought” on the eve of an election; hence, they would give excuses leading to their failure to do the job. Claims of infiltration by the opponent elements are real as confirmed by one of the authors of this article who witnessed it during his contest for Mberengwa West Seat in 2013.
2. Research has shown that as of 2018, only one political party had the capacity to deploy election agents at all the polling stations. Opposition parties were yet to build their capacity to enjoy 100% deployment. The issue of financial resources and the “security” of the election agents remained a major factor in this regard. Alleged cases of rigging were normally raised at stations where some political parties had not deployed election agents, yet, no scientific evidence could be accessed to back the claims. In such cases, complainants would not be able to access the V11 Return Forms and this weakened their court cases when they subsequently decided to challenge the outcome.
3. The welfare of polling agents also remained a critical factor in previous elections. Some political parties failed to fully support their agents with food, communication means, and other logistical issues such as transport to and from the polling stations. Thus, the agents would be exposed to all forms of manipulation by those with adequate support. A visibly hungry agent could be sent out of the polling station to buy food or “cigarettes” (for mutual benefit) and in the process, some fishy things happened in his or her absence which he or she could not account for. The “poor” agent could also be offered some other “goodies” including communication gadgets to talk to his or her party about an issue that would have happened at the polling station. In such a tricky scenario, the agent could not be vigilant enough to report any critical developments caused by the “generous” opponent at the polling station through a “borrowed” phone. These were realities observed in the previous elections.
4. Polling agents are supposed to be bona fide voters at their designated polling stations. However, some of them have not managed to exercise their right to vote in their entire life as they would have been deployed outside their wards. To be a polling agent calls for commitment, willingness, and vigilance. Therefore, some political parties were forced to deploy some of their agents away from their polling stations as they (election agents) were deemed the “only suitable cadres who can deal with challenges in the other wards. Such cadres are deployed in hot areas where the party does not have a strong membership and where there is the possibility of intimidation from the opponent”, argued one candidate in the 2018 elections. While the argument was valid, it was equally true that the same election agents, who were legitimate voters, would be deprived of their voting rights. Furthermore, they were strangers in the areas they were deployed to, hence they could not provide that much-needed confidence to their party members who, in fact, did not know them.
5. Late arrival at the polling stations was also another major challenge. While the agents were supposed to be at the station at least two or so hours before the opening of the poll, in several cases, they were late due to some logistical challenges that were real. Therefore, they missed some critical processes such as witnessing the pre-poll preparations, examination of voting equipment as well as examination of ballot boxes, and other voting materials.
6. Illiteracy and inadequate training of polling agents were also visible gaps. Election processes are political in nature, but they are also majorly scientific. They involve a lot of figures, calculations, thinking, discussions, negotiations, and making serious resolutions. This requires a lot of prior training on the part of election agents. It emerged from the previous elections that in several cases, election agents were not well trained for the task, and in worst-case scenarios, they were illiterate. This became a fertile ground for rigging as statistics could possibly be manipulated in favor of a particular candidate at the expense of others. Such limitations manifested mainly during the stages of counting, reconciliation of ballot papers, tallying of results, and verification of figures.
7. Absence from the polling station: Some election agents left the polling stations during voting, closing, or counting, thereby allowing “forces of rigging” to rule. The principle is “polling agents should not leave the polling station”, as, in such an instance, illegal activity can happen in their absence. Monitoring the polling process and safeguarding polling boxes is their primary duty. Anything fishy can happen if they leave the polling station even for a moment. Yet, the law empowers the Election Officer to proceed with electoral processes in the absence of an election agent (Section 84).
A Few Recommendations
Our conclusion is that election agents are a critical component of the electoral process in Zimbabwe. Anyone can be an election agent once formally appointed by a particular candidate and political party. It, however, remains critical that political parties address the noted gaps in their recruitment, training, and deployment of election agents. Therefore, below are some recommendations we make particularly to the candidates and political parties:
1. Political parties should deliberately invest in the recruitment, training, and deployment of election agents. They should not wait to fulfill this investment at the last minute as doing so may expose themselves to possible infiltration or engagement of “wrong” agents. Election agents’ teams should be made up of people who are well versed in electoral processes, who are literate, committed, dedicated, willing, and available for the task. Most importantly, they should be bona fide members of that political party, who are ready to defend its interest and that of the candidate. Well-trained, and equipped agents are a near guarantee for effective monitoring of the election process against any form of rigging. Training should not be “generic” as we have witnessed in previous elections. There is a need for specialization based on one’s competence and experience in electoral processes.
Loyalty to the party is not enough for one to be an agent! It is not about money but the security of the people’s vote! Neither should relationship with the candidate be the main factor for participation as an election agent!
2. The “welfare of an election agent should remain the welfare of the party”. An ill-equipped and insecure polling agent is “dangerous” for the concerned party. He or she can easily be manipulated by the opposite party as he or she can be offered money, food, or transport to and from the station, thereby making him or her a compromised player. Parties should feed their agents (literally feeding them), equip them with efficient communication means, and guarantee their security in and outside the polling station. By doing so, they would have guaranteed the agents’ presence in the polling station at all critical moments hence the security of the vote. Adequate election agents should be deployed at each station. The law allows three agents per station of which only one should be in the polling station at each particular moment. The other two (either of whom may relieve the election agent entitled to be present in the polling station) shall be entitled to be present in the immediate vicinity of the polling station concerned (Section 95).
3. Vigilance remains a key characteristic of an effective election agent. While on duty, the agent should keep his or her eyes on the polling boxes, on the figures, and on the interest of his or her party. This will ensure that he or she has access to the key data including the final documents such as the V11 Return Forms.
4. Election agents should be deployed in their areas of residence to allow them to vote, but also to give confidence to their party members who come to cast their vote at that polling station. It is indeed cost-effective too to deploy locally as no transport is required to ferry the agents. Furthermore, it is very convenient as the agents will be at the polling stations, on time to witness all the pre-poll preparatory processes. Members of their political parties will feel confident when they see some of their own being part of the team of election agents. It will not help a polling agent to be defending his or her party’s vote “somewhere” when his or her vote does not count at the end of the day.
5. Political parties should be deliberately inclusive in their recruitment and deployment of election agents so that youth, women, and people with disabilities can also be active participants in electoral processes. Although no immediate scientific evidence was available to show the statistics for participation of different categories of people as election agents, we reiterate the importance of inclusivity.
Ignatious G Sadziwa, Executive Director @ Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust. He is a Social Democrat and an Election Expert. He can be contacted @ Mobile/WhatsApp +263772706621; Facebook: Ignatious Sadziwa; Twitter: Ignatious Sadziwa; Email: [email protected]
Dr. Tinashe Gumbo is a Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice activist. He writes on elections, the environment, mining, and music. He can be contacted on Mobile: at +254 702 523 940/WhatsApp at +263 773218860; Email: [email protected]; Blog: tinashegumbo.wordpress.com; Twitter: DrTinasheGumbo1; Facebook: Tinashe Gumbo
There is a real buzz in the green half of the capital.
Whenever CAPS United fans burst into the song “Gore Rino Ndizvo Zvarongwa naPapa Lodza”, nine times out of ten it’s just for fun. But this season, the song might carry its actual meaning.
Those who see football through objective lenses and operate in the truth-telling business will agree that the ‘Papa Lodza’ in question, Makepekepe coach Lloyd Chitembwe, is up to something ahead of the upcoming Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Last season, the Green Machine’s campaign was marred by well-documented financial challenges, which resulted in the former Cup Kings being in the relegation matrix.
But after their penultimate game of the season —an entertaining 2-2 draw with champions FC Platinum at the National Sports Stadium, Chitembwe declared that the club does not want a repetition of such a season.
“Going forward, some of these decisions will be very key going forward. We don’t want a repeat of this kind of a season. Everyone has taken lessons, from players, to the coaches, everyone within the football club has taken lessons and we don’t want a repeat of such,” said Chitembwe.
The former Warriors assistant coach even reminded football fans that history shows that whenever the club has such a chaotic season, they go on to win the championship in the next campaign.
Whether the financial challenges which affected the 2016 league champions have been solved or not remains to be seen, but what’s there for all to see, is the quality of players the Farai Jere-led executive has lured to the club.
Kelvin Madzongwe, Tafadzwa ‘Fire’ Rusike, Godknows ‘Zizou’ Murwira, Adrian Silla, Innocent Zambezi and Admiral Matope have all joined Makepekepe, while former Dynamos midfielder King Nadolo, who was spotted at the club’s training session, could be another acquisition.
Last season’s Soccer Star of the Year first runner up and the league top goalscorer William Manondo, is staying put at CAPS.
Madzongwe, who swapped the green shirt of financially-troubled Bulawayo Chiefs for a more greener shirt which he hopes will bring greener pastures, is relishing the prospect of playing for Makepekepe.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity because obviously CAPS United is a big brand. So definitely playing for them is like playing for one of the biggest teams around, considering the history that they have and the calibre of players that have gone through CAPS United,” he told the club’s media department last week.
“So it’s a huge honor to be here, my family was excited when I joined, mostly my dad because he has always been a huge CAPS United fan so for him, I think it’s one of those dreams that he has realized for me,” Madzongwe added.
Madzongwe has added making promises to the list of things he can do, and his first assurance as a CAPS player, is that the Green Machine’s fans should brace for a good season.
“Last year the team didn’t have a good season. We struggled a lot but hopefully, this year things will be better, with the calibre of players that are here. So we are promising CAPS United fans that this year will be much better than last year,” he said.
Veteran winger Phenias Bamusi, believes says everything is smooth-sailing ahead of the 2023 season and CAPS fans can dare to dream.
“I believe we have a strong squad, and there are no disturbances so far,” said Bamusi.
Life is a matter of choices, and one can choose to undermine CAPS United this season, but at their own peril.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
A democratic Zimbabwe cannot be built on undemocratic processes like violation of the constitution, continuation of Zanu PF poor policies, violence, lack of respect of the rule of law and abuse of human rights.
