By A Correspondent- MDC-T faction led by Thokozani Khupe has launched a new slogan that denounces the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC.

Khupe was recently fired by Mwonzora and subsequently announced that she was leading another MDC-T faction.

Announcing the new slogan, this weekend, Khupe said Zimbabweans should shun Mwonzora and Zanu PF in the next year’s national elections.

“Our slogan going forward is going to be #Beat The Pot: Stop Discrimination Against Women Because Women Can’t Breathe; Don’t vote for Zanu PF, Don’t vote for Mwonzora”, she said.

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa foresees a bright future for the nation.

President Chamisa, a devout Christian, believes Zimbabwe is a blessed nation that has been ruined by years of corruption and looting of State resources by the Zanu PF regime.

The vibrant leader has also urged citizens to remain optimistic despite the current social and economic challenges tormenting the nation.

“THE LORD WILL DO GREAT THINGS FOR US…The future is exciting.

Other nations shall admire us. We shall be happy again.Although we sow in tears we shall surely reap in joy.

Psalms 126:2,5 Sabbath blessings beloved.#Godisinit,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa foresees a bright future for the nation.

President Chamisa, a devout Christian, believes Zimbabwe is a blessed nation that has been ruined by years of corruption and looting of State resources by the Zanu PF regime.

The vibrant leader has also urged citizens to remain optimistic despite the current social and economic challenges tormenting the nation.

“THE LORD WILL DO GREAT THINGS FOR US…The future is exciting.

Other nations shall admire us. We shall be happy again.Although we sow in tears we shall surely reap in joy.

Psalms 126:2,5 Sabbath blessings beloved.#Godisinit,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.

Tinashe Sambiri|The later former President Robert Mugabe’s son, Chatunga, has described MDC- T leader Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora as a mere comedian.

Chatunga mocked Mwonzora for wasting “acting talent” by portraying himself as a popular politician.

See Chatunga’s message on Twitter:
CHATUNGA
@bellagushaz
Mdara iwe are you a Comedian ? If you’re not you are wasting a talent.”

Chatunga was responding to Mwonzora’s comment below:

Thank you so much Gweru. Victory is Certain.

Tinashe Sambiri | The Zanu PF activist Buster Mafio, implicated in torturing opposition activist, Nyasha Zhambe, died in a horrific road accident on Friday.

Mafio and one Joseph Mudziwapasi, tortured Zhambe during President Nelson Chamisa’s community engagement programme in Gutu last year.

According to human rights defenders, Nyasha Zhambe was tortured to death by known Zanu PF activists.

The development was confirmed by the man’s local resident’s trust.

In a statement, Gutu Residents and Ratepayers Association said: “On a sad note, we have lost one of our town board member Mr Buster Mafio in a road accident as he was travelling from Masvingo.

“As Gutu Residents we have been robbed of our representative.Rest in Eternal Peace Cde Mafio makarwa kurwa kukuru.

-GURRA Secretary General
Mr T Mamombe”

The popular television whistle-blower and forensic scientist, Shepherd Yuda, commented saying:

Ngozi inopedza hama, not Zanu PF as a party.

Baster Mafio has died.The man who led the torture of NYASHA ZHAMBE in October 2021 died in a fatal accident Chihambakwe today( Friday).

Zimbabweans demanded justice for NYASHA but they did not give heed.

God in heaven will not remain silent in the face of injustice. Udzai mbiti dzeZanu PF kuti unofawo.

Now Why Zanu PF goons will only pay RTGS kumukadzi wako.

Vanobva vamunyenga futi. Apa Hama dzako dzichaita murakwatira.

By A Correspondent- A 32 year- old man from Ntabazinduna died after being assaulted after he had proposed love to a 12-year-old girl.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), which is already seized with the matter, said they have since arrested Busani Ncube (40) and Hloniphani Ndlovu (37) in connection with the murder case that occurred on the 2nd of February 2022 at Mavolontiya Village, Ntabazinduna.

We present a police statement on the case:

The suspects tied the victim, Marvelous Nzima (32) with a rope, before taking turns to assault him with a sjambok after the victim had proposed love to Busani Ncube’s granddaughter (12).

The victim died whilst admitted at Ntabazinduna Clinic on 03/02/22.

By A Correspondent- The later former President Robert Mugabe’s son, Chatunga, has scoffed at comedian MDC- T leader Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora adding that Mwonzora was wasting his talent .

Chatunga mocked Mwonzora for wasting “acting talent” by portraying himself as a popular politician.

See Chatunga’s message on Twitter:

Mdara iwe are you a Comedian ? If you’re not you are wasting a talent.”

Chatunga was responding to Mwonzora’s comment below:

Thank you so much Gweru. Victory is Certain.

By A Correspondent- Pressure is mounting on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to reshuffle his cabinet within the fractious ruling Zanu-PF ahead of upcoming 2023 harmonised elections.

The anticipated reshuffle, according to well-placed sources, is being fuelled by continued internal strife within the ruling party after a restructuring exercise that left it more divided than ever during the recent provincial elections.

The remnants of the divisive internal election has already claimed the head of Mnangagwa’s trusted lieutenant and former State Security minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube over allegations of fuelling divisions in the ruling party.

The sources said there was increasing pressure on Mnangagwa to dump Cabinet ministers who lost the recently held provincial elections.

According to the sources within the ruling party, the Zanu-PF Midlands provincial leadership is lobbying for the dismissal of Local Government minister July Moyo for his alleged “unholy alliance” with Mudha.

The sources revealed that the provincial leadership still viewed Moyo as a powerful figure in the Midlands province due to his ministerial position with some pushing for his dismissal while others want him to be demoted.

“Midlands warring factions still see July Moyo as a powerful figure in the province due to his ministerial position. The factions are linking Moyo to the recently sacked Mudha. The push is either to have him sacked or demoted to an inferior ministry,” said the source.

Independent legislator Temba Mliswa who is one of Moyo’s rabid critics through his Twitter handle, has always accused the Local Government minister of dividing the ruling party.

Contacted, presidential spokesperson George Charamba said he was not aware of the imminent Cabinet reshuffle.

“What you are asking for can only be revealed by the President and unless you have been with him at his farm, you would be in a better position to know what he is thinking,” Charamba said.

President Mnangagwa is currently on his annual leave and is reportedly resting at his Precabe Farm in Sherwood, Kwekwe.

However, observers told the Independent that the imminent reshuffle could be a litmus test for Mnangagwa who has always been the godfather of the Midlands province especially in dealing with his long-time trusted lieutenant Moyo.

