According to Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, ruling party thugs have assaulted journalists who had travelled to cover Nelson Chamisa’s rally in Gokwe today.
ALERT: There’s been an escalation of violence in Gokwe ahead of a rally to be addressed by Change Champion in Chief, @nelsonchamisa. Journalists Tongai Mwenje, Toneo Rutsito, Pellagia Mpurwa and Chelsea Mashayamombe have been heavily beaten by ZANUPF thugs. Toneo lost a tooth.
By A Correspondent- Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa’s convoy was reportedly attacked by suspected Zanu PF supporters in Mashonaland East province on Tuesday and yesterday.
On Tuesday, his convoy was attacked when he made a surprise visit to Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP).
UMP is traditionally known as a Zanu PF stronghold, with the ruling party garnering thousands of votes during elections.
Chamisa, who had a small entourage, visited political hotspots such as Mutawatawa, Chitsungo and Mazowe Bridge, where he held meetings with stakeholders.
CCC organising secretary Amos Chibaya and CCC Mashonaland East provincial chairperson Anthony Mutodza were accompanying Chamisa.
CCC members were reportedly assaulted at Nhakiwa Growth Point for entertaining Chamisa.
Yesterday, CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Siziba said Chamisa’s convoy was also attacked by suspected Zanu PF supporters in Hwedza district.
“Zanu is petrified by our programme and has resultantly unleashed terror in the entire Hwedza area. Violence broke out leading to the abduction of one of our members, Tonderai Bhuka. We have engaged the police and we are in the process of locating him,” Siziba said.
“It was clear these are Zanu PF people. This is something that we cannot accept because we are a legitimate political party. We encountered over 11 roadblocks on our way from Harare. However, we remain focused on the central objectives, which are continuing to mobilise Zimbabweans and create a credible alternative.”
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not be reached for comment.
In October 2021, Chamisa survived alleged assassination attempts when his convoy was attacked in Masvingo and Mutare.
Chamisa had embarked on whirlwind “meet-the-people” tours across the country to drum up support for his party.
-Newsday
Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has made a bold promise to South African citizens that the ongoing xenophobic fights will be a thing of the past in 400 days.
Responding to the trending issue of a South African doctor who berated a Zimbabwean patient seeking surgery at a Limpopo hospital, Chamisa said the trying times are coming to an end in less than 400 days.
“Fellow Africans in South Africa, we note your frustrations and economic constraints.I kindly ask for your support to Zimbabweans in these trying times. Help us as we do our best to fix Zimbabwe for a prosperous future. In less than 400 days our fights will be a thing of the past.
“We need free and fair elections to permanently resolve our politics and the economy. Many are not in your country out of mischief but on account of poor leadership,bad governance and deadening poverty.Zimbabweans mean no harm to you. After all, we are decent and great neighbors,” said Chamisa.
By A Correspondent- Two police officers were badly bitten and one escaped unhurt when a suspected drug peddler in Dangamvura, Mutare, set four vicious dogs on them as he tried to evade arrest during a raid on his house.
The suspect and two alleged accomplices from Harare were eventually arrested after the attacked cops called for reinforcements from Dangamvura Police Station.
Armed with FN rifles, the back-up party arrived at the scene and shot the dogs, resulting in one of them dying.
Sensing defeat, the suspect quickly locked up his dogs in the kennels and surrendered.
Police then searched the house and reportedly recovered sachets of dagga, crystal meth (commonly known as mutoriro) and several other drugs.
Manicaland police spokesman Inspector Nobert Muzondo said Gibson Chitsengamhanje (28) of Area 3, Dangamvura, Takudzwa Chinhoyi (24) and Share Takadairwa Mwachitamba (29), both from Harare, were under arrest.
On Friday last week at around 9am, police received a tip-off from an anonymous caller that Chitsengamhanje was dealing in drugs at his residence in Dangamvura.
A police team went round disguised as buyers. The three-member team found out that the house was secured by a precast wall and a big metal gate, but when they knocked Chitsengamhanje advised them to come in using the small gate.
Two officers entered the yard and one bought a sachet of dagga. While this was being bought, the other officer identified himself to the suspect.
Realising that he had been caught red-handed, Chitsengamhanje left the room from where he was selling the drugs and rushed to the kennels in an attempt to unleash his dogs on the cops. But the officers quickly intercepted him so he called Chinhoyi, who then came out of the main house and opened up the kennels as instructed by Chitsengamhanje, who was being held by the two police officers.
“There were four dogs in the kennels which were let loose and they attacked the police officers,” said Insp Muzondo.
One of the cops was bitten on both legs by the vicious dogs while the other one was bitten on the right leg and sustained deep cuts. After the cops sprinted out of the yard for safety, the suspect locked his gate and started burning some of the dagga to conceal evidence. Some of the suspected drugs were also thrown on top of the roof.
Reinforcements then came from Dangamvura Police Station and Chitsengamhanje was ordered to open the gate, but he refused resulting in the police officers forcing their way into the yard.
“Upon realising that the cops had opened the gate, he rushed to the kennels and set loose his dogs again. “In the face of the dog attack, the cops shot the animals with an FN rifle and killed one of them. The suspect quickly surrendered and locked up his dogs.”
A search followed and 125 sachets of dagga were recovered plus 130 sachets of crystal meth weighing 50 grammes and 50ml of Ledocaine.
As the cops were about to escort the two accused persons to the police camp, a third suspect, Mwachitamba, emerged and tried to attack the police officers in a bid to cause the unlawful release of his accomplices, without realising that the cops were armed.
When he was shown the rifle he quickly surrendered, was searched and three sachets of dagga and two of crystal meth were recovered from his pockets.
Insp Muzondo thanked the public for supplying information that led to the arrest of the three suspects.
“We will win this war against drug peddlers. Some of the houses in Mutare are being used as bases where people congregate to consume these dangerous drugs especially Mutotiro.
“We are determined to bring these notorious peddlers to book.
“The bravery which was shown by our officers shows our commitment to be on top of this situation,” he said.
-Herald
Controversial Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has defended Limpopo MEC Dr Phopha Ramathuba saying her remarks to a sick Zimbabwean patient are not xenophobic but just the truth.
Posting on Twitter Thursday morning, Mliswa said Ramathuba simple gave a clear message about the status of South African health system and how illegal migrants from Zimbabwe are weighing it down.
“I respect this lady. She simply gave a very clear message about the status of their health system and how we are weighing it down. Nothing wrong, just that we don’t want the truth. Now are angry over other people’s resources. There is no xenophobia there,” said Mliswa.
The cost of accessing the internet remains prohibitive, with Southern African countries among the most expensive on the continent according to data that has been released.
The Worldwide Mobile Data Pricing 2022 report released by Cable.co.uk shows that the price of 1 gigabyte of data in Botswana is on average $15.55, the most expensive in the region. In Seychelles, 1GB of data costs an average of $12.66.
In Namibia, the price of 1GB of data costs an average of $10.52.
In Zimbabwe, the average price of 1GB of data is $4.92, with the cheapest plan being $1.73 and the most expensive being $12.92.
In the region, the price of data is the cheapest in Tanzania, where the average cost of 1GB is $0.71.
In other countries in the region – in Eswatini ($0.84), Mozambique ($1.33), Zambia ($1.36), South Africa ($2.04), Lesotho ($2.20), Angola ($2.33) and Malawi ($2.42).
MISA position
The price of accessing the internet remains prohibitively high in Southern Africa, with at least three countries being among the most expensive in the region.
Access to the internet facilitates access to information and, therefore, there is need to make the price of data affordable.
Access to information is a fundamental human right central to the exercise of free expression that empowers citizens to make informed choices and decisions on socio-economic and political matters that affect their daily lives.
As such, internet affordability becomes an urgent issue that governments, service providers and other critical stakeholders, should address to give effect to the constitutional provisions that provide for the right to access to information.
Technology and the internet continue to shape critical aspects of our lives such as education, banking, access to information, and the purchase of goods and services and, thus, access to the internet must be affordable.
What is clear from the study is that there is a digital divide that has emerged in Southern Africa, where the price of 1GB of data is almost 20 times more expensive in Botswana compared to Tanzania. There is no logical explanation for such an astronomical difference in the cost of accessing the internet.
Policymakers, consumers, private companies, civil society organisations and regulators should have meaningful, truthful and open conversations on this issue.
MISA is running a #DataMustFall campaign in recognition of the centrality of the internet in access to information and enhancing freedom of expression and democracy. Further MISA continues to engage in the multiple stakeholder approach towards internet governance with the aim of ensuring that all the stakeholders have a say on how this ubiquitous service is accessed.
By A Correspondent- Vendors trading at Mbare Musika have clashed with long-distance bus crews over space.
Clothing and food vendors have invaded the bus rank, sparking fights with irate bus crews.
Bus crews also accused the vendors of blocking the entrance, and exit points, at the rank, disrupting the smooth flow of traffic.
One bus driver pleaded with the authorities and police to evict vendors from the bus rank.
Our passengers are being harassed by these vendors since they assume they want to buy from them,” he said.
“Some passengers are even being manhandled, resulting in fewer travellers coming to board buses at the rank.
“At one point, I almost ran over a woman selling tomatoes while reversing the bus.
“These vendors have actually created an illegal market at the entrance and exit points of the rank.
“This makes it difficult for us to drive in and out of the rank smoothly,” he said
One of the vendors, only identified as Mai Chipo, told H-Metro they cannot leave the rank because they have established a market there.
“Selling my clothes and shoes here has enabled me to pay my children’s tuition fees for the past five years.
“The rank is a busy place, as most people come here to board buses.
“There is huge business here.
“Hakuna mabasa kunze uko so if we don’t sell here, we will die of hunger,” Mai Chipo said.
-HMetro
Chegutu West Legislator Dexter Nduna has been arrested for allegedly parcelling out land at Risboro Farm which has been designated for urban development.
Nduna who was arrested on Wednesday is expected to appear before Chegutu Magistrate Court today.
-ZBC
MBABANE: King Mswati allegedly assaulted iNkhosikati Sibonelo Mngomezulu known as LaMbikiza for questioning him about the real father of Princess Sikhanyiso’s son Prince Phikolezwe.
This is not the first time allegations of abuse towards eMakhosikati emerge against Mswati.
The late Inkhosikati Nothando Dube allegedly sent pictures to political activist Lucky Lukhele and journalists reporting the physical abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband.
It has been reported that the late Inkhosikati LaDube was allegedly isolated and heavily assaulted by the King and his bodyguards after being found in bed with Ndumiso Mamba, the then Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Reached for comments, Percy Simelane, the King’s Spokesperson said he was only responsible for the public image of the King not private matters, adding that any effort to enquire about this matter would be an invasion of the King’s privacy.
“We are not aware, it is the public face of the King that is our area of interest and concern.We therefore wouldn’t be able to know what happens behind closed doors and any effort by us to enquire along those lines would be invasion of privacy,” said the King’s Spokesperson.
A questionnaire was sent to Inkhosikati LaMbikiza via her mobile number, however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments, Lucky Lukhele, the Spokesperson of the Swaziland Solidarity Network(SSN) confirmed that he received pictures as evidence from the late Inkhosikati LaDube adding that he was also aware of the assault against Queen LaMbikiza.
“I am aware that LaMbikiza was assaulted by Mswati and she lost her teeth in the process. Other Queens are suffering at the hands of the King, he doesn’t want them to socialize with men that he sees as competitors, he has a low self-esteem. LaDube even reached out to me reporting that Mswati assaulted her, she even shared some pictures,” said the Spokesperson of the Swaziland Solidarity Network.
Even though the Gender Based Violence(GBV)matter involving Mswati remains a top secret, LaMbikiza subsequently shared the sad story with some of her close friends while in hospital on or around February 2021.
It is alleged that at the time, the Queen had gone for an implant of an artificial set of teeth.
“It’s true, she told me kutsi loMjita(Mswati) umshaye wamkhokha ematinyo. Wangitjela asayowafaka lamatinyo waphindze wangitjela noma asabuyela ayowalungisa(meaning:She told me that he assaulted her and she lost her teeth, she even told me when going to hospital for the artificial teeth).So if you want to verify this,check her passport around February 2021 and then follow that evidence. She was assaulted a few months or weeks after the birth of Phikolezwe,” said the insider very close to Queen LaMbikiza.
Now, an independent investigation conducted by this Swaziland News uncovered that Inkhosikati Sibonelo Mngomezulu(LaMbikiza) left the country on or around 15th August 2022, her diplomatic passport suggests that she flew to South Africa with flight number 3DC-SWz around 10:54am.
But royal insiders who alerted this publication about the trip said this time, the Queen was receiving medical treatment in South Africa for a completely different illness not for the teeth.
“She is sick and has gone for an operation. It’s true that these days there’s a serious conflict between the King and the Queen. Lokunye lokwenteka, Make watjela iNkhosi kutsi ayilalele bantfu ibanike loku labakufunako ngoba ngeke alwe nebantfu aphumelele, naye bakatsi uyamsita phela uyam-advisor njengendvodza yakhe, hhawu wavele watsi lona sotsengiwe,LaMbikiza ufuna kumbulala. Akayi nekuya eNkoyoyo, nakwentekile waya ufike ajima-jime nje ajike(meaning: Another thing, the Queen tried to advise the King that he must listen to the people, instead the King accused her of being a sellout and that she was plotting to kill him,” said the royal insider who is very close to Mswati and Queen Sibonelo Mngomezulu.
Worth-noting, a former member of the King’s Advisory Council also confirmed that the Queen reported the assault to him.
“She even showed me a picture after the assault and was forced not to appear in public until she receives medical treatment,” said the former member of the King’s Advisory Council.
King Mswati rules eSwatini as an absolute Monarch with Executive, Judicial and Legislative powers, he allegedly manipulated the Constitution and placed himself above the law.
As the result, the King cannot be taken to court in eSwatini and be held accountable for serious allegations of Gender Based Violence(GBV).
Reached for comments, human rights lawyer Nosimilo Vilakati said domestic violence remained a gross violation of human rights adding that it didn’t matter who the perpetrator was.
“National and international law instruments serve the purpose of protecting every individual against any form of abuse. Analysis of domestic violence as an abuse of human rights is addressed in national courts. However, when domestic courts fail to do this, international litigation provides positive mechanisms. The right to be free from domestic violence is not directly stated in international human rights treaties because domestic violence often results in battery, rape, murder,” said the human rights lawyer.
-Swaziland News
A local hospital linked to business mogul Kuda Tagwirei has committed to pay medical bills of a Zimbabwe patient who was dressed down by Limpopo MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba.
Arundel Hospital announced that they were looking for the woman who was due to undergo surgery at Bela Bela hospital in Limpopo province.
Chitungwiza Magistrates court has acquitted a thirty four year-old man, who had been on trial on charges of disorderly conduct after he was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers for trying to restrain law enforcement agents from assaulting a journalist.
Moses Hakata, a resident of Chitungwiza, was arrested by ZRP officers on 7 May 2022 and charged with disorderly conduct as defined in section 41 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
During trial, prosecutor Monalisa Karemba alleged before Chitungwiza Magistrate Rumbidzai Kabasa, that Hakata behaved in a disorderly conduct while outside a polling station, during a by-election occasioned by the recall of Chitungwiza Mayor Lovemore Maiko held on 7 May 2022, where he reportedly told people to assault some ZRP officers and disregard their orders.
Hakata was also charged with incitement as defined in section 187 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act wherein he was accused of persuading or inducing people to assault police officers.
In his defence, Hakata, who was represented by Tapiwa Muchineripi of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), argued that he was arrested while trying to remonstrate with ZRP officers on why they were manhandling and harassing Blessed Mhlanga, a journalist who was executing his professional duties of covering the water crisis in Chitungwiza.
