Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa says Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is too old to lead the country.

Addressing thousands of CCC supporters at Rujeko A ground in Masvingo on Sunday President Chamisa said Mr Mnangagwa should be given a special retirement package.

He also denounced the harassment of citizens by the Zanu PF regime.

President Chamisa bemoaned the deepening socio-economic crisis in the country.

President Chamisa also declared Wednesday 23 March as a day of fasting and prayer for the nation.

Veteran politician Dzikamai Mavhaire also described Mnangagwa as a clueless and old leader who cannot run the country.

By A Correspondent- ZANU PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu on Saturday claimed that there was no rift between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga.

Mpofu made the remarks at a Zanu PF rally which was addressed by Mnangagwa at Siabuwa in Binga, Matabeleland North province.

There have been reports that the two are leading two factions angling to take over party reins ahead of the elections slated next year.

There have been lies that there is beef between President Mnangagwa and VP Chiwenga. Such lies infuriate me. Mnangagwa likes his party. He loves people he works with. There are lies that Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are fighting.

This is in the minds of insane people and it is not in normal people’s minds. I have never heard the President complaining about his VPs. They are trustworthy people. All of them are war veterans, they were well trained and know the truth about our development.

He claimed that Mnangagwa and his top aides loved Matabeleland North province no wonder he paid the region several visits.

The former Mines Minister added that Chiwenga is a soldier so he “speaks his mind when he has to reprimand you.”

Mpofu made the remarks while introducing Chiwenga, who later presented Mnangagwa to address supporters at the rally.

Chiwenga described Mnangagwa as the only Munhumutapa in Zimbabwe at the moment.-newsday

By A Correspondent- The lawyers representing Joanah Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri have filed a formal complaint with the court over alleged biased reporting by the ZBC, Herald and comments by government spokesperson, Nick Mangwana.

Mamombe and Chimbiri are members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

Alec Muchadehama of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights told magistrate Faith Mushure that the two State-controlled media organisations continue to report “lies” by claiming that the two denied being abducted.

“Before cross-examining the witness, I was instructed by the accused person to raise concern about certain media outlets commenting on the matter that is currently pending.

“The Herald newspaper, ZBC and Nick Mangwana during this time of proceedings are continuing to say they lied that they were kidnapped, that they have now made a U-turn contrary to what they said. We expect to have factual reporting,” Muchadehama said.

He said Mangwana continued to tweet on matters that were before the court.

“They continue denigrating them on a matter that is pending before the court. That is sub judice and they must be asked to report factually.”

Muchadehama submitted a case law when musician Paul Matavire was being tried of rape. He noted that Matavire later wrote a song denigrating the victim and the court stopped radios from playing the song.

Muchadehama said Mushure should give such instructions, but prosecutor Michael Reza opposed the application, saying the court could only bar journalists from covering proceedings instead of giving an order on house policy.

Mushure ruled that the defence have the right to complain over unfair coverage, but should exhaust channels in order to bar the media houses.

The trial for the two CCC members was postponed to March 24 for continuation.

Mamombe and Chimbiri are being accused of communicating falsehoods after they were allegedly abducted by suspected State security agents. They were later found dumped in rural Bindura.-newsday

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has arrested three people including a police officer, who masqueraded as their officials and duped a cross-border trader of US$2 000.

The trio, Superintendent Egdar Moyo of Gokwe district police headquarters, Cephas Phiri and Crispen Manda were arrested after one of them was caught red-handed wearing police uniform.

“One of the accused, Manda, was caught with police uniforms and badges of rank — shoulder titles of the rank of chief inspector Supt Moyo is in police custody waiting to appear in court while Manda and Phiri were remanded in custody pending bail application,” Zacc posted.

The anti-graft body lamented an increase in bogus characters who pretend to offer services on behalf of government agencies while extorting money from people.

“The commission wishes to inform the public that its personnel does not receive or demand money from suspects or complainants to carry out their duty. Any such demands must be reported to the commission at any of its offices,” Zacc said.

he commission also said it had intensified investigations to end these criminal activities.

Last month, Zacc arrested three men who impersonated Zacc officials and tried to open an illegal office within the port.

Mashonaland Central senator Angeline Tongogara has implored the government to come up with measures to deal with corruption.

She said the government established Zacc to deal with corruption,
but such incidents continue to proliferate.

“This Senate calls upon the Executive to introduce deterrent measures for those engaging in corrupt activities. The Judiciary should fast-track cases of corruption through courts that will be established to deal with such,” Tongogara said.

“The government through, the anti-corruption courts, must impose stiffer penalties on corruption as a mechanism of promoting restraint among public officials. All cases of corruption regardless of form must be treated as high-level criminal cases, thus attracting long and deterrent sentences,” she added.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Health practitioners have rejected the Health Services Amendment Bill which they say seeks to punish them for exercising their labour rights and have threatened mass resignations if it is passed into law.

At a public hearing on the Bill conducted in Bulawayo by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care last Friday, the medical staff rejected the proposed law which they said was despotic.

The committee is chaired by Ruth Labode.

Participants at the public hearing comprised mainly health workers, who said the proposed law would hasten their departure for greener pastures.

A gynaecologist, who only identified himself as Dube, expressed concern over working conditions proposed by the Bill and appealed to Parliament to engage health personnel on the way forward.

“I don’t know what this amendment seeks to achieve, has dialogue failed? The government has to consult employees and negotiate a good settlement. This amendment was not carefully done because it seeks to propagate views of one side over those of everyone. It is clear that the government is pushing its own agenda, hence we have no choice but to leave our jobs, stay at home, go farm or hustle like everyone else,” Dube said.

Dube said he was sceptical of the so-called public consultation process because it appeared as if a decision had already been made on the matter, with the hearings being used to rubber stamp the process.

Anaesthetist, Ngqabutho Dube pointed out that there was mass exodus of health workers because of the government’s unwillingness to address pressing issues.

“The employer wants to criminalise and distance himself from listening to our grievances and when dialogue is closed professionals will silently leave. We have seen mass exodus of health practitioners going to the United Kingdom because the employer is refusing to give certificates of good standing to health professionals,” he said.

“Hospitals are empty, honestly we would rather sell tomatoes than work under scary conditions. The Bill seeks to curtail the labour rights of medical practitioners.”

Zimbabwe Medical Association president Francis Chiwora said the Bill was oppressive to the medical practitioners, citing a clause that says “any job action is restricted to seventy-two hours within any 14-day period. Any member, who makes or organises job action, faces prosecution with a potential sentence of three years in prison or a level 10 fine which is currently $70 000”.

This, according to Chiwora, gives the government a stranglehold of the health services while depriving workers of their freedom at the same time.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday said Zanu-PF had already won the March 26 by-elections and told party members to start celebrating.

Speaking during the launch of the public procurement registration services in Nkulumane, Bulawayo, Chiwenga said the ruling party would celebrate the victory with a “big pomp”.

The launch was a partnership between the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz) and Zimpost.

“We are celebrating 2022 with a big pomp in that I am quite sure he (Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairman Jabulani Sibanda) is going to take all the seats which we had lost to the opposition. I am saying so because we are delivering what we have said,” Chiwenga said.

The ruling party has suffered defeats in Bulawayo since the formation of the opposition MDC in 1999.

It was only in 2015 when the ruling party got five seats in by-elections boycotted by the opposition.

But Chiwenga said the ruling party will spring a surprise.

“Here in Nkulumane we have David Ndlovu (Zanu-PF aspiring MP for Nkulumane), he will be in Parliament and we want to celebrate his victory before he comes to Parliament,” he said.