Some also opined that the Mudha case has proved that the Zanu-PF leader is now prepared to dump his erstwhile allies for political capital.

Zanu-PF provincial chairman Larry Mavima refused to comment on the matter.

“Absolutely no comment on that matter as the province plays no role whatsoever in the appointment or dismissal of ministers by His Excellency. It is actually a very mischievous suggestion or point,” Mavima said.

Meanwhile, reports from the ruling party indicate that members of the Zanu-PF youth league leadership recently approached Mnangagwa registering their displeasure with Sports minister Kirsty Coventry.

The Independent is reliably informed that the youths are routing for the deputy minister Tinomuda Machakaire, who is a member of the league’s leadership to take over.

“The youth league leadership is not happy with Kirsty and there has been serious lobbying to have her re-assigned.

“The league is rooting for Machakaire to be elevated while considering that he may be a capable trump card for Zanu-PF in terms of winning the youth vote in the upcoming elections. The youths are also pushing for someone who is active in politics to take over that ministry,” a Zanu-PF source said.

Another source within the youth league added that Coventry is no longer popular considering her technocratic stature and that the ministry under her stewardship is usually used as a vehicle to mobilise the youth vote for Zanu-PF.

“It’s a mobilisation ministry but she has failed to achieve that considering that she is not a politician. That appointment was also expected to at least achieve a balance, politically, so that the country is accepted on the international arena especially with ED’s re-engagement efforts.

“This has actually failed because there are no tangible results to these efforts. Have we been readmitted into the Commonwealth? No! We are still a pariah state on the international scene,” the source said.

Contacted for comment, Zanu-PF acting youth leader Tendai Chirau said he was not aware of any meeting to lobby for the removal of the Sports minister adding that the youth league supported the President’s appointments.

“I don’t know about the meeting but what I know is that our first secretary is accommodating.  Therefore, I wouldn’t know the contents of the meeting but we are happy with the way the first secretary is executing his revolutionary mandate and we are also happy with his appointments,” Chirau said.

London-based political commentator, Professor Stephen Chan said a Cabinet reshuffle in Zimbabwe was pointless or insignificant contributing nothing to the solution of the current problems.

“To a large extent, Cabinet reshuffles are like moving the deck chairs on the Titanic. There are very few on the government front bench, or among candidates for the front bench, with the technocratic vision and skills – not to mention probity and honesty – required to take Zimbabwe forward.

“But Mudha and his allies obviously had to go, given the blatant nature of their undemocratic electioneering,” he said.

Professor Chan added that Coventry’s appointment was meant to propagate Zimbabwean sports development at home and internationally. There is nothing at all in her portfolio that says she should act for any single political party.

“Right, she is the only Minister of Sport in Sadc who has actually been an international sports-person. The image of Zimbabwe would suffer if another unfit person was appointed to this portfolio,” he said.

There is continued contestation within the ruling party and Mnangagwa is under pressure to unify the ruling party through instituting an effective tribal balance on Cabinet appointments.

Other analysts believe that for Zanu-PF to excel in the upcoming elections, it has to grow as a revolutionary party through robust debate that adds value on accountability and transparency.ZimbabweIndependent

By A Correspondent- Former MDC Kwekwe Central legislator Blessing Chebundo has vowed to help the ruling ZANU PF reclaim the seat.

Chebundo is famously known for defeating President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the 2000 parliamentary election pushing the latter to the Chirimhanzu-Zibagwe constituency which was created during the 2007 delimitation exercise. 

The ruling party, however, won the MDC Kwekwe Central seat back in 2013 when the late Masango Matambanadzo claimed it.

He was, however, kicked out of the party and went on to retain the seat in the 2018 general election under a party called National Patriotic Front, holding on to it until his death due to suspected poisoning in 2020.

Chebundo, a long-time opposition darling last year dumped the MDC Alliance and joined ZANU PF and says he is ready to fight for the ruling party to regain the seat. He declared:

We are going to take the seat back to ZANU PF.

I am declaring that Kwekwe Central is a ZANU PF seat and it is going to be won by ZANU PF in the upcoming by-elections. There is nothing in the opposition now. President Emmerson Mnangagwa is the only future for this country. Everyone can see that the president is rebuilding our country. Even Chamisa has ditched the MDC-Alliance because there is nothing. He has only made a mistake of not coming back home.

ZANU PF fielded John Mapurazi as its candidate

By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa left Harare this morning to attend the African Union (AU) 35th ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this weekend.

He was seen off at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, cabinet ministers, service chiefs and senior Government officials.

The summit is running under the theme “Building Resilience in Nutrition & Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthen Agriculture, Accelerate the Human Capital, Social Development”.

The President will join other African Heads of State for the summit which runs from tomorrow to Sunday. The summit is expected to deliberate on a variety of matters, including peace and security, response to the Covid-19 pandemic and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

At the summit, outgoing AU chair President Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC will hand over the chairmanship of the continental body to the incoming chair President Macky Sall of Senegal.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Florence Taruvinga has said the economy can afford US dollars salaries and workers should be paid salaries that match the poverty datum line (PDL) as the minimum wage as was agreed at the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) in 2018.

“In principle we agreed at the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) that the minimum wage should be based on the levels of the Poverty Datum Line. We also agreed that the principle of restoration of workers’ wages that prevailed in April 2018, should have been maintained. Then the PDL was USD$500, she told the Zimbabwe Independent in an interview this week.

“However, when it came to implementation of the recommendation, which was to promulgate a Statutory Instrument with the minimum wage being half in US dollar PDL which existed in 2018, the government decided to implement it as ZW$2 549, 74 as captured in SI 81/2020. This was a departure from the recommendation.”

The ZCTU, Taruvinga said, was committed to ensuring that employers and the government respect the rights of workers.

We are focused on ensuring that workers earn salaries which are above the Poverty Datum Line. It is of paramount importance that working should transform workers from being poor. We are concerned with the high levels of poor working people. The salaries have been too meagre over time to allow workers to have disposable incomes which can be transformative. The case of Zimbabwean workers has been that of living from hand to mouth and that should surely change,” she said.

“The Tripartite Negotiating Forum would have been the vital cog missing in our socio and economic landscape. Unfortunately the TNF Act provides that whatever issues or recommendations which are derived from the negotiations should be referred to Cabinet for discussion and ratification. However, at times this is where the wheels sometimes come off. The Cabinet is not answerable to the TNF and therefore can afford to make any decisions that they deem fit regardless of the position of TNF.”

Taruvinga said plans to establish a national health insurance to be run by the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) were likely to fail given that other such institutions owned by the State are in a mess.