President Mnangagwa government’s must abide by the constitution and allow the opposition to campaign freely. Zimbabwe cannot afford to have another disputed 2023 election.
Our democracy can be richer and stronger if every political party in the country is given a fair access to the media allowing them to gather unhindered and unharmed.
In terms of political repression, arresting political opponents, poor governance, banning of NGOs, mutilation of the constitution the Zanu PF government under this new republic has broken the record.
In November 2017 President Emmerson Mnangagwa said “the voice of the people is the voice of GOD” literally meaning that whatever people cried for he is supposed to incline an ear. Today Mnangagwa has changed goal posts and has become another Idi Amin of Zimbabwe.
Currently the regime is using dirty tactics like using the Zimbabwe Republic Police to ban CCC campaigning rallies and meetings.
They always say Citizens Coalition of Change is a structureless party but they deploy armed riot police to block their rallies.
Zanu PF government knows that they have no political clout and have ran out of new ideas to lure the electorate.
By stopping Nelson Chamisa to hold rallies punishing his supporters through jailing them and weaponisation of the law, the regime is actually scoring own goals.
The willful violation of the constitution of Zimbabwe, manipulation of the voters roll is a cause of concern.
For the past twenty or so years, we seem determined to miss every opportunity to showcase what Zimbabwe would have been like had it not been for political bickering and resistance to change.
Regression after independence shouts from rooftops what no descendant of Africa wants to. What we are witnessing right now in the country are symptoms of a failed economy.
Its all cheap propaganda that Zanu PF government is signing mega deals, investors are flocking into the country and the mantra that the country is open for business.
The finance industry is now a pale shadow of what it used to be. What brought down the economy needs addressing. There is no country in the world that had managed to flourish uts economy when there is political instability. Where the opposition is treated like an enemy of the state.
Unfortunately, there is still finger pointing the culture strangling Zimbabwe is not far from being solved.
To Hell with Julius Malema and his idea of “shutting down South Africa!
if u get a medical emergency like “gogo” getting a heart attack on the 20th of March 2023 and an ambulance doesn’t arrive cos roads are blocked by the EFF, go open an attempted murder/murder charge against Julius Malema. sue him & build your family a house with that money ?
COSAS must also encourage all students that won’t be able go to school on that day because of the “shut down” to go open a case, the students must sue Julius.
if you have a job interview on that day and can’t make it because roads are closed by the eff… sue him!
you can thank me later for using Julius Malemas ignorance to make you money ??
SAPS will arrest the ignorant EFF leader for incitement of violence, destroying property (vandalism), infringing on other people’s constitutional right of going to school, hospital etc…
The Lusaka Fire Brigade on Saturday managed to put out the fire that was caused by a fuel tanker which exploded on Lusaka’s Mungwi road.Four people have been injured in the inferno. (Pictures by ZNBC NEWS)
There is a real buzz in the green half of the capital.
Whenever CAPS United fans burst into the song “Gore Rino Ndizvo Zvarongwa naPapa Lodza”, nine times out of ten it’s just for fun. But this season, the song might carry its actual meaning.
Those who see football through objective lenses and operate in the truth-telling business will agree that the ‘Papa Lodza’ in question, Makepekepe coach Lloyd Chitembwe, is up to something ahead of the upcoming Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Last season, the Green Machine’s campaign was marred by well-documented financial challenges, which resulted in the former Cup Kings being in the relegation matrix.
But after their penultimate game of the season —an entertaining 2-2 draw with champions FC Platinum at the National Sports Stadium, Chitembwe declared that the club does not want a repetition of such a season.
“Going forward, some of these decisions will be very key going forward. We don’t want a repeat of this kind of a season. Everyone has taken lessons, from players, to the coaches, everyone within the football club has taken lessons and we don’t want a repeat of such,” said Chitembwe.
The former Warriors assistant coach even reminded football fans that history shows that whenever the club has such a chaotic season, they go on to win the championship in the next campaign.
Whether the financial challenges which affected the 2016 league champions have been solved or not remains to be seen, but what’s there for all to see, is the quality of players the Farai Jere-led executive has lured to the club.
Kelvin Madzongwe, Tafadzwa ‘Fire’ Rusike, Godknows ‘Zizou’ Murwira, Adrian Silla, Innocent Zambezi and Admiral Matope have all joined Makepekepe, while former Dynamos midfielder King Nadolo, who was spotted at the club’s training session, could be another acquisition.
Last season’s Soccer Star of the Year first runner up and the league top goalscorer William Manondo, is staying put at CAPS.
Madzongwe, who swapped the green shirt of financially-troubled Bulawayo Chiefs for a more greener shirt which he hopes will bring greener pastures, is relishing the prospect of playing for Makepekepe.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity because obviously CAPS United is a big brand. So definitely playing for them is like playing for one of the biggest teams around, considering the history that they have and the calibre of players that have gone through CAPS United,” he told the club’s media department last week.
“So it’s a huge honor to be here, my family was excited when I joined, mostly my dad because he has always been a huge CAPS United fan so for him, I think it’s one of those dreams that he has realized for me,” Madzongwe added.
Madzongwe has added making promises to the list of things he can do, and his first assurance as a CAPS player, is that the Green Machine’s fans should brace for a good season.
“Last year the team didn’t have a good season. We struggled a lot but hopefully, this year things will be better, with the calibre of players that are here. So we are promising CAPS United fans that this year will be much better than last year,” he said.
Veteran winger Phenias Bamusi, believes says everything is smooth-sailing ahead of the 2023 season and CAPS fans can dare to dream.
“I believe we have a strong squad, and there are no disturbances so far,” said Bamusi.
Life is a matter of choices, and one can choose to undermine CAPS United this season, but at their own peril.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa says he is ready to lead the nation.
President Chamisa believes he has attained the necessary experience and knowledge to lead the nation.
The CCC leader wrote on Twitter:
READY TO SERVE & LEAD…
Dear citizens, when you empower me as your President &Commander-in-chief. I will lead extraordinarily, with distinction.
I have served the Republic with patriotic passion and pride. I understand government,having been a Cabinet Minister & MP representing Zimbabwe at various levels SADC, AU, ITU,ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels & UN. #Ready
THE YOUNG CITIZEN ON THE MOVE..We must just fix this country for the sake of this generation.
This is what stirs up my passion for change! It’s an intergenerational consensus for change!
Tinashe Sambiri Hard-hitting CCC youth taskforce spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma has challenged citizens to assume a common garb in fighting for the release of jailed politician Hon Job Sikhala.
Hon Sikhala was arrested in June last year for speaking on behalf of Moreblessing Ali’s family.
Sarkozy described the incarceration of Hon Sikhala as horrible and unacceptable.
“Sometimes we simply have to stand up.
The abuse of @JobSikhala1 is horrible and unacceptable,” Sarkozy wrote on Twitter.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
It is preventable and curable.
In 2021, there were an estimated 247 million cases of malaria worldwide. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 619 000 in 2021. The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2021, the region was home to 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths. Children under 5 accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region. Overview
Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat. P. falciparum is the deadliest malaria parasite and the most prevalent on the African continent. P. vivax is the dominant malaria parasite in most countries outside of sub-Saharan Africa.
The first symptoms – fever, headache and chills – usually appear 10–15 days after the infective mosquito bite and may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria. Left untreated, P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness and death within a period of 24 hours.
In 2021, nearly half of the world’s population was at risk of malaria. Some population groups are at considerably higher risk of contracting malaria and developing severe disease: infants, children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and patients with HIV/AIDS, as well as people with low immunity moving to areas with intense malaria transmission such as migrant workers, mobile populations and travellers.
Disease burden According to the latest World malaria report, there were 247 million cases of malaria in 2021 compared to 245 million cases in 2020. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 619 000 in 2021 compared to 625 000 in 2020.
Over the 2 peak years of the pandemic (2020–2021), COVID-related disruptions led to about 13 million more malaria cases and 63 000 more malaria deaths.
The WHO African Region continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2021 the Region was home to about 95% of all malaria cases and 96% of deaths. Children under 5 years of age accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region.
Four African countries accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide: Nigeria (31.3%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.6%), United Republic of Tanzania (4.1%) and Niger (3.9%).
Prevention Over the last 2 decades, expanded access to WHO-recommended malaria prevention tools and strategies – including effective vector control and the use of preventive antimalarial drugs – has had a major impact in reducing the global burden of this disease.
Vector control Vector control is a vital component of malaria control and elimination strategies as it is highly effective in preventing infection and reducing disease transmission. The 2 core interventions are insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS).
Progress in global malaria control is threatened by emerging resistance to insecticides among Anopheles mosquitoes. As described in the latest World malaria report, other threats to ITNs include insufficient access, loss of nets due to the stresses of day-to-day life outpacing replacement, and changing behaviour of mosquitoes, which appear to be biting early before people go to bed and resting outdoors, thereby evading exposure to insecticides.
Preventive chemotherapies Preventive chemotherapy is the use of medicines, either alone or in combination, to prevent malaria infections and their consequences. It requires giving a full treatment course of an antimalarial medicine to vulnerable populations (generally infants, children under 5 years of age and pregnant women) at designated time points during the period of greatest malarial risk, regardless of whether the recipients are infected with malaria.
Preventive chemotherapy includes perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) and school-aged children (IPTsc), post-discharge malaria chemoprevention (PDMC) and mass drug administration (MDA).
These safe and cost-effective strategies are intended to complement ongoing malaria control activities, including vector control measures, prompt diagnosis of suspected malaria, and treatment of confirmed cases with antimalarial medicines.
Vaccine Since October 2021, WHO also recommends broad use of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine among children living in regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission.
The vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce malaria, and deadly severe malaria, among young children.
Business Correspondent| Two Zimbabwean companies have put in place a strategic partnership to foster proper investment in mining.
The companies, Inner Core Resources Private Limited and Three Wingers Enterprises, are keen to turn mining into a lucrative sector in Zimbabwe and beyond.
