By- A new Zanu PF faction calling itself Zanu PF Original is pushing President Emerson Mnangagwa to resign.

The new grouping of disgruntled former party members wants the former Zanu PF political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere return to Zimbabwe and lead the party.

Addressing reporters in Harare on Saturday, Zanu PF Original member Jim Kunaka claimed President Emmerson Mnangagwa was leading a Zanu PF faction called Lacoste, which was no longer serving the interests of the party. He said:

As much as Kasukuwere is from Mashonaland Central Province, we want to clarify that he is not provincial leadership material but a national leader.

That is why we have people coming from all the provinces to say to comrade Kasukuwere that Zimbabwe is waiting for you.

We are entirely behind you. Come back and lead the people. You are not alone, and you shall never walk alone.

We want to reclaim our revolution and party which was hijacked by the Lacoste power mongers.

Kunaka was fired from Zanu PF in 2014 while Kasukuwere went into self-imposed exile following the 2017 military coup.

Political commentator Vivid Gwede said the emergence of Zanu PF Original could be a manifestation of unresolved leadership questions within the ruling party. Said Gwede:

This is a sign of the unresolved leadership questions within Zanu PF since the coup. The formation of this group must not be disassociated from related developments such as the court challenge against the party’s leadership all pointing to internal disgruntlement and factionalism.

Outgoing Zanu PF national youth secretary Tendai Chirau dismissed Zanu PF Original as puppets of the vanquished G40 cabal. He tweeted:

Delusions of grandeur by expelled members sponsored by some members of the fallen G40 cabal.

There is only one Zanu PF led by @edmnangagwa and it will win the 2023 elections resoundingly.

The willing tools of the fallen cabal may continue hallucinating, but they will not win.

More: NewsDay

By- National Constitutional Assembly President Professor Lovemore Madhuku Friday pulled crowds in Chipinge west.

Professor Madhuku addressed the crowd ahead of the July 2022 council by-election.

The NCA President was in Mwacheta to rally behind Remeredzai Ziki, the ward candidate.

His spokesperson, Madock Chivasa, said they hoped to grab the ward on 23 July.

He posted:

I accompanied NCA Party President Prof Lovemore Madhuku to Chipinge Rural Ward 16 to meet NCA Party ward structure. This is in preparation for the Chipinge ward 16 by-election on Saturday, 23 July. Victory is certain!

By- CCC deputy chairman Job Sikhala’s legal team announced Tuesday that they were challenging the legislator’s further detention.

This follows Monday the recusal of the presiding magistrate from presiding over the fresh charges Sikhala is facing.

Harare Provincial magistrate Ngoni Nduna Monday agreed to recuse himself from presiding over Sikhala’s fresh allegations.

Sikhala Thursday appeared at Harare magistrate Nduna, facing new charges of obstructing the course of justice.

The CCC deputy chairman challenged the magistrate to recuse himself from the case.

CCC posted Monday announcing that Sikhala’s defence team, led by Beatrice Mtetwa were delighted with the development:

BREAKING: COURT UPDATE: Our MP 

@JobSikhala1’s lawyers say they are happy that Regional Magistrate Ngoni Nduna has recused himself from presiding over their client’s latest trumped up case. The lawyers will tomorrow apply for the refusal of remand under a different magistrate.

By- Lawyers representing CCC deputy chairman Job Sikhala said they were happy with the recusal of the presiding magistrate.

Harare Provincial magistrate Ngoni Nduna Monday agreed to recuse himself from presiding over Sikhala’s fresh allegations.

Sikhala Thursday appeared at Harare magistrate Nduna, facing new charges of obstructing the course of justice.

The CCC deputy chairman challenged the magistrate to recuse himself from the case.

CCC posted Monday announcing that Sikhala’s defence team, led by Beatrice Mtetwa were delighted with the development:

BREAKING: COURT UPDATE: Our MP 

@JobSikhala1

’s lawyers say they are happy that Regional Magistrate Ngoni Nduna has recused himself from presiding over their client’s latest trumped up case. The lawyers will tomorrow apply for the refusal of remand under a different magistrate.

By- Harare Provincial magistrate Ngoni Nduna has recused himself from presiding over the CCC deputy chairman Job Sikhala fresh allegations.

Sikhala Thursday appeared at Harare magistrate Nduna, facing new charges of obstructing the course of justice.

The CCC deputy chairman challenged the magistrate to recuse himself from the case.

CCC posted Monday announcing the victory:

BREAKING: Provincial Magistrate Ngoni Nduna has recused himself from presiding over our MP 

@JobSikhala1

’s latest trumped up case.

Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe is ripe for change, CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has said.

President Chamisa foresees a new Great Zimbabwe with five star hospitals and schools.

The wave of change is sweeping across Africa, according to the CCC leader.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:

“I SEE A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE…

We will have fantastic infrastructure, extraordinary architecture,new modern smart cities,paradisal streets, gardens,parks, spaghetti roads,bullet trains, magnificent buildings, stunning bridges and stadiums.Our hospitals & schools will be 5 star.#Godisinit

THE KENYAN ELECTION…Just last year, it was ZAMBIA’s turn. Now it’s KENYA’s turn. Kenya is about to happen. And it will surely happen. Then next is ZIMBABWE’s turn after NIGERIA’s moment. Zimbabwe is ripe for real change & it will happen. It’s our turn in Africa! #FakaPressure.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe is ripe for change, CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has said.

President Chamisa foresees a new Great Zimbabwe with five star hospitals and schools.