On Tuesday 23 August 2022, Magistrate Kabasa found Hakata not guilty and acquitted him after ruling that it was not prudent to convict the Chitungwiza resident on the basis of the testimony of a single witness, Superintendent Kufakunesu Matsika, as the quality and credibility of the state’s evidence fell below the legal threshold of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
By A Correspondent- A car dealer, yesterday appeared in court, on allegations of swindling a client of US$16 850.
Alfred Mbodzi was granted $20 000 bail when he appeared before Harare magistrate, Yeukai Dzuda, charged with fraud.
He will be back in court on October 28 for trial.
It is the State’s case that sometime in May, Mbodzi misrepresented to the complainant Carlton Mugadzawete, that he could supply him a Mercedes Benz for US$6 000 cash.
Mugadzawete paid him the US$6 000, as well as US$400 as storage fee, US$1 500 for ZIMRA duty clearance and US$1 650 for flight expenses to collect the vehicle from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Sometime in June, Mbodzi again misrepresented to Mugadzawete that he could supply him with another Mercedes Benz C200, for US$14 000.
He paid US$7 300 but was not issued a proforma invoice.
Mbodzi failed to deliver the two vehicles to the complainant, who lost US$16 850 in total, as nothing was recovered.
Anesu Chirenje represented the State.
-H Metro
By A Correspondent| It will be a cocktail of artistes affair on Sunday at Sherwood Golf Course when contemporary artistes serenade fans at the premium venue.
Headlining the acts are Selmor Mtukudzi, Pauline, Bazooka, Dhadza D and Mbeu.
The show will be free.
Selmor has been slowly building her music catalogue with hits such as Nguva Yangu, Tanda Mbizi and Bvururu.
She can also play copyrights from her late legendary father Oliver Mtukudzi.
“I am happy to be part of the line up. We don’t take our fans for granted and we are raring to go,” Selmor said.
The music sensation will have her musician husband Tendai Manatsa ably supporting her.
Pauline is one female urban groove diva who have managed to remain relevant over the years.
She has been around for almost two decades on the music scene and she is showing no signs of slowing down.
The former Mafriq band member has rebranded herself to be a mature on stage while maintaining her piercing voice that has endeared her with fans over the years.
Dhadza D is a ball of energy. A dancehall sensation who has also been around for a while while Bazooka represents a new generation of dancehall chanters who are ready to keep on the torch.
Mbeu bring the jazz-afrofusion feel on the show. The Norton bred artiste is known for his guitar playing prowess.
The artistes will bring a variety as they dish out their acts.
Sherwood Gold Course events manager Yasin Dhala said it was deliberate to have a cocktail of artistes from different genres.
“Sherwood is an inclusive platform and our mission is to promote all great music in its diverse genres. And we are not being selective on the audience that we want to grace our occasion hence the line up that attracts both the young and the mature,” he said.
“That is the third 5th August Celebration and it’s held annually. On the day we have lined up so many activities that includes Golf Tournament with winners walking away amazing Prizes, Kids Golf and Jumping Castle.”
By- The opposition CCC party has said that Zanu PF supporters attacked their activists in Wedza before abducting one of them, Tonderai Bhuka.
CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Siziba said Tonderai Bhuka had been located.
He said:
We located him just now and we’re on our way to the police station to open a case.
It is alleged that about 100 suspected ZANU PF members stormed a vehicle belonging to the CCC activists and blocked the roads near Wedza north in the GMB area.
Bhuka was then abducted during the commotion.
The CCC party has always accused the ruling ZANU PF and state security forces of organising and abducting its members.
By A Correspondent | Zimbabwe mortgaged out USD52Billion worth of minerals to China in exchange of a paltry USD200million loan in 2006 alone, a parliamentary calculation reveals.
This was revealed following borrowing disclosures by the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube yesterday.
Commenting, former Finance Minister Tendai Biti said:
“The Minister of Finance disclosed in Parly today that Zim has borrowed $2.7 b from China since independence of which only US$150m has been repaid.
“The biggest debt pertains to the billion dollars borrowed for the Hwange7 and 8 power station.
“There is no verification of these figures.
“In 2006 Zim borrowed US$200 m from China which loan was secured by 26 million ounces of platinum reserves in Selous.
“Assuming a price of US$2000 an ounce for platinum Zim mortgaged a $52 b asset for mere US$200 m.This is ridiculous.
They have been mortgaging Zim for years #Shame.”
By-Harare has announced that Cabinet Ministers from Zimbabwe and South Africa are set to meet in October to continue deliberations on the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP).
The special ZEP permits were issued in 2009, and are due to expire at the end of this year. They had expired end of 2021 but were extended for a year to allow Zimbabweans to apply for other permits to continue to stay in South Africa.
The ZEP is a special dispensation permit, which provided legal protection to an estimated 178 000 Zimbabweans who live, work and study in South Africa.
This will leave about 178 000 Zimbabweans facing deportation from South Africa.
Addressing Tuesday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the agreement to meet in October was made at the recent Bi-National Commission (BNC) Mid-Term Review. She said:
On Zimbabwe Exemption Permit, the Mid Term Review urged Ministers of Labour and of Home Affairs to meet by the end of October 2022 to make relevant interventions on Labour migration.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s decision to terminate ZEPs is being challenged in courts there.
Those who are pushing for the reversal of the decision argue that the revocation of the permit affects all types of people from across the social spectrum – teachers, truck drivers, students and doctors and will separate families and leave others stranded without cars or access to banking.
What must Susan Mutami tell UN?
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 25, 2022
Speaking during preparations for the upcoming War Veterans League elective conference next month, Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for democratic contestation and acceptance of results, saying divisive tendencies have no place in the ruling party.
Commenting in a subtle swipe against his only likely contender, Constantino Chiwenga, Mnangagwa, said party members must always be guided by tenets of love, peace and unity even when contesting for positions.
Speaking at the 365th Zanu PF Politburo session at the party headquarters in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa said those who clandestinely interfere with the business of the War Veterans League must stand warned.
“I urge members of the War Veterans League who have grievances to use the correct party systems and procedures. Those who clandestinely interfere with the business of the War Veterans League stand warned.
“This strategic League must be anchored on discipline more so that its members are trained cadres. You must therefore reject interference. Musabatwa nemweya waRigioni (Legion),” said President Mnangagwa.
Zanu PF established the War Veterans League wing which is set to hold its inaugural conference from September 9-10 this year.
War veterans have successfully held district and provincial elections to nominate their leadership which will represent them at their conference ahead of the Zanu-PF National People’s Congress set for October.
“It is through this defining spirit of unity, love and loyalty for our party that we have seen the successful structuring of the War Veterans League across districts and provinces.
“By its nature, democracy is about contestation as well as differences in opinions. However, these must never be allowed to degenerate into divisions.
“The war of liberation and subsequent victory over the oppressive white colonial administration remind us all of the importance of uniting around a common objective,” said President Mnangagwa.
As such, the President said, preparations for the holding of the first conference of the War Veterans League and National People’s Congress should be scaled up.
He said in terms of the party constitution, there are processes and procedures which must be undertaken prior to these events.
President Mnangagwa said party structures, particularly the cells, branches and districts, must be vibrant and recruit members to join the party.
His remarks come as Zanu PF is targeting to mobilise at least 5 million voters to ensure a resounding victory in the 2023 harmonised elections.
In his address, President Mnangagwa welcomed those who are defecting from the strife-torn opposition CCC, saying the door remains open to those who wish to join the winning team Zanu PF.
Only last week, Zanu PF welcomed 33 defectors from CCC in Gwanda, Matabeleland South.
When they left CCC, the defectors likened opposition politics to someone who walks into a “No Through Road” zone, saying they were enticed by the Second Republic’s development drive.
“We acknowledge and welcome new members who are coming back home to Zanu PF in their numbers. Going forward, let us diligently impart the new membership with the ideology, values and culture of our revolutionary mass party,” President Mnangagwa said.
Zanu PF, he said, remains a people’s party and will forge ahead with its overarching goal to unite the people of this great country under its banner.
“Let us, therefore, defend and advance policies, programmes and projects that guarantee that our people remain owners and custodians of their own destiny.
“In this context, I am pleased to advise the Politburo that on the economic front, the 2022 National Budget and Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review, among other economic measures, are bearing fruit. It is the task of the leadership of the party to raise the consciousness of the grassroots membership on these matters,” said the President.
Zanu PF, President Mnangagwa added, remains a party that is committed to lifting the living standards of people and taking them out of poverty and into prosperity. “I, therefore, challenge the party departments to be strategic in terms of policy co-ordination and serve as catalysts for the realisation of the various resolutions made by the party.
“As the 2022/2023 Summer Cropping Season beckons, I call upon the structures of the party to mobilise every household to take part in the various agriculture initiatives,” he said. Herald
By Dorrothy Moyo | ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday introduced the assassinated ZIDA Chief Executive Officer, Douglas Munatsi’s replacement, Mrs Duduzile Shinya.
Mrs Shinya has to date been ZIDA’s Acting CEO since Dec 2021. VIDEO LOADING BELOW
By-MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has said that his top executive members were planning to take the party and its properties to the Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
Mwonzora said this after the party chairman Morgen Komichi had indicated to contest Mwonzora during the elective congress.
Mwonzora last week addressed his executives and said he needed new team leaders on the Standing Committee.
He said:
The reason why we didn’t do well in recent elections, while others are saying it’s because of the president, I am saying we lost because of the team, give me a better team. The duty of a party leader is to think and I have shown that I can think hence the reason why I am saying I need a better team. I need a team that will stay together in good and bad times, when we fall, we must fall together, same as when we rise, not when we fall someone then assists our enemies to finish off the party. We no longer want such people in the system, that is our golden rule number one, talk about yourself when campaigning not to try and get votes by bad-mouthing others.
Rule number two is that we don’t want leaders who, after being voted into office, will take the party, take Harvest House (party headquarters) and give it to some other president in another party. We fought for that building to safeguard it in the name of Morgan Richard Tsvangirai. I cannot imagine Harvest House painted in yellow, that’s nada.
He said he will soon be announcing Congress dates a month earlier to allow prospective candidates to have a full month to campaign.
Mwonzora added that there is no position that is reserved for anyone and every member is free to contest any position “including that of the president”
Komichi told The Chronicle that it was pure propaganda to say that Harvest House would to another political party. He is quoted as saying:
Harvest House will never be for sale. It is the citadel of opposition politics and the High Court clearly said that it belonged to MDC-T. No one has any legal power to transfer party property, so to claim that some people want to do that is just being a propagandist.
Komichi said he will decide on whether to contest for the same post he is holding or go for a new challenge after Congress dates have been announced.
A man caused a scene at a wedding ceremony as he manhandled his wife before allegedly punching and kicking her over an undisclosed misunderstanding, the court heard.
All eyes at the wedding function turned to Prosper Bhebhe (41) as he charged at his wife named Ntombiyosizi Mpofu (41) before he manhandled her while hurling insults at her.
The angry Bhebhe punched and fly-kicked her several times. As if that was not enough Bhebhe head-butted her causing her to bleed from the mouth. Mpofu, the court heard, suffered injuries to her mouth and arms.
Bhebhe threw stones at his wife and damaged window panes of a house where the wedding function was held. His relatives faced a tough time in trying to pin him down and restraining him from attacking Mpofu.
The incident was reported to the police leading to his arrest.
Bhebhe appeared before Western Commonage Court magistrate Shepherd Mnjanja facing two counts of physical abuse and a malicious damage to property charge. He was not asked to plead and was remanded out of custody to 24 August.
— BMetro
By James Gwati- Zanu PF thugs in Seke Wednesday beat up CCC members and burned down cars before disrupting the opposition’s meeting.
CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere announced on Twitter:
When Zanu PF thugs violently attacked a CCC meeting in Seke today, the vehicle of CCC member George Makwangwaidze’s, a Mercedes Benz E270 was badly damaged. The meeting was to be addressed by Adv
. Police reports are being filed at Dema Police Station.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a manhunt following the murder of a 26-year-old man while on his way from attending a show where Zimdancehall chanter, Winky D was performing.
The body was found with a deep cut on the head, lying on a path that connects Glen View 1 and Glen View 7 in Harare. The body was found on Sunday morning.
It is believed that the victim was attacked by unknown assailants on his way home in Glen View 7 from a Ghetto Invasion musical show that took place at Werras Park in Glen View 1. His body was discovered by residents in the area and a report was made to the police.
Meanwhile, five security guards have been arrested in Harare’s Budiriro suburb on allegations of fatally assaulting a suspected thief at a car park in the area on Saturday.
Leon Thomas Jenje (37) died after the guards allegedly took turns assaulting him with an electric cable, fists and a hoe. Nyathi said:
On August 20, 2022, police in Harare arrested five security guards in connection with a case of murder which occurred at Budiriro 3 car park on the same day at around 1 am. Investigations are underway.
While the law allows citizen arrests when a suspected thief is caught red-handed, or when someone is seen assaulting someone else in any way, minimum violence in the circumstances needs to be used.
Also, once the suspect is restrained they have to be treated properly and turned over to the police as soon as is reasonably possible.
Pindula News
A man caused a scene at a wedding ceremony as he manhandled his wife before allegedly punching and kicking her over an undisclosed misunderstanding, the court heard.
All eyes at the wedding function turned to Prosper Bhebhe (41) as he charged at his wife named Ntombiyosizi Mpofu (41) before he manhandled her while hurling insults at her.
The angry Bhebhe punched and fly-kicked her several times. As if that was not enough Bhebhe head-butted her causing her to bleed from the mouth. Mpofu, the court heard, suffered injuries to her mouth and arms.
Bhebhe threw stones at his wife and damaged window panes of a house where the wedding function was held. His relatives faced a tough time in trying to pin him down and restraining him from attacking Mpofu.
The incident was reported to the police leading to his arrest.
Bhebhe appeared before Western Commonage Court magistrate Shepherd Mnjanja facing two counts of physical abuse and a malicious damage to property charge. He was not asked to plead and was remanded out of custody to 24 August.
— BMetro
CAPS United players have boycotted training again citing outstanding salaries and winning bonuses.
The Harare giants’ well-documented financial crisis appeared to be getting better in the last few months and that has led to the team getting results on the field of play.
But Soccer24 has it on good authority that Lloyd Chitembwe’s charges have not regrouped since their 0-1 loss to Black Rhinos in the Chibuku Super Cup last Saturday.
They have agreed as a team to not attend training until the issue is resolved.
“We agreed as a group to boycott training until we get our money,” a senior player who asked not to be named, told Soccer24.
“Salaries are now being paid after 3 months and when that is done, the club leadership uses a very low exchange rate.
“They lied to us after the Bulawayo City game that salaries had been paid. They even sent a fake confirmation on the players’ WhatsApp group but no money has reflected in our accounts till now, and that worsened the situation.
“The coach (Chitembwe) tried to convince us to attend training yesterday but we stood our ground,” the player added.
Team Manager Shakespeare Chinogwenya confirmed that there was no training yesterday but referred questions to the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Charlie Jones.
“Yes there was no training yesterday because of money promised to the players on Monday but I think it did reflect. But everything has been resolved and we are on our way now. You can check with CJ (Jones),” said Chinogwenya.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Gift Ostallos Siziba
If you’re in Bulilima please make a date on the 3rd of September and Vote for Change.
If you’re in diaspore and you have your relatives there, we urge you to make that important call to remember and implore them to vote for Change.
This is an important step towards us forming the next national leadership to take our country forward.
Every vote counts!
We have deployed 3 capable compatriots to lead the people of Bulilima and help us collectively win Zimbabwe for Change.
Isukile ,let’s go!
Speaking during preparations for the upcoming War Veterans League elective conference next month, Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for democratic contestation and acceptance of results, saying divisive tendencies have no place in the ruling party.
Commenting in a subtle swipe against his only likely contender, Constantino Chiwenga, Mnangagwa, said party members must always be guided by tenets of love, peace and unity even when contesting for positions.
Speaking at the 365th Zanu PF Politburo session at the party headquarters in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa said those who clandestinely interfere with the business of the War Veterans League must stand warned.