“We have been very clear and consistent in our views towards the National Health Scheme. We have always indicated that the scheme was a noble idea but they need to deal with the fundamentals first. Health care being provided by State institutions are in shambles and need to be urgently worked on to revamp the quality of the facility.”

She went on: “The National Health Scheme should not be administered by Nssa. The authority has got its hands full with managing the fund. It would be counterproductive to then overload Nssa with the responsibilities to manage NHS funds. We are also of the view that broader consultations have to be done with workers on the scheme. Our view being that already workers are indicating that they feel that they are overtaxed, yet there are issues on how the funds from the fiscus are being utilised. The Auditor General’s Office reports have spoken to widespread fiscal indiscipline. All those factors weigh heavily on our decision as labour to either support or not support the intended policy initiative.”

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s former minister of Finance and Economic Development, Tendai Biti has said the government’s move to exempt importers of designated vehicles from paying duties and taxes in United States dollars (US$) is meant to benefit business mogul, Kuda Tagwirei and President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In an advisory on measures being taken by the government to enhance the domestic use of the Zimbabwe dollar, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said “all duties and taxes on the importation of designated motor vehicles are now payable in Zimbabwe dollars again up to a limit of 50% of duties and taxes payable.” Commenting on the development, Biti said:

The new measures announced by Mthuli Ncube reflect the multiple faults of this incompetent ephemeral regime. For starters laws can’t simply be changed in a statement Only a statutory instrument or Act of Parly can change existing tax laws. Mthuli s command is therefore a nullity

Furthermore laws & tax measures should never have selective application.The exemption on US$ royalties to the mining sector is indiscriminate and betrays State Capture of the regime. It is obvious that Kuda Tagwireyi&his knew humongous presence in the mining sector is the reason

The US$ exemption on vehicles is ultimately intended to benefit Tagwireyi &his scarfed up partner who have taken over public transport through #ZUPCO & the #ZUPCO monopoly. Surely this is the most corrupt& incompetent government in history of governments.

One Dennis said the advisory was issued to everyone not only to Tagwireyi and Mnangagwa. Added Dennis:

The law is there it says you pay tax with the currency you earned. Now treasury is saying it’s your choice to either pay half of it in local currency or still continue paying USD IN full.

Some observers suggested that a law was not necessary.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has announced the fuel prices for February 2022. The Authority marginally increased prices of both diesel and petrol.

Below is the ZERA statement:

PETROLEUM PRICES REVIEW – FEBRUARY 2022

Please be advised that the prescribed prices for diesel and blend for February 2022 are as follows:

The public and operators are advised that the blending ratio still remains at E0. Operators may sell the petroleum products below the prescribed prices depending on their trading advantages and should display prices in a prominent place as provided by the fuel pricing regulations.

Stakeholders are advised that the petroleum price releases by ZERA can be verified on the official ZERA website, Facebook or Twitter handle.

The price of Diesel 50 increases from ZWL$149.55 per litre in January to ZWL$168.17per litre. In United States dollars, the price rose from US$1.38 per litre to US$1.44.

Meanwhile, the price of Blend – E0 rose from ZWL$152.87 per litre to ZWL$167.91. In United States Dollars, the price rose from US$1.41 to US$1.44.

By A Correspondent- President Nelson Chamisa has predicted a bright future for Zimbabwe adding that other nations shall admire the nation

In a facebook post, President Chamisa said the Lord will do great things for Zimbabweans.

He said: .

THE LORD WILL DO GREAT THINGS FOR US…The future is exciting. Other nations shall admire us. We shall be happy again.Although we sow in tears we shall surely reap in joy. Making Zimbabwe New & Great! Psalms 126:2,5 Sabbath blessings beloved.#Godisinit

By A Correspondent- Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje has set March 7 as the trial date for former Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo on charges of fraud and criminal abuse of duty.

The court heard that on a date unknown to the prosecutor, but during the period extending from October 1 2005 to January 12 2006, Chombo unlawfully and with the intent to defraud the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) misrepresented that he was applying for a Capital Expenditure Loan under the Other Crops and Livestock Support Facility for the purpose of acquiring farm equipment knowingly that he intended to use the money for other purposes. Acting on the misrepresentation, RBZ processed and issued Chombo a loan amounting to $14 billion for the purpose of acquiring the farm equipment, which Chombo then used to purchase two Toyota Hilux Vigo motor vehicles, thereby causing prejudice to the good administration of the Other Crops and Livestock Support facility.

On count two, the court heard that on a date unknown to the prosecutor, but during the period extending from September 2 2006 to March 25 2008 and at the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Chombo, who at the material time was the minister and as such a public officer who took oath to uphold the Constitution and all other laws of Zimbabwe for the good management of the public affairs of Zimbabwe and perform the duties of the office faithfully, unlawfully and intentionally acted contrary to or inconsistently with his duties.

He allegedly corruptly acquired from City of Harare a property, namely Subdivision 61 Helensvale, Harare, knowing that the council had applied for change of use from a public place to space for cluster houses and registered it under Harvest-Net Enterprises (Private) Limited, a company he owned, thereby showing favour to the company and disfavour to City of Harare.

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF members in Bulawayo, hired by the ruling party as polling officers for the recently held provincial elections are demanding payment of money for coordinating the internal elections which ushered in new executives in the 10 provinces.

The former liberation movement conducted provincial elections on December 28, 2021 in the 10 provinces which birthed new provincial chairpersons. Youth and women’s league provincial executive positions were also contested.

This week, some polling officers in Bulawayo who spoke to the Zimbabwe Independent said they were owed money.

Indications are that over 100 polling officers in Bulawayo have not been paid and have not been notified of how much they will be paid.

Zanu-PF member Sam Dhliwayo said the ruling party has failed to fulfil its promise of paying in three weeks after the polls.

 “We conducted the elections and were asked to submit our bank account details. They promised to pay us within two to three weeks but it’s now more than a month and we are yet to be paid,” Dhliwayo said.

“We have a feeling that the money might have been diverted by greedy top officials; this is unacceptable.”

He said the disgruntled officers were exposing the issue to attract the attention of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Another Zanu-PF member who spoke on condition of anonymity said the party was not sincere.

“We cannot be treated like this by our political party which is supposed to serve our interests,” he said.

A Zanu-PF insider in Bulawayo who also requested anonymity for fear of victimisation said the payment of polling officers for provincial elections was being done at the party headquarters.

“The payment of polling officers is the responsibility of the national office because those people were deployed outside their provinces. The money was supposed to come from the national office, but we hear that some are yet to be paid.