“We also want to celebrate those who will be in the council, Janet Moyo and Thabo Thwala. More also what is important after the elections is that in Bulawayo, you will be having Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta opening the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).”

Chiwenga said the launch of the public procurement service at all Zimpost offices and community information centres would result in the decentralisation of public procurement services.

“The partnership between Zimpost and Praz is riding on the vision of the President Emmerson Mnangagwa to close the digital divide through the increased participation of marginalised communities in national development,” he said.

“The reforms in public procurement aim to achieve an efficient, fair, transparent and competitive public procurement system in the country. This means that no eligible bidder, contractor or consultant should be left out in the bidding of services or goods advertised.”

Chiwenga said the move had made it easier for those in remote areas to have access to the services.

“The participation of bidders throughout the country promotes competition for delivery of goods and services resulting in the competitive pricing and value for money in public procurement

Information Communication Technology minister Jeffery Muswere said the partnership between Zimpost and Praz has made the journey to vision 2030 easy.

“The coming together will ensure that the public procurement services become a success. Vision 2030 identified key areas that are going to turn around the macroeconomic areas. One of the key areas is the digital economy and in order to ensure our Vision 2030,” Muswere said.-newsday

MLO is happy to announce that the Zimbabwe President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, although still scared to engage MLO, has finally recognised our demand for Matabeleland to break away from Zimbabwe and restore the statehood of Matabeleland to emerge as The Republic of Matabeleland.

His statement in Binga on Saturday 19 March, 2022 is testimony that he did not only receive the Demand for The Restoration of Matabeleland State but also read and understood it.

He was quoted by the media as saying,”You have heard me saying Zimbabwe is one. The Government of Zimbabwe is one. If you ask spirit mediums in any part of the country or ask God, you will be told that Zimbabwe is ruled by Zanu-PF. We are a unitary State and those who want to divide or separate the country should be exorcised of the spirit of Legion.” 
It is not our wish to divide Zimbabwe. How can we divide a country that is already divided? When President Mnangagwa and his government exalted those of Hutu and Burundi origins (Shona) and gave them a superior status over those that were origially from South Africa (Matabele), they should have known that they were dividing their Zimbabwe along tribal lines.

When Mnangagwa and and his government especially him, Mnangagwa, stood up and accused Matabele people of being cockroaches and went on to deploy the Zimbabwe National Army 5th Brigade to slaughter more than 40 000 innocent Matabele civilians, rape more 100 000 Matabele women, burn down more than 100 000 Matabele homes and displace more than 1 million Matabeles into South Africa and Botswana and those who remain in Zimbabwe are still tribally segregated and oppressed, they should have known that their divisive tribalistic ways had escalated to unacceptable and dangerous levels of tribal hate and genocide.

This was an attempt to obliterate Matabele nation from the face of earth which translates into extreme tribal division and hate clearly marked with Matabele blood. That cannot be blamed on anyone other than than Mnangagwa and his government. They should have known that they were applying for the quick implosion of Zimbabwe.

You rip what you saw. The seeds of tribal division that you have been unwisely sawing since 1980 are now bearing bitter fruits. So enjoy!

Now that you have finally removed your head from the sand and seen reality, you must, firstly, prepare yourself, physically and psychologically to get used to ruling Zimbabwe AKA Mashonaland without Matabeleland territory. How big Zimbabwe will be without Matabeleland territory is none of our business. We do not want an inch of it.

Secondly, prepare the Zimbabweans or Shona masses or those who are originally from Burundi, to be ready to use passports to enter The Republic of Matabeleland. Young Matabele men and women will be ready to serve them with pride and a smile at the Jameson Line border to be known as Mgiqika and Mgandane Border Post.

We will not move an inch from our demands up and until they are fully met. 

 I)  Restoration of Matebeleland State as at 3 November 1893 and emerge and join the family of nations as The Republic of Matebeleland

2)   Pay US$100billion dollars reparations for Matebele genocide done by the Zimbabwe government through Zimbabwe National Army 5th brigade in 1981-1987

If the President of Zimbabwe talks about the above demands we are prepared to listen to him. But if he continues to babble  about digging the graves of the dead and his love for spirit mediums and demons, those are fables that we are not interested in.

We remind him that no one, and no one can stop an idea whose time has come!
Izenzo kungemazwi!

Israel Dube

MLO Secretary for Information and Public Affairs

To the Editor

Dangamvura Chikanga Constituency Zanu Pf Candidates, Esau Mupfumi and Mutengo are trying to give a credit on the construction of Hobhouse road in Mutare.

While addressing at a funeral in Hobhouse yesterday, Mutengo lied to the mourners that it is Zanu Pf which is in charge of constructing the road.

From the way he was talking, it seems as if he is far away from the truth of the developments which are happening in the city. He also lied that his party will construct borehole in Hobhouse. He has no clue on Dangamvura pipeline which will try to solve Dangamvura and other places water crisis.

On the issue of the road, Mutengo thinks that we are not aware that Zinara, with the instruction of Zanu Pf diverted road fund money from City council to the Ministry of roads, which is now giving Zanu Pf the platform for campaigning.

When there were budgets consultation for the development of ward 17, Mutengo was nowhere to be found. He was busy buying fertilizers and maize from the GMB and selling it at higher prices to poor citizens of Zimbabwe in the remote areas.

Very reliable sources informed me that Esau Mupfumi and some Zanu Pf wards Candidates will do an official opening of the road.

This is unacceptable, no one is allowed to reap what he/ she does not saw.

Every Zimbabwean knows that Zanu Pf has failed. It is not the right time for it to promise but to deliver. It should have delivered in the 1980s.

By now Zimbabwe should have better roads, jobs and better infrastructure.

It is the time Citizens should show Zanu Pf the middle finger. Zanu Pf is a failure.

Source- Fanuel Chinowaita

?TODAY the criminal case of prominent @CCCZimbabwe activist @MadzibabaV continues. He was unprocedurally remanded on Saturday from his hospital bed. His lawyers were not allowed to make submissions even though he was over-detained rendering his police detention unconstitutional. pic.twitter.com/tcd4GKLj9X

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) March 21, 2022

Lyrics- “Hatingarambe tichiti boss boss tisireiwo something,Tipei mbeu nezvigredha tive varimi, Tipei zvirauro tigoraura tibate hove vana vedu vagotiyamura,Tichikandirwa chikafu kunge shiri Tipei mukana nemabasa tichiri vechidiki tongozvishashandira.”

By- Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa said he rejected President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s offer to form a government of national unity government as a way of avoiding a mistake made by the late MDC founder, Morgan Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai entered into a GNU with the late president Robert Mugabe in 2008 following violent elections that were widely condemned as not free and fair.

Mugabe was, however, accused of reneging on the deal and used the GNU era to further weaken Tsvangirai’s party, the MDC.
Chamisa accused Mnangagwa of unleashing violence against his supporters as punishment for turning down the offer for a GNU to stop the holding of the 2023 general elections.
Addressing thousands of CCC supporters at Sakubva stadium in Mutare on Saturday, Chamisa said:
We refused an offer for a government of national unity (GNU) and said let’s go to elections; those who have won will lead and those who lose will support the winners either as opposition or united government, but we will not make the mistakes we made under former late president Morgan Tsvangirai.
Chamisa accused Mnangagwa of setting up torture camps and bases to brutalise CCC members ahead of the 2023 elections.
A CCC activist in Kwekwe was fatally stabbed by suspected ZANU PF members recently, while several others were injured.

Chamisa was in Mutare to campaign for CCC’s aspiring legislators Regai Tsunga and Prosper Mutseyami, who are eyeing the Mutasa South and Dangamvura/Chikanga seats respectively.
CCC is also contesting a number of vacant local government seats in the Mutare.

-The Standard

By-The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has asked for “space” from the public, including reporters to conduct investigations into the assault and torture of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Godfrey Karembera by police officers.

Karembera, better known as Madzibaba VeShanduko, was brutally assaulted while in custody at Harare Central Police Station on 17 March.

ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on Saturday told The Standard the police is investigating the allegations but need “space”. Said Nyathi:

We made it clear from the onset that we are investigating allegations that Karembera was beaten by police officers and we will make sure that the law takes its course.

So we would like to appeal to the members of the public including the media to give us the space to conduct investigations.

We also want to try to avoid investigating the case while at the same time we are giving every bit of information to the media.

But I can assure you that everything is being done above board.

Karembera was arrested in central Harare last Thursday and charged for disorderly conduct and trying to deface Mbuya Nehanda’s statue.

He appeared before Harare magistrate Barbara Mateko at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on Saturday.

Karembera is currently admitted at the hospital where he is receiving treatment following the torture and assault by police officers.

His lawyer, Doug Coltart said the magistrate refused to allow him to file an application challenging his placement on remand after the torture. Mateko said the application should be made on Monday.

More: The Standard

By-Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has offered a new car to a senior Binga party member whose property was burnt down by party thugs in Binga.

Mnangagwa has also threatened to intervene if party leaders in Matabeleland North Province fail to contain the situation.

Mnangagwa made the threats during a campaign rally at Siabuwa Business Centre in Binga District on Saturday.

The threats came after a central committee member in the district, Veronica Mnkuli, recently had her house and vehicle burnt by opponents. Said Mnangagwa:

Let us forget the misunderstandings that we have been having.

I hear that there have been problems after party elections in Binga.

I want to say to Zanu PF leaders in this province that you must be united.

If you fail to unite, I will have to step in.

No one can pocket Zanu PF, but Zanu PF can pocket everyone.

I heard Veronica Mnkuli, a central committee member, had her house and vehicle burnt when she was trying to unite Zanu PF leaders in the province.

This is very bad, peace, harmony and unity should prevail in Zanu PF.

Therefore, I have requested Mnkuli to come to Harare on Monday so that I give her a new car.

Mnangagwa also donated 31 fishing boats to traditional leaders and the women’s league.

Binga is arguably one of the most underdeveloped districts in the country and the opposition has been dominant since the year 2000.

More: The Standard

By A Correspondent- Douglas Mwonzora’s pro-Zanu PF political project has promoted the renewal and popularity of Nelson Chamisa, a former cabinet minister has said.

Former Tourism minister Walter Mzembi tweeted Sunday that Mwonzora did not know that by dividing the MDC he was promoting Chamisa.

Tweeted Mzembi:

Mwonzora Project backfired & forced 

@nelsonchamisa

 to create a new identity 

@CCCZimbabwe

 that the Junta is struggling to contain, the only thing to watch now is a resort to default settings of violence & intimidation after squandering all goodwill post RG.

Mwonzora Project backfired & forced @nelsonchamisa to create a new identity @CCCZimbabwe that the Junta is struggling to contain, the only thing to watch now is a resort to default settings of violence & intimidation after squandering all goodwill post RG!

— Dr Walter Mzembi (@waltermzembi) March 20, 2022

Tinashe Sambiri

Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa says the Yellow Revolution is simply unstoppable.

The popular CCC leader believes nobody can stop an idea whose time has come.

Watch video below:

Tinashe Sambiri

Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa says the Yellow Revolution is simply unstoppable.

The popular CCC leader believes nobody can stop an idea whose time has come.

Watch video below:

Tinashe Sambiri

Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa says the Yellow Revolution is simply unstoppable.

The popular CCC leader believes nobody can stop an idea whose time has come.

Watch video below:

Watch the video loading below…..

By-The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has asked for “space” from the public, including reporters to conduct investigations into the assault and torture of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Godfrey Karembera by police officers.

Karembera, better known as Madzibaba VeShanduko, was brutally assaulted while in custody at Harare Central Police Station on 17 March.

ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on Saturday told The Standard the police is investigating the allegations but need “space”. Said Nyathi:

We made it clear from the onset that we are investigating allegations that Karembera was beaten by police officers and we will make sure that the law takes its course.

So we would like to appeal to the members of the public including the media to give us the space to conduct investigations.

We also want to try to avoid investigating the case while at the same time we are giving every bit of information to the media.

But I can assure you that everything is being done above board.

Karembera was arrested in central Harare last Thursday and charged for disorderly conduct and trying to deface Mbuya Nehanda’s statue.

He appeared before Harare magistrate Barbara Mateko at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on Saturday.

Karembera is currently admitted at the hospital where he is receiving treatment following the torture and assault by police officers.

His lawyer, Doug Coltart said the magistrate refused to allow him to file an application challenging his placement on remand after the torture. Mateko said the application should be made on Monday.

More: The Standard

Watch the live video loading below…. please be patient as it uploads

HUGE TURNOUT… Thank you Masvingo. You defied the odds …. You surpassed the mark!!God bless you! pic.twitter.com/1rTAKmb1UW

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) March 20, 2022

Change Champion in Chief, President Chamisa declares Wednesday, 23rd March national day of prayer and fasting – for the 26 March by-elections!#YellowMovement #CitizensMovement#Byelections #26March

— UK and Ireland for President Chamisa (@CCCUKAndIreland) March 20, 2022

By A Correspondent- Wife to Passion Java, Lily has responded to reports that her husband has been bonking a South African Slay Queen.

Social media has been awash with reports of Passion cheating on his USA based wife Lily Java amid revelations that he impregnated a South African lady he has been seeing for some time.

Said Lily:

“No weapon formed against my family shall prosper, no demon that is sent with an agenda can separate my family, we stand together , we pray together, we laugh together.

Keep trying Satan but you are already defeated and under my feet.

For we stand on a ROCK that can never be shaken or moved. @prophetpassion #love#family#covenant“

The post comes after her husband posted a controversial message on social media

While many expected him to deny the rumors, Passion posted a video where he remarked that even biblical characters such as David and Solomon loved women, in the process justifying his own scandalous relationship outside wedlock.

He further posted on his social media handles saying that even biblical characters such as David and Solomon loved women,.

He further posted on his social media handles saying;

“Now u know kuti handidye tsubvu, nhunguru nemukukurutsa ndove.”

Passion has been a fierce campaigner for President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF whom he openly campaigns for on social media much to the dismay of pro-opposition supporters who feel he is being used to woo the youth vote ahead of the do-or-die 2023 elections.

By A Corresponent- In a milestone for the country, Zimbabweans can now apply and pay for newly-introduced e-passport online as the booking system has now gone online.

The online passport application system is capable of serving 20 people per every 20 minutes.

Applicants using the online platform similarly pay US$120 for an ordinary passport and US$220 for an emergency document.

An Express Passport Office Centre has since been opened at the Registrar-General’s Office in Harare to specifically handle online applications.

It is believed that the process of applying and collecting a passport can be done in 48 hours compared to seven days for those who apply in person.

Manager of the Express Passport Office Centre Mr Terence Mutemararo told The Sunday Mail that the online application system sought to eliminate congestion at passport offices.

“When the e-passports were launched last year, it was made clear that they will be two categories of applications: One with a seven-day turnaround which we started with and now we have introduced the Express Centre that issues passports in 48 hours from the time of applications,” he said.

The Express Passport Office Centre is considered convenient to the elderly, persons with disabilities and those who need emergency passports.

“The main purpose of the Express Centre is to bring convenience to those who need emergency passports. There are a lot of people that might be working but their time is limited, so they can simply book a time and get the passports at their earliest time of  convenience.

“The major purpose of the online booking is to de-congest this place and make sure that people come at their accorded time slots. It is capable of serving 20 people per every 20 minutes given the number of booths we have and the number of people serving inside,” he said.

The Sunday Mail put the online passport system to a test and was able to easily access the website (expresscentrezw.com), which readily gives instructions on available booking schedules.

It also gives an applicant further instructions to complete the application process.

The online booking system will also be decentralised to other parts of the country as well as in the Diaspora for collection of the passports, officials say.

Acting Registrar-General Mr Henry Machiri said everything was on course to ensure e-passports were obtained from all the country’s 10 provinces by the end of June.

Bulawayo offices are being refurbished and people will start applying for e-passports in the country’s second-largest city in a few weeks.

“In terms of Bulawayo, the technicians are working flat-out and before the end of this month Bulawayo will now be issuing e-passports,” he said.

Below is a picture of ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa making desperate prayers at a “rescue-kirawa” shrine room setup with vapositori sect members. Will God hear him? It could not be established where this was, and ZimEye was at the time of publishing making a follow up. – refresh this page for updates

By A Correspondent- War veterans have accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of insincerity, lying and abusing former freedom fighters by falsely promising them money if they campaign for Zanu-PF ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The war veterans told The NewsHawks this week that the announcement by Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri this week that the government was looking into the plight of the ex-combatants and war collaborators was a well-calculated lie to lure them into campaigning for Zanu-PF.

Muchinguri this week said pensions for war veterans are being reviewed upwards to match those of the uniformed forces and the rest of the civil service.

“Government is working tirelessly to improve the welfare of the veterans of the liberation struggle. The pensions are being reviewed and benchmarked with uniformed forces and the rest of the civil service,” Muchinguri said this week.

But the war veterans, who have traditionally campaigned for Zanu-PF in previous elections and have been accused of using violence in the process, particularly in rural areas, insist they will not be used and lied to this time.

“They have always been lying to us saying they gave us shares in mining and companies. They say all sorts of lies to us,” war veterans’ welfare pressure group chairperson Amos Sigauke told The NewsHawks this week.

“We have our case before the courts now where they are refusing to give us money. They have even hired expensive lawyers to defend their case and we wonder why we are not getting our money.”

Thirty-nine war veterans were arrested in October last year and charged with inciting public violence.

The state insists they have a case to answer.

“Why would she (Muchinguri) lie to us like that? They are shameless and we have had enough of their lies,” Sigauke fumed.

Sigauke said the regime has resorted to arresting the ex-freedom fighters for demanding their dues. The timing of the new offer was suspicious and meant to position youths linked to the ruling elite at the feeding trough.

On suspicion that war veterans were being lured to garner support for Zanu-PF ahead of the elections, Sigauke said this time they will not be used.

“If it used to happen before, it will not happen again. The comrades are now wiser. If it used to happen, we will not allow that. That will not happen again, we cannot be used again to serve a purpose to have few people lining their pockets,” Sigauke said.

“We can’t have a handful benefitting from the country’s independence while the rest suffer. We can’t continue having such a situation. In saying they are pushing for some mujibhas to benefit, they want to push their own youths to get in and benefit and get onto the feeding trough ahead of 2023, but war veterans are wiser than that. We cannot have that.”

“They have failed to deliver for the last 41 years. We are not asking for the impossible, all we are asking for are our dues. We are asking for our money which is legally binding but was stolen by some of them. Imagine as we speak 39 of our comrades are before the courts for demanding what is theirs.”

The 39 are on bail with stringent conditions that include reporting every Friday to their nearest police stations.

“Imagine reporting every Friday at our age with the different (health) conditions we have. I personally go for dialysis and if I do not go to report I am arrested. We don’t take that nonsense,” Sigauke said.

“Now they are negotiating with white farmers to compensate them their US$3.5 billion and they did that because they fear them. They are subservient to the whites and where were these people during the war? Most of them ran away from the bush and were in hotels and universities while sacrificing others and they still want to sacrifice war veterans now but we are not going to do that, never again.”

He said Mnangagwa had promised to meet war veterans every April since 2018, but has not done so.

“They lied and in 2018 he said he will meet us every April. How many Aprils have passed since then? We can’t be lied to when he meets whites almost all the time and having dinners and all. Why do they launch their things in hotels and not Zimbabwe Grounds? We can’t be fooled like that. We are wiser than that.”

“We are all war veterans and bigger in our own right and they must not scare us to say shefu says this or that. We are all equal and of the same age, we fought the same war and no one should threaten anyone.”

“Tell me, who is in government now who was not there in 1980? What new things do they want to deliver now that they failed to deliver then? Everyone is crying and it is another way of hoodwinking the people by registering their own youths to benefit from the funds and campaign for them in 2023.”

“They should be sincere and they hired private lawyers to defend against giving us money.”

Muchinguri this week urged war veterans to use the “correct” channels to air their grievances and not resort to confrontation.

War veterans are unhappy with how the Zanu-PF government is treating them. Sources say there was a heated meeting two weeks ago in Manicaland province where the party secretary for war veterans was quizzed by the ex-freedom fighters over the authorities’ insincerity in addressing their grievances.

“During the Manicaland meeting chaired by Mahiya, war veterans were given the platform to share their views.   Some of the issues raised include demands for a congress to elect new leadership,” sources who attended the meeting told The NewsHawks.

“They accused (Christopher) Mutsvangwa and (Douglas) Mahiya of holding them to ransom and using them for their personal gain. They openly demanded unity, the return of exiled G40s and declared that they are prepared to support any movement that has people at heart.”

The war veterans, sources said, raised the issue of welfare, accusing the government of giving them a paltry US$30 a month, no medical aid support and the sudden cutting of fees payment to both schools and institutions of higher learning.

“They accused the ED administration of failing to run the country and vowed not to campaign for ED until their demands are fulfilled.”

Mahiya refused to comment on the meeting.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Rodney Simukai Kiwa as the Deputy Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

Kiwa holds a Masters’ degree in Public Administration from the University of South Africa and a Bachelor of Administration from the University of Rhodesia.

The appointment was announced by ZEC chairperson Priscilla Chigumba in a statement. She said:

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is pleased to announce the designation of Commissioner Rodney Simukai Kiwa as Deputy Chairperson of the Commission.

His Excellency, the President, made the appointment in accordance with the law.

Commissioner Kiwa joined the Commission in November 2021. He is an expert in diplomacy, mediation and conflict resolution and former Deputy Chairperson of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC). He is also an independent consultant on Peace and Security.

Commissioner Kiwa worked at the African Union Commission (AU) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in various senior portfolios.

He has also attended several trainings including the Public Service Training School; Diplomatic Training under Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Kenya Foreign Service Institute; United Nations Senior Officials Training Programme and Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Commissioner Kiwa has made several national and international presentations on peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

In a separate statement, Chigumba also announced that Jasper Mangwana will take over as ZEC spokesperson from Joyce Laetitia Kazembe whose term of office ends in July.

Full statement by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairperson Priscilla Chigumba on the appointment of new spokesperson Jasper Mangwana.

Handover of ZEC Spokesperson’s Duties to Commissioner Jasper Mangwana

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission wishes to acknowledge and recognise the years of sterling service Commissioner Joyce Laetitia Kazembe has provided to this country throughout her career.

Currently, she is the most senior in terms of experience having served for a period spanning in excess of 20 years.

Commissioner Kazembe joined the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission in 2007 and served her term of office under the then Constitution of Zimbabwe.

She was again appointed for a fresh term under the new Constitution following the promulgation of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 20, which became operational after the 2013 referendum.

She was reappointed for a further two terms, of which the second term under the 2013 Constitution is terminating in July 2022.

Prior to joining the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Commissioner Kazembe had performed national service with the then Electoral Supervisory Commission which she joined in 2000.

The Electoral Supervisory Commission is the predecessor to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission whose mandate was to supervise all elections in Zimbabwe which were being conducted then by the Registrar General’s Office.

Commissioner JL Kazembe possesses vast experience in the conduct and management of elections and is well known for her service both in the region and the international sphere.

The Commission appreciates and wishes to thank her for the unwavering dedication and quality service she has provided to the Commission during her term of service.

She was the spokesperson of the Commission and Chairperson of the Commission’s Media Monitoring Committee. Sadly, as already stated, her term of office is terminating in July of this year.

The Commission wishes to tap in from her experience in dealing with public relations and media issues prior to her departure.

Pursuant to that objective, the Commission has appointed Commission Jasper Mangwana to take over the role of the Spokesperson for the Commission with effect from Friday 18th March 2022 before Commissioner JL Kazembe’s term of office expires.

This will allow a smooth handover-takeover process and enable the Commissioner to inherit this portfolio to draw good lessons on handling it while the outgoing Commissioner is still in service.

It is also our hope that Commissioner JL Kazembe will do her best in passing all the knowledge and expertise at her disposal to the next generation of Commissioners and staff.

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the mandate of the Commission and the development of electoral processes in Zimbabwe, the Commission is mooting the establishment of a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Elders Panel comprising personnel who have served it before.

The Panel will be responsible for providing guidance and advice to the Commission during critical electoral processes.

It is envisaged that the panel of elders will operate as a charitable trust wherein they donate their institutional memory by training, dispute resolution, recommendations on international best practices, technology and ethical practices in elections and, championing youth participation and role of women and PWDs in elections and electoral processes.

It is also proposed that Commissioner JL Kazembe be designated as the Honorary Chairperson of the panel when the panel comes to fruition.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission wishes her all the best in the remaining term and her future endeavours.

By- Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa said that President Emmerson Mnangagwa tried to lure him into a unity government.

The youthful opposition leader said he dined the’s offer and wanted to avoid mistakes made by the late former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai entered into a GNU with the late president Robert Mugabe in 2008 following violent elections that were widely condemned as not free and fair.
Mugabe was, however, accused of reneging on the deal and used the GNU era to further weaken Tsvangirai’s party, the MDC.
Chamisa accused Mnangagwa of unleashing violence against his supporters as punishment for turning down the offer for a GNU to stop the holding of the 2023 general elections.
Addressing thousands of CCC supporters at Sakubva stadium in Mutare on Saturday, Chamisa said:
We refused an offer for a government of national unity (GNU) and said let’s go to elections; those who have won will lead and those who lose will support the winners either as opposition or united government, but we will not make the mistakes we made under former late president Morgan Tsvangirai.
Chamisa accused Mnangagwa of setting up torture camps and bases to brutalise CCC members ahead of the 2023 elections.
A CCC activist in Kwekwe was fatally stabbed by suspected ZANU PF members recently, while several others were injured.

Chamisa was in Mutare to campaign for CCC’s aspiring legislators Regai Tsunga and Prosper Mutseyami, who are eyeing the Mutasa South and Dangamvura/Chikanga seats respectively.
CCC is also contesting a number of vacant local government seats in the Mutare.

-The Standard

By- Zanu PF thugs in Binga burnt down their leader’s house and car as intra-party violence intensified ahead of the next Saturday’s by-elections.

The party leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has since threatened to intervene if party leaders in Matabeleland North Province fail to contain the situation.

Mnangagwa made the threats during a campaign rally at Siabuwa Business Centre in Binga District on Saturday.

The threats came after a central committee member in the district, Veronica Mnkuli, recently had her house and vehicle burnt by opponents. Said Mnangagwa:

Let us forget the misunderstandings that we have been having.

I hear that there have been problems after party elections in Binga.

I want to say to Zanu PF leaders in this province that you must be united.

If you fail to unite, I will have to step in.

No one can pocket Zanu PF, but Zanu PF can pocket everyone.

I heard Veronica Mnkuli, a central committee member, had her house and vehicle burnt when she was trying to unite Zanu PF leaders in the province.

This is very bad, peace, harmony and unity should prevail in Zanu PF.

Therefore, I have requested Mnkuli to come to Harare on Monday so that I give her a new car.

Mnangagwa also donated 31 fishing boats to traditional leaders and the women’s league.

Binga is arguably one of the most underdeveloped districts in the country and the opposition has been dominant since the year 2000.

More: The Standard

By A Correspondent- Douglas Mwonzora’s pro-Zanu PF political project has promoted the renewal and popularity of Nelson Chamisa, a former cabinet minister has said.

Former Tourism minister Walter Mzembi tweeted Sunday that Mwonzora did not know that by dividing the MDC he was promoting Chamisa.

Tweeted Mzembi:

Mwonzora Project backfired & forced 

@nelsonchamisa

 to create a new identity 

@CCCZimbabwe

 that the Junta is struggling to contain, the only thing to watch now is a resort to default settings of violence & intimidation after squandering all goodwill post RG

By- Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa said he rejected President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s offer to form a government of national unity government as a way of avoiding a mistake made by the late MDC founder, Morgan Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai entered into a GNU with the late president Robert Mugabe in 2008 following violent elections that were widely condemned as not free and fair.

Mugabe was, however, accused of reneging on the deal and used the GNU era to further weaken Tsvangirai’s party, the MDC.
Chamisa accused Mnangagwa of unleashing violence against his supporters as punishment for turning down the offer for a GNU to stop the holding of the 2023 general elections.
Addressing thousands of CCC supporters at Sakubva stadium in Mutare on Saturday, Chamisa said:
We refused an offer for a government of national unity (GNU) and said let’s go to elections; those who have won will lead and those who lose will support the winners either as opposition or united government, but we will not make the mistakes we made under former late president Morgan Tsvangirai.
Chamisa accused Mnangagwa of setting up torture camps and bases to brutalise CCC members ahead of the 2023 elections.
A CCC activist in Kwekwe was fatally stabbed by suspected ZANU PF members recently, while several others were injured.

Chamisa was in Mutare to campaign for CCC’s aspiring legislators Regai Tsunga and Prosper Mutseyami, who are eyeing the Mutasa South and Dangamvura/Chikanga seats respectively.
CCC is also contesting a number of vacant local government seats in the Mutare.

-The Standard

By- Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa said that he rejected President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s offer for an inclusive government to avoid mistakes made by the late former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai entered into a GNU with the late president Robert Mugabe in 2008 following violent elections that were widely condemned as not free and fair.
Mugabe was, however, accused of reneging on the deal and used the GNU era to further weaken Tsvangirai’s party, the MDC.
Chamisa accused Mnangagwa of unleashing violence against his supporters as punishment for turning down the offer for a GNU to stop the holding of the 2023 general elections.
Addressing thousands of CCC supporters at Sakubva stadium in Mutare on Saturday, Chamisa said:
We refused an offer for a government of national unity (GNU) and said let’s go to elections; those who have won will lead and those who lose will support the winners either as opposition or united government, but we will not make the mistakes we made under former late president Morgan Tsvangirai.
Chamisa accused Mnangagwa of setting up torture camps and bases to brutalise CCC members ahead of the 2023 elections.
A CCC activist in Kwekwe was fatally stabbed by suspected ZANU PF members recently, while several others were injured.

Chamisa was in Mutare to campaign for CCC’s aspiring legislators Regai Tsunga and Prosper Mutseyami, who are eyeing the Mutasa South and Dangamvura/Chikanga seats respectively.
CCC is also contesting a number of vacant local government seats in the Mutare.

-The Standard

 By-An overzealous police officer, Constable John Mudimba, almost died in a car crash after a drunk Honda Fit crew allegedly “kidnapped” him and forced him into their vehicle and drove off before hitting a pole.

B-Metro reported a source as saying Mudimba, who is stationed at Hillside Police Station and his three colleagues were assigned to arrest people who were fighting at Hillside Shopping Centre.

When the police officers arrived at the shops, they found Xolani Dube (32) and Trust Manyika fighting and managed to separate the two.

It is alleged that soon after the fight ended, Xolani and his partner grabbed Mudimba and bundled him into their Honda Fit car before they drove off at high speed.

However, when they reached Famona suburb, Xolani lost control of the car and it veered off the road and hit a pole.

Meanwhile, Mudimba escaped unhurt from the incident that left the car extensively damaged.

He then called his colleagues who rushed to the scene and arrested Xolani.

Tinashe Sambiri|The incessant persecution of citizens by State security agents is unacceptable, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

The Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to stop the rampant abuse of innocent civilians.

President Chamisa said perpetrators of violence should be brought to book.

“Violence on citizens is criminal, particularly under police custody.

It it the duty of a President to uphold, defend and respect the constitution and protect all citizens. An attack on Citizens is an attack on the constitution. Stop this terrorism!

State sanctioned violence against unarmed & peace loving citizens is criminal, sadistic,illegal and must be condemned not condoned.The perpetrators must be punished for this barbarism.This is what earns us a banana republic tag and tarnishes the image of our great country,” President Chamisa said in a statement on Friday.

Tinashe Sambiri|The incessant persecution of citizens by State security agents is unacceptable, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

The Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to stop the rampant abuse of innocent civilians.

President Chamisa said perpetrators of violence should be brought to book.

“Violence on citizens is criminal, particularly under police custody.

It it the duty of a President to uphold, defend and respect the constitution and protect all citizens. An attack on Citizens is an attack on the constitution. Stop this terrorism!

State sanctioned violence against unarmed & peace loving citizens is criminal, sadistic,illegal and must be condemned not condoned.The perpetrators must be punished for this barbarism.This is what earns us a banana republic tag and tarnishes the image of our great country,” President Chamisa said in a statement on Friday.

Do ZANU PF functionaries understand some their actions create awkward scenarios for their leaders at international forums? The country is pushing for re-engagement and we have scenes where @MadzibabaV is beaten and Mboneni Ncube is killed at an opposition rally.

— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) March 19, 2022

We may go for expos in Dubai, pay PR firms but no serious investors want to invest in a country with no respect for human& property rights. These are fundamentals which any serious country will protect. Let that be known and remembered.

— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) March 19, 2022

WATCH- Firebrand youth delivers important message at #CCC #Sakubva rally in #Mutare. Who is this young politician? pic.twitter.com/9U7ItH8uG3

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 19, 2022

MUTARE YOU ARE TOO MUCH! THANK YOU ZIMBABWE! BEHOLD THE NEW! pic.twitter.com/vkyz8MlDTV

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) March 19, 2022

Charles Wordzmyth Kaemba

My brother is still missing, we were able to find his car but we still haven’t found him. If you happen to see him, PLEASE CALL ME ON 0717195477 OR 0774401803

He went missing in Kadoma.

By A Correspondent- Vice president Constantino Chiwenga yesterday said Zanu-PF had already won the March 26 by-elections and told party members to start celebrating.

Speaking during the launch of the public procurement registration services in Nkulumane, Bulawayo, Chiwenga said the ruling party would celebrate the victory with a “big pomp”.

The launch was a partnership between the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz) and Zimpost.

“We are celebrating 2022 with a big pomp in that I am quite sure he (Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairman Jabulani Sibanda) is going to take all the seats which we had lost to the opposition. I am saying so because we are delivering what we have said,” Chiwenga said.

The ruling party has suffered defeats in Bulawayo since the formation of the opposition MDC in 1999.

It was only in 2015 when the ruling party got five seats in by-elections boycotted by the opposition.

But Chiwenga said the ruling party will spring a surprise.

“Here in Nkulumane we have David Ndlovu (Zanu-PF aspiring MP for Nkulumane), he will be in Parliament and we want to celebrate his victory before he comes to Parliament,” he said.

“We also want to celebrate those who will be in the council, Janet Moyo and Thabo Thwala. More also what is important after the elections is that in Bulawayo, you will be having Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta opening the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).”

Chiwenga said the launch of the public procurement service at all Zimpost offices and community information centres would result in the decentralisation of public procurement services.

“The partnership between Zimpost and Praz is riding on the vision of the President Emmerson Mnangagwa to close the digital divide through the increased participation of marginalised communities in national development,” he said.

“The reforms in public procurement aim to achieve an efficient, fair, transparent and competitive public procurement system in the country. This means that no eligible bidder, contractor or consultant should be left out in the bidding of services or goods advertised.”

Chiwenga said the move had made it easier for those in remote areas to have access to the services.

“The participation of bidders throughout the country promotes competition for delivery of goods and services resulting in the competitive pricing and value for money in public procurement

Information Communication Technology minister Jeffery Muswere said the partnership between Zimpost and Praz has made the journey to vision 2030 easy.

“The coming together will ensure that the public procurement services become a success. Vision 2030 identified key areas that are going to turn around the macroeconomic areas. One of the key areas is the digital economy and in order to ensure our Vision 2030,” Muswere said.-Newsday

CHIREDZI–A Lyonais Investments Truck driver has died after he succumbed to high blood pressure while driving back to Zimbabwe from Namibia.

Toindepi Chimuti’s (55) truck then hit a tree on the roadside after he died.

The accident happened on Wednesday at round 8pm in the Kongola area in Namibia.

Lyonais Director, Lawrence Mahakwa confirmed the incident to The Mirror and said Chimuti succumbed to Cardiac arrest while coming back from making a delivery.

“Yes, it’s true, he had high blood pressure whilst he was driving from Namibia and he had an accident,” said Mahakwa.

Chimuti joined Lyonais Investments in 2015.

Lyonais General Manager Tapiwa Chirairo described Chimuti as a humble person who was easy to work with.

“Chimuti will be remembered for being a humble person who was easy to work with . On the fateful day he had gone to Namibia to deliver Tongaat Hulett sugar and he was driving back when he was involved in an accident,” said Chirairo.

Mourners are currently gathered at House number 19896, Rujeko C in Masvingo and burial arrangements are yet to be announced.

https://masvingomirror.com

By A Correspondent- Government has all but admitted that Zimbabweans have lost confidence in the local currency, saying it was aware people were trooping to the black market to buy foreign currency to avoid a repeat of 2008 where hyperinflation eroded their savings.

Finance deputy minister Clemence Chiduwa told Parliament on Thursday that government was witnessing a massive switch by Zimbabweans to the black market to buy United States dollars to hedge against losses.

“What really is driving the black market rate? These are behavioural legacy issues to say we encountered this in 2008 and we are using the US dollar as a store of value. The moment someone gets a Zimbabwe dollar, they immediately change it to US dollar,” Chiduwa said.

“People are saying the moment I get money I should convert it to US dollars, but because of benchmark pricing it has filtered to pricing models in the shops where you see that the pricing model is now following the parallel market rate,” Chiduwa added.

“As a result of that, it is now affecting the livelihoods of our people. We have said in order to cushion our people as we try to get long term solutions, we have come up with the payment that we are now giving to civil servants in US dollars.”

Said Chiduwa: “We are equally worried about the movement in the exchange rate. We have said before that the movement in the exchange rate, especially on the parallel market, is not linked to fundamentals.

“You look at government expenditure vis-à-vis the revenue that we are generating as Treasury. Since November 2018 we have not borrowed from the central bank. We live within our means. As a government, we are very clear in terms of where we are going.

“You cannot run a country without a monetary leg. The proper management of a country in terms of economic management requires both fiscal and monetary policy.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government re-introduced the Zimbabwe dollar in June 2019 after abolishing a multi-currency regime which had been in place since 2009.

Critics at the time accused the government of rushing the introduction of the local unit without necessary economic reforms and backing of foreign currency reserves.

Mnangagwa has been under pressure to dollarise, with teachers in particular, staying away from work citing incapacitation. Civil servants are receiving US$175 against their demands for US$540 which they used to earn in 2018.

There is also disgruntlement in the private sector where employees are agitating for US dollar salaries.

The Zimbabwe dollar is trading at US$1 to $260 at the black market and US$1 to $135 on the auction system.

Mnangagwa has said there is no going back to dedollarisation while Finance minister Mthuli Ncube recently announced a number of measures to stabilise the local currency.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe and police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga have “hastily”paid $300 000 as compensation to two victims of police brutality to avoid imprisonment for contempt of court.

Matanga and Kazembe had failed to pay the damages within the set timeframe, resulting in the victims filing two court applications on March 3 and 4 seeking the arrest of the two for contempt of court.

In a report yesterday, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said Kazembe, Matanga and Constable Zwelibanzi Masuko had reneged on paying compensation to Rusape resident, Unity Saunyama after he was mauled by a dog set upon him by the police.

“During the trial, Saunyama told magistrate Rufaro Mangwiro that Masuko approached him at a beerhall in Rusape on August 29, 2019 and made an inquiry about his personal details to which Saunyama obliged. Masuko proceeded to drag Saunyama out of the beerhall and thereafter made shocking allegations to the effect that the 40 year-old man was in possession of marijuana,” the report read in part.

“In response, Saunyama advised Masuko to conduct a body search on him. However, instead of conducting a body search, Masuko set his police dog on him and he sustained injuries which include two deep lacerations on his right ankle and a deep wound on his right thigh as a result of several dog bites.”

Mangwiro ruled that Saunyama suffered undue harm and ordered the police to pay him $150 000 damages.

In another case, Mutare magistrate Lazarus Murendo directed the police to pay 18-year-old Ernest Jamela $151 191 damages for torture while in police custody.

“Jamela was assaulted upon arrest and detention by  one Mazambani, who was infamously known as the “Lion of Judah” in the community for disproportionate use of brute force in a case where the victim, then a 15-year-old minor in 2019 and resident in Sakubva high-density suburb in Mutare, was assaulted on two consecutive days on March 4 and 5 2019 during police investigations of theft of a mobile phone handset at his school,” the rights group said.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A Matabeleland human rights group has petitioned Parliament to probe ongoing displacement of villagers in the region without compensation to pave way for mining operations.

The Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights (MIHR) submitted the petition through Bulawayo Central legislator Nicola Watson on Thursday.

The petition is titled Towards an Inclusive Human Rights based on National Compensation and Relocation Framework on Development-Induced relocation framework on development.

MIHR co-ordinator Khumbulani Maphosa said the villagers were being evicted without compensation.

“When eviction is unavoidable and necessary for the promotion of general welfare, the State must provide or ensure fair and just compensation for any losses of personal, real or other property or goods including rights or interests in property,” Maphosa said.

In Binga, villagers face eviction to pave way for the Gwayi Shangani Dam construction and a coal mining project. In Hwange, villagers are up in arms over threats to evict them for a Chinese coal mining venture. There are reports in other parts of the country where villagers are facing eviction from their ancestral lands.-newsday

By A Correspondent- United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) chief executive officer Harrison Rambanapasi yesterday said the institution’s paediatric unit which reopened after 17 years of closure is functioning well with over 10 patients admitted.

The unit was re-opened in January and increased the number of beds from 15 to 60.

Prior to its opening, all paediatric cases from southern region were being referred to Mpilo Central Hospital.

Rambanapasi told Southern Eye that the number of patients being admitted at the unit was increasing gradually.

In January, UBH revealed that it had recruited two paediatric doctors.

The unit was closed due to a shortage of specialists.

The new specialist doctors would be assisted by 11 other doctors at the hospital, a situation which Rambanapasi said would reduce the workload and allow for the admission of more patients.

The reopening of the unit came after the health institution received equipment worth more than US$150 000 from Rotary Club International.-newsday

Emmerson Mnangagwa ‘s deputy, Constantino Chiwenga has fired threats at CCC President Nelson Chamisa.

Speaking at Siyabuwa, Binga just before Mnangagwa’s speech, Chiwenga said him and others will straighten up the opposition if they cause mayhem after losing elections.

He said in Shona: “Kana wakundwa hakuna mhirizhonga

Ukaita seunofamba nemusoro makumbo ari mudenga uchipesvedzera mhirizhonga tinokubatsira kuswatanuka.”

He also added saying this year he is doing away with the system of a multi party parliament.

Chiwenga threatens opposition saying: you can't have your cake and eat it too. Kana wakundwa hakuna mhirizhonga. Ukaita seunofamba nemusoro makumbo ari mudenga uchipesvedzera mhirizhonga tinokubatsira kuswatanuka. https://t.co/nEhMbsv4it pic.twitter.com/fZV0TpSM7p

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 19, 2022

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has lost the support of some of his key allies including Local Government minister July Moyo who have stood with him throughout his political rise but are now being sidelined in favour of new faces.

Observers say the Zanu-PF leader may find himself isolated as fresh fights for the party leadership take centre stage ahead of the December congress.

Mnangagwa and his ambitious deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, are embroiled in a fight for the control of the party ahead of the congress and subsequently the 2023 elections and, in that race, the grassroots have been deeply divided and are at war.

Although the fights have been temporarily shelved for the party to concentrate on the 26 March by-elections, insiders have warned that it will be gloves off immediately after the polls.

But in the fight, insiders said, Mnangagwa is now without key loyalists who stood with him in successive fights, including Moyo and  former State Security minister Owen Ncube, among others. Moyo has stood by Mnangagwa’s since the 1990s.

He supported his bid to become national party chairperson in 1999, eventually losing out to John Nkomo, and his bid for the vice-presidency at the 2004 congress, which post however went to Joice Mujuru.

Moyo has also stood with Mnangagwa, sacrificing his own career in the process, after failing out of favour with Mugabe. Moyo was also with Mnangagwa ahead of the 2014 congress when he became vice-president.

The Local Government minister and Zanu-PF secretary for transport and welfare also played a crucial role ahead of the November 2017 military coup that ousted Mugabe and his allies. Moyo stood with Mnangagwa through thick and thin, but felt he was not rewarded enough.

Moyo is believed to have been the force behind Ncube, who was accused by some in the Midlands of pushing his own partisan agenda. Mnangagwa believes Ncube was militating against his power consolidation project and, in the process, wittingly or unwittingly strengthening Chiwenga’s base.

The Local Government minister’s fallout with Mnangagwa has been consistently exposed by Norton member of Parliament Temba Mliswa who accused him and Ncube of working against the Zanu-PF leader.

A party insider close to Moyo insist that he was unhappy with the manner in which Mnangagwa was aligning with other people and pushing his “real people” away.

“He has been with Mnangagwa for long and fought many of his battles in the ’90s when he was trying to be the party chairman, in 2004 when he was vying for the party vice-president’s post way until 2014 when he finally became vice-president and ahead of the 2017 military coup. He felt he did a lot but got little reward,” an insider said.

Moyo was among the many prominent politicians like Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda and Manicaland’s Mike Madiro, among others, who fought in his corner and were ultimately fired by Mugabe ahead of the 2004 congress.

Zanu-PF’s current secretary for Finance Patrick Chinamasa was also among those who have supported Mnangagwa since the 2004 power-grab attempt and even during the 2017 coup, but is reportedly unhappy with what he got in return.

Chinamasa joins a growing list of other unhappy bigwigs now housed at Zanu-PF headquarters, including secretary for administration Obert Mpofu.

Ncube was Mnangagwa’s blue-eyed boy for long in the Midlands province  particularly in Kwekwe where he employed all sorts of tactics, including violence, to ensure Mnangagwa retained the status of Zanu-PF provincial godfather. He then used the Midlands and Masvingo as stepping stones to national political power.

But in a surprise turn of events, Mnangagwa fired Ncube this year, accusing him of behaviour inconsistent with ministerial office.

Insiders told The NewsHawks that a team was appointed to probe the Ncube matter and a report is being finalised while his allies are pushing for Mnangagwa to retain him in cabinet.

In the Midlands, Mnangagwa is said to have installed people many believe lack the political clout to win him votes.

Mnangagwa is also accused within Zanu-PF and the military circles of breaking a “coup coalition” and surrounding himself with people who are mainly his relatives and cronies at the expense of those who stood with him.

Mnangagwa is said to have disregarded an agreement that Chiwenga to serve only a single term and not go beyond 2023. Immediately after getting into power, he launched a blitz against several army chiefs, among them Anselem Sanyatwe who was a commander Presidential Guard and played a key role in the late former president Robert Mugabe’s ouster in a military coup in November 2017.

Sanyatwe was appointed ambassador to Tanzania while another army chief, the late Douglas Nyikayaramba, was deployed to Mozambique.

Mnangagwa has reportedly divided the war veterans who are also said to be unhappy with him for failing to reward them enough — even though they vigorously campaigned for his ascendancy during the Mugabe days.

War veterans feel only their leader Christopher Mutsvangwa, their party secretary Douglas Mahiya and Victor Matemadanda were rewarded enough at the expense of the rank and file of ex-combatants.

Matemadanda was later demoted from the powerful positions of Zanu-PF national political commissar and Defence deputy minister, becoming ambassador to Mozambique where he replaced Nyikayaramba.

The fears of serious fights have been buoyed by reports of combative former Zanu-PF national political commissar Savior Kasukuwere’s “imminent” return to challenge for the party leadership. This comes amid reports the former Local Government minister is relishing massive grassroots support from the party structures and the youths who are unhappy with the party’s current state of affairs.

Zanu-PF is also reportedly worried that the structures of the vanquished G40 faction which were created and strengthened during the Mugabe era were still intact on the ground. These elements could align with a host of disgruntled party activists who feel they were robbed during the party’s provincial restructuring last December.

Kasukuwere would not immediately confirm reports of his imminent return. But his honchos, already on the ground, said it was all systems go for his comeback which they claimed has the backing of some bigwigs within the ruling party.

There is speculation “Tyson”, as Kasukuwere is nicknamed in Zanu-PF, is coming back to manage the tribal imbalance in the party that has angered several bigwigs including Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga who accuse Mnangagwa of filling the key portfolios in cabinet, the party and parastatals with his Karanga clique.

“He is coming back,” a source close to Kasukuwere said. “2023 shall be exciting and someone is going out,” the source added.

Kasukuwere sparked further anxiety after posting a picture purportedly in Nyanga indicating he was now back in the country.

“Beautiful country, Nyanga,” Kasukuwere posted.

He would not shed light when The NewsHawks contacted him for comment.

Fears of fresh fissures, insiders confirmed, were also fuelled by a Central Intelligence Organisation report that projected Zanu-PF’s probability of winning the 2023 elections at a low 45%. The report cited supporters’ disgruntlement with internal election outcomes and Mnangagwa’s failure to deliver after the 2017 military coup.

There are also serious fights for the control of the party in the Midlands, Manicaland, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central provinces, among other areas, with the party structures deeply divided along factional lines.

In the Midlands, Mnangagwa’s backyard, supporters of former National Security minister Owen Ncube are still questioning why he was blocked from contesting for the post of provincial chairperson and subsequently fired from his cabinet post.

Fights are also rife in Manicaland where a camp linked to Albert Nyakuedzwa is

bitter over the controversial endorsement of Mike Madiro’s “victory” by the politburo in total disregard of those who claim he lost the internal elections. Nyakuedzwa and others have lodged complaints.

Richard Ndlovu, who lost in Matabeleland North, has also complained to the national political commissar Mike Bimha.

In Harare, Mliswa warned of fresh fissures in Zanu-PF, saying the party was failing to handle internal dynamics shaped by provincial and primary elections which have left the party weakened ahead of the 26 March by-elections.

“Instead of Zanu-PF focusing on impinging the opposition’s operations, it should be focusing on dealing with internal strife that threatens the party’s candidates such as Epworth’s Zaleriah Makari. Already, there are fatal fissures there which need urgent attention,” Mliswa, who claims to keenly know Zanu-PF’s internal dynamics, said on microblogging site Twitter.

“If Zanu-PF is to win Epworth, the party needs to reconcile these people and bring them together,” Mliswa said before listing disgruntled people in the area.

In Mashonaland West, there are fights over the control of the party with a group aligned to Mary Mliswa-Chikoka arguing she did not win fairly while similar fights have erupted in Mashonaland Central and Masvingo provinces.

But Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa rubbished claims that the party faces imminent implosion amid panic over the purported return of G40.

“We are strong, we never were affected by anything. We have one leader and the parties that easily split are the MDCs. They have been MDC, MDC-T now Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC). Zanu-PF never breaks, so why speak of imagination?”

On G40, he said: “Where do they want to come back? It is a pipedream and we do not take it seriously. They were kicked out and will never make it again.”

“They have absolutely no structures in the party. Their only structure was Grace Mugabe and when she lost they lost and that is why they are still in the wilderness and the country is marching on,” he said.

“Why are they in exile in the first place? Nobody chased them away and if you are afraid on your own how will they muster the courage to take over the party. They are cowards and how can cowards try to usurp power?”

“The fear is within them so if you can’t overcome fear within yourself, how can you then say you can organise a party? Kasukuwere came and left on his own, the other kingpin Grace is here and nobody touches here. Her daughter, Bona, is every other day going to State House to see the President — you can ask her. Which G40 kingpins are bigger than Grace?”