The wave of change is sweeping across Africa, according to the CCC leader.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:

“I SEE A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE…

We will have fantastic infrastructure, extraordinary architecture,new modern smart cities,paradisal streets, gardens,parks, spaghetti roads,bullet trains, magnificent buildings, stunning bridges and stadiums.Our hospitals & schools will be 5 star.#Godisinit

THE KENYAN ELECTION…Just last year, it was ZAMBIA’s turn. Now it’s KENYA’s turn. Kenya is about to happen. And it will surely happen. Then next is ZIMBABWE’s turn after NIGERIA’s moment. Zimbabwe is ripe for real change & it will happen. It’s our turn in Africa! #FakaPressure.”

By A Correspondent- Robbers are now masquerading as perfumes vendors in order to steal from unsuspecting members of the public after persuading them to sniff their fragrant liquids.

Several Bulawayo residents have already fallen victim to the robbers after they were made to sniff the perfumes which caused them to lose consciousness.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Bulawayo Province, Inspector Abednico Ncube said they have not received such complaints but advised the public to be careful. He said:

We urge members of the public to be careful, not to inhale anything from a stranger.

People should know if ever someone wants you to inhale something you rather have two or three friends of yours who are not going to inhale [the substance] then you prove that you are safe.

People should act wisely before they get mugged, raped, robbed or harmed.

-BMetro

18 July 2022

Introduction

The Roman Catholic Church in Zimbabwe has embraced the synodal process inaugurated in October 2021 by the Holy Father Pope Francis. This process entitled “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission” seeks to bring all the baptised to take up an active role in the mission given to the Church in Matthew 28: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptising hem in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” In going forth we do so as one family of faith, who work together in love and respect. We are invited to not only proclaim the gospel but to listen, listen first to the Spirit who gives us what we are to say. We are called also to listen to each other as we undertake this work and more importantly listen to those to whom we are called to minister the unbelievers, those from our Christian churches, those from different religions, politicians, even those who are opposed to what we believe. In listening to each other we grow in communion, and we create a conducive environment for participation in the life and mission of the Church. This synodal journey offers us a unique opportunity to intensively encounter each other in truth as we seek to build a more inclusive Church, a church that listens to the faintest voice, walks along with the slowest among us and seeks to carry the weakest who need help to come along on this faith journey. As your Shepherds we thank you for embracing our invitation to participate actively in this synodal process. We are already experiencing some fruits of the synodal process as you are creating platforms for honest and open dialogue. We consider this process to be an opportune moment for the Church, our country and indeed for the whole world. We therefore, take this opportunity to offer you some reflections on this important theme in the life of the Church and its mission.

Companions on the journey of faith and life

We are all companions on the journey of faith and life. Indeed, “The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ”.[1]

The Church and her mission

The synodal process demands that we ponder on the missionary identity of the Church. At the beginning of his Pontificate in 2013 Pope Francis described the Church as one that is always going out to the margins and not a Church that waits for people to come in. Given the urgency of the gospel message, this ‘Franciscan’ Church exists to evangelize[2] by going out to seek and find what was lost. It exists to convert people to the way, the truth and the life of Christ. As a Church, “the world in which we live, and which we are called to love and serve, even with its contradictions, demands that the Church strengthen cooperation in all areas of her mission”.[3] In order to do so the Church seeks to walk respectfully with those who may not share our beliefs and our values. We can only cooperate with each other when we start listening, listening to each other’s stories, where we have come from and what has got us here.

Synods in the Church

The word synod derives from an ancient Greek term that means “coming together” or “traveling together.” Synods are not new in the Church. The practice of synodal gatherings can be traced back to the early Church where local leaders would come together to pray and make decisions about matters affecting the Christian communities. The synod of bishops, as we have it today is one of the fruits of the Second Vatican Council, instituted by Pope Paul VI in 1965. In the Synod, bishops from all over the world gather to reflect and discern together with the Holy Father on a particular pastoral concern thus “providing for the good of the universal Church”. The Church has increasingly realized that synods must not be just for the bishops, since the Holy Spirit speaks through all the baptised and the entire People of God. Synods, therefore must be the occasion to listen to what the Spirit is saying to the Church through listening to the whole people of God. As Pope Francis once said: “A synodal Church is a Church which listens, and which realizes that listening “is more than simply hearing”. It is a mutual listening in which everyone has something to learn. The faithful people, the college of bishops, the Bishop of Rome: all listening to each other, and all listening to the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of truth” (Jn 14:17), in order to know what he “says to the Churches” (Rev 2:7).”[4]

Aims of the Synod

This Synodal journey aims at assisting us as members of the Church to journey together as co-partners in announcing the gospel. In order to build strong synodal structures in the future the Church must assess her past and present synodal life and structures, the fundamental question being: how have we journeyed together as the people of God? We have wounded each other by our failure to recognise each other’s vocations, excluding each other, and undermining each other’s roles. We need to undergo a synodal conversion and to put into practice the synodal nature of the entire Church. Through the synodal process we are called to discern how God calls us to walk forward together and to promote a new style of living out the communion, participation, and mission of the Church. In order to achieve this, the synodal process aims to create platforms to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church. We do so by listening together to the Word of God in Scripture and then by listening to one another, and especially those on the margins whose voices are often drowned by louder and more powerful voices, discerning the signs of the times.[5] We have many groups of people on the margins. Among them as those without a voice such as minority tribes and certain groups who because of what they stand for are often heard but not listened to. Are we prepared to listen to them without any prejudices?

The context of the Synod

While embarking on this synodal process, let us be conscious of the important realities in our world. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be much more than a health crisis as it has had a devastating effect on the socio-economic, spiritual and political cohesion of nations. The world is also experiencing many wars and conflicts. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says that one-quarter of humanity, 2 billion people are living in conflict areas today and the world is facing the highest number of violent conflicts since World War II.[6] Countries such as Ethiopia, South Sudan, DRC, Palestine, Afghanistan and Syria have become synonymous with bloodshed. The international peace and order appears to be under serious threat with the war in Ukraine.