“It is possible that the national office might have sent money to provinces for onward payments,” said a Zanu-PF official.

 Zanu-PF national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa was not reachable on his mobile phone.

Party national commissar Mike Bimha referred the Zimbabwe Independent to the provincial leadership for comment.

“Please be advised that provincial elections are being directed from the provinces and it’s the provinces that can answer your questions,” Bimha said.

Bulawayo provincial chairman Jabulani Sibanda’s phone went unanswered. Provincial commissar Ruth Shelton declined to discuss the matter.

“I was a candidate during the provincial elections and whatever the arrangement was there, I have nothing to do with it. Maybe I will have to ask those who were the interim executive about this issue,” Shelton said.

By A Correspondent- A bid to help two women by a 32-year-old man from Bulawayo backfired after they defrauded him of nearly US$8 000 when they gave him only US$299 after he agreed that they exchange smaller denominations for bigger denominations.

The incident occurred on Tuesday in Thorngrove suburb and police have since launched a manhunt for the women.

One of them has been identified only as Mampo.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the two women approached the man from Bellevue suburb offering him big denominations in exchange for smaller denominations.

“On the 1st of February 2022 at around 10AM, the accused persons came to the complainant’s premises asking for small denominations of hard cash.

Accused counted an amount of ‘80 X US $100 notes’ and gave it to the complainant who in return gave them an amount of US$8 000 in small amounts,” said Insp Ncube.

He said it was after the two had left that he realised that they had given him US$1 notes in between two US$100 notes.

“After the accused had left, the complainant then realised that he had been given 99 x US$1 notes covered by two US$100 notes. The complainant reported the matter to the police at around 1230 hours and no arrest was made.

The total value defrauded is US$7 701 and nothing was recovered. Investigations are in progress,” said Insp Ncube.

He encouraged members of the public to be cautious when undertaking business transactions.

“The police would like to encourage members of the public never to trust anyone and to make sure they verify any business transaction before involving themselves in any deal.

We also want to appeal to anyone with information which can lead to the arrest of the accused persons to report at any nearest police station,” said Insp Ncube. – Chronicle

By A Correspondent- The Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Martin Rushwaya on Wednesday risked overnight detention for contempt of court in the ongoing corruption trial of former Cabinet minister Prisca Mupfumira.

Rushwaya was summoned by the State to testify against Mupfumira, who is charged with fast-tracking a project to build low-income houses in Gweru through Drawcard Enterprises without seeking National Social Security Authority (NSSA) board approval and without going to tender.

NSSA falls under the purview of the Labour Ministry, which Mupfumira headed at the time the offence was allegedly committed.

Under cross-examination from Mupfumira’s lawyer Admire Rubaya, Rushwaya refused to explain what sections Mupfumira contravened in regards to the project.

Magistrate Ngoni Nduna then threatened to detain him for contempt of court. Warned the magistrate:

I am in charge here. We have remedy to that and I will hold you in contempt of court. I will detain you in custody and see you tomorrow when you have sobered up.

After the warning, Rushwaya confessed that he did not know of anything wrong that Mupfumira did which warranted her arrest on criminal charges.

Rushwaya told the court that he had no idea who reported Mupfumira to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to cause her arrest.

He also acknowledged that Mupfumira worked without a contract and had no written down duties and responsibilities.

Rushwaya said ministers were guided by a handbook, confirming Mupfumira’s testimony that she did not violate any specific duty.

By- Harare mayor Jacob Mafume has again bounced back at Town House following the expiry of his 45-day suspension.
Local Government minister July Moyo suspended Mafume in December accusing him of gross misconduct and incompetence.
This was Mafume’s fourth suspension on similar charges.
Mafume’s lawyer Tonderai Bhatasara on Thursday wrote to acting town clerk Phakamile Moyo informing him that Mafume was resuming his duties after the expiry of the 45-day suspension.
“We write to advise that our client’s suspension by the honourable minister through a letter dated December 17, 2021 has lapsed following the expiring of the statutory 45 days,” Bhatasara wrote.
“Accordingly, by operation of law, our client has reverted to the status before his suspension as mayor of the City of Harare. Our client has written this letter to advise that communication and notices of meetings be brought to his attention as required by law. This is a courtesy letter. Our client will be attending to his duties with effect Friday February 4, 2021.”
Mafume approached the High challenging his suspension. MDC-T councillor Steward Mutizwa was the acting mayor.
-Newsday

By- Harare regional magistrate Mr Lazini Ncube has dismissed Marry Mubaiwa’s application for discharge.

Ncube on Friday put Marry on defence case at the close of the State case.

In his judgment, Ncube said there are issues that the former model needs to explain, which arose from State witnesses’ testimonies.

Mubaiwa is charged with violation of the Marriages Act after she allegedly misrepresented that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga consented to solemnise their wedding when he was ill.
Mubaiwa, through her lawyer Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, chose not to take to the witness to testify and closed her defence case.

Ms Mtetwa told the court that there is no law that compels her to testify in her defence. She said:
We have nothing further to say in the defence case. I don’t know of any law that compels the accused to testify. You can choose to say nothing and not to testify. We are not aware of any law that compels an accused person to testify.
The State led by Mr Tafara Chirambira told the court that although Mubaiwa decided to remain silent in her defence case, she will still be subjected to questioning by the State. He said:
As a matter of procedure, we will proceed to put questions to her. If she decides not to answer, the questions will be placed on record.

In dismissing Marry’s application, Ncube said the State had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that Mubaiwa forged Chiwenga’s signature on a marriage certificate in a bid to upgrade their customary union.
Ncube said she would on February 10 rule on whether Mubaiwa had a right to remain silent.

By- The Government through the Primary and Secondary Education Ministery has said that parents could now pay school fees in United States Dollars.

Minister in charge of education,Evelyn Ndlovu, said while parents and guardians with foreign currency who can afford to pay fees in United States dollars are allowed to do so, no school is permitted to reject schools fees payments in Zimbabwe dollars.

This comes as schools in Manicaland Province have been pestering the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education seeking approval to charge for levies in foreign currency.

Some schools are reportedly asking parents to pay school fees in local currency but pegged to the US Dollar using the parallel market rate.

But speaking in an interview with The Manica Post at Mavhudzi High School on Thursday during a tour of Makoni schools to check their preparedness to reopen in light of the COOVID-19 pandemic, Ndlovu said pushing parents to source forex from the black market is unacceptable. She said: 

We will not accept a situation where schools will force parents to pay fees in foreign currency. It is unacceptable because we have a local currency.

