Tinashe Sambiri|CCC has described the National Youth Day as a cheap gimmick by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to honour his former boss Robert Mugabe.

Ironically Mr Mnangagwa pushed his long time boss out of power via a military coup in November 2017.

According to CCC youth taskforce spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma, there is nothing to celebrate on National Youth Day.

“On Youth Day…

It’s Robert Mugabe’s birthday and nothing more. It has nothing to do with youths. Only ZANU PF cultists celebrate it. Gukurahundi, Murambatsvina, Operation Makavhotera Papi, Unemployment, 15 Billion etc nothing to celebrate,” said Chuma.

The CCC party has appealed to young people to register to vote in large numbers.

“Young people play a significant role in the development of our country & are one of the main agents of change & progress in a society. We continue to urge them to participate in all national activities, particularly this year as we head towards a watershed election.

Let’s #RegisterToVoteZW for a brighter future for young people.”

By Farai D Hove | MDC T leader Douglas Mwonzora was involved in 3 car accidents while in the act of evicting CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, it has been said.

Mwonzora was still to comment on the revelations.

One of his drivers and top aides speaks in the below video saying:

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ignored implementing electoral reforms needed for the country to hold a credible poll and goes ahead with elections.

Mnangagwa announced that he would soon proclaim the national elections date without the much-needed reforms.

This follows the recent gazetting of the final Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) delimitation report.

The report sets the boundaries for wards and constituencies to, Ibe used in the upcoming harmonised elections.
The proclamation by the President follows the presentation of the final report by the electoral body on February 17, pursuant to which, the report should be gazetted within 14 days.
In December last year, ZEC presented its preliminary delimitation report to President Mnangagwa which was tabled before Parliament and referred back to the elections Commission for further consideration.
In an extraordinary Government gazette on Monday, President Mnangagwa said: “Now, therefore, under and by the virtue of the powers invested in the President, l do by this my Proclamation declare the names and boundaries of the wards and the House of Assembly and Senatorial Constituencies as finally determined by the Commission, which names boundaries set out in the schedule to this Proclamation, to the Wards and National Assembly and the Senatorial Constituencies of Zimbabwe for the purposes of the forthcoming and any subsequent general election.”
The presentation of the final report made way for the adoption of the new wards and constituencies in time to meet timelines that should be observed in order for the harmonised elections to be held within the constitutionally permissible time frame.
Addressing thousands of youths during the National Youth Day commemorations in Lupane yesterday, President Mnangagwa said he will soon make a proclamation of the election date.
“The delimitation report has now been gazetted. I will soon be making a proclamation of the harmonised elections date. Meanwhile, I would like to highlight that my Government is ready to receive our citizens from South Africa who wish to come home,” he said.
“To date, we are already seeing many trickling back home and setting up their businesses. Come home, ekhaya, kumusha, we are ready to receive all our citizens.”
Zimbabweans living in South Africa under the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) are due to return home this year when this facility expires.
Government has pledged to help the citizens so that they can get home with their possessions and start-up here.
The special permit was granted to nearly 170 000 Zimbabweans working, studying and living in South Africa but expires at the end of June this year. A fair number have or are in the process of obtaining other work permits so they can stay, but a lot will have to leave.
The President implored youths to vote for Zanu-PF and observe peace as the country heads toward elections.
‘As per the requirement of the constitution, our country will soon be holding our harmonized elections. As peace-loving people, let us continue to guard and protect the stability we are enjoying in our nation by saying no to violence and rejecting those bent on causing mayhem, turmoil, and insecurity in our nation,” he said.
“The majority of you, our young people will be voting in these elections, some for the first time. I challenge you to exercise this sacred right, responsibly, aware that it was paid for by the blood of many sons and daughters of Zimbabwe, some of whom were your age.”
President Mnangagwa said the democratic right to vote is a right that must never be taken lightly.
‘It was not given on a silver platter. Your individual and collective votes as a demographic group must defend, protect and guard the independence, sovereignty and national interests of our motherland, Zimbabwe,” he said.
The President implored youths to register to vote and mobilise for a resounding Zanu-PF victory.
“Zan u PF is the party that brought about independence. It is the only party with policies, programmes and projects to lift many of our people out of poverty into prosperity,” he said.
“It is the only party with the vision for the future. This must be at the centre of your conversations as the various youth groups.”
President Mnangagwa said the Government led by the revolutionary party, Zanu-PF remains committed to facilitating the youth access to relevant spaces in the body politic of the country.
“Our promise to broaden your participation in Government remains high on our agenda. The youth seats in Parliament and their appointment into strategic positions in both the revolutionary party, Zanu-PF and within Government are assured,” he said.
The President said under the Second Republic, Government is not going back on its commitment to empower young talented people in the country.
“Your multi-faceted roles as entrepreneurs, innovators, and quick adaptors to the use of science, technology and innovation must see you participating fully in mainstream economic activities. If we remain united, peaceful and hardworking, nothing is impossible,” he said. Chronicle

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced that he would soon proclaim the national elections date.

This follows the recent gazetting of the final Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) delimitation report.