In Zimbabwe, the context of the synodal journey is the growing political volatility brought about by the impending 2023 General Elections. These elections are already being preceded by political intolerance, violence and bloodshed. What has exacerbated our situation is the economic instability of the country which has brought with it instability in the financial market resulting in continuous increases in prices of basic commodities leaving them beyond the reach of the poor. If, as Catholic social teaching says, the value of polices is assessed by how they impact the poor then one can safely say that our political and economic policies have failed. There is so much dehumanizing poverty and despair among our people. In order to overcome our socio-political and economic challenges there is need for a meaningful inclusive dialogue in the country. If there is a lesson from our synodal journey it is precisely that we cannot go it alone. No single political party has all the answers hence the importance of listening to each other as we journey together. An equally important context is that of climate change which has resulted in ever increasing droughts in Zimbabwe. The 2022 crop yield has been very poor resulting in the exposure of the poor to hunger.

The synodal path as a way forward

The common global challenges we have faced such as the covid pandemic have increased our awareness of our connectedness and inter-dependence. Besides our connectedness, humanity also appears increasingly shaken and fragmented. Nevertheless, we still have the capacity to work together in order to build our “common home”. As a Church, we have the mandate to continue Christ’s mission in the world today. The synodal path represents the only way for the Church and for the world today. By choosing this path, we choose to listen and not just hear the other, we choose to journey together and not alone, we are choosing the way of consensus not dictatorship. This path offers the Church and our politics the opportunity to initiate processes of listening, participation, dialogue and community discernment in view of arriving at the common good and God’s will for us. The synodal path also launches the Church to pursue her mission as a prophetic witness that embraces the entire family of humanity. This mission is always urgent in the midst of our severely wounded country and world.

Seeds of Synodality

These are seeds of synodality which we need to promote. As your Shepherds we work together at national, regional, continental and international levels. The Religious congregations come together at various levels demonstrating the same synodal spirit. As lay people through various diocesan and national guild structures, liturgical structures et al you have equally demonstrated the capacity for synodality. We have also seen inter-religious and ecumenical structures that promote inter-religious and ecumenical dialogue . We have again witnessed seeds of synodality in our parishes as we work together in small Christian communities, praying together, visiting the sick and burying the dead. In our meetings, be they the burial of one of our own, we have met and embraced those who do not belong to our church who themselves were related to our member. In doing so we have created a platform for walking together and for respecting each other.

Weeds of Synodality

Among some weeds that may affect our dream and work for a synodal Church is clericalism which makes everything revolve around the ordained,

diminishing and even disregarding the role of the laity and even religious brothers and sisters. Among the laity themselves are weeds of an unhealthy competition, divisions and outright exclusivism within the Church, among lay associations and lay groups. As pastors, we have not always listened attentively to the flock entrusted to our care. This too is a weed that affects our journeying together.

Synodalization of the church

This synodal process aims to develop a synodal mind. We invite all of you to work hard towards the synodalization of the Church. This means reinvigorating the sense that all the baptised, both the hierarchy and the laity, are called to be active participants in the saving mission of the Church.[7] In a synodal Church, we all should learn from one another.

Participation and Co-responsibility

A synodal Church is a participatory church in which believers are actively engaged in the Church and in the world. To achieve this, we must pursue new avenues to empower lay ministries. All members of the Church must be aware that participation and co-responsibility is both a right and an obligation rooted in the vocation received at Baptism and Confirmation. Communities marked by participation and co-responsibility become communities of missionary disciples. Thus, evangelization ceases to be a prerogative of priests and religious. There is need to continue capacitating lay people with skills for the various services needed in our parishes, such as Sunday Service Leaders, funeral ministers, readers, communion ministers, prayer leaders and taking care of the sick.

Synodality and Dialogue

The synod calls for an open dialogue within the church and with people from the worlds of economics and science, politics and culture, arts and sport, the media and social initiative. If we want to encounter and help one another as fellow travellers, we have to dialogue. We cannot overstress the benefits of a true and open dialogue. Dialogue entails respectful listening, speaking out openly with respect, coming to know and understand one another as we find common ground. Let us commit ourselves to persistent and courageous dialogue. As a Church, we renew our commitment to act as genuine peace-builders in our nation. The Church is a credible partner in creating a broad public consensus to guide our country to peace. The synod does not only require a mutual dialogue but ‘prophetic dialogue’. The church not only listens to all but as prophet, the church listens carefully to God, is attentive to people’s cries, anguishes and discerning the signs of the times speak truth to power. There is a serious danger in trying to mute the prophetic voice of the Church. The history of Zimbabwe clearly shows how the Church, guided by values of standing against injustice and corruption and promoting respect for life, promoting the common good and the dignity of the human person has contributed to building a better Zimbabwe. History has taught us that when the Church is controlled by the State, the end is disastrous, the Church ceases to speak out for the weak and oppressed, power is corrupted and freedom is denied.

Synod and Ecumenical dialogue

“The dialogue between Christians of different confessions, united by one baptism, has a special place in the synodal journey”.[8] The serious divisions and outright animosity among Christians are a scandal. We encourage all to pray and work for the mandate given by our Lord Jesus when at the Last Supper he prayed that the disciples and all those who believe in him “… may be one …”.[9] We believe that the desire to recover the unity of all Christians is a gift of Christ and a call of the Holy Spirit. The commitment to build a synodal Church brings with it the call to deepen relationships with the other Churches and Christian communities with which we are united by our one Baptism.