In other words, they will be fighting and sabotaging the local currency. Every country has its own currency.

How are we going to protect our currency if we are continuously charging school fees in foreign currency?

Most parents have no source of foreign currency so you are pushing them to go to the black market. We do not accept that. Those who do not have forex also need to send their children to school.

Those with foreign currency who can afford to pay fees in USD are allowed to do so as we have a multi-currency system but then no school should prohibit parents from paying in local currency.

The 2022 first term is set to commence next Monday, with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education saying all systems go.

However, teachers’ unions such as the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) and the Progressive Teachers Union Zimbabwe (PTUZ) both recently said teachers are financially incapacitated and cannot resume their normal duties.

The unions want the Government to pay teachers salaries in US dollars, with the lowest-paid teacher taking home at least US$600.

More: The Manica Post

By- A married Gweru woman feels betrayed and abused by her lover and her sister-in-law for posting her nude photographs on social media.In Zimbabwe, it is illegal to produce, possess or distribute pornographic material.
Jassina Manyumbu, 36, who is married to Gondobwe Gondobwe, 44, confirmed her adulterous affair with someone only identified as Freedom, who is believed to be a cross border truck driver.
Manyumbu told H-Metro she had a misunderstanding with Freedom, when she visited him in South Africa over a miscarriage she suffered.
Freedom accused her of aborting the pregnancy and he posted their nude photographs to her in-laws. She feels abused and betrayed by Freedom and her sister-in-law, Tamary Gondobwe, for forwarding the nude photographs to her family members.
“We had an issue with my husband since he was cheating on me and that led me to retaliate by dating Freedom,” said Manyumbu.
“Freedom was responsible for the pregnancy and I later suffered a miscarriage.
“He became furious with me and accused me of aborting the pregnancy and that forced him to post our nude photographs to my in-laws.
“Tete Tamary vakazotumirawo maphotos iwayo kumurume wangu nekuhanzvadzi yangu saka handizive kuti mutemo unobvumidzawo here kutumira maphotos akadaro pasocial media?
“I feel betrayed and abused by both Freedom and Aunt Tamary,” said Manyumbu.
She told H-Metro she decided to visit her parents in Chivi, Masvingo after returning from South Africa, after the nude photographs reached her husband.
“I have found peace with my husband but Aunt Tamary continues posting my nude photographs to wreck my marriage.
“Our faith calls us to confess our sins to each other and I did that with my husband over the phone and he accepted my apology.
“I will be returning to my house this week in Gweru since my husband accepted me back following that issue,” she said.
Tamary told H-Metro Manyumbu lied to her husband that she received an invite from one of her relatives based in South Africa, when she was visiting Freedom.
“She has been cheating for some time and her husband was yet to find evidence but this time zvakamutsana nechikomba chake chikatumira mifananidzo yavo tisina kuzvitsvaga.
“She must blame her lover for posting the nude photographs to us and blame herself for committing adultery.
“She left the country in November last year, claiming she had been called by her married daughter, unaware that she was intending to engage in sinful acts,” said Tamary.
Gondobwe threatened to lodge a police report against Tamary and Freedom over posting his wife’s nude photographs on social media.
“What happened is that my wife went to SA and committed adultery with a certain man,” said Gondobwe.
“That man sent the pictures of him, with my wife, to my sister.
“My sister sent them to me and l told her that l will solve the issue peacefully.
“I wanted to cancel marriage then go to surrender her to her parents but my sister is busy circulating these pictures.
“I don’t want to sue her but l want you to give her a strong warning over posting these nude photographs,” said Gondobwe. H Metro

By A Correspondent- CCC secretary-general Charlton Hwende is on the ground campaigning for himself and fellow party councillors ahead of the March 26 By-elections.

Hwende on Friday, was in his Kuwadzana East constituency, putting up posters. 

Posting on his Facebook page, Hwende appealed to well-wishers to help with funds to print posters of his party councillors in Mashonaland West province:

Thanks Citizens we got support for the 5 rural wards we posted in the morning. Please partner us on these wards to print more posters. 500@$100 for each ward. Ward 10 Mhondoro Mubaira

Ward 4 Zvimba West

Ward 31 Zvimba North

Ward 33 Zvimba South

Ward 14 Norton #CCC

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has received a special birthday gift from an elderly citizen.

The elderly citizen, Mr Mlotshwa, described the gift as a reminder of hope to the nation.

“This ‘Ithole’ calf painting gift all the way from Matebeleland touched me.

Mr Mlotshwa tells me that this gift is a reminder of the HOPE he & many other citizens have.

He came by bus to deliver this b/day gift.These are my heroes. Help me thank this senior #citizen.I’m humbled,” said President Chamisa in a brief statement.

By- The Government through the Primary and Secondary Education Ministery has admitted that parents could now pay school fees in United States Dollars.

Minister in charge of education,Evelyn Ndlovu, said while parents and guardians with foreign currency who can afford to pay fees in United States dollars are allowed to do so, no school is permitted to reject schools fees payments in Zimbabwe dollars.

This comes as schools in Manicaland Province have been pestering the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education seeking approval to charge for levies in foreign currency.

Some schools are reportedly asking parents to pay school fees in local currency but pegged to the US Dollar using the parallel market rate.

But speaking in an interview with The Manica Post at Mavhudzi High School on Thursday during a tour of Makoni schools to check their preparedness to reopen in light of the COOVID-19 pandemic, Ndlovu said pushing parents to source forex from the black market is unacceptable. She said: 

We will not accept a situation where schools will force parents to pay fees in foreign currency. It is unacceptable because we have a local currency.

In other words, they will be fighting and sabotaging the local currency. Every country has its own currency.

How are we going to protect our currency if we are continuously charging school fees in foreign currency?

Most parents have no source of foreign currency so you are pushing them to go to the black market. We do not accept that. Those who do not have forex also need to send their children to school.

Those with foreign currency who can afford to pay fees in USD are allowed to do so as we have a multi-currency system but then no school should prohibit parents from paying in local currency.

The 2022 first term is set to commence next Monday, with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education saying all systems go.

However, teachers’ unions such as the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) and the Progressive Teachers Union Zimbabwe (PTUZ) both recently said teachers are financially incapacitated and cannot resume their normal duties.

The unions want the Government to pay teachers salaries in US dollars, with the lowest-paid teacher taking home at least US$600.

More: The Manica Post

By- Zanu PF activists in Kwekwe have reportedly seized a branded Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) vehicle belonging to the party’s candidate for Kwekwe Central in the 26 March by-elections, Judith Tobaiwa.

In a statement, CCC said Tobaiwa’s car was forcibly taken to the ZANU PF district office where ruling party activists removed posters that were stuck on the vehicle.

CCC activists who were in the vehicle were reportedly ordered to sit on the floor while the car was being debranded. CCC said in a statement:

Kwekwe Central CCC candidate Judith Tobaiwa’s car has been forcibly and unlawfully taken to the ZANU PF district office.
ZANU PF thugs are debranding it, removing posters and forcing those who were in the car to sit on the floor. This election violence must stop!

This comes after police in Bulawayo recently summoned and questioned several CCC provincial leaders regarding the party’s official by-election campaign launch in the city which was set for this Thursday.
The party’s organising secretary and chairperson for Bulawayo province Hellen Mpofu and James Sithole, respectively, were on Wednesday summoned by the police and grilled over the launch.

By-Police in Bulawayo Thursday reportedly disrupted a voter registration campaign exercise conducted by Nelson Chamisa’s Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party supporters.

Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza said police claimed that the exercise, which was being carried out at the party offices, was not sanctioned.

“It is shameful behaviour which we are experiencing under the police. We started the meeting at 9am and the police dispersed us. Some of our members were made to answer questions as to why we were meeting and they dispersed us,” Chirowodza said.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said he was unaware of the incident.
“I have not received such a report,’’ Ncube said.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is conducting a countrywide voter registration blitz in preparation for next year’s harmonised elections, Zec says it is targeting one million new votes.
-Newsday

By- A police constable has been arrested and charged for beating up and detaining a “drunkard”.

Charles Makumbo (32) of Nyazura Police Station pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Rusape magistrate, Mr Obedience Matare early this week.
Mr Matare was expected to sentence him yesterday (Thursday).
Mr Leonard Chigadza of Chigadza and Associates represented Makumbo, while Mr Justice Masanganise prosecuted.
It is alleged that Makumbo assaulted Tafadzwa Dzemunye as he was not happy with his presence at the bottle store.
“On October 21 and at Muranda Bottle Store in Nyazura, Makumbo instructed Dzemunye to leave the bottle store. A misunderstanding arose between the two and Makumbo pushed the complainant to the ground. Dzemunye became unconscious.
“When he regained consciousness he could not locate his cellphone and went on to confront Makumbo over the issue. This did not go down well with Makumbo who further pushed the complainant to the window. Dzimunye hit and shattered the window. Makumbo attacked Dzemunye with fists and open hands several times on the face and head butted him once on the forehead,” said Mr Masanganise.
It is alleged that Makumbo strangled Dzemunye’s neck and trampled on his chest several times.
He allegedly took Dzemunye to Nyazura Police Station where he further assaulted him before detaining him in holding cells.
“To cover up for his offence, Makumbo booked Dzemunye under a pseudonym, Tawanda Chiwenga. He pressed charges of malicious damage to property and disorderly conduct against him. Dzimunye was later released,” said Mr Masanganise. Manica Post

By- Zvishavane town Council is allegedly running brothels.

According to Masvingo Mirror, this came out Wednesday during a tour by Minister of State for Midlands Larry Mavima in the ghost town.

Quizzed by Mavima, council officials said that the brothel raised funds as 80% of residents were not paying rates.

He described Zvishavane council as shameful as the worst run local authority in the Midlands Province. Three Zvishavane top managers including town secretary Tinoda Mukutu are currently on suspension on corruption charges.
As he toured the town house, he came to the council guest house and was shown one end which was being used by residents who lost their houses during heavy storms in 2020.
He exploded when he went to the other side and noticed that council accommodated sex workers who pay US$30 a day to the local authority’s security department. The sex workers brought in men for service throughout the day and night.
Mavima ordered that the sex workers be removed with immediate effect.
In Mandava he was shocked to see that there are 500 people who are sharing public toilets and bathrooms.
“This visit is depressing, Zvishavane has the worst management for any local authority. It is not only embarrassing but shameful and unacceptable that a local authority can resort to brothels as a way of fundraising. That brothel should be closed immediately “, he said. Masvingo Mirror

By- A married Gweru woman feels betrayed and abused by her lover and her sister-in-law for posting her nude photographs on social media.In Zimbabwe, it is illegal to produce, possess or distribute pornographic material.

Jassina Manyumbu, 36, who is married to Gondobwe Gondobwe, 44, confirmed her adulterous affair with someone only identified as Freedom, who is believed to be a cross border truck driver.

Manyumbu told H-Metro she had a misunderstanding with Freedom, when she visited him in South Africa over a miscarriage she suffered.

Freedom accused her of aborting the pregnancy and he posted their nude photographs to her in-laws. She feels abused and betrayed by Freedom and her sister-in-law, Tamary Gondobwe, for forwarding the nude photographs to her family members.
“We had an issue with my husband since he was cheating on me and that led me to retaliate by dating Freedom,” said Manyumbu.
“Freedom was responsible for the pregnancy and I later suffered a miscarriage.
“He became furious with me and accused me of aborting the pregnancy and that forced him to post our nude photographs to my in-laws.
“Tete Tamary vakazotumirawo maphotos iwayo kumurume wangu nekuhanzvadzi yangu saka handizive kuti mutemo unobvumidzawo here kutumira maphotos akadaro pasocial media?
“I feel betrayed and abused by both Freedom and Aunt Tamary,” said Manyumbu.
She told H-Metro she decided to visit her parents in Chivi, Masvingo after returning from South Africa, after the nude photographs reached her husband.
“I have found peace with my husband but Aunt Tamary continues posting my nude photographs to wreck my marriage.
“Our faith calls us to confess our sins to each other and I did that with my husband over the phone and he accepted my apology.
“I will be returning to my house this week in Gweru since my husband accepted me back following that issue,” she said.
Tamary told H-Metro Manyumbu lied to her husband that she received an invite from one of her relatives based in South Africa, when she was visiting Freedom.
“She has been cheating for some time and her husband was yet to find evidence but this time zvakamutsana nechikomba chake chikatumira mifananidzo yavo tisina kuzvitsvaga.
“She must blame her lover for posting the nude photographs to us and blame herself for committing adultery.
“She left the country in November last year, claiming she had been called by her married daughter, unaware that she was intending to engage in sinful acts,” said Tamary.
Gondobwe threatened to lodge a police report against Tamary and Freedom over posting his wife’s nude photographs on social media.
“What happened is that my wife went to SA and committed adultery with a certain man,” said Gondobwe.
“That man sent the pictures of him, with my wife, to my sister.
“My sister sent them to me and l told her that l will solve the issue peacefully.
“I wanted to cancel marriage then go to surrender her to her parents but my sister is busy circulating these pictures.
“I don’t want to sue her but l want you to give her a strong warning over posting these nude photographs,” said Gondobwe.

-H Metro

By-The High Court has ruled that Marry Chiwenga is no longer married to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

According to the judgement seen by state media, the marriage between President unregistered customary union between Chiwenga and Mary Mubaiwa ceased to exist more than two years ago when she was given a US$100 divorce token.

However, ancillary matters, which include the financial affairs of maintenance and property division and the custody of children have to still be settled in civil suits which can only be heard when Mubaiwa is able to pursue these.
The marriage between the two was the unregistered customary law union, which was terminated on November 24, 2019 after Mubaiwa was given “gupuro”, a divorce token in the Shona culture, and that was adequate to end the union under customary law and custom.

The ruling yesterday that the marriage ceased to exist at that moment came after Vice President Chiwenga, through his lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri instructed by Mr Wilson Manase of Manase and Manase, filed an urgent chamber application for an order terminating the customary union between him and Mubaiwa.
Justice Owen Tagu granted the order, but said he confined himself only to the declaration sought in the chamber application, ruling that other ancillary issues ventilated in the main civil case would be decided at the main hearing which is to be heard when Mubaiwa is able to pursue these civil matters.
During the hearing, the judge was confronted with competing arguments, one being for the grant of a declaratory order that the customary union ended on November 24, 2019 and another opposing the relief sought.
Vice President Chiwenga, through his lawyers, argued he gave Mubaiwa a divorce token, thereby terminating the union between them in terms of the African law and custom.

On the other hand, Mubaiwa said the gupuro was given to her in United States currency which she refused to accept as that currency could no longer be lawfully transacted in Zimbabwe.
However, Mubaiwa could not say that the customary union had not ended. On the contrary, she accepted that it had terminated, but blamed her ex-husband for its demise.
After a careful analysis of the submission by both parties’ counsel, Justice Tagu said it was no longer a live issue whether the customary union had ended and Mubaiwa in her own pleadings attested to this. Both parties agree that the union had ended or came to a demise.
Justice Tagu said that Mubaiwa’s concern was one of prejudice that she perceived would accrue to her if the termination of the union was dealt with separately from the ancillary issues.
“She failed to disprove that the union had ended,” said the judge when he declared that “the customary union between the parties had ceased to subsist”.
The ancillary issues relating to custody, maintenance and the property rights of the parties had been stood down for determination at the civil hearings, which would be set down by Mubaiwa as and when she is able to pursue the matter.

On the maintenance issue for either Mubaiwa or children, the court ruled that the considerations were well established in the country’s laws while the issue of custody cannot present the court with an insurmountable difficulty, as the best interests of the children were of paramount consideration.
In the end, the judge found no cogent reasons were given for opposing the order sought.
In fact, the judge, noted that Vice President Chiwenga would suffer prejudice if the determination of the status of the customary union was held back simply to suit Mubaiwa’s convenience.
Justice Tagu also noted that the civil hearings have not started at Mubaiwa’s instance and it was not clear when they occur, ruling the delay would prejudice Vice President Chiwenga.
To this end, the judge saw nothing that could prevent him from granting the order sought.
Mubaiwa, who was being represented by Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, had opposed the application insisting that her customary marriage was terminated and denied she was given the divorce token.
Mr Manase welcomed the court’s ruling saying no marriage existed between the parties as from November 2019 and that this allowed Ms Mubaiwa to pursue the ancillary matters in her own time without using her health as an excuse.

By- Controversial Australian-based Zimbabwean philanthropist Susan Mutami said that she had a boy child with the late Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Busi Moyo.

Mutami said this on Twitter, where she also insisted that Norton MP Temba Mliswa sired her twins.

Mutami also said before SB died, he told her that there were some people who were after his life.

She said Moyo told her that if the unnamed people got him, she should “get a flight back home” with the little boy as the assailants will also be after her. 

In his last days on earth SB Moyo sent someone to Avondale where I was staying and was panicking and said there are some people who are after me, if they come for me, they will definitely come for u and the little boy so I need u to get a flight back home.

Varikuda kuita zvavakaita pana Chiwenga ne mukadzi wake kwandiri (they want to do to me what they did to Chiwenga and his wife) and I need u to co-operate with me my sweetheart but if I don’t make it, u know what to do. That was the last conversation that I ever had with the late minister. RIP Soldier.

Tinashe Sambiri|Citizens Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has received a special birthday gift from an elderly citizen.

The elderly citizen, Mr Mlotshwa, described the gift as a reminder of hope to the nation.

“This ‘Ithole’ calf painting gift all the way from Matebeleland touched me.

Mr Mlotshwa tells me that this gift is a reminder of the HOPE he & many other citizens have.

He came by bus to deliver this b/day gift.These are my heroes. Help me thank this senior #citizen.I’m humbled,” said President Chamisa in a brief statement.

By A Correspondent- The Government has announced new measures to promote the domestic use of the Zimbabwe dollar as economic analysts predict the “second death” of the local currency in the near future.

In a public advisory note issued on Friday, 04 February 2022, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube said that all duties and taxes on the importation of designated motor vehicles are now payable in Zimbabwe dollars again up to a limit of 50% of duties and taxes payable. 

Below is Ncube’s statement:

PUBLIC ADVISORY NOTE ON MEASURES BEING INSTITUTED BY GOVERNMENT TO ENHANCE THE DOMESTIC USE OF THE ZIMBABWE DOLLAR

BACKGROUND

1. Government, through various agencies is presently seized with instituting various measures to enhance the formal use of the domestic currency.

2. These measures are also aimed at stemming illegal trade in foreign currency and its associated twin; that of parallel market benchmarking or indexation of prices of goods and services at parallel market exchange rates.

3. The continuation of these practices, which have been identified as significant contributors to price instability in the economy and are imposing downside risks to macro-economic stability, and the erosion of domestic and international competitiveness.

4. Over the past 40 months, the government has instituted numerous initiatives to bring macro-economic stability. These include fiscal consolidation which has resulted in balanced budget performance and the elimination of destabilising fiscal deficits despite major economic shocks such as the 2019-20 droughts, cyclone Idai and the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

5. Furthermore, the restoration of domestic and export competitiveness through the reintroduction of the Zimbabwe dollar, has seen rapid gains being made in stabilising the current account, which has also been boosted by increased international remittances, enhanced export performance and notable import substitution effects.