“I urge members of the War Veterans League who have grievances to use the correct party systems and procedures. Those who clandestinely interfere with the business of the War Veterans League stand warned.
“This strategic League must be anchored on discipline more so that its members are trained cadres. You must therefore reject interference. Musabatwa nemweya waRigioni (Legion),” said President Mnangagwa.
Zanu PF established the War Veterans League wing which is set to hold its inaugural conference from September 9-10 this year.
War veterans have successfully held district and provincial elections to nominate their leadership which will represent them at their conference ahead of the Zanu-PF National People’s Congress set for October.
“It is through this defining spirit of unity, love and loyalty for our party that we have seen the successful structuring of the War Veterans League across districts and provinces.
“By its nature, democracy is about contestation as well as differences in opinions. However, these must never be allowed to degenerate into divisions.
“The war of liberation and subsequent victory over the oppressive white colonial administration remind us all of the importance of uniting around a common objective,” said President Mnangagwa.
As such, the President said, preparations for the holding of the first conference of the War Veterans League and National People’s Congress should be scaled up.
He said in terms of the party constitution, there are processes and procedures which must be undertaken prior to these events.
President Mnangagwa said party structures, particularly the cells, branches and districts, must be vibrant and recruit members to join the party.
His remarks come as Zanu PF is targeting to mobilise at least 5 million voters to ensure a resounding victory in the 2023 harmonised elections.
In his address, President Mnangagwa welcomed those who are defecting from the strife-torn opposition CCC, saying the door remains open to those who wish to join the winning team Zanu PF.
Only last week, Zanu PF welcomed 33 defectors from CCC in Gwanda, Matabeleland South.
When they left CCC, the defectors likened opposition politics to someone who walks into a “No Through Road” zone, saying they were enticed by the Second Republic’s development drive.
“We acknowledge and welcome new members who are coming back home to Zanu PF in their numbers. Going forward, let us diligently impart the new membership with the ideology, values and culture of our revolutionary mass party,” President Mnangagwa said.
Zanu PF, he said, remains a people’s party and will forge ahead with its overarching goal to unite the people of this great country under its banner.
“Let us, therefore, defend and advance policies, programmes and projects that guarantee that our people remain owners and custodians of their own destiny.
“In this context, I am pleased to advise the Politburo that on the economic front, the 2022 National Budget and Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review, among other economic measures, are bearing fruit. It is the task of the leadership of the party to raise the consciousness of the grassroots membership on these matters,” said the President.
Zanu PF, President Mnangagwa added, remains a party that is committed to lifting the living standards of people and taking them out of poverty and into prosperity. “I, therefore, challenge the party departments to be strategic in terms of policy co-ordination and serve as catalysts for the realisation of the various resolutions made by the party.
“As the 2022/2023 Summer Cropping Season beckons, I call upon the structures of the party to mobilise every household to take part in the various agriculture initiatives,” he said. Herald
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a manhunt following the murder of a 26-year-old man while on his way from attending a show where Zimdancehall chanter, Winky D was performing.
The body was found with a deep cut on the head, lying on a path that connects Glen View 1 and Glen View 7 in Harare. The body was found on Sunday morning.
It is believed that the victim was attacked by unknown assailants on his way home in Glen View 7 from a Ghetto Invasion musical show that took place at Werras Park in Glen View 1. His body was discovered by residents in the area and a report was made to the police.
Meanwhile, five security guards have been arrested in Harare’s Budiriro suburb on allegations of fatally assaulting a suspected thief at a car park in the area on Saturday.
Leon Thomas Jenje (37) died after the guards allegedly took turns assaulting him with an electric cable, fists and a hoe. Nyathi said:
On August 20, 2022, police in Harare arrested five security guards in connection with a case of murder which occurred at Budiriro 3 car park on the same day at around 1 am. Investigations are underway.
While the law allows citizen arrests when a suspected thief is caught red-handed, or when someone is seen assaulting someone else in any way, minimum violence in the circumstances needs to be used.
Also, once the suspect is restrained they have to be treated properly and turned over to the police as soon as is reasonably possible.
Pindula News
Ex-convict and former Zanu PF Chivi South MP Killer Zivhu said that he would soon be mobilising his constituency to march in support of President Emerson Mnangagwa.
Zivhu, a convicted criminal, also leads the Cross Border Traders Association of Zimbabwe.
He was fired from Zanu PF in 2020 for supporting the opposition.
He has been attempting to return to Zanu PF but with little success.
Posting on Twitter, Zivhu said:
More than 3 million traders in Zimbabwe will march in solidarity with our beloved President ED in all the Provinces soon.
In a case of suspected bribery backfire, 2 police officers were badly bitten and one escaped unhurt when a suspected drug peddler in Dangamvura, Mutare, set four vicious dogs on them.
The police says the man was trying to evade arrest during a raid on his house.
The suspect and two alleged accomplices from Harare were eventually arrested after the attacked cops called for reinforcements from Dangamvura Police Station.
Armed with FN rifles, the back-up party arrived at the scene and shot the dogs, resulting in one of them dying.
Sensing defeat, the suspect quickly locked up his dogs in the kennels and surrendered.
Police then searched the house and reportedly recovered sachets of dagga, crystal meth (commonly known as mutoriro) and several other drugs.
Manicaland police spokesman Inspector Nobert Muzondo said Gibson Chitsengamhanje (28) of Area 3, Dangamvura, Takudzwa Chinhoyi (24) and Share Takadairwa Mwachitamba (29), both from Harare, were under arrest.
On Friday last week at around 9am, police received a tip-off from an anonymous caller that Chitsengamhanje was dealing in drugs at his residence in Dangamvura.
A police team went round disguised as buyers. The three-member team found out that the house was secured by a precast wall and a big metal gate, but when they knocked Chitsengamhanje advised them to come in using the small gate.
Two officers entered the yard and one bought a sachet of dagga. While this was being bought, the other officer identified himself to the suspect.
Realising that he had been caught red-handed, Chitsengamhanje left the room from where he was selling the drugs and rushed to the kennels in an attempt to unleash his dogs on the cops. But the officers quickly intercepted him so he called Chinhoyi, who then came out of the main house and opened up the kennels as instructed by Chitsengamhanje, who was being held by the two police officers.
“There were four dogs in the kennels which were let loose and they attacked the police officers,” said Insp Muzondo.
One of the cops was bitten on both legs by the vicious dogs while the other one was bitten on the right leg and sustained deep cuts. After the cops sprinted out of the yard for safety, the suspect locked his gate and started burning some of the dagga to conceal evidence. Some of the suspected drugs were also thrown on top of the roof.
Reinforcements then came from Dangamvura Police Station and Chitsengamhanje was ordered to open the gate, but he refused resulting in the police officers forcing their way into the yard.
“Upon realising that the cops had opened the gate, he rushed to the kennels and set loose his dogs again. “In the face of the dog attack, the cops shot the animals with an FN rifle and killed one of them. The suspect quickly surrendered and locked up his dogs.”
A search followed and 125 sachets of dagga were recovered plus 130 sachets of crystal meth weighing 50 grammes and 50ml of Ledocaine.
As the cops were about to escort the two accused persons to the police camp, a third suspect, Mwachitamba, emerged and tried to attack the police officers in a bid to cause the unlawful release of his accomplices, without realising that the cops were armed.
When he was shown the rifle he quickly surrendered, was searched and three sachets of dagga and two of crystal meth were recovered from his pockets.
Insp Muzondo thanked the public for supplying information that led to the arrest of the three suspects.
“We will win this war against drug peddlers. Some of the houses in Mutare are being used as bases where people congregate to consume these dangerous drugs especially Mutotiro.
“We are determined to bring these notorious peddlers to book.
“The bravery which was shown by our officers shows our commitment to be on top of this situation,” he said. -Herald
Tinashe Sambiri|CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has completed a rigorous outreach programme in Uzumba Constituency.
Analysts say the fact that President Chamisa has managed to make headways into the volatile area shows the wind of change is blowing across the country.
Uzumba is widely regarded as a no go area for perceived Zanu PF opponents.
President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:
“I have been in UZUMBA for the past two days! Yellow is everywhere.
A New Great Zimbabwe is loading…#FakaPressure.”
State Media -The National Prosecuting Authority continues to press those suspected of acquiring wealth through corruption and other criminal activity to explain how they have bought their houses and cars, with the latest being a former accountant in the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs.
Simbarashe Zvineyi is facing fraud and money laundering charges after he allegedly stole US$20 million from the ministry and bought several immovable and movable properties in Harare.
He becomes the fourth suspect this week to be issued with an unexplained wealth order by the High Court after Gokwe-Nembudziya Member of Parliament Mayor Wadyajena, former top police officer Florence Marume, former Finance and Economic Development officials Nyaruwanga and Ester Mutesvu.
They are all facing fraud and money laundering charges and their assets have since been seized by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and being held pending the outcome of their fraud trial or an associated civil action.
While criminal charges have to be proved beyond reasonable doubt, civil proceedings are decided on the balance of probabilities and the difference has seen assets forfeited even when there is no successful criminal prosecution.
In the latest order granted by Justice Pisirayi Kwenda, Zvineyi (36) is required to give a sworn statement explaining his wealth to the Head of ZACC’s asset forfeiture and recovery unit.
He has 15 days to give the statement and explain how he obtained two residential properties in Tynwald and Aspindal Park with a combined value of US$225 000 and a fleet of eight cars with combined value of US$43 000.
In addition, Zvineyi is required to produce all supporting documents and receipts showing proof of enough legal income to buy the houses and cars. Income needs to come from legitimate business or other legal sources.
Justice Kwenda, while authorising the investigating officer from ZACC to enter Zvineyi’ premises to seize the listed assets, interdicted Zvineyi from disposing of the houses and cars.
When he first appeared in court in January 2020, Zvineyi was charged with fraud and money laundering for allegedly stealing US$20 million and buying four houses in Harare, a fleet of 25 taxis and four cars between January 2010 and December 2019.
Allegations against Zvineyi are that between January 2010 and the end last year, he and Danison Muvandi – who was a top accounting officer in the same ministry – defrauded the Defence Ministry.
Muvandi, who is still at large, using his position and influence, would misrepresent that there were classified operations to be carried out and allegedly instructed chief accountant Lameck Jackson to deposit funds into Zvineyi’s accounts in NMB Bank, CBZ, CABS and Steward Bank, using Zvineyi’s vendor number.
There were no such classified operations.
Acting on the alleged lies, Jackson reportedly transferred into Zvineyi’s bank accounts payments ranging from US$40 000 to US$66 000 during the decade. The pair would then allegedly share the loot.
From investigations carried out so far, the Ministry of Defence has suffered a prejudice of US$20 million and only four vehicles have been recovered.-Herald
Tinashe Sambiri|CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has completed a rigorous outreach programme in Uzumba Constituency.
Analysts say the fact that President Chamisa has managed to make headways into the volatile area shows the wind of change is blowing across the country.
Uzumba is widely regarded as a no go area for perceived Zanu PF opponents.
President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:
“I have been in UZUMBA for the past two days! Yellow is everywhere.
A New Great Zimbabwe is loading…#FakaPressure.”
By A Correspondent | Zimbabwe mortgaged out USD52Billion worth of minerals to China in exchange of a paltry USD200million loan in 2006 alone, a parliamentary calculation reveals.
This was revealed following borrowing disclosures by the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube yesterday.
Commenting, former Finance Minister Tendai Biti said:
“The Minister of Finance disclosed in Parly today that Zim has borrowed $2.7 b from China since independence of which only US$150m has been repaid.
“The biggest debt pertains to the billion dollars borrowed for the Hwange7 and 8 power station.
“There is no verification of these figures.
“In 2006 Zim borrowed US$200 m from China which loan was secured by 26 million ounces of platinum reserves in Selous.
“Assuming a price of US$2000 an ounce for platinum Zim mortgaged a $52 b asset for mere US$200 m.This is ridiculous.
They have been mortgaging Zim for years #Shame.”
By A Correspondent | Rare insects and plants thriving under the wing of the globally endangered Large blue butterfly on restored grasslands
The once-extinct Large blue butterfly, reintroduced to the UK in 1983, flew in its greatest numbers since records began on the largest number of sites in 2022. Thanks to meticulous conservation management by a partnership of scientists and conservation bodies, south-west England now supports the greatest concentration of Large blues known in the world.
Twelve new sites are being restored to flower-rich meadows suitable for Large blue breeding, either ‘starting from scratch’ on arable land, failed conifer plantations and railway constructions, or by restoring bespoke grazing to degraded downland. Already, these support up to a third of the UK population of Large blues, up from just 7% in 2019.
These restorations of a disappearing type of wild meadowland have also provided ideal breeding grounds for numerous other rarities that share the Large blue’s habitat. Among plants, the extremely rare Pasqueflower and Cut-leaved self-heal have reappeared and/or spread under ‘Large blue management’, together with up to twelve species of orchid (Musk, Fly, Bee, Green-winged, Scented, Pyramidal, Spotted, Early purple, Greater butterfly, Autumn lady’s tresses, Narrow-leaved helleborine, White helleborine).
A remarkable number of other insects have increased on or newly colonised the twelve restorations. Nationally threatened species include the Shrill carder bee (UK’s second most endangered bumblebee), Rock-rose pot beetle (known from just five UK sites), the Downland villa beefly (not recorded in UK for 50 years prior to 2000), and the weird Rugged oil beetle (only found on around 30 UK sites). Eight Red Data-listed butterflies – Duke of Burgundy, Small blue, Adonis blue, Brown hairstreak, White-letter hairstreak, Small heath, Grizzled skipper, Dingy skipper – are also thriving alongside abundant displays of more common or local insects and plants.
These restorations represent the largest and most innovative next phase of the re-establishment of the Large blue in Britain. Aside from the gains of other rare species, they are important internationally because the Large blue is listed as one of Europe’s most ‘Endangered Species’ of insect, and similarly worldwide. The twelve sites link or extend more-established populations spanning two landscapes in mid Somerset and, more recently, in the Cotswold Hills of Gloucestershire where a most promising toehold is now established.
The new restoration sites are managed, owned or administered by six partner organisations – National Trust, Somerset and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trusts, J & F Clark Trust, Natural England, and Oxford University. The restorations are led, supervised and monitored by the Royal Entomological Society’s David Simcox and Sarah Meredith, who also designed the bespoke management plan needed for each site. Generous funding by the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund made this possible in 2019-22, including the successful physical re-introduction of Large blues to two sites in the Cotswolds (after 150 years’ absence) and of the Duke of Burgundy to Somerset. Other colonisations occurred by natural spread, as the new restorations link up with previous ones to form interconnected populations across two landscapes.
After this promising start, the next phase of restoration – research and development to extend the Large blue and associated wildlife across three landscapes in its former stronghold of the Cotswold Hills and gain a greater understanding of the threats posed by climate change – will again be led by the Royal Entomological Society and funded by Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme.
Nikki Jeffery, Executive Director of the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund: “This project has been a great example of what sensitive habitat restoration can achieve, resulting in record new populations of the Large blue butterfly as well as the re-emergence of other rare insect and plant species. PWCF is delighted that our funding, in collaboration with the Royal Entomological Society and other partners, has had such a significant impact.”
Prof Jeremy Thomas, Emeritus Professor of Ecology, University of Oxford; Chair of the Joint Committee for the Re-establishment of the Large Blue Butterfly: “The unprecedented success of this project is testimony to what large scale collaboration between conservationists, scientists and volunteers can achieve. Its greatest legacy is that it demonstrates that we can reverse the decline of globally-threatened species once we understand the driving factors.”
Simon Ward, CEO, Royal Entomological Society: “This project shows how innovative habitat restoration and evidence-based management can benefit several important and rare species in a single landscape. We recognise that there is still much work to be done to understand the complex relationships between plants and insects to maximise their conservation success for future generations, and we have a great team of partners and experts to take the next steps.”