A representative of Inner Core Resources said on Monday:
“Anything related to mining we can assist. We have a team of experts in various departments and we deal with a variety of issues. Even those who seek to learn about mining and how to invest can contact us.”
“Any mining related baby (Issue), we can help…
Those who want to buy mining equipment and don’t know which ones to use, where to get the best equipment, we can assist.
Mining Equipment selling for those who want to set up milling plants,” said the official.
Inner Core Resources can be contacted through its partner Three Wingers Enterprises.
MDC President Senator Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora is attending the 62nd Session of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels, Belgium.
By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested a former National Railways of Zimbabwe of Zimbabwe (NRZ) top engineer for corruption.
This follows an internal audit report released last year indicating that Phillip Chifamba, who was chief engineer for infrastructure at the parastatal, grossly inflated costs for the renovation of an NRZ guest house in Bulawayo.
He was nabbed on Thursday last week after ZACC carried its own investigations and he is expected to appear in court soon.
The property, number 242 Leopold Takawira in Bulawayo, was supposed to cost US$110,000 to renovate but Chifamba, working in cahoots with the others who are also under investigation, caused the price to be increased $214 000.
This represents a variance cost of 104,000 in direct contravention of the company’s Procedural order as read with the Procurement Regulations which provide for re-tendering in the event of a price variance above 20%.
The property is used as the official residence of the NRZ board chairperson, a position currently occupied by Advocate Martin Dinha.
The audit report also indicated that Chifamba connived with former NRZ chief finance officer Joel Lunga, who approved the payments by-passing General Manager.
They also did not run the tender past the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe as is required at law.
Payments were made directly through Lunga.
“Payments were done by the Finance Branch on instructions from the acting chief finance officer (Lunga). Papers wrongly processed for payment sailed through the hands of acting chief finance officer without scrutiny,” the audit report said.
It added: “All payments regarding variations were approved by the offices of the chief engineer and that of the then procurement manager and paid for by the finance branch. This was clearly contrary to expectations of the line of duty of the chief finance officer.”
By- Police in Sanyathi have issued a warrant of arrest for local MP and Mines deputy minister Polite Kambamura (Zanu PF) after he allegedly unleashed a militia on party rivals holding a meeting at Nyimo business centre on Thursday.
Several party officials were injured in the violence when the militia attacked district chairpersons from Arda, Rusvingo and Nyaunde, which led to the arrest of three members of Kambamura’s hitmen.
“Three people namely, Enock Chimombe, Sithabile Bhebhe, and Joseph Siampongo have been arrested for public violence and have been transferred to Kadoma Law and Order section. They will appear in court soon. The outstanding two who are yet to be arrested are Polite Kambamura and William Pariyangiwa,” said a police officer who declined to be named.
The complainant in the case is Zanu PF Arda district chairperson Sylvester Mhirizhonga, who reported the case under RRB5413524.
“I can confirm that three people who were part of a gang that beat us yesterday have been arrested. They were picked up by police in the morning,” Mhirizhonga said.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was unaware of the matter.
Several party officials who spoke to NewsDay Weekender alleged that the hired youth militia was under instruction to beat up Zanu PF district chairpersons perceived as blocking Kambamura’s re-election bid.
Kambamura told NewsDay Weekender on Thursday that he was in Sanyati, but distanced himself from the violence.
“I do not know what you are talking about. Yes, I am in Sanyati but never witnessed that,” he said.
The Sanyati legislator is not new to intra-party violence.
He has of late been accused of unleashing hired thugs on his rivals within the ruling party to ensure he is not challenged in the primary elections.
In 2018, he was accused of destroying ballot papers belonging to a rival during the party’s primary elections. Source – NewsDay
By- The High court has dismissed a case in which former MDC deputy president Elias Mudzuri was challenging his expulsion from the party.
Mwonzora recently expelled Mudzuri alongside Norest Marara, Edwin Kakora, Gift Konjana, Den Moyo and Edwin Dzambara. Mudzuri then filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court seeking to stop the confirmation of his expulsion. However, High Court judge Justice David Mangota dismissed Mudzuri’s application, ruling that he had failed to justify his request. Ruled the judge: The logic of the matter is that the letter of 6 February 2023 would not have taken away from the applicant his position as Vice-President of the first respondent (MDC-T) and allowed him to remain a card-carrying member of the first respondent. He would, in all probability, have been stripped of his membership in the first respondent completely. Once it is accepted, as it should, that the applicant is no longer a member of the first respondent, the logical conclusion which follows from the stated matter is that he has no right that he requires to protect. An applicant for an interdict must prove, on a preponderance of probabilities, the existence of the right which he wants to be protected by the interdict. All other requirements for an interdict will only be considered after the existence of the right has been established. Where, as in casu (in this case), no such right exists, the application for an interdict fails. The applicant failed to prove, on a balance of probabilities, the existence of any right which he enjoys in the first respondent. The application is struck off the roll of urgent matters with costs. In his application, Mudzuri cited, the MDC-T, MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora, party chairman Morgen Komichi, and MDC-T Secretary General Paurina Mupariwa Gwanyanya as respondents. The respondents challenged his application, arguing that what he sought to interdict had already taken place. Mudzuri, Norest Marara, Edwin Kakora, Gift Konjana, Den Moyo and Edwin Dzambara were expelled from MDC-T for violating the party’s constitution after dragging their Mwonzora to court challenging his re-election on December 18, 2022.
By- Former MDC deputy president Elias Mudzuri has lost a court challenge against his former boss Daglous Mwonzora.
Mwonzora recently expelled Mudzuri alongside Norest Marara, Edwin Kakora, Gift Konjana, Den Moyo and Edwin Dzambara. Mudzuri then filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court seeking to stop the confirmation of his expulsion. However, High Court judge Justice David Mangota dismissed Mudzuri’s application, ruling that he had failed to justify his request. Ruled the judge: The logic of the matter is that the letter of 6 February 2023 would not have taken away from the applicant his position as Vice-President of the first respondent (MDC-T) and allowed him to remain a card-carrying member of the first respondent. He would, in all probability, have been stripped of his membership in the first respondent completely. Once it is accepted, as it should, that the applicant is no longer a member of the first respondent, the logical conclusion which follows from the stated matter is that he has no right that he requires to protect. An applicant for an interdict must prove, on a preponderance of probabilities, the existence of the right which he wants to be protected by the interdict. All other requirements for an interdict will only be considered after the existence of the right has been established. Where, as in casu (in this case), no such right exists, the application for an interdict fails. The applicant failed to prove, on a balance of probabilities, the existence of any right which he enjoys in the first respondent. The application is struck off the roll of urgent matters with costs. In his application, Mudzuri cited, the MDC-T, MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora, party chairman Morgen Komichi, and MDC-T Secretary General Paurina Mupariwa Gwanyanya as respondents. The respondents challenged his application, arguing that what he sought to interdict had already taken place. Mudzuri, Norest Marara, Edwin Kakora, Gift Konjana, Den Moyo and Edwin Dzambara were expelled from MDC-T for violating the party’s constitution after dragging their Mwonzora to court challenging his re-election on December 18, 2022.
By-The Police have announced that they arrested more than 1 800 drivers for using illegal routes permits and not following permit timetables.
The operation comes after Police recently expressed concern over the conduct of some public service vehicle drivers who need to comply with the timetables and route permits. This has resulted in avoidable accidents caused by bus drivers engaging in dangerous and reckless road races for passengers. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on Friday said the number of people who have been arrested under the operation stood at 1 805. He said: On 22/02/23, Police arrested 711 people across the country on operation on the enforcement of route permits and timetables for public service vehicles (PSVs). This brings the cumulative figure of arrests to 1 805. Last week, Asst Comm Nyathi said the enforcement of route compliance and timetables would be done in terms of the Road Motor Transportation Act. He said: The Zimbabwe Republic Police has noted with concern the conduct of some public service vehicle drivers who are not complying with timetables on route permits, resulting in the drivers being dragged into dangerous and reckless road races for passengers. This conduct has resulted in road traffic accidents in some instances. In a bid to ensure compliance with road traffic rules and regulations by public service vehicles, the Zimbabwe Republic Police will with immediate effect heighten enforcement on compliance with route permits and timetables. Owners of public service vehicles are, therefore, advised to adhere to the dictates of their route permits and timetables forthwith. We appeal to public service vehicle owners to cooperate with police officers to ensure sanity prevails on the roads.
The rand has been hit hard by the long-expected confirmation that South Africa was greylisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international body that sets standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The local currency was trading at R18.46/$ in early afternoon trading on Friday, the weakest level since November last year.
It is closed to reaching levels last seen at the height of the pandemic crisis in May 2020.
Maarten Ackerman, chief economist and advisory partner at Citadel, says it’s possible that the rand could breach R19/$, and even weaker, in coming days.
The currency started the year at R17/$, but has come under pressure in recent weeks as the dollar rushed ahead as new US economic data supported more aggressive interest rate hikes, he adds.The rand started bleeding on Thursday after meeting minutes from the Federal Reserve revealed an increased appetite for hikes.
“SA remains behind the US in the quantum of rate hikes so far, with only a 375 basis points lift in the repo rate versus the 450 basis points lift in the Fed funds rate in the current hiking cycle, resulting in rand weakness as SA’s risk premium with the US has eroded severely,” says Annabel Bishop, Investec economist.
If South Africa’s interest rates are not raised in step with the US, the rand and local assets like bonds will lose their appeal to foreign investors, who are on the hunt for good returns.
Foreign inflows are crucial to keep the rand stable.
Greylisting is also negative for foreign inflows.
Countries on the grey list have historically seen a decline in foreign investment.Being on the grey list signals to global banks, financial institutions and foreign investors that the country is not fully compliant with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing standards.
Greylisting is expected to hike the cost of doing business in South Africa by increasing the amount of due diligence companies have to carry out.
South Africans may also find sending funds offshore and transacting with international banks more onerous.But Ackerman says that rand could return to levels of around R17.50/$ in the second half of the year.