The report sets the boundaries for wards and constituencies to be used in the upcoming harmonised elections.
The proclamation by the President follows the presentation of the final report by the electoral body on February 17, pursuant to which, the report should be gazetted within 14 days.
In December last year, ZEC presented its preliminary delimitation report to President Mnangagwa which was tabled before Parliament and referred back to the elections Commission for further consideration.
In an extraordinary Government gazette on Monday, President Mnangagwa said: “Now, therefore, under and by the virtue of the powers invested in the President, l do by this my Proclamation declare the names and boundaries of the wards and the House of Assembly and Senatorial Constituencies as finally determined by the Commission, which names boundaries set out in the schedule to this Proclamation, to the Wards and National Assembly and the Senatorial Constituencies of Zimbabwe for the purposes of the forthcoming and any subsequent general election.”
The presentation of the final report made way for the adoption of the new wards and constituencies in time to meet timelines that should be observed in order for the harmonised elections to be held within the constitutionally permissible time frame.
Addressing thousands of youths during the National Youth Day commemorations in Lupane yesterday, President Mnangagwa said he will soon make a proclamation of the election date.
“The delimitation report has now been gazetted. I will soon be making a proclamation of the harmonised elections date. Meanwhile, I would like to highlight that my Government is ready to receive our citizens from South Africa who wish to come home,” he said.
“To date, we are already seeing many trickling back home and setting up their businesses. Come home, ekhaya, kumusha, we are ready to receive all our citizens.”
Zimbabweans living in South Africa under the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) are due to return home this year when this facility expires.
Government has pledged to help the citizens so that they can get home with their possessions and start-up here.
The special permit was granted to nearly 170 000 Zimbabweans working, studying and living in South Africa but expires at the end of June this year. A fair number have or are in the process of obtaining other work permits so they can stay, but a lot will have to leave.
The President implored youths to vote for Zanu-PF and observe peace as the country heads toward elections.
‘As per the requirement of the constitution, our country will soon be holding our harmonized elections. As peace-loving people, let us continue to guard and protect the stability we are enjoying in our nation by saying no to violence and rejecting those bent on causing mayhem, turmoil, and insecurity in our nation,” he said.
“The majority of you, our young people will be voting in these elections, some for the first time. I challenge you to exercise this sacred right, responsibly, aware that it was paid for by the blood of many sons and daughters of Zimbabwe, some of whom were your age.”
President Mnangagwa said the democratic right to vote is a right that must never be taken lightly.
‘It was not given on a silver platter. Your individual and collective votes as a demographic group must defend, protect and guard the independence, sovereignty and national interests of our motherland, Zimbabwe,” he said.
The President implored youths to register to vote and mobilise for a resounding Zanu-PF victory.
“Zan u PF is the party that brought about independence. It is the only party with policies, programmes and projects to lift many of our people out of poverty into prosperity,” he said.
“It is the only party with the vision for the future. This must be at the centre of your conversations as the various youth groups.”
President Mnangagwa said the Government led by the revolutionary party, Zanu-PF remains committed to facilitating the youth access to relevant spaces in the body politic of the country.
“Our promise to broaden your participation in Government remains high on our agenda. The youth seats in Parliament and their appointment into strategic positions in both the revolutionary party, Zanu-PF and within Government are assured,” he said.
The President said under the Second Republic, Government is not going back on its commitment to empower young talented people in the country.
“Your multi-faceted roles as entrepreneurs, innovators, and quick adaptors to the use of science, technology and innovation must see you participating fully in mainstream economic activities. If we remain united, peaceful and hardworking, nothing is impossible,” he said. Chronicle

By- Zimbabweans based in South Africa have engaged the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for assistance in ensuring that Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders get their employment benefits before returning home.

This follows the decision by the South African government not to extend the permits for ZEP holders.
Permit holders have been given up to June this year to move to other visa provisions or return home.
Government has already established an inter-ministerial committee, which will be in charge of the relocation of ZEP holders in South Africa.
The International Organisation of Migration (IOM) has pledged to collaborate with the Government to assist Zimbabweans return home.
ZEP holders have worked in South Africa for more than 10 years and are expected to receive employment benefits when their permits are terminated.
However, most of the ZEP holders do not qualify for other available visas in the neighbouring country as they do not hold the specified critical skills qualifications.
The Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa is already seized with drafting an online database to assist in the movement of returning citizens.
While the Zimbabwean Community in South Africa has welcomed the interventions by the Government, the organisation’s chairperson, Mr Ngqabutho Mabhena, said ZEP holders are concerned about the employment benefits ahead of the expiration of their permits.
He said they were engaging both the South African government and ILO so that workers do not lose out when their permits expire.
“One of the issues that we are working on and still consulting is to assist those who would not have been able to move to other visas to be able to get their work benefits like the Provident Fund,” he said.
“Workers who are holders of ZEP are asking us about the procedure and we are talking to the Department of Labour in Pretoria and we are talking to the International Labour Organisation, they have an office in Pretoria to see how we can assist these workers so that they do not lose out on their benefits.”
Under the Provident Fund, employees receive money depending on the taxes they would have paid. Mr Mabhena said ZEP holders have been part of the South African economy for more than 10 years and accrued some benefits in the process.
“They have been part of the South African economy for the last 13 years and it is our considered view that if they decide to relocate they should be able to take their benefits with them,” said Mr Mabhena.
He said they were closely following the Government’s interventions in assisting returnees.
“We welcome the intervention by the Zimbabwean Government to assist those that are returning to Zimbabwe. What is a worry to most people is that they do have properties and as returning residents and they should not be paying duty,” he said.
“We are happy that the Zimbabwean Government is facilitating that so that people move to Zimbabwe with their goods, their properties, with their vehicles and those items that ordinarily they would have to pay duty for.”
He said ZEP holders should take up the online registration programme, which Government has extended to them.
Mr Mabhena said ZEP holders are concerned over their reintegration to the Zimbabwean society as most of them had not invested much back home.
The online registration is being conducted to map areas in which ZEP holders are located.
Briefing the South African press at the beginning of the month, Zimbabwean Ambassador to South Africa Ambassador David Hamadziripi said Government said the online registration runs from February 2 and ending March 3.
More than 180 000 ZEP holders could face deportation if they do not migrate to other visas offered by the South African government by the end of June if they do not voluntarily return home. Chronicle

ZIMBABWE Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has intensified efforts to rescue a three year-old baby, who is a victim of child trafficking, by partnering with Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), in a bid to save the minor child.