David Simcox, Project Officer, Royal Entomological Society and the Joint Committee for the Re-establishment of the Large Blue Butterfly: “We have welcomed the opportunity to continue working on this iconic and difficult butterfly and to lead this diverse and energetic partnership. We are extremely proud that the partnership’s efforts have enabled hundreds of people to see this stunning and enigmatic butterfly flying on some of the most beautiful grassland sites in the country.
The greatest challenge ahead is to secure this expansion in a warming climate and to develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.”
Paul Hackman Natural England Senior Adviser West Midlands, and Natural England representative on the Joint Committee for the Re-establishment of the Large Blue Butterfly: “Natural England is really excited to be supporting the next phase of restoring the Large blue butterfly into the Cotswolds landscape. The evidence gathered will not only help safeguard the Large blue but will also inform nature recovery initiatives in other landscapes and involving different species. All this is made possible by a strong landowner partnership supported by scientific evidence and high-quality practical management advice. Undoubtedly a blueprint for the future!”
Notes to editors
The Large blue has a bizarre life cycle. Having fed for three weeks on the flowers of wild thyme or marjoram, the caterpillar produces scents and songs that trick red ants into believing it is one of their own grubs, and is carried underground into the ant nest and placed with the brood. The caterpillar spends the next ten months feeding on ant grubs before pupating in the nest the following year, then emerging to crawl above ground as a butterfly.
Despite over 50 years of efforts to halt its decline, the Large blue butterfly was pronounced extinct in Britain in 1979. Its reintroduction in 1983 was based on the discovery that Large blue caterpillars can only survive in the nest of one particular species of red ant, Myrmica sabuleti. Changes in countryside management were responsible for the extinction. Alterations in grazing left surviving wildflower meadows too tall and shady for the heat-loving red ant. We have now learned how to reverse these trends through targeted grazing – tailored to optimise the structure of the turf on each interconnected site – across two UK landscapes to date. As knowledge increased, we were able to create new Large blue habitat ‘from scratch’ on arable land, failed plantations and new railway constructions – the ultimate test for what is already the largest-scale, longest-running successful conservation programme for any endangered insect in the world.
The Royal Entomological Society unites experts across the globe to share and preserve knowledge about insects while engaging diverse audiences. It invests in meaningful insect science to benefit people and nature. Founded in 1833, the RES supports entomology, the study of insects through its international scientific journals and books, scientific meetings and has a long history leading efforts to conserve the Large blue, including as a founder member of the 11-organisation partnership to re-establish the Large Blue.
The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund has supported The Prince of Wales’s charitable work for over 40 years. Its mission is to transform lives and build sustainable communities by awarding grants to a wide range of good causes within core funding themes: Heritage & Conservation, Education, Health & Wellbeing, Social Inclusion, Environment and Countryside. Over the last 20 years, PWCF has awarded grants of more than £70 million charitable projects in the UK and overseas.
Natural England was established by Act of Parliament in 2006 and is the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England. Sponsored by Defra, its purpose is to help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
For more information about ZimAdsense signup here :
https://zimadsense.co.zw/ref/43/
Facebook: https//www.facebook.com/Zimadsense/
Gift Ostallos Siziba
@Cde_Ostallos
·
Alert!!!!!
In Wedza North Chigwedere ward 6 more than 150 zanupf thugs have stormed our vehicles and blocked the roads. Wedza turned into a terror zone.
@WHOAFRO member states attending the 72nd session of the regional Committee for Africa in Togo have adopted the package of essential non – communicable diseases interventions PEN- PLUS Strategy to intensify the fight against non- communicable Diseases.- Ministry of Health ZW
Gift Ostallos Siziba
The Citizens Movement’s political Mobilization program has a bias towards young people.
This is informed not just by the fact that this major demographic group is the most affected but also because of its ability to change the concrete realities of the suffering masses of Zimbabwe.
Young people world over have the capacity and the propensity to change society and define society’s collective destiny.
This twinned with a robust political education program can indeed galvanize and organize young people from below.
Great show of leadership Prince Mutebuka
By-Harare has announced that Cabinet Ministers from Zimbabwe and South Africa are set to meet in October to continue deliberations on the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP).
The special ZEP permits were issued in 2009, and are due to expire at the end of this year. They had expired end of 2021 but were extended for a year to allow Zimbabweans to apply for other permits to continue to stay in South Africa.
The ZEP is a special dispensation permit, which provided legal protection to an estimated 178 000 Zimbabweans who live, work and study in South Africa.
This will leave about 178 000 Zimbabweans facing deportation from South Africa.
Addressing Tuesday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the agreement to meet in October was made at the recent Bi-National Commission (BNC) Mid-Term Review. She said:
On Zimbabwe Exemption Permit, the Mid Term Review urged Ministers of Labour and of Home Affairs to meet by the end of October 2022 to make relevant interventions on Labour migration.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s decision to terminate ZEPs is being challenged in courts there.
Those who are pushing for the reversal of the decision argue that the revocation of the permit affects all types of people from across the social spectrum – teachers, truck drivers, students and doctors and will separate families and leave others stranded without cars or access to banking.
By James Gwati- Violent Zanu PF thugs have disrupted a CCC meeting in Wedza’s Seke district.
CCC posted on social media that the thugs came in trucks and beat up their supporters.
Posted CCC:
Violence broke out in Seke today where three truckloads of Zanu PF thugs disrupted another meeting that was to be addressed by Change Champion in Chief,
. Allan Kunaka & Brighton Chipunga were badly injured. A car was smashed. Police reports are being made.
Wedza turned into a terror zone! The signs of a desperate regime.
By-MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has said that his top executive members were to take the party and its properties to the Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
These reports come after the party chairman Senator Morgen Komichi has indicated to contest Mwonzora during the elective congress.
Mwonzora last week addressed his executives and said he needed new team leaders on the Standing Committee.
He said:
The reason why we didn’t do well in recent elections, while others are saying it’s because of the president, I am saying we lost because of the team, give me a better team. The duty of a party leader is to think and I have shown that I can think hence the reason why I am saying I need a better team. I need a team that will stay together in good and bad times, when we fall, we must fall together, same as when we rise, not when we fall someone then assists our enemies to finish off the party. We no longer want such people in the system, that is our golden rule number one, talk about yourself when campaigning not to try and get votes by bad-mouthing others.
Rule number two is that we don’t want leaders who, after being voted into office, will take the party, take Harvest House (party headquarters) and give it to some other president in another party. We fought for that building to safeguard it in the name of Morgan Richard Tsvangirai. I cannot imagine Harvest House painted in yellow, that’s nada.
He said he will soon be announcing Congress dates a month earlier to allow prospective candidates to have a full month to campaign.
Mwonzora added that there is no position that is reserved for anyone and every member is free to contest any position “including that of the president”
Komichi told The Chronicle that it was pure propaganda to say that Harvest House would to another political party. He is quoted as saying:
Harvest House will never be for sale. It is the citadel of opposition politics and the High Court clearly said that it belonged to MDC-T. No one has any legal power to transfer party property, so to claim that some people want to do that is just being a propagandist.
Komichi said he will decide on whether to contest for the same post he is holding or go for a new challenge after Congress dates have been announced.
By The South African- A top South African government official in Limpopo Dr Pophi Ramathuba is chasing away Zimbabwe patients from that country’s hospitals.
In the video circulating on social media, Dr Ramathuba is confronting a Zimbabwean patient at a Bela-Bela hospital about their immigration status, telling them her department does not have the budget to accommodate foreign nationals.
“How do you find yourself in Bela-Bela when you are supposed to be with Mnangagwa (Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa) there? You know he doesn’t give me money to operate you guys and I’m operating you with my limited budget,” Ramathuba tells the woman.
The patient responds by saying she appreciates it, but that doesn’t stop the MEC from going on about her department’s budget constraints, which are further exacerbated by the fact that Zimbabwean nationals in the country also depend on government services/faclities.
“When you guys are sick, I’m hearing these days you just say, ‘let’s cross Limpopo river, there is an MEC there who is running a charity department. It’s not,” Ramathuba said.
Earlier this year, Ramathuba sparked outrage when she told Limpopo female learners to “open their books and close their legs” in an attempt to address teenage pregnancy. Many accused the MEC of only targeting girls during her speech, but she hit back, saying boys were also called out.
The health MEC explained that the children she was talking to do not have anyone to explain things like protected sex and menstruation to them, which is why she felt her words are justified.
“Teenage pregnancy is rife among the poor and working class. The affluent do not understand. My children and their children [the Twitter parents] know everything about reproduction because we sit with our children and explain things like menstruation, menopause, protective sex… we even teach them what is an orgasm,” she told Tshisa Live.
Limpopo Health MEC and provincial ANC official Dr Phophi Ramathuba to Zimbabwean patient admitted at a hospital in Bela-BelaP:
— Thohoyandou ?? ?? (@AlbaMokopane) August 23, 2022
'You're supposed to be with Mnangagwa, he doesn't give me money to operate you guys. Now I must operate you with my limited budget…' #SadReality pic.twitter.com/rmC1iuOoR5
By James Gwati- Reports coming from Seke say that Zanu PF thugs have burnt down a car belonging to a CCC local member.
The ruling party supporters burnt the car when blocking the opposition from holding its political meeting.
CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere announced on Twitter:
When Zanu PF thugs violently attacked a CCC meeting in Seke today, the vehicle of CCC member George Makwangwaidze’s, a Mercedes Benz E270 was badly damaged. The meeting was to be addressed by Adv
. Police reports are being filed at Dema Police Station.
By-MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora is planning to purge his top executive members on allegations they are intending to take the party and its properties to the Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
These reports come after the party chairman Senator Morgen Komichi has indicated to contest Mwonzora during the elective congress.
Mwonzora last week addressed his executives and said he needed new team leaders on the Standing Committee.
He said:
The reason why we didn’t do well in recent elections, while others are saying it’s because of the president, I am saying we lost because of the team, give me a better team. The duty of a party leader is to think and I have shown that I can think hence the reason why I am saying I need a better team. I need a team that will stay together in good and bad times, when we fall, we must fall together, same as when we rise, not when we fall someone then assists our enemies to finish off the party. We no longer want such people in the system, that is our golden rule number one, talk about yourself when campaigning not to try and get votes by bad-mouthing others.
Rule number two is that we don’t want leaders who, after being voted into office, will take the party, take Harvest House (party headquarters) and give it to some other president in another party. We fought for that building to safeguard it in the name of Morgan Richard Tsvangirai. I cannot imagine Harvest House painted in yellow, that’s nada.
He said he will soon be announcing Congress dates a month earlier to allow prospective candidates to have a full month to campaign.
Mwonzora added that there is no position that is reserved for anyone and every member is free to contest any position “including that of the president”
Komichi told The Chronicle that it was pure propaganda to say that Harvest House would to another political party. He is quoted as saying:
Harvest House will never be for sale. It is the citadel of opposition politics and the High Court clearly said that it belonged to MDC-T. No one has any legal power to transfer party property, so to claim that some people want to do that is just being a propagandist.
Komichi said he will decide on whether to contest for the same post he is holding or go for a new challenge after Congress dates have been announced.
By- The National Constitutional Assembly, NCA, has embarked on a door-to-door campaign ahead of the 2023 elections.
The Professor Lovemore Madhuku-led political party targets rural areas in its initial footprints.
The party’s spokesperson Madock Chivasa announced the commencement of the national campaign program on social media.
Gift Ostallos Siziba
@Cde_Ostallos
·
Alert!!!!!
In Wedza North Chigwedere ward 6 more than 150 zanupf thugs have stormed our vehicles and blocked the roads. Wedza turned into a terror zone.
Tinashe Sambiri
Former City of Mutare Deputy Mayor and CCC Councillor Kudakwashe Chisango, has died.
Chisango was the local authority’s representative for Dangamvura’s Ward 18.
In a statement City of Mutare said:
“The City of Mutare, management, councillors and residents learnt with shock the untimely passing on of Councillor Kudakwashe Chisango who was the councillor for Ward 18.
He passed on today in Mutare. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. Mourners are gathered at House Number 7826, Area 16, Dangamvura.”
CCC official Happymore Chidziva said in a statement:
“Dear Citizens
A fighter is gone a brother,a change champion has gone.Mkoma Kudakwashe Chisango
May the winds of heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear.
You may be gone from our sight but you are never gone from our hearts.Rest easy, bro rest in power.”
Tinashe Sambiri
Former City of Mutare Deputy Mayor and CCC Councillor Kudakwashe Chisango, has died.
Chisango was the local authority’s representative for Dangamvura’s Ward 18.
In a statement City of Mutare said:
“The City of Mutare, management, councillors and residents learnt with shock the untimely passing on of Councillor Kudakwashe Chisango who was the councillor for Ward 18.
He passed on today in Mutare. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. Mourners are gathered at House Number 7826, Area 16, Dangamvura.”
CCC official Happymore Chidziva said in a statement:
“Dear Citizens
A fighter is gone a brother,a change champion has gone.Mkoma Kudakwashe Chisango
May the winds of heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear.
You may be gone from our sight but you are never gone from our hearts.Rest easy, bro rest in power.”
David Moyo scored on his debut for Barrow AFC in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup against Lincoln City.
The Warriors international joined the English League Two club on a free transfer on a one-year contract two weeks ago. He got the deal after impressing while training with the Bluebirds in the pre-season.
The striker, who played at Scottish side Hamilton Academical last season, started on his debut and played for 71 minutes. He scored his first goal for the club in the 13th minute to bring his team back on level terms after conceding earlier.
The two teams finished the ninety minutes tied on 2-2 and had to be separated by a penalty shootout.
However, Borrow lost 3-1 on penalties to bow out of the tournament.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Percy Tau has reportedly left Al Ahly after one season at the club.
According to SuperSport.com, the South African is no longer with the Egyptian giants after terminating his contract.
Tau signed for the side in 2021 on a two year contract. He made a total of 31 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals and setting up six assists.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns made most of these appearances under Pitso Mosimane who had brought him to the club, after a short spell at English club Brighton.
Mosimane is no longer at the club after departing in June.
Al Ahly, meanwhile, are yet to offer an official statement on the departure of Tau.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has completed a rigorous outreach programme in Uzumba Constituency.
Analysts say the fact that President Chamisa has managed to make headways into the volatile area shows the wind of change is blowing across the country.
Uzumba is widely regarded as a no go area for perceived Zanu PF opponents.
President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:
“I have been in UZUMBA for the past two days! Yellow is everywhere.
A New Great Zimbabwe is loading…#FakaPressure.”
Tinashe Sambiri|Known Zanu PF members assaulted CCC supporters in Uzumba at the weekend.
In a statement, CCC described the brutal attack on party supporters as barbaric.
Read full statement below:
VIOLENCE ALERT: A Zanu PF councillor for Uzumba, Ward 14, Fagio Zvondai Marowa who was accompanied by his wife, ZanuPf youth leader for Uzumba District only identified as Chapfika and two other unknown Zanu PF members badly beat up our members in Uzumba who had attended a CCC meeting.
Marova was driving a silver Ford Ranger branded Women 4 ED.
We condemn this violent behavior by Zanu PF members and urge the police to bring all perpetrators of violence to book.
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children under 5 years of age.
The virus is transmitted by person-to-person spread mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a common vehicle (e.g. contaminated water or food) and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis.
In 1988, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution for the worldwide eradication of polio, marking the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, spearheaded by national governments, WHO, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, and later joined by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Wild poliovirus cases have decreased by over 99% since 1988, from an estimated 350 000 cases in more than 125 endemic countries then to 175reported cases in 2019.
Of the 3 strains of wild poliovirus (type 1, type 2 and type 3), wild poliovirus type 2 was eradicated in 1999 and no case of wild poliovirus type 3 has been found since the last reported case in Nigeria in November 2012. Both strains have officially been certified as globally eradicated. As at 2020, wild poliovirus type 1 affects two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The strategies for polio eradication work when they are fully implemented. This is clearly demonstrated by India’s success in stopping polio in January 2011, in arguably the most technically challenging place, and polio-free certification of the entire WHO Southeast Asia Region in March 2014.