The dollar rally is expected to lose some steam as the US interest rate hike cycle ends, with “peak dollar” expected in the first half of the year.
A Mutare man was on Thursday hauled before a magistrate for allegedly creating an illegal by-pass on his farm opposite the 22 Miles tollgate, reported The Herald.
Padina Dzumbira appeared in court facing charges of contravening sections of the law governing tollgates.
The appeared before Mutare magistrate Perseverance Makala yesterday charged with contravening section 3A (3) of Statutory Instrument 250/21 of the Toll Road (National Road Network) (Amendment) and was remanded out of custody to 10 March 2023.
The rule bars the use of a private bypass road falling within 1km of a toll gate unless authorised by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
No one is allowed to collect toll fees on any road within 1km of a tolling point.
Prosecuting, Sharon Chibvongodze said the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) saw drivers by-passing the 22 Miles tollgate on the farm road, and reported Dzumbira to the police.
Last year, the 22 Miles acting tollgate supervisor Charedza Majedera allegedly saw Dzumbira allowing vehicles to bypass the tollgate using his private road.He then called in the ZINARA risk and loss control department to set up surveillance cameras to record evidence.
Part of the State outline reads: An analysis made on the video footage obtained from the surveillance cameras on October 14, 2022, October 17, 2022, and October 25, 2022, shows classes of motor vehicles bypassing the tollgate and pass through the accused’s homestead.
Tears and pain at @PSMASZim, where former CEO Cuthbert Dube, was earning a hefty salary of US$460000/month, and today workers are being retrenched without any retirement package after working for over 3 decades faithfully, (plus the last 4 months without a salary). pic.twitter.com/VKwKc4CChg
After banning lithium exports and seizing millions worth of lithium mined by ZANU PF members in Mberengwa, the govt has betrayed the taxpayers once again by importing 18 Chinese electric cars.
The govt, through the Central Mechanical Equipment Department (CMED), has now bought a total of 18 electric vehicles from a Chinese company as Zimbabwe continues to promote the use of smart energy as the world gradually shifts from petroleum-fuelled vehicles.
CMED was recently requested to also explore the provision of urban commuter services using electric buses which were cheaper to run compared to conventional vehicles, bringing relief to urban commuters who will benefit from lower fares.
Most of the electric cars recently bought by CMED were being used at its driving school, EasyGo, and the rest as shuttle cars at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
The vehicles and the charging infrastructure at the CMED Harare depot, were bought by the CMED from BYD Company, which produces cars, buses, trucks, electric bicycles, forklifts and rechargeable batteries.
The purchasing of the electric cars also comes after Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona this week said Zimbabwe was committed to adopting clean energy solutions for the transport sector.
This was aimed at helping the country towards climate change mitigation.
Minister Mhona said efforts had been made to develop systems, some of which had been adopted under international regulatory institutions such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
He was speaking during the 85th Session of the Inland Transport Committee (ITC) underway in Geneva, Switzerland.
He was contributing to a panel discussion on the topic: “Critical partnerships and leaving no one behind in the climate battle: global challenges and winning formulas for net zero leaders”.
“I wish to reiterate that Zimbabwe is committed to cooperation under the United Nations System, and to the adoption of international good practices and standards on all matters under the purview of the ITC. Cooperation bilaterally and at the multilateral level, as well as re-engagement, lie at the heart of the foreign policy of my leader, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa’s administration.
“Zimbabwe joins the United Nations family in shaping the attendant discourse, underpinned by the critical question that is among the top policy priorities for governments around the world on: “Critical Partnerships and Leaving no one behind in the climate battle: global challenges and winning formulas for net zero leaders”,” Minister Mhona said.- state media/additional reporting
One of the churches in the country which the state media claims has the largest following in terms of numbers — Vapositori — has pledged 2,3 million votes for President Mnangagwa as a token of appreciation for his astute leadership that has ushered Zimbabwe into a new era.
Uniting under the banner of Vapositori for ED (VED), the garment-donning church that is home to arguably the majority of Zimbabweans, either discreetly or indiscreetly, was yesterday at State House in Harare and pledged to play its part in defending Zimbabwe’s revolution.
Apparently, President Mnangagwa’s unique style of leadership, his open-door policy, and the universally acknowledged “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo” philosophy have charmed Vapositori who are drawn from Johanne Masowe, Vadzidzi, Mugodhi, and other variations.
President Mnangagwa told Vapositori that nobody, but Zimbabweans could take the country to the Promised Land, saying any developed country today stands rich, primarily through the labour of its people.
“When I got the letter that there is Vapositori for ED who would like to see me, I didn’t think there would be such a huge number at the highest level. When I say nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, that philosophy is not selective. God gave each country its own resources, I don’t think God wants to see other nations oppressing others. Some think when I say Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo I am talking about only those in politics; I mean every single Zimbabwean, no matter your background, put shoulder to the wheel to build your country,” the President said.
As a listening leader, President Mnangagwa said his door would forever be open for Vapositori, who have asked him for a Ministry of Religion.
“I heard you say that you want to defend the country’s Independence. There are many who don’t appreciate that, if it was possible we would go back to our true selves and be proud of who we are.
“Now we are being misled, if we are in agreement that we have a task to preserve our heritage, our task will be surmountable because we will be together as one people,” he said.
The President added that he will ensure freedom of worship is enjoyed by every Zimbabwean and also promised to engage traditional leaders whom the Vapositori had said were sometimes interfering with their activities.
“You are reservoirs of knowledge, you have asked for a religious ministry. I have taken this into consideration, and soon I will be meeting with chiefs to get their views on the issue that you have raised.
“Let me tell you that we have some who are black only in colour but inside they are white, it is better to associate with the white man openly,” he said.
The Vapositori, through their spokesperson Madzibaba Obey Mapuranga, told the President that they will express themselves through the ballot and silence puppets that masquerade as opposition figures.
“We are saying had it not been for the democracy kind of rule that came from the whites, our erstwhile colonisers, this country would be ruled forever by Zanu PF because it is the only party that sacrificed blood to liberate this country, there is no other party. But because this country is not a theocracy, it’s a democracy, we have accepted that and we are coming into the democratic processes and vote. We are going to bring the vote, more than 2.3 million Vapositori in their churches, they will vote for Zanu PF,” said Madzibaba Mapuranga.-state media
Mines deputy minister and Sanyati legislator Polite Kambamura allegedly hired a militia to violently disrupt a Zanu-PF cell inter-district meeting at Nyimo business centre in his constituency yesterday.
The case was reported to the police under RRB5413524.
Several party officials who spoke to NewsDay alleged that hired youth militia was under instruction to beat up Zanu-PF district chairpersons from Arda, Rusvingo and Nyaunde, perceived as blocking Kambamura’s re-election bid.
Zanu-PF Arda district chair Sylvester Mhirizhonga, who was one of the victims, said they reported the case to the police.
“I am in pain as we speak,” he said.
Zanu-PF Rusvingo district chair Joseph Takasungwa said Kambamura came with a truckload of thugs to cause violence.
“The Member of Parliament came with a hired crowd which beat up people, including myself,” he said.
Nyaunde district chair Kudakwashe Gwatinyanya said he needed medical attention after he allegedly lost a tooth during the scuffle.
Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial member Tawanda Tachiona confirmed that Kambamura had sent people to beat up party leaders in Sanyati.
“We witnessed district party leaders being beaten up. We are taking those injured to Sanyati Hospital,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Kambamura distanced himself from the skirmishes.
“I do not know what you are talking about. Yes, I am in Sanyati, but never witnessed that,” Kambamura said.
The Sanyati legislator is not new to intra-party violence.
He has of late been accused of unleashing hired thugs on his rivals within the ruling party to ensure he is not challenged in the primary elections. – NewsDay Zimbabwe
Presidential Spokesman George Charamba has breathed fire over his own office’s Herald article that accuses the UK and US of funding NGOs so they interfere in the upcoming elections. The state’s spittle reads as follows –
The United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) are determined to spoil the country’s elections to isolate Zimbabwe on the international stage and in their subversive plots, they have roped in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and some media outlets.
Commenting on a story published in The Herald on Thursday detailing how the US was dangling US$37 million to NGOs to stealthily interfere in the forthcoming elections, Presidential spokesperson and Deputy Chief Secretary (Communications) in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr George Charamba, said the Government was on top of the situation and would not hesitate to clampdown on subversive elements, especially now that the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Bill was set to become law.
While there was a flurry of activity as the country gravitated towards the 2023 elections, in the past year several attempts by the West, particularly the US, to sneak in so-called monitors, were thwarted by alert authorities.
Mr Charamba said the heightened activities in the NGO sector were just a tip of the iceberg.
“A lot has been happening and a lot will continue to happen as we heat up towards the 2023 harmonised elections. In fact, you will be surprised that from as early as mid-last year we deported several deputations from American institutions, principally IRI (International Republican Institute) and NDI (National Democratic Institute) who were trying to force themselves on us on the grounds of what they termed long-term monitoring and observation of local elections,” said Mr Charamba.
The mission of the US, which had become more daring as elections loom, was essentially to scout for conduits to funnel illicit money into Zimbabwe and get manpower that would be used to ostensibly monitor elections, but in reality trigger chaos in the event the opposition lost elections.
It has also emerged that US Secretary of State in the Bureau of African Affairs Mr Robert Scott was set to visit Zimbabwe to push for his country’s interests and interfere in Zimbabwe’s electoral process through a meeting with Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba.
“We are going to very courteously ask this gentleman, who has invited himself on us that he must wait for an agreement between America and Zimbabwe, for America to have right of audience with our chairperson of ZEC on the one hand and for Zimbabwe to have similar rights with the Attorney-General of the US before they go for elections. Diplomacy proceeds in reciprocity, we will assert our sovereignty,” said Mr Charamba.
For the US in particular, which still maintains illegal economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, there was a realisation that the sanctions were spectacularly backfiring as they missed out on investment opportunities in Zimbabwe, and what was worse, to their international trade rivals.
