Welshman Ncube puts to rest allegations of attacking the @CCCZimbabwe leadership https://t.co/N49zrvMTdU

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 23, 2022

By A Correspondent- A 31 year old man was fatally wounded during an alleged shoot-out with the police in Mmatswale township on the outskirts of Musina in Limpopo.

Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the suspected criminal identified as Zimbabwean national Prince Dube died on Tuesday, while one of his accomplices was arrested.

“The police received information about the believably dangerous suspect who, together with his companions, were allegedly terrorising the community around Musina with armed robberies and other serious crimes. A dedicated team of the local members was assembled and conducted a snap search operation at the identified location,” said Mojapelo.

The law enforcement team succeeded in apprehending the suspect.

“Further probe led the members to the suspect’s alleged accomplices in the area, and on arrival the suspect allegedly started shooting at the members who returned fire, fatally wounding him. He was identified as Prince Dube from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe,” said Mojapelo.

He said police recovered five illegal firearms, including two pistols, two .303 rifles and one pellet gun, during the operation.

“The firearms will be subjected to ballistic examination to determine if they were used in other serious crimes. Cases of murder, attempted murder and possession of illegal firearms have been opened. The suspect might be linked with other serious crimes as police investigations are unfolding,” said Mojapelo.

In Gauteng, a group comprising South Africans, a Botswana national and Zimbabweans on Monday exchanged extensive gunfire with police officers in Rosettenville, Gauteng.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) said the group of men appeared to be well trained and proficient in the use of firearms.

“Our investigators have just left the scene now, they are exhausted. They picked up about a hundred bullets from the scene. They were still picking some this morning,” said Ipid spokesperson Grace Langa.

“It really looks very bad. Some of the deceased robbers were found in people’s yards. Imagine getting to your house and there you found somebody’s body. They were also shooting at police. Some of the bullets are on the roofs of some of the houses in that area. It is a very big scene that will take quite a lot to complete in investigating.”

She said the criminals looked experienced.

“Even the manner in which they were shooting at the police, it looks like people who are well trained. The allegation is that the suspect from Botswana who was arrested is a mastermind. I mean, a person leaves Botswana and comes to commit crime in South Africa and becomes a mastermind of crime. It is saddening,” she said.

“We don’t want to judge. I’m just gonna leave it at that. Ipid is doing its job, only to investigate. The rest, we leave it to the courts.”

She said Ipid had collected the firearms of the police officers who were involved in taking down the criminals.

“So far we have got about 50 names of police officers who were involved. We are going to collect their statements as well. Some of them were really not in a good state. I was there last night when investigators were interviewing them. Some are really traumatised,” said Langa.-IOL

“This is Gurwe Radio and we announce today that the soldiers have taken over the country and President …and his wife… have flown out; we now have a new govt and everyone is celebrating.”

A hilarious doctored picture of CCC President Nelson Chamisa chasing Emmerson Mnangagwa down a street has taken the nation by storm.

In the graphic Chamisa is wielding a sharp stick pursuing Mnangagwa, while the ZANU PF coupist is busy pouncing the ground fleeing Chamisa like a copper wire thief. The image is reminiscent of the weeks before the removal of Robert Mugabe when a social media radio station began dishing out podcasts that suggested Mnangagwa would chase his own boss Robert Mugabe out of Zimbabwe. The audiocasts would sound as follows: “This is Gurwe Radio and we announce today that the soldiers have taken over the country and President Mugabe and his wife Grace have flown out; we now have a new govt and everyone is celebrating.” WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?

No learning is taking place in our schools.The threats from @psczimbabwe & the backtracking of some Unions didn't change anything.We still call upon gvt to genuinely trs & find common ground.Our humble demand is the restoration of pre October 2018 salaries.#SaveOurEducationZW pic.twitter.com/WRRomVXft0

— Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe,ARTUZ (@ARTUZ_teachers) February 23, 2022

By A Correspondent- Citizens Coalition for Change President Nelson Chamisa and Zanu PF leader Emerson Mnangagwa are expected to address their party rallies in Kwekwe this weekend.

This was announced by a top Chamisa ally and aspiring Mbizo lawmaker. Settlement Chikwinya on his Facebook page.

Posted Chikwinya:

It’s going to be an exciting Weekend for Kwekwe Residents as @edmnangagwa will address a rally in Mbizo Stadium on 26 February while @nelsonchamisa addresses at Mbizo 4 Shopping Centre on 27/02
Kuzaba lit, ” he said.

https://www.facebook.com/Setty99

By A Correspondent- CCC President Nelson Chamisa will be at Gokwe centre for the by-election rally this Saturday.

His party’s vice spokesperson, Gift Ostallos Siziba made the announcement.

“This weekend, we will present the Alternative, the Citizens Coalition in Gokwe. The intention, fellow Africans, is to articulate our agenda, introduce our candidate and prepare Zimbabwe for Change,” Siziba posted on his Twitter handle, Tuesday.

This weekend, we will present the Alternative, the Citizens Coalition in Gokwe. The intention fellow Africans is to articulate our agenda, introduce our candidate and prepare Zimbabwe for Change. #YellowRally pic.twitter.com/lV6NexAYki

— Gift Ostallos Siziba (@Cde_Ostallos) February 22, 2022

By-Yonah Ncube (94), who served as a personal driver to the late nationalist, Vice President Joshua Nkomo, is suing the state and seeking reparations after he was shot by a Fifth brigade soldier in 1983.

Ncube who was shot while at Nkomo’s home in Pelandaba Suburb told CITE in an interview at his sister in law’s house in Nketa suburb on Saturday that the matter has also been taken to the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) for attention. 

He added:

It was on 5 March 1983 when a soldier shot me point blank on the right side of my chest. I remember losing a lot of blood. I want them to pay me for my blood. They can estimate the amount of blood I lost and calculate its cost. 

I need closure, as I have been traumatised all my life since that day. I was 55 then and ever since I was unable to work.

On March 5, 1983, we heard a helicopter flying above announcing that Bulawayo was surrounded and everyone was commanded to stay home. I and other workers were at Nkomo’s house in Pelandaba in the afternoon when soldiers arrived with the support unit and searched the whole house. Many more surrounded the house and we wondered what they wanted. That afternoon I sent my son to a neighbour’s house because I had an uneasy unfeeling.

Ncube said that evening one soldier returned back and found him by himself. The soldier questioned him in Shona demanding to know where Nkomo was.

He responded saying he did not know but the soldier did not believe him. The soldier then commanded that the houses be searched. During the search, the soldier shot Ncube on the right side of his chest and he collapsed.

The soldier then left. Ncube was recovered later by the police support unit which came with one soldier and drove to Mpilo where he was admitted for two months under police guard.

The day after Ncube’s shooting, a state newspaper reported that Nkomo’s driver who was armed with a gun had been shot and killed, reports he denies.

After he was discharged, Ncube was taken straight to jail at West Commonage Police Station where he spent almost two months but no docket was opened, neither was a statement or his fingerprints taken.

Ncube says it is difficult to heed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for reconciliation adding he wants to know “why that soldier shot me.”

Ncube demands to be paid US$2.9 million as reparations but his lawyers, Webb, Low and Barry, however, have revised the figure down to US$30 000 broken down as follows: US$10 000 for loss of employment, US$20 000 for pain and suffering.

More: CITE

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has declared that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa will not be given space to steal the people’s victory in the 2023 Presidential Election.

President Chamisa made the remarks at Zimbabwe Grounds on Sunday.

President Chamisa is confident CCC will defeat Zanu PF in both rural and urban areas.

“Don’t worry about the countryside. Rural areas are now centers of transformation and change. I toured our rural communities and the regime almost had me killed after seeing the response of the citizens there. Yellow has been embraced everywhere.

Some citizens say voting is pointless because they’ll be rigging. The biggest rigging is not registering to vote. If the farm is big enough, the baboon won’t steal all the yield. We need to win with a huge margin that will overwhelm ZEC’s rigging plans.”

President Chamisa added:
“We’ve commissioned a team of experts to work on the voters roll. We’ve even been getting warnings from some in government, to pay attention to it. Yellow is everywhere. We’ve unearthed irregularities & now they are declining their own voters roll.