Credit : WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
email :[email protected]
Twitter :zimonlinehealthcentre
@zimonlinehealt1
YouTube: zimbabwe online health centre
Instagram: Zimonlinehealth
Website:www.zimonlinehealthcentre.co.zw
Tinashe Sambiri
Former City of Mutare Deputy Mayor and CCC Councillor Kudakwashe Chisango, has died.
Chisango was the local authority’s representative for Dangamvura’s Ward 18.
In a statement City of Mutare said:
“The City of Mutare, management, councillors and residents learnt with shock the untimely passing on of Councillor Kudakwashe Chisango who was the councillor for Ward 18.
He passed on today in Mutare. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. Mourners are gathered at House Number 7826, Area 16, Dangamvura.”
CCC official Happymore Chidziva said in a statement:
“Dear Citizens
A fighter is gone a brother,a change champion has gone.Mkoma Kudakwashe Chisango
May the winds of heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear.
You may be gone from our sight but you are never gone from our hearts.Rest easy, bro rest in power.”
Gift Ostallos Siziba
@Cde_Ostallos
·
Alert!!!!!
In Wedza North Chigwedere ward 6 more than 150 zanupf thugs have stormed our vehicles and blocked the roads. Wedza turned into a terror zone.
Tinashe Sambiri|Known Zanu PF members assaulted CCC supporters in Uzumba at the weekend.
In a statement, CCC described the brutal attack on party supporters as barbaric.
Read full statement below:
VIOLENCE ALERT: A Zanu PF councillor for Uzumba, Ward 14, Fagio Zvondai Marowa who was accompanied by his wife, ZanuPf youth leader for Uzumba District only identified as Chapfika and two other unknown Zanu PF members badly beat up our members in Uzumba who had attended a CCC meeting.
Marova was driving a silver Ford Ranger branded Women 4 ED.
We condemn this violent behavior by Zanu PF members and urge the police to bring all perpetrators of violence to book.
Tinashe Sambiri
Former City of Mutare Deputy Mayor and CCC Councillor Kudakwashe Chisango, has died.
Chisango was the local authority’s representative for Dangamvura’s Ward 18.
In a statement City of Mutare said:
“The City of Mutare, management, councillors and residents learnt with shock the untimely passing on of Councillor Kudakwashe Chisango who was the councillor for Ward 18.
He passed on today in Mutare. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. Mourners are gathered at House Number 7826, Area 16, Dangamvura.”
CCC official Happymore Chidziva said in a statement:
“Dear Citizens
A fighter is gone a brother,a change champion has gone.Mkoma Kudakwashe Chisango
May the winds of heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear.
You may be gone from our sight but you are never gone from our hearts.Rest easy, bro rest in power.”
A Marondera man, Kenias Shonhai has filed a High Court application challenging the constitutionality of Zimbabwe’s Police Act saying it is discriminatory and inconsistent with the country’s Constitution.
His bone of contention is that it discriminates against husbands of police officers by denying them access to free healthcare services, yet the same privilege is extended to spouses of male officers.
In terms of section 2 of the Police (Medical and Dental) Regulations, 1968, male spouses are not considered as dependants to enjoy free healthcare services at police facilities.
Shonhai, who is married to Constable Nyemudzai Shonhai, filed the application after he failed to benefit from the police’s health facility under the Act.
They were married in 2014.
“I approach this court as a person affected by the above omission acting in my own interests under section 85(1)(a) of the Constitution,” Shonhai submitted.
“Sometime between April and May, 2022 my three kids and I fell ill. Knowing that the police service has a functional health facility for both its members and their dependants, we visited Dombotombo Camp clinic for treatment. We were told we could not receive medical treatment because we were not dependants of Constable Shonhai.”
Shonhai, who is represented by Makwanya Legal Practice, cited Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe, Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga and the Police Service Commission as respondents in his application filed on August 15.
“I subsequently looked for the regulations and discovered that she was wrong to turn away my children. I also found that the regulations are very discriminatory when it comes to a male spouse of a member,” he said
“They do not include a male spouse of a member of the police service among the dependants. They state in section 2 that dependant means the wife or child of a member.
“It denies him equal protection and benefit of the law that regulates the benefits of members. I have a right not to be treated in an unfairly discriminatory manner on such grounds as sex- or gender.”
He argues that the regulations discriminated against males, something which goes against the Constitution.
“Clearly this discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited by sections 56 of the Constitution which says all persons are equal before the law.
“Section 56(2) says women and men have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres,” he submitted.
“The regulations must be amended in section 2 so that its definition of a dependant is aligned with the Constitution. The court ought to declare that omission of the word husband after the word wife is inconsistent with sections 56(1), (2), (3), (4) and 5 and 80(1) and (3) of the Constitution,” he further averred, while pleading with the court to make a ruling in his favour and direct the Police Service Commission to amend the regulations.
Newsday
Human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa says the refusal by the State to grant bail to 14 persons arrested for the Nyatsime violence and two legislators Job Sikhala (Zengeza West) and Godfrey Sithole (Chitungwiza North) who have been languishing in remand since June is political persecution.
Sikhala and Sithole were arrested on June 14 and have been denied bail by the courts.
The State alleges that the MPs incited violence in Nyatsime and obstructed the course of justice after the brutal murder of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Moreblessing Ali by a suspected Zanu-PF activist Pius Mukandi “alias Jamba”.
Fourteen CCC activists were also arrested after violence erupted in Nyatsime, which resulted in houses being burnt.
The arrested activists include Precious Jeche, Misheck Guzha and Odius Makoma who were victims of the violence after their houses were gutted by fire.
Speaking to Alpha Media Holdings’ Heart & Soul television (HStv) last Thursday, Mtetwa said the State was targeting Sikhala due to his political activism.
“Godfrey and the others are now victims of clearly Job (Sikhala) being the target, but their morale is high. Job is a politician, and he believes in what he believes in. But he ought not to be in prison for doing what he was doing as a lawyer appointed by the Ali family. The reason they have not been given bail is because they know they will not get convicted. The idea is to make them serve the sentence. They know they don’t have the evidence to prove the cases against them,” Mtetwa, who is a top human rights lawyer, said.
She bemoaned what she described as “State capture” of the country’s judicial system, which has resulted in weaponisation of the law against perceived enemies of the State.
“Zimbabwe has returned to the early stages where there was detention without trial of opposition members. We are not different from the time when the Zapu leadership (then led by the late former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo) was in detention without trial.
“The difference now is that there is a veneer of legality in trying to take these people to court as if there is due process. The bottom line is those people are in custody for no other reason than that they are opposition leaders.
“You will recall one of the judges (Justice Erica Ndewere) who got recalled for misconduct said her troubles started when she gave bail to Job Sikhala. That background should tell you everything, why we are not getting bail in the Sikhala case,” Mtetwa added, while further stating that the country’s has judicial officers are afraid of asserting their judicial authority and independence for fear of reprisals.
-Newsday
United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) has handed over a three-roomed house to a couple that recently lost their 10-year-old son who was bitten by a cobra while inside their dilapidated house.
Provider Maposa (10) succumbed to the snake bite and the church was moved by the family’s plight.
Mr Oliver Chikumba, a member of the Kondo UCCZ branch, said they were touched by the speech given by the late Provider’s teacher during his funeral.
“She said Provider told her that he wanted to build a decent house for his parents when he grows up. Unfortunately he died before fulfilling his dream. I approached the church’s humanitarian arm and they agreed to build a house for the family,” he said.
On Sunday, UCCZ president, Reverend John Matiza officially handed over the house to the Maposa family.
He said gone are the days when people received handouts from abroad.
“The missionaries had sweets and niceties to lure people to church and that was good at that time, but today, we have to lure the congregants by doing good things. I applaud the humanitarians in the church such as Mai Ngorima who doesn’t rest until an idea of humanity is spread all over,” he said.
Mr Olivia Maposa, the family representative, was all smiles as he appreciated what UCCZ had done.
“I am over the moon. Words cannot express how I feel. The church has given us a gift that we will cherish forever,” he said.
Headman Kondo also hailed UCCZ’s gesture.
By Jane Mlambo| The Julius Malema led Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called for stiffer punishment against Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba over her address to a sick patient who was awaiting for surgery at a South African hospital.
In its statement, EFF said Ramathoba’s license as a professional doctor should be revoked while she is removed from her position as MEC for Limpopo province.
“We call on her immediate removal as MEC. Our country cannot be led, at any level, by anyone who will not respect the dignity of African people. The MEC is a direct danger to our humanity as a people and the basic requirements of a conduct of health professional. People go to hospitals to find life, not humiliation and death.
“Furthermore, we call for the revocation of her license as a professional doctor for undermining the code of ethics for medical doctors trying to enforce a dompas system in Limpopo hospitals,” EFF said.
The South African opposition party further threatened to report Ramathoba to the South African Human Rights Commission over her violent of the Zimbabwean patient’s right.
“….therefore, the EFF will report Ramathuba to the South African Human Rights Commission for what is an outright Human Rights violation of patients,” further noted EFF.
Members of Parliament (MPs) should be allocated personal drivers, ruling Zanu-PF legislator for Buhera South Joseph Chinotimba said on Tuesday.
Chinotimba said it was high time the government emulates what is happening in other countries in the region in terms of support for legislators.
“We must be having personal drivers and personal assistants and offices in our constituencies or at Parliament,” he said.
“I went to the Parliament of South Africa and I saw a marvel. I spoke to Hon. Mthuli Ncube, can we not copy what is happening in these countries?
“You find Hon. Speakers of Parliament having three drivers because just being seated in that august Chair is quite painful; you need at least three drivers.
“A driver should not drive for 8 or 24 hours without being relieved. A driver should drive for four hours and be relieved.”
Chinotimba was paying tribute to late Gokwe-Kabuyuni legislator Leonard Chikomba who died in a car accident in May as he returned to his constituency from a Zanu-PF meeting in the Midlands province.
“This issue of the passing on of Hon. Chikomba hurts us,” he said.
“As Hon. members of Parliament, we would like to say that if possible, I am glad that the Minister of Finance is here, we need to have a budget for Hon. members’ drivers.
“I was saying the day before yesterday that the food that we eat in hotels every day costs almost $100,000 while we are earning $70 000.
“The food that we eat per year could be $1.7 million. You would rather give a driver than to give me such food.”
Independent Norton legislator Temba Mliswa weighed in saying; “Chinotimba spoke about diet.
“It must be a balanced diet; there are people here suffering from sugar and with different diseases who must be given a nutritious diet.
“We leave our houses; some of us have three chefs in our houses and we choose. We have a Chinese, Japanese and an African chef and the meal depends on what I want to eat on the day.
“So, when I come here and you are exposing me to sadza every day, the starch levels are too high, no salads and so forth, it affects people. I am a professional in fitness and I can tell you that you cannot take too much starch.
“Seventy percent of the plate is starch and 30% is protein yet it should be the other way around and you use protein as a source of energy.
“You will see that the banana you are given every day, fruit salad is not there and all that. It is really difficult at the end of the day for us to discharge our duties.”
-NewZimbabwe
The ANC President is on video inventing the state terrorist Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2018-19 amid court cases and now the same the party is telling fleeing Zimbabweans to return to the same terrorist. Like 20yrs before they will return, and just jump back into the country to survive pic.twitter.com/6eI8ij7DC4
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 24, 2022
The ANC President is on video inventing the state terrorist Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2018-19 amid court cases and now the same the party is telling fleeing Zimbabweans to return to the same terrorist. Like 20yrs before they will return, and just jump back into the country to survive.
By The South African- A top South African government official in Limpopo Dr Pophi Ramathuba is chasing away Zimbabwe patients from that country’s hospitals.
In the video circulating on social media, Dr Ramathuba is confronting a Zimbabwean patient at a Bela-Bela hospital about their immigration status, telling them her department does not have the budget to accommodate foreign nationals.
“How do you find yourself in Bela-Bela when you are supposed to be with Mnangagwa (Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa) there? You know he doesn’t give me money to operate you guys and I’m operating you with my limited budget,” Ramathuba tells the woman.
The patient responds by saying she appreciates it, but that doesn’t stop the MEC from going on about her department’s budget constraints, which are further exacerbated by the fact that Zimbabwean nationals in the country also depend on government services/faclities.
“When you guys are sick, I’m hearing these days you just say, ‘let’s cross Limpopo river, there is an MEC there who is running a charity department. It’s not,” Ramathuba said.
Earlier this year, Ramathuba sparked outrage when she told Limpopo female learners to “open their books and close their legs” in an attempt to address teenage pregnancy. Many accused the MEC of only targeting girls during her speech, but she hit back, saying boys were also called out.
The health MEC explained that the children she was talking to do not have anyone to explain things like protected sex and menstruation to them, which is why she felt her words are justified.
“Teenage pregnancy is rife among the poor and working class. The affluent do not understand. My children and their children [the Twitter parents] know everything about reproduction because we sit with our children and explain things like menstruation, menopause, protective sex… we even teach them what is an orgasm,” she told Tshisa Live.
Limpopo Health MEC and provincial ANC official Dr Phophi Ramathuba to Zimbabwean patient admitted at a hospital in Bela-BelaP:
— Thohoyandou ?? ?? (@AlbaMokopane) August 23, 2022
'You're supposed to be with Mnangagwa, he doesn't give me money to operate you guys. Now I must operate you with my limited budget…' #SadReality pic.twitter.com/rmC1iuOoR5
By-The organiser of the GoFundMe campaign to buy a bulletproof vehicle for CCC leader Nelson Chamisa have distanced him and the party from the initiative, saying it was a private project.
The project is being spearheaded by a group called Citizens Action for Change (CAC).
CAC launched the GoFundMe last year in December targetting to raise over US$120 000 to purchase an armoured vehicle for Chamisa.
The initiative was launched after Chamisa’s convoy was attacked by suspected ZANU PF supporters and State security agents during his meet-the-people tours in Masvingo and Manicaland provinces.
Juma Ulete, who is leading the initiative, on Monday told NewsDay that the project to purchase Chamisa’s bulletproof vehicle was still on. Said Ulete:
The campaign was started by citizens who were concerned over Chamisa’s safety. It was introduced way before the CCC was formed and the opposition is a mere beneficiary.
The funds were only released last week after we experienced administrative hitches, which were triggered by ZANU PF which had complained to GoFundMe in California, the United States of America that Chamisa was organising funds politically to purchase an armoured vehicle.
We are citizens who raised this money, not for a political party. We raised this money for a citizen whose name is Nelson Chamisa.
We started this fundraising on October 13, 2021, before CCC was formed, hence it does not have any ties to CCC.
We, as citizens, noticed that there is no even playing field in Zimbabwean politics.
GoFundMe was supposed to give us the money around December when we reached the target, but ZANU PF was bombarding the campaign saying why are these people politically fundraising?
Ulete said the funds were eventually released to CAC by GoFundMe last week.
He added that they had already met Chamisa and his security team to decide on the type of vehicle they wanted.
However, ZANU PF director for information Tafadzwa Mugwadi denied allegations that his party tried to sabotage CAC’s GoFundMe initiative.
More: NewsDay
By-South African taxi operators on Tuesday, 23 August, blocked the Beitbridge-Musina road protesting over the alleged failure by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to deal with armed robbers targetting motorists along the highway.
A traffic alert statement issued on August 23, 2022, by the South African Department of Transport and Community Safety indicated that there was Traffic obstruction on the N1 North towards Beitbridge. Part of the statement read:
Our law enforcement officers and other relevant stakeholders have been dispatched to attend to the matter. We urge motorists to exercise patience as we attend to this.
The traffic blockage was just a kilometre from the border post after a police checkpoint and a government weighbridge for haulage trucks.