Further, the US finds itself isolated as European Union (EU) member states have reviewed sanctions against Zimbabwe, owing to reforms that have been implemented by the Second Republic.
“So what the Americans are wishing for, and what they would want to see happen are elections fraught with violence, that is discredited so that they can then use that information to discredit the legitimacy of the poll outcome.
“What Americans aim to do is to spoil things for us, import violence, sponsor violence, discredit the electoral process so that they can have a face-saving excuse to maintain their illegal sanctions against this country, that has nothing to do with a democratic process here, but everything to do with what they consider as a hostile foreign policy which Zimbabwe is accused of pursuing, in respect of mining, in respect of war in the East, which by the way has nothing to do with us but certainly in respect of our resources.
“We reserve the right as a sovereign nation to decide who to partner with, after all they are the ones who chose to sanction us, in which case they have discounted themselves as a potential partner in our economy”.
Thus, Mr Charamba said, to spoil the elections, the US will stop at nothing to throw spanners into the country’s electoral processes, ever apprehensive of a Zanu PF victory.
“They have had several meetings both internally, in other words inside Zimbabwe as well as within the neighbourhood of Zimbabwe, and I won’t mention names at this juncture, where they have been staging meetings which are graced by certain naive Zimbabweans, meetings meant to plan and map mechanisms for pushing illicit funds that will then be used to support the opposition and to support para-opposition organisations which will tend to give credence and amplify messages of dissatisfaction with the electoral process from opposition members. As events would have it, we are very much deep in their structures and we know everything that they are planning, we even know the amounts they have placed in different institutions within the neighbourhood, and much worse we know the channels that they are going to use”.
But such days of fanning subversion in the name of civic education are soon to end as the PVO Bill is set to become law.
“That money is beginning to be brought into the country, we know the spoors and we will soon clamp down on them. What we lacked was the legal framework to allow our various institutions to take decisive action against that wanton interference by the Americans, one hopes that as soon as the Bill becomes law, then you will see our systems going into full swing to see that all that mischief is dealt with”, said Mr Charamba.
The NGOs are also planning an orgy of violence similar to that which was instigated by the MDC in 2018 when it lost the elections and this time around, the CCC activists will be embedded as election monitors at 10 250 polling stations around the country.
“This is a deployment of violence garbed as monitors in the event that the CCC loses the election, something that they know is inevitable,” Mr Charamba said.
While America’s gripe with Zimbabwe is over the investment and Zimbabwe’s position in international geopolitics—the UK on the other hand is determined to scuttle Zimbabwe’s bid to rejoin the Commonwealth and any incidences of violence in the forthcoming elections will work in their favour.
“The British are worried that the Commonwealth member states have taken a firm position that Zimbabwe must come back into the Commonwealth and that decision must be a result of a sum total of member states. It means the British, the Australians, and Canadians no longer have the prerogative of deciding Zimbabwe’s application; what the British are gunning for is a discredited election which will then be used to block Zimbabwe’s re-entry,” said Mr Charamba.
Lured by cash, Mr Charamba said a publisher of a local newspaper is set to stand on the ticket of CCC in the forthcoming elections.
“The newspaper structures are being used to support the opposition in the name of supporting the media in the country, we are aware of that. You have youngsters straight from university, very innocent, you have now been conscripted to be part of those organisations that have been hastily put together because of the lure of money. They don’t realise that in terms of international law, it is actually seditious subversion, you are really laying yourself open to seditious charges and they carry with them a very long sentence. This is friendly advice to all Zimbabweans who are associated with foreign created subversive organisations that they are skating on very thin ice, the long arm of law will catch them”.-state media
An 18-year-old vendor from Beitbridge has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted for indecently assaulting a 13-year-old boy.
Miracle Bengure, who betrayed the trust of a man who had offered him accommodation, has been jailed for 10 years after being convicted for aggravated indecent assault on the Good Samaritan’s 13-year-old son.
Bengure pleaded guilty to the crime he committed on the 15th of this month when he appeared in court before he was slapped with a ten-year jail sentence.
Three years were however suspended on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
It is the State’s case that Bengure was last week offered accommodation by a Good Samaritan, whose name cannot be disclosed to protect the child’s identity, but betrayed his trust by indecently assaulting his 13-year-old son who was fast asleep.
Bengure was arrested the following day after the matter was reported to the police.- ZBC News
Kusvikira rinhi tichitendera mbavha kutibira? 43yrs of stealing tovapa dzimwe 5yrs to make it 48yrs are sure? Changamuka mwana weZimbabwe. Zanu yaba zvakwana. pic.twitter.com/1udRZhg4Lq
Zimbabwe recorded a 100 percent increase in divorce cases last year, a development that counsellors and analysts say is a cause for concern.
Although divorce is often deemed as a solution to toxic relationships, it negatively impacts both parties, their children, family and community at large as health experts say divorce and separation are often associated with increased anxiety and depression as well as increased risk of alcohol abuse.
Causes of divorce range from infidelity, financial challenges, lack of communication and intimacy, violence within the marriage institution and unresolved disputes.
Statistics from the Judiciary Service Commission show that in 2020, 1 117 couples filed for divorce and the figure went up to 1 351 the following year.
Last year however, the figure doubled to 2 735 cases against 13 436 recorded marriages. In essence, 20 percent of Zimbabwean marriages are likely to end in divorce.
Of the 2 735 divorce cases filed last year at the High Court in Bulawayo, Masvingo, Harare, Mutare and Chinhoyi, 1 561 were completed.
Bulawayo recorded 613, Harare 1 731, Masvingo 145, Mutare 156 and Chinhoyi 90 divorce matters.
Experts argue that divorce is a sensitively painful change and can generate lasting feelings of unhappiness, anger and trouble. Divorce, they also say, is without doubt a strong risk factor and a source of stress.
Family lawyer Shepherd Chingarande said the main cause is that some couples make false starts by marrying for the wrong reasons.
“People marry for the wrong reasons and that is how many get it all wrong. Some are under pressure from parents and friends based on the biological clock and they just marry whoever comes into their lives first. Compatibility is key and when two do not have anything in common after sex, the relationship is likely to end in divorce. Others ignore red flags with the hope that marriage can change a person and upon disappointment, they opt out,” said Chingarande.
He said financial difficulties fuel disputes at home while life-changing decisions also have an impact on marriages as some individuals are quick to make those without consultation as if they are single.
“Marriage at a young age or lack of skills to deal with tough situations can be stressful,” said Chingarande.
He added that domestic violence cases which are on the increase in Zimbabwe and addictions related to drug abuse often lead to breakdown of marriages. “Infidelity or adultery, ethnic differences and even high expectations driven by social media can also be another source of friction leading to divorce,” said Chingarande.
Local psychologist Jacqueline Nkomo said the increase in divorces may spell more mental problems for Zimbabwean communities as the breakdown in marriages often come with several consequences for the couple, children, extended family and community.
She said those consequences however should not deter those in abusive relationships from divorcing as that may put their lives at risk.
Nkomo said those who divorce should open up to their children and explain reality so that children do not battle guilt feelings as they may suspect their existence is the reason their parents divorced.
“Although divorce is not commendable, sometimes it’s necessary to deliver abused spouses from toxic relationships. However, whenever people choose to go separate ways they must go through counselling and be equipped with coping strategies to handle after effects which are more negative than positive,” said Nkomo.
“Divorce disturbs the order of what has become normal to us as humans and once two people separate, children and family members suffer. Children whose parents divorce also battle low self-esteem and may develop depression coupled with anxiety emanating from the changes that the development brings into their social, emotional and sometimes financial lives.”
Nkomo said those who divorce often think they are strong but are at risk of bottling up issues which may also lead to stress and depression.
“We envision communities where family structures are maintained and where individual members can live in harmony. We need to get to a point where we also accept that sometimes divorce is the only way out and not stigmatise divorcees.
Some are labelled failures and they live a life of pain and regret because communities think they could not sustain their families. We should also learn to be content so that we foster love, peace and unity in our marriages,” added Nkomo.
Renowned marriage counsellor Herbert Ndlovu said despite the alarming 100 percent increase in divorce, happy and successful marriages were still possible in Zimbabwe.
He said not all hope is lost and members of the public should be willing to go the extra mile to revive and sustain marriages despite challenges such as inadequate resources.
“In my 27-year marriage, I have learnt that acceptance plays a major role. We should stop trying to remodel our partners as that often causes strife in marriage. Couples who also have high expectations of each other suffer disappointment since we are all humans hence the need for us to be tolerant and strive to bring the best. Christians are chief culprits on this as they like imposing their convictions on others, successful marriages need both partners to accept differences and live in harmony,” said Ndlovu.
He said engaging God from day one is very important as couples cannot treat God as a second option. “We need to pray together and connect spiritually from day one so that when troubles emerge, we can draw inspiration from the Creator of marriages. Couples should never relax even for a day and think that because they are married, it will stay like that. Marriage is hard work, nothing comes automatically hence we must do everything and put a lot of effort to keep marriages thriving and happy” said Ndlovu.
He said infidelity is an individual choice hence everyone has the power to stop having extramarital affairs.
“I urge spouses to be loyal to each other, be honest and easily communicate everything. Do not discuss your partner’s faults or any disagreements with anyone. Loyalty means sticking with each other even in bad times. Even when our spouses are at fault we should never discuss them with any third party even parents, pastors, family or friends,” said Ndlovu. -Chronicle
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is deeply reluctant to act on reforms, it has emerged.
Speaking at a media briefing in Harare on Wednesday, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere accused Zanu PF of dragging feet in terms of setting up key reforms.
Political analysts have urged CCC to exert pressure on the ZEC to implement reforms before polls.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is deeply reluctant to act on reforms, it has emerged.
Speaking at a media briefing in Harare on Wednesday, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere accused Zanu PF of dragging feet in terms of setting up key reforms.
