Cash strapped Harare City Council is currently (today)conducting arbitrary water disconnections in Kuwadzana six (6) for properties that ‘owe’ the local authority on rates.

The action by the local authority has been viewed by residents as a fundraising effort to service the “dubious” Pomona Waste to Energy debt.

CHRA Coordinator Ward 38 , Charmaine Sigudu has confirmed that 30 houses have been disconnected in her area and the rampant exercise continue unabated.

Even those who are paying rates but in “arrears” with the local authority have not been spared by the water disconnections.

The arbitrary water disconnections happens at a time when the local authority has a non functional billing system.

Water disconnections have been used as a strategy by the City of Harare to arm twist residents to pay for services rendered or not provided.

Section 77 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides for the right to water.

Arbitrary water disconnections have been fuelling corruption between city officials and residents in most high density suburbs.

More to follow…………

Freelance journalist Simbarashe Sithole on 7 June 2022 filed a report with the police following threats he reportedly received over a story he wrote on alleged corruption in Minister of Home Affairs Honourable Kazembe Kazembe’s Mazowe West constituency.

In a call recording, a caller, who identified himself as Saunyama, threatened to assault the journalist and to also ‘deal with him on social media’.

The caller expressed his displeasure with the stories that Sithole has been writing pertaining to Minister Kazembe and even asked Sithole to disclose his location threatening to assault him.

In the police report filed at Mvurwi Police Station, Sithole said he is fearing for his life following the threats and harassment by Saunyama who is allegedly a political activist. 

MISA Zimbabwe position 

MISA Zimbabwe condemns any form of violence, threats, intimidation and harassment of journalists and media workers, more so, during the course of their professional duties. 

Journalists have a constitutional mandate and right to seek, receive and impart information without hindrance and such violations (threats) are an unjustifiable infringement in the exercise of their right to media freedom.

MISA Zimbabwe urges any persons with complaints over stories written by journalists to approach the Zimbabwe Media Commission or the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe for redress.

These cases that are sprouting about corruption involving Local Government Minister are very serious. For some reasons Government is not showing determination in dealing with these cases.

Why should the Commissioner General of the Police wait for someone to make a formal report of these cases. These are cases where the National Prosecuting Authority must spring into action as soon as they sniff them.

If these organisations cannot protect the public from corrupt officials, particularly Ministers, then we are doomed.

Circumventing the tender processes must understandably be done in emergency procurement situations. Minister Moyo’s modus operandi seems to be of misleading Cabinet in awarding of contracts to his cronies.

Alternatively, he abuses his position in forcing councils and giving orders to his proxies. In his world there are no limits as to what he must do. The most worrying thing is that he is openly conflicted and he is not bothered at all.

Besides, the institutions that are supposed to rein in on Moyo, one wonders why he has the temerity to do such acts in the full glare of his appointing authorities. The question becomes, is Moyo doing it with the blessings and authority from his superiors??

If not why are they not acting? One can only imagine how difficult it is to investigate a serving Minister. This compromises the investigations and one cannot rule out intimidation, interference etc.

Our Government architecture is such that Ministers get seconded from the party and in this case Zanu PF. Under normal circumstances one would expect Zanu PF to be making the most noise regarding Minister Moyo’s corrupt tendencies but they’re mum.

Is it because the party has embraced corruption as a way of life? How do they expect to stand in front of the masses with such a dirty image. Not even a petty thief would like to marry a corrupt lady.

Our National mantra that Zimbabwe is open for business does not make any sense in light of these rampant issues of corruption. No investor will be comfortable with Government Ministers who disregard their own governance rules.

This is painful because it’s being done by one of our own. The international community will paint us all with the same dirty brush. The excesses of one individual must not supersede the rights of all well meaning Zimbabweans.

Govt must instill confidence in the people especially as we are approaching elections. Where is the Uchena report? Have we done what the Motlanthe report stated? All these are confidence busters. Gvt needs to reinvent it’s image.

The Pomona Waste to Energy Projectis grossly overrated and over-priced as a power generation project but Gvt is acting like it’s all normal.

For your information, the peak load for Harare is about 500MW, and that plant (15MW) cannot supply the suburb of Eastlea at peak loading. The purported cost of $240M for 15MW is scandalous beyond belief.

Below are comparative projects that could be constructed and commissioned with $240M USD:

1) 100MW coal fired power plant,

2) 250MW solar plant

3) 120MW hydro power plant (mini Kariba).

You can see how such a plant shouldn’t cost more than $30M!

The Ministry of Health and Child Care would like to warn the public and its stakeholders of an ongoing outbreak of monkeypox in 19 endemic and non-endemic countries within and outside Africa.

As of the 26th of May 2022, a total of 257 laboratory-confirmed cases and 120 suspected cases had been reported and zero deaths have been reported in non-endemic areas.

Monkeypox is a rare viral zoonotic disease endemic to Central and West Africa. The disease is not endemic in Zimbabwe. It spreads through close contact with people, animals or material infected with the virus. Symptoms of the disease include rash, fever, headache, muscle ache, swelling and back pain. The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox.

Currently, there is no proven treatment for monkeypox virus infection, but the disease is self-limiting (it resolves on its own within a few weeks). Despite the above the disease can be fatal with a case fatality rate of up to 6%.

Prevention and control measures.
• Avoiding contact with animals that could harbor the virus (including animals that are sick or that have been found dead from unknown causes.

• Avoiding contact with any materials, such as bedding and clothing that has been in contact with a sick animal or person suspected to have monkeypox infection.

• Isolating suspected infected patients from others who could be at risk for infection.

• Practising good hand hygiene such as washing of hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Using personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for suspected patients.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care wishes to reassure the public that currently no cases have been reported in Zimbabwe, but it is monitoring the evolving situation of the outbreak in other countries with keen interest. The ministry has also placed its structures on high alert. Anyone who suspects that they have similar symptoms as that of monkeypox should report to the nearest health facility as soon as possible or call our toll-free line 2019 for assistance.

Ministry of Health and Child Care, Public Relations Department [email protected]

The Ministry of Health and Child Care would like to warn the public and its stakeholders of an ongoing outbreak of monkeypox in 19 endemic and non-endemic countries within and outside Africa.

As of the 26th of May 2022, a total of 257 laboratory-confirmed cases and 120 suspected cases had been reported and zero deaths have been reported in non-endemic areas.

Monkeypox is a rare viral zoonotic disease endemic to Central and West Africa. The disease is not endemic in Zimbabwe. It spreads through close contact with people, animals or material infected with the virus. Symptoms of the disease include rash, fever, headache, muscle ache, swelling and back pain. The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox.

Currently, there is no proven treatment for monkeypox virus infection, but the disease is self-limiting (it resolves on its own within a few weeks). Despite the above the disease can be fatal with a case fatality rate of up to 6%.

Prevention and control measures.
• Avoiding contact with animals that could harbor the virus (including animals that are sick or that have been found dead from unknown causes.

• Avoiding contact with any materials, such as bedding and clothing that has been in contact with a sick animal or person suspected to have monkeypox infection.

• Isolating suspected infected patients from others who could be at risk for infection.

• Practising good hand hygiene such as washing of hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Using personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for suspected patients.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care wishes to reassure the public that currently no cases have been reported in Zimbabwe, but it is monitoring the evolving situation of the outbreak in other countries with keen interest. The ministry has also placed its structures on high alert. Anyone who suspects that they have similar symptoms as that of monkeypox should report to the nearest health facility as soon as possible or call our toll-free line 2019 for assistance.

Ministry of Health and Child Care, Public Relations Department [email protected]

The Vice President Constantino Chiwenga led Health Ministry has hiked user fees at public hospitals by 1 748%, prompting analysts to warn of an upsurge in home deaths.

New adult and children consultation fees have been pegged at US$12 and US$6, respectively, which are an equivalent of $3 696 and $1 848 in the local currency using the official exchange of US$1:$308.

Hospital fees were last increased in January 2020, with adults and children respectively paying $200 and $100 in Zimbabwe dollars at the time.

“Reference is made to the hospital user fees circular dated April 19, and the Exchange Control Exclusive Use of Zimbabwe dollar for Domestic Transactions Amendment Regulations, 2020 no 3 (Statutory Instrument 185 of 2020).

“Following the release convergence of the Exchange Control Directive No 3 of 2022, in line with the convergence of the auction exchange rates and the interbank willing-buyer willing-seller exchange rate, you are being advised to implement user fees in line with the current interbank exchange rates,” Health and Child Care ministry secretary Jasper Chimedza wrote in a memo dated June 1, 2022.

Chimedza was not reachable for comment last night.

The memo was addressed to provincial medical directors, medical superintendents and public hospital chief executive officers.

Following the directive, consultation fees for adults are now at US$12 and children US$6. Ward fees for adults are set at US$12, and US$8 for children.

“Ambulance fees per kilometre US$1,60. Intensive/coronary care unit per day — adults now at $US16. Intensive/coronary care unit per day — children now at $US10. Consultation fee is valid for seven days and chronic consultation fees are valid for one month,” a notice to the public hospitals read.

The notice says patients may pay the new fees at the interbank rate, which currently stands at $325 to US$1.

Patients were paying almost half in user fees before the latest increase.

The new user fee hike will hit most Zimbabweans, who have been forced to turn to public hospitals as the pricing at private health facilities is beyond the reach of many.

However, public hospitals have been failing to provide quality services owing to years of underfunding.

Analysts said the increase in user fees would worsen the plight of patients battling to access health care due to prohibitive costs.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo said many people would die at home because they could not afford the fees.

“This is too expensive for civil servants and other ordinary citizens. This will lead to many people dying at home. People will die unnoticed, and people will die with conditions that can be saved if they manage to go to the hospital. It’s an unfortunate scenario,” he said.

Plagued by a scarcity of drugs, dilapidated medical equipment and persistent strikes over poor remuneration by health sector professionals, the public healthcare system is on the verge of collapse.

Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) executive director Itai Rusike said the new hospital fees barred access to equitable health care services for the majority of ordinary citizens.

“The CWGH is concerned that the new hospital fees will increase the barriers to use of services and inevitably bar access to equitable healthcare services by the majority of poor people that depend on the public healthcare system. These user fees are not affordable to many, defeating the point of having the right to health in the Constitution,” Rusike said.

“We understand that the hospitals are facing severe cash constraints. However we are concerned that the situation at present is one in which the public is not being adequately informed on what exactly to expect at hospitals and thus cannot adequately budget and plan for their visits to these services,” he added.

The public health sector faces funding shortfalls as Zimbabwe has over the years failed to meet the Abuja Declaration on health spending, which calls for 15% budget allocation to the sector.

Government once mooted plans to introduce a raft of new taxes targeting every Zimbabweans, even the self-employed, to fund a compulsory health insurance scheme for public hospitals.-Newsday

An electrician has been charged with culpable homicide after he allegedly caused the death of a student on internship.

Brian Kunaka (48) was remanded in custody to July 11 when he appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda. He was advised to approach the High Court for bail application.

The court heard that on April 22 this year, Kunaka was at the Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company power plant in Harare’s Msasa industrial area.

On the fateful day, he was in charge of the switch board and at around 3pm, he allegedly switched on the screen rotary machine without checking.

The now-deceased Godfrey Chipoyera, who was still inside, working on the machine was then crushed to death.

In an unrelated case, Tendai Mawanza (28) also appeared before Dzuda charged with theft of property worth US$44 064 belonging to Sterile Hygiene (Pvt) Limited.

Mawanza, who was employed as a sales agent and cashier at the company, was granted $20 000

bail.

The court heard that on May 16, 2022, an internal audit revealed that US$44 064 was missing and Mawanza failed to account for the money, leading to her arrest.

George Manokore represented the State in both cases. –Newsday

As bread prices continue to soar, public sector employees are now comparing and contrasting their low wages to how many loaves they can actually purchase.

A loaf of bread in the country now costs between $600 and $945, way beyond the reach of many workers, a majority of whom take home $35 000 per month.

A teacher’s payslip seen by NewsDay yesterday revealed that they take home $19 818, excluding the US$75 COVID-19 allowance.

Following the latest bread increases, teachers in the country said a teacher’s salary was equivalent to 20 loaves of bread.

“This is an example of a rare payslip for a teacher. It’s clean. No loans. Most teachers have three loan deductions and net around $9 000. The only money left of significance is the US$175 (US$100 from the salary) that comes in cash. Remember, this is a teacher who once earned US$540 before October 2018,” said Tafadzwa Munodawafa, the Educators Union of Zimbabwe president, adding that the low salaries were a mockery to the profession.

“Our members and the fraternity at large have made it clear that it’s no longer feasible to continue to work under the prevailing economic hardships. Currently, a teacher at the entry point is earning just about two dozen loaves of bread. It’s preposterous to say the least,” Munodawafa said.

“As a union, we have come to appreciate that the government doesn’t respect the process of dialogue. The employer has continued to give us a raw deal. Our genuine demands for a sustainable salary that should contribute to our pension package continue to be ignored. We are left with no choice, but to organise ourselves to resist the slave wages. I call upon all teachers union leaders and other government workers’ unions to come together to map a collective way forward as is expected of us by the members we represent.”

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said: “Teachers are earning as little as $20 000 per month (outside COVID-19 and cushion allowance), a salary which can only afford to pay for 20 loaves of bread. The teachers are starving, and cannot afford to access basic services such as education, healthcare and accommodation among others.”— Newsday

Tinashe Sambiri| Zanu PF man Sybeth Musengezi has declared that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa will lose the 2023 Presidential election because he lacks direction and vision.

Musengezi took a swipe at Mr Mnangagwa for failing to arrest corruption.

“Our current leaders have failed to run the country, they have failed the economy. Corruption is rife and generally people are suffering. On top of that, there is a lot of disgruntlement and factionalism in ZANU PF, so bhora musango is inevitable.

If Chamisa plays his cards well, I foresee him winning the hearts of many in 2023, even among those currently in ZANU PF may vote for him,” declared Musengezi.

Mr Mnangagwa, quoted by a daily paper, conceded Zanu PF has been torn apart by factionalism.

Speaking to Glenview 7 residents last week, he said:

“Here in Harare, there is a lot of factionalism. Masimirembwa is struggling to contain factionalism in the province, and we don’t want that in the party. ZANU PF does not belong to individuals.”

A Harare court is expected to decide today on a case of deliberate HIV transmission, two months after the country decriminalised transmission of the virus.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) is representing Lindiwe Ndhlovu, who was accused of deliberately infecting her boyfriend, the complainant in the matter.

Ndhlovu, through her lawyer Paidamoyo Saurombe, filed an application for removal from further remand following the decriminalisation of wilful HIV transmission.

In his application before magistrate Yeukai Dzuda, Saurombe argued that section 70(1)(1) of the Constitution provides that no person may be convicted of an act or omission that is no longer an offence.

“Following the repeal of section 79 of the Criminal Code which former section the accused person was charged under, the provisions of section 70(1)(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe protect the accused person from any further remand,” Saurombe submitted.

It is further submitted that there is no possibility of a conviction arising out of an act that is no longer an offence. By operation of law, on May 27, 2022, the State as dominus litis (the person who is actually behind legal proceedings, even if they are brought in the name of someone else) ceased to have any basis to further remand the accused person as there was no longer a charge recognisable in law.

“It is thus submitted that the accused person must not be placed on any further remand as the basis of being placed on remand has ceased by operation of law. In the result, the accused person prays that she is removed from remand.”

According to court papers, the accused person was arrested on March 31 this year and appeared in court where she was placed on remand and the matter was postponed to April 4 for bail consideration.

She was then granted bail on April 4, and the matter was remanded to April 29.

However, the State said it was still perusing the docket and conducting further investigations.

In April, Zimbabwe became the second country in Africa to fully repeal its HIV-specific criminal law after the Marriages Amendment Bill was signed into law.

Prior to the legislation’s passage, an act of HIV transmission could result in a sentence of up to 20 years in prison under section 79 of Zimbabwe’s Criminal Code.

The statute was, however, seldom enforced. -Newsday

Two Zimbabweans suspected to have been part of a six-man armed robbery gang were shot dead during a shootout with Botswana police.

Botswana Police Service public relations officer, Senior Superintendent Near Bagali confirmed the incident which occurred in the neighbouring country on Monday.

In a statement, he said three other suspects, two of them Zimbabweans have been arrested. Another suspect who is a Motswana is in hospital after he was injured during the shootout.

Senior Supt Bagali said the gang, which was armed with pistols stole cellphones from a house.

“Two Zimbabwean men died in an exchange of fire with members of the Botswana Police Service this morning (06/06/2022) near Botswana College of Engineering and Technology.

Another suspect a Motswana man got injured in the process and is hospitalised.

Three others being two Zimbabweans and a Motswana have since been arrested,” he said.

“This follows an incident in which the six armed men aged between 33 and 45 allegedly attacked and robbed a 34-year-old man of cellphones at his residence.

The robbers fled the scene and were later involved in an exchange of fire with the police.”

He said the police have since recovered three pistols suspected to have been used in the commission of the offence.

The stolen cellphones have also been recovered from the suspects.

Senior Supt Bagali said a vehicle with false registration number suspected to have been used in committing the crime has been impounded.

He said preliminary investigations indicate that some of the suspects have been on police wanted list for various cases of robbery committed in Gaborone and surrounding areas.

Senior Supt Bagali said further investigations were underway.

Botswana is home to a number of Zimbabweans who have moved to the neighbouring country.— Chronicle

Tinashe Sambiri|
Zanu PF Vice President – Constantino Chiwenga has been lambasted on social for taking in another woman after abandoning Marry Mubaiwa.

Chiwenga has found new love in the name of army Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi.

Zimbabweans have castigated the former army general for viewing woman as s*x objects.

This comes after Chiwenga’s acrimonious divorce with Marry.

Below are some comments on Chiwenga’s latest marriage.

Pelo Irvin:
“Miniyothabo Baloyi don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

Linx Alvin:
“Ladies luv money yooo
Even if satan was here wainzwa akutonzi Satie bbe nekuda Mari chete.”

Lawrence Shumba:
“May her soul rest in eternal peace in advance.”

Judith Nyatanga:

“I think Baloyi is not normal something wrong munjere dzake anoda kuongororwa shame.”

“Mandishona Wayne:
Vakadzi ava dzidze umwe ari kuwora iwe woroorwa na Satan ivava kuda mari dze kubiwa idzodzo manje zviri kupera sooon mbwa dzevanhu.”

Goromonzi West MP, Energy Mutodi (ZANU PF), says he has been receiving death threats over the few days.

Mutodi, a former Deputy Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Service Minister, said he has increased his personal security as a result of the threats. He tweeted on Sunday:

“I am tightening personal security following direct and indirect threats on my life in recent days.

MPs are public officials who represent the people and speak for the voiceless.

They must never be targeted for what they say or do in or outside Parliament.”

Barely three weeks ago, Mutodi urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to reshuffle his Cabinet as a matter of urgency to avoid a humiliating defeat in the 2023 elections.

Mutodi said that some cabinet members do not have what it takes to help Mnangagwa solve the country’s economic challenges.

Mutodi had earlier criticised Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube in the National Assembly, asking why it took him such a long time to realise that buying and selling foreign currency has become the primary business in the country.

He also asked Ncube why Zimbabwe continued to use bond notes when he (Mthuli) has previously stated that “bad money drives out good money” before he became a Cabinet Minister.- Pindula News

Tinashe Sambiri|
Zanu PF Vice President – Constantino Chiwenga has been lambasted on social for taking in another woman after abandoning Marry Mubaiwa.

Chiwenga has found new love in the name of army Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi.

Zimbabweans have castigated the former army general for viewing woman as s*x objects.

This comes after Chiwenga’s acrimonious divorce with Marry.

Below are some comments on Chiwenga’s latest marriage.

Pelo Irvin:
“Miniyothabo Baloyi don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

Linx Alvin:
“Ladies luv money yooo
Even if satan was here wainzwa akutonzi Satie bbe nekuda Mari chete.”

Lawrence Shumba:
“May her soul rest in eternal peace in advance.”

Judith Nyatanga:

“I think Baloyi is not normal something wrong munjere dzake anoda kuongororwa shame.”

“Mandishona Wayne:
Vakadzi ava dzidze umwe ari kuwora iwe woroorwa na Satan ivava kuda mari dze kubiwa idzodzo manje zviri kupera sooon mbwa dzevanhu.”

Tinashe Sambiri|
Zanu PF Vice President – Constantino Chiwenga has been lambasted on social for taking in another woman after abandoning Marry Mubaiwa.

Chiwenga has found new love in the name of army Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi.

Zimbabweans have castigated the former army general for viewing woman as s*x objects.

This comes after Chiwenga’s acrimonious divorce with Marry.

Below are some comments on Chiwenga’s latest marriage.

Pelo Irvin:
“Miniyothabo Baloyi don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

Linx Alvin:
“Ladies luv money yooo
Even if satan was here wainzwa akutonzi Satie bbe nekuda Mari chete.”

Lawrence Shumba:
“May her soul rest in eternal peace in advance.”

Judith Nyatanga:

“I think Baloyi is not normal something wrong munjere dzake anoda kuongororwa shame.”

“Mandishona Wayne:
Vakadzi ava dzidze umwe ari kuwora iwe woroorwa na Satan ivava kuda mari dze kubiwa idzodzo manje zviri kupera sooon mbwa dzevanhu.”

Tinashe Sambiri| Zanu PF man Sybeth Musengezi has declared that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa will lose the 2023 Presidential election because he lacks direction and vision.

Musengezi took a swipe at Mr Mnangagwa for failing to arrest corruption.

“Our current leaders have failed to run the country, they have failed the economy. Corruption is rife and generally people are suffering. On top of that, there is a lot of disgruntlement and factionalism in ZANU PF, so bhora musango is inevitable.

If Chamisa plays his cards well, I foresee him winning the hearts of many in 2023, even among those currently in ZANU PF may vote for him,” declared Musengezi.

Mr Mnangagwa, quoted by a daily paper, conceded Zanu PF has been torn apart by factionalism.

Speaking to Glenview 7 residents last week, he said:

“Here in Harare, there is a lot of factionalism. Masimirembwa is struggling to contain factionalism in the province, and we don’t want that in the party. ZANU PF does not belong to individuals.”

Tinashe Sambiri| Zanu PF man Sybeth Musengezi has declared that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa will lose the 2023 Presidential election because he lacks direction and vision.

Musengezi took a swipe at Mr Mnangagwa for failing to arrest corruption.

“Our current leaders have failed to run the country, they have failed the economy. Corruption is rife and generally people are suffering. On top of that, there is a lot of disgruntlement and factionalism in ZANU PF, so bhora musango is inevitable.

If Chamisa plays his cards well, I foresee him winning the hearts of many in 2023, even among those currently in ZANU PF may vote for him,” declared Musengezi.

Mr Mnangagwa, quoted by a daily paper, conceded Zanu PF has been torn apart by factionalism.

Speaking to Glenview 7 residents last week, he said:

“Here in Harare, there is a lot of factionalism. Masimirembwa is struggling to contain factionalism in the province, and we don’t want that in the party. ZANU PF does not belong to individuals.”

The ruling Zanu-PF has castigated a vocal United Kingdom lawmaker Jonathan Oates (Lord Oates), a British Liberal Democrat politician and member of the House of Lords, accusing him of being undemocratic and hobnobbing with the Zimbabwean opposition in pursuit of a regime change agenda.   

Oates has been one of the many UK lawmakers who have consistently criticised President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime, accusing the government of violating human rights and failing to observe the rule of law.

The UK lawmaker has also accused the government of targeting the opposition through arbitrary arrests while shrinking the democratic space but his position has angered the ruling Zanu-PF which described him on Wednesday as undemocratic.

“He is not democratically elected himself. He is a Lord by heredity,” Zanu-PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa said.

“The opposition likes those people who are deviants in society. Why choose those friends? Spare us the Lord Oates of this world who are not democratic themselves,” Mutsvangwa added.

Oates recently told the Zimbabwean government to respect and uphold the country’s constitution or else it remains a subject of international scrutiny.

This came as Zimbabwe recently told the UK and United States officials to stop meddling in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs.

The British lawmaker recently triggered debate in the House of Lords on Zimbabwe’s alleged failure to uphold the constitution and respect human rights while also accusing Zanu-PF of actively undermining the country’s main opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC).

Mutsvangwa recently said Oates was a political toddler suffering from colonial hangover, saying he was an intelligence agent during his days in Zimbabwe under the guise of being a teacher.

But Oates dismissed Mutsvangwa’s allegations as desperate lies, insisting he was a teacher in rural Zimbabwe in the 1980s.

Oates has raised several issues of concern on Zimbabwe in the House of Commons including the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) Amendment Bill and the proposed Patriotic Bill that he said will further shrink the democratic space under Mnangagwa.

The UK has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe over human rights abuses including the August 2018 shootings and the January 2019 fuel protests killings that saw Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) boss Isaac Moyo, former Presidential Guard commander now Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Tanzania Anselem Sanyatwe and former State Security minister Owen Ncube being placed under sanctions.

-Newshawks

By Jane Mlambo| Former Local government minister Savior Kasukuwere has dismissed the Pomona waste to energy deal as unacceptable insisting that the minister should not foist it on ratepayers without their consent.

Posting on Twitter, Kasukuwere said the Pomona Waste to energy deal should have been subjected to the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe processes.

He also urged government to take responsibility of paying what he termed ridiculous amounts to Geogenix instead of foisting it on ratepayers.

“Pomona Scandal is unacceptable. The Min can’t foist the deal on ratepayers without their consent. Unless govt and cabinet takes responsibility for paying the ridiculous amounts, it can’t fly. The truth is this deal must be subjected to a due process PRAZ!!!,” said Kasukuwere.

The now exiled former Zanu PF commissar said Local government minister July Moyo was out of line.

“There is no such law that imposes a burden on the ratepayers, more so without regard to the tender regulations. The Minis totally out of line and we should call him out. Govt has processes and they should be respected.”

“If govt feels strongly then they should use Mthuli’s budget to pay the 22k/day. However to impose the burden on city ratepayers is also not acceptable. In other words, you can’t spend ratepayers funds without their consent. No taxation without representation,” added Kasukuwere.

“-Vakamutsakatisa mukadzi uyu [THEY MADE THIS WOMAN DISAPPEAR]
-Vanhu vacho vanoti
Chisango, brother yake, mukadzi wake, Liberty Mondiwa nevamwe vacho [PEOPLE INVOLVED ARE CHISANGO, HIS BROTHER, HIS WIFE, LIBERTY MONDIWA AND OTHERS]
-Munhu uyu vaimupomera mhosva ye kuti mutsigiri we CCC [THEY WERE BLAMING HIM FOR BEING A CCC ACTIVIST]
-Zvinhu izvi zvinoratidza kuti Chibhanguza urimo munyaya. [THIS SHOWS THAT CHIBANGUZA IS INVOLVED]
-Ini ndakarowa mwedzi wapera wa April ndichipomerwa mhosva yokutsigira CCC [I WAS ASSAULTED LQST WEEK FOR SUPPORTING CCC]
-Ndapona mupaburi retsono. Ndine mazino matatu ari kuzungunuka.

[I SURVIVED BY A WHISKER, 3 OF MY TEETH ARE CRACKLING]

-Mapurisa yeku Beatrice akauya nezuro kuzotora nyaya.” [BEATRICE POLICE CAME YESTERDAY TO INVESTIGATE]”

THIS INVESTIGATION IS SPONSORED BY PHUMULANI MINNESOTA AFRICAN WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE.

By A Correspondent | The sun is shining bright, though temperatures are winter low, and we are on a long search for Moreblessing Ali, a 46y old CCC party activist who was kidnapped on 24th May 2022 after 8pm by named ZANU PF activists in the Nyatsime area.

The incident according witnesses, happened at the Chibhanguza Night Club, where Moreblessing Ali was assaulted and then dragged into the nearby bush. She is missing for nearly 2 weeks to date.

Upon entering the Nyatsime area, the atmosphere changes. The air is thick full of fear, people are barely talking especially with strangers, and rarely walking around as usual. We pass through Chibhanguza Night Club on the way to ZANU PF Chairperson Simba Chisango’s home.

Getting into the street, ZimEye notices several children being chased off and being threatened with violence, an incident so frightening that we can’t film it. “Where are you going?- Murikuenda kupiko?,” a group of emotionally charged unidentified men ask them before picking up stones to assault the vulnerable minors so to ward them off Chisango’s house. What is inside this shackhouse that is so protected and even harmless kids should not see?

Talking to several people, the conclusion is- tension and angers are rising over Moreblessing Ali’s forced disappearance.

There are two vehicles, a green Toyota Altezza, and a dark grey Nissan Xtrail (3 police officers, one of them one holding an AK rifle). We manage to get at least number plates of the Toyota Altezza: AEH8372. The Nissan Xtrail belongs to a uniformed police officer. Even though we fail to get finer details, it is visually clear that the several men inside the vehicles are closely guarding Mr Simba Chisango.

When he walks around, he moves with a vigilante of predominantly youths, numbering more than 10.

His property (drone video), at the left side, has a combined red and green roof.

Drone footage at the property Moreblessing could easily be housed, shows Chisango’s home as a quiet, red and green-mix roofing, surrounded by other squatter houses, with no numbers as they are an informal settlement granted by the ruling ZANU PF.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW

Drone footage captures people walking around, but due to the security fears, movements are so minimal, you can easily count the number of people pacing around. We spot just 20 people walking slowly in a large area of more than 800 houses, built without planning permission but under a ZANU PF program lyrically termed in a party song: ZANU PF yakasimba kumaSero- (ZANU PF is strong from cell level.), and this is a Build up to the 2023 election as people are parcelled non regulated land which they will lose if they vote for the opposition.

In the small cachement area where Simba Chisango lives, we see during the period, no one daring to transverse or even encroach his gateway. Is this a coincidence, or this is the work of State agents?

Later on, we spot two vehicles, the Toyota Altezza and a Nissan Xtrail, full of men we obtain, are protecting Simba Chisango.

Our international news desk team calls Mr Simba Chisango once again, this time via phone. The phone is picked up by a woman who says she is his wife. He briefly answers, before putting the phone down after realising he is talking to the media, somewhat avoiding his previous contradictory statements in the 20 min interview on 30 May 2022 (VIDEO BELOW), when he said he only got to know of Moreblessing Ali’s disappearance in social media, but would in less than 2 minutes, shift to the opposite as he began sahing that he first obtained information on Moreblessing Ali’s disappearance right on the ground at Chibhanguza (not from social media as earlier said).

Where is Moreblessing Ali?, he was asked, to which he said, “I am only hearing about this story on social media, you hear?”

“I am just hearing it on social media, come to area and investigate if you want us to agree. Isn’t it?”

The conversation continues as follows-

So, you are telling me you don’t know anything about Moreblessing Ali?

“Me?, she is someone I know- Moreblessing Ali who works in Chitungwiza, in Unit B, she is someone I knew, and is now staying in Nyatsime.”

Why are you using past tense?

“I am meaning where she was staying in Unit B. I was staying in H. Right, from there, she was staying there, until she started living here in Nyatsime, that’s what I know, such that, the information you are asking me about I heard it at the Chibhanguza area, that’s where I hear some commotion happened there, this and that happened, that’s what I heard.”

So you, what have you done, as a ZANU PF leader in the area, so that Moreblessing is found?

“I think we even did some investigations with police, we got into the area, this and that, but, aaah, I know that the person is alive. Isn’t it? Are you hearing?”

“There is no way she would just disappear, the information which I hear, that the people she clashed with, one of them sped off while holding a catapult, after a gun had been pulled out. This is the information, the other one I actually got it today (sic). I am struggling to establish what really happened.”

After this, Simba Chisango names the man now implicated in a police report, and acknowledges that Pius Jamba (the man accused of assaulting Moreblessing Ali and dragging her into the nearby bush, is his cousin.

“Listen Comrade, let me explain to you what’s making my name to come out… there is a young man by name, Pius Jamba, he is the son from my mother’s side, but when people see him, they say he is a Chisango. Right so, from that word, the Chisango who is being talked about is me, a senior in the ZANU PF party, people will be saying he is Chisango’s young brother…”

Chisango is then asked: since your relative is involved in kidnapping Moreblessing, what can you do today for us to find Moreblessing? He replies:

“Now, me now, that question you’re asking me on what to do to find Moreblesssing; I don’t have any reply, because I am just another person confused on this person who is said to be missing.

The young man himself is missing, Moreblessing is missing, the other young man from Mbuya Mhatsva is also missing. If it had been that there is at least one person who is visible, we would then ask that person where the others are,” he says.

But then this young man is your family, so what can you do Mr Chisango?

“Yes, that’s what I am saying I won’t deny him, one can’t reject their relative because they have committed a crime; if he is my relative he will meet his own stories. Do you hear me well, Comrade?”

To this, Simba Chikanza demands what Chisango will do to find Moreblessing, and the conversation continues for the remaining, over 14 minutes.

The police, having been previously quiet for over 5 days, suddenly, soon after this interview, produce a report that agrees with everything Chisango has said in the interview; but the ZRP report which states that the ZANU PF official, Chisango is not involved, fails to mention that the accused is Jamba’s cousin.

The police report also claims Moreblessing (46) was kidnapped following a love affair scuffle with a Pius Jamba who is the age of her own son (25). Moreblessing Ali’s family dismisses the report as “ridiculous.” How could Moreblessing date someone as young as her first born son?, her brother Washington says to ZimEye.

Zengeza MP Job Sikhala also tells ZimEye in an interview, “this Simba Chisango, his brother and their group are known for running terror operations in the whole area.”

A day later, an anonymous message is delivered at Zengeza MP, Job Sikhala’s doorstep, on a piece of paper which says that Chisango is clearly involved in the abduction. It states in Shona as follows:

“-Vakamutsakatisa mukadzi uyu [THEY MADE THIS WOMAN DISAPPEAR]
-Vanhu vacho vanoti
Chisango, brother yake, mukadzi wake, Liberty Mondiwa nevamwe vacho [PEOPLE INVOLVED ARE CHISANGO, HIS BROTHER, HIS WIFE, LIBERTY MONDIWA AND OTHERS]
-Munhu uyu vaimupomera mhosva ye kuti mutsigiri we CCC [THEY WERE BLAMING HIM FOR BEING A CCC ACTIVIST]
-Zvinhu izvi zvinoratidza kuti Chibhanguza urimo munyaya. [THIS SHOWS THAT CHIBANGUZA IS INVOLVED]
-Ini ndakarowa mwedzi wapera wa April ndichipomerwa mhosva yokutsigira CCC [I WAS ASSAULTED LQST WEEK FOR SUPPORTING CCC]
-Ndapona mupaburi retsono. Ndine mazino matatu ari kuzungunuka.

[I SURVIVED BY A WHISKER, 3 OF MY TEETH ARE CRACKLING]

-Mapurisa yeku Beatrice akauya nezuro kuzotora nyaya.” [BEATRICE POLICE CAME YESTERDAY TO INVESTIGATE]”

Contacted on the Monday 6th June 2022, a woman believed to be Chisango’s wife who picks up the phone, emotionally screams out, asking: “Who are you and what do you want? Why do you keep calling this phone?” VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa’s CCC party has produced a report saying: ‘the Police has revealed that the chief suspect, Pius Jamba, is also on the run for other criminal offences. According to information in the possession of the CCC investigation team, Jambo is allegedly facing charges of murder and fraud. Today, further investigations have revealed that chief suspect, Jambo, is in hiding in Hurungwe.

A team has been dispatched to conduct a further search for him there while the investigation into the whereabouts of Moreblessing Ali continue.’

On the 6th June 2022, ZimEye’s Simba Chikanza telephones Mr. Simba Chisango and reiterates the message to him:

Morning Mr Chisango… I’m sure you’re already aware you’re under 24/7 surveillance over the kidnapping of Moreblessing Ali. You’re already aware this is an international criminal prosecution case now, meaning you will be arrested in several countries upon arriving in nations such as Zambia, South Africa,UK, Australia, US, and others. You have an opportunity to talk to me and clear up the huge discrepancies in what you said in the interview.

Simba Chikanza.

THE SEARCH FOR MOREBLESSSING ALI CONTINUES.- ZimEye

Goromonzi West MP, Energy Mutodi (ZANU PF), says he has been receiving death threats over the few days.

Mutodi, a former Deputy Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Service Minister, said he has increased his personal security as a result of the threats. He tweeted on Sunday:

“I am tightening personal security following direct and indirect threats on my life in recent days.

MPs are public officials who represent the people and speak for the voiceless.

They must never be targeted for what they say or do in or outside Parliament.”

Barely three weeks ago, Mutodi urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to reshuffle his Cabinet as a matter of urgency to avoid a humiliating defeat in the 2023 elections.

Mutodi said that some cabinet members do not have what it takes to help Mnangagwa solve the country’s economic challenges.

Mutodi had earlier criticised Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube in the National Assembly, asking why it took him such a long time to realise that buying and selling foreign currency has become the primary business in the country.

He also asked Ncube why Zimbabwe continued to use bond notes when he (Mthuli) has previously stated that “bad money drives out good money” before he became a Cabinet Minister.- Pindula News

Goromonzi West MP, Energy Mutodi (ZANU PF), says he has been receiving death threats over the few days.

Mutodi, a former Deputy Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Service Minister, said he has increased his personal security as a result of the threats. He tweeted on Sunday:

“I am tightening personal security following direct and indirect threats on my life in recent days.

MPs are public officials who represent the people and speak for the voiceless.

They must never be targeted for what they say or do in or outside Parliament.”

Barely three weeks ago, Mutodi urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to reshuffle his Cabinet as a matter of urgency to avoid a humiliating defeat in the 2023 elections.

Mutodi said that some cabinet members do not have what it takes to help Mnangagwa solve the country’s economic challenges.

Mutodi had earlier criticised Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube in the National Assembly, asking why it took him such a long time to realise that buying and selling foreign currency has become the primary business in the country.

He also asked Ncube why Zimbabwe continued to use bond notes when he (Mthuli) has previously stated that “bad money drives out good money” before he became a Cabinet Minister.- Pindula News

State Media – The family of the late Stanley Goreraza, who is former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s ex-husband, has asked for privacy as they mourn the former Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) officer, who succumbed to cancer over the weekend.
His family could not say whether or not Grace would attend the funeral.

The funeral is in New Marlborough in Harare. The family preferred to direct questions to the AFZ chaplain.

“The family has requested privacy during these trying times. The main church service will be tomorrow (today). Burial arrangements will be announced in due course,” an AFZ chaplain, who declined to be named, told NewsDay yesterday.

Vice Air Marshal Biltim Chingono visited the family and paid his condolences yesterday, describing Goreraza as a dedicated soldier.

“His love for the country was unquestionable. We have lost a gallant son of the soil; someone who was patriotic,” Chingono said.

Goreraza and Grace have a son, Russel.

Goreraza was posted to serve as a military attaché, first in China and later in India after Mugabe snatched his wife.

They divorced in 1996.—Newsday

The headmaster of Hartzell High School, Shorwi Kawadza, pocketed more than $2 million for firewood supplies made to the school by a company he owns.

According to a recent audit report compiled by Gesimat Consultancy and Auditors, Kawadza, through his Mutrue company, received payments amounting to more than $2 million from the United Methodist Church-run school.

The audit report revealed that there was no declaration of interest or approval.

United Methodist Church’s Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, Reverend Alan Masimba Gurupira confirmed the development to The Manica Post. He said:

We instituted an audit at Hartzell High School through the Council of Finance and Administration and we now have the report, but an audit report cannot be quickly read and interpreted.

We will only be able to discuss the contents after we go through them and sit down to deliberate on the matter. That will be after two days or so.

The audit report says there were no invoices for goods received or documents showing the items purchased were indeed received by the school. Read part of the audit report:

We noted that Mutrue Investments (Private) Limited was a commodity supplier to the school. The company was registered on May 13, 2019, and is registered under Certificate of Incorporation 7605/2019.

The registered directors are Shorwi Kawadza (42-080703 T-42) of House Number 3982, Hobhouse 2, Mutare; Janepher Kawadza (42-108328-W-42) of 3982, Hobhouse 2, Mutare and Mutsa Chanyoka (48-104773-W-42) of 3982, Hobhouse 2, Mutare.

We reviewed the school minutes to ascertain whether Mr Shorwi Kawadza had made a declaration of interest to supply the school and confirm whether there was approval. We did not find the declaration of interest or approval.

Hartzell High School paid Mutrue Investments $238 541 in 2020 and $1 978 110 in 2021 for various items, but mainly firewood.

There were no invoices for goods received or any other note to prove that the items purchased were indeed received by the school.- Manica Post

State Media – The Mbudzi roundabout in Harare will be closed for one and half years to enable the construction of a traffic interchange to proceed with minimum disruptions.

The roundabout is at the intersection of Simon Mazorodze, Chitungwiza and High Glen Roads that feed traffic from western Chitungwiza and many old and new Harare suburbs into Harare city centre as well as the heavy national and regional traffic on the Harare-Masvingo highway.
Construction work started last year at the roundabout which had been a major choke-point of Southern Harare before Government committed resources to turn it into an interchange as the Second Republic continues to upgrade infrastructure to cope with modern demands and trends.

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona gave a notice to close the roundabout in a Statutory Instrument published in a Government Gazette last Friday.

“It is hereby notified that the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, in terms of section 30 of the Roads Act [Chapter 13:18], intends to close the portions of the road described hereunder and as shown on the layout plan 1-ZW125-C167 for the purposes of construction of Mbudzi Interchange.

“The portions of the roads described hereunder shall be closed for a period of one and half years and the motoring public shall be using diversion route: Malvern Road, Forbes Road, Hopely Road and Stoneridge Road bypass Mbudzi,” said Minister Mhona.

Construction of detours is already at an advanced stage as most of the alternative roads have been tarred, giving comfort to motorists who ply the routes.

According to the Statutory Instrument, some of the roads to be closed to allow construction of the interchange include those that constitute the four legs into Mbudzi traffic circle for a distance 15 kilometres from the centre line of the traffic circle on all four legs with a road reserve of 70 metres from the road centre line and on either side.

“A portion of Harare-Masvingo road at Mbudzi, 1,5 kilometres before the centre line of the traffic circle and 1,5 kilometres after the traffic circle. A portion of Chitungwiza road 1,5 kilometres after the traffic circle going to Chitungwiza. A portion of High Glen road 1,5 kilometres after the traffic circle going to High Glen,” reads the notice.

Minister Mhona called on those who might have an objection to the closure to make representation at his office.

“The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development hereby calls upon any person who wishes to object to the proposed closure to lodge his or her objection at the offices of the Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural Development, Office 90, 14th Floor or Office 72, 15th Floor, Kaguvi Building, corner Simon Vengai Muzenda Street and Ahmed Ben Bella Avenue, Harare within one month from the date of publication of this notice,” reads the notice.

In an interview yesterday, Minister Mhona said the one and half years was a contingent time frame that they will be working on.

“We can complete even earlier than that period. We have just used 18 months as a contingent period,” said Minister Mhona.

In its efforts to develop the country into an upper middle-income economy by 2030, the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa has invested significantly in the upgrade and rehabilitation of the country’s road infrastructure.

Mbudzi roundabout had become a source of major inconvenience to both domestic and international travellers where delays of up to three hours during peak hours as well as traffic jams had become the order of the day.

The new interchange comprises five large box culverts, one river bridge, four grade separation bridges, mechanically stabilised earth embarkments and asphalt paved loop roads and directional ramps.

It is envisaged that the interchange will also be adorned with modern roadlights, CCTV, SATC compliant road signage and feature diversion routes to form part of the permanent works.

Construction work is being done in line with regional engineering standards and international best practices.

Funding of the project is being done through local financial institutions while the contractor for the project is a joint venture of three accomplished local road construction companies in the Zimbabwe built environment namely Tensor Systems, Fossil Contracting and Masimba Construction collectively coming under the banner of Tefoma Construction Joint venture.

Some of the benefits of the project include decongestion of the Mbudzi area by creating streamlined and efficient traffic flow, reducing transit time and accidents in the area.

The project is creating direct employment for over 700 employees and downstream activities for over 10 000 people while creating skills transfer and upgrade for the Department of Roads staff.—Herald

The officer in-charge of a police checkpoint where CCC members Joana Mamombe and Cecelia Chimbiri claimed to have been arrested near the Harare showgrounds in May 2020, last week insisted in court that no arrests were made on that day.

Constable Nashley Muyedzenga also told the court that he never witnessed any police officer disembarking from a car that was trailing Mamombe and Chimbiri to arrest the two, as they claimed to have happened.

He was giving evidence this in the on-going trial of Mamombe and Chimbiri on charges of faking their abductions at the hands of the police.

Cst Muyedzenga told the court that if the police at showgrounds had arrested Mamombe and Chimbiri, they should have taken them to Milton Park police station, not to Harare Central where they claim to have been taken before whisked to a Muchapondwa Growth point in Mashonaland Central province.

“There was no notable incident that occurred on the day in question. We did not arrest any vehicle or any passersby,” he said.

“It was not a busy day and there was low traffic. I did not see them. I cannot deny that they were stopped at the roadblock but there was no police officer who arrested them. There was no such an incident and If I had seen them, I would have told the court,” he said.

Cst Muyedzengi acknowledged that a lawyer visited at the roadblock asking whether Mamombe, Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, who is on the run, were arrested at the roadblock. He told the lawyer that there was no one who had been arrested before directing him to other nearby roadblocks.

“It is true a lawyer came to roadblock. I cannot remember his name. He produced a practicing certificate but I did not write down his name,” he said.

Cst Muyedzengi testified that the lawyer arrived at the roadblock around 3pm and he treated him like any other citizen making enquiries. He said ‘I am looking for people who were arrested at a roadblock’. We had not arrested anyone and I asked him to go and check at other roadblocks.

“He was first attended to by Sgt Mashizha from ZNA. The lawyer did not know which roadblock, but he was randomly checking. Accused were never arrested at our roadblock. If they were arrested at our roadblock they would have been taken to Milton Park. It was irregular for them to be taken to Harare Central if they had been arrested at our roadblock,” he said.

Cst Muyedzengi said he was not aware that the two were abducted and tortured adding that they could have reported a complaint of kidnapping, if that ever happened. The trial is expected to continue on June 10.

Chief magistrate Mrs Faith Mushure presided while Mr Michael Reza prosecuted.

Mr Alec Muchadehama and Mr Jeremiah Bamu appeared for Mamombe and Chimbiri. –Herald

Tinashe Sambiri| CCC leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the death of Dr Alex Magaisa is a terrible blow to the nation.

President Chamisa described Magaisa as a true legend of the people’s struggle.

“A HUGE BLOW FELLOW CITIZENS!

What a force, a giant!
What a legend!
What a human being!
What an intelligent man!
What gigabytes of intellect!

What a fine great man!
What a sober mind!
What a cool character!
What a lovely brother!
And he has not seen his heart’s desire-A New Great ZIMBABWE,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Tinashe Sambiri|CCC vice president Hon Lynette Karenyi-Kore has opened up on the accident that happened in Bikita on Sunday.

Hon Karenyi-Kore was involved in an accident on her way to Mutare after attending a party programme.

She said the Lord saved her from the crash.

“Life is precious
Yesterday, I said I was fine.
By the end of the day, I was in a car accident with a cow.
Lord, my life is in your hands,” Hon Karenyi-Kore wrote on Twitter.

CCC Masvingo Youth Assembly said:

“Our Change Champion
@KarenyiKore
escaped death by a flicker today on her way from Bikita South where we had a robust program in the whole constituency yesterday. The vehicle had 2 hit the beast to avoid a headon. She is however safe . Glory be unto God.”

Tinashe Sambiri| Professor Lovemore Madhuku has described Dr Alex Magaisa as the country’s “newest intellectual giant.”

Magaisa was Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s advisor during the GNU era.

Professor Madhuku wrote on Twitter:
“@Wamagaisa
: I have already said to all Zimbabweans, courtesy of
@VOAAfrica
that Alex Magaisa was our newest intellectual giant and an outstanding icon of his generation.

His clarity of thought was both refreshing and inspiring. It is shocking, devastating and painful MHDSRIP.”

The Constitutional Law Centre has also described the death of Dr Magaisa as devastating.

“The Constitutional Law Centre (CLC) has learnt with great shock and deep sadness of the untimely passing of our Convener, Dr. Alex T Magaisa. He died in the morning of 5 June 2022 in the United Kingdom.”

By Last Maengahama

It’s now a solid year after Tungamirai Madzokere and l were released from Chikurubi Maximum Prison where we had spent close to a decade serving a 20 year sentence for a crime that we had not committed, our only crime was being members of MDC led by the late Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, May His Soul Rest In Power, we didn’t attend his funeral because we were locked up.

Ours was a case of, there must be a conviction no matter the amount of evidence exonerating the accused, no matter how watertight their alibis are, MDC T members must be the imprisoned at all cost.

Our release on the fourth of June 2021 was a joyous and sad moment, joyous that as political prisoners we were free at last and sad because justice for the late inspector Mutedza wasn’t done, the police and the courts chose to play politics instead of solving a murder case and bringing the actual perpetrators to book.

Justice wasn’t served and in a normal country the Courts would have been put to task, because this is a clear case of how unfair and unjust the court system is in matters that involves pro democracy activists, l call upon all stakeholders to advocate for a Fair and Just judicial system.

Our stay in prison was illegal but it was also an eye opener as we were exposed to the urgenty needs of reforms in the prison system, there is a Rehabilitation crisis, Prisoners aren’t being prepared for re-integration in the society but left alone to choose a life of crimes or law abiding citizens, there is a serious need of cases review in prison because some convicts are innocent, they are imprisoned because of miscarriage of justice.

When we were sentenced to 20 years in prison the Judge was clear that it was a lenient sentence because one of our co accused was a female and the Constitution of Zimbabwe doesn’t allow women to be executed, that’s why we were a saved from death penalty, to think of it that as innocent as we were, we were nearly send to the noose, it is then without no second thought or regret that l call for the abolishment of the Death Penalty because the probability of execution of an innocent people is higher than of an actual criminal and the Death Penalty maybe abused to settle political issues.

Issued by Last Tamai Maengehama