Conclusion

We all belong to one human family and the Church, in the power of the Holy Spirit is at the service of the Kingdom of God, contributing to the building up of the common good. We remind each other that ‘everything is connected’. We are all in the same boat, and that “one person’s problems are the problems of all”[10] The synodal process, if taken seriously will help give shape to a definite style of being Church and will contribute positively to nation building. It will shape our attitudes and models of thinking about the mission and pastoral care and about relationships with other Christians, the world, other religions and indeed relationships among the members of the Church. Let us together dream and work for a missionary synodal Church. Let us together dream of a synodal Church, a Church that listens, a Church of mercy and love, a Church that cries out for justice for the poor more than a Church that is enslaved by its systems and structures. Let us dream as a single human family, as fellow travellers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all.[11]

Our vision for a Synodal Church incorporates but is not limited to some of the following elements:

1. Synodal presbyterate where priests and bishops work as a team and family of God.
2. Synodal Religious communities where Religious Congregations use their charisms and spirituality to edify and enrich the whole Church.
3. Synodal laity where all laity use their talents in co-responsibility to make Evangelization more effective.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

By A Correspondent- Political commentators have described the recently-appointed new members of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) as too young and incapable of stopping meddling by the military on electoral issues.

Recently, President Emmerson Mnangagwa swore in six commissioners at State House — Catherine Mpofu, Abigal Millicent Mohadi Ambrose, Shepherd Manhivi, Rosewita Marutare, Janet Mbetu Nzvenga and Kudzai Shava.

The six replaced commissioners whose term of office came to an end on July 6, 2022.

Political analyst Rashweat Mukundu said the new commissioners were not in a position to endure Zec’s behaviour and actions leading up to the 2023 elections.

The ages of the commissioners means that they are easy to intimidate and … they are compromised by their connections and relations,” he said.

“I think this is the worst process of replacing commissioners that Zimbabwe has had since the setting up of Zec. Not only had the majority of people compromised daughters of active politicians in Zanu PF, former civil servants, and all sorts of shady characters who now constitute Zec.

“I think this is the first point of a disputed electoral outcome no matter how Zanu PF and Zec may defend the integrity of electoral processes in Zimbabwe. That was very political, but beyond political. We are essentially in the straws of a disputed election in 2023 which will further prolong the political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe,” he added.

The ages of the commissioners means that they are easy to intimidate and … they are compromised by their connections and relations,” he said.

“I think this is the worst process of replacing commissioners that Zimbabwe has had since the setting up of Zec. Not only had the majority of people compromised daughters of active politicians in Zanu PF, former civil servants, and all sorts of shady characters who now constitute Zec.

I think this is the first point of a disputed electoral outcome no matter how Zanu PF and Zec may defend the integrity of electoral processes in Zimbabwe. That was very political, but beyond political. We are essentially in the straws of a disputed election in 2023 which will further prolong the political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe,” he added.

Another political analyst, Vivid Gwede believes the nomination of people with close ties to key Zanu PF figures was a cause for concern.

But Zec spokesperson Jasper Mangwana said the commission had nothing to do with the commissioners’ appointments.

“Zec is not the one that employs the commissioners, but it is Parliament that has that mandate, but basically I don’t see anything wrong about giving opportunities to the youth,” he said.

Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu also said that people’s abilities had nothing to do with age or gender.

They went through interviews and selection by the Standing Rules and Order of Parliament. So I believe that the experience and qualifications have nothing to do with age or gender,” Mpofu told NewsDay.

Contacted for comment, one of the new commissioners, Mpofu, said she needed to follow Zec protocols to comment on the issues surrounding their appointment.

By- Top MDC-T leadership wants the party president Douglas Mwonzora to step down because of his relations with the ruling Zanu PF party.

Mwonzora is also accused of failing to respect the party’s constitution and misappropriating funds on top of hobnobbing with ZanuPF while destroying the once opposition movement.

He is also accused of failing to pronounce a date for the party’s elective congress that is long overdue while appointing his loyalists to key positions to consolidate his power.

The NewsHawks reported sources as saying those linked to Mwonzora want the standing committee so that they can use the platform to block the congress until the party reorganises its structures.

According to a congress roadmap crafted by the party, branch congresses were set for 28 and 29 May, followed by district congresses on 30 May.

Provincial congresses, including external provinces, were set for June 6-11, while a national council meeting was scheduled for June 17 followed by other processes leading to the July 23-24 congress.

However, all the congresses are yet to be held amid claims that Mwonzora and his band of loyalists are against the holding of an elective congress. Said a party insider:

His pact with ZANU PF is haunting him. His handling of finances is not transparent and he has failed to finance party projects in the provinces.

He attacks opposition other than ZANU PF and people feel he has betrayed the struggle and people no longer want him.

He attacks Chamisa as a person not adhering to the constitution, but he is doing exactly that.

MDC-T vice-president Elias Mudzuri, national chairperson Komichi and businessman Norest Marara are reportedly eyeing replacing Mwonzora at the party’s helm.

Mwonzora reportedly lost support within the movement after the MDC-T, renamed MDC Alliance, performed dismally in the 26 March by-elections.

By- Harare Provincial magistrate Ngoni Nduna is today expected to deliver his ruling in the case in which CCC deputy chairman Job Sikhala is challenging him to recuse himself.

Sikhala Thursday appeared at Harare magistrate Nduna, facing charges of obstructing the course of justice and challenged that the magistrate should recuse himself.

CCC posted Friday, saying that Nduma will make a ruling on the case on Monday.

Posted CCC:

The Magistrate Ngoni Nduna postponed the matter to Monday the 18th of July 2022 at 1415hrs to make his decision on whether or not he’ll recuse himself. Ms Mtetwa gives an update on Hon ⁦

@JobSikhala1

⁩’s recusal application.

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa’s rural outreach programme is yielding results.

On Saturday CCC deputy spokesperson, Gift Ostallos Siziba, was in Manicaland Province for a party programme.

Below is Ostallos’ statement:

Rural Manicaland- Thank you for embracing us
We are deep in ward 16 Manicaland to converse with fellow countrymen on the situation facing our country.

Mutape is clear- he wants change and has been consistent in rejecting Zanupf.

Since our launch this great movement as led by President Nelson Chamisa is being embracing and it’s support surging.

Zimbabweans are clear and ready for Change.

We are tightening all screws to win big!

Thank you Chipinge.

By A Correspondent- Youths who want residential stands from Gweru City Council are allegedly being instructed by the ruling Zanu-PF to produce their party membership cards.

Information gathered by this publication shows that Zanu-PF youths from the Midlands applied for 500 stands and council allocated them the land five years ago.

Citizens’ Coalition for Change ward 10 councillor Charles Chikozho was mayor in 2017 when Zanu-PF reportedly applied for the land which it said was intended to empower youths through access to housing projects.

Several youths from the Midlands capital this week alleged that they were being asked to produce Zanu-PF membership cards whenever they ask about the residential stands.

Thousands of beneficiaries, including council employees, bought the stands that were availed in 2014. Three contracted companies however started servicing roads at the housing scheme a few weeks ago following years of failure to provide valid environmental impact assessments to the Environmental Management Agency. Some of the stands are on wetlands and other inhabitable land.

“The request for Zanu-PF cards intensified particularly prior to the 26 March Mkoba by-election. I went to enquire on the stands thinking they were for youth empowerment but was asked if l had a party card,” a youth who requested anonymity said.

Several other youths corroborated the story, saying Zanu-PF is demanding to see her membership card whenever she asks about the residential stands.

Attempts by The NewsHawks to find out from the then mayor Chikozho on whether Zanu-PF was allocated the stands in the first instance did not yield a clear picture as he was non-committal in his response.

“This question hasn’t been asked since l left office. What is the problem?” Chikozho quizzed this reporter.

Chikozho however later said: “Council didn’t allocate stands to any political parties.”

Zanu’s PF losing candidate in the 26 March by-elections, William Gondo, denied the allegations that the party was demanding Zanu-PF membership cards from youths who need residential stands.

“These are false allegations whoever is doing that is tarnishing the image of the revolutionary party,” he told The NewsHawks.

Critics have often accused the ruling party of vote buying ahead of next year’s general elections, especially through the partisan parcelling out of land, mine claims, money and income-generating projects. Zanu-PF however argues the move is meant to economically empower the masses.

-newshawks

By- The family of Joyce Tandi from Waterfalls, who died in a Passion Java hit-and-run convoy, said they were not going to follow up on the case.

The family said they would neither pursue the legal route because it feels the country’s justice system is compromised.

According to CCTV footage of the last moments of Joyce’s life, the teenager visiting her mother’s sister in Hatfield tried to back-step in the middle of the busy Seke Road after realising that she could not cross.

She didn’t notice an oncoming car in another lane and was hit and thrown about 30 metres away. She died on the spot.

According to the video, the car that hit Joyce was speeding and did not stop immediately.

An expert traffic police officer told The Standard that the car that hit the teenager was cruising at between 140 – 160 kilometres per hour. The speed limit for the area is 60km per hour.

Java later issued a statement saying he was not at the scene of the accident and his driver, Courage Gwashira (32), claims that he was driving the vehicle.

Joyce’s father Tangai Tandi (57), said his daughter was hit at 12:16 PM and the family only discovered around 1 PM the next day that she had died. He said:

After my daughter was hit, the driver did not stop immediately. He later returned after a minute and he came with another car accompanying them. I feel Gwashira is just a sacrificial lamb, Passion was driving that car.

… I do not stay here in Zimbabwe, I work in Zambia. Her mother searched for her the whole day.

The following day, that is when she was advised to visit the Chitungwiza General Hospital mortuary, imagine the trauma of identifying your daughter’s lifeless body. She is still in pain.

Tandi dismissed social media rumours that Joyce was pregnant. He said:

There were two accidents on the day in question. A different car hit a pregnant woman who also died just a few metres from the spot where my daughter was hit.

She was God-fearing and a devout Christian even the post-mortem confirmed that she was not pregnant.

The Tandi family also revealed that neither Gwashira nor Java contributed anything towards the funeral expenses. Said, Tandi:

They did not even come here to pay condolences. The only time I met my daughter’s killer was at a police station where he pledged to pay 10 cows as compensation. Since then, I have never spoken to them.

Tandi said he was not going to rest until he found closure but at the same time, he doesn’t believe Zimbabwe’s justice system will help the family. He said:

I know Passion is rich and he can easily influence the outcome of a court case. If the state wants to press charges, let it be.

More: The Standard

By-Zanu PF President Emerson Mnangagwa has been accused of greediness after reneging on an alleged earlier agreement with his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, to serve a single presidential term before handing over power.

Jim Kunaka, the leader of a Zanu PF group called Zanu PF Original, told NewZimbabwe on Saturday that Mnangagwa was no longer serving the party’s interests.

Kunaka also claimed that Mnangagwa had a gentleman’s agreement with Chiwenga to pass on the baton after serving one term. He said:

If they agreed with Gen Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga that he will hand over power to lead after five years, what makes him change?

He must honour his promise to Chiwenga… There is no need to go to Congress and say ‘2023 ED Pfeee’ for what?

Kunaka said the Zanu PF Lacoste faction has given birth to online activists and shadowy organisations such as Varakashi, Young Women4ED, Men BelievED, MaHwindi for ED, among others.

In 2014, Kunaka and other senior Zanu PF officials were expelled from the ruling party for fomenting factionalism.

During his time in Zanu PF, he was allegedly linked with Chipangano, a terror gang based in Mbare, Harare.

More: NewZimbabwe.com

By A Correspondent- Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga recently took and introduced his new wife Miniyothabo Baloyi (donning white hat and mask), who is a colonel and his junior in the military ranks, to his extended family in Wedza during a recent birthday event for his aunt.