The three year-old baby was separated from her mother Charlene Gugulethu Moyo in December 2022 after her grandmother Clara Ndlovu asked Moyo to allow her grandchild to visit her home in Bulawayo and spend time with her during the festive season with the agreement that the child would be returned home towards the opening of schools in
January 2023.

Moyo’s child was not returned and instead the mother received a picture from some of Ndlovu’s relatives with information that the child was enjoying the festive season in South Africa.

Alarmed that her daughter was undocumented and did not have any travel document such as a passport to allow entry into South Africa and that as her biological mother, she never signed the internationally required affidavit that she was consenting to her child travelling
beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, Moyo filed a report at Pumula Police Station about her missing three year-old child.

Instead, ZRP officers at Pumula Police Station referred Moyo to the Children’s Court after advising her to apply for custody of her minor child, and with Ndlovu having travelled to her rural home in Buhera in Manicaland province, service of summons for the grandmother to appear in court could not be effected and the matter was never heard in court.

This compelled Moyo to engage ZLHR lawyer Prisca Dube on 1 February 2023 who contacted law enforcement agents at Pumula Police Station to verify why they had refused to open a docket for the contravention of the Trafficking in Persons Act.

On 2 February 2023, Dube told police officers at Pumula Police Station that in terms of the Trafficking in Persons Act, an offence had been committed and thus a docket should be opened to enable the minor child to be brought back to Zimbabwe.

On 3 February 2023, police officers advised Dube that investigations were now underway.
Moyo informed Dube that the father of the minor child was demanding that she should pay a certain cross-border driver ZAR1 000 to facilitate the return of her daughter and this information was relayed to ZRP officers.

On 13 February 2023, the human rights lawyer wrote a letter to the Officer-in-Charge of Pumula Police Station only identified as Inspector Madlambe requesting to be furnished with a progress report on the child trafficking incident and she was advised that an
investigating officer Constable Ngwena, was now tasked with leading investigations into the matter.

On 16 February 2023, ZRP officers contacted Dube requesting to be furnished with the minor child’s birth certificate and her clear photograph, which they need to send to International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to be assisted in South Africa in getting the minor child back to Zimbabwe.

ENDS

Tinashe Sambiri|Pressure is mounting on the Zanu PF leader Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to release CCC deputy chairman Hon Job Sikhala before polls.

Last month Mr Mnangagwa’s agents attempted to eliminate Hon Sikhala by seizing his medication.

Human rights defenders, the country’s main opposition party, CCC and political observers are pushing for the immediate release of Wiwa from jail.

See below CCC statement:

“FREE SIKHALA: The continued incarceration of Zimbabwean MP Hon Job Sikhala by the regime in Harare is evidence of gross violation of the constitution. Bail is a constitutional right. He’s been in prison for 251 days without trial. #FreeSikhala.”

CCC is also intensifying voter registration campaigns in the city of Harare.

“Yesterday, Harare West Ward 16 Councilor @DNgadziore led a door to door #RegisterToVoteZW campaign in his neighbourhood.

We are targeting 6 Million votes for our Change Champion in Chief, Adv @nelsonchamisa, 2/3 majority in Parliament & majority in rural & urban councils.”

By A Correspondent- Four Marange men recently str!pped nɑkǝd and danced provocatively during an elderly woman’s funeral, thereby drawing the ire of the local traditional leadership.

Fungai Mhise, Zivanai Matenhese, Lloyd Matenhese and Garikai Magumezano stand accused of disrespecting the dead as well as trampling upon the Marange traditions and customs.

The four nɑkǝd men twǝrked and caused a scene at the funeral of one Gogo Matenhese.

Zivanai and Lloyd are grandchildren to the late Gogo Matenhese, while Mhise and Magumezano were her neighbours.

The quartet appeared before Chief Marange last week on Sunday.

Chief Marange said because of their actions, they risk being banished from the area.

It was alleged that during the funeral, Mhise and his friends were drinking some illicit brews.

With the alcohol getting the better of them, they started singing offensive songs and dancing provocatively in front of everyone.

In presenting his report, Village head Matowe said he was assaulted by the quartet when he tried to stop them from disrespecting the customs of the land.

I had trouble controlling these men. They assaulted me when I tried to talk to them. Their friend who was also part of this madness has failed to attend this court session as he is not feeling well after abusing alcohol during the funeral.

“He is an amputee who uses crutches, but he danced so much, resulting in him falling down and injuring himself in the process. His face is swollen and he has wounds all over the body as a result. It seems as if they were all possessed by some evil spirits,” said the village head.

Village head Matowe also said when they were conducting traditional rituals at the funeral, he asked all men to remove their hats as per their custom, but the culprits refused.

“Magumezano shouted that he would not remove his hat unless all women removed their head wraps as well. It is our custom that a woman’s head should be covered all the time,” said the village head.

However, Magumezano denied committing the offence, saying he was herding cattle on the day in question and did not attend the funeral.

“I only attended that funeral in the morning. These are all lies. I was not drunk on the day, I was herding cattle as I am a employed as a herd boy,” he said.