Mahere further accused Zanu PF leaders Emmerson Mnangagwa and Constantino Chiwenga of encouraging party supporters to kill CCC members.
Political analysts have urged CCC to exert pressure on the ZEC to implement reforms before polls.
Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) champion Vengai Chivaura is boosting projects for women in in Mhondoro- Mubaira.
Chivaura is supporting women’s fundraising programmes in the area.
“Change champion Vengai Chivaura is supporting the Mhondoro Mubaira Constituency Mukando scheme -in which women raise money to buy whatever they desire.
Chivaura will top up the money raised and provide transportation to buy items in Harare.
Lately Chivaura helped women in Makomo village and Kavhukatema village who bought blankets, plates, pots and groceries,” CCC said.
Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) champion Vengai Chivaura is boosting projects for women in in Mhondoro- Mubaira.
Chivaura is supporting women’s fundraising programmes in the area.
“Change champion Vengai Chivaura is supporting the Mhondoro Mubaira Constituency Mukando scheme -in which women raise money to buy whatever they desire.
Chivaura will top up the money raised and provide transportation to buy items in Harare.
Lately Chivaura helped women in Makomo village and Kavhukatema village who bought blankets, plates, pots and groceries,” CCC said.
SUSPENSION OF PRIMARY ELECTIONS BY CCC AN UNDEMOCRATIC MOVE AND A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.
Voter, Mind The Dictator
By Dr Masimba Mavaza | Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says it will do away with the traditional primary election system to choose party candidates for the impending harmonized elections set for later this year.
Speaking to journalists during a press conference this wee, CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said citizens will select party candidates through a sophisticated party template. “We received a number of enquires on what our candidate selection process will look like. ”
In actual fact Mr Chamisa, the leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe (the CCC), declared that he will be nominating his party’s parliamentary candidates for the 2023 harmonised elections in what CCC confirms to be a complicated system.
The announcement that Chamisa will hand pick and thrust upon the nation’s parlimentary candidates is, even by Mr Chamisa’s own owful democratic standards, a new low. This is a serious onslaught against democracy.
Primary elections, or direct primary are a voting process by which voters can indicate their preference for their party’s candidate, or a candidate in general, in an upcoming general election, local election, or bye election. In a primary election voters are solely the members of a political party in what is called a closed primary. However, political parties control the method of nomination of candidates for office in the name of the party.
Primary elections are typically held for offices that have a rigid term, such as a president, member of a legislature or councillors. Offices which can be replaced without recourse to a new election, typically do not have dedicated primaries of their own; rather, the party typically nominates its internal party leader as its candidate for such an office.
Mr Chamisa and his Western sponsors have always argued that Chamisa repreesent the cause for liberty, democracy and and choice. The arguement is that Mr Chamisa’ s administration, should he win the elections, usher a hitherto unknown era of democracy in the country. When we hear these meaningless rumblings, many of us react with dismay at the sheer audacity of these deceptions by a dictator masquerading as a democrat.
CCC acts chillingly like vicious a man who beats the hell out of wife in his house and then masquarades as an advocate of human rights in the wider society. Why should women out there trust a perenial wife beater to act in their intetests? Similarly why should voters trust a perenial despot in his own party to respect any democratic values in Zimbabwe.
Voters must judge CCC with its undemocratic behaviour and the impunity with which it acts in their own party, not by empty proclamations of democracy.
CCC does not yet control the enforcement arms of the state such as prisons , low enforcement forces and state weapons and yet they act so ruthlessly against domocratic tenants. It is even scary to begin to imagine what a monster against democracy the party will be if it gets hold of power and state intruments. What makes it even more terrifying is that the man leading the part is not even self aware. He is the epitome of impunity. CCC represents the place where voters should not go to and Chamisa represents a figure that voters should avoid.
Imposition of parlimentary candidates will not be just an event. It will be the beginning of a proceess that will have far reaching impact not only on democratic culture but on the well being of our communities.
When Chamisa imposes a member of parliament in Kezi, for example, not only will he be insulting the communities in that particular constituency , but will be maiming and killing local democracy. Secondly, by filling parliament with his appointed stooges he will be killing national democracy .
Chamisa has no clue what parlimentary democracy means. Parlimentary democracy means election by the people, for the people and accountable to the people. Nomination means hand picking by the leader, for the leader and accountable to the leader.
In employment setups they say he who hires fires. In politics the equivalent is that a representative is accountable to their constituent. In this case chamisa will be the constituent.
An election provides the link between the elector and the representative. With Chamisa’s disgrace, there will be no link between his stooges and the the communities. Chamisa must look at the phenomenon of primary elections in Zanu PF and learn lessons on the link between those who vote at grassroots level and those who finally stand in parliament. Primary elections are not just an excercise in local choice, they ensure that a representative understands and speaks to local priorities. We are a diverse country in many ways and thst is why each constituency must send its own voice to parliament. It is even more than parliamentary work. This is also about MPs doing constituency work, talking to ministers, to the private sector etc on behalf of their constituencies. What does Chamisa know about local issues in Zaka, Chirumanzi, Mbalalabala?
Chamisa has a serious misapprehension of what democracy is. He thinks he has a natural right to be called a democrat, regardless of how he acts
He believes that Zanu PF must be eternally condemned regardless of any loudable efforts. He thinks he can wear the garb of democracy and act with impunity.
Mr Chamisa does not understand that the right to vote, which he is trumpling, was won by blood. Many did not return from the war. Parents lost their children. Children lost their parents. The man does not see the value of the right to vote . He thinks that freedom has always been there.
Chamisa acts like a pertulent son who inherits a mortgage purchased house soon after the death of his parents. He then sales and gambles away the proceeds. Such a pitable child has no clue of the toil and tears, the sacrifices that their parents put in buyinng and psying for the house.
CCC must not lie to its members that they are doing away with primaries in order to avoid infiltration. Anybody who is not affiliated with a party does not vote in a partisan, primary election.
Every ballot cast has an impact on our local communities.
It’s usually things that are very local and very personal, which makes primary elections democratic.
Primary elections determine which candidate will represent each political party in advance of a general election.
There are two main types of primaries: closed and open.
In a closed primary, voters may only cast their ballot for the party in which they are affiliated.
• An open primary allows voters to cast their ballot in either primary regardless of party affiliation.Primary elections give you, the voter, the opportunity to decide who from a pool of candidates should ultimately be nominated by your political party to run in the general election.Primary elections generally attract more partisan voters, which is how extreme candidates can end up on the ballot in a general election. Improving participation can help to moderate the outcomes.
Based on voter turnout and primary results, parties may rework their election strategy and devote more or less attention and resources towards certain demographics, states, and issues. On the other hand ZANU PF draw disproportionate attention in the presidential primaries because they hold the first caucus and primary election at Congress and often give a candidate the momentum to win their party’s nomination.
Candidates who receive mass support but ultimately don’t win primary elections can sometimes still influence the winning candidate and the platform they take to the general election.
So selecting candidate yes as opposed to electing them is a disaster and a direct attack on democracy.
The horns covered in lies are out CCC has now shown us it’s true colours.
It is seriously undemocratic to remove primary elections and appoint candidates. It simply means the parliament will be filled with partisan candidates who are only working for the appointing power. So the actions of the CCC is indeed undemocratic and it should be frowned at.
It will be dangerous to allow this to happen. We can only stop it by voting for ZANU PF which understands the pains of getting and fighting for freedom of choice. Democracy is never won democratically.
An 18-year-old vendor from Beitbridge has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted for indecently assaulting a 13-year-old boy.
Miracle Bengure, who betrayed the trust of a man who had offered him accommodation, has been jailed for 10 years after being convicted for aggravated indecent assault on the Good Samaritan’s 13-year-old son.
Bengure pleaded guilty to the crime he committed on the 15th of this month when he appeared in court before he was slapped with a ten-year jail sentence.
Three years were however suspended on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
It is the State’s case that Bengure was last week offered accommodation by a Good Samaritan, whose name cannot be disclosed to protect the child’s identity, but betrayed his trust by indecently assaulting his 13-year-old son who was fast asleep.
Bengure was arrested the following day after the matter was reported to the police.- ZBC News
Mines deputy minister and Sanyati legislator Polite Kambamura allegedly hired a militia to violently disrupt a Zanu-PF cell inter-district meeting at Nyimo business centre in his constituency yesterday.
The case was reported to the police under RRB5413524.
Several party officials who spoke to NewsDay alleged that hired youth militia was under instruction to beat up Zanu-PF district chairpersons from Arda, Rusvingo and Nyaunde, perceived as blocking Kambamura’s re-election bid.
Zanu-PF Arda district chair Sylvester Mhirizhonga, who was one of the victims, said they reported the case to the police.
“I am in pain as we speak,” he said.
Zanu-PF Rusvingo district chair Joseph Takasungwa said Kambamura came with a truckload of thugs to cause violence.
“The Member of Parliament came with a hired crowd which beat up people, including myself,” he said.
Nyaunde district chair Kudakwashe Gwatinyanya said he needed medical attention after he allegedly lost a tooth during the scuffle.
Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial member Tawanda Tachiona confirmed that Kambamura had sent people to beat up party leaders in Sanyati.
“We witnessed district party leaders being beaten up. We are taking those injured to Sanyati Hospital,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Kambamura distanced himself from the skirmishes.
“I do not know what you are talking about. Yes, I am in Sanyati, but never witnessed that,” Kambamura said.
The Sanyati legislator is not new to intra-party violence.
He has of late been accused of unleashing hired thugs on his rivals within the ruling party to ensure he is not challenged in the primary elections. – NewsDay Zimbabwe
By-Litle known opposition leader Robert Chapman says he is targeting 74 votes in Zimbabwe’s general election slated for later this year.
Chapman, who recently emerged from nowhere, said he would contest and win this year’s elections.
Chapman told the state media that his target is not just to win the presidential election but to do so convincingly. He said:
We are shooting for the win, right now the target is about 74% of the votes, that is what we are targeting.