One of the protestors said they want all police commanders in Musina and at the border transferred for failure to protect motorists. Said the protestor:
People going to Musina who give us business are attacked daily by robbers who live in the bush, and police have not accounted for any. The commanders are not in charge and they should go.
People are robbed daily and not a single arrest has been made. What are they here for?
We are losing business. Even in Musina, businesses are being robbed.
More: NewsDay
By James Gwati- The opposition CCC has announced the death of the party’s Chikanga-Dangamvura ward 18 councilor.
Fadzayi Mahere, the CCC spokesperson, announced on Twitter.
She said:
Rest in peace, Councillor Chisango. He was ward 18, Chikanga Dangamvura. He recently won the ward 18 by election & was the former deputy mayor of Mutare. We have lost a solid cadre. Sincere condolences to his family & loved ones.
By- ZBC radio presenter Rutendo Makuti is set to stand trial on allegations of attempting to extort money from the leader of Goodness and Mercy Ministries, Tapiwa Freddy.
The DJ is said to have threatened to expose her love affair with the controversial preacher.
Makuti’s trial has been set for September 8, where she is expected to jointly appear with Chief Chikwaka (Witness Bungu), former police officer Gibson Jaji, and ZBC staffer Mutetepi Maushe.
Freddy was charged, but acquitted of raping Makuti and the present trial follows on complaints made to the police by Freddy.
The State alleges that when Makuti and Freddy had a love affair, and while they were still together, she allegedly started threatening him that if he did not meet her financial and material demands she would expose the affair to the public.
In August last year, Freddy was summoned by Chief Chikwaka to his homestead, but after he was tipped off that there might be some police officers who wanted to extort money from him he then left without entering the chiefly homestead, it is alleged.
But as he was returning to Harare, he was said to have been stopped by police manning a roadblock along Mutoko Road just after the intersection near Chief Chikwaka’s homestead.
The State alleges that the police said they had been instructed by Inspector Jaji and Chief Chikwaka not to allow him to pass through. After a few minutes, two men arrived at the roadblock and introduced themselves as Chief Chikwaka and Inspector Jaji.
They allegedly ordered Freddy to drive to his place, but he refused to comply, according to the State.
It is alleged that Inspector Jaji forcefully entered Freddy’s car and ordered him to drive to the Chief’s homestead where he discovered some uniformed police officers seated in a hut with six assistants to the chief.
The State alleged that Chief Chikwaka started accusing Freddy of raping Makuti and having sexual relations with her barely a year after the death of her husband, which was against their traditions.
He allegedly told the clergyman to pay something for violating the traditions, but refused to deal with the rape allegations since the police had to handle criminal cases.
It is said that Freddy felt that whatever was happening was illegal, but he was allegedly pressured to promise to pay US$15 000 and three goats and promised to return on a later date with the items.
Allegations are that Chief Chikwaka made him sign an agreement, which was prepared by Inspector Jaji and who promised to track him down in Harare if he failed to pay, and pick him up during his church services.
It is said that Chief Chikwaka told Freddy that if he failed to comply he would leak a video of him he had recorded to the public. The court heard that when they returned to Harare, Makuti asked Freddy to give her the money since she was the one who was involved with him.
She then allegedly threatened that if he failed to give her the money she would expose their love affair to the public through someone called Tatelicious.
Out of fear and pressure, Freddy allegedly gave Makuti a Mercedes Benz E-250 and she allegedly warned him never to reveal their deal and made him sign an agreement, saying it was a way of settling thir differences.
After some days, Makuti allegedly started threatening Freddy, saying his secretary Nollen Mundawaro had insulted her and she wanted US$20 000 as compensation.
She allegedly told him that Ms Mundawaro could not represent his church on their radio and television programmes.
The other ZBC staffer, Maushe, allegedly phoned Freddy that he had up to the end of the day to pay the US$20 000 and sign an acknowledgement that he had raped Makuti.
It was at this stage that Freddy lodged a complaint with the police. He was tried on rape charges and found not guilty with the court commenting unfavourably on the allegations. Herald
It was great meeting up with our friend and learned lawyer, Nambili Mhata, says UPND Infor Secretary Joseph Kalimbwe.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Mr George Guvamatanga is still alive days after threats of death were subtly sounded by his boss, Emmerson Mnangagwa last week.
Guvamatanga was told that he deserves capital punishment for publicly exposing that govt departments are fueling inflation.
This emerged as it was revealed that Ministries, Government departments and agencies have been given up to September 2 to submit due diligence reports on all contracts that were submitted as of July 31 but whose payments were suspended after it had been noted that the pricing models were based on parallel market rates.
The reports should also include existing procurement contracts and should be in line with the directive that was issued on August 4 suspending payments to contractors.
This comes as Government is taking measures to tame inflation and stabilise the exchange rate with the aim of achieving price stability and market discipline which will engender market confidence.
The latest directive to carry out the due diligence exercise was issued by George Guvamatanga, on August 16.
“Ministries’ internal audit departments shall carry out a due diligence review exercise on all running and future contracts with special focus on pricing to all payment runs submitted to Treasury as at July 31, 2022 and were suspended for funding,” he said.
“The due diligence reports for all submitted and suspended payment runs shall be submitted to the Secretary for Finance and Economic Development by September 2, 2022. In future, the Internal Audit Department shall carry out due diligence review exercises on prices for future contracts and procurements and submit their reports attached to the payment runs to Treasury.
“Internal audit heads shall appoint internal auditors responsible for carrying out due diligence review exercises, who will not audit procurements and contracts, as this will be self-review.”
Mr Guvamatanga also said in future, ministry heads shall, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, ensure that public entities under their ministries carry out the same exercise.
He added that public entities’ internal audit departments shall undertake the due diligence exercise and report to their respective ministries for review while the ministries would ensure that the public entities use the willing buyer willing seller pricing models.
Treasury suspended payments for all contracts submitted as at July 31 after noting that ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) were submitting pay runs for the disbursement of cash for goods and services procured using parallel market exchange rates.
Such a pricing framework by the suppliers of goods and services was causing inflationary pressures and also fuelling parallel market activities through unjustified movements in the exchange rate resulting in exorbitant prices of goods and services.
The inflationary pressures also resulted in the erosion of MDAs appropriated budgets putting pressure on the Treasury through increasing demand for more funding from Government which was not aligned to the revenues inflows and created fiscal risk of unsustainable budget overruns and deficits.
Therefore, in line with the Public Finance Management Act, the MDAs were also directed to rationalise their payment requests and operate within the confines of the willing buyer willing seller foreign exchange rate.
The MDAs were also directed to, in future, seek Treasury approval on contract prices in order to ensure effective control of public resources as guided by the PFM Act.
In addition, all payment runs submitted to Treasury should have been reviewed and signed off by the accounting officer ensuring value for money in procurement and confirming that the pricing framework is in line with Government policy.
Government has adopted a variety of measures this year to stabilise the local currency and curb inflation such as raising the key interest rate to 200 percent from 80 percent, reintroducing the US dollar as legal tender, and selling gold coins among others. –Herald
VP Chiwenga: I'm reliably informed that to date 24mil USD has been invested to resuscitate the Cold Storage company which has been idle for the past 22 years. That has been a long time…this happened as part of our history but let [all be happy sic] that it will not happen again https://t.co/i4pYavbB3S
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 19, 2022
The state media in the below piece celebrates despite the Vice President Constantino Chiwenga announcing that he is not even sure of what is said to have been invested to revive the Cold Storage Commission that crashed back in 2002 when the government launched the violent land reform program.
Said VP Chiwenga: ” I’m reliably informed that to date 24mil USD has been invested to resuscitate the Cold Storage company which has been idle for the past 22 years. “That has been a long time…this happened as part of our history but let [all be happy sic] that it will not happen again.”
Legendary farmer Ben Freeth describes this development calling it, “I am of the understanding that this is another proverbial “white elephant.”
FULL TEXT- STATE MEDIA
The Cold Storage Commission (CSC) is working towards exporting beef and is in negotiations with European Union, Asian and African markets to bolster the country’s foreign currency earnings. Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga reopened CSC in Bulawayo last Thursday and made a commitment that the awoken giant will never collapse again.
CSC is run in joint venture between Government and Boustead Beef (Pvt) Ltd in 2019 under the Rehabilitate, Operate and Transfer (ROT) Agreement. So far, Boustead Beef has employed 169 people inclusive of management and employees and has invested US$24 million towards rehabilitation of CSC.
The rehabilitation will increase the daily slaughter of cattle from 60 to 2 000 per day while works are in progress to repair the Bulawayo Canning Plant. Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Government’s target is to see CSC rekindling its past glory as a foreign currency earner for the country while increasing its herd.
“Infrastructure at three ranches has been rehabilitated and modernised. The CSC board is now in place, and is seized with the accelerated rehabilitation of assets and mapping of a business strategy for the organisation. CSC has initiated a livestock feedlot operation and a micro-finance facility of US$36 million, which at full capacity can finance up to 120 000 head,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“CSC is also negotiating export contracts for beef products to the United Kingdom, various European Union member States, Malta, and Middle Eastern, Asian and African markets. Samson Brands has also been incorporated to market the CSC products on the local market.”
On another investment issue, Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet has partnered a United Arab Emirates (UAE) company Skypower Global (CAYMAN) to set up a 500 megawatts solar energy plant.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the 500MW will be built in phases.
“The nation is being informed that in support of the initiative to promote investments, Government seeks to conclude a framework with Skypower Global (CAYMAN) of the United Arab Emirates for the construction of solar-based power generation plants of up to 500 megawatts capacity, in a phased approach,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She said Cabinet outlined the framework agreement which will pave the way for engagement between Skypower Global and Zesa Holdings in order for the two entities to negotiate a power purchase agreement among other related issues.
“Cabinet advises that alternative sources of energy, including and in this instance, solar power, will complement the existing hydro and thermal power production systems, thereby increasing access to electricity in Zimbabwe and enabling growth of the economy,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the initiative comes against the backdrop of increased co-operation between Zimbabwe and the UAE which were strengthened by the Dubai Expo 2020 Engagement.
Meanwhile, she said Cabinet adopted a strategy to feed at least 3,8 million communities in rural areas who are projected to be food insecure following poor rains in the past cropping season.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the Cabinet’s decision is informed by the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZIMVAC) for Rural Livelihood Assessment Results (2022) indicated that approximately 38 percent of the country’s rural population consisting of 3,8 million people will be food insecure over the peak hunger period, that is, January to March 2023.
“Cabinet wishes to assure the nation that all the 3,8 million people projected to be food insecure will be targeted as beneficiaries. Government will distribute food to all the needy households in provinces. The World Food Programme (WFP) and other development partners are expected to channel their food assistance through Government structures, as per practice,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She said the country has 490 000 metric tonnes of grain in the Strategic Grain Reserve.
“Thus, the 120 000 metric tonnes required to support the needy households will be sufficiently covered. The targeting of beneficiaries and distribution of grain will be undertaken through District Drought Relief Committees,” she said. -Chronicle
Another day, more thrills from the Premier League! This league is the most unpredictable in the world and that just increases ten-fold because no result is foregone till the fat lady sings. This is our wrap for today’s fixtures.
Newcastle United 3 – 3 Manchester City
The Magpies almost did it! Call it the Oil Classico or the Sportswashing Derby, this was one of the Premier League’s classic games because it had everything.
A sublime free-kick goal, more goals, a delicious assist and even some VAR drama, what more could you want? When Ilkay Gündogan opened the scoring for City in the 5th minute, a lot of people must have thought that this was just going to be another processional game for City. But no, Eddie Howe is building something strong at United and they fought relentlessly after conceding the first goal. Allan Saint Maximin ran amok against the City defence and provided 2 assists for Miguel Almiron in the 28th minute and Callum Wilson in the 39th minute for Newcastle to take the lead. Pep Guardiola looked shell shocked going to the second half trailing behind. 9 minutes into the second half, Kieran Trippier did it again, a well placed free-kick earned Newcastle a two goal cushion. The Bath Beckham has scored 3 dead ball goals since his return into the Premier League. But the story wasn’t going to end there, especially with a team of Manchester City’s pedigree. In a spell of 4 minutes, Erling Haaland and Bernando Silva levelled the game for City. The latter with a scrumptious assist from Kevin De Bruyne. The main talking point, though will be about Kieran Trippier’s rescinded red card (changed to yellow) after a VAR check. Trippier flew into a high challenge against a marauding De Bruyne and that contentious moment could set the standard for the season. In large potions of the game when United where leading, Guardiola looked really worried. Could it be that Eddie Howe has already built a monster but he hasn’t used the full potential of the oil funds available to him?
Leeds 3 – 0 Chelsea
Edouard Mendy set the ball rolling but in the wrong direction when he tried to cleverly beat a pressing Brenden Aaronson in the 33rd minute, that costly mistake resulted in a goal and that seemed to shift the momentum completely away from Chelsea. From that moment, it seemed like Thomas Tuchel was outclassed in every department by his opposite number, Jesse Marsch. A 4th goal in three games for Rodrigo made sure that Leeds went into the break sauntering high and relishing the chance to play the demoralized Blues again the second half. They were right, the man of the moment, Rodrigo, set up, Leed’s 3rd goal scored by Jack Harrison and that was game, set and match for the Whites. New acquisition Kalidou Koulibaly made things even worse for his side, Chelsea when he was shown a second yellow card and sent off. Chelsea have still never won back to back league games at Elland Road.
Rest of the Grounds!
West Ham 0 – 2 Brighton and Hove Albion. – Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Citizens in Namibia are greatly inspired by the pragmatic approach of the Pietermaritzburg branch in KwaZulu-Natal!
23rd August 2022
Change champions in Namibia are greatly inspired by the diligent work in KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
Citizens resident in South Africa are working very hard to recruit, mobilize and radicalise Zimbabweans for a complete change ahead of the 2023 historyic elections. We applaud the much-needed participatory democracy through the twinning of rural constituencies to win Zimbabwe for socio-economic transformation in the motherland.
On Sunday the 21st of August 2023, the energetic and vibrant interim branch executive undertook a fruitful mobilisation drive across the breadth and lengths of Pietermaritzburg recruiting virgin voters so that the yellow party can achieve its target of 6 million voters for change. Namibia district salutes the branch Interim Branch Chairperson, Mercy Mhlanga, Secretary-General T.
Siziba, Organiser Andrew Mpofu, and other champions who exhibited their revolutionary appetite to take our organic President Advocate Nelson Chamisa to the State House.
The hardworking leaders successfully launched their mobilization drive towards Mberengwa, Abton Mashayanyika’s purported area of influence. The branch pledged to twin one of the four constituencies ahead of the harmonized elections in 2023. It further committed to escalate mobilization in KwaZulu-Natal as a sure way of bringing awareness to everyone residing in the vicinity. The branch dedicated itself to aid those who are not yet registered to ensure that they become registered before the registration is closed.
In their message, they persistently encouraged citizens in South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique, and the entire Africa to go back to Zimbabwe, register to vote, vote in 2023 and defend the vote. It was made clear that voting is a fundamental component of independence and freedom. Thank you, Pietermaritzburg branch for twinning Mberengwa ahead of the crucial battle for Zimbabwe part 2 between the clueless Emmerson Mnangagwa and the change champion-in-chief President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
KwaZulu-Natal shall remain a source of inspiration in the yellow revolution. The citizen’s movement has come up with an effective strategy for twinning rural constituencies and external or diaspora branches. Namibia district already adopted Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe ahead of the harmonized elections. Our foot soldiers need our material and financial support.
Citizens Coalition for Change Namibia
Interim Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya
For more information about ZimAdsense signup here :
https://zimadsense.co.zw/ref/43/
Facebook: https//www.facebook.com/Zimadsense/
Veteran sungura musician Somandla “Mafia” Ndebele, who fronts Denda Brothers, is disappointed because music piracy has left artistes poor.
Mafia, as he is popularly referred by his fans, bemoaned that while their profession was energy sapping, their sweats are being enjoyed by street vendors selling their music.