However, Mhise and Zivanai said they were drinking alcohol and dancing with Magumezano as he had brought the cattle to the funeral.

We are very sorry. I did not know what I was doing. I only got to know afterwards and I am so ashamed of my unbecoming behaviour. My relatives are shunning me because of this. I am so sorry,” said Mhise.

Village head Matowe said he tried to reason with Magumezano to take his cattle elsewhere, all to no avail.

“He was herding his cattle at the cemetery. I ordered him to leave, but he would not listen. They overpowered me and started dancing provocatively in front of other mourners,” said Village Head Matowe.

Chief Marange said the culprits deserve a stern punishment that will act as a deterrent to would-be offenders.

“Some people were grieving, but you failed to respect them through your provocative dances.

“It is a shame that Zivanai and Lloyd you failed to respect your own grandmother. Instead, you teamed up with your friends and caused havoc, thereby disrespecting the elders present at the funeral as well as the traditional leadership.

“It is a taboo in this area for someone to act in the way that you did and you will get a punishment that is befitting. That punishment will discourage you from performing such reckless dances in public. I promise you, you will never do it again,” said Chief Marange.

The matter was adjourned to February 20 for sentencing.

— Manica Post

By A Correspondent- Ii is apparently the worst form of disrespect in the world!

A 30-year-old man was arrested for f0ndl!ng a 24-year-old woman’s privɑtǝs in the presence of her husband.

This came to light when Tafadzwa Maponga from Glendale in Mashonaland central province appeared before Concession magistrate Joshua Nembaware.

Maponga pleaded not guilty but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment of which six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

The remaining six months were suspended on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service at Rusununguko Primary School.

Appearing for the State, prosecutor Precious Khanye told the court that on 22 December 2022 and at around 7pm the complainant whose name is being withheld for ethical reasons was sitting on a bench outside a bottle store selling groundnuts.

It was proved that Maponga advanced towards the complainant and upon reaching her and for no apparent reason he inserted his left hand inside her skirt.

As if that was not enough, a daring Maponga went on to repeatedly f0ndle the complainant’s privɑtǝs.

Surprisingly, the woman’s husband was sitting next to her and he did nothing as his wife was being f0ndled.

The matter was reported to the police leading to the accused’s arrest.

— BMetro

Tinashe Sambiri|Change is in the air, CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has said.

In his message on Twitter, President Chamisa exhorted the nation to remain optimistic before, during and after the 2023 polls.

See the CCC leader’s message below:

BE OF GOOD CHEER, BE HAPPY…

Be in the mood of a dolphin-of victory,kindness, harmony, peace and happiness. No extent of tinkering or fiddling with any report will matter much,the end of tyranny, corruption and oppression is already decreed,settled and sealed! Winners don’t whine!

When the sun rises, it rises for all and for everyone.Change is good for all citizens.

Change will benefit all citizens including those in Zpf. Change answers all things.

Change is inevitable. Change is natural. Change is coming. Receive the change!#NewGreat

By-CCC national deputy chairperson Job Sikhala, facing a pair of trials on obstructing justice and inciting violence, is still applying for postponements as he seeks to have the High Court and the Constitutional Court first deal with applications he has already made or plans to make.
The applications are meant to overturn decisions made by a pair of magistrates denying him postponements or the actual dropping of the charges.
Yesterday in the trial on charges of obstructing or defeating the course of justice, he wanted to take his case to the Constitutional Court on the grounds that his constitutional rights were being infringed during the course of the on-going court proceedings.
Through his lawyers, Sikhala indicated that he wanted the Constitutional Court to decide whether or not his rights to equal benefit of the law had not been violated, and whether or not he had been denied the right to a fair hearing.
Lawyer Mr Jeremiah Bamu representing Sikhala said: “We seek to have two questions answered by the Constitutional Court. We want the court to determine whether or not the criminal proceedings under record ACC316/22 amount to a deprivation to equal benefit of the law or not.
“Secondly, we want the Constitutional Court to determine whether or not the criminal proceedings amount to a denial of his right to a fair hearing as enshrined in the Constitution.
“This court is obliged to undertake a factual enquiry and deals with issues of facts that may arise. This is in view of the fact that the question referred to Constitutional Court must have a factual foundation.”
Mr Bamu then called Sikhala as a witness to confirm affidavits to be attached to his application for referral of the matter to the Constitutional Court.
Mr Bamu is expected to submit a written application tomorrow morning.
The State led by Mr Oscar Madhume and Mr Zebadiah Bofu, is also expected to file opposing submissions before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa makes a ruling.
Sikhala lost his bid to have proceedings stayed in his other trial where he is jointly charged with CCC Chitungwiza North legislator Godfrey Sithole on charges of inciting public violence in Nyatsime.
This was after magistrate Mrs Tafadzwa Miti dismissed his application saying there were no chances of success at the High Court on his application for the proceedings to be indefinitely postponed pending determination of his High Court application for review of Mrs Miti’s decision not to recuse herself.
In dismissing Sikhala’s application for stay of proceedings, Mrs Miti said there were no exceptional irregularities in her ruling and her ruling did not have any bearing on the outcome of the trial.
Mr Bamu then applied for postponement of 14 days to allow him to take further instructions from Sikhala and prepare an urgent chamber application to be filed at the High Court.
The State led by Mr George Manokore and Mr Ephraim Zinyandu opposed the application, saying the intention to approach the High Court on an urgent chamber basis had no bearing on the trial.
The State had invited two witnesses, who were ready to testify in the matter. Herald

By-Zanu PF senior politicians in Mashonaland East provinces are fighting over the Goromonzi West constituency left vacant by Energy Mutodi.