That is our goal that we are striving for. We look at the centre, we know what the polls, the numbers are showing us in the middle then we want to take a little bit from each side, from each of the extreme spectrums.
We think we can win people from both sides of strongholds of parties.
By A Correspondent| The stage is set for the 21st National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) powered by Old Mutual Zimbabwe tomorrow at the Harare International Conference Centre, with the organisers aiming to provide a unique experience for the industry and the fans.
This year’s event will run under the theme ‘Unlocking Dreams.’Arts mother body, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NAC), said this year the ceremony will recognize outstanding achievements within the arts sector by locally-based artists.
The line-up of performers includes the who is who in the local music industry, songbird Gemma Griffiths, mbira queen Hope Masike, Tocky Vibes, Poptain, Feli Nandi, poet Obert Dube and socialite Mai Titi.
Also billed to perform are gospel singer Mathias Mhere, hip-hop stars Saintfloew and Holy 10, dancehall singer Freeman, Andrea the Vocalist, songstress Ammara Brown, urban groover ExQ and DJ Tamuka.
Old Mutual Zimbabwe continues to be a responsible business in the communities through financial education, financial inclusion, education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and diversity and inclusion.
As Zimbabwe’s largest integrated financial services group, Old Mutual recognizes the awards as the best platform to build a strong arts sector in the country and as a result, offers opportunities to educate and encourage artists to plan for their future, and unlock their dreams.
Hence, Old Mutual continues to partner with the arts and culture sector to empower artists and to make a positive difference by providing sustainable, tailored, and meaningful support through conducting financial literacy/education workshops under the flagship programme “On The Money” which is designed to teach all on how best to manage finances using relatable behaviours of Africa’s Big Five animals.
Last year, through these workshops Old Mutual managed to financially educate artists, equipping them with the knowledge that positively influences their financial behaviour while empowering them with a money mindset.
This year a series of Financial Literacy workshops have been scheduled aiming to continue furnishing artists with knowledge on how best they can handle their finances investing into both now and the future so that they are financially prepared for life during and after fame.
The key areas of focus that are taught to artists using Old Mutual’s On The Money program are Financial Planning, Savings, Budgeting, Managing Debt and Investing.
NAMAs are designed to recognize outstanding achievements within the arts sector and Old Mutual augments with financial literacy programmes. Empowerment of this nature will allow our artists to exploit financial products to their advantage and sharpen their saving, budgeting and investment skills.
Part 1 : Election Agents and the Security of the Vote
By Ignatious Sadziwa and Tinashe Gumbo
Background
The security of the ballot is a very important ingredient in the promotion of free and fair elections.
Dr. Tinashe Gumbo
It satisfies and guarantees electoral credibility and integrity. The role of election agents (also known as polling agents), is very key in any election. Election agents play a gatekeeping role in ensuring that the electorate’s vote is secured. In this article, we seek to discuss the role of election agents in Zimbabwe. Our focus is on the gaps that have manifested during the previous elections with regard to the effectiveness of election agents’ work in the promotion of credible polls. We then reiterate some already-known recommendations for consideration by political parties as they recruit, train and deploy election agents. This is the first of the ten-part series of articles that are meant to contribute to the deconstruction and demystification of fears associated with being an active citizen in electoral processes.
Legal Provisions for Election Agents.
Ignatius Sadziwa
Election candidates are mandated by law (Section 93A, Electoral Act, Chapter 2:13, As Amended up to 28 May 2018) to appoint election agents for a particular poll. This should be done before, on, or after nomination day, but not later than seven days before polling day. The political party that sponsors the candidate is involved (or is an interested party) in the appointment of the election agents. Chief Election Agents are appointed to coordinate other agents (based at polling stations or in constituencies and wards as roving agents). The election agents have to be accredited by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. Thus, it should be noted that they are legitimate stakeholders in elections and are guided by the prevailing laws of the country (Section 83, Electoral Act). Zimbabwe has 210 constituencies,1958 wards, and 10985 (at least in 2018) polling stations. A political party that is serious about challenging for power must aim at deploying election agents at all the stations.
The Role of an Election Agent.
Election agents are representatives of both the candidates and political parties taking part in an election contest and their designated area of work is the polling station in the case of polling agents while the Chief Election Agents may be mobile. Election agents “monitor” and ensure that the election is being conducted in a transparent manner that does not disadvantage their candidates and by extension their political party. They witness all aspects of the voting and counting processes. Thus, prior to the opening of the polls, election agents examine the voting equipment including ballot boxes to ensure that they are empty and inspect the voting booth to determine if there is nothing that may influence the voter. They should, thus, be present during the unveiling of the ballot paper, the voting process, counting, and the collation and tabulation of final results.
To an extent, election agents also play an observing role by checking if the prevailing environment is conducive to free and fair elections. They can also assist their candidates and party with parallel voter tabulation (PVT) as witnessed in jurisdictions like Malawi and Zambia during their latest Presidential plebiscites.
Notable Potholes in Previous Elections
The current authors, being active practitioners in the electoral processes in Zimbabwe, noted that election outcomes are always contested because of an axiomatic belief that they are rigged all the time. Without committed, vigilant, willing, and well-trained election agents, it is always difficult to confirm any alleged election rigging. Yet, we have observed some limitations that are associated with recruitment, training, deployment, and the work of election agents in Zimbabwe. The observations in this article were informed by our direct involvement in electoral work and a review of election observation reports by local civic and faith-based organizations. Media reports were also consulted. Below, we attempt to summarize some of the issues noted in previous elections.
1. While an election agent must be a bona fide, loyal, committed, and willing member of a political party, it has emerged that in most cases, parties hastily recruit agents at the very last minute, thereby targeting the “wrong” agents for the task. This explains cases where some election agents went “AWOL” on election day thereby compromising the security of the people’s vote. Others were “bought” on the eve of an election; hence, they would give excuses leading to their failure to do the job. Claims of infiltration by the opponent elements are real as confirmed by one of the authors of this article who witnessed it during his contest for Mberengwa West Seat in 2013.
2. Research has shown that as of 2018, only one political party had the capacity to deploy election agents at all the polling stations. Opposition parties were yet to build their capacity to enjoy 100% deployment. The issue of financial resources and the “security” of the election agents remained a major factor in this regard. Alleged cases of rigging were normally raised at stations where some political parties had not deployed election agents, yet, no scientific evidence could be accessed to back the claims. In such cases, complainants would not be able to access the V11 Return Forms and this weakened their court cases when they subsequently decided to challenge the outcome.
3. The welfare of polling agents also remained a critical factor in previous elections. Some political parties failed to fully support their agents with food, communication means, and other logistical issues such as transport to and from the polling stations. Thus, the agents would be exposed to all forms of manipulation by those with adequate support. A visibly hungry agent could be sent out of the polling station to buy food or “cigarettes” (for mutual benefit) and in the process, some fishy things happened in his or her absence which he or she could not account for. The “poor” agent could also be offered some other “goodies” including communication gadgets to talk to his or her party about an issue that would have happened at the polling station. In such a tricky scenario, the agent could not be vigilant enough to report any critical developments caused by the “generous” opponent at the polling station through a “borrowed” phone. These were realities observed in the previous elections.
4. Polling agents are supposed to be bona fide voters at their designated polling stations. However, some of them have not managed to exercise their right to vote in their entire life as they would have been deployed outside their wards. To be a polling agent calls for commitment, willingness, and vigilance. Therefore, some political parties were forced to deploy some of their agents away from their polling stations as they (election agents) were deemed the “only suitable cadres who can deal with challenges in the other wards. Such cadres are deployed in hot areas where the party does not have a strong membership and where there is the possibility of intimidation from the opponent”, argued one candidate in the 2018 elections. While the argument was valid, it was equally true that the same election agents, who were legitimate voters, would be deprived of their voting rights. Furthermore, they were strangers in the areas they were deployed to, hence they could not provide that much-needed confidence to their party members who, in fact, did not know them.
5. Late arrival at the polling stations was also another major challenge. While the agents were supposed to be at the station at least two or so hours before the opening of the poll, in several cases, they were late due to some logistical challenges that were real. Therefore, they missed some critical processes such as witnessing the pre-poll preparations, examination of voting equipment as well as examination of ballot boxes, and other voting materials.
6. Illiteracy and inadequate training of polling agents were also visible gaps. Election processes are political in nature, but they are also majorly scientific. They involve a lot of figures, calculations, thinking, discussions, negotiations, and making serious resolutions. This requires a lot of prior training on the part of election agents. It emerged from the previous elections that in several cases, election agents were not well trained for the task, and in worst-case scenarios, they were illiterate. This became a fertile ground for rigging as statistics could possibly be manipulated in favor of a particular candidate at the expense of others. Such limitations manifested mainly during the stages of counting, reconciliation of ballot papers, tallying of results, and verification of figures.
7. Absence from the polling station: Some election agents left the polling stations during voting, closing, or counting, thereby allowing “forces of rigging” to rule. The principle is “polling agents should not leave the polling station”, as, in such an instance, illegal activity can happen in their absence. Monitoring the polling process and safeguarding polling boxes is their primary duty. Anything fishy can happen if they leave the polling station even for a moment. Yet, the law empowers the Election Officer to proceed with electoral processes in the absence of an election agent (Section 84).
A Few Recommendations
Our conclusion is that election agents are a critical component of the electoral process in Zimbabwe. Anyone can be an election agent once formally appointed by a particular candidate and political party. It, however, remains critical that political parties address the noted gaps in their recruitment, training, and deployment of election agents. Therefore, below are some recommendations we make particularly to the candidates and political parties:
1. Political parties should deliberately invest in the recruitment, training, and deployment of election agents. They should not wait to fulfill this investment at the last minute as doing so may expose themselves to possible infiltration or engagement of “wrong” agents. Election agents’ teams should be made up of people who are well versed in electoral processes, who are literate, committed, dedicated, willing, and available for the task. Most importantly, they should be bona fide members of that political party, who are ready to defend its interest and that of the candidate. Well-trained, and equipped agents are a near guarantee for effective monitoring of the election process against any form of rigging. Training should not be “generic” as we have witnessed in previous elections. There is a need for specialization based on one’s competence and experience in electoral processes.