“Our biggest challenge as musicians is the issue of piracy,” Ndebele said.
“We have noted that almost 98% of our music is being sold in the street corners at giveaway prices making it hard for musicians to eke out a living from their sweat.
“One thing of great concern is that fake accounts of musicians are being created on social media, particularly on YouTube and Facebook without the musician’s knowledge.”
The 50-year-old musician added: “My wish is that government should intervene and put a stop to all those selling CDs in the street so that they can save the music industry which is slowly disintegrating due to the effect of the ravaging piracy. If this is done at least musicians can earn a living.”
As a way of showing his anger towards piracy, Ndebele released an album which he named Kurimira Hanga.
Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) executive director Polisile Ncube-Chimhini said selling CDs on the streets was illegal.
“Piracy is copyright infringement and it is not confined to the illegal reproduction and sale of pirated discs. It also includes broadcasting music, public performance of music without the authority of the copyright owner,” Ncube-Chimhini said.
“Zimura discourages its clients from using pirated music, we tell them what pirated music is and how they can play music publicly without committing piracy.
“Hence, you will find that most of our clients are no longer using pirated discs but playing via streaming channels.
“We educate our clients against such practices during our licensing activities and through workshops being conducted countrywide, artists are also taught about their rights, that way they can identify and claim ownership of their works where they are pirated and seek redress.”
The Denda Brothers frontman is set to release his 25th album in September that is yet to be named.
“I am planning to release a new six-track album in September, but I haven’t got the title as of now,” he said.
“The album is mainly about social life and I expect it to be a better project than my previous productions.”
The Kwekwe-born and now Dzivaresekwa-based musician started his musical career with Wiriranai Sounds in 1986 where he was the band leader.
He released seven-single such as Chido Chemoyo flip side Mandiomesera (1988), Baba Vevana flip side Nhamo Dzakasiyana (1989) and Phumzile flip side Vakawanda Vakarambana.
However, Ndebele decided to change the name of his band Wiriranai Sounds to Denda Brothers.
“In 1992 I changed my band to Denda Brothers meaning a long spell of illness, therefore, I took it upon myself that my love for music was like that of a sick person with a very long illness which has prolonged for too long, hence the name Denda came into mind,” he said.
“In that same year I released my first album Ndingazviite Sei and the video using the name Denda Brothers and the rest is now history.”
To date Mafia has channelled out 24 great albums such as Ngatifare, Marwadzo, Kuvaka Musha, Zvamauya Zvanaka and Mwoyo Wekurera that he did with Tongai Moyo just to mention a few.
Credit: The Standard
By Fanuel Chinowaita | Sex scandal Rocks Mutare City Queens Women’s Soccer team as its Coach Mr Vhoi and Mutare Sports Officer Norman Nyaude are allegedly misusing their office to sexually abuse young girls who want to be included in the first team.
This was reported by a whistleblower who asked for anonymity. The whistleblower alleged that the Coach and the sports officer select players who have accepted to sleep with them especially when going for away games.
They added saying the Coach and the sports officer choose a team of old guards who would have trained once or never trained just to satisfy their sexual desires.
They said, “Mutare City Council women’s soccer team Mutare City Queens have been rocked by sex for game time.
“Whenever they are playing away some new girls of under 18, who refused to bed the Coach are not included in the team despite them having trained the whole week.
“The coach Vhoi and Mutare Sports Officer Mr Norman Nyaude chooses the team and the team will be comprised of old guard who would have trained once or never trained so that they go on honey noon trips.
“The team manager Mary Chakandinakira have no say as she can not override Nyaude who seems to be everything in the women’s team.
“Those who refuse the coach or Nyaude’s advances are demoted to the Division One team. That is why you see the team performing badly away from home. They leave other players and make room for themselves and their honey cobs.”
Furthermore, another reliable source reviewed that there is a girl who left the team after rejected the coach. There is an evidence of text messages Vhoi sent to her.
“There is one girl who quitted after she rejected the coach. She was harrased and sidelined. She reported the matter to Nyaude, Chakandinakira and one Sanyangore and no action was taken aganist coach Vhoi”, she said.
This reporter failed to get finer details from Chaka for she was blue ticking and failed to respond. Mr Nyaude and the Coach were also not available.
Meanwhile, some supporters and players are calling for the dismissal of coach Vhoi and Norman Nyaude.
Dynamos are through to the quarterfinals of the Chibuku Super Cup after beating WhaWha 1-0 at National Sports Stadium.
The Glamour Boys started the game pressing high but had to wait longer to create their first meaningful chance. The side made a couple of attacks and forced successive corners that yielded nothing.
On the other end, WhaWha, almost took the lead towards the quarter-hour mark, only to be denied by the woodwork.
The hosts continued to control the pace and were also denied by the bar at the 30th-minute mark.
The match went into halftime with no goals scored.
Dembare came close to goal at the start of the second half, but Emmanuel Paga hit the upright.
After a prolonged spell searching for a breakthrough, the hosts finally broke the deadlock on the 73rd through Trevor Mavunga.
WhaWha failed to get back into the game and succumbed to a loss to bow out of the tournament.
At Gibbo, Highlanders also booked their place after edging Triangle United 1-0, with Stanley Ngala scoring the solitary goal.
Manica Diamonds cruised past Yadah by two goals to nill, while Bulawayo Chiefs beat ZPC Kariba 1-0 to progress to the last eight.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
DETAILS have emerged of how a Marondera millionaire farmer, Stanley Masaiti (65) committed suicide on August 20 at his brother’s gate.
The new details are contrary to social media reports that Masaiti first gunned down his younger brother, Daniel, before shooting himself.
Stanley and Daniel are siblings, with the former having been a famous tobacco farmer at Mhembwe Farm, outside Marondera.
Daniel owns some shops in Marondera and Macheke, among them the popular entertainment spot Chipiwa Gardens.
Daniel (56) operates his bussinesses under Danchip Enterprises.
NewsDay has it on good authority that there had been a long-running wrangle between the two brothers since 2017. The now deceased Stanley reportedly accused Daniel of stealing US$3 million from him.
Daniel once worked as the farm administrator before he left the business.
The deceased then approached the High Court to settle the matter under HC2640/17.
It is reported that on August 20, at around 5am, Stanley asked his brother Mutsa Masaiti (59) to accompany him to Chipiwa Gardens and he accepted.
Upon arrival, Stanley then ordered his brother to drive back while he remained by the gate.
Mutsa drove off.
At 6:25am, Stanley posted a notice that he had written in a Marondera WhatsApp crime group asking Daniel and his wife to return his money.
The WhatsApp group comprises police officers, businesspeople and journalists in Marondera.
It is reported that five minutes later, a security guard at Chipiwa Gardens, who was carrying out routine checks around the premises, noticed that Stanley was standing at the gate.
The security guard then heard a gunshot from where Stanley was standing and saw him falling down.
The security guard informed Daniel of the incident, who then alerted the police who arrived at the scene and observed that Stanley’s body had a gunshot wound on the forehead.
He was lying in a pool of blood. A pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition was found between the deceased’s legs.
In a statement, Danchip Enterprises said Daniel was not at the premises during the suicide incident.
“On Saturday, August 20, 2022, we woke up to the heart-breaking news of a fatal shooting at Chipiwa Gardens. The deceased, Mr Stanley Masaiti, shot himself, and the circumstances of the incident are being investigated by the respective authorities.
“The owners of the Chipiwa Gardens, Mr Daniel Masaiti and his wife Chipiwa Masaiti, were not present at the time of the incident, and reports that Mr Daniel Masaiti was shot by his brother, Mr Stanley Masaiti before turning the gun on himself are not true,” the statement read.
Chipiwa Gardens has been closed until further notice. -Newsday
By- ZBC radio presenter Rutendo Makuti is set to stand trial on allegations of attempting to extort money from the leader of Goodness and Mercy Ministries, Tapiwa Freddy.
The DJ is said to have threatened to expose her love affair with the controversial preacher.
Makuti’s trial has been set for September 8, where she is expected to jointly appear with Chief Chikwaka (Witness Bungu), former police officer Gibson Jaji, and ZBC staffer Mutetepi Maushe.
Freddy was charged, but acquitted of raping Makuti and the present trial follows on complaints made to the police by Freddy.
The State alleges that when Makuti and Freddy had a love affair, and while they were still together, she allegedly started threatening him that if he did not meet her financial and material demands she would expose the affair to the public.
In August last year, Freddy was summoned by Chief Chikwaka to his homestead, but after he was tipped off that there might be some police officers who wanted to extort money from him he then left without entering the chiefly homestead, it is alleged.
But as he was returning to Harare, he was said to have been stopped by police manning a roadblock along Mutoko Road just after the intersection near Chief Chikwaka’s homestead.
The State alleges that the police said they had been instructed by Inspector Jaji and Chief Chikwaka not to allow him to pass through. After a few minutes, two men arrived at the roadblock and introduced themselves as Chief Chikwaka and Inspector Jaji.
They allegedly ordered Freddy to drive to his place, but he refused to comply, according to the State.
It is alleged that Inspector Jaji forcefully entered Freddy’s car and ordered him to drive to the Chief’s homestead where he discovered some uniformed police officers seated in a hut with six assistants to the chief.
The State alleged that Chief Chikwaka started accusing Freddy of raping Makuti and having sexual relations with her barely a year after the death of her husband, which was against their traditions.
He allegedly told the clergyman to pay something for violating the traditions, but refused to deal with the rape allegations since the police had to handle criminal cases.
It is said that Freddy felt that whatever was happening was illegal, but he was allegedly pressured to promise to pay US$15 000 and three goats and promised to return on a later date with the items.
Allegations are that Chief Chikwaka made him sign an agreement, which was prepared by Inspector Jaji and who promised to track him down in Harare if he failed to pay, and pick him up during his church services.
It is said that Chief Chikwaka told Freddy that if he failed to comply he would leak a video of him he had recorded to the public. The court heard that when they returned to Harare, Makuti asked Freddy to give her the money since she was the one who was involved with him.
She then allegedly threatened that if he failed to give her the money she would expose their love affair to the public through someone called Tatelicious.
Out of fear and pressure, Freddy allegedly gave Makuti a Mercedes Benz E-250 and she allegedly warned him never to reveal their deal and made him sign an agreement, saying it was a way of settling thir differences.
After some days, Makuti allegedly started threatening Freddy, saying his secretary Nollen Mundawaro had insulted her and she wanted US$20 000 as compensation.
She allegedly told him that Ms Mundawaro could not represent his church on their radio and television programmes.
The other ZBC staffer, Maushe, allegedly phoned Freddy that he had up to the end of the day to pay the US$20 000 and sign an acknowledgement that he had raped Makuti.
It was at this stage that Freddy lodged a complaint with the police. He was tried on rape charges and found not guilty with the court commenting unfavourably on the allegations. Herald
By-South African taxi operators on Tuesday, 23 August blocked the Beitbridge-Musina road protesting over the alleged failure by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to deal with armed robbers targetting motorists along the highway.
A traffic alert statement issued on August 23, 2022, by the South African Department of Transport and Community Safety indicated that there was Traffic obstruction on the N1 North towards Beitbridge. Part of the statement read:
Our law enforcement officers and other relevant stakeholders have been dispatched to attend to the matter. We urge motorists to exercise patience as we attend to this.
The traffic blockage was just a kilometre from the border post after a police checkpoint and a government weighbridge for haulage trucks.
One of the protestors said they want all police commanders in Musina and at the border transferred for failure to protect motorists. Said the protestor:
People going to Musina who give us business are attacked daily by robbers who live in the bush, and police have not accounted for any. The commanders are not in charge and they should go.
People are robbed daily and not a single arrest has been made. What are they here for?
We are losing business. Even in Musina, businesses are being robbed.
More: NewsDay
By-Former Vice President Kembo Mohadi is conducting meetings with traditional leaders, telling them to mobilise support for Zanu PF ahead of the 2023 elections.
Mohadi was in Gokwe South District on Sunday with his election rigging programme.
Addressing the traditional leaders, Mohadi, said:
Please we are asking you our chiefs, headmen and village heads to develop your organisation (Zanu PF). Zanu PF is your party, did you know that?
Know it from today that Zanu PF is your party. We want to fight this war against the West-fronted opposition.
Zanu PF liberated this country. Did you know that this party is yours? We want you to increase the number of people to vote for Zanu PF.
Did you hear we want five million votes next year? We want them to vote for Zanu PF and through you, we know we will achieve that.
We want every village head to give us people we will check according to your register … If we are organised, we will rule until the donkeys have horns.
Some opposition said we had done a coup and that we are a military government, but we don’t care.
The previous day, Mohadi had addressed chiefs, village heads and headmen in Gokwe North.
More: NewsDay
By-The organisers of the GoFundMe campaign to buy a bulletproof vehicle for CCC leader Nelson Chamisa have distanced him and the party from the initiative, saying it was a private project.
The project is being spearheaded by a group called Citizens Action for Change (CAC).
CAC launched the GoFundMe last year in December targetting to raise over US$120 000 to purchase an armoured vehicle for Chamisa.
The initiative was launched after Chamisa’s convoy was attacked by suspected ZANU PF supporters and State security agents during his meet-the-people tours in Masvingo and Manicaland provinces.
Juma Ulete, who is leading the initiative, on Monday told NewsDay that the project to purchase Chamisa’s bulletproof vehicle was still on. Said Ulete:
The campaign was started by citizens who were concerned over Chamisa’s safety. It was introduced way before the CCC was formed and the opposition is a mere beneficiary.
The funds were only released last week after we experienced administrative hitches, which were triggered by ZANU PF which had complained to GoFundMe in California, the United States of America that Chamisa was organising funds politically to purchase an armoured vehicle.
We are citizens who raised this money, not for a political party. We raised this money for a citizen whose name is Nelson Chamisa.
We started this fundraising on October 13, 2021, before CCC was formed, hence it does not have any ties to CCC.
We, as citizens, noticed that there is no even playing field in Zimbabwean politics.
GoFundMe was supposed to give us the money around December when we reached the target, but ZANU PF was bombarding the campaign saying why are these people politically fundraising?
Ulete said the funds were eventually released to CAC by GoFundMe last week.
He added that they had already met Chamisa and his security team to decide on the type of vehicle they wanted.
However, ZANU PF director for information Tafadzwa Mugwadi denied allegations that his party tried to sabotage CAC’s GoFundMe initiative.
More: NewsDay
By- South African employers have ordered Zimbabwean nationals using the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) to pack their bags and prepare to go back home.
Chief Executive for the National Employers’ Association of South Africa, Gerhard Papenfus, said it is wrong and immoral that thousands of Zimbabweans, who are reliable employees, will lose their jobs. Said Papenfus:
There are different kinds of permits and visas and to make sure that your employees fall under this dispensation then you need to be prepared to terminate those employees’ services at the end of the year which is in our view very wrong.
It’s very unfortunate because these are very valuable employees in the hospital sector so business is very unhappy with this arrangement.
They work very hard and are very reliable. So this is a loss for the country, it’s very wrong and I think it’s immoral. So losing good employees is very difficult.
In November 2021, South Africa’s cabinet decided to end special permits that allow close to 180 000 Zimbabweans to live and work in the country.
The ZEPs were granted to Zimbabweans who moved to South Africa before 2009.
The temporary measure was meant to regularise their presence in the country and allow Zimbabweans access to services such as banking.
The one-year grace period expires at the end of 2022. The SA government says that in December all people under the permit, who fail to get other permits, must leave the country.
More: SABC News
By Jane Mlambo| Opposition leader Egypt Dzinemunenzva has partnered former ZINASU Secretary General to approach the High Court challenging the steep nomination fees announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) last week Friday.