The former Information deputy minister has relocated to Masvingo’s home province and will not contest for the seat.

According to NewsDay, seasoned ZANU PF politicians – Bornface Mutize and Beata Nyamupinga – are leading the race to take Energy Mutodi’s seat.

Mutize is a ZANU PF central committee member, while Nyamupinga is a former MP of the same constituency.

A senior ZANU PF official in the province who declined to be named confirmed that mobilisation for support has already begun in the constituency. The official said:

After Mutodi announced that he is relocating to Masvingo, some candidates began showing up. We have top Zanu PF officials like Mutize and Nyamupinga, who have publicly declared their interests to contest in the area. It is no longer a secret.

ZANU PF provincial political commissar Lincoln Matare told NewsDay that no one has been given the green light to campaign as the party was occupied with preparations for the 2023 elections.

In 2018, Mutodi won by a narrow margin after the opposition MDC Alliance fielded two candidates, which split the party’s vote.

Energy Mutodi is now a provincial member of ZANU PF’s Masvingo province.

By- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has opened a docket against the MDC leader Daglous Mwonzora for allegedly issuing death threats to a party employee.

Mwonzora allegedly accuses the employee of pestering him over unpaid wages.

The employee, Mutandwa Machera, reported Mwonzora to the police on Monday following the death threats and a docket was opened under Harare Central IR 021195.

Narrating his experience, Machera said the Mwonzor called him on his cell phone on Sunday, threatening to shoot him. 

Machera said:

On 15 February at 15.40 hours, Douglas Mwonzora called me on my phone, threatening to kill me.

He said verbatim, ‘Mutandwa Machera and Kudzanayi Mashumba, I will shoot you if you come to my house. I don’t owe you any money. I am only going to assist you.

Yesterday (Sunday), I also fled my home after Mwonzora threatened me for one minute, 41 seconds telling me ‘I am going to shoot you. I am looking for you. My bodyguards will kill you in my name. Starting with me, if I miss you, my boys will kill you instead.

Mwonzora refers to himself as the government in waiting. How, when he can threaten a worker who is merely demanding his salary.

This was after the employee had vowed to accost the MDC leader at his Harare home to stage a demonstration over his dues.

Machera said he is owed US$9 600 in outstanding wages.

Together with over a dozen party employees, they are owed wages dating back over 13 months.

ZimLive.

By-Two United States (US) tourists have vowed not to visit Durban ever again after a daylight robbery in the South African city on Sunday.

Peter Livingston, 71, and George Eighmey, 81, were robbed in broad daylight on Sunday in the Durban CBD while taking in the sights.

The US tourists told IOL News that they had arrived in South Africa in December and decided to visit Durban for the weekend.

They had been staying at an Airbnb on the beachfront. Livingston said:

We decided to walk to the Botanical Gardens and hoped to see some of downtown Durban as well.

On our return, as we were walking on Xuma Street, just west of the Workshop Shopping Centre, near an area filled with minivan taxis, we were assaulted in broad daylight, by eight or nine young men.

They forced us to the ground and stole our cellphones and billfolds.

They sat or stood on my friend’s legs and arms to prevent resistance.

They literally tore my pants open struggling for my phone.

There were two police officers across the street. We shouted for help, but no one did anything.

He said the incident occurred in front of numerous street vendors and a lot of other pedestrians.

Livingston said they were grateful they did not require any medical attention. He added:

We don’t know how to make a report and the indifference of the police at the scene did not inspire confidence.

Needless to say, this will be our last trip to Durban. We will advise our friends not to come here either. It is too unsafe.

On Friday, Police Minister Bheki Cele painted a grim picture of the country’s crime statistics from October to December, with most crimes on the increase. 

Tinashe Sambiri|Change is in the air, CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has said.

In his message on Twitter, President Chamisa exhorted the nation to remain optimistic before, during and after the 2023 polls.

See the CCC leader’s message below:

BE OF GOOD CHEER, BE HAPPY…

Be in the mood of a dolphin-of victory,kindness, harmony, peace and happiness. No extent of tinkering or fiddling with any report will matter much,the end of tyranny, corruption and oppression is already decreed,settled and sealed! Winners don’t whine!

When the sun rises, it rises for all and for everyone.Change is good for all citizens.

Change will benefit all citizens including those in Zpf. Change answers all things.

Change is inevitable. Change is natural. Change is coming. Receive the change!#NewGreat

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has gazetted the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) ‘s delimitation report with notable changes to the boundaries of wards, the house of assembly and senatorial constituencies for use in the forthcoming general elections.

In an Extraordinary Gazette under Statutory Instrument 14 of 2023, President Mnangagwa said he received the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s final delimitation report on the 17th of February, 2023.

Now, therefore, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as aforesaid, I do by this my Proclamation declare the names and boundaries of wards and the House of Assembly and Senatorial Constituencies as finally determined by the Commission, which names and boundaries are set out in the Schedule to this Proclamation, to be the wards and House of Assembly and Senatorial Constituencies of Zimbabwe for the forthcoming and any subsequent elections.

ZEC embarked on a voter registration blitz last year, meant to inform the delimitation report.