Loyalty to the party is not enough for one to be an agent! It is not about money but the security of the people’s vote! Neither should relationship with the candidate be the main factor for participation as an election agent!
2. The “welfare of an election agent should remain the welfare of the party”. An ill-equipped and insecure polling agent is “dangerous” for the concerned party. He or she can easily be manipulated by the opposite party as he or she can be offered money, food, or transport to and from the station, thereby making him or her a compromised player. Parties should feed their agents (literally feeding them), equip them with efficient communication means, and guarantee their security in and outside the polling station. By doing so, they would have guaranteed the agents’ presence in the polling station at all critical moments hence the security of the vote. Adequate election agents should be deployed at each station. The law allows three agents per station of which only one should be in the polling station at each particular moment. The other two (either of whom may relieve the election agent entitled to be present in the polling station) shall be entitled to be present in the immediate vicinity of the polling station concerned (Section 95).
3. Vigilance remains a key characteristic of an effective election agent. While on duty, the agent should keep his or her eyes on the polling boxes, on the figures, and on the interest of his or her party. This will ensure that he or she has access to the key data including the final documents such as the V11 Return Forms.
4. Election agents should be deployed in their areas of residence to allow them to vote, but also to give confidence to their party members who come to cast their vote at that polling station. It is indeed cost-effective too to deploy locally as no transport is required to ferry the agents. Furthermore, it is very convenient as the agents will be at the polling stations, on time to witness all the pre-poll preparatory processes. Members of their political parties will feel confident when they see some of their own being part of the team of election agents. It will not help a polling agent to be defending his or her party’s vote “somewhere” when his or her vote does not count at the end of the day.
5. Political parties should be deliberately inclusive in their recruitment and deployment of election agents so that youth, women, and people with disabilities can also be active participants in electoral processes. Although no immediate scientific evidence was available to show the statistics for participation of different categories of people as election agents, we reiterate the importance of inclusivity.
Ignatious G Sadziwa, Executive Director @ Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust. He is a Social Democrat and an Election Expert. He can be contacted @ Mobile/WhatsApp +263772706621; Facebook: Ignatious Sadziwa; Twitter: Ignatious Sadziwa; Email: [email protected]
Dr. Tinashe Gumbo is a Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice activist. He writes on elections, the environment, mining, and music. He can be contacted on Mobile: at +254 702 523 940/WhatsApp at +263 773218860; Email: [email protected]; Blog: tinashegumbo.wordpress.com; Twitter: DrTinasheGumbo1; Facebook: Tinashe Gumbo
Midlands State University is introducing the modularization system of learning and teaching beginning the first semester of 2023.
The modularization system is not very different from the current semester-based system. The only major difference is that modules shall no longer be taught for the entire duration of a semester but are rather going to be taught and examined over a shorter period of time.
The major features of a modularization system are:
1. The first semester, being half of the academic year, shall be divided into two quarters-1st and 2nd quarter.
2. The second semester, shall also be divided into two quarters-3rd and 4th quarter.
3. Just as in a semester-based system, students shall enroll at the beginning of the semester and register for all the modules allocated for the semester.
4. Students will be expected to learn half of the registered modules in six weeks and write examinations in the first quarter before proceeding to study the other modules in the second quarter.
5. The same shall obtain in the third and fourth quarters of the second semester.
6. Examination results of the modules that students would have sat for in the first and third quarters shall be published but academic decisions shall only be published at the end of the first and second semesters.
Students shall be advised about the finer details concerning the modularization system by their respective faculties.
Due to the short duration of quarters, students are strongly encouraged to pay tuition fees and register early so that they do not miss out on lectures and examinations.
Businessman Ofer Sivan seeking to remove his business partners Gilad Shabtai and Munyaradzi Gonyora from the shareholding of the company Adlecraft Investments has attracted the wrath of the High court for providing false information.
Sivan approached the court claiming to be the managing director and sole shareholder in Adlecraft Investments seeking to interdict Shabtai and Gonyora from claiming interests in the company.
Sivan alleged to have acquired Adlecraft Investments in 2011, becoming its executive director and sole shareholder with the responsibility of running its affairs.
Shabtai and Gonyora denied that Sivan was the sole shareholder of the company because during the period there were indigenisation laws that didn’t allow foreigners like him to own 100 percent shareholding in a registered company.
Shabtai further argued that he held equity in the company, Adlecraft Holdings, which had an extant shareholders agreement with the Munyaradzi Gonyora and other individual shareholders.
Adlecraft Holdings hold 49 percent of the shareholding in Adlecraft Investments whilst Gonyora owns 10 percent shareholding in the same company.
Shabtai in turn possessed 70 percent of Adlecraft Holdings which has 49% in Adlecraft Investments, share structure which was presented to the Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) when the company applied for an investment licence.
They also argued that the structure remained unchanged and any contrary position would have been a misrepresentation to ZIA.
In his findings High Court Judge Justice Manzunzu said it cannot be correct for Sivan to claim sole shareholding, making strong remarks against the provision of false information to the court.
“The applicant cannot pretend to play a smart game and leave the matter in the hands of the respondents alone. The respondents label him a liar who must not be believed. The documents which the applicant now distances himself from were actually executed under his hand.
“Litigants must be warned and must know that you can only sail through these courts if you are truthful. If you want to lose the confidence of these courts, then adopt a chameleonic behavior.”
“It is the applicant (Sivan) who gave out information to the Zimbabwe Investment Centre of the shareholding of the company which he now says the respondents must prove its authenticity.
“One cannot approbate and reprobate, blowing hot and cold has no space in the courts.
” It was the duty of the applicant, as the author and/or co-author of the documents to reveal the truth behind them. The applicant cannot say the documents were a forgery when his signature sits there. Forged by who, for what purpose? “Applicant prepared his own cake and he must eat it,” the court said.
The court said Sivan’s claim that Shabtai and Gonyora are not shareholders means he lied to ZIA.
“When the applicant disputes that the first and second respondents are not shareholders, it means he lied to ZIA that they were. An investment license was issued on theķ strength of the information which applicant supplied which he now wants to dissociate with. There is a plethora of cases where the courts have condemned the evidence of a litigant who is economic with the truth,” the judge said.
In the final analysis the Court declared that Ofer Sivan was not a sole shareholder of Adlecraft Investments and he could not in the circumstances interdict Gilad Shabtai and Munyaradzi Gonyora from presenting themselves as holding equity in Adlecraft Investments.
Tinashe Sambiri| CCC change champion Vengai Chivaura is assisting rural women in Mhondoro- Mubaira with self-help initiatives.
Chivaura is supporting women’s fundraising programmes in the area.
“Change champion Vengai Chivaura is supporting the Mhondoro Mubaira Constituency Mukando scheme -in which women raise money to buy whatever they desire.
Chivaura will top up the money raised and provide transportation to buy items in Harare.
Lately Chivaura helped women in Makomo village and Kavhukatema village who bought blankets, plates, pots and groceries,” a CCC official said.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has shot down a proposal by ZESA Holdings for businesses to wholly pay electricity tariff in United States dollar following the government’s policy to align tariff payment with the foreign retention threshold.
ZESA believes a 100% US$ payment tariff would ensure the country enjoys a steady supply of electricity.
But RBZ governor John Mangudya told Business Times there is a need to balance what businesses get and what they have to pay for electricity.
“ZESA proposed a 100% payment in US$ but industry can only pay in US$ to the extent of their US$ retention for example the exporters can only pay 75% in US$ and the rest in local currency while those US$ domestic sales can pay 85% in US$ and the balance in RTGS.
“That’s the policy and we are sticking to that stance,” Mangudya said.
ZESA, which charges an average of US$0.1221 per kilowatt hour, or Zimbabwe dollar equivalent, generates less than 500 megawatts (MW) a day against a national demand of 2 500MW.
To cover for the shortfall, ZESA imports electricity from regional power utilities and has imposed a crippling unscheduled load shedding lasting more than 12 hours daily.
The rolling power cuts have forced companies to use backup diesel generators, which are expensive to run.
ZESA has, however, argued that getting 100% forex from commercial consumers would ensure that consumers get uninterrupted electricity supply as it will be able to import electricity and also import critical parts to maintain its electricity distribution network.
ZESA is battling low electricity generation from its power stations in Kariba, Hwange, Bulawayo, Harare and Munyati.
While low water levels at Kariba Dam has resulted in Kariba South Hydroelectric Power Station generating less than 400MW from a possible 1 050MW, thermal power stations in Hwange, Bulawayo, Munyati and Harare have outlived their lifespan.
The obsolete equipment at the thermal power stations has resulted in low power generation.
Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company acting MD Howard Choga said a cost-reflective tariff remained key in the efficient distribution of electricity.
Police in Marondera, Mashonaland East province, have launched a manhunt for three female suspects who allegedly took turns to‘rape’ a man at gunpoint near Chihota.
The suspects, allegedly driving a blue Honda Fit, also robbed the complainant (name withheld) of his money and belongings.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachi confirmed the incident.
“We are appealing to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects to assist us. We also urge the public to consider using public transport to avoid such incidences,” Chazovachi said.
According to police, on February 22, the complainant boarded the vehicle at Mbudzi traffic circle on Harare on his way to Beatrice.
The vehicle had three female occupants including the driver. Two females occupied the back seat.
Upon arriving at Harare South turn-off, one of the suspects told the complainant that they wanted to pick someone near the Harare South Golf Course.
They stopped the vehicle in the bushes and sexually abused the complainant.
Stepmother scalds juveniles Couple loses US$32 K to machete gang Stepmother scalds juveniles Man rapes 10-year-old niece.
After the act, they dumped him by the roadside and sped off towards Chihota.
They also took his belongings and US$60.
The man was then admitted at Beatrice Hospital where he is being treated.