This follows Chiwenga’s acrimonious divorce with Marry Mubaiwa in 2019.

By- President Emerson Mnangagwa Saturday attended the Johanne Marange Apostolic Church annual Passover in a move meant to solicit the church’s votes in the next year’s elections.

Mnangagwa also said repeated Zanu PF attacks on the opposition.

“The unity of purpose you have displayed here should continue. We want peace and unity to prevail in the country. We should take a leaf from the church and ensure that we work together and develop our country. We will never allow detractors to fan and promote violence,” he said.

The Passover gathering was special to Johanne Marange Church members as it was presided over by the youthful new leader, High Priest Nimrod Taguta.

He took over the reins in May following his father’s death, High Priest Noah Taguta.

Mnangagwa visited the Taguta family in May to pay his condolences and promised to return for the church’s annual Passover gathering.

“I was shocked and saddened by the death of my close friend, St Noah Taguta. When I received news of his death, I could not believe it as we had met the previous month. He was in the company of his son, the new High Priest. Little did I know that he was introducing me to the new leader of this church,” he said.
“Despite his youthfulness, High Priest Nimrod has shown great leadership qualities as evidenced by successfully organising this year’s annual Passover gathering, which is oversubscribed. I have never addressed such a big crowd and I am at a loss for words.”

He pledged to continue assisting the church in constructing more schools.

“The late High Priest Noah Taguta was on a crusade of constructing schools and the new leader has also promised to continue with his legacy. As Government, we will continue supporting the church in this endeavour. We will also avail computers to the schools.”

Mnangagwa was accompanied by Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri; Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Nokuthula Matsikenyere; Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Mike Madiro; Youth, Sport and Arts Deputy Minister Tino Machakaire and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr Johannes Tomana.

By- The father of Joyce Tandi from Waterfalls, who died in a Passion Java hit-and-run convoy, claimed that the controversial prophet was the one driving the car that killed his daughter.

He said they would not pursue the legal route because it feels the country’s justice system is compromised.

According to CCTV footage of the last moments of Joyce’s life, the teenager visiting her mother’s sister in Hatfield tried to back-step in the middle of the busy Seke Road after realising that she could not cross.

She didn’t notice an oncoming car in another lane and was hit and thrown about 30 metres away. She died on the spot.

According to the video, the car that hit Joyce was speeding and did not stop immediately.

An expert traffic police officer told The Standard that the car that hit the teenager was cruising at between 140 – 160 kilometres per hour. The speed limit for the area is 60km per hour.

Java later issued a statement saying he was not at the scene of the accident and his driver, Courage Gwashira (32), claims that he was driving the vehicle.

Joyce’s father Tangai Tandi (57), said his daughter was hit at 12:16 PM and the family only discovered around 1 PM the next day that she had died. He said:

After my daughter was hit, the driver did not stop immediately. He later returned after a minute and he came with another car accompanying them. I feel Gwashira is just a sacrificial lamb, Passion was driving that car.

… I do not stay here in Zimbabwe, I work in Zambia. Her mother searched for her the whole day.

The following day, that is when she was advised to visit the Chitungwiza General Hospital mortuary, imagine the trauma of identifying your daughter’s lifeless body. She is still in pain.

Tandi dismissed social media rumours that Joyce was pregnant. He said:

There were two accidents on the day in question. A different car hit a pregnant woman who also died just a few metres from the spot where my daughter was hit.

She was God-fearing and a devout Christian even the post-mortem confirmed that she was not pregnant.

The Tandi family also revealed that neither Gwashira nor Java contributed anything towards the funeral expenses. Said, Tandi:

They did not even come here to pay condolences. The only time I met my daughter’s killer was at a police station where he pledged to pay 10 cows as compensation. Since then, I have never spoken to them.

Tandi said he was not going to rest until he found closure but at the same time, he doesn’t believe Zimbabwe’s justice system will help the family. He said:

I know Passion is rich and he can easily influence the outcome of a court case. If the state wants to press charges, let it be.

More: The Standard

By-Obert Mpofu, the Zanu PF Secretary for Administration, has finally vacated Esidakeni Farm he occupied in November last year after the Supreme Court ruled that his occupancy was illegal.

Mpofu and his wife seized the farm located in Nyamandlovu. They forced out the owners, among them prominent human rights advocate Siphosami Malunga, who is the son of independence war hero Sydney Malunga.

On 11 July 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that Mpofu’s “brazen invasion” was illegal.
The Esidakeni Estate owners’ lawyers gave Mpofu three days to vacate the property or risk being driven out by the messenger of court.
Malunga co-owns the farm alongside Charles Moyo and Zephaniah Dhlamini, the latter a well-known scientist from the National University of Science and Technology.

Malunga confirmed on Thursday that they were back on the farm and taking stock of the loss caused by Mpofu’s invasion. He said:
We’re back on the farm. We will now take stock of the loss and damage. The rule of law must always prevail.
Mpofu grabbed the 554-hectare farm, arguing that he had been allocated 145 hectares of it by the lands minister.
He then planted corn, but the maize crop failed to produce a yield, apparently due to excessive water and neglect.
Mpofu’s brother, Mbonisi, was the resident occupier of the farm until the Supreme Court ruling.

-ZimLive

By A Correspondent- At least 135 residential, industrial and commercial properties built near the Mbudzi roundabout in Harare are set to be demolished to pave way for the construction of 14 bridges and bridge-like structures at the new traffic interchange.

Construction at the site has already started. 

The Government has engaged three valuers, one of them from the Public Works, while two others are independent ones, to carry out the assessment of those affected.

The Herald reports that those affected will get full compensation from the Government.