ZEC indicated in the report that when the voter’s roll for delimitation closed on 30 May 2022, Zimbabwe had 5 804 736 registered voters compared to 5 612 464 registered voters in 2007/08

Notable changes in the ZEC delimitation report were observed in the following provinces:

1).  Harare: Three constituencies were created from the Harare South constituency namely, Churu, Harare South and Hunyani. An additional constituency was created in Epworth resulting in Epworth North and Epworth South Constituencies. Harare North was reconfigured and renamed to the Hatcliffe constituency.

2). Bulawayo: Seven constituencies were reconfigured and renamed as follows:

Bulawayo North, Cowdry Park, Emakhandeni-Luveve Entumbane-Njube, Lobengula-Magwegwe Mpopoma-Mzilikazi and Pelandaba-Tshabalala.

3). Manicaland Province: Musikavanhu and Chipinge West were merged to create Chipinge West Constituency. The collapsed constituency formed Chikanga Constituency after Dangamvura-Chikanga was split due to high population.

4). Mashonaland East: Three constituencies namely Chikomba Central, Chikomba East, Chikomba West were reconfigured due to the low registered voter population. As a result, Chikomba Central was collapsed and two Constituencies remain namely Chikomba East and Chikomba West.

5). Masvingo Province: Gutu North was collapsed and merged with other existing constituencies due to a low registered voter population which failed to meet the minimum threshold for a constituency. However the collapsed constituency was replaced by the creation of a new Chiredzi Central Constituency. In the same vein, Zaka East and Zaka West were collapsed and reconfigured to form a new Zaka South Constituency. One of the collapsed constituencies was replaced by the creation of a new Mwenezi North constituency. In effect, the Province retained its previously allocated 26 constituencies.

6). Matabeleland South: The province had very low numbers of registered voters therefore it was allocated 12 constituencies after Bulilima East was collapsed to meet the minimum threshold.

7). Midlands province: Mberengwa South constituency was collapsed and three constituencies now remain i.e., Mberengwa East, Mberengwa West and Mberengwa Central. This collapsed constituency was replaced by the creation of a new Mkoba North constituency.

The commission also stated that it considered the following factors as stipulated in Section 161(6) of the Constitution:

• Physical features;

• The means of communication within an area;

• The geographical distribution of registered voters;

• Any community of interest between registered voters;

• Existing electoral boundaries; and

• Population.

By-The Nelson Chamisa-led opposition, the Citizens Coalition for Change, has dismissed Hopewell Chin’ono’s party divisions claims.

Chinn’ono recently said that the divisions in the CCC were shown by the continued detention of the opposition’s deputy chairman, Job Sikhala.

He posted on Twitter suggesting that his party had forsaken Sikhala, who has been in jail since June 2022. He tweeted:

One day we will talk about why this warrior is still in jail, and how those close to him betrayed him and go around speaking ill of him, pretending to be with him.

How some were bought, maybe he should tell his own story, but the story will be told. There is always a right time!

Some members of the CCC say Chin’ono’s assertion that Sikhala, whom he shared with cells at Chikurubi Maximum security prison in 2021, was betrayed by those close to him is “not too far-fetched.” They say more could have been done in a bid to secure his release.

However, the party’s Deputy SpokespersonGift Ostallos Siziba dismissed rumours of disunity saying they were fully behind Sikhala. He responded to Chin’ono’s remarks:

Kupi ko?

We are united together in the fight to win Zimbabwe for Change. Job is being failed by a captured judiciary.

He will come home, nothing lasts forever. We have been in prison before (l for one stayed in Chikurubi for more than 60 days without trial) and we know that as long as Zanu PF exists we are jail candidates.

The Zengeza West legislator was arrested and jailed allegedly for inciting the 14 June 2022 violence which erupted in Nyatsime during the funeral wake of slain CCC activist, Moreblessing Ali.

He has been jailed at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, without trial.

Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has blasted the state over the way they handled the Robert Mugabe Junior’s arrest on charges of malicious damage to property saying it clearly showed preferential treatment as anyone would not have been given the same privilege.

Posting on Twitter, Mliswa said since the matter was before the courts, they were supposed to allow the parties involved to appear before the court while any pleas for withdrawals were supposed to be made through the Magistrate as opposed to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Below is Mliswa’s thread on the release of Robert Junior:

Not that I want him in jail so much but this is just preferential treatment as can be accessed by those with links to certain levels of power. Once the issue had reached the courts it was supposed to be recorded and the parties involved appear before the Magistrate.

The lawyer would then give a plea that they go and negotiate. The Magistrate would rule on that not this underhand business. At the courts any withdrawal should be the initiative of the applicant through the Magistrate not the NPA. If it were someone else dai avharirwa.

The negotiations should have been done at the Police station where the case was first reported. Now the NPA is forcing the complainant to go back and negotiate, is that what he wanted? It’s not the duty of the NPA.

International awards brand Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) continues with its expansion drive as they get set to host their first ever ZAA Awards Dinner Gala in Scotland on the 15th of April this year.

The ZAA Scotland Edition opens the ZAA awards calendar, which is also highlighted by the inaugural United Arab Emirates Edition set for later this year, joining the existing seven editions.

“We are very excited to introduce the Scotland and UAE editions on this year’s calendar as part of our efforts to recognise and celebrate all Zimbabwean achievers around the world. This latest development is the culmination of wide consultations with key players in the diaspora who are taking note of the impact Zimbabweans are making around the world,” said ZAA founder Conrad Mwanza.

“As has been the call from the beginning in 2010, ZAA aims to recognise, celebrate and award change makers for their achievements and build a collaborative platform for exchange of ideas and networking opportunities across multiple disciplines.”

“Preparations for the event and other programs are progressing well and we are excited. More details will be announced in the media, on our social platforms and website as we go. All are welcome to join us in celebrating this milestone a few days shy of marking our Independence Day celebrations.”