6. Consistent implementation of the monetary targeting framework by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe as well as close policy coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities have been key policy milestones towards achieving price stability.

7. These developments have also seen the rapid growth of privately-held foreign currency reserves from levels of around US$300 million in 2018, to over US$2 billion currently held in Zimbabwean banks. Official reserves have also increased from less than US$100 million to over US$1.2 billion currently, which includes, the US$960 million equivalent in SDRS recently availed by the IMF to Zimbabwe.

8. In the intervening period, the government has also improved access to foreign currency by all bona fide businesses and individuals through the auction system.

9. Whilst the foreign currency auction system has provided a platform for the continuous and sustainable use of local currency by individuals and corporations it is now imperative to expand the areas in which the Zimbabwe Dollar should be used in the economy and further provide incentives for its use.

10. In this regard, the public is advised that the following measures now apply with immediate effect:

a. All mining royalties are now payable in Zimbabwe Dollars up to a limit of 50% of royalties due.

b. All duties and taxes on the importation of designated motor vehicles are now payable in Zimbabwe dollars again up to a limit of 50% of duties and taxes payable.

C. All domestic taxes due from exporters on their export receipts are now payable in both foreign and local currency in direct proportion to the approved export retention levels. As an example, an exporter who receives foreign currency of say USD1 000.00 at a 40% surrender ratio (60% retention) will pay taxes on the 40% in Zimbabwe dollars and the 60% in foreign currency.

These measures reflect Government’s commitment to promote the wider use of the Zimbabwe Dollar and to continuously strengthen the economy so as to build long-lasting macro-economic stability.

This advisory note was issued in the public interest.

B y A Correspondent- The ongoing biometric voter registration (BVR) blitz has been marred by apathy with several potential registrants claiming that they are being turned away due to lack of documentation.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has set up 2 700 registration centres under the current blitz running from last week until February 28, and April 10 to 30.

Zec chief elections officer Utoile Silaigwana told NewsDay that the low turnout was disturbing.

“In terms of the turn out, it was not that fruitful, but moving forward, we hope people will start turning up to register to vote. It’s just that I do not have the figures with me right now, but all I know is there was very low turnout on the first day,” he said.

“We are trying to encourage people to go and register to vote because decentralised centres have been put in place for them to register to vote.”

A survey by NewsDay revealed that several voter registration centres in the country were deserted, while potential voters, mostly the youth, claimed that they were being turned away over lack of documents such as a national identity card or valid passport and proof of residence.

The voter registration blitz was initially scheduled for December last year, but was postponed following concerns that the majority of potential voters did not have identity documents.

Election Resource Centre legal and advocacy officer Takunda Tsunga said: “There was insufficient information provided on the location of the mobile BVR kits and the blitz itself.

“There has been increasing apathy brought about by disputed 2018 elections and the resultant lack of implementation of electoral reforms necessary to build public confidence in electoral processes which will increase participation.

“The failure to implement reforms is impacting participation levels.”

Zimbabwe Election Support Network programmes director Ellen Dingani said they were planning to deploy observers to check for consistency in the application of voter registration procedures, the opening and closing times, turnout of potential registrants, voter education and any challenges that citizens were facing.

Regions such as Matabeleland reportedly have the least number of registered voters and might lose some constituencies in the forthcoming delimitation exercise.

By A Correspondent- A legal expert yesterday questioned the recall of embattled MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe through a letter delivered by a postal courier service provider, saying the method used was unprecedented and seemed to favour one political party faction over another.

Parliamentary recalls are often announced by the Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda or by the Senate president Mabel Chinomona when Parliament is in session.

Khupe (Proportional Representation Senator) told journalists that she received the letter of her recall from Parliament alongside her long-time ally Nomvula Mguni (PR) on January 26.

She said she had written to the United Nations protesting her alleged victimisation by the Executive and Legislature.

Khupe was suspended by MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora last month before she, in turn, announced that the latter had fired himself from the party after claiming leadership of the MDC Alliance.

Section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution, which talks about recalls of MPs, stipulates that: “The seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the member (MP) has ceased to belong to a political party of which he or she was a member when elected to Parliament and the political party concerned, by written notice to the Speaker or the Senate president, as the case may be, had declared that member has ceased to belong to it.”

Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda yesterday declined to comment on Khupe’s issue.

“I was not at her Press conference and I have no comment,” Chokuda curtly said.

Legal expert Jeremiah Bamu said Parliament seemed to be giving one faction power over the other.

“These are clearly two factions of the same party that are fighting over the recall provisions of the Constitution.  Parliament should not interest itself in what happens in political parties. It is not there to give one faction of a party leverage over the other. But regrettably, this is what Parliament seems to be doing,” he said.

“Parliament seems to be furthering the interests of one faction of a political party over the other as opposed to accepting notices from the political party itself. What Parliament ought to say is that unless there is adjudication by the courts as to which one is the legitimate political party, their hands will be tied and therefore cannot accept notice of recall from either of the factions.

“When Parliament resumes sitting, Khupe should attend, but she must first seek to have the communication that she received from the Speaker of the National Assembly (Mudenda) set aside by the  courts on the basis that the Speaker received  notification from a faction of a political party.”

Bamu said the MDC-T had split into two, so one faction could not recall the other faction.

Khupe said her recall was unprocedural.

“My understanding of parliamentary operations is that the Speaker derives his powers from the mace when he is sitting on his chair in the National Assembly and in the presence of sitting MPs because the mace is the symbol of authority of the House, and the Speaker. Without the mace, the House cannot sit and pass laws,” Khupe said.

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF candidate for the Chitungwiza St Mary’s Parliamentary seat, Nobert Jinkika had to kneel before voters last weekend as he begged for their support during the forthcoming March 26 by-elections.

Jinjika’s is up against main rival Unganai Tarusenga of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate and other candidates from different political parties in a race to reclaim the seat which has been in the hands of opposition 2018.

“The reason why we are here is to liberate St Mary’s; we cannot continue to survive under the slavery of the opposition when we live in a liberated Zimbabwe.

“I am kneeling down as I beg for your support to vote for the ruling Zanu-PF party on March 26,” he begged the supporters.

Tarusenga was among more than 40 MDC Alliance MPs that were recalled in 2019 by the Mwonzora led MDC-T.

Jinjika claimed that his proximity to President Emmerson Mnangagwa will ensure that all problems affecting the people of Chitungwiza are addressed.

“We have no representatives that can directly address the needs of the people; the opposition does not have a direct link to the President,” he said.