The Mbudzi roundabout is at the intersection of Simon Mazorodze, Chitungwiza and High Glen roads that feed traffic from western Chitungwiza and many old and new suburbs into Harare city centre, as well as the heavy national and regional traffic on the Harare-Masvingo Highway.

In an interview, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development’s permanent secretary Engineer Kudzanai Chinyanga said they were happy with the progress being conducted at the Mbudzi traffic interchange by the contractor, Tefoma Group. He said:

So far the last time we were here we were talking about this bridge which is bridge number two. Bridge number two is the one which carries traffic towards High Glen, Glen Norah and the like.

So far on assessment of the project, we are excited and hoping that the contractor is keeping the progress. However, the drawback is that it has taken us more than we anticipated to conclude the compensation issues which are still ongoing

We have completed the valuation of all affected properties. We want to ensure that each and every affected citizen is not disadvantaged at all and that they are paid a fair compensation.
We have one group of affected citizens with title deeds, one group of citizens who are on leases.

So we will deal with them separately. Those who are on leases are mainly on the Hopely side.

There is a plan to get land quickly, put up some core houses for them and then move them. We will not leave anybody without shelter and this we are putting up arrangements to ensure that once we conclude with them, we agree with them, we move them and make sure that everyone is accommodated.

Eng Chinyanga said those with title deeds, the Government was considering two options with one of them being for them to identify properties of their choice of equivalent value and then Government pays.

He said in total, there were 14 bridges that were to be constructed at the interchange and out of these, five were already under construction.

Chinyanga added that when constructors start working on the main bridge, the junction will be closed completely. 

By A Correspondent- Legislators here have accused the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) and the government of insincerity regarding the methods of payment for public examination fees.

The deadline for the payment of November public examination fees was set for 31 July.

ZIMSEC pegged the exam fees in US dollars with an option for parents to pay in the local currency.

However, the examination body has reportedly requested school heads to take foreign currency as the Zimdollar is volatile.

Speaking about the issue of public examinations in the National Assembly recently, Bikita East legislator, Johnson Madhuku (ZANU PF), said:

I rise on an issue of national interest and this concerns the issue of examination fees for the O level and A level students for the 2022 examination.

I remember a few weeks ago we were presented with a statement from the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education whereby he promised that the Ministry was looking into the issue with a view to revising downwards the fees charged to these students.

We were very much worried that the fees were too high and were going to disadvantage some students by failing to pay the examination fees.

We also raised the issue that the examination fees were pegged in USD as well as in the ZWL$.

However, what is surprising is that the deadline for the payment of these examination fees is supposed to be the end of this month but we have seen and heard reports from schools whose headmasters have been called for meetings and have been instructed that the candidates have to pay in the USD.

This is disturbing because the Ministry is not being sincere.

Now, the heads have been instructed that they have to accept fees in USD for the simple reason that if the fees are paid in the ZWL$ now, at the time of remitting the money to ZIMSEC it would have lost value because of the high inflation.

Therefore, we feel this is very unfair, not only to the prospective candidates but even to the parents also. A lot of these parents, especially in rural areas, do not earn USD.

Madhuku demanded that the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Evelyn Ndlovu should return to the Parliament and explain why the government has changed goalposts.

-CITE

By A Correspondent- A Harare Magistrates Court delivered a ruling in a case in which musician Stunner was accused of assaulting his wife Dyonne Tafirenyika.

The ruling was handed down on Friday after a full trial in which Stunner denied ever laying a finger on his wife.

Stunner was found not guilty of assault. He was acquitted of all charges by Harare magistrate Evelyn Mashayakure.

Magistrate Mashayakure ruled that Dyonne Tafirenyika’s evidence to support her claim that she was assaulted by Stunner was weak to an extent that a reasonable court would not convict the musician.

Stunner allegedly had a misunderstanding with his wife after she refused to give him her mobile phone.

It was the State’s case that he went on to slap her before forcibly removing her artificial nails.

Stunner pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has urged jailed CCC members and human rights activists to remain strong following incessant persecution by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

President Chamisa also encouraged the nation to vote in numbers.

“CITIZENS SOLIDARITY & SUPPORT TO OUR CHANGE CHAMPIONS.

We don’t agonize.We organize.We WIN! Free them all. #FakaPressure,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

CCC Namibia has also called for solidarity with Hon Job Sikhala, Hon Godfrey Sithole and jailed party members.

“Citizens in Namibia embrace the Job Saro Wiwa Day on 2 August 2022.

We urge all social democrats across the globe to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Wiwa, Godfrey Sithole, and all prisoners of conscience. #FreeWiwa”

Tinashe Sambiri| Jailed CCC deputy chairperson and MP, Hon Job Sikhala says he is a man of great strength despite relentless persecution by the Zanu PF regime.

Hon Sikhala and Hon Godfrey Sithole were arrested for firmly supporting the Ali family following the gruesome murder of Moreblessing.

See below Hon Sikhala’s epistle from Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

An Epistle From Chikurubi Maximum Prison

Dear Zimbabweans,

We would like to thank you all dear Zimbabweans for the demonstration of love, care and unbridled concern for the pain we are going through. We feel your love even when we are under incarceration here at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

We are pleased that besides members of our own political party CCC, all Zimbabweans of different political, social and ideological persuasion are standing with us.

Although I am going through difficult moments at present with the escalated persecution of my own and my other colleagues here in prison with me, be grateful beloved compatriots that we are all in high spirits.

I went through an unexplainable illness, I am on the road to recovery, please pray for us.

Standing for the weak and downtrodden in society as I did for Moreblessing Ali and many others is my God’s is calling.

My reward is in heaven, I do it selflessly, and sometimes I end up asking myself why my conscience is always triggered to stand for the predicament of other people. I was just born like that by my mother and father.