We gather here to also declare that never again shall elections be rigged in Zimbabwe. We need to give dignity to our security officers. Our war veterans helped liberate us. In my days in Parliament, I always stood for warvets & we represented them for free, under our law firm. Many died without enjoying the independence they fought for.”

According to President Chamisa, teachers have a constitutional right to demand decent living conditions.

“Our government will honour teachers. They are the foundation & guardians of the destiny of any nation. They are the campus of civilisation. Without teachers there are no politicians, cooks nor builders. They must be respected & given back their dignity.

Chamisa is not the poverty affecting our civil servants. Teachers have a right to demand a better salary and shouldn’t succumb to threats. Under our government, we will revert back to the salaries and benefits previously enjoyed by our civil servants.

In 2003, Mudede did the same in Kuwadzana & produced a VR with over 8k voters. We went to court to have the VR produced during 1st 20 minutes & that’s how we exposed them. We are warning ZEC to remove fake names on the VR & return them where they belong.”

By- The late Vice President, Joshua Nkomo’s driver Yonah Ncube (94), has sued the state for gunfire wounds he suffered in the hands of a Fifth brigade soldier in 1983.

Ncube who was shot while at Nkomo’s home in Pelandaba Suburb, told CITE in an interview at his sister in law’s house in Nketa suburb on Saturday that the matter has also been taken to the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) for attention. 

He added:

It was on 5 March 1983 when a soldier shot me point blank on the right side of my chest. I remember losing a lot of blood. I want them to pay me for my blood. They can estimate the amount of blood I lost and calculate its cost. 

I need closure, as I have been traumatised all my life since that day. I was 55 then and ever since I was unable to work.

On March 5, 1983, we heard a helicopter flying above announcing that Bulawayo was surrounded and everyone was commanded to stay home. I and other workers were at Nkomo’s house in Pelandaba in the afternoon when soldiers arrived with the support unit and searched the whole house. Many more surrounded the house and we wondered what they wanted. That afternoon I sent my son to a neighbour’s house because I had an uneasy unfeeling.

Ncube said that evening one soldier returned back and found him by himself. The soldier questioned him in Shona demanding to know where Nkomo was.

He responded saying he did not know but the soldier did not believe him. The soldier then commanded that the houses be searched. During the search, the soldier shot Ncube on the right side of his chest and he collapsed.

The soldier then left. Ncube was recovered later by the police support unit which came with one soldier and drove to Mpilo where he was admitted for two months under police guard.

The day after Ncube’s shooting, a state newspaper reported that Nkomo’s driver who was armed with a gun had been shot and killed, reports he denies.

After he was discharged, Ncube was taken straight to jail at West Commonage Police Station where he spent almost two months but no docket was opened, neither was a statement or his fingerprints taken.

Ncube says it is difficult to heed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for reconciliation adding he wants to know “why that soldier shot me.”

Ncube demands to be paid US$2.9 million as reparations but his lawyers, Webb, Low and Barry, however, have revised the figure down to US$30 000 broken down as follows: US$10 000 for loss of employment, US$20 000 for pain and suffering.

More: CITE

By- Two brothers from Chinhoyi drowned recently in the flooded Angwa River while illegally panning for alluvial gold.

The siblings died one after the other as the elder tried to rescue his young brother from drowning.

Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Margaret Chitove said the two brothers – Benjamin Muchatiza (25) and Jasphet Muchatiza (22) were in the company of Washington Chakadzika (42) and Miriam Muchatiza (38) of River Range, Chinhoyi panning for gold.

“Josphet Muchatiza’s hat fell into the river and he tried to retrieve it, but drowned. His brother, Benjamin, dived into the river to rescue his young brother and he also drowned,” said Inspector Chitove.

She encouraged the public to avoid entering flooded rivers with unpredictable water currents during the rainy season.

-State media

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that his Government was ready to deal with Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa.

On Sunday, Mr Chamisa addressed an oversubscribed rally in Harare where he said he would win the 2023 harmonised elections.

The meeting shocked Chamisa.

Addressing youths gathered at Robert Gabriel Square to commemorate the National Youth Day, President Mnangagwa said Government is ready to deal with such threats, which he said were counterproductive coming from a person aspiring to lead the country.
“Ndakashaya kuti zvino nhai veduweee kana mai vacho vanoti ndakaberekei. Zvonzi naChamisa nezuro kana ndikasahwina maelections egore rinouya tinoita mheremhere, babangu Shumba! Zvino wagona kutaura kuti uchaita mheremehere tagadzirira (I asked myself what even does his mother say about him. Chamisa said if I do not win next year’s elections I will cause violence. Since you have said you will unleash violence we are ready to deal with that).”
President Mnangagwa said he was equally stunned, when Mr Chamisa said he will invite back whites in the country once he assumed power.
“My heart bled yesterday when I heard Chamisa saying if I become President in five days, this country will be littered with whites.

“I have said repeatedly that Zimbabwe is built by Zimbabweans, just as Zambia is built by its own citizens, so is Botswana, Malawi, Britain, United States, China or Russia. Chamisa unoda kuti nyika ivakwe nevarungu. Svoda (Chamisa you want your country to be built by whites, be ashamed of yourself),” said President Mnangagwa.
He said Zimbabwe was liberated by those, who removed the very white people that Mr Chamisa wants back in Zimbabwe as masters.
President Mnangagwa implored Zimbabweans to reject opposition political parties bent on making the country a servile state of Western countries by inviting back former colonisers.
“On your part, I urge you to reject those who want to make our country puppets of other jurisdictions. The onus is on you our young people to defend, protect and guard the independence of our great country. While the young people of yesteryear used the gun to bring about independence and sovereignty, today you only have to use your vote to defend our great country,” he said.
“Therefore use your vote wisely, conscious that, this very right to vote was paid for by the blood of many young sons and daughters of our great country.
“Together with us your leadership, we shall continue to build the Zimbabwe we all want. We are a diverse people but one nation. There is no room for hate speech, Zimbabwe is a unitary State. Those who dream to divide this country should wake up in their dreams. There is no room for tribalism, regionalism, hate or violence. Your responsibility as youth is to remain patriotic,” he said.

By-At least 14 people have been duped of nearly US$20 000 in a scam in which they contributed US$10 every day with the promise of getting a Honda Fit Hybrid, holidays and other prizes and benefits.

The elaborate scheme, dubbed the Econet Youth Promotion Programme, had people who presented themselves as officials from Econet, including someone claiming to be secretary to founder and executive chairman Mr Strive Masiyiwa.

They allegedly had Econet paraphernalia and branded vehicles, although they had no connection with the company. As a bait, the victims initially got US$100 each as capital to start a business or boost an existing one. Thereafter, they were expected to pay US$60 every week until they reached an agreed amount and then they would choose a vehicle of their choice.
Part of the package that victims were promised in addition included $2 500 cash, a $1 000 grocery voucher, holiday and hotel accommodation worth US$500 and a free contract line. The scam started sometime in August 2021 and people were paying up to around January this year before the inevitable crash. One of the linchpins in the scheme, Tinos Mudema, has since appeared before Kariba magistrate Mr Tapiwa Banda facing 14 counts of fraud. Prosecutor Miss Caren Musiiwa alleged that Mudema of 2339 Nyamhunga 1 Township in Kariba made misrepresentations to the 14 people, leading them to each lose between US$1 100 and US$1 200.
Those who lost money included Lawrence Mavhunga, Learnmore Zhira, Blessing Kamudambo, Nickson Mudzimba, Richard Chirimuhanzi, Mafios Mangirazi, Tinashe Magarangoma, Mike Chamonyonga, Forward Mheremhere, Lazarus Adam, Crispen Stima, Revinuss Musizandare, Robert Sibanda and Ngonidzashe Chido.
The team held a feast at Luna Lodges in Kariba on November 10 last year where a woman was introduced as Mr Masiyiwa’s secretary and addressed them saying the last payment would be made on December 18.
They would then receive their full benefits on December 22.
However, things came to a head when Mudema, who was the face of the scheme, started giving excuses as delays built up, leading to the matter being reported to the police.
Mudema was arrested and his accomplices have not yet been accounted for.

-Herald

By- South Africa’s police minister, Bheki Cele, Monday said police shot and killed 8 members of a 25-member gang involved in cash heists in Gauteng and Kwazulu Natal (KZN), arrested 8 while the remaining are still at large.

Cele said the gang is armed to the teeth as they have AK47s and double magazines.

He said the gang comprised of 4 South Africans from KZN, 1 from Botswana and “the rest” – 20 from Zimbabwe shot at a helicopter and injured the pilot. Watch the video below for more:

More: eNCA

By A Correspondent

A Zimbabwean opposition activist has fled the country to the USA as a result of relentless Zanu PF terror.

Shame Mutsambiri( 40) originally from Hurungwe has revealed how he was nearly killed by Zanu PF agents before fleeing to the USA.

Speaking to ZimEye.com from his base in America, Mutsambiri said Zanu PF agents have vowed to kill him upon his return to Zimbabwe.

” My parents were both active members of the opposition political party MDC which was led by Morgan Tsvangirai since it was formed in 1999.

It became very dangerous for my family to continue living in Hurungwe because no one was allowed to be part of the opposition party,” said Mutsambiri.

His parents were murdered by the Zanu PF regime during the bloody 2008 Presidential Election Runoff.

“My parents were killed during the 2008 election campaign when our house was set on fire. This incident traumatized me, and I was now labeled as the son of swindlers in my village. I fled my country and went to Zambia because of the tension. I struggled financially in Zambia, which prompted me to return home during the Unity Government’s tenure (2009 to 2013). It was also during this time that I married Faith Mhandu in 2012.

However, the problem reappeared shortly after the formation of the Unity Government,” he added.

Mutsambiri was nearly killed by Zanu PF agents when he was in Zimbabwe.

He had to flee from Zanu PF terror as his life was in danger.

” Youths from the Zanu-PF party began threatening me once more. For the safety of my family, I decided to relocate to Harare since I was married. However, the situation in Harare became even worse when my friends were kidnapped and killed. I was lucky to survive after being struck at the back of the head with an axe.

This incident rendered me bedridden for months. I decided to flee once more, this time to South Africa, in the hope that things would improve,” Mutsambiri said.

“Life was difficult because I had left my wife and children in the care of my in-laws. After the Mugabe Coup in 2017, I decided to return home. I remained an active member of the MDC-T, which has since changed its name to the CCC and is now led by Nelson Chamisa.

Furthermore, before my arrival in the United States of America I was attacked again, members of the ruling party broke into my house they physically assaulted me with a cutlass. My wife witnessed this ugly attack by four men wearing Zanu PF t-shirts and was rendered unconscious.

On March 28, 2022, my brother was attacked again during the ongoing presidential campaign by the opposition party (CCC). Also, during this attack, my wife who is also a member of CCC was stampeded and almost lost her life to a member of Zanu-PF.
It hurts me that after many years, I still don’t have a safe place for myself and my family. It is based on the above threats and others that I seek Asylum from the Government of the United States of America,” the opposition activist said.

To Mutsambiri returning home to face Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is an insurmountable task.

The so called new dispensation is baying for Mutsambiri’s blood.

Shame Mutsambiri

By- Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ignored the funeral of Sarah Mahoka.

Mahoka died last week near Karoi in a road accident.

She was a former Zanu PF Women’s League national treasurer and former Hurungwe East legislator.

Mahoka was also pivotal during the last days of President Mugabe’s rule and led a faction that wanted Grace Mugabe to take over power from her husband.

Sources say Mahoka was travelling towards Karoi while the haulage truck was facing Harare.

Mahoka was recalled from Parliament by Zanu PF in 2017. She contested in July 2018 elections as part of the National Patriotic Front and lost the polls.

Norton legislator Temba Mliswa who worked with Mahoka said it was sad to hear that Mahoka had passed away. 

Mliswa bemoaned how she won’t be recognised for all her hard work. He said Mahoka deserved a Provincial Hero status for her work.

More: iHarare

By- Zimbabwe’s former First Lady was spotted at the funeral of her close ally, Sarah Mahoka.

Mahoka died last week near Karoi in a road accident.

She was a former Zanu PF Women’s League national treasurer and former Hurungwe East legislator.

Mahoka was also pivotal during the last days of President Mugabe’s rule and led a faction that wanted Grace Mugabe to take over power from her husband.

posting on his Twitter account, renowned journalist, Stanley Gama wrote:

Loyalty to the end. Happening now: Former First Lady Grace Mugabe is attending the funeral of her close ally Sarah Mahoka. Grace has rarely been seen in public since her husband President Robert Mugabe died in 2019. Mahoka died in a car accident last week.

It is understood that she was involved in a head-on collision with a haulage truck that encroached onto her lane.

Sources say Mahoka was travelling towards Karoi while the haulage truck was facing Harare.

Mahoka was recalled from Parliament by Zanu PF in 2017. She contested in July 2018 elections as part of the National Patriotic Front and lost the polls.

Norton legislator Temba Mliswa who worked with Mahoka said it was sad to hear that Mahoka had passed away. 

Mliswa bemoaned how she won’t be recognised for all her hard work. He said Mahoka deserved a Provincial Hero status for her work.

More: iHarare

By-Former first lady, Grace Mugabe has insisted that she buried her husband, Robert Mugabe, according to his wishes and instructions.

She made the remarks while speaking at the burial of Sarah Mahoka who died in a car accident last week following a head-on collision in Karoi.

This comes after a Zvimba traditional court last year ruled that Grace violated cultural and traditional rites by burying Mugabe at his homestead in Zvimba.

Grace did not attend the court and Chief Zvimba found her guilty of the charges and ordered her to pay a fine of 5 cows and a goat.

The traditional leader, born Stanley Mhondoro, also ordered that former President Robert Mugabe’s body should be exhumed and reburied at the National Heroes Acre in the capital. Zim Morning Post quotes Grace as saying:

I buried my husband according to the instructions he left me, those who want to exhume him, go ahead, we are watching.

It’s a ruling against a widow, and the widow has nothing to do with the burying of her husband … This judgment is irrelevant if you were to ask me because in any case, Chief Zvimba does not preside over cases here.

They obviously need a court order in order to exercise the judgment, in which case we will oppose that court order in the courts, and they must be rest assured the road that they have taken is the wrong route.

Leo also insisted that Chief Zvimba was the one who had violated cultural and traditional norms as the case should have gone to the kraal head first. He added:

This is far from over. We are ready to take him on.

Patrick Zhuwao, one of Mugabe’s nephews, previously claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was behind the push to have Mugabe’s remains exhumed saying he wants a mystical sceptre he was allegedly buried with.

More: Zim Morning Post

Tinashe Sambiri|Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora’s world is collapsing around him.

At the weekend he was ditched by a senior MDC T official- alongside 30 members of the party.

Wlbert Mutero the former MDC T district chairperson in Highfield East has officially joined CCC.

He joined the Yellow Revolution with 30 people.

Mutero said: “We have joined President Chamisa’s party because of it’s popularity and capacity to dislodge Zanu PF and bring total transformation in Zimbabwe.”

“l left Mwonzora’s party because of its proximity to Zanu PF. There are lot of conflicts in MDC T and they have no solid structures across Zimbabwe.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has declared that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa will not be given space to steal the people’s victory in the 2023 Presidential Election.

President Chamisa made the remarks at Zimbabwe Grounds on Sunday.

President Chamisa is confident CCC will defeat Zanu PF in both rural and urban areas.

“Don’t worry about the countryside. Rural areas are now centers of transformation and change. I toured our rural communities and the regime almost had me killed after seeing the response of the citizens there. Yellow has been embraced everywhere.

Some citizens say voting is pointless because they’ll be rigging. The biggest rigging is not registering to vote. If the farm is big enough, the baboon won’t steal all the yield. We need to win with a huge margin that will overwhelm ZEC’s rigging plans.”

President Chamisa added:
“We’ve commissioned a team of experts to work on the voters roll. We’ve even been getting warnings from some in government, to pay attention to it. Yellow is everywhere. We’ve unearthed irregularities & now they are declining their own voters roll.

We gather here to also declare that never again shall elections be rigged in Zimbabwe. We need to give dignity to our security officers. Our war veterans helped liberate us. In my days in Parliament, I always stood for warvets & we represented them for free, under our law firm. Many died without enjoying the independence they fought for.”

According to President Chamisa, teachers have a constitutional right to demand decent living conditions.

“Our government will honour teachers. They are the foundation & guardians of the destiny of any nation. They are the campus of civilisation. Without teachers there are no politicians, cooks nor builders. They must be respected & given back their dignity.

Chamisa is not the poverty affecting our civil servants. Teachers have a right to demand a better salary and shouldn’t succumb to threats. Under our government, we will revert back to the salaries and benefits previously enjoyed by our civil servants.

In 2003, Mudede did the same in Kuwadzana & produced a VR with over 8k voters. We went to court to have the VR produced during 1st 20 minutes & that’s how we exposed them. We are warning ZEC to remove fake names on the VR & return them where they belong.”

By A Correspondent- Zhombe Headman Nduku has shocked villagers after demanding $10 USD from accused persons as fees to appear before his court.

Rural folks in Zhombe are complaining that they do not have access to the foreign currency which the headman is demanding.

Villagers who spoke to this reporter have raised their concerns that the headman is abusing them by demanding court appearance fees in US dollars when he knows that the people in Zhombe do not have access to foreign currency.

See the picture below…..

By A Correspondent- Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T Spokesperson Ntando Ndlovu says if the former Deputy Prime Minister joins the Nelson Chamisa led Citizens for Change Coalition (CCC) it is the citizens who will decide which position she deserves to occupy.

Ndlovu was speaking after Chamisa told a rally in Harare on Sunday that, “We know there are others who once left us and want to rejoin, we will direct that they seat at the back of this bus upon readmission.”

Said Ndlovu,

“If the opposition political parties are organizing themselves under a new movement,  it, therefore, follows that in a party there are no historical leadership positions that are carried forward so to speak.

The stockholders of the new movement; which are the people are the ones who will then be in a position to determine who the leaders are and the trajectory that the movement will take.”

Chamisa had told his supporters that all the current leaders of CCC are caretakers and that substantive leaders will be elected by the people.

“Those currently in leadership positions are caretakers. This is a new political party which is a result of my tours in the rural areas. You advised that I start a new party and I have done that. Yes we have a history, we have a legacy but this is not re-branding, it is brand new hence our new colours, logo and slogans.” He told his supporters.

Asked on whether a united opposition can defeat ZANU PF, Ndlovu said:

“It’s clear as the sun rising from the east to the west that the end is nigh for the current Zanu PF regime. Whether one wants to analyse based on scientific evidence or the general sentiment on the ground, the ZANU PF government has become so unpopular due to serious governance failures which have led to high unemployment,  corruption,  de industrialization,  collapse of infrastructure etc.

“These are the issues that have made the ground ripe for change. The future of opposition is therefore bright only if they organise themselves and vote as one united block similar to what the Zambian opposition did.”

Chamisa and Khupe fell out in 2018 soon after the death of MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai as they brawled over who should be the successor.

By A Correspondent- Former first lady, Grace Mugabe has insisted that she buried her husband, Robert Mugabe, according to his wishes and instructions.

She made the remarks while speaking at the burial of Sarah Mahoka who died in a car accident last week following a head-on collision.

This comes after a Zvimba traditional court last year ruled that Grace violated cultural and traditional rites by burying Mugabe at his homestead in Zvimba.

Grace did not attend the court and Chief Zvimba found her guilty of the charges and ordered her to pay a fine of 5 cows and a goat.

The traditional leader, born Stanley Mhondoro, also ordered that former President Robert Mugabe’s body should be exhumed and reburied at the National Heroes Acre in the capital. Zim Morning Post quotes Grace as saying:

I buried my husband according to the instructions he left me, those who want to exhume him, go ahead, we are watching.

It’s a ruling against a widow, and the widow has nothing to do with the burying of her husband … This judgment is irrelevant if you were to ask me because in any case, Chief Zvimba does not preside over cases here.

They obviously need a court order in order to exercise the judgment, in which case we will oppose that court order in the courts, and they must be rest assured the road that they have taken is the wrong route.

Leo also insisted that Chief Zvimba was the one who had violated cultural and traditional norms as the case should have gone to the kraal head first.

He added:

This is far from over. We are ready to take him on.

Patrick Zhuwao, one of Mugabe’s nephews, previously claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was behind the push to have Mugabe’s remains exhumed saying he wants a mystical sceptre he was allegedly buried with.

By A Correspondent- Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T Spokesperson Ntando Ndlovu says if the former Deputy Prime Minister joins the Nelson Chamisa led Citizens for Change Coalition (CCC) it is the citizens who will decide which position she deserves to occupy.

Ndlovu was speaking after Chamisa told a rally in Harare on Sunday that, “We know there are others who once left us and want to rejoin, we will direct that they seat at the back of this bus upon readmission.”

Said Ndlovu, “If the opposition political parties are organizing themselves under a new movement,  it, therefore, follows that in a party there are no historical leadership positions that are carried forward so to speak. The stockholders of the new movement; which are the people are the ones who will then be in a position to determine who the leaders are and the trajectory that the movement will take.”

Chamisa had told his supporters that all the current leaders of CCC are caretakers and that substantive leaders will be elected by the people.

“Those currently in leadership positions are caretakers. This is a new political party which is a result of my tours in the rural areas. You advised that I start a new party and I have done that. Yes we have a history, we have a legacy but this is not re-branding, it is brand new hence our new colours, logo and slogans.” He told his supporters.

Asked on whether a united opposition can defeat ZANU PF, Ndlovu said, “It’s clear as the sun rising from the east to the west that the end is nigh for the current Zanu PF regime. Whether one wants to analyse based on scientific evidence or the general sentiment on the ground, the ZANU PF government has become so unpopular due to serious governance failures which have led to high unemployment,  corruption,  de industrialization,  collapse of infrastructure etc.

“These are the issues that have made the ground ripe for change. The future of opposition is therefore bright only if they organise themselves and vote as one united block similar to what the Zambian opposition did.”

Chamisa and Khupe fell out in 2018 soon after the death of MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai as they brawled over who should be the successor.

By A Correspondent- University of Zimbabwe (UZ) employees downed tools on Monday citing incapacitation.

In a memorandum seen dated February 17, 2022, which was addressed to vice-chancellor 

Paul Mapfumo by the Association of University Teachers (AUT-UZ), the University Technicians Association (UTA-UZ), the workers’ committee said the continuous deterioration of the economy had rendered their salaries worthless, thereby triggering incapacitation.

The workers’ representatives also revealed that the lowest paid worker at the university earned at least $21 000.

Furthermore, the UZ workers said they could no longer afford transport as well as lunch, making it difficult for them to provide their services. The memo read:

The lowest-paid employee at the university earns a net wage of $21 000. Meanwhile, according to ZimStat [Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency] data published in December 2021, the total consumption poverty line (TCPL) based on the cheapest food and non-food basket was $8 009 per person per month or $48 054 per month for a family of six.

According to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ), a family of six needed $72 967 for basic expenses during the same period.

When schools opened early this month, school fees, the prices of stationery, school wear, fuel/transport fares, utilities and premiums for funeral policies, data bundles, council rates, accommodation and others increased.

This further diminished the value of our wages. Consequently, our members are severely incapacitated. That is most UZ employees cannot meet their obligations from one payday to the next. As we speak, employees cannot afford transport (fuel or bus fares) to come to work daily. In addition, many skip lunch while at work.

The workers said despite their desire to contribute towards the realisation of Education 5.0, they were unable to report for work because of incapacitation.

Efforts to get a comment from Higher and Tertiary Education minister Amon Murwira were fruitless.

By A Correspondent- The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has said the government has backed down on the suspension of all teachers who went on strike when schools resumed on 7 February. Teachers say the government’s failure or refusal thereof, to pay them US$540 they were being paid prior to October 2028 rendered them incapacitated to perform their duties.

We present the full text of the PTUZ statement:

Which Way Forward?: Dilemma of Teachers’ Struggle

21 February 2022

The Great Question of the Day preoccupying teachers and general populace is “what would happen in schools tomorrow?” Will teachers report for work? Will they teach? It was within this framework that Ptuz leadership sought guidance from its PTUZ members following govt ultimatum that all teachers should report for work by tomorrow. The collated evidence from the ten provinces revealed that:

The major reason behind our incapacitation struggle, viz, US$540, has not been addressed.

Our initial momentum and unity in diversity across the teacher unions divide has been riddled following some teacher unions’ romance with govt and complicity in incapacitating teachers.

that as much as solidarity from other workers in Zimbabwe was welcome it fell far short where it matters most, viz, solidarity in action that could entice govt to address the plight of all workers in Zimbabwe.

Govt has been embarassed by teachers and was forced to back down on suspension of all teachers, but its potential to decimate divided educators remains realistic.

All provinces urged the Union to allow teachers to report for work between 22 and 25 February in order to continue fighting for US$540 without fallen heroes.

Collated evidence from provinces revealed that the best protection from the employer is unity of purpose in diversity and therefore teachers must return to our terrain of conflict, viz, schools to mobilise some fighters that have demobilized, so as to continue fighting for US$540.

Members also urged PTUZ leadership to continue engaging teacher union leaders inside and outside FOZEU, parliament, Education International and ILO over starvation wages received by teachers.

Members expressed that there will never be any meaningful teaching and learning in schools until govt pays US$540.

In light of the foregoing PTUZ leadership therefore reluctantly encourages teachers to:

report for work for a limited number of days per week until we are capacitated by the govt.

mobilise at school level in order to continue with the incapacitation struggle.

remain ready for a fresh full-throttle incapacitation struggle based on mobilisation levels in schools.

notify school heads in advance the date they will be reporting for work if they are not able to report for work by 22 February 2022.

to get organised and be ready to take party in a Petition March to Parliament within the next 14 days with our full demands.

We also urge the govt to address the quandary of incapacitation that teachers are facing as a matter of urgency. We reiterate to govt that given the levels of high incapacitation, many teachers may fail to report for work by 22 February and such teachers must never be deemed to have resigned. At any rate, govt can only cease salary for a teacher whose whereabouts are not known after 14 continuous working days. Such continuous working days lapse on 25 February. The govt has no locus standi to cease salaries of incapacitated teachers whose whereabouts are known. At law, only teachers that are absent from work for 30 continuous days can be deemed to have resigned.

Teachers and pupils are the best assets that Zimbabwe must treat well and with dignity. Govt arrogance and failure to address teachers’ challenges remain puzzling. As teachers, we must once again unite as brothers and sisters against incapacitation or else we will die as fools.

Venceremos

Dr Takavafira M. Zhou, PTUZ President

Raymond Majongwe, PTUZ SG

Tinashe Sambiri|Former Zanu PF hardman Godfrey Tsenengamu has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has nothing new to offer to the nation.

Speaking to thousands of Citizens’ Coalition For Change supporters at Zimbabwe Grounds on Sunday, Tsenengamu described President Nelson Chamisa as the real deal in terms of delivering real change.

According Tsenengamu, Mr Mnangagwa is worse than his former boss Robert Mugabe.

“You see the one you call garwe( Mnangagwa) knows me personally. We thought he was for change when we removed Mugabe.

We thought Mugabe was the problem yet the old man had lost grip.

He was no longer in a position to control his men.

His men are now tormenting us. You think Mnangagwa can perform miracles – that’s impossible,” said Tsenengamu to a thunderous applause.

The late Movement for Democratic Change President Morgan Tsvangirai’s son Richard also attended the Citizens’ Coalition For Change rally.

He said :”People are suffering. We are witnessing untold suffering of citizens in the country.

My message is clear, President Chamisa is the hope of the nation,” said Richard Tsvangirai.

By A Correspondent  | On the 2nd March there is a deportation flight leaving UK for Zimbabwe. It will land in Harare on the 3rd March 2022, ZimEye reveals.

The chartered jumbo jet accommodates 150 people, though the number of deportees is set to be slightly lower.

The development follows a secret deal between the British Embassy in Harare and Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime entered into last year.

While the deportation is a joint operation to send back immigrants who have criminal records , concerns were flagged last year that also included are Zimbabweans who have not breached any (non immigration) laws.

The 2nd March deportation will for the first time include British Passport holders who have had their citizenship stripped because of crime, an impeccable source told ZimEye, without providing further detail.

The UK govt has recently drafted changes to its citizenship law so that it can without consultation revoke citizenship using the public interest criteria. Ironically, this comes at a time when Britain has begun giving Zimbabweans papers to work as carers.

At the time of writing, ZimEye had received reports of at least 6 Zimbabweans who at the time of writing had been taken into detention. – More follows….

MDC-T and MDC Alliance leaders seeking to join the newly established opposition party, Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), will not automatically assume leadership positions but start as ordinary card carrying members, party president Nelson Chamisa has said.

Chamisa said this while addressing tens of thousands of his supporters who turned up for his party’s first by-election campaign launch at Zimbabwe Grounds, Highfield on Sunday.

He said they will only be elevated on merit.

His comments come amid reports former MDC-T president Thokozani Khupe, is seeking to join the bandwagon.

Khupe was recently recalled from parliament and dumped by MDC Alliance leader Douglas Mwonzora after a messy split between the two.

She recently held a meeting with CCC co-vice president Welshman Ncube in a development that saw some party officials claiming she is seeking a new political home.

Chamisa and Khupe fell out in 2018 soon after the death of MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai as they brawled over who should succeed.

“We know there are others who once left us and want to rejoin, we will direct that they seat at the back of this bus upon readmission,” Chamisa said.

“Some are asking about the leadership structure of the party, you will see it soon. We will be coming to you once we have our constitution in place then you can vote for the leaders you want,” said Chamisa.

“Those currently in leadership positions are caretakers. This is a new political party which is a result of my tours in the rural areas. You advised that I start a new party and I have done that. Yes we have a history, we have a legacy but this is not re-branding, it is brand new hence our new colours, logo and slogans.”

-NewZimbabwe

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa-Zimbabwe) has blasted the internet slowdown on Sunday at a time when the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa was holding its campaign rally, impacting media coverage of the event.

In a statement yesterday, Misa said slowing down internet bandwidth impacted the media negatively, preventing it from livestreaming the event.

A statement by international internet watchdog Netblocks confirmed a significant slowing of internet services for many users in Zimbabwe on Sunday as the CCC rally was taking place at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield, Harare.

“The incident impacted multiple operators and has prevented livestreaming from the Yellow Sunday demonstration by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party, which seeks to unseat the ruling Zanu-PF,” read the Netblocks statement.

Misa-Zimbabwe legal and information communication technology policy officer Nompilo Simanje told NewsDay that internet shutdown prevented citizens from exercising their right to communication.

“It is our position as Misa Zimbabwe that we are against any throttling of the internet, or any form of restrictions on the use of internet, especially during this period of electoral campaigns, with the by-elections coming on March 26, and the general elections in 2023,” she said.

“At this point, we want to reach out to all the players in the telecommunications industry, the regulator Potraz [Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe] as well as the Ministry of Information Communication Technology to ensure that during this season, people will have access to information and exercise their political rights.”

Simanje said internet connectivity should not be restricted so that people access information, which is their constitutional rights.

-Newsday

By-Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa and several senior party members on Sunday failed to attend a Zanu PF rally which his deputy Constantino Chiwenga addressed in Marondera.

Bussed supporters attended the Marondera rally.

Mnangagwa failed to attend the rally at Marondera’s Rudhaka Stadium despite being advertised as the star of the rally.

More than 100 buses were used to transport supporters to Marondera, despite the police barring the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party from doing the same at its Highfield rally, which took place on the same day as well.

Only politburo members from the province attended the rally.
The few party bigwigs, who attended Chiwenga’s rally, were political commissar Mike Bimha, Patrick Chinamasa (secretary for finance) and Sydney Sekeramayi.
In his address, Chiwenga said the government was trying to fix the black market which he said had destabilised the economy.
“The black market has led to price hikes. We can’t afford our daily needs. It has also led to our local currency losing value. So the government is in the process of fixing this mess. Those found on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with accordingly,” Chiwenga said.
“We have warned you and we are going to make sure that you won’t come out of jail if arrested. We are going to introduce hefty measures. So people, please help us catch those wrongdoers who are dragging us behind.”
Recently, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe blamed the widening exchange rate premiums on the alternative market which it said was stoking inflation and price increases since July last year.
Chiwenga said the country would not adopt the use foreign currency in the future.
“Using other currencies brings nothing, but poverty. The use of United States dollars is devaluing our local currency.
“The use of US dollars came after the Global Political Agreement (GPA) and the likes of (Tendai) Biti (former Finance minister) wanted to use foreign currency. We do not want foreign currency, we want our Zimbabwean dollar,” he said.
Chiwenga, a former army general, reiterated that Zanu PF would continue to rule and that the nation will be developed without reliance on foreign aid.
Marondera town had a massive facelift ahead of the rally, with roads rehabilitated, among other infrastructure in anticipation of Mnangagwa’s visit.
Three constituencies and 10 wards are vacant due to deaths or recalls of MPs and councillors.

• Newsday

By-The EU has decided to renew its restrictive measures while lifting the already suspended restrictive measures against three individuals. The arms embargo and the targeted assets freeze against one company, Zimbabwe Defence Industries, remain in place. 

Below is the EU statement:

Zimbabwe: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union

The European Union (EU) reiterates its ambition for a more constructive relationship with Zimbabwe at all levels.

The EU has reviewed its restrictive measures in respect of Zimbabwe and in this context recalls the Council Conclusions of 17 February 2020 as %/tell as the Declaration by the Ugh Representative on behalf of the EU of 19 February 2021.

Since then, the situation in term of respect for human rights has not improved in Zimbabwe. Intimidation of the political opposition and other government critics has continued to restrict the democratic and civic space. which is under threat of shrinking further through the Data Protection Act and ongoing legislative processes such as the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill and the envisaged so-called Patriotic Act”.

The EU is concerned about these developments Perpetrators of human rights violations should be swiftly brought to justice to end impunity. The recommendations of the Motlanthe Corrrnission of Inquiry have not been followed substantially and need to be implemented as a matter of priority and urgency. It is important that international human rights obligations are adhered to and the constitutional rights of the people of Zimbabwe respected.

In this light, the EU recalls the purpose of its restrictive measures. which is to encourage a demonstrable, genuine, and long-term commitment by the Zimbabwean authorities to respect and uphold human rights and the rule of law. The EU has decided to renew its restrictive measures, while lifting the already suspended restrictive measures against three individuals. The arms embargo and the targeted assets freeze against one company, Zimbabwe Defence Industries, remain in place taking into account the situation in Zimbabwe, as well as the continuing need to investigate the role of security forces in human rights abuses The EU wil continue to closely follow developments. with a particular attention to the human rights situation. and recalls its readiness to review and adapt the whole range of its policies accordingly.

The measures in place are targeted and very limited, therefore they do not affect the people of Zimbabwe. its economy. foreign direct investments. or trade. Zimbabwe continues to benefit from duty free and quota free access of its exports to the EU. while negotiations are ongoing to deepen the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Economic Partnership Agreement. There is significant potential in terms of investments and jobs opportunities, if structural bottlenecks vere to be addressed. and political and economic reforms including enhancing trust in the rule of law, tackling corruption and respect for human rights, are implemented. 

The EU reiterates its readiness to support credible and sustainable economic and political reforms. based on tangible commitments made by the Government of Zimbabwe. The EU will continue to support the people of Zimbabwe focusing on three priority areas as aligned with the Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy: (i) good governance and citizens’ rights: (ii) green economic growth and (iii) social recovery and human development. The EU commits itself to enhancing common efforts on addressing climate change on the basis of the Zimbabwean and EU commitments at COP26. The EU will continue to support the Zimbabwean people with humanitarian assistance, in case of need.

The EU follows closely the electoral agenda in Zimbabwe and stands ready to continue its support to electoral reforms – an important pillar to strengthen democracy – based on the recommendations of the 2018 EU Ejection Observation Mission. The EU is preparing for a follow-up mission. Moreover. the EU welcomes the reassurances given by the authorities of Zimbabwe that they will be inviting international electoral observers for the 2023 elections including an EU Election Observation Mission.

As an integral element of its engagement truth Gmbahwe, the EU looks forward to have a political dialogue in Harare as a matter of priority and notes the readiness of both sides to organize this dialogue in the near future. The political dialogue wall provide an opportunity for regular and open discussions. on many sublects, including on economy and human rights. The political dialogue is key in fostering mutual understanding and constructive cooperation. paving the vuay for progress in the relations.

By-President Mnangagwa has responded to Nelson Chamisa’s Sunday highly attended star rally.

 In his response, Mnangagwa showed that he was inspired by Chamisa’s suggestion that investors would flock to Zimbabwe with money within a week of him getting into office. 

Addressing supporters of the newly formed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) said:

If you give me one week in office, you will see white people coming in with money, you will see the Chinese coming in with money.

But, President Mnangagwa, addressing youths and delegates during the Robert Mugabe National Youth Day celebrations held at Robert Mugabe Square in Harare said Chamisa is embarrassing the whole nation. He said:

Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo. Zimbabwe can only be built by Zimbabweans, Zambia can only be built by Zambians, and Mozambique can only be built by Mozambicans and Botswana the same. Britain can also only be built by the British, as America by Americans, China by the Chinese and Russia by the Russians, but Chamisa wants Zimbabwe to be built by white people, he should be ashamed of himself.

The independence that we have was brought about by the sacrifices of our brothers and sisters who fought to remove the whites who are now being invited back by Chamisa. That is really shameful.

Mnangagwa also threatened Chamisa, saying that the government was prepared to deal with him Chamisa if he refused the results of the 2023 elections.

Chamisa on Sunday said he would let a defeat in the 2023 election go without a fight.

Chamisa said he knows he will win and was also aware of plans to manipulate the election process.

More: New Ziana

By- An Irizar bus travelling from South Africa to Zambia was burnt to ashes along Harare-Chirundu road on Monday.

The police all the people aboard were safe.

Below is the police statement on the case:
The ZRP reports a fire incident that occurred on 21/02/22 at around 0500 hrs, where a Zambia bound Irizar bus towing a trailer, travelling from SA caught fire at the 314 km peg along Harare-Chirundu Rd. All the occupants escaped with no injuries while efforts to extinguish the bus were in vain. The bus, its trailer, all the goods and language were burnt to ashes.

By- MDC-T president Douglas Mwonzora continues to attract little figures after an estimated 300 people turned up for his Bulawayo rally Saturday.

The rally was held at Phelendaba Hall in Bulawayo.

It was rally was the first one in the city since his ascendency to the MDC-T leadership in December 2020.

Mwonzora was in the second largest city to drum up support for his candidates ahead of the March 26 by-elections.

Addressing his supporters, the former MDC-T Secretary General reiterated his desire to dialogue with Zanu PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a move which he said is the only solution to suffering Zimbabweans.

“Very soon we will be starting the issue of dialogue. We are going for dialogue, not to become ministers, but to fix the country’s problems. Our discussion points are that in Zimbabwe there should be everlasting peace,” Mwonzora said.

“The blood that was shed of our people is enough and we say enough is enough. We don’t want again here in Zimbabwe, to have one beating another or kill another over politics. This is exactly what is on our agenda for dialogue,” he said.

He described himself as one of the bravest person and country for approaching Mnangagwa for the dialogue.

“When I left the State House many accused me of being a sellout, but I said no I didn’t. But the problem is that you are scared of Mnangagwa, you only resort to insulting him on twitter, Facebook and Whats App where he can’t see you. But myself, I went to see him face to face. I am never afraid, so I should be praised for that,” boasted Mwonzora.

Commenting the break -away of her Deputy Thokozani Khupe who formed her own splinter party Mwonzora said he had tried everything to unite the leadership after the party’s  extra ordinary congress.

“When I won the elections, I tried to unity the party by embracing all my contestants. I said Dr Khupe you should remain as vice president. I appointed Ellias Mudzuri as the second vice president and said to baba Morgan Komichi you should continue with your chairmanship,” he said.

“I was surprised on January 21 when a press conference was held saying they have split the party because the president has said he has joined the alliance. We then sat as national council and we said as MDC, our constitution does not have a split. And also there is no one who can become a president without going through congress, so if someone calls herself a president, they have left the party,” he added.

“It’s never something that we wanted, we wanted a united party, but as the president what could I have done. So, I am sorry that this had to happen. But what consoled me is that Bulawayo province wrote a letter saying they were not in agreement with what had happened, they said they didn’t want a split, as did all other provinces.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens’ Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa does not own the country .

Mr Mnangagwa has claimed the opposition will never rule.

However, President Chamisa has pointed out that the Zanu PF leader is not God and he will not remain in office forever.

Addressing thousands of Citizens’ Coalition For Change supporters at Zimbabwe Grounds on Sunday, President Chamisa said :

I am going to lead the nation whether you like it or not, you cannot stop the power of the people.

You say what happened in Zambia cannot happen here in Zimbabwe why then did you travel to Zambia?

You will not rule forever, you are not a super human being.”

President Chamisa added:
“In the new Zimbabwe there is no room for police brutality. We will not allow police officers to brutalize citizens . We will do away with unnecessary roadblocks- We will introduce digital policing…”

By-The EU has decided to renew its restrictive measures while lifting the already suspended restrictive measures against three individuals. The arms embargo and the targeted assets freeze against one company, Zimbabwe Defence Industries, remain in place. 

Below is the EU statement:

Zimbabwe: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union

The European Union (EU) reiterates its ambition for a more constructive relationship with Zimbabwe at all levels.

The EU has reviewed its restrictive measures in respect of Zimbabwe and in this context recalls the Council Conclusions of 17 February 2020 as %/tell as the Declaration by the Ugh Representative on behalf of the EU of 19 February 2021.

Since then, the situation in term of respect for human rights has not improved in Zimbabwe. Intimidation of the political opposition and other government critics has continued to restrict the democratic and civic space. which is under threat of shrinking further. through the Data Protection Act and ongoing legislative processes such as the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill and the envisaged so-called Patriotic Act”. The EU is concerned about these developments Perpetrators of human rights violations should be swiftly brought to justice to end impunity. The recommendations of the Motlanthe Corrrnission of Inquiry have not been followed substantially and need to be implemented as a matter of priority and urgency. It is important that international human rights obligations are adhered to and the constitutional rights of the people of Zimbabwe respected.

In this light, the EU recalls the purpose of its restrictive measures. which is to encourage a demonstrable, genuine, and long-term commitment by the Zimbabwean authorities to respect and uphold human rights and the rule of law. The EU has decided to renew its restrictive measures, while lifting the already suspended restrictive measures against three individuals. The arms embargo and the targeted assets freeze against one company, Zimbabwe Defence Industries, remain in place taking into account the situation in Zimbabwe, as well as the continuing need to investigate the role of security forces in human rights abuses The EU wil continue to closely follow developments. with a particular attention to the human rights situation. and recalls its readiness to review and adapt the whole range of its policies accordingly.

The measures in place are targeted and very limited, therefore they do not affect the people of Zimbabwe. its economy. foreign direct investments. or trade. Zimbabwe continues to benefit from duty free and quota free access of its exports to the EU. while negotiations are ongoing to deepen the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Economic Partnership Agreement. There is significant potential in terms of investments and jobs opportunities, if structural bottlenecks vere to be addressed. and political and economic reforms including enhancing trust in the rule of law, tackling corruption and respect for human rights, are implemented. 

The EU reiterates its readiness to support credible and sustainable economic and political reforms. based on tangible commitments made by the Government of Zimbabwe. The EU will continue to support the people of Zimbabwe focusing on three priority areas as aligned with the Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy: (i) good governance and citizens’ rights: (ii) green economic growth and (iii) social recovery and human development. The EU commits itself to enhancing common efforts on addressing climate change on the basis of the Zimbabwean and EU commitments at COP26. The EU will continue to support the Zimbabwean people with humanitarian assistance, in case of need.

The EU follows closely the electoral agenda in Zimbabwe and stands ready to continue its support to electoral reforms – an important pillar to strengthen democracy – based on the recommendations of the 2018 EU Ejection Observation Mission. The EU is preparing for a follow-up mission. Moreover. the EU welcomes the reassurances given by the authorities of Zimbabwe that they will be inviting international electoral observers for the 2023 elections including an EU Election Observation Mission.

As an integral element of its engagement truth Gmbahwe, the EU looks forward to have a political dialogue in Harare as a matter of priority and notes the readiness of both sides to organize this dialogue in the near future. The political dialogue wall provide an opportunity for regular and open discussions. on many sublects, including on economy and human rights. The political dialogue is key in fostering mutual understanding and constructive cooperation. paving the vuay for progress in the relations.

By-Douglas Mwonzora’s Mutare councillor Farai Bhiza who collapsed last week after losing the mayoral elections has spoken out.

Bhiza lost the mayoral seat to Nelson Chamisa’s Citizens Coalition for Change Simon Chabuka.

He said people were now mocking him for the loss as if he had lost presidential elections.
Bhiza was acting Mutare mayor when he lost the elections after Chabuka won six votes to five. He reportedly collapsed after the results were announced.

The mayoral elections were held to replace former Mutare mayor Blessing Tandi, recalled recently by the MDC Alliance led by Douglas Mwonzora.

Bhiza told NewsDay on Sunday that people are spreading lies that he fainted.
I did not faint; it is just politics at play. People are mocking me as if I lost a presidential election. We should focus on service delivery, not the gossiping. You hear about me fainting, but the mayoral elections are over and we need to work as councillors to produce the best service delivery in Mutare. Currently, I am in my ward serving my people.

Medical personnel was reportedly called in to assist him after the loss.
Mutare has 11 remaining councillors after seven were recalled and the vacant seats will be filled on March 26 when the by-elections will be held.
More: News Day

By SABC/Correspondent- South African Police Minister Bheki Cele has confirmed the gunning down of eight armed robbers by the police in a foiled money heist this afternoon in Rosettenvill, Johannesburg.

Two of the police officials are in critical condition and have been airlifted to the Milpark Hospital. The shootout near the South Rand Hospital happened after the police intercepted the gang of about 25 before they could attack a cash-in-transit van.

Cele said eight suspects have been arrested and police have launched a manhunt for the nine who fled. He said the police decided to open fire after the robbers shot at a police helicopter and wounded the pilot. He added that they were dealing with hardcore criminals, based on the high-speed cars as well as firearms that were recovered at the scene.
“These guys were about 25 of them, eight of them are dead and eight are arrested. We still want some more that have moved there. Except for one who comes from Botswana, they all come from Zimbabwe and KZN. They’re well-armed, they all have mostly AKs about 6 or 7 AKs here, with double magazines, which means they’re here for the business. The surprising one is the one that shot the helicopter and injured the pilot.”

-SABC

By SABC/News24/Correspondent- South African Police Minister Bheki Cele has confirmed the gunning down of eigh armed robbers by the police in a foiled money heist this afternoon in Rosettenvill, Johannesburg.

Two of the police officials are in critical condition and have been airlifted to the Milpark Hospital. The shootout near the South Rand Hospital happened after the police intercepted the gang of about 25 before they could attack a cash-in-transit van.

Cele briefs the media from the scene of the shootout:

Cele said eight suspects have been arrested and police have launched a manhunt for the nine who fled. He said the police decided to open fire after the robbers shot at a police helicopter and wounded the pilot. He added that they were dealing with hardcore criminals, based on the high-speed cars as well as firearms that were recovered at the scene.

“These guys were about 25 of them, eight of them are dead and eight are arrested. We still want some more that have moved there. Except for one who comes from Botswana, they all come from Zimbabwe and KZN. They’re well-armed, they all have mostly AKs about 6 or 7 AKs here, with double magazines, which means they’re here for the business. The surprising one is the one that shot the helicopter and injured the pilot.”

-SABC

By-At least eight suspects have been shot dead during an attempted cash-in-transit heist in Johannesburg.
The shootout took place in Rosettenville, this afternoon.
Four police officers were wounded and two were airlifted to hospital.
Police Minister Bheki Cele says about 25 suspects were involved in the robbery.

-eNCA

By-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Sunday failed to attend a Zanu PF rally which his deputy Constantino Chiwenga addressed in Marondera.

Bussed supporters attended the Marondera rally.

Mnangagwa failed to attend the rally at Marondera’s Rudhaka Stadium despite being advertised as the star of the rally.

More than 100 buses were used to transport supporters to Marondera, despite the police barring the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party from doing the same at its Highfield rally, which took place on the same day as well.

Only politburo members from the province attended the rally.
The few party bigwigs, who attended Chiwenga’s rally, were political commissar Mike Bimha, Patrick Chinamasa (secretary for finance) and Sydney Sekeramayi.
In his address, Chiwenga said the government was trying to fix the black market which he said had destabilised the economy.
“The black market has led to price hikes. We can’t afford our daily needs. It has also led to our local currency losing value. So the government is in the process of fixing this mess. Those found on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with accordingly,” Chiwenga said.
“We have warned you and we are going to make sure that you won’t come out of jail if arrested. We are going to introduce hefty measures. So people, please help us catch those wrongdoers who are dragging us behind.”
Recently, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe blamed the widening exchange rate premiums on the alternative market which it said was stoking inflation and price increases since July last year.
Chiwenga said the country would not adopt the use foreign currency in the future.
“Using other currencies brings nothing, but poverty. The use of United States dollars is devaluing our local currency.
“The use of US dollars came after the Global Political Agreement (GPA) and the likes of (Tendai) Biti (former Finance minister) wanted to use foreign currency. We do not want foreign currency, we want our Zimbabwean dollar,” he said.
Chiwenga, a former army general, reiterated that Zanu PF would continue to rule and that the nation will be developed without reliance on foreign aid.
Marondera town had a massive facelift ahead of the rally, with roads rehabilitated, among other infrastructure in anticipation of Mnangagwa’s visit.
Three constituencies and 10 wards are vacant due to deaths or recalls of MPs and councillors.

• Newsday

By-Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga Sunday rubbished civil servants’ United Dollar salary request before threatening black market money traders with lengthy jail terms.

Chiwenga rubbished civil servants foreign currency salaries request and declared that the country would not dollarize.

He said this despite a sharp weakening of the Zimdollar.

Addressing a Zanu PF rally in Marondera where most attendees were bussed to the venue, Chiwenga said black market trade was fuelling spikes in prices of essential goods and services.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa failed to attend the rally at Marondera’s Rudhaka Stadium despite being advertised as the star of the rally.
More than 100 buses were used to transport supporters to Marondera, despite the police barring the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party from doing the same at its Highfield rally which took place yesterday as well.
Only politburo members from the province attended the rally.
The few party bigwigs, who attended Chiwenga’s rally, were political commissar Mike Bimha, Patrick Chinamasa (secretary for finance) and Sydney Sekeramayi.
In his address, Chiwenga said the government was trying to fix the black market which he said had destabilised the economy.
“The black market has led to price hikes. We can’t afford our daily needs. It has also led to our local currency losing value. So the government is in the process of fixing this mess. Those found on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with accordingly,” Chiwenga said.
“We have warned you and we are going to make sure that you won’t come out of jail if arrested. We are going to introduce hefty measures. So people, please help us catch those wrongdoers who are dragging us behind.”
Recently, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe blamed the widening exchange rate premiums on the alternative market which it said was stoking inflation and price increases since July last year.
Chiwenga said the country would not adopt the use foreign currency in the future.
“Using other currencies brings nothing, but poverty. The use of United States dollars is devaluing our local currency.
“The use of US dollars came after the Global Political Agreement (GPA) and the likes of (Tendai) Biti (former Finance minister) wanted to use foreign currency. We do not want foreign currency, we want our Zimbabwean dollar,” he said.
Chiwenga, a former army general, reiterated that Zanu PF would continue to rule and that the nation will be developed without reliance on foreign aid.
Marondera town had a massive facelift ahead of the rally, with roads rehabilitated, among other infrastructure in anticipation of Mnangagwa’s visit.
Three constituencies and 10 wards are vacant due to deaths or recalls of MPs and councillors.

• Newsday

By- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa Sunday addressed thousands of his party supporters at Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield, Harare, who defied police restrictions and marched to the venue after the law enforcement agents barred them from using buses.

Police mounted several roadblocks leading to Highfield with some car queues stretching for more than 5km, especially on roads from Chitungwiza.
Police were not allowing vehicles with more than three passengers to pass through the checkpoints.
This forced CCC supporters to walk long distances to the rally. Some of the supporters claimed that they walked from Ruwa, Glen View and other suburbs in Harare.
In his address, Chamisa said CCC had tasked some “experts” to analyse the voters roll, which exposed anomalies.
He said some of the anomalies included creation of additional polling stations and moving people from polling stations without their consent.
Chamisa said the party would engage in protests until the electoral body adhered to its mandate as stipulated in the Constitution.
Nelson Chamisa, his wife and Lynette Kore
“We commissioned experts to analyse the voters roll. I had been tipped off by some senior government officials that the document was being tampered with. We have infiltrators in government departments — we have infiltrated all government departments,” Chamisa said.
“We will not let Zec get away with its manipulation. Starting with this by-election, if Zec does not address these anomalies, it will not be well. There will be instability in the country. On the issue of voter manipulation, do not panic. We have strategies.
The first strategy is to ensure that Zec policies are compatible with the Constitution. If they don’t heed our demands, then we will take legal remedies. But we know that the courts may not be able to deliver justice fairly. We have our own solution. We will go to the streets. We will protest against Zec.”
Last Thursday, Zec disowned the voters roll that is being analysed by civic society organisations and suspended some of its employees for allegedly leaking a copy of the national voters roll and sharing the “tampered” document with an unnamed stakeholder.
Chamisa also encouraged teachers to continue fighting for their rights, demanding better salaries. He promised that his “government-in-waiting” would improve their conditions of service when it assumes power.
Teachers have been on strike since schools reopened two weeks ago, demanding better salaries.
In response, the government said it would fire teachers who would not have reported for work by tomorrow and replace them with college graduates.
“Teachers are wallowing in poverty. Civil servants have become poor. Teachers have made their demands clear. They want their Mugabe (the late former President Robert) era dignity to be restored. What is happening now? Teachers are being victimised, they are being abused, and they are being fired and accused of being aligned to Chamisa,” the CCC leader said.
CCC by-election campaign launch at Highfields Zimbabwe Grounds, Harare
“I am not the poverty. They want better salaries. Teachers — don’t be intimidated. Fight for your rights, for the meantime, but when we are in power, we will restore the dignity you had during Mugabe’s era. A teacher is the foundation of the development of the country. A teacher is the guardian of the destiny of any nation. A teacher is the compass of civilisation. All civil servants, the army, police and the central intelligence know that if this government has failed you, then you have to replace it with a capable government.”
The youthful leader told his supporters that CCC was a new political outfit, which had not yet elected its executive as consultations with the “people” were underway.
Speaking at the same event, former Zanu PF youth leader Godfrey Tsenengamu said he was rallying behind Chamisa’s promise to turn around the economy.
Tsenenagmu, now leader of the Front for Economic Emancipation in Zimbabwe, said: “I was there (in Zanu PF). I rose through the ranks up to the central committee. I am one person who supported the removal of Mugabe, hoping that he (President Emmerson Mnangagwa) would turn things around. Some people thought that he (Mnangagwa) meant change and we supported him, but we realised that there is no change. We thought looting (which took place) under Mugabe would end, but it has become worse. I am here because I support gatherings where issues of development are being discussed. We may have different ideologies, but something for sure is that you (Chamisa) are a force to reckon with.”
During the rally, journalists failed to livestream the proceedings amid claims that there was deliberate slowing down of internet services to stop the CCC rally from being publicised on social media.
An international watchdog that monitors cyber-security and the governance of the internet, Netblocks reported that there was a significant slowing of internet services for many users in Zimbabwe as CCC held its rally, which impacted multiple operators and prevented livestreaming from the rally.
Netblocks said metrics were consistent with the “slowing, or throttling of services”, but could not conclusively identify the cause of network disruption.
“Confirmed metrics indicate that internet service is degraded for many users in Zimbabwe; the incident is likely to limit livestreaming and access to online content as #YellowSunday opposition rallies are held at Highfield, Harare,” the watchdog said on Twitter. Newsday