Nominations for the England, Scotland and South Africa editions are currently ongoing on www.zimachievers.org and will close on the 28th of February. The shortlisted nominees announcement will be made on the 5th of March before the voting period commences.

Dates were also announced for the England Edition, set for 22 April, with South Africa making its 8th Edition on 13 May.

Canada edition will be held on 5th August, while dates for the UAE, Australia, Canada, Botswana and China will be announced in due course.

The Zimbabwe Achievers Awards were established in 2010 and have grown to become one of the leading movements and interaction platforms for Zimbabwean changemakers around the world.

The awards are handed across different categories and fields of expertise such as sport, art and entertainment, media, academia, professional and more.

Ends.FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ZimAchievers spreads wings to Scotland

International awards brand Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) continues with its expansion drive as they get set to host their first ever ZAA Awards Dinner Gala in Scotland on the 15th of April this year.

The ZAA Scotland Edition opens the ZAA awards calendar, which is also highlighted by the inaugural United Arab Emirates Edition set for later this year, joining the existing seven editions.

“We are very excited to introduce the Scotland and UAE editions on this year’s calendar as part of our efforts to recognise and celebrate all Zimbabwean achievers around the world. This latest development is the culmination of wide consultations with key players in the diaspora who are taking note of the impact Zimbabweans are making around the world,” said ZAA founder Conrad Mwanza.

“As has been the call from the beginning in 2010, ZAA aims to recognise, celebrate and award change makers for their achievements and build a collaborative platform for exchange of ideas and networking opportunities across multiple disciplines.”

“Preparations for the event and other programs are progressing well and we are excited. More details will be announced in the media, on our social platforms and website as we go. All are welcome to join us in celebrating this milestone a few days shy of marking our Independence Day celebrations.”

Nominations for the England, Scotland and South Africa editions are currently ongoing on www.zimachievers.org and will close on the 28th of February. The shortlisted nominees announcement will be made on the 5th of March before the voting period commences.

Dates were also announced for the England Edition, set for 22 April, with South Africa making its 8th Edition on 13 May.

Canada edition will be held on 5th August, while dates for the UAE, Australia, Canada, Botswana and China will be announced in due course.

The Zimbabwe Achievers Awards were established in 2010 and have grown to become one of the leading movements and interaction platforms for Zimbabwean changemakers around the world.

The awards are handed across different categories and fields of expertise such as sport, art and entertainment, media, academia, professional and more. – Correspondent

By- A taxi boss has revealed that the KZN hitmen who gunned down rapper AKA were probably paid around R250 000.

TimesLIVE conducted an in-depth interview with a taxi owner from KwaZulu-Natal who is intimately familiar with the hitmen industry. In iSiZulu, assassins are known as izinkabi.

According to the investigation, hitmen charge as little as R10,000 for an ordinary person without a bodyguard and as much as R500,000 or a million rands for more dangerous people.

South African rapper AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on 10 February, along with his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane. AKA was in Durban to perform at his birthday party.

The taxi boss revealed that three people most likely executed the AKA hit:

“He was a popular musician who was always with people. You need someone to drive the getaway car. You need someone who will be where AKA is, giving you details about what he is doing. Then you need the hitman to pull the trigger.

“The more dangerous you are, the more costly the services. It can go all the way to R500,000 or even a million, depending on how dangerous the person is. Some assassinations are so complex they can take six months to execute. If you want to kill someone who has a lot of bodyguards, that hit cannot be done in just a few weeks.”

The hired killers need to get as much knowledge about their target as possible to lower the risk of getting killed, he told TimesLIVE.

The taxi boss added that the people who eliminated AKA and Tibz are experienced professionals because they only killed two people in a group of many.

He reiterated that the AKA assassins are likely known in KZN because the industry operates as a network. The network is ever-growing as young men are trained and hired in taxi wars, political rivalries, and even in dubious business deals, TimesLIVE reported.

Research by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC) revealed that KZN has the most assassinations in South Africa, standing at 38%.

AKA is the third musician to be taken out since November 2022, after Oupa John Sefoka, known as DJ Sumbody and “President of Barcadi” Itumeleng “Vusi Ma R5” Mosoeu, who was shot dead last month.

By- A Zimbabwean man who is one of the survivors of the Limpopo bus crash that claimed at least 21 lives and left more than 60 people injured has described the accident as the “worst event” he has seen in his 59 years of life.

Jacob Sibanda said it was God’s choice to keep him alive or take his life together with the 21 others.

The bus collided head-on with a cash-in-transit van that was allegedly trying to overtake another vehicle on the N1 outside Louis Trichardt in Limpopo.

The bus rolled off a bridge and into a river during the collision outside the Hendrik Verwoerd tunnel heading towards Musina on Monday evening.

New Zimbabwe cites law enforcement officials as saying the bus was ferrying passengers from Louis Trichardt to nearby villages including Nzhelele, Tshikombani and Siloam.

The Zimbabwean national told Pretoria News yesterday that he was trying to get hold of his wife in Zimbabwe to inform her that he had survived the Limpopo bus crash. 

Sibanda lives in Louis Trichardt and was going to meet his wife to hand over groceries for their children in Zimbabwe.

I cannot remember what happened. I normally take the food to Beit Bridge where I meet my wife. But this time it was decided that she take a bus to Siloam so we could exchange parcels here because I needed to be at work in the evening.