Announcing the move, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights who filed the papers on behalf of the two had this to say;
“On behalf of opposition leader Egypt Dzinemunhenzva, @Katazamhondoro & pro-democracy activist @tapchiriga97, we have been instructed to demand that @ZECzim & @MoJLPA should within 72 hours withdraw exorbitant nomination fees gazetted last week.
“The aggrieved parties’ lawyer @obeyshava1 of @ZLHRLawyers told @ZECzim &Justice Minister Hon Ziyambi that the regulations amending the nomination fees for 2023 elections are unconstitutional, unreasonable&have effect of blocking aspiring candidates from participating in elections,” ZLHR said.
By Nomusa Garikai- All candidates will be charged the following fees presidential US$20 000 up from US$ 1 000, MP US$1 000 up from US$100 and senator and councillor US$200 from no charge.
The fees will discourage “chancers” according to a ZEC official. I think there is a more sinister motive behind the announcement!
There are four things one can be absolutely certain about Zanu PF regarding these 2023 elections:
a) After 42 years in power and with the country is total meltdown, the ordinary people are so desperate for change, “they would vote for a donkey if Mnangagwa and the donkey were the only names on the ballot!” to paraphrase Professor Jonathan Moyo. That is, if elections were free which they are not.
b) Zanu PF is blatantly rigging these elections by which I mean the party is not just using a loaded dice but one with 6s on all six sides. They want a 6, they will throw a 6!
c) As much as Zanu PF feels it has no choice but to rig these elections to stay in power, the party knows that the opposition must fully participate in these flawed and illegal elections if it is to get political legitimacy from its SADC and AU compeers.
Zanu PF suffered the humiliation of being forced to accept a GNU in 2008 when the regional and continental bodies, for the first ever, refused to endorse that year’s blatantly rigged elections.
So Zanu PF is once again blatantly rigging the elections, on the one hand. On the other, the party is doing everything to ensure as many in the opposition participate.
Mugabe saw to it that the opposition were allowed to win a few gravy train seats in elections since 2013; no more clean sweep win for Zanu PF. Mnangagwa has since added to this by creating POLAD to reward the losing presidential candidates.
d) Mischief! Zanu PF leaders are devious and manipulative. Like T S Elliot’s Macavity the mystery cat, when you think Zanu PF is fast asleep, they are wide awake!
So why would Zanu PF, who are blatantly rigging the 2023 elections and are as keen as mustard to see as many opposition parties participate in the flawed and illegal process to get legitimacy, shoot themselves in the foot by charging these exorbitant fees certain to force many out of the rat race?
Answer! The exorbitant election candidate fees hike is just a decoy.
Whilst the many political opposition players and critics alike have been venting their outrage at the fees; they are not talking about the real big issues such as failure to produce a verified voters roll and many other blatant vote rigging shenanigans.
Zanu PF used the white farm invasion as a diversional tactic in the period 2000 to 2015, for example. The farm invasions, “jambanja” as the locals called them, flared up towards elections with the accompanying gratuitous violence directed at the white farmers and their workers but always ended up spilling over to encompass all suspected opposition supporters in rural and urban centres. Jambanja was just a smoke screen to hide the nationwide violence against the regime’s political opponents country wide.
Zanu PF is blatantly rigging the 2023 elections and will stop at nothing to draw attention away from the rigging. Watch out!
There was chaos at a ZANU PF Mazowe District Coordinating Committee (DCC) rally at Gweshe in Chiweshe on Sunday where DCC was campaigning for President Emmerson Mnangagwa ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections.
Hell broke loose when DCC chairperson Tafadzwa Musarara castigated premature electioneering and vote buying by some potential candidates.
Drunk party supporters aligned to underfire Cottco executive Maxwell Njanji disrupted proceedings and interjected Musarara when he said the DCC was only campaigning for Mnangwagwa and primary elections for aspiring candidates are not yet open.
The youths accused Musarara of being behind the arrest of Njanji who is an aspiring candidate for Mazowe Central.
“Musarara be silent we know you are behind the arrest of our candidate because you are eying Mazowe Central,” shouted the youths.
“You will not succeed because Njanji is our favourite now you are denouncing him, this rally should end.”
Some party youths managed to stop the noise after party security intervened.
However, Njanji who is on bail facing corruption charges has been accused of vote buying and channeling Cottco resources to prop up his campaign and potential bid for the Mazowe Central parliamentary seat.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is seeking re-election as Zanu-PF leader and party presidential candidate for elections next year amid signs of discomfort within the former liberation movement over his continued suitability for the top job at a time the economy is on a free fall.
Zanu-PF is set to hold its elective congress in Harare from 26-29 October this year.
Short of any super dramatic events towards congress, the Zimbabwe incumbent looks safe for now as there has not been any party official who has emerged in the past five years to challenge for his party job.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, viewed as potential successor to Mnangagwa within Zanu-PF, has never made his ambitions public.
However, former party firebrands Godfrey Tsenengamu and Jimu Kunaka have done the bidding for Chiwenga, insisting it was his time to take over following what they insist was an agreement between Mnangagwa and the former Zimbabwe military boss to pass him the baton after five years.
Zanu-PF activist Sybeth Musengezi in 2021 went to the courts to challenge Mnangagwa’s ascendency to power after a coup in 2017.
Mnangagwa, a long time suitor for his late predecessor Robert Mugabe’s job, was in 2017 endorsed as party leader after he had muscled his way to the top of both party and country in a soft coup against the ex-leader.
The wily politician is keen to suppress internal dissent in his party, first with the 2020 expulsion of Tsenengamu who openly challenged his failure to resolve the country’s myriad economic challenges.
Recently, Malcom Musarira, an activist in Mutare, exposed the growing despondency via a party WhatsApp group that Mnangagwa was plunging the country into the abyss.
He was arrested for that.
Unless Chiwenga stakes up a bid for Mnangagwa’s job, the VP could also be seeking to retain his current post.
The VP, whose health woes are a matter of public record, recently went overboard to deny he was consulting doctors over fresh health challenges.
Chiwenga is keen to present a healthy face fearing his woes could torpedo his ambitions for the country’s most coveted job in future.
Zanu-PF would also be keen to finally resolve the second state vice presidency post after Kembo Mohadi was forced to give up the job in the face of a murky sex scandal 2020.
Any continued vacancy in the former PF ZAPU side of Zanu-PF will be considered a violation of the unity accord signed between the former rivals – Zanu and PF Zapu – in 1987.
The Zanu-PF congress will also elect leaders for party organs which include the youth, women and war veterans leagues.
Congress will also elect central committee members.
Commenting on the upcoming congress, party director for information and publicity Tafadzwa Mugwadi took aim at the party’s main rivals who are yet to hold their own elective process after a surprise break from MDC to reconstitute as CCC.
“Unlike other mushrooming, moribund political parties, Zanu-PF is a revolutionary party with established practices, positions, codified in the party’s constitution and one such tradition is the National People’s Congress,” he said.
-Newsday
Zanu PF second secretary Kembo Mohadi, who is on a countrywide tour to meet chiefs, headmen and village heads, has pleaded with them to support the ruling party.
On Sunday, Mohadi visited Gokwe South, where he addressed chiefs, headmen and village heads, telling them that the country only has one party called Zanu PF.
Several Gokwe Zanu PF legislators attended the event which was snubbed by Gokwe-Kana legislator and former State Security minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube. Public Service minister Paul Mavhima arrived late when the master of ceremony Tawanda Karikoga, who is the Zanu PF district chairperson, had already acknowledged his absence.
Mohadi, who resigned after messy sex scandals, said: “Please we are asking you our chiefs, headmen and village heads to develop your organisation (Zanu PF). Zanu PF is your party, did you know that? Know it from today that Zanu PF is your party. We want to fight this war against the West fronted opposition.
“Zanu PF liberated this country. Did you know that this party is yours? We want you to increase the number of people to vote Zanu PF. Did you hear we want five million votes next year? We want them to vote for Zanu PF and through you, we know we will achieve that.”
While claiming that some chiefs, headmen and village heads were afraid to express their allegiance to Zanu PF, Mohadi told the traditional leaders that some unnamed people would be coming to the villages to work with them registering all villagers in Zanu PF books.
“This is your party and we want you to forgive those who come back to Zanu PF. We are asking you forgiveness again that our children will come to work with you in your areas to organise you in your areas, so please accept them,” the former Vice-President said.
“We want every village head to give us people we will check according to your register … If we are organised, we will rule until the donkeys have horns. Some opposition said we had done a coup and that we are a military government, but we don’t care.”
He warned village heads against registering the identity documents of people who were dead and those in the diaspora to hoodwink the party that it had supporters.
Turning to factional fights in the ruling party, he declared: “VaMavhima siyanai nenyaya ye (Cde Mavhima, stop fomenting) factionalism. I said Mavhima because he is the leader of the district.”
The previous day, Mohadi had addressed chiefs, village heads and headmen in Gokwe North.
-Newsday
ZIMBABWE
PRESS STATEMENT
REVIEW OF THE REMUNERATION FRAMEWORK AND SERVICE-WIDE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The Government of Zimbabwe recognises and appreciates the tireless work and unwavering commitment to duty of all Civil Servants across the three arms of the state, namely the Executive (Whole of Government), the Legislature (Parliament), and the Judiciary, including Grant Aided entities, Agencies and Independent Commissions.
To this end, Government has been closely monitoring developments in the macro economy, with a view of ensuring that exogenous shocks from adverse macro-economic developments do not seriously erode the purchasing power of Civil Servants’ salaries.
As such, Government has been reviewing the cash and non-cash benefits of Civil Servants as follows:
THE EXECUTIVE
Just recently, Government announced that Civil Servants basic salaries have been increased by 100% with effect from 1 September 2022, and that negotiations are continuing through the National Joint Negotiating Committee (NJNC) platform to come up with additional salary for and condition of service reviews.
In addition, serving members of the Civil Service have the following benefits: –
A housing loan guarantee scheme;
Civil service housing loan scheme; and
Access to the duty-free importation of a single motor vehicle for personal use by the civil servant.
Health Sector.
With particular regard to the Health Services Sector, Government has reviewed upwards the Health Sector Specific Allowances in the following areas: –
On Call Allowances, which apply to Doctors and Laboratory Scientists;
Night Duty, Stand By / Callout Allowances, which apply to Nurses, Nurse Aides and General Hands in theatre;
Nurse Managers Allowances;
Special Health equalisation factor which applies to all eligible staff;
Covid and Infectious Disease Risk Allowances.
In addition, Government has reviewed the non-monetary benefits for the Health Sector including the following: –
provision of institutional housing for health workers starting with Harare and Bulawayo;
provision of housing loan guarantees;
provision of efficient transport facilities, starting with Referral / Central Hospitals
addressing deficiencies in the cafeteria system and re-operationalising the system; and
Local production and sourcing of uniforms for health personnel.
Teachers.
Restoration of Advancement awards;
Payment of Performance awards which had been withheld due to financial constraints, have been restored and these will now be processed effective 1 September 2022. For this purpose, members will now be placed on their correct employment grades;
Payment of school fees for up to 3 biological children per teaching family;
This benefit applies to teachers and payment will be made directly to schools and will be up to a prescribed limit per biological child. Currently this limit is ZWL20,000 per child per term and Treasury is ready to disburse the required amounts for the first term.
Provision of 34 000 housing units as institutional accommodation for teachers
To cushion teachers from the rising cost of accommodation, Government has committed itself to provide 34 000 housing units within and outside school premises over a period of 5 years.
Provision of transport facilities to ferry teachers in both rural and urban areas has already commenced. This is facilitated by existing structures under the Civil Service Bus Fund and Rural and Urban Mass Transport System.
Security Sector.
Government values the critical role played by the security services in the economy. Substantial progress has been made in ensuring competitive remuneration and general improvement of the conditions of service for members in the security sector.
Government has introduced military salary concept and its equivalent, across the security cluster, covering various categories of benefits.
In addition, Government has accelerated the acquisition of operational vehicles for middle management.
Government is also instituting immediate measures to increase access to institutional housing and transportation for serving members of the security services.
The security services sector also has access to the Housing Loan Guarantee Scheme to enable members to purchase houses in the areas of their choice , under the frameworks being finalised by the service Commissions and the respective , participating Financial institutions.
Provision of Housing loan guarantee scheme for home ownership by Civil Servants
The Public Service Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and Treasury are working towards the resuscitation of the housing loan guarantee facility for Civil Servants under which the Government will be the guarantor of housing mortgages applied by members through the identified network banks. Consultations between relevant stakeholders have already been initiated by the Public Service Commission.
Payment of a USD 200.00 Covid 19 Allowance.
Recognising the significant risk factors faced by Civil Servants who are mostly frontline workers, government introduced an USD75.00 per month Covid-19 Risk Allowance. This amount is still payable in foreign currency and will continue to be paid for the foreseeable future.
Payment of a USD100.00 per month Cushioning Allowance
Recognising the hardships faced by public sector workers in the face of adverse macro-economic developments and the impact of dual currency pricing, Government introduced a USD100.00 per month cushioning allowance payable in foreign currency. This allowance also continues to be paid and will subsist for the foreseeable future.
THE LEGISLATURE (PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE)
Parliamentarians and Staff of the Parliament of Zimbabwe have also had various reviews implemented across both salary and non-cash benefits as follows:-
Salaries have been increased by at least 100% with effect from 1 September 2022
Sitting allowances have been similarly increased.
Government has also introduced a contributory medical scheme where Government will contribute 80% to the Subscriptions, similar to the scheme which is in place for Civil Servants.
Government has introduced a duty-free importation of a second motor vehicle for use by parliamentarians in their public service work.
In order to ease transport challenges for employees, Government acquired buses for use by parliament staff.
Constituency Visit Allowance
In the spirit of “Leaving No-One and No Place Behind” in public engagement, Government has recently introduced a constituency visit allowance to improve close relations between elected officials and their constituents and electorate. Fuel is provided to members in all constituencies irrespective of the distance to their Constituencies from the Capital City.
Members of the Legislature are also being paid the combined USD175.00 per month Allowance comprised of the USD75.00 Covid-19 Allowance and the USD100.00 Cushioning Allowance
THE JUDICIARY
All members of the judiciary have received a salary increase of a minimum of 100% with effect from 1 September 2022. In addition, an allowance that recognizes and aligns remuneration with peers in the legal profession has also been put in place.
Members of the Judiciary are now also benefitting from the Housing Loan Guarantee Scheme and the Housing Loan scheme as well as the duty-free facility for the importation of one motor vehicle.
Members of the Judiciary are also being paid the combined USD175.00 per month Allowance comprised of the USD75.00 Covid-19 Allowance and the USD100.00 Cushioning Allowance
In conclusion, therefore, The Government of Zimbabwe reiterates its commitment to pay competitive remuneration to Civil Servants in order to retain critical skills and derive efficient public services.
Accordingly, Government will continue to analyse conditions of service for all Civil Servants in order to appropriately and timeously benchmark these in line with economic developments.
Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube
MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
22 AUGUST 2022
By A Correspondent- The Election Resource Centre (ERC) has expressed its concern about the increase in fees for external oversight by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
Last week ZEC revised Presidential Nomination Fees from US$1 000 to US$20 000, and Parliamentary Nomination Fees from US$50 to US$1 000.
ERC said in a statement:
ERC notes with grave concern the amendments to fees for the nominations of candidates, accreditation of observers and to access the voters roll by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
The price increases do not seem to consider the importance of ensuring access to electoral processes by all citizens of Zimbabwe.
While the Electoral Body is within the confines of the law in increasing presidential and parliamentary nomination fees, the price increase has a bearing on electoral participation.
ERC also challenged ZEC to address key and pressing electoral reforms that remain outstanding instead of introducing measures that hinder participation.
Said ERC:
The newly introduced charges do not seem to promote openness, transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
As the country prepares for the 2023 Harmonised elections, the Electoral Commission must revisit the reform agenda and accordingly advise Parliament on priorities to facilitate better elections in Zimbabwe.
ERC identified several reforms that ZEC should prioritise. These are:
