By- The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has bagged most of the constituencies in yesterday’s by-elections.

The party leader Nelson Chamisa said the by-election results indicated that all authority comes from the citizenry.

He speaks as results released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) have revealed that his party prevailed in most constituencies and wards where elections were held.
He said:
This by-election has shown that ultimately all authority comes from the CITIZENS. Citizens are above politicians & their foolish politics. Why did you waste national resources taxpayers’ money? Would these resources not have been deployed to better our health, education sectors?
The by-elections were held to replace 28 members of Parliament (MPs) and 121 councillors who died and those who were recalled from office.
Most of the recalled were members of the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa. They were recalled by rival MDC-T following a 2020 Supreme Court ruling which ruled that Chamisa was not the legitimate leader of the MDC that contested in the 2018 elections.

Chamisa saw the recalls as a strategy by the ruling ZANU PF to dismantle the opposition in the land. They accused MDC-T of acting at the instigation of the ruling party.
Following the Supreme Court ruling, the government gave funds under the Political Parties (Finance) Act to the MDC-T in proportion to the MDC Alliance vote of 2018.
The development has infuriated the Chamisa-led party, believing it should receive the money since Chamisa contested the 2018 elections, not Douglas Mwonzora.

The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader, Nelson Chamisa, said yesterday’s by-elections results indicated that all authority comes from the citizenry.

He speaks as results released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) have revealed that his party prevailed in most constituencies and wards where elections were held.
He said:
This by-election has shown that ultimately all authority comes from the CITIZENS. Citizens are above politicians & their foolish politics. Why did you waste national resources taxpayers’ money? Would these resources not have been deployed to better our health, education sectors?
The by-elections were held to replace 28 members of Parliament (MPs) and 121 councillors who died and those who were recalled from office.
Most of the recalled were members of the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa. They were recalled by rival MDC-T following a 2020 Supreme Court ruling which ruled that Chamisa was not the legitimate leader of the MDC that contested in the 2018 elections.

Chamisa saw the recalls as a strategy by the ruling ZANU PF to dismantle the opposition in the land. They accused MDC-T of acting at the instigation of the ruling party.
Following the Supreme Court ruling, the government gave funds under the Political Parties (Finance) Act to the MDC-T in proportion to the MDC Alliance vote of 2018.
The development has infuriated the Chamisa-led party, believing it should receive the money since Chamisa contested the 2018 elections, not Douglas Mwonzora.

By- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) polling agent was in Kwekwe assaulted by Zanu PF activists on Saturday, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has reported.

The agent, identified as Sympathy, reportedly lost his tooth during the scuffle.
The Forum reports that Sympathy had confronted the activists who were transporting voters to polling stations in Kwekwe. Said the forum in a case alert:
Case Alert A CITIZENS Coalition for Change (CCC) polling agent had his tooth knocked out in Kwekwe after he tried to confront ZANU-PF activists who were transporting voters to polling stations in Kwekwe.
CCC Kwekwe Central National Assembly candidate Judith Tobaiwa said the agent, whose name was given only as Sympathy, was assaulted by ZANU-PF youths in Mbizo township.
Last month, a CCC activist, Mbongeni Ncube, was assaulted to death by suspected ZANU PF activists at a CCC rally held in Kwekwe ahead of this Saturday’s by-elections.

Tinashe Sambiri| President Nelson Chamisa has assured the nation that Zanu PF will be defeated in the coming polls.

Thousands of citizens across the country on Saturday participated in by-elections.

Zanu PF bigwigs are sweating over President Chamisa’s rising popularity.

“CITIZENS;GOING FORWARD CITIZENS VIGILANCE IS KEY…WE MUST VOTE BIG & WIN BIG…TO DEFEAT THOSE WHO TRY TO RIG & THRIVE ON CHEATING…OUR EYES MUST BE ON THE BALL.

THIS TIME LET’S VOTE BIG & WIN BIG! WE MUST OVERWHELM RIGGING.

A NEW ZIMBABWE IS LOADING…#GoForGold #Godisinit,” President Chamisa said in a statement.

According to Citizens’ Coalition For Change, Zanu PF hooligans stole a voters’ roll in Mabvuku after attacking a police officer.

” In Harare East, Mabvuku, Ward 21 at Simudzayi Primary school polling station, Zanupf thugs violently attacked a police officer and stole a voters’ roll.

After successfully deployed our polling agents at Musi Farm Tent, Ward 4 in Marondera East
@ZECzim
officials have dismissed them citing that it’s a private property that can only be accessible during the day.”

Tinashe Sambiri| President Nelson Chamisa has assured the nation that Zanu PF will be defeated in the coming polls.

Thousands of citizens across the country on Saturday participated in by-elections.

Zanu PF bigwigs are sweating over President Chamisa’s rising popularity.

“CITIZENS;GOING FORWARD CITIZENS VIGILANCE IS KEY…WE MUST VOTE BIG & WIN BIG…TO DEFEAT THOSE WHO TRY TO RIG & THRIVE ON CHEATING…OUR EYES MUST BE ON THE BALL.

THIS TIME LET’S VOTE BIG & WIN BIG! WE MUST OVERWHELM RIGGING.

A NEW ZIMBABWE IS LOADING…#GoForGold #Godisinit,” President Chamisa said in a statement.

According to Citizens’ Coalition For Change, Zanu PF hooligans stole a voters’ roll in Mabvuku after attacking a police officer.

” In Harare East, Mabvuku, Ward 21 at Simudzayi Primary school polling station, Zanupf thugs violently attacked a police officer and stole a voters’ roll.

After successfully deployed our polling agents at Musi Farm Tent, Ward 4 in Marondera East
@ZECzim
officials have dismissed them citing that it’s a private property that can only be accessible during the day.”

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

By A Correspondent- A man from Sunningadale 2 was this afternoon apprehended by polling officers and handed over to the police for taking a picture of his allocated ballot paper.

The man was handed over to the police after he emerged from a voting booth, took a picture of his marked ballot and sent it via WhatsApp.

The man is set to be charged with contravening Section 30 of the Electoral Act.

His arrest come after the ZEC issued a statement warning the electorate against taking pictures of their voting pattern and posting it on social media.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has expressed its disappointment after an officer was allegedly assaulted by MDC Alliance members at Mhizha Primary School in Harare’s Highfields East constituency.

Commission spokesman Jasper Mangwana said the incident has since been reported and investigations are ongoing.

Reports say the officer was nabbed by MDC Alliance candidates and agents with marked ballot papers.

Mangwana defended the officer saying she was checking whether materials received were in order before the elections.

“Administratively, the presiding officer was checking received election material to ascertain that all was in order before the conduct of the election,” he said.

“The action of the MDC Alliance candidate and agents constitute an electoral offence as outlined in the section 88 of the Electoral Act as read with paragraph 7(1)(c) of the code of conduct for political parties and candidates.

“The commission has reported the matter to the police for investigations and wishes to reiterate that there is a polling station opening procedure which is done before opening of  the polling station, where election material is checked and verified by the polling officers.”

ZEC further advised all candidates and observers to follow its code of conduct.

“The Commission urges all election candidates agents and observers to adhere to the code of conduct for observers and election agents,” read the statement.

There have been many complaints against ZEC after pressure group Team Pachedu exposed alleged attempts at rigging in favour of the ruling Zanu-PF by abuse of the voters roll.

The main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is calling for the commission’s disbanding on allegations of committing electoral fraud.-newsday

By A Correspondent- A student nurse at Mpilo Central Hospital has been acquitted on a charge of stealing drugs worth $5 600 from the public health institution.

Sandra Maramba (21) of Babourfields in Bulawayo, represented by her lawyer Tinashe Dzipe denied the charge when she appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Amanda Ndlovu.

Ndlovu found her not guilty at the close of the State case on Wednesday.

According to the State, police on July 22, 2021 received information from her live-in boyfriend that she was in possession of stolen drugs at her place of residence.

Police raided her lodgings and recovered birth control pills, Ibuprofen, erythromycin, amoxicillin tablets among other drugs.

n her defence, Maramba said she had no knowledge of the other drugs besides the birth control and Ibuprofen tablets.

A witness in the case, Namatirai Derrick Makunike, landlord at the house where Maramba stayed, said the nurse was not the only one staying at the property.

It later emerged that the hospital had no drug theft case.

It was revealed in court that Maramba was arrested following a misunderstanding with her live-in boyfriend, suggesting that he was behind her arrest.

In her ruling, the magistrate and the State had failed to prove a prima facie case against Maramba before acquitting her.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) chairperson Peter Mutasa has told President Emmerson Mnangagwa to appreciate the work done by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Zimbabwe.

Mutasa was responding to Mnangagwa’s threats to shut down NGOs he claimed had become wayward and were interfering in areas which they should not.

The former Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president pointed out that the country’s health and education sector among many, were being kept alive by NGOs.

He told NewZimbabwe.com Mnangagwa’s threats betrayed government’s intentions if the Private Voluntary Organisation Bill is to sail through and become law.

“Instead of seeing CSOs as enemies, the government must be thankful for the work that NGOs are playing,” said Mutasa.

“NGOs are providing for medical care, education, food security, disaster management, social security and host of other important functions.

“We are deeply concerned by that statement which clearly shows intentions of the government on the PVO Bill.

“We are supposed to be enhancing democracy by making government accountable and proffering alternatives policies. the government is neglecting.”

“This statement, therefore, is a wake-up call for citizens,” Mutasa added.

“It is a clear declaration of some marshal law of some sort. The president’s statement effectively shows that we are under a serious authoritarian regime where the constitution and constitutional freedoms and rights do not matter anymore.”

Mnangagwa’s regime adopted predecessor Robert Mugabe’s frosty relationship with NGOs with the PVO Bill interpreted by civil society leaders as being another attempt at stifling freedoms.

His government has over the past year forced NGOs to register with provincial development coordinators (PDCs) and at one point announced suspension of hundreds of them.

Mutasa called for solidarity in the wake of Mnangagwa’s comments.

“In a country where the judiciary, legislature, and other important organs of the state are compromised, CSOs remain the only sector that can provide some checks and balances.

“The citizens must therefore defend democracy and livelihoods by protecting their organisations,” he said.

The PVO Bill has provisions that seek to criminalise work of NGOs by proposing harsh penalties, including jail time of up to one year for perceived offences.

The Bill also gives the minister responsible for CSOs and trusts, powers which will enable them to interfere with the operations of these bodies.

NGOs will be required to submit their plans and work to the government, a move critics have said is aimed at curbing the operations of entities that have kept the government in check.

By A Correspondent- President Nelson Chamisa has assured the nation that Zanu PF will be defeated in the coming polls.

Thousands of citizens across the country on Saturday participated in by-elections.

Zanu PF bigwigs are sweating over President Chamisa’s rising popularity.

“CITIZENS;GOING FORWARD CITIZENS VIGILANCE IS KEY…WE MUST VOTE BIG & WIN BIG…TO DEFEAT THOSE WHO TRY TO RIG & THRIVE ON CHEATING…OUR EYES MUST BE ON THE BALL.

THIS TIME LET’S VOTE BIG & WIN BIG! WE MUST OVERWHELM RIGGING.

A NEW ZIMBABWE IS LOADING…#GoForGold #Godisinit,” President Chamisa said in a statement.

According to Citizens’ Coalition For Change, Zanu PF hooligans stole a voters’ roll in Mabvuku after attacking a police officer.

” In Harare East, Mabvuku, Ward 21 at Simudzayi Primary school polling station, Zanupf thugs violently attacked a police officer and stole a voters’ roll.

After successfully deployed our polling agents at Musi Farm Tent, Ward 4 in Marondera East @ZECzim officials have dismissed them citing that it’s a private property that can only be accessible during the day.”

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has announced the arrest of one Digoo Matsvange who was masquerading as a police officer.

In a statement, seen by Pindula News, ZRP said Matsvabge was arrested in Bulawayo on Friday while investigating a case of theft. Reads the police statement:

The ZRP confirms the arrest of Digoo Matsvange (49) on 25/03/22 for impersonating a member of the ZRP at Harcourt Flat, Bulawayo.

The suspect identified himself a detective from Harare who was investigating a case of theft involving a lady who resides at the same flat before a police officer residing at the flat asked for his particulars and arrested him.

Reports of people impersonating public authorities are not new.

In many cases, the impersonators do it to commit crimes, evade responsibility and so forth.

By A Correspondent- Aspiring Zanu PF Chinhoyi Ward 12 councillor, Enock Fombo, has been reported to police after displaying his campaign banners close to a polling station.

Reports say he was also distributing ZANU PF regalia, including wrappers (maZambia), emblazoned with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s pictures along roads leading to voting sites in the politically volatile ward.

CCC candidate Dyke Makumbi raised the alarm and lodged a complaint with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) officials, who deployed a police officer who confiscated one banner that is now being held as evidence. Makumbi said:

Zanu PF has activated its election rigging machinery by sending youths to display campaign banners bearing Fombo’s portrait close to the polling station. This happened right in front of me, prompting me to report the matter to ZEC and to police.

The Electoral Act prohibits displaying material bearing political messaging or wearing party regalia, including T-shirts and caps, within a 100-metre radius from a voting site.

This is not the first time Fombo has courted controversy. Last week, he commandeered a council grader operator to refurbish roads and took a ride on the earthmoving equipment as it drove around the ward.

By A Correspondent- Residents of Harare’s Hatfield suburb yesterday dumped garbage outside council’s district offices in protest over poor service delivery.

“We have come with our garbage here as we are tired of trying to manage our waste disposal yet the City of Harare bills us every month,” Hatfield Residents Association chairperson Shakie Mushambi said.

“The council has been neglecting its duties for a long time. Usually garbage collection is supposed to be done four times a month, but there are times when we can go for months without getting service.”

The association’s vice-chairperson Charles Hwandi said the area had been neglected for long, hence the decision to take their grievances to council offices.

We want to see if they will collect the garbage dumped here today (yesterday) or if they will continue to give the same old excuses. And if they don’t keep their collection timetables, we will continue with this exercise, maybe then they can hear us out,” he said.

Council spokesperson Michael Chideme said citizens had a right to lodge a complaint with the local authority.

“It is their democratic right to protest like that and we are addressing the issue,” Chideme said last night.

The protest came shortly after the local authority took delivery of 10 new refuse compactors, five skip trucks and one front-end loader to scale up waste collection.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Former ZBC News reporter Lee Ann Bernard today decided to shoot her shot at Hopewell Chin’ono.

Seeing the investigative journalist is celebrating his 51st birthday today, Lee Ann who lowkey seems smitten by Daddy Hope decided to wish him a happy birthday and also offered to have two babies with him for free.

Taking to Twitter, Lee Ann wrote;

Happy Birthday Hopewell, heres wishing you had babies to help you blow out those candles, nevertheless my offer still stands.

Apparently, this is not the first time Lee Ann has made such an offer to Hopewell. Yesterday as netizens were discussing about the by-elections. A Twitter user only identified as Obazzy Mussah Mangoma said that if Douglas Mwonzwora wins 1 member of parliament seat and  1 Councillor seat, he will freely volunteer to go and stay in Ukraine forever.

“Mwonzora akahwina 1 MP ne 1 counsellor ndinoenda kuUkrain kunogarako zvachose.”

Responding to Mangoma’s comment, Lee Ann said that if Mwonzora wins she will marry Hopewell and give him 2 kids.

“Akaiwina I’ll Marry Hopewell and give him 2 kids and keep him busy off social media.”

Recently, Lee Ann Bernard made headlines after she accused her former lover, Lincoln “Mhofu” Benyure of using her “genuine love” for him to exploit her for his own selfish ends. She revealed that Mhofu used her to get a passport.

It’s not by choice, it’s who I am, and Mhofu thought he destroyed my heart into pieces, but I had genuine love for him.

“All he wanted was a passport, and I got him one, the next thing he left.

“I fell victim, obviously, to somebody who had his own ulterior motives but I genuinely loved him.

“My choice of moving on was not based on the public saying, we told you so, he is going back to his baby mama.”

By A Correspondent- Saturday’s by-elections could be reduced to a sham after it emerged Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) polling agents are withdrawing their participation after receiving unspecified threats.

CCC deputy secretary for elections Ellen Shiriyendenga claimed their polling agents are pulling out due fear after having been intimidated by suspected Zanu-PF activists and traditional leaders in rural areas.

Shiriyedenga said the rate at which some polling agents are pulling out was worrisome.

“We are getting a worrying trend with regards to our polling agents. Particularly you go to Marondera East, Murewa South and also Mwenezi South, where we are having our polling agents being intimidated to an extent that some actually withdrew out of fear and that culture of fear is going unabated,” Shiriyedenga said.

So we are saying the responsible bodies, do the right thing,” she.

CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere also said that there have been reports of bribes and fear being instilled in citizens with their political rivals.

“We do not want any illegal conduct at polling stations. We have received reports already of threats being made by certain traditional leaders who are acting unlawfully in a partisan manner. We have heard threats of intimidation. We have heard reports that names are going to be taken down and follow ups will be made on them. That simply has to stop,” Mahere said.

“Traditional leaders have to be the security of the vote and the voter,” Mahere added.

“Our elections directorate, which is headed up by councillor Ian Makoni and his deputy Ellen Shiriyedenga are working round the clock to ensure polling agents are deployed in every single one of the wards and constituencies where there will be a by-election tomorrow,” Mahere postulated.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- High Court principal prosecutor Henry Muringani now faces six counts of criminal abuse of office after he was slapped with four more counts yesterday.

Muringani (40) was remanded to March 29 for bail application when he appeared before magistrate Stanford Mambanje.

Allegations are that Muringani prepared four bail applications for inmates at Chikuruti Maximum Security Prison on armed robbery charges after altering the charge sheet.

Vincent Kondo, Bill Tirihama, Edwin Muchagwa and Propser Chidaushe had been denied bail on armed robbery charges and advised to apply at the High Court.

It is alleged the suspects gathered that Muringani was assisting inmates get bail. They contacted him through their relatives.

Muringani also personally approached relatives of other incarcerated inmates to facilitate their release.

It is alleged he was paid US$1 000 by Kondo and US$500 each by Tirihama, Muchagwa and Chidaushe.

Muringani then falsified their charge sheets to allow the quartet to appear before the High Court as self-actors on March 1.

However, their luck ran out after investigations established that their charges were falsified.-Newsday

By- Citizens Coalition for Change CCC said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission in Marondera denied their agents entry into a polling station at Lawrence Primary School.

CCC said ZEC said that the agents were not registered with the electoral body.

In a Twitter post, the party said:

#ByelectionsViolence Lawrence Primary School, Ward 23 of Marondera East our agents are being denied entry into the polling stations to monitor the voting process, alleging that they’re not registered with @ZECzim.

There were mixed opinions on the report. Some observers expressed frustration in the party for not being proactive. Pindula News presents some of the comments on the post:

Viv T. @viv_sibanda:

Are they registered?

Pikaz @Jawachawa:

Just let them show evidence of registration

Law Togaraseyi @TogaraseyiLaw:

Why did they not register?

Moron @igweeboss:

Some of your tweets expose kusarongeka kwe party. Ma agents anoenda Nhasi? Or anorara pa station

Acknowledge Mkhwekhwe™ @ackymkhwekhwe:

Kana wakamboitawo agent waisa bvunza mubvunzo iwowo

LLOON @LLOON_kids:

Did they register? Are they required to register? Is this their first time at that polling station? Thought they came there for training and etc before.

Mr Lee @leethamboh1:

So varikuenda nhasi really?

PeeNyamzihwa, The Lion Roar @PNyamzihwa:

Just yesterday you were saying that all the Agents had been deployed to guard the ballots, now where are they coming from? did they not sleep there?

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has banned the taking of photos of marked ballots and sending them on social media saying it is a violation of the law. This comes after pictures of marked ballots circulated on social media platforms. In a statement, seen by Pindula News, ZEC said actually taking photographs in the polling station is prohibited and constitutes a criminal offence. We present the statement below:

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission notes with concern that some voters are taking photographs of the marked ballots and sending them on social media. This is in contravention of the Constitution which protects the right to security of the ballot. Voters are advised that this constitutional provision is in place to protect them from victimisation and is an internationally recognised right which the Commission endeavours to protect. Voters are thus advised to desist from any actions that might compromise this right and the integrity of the electoral process. Further, the electorate is advised that the taking photographs inside the polling station is prohibited and constitutes a criminal offence in terms of Section 30 of the Electoral Regulations S.1.21 of 2005.

U. Silaigwana

Chief Elections Officer

ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION

By- Information Secretary, Nick Mangwana, has said today’s by-elections will determine the official opposition party in the country as any result will not change the majority party.

The ruling Zanu PF has the majority in Parliament while Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and MDC Alliance are the two main opposition parties contesting in the by-elections. Mangwana said:

The real fight tomorrow is for the title of, “Zimbabwe’s Official Opposition”. Otherwise, the majority party will remain thus.

Mangwana’s remarks come barely hours before by-elections meant to fill 28 National Assembly seats and over 100 council seats.

Some of the seats became vacant through the deaths of former officeholders while the majority resulted from recalls of MDC Alliance members by rival MDC-T.

MDC Alliance was then led by Nelson Chamisa who now leads opposition Citizens Coalition for Change while the MDC-T was under Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora when the recalls happened.

The recalls followed a 2020 Supreme Court ruling   on the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leadership crisis that started during the last days of a former Prime Minister, the late Morgan Tsvangirai who was the party’s founding leader.

The higher court ruled that Nelson Chamisa was not the legitimate leader of the MDC, therefore, the party had to conduct an elective congress, but in the interim, the 2014 structures had to be reinstated.

Khupe then took over, Chamisa rejected the outcome of the court processes arguing that the ruling Zanu PF was influencing the discourse.

In a bid to whip MDC members to accept the outcome, Khupe recalled several MDC Alliance members who had confessed loyalty to Chamisa.

Although Nelson Chamisa, who contested the 2018 elections and lost narrowly to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, believes he deserved to receive money under the Political Parties (Finance) Act, the government recognised Khupe and allocated her the money. 

The Political Parties Finances Act stipulates that only a political party that secures 5 per cent of the total votes cast can benefit from the national budget. In the 2018 elections, Zanu PF won 145 of the 210 seats in the National Assembly against MDC-Alliance’s 63. 

Determining the official opposition is also important as the international community was having confusion as both Chamisa-led and the Mwonzora-led political outfits claimed to be the official opposition.

By-Zanu PF is said to be threatening the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), polling agents and forcing them to withdraw their participation.

CCC deputy secretary for elections Ellen Shiriyendenga claimed their polling agents are pulling out due to fear after having been intimidated by suspected ZANU PF activists and traditional leaders in rural areas.
Shiriyedenga said the rate at which some polling agents are pulling out was worrisome. Shiriyedenga said:
We are getting a worrying trend with regards to our polling agents. Particularly you go to Marondera East, Murewa South and also Mwenezi South, where we are having our polling agents being intimidated to an extent that some actually withdrew out of fear and that culture of fear is going unabated.
So we are saying the responsible bodies, do the right thing.
CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere also said that there have been reports of bribes and fear being instilled in citizens with their political rivals. Mahere said:
We do not want any illegal conduct at polling stations. We have received reports already of threats being made by certain traditional leaders who are acting unlawfully in a partisan manner. We have heard threats of intimidation. We have heard reports that names are going to be taken down and follow-ups will be made on them. That simply has to stop.
Mahere added that CCC’s elections directorate headed up by councillor Ian Makoni and his deputy Ellen Shiriyedenga are working round the clock to ensure polling agents are deployed in all the wards and constituencies.

-NewZimbabwe

By- Information Secretary, Nick Mangwana, has said 26 March by-elections will determine the official opposition party in the country as any result will not change the majority party.

The ruling Zanu PF has the majority in Parliament while Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and MDC Alliance are the two main opposition parties contesting in the by-elections. Mangwana said:

The real fight tomorrow is for the title of, “Zimbabwe’s Official Opposition”. Otherwise, the majority party will remain thus.

Mangwana’s remarks come barely hours before by-elections meant to fill 28 National Assembly seats and over 100 council seats.

Some of the seats became vacant through the deaths of former officeholders while the majority resulted from recalls of MDC Alliance members by rival MDC-T.

MDC Alliance was then led by Nelson Chamisa who now leads opposition Citizens Coalition for Change while the MDC-T was under Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora when the recalls happened.

The recalls followed a 2020 Supreme Court ruling   on the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leadership crisis that started during the last days of a former Prime Minister, the late Morgan Tsvangirai who was the party’s founding leader.

The higher court ruled that Nelson Chamisa was not the legitimate leader of the MDC, therefore, the party had to conduct an elective congress, but in the interim, the 2014 structures had to be reinstated.

Khupe then took over, Chamisa rejected the outcome of the court processes arguing that the ruling Zanu PF was influencing the discourse.

In a bid to whip MDC members to accept the outcome, Khupe recalled several MDC Alliance members who had confessed loyalty to Chamisa.

Although Nelson Chamisa, who contested the 2018 elections and lost narrowly to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, believes he deserved to receive money under the Political Parties (Finance) Act, the government recognised Khupe and allocated her the money. 

The Political Parties Finances Act stipulates that only a political party that secures 5 per cent of the total votes cast can benefit from the national budget. In the 2018 elections, Zanu PF won 145 of the 210 seats in the National Assembly against MDC-Alliance’s 63. 

Determining the official opposition is also important as the international community was having confusion as both Chamisa-led and the Mwonzora-led political outfits claimed to be the official opposition.

By- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission in Marondera has denied the Citizens Coalition for Change CCC’s polling agents entry into Lawrence Primary School.

CCC said ZEC said that the agents were not registered with the electoral body.

In a Twitter post, the party said:

#ByelectionsViolence Lawrence Primary School, Ward 23 of Marondera East our agents are being denied entry into the polling stations to monitor the voting process, alleging that they’re not registered with @ZECzim.

There were mixed opinions on the report. Some observers expressed frustration in the party for not being proactive. Pindula News presents some of the comments on the post:

Viv T. @viv_sibanda:

Are they registered?

Pikaz @Jawachawa:

Just let them show evidence of registration

Law Togaraseyi @TogaraseyiLaw:

Why did they not register?

Moron @igweeboss:

Some of your tweets expose kusarongeka kwe party. Ma agents anoenda Nhasi? Or anorara pa station

Acknowledge Mkhwekhwe™ @ackymkhwekhwe:

Kana wakamboitawo agent waisa bvunza mubvunzo iwowo

LLOON @LLOON_kids:

Did they register? Are they required to register? Is this their first time at that polling station? Thought they came there for training and etc before.

Mr Lee @leethamboh1:

So varikuenda nhasi really?

PeeNyamzihwa, The Lion Roar @PNyamzihwa:

Just yesterday you were saying that all the Agents had been deployed to guard the ballots, now where are they coming from? did they not sleep there?

By A Correspondent- European Union Ambassador To Zimbabwe, Timo Olkkonen, is in Harare’s Epworth residential suburb observing by-elections.

The EU envoy posted on his Twitter account notifying his presence in Epworth.

“Mangwanani Epworth! We are here as part of the local diplomatic effort to observe the by-elections. Early start, busy day ahead! 

@euinzim“, he said.

Mangwanani Epworth! We are here as part of the local diplomatic effort to observe the by-elections. Early start, busy day ahead! @euinzim pic.twitter.com/FfOZcS5Yet

— Timo Olkkonen_EU ???? (@TimoOlkkonen) March 26, 2022

By A Correspondent| Zimbabweans in the vacant 28 parliamentary and 105 local government seats will today re-elect representatives in an election that has a lot at stake.

The ruling Zanu PF has set its sight on eating into previously opposition seats and is targeting Epworth, St Marys and Marondera Central on top of its own Chivi South and Marondera East among others.

On the other hand, the newly formed CCC is targeting to retain seats previously occupied by its members before they were recalled by Douglas Mwonzora of MDC-T.

MDC-T which is struggling to stamp its authority as the main opposition is out to prove a point though it is going to be a tall order.

The major contestation is between Zanu PF and CCC who sees these by-elections as a precursor to the do or die general elections which are due in 2023.

CCC has hit the ground running and judging by the numbers witnessed at their star rallies, it is ready to give Zanu PF a good run for their money.

Zanu PF on the other hand has also flexed its mobilisation capacity with well attended rallies albeit claims of bussing supporters from all over the country.

“The real fight tomorrow is for the title of, “Zimbabwe’s Official Opposition”. Otherwise the majority party will remain thus,” said Information Secretary Nick Mangwana.

CCC Spokesperson Fadzai Mahere said this election is their chance to test the country’s electoral systems and processes to enable them to push for necessary reforms that ensure the 2023 elections are free and fair.

Whoever wins big today will have an early lead ahead of the main battle on 31 July 2023.

By A Correspondent| The United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) yesterday approached the High Court to have the ballot papers for Mbizo parliamentary by-elections reprinted.

The party says it’s candidate Gladys Mutunami’s face is blotched and difficult for her supporters to see when voting.

“United Zimbabwe Alliance has taken the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to the High Court seeking a compelling order, to have ZEC directed to reprint the Ballot Papers for Mbizo Constituency where our UZA candidate Gladys Gamuchirai Mutunami is standing for the 26 March 2022 By- Elections.

“The candidate, upon inspecting ballot papers, has raised valid objections to her photo image presentation,” the party said.

“We firmly believe that the electorate will not be able to identify our candidate and this will disadvantage our candidate in the 26 March 2022 by elections,” added UZA.

The matter has not yet been decided despite the fact that voting is starting in almost an hour’s time.

By A Correspondent| Opposition MDC-T has alleged that its candidates in the by-elections slated for today were being bullied on social media.

In a statement on Friday, MDC-T Secretary General Paurina Mupariwa said their party was ready for the by-elections which she said is their opportunity to replace the recalled representatives with bona-fide party cadres who stand for the movement’s values.

“We faced many challenges, key among them being resource constraints and a well coordinated & funded misinformation campaign by our detractors. Our party, candidates and leaders also faced an unprecedented social media bullying,” said Mpariwa.

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa says he will never betray the people’s struggle in spite of relentless efforts by Zanu PF to arrest change.

President Chamisa has pointed out that despite the difficult terrain he will not compromise the struggle.

In a statement on Twitter yesterday, change champion Hon Job Sikhala said:

“The Champion In Chief telling me that, “this is the struggle we should never put brakes. We are with the people. We should never betray them.”

We will walk the difficult terrain together until our people are free.”

By- The President of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Nelson Chamisa said tomorrow’s by-elections were going to test the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s professionalism.

Chamisa made the demands while addressing party supporters Epworth where the party held its last campaign for the by-elections.
He said:
“ZEC, we are watching you, where we are going it is a test. We want to see if you are serious, if there is any rigging. We have a right as citizens to demand that ZEC must be disbanded. Players have a right to say this referee is not fair and can’t referee us, so ZEC if you continue playing like this, I warn you Justice (Priscilla) Chigumba, we will fire you.
ZEC does not mean Zanu PF electoral commission or Zanu PF electoral committee, ZEC means Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. Zanu PF is just a denominator just like CCC, the common denominator is Zimbabwe, be fair and allow people to be defeated. ZEC must not be an extension of Zanu PF because ZanuPF is an outgoing political party.

He speaks when ZEC is already being criticised for anomalies in the voters’ roll, ballot paper and establishment of polling stations.
CCC said it had since written to ZEC over the alleged discrepancies.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has set up a polling station at an alleged ruling ZANU PF torture base in Mbizo constituency, Kwekwe, ahead of the March 26 by-elections.

Over the years, there have been reports of the Black Wadada base being home to a terror group known as Al-Shabaab.

Opposition members and other people considered foes by the ruling party militia and the local political godfathers have been reportedly dragged to Black Wadada – located in Mbizo 9’s Ward 12 – where they have been tortured even in broad daylight, sometimes fatally.

The base is situated behind a shopping centre dominated by drinking outlets.

The electoral commission has set up three tents to be used as polling booths at Black Wadada.

Members of the opposition who spoke to Grazers News feared that there would be a low turnout at the Black Wadada polling station due to fear.

They predicted that polling agents and election monitors from the opposition may either be chased away or fail to turn up, increasing the chances of ballot stuffing.

Settlement Chikwinya, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) parliamentary candidate for Mbizo, confirmed the setting up of the Black Wadada station adding that he had complained to ZEC. He said:

Black Wadada, a known terror base for Zanu PF where the Al-Shabaab….has been turned into a polling station that houses three booths. We as CCC have raised concern over the security of the voter and the ballot at this station.

We would have favoured the transfer of the polling station to a secure place like the Classbell primary school which is nearby. We have picked information that the youths at the terror base actually want to bar voters from accessing the polling station.

Chikwinya added that ZEC promised to remove the polling station from Black Wadada but it had not acted on its promise by Thursday, two days away from the elections.

ZANU PF youths have been camping at the base and local drinking places for days, Grazers News was told, playing loud music that extols the ruling party while taunting passers-by using vulgarities.

The youths mainly comprise machete-wielding gangs that have in the past hacked people to death in broad daylight but escaped prosecution.

More: GrazersNews

By- Leader of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Nelson Chamisa has demanded neutrality and fairness from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in tomorrow’s by-elections.

Chamisa made the demands while addressing party supporters Epworth where the party held its last campaign for the by-elections.
He said:
“ZEC, we are watching you, where we are going it is a test. We want to see if you are serious, if there is any rigging. We have a right as citizens to demand that ZEC must be disbanded. Players have a right to say this referee is not fair and can‘t referee us, so ZEC if you continue playing like this, I warn you Justice (Priscilla) Chigumba, we will fire you.
ZEC does not mean Zanu PF electoral commission or Zanu PF electoral committee, ZEC means Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. Zanu PF is just a denominator just like CCC, the common denominator is Zimbabwe, be fair and allow people to be defeated. ZEC must not be an extension of Zanu PF because ZanuPF is an outgoing political party.

He speaks when ZEC is already being criticised for anomalies in the voters’ roll, ballot paper and establishment of polling stations.
CCC said it had since written to ZEC over the alleged discrepancies.

By- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has issued a statement on a video circulating on social media in which one of its presiding officers was “caught red-handed opening polling material” in the absence of polling agents. 

It is alleged that she administered them on her desk then put them back in the box in breach of s51 of the Electoral Act. 

In a statement, ZEC said the officer was lawfully conducting her duties. Read the statement:

ZEC STATEMENT: HARRASSMENT OF A ZEC ELECTORAL OFFICER 

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission would like to express its displeasure at the harassment of its electoral officer by MDC Alliance candidate and agents at Mhizha Primary School in Highfield East Constituency yesterday 24 March 2022 while she was lawfully conducting her duties. This incident is circulating on social media misleading the electorate implying that the electoral officer is contravening the law.

Administratively the presiding officer was checking received election materials to ascertain that all was in order before the conduct of the election. The actions of the MDC Alliance candidate and agents constitute an electoral offence as outlined in section 88 of the Electoral Act as read with paragraph 7(i)(c) of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates. The Commission has reported the matter to the police for investigation. 

The commission wishes to reiterate that there is a polling station opening procedure which is done before opening of the polling station, where all election material is checked and verified by the polling officers. 

The Commission urges all election candidates, agents and observers to adhere to the code of conduct for observers and election agents. Only accredited people are allowed to enter polling stations outside polling period.

By- Zanu PF is persuading the former President Robert Mugabe’s family to endorse Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa is now the leader of Zanu PF, a position he grabbed after toppling Mugabe through a military coup in 2017.

Posting on his Facebook page this week, Christopher Mutsvangwa, the Zanu PF spokesperson, said the Mugabe family had endorsed President Emerson Mnangagwa.

“Effusive joy and total gratitude as comrades Bona and Robert Mugabe express that abiding FAMILY loyalty to ZANU-PF, the Party of the Enduring Zimbabwe Revolution,” posted Mutsvangwa.

Mnangagwa toppled the late Zimbabwe founding leader through a military coup in November 2017.

Mugabe died a bitter man in 2019 after telling his family that he be buried at his Zvimba rural home.

By- South African Police have gunned down four Zimbabwe armed robbers after they tried to rob a shop at Stoneridge Mall in Johannesburg.

One of the armed robbers killed is 27-year-old Everjoy Ndlovu from Mlomwe, Plumtree. South African police wanted him for a series of armed robberies.

Ndlovu’s uncle, Thaba Nleya, confirmed the incident after going to see the body. Nleya said:
It’s true, we have seen the body, his death is the one that is shocking. As for him being an armed robber, we knew that our nephew was into that.
We warned him many times to leave it but he continued.
We are collecting money from family members and our friends to try and transport his body home since he didn’t have funeral cover.
According to the Gauteng Province police spokesperson, Major General Girly Mbele, the suspects met the police as they were exiting the mall.
The police approached the mall after hearing gunshots and upon arrival, the suspects fired at the police as they tried to flee. Mbele said:
The suspects were driving a white Nissan Almera and they robbed a shop that sells clothing and cellphones at Studio 88 at Stoneridge Mall.

B- Metro

By A Correspondent- A top police officer has been arrested for possession of a fake Leaner Professional Hunter licence (LPH).

This was revealed by ZimParks public relations officer Tinashe Farawo who said :

A top police officer has been arrested for possession of a fake Leaner Proffessional Hunter licence (LPH). The cop was arrested while trying to renew it. He has been handed to CID for further investigations. @Zimparks

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa says he will never betray the people’s struggle in spite of relentless efforts by Zanu PF to arrest change.

President Chamisa has pointed out that despite the difficult terrain he will not compromise the struggle.

In a statement on Twitter yesterday, change champion Hon Job Sikhala said:

“The Champion In Chief telling me that, “this is the struggle we should never put brakes. We are with the people. We should never betray them.”

We will walk the difficult terrain together until our people are free.”

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa posted on Facebook suggesting that Bona Mugabe and her husband are members of the ruling party.

Taking to Facebook, Chris Mutsvangwa wrote;

Effusive joy and total gratitude as comrades Bona and Robert Mugabe express that abiding FAMILY loyalty to ZANU-PF, the Party of the Enduring Zimbabwe Revolution.

Bona’s brother, Robert Mugabe Jr, got social media talking after he was spotted at a ZANU PF rally held in St Mary’s in Chitungwiza on Wednesday where he said he belonged to the party.

Robert Mugabe Junior met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other ZANU PF high profile members.

Robert Jnr said it was only right for him to be a ZANU PF member since that was the family’s legacy. He said: 

They have been very accomodating. I thought I should come and support the party. Like it’s a family tradition. Since I was born the only thing I knew is ZANU PF. I am a ZANU PF child and I have a ZANU PF soul. It is only right that I continue the legacy.

While at the rally, Robert Mugabe Jnr chanted the ZANU PF slogan as he endorsed his support for the ruling party. Reports say he is set to contest for the Zvimba West National Assembly seat in the 2023 general elections.

Some observers thoughts the children of the late founding leader of Zimbabwe would not like to be associated with the party their father led for decades considering that he had sour relations with current party leaders during his last days in power.

Some also claim that the government is behind the push to have the veteran leader’s remains exhumed and reburied at the National Heroes Acre, a move the family is resisting, therefore, they predicted that Mugabe’s family will not endorse the ruling party.

THERE was drama when a daring man from Bulawayo allegedly kidnapped a police officer who was escorting him to the police station following his arrest for public violence intentionally swerved his vehicle and landed in a ditch, in a foiled bid to allegedly kill himself and the police officer.

Xolani Dube (32) from Bellevue suburb and Constable John Mudimba (35) based at ZRP Hillside sustained minor injuries after Dube who was speeding deliberately plunged his vehicle into a storm drain.

It is alleged that on 9 March 2022 and at around 10pm, Cst Mudimba was on duty at Hillside Police Station when he received a call to the effect that there was a public fight at Hillside Shopping Centre.

Cst Mudimba in the company of three other officers reacted to the call and quickly rushed to Hillside Shopping Centre.

Upon arrival they found Dube having a misunderstanding with Trust Manyika and Dube had a screwdriver in his hand.

Dube and Manyika were then ordered to drive their cars to ZRP Hillside each escorted by a police officer.

It is reported that Dube was ordered to drive his vehicle to the police station under the escort of Cst Mudimba.

On their way, Dube reportedly changed the route and sped off while threatening to kill Cst Mudimba through an accident.

In the process he was also shouting that they were going to die together.

While threatening to kill both of them he is alleged to have intentionally swerved his motor vehicle into a storm drain.

Cst Mudimba’s colleagues who were phoning him on his phone while making a follow-up quickly arrived at the scene and managed to rescue the two who reportedly sustained minor injuries as a result of the accident.

Dube, who was arrested at the scene, has since appeared in court where he is being charged with kidnapping as defined in Section 93 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to March 25.-BMetro

POLICE in South Africa are hunting for a Zimbabwean man from Tsholotsho for allegedly killing his girlfriend in Cosmo City after they had a misunderstanding.

The alleged murder of Loveness Ndlovu happened on 5 February 2022 and to this day Cain Ndlow Mlevu from Gariya in Tsholotsho is still on the run.

It is said that Loveness called her younger sister and told her that Ndlovu was threatening her.

After two days of not hearing from Loveness, the sister went to Lowness’ home and found her decomposing body.

The body had multiple stab wounds.

Johannesburg police spokesperson, Colonel Brenda Muridili was unreachable for a comment.

Zanu-PF Mazowe district co-ordinating committee (DCC) chairperson Tafadzwa Musarara has accused local village heads of stealing agricultural inputs sourced under the presidential inputs scheme, depriving targeted beneficiaries.

Speaking at a campaign rally for Zanu-PF aspiring councillor Bester Mhandu, Musarara claimed 10 bags of fertilizer meant for vulnerable families had gone missing in Jengamvura.

“As the DCC, we figured out that some of the village heads in this ward had stolen presidential inputs, thereby, putting the name of Zanu-PF in disrepute. I am told the stolen fertilizer was recovered and they will be distributed to those that did not get them,” Musarara said.

We are going to make sure that disciplinary action is taken to deal with the culprits.”

Mazowe DCC secretary for production Tichaona Chawana apologised to party supporters.

“I can confirm that the said fertilizer was stolen, but I would like to apologise on behalf of the village heads. We have since recovered the loot.  May we continue to vote for Zanu-PF because the CCC (Citizens Coalition for Change) has nothing to offer,” Chawana said.

Zanu-PF central committee member John Nhamburo also attended the rally.-Newsday