Also watch video:

By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officer has been dragged to court after he failed to pay a US$600 debt.

Edison Sithole, who is stationed at 4 Brigade, was arraigned before Masvingo Magistrate Conceptor Ngwerume on Thursday.

Sithole borrowed USD600 and 2500 Rand from Sarah Fararira with the intention of buying second hand cellphones for resale.

However, he failed to repay the money, leaving the complainant with no option but to approach the court in an effort to recover her money.

The accused is alleged to have made a profit from his cellphone business but failed to own up to his promise to repay the debt.

Fararira demanded that Sithole pay the debt in two months’ time since he had inconvenienced her and lied that he didn’t record profit from the business.

Sithole pleaded with the court to give him four months to repay the debt but Ngwerume would have none of it, directing him to make full payment by September 30, 2022.

Low salaries of government employees have been regarded as a major security threat as members of security forces are getting involved in money heists.

Majority of robbery gangs which have been busted in recent months have serving members of the army and police force.

By A Correspondent- Civil servants have abandoned the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) with immediate effect, after two years of fruitless meetings.

The NJNC brought together the government and unions representing civil servants for negotiations on the latter’s salaries and conditions of service.

Civil servants have been demanding at least US$840 for the lowest paid worker but the government has turned down the request, citing financial constraints.

In a letter written to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, the Federation of Zimbabwe Educators Union (FOZEU) said:

In this regard, honourable minister, workers through their representatives as they fall under the banner of APEX Council do hereby notify you of their withdrawal from the NJNC and the Health Service Bipartite Negotiating Forum (BNP) forum with immediate effect.

The same labour force would also want to bring to your attention that all the labour unions under the auspices of their federations are in unison with the observations and standing position that they will abide by the 14th day nationwide industrial action submitted to your office on the 4th of July 2022.

The civil servants lamented disagreements that characterised their meetings with the government over the past two years, with the meetings ending inconclusively.

They also bemoaned the government’s penchant for taking too long to implement some of the agreed conditions. Reads the letter:

The current negotiating forum does not uphold labour constitutional rights as enshrined in the national constitution section 65(1) which calls for collective bargaining.

Further to that, statutory you need to understand that statutory Instrument 141/97 under which we have been convening has since been superseded by section 65 of the current constitution and is therefore illegal.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) yesterday said it had picked up over 180 000 errors on the voters roll as of June 23, a figure election watchdogs said was too huge and could have a strong bearing on the outcome of next year’s elections.

Zec spokesperson Jasper Mangwana told a Press conference in Harare yesterday that the commission has been making changes to the voters roll in compliance with section 35 of the Electoral Act.

The commission continues to clean the voters roll because it is a fluid document. It continues to change. The voters roll alterations that have been gazetted and effected, so far, as from June 23, 2022 is a total of 186 220 errors,” Mangwana said.

“Majority of the errors include full stop, where there should not be a full stop, omissions, in terms of the names of the chief of that area. From November 21 up to date, the commission has gazetted a total of 96 284 deceased voters that have been removed from the voters roll. The public must expect more because these figures continue to come every day.”

Electoral watchdogs, however, said it was crucial for the electoral management body to minimise errors to avoid cases where registered voters failed to cast their votes in the 2023 elections.

“The errors have a direct impact on Zec’s credibility,” Electoral Resource Centre programmes manager Solomon Bobosibunu said.

“These are administrative issues that must be very minimal, especially when the system is now computerised. Why those errors in the first place? It’s high time the electoral body makes use of technology for accurate data capturing.”

Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust national co-ordinator Robson Chikwinya said the number of the detected errors was suspiciously “too big”.

“It is an issue of concern for errors to be detected on the voters roll as this can go a long way to influence the outcome of the upcoming elections,” Chikwinya said.

Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network chairperson Andrew Makoni urged Zimbabweans to inspect the voters roll to avoid inconveniences on polling day.

“It is critical for the people to check the voters roll. Errors are unavoidable, but they must be minimised. Citizens must go and inspect the voters roll and ensure that all their details are captured correctly,” Makoni said.

Mangwana also announced that the Treasury had released US$83 million for the delimitation exercise, which starts tomorrow, with US$45 million set aside for the voter inspection process.

“We also have US$38 million for the delimitation exercise and the budget will cater for the printing of the voters roll, hiring of vehicles, stakeholder engagement that has been happening and will continue to happen, material acquisition, voter education material, advertising, publicity and the personal welfare, among others,” he said.

Zimbabwe last carried a delimitation exercise in 2007 ahead of the 2008 harmonised elections.

By A Correspondent- Home Affairs deputy minister Ruth Mavhunga-Maboyi has professed ignorance to the involvement of serving and ex-police and army members allegedly committing robberies and various other crimes in the country.

This was after opposition legislators on Wednesday took Mavhunga-Maboyi to task over armed robbery cases involving State security agents.

Mutare Central MP Innocent Gonese had asked:  “What is the ministry doing to ascertain why so many serving members of the police or army services are being involved in armed robbery cases?”

Some ex-soldiers have been arraigned before the courts charged with armed robbery, triggering public security concerns.

The robbers mostly target individuals carrying large sums of money, corporates as well as gold mines.

But the deputy minister professed ignorance that people in the security services were involved in some armed robberies.

“I am not very aware that all those armed robberies are being done by the army and the police. I know of course that there are some who have been arrested but if you are insisting that I should talk more about it, I have no words to say,” Maboyi said.

She added: “We also have police officers who are experts, but we cannot say the police or the army are the ones who are stealing.  Even ourselves here, we might be some of those doing that.

“We are saying once they are arrested we are going to deal with them. We are trying by all means to make sure that we make a follow-up of whatever is happening.

Last year, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe admitted before Parliament that some ex-members of the security services were involved in armed robberies.

-Newsday