This must have been the worst moment of my life. It was horrific because my eyes were wide open, but I don’t remember a thing. There was a loud bang and the next thing I remember I was in water and being carried by people.

I don’t know how I ended up in the water. I truly thought I was dead. I’m very happy to be alive because it was God’s will.

Sibanda, a self-employed merchant in Louis Trichardt, was among the few who sustained mild injuries. Others are still in critical condition in Siloam and Elim hospitals.

Paramedics and rescue personnel were able to retrieve 19 bodies from the crash.

Two other people died in hospital while the search for others in the nearby rivers continues as some were swept away.

A docket has been opened against MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora over issuing death threats to a party employee.

The development comes as dejected, unpaid employees marched over yo his house to demand their owings.

The docket says Mwonzora was reported by a Mr Mutandwa Machera on Monday following the death threats.

It was recorded at Harare Central under reference number IR 021195.

Machera says Mwonzora phoned him on Sunday, threatening to shoot him after he (Machera) demanded US$9 600, which are his outstanding wages.

“On 15 February at 15.40 hours, Douglas Mwonzora called me on my phone, threatening to kill me,” he says.

He continues adding

He (Mwonzora) said verbatim, ‘Mutandwa Machera and Kudzanayi Mashumba, I will shoot you if you come to my house. I don’t owe you any money. I am only going to assist you.

Yesterday (Sunday), I also fled my home after Mwonzora threatened me for one minute, 41 seconds telling me ‘I am going to shoot you. I am looking for you. My bodyguards will kill you in my name. Starting with me, if I miss you, my boys will kill you instead.

Mwonzora refers to himself as the government in waiting. How, when he can threaten a worker who is merely demanding his salary.

This was after the employee had vowed to confront the MDC leader at his Harare home to stage a demonstration over his dues.

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has rubbished the United Nations for advising him to ignore the Private Voluntary Organisation Bill (PVO).

The Bill criminalises the operations of NGOs.

It has already passed Parliament and now awaits Mnangagwa’sMnangagwa’s signature for it to become law.

Ever since the proposed amendments passed through both houses of the National Assembly, there has been increased advocacy from some civic bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for the President to ignore the Bill.
However, writing in his weekly column in The Sunday Mail, President Mnangagwa said he will “”sign it into law once it reaches my desk””.
“”The Private Voluntary Organisation Bill, PVO Bill, has now passed the various stages of the legislative process. It is now being cleaned up for my assent. I will sign it into law once it reaches my desk,”” he said.
“”Thereafter, Zimbabwe will enter a new era of genuine philanthropic and advocacy work, unsullied by ulterior political or financial motives. This has been our goal as Government in drafting such a law. To protect our society, specifically the needy and the vulnerable against the greed, wiles and subterfuges of the crooked, found both here at home and abroad.””
He said bona fide organisations “”have nothing to fear””, as they could continue their work and vocation by serving the needy and poor.
Several meetings between Government and church organisations were held to allay their fears and misgivings.
“”Our churches have been in the forefront of doing humanitarian work. This Godly role must be nurtured, furthered and protected. To that end, governance structures envisaged by the new law for the sector will incorporate churches so they bring their honest, beneficent influence to bear on all actors,”” he said.
One of the reasons for crafting the law, President Mnangagwa added, was “”to protect and defend our sovereignty from foreign interests””, who were increasingly using NGOs “”to infiltrate and destabilise us”” under the guise of helping the less privileged.
“”It is regrettable that a sector meant to do good for the weak and vulnerable has over the years got infiltrated and weaponised against our nation and our people, including the very poor in whose name and for whose benefit the sector arose to serve in the first place,”” he said.
“”Any responsible Government would not stand idly by as this happened. Corrective action had to be taken to cure such mischief. It has since been taken through this enabling legislation, which now empowers Government to protect the weak and vulnerable, while fortifying our sovereignty against insidious encroachment by these hostile forces.””
Some NGOs were also reportedly wilfully departing from their founding mandates, while others were abusing resources donated to assist the poor for self-enrichment.
There were equally serious concerns that there were organisations that were being used for money laundering, thus presenting both a threat to national security and breaching international law.
The new law, therefore, is expected to cure such delinquencies through ensuring transparency and accountability.
“”Our dollarised economy did not help matters. Because this sector had become veritable refuge for the deviant and wayward, and for actors with sinister motives, our country which is relatively small both by territorial size and by population, acquired and assumed the dubious honour of having one of the largest number of NGOs. Yet little showed on the ground by way of real humanitarian work,”” said the President.
Increased presence and activities of foreign funded NGOs, especially during times when some Western countries were hostile with Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa also said, betrayed their ulterior motive to work against the Government.
“”Bilaterally and multilaterally, the concerned nations would shun normal channels of government-to-government relations and interaction, preferring instead to work with and through particularly selected NGOs, which tried to become substitutes for the Zimbabwe Government. Why would foreign sovereigns seek to relate to another sovereign State through NGOs?””
Foreigners, he added, should not interfere is the country’scountry’s domestic affairs.
“”Foreigners must keep out, as we realise and fulfil our sovereignty through the laws we make for ourselves. On that score, no amount of foreign noises will stop the passing of the PVO law which, in any case, has gone through our Parliament comprising all the elected parties and representatives of our country,”” said the President.
“”We do not enjoy democratic space or any of our freedoms through foreign NGOs; we enjoy them every day in the very society we have founded and built through our own blood and struggles. This must sink in the minds of all those who solicitously involve themselves unduly in our legislative processes. Let me repeat: once the Bill is cleaned and send to my Office, I will sign it into law. Speedily, too!””